Yesterday I accomplished one of my main goals for 2013-- I ran 13.1 miles and finished the Get Lucky Triple 7K Half Marathon in St.Paul with a time of 2hrs,8min,38sec. :)
Almost a year ago I watched Max finish Grandma's Half Marathon in Duluth and I was so proud of him, but also so bummed that I hadn't let him talk me into doing it with him. I brushed it off and said things like "This body wasn't built for running. These short legs can't make it that far. I don't have time to train for something like that."
A few months ago something inside me decided that maybe I couldn't finish a half marathon, but how would I ever know if I didn't at least try once? So, I did the most important thing; I found a good support team and a fun run to sign up for. Then I worked my ass off training for nearly 12 straight weeks. I squeezed in Yoga on Mondays, Runs on Tues, Wed, and Thursdays, and a long run on Saturday/Sunday each week.
When the day of the race finally came yesterday, I can say that I felt "prepared" but not necessarily "confident". 5AM came quite early as I got up, got dressed, and wanted to cry as I stepped outside to test the weather. Conditions were less than ideal being icy, a bit snowy from the day before, and definitely chilly (I think it was around 20 degrees when we were running??). I tried not to think about the weather, because it was one of the only things I couldn't change about the whole experience. We rode up to St.Paul as a big group with some of my favorite people which helped take my mind off of what was ahead.
As the race began, we (meaning Justina and I, along with Max popping in here and there) fell into a good pace and the first half went rather quickly, although a little crowded and icy at times. We had our sweet "cheerleaders" (Jen, Mellissa, Kelsey, and Kate) at mile 4 and mile 9, so it was something to look forward to as we ran on! (Thanks, ladies--you are all rather awesome!) Those first 9 miles were pretty comfortable, but from mile 10-13, things really got difficult. I was trying to stay positive, even in my head because I know how quickly those negative thoughts can bring me down, but I was honestly a hurting unit at that point. I hadn't trained for quite so many inclines/hills, and it really took a toll on my lower body. I was aching and I felt as though I hit a brick wall. (Note to self, don't forget to stop for your energy chews part way through the race! Dumb mistake, because I desperately needed those towards the end of the race)... However, with Justina and Max by my side, they kept me trucking right along until finally I could see the finish line. When we crossed the finish, I had no idea what time we had finished in. I don't even remember seeing the clock, I was just so happy to be done. It wasn't until we were heading back to the car that I really thought to ask what time we finished in and I was pleasantly happy with my time. Since I had never done one, and since winter running is not the best for training, I had secretly set a goal of under 2 hrs and 15 minutes, so coming in almost 7 minutes faster than that was okay with me! The rest of the day was spent celebrating St.Patty's day as is tradition for our little 'group' meandering around Minneapolis visiting some local 'establishments' and basking in our own awesomeness together. It really doesn't get much better than that....
Pictures soon :)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
chasing leprechauns...
The title to this blog is a little random, I must say. But the other night I had a dream related to my upcoming half marathon and in my dream the only thing that kept me moving was the fact that I was being chased by leprechauns.
Interesting, right?
In all reality, it may take those creepy little guys chasing me to keep going in the actual race. It is a week away from tomorrow and I have such mixed feelings about it... I've been consistent with my training physically (although I'm slacking a bit this week due to STILL sick children--Ryder has bronchitis! Ugh!) but mentally I'm SO not there. I'm terrified and even though I know I can do it, I have my doubts. Here's what I've learned in this (almost) 12 week journey thus far:
The Good:
*I have an amazing running partner. Justina-- simply put, you rock! She is the most positive and enthusiastic person and it makes for the perfect running partner. As we run, we tend to just get in our own grooves and do our thing, but it does make a HUGE difference to have someone next to you either way!
*Although I hate winter running (we'll discuss this again below!) and constantly regret signing up for my first half marathon in the dead of Minnesota winter, I will say that training for this 13.1 has given me a reason to stay fit this winter. I can't say I would have been as diligent with visiting my lovely little Snap Fitness if I wouldn't have signed up for this race...
* I get a free beer after I finish the race. That alone, is awesome. I'm not Irish in the slightest bit but on St.Patty's Day I like to take one for the team and play along because well, I enjoy the color green, and beer is always good :)
* This last reason is a bit ridiculous but one of my favorite things in the world is shopping for new running gear. Lululemon, Athleta, Gap, Scheels, and as always, Targetto make me so happy! New running swag is only appropriate of course, if I can justify it by saying, "I am about to run 13 miles, I deserve a new pair of running tights, damnit!" :)
The Bad:
* I am so over stressing about how to fit in my weekly runs, it is exhausting! Things get much more complicated when working, raising two monkeys, and having a husband who is also training. Oh, and trying to have a social life.... Oh, and trying to schedule running around that sassy Mother Nature.
*Speaking of the weather, I hate the wind. I hate the snow. I hate the ice. I won't continue on with this rant very long, but Spring is much needed in this household. Trying to run outside during winter weather conditions is just not something I plan on doing again after this race!
*This has been the worst couple months for my family in regards to illness. Stomach flu? Strep throat? Bronchitis? Teething? Yep--- at some point in time either my kids, or my husband, or myself, have dealt with all of these things. It makes training very stressful and for this reason (in addition to many others!) I will be happy when it's over...
The Ugly:
* I haven't figured out why exactly, but running is extremely emotional for me. Last week I ran my farthest to date: 11.53 miles with Max. I almost cried twice during the run due to frustration, and when we finally sprinted into our driveway, I was sobbing. I'm not even sure why, all I could say over and over was "It's so hard!" My ever loving husband's response: "Well duh. If it wasn't hard, everyone would be out doing this!" Very true, but it didn't do much to make me feel better at the time. I wish I could just be happy with the fact that probably a year ago I was convinced I would never be able to run that far, but instead I focus too much on my time and I feel like I'm never running well enough. Or fast enough. And if I could stop comparing myself to where I think I should be.... Or who I should be able to keep up with.
With all that said and done, I really am excited for next weekend! I still love running and I still love the feeling of panting for air and the look of flushed cheeks :) T-Minus 8 days until it's time to Get Lucky!
Interesting, right?
In all reality, it may take those creepy little guys chasing me to keep going in the actual race. It is a week away from tomorrow and I have such mixed feelings about it... I've been consistent with my training physically (although I'm slacking a bit this week due to STILL sick children--Ryder has bronchitis! Ugh!) but mentally I'm SO not there. I'm terrified and even though I know I can do it, I have my doubts. Here's what I've learned in this (almost) 12 week journey thus far:
The Good:
*I have an amazing running partner. Justina-- simply put, you rock! She is the most positive and enthusiastic person and it makes for the perfect running partner. As we run, we tend to just get in our own grooves and do our thing, but it does make a HUGE difference to have someone next to you either way!
*Although I hate winter running (we'll discuss this again below!) and constantly regret signing up for my first half marathon in the dead of Minnesota winter, I will say that training for this 13.1 has given me a reason to stay fit this winter. I can't say I would have been as diligent with visiting my lovely little Snap Fitness if I wouldn't have signed up for this race...
* I get a free beer after I finish the race. That alone, is awesome. I'm not Irish in the slightest bit but on St.Patty's Day I like to take one for the team and play along because well, I enjoy the color green, and beer is always good :)
* This last reason is a bit ridiculous but one of my favorite things in the world is shopping for new running gear. Lululemon, Athleta, Gap, Scheels, and as always, Targetto make me so happy! New running swag is only appropriate of course, if I can justify it by saying, "I am about to run 13 miles, I deserve a new pair of running tights, damnit!" :)
The Bad:
* I am so over stressing about how to fit in my weekly runs, it is exhausting! Things get much more complicated when working, raising two monkeys, and having a husband who is also training. Oh, and trying to have a social life.... Oh, and trying to schedule running around that sassy Mother Nature.
*Speaking of the weather, I hate the wind. I hate the snow. I hate the ice. I won't continue on with this rant very long, but Spring is much needed in this household. Trying to run outside during winter weather conditions is just not something I plan on doing again after this race!
*This has been the worst couple months for my family in regards to illness. Stomach flu? Strep throat? Bronchitis? Teething? Yep--- at some point in time either my kids, or my husband, or myself, have dealt with all of these things. It makes training very stressful and for this reason (in addition to many others!) I will be happy when it's over...
The Ugly:
* I haven't figured out why exactly, but running is extremely emotional for me. Last week I ran my farthest to date: 11.53 miles with Max. I almost cried twice during the run due to frustration, and when we finally sprinted into our driveway, I was sobbing. I'm not even sure why, all I could say over and over was "It's so hard!" My ever loving husband's response: "Well duh. If it wasn't hard, everyone would be out doing this!" Very true, but it didn't do much to make me feel better at the time. I wish I could just be happy with the fact that probably a year ago I was convinced I would never be able to run that far, but instead I focus too much on my time and I feel like I'm never running well enough. Or fast enough. And if I could stop comparing myself to where I think I should be.... Or who I should be able to keep up with.
With all that said and done, I really am excited for next weekend! I still love running and I still love the feeling of panting for air and the look of flushed cheeks :) T-Minus 8 days until it's time to Get Lucky!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Still Rockin' It...
A few weeks ago, Max and I packed up the kiddies and made a mini road trip to Wood Lake, Minnesota to visit Max's Grandma Hazel. We had a great time visiting with her, catching up, and having some of her famous apple pie--YUM!
I will let you be the judge, but with nearly 98 years behind her belt, this lady is still rockin' it! :)
I will let you be the judge, but with nearly 98 years behind her belt, this lady is still rockin' it! :)
 |
| February 2013 |
Friday, March 1, 2013
why hello March, we've been waiting for you!
The last time I posted was February 1st, exactly one month ago. In that post, I described that our family was going to be participating in "No Spend February". So....An update on how it went??
--Actually, it went quite awesome! I'm proud to say that we did extremely well, far beyond my expectations! I won't lie, I found it to be difficult at times, and somewhat of an inconvenience sometimes, but overall - it was a lot of fun. It forced us to be creative and organized.
As always when trying to save money, things did come up. If you can recall, we had decided to only spend money on GAS, GROCERIES, and BILLS. We did that. In fact, we rocked that. However, we did have more bills than normal, which kind of sucked. During the month of February we had plumbers over twice, a dishwasher repair man, and because it was the coldest month of the year, our heating bill was higher than normal as well. But even after paying those extra bills, we could still see a difference in our checking account. I can't give you an actual number-- my husband would be the 'numbers' guy--but I can tell you that he was super impressed! We didn't go out to eat or "grab a quick bite, or coffee, or snack" once --unless we had a giftcard to use. We didn't buy eachother pointless cards and gifts for Valentine's day. In fact, I didn't step foot in a Target or a Mall, because that would have just been asking for trouble. I didn't even check out the sale papers because I knew there was no point! Everytime I started itching to buy something, I wrote it down. It's funny now to see the stuff that I wrote down over the month--they were definitely impulse buys! Looking over it, some are things that I definitely feel are important, but others are not so much at all.
So, we did it once, and we'll likely do it again. And, we even inspired others to give it a try! (Good luck, KJK!) But for now, it is March and I feel like I can let out a big sigh of relief. In addition to not spending any unnecessary money, we've had quite the sick household for the last couple weeks. Ryder had the worst of it, but we've all been dealing with our own version of illness, and we are so ready for the weekend! Ryder is heading up to Breezy Point and Piper is having a sleepover with her auntie and grandparents, so Max and I are having a whole day/night together alone! I can't even begin to describe how excited we are to get out of the house and spend some time together sans kids... For now we are planning on spending the day in the cities to check out our half marathon course, do dinner, of course, and maybe grab a drink or two ;) --Oh yeah, and grocery shop....Isn't that what all hot dates include?!
--Actually, it went quite awesome! I'm proud to say that we did extremely well, far beyond my expectations! I won't lie, I found it to be difficult at times, and somewhat of an inconvenience sometimes, but overall - it was a lot of fun. It forced us to be creative and organized.
As always when trying to save money, things did come up. If you can recall, we had decided to only spend money on GAS, GROCERIES, and BILLS. We did that. In fact, we rocked that. However, we did have more bills than normal, which kind of sucked. During the month of February we had plumbers over twice, a dishwasher repair man, and because it was the coldest month of the year, our heating bill was higher than normal as well. But even after paying those extra bills, we could still see a difference in our checking account. I can't give you an actual number-- my husband would be the 'numbers' guy--but I can tell you that he was super impressed! We didn't go out to eat or "grab a quick bite, or coffee, or snack" once --unless we had a giftcard to use. We didn't buy eachother pointless cards and gifts for Valentine's day. In fact, I didn't step foot in a Target or a Mall, because that would have just been asking for trouble. I didn't even check out the sale papers because I knew there was no point! Everytime I started itching to buy something, I wrote it down. It's funny now to see the stuff that I wrote down over the month--they were definitely impulse buys! Looking over it, some are things that I definitely feel are important, but others are not so much at all.
So, we did it once, and we'll likely do it again. And, we even inspired others to give it a try! (Good luck, KJK!) But for now, it is March and I feel like I can let out a big sigh of relief. In addition to not spending any unnecessary money, we've had quite the sick household for the last couple weeks. Ryder had the worst of it, but we've all been dealing with our own version of illness, and we are so ready for the weekend! Ryder is heading up to Breezy Point and Piper is having a sleepover with her auntie and grandparents, so Max and I are having a whole day/night together alone! I can't even begin to describe how excited we are to get out of the house and spend some time together sans kids... For now we are planning on spending the day in the cities to check out our half marathon course, do dinner, of course, and maybe grab a drink or two ;) --Oh yeah, and grocery shop....Isn't that what all hot dates include?!
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