Where am I going!?

I know most of you know I'm still alive and kicking, but blogging has not happened in a while. Since Monumental, there hasn't been a lot to be motivational to blog about. So this is what happened...

1. I missed Boston by 3 minutes. Which is hindsight was fine, I still had a PR and I knew sub 3:40 would be tough. But still, so close. So I felt a little sorry for myself. 
2. I hurt my back early December, which gravitated to my hip causing pain with any running. So I compensated, on developed Achilles tendinitis on the other side. I was finally injury free in late March. Then I got Bronchitis. I also got Gastritis between my injuries for extra fun.
3. Partly because of #2, I gained 11 pounds. I got asked twice if I was pregnant. 😲
4. We had extended family illnesses that forever changed out lives.
5. I missed the most work ever in my professional career.
6. We have to prove our identity in person to the IRS.
7. We drank and ate to celebrate the marathon being over. Then it was the holidays. Then it was a bad day. Then it was a good day. Then we were stressed. Then we were home together. The excuses never ended.

It was a challenging time to say the least. But we had faith and each other, so we pushed on. But a lot of good things happened...

1. I learned to appreciate every mile once I was healthy.
2. I once again got to be "motivator" for the Connection Pointe Mini Training Program.
3. I got be a small part of Plainfield Rec Center's Mini Training Program and present on cross training.
4. I have the best friends in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD 🌎
5. I ran some races for 'giggles,' and had fun a long the way.
6. I was able to push one of my students along with his teacher in his first 5K as part of the Jospeh Maley-Run2gether Program
7. My family is doing awesome ☺☺☺☺

I'm happy to say I found my head again. I finally, literally got "on a program" and with the mini two weeks away...I'm getting excited. I race tired a ton, so there are very few races I truly race and rest for. It's been two years since I have been rested and raced a half marathon by myself, and so ready to get after it. Even through I am a little older and bigger then my PR 2 years ago, I am WAY smarter. 

And when you run smarter, you run happy...12 short days out for 41st running of the Indy Mini!

Jingle Bell Run: Running like crazy prom queens

I always thought we were called "crazy runner girls" for our dark-thirty wake-ups and all weather running. But after participating in my first ginger bell run with these ladies, I now know why.

The logistics of my dress were a little tricky...nothing I couldn't adapt to run 6 miles in it : )

It was a long 6 miles with pit stops along the way...

Shockingly, we didn't run fast, but we were the best dressed group! Lots of cheers (and stares) along the way were had. Happy Holidays!

Heroes Health Hope 5K: Running with new friends

Being a pediatric Occupational Therapist, I've always wanted to combine my love of running with helping others, and being able to push an athlete was the perfect match. Sadly's I've been a selfish runner over the  years and this year I'd learn to be a little selfless. Now that I've come to the point in my running  life where I have learned to get back to the sport, I was blessed to finally be able to run for Joseph Maley foundation in the Heroes Health Hope 5K this fall.

My kids were super excited to be volunteers for this race! Sadly, fall was truly here and Judie didn't last long in the cold!

I was so honored to run with Miana! Being a first grader just like my son, we had had tons to talk about! And she was a tough cookie being a frigid morning.

It was a short and sweet run through beautiful Eagle Creek Park in the fall! A perfect little warm down from Monumental. Hoping to run more races with this wonderful group!

For more information on the Joseph Maley Foundation Run2gether program visist Joseph Maley to find out more!

Monumental Marathon: 16 weeks rolled into less than 4 hours

16 weeks of 3:40 am Monday wake ups. 16 weeks of missed Saturday morning cartoons with kids. 16 weeks of mid week afternoon 10 mile runs at 90 degrees sometimes. All worth it. Can't say I loved every minute of training, but darn close. But our training and stellar weather truly made it a monumental day for us all.

Tons of training highlights were amassed over the last 16 weeks. Mileage records were made, alarms were set as early as 3:30, crazy 8's were established, and creative bathroom spots were found. Routing was like a physics problem and trains derailed us when on time crunches. Sometimes I wore the wrong shoes, but ultimately we were blessed by the absences of clown sightings. But most importantly we laughed...every freaking run.

 

    

Race day prep is always exciting and nerve racking. The expo is a mixed bag for me, excitement and nervousness. I do love going to the expo, but I quickly get overwhelmed by the wall to wall people. Heading down with Jenny versus my kids was much more enjoyable, (as I'm pretty sure Jude is banned from future Indy Mini expos). But photo ops with race numbers are a must.

Pre-gaming with the girls on race morning is a must! And the warm JW and stellar clean bathrooms are perfect! Despite my missing Roctane gel scare, pre-race was smooth : )

Mile 1-7:

Jen and I had planned to run together until the 1/2 turn off, holding around 8:30. We both felt great, running smart, making sure we slowed down if we were closer to 8:20. Jason and the kids were at mile 5 where Simon handed me my 1st of 4 very important apple sauces. I was feeling pretty confident at the first photo opt as you can see below.

Mile 7-13:

Sending Jen off at mile 7 was sad, as the miles flying by with her by my side. I felt pretty good she was half way to PR. I crossed the coveted half way mark in Broad Ripple at 1:49, 2 minutes slower than last year. But it was OK...I was running SMART, and knew I had a lot left. Just then this song was getting me ready for a strong second half, a song that would ultimately be my pick me up, (FYI, add it to your running playlist. Now. You can thank me later : )

Mile 13-21:

These miles went a MILLION TIMES better than last year. I felt strong and was still holding an 8;24 average. I was eagerly awaiting the IMA at mile 18, where my family would be and Jude would the the important task to hand me my next applesauce. Seeing them gave me a huge pick me up, and my random fastest mile of the race-what the heck...8:08 at mile 18?! I had no idea I was even going the fast. (And if I didn't mention it before, my family pretty much rocks-especially my kids posters : )

Mile 22-24:

My most dreaded stretch...Burdsal to Fall Creek takes FOREVER, and this is always the stretch that my shoulders start to hurt. And may pace start to drop closer to 9 and my right shoulder was KILLING me, my armband arm. Picking up my much needed apple sauce from the Ritter Cross Country team was a brief pick me up, but I was surely starting to enter the land of #strugglebus. But unless I pretty much stopped and walked, a PR was so happening. So I felt confident, and pushed on.

Mile 25-26:

Heading downtown I was hurting, my back was tightening up, but I was so close. I choked down one more gel and kept thinking I would see my family and friends in less than 20 minutes. Right as I was starting mile 26, my good friend Jenny flew past me, giving my some oomph to catch her. Running hundreds of miles with her this year, I knew I could keep up with her, giving me the drive to finish up with an 8:20 mile, and seeing Jason and the kids perfectly aligned as I rounded that final corner. And I love that Jen caught a picture of me smiling as a closed in on the finish line.

It ended up being a great day for all of us Runner Girls. We PR abundant with others helping others PR. And even though I really wanted that BQ, can't complain with a 4 minute PR at 3:43.42. And with that being my only PR of 2016, it was so awfully sweet. And I smiled a TON during this race. We had so much to celebrate with family and friends! Even more that Sarah made it back for her first "destination race."

 

And most importantly, I got my PR donut...and so did Jen! Jason even hooked me up with some Three Floyd's to celebrate! And Coney Dogs were even at the finish!

 

We could have not been more BLESSED with this day! The weather was perfect, our times were fast, and all the early mornings were well worth it. Congrats to my Runner Girls and all others, whether it was the 5K or full marathon, it was truly a monumental day, and another great day to race in Indy!

Indianapolis's Womans Half Marathon: girls just want to have fun

This race is been on my radar for years, so was super excited to finally get out and run it. With last year's black flag on the back of most peoples mind, the field seemed small with a strong possibility of rain. But not us. The Saint Malachy trash bags kept us Mamas prepared for anything pre-race!

Loved the start of this race on the cobblestone road on the circle! And the weather was looking clear" enough" to ditch the bags. Were staying optimistic for some sunshine.

Kelly and I were feeling strong at the beginning-with our goal to hold 8:15's, give or take a few seconds. It was a weird feeling to "hold back," but God knows my pacing skills are AWFUL. But had such a great time to race with someone you have ran hundreds and hundreds of miles with, and we pushed each other along the way. Love the course looping south then west of downtown, up to the Armory, with steady support throughout.

The rain stayed away till about mile 5-6, with a complete downpour right before the half way point. We stayed strong and tried to avoid the puddles, but before we knew it we were inevitably ankle deep. But we hung on, and clocked a great race mid marathon season. And was BEYOND impressed with our pacing skills. Kelly was a HUGE motivator to me those last two miles when I was struggling to stay strong.

We all had a fabulous day to run among ladies...sadly, the weather wasn't what we wanted, but we all had a great race considering the conditions. But no rest...back to training, as we have less than two months to #bemonumental, our biggest race of our running season!

Go Girl Tri: Finishing up the season with the ladies

With tri training taking a backseat to marathon training, it was nice to switch it up for a day. Going back to work time and trying to balance 3 sports and back to school drama is a delicate balance, but it all work out. With 30 plus mile run weeks starting up, I needed the swim to recover. And with the back to work anxiety and stress, I needed the bike to mentally unwind. Win-win, all around : )

Swim: Felt great, swam straight, smooth water...and my goggle strap didn't break. Most of all, for the first time in a while, I felt like a swimmer. Coming out the water 3rd made feel way less old lady.

Bike: With the off and on monsoons, I hadn't got in the biking I needed.  But I felt strong and was more than pleased with my average...so I'll take it. I held my own and only got passed by a few.

Run: I should have rocked this. But already having 20 plus miles in for the week, (which I was calling resting : ) I didn't even look at my splits, I didn't want to know, so I just smiled and ran on. I even got the opportunity to truly be a "tri mom" when I yelled at Jude to get out the road. 

And I LOVED getting out there and racing with my runner girls Jen and Melissa! 

And just like that...triathlon season is over, and so is summer. Never enough time, never enough races. And one of these years, I will actual take advantage of qualifying for age nationals, and actually go. For now, I have my eye on 26.2 here in November, with big hopes of a big PR.