Longest Yet...with Sunsplashed Goodness

Obligatory "Great Weather" photo...the ocean was roaring!

Frosty Beach!

Today was my first "long run" so far this year/training plan. It felt great! I kept it smooth and relaxed, with a great rhythm and I didn't go too fast. The first mile felt-dare I say it-effortless. I really enjoy a chilly run as it turns out. My body stays cool and it just feels so refreshing. I used to hate any runs under 50 degrees because the cold would feel like it was burning my throat. Somewhere in there, that stopped happening to me. Perhaps it is being acclimatized to regular, colder weather.

The danger with an icy run is of course, the ice! I am sure I slowed my pace often in an effort to be super vigilant of the slippery ground. And there were a few times that I had no choice but to slip my way up a hill or whatnot, which is like taking two steps forward, one step back. LOL!

Style/Workout: ~60 minute long run/5.66 miles
Setting/Route: Prom/Cove Neighborhoods and Downtown
Mileage: 5.66 miles
Progress: (running mileage): 5.66 today/26.07 this month/ 26.07 year-to-date

Today has just been a great day. I woke up early because I had a clinical scheduled that I needed to drive to once I got everyone ready for the day and out of the house. At 7am I got a text from my concerned instructor that there was a lot of ice on the roads and today's clinical was to be rescheduled for Monday. At first I was exasperated because I had got up early and I was all ready to go. I even packed a "running bag" today just in case we got out early and I could sneak my run in on the way home. But then I stopped and noticed the horizon of the mountains out my front window and I smiled. It's going to be sunny and I'm going for a run... :)

I have just been working so insanely hard this week. I found out yesterday that I lost who has essentially become my nursing school partner...my friend who I carpool and do projects with, text random stuff to and who I have gotten to know quite well since school started. I'm sad about it. Today was going to be our first clinical day without her. This impromptu day off instead was exactly what I needed.

A good morning to myself has been so refreshing! I went for this long run, made my favorite chocolate protein smoothie, took a nice hot shower, did some stretching and rolling and now I'm dressed and fully  ready to study (can't take the whole day off!). If I had my way, I would head to the chiropractor, then go get a pedicure. But alas, there will be other days. I am just thankful for what I have been able to do today!

Yoga on my mind

Today is an "off" day for me, but in the best interest of marathon training, I need to do a bit more than just running. Yoga has always been a good cross-training exercise for me (as has spinning and swimming). I have really been craving some good yoga so I went into the podcast app I have and downloaded a few sessions. They are mostly 20 minutes so I can totally do that, right?

I didn't get up early this morning like I wanted to. I was wiped out! So I slept up until my alarm went off then got the kids up and the day began. I really want to get some yoga in. I would also love to grab a kickboard and swim some laps while my son has swim team, but open swim is not the same time and I always have our youngest son with me.

I'm sure I'll figure it out, I'm just going to have to get creative...as usual. :)

Dark O'Clock Run

Yesterday I discovered two things:

First, Tuesday runs are pretty much out of the question. With lectures from 9am-4pm, I am just wiped. It won't work to run after school because it is just too late. I will either be racing home to savor the last few hours of the day with my family, or I will be heading over to the library for study time til it closes at 8 o'clock.

Second, if I want to keep my motivation high and if I want to achieve my goals, I will have days where I'm just going to have to get up early. I guess Tuesday could be one of those days as well, but I'm letting myself off the hook that day just because I know what it entails.

So because last night was Tuesday and I didn't get home until way past my run time, I promised myself I would make up for it by getting up early and running on the treadmill this morning. So I set my alarm for 5:54 (something about setting the alarm a handful of minutes before the time I need to get up "tricks" my brain and I feel better about it for some reason).  Well at 5:15 I woke up! My body was up and ready! So I took advantage and got up, made some coffee and ate a few bites of something before I started my run. I want to say I started around 5:45 but I'm not sure. Either way, I was done and upstairs by 6:30 which is not bad at all! It was right on time to start waking the kids up for school.

Style/Workout: 35 minute tempo run (started at 6mph, adding .2 mph every 5 minutes. Last 5 minutes was about 8mph I believe).
Setting/Route: Treadmill
Mileage: 4.3 miles
My thoughts: This run was great. I just loaded some more music on my iPod which was awesome. Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" was quite approriate! Accelerating felt good, but the last 10 minutes was really hard. I had to catch my breath twice and it really made me focus and work hard. I also took a bathroom break at 10 minutes.

Progress: (running mileage this month/year total): 4.3 today/20.41 year-to-date

Today I felt great after starting my day running. I stayed alert during my lectures when usually I'm getting drowsy. I just felt "on" today after such a great start.

It makes me feel good that so far I am keeping my life in balance. It's a challenge! Without my husband I don't think it would be possible either. He really lends a hand and gets involved wherever is needed.

Ok off to pick up one son from swim team and bring the other his basketball shoes for his practice! Then AWANA tonight (and study time for me)!

Personal Running Trainer App

Here is what my training plan app looks like:

I like its simplicity. It is easy to use. I know there are fancier apps out there and lots of training plans you can choose from. This one doesn't change much from workout to workout. So far you get the prompt to start a warm-up walk, a prompt when it's time to run, then a halfway mark, then the voice telling you you have completed your run, and then a 5 minute cool down. Then you see this:

I'm curious if as the runs get longer, there might be a few more prompts than simply being halfway. I would really appreciate if I heard quarters or something when I am running for hours on end.

You are also given a brief description of how you are supposed to run your workout (tempo= start slow and gradually increase your pace up til the end). The app does not track your pace or your route via GPS or anything like that :( I miss that from my Nike+GPS app.

That being said, the app isn't super exciting. But I'm going to stick it out because I purchased it, already know the schedule and have it all mapped out. I will just have to keep things fresh with my music playlist. Next time I can try a different one.

The Bling

This is one reason I run...THE BLING!! I love my medals. They are representative of the blood, sweat, tears and time I have invested into every single race I have ran. I love them because they are shiny and beautiful, but I love them because they are EARNED. I have ran quite a few races but I just have 5, because in my experience medals are only given out for longer, tougher races, or if you were in the top 3 or something of a shorter race (which I have never been!).

I display my medals on the same shelf as everyone else displays their special things. It's not a special running-only shelf, it includes lots of things...from Caleb's cross country accomplishments, to Aaron's 1st place Halloween Costume ribbon. Samuel has one for participation that he was mad wasn't blue, red or white, but I hang it proudly because like all of the others, he EARNED it. :)

Our family display shelf

These are just mine. I have 5: Eugene Half '10, Princess Half '11, Warrior Dash '11, Rock n Roll Portland '12 and Disneyland '12. I hope to add a few this year!

Which one is my favorite? Well I couldn't choose! I love them all for different reasons. Eugene was my first half marathon, Warrior Dash was a super fun experience, The Princess Half I ran with Ben, the Rock n Roll was the inaugural running of that race, and the Disneyland Half was pure fun and joy!

The Weather Cannot Get Me Down!!

 Here is my weather today. Yuck! The picture does not show the sideways rain. So...that being said I was not going to let the weather get me down!

I tried to cheer up the photo on Instragram just for kicks

I didn't feel like fighting wind and rain today so a beach run was out. I settled on the treadmill instead.

Style/Workout: 35 minutes, comfortable pace
Setting/Route: Treadmill
Mileage: 4.3 miles
My thoughts: The run felt great! I spent a significant amount of time paying attention to my form, footstrike and cadence (not that there is much else to do on the treadmill-haha). I sweat like crazy on the treadmill but it felt great! I had to take a quick break 10 minutes in to use the bathroom.

Progress: (running mileage this month/year total): 4.3 today/16.11 year-to-date

Beach Note

Today I bundled up my boys and grabbed our little dog's leash and we went outside for a bit. The weather is still as dreary and overcast as ever but I made myself do it. I always feel better when I have gotten outside. We ended up walking on the beach some which was really relaxing and enjoyable.

While we were out there I saw two runners. It really inspired me and tomorrow's run will be out there on the beach. I always enjoy it but it is surprising how little I run on the beach. I guess that is good. It would lose its luster otherwise.