Race Recap - Charles Harris 10k

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I know, I have been such a bad blogger. I have a lot of excuses, like my kids have been sick (the little guy was just diagnosed with a double ear infection), I have been doing a lot of cooking, but no new/unique recipes (try Peas and Thank You - that is where most of recipes are coming from), hubby's been working like a dog, so I haven't had much free time, I am trying to get as many training runs as possible with such little time, . . . See I have a lot of excuses.

Well my training runs have paid off, because I PR'ed on Sat. Yep, I broke 50 minutes On my 10k. My brother-in-law ran this race last year and said how easy it was. Then I read on another blog about how it was one of the best Peactree qualifying races, and it was close to my house, so I convinced my brother-in-law, and a few others to run.

The morning started with picking up my brother-in-law and heading to the start. We actually saw them setting up the course as we drove up, so I knew exactly what the route was. We grabbed our numbers, and he took me out to do a nice warm-up. We then headed to the start. He went up front and I stayed in the middle. I ran into Runblondie before the start and did a quick hello, and then we were off.

The first mile I ran a 7:39. Holy guacamole! I knew I needed to average 8:03 to break 50 min. The second mile was 8:12, the rest were around 8 min. I could see the finish line for what felt like forever before actually crossing it. I finished in 49:31 and my Garmin clocked it at 6.25 miles, so I averaged 7:56 minute miles. I couldn't believe it, a sub 8 minute average. I felt like a real runner at that point. That runner's high stayed with me all weekend. I will say I didn't love my finish, the last 2 little hills weren't easy. But there is always something I can find fault with when it comes to me.

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My next race will be Publix Half Marathon. Less than 3 weeks away. I am feeling strong.  My workouts are going pretty well.  I have been under the weather and little and the kids have been just out right sick, so I haven't gotten every training run in, but after last weekend's race, I am feeling good and can't wait to race again.

Race Results
Chip Time:  49:31
Overall Women's Place: 85/367
Age Group Finish:  17/58
Pace: 7:56

Training Update - Week 3

Training is going ok.  It's hard to get all my runs in when I can't run early in the morning before everyone's day starts (still nursing and not about to pump in the wee hours plus Aidan usually wakes up 5am and nurses/snuggles with me until 6:30am or 7am). 

Last week I was able to get in this:

Tuesday:  30 minute HIIT (3.14 miles for the HIIT and 3.4 miles total) + some circuit training (25 minutes worth)
Friday:  4.93 miles with the jogging stroller + abs
Sunday:  Great 7.16 mile run by myself + abs

Total mileage for the week:  15.49 miles
Total January miles:  59.59 miles (if I had only known, I would have run an extra 1/2 mile)

Hopefully, the little man will start sleeping a little later and not feel the need to snuggle every morning so I can get out there and pound the pavement while my family is still asleep.  That would make things a lot easier.  One day it will happen.  I am trying not to rush it. 

Today is so nice, I am going to try to get in a couple of miles this afternoon with the kiddos.  Are you training for anything?  How is it going?

5 Things I am lovin' - 1/24/2012

Here is another installment of 5 Things I am lovin'. 

1.  Jillian Michaels

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I got the option to try Jillian Michaels website for free for 4 weeks.  I have always loved her on The Biggest Loser, but I have never been a big weights person.  Also, with the holidays finally coming to an end, I noticed my eating habits were less than stellar.  So I signed up and it's been pretty good.  I am not following it exactly, because most of her meals are not vegetarian or vegan, but it gives me an idea of how I should do my meals.  I think I need more protein in them really.  I am following for a balanced oxidier, according to her quiz.  Like I said, I am not going crazy trying to make what she is recommending, but using it as a guide to how much I should be eating.  And I have been adding protein to most of my meals and snacks.  It helps for a while, but I am just not a big protein person so after a week, I just want some cereal.  :)  I am also doing some of the circuit training she recommends.  I know I can't do 4 days of circuit training (being that I am running 3-4 days a week training for the half), so I am trying to do as many days as I can.  I usually can't finish it but I do as much as I can.  It helps me get in 3 days of abs though, so that is good. 

2.  Detox Salad

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I found this recipe over at Oh She Glows a while back and have made it several times now.  It was a great way to start the New Year off right.  It is a delicious, nutritious salad that is nice and light.  It's a great way to start off a meal.  I make a big batch and it lasts for a week.  No one else in my family really cares to even try it (I might be able to get the little lady to try it if she sees me drizzle maple syrup over it).  I used my new food processor to shred almost all of the ingredients, so it didn't take nearly as much time as before.  I made it a couple of weeks ago already and can't wait to do it again.  Yum!  Thanks Angela for finding this one. 

3.  Multigrain tortillas

I am in love with these right now.  They are low in calories, multrigran, but soft!  I always find the whole wheat tortillas are hard and don't bend as easily.  Not these, they are great.  I can't say enough good things about them.  Oh, did I mention, they aren't expensive either.  I find them at Kroger in the international foods isle.  Stock up people, they are delicious!

4.  My new shoes

I love it when fashion intersects with mom friendly.  I scored these boots as a Christmas present for myself via Christmas money.  I love the no heel so I can wear them out and still run after children, carry them, etc. without having to worry about anything.  I went with brown because I already have a lot of black boots and I scored a sweet deal on them as well. 

I decided to get 2 new pairs of running shoes, my tried and true Mizuno Wave Creations, but also a pair of Mizuno Wave Riders.  The wave riders are over an ounce lighter but are still somewhat supportive.  Both were on sale (got the older version of both), but the wave riders were only $60 which is what pushed me to try them.  I have been running in them for almost a month and really love them.  Of course no long runs in them, but I will probably save my long runs for the creations.  Now those puppies have some cushion.  I have not had any feet problems since using my Mizunos.

5.  NBC's The Firm

As I was looking for a great picture of this, I found out that it is likely to be cancelled.  :(  The hubs and I did not start watching it when it first came on, but we watched a couple of episodes over the weekend OnDemand.  I personally fell in love with it.  I wasn't expecting to like it so much, but I am hooked.  I am so sad that more people aren't watching it.  If you haven't seen it, give it a chance and watch one episode. 

What are you lovin' right now?

Training weeks 1 & 2

Today starts the first day of week 3 of training for a half marathon in March.  I wanted to get a weekly update to you, but I just can't find the time to blog anymore.  What is going on?  Oh yeah, 2 kids. 

So here is how week 1 went.

Planned/Actual

Monday
Cross-train/10 min. elliptical + 20 min. weights (Jillian Michaels circuit training)

Tuesday
Run 2 miles, easy/30 minute HIIT + abs

Wednesday
Cross-train/10 min. elliptical + 20 min. weights (Jillian Michaels circuit training)

Thursday
Rest/Played 3 sets of mixed double tennis (make-up from rainout)

Friday
5 mile tempo run/5 mile run with jogging stroller + abs

Saturday
Run 6 miles/Singles tennis match

Sunday
Rest/Mixed doubles tennis match

Total mileage:  8.43 miles :(

Week 2
Monday
Cross-train/Ran 5.76 miles on mill (@9:15 min pace) + circuit training

Tuesday
Easy 3 miles/Easy 3 miles on mill

Wednesday
Cross-train/Rest

Thursday
Rest/Rest

Friday
Run 5 mile speedwork/Ran 6.12 miles with jogging stroller

Saturday
Cross-train/Rest - I was a lazy bum here

Sunday
Rest/Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shed - Workout 1

Total mileage:  14.88 miles :)

I really lost my mojo in the middle of the week.  I am glad I was able to get a good run in on Friday.  Wednesday and Thursday were bad. 

What do you do to get back on track?

Did I achieve 2011 goals and what are my 2012 goals?

So here are the questions I posed one year ago. Let's see how I did.

• Get Hope into a "big girl" bed (hopefully Jan. 2011)
• CHECK - pretty easy transition except for climbing out of her bed repeatedly at the beginning and playing with her toys at night and nap
• Get nursery ready for new baby (again Jan. 2011)
• CHECK - but not until March really
• Clean out office/gym area and make it more defined and less cluttered (Feb. 2011)
• CHECK
• Birth a healthy baby (ideally without having to be induced this time) (March 2011)
• CHECK, went into labor by myself - 10 days early, had baby with no drugs
• Make a smooth transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4
• CHECK - Hope had little issues with her baby brother
• Develop a schedule where I can get in my workouts with 2 kids while still nursing (that is going to hurt those early morning workouts, any advice?)
• Kinda CHECK - I think I did pretty well considering no early morning runs really because I am still nursing (and hate pumping) and the lack of sleep until just recently
• Get back into pre-pregnancy running shape (no date because I don't want to try to over due it)
• Another kinda CHECK, I mean I did not PR, but some of my races were close
• Participate in the Race for the Cure 5k (this is in May, just 6 weeks after I am due, so I say participate instead of run, because I may be pushing a double jogging stroller in this one)
• CHECK - I started pushing the stroller, but it was so crowded the hubs ended up doing it so I could do a little bit of running
• Run the Peachtree Road Race (10k), ideally in under 55 minutes (PR is 50:02), but again, not going to push myself.
• CHECK - ran it in 52:26 (6.31 miles)
• Run the 13.1 Marathon in Atlanta in October
• CHECK, but after so much lack of sleep and poor training (due to lack of sleep), it was not a great race for me.
• Would like to run some more (3 new) local fun races (5k's and other lengths that aren't traditional)
• Ran 2 new races this year (a 4 miler in June and 5k in November)
• Develop a stronger relationship with my husband (see they aren't all about running)
• CHECK - we had a really good year, especially considering our family grew and we didn't sleep, can't wait for next year
• Have 110 blog entries in 2011
• FAIL - I got really bad at the end of the year, I am going to blame the little guy again. 
• Run 750 miles in 2011 (I would love to say 1,000 but with the whole pregnancy and giving birth thing, I think 750 is going to be ambitious enough)
• FAIL - I ran 680.92 according to my records which could be off, but not by that much.  I tried to keep track in my training log book and think I did pretty well.  Will try for 750 again this year.

2012 Goals

1. Run 750 miles
2. Blog more (110 again)
3. Increase Interval training/Tempo runs - aim for 4 times a month (30 min HIIT on 1/3 was 3.12 miles)
4. Increase bond between my daughter and son (it's important to me that they have a good relationship with each other, especially since they are not the same gender)
5. Enjoy my time with my children - try not to be so rigid with my schedules
6. Submit a recipe for a contest (there is one that is due the end of March, so I think I will try that hopefully)
7. Investigate an herb garden again (don't have to start it this year, so think about how to do it right)
8. PR a race this year (doesn't matter the distance)
9. Accept changes in my life and try not the dwell
10. Aim to do 10 races this year
11. Go on a date with my husband that is not a wedding, anniversary, or holiday party (yep, I am aiming for just one considering last year was one and that was before the little man came)
12. Continue to build a better relationship with hubs (I know, how subjective, right). 
13. Try to be a more positive person.
14. Abs workouts 3 days a week (abs are still very weak, but not sure they will ever get strong after 2 pregnancies).
15. Embrace my new roles (not going to get into this right now)

What are your goals?  Anything else I should add? 

Tough Mudder anyone?

So I read across this race in my Runner's World mag and thought, could I do this?  One of my hopes for 2012 is do some more races.  I know it was hard with the little man coming in March and then not sleeping until Dec., so my fall races were slimmer than I had hoped.  Ideally, I would like to do one race a month (on average).  This race is in Feb.  It's 10-12 miles but has lots of difficult obstacles.  That is where the problem runs in.  I can run the distance, but do I have the strength to complete the obstacles?  I don't have much time to train either.  Have you run this race before?  How "tough" do you need to be?

My running is improving now that I am sleeping.  But I don't do a lot of strength training (am adding more abs in the new year though).  I do yoga but usually only a couple times a month.  Maybe I would do more if I was training for something.  I also tote a 9 month old around all day.  The race says you should be able to do 25 push-ups (could get there easily) and at least 6 pull-ups (hello hips).  Yeah, I will probably never be able to do 6 pull-ups again.  So I have a lot of doubts.  I also am not sure I have someone to run with.  My brother-in-law is interested but he is in such good shape that he might really try and compete (top 5% get to go to nationals).  I know there is a lot of camaraderie so I wouldn't be a lone but it would be nice to run it with someone. 

Normally, I would just sign up and then start training but the editorial director at Livestrong (if you don't currently read his blog, you should, he has some really good insight) ran it and made it sound really tough (and he really works out, like at a gym and stuff). 

So this is where I am.  If you have run the race, let me know your thoughts.  What kind of training did you do?  How long did you train?  Should I go for it or wait another year before trying it? 

2011 to 2012

Will have to look back and see what all I wanted to accomplish, but happy new year! 2011 was great. Can't wait to see 2012 has in store.