Goals for the week...

Last week in Review

Last week was my first week writing down my goals.  I did pretty well and did all exercise as planned expect for one extra rest day.  I was travelling and did about 5 miles of walking per day so on Friday my legs were sore and needed a rest.  I also ate well while away and drank a lot of water.  I met my race goals but I will go into that in to my race report.  Also October was my first month of blogging.  I am completely hooked and can’t wait to get to know more of you in the blogging world.

Weekly Goals for November  1^st to November 7^th

Monday-Rest

Tuesday-60 minute run at 11 minute pace/Strength

Wednesday- Spin/ Strength

Thursday -One mile warm up 1min 8:00 1 minute 10:30 x10 One mile Cool down

Friday-Rest

Saturday-45 min run 10:30 pace

Sunday-30 minute half- marathon pace;  5k at brisk/controlled pace

Other Goals:

Drink at least 9 glasses of water a day

Do more core work

Sign up for the Vermont City Marathon

What are your goals for the week??  Have a great week!

Race outfit preview...

I typically do not dress up on Halloween and never have dress up for a race.  So I surprised myself and created this little number for Devil Chase Race tomorrow. They encourage people to dress up as a devil.  I did a little twist and did half devil/ half angel.  I had limited time since I waited to the last minute and I just got back today.  I am not going win any prizes ( they are handing out 17) but I am glad to step out of my comfort zone.

Here is the front...

And the back...




I have not raced in a long while so my goals are simple:
Positive self talk and not to be my own worst enemy with negative talk
Under 1:10 with an 10:30 pace
Not to start out to fast

Off to bed so I can rock the race tomorrow... Good luck to anyone else doing races tomorrow!

Three Things Thursday

This is my first three things Thursdays...

1. My new I-Pod shuffle-  I won this in a raffle.  My old ipod died and I was too cheap to  buy a new one. It had been over a year since I had an I-Pod.  I realized how much I miss having music whenever I wanted it.  I have been having some kick ass runs with my new I-Pod.  Sometime it helps to gives you that extra boost.  I was speckitcal of the shuffle and might not have bought it on my own but it was free.  I love it!  I love how portable it is and  that it is compact enough to itn in your pocket.  Plus I downloadedsome new songs from Glee and that just makes me happy.

2.  Travel--- I always knew I loved to travel but after spending the last two days sightseeing it really reminded me how much I love it.  I love seeing new places, learning about that city and people watching.  I really wish we were able to travel more. 

3.  Healthy Eating/ Exercising while away-- My goal on this trip was to stick to eating healthy, exercising and drinking water.  I have done a pretty good job so far.  I am lucky that there is a grocery store next to the hotel so I was able to get a few healthy snacks, fruit/veggies, and water for the room.  I have gone for my scheduled runs and walked over 4 miles each day.  I did treat myself to a cookie and a glass of wine tonight opps...

Running Through DC

I am in DC right now for work.  This is my first trip away from LBoogie and I thought I was be too sad to enjoy it.  Well I was wrong, I complete miss him and my hubby J but I am having a blast.  Today I got to my hotel and decided to go for a run.  I was just going to go around my hotel in Old Towne Alexandra but based on the recommendation of Amanda, I decided to head into the city and run around there.  I was just going to go for short 3 miler but ended up so engrossed in the sights of the city I ended up going 6. 

I started out coming out of the Metro and just starting running.  I got luck and after about a mile I ran into this

I took a quick pictures and chatted with some tourist that loved my new "Will Run for Wine" Bondiband.

I took off towards my favorite spot in DC...

I don't know why but I love the Washington Monument and the area around it. Then I ventured down to the Mall and  ran along there.  I looking at Smithsonian Museum's and remember my childhood trips there.  I stopped and snapped this picture. 

I was hoping to do to run up the stairs ala Rocky ( I know that Philadelphia but I was going to pretend) but it was closed. So  I just headed back down the mall and over to the Metro.  It was such an amazing run.  I wish all my runs could be in new and different places each time.

Where to run and what to do?

I am off to D.C. in the morning for a training for work.  I will be there from Wednesday to Saturday.  I will have a lot of extra time.  I have no clue what to do.  Well one thing is for sure there will be some naps!!  Anyone have any recommendations on good spots to run and what to do.  I have not been alone for thing long in over 18 months.  What a strange feeling!

Insomnia and Early Morning Run are not a matched made in heaven.

I have always struggled with insomnia for most of adult life and it really has not interfered too much with daily life. I have always fallen asleep easily but struggled with staying asleep and can be up for 2 or 3 hours in the middle of the night.  This has made it hard to wake up early and go for a run. When I started running in 2005, I was engaged but we were living apart so if I needed to sleep in and work out at night no problem.  Even when we got married, J often worked at night or had class so i continue to run after work.

Once I had L Boogie, my insomnia got better for a while probably because I was so tired I slept whenever I could get it.  Once we were on a schedule and I was back at work my insomnia came back too.  Unfortunately I cant sleep in anymore and I cant sneak in missed runs at night due J's schedule.  I used to put L Boogie in the jogger after work but now it is dark and getting cold to do that. 

The only conclusion I have come to is I either have to suck it up and run on 3 or 4 hours of sleep or we need a treadmill to try to get some workouts in. Now if I can only convince J that we NEED a treadmill and find a place to put.

I guess there is no real point to the post... just some middle of the night ramblings from an insomniac runner!

Goals for the week 10/25 -10/31

This is my first week blogging and keep track of my goals…I think it will be a great motivator this week. I have a unique challenge this week as I am traveling for work Wednesday through Saturday. I know this is not a big deal for most but I never travel for work so this week is challenge. At least I am traveling to a little warmer climate, the hotel has a workout room and there are great safe areas to run.

Monday
4.5 miles at 10:15 pace/ lift 20 minutes

Tuesday
Spin 45 minutes

Wednesday

3.5 miles at 10:15 pace/ lift 30 minutes

Thursday
1 mile warm up then 3 minutes at 8:50 pace and 3 minutes at 10:30 ( four times ) 1 mile cool down

Friday
1 mile warm up 1 minute hill/incline at 8:50 pace and 1 minute downhill/no incline at 10:30 pace 1 mile cool down (five times)

Saturday
Rest

Sunday

6.66 Halloween Run

Other goals for the week:

*To stay within my calories for the week and to track everything I eat include the bite here and there

* Make healthy choices while traveling

* Drink more water

 

Happy Running and have a great week!!

Run in a costume... yes or no?

I am running in a Halloween Race next Sunday and runners are encouraged to wear devil costumes. I typically do not dress or wear costumes especially when running but there is a sizeable prize and it is the Halloween Capitol of the US ( Salem, Ma).  I am thinking embracing the spirit of the race!  I feel a little silly but not sure why.  My two ideas are devil in a blue dress or a devilled egg.  The devil in a blue dress I would wear red running tights and a red shirt and a simple blue cotten dress over it.  For the devilled egg, I would  red running tights and a red shirt with a felt egg cut out on it.  And of course horns for both.

Any votes on which costume?  How about you... do you stick to just running gear or embrace the spirit of the race?

Speed Workouts...

Today, I did my first speed workout in over a year.  I loved it!  Well, actually, I haated it while I was doing it but afterwards I loved it.  It feels great to push yourself sometimes. 

I did:

1 mile warm up to the gym
Then did the following 3 times on the treadmill
3 minutes at 8:40 pace (10k pace)
3 minutes at 10:30 pace
1 mile easy run back home

I prefer  to do speed/fartlek runs on a treadmill during these time of year when it dark on the track.  And for some reason I cant just do them just out on the road.  Any tips on that??

Half Fanatic

Since becoming a mother, I have become a planner.   I love lists, calendars and plans!   I realized as a mother especially a working and running mother everything just follows better with plans and schedule.  So I have started to plan my races and goals for next year.  My first goal is obviously to train and complete the Vermont City Marathon in May.  But since getting bitten by the running bug (again!) that is not enough for me and I have planned my challenge for the next half of the year.  And what better goal for the NEXT half of year goal then trying to become a Half Fanatic.  

The plan is the complete the Neptune Level by completing these 3 Half Marathons:

Providence Rock and Roll Half Marathon August 7^th 2011

Salem Wicked Half Marathon September 24^th 2011

Smuttynose HalfOctober 2^nd 2011

I would love to add these 3 half Marathons to the schedule to complete the Uranus Level: ( However that would bring my race total to at least 11 and I am sure my bank account or husband would be too happy about it!!)

Worcester Half Marathon

Lowell sun Half Marathon October 2011

Maine Coast Half Marathon November 2011

I am not if I have not been racing as much as used to or what I am so excited to get racing!! 

How far in advanced to you plan you races?  How many races to you typically do in a year?

Why I run...

Day 2 back on the road and while running I began to think about all the reasons I run.

Here they are in no particular order:

I ran because:
~I can.  I may not be fast but I have the ability to run so I should
~I love to break a sweat!
~you can do it almost anywhere anytime.
~I want to be a healthy role model for my son.
~It makes me a healthier and happier person
~Stress reliever
~I love racing
~it is my therapy and alone time
~it addicting
~I like to push the limits of what my body thinks it can do
~I have some great runner partners


There are probably a million more reasons but these are the ones that popped into my head.

Why do you run??

Bay State Marathon Spectator Report

On Sunday, I had the privilege of going to Lowell, Ma and cheering my best friend, Becky, in her first marathon. I was so proud of her. This was my first time going to a marathon to cheer someone I knew personally. It was quite the adventure…

A few highlights:

~Made a kick ass shirt for my son to wear

~Getting to see my best friend at mile 13, 25 and 26.2!!! (Would have love to be there sooner but L Boogie would not have love it as much)

~Experiencing the excitement of the crowds it was awesome. I teared up several times… who knew running got me so emotional

~L Boogie high fiving Becky at mile 13

~Being part of Becky's special moment and watching her complete her goal

 

Some lowlights

~Someone breaking trying to break into my car or setting off car alarm thus draining the battery

~Waiting for AAA to come jump my battery for over 90 minutes on the side of a busy road with a wiggly toddler

~Forgetting my camera so only getting one picture

Overall, it was such a great experience and I was so happy to cheer on my friend. It was an honor to be part of her accomplishment. It made me even more excited for my own marathon in May. And who know maybe I will even do the bay state next year!

 

 

Building a Base…

For the past couple of months, I have been wondering why I am struggling with my running.   I have been sporadic and lacking a plan in my running which has resulted in soreness, ache and pains.  Then it dawned on me I need to build up my base prior to my training for the marathon in May 2011.  I did some researched and found this program on Runner's World.

Laying the Groundwork

Use the base-training plan below to develop endurance and strength prior to starting your next race-specific program. Follow this two-week block with one week of moderate runs. Repeat the three-week sequence two or three times for a total of six to nine weeks of base training. On tempo, hills, or fartlek days, warm up and cool down with a 10-minute easy run.

Day 1
Long run 45 to 90 minutes at what coach Jenny Spangler calls "a slight level of discomfort," or a moderate effort

Day 2
Rest, cross-train, or do a short, easy run

Day 3
Run 20 to 60 minutes at a moderate effort

Day 4
Long fartlek 3 or 4 3-minute surges at a 10-K to 10-mile effort, with 3 minutes easy running between fast segments

Day 5
Rest, cross-train, or short, easy run

Day 6
Hills 45 to 60 seconds at a hard effort; start with 4 repeats, build to 8 to 10; walk or jog downhill between repeats

Day 7
Rest

Day 8
Long run 45 to 90 minutes at an easy, conversational pace

Day 9
Rest, cross-train, or do a short, easy run

Day 10
Run 20 to 60 minutes at a moderate effort

Day 11
Short fartlek 10 to 15 minutes of 30-second to 2-minute bursts at a hard effort; recovery is equal to the duration of each fast segment

Day 12
Rest

Day 13
Rest or Run 20 to 60 minutes at a moderate effort

Day 14
Long tempo (or race): 20 to 40 minutes at half-marathon to marathon effort; 5-K or 10-K at a brisk but controlled pace

So here is my plan and I can’t wait to get started!  Anyone have any feedback or information on building up a mileage base??  I would love to hear about it!

My Story…

When I was thinking of how to introduce myself, I immediately wrote I am a mother, wife and runner. Unfortunately, over the last 18 months, the runner part has not been entirely true. Sure, I have done my share of running and even a few races but I have lacked a sense of dedication and motivation toward running and my overall health. Becoming a mother and adjusting to life as working mom of energetic toddler boy has certainly come at the cost of my running and healthy lifestyle. I would not change a minute of the past 18 months nor would I blame this lacking of running on anyone but myself. I have a completely supportive husband, a little boy who to go for a run in the jogger, and really love running. See no good excuses not to run… I just need to learn how to balance it all. Honestly, I am not sure I ever will but who does???

In an effort to regain a commitment to running and health, I have decided to run a marathon. The Vermont City Marathon on May 29^th 2011 to be exact. I have always found the best way for me to get back into something is to jump in head first. So this blog will document my journey back to running and that 26.2 on 5/29/11. Also now that I have published this post I can't back down!