Christmas Town Dash

Running with the cows of Chick Fil A is a great way to spend a Sunday morning! Even better, it was at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. This was a family event. The boys all ran the fun run with the cows which was a half mile. They had a great time!

After the fun run, it was time for Katie and I to run the 8k part. We started off running around the parking lot and then got to enter the park and run through Busch Gardens while it was all decorated for Christmas. The problem with running in Busch Gardens are the hills. Not only are there hills, but they are steep. It was a really nice run overall. The weather was nice and I finished with a time of 1:21. It was a 16:25 minute/mile. That's a real improvement over the rock and roll half marathon, but still not good enough for the Disney half marathons that I have coming up. So, more work to come :)

Greensboro Gobbler

Thanksgiving morning, Katie, Phillip and I got up early to head to Greensboro for a 5k. The race was two loops around Greensboro County Park. Again with the hills! Running in Virignia Beach, the highest elevation I usually encounter is like 44 feet. I guess I need to increase the incline on the treadmill every now and then. But while I can, I just want to enjoy my flat running surfaces! My time was 51:40, about a 2:30 improvement over my first 5k. My pace was a 16:40 minute mile. It's coming along

Half of a Half

It was a great day for a race. The weather was nice, which always makes me have a better attitude. Phillip and I were running a relay with two of our other neighbors. Phillip ran the first 6.7 miles in about 58 minutes which gave me plenty of time to finish the second 6.4 miles and not come in last (always my goal). I got a new Nike+ sports watch earlier this week and today was my first time trying it out. I have to say I'm very happy with it. I was able to plug it into my computer and get all of my stats as soon as I got home. I did my 6.4 miles in 1:44:53, with an average pace of 16:32, 20 seconds faster than my average pace from the wicked 10k two weeks ago! The intervals are working! My fastest mile was 15:06- about 4 mph. I'm very happy with my progress so far and I'm really looking forward to my next 5k in 11 days. I'd love to finish that in 45 minutes, so that is the goal!

Here is a picture of team running in sanity from our first relay together and a couple of our running neighbors as well

The long interval

Was tough. The breakdown was this: 5 minute run, 2 1/2 minute rest, 6 minute run, 3 minute rest, 7 minute run, then done. Sounds easy, right? That is what I was thinking when Phillip laid out the workout for me last night. I was thinking I'd be able to do it all at a 12 minute pace. Nope. I started there, but ended up with a 15 minute pace when I went to the 6 minute run and 7 minute run. Most important, I accomplished it and while I did not like the workout while actually doing it, I did enjoy the feeling that of finishing that workout! Next on the agenda is half of the Freedom half marathon on Sunday. Phillip and I are running it as a relay, so we'll see how it goes!

Sprints

These were on the agenda today. I learned that I have a love/hate relationship with sprints. I love how fast they are done (total workout time today-17 minutes including rest breaks) but I was wiped out! I was happy with them over all. Here's how it broke down:
20 second sprint/10 second rest repeated for 6 minutes
Rest 3 minutes
20 second sprint/10 second rest repeated for 4 minutes
Rest 2 minutes
20 second sprint/10 second rest repeated for 2 minutes

So hard but so rewarding to be done. Most of this workout was done at. 6.5 mph pace. I started at 7 mph, but that ended up to be a little too fast! Back to the longer intervals on Wednesday and next up is the freedom half marathon on Sunday. This one is a relay- so I'll only be running half of the half.

A new type of training

So I asked for advice on my training from my husband. He definitely has more experience with working out and training than I do so I like to run things by him. I've been following a plan laid out by Jeff Galloway. He is the official trainer for the run Disney events. Phillip looked over what the plan was and suggested a few changes. Today was the first of the changes.

So today I was doing 800 meter intervals. Basically running 800 meters and then taking a 2 minute break. Phillip suggested I do them at a 4 mph pace (I did them on the treadmill so I could make sure to stay on pace). Well, I'm stubborn and competitive, so I decided to do them at a 5 mph pace. I was able to do two at that pace, and then finished 3 more at a 4.5 mile pace. My left knee is hurting a little, hopefully that'll just go away. 4 mile run on Friday :)

So About That Race

Since I know my two readers out there are anxious to know how it went, I hate to disappoint :)

I went to bed around 10 pm Friday night worried about the weather forecast for Saturday. Thursday here the high was in the mid 80s. Saturday's high was supposed to be 48 with rain happening before noon. But I was determined to make it through. I had a new pair of pants, a running jacket and a rain/windbreaker, a new hat and some gloves, so I felt prepared. Everything was laid out and I set my alarm for 5:45. Plenty of rest. Except I was having trouble sleeping, finally falling completely asleep around 1 am.

Little did I know that my littlest monkey would start throwing up at 2:30 am. Luckily her Aunt Katie who was sharing a room with her was nice enough to get up with her the first time (and second time) she threw up waiting to wake me up until 3:15 am because Sophie kept getting sick. This began my race day. I didn't make it back to sleep- little one got sick a few more times and did not want to go back to sleep- she was so uncomfortable and just miserable. She finally went back to sleep about 5:15. I tried to nap, but then I was too nervous about oversleeping. So 6 am came and I got up (after considering just skipping it) got dressed and headed outside. I was pleasantly surprised at the warmer (but super windy) weather conditions. Two of our neighbors were riding with us, so we all got in the car and started the drive. We found parking with no problem and walked the .8 miles to the start with plenty of time to spare. Checked out a bunch of fun, creative costumes while waiting for our start time.

Start time came and I put on some music. I knew I was going to be running this one alone- Phillip tool off right away and my neighbors have all been running longer and more regularly than I have, so they all have a much faster pace. Not a problem, my initial goal was to finish. I ran the first 1.5 miles without stopping. The wind was insane! Walked until almost the 2 mile mark. At the 2 mile mark I came up on a two person team who was dressed at the slinky dog from toy story. It then became my goal to not come in behind the slinky dog. So I kept running (more like jogging) and actually ran (jogged) past the 4 mile marker. It was then that I saw another slinky dog up ahead of me. So, in keeping with my goal, I had to finish in front of that slinky as well. After about a half mile walking break, I took off on my run again. It was still pretty windy but it also started sprinkling. Then at mile 5 there was a downpour. Huge raindrops pretty much soaking me in about a minute. That wasn't the worst part though. The worst part was that I went to wipe my eyes and face and one of my contacts got folded up in my eye. Hurt like crazy and was super irritating. I tried to stop and fix it but the rain was making that impossible. So I closed one eye and started to run again- the faster I got to the car the faster I could fix it. Thankfully the rain stopped and through the fog I could see the finish arch. Almost there! I finished in 1 hour, 45 minutes. Under a 17 minutes pace for 6.2 miles. I'm happy with that all things considered :)

Tomorrow is back to the training. I've got to get that under a 16 minute mile for the Disney races, and have a personal goal of 10 minute miles for those. So one step at a time- 2.75 miles in 45 minutes or less :)

Tomorrow

is the Wicked 10k here in VA beach. I'm looking forward to a race- it'll be the first one since my half marathon over Labor Day. We (my husband is running also) went to the race expo today to pick up our race numbers, so now we just wait for tomorrow morning to see what kind of race it will be. Yesterday it was 80 here as a high and today the temperature has dropped to the mid- 50s. Tomorrow it is supposed to be just as chilly with the possibility to be raining as well. That will be a nice challenge for me- I'm not a fan of cold, so to add the rain to it as well....well, let's just say that it's going to be interesting.

A good run for me

Today I did 2.5 miles in 43:58. That's a pretty good run for me lately. I'm hoping that it means that the 10k that I have in a week and a half won't be a complete bust. My goal for today was 2.5 miles or 45 minutes, whichever came first. I'm very happy that the 2.5 miles came first. Now that I've accomplished that goal, the next will be 2.75 miles in 45 minutes. I'm really trying to work on speed because I'm really wanting to finish the Tinkerbell half marathon in less than 2 hours, 30 minutes. Wednesday will be the first shot at that goal.

Sunday was the day!

I completed my first half marathon! Back at the beginning of the summer I had visions of writing "I ran my first half marathon!" But that didn't happen, so I am very pleased to say I completed it! It was a very long 13.1 miles and I do remember thinking that it was the worst idea I've ever had several times in that 13.1 miles. I also remember thinking that my kiddos would be so disappointed if their daddy and Aunt Katie (who both completed it as well) both got medals for finishing and mommy didn't, but I made it. It wasn't fast, and it wasn't pretty, but I did finish and I'm so happy that I stuck with it even though there were several moments that I wanted to quit. I've got a few blisters on my feet and my legs are still a little sore (much better than yesterday!), but I'm ready to do it again. Next phase of training starts on Monday :)

First 5k

Is now behind me! It was actually a pretty nice race, the course was through the North Carolina Zoo and in the morning you get to see a few animals up and moving around. The only problem- lots of hills! I was reminded how much I like running in Virginia- nice and flat here by the beach :) I met my goal of being finished in under an hour- 54 minutes to be exact. May not sound like a lot to many, but I was happy with it- it was definitely a run/walk situation, so I was satisfied with that finishing time. Next up will be the Rock and Roll Half- which will also be a run/walk, but this one I will just be happy to finish!

School starts for my kiddos after Labor day, so I will be able to have a more consistent training program that will allow for me to meet my goal of completely running the rest of the races on my list!

A New Goal

I'm a military wife. Deployments have been a part of our lives for the past 6 years. All of the deployments have somehow also related to pregnancy for me so far. The first deployment I was pregnant and had my second son in the middle of that one. The second deployment, we found out right before he left and I had my third son about a month after he came home. The third deployment got cut a little short because he was sent to a school (home for about a month between the deployment and school) and in that time got pregnant with our fourth child and only daughter, who I had about 3 weeks before the fourth deployment.

Deployment #5 is coming up starting in January of 2012, and my goal for this one is very different from bringing a new child into this world- I'm going to run one half marathon every month that my husband is gone. My first one after the deployment starts is the Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland. February will be the Disney Princess Half. March is the Shamrock Half Marathon and April is the Flying Pirate Half at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I'm still looking for ones for the rest of the months (he'll be gone until October 2012 or so).

First 5k is this weekend and my first half is in less than 3 weeks- getting nervous and excited!

2 Days in a Row

Makes me very happy! Once again, I did my battle with myself as to if I should get out of bed and run or stay in bed and just relax. Thankfully, the get out of bed and run won out! Again, not fast, and not far, but it was a run, and it counts. I did 2.35 miles in about 30 minutes. My goal right now is to be able to do the 5k that I am signed up for in a few weeks in 45 minutes or less. We'll see...

And Starting Again...

So I'm a little less than 4 weeks away from my first 5k, and less than 6 weeks away from my first half. It is safe to say that I'm pretty nervous right now. Family circumstances being what they are- completely unpredictable given 4 kids, a military husband, a home based business that I can never predict the 'busy times' and a rental house- well, let's just say it's been one thing after another lately. So I've made a plan- and that is to run as much as possible this week in trying to get a decent time out of my 5k :) Today's run was 2.19 miles, so not a lot, but more than none :) Here's to Tuesday....

Nothing Makes You Run Faster....

...than a thunderstorm :)

It wasn't a bad evening to start out on a run- it was supposed to rain this evening, but nothing on the radar when we started out. Then we got about 2.4 miles in- and the lightning starts. The wind starts going crazy as well, and of course, we were running into the wind. Most frustrating because the first 2.4 miles in were pretty good- I actually ran over a mile without stopping. Then took a little walking break, and was able to run over a mile again. So the wind and rain actually threw a wrench into our run and our pace. But oh well, now I know I can run over a mile without stopping! It's not a fast mile, but it is a mile :) And it just starts with one!

Getting Back To It

Because of one thing or another (and a bit of laziness), I haven't really run in about 2 weeks. What makes it really hard is feeling like I'm starting back at square one again. It's frustrating to feel behind now, especially when I was feeling like I was really making progress. Oh well, no point in looking backwards- only 40 days until my first 5k, and 55 days until the half- just gotta keep going.... at least I actually ran today

I'm Registered!

For the Disney Princess Half in February! I'm so excited, I'm excited for my other races as well, but this one has me even more excited because I get to run at disney! I'm hoping I can get some more friends to join me down there as well- it'd be so nice to use this as an opportunity to catch up with some friends I haven't seen in a while- some even years! Here's to running through the castle in a little over 6 months!

Things I do besides run

I also keep up with 4 kiddos ages 6 and under (I know, crazy). But it is fun and so worth it :) But the story of those little princes and that one princess, is for another day.

I also have my own small business (or as my husband says- my hobby that is paid for by my sales). I started out doing hair bows, added some dresses, and now I've added more dresses and am also starting applique. I'm wanting to create a fun shirt to run the Princess Half in, and I've started one, but I'm sure I will create more. My website for children's items is www.thepaisleyplatypus@gmail.com. My newest creation is here though: http://www.cafepress.com/ThePaisleyPlatypus It is a Dry Fit Tee- perfect for training or race day :)

Getting ready!

I'm so excited about the races that I have coming up. About 6 weeks until my first 5K, followed shortly by my first half marathon! So, here we go- training got a little bit pushed to the side lately- not feeling so good, but now I'm back to normal and ready to get back to it. Sunday will be a long run day- supposed to run 1 hour, 15 minutes and try to cover 5 miles in that time. We'll see! I'm just going to go for the 5 miles and hope I get that in before 1 hour, 15 minutes. This will be a run pushing the stroller though, always slows me down a bit :)

Races I've signed up for:
5k at the North Carolina Zoo
Rock and Roll Half Marathon
Blue Moon Wicked 10K

Races that I am going to sign up for soon:
Fall Festival 10k
Surf-n-Santa 10 miler
Virginia is For Lovers 14k
Disney Princess Half Marathon (sign up is in 4 days!)
Shamrock Half Marathon