8 miles

I ran today through forest park. I ran 8 miles. This is my 7th week training. 8 miles was a little harder than anticipated, although I accomplished it, I did have to take a walk break I know that is okay being I am a new runner but it is also a pride factor I feel that I should be able to run 8 with no problems my body begged to differ that is why it is important to listen to your body. What is great is that I am achieving goals each and every week and should be plenty ready to complete the 26.2 in October if I keep on doing what I am doing. I am very happy with my accomplishments each and every week. Just a little update I will be taking a rest today. Have a great day to All!

ICE

Ice is my new companion. I tell this to you because once the running starts you start feeling aches and pains on places you didnt know existed. I have been reading alot of material on running, proper technique, stretching, attire, motivation and all sort of stuff. People actually take ice baths. I try to imagine what that would be like but oh my I dont want to go there it is hard enough to ice my hip for 15 minutes. Can you imagine and ICE BATH. I would rather suffer. The importance of ice is to reduce inflamation. It is only my 6th week I have a long way to go I am sure there is plenty more ice in my future. For now I will keep icing. Sunday I will be running 8 miles.. Bring it on!

I came in First!!

We had a great weekend we went to a little rustic cabin in the woods in La Pine, Oregon. It is about a four hour drive from where we live. When we arrived, after driving on dirt road after dirt road in the forest, we came upon the little rustic cabin. When I say rustic I mean rustic. It did not have any running water the only water source was from the outside pump. It had a wood cook stove which was amazing and this little cabin overlooks the deshutes river. It was beautiful and great. I took a lot of pictures but our camera failed us (darn). We did a lot of fishing (cameron caught one). On Sunday we went to sunriver where I was competing in my first 5 mile race. Saturday night I had a hard time sleeping, I wanted to do well. We arrived at the Sunriver Resort Saturday morning at 7:30 am. Registration took place at 8:00 and the race was due to start at 9:00. I registered and received my number and a shirt. Being it was my first race I didnt know where to pin the number (you want to make sure it is in just the right spot). I was watching the racers arrive checking out my competition. I had butterflies. We had a prerace meeting at 8:45. They were going over our course and telling us to follow all the blue arrows. The course was amazing. around a golf course follow the river around the airport and back again. It was 75 degrees this day, the sky was blue, Snow capped Mt Bachelor off in the distance, what a beautiful sight. It was time to start. Brian, Cayden and Cameron were there to cheer me on. Here it goes they start. Take your mark, set, Go! I started off a little too fast but that was ok. I was on a little paved runway through the golf course, listening to the birds, taking in all the fresh air I come around the bend I see the river flowing by me, I see Bri and the boys in the car Yelling GO MOM I kept running keeping a good pace I felt my shin start tightening up I need to stop and stretch and tie my shoe. I kept going, I see a coyote, I start picking up my pace, there are a lot of folks on the trail riding bikes and running so I am not too frightened. I come around still along the river I see 3 fish jump in the river it was amazing I then come upon 4 deer on the course I am thanking God for all his beauty and what a gorgeous creation. I come upon the drink station I am so thirsty. I take a drink and the volunteer tells me only one mile and a half to go I yell YEAH!! I see the boys again in the car they were able to follow along on parts and they are yelling for me. I keep going I am feeling great my leg loosened up so it is no longer hurting I am enjoying the environment. I come around the airport a little plane is landing. People are passing me on bikes and saying "You are almost there" I see it the Finish Line in the distance I pick up the pace and start booking it to the finish line I see my family I am excited a few more feet to go, the people are cheering, there I go across the finish line arms up and all smiles... 49:44 is my time. That is a very good finish for my first race. 5 miles in 49 minutes and 44 seconds. I received a first place ribbon for my age group. I love the Race. It was amazing.

Sunriver Fun Run

I am so excited. About what? You ask. Well we are going to stay in my friends cabin tomorrow down in La Pine in Central Oregon. We are thrilled her little cabin is so rustic it will feel just like camping. We are planning on having a very eventful time. Lava Caves, Paddling, Hiking, and fishing. Cameron is already packing, he just cant wait. The most exciting thing though for me is I am running a race on Sunday. The Sunriver Fun Run. It is a 5 mile race. I am confident I can do it. It is going to be a very fun weekend. Happy Memorial weekend to All! Did I mention Christian Graduates in 15 days (random thought).

Nike Campus

Yesterday I ran at nike campus in Beaverton, Oregon. What a beautiful place the track is 2 miles around. I ran 3 times around which equals 6 miles I ran with my friend Janee who is a long distance runner. She was a great motivator and told me I was doing a real good job. I felt a little tired being that after that I had to go to work. I was exhausted last night. Looking forward to good night sleep, but that didnt happen because The weather here in Oregon has been in the 80's and well I guess my skin is not used to the sun anymore because I broke out in this crazy rash. I am miserable. I guess my sunbathing days are over. I have had a nice relaxing day today. Happy Sunday to you All.

Things I recommend for running

Socks play an important part in running. The socks I recommend are smartwool PHD they are a wool on wool woven sock to wick more moisture, they have a blister free system built in to the sock they are great in cool or warm weather.. Also Shoes are the the most important being, I work at REI this has helped because they can be very spendy. I also recommend good insoles (Superfeet). Your feet need to be happy because they are what is going to move you Another thing I recommend for running is an IPOD, this is a necessity for me, music keeps me going. It definitely motivates me. Today I was able to run for 1 hour and 15 minutes and Saturday I will be running 6 miles at the nike campus. 6 miles is the longest I will run. I am very excited for the challenge. I am able to endure running longer and feel good doing it. People have told me that speed will come. I am not worried too much about finishing fast but just finishing at all. For now I am going to keep on running.

Running in Oregon

Running in Oregon can sometimes be very different with the weather. I did two runs last week where it just poured rain. I was trail running when it started to rain. I actually enjoy running in the rain very much. Running in the rain is very liberating. I felt refreshed and cool. Something about running in the mud also (makes me feel like a kid all over again). After wards, all I wanted was a cup of hot coffee and some soup. That is exactly what I did. My girlfriends and I went to lunch ordered a cup of coffee and I had some hot chili. Nothing ever tasted so delicious. In the meantime we were drenched and looking forward to a nice hot shower. What a great day!

Mothers day!

Yesterday I went for a run at the track while Cayden had to do field work for his baseball team at the school. I ran for a full hour without stopping. It is getting easier every week that passes. Anyway, Cayden and his teammates lined up around the track and were clapping me on. It was so hilarious. He told me he was proud that I can run an hour without stopping and assured me his friends cannot even run for 5 minutes. I thought I would share. Its things like this that help us to continue on in the race. Thank You Cayden.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Moms day to all you beautiful mothers Everywhere!

How does a Mother of 3 run a marathon?

I am running a marathon (did I mention that?) I have 3 kids and a full time job. One thing that helps is that my kids are all in school. I work a retail job this also allows me to go to the gym before work being that I do not need to be there until 945 usually. Cameron is on the bus at 755 I am out the door at 8 I run 3 miles at the gym and then I get ready for work. On the days that I am off I will run a trail or I run the track while Cayden is at baseball practice. Today I was off and I ran with a friend and her boot camp class, we ran at Mt. Tabor in Portland Oregon (what a beautiful place). We had a blast. After that we went to a great little café in SE Portland. We ate a much needed breakfast, it was delicious. I am a little sore today and I am sure it will be worse tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be running forest park and I am looking forward to that. Having support from my family has really helped too. The boys are all supportive and that carries me along. I am going to continue putting one foot in front of the other. That’s all I have for now. Keep on running.

Run,Run and Run

Do You not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

I am in my fourth week of training. I feel great. I never thought running could be so much fun. June 1st will start my official marathon training right now I am preparing my body. I signed up for my first race July 12. Go Girl Trail run, it should be very exciting. Tomorrow I will be running with a friend from work and Thursday another girlfriend and I are going running. As for now, I am going to keep on running!