Just plugging along…

July 27, 2010 by 4 Comments

The goal this morning was simple….just get in a couple of pain-free miles. After having it out with my angry left leg last week, I gave in to a couple days of rest, stretching and ice. But this morning I was determined to get out on the road, no matter how slow and just get a short loop done.  Well let me tell you it was S-L-O-W! I didn’t stop but at times I’m not sure you could truthfully call what I was doing “running.” But no matter – there was no pain and that was a huge win! I’m learning that in running the path to bigger victories and accomplishments is paved with the much smaller ones. Today was one of those small ones and I’ll take it!

So I continue to plug along – week 3 with Smart Coach is underway. The goal is to get in 4 days of running as long as the left side stays under control – if not, 1 day will be on the bike, plus 2 days of pilates….and LOTS of stretching (kinda goes without saying, right?!)

Lots of Great Giveaways Going On in bloggy-land – be sure to check out my sidebar!!

Happy Running!

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Filed Under: giveaways, injuries, Smart Coach, training

Friday Shout Outs – Go Gals for Cal!

July 23, 2010 by 2 Comments

I want to dedicate this week’s Friday Shout Out to my friend Kathy and her team Gals for Cal!

This great group of women have come together to raise awareness and funds to fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).  Did you know that Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood? It’s a very progressive muscle wasting disease primarily affecting boys and right now there is no cure.

On Sunday the Gals for Cal will compete in the SheRox Triathlon — this will be the team’s second triathlon. The group was formed in 2009 and competed in the Danskin Triathlon in honor of now 8-year old Calvin. For most this was their first Tri but it didn’t stop them from raising over $25,000! Now their hoping to reach that goal again in honor of Calvin, and three others boys Keelan, Jake and Jett. You can check out the Gals site for more information and to make a donation.

I’m very proud of my friend Kathy, who prior to this had one 5k to her credit and now she’s about to be a two time triathlete!

Go Gals for Cal — I hope you all rock it this weekend!

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Filed Under: DMD, Gals for Cal, Shout-outs

To My Angry Left Leg

July 22, 2010 by 3 Comments

Dear Angry Left Leg –

I thought you and I had reached an understanding a while ago. I thought you had finally taken your toys and gone home. But, after running pain free for 3 weeks, I see that you’re back and clearly your mood hasn’t improved! In fact, you’re crankier than usual and you’ve brought along your friend “Nagging Hip” just for kicks!

What – you heard that I signed up for another race, a longer distance, and thought your return would put an end to all of that?! Well in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m far more stubborn than you are! I have a goal and a plan to get there and I don’t intend to stop to listen to your whining. I’ll give you rest days, ice and Yamuna Body Rolling …but, in return, I suggest you get with the program ’cause I’m not stopping!

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Filed Under: injuries, training, Tufts 10k, Yamuna Body Rolling

I want to be like Mike

July 19, 2010 by 3 Comments

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. 
But I can’t accept not trying.”  
–Michael Jordan
Just came across this quote recently and I love it! (And the fact that it comes from my all-time favorite basketball player is just an added bonus!)
This pretty much sums up my philosophy about life in general…I’m always telling my kids that the only failure is in not trying. It’s the attitude I try to carry with me each time I head out the door for a run….don’t know how it will go or if I’ll make the distance but you gotta try, right?
Who knows…might end up with Jordan-esque results!
(OK I couldn’t resist a second picture of MJ!)
Happy Monday!

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Filed Under: Michael Jordan, Monday Motivation, Quotes

Sunday morning solitude

July 18, 2010 by 3 Comments

Despite my overwhelming desire to sleep in on a Sunday morning, this is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week to get a run in!

Early on a Sunday morning, there’s is no commuter traffic to dodge. Instead “traffic” this morning consisted of a rabbit, a couple of squirrels, and a family of Canadian geese. No need to try to tune out the trucks making early morning deliveries. Instead, just the birds having an animated “conversation” and the sound of my own footsteps. Even my Chatter Brain decided to sleep-in. It was a rare chance to just tune in and enjoy the rhythm of the run.

Even when I return home, Sundays are the rare day when I can come back home to a quiet house…only the dog is waiting for me…wondering why I didn’t take him along. To not be greeted with a barrage of “Mom I need”‘s is a beautiful thing indeed! Sometimes, like this morning, I’m even lucky enough for the solitude to extend through a post-run shower – definitely not happening during the week!

I remind myself of the solitude that awaits me when I feel that urge to hit the snooze. The peaceful, almost meditative state of a Sunday morning run sets a great tone for the day ahead!

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Filed Under: general musings, observations

Friday Shout Outs

July 16, 2010 by 2 Comments

Happy Friday!

Boy that was a fast week! Looking forward to hanging out with the family this weekend and getting in a little beach time!

Wanted to send out some Friday Shout-outs to:

  • Mel at Tall Mom on the Run for her “High Five Fridays” and the inspiration for this new post series
  • the wonderful counselors at my kids’ camp who continue to ensure that my kids come home each day happy and exhausted — made for very mellow evenings at my house this week 😉
  • Mother Nature for showing pity on me and providing a light rain and sub-70 temps for my run yesterday
  • Marlene at Mission to a(nother) Marathon for already surpassing 1,000 miles — impressive!
  • anyone taking on the challenge of a race this weekend — good luck & stay hydrated!!

Have a Great Weekend!

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Filed Under: Shout-outs

Catching Excellence

July 12, 2010 by 6 Comments
Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
– Vince Lombardi
I start my 10k training plan this week! After checking out a bunch of plans, I’m going with Runner’s World Smart Coach. I like that with Smart Coach you can input info on your last race, weekly mileage, how hard you want to train and for how long and it gives you a “customized” training plan for free!

With this plan I’ll be running 3 days a week and can fit in my two pilates classes and some weight training and bike work and still have one day for rest. I’ll also be mixing in some speed work, tempo runs and hill repeats as the weeks go on. I also decided to build in a little cushion in my timing and not take the training program right up to race day just to give myself some wiggle room…..cause life happens, right?

You can check out Smart Coach on the Runner’s World website http://www.runnersworld.com

Don’t miss the great giveaways going on this week on some of my favorite blogs – check out the sidebar!!

Happy Running!

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Filed Under: giveaways, Monday Motivation, Quotes, Smart Coach, training

Chatter brain

July 9, 2010 by 1 Comment

Maybe it was the shock of the early hour (first time before 6!) or maybe it was the humidity but my brain was in overdrive this morning…..

  • how can it STILL be this HOT!?! And why am I out here?!?
  • ok you’re out here so you can either whine about it or try to enjoy it
  • it’s cool to watch the sky brighten as the sun rises higher
  • actually feeling pretty good….kickin’ Mother Nature’s fanny!
  • love listening to the Black Eye Peas
  • what am I packing the boys for lunch today? Really need to hit the grocery store
  • hmmm what should I make for dinner….
  • now why did I have to run by the bank….sometimes it’s better NOT know how hot it is
  • wonder whose idea it was to have banks display the time and temp….what does that have to do with money? just sayin’…..
  • this last half mile seems to be going on forever
  • ok am I actually singing along with Kanye West out loud…oh the neighbors will love that!
  • hello Mother Nature…I take back the fanny comment – maybe we could call it a draw

Have a great weekend!

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Filed Under: general musings, observations

New Motivation – New Race

July 5, 2010 by 4 Comments

Instead of an inspirational quote for this week’s Monday Motivation, I chose to register for another race….and this time it’s a 10k! After years of hearing so much about the spirit and camaraderie of this event, I decided this morning to register for the Tufts 10k for Women!

I am once again both psyched and nervous! As I went for a run this morning in 80-plus degrees, I wondered how in the world I’m going to double my mileage to comfortably finish the 6.2 miles while training in the summer’s heat. On the good side, the race isn’t until October 11 so there is time…but training in the heat will be unavoidable.

So now I’m trying to decide on a 10k training plan to follow, cause the one thing I definitely learned from working up to my 5k is that my running is much more productive when I have a game plan. But the question is, which plan to follow? I’ve looked at Running Planet’s 10k program for Beginning Competitors and their 10k for Recreational Runners ; and then there’s Cool Running’s Beginner’s 10k . These are free programs, then there a whole host of fee-based programs. So how does one decide? And how long do you need to train – some of these programs are 12 weeks while others are 8? I’ve got 14 weeks til race day so I’ll need to figure all this out fairly soon.

In any event, it’s nice to have a new target and new motivation!

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Filed Under: Monday Motivation, race, training, Tufts 10k

July already?!?!

July 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

July already?!?! I know everybody seems to be saying that but it really does feel like the first half of this year flew by in a blink…especially the month of June.

When I laced up for my run yesterday I realized it was my first run in two months without a target – I’ve been focused on getting ready for my first 5K and completing the C25K program. Now the race has come and gone and as I headed out I thought….ok, now what?

So the mid-point of the year seems like a good time to set some goals to carry me through to the frosty days of December.

  1. Run two more 5k races, improving my time with each race. The beauty of being a newbie runner is each race is a PR!
  2. Run a 10k race
  3. Increase my monthly mileage each month. I added 10 miles in June over May so with goals 1 & 2 this one shouldn’t be a stretch.
  4. Embrace hill repeats into my training. I loathe hills so this one will be a real challenge!
  5. Continue to improve my eating habits and find the food/drink that works best for me both pre- and post-run.
  6. Continue the weight training routines I started with the trainer. The trainer sessions are done but I feel like I was making progress, especially with my “angry” left leg and I do not want to regress.
  7. Identify races for 2011….including….dare I say it….a half marathon!

That ought to keep me busy and challenged! 🙂

Would love to hear what others goals are for the rest of 2010! Happy running everyone!

 

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Filed Under: C25K, goals, race, training