August Recap

It's been months since I've done one of these recaps, but as it turns out, I'm way better at getting in cross-training when I have some set goals and the accountability of all of your judgmental eyes... 

August Recap

Miles Ran: 90

Cross Training Workouts Completed: 5 (all bootcamp workouts)

Meters Swam:  0  Whoops.

Highest Run Mileage Week: 29

Races Completed:  0

Upcoming Races:  9/1 - Justice Works Just Run 1/2 Marathon

                                9/22 - Fox Cities Marathon (first 26.2!)

Current Book:  The Runner's World BIG Book of Marathon and Half-Marathon Training   - I've been sporadically reading this bad boy since Runners World sent it to me a couple of months ago, and I have to say, I really like it.  I have an entire shelf dedicated to running books I did not like, and very few that I enjoyed or ever referenced.  Stay tuned for a full review soon...

Current Song: I'm going through a super huge Beatles phase right now, so I've got to go with "Eleanor Rigby."  Super depressing song, but it's beautiful and the kids love dancing to it.  :)

Current Triumph:  I have now been injury free for longer than I ever have since I started running... about 8 months!  Thank you PureFlows and cross-training!

Current Goals:  

1. Well, I've got this full marathon thing going on in a few weeks... my first.  So I guess not to die.  Or cry too much.
2. Start a new class at the Y.
3. GET BACK IN THE POOL!  :)

2012 Goals

Running/Fitness:

• Run 1,000 miles in 2012  - This one just wasn't smart this year with rehabbing from my stress fracture... so new goal:
• Run 400 miles from September - December:
• Run a sub 1:55 half marathon  - 1:55 and change.  I'm counting it.
• Get a new 5k PR - current PR 23:17 - Done!  22:43!
• Run Ragnar Madison to Chicago relay -  Done!  6/8/12
• NO MORE STRESS FRACTURES! - through August- none so far!  

Life

• Join Toastmasters to face my fear of public speaking. - I went to one meeting, but haven't taken the plunge.
• Pass the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam - Got my CPT!
• Knock out at least eight items on my "Fear Can Suck It" list. - Completed: #9 (Jan)
• 
  

How was your August?  

What's been your biggest accomplishment of the summer?

Number One Thing You Should Not Do As A Runner

We all know what spells disaster for runners, right?  Upping your mileage too quickly, running through injury, drinking a bottle of champagne the night before a race... 

Suddenly I feel like this list is just a summary of my blog the past year and a half.  Huh.

Anyway, no, I wouldn't be stupid enough to any of those things again, right?  Depends on how good the champagne is..

However, I would be stupid enough to get a pedicure.  My dearest brother got married on Friday, and all of the girls got mani/pedis (why do I feel pretentious just using that abbreviation?)

So as they were scrubbing away at my feet, I was prepared to tell them to leave my beautiful runner callouses alone, but I... didn't.  I think I chickened out, or I temporarily was paralyzed by the horror of having someones face four inches from my feet.  

A miserable hour later, I had pretty pink, soft feet.  Swell.

That next day, I went for a pre-wedding ten miler, and got the blisters from hell.  Not quite as bad as The Longest Day blisters:

Some of my less gross blisters from TLD I didn't want to make any dear readers lose their breakfast.

I realized it all sort of backfired when I put on my sexy little wedding shoes and the strap had a blister peeking out on either side of it.  I know what you're thinking; how can I even contain my sex appeal?

Anyway, I have a 20 mile run this weekend, the last big one before my FIRST MARATHON, and I am super not looking forward to the carnage that will be my feet.

Please share something stupid you have done that sabotaged your running... idiocy loves company.

Tough Choices

This blog has been neglected on the farthest back burner in my brain... in fact, I don't even think it's on the stove at all.

I wanted to write today to document some things for myself; probably more appropriate for a diary than a public blog, but I'm guessing with my lack of posts, not too many people will see it anyway.

I was lying in bed last night and was struck with the simple realization of how fragile and tenuous each one of our existences is.  Literally, at any moment, one of my loved ones could be ripped away by an illness, an accident, and while incredibly overwhelming, these thoughts are pushing me in a different, and more positive, direction.

I started a personal fitness coaching business in January, and I love it.  I'm lucky enough to have several loyal and wonderful clients, and seeing their growth over the past few months is nothing short of moving.

The downside is that I'm gone many evenings throughout the week, and that has had a ripple effect on my children and my marriage.  Instead of devoting myself during the day to my 2.5 year old twins, I find that I'm stressed out because I'm always behind in housework, behind in meal planning, behind in record keeping and planning for my business.  So they get a lot more "one second, honey" and "guys, please leave mama alone for five minutes" than they used to.  They get less of the fun homeschool activities we've always enjoyed so much, and more time with mom instructing them to "find an activity."  The moment Nick gets home, I rush out the door to meet a client, and when I get home for the night, I am exhausted.  I push the housework to the next day, and the cycle continues.

It's hard for me because I'm a very forward-progress kind of person, but I've decided to not grow my business any more at this time.  I may take on the occasional new client, but I'll be stricter with my availability so I'm not gone more than two nights a week.

I want to cherish every moment I have with my sweet boys and my incredible husband.  Time moves so fast.

Happy birthday.  :)

Peanuts.

Christmas 2010

Reading with Daddy, December 2011

Impromptu hallway snuggles, Summer 2012