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.