Race Review: Fargo 13.1

What a great weekend! I did it! I feel a little bad that I had to walk so much the last half and missed my goal by 17 minutes. But I did run the first half ... on pace. Do the Distance was my mantra, and I did it. Here are my official results.

Getting to Fargo

We left Prior Lake after the kids' swimming lessons at 11. Got to Osakis around 1 to drop off the bikes and hang out with Levi & Ally for a little bit. Then we all loaded up and drove to Fargo. About 10 miles into the drive, I said, "It feels like we've been in the car forever. And we're only on the other side of Alex?" We got to the hotel, checked in, and put swimming suits on the kids. Jeremy, Bethany, & I went over to the Fargo Dome for packet pick up.

Packet Pick Up
There was a lot of traffic due to the 5k and the spaghetti & lefse dinner. It took nearly 45 minutes to drive 10 miles. Once we parked, getting in and getting our packets was no big deal. We saw the finish line and have decided not to send the stroller with my mom in the morning. We made some posters/signs and Bethany and I bought shirts from One More Mile. Mine says "Race Day Strategy: Start off slow then back off." Bethany's says "this isn't sweat, it's liquid awesome." My hugest bummer is that there were no cow bells. I think every race should have huge bins of free cow bells with the race logo on them at every entrance so there's lots of noise. And those thunder sticks.

Got my packet

Finish line inside the Fargo Dome

 

Hanging out at the Hotel

We all stayed in 4 rooms at the AmericInn Hotel in Moorhead. The kids loved swimming, and I especially loved having joining rooms with my mom. We opened the joining doors so she didn't even have to really wake up when we left for the race. It was excellent!

Pre-Race Morning Stuff
Livy was awake or sleeping fitfully all night. I felt like I was awake from 1-3:30. Jeremy took her at 4, and she fell right to sleep. We got up at 5, got changed, told my mom that we were leaving, and then met Stu & Bethany in the lobby for breakfast. I ate a bagel with peanut butter, some apple juice, and a small cup of coffee. I took a banana but I only ate one bite. I've realized I can't get on Jamey's case about not eating bananas. I don't like them either. We got over to the Fargo Dome super easy. Checked Jeremy's bag and then found my cousin Sarah. We stood around chatting while the 10k started and then got lined up for our start. Sarah was way at the front. Then Jeremy at the 1:45 pace guy. Bethany got in with the 2:15 pacers, and I hoofed it all the way back to the 2:30 group.

Passed out with Daddy

The Race
I did not bring the camera on the race, because I was nervous about the rain. I'm eager to see the official race photos. I lined up with the 2:30 pace group. It took about five minutes for us to get to the start line. I started the Garmin as we headed off. I was surprised to see that the pacers took off at 10:30 pace (instead of 11:30). And they kept getting faster. I'm sure they evened out, but I was disappointed by that. I kept on pace with 11:30s until halfway. There was a time clock, and I hit it at 1:12, which is just about right. At 6.5-7 miles, I hit the wall. I was done! It was a bad idea to leave my iPod at home. I needed my own music. I was kind of keeping an eye out for a short cut or an ambulance. I was so tired. And then I got to 9 miles and found a running buddy. I had been following her for a while, and she just started chatting with me. It was super nice to have someone to run with. I remember telling her, "Only 4 miles to go!" Then we hit the 10 mile mark, and "Anyone can run a 5k!" Shortly after that, I saw Jeremy jogging toward me. That was excellent! My buddy stopped to walk, and Jeremy & I headed to the end. I did take a short pit stop around the 11 mile mark. I have to figure out what causes my tummy trouble on long runs. Jeremy split off from me as we turned into the Fargo Dome parking lot--because the finish was blocked off with metal barricades and he didn't want to run through the finish line again. As I hit the 13 mile mark, I saw and heard my mom cheering and waving. I almost cried! Running 13.1 is very hard work. Then I got into the Fargo Dome and heard Stu yell my name. I looked up to the right and waved. I saw the whole group wave back, and I raised my hands over my head as I crossed the finish line. The rest is a blur of getting my medal, chugging some chocolate milk, and trying to find the family.

Splits (according to the Garmin): 2:46:10. 12:31 pace. 13.27 miles. (1-10:47, 2-11:12, 3-11:31, 4-11:49, 5-12:04, 6-12:19, 7-12:56, 8-12:50, 9-12:27, 10-13:56, 11-14:30, 12-13:36, 13-13:32, .27-9:51)

Nipple Guards :) 

Old Number 7

We did it!

Jeremy surprised me with a magnet for my car. I love it!

Suggestions for Improvements

1. The music wasn't as fabulous as I expected.

2. Better/more food after the race (there were dinner rolls, nutter butters, & pizza)

3. Walking up two flights of stairs to get off the Fargo Dome floor is torture after running that far.

Favorite Signs along the Route

Your legs hurt because you're kicking so much ass

Worst parade ever

Run like to you stole something

You trained longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage

Post-Race Party
After we got back to Osakis, Levi, Ally, Jeremy & me, Bethany and Sam all went up to Sixth Avenue Wine and Ale for celebratory drinks (Sam had root beer). Levi & Ally are in MN for a couple weeks before they ship off to Germany for 3 years.

Lots of special love to my mom for watching the kids and coming out to cheer, to Uncle Stu for cheering super loud when I ran in to the Fargo Dome (and Scott, Vicki & Sarah for cheering, too), and especially to Jeremy for running back out to Mile 10 to run the last 3 with me. All that love and support made the race!!

That, and when we got home today, Ivy gave me a High 5 and said, "Mom, that's for your perfect race!"

13.1 Training - Week 12 - 5/20

It's Race Week! In a few days, I will run the farthest I've ever gone. And hit a huge milestone that I think a lot of people don't do. I'm trying to feel good that I'm accomplishing my goal and getting fit and working hard. Even if I'm slow and not doing so great at losing weight, which was kind of the point.

Sunday: Happy Mother's Day!! Instead of a shake-out run, we walked to Lakefront Park and back. Slowly.

Monday: I had 4 on the schedule, but we went to the neighbor's house to play instead. The kids caught minnows, ran through the sprinkler, and drove around all the motorized big wheels. And then Jeremy met a guy from work at the Bike Group. I'm using that as my real excuse for not doing the run. :)

Tuesday - run 3: It's about 75 outside and sunny. Feels like Florida! I ran 3 miles without the watch. I contemplated going to the 4 mile turnaround, but I didn't bring any water, and I was thirsty. So, I did 3 and got home super thankful for the pile of PowerAde. We got an email today that it'll be about 50 at the start and the high for the day is 80. I don't think I'm going to worry about it.

Wednesday: I took the kids to the zoo again, and we walked around for 3-1/2 hours. In my book, that's close enough to running an easy 2.

Thursday - off & rest: No workout, but I am taking Livy in for her 9-mo pictures and then doing some quick laundry and packing.

Friday: We're driving to Fargo (about 4 hours NW) after the kids finish swimming lessons. We'll be taking a pit-stop at my parents' house in Osakis to drop off Jeremy & Bethany's bikes. They both have long workouts on Sunday, which they'll do up there, but we didn't want to bring the bikes all the way to Fargo for no reason.

Saturday: Fargo 13.1

Runner Tracking

For all of our wonderful spectators and families who will be following our half-marathoners and marathoners, we are happy to announce that there will be runner tracking.

Spectators and families will also be able to find the map tracker fromwww.mtectracking.com and linked to from their runner's individual results page on www.mtecresults.com.

The tracking program for the Fargo Half Marathon and Marathon will be operational during the week of the Fargo Marathon.

Here is the direct link to track us for the Half Marathon.

Jeremy: 7506

Amanda: 7505

Bethany: 6493

My cousin Sarah Johnston is also running: 4831

Here is a Course Map.

13.1 Training - Week 11 - 5/13

I'm in the midst of a slump--I currently hate running and would back out of Fargo if I could. BTW, Fargo is in a week.

Sunday: I was going to do my long run up in Osakis. But it rained all morning. The plan was to go to church and then get dropped off 10 miles from Osakis. I was going to run the trail home. Livy woke up with a fever. Then she puked all over me. So, I decided to skip church with her. And that threw off the whole day. And then it was raining. Hard all morning. At 12:30, people suggested I go for my run. But I was in a funk already with sick baby. And then to change, drive to town, etc. I wouldn't have started running until 1:30. It'd take almost 2 hours to run 10 miles. So then it's 3:30. We didn't want to leave Osakis in the late afternoon, so that was too late. Besides, that baby cried if I put her down or if someone else even looked at her.

Monday: I woke up sick. And Livy is still sick. Thank goodness both Bethany and Marilla were here. Livy puked again. And then she & I slept about 10 hours during the day. It tired me out to take a shower. And she cried all day unless she was sleeping.

Tuesday - run 3: It's been a full week since I've done a run. I feel better. Livy seems better, but still very tired. I did three on the treadmill. I swear running on the treadmill is harder than outside. And as much as I hate running these days, it sure feels good to be done.

Wednesday: We walked around the MN Zoo for 4 hours. That counts as some sort of work out, right?

Thursday - run 3: I ran outside--walked out as Jeremy was walking in. I felt great. It was nice!
3 miles = 31:46 (10:38, 10:20, 10:45) a 10:35 pace!

Friday - off: Hallelujah!

Saturday - run 11: Oh Lordy! I am tired. My body is exhausted. Thankfully, there were no mental issues. I never thought "I'm not going to make it." That being said, I stopped at the porto at 4.75 and 8 miles. My tummy was having a rough day. And then my lovely Jeremy & Ivy met me at the exit of the park with Racing Juice! That was the best ever!!
10.9 miles = 2:18:15 (11:15, 11:35, 11:52, 12:44, 12:39, 12:31, 13:08, 13:42, 13:30, 13:04, 13:32) 12:41 pace

Weekly Total: 17 miles!

13.1 Training - Week 10 - 5/6

Sunday - Run 7.65: At 1 hour, I had gone 5.4 miles. My 10k time was about 1:10.
7.65 miles = 1:26:37 (11:08, 11:07, 10:47, 11:26, 11:12, 11:54, 11:40) 

Monday - Run 5: I ran right after a small dinner of baked potatoes with sour cream and spinach salad. I made it 3.5 miles before I thought I was going to die. The problem with running outside is that no matter how far you've gone, you have to make it all the way home. So I walked the remaining 1.5 miles. I'm never running  right after dinner again.

Tuesday - Run 3: It's supposed to rain tonight, so I'm doing my run mid-afternoon while Livy naps and Bethany watches the other two. No watch. Just me & my playlist.

Wednesday - nothing: Skipped it. It was cruddy in the morning, and our babysitter Auntie Bethany was super sick. I didn't dare leave the kids with her while she was ill. And then it was Jeremy's birthday, so we went out to eat and had a Cake Party.

Thursday - Nada: I'm having a rough time of running. It hasn't been enjoyable at all. I feel sick. I thought I picked up a stalker one evening. I keep missing runs for the weather, kids, scheduling problems. I don't think I'm going to be ready for Fargo, even with my long runs. I want more time to train, but then I don't enjoy it at all anyway.

Friday - off:

Saturday - unintentionally off: We had the Chain of Lakes Triathlon. Then I was goign to run after that. Skipped it, because it was raining and about 40 degrees.

Weekly Total: ~15 miles

13.1 Training - Week 9 - 4/29

Yuck, what a weird few weeks. I need to get back on the wagon. Maybe I'll commit to doing EVERY workout next week. :)

Sunday - run 8: I had to make up my long run from Friday, so I headed out around Cleary Lake by myself while Jeremy took the kids to Target. I had problems with the watch, but thankfully, I noticed it while I was still in the neighborhood. I stopped and got the satellites and took off again. But that little miss totally changed my mile markers. At 4 miles, I ate some Honey Stinger, which I love. Yum! I had a mild panic attack at about 5 miles--thinking there is NO WAY EVER that I'll be able to run more than twice that distance. Jeremy & the kids found me at 6 miles. That was totally encouraging. I might have cried a little about how hard it is to run that long. I was working hard; I didn't walk at all! But then, I only had two miles left, and that's easy. So I made my way home. Ivy met me down the block with blue PowerAde. And she said, "Mom, let's run faster!" When I sat down on the front steps, sport drink never tasted so good.

8 miles = 1:33:52 (11:21, 11:31, 11:31, 11:41, 11:36, 12:06, 11:45, 12:18)

Monday - run 5: I didn't take a watch, and I'd never run 5 miles before. My long runs have been longer and none of my short runs have been this long. So I got to the place I turn around for 4.5 miles and went "one song farther." It seems like that'd be the right distance. It took about an hour, but I'm not real sure on when I left. It was a good run.

Tuesday - run 3: Jeremy & I took all three kids to the running club and did 3 miles. Ivy ran a bunch and did great. It drizzled just a little. We have my sister's Instep single jogger, which is not easy to push. So we've borrowed a brand new Instep single jogger that also isn't easy to push. If we decide to keep running with the kids, we might have to fork over a small fortune for the single BOB revolution stroller. It's ridiculous that it's easier to push two kids in the BOB than one kid in the Instep.

Wednesday - Nothing. Skipped a 5 mile run. I think it was super windy, so Bethany and I opted not to take the kids. Then time just got away.

Thursday - Accidently Nothing. I was going to go with the running club, but then it was the first ride for the Great Scott Cycling Club.

Friday - off: I thought about doing the Jillian Michael's dvd just for something to do, but then I ended up taking Livy to the doctor. And then it was packet pick up for the Get in Gear 10k.

Saturday - Get in Gear 10k: Skipped it. It was raining/sleeting and about 35 degrees.

Weekly Total: 16 miles

13.1 Training - Week 8 - 4/22

I feel like I've had a rough couple weeks. Here's hoping next week is better.

Sunday - yoga: I have been doing some yoga poses, but nothing structured. I might stop saying I'm doing it, because I'm not really.

Monday - run 4.5: It was COLD. I wore tights and my lined shirt, gloves & my new pony tail hat. I felt good out there. Didn't take a watch, so I don't know how long it took. But I turned around where Bethany and I did the other night when we did 4.5, so I'm confident in the distance.

Tuesday - run 3: Today, all of us had a 3-mile run, so we decided to do it together. "No hills!" So, Jeremy led the way to the hilliest neighborhood in Prior Lake. Uphill, uphill, uphill. Downhill. Uphill, Uphill, downhill. Up a HUGE hill. Flat. Slight decline. Uphill. Home. A little more than 3. And he was about 1/2 mile ahead of me, Bethany & the double jogger. He's fast! He's gotten a lot faster since last summer. I hadn't seen him running since the Maple Grove Tri last Aug. It'll be fun to see him go "all out" in the Alex race. I'm hoping we can do more Family Runs this summer.

Wednesday - Nothing. I was supposed to do 4.5. And I knew we had a busy day planned, so I set my alarm for 6 to run before everything. However, it was downpouring when I got up. 

Thursday - Thought about doing my 4.5 from yesterday, but it was COLD and rainy most of the day.

Friday - run 5; walk 3: Bethany doesn't have class today, so she took all 3 kids to swimming lessons. I got some chores done around the house (sweep & mop the kitchen, vacuum the basement, make potato salad). Then she took Ivy & Jamey to the library, and I took Livy on my 8-miler. All I'm going to say is DISASTER. It turned into a 5-mile run and 3-mile walk holding a crying baby. I'm going to retry the 8 miles this weekend.

Saturday: Miscommunication about the schedule and weather here. No one got their workouts done.

Weekly Total: 15.5

13.1 Training - Week 7 - 4/15

This has been a tough week in the Solt House. Livy has stopped sleeping, which may be teeth, but who knows? Her being crabby really puts me in a funk. It's been a long week.

Sunday - Nothing. Nada. Except lots of eggs, jelly beans, and Easter M&Ms.

Monday - I was supposed to run 4.5, but I was protesting. Protesting that running during the day takes up my whole day. I'm going to run. I am running. I did run. I should shower. Should I bother showering? Should I put makeup on? Why do I even get dressed in real clothes? I don't like running in the cold. I don't want to race when it's 35 outside. It became obvious that the current schedule wasn't working. So, we discussed, and I'm planning to do my runs after dinner AND I get to take a shower right away. Probably the kids will shower with me, because I'm kind of hijacking bath time. But they love a hot shower.

Tuesday - run 3: I went for a run right after dinner and was a little nervous how I would feel. I felt like junk. Not my stomach, but I felt heavy-footed and clodding. Jeremy had been out for a short bike ride right before dinner, and he suggested I wear long sleeves. I opted to put on his Pearl Izumi windbreaker. Bad Idea! It was flopping and big and my headphones kept getting stuck on the zipper, and then they'd get pulled out of my ears. I was in a running funk. And I missed my first split. So even if I felt like junk, I kept going because I couldn't tell if I was going fast or just felt junky. I had thought I'd do my 4.5 from last night, but once I got going, I knew I was only going to do 3. Sometime, I stopped and tied the jacket around my waist, but it kept slipping around and flapping. I got home feeling funky and hot and a little irritated. Until I looked at my splits! I was faster than ever before! It's amazing how much better that made me feel. All sub-11s!!
3 miles = ~31:30 (10:03, 10:31, 10:49)

Wednesday - I was supposed to run 4.5 again and do some strength training. Instead, we went to the mall to play, bought new water bottles for everyone, had dinner at Smashburger, and then had a meeting at church. Also, Jeremy's car was ready to pick up at the dealership after 2 weeks in the shop. He got there, and they had only done half the work, so they're going to have it for another week. Then we got to talking about savings goals and the budget. Between the two of us, we got Ivy & Jamey bathed and in bed. Livy cried the whole night (off & on). So I held her instead of running. Tylenol didn't even help. I'm guessing she's way overtired. She's on some kind of nap strike. She will not fall asleep, even though she's obviously tired.

Thursday - run 4.65: Running after waffles, hash browns, strawberries, and OJ is not a good idea. Bethany and I ran together after dinner, and it was gross. Our first two miles were decent, but we walked once we hit 2.25 miles, which was supposed to be halfway. We were both feeling Crappy! Then we jogged slower and did a little more walking. Now I know!
4.65 miles = 56:20

Friday - off: I still love off days!

Saturday - run 8: I ran with the Brookwood Running Club this morning. One of the other ladies took off--she's super fast. Bethany and I tried to keep up for about 27 feet. Then we just let them all get ahead. Mostly, I'm joining a running group for the social aspect. It's fun to have other people to run with. Sound like they'll have three group runs every week. I'm hoping to make it to two: Tuesdays and Saturdays.
2 miles = faster than ever  (9:54, 10:38)
Because my long run for this week was 7 miles, later in the afternoon, I went out for a "quick 6." I decided to go the other direction on 21 up to the light at 42. I ended up having to turn down 42 a little ways. Turns out, I went too fast, too many hills, and too long without "race nutrition." I ran the first 4.5 miles. Oh, and the watch was set for Bike Mode. So I didn't get any splits, which is fine, but surprising. I walked a bit at 4.5. Then ran another mile. At 6 miles, I stopped, sat on the curb, and called Jeremy to come to get me.
6 miles = 1:15 (5 miles in 59)

Weekly Total: 15.65

13.1 Training - Week 6 - 4/8

Halfway there!

Sunday - run 6: Because I missed my long run yesterday, I did it this afternoon. I went out fast on the first mile, not intentionally. It just happened. There were parts of the run that were challenging. Nothing specific, but every once in a while I thought "Ugh, I'm done." Then I'd keep running.
6 miles = ~1:07 (10:30, 11:05, 11:25, 11:47, 11:48, 11:48)

Monday - run 3.2: I was supposed to go 4 miles, but it is getting harder and harder to run on the treadmill. Not so much that it's boring, but the kids fight and hit constantly. I had to break up seven fights in 35 minutes. It was ridiculous. So I just got off and separated them--one to the playroom and one to the table to color. I can't handle the fighting and screaming while I'm running. But dang, it's still so super windy out, I can't push them in the stroller. I took Livy out to put something in the mail, and the wind took her breath away.
3.2 miles = 35 minutes

Tuesday - run 2: We are in the middle of some wind storm here in Prior Lake. It's been gusting and blowing for a week or so, winds so hard that it's nearly impossible to run (with the stroller). So all of my miles this week have been inside. It's not nearly as great as running outside, but it'll have to do. Livy cried the last 6/10ths of a mile. I could hear her over my headphones and the tv show the kids were watching.
2 miles = 22:30 minutes

Wednesday - run 4: Today is about getting the miles in. I'm sick of the treadmill. I'm sick of the kids fighting. I'm sick of the wind.
4 miles = 52:50 minutes

Thursday - run 3: Just a short 3 on the treadmill. I don't even remember how long it took. 35 minutes probably.

Friday - run 6: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I was going to get up at the crack of dawn to go swimming with Jeremy. However, the pool is closed because it's Good Friday. Instead of swimming, Jeremy and I got up at 6:30 to run "together." I had 6 miles, and he had an hour. We started out together, but them he sped off right away. I did my 3, turned around, and then he came up behind me. We finished the last 2 together. It was a great way to start off my birthday!
6 miles = 1:10:30

Saturday - off

In case anyone didn't notice, that was 6 days in a row of running. :)

Weekly Total: 18.2 miles

13.1 Training - Week 5 - 4/1

This week, I am a real runner, because I wanted to run outside and not on the treadmill. And I rocked my Thursday run!

Sunday - off: I didn't do anything except read The Hunger Games books.

Monday - run 2: Four miles was on the schedule for today. However, Livy is getting her top two front teeth and is biting while she nurses. I have two little cuts on my left boob that hurt a lot. They're like paper cuts--you can barely see them, but the pain bring tears to my eyes. I'm using Motherlove and bandaids so she doesn't do any more damage, but boob wounds take a long time to heal. Every time I stepped with my left foot on the treadmill, it felt like I was being stabbed in the chest. So I made myself go two miles, and we'll hope for something better tomorrow.
2 miles = 24 excruciating minutes

Tuesday - run 4: Bethany and I took decided to go out together and run with the kids. Because I bailed on my run early yesterday, I had to do 4 today. She had 3 on her schedule, but figured 4 was close enough.

Matching outfits (picture by Ivy)

Bethany & Ivy in the borrowed 12-yr old jogger

Me with Jamey & Livy in the BOB jogger

We set out from the house, despite the gusts of wind bending our lilacs almost all the way to the ground. We took the route with the big hill and side streets and still no wind protection. It was a hard run. I mean, seriously, the wind was gusting so bad, we could hardly walk with the strollers, much less run.  We stopped at Memorial Park at the end of the run, and I'm glad it ended up we were going faster than I thought we were. 

Livy got all tuckered out.

We need to get a "new" single jogger or at least a new front tire. It was all pumped up when we left, and it was almost flat when we got to Mile 2. And it wobbles like it's going to just fall off. And it makes a super annoying squeaking noise.
4 miles = 50:29 minutes (12:10, 11:27, 13:12, 13:40)

Wednesday - bike: I just have to say 50 degrees is too cold to bike with the kids. And man, this wind is killing me. Yesterday on the run and today on the bike. I thought I was going to blow to Canada (or whatever direction it was blowing). It seemed like every direction--I was always going into the wind. I piled the kids into the bike--Jamey in the CoPilot seat, and Ivy & Livy in the Burley. Pulling let's say 100 pounds makes for a good workout. We biked down to Cleary Lake, around the lake, and then to Thomas Ryan Park. After the wind and the hills and pulling the kids, my legs were tired. There is this short hill right before you get to Thomas Ryan. I had to get off the bike and walk. My legs would not move any more. We did make it to the playground. :) The kids played for an hour, and then we headed home. Livy fell asleep in the Burley and is still sleeping in the garage. Tomorrow, I'm running on the treadmill. I figure I rode about 10 miles.

Thursday - run 4 & strength: I was feeling like I didn't want to get on the treadmill at all. In fact, I never wanted to run ever again. So, I did some weight work in the morning. Then Jeremy offered to do dinner with the kids so I could get my miles in outside. I started out fast, but the first 1/2 mile always seems hard. But then I just kept going. And going. And going. I felt great after that first little bit. I saw my first mile split and grinned. Then I was going straight into the wind, and it was hard. I saw my second mile split and was okay with that. I missed my third mile split, but saw that my current pace was faster than normal. I decided to see if I could do that last mile in less than 11 minutes. And I did it! I felt great! And super glad I went out.
4 miles = ~44 minutes (10:43, 11:13, 11:14, 10:38)

Friday - off: I love days off! It's so nice to get up and shower, put make-up on, and do my hair. And stay pretty all day long. Nice!

Saturday - off: Unintentionally off. I was planning to run in the morning, but I was sore and tired and a little crabby. So we headed off to spend the day at the zoo. I was going to run when we got home. But man, it was cold and drizzly, and I hadn't eaten anything all day. So I'm going to run my 6 tomorrow.

Weekly Total: 10 miles

13.1 Training - Week 4 - 3/25

Starting this week, I will always be able to say, "This is the farthest I've ever run." That's both exciting and a little scary. Not scary like Freddy and Jason, but scary like "Can I do it? Five whole miles?"

Sunday - yoga: Just a few poses to help stretch my back.

Monday - run 3.5: I did 3.32 miles around Cleary Lake with all three kids in the jogger. Worthy of it's own blog post.
3.32 miles = 41:26

Tuesday - run 2: I ran a route around our "Big Block." It involves what I think is the largest hill in residential Prior Lake. I sometimes avoid it on my bike. But I was bored of always running down the trail, so I decided to do something different. I also decided to run the first mile as hard as I could. It was hard work! The second mile was very slow, but I felt good about the first one.
2 miles = 9:40 & 11:50

Wednesday - run 3.5: I did this run on the treadmill--it was just easier today. I got 2.5 done before Livy woke up and was SCREAMING. I eventually got the last mile done, but there was a long break between.
3.5 miles = 30 min + 11 min

Thursday - bike 30: We spent the whole day at the MN Zoo, so I hopped on the bike after Ivy & Jamey went to bed. Just a short 30 minutes watching last night's episode of Conan.

Friday - run 5: I decided to do my long run today instead of Saturday, because we have a lot going on tomorrow. Jeremy got home, and I headed out the door. I fully anticipated to be gone an entire hour, plus some time for walking. I took a different route than straight down the trail to the lake and back. Did that big hill again, hearing Bethany all the way "hills make your butt sexy!" I didn't have to stop for any of the stoplights the whole way, and I was feeling good. Pretty soon, I was telling myself, "You have to run halfway without walking. 2.5 is close to 3--keep running. You've run 3.5 without walking. Now you're at 4--only one to go. Hey, I think I'm going to do this whole thing without walking!" It felt great! Also, today was not a good day for me. The kids were fine and playing outside, but I was having a "feel like a failure Friday." I didn't want to even run, but my goodness, I'm glad I did!
5 miles = 58 minutes (11:25, 11:26, 11:48, 12:05, 11:36)

Saturday - off: We have two birthday parties today way up North (this means about 50 miles), so Jeremy got up early to do his Brick, and I did my long run yesterday. We'll be gone from 10am - 9pm probably. Long fun day! So happy we have nice weather.

Weekly Total: Almost 14 miles

13.1 Training - Week 3 - 3/18

I picked up some running capris, a shirt, and another sports bra. It's fun to have a cute matching outfit. :)

Sunday - yoga: I did some Hero Pose and Legs up the Wall. It's hard to do yoga with the kids around. Also, it was unseasonably warm, so we spent a massive chunk of the day outside.

Monday - run 3.5: I'm supposed to run with a friend tonight, but I'm not sure how fast or how far we'll go. So I did 2 miles on the treadmill this afternoon. In my new outfit.

2 miles = 23:30 minutes. 

Then I did 2.8 miles with my girlfriend. She hasn't been running in many years. And it's not like I'm super fast. So we had a fun time and will definitely do it again. Hopefully, we can make it work once a week.

Tuesday - run 2: I thought I was going to miss the run today and have to do it on Friday. We had to take Baby for a shot, then pick up new contacts, go to swimming lessons, then playing with friends at the bounce house. And we have small group tonight. I figured there was no time to get a run in between all that stuff, making dinner, feeding the baby, etc. But my sister was home today! She came to the rescue and volunteered to make dinner so I could do my run OUTSIDE!! It's another gorgeous March day in Minnesota. I mean, it's 66 right now. It was super windy on the way out. But running with the wind is great.
2 miles = 22 minutes (exactly)

Wednesday - off: I was supposed to run 3.5 and do some strength workout. But I woke up with a nasty headache, maybe from not sleeping well and feeling all twisted around Sweet Baby. I knew I wouldn't do it in the morning, but it was 10:30pm before I realized I hadn't done it all day. Now I'll try to squeeze in some workout tomorrow to cover what I missed today and include my bike ride tomorrow. Might try all three kids in the Burley.

Thursday - strength & bike 20 & run 2.5: I did some pushups, situps, lunges, and squats while I made three batches of Colored Playdough. For good measure, I also did some Legs Up the Wall, and Twisting something--my back was tight.

I was trying to get on the bike this morning, and before I knew it, it was 10am. Anderson Windows was coming at 11, so I got in the shower; I wanted to be dry and have some make up on at least. She called at 10:50 to say she wouldn't be here until 11:30. So I figured I could hop on the bike while the Baby was still napping. I was going for 30 minutes, but I only got 20 before the Baby starting squawking and the window lady showed up. Better than nothing, eh?

Now we'll see if I can fit a short run in sometime this afternoon or evening. We ended up jogging over to a park to play with some friends. Pushing three in the jogger is hard work, but they were great motivators. "Go faster, Mom!" Instead of the 3.5 on the schedule, I did 2.5.

Friday - off: It was nice to have a day off. With all this nice weather, it's hard to get on the treadmill.

Saturday - Race Day - Get Lucky 7k: Read my race review.

Weekly Total: 13.7 miles

13.1 Training - Week 2 - 3/11

Sunday - yoga: I didn't put in the DVD. I just did a few back stretches and used the foam roller on my hips and back. Gosh, that feels good.

Monday - run 3: I ran the whole 3 miles without stopping!! No walk breaks! I guess it wasn't the treadmill at the Y. :) We have guessed maybe it's harder running in our basement because it's hot down there. So, I turned off the heat about 45 minutes before I was planning to go down there. And then instead of turning on a movie or Sprout for the kids, I let them paint at the kitchen table (unsupervised) for 40 minutes. This is what I found when I walked upstairs.

I think it helped that I didn't have them hanging on the treadmill or trying to talk to me or drink all of my water. And the new playlist helped. It doesn't matter to me if the music is fast or slow. I need music I like to sing along with or can zone out and think to. And there's just something about Johnny Cash. 

3 miles = 35 minutes plus 5 minutes cool down. 

Tuesday - run 2: I did it! Again, without walking. The Baby started crying with about 8 minutes to go, but I hoped she would go back to sleep. She's got a nasty cold, with watery drippy eyes and a soggy nose. I really wanted her to sleep. She didn't. I finished my run before I went to get her, feeling guilty for letting her cry, but feeling good for finishing my run.
2 miles = 23 minutes (11:30 miles) plus 2 minutes cool down. 

Wednesday - run 3 & strength: For strength, I used my Sister's weights and did a ton of arm exercises. And I have been working my transverse abdominal muscles throughout the day. I didn't want to get on the treadmill at all, but I'd hit my caloric max for the day so I figured I couldn't skip. It was hard. Alison Krauss' "When You Say Nothing at All" got me through a whole mile--I listened to it 4 times. Then I played Karmin's "Brokenhearted" twice. I told myself I had to run at least 1.5 miles. So I ran two. And the last mile, I walked and ran. Hard day. But I did it, and I feel good.
3 miles = 37:40 minutes (12 minutes first 2 miles; 13:40 last mile)

Thursday - bike 45 minutes: I got the Baby to lay down for her nap and put The Sound of Music on. The Big 2 were not interested in watching at all. They kept asking about the children in the movie and then said, "those aren't children; they're grown ups." And then they hopped on one foot for about 20 minutes trying to knock each other over. That made the time on the bike go pretty quickly.

Friday - off: I love it! But it feels weird to not have anything on the schedule. I did my hair and put on makeup first thing in the morning though, because I could. :)

Saturday - run 4: YAY!! I ran outside on this gorgeous 60 degree day. It was sunny and a bit windy, but I had to take off my long-sleeved shirt before I hit the first mile. I was HOT. I think I've made it my goal to always run the first half of my miles. So I ran the first two. The last 1/2 mile was tough. How's this for gross--dirty snow is not a good replacement for water. I was dying. So I grabbed two tiny fistfuls--as clean as I could spot and disregarded the crunch as it melted in my mouth. YUCK! This was my lesson in hydrating and maybe bringing some water along. On a more fun note, I got to wear my new Ryders sunglasses I won from Steve in a Speedo a few weeks ago. Awesome!

Soon we're off to my Hubby's swim meet with Genesis Aquatics. But first, I'm going to find some water.

PS. This is seriously a record for me. I think the fastest I've ever run. And I feel awesome!

4 miles = 45:20 minutes (10, 11, 12:40, & 11:30)

Weekly Total: 12 miles

13.1 Training - Week 1 - 3/4

This first week of training has gone well. I like having a set plan so I don't have to figure out what to do. I need to get some capris for running on the treadmill. Long pants are too hot, but shorts ride up and chafe my thighs. That stinks and hurts.

Sunday - yoga: It was good. You know, the kids were trying to climb on me and drive cars around my legs, but the back stretches continue to make me happy.

Monday - 3 miles: This was a great run. I felt awesome. 

Tuesday - 2 miles: I got up at 7am to do this "quick run," I mean "short run before we left for swimming lessons and then my mom's house. Again lots of walking, but the heat was on, and it was HOT in the basement. Also, the playlist that was great on Monday was awful on Tuesday.

Wednesday - 3 miles & strength: These are the 3 miles I did at the Alexandria YMCA. Felt awesome to run three without stopping at all. I even sped up for the last two minutes. For strength, I swam a 200 while my sister swam with the kids.

Thursday - bike: Skipped. We were still at my parents' house, and I didn't want to pay to go to the Y, even if we got in free on Wednesday. I figured I could do it on Friday or skip it entirely.

Friday - off: Did not bike. Drove home.

Saturday - 4 miles: After the easy 3 at the Y, I was hoping this would also be easy. It wasn't. I did the first 2.3 in 29 minutes. After the first mile, it felt hard. I took two walk breaks. Then the baby woke up. I heard her on the monitor, and it sounded like she was very sad. So I hopped off to nurse her, but she wasn't too sad. I did nurse her; that ended up being a 30 minute break and a lack of motivation. If my Hubby hadn't encouraged me, I would've skipped the last 1.7. But he got me back down there. I did the last bit in 20 minutes. So, 49 minutes total.

Weekly Total: 12 miles

Let the Training Begin

I'm starting the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan. It will run from Sunday, Feb 26 through the Fargo Half Marathon on Saturday, May 19. In general, my weeks will look like this

Sunday - yoga
Monday - midweek run (not ever more than 5)
Tuesday - short run (not ever more than 3)
Wednesday - run & strength
Thursday - bike
Friday - off
Saturday - long run

I was planning to swim Tuesday and Thursday mornings, but Baby just isn't putting up with it. Granted, I haven't tried, but she screams and screams when she wants me, and I just don't have it in me to let her cry like that. And I don't want to make any other adult put up with two hours of screaming. This child is loud and persistent.

Right now, my goal is to finish. However, Hubby, Sister, Cousin, Uncle, and maybe another Uncle are running the 13.1 and will all finish in 2 hours or less. I don't think I will be able to do 9 minute miles, but maybe 10. Ugh, I don't know. I'm doing 11:30s right now.

So, I think I will plan to write about my training every week to keep a journal of how it's going. To be published on Sundays.