Surprise! Surprise! SURPRISE!

I LOVE surprises!!! 

Check out the surprise I got in the mail yesterday!

Erica, from I Run Because... I Can  sent me some GU gels & drink powder!  Thanks, Erica!!  I can not wait to try them out!  I am not quite at the "during run" GU, but I can definitely GU before my runs (yep, I just made it a verb). 

I was SO excited!!  My son kept saying,  "Dad...I think she REALLY likes it!"   

Hey!  Its the small things that keep me content with life! 

Speaking of surprises and small things..... I got in my car to go to work Sunday morning and the radio starts blaring one of my favs. Mr. D surprised me with

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Eminem so this totally made my day.  On the way to work, I had to consciously not drive like I felt (which was HYPED UP).  I think I am still excited about it and I hate that I can't blare it 12 hours a day because it isn't what I would call "kid-friendly" at all. 

I am seriously considering changing out my mp3 for a while so I can run to Em.  Alex Cross can wait, right?  Plus, what a great pair....GU and Em!  I think I like it!!  

I am telling you....It's the small things in life that make the biggest impact, so...

THANK YOU, Erica!! 

THANK YOU, my love!!

You made my day!



 "For the person for whom small things do not exist, the great is not great."
~Jose Ortega Y Gasset

I'm listening......and running

I read once (and agreed) that running with music can sometimes trip up your runs if you don't have the right music or a steady pace of music. It causes you to speed up and slow down because you are running to the beat. I find this to be so true, for me at least. Now it is probably that I have taken no real time to research the right music for me, I am sure.

During that same research, I read that listening to an audio book while running can be nice because there is no pace or rhythm to keep up with. So..... when I started running in April, I got an audio book and gave it a try. I LOVE it!

First, I have always enjoyed audio books, but now that I have munchkins, I can't really listen in the car like I used to. Also, I don't do much leisure reading these days because I feel like if I have time to read, I have time to study, so I reserve that for breaks in school. (Side note: I can not wait for August so I can finally read Eclipse!) Running w/ a book kind of fills that void.

Second, it is pretty cool to listen to the book and not think when I run. As I go through my day to day, my mind is constantly going....and going.....and going.....and going (even in my dreams!).  When I can hit the pavement and just listen without feeling like I need to figure out what to do and when to do it and how I will get it done and.......(you get it). WOW! Such a break from the world!!

Just me, my running shoes and Alex Cross (the main character in my current "read")......

Most people are surprised when I say that I listen to audio books, not music. Every now and again, I feel like a little 'pump me up' music, but if you remember, as I mentioned in "I Wish....", the mp3 I currently have doesn't allow playlists and it is too much hassle to keep switching back and forth.  So until I get my NANO, it's one thing at a time.......

How do YOU prefer to run?  Music?  Ever tried audio books?  With your thoughts?

Weekly check-in

This was a tough week.  I worked a lot of nights until 3a.m., which made it impossible for early morning runs.  And then there was.....the HEAT!  It was a scorcher week. Pretty much every day was high 90s except for today and Thursday, which was 102!!  Yuck!  Not what I would call ideal running environment.  So, excuses aside.....I only got 2 of my 3 runs in this week. 


Last week

- 7 miles planned / 5 miles run 

 

I'm not exactly thrilled about this, but....no need to wallow in it!  I must suck it up and MOVE ON......

This week's plan - 8 miles

- 2.5m

- 2m w/ stroller & yoga

- 3.5m

- one more day of yoga or pilates if I can get it in.....

 

 

 

I DID try something new today that I MUST share!  I ran 3 HOT, hard, exhausting miles this morning.  When I got home, I tried drinking some G2 to help replenish a little and it made me want to vomit!  I like it, so it wasn't that I disliked it.  I think that my body couldn't like it.  So, I ended up sitting for a bit and then doing one of my favorite yoga poses....

I LOVE this pose! It is so relaxing and rejuvenating! I could fall asleep like this!

Then I remembered something I heard about on Facebook - ice baths.  It is supposed to be good after a run to help recover your legs.  I was curious, so I figured, "Why not?"  I filled up the tub, got in and called Mr. D to pour the ice tray in.  He thought I was insane.  So did the boy munchkin, actually. 

I did some research during my 10 minute soak.  I read that ice baths have been found to be a good prevention for injury in runners because it helps with muscle recovery.  Check out THIS ARTICLE I found on RunnersWorld.com. 

Initially, it was pretty freezing, but I got used to it pretty quick and it was okay.  Initially, I noticed no effect, but I showered and when I got to work, I realized my legs were not sore AT ALL.  I didn't have that tired, post-run soreness that I have become accustomed to.  Honestly, my legs felt no different than they did before I ran.  I will definitely be trying this again! 

Have a great week everyone!   Stay cool!! 

"Taking one foot and putting it in front of the other, that is the only way to travel forward...If however you take steps forward whilst looking backward; well -then you will fall over because you end up tripping over something you would easily have seen if looking where you were going in the first place. So, when looking back just stay still for a moment, allow yourself to reflect, but then you must at some point turn around and just keep moving - or you will stagnant on the spot which means going nowhere at all."

~Jacquelene Close Moore

MY Time

Since I have gotten back into running, I find that it is a time that I cherish.  A time when I am not required to think about anything, say anything, be anything.... I just have to put one foot in front of the other and repeat.

My life as a wife, mother, student, employee, daughter, friend and sister can be down right overwhelming not to mention exhausting.  When it is my time to run, it is MY time to just DO ME.

When I lace up and walk out the door.....

When I run......

Even during my stroller runs, I tell the kids that I can't hear them when I am running and they need to talk to each other. Of course it isn't fool-proof, but I don't expect it to be, and it still works pretty darn well.

They chat amongst each other and I get...

...in the ZONE!

I have even found that running is not a time when I prefer to be sociable for 2 reasons:

1...
I enjoy that time alone.  Don't get me wrong..... I enjoy the occasional run w/ friends, but I find that I mostly prefer the quiet solitude over the social time. 

2...
right now, whenever I know I am running with someone else, I feel such anxiety about running slow.  I worry that I will have to kill myself trying to keep up and that the run will be horrible torture.  I worry about the "inconvenience" to them having to be held back because I can't keep up with their normal speed.  I mean, they must be miserable having to stay back with the slow-poke, right?  I am sure this is about me, not them, and the fact that I wish I were faster than I actually am. 

I don't quite know how to overcome this (other than to get faster).  For now, I just run alone. 




"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."
~John Quincy Adams

Weekly check-in

Last week was a GREAT week! My bestie, Diva T, and her hubby, T-Bird, stayed with us for a few days. SUCH fun! They live in Louisiana, so we don't get to see them often. The kids love when Aunt and Uncle T come to visit!  I miss them already and often tell myself they will move closer one day. 


Here are a few pics from the week:

I also must give a BIG Hurrah to T-Bird.  He has been working mega hard lately and has lost.......

 Drum roll PLEEASSEE.......

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FIFTY pounds!!!

I am so proud of him!  We all know how difficult it can be to make major life changes and do the right thing.  He has been putting in WORK for months changing his eating, exercising, and doing it with all the temptations of traveling and just the world in general.  T-Bird, you inspire me!!  Keep it up!  You ROCK!!!  You are pure awesomeness!  I can not wait to see you in December to see how much more progress you have made!  Keep doing what you do!  Love you!


Now, for the week's progress.....

Last week
   - 6.5 miles planned / 7.2 miles run & 1 hr of yoga  (Yeah, Baby!!)

This week's plan
   - 2.5m
   - 2m w/ stroller & yoga 
   - 3m
   - maybe another day of yoga

Another goal I have for this week is to find a registered dietitian.  I have my exercise routine down, but I need to get the food part in order.  I don't feel that I eat horribly, but there is definitely room for improvement. 


Have a great week everyone!!! 




"Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings."

Moments like these.....

Last month, I posted THIS POST to tell why I do all I do. While there was much truth to that poste, tonight, I came to realize the true explanation for WHY I do what I do. 

WHY I run....

WHY I work a cRaZY work schedule....

WHY I am going to school....

WHY I want to get healthier and happy-er and more fit and less "un-skinny"

I do ALL of this so that I can continue to enjoy times like these each and every day for as long and as much as I possibly can:


(I apologize for forcing you to watch with "taco neck".  For some reason, I turned the camera wrong)


These moments are what make it all worth it. They make me have to DO better and BE better and LIVE better. 

These moments  are the highlight of my life and I want to make sure I am available to enjoy them for as long and as much as I can.




There are many things in life that will catch your eye. But only a few will catch your heart....

~Ben Crenshaw

Motivation

I got my 1.5mile run in this afternoon totally unexpected.  My mom came by so I took advantage.  I was rather hesitant at first because it was 89 degrees out and I had pretty much had NO WATER all day.  Not the best combo.  I was worried I would not only struggle through the run, but because I wasn't hydrated, I was worried about the rest of the day (headache, exhaustion, etc...)

But..... I went anyway and I am SO glad I did.  It was hot, but the humidity was down and it was ONLY a 1.5 mile run.  I figured, "I can do it for TWENTY minutes no matter how tough (or hot) it is!"  I also thought about something that my old running coach, R, told me....

On race day, after you have trained and trained, no matter what the weather is - rain, heat, or otherwise - you will not skip the race because you've worked hard to get there so..... you should train the same way.  Get out and do your runs, no matter what.

That really motivated me because my next "scheduled" race is in August - not exactly the coolest month of the year. It is very possible that it could be super hot that day. 

Here is a picture I took before I headed out.  Not sure why, but it came out pretty funny....

The run was pretty good.  I was glad it was only 1.5 because as I was finishing up, the sun felt like an oven on my arms and back.  In my rush out the door, I forgot sunscreen and am very glad that I did not burn.

When I get out for these runs that seem impossible or destined to be "the hardest run ever", it feels so so good after.  Better than the others because I doubted myself from the start.  I love proving ME wrong almost more than proving others wrong. 

When you are faced with a run (or race) that seems impossible, what motivates you to get out the door? 

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." 
~John Bingham, running speaker and writer

Checking in....

This is my first weekly check-in.  I am not sure really how I want to do this, but I just want something for myself to try to plan and list what I am doing in regards to exercise and health.  I have thought about it more and in my last post, I said I want to be accountable to you, but the truth of it is that I want to be accountable to MYSELF and I think I will be more successful at that if I do it in a "public" way.  It is amazing how much putting yourself out there can make you do better even when you don't want to. 

G suggested keeping myself accountable with an upcoming race.  This is a good idea and I use it, but for some reason, it doesn't work totally for me.  I must admit that knowing I have the 4-mile race coming up in August does make me face my dislike of running in the heat more than I ever would normally, but I think adding one more factor will be nice - PLUS, I can look back at my progress and that is a good thing. 

Anyways, here goes.....

Last week's goal- 6miles

• 2m
• 1.5m w/ stroller
• 2.5m

Last week's progress - 1.45 miles

• 1.45 m w/ stroller 

Yeah, it hurt to type that "out loud". 

Goals for this week - 6.5 miles

• Tuesday - 2m (already done!)
• Thursday - 1.5m w/ stroller
• Friday - Yoga or Pilate's
• Saturday - 3m

I am pretty confident of this week.  I have been scheduling my runs in and adding them to my weekly/daily to-do lists so there is no real excuse for not getting them done - only choice. I, for the record, am choosing to RUN.




"Accountability breeds response-ability."

~Stephen R. Covey

Big shocker and......accountability

This morning I woke up and decided, "I am going for a run this morning, no matter what." I have avoided my runs for the past week because of the heat and this morning I said NO MORE. I made the choice to not even look at the current temperature because that is what usually scares me out of my runs.

So I got dressed, ate a banana and soy nut butter, did a little pre-run warm-up that I saw on Runner's World (see video HERE), and headed out.  Of course, I ran comfortable.  The run felt good and I planned to do 2 miles (1 mile out and back), but as I got running I felt I could probably go ahead and knock out my 2.5 for the week and save the 2.0 for later, but no real decision made.  I'd just go w/ the flow and see what I felt like doing. About a block or so past the 1 mile mark, I realized I hadn't stopped, so.....2.5ish it would be (it was really about 2.4)!  I finished it strong, running slow/faster intervals for the last 1/2 mile and really kicking it up a notch for the last .15. 

It was a fun run - just me, my audiobook and the road.  How much better can you get?

How much better.....???  Well....... I got back and saw that it took 35 min to run the 2.4 miles.  After I was home, I sat down to log my run on Daily Mile and what did I see?? 2.72 miles! WHAT?!?! NO WAY I ran and extra 3/10 mile and didn't know it!! And to top it off.....I ran a 12:52 pace!!  Talk about a highlight to my day!!!! 

Now on to other stuff......

I have noticed lately that I have not been getting my runs in as I need to.  And NOT always because I have no time.  Many times - especially the past 2 weeks - it is due to the big "L" word.  I know what you are thinking, and it is not my Lover.....it's......LAZINESS.  I haven't felt like getting up and going out to run in this sweltering heat!  I prefer my lovely air conditioning and sleeping later. 

This is NOT how I want to be.  Since the beginning of the Autism 5k training, I have lost 5 lbs - YAAY ME!!  I am pretty happy about this and I want to keep moving forward.  I ALSO have to keep my sh*t together and work hard if I want to reach my ultimate goal of the *dun dun dun* Dismal Swamp Stomp.

So.....I think I am going to try something a little new here.  I am thinking (and hoping) that more accountability will keep me off my *ss and on my feet putting my miles in on the pavement.  I am going to do what I have seen several other blogger friends do and post a weekly check-in.  I figure this way.....YOU (and Coach T) can see what I am up to and send me some cyber-threats if I don't get my sh*t together.  I hope this plan works! 

My first check-in coming soon......



 
"It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable."

~ Moliere

I wish.....

Tonight on my way home from class, I was thoroughly enjoying an old Puddle of Mudd CD and letting my mind wander.  I started thinking of all the things I want and/or need to enhance my running experience.  I figure that with my new goals, I need (and deserve) to upgrade a bit. 

So....I figured I would share my "wish list" with you - just for fun! 

   

The running shoes are NOT a wish. They are a MUST have. I have done some research and are not quite sure yet which pair I want. I found the New Balance 1012 and the Pearl Izumi SyncroGuide III.  Both get great reviews, so that makes it even more difficult. My current shoe is the Brooks Beast, but researching online makes me think these may be good choices for me.                                                        Anyone know anything about either of these?

I have been dying for an IPod Nano!  Right now, I have an OLD mp3 player that is okay, but I can not have play lists and it can be so frustrating!!    I WANT PLAY LISTS!

I never cared before, but my thought is that if I am going to get into higher mileages, a Garmin would be perfect!  Sounds logical enough to me!!

Until the other day, I thought that these running skirts would never fit me because I am.......un-skinny.  I was looking at runningskirts.com the other day, window shopping, thinking of how training toward a half marathon should definitely help me slim down, which meant that I may be able to rock one for the BIG race in April.  Turns out, they DO have my size so I think it has to go on the must have list!  I am so excited at just the thought of owning one of these skirts!

Almost forgot......so I must make an amendment/addition.....

Any "official" runner MUST have a Road ID, right??




So basically, It isn't a LONG list, but it also isn't an inexpensive list either.  It is a good list though and I think that We shall see what I actually get.....! 

"Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers."

~Homer Simpson

To Do List

I just got my new training schedule from Coach T and I am pretty stinkin excited about it!!  The 4-miler is my first stepping stone toward the half, so this is the beginning of the journey.  The plan is that I will run a 4-miler then an 8k, then a 15k (9-miles), and then.....then half.  All of the races have 2-3 months in between so I am working up nice & easy. I LOVE LOVE the idea of a race to do list and just checkin 'em off until I get there.    

First on the list, the Moonlight 4M!  Lets GET it!!!

I have been talking to other runners I know about the half marathon and have 2 people that are going to run it to and probably one other!  I think it will be so cool to have familiar faces on the course to cheer for (and that will cheer for me).  Don't tell, but.....I think I may be secretly switching from "freak-out" to excited!!

Before I go........

I MUST give some BIG props to my mentor, G.  She got word that she is getting yet another "BIG FAT SCHOLARSHIP"!!!  Didn't I tell you that she kicks MAJOR *SS in the education department?!?!??  Here is proof of that.  Congrats, G!!  Keep doing what you do, girl!!  You are SUCH an inspiration!  Now go celebrate "HOT Mother" style because you deserve it!!! 

WAY TO GO, G!!!  HOOORRAAAAY!!!! 

 

Enthusiasm is the yeast that raises the dough.

~Paul J. Meyer

It must be exhaustion.....

Late last night while at work, I sent this email to Coach T:

T,

I must be delirious from working too many late nights this week, but I was once again doing that thinking thing and.......

I REALLY would love to talk to you about a serious, realistic BIG goal for a year (or so) from now. I don't know if that is a 1/2 marathon or a 10k or a 10-miler, but I have had it in the back of my mind (where you put things you are terrified of actually thinking of) for a long time and I was just thinking "why the heck not??"

I read blog after blog after blog and hear story after story of people that start running and set a major running goal and they DO it! They work hard, push beyond their limits and DO IT. So, T, I would like to propose to you that you, Coach, help me come up with and achieve a goal that I have never done before.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Should I go sleep and then RE-think this?
I guess this means we probably need to really talk sometime soon, huh?

So, she and I talked today and through her wonderful "you are the bomb, you GOT this" encouragement, I have decided that I am going to..... (drum roll, please......) run a half marathon next year. 

What??  You couldn't "hear" what I "said"??  Well, then you need better contacts!  Geez!  I said.......


I am going to run a *cough* half marathon in 2011.  Did you get it that time???  No?

I am going to run a half *cough gag* marathon in 2011.     One more time.......

I, Mrs. D, am going to run a half marathon in 2011.  WOW!! 


Yes, I am IN-friggin-SANE!!  Well, not really, because this is something that is totally attainable and possible to do not to mention that people do half marathons all the time.  I just can not BELIEVE that I am actually making this choice.  I, Mrs. D, have always said that a 10k was totally good distance and I would NEVER do a 1/2 marathon.  Now, here I am typing the words. 

In all honesty, the thought of doing it scares the crap out of me.  BUT......on the other hand, I really want to see myself set a long term (seemingly-unreachable) goal and achieve it.  To make such a commitment to myself and succeed at it would be.....well.....PRICELESS.  Talk about happyness!!! 

So.....here it is.  I am putting it "out there in the universe", as T put it.  Once its out there, there's no turning back!

ASK & You Shall Receive

Remember THIS POST?  Well, if not, I decided to host a giveaway.  As a requirement to enter, you had to give me a tip for student success.  Well, as the title implies, I asked, and I RECEIVED!  Wow!!  Thank you everyone!!  I got SO MANY great tips.  Some were things I have heard before, but many were things totally new. 

So, I have compiled a list  of what I got.  Its GOOD stuff! Check it out!!


Of course all were great, but here are some of my favorites....

Review lecture/reading notes within 24-hours of taking them. It helps the brain retain the information better AND forces you to cave out a set time for review.

RUN. Exercise is linked to better memory. **How surprising is it that my running coach suggested that I run?**

Have a very specific to do list with only 6 things. “As in I will accomplish these 6 things today” and if other things come up that you must do, you have to put those top priorities first.

If shy about asking questions in class, make a list of questions during lectures and ask the teacher after class. **I AM shy about asking questions, so I actually used this tip in class Wednesday night! Awesome idea!**

Use multi-colored highlighters

FORGIVE YOURSELF. If you don’t do as well as you wanted, brush yourself off, move on, stay positive and WILL yourself to do better next time.

Enjoy learning. Be grateful for the education that I am blessed with the opportunity to be receiving.

Preview, View, Review.

“Know that in the future you will (hopefully) have more time to do more things” other than all school, all work, minimum play.

Treat school like a job. Commit x hours, work hard during those hours, and try to forget about it other times.

Slack off on home chores, BUT keep it neat.

Think of working out as a class: do it at a particular time. **I'm not sure if/how I can do this with my life, but I want to.**

Schedule time for schoolwork and stick to it. I love the example that was given: 3 hours of work after the kids are sleep on MWF and remember no TV or playing on the computer on those nights (save that for TTh!).

On your calendar, use different colors – family stuff in one color, work in another, etc.

“If you learn through hearing, record your lectures or record yourself reading notes out loud, then listen to them on a run – multitasking at its finest!!  **While I don’t think I will do this, because I love my runs for clearing my head and NOT thinking of work, school, kids, etc, I thought it was a really cool idea!**

I got this one worded differently over and over: “Remember to take time for yourself and BREATHE!”

“Cherish your running time and the very little time you give yourself and let your mind wander…”

MORE great tips I can't wait to apply.......

“No question is stupid. If you need to ask, do it and don’t be afraid.”

80/20 rule: Practice identifying the important points in book/lecture and focus on that. Being critical about what is (and isn’t) important, it is easier to remember it, and work is more focused.  **I like this tip a lot and have a feeling that I could probably really use it, but I am not sure I fully understand it. So…. Alinda, if you have time, email me more details about the 80/20 rule. sed426@yahoo.com**

Create a predictable schedule. Example, do online assignments at the same time every week – post assignment and discussion on Monday and respond to discussion on Wednesday, then have and hour on two other days to focus on NOTHING but reading/taking notes (no kids, hubby, phones, disruptions).

Time-saving tips for cooking:

Chop onions and peppers and bag them up for future use.
Buy fresh veggies, steam and freeze them so they are ready when needed.
Make casseroles and freeze for days when there is no time for cooking.

**I love these ideas! These are great ideas for saving time and still serving healthy meals to the family (especially for someone like me that has limited time as it is)!**

Read well the first time and take notes while you read

This was one of the most unique tips I got: Study right before bed and go to sleep thinking of what you learned.

RE-write your notes. Take notes in class and while reading, then re-write them in your own words on note cards or in the computer.

Most common theme (and probably the most needed) among the tips I got: ORGANIZATION:

Use to do lists.
Break down to do lists: daily, weekly, monthly
Get a good planner/organizer 
Schedule in time to do homework and arrange life AROUND that, not the other way around.
Write everything down on the calendar.
Come up with a predictable schedule.

Never be afraid to ASK FOR HELP. Ask for help from everyone – teachers, classmates, friends, acquaintances, mom, dad, sister…..

Figure out the “take-home message” from lecture.

Now, because I know that you are dying to know.......


I got 60 entries to the giveaway and the winner is.......#54 -

                 Busy Running Mama

Congrats!  Email me at sed426@yahoo.com with your gift card choice and your contact/mailing info. 



Again, thank you EVERYONE for these AWESOME words of wisdom. It just goes to show that sometimes, you just have to ASK.

 



"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."  ~Luke: 11:9