Challenging The Woman Within: My 30K Recap

It's Sunday night and I am sitting at my computer with a beer next to me feeling happy. I seem to have less time to write these days and very few moments to myself. Life has been busy, some days even chaotic, yet it is full. The past few years I feel like with each passing year life has become more amazing. From having children, getting married, buying a house and reaching new goals for myself, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful for this life. 

Last weekend I set a new PR for distance for myself doing my first 30K. It was a certified coarse and set for 18.64 miles. Though in the end my watch read 18.71, yes, I am totally giving myself credit for the extra! Truth be told in the middle of the summer I was not sure that I was going to be ready for this race. I was running four to five days a week yet my long runs were not as long as I would have liked for training. April, May and June I did a Half Marathon each month. I was feeling rather good about the fact that I made the goal of a 30K in September. With no other Half Marathons on schedule, the heat, and limited time for long runs I was starting to think that maybe I wasn't ready to tackle this goal. Then I heard a voice in me saying to suck it up, get my ass out there and train harder and that I would crush this goal. That my friends is what I did!

Beautiful coarse on country roads

Here is a recap of my 30K:

Miles 1-6

I knew that in order to complete this race I would need to take my pace down from where I typically run at for a Half Marathon pace. I wanted to finish this race, not come in first place. It takes a lot of mental discussion with myself, and discipline, during a run not to go into it too fast. Sometimes my endorphins get the best of me and my feet carry me away. 

Here is what my splits looked like:

1- 8:56
2- 8:41
3- 8:13
4- 8:45
5- 8:21
6- 7:58

The first two miles I eased in. I chatted with another runner and distracted myself by the conversation around me. Mile three I got into a groove and settled into what I call a "Happy Pace". Then mile four I caught up to another runner and we chatted for most of that mile. Once I continued on past her and saw that I finished that mile at 8:45 I knew it was time to get back to my happy pace. Clearly I cannot talk and run at the same time. I always run alone and that is my preference. I did really enjoy my conversations with these other runners though. Sharing stories of running, our children and my discussion with the runner at mile four, we also chatted about how both our fathers were runners. Hers was 78 and still ran and he even did the Vermont City Marathon this past year! By mile six I had fallen into a groove.

Each runner got a jar of Bove's sauce ~ YUM!

Miles 7-12

For some reason seven seems to be my sweet spot in any longer run. It's where I start to let my entire body just fall into the run. This is where it starts to feel easier, my feet just seem to dance on the pavement and carry me forward and my pace becomes what it is going to be right around here. These next six miles were some of the best of the whole race.

7- 7:54
8- 7:49
9- 7:45
10- 7:49
11- 7:52
12- 7:53

Mile ten, as I was heading into the Common, there was my father. I can't even put into words how incredible it was to have him there. How he is always there at each one of my races. Sometimes he runs with me, other times he is there to cheer me on. I truly am grateful for his support. My heart felt happy and I was feeling great. He asked me how I felt and I believe my exact words were: " Great! But ask me in another five miles."

Miles 13-18 (18.71!) 

Somewhere in mile twelve came a couple of nasty hills. I remembered from driving the coarse a month and a half prior that there was some challenging hills. Towards the end of mile twelve I conquered one of them and thought to myself "No more hills"! Then I looked ahead and there it was, the hill that tried to kick my ass. I knew it was going to be hard but thirteen miles in it felt awful. It was steep enough that as I ran I ran on my toes. I contemplated stopping...maybe I just needed to take a break and walk this one. After nine Half Marathons and never stopping during a race, I knew I could not let this hill get me. I was going to get to the top of it and I would kick it's ass! And so I did. It was hard, it hurt, and it slowed me down. Into mile fourteen, and at the top of the hill, there was my father again. How could I stop now?! Seeing my father was the push and support I needed to try to get myself back to that "Happy Pace" and finish the race string.

13- 8:25
14- 8:48
15- 7:58
16- 8:03
17- 8:17
18- 8:00
.71- 5:46 
 

I am still standing!

I did fall back into a rhythm and by mile fifteen I was feeling strong again. I finished that race and felt good! My finish time was 2:33:27. Out of 55 runners (it was a small race!) I was 14th overall. I placed third in women and third in my age group. I had finally met my biggest running challenge and crushed it!  

Running challenges me. It pushes me to new limits. I strive to be better, faster and stronger. Running makes me dig deeper. It has shown me that I can do it, that I am capable of whatever I set my mind to. The only limits are the ones I allow there to be. I am fierce, I am strong and I am a better person because of running. My mantra over the past five years has been : "Always Believe You Can." I believed, I did, and I am not going to stop there! 

 "A goal is a dream with a deadline." - Napoleon Hill

Ready...Set...Go! Time for Another Half Marathon!

With only four days until my next Half Marathon I am happy to report that I am ready! In February I was feeling nervous. I was not sure I could get myself where I wanted to be physically and mentally to complete this race. I kicked my own ass in March and pounded those miles out. I am happy to report that I ended March with logging 123.04 miles. I wanted to hit 95 and would have been happy with 100. I was determined to get myself ready for this race and didn't even realize that I had surpassed my monthly mileage goal. I was pretty happy when the calculator revealed the number my happy feet ran.

In my last running review I shared that I was doing a Fit Abs Challenge. I joined a Facebook group called: The Fit Runner Club. I had no idea how awesome this group would be. Not to mention what an asset to my current training. I enjoyed the challenge and was motivated and inspired by the other runners. I even felt that by the end of the month I got to know some of the other group members, and looked forward to checking what everyone else had accomplished for themselves each day. Everyday I did my WOD (workout of the day), logged my points, shared my pictures (you share healthy meal photo's and work out accountability pics), and everyday I got stronger. I was able to see a difference in my core strength by the end of the month. I have continued to do my AB WOD and this month the group is focusing on Glutes. If you are a runner, or want to be, I suggest you check this group out.

In March I kept to my four days a week running schedule while adding in some walking with my children and cross training with Jillian Michael's Shred video. I have finally moved to level three of the workout and do this at least two days a week. The workout is quick, effective and I feel challenged in just the short time it takes to do it. With a four year old running around and an eighteen month old trying to use me as a jungle gym, sometimes a short work out is all I can fit in. Did you know that Jillian has a pet pig?! Seriously that made me like her even more than I already did!

I had a running goal for 2015 to hit a PR in distance of 15 miles. In 2014 the farthest I ran was 14.1. I did not have a plan as to when I would reach this milestone nor was there a specific deadline...well, it did need to happen in 2015. Sunday I went out for my last long run before the Half this weekend. It was a beautiful day. I took some back roads and found myself getting lost in my run. Somewhere around mile ten I thought about trying to hit my 15 mile goal. It was specifically at 12.88 miles that I made the decision to make that goal happen.

There is such an exhilarating feeling to do something you set out to do. The reward itself is in reaching the goal. I love being able to run a route that was once hard and have it be part of a routine rather than an obstacle. I believe in order to grow you need to create challenge. What fun would life be without a few good obstacle courses along the way ?!

Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are important to me. If you know me you know that I love running. The wonder of this is that I did not always love it. Running does not discriminate. You can start at 20, at 30 and even 60. Whatever it is you want to achieve for yourself, do not give up on that. The body is an amazing vessel. We can create, strengthen, and change our bodies. We are given the ability to be whatever it is we want. Any fitness goal takes time. Remember that you need to have patience. Results do not happen overnight. They may take months, sometimes even years. Remember this:

Always Believe You Can!



If you are interested in The Fit Runner Club check out the website! Trust me, it is addicting! : http://www.fitrunnerclub.com/

I would also like to share a video that proves you can do whatever you put your mind to. Please take a moment to view this short news segment on a first time marathoner and her story.
First time marathoner: Running to keep a Promise 

As always friends: Happy Running! 

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Giving Mother Nature The Middle Finger

Giving Mother Nature the Middle Finger

February is finally done and I couldn't be happier about it. For what is the shortest month I felt like it was twice as long as January was. Perhaps it was the fact that here in Vermont we were "frozen" in time. The temperatures were brutal along with the wind. I am not sure if Mother Nature actually thinks she is funny and has enjoyed this joke she has played on the Northeast or if she just got confused. Either way I am pretty pissed off and am giving Mother Nature the middle finger.

My running goal for the month of February was to hit 90 miles. Last year I managed 94 for the month so this would be cake right?! Wrong! This year my miles logged for February only hit 84.05. Two miles more than last month but six miles short of my goal. I will be honest, this shattered my ego a bit. When I set my mind to something I tend to follow through. Maybe it is because I am stubborn. I like to think of it as determination. I started tallying my miles at the beginning of the last week of February and knew I would have to push it hard with some long runs or just succumb to the fitness Goddesses and try again in March. So I settled with making my last run of February my longest (and best run!) I have had in 2015, and pounded in 11 miles of pavement.

February I also joined with fellow runner and blogger Simply Soul Searching for the Jump For Joy Challenge. The goal was to work our way up to 250 jumping jacks by the last day of the month. As long as you got in all the jumping jacks required it did not matter if you split them up or not. I actually liked this challenge and manage to not miss a single day. (We did have a couple rest days but I stayed right with the calender program for this challenge). I plan to keep jumping jacks in my fitness schedule by doing a 100 a day at least 5 days a week.

I mentioned last month that I planned to work some cross training in for strength and sculpting. The days which I do not run I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Workout 2 video. This is a short twenty minute workout with a warm up and cool down. I really enjoy this workout. I feel it is challenging and effective. There are days that I do not have a lot of time with having small creatures (aka children), housework, errands and working at home. I still commit to squeezing a good workout in. My four year old, Chase, likes to try and do it along side of me. It's pretty cute! This workout has become my antidote for a quick fitness fix.

Now it is March and I welcome it with a happy dance! I am hoping for a little more sunshine. I am done with wearing several layers to go running. March also means I have just over a month until my first Half Marathon of the year. April 11th will be here before we know it and I am not feeling as ready as I want to be for this race. This months mileage goal is 95 miles. Truth be told, I would love to hit 100. Stay tuned!

I have decided to start a new challenge with this new month since I enjoyed the Jumping Jack Challenge. I just joined this Facebook group called The Fit Runner Club. For March there is a thirty day Ab challenge. I am curious how this one will go for me but ready to take it on. I am committed to my health and fitness and ready to challenge myself.

I am welcoming March with new fitness goals and optimism. Here we go!! 


Do you have any fitness goals for the month? What is you favorite way to be fit? Please share with me, I would love to chat fitness!  

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January Running: Frosty Lashes and Icy Nipples
Time to Train: Running Goals For This Year

The Sweet Victory of The Finish Line

I wear a RoadID bracelet when I run. On it has my name, emergency numbers, and the quote: ALWAYS BELIEVE YOU CAN. I wear this bracelet every time I run for safety purposes, yet it also serves as a reminder to me that I can complete each run. I can run up that hill. I can go another mile. I can beat my personal PR. I did all those things on Sunday when I ran my second Half Marathon.

This race was very different from my first half marathon. I knew it would be and part of me worried how that would affect me. This was a smaller run. Approximately 750 people. There were less crowds which meant less cheering. The race went along country roads and along side the lake. The colors painted the sky. The smell of the apple orchards filled my nose. The view of the lake and mountains under a morning sky looked like a perfect painting.

As I sat in my car yesterday morning waiting for the race I tried to take time to relax. I brought a book and was able to read. I love to read and find it near impossible to do so these days. I watched other runners do their personal preparations for the race. I prayed for the strength and endurance I would need to do this race. I was nervous. More nervous than the first time. It was as if this was my first Half Marathon.

My goal was to pace myself for the first 6 miles. After that I would kick it up a notch. It is hard for me to pace myself. Even when I try not to go fast I find my legs taking me forward and I just can't seem to stop them. I also try not to pay too much attention to my GPS watch. Running this race though I did try to pay attention because I did not want to burn out the first half of my run. My focus was the end of the race. Jason was going to meet me with the boys at the finish line and the image of seeing their faces is what helps me to finish most of my runs.

Somewhere after mile 4, I heard cheering and my name. To my surprise, I looked over to see my parents, sister in law and nephew. They were there for me! I did not have a clue they would be there and as I ran by them I was filled with love and emotion. As my feet hit the pavement tears ran down my face. When it comes down to it, I could not be where I am without my family and friends. I was fueled in that moment by their love and support. I am grateful for each one of them.

The road and the earth are my personal church when I run. I think, I reflect, and I pray. This run I tried to focus on the things that make me happy and pull from that the positive energy I would need to move my feet. Toward the end of the race there was a hill. The kind with a slow incline. One that seems to never end as you are running up it. I run hills bigger than this on my normal runs but since I had tried to push myself harder the second half of my run, by the time I hit the end I was feeling my legs work for each step I took. My challenge was soon met with the sweet victory of the finish line. I had made it! I completed my second Half Marathon.

I even beat my last time by two minutes! I finished at one hour and forty two minutes. I placed 19 out of 235 female runners. I placed 10th in my age group out of 80 of my fellow female runners. It is true, you can do anything you put your mind to. Body's are made to change and be challenged. Remember: ALWAYS BELIEVE YOU CAN. Set new goals. Try new things. Life is short, run happy!

"Oops! ...I Did It Again"

I did it. I signed up for my second Half Marathon. The 44th Annual GMAA Green Mountain Marathon and Half Marathon. This one will take place on Sunday October 12th in South Hero, VT. I had planned to do one more Half before the winter but was weighing in on what one I wanted to do. I chose this one because how beautiful South Hero is. I think with the time of year, the scenery, and more training that this race will be a good one.

Now the anxiousness begins. Sure, I completed my first Half Marathon back in May. This should be cake right?! It's funny, I still got the butterflies and nervous feelings when I signed up. It's a good nervous, excitement fills you. A thousand butterfly's dancing in your body. Like a first kiss or waiting for the arrival of a baby. The anticipation goes throughout your body. Though I know I can do it, it still feels like the first time all over again. I think that's a humbling feeling to have and to hold on to.

Rounding the last corner before the finish line

I have been running consistently. I get my 4 days in and there have even been a couple weeks where I managed to sneak in a 5th day. My "long" runs had withered down a bit since I was no longer in training mode, simply in therapy mode. In anticipation that I would be doing another Half in the fall I have tried to kick it back up the past couple of Sundays. 11 last Sunday, 10 this Sunday.

Almost there!

I have been happy with my times. I have tried to push myself a bit more and my pace is consistent. I am one of those runners that logs each run. I log the date, my time, and how many miles. Every, single, time! I have even had times where my GPS wasn't working for whatever reason then went to track mileage with my car. Yeah, I am "that" runner.

Question now is will I try to beat my last time? I would like to think I will just go with it. I am not a competitive person. But what I am is determined. I like the challenge. It's not me running against anyone else. It is my race against myself. No matter what, I win every time.

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”― Martin Luther King Jr.

Pounding Pavement

It's official! I can now say that I have run a Half Marathon. This past Sunday, May 25th, I ran 13.1 miles!

My goal had been to be under 2 hours. I had done 13.0 the weekend before in 1:46:31. I was pretty happy with that yet was aiming to at least hit 1:50:00 for time. I finished my half in 1:44:28 (by my watch)!

It was an amazing day. Everything from the weather, to the people, how I was feeling, it all aligned and I had an awesome race!

I was inspired continuously on my run. It was the runner next to me who was 70 trucking along. It was the runner who was running in memory of their loved one. The runner who was part of a team that raised money to bring awareness of an illness. It was every runner out there, everyone who was running for whatever their race meant to them.

I was inspired by the volunteers. The workers, security, and entertainment for this event. Without them none of it could happen. It takes an army of people to make an event like this be as electrifying as it always is!

I was inspired by the community. Those people in the neighborhoods we ran in, that stood there cheering us on. The ones that had hoses spraying to help keep us cool. The ones that handed out food and water because they wanted to and chose to be a part of this day. The sense of togetherness and support was over whelming at times. It was in these moments I found myself running with tears in my eyes and feeling over joyed by what I was a part of.

I loved my run. It was exhilarating. Empowering! I vowed to have fun and I did just that. I trained well and was ready, but of coarse there were hard moments too. It was a warm day, the rays of the long awaited sun (You know, that yellow ball of fire in the sky) pounding down on me. I am not use to running in the sun just yet. You have to remember winter didn't end that long ago and though I hate winter I grew accustomed to it's temps when running. The moments when it was hard, and a mile felt like 3, I just remembered my prize at the end of the race: my children. Really! That is what helped to fuel me. Running is my time, my therapy, my sacred place. But those two boys of mine, they are my life. At the end of any day, any race, it is their faces that I want to see. (Funny fact: BOTH boys were dead asleep when I was done! Go figure!)

So now that it is over what's next? No marathon for this chick! That's a big fat NO! Another Half? Most likely. I am already wanting to find another to do by the end of the summer. I will continue to run my 3-4 days a week as I did before training. I may have met my goal, yet I am a work in progress. Physically and mentally, there is always work to be done. Pounding pavement is a big part of me now.

There is a reason my moto is : Always believe you can. Completing my first Half Marathon proves this. Who would have thought?! Remember, if there is something you are passionate about, go for it! Don't ever wait for things to happen, make it happen! It's amazing what can be around the corner when you choose to go just a little further than you thought you could.