The Original Trainer Strikes

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 264.5 (running: 223; walking: 5.3; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 108.9  Money Found For Food Bank: $44.35

I maintain my love/hate relationship with taking Elly running. The love definitely trumps the hate, but, when I hate it, I really hate it. For instance: I am very old school when it comes to how I hold a leash. So, it is always in my right hand, and she is always to be on my left. What that means, though, is when she makes a super-sudden stop behind me, and I don't know it, my right hand jabs directly into my stomach. It happened so hard today that it actually made me gasp. This followed a whole stretch of Intervals By Elly, so both Pit Crew #2 and I were already a little annoyed. Then, I jabbed myself compliments of her 8th potty break in a mile. Great.

We did have a very funny dog moment, though. Elly wasn't so much featured in it as she was the instigator. Or, as they say in the biz, the inspiration ...

We so much as rounded a corner, and this trio went absolutely nutty when they saw Elly. Their barks were huge as compared to their bodies. It was very, very funny.

For all of its annoyances, the run was a good one. It was definitely good to be together:

A double dose of rest is on the schedule before Saturday's 10-miler! I'll check in as I can and, most definitely, after the long run!

That's What I Call GROWTH

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 261.4 (running: 219.9; walking: 5.3; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 105.8  Money Found For Food Bank: $44.35

I remember the days when I was training for my first Half Marathon, and I let nothing get in my way of my training schedule. If it rained, I was on the treadmill. No matter what I had to do on any given day, the run came first thing in the morning to make sure it happened. Nothing got in my way.

That most definitely sounds like I was focused and driven and ready to take a bite out of that race, doesn't it? The fact is, it was driven by fear. I was scared to death that if I missed a single step during that training period, then I might not make it to the finish line much less cross it. For my mental game, I needed to ensure every step of training.

And, then there's now.

So, yesterday, I woke up tired -- not to mention the heater kicked on, so I already knew it was cold out -- that I opted for another half hour of sleep before doing my miles on the bike instead of getting up and hitting the road. I didn't even question it. Well, I did question why I was so tired, but, it turns out that we all were, so I didn't feel I inflicted it upon myself! Anyway, the bike was groovy, and I got to watch an episode of Steve Harvey. My riding disappointed the dog, but the hound who can sleep at will during the day doesn't get a vote. So, I cranked it on the bike and moved on with the day guilt free.

I have just a short run scheduled for tomorrow. And, in truth, I think I screwed up the days I'm actually supposed to be running this week. In fact, I have just three miles scheduled for tomorrow and two days off until my next 10-miler. The layout of that seems weird, but it definitely works with my life schedule, so, there you go. I used to care about such things (meaning I'd get all wound up about amidoingthisright), but I've swapped out 'fear' for 'confidence' that I can more than pull it off and am not worrying about it. I have other things to do than to give my energy to concerning myself with something that should not be, well, concerning.

The new and improved mindset is called: Refreshing.

And, with that, I'll be checking in after the morning run ...

The Easter Pterodactyl. And, Thank Goodness For Spell Check.

Happy Easter!! It's a truly joyous day -- Miraculous and Good. And, among the much deeper meaning of the holiday are traditions born of legends, and, you can guess, we capitalize on such things around here!

Of course, we have an egg hunt ...

This is the first Easter we can remember that everyone found all of his or her eggs before we called it done! A few direct rounds of Hot and Cold had to be played, but they were found none the less!

A few years back, the kids were put in charge of our baskets. For the first year, they 'drew names,' but I believe it was in that second year they just decided Pit Crew #2 takes care of mine, and PC#3 takes care of Aaron's. And that explains why there was a Pterodactyl in Aaron's basket:

That also explains why there was a receipt in Aaron's basket. Under the Pterodactyl.

PC#2 made me a fantastic basket:

Those letters spell CRAFT. Isn't my basket pretty?!

Thanks for my basket, PC#2!!!

Elly spent the morning being hopeful. And, being denied.

It was a really fun start to the day with our favorite peeps:

I'll wrap it up with a funny from the Love Yourself and Laugh Facebook page ...

... and, I'll check in after the morning run! Happy Easter!!

You Can Change the Mental Course Mid-Stream. That's Pretty Cool.

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 249.4 (running: 219.9; walking: 5.3; biking: 24.2) Elly's miles: 105.8  Money Found For Food Bank: $44.35

There's nothing quite like that short run immediately following a double-digit one. And, by 'nothing like it,' I mean it kind of sucks. I think today is actually a Rest Day on the original schedule I use, but, as tomorrow is Easter, well, there will be no bothering with running. It would only get in the way of the continued egg hunts that happen around here!!

So, Pit Crew #2 and I planned yesterday to run together today. She very well may have been regretting that during our first mile as I not only slowed her down, I didn't make any bones about complaining about being sore from yesterday. I was trying really hard to be positive in my head about today's run, but it was really, really difficult! I finally (duh) talked to God about it and asked that He move those thoughts aside as they were doing no one any good. I really did not want to focus on the trials of it all. I just wanted to get it finished and enjoy being with my girl while doing so.

Almost immediately after hitting our first mile, all felt normal again. PC#2 and I engaged in some good chatter, and everything I started out with that was negative was forgotten. I did take an opportunity to bemoan a hill I'd forgotten was on the route, but that's just normal.

Both of us engaged in complaining about the scenery of a nature area we intentionally targeted on this route. For all of the good developments around here, this one did not deserve the sign identifying it. Totally misleading if you ask us:

We really chatted it up about life stuff for the last two miles. We talked so much that I didn't even remember getting from Mile 3 to the end. I love when that happens. I attribute it to the company I was keeping.

So, now it's many hours after that run, and my legs are screaming. There's nothing good about it. It's beyond that "I worked hard and this proves it" kind of sore. It's the "This totally sucks" sore. But, that's what tomorrow's Rest Day is for ...

The Good In the Bad

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 245.1 (running: 215.9; walking: 5; biking: 24.2) Elly's miles: 105.8  Money Found For Food Bank: $44.31

When someone you know (my Dad in my case) has a degenerative disease, there's going to be a day you get information about its progression that you knew would come, but knowing it's coming doesn't take away the fact that it comes at you like a truck. Wednesday was that day for me, so, yesterday was spent literally resting. I either worked on sorting out my brain, or I was asleep. And, that was Thursday.

I'm better today, more out of necessity and desire than actual feeling, but the mood only added to my already foul mood about this morning's 12 miler. I never ... and, I mean never ... enjoy this training run. I mean, it's an awfully long way to really go nowhere at all. It's a totally necessary evil as it most definitely gets me ready for the big run. And, after the big run, I get prizes and family hugs, so there's certainly merit in investing in these 12. But, I still don't like it. At all.

So, in a colder-than-the-end-of-March-should-be morning, I took my sorry butt to the streets, and I got my run on.

Physically, this run didn't tax me until I was almost at Mile 11, so that was good. But, mentally ... damn ... mentally it was something else. I could more than deal with being cold for the first five miles (still seeing my breath at Mile 4 ... brrrr ...). I still had many issues running around my brain, so I was more than taxed in that department long before I realized it was Mile 4, and I should not be seeing my breath anymore. I did get some reprieve seeing some awesome critters now and then:

It won't be long before I'm sure there will be a whole family
here! And, that will be the day I have to round the lake with
a bit of caution!

Okay, not a critter, but critter tracks. In the cement. You don't
see that every day! And, can't you just see (what I believe was)
the raccoon? It unwittingly scampers around only to get to the
other side of the freshly poured sidewalk and is all, "Crap! My
feet!" and is then doomed to dried cement on its feet forever.

Somewhere between Miles 8 and 9, the crappy part of my Dad's situation just came down on me. I partly attribute that to the fact that Miles 8 and 9 on this length of run tend to suck anyway, so why not just put it all together ... I forced my thoughts from sad to throwing them to God, all but begging him to just take them from me because I still had a good distance to go and was not okay with doing so that mentally heavy. Thankfully, negatives turned into truly joyful thoughts and memories, and I carried on. Well, let's face it, He carried me on. And, I was grateful. It is never bad to ask for help.

The end of the run was decent -- I did well almost all the way to the 11th mile, but the last little bit of that one started to hurt. And, the very last mile is always the most difficult for me especially when my training run stretching is total nonsense compared to what I actually need, so the end was just predictable. And, I was very okay with it!

I appreciate the requirement of the run to make sure I got out and kick started my day. It was nice to accomplish something. And, it was a good time to reflect and think even when it was difficult. Even within those things that are very hard can be found very, very good.

And, tomorrow, I run with one of my very favorite people ...

This Really Is Elly's Week

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 232.7 (running: 203.8; walking: 4.7; biking: 24.2) Elly's miles: 105.8  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.88

Hey! It's National Puppy Day! I don't care how made-up that is, I love it!! And, I'm so glad to have honored ours by taking her with me on my run!!

"We rocked it, mommy! It was also the
perfect outing to show off my Easter
outfit! SLURRRRP!!"

We did, indeed, rock it. Well, maybe 'rock' is a stretch. We did it well, how about that? I really just kind of wanted to run and get it done and move on with the day. Friday's a big run, so I wanted to capitalize on the extra time of a short one today. Mission: Accomplished!

I Love the Run

It looks like I'm going to luck out with my running schedule this week as it appears it should rain on the days I don't plan to run. I don't really care if I end up getting wet tomorrow during a 3-miler, but I could totally use an accurate forecast for Friday morning's 12. Just sayin'.

Today was a day of catch up even though I'm not sure I actually caught up anything. I did keep my head above water, though, so there's that. And, the new oven arrived. As did the unexpected hot water heater. (Yeah ... there's that ...) I did make sure there's at least a little something decorated for this year's very early Easter, though:

I do so love doing this to the bush.

My brain is so otherwise occupied that I am having a hard time believing I'm closing in on the April 10th Half. I can't even grasp being ready for it, so I'm relying on the proof of my ability by having actually done the long training runs and not collapsing during them. I'm not a fan of time feeling like a whirl, but I'm making the best of it.

Tomorrow's run will be a good way to start the day because it allows -- and requires -- only that I'm in the moment. Yeah, there's something very, very good about the run.

She's Not One To Roll Over ... Unless It's Her Odometer

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 229.7 (running: 200.8; walking: 4.7; biking: 24.2) Elly's miles: 102.8  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.87

The heat was cycling again this morning. Seriously. It was 24 degrees with the wind. I didn't really count on bundling up to run today, but it was necessary. My second shirt was on the table while I put on my shoes. Daphne wasted no time hopping right on top of it. I think she was trying to tell me something.

"Running, bad. Going back to bed, good."

As it was a 5-mile run, I wasn't sure if I was taking Elly. Then I looked at her mileage to date and saw she was only 3 miles away from turning 100. Well, that answered that!

Today is the day to congratulate Elly on her first 2016 milestone!!

"Aw, shucks! Thanks! What did I do ... ?"

Both of us take a break from the run tomorrow ... one of us will be checking in, though! See you then ...

Progress

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 224.5 (running: 195.6; walking: 4.7; biking: 24.2) Elly's miles: 97.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.16

Isn't this the truth ...

I saw snow falling yesterday afternoon. I heard the heater go on at 3 a.m. It was still cycling this morning at 7 a.m., so I decided I wasn't going outside to run. It was a very long (very great) day yesterday, and I was exhausted through and through. I decided to take my own recent advice and utilize the indoor bike on days when I just know the run is going to be nothing but just getting through it. I have a 5-miler on the books for tomorrow, and I'd rather be ready for that then trudge through both today and tomorrow's runs.

Sometimes, I use my brain powers for good.

I was really quite happy to realize that today's ride was considerably stronger than the one I did just 10 days ago. It was the same distance and under very similar circumstances with regard to how I feel. But, unlike that one, today's was strong from beginning to end, and I didn't feel all wobbly afterward. I like notable progress!

Tomorrow's miles will happen on the road without question. Unless that groundhog was really wrong, and we get a blizzard. I'll see you after ...

Jedi Mind Trick

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 212.3 (running: 195.6; walking: 4.7; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 97.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.16


Yay, Friday!!! I think that speaks for itself ...

 

I was mentally kicking myself this morning as I was fighting off so many "I don't wannaaaa!"s about this morning's run. I am a big believer in that whole thing about whatever you tell yourself about something, then that's how it's going to be. Or, whatever the saying is. Anyway, the truth of the matter, which I've previously admitted, is that I'm not a huge fan of the 11- and 12-mile training runs. They're long for what feels like no reason, and I tend to get bored thinking about them because they're the same streets I run all. the. time. Even if I mix up the route, it's not like I don't know where I am. So, I try my best to ignore that they're coming and then get through them as best as possible.

 

I know -- it's hardly a set-up for success.

 

I was kind of double-dreading this one because having planned on another Half toward the end of May, it's not too far away that I need to do it again. That particular fact jumped into my head yesterday, and I wasn't too stoked. And, then, I started thinking ...

 

My first thought was that Pit Crew #2 saw this medal come through Facebook the other day ...

... and she all but started to drool. I told her I'd been considering registering us for it which is when she put in the immediate request to do so with a 10K. So, yesterday, I thought it would be fun to bag the Half and swap it for a 10K with my girl. With a couple of computer clicks on the virtual page, the deed was DONE.

 

I haven't completely wiped out the idea of the Half because (of course) my brain kept going during the day which is when I further realized how many training schedules are out there that never require an 11- or 12-mile training run. Many only go up to 10, not even getting there with the incremental mile addition each week mine uses, and you just run it out on race day. I've never tried it ... but, I just might.

 

With no need to make such a decision, but with what felt like a mental load lifted off of me, I headed on out this morning. And, can we say, "Brrrr ..." It was 49 but breezy and completely overcast. It was a blessed combination, though, because it's easier to run when it's chilly versus when the sun's beating on you. I think that was a huge contributor to this run going as well as it did. I'd identified the three spots on the route I knew would be most challenging, and not one of them bothered me. They were a challenge but in the way that you feel awesome and not like you narrowly escaped defeat by way of collapsing. I barely felt worn until I had only a half mile remaining, so the gears were on auto-groove today. Here are some of my favorite scenes:

The one on the left kept going under until it spied me. Then it
was all, "Aw, hell no, I'm not taking my eyes off of you!"

This is my super-awesome view of one of my favorite spots.
You can totally see why, right? Yeah, me, either. Nice shot!

I love love love love love when I see these!!

I was totally coordinated with nature.

These guys greeted me rounding out my ninth mile. I do so
love all of the colors!

So, the mindset difference totally worked. As basic as it sounds, it's true that focusing on something positive -- even if it wasn't directly about what I needed to do that very moment -- kept me out of my own way. It's like I'm my own Jedi mind trick.

 

It's a jam-packed Rest Day tomorrow, so I'll be checking back Sunday in after not resting at all! Have a great start to your weekend, and I'll be checking in after Sunday's morning run!

It's Pretty Easy Being Green

For real, I do not really understand this St. Patrick's Day thing, but it does give me an excuse to theme it up around here! In between working and otherwise being busy, everyone had three square meals that were all decked out for the, um ... holiday ...

The kids' breakfast and my dinner featured green eggs. I was
a tool and forgot the ham for their breakfast (they either didn't
notice or forgot, too). This was my main course for dinner
while everyone else had gross corned beef. GAG.

I love making the St. Pat's lunch. Who doesn't want green
peanut butter?!?!

There's always a green chip! This year, I picked out the faux
spinach chips in the veggie chip bag.

Other lunch sides included green vanilla yogurt and green
ranch dip. Because everything must be green.

Well, not everything. You need a little luck on your side, too,
which comes in the form of a gold coin surrounded by green
M&Ms. Those are bonus points.

The gold Oreo was a work in progress. I saw in my Facebook feed how one could use edible gold color mist to turn an ordinary Oreo into a shiny coin. Yeah, not so much. I suppose it could have worked had I planned on one can of color mist per cookie. After that abysmal failure, I spread a very thin layer of icing on the cookies and covered them with the sparkly, gold sugar. It totally worked and was a hit! Oh, and if you're wondering if you can put that sugar in a coffee grinder to make it more of a fine powder, you can, but it will lose all of its luster. I've already taken it for the team there, so save yourself the effort, and live with the big pieces. As long as it's edible, not a kid in the world will care. I know that for a fact multiplied by two.

I also used a wee part of today mapping tomorrow's run -- it's time to turn in the 11-miler! I'm just saying that I'll be happy when it's behind me! I hope the luck of the Irish or whatever brings it to you was with you today, and I'll be checking in after the morning run!

It All Adds Up

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 201 (running: 184.6; walking: 4.4; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 97.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.16


The cool thing about going through a training schedule is that toward the end, when double-digit runs are required, the in-between runs tend to feel like a whole lot of nothing. For instance, today's 5 miles - which is my usual long run when not working on a schedule - can be a bit tiring by that fifth mile. But, with the recent mileage under my belt, it was just another run. Funny how things work like that.

 

No matter what it is for me, though, five miles is not often all that easy for Elly. So, I left her home so I could get a solid run in while she continued work perfecting her napping skills. Daphne worked on hers, too. She demonstrated when I got home:

She totally reminds me of myself when I was supposed to nap during preschool and kindergarten. In the room with all of the lights turned out, and where there were all of these little people surrounding me on their blue or red mats, it was rather normal to hear from the teacher, "Lie down, Nancy. Seriously, Nancy, take a nap" in her best hushed-but-annoyed voice. *sigh*

 

Hey, by the way, did you know it was National Nap Day or some crap recently? I think it was Monday. Anyway, while some see no need for a special day set aside for celebrating a loved one (aka: Valentine's Day), I see no need to denote a particular day to focus on the glory that is a nap. I'm a night owl by nature and like it that way, so I'm never against a nap when I can grab one!

 

Aaaaaaaaaaand, FOCUS: Yeah, back to topic ... I ran, it was awesome, and I hope it has all prepared me well for Friday's 11. I am not a huge fan of the 11- and 12-mile weeks. They kind of bore me. But, it's so nice to be out on the actual course being able to tell myself, "Been here, done that." It most certainly helps the mental game of all of this!

 

So, it's onward with the day, but I'll be checking in tomorrow! See you then after the top o' the mornin'! ...

A New Go-To

This was the kind of day that could drive a girl to drink. Fo'real. And, while it didn't help anything that Aaron and I stayed up way too late after the final rose, I can't blame it on that. There were entirely too many real things going on; I only wish it were some made-up angst about The Bachelor outcome.

I planned to share this newfound tasty drink today anyway, but it happens that it was my go-to when someone else might grab something a little stronger ... or that might make one tipsy. Anyway, mine looks like this:

I realize it's a terrible pic, but I was in the mood to have it right now, so the display of it escaped me. Anyway, it's a drink I adapted from the Trim Healthy Mama website of their Good Girl Moonshine. You can check it out here, but here's what's in mine:

I start by putting about 8 ounces of water in that 32-ounce cup.
From there, I add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 Teaspoon of ground ginger.
After giving that a stir, I fill the cup to the top with crushed ice.
Finally, I top it all off with however much more water fits in the cup.

Believe it or not, the cup above is full to the top. It just doesn't look like it.

Anyway ... Voila!

I know. Very potentially, it sounds disgusting. In fact, Aaron finds it to be just that. Pit Crew #2 and I, however, love it. It's both tangy and soothing, and, believe it or not, it totally curbs hunger if you have those snacking pains. There are plenty of websites touting the nutritional benefits of apple cider vinegar as well as ginger, but, all I know is this tastes delicious. And, after a day like today when I would normally turn to a big, Diet Coke, I craved this.

And, apparently, I won't be fighting Aaron over it.

Let's start over tomorrow, shall we? And, we'll do so with a morning run ...

Curse You, Clock-Moving Day!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 195.9 (running: 179.5; walking: 4.4; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 97.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $43.03

See the kitty?

So, remember how I was all jazzed because Daylight Savings didn't really affect us around here? Apparently, it was saving its foils for this morning!! The morning was a total drag out of bed for almost all of us. It was a very sleepy way to start the day!

The morning fog was perfect for how we all felt, though. We had a dense fog advisory and could see no more than a quarter mile in front of us. It was driving in it that made me aware of how much I take for granted the ability to see distances; I really didn't care for it when having to turn into traffic when I'm used to being able to see just past those little hills. But, I made a decision a long time ago to build in extra time for most everything I do because that padding supports patience.

Of course, you also know that's the same approach I've always taken with running, too. I hardly ever put myself under a time pressure of any kind because it makes no sense for me to do so. I'm not an Olympian, so, there's just no need. That mindset works even better when Elly's with me like she was today. The fog barely lifted at all by the time we finished, but it was no real issue while on foot. Elly still explored, I still found some coins, and we had ourselves a good start to a very sleepy morning.

"And, I get to take a nap for the rest of
the day after this!! Score!!"
It's good to be Elly.

I'm working toward 11 miles at the end of the week! Even on a sleepy morning, the training schedule is in full gear! But, on tap for tomorrow is some Rest ... I'll be checking in with my new favorite beverage, so, stay tuned!

Turned Out Alright

The biggest victory of the day is that Daylight Savings did not really affect me. Normally, Spring-ahead day is brutal, at least in the morning, because I'm acutely aware that I just lost an hour of sleep. But, the day started out well and continued on like it was any other, clock-didn't-change-time day. Score.

I admit I was thankful I didn't have to incorporate a run into the adjusted schedule, though, just sayin' ...

The other victory today is that Aaron and I successfully took care of our oven/stove top woes and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new one. It's not coming until next week which is actually good because it gives us time to deal with it instead of plowing through what it takes to get the old one out, stuff moved, new one in and stuff cleaned up/rearranged. Replacing one oven with another seems like an easy task, but we are old enough to know it's not going to be what it seems it should be. Add to it that we're adding an over-the-stove microwave/hood thing where one doesn't currently exist, and, well, we've just created a little project for ourselves.

We're just thankful we can take care of it all. And, that's what it all boils down to: Being Thankful.

Tomorrow really kicks off the week, so, it's important I do so with a run! I hope your week starts just the way you want, and I'll check in after the morning run!

Oh, the Drama

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 191.8 (running: 175.4; walking: 4.4; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 93.5  Money Found For Food Bank: $42.55

This was my pre-run prep today:

It's hard to convince someone I'm getting
ready to go running when it looks like
I'm starting a craft project ...

Yup. You guessed it. The new shoes can not handle the toes of steel, and one of them is already -- and, suddenly -- worn almost all the way through. GRRR. This was highly frustrating to discover this morning as I have been diligent about making sure that nail is cut as short as possible to make sure I'm not aggravating the situation. Evidently, that just doesn't matter. For whatever the reason that my big toes do whatever it is they do in there for stabilization purposes, most shoes just can't handle it. I know I'm in a large population of other toe busters out there, but I've not yet found a great solution to prevent this. However, as proven with my last part of Sauconys (which, by the way, are totally my shoe of choice at this point -- even more than the Brooks), duct tape seems to do the trick to hold it all together. I'm not thrilled about it, but I am ready to hit that point of resignation and just duct tape preventatively from now on. (That sounds like an easy thing, but if you've tried to cram your hand into the toe of a shoe and get the tape in just the right spot, then you know it's not. I told Aaron it would be so much more helpful if I were trying to place tape in his shoes. There's much more room in there.)

Who knows: Maybe my point of resignation and preventative measure will open the door to more shoe options ...

Regardless, I laced up. And, that was a whole other another issue because the tongue on that same shoe, apparently, had an attitude about being messed with and wouldn't settle into a comfortable spot. And, it wasn't just uncomfortable; it hurt. After five or six adjustments, a sigh, a bad word or two and some poking fun at me by Aaron about my diva shoes, we were finally on our way for this morning's four miler.

For crying out loud.

The temperature was 59, but it didn't feel that way. And, before we hit the end of the first mile, it started drizzling. And, then lightly raining. And, that went on for the duration. And, I didn't even have my hat. *sigh*

But! I was thrilled that the run itself was very surprisingly good! In addition to good company, I went up our rolling hills route with relative ease. After having done yesterday's 10 miles, not stretching this morning (thanks, shoes!) and not stretching out after yesterday's run ...

... I expected this morning to be less than ideal. And, that's a nice way of saying that I expected it to be totally crappy.

But, it wasn't. Evidently, this whole training thing is working as it should. Again, I don't know the science behind the schedule, but I am thankful for the person who worked all of that out. I have cursed that same person in the past for scheduling a 4-mile run the day after 10, but, apparently, there's a reason for it. And, it's a good one.

We rounded a corner to hit our home stretch when Aaron started whining about "The wind! The wind!" Let me just note there was a very slight breeze that hit us at that point which is nothing like actually experiencing wind. He reminded me that he was very wet, so the wind made him cold. I not only didn't argue with that, but I knew if I made fun of him any further that he was armed with plenty of ammo about my shoe-capades. So, we just picked up pace and wrapped this bad boy up!

We got to the end point with a few tenths of a mile to walk and cool down. That might have been my favorite part of it all, just sayin'.

Rest is on the docket for the morning!! I always love the sleep-in morning of the weekend!! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight (boo!)! I'll be checking in on the morrow ...

It All Worked Out

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 187.6 (running: 171.4; walking: 4.2; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 93.5  Money Found For Food Bank: $42.54

And, before I knew it, it became FRIDAY!! I hope your day has been perfect -- or, at least, very close to it!

As scheduled, I started it all off with a bang heading out for the first of 2 10-milers before April's Half! Having not run since Monday, I was curious about how this would go. It turns out that the biking was probably very beneficial in breaking up the monotony. Overall, I felt stronger than I anticipated given how the week has gone. So, I'm working on mentally coaching myself to embrace when I feel like doing something different on a scheduled short-run day. With only 4 weeks to go, I don't think this is the time to restructure my entire plan, but it is time to realize I can go with the flow here and there without worrying about the outcome. The down side of the bike, though, is that it was a day where the cardio part of the plan was less than had I run, and, I did feel that. And, with the good comes the new work to do ...

That's the perpetual cycle, isn't it? Just when we figure out one thing, we learn something new we need to do! Sometimes, that makes me look like this:

That was a perfectly located tree, too, as it was at the top of one of the bigger hills on this run. There it was. Staring at me.

Amidst the sun and the wind and the sweat rolling into my eyes, I saw other lovely morning spots:

And, my favorite at the very end of my run:

Ah, Spring is working its magic!!

I was a little creaky at the end, but, overall, things motored along. I was also a whole lot smelly since I wore a shirt that was too warm; I should have known better, too. Total rookie mistake! Anyway, the run is what was important, and, during these training runs, as long as I can keep a reasonably consistent pace all the way through without feeling like I want to sprawl like a snow angel in the middle of a sidewalk, then I know race day is going to be more than fine!

I'm to the mileage distances that I attribute completing to one, simple notion: Quitting is not an option. This isn't a hard-core mantra that I say with a grunt while sticking my chest out. It just is. If I want to get to the finish (which is where the Diet Coke lives during training, and it's where I get the bling and family hugs at the race), then I simply have to find a way to keep going. Or, should I say, many ways!

Another run is scheduled for morning! That sounds absolutely terrible right now, but it'll be fine then. If it's not raining, Elly will get to join me! That's a banner run for everyone! Now, get on with starting off your weekend, and I'll see you after the morning run!

Making the Best Of It All

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 177.5 (running: 161.4; walking: 4.1; biking: 12) Elly's miles: 93.5  Money Found For Food Bank: $41.83

It's intriguing that I started the week off strong, as is titled my Monday entry, only to not know where the rest of the week has gone! From delayed-diverted-delayed-goingthereinsteadofhere-thiswillgointotomorrow travel woes to trying to decipher one job while waiting for another to wondering if the rain forecast really applies to us to giving my attention to what really matters to the stove finally giving up in the middle of making dinner ... BREATHE. And, if you followed all of that, you're a step ahead of me!

By and large, it was all manageable, necessary, desirable or any combination of the possibilities. Oh, and it all made me tired! The best decision I ended up making this week was turning yesterday's run into a bike ride instead. I was so tired that (a) I figured it was safer to ride the recumbent bike because I could safely close my eyes now and then while doing so, and (b) after this many years of reading how much better it is to mix up the exercise efforts instead of sticking to just the one, I figured I'd trust the experts and put it into practice in that moment when I really, really needed it. I didn't go down without a mental fight, but I knew it was best.

So, I cranked out 12 miles yesterday while watching The Women Tell All episode of The Bachelor (we'll call that bike bonus). It worked muscles I forgot I have, so, if tomorrow's run goes as well as I feel it can, I might actually move toward this mixing-it-up thing.

The jury is still out.

As I head into Friday, I think most of the week's issues are settled. At least, they're settled as much as usual instead of overloaded the other way! And, the weather looks good for a long run in the morning, so I really can't ask for much more than that.

I leave you with one of my favorite scenes of the week. It's pretty common around here:

So, what's Lizzy doing there? She's waiting for Elly to come back from her morning business. She hangs out at the door and meows to let us know Elly is back. Lizzy is trying to be helpful. Elly doesn't see it that way especially when Lizzy blocks any part of the door to get back in. Those crazy creatures were great contributors to the week's comic relief! Now, if only they could fix the stove ...

Starting the Week Strong

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 165.5 (running: 161.4; walking: 4.1; biking: 0) Elly's miles: 93.5  Money Found For Food Bank: $41.83

It was a definite "Auntie Em!!" morning today as Elly and I were either blown along or held up by the relentless wind!! I entertained myself when heading into it by watching Elly's ears fly straight back. But, that was the only solace of it because running into the wind just kind of sucks!

We pushed on through, though ...

"Yeahhhh we did, mommy!!"

My legs definitely did not feel like yesterday was a Rest Day, so I'm not sorry that tomorrow is another! Here's to conquering what was difficult and what kind of hurt (all in the same effort) first thing on a Monday! I'll strike it all up to setting the tone for the week to be victorious! Or, at least, doable!!

I'll be checking in on tomorrow's Rest Day. Or, as Elly would call it, Another Day. !

Sunday Is a Great Day For Rest

It's been a pretty great Rest Day around here -- namely, because I got some rest this morning!! The young Crewers and I stayed up extra late (for some of us) talking during our sleepover, so taking a little extra time to sleep was the right way to start the day for all of us!

All of the pets joined in the sleepover, too. When Pit Crew #3 got up from his mattress, Elly felt entitled to join in the fun all the way:

She enjoyed the moment while she could.

Speaking of yesterday's moments of enjoyment, I must tip my hat to those who have already figured out, and were kind enough to put on the internet, the secret to baking chicken that tastes almost exactly like it's been fried. The secret is baking powder!

Here's ours from last night:

It was as delicious as it looks if you're a fried chicken fan.

For 8 drumsticks, I mixed in a bowl 2 tablespoons of baking powder plus about a quarter teaspoon of both salt and pepper. If the chicken needs to be patted dry, do so before rolling pieces in the mixture. The legs were covered but tapped to get off any extra. Once they were fully cooked in the 425 degree oven, I coated them with a light swath of mixed melted butter and hot sauce (about a teaspoon of melted butter and three tablespoons of hot sauce did the trick to cover them) and baked for another few minutes. Adding this step takes any bit of dryness out of the skin that can result from the baking powder; I found that out on my first successful attempt the other night. It was still very tasty, but brushing it with a little something at the end was exactly what it needed.

This is so easy (and inexpensive!) that the family can expect to see it in front of them on the dinner table often.

So, the weekend is trying to wind down, but there is still a lot to tend to before hunkering down! I'm off to take care of business, but I'll be checking in after the morning run! See you then ...

Nicely Rearranged

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 161.3 (running: 157.2; walking: 4.1; biking: 0) Elly's miles: 89.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $41.52

I didn't have time to do a long run this morning, but I did work it out to get in a shorter one. As of last night, the weekend morning forecasts were for sun this morning and rain tomorrow. So, being the practical girl I am, I wanted to knock out tomorrow's run today. Never mind that the forecast has changed, and it probably could have waited. But! The young Crewers and I are having a sleepover tonight, and who wants to get up early the morning after a sleepover?!

Seriously, there are a lot of things that run around my head to make such decisions.

Anyway, I was a bit sore from yesterday, but it was totally worth getting out there with the pup. I drew upon a combination of my newfound hill motivator (You Raise Me Up ... it's both spiritual and literal; what more could I want?) as well as the very loyal and dependable Pour Some Sugar On Me (not spiritual in the least, but it works, and it's awesome). Back and forth these two songs went multiple times because my route had multiple hills. It can be strange in my head.

Speaking of the hills, though ... Having not run all of the streets on this route, I had a vision for what this route looked like. And, I was wrong. There was a stretch I thought was just going to be a gentle slope down hill which turned out to be rolling hills. Most of it was okay (even though I think I'm glad I didn't know it was coming until there was nothing I could do about it), but there was one, particular slope that even caused Elly to interrupt her gait long enough to spring off of both hind legs just to regain momentum. See? It wasn't just me ...

After conquering a string of inclines, we were rewarded with a nice, flat stretch which Elly loved exploring:

happyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappy

sniffsniffsniffsniffsniffsniffsniffsniffsniff

Today's run as a bit of a challenge after yesterday's, but it was a good one both physically and to get behind me so as to enjoy a leisurely morning! I hope your Saturday was as good as ours over here, and I'll be checking in on tomorrow's Rest Day!

Rise

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 157.1 (running: 153; walking: 4.1; biking: 0) Elly's miles: 85.1  Money Found For Food Bank: $41.52

While I have never been a headphone/ear bud wearing runner, I have always had music going through my head while out there (during those times I'm not talking to myself or otherwise spacing out). I remember compiling my play list for my first Half Marathon; I'll make a cd to listen to in the car or around the house, and those songs go through my head while I'm running. Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me is the standout there. I still use it when I need a little umph to get up a hill. An up beat, fast tempo is what often does the trick to keep me going.

Not today.

The past week has provided a host of topsy-turvy-curve-ball moments capped off (I hope) with a 4 a.m. wake up call today that learned about pretty last minute (like a wide berth of warning would have actually prepared me for that?). When I heard this was going to be part of my day, one of my first thoughts was, "I am totally screwed on my long run." I am not one to easily go back to sleep when awakened especially when I'll have to get up in a couple of hours anyway. Plus, I couldn't move this particular run to tomorrow. So, a sleepy, long run was suddenly on my radar. Today was the day for it, like it or not. And, I admit, I didn't like it.

But, what do you do.

The very least of what would happen today was that I would finish. And, there's nothing wrong with that. But, I'd like to get something out of it with the Half Marathon just 5 weeks away. So, I prayed. The minute I stepped on to the pavement, I threw the run up to God and asked for a safe, strong run.

I was very surprised that the first couple of miles were much stronger than I anticipated. Very. I could feel every muscle working to just go without issue, and I couldn't help but realize that by giving this run over entirely is what made the difference. I realized I was being put to a test to see if I was going to rise to the occasion or be a big whiner. I chose to rise, and that's when the soundtrack started in my head.

You'll never guess what it was. I certainly didn't hear it coming ...

As soon as I realized I was rising, I could hear Josh Groban singing You Raise Me Up loud and clear. And, no part of the message escaped me:

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.

Over and over and over this played in my head.

I love those moments when I am handed yet another piece of evidence, if you will, of God and how He works in my life. I thought I had this figured out in the pairing of me and my Dad. And, then, as if Aaron's and my paths to find each other wasn't proof enough. As though the births and lives of our beautiful children didn't prove it. For crying out loud, what more could I have asked for than those moments as proof of God in my life? Yet, I continue to be further blessed in every way from friends to our pets to career paths to every day things I enjoy.

And, then, there He is, right there with me on a run. I'm sure He has a lot of other things to do today. But, there He was. To be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed in the very best of ways.

So, there I was, on His shoulders being more than I could have been left to my own devices. It was a great place to be when approaching one of the most intimidating hills around here. I think I've only run the entire thing once before today because it just hurts by the time you're at the top. Today was not only a day to run all the way up it, but a post-hill selfie was required:

The peak was where the stop lights are. (Yeah, there's a reason you don't see any more street beyond the lights ... because it goes dowwwwwwnnn ...) I also had to stop my groove at those lights as they were red. And, that was that moment when you've given something every, single thing you have, and you're feeling great until you stop all of a sudden. And, then you feel like throwing up. Literally. I have that feeling right after crossing the finish line at almost every Half Marathon. I'm sure there's some physiological reason for it, but I don't care to look into it. A 50-yard walk and a few sips of water put everything back in balance.

The three miles to finish from there were pretty easy breezy. I couldn't have asked for anything more than to have gotten up that hill in good form, but there were the last miles to just enjoy. I was so thankful I clued in at the beginning of the run that the way to do it, and to do it well, was to simply look up.

From the time I began this running gig, on every single run, I use that time to pray. Those are my reflections from the day before and requests for strength and guidance to be with me and others who could use the same. Those prayers take however long they take. And, I say thank you to God every time I find a coin. And, I really say thank you to Him when I feel myself trip but don't fall or when He guides me and Elly out of the path of broken glass (which happens more often than you might think). So, I most definitely feel watched over and even companioned when I run. But, man, nothing compares to what I was handed today.

I've always said that my running has never been a solo endeavor. I could not do it without support and cheers from my family, and I certainly appreciate the encouragement I receive from friends. I didn't even start this on my own -- it started because of Elly. And, then there was today -- another great day to remember I'm not in this by myself.

All of that being said, it probably now makes more sense to others that the song that's held the number one spot in my Half Marathon play lists is Victoria Justice's You're the Reason:

... Have I told you lately
That I love you
You're the only reason that I'm not afraid to fly
And, it's crazy
That someone could change me
Now, no matter what it is I have to do
I'm not afraid to try
And, you need to know that you're the reason why ...

I most definitely have redefined the song. But, so what. It's a great reminder that no matter what I'm thinking of my own capabilities, I have reason to believe in more.