Training update

I was very unhappy about this earlier today, but I unfortunately missed running with my training group this morning. Since I was away last weekend as well I was really looking forward to seeing everyone.

So today I put in my 15 mile run on my own-- 2 round trips plus one extra mile on Katy Trail. Today was cold and WINDY! Wind is my least favorite weather to run in- my hat blew off twice! When I got home and plugged my time and distance into race nation it calculated my pace at 10:34! Somehow I still don't believe that can be right. 10:34 is a really fast pace for me for a 15 mile distance. You'd think I would just be happy about this, but it's actually a little frustrating as well.

I had a rough week with my slower runs the past few days (breathing not so good) and was running over an 11 minute pace for 3-5 mile distances....... so why I would suddenly be running more than 30 seconds faster than that per mile for 15 miles is a bit of a mystery. I feel like I try to be pretty consistent with my training, eating, etc.--- but sometimes it just seems like for no understandable reason I can have a great run one day and a horrible one the next. Either that's just how things go in running sometimes, or there's some major piece of knowledge I'm missing that would solve this..... so much to learn!

We've got a good start for Oklahoma Race Sponsors. Keep spreading the word! :) We've got a little less than 2 months to fill in all those miles for Susan's Foundation.
Notice that you can now make your race sponsor donation directly on my blog using a credit card or pay pal.

Running is cheaper than therapy....

One of the most popular quotes ever put on a running t-shirt...and definitely true! In the past 8 months we've had 3 deaths in my family....the most recent of which was last week. I'm guessing that I'm not the first runner that didn't even consider setting aside their running training during their grieving.... to some that might sound strange-- but once I got settled into running, it has become such an important part of my everyday life. It is my time to meditate, work out problems, processes emotions or ideas... all of which are especially needed after losing a loved one.


It seems like from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed each day that everything moves so quickly-- not very often does quiet time to think and reflect really present itself automatically- for me it's something I have to create, and that's what my running time is for me. No emails to check, no phones to answer, no dog begging for a belly rub (sorry Lilo), just me, my thoughts, and the road. Before I was a runner I'm not sure how I ever got by without that regular 'me' time in my day.

Training update

This last week has been a taper week for training runs- cutting back on mileage a little in preparation for Saturday's 15 mile run.
On Saturday I was out of town (Arizona) for a family event (Happy Birthday Mom!- who still may be recovering from the shock of her surprise party), so missed running with my DRC training group and put in my 10 miles on my own running random streets in Tempe. Keeping up training during travel can be tough sometimes, particularly without treadmill access or knowledge of safe areas to run-- but usually I can work out a way to stay on schedule.


This week is just a few short runs (3 miles, 5 miles, and 4 miles)-- which also had to be shuffled around my travel schedule-- most of which I'll do on the new treadmills at my apartment complex. These have been awesome since many days lately I'm not getting home from lab or class until after dark. Although I still prefer to run outside whenever possible.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new dedicated running blog. As my running and fundraising goal has grown, I decided this project deserved it's own space. Please check back frequently for fundraising and training updates for my current endeavor-- Marathon #2, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 26, 2009.

And yes...this goal is going to take me a while!! :)

I will also work on transfering all of the posts from Marathon #1 (Arizona) to this site, but that may take a little time, so please be patient with me. :)

For all of my Arizona marathon sponsors...welcome back! Your race souvenirs from my Arizona marathon are in the works, so I may be contacting some of you soon for your addresses if I don't already have them. If you're the collecting type, you can get in on the fun for every race I run and eventually collect a race souvineer for every U.S. state! :) What fun!

In the mean time, please spread the word and pass on this blog link to family, friends, companies you're associated with, etc. to help meet my fundraising goal for Susan's Foundation.

Thanks!