Woah. It's be a *LONG* while!

Hello there!  I am Christine and I write on this blog!  I figured I would re-introduce myself!  Since its been over a year since I have posted on here! :)

Life has been INSANE.  The last year has been such a whirlwind--and definitely eventful!  The last time I posted I wrote about the Des Moines Marathon and not doing it.  I didn't do it.  I did however run the Race for Hope AND the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K.  Both races were good--but I was struggling with being properly trained :(   Having a teaching job, a 2ND job, and a family makes training super hard....but...then you add in....

Baby J--our sweet beautiful baby girl!  Yep.  Teaching job, 2nd job, family, master's degree work, AND being pregnant. 

It was 10 months from my last run when I got back on the open road this past August.  The Hot Chocolate 5K was my last run for a long 10 months.  And I really do mean long.  I was sick and then as I was starting to feel better things went downhill and I landed myself on 10 weeks of an assortment of different levels of bed rest.  Ultimately--I have lost a LOT of my stamina and strength.  As well as speed.

Today was the Race for Hope!  This event is so dear to me.  My 1st 5K ever was this race--and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  It is such a small race--but there is so much meaning behind it.  The profits benefit the local cancer center and they really do use the money for ALL types of cancer!  And that is so important to me!

Today's race was not fast--in fact I didn't even have it timed because I knew it wasn't going to be fast.  BUT--it was awesome.  I felt great--and it was truly an amazing experience!  I will write more later...

The goal now--to get BACK into shape--do speedwork--and prepare for our November 3rd Hot Chocolate 5K!  I can't believe this is the 3rd year for these 2 races!  So look forward to updates and fun as I prepare and get back to where I need to be! :)

Wow so long...and so few runs :(

These last 2 months have been so crazy that I am still trying to wrap my head around how to keep things moving in a forward direction and above water!  Let alone getting runs in there!

There have been a few things that have ultimately come up really changing up my running schedule.  Even as much as completely changing the race I REALLY REALLY wanted to run this year.  The Des Moines Half Marathon.  Basically it boiled down to this: Run in the Des Moines 1/2 or risk loosing one last opportunity to spend some good memory making time with my Grandma.  As you can all assume--I am going to make memories.  If there was one thing I have learned through all of this--its making memories ALWAYS comes first and foremost.  Family and loved ones.

SOO...instead of doing that--I am actually going to be running a really awesomely cool sounding virtual race called the ""  This is a 10 mile race that you have 10 days to complete.  I am not sure how I will do it--but the catch is that you HAVE TO run through a "water feature"--so I am scoping out a good place to run through a water feature!  I wish we had cool splash parks around here--however we don't!  Although I wonder if I can escape from our memory making weekend (which also includes a wedding!) to run through a water feature in St. Louis!  How cool would that be?!  Ya I thought so too!!  I am excited though!

This coming Saturday I have a 5K--to which I might die!!  I have VERY VERY VERY little training put in for this run--therefore it could be a bit miserable...but I am just going to get out there.  I LOVE this race--and it was where it all started for me!  SO I am definitely going back!  Even if I have to walk half of it-I AM going back!

November will be the Hot Chocolate 5K!  I gotta register for it as soon as I get the go ahead from hubby! :)  I am super excited as the swag includes an awesome finishers "mug/bowl" and a technical hoodie!  Woot woot!  Its also a super fun race all together!  Hopefully the atmosphere of this weekend can throw me back into my running!

December will be my virtual race!  Still working out details in my brain!  But hopefully in October I can get some information out to you! :)

So there you have it...life has been super duper busy--but I wouldn't change it for the world! :)

I NEED to get out on the open road!

The past month was a crazy one for me!  Seriously crazy!  Between working 2 (yes, TWO) jobs--taking care of my family/house (ok, maybe not the house so much...), and applying/interviewing for teaching jobs it has been so so so hard to find a balance in my life.  Add the need to run on top of things--and its overwhelming! 

The good news: I GOT A TEACHING JOB!  Yes, that is such an amazing/exciting/nerve racking experience!  And I am SO SO SO excited to start the school year! :)  I already headed back (new teacher training) last week--but Monday marks the beginning of the "official" year! :)  Training and room set up Mon/Tues/Wed and the kiddo's come on Thursday! 

With the new school year also bring another good thing---the fact that I can back way down on my hours at my 2nd job.  The summer is a time I can pack in a lot of hours (and man did I ever) but I will be thankful to pull it way back.  Working only 3 days TOTAL a week will be so so so nice!  More so, the hours on the weekend (especially Sunday) are such that I should be able to get in a run Sunday evenings! 

Life will always be hectic--I just gotta find some balance!  My plan is to get into a good groove--possibly even AM runs vs. PM runs as well as fit in at least 1 "strength" workout here at the house.  We have a great app on the iPad called Nike Training Club--and my husband has unlocked some really awesome work-outs from some great runners!  So hopefully by doing those short and sweet workouts a time or two a week I can manage to gain some strength! 

On a sad note--we are canceling our Y membership :(  It makes me bummed, but we seriously don't use it enough to justify the cost.  We love the Y.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it--but it is SO FAR away for us that it goes unused month after month.  Le sigh.  There is a gym MUCH closer that I think I am going to get a membership to--and it would be just me!  The positive is that its open 24/7 so I would be able to workout persay after I got off of work at my 2nd job--or between getting out of school and picking up the boys (daycare is in the same town!).  Needless to say it will just depend on the money it is going to cost!  Another option would be the college's gym--since I will be going back to school as well!  We shall see!  I wish we coudl afford a treadmill--however we just can't at the moment :(  Someday!!

Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon COMPLETE!

I did it.  Well, WE did it!  My brother Sean was the 1st to cross the finish line followed by my husband Justin and my dad and I came in last but not least! :)  We finished!  That's all I cared about!  We weren't fast by any means--but that's not what counted!  Crossing that finish line was what counted!

The weather was HOT.  My training was sub par at best. But I had the best support running by my side! (Who happened to be WAY better trained than I! LOL!)  Dad and I ran/walked the entire thing.  I got defeated early on--and got dizzy quite early in the race :(  So that was definitely nerve racking for me!  My dad totally pushed me and we actually did "stop light" runs!  Which totally helped give me a visual/goal to focus on!

The race itself was pretty awesome.  I however wished I had my music to tune into.  The bands were great--but they didn't resonate quite like I thought they would!  So there was a lot of "quiet time" between bands!  The spectators were great--and everyone was so supportive!  It was an awesome environment!

One of the COOLEST moments in the whole course was about Mile 9 there was a race "coach" (they were there supporting through the last say 5 miles of the course!) and he was giving a pep talk that really made Dad and I laugh/feel better.  He goes (in a not so official quote) "If someone asks how you are doing--don't lie--don't bring yourself down by saying bad.  Yes you may be in pain--and you may feel horrible--but think positive.  Positive thoughts will get you through.  If someone asks how you are doing simply reply "I going forward""  It was just what we needed then.  Plus a bag of ice someone had left was super helpful as well! (We didn't drink it--but it was so nice to be able to put on our necks/hands to cool them down!

Overall-the race was great and we really did have a good time!  Next up: Race for Hope (5K), The Des Moines 1/2 marathon (more on this later), and the Hot Chocolate Race (5K)!  To end the year I am going to be sponsoring a December Winter Wonderland race! :)  Not sure the name or much about it yet--however, I know it will be in December and directly benefit the society that gave so much to my Grandma and asked nothing in return!  If I have enough signed up I am going to get shirts made and sent out to the participants!  More to come later! :)

4 Days Pre-race.

And I am no where near ready.  My training has been miserable.  Between working 2 jobs, the absolutely dreadful heat and humidity, and my feet hurting from working so much--life has surely gotten in the way.

What does that mean?  I might just die when we run not 1, but 2 (yes, TWO) race this weekend!  The major one being the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon!  :) 

So here is what I am hoping for this weekend coming up.  My goals:
#1: First and foremost--I want to have fun!  I want to enjoy the races and take them in for all their worth!
#2: I want to walk past the finish line! :) 
#3: I want to feel proud that I completed my first ever 13.1 mile race!  I am lacking the confidence at the moment.  Honestly I feel dreadful about how horrible my training has been. :(  Ever since my incredibly horrible dizzy spell in May I have barely gotten any miles in per week. 

I just want to have fun.  I want to cross the finish line having ran at least 1/2.   I honestly don't know that I will be able to run more than 1/2.  Since my absolutely horrible training--I just am not sure its feasible.  HOWEVER, I know that having my dad by my side pacing me--and just being there--will help A LOT!  He truly pushes me to continue.  We are going to take it VERY slow--and just enjoy! :)  There are bands and pep squads every mile--so it will definitely be an awesome race to run!

The Muddy Buddy race we are just doing for fun.  It won't be fast--and it won't be crazy.  :)  Justin and I are doing this together!  I am so excited--Noah (my oldest) will be doing the race with us as well!!  (Well, he is doing his own "Mini Muddy Buddy" race!

So there you have it!  I am sure I will be back in the next few days blogging in preperation! :)  I am starting to really up my hydration to prepare for the race!  Although its at 6:30 AM--it is still going to be hot out there!   The best way to prevent feeling extremely dehydrated is to hydrate early and really well! :)  Bring on the water! :)

Tales from a not-quite 13.1 mile run.

This morning bright and early we set out for a run.  I have to say--it actually wasn't to bad when we started out--the downfall of the trail was that there was NO shade what-so-ever.  :( 

The first 4 miles I was feel really good-EXCEPT I had to go to the bathroom.  Like...BAD.  I tried to go before we started--but couldn't.  SO I started--well about 4 miles in--there was no questions--I needed to find a bathroom.  So, I detoured off the trail and went to the gas station not so far away.  That's where things went downhill.

I ran to and from the gas station--stopped to take a drink at the car before heading out again.  And I just COULD NOT find my groove :(  To add to the groove-lessness of the run, my hip was starting to bother me.

However, I was determined come hell or high water to finish the distance.  So--I slowed down to a walk.  I figured covering the distance was better than just stopping!  So--I continued.  Every so often I would jog some and then walk.  Jog and then walk.  It was between mile 7 and 8 that I could feel my dizziness kick in when I was jogging.  SO--I made the ultimate decision to walk the rest. 

My real goal today was to just FINISH the distance.  I wanted to assure myself that I COULD go that far...and that I COULD complete it under 3:30.

The good news: I CAN complete the 13.1 in under 3:30.  The bad news--I didn't really complete the entire distance.  But based on our stats--and how fast we were going we would have been in under 3:15! :)  So that is re-assuring!  Even walking over half of the distance!  I completed just about 11 miles!

Justin (my husband) turned around with me when we met as he had about 2 miles to complete (and I had 7+!) and walked with me!  It was so nice to have someone with me!  :)  It really did push me to walk faster and keep up! 

I was the only one out of us 4 that didn't complete the entire distance :(  My Dad actually got up and ran a 1/2 marathon this morning as well!  How cool is that?  What a great experience for all of us!  A great learning experience that's for sure!

I learned a few things on my run:
1) Make sure to go to the bathroom before you leave.  No questions asked...sit on the pot until it comes out!  Stopping is dreadful!
2) I REALLY REALLY need to hydrate a LOT these next few weeks.  The prep for hydration needs to start NOW.  I REALLY need to get my water intake through the roof so that my body has proper hydration.
3) I REALLY need to log some road time.  I am not sure if it was the pavement or what--however, the soles of my feet HURT.  They are really super sore.  To the point that that was the determining factor in me stopping.  I feel like I just need to build up the calluses! LOL!
4) I need to figure out how to stretch my hip to give it some relief when it is getting tight.
5) I REALLY need a running buddy!  Running long runs WITH someone makes ALL the difference!  THANKFULLY--my Daddy and I will be running together--so I will have encouragement along the way!
6) My iPhone battery--despite being fully charged--will only last about 10 miles with Nike+ and Pandora running.  Thankfully, when we run the Rock and Roll 1/2 I won't need either!  As the path will be marked and there are bands every 1/2 mile!
7)  Getting pooped on by a bird is not really cool. LOL!

So yep...it was a great learning experience and it makes me feel A LOT better about what's to come!  Even if I didn't finish the full 13.1 distance! 

Independence Day 13.1

Tomorrow morning, bright and early--my husband, brother, and I are setting out on a 13.1 mile run.  While I will be by far the slowest--we are all going to go 13.1 it will take me at least an hour longer than those 2.  Originally I was going to make my husband run it with me--going slow and encouraging me--but I know how absolutely horrible that will be for him.  So--he is going to go ahead of me.  As well as my brother!  HOWEVER, they both said they were going to come join me for the last 5K or so after they finish!  So that will be nice!

We wanted to do this run for prep.  To see how absolutely miserable we are going to be!  The other great thing--we are going to set out at 6:15.  Which means not only will we be done by about 9:15--we will also be heading out the same time that we will for the 1/2 marathon on the 22nd! :)

I am excited and nervous!  I think if I keep it slow and steady--and take it mile by mile and make sure to not get down on myself I can do it!  We will be doing 2 loops of a trail that my brother knows but I haven't been on.  At the 1/2 way point we will have water and Gatorade (as well as I think a banana and chews) in our car.  We have frozen 4 bottles of water, and we have 2 large gatorades in the fridge to go into a cooler pack.

This last week has been a bit emotional.  I am once again reminded of the horrible disease that cancer is.  And as I embark on this 1/2 marathon distance tomorrow--each step of the way I will be thankful for my health, my happiness, and those "just one more" moments that Grandma and I shared together.  I also know--that I will have an angel right by my side--cheering me on!  Today as I was driving to school I cried for the 1st time in a long time--I was thinking about a friend who has a loved one in their final stages of their battle with cancer.  It just breaks my heart and brings back such sad memories of those last few weeks in my Grandma's battle.  And to add to my tears--there was a woman walking that looked JUST LIKE her.  Walking like her--her body shape was just like hers--her wrinkles like her.  And the tears just flowed.  :(

I will report back tomorrow on how things go! :)  I am hoping to log in a 1/2 marathon time under 3 hours and 30 minutes.  Honestly I would really like to see under 3 hours...but, I also just want to accomplish the distance.

The goal will be the same for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon as well!  No real time goal--just finishing!  Well, and not getting picked up by the "Your going too slow" van.  LOL!  There's a time limit of 3:30 on the course and you have to pass certain check-points within a certain time frame or else the van will pick you up!

And I'm off! :)  Have a great night!