Tough week!

This past week (technically 5 days, but close enough) has been the toughest for me!  I never thought it would be so hard NOT to run!

Last week I noticed my right knee hurting a bit during my workout with my trainer.  I contributed it to my hardcore three days in a row.  It started out win a 30 mile bike ride on Sunday, then intense workout with Wendy and her trainer on Monday (thanks Christian for inviting me to join you and Wendy!). Finally Tuesday was my workout with my trainer.  By the time I was nearing the end of this workout, I noticed that my knee was bothering me when I was doing my single leg squat jumps as well as a few other things.  Per my trainers suggestions, I was taking the weekend off from running.  He did give me the ok to do my 5 mile training run that Matt and I had planned for the following evening.  However, there were conditions - if my knee started to bother me, I had to stop running.  Then once that run was complete, no running over the weekend.

Training run on Wednesday started out well! First 3 miles we maintained a 10 minute mile pace.  At about 3.8 miles, Matt slowed to wait for me to make sure all was ok.  I told him that I thought the knee felt a little tight but I was fine.  Not ok with him though... He made me stop and we walked the rest of the way together.  Apparently he could tell it was bothering me because I slowed down.  I had not even realized it! 4th mile I slowed to 12 minutes.  Once we walked the rest of the way back to the car we put in 5.18 miles in just a hair over an hour!  No complaints from me seeing as we walked about 1.2 miles.  Some ice on the knee when we got home just to be safe and I was good to go!

I was going to hit the "gym" in the basement for a quick upper body/arm workout on Thursday after we went out for dinner, but I was told that I needed to just go home and rest (thanks to those of you know how stubborn I can be and told me I needed to just take a night and rest!).  So I did just that - a glass of wine outside with my Women's Running Magazine compliments of Wendy (thanks again!).

I did get in the short workout at the gym after work on Friday to get in the upper body workout that I wanted to do on Thursday, but that was only after I promised to not do anything that would put pressure on my knee (I will have to make up for those squats Patty on another day!) and that I would not jump on the treadmill.

Over the next 4 days, not running was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time!  I managed to keep myself busy enough all weekend so that I didn't get bored.  I knew that if I got bored, I was going to want to run!

Last night I did hit the treadmill in the basement for a run.  Figured that, even though I hate running on the treadmill, that was my best option.  That way, if after a few miles my knee started hurting, I wouldn't have to worry about how I was going to get home.  I ran the first mile and was feeling good.  No knee pain, but after not running for 4+ days, my muscles were tight.  After the first mile, I slowed and walked for the next mile.  Still feeling good, muscles reacting well and feeling good!  I did a combination of running and walking for the next mile and ended up finishing my 3 miles in 30 minutes!  I will take it!

This morning, I saw this posted from Fellow Flowers and I realized how true this is!  I know that I want to keep running and pushing myself to achieve all of goals that I have for myself, but I also I need to make sure that I don't push myself that hard all the time!  I have a wonderful support team that keeps reminding me that I don't need to push it so hard all the time and I and forever grateful for that! Over the next month or so, I am doing a few 5k's, but the next Half Marathon isn't until Mid August.  I will keep myself on track for training for that, but I will also remember that I need to take some time to just float!

When I went to the gym tonight to meet with BJ, I received the ok to get back to running!  I just have to remember pay attention to my knee and walk for a while if it starts hurting.

Training run with Matt tomorrow (weather permitting) and I am ready!  Color Run in Madison on Saturday with Beth and Chad!  Let's get ready to have some fun!!

Lazy Lobster Run 5 Mile Run 2013

aka Birthday Hangover Classic 2013

Today was the Lazy Lobster Race 5 Miles Run with Wendy.  This run is a race in conjunction with the myTeam Triumph team in Cape Cod.  No, we were NOT in Cape Code this morning...  They are actually running the race tomorrow (June 16th) in Massachusetts but they contacted the local mTT chapter to invite them to participate as virtual runners for this event.  With our paid registration, we would get all the t-shirts, goodie bags and medals that the actual event participants would be receiving.  Wait - we get a medal for this?  Count us in!!  It's all about the bling baby!

Wendy and I before our 5 mile run

As virtual runners for this event, we had to option to run our 5 miles at any time, on any course of our choosing.  We chose to do our run today... the day AFTER my birthday party!  They say that running cures hangovers so we were going to test that theory!  Granted, we actually woke up feeling pretty good after the festivities of the night before, so this was going to be a good run!  This was also going to be the longest run Wendy has done in the last few years, after dealing with a few injuries.  It's going to be a slow 5 miles, but it will still is going to be 5 miles!

It was a great morning for our run, we just needed to make sure we stayed ahead of the storms that were foretasted to hit the area this afternoon!  The cool breeze when we started was very promising for a comfortable run.  Unfortunately that was short lived.  The breeze did stick around but it wasn't as cool as it was when we started and you could feel the humidity level rising.  But we plugged through it. It was actually nice to hit the Mountain Bay Trail for part of our run, as that took us more into the shade, instead of in the bright beating sun that decided to come out!

We ended up hitting 5 miles in 1 hour and 1 minute!  Not bad for what we were saying was going to be a "slow run" today!  We also finished at the perfect time - as I was driving home it started to rain.  Granted it was a light cool rain that would have actually been nice to run in, but it was still rain!

It was a great day for a fun run that benefited a great cause!  Best part?  Shortly after I got home, the mail arrived and I received my t-shirt and medal from Cape Cod for this race!  I LOVE the Lobster Medal!!

T-shirt, bib number and medal from Cape Cod!

Birthday 1 Mile Fun Run

Ok, if this is what it is like to turn 40, I really don't know what people are complaining about!

Yesterday was the best day I could have asked for!

I had homemade Run Chata cupcakes to take to work that my awesome son made for me, which everyone loved!  They all know and love Darrin's cupcakes and when I sent out the email letting everyone know that there were cupcakes to be eaten, I had to add the disclaimer that they would NOT last all day.  If they wanted one, they better make sure they come early!  By the end of the day, there were 2 left!

I was also treated to an awesome birthday lunch by my dear friend and running partner Matt.  There of course is thanks that go out to my boss who was ok with my taking a little longer of a lunch break so that we could go out for something besides fast food or pizza buffet!

Wendy, Tom, myself and John before the run

Then after work, I ran with my other running partner Wendy in the GB Downtime Mile.  Tom also joined us for the run (even though h ran ahead of us and finished before us) and John came along for the ride.  A few days ago, Wendy told me that we were going to shoot for a 9 minute mile... I told her she was crazy!  Running in 70+ degree temps is never something that I enjoy, but I was going to see what I could do!  We started off to a flying start and by the time we got to the first turn, Wendy told me that we needed to slow down - we were running at less than a 7 minute mile pace!  We slowed down and crossed the first bridge.  Once we got over that bridge and turned the corner we fell into a comfortable pace and were shooting for that 9 minute goal!  By the time we were crossing the second bridge, heading to the finish line, I had a feeling we were going to be close to reaching our time goal, but I was not sure if I could actually keep up the pace!  Upon the final approach to the finish line, reality hit me... I was going to run  my mile in UNDER 9 minutes!  My Runtastic App told me that I just crossed a mile shortly before the finish line... and the timer at the finish line said 0:09:02 and I went 1.09 miles... which translated to a 8:20 min/mile!  We rocked that mile!

awesome birthday cake at Republic Chophouse

Once Christopher was done with work, he met up with us at Titletown and then we headed over to his place across the rive so that I could change out of my running clothes and figure out where we wanted to go for
dinner.  After some deliberating, and Christopher talking up the awesome Prime Rib sandwich, we headed to Republic Chophouse!  The food was amazing!  Crab and Cheese Quesadilla, crab stuffed mushrooms and prime rib sandwiches! Everything was phenomenal!  Just when I could not eat another bite, the waitress brought out dessert for us...  a HUGE slice of Red Velvet Cake! This "slice" of cake was bigger than my head!! The photo was actually taken after I had already cut off a piece of it, so you can imagine just how big it was!  Even with 3 of us eating it, we ended up taking over 1/3 of it home!

All in all, it was a fabulous day!  I got to spend it with some of my favorite people in the world!  Many thanks for making it extraordinary!

Summer Fun at the Stadium

Happy Birthday Matt!  Happy Anniversary Matt and Molly!

Last Tuesday was my running partner Matt's 35th Birthday and the week before was Matt and Molly's 10th Anniversary.  To Celebrate, they invited a bunch of us to join them for an afternoon of baseball with the Timber Rattlers in Appleton.

Happy Birthday Matt

The day started off cool, windy and overcast for tailgating, but no one really seemed to mind!  There was good food, friends and lots of cold beverages!  It was fun just watching the kids run all over the place - oh to have that much energy again!  Also, even though the weather was on the cool side, that didn't stop the kids from breaking out and filling up the squirt guns that Molly put in all the kids goody bags!  A little water never killed anyone, even if it was cold outside!

Since the weather was still more of the same by the time the game started, I didn't think to grab the sunscreen or anything from the car - I wasn't going to need it.

I am glad to say I was completely wrong on that note... No sooner than we walked into the stadium and get to our seats, the sky clear, the sun came out and it got warm!  Don't worry, I am not going to complain!  It was awesome to see the run out for the day!!

This was the 3rd time I was at this stadium, but the first time I was ever actually here for a baseball game!  The other 2 visits were for the Scheels Run for Home 5K back in 2011 and then just a few months ago.

When Molly made the reservations for our group at the stadium, she also was able to sign Matt up for the Go Cart Races... so he had to pick 2 friends to race with him.   A few of the kids wanted to race but we then found out that you had to be at least 18 to race.  So Matt asked me to join him and Andy for a race. This was going to be fun!  We were going to be racing around the field in go carts- too fun!

Once we got checked in for the race we were guided around to the back side of the field.  The gal from the stadium that was walking us back told us that they just got a new pink car and I maid the comment that I guess I would end up with the pink car, since I didn't think either of the guys would want to drive the pretty pink car.  Unfortunately, she told me that I was probably too short to drive that car - the pedals are set further forward than on the other two cars.  They usually put the tallest person in that car, just for that reason.  Guess Matt was getting the pink car!  :)

Out to a quick lead

Once the 5th inning ended, it was race time!  When we were lining up, we were plotting how we were going to keep Matt and his new, fast car.  We were also informed that Lamers Dairy (one of the sponsors) was in the stands today - and I was driving the Lamers car!  Gee thanks -  no extra pressure there!  Winner would get a bottle of chocolate milk!

As soon as we heard go, I was off!  The competitive side of me was out - I was determined to beat these guys!  Who says women can't drive?!?!?  I took off and never looked back.. ok I did a few times just to see how far back the guys were.  LOL  That was so much fun!

In the end, it was a great afternoon all around!  Special thanks got out to Matt and Molly for inviting us all out for an awesome afternoon at the ballpark!  Good food, good friends and a win by the T-Rats!

Matt still fighting for position at the end

Great race birthday boy!

We Came, We Ran, We Conquered!

2013 Bellin Run is officially in the books and we rocked it!

Matt and I before the race

This morning I woke up with mixed emotions going into this race.  Nerves and Excitement were all over the place.  It was my last race before I turn 40.  I knew that I had been training hard for this but was still not confident that I could reach my goal of 1:10:00.  While I waited for Matt and Molly to pick me up, I couldn't sit still!!  

Once we finally found someplace to park and walked the 6 blocks to the park, I was ready!  Just being in the park with the other 20,000 runners and walkers was enough to wash away the nervousness.  The weather was perfect (even though Matt would say it was too chilly!) I had a feeling it was going to be an awesome day!  We were starting in Wave 5, so by the time we reached the starting line, the Elite Runners were already 22 minutes into their run and nearing mile 5!  Finally we were off and running!!

The first few miles were tough as there is a slight incline until we made the first turn, just after mile marker 2.  My calves were burning and I seriously was wondering if I could keep the pace for the entire run. 2 Miles in and under 21 minutes so far. Thankfully right after that first turn is a nice stretch that runs downhill!  That was enough of a break to give my calves the release that they needed.  Even though the air was cooler, the sprinklers along the course were still very welcome and refreshing. (Thanks Squirrel and Wayne for that 1st sprinkler!)

I managed to hit a 5K split of 32:44, which is right in line with my 5K time from last weekend.  Knowing that today I was able to hit that benchmark, while pacing myself to make sure I can finish the full 6.2 miles, I am confidant that I will break that 30 minute 5K wall before too long!

Somewhere between miles 4 and 5 I reached that point where I felt like I was hitting the wall.  Matt asked me if I needed to walk for a bit and that sounded like a good idea.  My mind overpowered by body though and within a block, I was running again.  My legs were ready to give up, but my mind was not!

As we approached the area around Astor Park, I thought I heard someone yell my name, but my mind was in the zone... I would find out later that it was Carl, Michelle and Lloyd that were yelling as I ran by.  I was focused only on finishing at this point that i wasn't really paying attention to the yelling crowds.  I could tell from the pace times that I was getting from my Runtastic App that I was well on the way to beating my goal time... by how much was yet to be determined.

I still don't know where it came from, but once we turned the corner heading away from the park, adrenaline kicked in.  The last 3+ blocks was a sprint to the finish!

My finish time 1:06:30.  Official time per the Race website when we got home, 1:06:59.  Well under the 1:10:00 goal that I had set for myself!  We headed to get some water from where Molly was volunteering - water good!  We stopped to relax for a bit and then it was time to do get up and walk around and made our way around the corner to get our official finish photo's.  Matt headed back to where Molly was working and I was headed to find food!  Banana's, bagels and pretzels were in my future!

When I got back to the finish line, apparently rest time was over.  I found Matt helping the finish line crew pass out bottle water to those that were finishing behind us!  Can't keep him sitting still for very long!

Next up:  Lazy Lobster 5 Mile run next weekend!

It's going to be a busy summer...

... but I wouldn't have it any other way!

With running events at least twice a month plus a few cycling events, it is going to be an amazing summer!  
Someone asked me what all I was planning for this summer.  Here is the list (as of right now anyway) to include the events already completed in 2013...

3/17 - St Pats Run, 5K, Appleton.                                   Finish time = 38:28
4/5 - April Fools Run, 5K, Appleton.                               Finish time = 33:11
5/5 - Scheels Run for Home, 5K, Appleton.                     Finish time = 35:18
5/11 - Journey's Half Marathon, 13.1 Miles, Eagle River.   Finish Time = 2:41:22
6/2 - Aurora Bay Care, 5K, Green Bay.                           Finish Time = 32:24
6/8 - Bellin Run, 10K, Green Bay                                     Finish Time = 1:06:59
6/16 - Lazy Lobster Run, 5 Miles, Cape Cod, MA*        Finish Time = 1:01:02
6/29 - Color Run, 5K, Madison 
7/4 - Liberty Run, 5K, Baraga MI
7/12 - Mountain Bay trail ride, 92 Miles, Green Bay to Wausau
7/20 - Miller Park Sausage Run, 5k, Milwaukee
7/27 - Packers Training camp 5K, Green Bay
8/3 - Warrior Dash, 5K, Johnson Creek 
8/10-12 Biking weekend in Michigan with my son, Munising MI
**8/17 - Run or Dye color run, 5K (date not confirmed yet)
8/24 - Cheesehead Half Marathon, 13.1 Miles, Hilbert WI
9/8 - Door County Century Bike Ride, 100 miles, Door County
9/22 - Fox Cities Marathon Relay, my leg = 5 miles, Appleton WI
9/28 - Brewers Half Marathon, 13.1 miles, Miller Park, Milwaukee
10/9 - Chicago Perfect 10, 6.2 Miles, Chicago IL

* Lazy Lobster Run is actually in Cape Cod, but Wendy and I running as "virtual runners" for this myTeamTriumph event to support mTT in Mass.  We will be running our 5 miles here in Green Bay that same weekend as the event in Mass.

** Date for the Run or Dye color run in Green Bay is not confirmed at this time, this is the speculated date.

At the rate that I am going, I am sure that there will be a few more things added in along the way.  Currently, by the end of this summer, I will have run through Fox Cities Stadium, Lambeau field and Miller Park (twice).  By next April I plan to add Camp Randall stadium in Madison to that list!

Like I said, it's going to be a crazy summer but it's going to be so much fun!  My 40th birthday is right around the corner and I am not going to let that slow me down!  I have the best running partners and a wonderfully supportive family!  Without them, I would not be able to accomplish all of this!!

Starting off the month with a bang!

In my mind, this weekend was officially the start of the summer running season.

It's close to the end of the school year, the days are getting warmer (at least in theory - Mother Nature has not been our friend so far this year so far) and my days that I am not able to get out to run feel like something is missing!  I can truly say that running is becoming a habit, whether I want to admit it or not!

From what started out as signing up for a few 5k's this summer, has turned into a running addiction!  I just added 3 more events this summer to my calendar in the past week, which now means that I have events scheduled 2-3 weekends each month!

Last week, at the last minute, Wendy and I decided to run the Aurora Bay Care 5k today, in conjunction with the Aurora Bay Care Triathlon.  This is a 5k that follows the riverfront trail on Green Bay's west side for part of the route, starting and finishing in Ashwaubomay Park.  A triathlon is nit in my plans any time soon. it was however fun to watch these athletes power through this event!  This would be the first of many this month

Matt decided to join us for the run also.  This was actually his second 5k of the weekend, as he ran he Humana Family 5k run on Saturday.  It was definitely a change in weather on Sunday from what we had on Saturday. Yesterday it was  warm and muggy, today it was chilly and windy. Granted I would rather run when it is cooler, but the wind could stop at any time!

Matt, Wendy and I before the chilly start to the race

We were determined to break that looming 30 minute mile mark! Wendy came close at the Cellcom 5k and Matt was close on Saturday. For Matt and I, this is a huge goal as we have never officially broke that benchmark during an event.  I was not sure if I could do it, and didn't want to hold either of them back. I was however determined to do everything I could to get there today!

When the race started, we lost Wendy in the crowd... She was off and running!  Matt told me that no matter what, we would finish together!  Mile one had its challenges, as we were running straight into the wind, however I still pulled off a under 10 minute mile!  Mile 2 was through the riverfront trail.  Lost of twists and turns and more running into the wind.  Just over 10 minutes for mile 2.  Thankfully the last mile was straight back to the park, with the wind on our side!  Matt was slightly ahead of me for most of the run but slowed his pace enough for me to catch up to him so that we were able to run the last mile together. That made all the difference!  There was that part of me that wanted to just say no way and walk part of the route.  Knowing he was right there to keep me moving was enough.  I knew that if I stopped, he would too.  That was not going to happen - We would finish this together... Running to the end.  When we rounded the corner to the finish, the sprint was on to the end!

Final time = 32:24

Not quite the time we were hoping for but we did it!  And this cut over a minute off my PR for the year!  

That 30 minute mark still hangs out there to be reached and it WILL happen... It's just a matter if time!  I love my running friends and all of the things we are able to accomplish together!

Next up?  Bellin Run 10k next weekend!