Just a minute of my time...

Fitness Friday

Training for a marathon...

There is a part of me that is tired of it, tired of not getting to choose when I run, instead looking at a piece of paper to see that I NEED to run a certain distance. Also worried about the taper down period and learning to trust the program.  All this and realizing Chicago is just over 2 weeks away!

Although there is still a lingering high from the Air Force half marathon, recording a PR (2:11:25) and finding out I was 53rd of 299 women in my age group sure added to that high!

With all this running and training I've learned a lot.  Here is just a sampling of the knowledge that running can teach you!

• It really is a mental sport - there were several times during the Air force half where I had to remind myself that I could run harder!
• A pace team makes a huge difference and I will continue to sign up with them
• Setting goals and reaching them lifts you in SO many ways!
• knowing you can do something before you even start, because you trained your body and mind
• Finding a race like the Air Force that reminds you why you love to run
• Having your daughter AND friends that love to race with you makes all the difference!

You can find more fitness friday on Jill's blog here!

Getting nervous, getting ready,

getting excited for Chicago!

Air Force half marathon

Saturday I ran my 5th half marathon race and I guess for me, five is the charm... although I do have to say I've done my best training before this race, especially since I've been training for the Chicago Full Marathon.

Jill, Chelsea, Jennifer and myself

This run... was amazing! Not just because of my PR of 2:11:25, although I'm pretty stoked about that.  I followed along with a pace group which was amazing for me! Even though at the 8 mile hill I kind of fell back from the group. I pushed it the entire way and for that I am proud, and I know for sure all those hills in Hinckley are what kept me going strong!

Chelsea and I drove down on Friday to get our bibs and check out the expo. We always go through the expo quickly to get to the bibs, once that is complete we can take our time at the expo. Bib pick up was effortless, organization is a common thread throughout this entire half. The Air Force marathon was the most organized and planned marathon I have ever participated in from start to finish! I found a shirt from New Balance that was embroidered with the air force logo and Chelsea and I finally both got our spibelts (we sure could have used them on a couple of the long runs this past few weeks) But I was glad to have waited for exactly what I wanted!

We had dinner together on Friday night at the Italian restaurant Giovanni's, and then Jennifer and her husband, and Jill and her family headed home, while Chelsea and I went to our hotel and started getting ready by pinning bibs on ...

After completed five halfs this year, the Air Force was by far my favorite. Even when running the Disney Princess there were people that told us about the Air force marathon, I never imagined it could beat Disney...boy was I wrong.

The flyby's, the shirt, hat and oh yeah.... this!

Running and remembering

Running the Air force half marathon today and remembering my brother Joe...

February 14, 1966 - September 17, 2003

Checking in...

 

my poor neglected blog. It seems life has gotten in the way of me staying updated here. I'm hoping my fall schedule gives me more time for the things I love. Reading, blogging and of course running. With training full speed for the marathon it seems to take quite a bit of my time in between everything else that needs to get done daily.

 

Then you have those days with girlfriends, a little getaway to revive you and remind you that these friends are there for you through the good and the bad...

Well, this was definitely all good! We shopped at Debbie's store, which is awesome! Lunch and relaxing over Brenda's in the evening. After dinner we did the cutest craft while enjoying great conversation, wine and lots of laughter!

Debbie and her hat

My mom

Brenda hiding behind hers

and Debbie... surrounded by hats and pumpkins!

Another great Michigan visit... and as I've learned throughout my life, you regret the things you DON'T do, not the things you do... and I certainly don't regret hanging out in Michigan for a few days!

20 miles

I did it! I ran 20 miles! The thought of it had worried me for quite sometime when I seen those numbers on Hals schedule, but somehow with all the training all the weeks before, that twenty wasn't as tough as the number made me think it was going to be.

Since starting back to school, I knew I'd have to change my long run Sundays to another day and so this past Monday was my scheduled 20 mile run. It was actually perfect, a cold front had just moved through and the temperature was a perfect 60 degrees! Ahh yes, another reason I love fall, those temperatures!

I ran the miles in Hinckly - one of the toughest places to run with hills in both directions. But I figured:

1. It would be best for my training
2. Its perfect with a 3 mile trip around to refuel at the car
3. Its beautiful scenery

So I was glad with my choice for all the reasons above, plus the fact I saw Milt and another friend 3 times throughout the running, and there is nothing like picking up your pace, when your cheered on by a friend!

I finished, raced home and went to my cousins wedding shower to help set up and decorate. It was one crazy afternoon, and while I was a bit sore, it didn't really hit me until the next day when everything ached!

Next weekend is the Air Force half marathon and I'm quite excited about it. Chelsea and I are running it as well as Jill and Jennifer. I'm hoping to PR and the medal is awesome!

Better get back to training!

Check out more fitness friday over at Jill's blog!

 

 

Wedding shower

My cousin's wedding shower was this past weekend and we decided to put together a mini album with the help of all the guests.

I picked up some chalk board signs on etsy and we had each guest write some advice or wisdom for them.  I then printed all the pictures and filled a flip photo album that was completed for Stephanie to take home at the end of the party.

Everyone had a blast coming up with their advice.... Here are just a few

my cousin and his adorable wife

my brother in law and sister

this couple was adorable and funny!

my dad's cousin's that we grew up and continue to call Dr. Zhivago

these two who are always adorable

Joel and I

such a fun project and great gift!

Fitness Friday

Finding my way back...

Everybody needs a little time away, whether from exercise or just your summer vacation, but sometimes coming back after that can be disheartening!

I had a busy summer that included back to back trips out of town.  I did my best on the days home to get as much running in as possible as well as during our vacation, but somehow it wasn't the same as the training that Hal Higdon had scheduled for me, and I paid for it!

Had it been a week away, I'm sure I would have been okay... but two weeks took a little bit longer to get back on track and feeling good about running again. And since my return I have had one long run of 18 miles and another 13 mile run, along with all the other training that I stuffed into one week and ended up running 52 miles.

This week I'm finally feeling strong again and have a 20 mile run I have to fit into my schedule sometime over the next few days. Do I regret my vacations?  Heck no!  I just have to learn to be more patient with myself and know that its okay to take some time off, it will come back to you within a few times out!

Check out more Fitness Friday at Jill's Blog

 

Indians game

Last Friday we went to the Indians game and what a blast it was. We had club seating which includes all you can eat and drink (non alcoholic), and just a great place to hang out and watch the game!  The energy was exciting with the return of Jim Thome and the game was sold out!

Everyone was given signs to hold up when Thome was up to bat and although my picture is blurry it was a site to be seen!

and then the fireworks at the end of the game were spectacular.  Ben described them and Disney's as the best he's ever seen, and I'd have to agree!  Awesome show...

By the time fireworks were over, traffic was so horrible we decided to hang out downtown for a while.

oh and yes they won too!