Marathon PR and 2 winners......

First things first!!

The two winners of my Runner's Giveaway.....

The First Place Package goes to:

Jen@RunforAnna

The Second Place Package goes to:

Suz and Allen@CowsandLasersandEverythinginbetween

Congratulations ladies! Send me your contact information in an email to mommysfitfortheking@yahoo.com and I will get your swag to you!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me and the Fetal Hope Foundation. I have been touched and inspired by your generosity, selflessness, and encouragement!

I was able to raise $595.00 for the Fetal Hope Foundation. A little over half of my $1000.00 goal.  I am going to continue towards my goal and try to reach it by the end of the year.

Speaking of goals........

Saturday I took to the streets of beautiful Savannah Georgia for marathon #2......

If you remember, I set out with a 

Plan A: BQ with 3:34:00    

and a 

Plan B PR with 3:45

well turns out there was a Plan C......4:00:11  who knew!? NOT THIS GIRL!

It is a 14 minute PR and today I am happy with it....Saturday I was horribly disappointed.  I was spot on for a BQ until around mile 18.......and then.....

I will go into all of the gruesome details later this week in my full race report.

Savannah Expo with my 3 travel companions! And no...that is NOT Brett Favre...

Congratulations to Tonia@RacingwithBabes   and Molly@I'maSleeperBaker   

and everyone else who dashed the streets this past weekend on a great run in NYC!! 

Grace and Peace,

Three Things Thursday

1.The big race is Saturday and the weather report is calling for thunderstorms all morning....not sure what I'm supposed to do.  I don't mind running in rain at all....but thunder and lightning not so much.  Do they postpone races this big? I'm making a trip to a local thrift shop for a rain coat I can throw away.  I am also praying for dry skies..

2. Hubby is traveling out of town for work, so I will be making the 2hr trip to Nashville solo.  I'm staying the night with Hubby's Aunt and I'm excited to spend some quality time with her.  I haven't really had a chance to see her since her husband passed away a few months ago.  It should be a very nice, low-key, evening. 

3.I can not wait to go to the Expo tomorrow! I'm hoping it is as good as the R n' R Arizona expo.  That expo was like Disney Land for runners and I've got my spending stash ready! I want to find a couple cute running shirts.  Last time the girls from Run Happy Tees had a booth set up and I almost bought one of their shirts and then changed my mind.... I regretted it as soon as I left because they were significantly discounted at the Expo and the Tees are super cute! 

I want to thank you all for your encouragment, support, and advice! My nerves are better today and I know that I am prepared.  I trained hard and I trained smart....

My next post will be my race re-cap!!! 

Good wishes and blessings to all of you who have races this 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,

4 days and counting....

First of all I want to say a HUGE Congratulations to all of you who ran the Boston Marathon!! You are amazing!!

It has been a super busy few days.  I am behind on everything, work, laundry, reading, blogging, eating, sleeping.....you get the point.
This past Saturday I ran the Foot Pursuit 5k.  I placed first in my Age Group at 24:45. I was going for a PR  and missed it by 2 seconds.... Oh well. It was a fun race put on by my friend Linda and the race raised over $2000 for the Special Olympics. 
I will be adding some extra speed work into my training after the Half this weekend to hopefully get my 5k time under 24 mins.

Speaking of the half this weekend, only 4 days left until the Nashville Country Music Half....I am really nervous...like dry mouth, nauseous, pitting out just thinking about it...nervous.  I wasn't this nervous before the last two Half marathons that I ran.  I think I am putting too much a little more pressure on myself this time.  The first Half I ran, I went into with no expectations or time constraints. I just wanted to finish.  The second one I missed my goal of a sub 2 hour by 1min 44sec.....and I strained my IT Band.
Saturday night I had a dream that I was running the Half and I was staring at my Garmin and no matter how fast I ran I could not get my pace under 9:30......I woke up pretty freaked out.  I never have anxiety dreams. 
I ran my last big training run on Sunday. A 12 miler that started off rough and turned into an 11 miler.  That run didn't do anything for my confidence....yesterday I did an easy 2 miles, this evening I will do an easy 4 miles, tomorrow I will do a 30 min tempo run and then Thursday and Friday I will freak out rest.

My friend and running buddy Angie put a race care package together for me yesterday that included everything I will need for race day, GU, new race socks, kleenex(because the porta-potties are ALWAYS out of T.P.), sanitizer wipes, my favorite cherry Laffy Taffy(for after the race) and some other great goodies!!  Angie has really been a huge support and it is nice to have someone to keep me accountable as race day approaches.  Especially when normally I would be feeding my anxiety like a mad woman, Angie continually reminds me to eat clean.  And I have been eating clean....... for about 2 days....;)

The rest of the week I will be focusing on peace.  I am happy to serve a God who is the Prince of peace!

What do you do to calm your nerves before a big race?

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,

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,

Turf Toe....What??

I know you have been awaiting the results from my appt with the podiatrist.  The official diagnosis was that I have "Turf Toe". 

So, what is "turf toe"? 

Turf toe is a condition of pain at the base of the big toe, located at the ball of the foot. The condition is usually caused from either jamming the toe, or pushing off repeatedly when running or jumping. The most common complaint is pain at the base of the toe, but you may also have symptoms of stiffness and swelling.  My symptoms were pain in the ball of my foot and burning sensation in my big toe.

What is the treatment?

Treatment of turf toe consists of controlling the inflammation of the joint capsule. The most important aspect of treatment is to rest the sore toe to allow the inflammation to subside and the joint capsule to heal. In addition to resting the toe, inflammation can be controlled by icing the area, and elevating the foot, and anti-inflammatory meds.
Athletes diagnosed with turf toe should avoid their sport at least three weeks (not going to happen)to allow the joint capsule to heal. Without doing so, the injury can progress, and can lead to an even longer recuperation. It is not uncommon for athletes to try to come back too soon, or to try to play through the injury. Unfortunately, this usually leads to a more chronic injury, and ultimately a longer recovery.

Ok, so my Dr. offered to give me a steroid shot in the ball of my foot. Um, NO Thank you... so he wrote me a prescription for oral steroids and told me to take it easy.  Really?  Take it easy?  I have a Half Marathon that is begging to be run sub-2hrs in exactly 11 days.  I promised I would take it easy after April 24th, and I will. Relatively. 

Anyone else ever have "Turf Toe"?  I would like to know what kind of recovery time I'm looking at.
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I finally got new shoes!  I went over to Fleet Feet on Friday.  I've been wearing Mizuno's for the last 6 months and really like them, so I decided to stay with Mizuno.  After measuring my feet the guy suggested I go up a half size to a 9.5.  I've never had any problems with my size 9's, but I figured he knew better than me, so I agreed. 
I ended up getting the Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6

I tried them out yesterday for the first time and was a little disappointed.  I think I need to go back down to a size 9.  After my run I had blisters on both big toes.  I've NEVER had blisters on my toes before or any pain on my toenails.  I'm thinking that my toes have too much room to move around.  I ran a total of 11 miles in them yesterday and tried another 6.25 miles this morning.  Tomorrow I will be making another trip to Fleet Feet. Thankfully Fleet Feet will exchange your running shoes even after you run in them.
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Last, week because of allergies and congestion I only ran a total of 12 miles and I totally wussed out of the 5k on Sunday......I also consumed the rest of the Easter candy.  On a positive note, there is no more candy in the house.LOL!

Hope you are all having a great week!  

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,

Sugar High

 Yesterday I ingested an ungodly amount of Easter Candy....I am feeling it today. Poor peeps....those things are so cute and so yummy!!
Seriously there is no telling how many calories I consumed.  I'm sure it was well over my weekly allowance.  I would not feel so bad about it if I had gotten in my long run Saturday.

I had a 15miler planned for Saturday morning at 6am.  I woke up at 5am to eat and check the weather. The weather man said there would be strong thunderstorms moving in around 8am.  So I figured I may not get in the 15miles but surely I would have enough time to squeeze in 13.  WRONG.  At a little before 7am the sky lit up with lightning and the bottom fell out!!  The weatherman is a liar....It poured!!  I was running with 2 friends and thankfully we weren't too far from my mom's house.  We hoofed it there and woke my brother up. I borrowed his car to take my friends home.  Bummer. We only got in 4.5 miles. 
It cleared up by 10am and turned into a beautiful day, but I didn't have the time to get anymore running in on Saturday or Sunday.
My brother's wedding reception was Saturday afternoon at my house and it was perfect.  It was warm and sunny, everyone enjoyed themselves, and the food was amazing!!   It wouldn't be a family gathering without too much food and of course my mother's mostaccioli (which I overindulged in).  Talk about carb loading!  We had enough food to feed a large army!

I'm pretty sure this weekend I gained back the 6lbs. that took me 3 months to lose. And it is probably in the shape of a peep sitting on my muffin tops!

In other news,  only 19 days to the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville!!! I can not wait!!
I just talked to my Aunt who lives up there and secured my place to stay.  I waited too late to book a hotel downtown and the only ones left were about $300 a night.  Nothing like scoring a free place to stay! SCORE!

Saturday I receive the Stuffitts that I won from Allie at That Girl Is A Running Fool.  Today the temp is going to reach 85 and that means my feet will be sweating like crazy! I'm excited to try these out!  Thanks Allie!!!

  I am SO thankful that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later showing the righteous justification that you and I can now have in Him!!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter!!

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,