Marathon Mom

Hi, I'm still around and have no idea where the time has gone! Work has been crazy, school is keeping O busy and increasing her social life! Dance and running pretty much dictate our current schedules. I can only imagine how things will be as she gets older. I have a pile of posts started just haven't found the time to finish them. So much has gone on: Ragnar, Halloween, school break and just life! I decided to combine into one and recap the past month. So grab a coffee and have fun catching up... Ragnar Tennessee A couple months ago in one crazy moment I agreed to run Ragnar Tennessee to fill 2 open spots with a friend. Besides the running and lack of sleep it meant about 14 hours in the car each way! But why not! It was a blast, Tennessee was beautiful minus the rain. The weekend was a whirlwind! I'm happy to say I met some great new friends and look forward to our next run... Van 2 View from my run Family Fun and Running October marks scho...

It has been almost 2 weeks since the marathon and I have enjoyed some time of easy workouts, rest days, sleeping in and refocusing on me, my goals, future, family and not worrying about nutrition (way too much dairy, ugh!). But today marks a weekend day for me thanks to MEA and working last weekend. O and I are both home. Today I am back at it focusing on workouts again and not letting this post marathon slacking (okay recovery gone too far) carrying on for months like I have a bad habit of doing! This week I have had fun with getting back out there with my running friends for some 5am runs, dark, cool, perfect! All this after 85 degrees last Sunday! We enjoyed that day outside, family pictures, grilling and soaking in the last days of nice hot weather. Anna Lee Photography Today is the start, up at 5am and strength training, back to PT exercises to make sure I fend off future hamstring injury and now relaxing with coffee and my girl before spin class. So what’s ahead… ...

Well I did it, the thing that 5 months ago, I was told to rethink. On July 1st I was cleared to start running after almost 2 months of intense therapy and nitroglycerin for my hamstring. Training was less than ideal for me but was focused on regaining endurance. I did no speed work, I just ran 3-4 days a week at a pace that felt good but I focused on strength training and cross training while working 50 hours a week and finishing grad school! So glad that is done! With all that I was saying I'm never running a fall marathon again. Saturday was the family events. O ran the 1 mile and had a blast! Then we headed for a quick run through the expo before I worked at the UCAN booth for a few hours. So much fun to share info about my favorite fuel.  Sunday the big day! O slept at my parents' yet somehow we got a late start, we got there, I threw my bag in the bag check just in time for the national anthem. No time to walk the 1/4 mile to pee! Oops :( So instead I get m...

September was here and gone, how did that happen? I had big goals for the month and well things didn’t quite go as planned! Cooper has decided he's anxious with O at school and started eating every nonfood item in site so bad in the crate for him until we solve this issue. September Goals Family/Life ·                      Develop consistent weekday school routine- Still working on it ·                      Meal prep on Sunday and make 2 meals for the week- Not doing great! ·                      1 more apple orchard trip- Nope Running/Fitness ·                      5K in 22:...

Here I am 9 days from marathon #28 and at it again, full out taper madness. As I sat down this morning to drink coffee I was just not feeling happy, something was wrong but I couldn't figure it out. I'm starting a 3 day weekend full of fun with family and friends, I have time to relax, I'm getting a much needed hair cut and color...so why the negative feelings? Then it hit me...TAPER! Seriously I've been through it too many times to mess with me like this but without fail here it is. At least I have an explanation, but still I'm not happy with this. One would have thought going in to a race with minimal goals would mean less pressure but I guess not. I have every reason to doubt my training since it consisted of little to no speed work, less miles than I normally do and focus on gaining endurance back while working long hours. Last week I ran a 5K, in the evening, that I wasn't feeling great about and came away with a 2nd place AG finish! And a time of 20:26...

Week 1 of taper is done and I survived! Anyone else close to a race?  Every time I think things will settle down I am quickly proven wrong! Between O’s school and activities, my work and now being sick I need a break! Monday: O’s first night of dance this year and 1 hour walk for me (feeling sick) Tuesday: 8 mile run Wednesday: T25 Upper Thursday: 5K Race (more later) and core Friday: 16 miles (this was rough!) Saturday: 4 mile run while coaching and Beast Back Sunday: 1 hour family bike after work and Beast Chest O did a cheerleading camp this weekend and had a blast…Next week they perform at the game. This week is another busy week but I think we are settling into a routine finally. I have some big things this week (sorry to be vague) but please think of me and send some good thoughts. Less than 2 weeks until marathon 28. Let the weather stalking begin! Monday: Core and 8 mile run Tuesday: 6 mile run and Beast Arms Wednesday: Beast Shoulders ...

It's that time again...I made to yet another taper! This past week was my highest mileage week in probably a year at 48.8 miles (this used to be a low week!). The best part was that it felt great. 22 miles done on Sunday in 3:19. I've learned to hold back on my long runs, finally! It was 50s and perfect but time to get out the gloves. Raynauds sucks! On the advice of a friend I tried an Epsom salt bath Sunday for the first time and I'm not fully convinced but soaking was relaxing. My legs do feel great today so who knows. Who recovers with Epsom Salt? What do you think? Matt and I had a belated birthday date night to see Counting Crows. Fun way to kick off taper, right? We had an early dinner and headed to the show only to find out it was cancelled just a few minutes before they opened the doors. So instead we headed home and relaxed on the couch with a glass of wine and listened to Counting Crows.