Eating and stuff - day 3 random notes and pics

Eating, it's surprising when you stop and think about how this base instinct can get so out of whack. I'm not going to rail against processed foods, I'll leave that to others. This is simply my journey and my thoughts.

Days 1 and 2 progressed pretty well.

Day 1:

Breakfast was scrambled egg whites, oatmeal (actually an oats, barley, rye mix) with frozen berries and flax oil added, and green tea. 

Skipped snack since I ran first thing in the morning and didn't eat breakfast until about 9:30am.

Lunch was a grilled turkey burger seasoned with salt and pepper and steamed spinach

Afternoon snack was 15 almonds and a scoop of whey protein and coconut milk.

Dinner, well, attended a Pampered Chef meeting in Carrollton, so it wasn't a planned meal. Tried some skinny dips that were made, with fruit and tortilla chips for dipping, and had one of the small pulled pork sandwiches.

Since that wasn't planned, I had a little more protein when I got home.

Day 2:

Breakfast was a peanut butter and banana smoothie. 

Morning snack was an apple and 15 almonds.

Lunch was a grilled chicken breast and salad with evoo and balsamic vinegar (tbsp of each).

Afternoon snack was strips of zucchini and red pepper with roasted red pepper hummus. And wouldn't you know, I was FULL after a few pieces of veggie! Wow!

Dinner was another grilled turkey burger, brown rice and a baked sweet potato drizzled with evoo, salt and pepper.

Day 3:

Breakfast was another PB and banana smoothie (I think I'm officially addicted, so quick, easy and delicious!), and 2 turkey sausage links.

Morning snack was about 3/4 c. plain greek yogurt with 1 tsp local honey and 3/4 c. mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries)

I'm about to have lunch, which is sliced turkey breast and hummus on multigrain bread.


Random thoughts:

So far so good, I like that I can mix up the food choices to a menu that I find palatable. 
I REALLY like that I'm making better choices and not taking the easy route. 
I don't care for plain greek yogurt, that's why I added the tsp of honey for a smidge of additional sweetness. 
Feeling full in the afternoon is great! 
Better choices, better food - all towards a better me.


Fitness:

Ran trail miles Sunday morning (my favorite)
Crossfit Monday
Crossfit Tuesday

I've got through the end of this month to get my CrossFit workouts in, then I'll be shifting to home workouts for a while, and continuing my running. The goal is running 3 days/week, with other workouts (CrossFit, or home) 4 days/week. There will be some overlap as I will take 1 or 2 rest days each week. I'm doing the meal plan to shift myself into a better way of eating going forward. 

My goal is fitness and overall happiness with myself. So basically, it's a permanent goal. 

Ch-ch-changes

It's been a couple years since I've blogged, my apologies. This has been a crazy year so far, a wedding and high school graduation to date. College graduation and college move in coming up. I've not exactly been a slacker, but I've definitely not focused on my eating thus far this year. CrossFit has been consistent, running not so much.

It's time to change that.

With the help of my friend Danja, who put together this meal plan for me, I aim to get myself back on track and feeling comfortable again. I'm going to focus on getting lean, and improving my running. Doing Merrill's Mile 12 Hour run again next month, and may add in another race or two for the last half of this year. Already started ramping up my running, now it's time to get my eating habits in order.

Eating every two to three hours (have alarms set on my phone to remind me), no alcohol for the first week, and no cheese. Just a good balance of protein, carbs and fats.

So tomorrow I start.  I've been asked to blog about it, so I will. Help me stay accountable, and I'll tell you how it goes. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Deal?

Just how crazy are you?

Darkside 8 Hour Run has come and gone. Managed 30 miles, which was WAY better than last year's 23, AND I made it through the entire 8 hours. As this one kicked off my 2012 craziness, now it's time to buckle down, train, get fit and train some more. Next race is the only one I've done every year since 2009, the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th. Since it's more of an event than a race for me, I'll just see how I do and not worry about being fast. 


After that, it's Hot to Trot 8 Hour Run on August 4th. That one is on trails vs the asphalt loop I did at Darkside, so I'll be hitting the trails as much as my schedule allows between now and then. Then Labor Day weekend, I'm raising the bar with Merrill's Mile 12 hour. And in December, raising it even higher with the Pine Mountain 40 mile trail race. I'm doing this, the challenge has been set, and I'm committed to finishing them all. This is what has really resonated with me in regards to ultras, the challenge to my body, my ability and my toughest competitor/cheerleader/devil's advocate - my own mind.


Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Boy have I been slacking...

No excuse for it, it just happened.

So what's gone on since last August? Well, Swept the Mystery Mountain Marathon 12 mile course in October, did finally complete my first 50K in November, changed the marathon in Louisiana to a half marathon in January, attemped another 50K in March (and failed), and now it's May.

4 days away from the Darkside 8 hour run in Peachtree City, I'm going to shoot for 31 miles. Lee Brown is doing it with me, so I think between the two of us we can both get it done. Here's hoping!

Hot to Trot 8 Hour Run

Well this day rolled around a lot quicker than I thought it would. It started out pretty optimal, overcast and a rain shower that kept everyone cool and happy (for the most part) through the first hour. Let's talk the loop, 1.18 miles of trail, with a small section of road to keep it interesting. The trail itself, well this is Sweetwater, so I love the trails; the rolling, roller coaster hills at the beginning of this loop were fun, for a while. The hill coming up from the creek on the yellow trail, has never been a favorite, but as Sarah says "it's not Jack's hill!". And it's not, but even after 4 hours, getting to the top of it proved harder and harder.

I was hoping for 30 miles, but knew that race day can either meet, exceed, or barely come close to stated goals. But I went out with every intention of hitting my goal, running as much as I could, walking the hills, pushing myself to power walk wherever possible. After the first five loops, Reann came out to join me (it gets tiring sitting there watching me go 'round and 'round), plus she was wanting to get some miles in. And boy did she! By the time Chelsea showed up, around noon, Reann had already logged about 6 or 7 miles herself, and was hoping for 15. Those two took a break while I went out for another loop, then they both came out the next time.

It started heating up after noon, but we still had the cloud cover for a couple more hours before the sun came out and really started heating things up. My mileage was dropping as the day wore on, but I was determined to keep moving. Of course, the pain in my feet was hard to ignore, but I was at least able to tuck it off to one side most of the afternoon. Running with my girls is always a treat for me, running a race with so many other runners I know is AWESOME!!!!! (that was for Aaron). I get such a kick out of seeing them all out running, pushing themselves, and being able to shout out encouragement to them, and receive it back. The running community is one I have embraced wholeheartedly!

It was great running with Babette Griffith, who went on to complete her first official ultra distance - you go girl! It was just great to be out there with so many runners of all speeds and abilities. Yes, got left in the dust by the hottest males and females, but that was quite alright! That's why they're so dang hot! Last year's "Cold Water Dude", Tom Wilson even came out and did the last 3 (or was it 4?) laps with the girls and I (as I was last year's "Ice Queen", it was quite fitting!)

But then on lap 19, just before we hit the road section, I was lucky enough to have a major ankle roll. I'd been able to catch myself in the past before it would roll too much, not this time. The momentum from coming down off that trail section rolled it almost parallel with the ground. Ooops! Well, it happens. Just had to walk, and walk, then walk some more. It didn't respond well to running, so yep, I walked some more! It's all ok, I managed one more loop after that, before my feet and my body said "you're done". 20 loops for 23.63 miles. I'll take it, it's all good experience for the next race. Well, next ultra distance anyway. I think I can manage the 12 miles I'll be doing as sweeper in October, and if I decide to do Silver Comet 1/2 again (ditched the Sizzler, am just going to focus on running for training instead of racing for the next couple of months). Let me just say this, I am REALLY looking forward to cooler temps for running again...

As for my girls, Reann knocked out 15 loops for 17.7 miles, while Chelsea managed 9 loops for just over 10.5. Are they awesome or what?!?!

A big THANK YOU goes out to GUTS and Sarah Tynes for another world class event. I know how much work goes into a race beforehand, and have volunteered at more than my share, so being able to run a GUTS event again was a really fabulous experience. THANK YOU to all of the volunteers as well, seeing you out there every time we came through the aid station was very motivating. I couldn't have continued on without you!

Summer lovin'...

Time flies when you're having...fun? Darkside has come and gone, I managed to push myself to stay out there, circling that pond for 7 hours and 35 minutes. My mileage wasn't what I had wanted to get that day, but I DID receive the experience I was after. Pushing my body to keep going, in that heat, and managing my hydration and caloric intake throughout the day. While my feet had no intention of carrying me any further, at least I felt good enough that I could have if my feet were up to it.

Now we're 12 days out from my next 8 hour race, Hot to Trot. This one will be on the trails at Sweetwater Creek State Park, my favorite trails to run; not just because they're close to home, but for the constantly changing scenery throughout the year and the variety of trail conditions found there. This is a GUTS event too, so I'll know well over half of the participants and volunteers. I've been pushing myself to run as much as I can in the heat leading up to this, so there's not much to say except, go me! And I can't forget a big THANK YOU to both of my girls, Chelsea and Reann, as well as Jonathan. My girls hit the road or the trails with me with hardly ever any complaining, and Jonathan is always a good partner to hit the trails or group runs with since our pace is similar and we're now neighbors!

After this, I'm still in the thinking stages of signing up for the Big Peach Sizzler 10K on Labor Day, will probably do so by the end of this week, and I still haven't committed to the Silver Comet Half but also hope to do so very soon. After that, it's the Peachtree City 50K in November, really looking forward to that one. Oh, and sweeping the 12 mile course at Mystery Mountain Marathon/12 mile on October 9th. And I've already added one to next year, the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge on January 15th, 2012. All in all, still a lighter race schedule than I've had previously, and that's ok. Life rolls on.

August 7, 2011 - GUTS Hot to Trot 8 Hour Race, Sweetwater Creek State Park
September 5, 2011 - Big Peach Sizzler 10K, Chamblee to Buckhead
October 9, 2011 - Mystery Mountain Marathon/12 Miler, Fort Mountain State Park (sweeping)
October 29, 2011 - Silver Comet Half Marathon, Mableton
November 4-6, 2011 - Pinhoti 100 Mile Endurance Run, Helfin to Sylacauga, AL (crewing)
November 13, 2011 - Peachtree City 50K/25K, Peachtree City
January 15, 2012 - Louisiana Marathon, Baton Rouge

I admit it, two posts by Jonathan today shamed me to post on my own...

Here we are, less than 10 days left in June, and looming in front of me is the Darkside 8 hour run this Saturday. Well, I haven't shied away from challenges, have I? This looks to be no different. I'm doing it, no matter what. So what that we just got back from vacation a week ago, so what that I just moved this past weekend, So what that I gained weight back while on vacation. So what! As long as I manage my hydration, my sodium and my caloric intakes, this will be a good run and a good test of my body's capabilities in the Georgia heat. I'm doing this!

So come 7am Saturday morning, I will be there, at Huddleston Pond in Peachtree City, beginning the first of many loops that I will complete by 3pm. Looking forward to seeing Jonathan, Beth, and Jon, along with the other 45 runners who've taken on this challenge.

Now, just to remember to pack what I think I'll need for that day, and chairs for my cheering squad, and ice, and beer, and s-caps and....

First Marathon (and everything leading up to it!)

March 2oth has come and gone, which means so has my first marathon. What a road traveled! Looking back on my training, it went as well as it could have considering. And my speed "test" of doing the Silver Comet 10K the week before the marathon went really well, shaving almost 5 1/2 minutes off my fastest 10K time last year. But, let's be honest, I had to start training long before March 20th. To that end, it came about rather fortuitously in running friend Tracy offering to be my marathon coach back in November. Best decision I made, as without a plan I could look at, and therefore adhere to, I would have been training with no real sense of direction or focus.

Started the training the week after the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving. 4 running days a week, 3 short runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and a long run on Saturdays. With some sort of cross-training or easy run on Sundays and Mondays and Fridays my rest days. The Saturday long runs would get progressively longer, building up to a 20-22 mile run 3 weeks before the marathon.

Then, lucky me, I also won via the door prize giveaway at the GUTS EOY in December, 2 months of training from Janice! So she asked questions and I answered, and she came up with a plan for me that incorporated speed work into my marathon training. So what's a girl to do with two plans? Combine them, of course! Now my Wednesday night runs turned into my speedwork nights. Whew! Having never run track before, this was a new experience. But, onward I pressed, determined to get myself ready for the 26.2 mile trek through the wilds of Atlanta.

Funny how life reaches out and slaps you just for kicks to remind you that it doesn't always stick to the plan you have. Such was the case when I developed strep throat in February and lost close to 2 weeks of training. But, even recovering from strep didn't keep me from running, it just kept me from the distances I was shooting for. I swept the SweetH2O Half Marathon on 2/13/11, or attempted to. That was slow going and only managed 9 miles that day. Ah well, I tried not to let it throw me off too much. Finally made it to week 15 and my longest run of the training programs, 20-22 miles. Came close to the 22, hit it at 21.8 and was happy with it.

Race day rolled around rather quickly after the SC 10K. I slept fitfully after about 1am until I just got up around 5:15 and jumped in the shower. Kim F. called just before 6am and said she was downtown and wanted to meet before the start so I finished getting ready and headed downstairs to meet up with her. I managed to eat half of a plain bagel with pb and about 2/3 of a banana, then we both hit the restrooms and headed outside to find our respective corrals.

That helped, having her to shoot the breeze with, took my mind off what was coming. But then it was time for me to find my corral after we found hers. And off I went, and went, and went. Corral O, as in Oh good grief, will they send up a flare to let us know the race starts? Anyway, waited, and waited, and waited, then our group finally started moving forwards little by little. We didn't actually cross the starting line until 13+ minutes after the clock started, what fun! But away I went, and managed to keep my pace to a slower one instead of charging full tilt. Made it to the first water stop feeling good, and grabbed 2 half full cups of water, something I made myself do at every hydration stop along the way. An hour in I was coming up on another station, so pulled out my bag and grabbed an s-cap and 2 gels and took them both with the water. That was something else I made myself adhere to.

The miles were getting crossed off, but it got a little lonelier once the half marathoners split off just after mile 7. Now it was just those of us lucky devils who had 19 miles to go, not 6. I stayed feeling good and a pretty decent pace all the way to mile 16. After that, well, let's just say that miles 16 through 20 were killer, almost one continuous hill it felt like. It was hard to push myself to run after that. Luckily Sarah put in her 2nd appearance just before mile 20 and tempted me onward to where her car was parked with the promise of beer. Beer you say? During a marathon, and your first at that? Why not! It wasn't a lot, a few mouthfuls, and a decent amount of nutter butters. I know, I know, what a combination! But the running Gods were smiling upon me that day and I had NO stomach issues at all!

After mile 20 we made our way over to Piedmont Park, where Kim P. was set up to cheer everyone on. Had to run past her to do the out and back, and I actually started feeling better once I made the turn to come back out. Stopped by Kim and grabbed a carrot with some dip, and then they kicked me on down the road. Off I went, out of the park and back up yet another hill. Sarah was "illegally" bike pacing me with her friend Melissa, so by the time we passed the 23 mile mark, she knew what to say to get me moving. Out of nowhere she says "Kirsten, start running" "Why?" "There's someone you need to pass" "Sarah, I'm not here to pass anyone, I just want to finish!" "Kirsten, just start running", and so I did, and I passed the couple that most likely started before me, and were walking. Then just before mile 24 I passed the guy I'd been playing "tag" with starting back around mile 15, and never saw him again! I think I managed to pass a few more people after that, Sarah says I smelled the barn. Which is probably true. I knew I was going to finish, later than I though, but given the hills on the course, I was just going to be damn happy to finish.

Everything was hurting after mile 25 though, and it was hard to keep going, but I wasn't about to stop. Finally when the 1/4 mile to the finish sign came in view, I started running, and ran it all the way in, past Craig taking my picture and past my girls with their fabulous sign, all cheering for me as I crossed that finish line. I wanted to cry, I wanted to sit down, but I kept moving, getting my medal, the mylar blanket, some water, then food, then my picture taken, then I was back inside the park and there was Sarah and Melissa, and Craig and the girls.

This was hard, but I did it. In hindsight had I known how BAD those hills would kick my butt, I would have trained better. But it's lesson learned and I've a brief respite before the next race.

Coming up:

Talladega Half Marathon - 4/3/11

Peachtree Road Race - 7/4/11

Make it by Midnight Marathon in Macon - 7/16/11 YES! Another marathon. :)

Silver Comet Half Marathon - 10/29/11

Soldier's Half Marathon - 11/12/11

Peachtree City 50K - 11/13/11 A 50K?!?! Really? That's the plan!

Crazy? You bet!

I've got to thank Tracy and Janice again, their help and encouragement was instrumental in getting me to train for the marathon. Also a big thank you to Kim F. for being there that morning, a big thank you to Sarah for being there (with beer and nutter butters!) those last 6.5 miles or so, a big thank you to Kim P. for hanging out probably long after anyone else she'd known had been through and a big thank you to Kate for the hug at the finish line!

Of course, I have to give an extra big thank you to Craig, Chelsea and Reann for being so supportive during this entire process and for being my "finish line posse"! A girl couldn't ask for better family.

And a final, though no less enthusiastic and appreciative, THANK YOU! to all who encouraged me throughout this and were just as thrilled as I was that I finished. Rogues, GUTS, friends and family, you all are awesome!

Saying goodbye to 2010 and Helloooooo 2011!

Happy New Year everyone! Guess I can close the books on the last few races of 2010 and look forward to what I have planned for 2011.

Race recap:

Locomotive Half Marathon 9/19/2010 - This was a fun, albeit challenging one. Wasn't prepared for the hills, but overall Reann and I did well! My time was 2:57:06

10th Annual Silver Comet Half Marathon 10/30/10 - Another good day overall, felt good and surprised myself by shaving 4 minutes off last year's time! 2:42:34

4th Annual Peachtree City 25K/50K - I ran the 25K with Jonathan and we managed pretty well, but I think we both thought we were stronger than we ended up being. Although I did do one extra loop, making it over 20 miles for that day! 25K time was 3:47:25

2010 Atlanta Half Marathon Thanksgiving Day - The day started warmer than I thought it would be. The hills did me in on this one too, just did not prepare well for it, plus had no idea there would be that many throughout. Reann and I definitely earned our turkey dinner anyway! 3:08:39

Now on to 2011. With only one race registered for at this point, it's my main focus. Working with fellow runner Tracy who modified a marathon training plan for me, am now in week 5 and managed a 12 mile run earlier today, in the rain no less! Working on increasing my distance and endurance leading up to the marathon in March. Going to get back into a good cross-training plan as well starting tomorrow, I really need the strength training, mostly for core and legs.

My volunteer duties were pretty well met in 2010, and 2011 is shaping up to be just as good, if not better, than last year.

Here's to 2011!

Races (registered for):

Publix Marathon 3/20/11

Races (hoping to get on the calendar):

Warrior Dash - May

Peachtree Road Race 10K - July

Grandfather Mountain Marathon - July

Mystery Mountain Marathon (or Half) - October

Silver Comet Half Marathon - October

Peachtree City 50K - November

Volunteering duties:

Atlanta Fat Ass 50K - 1/9/11

Red Top Rumble - 2/6/11

SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon - 2/13/11

GRR 100/50/50K - 3/5-3/6/11

SweetH2O 50K -4/16/11

And I'm sure a host of others as the year progresses...

Lastly, I want to give a big THANK YOU to all the members of the running community I got to know better this year, as well as those I met this year. You are all a huge inspiration to me, because of your successes and challenges, I am able to reach farther for my own successes and challenges. Here's to a healthy 2011 for us all!

And one last "ATTA GIRL" for two fabulous friends of mine - Marci and Jen. These two ladies started running and both decided to do their first half marathon in 2010 and both finished with fabulous results. You ladies rock!

Call me crazy, but...

Signing up for 2 more half marathons, one of them only a week away, is my idea of...well, fun I guess. :) At least it motivates me to get out there, the less time I have to think about a race, the better off I usually am.

Sooo, coming up we have:

9/19/10 Locomotive Half Marathon (benefits Cystic Fibrosis) Reann's doing this one too!

10/10/10 Mystery Mountain Marathon and 12 miler (volunteering)

10/23/10 31st Annual City of Douglasville Moonlight Run (volunteering)

10/30/10 Silver Comet Half Marathon

11/14/10 4th Annul Peachtree City 25K/50K (I'm doing the 25K)

11/25/10 Atlanta Half Marathon (on Thanksgiving no less, Chels and Reann are doing it with me, we'll be earning our turkey dinners!) Will be Chelsea's first half!

2/6/11 Red Top Rumble 11.5 Mile Trail Race (either running or volunteering)

3/5 - 3/6/11 GUTS Reactor Run 100 miler (volunteering)

3/20/11 Georgia Marathon (my first!)

The people you meet

If anyone had told me 2 years ago about all the people I would meet after I started running, I would have laughed. Not to say I'm shy about meeting people, it's just that after living down here in GA for 6 1/2 years, the people I'd met thus far had mostly been through work and there weren't many.

Since August of 2008, when I first started putting my feet to pavement, I have been lucky to have met some pretty wonderful people, many of whom I now consider family. How did it start? Well, I quit smoking in May of '08, and told the trainer I was working with that I wanted to run a 5K, so she got me running on a treadmill (which I can't stand doing anymore), and then got me out running on pavement. Danja has since become a very good friend, and I love her to bits!

My training led to my first 5K, the Moonlight Run in Douglasville, and that's how I met the Rogues. The Douglas County Rogue Runners, what a fabulous group to join! After completing the 5K, I started getting out occasionally with them on their group runs, but I wasn't completely confident in my running ability. I soon learned with them that it didn't matter, seeing my progression as I gained ability was something they loved. They introduced me to trail running as well, and in combination with the races the Rogues put on, I've met some other very cool people in other clubs. Runners, marathoners, and ultra runners - what a fabulous and diverse group of people!

Thanks in large part to these runners I've met, I've not only completed 5K's and 10K's with improved times, but also half marathons. I gain experience with each race, and the support from other runners really motivates and keeps me at it. Now with a 25K in my sights, and a full marathon coming up, I know I can call on any one of these people for advice, support, training runs and friendship. One thing they may not all realize is that through their own races and challenges, they impart so much wisdom, humor and honesty about what they go through, that it helps me, challenges me, to push myself further than I may be comfortable with.

Rogues are: Johnny B., Cindy R., Linda P., Jennifer M. (x2!), Jennifer S., Scotty P., John and Desiree L., Terri E., Jonathan W., Orlando B., Michael (Crump) C., Steve C., Patrick O., Sherri C., Tracy H., Jack G., Karen H., Dave and Alicia M., Alex A., Lee B., Enithie H., Jeff F., Roger B., Mark G., Billy L., Amy K. and the list goes on as new members join.

GUTS members: Sally B., Kena Y., James T., Christian G., Tony G., Jason R., John C., Marty C., Charles R., Spurgeon H., Wayne D., Sean O., Elizabeth, Nick, Chris, Janice A. and the countless others who's faces I know but names I don't...yet!

And then the various other runners I've met: Kate B., Stefanie N., Margaret C., Jon R., Graham G., David H., whew! Lots of great people!

Can't forget about the Peachtree Road Race blogger from the AJC, Lauren D.! If you read any of the blogs she posted leading up to the race, you'd get a kick out of her insight as I did. Wish I could've seen her during the race, but I think we just missed one another.

You all are such wonderful inspiration to this still fairly "newbie" runner, and I thank you all for being you!

See you out on the road/trails soon!

AHA!

The Peachtree is just a few days away, and I am so happy it is! Not that I'm ready to tear it up and set a PR (I may just do that, but don't want to jinx myself!), but this is a party in the Atl every year, so planning on having fun with it. It will be the second time for Reann and I, for Chelsea it's her first.

I've added a race to my calendar also, the Peachtree City 25K on November 14th. Slightly longer than a half marathon, and with the benefit of having other Rogues either doing the 25K as well (Jonathan) or the 50K (Billy), this will be a fun one.

As for volunteering, I did so at the Blake Gammill races on 6/19, and am planning on volunteering at two GUTS events - Hot to Trot 8 hour on 8/7/10 and their GRR100 on 3/5-6/11. Great opportunities to meet more of the GUTS crowd!

Here we go:

7/4/10 41st Annual Peachtree Road Race 10K
8/7/10 Hot to Trot 8 Hour (volunteering)
11/14/10 4th Annual Peachtree City 25K
3/5-6/11 GRR 100 Miler (volunteering)
3/20/11 Georgia Marathon

So now what?

It's the middle of June, and I only have two races on the calendar, and one of them isn't for another 9 months! It's been a crazy couple of months but here I am. Need to buckle down and get back into the running and getting myself back in shape.

5/22/10 Warrior Dash, Mountain City, GA - Well the drive up there was worth the price of admission. It was mine and Chelsea's first time up that way and we sure didn't want to head back to Douglasville afterwards! This was a fun time, between the water walk, tires, obstacle walls, cargo net wall, junk yard, mud crawl and fire jumps, we got our butts kicked! Definitely one we're going to do again if it's back in the Southeast next year.

Coming up in 2 weeks is the Peachtree Road Race, Chelsea and Reann are doing it with me, should be another fun time!

I know that one way to challenge myself is to sign up for a race I know will kick my butt, but at this point I'm going to focus on the running itself, build the distance back up and then see how I feel. By August I should know if I'm ready to another race (or more) this fall.

7/4/10 Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta GA

3/20/11 Georgia Marathon, Atlanta, GA

Why yes, I DID run some races this year...

Time has that fun way of sneaking right on past you. It's almost the end of April already, graduation is right around the corner for my oldest daughter and I haven't updated this since January. Well, here goes...

2/7/10 - Red Top Rumble 11.5 mile trail race: My longest trail race at this point, and hardly my shining moment, at least that's how it turned out. I felt good about it, and was over halfway through it and keeping pace with two other ladies when that powerade I'd had a couple mouthfuls of back around the 2 mile mark reared it's ugly head. Lesson learned, no powerade at any point during a race. But I finished, dead a$$ last - lol. It's a finish for me, better than a dnf! I refuse to not finish a race. All in all, this was a great race put on by the GUTS group, I look forward to improving and running more of their races.

2/13/10 - SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon: Who knew Georgia would see snow and ice the day before, and yet the race was still on? It was too cool, driving out there that morning, wondering how many would actually show. A pretty respectable crowd turned out to run on that very cold morning. It was cool to see a few runners I've gotten to know over the last year and run a race with them (well, not actually "with" them, as they're far faster than I). And of course this race was put on by my home team, Douglas County Road Runners.

The cold, snow, and ice added to this challenging half, and perhaps it wasn't wise of me to do it 6 days after Red Top, but I feel this compulsory need to challenge myself once in a while. As long as I finish, right? Now I'd run out to TOTW a few times before, so I knew what was waiting for us, but it still kicked my a$$. Thankfully, I didn't wipe out anywhere, as quite a few did after the sun came up and starting melting the snow and ice, creating a wonderfully muddy mess. Reann ran this, but had fallen behind before we'd gotten to TOTW, which is where I caught up with her friend Sada. She and I stuck together the rest of the race, and finished together. Reann, well, she was one wooped kid, but I'm proud of her, she could have quit, she wanted to quite a bit, but she finished probably one of the toughest half marathons out there. That's 2 for me, and 1 for her. Go us!

2/21/10 - Resolution Rush 5K: I decided to the 5K at the last minute with Chels, instead of the 10K. Chelsea did a great job with her 1st race! Came in at 32:13 for her very first 5K. What a kid! I came in a few minutes later and was happy with it. Got to see Sally B. take the 1st female prize while we waited for Jennifer to finish the 10K.

3/6/10 - Berry 10K: Another race Reann and I did together, Chels had to bow out due to a band commitment. A good race for me, actually posted my best 10K time to date (good thing, I wanted a better time for a peachtree qualifier, and this was it!). Reann did really well also, coming in very close to her best time at the Resolution Run back in January. Also stuck around for fellow Rogues Jennifer, John, Alex and Terri who were running the half marathon. Very cool to see Alex cross the finish line for his first half, and posted a fantastic time too!

Now, I decided in February to sign up for a 50K (what?!?!?). Yeah I know, and I was really wanting to do the one in June in South Carolina. I've heard nothing but good things about Terri Hayes races, and this was her Chatooga 50K. But, after living in GA for 8 years, I've apparently developed allergies, and they responded to the HUGE amounts of pollen in the air earlier this month, and I went down for the count. As such, I scratched the 50K in June, but am still contemplating signing up for Stump Jump 50K in October. One, it's 5 months away, two, it's in the fall, three, no less than 5 Rogues have signed up for it. A Rogue trip, how fun! Or, there's Mystery Mountain Marathon, another GUTS race, also in October. Hmmmm, decisions decisions, do I focus on marathon distance for now and push the 50K off til next year?

Another great happening was the 4th annual SweetH20 50K Trail race out at Sweetwater Creek State Park on April 3rd. I really love volunteering for this event, these are the runners that inspire me to push my own goals. It was absolutely fabulous to see all the "cool kids" out there running on the first hottest day of the year. Congrats to Sally, Spurgeon, Marty, Christian, Wayne, JT, Tracy, Kena, Perry, Mark, Jason, John, Sean O., Sean B., Thomas A., Graham, and the countless others who braved the heat (and TOTW, twice!) to finish the "toughest 50K in the Southeast".

Right now, here's my pretty slim race calendar:

5/22/10 - Warrior Dash 3.2 mile run w/obstacle course
7/4/10 - 41st Annual Peachtree Road Race 10K
3/20/11 - Atlanta Marathon (this will be my first road marathon!!)

It's slim for one reason, Chelsea is graduating from high school and going off to college between the end of May and the beginning of August, ka-ching!

No denying it, 2010 is here

Here is is, January 27th already. I have 3 races coming up in February, and I'm fighting with myself, trying to push past the mental anxiety of registering for an 11.5 mile race and a half marathon within 6 days of each other. My training hasn't been going the way I want it; again, more mental anxiety that I'm trying to tell myself isn't worth worrying over. Wondering if I'm subconsciously causing the ailments I've had. This stinks, no other word for it.

I have to get past this, I WILL get past this. Since my goal is to finish both long races, preferably not the last person being swept in by the sweepers, my mind is made up. No more will I let this stuff get me down. Anything else that tries to push it's way into my psyche to make me lose focus is going to get a beat down.

One thing I'm really tickled about? Both my girls are out running now. Chelsea started coming out with us at the end of the year, and is doing her first 5K on 2/21/10. She figures she'll get into running and taking care of herself now to prepare for 6 days a week of marching band practice this summer when she heads off to JSU (sigh). Reann will be doing the half marathon with me on 2/13/10. It's a proud momma I am of those two girls. Reann even got up and did the Resolution Run 10K on New Year's Day and beat her previous 10K times by 10 minutes!

So here we have it, I'm regaining my focus and pressing forward. I WILL push myself and do the absolute best I can in the races I have scheduled.

2/7/10 - Red Top Rumble 11.5 mile trail race - Cartersville, GA
2/13/10 - SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon trail race - Lithia Springs, GA
2/21/10 - Resolution Rush 10K - Canton, GA
3/6/10 - Berry 10K - Rome, GA
3/20/10 - Publix Run Wild 5K at Grant Park - Atlanta, GA (did this last year in the pouring down rain and have my best 5K time, so obviously want to do this one again)

Oh, and did I mention the half marathon does have TOTW (Top of the World) in it, oh good. Described as "hefty roller coaster hills", this is probably my achilles heel in the race. Repeat after me... "hills are my friend, hills are my friend, hills are my friend..."

Looking forward

Well, finished the Daysprings 5K faster than I did it last year, so that's a plus, but was slower than my other 5K times this year. Ah well, it's still a + in my column.

Coming up, don't think we're going to do the Jingle Jog 5K since I've registered Reann and I for a trail half marathon in February and we need to focus on training for that. Plus I'll be doing the Red Top Rumble 11.5 mile race 6 days before the half marathon, so we've got our work cut out for us. May add a 10K in there somewhere, need to shoot for a good qualifying time for the Peachtree Road Race yanno!

Here goes:

2/7/10 Red Top Rumble 11.5 mile, Cartersville, GA

2/13/10 SweetH2O SweetHeart Half Marathon, Lithia Springs, GA

I know, I know...

I've fallen behind once again.

Let's recap, shall we?

9/7/09 U.S. 10K Classic: Reann and I rose at o'dark:30 and headed over to Cumberland Mall to park and get to the starting line. A nice big crowd greeted us, not quite as big as Peachtree, but a respectable 15,000+ as it was. The prerace festivities were great, including the skydivers who parachuted down to Cobb Parkway (no way would you catch me doing that, not with the hills or the power lines all around!). Then to watch the cyclists start, then the inline skaters, then the wheelchair division, then it was our turn. Oy. You start off going a slight downhill, down and under the 285 overpass, then you start climbing the first hill of the morning. Ugh. lol.

I wasn't feeling it that morning, so sent Reann along ahead once we got to the top of the hill with a stern warning to wait for me at the finish line and NOT TO MOVE ONE INCH PAST IT! lol So I plodded on, running when I could, walking the hills, and actually started to feel better as I went. Hit mile 4 in a respectable time and spotted Reann not long after that. By the time we hit the "Big Chicken", I knew we'd be alright. All we had left was a downhill to the finish line, or so I thought. Who's madcap idea was it to have you run hell-bent for leather downhill after the big chicken only to then have to run UPhill to the finish line? WTH? I about died lol. But I finished it and crossed another race I will not do again off my running "bucket list".

We decided not to do the Ekiden Trail relay.

10/31/09 Silver Comet Half Marathon: Here it is, my first half marathon. It snuck up on me, or better perhaps it clanged me over the head after life threw me off my training stride. I wasn't completely out of it once it came around, but I sure could have trained better for it. Anywhoooooo... Another o'dark:30 wakeup call, this time making sure Chelsea and Reann were up (momma needs a cheering section, yanno!), then we were off. A pit stop at Dunkin' (America runs on Dunkin', and so do I, just not this morning). Hot chocolate for the girls and a plain bagel for me. Got there early enough to get a primo parking spot behind the Mable House Arts Center, picked up my race # and timing chip, found a spot to secure the timing chip to my laces (zip ties? really?), then cooled my heels for a bit, had an espresso love gu gel (got my caffeine anyway), stretched, did a slow jog around the parking lot, then nature called. Whoa...nice lines at the port-a-potties. Got in line and started chatting with another girl who was running her first half also. Traded advice we'd received from others, even gave her one of my gu gels to try out. Finally was able to take care of my own business, and got out in time to see them herding everyone into groups based on what their anticipated race pace would be. I plopped myself towards the back of the 12:00 minute group. Then we followed the crowd back around front of the building on Floyd Road and waited, and waited, and moved up, and waited, and waited some more. Finally, we were off!

Started off with a slow jog while we all started to spread out over the mile and a half we had on the road before turning onto the Silver Comet trail. Of course, it couldn't stay mild and overcast, about 3/4's of a mile into it, the skies opened up and the wind picked up. We'll call that a torrential downpour that stayed with us just about all the way to the trailhead. Ah well, what's a little water going to do? It wasn't stopping me, no way. Although I heard afterwards that plenty others turned around and went back. Their loss. I felt good out there, in the rain. It was a bit daunting for me though, I will admit. Hard knowing how far out I had to run before I could turn around and come back the same way. The first hour and 15 minutes or so were the hardest mentally for me, until I saw more of the faster runners passing me heading towards the finish line. That energized me all the way through mile 12, where I alternated saying I'd have enough for a finish line sprint, and I wasn't going to make it. I was getting dog-tired by then and really had to push myself. Of course mile 12 is also where a sneaky incline starts, so I had that working against me too. I kept the argument going with myself in my head about whether or not I would be able to sprint at the end, all the way until I saw the 2 EMS guys on the side. THAT got me going and sprint I did, once again taking Chelsea and Reann by surprise so that they only got a picture of me from behind heading for the finish line... haha.

It was a bit on the awkward side to have to stop right after crossing the finish line so that they could cut the timing chip off your laces ($35 fee if you didn't turn it back in, ouch), and that probably didn't help me. But I finished! YES! Even made sure I got my finisher's medal! Ahhhh, it felt good to know I was done, that I made it 13 miles. It wasn't pretty, and I'm happy with the fact that it doesn't have to be, as long as I'm satisfied with the end result. And I AM!

Aside from some shoe issues I had and soreness from said shoe issues, I'm good and looking forward to signing up for another half. I'm leaning heavily towards the SweetH20 Sweetheart half that our Rogues are doing in February. A trail half! YES! I think a trail half will really help me decide if I'm going to pursue a race distance beyond 13.1 or not. As of right now I'm still undecided.

At any rate, the next upcoming race is one Reann and I did last year, so this may become a tradition.

11/14/09 Daysprings 5K, Douglasville GA (this one usually benefits one of the local schools, this year it benefits the flood victims from this past September)

12/12/09 Jingle Jog 5K, Atlanta GA (haven't registered yet, trying to make it a family thing for the three of us)

2/13/10 SweetH20 Sweetheart Half Marathon Trail Race, Lithia Springs GA...???


Hmmmm...

Let's not get cocky...

"You don't have to go fast, you just have to go" "Running is a mental sport and we are all insane" "Running is cheaper than therapy" - these are just a few of the cool running slogans I have come across. An old school friend has told me that running is an addiction for him, and I now understand why. But with the running, and increasing distances, I've discovered that you really can't push your body to an extreme and expect it to bounce back like you were 20.

I was getting out and running and/or walking quite a bit a couple of weeks ago. After the 12.5 miles out at Kennesaw mountain on the 18th, I put in another 25 miles the following week, and was cocky enough to think I could do 10 miles out at Kennesaw that following Saturday the 25th. Not so, grasshopper, as my left shin started giving me problems after about the 3rd mile. "Ok, this can't be good", I mentally berated myself for pushing too much, too soon. I slogged on though, I wasn't going to let it stop me from getting the miles in, it only stopped me from running them. Got back to the parking lot about an hour and a half later and popped some advil. Once I was finally back home I "iced" it with a bag of frozen veggies. Alternated the advil and veggie bag throughout the rest of the weekend.

I only got out and walked and ran twice after that, before the 5K on the 1st. As such, onward to that race report...

8/1/09 St. Julians Fishes and Loaves 5K: The morning dawned overcast and humid. Oy. A good crowd was there for this inaugural run. Started off at the Douglas County Courthouse and ran a loop around there to the street, then down to the Douglas County Transportation Center parking lot for another loop around, then back down the road to a right turn towards the senior center for a loop around and back to the courthouse parking lot to do the entire loop again. Mile 1 was great, I was feeling good and keeping a good pace and hit a personal best 1 mile split - 10:21. Mile 2 was a little tougher as the heat and humidity started to make their presence known (as well as the hill we had to run up again) but still hit a personal best 2 mile split also - 23:24. Mile 3 kicked me in the proverbial pants, it was a struggle to run around the parking lot at the transportation center, so I had to kick it down and walk a lot more than I had wanted to, but since this was only my 2nd run since the Saturday before, I took it in stride. I did keep enough in reserve to make my finish line sprint once I made the turn into the courthouse parking lot though! Time could've been better, but it gets chalked up to experience nonetheless. I did it in 38:00 flat, Reann came in behind me at 38:11.

Onward and upward. Now it's time to hit the hills for some repeats to prepare for the US 10K Classic in 5 weeks! Oh, and I'm planning on doing a 40K trail relay with some fellow Rogues in October. If we can find a 4th person, we'd each be doing a 10K, so far we have 3.

Upcoming:

9/7/09 US 10K Classic Smyrna, GA
10/18/09 Dirty Spokes Ekiden Trail Running Race 2009 Conyers, GA
10/31/09 Silver Comet Half Marathon Mableton, GA

How is it almost August already?

Time sure does fly when you keep yourself occupied with a number of things. Work has been crazy, but yes, I've managed to fit running in also.

Have to recap that I volunteered at the SweetH20 50K Trail Run on 5/30/09, and if you've never seen ultra runners compete, this was well worth being there for. What an absolutely fabulous and inspiring group of people, what they do to push themselves along the at times grueling course was simply amazing to watch. I was posted out along mile 13 which became an impromptu water station when they passed me again when it became mile 22. Really a great group of people, and I've been lucky enough to get to know some of them since.

OK, I DID do a couple races myself after that, so here goes...

6/20/09 Blake Gammill 10.5K: I'm glad I did this one. It's in honor of Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Blake Gammill who was shot and killed while serving a warrant in 2005. Proceeds from the race benefit the Douglas County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (SERT), and the members of that team ran the 5K on 6/20 in their gear. Whew, I have a hard enough time running in the heat in shorts and a tank top! That being said, let's get on with the 10K. Reann did this one with me, and she really ran a good one, kept a decent pace throughout the entire race, but it was hot and it was humid and there were hills; all of which tried their best to conspire against me. This wasn't my best race, but as a runner I take that into consideration and chalk it up to experience. Running in full blown summer heat is still something I'm dealing with. :) I did get my first tiny taste of what heat exhaustion can feel like too, and I don't like that at all! Reann and I managed to complete this one in 1:31:10. Again, experience, it doesn't come easy.

7/4/09 Peachtree Road Race 10K: Ah, the piece de resistance of the 10K's in Atlanta. This one is a party, no doubt about it. When you have 50,000+ gathering to run 6.2 miles, it can't be anything but. Reann did this one with me also, being lucky enough to get a number from fellow Rogue Jennifer who bowed out a few days before. So we'd be running it together, starting waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in time group 8. To give you an idea, The runners in the first couple groups started around 7:30am, and they staggered the other groups after that; which meant we finally started over an hour later, at 8:44am. Did I mention this was a party event and not really a running event? Well, if you're in an earlier time group you can still manage to run it, but the farther back you are, the more walkers there are, and the slower you go. Once Reann and I realized that it was taking us longer to try and weave around the walkers, we slowed down and decided to take in the entire experience. And what an experience! People were lined up on both sides of Peachtree Road; cheering you on, throwing things to runners/walkers, and having a grand old time just being there. Bands were there playing along the race route also. Water stations every mile gave us the chance to stay hydrated (a problem at the last race), as well as cool off by running through the misters that were set up. Reann and I crossed the finish line together, shaving 6 minutes off our time 2 weeks previously. 1:25

What's next for me? Would you believe I've signed up for my first 1/2 marathon? Yep, I have. However it's still a few months away, so here's what I call race progression:

8/1/09 F&L 5K, Douglasville GA
9/7/09 US 10K Classic, Smyrna GA
10/31/09 Silver Comet Half Marathon, Mableton GA

How much am I running lately? More trails, definitely. Anywhere from 3-6 miles running two evenings a week with the running club, and am starting to increase my long run on Saturday mornings with the club. Even did 12.5 miles up and over Kennesaw Mountain last Saturday, just to get an idea of what it would feel like to go that distance. For those that mentioned a marathon in my future, I say to that...possibly my friends, possibly. I just want to do a 1/2 first, to see how I feel afterwards. Plus I'm doing the 1/2 in the fall, so the heat won't be as much of a factor as it's been this summer, but it is on a flat trail, so I'll need to run on it at least once beforehand to get a feel for it.

Playing catch-up...

Yikes, not just two, but three races have come and gone! I know, I know, I'm slipping again. Ah well, in a nutshell, here we go:

4/18/09 - Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K: A respectable race, started later in the morning and it was a humid day, so that equals...CHALLENGE! The other challenges were the amount of people (somewhere around 1200) and the narrowness of the streets. The start was a little convoluted, but off we went, with the faster runners jockeying for position and weaving in and out. There were a lot of slower runners/walkers/people with dogs/people with strollers than any race I'd done prior to this, so that slowed me down through the first 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. That being said, one more fun part to this race...yep, you guessed it..the HILLS! lol And there was even a hill right before the finish (great thinking, that). Every time you got to the top of one hill, you could see there was another ahead. Enough with the challenges already! lol Finish I did, my watch time had me at 34:49, clock time was a full minute faster. Guess which one I'll use here? LOL I felt good though, didn't stray from my previous time too much!

5/9/09 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K: What an inspirational event to take part in. There would be no running at this one, I walked with a good friend of mine, her sister, and her mom. The sheer number of people taking part was awe-inspiring. Seeing the survivors was even better! There was easily well over 15,000 people out there running/walking the 5K. I'm looking forward to doing this one again and again and again!

5/16/09 - South Fulton 5K: This was the inaugural race, but pretty well organized over all. Not a lot of people, but a respectable number nonetheless for the cause promoted (proceeds went to a women and children's shelter). It was cute to see the little kids do the 1 mile fun run before the 5K. Then it was our turn, nothing like being told the course while waiting at the start line lol. I felt a bit off, was hoping to get under 35:00, but knew it would depend on my endurance and the course itself. First mile went pretty well, but the hills in miles 2 and 3 were a little more than I could take since I hadn't started out feeling 100%. But press on we must! We were lucky enough to have a flat finish after a downhill run, and I used that to my advantage, built up the momentum running downhill, then shot myself around the corner to the finish line. 35:45 YES! At least my pace didn't suffer. What was the kicker? I took 2nd place in my age group!!!! No more Smart A** remarks like "what age group is that? 70+??" lol I got that from a few people Monday morning.

Now I really want to work on my time. I never knew I'd start racing myself!

Next races:

6/20/09 - Blake Gammill 10.5K Douglasville, GA
7/4/09 - Peachtree Road Race 10K Atlanta, GA

Hmmm, those are both 10K's, is this a new trend?????