Finding ways....

...to get it done may take an extreme amount of determination and a little creativity from time to time.


So, let me set the stage for you - husband is out of town for a couple weeks, which means I've got the kids, work, activities, and running to sort through, schedule and get done with only one set of hands.  No problem.


During the week, much of that is easily accomplished because the kids are in school/daycare.  Come the weekend, however, scheduling the running workouts can be a little more challenging. 


Usually, for me, weekends alone with the kids means getting in my miles on the treadmill in the garage.  I loathe long runs on the treadmill, so I thought I'd be clever and do 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday and 5 miles on the treadmill today instead of all at once.


That plan flew out the window pretty quickly yesterday evening when I went into the garage to get started, only to find out something was wrong with the electrical outlets, so my treadmill had no power.  Triple grrrr.


On to plan B.  Luckily, the base has a nice, rubber-surface track around the pretty turf football field.  And next to that track, even more luckily, is the super-duper playground.  On the down side, though, there is only one thing I hate more than doing a long run on the treadmill - doing a long run on the track.  So I had to cut my miles back today to 5 miles (though the kids wouldn't have allowed any more than that at any rate because they tire quickly on the big playground).


Off to the playground we go. 

Now, as some of you other mama runners know, kids can be very needy at the playground, which ultimately makes track miles next to the playground look more like an interval workout.  Run two laps, push the kids on the swings, run three laps, figure out why one is crying, run three laps, help one reach the monkey bars...you get the idea.

So many times today it would have been easy to just throw in the towel, because, well it was just easier to not do the run than to balance the run and the kids.  Well screw that.  Nothing in life worth having is easy, so this buttercup sucked it up and made it work.

And then, when you least expect it, your kids are standing in front of you on the track right before your last lap, ready to run it with you.  And all you can do is smile and be happy you found the way to make it happen, because the kids are watching and learn more from you pushing through than quitting.

What creative ways do you use to get your workout in when life happens?

Here's to looking forward to the return of my husband next weekend, though I love having my kids to myself sometimes, to share in helping me find ways to keep getting it done.  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date: 534.07 miles

Observations:  Two more weekends of kickball, and then I can devote my muscles to running.  The constant change back and forth has caused my training to suffer a bit, since they aren't like sports, but kickball has been a fun extra activity this spring.

BONUS - what exactly does 5 miles on the track, with a couple of trips to the playground throughout, look like?  Here you go!

 

Goals...

...can be big.  They can be small.  They can be fluid.  They can be short-term or long-term. 

We may love them, or we may hate them, but we all have goals. 

For me, goals are a very important part of helping me approach a new year, or new effort.  Looking forward is fun and invigorating (setting new goals and investing in reaching them).  So here's how I've laid out my year:

• Mileage Goals - I will run 1600 miles in 2017!  Since I'm also participating in Run the Year, that means I need to add at least 417 miles of walking or hiking that is purposeful.  Many participants use ALL their mileage, including whatever they walk on a daily basis.  If that was the case, I'd already be finished.  I'm focusing only on those miles that I set aside specifically as walking, running, or hiking miles. 
• Time Goals - 5:55:00 50k (if I get the opportunity to run an ultra this year), 3:45:00 marathon (BQ), 1:45:00 half marathon, 1:20:00 ten miler, 37:30 five miler. Boston is the big one....I'm really buckling down to qualify in 2017.
• Coaching Goals - In person and online, I will help runners identify their personal running and fitness goals and develop reasonable plans to achieve those goals.  I'm also hoping I can provide inspiration to new or struggling runners seeking joy in the sport I love and live. 
• Personal Goals - My blog will be a regular outlet for writing.  Blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing reaching my running goals.  I will build my personal strength through consistent strength workouts aimed at streamlining my body.  I will challenge myself to express a positive self-body image.  Most importantly, I will be present, physically and emotionally, for my family.

What are your goals?

A quick word about effort workouts - First of all, what is an effort workout?  An effort workout can be defined as anything other than "normal running."  That includes fast workouts (intervals, tempo, hills, fartleks) and long runs.  It also includes cross-training and non-running sports.  The rule of thumb is to include no more than 2-4 effort sessions per week.  For newer runners, I'd recommend the low end of the spectrum.  Why am I mentioning this?  Lately, I've been concerned that too many runners are encouraging others to focus on more and faster...pushing themselves toward injury or burn out.  Take a look at your weekly plan and figure out if you've got the right balance of base/easy runs and effort session.

So that's about it for now.  I'm excited to keep plugging toward my goals and seeing what this year brings.  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date:  522.86 miles

Observations:  Earlier this week, my right glute was super sore (yeah, that's right....butt cheek ache) from too many butt drops in the bouncy house over the weekend.  Ah, the challenges of growing older.  I took the beginning of the week a bit easier to rest it and not push toward a real injury.  Now, no more butt cheek ache.

WORKOUTS THIS WEEK

Monday: easy run

Tuesday: 2 strength exercises, treadmill mile (repeat the exercises and treadmill mile for four rotations)

Wednesday: 3.3 mile easy run with a friend, then a track workout - 500m warm up, 10x100m w/ 100m rest and strength exercises, 500m cool down

Thursday: easy run

Friday:  tempo run

Saturday:  easy run

Sunday:  easy run

Milestones...

...can be both motivating and intimidating as HELL.  Today, I faced down the intimidating side of hitting a milestone.

"How can that be?", you may ask.  "Closing in on a milestone is always motivating."

Yeah, they usually are, but sadly I must confess that for some reason when I'm close to a milestone I start to feel run down and interested in doing ANYTHING but running.

This week, I've been in the final stretch of hitting 500 miles for the year.  It would make me the first SW29 runner to hit that mark for the year, in the Run the World quest.  It would also mark about a quarter of the way to one of my goals for the year - 2017 in 2017.
As of this morning, I was about 11 miles short.  So, I planned on 5 miles today and 6 miles tomorrow...allowing me to hit the milestone before my birthday on Saturday (no special significance there, just a place on the calendar to reach for).

For the life of me, I could not find the motivation to get out and do my 5 miles  today.  I avoided it by - working (well, I really needed to do that anyway), going grocery shopping, stocking the beverage center for a party this weekend, having lunch with the husband.

While shopping, I texted my accountability partner (and bestie) about the motivation drain I was experiencing.  She yelled at me (yes, she really did) and told me to get my ass out there and just do the 5 miles.  Even if I had to walk it.

Over lunch, however, I knew that even if I hit the 5 miles today, I'd still face the drain tomorrow and find 20 excuses to skip that workout.  Solution?  Pull my long run forward two days and JUST GET IT DONE!

So, I pulled on my running shoes in, quite possibly, the hottest part of the day, and got to it.  5.5 miles out, 5.5 miles back.  Quite literally, from one side of base to the other.

It wasn't easy.  I've put my body through a lot this week (I'll post this week's workouts at the bottom of this post).  Oh, and my pace and will to continue tanked as I turned back for the final 5.5 miles, straight into consistent 17mph headwinds. 

Hitting 500 miles - however - getting to add those miles to my running log and email it to the SW29 administrators, was so worth digging deep and overcoming the lack of motivation to get out there and just do it.

Do you ever have trouble finding the motivation to complete a workout, or get it started in the first place?  Do you have an accountability partner to kick your ass when you need it?  I'm happy to be that for you if you currently lack one.  You can email me anytime at stacie@runstacierun.com!  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date:  500.16 miles

Observations:  I'm feeling a little stiff from extra strength training this week...oh, and my pecs are screaming at me with every running stride.  Ha.

WORKOUTS THIS WEEK

Monday: easy run & track work - 400m, 800m, 1200m, 1600m ladder with 400m rest between

Tuesday: mile warm up, 2 strength exercises, treadmill mile (repeat the exercises and treadmill mile for four rotations)

Wednesday: track workout - 1 mile warm up, 6x100m w/ 100m rest, 4x200m w/200m rest, 2x400m w/ 400m rest, 3/4 mile cool down, strength training, easy run in the evening

Thursday: long run!

 

 

Finding inspiration...

...can be a challenge for anybody.  For me, the challenge was finding my inspiration to keep this blog going though I really do love the writing.  It's been a long sabbatical and I've once again found my inspiration.  I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with my readers. 

So, what can you expect to see from me in the weeks and months ahead?  Well, you'll get recaps of my workouts, inspiration for getting out and running, advice for new runners or those looking to up their game, nutrition suggestions, and a look at what I'm reading.

Why don't we get started?

Since I've been looking for my own inspiration to write, lately, it's also made me think about what inspires runners to get out and take on the challenge, especially those who might turn to me for assistance.  Out on the pavement during my own runs, I've found some great motivation of my own, and I suspect many people find encouragement in the same places.

Recently, during a particularly hot and steamy 6-miler, I found myself losing steam.  That was, until I saw a mom running while pushing a jogging stroller.  Now, this isn't an unusual sight in our area, but what set this woman apart was the fact that the child was fussy, and to keep the child calm, the mother was shaking a rattle in her mouth and not missing a beat.  I thought to myself, if she can find the push to do whatever it takes to get her run in, why can't I?

Where else do I look to keep motivated to run?

I find inspiration in watching women pushing everyday to be better selves on the running path and in their personal lives, chasing new goals and dreams.  I find it in smiles from my children when they cheer me for finishing a run or trotting along beside me for a lap or two on the track.  I get inspired by chasing a new goal of my own - a new distance, a better time, helping more people find joy in running.

Now, before I leave you, and since we're all full of inspiration to get out and getting running, your next question may be: "Where do I start?"

I encourage you to start small.  Getting out and moving is better than not getting out at all.  You don't have to be fast to be a runner.  You don't have to be able to run a 5k to be a runner.  You just have to get started to be a runner.  Try a walk/jog routine to grow comfortable with the rhythm and build your muscles. 

Set realistic goals for yourself.  If you aren't consistently running already, deciding to run a marathon isn't the best idea.  Consider focusing toward reducing the amount of time you walk during a workout, reach for a 5k or 10k.

And importantly, hydrate.  Nothing cramps the muscles faster, and ruins a run quicker, than being dehydrated.

So, that's it for today.  In my next post, I'll bring you a recap of some of my  fave recent workouts (tough half marathon, track workouts, interval strength training), as well as my annual goals post.  Please let me know what else you may be interested in hearing. Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date: 481.86 miles

Observations:  I've had some ups and downs.  My hip has caused a little trouble this year...more than usual.  I'm hoping a bit more strength training will provide the support my hips will need for the grueling training I plan to put them through come marathon season.