The Runner In Me Lives!

I've come to realize that, while I love running, I'm less of a blogger than I had hoped. I am considering doing the daily blog thing again because I have talked to so many people who have started running because of my mission to be fit and healthy and all that jazz. I promise that if I can do this, you can too! Life is busy and out of control but being fit is a huge deal and prepares me in so many ways to deal with all of the stress life throws at me.

As for running, this is summer in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and there is no better time or place to surround yourself with the sound of your own footfall. I love it! I really need to get all of my mileages logged so I can update you all with my estimate of my progress. I have to admit that the couple of months I spent mostly unplugged from my Type A mileage tracking have been nice. I guess motherhood has left me with less patience for some things that once meant so much...

I will be back tomorrow with a race report for the Go Girl Trail Run. I haven't done much trail running as of late so I'm not expecting any miracles. Still, it should be a good time. Plus, I get to do it with my girl Aimee and I LOVE running with her! Prost to a good beer at the post race Widmer tent!

Peace, Love & Fitness,
Molly

Day 225

Yesterday was a busy day but I was able to fit in a couple of miles to and from My Buddy's baseball game. It was a total soccer mom (and dad) kind of day. First a soccer game for My Girl, then her end of season party. Then the baseball game and, finally, we went to a Timber's Reserve game and watched some semi-MLS soccer. I'm tired just thinking about it...

Today I got a 4.5 mile run in with a friend. It was my longest run in a couple of weeks and it felt pretty good. I'm pretty sure there's a good chance I have a cracked rib, but from what I've heard there really aren't any miracle cures so I'll just keep on truckin and it will eventually heal... Don't be too jealous. haha.

Day 225
473.61 Miles

Day 222

As for being sick? It sucks.

I have had a really bad running attitude for the past few weeks because I was so sick. Turns out it was a chest infection and cough that tore up some stuff in my ribs. That still hurts, but I can run and that's awesome. I also no longer cough up stuff that would put a smoker to shame (I am not a smoker...fyi). I stopped keeping close track of mileage and all that jazz for much of May.

I ran barely survived the first half marathon I was registered for. Instead of the sub 2 hour time I was hoping for I finished in over 2:30. I honestly don't even know what my time was. It sucked.

Then the hubs and I went to Vegas for a week. It was awesome and hot and dry and our hotel had a nice gym with lemon slices in the water cooler and fancy treadmills that overlooked the pool. It was heavenly.

Margaritas, sunshine and a week by the pool just can't be beat.

I did not, however, get better while on that lovely vacation. Too much alcohol, not enough sleep, and about 1 million chain smokers might have had something to do with that.

The half marathon I was supposed to run the day after we got back turned into a 4ish mile run with my Best Running Buddy. She ran the whole thing and I met up with her to keep her company for the last bit of the race. I have spent the last week or so just trying to get better. Thankfully, that's finally happening!

I can run at my regular pace again and my kids are so happy to be out putting in the miles with me or going to the kids club at the new fancy gym we joined while I run and sweat away on the treadmill. I'm so much happier now that I'm back in my groove! My ribs are still not quite up to par and I can't do much with my upper body yet, but I'm sure that will be better soon.

On a run home from school with my boys. This kid is punk rock!

As for my daily miles, I mostly stopped counting and there were days when I could barely walk, forget running. I'm back on track and I'm not going to say I failed. After all, the whole point of this blog was to motivate myself (and anyone else who might follow along) to stay active.

So anyway...Today is Day 222
I've run an estimated 465.62 miles

My new personal challenge to myself is I will not run less than 20 minutes on any given day unless I do other cardio. Even then, I will try to fit in a full 20 minutes of running/jogging/walking/crawling... You know movement and stuff. Gotta pack on those miles!

Sick

So...I'm sick, my kids are sick, my husband is sick and this has been a horrible week all around. Fevers, croup, viral respiratory infections, trips the the doctor, and even 4 hours in the ER. This is all since Tuesday.

Should I change the name of my blog to "one thousand days running...except the days when i couldn't run because i had a fever and couldn't breathe so i walked"?

It's not so catchy and I feel that I have really tried to keep with the spirit of the whole program I've put myself on by making time to get out and run walk even when it was the last thing I wanted to do. I'm realistic and I know that this won't be the only time in the 1000 days that some nasty bug gets passed around our house. I think what I will do is add the days I blatantly walked onto the end of my 1000 days. My extra day tally is now at 3.

Cheers to healthy children and many more days running! (804+3 to be exact)

Days: 191-196
Daily Miles: 1 (x6)
Total Miles: 411.83

Two Weeks Until Vegas!

We are still super busy with spring sports around here. This past weekend, we had back to back soccer and baseball. Both kiddos won their games and they both scored. Go team! I'm also super busy this time of year with consignment sales (I sell kid clothes and gear in my "spare" time).

That's my cutie scoring a run...

The Hubs and I are really looking forward to a sunny, Vegas vacation in 2 weeks. Really!

The Pool!

When I see my daily mileage, it looks kind of pitiful. Lots of solo mile runs, but I've been doing at least 3 classes a week at the gym on top of running. I'm really tired of treadmill time so the fact that the weather has been semi cooperative with short outside runs most days makes me very happy. I've got 3 loops mapped from my house that are exactly a mile. I should probably mix it up more and make them a bit longer.

My weekly long training runs have been going really well lately. I'm hoping that translates into a good 1/2 marathon experience at the Hippie Chick on May 12th. The course is updated for this year so that it's not two loops. That's good, but I looked at the map and part of the course is on a horribly ugly and boring stretch of road that I have promised myself I would never run again. Oh well. Guess I'll run it this one more time.

Yesterday's 11+ mile run was pretty awesome, despite what seemed to be allergies screwing with my lung function and snot production. As usual, Aimee (my BRB) was there to inspire. Plus, another friend joined us for our first 6 miles. I guess now I'm as ready as I'll be for my 2 half marathons in the next 3 weeks. Seriously? What was I thinking?

Days: 186-190
Daily Miles: 1, 1, 1, 1, 11.58
Total Miles: 405.83

I'll Save You The Trouble...

A potentially great run can be ruined by a pre-run dinner consisting of turkey chili dogs and beer. I learned that one so you can save yourself the hassle the next time you're considering it.



These weren't mine. But I can't say I wouldn't eat them...

On a positive note, even with two chili and beer induced walk breaks, I was able to run 3.31 miles in 31:16. Not horrible.

Good night.

Days: 184, 185
Daily Miles: 1, 3.31
Total Miles: 390.25

Happy SPRING!

If you live in Oregon...you know what I'm talking about! Hello sunburn and good bye crappy rain (if only for a few days)! I have been enjoying this beautiful weather with my awesome little family and I hope you have too!

Yesterday was a day of sporting events. My Buddy had baseball, then My Girl had a soccer game (she scored one of their three goals and they won 3-0!) then we had baseball opening ceremonies and parade. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love watching my kids play sports. It's the best thing in the whole world to me. I...LOVE...IT!!!

I swear I feed this little soccer star.

How cool is this kid?

My mom was here to visit this week and my older kiddos didn't have school Thursday or Friday so running miles and miles didn't happen. That's ok. I more than made up for it with other activities and I think my IT Band is thanking me for the little respite from higher mileage.

We leave for Vegas 4 weeks from tomorrow so I will be a crazy workout machine from now until then. Gotta put my best foot forward at the pool and show 'em what this 30 something mom of three is made of!

Days: 177-183
Daily Miles: 1, 3.2, 1.8, 1, 1, 1, 1
Total Miles: 385.94