My Heart Races

Marathon Blog

Announcing your goals- yes or no?

I stumbled upon this advice of not announcing your goals several months ago and found it very interesting.  I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.  And I have to say… I’m starting to believe that it is completely true!

Do you announce your goals? What do you think?  It’s a tricky spot to be in right?

I find it interesting that in the video, the speaker specifically refers to marathon running.  I like his suggestion about what to say.  Might I also suggest, “my goal is to cross the finish line with a smile,” or “I’m gonna give it my all and see what happens,” or “I want to make it to race day with my body still in tact.” Be prepared to hear one of those if you ask me my goals for CIM. Wink.

13 weeks until CIM: Training Week 9/5-9/10

Did you think I forgot about today’s post? No such luck.

Monday morning (Labor Day) B and I woke up before the kids and ran a very easy 4 miles.  (We day-dreamt of owning a beach house and bringing all of our kids and grandkids there for family reunions with card games and s’mores and whiffle ball in the sand.)  Turns out that when I was checking what to run that day, I was reading the previous week’s Monday and not the current Monday… I should have been doing hills, but only discovered that the next day.  Oops.sept5_edited-1When I discovered that I should have been doing a hills workout on Monday (and didn’t), I did the hills workout on Tuesday- 2 easy warm up, 8×1:00 hill climb with 1:30 recovery, 2 easy cool down.  Fortunately (or should I say unfortunately?) there’s a monstrous hill right around the corner from the beach house we were renting.  Hills always kick my butt.  Always. Hence the painfully slow recovery intervals when I was bent over catching my breath:sept6_edited-1Wednesday was an easy 4 again.sept7_edited-1Thursday was an 8 mile tempo- 2 easy, 4 @8:15-8:05, 2 easy cool down.  I wasn’t sure how the workout would feel, but when it was all said and done I felt really proud of myself.  I felt completely in control of the pace (I planned a slight progression in the middle 4 miles.) Plus there were some college girls running along the boardwalk too and I had to show them that I may be old (and yes, when I was their age I was married with a baby) but I can run faster than you, girlfriend.sept8_edited-1Friday was an easy 4 again:sept9_edited-1Friday night Connor had his first football game of the season so he and I flew home early Friday afternoon and went to his game (B and the other three kids drove home the next morning.)  It was so much fun spending a day and half with him alone.  He just turned 13 and he’s at this funny spot between a boy and a teenager.img_1059Saturday morning while Connor slept in, I ran my long run: 12 miles.  Had 3 or 4 graham crackers before (our house had no food!) Ran with my handheld again filled with ice and Gatorade and that’s all I needed.  Was so happy to have completed it successfully.  And it was a treat to come home to a quiet house with just one sleeping boy.sept10

Total for the week was 38 miles.  Funny how at the end of training, a 38 mile week is nothing, but with 13 weeks until race day, it felt like quite an accomplishment.  I was proud of myself for finally getting in a solid six days this week.  Hooray for breakthroughs.  I think I’m back, guys!

Happy training!

Instagram talk

img_0143I wanted to chat a bit about Instagram.  Instagram is fun and can be used for so much good.  With that being said, I believe that social media is a skill, and it’s not a skill that I would say comes naturally to me.  It can overwhelm me at times.  In the beginning of creating my running account, I took every unfollow to heart and would become offended when I looked at who unfollowed me.  (I don’t keep track of that anymore.)  I have a hard time ignoring the numbers and posting things that I know will not receive lots of likes.  So now, I find myself frozen.  I considered at one point doing away with Instagram altogether (while still keeping the blog) because I found that it was taking the fun out of writing a blog.  I’m not there anymore, but I think at times that putting too much thought into what I post is keeping me from posting a lot of the time.  Silly? Yes.  Why do I care? I don’t know!

Like I said, Instagram can be used for lots of good so how about it.  I have an idea to do a quick Q&A on Instagram Stories.  Possibly Monday or Tuesday.  Anything you want to know? Any advice? Or how I do things? What I use? Anything.

Any insight that you could give me on me and my crazy confused Instagram feed would be greatly welcomed too.  Ha!

Maybe I’m not an awesome Instagrammer, but I am for sure awesome at writing nonsense on this blog 🙂

Happy Sunday!

We’re home from the beach and no one’s really excited about jumping back into regular life tomorrow…

Another OUR Rescue Run Here in AZ!

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Do you remember when I posted about OUR Rescue? Click here to read, or here’s a refresher…

First let me tell you about OUR Rescue and then we’ll talk about a race that they are hosting to raise funds for the cause:

OUR Rescue is an organization on a mission to end child sex slavery and they have created a modern-day underground railroad to physically rescue children.  Its a heavy subject, but one that can not be ignored.

Click here to visit their site.  Click here to visit their blog.

I first heard of OUR Rescue- and honestly the first time I heard of human trafficking- when I read an article written by Mark Mabry on Glenn Beck’s website in October and I have never been the same.  I have never felt so many different emotions on such an intense level after reading something in my entire life.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it!

Click here to read the article.

Click here to watch a video of the account here.

Click here to download your own blank poster template and join the Abolitionist movement.

It has been on my mind ever since.

Well, guess what? On October 15th, there is an OUR Rescue run in the Phoenix area with 100% of the proceeds going to fund the next rescue mission.  The weather is sure to be perfect and there’s a one mile fun run for the kiddos.  Other perks: Race shirt, medal, and complimentary race photos (my absolute favorite!!!)

Click here to visit the OUR Phoenix Rescue 5K and Kids Run website.  You can register and get all the race info you need.

There really is nothing better than a Saturday race day with family AND knowing the fun was helping an incredible cause.

Not trained for a 5K? Well guess what.  I’m not giving you an excuse.  Here’s a couple training plans that will get you ready just in time for race day.  Because race day is five weeks away!!!

intermediate Beginner

Happy Training!!!

Friday Favorites

  • I found a new favorite sports bra and the best part is that it’s only $16.99.  I bought it from Target on a whim and I always wear it as soon as it’s clean.  I absolutely can’t stand sports bras that are too tight.  This one is the perfect combo of supportive but comfortable.
  • Now that training is in full swing, you’ll find me in sneakers a lot more, and I love this pair from Nike.  Sneakers make my feet and joints happy and they also protect my sensitive toes from getting stepped on.  My kids step on my toes too much (they have no concept of where their bodies are and how to avoid stepping on my feet that happened to be attached to the bottom of my leg.)

  • I’m pretty sure I’ve blogged about this tote bag before, but it is just that awesome.  I keep it by the door to the garage and every time I head out the door with a million things in my hand, I dump everything in there along with my purse.  It holds everything plus the kitchen sink.  It’s an investment, but worth every penny.  I’ve had mine for almost three years and it’s still my go-to tote.

  • I just ordered these running shorts from Nordstrom (on sale!) I’m in love with the smocked waistband and the bright color.  In Arizona, I’ll be in shorts until November.

    • This last pick isn’t for running, but I’ve been wearing it all week here at the beach.  It’s a minidress from Free People that I use as a coverup.  I’ve had it for years and always wear it at the beach.  It’s cute and comfy.