MRC Race Series

Along with the big goal of running my 5th half marathon this spring, Chad and I also look to compete in the MRC Race Series this year. 
http://www.manhattanrunningco.com/Race_Results.html
Having these smaller goals always help to keep up the training (even in the summer heat) and we love to support Manhattan Running Company....they are awesome and we would highly recommend you support this locally owned business!  I am not going to take on the 5 mile Fancy Creek Trail Run with Chad on February 26th, but we both plan on running the 10 mile Milford Trail run at the end of March which fits perfectly into my training schedule.

I also included some pictures of our weekend adventures!

Mitchell's first basketball game

Cowboy Collin in Weber Arena at KSU for bull riding on Friday night



Intervals

Today I completed my first interval run of the new year.  It was definetly a struggled and I averaged a 9:20 mile for the 2.5 miles I completed not quite where I want to be, but it is a start.

What better way to watch a show on Mommy and Daddy's bed than in a laundry basket and a spiderman chair?!  I'm guessing the recline option wasn't working out so well for them here.....but they thought this was hilarious.

I successfully completed a 6.31 mile run on Monday and averaged a 9:56 minute mile which was quicker than I had thought my pace was since I didn't have the Garmin with me.  A good deal of this run was into a strong wind, but overall I can't complain about the warm weather (and no snow) that Manhattan has had for weekend running.  This weekend is a down weekend with only 4 miles for a long run which should hopefullybe no problem.

4 months and 98 days

This picture marks 4 months (and a few days) post-surgery for Mitchell. :)

I'm sure someday these two will both look at the camera and smile at the same time....right?

This was a very busy week for the whole family.  I was only able to work in running on Monday and Friday. I plan to run 6 miles on Sunday and hopefully will be able to get in my other work-outs during this upcoming week. 98 days until the OKC Half Marathon!!!

Running like Middle School

I was very apprehensive about my first long run of 2012. I hadn't ran over 5 miles since Thanksgiving and my longest distance on previous runs since my surgery thus far had been only 2.25 miles.

But I was pleasantly surprised at my 5.55 mile run this afternoon in the unseasonably warm January weather. I struggled a bit at first (maybe Gambinos for lunch wasn't the best choice) but by mile 2 I was in a comfortable groove and was able to get lost in my MP3 player and my very random song selections that go from songs that top the charts currently to some of my favorites from the early 90's.

I know I've mentioned it before...by Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation has to be my all time favorite song to run to. If you are looking for a great song that will push you threw a workout...I would highly recommend it. Of course, it also makes me channel my inner 7th grader (since I can remember turning this song up loud in my room back when I was an awesome middle schooler. But don't get me wrong...I am very comfortable being 34 and wouldn't go back to that point in time for anything! But those songs do take me back to the good (and not so good times) of my own middle school experience. 

Thanks to Janet Jackson and her early 90's hit, today I got back into the groove and feel confident I am on track with the training for my 5th half marathon.

Cheetah Cop

The boys have come up with their own version of the game jail break.  They call it Cheetah Cop.  Who knows why this new spin on the old classic was created....but as a co-worker at work told me, it's too cute not to write down somewhere so I thought it was worth documenting so it wouldn't be forgotten!

The Cheetah hides....

The Cheetah is caught by the Cop (otherwise known as Mommy during this round) and ordered to return to jail. The Cheetah then takes off running while giggling and snorting most of the way (the cop thinks maybe the Cheetah is more like hyena but the cop also didn't name the game....)

The Cheetah is put back in jail.  But then the Cheetah escapes and the game starts again.

There is usually a second and larger Cheetah that plays this game as well, but he was resting after coming down with strep throat yesterday. Thankfully he is on medication and is back to his old self again!

I will continue to slowly work my way back into a running routine this week.  If all goes well, I plan to run 4 or 5 miles Saturday.  Even though I still may be recovering from surgery....I already feel better than I have in months!

The 1st mile Back

At my two week post-op appointment I was given the green light to start running, but to start slow and not push. So today I logged a very slow and easy 1.5 miles.

Mitchell on New Year's Eve.  He stayed up until midnight to celebrate the New Year for the first time!

It's frustrating to know how much hard work it took to get to the place I was at fitness wise. And between not running for almost 4 weeks and recoverying from surgery, it feels like I am almost starting over again.  But I know I can't push myself too hard.....I need to let myself continue to heal, slowly start to increase my distance , gain stamina and trust that I can gain it all back again. 

The End of 2011

2011  was a year of great accomplishment for our family.  It was a year that wasn't light on struggles for us at times, but also equally full of many blessings.  And what better way to spend the last day of 2011, than attending a KSU Men's Basketball Game?!

At our last Doctor visit we were told Mitchell could resume swim lessons in February and he is also very excited to try basketball for the first time in January.  While it will take 9 months to a year post-op for all the bumps and prominence of his forehead to subside...we think he looks great and his recovery is truly an amazing blessing and highlight to an unexpected twist to 2011.

I was able to participate in 2 10K's both with times under an hour which was a goal of mine for 2011. Along with a few other 5K's, the 5 mile Turkey Trot last month, I also set out and accomplished
my goal of running 2 half marathon's in 2011!!!

Chad was a machine this year!!!!  He ran a 10K with me a 5 mile trail race, a Half Marathon with me, and a FULL Marathon one month later!  He also ran a Warrior Dash, another 5K with me a triathlon, and in July competed in his first Olympic Distance Triathlon!