Sunday, February 27, 2011

Christmas in February

Runners know there are 2 "BEST" days....the day of a race and the day you get new shoes!

I have been a LOYAL Mizuno Wave Rider wearer since my first marathon....but I did something I thought I might never....I switched!  I stayed with Mizuno...as I always have and always will as long as they are around!

Christmas came to me this week through these beauties:

I am trying the Mizuno Elixir for this spring training.  I've heard great things about them from former "Wave" wearers, so I thought I'd give it a try!

I haven't run in them yet, so I'll keep you posted on how they go!

(I received NO endorsement for this post...I just really really LOVE Mizunos this much!)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

We now return to our regularly scheduled program

Running took a backseat this week....but it was for a good, great, AMAZING reason!

I have a very short bucket list.
1.  Go to Europe
2.  Go see Oprah

Last Friday I got an email that I had gotten tickets for....



OPRAH!  But the "catch"...I had to read Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations in 6 days!  You will be happy to know, I did it...almost.  (The last 100 pages of Great Expections may have been read in "Cliff Note" form.)  I tacked it using multiple media devices:  book, book on CD, and book on Itunes.  My plan was to read it when I could, and listen to it when I was working, cleaning, etc.

Running and listening to Charles Dickens isn't the easier thing...I required me to slow down so I could focus!  But I have to say, it made my run go fast!  My dad runs LOTS and listens to books on his itunes on most of his long runs...now I get it (sort of...I often got distracted and had to rewind...and speaking of rewind, am I dating myself by using that word????).

So, I got off track last week....but I am now down to 1 thing on my bucket list! 

Last night my hubby took me out for an amazing dinner to celebrate my birthday and we talked and talked and talked (it was amazing how much we could talk without the kids there) and we decided to add to our bucketlist!!!!  My first new addition:  Marine Corp Marathon!!!!!!

My bucketlist:
1.  Go to Europe.
2.  See Oprah.
3.  Marine Corp Marathon

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Treadmill Limits. Dislike, Dislike, Dislike.

Actually, I respect the idea of having a treadmill time limit (my gym is 30 minutes)...but I dislike it during the months of January and February.  The whole "new year's resolution" is great...I love to make a new year resolution perfectly aware that it probably won't stick.  However, anyone who has been going to gyms for years knows that the months of January and February are full of 2 month gym members! 

I'm a mom.  If I leave my kids at home, I'm on a pretty tight limit before I need to be home!  So I sort of depend hope on my treadmill to be open.

Today a "newbie" decided to get the front desk to start kicking everyone off the treadmills, yet there was no line!  My solution?  I decided to run for 30 minutes, then get off my treadmill and use those 5 minutes for water and light stretching, then sign myself right back onto my treadmill.  Hey, I followed the rules (sort-of).  I did get a look from the "newbie"...but she'll be gone in a few weeks so that's okay!

(And I should mention again, I am always so proud of anyone who joins a gym, no matter the time of month....I just really, really, really like my treadmill schedule not to be disrupted.  Having kids, if I get to the gym and the treadmills are full, I'm off to the bike.  Still great exercise....but not the same.)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Meet the Crew

I'm so excited to start a new blog all about my running adventures!  I was an avid runner who completed 5 marathons, including Boston twice, before deciding to hang up my running shoes for a few years to start my family!  I am married to the love of my life, who also happens to be a darn good runner!  We trained for 1 marathon together....enough said.  I am a mom to two beautiful girls, ages 3 and 1.  Now that our family is established, it's time to take some time for myself to follow my passion, running!

How did I start running?  I have an amazing dad!  My dad started running when I was a kid.  I have 2 sisters.  My dad realized running got him the quiet time that was impossible to find in a house of 4 women!  He has run 30 marathons...and he's amazing!  I have been lucky enough to train with my dad for both Chicago and Boston marathon.  We have decided to run the Grand Rapids Marathon together....and that's where this story begins!

I blog about my family, but I wanted to start this blog to find a support team out there!  Finding time to train in between preschool carpool, gymnastic class, ballet class, swim lessons, diaper changes, meals, laundry, and spending time with my husband will be hard...but I know having a support system will help.  I also know if I blog about it, I'll be held accountable and it may make that 5am Saturday morning run just a little bit easier!

If you are running your first 5K or your 50th marathon, please follow me!  I want to be inspired!!!!!