~~It's time~~

It is now November. I've neglected writing, is it due to being busy or just plain not wanting to share my experience, strength and hope as I moved through rehab ~ no idea at this point. Though, I'm ready now again. 

On Saturday I ran my first race, since Rock N Roll Chicago in July. I placed, 3rd overall women and 8th overall. I was able to pull off a time that was 39 secs shy of my PR. 

I'll take it. Why ? Well, for the simple fact that this is my first race back after a pretty significant injury. Not sure I've still accepted the fact that I was injured with a hip injury, but I'm sure as hell accepted the crutches that I had to utilize for 3 wks of my 36th year.

Now to report the rest !! 

I've built up some pretty amazing muscle strength while being at the gym and also amazing new relationships!! I'm very excited about my future in the fitness world. Not only am I trying different cross training programs, I'm also working incredibly hard on my nutrition and physique! Hopefully working towards new goals and achievements in 2013! 

Nothing shy of EPIC!!
My race schedule will not be as heavy and at this point, does NOT include another full until '14. As I need to learn more about running and my body, prior to putting myself through the intensity I did in '11/'12 for the full. To also note, I want to run for times now, not for quantities of races. This I have learned. I'm out to better my times, become faster AND stronger. Prove to myself that there is no limits and that the impossible really is doable. 

There's some steep goals I'm aiming for and they won't come over night, nor will they come with a simple run or workout here or there. The work and training is gong to be intense and the learning will be irreplaceable.

To achieve happiness, one must be one with self inside AND outside. I'm working on both, day in and day out. Only to show my children that their dreams are achievable and that there is nothing in this world that is impossible. 

Shoot for the moon and at the very least you WILL land among the stars!!

One last fun thing: I was Featured in Rochester's Magazine in a Fun Article:

http://www.rochestermagazine.com/

Long time no talk ...

It's been quite a while since I've posted.

I ended up being injured - left hip had a stress reaction in it. I was on crutches for 3 wks and then I've been told not to run. I've been to the PT twice and last Friday I was given the OK to begin jogging this Friday and I can honestly say that I'm extremely excited!!!

I've not stopped working out, by any means!! I've been hitting the local YMCA around 5 to 6 times per week. I've been building upper body and now lower body as allowed. I will continue this regimen as I begin to get back into running.

I've learned a valuable lesson for an endurance athlete. You have to cross train !!

You also have to work on quality and quantity.

I believe that this summer something happened, externally and internally. Another change, perhaps. Yet, there have been many lessons learned. Lessons learned all around.

I, personally, need to be coached in all I do -- not only from actual trainers but also from my HP ( higher power ). There's something about faith and following the 'right' ways and when I go about things on my own and do 'my will' I lose what I've worked so hard to accomplish. This has been proven to me over and over again, yet, I'm a stubborn lady and it takes me some hard lessons to learn the actual lesson in this one.

I've been keeping some pictures on my progress on the weight training and I will share the ones this upcoming week to show you where I've gotten and possibly continue sharing as I move forward.

I'm considering fitness instructing as I would love to be able to be at the YMCA and share with others what works so well for me !!

Hopefully, I will continue to blog and share with you what has all occured.

For now -- it's onto weights and workouts ... we benched 120# this week and 125# last week. Working on building the muscles in the upper body. We are also at 60# on the biceps/tri's and then theres the deadlifts and good mornings at 70#...just to share some of what we are working on.

Onward. Upward!!

Bam Pow!

Just nailed my upper body W.O. within 45 min's !! 5 minutes faster then what I had previously done this W.O. in !! Super pumped!

My hips been a bit sore this week, so instead of hitting the upper body twice, decided to rest a little bit more. I did, however, hit the pool and was able to do around 6 laps and then the lazy river for a total of 30 min..

There's been a few lull days for me and I'm feeling it. I decided to volunteer on Tuesday night at the Bryon Donut Days and also at Ragnar this week, which helped time go by faster.

My children also ran in the Donut Run, they volunteered to run all by themselves! I didn't even suggest it - it was super cool and Mom was extremely PROUD when they registered AND finished!!

I know this too shall pass and it will be faster then I expect it to be, well, hopefully. On Monday I will find out the results of the MRI an go from there. For now, it will be upper body work, pool time and also volunteering, as well as, prepping for school and also getting in to the media spotlights.

I do know this - people seem to continuously point out to me that I am a strong, confident woman and so .. it's ONWARD with these challenges ahead of me - ONWARD I say!!

I worked out

Well, today I worked the upper body!!

The workout went like this x's 3:

Side Bends ( 50 ea side )
Lat Side Rows ( 50 ea side )
Chest Fly ( 30 )
Crunches ( 50 )
Tricep ( 50 )
BiCeps ( 50 ea side )
Crunches ( 50 )
Over head Press ( 30 )
Resistant Band Rows ( 30 ea way )
Crunches ( 50 )


I utilized 10#'s/12.5#'s/med. resistant band and my body.


Since I'm unable to run, I am not going to let it stop me from working the upper body !!


I was still sore from straddling a jet ski for hours on Saturday !! OOFTA that's a work out for the quads and the legs -- when you whip around in those bad boys you need some strength to hold on!! LOL

I'll feel this tomorrow -- but then I will hit the pool so .. keep the muscles working!!!

For now, it's PROTEIN and food for these muscles :O)

Onward!!

~~ Rest Day ~~

Today is a rest day for the body.

There was alot of hard upper body workouts this week - there was some water workouts - there was little sleep.

This week has been extremely a growing week. My week began with a trip to the doctor, sharing with me that I was out of the running world ( while listening my lip quivered, the cuss words flew out and I had emotions flying ) and that theres a possibility that I would need surgery. Then the middle of the week another Bomb exploded and I was thrown off again. Then by Thursday I was a glum lot. I knew that I had to change things in order to keep going. NOT search outside of myself, but look within. Feels the emotions and then get back on track!!!

 I had worked out with my trainer on Tuesday and I knew I could pull of another good workout. So, I put together a bomb workout, combined from what her and I had spoke of and also had made sure that there was a membership at the YMCA for the family and I. Thursday afternoon, I put on the headphones, laid out the mat, put out the timer, filled up the water bottle and hit it!!! I NAILED an upper body workout like no other, or that I had done at home, in quite some time and it felt AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was about to hit the 3rd rep of it and I looked out my patio door to see Team RED Running !! It motivated me MORE !! I knew that eventually I will be back out there, hopefully stronger then before, running with them. In time, but for now this is WHAT I have control over. This is what I am able to pull off. This is what there is and I was going to make damn sure that I was able to put myself into it as much as possible!!

I am pretty sure I did just that as for on Friday I felt the soreness and then the kids wanted to visit the pool area at the Y and my GF was going to meet up with us. So, we went for an hour or so and I did some work in the pool and lazy river. Not to much, enough to know that I did something, at that moment. Yet, it was more to get used to it.

Then yesterday, I was invited to the River with the R.E.D. group and decided to join them. Man, am I ever happy that I did !! I was able to enjoy not only GREAT company but a workout on the Jet Skis!!! It was SOO awesome and my legs definitely feel it today.

This upcoming week there is to be an MRI, scheduled for Wed, and then a follow up visit the following Monday to review it.

Time will tell with what will actually come from it. But for today, I know that no matter what is thrown at me, I will make it threw it !! Not only will I make it threw it - I will make it the best thing that is possible !! Turn it into a positive instead of a negative!!!

We are the ones that make our own worlds either happy, joyous an free OR miserable -- what do you choose ??

Screw the Lemonade, I'm makin Shirley Temples!!

It's been a heck of a summer!! First off, I now KNOW what they mean when they say that they can not wait for School to START!! AWWW...bring it back, PLEASE !! Send them back to learning and routines!!! Wow'zers !!

Second off, I know now what they mean by training -- and not just throwing in long distances races together. The body has now shown me it's limits, for now !! BAM !! We are going to show it that it can be stronger though and push it farther - while being SMARTER and STRONGER!! I am injured.

Third off, College begins for me in a few weeks --  here comes change.

Fourth off, I know how humiliating injuries are to us athletes -- ugh -- I dropped out of Ragnar an boy that was a blow to receive that email indicating that I was off of the team.

Fifth, My little brother will accomplish another dream of his - getting married. I'd try to talk him out of it, but I remember those wonderful moments and, besides, I like his fiance. So, we will go with it.


I was told on Monday by a sports med doc that I may have a tear in my labrum. ( Left Hip ) He also said that I will more or likely be up against surgery and be out for at least 6 to 8 weeks after that. We set up an MRI for the following week, with the follow up visit the week following -- are you adding these weeks up, because I sure as hell am. We are now looking to around 3 months with rehabilitation in there. So, whats a good athlete to do ??? PLAN -- make a plan of attack !!

Next week, I join the local YMCA and start swimming, literally!! I have talked to my trainer about a workout plan at home an will follow that as well as getting to the gym to swim 2 to 3 x's per week. This is going to be a huge change for this lady, as I usually do ALL my workouts at home. YET, I love to run and workout and it's become a part of who I am now. So, start living or get busy dieing is a favorite saying of mine and I'll be damned that I come this far in my life to give up!!

It's not about others anymore. It was when this all started -- I started to stay strong, to be a good person for my children. To take out all the emotions and work on the outsides while the insides didn't know which way to turn. They hurt with pain that I never knew before and all I could do was get into something that would provide strength for the most important people in my life and that was and still is my two beautiful children. Through that searching I found a new way of life an something that worked for me. As the pain subsided, I found joy in a new passion - running/exercise. I not only found a new passion, I found a place that I fit in and I found a community that surrounded me with positivity, love, tolerance, teachings, knowledge, wisdom, strength, courage and soo much more !! The bonds in this community are unreal!! I am soo unconditionally loved, its absolutely amazing!! They are there for me during the successes AND the failures. They pick me up when I am down, literally ( whether it's my mood OR laying on the ground after a workout ) !! Now this is about finding me, all over again, in another realm that I have not yet ventured.

Learning to do different things, things that you are uncomfortable doing, things that you know you are not familiar with, places you need to go that are foreign, new things/places/people are always scarey. Yet, if anyone knows that good comes from bad things, it's me!! By golly, I've had the rug pulled out from under me OODLES of times in my life and it ALWAYS, yep, ALWAYS turns out to be a GREAT THING!! When I allow it to work and do the footwork and rely on my faith.

I am not alone, I haven't been in years and that feels amazing.

It's time for a new adventure until I can put those sneakers back on. It's time for a change -- slide down another side of rainbow and see what prevails. Man, change SUCKS and is sooo hard!! Yet, from it, we grow and become such better people, stronger and more confident !!

Confidence ROARS -- here we go......Onward. Upward. Stay ON. Keep ON.

!!Milestones and More to COME!!

This was the first weekend as a 36 yr old runner.

Today I am able to call myself a runner - which when I started running I never really imagined myself as one.

I have had the opportunities to meet spectacular people, in the health and fitness field.
I was able to complete a total of 30 races since Oct. '09.
I have been able to complete a Full Marathon, within those races.
I have been sponsored by MARATHON Bars, twice.
I have had opportunities to represent in the media an share my experience, strength and hope.
I have been able to maintain a weight loss of 60 lbs/40 inches.

All of these accomplishments are many, yet, the best one of these all are:

I have been able to believe in ME!!

There's many things I could write about here - or many things that I could give you suggestions on, yet, tonight I feel it's extremely important to share with you that learning how to believe in one's self takes time, patience, support, love and most of all -- kindness to one's self.

When I began running, I was not confident that I would EVER be able to finish a race of ANY type. Now I Have completed races all the way up to a full marathon.

When I began running, I was not able to breath over a few inclines. I would complain over them. I did, however, move my feet as told and continued on - one step in front of another.

Now today -- I am able to complete things that I never imagined were possible and alot of these 'things' do not include a finish line. They are now a part of my life.

Today I believe in ME -- which I believe came from the support, love, patience and tolerance from those around me and within me. Today I am runner and a good soul person who knows she will cross that finish line again and accomplish the next goal she sets out.

If there's something holding you back in life, allow yourself a gift the gift of belief. IF you are NOT able to believe in you -- ASK FOR SOMEONE TO!! People will help you !! You do NOT have to do it alone!!

 Below are ONLY a few people that have touched my life -- >> YET <<-- they continue today to help me grow, become stronger and also push me to my ultimate best!!! THANK YOU to all who have helped me thus far an for those of you that are going to help me even farther!!! I am truly blessed !!!

Slow going ....

Seems that I was a bit thrown off this week...I am pretty sure that there is a reason for this!!

This was the kids first week being out of school, so there was a bit of a transition period, for us ALL!! That has, of course, impacted my working out schedules. Which is OK. AS the body always needs rest. Not sure I will be tip top for Grandma's, yet, I will know where I am at and just how hard I need to work the rest of the summer to hit the major PR !!! :O)

Last night was Team RED's gathering and I am, once again, able to join them on Thursdays. Man I love that group!!!!!

Seriously consider gaining a support group that will support you and help you in all that you do !! Support is one of the main reasons I am doing so amazing at the running/exercise in my life!!! Surround yourself with those that believe in you and what you do even more then yourself!!! It's amazing what will prevail from that !!!

Stay On. Keep On.!!!

Running is simply amazing ( period )

Running is simply amazing.

This weekend I was able to travel somewhere I am not sure I would have without the fact that I had won a race ( half marathon ) and was able to cut a deal at a resort, if it were not for running.

The weekend not only possessed a race, but family time. Not only was it for me, it was for my children and their grandmother. It brought a great time for everyone. It was not a long weekend, it was long enough for memories. It was not an intense weekend, it was enough to have time together and learn more about one another and enjoy the most important thing in life: FAMILY.

This weekend I was able to recollect where I am at in my life and what has brought me this far. Running.
Running has helped me gain so much more confidence then I had ever imagined!!
It's not ONLY running - it's the people that believed in me and helped me to become a runner.

There was a conversation I had the other night, how children/people do not believe in themselves and how to help them to do so. The only way that I know that this works and/or helps those around us, is due to the fact that I did not and at times still do not, believe in myself. It's phenomenal what happens to the human being when they believe in themselves.

Today I am a single mom of two beautiful, amazingly smart and talented children, who love themselves as well as those around them. They are being brought up as though my grandmother brought me up and taught me so many important lessons in the world, as well as those that also helped raise me into the woman I am today. Today I am hard, dedicated worker who works to the best of my ability day after day to do what is needed, not always what I want to do. Today I am able to contain relationships and build on them and help them grow and continue to be healthy. Today I am a runner. Today I believe in myself. Today I am a confident woman who will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

This weekend -- I was able to realize that without the dedication, belief, love, support and so on an on through running and the community, I would NEVER had agreed to go back to College. I would NEVER have been able to continue to be a strong single mother and do the daily things needed. I would never .....

This weekend I ran my 10th half marathon, placed in my age group and walked away from it with some new friends and meeting those that I have logistically been connected too for the past year. I achieved my 3rd race in 30 days.

Running has become a part of who I am today and I am utterly grateful to have found such an amazing sport. As with this venue, has come soo many gifts that there's not enough room to list them all.

But tonight -- I believe in me -- and that's saying alot from where I came from.

95 miles in one month

Well, there were oodles of achievements set this month!!!

NOT only by myself but by many of my friends!!! Loads of us set off to do 'first's of many different things and accomplished all of them!!!





For myself I was able to achieve:

* FIRST FULL MARATHON
* Pacing someone on their first Half Marathon ( Way TO GO Valerie Willis!! )
* Ran 95 miles in one month

 First Full

 Valerie's First Half!

This has been an extremely amazing month and I have soo many memories to share. The running community has been so phenomenal that it's beyond words to even express the gratitude I have towards them as well as the compassion an love that we are surrounded by!!! 

Being part of two amazing teams and the people that support these teams, is simply incredible!!! To experience the society of athletes is so extreme for me this month, I do believe that there is a change in the air, mind, body and soul!!

I was also able to attend and be a part of the Med City Marathon Expo on Saturday. As well as meet the famous Jeff Galloway!!

To top all of this off, I have now set my goals for the rest of the year. On top of working on the list of 20 races, I am also out to set a major PR for the Half Marathon and I am choosing Mankato again for this extreme event!!

In order to do this - I have now picked up more time with my personal trainer and will be working on my core 3x's per week as well as running 5 to 6 days per week this summer. Everything has already began. Next week its almost full swing - as I am on a bit of a taper. I am going to focus on Grandma's Half Marathon ( June 16th ) to see how strong I am at a 13.1 mile race.

Then the fun kicks in full swing!!! Flowing into Chicago's Rock N Roll in July and the Ultra Ragnar in August. Then 5K/8K/10K's until Mankato's Half!!

Also -- I am running a half this weekend in the Dells for my last LSR training for Grandma's in Duluth.

There ya have it. That's the plan and I am going to stick to it. In years past it was to lose inches and weight, this year, it's to plain ole get faster!!

* Side note: I will be working on choosing another full to swing the training from Mankato into :O)

Onward, Upward!! Stay on. Keep on.

Reminising on the MARATHON

Not sure I ever mentioned my Full Marathon Finishing time:


~~~~ 4:19:32 ~~~~

* 9:55 avg per mile
* 175 out of 289 runners
* 48 out of 98 out of females
* 8 out of 17 female AG


There was also an amazing story that I shared while I was at mile 19/20 and sometimes I wonder, do I make this amazing stuff up and my story was confirmed the other day in a response to a review ( which ended up showing up in my email ) :

You ran a great race Lori especially for your first one.  We ran together briefly around mile 19 when you said you were cramping up and wanted me to help you stay at a 9:30 pace. Unfortunately I knew I wouldn't be holding it and when I stopped to walk briefly at mile 20 you kept going and never stopped!  Great job!   I wish I could have stayed with you. I just couldn't keep it together that last 10k especially the last 2.2 unfortunately. Your friend Paul (you told me you knew him) would be very proud of you!..Keep running and keep the excitement! Good running with you.

This man, I believe as the others on the course, was a blasted miracle!! I was praying to God and to Paul Melby the entire way an asking for help. When this gentleman came up on me -- I was hurting and didn't know if I would be able to do it .. looked around, lost and confused and even a bit sad due to the extreme cramping and knowing that this was not mental. Then he came upon me !!!

There was also another angel that I need to mention, My Friend Teri!!  She knew I'd be hurting and just when I needed extra gatorade, she was there to provide me a large one and one that I could carry !!! :O)


Then a few miles after I ran into "Steve" another angel showed up -- a biker -- her name is: Beth Wengler. She came out to see if I was OK and we spoke about the cramps and I told her, I would be damed if I didn't finish this one strong!! She said, OK, I'll be back. She came back oodles of times, she gave me kuddos on looking strong, she left me with different water bottles, she was amazing and JUST what I needed to hear !!!

When the finish line came upon me, there was another angel that showed up: Bri Hamann. She came out to run me in, I was surprised to see someone come that far out to bring me in -- also to NOTE, she JUST ran a GREAT Marathon herself.

Not sure if any of these people realize that they will always be a part of my first race memories or not, but I do KNOW that if it were not for them, the spectators, the volunteers , my HP ( higher Power ) above and Paul Melby -- that I would NEVER have imagined such an AMAZING Experience!!!!!

No one will EVER again, be able to convince me that NOTHING IS POSSIBLE!! I am living proof that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

I wasn't going to share this pic but really -- I was hurting and yet -- I CROSSED THAT DAMN FINISH line with ALL I had left in me!!!

There's so many more stories, per se, the ones AFTER the finish.... but for today -- I am done.

Enough tears of these great memories and now, it's time to stretch the legs again....

Please -- NEVER EVER doubt that you are not able to accomplish anything!! Because it's absolute BS!!!

Also -- thank you TEAM RED for being there for my amazing accomplishment!! I am and will always be: GRATEFUL!!!

My Legs FINALLY feel awesome after my FIRST FULL Marathon ...

I began today with fresh legs, or so they felt that way -- oofta. The entire body, is still tired. Not so much the legs, just the body -- spose it only makes sense, since I went out running a marathon on Saturday and all !!

The legs were super sore/stiff on Sun/Mon!! No going down the stairs, unless it was backwards ( they did not lie to me about this!! ) and it was super slow!!! The toilet, well, good thing I have counters or bars to help me get up !! Holy COW!! There was no bending over, either .. LOL ...By Tuesday, I could at least pretend not to be bull-legged!! I was so happy to be able to walk as much as we did ( for I had the children and I out walking every day!!! ) and also a little excited to even cross the room fast enough to get the phone when it rang!!

Today, when I woke up I as able to bolt across the room and get to where I was going without having to inform my legs that we were going to go there !! :O) So, I figured I was READY to go !! Well, I was, mentally -- the body needs more rest .. or just continue with super slow miles and possibly another ice bath tomorrow. I have been doing them and they seem to help, or maybe they don't and I just do not know the difference ?? Eitherway, I am doing as suggested and continuing to move, stretch, move, stretch and ice with ibuprofen.

What I am really and truly grateful for is: NO INJURY!! I put a heavy burden on my body and it must have been done correctly, for I am not injured and it's awesome!!

Now to get the race schedule down for there are many upcoming races and they are no joke!! May 27th, we start the half fanatic venue!!! Then 2 more halves in June, 1 in July and then Ultra Ragnar in August. I will stop there, for that's sounding like alot -- but then, so was 26.2 !! LOL

Really, life has its up and downs, but in reality -- it's how you deal with them that matters. It shows who you are and what you are made up of. Tonight someone said: I am not sure how you single mom's do it -- I don't believe I could. I completely disagreed with her. It's not what you think you are able to do -- it's what you do that counts!!! When you put that obstacle in front of you -- OR someone else does, normally, you will pull through, if you BELIEVE. It takes one's belief to pull through. If you do not have the believe, yet, want to pull through, you FIND the belief until you BELIEVE yourself. I honestly and solely believe this. For there were so many times in my life I never, ever believed in me and I allowed others to do so -- and look at me now !! Now I know AND believe that I am able to do damn near anything I put my mind too.

Onward. Upward. Stay ON. Keep ON.

* Have to share this quote - as I have waited a WHILE to do so :

My First FULL Marathon

I did it :O)

( AND you could too !! )

Not only did I do it -- I also finished it even though there were major cramps. I was NOT going to come up short on this one!! And in order to do that, I had to work through oodles of cramps, many pains and use all the motivation I could grab at times.

Here's how it went down:

Took it pretty easy for the first 10K, ran with the 4:00 pacer group for a while and then took off -- this is what I believe added to the cramping.

I was feeling soo awesome around mile 12 - 13 that I didn't realize how hard the cramps would hit. Mile 14 I had to walk some, yet, since I did OK in the first half, the last half wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

There was an awesome biker that  continued to help me through with water. I ended up running alot of what I thought I would have to walk and I am pretty sure that I looked completely silly and also sounded pretty funny. For around mile 22, I was sharing all my thoughts with the outside world. For I knew I needed to run it in and I also knew that the cramps would become stronger at times, yet, if I kept on running through them, I would make it close to my goal time.

I ran through all of that I could and felt strong at times.

I did not seem to hit a 'wall' yet, it could have been that I was soo focused on finishing and walking/working through the cramps that I didn't notice it.

There was oodles of tears -- from pain an in the end from the JOY that I was about to finish a full marathon. This is nothing that I EVER figured that I would ever imagined I would want to achieve or accomplish.

Then when I got home an looked at the actual time, I was all in tears again. Tears of joy, for I never ever imagined coming in under 4:20!!!!

What an experience!!! One I do hope that I will never ever forget !!

* Oh BTW: NEVER EVER Try to get a massage AFTER cramping on a full marathon course -- YEOW'zers...I sat on the table and I screamed from pain!! Holy Hannah it hurt !!!! And I ended up walking alot !!










I was also able to experience this with a fellow Team RED Member, Adam Walters!! This was also his first marathon!! Team RED was all over the place on this one -- and that I thoroughly enjoyed!!! What a GREAT Team to be a part of !!


Now to bed I go and I am pretty sure that I will be super sore tomorrow. Today I was able to get up off the toilet AND Walk down the stairs, tomorrow, let's see ... H A. I am thinking a night in bed, my legs are going to be feeling it tomorrow.

I shall share more later this week.

For now - DREAM YOUR DREAMS!! Follow through, do the work and BE AMAZED!!!!

Thank you to Paul Melby - for inspiring me and for always allowing the fun times and oodles of laughs!! This race was dedicated to you to my friend. Godspeed in the heavens to you !!!

Day Before my first FULL Marathon

Well,

Tomorrow is my final test to all the LSR's that I've put in since December '11. Tomorrow is the day that I finish my first FULL Marathon. Tomorrow I conquer a new obstacle.....

Tonight, however, I am not feeling the best. My tummy has been upset on an off all day and the past few days as well as being a wee bit tired. Not sure how I felt BEFORE my first half marathon in '09, I do, however, remember how I felt AFTERWARDS :O)

Let's see how this one pans out. Either way, I put one foot in front of the other..and then I will shall finish the race.

I shall report later this weekend how this pans out -- until then -- I am going to go and do my nails and get some rest.

Best wishes to all the runners heading out tomorrow morning.....

When did I get to this point ???

I went out today for a short run, and for me, short is right. I almost had myself convinced to NOT even run it as it was sooo short !! WTH is that about ??? Our minds are horrible things that we definitely need to keep in line!!

It was a 5K that I ran today -- I took it easy, but again, could run all damn day !!

I am assuming that because I have run over 5 miles for the past few months ( the majority of the time ) my body is ready to run long and also trained for it.

What I am hoping, is that I am in the right mind set. Per se: I am not nervous, I am super excited!! I am not concerned about finishing ( course I am NOT at mile 22 yet, either ), I am just doing today. Keeping things super simple, doing the life in front of me, just being.

The say that once you cross that finish line, for a full, your life changes. You become more confident. You look at the world with a bit more different mind set. You are a different person, from the challenge that you just conquered. Honey, if I am going to be more confident and stronger from this -- bring it ON!!!

Challenges and obstacles are my life.

They have been since I was born. They have been put in front of me, over an over. Some by me, others by others. Yet, they have ALL -- EVERY SINGLE ONE of them have been CONQUERED!!! As will this one.

The only way to live a FULL life is to go through all obstacles, every single one, every single feeling, every single action, every single bump, every single smile, every single one ....... all the way through it. The  ONLY  way to find out what that rainbow holds is to ... slide ALL THE WAY down.

Onward. Upward. Stay ON. KEEP ON....NEVER EVER give up, NEVER EVER!!

THIS is what tapering is LIKE ???!!!??

Holy Hannah -- for a few reasons:

1. No updates since the 22nd !!
2. Tapering

Today I went out for my last long run until the 12th of May. Wow'zers I am telling you. I could have ran ALL DAY!! Well, at least it felt that way. OOFTA!!! It was a nice solid 8 miler and I was ON FIRE, had to tone it down a few times, I hit the hills and man were they singing !!!!

Yesterday, I was driving my daughter home from gymnastics and we were on this LONG, CURVY, HILLY road and all I wanted to do was pull over, take a few drinks of water, a few cliff shots and RUN. I mean, I even planned it out in my head. It was super crazy !!

So, today while I was sitting at my desk, my lunch hour was approaching and I just decided, today I am going to run. Man, I was not able to get out there fast enough.

I find it extremely amazing, as I really do not run that much, do I ? Where is all this mentality coming from ?? What is up with my body ??? It's like my legs just want to GO. Nothing seems to slow em down. It's amazing!!! It's like my body is determined to RUN.... and this week is only a few less miles then the last one. Absolutely amazed me.

Alot of people have different views on it -- but -- I now know it as tapering. Tapering for a full marathon. Which that in itself is absolutely mind baffling as well !! For I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be planning to run 26.2 miles all in one morning, at one time!!

The training that one puts into this is phenominal !!! The mindset, or the change of one's mind set, is baffling. The hardwork, which I think I only put in half of what I think I 'should' have put in for training, will pay off, as I will cross the finish line!! NO MATTER WHAT !!!

Here's a clip that will explain a little bit about what we go through while training ( you'll get a little bit of what I am talking about ) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zWwKrjgSsrg#!

Anywho - tomorrow we visit a small race, that has a FREE kids one mile and I am going to see which of my children will complete it!!

'Till next time, my readers, till next time.

Stay On. Keep On.

NEVER EVER Stop believing!!!

Achieved major milestones today ...

Holy Hannah -- what an amazing weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know that I have not blogged in a few days, there are some solid good reasons why -- trust me!!!

On Friday I was preparing to direct a 5K Race that was being held in Rochester, MN the next morning. So, I was a wee bit busy with that as well as making sure that some of the items for the LSR event today were also solidified.

Saturday, was SEMYO 5K race!! Now, there was an unfortunate mishap on the course and the route was a bit off for some as well as the results, due to the mishap. YET -- there was an amazing turn out and I believe that from what everyone has said they were able to enjoy the route, the day and also the time spent with SEMYO!!! So, all in all -- it was a success with lessons learned!!

Then today, there was a LSR ( Long slow run ) prepped, in honor of my 17 yr anniversary date. I decided to throw an event together to get me through 22 miles ( Longest I have EVER ran in my life ) as well as celebrate a milestone in my life. I was also thinking of the others that are around that are training for a FULL Marathon, other then myself, and how this would fit into everyones training schedule !! How amazing -- the turnout!!

The day, also to note, turned out AMAZING beautiful  !!! A great turn out , wonderful weather and awesome company, made the 22 miles much easier then I had ever imagined !!!

There was a few miles in there where my legs were extremely heavy and I was wondering how to roll through it, but we all shared about it and made it through !!

Then the last 1.75 miles I just got into a zone and nailed it !! MAN did that ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

22.01 miles in 3:31:50 - 9:38 pace ... I am now officially excited for the Wobegone FULL on May 12th !!!

Hopefully you had a fabulous Sunday and enjoyed each moment!!

Stay On. Keep On.

Onward and Upward!!

Loading up on mileage

Its been shared with me that during peek training times, you load on the mileage. Well, that's this week baby !!! We have 3 weeks until the FULL Marathon!!! LET's Do This!!!

Last night I ran a track workout -- total of 8 miles I was able to load up on. 3 miles hard ( 800's x 6 ) and did them much easier then I thought they would be ... strange, but I am pretty sure that it's due to the training that I am putting in. I used to dread them, horribly. Last night, not so much !! YAY!!! Now to keep this base throughout the year!!

Today I will hit the Douglas for around 6 miles..... enjoying another hour with another GF that loves running !!

How awesome is this life ??? Yes, there's alot of pavement pounding right now, but I tell ya what -- it's going to be worth it once I cross that finish line!! Not only that, it's awesome that I am a stronger runner today !!

Onward, Upward !!!

A few miles later

Guess I need to update y'all with what I have been up too!! Geezzzzz......

Let's go back to this past Saturday.

I front-loaded 2 miles in front of the Fetzer 20K ( 12.2M ) race so that I had in some good miles. I was aiming for 21, yet, did not make it as I ended up cramping around mile 10 in the race. There are those that have their ideas on this and that, so I will try the less impacted ideas first and go from there. I finished the race in 1:55, which is not to bad, for I walked some of the last few miles, with the cramping. I was extremely happy with how it ended, for it was a tempo run for me and that was a fast tempo for my first 9 miles or so.

Then I took a few days off, well, Saturday night I hit the dance floor pretty hard and haven't done that in years!! So, that was a good workout and man did I sweat!!

Today I was able to run the north shore!!! How awesome it was -- such beauty!! I put in a 5 miler, as I was running out of time, from stopping to soak in the view!! Here's a beautiful shot of some of what I was able to take in today:

I know that I have a full to complete, coming up on the 12th of May. I know that I will cross the finish line. What I do not know is how well I will do for a time. Then I was reminded the other day, last week, that this is my first Full Marathon EVER!! To enjoy it and not to 'kill' myself during training. I will do what I am able to, in order to pull it off and then I will cross that finish line and be happy. I just need to remember that I am doing all I am able to at this point in my life and that this is my first ever and I need to enjoy it.

The Boston Marathon was ran, it was hot an people conquered. It's about your own personal accomplishments, not about what you compare yourself too, not about what others think, it's about what your goals are and keeping them in reality.

Onward. Upward. Stay on. Keep on.

Giving back in a different way .....

Today was a day where I was able to spend time running ( 4 miles and some )  around to figure out a route for the upcoming SEMYO 5K that I have directed over the past 2 years.

What an experience!!

The best part of the entire thing, for me this year, is knowing that while I put the route together, place all the volunteers, compile the finish line, it's all for the runners and the organization that I am putting it together for. Has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with me. Not only am I able to help out in kindly fashion, I am able to do it this year, with some experience and knowledge for the runners. Each step I take, each turn I make, each corner approached, each incline I view, that's what the racers will be doing that Saturday morning....as they trudge the next step, push through that next stride, run until they reach the finish ......

I love being able to put together something so intimate to the next racer.

Today I am grateful that I now have another experience to share and also another story to be told.

Its all about aiming for the moon an landing amongst the stars.....