I'm done skipping runs.

Last weekend I was in Colorado-I was supposed to run 10 miles, but slacker me only did 8 :/  So I wouldn't have to run by myself my dad rode his bike next to me, which was a different but nice way of spending quality time with him :) I loved running towards a view of mountains, they are so amazing. I've always said if Chicago had mountains to the west of the city, I would never leave. 

I followed that weekend up with NO MIDWEEK RUNS-I don't know what I was doing or thinking, but obviously, running slipped my mind? I was so nervous going into our 15 mile run this weekend, but having the group truly helped and wasn't bad at all. I know that continuing to skip midweek runs won't do me any good and I need to work a little bit harder. Only 55 more days left to the marathon, I need to redirect my focus on putting in the time and effort to this training; the more I put in- the easier that Sunday will be!

This weeks schedule:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: 8 miles

Thursday: 5 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 16 miles

Sunday: Cross

Half Way Point

Week 9 is almost done and we're half way to our marathon date! After this week I feel like 26.2 miles will be the death of me! I went out on my 7 mile run yesterday and I felt horrible! The past 2 weeks I've ran 13 miles on the weekend and they have been great, but wow was that 7 was hard! ha This weekend I'll finish the week out in Colorado and thankfully it is our cut back week so I should be able to get 10 miles in on my own . . . and honestly I planned this trip around training so I wouldn't have to do 15 or 18 miles on my own :/

During my commutes I've started to read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall:

I'm really enjoying it so far; one quote that stood out to me was: "The only way to truly conquer something, as every great philosopher and geneticist will tell you, is to love it"-- I do enjoy running, some days, but I would love to find a love for running. Maybe it is something that I can work at? I'd love to conquer this marathon and feel great after and continue running for years to come!

Rock N Roll

Over the weekend I ran my second half marathon! Aly and I went to the expo on Friday to pick up our bibs and check out all the different vendors! We ended up spending way too much time there and getting a ton of free stuff: ...tshirts, water bottles, sunglasses, samples, etc...

Then Sunday rolled around and I had no idea how this race was going to go! Last half, I had Kami and her dad to help pace and just keep me going in general. This year, I was running alone. Since I was pretty nervous I decided to not worry about keeping the 9minute/mile pace but just run comfortably and finish. So the race started and I got to the first mile at 9:04, the second mile-9:01, third mile-9:00...what the heck!!! 

I was so surprised that I was comfortably and consistently keeping a good pace I decided I had to stick with it. There were plenty of times where I was struggling but tried not to think about it... There were lively crowds at just the right places which definitely helps keep you going. I look forward to all of the water/ Gatorade stops, which I did not utilize nearly as much my first half marathon and I also took some Gu, which was my first time using those as well. I was surprised how good the vanilla tasted :) I basically I wanted to use this run to try everything and anything to see what helped keep me going and if there was anything that slowed me down for the full.

While thinking about the full in October, I realized while crossing the finish line...I'll have to double what I just ran. . . I knew this before, but having that in my head as I crossed the finish line is a lot different then just sitting on my couch thinking in my head "yea, I can totally train for 26.2 miles and it'll be so fun!"!! I'm hoping the 13 miles seems like a piece of cake soon considering I have to run it again this Saturday as part of training. The more you put in the easier, right?  

Overall, I was and still am really pleased with the outcome of the race. I can't imagine how I will feel after a full marathon!!! I ended the day with a soccer game at Wrigley Field : Italy vs. Poland and then Burger Fest and quickly passed out in bed after all of that!

1/3 Complete

Well week six has been wrapped up with a nice 7miler with CARA and a realization that the Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half is next weekend!! YIKES! When did that get here??! 

Last year I ran this with a very good friend, Kami and her dad. Kami and I played soccer together in college and she is the one who got me out running. Without her I wouldn't be training for the marathon or spreading awareness about abused and neglected children! She is a great supporter and I'm very thankful to have her in my life!

My time was 2 hours and 4 minutes and I felt pretty good the whole way, minus the nice hill they had the last mile.... The weather was great, which may make it more difficult this year. I didn't have any training schedule at all last summer-- just made sure I got a 10 mile run in sometime before the actual race. Since I've actually been training for the marathon I'm interested in seeing how the half turns out this year!

I've missed soccer!

So before I started all this running on my own, I lived to play soccer. When I moved out to Chicago I figured I should start doing something active and what better sport then running--the lake shore path was the biggest draw for just going out on a run... I was never a fan of just running to run!

 In our training plan it mentions we shouldn't do too many sports with lateral movements but when I got asked to sub on a soccer team I couldn't resist! I figured a 50min soccer game, no subs, playing outside mid...that should cover my 3 miles scheduled! I don't know when the last time I played in a soccer game but oh my gosh, waking up on Wednesday, my body hasn't been that sore in soooo long, especially from just a soccer game! I absolutely love the feeling of being sore, but I'm a little disappointed one soccer game did that much "damage". I used to play 5 in one weekend and not feel half as bad! I still felt it this morning before my 10miler!

Speaking of the 10miles, due to heat, CARA decided to cancel all group runs this morning. My friend Aly and I still decided to go out running...5am to try and beat the heat... and I think every one else who planned on running this morning did the same thing! The funny thing is, I think 5am was hotter out than 8am and later! Oh well, it was great to see everyone still out running/biking!

On to week Six:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 Miles

Wednesday: 5 Miles

Thursday: 3 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 7 Miles

Sunday: Cross

. . . and then a bird flew into my head

Week 4=Success! 

I switched the training up a bit this week since I'll be out of town over the weekend- I took yesterday off and decided to run my 9 miles this morning, which turned into 9 1/2-10 miles (not exactly sure where I turned around) I felt great during the long run and kept a great pace for being alone. 

But on my run this morning something very unusual happened. . . I was headed south along the lake shore, next to the grass side; I also run with only one ear-bud in to hear if people are passing, coming up from behind, waves, and of course the birds. . . as I was running past one tree filled with some noisy little birds one either fell out or flew out of the tree and hit me right on the head!!! It was the weirdest thing! I continued to running and notice other runners saw this and looked just as confused as I was!  I have always been afraid of low flying birds that look like they're coming straight at you and now I think the fear might be a little bigger!

Week 5:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 5 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 10 miles

Sunday: Rest

Fail

Well, I had the best intentions to train better, but sometimes intentions are not good enough. I started a new job and it definitely threw me off a bit. Working all day and then having class at night... coming home and starting all over again, does not make 5am runs look exciting. I've realized that trying to fit in a run between work and class is not possible... so now I just have to deal with it and get out there nice and early. . .

Saturday, I spend the day with a good friend that I met working in the children's hospital. We were talking about different situations/death/serious illness/abuse etc...happy Saturday chat, right? It just reinforced who and what I am running for and to take life one day at a time. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, so be happy today. I find too many people, including myself, complaining about the most pointless things (waking up at 5am...good thing I'm waking up to enjoy another run...). I feel like I post a lot about this point, but it is so easily forgotten in the fast pace life we all live in now.

So, this past weeks training I got 2 days in... a short run and my long distance Saturday run. . . Hopefully this week I'll have a better result... 

Week 4 Training:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 4 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 9 miles (Leave for Michigan. . . test to get this done on my own!)

Sunday: Cross