Sunday, July 24, 2011

What a difference a week makes

It's been a week (or a bit over) since I claimed things were feeling better, and boy, are they ever. A few days ago I was thrown into the thick of things when I went over to Trego, WI where my cross country team was at their summer retreat. The bugs were thick, the sun was shining, and the kids were awesome as usual. After getting up at 4:30am and driving 2+ hours, I was greeted with smiles and feet ready to run. I hopped out of my car, laced up my shoes, turned on the GPS, and we were off. The one thing I forgot: to ask how far we were running.

About 4 miles in, and no where near our cabin, I decided I should maybe ask how long the run was going to be. Oh, 6-8 miles, which is 3-5 miles more than I have run in almost a year. Thankfully, I was actually feeling very good after only 4 hours of sleep, and I was able to keep up and enjoy the run. The hills in the woods, the bugs, the sun beating down; it was all part of regaining what I have lost.

After stretching, breakfast, and some fun on the lake, we rested up for the second run of the day. This time the sun was a bit hot, the bugs were a bit annoying, and my legs were far more tired. I still hung with them and felt just fine. 4.5 miles later I was ready to be done. A shower, some dinner, and it was time to head home on another 2+ hour car ride.

As I pulled in the garage and got out of the car, I had to laugh. Ouch. My hips hurt from the hills. My eyes were exhausted from the day. And boy do I hate gnat bites!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Slowly, but surely

After just 3 runs, I'm already feeling like I'll be able to do this again. The first 2 were brutal, I won't lie. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack and I had to walk just to regain my breathing. I can't remember the last time I had to do that while on an "easy" run.

I am still slow. I still breathe harder than I'd like. But I didn't have to walk, and I didn't feel like dying. I think I actually enjoyed myself.

August 20. Snail Run 10k. I have placed in the top 4 for my age group every time I've run it. The last time, 2009, I won my age group. It's a lofty goal, but somewhere in the back of my mind, where my competitive runner is sitting, waiting, itching to come out, I hope to be in the top 5. Not sure what sort of time that would take, I'm guessing somewhere under 55:00. It's a very lofty goal, but I'm sure I will be there pushing it up those terrible hills at the end, racing against the clock.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Another year, another restart

Again, it's been over a year since I've posted. So much has changed; it's hard to remember the life I used to lead. I had recently written about trusting the Lord and waiting for His timing in relation to starting a family. Little did I know that a month later it would be His time.

This year, we have her. Our Mallory Ann.

After a whirlwind of a year, it's time to get back to running. I kept up with it pretty well in the first few months of pregnancy, but boy do I give credit to the moms who can run all the way up until their due date. At around 5ish months, it became so uncomfortable that I called it quits and stuck to walking, biking, and eliptical. About 2 months after Mallory was born, I ran a few times here and there, but nothing consistent.

July 7, the new beginning. It is humbling to run again after such a long time off. My legs want to return to the speed they were used to. Unfortunately, my lungs are not in agreement. Cardiovascular wise, I am no where near fit. But this is just the beginning. I can only go up from here.

I plan to sign up for the TC 10 mile and hope to get in. That will be my first goal, to return to competitive shape. I can't expect the same times I have run, but I hope to get close. My long term goal is the TC Marathon 2012 and to aim for under 4 hours, ultimately 3:40 to qualify for Boston.

Here's to new beginnings, better beginnings, and baby steps.