My treadmill love affair

The Pain Cave (now with TV)

 Ah, the treadmill. I used to hate the treadmill, I never understood why anyone would get on one, buy one, or even think about them. Our Pain Cave has become my best friend. I have no excuse but to work out. Rain, heat, darkness, kids......all can happen and none of them beat a treadmill.  My only saving grace is a power outage!

I have logged long runs, short runs, track workouts - you name it - on that ugly contraption. We have a TV in the Pain Cave now so I can catch up on my Housewives, Dance Moms, and the shows I can't stay up late enough to watch. Most of my 1/2 marathons were prepped on this beauty.

I even pretend that Jillian yells at me while I'm on it. She keeps me honest :)

Other than not needing a babysitter and no weather related cancellations - the treadmill is also great for when the outfit I pick just isn't working. I can stop for body glide, water refills, cramps, kid issues....and then jump back on and keep going. I've learned to appreciate the flexibility that the treadmill gives me. Sometimes Sam will be nice enough to hop on the bike next to me and ride while I run.

You can't get stretching services like this on a road run! Clearly Sammy is in the background not wanting to help me out - But Mason was all about it!

My drug

A little Kesha and glitter

I haven't been on a training plan in a while. I'm currently training for the Army 10 miler in October and now that the weather is getting so nice out I'm pretty happy about my training plan.

My plan is much more strength and cross training than just running. I have found that to increase my speed and feel comfortable on race day I really need cross training and strength training. Who knew?

I did my first longish run of the training plan on Saturday - 5 miles. It was great. The weather was perfect....less heat and humidity means less chub rub. I'm always ok with that. I ran with music - haven't done that in a long time. Sometimes you just need a little Bieber to get through some sweaty times. That 5 miles, through my hilly neighborhood, might have been the best run of the year.

How I felt the rest of the day is exactly why I run and do triathlons. I was on a total high. I did it, I did the run, crossed it off the list, and I felt great. Super accomplished. Go Ann!

Questions Questions Questions

I got these questions from SUAR. She's hilarious - you must check her out if you haven't before. 
 
Best run ever? I would have to say the first race, April 2009 - no picture, clearly before digital cameras were invented :). It was a 5K and I had to walk two times during it. I caught the running bug big time. I still get goosebumps thinking about that race. I spent the rest of the day laying on the couch doing nothing and yelling "I ran a 5K today!" It was not pretty, but great memories to think back on.


Three words that describe your running? Slow, happy, Slow

Your go-to running outfit? Anything that fights chub rub. Running skirts are great because they have chub rub fighting spandex but cover my booty. I also LOVE a racer back tank.

Quirky habit while running? I don't know - I do love to talk while running. I check my Garmin too much.

Morning, midday, evening? It all depends on the time of year. Summer = morning. School year = evenings.

I won’t run outside when it’s ____________ Dark - I get scared. I'm not the biggest fan of the rain, but you do feel pretty bad ass when you do 12 miles in the rain.

Worst injury—and how you got over it. June 30, 2011. The day my world crashed around me. I was diagnosed with Lyme's disease, migraines, and "we don't know what this is". Through Dr's, friends, family, cleaner eating, and exercise I'm coming out on the other side of it all.

I felt most like a badass mother runner when _________ When I hear : "How do you have time?" I work full time, I own a small private speech practice, I have 2 boys and a man-child husband. How do I find time? Because I want to.




Next race is __________ Army 10 miler in Oct. I am very excited to run this for the first time.

Potential running goal for 2013? Another 1/2 marathon, at least 2 international Triathlons - working towards a 70.3

Tears and Chears

What a week!

Mason's first day of Preschool

Sammy's first day of Kindergarten

Both boys had amazing first weeks at school. Sammy loves "everything" about Kindergarten. Mason loves preschool because he "plays with his friends all day". I love them because we are no longer paying for daycare! Woohoo!

The boys also completed their first triathlon. It was really well done, in a neighborhood, and SUPER exciting to watch. I may have shed more tears watching the tri than when they went to school!

I think Mason looks pretty BA here

Mason on the swim - passing chicks left and right

Strolling across the timing mat

putting the pedal to the medal with his crazy shark helmet

look at that form! no messing with a man that pumps his arms like that

sammy on the swim

Sammy killing it on the bike

Looking good, powering up the last hill

Yeah Hardman's!

Rockin the race shirt

That was a great weekend and week. I risked dehydration a few times between first days of school and first triathlons. It was touch and go for a bit there, but I made it!

This weekend was Sam's turn to make me cry. He completed his first 70.3 Iron distance Triathlon. Patriot's 1/2 Ironman is in Williamsburg so we stayed at my dads house which helped alot with nerves and just being organized. My uncle brought him in the am so I could be with the boys and get rested up for serious cheering.

Sam wore his wetsuit - kept him out of the running for winning anything, but since that wasn't a goal he went for it. The transition from swim to T1 was crazy long (as you can see). Lots of grass, sand, and straw to run through. He did have a HUGE smile on his face though - the swim was good.

There's that smile again. He clearly loved this race. I only got one picture of him on the bike because I could never tell which one was him until he was passed me. Always happens that way. I cheered like a maniac every time I saw him. The bike went well, the last 10 miles or so were a false flat - he said he could have done without that.

Mile 1. Got some chaffing going on

Mile 6 in the corn fields

Sam did not love the run. It got really hot, there was not much shade, and he had to run 13.1 (who loves that?) We got to see him alot because the run was a lollipop and they did the loop twice. It was so nice to run up and hug him and scream and yell.

Last .1 of the run!!!!! Home stretch

In the finish shoot with the boys

Crossed the finish line with the boys

Pretty great that Set Up Events lets kids cross with their parents. The even gave the boys medals! It was a great way to finish a long day.

so proud!

To get Sam in the zone for the race I made him a book of inspiration. His buddies all sent me quotes, inspiration, motivation, and funnies. I cried reading most of them - so did Sam :)

The book turned out great. Thank you everyone who donated motivation for Sam!

Now to look at what next years race schedule brings our family.