The watch

Lat fall after a my third half-marathon of trying to beat 2 hrs and finally beating it i was completely burnt out and had a hard time getting back into the "groove". I decided to take my watch off...my summer and fall had been so consumed with running certain times that i couldn't even go for a 3 mile run without trying to do a 5k race time. So, i took my watch off and decided to run for the love of running and not to beat any times...just to enjoy running for awhile. I did that for about 6 months and loved it!

Not gonna lie, it was hard sometime. I would think, "wonder what pace i'm running right now?" It was extremely refreshing though, i wasn't able to look at my watch every mile and see my pace and feel like i needed to pick it up the next mile.

I have now put the watch back on, couldn't leave it off forever :) I'm wanting some new prs. I would love to get a new pr in the next half-marathon i run in my home town. Who knows if that will happen but i'm training on hills in hopes that running a flat half will feel easier!

I am working on trying some new things for nutrition to help during races...

I registered for a marathon! (the Memphis St Judes marathon) My sister turns 40 the week of this marathon and thought it would be a fantastic way to celebrate her 40th...i couldn't agree more very excited to join her in this! I haven't run a full marathon since 1996, before kids. Looking at some of the long runs looks overwhelming, not gonna pretend it doesn't. I will just keep thinking about how amazing it will feel crossing that line!!

Let the training begin

Tonight marked my first "long run". I have begun training for the half marathon i plan to run in September, one in October and then my plans have just recently included continuing my training and planning to run a full marathon in December.

So, my weekends will revolve once again in me fitting my long run in. My husband knows it's time consuming and thank goodness is very supportive and always helps make it work.

I am going to follow this very doable 16 week program. I don't follow them rigidly but do try to keep the long runs right on schedule...though i will have to change them up a little with the half-marathons thrown in the mix.

I am going to start incorporating weights and some speed runs into my routine as well as my core is far from strong right now and so i want to work on that!

Here is the schedule that i will be following somewhat...

16-Week Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
2	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	16
3	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	7	Rest	17
4	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
5	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10	Rest	21
6	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11	Rest	24
7	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12	Rest	26
8	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	14	Rest	28
9	4	Rest	7	4	Rest	16	Rest	31
10	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	16	Rest	34
11	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	17	Rest	35
12	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	18	Rest	36
13	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	20	Rest	38
14	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	9	Rest	27
15	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
16	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	26.2	Rest	34.2

And, i just noticed that the first long run was 5 and i had in my head that it was 6 so ran 6 tonight...good thing i guess since i am less than 16 weeks out so i need to gain a little ground in the beginning anyway.

By the way, tonight's run was hot, humid and hot!

Twighlight 5k

We went out to Lees Summit last night for the Mid summer twilight 5k. Last year was the events first year, this year they changed it to start and finish on the track...pretty cool. I am not a huge fan of running on a track but half way around and then out to the road is not too bad... it's an out and back course which i like so you can see where you are at. I like this cause it helps me push myself...i knew i was the 7th female and i was determined not to lose any ground and get passed to be 8th :) well i did but passed her back...(i don't have a competitive bone in my body, ha)

it was put on by the cross country team so lot's of cross country kids running

I felt really foggy headed (that is the only way i know how to describe it) the first mile and i was thinking "i don't even know how i am going to finish this race" My legs felt heavy! I did feel better at least the foggy head feeling after the first mile. It was definitely not one of those "feel great" runs, it was one of those mind over body runs for sure!!

the girl right behind me and i went back and forth a little in the last half mile...she passed me then i passed her back. Johnny was yelling to me that i was gonna get passed if i didn't watch it, the announcer was saying something about "a race between the girls" so i had to turn it on a little even though i felt like i was going to puke....couldn't let those two pass me :)

i believe my official finishing time was 23:35 so no pr and i missed last years time by about 9 seconds. I did win my age division so i got a metal that my cranky overly tired kids could fight over wearing.

ethan taking care of his mama...

the kids were dying to get out there on the track so after all the runners were in they finally got to go run, flip flops and all. I think they ran around at least 4 times. At the end of last night Avery said she wants to run a 5k with me. She really worries about her asthma with running but wants to try it so a 5k with my girl is on the to do list!