We interupt National Running Day

A moment of silence was held in my small hometown.
To honor a fallen friend.
Last night a nightmare can true.

I was running along on my treadmill. 
Sweat dripping. 
Watching Gulliver's Travels 8 miles into my 13 mile run when my beloved treadmill just couldn't take it anymore.

He broke.

Really broke.

I know he was old, actually about 15 years old and had many many hours on him but I just never thought this day would come.

I actually started to cry.

call me a baby

S'ghetti girl tried to remind me that it could be fixed (not) or replace.  She told me how she would help with her little brother so that I would be able to get my run in each day.  She reminded me that I actually love running outside much more than in one place.

That helped.

Although at times I dreaded running in one place tucked under the basement steps, I also took comfort in treadmill always being there.  When my work day was stressful I could hide away down there for a few minutes or a few hours and leave that stress on that belt.  I would come back to my family so much happier.  I enjoyed being able to get my long runs in without having to be away from my kids for so long.  The thought now of reliving my half marathon while pushing the jogging stroller does not sound very inviting!

I didn't boohoo for long. 

I got outside and played in the yard with the kids.  I'm sure I made up for a few of those missed 5 miles.  Once inside for the evening, I sat down and reworked my schedule.  I like things written down. 

A daily plan. 

I went to bed ready to tackle my schedule in a new day.

  

It's Day # 388

I believe that things happen for a reason.  I know that I have been asking for help in issues in my life and sometimes the answers we are provided are not in the form we might have chosen.  My new schedule will force my family to work together a little better than it has been and will result in more time together.

WIN WIN

But I do need to quickly do what I haven't done for over 15 years,

buy a treadmill. 

So faithful followers, give me your advice. 

What treadmills do you love?

What new features do you think are a must have?

What do you think is the hidden reason why my treadmill broke or do you think it just broke?

Today is the last chance to help my blog get into the

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Thanks!

Falling short, Keeping on, Wraping up

If I were going through this life all on my own it wouldn't be nearly as rich and fulfilling.  But families do have a way of putting your goals on the back burner every once in a while.

I knew Friday evening I was going to fall sadly short of my  20 10 mile runs.  But we were traveling and I just couldn't get out of work any earlier.  So I fell 5 runs short.

And as the last day of the month comes to a close, I left 24.5 miles short of a 250 month. 

Sunday evening, notice the outfit...

But since I am not one to let a little difficulty stand in my way you knew that, right? I have been keeping on with running every day.  I at day 22 of running.  It started after Mother's Day.  What a nice gift to give myself.

While in VA we were pressed for time so I squeezed in a 2 mile 'check out the area run'.  I am still not comfortable taking LBM in the jogger yet but I am getting closer.

Once we returned to PA I got out Sunday evening for my 6.5 loop (49:44) I wanted to make it 10 but told myself to LET IT GO ALREADY!  It was nice to have Hubbs home to get out solo.

Sunday morning...same outfit.  I know, eeeuuuuuu!  You can come do my laundry.  Any takers?

Then came this morning.  Ouch!  It was hot out early.  I have planned to do my half loop with Biking Sherpa but she did not respond which usually means she is not up for it.  I headed out knowing the heat was going to be too much for me to run that distance all at once and by myself.  I still enjoyed getting a great run in before the rest of the family got going in the moring.  (6.5 / 50:01)

Like many of you, soon we are off to picnic with family.  We will take time to remember all those we've lost through one kind of service or another.  It is nice to remember how so many people have helped to shape our lives.  Let's give thanks and remember the sacrifice that is made so that we can live in a country - for better or worse - where we are free to think and believe and speak and live however we choose.

To all those who service, thank you.  To all those who remember loved ones gone, we are not alone.

Happy Memorial Day!

A Turtle-topia

Any one who was crazy enough to run last night knows that the pictures of that run just weren't pretty.  So I won't bore you with another photo of my sweaty pig-tailed face.
But LBM and I got out to finish another 10 mile day. 
(6.5 miles 53:45)
I just realized last night that if I run 10 miles each day for 4 more days I will have ran 20 10 mile runs in one month. 
20-10  I thought that was interesting. 
And of course now I am trying to figure out how I can make that happen since the weekend is a holiday and we will be traveling.

This morning's run was another nice 3.5 (28:54).

You won't believe what we saw. 

Another turtle! 

I like that we see snakes and frogs and turtles along the creek. 

That is typically an indication that the creek is healthy and clean.  Which it is rated a clean water stream.

Unlike yesterday's one-eyed turtle, this little fellow had a huge chuck out of his shell. 

Probably a run in with a haybine.

Luckily he seems to be healed and surviving. 

LBM wanted to of course keep the turtle and share his crackers with him.

Go figure, he won't share his crackers with his sister but a turtle on the road is his new best friend.

We've all established that I am a mileage junkie right now.  Another 200+ mile month is nearly complete, a crazy run for 30 days idea and ice the cake with a 20 10 mile runs in one month goal. 
All just to see if I can.  Silly, I know.  But also fun to have little goals to keep me running when the heat would encourage me to quit.  I mean last evening's run was so sweaty the only way I knew I wasn't swimming was the fact that I had running shoes on!

What things do you use to keep going when the conditions are less than comfy?

Candice, you know the running Barbie is hosting a Gone For a RUN giveaway.
They have a creative product, among many other cool things, a bib porfolio. 
Finally a way to store all those bibs that I just can't throw away!
Go check it out and tell Candice I sent you.

16 Days Later

I have ran for 16 days straight. 

Go ahead let the scolding begin.

Let me just say I didn't intend to not take a break, it just kind of happened.

At first I thought I should run since Hubbs was home to watch the kids a little more.  Then I thought I had a terrible day at work, I really need to pound out some stress.  That led to thinking things like, the weather will be really bad tomorrow I should run today.

In my defense I have taken what I consider to be breaks.  That is any time period beyond 12 hours in which I do not run.  Example; May 21st I ran in the early morning then I didn't run again until the 22nd in the evening.  That was practically like taking an entire day off.

Okay.  I am a runaholic. 

The upside is I am trying to slow down.  Maybe I slowed a little too much on this mornings run which was evident in how ackward and challenging the entire run felt.  I was working way too hard for that pace. 

BUT.

I do think I need to slow down my runs and stop beating up my body.  The goal for me longer term - and my biggest running goal - is to be running when I am 80 years old.  With that in mind, I have to remember that when I am not training for a "speed" event I do not have to be running so fast all the time.

Since focusing on trail events the race day pressure for pace just isn't there and I am so happy for that.  Sure I'd like to see a sub 3:30 marathon but it's really not in the fore front of my mind this year.

My goals now are to work towards the potential 50 mile trail race this October.  I have a 21k Xduro challenge in June and another 50k Trail race in July.

I know some of you believe in the running slower to run faster theory, any one care to offer their opinion or advice?

My body will thank you! 

After 3.5 miles in 32:54, soaking wet, looking spent and feeling like my body was in knots from my screwy stride.

Maybe too much of a change too quickly for me?

Free advice accepted graciously. 

Mel @ Tall Mom on the Run is hosting a CEP Compression Sock Giveaway.  After my disaster of a morning run attempting to go slow to go fast I could REALLY use these socks.  I know you all want to win them so get over to Mel's and tell her I sent you.