3 Things Thursday: New

these are KICKIN'!

1. I got new running kicks!! I was wearing Asics and needed something lighter.  I felt like a Clydesdale when I ran.  So I took a trip to Fleet Feet and they put me in a Nike Lunar Eclipse.  I have never, ever run in a Nike shoe but I LOVE them!!  Much lighter than my Asics.

2. A new school year starts Monday. A bittersweet end to the summer.  I always feel like I our summer is crammed with activities. Trying to get as much quality time in with the boys before they go back to school...and once again I feel like it is never enough time... Summer break is NEVER long enough.  I miss my boys when they go back to school.

they grow so fast! this was 09'

3.I signed up today for a 5k! I haven't run a 5k all year. Not sure how that is possible.  I have run an 8k, 10k, and a couple half marathons but somehow have not run a 5k.  So the Brook Hill 5k is this Saturday and I'm really looking forward to see if I can score a PR.  Right now my PR is 24:10 and I would love to get a sub 24:00.  Will update you on Monday!

Do you have a race this weekend?

Grace and peace,

Do runners really age?

August has been my biggest mileage month since I started running over 2 yrs ago.  I topped it out with 106.5 miles.  I am amazed at my body....let me rephrase that...I am amazed at how well my body has held up.

     Last night, I had a conversation with a runners in the Fleet Feet No Boundaries running program I help coach.  She is in her late 50's and she asked me at what age she should stop running....It was the oddest question...she said she was worried that at a certain point running might become more difficult in her age or even harmful to her body.  She said she has noticed that she is running slower lately and thought it must be a sign of her body aging.  I had to think about it for a while. 
I have been at many starting lines shoulder to shoulder with men and women well into their 70's, 80's, and even 90's!  My thoughts have always been "that is going to be me someday."  I have never given thought to the fact that it is inevitable that I will eventually "slow" down.  There will come a day when my body will fight speed.  That does not mean that I can no longer run, it means that I will have to redefine what running is to me.

I told her that if she wanted to run than she needed to continue running. She is healthy and able bodied.  If she has a heart to run than age should not dictate to her whether or not she is a runner. 
I found these essays by a man named Dr. George Sheehan they are worth reading. He wrote for Runner's World and his essays are very inspirational to all runners.
 

"The race, however slow my times, remains an ever-changing learning experience. Whenever I race, I learn something new about myself and those who race with me. I will never be 32 years-old again, but it no longer matters, because I've learned that winning doesn't matter, it's running that counts. And when I push to the limit, I am a boy again-an untried youth listening to the wisdom of my body."

~Dr.George Sheehan 

I am thankful for my body that God created.  I am thankful for the ability I have; God's ability in me.

Grace and peace,

 

Marathon training season kick off!

Brook Hill 5k 8/14/10

Running

I took a little break from running the months of June and July and only ran 63 miles total for both months.  I did a couple 5ks here and there and my time really suffered for the lack of running.  So as of August 2nd I have officially started marathon training.  Right now my main focus has been building my base miles back up.  As of today I already have 83 miles for the month compared to 29 last month, so I would say training is going well.  My main goal for training is to train smarter.  The last time I ran a half marathon I did little to no speed work.  This time I have 1-2 days every week of speed work i.e., intervals, hills, or tempo runs. Today I did sprint intervals and I am feeling it! I also have a fantastic running partner who is willing to get up and run with me in the wee hours of the morning.  She is training for her first half marathon.

Racing

I am so excited about the fall/winter race season.   I have several good races planned and finally a full marathon on the books.   I have 3 half marathons, and one full marathon(my first) coming up in the next few months.  First up is the Women's Half in Nashville, TN on September 25th.

Followed by Life Without Limits Half in Florence, AL on  October 30th,

the Huntsville Half on November 13th,

and the grand race finale will be the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL on December 11th.

My Life Outside of Running

Two of my three Little Princes started back to school Aug 9th, 1st grade and 4th grade.  I still can't believe I have a 4th grader.  I don't feel old enough to have a child that age...  until I look in the mirror...yikes!.my crow's feet and the parentheses around my mouth tell me that I AM old enough.

We had a fantastic summer and I poured as much of myself into my boys as I possibly could or that they would allow ;)---spending time, exploring, playing, teaching, and just talking.   I was a little sad for school and soccer to start back up because the time just seems to fly during the school year.  Our schedules fill up so quickly and we have less down time.  My goal for this school season is to create more down time. Time so we can just chill and enjoy each other.....

I hope you are all having a fantastic week! 

Grace and peace,

3 Things Thursday

I can't believe it's already Thursday! This week has been super busy and just flew by!

1. I registered for the County Music Half Marathon in Nashville this morning.  I know, I know....cutting it close.  I never, ever register more than 2 weeks in advance for a race.  The reason is because hubby's work schedule can change dramatically from one week to the next and I never know if I will have someone to watch the 3 princes.  I have lost money on several races because his schedule changes or a babysitters falls through....most of the time on the smaller races I register the morning of the race. Thankfully, none of the races I've register for have been full.  I was a little concerned about this one because it is such a popular race, but there were no problems. 

2. I'm having shoe issues that I hope to have resolved before the half. First of all, let me say that when you get a new pair of running shoes it is not a good idea to run 11 miles in them the first day.....uh-duh.....and then a 6 miler the second day...double uh-duh..... you are supposed to ease new running shoes into your running routine.  Yesterday, I took a mandatory rest day to stretch and ice my knees, thighs, and hips, which were all throbbing.  Yesterday I also had serious doubts to whether or not I could run a half in sub 2hrs. Funny how a little pain can totally shake you. A product of my own stupidity.
Today I donned my "old" running shoes on a 4.92 mile run and I feel FANTASTIC. Seriously, I guess I babied myself just right yesterday because today I have NO pain but better than that....I have no doubts.  Really I have no doubts because my faith in God is so much stronger than my faith in myself.  I know that I will fail myself over and over again, but God will never fail me and that gives me the confidence to know that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me(Phil 4:13), and that includes running a sub 2hr half marathon!

3. Me and 4 of my girlfriends are taking a KID-FREE and HUBBY-FREE vacation!! It has been years since I have had an all girls getaway!  A friend of mine has a condo right on the ocean we will be staying at. We are going right before Mother's Day as a mother's day gift to ourselves!  I can not be more excited!  What I'm really looking forward to is sleeping past 5:30am.....wow have my vacation expectations really changed since I've had kids!!!:)

Hope you all have a fantastic day and a blessed weekend!!

If you're new to my blog, welcome! If you're not new, thanks for stopping by!  I love reading your comments and feedback!
Grace and peace,