Ready...Set...Go!

Months of training or about a years worth actually come down to this. Tomorrow I will run the 5/3 River Bank Run 25k.  A race a couple years ago I said I'd "never" run (if I'd only known then what I know now - hindsight being 20/20 and all). 

Throughout this journey, I've had ups (a few sub-30 5k training runs, my fastest 6 and 10 mile runs EVER, a great 10 mile race) and downs (more than a few crappy runs, sickness, back issues, self-doubt).  But, I've also had a tremendous support system.  From my family who has put up with a crazy training schedule, to my bloggy, twitter, facebook, and DailyMile friends who have cheered me on from afar.  I wouldn't be approaching that starting line tomorrow morning without all of you.  So, THANK YOU.

The River Bank Run also has a great network of supporters.  I've done my first group training runs with the Grand Rapids Running Club Mentor Program and Strider's.  I've gotten to meet Road Warrior, Keith.  In fact, it was Keith who said it best on his blog this morning, "trust your training. You’ve put in the work for months, now just let it do the work for you. We can’t change circumstances of race day such as weather, fatigue, or that missed aid station. What we can do is enjoy the day no matter what. Embrace the thousands of other runners and all of the spectators and volunteers who are the heart of this race. They are the ones who, coupled with your training, will see you through to the finish line."  

I need to embrace the day.  I need to trust.  Trust that my body will know what to do.  Trust that my mind will let my body to its job.  Trust that God and the spectators on the course will get me to that finish line some 15.5 miles from where I started.  Only, it isn't just 15.5 miles.  It's a journey that's just getting started.

Wednesday Check-in: May Your Way week 2

It is check in day over at Shrinking Jeans.  We are into the 2nd week of our design-your-own, May Your Way challenge.  Let's see how I did this week.

My goal is to stay injury free and complete my 3 races this month.  I'm doing not-so-hot today because I've been having some major back issues since last Friday.  I did complete my last long run before my 25k on Saturday, with a little pain during the run and a lot afterwards.  My 3 miler today wasn't great either, but come hell or high water, I will finish my 25k on Saturday.  Lots of stretching will be happening in the next 3 days.

I restarted the 100 push-up challenge the day before my back went out.  Coincidence?  In any case, I've only complete a few days of it. 

Our Sister Says goal for the week was 64 oz of water a day. This wasn't too hard.
Sorry this is so brief, but it's all I've got this week.  Hopefully I'll have good things to report next Wednesday while I'm packing for Fitbloggin!!!!

LLRB 365: 2011 Week 18

Hello friends!  Last week I asked what colors you would like to see for the Month of May and I had votes for yellow, purple and green!  I love all those colors, but since this month is Fitbloggin month (in ohmygawd only 10 days!!!!) I'm going to go with GREEN :)  Thanks for the votes!

Also, I think since I never get this post done until after the weekend, I'm going to start making the weeks go Monday thru Sunday.  So, ya'll get a couple bonus days this week!

Saturday

4-30-11

Went out for a wine tasting dinner with a bunch of friends.

Sunday

5-1-11

Grand Rapids is getting ready for the 5/3 Riverbank Run!  This is the starting line :)

Monday

5-2-11

Caught a show by one of our favorites: Bowling For Soup!

Tuesday

5-3-11

A small part of my lunch - I love these.

Wednesday

5-4-11

K is getting back into the swing of things at track.  Still taking 1st, but not quite jumping her best yet.

How about a little video of my girl?

Thursday

5-5-11

Got a couple of samples of Uncle Sam cereal to try out from Attune Foods!

Can you tell how much Squirt loves when we get packages?

Stay tuned, there will be a post and a giveaway (but probably after Fitbloggin).

Friday

5-6-11

Jazz Cafe night.  We watched all 4 of Grandville's jazz bands - D's 8th grade band really brought it!

gotta showcase the boy, too :)

Saturday

5-7-11

My last long run before Riverbank was today!  Did 8 great miles in 1:26-ish.  The hubby even ran with me - his farthest, hilliest run ever.  After the run, we picked up a sign for our yard :)

Sunday

8-8-11

Happy Mother's Day!

Beautiful day with my family.

We were also treated to a performance at our church by the youth handbell choir.  K accompanied on her flute - her first public performance outside of band!  This Mom was very proud of her amazing kids today.

I hope all of you had a glorious week.  If you are a mom, mom-to-be, awesome auntie, grandma, etc, etc, I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Wednesday Check-in: May Your Way

So, we are only 3 days into the newest challenge over at Shrinking Jeans, but since it's Wednesday, we need to check in.  My only tangible goal is to complete my 3 races this month injury free.  My first race is in *gasp* 10 days!  OMG is that right?  Actually, I think it's more like 11.  I ran one of the best 4.25 miles of my life last night (totally electronics-free) and I ran 14 miles last weekend.  So far so good!  My last long run will be 8 miles this weekend, and the hubby is planning to run with me (since he needs to be training for race #3). 

I haven't re-started the 100 push-up challenge, but I plan to get on that.  Kick me in the butt if I don't.  M'Kay?  Our Sister Says goal for the week is 64 oz of water a day.  This will be easy since I get more than that most days.

Also, I am a "non-loser" for this challenge since I have been at goal weight for a while now, but to keep myself honest, I will report my weight today.  I am at 134.8.  This is actually up from my weight Easter morning when I was shocked to see 132.6 on the scale (I think I was dehydrated from the 10 mile race the day before).  The last time I posted my weight here was Feb 23rd and I was at 137.8.  I'd definitely call this a maintenance win.  In all honesty, I never thought I would see a number below 135, so I'm thrilled with where I am right now.  OK-that's enough about the numbers and you won't hear about them again for probably another 3 months or so :)

I hope everyone else is having a great Wednesday.  Have you joined the challenge yet?

True Confessions

Welcome to the abridged True Confessions, via my phone. This is the short version because I'm choosing to focus only on the good today.
• I ran 14 miles on Friday.
• I've made pretty healthy food choices (we won't talk about the M&M shake yesterday).
• I listened to my body & rested over the weekend.
• I ran "nekkid" today and clocked one of my fastest 4.25 miles ever. (If you've never run without any electronics you should try it. If you still want to know time/distance, do what I did & start a watch b4 you go & leave it in the garage. Then, map your route afterwards at DailyMile.)
• I'm trying to deal with family stuff without stressing too much, but I fear I'm failing on this one.

OK, that's it for today. How did you do this week? Anything to confess?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

LLRB 365: 2011 Week 17

Lots of running this week!

Saturday

4-23-11

I ran a *little* hilly 10 mile race today - and didn't come in last :)

Sunday

4-24-11

Happy Easter!  Only these cousins could come up with Lego guns on Easter Sunday, but when you go to Grandma's and there are only 3 TV channels, you improvise.  Good Grief!

Monday

4-25-11

Poor K had to measure for long jump since she wasn't cleared to jump yet, but she did take 1st in her sprint heat.

Tuesday

4-26-11

Tried a yummy new treat before my 4 mile run.

Wednesday

4-27-11

Went out to dinner with my girl and got carded buying my Bell's Oberon.  It's the little things.

Thursday

4-28-11

Got some snuggles in with Squirt when I came home for lunch.

Friday

4-29-11

Longest training run ever.  14 miles in 2:40ish. Ran lots of hills and it was super windy, but I survived.  This run also helped me get to my goal of 20 miles of running for the week.  (It was a big day for me, so you get 2 pictures.)

There was a little glimpse into my week.  I hope the 17th week of 2011 treated you all well. 

A quick question: I've used hot pink for the dates for the month of April. What color should I use for May?

May Your Way - A New Shrinking Jeans Challenge

Woo-hoo!  It's MAY!  Holy Cow - that means summer is just around the corner, we only have about 5 weeks of school left, Fitbloggin is in less than 3 weeks, and "Marathon May" is upon me.  All of this just in time for the newest challenge at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. 



This challenge is simple.  As the loverlies over at Shrinking Jeans tell us, "it’s all about YOU. Your goals, your challenge, your way. You can take things at your own pace, decide what is best for you, and focus on yourself!"  Easy-peasy!  Since I'm not really in weight-loss mode, but more weight-maintanence mode, this challenge is perfect. 

I have one simple goal for May:  Get through "Marathon May" without any injuries.  You see, I have 3 races planned this month.  THREE.  And I'd like to complete them all.

Race #1: The 5/3 River Bank Run 25k on May 14.  This past weekend I ran my longest run EVER - 14 miles.  Next weekend I taper to 8 and then it's go-time.  My longest race.  I have no doubt I will finish, the condition I'll be in at the finish line is still up for debate.

Race #2: The Fitbloggin 5k on May 20.  I finally get to run with many of the amazing ladies I've "met" through Shrinking Jeans.  Yes, you can be jealous, or you can click that link and join us!  And yes, I'll make sure to give them all hugs from you. Can.Not.Wait. (I think I'm the most excited for this race!)

Race #3: The Soldier Field 10 Mile on May 28.  The hubby is running this one with me - a huge milestone for him (he's never "raced" more than 5 miles and his longest run to date has been 8).  While I'd love to beat him (secret goal #2 for May), it really isn't realistic.   He's much faster than me and after running 2 races the 2 weekends before, I'm just hoping to finish.

So, if you are doing the math, that totals 28.6 miles of racing in 3 weeks.  Plus any training runs thrown in.  May has the potential to hold the greatest number of miles I've ever run in a single month.  Hense, the goal to just STAY HEALTHY AND INJURY-FREE.

Of course, eating right, re-starting the 100 push-up challenge (with the goal of completing them military-style) and trying to stay sane in the final push of the school year are going to be in the back of my mind, too.

So, if you haven't signed up for this challenge, you must go here now.  Go on.  I'll wait.

Get to blogging about your goals and link up with Shrinking Jeans.  Make sure you are also a member of the 'Hood and check in with us on Monday nights at 8 Central for SisterChat.  Don't forget about the #Tworkout on Tuesday nights at 8 Central where April leads us through a kick-butt workout via twitter.  If you are able to stay away long enough, join Mel on Thursday nights at 10 Central on twitter for Happy Hour.  (Since that's 11pm for me, you probably won't see me there.)  That's definitely a lot going on this month.  So, better get busy!