Middle of the Week

I had to miss my 4 mile run with my friends this morning because I had to take my daughter to the doctor. I'm a morning runner, so when I have to do it later in the day AND by myself the chances of me getting it done aren't too good.

I returned home around noon and the temperature wasn't scorching hot, so I decided to venture out. My two youngest kids joined me on their bikes for the first two miles and I ran the last two on my own. It rained consistently, which actually made it feel even better. I was having stomach issues on the last mile and was REALLY looking forward to getting home. My running friends and I discussed the other day how their is no potty like your own potty!!!

Things are going well. I am a little achy when I first get moving, but them I am good to go. My left shin hurt a little bit while running today, but I'm not too concerned about it. I only have to do 2 miles tomorrow and my long run for the week will be 9 on Friday.

An Easy Week

My kids have been staying at their grandparents all week, so we have been kid free. I ran 3 miles on Monday, 4 on Thursday and 8 this morning. I should have thrown in a few short runs on my own, but let them slide. I decided not to get hung up on skipping a couple of runs. Instead, I relaxed and finished up some things around the house.

My 8 miler this morning was great! We left around 7 and held an easy steady pace. I was drinking like crazy and even zipped into McDonalds to fill up my water bottle. I was feeling a little sluggish at mile 5, so I took a Roctane and that helped a ton. I love that stuff! It felt good out there- not too hot. One part of our route was a bit boring, but some good conversation helped out with that.

My goal next week is to get in my short solo runs. I have a lot of miles ahead of me and need to get my body into the groove.

First week of Marathon Training

This is the first week of training for Memphis. It was a beautiful morning here in Tennessee and I enjoyed an easy run while listening to Dave Matthews. I felt great and I have decided to get a better handle on all of the craziness in my life.

I want to train for a marathon, be a great mom & wife, manage my home successfully and eat a healthy diet (losing 10 lbs. would help!). At the moment, I feel like I am spiraling out of control and it isn't rewarding. The kids will be starting school soon and the craziness is going to pick up even more, so while they are at their grandparents this week I'm taking charge of my life! Things just have to get done around on a regular basis, which means the kids help out more and I do things on a regular schedule. Not too difficult!

I went to Walmart this morning for groceries and purchased fruits, vegetables, chicken, seafood, etc. Our meals this week will be pretty easy, but once the kids get back I may have to be more creative. My constant baking has to stop for sure! I know that once I get into the groove we will all feel much better!

No Running

I am taking the week off from running- zero running! Memphis marathon training begins next week and according to my friends, who are devising our master training program, we are going to be building a base of 40 - 45 miles a week. I am really excited about that. During my last marathon training I reached 40 miles a week two weeks in a row and I was psyched about it. I am looking forward to hitting 45 in a week!

I am going to order a book called A Food Guide for Marathoners by Nancy Clark. It was recommended to me by another running friend from Illinois. She just completed her second marathon and was very pleased with her results after following this book. The only downfall is she gained weight. It just amazes me that you can still gain weight after training for a marathon! What's up with that?

Once in awhile, I have someone tell me they began running because of the comments I've made on Facebook and I really get excited about it. Running has been a constant in my life for the past 14 years and I love encouraging others. I love running with my friends and am so thankful that I have such a fantastic running group to keep me going. I ran for 14 years before I ever entered a race and now my running is focused on running races- marathons at that. I always thought that was such an impossible accomplishment, but it really isn't. I just wasn't at the point where I could wrap my brain around it.

I hope to blog a bit more during Memphis training. I also want to be more focused on my training- eating, cross training and sleep. They make really cool training books where you can keep track of everything and I plan on using that to its maximum potential. One more week of freedom and I am committed.

Shout out to Richard Chapman for finishing a 5K in St. Louis and Aaron Hoyt for venturing out for 4:30 a.m. runs! Way to go!

Lots of Running

I accomplished my 100 mile month in June! Last Sunday, I realized that in order to get my full mileage in I needed 18 miles until the last day of the month. So, I did 6 three days in a row and finished it up on Tuesday. It felt great to reach my goal!

After my run Sunday evening, my ankle started getting sore and continued to get worse throughout the week. After an 8 mile run on Thursday I decided that the problem probably stemmed from my shoes. I know I had at least 500 miles on my Asics that I bought in January before marathon training started.

Saturday morning we ventured to Team Nashville to purchase new running shoes. It was my first trip to this store and I loved it! Two older men own it and they are full of advice and information to help you out. Terry Coker has been a runner for 35 years and the last 19 of those years he has run EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! How awsome is that? Robert Eslick has been a runner for 32 years and personally coached runners and triathletes for 21 years including 11 Boston Qualifiers.

I bought a pair of Saucony's, socks that they swore I would absolutely love and a cute pink 26.2 hat. Chris purchased a new pair of Saucony's and says that he has never felt such a comfortable running shoe. I am excited to get out there tomorrow morning and try them out for 6 miles.

Originally, I had planned on taking an entire week off, but after talking to the Team Nashville guys I am just going to lower my mileage. The thought of going a week without running stresses me out. I like to eat and running allows me some freedom in that area of my life. Plus, I am so much more balanced mentally when I run.

Marathon training for St. Jude Memphis is around the corner. I am meeting with friends this week to map out a training plan and hopefully by the end of July we are starting up. There are quite a few of us, so I am excited and looking forward to a lot of long runs with all of my running friends. They are fantastic and I am so thankful for such a great group of girls!