Day 3: Olympic Inspiration

James got up early this morning and I had been up for a couple of hours already.  I was watching the Olympics and the women's hockey game was starting when he got up.  It was USA vs. Canada.  He was very excited and got to watch the first period before he had to get ready for school.  On the way to school, we kept trying to find the game, but couldn't.  When we got to school, the US was up 1-0.  I went to the gym after dropping him off and was able to watch the 3 period.  It was a pretty good game.  Canada won 3-2.  When the United States scored their 2nd goal I forgot where I was.  I was running along and when the goal was scored, I threw my hands up and said, "YES!" in a not so quiet voice.  Oops....It was a good game.  I can't wait for the medal games now.

I did do 4.5 miles on the treadmill today.  I felt pretty good and kept moving.  I think watching the Olympics is helping.  It helps pass the time and I am an Olympic junkie!  I got to also watch speed skating.  Today was a day off from my weights.  Tomorrow I have another cross training day and weights again.  Friday is my first long run of my training.  I have to remember my vasaline though.  My legs are a bit chaffed from running today.

This weekend I'll have 2 rest days as I'm at a swim meet all weekend.  It should be a fun time though. 

109 days left!

Day 2: Half Marathon Training Has Begun!

And I'm off and running!  Yesterday and today I was in the gym with my goal in sight!  Yesterday I ran a 5k on the treadmill (Yuck!) and did weights (legs).  Today was a cross training day so I did the recumbent bike and upper body weights.  It felt good.  I'm glad I used last week to get back in the swing of things.  I have a schedule and my training plan, so I'm ready to go!


I just want some of this snow to melt so as my long runs get longer, I can run them outside.  I can only do about 10k on the treadmill and that's a mental battle for me.  I just hate staying in the same place the whole time.  I do make a game out of it and speed up and slow down at various times.  It doesn't make it any easier mentally for me though.  I just have to get through it I guess. 


Weight lifting has been going really well.  I feel really good while doing it.  I'm already going to up the weight on some exercises.  That's a good sign!


With my half marathon training comes my half marathon eating.  More protein and lots of fresh fruits and veggies!  I love it!  I have been eating like crap for about a month.  I haven't been getting enough vegetables and I can tell.  But I'm back on it and should start feeling more energized soon.


My next check up race is on March 8th.  It's the downhill race I run every year.  This year I'm going to break 30 minutes!  That's my goal and I think I'll be there by March.


Tomorrow I'm doing a 4-5 mile run, but no weights.  Thursday is another cross training and weights day.  Friday is my long run, 10k.  Saturday and Sunday I'm at a swim meet so I won't be able to get in any runs.  Monday should feel good though after standing on the pool deck the whole weekend.


110 days until I run my race!  Let's get this done!

Valentine's Day Couples 5k

Today we ran our annual Couples Valentine's 5k race.  James got to run it with us this year.  Mike and I have run this race 3 years in a row now.  We register as a couple and have to run tied together.  Here we are before the race.

This year we had James so he registered and ran as a single.  He was very excited as the finishers medals are big hearts and he has always loved our medal.

 It was snowy and cold, but that didn't stop us!  The course was a bit slick so we ran a bit slower to make sure we didn't fall.  James did a great job of running the first 3.5k.  He walked to drink some water and then finished the race strong.  It wasn't a best time, but it was a pretty good time for the conditions.  We ran a 38:52.

Here we are after the race.

We went back inside for some pizza and the awards. James ended up getting 2nd in his age group.  He won a running hat and a $10 gift card to the Running Room.  He was so excited!

After he got his prize, he got a post-race massage before heading home.

It was a great day!  Tomorrow starts my half-marathon training!  112 days until I race my 2nd half marathon.  Day 1 starts tomorrow!

It's Been Awhile

Ack...the holidays and all this blessed snow got me sidetracked and off schedule.  I'm back now and have been hitting the gym really hard this week.  Next week starts my half marathon training.  I'm running the Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon.  I'm pretty excited.


I did run the Robbie Burns 8k and dropped 4 minutes from my best time on that route.  It was crazy cold, but it was a nice run.  Here I am after the race.

This was my first race as a 40 year old.  Not too bad.

This weekend we run the Valentine's Day Couples 5k.  James will be running as well.  We found out that we were going to have him this weekend so we got him registered as a single.  He's pretty excited about that too.

Because of all the snow and ice, I've been running on the treadmill this week.  I'm hoping that over the next few weeks it starts to clear up so I can do my long runs outside.  I just want a safe place to to them.  I'm really nervous about twisting an ankle on the ice and snow.  Or getting hit by car due to the incredibly high snow banks.

I've been hitting the weights this week as well.  It feels good to be back into a routine after being out of it for a few months.  I think when I'm looking at my training schedule, I'm going to have to accept that December and part of January are just crazy and I just need to get a run in when I can.  

This week has been all about getting on a schedule so I can start training next week.  I'm ready to hit it and hit it hard!

Half Marathon Training here I come!!!!