A Pretty Epic Weekend

This weekend was a pretty Epic weekend.
We played with friends, wore some great costumes, had some family time and went trick or treating. While trick or treating we scored enough candy to last us until Easter (seeing I am disciplined enough to leave it alone, HA). 
Halloween 2014 you did not disappoint. Then there were Grandparents taking care of and loving on our girls so we could get out of town to run my 2nd half marathon in 6 months. We are so appreciative and it seems like they had a blast to. 
A night away with good friends, shopping, dinner out and a lot of  pre-race jitters for me. The next day I  was able to run and finish the race with my running partner of one year. A gal who has made running 630 miles in a year an enjoyable thing to do. We also had company this time, a new running buddy who crossed the finish line of her first half marathon it was so awesome to be a part of that.

One year ago today. The most I could run was 3 miles and if I pushed myself I would barely come in over 30:00 and that felt like certain death. But I began half training anyway with the dream of maybe being ready and possibly finishing one. Yesterday I just ran my 2nd half marathon and I am celebrating 630 miles of running in one year.
Running has changed my life for the better and today I want to take the time to celebrate each and every one of those miles.
I have so much more to say about our epic weekend and so many more pictures to share. But I was to exhausted and wanted to take some time to let it all  really soak in.
I'll be back tomorrow with some Halloween fun pictures.
Happy Monday!

#DJV5K

This weekend I participated in the #DJV5K. I signed up several weeks ago before I had really thought about where I would be in my half training. It was just this week that I realized I had a 9 mile run to do this weekend.
So, what's a girl to do in a situation like that?
 My best solution was to run a 5.9 mile warm up then try and bust out the fastest 5K I could to get a 9 mile total. Crazy? Maybe. But it was the best idea I could come up with. Thankfully my running buddy didn't even flinch when I brought it up and happily joined in the fun.

We met at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning. It was dark with breaking low temperature of 43 degrees. I will try and not complain for those of you still having summer weather. I do love me some fall weather but that felt more like winter when we started.

We ran our first 6 miles, then stopped to stretch and take some more pictures.




After a quick break we restarted our apps were off. Our goal: finish without dying. This was kind of a weird feeling. Usually 5K's are all about speed, game on run as fast as you can. I went into this one thinking if we can do this under 30:00 I am going to be thrilled.

Sure enough 3.1 miles later

We some how did it. 

And seriously, if we could look this put together after all of our runs, especially the 9 miles ones. I guess that cold weather wasn't so bad after all! 

9 fingers for 9 miles, our longest run since early May.

Thank you Desiree and Jenny for putting the #DJV5K together.

I can't wait to hear how everyone else did!

A Place For Everything: Finisher Medals

As a type A, control "enthusiast", OCD, type personality everything in our home has needs a place. 
In a matter of seconds a mess on the floor or un-organization can not only cause my eye to start twitching, but it can send me off on a cleaning binge that may last for hours on end.

 How have I survived having children? You ask. Well, a whole lot of Jesus and learning sometimes I just have to let go.

Since "becoming a runner" I have started collecting finisher medals. There was that crazy time that I actually placed in a 5K, my first half marathon and most recently finishing the summer night racing series. Three medals in 4 months with plans for more on the way. I didn't want to display them in the living room. But I did want to figure out a way to show my hard work and simultaneously keep me motivated.

This display was put together as a group effort. I couldn't have done it alone. My Dad cut the wood, my good friend and running partner cut and applied the letters and Russ and I stained/ sealed the wood and put the hardware on.

Celebrate EVERY mile.

Such a good and true reminder. When I look at my medals it isn't necessarily the miles I ran on that race that I think of. I am reminded of each mile that I logged, each session at the gym, and each morning that I woke up at 4:30 like a crazy person to get me to the place where I could run that race.

Every mile matters, every mile counts.

And now in the morning when I wake up this is my view... morning motivation to keep on.

This year I have big plans to add several more medals, Lord willing. 

So thankful for an outlet, a healthier lifestyle and the growth God has brought me through the gift of running.

Runners Do More Than Run

Today I am linking up with The Chronicles of We and Macke Monologues. These lovely ladies are hosting a virtual 5K that is coming up on September 13th. If you haven't already registered you should! 
This week they have invited us to link up and share our training plans. Since I am already trained for over a 5K distance and don't have plans to work on speed right now, I don't really have a specific training plan set for this race. I thought I would use this as a chance to share with you a few things that I have learned about training over my past year of living a runners life. 

First off let me just say I don't want to sound like the "perfect" runner who does everything just as is it should be. I don't, I never will, it is hard to make time to do what feels like even more work. But when I do I notice positive improvements in the way I feel and in my running. 

{Cross training}

When I started running longer distances I was told I needed to cross train. I had to Google search what exactly that meant. I thought it meant that there must be some particular cross training apparatus that I needed to find and use. Cross training isn't nearly as hard or intimidating as it sounds. Simply put it is just doing some other form of exercise other than running.

Cross training will vary depending on your access to equipment. But consider everything from weights, elliptical, workout videos and everything in between! On a typical week I cross train 2-3 days a week, on the days that I am not running.

{Yoga}

This is a new one for me, like just this week. After months of hearing that runners can benefit from yoga I finally decided to give it a try. I have been doing an online video but I look forward to checking out a class at my local gym. 

If your looking for somewhere to start try this video.

{Foam Rolling}

This over sized pool noodle has often been one of my best friends.

It is the perfect way to relieve muscle tension, correct imbalances and help correct and prevent injuries. I would recommend doing some research before jumping on one of these there are proper and improper ways to go about rolling. 

{PROPERLY stretching}

I am pretty sure that I had been running for about 7 months before I learned that there are two types of stretching (dynamic and static) and that I was going about things all wrong. Learning what is best for the muscles and combining that with what works best for MY body has been a powerful tool. I also can always tell when I take the time to really stretch after a long run and when I skip it. It has a huge affect on how I feel and how quickly I recover. 

Stretching is always worth the time. 

{Squats, Lunges and Planks}

I will never forget going into my local running store to get fitted for shoes the first time. I explained some problems I was having and the guys said you have a weak butt. No hesitation, he blurted it out just like that. I didn't know how to respond, but my head was screaming "You don't know me!" Thankfully I didn't have to say anything. He told me exactly what I needed to do to fix things, squats, lunges and core strength.

30 day plans can be helpful, or just find a routine. It doesn't take long to bust out 20 squats spread them across the day and you will be feeling the benefits in a matter of weeks. This is one area that I don't always do so well in, but I am trying. I started this 30 day challenge a couple days ago, join me if you would like!

So there you have it. 5 ways you can become a better runner without running.
How do you like to train without logging miles?

A Midsummer Night 10K Recap

Happy Monday, I always feel like a liar when I post that. Happy and Monday are NOT two words that I believe belong in the same sentence. But in an effort to be an optimist, I try.
Another weekend brought another race. Race 2 of a 3 part summer running series. 

Let me just start by saying it was H.O.T. temps upon starting were in the low 90's. After a fast start I realized that slowing down was a must if I had any plans of finishing this race without a walk.
Here we are not even a mile in.

 I was fighting a side cramp for the first 2 miles and breathing deeply felt almost impossible with that warm air and no breeze. BUT, somehow around mile 2.5 I found a groove and the rest of the race felt great. I didn't push to hard and I am SO thankful for my awesome running partner who kept me grounded.

We went into this race knowing the conditions were different than last month, and we had no expectations of beating last months time. I sprinted to the finish line for a 1:02:15 finish, almost 3 minute slower than last month.

I have no idea how fast I was running here but I felt invincible! I love that both feet are off the ground to channeling my inner gazelle.

If you would have told me my second race was going to be slower two months ago I would have said how disappointed that would make me. But you know what, I wasn't disappointed at all. Sometimes it isn't about a time, it's about finishing. Pushing yourself to do something outside of what makes you comfortable. If running 6.2 miles at 9:00 at night in the dark through the woods when it's 90 degrees doesn't make you a little uncomfortable, what does. 

So I will take my time and hope that maybe next month I get my 58: something. 

And if not, that is okay to. The best part of these races are moments like these.

Doing something I never imagined I could do even just one year ago with some AMAZING ladies that I get to call friends. 

How was your weekend?

Race Recap/ Starry Night 10K

This weekend I had my first official race since I ran the half marathon. A local organization has a summer night running series. One race a month in June, July and August. The races are ran at 8:30 at night on a local trail. So it is sunset when you start and pitch black when you get back. Running through the woods on a trail in the dark was much more spooky than I had anticipated it to be.

One of my favorite parts of races is this

I get to see my running friends. Races seem like the one time that we all are together at once. We always take some kind of group photo, but sadly it seems someone is always missing.

I learned a few things from this race.
1) I had ran that route WAY to many times. I was BORED to death with it which didn't help me at all. I wanted to be done 1.5 miles in.
2) I am a morning runner. I MUCH prefer my morning runs to this 8:30 at night stuff.
3) I hate humid weather! I really already knew that. Just wanted to put that out there.

My initial goal for this race was to do it under an hour. Then I had said I wanted to do it in 58:something. I realized I was off pace for that with about 2 miles left and tried to pick things up. I did what I could and ended up with a time of 59:16. So that left me very happy and slightly frustrated.

 Good thing I have two more tries!

It's The Little Things/ Holding Hands

Last Friday Marissa and I had did a fun run together. One mile down the road and back as fast as she could go. When we do runs together the rule is always if she needs to walk, we walk. But this run was both surprising and special

Surprising, because she never once asked to walk. She ran and ran her little 5 year old heart out. Sometimes dragging me along.

Special, because we ran the whole thing up until the very end holding hands.

All I could think while running with this beautiful girl was how blessed I was to call her mine. She is such a smart, strong, beautiful girl that doesn't give up.

Then my mind wondered to a time not even a year ago that I couldn't have done this with her. I couldn't have ran a mile without having a near death experience, HA!  Sad, funny and true.

I am so thankful for the changes that have happened to get me to that place, having that moment with our girl. It was awesome!

Before we crossed the finish line, I turned her loose. And watched her go.

So proud of her and her 11:00 mile!

At the end she received a medal. "Mommy, a medal just like yours!" She was SO excited.

I sure do love this sweet girl!

Thirteen Point Freaking One!

Thirteen point freaking one.... I did it!
I almost wouldn't be able to believe that I did it if my legs didn't still ache today. It feels like a really intense workout times 100 in the muscle soreness department. I LOVE it. I guess in some ways that may just make me a bit crazy. 
Guys I can hardly explain it, it was AMAZING. I conquered something that I never imagined I could do. And I don't think I put up that terrible of a time for a girl who has only done 2 5K's and hasn't even been running a year.
Lets get to the details.
I went to bed about 9:00, and had the most RIDICULOUS time falling asleep. I was also convinced that  I may end up getting sick to my stomach, due to my nerves being wound tightly . Thank God that didn't happen. Finally about 10:15 I must have drifted off. 
I Woke up at 4:15, got ready and left the house a little after 5:00. I met up with some of my favorite running gals and we snapped some pre-race pictures!

At 6:15 they started getting us corralled into our pace groups. Next was the opening ceremony which included a moment of silence and them releasing 161 balloons. 
One for each life lost on May 22nd


The race started about 6:30 and we were off!

The next 13.1 miles are by far the most memorable miles I have ever ran. I remember laughing, cowbells, planned and surprise cheerleaders. Drinking lots of water, funny signs, photo-ops and celebrating every mile. I soaked in every memory that I could and I never once thought that I couldn't finish.
I knew that I could, and I would.

The hubby surprised me with this sign he had made. Gosh, I like that guy!

At the end it mentally all came down to one turn. I knew once I got to a certain spot in the course I would start to see a crowd, hear the cheers and the excitement at the finish line. By the time I got to that point my legs felt like they were made of lead. And for the first time I really felt that I ran with my heart. I think if I wasn't so physically exhausted I would have been an emotional mess.

And with those last few turns around the spectator area the finish line was in sight and months of training for this moment were so worth it.
Finish time 2:18:24 Avg Pace 10:34

And just like that I can say I am a half marathoner.

This one amazing victory started with a bigger one. Me deciding I didn't want to sit on the sidelines anymore. Choosing to be proactive and take something on that I didn't think I could do. 
But by Gods grace I did.

The Joplin Memorial Run's logo is Run, REMEMBER, Rebuild.

And that is exactly what we did. 

I couldn't have picked a better race and I couldn't have had a better friend running beside me  through HOURS of training the past 7 months.

I will never forget this day. 

Now the question everyone has been asking...

Would you run another half?

And that is exactly what has happened. 
I already have my eyes set on another half marathon the beginning of November and I couldn't be more excited.