Marathon Mom

It is amazing how even a crazy few days can feel so much easier after a huge stress is gone! Since Monday I have been going non-stop between my test, O’s activities, a concert, the zoo, dentist and just everyday life! And there is more to come this busy, fun week! I am loving that my only priority is nothing besides fun with O and Matt. Tuesday night we celebrated Matt’s birthday a week early with a concert to remind me I truly am getting old! The show started at 7:30 (really 8ish) and didn’t finish to almost midnight, with the headliners taking the stage when I am normally going to bed. Now top that with standing the entire time. The venue was small and as always Adam Duritz didn’t disappoint. I even ran into an old co-worker who I haven’t seen in years. Counting Crows bring me back to college days! Matt's favorite band and was thrilled they played my favorite song: Anyone else think Adam's hair is growing? After a late night followed by an early wake up co...

Guess what?!.... One big stress is gone after yesterday and I am thrilled but now I have free time like never before. I Passed My Nurse Practitioner Boards! Okay maybe running career! I can honestly say that even after all the other certification and board exams I have taken this was the toughest! I am now adding certified Family NP to my certified Adult CNS, yay! I wonder how much better I will run now with this stress gone from my life, I mean I've been dreaming of anemia and antibiotics, heck even dreamed I had to take my test in the dark. Thanks to this guy I got out for a nice 4 mile run to clear my mind yesterday morning before heading to my test. Much needed run for us both! It is amazing how much better a run makes your mind feel. I honestly think all the mental work has left my body depleted and with little energy being a huge aspect of my bad running, poor healing and just overall blah feeling. I'm not normally one to worry over things  but his test was h...

Week 3  I ran half #6 on Thursday and while I hoped to get back under 1:40 I knew that wasn’t happening. I have not trained well since March and despite running pain free again I am not fully able to work. Combine this with the stress right now in life and no wonder I haven’t run well! I am focusing on me, family and enjoying the summer right now instead. While I  am entering Week 4 of marathon training I have no plans and am okay with that. I will continue to strength train, bike and run a little but am backing down even more until I can fully come back. The Monday:  Morning walk with puppy Tuesday:  Morning strength with trainer, Easy Evening 5 mile Run with group Wednesday:  Walk 5 miles with a friend and kids Thursday:  Half Marathon! Friday:   Morning spin (run to/from gym for 3.5 miles) strength Saturday:  10 mile easy run with friends/group Sunday:  5 mile walk with Matt, core and strength Week 4 is filled wit...

I feel like I’m about to write the same list of excuses for my bad race again for the who knows number of times! Sorry instead of subjecting everyone once again to my list again I’ll be brief on yesterday’s half marathon. We have run this race every 4 th of July since it started in 2010 and have no plans of stopping. It is a great way to start the day. The race begins at 6:30am so this meant a nice and early wake up after 3 other middle of the night wake ups from a 3 year old who now goes to bed fine but doesn’t stay there all night. I woke up that morning just not fully awake and feeling kind of blah (for lack of better words). I had a sore left quad and right glute (lots of leg work on Tuesday, dumb move!) and was just not feeling the race, it was hot and humid for the first time since last summer.   Luckily I had team tent access so this meant a smaller bag drop and short port-a-potty lines J I also ran in to a friend from high school in the team area, great to catc...

I am normally someone who loves distance, I actually enjoy running marathons and the long training runs involved, I know crazy! Don't worry I'm not going to stop marathon training I just plan to add in some short, fast speed work for a few weeks. One of my goals this year is the run a sub 20:00 5K and a sub 42:00 10K (last 10K I ran was 2008 with a time of 45:xx so I have no doubt I can PR). While I love speedwork: 1/2 to 1 Mile repeats I cringe at anything less. Last summer I ran 100m to 1/4 Mile repeats with friends but never ran a short race after. This summer I will! Here is my plan... Between now and September I have 4 short races (and 1-2 more I am considering) Two 5Ks, One 3.7 Mile  and One 10K. Also thinking of an 8K. One of the 5Ks and the 10K are Esprit de She races and I am thrilled. I recently was given the opportunity to be an ambassador for the race allowing me to also run the 5K. I am excited about the race, after party activities and hanging with fr...

June  actually meant summer! Racing season is in full force along with hamstring rehab and studying and job decisions. I have focused on enjoying the run and having fun again. It also meant continued sleep issues, no more naps and 3am wake ups from a certain 3 ½ year old, ugh! The last couple nights have been better so I hope we are on the fix with this. Fitness Goals 225+ running miles: Made 200.3 miles 3nd Half Marathon and 2nd Marathon of 2013 (goal = 3:30) Miserable Race and no goal time Start speed work late in June Not cleared until now to race L Biked 2-3x week, strength training 2-3x week and no swimming- are you surprised? Swan Lake Marathon before I was truly miserable! Life Organize the house:  Finally started! Weigh job opportunities and figure out best fit I accepted a great job J Schedule board certification exam and study Soon (but I never tell the day until it is over) Decide on a topic for doctoral project Not yet Foo...

Week 2 was not my final appointment like I hoped, while I to continue to feel better I’m not 100% yet so a few more easy days ahead. I had another week of intense studying and limited “good” workouts but that’s all changing! The frustration is huge right now as I am in the midst of yet another less than ideal marathon training L I am hoping for a good year of racing but it is halfway through and nothing great yet. Monday:  Morning walk with puppy and zoo day with O. Tuesday:  Morning spin, strength with trainer, 3Mile Run on AlterG , Easy 5 Mile Run with group Wednesday:  Much needed run walk to take study break: 5 Miles and core work Thursday:  Morning strength and walk with puppy and Evening run with MRTT group Friday:   Morning spin (run to/from gym for 3.5 miles) Saturday:  12 mile easy run Sunday:  8 Mile run (to/from playground), core and evening 1 Mile walk  Week 3 I am running half #6 this Thursday and hopin...