Stroller pushin in Texas

So gorgeous out, I had to run outside.  Ran 4 miles on the track.

Planned to go to the spin class but I remembered it was beyond lame so I did my own on the bike.

10 min tempo ride, 10 min of huge hill increasing resistance every 30 seconds.  Repeat. Leg drills for 5 min, chill for 5 min to cool down.  Great workout.

Finished with progressive work for 2 miles on the TM.   

8 miles on the Shertz Hillz with David.  I named the huge hill, "Beast Creatch." 

Today every time I stopped to take a break, David pulled out a Nutter Butter and ate it.  He always makes me laugh and then I have a really hard time running. 

Cardio circuit class at the Y. Taper time.

6 on Schertz prkwy.  One girl across a parking lot called me a "jogger" and mimicked me to her friend.  Wish she would come "jogging" with me.  I am runner, not a jogger.  Glad my run could look like a jog to her.  Guess that means I make it look really easy or just difficult, don't know.

I was running uphill and I man rolled down his window and said, "come on, come on."  I must have looked like a chubby bunny out there or something?

It's getting warm.  By March, there is no way I can continue my wonderful afternoon runs. 

just 4. 

I read the book Marathon Man by Dean Karnazas six years ago and I was fascinated that he ran himself sober for his 30th Birthday.  Dean had never trained for any race of any sorts and he was sick of what he had done with his life up to that point.  He ran 30 miles without training (he is some kind of animal-like creature anyway) and he thought he could be good at running.  Ever since then, I have made it a goal to run 30 miles for my 30th Birthday.

It wasn't too hard to accomplish this feat in Texas.  Right now the weather is simply beautiful and ideal for running.  I picked the Love. Run. Marathon in Huntsville, Texas because it was only a 4 hour drive from where we are currently living and it was the day before my Birthday.  This race was also a trail race.  That's all cool but I don't have any experience on the trails...

I told my husband if he ran it, it would be his gift to me for my Birthday.  It didn't take much to convince him to run with me.  Furthest we had ran was 13 miles for a half marathon two weeks ago, so we planned to take a lot of time on this run.  The goal was between 8:30-9 mm miles, and finishing under four hours.

The Huntsville State Park was a pretty ideal place to run.  The course was all trails and it wound around a lake.  We ran the loop twice for the full marathon, which was actually better than I imagined it being.  The trail was pretty narrow and the terrain was challenging.  There were deep roots, twists and turns in the trail and constant rolling hills.  I tumbled a total of 5 times because I wasn't picking my feet up enough and I failed to pay close attention to the trail.

Before the marathon David and I ran 2 really easy mile around the parking lot, so we would only have to run 2 miles when we were finished with the race.  That part was the easiest part of the day.

The marathoners started with the half marathon folks, which was basically the field of runners.  We started mid-pack and we couldn't pass anyone, so we were stuck in the middle of what I called the "Soul Train."  Soul Train  consisted of hundreds of runners in front of us in one big line.  It was pretty hard to pass anyone for about three miles,  and that is where the trail opened up.  

David and I made small chit chat as we ran around the lake.  I can't really remember what we talked about, all I remember is that the pace was real easy.  By mile 12 we caught up to a guy in a grey shirt, whom was also doing the marathon and he sped up... We kept it cool.  We ran into the half at 1:53, slowest half ever.  We both felt really great as we started the second loop around the lake.  We caught back up to Grey Shirt and David and I were making small talk between the two of us.  Guess we were annoying him, so he sped up again.  We maintained his pace and by mile 15 passed him for good.  

15-20 we just ran.  My GPS watch was about 2 miles behind David's!  So crazy, at mile 20, my watch finally said it had lost signal.  I just free loaded off of David's watch since the course was not marked.  I actually enjoyed not having a marked course, made the time go by faster.  When David's watch would beep I would always ask where we were anyway.  

23 came and I thought. "Ok, just a TV show left, that's all."  Between 23-26, we just wanted the thing over!  Those last three miles were the most difficult on the course.  So many roots to run over with tired feet, you had to watch your footing!  We crossed the finish line and I won the women's marathon.  I laughed and enjoyed my little win.  :)  Pretty sure David was 3rd place and a win for his division.

We finished off by running 2 miles around the parking lot, worst part of the day.

They gave us hamburgers at the end of the race (ick) and we just picked up our awards.  There was a little girl that asked me what I did after the race.  She was looking at my body covered in dirt.  I laughed and replied "oh, this happened DURING the race.  I fell down five times."  I was covered in dirt.  Luckily, at the park there were some showers I could rinse off in before our 4 hour drive home.  

Such a sweet day. 

No pain or soreness from the marathon.  I actually felt REALLY good from this marathon as far as my body in concerned.  So I decided a little TM run was necessary.  I actually woke up super excited to go run and workout.

6 miles on the TM.  AP was 7:41, not too shabby.

50 minutes on the spin bike 

7 outside.  It was absolutely beautiful out.  7:47 AP.  Just lovely and perfect.  Shertz Hillz.

6 fast miles on the TM.  AP 7:21, just felt great.

Yoga class today, I loved it.  Felt so good to stretch and relax. 

There was a 5k on base today!  I woke up at 6:30 and drove to the base looking for the park where the start/finish line was.  I wasn't sure where to go until I saw a car with a 1020 sticker in the back window.  1020 is a race that takes place in Austin, so I knew that car was heading to the race as well, so I followed them.  Love our little running community.

I got to the race and there were 10 minutes before it started, so I quickly ran up and down the street to somewhat warm up.  We didn't get race numbers and there wasn't a race clock, so I knew this was a very low-key race.

The race started and we were off.   I quickly made my way to the front and I was behind the lead man the entire race.  We ran down a road that was adjacent to the flight line for a mile and a half and then turned around.  The course was flat and honest.  I ran in at 20:50.  I didn't run with music and I tried to listen to my feet and breathing.  I was proud of my time.  

I ran the course again and people were giving me a lot of funny comments.  People were telling me I was amazing, fast and looked good.  hee hee, I liked the comments.  After running six miles, I got back to my car and decided to go a few more miles and change my shoes.  

I ran along the flight line and watched the T-38s take off and land, it was sooooo cool!!!  At one point on the running path, the planes fly directly overhead and pretty low.  You can't even hear them coming but when they fly past they are extremely screaming loud.  It made my running week, so so cool.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  Just one of those running days you fall in love with running all over again.   :)

I got back to my car and texted my hubby a big "Thanks" for bringing me to Texas and letting me be a part of the Air Force.  It was just a great day! 

7 miles in my Altras.  Those shoes are a hit and miss.  Sometimes they feel really good and other times, my knees, feet and arches hurt.  I am breaking them in slowly, just wondering if I am doing it wrong?  

Today I chose a rather difficult route because I was dedicating 3 miles to Rachel for her Birthday.  I am 1500 miles away from my BFF running friend and we were running at the same time!  I started thinking of some of the times I have shared with Rachel.  Here are 33 memories to her, from me.  

1. I met you from the blog, Smooth brought us together.  We met at the JRP for a long run. 2. You were at the end of the Riverton Half cheering the fellow runner in.  You were holding Nathan and he was just a little thing. 3.  Getting to know you at the Legacy Center because we were both, "broken."  4.  You being there when I started dating David  5. I was sitting in a ditch when they called your name at TOU when you crossed the finish line. 6.  You getting me to come run with the BBKs. 7. When you came to my house after my bike crash. :( 8. infamous penny run at the Oval.  9. I took work off to run a 31k on your 31st Birthday.  10. The JRP on your Birthday run was icky and windy but you kept me going.  11. You coming to my bridal shower. 12.  You coming to my wedding.  13.  You coming to my Grandpa's funeral (so cool you did that). 14.  You running 10 miles with me on the morning of my wedding. 15. You giving me the courage to make it through my second (or third?) stress fracture after my breakup.  16. You jamming at my wedding. 17. Your crazy run/scoot around the Oval on New Year's Eve.  I still think you are crazy for doing that! 18.  Your 1/2 Ironwoman accomplishment.  19.  Seeing you at the finish line of the SLC half while you were prego! 20.  That chocolate milk I suppose to drink with a diamond ring at the bottom. 21. You on Christmas Eve with a broken foot! :( SO SAD. 22.  You running 31 miles and laps and laps at the oval, while everyone else was done.  23.  When you qualified for Boston with a cramping foot/leg?  With tons of time to spare!!  24.  You and your huge PR at St. George! 25.  Running in Lehi with loads of snow on the ground and while it was snowing.  26.  Seeing that BIG spider after we ran Hi country with the BBKs.  27.  Running down to the Daybreak Lake and back, we did that a few times.  28.  Book lady in spin class.  29.  Running Park City Marathon with you.  30.  You running that hill part on the JRP trail, while I always walk.  31. Running RRHPC up P Canyon with you.  And the Christmas run up by Bridal Veil in the snow.  :) 32.  Sitting on your kitchen floor after long runs and stretching and drinking water. 33.  Talking to you and listening to you while we ran hundreds of miles together!

Happy Birthday my dear friend, I hope it's a good one.  There are so many miles ahead of us on this road, we have barely passed the start line.  Keep going until you get there!  You are blessing and a motivator in my running, thank you.  :) 

8 miles with David.  Beautiful out.  When we first started running, an ankle biter (little dog) came out of nowhere and started barking at me.  I almost wet my pants!  The owner stood by and watched before he called it back over.  Not the nicest way to start a run.

8 miles with David on the Holiday.

1 mile on the track for a warm up.

8 miles on the TM for some speed. 7:05 AP I went from 8 to 8.5 to 9.  Held each pace for half a mile and started back at 8.  I got 6 repeats in 8 miles, I was pleased even though it was on the TM.

1 mile cool down.

30 minutes of biking.   

6 miles out and back from the gym on base.  Pretty morning.  Flat trail.  

Yoga.  :) 

3 miles on the track at base to warm up.

I surged the straights and jogged the curves for 3 miles.  This felt like speed work, don't know if it really was but it FELT like it.

3 mile cool down on Woodway TM.  I have never ran on one of those TMs and I was impressed with how it made y joints feel.

Attempted Zumba.  20 minutes in I wanted to scream at the teacher!  The class was terribly boring and the music wasn't anything to get excited about.  This Zumba could be taught at a rest home.  I left and walked outside on the track for a mile.

These were suppose to be 6 slow miles, but I can't guarantee that.  No watch on Shirtz Hillz.

Don't know my pace for this run, but I know it was fast.  I made it to 50 miles this week!!! I know that isn't much for most of the people on this blog, but it is good for me!

4 miles. 2 around the track and 2 on the TM.  It was really windy outside, so EVERYONE was in the gym. Sucked. Wanted 8 miles but I got sick so I went on the Stairmaster for 30 min.

1 mile to warm up and cool down.

8.0, 8.5, 9.0 for 1/2 mile each.  Repeated 5X.  7:06 AP

I wanted to go on the spin bike, but both were taken.  One of the men on the bikes seriously looked like he was riding a bull.  I have never seen anyone stand on a bike and go up and down, up and down.  Strange folk. 

8 miles in the windy wind.  Really windy.

I planned to do speed work at the track, but it was too dang windy, what was the point?

Ran 6 miles out and back on the path that goes across the flight line and around the runway.

4 miles on the TM.  .25X10 @ 1:30 pace (10) with .15 miles recovery between repeats.