We are one day into our whirl wind west coast visit. After working all day Wednesday at the big girl job a quick 5 mile run and getting the kids to allow me to leave, I drove 3+ hours to VA where I promptly repacked everything to limit our checked luggage. After 2 1/2 sleep it was time to head to the airport. 3 takes and 3 landings later we were on the other coast. (I loved Utah. Seriously I need to travel more! Hi Candice!) Our local friend, Jen who owns Habana Cuba (an obviously Cuba restaruant) has us in for snacks and conversation. Our plan was to go to Jen's friends place, Henry's Hi Life for dinner and then to AWESOME seats at a Sharks hocey game. That would leave little time for running! But I squeezed in what I could, a fast 3 miles beffore dinner and was happy that I was able to keep the streak alive. We got to see the Sharks go on to a shutout game and share an absolute blast of an evening together! Although my heart wanted to be running and hiking through the mountains, I was reminded that there are many things that I love and need to fit into my days. My family and friends, new experiences and new places there can be a place in my days for everything...along with my running.
Post might be uncharacteristically rated PG-13 Today is Day #507
Since I am married-single-parenting through the week I have resorted lately to using the new-to-me treadmill all too often. With homework added into the mix I need to get my miles done but some days still be available to assist during homework hour. The compromise is that I run a little bit more on the treadmill. LBM does not like the routine as much as his big sister but I do want I have to do to fit it all in.
But every time I am on the treadmill I sweat like a sinner in church. I usually have three towels with me and they are all soaked by the time I am done. My clothes are actually dripping wet. You'd think that I had just finished running in the Badlands! For a girl who openly admits to NOT washing her running clothes after every wash, this is an issue.
The only other thing I can think of that makes me sweat so easily is when I get nervous. Like when I first met my Hubbs. He would make me so nervous that I'd be sweating in minutes.
I must have a crush on my treadmill!
Do you crush on your treadmill too? How do you handle the excessive sweating?
I missed that last little bit of information when I last
every day for the past three weeks
diligently check their website.
But you know where I was a 8:59 p.m. last night...
Frantically trying to remember my Ultra Signup password.
Duh!
What amazes me most is that I haven't even survived completed my fall schedule of racing one so far of which is another 50 Miler and I am frantic to get into my spring races.
All summer it was a racing desert around here but now I'm trying to pack'em in like a Thanksgiving dinner!
I wasn't completely crazy for jumping on the registration though only 20 minutes after registration opened almost half the field was filled. as if this morning only 130 spots left
That's crazy for an Ultra.
Do you like to run repeat races? Or do you look for new races year to year?
That's right! This East Coastie is coming to see the "more America!"
As you can see I might need a little break from dependant unit time and a little bit more adult supervision. Hubbs and I are excitedly nervous to get away from those wonderful kiddos for a few days of R&R.
In Shelly speak that means running and romance, isn't that what it means to you?
So I need help finding a race on October 1st near Freemont/San Jose area. Anyone in the area wanna meet up? Drop me an email. I know the weekend will be a big racing weekend with the RnR marathon going on. But I don't think I will talk Hubbs into letting me run that race.
Fitting my running in will be priority number 1 important. I already have a plan for my flight days of grabbing a few midnight miles the night before to ensure my streak survives the adventure. We have also booked a hotel with a treadmill just to be sure however, hubbs is so excited for a few days without the kids crawling on me together that he has fully embraced my crazy streak and is encouraging me to get those miles in so we can fill our days with fun and not be a grouch face.
Send me your ideas of how I can get a race in on the West Coast ...or talk Hubbs into dealing with the huge crowds and running the RnR.
When you've done something every day for 500 days it's hard to think of it as something that needs to be celebrated. But when I also saw that I was about to run my 4,000th streak mile AND complete my 500th day I did feel like I should so something a little special.
In all honesty I was on the side rails last night during the beginning of the movie...crying. The way Mr. Hitchcock shares his story is so honest and open I couldn't help but connected. With another family friend passing just yesterday I identified with his loss. Having been a single parent and spent the majority of the pass 8 years married but single parenting I identified with his single parent cause. Being a runner as well made this movie a home run for me.
I believe this movie will be a home run for you too. So this is your chance to WIN a copy of the movie! TWO lucky readers will take home their own copy to help get them through those difficult miles in your marathons; whether they be on the road or in your life.
How do you win? 1. Be a follower - required.
2. Tell me what you love enough to do for 500 days.
3. Share this giveaway with someone or post on your blog with someone in mind you think will identify with the movie. Tell me who you will share it with and why they will identify with Terry's story.
This giveaway will be open until October 3rd. I will announce the winner after returning from CA.
Anyone wanna hook me up with a race while I'm there might earn extra entries.
I was provided with the movies free of charge. My opinions are my own.
At times it seems like I am always running. Running to the grocery store. Running to let the dogs out. Running to the sitter's. Running to work. Running back home. Running to get homework done. Running to make dinner, bath kids, clean up messes, wipe noses, not to mention behinds....
Although I still do most of those tasks while we are in VA, somehow it seems so much easier there.
I suppose the difference might just stem from what frame of mind I am in. My runs while in VA this past weekend proved to me that my mind is the strongest part of my body without a doubt!
Are you in the same boat?
I have found a wonderful 8+ mile loop near our house in VA. It is full of all the things I have loved about running in rural PA the past 20+ years, cows, fields, water, trees, trails, quiet. It will become my new VA normal run. What I discovery or at least was reminded of this past weekend was how much different a route can feel from one run to the next.
Saturday's run I felt like I was putting it in on a comfortable pace I ended up averaging somewhere around 8:20 a mile. I felt relaxed and confident even the hills although challenging where not huge temptations to stop. Sunday's run was different. I felt as though I was really working the entire run. The hills teased at me to walk. They said things like, "your training for a ultra so it's okay to walk!" and "You've run everyday for almost 500 days. Go on! Walk a little. You deserve a break." or the most tempting, "No one will know. just walk." I made it to the intersection at about 6 miles and stopped. I walked back and forth across the road convincing myself that it was just hotter than yesterday or I was simply a bit tired. But I knew the truth.
My mind just wasn't in the run.
And then I paused on the side of the road looking up the next hill I had to run, wondering what was wrong with me. I stretched out my hamstrings mentally rallying to finish the run. That's when I saw a perfect circle on the ground amongst the litter which is out of control in VA
I looked closer and recognized the silhouette
...a Susan B. Anthony Dollar.
That changed everything.
With my mind now occupied on something as silly as finding a long lost coin, I breezed home.
I was just so excited to tell my husband that we might need to look at my race schedule because I was no longer a amateur...
now I'm a paid athlete!
What's the best loot you've ever found while on a run?
Wasn't this photo only yesterday my uber-sweaty evening run with the LBM in jogger?
Well this morning I was wondering who turned off the heat because it was COLD in SW PA.
I'm talking I need to break out the tights and long sleeves COLD. Don't get me wrong, I love wearing my tights. I always have trouble shedding them in the spring time but the issue is that I forgot about tights and such last spring. I packed those things away after a final wash and barely gave them a thought until I wanted to pull them out this morning.
That would be a no go.
Let me say I did not look like this with the on.
I forgot about the hole in the crotch of those tights so this morning I stuck with the new-to-me-treadmill to grab some just-in-case-Friday-gets-crazy-miles.
And if you happen to see me out super early running in VA over the weekend and I happen to have on a pair of tights, let's just assume now that I went out and bought new ones.
How far gone will you let your workout gear get before you stop wearing it?
This past Sunday I didn't spend the day thinking about the date on the calendar. I spent the day on the trails in the Green Ridge State Forest reminding myself just what it is about running that I fell in love with.
Did you wait too long to register? You can still volunteer!
After deciding that I wouldn't skip out and racing to gather my gear, I quickly checked Facebook to see if the RD had updated anything about the run. With only a few runners attending this training run there was the possibility that he might change or cancel the run. His last post said he was headed out to the start...or finish as it were.
I drove like a maniac to get the the finish area only to end up being the first one there. Quickly followed by the RD and two other runners who had parked at the wrong field. It was going to be a small group, only four of us. The RD, Kevin and myself running the first half together and the other two runners, who were brothers, planning to stay together for the 16.5 mile run.
After arranging cars at the finish, half way and start we were all ready to go.
The first "half" of the run was over 8 miles of forest roads meaning dirt and rock covered and long and boring. The plus to this section was the Kevin would be running with me. That was a plus for me however after Kevin realized that I am terrible at holding a steady pace I'm sure he was ready to kill me! I can think of one downhill in particular that he probably wanted to trip me ask me kindly to shut up already. I can get kinda annoying when I am that "high" on running!
But who could blame me? Great conversation, breezes to feel, amazing views, critters to see, all the great forest smells; I was in heaven. Sadly all too soon Kevin and I were back at his car. After a discussion about whether or not I should wait for the other runners so I wouldn't get lost to help encourage them and trying to convince Kevin to keep running, I was about to head into the woods when they caught up. The three of us hit the trails together with Kevin ready to meet us are points along the course to offer direction and support as needed. Plus it never hurts to have a photog available to capture those running moments.
Thanks Kevin!
Even though the race course was not marked as it will be on race day, I was surprised how little trouble I had following the blazes on the trail. I had to remind myself that having run this course/race HERE before I knew that DNR did an exceptional job keeping these trails well marked and even without race markings I only had brief moments of question. Which were usually based on wanting to go down a hill and not up!
Being a training run and more about time on my feet than covering the distance within a certain pace, I did a bit of trail clearing as I ran. The recent storms had put a lot of branches across the trail and any I removed now would be a few less to trip over on race day.
To say that 3 hours flew by is not an understatement. As I neared the finish area I couldn't believe that I was going to be done so soon. Even though I beat Kevin there and completely could have skipped the "victory lap" around the field; which is part of the official course on race day, I ran my lap thinking that there is little to explain the comfortable feeling I have when running amongst the trees. I can only hope that race day will bring the same kind of calmness and enjoyment to me and all my fellow runners.
I have had a few years of keeping kiddos entertained during runs. What works best varies, with each of my children it has been different. Currently with LBM aka little bug man, not surprisingly noticing "wildlife" on the small scale has been very useful.
Take last night's run. I had planned to run on the treadmill to "baby" my legs after the trail run on Sunday but it was simply too nice to be inside so LBM and I braved the hills and went out for 6.5 miles. Not long into our run is where we met him.
The innocent victim.
Full Disclosure: This is not the actual woolly worm. It's not a woolly worm at all.
This poor guy was simply around for the photo op. He's the good looking stand in.
Like any experienced jogging stroller mom, I have everything and the kitchen sink in that little basket under the jogger including items to gather miniature wildlife for closer examination. After multiple stops to reposition the woolly worm on LBM's hand or stroller tray, LBM decided that he needed to help the woolly worm escape a life of supression living in fear of spider thugs and crows mafia-types aka relocate him to our yard. A baggie ensured safety for the woolly worm remainder of the run.
LBM was trying to convince me that the woolly worm needed to be forced lovingly placed on that branch. Once home and after much discussion it was decided that woolly worm did not need the protection of the inside of our home and he was placed on our mock pear tree to establish is new life.
Today is Day # 492
You just never know how or who you might help as a runner.
As you can see partially above I choose to paste the enormous list of entries into an Excel spreadsheet
deleted the little trash can icon line
and each person's entry ended up being five lines on the spreadsheet
more if you typed a lot.
Kara send me your real life contact info as soon as possible so I can forward it to UPrinting.com to get you set up with your 250 Personalized stickers!
Thanks to UPrinting.com for sponsoring this giveaway.
I'll be back with a recap of my FABULOUS WEEKEND trail run. It deserves it's own post, yes it was that good!
I've spent some portion of every day for the past 488 days running.
You might begin to think I really enjoy running. You'd be right.
So let's talk about MY RUN.
My run started as a way to find control in my life. I grew up feeling invisible. I was not that much anticipated first born and not the beloved last born. I was smack in the middle, invisible.
My birth family would tell you that I wasn't invisible and that they love me very much but that reality didn't keep me from feeling as though I needed to take some kind of control in my life when I was younger.
And I found that control in running which grew into a passion at a young age.
As a child, I would leave my parent's home in the morning and spend the entire day running through the trails on the mountains that surrounded our home. As a child those runs were punctuated with imaginary games full of vivid make-believe lives. I solved problems that weighed on my mind while running. Prayers would flow so much more freely while I was running. Creative thoughts would overflow my mind as my feet carried me through those woods.
My run was my escape, my empowerment, my creativity. My run became who I saw myself to be. My run carried me through teen years, a marriage, my first child, a divorce, years alone, another marriage, a second child, the death of my father, difficult years, 9/11, a husband overseas, a third child and every high and low through those years.
My run is more than just running, as I know many of you will understand, that is why I am so excited to be able to share with you someoneelse's run, Terry Hitchcock.
His story in the new movie MY RUN to be release September 20, 2011.
After tragically losing his wife to breast cancer and struggling to raise three young children on his own, real life super hero and modern day Forrest Gump, Terry Hitchcock seized on an idea. He wanted to accomplish the impossible: run 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days to bring attention to the incredibly difficult lives of single-parent families. He ran in spite of freezing rain and unbearable heat, in spite of chest pains and bone fractures that wracked his 57-year-old body. He just kept running – each day, every day – strengthening an unbreakable bond between father and son— not stopping until he broke the finish line tape in Atlanta. MY RUN is more than a film about a guy running multiple marathons; it’s a film about the daily marathons we all run in life.
“I firmly believe human beings can accomplish anything they put their minds to. All they need to get started is someone to show them it’s possible.” – Terry Hitchcock, MY RUN
- See what happens when physical endurance and the will of the human spirit unite in MY RUN.
Please check out the website and reserve your copy of this amazing movie today.
Remember to come back soon for your chance to WIN a copy of MY RUN to share with your family!
Did I mention that I love the fact that it has rained since Monday?
No? Well, I should have.
I have just been in one of those moods.
The ones when you just wanna' hole up an hide inside.
Since I've got the Big Girl job and a daily run habit, my hole'ing up had to wait until the evening but I've been loving it! I have even done all my runs inside even though last night it wasn't raining that much.
Some days...or several days...you just want to enjoy being IN.
Isn't that why we have our homes to be in them?
I can tell I am already getting ready for winter hibernation.
It's time to get up of course he is sleeping now.
Speaking of sleeping a lot, I have been an epic fail on the morning run issue. I just can't seem to get into a groove with the new back to school morning routine. Either I am mega early for work or cutting it close. I have yet to find that magic routine that allows me to get it all in and get to work on time.
And Little Bug Man is not helping with his late nights and unpredictable wake up time. Because he doesn't care he can hap anywhere!
Cruising Sam's Club
I am beginning to think everyone is having a sleeping problem. Since I posted a Giveaway sponsored by UPrinting.com last Friday, three...that is 3 people have signed up. I mean who doesn't want 250 FREE custom made stickers? You could give them away to your followers, bribe your children with them, it's cheap wall paper...for a small room, paste them all over your body for an adult game with your spouse. Okay maybe that goes a little too far. So hop over to my post HEREand all you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment. Your chances of winning a pretty good. Hop over by noon EST on the 11th.
If not for me, do it for my kids.
Are you already feeling the craving for warm food and a cozy blanket too?
How have you been adjusting to the back to school routine?
If you follow me in FB life you might know that Saturday I committed a runner's no-no. I told my family I was going to be running a certain route and distance only to completely change and length my run but more than twice the time and distance. I mean I figured I was headed out for 3 -4 so what was a potential 8 - 12. In runner's logic I was simply taking advantage of extended a great run. So what if I was completely unprepared. A completely rookie use of potentially bad judgment. I didn't have a head lamp, water or cell phone. Chalk it up to runner's logic. As it turned out everything went fine and in fact my family didn't really notice that I was gone quite that long. I simply got caught up in that wonderful feeling when a run feels great and you just don't want to miss out on it. I declared my mistake to my virtual world to keep myself accountable for not making the same mistake twice only to leave for my run Sunday morning and forget my water on the back porch. I should have ran back for it however I figured I was getting out much earlier and I knew I wouldn't be running as fast today after the strong effort yesterday (all week) BUT I did end up running nearly as fast and I did not respect the humidity in VA. I guess that's a VA rookie mistake. I guess I still haven't logged enough time here to understand that there are major differences in the conditions in VA versus in PA.
I stopped running two times. (FYI: I did stop my watch when I stopped running) First at this elevated bridge. Let me tell you that little creek looked inviting! I walked circles trying to get my core temp down. I was certain that the cows wouldn't mind if I took a quick dip to cool off.
I stopped again when I finally made it back to the familiar connecting road. Relief! I knew I only had a few miles and could make it despite myself, again.
Even though I am armed with an understanding of the word does not mean that my adult mind always allows for the application of that understanding.
I have irrational fears. There I said it. I'm like a drinker at AA. Now you should all say something positive and encouraging.
There are things in life that although I know that I don't need to be frightened of them, I still am.
Irrational Fear #36 ~ Dentists. More precisely my fear is related to a dentist's desire to stick sharp metal objects in.to.my.mouth. Although I go to the dentist two times a year, I still struggle with nervousness and anxiety before and during the appointment.
So when My Hubbs said let's do this:
My first thought was not "Oh how cool! Hubbs wants to adventure race with me!" It wasn't even the memory of how T stated after her shoulder smashing adventure race attempt that she would never do that again. It was my Irrational fear #27. Confined Spaces.
I've look into many adventure races included the Tough Mudder series and I know that they all include at least one element in which my Irrational fear #27 would come into play. Say for example in this VA Tough Mudder, there are itty bitty tiny black tubes that you have to crawl through that may or may not dump you out into muddy cold water. So tubes equal confined space. And let's just talk water. It's the biggest potential confined space there is! If I am under the water don't EVER touch me or I'll freak out! Because you've just made being under the water a confined space. yeah I have issues Even though my mind raced with all my irrational fears, what came out of my mouth when Hubbs asked almost surprised me.
Sounds GREAT, hon! Let's do it! Because when it comes down to it, there are so many reasons why I should do this race despite my irrational fears. 1. I get to race/run/have a blast/be supported by/encourage my hubbs while doing what I love...running (bonus...while covered with mud) 2. The enormous entry fee aka I could have run 2 ultras for this price goes partly to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Many in my family and my husband's family have or are serving including my husband and recently retired FIL. Although only my BIL has ever been wounded during actual active duty, we know many families who are not as fortunate. If you would like to donate to the Wounded Warriors Project and help me towards my goal of $150.00 please click HERE. It may just help you later...hint hint giveaways coming soon. 3. I have to keep moving forward and growing in the person I am. I need to set aside the limitations I've carried for years and in doing this I'll at least face one...or two. 4. It will be an amazing great time with Hubbs....and no kids.
5. I would love to honor my father and all those in my family who have served by giving back.
Speaking of giving back remember you can get in on that part too by clicking HERE and helping me raise $150.00 to help the Wounded Warriors Project. As we approach September 11th, I know many of us are filled with a mix of emotions. Do something positive. Give back to those who have given.
Highest Mileage Week: 8/22 - 8/28 (DM Weeks) 66 miles
Rest Days Taken: 0
The Streak: August 31st was Day # 479 of the streak ~ 3822.2 miles,
643 Runs ~ ave. 8 miles per day/ 55.9 miles per week
Races:
None. So sad.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Snyder's Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces Talk about too much salt...but they are so addictive!
Non-food Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Running on the new-to-me treadmill instead of getting outside just so I can watch movies...and go fast. Yeah that's me. Living life on the edge.
Which Outfit did I Wear the Most:
My fabulous sea green bright white ultra light weight super comfy Sauconys
What We Are Watching:
With the Kiddos: Veggie Tales The Story of Little Joe & Moe and the Big Exit
You may have noticed that I haven't been posting the utterly lame self photos as much lately.
This photo is why. Can you tell that my hair, shirt and short are all completely soaked even my shoes are wet. No it wasn't raining and I didn't run trail and go through a creek.
This is just how gross I am when I am running 6.5 miles in 49ish minutes.
Sticky.
Speaking of Sticky.
How about a much over due GIVEAWAY to take our minds off those long training runs as fall racing season gets into full swing?
Optional Additional Entry: 3. Tell me what you would do with your 250 personalized stickers
Prize Details:
250 Personalized Stickers for One (1) Winner 2" x 3.5" 70lb Label Matte, Front Only Printing, 4 Business Days Turnaround Restriction: Sorry but Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only. Entries will close and a winner will be drawn at noon on September 11th because we all need something to feel happy about that day.
Disclaimer: Required as per FTC Ruling
This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive stickers for hosting. Check out product templates on UPrinting.com
Our family is still struggling a bit with the new routine. S'ghetti girl is still hard to get moving in the morning. LBM still wants to be awake through the middle of the night and then sleep when it's time to be getting ready for his day. I am still an epic fail on my morning runs and workouts. BUT it is only day #3 and I know that what is important to each of us will get done. It may take a few weeks to have the school schedule become habit but it will happen and then we will wonder why it ever was a challenge.
Today God willing will be my third day of double runs.
Okay, Monday I did a mini-double too but a mile with LBM didn't really count.
I have been enjoying my outside hilly route each evening and then hitting my new-to-me treadmill to finish my miles. After my mysterious sore thigh episode I am treading lightly on getting what I feel is some lost leg strength back. I notice the issue most on my hilly 6.5 mile route when I hit the uphills. My left leg just doesn't have the "push." I can keep going but the strength to keep my pace up simply isn't there when I hit those hills. So I have been easing back into my hills. And if last night's run is any indication, it is working. I didn't do a warm up typical I simply started running and felt blah. I thought this run might be another effort but once I hit my first short steep hill something clicked. It was practically audible! It was like that place you might be lucky enough to have visited during a run that just goes your way. It might happen some where in a long run or on a beautiful trail when your mind seems to forget your running. Your body seems to almost effortlessly move forward and your mind is lost along the way in daydreamy thoughts or familiar scenery that is transformed into something now magically captivating.
Last night my neighbors might have seen me running my "normal" hilly loop but inside I was running some place extraordinary. And I hope to find my way there again tonight!
Three years ago today it was Labor Day.
Three years ago today was my labor day and I welcome LBM into the world for the first time. It was the first time I could hear his voice, smell his LBM smell and hold his little body. That morning was the first time I could feel him "love me back" after having loved him for over seven months already LBM was early.
This morning I woke up with LBM in my arms again. He slept with me sleep being optional at points through the night last night. I woke up to that same sweet face, those same sweet smells and feeling that love he sends to me. But today as he turns 3 years old he can tell me he loves me. One of my favorite ways is when he says,
