Three Things Thursday!

Whew! It's been so busy around here that I haven't blogged in a LOOONG time! Here are some random TTT thoughts....

1) While shopping with Munchie today, I was referred to as his Nanny. "You can't be his Mom, you must be the Nanny, right?" Hahaha, glad that I still look like I'm 12! :)

2) I am LOVING having a training plan! I love the feeling of running and completing long runs, I love seeing my miles adding up quickly on dailymile, and I love eating ice cream at 8:30 at night while blogging and not feeling guilty! My half is just 3 weeks away - Lake George Half Marathon in Lake George, NY.

3) I have been CRAZY busy with my Etsy business. Lots of custom orders for Runner's Race Bib Books are coming in - must be because everyone is getting excited about racing season and warmer weather! I cannot complain at all, I especially love making custom books where I can include an individual's name and the race/races that they have completed! Hope everyone else is staying busy, running, and looking young :)

Goliath got David today.....but only for about 30 feet...

I was looking forward to today's long run since it was supposed to be another gorgeous day out. I knew it was going to be mentally tough becuase I was running in the afternoon (I'm a morning runner) and it was my reunion with my lovely hills.

If I want to run more than 3 or 4 miles, I need to leave my neighborhood. There are two choices that I have to run DOWN when I leave the neighborhood - Big Hill and Bigger hill. I usually choose Big Hill...which means I finish my long runs by running UP said big hill for the last mile back to the house. Since today had 6 on the schedule, I got to meet up with Big Hill again, for the first time since the fall.

Along with the gorgeous weather today (temp was 67 and sunny!) the wind was absolutely brutal. I really can't complain 100% about it, because I know it helped a ton to keep me cool. There were some parts of the run that I literally had to close my eyes because of the sand and leaves blowing up into my face. It felt great to be out and about on a long run though, with a training plan. I had my GoLite Hydro Clutch and had brought a Gu which I had around mile 4. Overall I was feeling great as I began the last uphill mile.

And right at mile 6, just before I reached the top of the hill, that nice ol' wind hit me HARD. I don't even think I was moving forward! So I did it...I gave in and walked to the next mailbox. Just about 30 feet, but I let it beat me. Next time Big Hill, you are all MINE!!!

I finished in just over an hour. I hit the "stop" button instead of the "lap" button at mile 1 (which was a wicked fast 8:06 DOWN the hill!), and didn't realize it until I went to hit it again at mile 2. Rest day tomorrow and probably 2 or 3 for Sunday, depending on how I feel.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Celtic 5k Race Report

Family 5k in Worcester, MA - Sunday March 13, 2011 - Steve's birthday!
It was a chilly morning, but great weather for running. We pushed Munchie in the jogger (his first time riding since the fall) and he did awesome! It was an out-and-back course along the end of Worcester's St. Patrick's Day Parade route, an hour before the parade. It was awesome because all the people coming out to watch the parade were already gathering on the streets as we ran by! We decorated Munchie's stroller with green and orange balloons and streamers. We were wearing shamrock headbands, although they are kind of difficult to see in the photo.

family shot before the race

Since we were pushing Munchie, we started out slow at the back of the pack so that we wouldn't be in any one's way. Just before we hit the turn around at the half-way point, we spotted Team Hoyt - Dick and Rick Hoyt - the father and son team who have done hundreds of races, including Boston, with Dick pushing Rick in his wheelchair. They are an incredible story of love and perseverance. We ended up passing them a little after the turn around - they are so incredible!

munchie looking thrilled!

We finished in about 30 minutes and some change - not sure of our official time since I forgot to stop my watch :) our parade-watching spot

After the race, we headed back to the car, changed into some warmer and dry clothes, grabbed our chairs and headed back over to watch the parade! Munchie kept asking where Santa was, since the last parade we went to was the Xmas one :) He enjoyed all the bagpipes, marching bands, and of course the firetrucks.

All in all, an awesome day. We will definitely do this race again next year!
Happy Birthday Steve :)

Oh yes - AND Steve is famous - check out his quote at the end of this article in the Worcester newspaper (click HERE) about the 5k!

Day one of half marathon training D-O-N-E

I modified Hal Higdon's beginner half marathon schedule for the half that I'm doing at the end of April. I don't have enough weeks to complete the entire training cycle since and since it's my fifth time embarking on the 13.1 mile journey, I know I will be able to finish. I may not be breaking any PR, but at least it will keep my motivation going and the miles adding up!

Wednesday mornings before work I have been going to the gym and hitting the treadmill, but the last 2 weeks have been "warmer" so I've been able to run outside. Isn't it disgusting when you call 25 degrees and windy "warm"? Anyways, it was great to get outside again, and I decided that since I had a little extra time today, I would get 4 miles in. I thought that I was going slow but when I checked my time for the first mile, it was 9:00! I usually run around a 10:00 pace, so that was crazy to me! I finished a little more than 4 miles (4.09) in 40:59, so just a tad over my usual 10:00 pace. 13.1 here I come........

I'm signed up for my next Half!

My sister had emailed a link to me about a week ago to see if I was interested in running a half marathon in April. It's not too far from my parents house, and it's the day before Easter, so it is perfect timing for us to both do it. I went back and forth, but hubby and I decided we're both on board (he actually just signed up for Marine Corps Marathon next October!). It's the Lake George, NY Half Marathon on Saturday, April 23 at 8:00. And its 7 weeks away. I figured out a training plan, since lately I've just been doing random runs with no plan in sight. 3 miles has been my go-to distance with one or two 4-milers and one 6-miler mixed in. I think I'll do something along these lines for the long runs:
March 12: 4 miles
March 19: 5-6 miles
March 26: 6-7 miles
April 2: 5-6 miles
April 9: 8-9 miles
April 16: 10 miles
April 23: 13.1 Race Day!

It is an abbreviated schedule from the plans I've done in the past, but since I've been consistantly running, and this is all the time we have, it will have to do!