St Paddy's 5k

Saturday, Girly and I ran a local 5k race.  This is the 3rd 5k we've run together and she continues to amaze me =)

Hardly any training in the last couple months and she's still able to run under 30 minutes.  And she's such a rock star, that she took first in her age group.

Once we got home, Junior asked if I would go with him on a bike ride.  Since my bike needs some work, I laced up my shoes and headed out for another 3 miles with him.

The roads are still a bit muddy in places.

And then when Junior and I got back, Squish said he wanted to go for a ride.  So, back out for another mile and a half.  My legs are a bit tired now =)

Sparks Indoor Tri

Saturday I competed in my 2nd tri, but I'm counting it as my first (last one was in 1996). I signed up in December and thought I could get a few swims in so I wouldn't drown. That didn't happen. Then I thought I could get some biking in... Maybe a mile total. Oh well. Just hope I don't drown 

I was in the first wave (right a 7am) and I was happy to see that I wouldn't have to share a lane. Started out and was feeling pretty good. First lap was 55 seconds. Turned for the second lap and about halfway through I could feel myself starting to panic. Not good!. So I flipped over onto my back and kicked until I had control of my breathing. And I realized that I was going to have to slow down to just swim to finish.

I climbed out of the water at 11:42 and hurried to the transition area/ bike area. Got dried off, put my shoes and socks on and climbed on the bike, completely forgetting to put on my shorts (I still had on my swimsuit...)

Climbed on the bike and got paired with a very talkative volunteer. He was really nice, but I wasn't really wanting to talk to him about training for a marathon...

Bike went fairly quickly and before I knew it I was heading to the track. The first lap was interesting as I worked the jello out of my legs and found my stride. Every few laps I had to remind my volunteer to tell me my splits and what lap I was on (surprising, because he had been so talkative by the bike...) Before I knew it, I was finishing up lap 40. Two more to go and I would be finished!

I crossed the finish line in 1:05:11. And 4th in my age group. If I had been 8 seconds faster, I would have been second. There was only about 45 seconds between 1st and 4th place.

Overall I'm happy with the race. Maybe next year I'll actually train for it

1st place overall female: Robin, me and 1st place in my age group: Holly

Cavanal Killer

This last Saturday (while Kelli was having fun at the zoo) I ran/ walked/ crawled the Cavanal Killer here in Poteau.

Since I live on the backside of the World's Highest Hill, it taunted me the entire drive in.

Can you see the towers on top?  This is from the parking lot that we started from...

The first part of the race is nice, gently climbing.  I got to almost 2 miles before it *felt* hard.  That was just the hill playing a trick on me lol!

I've had dreams that I'm running up steep hills and had to crawl on my hands and knees to make it...  This hill put those dreams to shame.  The switchbacks were terrible, then around mile 3 there was a false sense of hope with a slight downhill and *flat* section.  

About a quarter mile from the finish, some of the top finishers were coming down the hill and said I was on the last climb of the race...  Um, last climb?  Hasn't this been one continuous climb?

Finally the finish!  My goal was to finish under an hour...  I finished in 1:00:03.  Grr...

The final stats...  Close to 1800 ft gain in elevation in less than 5 miles.

After I grabbed something to drink and a snack, I decided to be one of the crazy ones and run back down the hill.

Here's a view from the top.  The pictures were taken last summer when Kelli's boys came to visit.

Now that I've had a couple days to recover, I want to do it again =)

Eisenbahn Trail Half Marathon

Yes, you read the title correctly.  The full marathon I was suppose to run this weekend became a half.  

I'm actually really glad I decided to switch.  The weather forecast looked terrible on Saturday night.  High winds, cold temps and rain...

The cold temps (35*) and strong winds (15-20 mph) were what we actually had to deal with.  And since it was an out and back course, we had a headwind on the way back...

But, in spite of the weather conditions, we had a good race.  My dad and I ran it together, laughing and talking the whole way.

And we even managed to walk away with some bling...  First in both of our age groups (F34-39 and M60-99) =)

The only bad thing about the race was we ran into someone who remembered me running in high school.  And all he said was "You're not as fast as you were in high school, huh?"

Nope, I'm not.  Twenty years and 4 kids will tend to slow you down a bit...

Vike Hike Half Marathon

This last Saturday, I had a chance to run the inaugural Vike Hike Half Marathon here in Poteau.  Running a local race is so much more fun than running a race in a different city.  Add in the fact that the race was well organized, beautiful weather and you have the perfect day.

Kelli already mentioned how I did.  I'm happy with my time (haven't raced a half in nearly 4 years) and with how I placed.

But that's not the only reason I run.  

I also run to be inspired by the other runners.  

The Vike Hike course had a long out and back at the beginning.  Not only did I get to cheer on the front runners, but I also got to cheer for and high five the runners behind me.

And then the end of the course had a couple loops...  It made it easy enough to walk out to mile 12.  And there I had the chance to run in with a few other lovely ladies from my local running group.

And they inspired me.

Miss L who had spent the week before the half sick with a stomach bug (and still wasn't feeling 100% on Saturday!)  Running with her the last mile reminded me that we are stronger than we think because we have God on our side.

Miss M who was running for a little girl who won't be able to run for herself and to raise awareness for Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18).  

But the one who inspired me the most was Miss T.  Looking at her, you wouldn't consider her a runner.  But she is.  It may have taken her almost 4 hours to complete the half, but she did it.  She finished with a smile on her face surrounded by her friends and family.

The SOM's (Strong Okie Mamas) before the race

Some awSOMe ladies after the race

Every runner has a story.  Take a moment to listen to them and be inspired by the obstacles they've overcome or the causes they're running for.  I guarantee you'll walk away with a new perspective.

Kelli's Roller Coaster

January was a roller coaster month.  I had a lot of ups as well as a lot of downs.

 

  

Our family moved into our new house on December 31st which was a BIG UP!  On January 1st my coffee maker broke, this was a pretty big DOWN for me (yes, this is a newsworthy item; quit judging.).  The breaking of my coffeemaker snowballed into almost every appliance in my new house breaking and my husband fixing it through following Youtube videos.  

Another roller coaster ride has been the adjustment of my husband actually having to go into the office every day.  Gone are the days of sleeping until 7:30 and getting in my workout or meeting my running buddy at 5:30 and then taking a nap later in the day.  I have had to adjust my schedule and it has not been pretty.  Right now I am doing workouts during quiet time.  I want to get up earlier but mornings and I are not getting along. 

I also sprained my ankle on what was supposed to be a six mile run/walk.  This threw me for a big loop because I'm supposed to be doing a 15k on the 8th.  I finally had to admit that I will not be ready in time.  This has been the biggest DOWN because I felt like a failure.  Running has been hard the last month mainly because my pregnant body has not been cooperating with my training plan.  However, once I started listening to my body and slowing down a little bit I have enjoyed exercise.  I am walking more and will do the 5k on the 8th, I have also incorporated more Pilates and sculpting into my regimen.  I feel better and have much fewer aches and pains. 

My biggest up has been enrolling in the Institute For Integrative Nutrition which means that I will be a certified health coach in February of 2015 but will be able to take clients by August of 2014.  This is something that I have wanted to do for a while but the timing was never "right".  I came across a great deal and after talking and praying with my husband things literally fell into place.  

I am looking forward to see what February brings.  I am sure that it will be another roller coaster!  

Ouachita Switchbacks 25k Recap

On Saturday I had the chance to run the Ouachita Switchbacks 25k.  

I think I should have paid a bit more attention to the description...

"Oklahoma's Most Challenging and Scenic 50K and 25K.  The race is located in the Ouachita National Forest near Big Cedar, Oklahoma.  Big Cedar is an intersection where highways 259 and 63 meet but there is not really a town there.  There are no stores in Big Cedar and there will be no restroom facilities at the race site.  It is a primitive location without electricity and so be prepared."

Primitive, but beautiful.

I carpooled to the race site with a bunch of other crazy trail runners.  All who I was meeting for the first time that day.  But don't worry, we're runners.  That means that we're friends =)

After getting checked in (and reminded numerous times that we needed to check out before we left) figuring out what I was going to carry, what I was going to wear...  We lined up to head out.

Within the first few miles, I knew this was not going to be an easy race.  I had to be talented enough to keep my eyes on the trail to avoid falling flat on my face and to be looking for the blue markers on the trees...  At times I didn't think that we were still on the trail.

Yes, we were still on the trail...  See that deer path?  That's what we were following.  Until we got to the river of rock.  Then we followed the blue marks across.

Now, when I said this was a 25k (15.4 miles), I really meant to say it was 17.77 miles.  And not because we got lost.  It just happened that the climb to the top of Winding Stair was 8.85 miles- across a river of rock and a stream that you had to wade through.  (which on the way back felt wonderful on the calves).

Where there was a shelter and an aid station.  After refueling, we headed back down the mountain.

And to the finish line where there was plenty of potato soup, chili, cornbread, sandwiches, cookies and great camaraderie.

And since this was my first official race as a Tough Chick, the required selfie proving that I was still able to walk =)

For those of you wondering about the elevation.  The lowest point was around 940' and the highest was 2440'.

It was much more challenging than I had anticipated, but also a lot of fun.  So much, that I'm already planning on next year =)

Plans Foiled?

 

In February I got talked into running The Hot Chocolate 5k with some friends from bootcamp.  I thought that it was pretty pricey but I "NEEDED" the hoodie you got as your swag bag, seriously I needed it A LOT.  While I was there I vowed to run the 15k next year. 

 

Wouldn't you run for this???

 

As you all know I have struggled to stay committed to running this past year and have had ups and downs but I signed up for the 15k with a bunch of other ladies from the Austin running club I joined.  So here I am pregnant and seven weeks from the race wondering if I have completely lost my mind.  

The answer is...maybe!  

I'm pretty sure that I can run/walk 9 miles.  It may not be pretty but it will get done.  

I am working on staying consistent to my training plan and I have talked with my midwife about my plan and she was very encouraging about my goal.  

I am not killing myself with my training plan but I am challenging myself just enough to get that "high" feeling after each workout.  

My husband and kids have been very encouraging this week while I freaked out when I realized that I am seven weeks away to race day, oh and I have a move tossed in there!

I'm really looking forward to this years hoodie and refuse to back out now plus there is chocolate at the end.

I'm also really looking forward to posting my picture when I'm done, you will all get to see a sweaty Kelli!

Did I mention that Lynette is running this too?  She will probably be done and getting a massage by the time I'm finished but it'll be nice to run a race with her again.  

So that's what has been going on in my head this week.  What goals and challenges are you focusing