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!

 

It's what counts...

When you've got a great running community to support you, you can do almost anything.

This morning I mosied up to the start line of the Cherry Pit Ten Miler, my first Striders champ series race of the year (no Iron Man for me this year...I was just out of the hospital with a baby when the Valentine's Day 5K was run).  Last year I ran a 10-mile PR at this race.  A year and a baby make a lot of difference and are very humbling for this maniac runner who just took for granted that I would keep getting better and better when I began my PR streak last year.  As I've said before, I'm looking at a rebuilding year.

Since coming back from pregnancy (it's been nine weeks now),  this was definitely my longest run.  Did I have any business racing 10 miles with only a 7 miler under my belt since November?  Probably not, but oh well.  I didn't really expect much (especially since I did a six mile run and barre class yesterday).

Thanks to the great conversation with Jen Bornemann for the whole run, I actually surprised myself.  I think Jen and I are a good match right now as far as fitness and pace.  We are both rebuilding.  We both wish rebuilding would go a bit faster.  And, we have a lot to talk about.  How often can you go ten miles without a single lull in the conversation? 

Soon, the miles ahead turned into miles behind (though it would be hard to forget every foot of all those hills...my glutes are not happy right now).  And sooner than I expected, the finish line loomed ahead of us.  Jen was awesome and I greatly appreciate the comraderie when I really expected to be running solo today.  Thanks Jen!

And, who can forget to give a shout out to that cheering squad at the finish line?  I love hearing the diva cheering me through the final sprint of a race.  She is so excited and I love it.  Today she was joined by one of her friends, the daughter of my friend Ann, who crossed the finish about 10 minutes ahead of me (proud of you Ann!).

While the rest of the day was slightly less ambitious than the beginning, the race wasn't the end of the exercise.  I got to take the diva for a bike ride and some playground time in the sun.  Then tonight she joined me for my booty blaster workout (my daily activity for the weight loss challenge). 

Wait, I've also got to tell you about this week's nutritional challenge...100 ounces of water daily.  Holy pee time.  I think I may have crossed the 100 ounce threshold a few times in my life, but only when dictated by activity and environment.  Conscientiously thinking about drinking 100 ounces of water is a very different endeavor.  Let's see how I do with it for the rest of the week.

As I head off to get my pre-bedtime muscle rub down from my husband, I'm fastforwarding to tomorrow and am fairly certain that after a 16 mile weekend (33+ mile week!), I'm going to need to take a day of rest from running.  Though I end the week exhausted, I feel motivated and happy with what I've accomplished.  Thanks for the support of my friends, family and running community.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  10.13
Time:  1:50:36 (average pace of 10:55 per mile)
Location:  Edgewater, MD...Cherry Pit Ten course
Feeling:  exhausted but put together

Two months and counting...

How do you celebrate the arrival of spring and your baby reaching two months?  You walk and run of course.  Or at least I do.

After partaking in the growing tradition of taking photos by the month with cute stickers pasted to your baby's belly, Baby K and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful afternoon.  How?  Yeah, we power walked to the library and it couldn't have been a better day to do it.  Well maybe it could, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

It's been a long winter, so  we were excited to see the daffodils in full bloom and the tulips pushing through the soggy ground after a weekend of rain.  Our trip to the library and back, aside from enjoying the sun, was relatively un eventful.  Frankly I don't mind that.  Better uneventful than, say, getting hit by a school bus that doesn't pay attention to people in crosswalks (that almost happened to me last summer).

Tonight I hit the gym for another run and some strength training.  Remember that pledge to be stronger next time?  I'm serious...this lady is getting her guns in order and it feels good. 

Before bed the diva asked me "mama, how was your workout?"  I love being able to tell her I worked hard and it felt good.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  4.04 power walk, 3.04 run
Time:  1:04:20 (average pace of 15:55 per mile), 31:00 (average pace of 10:12 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  happy to be healthy

 

Spring, glorious spring...

Capitol Hill is beautiful in the springtime.  That's why after a week of no running (husband was out of town and I haven't quite figured out how to juggle two kids, my schedule and their schedules on my own...I'll be wonder woman next time), I was more than thrilled to be in DC running on this beautiful evening.

The air is warm, the trees are budding, the parks are full of people and dogs.  Perfect.  Though my legs felt heavy, my heart felt light and the 3.65 miles was very worth it.  I even made this an effort run and pushed a bit harder.

Here's to great running days, and the blooming of the cherry blossoms, ahead!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.65
Time:  40:05 (average pace of 10:59 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill to Lincoln Park
Feeling:  happy

Owning it (the 50% mark)...

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" As you shoot across the sky

These are the words I heard today streaming out of my ipod as I crossed the 500 mile mark in my quest to log 1000 miles this year.  The words reminded me that sometimes we set really lofty goals and we feel only moments from failure, that we may have lost direction somewhere along the way.  But baby I'm owning this one and shooting as far across the sky as I can go.  That's right, I am now more than half way there and less than half of the year behind me! 

This is what 500 looks like! Yes, I stopped to take a photo...

Today felt monumental.  Yeah, I know that there are still about 499.25 miles to go to really take down my goal, but man did 50% feel good.  I've never been great about keeping a log of my miles, but I'm fairly certain I've never laid down this many miles in a half year in my past.  There were days I didn't feel like running, but the call to reach for my goals was too great.  There were rainy days, but achievement had a greater pull.  And there were days when there wasn't enough time to breath, let alone run, but carving out time kept me going.  I'm keeping my eyes on the prize and I feel fantastic about it!  If you've got a goal, stick with it, you'll feel so amazing in the end and along the way!

So, what was the run really like?  Well I don't remember a whole lot about the route, or the people I passed (well there was that accident on Maryland Avenue that shut down several blocks for the police activity), or even the temperature, but I do remember feeling light enough to dance into the air and happy enough to sing at the top of my lungs (don't worry, I spared Washington that joyful encounter).

As I started, so I shall finish.  Just after Katy Perry bounced me across that momentous mark, I was struck by words from the next song that came through my earphones (...someone must have stacked the playlist for today).  While taken slightly out of context, all that I care about is the strength I felt and the absolute connection to "I am bulletproof, nothing to lose....I am titanium."  Here's to holding onto that feeling for the next 500 miles!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.54
Time:   29:14 (average pace of 8:15 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  HELL YEAH!!!

North Face 2012...

Four years ago I ran my first North Face Endurance Challenge 50k with a great group of friends.  I loved everything about that race - the course, the race organization, the runners.  It was at that point that I decided ultratrail running was a pretty darn cool thing.  The 2010 50K race saw me scratching after 20 miles due to extreme jet lag, stomach cramps and 90 degree temps with something like 90% humidity.  The 2011 race was fun, but due to a back injury the fall before I competed as part of a marathon relay team instead of in one of the major distances.  Fast foward to 2012....almost two years after that back injury I was ready to return to marathon+ distances.  My goal for North Face this year was to complete the marathon distance back pain free...and I can report success on that mark!!!

First off, I have to say I never could have come this far or completed this race without the best running buddy the world over.  I've said it before, but you'll hear me say it over and over again - THANK YOU BRIE!!!  Sure, I like to run alone most days of the week, but that long run is never the same without great conversation and motivation along the way.  I'm also glad to have shared the toughest terrain I've ever raced with one of my best friends.  Holy hell, if you've read about the terrain for North Face you've read that tough mudder has no mud whatsoever compared to what we traversed for 26.2 miles today. 

Let's just say, that storm mother nature opened up on us last night left the trail under about 3-6 inches of sloppy, slippery mud over at least 16 miles of the course.  I am amazed that there were not a great number of injuries throughout the day.  First of all, the mud filled up the tread on shoes leaving us with nothing to grab the trail.  Second, some of the slippery parts were on hills with somewhat steep grades.  Third, the mud was so sticky you had to pull on your ankles to get your shoes out.  It certainly made for some super slow going just to ensure you could stay upright...those shoes may need retiring after this run.

All that said, this was a super great day surrounded by people with real heart.  The course was beautiful (if a little dirtier than ever), the day was beautiful (hello 70 degrees in June!!!), our crew was awesome (uh yeah, there are advantages to having a husband who doesn't like to run such as having someone to bring you clean dry socks at the halfway point...thanks Jay!) and the company couldn't have been better.  Not to mention there was a free beer waiting at the finish line.  I can't think of any other way I would have liked to spend this dazzling Saturday (now it's time to go home and start shipping off the sweat and caked on salt) .  I can't wait for next year's race (which rumor has it may move to March...can we say 50K distance here I come?)!  Until then, happy trails!!!

Also need to send a shout out to the terrific Annapolis trio finishing the 50 miler today - Lara, Gloria and Danielle - you all are crazy, but I love you!!  And also to those fantastic pacers who jumped in to support their runners throughout the race - and chat with Brie and I for a bit during a break - Jen and Missy - you're role is so important to the folks on the trail!!

The most amazing finishers in the marathon
distance at the North Face Endurance Challenge!

Stats -

Miles:  26.2 (my Garmin said it was a little more than a mile longer, but I think the Garmin was confused by the tree cover so I've lopped off the distance to marathon only)

Time:   5:40:08 (average pace of 12:58 per mile...our total time was longer due to aid station stops and chatting with buddies we ran into along the way but my handy dandy Garmin only captures time moving)

Location:  Algonkian Regional Park to Great Falls Park and back, Virginia
Feeling:  Women pay lots of money for mud baths, how can one feel bad after getting it for free!?!

The day the Lord has given...

I'm sending up high praise for today...picture perfect. Sunny, clear, and utterly goal inspiring. That's right, this lady hit 250 miles today!!! In January when I set out to log 1000 miles this year I was determined. And 1000 miles didn't seem like a whole lot when I was staring down 366 days to get it done, but life happens. Life happens a whole lot in my world.

It's not that I'm not motivated, let's be clear, when necessary I ran a nearly 10 mile jog on the treadmill (and I HATE the treadmill) to keep on target. But unexpected obstacles can pop up and get you off track. February was one big obstacle that put me in a hole that looked tough to dig out of. Thanks to my friends and sturdy legs I logged over 100 miles in March...and its not even done yet.

Tonight I board a plane for the Middle East, but being overseas won't stop me from adding more miles onto the ticker. Don't look for me tomorrow, though, I've earned a rest day for my legs after having run the last seven straight :)

So today I thank the Lord for the day he gave me, the will to push through the 25% mark and the energy to keep moving for the next 750 miles. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 3.7
Time: 31:35 (average pace of 8:32 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling: Darn awesome!!!