New place

So unfortunately this blog got hacked into a few weeks ago...couldn't do anything with it...so I decided to start a new blog for my running...you can find it here: Running the Race. I'm gonna keep this one for other things, but my new one I will dedicate to my running adventures...so come check me out :)

The Essentials

So I was recently asked what are the absolute essentials that you must have for your runs...I thought it was a really good question and a good topic to discuss while in the midst of my Cap City Half Marathon training. So here are a few of the essentials that I must have on my runs:

EOS Lip Balm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this lip balm!! I mean I'm a fanatic about it. By far the best lip balm ever made! I always wear this before going out on a run, especially if I'm running outside in this cold weather. I have one of these beauties in each one of my purses, on my desk and by my bed....yes I LOVE it that much!! They are amazing! And not to mention they are 95% organic and 100% natural. My faves are summer fruit and lemon drop, but I'm really enjoying my new raspberry pomegranate...it's delish! Try them if you haven't yet...you won't be disappointed.

Gum
I must have gum on a run....keeps my mouth moist while I run. It's a must! My favorite....Stride Spark Orange. I love the fact that it has B vitamins in it....a nice plus! But regardless of what kind of gum it is, I just have to have gum....it's not a good run without it.

Tunes
I can't do a run without my auditory motivation. I love my music!! I always have my iPod Touch with me and playing my tunes...and with an ADD girl like me it's nice having that musical distraction while I run. One of my favorite spots to get great running tuneage right now is from Rock My Run. They have great DJ mixes of great workout songs. My favorite right now is 80 Reasons to Run and Mash Up My Run. They also have great Christian running mixes by a DJ named Lloyd which I like as well. So if you are looking for great motivating music...check out Rock My Run....they have lots of different genres and great mixes.

Fuel Belt Handheld Water Bottle
I just recently found this water bottle and I'm glad I did! I was looking for a water bottle to conveniently take with me on my long runs. It's not too big and fits nicely in the hand. I was debating between handheld or a fuel belt that wraps around the waist. I think for me this will be better for me and less distracting. I really like it. It also has a zipper pocket to fit an ID, some money and energy gels so it's great. And I found it on a recent trip to TJ Maxx and got it for $ 7.00!! Works great AND a great deal?? Yeah I'll take that!

Mizuno Shoes

I heart my Mizunos!!! Anyone who knows me knows I love these shoes soooo much! My favorites...My Wave Precision 13. The color on the link is not the ones I have are these beautiful pink pair.  I can't say enough about these shoes. When I first got them I swear I heard angels singing...it was that monumental. They are amazing! I also have a pair of the Wave Rider 16 and I like them too now that I finally broke them in....I think I like my Precisions a bit better though. But honestly you can't go wrong with Mizuno. They have this amazing precision fit program you can do on their website that tells you which running shoe is best for you...absolutely amazing! Check them out!

Well that pretty much sums it up. As long as I have these essentials I know it's gonna be a pretty decent run. What do YOU need for a good run?? Have a great day!

The good, the bad, the TMI...

When it comes to talking about my half marathon training, I'm all about keeping it real. As much as I would love to post about how half marathon training is like rainbows and butterflies it just isn't always going to be that way...that just isn't reality. At least I've found that it's never been MY reality. Life gets messy...things get messy and it sometimes just isn't so pretty.

This past Friday I did my run at Kids America because it was just too cold outside and we had ice earlier in the day. (It's funny how last year I was out in snow and rain and cold...this year I'm such a wuss...lol!) Anyway, I ran in my new Mizuno Wave Rider 16's again and I think I finally broke them in. It was a good, actually really good 6 mile run. Felt really good, did a nice negative split on my last mile...it was really good.

So this morning I opted to do my long run. Now I usually try to do my long runs on the weekend, but with my middle son's birthday party and the weather I opted to do another Monday long run (and can I just say I really like it, starting off the week with the long run). Now I've been trying to finally get to my 10 miler....the last couple weeks it just wasn't working out and I'd get to about 9 miles and would just have to quit...just couldn't go any farther. Well on the good side of things, I was finally able to break through that. 10.29 miles to be exact. I was able to do it in 1:36:56 with a pace of 9:24...was pretty happy with that, and I was even able to pull off negative splits the last 3 miles of my run which I was pretty happy about. After today's run I think I may be able to do this. Though I know most plans say that you only need to train to about 10 miles in order to do the half...the type A personality in me is thinking I need to not only make sure I can do 13.1, but I may if I feel up to it try to surpass that. I figure in my mindset that if I can go past that then surely I can do it and in my mind it won't seem such a hard feat. I'll be honest by the time I got to 10 miles I was glad it was about over....again after my long run I'm saying to myself...how am I going to add more miles to this?? I think come race day it will be ok. I need to calm my mind for sure.

So then for the the bad and ugly....so about half way through my run my stomach was really starting to bother me. I know this may be a bit of TMI but I'm about keeping it real and helping inform others so if they are training too that they will know what can happen. Well anyway I really needed to find a bathroom...and of course my long run I usually go to our local park called Lake Park across town. Now, this place is a nice place to run and pretty hopping when the weather is warmer...not so much this time of year...which is fine for me...except when you are looking for a bathroom. I usually run around the Lake Park campground...which I might add is the FARTHEST point from my house possible...so I thought I would try to see if the campground bathroom was open....of course it was not...not that I was surprised. Needless to say I went to try the bathroom which was probably less than a half mile away by the pool...nada there too. So back around the Lake I go...I got around the soccer fields and back up by the lake and crossing over the parking lots and I see it....the port-o-potty. Definitely not my first choice by any means...but desperate times you know....so thankful it was there. Felt better afterwards but not sure what caused it. Not sure if it was the egg I had for breakfast or the orange juice/ pineapple smoothie....I'm gonna guess the OJ....so now I'll know not to do that again before a run. I usually have those AFTER a run...don't think I've ever had one before....and I will definitely won't be doing that again....not good at all. So lesson learned.

So 67 days until the Cap City Half Marathon...I think I may actually be able to pull this off. :) 

Have a great week everyone!

Sometimes you just gotta do it

So this week so far seems to be going a little better. Ended up taking Sunday off and resting one more day and went for my long run on Monday...and I'm glad I did. My foot was still bothering me a little on Sunday, but when I woke up on Monday...no pain. I decided I was going to run as long as my body felt good, despite the fact it should have been my long run. Surprisingly I felt really good and I ended up doing 9 miles. The only part of me that started hurting towards the end of my run were my glutes...I may want to concentrate on those during my cross training sessions. And speaking of cross training, I have really struggled with doing my cross training...I'm just not entirely sure what to do...I know cross training is supposed to help, but the last thing I want to do is do something that will jeopardize my running or make things worse. If you have done any sort of research on running, cross training or preparing for any sort of race, you'll find as many opinions and options as Lindsay Lohan has had altercations with the law. There is just so much...which is right? I think the reason I've really drug my feet on this cross training is for fear of doing something wrong. Well after the miserable runs I had last week I knew I had to do something...even if it was wrong. 

So after some research I've decided to go this route:  Nike Training Club. It has many different types of workouts (including stretching exercises which are wonderful) and it's motivating because you earn badges....and for me motivational items are key...gotta be striving for something :)  So for right now until I find something better that is what I'm going to use. Yesterday I used the Body Flexor workout and I'm definitely feeling it in my arms today...which I'm not surprised since my upper body strength is non existent. It's sad...and push ups are the worst thing known to man!! I hate push ups...but I'm determined to get through at least 10 decent push ups (regular...not the wimpy kind) and do them well. We shall see how that goes. I've got to get my upper body strong so I can accomplish the Indian Mud Run in June. There is a bit of climbing on these obstacles so I'm bound determined to do it well.  I'm going to be going to my first Indian Mud Run meeting tonight so we'll see how that goes. I'm hoping to get involved with cleaning and helping with the course...I love that trail and anything I can do to keep it nice or make it better I'm all for.

Well time get moving...got some errands to run and have to fit in a 4+ mile run in somewhere today as well...though with this cold snap we are experiencing, I have a feeling I'm going to be seeing the Kids America track real soon. It's gonna be another busy one! Have a great day!

Sometimes things aren't rainbows and butterflies

Sometimes things in life are amazing, great and you think they can't get much better....as far as my Cap City Half Marathon training goes however, this was NOT one of those weeks. Definitely no rainbows and butterflies...just lots of hardship and pain.

Rewind to last Sunday...I had an amazing 9.6 mile run...I felt like I could have run longer if I would have had the time to. Monday was a rest day and then Tuesday's run I ran outside and it was HORRIBLE!! Awful to say the least. My legs felt tired and like I had lead in my shoes...totally miserable almost 4 mile run. I gave myself another day off on Wednesday then proceeded to do another 4 mile run on Thursday. Though it wasn't quite as miserable, I had pain in my left foot/ankle area...not good. I've been dealing with that the past few days since. It just feels like my calf muscle is tight and the bottom of my foot is bruised or something. I tried breaking in my new pair of Mizuno Wave Riders 16's since my other Mizuno's are getting towards the end of their life cycle. Not sure if it's the breaking in the new shoes, running in the old ones earlier in the week...who knows. 

So I get to today...it was supposed to be my long run. Was hoping to put in some good miles today, but the longer the day went on the more I felt it wasn't the best idea. My foot still hurt a little and I just don't want to push it. Hubby gave me a wonderful foot massage and that helped a lot....so I opted to not run my long run today. Am I bummed...yes, but I'd be even more bummed if I hurt myself so bad that I couldn't run, so I'm glad that I'm far enough before race day that I can afford the luxury to take a few extra days off...so today instead of running I did some stretching exercises which really did help and I'm seriously thinking of incorporating these into a post run routine. Also I'm thinking that maybe stretching a little before a run would be somewhat beneficial. I don't usually stretch before a run (I do a warm up walk, but not a stretch). I've heard both sides that you should or shouldn't. I may try it and see if it helps me. I do stretch after a run though. So what's next?? Well I'm going to try and do a run tomorrow and see how I do. And if I don't make it into a long run, I'm ok with that...it's not the end of the world and I don't want to push myself so hard that I ruin this for myself....and that is my ultimate fear. That something happens that I hurt myself and can't race. So I'm just going to ease back into it and go from there and see how it goes.

On other news, had a great girls day out yesterday. It was just nice to get out and enjoy some shopping and cheesecake. :)  Though it was funny because most of our purchases were all running related. I found myself some much needed new sports bras and a cute tank that I think will match my running skirt perfectly. Also found one of those little hand-held water bottles....gonna try that out on my next long run and see if that works for me...not sure yet if I want something to hold during the race or something around my waist. Luckily we have some time to figure that out.

Well I know this wasn't one of my more cheerful witty posts, but I just want to keep it real...not everything about training is fun, easy or rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes there are obstacles and struggles on the way to a dream. The thing is to not let it beat you, defeat you and to overcome those things. So here is to the next few months of overcoming ;). Have a great weekend!

In the thick of it

Sorry been away for a bit...life gets busy you know...

So training is going...it's been kind of a rough week this week. Rough just trying to fit in the time to get my training in and then doing it. Did my long run this past Sunday, 9.53 miles....and though I usually dread the "long run" this one was actually really good and if it wasn't for the fact that I needed to get home I might have gone longer. Learning to refuel is something I'm trying to figure out. Took some Gatorage energy chews with me (by the way it's not something I would want to take all the time) they are OK, kind of like gummies, but after running 7 miles and having a dry mouth it just wasn't the most pleasant thing. Need to invest in a portable water system to take on my long runs...just haven't found that right thing yet....need to work on that. But yes, my long run this past Sunday was great...good thing because my shorter runs this week were horrible!! I ran on Tuesday...outside...which is always a good thing, but I had very low energy and my legs felt like they were in concrete boots. Horrible...and my left calf would start cramping...overall, one of the worst runs I've had in a while. Decided to rest Wednesday and went out yesterday at Kids America...the first mile or two again...legs felt awful. By mile 2.5 I had to take a break because where my leg meets my ankle was hurting terribly and I could tell my form was off making it worse. Decided to walk a couple laps to regroup and then ran the rest of my 4.6 total miles. Second half was better after I regrouped but my left leg and foot are sore today. I think I'm going to take today and tomorrow off and then maybe try to attempt a run on Sunday. It should be my long run, but we will see how that goes. Don't want to push too hard...my next long run I was going to shoot for 10 miles, but may have to hold off on that...we shall see.

So in more running news...I signed up for another run today. If you've heard me talk last summer about the Indian Mud Run that my friends and I would run on last summer, then this is the actual race. The Indian Mud Run is a 3.2 mile race with mud and about 30 obstacles...I debated about doing it, but thought heck I only live once and since I already know the trail pretty well why not. If you sign up by Saturday, February 16th you can get in at last years price of $45.00. I'm kind of excited....nice to have races like this literally in our own backyard, and the best part is the money benefits the Lake Park district, which is where I also do my long runs...so it's a win win!! I'm doing the 8:00 a.m. wave so if anyone would care to join me come along!! I may need someone to point out trees for me...lol!

This week, we celebrated a birthday in our house...my middle baby turned 14 this week. How is this possible!!?!?! He's growing up so fast and he is so smart! So proud of the young man he is becoming.

On other news, I am so excited about tomorrow!! Having a long overdue girls day out with my besties! Heading to Easton to do a little bit of shopping and I've heard there is going to be some cheesecake involved. Can't wait!! I love my boys, but there is something to be said about testosterone free time....did I say I was excited?? Is it Saturday yet??

Well I've got things to get ready before tomorrow, so I better go for know. Here's hoping that next weeks running training goes better.

There is a fine line...

There is a saying that I have....there is a fine line between dedication and insanity...and when it comes to running...that line is very very fine. 

So today I knew I needed to get my long run in....8 miles to be exact....however the Weather Channel was calling for 2-4 inches of snow our way starting at around 9 a.m. Needless to say, this left me with 2 options...well 3 really but that 3rd one wasn't an option, which was skipping the run altogether. But my other 2 options were A) Go use the track at Kids America and go around that track a billion times or B) Brave the sub Arctic outdoor temperatures. Needless to say my body woke me up at 6 a.m. and though I laid there for about 20 minutes debating on whether or not to crawl out of my nice warm cozy bed, I reluctantly got my gear on (which I laid out the night before so there were no excuses) and headed out before my brain could tell me no. Though I was what I considered bundled up...it was COLD OUT THERE!! 14 degrees to be exact...6 with the windchill. My fingers were frozen by the time I got down my alley (and yes I had mittens on). I decided against going my usual long route and decided to do my usual longer school route instead since I figured the roads would be clearer and if I fell or needed help at least there were houses nearby...lol. Overall the route was clear...only a couple little icy spots, but nothing major at all. The biggest problem....the wind and keeping my face warm....definitely need something for my face...thought about one of those face masks, but afraid people would think I'm some sort of criminal running away from something.....face masks have truly gotten a bad rap! Not to mention by halfway through my run though the rest of my body (other than my face) was getting warm...my core was FROZEN!! I literally could not feel it! My core usually gets pretty cold after a good workout...but this was like icebox cold. Needless to say my core was beet red when I got home and took a while to thaw out. Needless to say I think I need to rethink my outdoor gear and maybe dress a little warmer than I did...though I thought I did, I obviously need to bundle up a bit more. So I'm on the lookout for good winter running wear...nothing hugely bulky but will keep me warm while wicking away the moisture. If you have any suggestions let me know.

So would I do it again....as insane as it sounds, probably YES. Though I froze and it wasn't an easy in the cold...I far prefer being outside than running in circles around a mind numbing track. Don't get me wrong, I like the KA track and it serves me well...just not for 8 long miles...much rather be outside for my long runs....and thus, I hope and pray that next week's long run will be a bit warmer....though I did hear that the groundhog did not see his shadow today so hopefully an early Spring will be upon us and I can continue with training outside more often!

Overall training has been going pretty well...still having trouble grasping cross training and what to do that would work best....found a new Nike app that has exercises so maybe I'll try those.

Well I'm going to get my family some dinner and continue trying to thaw out...unfortunately been a pretty lazy day...just laundry and dinner. Oh well...I'm hoping to paint the second coat on my hallway/stairway next week and finally have that project done...it will be so nice to finally have that finished...though it does make my stairwell seem a bit smaller, I'm glad it's finally having a nicer look.

Well have a great weekend everyone and stay warm!!

Pricier does NOT mean better...aka Stick with what works

So half marathon training is trudging on and has been quite interesting with the weather here lately. Today I was scheduled to do a long run and mother nature decided to dump some snow on us. I usually try to do my long runs outdoors and since I was trying to keep my weekend open, today was the day. Needless to say I ended up going to Kids America and using their track...and let me say that 7.6 miles on a track is not a barrel of fun. The first 4 miles were kind of tough, but after 4.5 miles I kind of found a groove. Surprisingly I was able to do my run with mostly negative splits, the last mile being my fastest so I'm pretty tickled with that.

Now those who know me know that I am a huge Mizuno fan. Ever since I got my first pair of Mizuno Wave Precision 13's this fall I have been in love with these shoes. Now I know this is a shock but I'm already through about half the life of these precious babys so I have been on the lookout for their replacement. Now I know...once you find something good you should stick with it...but I like to explore a little bit so I went for the gamut...I decided I would use my Amazon gift cards and some money I got at Christmas to buy myself the ultimate pair of Mizunos...The Wave Prophecy.  These were the most expensive pair of shoes I had ever bought myself...despite the fact I paid with it mostly with my gift cards I still felt guilty about it, but I just had to try them, especially since I read the reviews on Amazon and they got such glowing reviews. Well I just received them this week and today was my first test drive with them. And honestly all I can say is that I'm terribly disappointed. I wanted to like them. Ran a full mile in them, but they just made my shins and knees hurt and they were just so rigid and stiff...now before you go on a soapbox, I very well know that these are new shoes and they may need a bit of breaking in, but these were nothing like my precious pink beauties. Even my Precisions didn't need this kind of breaking in or feel this rigid and stiff. Needless to say these puppies are going back and I will most likely exchange them for another pair of my precious hot pink kicks. I could almost buy 2 pairs for the price of the others...so needless to say, just because a shoe has a bigger price tag doesn't mean that it's a better shoe. I had the same thing happen when I used to wear Asics. My most expensive pair of those feel apart in three months. So I think it's a definite lesson learned. Sometimes it's truly better to stick with what works and not go with the notion that bigger price tag means better product. Now I'm not saying these weren't made well or anything like that, these just are not comfortable and not the shoe for me.

So after my 7.6 mile run around a boring track, I think I'm going to give myself a little weekend break...may go for a small walk tomorrow with the hubby, but that's all. Let's just say that I can tell that I've begun ramping up my training and I think a little break would do me a little good :)

Have a great snowy weekend!!

Music Matters

Motivation...sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't...you feeling me?? You know those days when you know you have something big looming on the horizon and you honestly are just dreading it big time?? That was me this morning. I usually try to do my long run on the weekend, but because of things going on this weekend I opted to do it today....and I was dreading it....and here's why:

First of all, while I'm posting on this blog I'm going to be honest with my feelings...post how I'm feeling at the moment. That being said, I have to honestly say I have been struggling with the thought of doing this half marathon the last couple days. I know my last couple runs, though good runs, they weren't great. I struggled...and I think my main problem was and is going to be more wrestling with myself than anything else. When I signed up for the Cap City Half Marathon I was really excited. Now that I've officially started training, I'm half scared and wondering if I can pull this off. I know some of you are thinking, "whatever", but when I struggle to get through a 4 mile run, the thought of pulling out another 9+ miles is daunting to say the least. Forward to today's run....I was struggling to get out the door. Though it was cold out and a little windy this morning, (27 degrees at 10:00 a.m.) the sun was shining bright, yet I literally was dragging my feet. But I finally got out there...I decided to go my normal "long run route" and to be honest those first 2.5 miles were tough...for me those first miles usually are. But I trudged through and kept going...though I was keeping a pretty decent pace even though I felt as if I wasn't. It wasn't until I hit about mile 4 that I started to feel "Ok, I can get through this." That's where in my opinion MUSIC MATTERS!! I almost always run with my iPod and play some sort of motivating music to get me going. Today, at mile four, my motivating song was "Running Down A Dream" by Tom Petty. I started picturing in my head running the half marathon....chasing that dream. I got caught up in the music...before I knew it I was making my third lap around the campground. Was doing pretty good by this point. I knew there was a pretty big hill ahead...next motivational song to come on, "Renegade" by Daughtry...got up the hill and around with no problem...was feeling good at this point and into a groove...this is about mile 5 - 6.5 at this point. My last motivational song was "Eye On It" by TobyMac....my new powersong...love this song! If you listen to the lyrics, it is the PERFECT running song. This got me through mile 7.5...after that I could tell I was struggling. I began praying hard at this point because I was roughly about another mile and a half away from home. I prayed and ran...I told myself that if I could get to a certain spot I would allow myself to stop...I made it slightly past that spot and was hoping to go a little farther, but I had to stop for traffic and just didn't have it in me to start up again. I had to walk approximately another half to three quarters mile home...longest walk ever. But I was able to make it home....now guzzling lots of water and a Vita Coco to hopefully ward off any muscle soreness tomorrow. 

Needless to say, despite the fact that I really didn't want to go out there and I was dreading it I was able to (with God's help of course) pull off a nine mile run...no stopping...which is honestly a God thing because lately I've been struggling to get through a simple 5K without stopping. Maybe it's being outside instead of inside...who knows. Fact is, I made it...and if I just push myself and talk positive over the negative, play some really good motivating music, and ask God for help when I desperately need it...this half marathon can become a reality. It's just going to take time, practice, diligence and honestly....a little smidge of insanity. My motto I've told my husband is, "There is a fine line between dedication and insanity". Here's hoping I don't go too insane these next few months.

Have a great weekend all!

Training Day 3

So day three of my 16 week half marathon training plan is complete and to be honest I am sore...not overly, but I'm feeling it. Not sure if it's the cross training I did yesterday...which by the way I AM feeling...mostly in my arms and neck. I can see this training isn't going to be a walk in the park...it's going to be a challenge for sure.

Today I did my second set of speed intervals. I decided to stay with a 400m distance the whole time...don't want to overdo it. I'm not sure if it was just the fact that I was tired and sore from yesterday, but this set I seemed to struggle a little more than last week's intervals. I did 7 sets of 400m like last week, though I only took one lap to recover instead of 2. On intervals 5 and 6 I was bottoming out for sure, but for some reason interval 7 I didn't feel too bad...maybe it was because I knew I was about done...lol. Regardless I did it and I was able to keep a pace (even with my walking recovery laps) of 9'54" which isn't too bad for a not so young thing. I'm hoping that this training will get me to where I need to be by May...completing my first half marathon. That's the goal and that's all that matters. Blood, sweat and tears are part of the package...but hopefully there will be sweet victory in the end.

My biggest challenge....pacing. Learning to pace myself properly. A 5K pace is far different than a half marathon pace. Learning that running a race is not just physical, but there are a lot of mental components that go into it as well. My biggest challenge is making sure not to give too much too soon. Learning that going slow at first will benefit me towards the end...saving some of that energy for when I'm at mile 12 where I'll be tempted to give up. That will be my biggest struggle I can see. Hopefully these next 16 weeks of training will help me work that out.

On another note...took my middle son Brennan to Freshman scheduling orientation last night. Honestly I'm in shock...how did this happen??? I struggled with Austin becoming a Freshman, but I knew for a while that was looming over the horizon. With Brennan I feel like it just snuck up on me. Where did my sweet big hearted Brennie Gene go?? Wasn't he that shy little kid I just took to Kindergarten?? Wow...when they said that once they start school it goes by fast, they weren't kidding...especially when they get to Jr and Sr. High. Geesh!! They all are growing up to fast and it make me incredibly sad. But so proud of what they are becoming.

So tonight I am taking another cooking class at The Village Pantry. If you have not taken a class there, you need too...they have great recipes and are so very gracious. The owners Chris and Jenny Wilson are great and work so well together. You can tell that this is their passion. Tonight's class also includes Ed Kiefer of Kiefer's Florist giving some great decorating tips. Took a class with him last week...very informative. I was relieved to know that I'm obviously on the right track with the redecorating of my house. Tonight Ed is going to talk about texture and more decorating tips. I'm not sure if tonight's class is sold out, (they usually sell out pretty quickly) but you can give The Village Pantry a call if you are interested.

Well I'm going to leave you today with a picture I put on my Facebook page for my 365 day photo challenge...today's photo was to do with a good habit. The best good habit I can say I have right now of course is running...best thing I've ever done for myself. But a good habit is even better when shared. This is a pic of my friends Lori Varns, Leslie Warner and Juanita Welch after our CCMH 5K this past October. It was a miserable rainy day that day, but despite that I think the majority of us beat our own PR's that day. A memorable day indeed.

Have a great day everyone!

Time for a revival...of sorts.

Considering it is a new year, and I see many great new things on the horizon for 2013, I figured it's time to revive this old blog to document it if for no one else, at least for myself. 

2013....New Year...new beginnings...a time to reflect and a time to re-evaluate and start anew. As in several years past I have chosen a word for 2013...My One Little Word for the year if you will (as given by the great scrapbooking icon Ali Edwards). However, let me digress for just a moment...

When I came across Ali Edwards' idea of choosing a word for the New Year I thought "What a great idea!" So when I started this journey my word for 2011 was TRUTH...and a great word it was! Between things that happened that year and taking the Brave Girls "Soul Restoration" Class, I found out so many great things about myself...things that were holding me back, things I never realized and the strength to push forward...great word! For 2012, the word was PREPARE...which again was a perfect word for that year. That year we did quite a bit of remodeling to our home...Kevin's bathroom, my bathroom, our living room, redid our hallway with new drywall and a new kitchen floor (finally!!). A lot of preparation and stress went into all that, that is for sure...I think that word also helped me prepare also for this year. This year my word I've chosen is DISTANCE. Which honestly has several different meanings for me. The main one being that I'm preparing for my first half marathon this May...which is also the main reason I'm reviving this blog...I want to document my journey to the half marathon. I think "distance' is a word that will serve me well this year and I'm hoping you will join me on my journey.

So most of my posts will probably be about my running journey and my preparations and struggles with preparing for my first half marathon. Now I'm no young pup anymore and my body tells me that often, but I'm determined to do this and to do it with excellence. As my hubby says, once I get my mind set on something, better just get out of the way...I guess I can be a stubborn one...go figure :)

So my first post for this new year, I officially began my half marathon training yesterday. I'm signed up to run the Cap City Half Marathon in May. I've looked over several "training plans", and so far this one I found on Runner's World seems to be the best fit for me...it's called the FIRST Half Marathon Training Plan and it uses only 3-4 runs a week and 2 days of cross training...I like the idea of not running every day...this body is not up for that...so this plan intrigues me. Started yesterday with a good tempo run at Kids America...went in the evening which I have never done...luckily it wasn't too crowded...much better than the mornings at 9 AM...great bobbing and weaving training during that time...lol. Felt pretty good. 

Today I did my first bit of cross training....don't really have a set "plan" yet, but looking into a few things, but thought I better start something so I decided to use this app I found on my Kindle called Daily Workouts..(I have the free version)...only did 20 minutes today, 10 minutes on abs and 10 minutes on arms since those are what I consider my weakest areas...and can I say I am right!! Especially my arms! I never was big on upper body strength so here's hoping that this year I will go the distance and change that...I guarantee I'm going to feel this arm workout later!

On another note, I am also doing my best to give God the first part of my day...I've been reading a devotional by Joyce Meyer called "Battlefield of the Mind".  So far it has been really good. I do miss days...weekends are harder than through the week...but not beating myself up over it...God knows my heart and I know He sees my efforts. It has been the most consistent I have been so far and really gleaning something from it, so I am going with it...I am also reading another devotional, but don't want to share it just yet...you'll understand later, but it also is changing me and working out well...though it truly isn't easy.

So, thus begins my journey into 2013....going the distance and setting goals. Hopefully seeing positive results. May you also go the distance in your life in 2013!! Have a great year!