{almost} Worldless Wednesday - Home

 

We finally got it on the market this week.  I'm gonna miss it!

Missional Minded Monday - I Got Nothin'

I've been sick since the end of last week.  Makes for one very selfish chicka.  Not only have I earned a "that doesn't sound very Jesus like" comment from Jay, but I haven't even bothered to look around me for evidence of others sharing His love.

 

 

 

How have you been a friend this past week?

Fitness Friday - 10 Running Questions

Yesterday Thea  linked up with Another Mother Runner's 10 running questions.  Today Bari did the same.  Despite the obvious fact I'm not a mother, I decide to join along.  Most of these questions are just runner specific, and I definitely fit that description!

1. Best run ever: The Law Enforcement Memorial 5K this past May.  Without mile markers or a Garmin, I just pushed myself as hard as I could on this mostly flat course.  The result was a 26:56 - a PR by over 2 minutes.  Since then I've had the confidence to believe I can be a fast runner if I work at it.

2. Three words that describe my running: Asthma Girl Wins!
Maybe not (okay definitely not) my age group or even a race, but I'm slowing winning the battle against myself.  Excluding a few HOT 5Ks this summer, I'm running PRs practically every run.  I'm learning how to redefine myself by what I can do, rather than the limitations I have.

3. My go-to running outfit is: my mizunos, garmin, body glide and whatever is clean! i don't spend a lot of money on gear, but I'm starting to love my new balance mid-length shorts, and a running skirt (can't remember the brand).

4. Quirky habit while running: Dancing to songs.  This does not a PR make, however a fool it does.  Especially to Viva Las Vegas (finger guns from Just Dance, anyone?) or Sexy and I Know It (wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle YEAH!)

5. Morning, midday, evening: I run best in the morning, however weekdays I have to get up at 6:30 to get in my morning Bible reading, shower + get ready for work.  I need sleep or I'm cranky.  Typically I'm a lunch time trainer.  By the evening my energy is spent, but I enjoy the local track club social runs, so every other Wednesday I do it any way.

6. I won't run outside when its: I wish I could say thundering, but I've been known to push it.  (Read: my husband and neighbors stand outside under their porches and yell for me to get my booty back inside.)  Snow - we don't get a lot around here, so its not worth the investment on gear for the 1-2 (yearly) we might get.

7. Worst injury - and how I got over it: I've never had a true running injury, but I was sidelined from training due to severe anemia.  My doctors never discovered what caused it - only ruled out scary things that didn't (internal bleeding lead poisoning).  The filled me up via IV iron infusions & B12 shots. Over 2 years later and I've never had any further problems.

8. I felt like the most bad ass mother runner when:  I push myself hard during a run and meet my goals.  Also when I complete a new distance.  Since I've covered the 26.2 distance, now those have to come with new triathlon distances.  I'm not quite ready to commit to an ultra yet!

9. My next race is: Marine Corp Mud Run 5K next weekend.  My goal is to beat my personal worst 5K time for a straight up run.  I'll have to really push myself to run fast between obstacles, but I think its doable.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: Sub 2 hour half marathon.  This is going to take some work, but I've committed myself to reaching this goal before I start training for another full marathon.

Care to join us?  Let me know if you link up - I'd love to read your answers!

Happy Friday everyone!!

Daily Thanks - Under the Weather

Friday - Pot Luck

 

A coworker turned 50, so we had some great yummies to graze on all day.

 

Saturday - Tail gating!!

 

While I'm not the biggest UT football fan around, it was fun to hang out before the game with the run crew.  Several of them decided not to go to the game due to the bad weather, so we headed inside to watch the game, have a few drinks and dinner.

 

Sunday - Wears Valley 15

 

I had an excellent race.  Thankful for the cool weather, KTC Socialites team support (and discount!), and earning volunteer coupons for working registration!

 

Monday - Coffee & creamer

 

'nuff said.

 

Tuesday - Patriot Day

 

While I didn't do anything particular to remember the events of 9/11, I am thankful for those who serve this country.

 

Wednesday - Running

I had a tickle/cough all day so I was very pleased to successfully complete a difficult tempo run this evening.

 

Thursday - My Mama

 

Today is her birthday!  I'm so blessed to have such an incredible woman in my life!

Mindful September

We're almost half way through the month, so I feel like a slacker for only now finding the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans' Mindful September chart.  The list is broken up into days, each with a different way to nourish your mind/spirit/emotions. 

I love the ideas, which are a good mix of taking time for myself along with thinking about how to help others.  September 6th was "volunteer" - I find that volunteer work often helps me as much as I help others.  Nothing like a health dose of perspective about the abundance most of us live in (be it food, clothing, or shelter) as taking a few hours one evening to serve the homeless.

"Take a bubble bath" was a day that I missed.  I love taking a soak in my claw foot tub, but I rarely take the time to actually do it.  Perhaps I'll start today and then follow this list through the 12th of October? I'm sure Jay can tell you - I'm a much nicer person to him and anyone around me when I'm not wound up and stressed.  Taking care of me helps him too.

Read a book, sleep in, call an old friend - all free things (assuming you have a library card and already have access to a phone) we can do and be better for it.  Hopefully I'll get to blog about how a few of the daily "tasks" changed me, but no promises mkay?

Have you been following along for Mindful September?  How have you made some one's day a bit brighter this past week?

Wears Valley 15k - Race Report

The Wears Valley 15K (in Townsend) race was only the 2^nd race I had ran with the KTC Socialites run group.  While we haven’t been training for this particular race, my friend Kelly & I have been half marathon training and felt prepared for this race coming off a 9 mile long run last week.

We arrived dark and early Sunday morning to help with registration before the race.  Thankfully we had plenty of help, and were cut loose early enough to get our gear together, visit the porta-potty, and get a bit of a warm-up in.  The temperature was perfect for racing, but a bit on the cold side for standing around passing out race bibs.

I lined up with the KTC Socialites for the start and Kelly headed back a bit to meet up with Janice (another lady she meets up with for runs.)  With the gunshot, we were off.  Our first mile took us out on the main road, and then by an RV park.  Several people stood outside their motor homes cheering us on, however the bacon I smelled frying taunted me.

Mile 1 – 9:59

The course was described as “rolling” with a hill during the 2^nd mile.  Around here most every course is some form of rolling, so it can be difficult to know exactly what is meant.  My race plan had me saving up umph for later just in case the rolls were difficult hills.  The plan was a 10 m/m pace for the first 1/3^rd, and I hit it pretty darn close the first mile out.

Midway through the 2^nd miles, I hit the hill and slowed my pace a bit.  I worried a bit this wasn’t the big hill, but thankfully it was.  It was certainly not the biggest hill I’ve ever ran, but it did slow me down a bit and my paced suffered for it.  I much preferred this, however, to spending too much energy on this hill and not having it for later.

Mile 2 – 10:33

Instead of the standard out and back, the course was more of a lollipop shape.   We would not be repeating miles 1 & 2, but the 3^rd mile brought a water stop and a turn onto the out and back section of the road.   During this section I appreciated the downhill, but noticed the 7 mile marker and made note that I’d have a decent hill to face on the way back.

Mile 3 – 9:48

I wanted to pick up my pace a bit for the 2^nd 3.1 of the race, but tried to rely more on feeling than time.  My early goal had been to keep Kim’s head visible in front of me, and for the most part I could.  With all the turns, her blue hat would disappear but then in the straights I’d see it again.

This was the portion I could hear Kelly & Janice talking behind me.  I was proud that they were going strong and hoped they hadn’t gone out too fast.  Last week was Kelly’s longest ever run, so this 9.3 would trump that and take the longest slot. 

Mile 4 – 10:05

Midway through mile 3, I started to see the leaders of the race, followed by the rest of the pack turning around.  Part of the way through mile 4, I hit the turn myself.  Just before, I took a GU and some water.  I had been sipping from my water bottle every couple miles, and was thankful to not have to stop at the water stations along the way. 

The race takes place in a very rural area, and I enjoyed the scenery for the most part.  Before the turn around, I saw some horses and a donkey.  After the turn around, we heard some coyotes yapping up on top of the hill.  I hoped that the donkey would take care of things for us (thankfully I never actually saw them)

Mile 5 – 9:56

I was towards the back of the pack, but I enjoyed seeing and cheering on those who were behind me once I reached the turn around.   I had stuffed my empty GU into my sports bra, but it had fallen out without me noticing.  When I did notice, I felt bad about littering, but within a few seconds I noticed empty Natty Ice cans in the barbed wire fence row and then I didn’t feel so badly.

Mile 6 – 9:38

I was 2/3rds of the way through the race, and I wanted to really push hard toward the finish.  Despite the big hill that ended right at the 7 mile marker, I pushed myself and tried not to let it slow me down.  I was very pleased to see my average pace for the mile.

Mile 7 – 9:55

The rest of the race was downhill (as a good portion of this mile was) or flat, so I felt good about really picking up the pace and pushing myself down the hill.  The push paid off, and resulted in the fastest mile (to that point) of the race.

Mile 8 – 9:23

Just past the previous marker, we hit the main road (sidewalk) for a stretch of less than a tenth of a mile, then we cut back left onto the road of the start/finish.  On this back stretch, I really picked it up.  I passed 3-4 people (one dude) along the way.

Mile 9 – 8:53

After the 9 mile marker, I really pushed.  I could see the clock in site.  For this section, I was wheezing pretty badly but kept telling myself I could breath when I was done (thanks Kelly).   I wanted to leave everything out there.

0.35 – 2:58:55 (8:37 pace)

I ended up finishing about 13 seconds behind Kim – a result I was very pleased with!  Kim’s fast yo!! (Apparently so am I!)  Kelly finished about 30 seconds behind me.  I am super proud of how well she raced!

I have no regrets for this race.  Knowing what I know now, I could have pushed a bit harder at the beginning.   I will next year, but this year it was just smart racing going out conservatively not knowing what the course would hold. 

Goal time: 1:30/40
Gun time: 1:31:13

Next year’s tentative goal is sub 90 minutes, but if I make this a race I truly train for maybe I can get fast enough to place in my age group next time!

Spending: The Fun Result of Saving

Instead of boring you with another financial Friday post, I thought I would share a fun post about money.  The best part of saving?  Having the $$$ for a shopping spree!! 

Most of the items I purchased yesterday were with a Target gift card my in-laws got me for my birthday, but I did pick up a few things at Old Navy as well as Ross {Dress for Less}

The dollar bin "pink circle" items were half price so I bought the black organizer (hopefully keeping the island from getting junky every week, some gift bags, note cards, a book for the Princess, and Avengers erasers for the Little Man.  I also snagged a frame at Ross for $5 - Jay and I are going to put the free 8 X 10 we got for having our picture made for the church directory in it and give it to his parents. 

Now to the fun stuff - the random things I purchased for myself!!  The bag was the only thing not on sale but if you can't spend $15 of birthday money on a non-sale item, when can you?  The hat was on sale for $4.50, the umbrella is much needed and Calvin Klein for only $10, $6.99 Nine West sunglasses and a $9 sports bra from Old Navy.

I also bought a tiny little birthday gift for Jay and one for my sister.  Both of which will remain a secret for at least another month.  (They read my blog on occasion.)

What was the last fun item you purchase?  For yourself?  For someone else?