The Two Month Countdown

61 Days To Go

Tomorrow marks the official two month mark for the big day. My excitement continues to grow as I knock out my long runs each week. As I wrapped up Sunday's run I really wanted to do it all over again just to prove I could handle the increased distance. However, the overly rational side of me took over and I realized I must stick to the program and gradually increase. One thing I haven't shared is my huge fear of injury between now and November. Much like my fear of passing out while crossing the street and someone stealing my cutie pie, leaveing me for a speed bump - I also have a small paranoia related to injury. So I stretch, stretch, stretch like a little Olympic gymnast doing her floor routine (pretend with me) and I follow my training program like I follow a recipe when baking. I measure twice, follow each step closely, and curse throughout the process. Much like baking, in the end I have a HUGE mess to clean up (seriously, I'm talking batter on the ceiling light fixture), but I also have great satisfaction in my accomplishment. My house is living proof of this. When I noticed that my sweet baby boy's jammies looked like this after spending a half hour or so playing on the floor before bedtime, I knew it was time to break out the Shark steam mop and quit complaining about being tired. Bad mom!
My run with the hydration belt was a success, but not without a few adjustments which can be expected when adapting to a new piece of gear. First of all, if you have never ran with one of these, be prepared for a tight fit. If you don't cinch it very snugly around your waist, it will bounce. After a little playing with it throughout the first mile though I was able to stabilize it and find a comfortable fit. It was fairly easy to retrieve while running, but being the most uncoordinated person in the world that I am, I always have to stop and walk briskly while I down a few swigs of water. Otherwise, my chin and chest area simply get a refreshing drench and I remain thirsty and discombobulated trying to continue running (and I thought motherhood had allowed me to perfect the art of multi-tasking). One other adjustment for me, which is simply another mind quirk, is that between songs on my Ipod I could hear the water swish while I pounded the pavement and it completely took me out of my zone (like nails on a chalkboard, just one of those things). No big deal though. A little humming to myself while Fergie stepped in for Madonnna and I was just fine. Overall, it was a definite worthwhile investment. And if you are coordinated and non-quirky (aka: normal), then I think it would be a winner for anyone running over 5+ miles. It also has a convenient pouch area where I was able to stash my cell phone and a handful of energy beans. I am thrilled with my purchase and if you are in the market for hydration gear - check out Amphipod. They have a great variety of functional choices and I have my eye on a new Ipod arm band from them next.

Highlight of Last Week: I just ate an insanely good chicken burrito with an avocado ranch sauce from a local hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. While I am posting this on Monday, it totally cancels out the calories I burned during at least one of last week's run - so I am counting it as last week's highlight.

Lesson of Last Week: No matter how much you practice, coordination is not a learned trait. And even though I love to dance, I will never be good at it.

Power Song of last Week: For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert. Never did I ever think I would be posting an Adam Lambert song as my power song but the beginning of this song just pumps me up. "So hot, out the box, can we pick up the pace? Turn it up, heat it up, I need to be entertained. Push the limit, are you with it, baby don't be afraid. I'm gonna hurt you real good..." Okay, where are my running shoes?

Keepin' On, Keepin' On

64 Days To Go

What a great week this has been! For many reasons, some of which (of course) I am going to share. My little chunky monkey is becoming more of a little person each day. He took his first steps recently. His expressions, laughter, mimics, and gestures show me how much more aware he is becoming of the world around him. It is a blissful time in mommyhood. On the running front, I have found further support pop up in encouraging places. This feature on the Athleta Chi website was a true honor.

If you are not familiar with the Athleta Chi blog, head over to their site and check it out. I have been drooling over Athleta active apparel for quite some time, but the community they have built on their Chi site is something every athlete/mother/woman/ _____ (insert your own self-description here) should peruse for inspiration on living a healthy lifestyle.

Running has been quite enjoyable this past week. There have been a few sneak peek Fall breezes that make my evening runs a refreshing and crisp experience. I am feeling my legs become more powerful and my will more determined as I grow closer to the big day in November. We've decided to take advantage of the trip down to St. Pete and also make a v-line to Disney for the monkey's first Mickey Mouse experience (that's aside from Playhouse Disney on TV, of course. Can you say "meeska, mooska, Mickey Mouse!") before heading to the half. (P.S. I am also soliciting any advice from experienced mamas on the Disney experience. What should I bring? Where should we stay? What should we do? It will be a one-day trip, most likely. After all, he'll only be one-year-old and mama has a race to prepare for.)

Another week of Stroller Strides (or Strollercise, as my husband calls it) three days this week and I have the sore muscles to prove it. Hurts so good! I am looking forward to my long run on Sunday and testing my new Amphipod hydration belt I purchased. I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy running, friends!

68 Days To Go

68 Days To Go

Where is the time going? Sixty-eight days to go...wowzers. I still remember typing my first post back in the beginning of May for this blog and thinking how long 200 days was. My, my, my, how time flies. Fast-forward 132 days and here I am confirming hotel reservations, choosing my running "attire" for the big day (the important things, y'know), and realizing this is real and I am in this for the long haul. The 13.1 mile LONG haul - run, walk, or crawl.

A bit of bad news I haven't shared yet is that it is looking more and more like I am running this half on my own, minus the team that emerged after I made my announcement I was training for the half. Most of my friends/teammates had to bow out, and not without good reason. Pregnancy, stress fractures, medical school - I suppose they are all legitimate excuses, right? (Smile.) Now, don't get me wrong - I am disappointed, but I had prepared for this. I went it in this challenge alone and I am prepared to finish alone. This is my journey. I am happy to share this journey, but I can't let it go. I'm attached. I'm committed.

In good news, this past week I discovered a fitness group called Stroller Strides. Do you have one of these in your area? Okay, I'll be honest, I heard about this group a while back but completely underestimated it. I pictured a group of ladies leisurely strolling around pushing jogging strollers, sipping lattes, with an occasional power walk mom-march weaved in. Not the case. This group focuses on interval training - running from one station to another where resistance training, plyometrics, and body strength conditioning take place before running to the next station. This has been a great addition to my schedule on cross-training and stretch and strengthen training days. Not to mention, I get to enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico during evening classes and some optimal window shopping at the local outdoor mall during the morning classes. You know how I feel about things that involve shopping!

After this week is over I will be moving on to Week Five in the Hal Higdon training (I have done each week twice before progressing to the next). I keep hoping the Fall weather will arrive early before I get into these 7, 8, 9 (oh, it keeps going) runs that I am staring at in my very near future.

Here's last week's recap:

Highlight of Last Week: Realizing I can not wait any longer - it's time to start shopping for hydration belts or some other means of hydration for long runs. I've hit the milestone where hydration is necessary....and I get to shop!

Lesson of Last Week: Don't underestimate and/or be afraid to give new things a try. If you don't like it, don't do it again. I love the addition of the Stroller Strides classes to my training schedule. I should have tried it sooner.

Power Song of Last Week: Rock That Body by Black Eyed Peas. What can I say? I love me some Black Eyed Peas.