Still going....

Boy do I have some catching up to do!!  Let's see, where to start?
I am currently on Week 7 of my training...it actually feels like it's been longer then that.  Last week was supposed to be a 12 mile long run but we ran into a couple of snags and it did not happen.  In looking back at this, I am thinking it was a good thing.  It gave my ankles and feet a chance to rest before getting back into it.  So this week's long run will be 12 miles.  I am still having some pain in my foot but am still hopeful to get rid of this problem.  Still lots of stretching, icing, and rolling. 
I think another reason why it was a good thing we missed our long run is because I need to remember that it's ok to miss a run every now and then.  I get it stuck in my head that I have to do every single run and that it would be horrible to miss any.
So another thing that has happened it is I bought a new bikini!  I tell you I walked around and around the store with that bikini in my hand and had to force myself to get to the check out.  It was a pretty big step for me.  Hey, I work out very hard and pretty religiously so why shouldn't I show off my bod a bit?!  I will spare you all the strange selfie....I have some work to do on some tan lines.
Now to resist the cheesecake that is sitting in my fridge...wish me luck!

Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!!!

This post is coming to you direct from my living room couch.  Here I sit icing my foot...I'm injured :(!!!!!!

It started with a dull ache in my heels...felt like my ankles were weak or tired.  Did I pay attention to this?  No, of course not!!!  Now both heels hurt and I have a pain down one side of my foot.  This is not good timing with a 10 mile run coming on Saturday!!  At the same time, my running/training partner is having trouble with her IT band again!  What a pair we make.  And of course as Moms it is pretty hard to make time to just sit and ice...but we have to make that time and get it done so we can get back on the road! So it's ice and ibruproen and a day of rest (at least a day if not more)  and we will see what happens...wish me luck

Week 3 Day 15

Training is moving right along and I have to say it is going fairly well so far!  I have not missed any runs on my schedule and have kept to the mileage of every run.
Last Saturday was a 7 mile long run and I was pleasantly surprised with how well it went.  I tried a new energy gel, Honey Stinger Gold.  I have to say I liked it!  I found the consistency was thinner then the other gels I have tried in the past.  I did carry water with me in a hand held water bottle and did not like that!  It felt heavy and my elbow hurt from holding it up.  I am working on the solution to that problem.....
Next long run coming up is on Saturday with 9 miles.  I don't think I will have time to get more Honey Stinger so I am going to try Salted Caramel GU.  When it came out last winter, it was quite popular and hard to find...seems to be everywhere now so I am going to give it a try!
Chugging right along! :)

Decisions, decisions....

So one of the strange and quirky things about me is apparently I collect fuel.  I don't really know how or why I have aquired this collection but it gives me lots of options.  I am starting to prepare for a 7 mile run on Saturday and want to take something with me to begin practicing what works and what will not upset my stomach.  

What do you use for fuel on long runs?  Any of these or something different?  I would love to hear some ideas!!!

Day 6...Long Run

Today was the first long run of my marathon training!!  It was a 5 mile run and we really lucked out on the weather.  I thought it was drizzling out so I wore a lightweight coat and a hat....and needed neither one!  Oh well, I would rather be prepared then be stuck in the rain with no coat and no hat.
5 miles has been about the most I have been doing for weekend long runs so it did not really feel like much of a stretch but it was what was on the schedule.
I am not a huge fan of selfies....but took one anyways to attach...

Like the little wings?  Still working on growing out my hair so that all that can be pulled back into a ponytail instead of sticking out from under my hat.
So a total of 15 miles this past week...and feeling great! 

Day 3

This morning I got up at 3:45 to get ready for a 4 mile run with my favorite running partner.  I wanted to make sure I had time to have a small cup of coffee and something to eat.  I ended up with some greek yogurt and fruit and found it was just the right amount to eat.  Later on in my training I will need to eat more then that but hopefully won't have to get up so early for those runs! 

So we got 4 miles done and I am feeling so great....like nothing can go wrong for the rest of the day...keeping my fingers crossed!!  Go out and make it a good day everyone!!

Day One

Today is the first day of marathon training.  I feel like I should be celebrating it somehow....

 Oh I know, I'll go for a run!
Today's run is 3 miles...
The rest of the week goes like this:
Tuesday: Rest (legs and cardio at gym)
Wednesday: 4 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest (upper body and cardio at gym)
Saturday:  5 miles
Sunday: Rest

Seeing as how my long run has been 5 miles lately, this week will be a piece of cake!!
Now off to go finish my banana oatmeal pancakes before heading off to work!

My worst race....almost

So here I am sitting on my couch, ice under my calf and on the verge of tears.  Tonight I ran one of my favorite races...Rock n Race in Concord New Hampshire.  This race is for such a great cause and means so much to me because it benefits Concord Hospital's Cancer Care Center.  I run this race in honor of loved one who have passed one and in honor of anyone who is battling or has battled cancer.  It has an emotional meaning to it which is why I was so determined to do well.  I have to admit I was shooting for a sub 30 5K finish.  What ended up happening I will never forget.
I was cruising down the road at a much fast pace then I think I have ever run when it happened...my whole left calf became extremely tight and cramped up on me.  I tried so hard to run normal on it thinking it would stretch itself out but instead I was actually limping.  My leg was just not allowing me to run!  I moved over to the side of the street a few times to stretch it out and resume running but nothing was working.  I was faced with a problem I had never faced before...and I wasn't even a mile into the race!!!!  I was turning around to walk back to the start when a friend found me.  She asked if I was O.K. and I said no with tears in my eyes.  After a much needed hug she encouraged me to keep walking and told me I needed to finish the race even if I had to walk it.  So that is what we did.  We walked along and talked, I texted on my phone to a friend and we even had some chips and salsa along the way!  Who gets to do any of that while running a race?!?! 
So I am hoping that this was a one time occurrence and that I will not have any soreness in my leg tomorrow.
As for my finish time...I don't ever want to know.

Great start

6 miles done for today!!!!  Love getting it done early so now I have all day to do the rest of my stuff and decide what I am going to eat!  Ha ha

It was also great to meet my step goal for the day on my fitbit before 9:00 am!

Have a great day!!!

Beth

Refocusing

For the lack of creativity in coming up with a new name for a new blog I have decided to just stick with this one.  It has a lot of history in it for me and would hate to see it go.   Instead I have decided to change the look, maybe add some new features and maybe actually write more....well I will try anyways :)
This past week has been one of many challenges.  I have been on a staycation and the temptations to eat and drink all the things I shouldn't have been...well, challenging!  But I have made a decision and I have to stick to it this time...I am really going to be careful from now on.  In a little over a month I will be starting my training for my first full  marathon and I don't want to mess that up.
I have added a new workout DVD to my routine...Jillian Michaels 6 week six  pack Abs.  So far I am enjoying it..except for the pulled muscles :(  I am doing lots of ice and Advil and hoping to get back at it tomorrow. 
At the gym I met with the trainer and it was great!  I learned some new ways to use the equipment that should help make me stronger.  As of right now it is nice because it is a short routine so between weights and cardio I am in and out in half an hour.  I am using the elliptical for cardio and doing an interval type workout that is kicking my butt!  Short but very effective!  
Running is going well too!  I am finding that many of my runs lately are a lot quicker then they used to be.  Running with my favorite running partner across the street and becoming stronger over all has really helped my pace.  Hoping that my pulled muscles will have healed enough so that I can get out tomorrow for a run!  Otherwise my family better watch out because Mommy with no run in 4 days can get ugly!
So, wish my luck on getting back out there!!
Beth

I'm back....I think

In June of 2010 I started this blog.  A lot has happened in my life since then.  My kids are now in Middle school and high school...my family moved to a new home...I have run three half marathons and many other races...I have become much more focused on healthy clean eating and on different kinds of workouts on top of keeping up with regular runs.... I have found the best running partner a girl could ever have (and the best part is she lives across the street!!)...
So the question is am I still the "housewife on the run"?
Merriam- Webster dictionary defines a housewife as

: a married woman who stays at home, does cleaning, cooking, etc., and does not have another job outside the home

Well I do have a job outside of my home...one I do love and one that allows me to be active almost all day long...working with 3 and 4 year olds is a busy day!! 

I do still do the grocery shopping, laundry and cooking so that part is correct....

But I do feel I have a lot more to offer....I enjoy running and setting an example for my children that if you take care of yourself you will feel good and be healthy.  I enjoy sharing recipes with others of healthy things to eat.  I enjoy sharing what I know about fitness and running with others.

So you might wonder where I am going with all this but the answer is that I dont really know.  I think I might say goodbye to this blog and start a new one but still need to work out the details and direction.  When I get it figured out you will be the first to know!!

So until next time keep running, feed your body well and stay strong

Beth

New Goals

Hello!!!  Yes, once again, I am back.  Still not posting as often as I would like to but it just can't be helped.  Heck I can barely get in my runs lately!  With the time change and the fact that it is so dark in the morning and dark so early in the evening, there are just not enough hours in between to get out!
I have finished Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD and have to say I really feel stronger and really good about what I accomplished.  I really stuck to it and completed it!
 Next up is Jillian Michael's Body Revolution....I found phase one is sold all by itself and after I am finished with phase one I can borrow the other phases from a friend.  Some of the workouts in this program require a resistance band which was included in the set I bought since my friend needs her band to do the program as well.  Worked out perfect!
Another goal I am setting for myself is the Runners World Holiday streak...running everyday from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, even if it is just one mile.  I have tried to complete a streak before and it did not go well....my body just could not handle it.  I feel so much stronger now, so I am going to give it another try.  If it does not work, then at least I can say I tried and then move on.  I haven't quite figured out how I am going to  get in a run everyday....this might require running in the dark :( 
So yes, I just might be crazy, but this kind of thing is what keeps me going....having goals and working toward achieving them.
What kind of goals do you set for yourself?
Please feel free to tell me about them in the comment section :)
So until next time (hopefully soon), keep running, working out, and staying strong!

Kicking it up a notch

Yes, I know it has been a while since I have posted anything.  I have told myself I would like to post at least once a week, but it just does not happen....sorry, what can I say.  Actually that could be a good thing because then you don't have to read about all my crappy days or any random silly posting.  Let's just go with QUALITY not QUANTITY...sound good?
So now that my half marathon has come and gone, things have been different.  It feels kinda good to not have any pressure to stick to any particular training schedule.  I can go for runs and not really worry about how far I am going.  I am still trying to get in at least one long run each week (it was 5 miles last week) just to maintain my current fitness level.  I have incorporated something new into my life and boy has it made a big difference!!
Let me take you back one week ago....weigh in at weight watchers...I was up 3.8 pounds!  Not only was this a lot of weight for me to handle, but it was over the 2 pound buffer for lifetime membership (which is free).  Of course I still felt great and I was not really noticing any difference in the way my clothes fit so it really snuck up on me.
Enter Jillian Michaels....I started her Ripped in 30 DVD the day before that dreadful weigh in and was getting up super early to get these workouts in and did some running in the afternoon.  One week and for days later....drum roll please

 

DOWN 5.6 lbs!!!!!  Seriously this is a major loss for me....I am not really sure if I have ever lost this much weight in one week before.  

So, the lesson to be learned from this....every now and then shake things up, try a new form of exercise, try some new foods.  Obviously it worked for me.

I am on week 2 of this DVD and although it is torture, I am really enjoying the workouts.  

So until next time I highly recommend the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 workouts, keep running, and stay strong!

Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon 2013....Done!

Can I just tell you what a rewarding feeling it is to know that all my hard training I did all summer long was totally worth it?!  Not only did I finish the race faster then the time goal I had set for myself, but I beat my time last year by...ready for this....

14 minutes!!!

I finished in 2:20 and feel like I ran a very solid race.  For just about every mile I ran it was a consistent 10:30 pace or right around there.  The weather was not the greatest, but was o.k.  It was overcast for the whole race so there was no sun beating down on us and the rain held off till at least mile 10 (well for me) so it was not the entire race like last year.  Unfortunately because we were so cold and getting wetter by the minute the after party at the race was not very fun...drank half my beer and ate my lobster roll but did not really taste it because I was so cold.  After getting home from the race, my family had prepared a whole feast for myself and two other of my friends who ran the race (first half marathon for both of them)!  

So now what?  That is the question of the week I guess...

So until next time, keep running, stay strong and ROCK ON!!

 

 

Eight more days!!!

Yup, that's right folks...just 8 more days till I run my third half marathon!  Something I did not imagine myself saying 10 years ago!!  I have been obsessively checking the weather forecast and so far it is looking pretty decent.  There were a few days that it was showing rain for race day but that has changed.  For anyone who knows me or follows my blog, you know that I ran this race last year....in the rain....the whole way :(  it was not fun (said in a little old lady voice from the insurance commercial when she is talking about her son's motorcycle...love those commercials...but that is a completely different story).  I am getting super excited because this year I have a few friends who are going to be running the race as well and we will be driving to the race together and will be able to meet up after the race for the after party!  And then there might  be an after, after party waiting for me and my neighbor and favorite running partner when we get home!
So today I ran 5 miles, I think it is three tomorrow and then 9 on Sunday and then it's taper time...not really much of a taper but I used this same training plan last year and it seemed to work fine.
So until next time, keep running, think of me when you see those insurance commercials (I am that lady), and stay strong!! 

Two weeks to go!!!

So I have been MIA lately...my only excuse is that life has gotten a lot busier...kids are back in school, I am back at work, and still preparing for Smuttynose half marathon.  The race is two weeks away and I am happy to say I have completed two 10 mile runs!  I have been trying to keep up with my strength training at the gym too but this is not always easy.  I don't really feel as though I have been losing any muscle, so I must be doing something right.  

One of the most exciting things is that my  flower came yesterday!!!!

Isn't it pretty?!  I will be proudly wearing this flower in my hair for my half marathon and can't wait!!!  It took me a few months to make up my mind on what color I wanted to order and which one meant the most to me.  If you have never visited the fellow flowers website, I highly recommend that you do: 

www.fellowflowers.com

They are also on Facebook and Twitter and frequently post some motivating messages.

So until next time keep running and stay strong!

One month and 16 days to go

So I am one unhappy, unlucky lady tonight...one month and 16 days to go till my half marathon and I have two sore quads!  I have a new trainer at the gym who is having me do step ups onto a weight bench and lunges...not a good idea maybe.  RICE is the word of the day and I am really hoping it works because I have 7 miles to run in two days and 8 miles to run this coming weekend....wish me luck!

So until next time, please be careful, stay strong and keep running...unless you are injured and then remember RICE :)

Week 4, Here I Come!!!

Today starts the beginning of week 4 in my half marathon training and I have to say I am feeling great!!  O.k. maybe not right at the moment but for the most part I am killing it!  I say that I am not feeling so great right now because I am having some back soreness.  I so don't want to admit it, but I think it is my shoes.....the Brooks Pureflows.  I have only been wearing them on short runs of 2-3 miles but I am finding that they just don't feel quite right and I have been feeling a few more aches and pains after I run in them.  But I sooo wanted these shoes and wanted to be able to have a pair of shoes to use to avoid putting all of my training miles on my sauconys so that I would not need new shoes before the big race!  It was to be a perfect plan....until it started not working to well.  It is looking more and more like they will be come gym shoes.
This weeks events:  Monday:  Gym
                              Tuesday: 2 miles
                               Wednesday:  Gym
                               Thursday:  6 miles
                                Friday:  Rest
                                Saturday:  2 miles
                                Sunday:  7 miles
Now to see if Miss Mother Nature is going to cooperate with me for my Thursday run....

So until next time, having good running shoes is important, keep running and stay strong.

"What are we gonna go today?"

This is the question I get asked on a daily basis by my two kids who are home for summer vacation.  Every single day..... so imagine their surprise when the answer today was "hike a mountain!".  I am not sure surprise is a very good word for it. With a backpack packed for each of us off we went to hike up Mount Uncanoonuc in nearby Goffstown, NH (a little under half hour drive).

I won't bore you with all the details...we did have a tough time finding the parking for the trail, but once we got there we had a great time.  I found I needed to remind my kids many times that we had all day to complete this hike and that we did not have to rush at all.  I knew the entire hike was not going to be very long so I knew I was safe telling them that.  We had to stop a few times to rest which was fine with me...some of the trail was pretty steep!!  Each of them had a camera to take pictures of what ever they wanted to...I had given them a photo scavenger hunt to do but they did not really seem to interested in that. 
Once we reached the summit of the mountain we were treated to this pretty view:

BUT, we actually missed the view we had wanted to see....all because of one trail we decided not to go up.  Oh well....maybe next time!
Of course what does anyone do after they finish hiking?  Get ice cream of course!!

Oh and note to self...maybe a three mile run the same day as a hike up a mountain is not such a great idea.  Boy are my legs sore....but it was worth it.
So until next time, go hike a mountain or a trail, get outside with your kids (or someone else's kids), don't forget the ice cream and stay strong!

A tasty treat

Hey!  Yes I am posting twice in one week!  Yay me! 
I just had to share this tasty little treat I discovered today on facebook.  I don't know if it has an official name but we can call it chocolate peanut butter bites.  All you do is take bananas and slice into slices and sandwich peanut butter between them (I would imagine you could use almond butter instead), freeze them, melt chocolate...I used a large special dark chocolate bar...dip the banana sandwiches in the chocolate and freeze again!  That easy....and soooo good.  They can't really be all that bad for you, right?  I mean think about it...there is protein in peanut butter, potassium in the banana, and dark chocolate is a health food, right?
Here's the finished product:

Looks Yummy, right?!