What Keeps You Going?

My National Marathon Training plan is hanging on my fridge. Unfortunately due to an injured hip I am not going to be able to put it to good use in March. Needless to say I am sad. My husband thinks that I should take the Plan down, but I am using it for inspiration. Inspiration for Chicago and for Richmond this fall. Inspiration to help me get over this injury and to stop doing silly things like running half marathons when you aren't supposed to. (okay so I am running the Princess then I am going to take a little break) Inspiration to remind me what kind of runner that I am and that I can be. I know I can run a marathon, I have already accomplished that, but I also know that I can run it better, more efficiently. And that is what I plan to do in the fall. If right now my body is saying to slow down, then I probably need to slow down, but I will be back and I will be back stronger than ever. So...now I know I need to step back, back off of my running, increase my swimming and maybe even ride a bike. (oh the horror) I also need to work on my core and focus on my eating. I feel like this has been a wake up call and now I am awake and ready to go. Here's hoping to a great spring and summer and an even more incredible fall because this winter....not loving it so much. Happy Tuesday!

A Little Picture

Just a little picture of us post race. So fun! Another medal to add to the bunch. Happy, Happy Monday! Off to the grocery store with 2 kids, one sick and one grumpy. Wish me luck!

WOW! Half at the Hamptons

Today I ran the Half at the Hamptons at Hampton Beach, NH. It was a beautiful sunny morning, but the temp was 14 degrees outside with a pretty strong wind. It had been blowing up to 40 mph during the night, but seemed to calm down a bit once the race started. We started at 10 am and were trying to stay with the 9:00/mile pacer. We were right with him until he picked up the pace and was going about 8:40/mile. (yowsers!) The race was great, there were water stops every 3 miles, one gatorade stop and one Gu/Hammergel stop. The neighborhoods we ran threw were incredible, beautiful homes, yards, people out cheering. Then at mile 9 you come up a little hill and boom! There was the ocean, ocean front homes and a pretty strong tailwind. My friend called out that we were running a 8:45 pace and then I started to get a tad bit nervous, I didn't know if my hip could hold up that pace for 4 more miles.....Finally at mile 11 I had to do a walk and told my running besties to go ahead of me. I knew I was going to have to do some running/walking and they still had energy left. (Did I mention that this was my friend Lynn's first half marathon? She did awesome 1:58) I met up with a girl from Manchester and her friend who recognized me from Manchester Marathon and said "hey you are the skirt girl! I ran with you and your friends for a stretch in Manchester." We ended up chatting for a bit of a mile and then I ran ahead to finish up. My garmin time was 2:00, chip time 2:01. At first I was bummed because I wanted to finish under 2, but who am I fooling. My last long run was 10 miles close to 4 weeks ago and I have not been able to do tons of running since then. Tomorrow I am off to the Chiro and hopefully she can snap some kinks out, but other than that I don't feel bad. At this point just tired and hungry. Happy Sunday!

Three Things Thursday-the Crazy Edition

1. If your 10 year old tells you she is going up to her room to finish her project, you might want to run up and check on her while she is working. We thought that she was working along. Imagine our surprise when Trav went up to her room and she was under her covers asleep. Did I mention that it was due today and that she had been "working" on it for about 5 weeks? Let's just say 5 am is not her best hour.

2. We are about to have a one day touch of spring here tomorrow. The high is supposed to be 56. That is warm in February here. Don't worry Saturday is supposed to be 30 with a 40 mile an hour wind.

3. Did I mention that I am signed up for a half marathon on Sunday? I am going to attempt, but if it is not good then I will just drop out. (which would drive me crazy) My friend Lynn is running her first half and I want to be there with her while she runs. It is on the coast of New Hampshire, beautiful course, but can be a bit windy. I am hoping for a nice day.

Anything crazy going on at your house? Do you have any races this weekend?

Meeting an Old Friend

Today I am going out to lunch with my friend who I have not seen for 20 years. Yep, 20 years. We graduated from high school together and reconnected on Facebook. I was supposed to see her at my 20th reunion this year, but was running my first half marathon and that came first. (imagine that?) So, long story short we are having lunch. I am excited, nervous, feeling kind of weird, but we were good friends. You know the eat lunch together type, sleep at houses type. I am sure that it will come naturally. I honestly have never done this before met up with somebody after such a long time. I definitely get caught in my moment. My father was in the Navy and we moved every three years until we got to high school. I would make friends and then have to leave, but I never minded. Sometimes moving is good. You can start over again. When people move from Amherst I definitely get jealous sometimes. Wouldn't it be nice to move somewhere different, somewhere warm where I could wear my skirt year round, where there is no snow, and no town politics? I don't know? I have lived in my house for 12 years, my kids were born in this town, my husband grew up in this town and I love my friends. So...hmm...no I think that I will stay put for now, but...it never hurts to go online and look at houses in California, right?

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day or as Izzie keeps telling us, "Happy Hearts Day!" Travis and I figured out this morning that we have been together for 15 Valentine's Day's. That is a lot of flowers, candy and special treats. I used to love guessing what the treat was going to be, one year it was earrings, one year tons of roses and another a weekend away. As the kids have grown they kind of want in on the day so now it is dinner out (Chinese food last night) and a special sweet treat the day of. (I already ate my cupcake). My treat, beautiful roses and tomorrow my registration for Chicago. It is funny love kind of takes the direction that your life takes. 10 years ago baubles were my thing, now it is all about how I can challenge myself, get healthier, eat better. My husband is a great sport. He follows me down the path and actively supports me. There are times when he shakes his head, (when I used my grocery money for a new running skirt.) but most of the time he goes along and that is why I am a lucky lady. So friends, "Happy Hearts Day." Hopefully there is a special treat waiting for you.

Do You Have the Spirit?

I just finished the movie "Spirit of the Marathon." Wow is all that I can say! If you have not seen it, it follows 6 runners training for the 2007 Chicago Marathon, 2 pro's and 4 everyman's. It is so inspirational, the ups, the downs etc...things that have happended to each and every one of us in our quest for the final goal. One guy also is trying to BQ which of course is something I feel like I would like to accomplish. Will it happen? Maybe, Maybe not, but I will be 40 next year and it might be easier right? Right? I think that I have to finish in 3:50 hmmmm.....i might have to wait until I am 45.

Anyway I ran 5 miles today and feel good. Part of me wants to lace up and go out for a long run tomorrow, but the other part of me knows that I have to hit the pool instead. I don't want to over do it. I have no hip pain or knee pain, but a bit of butt pulling. I ran in my Mizuno sneakers and my feet felt great too.

Finally, I hear there is someone in Amherst following my blog. Show yourself I would love to hear what you think, but I might already know since I hear you are talking about it around town. Happy running to you:) and to all of my other running buddies out there xoxoxo!!!