Happy Last Day of November 2013!

Okay, so it has been a long time since I posted! Still running, doesn't feel like I have been running as much as I was the last time I posted but I'm hoping to jump back on that band wagon! 

I have started a new run streak. I am now 4 days into it, plan on continuing for the rest of the year and then once the new year hits keep on going! 

I have run 2 races since my last post. I didn't run my 1/2 marathon that I had planned on in October. Next year though, next year I will run a half marathon and possibly a marathon! I'm looking forward to everything 2014 has to offer! 

Thanksgiving day I did a Turkey Trot in Kearney, it was a 5 mile run and I finished in 48:36. It was a difficult hilly run, but I conquered it! 

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30th Birthday and a 1/2 Marathon!!!

Yesterday was my 30th birthday, something that I really haven't been looking forward too...but I decided that I was going to make the best of it and run a 1/2 marathon on my Birthday!! Wow, what a great accomplishment to another the start of another decade!

Run Recap -

I got up at 4:45am yesterday with the intentions of trying to be on the road by 5:15-5:30. I wanted to be done before my son went off to school. I got up and got ready, had a little peanut butter (I'm not a huge breakfast person so I wanted to get a little something in my stomach), and I was off by 5:07! Boy was it dark when I left too. It was fine running on the streets in town because of the street lights but there was about .25 miles of my run (on each lap) that was on more of a back road where there were no street lights and just corn fields on both sides. Wow, that was a little creepy not being able to see 3 feet in front of you at that time in the morning! My biggest fear is having a mountain lion come out of the fields. I tried to get through the darkest part as quickly as possible and just focused on running as much as I could and not freaking myself out.

I did a 3 full loops around the East side of Holdrege. Each loop was 4 miles. Around mile 3 I got the feeling like I was just gliding along which felt awesome. I didn't have and problems with my calf or legs while I was running so I was really happy about that!

On my second loop around I ran past the house to change out my water belt for a water bottle so I could have more water on the rest of my run. I was getting a little tired at this point...I was just about 8 miles into my run but knew that I only had one full lap left to complete and then once that lap was done I only had a mile left to go.

It was finally starting to get light around this time so my .25 miles that was complete darkness previously was lighted now which was a nice change. I finished my last loop and hit 12 miles and boy was that last 1.1 miles rough!! I was close to the house at this point again but I still had to get the last part of my run in, I really had to push through it and remind myself that it was just a little over 10 more minutes of running...what's 10 minutes when you've already run over 2 hours!!

I pushed through it and got home and hit 13.10 miles!!! I finished in 2 hours and 20 minutes! I was very happy with my time and the fact that I completed the run. I got home in time to see Ethan before we walked him to school.

I am very proud of myself for setting this goal and completing it, especially since I have only been running for just shy of 3 months!! Here is my post run picture, loving it!!

Hoping to get a recovery run in sometime today of at least a mile (to continue my streak as well)...I'm pretty sore this morning, especially behind my left knee!! I'm pretty sure I need to get this shirt as well, I love it!! =)

10 MiLeS!!

I ran 10.27 miles on August 14th!! It was such an awesome run, took me a little while to get in my groove, but once I did it was awesome!! I had an average pace of 10:48/mile, which I thought was pretty awesome for that distance!

Splits

NAME

PACE

CLIMB

1 mi

10:23

-28

2 mi

10:31

0

3 mi

10:43

4

4 mi

10:48

1

5 mi

10:57

17

6 mi

11:05

7

7 mi

11:15

7

8 mi

10:42

-2

9 mi

10:48

-22

10 mi

10:55

10

11 mi

10:29

7

I plan on taking my running a little slow for the next week and a half because my goal is to run a 1/2 marathon on my 30th birthday, which is August 29th!! I am really looking forward to the run and I have it all mapped out already! I cannot wait.

I've been doing really well with my RunStreak, hit 40 days yesterday!! I attempted to run this morning to get a mile in but my shin/calf have really been bugging me lately and my running just doesn't feel right, plus it hurt to run on it this morning. Thinking I need to take at least one rest day which is kind of a bummer since I was at 40 days straight of running, but better to take a little break then to hurt myself any worse. I hoping this is only a slight setback and my legs starts feeling better soon.
Ever since my leg started bothering me my running just has not felt right and kind of sluggish even though my pace has been really good. I just can't seem to get in a groove and I feel like I'm focusing too much on my strides than on actually running, almost like I'm trying to hard to lift my legs off the ground. It could not only be associated with my shin/calf but also the fact that I have been running a lot lately (for me at least), and my legs are just exhausted. Need to get my leg feeling better and my running back to normal so I can do my 1/2 marathon in a week and a half!!!!

Update - Tim got home from work and talked me into continuing my streak - he suggested that I just do an easy mile on the "dreadmill." I decided too because really, I didn't want to end my streak, so I went with what felt comfortable and didn't bother my leg....too much! I did a mile in 9:43, faster than I wanted to do it but I actually felt like my strides were better than they have been the last few days out on the road. I kept increasing the pace as I was running, the leg was bothering me some with each step that I took but it wasn't too bad. I guess the next few days I'll stick with just doing a mile on the treadmill and see how that goes....

9 MiLeS!

So I ran 9 miles on Monday, August 5th! What a great run and I had a great time as well. I had an average pace of 10:45/mile and finished the 9.1 miles in 1:37:47 seconds. I felt great through the majority of the run and feel so accomplished! I have only been running for about 2 months now and just can't believe that I can already run 9 miles! My next long run will be an attempt at running 10 miles! If I keep up with this I should be able to run a 1/2 marathon in 4 short weeks from now! How awesome is that??

Not only did I run 9.1 miles that morning but when I got home I completed a 20 minute workout with Jillian - 30 day shred at level 2. I think that was harder than my run! LOL

I am also doing a 30 day Squat Challenge. Just did my 75 squats for today! I'll get into great shape one way or another with everything that I've been doing lately.

Splits for my 9 mile run:

Mile 1 - 10:14 (best mile)
Mile 2 - 10:38
Mile 3 - 10:47
Mile 4 - 10:38
Mile 5 - 10:51
Mile 6 - 11:08 (slowest mile)
Mile 7 - 11:06 (started to get my 2nd burst of energy around mile 7)
Mile 8 - 10:45
Mile 9 - 10:35
Mile 10 - 10:47

I am very proud of my times for each mile!

Plan on getting out for about a 4 mile run tonight after Tim gets done with work. That will make my RunStreak 30 days!!

8 Miler!! Finished out the month of July strong!

I did an 8 mile run on Wednesday, July 31st! What a way to finish out the month! My total running time was 1:27:13 with an average pace of 10:53/mile! Felt awesome to finish that, what an accomplishment! I'm hoping to add a mile to my long runs each week! So far I've done pretty good with it! Next long run will be a 9 miler!

Totals for July 2013

Total Miles run according to runkeeper - 79 miles

Average Pace Per Mile - 10:33

Calories - 9,559

Elevation - 2,475

Total Time Running - 13:54:34

AwEsOmE about sums this up!!

A 7 MILE RUN!!! HOT DAMN!

So I went out yesterday morning, July 28th, with a mapped out run of 7 miles, thinking, I GOT THIS!! If I can run 6 miles, which I did 2 days before, I can do 7 miles...another mile that will be easy!

I DID IT! My legs were tired from running daily for awhile now but I pushed through it and just kept telling myself that I could do 7 miles. I hit the half way point and knew I could finish it no problem. Not only did I finish it but I am so proud of my pace per mile, 10:40! That's awesome!!! Not to far off from my normal pace for my runs of 2+ miles!

My splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:41
Mile 2 - 10:21 (best mile)
Mile 3 - 10:39
Mile 4 - 10:47
Mile 5 - 10:57
Mile 6 - 10:41
Mile 7 - 10:32

Very consistant that is for sure!!

I cannot be more proud of how far I have coming with running in less than 2 months. Never did I think that I could run 2 miles without having to walk, but now I've ran 7 miles!! My goal for next week - run 8 miles! I would love to try and increase my mileage 1 day per week by at least one mile!!

I have also been on my run streak for 21 days now!!

Update on mileage!

So I completed day 15 of my RunStreak yesterday and I'm feeling really good. I've been trying to run more than a mile per day as well. Some days I go out with the intention of only running a mile but run 2-3 miles instead. It feels great that I can do that and I'm so proud of how far I have come in just a little over a month! I never would have thought it possible to come as far as I have in such a little amount of time.

I've ran a total of about 50 miles for the month of July already! WOW, you can imagine my surprise when I saw that number and the month is not even over yet! I cannot wait to see what my final number is for the month! My plan is to try and increase that number each month going forward!

Tim and I are getting a treadmill this weekend so that we have something to use at the house just in case the weather is not cooperating or during the winter months. We have been pretty lucky with the weather so far...it's been hot, but we've still found time to get out there and run!

I couldn't be more proud of Tim either! He is doing such a great job. He was sick for a week and didn't run, his first night back out running he ran 4 MILES!! What an accomplishment after coming off a week of no running and feeling like garbage!

As usual a little motivation!

Furthest Distance to Date!

Had a great run this morning and you know it's a great run when you throw up afterwards in the shower!

I ran a total to 5.11 miles, my furthest distance to date. It was an awesome run and I probably could have ran a 10K this morning if I had a little more time and some water with me! So proud of myself. I completed the run in 52:51 with an average pace per mile of 10:27! That is awesome!!

Feeling bad since Tim is sick and hasn't been able to run since our race on Saturday. Hopefully he is better soon so he can get back out there again!

Another great note, today was day 9 of my RunStreak!

I am also signed up for another race in October, it's a Marathon but is ran throughout the entire month of October! It is a virtual race too, this will be my first one - that is unless I find another one that interests me and I sign up for it!!

JoggerMom Marathon Cancer Run 2013

Looking like a hot mess after that run!

MidSummer Night's Trail Run

Well last night was the MidSummer Night's Trail Run in Hastings. A 4 mile trail run at 9:04pm. It got dark out fast, my headlamp which I had around my waist was not much help at all...the course, that's a whole other story right there. I was not expecting all the hills. WOW!!! It was hill after hill after hill....going up, never seemed like we went down!

I started out towards the front which was a big mistake, should have listened to Tim when he suggested that we move back more...but I'm stubborn! My initial pace when we started out was in the mid 8 minutes for a mile, which was way too fast for me and I paid for it the rest of the race. With the weather, it being like the hottest day of the year so far, and then the trail it was a rough race!

It took me about 6 minutes longer than I wanted to finish the race but I did finish strong and paced the other 4 people that were running by me when we got towards the finish line...that felt good! My final time came in at 47 minutes 33 seconds for the 4 miles which gave me an average pace of 12:23 seconds per mile. Probably my worst time for any run yet, but it is partially my fault!!

My hubby and I - I love this picture even though it looks like he is crying ;), the sun was just in his eyes! 

The temperature in Holdrege at 3:30! 

RunStreak!

So I am on day 3 of my RunStreak. I am going to attempt to run at least 1 mile everyday and see how long I can keep this going! So far so good, even though I'm only on day 3!

Today I ran 4 miles to get ready for our MidSummer Nights Trail Run on Saturday, which by the way I am super excited about! =) I completed 4 miles without any issues in 41 minutes 51 seconds. The run felt really good and I'm very proud of myself for running the entire time. Each day that I run it gets easier and easier!!

DMB Freedom Run - July 4th 2013

So prior to the race we drove the route so we knew exactly where we would be running and to see what type of "hills" we would be running as well...because in Nebraska there isn't much for hills!

Was a little nervous after seeing the route but that wasn't going to stop us from running the race!

There were a lot of people at the race with the majority of them running the 5K. My Dad and Uncle Paul were running the 10K. We started out towards the middle of the group and had a really good starting pace for the race. We were actually able to keep just about the same pace for the entire run which is really good for me, especially! I tend to have a bad mile 2 when I'm running, but it really helps to run with a lot of other people, keeps the motivation and drive high!

The run wasn't as bad as I was expecting at all...it was actually a really great one! We kept and a pace per mile of 10 minutes and 29 seconds which is great because I wanted to be under 10:30 per mile!! I finished the race in 31:51 and Tim finished in 31:56! I paced Tim the whole race which was nice for me because then I didn't feel like I had to keep up with him! =) These times are both PR's for us by almost 3 minutes!!!

The last lag of the race when you are running past everyone before the finish line....I don't know what came over me but I kicked it down and booked it to the finish line! I don't know where that extra energy came from but it was awesome!!! I am so proud of myself and my husband! I am also glad that we were able to run the race together!!

Running in Wisconsin

So, I have a lot of catching up to do. I haven't posted anything since we got to Wisconsin on Tuesday!

Last update was on Monday, July 1st and I ran a 5K that morning. Tuesday when we got to my parents house, Tim and I went for a 3.1 mile run on the path near my parents house. It was such a beautiful run, it's nice to have something pretty to look at while you are running! LOL I ran an 11:16 per mile pace which is slower than I wanted but didn't expect to do to well after sitting in a car all day long! Finished in 34 minutes and 56 seconds. Not as good as my run on Monday, but hey we finished it and that's all that matters!

On Wednesday we just did a 1 mile run to get warmed up for our 5K race on the 4th of July! It was a great run and I had a PR of 9 minutes 51 seconds!! So happy with that time! =)

I did it!! My first practice 5K run was a success!

Well I can proudly say that this morning I crawled out of bed after not getting much sleep due to a restless 4 year old and went for a run! I decided that I was going to attempt to run a 5K this morning to practice for my race on Thursday....well, I did it!! I completed my 5K. I can't believe it, I am very proud of myself.

My final time was 34 minutes and 13 seconds for 3.11 miles. My average pace per minute was 11:01 which I think is pretty darn good! I'm hoping to run my race with an average of 10 minutes 30 seconds, but either way I will be happy with my time!

It was a beautiful morning for a run as well, was in the mid 50's. Couldn't have asked for a better run this morning! I got home and everyone was laying in my bed, the hubby was still asleep, Tristan went back to sleep and Ethan was playing games. Needless to say I wanted them to all get out of bed because up was ready to get on with the day after the great run I had!! So blessed to have my ankles feeling better and to know that I can run the 5K without pain during the race...I was a little sore right when I stopped running, iced when I got home and took some Aleve. Feeling great now!!

Pre-run Photo

Post-run Photo

Me just being weird a couple of days ago showing off my new Bondi-Band. I love them!!

Getting back into the Groove!

Just realizing that it's been a few days since I've posted. I have spent the last couple of days walking trying to get my ankles better, thankfully they have been feeling better lately!

Got out and actually ran this morning but instead of wearing my running shoes I ran in my Vibram 5 fingers....surprisingly it felt better to run in those than it has to attempt running in my running shoes. I never would have expected that! I completed a one mile run in 10 minutes 25 seconds, which has been right around my usual pace, so excited. So excited, that I plan on running the 5K on Thursday and Tim is now also signed up for it. We are going to run it together! I do plan on getting out again tomorrow morning and doing another run, hopefully I can get a longer run in! I will update with my results tomorrow!!

Getting Better!

So I did get out last night once the sun started to go down to go for a little walk. I walked 1 mile in about 21 minutes, which is very good since I hurt myself. That was my best pace per mile while walking by almost 2 minutes in the last 2 1/2 weeks! Going to go out again tonight and walk again to see how I do....although I think I'm going to brace my ankles when I walk or run from now on. My feet were getting kind of sore during my walk last night. 

Slowly but surly I will get back to running...need to take it easy though so I don't do more damage to myself. I'm still hoping that I can run my 5K next week, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm thinking I may have to sit this one out, which really bums me out, but there will be more and I just have to remember that. 

Well it has been hotter than h*ll here lately, makes it hard to get out and do anything. I made an attempt at walking outside a few days ago, but my ankles were still too sore for that. I was averaging about 33 minutes per mile and only walked about a half mile. 

Since yesterday my ankles have been feeling better which makes me extremely happy! Hoping that things are looking up from here on out. I'm still hoping to run my first 5K next Thursday, July 4th. I've got a week to finish healing and if I'm not in any pain and am able to at least walk a 5K and run some then I will be making an attempt at the race. 

I decided to return my Asics Noosa Tri 7's in for a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 14. I tried on a pair at a local store and instantly feel in love with them, even more than I was with my Noosas! I got my new shoes today and so far they are great. I'm hoping to get out either tomorrow morning or Friday morning for a nice long walk to work my ankles some more and see how I do. Since my ankles have been bothering me so much I've been getting on my stationary bike and getting my sweat on that way. =)

And on that note...I'll leave you with a little motivation!

Impatiently waiting

Went to the doctor yesterday to have my ankles looked at just to make sure it's nothing too serious. Had x-rays and they looked fine. The doctor thought micro-stress fractures in my ankles...but I'm not convinced! ;) 

I am impatiently waiting to be able to run again. It's hard to wait around for my ankles to heal and be able to run again. But my ultimate goal is for them to be better so I can run my 5K on the 4th of July...so I will continue to allow them time to heal. 

On another note...I got my new running shoes today and am super excited to give them a try once I am better. I do have to say, they are pretty awesome! (Asics Noosa Tri 7). This is my first ever pair of Asics and so far I am liking them just wearing them around the house. 

On another great note - Tim went out running again this morning, gradually increasing his distance and time. I couldn't be more proud of him for taking this journey with me! I love my husband and kids! They are my biggest supporters! Even though I am just starting out I know that I can always count on them to cheer me on and be there for me when I need them! 

Biked Today!

Got the hubby into it...

So when I was getting ready to run my first race this past Saturday my husband, Tim, said that he was a little jealous and wished that he was out there with me. Well what do you know, I got him to start running as well. This is a gradual process for both of which, which I'm guessing is the same for anyone that is just starting out running. 

I have us both signed up to do "A Midsummer Nights Trail Run" in Hastings, NE on July 13th. It's a 4 mile nighttime trail run/walk. I am very excited for us to be continuing on this journey together and hope that he will want to run a marathon with me in 2014! 

I am so proud of my husband and am so happy that he is doing this too. What a great way for us to get healthy together and spend time together doing something different! 

A Midsummer Nights Trail Run

Completed my first race!!!

I completed my first race on Saturday, June 15th! How exciting for me. It was a 2 mile race and I finished in 20 minutes and 48 seconds....Not Fast but Not Last!! I was very proud of my time considering that I ran on hurt ankles. I'm resting them now to get ready for my first 5K run on the 4th of July! 

This is just the beginning of a very long journey for me. I have really started to enjoy running and not being able to while I heal my ankles has been a bummer for me. I'm hoping to get back out there in the next week so I am ready for my 5K!