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!

 

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.

 

 

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.