4.69 Miles...By Myself!

Well my morning running partner, Jen, is out of town this week. And the other girls couldn't run this morning with me. So I decided to run on my own. It has been months since I have run by myself! I mapped a new route last night in the hopes that different scenery would keep me from getting bored or stopping. I won't lie...when the alarm went off this morning I seriously considered staying in the bed. It is so easy to do that when no one is waiting on you to come run! But I knew I would be upset I missed my run later if I did that. So I got up. I put my running clothes on. We were out of bananas so I ate a special K bar instead. I stretched. Then I walked out the door. I turned on my iPod....which I haven't used in a while because I like to talk while I run with my friends (but I knew I would need my music this morning). I walked off the front porch...into a light sprinkle of rain!!! I had just looked at the radar and it looked like the rain was moving away from us so I decided to go ahead and venture out. I began running. And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! And the rain STOPPED! I tried to pace myself (which I have a horrible time doing). The new route was awesome!!! I mapped out 4.29 miles but felt so good that I ended up running more. I came home and remapped it and it was 4.69 miles! I ran it in about 49 minutes at an average pace of 10:34!!! I thought that was pretty good for a 4.69 mile run! At least I know now that if I HAVE to run by myself I can do it and be successful! Here's the map of my new route!



The only bad thing about this morning is I discovered that my left earbud is NOT working. So I had to listen to my music in my right ear only. Gonna have to start shopping for some new headphones!

I want to run Thursday morning too. And Laura has PROMISED me she will run with me that morning. Right now the rain forecast doesn't look too good. But hopefully the rain will wait until we finish running!

On the other hand, I am running The Firecracker 5K in Pensacola on Saturday. Several of the Sole2Soul Sisters are running it with me! So it should be tons of fun! AND I just found out this afternoon that my mom and my sister Amy and her 3 kids are coming to the race to cheer me on! I am sooo excited! This will be the first time anyone has come to see me run a race!!!

'Till Thursday (hopefully)!

12 Miles!!!! Half-Marathon Here I Come!!!

Woke up at 3:15 AM this morning! Yuck! But I do it all for the love of running! I met my girls Katrina, Christina, Jennifer, and Laura at Jen's house at 3:40. We jumped in the car and rode over to Fairhope. We first rode our route and dropped our Gatorade and water every 3 miles. Then it was time to get started! We ran in Fairhope next to the bay...beautiful! We ran 3 miles past The Grand Hotel and then turned around and headed back. The last mile we picked it up (about a 9:30 pace) and I thought I was going to die lol! We were going fast PLUS it was up a hill! But we all made it! We ran the 12 miles in about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Slow but steady. The run felt great but my right knee on the outside is pretty sore...not liking that. And that is discouraging me a bit from thinking about running the full marathon instead of the half in November. All the girls are trying to talk me into running the full but that REALLY scares me lol! Gonna be praying hard about that!

Speaking of the girls...here we all are at The CAUSEway 5K last weekend! I love these girls and would have never made it this far without them! Thanks to Emily Peak Photography for taking both of these awesome photos of us!

Jennifer, Christina, Katrina, Me, and Laura!

A Hilly 4.24 Miles!

Jen and her neighbor Andrea headed to my house this morning to run. It was very HOT and very HUMID! When we finished sweat was literally dripping off of me! We ran the yucky hills of Whispering Pines Road. I know that hills are good for me but I HATE them! The run turned out to be a great one though! We had a pretty fast pace for hills! We ran 4.24 miles in 46:35 at an average pace of 10:58!!! Whoop Whoop! Jen's Data of our run: RoadRunner GPS.

Another 5 at 5!

Jen and I ran 5 miles this morning! We met at her house and ran our normal 5 mile route! My legs were pretty tired the first mile or so but then they were fine and the run felt GREAT! When we hit 5 miles and started walking to cool down, it started sprinkling. By the time we got to her house it had started pouring! I was sooo glad we got the run in before the rain! We ran 5.05 miles in 59 minutes and 20 seconds at an average pace of 11:43. Here's the link to our run: RoadRunner GPS!

10 Miles...Whoop Whoop!!!

I did it! I ran 10 miles this morning!!!! Me, Katrina, Christina, and Laura all ventured out at 4AM this morning to begin our run. The first half of the run was very dark since we were running on country roads and we could see heat lightning way off in the distance. It made it a little eerie! But the weather was great...there was a coolness to the air that made it perfect for running! It was gorgeous as the sun started to rise...we could see the fog and the sunrise across a field filled with cows! I wish I had brought my camera! And we saw another bunny on this run...they seem to like us...or maybe just the early morning lol! We ran 10 miles in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 7 seconds. That is an average pace of 12:54. Below is a map of our route...it looks like such a long way!!!

The CAUSEway 5K!!!!!

The day finally arrived! The race we have been training our Sole2Soul Sisters for for 10 weeks! Their first 5K race! They did AWESOME!!!!!! I was so proud of them! Being a part of this has been an amazing experience for me! To know that I have shared my passion with such a great group of ladies is such a blessing! And I have formed so many new friendships through this!

Today, I ran with my new friend Eva. Her goal was to run the whole time and finish under 40 minutes. She DID IT!!!! She finished in 39:02!!! I had so much fun encouraging her along the way...although I am sure she wanted to hit me many times lol! The route was a lot of fun! We ran in one lane of the causeway. We ran over a bridge (that was a first for me) and it was beautiful looking over and seeing Mobile Bay! The only bad thing is it was very very hot and the water stops ran out of water!!! But we made it! I guzzled down TWO bottles of water right after because I was so thirsty! I had such a great time today and I felt like a momma watching all her children cross that finish line!

Group Shot of the 46 ladies that ran today!!! Looking good in our purple shirts and bondi bands!!! (Picture by Michelle Thomas)


My amazing running partners! Jennifer, Christina, Katrina, me, and Laura! (Picture by Emily Peak)


Susanne, me, and Eva...Mile 1!


Finally...a picture of me RUNNING!!!




Paige and me before the race!


My boys welcoming me home after the race!


It's been a great day! Waking up early in the morning for another long run...10 miles!!!

3.5 Miles Turns To 4.43 Miles!!!

Jennifer came my way to run this morning. We planned on running a 3.5 mile route. The beginning of the run was hard for me...my legs just felt really tired. But we were going faster than normal too. We ended up running about a 10:35 pace. Towards the end of the run I was feeling great! We got to our stopping point and both looked at each other and said we would run to the YMCA and back. We were feeling that good! Well I had only mapped out the 3.5 miles...thought going to the Y and back would put us at 4 miles. But when I got home and remapped it we actually went 4.43 miles! It turned out to be an awesome run!!!! Below is the map of the route we ran...pretty cool! I mapped it at a website called Map My Run. I found this website when I first started running but had forgotten about it. I really like it!

5 at 5!!!

This morning Jennifer and I ran together. We both weren't feeling all that great and said we were going to take it slow and easy. Well, I don't know what happened with slow and easy because we really picked up our pace towards the end! We both felt great during the run! We saw a turtle crossing the road ahead of us...and he was going pretty fast for a turtle! And the sunrise was gorgeous this morning! There's nothing like running down a stretch of road and seeing all of God's creation!

We ran 5.08 miles in 58 minutes and 57 seconds at an average pace of 11:35! Here is the link from Jen's phone that shows our route. I LOVE this technology stuff!!!
RoadRunner GPS

Longest Run Yet....9 MILES!!!!!!

I woke up at 3:30 AM (yes you read that right) this morning to meet the girls for our long run. Let me just say...IT WAS AWESOME!!!! It was a GREAT run for me! We ran at a slow pace...about a 13 minute mile. But that is fine with me! I don't care how long it takes me as long as I finish! It was VERY hot...even at 4 in the morning. But Laura was great and dropped Gatorade along the route for us. That Gatorade really helped all of us! I would start feeling tired and get a sip of Gatorade and a little burst of energy would reveal itself!

Laura is so awesome for preparing those Gatorade bottles for us!!!


I also tried my first packet of GU on this run. GU is an energy gel that does exactly that...gives you a burst of energy. You normally take it every 45 minutes when running. I wished I had taken GU during that horrible 7 mile run a week ago. It probably would have helped me out!


I think the GU paired with the Gatorade helped make my run so successful! But what helped me the most was the wonderful friends I run with! Laura, Christina, Katrina, and Jennifer are awesome and we all keep each other going! I definitely could not have run 9 miles without them!

Woo Hoo! I am sooo excited about this 9 miles! Only 4.1 more miles and I would have ran a half-marathon!!!

Sole2Soul Sisters Shirts!

Our shirts look GREAT!!!!!

The Hot Trot 5K!!!

My friend Paige and I ran The Hot Trot 5K today at Lulu's in Gulf Shores! We found out real quick the reason for its name...it was HOT! But it was a lot of fun! I finished the 3.1 miles in 31:37! I was happy with that time considering the heat...I can't believe I ran it that well! Lulu's really knows how to throw a post race party! There was tons of food...strawberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas, oranges, watermelon, Subway sandwiches, and bear claws! Yummy!

Me and Paige before the race!


After the race, we visited the beach. It was devastating...oil was washing ashore.


There were tons of tar balls on the sand.


The workers were busy trying to get it all cleaned up.


It was heartbreaking seeing all this. And from what I have seen it got much worse as the day continued. The Gulf Coast needs a lot of prayer right now!

Tomorrow morning I am getting up at 3:30 AM! I am meeting the girls at 4:00 for a long run. Wish me luck!

3.21 HILLY Miles!!!!

This morning Katrina, Laura, and Jen met at my house to run! We ran down Whispering Pines Road all the way down to CVS and back. I have always wanted to run this route but it is sooo hilly! But we survived!!!! And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! We ran 3.21 miles in 37 minutes and 35 seconds with an average pace of 11:42. It is funny...even when I am running those hills and hating them...I still think while I am running that I absolutely LOVE running! It still seems unreal to me that I can run for so long and so far now. Andy said to me the other day, "3 miles is just easy for you now isn't it?" I wouldn't say it is easy...but I know I can do it and that makes it easier.

I am running a race this weekend! It is called the Hot Trot 5K for ARC and is being held at Lulu's Restaurant in Gulf Shores. Should be lots of fun! Jennifer and my friend Paige are running with me. And the t-shirt is a tank...I am excited about that! I am a little worried about it being so hot but hopefully it will be ok.

On Sunday, we have planned to do a long run before church...Katrina, Laura, Christina, and Jen are going to do 12 miles...I am going to do 8-9 miles...I think lol! My confidence is a little low since my 7 mile run last week was so hard but Katrina says I will be fine...we are planning on going a much slower pace. I always get a little nervous about these long runs but excited too!

Then next weekend I am doing the CAUSEway 5K with the Sole2Soul Sisters! I am sooo excited about this race! It is going to be sooo awesome to cross the finish line with these amazing ladies and seeing how far they have come with their running! I am just running this one for fun...not trying to run fast...I am going to run with some of the ladies to help support and encourage them. I can't wait!!!

3 Miles!!!

I ran with Katrina, Laura, and Jennifer this morning. We ran 3 miles in 30 minutes and 53 seconds at an average pace of 10:17! It was an AWESOME run this morning! We actually had cool weather! My van said it was 68 degrees out. It was a great break from the hot, humid weather we've been having! We also saw a bunny rabbit this morning...he crossed the road right in front of us!!! He was sooo cute! Now I am getting ready for the first day of the MDOP Summer Program! I have only 2 of my students from last year returning...so I basically have a brand new class this summer. It should be fun!!!

3.46 Miles + 1.5 Miles!

This morning Jennifer, Christina, and I ran from the track since we had a Sole2Soul Sisters group run this morning. We ran through Canterbury subdivision, then down Lawson Road back through Canterbury, then down Lawson Road to the Lake Forest entrance and back to the track. I really liked the route! There was a steep hill at the bottom of Lawson Road but we made it! I felt really good this whole run...we ran it at a pace of 11:38 and a time of 40 minutes and 21 seconds. I needed a good run after the 7 miler the other day...I really needed a boost of confidence and I got that this morning. Here's Jen's fancy data: RoadRunner GPS.

After that run, I ran another 1.5 miles with the Sole2Soul Sisters! They ran 28 minutes this morning and did GREAT!!! I love seeing their accomplishments!!!

After the group run, Christina and I met up with Angie (part of the Sole2Soul Sisters) to watch the Grandman triathlon that was taking place at the pier in Fairhope. We missed the swim part but got to watch the bike and run part! We had sooo much fun cheering on all the athletes!!! What an amazing accomplishment!

Here's us in between cheering...Christina, Angie, and me!

FINALLY got that long run in....7.09 Miles Baby!!!

Well the weather FINALLY cooperated and I got to do my 7 mile run that I have been wanting to do the past 3 weeks! I met Jennifer at her house this morning and her friend Angela from Pensacola came to run with us too. The whole run I felt like we were going a little fast but I was fine with that until we hit about mile 5. Then I really started struggling. I really didn't think I was going to make the next 2 miles. I started thinking that I hated this running thing and that there was NO WAY I could run that half marathon in November! 13.1 miles??? I was struggling at 7!!! But Jennifer kept encouraging me and telling me I could do it so I kept running! I really don't think I would have kept going if it hadn't been for her! That's why it is sooo great running with a buddy...if I had been on my own I would have surely quit! Finally Jennifer said we hit mile 7 and I was sooo happy! But then I got mad because I found out when I stopped running that my Nike+ stopped working!!! My longest run yet and it didn't record it...ugh! Luckily, Jennifer had her fancy GPS program going! We ran 7.09 miles in 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 24 seconds at an average pace of 11:03!!!! Holy Moley no wonder I was struggling! That is a killer pace for a long run (at least for me)! So seeing that gave me a little bit more confidence about that half marathon...I will definitely be running at least a 12 min. per mile pace for that if not slower! Here's the link that shows our run data: RoadRunner GPS

No Rain = Great Run!!! 5.25 Miles!!!

At 3 AM this morning I woke up to the sound of rain. But I told myself there were two more hours before we were running and it would be cleared up...and it was! I met Laura and Jennifer at Jennifer's house to run this morning. We ran 5.25 miles in 59:07 at an average pace of 11:14! Wow! And Jennifer got a new app for her Blackberry called RoadRunner GPS. It told us our time, distance, pace, and calories. When she got home she hooked it up to her computer and it gave her a map of our route and a graph of our run! AWESOME!!! Here's the link that shows our run data from this morning: RoadRunner GPS

Pretty cool huh?! Makes me wish I had a Blackberry Phone! My hubby does...hmmm wonder if he'd let me use it for my runs??!!