Could have skipped, but I didn't

My Aunt.  She's pretty amazing.  There is no way I would be training to run a half marathon if she didn't come over and watch the boys for me Tues and Thurs mornings while I run and shower.  (the shower part is the best)

She emailed me last night that she wouldn't be coming this morning as my Uncle needed their car, but that I could call if I still wanted to run and to come pick her up.  This morning I was stiff.  That hasn't happened in a while.  I think I might have overdone my dancing a little bit last night at Zumba?  I haven't felt like I was hit by a bus for a long time.  I could have just taken today off.  I could have not called.  I could have not gone to pick up my Aunt and stayed in my jammies a little longer.  But I didn't.  I called her up, put on my running gear, and then picked her up.  I'm not at all sorry.  It turns out the part of me that is stiff and sore is the Zumba part and that the Running part of me is still limber and able to go, go, go (4 miles today and on Tues.)!  I guess that's why Zumba is such a great cross train for me.  I can work really hard at Zumba and still have some running legs the next morning.  There is a lot of my body that running doesn't really "work" and Zumba seems to reach in and use it.  Like most Thursdays I'm ready for my rest day tomorrow but I feel really great and happy with myself.


Out running I was thinking about how much the tone of my blog has changed as I have been feeling better and better.  I was really at a low when I dragged myself out of bed the day I started this blog.  That deep inside happy me wanted out really badly.  I was really worried and upset after I started it.  I'm pretty sure I got back in bed for more napping while both boys were asleep.  But right from the start it has been so helpful and everyone has been really great and encouraging!  I hardly ever talk about the boys anymore.  They are still crazy (and so fun and awesome), but it doesn't bother me as much anymore.  Definitely not worth blogging about.

For sure running and Zumba-ing have been a great way for me to be a better Mom.

Happy Reading!  It's almost Friday and a long weekend!  Happy Labor Day everyone!

Born To Run

Go out and get a copy of this book.  It is so interesting.  I can't even describe how great it is adequately.  It's fun to read and brimming with interesting facts about humans and running and also about the current practitioners of ultra running.  Fascinating.  You will not be sorry!

They're here, they're here!

Excited to try these babies out!

When 3.5 feels like 5 and lots of other stuff!

Phew, just back from my Thursday morning run.  Today it was 3.5.  Oh man, Oh man was it pretty rough.  Somehow my body knows when 3 is up and it is a challenge to drag myself to 3.5.  I also went out a little fast considering the humidity and that the temperature was on its way to 80 already.

I have some things to chat about.

1) I have a new hydration belt.  It's an ifittness 16oz waist pack (two 8oz. bottles -one on each front hip) with a pouch for my phone and two loops that can hold gels.  I've used it twice now.  The first time I really fought it and was disappointed that it kept sliding up to where I did not think it should be.  Eventually during the run (Tues.) I just let it ride where it wanted to around my waist and it was just fine there and the gentle slosh noise of the water in the bottles was very zen.  I had also assumed that it needed to be against my tights because it has little silicone grab dots on the inside that keep in in place.  I had it awkwardly positioned under my top.  Not really the fashion statement I wanted to rock.  Today I started out with the belt high where it wanted to ride and over my shirt and it was fabulous.  Love it.  I used to just slip my phone in my bra between the girls and it was getting too sweaty and then I was putting it in a baggie first and that was irritating my sternum.  This is SO much better.  Also, I can't stand the slosh of water in a bottle held in my hand.  I really can't tell that the belt is around my waist.  It's very nicely balanced.  I haven't used the gel loops.  Gels brings us to #2

2)  I have been dabbling in mid-race fueling.  The "art" of eating, replenishing electrolytes, and hydrating while running.  I started with trying gummy bears (as simple carbs for my muscles), maybe about two weeks ago.  Maybe that sounds weird to eat gummy bears while running.  I thought so too, but thought it sounded like a nice cheap place to start.  Lets say, that I'm pretty sure it went badly.  Starting (probably the first time I tried to eat one) I started to have issues post-run.  This ranged from cramping pain, bloated feeling, to having to run to the bathroom.  (gasp for TMI)  I wasn't sure at first if this all just coincided with a little "bug" or if it was directly related to the gummy bears.  Then I read you need to not just eat simple carbs but also take in water with them or they will sit like a rock in your stomach and maybe go right through you -enter need for water on runs.  (see #1)  The water did  not seem to help.  Today I tried my run without gummy bears (water only) and I'm just fine.  However the run seemed really difficult without the carbs.  

3) So I ordered a variety pack of GU gels.  I'm really hoping they don't do the same thing as the gummy bears...  They have not arrived yet, but should before my long run on Sunday.  

4) I also ordered some Nuun tablets.  These are electrolyte drink mix tablets that you put into water.  They allow you to replenish electrolytes without carbohydrates -which I think for me will be a good thing considering the gummy bear debacle.  I'm a pretty salty sweater.  I'll tell you how that goes.  My plan is to have water in one 8oz bottle and Nuun in the other.  Then I just have to figure out the carb thing...

I know the reason my run was hard is because of Zumba last night.  I really push it, push it in that class.  I even got to "help" demonstrate the high impact moves last night because the instructor injured her foot!  Woot Woot! After a class like that Thursday morning comes really fast!  

SO

Does anyone use "fuel" -what do you use/do?

Hydration? 

Anyone else tried Nuun?  

Thanks for reading!!  Happy Thursday! 

What a whirl wind

I can't believe it has been two weeks since I last wrote.  We've been busy in a good way!  Let me bring you all up to speed.

I have been keeping up faithfully with my running and cross training.

Week 2 of my half marathon training went like this...

Monday: Pulled out my PM Pilates DVD.  That's different!  Haven't done Pilates since I was pregnant with Darren.  I took a class at the gym at Case Western that I really liked.  (but not as much as my other classes- I'm definitely a yoga girl rather than a Pilates lady)

Tuesday:  3 mile run.  Felt really good!  Just beat the rain.

Wednesday:  ZUMBA.  Seriously this is the best.

Thursday:  3 mile run.  Felt less strong than Tues, but it's always a beating on Thurs.  I think I did a few squats that night for strength and then I was like,  "ok, ready to rest" and fell into bed.

Friday: REST. No problems there.  HA!

Saturday:  ZUMBA!!! followed closely by a trip to Tupper Lake for a family visit.  Busy day!

Sunday:  Long run of 4 miles in the AM followed by tons of family time for Jeremy's 3rd Birthday Party!

What a great week!!!

Week 3 of my half marathon training went like this...

Monday: Performed my PM Pilates DVD.  I think it was easier this week.  It's still pretty difficult!  Phew they rely on those abs!

Tuesday:  3.5 mile run that felt pretty good!

Wednesday:  ZUMBA shake it shake it shake it!

Thursday:  3.5 mile run.  It's funny that 3.5 feels longer than 3... HA!

Friday:  REST.  Yes, please.

Saturday:  No Zumba so did Yoga Burn DVD with Rodney Yee.  I have had this DVD for maybe 7 years?  I have done it before and always barely made it through or given up when I couldn't do it any more.  It's pretty intense.  I made it and it was not that bad!  It's a full hour and a total body workover.  However, it's SO much more boring than going to ZUMBA.

Sunday:  New record Alert!  I ran 5 miles!!!! without stopping!!!! 55 mins, 4 seconds.  I think this was only the third time i have tried 5 miles. Times were 1:09 and maybe 1:03?  So excited I was under 1 hour!!  So I felt horrible right after and got my shoes off and got into the pool completely clothed and float walked around for like 5 mins. Much better after that.  Re-hydrated and had some pretzels and gummy bears...  Then I felt great and was super happy!

There you have it.  Two great weeks!!!

Half Marathon Here We Come!

I did it.  Signed up for a half in Syracuse on October 20th.  Empire State.  Here we go!!!

Now to get Tom to register :)

An excellent week!

Just completed the first week of half marathon training with Hal Higdon Novice 1.  I feel really good!  I feel good in mind, body and spirit!  This exercise stuff is amazing.  

Quick recap:

Monday:  simple stretching and strength moves while I watched some TV with Tom and Jer.  I mixed up some yoga moves, added some lunges and squats and tried to stretch my major muscle groups.  My mantra was, "anything is better than nothing".  Sometimes I get intimidated with the idea of having a set workout, especially when I am exercising almost every day, so it was nice to do something loosely and in the clothing I happened to have on.  

Tuesday:  Three mile jog.  I felt really good!  I could feel my lower abs from doing bicycle crunches on Monday.  Otherwise all is pretty well.

Wednesday: ZUMBA!!!  rocked

Thursday:  Three mile jog.  Thursday morning jogs are pretty tough.  I have figured out that this is because it is only 12 hours since my prior workout.  Zumba is Weds at 7PM so running the next morning at 9 is pretty tough.  Not impossible or anything, it just feels totally different than running Tuesday which is after a "rest"-type day.  Also, very minimal strength stuff.  A few squats and lunges.  I'm pretty beat by Thurs.

Friday:  REST   no prob 

Saturday;  ZUMBA!!!  love it

Today:  4 mile jog.  It felt really good!  It was much cooler out today and I think that contributed to feeling stronger.  I took the pace nice and easy because I was trying to cover a longer distance.  Also, I should note that because Zumba is in the morning on Sat. it doesn't seem to bother my Sunday run because I typically have at least a 24 hour recovery.  

So that's the week!   Not bad!  In fact it's pretty awesome. :)