I Have Run

Hello!! How are you?? I mean really, how are you? Unless we are Facebook or real world friends, I have no idea how most of you have been the past week or so. The new 550 items in my Google Reader are proof. However, my lack of attention does not mean I don't love you. I have just been busy making memories. Yet the holidays are winding down, so my mind has been zeroing in on the year ahead, especially when it comes to my running. With 2010 just hours away, I decided to put my goals in writing. And what better place to solidify my running goals than here? 2010 Running Goals Run 1,000 miles Run a 4:30 marathon Set new 5K and 10K PRs Update my running blog at least twice a week The key to checking each item off my list is smaller weekly goals; I also think success will be more likely if I make myself accountable on here. If I feel like I have someone (you) checking up on me, I am much more motivated. My first weekly goal is to get a run in tomorrow. I can't think of a better way to

Dashing through the snow, On a thirteen (.1) mile run. O'er the hills we go, Racing is so fun. As my iPod plays, Helping miles pass, Oh what fun it is to run, I hope I'm not in last. Running fast, running far, Running all the way. I can see the finish line, Just half a mile away.

I'm really not a slacker with the once a week posts. I am just thinking of you and how busy you must be this time of year wrapping presents, finishing up last minute work projects, spending hours working on your Christmas cards, spending time with friends, shopping for those impossible people, getting together with family to make gingerbread houses ... Ummm, ok, maybe that is me. But I am going to pretend my once weekly posts are a favor to you anyway. By the way, there has also been some running in there. Not a ton, but I think I might actually stick to my training plan this week. I had a short run yesterday and there is speedwork on the schedule tomorrow and a longer run later Friday or Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that one to be an outside run. How I love running in the cold!! Seriously. And now, since I also need to update my family blog while my girls are sleeping, I will wrap with a bullet point list of some of the things that have made me smile lately. H

On my twelfth day of running, I realized this runner needs... Fog free sunglasses Body glide for chafing Nice, ripe bananas Smart wool for my toesies The Stick for my ouchies Garmin to keep me going GU to fill my tummy Perrrrr-fectttt new shoooooes A great playlist Gatorade Recovery socks And a marathon medal for me I could do this every day until Christmas (but I promise I won't) and not run out of things for the list!

Between the holidays and my recent blogger's block (aka writer's block), I haven't checked in via my blog in over a week! I have been wandering around all of your blogs though, in hopes of getting some writing and running motivation and inspiration. I think it is starting to work. Now I just need a few more hours in the day. Last week was crazy as far as finding time to run. I went to bed every night thinking, "I have to run tomorrow." So without much running to report, I will share my upcoming running plans instead. As part of the runner series to get guaranteed entry into the St. George Marathon, I have to run two of nine designated races. I was originally going to run a half marathon and a 10k, but I decided to run a 5k on January 23 instead of one of the others. I haven't run a 5k in a long time, so I am going to really focus on speedwork and shorter runs until my marathon training starts on Janury 11. I am doing the FIRST training program for my marathon

Tomorrow I will be savoring every moment of many of the things I am thankful for with my family, so today I will share some of my gratitude with you. While it is easier to think about all these things around Thanksgiving, I am overwhelmingly grateful for so many of my blessings and gifts every day. Just some of that things I am thankful for... two healthy beautiful daughters a kind, generous, hard-working husband a warm home and good food amazing parents my Rowdy boy getting to spend Thanksgiving with my awesome little brother and his equally awesome wife my health strong legs sleep music the seasons good books my talents my friends and support system in the blogging world And since this is a running blog, some of the more running-related things I am thankful for... strong legs (some things are worth repeating) bananas Garmin perfect weather Runner's World the perfect shoes races my friends (you) and support system in the blogging world (what did I say about repeating things???) Go

I was snuggling my 3-year-old at bedtime last night (post-run, pre-shower) when she said, "I like your sweat smell, Mom." Maybe there is something wrong with me (or maybe it's because I am a runner), but it made me smile and totally made my day! Yesterday's four miles turned into three because I got out the door a little later than planned; the sun was going down and it was getting cold ("Mom, my face is freezing "). I have been watching just my mileage lately, so I haven't had any idea what my pace or time has been on my last few runs. I plugged my Garmin into the computer last night and was happy to see that my pace is getting back to where it was pre-injury and pre-children-with-ongoing-sickness. And it was especially nice to see the numbers improve again yesterday in spite of pushing the double jogger. However, you may have noticed my next scheduled race has disappeared from my upcoming races list. I ran a 4-mile race on Thanksgiving the past two yea

Three easy treadmill miles on Monday were the perfect start to my week. I have four planned for this afternoon when the girls get up from their naps. The weather is perfect to take the girls out in the double jogger! I prefer to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays while my oldest is at preschool, but it just isn't working out this week. Yesterday she didn't go to school, and tomorrow I need to take Rowdy (even with Addison's disease he is the perfect dog) to the vet and finish some shopping for our family pictures on Saturday. For once I am hoping for good weather for a reason that has nothing to do with running. We really need a good picture of all of us, since this is the closest thing we have to "a family picture" since the birth of my second daughter: (And yes, this is a huge step for me, putting a picture of my girls and hubby on here ... even if it is from a year ago!)

My oldest little girl is sick (again) with a scary fever (104.8 at its highest) and vomiting, so I am going to post something I finally finished last week but never got around to putting on here. I figure we are due for good health all around at our house, so hopefully I will be back to regular blogging (and running) soon! So, better late than never, Katie (Miles of Kate) tagged me to share some fun things... 1. Who is the hottest movie star? This is hard! I am really liking Gerard Butler right now. And Ryan Reynolds has grown on me lately (especially after The Proposal ). 2. Apart from your house and car, what is the most expensive item you have ever purchased? Probably our TV; or if you add it all up, running is probably the most expensive "item" in my life. 3. What is your most treasured memory? Giving birth (so I guess that is two memories) 4. What is the best gift you ever received as a child? I spent way too much time thinking about this without coming up with an answ

Mel (Tall Mom on the Run) had a great post on happiness yesterday. It went along perfectly with some of my recent thoughts. On Wednesday night, I read an article on the happiest states in the U.S. When I found out I live in the "happiest state," I posted about it on Facebook. My post was straightforward and had absolutely no underlying sarcasm: "Candice just found out she lives in the happiest U.S. state!" Maybe it was just my ongoing runner's high, but I thought it was pretty great and was proud to be one of the people adding to the state's happiness. However the responses I got on Facebook were surprisingly not as positive and included two people saying it is also the #1 state for antidepressants. This was my response at the time: Wow!!! Interesting reactions. I think the article has some great points: "In these places, residents enjoy their jobs, express deep optimism about future prospects and even manage to stay healthy. Utah earned the highest m

I have one pair of jeans that I really love. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. I am wearing them today. And although after three years of wear they are looking a little tired, I still love them. I think I love them a little extra today because I just feel good. That is what running does. It makes me feel good (and maybe a little skinnier than yesterday). The perfect jeans in 2006, brand spankin' new I didn't make it on my 3-miler Monday but got out there yesterday. IT. WAS. AWESOME. I set my Garmin to show only the miles, and then I just ran. I didn't worry about time or pace. I stopped when my little girl wanted to look at the horses. I walked part of the last mile just to enjoy being outside and to give my baby a little extra time to sleep in the stroller. I just enjoyed running. The legs felt strong and healthy, only a little sluggish after almost two weeks off. My shoes made my feet happy. The weather was perfect. And I felt great all day. It was goo

I have been neglecting many things in my life over the past few weeks. This blog is proof of that neglect; so are my dirty toilets, the piles of clothes waiting to be washed, and the bare state of my house as it awaits the transition from Halloween to Christmas (a several day process that is now in progress). The neglect is the result of two very sick little girls. My 3-year-old came down with the flu on the Thursday before Halloween. My baby followed on Sunday night. Two doctor visits, a positive influenza culture test, three ear infections, four prescriptions, one pre-pneumonia diagnosis, 11 nights (and counting) with an extra little person in my bed and lots of feverish snuggle time later, both my girls are on the mend and life is getting back to normal. Which means I am back to the blog (the toilets will just have to wait). However, there hasn't been much (any) running since my girls got sick. So instead I am here to introduce you to my new running buddies: I tried on SO MANY

I'm usually pretty healthy, so I hate to get on here and moan about being sick after I already complained about my "injured" knees for the past month. But I have been sick, so what can I do? I've had some sinus problems and a headache for over a week so I went to the doctor (something I normally only do a few times a year but have now done twice in the past month) and found out I have fluid in my ears, which is causing the sinus problems and my terrible ear pain; and I have some ribs out of alignment, causing my the headache and stiff, sore neck. A few days, some ear numbing drops, some nasty nasal spray for the sinus pressure, and meds for my neck and head later, I am feeling pretty good. Good = I feel like I can safely go for a run and my head will not explode all over the sidewalk. So a run is on the tomorrow's agenda after I drop off my 3-year-old (still thinking of something to call my girls on here; suggestions welcome!) at preschool. I love running in the c

Since I am a little under the weather, I will just get right to the good stuff. The winners of the LUNA Bar Giveaway are: Kat at She Did Whatttt? and Jesse at Run To The Border Congrats!! Just email ( ihaverun@hotmail.com ) me your address, and I will get your bars in the mail!! I will be back later in the week with a running update, answers to some questions, and a blog post I have been writing in my head for over a week! Happy Monday and happy running!!

I figure I'm due for a running update since I hit the two week post-doctor mark on Wednesday and since this happens to be a running blog. Tuesday night I tried out my legs on the treadmill. My goal was three easy miles. A little over a mile in, there was a little twinge in my right knee; it subsided quickly and the three miles felt really good! I stretched and iced after my run, and my legs felt great that night and the next day. Today I dropped my 3-year-old (I need to come up with something else to call my kids on here...) off at preschool and loaded my other little one into the stroller and we were off. My little running buddy The goal was four miles. We ran on streets in the neighborhoods surrounding the preschool. My right knee felt great the entire time, but my left knee started to hurt at around three miles. It only hurt when I ran, not when I slowed to a walk. I am pretty sure it was my ITB since I was running on the slanted surface at the edge of the road most of the time

You know what they say about how often men think about sex... I have decided that applies to me, only it's how often I think about running. It is crazy how often I think about running during my waking hours each day! Before I started running, I thought about working out at least a few times a day. I honestly can't remember going a day without at least fleetingly thinking about going to the gym, popping in a workout video, or doing some strength training while watching a little television. I'm not sure you get it though. I literally think about what my workout will be or that I need to workout EVERY DAY, multiple times a day. The only time it let up even a little was when I taught yoga and other group fitness classes. Those days I just obsessed about the workout routine instead. Now that "working out" means running, there is even more to think about. When, where, how long, how far, speedwork, tempo run, pace, when I should eat, what I should eat, what to wear, do I

A few years ago, I tried an energy bar. Since then, I have not had any desire to try another. It was THAT bad. Because tastes change and products change, the bar I tried shall remain nameless. If I ever get daring enough to try that brand again and change my mind about it, I will then reveal the bar's identity. So in the checkout line at Target the other day, I was pretty hungry and there was a LUNA Bar sitting there. Normally it would go unnoticed, but my subconscious must have seen the words "chocolate" and "mint" in the same general area so I gave it a good look. Chocolate Peppermint Stick. If any of you have been around since the beginning of I Have Run (not so long ago), I originally had some goals listed in the sidebar. One of those goals was to cut back on the Cool Mint Creme Oreos. I don't like regular Oreos, but there is just something about chocolate and mint together. So I bought the LUNA Bar. And it was awesome!! So awesome that I wrote LUNA a le

I am going to be a copycat and have a Thankful Thursday post like some of my fellow bloggers. I love reading why many of you are thankful, and it made me think about some of my own blessings. So here are a few things I am thankful for today: Running , and not just because this blog is about running. Running less has made me love it more because it has made me appreciate it more. I am also thankful for this view during many of my runs: I am thankful for YOU , my fellow bloggers!! One of you, a little messed up Kelly , makes me either laugh or cry EVERY time I read your blog. Then you go and give me an award! Could I love you more right now?? From Kelly, I pass this award on to Run Faster Mommy Heather . She is another mommy-of-two, and reading her blog is so often like reading about my own life! And last but not least, I am thankful for my hubby . And not just because he brings home the bacon that pays for my ever-expanding collection of running gear. I actually really like the guy

Woo- hoo !! I got my package from Running Warehouse today!! I ordered two pairs of running capris , hoping at least one would work. I bought a pair at Target last week but ended up taking them back out of fear of chafing (down there) because the seams weren't flat like they are in "real" running gear. I tried on the two new pairs, one Pearl Izumi and one Moving Comfort, as soon as they came, and I love them both. The PIs are thinner and shorter (so obviously the MCs are thicker and longer), so I might just have to keep them both! I'll try to remember to snap a pic when I wear them running so you can see them in action. I thought about taking a pic when I was trying them on, but they looked a little odd with the shirt I am wearing today, so I figured I could at least show you what they look like on an invisible body: Moving Comfort Endurance Capri Pearl Izumi Aurora Splice Knicker (As a side note : I think "knicker" is a great word!) I also got a foam ro

I have gained three pounds since my marathon . It may not seem like that much, but it seems like a lot when it makes your weight loss goal jump from seven to 10 pounds. So that is my weight loss goal as of today: 10 pounds. Obviously, running is a key to accomplishing that goal. Once my legs are back to 100% (hopefully by next week), I can get back to running 20+ miles per week instead of the less than 10 miles that have resulted in those three pesky pounds. Besides my legs, there are two things that will be key to reaching my goal. The first is what I put in my mouth. I am not a terrible eater, but I could be better. And I will. I am going to focus on eating six times a day. Right now, I rarely eat a snack between my three meals unless it's a handful of candy corn or something along those lines. I am going to try to eat a piece of fruit or yogurt or an energy bar a few hours after each meal and then eat a little less at each meal. This has worked for me in the past and will hopef

I need to start by saying I really like my doctor (I would say "love" but my doc is a guy and I don't want to raise any eyebrows). I have been going to him for a loooong time; since long before I was a mommy. Possibly even before I was a wife, but I'm a little fuzzy on that. I even followed him from one practice to another (I'm not a stalker, just a person who isn't good with change, but that is a whole other blog post). Although he is my family doc, I was pretty confident he would have the answers I needed or would send me in the right direction if he didn't. And since he is a runner (actually a triathlete), I knew he wouldn't just tell me to stop running to solve the problem. Now for the problem. I have tendinitis in my right knee, minor IT band issues in both legs, and swelling in my left knee joint. So in addition to 800mg of ibuprofen twice a day for two weeks, I get to (not have to since I'm trying to be positive here) ice both upper legs an

Thanks for letting me get a little off track yesterday. Speedwork was my cure after a long, grumpy day. Today I feel much better! My speedwork consisted of a 10-min. warm-up, 3 x 1000 at 8:34 pace, and a 10-min. cooldown. I was planning to do 4 x 1000, but my knees were both feeling really warm and there was a tingly sensation in my right leg so I cut it short to avoid making anything worse. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to find out if my IT band self-diagnosis is correct and to make sure I am doing everything I can do make things better. My knees never bother me when I am not running, and I was able to run through the discomfort (it's not actually PAIN) last night. So I am hoping the issues subside with continued stretching, strengthening and post-run icing. Now for some racing news. This past Saturday was the St. George marathon. I was so excited for those I knew who were running it ( Stacey and my 100+ marathon friend Becky), but I was also a little bummed I was not there.

Every Monday, I spend an hour hating myself. While I watch my darling little 3-year-old try to master a cartwheel and cautiously tip-toe along the balance beam at gymnastics each week, I sit and feel bad about myself. I don't know why I do it; not all the other mothers are perfectly proportioned or dressed like they walked out of a magazine. Still, I manage to find something about each and every one of them to compare myself to (in a negative way of course). I walk out of gymnastics wanting to go home and run until I can't run anymore, to get out my frustrations and to burn off those last few pounds that bother me most on Monday mornings. Thanks for letting me vent. And speaking of those last few pounds...stay tuned to find out more about my weight loss and training goals later this week!

Is running a sport? I recently had a conversation about this question. At first I was adamant that it IS a sport, but as the conversation evolved I started to wonder. There were a lot of "if this, then this" points brought up, such as: "If running is a sport, then hunting is a sport." Badminton was also mentioned at one point. And there was some discussion about sport vs. exercise. In the course of the discussion, we even took the time to look it up online. The first definition I found didn't really clear it up for me: sport [ spawrt ] noun (plural sports) Definition: 1. competitive physical activity: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally (often used in the plural) So runners and non-runners out there, what do you think? Is running a sport???

I wish I had a cool nickname like Tall Mom on the Run so when I refer to myself in the third person it isn't quite so boring, but I'm gonna do it anyway. What's next on Candice's running schedule? First I should mention I am back to running. After my marathon, I took a week off. After lots of hip, butt and thigh stretching and strengthening exercises for my IT band, I was planning on getting back at it the Thursday after my marathon, but my achilles tendons (yes both of them) were bothering me. I don't know if it was extra -delayed-onset-muscle-soreness, but I spent the weekend icing both my my heels. So Monday morning I strapped my girls in the jogger and we were off. I walked the first five minutes because I read it could help warm up my muscles and possibly help prevent IT band issues. The first two miles were great; no soreness. And my legs felt pretty good. But at almost exactly two miles, my left knee started feeling warm. The most significant thing about thi

The other night, I was talking to my hubby about my running. Mostly I was asking him if it drives him nuts. He admitted that it has been hard because training for my marathon was so time consuming (during his busiest time of year at work), but he said it is worth it if I really love it. And I do! I never, ever, ever, ever would have thought I would run, would WANT to run, would LOVE TO RUN! But I do. This conversation reminded me of something I thought about while running my marathon. You have some time to think when you are running 26.2 miles, and one thing that really struck me was how far I have come in the past year. Before September of last year, my longest race was a 4-miler and my longest run was 5.5 miles. Here is a little timeline of the year's highlights: September 2008 - The birth of my second child November 2008 - 4-mile race (I ran the same race in 2007; beat my time by 32 seconds) March 2009 - Foot surgery May 2009 - My first 10K June 2009 - My first 10-mile race Aug

I have just a minute before my girls wake from their naps, but I have been thinking about my marathon (of course) and the keys to my success as a first timer. I could have spent hours researching marathons and how to train for them, but I never would have found the priceless, real-world advice and experiences I received from all of you, my friends in the blogging and running communities. I just want to say thank you! I know I would not have made it to the finish without your experiences, knowledge and inspiration pushing me along!! (Don't mind the little person or boxes of Halloween decorations in the background!) In other news, I won Run DMT's giveaway for a shirt from Running Chics . I chose a cute long sleeve thermal shirt, and finally had a chance to wear it now that it finally feels like fall. I just wanted to share a picture of the shirt and tell you it is awesome! It's especially nice because I really feel like a Running Chic these days!

Speaking of lists... I made a list of things I want to remember to include in my race report, but that list is upstairs and my legs are currently not friends with the stairs. I am going to try to remember everything on the list, but I figure anything I forget will just make a good post topic later. So yes, this is my race report. I finished my first marathon on Saturday. And the first item to note is that I did indeed finish. That was my goal. To finish. My second goal was to finish under the 5 hour mark. I made my second goal as well. My third goal was to finish feeling good enough that I want to do another one. Let's just say I am narrowing down the list of spring marathons. Now for the details. I spent the night in a hotel about an hour from the race start; that took an hour off my drive, so it was worth it. (It was the closest one I could get by the time I decided to make a reservation.) After waking up about 10 times, I got out of bed two minutes before my 3:45 am alarm was se

I love running 10 miles. On the treadmill or outside, it has become on of my favorite distances. I feel tired when I am done, but a good tired. Not an I-want-to-die tired. And I am not sore after 10 miles. As we all learned a few weeks ago, I can't say the same after 20 miles. So yes, I ran my scheduled 10 miles last night. And it was great. I made sure they were easy miles (which is easy to do on the treadmill and also one its few benefits); and I am also happy to report a pain-free leg. So now the countdown really begins. (My tummy did a flop just typing that.) My marathon is Saturday, THIS Saturday. Saturday, September 19th. I spent the morning printing out driving directions and re-reading the race info. I have started lists of things to pack (for the entire family since we're staying at a hotel the night before so I don't have to drive over 2 hours the morning of), things to remember (wrap sore toe, Glide above boobs, etc.) and things to do (charge Garmin, iPod pl

WOW! Thanks for the your reassuring comments about running my marathon after missing some of my runs. I just might end up going into this thing a little over-confident thanks to all of you (ha-ha, wouldn't that be nice). But really, thanks!! I feel a lot better about things; and my leg is doing much better. It's not 100 percent yet, but it is getting there. I am running every other day to give it time to recover without stressing myself out because I am missing too many runs. The true test will be my last pre-marathon "long" run this weekend, 10 miles. I wanted to include something about 9/11 since it has been on my mind all day, but I just couldn't come up with the right words to express my thoughts. So instead I will send you over to Beth who had the perfect thing to say today.

Sorry I have been MIA. My blog neglect has been partly due to lack of running because of my mysterious leg pain and also due to the time I spent over the past week planning my baby's first birthday party. The party is over, and without that distraction my nerves are on overdrive! I don't think I would be quite this nervous about my marathon NEXT SATURDAY (the 19th) if I had been able to continue with my training plan. My leg is finally getting back to normal, but I am going to head to the doctor tomorrow if it acts up during tonight's run. Because of my leg, I missed my long run this past weekend. Please, someone in bloggyland tell me I will be OK next week in spite of my missed runs?!?

I ran 20 miles on the treadmill last night, and I have no plans to ever do it again. It was hard, really hard! Actually, the first 10 weren't bad. They went pretty quickly as I switched back and forth from The Office to The Breakup on TV. One hour in, I was getting hungry, so I ran downstairs and ate a banana. That was my first mistake. By the half marathon mark, I had heartburn like you wouldn't believe. Running was painful. I walked when it was too much to stand. And took a quick break for some Tums. The heartburn NEVER went away. Then I got sleepy at mile 15. The only thing that kept me going was that I had grabbed a movie (17 Again) from Redbox and set up my laptop next to the treadmill. Unfortunately, the movie ended just after I hit that 15 mile mark. I watched late night talk shows the rest of the time, but they weren't enough to distract me from the massive blister that had formed on my little toe (mistake #2 - forgetting to Glide my toes). At mile 18, I met the wal

I figure if I put it on here, I might feel more pressure to make it happen. Tonight I am finally going to get my 20 mile run DONE! It was planned for Sunday night, but it wasn't going to happen after an ER visit for my baby and lots of much needed cuddle time (for both baby and Mommy) when we finally got home! Then yesterday I was tired from a late and long night and fought a headache all day, so I debated the run all afternoon. When the girls went to bed late, my decision was finally made. I really didn't want to finish running around midnight. So tonight it is!

I wish I had posted more pictures of the non-running me before I posted these of me in action, but you know what they say: "Wish in one hand, poop in the other, see which fills up faster." (This is a family-friendly blog so the quote was edited for language.) Anyhow, apparently the photographers at the Hobble Creek Half Marathon only wanted pictures of us looking our sweaty best so they waited until the last five miles to take these. The smiling one was taken as I started down a hill, right after an uphill and an aid station. Of course I would be smiling then. I am pretty sure the other was taken during the last mile. I can imagine that was the look on my face when I saw the "1/2 mile to go" sign.

Half Marathon = 13.1 miles. Just wanted to put that in words at some point in this post. I don't know why I have such a hard time when it comes to my race reports, but I do. Anyhow, here is the story of my first half marathon, the Hobble Creek Half. Thanks to my AWESOME cousin Stacey, who got out of bed at 4:30 in the morning to come watch my girls, I arrived promptly at 5:30 am to get on the bus. Because I didn't know anyone else running, I sat alone until the bus was almost full. Then Miss Runner herself sat down next to me. After pleasantries ("Have you run this before?" "No, it is my first half. You?" "No, it is my first half too."), I asked if she runs a lot of races because she looked familiar. She confirmed that she does. But she doesn't just run; she wins. She ran in high school and through college. She took a year off during college to have a baby (and now has three kids), but came back and continued to win and win and win. While waiti

There are a few things I have been wanting to get written and could make pretty lengthy posts about each, but I am tired of thinking about them. So here are the things I have been thinking about lately: My first half marathon. It is this Saturday. The Hobble Creek Half Marathon. I have already lost sleep over it (thinking things like don't forget to Glide your toes, update iPod tomorrow, etc.). Instead of running my planned 20 miler this past week, which is what my marathon training had scheduled, I decided I would rather have fresh, strong legs for my first half. That means my longest run will be 20 miles, the week after my half. But several beginner training plans I have looked at peaked at a 20 mile long run, so I am hoping that will be enough. There is a reason the GU instructions say to eat one 15 minutes before. I have been using energy gels about 6 miles or more into my long runs and not noticing any spectacular difference in my energy. I was tired and hungry at the start of

I was planning to write about my running last week and my plans for this week (first half marathon Saturday!!), but I was tagged by Mel (Tall Mom on the Run) to "Show My Heart." Since this is more fun than recapping my runs, I will have to get around to that later. Here is my assignment: "With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a Disney princess." A Picture "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." (Elizabeth Stone) After I had my first baby, I found this quote. It is exactly how I feel about my girls. A Poem In spite of my degree in English, I am not a big poetry fan. I never really enjoyed reading or writing it, so this one is really tough. I am going with a book that is essentially a really long poem, because it is one of my fa

Those words ran through my head the last four miles of my six miler this week. But the words actually look more like this: "I want to be spanked." That is how they look in the book I tried to read on the treadmill. Magazine type is too small, but I thought I might be able to follow the print in a hardback book. I made it about two pages. After that, I spent the rest of my run reading the top line of the open page over and over and over . The rest of the page was bouncing too much to read, but for some reason that sentence, all alone at the top of the page, came through as clear as can be. I know I should have just shut the book, but I was afraid of becoming one of those "I flew off the back of my treadmill" stories. So I just want to thank Christopher Moore for spicing up my run a little. By the way, I love Christopher Moore's books. Lamb is one of my favorite books ever . I have read all Moore's books and highly recommend them, but let me follow that by qu

In my last post, I mentioned Nike's "Just Do It" slogan. I find myself repeating that and other sports slogans to myself during my runs. On some of my more difficult runs, I often ask myself: "Is it in you?" (Gatorade) Apparently those marketing people know what they are doing. At least when it comes to motivation. I don't buy Gatorade because it will magically make the answer "yes, yes, yes" when I ask myself that question (although I do buy Gatorade, or G, or whatever they want us to call it). However, I'm sorry Nike, but I don't have any of your shoes. I think I might have a long sleeved shirt that is yours, but it is buried until blissfully cooler days are upon us. The fact that telling myself these things actually motivates me means so much of succeeding at it really is mental. So what words motivate you?

Yep, I ran 17 miles on the treadmill. It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun. But it's done. Why, you might ask, would I choose to run 17 miles on a treadmill? Sometimes you do crazy things, like sign up for a marathon which puts the longest runs of your training schedule during your husband's busiest time of the year at work. When the signing up took place, your brain tricked you into thinking you could make it all work so smoothly and conveniently. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! In spite of reality hitting me in the face lately, I did what I had to do. In fact, somewhere around mile nine, I asked myself how I was going to make it the rest of the way. I told myself, "You just do it." (Thanks Nike!) After my pathetic previous week, I had to get my training back on track and just get 'er done. Pathetic would be one tempo run and one speedwork run, followed by a weekend of scheduling and rescheduling my long run, 12 miles that never happened. So last Monday, I reminded myself that

To select the winner of my giveaway, I put the number of entries into the Random Sequence Generator on random.org. I matched the number that came out on top to the comment bearing the same number. And the winner is comment #32: Mel @ Achilles Me . Congratulations! And thanks to everyone who entered. It was great to "get to know" more of you and find some great new running blogs. I look forward to getting to know you all better!!

For lunch today, my 11-month-old ate avocado, cheese, apples and whole wheat bread, with a banana yogurt drink on the side. My somewhat pickier 3-year-old ate cheese and a BIG carrot. I think I should start eating more like my girls. The funny thing is I am the one who feeds them, so why is it so hard to feed myself equally nutritious food? Just a thought...

I run alone. Or with my two girls in the jogger. I don't have any running friends. I actually don't have a lot of friends, runner or non-runner. I am a homebody and a pretty private person (although I am really trying to put it all out there in this blog); these two things do not help me make friends. The whole private person thing also means I am somewhat particular with who I call a real friend because I want to surround myself with people I can totally be myself with and trust. I am also not the type of person who needs a regularly scheduled "girl's night out" to stay sane; I love spending time with my husband and girls, which leaves precious little time for other people (emphasis on precious). And I spend enough time with other moms (mostly my awesome cousin Jen) to get a regular dose of adult conversation. Now that you know those things, you should also know how much I am loving the runner's world I have found in Bloggyland. I love the honesty, the inspi

Just dropping in for a quick update. Still working on lots of posts that should (hopefully) be more interesting than this, but there are not enough hours in the day and days in the week. Here are the highlights since my last post: I won the MIX1 Giveaway at I Run Because I Can . After I get my prize, I will let you know what I think of it! I ran 30 miles last week. It wasn't easy, but I did it. Did you know 15 miles is a long way to run? I tried two new running products during last week's runs. See my sidebar for reviews. I went shopping. My finds included: a handheld Amphipod (I am not a huge fan of my hydration belt); pepper spray for my husband's peace of mind (and mine!); energy gels; and NUUN. I will now leave you with the words that have been going through my head all day: "Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock!" (Yes, those are the words to a Hannah Montana song; I have a 3-year-old little girl so that's what you get. And you have to

I have several posts in progress but wanted to do a quick update on my progress before I forget. I was really trying to hit my first 30 mile week last week but ended at 27. My long run was 13 miles or 12.8 according to my car since my Garmin died at 6 1/2 miles so I had to drive my route to get a total. When I turned my Garmin on, it gave me a low battery warning. About two miles in, I was not yet loving my run and told myself I would go home to finish on the treadmill if my watch died. When the screen went blank, I just kept going. I knew if I went home, I would be done; there would be no treadmill miles. So I calulated a route that would bring me close to 13 miles and just ran. The funny thing is I plugged my iPod into the computer the night before thinking the battery might be getting low. I now know I would rather run without music than without mileage, so the Garmin will be fully charged the night before any future long runs. My long run had two highlights: At the end of the run,