11

 

 * 11 MILES CONQUERED *

 

 

 

Today was a huge accomplishment toward my running goals.

 

I remember when I began running, the thought of running double digits seemed completely out of reach. 

 

However, with months and months of diligent training and hard work, I was able to cross this huge milestone. 

 

Emma had soccer game Saturday morning so we decided not to brave the dark freezing early morning and meet later in the day.  We met around 11am and were on our way.  Temps were in the 50s and the sun was shining brightly.  Simply a gorgeous day!  It's so hard figuring out what to wear when you know it's cold out but you also know you will warm up as you run.  Don't want to overdress or under dress.  I ended up buying long running tights on Friday so I decided to wear them Saturday.  I loved them.  They fit well and didn't ride as I ran!

 

 

 

So, mine are a little different than these...well, actually a lot different...just couldn't find an online pic and was too lazy to get up and take a pic of mine :) However, the style is the same but the colors are different. Mine are gray/black with pink accents!

 

Anyway, moving on! Ha. 

 

So, we started running around 11:20 and I had to potty right away.  Apparently, all the coffee and water I'd had earlier ran right through me since I had gone just 10 minutes before we started running. Luckily, there was a bathroom around mile 2.  Once we started again, we were rolling.  Feeling good overall.  Good solid pace and pure determination lead our path.  Around mile 6 or so it was time to refuel.  I had a Gu Gel and Candace had fruit snacks.  Both seemed to work great.  I had the vanilla flavored caffeine free gel this time and really enjoyed it.  I ate it over about a 5 minute period.  I really did feel a boost of energy a few minutes later.  Also, around mile 6 I began to feel an annoying ache in my left knee.  I wasn't too concerned about it but it did catch my attention since I've been running pretty much pain free lately.  I pushed through since it didn't seem to worsen. 

 

The miles went by.  The closer we got to our goal, the more excited we became.  I don't know, there was just something about running 11 miles that seemed like such an accomplishment.  I mean, we are only 2 short miles away from a half marathon!!! Woohoo!!!

 

We finished in 1:49:39 and let me tell ya...we were spent!!! It was a good exhausted, a super happy we met our goal, exhausted!

 

Our splits...

 

Mile 1 - 10:16

Mile 2 - 10:05

Mile 3 - 9:33

Mile 4 - 9:46

Mile 5 - 9:47

Mile 6 - 9:48

Mile 7 - 10:18

Mile 8 - 10:13

Mile 9 - 10:06

Mile 10 - 9:51

Mile 11 - 9:42

 

 

 

When I got home I used my foam roller and stretched for a good 20 minutes.  Then, I hit the shower.  I don't think a hot shower had ever felt so good!  By the time all that was done, I was so hungry!!! After all, I'd burned around 1100 calories!  I ate lunch then laid on the couch and took a nap! 

 

My knee was still bothering me so I decided to wear a brace all day Sunday and not run today or tomorrow.  It's feeling so much better so I should be back to training Wednesday.  At this point in the game, I'd rather be safe than sorry!

 

32 days till race day!!! I can't believe it! I'm so excited!

 

 

back at it

 

Or in my case, brownies with ice cream and hot fudge :)

 

 

Last week my training was pretty sad.  I was fighting a cold most of the week and decided to take it easy.  I ran 5 miles on Thursday and cross trained on Friday AND... that's it.  Ha ha. Ya know what, it was a nice break...not gonna lie.  However, I'm so happy to be back at it this week.

 

Today I met with Candace and Amanda for a quick 3 miler.  I'm still getting used to the pitch black of the morning that we are running in, but the run went great.  I felt good and well rested.  I came home and did 20 push ups, 100 crunches, stretched, and used my foam roller.

 

I have 3 planned for tomorrow as well as strength training.  Gotta keep the muscles toned! 

 

 

 

 

I cannot believe there are only 39 days until RACE DAY! Seriously, time is flying!

Color Run

 

Color Run Awesomeness!!!

 

 

 

Part of our team "Color Me Fab"

 

 

Yesterday was a fantastic day.  It began at 5am.  I Woke up, got dressed, and headed out the door to meet 3 of my running buddies for an early 7 miler. The weather was pretty good but it was a little foggy and warm.  The plan was to run and be back by 10 after 7 to get ready for the Color Run and leave at 7:45.  We were running a little behind and ended up getting back around 7:30. I somehow mapped the course for almost .40 miles longer than I wanted.  So, we ran 7.37 instead of 7. 

 

 

 

I had a few Color Runners at my house waiting for us.  I changed as quick as I could squeeze into my COTTON Color Run clothes.  That wasn't easy as sweaty as I was :/ Yuck! Then we hit the road. 

 

We arrived to an amazing sea of excited Color runners all dressed in white shirts.  I have no idea how many people were there but it was in the thousands!  Excitement was in the air!

 

We ended up jumping into the 3rd wave of runners.  Candace, Laura, Rebecca, and I stayed together during the run.  We ran through 4 color stations.  Yellow, Orange, Green, and Blue.  It was crazy.  People were rolling in the color. It was hilarious.  Surprisingly we weren't all that colorful after the run.  BUT, after the run, well, that's a different story.  The after party is basically people walking around throwing color EVERYWHERE, taking pictures, and acting goofy.  I'd say our color at least tripled! 

 

 

This was taken pretty quickly after we ran - see, not too much color

 

 

This was taken about 15 minutes later...See the difference??!! Notice the cloud of color! It was everywhere!

 

Emily and I showing the shirts we made :)

 

Me, Laura, Candace, and Rebecca

Rebecca, Candace, Emily, Me, Ashley, Laura, and Rachel

 

Laura and I both bought awesome Color Run socks and she had the fantastic idea to each wear one of each others socks! So fun!

There was also a HUGE milestone accomplished yesterday! We ran 10 miles!!! We ran 7.37 in the morning and with the Color Run - accomplished most of our goal! The 5K wasn't actually a full 3.1 so we ran around the parking lot to gain the extra mileage! Yes, we are nuts but that's OK! We did it!!! ONLY 3 short miles away from a half marathon!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!

10 MILES

 

After the fun, we all piled in the car and headed to Gibson's donuts.

I was starving! I had burned around 1000 calories and had only eaten one Lara bar. I ate a blueberry donut and a pumpkin donut and drank a delicious cup of coffee - with cream and sugar :)

 

After the fun was over, we headed home.  I was a little concerned I'd be colorful all day because the baby wipes we used on our hands did not get the color off!!! Luckily, with my Oil of Olay liquid soap and trusty loofa, I came 95% clean. 

 

I ended up cleaning my SUV later that afternoon.  It was still sandy from our beach trip.  I'm not sure where I got the energy from to do all that, but when I was done, I was done.  I suddenly was Mrs. stuffy head. I felt like I'd been hit by a mack truck - just wiped out.  The rest of my family had been fighting a cold this past week so I guess it's my turn.  Let's just say this...I slept until 11:30 this morning! Crazy! I'm feeling a little better but not much :/

 

What a great fun Saturday!!!!

 A fun colage of pics

 

 



9

 

 

Milestone Update!!!!

 

**9 miles complete**

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was a huge step in the right direction.  We successfully ran 9 miles! Yippee!!!  Normally our long runs are on Saturdays but with the chance of rain tomorrow we decided to go ahead and get them done today. 

 

My alarm went off at 4:30...I hit snooze, fell back asleep and got up when it went off 5 min. later.  I had gone to bed around 9 last night so I was pretty well rested.  I headed out the door around 4:50 and arrived at Candace's house at 5.  We headed out into the pitch black of the early morning armed with flash lights, pepper spray, water bottles, hammer gels, and plenty of anticipation. 

 

The first few miles I felt off.  Nothing major just kind of icky. After mile 3 I was fine and into the groove.  Ready to tackle the task ahead!!!

 

 

 

 

Around mile 3.5 or so our friend, Amanda, joined us.  I know I've said this before but I love running with friends! The miles fly by and there is always something to chat about.  We talk about everything! It's great fun.

 

At mile 6 I tried my first hammer gel.  Oh my, we were a little surprised about the gross texture but the taste was OK.  I'd say it definitely helped us finish strong.  Just before I took it I was feeling hungry so the timing was good.  My tummy did hurt for a minute or so after but it was quick and no biggie.  I think having something and hour or so into a long run is vital and I'll be stocking up as my long runs only get longer.  It fit nicely in my water bottle and was easy to open and eat. So, I'd give it a B - points taken away for weird thick texture.

 

Honestly, other than the first few miles getting into my groove, the run was fantastic! Good friends, great weather, & a huge milestone achieved! I couldn't have asked for more! 

 

 

 

God's amazing hand of protection...

 

 

 

 

At the beginning of the run we heard sirens and saw a fire truck and ambulance turn onto Berryhill, a street I had just driven down 10 min. before.  Didn't think anything about it really until I was on my way home and was forced to turn around and take a detour. Berryhill was completely blocked.  A bad wreck was the cause. Still not thinking much about it until I realized that the wreck would have occurred just minutes after I had traveled down Berryhill to go to C's house.  We were only a few minutes into our run when we saw the firetruck and ambulance, so that means that there was maybe a 5 minute window.  My window of protection.  I'm am so thankful for God's protection!!! This is why I try not to get upset if I'm running late or my schedule changes due to weird circumstances...you never know what He is protecting you from!!!

 

 

 

Not to be taken for granted!

 

 

"When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they would give to have this simple gift I take for Granted, and I run harder for them

 

I know they would do the same for me."

 

Author - Unknown

 

 

 

I love this quote! It's so true.  I have been so blessed to have the ability to run, something so easily taken for granted!

 

As I train for the St. Jude 1/2, I'm constantly reminded of this simple truth.  I am so honored to be able to run and raise money for these precious children.  I put myself in their parents shoes for 2 seconds and the tears flow.  I cannot imagine how hard it would be to go through the heartache these families encounter.  I praise the Lord for healthy children but do not take their health for granted.  It is a gift. 

 

My goal of raising 1000 dollars for the kids of St. Jude seems small in light of their daily operating cost.  $1.8 Million PER DAY. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that number.  I want to do my part and I want to do it well.  I cannot do it alone.  I need your help!!!  We have 59 days till race day and about 2 weeks shy of that to raise money.  Please spread the word to friends and family.  Together we can make a difference!

 

 

Go Here to be directed to my personal fundraising page.  It only takes a second but the impact lasts a lifetime!

 

 

 

Training

 

Training this week has been good.  Both days have been at the gym.  Not my favorite but you do what you have to do. 

 

Monday I ran 3.5 in 32 min.  I had the 'mill on an incline of at least 1 the whole time.  Most of the run it was on 2.  I felt strong...much better than Saturday's run.  Thank goodness! I finished up with about 20 minutes of strength. 

 

Today, I ran 3 in 29 min.  Again, I had the incline set to 1-2 most of the run.  I like the feeling of "hills" on the 'mill. I arrived late due to setting my alarm incorrectly so I did some ab work and headed home.  

 

I have 5 planned for tomorrow! 

 

Have a blessed day!