Zip, Zero, Zilch

...Just some words that can be used to describe how many miles I have logged this week.  I can count on one hand the number of times I have had a week like this one in the past almost 6 years.  With my upcoming marathon it leaves me pretty concerned.  I don't know if I will even be able to get a long run in this weekend and I have my kidneys to thank...or my gene pool for that matter.  I was knocked down with what was thought to be a UTI...after having a miserable three days after visiting the immediate care, I found myself a primary care physician (I dislike doctors and haven't really been regularly since having my last son).  Diagnosis: kidney stone.  Luckily there were no clusters of them, it was not lodged somewhere, and there was no need for talk of surgical removal or stints (all of which pretty much every member on my mom's side of the family has been through).  So, I have just been sucking it up, laying in bed, and trying to flush my system out.   I woke up this morning, after the best nights sleep that I have had in over a week, feeling the best I have in over a week.  I am thinking I am on the mend, but don't want to get my hopes up of a long run this weekend just yet.  I am driven and determined and I might not let my body win on this one...we shall see.

I'll say it again...

...I really hate change.

The ear phones that I have had for the past 5 years bit the dust.  I love them and for the past few months only the left one had been working...but I would rather just deal with only one head phone than get new ones.

It was four in the morning, I wasn't really awake, and I turned on my ipod to start my morning run.  No sound.  For a few seconds my thoughts went several different ways : Great timing for my ipod to brake.  Now what am I going to do?  I must go back home and go back to sleep.  What a way to start my day.  Stupid piece of junk.  My ipod was still lit up, it still had the little play arrow up in the corner, and it was still switching songs...just no sound.  So, rather than chalk it up to "my stupid ipod" I decided to plug my ear phones in to the treadmill tv and see if they could be the problem.  BINGO.  At that point I was relieved that it was only my head phones...but sad at the same time.  I have worn them for every single run, every single race I have run.

It must have been since this incident happened too early in the morning, because by the time I was getting around head out for my next run I had forgotten I had no head phones.  Out of desperation (rarely can I run without music...yep, I am that kind of runner) I grabbed my daughters.  They are the kind that are shaped like a bullet, instead of the flat, round ones that I was used to.  I didn't know how this was going to go...but I was hoping for the best.  After running twice with them, I decided they weren't so bad...and now, I love them.

I hate change, but when I am forced in to it, I usually find it's not so bad.

Still Running Strong...

I haven't stopped doing what I love to do...I guess I have just stopped writing about it (from the looks of this blog).

Up and coming is The Chicago Marathon that I am running on October 9th.  I am getting really excited and looking forward to the challenge of another twenty-six point two.

I have been upping my mileage, with which comes the good and the bad : more mileage means more calories burned, that feeling after a good long run, the feeling of accomplishment, how good that shower feels afterward, time alone in my head to reflect on a lot of things....the bad : this nagging pain that has been shooting up my ankle, another UTI, stomach issues, and time eaten up on my weekends with the long run that I have to get in.  The good outweighs the bad and I guess that's why I keep doing it...there is almost nothing on earth better than crossing that finish line after running a marathon.

This past week, I logged 46 miles...and my long run at the end of my week was made more uncomfortable by a UTI...lovely.  I doubt that I am going to have a good mileage week this week because of my recent diagnosis.  But, I just keep reminding myself that for the DeMoines Marathon I decided to run it about a month before, did one long run leading up to it, and did better than the one I really trained for.  I told a friend the other day that once someone gets to mile 20 it's all heart and soul until the end anyway.

So, hopefully in the next couple of weeks leading up to Chicago I will be on here more.

Happy Running.

My Fourth CRIM

This past weekend, I ran my fourth CRIM...with my sister by my side.  You can read about it here.

To Motivate

Motivate - (v). Stimulate (someone's) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something

There are many things I want to be known for after I leave this earth. I really hope that one of the things is motivating those around me to live a more active lifestyle. I realize that not everyone was born to run a marathon...maybe not even run around the block...but I do believe that everyone has an obligation to their loved ones to live a healthy, active lifestyle. I hope by speaking to me, reading my blog, glancing at my status on facebook, or even emailing me to ask me a question about running gear, vitamins, or running in general I "stimulate an interest or enthusiasm" for getting active and being the best you can be. The sky is the limit...you just have to want to take that first step and keep putting one foot in front of the other when the going gets tough.

This time of year...

Seven years ago, I had just had a baby. My body was transformed in to something I had nightmares about. I had gained a huge amount of weight (50pounds) and my princess weighed under eight pounds. It was stressful enough trying to get in the the routine of being a new mom, I couldn't even think about exercising.

I look back on that time and see how far I have come. I stepped on the scale a few weeks after having K and saw the numbers 1 - 8 - 4. It seemed as if I had no choice other than to surrender to my fate. My body would never be the same and I would never be able to fit back in to my pre-pregnancy clothes. I spent almost two years in the mind set.

After I had my middle man, I decided that I didn't want to live like this anymore. I got a jogger and a little determination and I changed my outlook. This time of year always reminds me of the choice I made to turn things around...to be active...to not be the Mom on the sidelines, but the Mom that can have fun right along side of her kids. It isn't easy. Some days I am exhausted. Some days I just want to skip a run. But, then I think back to how I felt more than 50 pounds heavier than I am now and I would much rather be tired or exhausted.

So lace up those shoes...and give it your all...it's worth ever ache, pain, and bead of sweat.

Girls On the Run 5K

I had the privilege of being my nieces running buddy for a program through the school district called Girls On the Run. Here is a little bit about the program taken from the website:

Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls climb out of the “girl box” using a 24-lesson curriculum designed to promote good choice for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The curriculum, designed specifically to address “girl box” issues, uses warm-up, and workouts which encourage emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois prepares girls for a 5K run/walk event and challenges and encourages girls, whatever their fitness level.

This past Sunday was the 5K that all of the girls have worked so hard to get ready for. It was an amazing event and so neat to see all the little runners out there. It made me really look forward to Kait being old enough to participate...not this school year, but next.

My little niece did great. I ran a practice run with her a few weeks ago and got a feel for her pace and what she could do. She did a great job then and come in second. During the race on Sunday, I was talking to her, singing to her, and trying my best to motivate her to keep going and finish strong. We picked walking points and objects where we would start walking at and then ones that we would start running again. When we would start back to running she would go hard at around a 9:50 to 10:24 pace. I was so proud of her. She really gave it her all and finished her first 5K in 36:32! I got a little teary when we crossed the finish line and they put the medal around her neck.

Now to gear up for my last half marathon this year...so hoping for a PR!