Ready for a new Season and a New Challenge!

Well the off season is almost over- next week (December 19) my MIT running group will start again- I can't wait. I have kept up with my running base much better than in past off seasons, due in no small part to the fact that I scheduled a couple of races in there. Maybe that's the key making sure to keep a goal in sight at all times.

I have enjoyed some fun runs on Saturdays as well so that's been nice to explore a little bit different parts of Columbus instead of the same trail all the time.

For this session of MIT I've decided to do something that I have never done before- I am going to run two half marathons back to back on consecutive weekends. Kentucky Derby half on April 24, and Cap City Half here in Columbus on May 1st! I plan to run the Derby one for speed, with my goal being to complete it in under 12 minute mile averages- I don't care if it's 11:59! And then Cap City will be just for fun! That will make a half dozen halfs for me! This is from the girl who never even wanted to run a mile! :)

I can't wait to get started out there on the trail with my friends! We had dinner on Tuesday night and I looked around the table my eyes were filled with tears of joy and gratitude for all running has given me!

The Off Season?

Right now I'm not in offical training for any event, so instead I'm maintaining my base of miles and having fun running just for fun! In December our MIT group will start up again and I'll be back into a training program for the half marathon I'm planning this spring.

Yesterday I did run a race the Buckeye Classic 10K at Highbanks, which is quite the hilly course and challenging! I paced the 13 minute/mile group and as usual I had a great time, and I made a new friend too. We had perfect running weather. Many of my MIT friends were out running the race as well and it was fun to see them! And my friend Julie came out to cheer us on which was very nice of her! Thanks Julie!

Next up on the Racing Calendar is the Flying Feather Thanksgiving Day Race- I love that race it's so much fun, so I'm looking forward to pacing for the 13 minute per milers again- enjoyable for me and not to hard of a pace to maintain for me at this point. I like being able to offer encouragement and support to others so the 13 minute pace is perfect for that.

Am I sure this is the off season?

On a totally unrealated note- GO BUCKS!! Who clinched at least a share of the Big Ten Title with a win over Iowa on Saturday! Rose Bowl Bound Baby!

Marathon Number Two Complete!

With the ladies after the marathon
(Kristen, Hannah, me, Julie, Shannon)

Finish Line!! My time is one hour later than this clock shows!

Expo on Saturday.

Last Sunday, October 11, I ran my second marathon, and yes I finished! This Marathon was very different from my first one in that it was a much smaller marathon. I ran the Tow Path Marathon which runs through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in between Akron and Cleveland.

This Marathon was about 35 minutes from my parent's home so I stayed with them on Saturday. They drove me up to the Expo where I picked up my packet, race number and chip. The rest of Saturday was spent resting and eating carbs

Sunday morning was a cold start (about 37 degrees) and I had opted to do to Start Early Option at 7:00 am as opposed to the 8:00 am start that the rest of the runners did. It was myself and about 5 other people who started out in the pre-dawn. For the first hour and a half or so it was very solitare on the trail, quiet (except for my i-pod of course), but beautiful. A family of 4 deers crossed the trail right in front of me at about mile 6 or so. Now that is something you don't see in the Columbus Marathon

I felt really good for the most part. The last 6 miles are always the hardest for me, but in this marathon I had the best suprise ever! Four of my running friends (Julie, Kristen, Hannah and Shannon), came up to the Marathon to suprise me. So there I am running along at mile 21-22 ish and I hear someone calling my name- as in Go Heather. In my head I'm thinking hey I don't know anyone here except for my parents?? And then I saw Julie and Shannon! I ran up a little further (closer to mile 24 ish) and Hannah and Kristen were hidding in the bushes, they ran with me as far as they could before the trail police told them they couldn't. Then the finish line was in sight- woo hoo!!

My parents, brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews were there to meet me! It was a great experince and I'm proud that I ran a personal record time, I wanted to run faster than I did in Columbus and I accomplished that goal and I wanted to finsh stronger and I did that as well.

So I'm pleased with my second marathon- next fall it's on to the third! This spring I plan to run a half marathon in Louisville KY with some of my running friends.

This weekend I get the honor and privelage of being on the other side of the marathon and half marathon experince as I will be going to the Columbus Marathon and will be helping out in the MIT tent after the marathon. Can't wait to see my friends finish!

Hannah is running the half marathon, Julie is pacing her husband and her sister (her husband's first half marathon), Kristen is running her third marathon as is Shannon. I want to wish all of them, along with all the other MITers a great run and strong legs! See you out there on Sunday! I'll be the one screaming the loudest!! :)

It was a fun race to run- different from a city marathon that's for sure.

Friends and Running

Okay I should make a commitment to updating the blog more regularly. :)

But I have been busy with training, and work and other things too-like the neccessity of laundry and grocery shopping, because I like to have clean clothes and eat. :)

Running continues to move along- conquered an 18 miler two weeks ago and this week is the big 20! I'm just hoping not to get drenched like we did last year, but so far the forecast looks clear and sunny, so that's a good thing. And I'm learning to like (if not love) speed work on Wed nights. I always like it best when it is over- of course, but I really do appreciate all the time and effort Jeff (our speed work coach) has put into planning the wokouts this season. It gives me direction and a good anchor for the middle of the week. Plus I do think it's been helping my running, I feel stronger and more confident.

Tonight I enjoyed a wonderful trail run at a trail right near my home with some dear and special "running" friends. They are one of the joys and delights in my life. I never would have met them if not for running and for that I am will always be grateful.

Running and friends seem to go hand in hand for me, I'm so blessed to have the wonderful running family that I do! Encouraging and supportive and sometimes a little "pushy" to do things I don't think I can!

Training update

Well it's been a while since I update the blog- guess I should do that.

First off- training, it's been going very well this season so far, the long runs have been good and we ( my little group and I) have been negative splitting the last couple of runs, which means the second part of our run has been faster than the first. Which is great especially for long runs. Today we did 11 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes which is a great time as far as I'm concered.

Also speed workouts on Wed nights have been awesome! Hard yes, but in a good challenging way that lets me know that I am getting stronger as a runner. This past Wed we did 400 meter X4 (1 lap repeated 4 times) around the track as fast as we could. At the end my legs were shaking but I survived!

So all in all a great training season so far. Next week I have 16 miles to tackle so we'll see how that goes.

In other news I've enjoyed being able to spend time with my nephews lately. In fact my brother and oldest nephew spent the night with me last night. :)

Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Hills, Hills, Hills oh and Vacation

Well last night was speed work night for me- it's on Wed ,which appears to be a popular night for speed work I know several other runners- in different parts of the country who do their speedwork then as well.

Anyway last night our coach had us do hill repeats- my group (i.e- the slow people) did 6 repeats of a 270 meter hill with a walk back to the bottom and up the hill again. It was hard, tough work, but I did it. Not with perfect hill form, but I toughed it out. Let me tell you today I am feeling it in my butt and my quads so I know I worked those muscles hard. But it's good for me, it's a challenge to be sure, but one I am perfectly capable of meeting. And I'm kinda enjoying seeing what I can do!

In the vacation note- I'm offically on vacation woo hoo!! I'm going to visit my parents for a week, so nothing too exciting like a beach trip ,but it will be a good relaxing week, time at "home" is always good. And I'll be able to keep up my running schedule there as well. They have some lovely trails near their home where I'll be able to run!

Be the Match and other randomness

Today I got something in the mail that I had sent away for, and I was thrilled to receive it- it was my "Be the Match" kit from the National Bone Marrow Registry. I have wanted to join the registry for many years but never have. One of my friends on Face Book- had posted that is was free through June 22, so I hoped on-line- super easy, and requested the kit. It came today and I already completed the steps inside and will send it back tomorrow. I would love to match someone. I just feel so strongly that this is the right thing to do- I'm healthy and fit and I have no reason not to go on the registry.

In other randomness:

I have fallen in love (well at least strong like) anyway with morning running! I've been meeting my friend Jen to run on Mon/Tues/Thurs mornings and it's worked out so perfectly. It's a great feeling to have the run done for the day once I get to work. Also I don't have to worry about finding time later on in the day for it!

Speed work is TOUGH! We ran our first actual speed workout on Wednesday night- it did not help the situation that it was 92 degrees outside. But I was proud of myself for getting out there and doing it, I ran the prescribed pace for the prescribed time. Only one way to find out how fast I can be- run faster and work on speed. And everyone is so encouraging even the super fast people who can lap me always shout out good job as they pass! So, so sweet and so kind!

I am very, very blessed to have the running family that I do. They simply rock!

Hope you all have great weekends!

Let's "out run" childhood cancer

Tomorrow evening I will be running my second 5K in a week notice I said running and NOT racing! I plan to run this one easy, but it's a cause I believe in with my whole heart and I wanted to get out there and support it anyway I can.

This race is for Nationwide Children's Hospital's childhood cancer research. Research matters and research has life saving potential. Anyone of you who have known me for very long know I had a "little friend" named Christi who passed away from neuroblastoma (one of the worst forms of childhood cancer) in September of 2006. She started her treatment here in Columbus at Children's Hospital. She was sweet and dear and a fighter to the very end. She endured something no child ever should with grace and dignity and a smile on her face. My favorite quote of hers was "I'm not sick, I just have cancer."

She graced and touched my life in immeasurable ways.

This race tomorrow is for you sweet Christi!! Until we meet in a much better place than this earth!

Running for Ellie- Feeling Grateful

This morning I ran my first 5K (3 miles) of the season with the Fleet Feet Race Club, it was a great time! The weather was perfect and it was great to see and run with friends.

This 5K was especially meaningful because it was for a little girl who lives in our Community named Ellie- Ellie has a disease that is robbing her body of it's ability to walk, run, talk, or even breathe. She was there this morning at the finish line, giving each of us a thumbs up and a high five as we crossed the finish line.

When I see someone like Ellie I'm reminded of the great gift I've been given of two heathly legs that allow me to run, am I the fastest? No way not even close, but somehow running for charity that doesn't seem to matter as much. It matters more that I'm out there, that I'm using the ablity that God has granted me to be able to run! I'm thankful that I can! I plan to continue to run, to run my best to celebrate that gift!

Hope your weekends were as fun as mine!!

In Celebration of National Running Day

Tomorrow is National Running Day! Wow a whole day dedicated to one of the great passions in my life.

Now as a child, young adult, and adult well into my thirties I was not remotely athletic, I hated gym class, so much so that I took summer gym to avoid it in High School. I can vividly remember in HS having to be able to run a mile in 15 minutes or something like that. Believe me that was the LAST thing I wanted to do, so it's amazing to me now how much I love running.

I also remember getting started with running- a program called Couch to 5K, I had decided that I wanted to challenge myself and a friend suggested this program to me. I remember that first walk/run I ever did- how hard it was and how I was sure that I was never going to make it even one mile. Suprise of all suprises I did make it, ran my first 5K and I was off so to speak.

In 2006 I trained for and ran my very first half marathon and from then on I was hooked. Now running isn't just something I do- it's a huge part of who I am. Running has become a way to soothe stress, ease a broken heart, spend time alone or with others and just to stay fit and active. Now I am not breaking any land speed records out there, but I'm out there doing it.

I have gained invaluable friendships through my running, and have had the privelage of cheering on others as they have started running.

So tomorrow in celebration of the abilty I have to run, I will be enjoying a run. And for those of my fellow runners out there- Celebrate tomorrow- celebrate YOU! Whether you have completed a 5K , 10K half or full marathon or many of the above- you are runners, some of the most wonderful people on the planet. I'm blessed to count myself am0ng you!

Happy National Running Day!

Pefect Saturday

Ahh today was the perfect Saturday- I got up this morning and went to MIT to run- I did 5 miles in a little over an hour so not too bad (not fast by any means but not horrible), it was a perfect day for a run- sunny and cool. I had a lot of fun out there on the trail- and next week we get to explore a whole new trail system!

Then I got a nap, and now I'm going to clean up my scrapbooking area in the basement so that perhaps I can actually scrapbook down there in the near future.

It's been a perfectly relaxing Saturday! Hope yours has been the same.

New Season- New Goals

A brand new season of Marthoning is about to begin! I love beginnings, and the start of something new, it's like hitting the reset button and we get to begin again- fresh. New Goals, new opportunites for success, new challenges.

This season I'm going to train to run my second marathon- simply amazing to me as the girl who used to say all the time I would only run if someone was chasing me. I am so looking forward to getting out there and beginning this journey again. I know more what to expect this time, like how hard a 20 miler can be and how it can be so much better when you share it with friends. What to eat and what NOT to eat as the case may be. :)

I've picked the Marathon I plan on running- Tow Path Marathon on October 11. It's a Marathon near where I grew up and it's flat as a pancake, which is good.

I'm putting out my Goals for this season here in writing so I can come back to them at the end of the season and see how I did:

1. No missing any planned weekday runs.
2. Speed work on Wedensday nights- even if it's painful and I have no clue what I'm doing- I'm still going to get out there every week.
3. Weights twice a week without fail- I always do poorly at this so I'm recommitting.
4. Eat well- To quote my dear friend Katia- "Food is fuel it's not your friend", so making a commitment to eat better and fuel my body better.

5. Run a faster Marathon than I did last fall (see #2)!

I'm looking forward to this season! It'll be a good one I"m sure.

Getting ready to hit reset!!

Injuries, MIT and Boston

Wow it has been forever since I've updated the blog-guess I better get on that! :)

I began this year training for a half marathon, but two weeks ago the plan to run the half got nixed by my very first running injury (I've been very lucky!), a strain in a muscle in my foot that makes running or walking very painful. So I'm doing Physical Therapy and exercises at home to get it better as soon as possible and get back to running. For now I'm doing biking and some ellipitical. I'm going to try swimming this week too- although I'm not a strong swimmer I can least get some movement in.

I'm very sad to not be running the race I planned with my friends, but there will be other races and it's important to get an injury healed and not let it nag. I know my friends are going to do awesome at their Marathon- they have all been running so strong this season.

We also had our MIT banquet recently and as always I enjoyed spending time with my running family. I'm incredibly blessed by their friendships.

And now on to Boston- I had several friends who ran the Boston Marathon on April 20. It is HUGE deal to run Boston because you have to qualify to do so. I'm continually amazed that I get to run "with" people who have qualified, run and finished a Boston Marathon- simply amazing. They make me want to run better, to run stronger just by being around them.

So on with healing this foot and getting back to running ASAP, so I can run a strong marathon in the fall. There will be speedwork in my future- one of my friends swears by the fact that her speed work took her from a 10:30/mile pace to a 9:30/mile pace in a year. I would love to go from my 12-12:30 pace to 11:30 or 11:00. But like Jeff says if you want to run fast you gotta run fast.