Sorry I missed my post yesterday- I was so tired from a fun, but long day!
It started off with a 16 mile run with my MIT friends. We had a great run! I was tired by the end, but that's a normal feeling after running 16 miles. And I came home and took my first ever ice bath. Not as horrible as I had feared and it did help my legs feel less sore today.
After the ice bath it was off to the Movies with my best friend, and her children. We had a great time. :) And I refueled with far too much movie popcorn. Yummy!
Today is Ironman Day!! Lots of my friends are competing in the Ironman Kentucky. It is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon! Each one of them inspires me! Go Ann, David, Kristen, Susan, Rocco and Kathy! I am tracking on-line and hope to see a few of them cross the finish line later tonight!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Reflections on a Friday
Day 2 of my blogging challenge:
This week has been filled with ups and downs and has caused me to do some reflecting and praying.
The ups were definitly the runs with "the girls". Especially the hot and difficult run Amy and I shared on Wed night. It was so hard that I doubted at times we would make it,but you know what we did! Those hard runs make the easy ones so much sweeter when they come. Last night I had a "reset run" on my own. I used my phone for the first time for music since my long neglected i-pod wasn't charged. It was just me with my thoughts, music and prayers. No pace agenda, just a run. And it was perfection! Just what my heart and my mind needed.
The one big down this week was/is a work issue I've been dealing with for quite a while. No, I'm not losing my job or anything nearly that dramatic. Just some office stuff that is no fun. I had a long talk with my supervisors and my Senior Manager yesterday on some ways to make things better, so that was a good thing.
But I have been thinking/feeling for a bit that my current job might not be the best fit for me anymore. So I've been keeping ears and eyes open for an opportunity that might fit me better. And this week I found a job that looks good! I am currently working on my application and resume to get it all ready to submit early next week. For a girl who hates change (always have), this is a big step. I'm praying about it, and if it is in God's timing (not my own, must remember this) this will work out. And if not my situation will encourage me to grow in new ways.
The other down this week (although not for me personally), is that Legendar y Women's Basketball Coach Pat Summit, told the world that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia. I know all too well what this diagnosis will mean. My Maternal Grandmother died of dementia when I was in 8th grade. It is vicious disease who seems the hardest (especially at the end) on the family and not the person themselves.
I have followed her carreer for well over 20 years now, and to me she is the a true class act. Always just as gracious in defeat as she was in victory. It is sad that she may have to give up her passion, far sooner than she planned.
Also of course I am keeping everyone in the path of Hurricane Irene in my thoughts and prayers.
Run on Friends,
Heather
"We don't run because it's easy, we run because it's real." Kristen Armstrong
This week has been filled with ups and downs and has caused me to do some reflecting and praying.
The ups were definitly the runs with "the girls". Especially the hot and difficult run Amy and I shared on Wed night. It was so hard that I doubted at times we would make it,but you know what we did! Those hard runs make the easy ones so much sweeter when they come. Last night I had a "reset run" on my own. I used my phone for the first time for music since my long neglected i-pod wasn't charged. It was just me with my thoughts, music and prayers. No pace agenda, just a run. And it was perfection! Just what my heart and my mind needed.
The one big down this week was/is a work issue I've been dealing with for quite a while. No, I'm not losing my job or anything nearly that dramatic. Just some office stuff that is no fun. I had a long talk with my supervisors and my Senior Manager yesterday on some ways to make things better, so that was a good thing.
But I have been thinking/feeling for a bit that my current job might not be the best fit for me anymore. So I've been keeping ears and eyes open for an opportunity that might fit me better. And this week I found a job that looks good! I am currently working on my application and resume to get it all ready to submit early next week. For a girl who hates change (always have), this is a big step. I'm praying about it, and if it is in God's timing (not my own, must remember this) this will work out. And if not my situation will encourage me to grow in new ways.
The other down this week (although not for me personally), is that Legendar y Women's Basketball Coach Pat Summit, told the world that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia. I know all too well what this diagnosis will mean. My Maternal Grandmother died of dementia when I was in 8th grade. It is vicious disease who seems the hardest (especially at the end) on the family and not the person themselves.
I have followed her carreer for well over 20 years now, and to me she is the a true class act. Always just as gracious in defeat as she was in victory. It is sad that she may have to give up her passion, far sooner than she planned.
Also of course I am keeping everyone in the path of Hurricane Irene in my thoughts and prayers.
Run on Friends,
Heather
"We don't run because it's easy, we run because it's real." Kristen Armstrong
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Shared Joy
Okay so my friend Amy, has challenged herself to blog every day for 21 days, and since my blog is a little neglected I decided to do that too. So starting today I will blog every day for 21 days, not sure about what just yet but getting there.
Shared Joy, anyone who knows me well, knows how much I enjoy/love/thrive on my friends. I love time by myself too, but my soul feels best when I’m with my friends either one on one or in a group. Either one makes my heart happy. I especially love being able to share in my friends’ joy!
This past weekend I got to have so much shared joy I thought my heart was going to burst. First on Saturday morning I met with my MIT group for a 10 mile run! Our friend Amy had 16 to do however, so she had decided to run 6 prior to the group run and then run 10 with us. Well when we arrived at MIT Amy had run 5 instead of 6 and I quickly said I would add a mile to my run to finish out her 16 with her. We had a great run, it actually felt quite easy ( I definitely wasn’t signing that tune last night however!), and the last mile was simply awesome! I got to be there as a friend I’ve come to love and treasure got a new Personal Distance Record! The smile on her face was priceless and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world. I took great joy in taking her picture, in sharing in her happiness of her achieving something awesome! I can hardly wait to share the same milestone with Dana and Stacy this week and next.
I’m getting to experience the joy, excitement and the challenges of a first marathon all over again through my friends. It’s an awesome experience! I encourage any of you out there who have run a distance (5K 10K half or full marathon) to find a friend who has not and share their training with them.
The second part of my day brought me to sharing the joy of my friend Christi’s marriage. Christi is another friend who MIT brought into my life. We trained for and ran our first marathons together (holy cow 3 years ago now) and then we shared a hotel room in Chicago last year. She was speed demon but waited for me at the finish line! Along with our other roomies.
She looked simply radiant and her joy was evident! I’m so glad I was able to attend and get to share in another joyous occasion with a dear and precious friend.
In addition to the wedding joy, I got to spend time with running friends. These are my friends who have been with me through many, many miles and many laughs and tears. I’m so blessed to have them to love and be loved by.
So sharing joy- it’s privilege I treasure.
Run on Friends,
Heather
"Who says you can't run away from your problems?" Joan Beniot Samuleson
Shared Joy, anyone who knows me well, knows how much I enjoy/love/thrive on my friends. I love time by myself too, but my soul feels best when I’m with my friends either one on one or in a group. Either one makes my heart happy. I especially love being able to share in my friends’ joy!
This past weekend I got to have so much shared joy I thought my heart was going to burst. First on Saturday morning I met with my MIT group for a 10 mile run! Our friend Amy had 16 to do however, so she had decided to run 6 prior to the group run and then run 10 with us. Well when we arrived at MIT Amy had run 5 instead of 6 and I quickly said I would add a mile to my run to finish out her 16 with her. We had a great run, it actually felt quite easy ( I definitely wasn’t signing that tune last night however!), and the last mile was simply awesome! I got to be there as a friend I’ve come to love and treasure got a new Personal Distance Record! The smile on her face was priceless and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world. I took great joy in taking her picture, in sharing in her happiness of her achieving something awesome! I can hardly wait to share the same milestone with Dana and Stacy this week and next.
I’m getting to experience the joy, excitement and the challenges of a first marathon all over again through my friends. It’s an awesome experience! I encourage any of you out there who have run a distance (5K 10K half or full marathon) to find a friend who has not and share their training with them.
The second part of my day brought me to sharing the joy of my friend Christi’s marriage. Christi is another friend who MIT brought into my life. We trained for and ran our first marathons together (holy cow 3 years ago now) and then we shared a hotel room in Chicago last year. She was speed demon but waited for me at the finish line! Along with our other roomies.
She looked simply radiant and her joy was evident! I’m so glad I was able to attend and get to share in another joyous occasion with a dear and precious friend.
In addition to the wedding joy, I got to spend time with running friends. These are my friends who have been with me through many, many miles and many laughs and tears. I’m so blessed to have them to love and be loved by.
So sharing joy- it’s privilege I treasure.
Run on Friends,
Heather
"Who says you can't run away from your problems?" Joan Beniot Samuleson
Friday, August 5, 2011
Married to the Marathon
“You can’t flirt with the Marathon, you have to marry it.” Kristen Armstrong
I was using this quote last weekend and everyone seemed to enjoy it and have a good chuckle over it, myself included. But then I really started thinking about it, and as I am in the midst of training for my fourth marathon, I gave some serious consideration to what “Married to the Marathon” means to me
1. It means being serious about my training, and fully committed to it, no matter what. My training schedule is my training schedule and as much as possible I try to stick with it, and do it as written. Especially long runs on Saturdays -those are non-negotiable in my schedule. Even on vacation as proved in July in Virginia, 8 miles on my own, in the heat, on 1.75 mile loop that seemed endless at times, but I got out there and got it done. Of course if my body says rest, I do that too.
2. It means eating well, to quote my dear friend Katia “Food is Fuel, it is not your friend” and this is no more true than in marathon training. Fruits, vegetables, and whole foods need to be more of my diet than processed junk. I try to go with a 90/10 ratio myself. 90% great stuff, 10% a little less great.
3. It means taking rest just a seriously as training, so on non-running days on the schedule, I do not run! And I take 1-2 full days off of any activity at all. Friday nights you will find me in my PJs by about 8:30 pm and definitely in bed no later than 10 if I can help it. Yes party animal right here!
4. It means long runs are long runs and not a race! My theory on long runs is any way I can get them! (The miles that is the miles). So on Saturday mornings at MIT you will find me, happily running along in my group (I adore you all) and not worrying too much about my pace, as long as it is with reason. Thinking that every single Saturday I’m going to go out and run just the same, is not going to happen. Weather, how I feel, etc, will always affect me to some degree.
5. It means having fun on this crazy ride called marathon training! I love running (most days), and I love seeing people achieve what they thought not possible. So coffee after Saturday morning runs is a treat I treasure, my friends are blessings I adore, knowing I can do something only 1% of the population has ever done is exhilarating!
I am happily married to the marathon! At least most days I am, and on those days I’m not, well my friends can remind me!
Run on Friends,
Heather
I was using this quote last weekend and everyone seemed to enjoy it and have a good chuckle over it, myself included. But then I really started thinking about it, and as I am in the midst of training for my fourth marathon, I gave some serious consideration to what “Married to the Marathon” means to me
1. It means being serious about my training, and fully committed to it, no matter what. My training schedule is my training schedule and as much as possible I try to stick with it, and do it as written. Especially long runs on Saturdays -those are non-negotiable in my schedule. Even on vacation as proved in July in Virginia, 8 miles on my own, in the heat, on 1.75 mile loop that seemed endless at times, but I got out there and got it done. Of course if my body says rest, I do that too.
2. It means eating well, to quote my dear friend Katia “Food is Fuel, it is not your friend” and this is no more true than in marathon training. Fruits, vegetables, and whole foods need to be more of my diet than processed junk. I try to go with a 90/10 ratio myself. 90% great stuff, 10% a little less great.
3. It means taking rest just a seriously as training, so on non-running days on the schedule, I do not run! And I take 1-2 full days off of any activity at all. Friday nights you will find me in my PJs by about 8:30 pm and definitely in bed no later than 10 if I can help it. Yes party animal right here!
4. It means long runs are long runs and not a race! My theory on long runs is any way I can get them! (The miles that is the miles). So on Saturday mornings at MIT you will find me, happily running along in my group (I adore you all) and not worrying too much about my pace, as long as it is with reason. Thinking that every single Saturday I’m going to go out and run just the same, is not going to happen. Weather, how I feel, etc, will always affect me to some degree.
5. It means having fun on this crazy ride called marathon training! I love running (most days), and I love seeing people achieve what they thought not possible. So coffee after Saturday morning runs is a treat I treasure, my friends are blessings I adore, knowing I can do something only 1% of the population has ever done is exhilarating!
I am happily married to the marathon! At least most days I am, and on those days I’m not, well my friends can remind me!
Run on Friends,
Heather
Friday, July 29, 2011
Long Overdue Update
Well my poor neglected blog.. I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last wrote. I need to get better about that.
So I had a pretty eventful July- filled with running, family vacation and a wedding. Here are the brief highlights:
The Month started out awesome as my friend Dana and I PRed (Personal Record) our 5K on July 4th. It was a hot day too, so proud of us! We rocked it! It was my first official run/walk race too, so that was especially great.
Then the next week it was off to Virginia for my family vacation to visit my sister, nephew and brother-in-law who moved there for my Brother-in-law’s job. It was so much fun! My brother and sister-in-law and other two nephews joined us as well. The boys enjoyed playing with each other, having two sleepovers at my sister’s apartment and seeing the ocean for the very first time. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to experience the first time at the ocean with all 3 of my nephews! Pretty special and they loved it!
The next big event was Amy (fellow MITers) and Scott’s wedding on July 23. It was a great time! I love anytime I get to hang out with my running friends outside of running. It was a full day since I had run 8 miles that morning, but I got a nap before the festivities began. I’m blessed with all the wonderful friends I have from running! They make my life rich and my heart full.
In other running news I have fallen back in love (or at least strong like) with morning running! I used to do it two summers ago and I liked it then. But I will say the only reason I love it so much is the group of ladies I get to share the early (5:30 am) morning runs with! Dana, Amy, Stacy and I meet Monday- Thursday in Dana and Amy’s neighborhood for a run! It’s always great conversation (well once we get woke up it is) and great running too. And we have a new friend who has joined in recently as well Colleen. It is so nice to have my run DONE for the day before I get to work, and then I have the whole evening to do what I want. (Which usually involves an early bed time), but hey meet someone for dinner- you bet, go to a friends, no problem, laundry or whatever seems so much easier at 5 pm when I arrive home than trying to fit in a run and then all that other stuff after work! Loving it! Thanks ladies for your awesome company run after run!
Looking forward to an awesome August- how about you?
Run on Friends,
Heather
So I had a pretty eventful July- filled with running, family vacation and a wedding. Here are the brief highlights:
The Month started out awesome as my friend Dana and I PRed (Personal Record) our 5K on July 4th. It was a hot day too, so proud of us! We rocked it! It was my first official run/walk race too, so that was especially great.
Then the next week it was off to Virginia for my family vacation to visit my sister, nephew and brother-in-law who moved there for my Brother-in-law’s job. It was so much fun! My brother and sister-in-law and other two nephews joined us as well. The boys enjoyed playing with each other, having two sleepovers at my sister’s apartment and seeing the ocean for the very first time. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to experience the first time at the ocean with all 3 of my nephews! Pretty special and they loved it!
The next big event was Amy (fellow MITers) and Scott’s wedding on July 23. It was a great time! I love anytime I get to hang out with my running friends outside of running. It was a full day since I had run 8 miles that morning, but I got a nap before the festivities began. I’m blessed with all the wonderful friends I have from running! They make my life rich and my heart full.
In other running news I have fallen back in love (or at least strong like) with morning running! I used to do it two summers ago and I liked it then. But I will say the only reason I love it so much is the group of ladies I get to share the early (5:30 am) morning runs with! Dana, Amy, Stacy and I meet Monday- Thursday in Dana and Amy’s neighborhood for a run! It’s always great conversation (well once we get woke up it is) and great running too. And we have a new friend who has joined in recently as well Colleen. It is so nice to have my run DONE for the day before I get to work, and then I have the whole evening to do what I want. (Which usually involves an early bed time), but hey meet someone for dinner- you bet, go to a friends, no problem, laundry or whatever seems so much easier at 5 pm when I arrive home than trying to fit in a run and then all that other stuff after work! Loving it! Thanks ladies for your awesome company run after run!
Looking forward to an awesome August- how about you?
Run on Friends,
Heather
Friday, June 10, 2011
Happy 10 Year Anniversary MIT!
Tomorrow is the Ten year anniversary of MIT, my running group! I can't express the way that MIT helped me change my life. I had run two half marathons on my own, before joining MIT. And once I did there was no looking back. Group runs quickly became the highlight of my week, and the friends I have made through MIT, help put the living in my life!
I tell Jeff G and Tim F all the time, how incredibly blessed I feel that Jeff started MIT and that Tim bought his Fleet Feet franchise here in Columbus Ohio. There is no doubt in my mind that I never would have attempted, let alone finished my first marathon without the coaches and friends I had at MIT. As you all know I have since gone on to run 3 more and am currently training for my 4th.
People who are not with MIT ask me all the time, why I love it so much. The simple answer to that question is because of the support! It is second to none. If you never have experinced it you really can't describe the feeling. It's friends who drove over 150 miles to come suprise me at my second marathon. It's coaches who send out those weekly e-mails with hints and encouragements. It's the planning and care that goes into each and every Saturday or Wedensday workout. And this list could go on and on.
I am blessed to be a part of this incredible group of people, who come out each and every week! They motivate, inspire and encourage me!
So Happy Anniversary to the best running group I know! And thank you a million times thank you to our coaches and founders!
Run on Friends,
Heather
I tell Jeff G and Tim F all the time, how incredibly blessed I feel that Jeff started MIT and that Tim bought his Fleet Feet franchise here in Columbus Ohio. There is no doubt in my mind that I never would have attempted, let alone finished my first marathon without the coaches and friends I had at MIT. As you all know I have since gone on to run 3 more and am currently training for my 4th.
People who are not with MIT ask me all the time, why I love it so much. The simple answer to that question is because of the support! It is second to none. If you never have experinced it you really can't describe the feeling. It's friends who drove over 150 miles to come suprise me at my second marathon. It's coaches who send out those weekly e-mails with hints and encouragements. It's the planning and care that goes into each and every Saturday or Wedensday workout. And this list could go on and on.
I am blessed to be a part of this incredible group of people, who come out each and every week! They motivate, inspire and encourage me!
So Happy Anniversary to the best running group I know! And thank you a million times thank you to our coaches and founders!
Run on Friends,
Heather
Thursday, June 2, 2011
National Running Day and Speed work
Yesterday was National Running Day- a whole day devoted to one of the biggest passions in my life. I love running, for one beause it's so simply- a pair of shoes, clothes and the road is all you need. Of course sharing running with friends is great as well, both kinds of running- alone and with groups give me different perpectives and workouts. Running really has changed my life, in some awesome ways! I'm so blessed my our running group here in Columbus Marathoners in Training (MIT), I never, ever would have run a marathon without them.
So last night in celebration of National Running Day, it was the first speed workout of the season. Speed work is hard work, you always work a little (or a lot) harder than your Marathon pace. Each week is different and Jeff works so hard to mix up our workouts and give us great ones each week.
This week was mile repeats, our prescribed pace was 11:42 for the mile, but we did our first one at 10:42 (oops?) and the second one at 11:21, so faster than prescribed, maybe this means a faster marathon. We shall see! It was great to have company since some friends are trying speedwork and they run my pace! Yipee!
It was a great night for a run, much less humid.
I enjoyed my celebration of National Running Day! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate!! Hope all my running friends had a great National Running Day as well! Looking forward to another celebration at MIT on Saturday!
Run on Friends,
Heather
So last night in celebration of National Running Day, it was the first speed workout of the season. Speed work is hard work, you always work a little (or a lot) harder than your Marathon pace. Each week is different and Jeff works so hard to mix up our workouts and give us great ones each week.
This week was mile repeats, our prescribed pace was 11:42 for the mile, but we did our first one at 10:42 (oops?) and the second one at 11:21, so faster than prescribed, maybe this means a faster marathon. We shall see! It was great to have company since some friends are trying speedwork and they run my pace! Yipee!
It was a great night for a run, much less humid.
I enjoyed my celebration of National Running Day! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate!! Hope all my running friends had a great National Running Day as well! Looking forward to another celebration at MIT on Saturday!
Run on Friends,
Heather
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