Insanity

I decided to kick it up a notch this week when Todd suggested we try out the "Insanity" workouts. They are a mix of high-intensity cardio/circuit/jumping/core/sweaty/craziness. So far I love them and I don't feel like they are making me too tired to run. OK I've only had 2 runs since I started on them but I felt ok on both of them. I am however so sore that it wakes me up at night when I move, roll or shift in my sleep. Is that a good sign? I don't know. Word on the street is that I will probably be sore for about 2 weeks. Oh boy. I'm very excited that my core is killing me - I need lots of work there.

A half-marathon

I have issues with training plans. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them and have a hard time being flexible once I have one. Last month I started our official training for the Wasatch Back race from their website - the girls and I run 4 days a week instead of 6 so I cut out 2 of the runs and put the training in a calendar. I printed it out and am obsessed with checking off runs. Saturday's scheduled run was 12 miles. No-one was feeling like running that far so I figured out a way I could run 12 and they could run 8. I ran from my house to the meeting place we were going to do our 8 mile loop then I would run home. Perfect. Except that the run to and from ended up being about 2.2 miles and our loop was closer to 9 miles because we didn't turn around at the right place since no-one had a garmin on. I was wearing my nike + so I had information at exact mile spots but that was it. I hit 12 miles when I was still out quite a bit (1.1 miles to be exact) I thought it would be great to walk it in and let my legs relax a bit. But it was too cold to walk so I ended up running the entire way. When I got to my street and turned off my nike + it said 13.1 miles. I loved that it was exactly a half marathon and smiled even more that my time was 2 minutes faster than 2 of my previous halves. Even with walking a few times. I love that as I've learned how to train I'm getting faster even in my old age.

I was so exhausted the rest of the day that my poor kids and hubby had to do everything. I even took a nap.

Breakfast of Champions

Well I don't know about champions...but it is for sure my current favorite breakfast (I go through phases). Right now I'm doing weight watchers with my hubby and this breakfast has 5 points (points plus system) and it sticks with me until lunch because of the peanut butter. Some days if I run more than 5 miles I'll eat a banana too.

ingredients:
1 chocolate muscle milk light (I use the premade just because it's faster)
6-7 ice cubes
1 T reduced fat peanut butter
blend until all the ice chunks are gone.

nutritional breakdown:
calories: 265
carbs: 20 g
fat: 9 g
protein: 24 g

So Cold

It was so cold on the run this morning (29 degrees). It took my legs over a mile to warm up and even then they didn't really feel that warm. I am tired of wearing so many layers (2 on bottom, 2 on top, gloves, headband....too many clothes). I hate washing so many clothes and I just feel heavy when I run in that many clothes. I sound super negative but I'm just so ready for spring/summer. It's still better than running inside on the treadmill though.

After my run I always have to hurry home and shower so I can get myself ready for work and get my kids off to school. This morning I just couldn't warm up in the shower. I had it on full heat and it was burning my skin but not warming me up. Today would have been a great day to fill a nice hot tub and just soak until I'm toasty warm. Sadly there wasn't time so even after a long hot shower I was still chilled when I got out. Thank goodness my blow dryer and chasing my boys around to get them ready warmed me up.

Snow Canyon Run

My running team for the Wasatch Back Relay took a trip to St. George for "training". I must say it was more for a nice relaxing girls trip away but we did run too.

We did a nice fast 5 on Friday then Saturday morning we slept in then drove to the top of Snow Canyon and ran 8 miles back to the house. It was a nice downhill and we busted it out. I took the opportunity to try out my new race outfit (wonder girl tank and pink crush shorts from skirt sports) and it was cute and comfy so it passed the test.

This was one of those runs that just felt good. I don't know if it was the altitude, the warmth, the downhill, the time of day or what. But I ran fast and hard and felt so good at the end. I love the way I feel after I run! And I didn't feel guilty enjoying chips and queso with my lunch :)

First 10 miler of 2011

I ran my first 10 miler for the year. Honestly it seems early in the year to be putting in this many miles. Maybe the training program I'm doing is out of my comfort zone. It's funny how from year to year I forget what I need to do for different length runs. I took 3 electrolyte pills, decided to try one of those new Gatorade prime drinks (a little too sweet but I felt good at the start of the run), packed an Accel gel and some honey stinger chews in my hand-held bottle put on my nano and off I went. There were 4 of us doing 10 miles - thank goodness for awesome tough girls to get me through long runs (fine and short runs too). We walked a bit and did our gels and water at mile 5 then I took a few chews at mile 8 1/2 to get me to the end feeling strong.

The run felt good and it's always nice to start my Saturday off with a good hard run (then I can have a treat and hopefully a nap later). I actually felt better at mile 9 than mile 4 - that's gotta be a good sign. I can't wait until it gets warm enough not run in so many layers and long tights. It just weighs me down. I was a little worried about doing so many miles in lightweight shoes - but they didn't disappoint. I'm loving my new shoes almost as much as I'm loving the fact that I burned over 1100 calories before 9:00 am!

One Proud Mama

I know it's silly but I am so excited that my 8 year old is finally old enough to run track at his school. It's 2 afternoons a week and I know it's just for fun. But I really really really want him to love running. I want to be the mom that gets to go to track and cross country meets and cheer him on. I'm sure I'll be annoying - but I really can't wait!

So Sleepy

Mornings like today are rough. Last night my sweet Sophie Bug ( 2 1/2 years old) was in and out of my room 6 times. She would crawl into my bed and lay right on top of me wiggling around for a few minutes then I would carry her back to bed. This went on from 11:45 until 3:30. UGH! I wanted to sleep in soooooo bad because I simply didn't get enough sleep but I really didn't want to try to find time to fit in 6 miles by myself. So I drug myself out of bed at 5:40 this morning. Not my fastest 6 mile run with the girls and I definitely didn't feel strong. But at least I did it and can mark off 6 more miles. I so love being a running mom. Someday when my kids sleep through the night I'm sure I'll miss it :)

Monday Mornings

Monday morning runs are the pits. Maybe it's the fact that I eat too much on Sundays. Or that I drink too little water or that I stay up too late. I'm not sure what it is but every Monday I want to stay in my warm cozy bed instead of getting up and going running. I'm always glad when it's over but I never run as fast or feel as good on Monday's. Today I had a side stitch after the first mile - so annoying. At least it is starting to get light outside - too bad next week is daylight savings time and we go back to the dark for another month. Spring can't get here soon enough. I'm so ready to run in shorts and tanks again instead of layer upon layer. I think all the clothes slow me down :)

On a side note: my calves are still a little tight and sore from running in my new shoes. I hear that's a good thing and it means my form is better and I'm running more on the ball of my foot, but I don't know. All I know is that my calves are tight after every run I do lately. I wonder how long it will take?

200 Miles

I hit my 200 mile mark. I am trying to run 1000 miles this year. The first 100 were brutal and took me longer than planned but I've caught up and am now ahead of schedule. The breakdown is 20 miles a week. I'm closer to 30 miles a week right now.

New Running Shoes

I'm trying a new type of shoe this year. Every year I buy 2 pair of shoes to last me a full year of running. I like to alternate between both so my shoes get broken in for races but not worn out. Last year I had Asics and I decided to try Nike Free's for my short runs because I read in Runners World that they were a great lightweight shoe to transition into barefoot running. I loved the way they looked - but couldn't run more than 8 miles in them comfortably.

This year I hit the running store (Runner's Corner) and asked for lightweight/neutral shoes. Of course I brought in my old shoes so they could look at the bottom to determine my form (neutral works for me - yippee). I tried on 6 different pairs of shoes and went out and ran a bit in each of them. Most of them felt pretty similar so in the end I did what all serious mom runners do and picked the 2 cutest pairs. What do you think?


I was a little nervous about only having lightweight shoes but the experts at the store said you can run full marathon's in both of these shoes if you train in them. So far they have been great. I love how light they are when I run. I have only gone 7.5 miles in them so far and the only complaint I have is that my calves are a bit tight - which I understand means I'm already changing my form to runner lighter. Nice. I can't wait to see how fast these shoes make me!