Bullets

I can only think in bullets today, so that's how I'll post.

• Tomorrow is my first ever obstacle race, the Run For Yours zombie 5k obstacle course in my hometown of Onalaska, WA. What? Never heard of it? I'm shocked! I've been so focused on the relay, I haven't really had time to get too nervous, or excited about this race. But Jesse and I will have some sweet outfits. Here is a bit of a sneak peak...

Intrigued?

• After the disappointment of Tuesdays run, I was anxious to push myself the next night. We had some unexpected guests and I got on the mill later than I wanted, but i was able to get my fastest 2 miles ever, 24:09, which included my two min walk warm up. Satisfied? Yes!

• Two weeks removed from the relay and the nerves are really kickin in. I have had repeated nightmares about not packing properly or leaving late. It's all for fun, but I still want to make sure I show up!

• The Olympics are actually getting me down. We just don't have time to watch them like we wish and therefore are missing the cool obscure sports and interviews. What happened to the days when we couldn't find enough coverage to watch? Oh yeah, 3 kids!

• Speaking of TV, our new obsession is Franklin and Bash. Zachary Morris is all grown up and funny! Of course, it's viewing is on hold till post Olympics.

• Our race tomorrow says to be prepared for mud, water, latex, and small electrical shocks. Should Jesse and I get a taser tonight so we can practice?

How was your week? Any advice for my upcoming races? I appreciate all tips! Have a great weekend!

Even when you suck...

Or at least you THINK you suck, on a run, ride, swim, etc. you are still doing SOMEthing! This was my lesson last night and it was hard one to sink into my thick skull.

I don't like doing things I'm not not quickly good at. My low self confidence apparently can't take it. sports was always a go to activity. Because I was always fairly natural at all the sports the PE teacher used to throw at us, I made my identity one of an athlete. I am slowly, and painfully, learning that running is not like other sports. It seems I was wise to dread the conditioning at practice. Coordination I have, iron lungs I do not!

Still, I have been SLOWLY improving, and feeling good about it and last nights run just felt like a slap in the face. Let me paint ya little picture- its a warm evening, around 6, and I want to get in a quick 3 miles before my sister arrives to play games. I have convinced Jesse to run with me and push the kids, so we take off from our front door. My goal is to get down to 12 min miles by the relay, and based on a run last week with two sub 13 miles that included some walking, I feel this is totally doable! Despite the heat, I tick off the first mile in 12:09, but fear I am fading fast. It's not my legs, but stomach that wants me to give up. That "you are gonna puke or poop" feeling hits and I can't shake it. The next two miles are slow and hold no enjoyment for me. I run too slow, walk too slow, even push the cross walk buttons too slow. Despite how awful I feel, I am super glad Jesse is with me or the run might even look worse! I finally get my sorry butt to our street, my always designated stopping point, look at my time and almost cry. The second and third miles took me 27 min to finish. Awful. I felt AWFUL. Jesse tried to compliment me, but it fell on deaf, sweaty ears.

I never felt like I would have been better off not running, it was just having this dark cloud of disappointment raining down on me did nothing for my spirits the rest of the night. I began planning out the rest of the weeks runs, hoping in one of those outings my magic results from all my hard work would find me. They certainly weren't around for this run. But as the night wore on, and my spirits were lifted by a rousing game of progressive rummy (which I won! Booya) I came to the realization that running is hard. Maybe for a few thousand out there, it comes easy, but for the rest of us, it will take work. Every run won't be better than the last. If getting out the door is half the battle for you, and just finishing is the other half, than even a run like last night's makes you a complete winner. So, the wheel of morality tells me, I'm a WINNER! It also says tonight's run will be better. Thanks wheel.

Three Things Thursday

Yea, it is technically still Thursday so I am golden! I love me some bullet posts!

1. I have been trying to get into big time training for the Spokane to Sandpoint relay. Something about knowing others are counting on you really makes you step up your game. Which is exactly what I need. Counting the tri on Sunday, I am up to 5 or 6 days of exercise in a row. I don't know if I have ever put my legs through this much work! They are starting to feel a bit dead today, so I didn't run, just mixed it up with some stair climbing, spinning, treadmill hill walking, and rowing. I may have gotten bored and was forced to keep changing my activities up. My goal is to get down to 12 min miles for my legs. Sounds slow, but a big improvement for me. Yesterday, I got two of my three miles under 13 min, so I am feeling hopeful!

Is it just me, or is my thumb weird? Like really bent. I shouldn't do "thumbs up" anymore. Loving my Bondi Band, so great for sweaty runs and bikes!

2. Sunday I completed my longest Tri to date, which was still a sprint tri, but longer than my SUPER sprint. Of course, there will be a full action packed recap coming, but I wanted it to be known that I finished it! 400 m swim, 13 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. Nailed it!

3. The more I get into training the more I realize, unfortunately, that I have no mental toughness. Like zip. When things start to hurt, my mind convinces me to quit. During my runs (he he he) my ribs, collar bone, or feet will start to ache before my legs or breathing give out. I know these things can be run through without ill effects, but I'm no good at it. Usually, I only last a few minutes past the start of the pain. Tonight, to keep myself going on the stair stepper, I had to repeat (in my head, not for everyone to hear) doughnut, pizza. Step=doughnut, step=pizza. These were the bad things I ate today, therefore part of them must be burned off. What are some of your favorite tricks for keeping yourself mentally tough? I could really use the input! Thanks.

So, I sit here now, icing and typing, getting ready to hit the hay, looking forward to my next workout. Odd, but I am loving to see my numbers go down (both on the scale and on my time.) Have a great Friday!

And strolled!

Finally, the second part of my Rock n Roll adventure. You can read my first part, I Rocked... here. So, do you get it, I Rocked...and Strolled. Strolled instead of Rolled because I went slow. No, not funny. You sure? Ah, give me a fake laugh anyway! Ok, thanks for your pity laugh. Now onto the action.

After our night of giggling and not so much sleeping, we all woke up a bit on the groggy side, but since none of us were shooting for world class times (or even sub 2 hour times) it didn't phase us too much. We heard the rain pounding outside and Jason tried to get back into bed. Like that was gonna happen! There was some scrambling and delaying on the boys part, and we got out of there later than I wanted.

Ah, the "hotel hallway getting psyched for a race I didn't train for" pic.

Stacie and I both really wanted to make the blogger photo, so we hustled down the Seattle streets with the rest of the swarm arriving just AFTER the pic. This, honestly, did not put me in a very good place. I didn't have to time to grab food yet either and the combo made me cranky (poor Jesse). We were able to capture a few pre-race photos...

Stacie and I (so glad she was here with me!)

Jesse and I (love him!)

At that point, everyone headed to their corrals and Jesse and I ventured out to find the bag check. I'll leave most of the before hand out, because like I said, I was cranky and not very friendly, but I eventually got something from Starbucks and made it back to our proper corral with time to spare. Waiting to start wasn't really that nerve racking for me. I hadn't trained, I wasn't prepared, and my body tends to fall apart easily, so I had no goals but to finish and have fun. I would walk when I felt like it and run when the urge struck. Solid plan!

Hello Start Line!

It is almost starting!

Now, I can't even recall what sounded our start, but I remember yelling when the announcer man asked who the first timers were. We set off, and since it was the start, I wanted to run to begin with. Unfortunately, I had originally put my finish time as 2:15 or something (ah, dreams) and that meant everyone around me wanted to go MUCH faster than I did. Well except for the group of power walking ladies who jumped up from corral 34. My new goal was to beat them! It was still surprisingly a little defeating to have som many people flying by me at the START of a race, but I then let go of all my competitiveness and just started cheering them on. That pretty much sums up the race for us. Jesse was staying with me the whole time, it would be a 13.1 mile date, and we danced, cheered for the bands, high-fived the cheerleaders, and tried to enjoy ourselves as much as possible!

Near the beginning so I wasn't hurting too much yet.

The one HUGE hill...

Yes, I walked it!

Since I had never gone past 6.2 miles in race or otherwise, someone suggested taking pictures at all the mile markers past that point to document the momentous occasion. I was glad I did, it turned out to be a great keepsake, but it was hard to come up with different poses for each mile.

One more step, and I will have a distance PR.



We missed mile 7 because Jesse had to take a potty break and I was solo for a while, including through the tunnel. But I did manage to run the whole time we were apart. Maybe I wanted to give him a challenge in catching up to me!

My cheerleader pose (no, I was NEVER a cheerleader, just being goofy!) People did look at me a little funny at this point.

At this point, I had been hurting quite a bit for some time (mostly my knees, Achilles, and hips) but around here, my pelvic bone really started to kill. Like, bad. It separates too far when I'm pregnant and doesn't go back together like it should, but I had apparently never gone far enough to piss it off during running because this was a new pain. Don't ask what I'm doing in this pic. Seriously, don't!

There was a lot more walking then running on this stretch, but still felt like "rocking" out this pic!

Kissing mile 12 goodbye.

And finally, mile 13. Even though there was a cruel hill at the end, we tried to run it in. We even finished holding hands, ah. I'll try to post all the official race pics soon so you can see it.

The taste of victory!

I had never done such a large race, so at the finish, I was grabbing all the food and goodies i could! I may not have needed it, but i accepted a space blanket just so i could feel legit. We met up with the other bloggers and friends, which is always nice, especially when you have no family there. Most everyone was there already because we are so slow and even the marathoners weren't far behind. Chatting and retelling our heroic tales is always the best part of the race, besides finishing it of course. Some of the group was headed back to the gracious Chelsea's, but with our kids at home, we didn't think we would have time, but I really wish we could have!

Zoe, Me, Mel, and Chelsea (she is always such great race support.)

Then it was off for super quick showers, packing up our room, and then saying goodbye to our hotel and bunk mates. Eventually, our stomachs called to us and we went to grab a bite at Claim Jumper where I had ribs and this little beauty...

Well, I had to share this. But I think I earned it!

Final thoughts, I LOVED this race. Everything about it was great, even down to the fact that I didn't have to be before or during the race, so no honey buckets for me. The only downer was not having any one on the sidelines. Especially when I saw the kiddos with their "Go Mommy and Daddy" signs, I got a little sad inside. Solution, pretend every kid was my own! It worked, surprisingly well in fact. Maybe next year. Of course, I am very thankful to our parents who are nice enough to watch our kids so we can do these events together. Instead of a big getaway together, we just do a few mini race vacays together! Yes, we have already signed up for next year, and I do plan on training, a least some :) for that one. The Half is never going to be my race, but I think it will be fun to have this one be an annual tradition. I don't recommend running this distance with no training, but at least know it can be done. Thank you Rock n Roll for taking my virginity!

Three Things This Thursday

I only have about 10 min. to write this, so I will see how quick I can be!

1. I know I still haven't finished my Rock n Roll write up. I just want to do it justice, but there hasn't been time to do it, so there it sits in my drafts, just waiting for me to add more to the title. Do know, though, I WILL do it. The dauntingness and guilt from not writing it has kept me from writing any other posts. So no more!

2. I did manage to do something to my foot in the half-marathon, a stretched or pulled something probably, and haven't ran since. Jesse thinks it will be better for me to go into my coming events under trained instead of over injured! We'll see. It is feeling better so I will run next week and try it out.

3. Speaking of upcoming events, I have Chelan Man in a little over a week, YIKES! Kind of snuck up on me. It is my first tri in 2 years, and really only my second one ever! It will again be a complete and have fun race versus a hard worked for accomplishment. I hate that my race schedule this summer is becoming like that. My dream is that I will be better by the relay.

3.1 Speaking of the relay, my cousin and her man had to reluctantly drop out and we now have 2 openings. The relay is from Spokane to Sandpoint August 17th-18th. Anyone interested? Being in shape is not really a criteria! Spread the word please!

Whew, 10 minutes done!

I rocked...

Wowza, I am no longer a half marathon virgin! It has taken me quite a while to recover and even have the energy to try and recap ALL that happened last weekend. So, I am gonna break it down into two parts for your reading pleasure.  First up, Thursday thru Friday, the pre-race festivities, or as I like to call it, "The whole reason to do these big, expensive races!'

Thursday morning, or hours before I was to be free for two days, my boys decided to give me a nice sendoff. Peyton broke a couple of blackberry syrup jars in the laundry room while trying to climb a shelf and while I was cleaning up that mess, Brady decided to get in on the mix and play with his poop in the dining room. I COULD NOT have been more ready to leave. It was going to be my first time away from Riley at night, and I was doing it for two, but I felt she was ready ( or I was a nervous wreck, but desperate to go!)

Excited to be on the road!

Stacie pulled up to get me, and I think I may have sprinted to her car. It was time for an all ladies night at the Sarah and Dimity "Run Like a Mother" house party. Jesse and Jason would be meeting us up there the next day. I was excited for this event and it did not dissapoint! Sarah and Dimity, with the help of their hostess, put together a great shindig with food, prizes, and some great freebies! They are both such funny ladies and it was fun to put their voices to the words in their books. Of course, it was also fabulous to hang out with all my bloggy friends and meet a couple that I have been stalking for quite some time, Lesley and Tricia. 

Here is Lesley, Me, and Stacie

Stolen from Jill!

After the party, and a purchase or two, we followed Zoe back to her house where she graciously put us up for the night despite being in the middle of moving! It was fun to stay up late gabbing and playing with her cuttie patootie daughter, but eventually we all needed to hit the sack. And did we, it may have been 10:00 before Stacie and I got up! We quickly showered and cleaned up, got some sage advice from Zoe's dad (sex before race day, always!) and went out into the pouring rain to Expo it up. There was a very near miss on the freeway where we almost became very acquainted with the bumper in front of us, but we made it to the expo and quickly made our way inside.

I am always overwhelmed when I walk in there. So much to see (read BUY), try (buy), and sample (buy). We got our packets and race shirts, mine was a depressing medium. Apparently when I signed up, I thought for sure I would have lost the baby weight by now, haha got you sucker! But it better be gone by next year, because I signed up for a medium again! The plan was to take a lap, sans boys, to get a good feel for the place, and then do our shopping. Well, we were only about half through when they caught up with us. No offense, dudes, but you kind of bring an Expo down! Stacie and I did have a great time getting our samples and freebies. I tried everything I could, partly because I was starving, and partly because I knew it would be a good idea to fuel up for the next day. We had made it through most of the booths, including spinning for some awesome tuna prizes (Jesse did get a shirt), 

My new beau!

and then we parted ways for a bit so I could get KT taped, but met back up for the Bloggy Meet-up. It was very official this year, Mel was even on the Expo schedule. We heard some great advice from her and John Bingham, and then posed for our signature pic. Poor Jesse is always the only boy at these bloggy things!

My turn to pose with Tricia!

By this time I was getting hungry and tired, so we posed for a few pics, signed up for next years race, bought some insoles, and then headed for the hotel.

Yes, Jesse and I are fun, Stacie and Jason are not!

I got us a hotel early on that was walking distance to the start and finish since we didn't have any drivers. It was nice to be so close, so I invited Stacie and Jason to stay with us, in their own bed, and add to the fun. Even though the hotel was super nice, we were starving and had add to get food asap, so we jetted out and around the corner to The Cheesecake Factory. After an evil 20 min wait, we were at our table chowing down on a ton of bread, ok maybe just I ate a ton! I was so full from the bread and sweet potatoe fries that I coulodn't even eat my pasta, but still managed to order some cheesecake to go! That evening in the hotel was filled with naps, cheesecake, and way too many laughs to count. We were like giggly kids at a sleepover camp. I was almost crying at one point when Jason was serenading Stacie to sleep! Ah, pants on!  Maybe not the best nights sleep before a race, but I hadn't trained for this race, it was all about FUN for me, so the night was perfect! Up next, the actual race!

Gym Brats

Both of my parents were coaches and my sisters and I grew up in a gym. We spent many a night playing, in not a very safe manor might I add, on all the workout equipment upstairs, building forts with the mats, and generally causing havoc! But, we loved it! Gym time was always fun. I feel bad that my kids don't have that. Peyton has gone to track a few times with Jesse, but I don't think it is the same. Now, when we say "We're going to the gym." it means something else entirely. You would think they would love the dedicated playtime at the daycare, but this isn't always the case. When my sister tried to join me at the gym yesterday, her daughter (who did just break her collarbone) threw a fit saying she didn't want to go. Then there are days when we take them and there isn't gymnastics or the pool and Brady, especially, has a hard time understanding that, so a fit usually ensues.

Some of my Gym Brats

But, with Jesse and Peyton still gone, I decided to try and take Brady and Riley to the gym where we do gymnastics at to try and get a workout in. There is this weird spot on my leg that has been hurting, it feels like it's strained, and it makes walking and running even more painful.





Riley is helping to show you where it hurts!

So, I decided to try and stay away from those two activities as not to anger it before the half. I got brave and tried a machine I'd never done before. It is a new fancy machine that I don't know the name of, but you stand on it, like an elliptical, and then you float out sideways and then pull your knees back up and in. Great explanation right? Wait, I found a picture!

Well I did that for 350 calories (while playing the worlds slowest game of sudoku on it, told you it was fancy) and then moved to the spinning bike. It occurred to me while I was on it that, yes, RnR was this weekend, but Chelan Man (my first full length sprint tri) was only a month away. I definitely need to get my butt on the bike more. That forced me to keep my sweaty butt on there for a good 30 min while doing 4-1 min stand ups, which I usually can't do for very long. I left the gym VERY satisfied with my workout and my burn, which helped contribute to another pound lost. That puts me at 7 down, 3 to go before Saturday. Lets hope I don't eat too much at all the get togethers leading up to it! Yikes, that just reminds me how excited I am for this weekend! Yippeeeeee!