She Runs

where is the runner girl?

2010-04-05T15:00:00.001-07:00

Sorry I have not updated in so long! If you want to know why, go here!

4, 3, 5, so far this week

2010-02-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

So it's Wednesday and I've logged 12 miles so far this week. Feels great to be back out on the road! But at the same time it feels strange not training for a marathon or something. If I could train for a marathon all the time, I would but it's too hard with the kids being small. And.......we are wanting to be pregnant again. Yes, we want a 4th! Mentally I see myself pregnant this year instead of training for marathons but still trying to maintain my fitness so maybe I can run while pregnant. I know how tired I am usually in pregnancy so it doesn't seem possible but maybe I can try.

Yes, I am back but trying to figure out what running looks like for me right now. I am ~~usually~~ an all or nothing gal and running without an actual race on the calendar is sooooooo hard for me but I am trying.

5 miles today was great and it was 64 degrees! I loved the sweat and the dryed salt on my face afterwards. I loved the feel of my muscles being tight and my lungs burning a little from the wind. And I LOVED opening up a power aid zero and gulping it!

Feels so good to be back!

running, etc

2010-01-28T12:05:00.001-08:00

Okay, still running but not able to keep up with two blogs and fcbk! So when I begin to train for my next marathon, I will come back and share. Until then, I'm going to maintain!

first run of 2010! 3 miles

2010-01-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

3 miles! I have so much I want to say about this run but will have to come back tomorrow to do so! Need some water!

December is for memories!

2009-12-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

STill running!

2009-11-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

Okay I am consumed with this Bible Study over at MAMA SINGS so I won't be updating this blog until December when I begin training for my April marathon!

I will update the mileage counter but that's it for now!

6 (Saturday)

2009-11-01T03:19:00.001-08:00

3

2009-10-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to run 6 tonight but time did not allow. So I did the 3 miler I am supposed to do tomorrow which means I will do the 6 miler tomorrow!

It was windy, windy, windy!

a new marathon in 7 weeks (3)

2009-10-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

So my husband has the marathon bug! We are running WhiteRock in our hometown of Dallas in December! My first back to back marathon makes me a little scared but I am very excited!

I ran a fast 3 tonight and it felt great!

This week is 3, 6, 3, 12!

Addicted to running,

Amanda

marathon trip pics!

2009-10-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

I promise tomorrow I will share my MARATHON STORY! And look! THERE IS WENDY!!!!

Chicago Marathon was amazing!

2009-10-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

I have so much to write about and tons of pictures to post but still decompressing. We are home and recovering! I got to meet my running idol, Deena Kastor!

Official time- 4:22 VERY EXCITED!!!!!!

crappy week!

2009-10-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last week was the worst week so far of marathon training. I HATE the taper. It seems like it would be easy since it's low mileage but I made some huge mistakes. Because the runs were not very long, I allowed myself to be flexible and run at random times instead of USUAL times. Well for two very important runs, I waited too long and it rained. Now I can usually run in the rain but I do not have sidewalks to run on. I have the street right by fast zooming cars! So I get kind of scared running in a storm. Also Jeremy had to work late one night and I did not have enough day light. I have beat myself up over and over again for not getting all of my miles in. I know i will be fine because it's not going to hurt my marathon. If anything, my legs are getting the rest they need. But it really weighed on my spirit.

Marathon training is hard. It's extremely hard as a mother of three small children and a mom who homeschools and husband does not get home early and leaves early. No excuses but this is why I constantly tell my friends interested in becoming a runner that IT MUST BE YOUR PASSION or things will always get in the way and your training will never happen.

This week is a 3, 4, 2 and 26.2 mile week! Chicago here we come!

4 Tuesday

2009-09-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

At this point I don't have a lot to say about the runs I am doing. I am just ready for the marathon to be here!

I ran a great 4!

10 not 12

2009-09-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

My last long run before marathon was supposed to be a 12 miler but i ran with Jeremy and ran too fast and too many hills and it was dark! I couldn't see anything so we stopped at ten miles.

So it was not a good run at all!

To be expected! I think most of us struggle with that dang 12 miler. LETS JUST GET TO THE 26.2!

This week is 4, 6, 4, 8. (I think.) I need to double check.

Chicago is 12 days!

8 miles and 700 so far this year!

2009-09-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

8 miles last night. Incredible weather!! I am experiencing some of the "phantom pains". I never felt one single bit of pain in the 20 miler and the 8 miler I felt it. Too be expected!

Ready for the marathon to get here!

Oh and I am now at 700 miles so far this year!! WOO HOO!

week 16- 5 miles

2009-09-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Last night I ran 5 in the pouring rain. It was incredible! LOVED IT!

Tonight it's an 8 miler, tomorrow a 4 miler and Saturday is 12! The taper is here!!!

I've got my race plan all figured out and I am so excited!

20

2009-09-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

The 20 miler was incredible!

My body has been running in 95 degree heat or hotter for four months and today I felt like I took off a fur coat and ran like I was born to!

My last marathon was 4:55 and I would really like to get 4:30 at this one. If I run how I did today, I should be able to do it no problem. Maybe better!

Very excited! 3 weeks to go!

5

2009-09-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

A wonderful 5 miles in my marathon clothes! Excited to finally know what I will be wearing. I've become very fond of certain shorts and tops and learned a lot about what to wear and not wear in the marathon.

Looking forward to the 20 miler on Saturday!

23 days and 22 hrs!

5 and 10

2009-09-16T00:23:00.000-07:00

This week I have a meeting on a night I usually run so I've had to switch out my running days to Mon, tues, wed. It actually works great because after i run 5 tomorrow, my legs can rest up until Saturday's 20 miler.

We finally have a break in the hot weather! The highs have been in the 80's instead of 100! I had forgotten how much easier it is to run in cooler temps. It's not near as taxing on the body. This gets me really excited about the Fall air in Chicago!

5 on Monday night was great. Then 10 yesterday morning. It was cloudy and breezy. Ahhhhh!

I can't believe the marathon is in 25 days!

9 out of 14 (Friday)

2009-09-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Last week was the hardest week of training because of many things on the calendar. We had so much to do for the children's ministry kick off and Jeremy was out of town. Before he left town, I got up extra early Friday morning to run the 14 miler but was stopped at 9 because of the rain. Running in rain is actually great but it began to rain so hard that my feet were getting blisters from being so wet and my ipod was dripping wet. I had planned to finish and do 5 more over the weekend but never found any time to do it.

This week is peak of training! It's a 40 mile week!

5, 10, 5, 20!

Pray for my legs, feet and health!

5

2009-09-11T02:16:00.000-07:00

Ran 5 last night and it was much cooler! Great run amd felt really good!

9

2009-09-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

I ran 9 yesterday afternoon and again it was too hot! yuck!

The middle of the week long run is a killer! It's not the distance, it's fitting it in!

Tonight is 5 and then I will do my long run tomorrow morning.

Saturday I will do 5 and be all caught up!

18 Saturday

2009-09-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

It was an incredible 18 miler! Naomi joined me for 5 miles and she did AMAZING!

Chipped some time off each mile! Very excited!

Week 14 is here! 5, 9, 5, 14!

5 (Thursday)

2009-09-05T03:32:00.001-07:00

5 miles done!

9

2009-09-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

It's not the distance so much, it's the fact that fitting nine miles in the middle of the week is very difficult. Last night as I ran I kept thinking about my last marathon and how cold it was on my nine mile run. Instead of it being cold, it was hot. I keep thinking when I get to Chicago and experience cooler weather, i will be able to run like the wind! SURELY!

Tonight is a 5 miler than Saturday is 18. I can't believe the marathon is almost here!

4

2009-09-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm 39 days away from the marathon! WOW!

Ran 4 this afternoon and while it was very hot, it was NOT triple digit! Finally! Tomorrow is a 9 miler. It's a run that is hard to fit into schedule but worth it!

12 (Saturday)

2009-08-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

I missed a 5 miler last week but did get the long run of 12 in. Saturday morning actually felt cool. It was 70 degrees! Quickly it reached 99 degrees! But for a Texan, 70 degrees is the beginning of something special!

This week is 4, 9, 5, 18. The nine miler is hard to get in but praying God sends some help with my kiddos!

8

2009-08-27T11:05:00.001-07:00

I did 8 this morning but didn't leave until almost 10:30am. WAY TOO HOT!

Tuesday 4

2009-08-26T14:43:00.001-07:00

It was a little cooler! I will take 95 over 100 anyday!!

16

2009-08-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

I had a great 16 miler this morning! My friend Naomi joined me on the bike! It was so nice to not be alone in the dark at 6am this morning!

Finally there was a breeze in texas!!!

I missed a 4 miler this week because of our schedule but i'm not making it up. Got the big ones in this week and that is more important than me trying to cram in my miles in 100 degree heat!

Goodbye week 11!

8

2009-08-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

This morning the babysitter couldn't get here until almost 10am and by 10am it's already blazing hot!

I can honestly say that today was the worst run to date!

But, I did it!

4 tomorrow!

4

2009-08-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Week 11 is here!

4 miles down, 28 to go!

Week 11 is another climb in mileage.

Trying to stay cool!!

15

2009-08-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

The 15 miler I did without an iPod because my mind was so distracted that I just needed to focus my thoughts towards God.

At times I feel so messed up in this life. My relationships suffer, my marriage and the way I feel about myself is yucky a lot of the time. But running is the one thing where I feel I can be still and let God love on me.

I will always have issues but thankfully I can always RUN TO THE CROSS!

4 on Thursday

2009-08-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

I ran 4 on Thursday with my friend Naomi. It's so nice to have someone along to help take my mind off of the heat.

15 miles in the morning!

Excited! Praying for strong legs, feet and MIND!

3 & 8

2009-08-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I did 3. This morning I did 8. This run was supposed to be a 7 miler but i suggested to my blogging bestie that we turn the 7 into an 8 so we could end the week at 30 miles instead of 29 miles. She agreed!

30 is much more exciting!

10

2009-08-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

10 on Saturday and the only thing I can say about this run is HOT!!!!!!!!

This week is a 15 miler on Saturday! very excited!

4

2009-08-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I ran 4. The Garmin battery was low and went dead on me. Thankfully I know just about every mile marker within in 12 mile radius. SERIOUSLY! I know what is 4 miles in my sleep!

It was actually kind of nice to run and not be distracted by checking my pace the whole time.

Tomorrow is 10 and that means I run to Red Bud and back or to WalMart and back. :)

Marathon Gear and Nutrition

2009-08-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

I wear these socks for ALL long runs. I love them! They are totally worth the money!

These are the gels I use. I have tried all different kinds but always come back to these. I use these for anything over 6 miles. Sometimes if I'm running 5 and not feeling too great I will bring one with me. I use the vanilla with 0 caffeine, this one pictured above and during the marathon I used 2 of the tangerine which have 2x the caffeine. I use all three on long runs.

I learned the accelerade trick from Heidi and a guy that works at the local running store. He encouraged me to drink this during the marathon after 10 miles. It really helps! Many beginner runners don't understand how important nutrition is DURING your runs. I know I didn't get it at first but now I know what I have to have if I want to finish strong.

This is my belt for gels. It's awesome! It will hold way more gels than i need but is so light weight that I barely know it's there. Another purchase I made because of learning from Heidi!

This is my new water bottle I bought today at REI. It will take some getting used to but many marathoners have suggested I use this. I will have to put waters out the night before a long run on my route and during the 15 miler next week i will have to make sure I've got accelerade mixed up and ready to go at a friend's house. A friend's house is a great place to have your water waiting. My friend Monica put out a little ice chest all last Summer with my water waiting. My friends rock!

This is my retired fuel belt. My hips can't handle the weight anymore.

This is my recovery drink. I have the fruit punch flavor and it actually tastes REALLY good. The accelerade is a little like drinking meat but this is refreshing and helps you recover faster. It's a MUST HAVE!

So there you have it! It took me some time to learn the tricks but that's the great thing about this being my 2nd marathon. I know a lot more than I did when I ran my first. You learn what works and what doesn't! You learn what gels your stomach can handle and which ones make you have to RUN to the bathroom!

I LOVE MY SPORT!

3, 7 and my Marathon gear!

2009-08-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

3 yesterday and 7 today. 4 tomorrow and 10 Saturday.

It's a hot week. What's new?!

One thing is new. I am done with the fuel belt with the water bottles! It is a Velcro belt that I ran with at the Austin marathon and it has 4 water bottles. Then I have a belt that triathletes use for gels. I've been having so many issues with my hips ! The fuel belt with water was way too much weight for my hips. So I decided NO MORE! I will continue to use the gel belt because it is VERY light weight and I only use it for long runs.

Sooooooo I went to REI today and got a hand held water bottle. I will have to put water out on long runs so I can refill and next week when I do the 15 miler I will have to have some Accelerade after 10 miles. I think I can leave that at a friends house on my route.

It's a recovery week so tomorrow is 4 and Saturday is 10. Next week is gonna be a killer! Excited!

13

2009-08-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

It's kind of exciting getting up while it's dark and everyone is still sleeping and running your butt off. I got to run the first 5 with some friends who were also out. They turned around at the Walmart and I turned at the Dell Diamond to make an even 13!

Incredible run and worship with my Lord! This morning while at church, my friend Becky said "hey, how was your half marathon this morning?" WOW! I ran a half this morning!

Okay so this week is recovery week! 3, 7, 4 and 10. Then the next week is a 15 mile long run! CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Chicago is getting closer! Week 9 is here!

3 on Thursday

2009-07-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ran 3 at my friend's gym. HATE TREADMILL RUNNING!!!!

Enough said!

13 miles on Sunday morning! woo hoo!

6 miles

2009-07-29T11:12:00.001-07:00

I did 6 this morning and I really, really enjoyed my run. I decided to test out my pace and see what marathon pace is looking like for Chicago. I won't really know until the 20 miler week but I can tell that i am faster than i was in February. We shall see!!!

Week 8 is here and it's crazy that I'm almost to the half way point!

I love marathon running!

3 miles

2009-07-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

I did my speed work this morning and got to run around 9:30am before it got too hot. I have hired a babysitter for the next month to come three days a week! VERY EXCITED! She helped me when i was training for the Austin Marathon and the kids love her.

Week 8 is here and in Texas, it will be a HOT one! When I saw the forecast this morning I had to grab my phone and take a picture!

Fun to run in the sun!

i got it ALL in on a crazy week! 3 and 12!

2009-07-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

So last week was 3, 6, 3 and 12 and it looked impossible to accomplish but I did it! God totally helped me find ways to run and despite all going on around me, we got it done!

Heidi and I are both training for marathons but mine is in October and hers is in November. Unfortunately our longs runs are not the same right now and I am running alone. :( But it is incredible time for me and God!

I did 3 on Saturday morning and 12 Sunday.

Week 8 is here!

3, 6, 3 and 13! But this week I have a babysitter for three of the runs. Very excited about that because i can run in cooler temps! Not much cooler but better than 100 degrees!

3 and 6

2009-07-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

so far this week i have been able to get in a 3 miler and 6 miler but still have a 3 miler and 12 miler to go!

so much has been going on but i have managed to just keep the running shoes on and run despite my schedule!

ready for things to slow down!

Marathon training continues, no matter what. Even when things get crazy or trials come that make things difficult, running is still there. If you give up and skip runs because of your schedule, you will NEVER be a runner!

So keep those shoes with you!

3, 5, 3, 7 (last week) Week 6

2009-07-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Last week was a recovery week. This week is not! 3, 6, 3, 12!

We were out of town all last week because j's grandmother passed away. I ran most of the week out of town except for the long run. I did that one on Sunday before church.

From here on out, the long run will be double digits until the taper.

Week 7 begins tonight! It's a hot one!

10

2009-07-13T07:07:00.001-07:00

Got up at 5:30am yesterday to drink water and eat my clif bar so I could be out the door by 6am to run my 10. It was so quiet outside and I spent the morning praying for people in my life and thanking God for the awesome things He is doing in my life.

It was awesome getting to church at 9:45am and knowing I had already run 10 miles. It sets the day up for greatness! I love it!

Week 6 is here of marathon training! It's gonna be another crazy week of traveling but my running shoes travel with me!

It's a recovery week so this week is pretty light. 3, 5, 3, 7. Temps in Texas are going to be around 103 and up ALL WEEK LONG. Must keep running!

3

2009-07-11T13:49:00.001-07:00

I ran 3 last night around 8:15pm and it wasn't a great run. I am really struggling with this heat. I can usually handle it but lately it has been a drag.

6AM in the morning for a 10 miler.

My new shoes

2009-07-10T14:45:00.001-07:00

Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 12 Womens Shoe

Last time I had the Max motos but i went to Runtex and was fitted for these! I will try them tonight!

5

2009-07-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I ran 5 and to say it was hot is really kind of pointless. It was HELL. Today is 104 again. I will run 3 tonight and save the long run for 6am Sunday morning before church. I am really hoping next week I can stay on schedule and not get my days mixed up.

The heat is on!

3

2009-07-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Ran 3 last night. Lots of hard things going on in the lives around me and my heart was heavy. Tonight I am supposed to run 5 but I first have to sing at a memorial service at our church.

Tough week on all levels!

Last week 3, 4, 3, 9 (19 miles)

2009-07-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

It's been pretty busy around here and every single time I think about sitting down to blog, something comes up.

Tuesday was 3 miles.

Thursday was 4 miles.

Friday was 3 miles.

Saturday was 9 miles.

With stuff going on and Jeremy having some vacation days, my running days got mixed up. I am thinking it will probably happen again this week since i am going out of town tomorrow. I'm hoping not but it seems inevitable with 3 kids!

It's hot and Texas is staying in the triple digits. Running at 8pm helps a little but not much. Time for some new shoes too! I bought some but took them back. Hoping I figure out which ones to buy! My shoes are worn out!

This week is 3,5,3,10!

5 (saturday)

2009-06-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hot run! Need I say more?!

3 (Thursday)

2009-06-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Ran 3 last night around 7:15pm with a friend and it was still 102 degrees! I saw on the news today that Texas is the hottest place to live right now and i can vouch for that! WOW!

I soaked my running top in ice water and it helped a little and wore my fuel belt. I mainly used the water to pour all over me.

It's the end of recovery week but next week is MORE miles!

"sorta long" run (4)- Wednesday

2009-06-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday: Today is a 4-mile run, up from 3 the first two weeks. Your mileage on this midweek "hard" day will continue to build along with your weekend mileage. Olympic marathoner Julie Isphording refers to this type of workout as a "sorta long" run. This sorta long run is positioned in the middle of the week to be more or less equal distant from last Sunday's 7-mile run and next Sunday's 5-mile run. That gives you a chance to recuperate between and rest before. -Hal Higdon

I am thinking back to the "sorta long" run during my Austin marathon training. I must say that this was my hardest run of the week. Yes, harder than the Saturday morning long runs. It seemed to always catch me off guard. My mind in the middle of the week never seems to be ready for a "sorta long" run. By week 6 this middle of the week run becomes 6 miles, the 7, 8, 9 and 10! The week of the 10 is also the week of the 20 miler. I look forward to the 20 miler way more than the 10!

Last night's run was hard. It felt like I was running inside a locked oven. Hot just doesn't cover it! It's HELL! But when it's over, it's Heaven. I always come back feeling strong. I've proven a lot to myself. One could never doubt my dedication. Training in the Texas heat is all heart because it's just plain HELL!

I now know why my friend Jen told me she reached her all time lowest adult weight while living in Florida training for Chicago! How can you not? The more you sweat, the more you burn!

The thing I am trying to get used to right now is the hunger i constantly feel. When I am on a consistent training plan, I spend most of the day starving. It's hard to eat all the time and do it healthy. Last night i went to bed on a small meal. At 3am I was wide awake STARVING! Needless to say i went downstairs for a bowl of cereal. My body is just trying to keep up!

Tonight is a 3 miler and then since this is recovery week, Saturday is only 5. This is my least favorite weeks of training. I don't like recovery weeks. I like high mileage weeks. I like living on Advil and ice packs and ice baths. It's way more exciting!

Pain is your friend because it pushes you to the finish line and nothing gets better than crossing THE MARATHON finish!

3 (Tuesday)

2009-06-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Week 3, day 1.

It was an enjoyable run. One of those where I left upset and came back peaceful. I can't tell you how many times while running i disconnect with everything around me and listen to every single word of a song. It changes with my mood. Last night it was about meaningful songs, not booty songs! :)

People sometimes ask me if I been praying or spent time with God lately. I think that's funny! I am a runner. I spend time with him all through out the day and when I run I am all HIS with no distractions. Running has been the time I can hear the Holy Spirit the most.

At times my mind is all over the place but that's when i ask His spirit to speak to me even when I don't realize it. I want to be able to soak up all that He has for me.

Running makes me clean!

7 (Sunday night)

2009-06-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

It was hot! This week the temps are going to be 101 to 102 ALL WEEK LONG. I think this week will be some serious fat burning!

Saturday I was at the lake with friends and I wake boarded, tubed and rode jet skis. Needless to say, my body feels like it's been beat with a baseball bat! It really made the 7 miler difficult. I will not be wake boarding again! That was dumb to do while training for a marathon! But i must admit it was a lot of fun!!

This week is recovery week. 3,4,3,5. Then the next 2 weeks the long runs get LONGER!

Going with Wendy to the Windy city!

2009-06-21T13:54:00.001-07:00

I am really getting excited about my Chicago trip with my fellow marathon mom, homeschooler and blogger, Wendy. I love this girl sooooo much! Even though we have not met face to face, we are tight. Sometimes we go a few weeks without talking but when we get on the phone, we are able to catch up and share what we've missed. She is a blessing to me and I cannot wait to run the Chicago Marathon with her!

I love you Wendy!

3 (Wednesday) 3 (Friday)

2009-06-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a fantastic run! My average pace was 9:15. I think I could have run faster but my belly was full. It's a lot better running after 8pm in Texas! The day before I had run at 6pm and could barely hold a 10 minute pace.

Friday night was a fun run because my friend came running with me. I'm trying to get her sold on running. She was worried about slowing me down and all that jazz abut I could have cared less. It was GREAT running with a friend and she did awesome for 3 miles and never had to stop. She's just starting out so I was so proud of her! I could barely run a mile when I first started!

Today we are headed to the lake with friends so my long run of 7 will be in the morning before church. Looking forward to it!

3 (Tuesday)

2009-06-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

This week is 3,3,3,7.

Yesterday the heat index was 105 and it was 102 degrees. Today it is the same and tomorrow it will be the same. Friday we go down to 99 degrees! I am not able to run in the early morning because my husband leaves very, VERY early. That leaves me with the evenings. Last night I ran close to 7pm and it was still 98 degrees. The heat is rough!

I canceled our gym membership because I knew how much I would be running and how 99.9% of my runs needed to be outdoors. Treadmill should be a total backup! Plus we are saving money by not going to the gym! :)

As much as the heat makes a run difficult, I think by the end of the Summer I should be in the best shape ever. I just don't think I can sweat this much and not become more fit!

6

2009-06-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

My long runs are supposed to be on Saturday mornings but it didn't happen until Sunday morning. Church doesn't start until 10:45 so I had plenty time.

The heat was a drag, the wind was insane. But i did enjoy a wonderful, worshipful run. This week the weather is supposed to be in triple digits ALL WEEK long. Jeremy leaves too early for me to run in the mornings so I have to do it in the afternoon. It's hard because I have to wait until 7 or 8 until it cools off. This makes it so hard for me to be involved in anything else besides running and family but I'm trying to figure things out. I forget how much this training demands my time. But i love it so I'm gonna stay true to the plan!

This week's training is 3,4,3,7. Slowly the miles will increase and my muscles will hurt! SO WORTH IT THOUGH! I LOVE IT!

3 (Thursday)

2009-06-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

3 miles of misery. Why?

I forgot to eat lunch. Yes forgot.

My mind was all over the place.

A truck followed me around.

Lack of food, distracted mind and stalkers make for a BAD 3 miler!

Later when it cools of I have a 6 miler and then I will be done with the first week of marathon training.

training run week 1, day 2 (3 miles)

2009-06-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

I know I should be enjoying the week of light running and I am. But I must admit I am a mile junkie and the more miles, the more excited I get! The hard weeks will be here before I know it so I want to enjoy.

Last night i did not feel like running. I was in Dallas for a night and when I got home, I was drained. But seeing the Chicago Marathon plan printed out and hanging up on my fridge is great motivation for me. So I did it!

Some runs are awesome. Some are blazing hot and difficult. This one was kind of all of the above!

Chicago Marathon training began today! (3)

2009-06-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited marathon training is here!! WOO HOO! I love, love, love, love, love training and marathon training is the best!

From now until October 11th, I will be 100% saturated in running and that makes me happy!

This morning I ran my first training run for Chicago. The first week is 3,3,3 and 6 on Saturday. Thankfully I continued running and maintained distance during the off season. In fact, it seems like yesterday was the Austin Marathon. Hard to believe it was back in February!

Lots of ibuprofen, ice baths, ice packs and whole wheat pasta will be in my near future!

This week I will post my MUST HAVES for marathon training!

Excited to be training,

Amanda

3 (Tuesday)

2009-06-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

This week has not been a very good running week. But i'm okay with that because next week is the first week of the next eighteen weeks of marathon training!

It is here and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE training and being on a schedule!

So excited!

Chicago Marathon, here I come!

10 with my hubby!

2009-05-31T06:15:00.000-07:00

It was a hot 10 miler but it was nice to do with my hubby! The kids were gone with Grammy for 5 days so we had lot of alone time!

Marathon training starts SOON!

4 (Saturday)

2009-05-26T07:22:00.001-07:00

It was Ava Beth's recital day and my niece was in town but found a way to fit in a quick 4 miles. It was humid and hot! As always! :)

3

2009-05-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

I ran 3 last night with Heidi. It's always nice running with a friend to make the heat more pleasant and forgetful. It is hot!

3 (Monday)

2009-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

I'm really looking forward to being back on a training plan starting in a few weeks. I thrive on a plan! Right now I feel a little lost. :)

A great 3 miles in some cooler weather. The heat will return soon!

5 miles

2009-05-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

So I can successfully run fast but I don't enjoy it. This is why i continue to LOVE the marathon! 26.2 miles of settling in to my own groove! I'm so excited that I will be running my 2nd one in October! Two marathons in one year! LOVE IT!

5 miles in the rain and it felt incredible!

4

2009-05-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

Ran a sluggish 4. Sluggish for now but fast compared to where I was at last year. People (ahem...me!) get so distracted by time and sometimes I have to stop and think about how much I have grown as a runner.

The heat has me in a slump. I press on!

3 with Heidi

2009-05-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

It was hot! Duh! It will be hot until probably the middle of October or later! So I better just forget the heat now. We ran pretty fast and towards the end I felt like I was out of control. It's good to remind the body how it feels at the end of a race when you are sprinting as hard as you can. Good for the muscles and lungs to get used to!

Training begins in two and a half weeks! Better enjoy my Saturday morning of sleep while I can!

3

2009-05-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Ran 3 this afternoon. It was just too hot to run anymore than that!

My body will eventually get used to the heat. It has to!

2.60 miles

2009-05-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Yes it is a pretty random number for the miles I ran this morning. I did not have time for a long run because of Saturday plans but I did have time for speed work. I truly hate speed work because I know I am going to have to push myself beyond what I think my limits are. If I run with my friend Heidi and we are both working on speed, I do great. She pushes me because she is faster. I count it all joy to be able to run beside here!

But I can't have Heidi for all of my runs so I was alone and decided to kick some butt! I kicked my own butt! I thought it would be cool to run in the 8's for a while and see how long I could last. WOW! It was hard! It was already about 93 degrees and humid as all get out so I wasn't sure if I could handle it. The first mile I did in 8:20! I was so proud! Then I made it to 2.60 miles and quit. I tried to make it to 3 but I saw my house and knew I had an hour to get ready for a lunch at friend's house and talked myself into stopping. My final average pace was 8:40.

Obviously this is not my marathon pace but it makes running my normal average pace of about 9:20-9:40 feel like a breeze! AND that is why speed work is so great! Makes you strong! I could care less if I ever run an 8 minute mile. But I love knowing that time (2 years) of long distance running has proven to me that speed is a natural progression. The longer you run, the faster you get. It just happens.

I'm glad I am journaling all of this because I love to go back and read how much I have grown as a runner!

I just can't get enough of running! And of course after my run, I ran in the door to show Jeremy the Garmin, hooked it up to the computer to get my average pace and called Heidi to celebrate!

4 (Wednesday)

2009-05-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

I will get used to the heat again. I'm TEXAN! I have to!

It was a great run for the mind and I really enjoyed the prayer time. It was sweaty but it was awesome!!

I love running!

3 (Monday)

2009-05-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

I've been stuck in a rut lately worrying about my speed. It's really not something I need to focus on because summers in Texas tend to be very difficult and I am not going to drive myself nuts trying to run so fast it makes me sick. I did that last night and I decided it's not worth it. Marathon training is soooooooo different than half marathon training. The pace is slower and I have got to remind myself of that come June.

26.2 miles is hard on the body and I think I have forgotten how you feel at mile 17. It's rough but awesome at the same time.

6.30 (Saturday)

2009-05-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ran with Heidi and it was hot but fun!

4 more weeks until Chicago training begins!

woo hoo!

3 (Wednesday)

2009-04-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Speed work at the gym on the dreaded treadmill. I get so bored so I put it on a challenging incline and ran like heck to get it done!

Still fighting major allergies! It's worse than it's ever been!

Hoping I feel better this afternoon for a quick run!

5

2009-04-25T12:49:00.001-07:00

Good grief it is hot and humid! This Summer training will be tough in this heat but come October I should be strong for the Chicago Marathon!

I pray!

3 miles of speed work and core

2009-04-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

I ran 3 miles yesterday to get some speed work in and it was 94 degrees! I was sweating buckets. It is going to take me a while to get used to the Texas heat again.

Since on of the kids has been sick, I have not bee able to get into the gym. Thankfully I have free weights and some other things at home so I can work on my core and arms. I really enjoy it!

I just got an email saying that the Chicago marathon is FULL! 45,000 runners and I will be one of them! SO EXCITED!

Oh and I ran in the high 8's and low 9's! However I did feel like I was going to die at the end. Working on speed is sooooooo hard!

His training season

2009-04-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

http://mamasings.blogspot.com/2009/04/his-training-season.html

My tattoo!

2009-04-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

http://mamasings.blogspot.com/2009/04/run.html

A little over 4

2009-04-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

I am not happy with this run AT ALL. I did not run my normal pace and I was burning up. If I am already this hot and it's only April, I'm scared for the Summer!

3 (Thursday)

2009-04-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ran at the gym yesterday and turned it into speed work. Chicago marathon training starts soon!!!!

Still recovering from Pneumonia and have tried not to be outside too much with all that's blowing in the air. Hopefully next week will be better!

3 (monday) 2 (today)

2009-04-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Going to Bible Study in a bit and don't have time to write!

Still running even though I have had Pneumonia!

CRAZY!

8 miles

2009-04-05T14:31:00.001-07:00

8 miles of great conversation with Heidi at insane wind speed! There is nothing better than running with my friend Heidi! I love that girl so much and since we both ran the Austin Marathon it was so cool to recap and talk about it.

I am really hoping the Chicago Marathon will NOT be windy. Isn't it called the WINDY CITY?! :) Well we got a great resistance run in today! WOW!

We are runners, hear us roar! :)

3 miles of speed work and core (tuesday)

2009-04-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I got brave yesterday and did speed work on the treadmill and raised the incline to a 2 and sometimes 2.5. I ran at about a 9:15 pace but I think I could have run faster if I were outside. I am always afraid I will lose control on the treadmill and be the laughing stock of the gym!

The core exercises I am doing are making me feel so strong and will really help me be a stronger running. Running does a lot but there is so much it doesn't do for your core.

Finally enjoying the off season!

P.S. I have a child with stomach virus and no clue who will get it next. Praying no one! Tomorrow is my Birthday so the next few days will be hard to get running in. :)

10 on a beautiful day!

2009-03-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need a good ten miler to change your perspective or blow off some steam! So today was a perfect day for a 10 miler! I needed to think and pray and think and pray I did!

I love how a 10 miler makes you feel! AWESOME!!!

Beautiful running,

Amanda

3

2009-03-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Ran 3 today but hope to do more tomorrow when the wind is gone!

2

2009-03-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

This morning I left for a 10 mile run! I was so excited! I had my fuel belt loaded and I was ready to go. It felt wonderful and then all of the sudden before I hit a mile, it began to pour. But I loved running in the rain. It felt wonderful and refreshing. Then it began to thunder and lightning and I decided by 1.18 into that I needed to call Jeremy and have him pick me up at the elementary school. We have plans to go to the gym in a while so I even though I knew I did not have time to get in a 10 miler, I could at least run 6 and make it 7 for the day. However, there seems to be 30mph wind gusts so at a mile I came home because guess what? I don't have to run in the wind! Now come June, training time, wind, rain or extreme heat, I will have to run!

At least I got 2 in!

5

2009-03-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

I ran 5 and did more of my new workout with my friend at the gym! I am doing some strength training that is HARD but so much fun! I feel stronger! I feel tough! This will so help me in running and it will even help in preventing injuries!

I'm getting excited!

4 and arms

2009-03-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ran 4 and then did more weight training. I have a new friend at the gym named Nichole. I worked up the courage to talk to her. :) She is in great shape and has great arms! I wanted to know what she did to get shape in those arms so I started talking to her and then we worked out together and are meeting again today. She wants to get more running in but doesn't know how and I want to get my arms more toned and am clueless. I learned sooooooo much from her yesterday!

The gym is so much better when you have friends there!

weights

2009-03-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

For the past few months I have been working hard on my arms and my core. The stronger my body is, the stronger my running will be. I am really enjoying the weight training.

This afternoon I will be back at the gym to run because it's raining and Jeremy has dinner plans with a customer so I need childcare!

6

2009-03-22T13:31:00.001-07:00

it was hot, it was windy but it was fast! i managed to stay in the 9's, sometimes 8's. this summer should be a speedy and difficult one in the heat but when that fall air hits my legs in Chicago, it should be AWESOME!

5 and 1.50

2009-03-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

I ran 1.50 two weeks ago this past Thursday and began to have a panic attack at the gym. Needless to say, I quit running. But I like to log every mile so it counts!

I ran 5 yesterday and it was a great run for speed work! Between now and June I plan on working on speed.

3, core and arms!

2009-03-18T16:38:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to build my mileage back up since it's now been a month since the marathon. But I am also working out at a gym so it's kind of a distraction but a nice one because I can focus on my core and arms. Working on my core will make me a stronger runner! Now if I can just be more focused on doing more spin classes, that would be great! I have to find someone brave enough to join me!

Excited about June! Marathon training will begin!

3 outside in the beautiful sun!

2009-03-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Okay Texas, you better be done with winter because I packed all the winter clothes away today! I did leave jackets for all of us just in case but otherwise, we are done with you!

I have not ran outside until today since the marathon! All of my running has been on the treadmill at the gym. Thankfully the nice weather is back and the long days are here to stay for several months! YEE HAW!!

Two and a half more months until Chicago marathon training begins!!!

Thank you Lord for a wonderful and worshipful 3 miles today!

5

2009-03-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I ran a pretty hard 5 on the treadmill. I am so ready to be running outdoors!! Next week's weather looks great!

4

2009-03-03T19:18:00.001-08:00

Tonight I had a great 4 mile run and a really good workout for my arms!

I wish it were June and marathon training was starting! :) I DO NOT enjoy off season!

5

2009-02-25T19:47:00.001-08:00

Still trying to recover from the marathon. My husband keeps reminding me that it's only been a week and a half. Mentally I am ready to be running 25-30 miles a week again but not physically. My hips are sore and need more time.

5 tonight and lots of weights. More cross training tomorrow. A girl who teaches a one of the spinning classes at the Y chatted with me the night we signed up to join the Y. She's a cyclist. Anyway, I see her when I'm working out but have not done her class yet. They are several instructors. Anyway, she is in incredible shape (VISIBLY in shape) and asked me about the marathon and then asked me if I would consider doing a dualathon with her? She said she hates the running part and needs a strong runner. A dualathon is running and biking. Triathlon is that and swimming. Just in case someone is actually reading this and isn't sure what that is! :)

Of course I told her yes! But I think I will wait to see if she brings it up again! :)

I have met some INCREDIBLE people at the gym! I LOVE IT!