10k Results

We had a great weekend starting with the 10k. My sis kept the kids while I went ran, I had great hopes of running with them for the 1 mile but the race started late so I didn't make it. The course is one that I am familiar with and it starts off at the lake and goes back to town. The weather was perfect, sunny and starting in the 40s and quickly warming up. We were bussed to the finish and I ended up on the last bus. We were loading the bus when the race was suppose to start so we started as soon as we arrived. Once I made it past the walkers I found my pace, for the first 2 miles there was a boy about 9 or 10 who I kept playing leapfrog with. He would start to slow and I would gradually pass him which would spur him on and he would fly by me. We were running at an 8:00 pace, I was very impressed with him! He finally slowed down after 2 miles and I didn't see him again. At this point I really needed to use the bathroom but I did not want stop. I kept going and was feeling ok, I was pushing it and could feel it especially uphill. I finally had to stop at a restroom, I was afraid it wouldn't be pretty at the finish line if I didn't. The last mile is always the hardest because it is flat, I kicked it in at the end and passed the only other person I saw.

I finished in 49:33, which is a new PR. The official race results aren't posted on the website yet but I think I was in the top 5.

When I had about .4 left I passed Gavin who was running with the front pack! He had left my sis and Brooklyn behind at the start, she was about a block behind him. When I finished I ran back to find him, the kids were coming in and he still wasn't there, I found him as he was taking the last corner before the finish and ran in with him. He was so tired, he asked me if it was ok to walk so we did until he caught his breath then we ran into the finish. I found out later he didn't turn where he was suppose to. My sis couldn't catch him with and left the stroller and Brooklyn with a lady from church and had to run after him. He ended up running about an extra half mile. At the finish he received his medal and was so proud. Soon after Brooklyn came running in. They can't wait to do it again next year.

A Great Day

Today is the 10k, not sure how I'll do, I am not nervous and kind of feel like it's just another run. Maybe once I am surrounded by other people I will be a little more excited. The weather is suppose to be nice and my son is so excited to run the 1 mile, he wants to win. Trying to tell a little boy it's not about winning is hard, I tell him it's just about having fun and doing your best and he's says I know and in the next breath "Mom I want to win"! My sis and niece have been in town for a couple of days and she is going to walk with them.

The best news of all is that my hubby is coming home today. He will be here this evening after 2.5 weeks. I don't know how long he will be home but I am glad he can be home for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck to anyone who is racing!

Training

This weekend is the 10k and I am excited to run it. I am hoping the race starts on time and I am able to take the kids on the mile run afterwards. Their aunt and uncle are going to watch them while I run and they said they will take them if I can't and my sis will be here. I tried talking her into runnning/walking the 10k but I didn't have much luck. I have been keeping my mileage where I want it and have done a few speed and tempo runs, I really need a training plan to follow. I use way too much mental energy deciding on what I should run everyday, I at least need to plan a week in advance after this.

I have not been very successful with the weight training. The week starts out great and but seems to be busier as it goes on and I have been only managing 1 session a week. This week will is another busy one but I lifted yesterday so only one more to go.

Unplugged

What started out as a plan for the weekend has spilled over this week, spending less time on the computer. With the remodel I have moved the computer to the kitchen which makes it very tempting all day to look at blogs or email for just 5 minutes. Of course 5 minutes is never long enough and before I know it 20 minutes have passed. With Gavin being in school and JR gone the kids really need more attention, especially Brooklyn. So I decided to unplugg the computer for the weekend, this went well, I ended up turning it on for a recipe and to let the kids watch a movie Saturday night. I must say it was nice not to feel the need to catch up on what everyone else was doing. The kids and I spent time with my mom, played games, read books, and went for a bike ride. It was a nice weekend.

Now I am trying to find a time to spend on blogging/email/facebook without taking time away from the kids. This is becoming difficult since they have been waking up at 5:30 and Brooklyn didn't go to sleep until 9:30 last night. I am trying to catch up on everyone's blog and post more, we'll see how it goes.

As for running I logged 30 miles last week and am hoping for at least 25 this week. I did another speed workout yesterday, 1x200, 1x400, 1x800, 1x400, 2x200, 1x400@ 7:30 pace. I am planning on an easy 5 miles today and a long run tomorrow. The last 2 weeks I have been trying to start up a strength program, I would like to lift 2-3 times a week. I have been doing various dvds and am enjoying the variety.

New Activities

We had so much fun bike riding, not sure why it's taken so long for us to go. We had planned on riding a lot this summer it just didn't happen, although it is much easier pulling only one child instead of two. The boys are both about 40 lbs so that would have been hard! I also decided that I really need a new bike. The difference between my cheap bike and my friends was huge, even riding downhill I had to pedal to keep up with her. We rode for over an hour and felt good, I was ready to get out of the seat by the end though. I would like to ride more this fall and cross country ski this winter. I have been loving running and really want to keep my miles up, at least 25-30 a week, but I also want to incorporate some more activities that I love. I just have to find a way to fit it all in so I am not driving to town everyday.

Speedwork

Yesterday Brooklyn fell asleep at nap time (amazing!) so I was able to squeeze in a run. I decided to do intervals and after doing mile repeats all summer I wanted to do some shorter ones for the 10k. I ended up running 2x400, 2x800, and 2x400 @7:30 pace. I loved it! Shorter repeats are so much fun and it's nice to run them on the treadmill so I can control my pace. When I run outside I usually have a hard time slowing myself down on the first couple, then I can barely finish the last, if at all.

Today a friend and I are going bike riding. Her son is in preschool this year, so now she has some time with her daughter as well. This should be interesting since I haven't rode a bike all year and maybe went once last year. Nothing like riding over hills while pulling a kid!

Lazy Weekend

This weekend has been all about relaxing! Saturday JR and I took the kids to the park to play and have a picnic. Then JR set off for hunting camp and the kids and I played and had movie night. They were in bed early, Gavin is still catching up from school, and I watched tv the rest of the night. I had a whole list of things I needed to do but just no ambition to do it. It was nice just to kick back for the evening.

Yesterday we went to church, and hung out until JR came home. I went out for a 6 mile run last night. After sitting around all weekend it felt great, the only weird thing was is mile 4 my right foot started tingling. Not sure what that was about, it lasted around a mile then went away.

Today we are going to the pool and just going to enjoy the day before JR leaves for work tomorrow. Not sure when he'll be back, probably in 2 weeks. Since hunting season has started maybe that will help bring him home!

Planning

Now that the half marathon is over I am feeling a little lost without a set training plan. I have a 10k coming up at the end of the month but then that's all for the fall. I have thought of looking for some races in Oct or Nov that are close or just following a training plan. I have been running this week but I want something a little more scheduled so I don't think about it all the time. Every morning I have been wondering when, where, and how long I should run, I don't want to think about it all the time! Next week I am going to do some intervals and maybe some bike riding, I haven't done that all summer. Then I'll come up with some plan to start after the 10k.

Gavin has also started kindergarten this week and that has left Brooklyn and I staring at each other wondering what we should do. Gavin is loving school, although he is exhausted by the time he comes home. Brooklyn just really misses him, so I am trying to plan some fun things to do with her. We just have this open schedule right now and I need to do some planning so we don't waste this time.

Race Shirt

The shirt is a nice tech shirt, gotta love that! My kids have had a great time with the "necklace."

As for running I tried an easy 3 miler on Monday and I hurt by the end of it. My right calf was sore after the race and I really felt it after this run. Yesterday I lifted for 30 minutes, legs were still sore so I took it easy on the leg work. Then I ran an easy 3 on the treadmill after the kids went to bed. My plan for the week is to go slow and maybe mix in some other workouts, then next week hit it hard.