A lot of good...

Good weather, good attitude, good partners, good distance.

Today I tried out a new exercise partner.  Enter Baby K.  Though he's too small for the jogging stroller as yet, meaning I can't really run with him in tow, we did get in a nice power walk this afternoon.  So, nestled in to his pram, we headed in the direction of the library. 

Sun, warm temps and a quick pace quickly equated sweat.  Add to that the trees and flowers beginning to bloom and you've got a great workout.  Baby K, however, didn't seem as interested in his surroundings.  He zonked out about 15 seconds after being placed into the pram (with a brief exception when we stopped for a red light...he doesn't like to stop moving) and didn't wake up until 4+ miles later. 

I'm looking forward to more of these walks...at least, that is, until he's ready for the jogging stroller.  Then there will be no stopping us.

This evening, I headed over to the gym for some rare solo time.  With dad responsible for all the kids, there was no pressure to get it done as quickly as possible.  I got in a short run before hitting the weight machines.  I got a great laugh as I started my last set on the row machine.  Was it just coincidence that, as I was thinking about my body transformation journey, "Sexy and I Know It" piped through my earbuds?  I think not...especially as the words "I work out" fit perfectly into the rhythm I was pounding out.  Add to that, I know the perfect animal print running pants I could add to the mix (seen at the Nike Women's Half in DC last April...a big PR day for me).

And now as I sit here relaxing and thinking about what I can squeeze in tomorrow before the rain makes it impossible for Baby K to be loaded into the pram, I'm happy with what I accomplished today.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.11 (run), 4.12 power walk
Time:   32:00 (average pace of 10:17), I accidentally forgot to stop the watch after my walk, so the time was off
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula and Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  awesome

Giddy up...

I'm getting back on the horse, so to speak, and I'm back to blogging...mostly.  I don't imagine I will be blogging every run as I used to, but through the remainder of the year I will attempt to keep up weekly. 

It's been a few months since my last post, but that doesn't mean its been a few months since my last run.  In fact, I've had a very exciting several months.  I'll give you just a taste of what's been happening.  This will be a long one, but stick with me and you will be rewarded.

In March, when I last blogged, I was running for the sake of running - for myself, for my health, for my daughter - with minor aspirations at a Boston qualifying run at some point before December.  Early in April, the running world changed with a bomb that explode of the Boston Marathon.  That month, we ran in solidarity and rememberance for those affected by the bombing, and we ran for a sense of normalcy.

Later that month, I ran the Nike Women's Half Marathon and realized that I didn't have just minor aspirations, but I was capable of putting in a better than qualifying marathon by the end of the year, putting in a 1:48:19 half.  Granted, I had the added incentive of lining up at the start directly behind Shalane Flanagan...talk about motivation.  How can you turn in a bad performance when you are chasing the heels of the women who took 4th at Boston?

Other races, many PRs, and a myriad of runs later, I hit another milestone...the first race where I served as a pacer.  Bless my friend who believed I could lead a group of ladies to the finish line in the Zooma half marathon.  It was an amazing experience pacing the 2:00:00 group.  There is nothing more motivating on a soupy June day than knowing dozens of women are depending on seeing your pacing sign waving in the air so they know they will finish within their goals. Following that race, I received this message on my facebook page: "Hey Stacie, a woman who you were pacing came up to me afterward and started crying as she was sooo excited that she finished. She said she would NEVER have been able to finish let alone at that pace with out YOU! She said she was looking all over for you to tell you and thank you. You are a great pacer and coach!!!"

That weekend, I also learned I was running with a new partner.  In fact, I'd been running with a new partner for several weeks and would continue to run with that partner until next January...at least as a regular fixture on every run.  Figured it out?  My family discovered we would be a family of four. 

That didn't slow me down though...are you kidding?!?!?  That month I turned in a great 10k performance and then finished 2nd in my age group at my hometown 5K in support of children battling cancer. 

My days of speed racing (for this season at least) were coming to a close though.  No Boston qualifier for me this year at Steamtown.  Not even a whiff.  That doesn't mean my running will disappear this year.  Quite the opposite.  My doctor has cleared me to run every bit as much as I always have, and to even keep the Richmond Marathon on my schedule in November if I'm feeling well.  So running I will continue.

I will admit, though, to rougher mileage in July and August.  The heat and humidity made me nauseous, and the treadmill caused my old back injury to begin to flare up again, so I was relegated to running when everything would allow.  I still turned in a "decent" performance at the John Wall Mile in July, but have come to realize I'm in "happy to finish" mode from here on out.

I'll finish this super long post with a quick note about one of my favorite races of the year - the Annapolis 10-miler - which happened today.  I love this classic hometown race and the people it brings to Annapolis.  Today we had the most perfect weather in A-10 history, and I ran with the perfect crew.  Without my best running buddy, Brie, and also Danielle, Gloria, and Jen, it would not have been quite so perfect for baby Peaches and me.  Thanks ladies! 

Looking forward to the running adventures that continue to await me this year!  Happy trails!

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