July 2011, twice this month !!

Today I am a little bit famous. HA -- made the papers with a photo that was shot this past weekend at the Warriors Dash MN. How funny is this little teaser for today's press release ??

Warriors Dash is a total MUST if you have not yet participated!! It was a little bit of a challenge, with ALOT of fun!!! I may be an exercise FREAK -- but I am more into FUN then just the challenges!!

This week we continue on with the training. Trying to work my way up to around 30 miles, all the while strengthening the muscles so that I will be able to pull in a PR in October!! Yesterday was a solid tempo!! Today -- it will be a solid workout and run.

Only way to get to where your going is to do the footwork!! Well, this is what it is all about.... run, run, strengthen, run more... in order to hit that PR and finish that next race :O)

Push on dear friends, Push on and challenge yourself!!!

Until till next time!!
( Enjoy the pic and chuckle -- I have NOT felt that FREE and fulfill in YEARS!! What a super event !! Also enjoyed by Team R.E.D. - http://byronteamred.blogspot.com/ - with 65 members in attendance!! )

July 2011

Today is the day we pack up to go camping - the day before the warriors dash in MN!! What an exciting adventure this will be!!! This is something that I have never done before, so lets see if I enjoy obstacle courses :O) ( I definitely do not enjoy camping!! But for the children I will do damn near anything!! )

The training is back in full swing!! Last night I was able to kick out a 9 miler -- with the help of my running group and friend Angie, pulling me through the last few miles. I think the heat has gotten the best of me this week, for I hit the track hard on Wed. night as well. I also had a training/workout with my awesome Trainer ( Sherry Sonnenberg )!!!

Sometimes life seems to get soo full, yet, where are my priorities ?? Well, my first and foremost priority is myself and keeping me in full swing. This entails, my connection with my higher power, my meetings and my running/exercise. Then, comes my children. After this, my career. Just seems that one thing after another gets thrown in there and then it all needs to be re-balanced. Yet, this is what makes it all worth it!!!

Time to pack that cooler, get that mattress an grab that tent!!

I will post some pics after the Warriors Dash, so that you have something to chuckle about.

Until then -- push on dearest readers -- push on!!

June 2011

Life got away from me, yet, again. My blogging has not been the best.

In June I was so very grateful to endure an AMAZING half marathon ran in Seattle, WA. The Rock an Roll one. I say grateful, as it was and until this day, stands as my STRONGEST Half yet :O)

Why was it the strongest: Not because I PR'd, because I did not. I came in with a 1:59:22 finish time, which is less then one min faster then my PR. It was the strongest, due to the fact that I was not winded, completely drained and felt like flying afterwards. I crossed the finish line with more energy, even would have been willing to get up and go again.

With this type of finish, I realize that my body is beginning to condition to the depth's of running I am now putting it through. It is able to endure the workouts that I have put in front of me. It is also able to do more :O)

So with saying all this, I have a week into my next training program. Gearing up for Mankato in the Fall. I will also complete a few smaller races from between now and then. I will try to complete a 5K every month until then, along with the Warriors Dash in July, Ragnar in August and what else will fall in my lap.

I am not a 'fast' runner, yet I am becoming a stronger one and for that I am super excited and happy :O) Good things come in good time :O) And one other thing that I need to mention is that I have maintained to keep the weight and inches off that I have lost over the past 3 yrs of exercise. I will be looking for more of a nutritional plan, as I am beefing up miles/workouts now. So, hopefully I will see even more results.

Today -- I work on my temple, for within my body lies my soul. If I do not tend to the body, the soul will not be whole :O)

Hugs to you all and PUSH ON PUSH ON!!

Life on Life's Terms - June 19th, 2011

Dearest Readers,

Today I was able to endure the humidity, hills and track work out. This will be my last long, hard run before next Saturday !!! SEATTLE here I come!

I was very happy with my workout today, as it was a bit warmer and yet I was still able to blow off quite a bit of steam. It was very calming to run at my fastest on the track and also be able to kick it up the hills, without stopping !!!

Life throws many things at you, and I am realizing, its really all about acceptance. As well as, perspective. Today is a good day. The feelings come and go -- but running -- makes is all worth it!!

Push on Dearest Friends, Push on !!

June 13th, 2011

A week from today I will be packing up the gear, clothes and sanity ( I hope ) to fly out to Seattle to visit with my sister, long time friend and RUN MY ARS off in the Rock N Roll Seattle Half!!

Today, I was able to tackle a bit over 5 miles. My hip flexor is buggin, I do believe it is due to the fact that my knees are bothering me. So things are adjusting to make due. Good thing it is a taper week :O) Take it a bit easy so that when the 25th hits I GO REALLY FAST !!

I have not been 'feeling' the running bug inside me, which is sad, for I am now sponsored. I need to hit a PR or something so that I can feel it again. I am sure, when the time is right so will the paces. In due time ....

Tomorrow I face something that I have dreaded for some time now, a divorce finalization.

I have set up time with my running partner, Angie. We will run. How far, no idea at this point. I am just planning on running and feeling and spending time with those that love me.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow to report I ran to Texas and back again.....

Push on Dear friends, Push on!!

June 5th, 2011

Noticing that I have not blogged in some time -- I figure it's due time I begin once again.

Since my previous blog, life happened. Seems that it does that, at times. Where it pulls me from this way to that. The important thing, is that I do not allow it to 'mess' me up .... or if I feel it tugging a bit from this side to the next, I make sure that I listen to the signs and take care of me.

There were a few deaths that I had to mourn an work through, on top of the single parenting trials that come along with life...running was there, just not as prominent as I would have liked. Yet, the exercise did not leave me or my life, for without it I am no longer whole. Its now a piece of me. Its a part of who I have become. Its an outlet for me and my HP. A place where I can go and enjoy the time and the silence, from the noise life makes.

That puts into perspective where I am today, yet, I need to share with you the good as well as the hardships. Lets start with the races that I have put forth the past few weeks.

Med City Half -->> 2:05

This was to be a training run for me and a training run it was. I was extremely angry with myself around mile 8, as I pushed myself too hard through the hills and hit a 'wall'. I am working with my trainer to include alot more endurance training so that I will not hit the 'wall' in this spot again. This was by far the angriest I have ever been during a race. Yet, I need to remind myself of the goodness and positives: I finished and didn't give up. I learned from it and I am able to change things. I completed another half marathon. It was a strong run.

4th Annual Hayfield Fire Dept 5K -->> 25:18 ( Placed 3rd out of the women )

This was not a PR, dang close, yet not one. It was, however, faster then what I ran this one last year :O) SO -- again -- positives!! Another huge positive was: I placed :O)

Those are the most recent races. Not my fastest, yet, I feel I was strong and that I am able to learn from them and move on. Do better. Run faster. Run stronger. Feel more confident.

The pyramids were not built over night, nor will my paces be. I need to remember that. Not beat up on myself and live life to the fullest. That would include NOT beating myself up!!!

Another positive, I was accepted to be sponsored !!!!! I was a bit surprised, yet, I am definitely enjoying it !!!! They have a totally different world, that I didn't realize was out there. I am was suggested to try for it and it actually happened. This has sparked another fire within me. So, I have alot to work towards.

My next race, is on the 25th of June. I am flying out to Seattle to run in the Rock N Roll Half :O) My good friend, Sharyce, is running her first one!!! YAY!!! I am sooo excited!!

People are noticing how this works, the running, and they are excited to join me !! I had a good friend run her first one today !! She ROCKED !! I am very proud of her!! How cool it is to give away something and have it soo well received !! ( The running Bug !! )

I better sleep for tomorrow is a long run -- I am going to push for 10 to 11 miles.

G'night my dear readers!!

May 18th, 2011

I was able to put in a total of over 4 miles on the track tonight ( this includes warmup/cooldown ) and it felt pretty good, needed some solid recovery, yet I did it. Of course, the little ones were near so I was not as aggressive an felt the need to leave a bit earlier then normal.

It was nice to see fellow Team RED Members out there. Yet, a few were missed.

The last week has been a rough one for many Team RED members as well as the family members, of a dear running friend, Paul Melby. He passed after collapsing after he ran his fastest ever, during a full marathon. He PR'd by 24 min.s and also qualified for Boston. That is what has helped the past week, during runs. Knowing that he would want us to celebrate his achievements. Yet, it is very difficult to think of the family that was deeply touched by his presence.

There is information on his services on the Team RED Blog:

http://byronteamred.blogspot.com/

If you could be so kind and keep his family and friends in your thoughts. As the wonderful wife, Shelly and his three beautiful children will surely need it. AS well as our support and love in the near coming future, if not now as well.

Keep on Keeping on dearest Readers....