Tick Tock.....

Well, it's the week of the 1/2 marathon. I've been training, thinking, and talking about it FOREVER! It's finally here. I'm ready, I think. :) I'm going to do a short run and some biking this week. I really want to be rested for it. I'm going for a PR (2 hours flat!) We are going to go down Saturday am - 4am! - and staying until late Sunday night or Monday morning. No kids, no husbands....just the girls!


This is our 1st training run together. Wow, a long time ago! We've really been getting our act together for this one! Jess is missing from the pic, but she has been working her butt off - often on her own! I'm not a huge fan of how I look in the pic, but what can you do? :)

So, what do we eat the night before the race? Any advice?

What is your "must have" for a big race?

The countdown is on! Here we come Rock n Roll!

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Back to the real world

Got back from the beach at 1am today.....I miss it! We went with my best friend and her family (the boys are mine, the girls are hers). 4 days of fun, sun, drinks, friends......all kids were awesome! They LOVED the beach.

We went on one run - 4.6 miles - very nice and relaxing. We went out at 8am, the same time the rock n roll 1/2 marathon will be. We decided we are crossing our fingers for an overcast day. :)

Now I'm back in the real world - no beach. I'm so glad we went, I wish we could move there though.
My injuries are coming and going. My hip is stiff, I stretch and it's better. My shins are tired - feel slightly bruised. I'm feeling good. I'm ready. A big part of me is also looking forward to being done with training for a little while. My next race is a sprint tri - so I can focus on swim and bike. I don't need to stress about time, distances - and I can heal. Is that weird? I love training and running.....but this time around I'm really looking forward to a break.

I put a picture of the husbands....hopefully no one is too modest. :) These are the guys that make it possible for us to do our thing (mom and run). Thanks dads! and of course the cute kids make it even more worth it.

I broke up with my scale

What a couple of days I've had! We had someone come over to the house yesterday at 7am to do a physical (urine and blood work) for life insurance. No big deal. Until he had me step on the scale. I practically begged to jump on it. I walked up really proud and stepped on the scale. See, I'm at an all time low - 147.8! That's the lowest weight I've been in years. My confidence has been at an all time high - I even walk a little taller.

Then he said "163 pounds". I instantly dry heaved. I said "what?" and he said it AGAIN.........Here's what happened. For some reason my scale is broken. It has been steadily telling me I weigh less and less and less - all while laughing at me. I even went to the Dr's office. Their scale screamed "163.8"

My confidence walls have never crumbled so fast. I somehow waited until that man left and I melted. I haven't cried that hard, for that long, in a LONG time (promise). My husband did not know what to do. He felt horrible. I thought I had broken through the 150 plateau, I thought I was in the 140s.....but I'm really 15 pounds heavier and at an all time high for this year!

My run yesterday was awful, I had a horrible headache from crying.

Plus side: I did not binge eat, I did not give up, I signed up for a free weight loss class at the gym, my husband bought me a Garmin Forerunner so I can "continue to tackle my goals", and my 3 year old said "I will never call you fat cause your my mommy". I love them!

My strategy? Get over feeling embarrassed, tricked, and disgusting. I am going to do weight watchers again. I am committing to health, weight loss, and building my confidence back up.

I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can

Since I started running in 2009 I've earned race bibs for 5K's to 1/2 Marathon's and everything in between......what am I missing? THE FULL MARATHON! I want it so bad. It scares the crap out of me......but I well up with tears just at the thought of crossing that finish line. I even discovered the perfect accessory thanks to Thirty Schmirty's blog giveaway! The 26.2 sweaty band....too cute!

Ok, but realistically what I'm training for right now is the Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon. I have 2 1/2 weeks left. I'm ready. Mentally I'm ready, physically I'm ready. I've been on plan. I feel healthy and I'm going to spend a weekend at the beach with 4 girlfriends that I LOVE for this race. I am a tiny bit sad because it's my first race without hubby, but it would be crazy for him and the boys to sit around the beach with that many people and just wait.

So, I've decided that my next huge race needs to be local. Luck has it that my first 1/2 marathon also has a FULL. Washington DC Suntrust marathon. I'll be there. I might even register (then throw up) as soon as that direct deposit hits at the end of the month. I know I can do it because I want it. It will be hard work, I will need to be smart and careful.

I can do this! Right? :)

long run sunday

Sunday morning - 6:30 am run with Megan (fellow sole sister). Plan was to run 10 miles and beat the rain. Notice the darkness outside and also how shiny my Road ID is! I had no idea the reflective power was so bright! Good to know. So we set out after stretching and beat the rain. It started raining as we set foot on my driveway.....after running 10.1 miles! Whew!


We talked the entire run. Not once did we come up for air. We talked about the past, our families, husbands, kids (she has a new crawler) and our vacation we are taking together next week. Can not WAIT for the beach! We did not break any land speed records - pace was slower than what I was supposed to do (sorry plan), but we felt great and WE DID IT! This was Megan's first 10 mile run and she was nervous.....but she rocked it!

So, 3 weeks from today is the 1/2 marathon and I feel much more ready now that we've done the 10 miles (technically 10.1 :) ) I am still battling some blisters. They didn't bother me on the run, but I feel them now. My hip did not bother me once!!!!!! Yeah! I came home from the run and my husband was making eggs and oven roasted potatoes (yum!) and the boys were watching cartoons. I love the feeling of being so accomplished by 9am. I am tired now, but that's ok. I will take being tired for also being able to check off my long run.

I wanted to take an ice bath - but I'm too scared to try it. I will do it after the next long one....I made that promise to my quads today.

UPDATE: I FOLLOWED MY PLAN THIS WEEK MINUS .7 MILES! 25.3 MILES THIS WEEK!

Slightly sweaty after the run. My shirt was totally drenched! I drank all my Performance and ate my Espresso Love GU. It started to POUR rain right when I got inside.....so the kids and I went out and danced in the rain for a bit. Gotta love feeling so good!

I do not run, I am a Runner

Day 4 of my week of "follow the 1/2 marathon plan" exactly! I left the gym feeling like a total rock star! On the plan for today?

6 miles with 4 miles at a 8:58 pace

I did it! I really went in not sure if I could pull it off. I did my workout on the treadmill so I knew I was getting the pace right. I felt great! Like I could fly. That is my favorite part about running. Feeling strong, unstoppable.....fast (sometimes). I did have to chant a little to myself: I do not run, I am a runner! It really helps me. I even have it written on a piece of paper in my wallet. Nerdy, I know....but it really helps me.

Now, the woman on the treadmill next to me was slightly irritating. I think she fueled some of my fire. She got on the treadmill, fixed her hair, sent a few text messages, and then set her Iced Starbucks Coffee/Tea in the treadmill cup holder. I had to hold back the chuckle. She walked next to me - i know, i know...better than nothing - and fueled my run. I loved to punch in 6.7 and look at her 3.2 walk. Slightly evil, but I needed to get this workout done!

Now I'm home and ready for lunch. I did get some blisters on both feet today. That never happens. Boo! Not sure why that happened or what I'm going to do about it. Anyone a blister pro? I did pop them - I know, you aren't supposed to. I just couldn't help it.

Hope everyone is getting their plan done today!!!!