Well

I finished the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon three weeks ago with a time of 2:24.
Three years ago, poorly trained and unofficially pregnant (I was suspicious but hadn't taken a test), I struggled through the race and finished in 2:41.
So improvement? Yes. Am I thrilled with this time? Of course not.
I naively hoped for a PR - even though I had dropped a lot of easy runs, never - like seriously NEVER - did any crosstraining, and failed the train on hills, knowing from experience how many hills the race route included.
I didn't PR (2:16 KC Half Marathon 2013) but honestly, it felt really good. I was never out of breath. My legs were strong until mile 10 and it's been a year and a half since my last half marathon so I'm cutting myself some slack.
That being said...I need to get my act together. I am a runner and I want to be a lifelong runner. Not just training for one race or another when I feel like it.

I'm turning 30 this year (eeks!) and I'm determined to force myself into a running routine. Let's do this!

Walks with Dog and Tots

I've taken to after-dinner walks with our dog and the kids. It's a win-win-win. The dog loves it, the kids love it, and I get to feel a little bit better about not running.

Have you ever pushed a double stroller and walked an eager dog up a hill? It is totally a workout.

I've started mapping out our walks, planning routes for future solo runs. Our new neighborhood is close to a relatively major road but it's a residential area so there are a lot of side streets. A lot better than walking in circles around our old neighborhood or driving to the trail for a walk.

It's a nice routine. The dog and the kids head to the front door after dinner, motivating me to get in some exercise even on days when I want nothing more than to sink into the sofa.

Insert [Sometimes]

Let's just pretend like there hasn't been a massive gap between the last post and this one.

At this point, the name of this blog should probably change to Mark & Amy Run Sometimes. Every now and then I will sign up for a 5k or a 4 mile race and without training just run. I'm always sore for a few days afterwards and it's never as easy as it should be but I can do and actually finish in a pretty decent time.

I ran the Amy Thompson 5k Run on Memorial Day. I finished in 30:43.  Not too shabby right?

Sure my time may not be too bad, perhaps the half-marathon training has taught me to push myself to keep going even when I feel like stopping, but I'm so out of shape. I've put on pounds and feel like more of a marshmallow than I have for a while.

So now what? I'm signed up (in verbal agreements, not actually registered) for a 5k in September, but there are no other major races on the horizon. I keep talking about strength training. I am going to give the Insanity DVD workout plan a try I am going to follow the Insanity DVD workout plan and get ripped. I've heard it's a killer but pays off. Oh, and, you know I'm not going to be sweating it out by myself in the basement. Mark's on board too.

Time to get at it and feel better....right before the holidays hit and we start noshing on deliciously unhealthy foods.

Fact

countdown to race: 58 days

As if you needed more proof that I am not a runner....

Fact: I am a wimp.

Sometimes I stop to walk when I only have .10 mi left the complete.

Fact: I love bacon.

I heard that they are dipping bacon in chocolate. It sounds weird but I would totally try it.

Fact: I need new running shoes.

I've have the same pair of running shoes for almost two years.

Fact: I'm a slacker.

The half marathon is two months away and my longest run to date was only six miles.

Fact: I'm a marshmallow.

I have very little muscle. I couldn't tell you the last time I did any weight training.

Fact: I don't stretch much.

My post-run stretch lasts maybe three minutes.

Trail Hopping

countdown to race: 74 days

Today's high is going to be 67 degrees. It's January! I'm not convinced that winter weather isn't on it's way, but I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to escape the gym and hit the trail.

We are lucky enough to have a great trail nearby. Yesterday we ran our long run on the Little Blue Trace Trail, an 11-mile course along the Little Blue River. I like running the trail, but I'm too much of a chicken to go it alone. Since neither of us have been very motivated to run on our own, Mark and I have started running together. We ran all three of our training runs last week!

As much as I enjoy the free cable at the gym, I prefer running outdoors.

Things I like about running on the trail...

nature is much more entertaining than TV

people on the trail are always friendly

I'm inclined to run farther

better prep for road races

occasional animal sighting

watching the sunset

you can start at different spots for a change of scenery

no waiting in line for the treadmill

fresh air

watching the sun set

Of course there are some unpleasant things about running outside...

rocks in my shoes

bicyclists, sorry but I'd rather run in the middle of the trail

occasional stench

worrying about carrying water

weird folks hanging out under bridges

running in the dark

mud

dodging goose/dog poop

My feelings about the trail will be different in the 100 degree temps of July, but at the moment, the opportunity to get outside and run is amazing!

Dread-mill

countdown to race: 81 days

We live in Missouri and are wussies, so this time of year the majority of our runs are on the treadmill. Contrary to the post title, I don't mind the treadmill. I can watch free cable and not have to worry about getting hit by a car - win, win. The worst thing about training in January is the wait to get on the machine.

I've been trying to run in the morning, but more times than I'd like to admit, when that alarm clock dings at 4:35am, I don't even bother to hit snooze - I go straight to the off button. So, having slept through my morning run, I joined the post-work crowd at the gym. It sucked.

Ten minutes. Ten minutes I stood there watching other people workout, every minute getting more and more tempted to jump on the elliptical or go home. But I didn't. I wanted to. I was very, very close. But I didn't.

If only I couldn't remember that moment when my alarm clock goes off.

Why I Run

countdown to race: 87 days

There are a lot of reasons why I run. Today specifically, I run..

to try and block out over-thinking my work day.

because I love bacon.

to get out of painting the kitchen.

to fight off illness - I'm no doctor (way to state the obvious) but I swear it helps.

because I felt way too winded climbing the stairs this morning.

because I'm seeing some friends this weekend and want to look good.

because if I seriously want to run a marathon before I'm 40, I gotta get moving.

to prove that if the contestants on 'Biggest Loser' can hit the treadmill, I can too.

so I can fist pump the air when my power song comes on and the cardio room is empty.

because we no longer have cable and I miss the Food Network.

because I love crab legs.

because I can't decide what I want to do with my life.

I'm tired. Life is exhausting right now. I'm not complaining. My life is amazing and there are a lot of positive things happening. But it's still a lot of things and I am having a tough time finding balance.

For thirty-four minutes, instead of thinking about all of these things, I ran. I watched free cable, listened to my sweet running mix and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.