Here comes Peter Cottontail...

I love Easter - collecting eggs at the local hunt, family gatherings, singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," praising all things that sustain my spirit - and wish it happened more than once a year.  And then there other things that should happen more frequently - like posting on my blog.  Alas, the further I got into 2016, the harder that first post became and so here we are, end of March and finally getting my butt in gear.

So, in the coming days I'm planning to play catch up.  I'll post a couple of race recaps - Disney Princess Glass Slipper Challenge in February and HAT Run 50K last weekend - and then perhaps I can get on a regular schedule.

In the meantime, I can't kick off the year without reviewing my goals from 2015 and setting new goals for 2016.

New Year's Day started off right!

This past year was altogether more and less than I expected.  I didn't hit my time goals, though I did post some new PRs.  I was a horrible blogger with only 15 posts for the year.  I still own two houses.  And my family probably rues some of the missed opportunities due to a tough fall training schedule.  BUT, I did reach some of my goals and can always give the others another try.  After all, if you don't reach high and miss, then you never challenge yourself.

So here's looking back on 2015:

• I ran 1296.27 miles in 2015 (the goal was 1245)!  It took me three years to achieve this goal, and finally it's mine.
• I posted a PR in the marathon - 4:00:20 (Steamtown)!  Yowza!  That was 48 minutes off my previous PR.  I also posted a PR in the 10K - 49:17 (10K Across the Bay).
• I worked to rebuild my fitness level, including strength, and along the way I worked my butt back into my pre-pregnancy suits.  I even picked up a new sport - stand-up paddleboarding.
• Got a bit sidelined in blogging these past few years, and didn't keep up with this one.  There's always this year.
• I did wind down my tenure as the race director for the Annapolis Striders Anniversary Run, in prep for a move out of state (which isn't happening now).  But, yay me!
• I did not unload my other spare house in 2015.  Water damage delayed this one a bit since we had to rebuild much of the inside of the house...but it's on the market now.  Fingers crossed!
• As a family, we ventured out into the world to explore new family-friendly activities semi-regularly.
• We also kept alive our goalto learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family activities by taking in the Washington, DC dragon boat races.



Making it count, even in blizzard conditions!

• And perhaps as important as any other goal, my tribe is alive and well.  There are few things I would have accomplished this past year without the women I hold dearest.  Through tough runs or crappy days, sharing joys and pains smoothed the road to be happy, healthy and a better person.

It was a great 2015.  It's always fun and interesting to look back and realize you accomplished more and less than you set out to accomplish, but looking forward can be so much more fun and infinitely more interesting (setting new goals and investing in reaching them).  So let's get started:

• I will run 1500 miles in 2016!!!

• I will reach for those new time goals again - 5:55:00 50k, hit a Boston qualifying time in the marathon (3:4:00), 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 2016.
• I will continue to build my fitness, including strength (off to a decent start).
• I will more regularly blog about my running this year. I've realized that blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing reaching my running goals.  I also enjoy looking back on the memories and experiences I had along the way.
• I will be there for my tribe, being present not just in attendance.
• I will unload my other spare house in 2016.  For real this time.
• As my husband moves to another country for work for a year, and the kids and I stay behind, I will work to keep smiles on their faces and build memories that they enjoy sharing with their daddy.
• We will continue to learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family traditions in 2016 - maybe even add more phrases to our limited Chinese vocabulary.

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

The tribe....or rather, some of it.

2016 miles to date: 348.19

Observations:  I'm lucky that my body has held up to the battering I've inflicted on it the past few months.  I've pushed through minor pulls in my right hamstring, scares with the old back injury and a weird pain in my left calf, but nothing that has slowed me down.  My body, though, is looking forward to a training slow down for the next month before I ramp back up in preparation for the fall marathon season.

Listening...

...is about the most important thing a runner can do.

The toughest lesson most of us "I'm invincible and made of steel," type-A, delusional runners struggle to embrace is just that....listening to our bodies.

It's goes something like this:  "my ankle hurts today, oh well, I need to run 5 miles."  "My back hurts today, too bad I'm sure a run will make it feel better."  "I'm hacking up a lung, which must mean I should run 5-6 miles in the freezing cold in order to clear my lungs."

In almost every instance, the exact opposite is really what the runner should have done.  Listening to your body's cues for when things feel good and bad can make you a better, healthier, stronger runner.

I've learned that lesson all too well through my own errors.  In 2010, I injured my SI joint...pretty bad.  After weeks of running through pretty excruciating pain, I went to see my physical therapist.

As the PT for the Navy cross country team, she's used to seeing runners like me, unwilling to listen to what our body says and take the necessary rest.  So, she gave me two choices - (a) I could either rest for a few weeks and heal or (b) I could extend the time it would take to heal, continue running in pain and do some stretch and strengthening work.

Obviously I chose (b).

I continued to run and did the exercises.  Walking and sitting was painful.  Running was only slightly less painful.  I became a stock owner in icy hot.  It took me two years before I could run much more than a half marathon again.

Fast forward to today.  That lesson sucked and I decided to do things a bit differently.

Recently, I took part in an awesome girls weekend at a great friends house.  She scheduled a massage therapist to come over and rub away the stress of life.  I rarely get massages because my back is way to sensitive, but I decided to go for it and focus on shoulders and legs....yet forgot to tell the masseuse to stay clear of the SI joint area.  Whoa is me.

The next day I was running on the treadmill and noticed a twinge in my lower back.  Crap.  Later that day I loaded up in the car and drove to Ohio.  After exiting the car, the twinge was a bit more of a nagging pain.  Double crap.  And the next day it was no better.

But.....this time instead of running through it to keep racking up my miles for the year, I just took the time off.  Was it hard?  Uh, yeah, understatement of the year.  It was snowing most of those days and I LOVE running in the snow.

 That said, the thought of missing out on my plans for this running season, would have been harder.

It only took about a week before my back was feeling better and I didn't really miss a beat.  Am I behind on miles for the year?  Yeah, but with the warmer weather right around the corner, I'll quickly catch back up.  So, learn from my mistakes and corrections.  Listen when your body hurts.  Go harder/farther if its praising the heavens.  Good or bad, just listen.  Happy trails!!!

2015 Miles to Date:  115.41

Observations:  Mentally I had a really tough time looking at my running bag, carrying it with me every day but not using it while I was recovering.  I also felt really darn proud of myself when I did reopen my bag and tie on those shoes again.  I chose the right path, rather than the one that my head was screaming for.  Admittedly though, I became a bit of a cranky beast.
 

A skunk of a good time...

I've run across a lot of animals during my running career.  Deer, horses, fox, squirrels (oh the squirrels), bunnies, fox and so on.  But never skunk.  In fact, I've never seen a skunk living outside a zoo or animal show.  That is until tonight. 

Tonight I decided to do my interval/circuitish type workout on the golf course cart path at Cole Park Commons on Fort Campbell.  I like the trail.  Early early morning or late evening it's deserted.  Just you and nature and lovely views.  It's a golf course made up of rolling hills...lots of hills. 

Anyway, I was just finishing my first of three circuits (1/4 mile jog, 15 reverse lunges, 1/4 mile jog, 30 crunches, 1/4 mile jog, 15 push-ups, 1/4 jog then repeat two more times for a total of 3 miles, 45 reverse lunges, 90 crunches and 45 push-ups) when I looked off to my right and there he was...or she...I can't tell the difference and I wasn't going to get close enough to take a real look.  That skunk looked at me like I ruined his solitary stroll through the golf course (I could say the same about him or her) then scooted across the cart path and kept on going.  I decided to wait until he was well across the path before continuing...just in case.

So yeah, check that one off the bucket list.

On a training note, I'm feeling pretty strong.  That said, I need to start being more mindful about overdoing it.  I've been pushing myself hard and not worrying about recovery and I think it's catching up with me.  Thursday's run was my seventh day in a row without a rest and my calves were locking up.  I took Friday off before my long run on Saturday and everything seemed to shake back out, but I'm in danger of running down that path again if I don't force myself to take a day off early this week to rest.  Today may look light, but I also did a 55 minute pure barre class this morning...so basically my glutes are screaming and my quads were shaking during those reverse lunges tonight.

Moving to a completely different topic, I went on a bit of a shopping spree recently to spruce up my tired running wardrobe. Lucy was having a great sale on tops, so I picked up three, and while I was at it, I grabbed a new running skirt at Lululemon....check it out.  I took it out for a spin on my 14.7 mile long run Saturday (which I normally wouldn't do for a first wearing on a long run, but oh well) and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't ride up, roll up or cause any chafing.  All around, A+ and the same to the Lucy top I paired with the skirt.

New clothes, new animal sitings and overworking aside, I'm starting to feel strong and consistent again and looking forward to the insane fall racing schedule I've set for myself.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:

Total miles:  427.47...starting to chip away at a more consistent and higher rate
Feeling:  Stronger, yet not treating my body well enough

 

Strength in numbers....

I'm pretty much a solo runner.  I like to tie on my running shoes, adjust my visor, make sure I've got satellite reception on my Garmin, turn on the ipod and go.  A mile in, I'm in that comfortable bubble where my legs are working in rhythm with my arms and my mind.  I'm not worrying about sticking to a certain route or keeping the group together.

Since May'ish, though, I've learned about life of the other side of the running coin - the strength you can find and grow when you run in numbers.  My recent return in endurance has as much to do with the ladies I'm running with as is does with the actual miles I'm putting on my shoes. 

The comaraderie and the endless interesting conversations make the miles melt away.  Where else can you discuss running commando or the virtues of running with panties, share the challenges of recent health problems, complain about husbands who create more mess than they clean up or get a great recommendation for a painting service?  We have been sharing our joys and our struggles, but most importantly ourselves.  I really love that.  So I raise a glass to those ladies - Ann, Leah, Brie, AliceAnne, Susan, Kathy and Kelly.  I look forward to every run we have together and miss you all when I'm running alone.  You're my rock and my inspiration.

Now on to my personal scolding.  Last night I was reminded that I really enjoy blogging - what I get out of it as a runner - and lament that it has been so long since my last entry.  This hiatus will cause me to forget some of the small, but funny moments of the past couple months.  How I enjoy going back and remembering quirky parts of a course.  So today I'm dedicating this post to Susan for reminding me just how much I enjoy this blog by letting me talk about it during last night's run.  Cheers Susan!

As I continue on my journey this fall (boy have I overextending myself on the race calendar), I hope to be more regular about writing and continue to cement the friendships I've made on the pavement.  Happy trails!!!

**NOTE - Since it's been a while, rather than inserting stats for a specific run, I'm just going to play catch up on totals today.

Stats -

Total miles:  I'm at just under 400 miles for the year so far...not where I need to be, but it's growing.  I also think my tracker is missing some runs and need to comb back through it.
Feeling:   TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

You're my friend...

"...because you worked hard and are sweaty and are going to be fast."  So says the diva at the dinner table tonight when I got home from the gym.  The logic of a five-year old astounds me. 

Where did this come from?  Well, honestly, from me I think.  When I come in from a run, the diva often says "eww, you're wet and sweaty."  I just keep telling her that being sweaty means I'm working hard.  At least something I said seems to be sticking now. What I hope she also is learning is that hard work pays off.

Fun anecdote aside...it was your average night in the gym.  Moderate run, followed by strength training.  I broke up the sets reading Divergent.  With the movie coming out, I feel like I need to read the book first (unrelated editorial...the Mortal Instruments series was really good, but th movie sucked HUGE). 

Tonight I tugged a muscle in my back a little awkwardly.  Luckily, this happened during my last exercise, so I cut it short by a rep in hopes that I wouldn't do more damage.  I'll just rest it a bit so that whatever happened back there will work itself out before my barre class on Saturday.  I'm really looking forward to the class and it would be a bummer if I had a tweaked back muscle keeping me from enjoying it and the benefits it will bring to my running.

Here's to hard work and running injury free.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.1
Time:  36:42 (average pace of 11:50...slower but added incline)
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  tweaked back...don't want to get injured

Ode to a rainy day...

Not all days can be wind free.  Not all days can come with sunny, blue skies.  Somedays come with rain.

Yesterday Baby K enjoyed our walk so much that we decided to go for another one today.  Okay, in reality the walk lulled him to sleep, but grabbing an hour when the baby is asleep can be regenerative. 

It was a warm(ish) afternoon, enough to wrap up the baby for a long power walk.  Though the clouds hung heavy in the sky, we bet against mother nature that we could sneak in a few miles before those clouds opened up and drenched us.  Mother nature showed me not to bet against her.

The walk started out really well.  Rather than heading to the paved trail, we went up the road near my house that is flanked by fields.  No noise from route 50.  Just us and the fields covered by canadian geese...and the occasional car heading to the neighborhoods lining the edge of the bay.

As we turned into Chesapeake Preserve to walk the cloverleaf I sometimes run if I only have time for a couple miles, the blackberry started going off.  Luckily I can multitask, so set to work answering the mail at the office and keeping one foot moving in front of the other...oh and there was the phone call as well.  And through it all, Baby K slept. 

When we were about three-quarters of a mile from home mother nature let the sprinkles fly.  I don't mind running in sprinkles or even an outright downpour, but I've been told that maybe its not awesome to let a baby get drenched by the elements (or the blackberry and iPhone).  So I quickly learned how to attach the rain cover to the pram and turned back toward the house.  And through it all, Baby K slept.

Though our walk was only a couple miles, a good short power walk is better than none, and its a couple more miles toward my goals.  And while I had every intention of capping that off with a couple miles on the treadmill later in the evening, life happens when you have kids and sometimes the best intentions don't pan out.  I'll get it tomorrow.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.20
Time:   39:16 (average pace of 17:51 per mile)
Location: Broadneck Peninsula
Feeling:  slightly damp
 

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

The long haul...

I have a feeling the road to my previous running self is going to be very long and riddled with numerous obstacles, but I'm in it for the long haul. 

I'm going to make a confession...my body isn't what it was before I became pregnant...shocker, I know.  That body had a few years of hard, consistent endurance training in it.  It was strong.  It had great improvements in speed and consistency.  This body, well, doesn't.

This body is slow and less muscular.  It is cumbersome and out of breath sooner.  It can't go as far.  But it will.

As long as I'm confessing, let me also lay this one on the table...I'm carrying an extra 32 pounds on my frame.  32 pounds that I wasn't carrying last May and need to shed.

None of the obstacles will keep me from clawing my way back to my old running self.  Scratch that...my better running self.  The running self that will come back leaner, faster and stronger.

I'm under no delusions that this will be easy, or that it will happen soon.  It's going to take time, commitment and the support and understanding of my family.  And while I'm on the subject, thank the good Lord for a family who knows how important this is to my physical and emotional well-being.  My family is incredibly supportive of me doing what I need to be awesome.

Why not take this journey with me?  Hold me accountable to what I want to accomplish this year.

So, how have I used the first part of March to reach for my goals?  I've managed to put in four official workouts (though I really believe I should get credit for running up and down all those stairs during the day trying to keep an infant calm). 

The gym workouts and runs are just that - gym workouts and runs.  Nothing to write home about or brag worthy.  They get the job done.  Did I mention my gym provides free childcare while working out?  Priceless for the mom on the run who needs a babysitter to squeeze in that workout.  The gym also has something the road workouts can't bring to the table...weights for strength training.

Of those four official workouts, one was back on the roads of the Broadneck Peninsula.  Friday evening I got to lay down four well-earned miles while watching the colors change across the sky as dusk fell over Annapolis.  Pretty scenery (and an out and back course) keep me motivated to finish the run when my body just wants to walk.  I can't wait to up that mileage and get back on some of my other favorite routes across the area.

I've got a lot coming down the pike in the next several months - more endurance improvement, more races and new challenges (I signed up for a barre class at my gym) - and I'm looking forward to every sweaty moment (Diva now equates sweat with working hard).  I know I'm behind in mileage, but I don't believe in backing down from a challenge.  I still believe I can do this.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.1 (3/1/14), 3.12 (3/6/14), 4.04 (3/7/14), 3.0 (3/8/14)
Time:  35:03 (3/1/14), 31:45 (3/6/14), 45:40 (3/7/14), 32:00 (3/8/14)
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y and the Broadneck Peninsula
Feeling:  earning it

Around the world....

Not literally, well possibly literally.   Friday I returned to training with the Disney Royal Family 5k at Epcot Center (though I haven't officially been cleared by the doctors since it's only been 20 days.  It's hard to keep me down...did you read my last post about how stubborn I am?). 

Why yes, Baby K was born on February 1, and so I am back to training.  Today's story won't really include Baby K (he's a little young to actively participate as yet), but  not to worry, I'm sure I will have many stories to share of time on the roads with my newest running partner.

So my return to pounding the pavement brought mixed feelings - but we'll get to that - first the course.  I've run a few different Disney races and have experienced different courses.  Though only a 5k, it has to be my favorite Disney course yet. 

The start was out in the Epcot parking lot. It was a different group than I'm used to running a Disney race with.  More kids, more families.  A festive environment to be sure.  The first mile continued through the parking lot and access roads, though it was too dark to really see.  Then, with the beginning of mile 2, we entered the Epcot Center World Showcase and took a jaunt around the world.  Each of the countries in the showcase was well-represented by the Disney character from that country (or at least one dressed in traditional costume from that country).  It made me smile.  I like to smile while running.  The final mile was back through the front end of Epcot Center, around Spaceship Earth and the memorial plaza and back out into the parking lot.  A grand return to the race scene for sure.

The run felt awesome.  Muscle memory kicked in and everything worked the way it should.  No walking...the running felt just fine (though not particularly fast).  That said, it was sad to be at Princess Half weekend running something other than the half marathon (I've run it every year since 2011).  I went back and forth with regret for not pushing myself to run the bigger distances this weekend, but knew in my mind that I was already biting off more than I should.  I'll take the finish, though.  Definitely can't complain (and I even scored a pair of the New Balance Run Disney shoes in the Cinderella motif).

Saturday we were right back at Epcot Center for the kids races...Diva's turn on the course.  This was officially her second time in a Disney kids race.  The first one was for 100m, but she's a bigger girl now, and so was registered in the 200m.  It was also special because she got to run with one of her good friends.  I'm a very proud mama....last time she had to be carried but today she ran the whole thing herself (with me running right beside her of course).  Perhaps this girl is headed to a running career of her own.  She was smiling ear to ear when she finished.  And then of course we headed straight into the park so the Diva could meet some Disney princesses.

We rounded off the "return to running" weekend cheering for my good friend, Ann, in her Disney debut at the Princess Half Marathon.  The diva was so excited to hold up a sign for Ann that another lady asked the diva to hold her sign up so she could take a picture with the cute, enthusiastic kid.

All in all, I'd say that I couldn't have asked for a better way to get back in action.  I mean really, if this is just the beginning, then the rest of the year must bring great things.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 3.16
Time:  37:59 (pace of 12:01 per mile)
Location:  Epcot Center, Walt Disney World
Feeling:  motivated to get back in the game

May the New Year bring...

...joy, challenge, good running and great memories!

While 2013 was a pretty great year, it ended much differently than it began.  I began the year focused on improving my running, reaching new fitness heights and spending quality time with my family.  I did all those simultaneously for a while, and then God stepped in a decided we were going to have a baby, which slowed things down a bit. 

January through May were banner months for my running.  I got faster, stronger and more courageous.  I ran PRs in the half marathon, 10K, 10 miler and the 1 mile.  I conquered a 50k course that had previously plagued me,  I served as a pacer in a half marathon for the first time.  I finished the Annapolis Striders year "Iron Man," completing all their champ series races for the year.  I trained with some new partners throughout the year.  I directed the Striders Anniversary Run for the fifth year, this time alongside one of my best friends Brie.  I continued racing, and completed a metric marathon 6 months pregnant.  I achieved a lot of what I set out to achieve, but still fell short on the higher goals I set for myself.  Let's recap my running/fitness goals for 2013:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2013...this is 200 more than 2012, and I believe well within my reach. - Baby had a different idea with this goal.  While I continued running throughout the year, I slowed down significantly as my lungs lost real estate and my weight skyrocketed the second half of the year.  I did still hit 1000, which isn't too bad for an overbusy pregnant woman with a family.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 4:30:00 marathon, 1:50:00 half marathon, 1:22:00 ten miler, 39:30 five miler. - I blew out both my half marathon and ten miler goals.  I didn't get in a marathon or five miler before my running started to change due to the pregnancy, so I'll have to roll those goals over.
• I will pay more attention to strength training and aim to do more than 3600 push-ups, 3600 squats and 12,000 sit-ups in 2013. - This one was pie in the sky.  While I watched my strength training, tracking to this level of detail wasn't really in my dna.  Perhaps this year I can add some metrics using the FitLinxx system at the Y, but I won't be adding a goal like this again.
• I will try to unload one of my other properties in 2013. - Check! 
• I will become a RRCA certified running coach in 2013. - Check!
• As a family, we will seek out and try one new family-friendly activity for the diva in our area each month in 2013. - Check!  And lots of fun...I think as a family we got to add many new great memories to the books.
• As a family, we will learn about and incorporate at least one Chinese tradition into our family traditions in 2013. - Check!  We celebrated the Diva's 4th birthday in Chinese New Year style and hopefully got to share her heritage with some of her friends in the process.

It's always fun and interesting to look back and realize you accomplished more and less than you set out to accomplish, but looking forward can be so much more fun and infinitely more interesting (setting new goals and investing in reaching them).  So let's get started:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2014.  Yep, resetting the clock on this one.  While my due date is late January, meaning I won't start laying down serious miles until late February, I still believe I can hit this one this year.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 5:55:00 50k, hit a Boston qualifying time in the marathon(3:40:00), 1:45:00 half marathon, 1:20:00 ten miler, 37:30 five miler.
• I will more regularly blog about my running this year.  Got a bit sidelined last year, and realized the blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing.
• I will unload my other spare house in 2014.
• As a family, we will continue to seek out at least one new family-friendly activitiy per month.  (Ought to be interesting with an infant.)
• We will continue to learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family traditions in 2014.
• We will get to know and enjoy having Baby K in the family beginning late January.

So let's get going...I'm out the door to start the year off with the annual resolution run at City Dock!

Transitions = blogging delays....

Transitions can be exciting.  They can also be very disruptive to your routines.  This year I've changed jobs, moved offices (twice), traveled a lot and am still working on perfecting my role in a family of three while keeping on target with my personal fitness goals.  Is it any wonder I haven't updated the blog as regularly as last year?!?

Anyway, my March endeavor is to get back on track (and write several of the posts I skipped) and blog as I go, like last year.  I've been having fun in my running shoes the past six weeks and I don't want to miss the opportunity to share.  While I'm not breaking speed barriers (as evidenced by my lack luster showing down in Florida last weekend...finished in the top 5% but I was disappointed with my time), I am building new friendships, exploring new terrain and working hard to make this a great running year.

Today's run was simple.  It was a muscle shake out.  I'm trying to be better at resting after bigger races and so I took two days off after the half marathon last weekend.  My legs were definitely stiff...more along the lines of "feels like hardening cement."  But the day was beautiful and the run was good for my mental sanity.  Plus, I got to see the sun peering around the top of the Capitol Building...that just makes my day. 

I also got to laugh to myself for half a mile.  I know I would do this if it happened to me, but still, its amusing to watch it.  I came up on the left side of this women who was moving a lot slower than me (I'd guess her pace was a good 30 seconds/mile slower) and as I passed her she dug deep to find the energy to ensure she passed me up again.  I was running to shake out to cobwebs, so I didn't chase her down.  But anyway, it was a good smile.

I'm slightly behind in mileage for the month of February, but am certain I can grab the extra few needed to be on solid ground by the end of March.  I had two 30+ mile weeks this month (and one abyssmal week of travel overseas that didn't lend itself to much running).  March will be better in so many ways - more running, more blogging.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  4.72
Tine:   41:52 (average pace of 8:52 per mile)
Location:  I'm permanently removing this stat for personal reasons, but message me if you want to know specifically where I'm running...you'll be able to get a general idea otherwise, from the landmarks I talk about.
Feeling:  Sluggish, but mentally awesom

I'll update the mileage calculator later tonight, but i've completed 180.21/1245 so far.