Week 7, Check!

This long run was a challenge. I decided to do it a day early since our Saturday is really full. I don't know if it was a mind thing or what, but not having the day of rest was a bummer to me. I felt tight, tired. It probably didn't help that the night before I was the speaker at our youth group so a lot of extra energy and focus was expelled there.
I pretended I was the character in a video game (super mario to be exact) and that someone else on a controller was making me go forward. I air punched the signs I passed. That helped me get through about 5 miles. I swear the last few miles were me just saying: almost home....keep going.
I am nearly half way through the training and I know some weeks will be like this, a grind.
For your viewing pleasure, I'll add this picture Jonah took of me. I wish I was one of "those" people who looked good while working out. I always get so red faced. The only reason I'm smiling is because I'm only a 1/2 mile away from home.

Miles today: 12
Miles this week: 26
Miles this month: 89
Miles this Year: 145

I get by with a little help from my friends

This training has been so good for me. Since I have no official running partner, I am learning to dig deep to stay motivated and to train hard. It is a good feeling to know that you have mental toughness...guts....faith.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that sometimes I think about the mass of people who are also out there training for my race and that it helps me to imagine that we are all working together. It's been so fun lately to learn that I know some of the mass. A lady from my church, Ellen, who lives down the road and also my good friend Bethany are both training to run the 1/2 on the same day as my marathon. Yesterday on my way to town I spotted Ellen getting in her run and it just does something in my heart to have someone else to pull for. I got the privilege of running 6 miles with Bethany last night in Corvallis. It was a soggy run, but one of the most fun that I've had in awhile. I loved the change of scenery but most of all to get to run with a good friend, an old friend and create another link of things that bind us together. The miles flew by and before I knew it, we were done! Hopefully we can make our schedules mesh so we can do a few more runs together.
I've also been drawing inspiration lately from my friend Samantha who gets up at 4:30 every morning to walk. Monday when it was 27 degrees out at 8, I told myself that I had no reason to whine since she had long been out in the cold weather. It is amazing to me to see Samantha, Bethany, Ellen, Joan, Charlie and others I know, just make this work even though life is hectic and there are so many things drawing them other directions. I can keep going too.
Miles yesterday: 6
Miles this week: 10

Week 6, Check!

It has been an odd week. I personally have not been afraid since my "run in" with creepy bike guy, but I am getting lots of nagging by my parents. My dad really would like me to carry a handgun...what? He and my brother are gung ho about convincing me that it's a good idea. If I need a gun, then I shouldn't be running at all. I have been working hard to be mentally strong and not talk myself into being afraid of running alone.
Today was the perfect remedy. I ran later then normal, starting at 10:15. It was sunny and beautiful and I was so glad I listened to my gut and wore shorts. I had on my new brooks (can you believe that I've put 400 miles on a pair of shoes?), they have a gold emblem on them, I'm pretending they are my Olympic shoes. Not that I think I'm going to win gold. I AM however going to win a medal. I had a song stuck in my head and so I sang it and replayed it and before I knew it 5 1/2 miles had gone by and it was time to turn around.
With about 3 miles left to go, my inner leg and my arch began to ache a bit. I acknowledged it, like the book says to and reminded myself that I am getting stronger each time I run. I was working hard to try to keep my thinking in check. Then the best possible thing happened.
I was running the last 1 1/2 miles right near the golf course. I always watch the golfers and since it was so nice out, there were quite a few on the course. A group of guys were in the middle of the fairway getting ready to drive their balls the rest of the way to the green (I am faking my golf lingo...). I watched as one stepped up to his ball, swing hard and totally wiff it. The ball went maybe 20 feet and bounced back at him. He began to curse and swing his club at the ground. I couldn't help it...I laughed. Hard. LOUD. The group turned to look at me and began laughing too (minus fit throwing guy). The golfer apparently didn't think it was very nice of me to laugh because then he shouted something at me about finding a real sport. But it was already done for me. That was the lift I needed to smile the rest of the road back to my house. A good day.
Miles today: 11
Miles this week: 23
Miles this month: 63
Miles this Year: 119

Scary bike guy...take 2

A few weeks ago I got creeped out by a guy on a bike during my run. On my way out about 1/2 mile from my house he was walking his bike on the road. I didn't think much of it since I was going to be running for several miles and I figured he'd be gone by the time I was back. So I was really surprised to see him in the same spot 40 minutes later. He watched me approach (I got out my mace) and I passed him. At this point I was sprinting and trying to decide what to do. I was only a 1/2 mile from home, but I didn't want him to know where I was going, I don't know anyone in the houses around there, let alone if they were home. The weird part was that he never moved. I kept peeking back and he was just in the same spot. There are some turns before my driveway and so I couldn't see him when it was time for me to stop.
I think I'm pretty safe when I run out here in the country. First I always carry a cell phone and mace. I also never seem to run at the same time so if anyone was trying to establish a pattern for me, good luck. But you can never be too careful.
So today I had 4 miles to run. I hit the turn around point and didn't see anyone beside cars and golfers. But when I turned on to my street I noticed a different guy on a bike coming up behind me. At first I wasn't nervous. I have a very long length of road that is right next to the golf course and plenty of people were out playing. However, who knows why, this guy stayed about 50 feet behind me for about 1/2 mile. He chose to catch me and pass me near the golf course entrance where there is a large hill and bushes obscuring your view to the course. The last mile home is up hill and with few neighbors, I did not want to wonder what this guy was doing and if he would still be near me when I need to turn at my driveway. I really am not worried about being abducted. I just don't want any creepy people to know where I live. I decided to run to the club house and call for a ride home.
I don't like when these things happen and make me feel unsafe about running alone. The whole thing is probably totally innocent, but I am not taking my chances.
Miles today: 3 (one short)

Week 5, Check!

I was thinking today that I did not run a single long run on my own during my 1/2 marathon training. This was #2 of my long runs that I have done alone.
I had a lot to think about since in a few weeks I am going to be the guest speaker at a youth group. A pastor once spoke in a conference that we should have a "life message"...something we can vision those who follow us about. I have never really known what my life message would boil down to until lately. We've been talking in our college group about being 30. I want them to imagine 10 years down the road, dream about who they will be and then work on the now to point themselves there. The idea being if you have a goal/dream you won't get lost in the drama of today and waste yourself and not get anywhere. This is something I feel very passionate about and I'm really beginning to see how it is seasoning everything I teach about.
The mental training this week talks about creating mental "tapes" to play to yourself when you are having a tough run. One is of your best run, what you saw, how you felt etc. The other is how you imagine it will be when you finish the marathon, how you feel, what people say to you etc. Sometimes when I'm running I lose myself for a few miles trying to imagine what it will be like. I still have a level of excitement for it which is good. I know that next month is going to be tough with the long runs getting time consuming and demanding. It's a good thing there isn't a bed at the bottom of my driveway, some days I'd be tempted to get in it.
Miles today: 10
Miles this week: 21
Miles this month: 40
Miles this Year: 96

Week 4, Check! 1/4 of the way done!

Today I got to run with Joan. 4 Miles flew by just catching up with each other of the past few days events. It is amazing how much real "life" stuff...the deep stuff...that comes out when you are sharing the road with someone. By the end not only had I run my 8 miles, but we had planned strategies on dealing with teen girl drama, shared past hurts and how God had brought us through them, laughed over my girls funny stories...and more. The time is so valuable to me. It is not a waste. I already have that satisfying feeling that I am going to be so blessed by this season of my life...I already am!
Miles today: 8
Miles this week: 19
Miles this Year: 75

The decomposition cycle of deer

It's a funny thing...running in the country. The one thing I get really tired of is road kill. I can tell you right now what is dead where and what it looks like. Jonah always says that dead deer in the ditch are doing the "taco" (come on, get the mental picture...you know...). Apparently my neighborhood is really bad for the car vs. deer thing. It really icks me out.
Today was a good run. I couldn't have asked for more interesting/beautiful weather. On one side of me was gray skies, rain and wind. And just ahead of me, deep blue skies and sun.
I can't believe just a year ago I was hugely pregnant and the thought of running was a big joke to me. I told people I thought my MIL was insane. And now here I am...running 19 miles this week...1/4 of the way through my training.
Miles today:5