I ran a 10K ... then I ran some more

Time: 69min; Distance 7.12 mi

Sunday was the first day (ever!) that I ran 7mi - more than a 10k. I was a little nervous but headed out in the 80s and humidity to tackle it the best I could. I had the opportunity to borrow my mother-in-law's Garmin watch and it was awesome! It was too hot to run with the dog, so I was out by myself. After mile 1 I felt good, mile 2 still feeling pretty great. By mile 3 I was hot, but still felt on the better side of good. By the time I turned around (3.66 mi) I was tired, but happy to know I was half done. Around mile 4 I started to get "I have to pee" sensations and as silly as it seems, I did a lot of praying that it wouldn't turn into "find a bathroom now" sensations! lol. About mile 5 my ipod died. That made me realize how much I do appreciate having music when I run (even when I don't feel like it distracts me, it does). I managed to hit mile 7 before having to go back up the big hill I run down in the beginning. Walking up it made me happy - happier than running up it! By the time I walked back to the car, stretched a little and drove home I was hot, sweaty, tired and glad to be done. But I felt good the rest of the day. 

Today I gained a new appreciation for my running spandex and learned an important lesson - don't run without them! This morning they were still damp from washing them when I was ready for my run (and since you shouldn't put them in the dryer) I opted to run without them. It was too hot to put on even my shortest pair of capri tights and I figured it was only 4.5 miles, I shouldn't have a problem. Well the last 1-2 miles were a little rough on my inner thighs. I learned my lesson and I won't run without them again. 

Even though I feel like heck while running sometimes, I know that how I feel at the end is the real key to how successful I will be on race day. While I am getting sick of running 3-4 times a week and am getting anxious for race day - I am excited as well. More than half way through my training. 7 weeks down, 5 to go - and it will be here before I know it!

one of those days...

Today was one of those days where I did not want to run and while I was running I did not want to keep going. It was also one of those days that made me want to reconsider my goals for the day of run (currently, no walking). It was in the mid 80's, humid and breezy with some gusts. The wind provided a welcome relief from the heat (and not realizing how much I was sweating until I stopped running). It was also welcome when it provided a slight push, but it was mostly annoying running into the wind and uphill at the same time. The uphills really kill me. That's when I don't want to keep going, when my breath gets more shallow and my legs start to burn. On long flats and downhills I feel like I can go for awhile. But I guess that is the ups and downs of running outside (pun not really intended). 

Overall I am just starting to get tired of running 3-4 days a week. Even after a week of slightly less, it is still a lot of work. I am gaining a new appreciation for people who run marathons!

Here are my thoughts on last week: 6 miles and still going strong(ish). A week ago from Sunday I ran 6 miles for the first time ever. It was hot and I was thirsty about 1 mile in (and not carrying any water). About half way through I was able to get some water at a small rest stop on the bike path I was running on. Once I got into the groove I was able to just truck along and finish in an hour. Then last week I ran 4mi on my Tues/Thurs runs and felt pretty good most days. This week might be one of those hard weeks ... 6 weeks down, 6 to go!

Training Weeks 3 and 4

So I am almost done with my fourth week of half marathon training. Time is flying, and I am in my second week of running 3.5mi during the week and 5 mi for my long run on Sunday. 

Last week was the first time that I had really ever run 5 miles in a row in my life. It went pretty well actually. I did have to stop for a little to get Nakita some water because it was rather warm and she slowed down a lot - I was worried she was going to over heat. This weekend I will be at home in Brookfield for my Saturday cross training and my Sunday long run. It will be nice to have a new route and some different scenery. I am starting to get to a point in my runs where I have to switch into that mental place and can't 100% rely on my muscles to get me to the finish, but its mostly near the end and I still feel pretty good once I am done. Good practice to work the mental part of running that many miles in a row though.

The weather for sure has been better, although the last few days its been in the 80s and humid ... from one extreme to the other. I'll take that over the cold and rain. 

Well its late and it has been a long and busy week that is still not over. I'm going to try to check in every week or so ... I figure its my first half marathon, might be nice to document the journey :-)

Half Marathon Training

So I am officially in week 3 of my half marathon traning. I'm not sure if it is the weather and less than pleasurable running conditions of the last few weeks or not, but I'm already hitting a bit of "what the heck was I thinking!?"

First of all, the weather around here just plain sucks for this time of year. We have only had a few days in the 60s and a lot of rain - which most often seems to hit on the days that I have to get a longer run in between certain times of the day due to my schedule. Normally this is the perfect time of year to be running outdoors - 50s-70s, sun, the occasional light breeze. Although I suppose thos conditions are any runners ideal.

Second, running the distances I need to cover around our apartment are getting complicated. There are lots of turn left here, turn right there, loop around this way. I enjoy living in an area where the streets aren't all in a grid format, but it sure makes running specific distances hard. Plus, the app I use to track my distance/timing/pace gets messed up running up and down the big valleys by us and it totally throws off my training stats. (Cause I sure as heck ain't running a 3 and 4 minute mile like it sometimes thinks!)

Mostly I'm just looking for things to complain about because this weather is so annoying. All-in-all the training is going rather well and I have been impressed with the ease that I have run my 3 and 4 mile distances with being so out of running shape. I can't beleive its less than 10 weeks away. And I can't beleive that I am going to run 13.1 miles ...all at once ... in a row ... without stopping (or at least that's the plan).

Here's to the next 10 weeks and accomplishing something on my bucket list! (even with some grumbling along the way ...)

Budget Repair

Having a husband in politics has allowed me to see and know and learn a lot more about Wisconsin than I would have otherwise. As we are still in tough economic times there is a lot of work to be done on the state level to help solve the problem and get back on track. I am quickly learning that your opinion on things like the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill is entirely dependent on your current state of life. People are unable to look beyond themselves and their current needs.

For example, a teacher (as a state employee) would most likely be against the bill because it will cost them more money to pay for health insurance and put more into their retirement each month. A superintendent (also a state employee) is for the bill because they know that something needs to be done or they will have to cut jobs to get the money needed. All the teacher can see is not having as much money in their pocket every month, but I bet they would rather have that than no job at all.

We as a family are on both sides of the issue, which gives us an interesting view point. AJ being a state employee will take the same hits, and his (low) income is supporting two people. It could cost us up to $250 a month - which is money we desperately need. However, we understand sacrifices must be made so people can KEEP jobs and Wisconsin can get back on track.

It always amazes me how close minded people become around politics. And not only that, but how rumors fly and facts are misinterpreted almost before they are even out of someone's mouth. The I'm right, your wrong mentality combined with tunnel vision about yourself is a dangerous combination. But it's the world of politics.

Lately I have been reading the book of Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible and Esther risks her own life to go before the king and request for him to save her people (the Jews). I think if we all took a moment to think beyond ourselves and to the other people of Wisconsin the landscape of this state might change a little. Your job might be safe if they chose to cut jobs instead, but what about your neighbor down the street who gets laid off? Paying a little more into insurance and retirement each month is not the end of the world, especially if I means turning the state around and getting back on track so some day we can have more jobs and a better economy as a whole.

Just my food for thought...