slow week

i haven't been running much. everything is so busy. we leave for cali. next week and i've been busy going to the homeschool conference for 2 days. we have been enjoying some time alone. 2 date nights. last night we walked 10 miles (does that count?). 5 miles to the restaurant and 5 miles home. i loved it.
next week (or, the week after - we'll see how it works w/vacation) i'm planning on starting my training for the chicago marathon! i can't believe it's already here. so excited to run it with my sister and my friend amanda!

will catch up with all of you soon...

3

took 2 days off after the race and it must have been the perfect amount of time off because today my legs felt great!
it was a beautiful evening to run. smell of cut grass and peonies.
ran 3.

pace: 9:17

race day

20k - 12.4 miles
8,000 runners
the alarm was set for 4:30 a.m. it was tough to get up that early.
it was nice that steve was coming too though. it was his first race.
it was a beautiful day to run.
i was a little nervous to see how my shins were going to be, but thankfully they were fine. no pain at all!
the first 8 miles were really good. my pace was 9:26, which was too fast for me. i was hopeful i could continue that, but somewhere around mile 9 i slowed way down and walked up a huge hill. i walked at two of the water stops for a few seconds. that seemed to help.
i finished in 2:09. not my personal best, but i was happy with that considering all the hills. it was better than i ran last year.

(*don't mind the mismatched clothes. the goal was comfort.)

4

i took the last 2 days off to let my shins recover.
the first 2 miles tonight were tough. i was in some pain again. i stopped twice to loosen my shoe laces. finally i got them where i wanted them and my next 2 miles were much better. during the last mile i started crying while listening to "i will rise." i don't recommend crying while running, it makes it really hard to breathe.

pace: 9:21

i am hopeful about saturday, although i know i could be in some pain again too. we'll see how it goes. i am taking tomorrow off. i can tell i need the rest.

thanks so much for all who read and encourage me! i will be praying for each of you during the race.

pre-race tips

i thought these were good pre-race tips for me to be thinking about this week.
found here.

1. Be prepared.

Part of being ready for your race is obviously making sure you do the proper training. But you can do other things to help feel better prepared for your race, which can lower your pre-race anxiety levels. For example, many runners like to study the course map so they know exactly what to expect and where. If you know that aid stations will be at every other mile on the course, you'll feel less anxious about staying hydrated during your race.

If you're traveling to a race and you're anxious about

forgetting an important race item, start packing early and use a checklist to make sure you're not missing anything. Waiting until the last minute to get ready for a race will only increase your anxiety.
More: Tips for Your First Road Race

2. Expect the unexpected.

Preparing for the unexpected can also bring your anxiety down to a manageable level. I always tell my runners to practice running in all kinds of weather: rain, snow, sleet, heat. So if rain is in the race day forecast and you've already run in th e rain, that's one less thing to be worried about.

3. Develop pre-race rituals.

Rather than trying to fight performance anxiety, elite athletes use pre-race rituals to help them manage it. They might listen to music on an iPod, pray, meditate, or go through a specific warm-up. Work on developing your own pre-race rituals and do them before every race, so they become familiar and relaxing.

4. Try deep breathing.

When you're anxious, your breathing becomes sh allow. Try breathing deeply from your belly. You'll feel an instant calming effect and you'll also help prevent side stitches.

5. Use visualization.

Visualization is a technique used by athletes to improve their focus and reduce performance anxiety. A couple of weeks before your race, begin visualizing yourself starting the race, running in it, and crossing the finish line. Picture what you'll be wearing, who will be watching you, and how you'll feel when you hear people cheering as you cross the finish line. Why does this help reduce performance anxiety? You'll be eliminating -- or at least minimizing -- the fear of the unknown, which is a huge cause of stress. By imagining yourself running your race, you're familiarizing yourself with what might happen, as well as how you may react.

6. Run without expectations.

Setting high expectations is one of the biggest causes of pre-race anxiety because you put a lot of pressure on yourself to meet a certain goal. Put your expectations aside and just focus on running your best. You'll feel much more calm, which may actually help you run a great race.

(*hoping to not look like this

at the end of the race!)

1.5

1.5??! i set out to run 3 today, but started having some shin splints. quite painful. i decided to walk the last 1.5. saturday is the 20k and i need to make sure i take it easy this week. i think running the 7 miles on friday w/the jogging stroller really took a toll on me. my shoulders have been really tense and now the shin pain. hopefully w/some rest and slower runs this week, it will get better.

i put some new songs on my shuffle today, mostly worship songs.
(Jane - thanks for so many great song ideas!)

5

ran 5 today while amy roller bladed next to me. i planned on running 6, but i was just so tired and sore from yesterday's run. tomorrow is definitely a rest day. pushing that stroller wore me out!