Two Weeks

This is what my last two weeks look like training-wise......

15	15-Apr	Jog 40 min	Cross train	3 miles at 9:35 pace	Rest	Cross train	4 miles at 9:35	Rest
16	22-Apr	Rest	Jog 30 min	3 miles at 9:35 pace	Rest	Rest	1/2 Marathon!!!

I originally had a pretty lofty goal for my 5th half marathon, but with the way my running has been going as of late I think I will be happy with anything under 2:10.  Again this year, I will also plan to walk back on to the course so I am able to run the last several miles of Chad's marathon distance with him.  As of today's 40 minute easy run, I have also logged over 200 miles in 2012!

I found this old picture while cleaning out a box in our closet.  This was taken in December 2002.  10 years later Chad is running marathons and competing in triathlons!  I am running (something I would have laughed out loud at 10 years ago) and about to take on my 5th half marathon.....amazing!  I can only imagine the journeys I will think about when I look back on pictures from this time in our lives another ten years from now.

13,12 and 5

13 years ago we officially became a couple.
12 years ago I said "yes!"

April 12th may not be our wedding anniversary but it still holds a special spot! 

Someday these boys will take a picture together where they are both looking at the same time.....I just know they will.

Hoping the weather holds off long enough on Saturday for a quick 5 mile long run and also so we can attend the Jr Wildcat Events at the KSU Baseball Game!

New kicks

New shoes....I have been told there is nothing quite like it.  For the second time in my blogging history I have posted a picture of my new running shoes. But if you happen to know me, and have a grasp on how low matainence I am when it comes to shoes....purchasing new shoes is a big deal and not something I usually get all that excited about.

I've been in a running funk lately. I've just felt tired, my legs have seemed heavy and I have just felt overall like I have been slow and running has been more of a struggle then I would like it to be. Enter my new Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's!!!  Review of my new running shoes
My last pair of Mizuno's were just okay, and I was thinking of trying a different brand after logging over 350 miles on my last pair.  But thanks to the good people at the Manhattan Running Company I was able to find a fun new pair of shoes, I stuck with what still felt the best and my 28 minute treadmill 5K today felt quite a bit better.  What a difference new shoes can make!

I thought I would also include more shots from our Easter Weekend. The last shot is of my dad and his new knee. He is doing great and we are so happy his recovery continues to progress so well.

6 miles before Easter

Here are some of our highlights from our Easter Weekend!

I ran 6 miles this afternoon in the beautiful spring weather. It is all downhill from now until April 29th. I am still feeling slow and sluggish...hoping to get out of the funk soon, but I'm doing my best to battle through it.

The boys were very sad to see Aunt Amy, Uncle Doug and Daniel leave on Thursday morning.  Collin had so much fun and slept VERY well after his busy days of playing with his cousin.

Recovery

I've taken a few more days of rest this week than I normally would on my training schedule. 1) Because my sister Amy, and her family are in town for their spring break from Minnesota so I want to enjoy all the time I can with them. 2) I have been more sore from this past weekend's trail race than any half marathon I have completed! All my training runs from now until April 29th should be a piece of cake after Saturday's accomplishment. :)

The two above pictures were taken this past weekend at the new Flint Hills Discovery Center.  We were able to get a sneak peak at the facility before it opens with other City of Manhattan employees and their family members.

The boys have had so much fun with Aunt Amy, Uncle Doug and Daniel during their spring break visit. Collin has been able to have a few fun filled days with them at my parents house during the work/school day and is filled with exuberance each morning when he discovers he gets another "special stay home day with my cousin Daniel" as he puts it.

Life Coach

Well, I completed the 10 mile trail run at Milford State Park today.  Just finishing was a huge accomplishment considering I was ready to throw in the towel during the first half of the race. It was hot....there were hills, followed by more hills, then it was hot and how could I forget the wonderful following of the largest gang of knats to inhabit Geary County who were swarming around my head?  If you can't tell, perhaps I was not in the best frame of mind. :)

I tried to do everything I could to get out of my funk. I was even thinking "I CANNOT blog that quit!" But as we closed in on the the trail head where the 10K course seperated from the 10 mile run...nothing was working. Even the prospect of a big fat DNF next to my name on the finishing times wasn't deturing me from turning off the trail on the nearest road I could find and heading back to the van.

The ONLY reason I kept going was because of Chad and his encouragment. He could have been at least a mile (at least...probably more) ahead of me. But he wasn't, he kept encouraging me, coaching me through the terrain and the hills that just kept coming. The second half of the 10 mile trail run went much better than the first 5 miles, but even in the last mile when it was 85 degrees and I came the closest to puking on a course then I have ever come...Chad was urging me forward. Even after he fell on the course at mile 7, he popped right back up and showed me a few miles later that he was bleeding. Would I have acted like that was no big deal like that? I think we all know the answer to that question! :)

We finished the race together. And even though we both needed to run extra milage...we agreed that a trail run counted as far more than the miles we had logged. Chad also did another brick after this race, riding his new bike (I'll blog more about this later) 29 miles home. AMAZING!!!

So thank you to my wonderful husband...who also became my trail running life coach for two hours this morning. I only finished because of you!

Races, Races, Races!

It's now just a few weeks until the OKC Half Marathon! 

And we we are already registered for our next race for the fall....
Runner's Receipt
Thank you and Congratulations! You are now registered for 2012 Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon with Ivy Funds.


We’ll see you on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Crown Center!

Registration: Bunger, Angela Half Marathon Entry Bib 3868

Registration : Bunger, Chad Half Marathon Entry Bib 3869

We wanted to do this race last fall, but with Mitchell's unexpected surgery, we had to put off running this half marathon until the fall of 2012...we are excited to register for another large race with a great course and lots of a good crowd encouragement.

And then there is tomorrow's 10 mile trail race.....

I'm a little nervouse after viewing the course and elevation map today.  Chad says NO WHINING. :)  And looking at it this way, after I tackle this course...the OKC 1/2 should be a piece of cake, right?

http://connect.garmin.com/course/720363