April 8th, 2010
I spent last week getting my running legs back again. It felt GREAT! We were visiting family and friends away from home, but I quickly found a short little loop that I fell in love. Every three times I ran the loop, it equaled one mile. The cool thing about that loop was that it had a large hill on the second half. To run three miles, I had to run the loop nine times – that meant NINE HUGE hills over a three mile period!!
After running that route a few times, I was ready for a longer, less hilly route. So, I headed to a neighboring lake that has a running trail around it. The map said that one lap around the lake was 3.7 miles – so I ran it TWICE! The 7.4 miles took me about 1:20, but I felt great when I was finished!
Back in Colorado again, I ran a 4.6 mile route yesterday and plan on running 5-7 miles on Friday! My goal is to run in the morning at least one day a week to get my legs used to the early start on race day. (The half marathon starts at 6:45 am and apparently parking is limited so they are encouraging people to get there by 5 am – not fun!!!) I’m still really excited to see how I’ll do and I know there is ALWAYS room to improve – but you’ve got to start somewhere!
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Running
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April 1st, 2010
Well, I finally feel like I’m back on schedule for my half marathon in May. May 16th will be here before I know it and I plan on being 100% ready. I had to switch training schedules to something a little more compact and a little more strenuous, but I think it’s going to work.
I swiped my new schedule from the April issue of Runner’s World Magazine. Basically, you still run a few times during the week and have a long run on the weekend. The main change is that the weekday runs are much, much longer – like 5 to 7 miles. Completely doable, just a little more strenuous. Also, instead of a 20 week schedule, it is a 6 week schedule. Perfect – given the amount of time I have less!
This week was the first week I was able to run in over a month. BOOOO! I knew I wanted to build my stamina up, so I headed out on Monday and again on Wednesday. I ran a 3 mile route each time, but the main change was that I did a route with lots of hills. In fact, I ran NINE large hills over the 3 mile course. I felt good each day and plan to do it again on Friday. Also, I hoping to get a 6 mile run in on Sunday. Then, next week starts the Runner’s World training schedule.
Let the fun begin! Oh wait, it already has!
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Running
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March 7th, 2010
The kids, hubby, and I have been very busy the last few weeks. Busy being sick! As a result, I have taken a few weeks off from running. After all, who can run with a hacking cough and a stuffed nose? Throw sick kids and a sick husband into the mix and, well, we’ve been a mess!
A new week is about to start. I’ve edited my half marathon training schedule and everything starts tomorrow. I’ll be taking this week a little easier. That means I’ll be running a few less miles each day, but hopefully I’ll add an extra day or two of running onto the schedule this week. I’m hoping to run about 20 – 30 minutes Monday thru Thursday. Then, Friday I’ll take off. Then, a longer run on Saturday or Sunday (whichever day has better weather).
My goal is to get the legs and lungs back to how they were a few weeks ago. Then, I’ll start adding on miles for the long, weekend runs starting next weekend. May 16th will be here before I know it and I want to be as ready as I can.
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running
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March 4th, 2010
A few weekends ago, we finally had the opportunity to take our three year old skiing for the first time. The question was – Where should his first tracks be? We knew his first time skiing would be memorable for him and for us, so we wanted it to be someplace great.
In my mind, there is no greater place in the world to learn to ski than in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (a/k/a Ski Town USA). So, that is where we went. It is where I learned to ski (at an age much older than 3) and, as a result, will always hold a special place in my heart.
Heading to the slope!
We drove up on Saturday morning and went straight to the slope. My three year old was so excited, he could hardly contain himself. After slipping into his gear (namely his “super-cool” Dynastar skis), we went straight to the “magic carpet” – the name alone sounded great to my son.
The Magic Carpet
Needless to say, my son did amazing. He skied with his dad for two days and smiled the entire time. He had absolutely no fear. Just pointed his skis downhill and flew! He learned pretty quickly that if you go into a tuck, you can go even faster. His goal, of course, was – speed! His dad’s goal for him was – stopping!
Trying to keep up with our little speed demon.
We already have our next weekend trip planned for Steamboat. Trying to get as much in this season as we can! Yeah!!!
Thanks Steamboat - See you soon!
Tags: Dynastar skis, Ski Town USA, Skiing, Skiing with kids, Steamboat
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February 8th, 2010
I’ve finally gotten to the part of my half marathon training where my long runs are really – long runs (for me). I have never run further than a 10K or 6.1 miles until this weekend! When I saw that my half marathon training schedule listed a long run of 6.5 miles, I was immediately excited!
I’m the type of person that gets a kick out of “firsts”. It’s the little things – like the first time I travel to a new place, the first time I try a new beer, and now the first time I ran 6.5 miles. This training program that I’m following is perfect for me because every other week I’ll add another mile or two to my run – all will be “firsts” for me. Not only are “firsts” fun for me, but they also motivate me. I believe that anything that motivates a runner is beneficial to that runner.
Now about my run: For the first 3.25 miles, I ran pretty steadily and fairly quickly. I think I averaged about 9 minutes per mile. The last part of the 3.25 miles was uphill. My goal was always to be able to the library and I can happily report that I met my goal this weekend. Then, I ran (and walked intermittently) for the next 3.25.
When I made it home, I felt great!!! The next day I was a little worried that I’d be sore, but I guess I stretched the right muscles (Thanks Runner’s World!). I could also tell that my workouts during the week are paying off – I felt stronger and could run longer than I usually can during my weekend runs. Anyhow, I’m making the slow trek towards 13.1 miles – adding a few miles at a time.
Tags: "Firsts", Half Marathon Training, Running, Running Motivation
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February 5th, 2010
Yesterday afternoon, I stepped out of my house for my 30 minute run around the neighborhood and was immediately greeted by a gust of wind. Oh-oh, not wind! As I continued to run down the sidewalk, I kept hoping that the wind would let up – just for 30 minutes; but, it didn’t.
The run was both mentally and physically strenuous; however, the good thing was that I actually completed it. On a mental level, I didn’t cut it short, even with the 30 to 40 mph wind gusts. On a physical level, the constant headwind made it a really tough workout.
I kept telling myself that the wind will only help me to run stronger. And…I now have a theme song: Against the Wind by Bob Seger. The entire time I was running, I was “running against the wind” - literally. A little cheesy, but it made me smile!
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Running, Running Theme Song, Wind
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February 3rd, 2010
In keeping with my goal of running every other day, I headed out yesterday for my 30 minute jaunt around the neighborhood. I felt good and ran the entire time. In fact, I averaged slightly over ten minutes per mile. It’s about time!!
My secret – now, not so secret - goal is to run almost the entire distance of my half marathon in May. I’m hoping that by keeping up with my half marathon training schedule, I can accomplish that goal. So far, so good.
Now, for the second part of this blog post - Just in the Nick of Time. I returned from my run feeling great. Chatted with my family and immediately went to the kitchen to get dinner in the oven. While I was seasoning the fish, sickness hit our house, AGAIN! This time my three-year old has the stomach bug. Poor guy!
Anyhow, had tried to run even an hour later, I would have missed my run for the day. Taking care of my little people is most important and I couldn’t have enjoyed myself if I knew one of my kids had a painful tummy bug. So, I got my run in – Just in the Nick of Time. Hopefully, everyone will be recovered in time for my Thursday afternoon run!
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Running, Running mommy
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January 31st, 2010
Today is one of those days – everything has been falling into place perfectly. After spending most of the week indoors with a chest cold, I was finally feeling well enough for a run…but not just any run…a whopping five miler.
I took a different route than I normally take and it seems to have paid off. I usually like to run on a path that runs behind the homes in our neighborhood, but this time I ran on the sidewalk. It was much hillier than I was used to – but hills are good. The wind had stopped, the sun was out, and the run was great. All in all I finished my five miles in less than an hour.
The five mile goal was part of my training plan for my Half Marathon in May. I’ve been doing really well with my long runs on the weekends; I just need to work on my weekday workouts now. Sometimes all it takes is a great day and all the motivation is back in full force – even after a week long hiatus. Hopefully the motivation and excitement I feel right now will carry on through the week!
Tags: 5 mile run, Half Marathon Training, Running, Running Motivation
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January 22nd, 2010
The Colorado Railroad Museum has been in Golden since the late 1950s, yet I had never been there. We recently took the opportunity to see what the museum had to offer. Our discovery: it has so much to offer that we will have to go back again – soon!
Immediately upon walking into the museum, my 3-year old was enthralled by all the train stuff. We told him that this was only the beginning (at least we were hoping that there was more than a gift shop at the museum). The attendant quickly filled us in on all the fun that awaited us!
The Colorado Railroad Museum is situated on 15 acres in Golden. There are over 100 trains and railcars on-site. Many of them were open so that we could climb a staircase and receive a closer look of the train interior. Some were more luxurious, others were used to haul materials, and a few were used to deliver mail. All had a rich history and plenty of opportunity for discovery.
Getting ready to ring the bell on one of the locomotives.
Both my 3-year old and 18-month old loved ringing the bell on one of the locomotives; but, the highlight was the Galloping Goose. Anyone who hasn’t had a ride on the Galloping Goose and listened to its history needs to hurry over to the museum when the Goose is in motion. I won’t go into the history now – but it is certainly interesting, especially for railroad enthusiasts. And who wouldn’t like a ride on something called a Galloping Goose?!
All aboard the Galloping Goose!
Although we got to spend some time looking at the model train in the depot basement and even though we saw most of the locomotives and railcars, we could have spent more time there (according to my 3-year old). Consequently, we will be back – soon!
Tags: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Colorado, Kids' Activities
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January 18th, 2010
I’ve been running on the treadmill to train for the Colorado Colfax Half Marathon. It has just been too cold or too dark to run outside and I’m alright with that. It’s been going o.k., except for the fact that I’d much rather run outside AND the treadmill injured me.
How, you may ask, did the treadmill – a non-living piece of equipment - cause injury? Well, I was trekking along, watching a bit of the boob tube, when it came unplugged. I guess when that happens to a treadmill, it applies the brakes abruptly. Needless to say, I came to an unexpected, quick, full stop – ugh!
It’s amazing how much faster I run when I’m outside versus on the treadmill. I ran four miles in about 43 minutes. Not bad… I also had an opportunity to let my mind wander and take in the scenery – something that I can’t do when I’m on the treadmill.
I’ve decided that I’m going to try to use the treadmill primarily for hill work. Crank up the incline and work on building the hamstring and thigh muscles. I also want to try to do a little weight lifting while on the treadmill – at slow speeds of course. Maybe then, the treadmill and I can be friends.
I’m sure I’ll hit the treadmill again, since some days it is impossible to secure time during the day to run outside. For now…I love the spring-like days in January. I’ll take them whenever I can get them.
Tags: Half Marathon Training, Running, Running Outside, Treadmill Running, Treadmill Training
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