Running Decisions

Yesterday, in the midst of an 8k run, I made the decision not to run the Disney Half Marathon in January. I've trying so very hard to make it happen, but after months of training I am just not there. I had a baby in July, started running seriously again in October, and just can't squeeze out the mileage necessary to have a successful half marathon. I'm just not there. This isn't a pity party-I am totally at peace with the decision. My motivation for signing up was to have a goal to help me get the baby (ies) weight off, get running again, and help me structure my never-ending (it seemed at the time) maternity leave days. Mission accomplished. I am still working on the weight thing, but the half marathon goal helped me achieve the other two goals. I am starting to see real progress on my running, but I need more time to build a base of miles and really fall in love with running. That's where 2011 comes in...

My running goals for 2011 are to build a strong foundation of training miles and to fall in love with running. I think by sticking to (and I really mean this) only 5-10 kilometer races for the entire year I can do it. That means training plans that are consistent, but not never ending. It means running adds to my family time, and doesn't take away from it. It means I can focus on speed more than distance. It means lots and lots of very good things, I hope! I hope working on developing my 2011 race calendar, but as of now I already have a 5k planned for New Years Day (my birthday!) in Round Rock and a 10k on January 25th in Sao Paulo!

Race Pic

Here's an official Race Picture from the Samsung 10k a few weeks ago. I HATE race photos, but this one isn't terrible. Maybe it was kilometer 2!

Training for the Week and an Update

So, last week was a mess. Paul and I had interview scheduled every morning at 8 am or so making it really difficult to squeeze in a run. It is summer here in the Southern Hemisphere so if I don't squeeze in a run early, forget about it. Plus, we went to the beach last Friday throwing my long run off. Anyway, I was able to catch up today. On Wednesday I ran 3.5 miles and today 7 miles. Slowly, I am catching back up. On the schedule this week:

Monday: 3.5 miles
Tuesday: Cross Train Boot Camp & Yoga
Wednesday:4 miles
Thursday: 5 miles & Yoga
Friday:Elliptical Cross Train
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 9.3 miles (15k Prova Pedestre Sargento Gonzaguinha Race)

I am going to do the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I have to. I've worked too hard to get here otherwise!

Race Pics

Here are a few pre-race pics from the last two races I've done...

Go Mommy Go! Don't Stop Running!

Go! Go! Go!

Number One Fan!

Early Morning Shot before Samsung 10k

I think I am done racing for this year, although there is still one last undecided race. There is a 15k (9 miles) that would fit perfectly into my half marathon training. Right now I am having trouble committing to either!

At A Crossroads

I am definitely at a crossroads in my training. Over the last month I've done a fair job at sticking to my training schedule, fitting in longer runs, and just building a base. However, I'm at the point that if I am seriously going to run the Disney Half Marathon on January 8 I really, really need to make the commitment and not look back. I have 8 weeks until the race and just enough time to really make it happen. I'm really torn about it...on the one hand, I really want to achieve this goal. It is a goal I've flaked on many times before. On the other hand, trying to squeeze 2+ hour runs into my schedule is a challenge. Forget trying to schedule the baby's feedings and sleep schedule. It is a impossible. Yet, I think I can do it.

This week's training plan:
Monday: 40 minutes (3.5 miles) easy
Tuesday: XT boot camp and yoga
Wednesday: 40 minutes (3.5 miles) easy
Thursday: XT on elliptical and yoga
Friday: 30 minutes (2.5 miles)
Saturday: 7 miles
Sunday:Rest

Wish me luck!

This Week's Training Plan

Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: Cross Train
Wednesday: 4 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Cross Train
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Samsung 10k

I also really want to work on my mental training. I've downloaded this book to help! Self defeating dialogues aren't so helpful, you know? Nutrition as well...more protein, less white carbs. Oh, and sleep. Glorious, sleep.

Race Report

I'll have to add the pics later...but here is my quick version of a race report on the Fila Night Run 5k.

Despite the fact that it is almost summer here in good ole South America, yesterday's weather was dreary, gray, cool, and from time to time, wet. Not ideal race conditions but I'd prefer that type of weather to heat and sun beating down on me. It was sprinkling when we left for the race around 6 pm, but stopped by 6:45 when we arrived at the course. We picked up the chip for our shoe and huddled around trying to keep warm. There was some pre-race entertainment-a band, samba dancers, and a group warm up that was reminiscent of the Black Eyed Peas and Oprah flash mob dance. I was totally calm, mostly because I have zero expectations for myself other than FINISH! Probably not the best race strategy...must work on that.

Anyway I decided to start in the green corral with a goal of running the entire way and beating my 5k run from last weekend at 39:05. There was a pace group in front of me, but I lost them as people filed into the corrals at the last minute, so I was on my own. I plugged in my ipod and was off.

It was pretty dark, but I settled into a comfortable rhythm quickly. My biggest hurdle is the mental dialogue I have at the beginning of my runs. It sounds something like this:
Why am I doing this?
Such a bad idea.
I am so slow.
My legs hurt.
I am too sleep deprived to be doing this.
Why? Why? Why?

However, after about the third kilometer I settled down and was feeling pretty good. I saw the fourth kilometer marker up ahead and knew I could go a little faster. Once I got going the "runner's high" kicked in and I flew through the last 500 meters. My final time was 32:05 (a 10:20 mile) and by far my best time in a long, long time. I felt amazing!

Onto next week's 10k!

I'll add the pics tomorrow...Paul has our photo computer right now!

Last Week's Recap and This Week

Last Week's Plan:
Monday 11/1:Cross Training Boot Camp DONE
Tuesday 11/2:Rest DONE
Wednesday 11/3:Run 3 miles DONE
Thursday 11/4:2 miles and Stretch and Strengthen Yoga Class RAN 3 MILES, NO YOGA
Friday 11/5:Run 3 miles NOTHING...ended up being a crazy busy day
Saturday 11/6:Rest DONE
Sunday 11/7:Run 4 miles YES!!

Other than missing Friday, I did really well. Friday was a super busy day and I literally ran out of time. With Paul traveling I didn't have much flexibility. Overall though, I am really proud of myself, especially today. Paul got home around noon and we headed down to the Club. I really wanted to sit back and enjoy a caipirinha, but I knew I had four miles on the training schedule. I enjoyed a Coke Zero and water instead, and we headed up for Stella's nap. My plan was to wait until 7 or so (after Stella's bedtime) to run, but by 5 o'clock I was super antsy and the kids were driving me nuts so I headed out. That's the beauty of running...sometimes it is my excuse to get out the door. I ran 4.3 miles in my new running gear (more on that later) and felt really good after the first 2.5 miles. I must remember the first 2-3 miles are the hardest, after that I am in a good rhythm. So, this week....

Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday:Cross Train/Boot Camp and Yoga
Wednesday:2 miles
Thursday: 5 miles/Yoga
Friday: 3 miles
Saturday: Fila Night Run 5k
Sunday:Rest

Running with Music...or without

Today's training plan had me running 3 miles. I planned to run outdoors because well, really where we live is incredibly beautiful and great for running (minus those pesky hills!). I almost always run outside except when it is raining or too late in the day. I'm not an after-10-am runner. I really love to run in the very early morning hours before excuses get in the way-the darker the better. However, since Stella hates sleep and loves me, there is no getting up at 5 to run these days. Maybe in January. For now I take it when I can get it. This morning I ran a little after 9. The day was already shaping up to be gorgeous-sunny with a light breeze. I was listening to a Mars Hill podcast until I realized it didn't fully download and it conked out 11 minutes into my 40 minute run. I only had my itouch with me and I only have one song on it. For the next 19 minutes I listened to Shakira's "Waka Waka" repeatedly. After 2 miles I called it quits. Physically I could have kept going, but I needed new music. I really, really need music to run and one song wasn't cutting it. I'm going to find the Ipod Shuffle now....I must get three miles in tomorrow!

Looking Ahead to November

I am a huge list maker...I love everything about them. Lists keep me mentally organized and I do get a little thrill from marking things off them. So, here is my November list inspired by TMB:

Miles Planned: 48.5

Rest Days Planned: 4

Long Runs Planned: 4

Current Book: "Run Like A Mother" and "Born to Run"

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Peanut Butter Crackers

Current Colors: orange and turquoise

Current Drink: fresh pineapple juice

Current Song: "Grey Street" by Dave Matthews. Not current at all, but always the first song on my running playlist!

Current Triumph:5k on the treadmill mid-afternoon on Saturday. I usually struggle to do a run if I don't do it first think in the morning!

Current Goal: complete the 10k on 11/21 in 1 hour and ten minutes

Current Blessing: many! Finally seeing my false starts in running amount to something and of course my sweet babies. My sweet husband too!

Current Excitement:I may actually be able to complete the half marathon in January if I stick to my training plan every single day of every single week for the next nine weeks!

This Week's Training Plan

I have three major races on the horizon...

On November 13 I am running in Sao Paulo's 5k Fila Night Run. I am excited about this race as it is a night (obviously) and I've never done a night race. I am hoping I can convince Paul to bring Noah and Sophie to come and cheer me on! It is a bit late for Stella so she may need to sit this race out!

On November 21 I am running in the Samsung 10k near Ibirapuera Park. I am planning to run this race with a friend and then enjoy the Thanksgiving Dinner put on by our school later that afternoon!

Finally I am registered for the Disney Half Marathon on January 8th. I registered for this race when I was 39 weeks pregnant and dying to get my huge body moving again. It was a dumb move. I am so proud of myself for jumping pack into running so soon after Stella's birth but I just find myself being disappointed when I think of this race. It seems so unattainable at this point, but I am desperate to make it happen. Must. Run. This. Half. Marathon.!

Okay, so with those races in mind, here is my training schedule for the week. Paul's in the U.S. so I've had to make a couple of adjustments!

Monday 11/1:Cross Training Boot Camp (Running and Circuit Excercises)
Tuesday 11/2:Rest (No childcare, no husband)
Wednesday 11/3:Run 3 miles
Thursday 11/4:2 miles and Stretch and Strengthen Yoga Class
Friday 11/5:Run 3 miles
Saturday 11/6:Rest
Sunday 11/7:Run 4 miles (Paul comes home!)

I'll be updating my progress to keep myself honest!

Physical Goal for the Week: stick to the training plan
Nutritional Goal for the Week: drink more water
Mental Goal: not string the children up by their toes (and make a running vision board!)

I am a Runner (Take Two)

I've never been an athlete. I never played team sports or any sport for that matter. Heck, growing up, my family never even watched sports. Yet, sometime around my freshman year of college I became intrigued with the idea of running. A roommate of mine (actually several roommates of mine) would just lace up their shoes and go. Running seemed to be an attainable athletic event. No fancy equipment, just a great pair of shoes and you could head out the door. I ran for fitness throughout college and occasionally here and there in the ten years since I graduated. I've attempted to train for a few half marathons and never made it very far. In the spring of 2009 I put together a few months of solid training and completed a 10k and 12.5k. Then last fall I got pregnant with my third baby. I attempted to run just 4 weeks into the pregnancy but wound up vomiting 4 times that same afternoon. That was enough for me to call it quits for the next 9 months. Stella was born on July 4, 2010 and since then I've been working to get myself back into running shape so that I can finally say, "I am a runner." This blog is about the journey to becoming a runner.