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!