Day 31 - The Wind

I was quickly irritated by today's run when my watch, which I was sure charged all night, had low battery and stopped working after a half mile.  So, I'm not sure I went exactly 5 miles today and I have no idea how long it took me.

I can do nothing about this situation so I shouldn't dwell on it.  Hopefully I can rectify the charging situation otherwise the expensive watch is getting exchanged.  Happy this happened at the beginning of the run, I was free to do what I could and accept no way to track today's training.

It's been pretty windy around here.  I contemplated running after work yesterday but on a drive back to town the wind showed me who was boss and I didn't feel like fighting it through a run either.  Outloud I told Husband as we laid down to go to sleep, "I will run 5 miles after work tomorrow!"  As soon as something is said outloud (or posted on Facebook) it is happening.  That's my motto at least...

The wind bothers me...I always seem to catch it in my face when I'm running uphill and today was no different.  However, as I was battling the wind I reminded myself that there will never be a perfect situation and someone is always going to be pushing or pulling you to do what they want you to do - similar to the wind.  I don't get a choice at what the wind throws at me much like I don't get a choice at what life throws at me.  Fortunately, I do get the opportunity to decide how I react to situations and to the weather.  Running gives you A LOT of time to yourself and a lot of time to think.  At the end of a run I always feel good about myself and ready to conquer any other challenge I'm faced with.

Today I put my head down and muscled through the wind and I'll do it again on Saturday for 9 miles if I have to.  It's hard to say what the weather is going to be like on May 6th when I run my half though I hope it's mild and comfortable.

Day 31 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 0

Day 31 - number of vehicles that I waved to, 2!  One of which backed out of the intersections when they saw me coming so I could pass.

Day 27 - Kal Haven Trail Run

Today was so amazing I don't know that I can put it in to words!  As I said, we ran the Kal Haven Trail Run as a 6-person relay team.  While it wasn't a great day, it was awesome for running - overcast and about 50 - 55 all day long!  While we were running it was perfect though we were all a bit chilly while waiting at the exchanges.

These race atmospheres are so much fun.  There were people doing the 33.5 miles solo, as a two-person team and then as a relay with either 3, 4, 5 or 6 people running legs.

For being our first relay, we were really quite organized.  We knew when to expect each person, we had the driving directions printed out, we had ample snacks and we had sweet outfits!  I will say there was one team I was jealous of as they were passing the runner who was finishing the leg a can of beer as the other person took off - note for next year!  In addition, there were MANY people at the finish line parading around with bottles of beer.  We managed to find some at a local bar, don't get me wrong, but we could have had immediate satisfaction.

Every one of our runners exceeded expectations and we finished at about 4:50:50 which is unbelievable!  As far as runs go, this was unlike any other event I've been to.  We waited in anticipation for our teammate to finish their leg, we cheered loudly so they knew where to tag and then hustled in the car to the next exchange point while squeezing in a bathroom break when needed.  Jem and the Holograms had a successful day and I am already pumped for next year's run!

Day 26 - Preparing for a Race

Husband and I do a lot of races throughout the year.  We've found quite a few that we love participating in either for the shirt, the distance or the sweet snacks afterwards!  Tomorrow we are participating in a new race with a new twist for us - The Kal Haven Trail Run.  The Kal Haven Trail is stretches 33.5 miles from Kalamazoo to South Haven. 

And we are going to run it!

Ok, so we are doing it as a 6-person relay which makes it even more exciting!  A friend of Sister's asked her about it several weeks ago and Sister asked us if we'd be interested.  The other cool thing about the event is that the proceeds benefit Girls on Track which is the 6th - 8th grade program of Girls on the Run.  IN.

Usually we spend evenings before runs "taking it easy".  A healthy dinner, minimal drinks, and a good night's sleep are all keys to a good run.  I won't be running until close to 1:00 pm so I'm a little nervous about how the day will unfold.  However, every run is a new challenge and we are pumped!

Day 17 - Girls on the Run

This week we started Girls on the Run (going forward will be referred to as GOTR) practice.  Sister and I are co-coaching this year and after the awesome team we had last year, I was aprehensive as to whether or not this year would compete.  After two practices, I can say I am almost MORE excited with this year's girls than the girls we had last year.  They are so kind to one another and helpful - today one of them asked me to help her tie her shoes and another one of the girls offered to help instead. 

GOTR has been in our area for 10 years.  We never had it where I grew up and I probably wouldn't have participated anyway - remember, I hated running!  The program allows girls in 3rd through 5th grades to be a part of the team and the teams are mixed with girls in each of the grades.  We have 11 girls this year and only 3 of them have participated before.  This excites me because everything is new to them!

Today we got to go outside for about 25 minutes for our "workout".  We have a large soccer field to run around and have determined that 6 laps is about one mile.  The girls get lap counters each time they go around the field so they can keep track of how much they are running.  The girls were so excited at the end of practice to see how many laps they had done and equate them to miles!  Each time around they were PROUD to tell us how far they had gone so far and eager to do more.  It's amazing how inspiring 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls can be.

Day 16 - I Saw a Coyote

Life's getting a little busier around here - let's not kid ourselves, I still get to sleep by about 9:30 each night so it's not THAT busy.  But, Girls on the Run started this week (our team is awesome!) and that means two nights a week after work I am hoofing it out to co-coach with Sister.  This decreases amount of time available for my training runs.

So I decide to get up this morning, since I'll go to work an hour later than I do on other mornings, and do my 4-mile run.  While NOT training, Husband would have come with me but he's on his own schedule.  Don't think I didn't attempt to make him believe he said he'd get up and run with me, because I did.  It didn't work.

A perfect morning to run.  42 degrees, no wind and no cars because it's 5:30 in the morning!  I put on my reflective gear, strapped on my blinky lights and grabbed the flashlight - ready to run!  I did see one other crazy friend out running but other than that, the roads were mine...or so I thought!

Three of the four roads I run on are not very well-lit in the morning.  As I rounded on to Road Two I came near an open field area between a church and a house.  I saw something out of the corner of my eye so I flashed my light at it.  Is that a dog?  No, it didn't bark and it's just staring at me...I wiggled my light and fortunately it ran away in the other direction.  Was that a fox?

I decided it was a fox at the time and picked up my pace a bit.  With my new fancy watch I discovered that mile 1 (pre-fox) was a 10:00/mile pace...mile 2 (post-fox) was 9:10, mile 3 was 9:05 and mile 4 was 8:53.  Man, I ran fast today! 

Husband was awake enjoying some coffee when I returned.

Me: Could I have seen a fox?
Husband: Yes, we have those around here.
Me: I think I saw one...or maybe a coyote.
Husband (eyes growing wide): How big was it?
(a friend has two dogs, one is quite small, we'll call him J, and the other is a little larger, we'll call her C)
Me: About the size of a dog...maybe like C.
Husband: WAS it a dog?
Me: No, it didn't bark at me and it ran the other way.
Husband: Foxes are more like J, not C.
Me: I think it was a coyote.

Wait, no, he looked more like this...



I should have run faster...

Day 16 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 0

Day 16 - number of vehicles that I waved to, 0

Day 16 - number of coyotes that almost ate me - 1

Day 13 - Long Run

Six miles this morning and week 2 of training is done!  Husband and I got to bed early, got up early and hit the pavement.  Good thing because it was another WINDY day! 

The best thing about today's run was when I saw Run Campers headed the opposite way as me down one of the roads.  For about a mile I was distracted watching other runners.  This is why races are so much fun - there are other people around.  Sure, I could run just for the fun of it but I'd never get sweet race shirts and I'd always be running alone.

It was a cold run.  When I returned home I felt like my thighs were frozen.  Then, all I wanted to eat was a bagel.  My knees were a little stiff during parts of the run but overall I continue to feel really good with my training.  If the darn wind would cool down just a bit I'd be happy!  I'm pumped for this week because GOTR practices start and weather should climb into the 60s and maybe 70s!  OH BOY!

Yesterday I went over $1,000 in donations so I am on a high from that.  In addition Sister got me a sweet necklace as an early birthday present.  Reasons it's awesome: it has a little girl with a pony tail running, it has a 13.1 which is the race I'm training for and it says "Sole Sister" and I'm a SoleMate for GOTR!  She is an amazing gift giver.

Day 13 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 0

Day 13 - number of vehicles that got the wave, 0

Day 12 - Morning Runs

This morning I hit the pavement at 5:45 am and did my 3 mile run.  When I got dressed and looked outside I was surprised there was a coating of snow on the grass so I had to go back up and change my clothes - the wind chill was 19!  The first few steps off the driveway were slick but the run went by quickly.  The great thing about running in the morning is that no one else is out - no cars to hit me, no people to wave at, no iPod to distract me.  Just running...

Today was a rollercoaster.  I received generous donations that took me over $1,000 in my SoleMates fundraising, I found out the John Mayer concert I had tickets to has been canceled, I got a few more adds to the March Madness bracket.  I'm currently enjoying a brew after cleaning up the house for guests tomorrow while Husband whips up some delicious dinner.  Tomorrow is long-run day - I'll head out for 6 and Husband is doing 9!  Legs have been feeling great so I am eager to see how the 6-miler goes.  I'll likely load up my fuel belt with some Gatorade, water and sport beans.  The run should take me just under an hour to complete and then I'll continue my day feeling amazing about my morning run!

Day 12 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 1 large truck that was not looking for me before turning so good thing I was looking at him

Day 12 - number of vehicles I gave the wave to, 0

Day 10 - "I'm Breezy!"

I wanted to get up and run this morning - Husband told me that was not as safe as running after work.  I was attempting to dodge the wind.  While it has been nice and warm the past couple of days, it has also been BREEEEEEZY!  I ran in shorts and a tee shirt...it was amazing.

There were moments during my 4-mile run when I felt like I wasn't moving forward at all because the wind was so strong.  I got a new toy earlier this week - it's a Garmin GPS watch.  I think I'm sooooo cool.  I had a Nike Sportband which was pretty good for the price and what I got out of it.  However, now that I'm doing longer training runs, and because I had some discounts/gift certificates at Gazelle, I figured something new was in order.  It's awesome.

What motivated me today?  A co-worker gave me a bag full of cans for my SoleMates fundraiser.  I was so excited about this because it's someone I don't OFTEN interact with!  How thoughtful...In addition, I received someone's money for my March Madness bracket - a $10 entry fee.  He gave me a $20 and told me to put the rest toward GOTR - THANK YOU!!!  Riding a super high on the donations.

Day 10 (wooo double digits!): number of vehicles that almost hit me, 1 coming around the curve in the bike lane I was running in

Day 10 (wooo double digits!): number of vehicles I gave the wave, 0 :(

Day 8 - Headbands

Being a female runner I've tried every tactic in the book to keep my hair out of my face while running.  I prefer to have shorter hair so my ponytail doesn't stick to the back of my neck, but when I wear my hair the other 90% of the time, I favor long hair.  Two years ago I started the french braid for when I run in the mornings.  It keeps the hair under control without pulling or flapping around too much.  Not bad for a start...

In high school I used to use prewrap as a headband to keep the fly-aways under control.  Surely I could find something reusable.  Everything I tried slid off my head once I started moving.  Then at my first half I discovered Chica Bands.  They had a booth at the expo and were offering buy 2, get one free.  So, I bought two and Sister got one for free...funny how that always works out!  I suddenly have over 20 of them now because they are SO amazing!!!

One would be enough if you were boring.  But I need to have one for every color and every mood - NEED!  They don't move once they are on your head - at all!  No slip and no fly-aways.  SCORE!

I recently got some NEW headbands over the weekend.  They are super sweet, don't get me wrong and I'm for sure going to wear them.  However, they have to hold up against the Chica Bands.  Fortunately these also help with my moods.  Here's the one I sported on the treadmill today:

Initial reports - no slip, wicks the sweat and is still loose on the head.  Another great find for headwear! 

I know I missed a few days but week one of training went fabulously.  Today was a bit windy and chilly so I stayed inside on the treadmill.  Hoping for a few nice days this week to get my run on!

Day 8 - number of vehicles that almost hit more and got the wave, 0 because I was on the treadmill!

Day 4 - Decisions

Every day is full of decisions and choices.  I don't believe that anything happens by chance but that I work hard for everything I have.  At the start of the day I was planning on my third run of the week - 3 miles outside after work.  As the work day went on I got busy and knew I'd be there a little longer than planned.  I made an excuse in my head that tomorrow I have GOTR training so I can get up and go on the treadmill instead of going outside today. But on my way home I made a concious decision to put on my running clothes and get outside.  While it wasn't sunny, it was comfortable and not very windy.  Plus, it was only three miles.

What a great three miles.  It was breezy on the way out but the way in was awesome.  I can feel myself getting stronger and more comfortable with the runs and am already feeling really good about myself.

Every day something happens to enhance and carry my motivation.  Today it was a co-worker who I talk to once or twice a week (so not too often) asked "Hey, Kristie, how's your training going?"  It's nice every once and a while for people to remember something about me.

On my way home from work I returned $9.00 in pop cans from work.  After dinner I went to Sister's and loaded up the car with her returns that she was donating.  I still have a few more to return but I'm at $20.70 and estimate another $4.00 - $5.00.  I also had three more people sign up for the March Madness bracket!  Again, knowing that the work I'm putting in to both my running and fundraising for Girls on the Run motivates me so much and truly makes me feel awesome about my decisions and accomplishments.

Day 4 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 0!

Day 4 - number of vehicles I gave the wave to, 4 - but not as a "thank you" more as a "you see me, right?"