Sunday, July 29, 2012

Six Mile-Long Run



Had a great 6-miler! I considered it a "long run" so I started out really relaxed with an easy pace. I wasn't sure how fast I was going, I just focused on keeping it an easy effort. I was happy with my pace. I enjoyed the run. It was tough! That month off has made a difference. I stopped halfway to use the restroom and get a drink. The weather was really nice, the run was a beautiful route. There were surfers, tourists, bikers, you name it. It was a really nice day for a run.

I wore my running skirt and I have to admit it is not my most favorite thing to run in. I think it would be, but the undershorts ride up a little, leaving my far upper thighs exposed. If I any prickle whatsoever on my legs, my thighs chafe a bit. That stinks. Having said that, I had slatherd on some sunless tanning cream the night before and I was running on a tad bit more confidence, thinking my legs were looking pretty good! You know, that helps!

Coming up on Friday is a 5K that goes along with Coast Guard Day. I'm excited because it will be a great way to "sneak" a race in there. I haven't raced much this year so far. And...32 days until the Disneyland Half Marathon!

Oh, and just for fun, here is our typical weather this time of year. I have to admit, most of the year I am not a fan of the weather here, but summer it is great running weather!
Lastly, I am working on tallying up what mileage I have to update. I missed recording a 3-miler last week I did take a month off so I'm not expecting much. I have really lost track though!I have to go all the way back to June 1...

Monday, July 23, 2012

Four Miles at the Beach


Woohoo here I am! Back at running again, and-hello!-back to blogging about it! I am not going to go anywhere near revamping my goals, or race training plans or any of it! I'm just setting a goal for this week. Sometimes that is hard enough! So this week I want to run the following: Mon: 4 miles, Tues: 3 miles, Wed: 4 miles, Thurs: Rest, Fri: 6 miles (long run). Sat and Sun: Rest

Today's run went well. The family was set to head for a walk out on the Prom and I went ahead and ran my 4 then met up with them and we walked a bit. I took a rest stop half way through to potty and catch a quick drink. It felt really good to get out there. My shins, ankles, ITBs, ATs, you name it...were a little rusty. But overall my attitude has much improved!

I have really wanted to feel guilty for "falling off the wagon", but I have refused. Everyone needs to rest sometimes. And I know I have! I have been getting up whenever I feel like it (usually around 7:30) and then letting the day go as it needs to most days. It's summer! The weather is fair, my kids are home, and I am really enjoying things.

Oh, I didn't run the beach run. If we're being real, I didn't have the extra $30! I know that it is not much, but my husband had to work so if I were to run, I would have also had to register my son too, so we're talking $60. We're saving every penny for our epic road trip coming up. I keep asking myself...do I want to spend that here or at Disneyland? The answer is a no-brainer ;)

Alrighty so that is it for today! Time to roll out the muscles...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Hello 3 Miles, Remember Me?

Quick Post! So yes, I've been seriously slacking. I really don't have any good excuses except I have had ZERO motivation. My kids are all home for the summer break and I've been on summer mode...staying up a bit later, sleeping in. It has been glorious actually. But somehow the slower pace has also slowed my motivation for lots of things.

I have been mostly spending my time focused on my kids and house, and we have been taking weekend camping trips, in addition to our awesome vacation we took in June. We have done some hiking and biking, but nothing overly rigorous as we usually go as a family. Mostly I have been doing a lot of cleaning, teaching, crafts, and just generally enjoying spending time with my kids. Nursing school is looming on the horizon and while I'm looking forward to it, there have been a lot of preparations and I know once I am in the thick of it, I won't have as much time with my family (or time to sleep).

But alas, it hit me like a ton of bricks last night that there is only 6 weeks left until the Disneyland Half Marathon!! Woah Nellie!! Enough being wishy-washy, it is time to get my crap together!

So today was my new beginning. Three miles. It felt pretty good. I didn't take my iPhone since my earbuds are missing (again). I really need several pairs of earbuds, one that stays in my running stuff drawer at all times.

The Seaside Beach Run is this weekend. I have not decided if I will participate yet since my husband has duty and not all of my kids are ready to run a 5K. Plus, we've drained every penny with the expenses of nursing school prep. We've been getting $50ed to death it seems. We'll see my friends.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I did not fall off the face of the earth...not quite!

Ok so I just had to post a small update so that I felt connected with my blog and the running part of my life. So the last time I wrote a post was 6/19 (two weeks ago), although my last real run was 6/20, I managed 2.5 miles but forgot to post it. That being said, I took a week off prior to those runs because I was sick. So I would say that in all honesty, I have lost a good 3 weeks of running! Yikes!

Sick: 1 week off
Ran twice
Vacation and aftermath: 2 more weeks off.

In the end, the world is still spinning and everyday is a new chance to get back on the wagon. I have a tendency to stop and beat myself up but I am not going to do that this time. Life happens! You just have to get back on the wagon as soon as you can!

I have been contemplating the marathon in October that I had set my sights on. I just don't think this is my marathon year. With nursing school coming up and being a huge priority, I don't think I can handle the pressure of sticking to a marathon training plan. And I can't just wing it, I need to have successfully followed at least 75% of a training plan in order to attempt to tackle a marathon. I just don't want to kill myself. So I have given myself permission to transfer this year's marathon goals to next year, or possibly the following year depending on nursing school. Half marathons are still totally doable, as long as I am getting longer runs in regularly and accomplishing 10-12 milers before my target races.