Long Runs, Birthdays & AC/DC.

What a busy weekend I had (again) - which I think is going to be the case till after Pittsburgh. Friday evening me and the kids went to my friend Meri's sons Birthday - the kids had a blast. They loved running around, "blacklight" golf and playing with their friends.

Saturday was my long run day - 14 miles with Coach Joe. The run went relatively good, even though I had been nervous about running the distance. The only downfall was the roads and parking lots were a sloppy, wet mess! I also started getting some knee pain around mile 9 - stretched it out and it seemed to go away for the rest of the run.

I tried Peanut Butter Gu for the first time on Saturday which was an interesting experience. It tasted like Peanut Butter but, the consistency of it was super thick and pretty gross to be honest. I do think it helped though, so I will give it another shot. I also tried a new after run drink, and it really helped cut down on muscle soreness and recovery!

I also had Volleyball Saturday night (2 games) - and won both of them. I am really proud of my team we are doing really good. I was bummed I missed the 2nd game that night but, I really needed to eat and spend time with my family!

Later that night, my great friend Sarah was having a Birthday Party at the Ski Lodge. It was such a fun night - Sarah had me dying laughing and it was great being around all my friends for a "girls night". I really wish I would of braved the cold to watch them go down the hill on serving trays! haha I love all them girls, its always a fun time with them! :]

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

Sunday was my rest day - and I made sure I did. I also felt like I was getting sick - which I hoped would be gone before today (Monday). I woke up today, not feeling good at all and having to run 5 miles. I had absolutely no energy to run, but around 3 I decided to get it done. The run wasn't to bad, and went relatively quick. It also helped listening to Classic Rock, especially some AC/DC. My knee pain came back - so I am going to add Jump Roping before or after my runs.  I really think this is going to help! 

Sweaty After Run Picture.

I have been running on the treadmill the past week and a half, two weeks (don't need getting hurt outside on ice). The way you run on the treadmill uses different muscles then when you run outside - thats where the jump rope comes in. I can try to replicate the "pushing" off the ground  with the jump rope - to activate the muscles I have been neglecting. It's worth a shot!

Tomorrow is an 8 mile day with 10 min. of Jump Rope. 

-Jamie

8 Miles & Dinner with Friends.

After last night I was really worried how I would be feeling today. Surprisingly, I went to bed early and got a great nights sleep. I felt great this morning so I ran my 6 on the treadmill - and it went by really fast. I did my last mile the fastest, and after I was done my calves felt great and I felt energized! I guess I just needed a good nights sleep! :]

Tonight I got to hang out with my two good friends, Heidi and Kayla. It was great being able to see them, and catch up on everything. We went to Italian Oven and the food was delicious! I also got to see my other friend Emily - and it was great to be able to talk to her for a bit too!

Once I got home from dinner with the girls, it was time for me to get back on the treadmill for my 2nd run of the day. I did 2 miles, so my total for the day is 8. Let me just tell you - it took every ounce of motivation to get back on that treadmill. Not only was I full from dinner but I was also tired. I got it done though! Tomorrow is my well deserved rest day and then Saturday is 14 miles with Joe! I hope the weather is decent that day. I have another super busy weekend - so I will probably post on this Sunday sometime.

Have a great weekend!!

-Jamie

 

Wednesday is My Crash Day!

I swear every week lately, as soon as Wednesday rolls around I am beat. I seriously am so tired I could probably go to bed at 6 pm - easy. I know its from running long miles, chasing a two year old around, keeping up with my son and his activities and doing the everyday mom/housewife duties. I knew this wasn't going to be easy - I guess that's what will make it even more rewarding in the end!

Yesterday, I ran 8 miles and I did my last mile the fastest. I did this on the treadmill since the sidewalks are still a sloppy/icy mess. I have come this far - I don't need to get injured, so for now I am stuck on the treadmill. I also did my 2 miles last night, that way I could run on tired legs. Total for yesterday was 10 miles - I honestly felt great last night!

Today was another 8 mile day with my last two miles the fastest. This run was tough, I honestly had been dreading the two 8's in a row and my legs were pretty tired from yesterday. Again, this run was done on the treadmill, and the miles seemed to go so slow!

Right now as I'm writing this, I am watching the kids run in circles while my dog is chasing them barking. I am so tired, that as long as no one is getting hurt then I am okay with this. Hopefully I get a good nights sleep tonight (the past week has been awful when it comes to that)! Tomorrow I run 6, and then Friday is a much needed rest day!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! Thanks for reading! :]

-Jamie

6 More Weeks of Winter.

Sorry everyone for this late post, I should of had this up last night. Between watching the Super Bowl and taking care of my son who has a cold, it just didn't happen. We all live busy lives, and sometimes unexpected things come up! I'm just one who doesn't like to slack, and well I kind of did.

Saturday was my long run day (12 miles), I had been looking forward to this run because it meant running outside! I also got a nice surprise and my friend Tim and Kevin both showed up to run with me and Joe! The run was great other then the cold and the headwinds on the walkway (those suck). I was nervous about running this distance since I had to miss last weeks long run due to my trail run I had. I did get kind of sore in my legs the last two miles (and was very ready to be done) but, after pushing it out the last tenth of a mile I felt great! This Saturday's long run is 14!

Yesterday was the Super Bowl and I enjoyed being able to watch it with the kids, my husband and my dad. Though I didn't have a team I liked playing, I was rooting for the Seahawks, which as you know didn't work out to well for them in the end. Normally, I just like watching the Super Bowl for the food, Halftime Show (which I loved this year) and commercials. My favorite commercial was the #Likeagirl from Always (which I posted at the end of my post). Having a little girl myself, I want her to realize that she can do anything she puts her mind too! Girls can do anything, and we need to keep lifting girls up and show them that they are strong!! What was your favorite commercial? You can either comment here, on my Facebook page or Twitter!

Today is the start of week 4 for training - I had to run 5 miles with my last mile being the fastest. Of course I ran it on the treadmill, there is a ton of snow and ice on the sidewalks from last nights snowstorm. I also ran another 2 miles tonight - which wasn't to bad. Tomorrow I run 8 miles, which is probably going to be done on the treadmill too.

Finally, I am officially all signed up for the Spring Thaw, which is a 10, 15 or 20 mile run. I will be doing the 20 miler! I am really excited to be participating in this, which will be on February 28th.

Thanks for Reading!

-Jamie