Category Archives: Boilermaker Road Race 2011

May Wrap Up and June Goals

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Happy 1st of June!!!   I swear, I’ve only been home for two weeks, but with all the craziness of our schedules, it’s felt like at least two months.  I’m happy to report that Dear Hubby and I made it home safely from Florida, and I’ll spare you the headache that is being around other people flying commercial.  Just grateful it’s over and a good foundation has been set for our new lives to begin in Jacksonville, FL!

Before I can sink my teeth into a new month, let me wrap up May with a tidy bow.

May 2012

1.  Running: It was my goal to get myself back on track with more consistent running and weight training.  I set a goal of 110 miles, and killed it by ending May with 130.5!

I was able to run each day while in Jacksonville, adding 20 miles right at the end.  I decided to take today off since I’m only two days away from my first half marathon!!!

2. End of an Era

Dear Hubby and I said goodbye to our life and students in Alaska.  It was a tearful departure, but we knew that it was time.  We love and appreciate all the friendships and memories that were created while we were there.

3.  New Beginnings

Dear Hubby and I accepted jobs at the River City Science Academy in Jacksonville, FL and will be moving there sometime in early July.  We visited the area the past several days and cannot wait to begin our new lives there.

What’s up ahead – June 2012

1.  My sister Jen, brotha-in-law Sha, and niece Charlie (Charlie Bell, a nickname I’m going to try out) are in town TODAY for a long-weekend visit!  It’s the first time that I’ll be meeting Charlie Bell, so I’m hoping I will live up to her expectations, diva that she is.

2.  You know what they say, “the family that races together, takes naps all afternoon together.”  And since I take phenomenal naps, and Sha is a runner as well, we decided to hit up the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon on Sunday.  This will be my first half; Sha’s 283rd.  No, but really he’s far more experienced than I, and it was him that inspired me to try 13.1 miles after we ran in the Boilermaker Road Race last summer.

3.  Running goal for June: 120 miles!

 

Happy 800th to Me!

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Morning Workout: 5 miles @ 37’48″ (avg. pace = 7’32″)

Happy Thursday, Fancy Oatmeal readers!  I was notified today that I have hit the 800 mile mark, according to my registered runs on Nike Plus.  To me, this number is AMAZING!  Especially when I am huffing and puffing along on the treadmill around mile 3.8, and all I want to do is slam my hand down on the STOP button and roll over into the corner until my blood pressure resume a normal pace.

These 800 miles began on my first tracked run on May 26, 2011, and I continue to pile on the miles until I hit 620 as the calendar turned over to 2012.

So far in 2012, I have logged 180 miles, and I’m a little over halfway to my February mileage goal of 110 miles.

2012 Mileage = 180

These 800 miles have covered many different times  and accomplishments in my life:

Question of the day: What are you proud of accomplishing?

Running Advice from a Knucklehead

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Good Monday morning to you all!  There’s nothing like jumping into the work week Cannonball style: butt first.  It’s my favorite way to start any project that might not seem quite as appealing in theory.

And what a great weekend of NFL Playoff Football!  Even though my Honolulu Blue and Silver Detroit Lions are on their off-season, I am still fully engaged in the race for the Super Bowl.  I have family in the Baltimore area, so Ray-Ray – it’s on!  GAME TIME!

So what’s got me pumped up this morning?  I had a conversation with a good friend who is looking to take up running after having her second baby.  She asked for some advice, and without hesitation I took up the challenge!

Seeing as I’m not a trained professional, a personal trainer, or authorized to give medical advice (in this country, anyways), I have researched programs from those who do qualify to give recommendations on running programs.  But just because I have literally stumbled through my own adventures in running doesn’t take away from the fact that I have advice to offer.  I mean, I have competed in over five 5Ks and one Boilermaker Road Race and lived to sign up for a second.  So to you my dear Fancy Oatmeal readers, I offer my top five tips for running.

5. You’re not 13 anymore; it’s ok to add padding to your bra!

Ok, so it’s not a box of tissue, but any type of anti-chafe salve is going to save the skin in your ta-ta’s area, and let’s face it, that’s territory worth saving.  You’ll never know the importance of adding this product in your gym bag until you’re standing under the shower faucet, and water STINGS THE @&%$!* out of the hidden rawness of your shoulders, cleavage, and bra strap area.

4. Throw out the 1200 calorie diet – running is a good excuse to eat like you’re 10 1/2 months pregnant!

Ok, so you can’t go wild with this one, but you’ll be AMAZED at how your appetite will increase as you log miles.  And let’s face it, whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, that metabolism peak is in the top five “bumps” in a woman’s life.

3.  Become a runner stalker to your friends and family.

I wrote a piece earlier about why runners share their successes, and it’s NOT because we’re narcissists.  It’s because once you let other people know what your goals are, they will support you.  You will have a few pooh-poohers, but that’s usually just jealousy and THEIR issue, not yours.  Tell your friends that you’re planning on running on Saturday, and maybe you’ll have a few running partners.

2. Carry a towel.

It could be for wiping up your sweat or your tears, but for whatever substance you end up wiping away, you’ll be thankful you have it.

1.  JUST DO IT!

That’s the best piece of advice for any runner, beginner or maestro of the mileage.  If you walk 95% of the 3.1 miles and jog 5%, you’re still doing it!  Tie up your shoes, pull up your shorts, lube on your anti-chafe goop, and put one foot in front of the other.