So about that marathon....

Sunday, June 1st. I got up at 4 am. I had my race attire ready to go. I had my pre race breakfast and left for the Minneapolis Marathon.

 It was raining in the morning with some thunder. We got word that the race was going to be delayed an hour. At 7:45 AM the race officials canceled the Marathon because of the weather. I have not idea what it takes to plan an event like this and all the safety measures that must take place to make sure every runner is safe. I am sure that they would rather err on the side of safety versus taking the risk that a runner would be injured due to weather. But, it is a real bummer.

I wish that this post was a post telling you how I rocked the marathon and how I nailed my goals. It's not that kind of post. It is not going to be a post where I complain about how I got up at 4AM many mornings to get my workout in or how I did 16 miles on a treadmill to get my miles in, or how I ran in a blizzard, etc. I could sit here and complain, but I will not let something that was out of my control get me down! Like I said in my first post," it just make you stronger."

instead of wondering what could have been, I am going to focus on what will be. I am going to find some new races to do this summer. I am going to do some 10ks, 5ks, and half marathons. I am going to do the Whistle Stop Marathon and the No Frills Marathon. I am going to focus on getting stronger by doing strength workouts, core work, and cross training. Plus, I am going to fall in love with running again and have fun with it. I am excited about training this summer and enjoying time with my family. I hope you continue to follow along.

Uff Da Half Marathon Recap

Greetings friends! Just thought I would pop in to give you a recap of the Uff Da Half Marathon. The Uff Da Half Marathon happens yearly around this time. It is part of Syttende Mai Days in Woodville, WI. It is a small race that has both a 5K and Half Marathon. Around 80-90  people in the half marathon It is an out and back course on scenic abandoned railroad bed. Flat and Fast! (If you remember from my first post, where I talked about my 10 mile run turning into a 15 mile run, this is that same trail.)

I chose to do this race as part of my long run for the week. My training plan had 16 miles on it, so I figure add a 1 mile warm up and 2 mile cool down, BOOM- 16 miles. I was nervous going into this race because I hadn't raced a half marathon in a while, plus it was the first race of the season for me. I also wanted to see if I could get a PR for my half marathon.

My friend Jess and her co-worker picked me up around 6:30AM and we were on our way. We got there with plenty of time to spare before the race. SO we got in a mile warm up, made a port-a-potty stop, and got close parking. The weather was great! Sunny and 45 degrees at the start= perfect! I kept going back and forth over whether or not to wear a long sleeve shirt or not, but opted for short sleeves. Glad I went for the t-shirt because I got warm quickly.

The gun went of at 8 AM and we were off. I made my self go slow the first few miles until I could get in a good rhythm. It usually takes me the first few miles before I start to feel strong in my races. Even with my slower start I was still in the lead packs of runners. I worked my way into a 7:20ish pace. I started to catch runners in front of me and would pace myself with people running a similar pace. I find this helps keep me on target pace. At the turn around spot  I could see hoe far the lead female runner was ahead of me. She became my focus! I chose to focus on trying to catch her for the rest of the race. I will tell you I was close to catching her. If I had about 200 more yards I would have caught her at the finish.

My time was 1:36:36, which is a PR by 12 seconds. I was 2nd female, 1st in my age group, and 7th overall. I was happy with this race. It was definitely a confidence booster. What made the race even better  was Dan and the kids cheering at multiple spots along the trail. It was so great to see their smiling faces and hear them ringing the cowbells.
Next up: tapering for the Minneapolis Marathon!
Just wanted to leave you with something that made me giggle. I think mostly runners or anyone who has run a race will get this joke.

Time flys when your in marathon training

Wow! Where does the time go? Time sure does fly when you are in marathon training. I feel like the last update there was snow on the ground. The snow is gone and I have been enjoying many long runs outside. I had a few 70 degree 20+ milers and some 50 degree 20+ mile runs. I think I like the 50 degree weather best for those. Also, I had forgotten about the whole waring sunscreen thing on my first sunny 22 miler. Let's just say I won't be forgetting that again. Ouch!

Even though it will be June 1st at the time of my marathon, I would be 100% okay with a 50-60 degree day. Also, if it happens to be cloudy as well, even better.

This training plan I have been following has definitely had higher mileage than I did the previous marathon. I do enjoy doing the higher mileage. I have been averaging about 45-60 miles per week. I am excited to see how I preform on race day after doing a full 16 week training cycle. I know it has been interesting juggling training, family and work, but I feel for the most part I was able to get my training in. I am proud of the fact that when we took a vacation to Disney last week, I got the majority of my runs in.

One of my early morning runs

Clear Water Beach, FL sunset

I am very thankful to my family for their support and patience during this training cycle. I definitely couldn't have done it without them.
Next up: Uff Da Half Marathon this weekend and tapering for the Minneapolis Marathon!

Starting to put in more work

Greetings friends!
I hope the spring is finding you enjoying nice weather. The weather here has been all over the place! It gets nice and warm, with temperatures in the 50s-60s and then all of a sudden it is 30 degrees and snowing. As my daughters dentist  asked her today: "What is Queen Elsa up to?"

Despite the changing weather I have been having fun and working hard in my training. This past week I got to start doing some speed workouts. I usually have butterflies in my stomach before doing these types of workouts, but I always feel like a super woman when I am in the middle of them. They say if you want to run faster, you have to run faster. Meaning you have to put in the work to get your body to move faster.

A peek at my training log over the last two weeks:
3/29: 18 miles LSD (long slow distance): Felt really strong in the run. I was able to get down to marathon pace for a few of the miles. Even got to watch the sun come up
3/30: 5.5 miles Easy Run
3/31 Spin Class. I decided that one of my easy run days will be some type of cross training
4/1: 8 easy miles
4/2 : 5.47 miles on the treadmill, averaged an 8:02 pace
4/3: 9miles on the treadmill. 6 miles at marathon pace
4/4: rest day
4/5: 14 miles on the treadmill (was working 12 hour shifts this weekend)
4/6: Rest Day
4/7: 4.45 miles with the double jogging stroller and boys on their bikes. This was so fun! I am excited for warm weather so we  can do more of these runs together. I sure have a fun bunch of kiddos.
4/8 5 easy miles on the treadmill
4/9: 20 miles! First 20 miler of my training cycle. This felt good for the most part. It was 70 degrees and my mom graciously watched this kids so I could take advantage of the nice day. The last 2 miles were up hill, this was tough! However, it only makes me stronger!
4/10 5 easy miles on treadmill
4/11 8 miles on treadmill. 3x1 mile fast. First speed workout!
4/12 9 miles. 7 miles at marathon pace.
4/13 5 easy miles

It has been a great couple of weeks of training. The Minneapolis Marathon is 6 weeks away!

And just like that it's the end of March

Wow, this month has flown by! I thought that a training update was in order. I have been enjoying some warmer temperatures and have had some really great runs outside. I actually had one run two weeks ago where it was 50 degrees. I was so excited to go out and run that day wear just Capri tights and a long sleeve running top that my first mile of a 4 mile easy run was 6:58. Oops, not really easy running. I must say though that I feel that the winter running I have done has paid off. When I am outside I am able to hit paces in the sub 8 minute mile and they feel easy.

I had my first 16 mile run outside and it felt great! It was a very hilly course and my legs felt trashed after, but I know that the run helped build strength. I really feel like I am truly in marathon training.

March definitely has been great with the warmer temperatures. I was finally able to get outside to do a marathon pace workout and I was able to hit my paces. Because most of my running is done in the early morning, it is usually dark when I run outside. I have found a route that is near the gym I belong to that is sidewalks and is lit with street lamps. The first one I did was great I was able to hit the paces I needed to. I average between a 7:30 min/mile pace and a 7:40. To run a 3:20 marathon my mile pace needs to be 7:38. I felt really confident after the first workout. The second time I did this workout did not goes as well. The temperatures had cooled overnight and there were patches of ice (I bet you know where this is going). One minute I was running an feeling great and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. I ended up with a large bruise and hematoma on my left hip and some scraps on my face. Lovely.

I will say that the fall has made me more cautious. I decided not to run outside in the early morning if there is ice. I also am being more diligent about proper recovery. I have started taking ice baths after long runs. I also have been icing things like a pro, stretching, taking my vitamins, and making sure to take it easy if I need to on the easy run days. I have to remind myself that the important thing is making it to the start line healthy, fit and ready to run a PR.
Miles this week:
 Monday: 3.75 miles on treadmill (had pain so cut this 5 miler short)
Tuesday: 1 mile on track at the gym and 7 miles of hills on the treadmill. I varied the incline from 1.0 to 6.0
Wednesday: 5.06 miles easy on the treadmill
Thursday: Yoga (I need to do this weekly)
Friday : 8.39 miles in 65 minutes (marathon pace workout) My legs were heavy in the beginning, but felt strong mid way through.
Plans for this weekend:
Saturday : 18 miles (so excited! I love long runs)
 Sunday: 5 easy miles or cross training.
Have a great week everyone!

Marathon training is on!

Hi! I realize now that it has been a while since I have posted anything. Many times I thought, "I am going to write a post tomorrow," which turned into a week, and then another week. Then, all of a sudden almost a month has gone by without a post. My apologies for keeping you in such suspense!

So, here is an update: marathon training is in full swing! I started training the second week of February for the Minneapolis Marathon on June 1st. It feels really good to have a structured plan to follow. I like having a plan to follow rather than making it up as I go along. It takes away some of the mental energy trying to decide what I should do for that day of running. My mind enjoys the break. My plan consists of 3 days of easy running, one day of hill work (to build strength), on day of marathon pace running, one long run, and a rest day. Yes, I said rest day and I am actually taking a day of rest on the day. I broke my running streak, which I promise to tell you about in a future post.

Training so far has been great. The negative temps have made getting outdoors for a run a challenge at times.

It was -6 degrees out this day!

The blizzards have been challenging as well.

A car that was stuck when I was out running (don't worry I did flag down a plow truck to help them out)

What it looks like to run after you get 10+ inches of snow

I have to say I am very thankful for a home treadmill and a gym membership. I have worried that running on the treadmill isn't as effective as running outside. I mean, I don't race on a treadmill after all. However, I have come to the conclusion that I am in the beginning of my training and slipping on the ice an injuring myself is not worth it. Warmer weather is coming!

How is this winter treating you?

Best winter running tip?

Motivation Moday

"Life can pull you down, but running always lifts you up" Jenny Hadfield "Passing the Torch"

I read this quote today and it really sums up my relationship with running some days. There are days that are challenging. Life can be very real sometimes. It is easy to get stress out, anxious, worried, etc. For me running can be the thing that helps me get peace during those hectic days. Just this Friday, I could feel the anxiety and stress creeping in on me as I was getting ready to head out of town. It was a morning of running errands with the girls, packing, and making sure things were set for the weekend. Stella (our youngest) went down for her nap and Addi was entertained by a movie, so I took the opportunity to get on the treadmill. As I took those first few steps I could feel my mind relax and mood elevate. Through these steps I was able to clear my head. That is the thing about running, it is my time to clear my head and get a hold of my thoughts. It's like a reset to my attitude and emotions. I can have time with myself and a lot of times my Heavenly Father. Sometimes it takes just a mile and my mind is refreshed. Sometimes it takes 10 miles, sometimes 16. Friday, it took 5 easy miles and I found my peace that day.

I am thankful everyday for this.


I wish you all a great week.

How do find your peace in life?