Marathon training.

Today I registered for the Eugene Marathon and I started training.



My best marathon time is 5 hours and 4 minutes. I did that in Newport this past June. I would really like to improve on my time. I found a training plan that I really like, one that I really think will help me improve my time. There are some time projections that I need to do in order to drill down the training. I did those projections a few months ago. Then, I ran a 10K on Jan 2nd and had my best time ever. I went back and recalculated my times. This training plan seems to have much more confidence in my abilities that I do.

I hemmed and hawed, went back and forth and finally decided I was going to put my trust into this training plan. I was going to follow it and see where that got me. Today, my first training day, was speed training. I was set to do some mile repeats. This means I do a couple warm up miles, then I run three miles at a certain pace, with a minute in between to recover. When I looked at the times I was supposed to run those three miles, I got really nervous. It was a lot faster than I have ever run (hence the title "speed training"). I honestly wasn't even sure I could do it.

I left the house this morning with my trusty new Garmin 310XT - this thing is awesome...it is my training guide. I set up my entire workout and just followed along, checking my pace every little bit to be sure I was on track.

The time came to do my first fast mile and off I went. The funny thing is that I was going too fast...way too fast...like sprinting. In my mind, I was envisioning that as the pace I needed to run. I spent the rest of the mile slowing down to get to the correct pace. The weird thing is that I felt scared of it. I realized that and thought how silly it was to be afraid of it. Instead, I wanted to have fun with it. So I changed my mindset, settled in, relaxed into it and just ran.

I did all three miles at exactly the pace I needed to go. I was really proud of myself and actually started to believe I could do this marathon in the time the training plan projects. I went online and registered. It asked what my projected finish time was, I put it down. It asked what my best marathon time so far was, I put that down too. Looking at them, my new goal seems almost ridiculous. I laughed and hit "submit". What the hell.

Then it asked what size shirt I wanted. This, to me, is even more difficult than the training, the time projection and the actual marathon! I want the shirt to fit and I never know how it will fit. Will a medium be right, will it be too big or too small..which is worse...back and forth, back and forth. I swear, I have issues!! I finally settled on a medium and hoped for the best.

I'm keeping my time projection to myself. I'm not ready to share. I can just say that when I meet that goal, its going to be pretty amazing...especially to myself.

A fellow blogger posted this quote today...seemed like it was meant for me:
"You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential"

Resolution Run Race Report

I don't usually like to do 10k races. I guess I have become a snob. I feel like I can run 6 miles from home. I can get up and run when I want and where I want. I don't need others to run with and I really don't need another shirt. So, when our friends at Battle Ground Fitness told us they were putting on a 5k/10k on January 2nd, I was apprehensive. I knew they would put on a great event, so I told all our friends to sign up and we signed up too!! This was a good move...

The race started at 10 am. This ended up being the perfect time. It was like 20 degrees, so we needed a little time for the sun to come up and try to heat things up a bit. I think every person we know was there to run with us. I love that about our group of friends. Someone says "hey...want to do (fill in the blank) and everyone else pretty much says "hell yes!".

I had decided that this year I want to work on my speed. I am pretty good and pushing myself to that line between comfortable and uncomfortable, then backed off just a bit and I can go forever! This year, I want to push past that line and it was going to start with this event.

I think the fasted I have ever run a 10k is right about 58 minutes. Usually I do them in about 66 minutes, slow and steady. I told Trevor my goal for this day was 56 minutes. Trevor wanted to do a sub 8 minute mile. It was strange to have such a specific goal. Usually I have a comfortable goal, not a goal just outside that zone. This goal was a lot outside that zone.

The race started and off I went. I have a new toy - my Garmin 310XT heart rate monitor/GPS, so I can watch my per mile pace. I LOVE it!! It is totally changing the way I train.

My first mile was 8:45. My next was 9:04. Honestly, the hardest part was my mind...it kept trying to convince my body that I was running to fast, that there was no way I could maintain that pace. Then I remember that I had set a goal and I needed to see it through. The miles ticked by, I saw Trevor and he said he was running the pace he had set as well. That was good news.

The course was a basic out and back, nothing to worry about but the run. I loved that!

I made the final turn back towards the finish line and I realized that I was going to finish just under 56 minutes. Trevor met me about 100 yards from the finish and ran me in. I was thrilled with my race performance. I want this year to be the year that I don't just do things, but I do them better. I want to push myself. I was really proud. While my time may not be blazing for other people, it was for me and that was all that mattered.

After we all finished, there was an all you can eat buffet at Bones Steakhouse, right by the start/finish area. WOW!! Was it ever yummy! We loaded up on breakfast goodies and hung out with our friends. Trevor won first in his age group...pretty awesome!!

It was a great start to a new year. The event was really great, we will totally do it again next year. I hope this sets the pace for the year...what a year it will be!!! Welcome 2011...let's see what we can do.

Two Weddings

New Year's Day we attended two weddings. It has been years since we have a been to a wedding. Before Trevor and I got married, I HATED weddings. We had been living together for many years and most people thought we were actually married. Every time we went to a wedding, people would ask when we were getting married. Trevor wasn't ready to get married and he would always joke about it. I didn't find it funny, mostly because I felt like people were judging me. Like something must be wrong with me if he wouldn't marry me.

Here's a tip for all of you out there....people who aren't married don't like it when you ask why they aren't married. Just like people who don't have kids don't like it when you ask when they are going to have them. Its just rude. So please stop doing it.

Anyway, now that we are married, I really enjoy weddings. I love to see all the details and know that those details were given a lot of thought, a lot of effort. I know how crazy people get about weddings, how things that shouldn't matter suddenly become the biggest issue in the world.

The two weddings we attended on Saturday were beautiful. I joked with Trevor that maybe the Universe thinks we need some focus on our vows...two weddings in one day?? I listened closely to the advice and vows. It is good to be reminded that a marriage is something entered into at will, something that needs to be honored and valued.

It still sometimes amazes me that people have the guts to get married...the guts to stand in front of all their friends and family and pledge their life to another person.

The other thing I love about weddings - the guests. It is a great equalizer...everyone has "those" guests, "those" family members. Some of us ARE those guests and family members. You know them, you see them at every wedding and I love that!

Being at the weddings made me think about our wedding and our marriage. It again made me so grateful that I have Trevor. I always joke that we have to stay married because no one else would want us! The thing about it is this: I may not be the perfect wife, but I am the perfect wife for Trevor (at least I better be). And Trevor may not be the perfect husband, but he is the perfect husband for me. I can't imagine being more at home than I am with him.

So to Garrett and Sheryl and David and Alyssa....I wish the same for you - be each other's perfect mate. Thanks for letting us be a part of your day.

The first day to the last day

Went on a 4.5 mile run this morning. Boy was it COLD out!! I got to thinking about my year. On Jan 1st, we ran 13.1 miles with some friends. So I started the year running and ended the year running. It is crazy to think of all that has happened in these last 365 days.

Things were different then, I was different then. I had only run 2 marathons in the last 7 years. I ran 4 marathons this year! Buster hadn't come to live with us. Gus and Wookie were still alive and we didn't know that either of them was even sick. That was probably the hardest thing to think about. I miss them SO much. I love Buster and he has certainly healed my heart, but I sure do miss those sweet babies.

I was about 5 pounds heavier. I wore the same pants today that I wore on Jan 1 when I ran. Today I had to keep pulling them up because they are a bit too big. Our business is in a different place that it was back then. We've worked hard this year to move it foward.

I wasn't really sure I could actually do an Ironman, but I was signed up for one. Today, I am an Ironman finisher and I know that I can do anything I set my mind to do.

Then, there are things are still the same, in many ways I am still the same. That group of friends I ran with on Jan 1...I will be running with most of them again this Sunday. Trevor is still my best friend in the entire world. I still love our pets and our life. I am still full of excitement about the future and what it holds for us.

I wonder where I will be at this time next year, how things will be different, how they will be the same. The one thing I know for sure - you never know what life has in store for you. That is what makes it great...and sometimes tragic.

Happy New Year.

Christmas Run and some other stuff...

I love to run on Christmas morning. I've done it the last few years and it is a great way to start the day. This year, I did a7.5 mile loop. We need to be at my inlaws early, so we had to head out on the run pretty early. It was still dark when we started and it was so fun to see houses all lit up for the holidays. You could see lights on in some houses, probably with kids wanting to open presents! Lights were off in others, getting some much needed sleep!

I ran my usual loop and did lots of thinking about how good we have it. Seems like I know alot of people who have lost family and close friends this year and I thought about them and how their celebrations will be different this year.

I didn't dress warm enough and I was really cold. Another issue that I need to resolve is my running pant situation. I've lost a few pounds in the last year and I do not have any pants that fit...they all fall down when I run and I am constantly pulling them up. Its really annoying. Plus, my stomach was exposed because of that and it was REALLY cold!!

I got home and jumped in a HOT shower, got out and did our gift exchange. We keep it simple these days and I got THE BEST gift....

I love, love, love this hoodie! Trevor hit the jackpot on this. I got him an awesome pair of jeans and a shirt. He has no clothes that fit him and is always wearing something that is like 3 sizes too big. He looks amazing in clothes that fit. That was like a gift to myself too!

We headed to the inlaws, where my mother in law showed me that she really does love me. I have been craving homemade press cookies. I remember these as a kid and they make me really homesick. All my friends on the east coast were making them and posting pictures on facebook and it made me sad. I commented on it on facebook and my mother in law saw that. When we arrived at her house, this is what I saw...

actually, what I saw was a full plate of cookies. I finished them all by the end of the day and am crapping green three days later. (too much info? sorry)

We came home and hit the couch, where we were all asleep by about 7. The dogs got to go with us and play with my in laws dog. They were exhausted for their day of fun!!

Sunday morning, we had a run planned at the store. Every Sunday we have a group of friends that meets and runs together. There are about 10 of us. I thought it would nice to have some cider and treats after the run on Sunday. I posted it on facebook and next thing I knew, it was posted on like 5 other facebook sites. We had people coming into the store to sign up for it!

Sunday morning, we had 40 people show up to run with us, at least half of them were people we didn't even know! It was great. We did a raffle and had cider and treats. The weather was awful, but no one seemed to mind too much.

That afternoon we went to a movie, then home to fall asleep on the couch by about 4 pm. We were all piled on top of Trevor...me and two of the dogs...

Trevor took the picture while he was pretending to be asleep...the rest of us were REALLY asleep.

It was the perfect end to a great weekend.

I love the memories

I've been thinking a lot about this year. As 2010 comes to an end, I am amazed at how many great memories I have of this year. I have had lots of good times in my life, but I feel like this year generated more memories than years past. Here are a few that keep coming to mind....

The day after Ironman, we put ice cream in our coffee instead of creamer. I can't remember if we didn't want to waste the ice cream or we were out of creamer or we just thought it would taste good.

Two days before Ironman, we were going for a practice swim. Trevor was helping me put on my wetsuit, his hand slipped and he punched me in the face. Doug was there and laughed SO hard.

On a long bike ride to Mt St Helens - the day started out overcast and at one point we broke through the clouds, saw the sun against a beautiful blue sky. I looked up ahead and saw my three best riding buddies. Life was good.

Coffee with my friend Diane - we'd sit in my car with Buster and Maggie while we drank our Starbucks.

Saturday morning swims at Klineline Pond with Trevor and Doug - open water, peaceful mornings...putting in the time.

Crossing the finish line at the Capitol City Marathon - high fiveing Trevor and Doug....my team.

Crossing the finish line at the Newport Marathon with all my running friends.

Tracking our friends doing the Ironman in Coeur D'Alene. Knowing that people would be doing the same thing for us during Ironman Canada.

Reading all the comments on my facebook page from Ironman - seeing how people really were tracking us and talking with each other about our progress. It made me feel really loved.

Discovering Pretzel M&Ms.

Going for a run at 5 am in Colorado Springs with Trevor and Doug...with a sinus infection and pulled back muscle.

Bringing Buster home to be a part of our family.

Laying on the floor at my parents house, telling secrets with my nephew Bryce.

Buying my first pair of Keens and wearing them everywhere.

Being told that I was an inspiration, that I was strong, that I was not a quitter. Things I never thought about myself. And believing them. For the first time.

Every morning, having oatmeal and coffee, on the couch, watching the news with Trevor and the dogs.

As you can see...its the little things that are really the big things in life. The best advice I ever got was from my high school Chemistry teacher. He told me to take pleasure in the drudgery of life, the day to day, the commute...these are the moments that life if made of. Take pleasure in these and you will love your life. If you are always looking foward to the big moments, you miss out on what life truly has to offer.

This year was full of little and big things. A good mix, I think. Lots of memories this year. I really focused on soaking them up. I loved every minute.

Goals - looking back and looking forward

A few years back I stopped making "resolutions". It seems like I would always ramp myself up the last weeks of the year, only to be let down once January got here. I always had these hopes of how much better my life would be. Of course, the resolutions were always the same - lose weight, be more organized, pay off bills, be nicer. I never do any of that stuff anyway! I finally decided that if I wanted something different in my life, I would make the change today, no matter what the date was. No more waiting for January 1st. If you want something different, something better, why wait a single day to get it.

Nowadays, I look at the new year as a marker. It is a time to look back over a period of time and review things. It is also a time to think about what I want in the coming year. I usually put down some goals for the year. Here are my goals for 2010 - let's see how I did...

1. Continue to promote our businesses and a healthy lifestyle to our customers. We are promoting some events in 2010 - a half marathon, a 10k/5k, two triathlons. I want to do more of that. We are also getting our triathlon coaching certifications in January.

We did this! I feel that we touched more people this year than ever before. We got our coaching certifications in January and trained a group of people for their first triathlon this summer. We promoted a half marathon, a 2.5 mile parade run and a triathlon - not as many events as I had planned, but I am thrilled with the ones we did. We met a lot of new people and saw our customers achieve some amazing things.

2. I want 2010 to surpass 2009 as the fittest year ever! August will bring the Ironman Canada. My goal is to spend all year training for this event and to complete it under the time limit, be safe, feel good and be happy with my performance.

Without a doubt, this was the fittest year ever!! 4 marathons and an Ironman. Sometimes it even surprised me!

3. We have two marathons before the Ironman, one in April, one in June. I want both to be better times than my Portland time in October (5 hours 14 minutes).
We actually did 3 marathons before Ironman - two were under 5 hours and 14 minutes - my best time being 5 hours and 4 minutes. The other was 5 hours and 17 minutes!

4. Spend time with our pets every single day.

This was a tough year with the pets. We said goodbye to Wookie and Gus. I was able to spend a lot of time with them and with the other pets. I love our animals so very much and feel so blessed to have them in our lives.

5. I would like to make a trip back east this year. Its been too long since I've been back there and I miss it.

This didn't happen. Maybe next year.

Now...what's on the list for 2011 (how can it be 2011?)

1. Increase my speed. I want this to be the year of the sub-5 hour marathon. I start training in January for that. I would also like to complete at least one Half Iron distance triathlon in under 7 hours, dare I say - under 6:30.

2. I really want to work on my swimming. I want the fear and anxiety to lessen this year. I completed the Ironman swim this year. I have that on my swimming resume now. I really want that to help, I want to draw on that accomplishment when I am feeling scared or anxious. I know that I will speed up if I calm down.

3. I want to win my age group at the Girls and Dudes Triathlon in July. Last year I came in second, by 10 seconds. This year I want to win.

4. I want to end 2011 with the same feeling of accomplishment I have at the end of 2010.

5. Give all my love to my pets every single day. We lost two of our fur babies this year. I loved them every minute of every day as their time drew near. I want to give that same kind of love to the rest of the pets. I don't want the mundane things in life to be more important. If they want my attention, I will give it to them.

There are many other things I want to accomplish this year, but these 5 are the big ones. This has been a good year, I look forward to more of the same in 2011.