S Club Mama

Last weekend, I was all signed up, pumped, and ready to run 13.1 miles. I had put in my time - training for weeks upon weeks, working from treadmill to road, logging my longest run of 12.5 outside about a month earlier before tapering. The night before, Big A and I had dropped the kids off at his parents' farm for a sleepover with cousins. Oh boy, did grandma have her hands full with a 6 year old and three 4 year olds. It sounds like they had fun and Squirt didn't cry when we left, so that was a small victory. We talked all the way up to downtown, Lincoln, NE to grab my race packet. Then we spent some time in Old Navy exchanging one defective pair of little boy pants (2 weeks for a rip in the knee...TWO WEEKS!) and some online bought shorts that were (blessedly) too big. Chipoltle was where we ate supper - I love their burritos! I convinced Big A to try out Cherry on Top, a frozen yogurt place. Yum! They sell by the ounce and I had 3 free ounces from a coupon in the race pa...

Running has become pretty vital to my life. It's where I clear my head (and lungs), where I can let go of stress, where I can listen to my music (not that I don't LOVE The Despicable Me 2 soundtrack but c'mon, I can only take minions singing for so long) or audiobook. However, running has been difficult these past 2 years because the majority of my running has been inside. On the dreadmill. I also mostly run on the two same treadmills: one facing a street and one facing the same street but most of my view is obscured by a block of cement or other building material. I've been asked regularly how my foot is doing (if you recall, I hurt it last March). It's doing ok. I'm training for a half marathon (because I got to for free, not that I'm insane to train while still slightly injured). I've been able to complete 8 miles on the treadmill but only up to 3.25 outside on the road. The surface makes all the difference. I'm not really sure if I'll b...

I have been able to run inside on the treadmill for a few months now and had the opportunity to sign up for the Lincoln half marathon for free, so I did. I got a run/walk/run timer for Christmas and made the decision to train like that. I found a plan that allowed me to run 3 times a week. I started the two 30 minute runs on the treadmill (weather has been chilly around here, to say the least) and did a long run of 3.5 miles last week inside. This week I did the same for the mid-week runs and decided to make a go of it outside today. The wind was awful (20-30 mph) but it wasn't way too cold. I was optimistic but realistic, I told Big A to keep his phone on him in case I needed picked up. I felt good for the majority of the run. My foot wasn't bothering me at all until around 3 miles and then it just started to almost cramp up. I even tried to walk more (I was keeping a 4:1 ratio between running and walking) and to rub the "cramp" out (it's not really a cramp b...

Well, I guess more of a walking update as I'm not running (yet). I think my goal is to be (at the very least) running by Christmas. I'm hoping for much sooner than that. I'm up to 30 minutes of walking - very slowly. I upped the pace for a few minutes at a time and I stopped once to massage my foot. It feels pretty good today. I realized I need to not sit crisscross as it smushes my foot and ends up causing pain. I don't even think I told you. I went to the orthopedic doc a few weeks ago and they took another x-ray. No remodeling = no stress fracture. So we're back to unsure about what this is, but my chiropractor thinks it's metatarsalgia (which was our original thought). Rest seems to be the best remedy but I've been resting (more or less) since March. For Pete's sake! So I'm taking it slow...literally.

Although my children are His miracles as well, this post is not about my bundles of joy (who aren't really bundles anymore, huh?). No. Today God worked a miracle! I have not been able to run for about 4 weeks without severe pain in my right foot (muscle overuse...go figure). Today I walked 10 minutes. Then I ran 10 minutes. No pain. Not even a little except my legs which said "hey I thought we were biking?" I was floored! Those 10 minutes were miraculous. Yes, there was much work put in by myself, my wonderful chiropractor (Dr. L), and ice. But myself, the doc, the ice does not work miracles. God heals. God works miracles. As I'm thankful for my doctor's work and wisdom, I know God is the Healer, the Great Physician. And I'm so thankful to Him for healing my foot. Tomorrow I will try to run 4 miles. I may make it without pain. I may not. That does not distract from today's miracle. Then God worked another miracle by allowing my 3-year-old to live ...

I realize I haven't really posted about running much lately (after I sucked it up writing 30 posts in 30 days about fitness haha). Running is going extremely well. I've been running 4 days a week, trying to do another workout at least 2 times a week, and playing in a volleyball league (that ends tonight, sad). We've had some beautiful weather up until this weekend (even this isn't bad though) here in Kansas. Last week I was running in a tank top and capris! I'll have to start hitting the treadmill here soon more often, which is sad but I'm hoping some audio books will pump me through the winter blues. My left toe was hurt last April/May and I took time off. I think I'm up to a decent level of fitness and endurance. I haven't ran over 6 miles since then because 1) no reason and 2) now my shoes are getting worn out. I've actually gotten just over 300 miles on this pair of Nike Pegasus +28. I tried a pair of Brooks Pure Cadence but they killed my to...

Brr! It was cold today in Peru, Nebraska home of my alma mater. I love going back to Peru, truly; it just feels like home. Today it was a cold home, but home nonetheless. Big A and I decided to register again for the Nebraska's Toughest Mile competition and I'm fairly certain the hills were steeper this year. Ugh. My time went from 9:25 last year to 10:06 this year. It was colder, I'm less trained (I was primed from a half marathon last year), and it was cold. But I finished with lungs burning and the taste of blood in my mouth (not sure why this ONLY happens when I run this race, but weird). I sat myself in one of the restroom stalls in the Student Center sure that I was going to barf, but luckily, that didn't happen. Phew! finishing! Seriously, people, one mile seems so simple, but this is uphill almost literally all the way. And not just up hill but UPHILL. Yuck. We had our friends G and L ride up with us so that we could spend time with them (it had been ...

Holy cow, I just realized I haven't done my recap from my half marathon in Lincoln in May!!! I know you've all been on pins and needles....or not. But I'm going to tell you anyway. If you recall, I got back from the Philippines on April 30, sick as a dog. The half marathon was on May 7. Yay - NOT. After I got my Rx drugs to make me feel better, I did feel better, but I hadn't ran in nearly two weeks. Good for my toe, bad for my lungs/legs/goal. I was still gunning for a 2:00:00 finish; my coach and husband and friends and family assured me I could still do it. I had too much sun the day before the race - on an extremely HOT Saturday. I had a great supper and night with some friends we stayed with (bless their hearts for letting all 4 of us crash there). I slept on Squirt's little mattress while the brat (said in good fun) stole my couch. Ugh. Anyway it was raining when I woke up to get ready but the rain didn't last. I found my pace group and talked with a...

Today I ran 12 miles. Not only for my training, not only for my Lord, not only for my health, not only for my family. Today I ran for Sherry. For those who don't know, Sherry Arnold was a wife/mother/runner/teacher from Montana who was abducted on a long run on a Saturday morning a few months ago. She never came home and police have only been able to locate her Brooks running shoe. I believe it was found about a mile from her home. I was first made aware of Sherry's disappearance through Another Mother Runner website. From there, I've been able to keep up with news about the investigation. And also, it was there that I learned of the virtual memorial run being hosted by her cousin at Shut Up and Run . So today as I headed to the gym, there was an addition to my running attire. A bib featuring Sherry's picture. I wanted others to know that this run was not for myself but in honor of Sherry and her family. I can't imagine the pain that her kids and husband and pa...

I may not be Lightning McQueen but I sure have ran fast my last two runs! *Disclaimer: I know these times aren't really fast but they are really fast for me.* On Wednesday, the weather was so beautiful (50 degrees) and Moose had been asking to go to the race track (high school track) for a few days. So I put on my running gear with the plans to run 3 miles while my boys piddled around on the track and football field. Great plan, right? Two laps in, Moose said, "I want to go home." Um... so I pulled out the "hey, there are crackers in your backpack." While my kids devoured half a sleeve of crackers (can't believe it wasn't more), I finished my other 10 laps. Those laps averaged out to 8:57-minute miles (26:51). I'm sure part of that was a flat track, but I'm still going to take it! I was without my iPod so listening to myself breathe was awful. Another part was the need to get it done before my kids said they wanted to go home or start throw...

I signed up for my first half of 2012!! Lincoln National Guard Marathon and Half Marathon - 2012 : Half Marathon : early registration You have successfully registered at GetMeRegistered.com. I'm psyched to run this race! I tried to register last year but it filled up fast (Registration close at 10,000 entrants, with up to 8,000 entrants accepted in the half marathon.). We used to live in Lincoln so I'm excited to run there with the added bonus of finishing on Memorial Stadium (go Huskers!!). So excited!! Want to enter? Register here . 

1. Please look both ways when turning. Perhaps that seems simple, but you would be surprised how many people look the way they are turning only. 2. Don't just look for vehicles. Unless it's your plan to hit a pedestrian, please be on the look out for runners, walkers, bicyclists. 3. Use your blinker! It really would help me (and other drivers) to know which way you're turning or if you are turning at all. I'd still love for you to use your turn signal, this is just funny. 4. Don't stare. It's called running. It's been around in popularity since the 70s. And if you're from my town, you've seen me out before. Wave or smile! 5. This is a yield sign. Yield. And remember, pedestrians (aka runners and walkers...not sure about bicyclists but I would yield to them) have the right-of-way! So that means you may have to stop. But at least LOOK! 6. This is a stop sign. Stop (for yielding, see #5). While there's not really a certain a...

Sunday, September 25, 2011 marked 7 years of Big A & myself. It also marked our second round of the Omaha half marathon (last year's recap here and here )! The morning was chilly but seemingly warmer than last year. I was still pretty jazzed from my Biggest Loser experience , so I was feeling really good. Tired though...here's that back story. On Saturday, Big A & I took the boys up to my sister's dorm room in a nearby town. She had agreed to watch the boys for us. We were almost there and Squirt threw up. Great. Big A decided to take the boys home and I would stay to run. So my sister went with me to the spaghetti supper (yeah, Big A missed the BLs) and during the supper, Big A called: "hey do you think Pookie (my lil sis) would mind coming down here [2 hours away] to watch the boys? Squirt has been fine since we left." So after a semi-quick Walmart stop (to pick up birthday gifts for my nieces & nephew), Pookie & I went back down to Kansas. Th...

Saturday, July 2, 2011 was my very first 5K. That's right, 3 halves under my belt and no 5K. Anyway, this was our little town's 4th of July run. There were 273 participants (runners & walkers) and I finished 116th with a time of 29:47. The first mile was just kind of tough to get going. There was one hill which I just took at my normal slow & steady pace. That first hill, I passed quite a few people. We looped by our house to a water station at the hospital to get going on mile 2. About mile 2.5 there was another good hill. I was doing ok - I just kept thinking I should be going faster but my pace was normal. Sometimes I think I'm a fast runner - I'm not! Gotta get that through my head! During mile 3 I had a mental breakthrough. I know that I've ran 10 miles more than this, so 3 miles is nothing. I just have to push through! And I did - well. There were two women I was familiar with running ahead of me and I set a mini-goal to beat them. We probably had ...

When I read this runner's survey on Run with Jess , I wanted to participate and I'd love for you to fill it out yourself... so I can learn more about you too! What is your favorite type of cross training?   Jillian Michaels DVDs. I'd love to try spinning or a kickboxing class, but our town doesn't seem to have those options. So I'll stick with Jillian (at least I will when my wrist stops hurting. I think I minorly sprained it doing a back bend while watching Biggest Loser - thanks a lot Hannah! And Jillian does everything in plank so it'd be hard to do without your wrist feeling well). What is your favorite song to run to?   I love me some Pink!! What brand of shoes do you wear?   I wear Nikes but I'd love to try Asics, Saucony, Brooks...or Vibrams Do you wear a hat when you run?   No. I don't even own a hat. Well, ok I own one but I don't ever wear it. I wish I had more hats. I wouldn't wear them to run - too hot and sweaty. I l...

One of my favorite things about running is hearing that I've had some sort of influence on another person. Health has become very important to me - my body is God's temple, so I want to care for it; I love my family so I want to be around as long as possible for them. To hear that I've impacted someone else's life is very humbling, first of all, because I "can do all things [running] through Christ who strengthens me." These miles are not my own! Each step is guided by God because I seriously do not have the strength [and sometimes ambition] to do them myself. However, as great as it is to be asked for running advice or to be told by a friend that I'm inspiring, my biggest compliment was paid to me after my long run on Saturday. I ran by our house a total of 3 times before ending and I stopped briefly each time - to get sports drink, energy gels, and kisses (and use the potty once). Each time I stopped, Moose asked if he could go run. I told him when I w...

I haven't written about running lately. My apologies to my running blogging pals. I've still been going strong! Big A and I and my older sister are running a half marathon in central Nebraska in June. I'm excited about running with my sister! I wish my little sister could run with us, but she's been batting injuries for quite some time now. Another perk to this race is that it's 15 miles from my parents' house so they'll be able to watch our boys the night before and day of the race. So nice to have that support (thanks Mom!). I'm hoping we'll have some cheerleaders out for us since I'm from that way...we'll see.  I ran a 10K over Easter weekend for a time of 57:56. Not bad! I started out way too fast, though, and couldn't maintain that speed. So I puttered out quickly, too. I finished, though, that was my ultimate goal. I have to remind myself that I'm not going to win a race! I know that sounds pessimistic but it's also real...

I run because...I have to maintain. I run because...it clears my head. I run because...I need time alone after a day of being mommy. I run because...I like to pretend I'm fast. I run because...I like the clothes! I run because...I need a goal. I run because...I didn't think I could. I run because...I like to sweat. Most importantly... I run because...I want to be a good example. I run because....my body is a temple.

Tonight I ran 3 miles in 26:16 - wow! That is so fast for me. To maintain that speed for an extended period of time was awesome. It just didn't feel super fast tonight; such a good night. Last night I did sprints - 1 mile warm up, 2 miles of sprints, and 1 mile cool down - in 40:40 and I thought that was good. I really like the sprinting I've been working on, just trying to gain a little bit of speed. I'm ready to run outside (in the next few days woo-hoo!). I'm getting so bored on the treadmill. My book, podcasts, music - nothing seems to help. Ugh. Come on spring!! Finally decided on a half marathon for this summer! Buffalo County Stampede half marathon in Kearney, NE. I'm excited because I'm from there (well, 15 minutes from there) so it'll be good. I'm hoping to have some familia and amigos there to support me! And I'm hoping my older sister will get to run with me, too.