NYC, Choices and Where I Stood

I did ask a few people, peoples whose opinions I valued, what they thought about NYC still going through with the race and how they felt about running.  I asked those opinions to see if there was something I was missing, to understand maybe, how so many didn't see what I was seeing.  I asked others opinions because it allows me to weight my own opinion against others and to hear my voice inside me  more clear.   I am proud of my decision and that I chose not to run before the Mayor came to his senses. 

I tried to understand others views but I had a very difficult time letting "my training" be a reason to run through a city that was still dealing with open wounds.  Yes, we bounce back. I AM a New Yorker.  I get it. But that doesn't give us the right to forget that people are going through a horrible time, lost lives, lost homes, no food, no heat, no water, no gas and to the mother and father that lost their babies...My heart aches....my heart truly aches for that women. I can't imagine the pain. How could I line up miles away from where she found her children dead ???? 

My training has made me a better person, it has had me up on mornings that I would have just lied there, it made me put down that extra bag of chips, it has taught me discipline, it has put me in the best shape of my life, it has brought me energy and enthusiam.  Its given me more than I could ask for already. 

I was down about having to make what I felt was a moral decision about running this race.  After I made the decision a weight was lifted.  I was prepared and I am prepared to run that race on Sunday in my hometown of St. James.  I still don't have power, I still don't have heat.  My town looks like a bomb hit it.  But if they are not ''postponing'' the race...I will run here and raise money here....and send it to those who need it more than me.  In my opinion, that's all NY needs right now....

Live from NYC :What do you think?

I'm writing from my house with the help of a generator my husband has hooked up only hour ago (thank you so so so so much Scott for waking up super early for your family and going above and beyond to get this to work).

My family is safe but the neighborhood looks like it has been through a warzone. I will have pictures shortly.  This weekend I am supposed to race in the NYC marathon.  I have mixed feelings...run, not to run...I feel like so many are devastated there and it will be even harder when they literally shut down the city, even more than it already is, for this race.  You can't get in by car without a certain amount of people, many of the roadways are still flooded...I'm hearing some are pissed about it still being on...while I'm also hearing it will bring the heart back when it ít's needed most.

What do you think? 

FORK and SYRUP

1st Step to Letting Go

A Mother's 1st Day of School Prayer

 

I wonder what you're doing now,

And if everyone is treating you kind.

I hope there is a special person,

A nice friend you can find.

 

I wonder if the teacher knows

Just how special you are to me.

And if the brightness of your heart

Is something she can see.

 

I wonder if you are thinking about me,

And if you need a hug.

I already miss the sound of your voice

And how you give my leg a tug.

 

I wonder if you could possibly understand

How hard it is for me to let you grow.

On this day know that my heart breaks

For this is the first step to letting you go.

And The Winner IS.....

Jill Conyers

from

Fitness, Healthy and Happiness

follow Jill at

http://jillconyers.com/

Jill just send me your info at

mrsjohnson15@yahoo.com and I will get your VEGA to you!

Congrats!

(winner found using Random.org)

Vega Smoothie Review and Giveaway

Vega asked me to review their Vega Energizing Smoothie.  I love so many of the products that I had no trouble trying this line out! 

It promises to be

QUICK

GOOD TASTING

and

GOOD FOR YOU

From the VEGA website: Energize your day with a convenient, on-the-go nutrient boost. Energizing Smoothie gives you the all-natural, plant-based goodness you expect from Vega—compete with protein, fiber and Omega-3—but unlike traditional smoothies, you only need water to shake and go. In four mouth-watering flavors: mixed tropical fruits, chocolate, vanilla almond and berries (plus an unflavored natural), Energizing Smoothie is so delicious it will make you forget how healthy it is.
One serving of Vega Energizing Smoothie features

• Two servings of veggies
• 10 g of complete, plant-based protein
• 5 g of fiber
• 1 g of Omega-3

Just add water, shake and go!

Now, if you have been reading I do drink my morning VEGA ONE nutritional shake every morning and I swear by it.  The Vega Energizing Smoothie is not meant to replace this shake but more of a nutritional boost for during your day....kind of like a very healthy snack.  I would also look at it as a substitute for one of those Emergen C packets alot of people take...I've taken them when you just feel a bit run down. 

I tried two of the packets- it came with 5...and I'm going to share some with you!  The two I tried are the Bodacious Berry, and Choc-o-lot.  They say that you can take with water, juice or a non-dairy beverage.  The first one I tried was on a boat and seriously just needed to have something good in my body and had thrown one of the packets in my pocketbook. 

I like that they are individually packaged so that you can throw

 them in a suitcase or pocketbook without worrying. 

I like that even though it had all the nutrients that I wanted
I didn't have to pay for it with a million calories.  Only 90 if you use water!

I tried this one with just water because
I wanted to give a fair review--and you can't always carry around almond milk or juice.   
I thought it was okay with the water but definitely not 
how I would drink it all the time.  
It was doable though so after a race I could see putting a packet in my bag check and just mixing it on the spot in a bottle. 
I do think I would have more preferred it with a juice or almond milk.   

The second one: Choc-o-lot

 The second one I tried I was in a rush again...
I'm thinking this "on the go" concept is a  good one;).
I tried this one with almond milk and mixed it in the car on the way to the library
with my Vega Shaker.
I really enjoyed this one. 
 It was like a creamy chocolate milk. 
It was fine with my senstive stomach and...
My kids even took a few sips and it was "kid approved"!
(That says a lot about the taste...cause they don't like much)

The Great thing about these Smoothie's is you can take them anywhere, get the healthy nutrients you need to feel good and it tastes good!

I'm going to share the wealth and let you have a chance to try VEGA Energizing Smoothie.  

 You have to

1. a comment about which Vega smoothie flavor would be your favorite...

see flavors RIGHT HERE ON THE VEGA SITE

and

2.  Become a follower of (Running) In the Right Direction (if you are just tell me so!)

and for an extra entry let me know that you...

3.  Tweeted about this giveaway using #GetEnergized and #runthertdirect

Giveaway ends JULY 23!!!!

Wordless Wednesday -VEGA

VEGA...

Review coming tomorrow

New Vega- On the Go Energizing Smoothie

Being a Mommy, A Runner and Fitting it In

It's been a busy two weeks and I am finally starting to get my running schedule down that was given to me by NYRR.  It's work figuring out how you are going to schedule things in and not neglect your children at the same time.  It takes a lot of work but I'm slowly getting it down and being lenient on the fact that some days I need to switch the mileage with another and I have accepted that god forbid I need to knock off a mile it's-okay-nothing-is-going-to-happen. 

It is only the the four week base building stage so the mileage isn't too high.  It was more of a 'get settled in to your routine' period...
July 1-8
Monday- Off
Tuesday 5 miles
Wednesday 3 miles
Thursday 5 miles
Friday 7 smiles
Saturday Open Water swim
Sunday 4 mile track workout

July 9-15 (not finished obviously but this is what I'll be doing)
Monday 3
Tuesday 5
Wednesday 6
Thursday 4
Friday 7
Saturday off
Sunday 3 miles


The ways that help me get it DONE!
#1 I try to run in the AM (which is a joke right now because I'm tired and I haven't been waking up...hence the word try).  I have been running more when Scott comes home which works out okay because it is a little cooler....


He's my bigger guy on the left ;)

#2  I have been utilizing the gym daycare which the kids love waaaaay more than I do.  I am fine with the daycare but I'm not so fine with the treadmill...but its what works...so I do it.   

NYSC childcare...actually ours has a million and one toys.  I didn't love that at first because I worried about germs...but the kids love it and they haven't walked away with any major ailments.

#3  Its the great invention called JOGGING STROLLER.  Now it ain't easy pushing a 42lb year old and a 28lb pound ( I think he is 28lbs) 3 year old...but its doable and if you have no other option you do it.  I've been finding that I actually enjoy this option a lot and so do the kids.  It is really nice in the evening because it calms the kids down after a long day and it sometimes even puts them to sleep!!! I mean if thats not a bonus I don't know what is.  I will often choose this option if its a 3-5 miler.  Anything beyond that I lose them and I'm hurting from pushing that and trying to keep a somewhat decent pace.  I also usually recruit Scott as a partner on these runs and we do 1/2 mile on 1/2 mile off with trading the stroller.  It's definitely a harder and more intense workout. 

#4  Babysitter.  I don't know about your children but my kids really like having a babysitter.  They think it is so much fun... I really don't do this option much because I can't be paying someone to run.  I use this option when I see I will need a babysitter anyway and then hook on one more hour and there's a 6 mile run.  For example, Scott and I had both had appointments last night.  I needed a sitter for an hour while we were at our appnts.  I added another hour on and him and I met at the trails to do a 4 and what we think may have been 5 (forgot my garmin) mile run. 

Long story short.  It is possible to make it work.  I do prefer doing the deed before the kids even wake in the morning.  I feel its the best option...but sometimes that just isn't happening and you have to have other ways to getting done what makes you feel good. 

This weekend we will be going to the Poconos.  I look forward to the little get-away and running somewhere different.  Ileft only a 3 mile run becaue I get a little spooked with all the stories out there about running alone...and not knowing the area well makes me a little iffy. 

I'm also going to get to use the Just Shake and Go! Vega Smoothie mix that VEGA sent me to review.  I like that I don't need to have my bullet smoothie mixer on me...I'll see how it tasts and let you know!

How do you all get your runs in while also managing a house and kids (or doggies, or kitties)?

ONE THING EVERYDAY...

Pretty much open water swims scare me.  I don't really know what it is--

the 'stuff' I see on the ground,

the fact that I am getting pummeled by other swimmers,

the salt water soaking into all my pores,

the fact that I could possibly die....lol

Each time in the water I have this conversation with myself..

"this just isn't for you, you like running, why are you doing this?"

(my answer is I'm doing what Eleanor tells me to lol...no seriously...I hate quitting-I'm not a quitter)

I went to the open water swim meet this morning at 7:30.  Joe knew from the start that I was nervous.  I can't help it...and heck I'm there right?! Give a girl a break.

I'm there because I know I am scared and because I know to get over it I have to be there. 

The whole time I swam I thought of this quote.

I figured Eleanor must be right...and I should just go with it. 

I DIDN'T like when Joe wanted to talk strategies and my toes were being nipped by creatures down below

and

I DIDN'T like when he thought it would be clever (even though it was)

for him and I to start and for the others to literally swim OVER us...

to get to where they needed to be..

no, I didn't like that but I survived

and today I am a smidgen stronger and more confident

in the swimming department because of it.

Okay Eleanor...
...I get what you're saying

Callahan's Beach where all the 'action' happened!

GREAT Run...Too Many Variables..!

I decided to run my long run tonight instead of tomorrow-for a couple of reasons:
1-  There is a slight chance I will drag my but out to join Team Go for an open water swim tomorrow.
2-  It is going to be 105 degrees tomorrow and I don't want to die. 
3-  I will be going to do track repeats with the group on Sunday and I don't want to have it back-to-back with a long run.  Look at me respecting my body...;)

The crazy thing is it was a really STRONG run for me and I felt very good before, during and after it. I would have never predicted it would be a good run because I had...
1-Spent the day at the beach with two kids (enough said)
2- Not eaten dinner yet
3- It was still very hot

But low and behold...it was still a good run!  The problem is I'm not sure what made it that way because there were too many variables!!!  Was it that I was running at night?  Was it that I didn't drink coffee today (caffeine does give me a high but it sometimes makes me too jittery and my breathing gets off)?  Was it the Zico water I chugged before hand?  Was it that Coach John keeps telling me to run a 10 something minute mile and I am not worried about pace at all?  Was it the new country music everyone keeps pushing on me?  Was it the night running?  Is it that I am just becoming more accumstomed to the schedule?...


After the run...I may look hot, sweaty and tired...but this is actually what good looks like on me lol



Me triple checking my times...because I really was suprised that this "good" feeling also equalled out to "good" times for me...
(I've been struggling with my normal 9:30 for a while now...)

Splits.

1- 9:44

2- 9:16

3-9:02

4-9:11

5-9:19

6-9:12

7-9:08

QUITTING

The question is when do you want to quit?

There are times I want to quit because I am tired, or because I just feel like I can't go more step, or just because. 

It's work training my brain that I CAN do what I am doing...it doesn't come naturally to me...so to say the least I'm proud of my accomplishments...especially that is becoming more of a 'natural' thing for me to just get out there and do it, to support what I am doing by eating healthier and just living a healthier lifestyle.

How far do you push yourself? 

Hm...I can't say I go past my comfort levels all the time...I think if I could work with someone that's the one of the thing I would benefit from more.  I know I have more in me and I think a few words of "get going and stop stopping" would help me.

...when it comes down to it discomfort...is uncomfortable lol.

Do you base your performance on others performances?

I used to in the beginning a lot more than I do now.  I've realized their are so many different types of runners and levels that its impossible to compare. If I compared I would be upset a whole lot...there are some fantastic athletes out there!On that note, I do stilll compare at times but it doesn't aggravate me as much as motivates me to try harder. 

Wordless Wednesday

4th of July in front of Brooke and Lucas' new play house...

Because this is how us girls roll....

Happy 4th Everyone!

Are You Getting Enough?

SLEEP

BTW...that's not me...but I've been there.

So training started for me two weeks ago and so far I have diligently ran everything I am 'supposed' to run.  I've been eating pretty well minus the three days before and after Aunt Jemima comes to visit...(I can't help but to have a few pieces of chocolate during these times) and I've laid off most of the summer drinks...which is another topic in-and-of itself.  So why do I feel like absolute crapola in the morning and/or during the first three miles of my runs??? I've been asking my self this question when the answer just sucker punched me this morning.....I don't get enough friggin sleep folks.  Now, I am not saying that if I did; my pace would be faster..although it probably would a little, I just think I would run more easily, enjoy it more like I know I can and just not have a feeling of regression....I don't like feeling like I ran a marathon after six miler.... 

This past week my bed times have been a range of 11-2:30 am in the morning!  2:30AM who the hell do I think I am??   I was driving home from Virginia and it just took that long but seriously....come on.  I need to start treating my sleep as seriously as anything else.  It's like taking the time to send an expensive  package somewhere...have it bubble wrapped--twice...putting it in a sturdy box but then asking my son to deliver it on his bike, no wait--scooter whilst eating an ice pop.  I mean seriously, I am sending my body some crazy mixed messages. 

I have always been a night owl. This is no surprise...but I've been able to break free from some of the pattern ever since I have been running. Long story, very short.  I need to be paying attention to my sleep just as much as I am to my mileage and fueling.  Below is an article that I found very interesting...something most of us know but always a good reminder!  Get your sleep folks!!

How many hours do you get a night??

I do best on 8-9 ;) but get around 6 maybe 7 if I am lucky.

Owner's Manual: Sleep Your Way to a PR

The importance of sleep

By Kate Davis
As featured in the October 2008 issue of Running Times Magazine

For years J.D. Byrne had considered trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon. A former 16:20 5K runner and top-seven cross country runner in high school, his training went south during his late 20s as his career in the financial services industry started to soar.

He finally got around to training again in his mid-30s, but by then he and his wife had three young children, so he really had to squeeze out time for his runs, and that often meant running late at night or early in the morning.

And that meant he was always fatigued -- at work, before, during and after training, and even during meals. He had logged plenty of miles and anaerobic workouts during his 16-week training program, but instead of running 3:10:59 to earn a trip to Boston, he managed only a 3:21.

Weeks later, he still found himself physically and mentally fatigued, and that's when he knew he'd have to get more rest if he was ever going to qualify for Boston. "I was always tired and fatigued, especially during long runs on weekends," he says. "It was rough."
While elite marathoners often have the luxury of sleeping eight or more hours a night and can afford mid-day naps to help their bodies recover from their training, that's not realistic for fast recreational runners. But whether you run 2:25 or 3:15, you should consider sleep an important part of your training regimen, says Dr. Bob Gazzola, a longtime runner and Mankato, Minn., physician.

"Sleep is really important when training for an endurance event," Gazzola says. "During sleep a lot of important things are happening to aid in the recovery process. Besides just feeling more rested and ready to tackle the day ahead, adequate sleep -- at least seven hours, uninterrupted -- can make a big difference in your recovery."

It's during the third and fourth stages of a typical sleep cycle when a body heals itself. That's when the human growth hormone (HGH) is released from the pituitary gland. Although it's gotten notoriety as a performance-enhancing drug, in its natural form it plays a key role in building and repairing muscle tissue and bones, as well as acting as a catalyst for the body to use fat as fuel. Without the right amount of HGH in the blood, recovery from workouts is hindered, prolonging the time it takes the body to build a strong aerobic engine.

When a person is chronically sleep deprived their level of HGH decreases and another hormone, cortisol (also called "the stress hormone"), increases. Too much cortisol can be dangerous because it can prohibit the body from recovering fully and it can also interfere with the repair and growth of soft tissue.

A study published in the British medical journal The Lancet showed that a period of decreased sleep of only a few days can cause a disruption in glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism is the process responsible for storing energy from the food we eat and is why marathoners carbo-load before a big race or long run.

"With impaired glycogen synthesis runners can't get their glycogen stores as high, which means they may bonk sooner during longer runs or races than if they were well-rested," Gazzola says.
Other recent studies have revealed that people suffering from sleep deprivation often experience adverse changes in their diet (they eat more and often an unhealthy diet), make poor decisions, can't focus, and become unmotivated. And those things can throw a wrench into your training plans and not allow you to reach your workout goals.   YES THEY CAN!
Quality Counts

Sleep experts say while most people need seven to nine hours of sleep a night to feel fully rested, the number of hours varies by the individual. Some people seem to do fine on less, while others need more. The best way to gauge how much sleep you need is to go to bed at the same time every night and then wake up on your own, without the aid of an alarm clock.

While you may need to sleep a little longer when training for a half marathon or marathon, the key to fully recovering from your workouts is not just how many hours of sleep you get, but the quality of your sleep. The more fit you become, the more likely the quality of your sleep will also improve.

"Some miles are more important to your training and give you more benefit," Gazzola says. "Well, the same is true of your sleep. There are different stages to your sleep, and training helps you achieve a more restorative sleep. People who are restless in their sleep don't get to those deeper states of sleep where a lot of the significant emotional and physical benefits occur.

"For the highly trained athlete, sleep becomes more important but the hours might be less because their sleep is more effective sleep," he says. "Most people find when they are in the midst of their training and they're feeling good and confident, their sleep comes much more readily versus the tossing and turning that, unfortunately, a lot of people do."

Jenna Boren, a 2008 U.S. Olympic trials marathon qualifier, seems to do well no matter how much sleep she gets. The St. Paul runner logs 100 miles a week and works full-time as a chiropractor but only averages five to six hours of sleep a night.

"When I am stressed, it tends to affect my sleep more than anything," she says. "Ironically, the one remedy I use to manage stress is to run. Often, when I run the most, I sleep the least."

The one thing most runners, coaches and doctors agree on is being well-rested leading up to a race. "The one thing I tell all my runners is that, in the final weeks of training -- or actually tapering -- you can do more by sleeping than you can by running," says Chicago-area running coach C.J. Welter.
"That's when sleep should really become your primary training component and biggest focus."

Copyright © 2012 Running Times Magazine - All Rights Reserved.

Mommy Monday and BtB

BtB- Back to the Bloggin!
Hello Y'All! (Um..that's from hanging with Caroline too much ;)  School's OUT for SUMMER!  I've been doing a lot and its been crazy hectic but I am starting to slowly get into my summer rhythm. 

I started training for the ING NYC Marathon last week.  I am using their training program and have the pleasure of being 'coached' virtually by Coach John.  I'm excited to see where I will go with this and just pumped to run NYC...its going to be such a crazy awesome experience...I get excited just thinking about it.  On that excited note, I have been running what the program has detailed for me..I will get into all that in another post.  I have been struggling with some numbness in my right shin, yes, I did say numbness.  I have an appointment on Thursday to get all this checked out but I'm not tooo worried.  What I am worried about is this lil' guy below. 

This is a pic I took last night when traveling home from VA!

Yes, that would be the Verrazano bridge.  Just a lil' something I'm nervous about ....I'll try to let that be the last time I mention....'him'. 

Mommy Monday!

I've been loving up my kiddies lately and feel so lucky that I get to stay home during the summers.  It's such a nice balance of time and I've worked on 'being ready' to enjoy them in the summer.  It may sound weird to some that it "took some work" for me... but it used to be a hard transition for me....I needed to find a nice balance.  I struggled with between being a total summer bum that does absolutely nothing and having way TOO many things to do.  So here's a taste of what's been going on in the past month....

We've had a dance recital! Look how big she is getting!

Visits to the library for the summer reading program!  It's so funny listening to Lucas explain a book!

The kids in the 'homemade' play house!

Brooke GRADUATED PreK and this is what Uncle Danny got her!!
A huge blow up Graduating Monkey!  I mean why not?!

We celebrated Lucas' birthday and I made him Froggy cupcakes...he likes frogs ;)

Brooke making pizza!

Lucas "cooking" pizza

Eating the goods!

This is what happens during their "free time"

In Baltimore...on our way to VA. 

So here's some of the things this Mom/Runner/off for the Summer (did you hear that rhyme??) has been doing!

I look forward to sharing the trials and tribulations of my first TRI...

see you tomorrow!

What have you been doing that is fun in the sun??

Sharing some Moves Like Jagger...

I can't take how much my little guy makes me smile, laugh and fall more in love with him on a daily basis...

sharing some of his moves that are sure to put a smile on your face....

Wordless Wednesday- Long Run Treasures

I found this on a long run to the beach and back. 
My sons name is Lucas...Brooke wanted to know why I didn't bring her a B. 

I couldn't find a B but a month later I did find this little treasure. 
I saw it right after I was warned about a loose and not too happy dog up ahead. 
I changed my route...then found Brooke's treasure! She loved it.


What special treasures have you found on your long runs??
 

I Have Questions...Please tell me you have answers

Okay, so I have been training for the Marine Corp half marathon and the training has been a bit shady.  Shady in the way that I have been playing around with different programs and schedules this time around.  I am trying to find what works best for me and my body.  I am trying to push myself more and challenge myself.   I kind of took the Run Less Run Faster program and Hal's intermediate program and fused them....trying to find my just right fit.  I have a lot to say about my 'fused program' but before I talk about that (in another post) I need to ask some questions....that I need some serious and detailed answers to...I'm just trying to figure things out here on my own and I'm thinking some of you may have done the figuring out already ...so here goes. 

1.  When you are training and on a program that challenges you-how do you fit in the rest when the program doesn't have your amount of rest days built in?  Does this mean the program is too difficult?  Do I just keep adjusting?  For example:
Last week I did:
3 miles easy
speed workout
off
tempo
3 miles easy
off
long run -15 miles

After the 15 miles (hilly miles for me) I was sore but nothing too crazy.  I was still feeling sore today and chose to take my second off day-when I was scheduled to run a speed workout again.  I have learned the importance of rest, so these off days don't upset me--I'm just wondering plan wise...what happens when your long runs get really long and you are left sore.  Does my body get used to it eventually...?  Speak to me people!

2.  Did you ever go into a race knowing that your training really consisted of figuring out how to train for the goal you set?  I had a time goal for this race and I feel like my 'inner self' is letting that time goal go because I feel like I'm not prepared to reach it.  I can't tell if my minds just messing with me...or if I am really NOT prepared....I'm thinking I know the answers you all are going to give me for this one.

3.  Sneakers.  I know that sneakers are supposed to last for 300 miles.  Does this apply to everyone?  I am really feeling that my sneakers are not giving me what they did a few months back.  Could they possibly be worn out earlier???  Does that happen?

I have more questions...but if you all are like me...Its sometimes hard to read a really long post ;) so I will keep it to this.  I sincerely would love any advice that you guys could give!!!

NYC 2012...Here I come!

Looking forward ...

to starting

to choosing a plan.

 to have the feelings of excitement mixed with nerves. 

I can't wait...

 to see the people.

 to hear the people

to have the chance or possibility to meet or see some of the runnerss I look up to

I am very excited..

can you tell?

Mistakes=Learning

The last post where I complained about that "funky" run and how I was all disappointed....well lesson learned and I love every minute of it.  I think the best part of all races is the training you go through FOR the race.  I learned a valuable lessons with those two runs...

*1 You can hit the wall on a training day. You don't just hit it in a race.

*What you put into your body is what you get out....literally and figuratively.  I didn't prep for that difficult pace run. I just expected my body to do it because I pulled out a half the weekend before.  IT JUST DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.  I really love these lessons..and I annoyingly use them everyday in my classroom.  I mean isn't it the truth of life.  You get what you put into it?  I took advantage of my body and it said "Yeah?! Ya, think?  I think NOT."  I was so glad to even be able to recognize this and not stay in my funk...blogging about it helped that.  Plus it didn't help when these little green monsters knocked on our door with their "thanks for giving" delivery!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Buyer Beware!

*A lot of comments mentioned that I shouldn't be running that much...but honestly...I promise...it IS what the program said.  It IS why I ran 14 miles on Sunday and then went walking around Epcot with my family.  What isn't it the program that I made a mistake with is running it at my hardest...I am supposed to run a certain pace though....which is what I am still learning working my ass off to try and figure out .  This pace stuff is hard work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I had a hard time regulating my pace so ran pretty fast in the start and then bonked in the miles I always bonk in...8-10. 



*  I also realized that you have to choose one goal at a time...or prioritize a few.  I can't beat myself up for time when I am still working on not stopping. I really liked when I read in "Train Like a Mother" (highly recommend), that they describe their goals as good, better and best. 
good- being a time goal
better-how you run the race...form, mental toughness, focus
best- finishing! and reminding yourself you are doing what only 4.2 percent of Americans have the motivation and courage to do (FROM TRAIN LIKE  A MOTHER)

So training continues and it HASN'T gone as perfectly as I have planned...but I can't and won't expect it to.  I'm a mom, a teacher and a wife...and a homemaker, and a therapist...and....and....you get the point.  I hit a PR which is huge for me and I will make that sub 2 goal...if not in May...then by September.  I think we all learned a valuable lesson from all those troopers that ran Boston...life, mother nature happens...a good runner rolls with it!

One day a PR, Next day I'm WALKING home? Help WANTED

I need help, advice, a kick in the ass....I'm willing to take anything if it helps.  All I know is today I made, what I think, is one of the worst mistakes...I quit.  I did.  I went out to do a mid-tempo run and just downright stopped and walked home after the second mile. 

I just PR'd with a 2:01:20 this weekend in Atlantic city...which I am super excited about....the frustrating part is that I have my eyes set on a sub 2.  Yes, now you can see the problem.  During that beautiful AC run, yours truly stopped at least 6 times.  Not long but certainly long enough to call it a stop. 

Very long and complaining story short, I need to build the mind and I need your help!
Here are some of the facts:
* I felt great after the 1/2- no soreness which was weird for me.
* Rested and did nothing for two days.
*Trying to hit an 8:57 for a mid-tempo run.  (I'm wondering if I'm going out too fast...burning out too quick?)

(ps...to you fast runners...too quick for me and too quick for you are two different things.  Please take that into consideration.  Thanks so much. )

All this going fast stuff is new to me.  I am not good at feeling uncomfortable. 

I need help feeling uncomfortable.  I need push.  I need direction with this...

Feel free to advise....

Yours truly,

The Girl Who Will Think All Day About How She Didn't Finish Her Run.

Mommy Monday

There's been a lot of running going on around here and I will definitely be getting to that and my new PR tomorrow!! Can I get a WOOT WOOT!

but

in the meantime let's talk kids.  I'm not writing this by ANY MEANS to say I know what to do with YOUR child when they misbehave....I am actuallly writing it as a ....holy canoli am I doing this right?????

I will tell you we are on our first go around with my angel Brooke.  You name its new for us in the parenting department.  Brooke is our first and we try our best to figure out what's best for our child...while also trying to be cool, calm and collective.  So first let me preface this with I love my daughter (lmao-too funny that I am starting with that) and she really is nothing less than I would ever ask for in a daughter.   She is 

SWEET

PLAYFUL

FUNNY

and SMART



but in there somewhere...(and I'm hoping in everybody's elses 4 year olds)...

she can be ....a complete HANDFUL!!!

She just likes to CONSTANTLY test us.  It's like god had a private little meeting before she left him and said,

"Ok now Brooke, these parents are new.  Your job is to make sure they know their job.  Test them to their limits.  Throw them for loops.  Make sure they stay up some nights.  Make them talk, discuss and worry.  But in the end don't worry little Brooke, they won't break...they love you.  Good luck." 

Yep, that's what I think happened.  Well today I had to have a little discussion with Brooke.  I had to set hard limits (that was a 50 shades reference...we'll talk about that another time).  Enough was enough.  This was the talk...in a roundabout way. 

Brooke(now not facing me, with her arms crossed).  Brooke the way you are listening to me is not respectful, when you care about people you look at them when they are speaking.  (I let her cry, didn't try to soothe--this I learned because she would sometimes use that to distract and deter).  Mom and Dad love you a lot and for that reason we are going to be changing some rules around here.  Many good things happen when you listen to your parents--and many not so good things are going to happen when you don't.  I can't afford losing you or having something happen to you. Yesterday you had a very difficult time listening to directions and that can't happen....because 
1.  You could have gotten hurt. 
2.  It's disrespectful. 
3.  In life there are rules and you have to follow them. 

and its BECAUSE we love you that we are going to help you follow those rules...

We are counting to 3...without skipping a beat now.  It used to go like this (i'm sure you parents know).....1.................................twooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...............I'm getting to three..you better see that i'm getting to three...are you going to stop....threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. 

When we get to three-- you lose something.  The things you are surrounded by are privledges and you have to earn them.  Good behavior keeps your things but negative will lose them.  (I'm a teacher...I know the negative reinforcement vs. positive...but lets face it.  LOSING HER RAPUNZEL DOLL FOR A DAY  got her attention  way faster and had more of an effect and its based MORE on what she is going to be face with in the real world.  That's not to say I don't use the positive...its my go-to.  But there is a time and place for everything...and losing Rapunzel sometimes needs to happen.) 

You can be upset, you can be angry but through it we are going to love you and help you see that following the rules we be way easier than you think. 

Brooke grunts for me to go away right about now.

I am not going to go away.  I am going to stay with you until you are ready.  Remember that I love you and THAT is why I am doing this. 

and right there my friends is what I think i am trying to say.  Everyday we do things because we love our kids...we want them to have the world, feel loved, to be enlightened, to have friends, loving family, to travel...

But the biggest thing is for us to hold their hand through what they FEEL is tough at the time, to let them know...yes things in life are HARD, that yes sometimes you WILL FAIL....and sometimes I will be the one at the other end TELLING you that it's wrong.....but I do it out of LOVE and the knowing that that is the only way you will make it....and be strong in the end. 

I kept my hand out...and repeated to her I'm still here when you are ready.  She took my hand after about 3 1/2 minutes...(stubborn lil' girl-which I'm sure will help in the future as well ;) 

We walked downstairs...smiling and singing her song. 

Me-  Holy sh*t...I can't believe I just made it through that alive! 

lol

Wordless Wednesday!!!! Is there a problem here??

What my children bring to go sleep

ONE NIGHT

at Grandma and Grandpas house!

Should I contact Hoarders on TLC?

I'm on my way....

...AND I kinda know where I am going...which is a beautiful and comforting thing.  I haven't blogged in a while but time is precious and I have been committed to staying committed to my family, my training and my students.  When the day is done I am finding little time energy to commit to blogging!  I do miss it and have made some plans on how I can fit it in without going nuts!  So, a lot has been going on so get ready for a BBE (bulleted blog entry-yes, i made it up)...and then future and more consistent entries that may make more sense lol..

1. Scott and I have started to train for the Marine Corps Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, VA.  It's really fun and tiring at the same time to start a new program.  We are not using the same program to train and there is a chance that we will not be running side by side for this half.  That may sound weird to some of you but there are a couple of reasons...one being I truly believe your first try at these things are great to do to help you believe in yourself and your abilities.  It makes you realize you are strong enough, you can do it...and I want Scott to understand what I love about all of it.  Second, we don't want to fight lol....  Third, I am trying for a sub 2 and ....don't want to fight.  Nuff' said. 

2.  I'm super excited by how each time I wake up and think "I'm not going to be able to do this workout...its toooo hard!", I get up , try and SUCCEED!  I'm amazed at what my body is allowing me to do...(it is only week 2....we'll see how I feel at week 6-9....)



3.  One thing that is difficult when both parents are training is babysitting!  Scott and I usually go very early and then switch off so this isn't a problem...but on the rare occasion...I make a fort at the track for my kids and they think its the best darn thing in the whole world!

Camp Johnson at the high school track!

4.  We took a mini vacation on my winter recess.  It was nice staying home with the kids and just getting some of the zillion things done that I needed to with the house.  On the tail end we visited Mystic, Connecticut.  It was a very cute, fun and easy trip.  It would have been a bit better if it was warmer but our ferry ride there was not bad at all...it was about 60 degrees that day! 

Team Johnson on the ferry ride!

OK seriously? How do you not want to bite him...
and his choice from the aquarium store!



5.  I just added this because I thought it was hysterical.  I took the kids with me to get a bathing suit for swim class and some running supplies....they really love us running 'women'.

That's all folks!  Promise to post about the training and my upcoming races this week!!!! 

THE WINNER

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 20

That would be lil Miss...On the Right Track!

Please send me your address so I can send it off to Vega! Congrats

Run for Sherry + 1 More DAY for GIVEAWAY!

Todays run was dedicated to Sherry and her family.  It is with great hope that her family could feel how Sherry's story has impacted so many all around the world. 

Kelly and I right before our "Run for Sherry"

Scott and the kids
My second shift of running when the kids woke up!

Barbara V paying tribute

Rick running in Sherri's honor.

Looking for closure to Sherry's story and peace for her family. 

Tomorrow night will be the last day for the VEGA GIVEAWAY!!!  Click here to enter!!!ODDS are in YOUR FAVOR!