New Year's Eve Run...Marathon Training Week 7!!!

Stats-
16 miles/3:02:14
Average pace- 11:23



16 MILES!!!! I did it!!! It was super foggy the entire run which was a little scary because we couldn't see traffic very well. But we stayed safe. Felt great the entire run until those last 3 miles which were pretty tough...my legs were just super tired. Just thinking that I will have 10.2 more to go is a little discouraging right now. But as my wise hubby said, "You're just not ready yet...you'll get there." So I am just going to believe that and be happy that I just ran 16 MILES!!!!!

Angela and me after 16 miles! It was her first time running 16 too! She did GREAT!!!


This puts me at 653 miles for the year! What a great end to 2011!!! Happy New Year y'all!!!

Christmas Rack Ups!

I had a super great Christmas! My hubby's family came Christmas Eve day and stayed at our house until the day after Christmas! We had a blast! We baked LOTS of sugar cookies, decorated a gingerbread train, played my son's new Wii dance game, watched movies, and ate and Ate and ATe and ATE!!! It was so special just spending all that time together celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior! And...my Christmas presents were pretty awesome! Most of what I asked for was running related lol! Except for the iPad that my hubby gave me! So excited about that! My in-laws gave me some super warm Nike running gloves, super comfy slippers for my always cold feet, and a medal hangar for my race medals!!! I also got several new running shirts! Yep...I took pictures lol!

New running gloves!! Love them!!


New running shirts!!!


My Race Bling!!!


I'm so very blessed!

Hilly, Chilly 3!

Stats-
3 miles/30:43
Average pace- 10:14

Brrr! It was cold out this morning...but at least there wasn't any wind. There were only three of us today...we ventured off schedule (we were supposed to do track work but the track was super dark) and ran in the neighborhood around the track. It's been awhile since we've ran that route...I forgot about all those hills! It was a great run though...We did some speedwork going up those hills! Ready for a great day with my boys!

Post Christmas Gluttony Run!

Stats-
3.1 miles/31:46
Average pace- 10:13

Felt great to get back out there tonight! I've been eating way too many Christmas cookies and casseroles lol! I also got to wear my new gloves and new running shirt that I got for Christmas! I think new gear really does make all the difference lol! Yay for a good run! 16 miles is on the plan for Saturday!!!

Marathon Training Week 6...Christmas Eve 10!

Stats-
10 miles/1:51:57
Average pace- 11:11

What a great way to start Christmas Eve...running with some great friends! It was cold and windy but we did it! The first 3 miles were tough but then I got into my groove and felt great! I also tried GU Roctane for the first time today...that stuff rocks!!!

Here's Gina, me, and Angela after our 10 miles!


And me and Laura!


I'm ready to spend the day with family baking cookies, putting together a gingerbread house, painting ornaments, and watching Christmas movies! Merry Christmas!!!

Extra Medal? Why yes, thank you!!!

Guess what was in my mailbox today??? My "heavy medal" from the Rock 'n Roll series! They give you extra medals for running more than one of their races in a year. I ran the one in New Orleans and Savannah! Isn't the medal pretty? Pretty awesome!

Thanks Jen for texting me this picture of the medal since I was out of town and didn't get to check my mailbox until tonight! ;-)

4 Miles!

Stats-
4 miles/44:08
Average pace- 11:00

I haven't sweated like that in a while! The temp was in the 60's and it was super humid. This was my second run with the new shoes...my plan was to run slow and just try to get used to the feeling of the shoes. The first 2-3 miles were awkward feeling. But the last mile I hit my groove and felt great! Thank the Lord above...because I did tons of praying about shoes the past few days lol! I really needed this good run!

Now...it is pouring down rain and we are under severe thunderstorm and tornado watches. So glad I got my run in early this morning!

Our Christmas Card!!!

This free digital greeting card personalized with Smilebox

New Shoes Run

Stats-
3.11 miles/33:14
Average pace- 10:41

I have been way overdue for shoes. So I finally got some new ones....they are the same as my old ones...Asics just went up a number. So instead of GT 2160 they are now GT 2170.


I HATE getting new shoes! Usually I have some kind of issue with them. And I really don't need that in the middle of marathon training. Today's run was not my best. My legs seemed super tired today...not sure if the shoes made them feel that way or if I'm not fully recovered from the 14 miler on Saturday. I also felt like I was running heavy. I always feel that with new shoes though so I'm hoping it gets better quick. I just wasn't in my groove today. Hoping Thursday's run will be a better one!

Marathon Training...Week 5...14 MILES!!!

Stats-
14.01 miles/2:40:27
Average pace- 11:27

I did it!!! 14 miles...my longest run so far!!! And it was fabulous!!! My knees ached a little around mile 7 but I said a quick prayer and they stopped hurting!!! I'm feeling great...definitely got that runner's high!!! Couldn't have done it without my girls...so blessed to have so many awesome ladies to run with!!!



And what do you do after a long run? Refuel with chocolate milk of course...the best recovery drink!!!


Got my compression socks on now...ready to head out of town for my hubby's work Christmas party! Woo hoo!!!

Hilly 5K!

Stats-
3.11 miles/34:26
Average pace- 11:05

It was perfect running weather this morning! Temps were in the high 50's! We ran hills so I took it easy...trying to stay injury free for this marathon training! Ready for a fun filled day at school...it's our Christmas party and Santa visit day!!!

New Plan Run!!!

Stats-
5 miles/53:41
Average pace- 10:43

Set out to do 3 miles tonight. Was feeling so good I changed it to 4 miles mid-run. Then I changed it to 4.5. Then 5 miles! LOVE those runs where you feel like you can keep going forever!!! Now watching I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown with my boys!

Sole2Soul Sisters Week 2!

Week 2 of the Couch to 5K training with the Sole2Soul Sisters today! I met two wonderful ladies with the same name...Kim! One of them was running for the first time ever and was doing it to get healthy. The other Kim amazed me because she fractured a bone in her foot a week ago and she was still out there running the best she could! These women are amazing! I'm so excited to see how far I know they will go in the next 7 weeks!!!

Today they alternated 90 seconds of jogging and 2 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes! They ROCKED!!!

Marathon Training...Week 4!!!

Stats-
10.5 miles/2:01:56
Average pace- 11:37

Had a fabulous run with some fabulous ladies this morning! We ran a new route...and a few of us got a little lost...or I guess I should say we weren't sure where to turn. Thank goodness for my iPhone! We just turned around and went back the way we came and it all worked out. It was great having a change of scenery....although it was a hilly route. But hills don't scare me as much as they used to lol! Had a beautiful moon and then a gorgeous sunrise to look at while we were running!

Marathon training with one of your best friends...it can't get any better than that!!!


Paige, me, and Marcella...around mile 9 with a beautiful sunrise behind us! It was gorgeous but you can't tell that in the picture.


Ready to spend the day with my boys and then sing in my Christmas Musical tonight!

Fartlek!

Stats-
3.25 miles/34:57
Average pace- 10:45

I can't help but laugh every time I say that word lol! My fastest pace was 6:34!!! I'm pretty sure I only did that for maybe 2 seconds but it counts lol! 7 of us ventured out in the freezing and windy temps this morning. It felt great! I love running in the cold!!!

See the frost on the sides of my hat?!!

Sole2Soul Sisters Week 1!

First group run with the new group! We had 52 ladies come out to run!!! Wow!!! I am so blessed to be a part of helping these wonderful ladies train for a 5K!!!

Today they alternated running 60 seconds and walking 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. And they all did great!!!

If you don't know about the amazing Sole2Soul Sisters and how blessed I am to be an officer of this group...go check out our website at www.sole2soulsisters.com !

9 Miles + 3.1 Mile Jingle Bell Run...Marathon Training Week 3!

Stats-
12.1 miles/2:15:22
Average pace- 11:11

Breakdown-
9 miles/1:41:07
Average pace- 11:14

3.1 miles/34:13
Average pace- 11:03

We had to get that long run in today but were also signed up to run the Jingle Bell Run 5K. So we ran 9 before the race and then a 5K at the race for a total of 12.1 miles!!! The whole 12 mile route was HILLY but I felt great! The route at the Jingle Bell Run is hilly but there is this one hill that is about a half mile long. Last year I ended up walking it. Well, today.....I conquered that hill and didn't walk once!!!! I'm proud! This was one of my slower 5K's but I didn't care...I had just run 9 miles before!

Yep...I dressed up as an angel for this race!


The Sole2Soul Sisters Angels!!! And what's so funny is everyone kept calling us the Victoria Secret Angels! Lol! Maybe the plus size angels lol!


Now ready to spend the day with my bestie Christmas shopping!

Track Workout!!!

Stats-
3.25 miles/32:53
Average pace- 10:07

Hey that's a minute faster average pace than Tuesday's run! But that's what happens I guess when your BEST pace is 7:20!!! (Yeah I'm pretty sure I only ran that pace for like a second lol)

I really didn't want to get out of my cozy warm bed this morning but so glad I did! There were only 4 of us that ran today but we had a great track workout. We did a warm up, 4 x 400's, and then a cool down. Really felt great to push myself!

And I'm not sure if you can really tell from this picture but there was frost on the ground and on the roof of my house this morning. My boys thought it had snowed lol!

Brrr!!!

Stats-
3.5 miles/38:59
Average pace- 11:07



Freezing cold this morning! First time this season I've had to bundle up with layers! But I LOVE it!!! My legs were still tired from Sunday afternoon's 10 miler. Took the first 2 miles to get warmed up and find my pace. That's why I like long runs so much better! The short runs are not as fun because by the time I get warmed up, it's time to stop! I'm glad I got up and got it done!

Marathon Training...Week 2!!!

Stats-
10 miles/1:55:52
Average pace- 11:35



Thought this run was gonna be a wet one because it had been raining all night and all morning. But the rain stopped just in time! A few rays of sunshine even poked out briefly! Had a great run with some fabulous ladies!!! So blessed!!!

5 Windy Miles...on Thanksgiving!!!

Stats-
5 miles/53:34
Average pace- 10:42

It was windy out there this morning! The first mile was horrid but once I found my pace I felt great! I ran a lot later than I normally do...8:00am instead of 4:45am! And I ran with music today...the Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soundtrack kept me going! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy spending it with your loved ones!!!

Don't you just LOVE my new Running Skirt I got yesterday??? :-)

4 Miles and Flashing Lights!

Stats-
4 miles/42:23
Average pace- 10:35

Before we started running this morning, a car had crashed into the entrance of the neighborhood. He was still in the car so my friend went ahead and called 911, circled the block, and when she passed by again he was no longer in his car. He seemed intoxicated so we were a little concerned for our safety. Luckily, by the time we reached the entrance the cops were already there and already had the guy in hand cuffs. It was a great reminder to us all to make sure we are all safe when running. Despite the drama, I had a pretty good run!!! I had a great time celebrating with my son at our school's Thanksgiving Feast! Doesn't he make the cutest little Indian??!!

Marathon Training Has Officially Begun!!!

MARATHON training has begun!!! Yep you heard me right....I've decided to attempt the training for my first full marathon! I'm nervous and excited but know that if this is the route God wants me to take then it's going to be great! 8 miles down this morning in the wind and rain! What a great way to start! It was an awesome run with some awesome ladies!!!!

Stats: 8 miles in 1:33:57 at an average pace of 11:44. Not too bad considering I haven't run in two weeks!

Ever since I got back from Savannah, all I can think about is doing a full marathon. I'm hoping that is God's way of telling me I'm ready. Because in the past I have always said that I will probably never do a full. I'm going to do the full at the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans in March. I'm already registered to do the half. I am nervous about the training and getting injured so I am praying hard and going to attempt the training and see how it goes. If I feel like I can't do it I can always back down to the half. I'm ok with that. No pressure! But I really want to run 26.2 at least once! :-) Sooo here we go! Training has officially begun!!! :-)

A Night in Savannah!!!

So after getting cleaned up from the race, we decided to go on one of Savannah's ghost tours and then to dinner. I'm so glad we had a night to have some fun!

Here's me and Paige all cleaned up!!!


And here's the group! Gina, Paige, Me, Sally, and Angela! And yes...we had to wear our race shirts and medals!!!


We drove to downtown Savannah and walked around a bit before it was time for our Ghost Tour.


I was still amazed at all the signs welcoming the runners! I HAD to take a picture of this theater's sign!


The Ghost Walk was cool! The tour guide didn't try to scare us too bad...I don't really believe in that stuff anyway. But it was great to hear some of the history of the city!

This is The Marshall House, the oldest hotel in Savannah and one of the city's most haunted places. It was used as a hospital during the Civil War. During one of its renovations, human bones were found under the floorboards. These are said to be the amputated limbs of the Civil War soldiers. And supposedly there is a ghost Civil War soldier that is seen walking in the hallways holding his amputated arm looking for someone to reattach it!


Here are a few other landmarks we encountered on the ghost walk...although I don't remember all the stories about them. I just thought they were pretty! :-) This was in one of the squares in downtown.


And this church was seen in the movie Forest Gump where the feather is flying through the air! Pretty neat!


After the Ghost Walk, we went to Tubby's on Riverstreet. It was very yummy! We ordered a fried green tomatoes appetizer that was soo good! I ordered fish fingers and homemade mac and cheese for my meal...the fish was awesome and so was the mac and cheese! And our waitress was awesome! After dinner, we headed back to the hotel. We were all sooo tired from waking up at 4:30 AM and running half and full marathons!

The next morning, we headed out around 8 AM for home. It was pretty funny watching all four of us (me, Paige, Gina, and Angela) trying to walk. We were sooo sore! Angela and I had to show off our shirts we had bought at the Expo before we left! It says "Live, Love, Run Half Marathons!"



And I LOVE the back!!!


We had a pretty fun ride home! We talked about all the fun we had at the race and in Savannah. And we played the ABC game about 4 times!



My favorite part of the ride home...lunch at Sonny's BBQ!!! Yummy!!!



I am super blessed to have such great friends who enjoy running as much as I do! I can't wait for the next race...Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Gulf Shores (January 22, 2012) and Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon (March 4, 2012)!!!

As for now, I am taking two weeks off of running to recover. My quad and hip flexor need some rest time before I start training heavily again. But...I can't WAIT to start training again!!! :-)