Out Like a Lamb?

I've never really understood that whole "In like a lion, out like a lamb" thing. I don't think it holds true in Michigan. Cold is cold. It can still snow in April. We can still get an ice storm. This winter has been a trying one--record snowfall, ice, an occasional warm day just to wreak havoc on our sinuses.

We had our first race of the season on March 15. Chris, Jeanine, and I ran a local 5K. I have to say, the weather was quite perfect that day. Low 20s and sunny. Not like today--rain rain rain, but supposedly it will get up to 60 today. I've decided, however, I may not necessarily run the Irish Jig again. It seems to be a jinx for me. Four years in a row--2005--I ran with the flu, just because I couldn't get ahold of my running partner to tell her I had a fever of 102. 2006--that was the day I got a stress fx to the hip/foot. 2007--ran it w/ another stress fx to the foot--different spot. This year--developed heel pain. Am HOPING it is plantar fasciitis and not another $%&**@ stress fx. Am thankful for the bike to be able to cross-train.

Chris and Jeanine had great times for the 5K. Mine--30:06. I've defintely had better. It was hard to keep myself going slower--I'm "saving" myself for the 25K in May, and clearly fear injury -- with good reason.

I guess the only bright side is that it gives me a lot of space to improve, eh?

Post-Vacation...Pre-Race

What a week! This past weekend my husband and I went on a short cruise -- a reward to him from his company for the crazy hours and work he puts in (and results, of course). I made sure to get in all the runs pre-vacation as well as on the cruise. Trying to run on a ship during a storm with high swells made for an interesting time! I chose the treadmill in the gym instead of the track, as I had a 8-9 mile run on schedule for my long run--and the track is only 1/11th of a mile. I sure as heck didn't want to have to keep track of 99+ times around! My husband offered to count for me...but I'm not sure I could have trusted his count as he sat there lounging, drink in hand. The ship would shift, thus making me shift on the treadmill--trying to stay on was a core workout in itself. But I did it! I worked out every day we were gone, and I made sure to only use the stairs and no elevator the whole time, too. Not one pound gained on the trip!

This coming weekend is our first race of the season--the Irish Jig 5K, with proceeds going to colorectal cancer research/awareness for a local hospital. This is one of my favorite races--very laid back, always cold, and the kick-off for many area runners for the local race season. Three of us Sole Sisters are running in it--along with some other friends of ours from a Moms' Group we are in. I can't wait! My biggest dilemma right now is what to wear and whether or not to still fit in a long run this weekend. This marks the weekend I tend to attract stress fractures, so I'm still on the fence with that one.

We'll drop a line next week to let you all know how we do! :)

Michigan Winters!

Michigan Winters are not usually this bad, but alas I love it! SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW!!!! The snow is awesome for skiing which I do, but not for the running. Here is the problem: running in the snow is aggrivating my IT Band and right foot!!! I didn't have this problem last year because the deepest snow I ran in was 2 inches which was lovely for YakTrax. So, I have been relegated to the treadmill for the past month and while my feet and knees thank me my mind is about to explode! I have 9 miles this weekend and I just saw they plowed the bike path. Hopefully, my IT Band and foot will hold up on the pavement. Beacuse my mind really does need the break right now!

Thanks, Astavita!

Just wanted to shout out a quick thanks to the Astavita company and staff for sending out our new seeMOMMYrun team jerseys! They also sent out some additional goodies for us, as well. Can't wait to try out the antioxidant supplements -- they sent along a 90 day supply for us to get race-ready!

Here's a pic of the Astavita Team Jerseys--modeled kindly by my willing three year old! She also put on my running shoes and was ready to go--I think she thought she was a superhero--based on her pose! She proceeded after to run around the house "winning" races and politely requesting I hand over her trophy (And yes, she's still in her pj's--she told me today was a Pajama Day! Frankly, I didn't have the energy to argue about it!)!

How Many Snow Days Can a Mom Take?

It's already February--2008 seems to be whizzing by so far. The first race of our season (at least for part of the team) will be coming up here in a little over a month--seems hard to believe with all this snow! Yesterday I cross-trained by shoveling 8" of snow out of my driveway. It's funny how small the driveway can seem when kids are trying to rollerblade or bicycle around in circles in it, but how massive it seems when shoveling out 8" of wet, heavy snow.

Yesterday also marked the 4th "snow day" the kids had off of school in the past three weeks. This is by far the most days off for weather that I've seen since my kids started going to school--and my oldest is a 4th grader. I realized around 1pm yesterday that my limit sanity-wise is 3 snow days. ;) I love the kiddos, but hokey pete, these homebound days are driving me nuts!

Thankfully I have a treadmill so I can keep up on my training inside while the kids look for something to do. I can't imagine trying to drag all three of 'em out there with me. I love the snow--and I even consider running outside in 20 degree weather to be "perfect" running weather. Over the past few years I've learned a few tricks about how to dress bulk-free but to stay warm, and I can even say that I've run in sub-zero weather with only a chill on my cheekbones. So I admit this year I get a bit jealous of my friends w/ no treadmills at home but who have the ability to carve out some alone time outside. I've been making sure to get the outdoor runs in on the weekend--hopefully that will help shave a little time off of my annual March 5K time.

How is training going for the rest of you? Do you run to run, or run to train? We'd love feedback on these blogs to hear how it's going with other moms. I've been trying to keep up with the other Race Team Blogs--it's nice to read that other moms go through some of the same challenges that I do. Not that I wish "challenges" upon anyone else, but I think you all know what I mean.

Now hit the road, ladies!

To eat or not to eat....what the heck should I be eating?

Anyone else totally frustrated with trying to figure out how much of everything they should eat? I got a book on sports nutrition before Christmas and swear I read the thing, but I am still confused! No one seems to agree on how many carbs an "athlete" should consume and do I really fit into the "athlete" category anyway?? Sheesh. My pace isn't even listed in most running books--apparently I am a "jogger".

Well, someone did share a handy website with me recently: www.thedailyplate.com I've tried Fitday before to track what I eat, but Daily Plate actually has a ton of store brand and restaurant foods in their data banks that you can search for. Makes it much easier for me, being a calorie counting idiot.

I'm hungry and the brownies on my counter are calling my name.....

Runner wanna-be

Hello! I started running about 12 years ago to lose weight. For about 7 years I would run until my knees wouldn't let me - usually about 3 or 4 months at a stretch - and running in a race never occurred to me. Once I had kids, I really didn't ever get back into running until SoleSister Jeanine last January recruited for other moms from our mom's group to join her and Shelly to train for the Riverbank (offers a 25K and a 5K) in May. Since I again needed to lose weight, I thought joining this group of ladies would be a good way to get back into running with some companionship. So I signed up for the 5K and ran my first race. It was fun. However, my knees still didn't let me train regularly. I have since learned so much from all these ladies about running, and training avoiding injury. I would love to run regularly, but since my body doesn't want me to do that, I've accepted that cross-training will have to do. As long as I can still run events with my Sole Sisters, I am happy!