July in Review

I am not sure how it is August already but the calendar doesn't lie so it is time for a month in review.
July 2012 stats
68.37-- running miles
6.5-- bike miles
2-- pool workout
0-- core fitness workouts
74.87-- total miles
158.4-- weight as July 31, 2012 (obvious gain here)
Current 2012 stats
519.97-- running miles
18.7-- bike miles
3-- pool workouts
56-- core fitness workouts
538.67-- total miles
158.4-- current weight

2012 "to do list" July 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 July. I really 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
-68.37 miles run in July- I got a little closer this month than in previous months.  I am still okay with this and  I continue to run just to enjoy it right now.
2. Run a half marathon each month
-Presque Isle 1/2 Marathon (2:10:20)- My July 1/2 marathon fell right during the anniversary of my Uncle Joe's passing.  I ran all 13.1 miles for him and then headed into the water and reflected on what an amazing person he was.

2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis
-3 cross training/strength training workouts done in July- One 6.5 mile bike ride and two 45 minute pool workouts.  I decided to take advantage of taking the kids to the pool to get in some cross training!!
2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods
-7 well-balanced meals prepared in July- This was definitely not very good.  My weight gain would indicate that I ate out a lot and didn't make the best choices.  Oh well, there's always August.
3. Drink more water
-I conitnue to be successful in this area.
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'm running out of months here.  I better take care of this sooner rather than later.

I am happy with how July turned out and I am looking forward to starting August off right with a trip to Minnesota with Deb and Nikki this weekend to cross state #10 off the list of 50!

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

January in Review

My very early, peaceful, and enjoyable 3 mile run in spring-like temperatures on January 31, 2012 brought my January training to a close.  Although it might be more accurate to say those 3 miles brought my January running to a close since I am not technically training for a specific event at the moment but at any rate I give you my final numbers!

January 2012 stats
100.1-- running miles
6-- bike miles
1--  pool workout
106.1-- total miles
156.8--  weight as of January 31, 2012

Current 2012 stats
100.1-- running miles
6-- bike miles
1-- pool workout
106.1-- total miles
156.8-- current weight

2012 "to do list" January check-in
2012 Running Goals
1. My number one running goal is to run a sub-1:50 half marathon
-No work has been done on this.  I need to decide when I want to attempt my sub 1:50 and then follow a training plan to help me do so.
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 had a few thoughts in regards to when I want to run another marathon.  I am thinking October...no other thoughts about this right now.
2012 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-100.1 miles run in January
2. Run a half marathon each month
-Rock N' Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon on January 15, 2012 (1:57:43)
2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis
-2 cross-training/strength workouts done in January...baby steps
2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods
-14 well-balanced meals prepared in January
3. Drink more water
-This remains a struggle for me.  I am not happy with my water intake for January so I need to make a conscious effort to step it up.
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.
-Aside from looking at the swim lesson schedules a few times in January I haven't made any further progress on this challenge but I intend to.

I am very pleased with my January.  Now I am looking ahead to February and I am very excited to start my February challenge tomorrow.  There's still time to join me in my quest--simply click here to find out the details!

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

April in Review

Saturday's Country Music 1/2 Marathon brought my April training to a close.  Running the 1/2 for "Uncle" Joe on Saturday was a great way to end the month.  You can read my recap of the race here.  April also brought my final two 20 mile training runs.  The weather continued to fluctuate throughout April.  I was in capris and a long sleeve shirt for the first 20 miler and then a running skirt and t-shirt for the second 20 miler.  The only explanation I have for this is that Ohio weather is just odd!  Seriously, take today for example, May 3rd---pouring rain---93% humidity---43 degrees. 

April Stats
129.81--  running miles (4 for 4 for hitting 100 miles per month in 2011)
0--  elliptical miles
129.81--  total miles
0 minutes--  rope skipping
No clue--  weight as of April 30, 2011 (I totally flaked on weighing myself this month)

Current 2011 Stats
471.11--  running miles
17.8--  elliptical miles
488.91--  total miles
1 hour and 55 minutes--  rope skipping

Overall I am very pleased with my stats for April.  We are now less than two weeks away from The Cleveland Marathon.  I have officially entered my two week taper.  The plan is to come out of this taper feeling rested, healthy, and ready to seek my redemption!

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

February in Review

Yesterday's half marathon with Dave, which you can read about here, brought my February training to a close. It was the icing on top of a fantastic month of training. One unique thing about my February training is that I ran a 1/2 marathon the last three Sunday's of the month and I enjoyed each and every minute of it! They were all unique and fun in their own way! Would I do it again? Yep, I would definitely go for a hat trick, three-peat, triple, trifecta again!

February Stats
100.09-- running miles (2 for 2 for hitting a hundred miles per month in 2011)
5.8-- elliptical miles
105.89-- total miles
41 minutes-- rope skipping
150.8-- weight as of February 28, 2011 (same exact weight as January)

Current 2011 Stats
204.09-- running miles
17.8-- elliptical miles
221.89-- total miles
1 hour and 55 minutes-- rope skipping

I had a feeling that February was going to be a good month and my intuition was so chillingly spot on that "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas will continue to be my go to song for the duration of marathon training!

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

January in Review

Today's 7 mile "long" run brought my January training to a close. Jenn and I managed to rock our run today even after she was running late because her youngest was up at 3AM with a fever. When we were running Jenn kept mentioning that she felt like we were running an 11:30-12:00 mile pace. The thing is I knew better. I was well aware that we were running much closer to 10:30 mile pace. See, Jenn had forgotten her Garmin so she had to rely on my Garmin for the stats for the day! I keep telling Jenn she is getting stronger and she just doesn't realize it! And truth be told I might have been pushing the pace to prove to Jenn that she could do it if she just believed in herself. 7 mile run done and confidence-boosting mission accomplished!!

January Stats
104-- running miles
12-- elliptical miles
116-- total miles
1 hour and 14 minutes-- rope skipping
150.8- weight as of January 30, 2011

Current 2011 Stats
104-- running miles
12-- elliptical miles
1hour and 14 minutes-- rope skipping
116 total miles

The first month of 2011 is in the books and today finished up week 3 of marathon training! I gotta feeling that February's gonna be a good month as well!

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

100th Post......September in Review

It seems fitting that this is my 100th post and I ran over 100 miles this month and gave no less than 100% out there at all times this month! Yesterday's hill repeat workout brought my September training to an end. It was a fantastic workout! I could almost feel the new found strength in my legs on the uphills and this month was my highest mileage month since getting back into running!

September Stats

134--- running miles Monthly mileage PR!!
0--- elliptical miles
0--- bike miles
134--- total miles
151--- weight as of September 30, 2010

Current 2010 Stats

878--- running miles
52.9--- elliptical miles
5.1--- bike miles
936--- total miles

I am very pleased with my September training! I paced Jenn to an amazing 1/2 marathon finish in which we crushed her goal!! I also ran two 5k's this month and placed 1st in my age group at both of them and managed to PR at the second one and place 3rd female overall and 15th person overall and of course my new montly mileage PR of 134 miles is worth mentioning again!! I can't wait to see what I can do at the Detroit 1/2 Marathon on October 17, 2010!!

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

August in Review

Today's four mile tempo run brought my August training to a close. Nice warm-up mile of 8:57. Followed by 8:24, 8:15, and 8:15. Not too bad!!

August Stats


93--- running miles
0--- elliptical miles
0--- bike miles
93--- total miles
150.2--- weight as of August 31st, 2010 (down .8 since July 30, 2010)



Current 2010 Stats

744--- running miles
52.9--- elliptical miles
5.1--- bike miles
802--- total miles



Overall, August was a great month! I had a great time in Chicago running the RNR 1/2 with great friends. It wasn't a PR, however I crossed the finish line and in the end that was the ultimate goal! I also got to enjoy a 5k with my brother. He may have beaten me and kept the "family champion title" however, I am proud of how I ran especially since it earned me a 1st place finish in the 35-39 age division!



I am looking forward to September as I will be running alongside Jenn when she toes the line at her first half marathon on September 12th. We have one last long training run scheduled for this Sunday and I am looking forward to that as well. It is always great to run with someone else. The time seems to go by much faster.



Once Jenn and I cross the finish line on September 12th, I will continue on with my new training plan created by Joe (thanks Joe)!! It is my hope that I will have a PR performance at the Detroit Free Press 1/2 Marathon on October 17!!



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

July in Review

Yesterday was my last run for July. I ran two miles on treadmill due to time restraints. The two miles was planned as myself and three other friends are heading to Chicago this morning. We will be running the Chicago Rock 'N Roll 1/2 Marathon on Sunday.

July Stats

69--- running miles
2--- elliptical miles
0--- bike miles
71--- total miles
151--- weight as of July 30, 2010 (+2 pounds since June 30, 2010)

Current 2010 Stats

650--- running miles
52.9--- elliptical miles
5.1--- bike miles
708--- total miles

Overall, I was happy with my July training. High temperatures and humidity made many of the workouts challenging but it just made me stronger in the end. As for the two pound weight gain, I am completely fine with it. I am at a weight I am comfortable at. My only goal in relationship to weight is to maintain between 150-155.

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

June in Review

My 3.5 mile run this morning brought my June training to a close. Headed out today and decided to sandwich 3 x 800 meter repeats in my run. My goal was to run negative splits for the repeats. In the end, I was successful with splits of 3:50, 3:49, and 3:47.

June Stats

78--- running miles
0---- elliptical miles
0--- bike miles
78--- total miles
149--- weight as of June 30, 2010 (+1 pound since May 31, 2010)

Current 2010 Stats

581.12--- running miles

50.9--- elliptical miles

5.1--- bike miles

637.12--- total miles

I am very pleased with my June training. It was great to get back out there and "run" a race and actually place in my age group! I'm looking forward to my two 5k's in July, merely six days apart. I continue to follow a modified version of Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Marathon Training Program in preparation for the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon on August 1st!

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

April in Review

Today's 3.5 mile run brought my April training to a close. The weather was perfect and it was a very enjoyable run!

April Stats

120.6-- running miles
0-- elliptical miles
5.1-- bike miles
125.7-- total miles
40*-- coldest outdoor run (22.2 miler)
83*-- warmest outdoor run (4.97 miler)
148.6-- weight as of April 29, 2010 (down 3.2 pounds since March 31, 2010)

Current 2010 Stats

414.38-- running miles
50.9-- elliptical miles
5.1-- bike miles
470.38-- total miles

I am very pleased with my April training. The kids and I are heading to PA tomorrow. I will be spending tomorrow night with my family and then heading to Cuz Michele's on Saturday. Once I am in town we will head over to the expo to pick up our race packets and listen to Meb speak. We will follow the expo up with carb loading of course. Sunday morning we will toe the line at the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon where I will be running as a St. Jude's hero in memory and honor of Sophie Quayle.

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

March in Review

Today's 8.2 mile run brought my March training to an end. My wonderful friend Deb watched my kids while I hit the pavement. The weather was great and I was pleased to be able to wear a tank top and capris. 68* and sunny...what more could I ask for? The run went well and I felt pretty good and finished the 8.2 miles in 1:18 (9:30/mile).

March Stats

122.7-- running miles
0-- elliptical miles
122.7-- total miles
27*-- coldest outdoor run
68*-- warmest outdoor run
151.8-- weight as of March 31, 2010

My weight is up 1 pound since my February 28, 2010 weigh in. I figure it must be one of three things:

• I simply gained a pound
• I gained a pound of muscle
• I weighed myself this evening instead of in the morning like I usually do

In the end I am pleased with my weight. Yes, I am okay with gaining a pound. Afterall, I weighed 194 pounds when I started this journey so 151.8 is certainly not too shabby!

Current 2010 stats

293.78-- running miles
50.9-- elliptical miles
1-- stairclimb mile
345.68-- total miles

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

February in Review

Today's 8 mile run brought my February training to a close. Today's long run was scaled back since I am running a half marathon next weekend. According to the training schedule it was to be an easy run. I felt really good out there and it truly did feel easy. However, I had some very impressive mile splits. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing but at any rate here they are.

Mile 1-- 9:04
Mile 2-- 9:02
Mile 3-- 8:59
Mile 4-- 9:13
Mile 5-- 8:57
Mile 7-- 8:50
Mile 8-- 8:20

Time-- 1:11.27
Avg mile-- 8:55

February Stats

76-- running miles
22.1-- elliptical miles
1-- stairclimb mile
99.1-- total miles
150.8-- weight as of February 28, 2010
5-- number of miles missed (due to headache and pure exhaustion)
45*-- warmest outdoor run
23* (feels like 13*)-- coldest outdoor run
My newest photo (taken on February 26 before an Awards Ceremony)

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