Almost there!

Well, I ran the full 18 miles that was intended according to the training plan I am following, but let me tell you, I wanted to run 19, possibly 20.  It was a good run, but I  feel like I let myself down a little bit. 

I started out at a tight pace yesterday.  I just could NOT loosen up!  I don't know if it was the cooler weather or that I had eaten a heavy supper or simply a combo of the two, but it wasn't pretty starting off.  Needless to say, I worked it out because before I knew it I had completed 5 miles as though they were nothing.  (What an amazing feeling, by the way)  Around mile 10, though, I had an ipod malfunction.  The stupid thing just QUIT! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO RUN 8 MORE MILES WITHOUT MUSIC!?!?  THEEEN about mile 14 my ole knee started giving me FITS!  Again, not sure if it was the weather or what.... BUT I FINISHED MY LONG RUN!  WhOoOoOo WhOoOoOoOoOoO!!!  One more "biggie" before the race--which I'm totally feeling pumped about these days.  I really feel good and have a postive mindset (which is VITAL for this doozey, wouldn't ya say?  ;0))

Anyway--hope you guys have a great FIRST OF NOVEMBER WEEK!!  SERIOUSLY CANnot BELIEVE NOVEMBER IS ALREADY HERE!  Tomorrow is the dreaded day of Halloween at school.  ugh.....let's just say that there IS some truth to the saying : "the crazies come out on Halloween"---it's called sugared up kids!  ;0)  HA!  ((You know I'm right, yall!  Just the sheer thought of all that candy coming home excites all kids of all ages!))  I'm that mom, by the way, that "accidentally" throws out all of the candy!  "Oh honey, I'm so sorry!  I thought that was old candy!"  Anywho--have a happy and safe week, yall!!!

WARNING: ENDORPHINES ARE KICKIN'!!

HAVE I TOLD YOU GUYS LATELY HOW MUCH I LOOOOVE TO RUN IN THE FALL?!!  Today was a FABULOUS  run of 10 mighty miles.  It invigorates me to think that 10 miles is "nothing" these days.  As I'm running along, I've envisioned myself crossing that 26.2 finish line with a smile on my face and....  already planning my next race.  HOW CRAZY IS THAT!!!  A couple of friends and I have talked about running a half marathon at the end of March and at this point, I'm totally thinking "no big deal--we've got this!"...wild!  

My long miles this week are 18....(whoa!)  Hopefully this wonderful fall weather will hold tight...

HAPPY MONDAY, PEEPS!!!

I DID IT!

Wooooohoooooo!!!  I ran them!  16 miles, baby!!  I.  Am.  Pumped!  The first 8 were awesome.  I had a great stride and pace, but let me tell ya...when I hit 8--I started questioning myself.  I will be the first one to tell you : "it's mind over matter" and today--it was definitely mind over matter those last 8 miles.  I was NOT going to give in!  Determination and sheer will pulled me through.  I even hit the CVS at 11 miles for some Powerade as a "pick me up".  The weather was P.E.R.F.EC.TION to say the least.  God truly granted us a beautiful fall day today.  I hope you got to get out in it and enjoy the crisp, cool, morning or the breezy, GORGEOUS afternoon.  If not--SHAME on YOU!  ;0) 

My schedule pulls me back for 12 as a long run this week but adds 10 miles for a midweek run.  YEEHAW! 

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday and great week!!! 

Love

Seriously!!!  Today was tough!!!  Ran a beautiful 8 miles Tuesday but today was a whoooole other ballgame, people!  I think I was tired.  In fact, I KNOW I was!  I couldn't sleep last night and was up for about 3 hours---don't underestimate the power of sleep.....sheesh

Only a few short weeks out from the big day.  Today, I am nervous.  Did any of you watch/hear about the Chicago Marathon?  One woman was 9 months pregnant and smooth finished her 26.2 .  I'm not sure of being in awe of her or thinking she is a complete idiot...but hey--who am I to judge, eh?  She finished.  She. Is. Woman! 

Anyway--I have 16 looking at me this week.  Hope they go better than these last 4 did.  Wish me luck!!! 

It's Been a While...

Oh my WORD, for all of you "out of towners" following along this blessed event in my life, let me just tell you... gracefullness is still not my strong point.  Sheesh! 

If I haven't caught you up on the last little episode, have a seat, a cup of  something, and get ready for a laugh....

It started last Saturday (2 weeks) ago.  I had 12 miles looking at me and a full day of baseball with the bambino (his first tourney, so I KNEW I couldn't miss it!).  I am a 10 minute miler, 11 on these loooong runs, so I knew I had to get up, get out, and finish before 8:30.  So, I get up at 5 a.m.  ON A SATURDAY (!!  Now THAT is dedication, right, people!?)  Anyway--I'm up and out the door at 5:30.  Keep in mind, it is still dark out and difficult to see.  Well, I'm trottin' along, feelin' good, about to hit my first mile when...... it happened.....  yes, yes, I knew it was inevitable, but DANG!  IT HURT!!!  I tripped over a blob of concrete.  Let me just say, I figured I would fall eventually, simply because those of you who know me well, know I tend to trip over MY OWN FEET!  But THIS,  THIS. was. the. most. painful. fall. I have . EEEVEER experienced!!!  Needless to say, I bounced and skidded about 3 feet and by the time it was all said and done, I probably should've gotten stitches in my knee.  I skinned about 3 layers of skin off my knee AND my left hand.  I had to sit there a while because I thought I was going to PASS OUT!!!  Or throw up, one...either way...it was bad, and as I sat there, a thought crossed my mind:  What IF something REEEALLLY bad happened to me?  How would anyone know?  Lesson learned:  wear a head lamp if planning on running in the dark AANNND  GET AN I.D. BRACELET......SOOON!!!

After all has been said and done, I have been out of commission for about a week, BUT!!!  A little scrape never keeps me down!!  I got in my 6 miles and my 13 this weekend.  WHO'S THE BOMB-DIGGITY!?!?  Yes, ladies and gentlemen....banged up knee and all, this ole gal never let a few scrapes and sore knees keep her away from doing what she loves!  Needless to say, I should be back on track for the duration of my journey.  Only 10 more weeks until the BIIIG DAAY!!  I can't WAIT!!!  After finishing those 13 this week, I felt amazing!  I know, that I know, that I KNOW 26.2 WILL. BE.  COMPLETED IN 2011!  CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP ruuuun  FORREST, ruuuun!!! 

Yep--feelin' good!

Yep--hit my long run this week feelin' pretty good.  I only had 7 ahead of me, which was probably why I was feeling easy.  The sun was out with a slight breeze and it. was. beautiful!  I'm so glad those heat index days of 100+ are behind us.  My lungs are appreciative too, needless to say!  My brother and sister-in-law ran with me.  My brother....sheesh....SOOOO NOT FAIR!!  He seemed to get those "good" genes of a high metabolism PLUS he's faster...so. not. fair.  My SIL did AWESOME TOO.  She  had my sweet nephew back in April and she was kickin' some tail running!  I was QUITE impressed!  She ran 4--which is amazing!  KEEP IT UP, GIRLY!! NEXT YEAR YOU'RE RUNNIN' THE HALF !!!!


Hit 6 today for a "mid-run".  I like to spread those longer miles out.  The rest of the week will only be 3, but come Saturday, we're looking at a 12 mile stretch.  YIKES! 

One thing that helps with these long runs is the Garmin Santa brought me this past year.  It frees me up to run a wider terrain.  One thing about it, I can run one way half of the miles and know that if I turn around, I've gotten all of my miles in.  Sure love that silly little computer....not sure how I managed without it all of this time! 

Still taking it one step at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time....keep on keepin' on, boys and girls!!! 

There's a FIRE, Burnin' in my Soul

Seriously, I LOVE. THIS. WEATHER!  Life is SO good when it's 69-70 degrees outside.  I loooooooooove fall!   I believe it's my favorite time of the year.  I love wearing sweatshirts and shorts, COLLEGE FOOTBALL, cooler mornings and evenings, pumpkins, mums....I LOVE FALL! 

With all this said, I hit my longest run yet.  10 miles.  Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP!!!  Yes sir, ladies and gentlemen.....10 miles, a little over a 1/3 of the way there!  I'm excited!  I truly believe this is the year that I will conquer that bad boy:  26.2.  I think I knew all along last year that I would cop-out.  Too much went on last fall.  This year, one step at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time.  The Lord has provided strength and that ever so valuable time.  Precious time that we all value so much.  We never think there are enough hours in the day but I want to share something with you:  if you will give Him your time, TRULY give Him your time, He will provide strength, endurance, and time to get through your day.  Don't believe me?  Try and see...God has truly blessed my time lately through family, work, and play.  He has even provided EXTRA time.  After all, He woos us :  Come all who are weak and I will give you strength.  Won't you give Him your time? 

Happy fall, yall!