Packing for Relay

I've confronted a cold bug with a death stare the last few days saying,"You will not make me sick for this race!" Trying to balance being a full-time Mom of two under age 3 and daycare provider for 2 more during the day, and tapering for this race, and getting better for this race has been a challenge.

But so far, my head is somewhat still clear. I hope to get three nights in row as of tonight of good sleep. I've rested from exercise for several days. And now I'm attempting to pack for my flight to Seattle tomorrow morning while my 6 month old squirms on the floor and wants to be talked to.

I'll be traveling with:
1) Two kids and no Dad (he has to stay home and work)
2) Two carseats
3) One suitcase
4) One breastpump
5) Lots of running gear (three outfits), first aid kid, Garmin, headlamp, fuel etc.
6) 60oz of frozen breastmilk for Grandma Tina to use while watching Zoe.
7) and NO Cold Bug!

Wish me luck!

Sympathy Weight

My husband has displayed sympathy weight recently. We both think he gained a bit during this pregnancy and then last night he showed some "sympathy weight" by going to the gym with me and lifting weights (which is not his cup of tea) and then we weighed him. While I've lost 40 pounds since Zoe came home from the hospital, Nate has lost 15 pounds. Not only has he lost weight with me without even realizing it he has sympathized with my weight loss goals with all the support he has given me. Let me count the ways!

1) Invented new recipes to stay within my diet.
2) Asked me if I could eat a dessert and stay within my calorie count for the day. If I can't he doesn't make it for himself either.
3) Watched the kids before work in the mornings so that I can get in a quick daily run.
4) Given me training tips, since he ran cross country in high school.
5) Bought me skinny clothes to help me celebrate my success.
6) Reassured me that I look great and not to get to down on myself on an off week.
7) Massage my tired muscles.
8) Make me an ice bath.
9) Push the kids in strollers while I ran a 5k.
10) Babysit the kids with grandparents helping during a 10k.
11) Buying me a gym membership and new running gear without complaint.
12) Reading my blog and chatting with me about it.

Having a spouse or friend cheer you on through a goal like this is essential. I am so glad that Nate has been there with me to gain and loose the sympathy weight and provide me with the sympathy I needed to keep pushing towards my goal.
I couldn't have been as successful without him.

Official 5k PR

28:35 (9:12 pace)

I crushed my last 5k time by 4 minutes.
And I broke my last PR from 2003 by 2 minutes.

Feels good.
I had fun passing 6 people in the last mile.
I think I was in the top 3 in my age group too but I'll have to verify that.

Attempting a Fast 5k

Tomorrow morning is another $5 5k at the local running store.
I haven't beaten 32 minutes in a 5k in a long time, so that will be goal number one.
Secondly, I'd love to set a new 5k PR, which would take me running at a 9:50 pace.

I'll try my best and will hopefully achieve these goals no problem.

I am running 15 pounds lighter than the last 5k in May.
So that should definitely help. Also, last time I went running I was able to run 3 miles in 29:27, right on pace to beat my 5k PR of 30:39.

Root me on.

I Need a Heroine...cue the music

And I don't have to look far.
There are plenty of AMAZING female athletes I can look to to get inspiration when I'm worn down in my own training.

Deana Kastor (female bronze Olympic marathoner in 2004 and American Record Holder)
-I like how her husband can only keep up with her running pace by riding next to her on a racing bike.
-She also does lunges in this one documentary while prepping for her 2006 win of the Chicago marathon, in such blistering speed and for such a long time that my jaw dropped to the floor.
This video shows her winning her Olympic medal.

Cheryl Hayworth (bronze Olympic medalist in female weightlifting)
-She has made the Olympic team three times
-Her highest weight lift over her head is 285 kg (628 pounds) in two events, and American Record.
This video shows her setting new records.

Dara Torres (silver medalist in 50m Olympic swim in 2004)
She's 42 and just swam in the finals of the World Championships
She has a 3 year old to take care of too.
Nuff said...here is an article that says the same.

Joan Benoit Samuelson (Olympic Gold medalist 1984 in the marathon)
Oh yeah, and she ran in the trails again last year at age 50.
I met her and shook her hand and talked to her about how awesome she is. She told me I was awesome for running to raise money for cancer research. I replied I guess we are both awesome!

After watching this video I think I can go out and push myself a little harder.
These women are so inspiring.

You Succeed

This morning I awoke to run a long run with my friend Betsy but she had to sleep in.
So I desperately searched for my Garmin because I'm a bit addicted to using it whenever I run outdoors. It took me 30 minutes to find, right where I left it on the porch. I need to get better about laying out all my gear the night before so that I don't waste time in the morning. Right now I think I own 6 pairs of running shoes by the way, so it shouldn't be hard to find a pair of those at least.

So with less time to run before Nate had to leave for a meeting at 8am, i was out the door by 6:45am trying to get him in less than an hour. I wanted to run at least 4 miles. So I started sort of slow and then sped up with each mile after that. Here are my splits.

Mile One: 11:29
Mile Two: 10:47
Mile Three: 8:56
Mile Four: 9:44

Total Time: 40:58 (Pace per mile 10:14)

Last three miles my pace was 29:27 (pace was 9:49)

This is a huge accomplishment for me. I could hardly believe it. But sometimes when you push yourself and dream the impossible, on a standard every day morning, you succeed.