Remembering

2 mile walk - Its the final week of relatively light activity before the run on Saturday. I'm trying to get forms printed and "stuff" aligned and physically and mentally loaded up for the weekend. Tonight I went for a walk through the cemetery near me. I've always enjoyed a walk or run through a cemetery and today it was bright with flowers and flags. It brought a tear to my eye in remembering not only those that have passed in my life(my Grandpa R and my Grandma M) but also for the amazing sacrifice of so many for the freedoms I have to be walking around in complete freedom and I mean complete. It's amazing if you think about all the liberties that we have and the freedom's that we enjoy daily. There was an amazing sunset that my camera phone (that I use for everything . ha.) could not capture in it's glory but here's my best shot. Blessed. We are blessed.

Memorial Day Weekend!

0 miles - My sister,husband and kids stayed the night with me for the holiday weekend. We had so much fun with everything form bbq, smores, slip n' slide to movies and crafts. I didn't get a run in but chasing kids around is my kinda exercise! Here are Max, Alex and Sophia acting like gangsters with their water guns and also a picture of our craft project. Decorating flip flops... we are decorating them for the upcoming June Robertson-Storey annual campout. The camping theme is Luau and there will be a flipflop decoration contest so we had to go big! :-)

Full Circle

8 miles - Well, we came full circle from 5 months ago with our last team run together this weekend and did 8 miles. The group was optimistic, the weather humid and the sense of accomplishment inspiring. We are ready for the marathon, we are excited for the trip and we only have 1 week to go!

Could it be the shoes?

4 miles - My hip has been feeling a lot better, so I tried out the new runners again tonight. I'm hoping that I can wear them on marathon day as they have a ton more cushion than the ones that I've been using since starting the training in January. We'll see how it feels tomorrow. Fingers crossed. It was a great run tonight, I went right before dark as it was really hot again today. People were out and about, lawns were mowed, pets were happy... and so was I. :-)

Hot. I'm really Hot.

0 miles - waited all day for the AC guys to come and hook me up. Finally last night a smiley guy shows up at my door. Way cool, cause a.) he was smiley and b) he also added some freon and I was saved! So anyway... crisis averted. Onward.

Season Finale

4 miles - Right before my big finale in San Diego, I also anxiously awaited the big finale on The Biggest Loser. Tonight was the night. I've gotta say I was kinda bummed.

A) my air is still broken and it was 85 degrees in my house (not exaggerating)on the treadmill. Talk about torturing yourself. Yeah... first drop of sweat during the walk warmup!

B) Michael won the whole thing and he is not who I was voting for at all

C) Koli was all weird yet again and I really wanna like that guy. :-)

Drama. Drama.

Lightning Bugs

3 miles - yep, squeezed out an itty bitty 3 mile run tonight around 9pm trying to beat the heat. Sidenote: the heat beat me. :) I did see my first lightning bug (aka fireflies!) sighting tonight. Gotta love an Iowa night lit up by these awesome little bugs, come to think of it... they are the only bugs that I like! Today it was 90+ and over the top humidity, I believe the weather dude said, "the kind of day that you feel like you are wearing the moisture in the air". Which is pretty much what I looked like after my run. Drenched. Ew. Insult to injury = my AC won't turn on. Go figure. With all the other chaos in my life this year with broken furnaces, cars, snowblowers, kitchen faucets, toilets (fixed in error and leaking through ceiling in my kitchen) and an ice dam (damn!) causing interior damage upstairs and downstairs... I could only laugh and then sigh. Seriously? Seriously. Seriously? oh, my. This house is going to clean me out of any savings I ever had. So I sweated it out, it is 84 degrees in my house. I had the ice dam adjuster dude from Farm Bureau swinging by and made him take a peek ha. I needed to know I wasn't going crazy and doing something wrong. I'm thinking coffee shop and a call to the AC peeps tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me pretty please!!!! #fail

'Lil 10 mile jog

10 miles - Summer is here and the humidity came with it. Because of my way sore hip, I threw on my old runners in the hopes of my hip healing, or at least not getting worse. It was another gorgeous Saturday 6am run. Even better, we had some new people on day 1 of their LLS TNT journey, as they'll be running their events in the Fall. We only had to do a 'lil 10 mile jog compared to the 20 mile run last week. So we were all pretty chill. Truly a testament to the power of thought. Whatever mileage you know you need to do is what you are mentally ready to tackle. Whether it is a 5 mile or a 15 mile, I am ready to take it on. Now, how to relate this to life. The interesting part is how we are so much more comfortable with something when it's a sure thing. I've run 10 miles a ton of times the last few months, it is not threatening to me at all. But the first time I did it, it sure was. If only I could take these positive thoughts and assurances into some of the things that I have a fear of in life. Some of the things that are hard to make decisions about because... I don't know if they are a sure thing. I've not experienced them before. But I need to remember that all will be fine. I'll complete whatever it is that is making me waiver and when I'm done, I'll have one less fear. Setting my mind to something is something I can do now... when it comes to running. There's never a thought in my mind that I won't complete the long runs. I love that. The rest of my weekend was chill. Jonna and I went to the Farmers Market and walked around and then my nephews visited this afternoon. They love cheesy toys and I'd gotten these on clearance at Big Lots or as my sister calls it... Big Lots 'O Crap. :) They are so cute. Just love 'em and a great end to a great weekend.

Neighborhood Jog

4 miles - After a 3 day hiatus, I decided to give it a go this evening. I'm just gonna say it.. I have a really sore hip. I'm 3 weeks out from the marathon so I'm scared not to run enough during the week, but I'm also hoping that the sore hip will heal up a bit. So, I'm balancing those two fears. ha. I did have a good run tonight but we'll see how it goes the next couple days. I'm tempted to do treadmill running as I think there is more give/softer landing than on sidewalks. But, we'll see. :-) On another note, I've spent the last two nights entertaining friends on my back patio. Grilling with some old RB peeps, Kiley & Grant and then I hosted the monthly Giggling Gaggle. Wonderful people, food and weather... really I couldn't ask for a better week this week! I just love spring and summer and it really helps remind me this was my dream all those cold days where we ran in the snow and ice. It just plain makes me happy! Yay for simple pleasures.

Most amazing parents ever

0 miles - My morning started with a call from Mom telling me that she and Dad had decided to come to DSM for the day, bring the power washer and help me get my back patio/pond cleaned up. Yay!!! I have the most amazing parents ever, they do stuff like this without complaining and are always so much fun to be around. They brought the washer and dad did most of the slate in the backyard while mom and I went and bought flowers to pot and knee high "pond boots" for me. When we got back I jumped in the pond and spent a couple hours sloshing around in sewery water and taking all of the rocks out of the pond so that we could power wash 'em off. Mom potted all the flowers and cleaned some of my deck furniture. We powered through something that usually takes me forever when I do it by myself. So...in lieu of a run, I lifted rocks and worked on my back/arm muscles. ;-) My body needed a break after the 20 mile run as I seem to have a sore hip now, possibly because I have some new runners as well (or old age? the plot thickens!). So... hoping that clears up but if not.. I've only got 3 weeks to go so I think I'll be just fine! Incidentally, I talked to Dainna yesterday and she had a great 20 mile run up in MN yesterday as well. We are ready and we are going to have a great time in San Diego in T minues 3 weeks!! woohoooo! p.s. I should have taken before and after pics, but here are the after (almost finished back patio... still need to fill the pond after I get a new light for it). Yay!!

Awesome Saturday

20 miles - Scary Saturday turned into Awesome Saturday! It was a great run, Staci, Jonna, Kris, Sam and I ran about 12 miles together and then Coach Kevin got Staci, Jonna and I through the last few miles. I felt great and the weather was perfection. I'm so happy this run went... well, it went as amazing as it could have! The crazy part is that I'm always concerned about digestion, so I sorta didn't really eat dinner the night before, or ummm breakfast (since it was a 6am run). So I had some popcorn for dinner and that's it. I was concerned about having the energy needed for the run but I'm usually more concerned about the digestion issues I've had along the way. So... amazingly enough, I had plenty of energy; I was really ready to be done about mile 19, but even had a great kick at the end the last 1/2 mile. I used Clif Bar Energy Bloks, black cherry flavor and shared with the girls as well, I paced myself with these and also made sure I had water at every rest stop. I REALLY like these, I was first turned on to them at the San Fran group run as they had them at the aid stations. Big fan, try them if you haven't already! Their a bit like Dots candy... same texture. And if you know me at all, you know I'm a big fan of candy, esp. gummy candies. :-) So, I had a great run, took a nap and then went to see friends that stayed with me last night(the amazingly cute Olive & Oliver) at a Bacon Fest party they were having with all things Bacon. Yep, ice cream and cookies with bacon included. LOL. How's that for a follow up to a long run! Then I went to a graduation party on Sat night for one of my old wiiingsta's, Savannah Herr. I got to also see her sister Hannah! Yay Hannah, always so wonderful to see her and hear how things are going in Boise. Hannah was on the Wiiings team in Boise, so I have had the pleasure of working with both of these wonderful sisters. My best wishes to Savannah as she embarks on her post grad journey!

Scary Saturday

0 miles - in honor of scary Saturday (20 mile run tomorrow at 6am) I'm taking a walk today and calling it good. Meals planned: pasta and pasta. :) I'm actually kinda excited for the experience tomorrow as the most I've run in one chunk so far is 16. I think this final push for 20 will get me prepared to wind down to the actual marathon date of June 6. San Diego here we come! So, last night I spent some time with some of my favorite people. My sister lydia and three of her co-workers spent the night in order to make it to an early conference today, and we were up until 1:30am talking in bed. hee. hee. Growing up, mom and dad would have been so ticked, my sister Ellen and I always got in trouble for that! Before Lydia came I had a Jr League event. We celebrated the new members and were at one of my fav places La Mie/Le Jardin. Admission: I had two glasses of HobNob pinot noir. Way yummy! My lovely friends Jenny & Sara were teasing about whether they would "make the blog" or not. So here is their debut photo. :) Tonight as an extra treat to my weekend, Deenna Jensen and her new little 2 mth old twins Olive & Oliver are staying with me! Cannot wait to get my hands on those little babies. So excited!

No morning girl

5 miles - So I did a morning treadmill run and told myself I would do higher mileage to make up for my slackerness yesterday. Still a bit sore from the sprinting but set the tread to a 5 mile run. Somewhere during the run, I got it in my mind that I was doing 4 miles. So at 3.5 miles I decide, screw the sore legs, this interval thing is fun! So ran at 5.5 for 3 miles, 6.0 for 1/d mile and I did some sprinting up to 7.5 and back down the "last" half mile to 4, at which time I realized I had set out to do 5. How I knew this? Ole' tread did not stop. ha. I was prepared for it, grabbed the handles and... nothing... she just kept rolling. This my friends is why I should not be given any tasks in the morning that could have serious consequences. Ha. So I ran that last mile with some more intervals the last .5 and called a good run. Hoping that I won't be sore for the Saturday 20 miles. That's right party people.... 20 miles. at one time. no awards. no crowds or bands cheering. no water stations every mile. Just us and the open road (or trail, but you see what I'm say'n). The good news = I think I'm ready for this. :) Mentally, I'm all about it, hoping my body feels the same way come Sat. (I may say otherwise on Saturday at 6am, as I've got a family friend and husband staying at my house on Friday night with their 2 mth old twins. hee. hee. Yay!!!!)

p.s. Favorite new costco snack for the high maintenance can't cut their own or simply eat the apple with cutting into pieces apple eater.

Seriously?

0 miles - Umm, super ambitious interval training/sprinting yesterday on the tread = sore legs today! Who woulda thought??? Seriously?? In other news: expecting a new NIECE in September, the tally continues to change course from the initial 4 nephews that I had. Nephews = 5, Nieces gaining with = 3

Interval training

7 miles & a 1 mile walk for the warmdown - So it appears I AM a fair weather runner, apparently when it comes to rain although the snow didn't bother me. Bizarre. It just feels much worse to be wet and cold than dry and cold if ya know what I mean. So, my poor dad, farming sucks right now with all this cold weather and rain... news stories at night on the fears of the farms in replanting because the crops that went in the beautiful early spring are now dying. *sigh* Oh, Iowa weather. So, compared to my dad's concerns, mine are nothing. I actually look forward to my tuesday nights with TBL runs. 2 hours on a treadmill and I look forward to it? I know, it shocks me as well. I get so inspired with Bob or Jillian are yelling at the contestants while on the treadmill that my pace automatically picks up and it throws me off. LOL. So for this evening, I did a bit of what I saw... interval training. I did 6 miles at 10 min mile pace (6.0) and then did interval training for each .05 mile the last mile going all the way up to 7.5 at times. It was a lot of fun and believe it or not that last mile flew by. Weird how 6.0 seemed slow when I ramped it up. Also, I actually felt thinner after this run. That's right thinner and more fit. I'm digging this and can't believe I didn't do more of it during my treadmill running over the winter!

Slacker

0 miles - that's right. I'm telling myself that I'm just saving myself for our 20 mile run this weekend. But truth: I didn't have the time traveling on Sunday and staying the night in Reinbeck and couldn't get motivated to go on Monday. Sad state of affairs. :) I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Rain, rain go away

10 miles - thunderstorms and chaos. But the skies cleared for our 10 mile run this morning. It was all of 42 degrees and windy but we've been through much worse so it was a great run. I had my friend Jenny Adrianse come out with her high school friend Alicia. They are training for the Dam to Dam race that is WAY famous in DesMoines. I think maybe that will have to be my goal next summer. :) It is the same weekend as SanDiego Rock N Roll Marathon that we are running, so a No Go for this year. I think Jenny had a good run and it was a record distance for her... Yay! The rest of this weekend is traveling home to Reinbeck for Mother's Day and a cousin's high school graduation celebration. Remember what that was like? Graduating from High School, world's your oyster and you are still more worried about boys than you are about a college acceptance letter? Ha. Kinda miss that. Kinda not.

1 down, 2 to go

0 miles - I lost a toenail. Finally. Relatively pain free and my new guy had already pretty much "somewhat" grown in under it. So just threw some nailpolish on and ready for the other two hanging on by a thread nails to peace out. I know. Ew.

Lilacs

0 miles - Long day at work today and had a training this evening for a Women's Mentorship programming we're working on for Jr League this weekend. So, alas, didn't get a run in. I did however, steal some Lilacs from the McDonalds I was driving by tonight on the way home. I've had my eyes on the lilacs as there are a ton of bushes and they are right in the parking lot. Earlier this week, I had actually intended to "borrow" some from a local elementary school nearby on my run route. However, last night as I went on an evening run for the perfect, darker, stealth, borrowing of the flowers expedition (there are like 4 bushes, they wouldn't have noticed!)... and guess what? Everyone else had totally beat me to it!!!! There weren't any branches with flowers within my reach. Shocking! I'm not the only lilac stealer in the neighborhood. Incidentally I'm a room away and can smell the lovely lilacs in my kitchen. Thank you McDonald's!

Incidentally, below is the group pic of my team Lullabot while in SF that helped me reach my fundraising goals for the LLS as I pave my way to SanDiego, lilacs and all. :)

cinco de mayo good girl

4 miles - Nothing to see here people. Nothing to see here. The most damage I did today was a lunch at El Aguila with a friend which entailed some not-so-healthy mexican food and a darn good dose of chips and salsa, which I've been craving ridiculously lately. What's up with that? Although I am a disciplined girl when it comes to not consuming alcohol, not so much for eating healthy. I tend to go back to my carb loading ways and here I am still hauling all of me around without the desired lighter load. Also, just put'n it out there, the weekly runs and creativity are getting harder and harder. What is not getting harder is the mindset for the long runs. I continue to marvel at the fact that the 4 mile runs feel very similar to the long runs of 10+ miles mentally. Interesting lesson in mind over matter. It's pretty crazy, but definitely holds true. I will say that today was one of those great runs with a kick at the end that I so desire but are a bit elusive at times. Love those!

Boring

4 miles - I feel it. I've become more boring as the date draws near. No more chaotic weather (except maybe a storm or two) or exotic foods to report. No more crazy trips with traveling runs. I'm on the home stretch to the marathon. The only thing to get past these days are cinco de mayo margaritas and wine on the patio warm nights. Working on the final steps/stairway to the marathon on June 6. Took this picture with my iphone on the run as I thought this was a fun little stairway to "?", I guess whichever goal the navigator wants to reach. :) Seems to be missing the treehouse intended for it. :) I think it also got my attention because I remember when my sister Ellen and I were young, that is as far as we got with our fabulous plans to build a treehouse. We got one step nailed on the tree and called it good. :)

80's are here

4 miles - temperature that is. 80's in full effect today and it was a lesson in what the marathon may very well feel like in San Diego in June. Minus the midwest humidity of course. Nonetheless, had a good afternoon run today. I still have the dream of getting up early at 6am in the mornings, it's just that that dream hasn't been realized yet. I'm literally still dreaming at that time in the morning. :)

Nap time

4 miles - I've been trying to get over the last remnants of a cold/sinus infection. Case in point: taking a "quick" nap and then waking up 3 hours later. Seriously? Seriously. The day also had an amazing Iowa thunderstorm in store for me. What a treat. Finally rallied and went for a 4 mile walk that turned into a run as I ran into friends which = ran out of daylight time. :-) Oh, and here is a pic of me at around mile 11 or 12 of the Drake 1/2 marathon, apparently still having a good time. ;-)

May Day

12 miles - It was great to meet up with the local crew this weekend. It was a skeleton crew as a few team members were at the Vancouver 1/2 marathon/marathon. Not sure where the other "regulars" were but Stacy and I plugged away on our 12 mile run. It's really fun to get to know others over a couple hours of running. :-) Kevin hung with us on his bike for a while but had to scoot off early for his kids baseball events. It was the most gorgeous weather ever for a morning run. Also, first day of the Des Moines Farmers Market. Had that one on my calendar with a heart around it for months! Also as it is May 1, it reminds me of when my mom used to help us make May baskets and deliver them to our friends. As a farm kid, we didn't get to run next door and ring a doorbell. We had to jump in the old woody station wagon and drive around to the other farms outside of Reinbeck. Some great memories, we used to be pretty creative with ice cream cones, popcorn balls and candy, and we were not above throwing a dixie cup and pipecleaner handle together some years for good measure. So... the fact that it is May 1 also reminds me that we are 5 weeks away from the big day. And as the training is going well... I'm just happy I'm saying that is May Day, rather than yelling in distress Mayday, Mayday! Big huge difference. :-)