Why is it SOOOO Hard to get Motivated?

I consider myself a runner.  By no means am I a fast runner, I am still trying to figure out the best strategy to get faster, but I enjoy it once I actually get out there!

I have just been having the WORST time getting motivated!  I have been running 4-6 days a week for a few weeks now.  I am trying really hard to get into shape.  I know that this extra weight I carry slows me down.  I know that is the first strategy to getting faster, lose the pounds that aren't needed or wanted.

I have been bringing my puppy running lately.  She is a good little personal trainer.  She takes it easy and then sprints as fast as she possibly can.  Since I don't want to look like I am slower than a puppy, I sprint as fast as I can to keep up.  I know it is good to sprint, I just have never really been a sprinter.  I had never really be a runner, until 2009.  I wanted to lose weight and running seemed like the most plausible way. 

I need to figure out ways to motivate myself to look forward to lacing up the shoes, instead of dreading the moment that I am going to lace up the shoes.  I used to look forward to every run.  I would even get upset when I couldn't run.  I look forward to when that day comes again when I want to run, not when I feel like I need to run. 

My Running Partner

My running partner is three months old, she will be 14 weeks tomorrow.  She was born on August 1, 2013.  She is around five or six pounds now, I think.  I need to weigh her.  She started running with me about four weeks ago.  I didn't know how well she would do at the time.  The day before we started running together, we had gone on a walk as a family and brought her.  She did really well then.  I decided that we would test out running.

We started out with two miles.  She did very well considering she was only 10 weeks old.  I figured I should get her started early.  Her name is Hazel.  Here is a picture of Hazel and I before a run on October 30, 2013. 

It is kind of hard to imagine that such a little girl can run so far.  Her legs might be five inches long.  We do about a twelve minute mile together.  She is funny, I think of her as my personal trainer.  She will go pretty slow for awhile and then sprint like crazy for a couple minutes.  Sprinting has never really been my thing, but I figure that she is so little, and if she can do it, I can too.  I think that as we run together, we will get faster together.  As she gets older, she will be a really good runner.

This little girl is part Shih-tzu and part Mini Pinscher.  She has a lot of energy.  Yesterday was the first day we did three miles together.  I think she innately knows when she has gone two miles though.  She wanted to start walking at the two mile mark.  We walked for a little while until she figured out that we weren't done, then she decided we might as well run again.  When we are running on the trail, she knows exactly where we need to turn to head back to the vehicle. 

I need to run on the trail with her, otherwise, we encounter a lot of young children.  Children, by nature, want to pet a puppy.  My puppy, by nature, wants to be petted.  It makes for a very challenging run.  I don't want to not let children pet her, but I do want to get my run in. 

We have started running almost daily.  Today was a two mile run.  I don't want to over exert her.  I know she is still little.  The older she gets I think she will be able to go further.  For now, I think we will keep it between two and four miles when we run together. 

My children have also started to want to go on walks and runs more since we got Hazel.  I think they enjoy walking/running with her.  She enjoys being out there.  My mother-in-law made a sweater for her, because she is short-haired and gets cold easily.  She has been needing to run in the sweater because it has gotten colder around here. 

Hazel in her sweater

Running with a Puppy

We got a puppy on September 14.  She was six weeks old.  She was a tiny thing.  She will always be quite small.  Her name is Hazel.  She is a min pin/shih-tzu mix, making her a Pin-tzu.  We didn't know how she would ever do with running.  Her legs are about 4 inches long.  About 1 1/2 weeks ago, we put her on her leash and brought her on a walk.  She ran a lot of the way.  We knew then that she may just be a runner.

I brought her running for the first time on Saturday.  We ran two miles.  She whined a bit, but she kept up.  Tonight I brought her running again.  She ran 2 1/2 miles.  She didn't whine, she just ran.  We got on the trail and she seemed to really enjoy that.  We were just going to do laps around the park, until a lot of kids came out of the school.  They all wanted to play with her and she wanted to play with them, which makes it difficult to run.  It was then that I decided I should jump on the trail.

Once I was on the trail, there were a few other people.  One man got a good laugh out of her and I running.  She is such a small thing.  I think that this is the time to get her used to running.  The funny thing is, I worry about a predator bird coming down and trying to take her.  Of course, I have her on a leash.  I think I have blogged enough times that it should be a given that I don't like when I see dogs off their leash.  I wouldn't think that someone would like to see mine off her leash, even though she it small.

We ran about a 12 minute mile.  I think that is a good pace for a little one.  She will only get better.  She likes to sprint every so often, so it like I am getting in my fartlek training.

My children love to go on walks/runs with her.  They look forward to it now.  Even (especially) my oldest daughter.  She used to not be really excited about going out and walking/running, but she is now.  It is amazing how a puppy can change your life!

Each Little Step

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and just wish that you could super glue yourself to the bed, just to have a good reason not to get out of the bed?!  I have been having many of those days.  I am not sure if it is because the weather has been getting so much colder or if I am just THAT depressed. 

Those days are the days that each little steps matters.  I know on these days that I can't expect myself to go on a run.  I am pleased with just taking steps.  They don't even have to be big steps.  Baby steps will work on these days.

I just need to remember that before it gets dark!  I don't like being out there in the dark.  I got bit by a dog in the dark.  That wasn't fun!  I prefer that over other things that happen to people in the dark though. 

When Did Two Miles...?

When did two miles get so hard?!  I decided that I should lace up my running shoes last Saturday, so I did.  My toddler has been sick for a little while so I hadn't run in a while.  I decided I would get started easy.  I would do two miles. 

I have been doing a lot of reading about running.  I guess I thought that was a good replacement while I was not running.  I read that you should run really hard every so often.  I decided the two mile run would be a good time to put a lot of energy into it.  I didn't time myself, but what I can say is that I left almost everything I had in that two mile run.  It felt good when I got home, sweat pouring down my face.  I love to sweat.  I feel like I am actually accomplishing something when I sweat.

I need to find another race.  I need to get myself signed up and get going.  It is the only thing that makes me think I absolutely have to get out there and run.  I don't like to waste my money.

My toddler still isn't feeling too well and I am started to think she might have shared.  We shall see! 

Suggestion From a Friend

I was telling a friend of mine recently that I had not really been out running since my half marathon.  I have run 2 5Ks, but that was all I have run, except for when I have to run to make sure my children get to school on time because we left late for one reason or another.

I told him that I am still a bit bummed about the time I finished in for my half marathon.  In a million years, I would have not expected to finish in over three hours.  It took me 30 minutes longer than I had finished my previous half marathon in.  Yes, it was incredibly hot that day, but I had put in the time I had to in order to train.  I still can't figure out where, exactly, I went wrong.

I contemplated, long and hard, about hanging up my running shoes and giving up.  It even seemed like a plausible idea.  What was I, at age 39 and overweight, thinking trying to run a half marathon, or even run at all?!?  I am the mother of four children, aged 10 to 1, she will be 2 very soon.  I know I will never be at the head of the pack.  I know exactly what I am thinking now.  I just want to be in shape.  I want to try to insure that I will live long enough to see my children graduate, get married, and have children. 

Those moments of discouragement seem to make a lot of sense when I am going through them!  But when I start talking about it to my family and friends, it really doesn't seem to make any sense at all.  Yes, I will never run a half marathon again in slower than 3 hours, if I never run again.   I would never have to train in the heat of the summer or the freezing cold of the winter, if I never run again.  To be honest, I need to run.  It is my time.  It is the time I get to figure out all life's questions and problems that might be going on. 

My friend told me, just go out and run.  Don't time it, just run.  Don't worry about how long it takes.  It is advice I took tonight.  I have decided to start training for another race.  I am not sure yet if I will do another half marathon around Halloween or if I will do the 5 mile race.  I am kind of leaning toward 5 miles.  I think that I should work on losing some of this weight that I have gained.  I am thinking that it is medicine induced weight because there isn't much of any other reason why it is here. 

I ran 2 miles tonight.  I didn't look at the time.  I just ran.  I don't know how many minutes.  I think this is how I am going to train for the next race.  Not worrying about the time.  Just me, my running shoes and the pavement.  It is nice to disconnect from technology, even if it is just disconnecting from the stopwatch. 

I look forward to my next run.  It is supposed to be 3 miles on Wednesday.  Hopefully I can do it then!

Running Off and On

Since my half-marathon on August 31, 2013, I have done two 5K's and that is almost the extent of my running.  I have run a little with my children to and from school.  It isn't very easy though since I need to bring an umbrella stroller for my youngest daughter.  The jogger gets goat heads (they are a very painful, sharp pricker around here) in the tires and makes them go flat en route to the school.  The umbrella stroller just has some kind of tire that doesn't go flat.

My children and husband at benefit 5K 9-6-2013

My van broke down last weekend and we are deciding if we are going to get it fixed or not.  We had decided we would, now we are not so sure.  Anyway, I get to walk back and forth to school twice a day now.  It is keeping my step count up there pretty high, which is good!

My children, my husband and I have done the last two 5K's as a family.  Well, we start together, we don't end together.  My daughter isn't a great fan of running, she has exercise-induced asthma so we need to try to keep that in check.    I ended up run/walking the first 5K with her. My husband and two sons went on ahead and finished 10-13 minutes ahead of us.  I think it is important, and fun, that we do exercise together.  I know it motivates me to keep going.

My children and I at benefit 5K 9-6-13

I am going to be signing up for a half-marathon that will happen around Halloween.  I need to start running more regularly again.  I just need to get my registration paid and then there is no turning back!

Rest and Recuperation

There hasn't been much going on as far as training.  I ran/walked a 5K on Friday night for a good cause.  That has been pretty much the extent of what I have done.  I am sure I overdid it on the Half Marathon.  Lesson learned.  I was on antibiotics for a cracked tooth.  I will be getting that taken care of on Thursday.  Hopefully it is back to life as normal soon!

I have been trying to convince my husband that I should get a puppy so I can have something to run with.  He got a Guinea pig instead.  The puppy will be on hold for now, if not forever. 

I have been absolutely exhausted, can't seem to get enough sleep.  Not sure if that is due to the Loritab that I take every now and then for my pain or just trying to heel.  Rest and recuperation is definitely on my menu for a few more days.

I Got...

113th place out of 124 female runners.  Although I planned to do much better before I started, I am happy that I finished.  I salute everyone that ran in the race, whether they were in first, middle or last place.  It was not a good day for running a race, but we did it.  My time was 3:03:24.  It was wonderful to see the finish line at the end. 

The thing I am most thankful for is that I did not sign up for the full marathon that day!  I am thankful that I was able to cross the finish line and know that I gave it my all.  That is all I could expect from myself.  I plan to do better next time and I never plan to run further than a 10K in the months of June, July or August again.  I will have to think about May!  :) 

I am planning to sign up for a Halloween Half-Marathon that will take place on October 26.  The weather should be much more desirable for running by then. 

My blog will continue with regular updates on those training runs and other fitness and health endeavors I am embarking on.

My Layton Half-Marathon was Today... What a Learning Experience it was!

I will begin with last night.  I knew that I was going to have to get up early this morning...4:30 AM to be exact.  I got everything I needed together.  I put all my clothes out: compression shorts (to prevent the chafing, mostly), running shorts with pockets, sports bra, running socks, running shoes and technical t-shirt.  I got my water bottles for my FuelBelt filled up, my daughter put those in the refrigerator after screwing on the lids.  I was set for the early wake-up!

I didn't fall to sleep until after midnight.  NERVES!  I always suffer from them the night before.  It is too bad I can't bank sleep for nights like that!  The alarm went off much sooner than I would have liked it to.  My husband alerted me and I jumped out of bed.

I came downstairs and put on all the clothes that I had ready.  I went back upstairs and found some deodorant to put on.  I had thought I put that with everything else I would need in the morning.  It is one thing I never want to forget on a normal day, let alone on a day when I would be doing a crazy amount of exercise.

I poured myself a bowl of Golden Grahams.  I ate those.  I grabbed my water out of the refrigerator, put it in the FuelBelt.  Got my license and $20 and put it in my FuelBelt just in case I might need either of them.  I grabbed the car keys and out the door I went.  It was about 5 AM.

By the time I got to where the buses were to be loading it was 5:15 AM.  We had received notice that the buses would be loading between 5 and 6 AM.  The last bus would leave promptly at 6 AM, not 6:01 AM, so don't be late!  I didn't want to be late, so I got there in plenty of time.  Then I waited, and waited, and waited.  Along with many other people.  The buses arrived about 6:15 AM.  I was lucky enough to get on the first two buses so I didn't have to wait any longer.

We arrived at the starting point around 6:45 AM, our race was supposed to start at 7 AM.  Due to the fact that the other two buses got lost on their way back to the pickup point for everyone else, the race was delayed until 7:20 AM.  By this point, the sun was over the mountains and directly in front of us.  It was already warm.  The low for today was 70 and the high was in the 90s.  I think it was in the high 70s by the time we started.  By the time I finished, I would say it was near, if not in, the 90s.

I had planned to break my previous half-marathon time.  That time was in October 2009.  It was 2:33:55.  A few things I learned today... a forty degree difference is huge!  When I started the half-marathon in 2009, there were a few snowflakes falling.  I was in a pair of running capris and two long-sleeved running shirts, just to stay warm.  I took one of them off and wrapped it around my waist on that run.

Today, I was in as little clothing as possible and it still wasn't cool enough!  I would not ever run in just my sports bra, but I seriously wished that I would today.  It would have been really nice if I had a great sports bra in my swimsuit, because I think I would have worn that today to run in (just kidding, kind of!).  Forty degrees is huge, I think it i was the difference between cramping up and not cramping up.  I didn't cramp at all during the race in 2009, I was cramping by the time I got to mile marker 6 today.

I have run marathons in the past, and never started cramping up until mile marker 16 and 18.  Those were in Sept 2010 and Nov 2010.  I learned today that I will never attempt anything longer than a 10K between the months of May and August.  I can't begin to tell you how hot it was.  High 80s, low 90s is hot enough when I am not doing anything, but when I add running to the mix, it is a whole new beast.

 

I knew I had to listen to my body today.  As much as I wanted to run the whole way, there was just no way I could do it.  I think that I might have been found passed out or dead next to the road if I had tried to.  The walking began when the cramping began.  I would run and walk after that, as necessary.  It was more walking than running.  Last week, after the 10 mile run, I was sure I had this without any problem.  I am a novice when it comes to the heat.  I always tried to beat the heat for the long runs.  Perhaps I should have done the runs at the hottest time available?

I finished in around three hours.  I am not sure of the official time yet.  I guess that will be posted as late as Monday.  Although I came nowhere close to breaking my PR for the half-marathon, I am happy that I finished on my own two legs.  When I crossed the finish line, I heard the director discussing that they were waiting for an ambulance.  A woman, who looked like she is in her 20s, was wheeled off on a gurney by the ambulance.  She looked very pale and not to be doing very well, her eyes were closed.  I said a prayer for her and hope that everything ends up okay for her.

I am always thankful for the volunteers who take time out of their day to come out and give us fuel and encouragement.  I try to let them know how much it is appreciated, because without them, I don't know that this would be possible.

I am thankful for a body that I am able to get out and run with.  I know that it is a blessing, although it doesn't always feel like it, to be able to exercise.  There are many people that physically cannot run, be it a short or a long distance.  I never take my privilege to run for granted.  There are many times that I wish I could run faster, but I am thankful that I am able to exercise.  I hope to be able to continue to run and get better at it.

August 31, 2013... Layton Half Marathon

 My husband got lost on his way to the finish line.  I am glad I didn't!  He was in a car, so I don't feel horribly bad for him :)  My husband and children were not there when I crossed the finish line.  I think this is the first longer race I have finished where I didn't have a family member there to cheer me on at the end.  It was kind of sad to not see them there, but it is understandable.  I drank some Powerade and water and had an orange slice and a Fatboy ice cream sandwich while I waited.

Fatboy Ice Cream Sandwiches

When they got there, we took some pictures and then went to the Hibachi Buffet for lunch. I had some sushi, salad and sweet and sour chicken.  I then came home, took a cold bath, and then took a nap.  I look forward to another half-marathon, but it will not be done in the heat of the summer!

My children and I at the finish line

The Family Before a Training Run

Last Monday, when we arrived at the local park to get in a run, I wanted to get a picture of my children and I.  They were going to be training for their 5K run and I had to get in my three mile run.  I was going to be running the circles around the park with my daughter in her jogger.  My husband took the picture.

I am getting used to wearing my hat while I run.  The half-marathon I am running in will start at 6:30 AM and I will be running east.  I figure it will be good to have something to keep the sun out of my face.  I get awfully hot running with that hat on, but I think it will do me good!  It also keeps the sweat out of my eyes.

We will all be running a 5K or a two-miler on September 7th.  I am not sure what the distance of the race is yet.  It will be a church activity, so it will be free, and they will feed us breakfast!  I was looking at other races that would end up costing us $125 if we were all going to run together.  I prefer free!

I have been looking forward to running with my children since I started running in 2010.  We will do a practice two mile run on Friday, and then we will all go out to eat at a Chinese buffet after my half-marathon on August 31.  When I completed my other half-marathon in October 2010, we all went to a Chinese buffet with sushi.  That is what we will do this time. 

My children have been making good progress with running.  I look forward to many years of being able to run with my children and my husband.  For me, running is relaxing.  I am excited to have this time to work toward teaching my children to enjoy running and not look at it as something they HAVE to do, but rather something they look FORWARD to doing.

5 x 2 = 10

This morning I got up and knew I had to get in a run.  Although I would have rather stayed here and slept, I went upstairs and started hunting down my running clothes.  I had to decide what I was going to wear.   I found my compression shorts and a pair of shorts to wear over those.  The compression shorts are nice because it covers my legs where the rub together so it prevents chafing.  I never experienced chafing until two weeks ago, and then I realized that I never want to experience it again.  I guess that running 8-10 miles in shorts can cause that problem if your thighs rub together, and mine do.

I got myself ready, gathered up my Grape Powerade Zero, filled my FuelBelt water bottles, put them in the FuelBelt, grabbed a cell phone and off I went.  I drove to Steed Park and on the way there, I had a feeling that I shouldn't run passed the one mile mark, which is where the first road is that I would have to cross.   I had originally left the house planning to run five miles one way, and then the five miles back, for a total of ten miles.  It is much less tempting for me to stop and go home if I am five miles away from my car.

When I got to the park, I walked to my starting point, then called my husband to tell him what my plan was.  I was going to run back and forth between 300 N and 1300 N five times, which would total ten miles.  I thought it would seem to go a lot faster.  I don't know why I thought that, because it didn't seem to go fast at all.  The nice thing was that this area has the most amount of shade.  The further away I get from the park, the less shade there is.

At the beginning of my run, within the first 300 yards, there was a dog fight.  I couldn't tell what the dog was attacking, I thought it could be a child so I ran faster toward it to see what I could do.  The dog was attacking another dog, thankfully.  Not that I want a dog to be attacked, but I surely don't want to see a child attacked.  The attacking dog had slipped its leash and went after a dog that was on a leash.  The leashed dog was quickly checked over by one of its owners and I'm guessing her teenage daughter was told to take the dog and go.  The owner of the attacking dog was apologizing profusely.  They said everything was okay when I asked, they were just trying to get the dog back on its leash.

I continued my run.  I was glad that there was no more attacks.  I have to say that running back and forth does tend to get quite monotonous.  I saw a couple older gentlemen riding their bicycles.  One commented to me, "How much water do you need?"

 By this time I had a little more than 6 miles to go, so I replied, "Six miles worth."  They veered off the trail into the park for some reason and then came back on the trail.

The same man said to me, "You have six more miles to go."

I replied, "Yes."

He said, "Wow!"

His friend said to me, "Need some water..."

I said, "You need some water, I have some."

He smiled and said, "No, I'm fine."

We were just kidding back and forth at this point.  I enjoy the interactions.  They rode on as I turned around to start on my fifth mile.  I saw them again at about 7.5 miles.  The first one that had spoke to me said, "There is the water bottle girl."

The other man said, "I need some water."

I said, "I have some," as they continued riding on.

At about the seven mile mark another older gentleman on a bicycle passed me and told me I was doing a good job and to keep it up.  I said thanks.  It is wonderful to get some positive feedback on a training run, especially when you feel like you could fall over at any given second.  I still had three miles to go!

I had passed a couple on a walk a few times, when I was getting near the seven mile mark, the man asked me how many times I was running back and forth.  I told him five.  He gave an uplifting statement, but I forget exactly what he said.  On my way back passed them, I said, "One more time."

They both said, "Great job!"

By the time I got to the eight mile mark, I just wanted to quit.  I had to give myself a pep talk.  Mostly just saying that I have to do 13.1 next week, so I can do ten miles this week.  It must have worked because I finished the ten miles. I was sooooo happy when it was done.  It took me a little over 2 hours and 16 minutes, but I finished it, and that is what matters.

One week until my half marathon.  I think I am going to be ready!  I am excited to get it done, and I have to start looking for another one! :)

Waited Too Long

Today was a ten mile run.  Well, it was supposed to be a ten mile run.  Today was a two mile run.  I waited until way too late to start my run.  10:00 AM shouldn't be way too late, but with how hot it is around here, it was. 

I had decided to run around my block 16 times.  By the time I had finished 3 times around, which is 2 miles, I was a sweaty mess.  There is very little shade around my block.  It was horrible.  On my third time around, one of my fellow church members, who is an older gentleman, told me to not overdo it.  I took that to heart.  As the sweat was dripping, I imagined that one of my parents would have said the same thing to me.  My parents aren't here to tell me to be careful, so I need to listen to the advice of others around me. 

I would love to get in the other eight miles later this evening, when it has cooled down.  I figure if I start by 6:30 I should be okay to get it in.  We shall see.

I had my baby at the ER last night and didn't get home until 1 AM, which made it nearly impossible for me to get up at a decent time.  I didn't fall to sleep until well after 2 AM.  I would have been ill-advised, I believe, to wake up and run being exhausted.

The ER doctor couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong with her.  She spiked a fever of 101 degrees, she has a cough, and a runny nose, she was in apparent pain when she was trying to go to sleep.  She could just be teething, I suppose.  She is still missing four teeth.  My brother called her the "anti-vampire."  It is those teeth that she still hasn't gotten.

I didn't want to run the trail today, because I wanted to be close to home in case my husband needed me.  It makes it way too easy for me to stop running when I pass my house each time around. 

I hope to be able to state that later that I did eight more miles, we shall see! 

Five Miles with My Toddler Last Night, Two Miles Alone Today

Yesterday was my five mile run for the week.  I waited until evening, when it had cooled off a bit.  I made my announcement that I was going for my run.  My husband asked if I was bringing the little one.  I decided that I better get used to running with her again.  My children start school soon, so I am hoping to get my runs in earlier in the day.

I got her ready to go and put her in the van.  I checked and made sure that the jogger tires were inflated.  I have gotten to the park too many times and had them flat.  I didn't want to get there again and have to turn around because my husband wasn't there to watch her while I ran.

We got to the park, I got her strapped in and we walked over to the trail.  At the trail, the run started.  She was okay for a little while.  I think she was enjoying it actually.  She always enjoys seeing the birds.  The first time we had to stop at a light was when it started to get bad.  She wanted out of the jogger, in the worst way.  I took a swig of my water and gave it to her.  She drank some of it, while I ran across the street since we had the walk sign.  When I got to the other side of the street, I stopped so she could finish drinking.  Then I took the water bottle.

I think she expected that she could get out of the jogger when I stopped.  The bad news was, we were only 1.5 miles into a 5 mile run.  She stiffened her little body right out.  She thought that maybe that could get her out.  I know my children well enough that if I let her out, I would never get her back in.  So, she objected for quite a while.  For about a mile, to be exact.

She loves to see the moon.  The moon was behind us on the run, so she couldn't see it when we were running north.  When it was time to turn around at 2.5 miles, there it was.  She started saying "moon, moon" in her own way.  I know that it is moon. 

At about the three mile mark, I saw some cows, in someone's backyard.  Where I grew up, you couldn't keep cows in your backyard.  I said to my daughter, "Look at the cows."  She was looking around, but really had no clue where she should be looking.  I stopped the run and turned the jogger in the direction of the cows.  I then said, "Moo, moo."  She said "Moo, moo."  She wasn't amused when I started the run again.

A little further down the trail, when we got pretty close to 3.5 miles, my daughter took out her earrings.  I stopped and took them away from her, so they wouldn't get lost.  I started running again.  She was not happy at all by my decision to take them back.  I told her I'd put them back in, but she had to leave them there.  She turned her head, I put it in, then she turned to the other side and I got that one in to.  She did leave them there.

The daylight was turning to dusk and I still had 1.5 miles to go.  I was trying to decide if I should get off the trail and run on the road by the time I got to 1 mile.  I saw other people on the trail ahead of me, so I decided I could continue on the trail.  We made it the last mile and still had daylight to spare.  When we got back to the park, I saw my husband and children.  My two sons ran the rest of the way with me, about .2 mile.  I love running with my children.

I really enjoyed the run with my little one.  It is nice to take little breaks to let her see things that I know she would enjoy.   On my run last weekend, at close to 4 miles, I saw a pig, some sheep and some rams.  I think the children would really enjoy that, but I think I would have to drive there and show them.  I can't imagine that any of them would want to go that far right now.

I ran two miles this afternoon.  It was blazing hot... in the 90s.  I just wanted to get it done.  I think next time I will wait til it cools down!

Preparing For and Completing a Nine Mile Run

This morning I woke up at a little after 8 am, knowing I had a nine mile run ahead of me.  I couldn't fall to sleep until after 1 am, because I knew I had a nine mile run ahead of me.  This would be the furthest I had run since November 2010.  Nerves, yes.... I had never been nervous before a long run, I don't know why I was last night, but I was.

I had thought about doing the run last evening, just so I could stop thinking about it.  I had been thinking about it all day.  I knew I would think about it most of the night.  The only thing, to be honest, that kept me from doing the nine miles last night, is that I had run five miles the night before.  I needed to give my body some rest.  After all, I am still recovering from the bronchitis.

Before I left the house, I remembered to use my inhaler.  I was proud of myself for that.  I grabbed my Orange Powerade Zero out of the refrigerator.  I grabbed a Snickers with Almonds from the food storage.  Then it was time to get the FuelBelt.  I grabbed my fuel belt that still had the three bottles in it.  None of the lids were with it.  I haven't used the FuelBelt since at least Feb 2011.  I was glad I could find the bottles.  I was really hoping I could find the lids.  It took me a few minutes and then I located the lids in the silverware drawer, toward the back.  I was set.

When I bought my FuelBelt, I bought a little pouch that goes on it as well.  I bought this to keep my car key and some cash when I thought I might need it.  I bought it when I still lived in New York.  Enough people knew me back in my hometown that I knew I didn't need to carry identification.  Not so here.  I wrote my name, phone number, address and that I have asthma and put it in my pouch.  I filled up my bottles with water and put them back in the FuelBelt.  Then I headed out the door.  As I walked out the door, I told my husband where I would be running.

I drove to my starting point.  I took some sips of my Powerade, strapped on my FuelBelt, put the cell phone in my pocket, and then walked to the trail.  I turned on my stopwatch, hit start, and started running.  It was a beautiful morning.  A little overcast, temperature in the mid 70s.  I always have some anxiety about running outside.  I worry about wild animals, not-so-wild animals (dogs and cats), and people that might be thinking about committing a felony.

My fear of cats is that they will pounce and start clawing me.  My fear of dogs is that they will chase me and bite/maul me.  My fear of a pack of dogs is they will eat me.  My fear of wild animals is that I have no chance if they get me, if it is a large one, like a cougar, wolf or coyote.  My fear of smaller wild animals is that they have rabies or they are poisonous.  I think the fear of people wanting to commit a felony is quite self-explanatory.  I don't want to be the object of their felonious desires.

I ran and ran and ran.  There were the crossroads as mentioned in previous posts.  I get to stop sometimes and catch my breath for a little while.  I had never run past the four mile mark, until today.  Today I discovered that there isn't a crossroad at 4.5 miles.  Which made things interesting.  I ended up running 9.25 to 9.5 miles.  Today's run took 1:56:00. 

I have started to recognize some fellow Saturday trail users.  We say hello or wave and share a quick smile.  Some people give me a thumbs up.  Others tell me I'm doing a great job.  It is nice to get encouragement.  I have started to practice positive self-talk.  When I start thinking that I should just start walking, I tell myself that it is psychological.  That my legs are good and they can do this.  I tell myself that I have run much further in the past and this is really nothing compared to that.  I keep on going. 

I sprint the last quarter-mile.  I like to finish as strong as I can.  I like to leave it all out there.  I am mostly excited to get back to my car and go home! 

Switching It Up

I was supposed to run five miles last night and two miles tonight.  Instead, I went and visited some good friends with my family.  I enjoyed my visit with them a lot.  It had been too long since we had seen them. 

I decided, since it was getting dark, that I would do the two mile run last night and the five mile run tonight.  My kids, my husband and I, went to the Park.  They were doing their training for the 5K, along with my brother-in-law.  I had planned to run five miles, even after arriving at the park.  As the winds picked up, and it got darker by the minute, I decided that two miles would do.

When I finished my run and caught up with everyone else, my brother-in-law asked me, I'm sure sarcastically, if I had finished my five miles.  It made me laugh.  I told him I would do my five miles tomorrow.  If I had finished five miles in 22 minutes, it would mean I was dead, and it was my spirit cruising around the park.

I decided that I would run today as soon as my husband got home from work.  I have developed insomnia (self-diagnosed) since I have been waiting to run until it cools off.  I think my body needs a nice long time to wind down after a run.  I figured that I would get it done early and see how I sleep tonight.  It is kind of important to get a good night sleep with four little ones running around the house.

I jumped on the trail and off I went.  The crossroads are every 1/2 mile.  It makes it easy to know how far I have run.  The bad part is needing to cross the roads.  Sometimes people are really nice and stop their car so you can run. let you go.  Other times, not so much.  It just depends on the person.  I am always one of the people that will stop so a runner can go, probably because I know how it is to just stand there wondering when it will be my turn.

Tonight's run was quite profitable.  While I was running, I found a five dollar bill.  Since it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere, there wasn't anyone to ask if it was theirs.  I always try to find the person that lost it, if in a store, I turn it in to customer service, if in a school, I turn it into the office.  There is just nowhere to turn it into, so I kept it. 

I saw a hawk grab a little rodent.  It was a gray rodent.  Since I never see squirrels around here, I assume it was a rat, because it was bigger than a mouse.  It landed in a tree about 30 miles ahead of me.  I was not amused.  I have a vivid imagination, such as, what if it thinks I will try to grab its food and decides to attack me with its massive claws?  What if it drops the thing on me?  Neither one sounded horribly appealing.   When I got pretty close, the hawk did drop the food.  I ran even faster.  I didn't know if the rodent was still alive or dead, but I didn't want to get chased by an injured rodent.

My run tonight was just seconds over an hour, including all the stops, needing to wait for my turn to cross the street.  My next run is Saturday.  I will have to get to it early, since my sisters will be arriving in early afternoon :)  I am really excited to see them!

Sidelined No More

I decided that I should try to sweat whatever of the bronchitis out that I have left.  I found that it doesn't really work that way.  Running just added some to the cough, but I managed to survive. 

Yesterday was a four mile run.  I thought that I could do this.  I actually knew I could.  I told my husband I had to do it regardless of how I felt.  That is what I did.  I felt like doggie doo, but I wasn't feeling too good sitting around gaining weight either.  Of the two alternatives, I would rather run and feel like doggie doo, than to sit around and feel like doggie doo.

I laced up my running shoes at around 7:30 pm, gathered my family together, and off we went.  I pushed the toddler in the jogger for 2/3 mile, then handed her off to my husband, jumped on the trail after running a mile, and did the next three miles.  Those four miles took me 46.5 minutes, but I did them.  This was really the first exercise I had done all week.  I felt it almost every step I took.  Lungs burning, sweat pouring, the coughing, but it was done. 

At the end of the run, as I coughed up what might be a complete lung, I felt good.  I felt satisfied that I got out there and ran.  I felt good that my children got to play at the playground again while I ran.  I felt good that my toddler finally got out of the house to play.  I felt bad for her that she had been pretty much locked up in the house.  She loves getting outside. 

This next week is going to be a hard one.  The long run on Saturday is ten miles.  I will be able to get it done.  I just need to remember to use my inhaler before I leave the house.  I think that might have helped a lot yesterday!

My fitbit friends that follow my progress, you will actually see some decent numbers :)  I am ready to log those steps again!  Those who are not following me on fitbit yet and want to be my friend, here is my info http://www.fitbit.com/user/23V2D5.

Hopefully I never have the joy misfortune of ever having bronchitis again.  Here is to getting back on track for the Layton Syracuse Half Marathon on August 31, 2013!

Sidelined with Bronchitis

I misdiagnosed myself, apparently.  I thought I was having a hard time because of my asthma.  I went to the doctor on Sunday morning with another issue, and decided that I would discuss my recent asthma symptoms with him as well.  I found out that I have bronchitis.  I was put on azithromycin for the antibiotic.  Antibiotics are not good to me.  They cause other issues if I don't eat yogurt.  I am not a fan of yogurt, but I am even less a fan of the other issues...

I am not running until I can breathe halfway decent.  I am hoping that day will be tomorrow.  I don't like missing my runs, but sometimes it is necessary. 

I just wanted to post an update as to why I haven't blogged about my most recent run, which was supposed to be yesterday.

Hope all is well!

Run in the Rain

I had to run eight miles today.  Unlike last week, it was overcast when I woke up.  I started to question if I wanted to lace up and actually run with the threatening skies.  I am not afraid of rain, I am afraid of lightning. 

Several years ago, when I was at a City Cup Softball Tournament in my hometown, it started to rain.  I wasn't afraid of rain and didn't think much of lightning back then.  The rain really started to come down, so games were delayed and/or called off and the team with the highest score at that point won.

I was talking to my brother, when all of a sudden he said, "Why is your hair sticking up?"

I laughed.  My hair was soaking wet.  I was sure he was kidding.  How could wet hair stick up, right?  Several years before, my mother had told us that if our hair starts sticking up in a storm, we are about to be struck by lightning.  I thought my brother was just thinking about that conversation and wondered if I would remember it.  

After I laughed, he said, "No, I'm serious."

My laughter turned to pure terror.  My mother was parked about 10 yards away and her backseat door was wide open.  I probably ran faster than I had in a long time and literally dove into her car.

Mom said, "What are you doing?"

When I told her, she agreed that it was a good idea.  She was confused as to why I would jump into her car and not have my three young children with me.  They were safely hanging out my siblings.  I was just trying to insure that they still had a mother on this planet at the end of the day.  I believe that I had escaped with my life that day.  I could not feel my hair standing up.  I would never dream it could stand up, being soaking wet.  If I hadn't been talking to my brother, I may no longer be here. 

So, that is the back story leading into today's run.  Rain, not scary, lightning, very scary.... 

My older brother was getting ready to head back to Washington after getting to spend some time with us.  He had asked what my plans were for the day.  I told him I was supposed to run eight miles, but I wasn't sure I would because it looked like it would rain.  I also told him I had to go to my daughter's play today.  I told him that besides those things I didn't have any plans.

As he was getting ready to leave, he suggested that it would probably be a good time to run, when it was cooler and overcast.  I decided that I might as well lace up and get going.  It was also at least 10 to 15 degrees cooler than last week.  I grabbed my drink of choice "Grape Powerade Zero" and headed out the door.

There were sprinkles, off and on, for about the first three miles.  After that, it was consistent rain for the next 4 miles.  I was thankful for the rain.  Not only did it cool things off, we need rain!  We are in the midst of a drought.  Lawns are brown.  We can only water twice a week for 30 minutes at a time.  Any extra rain we get is needed!

I said a quick prayer in my head, thanking our Heavenly Father for the rain, for those reasons.  I also include safety in my prayers.  To me, today, it meant not getting struck by lightning, and not being attacked on my run, by an animal or a human.  I believe I live in a safe area, but sometimes things happen. 

I didn't see a single flash of lightning on my run.  I am thankful for that.  Although, it might have helped me to run faster, I liked the pace I was at.  As far as I know, my hair did not stick up.  There was not a car I could dive into anyway.  Before I left, I let my husband know where I would be running.  I think it is important that someone knows where you are.

On another note, drivers don't seem to be as courteous to runners when it is raining as they are when it is burning up hot outside.  I had to wait at several crossings (without stop signs or traffic lights) for someone to let me cross the road, or for a break in the traffic.  I think that easily added a good three minutes or so to my time.  Today's time was 1:42:54.  It was better than last week's time, but not as good as I hoped, seeing how I didn't have to stop and fill up a water bottle or anything.  I did stop to drink my Powerade, instead of trying to run through it.  It seems that I get more in my mouth if I am not trying to run.

Next week is an easy week of running.  Next Saturday will be a four mile run.  The following Saturday is a ten mile run.  We shall see how that goes!

Thank Goodness for a Maverik at 1.5 miles and 6.5 miles in an Eight Mile Run

On Saturday, it was a very hot day.  I had planned to get up early, and be out the door by 8 AM to avoid as much heat as possible.  I got up early, but closer to 5:30 AM when my toddler fell out of bed.  Broken-hearted and feeling awful, I didn't fall back to sleep for a while.  Even though it was very cool that early in the morning, I wasn't ready to lace up and head out.  I was way too tired to even think about it, to be honest.

Once my toddler fell back to sleep, I was up for a while longer.  I think I fell back to sleep around 7 AM.  My husband knew I was planning to head out for an early run.  He kept asking if I was going to go.  I kept saying I would go later.  I knew each extra minute I could get for sleep would lead to a hotter run, but I also knew I couldn't run on not enough sleep.

I finally got up around 9:30 AM.  My toddler slept until then so I took advantage of it.  I got up, threw on my running clothes, and headed out the door.  I was headed to the trail and getting started at 10 AM, a full two-hours later than I had planned.  It was already in the 80s.  I had used www.mapmyrun.com to figure out where the 4 mile mark would be, so I would know to turn around.  I started my run with a bottle of grape Powerade Zero.  It was a 32 ounce bottle.  I had taken some swigs of it before I started the run.

By the time I had finished the five miles, I had finished the bottle of Powerade Zero.  I was very hot and sweaty, and still had three more miles to go.  I had to slow down.  I knew I was burning more fuel than I had stored.  It was not looking too good.  I had wished that I had taken smaller swigs of my Powerade Zero.  I was SOOOOOO thirsty.  After about 6 miles, I had slowed way down.  It was more of an attempt to not pass out than anything else.  I even convinced myself to walk a little, about 25 steps.  I never walk on my runs.  I feel like it diminishes the purpose of being out there for me.  I really had no choice and I had to "allow" myself to walk a few steps.  I was about 1/4 mile away from Maverik. 

When I got to 6.5 miles, there was the Maverik.  I ran across the street with my empty Powerade Zero container.  I went inside, visibly covered in sweat.  I asked permission to fill my container with ice water.  I didn't want to just assume that it was okay to do.  The woman was more than accommodating and told me there was some water on the fountain drinks.  I thanked her.  She told me it comes out really cold.  I  grabbed some ice and put it through the opening at the top of the bottle and filled my container.

I started drinking my water before I even got outside.  It was one of the best tasting bottles of water I had ever had.  This could be caused by me really needing hydration.  As I waited for the "walk" sign to cross the street, I drank some more water.  I also rubbed the bottle on my forehead and neck.  It felt so good!  I knew that I would be able to finish the last 1.5 miles.

The run took about 1 hour and 46 minutes, which included the stop at the Maverik.  By the time I had gotten home, the temperature was in the mid-90s.  I had wished that I could plant trees all along the trail so in about 10 years, I could have shade the whole way.  There are nice parts of the trail with shade, but there is a lot of areas without any shade.  When it was so hot, shade would have been wonderful!

I was sure to "tweet" @Maverik_Inc to thank them for the free ice water on the eight mile run.  Maverik is like the old "Uni Mart" in my hometown in western New York.  It is like a 7-11 or a Country Fair.  There are several located in the area.  I have loved Maverik since I was in college.  We always enjoyed their bread.  Anyway, back to the run, I did finish the eight miles.  It was the first time I have run eight miles since 2010.  I was happy to have completed it, even though it took a bit longer than I expected.  I have to run eight miles again this Saturday.  I am hoping it is cooler then!

Little Black Dog

Today I had to do a two-mile run.  I was exhausted all day.  I was hot all day.  I put it off until I couldn't put it off any longer.  I went and found some running clothes and laced up my running shoes.  Out the door I went.  I was grateful that it was only two miles.  I was sweating within the first quarter-mile.  The two-mile runs should be easy.  I think they would be easy if it wasn't so stinkin' hot out there.

I ran to the mile point and then turned around to run home.  I didn't run at the park today.  I didn't want to waste the gas to drive to the park to run and my toddler didn't take a nap all day and I was quite sure she would fall to sleep on the ride there.  That would have been bad.  So, I just ran out the front door to the mile point I had mapped out previously.

Once I turned around and started heading back, I was running through a neighborhood.  I was minding my own business, like most runners do, when a little black dog came running toward me.  Its owners were sitting on their front steps.  I attempted to keep running.  I thought the dog would stop.  The owners kept yelling to me that the dog was friendly.  The dog kept barking and jumping on me.  I was not amused.  I finally decided to run up on to its lawn to see if it would go to its owner.  Nope.  The owner finally told me that it just wanted to be petted.  I bent over and petted it for a few seconds and then attempted to start running again.  It wanted to follow, but it finally stayed with its owner. 

I have mentioned before about my fear of dogs while running.  It doesn't matter to me what size they are.  I  do not want to be bit and/or mauled.  I don't know what is legally permissible as far as defending myself against a dog that is running at me and/or jumping on me.  I need to find out.  I am an animal lover, I cry when goldfish die, and I also found that I cry when the frog that was trying to swallow a goldfish dies too.  I don't want to hurt an animal, but I don't want to be hurt either.  It is always my goal to make it home in one piece. 

I continued on my way home with no further incident.  I was a sweaty mess upon arrival.  It is always nice to make it back home! 

Five Miles That Nearly Didn't Happen

Tonight I had to do five miles.  We all got ready and headed out of the house around 8:15 pm.   I had locked my purse in the trunk of my husband's car, but we ended up taking the van since everyone wanted to go.  I went and got my purse out and found my watch.  That was a really good find.  It would have been better if I had remembered to turn on the stopwatch and lap timer.  Oh well, maybe next time.

I brought my toddler in a tank top and pants.  I didn't put her socks and shoes on her, because I planned to push her in the jogging stroller the whole time.  When we got to the park, I discovered that one of the jogger's tires were flat.  I ran over some goat heads yesterday.  They are like a three-pointed thorn that seem to come from nowhere around here.  It popped the tire.  I couldn't run with her.

When that discovery was made, I put the jogger back in the trunk.  I was about to just call it a night.  My husband told me I should at least do something.  He said that he would keep an eye on her so I could get in a run.  I figured that I might as well, since I was there.

Tonight's run was a tempo run with a one mile warm up in the beginning and a one mile cool down in the end.  The middle three miles were at a faster speed.  I figured I would see how much of it I could get done before I was needed. 

I was able to get in the complete five miles.  I wish I had timed it, but I did get it all in.  My children, including my toddler, enjoyed time on the playground with my husband.  I was glad that I was able to get it done, since I have to do a two mile run tomorrow.  I would have combined the two miles with whatever I didn't do tonight. 

The weather is so incredibly hot.  It is horrible needing to wait practically until dusk to head out for a run.  I hate running in the dark.  Saturday it is supposed to be 100 degrees and I am supposed to run 8 miles.  It should be a very interesting run! 

Running While Sick and Running Clothes

I haven't been feeling good the passed couple of days.  It is no fun.  Although I haven't been feeling well, I decided that since today's run was just two miles, I would be able to do it without much of a problem.  That would be the first mistake.  The second mistake would be thinking that even though it was in the mid-90s, it would be okay.  The final mistake was not drinking as much water as I should have.

Well, all those mistakes can add up.  I wanted to get in the run before dinner.  I didn't want to run late tonight.  I think it has been causing some insomnia.  As the mother of four children, insomnia does not work out too well.  It is pretty bad when you are up really late, because you can't sleep, and then  you need to get up when the children get up.  My ten year-old is generally the first one awake.  Thankfully, he can take care of himself.  It is when my five year-old and one year-old get up that I need to really get moving.

I ran, and once again, without a watch.  I have no clue how long it took.  All I know is that it felt that my legs were dragging.  I didn't feel like I was moving quickly at all.  I was wishing I had been smart and just blew off the two-mile run.  By the time I was finished, I was a pretty huge sweatball.  I sweat a lot regardless of temperature.  When the temperature is in the 90s, I am going to be sweating a lot.  Thankfully, it was just two miles, or I may have not made it.

Just a quick thought... I sometimes forget about the correct colors for running.  I often wonder if some of the people that choose the color for running clothes have ever sweated during a run.  Gray is a horrible color for running clothes.  I was reminded the other night after my run when my nine year-old let me know that my rear was wet.  Yes, I did mention that I sweat. 

This brought me back to a day in 2010 when I was training for a marathon.  I put on gray shorts and I have no clue what color shirt, probably pink.  The shorts were short.  Little did I know, that this day, being a weekday, there would be a company having there summer picnic at the park I was running passed.  There were hundreds of people at the park.  There were people on the trail that I was running, smoking.  As I ran passed the first time, I saw them looking at me.  I had to run a mile passed them, then the mile back, and then turn around and run another mile passed them, and then the three miles back.  It was an eight-mile run day.  By the time I was passing them for the third time, I was horribly sweating.  I had six miles.  My shorts were soaked.  I looked like I had wet my pants.

Although, my family got a big laugh, as did I, from the appearance that I wet myself, I thought it would be fair to share the experience.  It was horribly embarrassing to me, but at the same time funny.  I knew I didn't wet my pants, but I am not sure they knew I didn't.  I don't think I saw anyone I knew, which I am grateful for. 

Just for your information, I have found that black is the best color for running.  I just need to remember that myself.  If you sweat a lot, like I do, take it from me, don't wear light colors.  You will look like you wet yourself, or you will have that sweaty line going down the middle of the back of your shorts or running pants.

Running In Circles

I have been training almost exclusively at a park in my town.  It consists of a 2/3 mile loop, a 1/2 mile loop (or 1/3 mile depending if you run from the opposite direction, apparently), and a 1/4 mile loop.

It is fine when I don't have to run more than 4 or 5 miles.  Today was a six mile day.  I started out at the park, but I couldn't imagine running nine times around to get in the 6 miles.  After I ran about 1/2 mile around, I decided to leave the park and jump on the trail.

I ran north for a long ways.  I figured it was close to three miles after checking my fitbit zip.  I then turned around and ran back to the park.  I had left my husband and three older children at the park to play.  I ran with my toddler in the jogger.

I have a hard time convincing myself to run in circles.  The view just stays the same.  I think my toddler gets bored too.  She can only stand it for so long.  I think it is also hard for her to see her siblings playing on the playground, while she just gets to sit in the stroller.  Every time we run passed them, she yells their names, as well as she can.  My oldest son will run over and give us a kiss on our way passed. 

I was thankful that my husband came for this run tonight.  If he wasn't there, I wouldn't have gone to the trail.  I wouldn't leave the kids at the park without an adult.  I would suffer through the laps.  It seems that the run on the trail went quicker.  Perhaps it is because I wasn't seeing the same view.  I don't know for sure how long it took.  My husband lost my watch while we were on vacation.  I need to get a new one.  Until then, I will just run and not worry about the time.

On tonight's run, I saw one of my visiting teachers, and her husband.  It is nice to see people I know as I run.  There were several bikers out tonight.  It was cooler tonight than it has been lately.  I saw an abandoned bike.  My toddler spotted the moon.  She loves the moon.  She also saw several birds.  She will say hi to them until they fly away, then she will say bye.

I am glad I went for this run tonight.  I didn't really want to, but I figured that I should.  I have about 1 1/2 months until my half-marathon, so I need to be ready!

Hot, Hot, Hot!!

I am wondering if I will ever see a temperature below 90 again.  Even after 8 pm, it was still in the 90s.  It makes it very hard to want to go for a run.  I waited as long as I possibly could to go running and know that I should end with some sunlight still looming.

I had to run 4 miles today.  I did the 4 miles.  Four very sweaty miles.  I was pushing my toddler in the jogger.  She hates going through the sprinklers.  As much as I would have LOVED to run through each sprinkler that was spraying the trail, I avoided them.  I think she appreciated it. 

I don't know when it is going to cool down again.  My preferred temperature is mid 70s.  50s or 60s are good for running also.  I don't want snow.  I would prefer this weather over snow.  Snow makes it hard to run.  It gets really slippery!  I always hope that the trail has been cleared of snow or the sidewalks.  Sometimes it is just hope. 

Tomorrow I have to do 2 miles.  I might try to get those done a little earlier.  I enjoy running, I just hate thinking that I could die of a heat stroke with my children on the playground and my toddler in the jogger.  I need to figure out a way to get in the runs and stay cool...

Why Do Some People Open There Mouths?

I was on vacation from June 28 until yesterday, July 7.  It was a wonderful time, I spent time in Reno and Topaz Lake, NV and Bridgeport, CA.  I had to get in my runs, whether I wanted to or not.  I guess I should say, if there was time or not.  I would say that I was going to run several times and just keep putting it off.  Finally, I would say I would do it in the morning, which I did.  The daylight temps were above 100, so I knew I would have to do it early in the morning or at sunset.

Tuesday morning, July 2, I got up and got dressed.  I had told my husband that I had to do four miles that day.  He told me to do it in the fitness area, on the treadmill.  My complete training for a half-marathon was done on a treadmill.  I went down to the fitness area, found a treadmill and jumped on.  I started running.  Within a couple minutes, I determined that it was near impossible to breathe.  I don't know if the air just wasn't circulating or what the problem was, but I knew I wouldn't be able to complete a full four miles, if I could hardly breathe after 1/4 mile.

I got off the treadmill and went outside to run.  It was already near 90 degrees at a little after 8 am.  I had on my running shorts and running shirt.  I was trying to stay in as much shade as I possibly could, running near the casinos. 

I had some neutral comments like, "You sure are dedicated to be running in this heat."

One man, on a side street, beside a casino, was rolling a joint or a cigarette.  I didn't stop to really figure it out.  He was older, mid 50s to 60s.  He was the one that should keep his mouth shut.  I was just trying to stay in the shade, not looking for any comments.  I had already run about three miles in the stifling heat, I was very sweaty.  When, lo and behold, he thought he should open his big mouth.  The following words spilled out.

"Oh, you're trying to get skinny.  I don't like skinny girls."

As you can imagine, if you know me, a million comebacks came flooding to rail my tongue.  Then I thought it would be wise not to use any of them on a stranger on a side road in a town I don't really know.  So, I said, "No, I'm just training for a half-marathon."  To which was the ever intelligent reply of "Ohhhhhh...."

I then got back to the main road and just ran back to the hotel and ran around the block there a few times until my four miles were complete.

I was proud of myself for completing the run.  It is difficult to run on vacation.  The food, which I refer to as vacation food, is devastating to trying to get in/stay in shape. 

I had to run on Wednesday, July 3, as well.  By this time, we had left Reno and headed up to Topaz Lake.  It is a beautiful area.  That day I had eaten some Costco food... a hotdog, churro and some of a chocolate and almond covered ice cream bar.  Then when we got to our hotel, we had a hotdog barbecue.  I was kind of hotdog-ged out.  I figured since it was dinner time, I should probably eat.  Then I had to go for a run.  It kept threatening to rain for a couple of hours.  I kept waiting, hoping it would just do it.  It would sprinkle off and on, thunder off and on, but no real rain.  I was hoping it would rain to cool stuff off.  At about 7:15 pm, I figured if it was going to rain, I would just have to get rained on while running.  I ran down to the lake where I found "NO TRESPASSING" signs.  I thought I should heed the signs and turn around.  I ran back to another road and found one that ran along the lake. 

It was a beautiful run.  At one point, I found a trail that brought me right next to the lake.  I took that trail for a little bit and then it ended.  I then turned around and went back to the road.  I ran along the road for a while longer.  There were many blind curves, and I started to feel like I could be pressing my luck.  I turned around and ran back.  I enjoyed that run a lot.  It is wonderful to find beautiful places to run. 

I planned to do a 5 mile-run at the Twin Lakes on Friday, but my quad was bothering me.  I thought I would be wise to let that heal for a bit.  I should get in my run later this evening.  I am a day off right now, but I think that will be okay.  On Friday, I ended up playing mud volleyball with my cousin, his wife and daughter, my sister-in-law and a good friend of our family.  It was a tournament, we ended up getting 5th out of 19 teams.  It was a lot of fun.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream...

For Ice Cream! 

I admitted today on my facebook page that I have an addiction.  It is an addiction to ice cream.  Ice cream is my vice, my Kryptonite, so to say.  I run and run and run.  Then I eat ice cream.  Or I eat ice cream, and then I run and run and run.  I need to give up ice cream.  I think I will get into shape much quicker without it.  Perhaps if I just ate ice cream, it wouldn't be quite as bad.  The problem is, I feel the need to add chocolate chips, banana (ok, the banana isn't really bad), M&Ms (if I have them), chocolate syrup (if I feel like it) and whipped cream.

My plan is to find healthy substitutes.  Some of my friends on Facebook have suggested frozen bananas, mangoes, yogurt, homemade smoothies, and just not having ice cream in the house.  These are all good suggestions.  I think I will definitely have to go with not having it in the house.  If it is here, it has to be eaten.  I prefer to be the one to do the eating. 

I decided I would go for a run today at 4:30 pm.  I put my sons and my toddler in the van and off we went to the park.  The wind was blowing fiercely.  When I got there, I thought I should warn them to stay away from trees so the trees wouldn't fall on them.  Then I decided that if I had to make that warning, I probably shouldn't be there.  We didn't even get out of the van.  I turned around and went home. 

I then decided that I would run when my husband got home from work.  I figured he could watch the children while I ran.  When he arrived home, I asked him if he wanted to eat before or after I went running.  He decided that he wanted to go too.  We put the children in the van and off we went.  It was still really windy, but since he would be there to watch out for them, I felt much more secure. 

I ran my four miles.  It took 45 minutes and 20 seconds. This is faster than 11.5 min/mile.  I was happy with it, especially with how hard the wind was blowing.  I am not sure how hard some of those gusts were, but it some of them were really strong gusts.

On my last lap, it started raining...HARD.  I ran as fast as I could, directly for the van.  Keith had already went to the van and had the children inside before the rain started.  I just had to do that last lap.  I figured that since there was only a 5% chance of rain, the dds were with me.  That it would just be really windy, the clouds would pass, and no rain would fall.  I am glad it rained though.  It was a cool rain, which felt really good at the end of the run.  We need rain here in Utah.  It is drought stricken.  It didn't rain for long, but any rain (without lightning) we can get, is good.  Lightning is bad, it starts fires, since it is so dry here. 

Last week I ran 13 miles.  On August 31, I will run 13.1 miles.  I still have a long way to go in order to get to that point.  I will have a lot of training miles to go.  I am excited to get there!

A Dangerous Trip

I have been running, even though I haven't been blogging about it.  I bought a used jogger stroller a couple of weeks ago.  It is amazing!  It is a Schwinn M3.  I got it from the classified ads for $65. 

I think the last time I wrote, I was complaining that my stroller was veering hard right.  It was just way too hard to keep running with it.  When I found the new jogger, I had to snag it up quickly. 

Last night I went running.  It has been sweltering hot here, but I need to continue my training.  I have decided that I am going to do the Layton Syracuse half marathon.  I still have about 2 1/2 months to train.  I decided that I would run along a trail that has some shade, instead of around my usual loop that has very little shade.  It was the first time I ran this part of the trail.

There is point of the trail that crosses the street.  Right before the street, there was uneven concrete.  Since I had never run, or walked, this area before, I didn't know it was there.  I tripped over the concrete.  If I hadn't regained my balance, I was very aware that I was going to land directly in the road in front a moving vehicle.  It took a lot to regain my balance, but I didn't want to end up as roadkill.

While running, I am not looking consistently at the ground.  That could have been the cause of my demise.  Thankfully, it wasn't. 

Today, I went to the City Building and notified them of that problem.  It could be a death trap.  No runner (or anyone) wants to go out for a stroll and never come home. 

I went to Wal-Mart today with my mom.  On the magazine racks, there was the "People Magazine."  On the cover were three women who are now amputees because of the Boston Marathon Terrorist Attack.  It broke my heart.  They didn't go to the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, and plan to lose parts of their legs.  Others didn't go and plan to suffer injuries or death.  I am horrified by what some people will do to others.

Importance of a Sports Bra and a Jogger That Will Go Straight

Today was a day when I really felt like I had to get out and go for a run.  Perhaps it is because I went to a sushi buffet.  I didn't overdo it, I had 8 pieces, but I could have eaten a lot more.  I also had some salad and sweet and sour chicken.  It was super good. 

I made dinner for a family who just had a new addition born.  I dropped it off at about 5:45 pm and then went for my run.  I brought my whole family with me.  They like to play at the park while I push the baby in the jogger. 

I figured I would attempt a 3 mile run.  I got out and within the first few steps, I realized I had forgotten a very important piece of apparel when going running.  I did NOT put on a sports bra.  I am a nursing mom.  I wear nursing bras.  I put the sports bra on over it.  Not this time.  I told my husband, when he caught up with me, that I had forgotten the sports bra.  He laughed.  He knew the predicament I had gotten myself into.  I was sure that by the first time around the 2/3 mile loop, the nursing bra would have come undone on both sides. 

I couldn't announce that we were all going to go home, as I knew that would cause great weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.  My children would not appreciate that their time on the playground had disintegrated into nothing. 

I thought, I will run one time around.  I decided after the first time around, that I should at least finish 2 miles.  That is what I did.  It was one of the least comfortable runs I have gone on, in a long time.  I do think it will serve as a reminder to make sure I have put on all the required pieces of clothing next time.

To make matters worse, the jogger's front tire would not hold any air for a long time.  I decided on Monday to buy a new inner tube for it.  I replaced the inner tube in the stroller with the new one.  The tire would now hold air.  I was super excited.  Later that evening, I decided to take the baby for a jog.  We made it a few minutes, before my stomach was in a great deal of pain, and I realized that the jogger would not go straight if my life depended on it.

The jogger pulls hard right.  It only takes a few steps before I have moved quickly to the right.  I came home and decided that I should tighten the left side of the front tire.  It seemed that would make the tire more straight.  I took it running last night.  I was wrong.  It still has a hard pull to the right.

Tonight I took it again, figuring I would just keep correcting it.  That gets incredibly tiresome.  I ran a lot with the jogger only on the back wheels.  That kept the stroller going straight, but it takes more energy than I really want to exert.  I have to figure out what to do, or I am going to have to see about finding a good, secondhand jogger.  Who knew that replacing an inner tube could cause so much trouble!  I guess I should have just kept running with it flat, it was easier that way!

Running at Jensen Park and Running With a Friend

The last two days I have run for a total of 81.5 minutes while pushing my daughter in the jogger.  I am not sure exactly how many miles I have covered.  My FitBit has it at around 7-8 miles.  I did some walking afterward, and since I can't look down my shirt at my bra in public, I don't know for sure what the distance is.  I am leaning much closer to 7 than 8 though.  I know I am not doing a 10 minute mile pushing my daughter in the jogger.

Jensen Park is where I ran my first race after having my baby.  The race was last year in April or May.  My children, my husband and I have been back there a few times.  There are ducks to feed, which the children enjoy.  My two older children, my husband also did the 4 miles.  I was very proud of them.

I went back there yesterday to do a run.  Since I have no idea where the mile markers start and which directions I am supposed to do, I decided to just run.  The first time I looked down, I had been running for almost 23 minutes.  I told myself that I would run for 30 minutes.  When I hit 30 minutes, I figured I could run for 36 minutes, which would put me near 3 miles.  At 36 minutes, I thought, why not push it to 50 minutes so I would have run right around 4 miles, give or take a little. 

The run was beautiful.  It was a little cool to start out the run.  My daughter enjoyed seeing the ducks as we walked to where I was going to start.  As I was running, she started talking.  I can't understand a lot of what she says yet, but I knew that she would say "bird" when she saw one.  She also started saying "bye" at random points.  I don't know if she was saying "bye" to grass or birds or me.  She may have just been enjoying hearing herself talk.  I was surprised she didn't fall to sleep. 

After the run, I took a little walk and then went back to the van where I had some Cheerios.  We got them out and started to throw it for the ducks.  There was one duck, in particular, that wanted to stare my daughter in her eyes.  It was invading her personal space, so she would back up.  The duck would then take a few steps forward.  The duck was literally eye-to-eye with her.  My daughter would back up a little and it would step forward.  When my daughter started to shake, I decided it was time to finish feeding them.  I would throw the Cheerios as far as they would go to try to get the ducks to move back.  There were probably 20 of them.  The one that liked my daughter a lot would only go for the ones close by.  I threw some a few feet from it and then my daughter and I walked back to the van.

Today I went running with a friend and her daughter.  Her baby will be one next week.  She was pushing her daughter in a jogger and I was pushing mine.  The children seemed to enjoy seeing each other during the run. This is the first time I have run with her.  She is a friend from church.  We were supposed to run last week but it had gotten cold and I didn't want our children to get sick being in the cold for a while. We ran one of the trails for 15 minutes and some odd seconds in one direction and then back, for a total of about 31.5 minutes.  She is faster than me.  I am still trying to get used to running with a jogger.  I did enjoy the run though. 

The only other people I have ever run with is my sister and my brother.  It is nice to have found a friend to run with.  Since my sister moved away, I think it is important to try to find friends, because it would be really easy for me to just stay at home and to myself.  I think that it will also help me to become a better runner.  I have always believed that if you run with someone better than you, it will help you to get better.  I hope that I will get faster.  I am starting to enjoy running again.  I guess it takes a while to get back to that point where you look forward to a run. 

It is fun to hear my daughter talking about/to the nature that is around her.  She is definitely an outdoors person.  I am happy that I am running with the jogger.  It gives her and I time to soak in some Vitamin D together.  I think she will remember these times as she gets older, if I keep it up.  I always hope to have my children run with me someday.