June in Review

I am happy to say that I didn't wait as long to get to my June in Review post.  I ended the month with 150 squats on June 30 to complete my monthly challenge!



June 2015 Stats
78.68-- running miles
5.94- walking miles
0-- stair workouts
1- monthly fitness challenge workout
84.62-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
489.70-- running miles
22.03-- walking miles
3-- stair workouts
4 3/4-- monthly fitness challenge workout
511.73-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 was a great success in June!  I spent a lot of time squatting over the course of the month.


 



This was no easy task but I got it done!

Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, and TX

Mission #2 had further progress in June.  We made a decision via email that we would cross South Carolina off our list of 50 in October.  Now to plan the trip which is always the fun part!!

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.


Mission #3 came in at 78.68 miles run for June (510.3 miles to go).  There were lots of great runs in June including a nice run in my hometown when we were there for a wedding recently.  

5 miles run on National Running Day with Karrie

Long Run Thursday with Trisha

5 Solo Miles in PA

Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 didn't go at all in June either.  I really have no excuse other than I am constantly driving my children to activities.  The girls and I did volunteer at a race and while there were no stairs involved, it was still rewarding to give back!

The girls and I volunteering at the Park 2 Park 1/2

Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 is going well.  The grill and summer salads have been utilized a great deal lately!

While June was a bit of a lower mileage month, I am still very pleased with what I accomplished!  July is off to a great start with some great runs with friends.  Looking forward to being part of a great team for the Kerstetter 5K on Saturday!  I just need to figure out how to run fast and not feel like I'm going to pass out!  I have earned first in my age group the past two years.  I am really hoping for a three-peat this weekend.  Only time will tell!!

Kerstetter 5K July 11, 2015

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

Kerstetter 5K Race Report

In March of 2010 Elyria Police Officer James Kerstetter was shot and killed in the line of duty.  Each year since 2010, there has been a 5k run in his memory.  The race takes place in downtown Elyria near the police station and you finish on Kerstetter Way (the road was renamed to honor James' memory).  I have run the race three of the four years it has taken place.  We were on a family vacation in 2011 so I was not able to participate.  For the last two years I have participated with the Lorain County Blue Foundation Team.  This past Saturday I met up with my fellow team members to honor Officer Kerstetter and all other fallen officers. 

Source

We had some pictures taken before the race and talked about our goals.  I mentioned that I seem to be struggling to run fast ever since I turned 40.  I decided that I would be happy if I finished in 25 minutes or so.

Lorain County Blue Foundation

Stonebridge Girls

I started in the back with my team which was a nice change of pace from starting closer to the front.  I went out too fast as I always seem to do in shorter races.  I was definitely working for the miles.  Right around mile 2, my neighbor Chris passed me and told me to come with him.  I may have told him that I was too old for this sh*t.  He quickly reminded me that he was just slightly younger than me.  In the end I couldn't catch him to save my life.  I did manage to have a kick at the end in spite of the fact that I slowed down each mile and finished in 25:57.  I definitely cut it close with my goal of being in the 25's.  Of course I was not happy that Chris beat me as this was the first time he had done so in a race.  My running friends reminded me that I had said I would be happy to run in the 25's and I had done that so I should be smiling.  I was actually surprised to learn that I had finished 1st in the 40-44 age group.  This was my first win in my new age group as I turned 40 in May.


Receiving my award



1st place 40-44

Couldn't catch Chris but I still won my age group!

I really enjoy this race and I'm looking forward to running it again next year!

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

July in Review

Yesterday's track workout consisting of a 2 mile warm-up, followed by 3 miles of in and out 100's, and finished up with a 2 mile cool-down brought my July training to a close.  This same run also allowed me to set a shiny new monthly mileage PR of 181.66 miles!  I had to miss a few workouts or I would have been really close to 200 miles which I find crazy! 

The July Details
July 2013 stats
181.66-- running miles
0-- spin miles
0-- jump rope fitness workouts
0-- core fitness workout
0-- Pure Barre classes
0-- Fitness App workout
9.69--  walking miles
191.35-- total miles

Current 2013 stats
825.02-- running miles
67-- spin miles (3 classes)
19-- jump rope fitness workouts
1-- core fitness workout
12-- Pure Barre classes
1-- Fitness App workout
9.69--  walking miles
901.71-- total miles

2013 "to do list" check-in

2013 Running Goals
1. First and foremost 26.2 under 4 hours--enough said
-Toeing the line on Sunday, September 15, 2013 in Erie, PA.  I am still very pleased with my progress in this area.  I am incredibly thankful for my running friends that keep me company during the long runs!



Some company on my 18 miler

 

More of my running buddies that have helped me get through the long runs in July!

2. Achieve a second sub 1:50 so I can remove the asterick from my current sub 1:50 PR
-I didn't run any 1/2 marathons this month so the opportunity to achieve this goal didn't present itself. I did run another 5K this month.  I didn't run my best time but I did run for a great cause and managed to place first in my age group!


Lorain County Blue Foundation Team

1st place 35-39 age group

2013 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-181.66 miles run in July!  I would say I nailed that one for sure!
2. Run 1300 miles for the year
-474.98 miles to go to complete this challenge.

2013 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Cross-train at least twice a week
-I wasn't very successful in this area.  I did walk 9.69 miles in July.  1.69 of them were as a result of estimating my route mileage incorrectly and having to walk home after 9 miles.  The other 8 miles I walked at Cedar Point this past weekend.
2. Complete a jump rope workout every day
-Not a single jump rope workout completed.  And...the trend continues...
3. Drink 50 ounces of water per day (based on my current weight, this is my daily water intake need)
-I did really well with this except for the weekend of my daughter's skating competition which resulted in me cutting my 19 mile run short at 17 miles due to being dehydrated.  Lesson learned.
4. Take my vitamins daily
-Vitamin taken every single day in July!
5. Continue to choose and cook healthier foods
-15 meals made in July.  Success!
6. Learn to swim...better luck this year
-Still looking for that luck and even talked to the lifeguard at our community pool.  She said she could help me.  Now to just do it before the pool closes in September.
I am incredibly happy with how July played out.  I can't believe it is August already.  Now I just have to keep up with my training and stay healthy so that I can be standing at the start line in Erie, PA in 45 days!!

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