Presque Isle 1/2 Marathon in memory of Uncle Joe

It has been over two weeks since I ran my July 1/2 marathon and I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. 
On July 15 I ran 13.1 miles around Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA in memory of my Uncle Joe.  I had a very hard time finding a July 1/2 marathon but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and my July 1/2 marathon didn't fall on the 15th coincidentally.  July 15th of 2011 was the last full day that Uncle Joe was with us as he passed away July 16th, 2011.  Uncle Joe works in mysterious ways.  He knew this was the race that I needed to be running and he made sure I found it when I did my search for a race.  He is always with us. 
There are times when a race have nothing to do with the time on the clock and this 1/2 marathon was one of them.  It was about honoring the memory of an amazing person.  When things got tough I just thought of Uncle Joe.  All 2 hours and 10 minutes were run in his honor.  

For Uncle Joe

July 1/2 marathon complete

Enjoying the water after the race

13.1 and done- all for Uncle Joe


With my July 1/2 marathon out of the way, I am looking forward to checking another state off the list for my August 1/2 marathon when I travel to Minnesota this weekend with Deb and Nikki.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

June in Review

Somehow June got away from me as I didn't write one single blog entry the entire month.  I think it was a combination of the end of the school year and the kids' activities.  I didn't do a lot of workouts this month but I did fit them in when I could. 

June 2012 stats
48.51-- running miles
6.2-- bike miles
0-- pool workout
0-- core fitness workouts
54.71-- total miles
154-- weight as June 30, 2012

Current 2012 stats
451.6-- running miles
12.2-- bike miles
1-- pool workout
56-- core fitness workouts
463.8-- total miles
154-- current weight

2012 "to do list" June check-in

2012 Running Goals
1. My number one running goal is to run a sub-1:50 half marathon
-I didn't even attempt this goal in June.  I seriously need to come up with a plan and commit to achieving this goal soon.
2. Secondary to the goal of a sub-1:50, I would like to attempt to run another marathon PR (sub-4:10:11) with a stretch goal of running a sub-4:00:00
-I have come to the decision that I am not going to run a full marathon this year.  With a goal of running a 1/2 marathon every month this year, I think it would be a bad idea to train for a full at the risk of getting injured.
2012 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-48.51 miles run in June- a far cry from 100.  Oddly enough, I have come to terms with not achieving this challenge.  I'm just running to enjoy it right now.
2. Run a half marathon each month
-NCN Park 2 Park 1/2 Marathon (2:06:37)- This was a great half for June.  It was very small and close to home.  Missi and I ran the entire race together and both managed to place first in our age groups.  I was so busy this month that I didn't even get a chance to blog about it so here's a picture from the event.

2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis
-1 cross training/strength training workouts done in June-  One 6.2 mile bike ride towards the end of the month.  I still need to work on this!!
2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods
-13 well-balanced meals prepared in June- I will take it!
3. Drink more water
-I did an outstanding job with this in June.
4. I promised a certain someone that if they ran a marathon with me I would learn to swim so I intend to make good on that promise this year.
-I had a discussion about needing to take lessons while at our development pool.  Still need to make this happen.
Overall, June was a pretty decent month and I can't complain.  Bring on July!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!