Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Here in Minnesota, we have been blessed with a very mild winter! I am very much enjoying this weather, as it has made it easier to train. Last week alone we had more than 2 days in the 40's!! Yesterday, Christmas Eve, it was a balmy 47 degrees!!! This was wonderful, as it allowed my cousins and I to start a new tradition: A Family Jingle Bell Run!


Being our first year, and having many "new" runners in the family, we started small (and slow!) but had a blast running in our festive costumes!!

Not everyone in the family was excited to run, in fact Missy, the cousin I am running in Disney with, was less than thrilled. But I think she had fun once she got out there, and it improved her mood greatly once she was finished! Gotta love that runner's high! I am very proud that she got out there and pushed herself to run! I know it isn't easy, and dressing up funny when you already don't feel good is also hard! She was a great sport!

It was unfortunate that I did not know that my cousin Kelly was going to run with us as well, otherwise I would have gotten her an outfit as well. I was super excited that she did in fact run, and she was able to use my socks as arm warmers, and wear a fun little reindeer hat (I wish it was more visible in this picture!). Everyone else in the family had a good time laughing at us, and my auntie Julie took tons of pictures! We really didn't run much more than a mile (maybe a mile and a half if we are lucky) but it was a good time, and a fun thing to do on Christmas Eve while waiting for Santa to come! Celebrating the wonderful weather we are experiencing!

As we were running, there were lots of cars honking and waving! Everyone who saw our little pack of elves was smiling! I hope next year we can continue the tradition, even if we have 4 feet of snow and a normal below zero temp!! 

Monster Race Series....and a monster pain in the ass!

Leave it up to me to bit off more than I can chew! I get excited, I get motivated, and I make split second decisions! I make impulse buys. I know this of myself. So, of course I also do this when it comes to races!!

If I could physically handle it, I would run a race every week, maybe everyday!! Races are fun, they are motivating, they are something to look forward to and plan for. I love all of these things! I am a planner!

I thought it would be a a fun idea to run a race every month during 2013. This is a hard feat when living in Minnesota. This is also hard when you love racing, but hate training for races!! So, one evening I decided to look for races to fill up the year. I ran across the Team Ortho Monster Race Series. It is a series of 5 races over the next year including a January 5k Polar Dash, a March 7K Get Lucky, a June 1/2 Marathon, an August Du and an October 1/2 Marathon. That fills up five months out of my year! The bonus is that Team Ortho is known for giving out really great race swag and the stain glass medals aren't half bad either!! (we all know I am a sucker for Swag and medals!!)

Polar Dash Stain Glass Medal

Polar Dash Fleece! No T-shirts here!

Okay, so once I decided that I should run a race during each month of the new year, I also thought that is would be fun to run in a Team Sparkle skirt for each one!! So, I will be sporting a royal blue skirt for the Polar Dash, a bright green one for the Get Lucky 7k, and either an orange or a black shirt for the Monster Dash in October! I have not decided on the colors for the other races, but this is my plan! :)
So here is my year breakdown as of right now.

January 1st --> Polar Dash 5k (I had the choice of a 5k, 10k, or 1/2 but in MN in January?!! I will take the 5k!! Brrrr.!)

February 25th --> Disney Royal Family 5k (in Disney world!!)

February 26th --> Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon!!!

March 17th --> Get Lucky 7k

April --> NO RACE AS OF NOW

May 28th --> 10Kato

June 3rd --> Minneapolis 1/2 Marathon

July --> NO RACE AS OF NOW

August 26th --> Minneapolis Duathlon

September 23rd --> Iron Girl Duathlon

October 21st --> Mankato 1/2 Marathon

October 27th --> Monster Dash 1/2 Marathon (may be switching to a 10 miler?)

November --> NO RACE AS OF NOW

December --> NO RACE AS OF NOW

So I need a few more races to complete my year, and aside from running in July (I hate the heat of that month!) I don't think it will be that difficult to find a few races. I am hoping to do a few more 5- and 10k's too, as I think that I have enough 1/2 marathons scheduled for this year!!!

So, with all of that already planned, I was excited to get moving. However, my training was derailed for about two weeks. I have a sprained hip, or so that is what my chiropractor is telling me. I personally think that I pinched a nerve, but whatever! I am in pain, so much pain that at times it makes me physically sick. I have been icing and heating and stretching and, and, and.... The pain just doesn't want to go away. I can still run, and have been doing short runs, but nothing long and nothing fast. I feel so awful and I am so afraid that this pain is going to continue!! I have a Princess marathon to run!!!! I cannot deal with an injury!!!

The pain is generally located in my hip/butt area, but often pulses down my leg or across my lower back. My chiropractor told me I really need to work on my core muscles (which is nothing I already didn't know) and that should help me when I run. So, I have found a program to work my core, and I am hoping to feel some improvement soon!! PLEASE!!!!

This is my first REAL running injury, aside from losing my toenails (which are still awful looking!!) It has me worried and really scared. But I am willing to put in the work it takes to get better and get back into training.

Wish me luck!!

Preparing to be a Princess

Even though the Princess 1/2 is months away, I have been preparing for it like it is tomorrow. Mentally, I have run this race many times. In my dreams, and each time I get on the treadmill to train (since it is now cold and yucky outside), I run this race. I have created a princess themed training board, to keep me motivated, and I have made my princess fleece blanket, which I plan on using on the day of the race to keep me warm in the corrals!

My very favorite cousin, who is much like a sister to me, is traveling with me to Disney World in February. She is also training to run in Disney! She will not be running the 1/2 but instead will be running her very first 5k!! I am running this race with her, and am very excited to cheer her on as she completes her first race ever!!

We both have decided to run in costume for this race. I am running as Rapunzel and my cousin is running as Cinderella!!  We have fashioned our outfits like the photos below, and made them extra princessy by making very lovely, very full tutus!!

Of course, I will not be wearing my tutu for the full marathon, but instead have purchased the above Team Sparkle skirt, so that I still have princess appeal, but with less fuss!! I have flowers for my hair, as I cannot imagine running in a wig, and my hair will be long enough come February. I do have purple running shoes, and I am looking for some purple running tights to wear under the skirt. My cousin has a lovely blue tutu (which I am very jealous of) and she will even be running in a very fancy crown! We will both also go overboard by attaching princess-puffed-sleeves to our running shirts! How fun is this going to be?? I can't wait!!

One last detail....I will also have my faithful running pal Pascal with me for the 5k.

Pascal is one of my favorite parts of the entire movie and I just don't think my outfit would be complete w/o him. I have a small plush version that I am going to tuck/pin to my race belt! 


We are going to look amazing and have so much fun running this race!! I cannot wait to see all of the pictures!! 

The Mankato 1/2 Marathon....toenails are for sissies!

Happy to finish!! 

On October 22, I completed my very first 1/2 marathon!!
Like I have said in previous posts, my ultimate goal and the whole reason I have devoted myself to running, is to complete the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon in February 2012. Everyone who knows me, has heard me ramble on and on about running in the Princess 1/2 and they have all sat through multiple conversations with me about how excited I am and what an experience it will be. Blah, blah, blah!!

I am so excited about this race, that I decided that I just couldn't "wing" it, that the Princess could and should not be my first 1/2, that I should go into it more prepared. So, I decided on a whim to participate in our local 1/2 marathon, which is in its second year.

I trained hard, even though, I now know I need to train more. My longest run was a 12 mile run, which Ryan rode along side of me for. I was determined to run a good race, to finish and to experience everything that race weekend had to offer me.

The day before the race, I was so nervous! Heck, the week leading up to the race I was a mess! I was probably more excited than nervous, but I could not sleep without running though my dreams! The day before the race was MEA Friday, meaning I did not have to work. Therefore, I was able to spend sometime at the Marathon Expo, to get pumped up and calm my nerves!!

The expo was so crowded, with racers of all ages and sizes. The race weekend included a Kid k, 5k , 10k 1/2 marathon and full marathon. There were all sort of booths with great running gear and free samples. I picked up a couple of technical running shirts, and 2 Sweaty Bands.  As I wanted to soak in as much of the weekend as possible, I also listened to a few of the Expo Speakers. After leaving the expo I was very excited for my race!

Morning came fast and Ryan (along with my sister who came down to support me) drove me to the starting line a little before 8am. It was a cold morning and I was very happy once we started running, as I was freezing just standing around.

I have to say that I got a little emotional as I rounded the first corner. This was such a huge step for me. I never in my life thought I would be able to run a 1/2 marathon!!

All along the course, Mankato had placed Cheer Zones. Different groups from Mankato were designated to man a zone and cheer for the runners. It was great fun! The different zones were decorated, and the cheers propelled me forward.

Lost two nails on one foot and one on
the other, the left foot is too gross to show!!

Miles 1-7 were great! I was enjoying the entire experience, and felt really strong. It was about mile 8 that I hit a wall. I was hungry, and my Shot Blocks were not giving me what I needed. My legs started cramping at mile 9 and at mile 10 my toe nails started falling off!! (No! I am not kidding!! I lost 3 toenails during this race!!)  Ryan and my sister followed me around the course, providing cheers, support and water,when needed. My mom, grandma and aunt Julie were also on the course to cheer me on! Seeing my mom sitting in her wheel chair, made me run even harder, because I can...and I want to run for her!! By the end of the race, I was so happy to be finished! Mainly because I did not have to run anymore!! My left foot was numb, and my legs were cramping so bad, but I finished!! I did it!! I was so proud!!

This race gave me the experience I needed to be more comfortable with the Princess 1/2. It gave me the confidence I needed, and taught me what I need to do to be more comfortable (bigger shoes? more food?).

I also learned that I need a lot of cheers!! The support from Ryan and my family help so much!! I am nervous about not having them there for me in Disney World. My cousin, Missy, will be there cheering for me, I just hope she can cheer loudly!! :)

Ryan gave me this as a special medal! I wear it proudly!

I have been on a running journey! A long update....

Its been way too long since my last post, if anyone actually read my blog,  they probably would have thought I quit running, and was too ashamed to post anymore updates. But just the opposite of that is true. I have been running strong for over a year now!! I am proud of all the accomplishments I have made, and all of the miles I have logged.


Training for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon was my first goal, it was the push I needed, it was what got me though the hard workouts and kept me positive on all of those early morning runs during the HOT summer months. 

But the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon propelled me to push myself even harder. The "Princess" is still my ultimate goal, and I am signed up to run it on February 26th, 2012. I am still training for it and the thought of running the "Princess" still pushes me to complete my workouts.  But it has been so much more to me, it has been my gateway to running, it has given me the courage and the strength to complete in other races too. 


When I first committed to running a 1/2 marathon, I pretty much thought that would be my goal, meaning my one and only goal. I thought I would train for a year, run the 1/2 and be done with it. Be able to cross it off my list and move on to other things. But like I said, the Princess was a gateway drug for me. 

In May, I competed in my very first race. I ran our local Memorial Day 10k. Leading up to the race, I had been running for 6 months, and had completed both the Couch 25k and the Bridge to 10k programs. I was confident, but like the first time you do anything, I was nervous. I was nervous I would be last, I was nervous I wouldn't be able to finish, I was worried that I would end up crying and walking. All of those things had happened on various runs throughout the six months leading up to my first race. 
I was convinced to run the 10Kato by a couple of my co-workers who were also going to be running. I figured that if I could run my first race in the company of experienced runners, it would be to my advantage. A long story short, they both bowed out, and I ended up running myself. It was the best feeling of my life, I completed those 6 miles in 58 minutes. Not fast, but I finished them!! I even was able to run the entire last mile (which is a 1 mile long hill!!). I was so proud. But above all, having my boyfriend Ryan there cheering me on every step of the way, gave me so much confidence. He was a great supporter.

  In June, I competed in the 5k Lederhosenlauf, wearing a Dirndl t-shirt and a running skirt. This race was located in St. Paul, Minnesota and ran through the historic Selling Avenue area. The course was labeled as flat, but the first mile was up hill! Again, I impressed myself with my finish, and again I had Ryan there cheering me on. It was so much fun to have my second race under my belt. 

I spent one month of this summer in Germany, where I walked a lot but was unable to get much running in. Returning to the states, I was fortunate to hook up with a few runners and spent many early mornings logging miles on the Red Jacket trail. These runs have been some of my favorite ever. Cool, foggy and calm. Running through the woods in the fog, with the sun slowly rising, I would often run into families of deer. Many of these runs were surreal, such smooth runs, in which I would lose all sense of time and distance. 


During this time, I committed to running the Mankato 1/2 Marathon, which took place on October 22, 2011. (I will write an entire post about this race in the future). Again, I was committed with a group of friends, we were all going to get through the race together. And again, each one of them slowly dropped down to run the 10k, all having multiple excuses. 

During my training, I competed in the 2011 Iron Girl in Bloomington, Minnesota (September 24th). This  was an awesome race! Running with 12, 000 other women, and earning my title as an Iron Girl was so inspiring. I was not well-trained for the biking portion of the race, but I ran a PR!! It was an amazing feeling!! And this time, I finally was able to race with a group!! It really does make the experience more fun!!


My running journey continues, as I am going to sign up for the Monster Race Series! This is a series of 5 races, all taking place in the Twin Cities through out the next year. I am so excited to continue to push myself, and take my running to another level!!


And I am counting down the days until the Princess 1/2!!! I already owe this race so much!!!

What a roller coaster!

Running for me is like riding a roller coaster, there are ups and downs, parts that are scary and parts that are thrilling. This part of my "ride" seems to include some pretty major ups and downs. In my previous entries, I have talked about a couple of bad training runs: the downs. But yesterday I again climbed a hill and am feeling the thrill of the up!

I completed my second day of week two. Again, my run included a 5 minute warm-up followed by 15 minutes of running and one minute of walking completed 3 times. I was focused during my entire run, I was mentally strong and used my time thinking of everything except for running. I even took my gym towel and covered the treadmill (as not to look at the amount of time remaining) and ran with very little trouble. The minutes went by so fast and the miles just went from one to five so easily. It was a great run!

It is really amazing to me how running is such a mental sport. Never before would I say that it is much more mental than physical, perhaps because when running I was always panting, and gasping for breath. But now that I have my breathing under control, my shin splints are healed, and my stride is getting better, I find myself struggling only with my mind.

Many times during my run, I have to re-focus my attention on something other than my running, how my feet are landing, my shoulders, etc. I try to take a vacation in my mind, remove myself from my body, and just relax. However, every now and then, I start to focus on my running, on my breathing, on my feet and then I tell myself to slow down, or take a break, just walk for awhile. It is this mental activity that creates poor training runs for me. It is my thoughts that convince my body to stop running, or to slow down. Mentally it is draining, try not thinking about something for one hour, and all you want to do is think about that one thing. If I asked you not to think about ice cream for one hour straight, but you are surrounded by ice cream, surely you would have the thought pop into your head.

That is how running is for me. I run best, when I don't think about running at all. And once I think about running, it goes downhill from there. I wish I could listen to music while I run, I think that would take some of the pressure away, but I cant! (I will explain in a later blog!).

Ahh, for now I will just continue to think happy thoughts, wish for warmer weather, and keep running strong!

Not every run is going to feel good

After finishing C25k, I needed a training program that would push me forward to running more miles. I found "Bridge to 10k" which is for graduates of the C25k program, perfect right? Well, I thought it would be perfect, I thought it would be fairly easy to follow this program and be able to run a 10k in six weeks. I started B210k last week. My last week's workout was 5 minute walking warm up, followed by four sets of run 10 minutes walk 1 minute. The first two sessions were good, and I was very confident about running. I had this feeling that I could really run as far as I wanted, things were very good! The third workout of the week proved me wrong, it was awful from the first minute of running and even though I thought it would get better, hoped it would get better and even prayed it would get better, it didn't. I did however, finish the workout, I wouldn't let myself give up, but my confidence was low, and I felt really awful. For the very first time, a terrible sense of doubt filled my mind, and I seriously questioned if I was actually going to be able to continue with my workouts and reach my goal of running a 1/2 marathon.
So on Sunday, I went to the Running Room, to be surrounded by all things "running" and to get some inspiration to continue, to remind myself that not all runs are going to be great, or feel great! That there is some pain involved in this sport.
Yesterday, I pushed all my fears and feelings of failure aside, and I went to start week #2 ( three reps of15 minutes of running, and 1 minute of walking). Again, I had a hard time, I struggled keeping the pace I wanted to keep, and I was sweating more than I have ever sweated before. I had to stop after my first 15 minutes because of a stomach cramp, but I got back on that treadmill and continued the second set and finished the third set (slowly, but finished!).
Yesterday was also a day that I set aside to really get a start on my Lazyman's Tri. Which involves completing a Iron Man Tri in five weeks time. After my run, which totaled 5 miles (holy crap!) I biked 12 miles and hit the pool for a 3/4 mile swim. The swim was really great, it seemed to stretch all my sore muscles and was actually pretty relaxing. Overall I lost 4lbs yesterday! Of course, I do understand that it was just water and the weight will be back in a few days. But I can live in the moment, can't I?
I thought I would be really sore this morning, and paying for the 3 hours I spent in the gym yesterday, but I am feeling pretty good, my calves are sore, and my feet are slightly achy, but overall I feel good.
Today is my day off, and I am pretty excited not to have to pound my feet on the treadmill today. I might go swim tonight for some added exercise and to stretch everything out. We will see if I am motivated enough to do so.

Actually Running!!

It is now about 12 weeks into my running journey. I have regained my confidence since the "shoe incident" and have been struggling to find a suitable training program for the next step of my journey. I have been watching my miles for about the last two weeks, running 2 or 3 miles for each one of my workouts, and not really knowing how to go further. Luckily, I found the "Bridge to 10K" running program. It starts right were C25K leaves off.

I started my first day of training on Monday. I was nervous about the length of the training (55minutes), but was excited to again be able to cross each workout off of my calendar. I was so excited that I created my very own fancy workout calendar (picture coming soon!), just to make the completion of each workout that much more enjoyable to cross off.

This program consists of 6 weeks of workouts, starting and ending with the mandatory 5 minute warm-up/cool-down. This week's workout is run 10 minutes walk 1 minute: repeat 4 times. This is how the workout went for me:

first 10 minutes: I can do this, this isn't bad at all, I have run ten minutes multiple times, no problem

second 10 minutes: I think I should quit after these ten minutes, I cannot believe that I am not even 1/2 way done. Ugh, this is not fun!

third 10 minutes: I am actually going to throw up!! I am going to puke all over this treadmill! Hey, wait, this isn't so bad, I can do this! Wait, I am having fun....

fourth 10 minutes: I am running!! I CAN do this!! I am a runner!! Woo hoo!!

My pain was all mental, my breathing was even and steady, my legs were feeling good. I just had a mental block for during the second mile, and it carried over into the beginning of the third mile. After about 2.25 miles, I was relaxed and enjoying my run. I hope this doesn't happen all the time!

The pain I was feeling on the treadmill was mental, but once I got off, the pain was real. My legs were tired and sore. I stretched, hoping to be able to walk in the morning, and went to bed. Somehow I was alive and pain-free on Tuesday....!!!

I have to run again today and I am looking forward to it, I feel like a runner!!!

I never want new shoes again!

Shoes from Hell! Favorite shoes!

Okay, it is said that girls LOVE shoes. That is pretty much true. I love looking at shoes, I love touching shoes, and I love thinking about getting new shoes, but the truth of the matter is when it comes to actually buying new shoes, it is a process that causes me great stress and many tears.

You see, I have very large feet, size 11 to be honest. I have struggled to find shoes that fit my whole life, and until recently I have had very unattractive shoes, because most shoe makers do not make shoes for Big Foot!

Running shoes have also always been a problem because of the way my foot is shaped. It is very long and narrow but with a wide toe box (as it is called!). Therefore I need a shoe that lets my toes move and breath, but holds my heel in tight. I found some really great running shoes this past summer and have really enjoyed them. However, through all of the reading I have done on running and running marathons, I have read that one must have a few pairs of shoes broken in, just in case one gives out before the race. So, being the rule follower that I am I set off to get a second pair of the shoes that I am currently running in.

Of course, this would be no small task, as anything that involves shoes and my feet never is easy. My local sports store was no longer carrying the particular shoe I wanted. Instead they had a very similar version which the clerk said would "propel you forward, and make your running effortless!" SOLD!! Anything to make me run easier, I don't care what it costs, I have to have it!!

These shoes felt pretty good in the store, nice and tight in the heel, enough room to comfortably wiggle each toe. And with the added ease in running I was sure these would be my favorite shoes. Did I mention they were cute too?

I was really excited to get in the gym and try my new "wonder shoes" out. However, because I had been running 4 days in a row, I needed a rest day, and had to wait a whole day until to try out my new shoes.

Finally it was time to use my brand new shoes, and the experience was nothing short of a horror movie!! Even from the first seconds of running, I could tell that these shoes were like none other, they pinched my toes, and rubbed on my heel, but I told myself that it was just because they were new, and they would start to feel better as my run progressed. Boy, was I wrong, the pain in my toes became even worse, I felt like the flesh was melting off of my big toe, my heel was starting to blister, and I continued running, hoping that these "wonder shoes" would suddenly start working their magic! I ran three miles before I finally admitted to myself that these shoes simply would not work for me.

Peeling the shoes off of my feet, I looked at the mess they had caused. My big toes were red, the skin rubbed off, and bleeding. I had two big blisters on my heels. Wonder shoes these were not!

Luckily, I bought them at a store that offered a 15day trial, and could return them for another pair that would work better. I returned them the very same day, I wanted those devil-shoes out of my possession!

Again, the store did not have the shoes that I wanted, but offered me a different brand, and made no claim that the shoes would help me become a better runner. I ran with much difficulty for three day, putting blister covers on my heels and friction guard on my toes. Even my favorite shoes did not fit like they once had, and I was worried that I would never run again. It took me a few days to get up the courage to try out my new shoes. I went for a short run the first day of use: not too bad. The heel is not as tight as I would like it, but the toe box is perfect and really allows my foot to relax. I have run in these shoes 3 times now, and they are comfortable, THANK GOD!!

But I also found my favorite shoes online and bought 2 pairs, because I never want to have to look for new running shoes again!!! At least not until my 1/2 marathon is over!!