The Boys

My Three Sons!!!!!!! Kyle, Corey and Keith after Keith's victory over Danville. My how they have grown up!!!!!!!! Soooo PROUD :)

Life

Sometimes, life can be down right brutal!!!!

I takes a hard fall to wake you up!!!!!!!

Tapering

I hate tapering but I know I have to do it in order to be successful at these 100 mile races!!! I always feel fat, antsy, sluggish and irritable :( Necessary but not fun!!!!!

Today was a complete day of rest!!! I did a lot of housework and of course, a lot of puppy play!! Kyle came home with tons of laundry and will be home for a week. He will be training some people at OWU for the summer and is looking for another part time job in Delaware. A very ambious boy, I must say!!!! Keith will be running in their conference meet tomorrow but is still having some hamstring issues. What he will be running is still undetermined!! Good luck to Keith and the Loudonville team!!!

4 days and counting.................................

Our New Addition

Wednesday evening turned into quite an evening of turmoil, or maybe I should say excitement or disbelief!!! I was downstairs and I heard Mark say"oh, no, Terri, come upstairs and look out the door." There in our yard was Keith, his girlfriend, Kate and a little puppy!!! Kate works with a friend that had a dog with pups and of course, they thought that we needed one!! At the time, I thought it would be fun to have something young and playful at the house but didn't think twice about it until I saw the puppy in the yard!!

He's a cute little thing and he is VERY playful!!!! He is a mutt, part jack russell, english bulldog and terrier. I haven't got much done around the house the last couple of days except play with the pup, that we have named MO!! Quite fitting, don't you think :) Good thing I am tapering for MMT and have time to fuss with the little thing!!!!

Tapering is going well for MMT and my legs feel good except for the right achillies which is not happy at times!! I think with only a couple of days of running this week it should be good to go!!!

Thursday 5-5-11 8.5 miles on the road, very easy :) Lifted weights Kyle came home for the afternoon to buy his girlfriend a graduation gift. She will be graduating from OWU on Sunday! A little bittersweet!! Kyle is done with finals and is now a Sr. at OWU. Hard to believe!!!

Friday 5-6-11 Day Off!!!! It was puppy duty all day :) Keith had a meet but didn't run due to his back and hamstring!! Hopefully, he will be ready for the conference meet on Tuesday.

Saturday 5-7-11 11 miles on the trails and core work!! Went to Oberlin College to watch Kyle run in the finals of the 800 at the NCAC Conference meet. He had a great race with a time of 1:57 for 8th place!!!

Sunday 5-8-11 5.5 miles on the trails I was going to meet some runners at MO that were going to run long but decided I didn't want to get caught up in the excitement and run any more than 5 so I ran early and by myself. It was a peaceful run and I am(at this point) at ease with running MMT!! I think I'm ready!!!

5 days and counting.............

Cross Training

I did my last session of cross training today before MMT. 10 days and counting!!! The nerves are really starting to set in!!!

6 miles on the road and the longer I ran, the better I felt :) Had a great swim, 1.25 miles, and it was one of those days that I could have swam forever!!! 45 min. spin class and held myself back so I wouldn't have to crawl off the bike, like I normally do :) Things are finally falling into place and my body seems to be rested with still one more week to go!!! Fingers crossed that things continue to go my way!!!!!

As I am typing here on my blog, I have received a BIG surprise!!!!!!! Keith and his girlfriend, Kate, have brought me a present!!!!! The story will continue tomorrow........................................

Cold, Rain = Treadmill

I woke up this morning to the sound of pouring rain!! UGH!!!! So, I waited and waited until about 11am and then decided to run on the stupid treadmill!

Did a 6.5 mile run that included 3 x half mile walks on the highest incline, all under 15 min pace. I ended with a half mile walk at 0 incline at 13 min pace. It was a lot harder than I thought but I needed it!!!!

Lifted weights and felt good doing it for a change :) I think resting a little is starting to pay off :)

Nerves are starting to set in for MMT 100!!!!! It will be, what it will be!! I just have to keep my head straight!!!!

Where Did The Week Go ???????

Man, last week just flew by!!!!!!! Nothing really new at this end!!!! I started to taper for MMT 100 and of course, all the little aches and pains are coming out :( I always feels so fat and sluggish when I'm in taper mode!!! Hopefully, it will be worth it in the end!! All three boys got their new cars this week :) To be young and riding in style, must be nice!! They all were so excited to show off alittle!!!

Sunday 4-24-11 Day off :)

Monday 4-25-11 6 miles on the road, 1.25 miles in the pool with 450yd pull, 45 min. spin class

Tuesday 4-26-11 8.5 miles on the road and lifted weights

Wednesday 4-27-11 6 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim that included pulling and kicking and 45 min. spin class

Thursday 4-28-11 8.5 miles on the trails and lifted weights. The boys got their cars :)

Friday 4-29-11 9 miles on the trails and lifted weights. I didn't spin or swim because I think at this point, it is tiring my legs out way too much!!!!

Saturday 4-30-11 15 15 miles on the trails and did some ab work. I walked into the kitchen after running errands in town and there sat Kyle and his girlfriend, Megan in the kitchen!! What a great surprise!! They even stayed the night :) Good luck to them with their finals this week!!

Sunday 5-1-11 16 miles on the trails with Michelle Bichsel, Eric Huff, Joe Crawford and Seth Chin-Parker. Joe's wife, Dawn met up with us for some miles :) Really a good run and I was able to talk with Joe about MMT, since he will be pacing me!! Thanks, Joe!!! Also, it was my mom and sister's birthday, so we all got together for lunch!!

Monday 5-2-11(today) Day off :) Keith and I drove to Marion to see our neuromuscular therapist!! Keith has been having trouble with his back and hamstring. As for me, I need adjusted and of course, he twisted and stretched me until I screamed!!!!!! My whole body is just one big mess!!lol

Easter

Happy Easter, everyone!! I know it's a day late but I just didn't have time yesterday to post anything. Spent the day with both families and had a nice time!! I gave the boys and two of the girlfriends Easter baskets like usual plus a couple articles of new clothes. I always spend way too much money on things like this but I love to see the happiness in the kids faces :) I even gave myself an Easter present, a day of rest!!

The big surprise of the day is when we went to Marion to see Mark's parents. They gave the best Easter gift to the boys, a new car for each!!!!! Brand new 2011 Toyota Corollas, totally loaded!!!!! They got to pick any color they wanted and the cars will be delivered this week!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!

Today was another dreary day!!!!! Rain, rain please go away!!!!! Ran 6 miles on the road and struggled through the whole thing :( I really need to keep the miles down and get my legs recovered for MMT!! Mentally, I am more than ready, I just need to rest the old legs!!!!! Getting Pumped!!! I also found a pacer :) Joe Crawford from Lucus, will be helping me through the last 35 miles. I hope he can handle a crying old woman!!!!!

Anyway, after my rain, soaked run, I went to the Y and swam 1.25 miles with 450yd pull. Then it was off to spin class for 45 min.. Sure was a hot one in our spin room!!!!! Great training!!!!!!

Missed Messages

The plan for today was to run the Tye-Dye 50k down by Yellowsprings, OH. I was to meet some running friends at Polaris in the early morning. By last night I still hadn't heard what time we were meeting. After trying to get a hold of them, I became frustrated and a bit disappointed. I could drive down by myself but I didn't want to make a two and a half hour drive at 3 am all by my lonesome :( Soooo, I ended not going :( I found out later that I was sent e-mails but for some reason I didn't recieve them!! That's just the way it goes sometimes!!!! I guess there is a reason for everything or maybe I just wasn't suppose to run a 50k!!!!!

Determined to get miles in, I set out about 9:15 am at MO and made my own 50k!!!!! Well, actually it was only 30 miles but it was close enough :) I loved the weather and was drenched in sweat within an hour!!! Very warm!!!!!! Once again, like last week, with 5 miles to go the wheels fell off and I struggled :( Ran it in 7 hrs which is a great training for my up coming 100!!

Three weeks until Massanutten 100!!!!! Time to taper..................................

Not Enough Time

This week has just flown by!!!! I have been busy going here and there, getting things ready for Easter and of course, trying to recover from the PR 50k last weekend :)

Sunday April 17, 2011 The Forget The PR 50k took place at 7:30am at Mohican Adventures on the beautiful but tough trails of Mohican!! The course consisted to two loops that included Big Ass hill, North Rim hill and a river crossing, two times!! I knew the course and decided to run smart for a change!!!! The first loop easy and the second loop alittle faster!! It played out pretty good for me until the last 5 miles, where I totally fell apart, I think mainly do to tired legs from Umstead 100 two weeks prior. Plus, there was the fall in the mud!!!!!! 2nd place woman, 18th overall, with a time of 5:44. A special thanks to Suneel Apte and Steve Hannahs, two friends that kept me going!! Also, thanks to Rob Powell for putting on such a great race and to all the volunteers!!!

Monday April 18, 2011 A total day off :) Stiff and sore!!! Holy Crap,I got into MMT 100 :) I WILL finish this year!!!!!!!!

Tuesday April 19, 2011 1.5 mile swim that included 450yd pull. Lifted weights. Right calf muscle extremely sore :(

Wednesday April 20, 2011 5 miles on the road very easy, 1.25 mile swim that included 400yd pull, 45 min. spin class

Thursday April 21, 2011 6 miles on the road, once again very easy!! Lifted weights. Legs are still tired but not sore :)

Friday April 22, 2011 6 miles road, lifted weights and swam 1 mile. Tomorrow I plan on running the Tye Dye 50k but only as a training run!!!

Legs don't fail me now..................................

Just Random Things

Kyle with his professor and President of OWU

It's been a busy week but I can't really tell you what I have been doing!! Just Stuff, I guess!!! It's been a recovery/taper week but my legs are still a little sluggish from the 100, two weeks ago. I have only ran three times this week with a couple of swims and spin classes. The PR 50k is Sunday, which should prove to be very interesting for me. I would like to run a good race but I'm not sure I will be able. My plan is to take the first half easy and then try to pick it up from there. I'll just go on how I feel!! Maybe this race will be just for fun and survival!!!! MMT 100 has also been on my mind. I am #4 on the wait list so I guess I'm pretty much in!! Now it's time to find a pacer and prepare myself mentally and not over do it physically!!

Wednesday 4-13-11 1 mile swim and spin class. Very sore from lifting on Tuesday

Thursday 4-14-11 8.5 miles on the trails with beautiful sunshine and warmth! Lifted weights and really struggled with the usual weights so a lot of my lifts had to be lighter. Just like starting over. Keith ran in the Loudonville Invit. and his times are improving :) He ran a 11.5 in the 100 and 56 in the 400. Not were he wants to be but improving!! Kyle attented, with Mark, the banquet at OWU, honoring the top 50 scholar-athletes of the year!! Very proud :)

Friday 4-15-11 1.25 mile swim with a 400yd pull and spin class. Today, I'm having a hard time dealing with the fact that Kyle told us he probably won't run next year. He will have a lot on his plate next year with harder classes, serving as the president for the senior class and working. It's just something I will have to deal with and hope he doesn't regret it later in life :(

Tomorrow, Saturday 4-16-11 Day of rest. I may go help at the PR or go watch Kyle run at the All-Ohio. Maybe both.

Life goes on...........

Umstead 100 And Beyond

The first picture is the Ohio women at Umstead - Lindsey, Star, Me, Kathy and Julie

The second picture is the entire Ohio Gang

The third picture - Not sure how it ended up on here - Keith running the 400m in his first meet of the season

I'm finally getting around to writing about Umstead. It's not going to be much, just a little recap. It has taken about a week to get over the sting of the race!! I'm disappointed in myself, not with the time but on how I ran the race. I will never learn!! Always too fast in the beginning and too slow at the end!! Stupid me!!! It was taken a few kind words from a couple of my running friends to finally get me out of my funk and enjoy my accomplishment!!!

The first 65 miles were great and on taget for a 20 hour finish!! I thought I was eating good and running easy, other than my achillies giving me some trouble, I was having a good day, or so I thought :) Then the achy legs that won't run anymore and the upset stomach that causes you to stop way to often to throw up began!!!! The last 24 miles are miles that I would rather forget, as I could barely shuffle along!! Don't get me wrong!! I am pleased with a 2 hr and 4 min PR, finishing the race in 21:58, proud of that accomplishment!! I just need to be smarter and be more patient for the next one!! Number 18 on the wait list for MMT 100!! Bring it on BABY!!!!!!

Recovery has been going well and yes I'm probably doing too much but I HAVE backed off of the running!!

Monday 4-4-11 Nothing - Recovering still from the upset stomach

Tuesday 4-5-11 1 mile swim that included 350yd pull and 100yd kick, Legs actually feeling pretty good but the big toe on my right foot has a bad blister under the nail that is painful!!

Wednesday 4-6-11 3/4 mile swim and 45 min spin class. I just rode easy and got my legs moving :)

Thrusday 4-7-11 5 mile run on the trails. Not a good run :( The body still feels depleted and I have no energy!!

Friday 4-8-11 1.25 mile swim that included 450yd pull and 45 min spin class. Legs are feeling normal!!

Saturday 4-9-11 6 miles at MO. Ran along the river and back. Legs are feeling good :)

Sunday 4-10-11 Forget The PR directors race. Ran 20 miles and at about mile 15 my legs were shot!!!

Monday 4-11-11 1 mile swim and spin class

Today, Tuesday 4-12-11 7 miles on the trail and lifted weights. All I can say is, I will be very sore in the morning from not lifting in about three weeks :))

Umstead Week

Sunday 3-27-11 Volunteered at the Fools 25k and 50k race. It was nice to be on the other side of things for a change!! It was exactly what I needed going into Umstead :) No running for me that day!!

Monday 3-28-11 10.5 miles on the x-terra course at MO!! Did abs and push-ups

Tuesday 3-29-11 6.5 miles at MO. More abs and push-ups. Keith had his first track meet of the season. 2nd in the 4x1oo and 4x400 and 3rd in the open 400 with a time of 57. He was not happy at all but it's early!!

Wednesday 3-30-11 Nothing - Starting to get nervous and doubt myself :(

Thursday 3-31-11 5 miles on the road. We will be leaving for NC this evening. Everything is packed and I guess I'm ready!! Kyle won the the class election at OWU and is now the Senior President for next year!! WOW!! He will be running in Virginia this weekend. Keith will be running at the Newcomerstown Relays on Friday. Good luck to both!!

This is it until after Umstead!! May God look over me and all the other runners!! Let the force be with me..........

Keeping Busy Through My Taper

Last night Keith had some of his friends over to watch the OSU game!! Believe it or not the house was all in one piece after they left!!

I ran 11 miles this morning on the trails at Mohican. I did the x-terra course which included what we call the "big ass hill"!! If you have not gone up the hill before and are running the PR race, beware!!!! It was a cold but sunny morning and such a beautiful one at that!! I think I could have stayed out there all day!!

Kyle, his girlfriend , Megan and a friend of his, Ben came for lunch this afternoon!! They didn't stay long but it was good to see everyone :) Kyle was to run at Oberlin today, but it was canceled due to cold weather. I don't think he was too disappointed!!

Good luck to everyone running the Fools race tomorrow. I will be volunteering and freezing to death. I will be wearing my snow pants and parka :)

6 days and counting for Umstead.....................

My World

5.5 miles on the trails at Mohican!!!

Mohican is kind of my own little world and I love it!!

Enough said.....................................

What It Is All About

I ran this morning with Haley Young, a friend of mine that is on spring break from Otterbein College. She is quite younger than I am, but throughout the last four years we have become good running buddies!! I would help her along during her high school years of running and then watch her race.

Haley is what running is all about!!! She is not always on the top but she is a good, dedicated, hard worker type of runner. She might not know this, but she has taught this old dog new tricks!!! Haley runs because she loves it and loves the way it makes her feel. Running has given her many good friends and has taken her too many different places. I look at Haley and she reminds me of why I run!!!! It's not about the glory but about love and feelings!!! Thanks for reminding me of these things, Haley!!! Good luck to you in your upcoming track season!! Do what you always do, your best :)

I ended up running 9 miles on the road, 4 miles with Haley. The tapering is working!!!!! I felt wonderful today!!! Light and springy!!!! Not dead tired and no aches and pains :) I also did a short lift which was awesome!!!

Finally, things are looking up!!!! I'm starting to feel ready for Umstead....................................

Cross-Training

No running again, today!!

I think I'm starting to like this sleeping in thing and not being so exhausted all the time :) Alot of things that normally don't get done and getting done!!!!

Headed out of the house around 10:15 am for the pool. Forced myself to only swim 1 mile!! Then on to spinning class. Once again, it was very hot in the room that we spin in :( I was dripping wet before we even started. It was a good class but I tried not to over do it, just enough to get the heart pumping!!!

Good news for the day. Kyle, my middle boy, who runs for OWU, has been selected for the second year in a row, for the top 50 Scholar Athletes at OWU!! So proud of him!!!!

Still counting the days till Umstead 100!! 10 days left :)

Down By The River

Nothing new!!!

An 8.5 mile run on the trails at Mohican. I Ran down by the river to the Covered Bridge and back. The river is down and the trail is in good shape with only a few trees down to get in your way. Felt a little sluggish at first but better as the miles click away!!

Had a short weight lifting session after my run!!

For now, all seems to be good :)

Easy Does It

Saturday 3-19-11 5.5 miles on the trails and lifted. Kyle placed 1st in the 800m for the OWU track team!!! 2:01 and backed way down at the end. I pray to God that he has a good outdoor season!!!!

Sunday 3-20-11 Buzzard Day 50k FA at Hinkley Metro parks. We ran an 8 mile loop as many times as you wanted. I only did 16 miles!! I'm being a good girl on tapering for Umstead!! It was nice to run somewhere different and to be able to run with good friends. Thanks to Roy Hegar and Shannon Fisher for putting on the evernt!!

Monday 3-21-11 Day Off - Nothing!!!!!! House work and baked cookies :)

Nerves are starting to set in for Umstead!!! I'm starting to second guess everything, from my training, to shoes, to the clothes I should take!!!! 12 Days!!!

One Of Those Days.....................

We all have one of those days when things are just not quite right!!

Well, today, that was me!! Nothing really went wrong and everybody is fine and healthy but it just was a struggle all day long!!!!

It started last night by having trouble sleeping and then waking up tired!! I forced myself to get up around 7am so I could get my run in before Keith had to leave for school. I got a quick 5 miles in on the road at a fairly quick pace. I forgot to look at my watch so I have no idea how fast but then it really doesn't matter. Did some core work and then pushed Keith out the door!!

I should feel better than this with the sun and warm weather but I was tired, unmotivated and sluggish!! Plus, I had no appetite and my stomach was a little upset!! To tell you the truth, I think a lot of it has to do with the PMS/pre-menopause issue!! I guess it is just something women have to live with as we get old!!! All I can say on the subject is, I'm glad I'm in good shape or it might be alot worse!!

Made it to the Y and into the pool!! Swam 1.25 miles with 450yd pull but it felt like I was swimming in thick mud!! Slow and Sluggish!!!

On to the bike!! A 45 min. spin class in a room that felt like a sauna was not fun!! The class was not a difficult one and I didn't ride hard but it was very, very warm to the point I felt like I was going to pass out!!! I guess the Y doesn't know how to adjust the heat when it get's warm outside!! I think I lost every drop of water in my body!!!

If I didn't feel good before spin class, I felt even worse after!! Went to Wal-Mart and wondered around in a fog picking up things I needed and didn't need!!! Came home and flopped on the bed for the rest of the evening with pizza for super!!!!

It was just one of those days.............

p.s. Good luck to Kyle, who will be running at Muskingum for their first outdoor meet of the season!! Go Battling Bishops!!!!!!

Spring With Some Extra Sleep

What a beautiful day!!! A great day to be out on the trails at Mohican!!!

All week, Keith has been able to sleep in and not go to school until 10am( a two hour delay). The freshman and sophmores are taking the OGT so the juniors and seniors get to sleep in!! Keith has been fighting a cold all week so it has been nice for him to get some extra sleep!!

It has also been nice for ME to get some extra sleep, since I have started my tapering for Umstead. I was out on the trails at about 10:30am for a nice, easy 6.5 mile run. There was a chill to the air but it sure felt like spring!! The sun was out, the birds were chirpping and the smell of newness and freshness was in the air!! You gotta love it!! After my run, I lifted and then, I was done for the day!!!

Since the tapering has started this week, I have noticed that I have been very tired and unmotivated :( I have come to the conclusion that my body is just trying to relax and rest it's self after the heavy miles that I have put in in the last couple of months. It seems like all I want to do is eat, lay around and become a couch potatoe!! I'm trying not to freak out about it but instead I'm trying to embrace it and enjoy!!!!! Wish me luck :)

We had some really good news on the track today!! Keith had a time trial and ran a 54.8 in the 400!! I'm very excited for him and he seems to be on cloud nine!! This is where he left off last year so hopefully in a week and a half he'll be ready to go for his first meet!! He is much stronger and is getting older so with a little more conditioning, he will hopefully have a good season!!!

Not In My Vocabulary

The words such as rest, easy and relax are words that I understand but have a hard time following. I know how important these words are to us ultrarunners, especially before a race, but I find myself believing that they apply to others and not myself!!

It's one thing to taper a couple of days for a 5K and quite other thing to taper 3 weeks for a 100 miler!!

In college, our cross-country coach, the famous Sid Sink, who ran with Dave Wottle, pounded it in our heads that more is better!! Two-a-days everyday, even on meet days, PUSH, PUSH, PUSH with little rest!!! To this day, 30 years later, I still go by those words!!! He was a great coach and he made me the runner, I am, to this very day!! However, the words rest and easy were never mentioned unless we tapered a couple of days before the conference meet!!

So, here I am, at the age of 50, still trying to pound the miles out without rest or days off. I know training has changed throughout the years but unfortunately, it is hard to teach old dogs new tricks!!!!!!

I am trying!! It's hard!!! But I know, in order to be sucessful at running ultras, rest and tapering is very important!! With that being said, in the next 17 days, I'm going to try and be a good girl and TAPER. This week will only be 60 miles, next week 40 miles and the last week 20 miles!! I should be ready to go come race day :) I know it won't be easy and my OCD will give me problems but I am tough and strong!!! I hope!!lol

Today, I ran 6 miles on the road, 1.25 miles in the pool that included 8x25yd sprints and 4x50yds sprints and 45 min. spin class

A Review Of Last Week Plus More

Megan and Kyle

It's been over a week since I have last wrote on my blog, so I will begin with the day after The Green Jewel 50k.

Sunday 3-6-11 A complete day of rest because I was very sore!! Kyle come home for spring break :)

Monday 3-7-11 Still too sore to run so I did some cross training. 1.25 miles swimming, spin class and 3.5 miles on the stairmaster.

Tuesday 3-8-11 Ran a slow 11.5 miles on the trails. Still sore and tired but I got it done!! Lifted weights

Wednesday 3-9-11 6.5 miles on the road with legs no longer sore but sluggish!! 1.25 miles swim, spin class

Thrusday 3-10-11 12 miles on the road in the pouring rain but felt much better :) Lifted weights Kyle's girlfriend, Megan, flew in from New Jersey to spend a few days with us until they go back to school.

Friday 3-11-11 10 miles road in wet snow :( Swam 1.5 miles, I got to sleep in alittle because Keith had a 2 hr delay do to the snowy roads! Coery come home, so I was one happy mother :) Everyone together with friends and girlfriends running in and out of the house all weekend!! I loved it!!!

Saturday 3-12-11 PR training run at MO. I got in 20.5 miles. I met up with Michelle Bichsel at the CB to get in extra miles before we met the rest of the group. Legs felt good :)

Sunday 3-13-11 Another PR training run. We were to meet at Mohican Adventures at 9am so I decided to get in extra miles by running from the house which ended up being 2.75 miles one way. Total of 22.5 miles. That was the last push before Umstead in three weeks!! Corey, Kyle and Megan all left to go back to school :( Now it's only my dear, sweet Keith left in the house once again!!

Monday 3-14-11 11 miles on the trails and lifted weights

Tuesday 3-15-11 6 easy miles on the road, core work and swam 1.5 miles with 450yd pull. Raining again :(

Green Jewel 50k

Friday 3-4-11 Did nothing!!!!!! Kyle qualified for the finals in the 800m in the NCAC Conference Meet with a time of 1:58.2. It has been a real struggle for him this season but he seems to be coming around :)

Saturday 3-5-11 Green Jewel 50k - Got up at 3:30am to head to Brecksville where we had to park out cars and then bused to the start at Rocky River. It was pouring down rain the whole time and I knew it was going to be a muddy, wet run!!

The first 10 miles went very well!! Nice comfortable pace, I think around 8:15 pace. I ran with Kevin Martin and then I had to stop for a pit stop and it kind of threw me off. I lost Kevin somewhere and was on my own.

By mile 15, I was starting to feel the affect of the pavement and my calves started to feel like they were cramping. We were running through mud, ankle deep water, rain and head winds!! Not a very pleasant experience :(

By mile 20, all I wanted to do is survive!! I was runing in second for the women and I knew I couldn't catch the woman ahead of me and no one seemed to be behind me, so I just tried to hold my pace. I refused to walk until I came to the first hill at mile 24. At that point, I needed a little relief and welcomed the slower pace!!! I only walked one more hill and then painfully ran the downhill on the last mile!!

Time - 4:25.06 - 2nd woman - 12th overall

Thanks to Joe, Vince and all the volunteers!!

I have mixed emotions after this race!!!! I am pleased to have run 6 min. faster than last year and came within 5 min. of a 50k PR but at the same time, I am realizing that I am no longer able to keep up with the younger crowd! That's very hard for me to come to terms with!!!!!!!! It's not worth punishing my body and then dealing with the aftermath!!!

Kyle didn't fair so well at the finals and only ran a 1:59 but I think he will do much better in outdoor!!

Sunday 3-6-11 The plan was to meet up with some runners at MO but I was way too sore to do any kind of running!! Took the entire day off which probably made things even worse!!

Monday 3-7-11 The right calf is very sore and it hurts to walk. I pray I didn't pull anything!!!! No running again but swam 1.25 miles, 45 min. spin class and 3.5 miles on the stairmaster.

Easy Does It

Today was a nice easy day!!!!!!!!!!

An easy 6 miles on the roads and lifted weights!!!

I got Kyle's room cleaned since he will be home on spring break next week. It will be great to have him home plus he will be bring his girlfriend, Megan, home for a couple of days.

Really getting worried about the Green Jewel 50k on Saturday!! The weather is calling for lots and lots of rain!! I'll just have to buck up and run the best I can!!!! After all the races I have run, I shouldn't be so nervous!!

Just get it done!!!!!

A Little Bit Of Everything

Since the weekend, we have had all kinds of weird weather. It's been cold, snowy, warm, and rainy, which has led too much flooding in our area. So much that the poor kids had a day off on Monday!!!

My running has been much of the same!! I have gone from great runs, to good runs, to ok runs, to real crappy runs. With Green Jewel 50k in a little over 48 hrs, I think I'm in big trouble!!! Of course, not much tapering sure doesn't help my confidence!!

Starting with last weekend.......

Saturday 2-26-11 COTR run at Alum Creek in Delaware, OH. A big thanks to Michael Patton for organizing the run!! Thank goodness there wasn't as much snow in Delaware, only a couple of inches compared to the 8 inches we got at Mohican. The run consisted of a 6 mile loop that you could run as many times as you wanted. I did 4 laps for 24 miles. The first two laps were good!! Running with Julie Miller, a friend of Julie's and Cherly Splain for the first lap. The second lap was with Lindsey Brokaw and the last two laps I was by my lonesome. All in all a good run with the footing much better than I thought. Although, it did turn a little icy near the end!! Afterwards, I went to see Kyle at OWU and took him and his girlfriend, Megan out to eat!!

Sunday 2-27-11 I planned on meeting Rob Powell and Michelle Bichsel at the Firetower for a run on the hills but I was just tooooo tired!! I did get in a very good 12 miles on the road in the afternoon!!!

Monday 2-28-11 Lots and lots of rain on Sunday night, even a thunderstorm!!! Everything was totally flooded so no school once again for Keith, making it 8 snow days this winter!!! Some bridges were washed out and alot of water across the roads. I went exploring on my run and was amazed at how high the river was in town!!! The park, canoe liveries and the Grist Mill were all under water!!! 10 miles in for the day but didn't feel the best :( Lifted weights

Tuesday 3-1-11 Ran with really tired legs for 8.5 miles!! Felt sluggish :( Swam 1.5 miles with 450yd pull. I need to really back off for Saturday's 50k!!!!!!!

Wednesday 3-2-11 6 miles on the road and felt horrid!!!!!!!!!! 1.25 swim with sprints (1 x 25yd, 1 x50yd, 1 x 75 yd and 1 x 100 yd) x 2 and finished with 450yd pull, 45 minute spin class. Really, Really worried about how my legs are going to respond on Saturday. Stupid me, I never learn!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next two days will be VERY, VERY easy.....................................

Snow=Treadmill

It was a treadmill day!! Woke up to 6-8 inches of snow, so there was no way I was going out on the roads and slip and slid around!

12 miles with 5 x half mile pick ups and 2 x 1 mile pickups, only about 7:30 min. miles just comfortable on tired legs. Good enough for a snowy day :) Lifted

I need to get 20 miles in tomorrow for a 100 mile week!! I will be meeting some friends at Alum Creek in Delaware where they have no snow!!!

Off to slumber land.............

Tough Workouts

Well, in the last two days, I have had two long, hard workouts!!! The body is holding up pretty good but the legs are starting to get tired!! If I can make it through the weekend, next week will be a slight taper week for the Green Jewel 50k. I don't want to taper too much because I need to keep the miles up inorder to be ready for Umstead :)

Yesterday, Wednesday 2-23-11 A real killer of a workout!!!! Just the kind I like :) 8 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim, 45 min. spin class and 3 miles on the stairmaster!! Gotta love it :) I tried to hit each workout as hard as I could and believe me when I was done, I was DONE!!!!!!!!!

Today, Thrusday 2-24-11 Woke up to ice outside which meant Keith had a two hour delay. That meant I could sleep in!!! Yea, for me!!! After Keith left at 10am, I was right behind him to start my run. I felt good and light as I hit the 5 mile mark so I decided to do some hill repeats. I did 3 hill repeats on a hill that was a little over a half of a mile! Still feeling good, I decided to continue my run on those childhood roads where it all started many years ago!!!!! Ended up with 15.2 miles and struggled at the end :( I need to learn not only to run on tired legs but also learn to hold it together mentally when I get tired! I think that is my down fall in my 100 milers!!! Really trying to work on it :) Lifted after my run

Tomorrow looks like a dreadmill run because they are calling for 10 inches of snow here at Mohican :( Will it ever end................

Another Snow Day

Well, after last night's 5-6 inches of snow, Keith had another day off!! Even though the school made up a day yesterday, President's Day, they still have three days to make up. Bummer!!!

I also took a snow day and slept in until about 8:30! It was great and I think I needed it!!! I took my good ol' time getting ready to run because I was dreading getting on the treadmill!!! It turned out better than I thought :)

12 miles and I felt good!!!! Warmed up with 2 miles, 3x 1 mile, 1x 2 mile, 1x 3 mile pick ups and a 1 mile warm-down. I did a little jog between each set. My pick-ups were in the 7:15 min. mile pace. Not real fast but comfortable!! Pretty darn happy with that :)

Lifted weights

Warm weather, please hurry up and get here................................................

A Typical Monday

8 miles on the road that was a recovery run after yesterday, 1.25 miles in the pool, and 45 minute spin class.

More snow, AGAIN!!!!!! We probably have about 5 inches since this afternoon so I guess my 10-12 miler tomorrow will have to be on the dreadmill :( Actually, I'm thinking about dividing the run up. It will all depend on how I feel once I get started.

I think it's around 41 days until Umstead 100 so the push continues!!! I'm also playing with the idea of skipping MMT 100(if I get in) and go for it at Mohican :)

The day is done and time for some shut eye :) YEA for me!!!!!!

Fun Run At Mohican

It was an early start this morning at Mohican with Michael Patton, Jay Smithberger, Seth Chin-Parker, Mark Carroll, Rob Powell and Michelle Bichsel. 7:15am to be exact!! We ran the long loop of the new Mohican 100 course. From what I understand, the runners will run this long loop twice and then the third and fourth time around, the purple trail will be eliminated. Not positive, but something like that.

Tried my best to stay up with the big dogs, who were not running hard. As for me, at times I had to push the pace to keep them in eye sight!! All in all, a good run for me except for that darn ICE!! If I go down, I'll never get up, plus I might break a hip or something!!!lol The worse part of the trail was trying to run to the Little Lyons Falls to the hand over hand climb. You either had to run(walk) on ice or run in the stream and have wet feet! Actually, kind of scary!!!!! Everyone survived, although poor Michelle fell a couple of times and not on ice. She went down hard and tore up her hand alittle. I think Rob also took a tumble!! I hope they are both OK!!!!!

Total of 25 miles with great runners and friends :)

Loving The Runs

Friday(2-18-11) Day four of another good run!!!!!! I've said it before, all the slow miles in the ice and snow must be paying off!!!!!! The plan was an 8 miler on the road and to try and push the pace as much as possible. Just under 8 min. miles the entire 8 miles :) Now, I know that is not extremely fast but at this point in the game, I'm pleased :) At my age, the body just doesn't respond like it use to!! The other good thing that happened on this run was no pain!! No back, IT band or hamstring pain!! Not even the slap foot I sometimes get with my left foot due to the pinched nerve!! For a change, it all fell together!!!!!
The rest of my workout, however, did not fair as well!! I got in the pool and got my usual mile and a fourth in but I suffered!! I did 4x25yd sprints and 4x50 yds sprints followed with a 300yd pull. It was hard and I was exhausted!!! On to spin class :) Nothing left in my legs but I gave it my best shot!!!! Sweat was pouring off of me and my quads were screaming!! At one point, I thought I might pass out!! lol I guess I over did it :) Gotta love it!!!!!!

Today(2-19-11) I needed an easy run!!! Went out to the trails and decided to go along the river at MO for an easy 10 miles. About 3 miles into it, the trails became very icy from all the thawing and freezing. I didn't have my screwed shoes, so I turned around and headed out on the bike trail. On this trail, the conditions were good and the run was easy :) Got in 11.5 miles and then came home and lifted.

Total of 93 miles for the week.

Life goes on................

Hills

It must have been the weather today!!!! Three good runs in a row on the roads and I will be honest with you, I got alittle carried away. Wanted to at least get in 12 miles but you all know me, the run ended up being longer and tougher than I thought :)

I ran south of Loudonville along route 3 until I came to some back roads that leads you to my childhood home. I knew that there would be some pretty good climbs on these roads and that is just what I wanted for the day!!! After I hit mile 5, I started to do hill repeats. Every hill I came too, I would run it twice, trying to push the pace. Some of the hills were long and gradual and some were short and steep. The longest was a half of a mile and the shortest was less than 400yds. My 12 miler ended up being 18 miles :)

I just couldn't stop there so, I did a short lift!!!

6 weeks out from Umstead 100, so I need to keep on pushing!!!!

Also, I looked at the Massanutten 100 website and I am up to #43 on the wait list. Chances are that I will get in. Sooooooo, I'm starting to get nervous because I need to finish the race this year and I know how hard the course is. Today was just the start of hill training and anything else I can do to gain leg strength!!

Help me dear Lord!!!!!!

Two In A Row

Something is up!!! I have had two good long runs in a row on the roads :) This either means I'm setting myself up for an injury OR it will lead to a great spring of running!!! We shall see!!

10.3 miles and then I decided to mix things up a little and do my 45 min. spin class first followed by a 1.25 miles swim that also included a 400yd pull. Spinning before swimming was much more difficult!

As I sit here writing on my blog, my youngest son , Keith is trying to figure out his classes for his senior year, which will be next year!! Can't believe it :( Keith and I have grown very close since the other two boys have left for college. It will be a very sad day when Keith leaves the nest!! I need to try and make everyday count and cherish the year and a half I have left with him!! He will always be my baby but I know that, he too, will survive this big world just like the other two boys!! Thanks you God for giving me three wonderful boys :)

On The Trails Again

I finally got back on the trails again after two weeks due to the crappy weather. It was great to be out there again but the footing was not the best, to say the least!! For some reason, I think it is all mental, my body feels so much better on the trails no matter their condition!! So this is what has been happening since last Thrusday....

Thrusday 2-10-11 10.25 miles on the road and lifted weights

Friday 2-11-11 A totally crazy workout that included 7 miles on the road, 1.25 miles in the pool, 45 min. spin class and 3.8 miles on the stair climber

Saturday 2-12-11 10.5 miles on the trails. I decided to only run on the bike trail, mainly because I just wasn't sure how icy and snowy the trails actually would be. I started at the old PR start and ran to the 5 mile marker and back. The snow was frozen so I could run on top to it but as time went on and it started to warm up, my feet would start to crash through the snow. Slow going!!!!

Sunday 2-13-11 No Shirt 50k FA - I was excited to be out on the trails for a long run and to be able to do it with many friends. I knew the trails up at CVNP would be similar to the trail conditions at MO, so I figured it would be a long day. A long day it was!!!! When we first started out the snow was frozen and we had no trouble running on top of the snow. I ran with Tracy Ross for the first 11 miles and we seemed to have no problem. Running with Tracy is always fun and she makes the time go by quickly!!! Tracy turned around and I teamed up with Roy Hegar, Michelle Bichsel, and Rob Powell. We hung tight and had a good pace going for the next 5 miles until we reached the turn around point. At this time, the snow was starting to get soft due to the 45 degree temp. which was a great thing but made running very difficult!! The 16 miles back to the start point was hard and slow!! We were all getting tired and every step we took either slipped to one side or the other. We practically slid down the hills and many times about slid off the edges. We all started whinning and couldn't get done fast enough!! 7:22 was the time we were running and we felt every second of that run!! Fun but very exhausting!!! Thanks Roy, Michelle, and Rob for keeping me going :) A special thanks to Roy for organizing the event!!!

Monday 2-14-11 Happy Valentine's Day!!!! A day of rest :) I felt pretty good except for my feet. They were very sore, I think from being wet for so long on Sunday!! Kyle came home to go to the ENT doctor for his cough that has been effecting his running:( Just more inhalers!!!!

Tuesday 2-15-11 A great 12.5 miles on the road and lifted weights. I guess a day off can do wonders :)

Thank You Road Gods

Finally, the roads are clear of ice and snow!! And guess what, I survived :) It was so nice to run without all the slipping and slidding!!! Now all we have to deal with is the cold!!!

Had an awesome workout, today!!!!

Ran 6.5 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim, 45 min. spin class and then I jumped on a treadmill at the Y and ran 4 more miles :) 10.5 total for the day!!

Running On Bad Roads

Ok, folks, I have had enough of this weather!!!!!!!! I can live with running on the roads but it's their conditions that really piss me off!!!!!! I am tired of slipping and slidding all over the place on the ice and snow!! I know all the snow plow people are doing their best to get the roads clear but the other morning, I think if I saw one coming down the road, I would have stopped him, yanked him out of the truck and plowed the damn roads myself!!!!!!! I was MAD!!!!!!

The other pet peeve I have in this weather is the cars and trucks, or I should say the people driving them. What is up with the drivers stopping in the middle of the road and watching you go by before they continue on their way?? OH, don't you just love the nasty looks the fat peoople give you with their smokes hanging out of their mouths!!!!! And, then, you have the people who don't even see you and run you off the road!!!! Man, I miss running on the trails!!!!!!!!

Ok, enough of that, I'll survive!!!! I do think the cold is going to be a problem in the next couple of days, so there will probably be a couple of days on the dreadmill!!!!

Monday 2-7-11 6.5 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim with a 400yd pull, 45 min. spin class

Tuesday 2-8-11 12.5 miles on the road and lifted weights

Road Running

In the last two days, I have put in quite a few miles on the road. It has been a long time since I have put in two long runs on the roads. Since I have found the trails and love running on them, road running has lost it's appeal!! Roads and this old body no longer agree with each other!! The trails are so much more forgiving and it seems like I can run many more miles on the trails then the roads. However, at this point, I need to try and get in more road miles in order to prepare for the Green Jewel 50k, which is all on the roads. It's like training for a road marathon. Both runs this weekend felt good but they weren't too fast :(

Saturday 2-5-11 12 miles on the roads which were still slippery from the ice and snow. Lifted weights. Went to see Kyle run at Otterbein College but that will be a whole post of it's own!! Coming soon!!!

Sunday 2-6-11 Planned on only doing 15 but I got in 20.1 miles :) The roads were in much better shape except for the back roads that I normally run. Laid around most of the afternoon and now it's Super Bowl time but it is no big deal to me. I'm just interested in who wins!!!!

Doing My Best In These Conditions

Keith had another two hour delay, so once again I took advantage of it and slept in until 9am. Believe me it felt good!!!!!!! Once he left for school, I was out the door for my run. The roads seemed to be in better shape and not all covered with ice but no room on the sidewalks or the berm of the road so running was alittle dicey!!! You really couldn't get a good pace going because as soon as you did, you would have to slow down for cars or the ice. Did 8.5 miles the best I could without freaking out :)

I haven't been to the Y since the ice storm, so today was the day! Only the second time in a week. I really need to get some more swim miles in and be alittle bit more faithful on the spinning class. I guess one can only do so much!!!!lol Swam 1.5 miles and felt surprisingly good although it wasn't to0 fast.

Tomorrow, I would like to get out on the trails but I'm not sure of the conditions. I guess I'll just have to give it a try and do my best!!! I do need to run 10 miles tomorrow for an 80 mile week!! I feel really good about that but tired...........

Snow And Ice Not Very Nice

The weather in the last three days have been pretty nasty!!! Ice, snow, wind, cold and more ice and more snow!!!!!! I guess it's how you look at it. For Keith , who is a junior in high school, and even my two sons who are in college, this nasty weather means no school and is great. For people who have to go to work, this type of weather means alot of extra work and driving on bad roads. Most of us worry about losing electric, staying warm and being bored from staying inside all the time. But, for us runners, ice and snow means long hours on the treadmill sweating our asses off!!

For the last two days, that is exactly what I have had to do, sweat my ass off!!! Actually, once I get going on the stupid thing, it's not so bad!! I just can't run a steady pace so I try to mix it up to break up the boredom.

Tuesday 2-1-11 Freezing rain, snow and wind so it was on the treamill!! 10 miles with pick ups of different times and distances. Lifted weights

Wednesday 1-2-11 Groundhog Day, He didn't see his shadow so that means we will have an early spring(I think that's how it goes) 12 miles on the treadmill with different inclines and speeds. Lifted weights. I went out in the morning to let the dog out and fell down so the rest of the day I stayed in!!

Thrusday 1-3-11 I couldn't take it anymore and ran outside. The first run was in the am and I wore my screwed trail shoes. Ran 6.6 on the roads which were still iced covered but the shoes worked well. Lifted weights. Run number two was in the pm and I wore my regular road shoes which was a mistake. I was slipping and sliding everywhere for 6 miles. 12.6 total with a left sore knee :(

Hopefully, there will be school tomorrow and life will get back to normal :) A trip to the Y is needed.................

Forget The PR Training Weekend

This past weekend was the first training weekend for the PR 50k. I knew that with all the snow cover it would be two long and tough runs but at the same time tons of fun!!

Saturday Jan.29th was a training run at MO of about 15 miles that started at the Firetower at 9 am. I wanted to get in 20+ miles that day so I decided to start earlier at the Covered Bridge. Lindsey Brokaw met me at 8 am to join me in the extra miles. We started on the bike trail that runs up to the FT which would give us close to 4 miles. Once we got started, I knew it would be a long day with all the snow. We got up to the FT to join the other runners right before 9 am. It is always so good to see all my running friends and it always lifts my spirit to be able to run with others. We started off through the deep snow by way of the bridle trail. Since Rob Powell, the RD, has changed the course, I am no longer familiar with the course and had no idea which trail and in what order we would be running. The group I ended up running with didn't know the course either and before long we had made a wrong turn. We weren't lost but just all turned around until Rob some how found us going the wrong direction. We had ran about 1.5 miles off course and had to turn around and run back making it 3 extra miles. Normally it would be no big deal but in the snow everyone was getting real tired!! Most of the group headed back but Joe Crawford, Rob Powell, Michelle Bichsel and myself continued on the course. Rob and Michelle ended up taking a short cut back which left Joe and myself to continue on to finish the drudge fest. By the time I got back to the FT and was extremely tired but had to go back to the CB to the car. Many offered me a ride, but I was bound and deteremined to get the miles in. It ended up being 24 miles by the time I ran back to the CB!!! Tired but happy :)

Sunday Jan. 30th was the second PR run of the weekend that started at Mohican Adventures which will be the start/finish of the race. We had an other inch or so of snow, so once again, I thought it would be a long slow day. Tired and a little sore from yesterday, I figured I would have to take it easy and run alittle slow. Once I got started, I found myself running with the lead group and feeling good. Running was a lot easier but a little bit slippery, so this old lady had to really watch herself!!lol I had to stay focused in order to keep on my feet!!! We ran up what us runners call"The Big Ass Hill" to the FT, down to the CB, the purple loop and then along the river back to Mohican Adventures. That gave us 17.2 miles but my goal was 20 miles, so Mark Carroll went back out with me until we ran into Kim Love and then turned around for a total of 20.2 miles. Mark needed 1.8 miles so he could get in his 20, so back out I went with him and ended up with 22 miles for the day!!!

Thank you to Rob Powell and Michelle Bichsel for putting the runs together!!!

Monday Jan. 31st - 6 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim that included 400 yd pull and 45 min. spin class

Tuesday Feb.1 - ice storm, no school for Keith and the weatherman said more is on the way :(`10 miles on the treadmill with pick ups at all different distances and speeds, lifted weights

2 Hour Delay

Woke up this morning to about 1-2 inches of snow which made the roads icy. The local tv channel indicated that the Loudonville-Perrysville schools were on a two hour delay. Good for Keith to be able to sleep in but also good for me too!! I should have got up for a run but instead I decided to take a two hour delay also and went back to sleep!!!

Two hours later, Keith was off to school and I was off for a run on the road. Planned on only doing 6 miles but once I go started and was feeling good, I kept on going for an 8 miler!!! I think by running in the snow on the trails for the last couple days, made my legs feel light on the roads!! Maybe, all this hard work trudging in the snow will pay off!!!

I didn't have time to get to spin class but I did make to the Y for a swim. Swam 1.25 miles and that also felt good. I need to try harder to get more cross training in in order to help my running.

Corey came home for the weekend so that means extra cooking and more laundry. Luck me!!!!!

Looking forward to the weekend with two PR training runs :) Hopefully, I'll be able to get in 20+ miles both days!!!

More Snowy Trails

The plan was to meet Mark Carroll this morning and do a long run at MO. Unfortunately, Mark had to cancel, so I was on my own. I was in no big hurry to get started since I was still tired from yesterday's run, so around 10am I headed out the door.

I really didn't have any plans on where to run or how far, but I did want at least 10 miles on the snow covered trails. I hope that all this slow trudging in the snow will have it's benefits come this spring. I started out at the old PR start/finish and headed onto the orange loop. The first 5-8 miles were not too bad since the snow has been trampled down alittle. After that, my legs started to scream at me and it seemed like the snow was getting deeper with no tracks to follow except those that were made by the little wild creatures! Running was pretty difficult between miles 9-11. No tracks to follow, just alot of snow to plow through!!! From the CB back to campground A was easy sailing, running on mostly backed down snow but I was TIRED!!! Total of 16 miles and at this point, I should hit around 90 miles for the week :)

If running 16 miles in the snow wasn't enough, I decided to lift weights when I got home! I didn't have much strength but I at least I went through the motions!!

Can't wait for spring and warmer weather :)

Running With Kimba

This morning I met up with Kim Love-Ottobre at Mohican. Kim wanted to get a long run in on hills of Mohican so I jumped at the chance to run with some good company :) Kim is preparing to be the first woman in Ohio to finish MMT 100 and I truely believe she will do it!!!!

We started our adventure around 9am and soon found that the running would be slow going due to the poor footing caused by the snow. No hurry, it's time on your feet that is most important when preparing for 100 milers!! Kim is such a strong and agile runner that the snow gave her no problem. As for me, by the end of the run my quads were tired and my right knee was hurting. Two days of running long in the snow makes this old body breakdown!!!! It was fun to see all the little, wild animal tracks in the snow and wonder what they had been doing or where they were going!! We had a great time and good conversation along the way, which makes the time go fast and before we knew it, we were done. Total 18 miles.

Thanks, Kim!!!!!!

Who Needs A Trainer

I felt like Rocky, today!!! The scene were he is running through the snow, was me, only I didn't have any weight on my back!! That is exactly what I was thinking, as I was trudging up the first big xterra hill, which will be the first hill on the new PR course. It sure was slow going but I tried to push myself the best I could!!!

The other thought that came into my head, was the thought of how great it was to put my body through this type of conditioning and not have to pay for it!!!lol All you have to do is run on the trails, in the snow and you have a great workout for free!!! I think I was using every muscle trying to stay upright from all the slipping and sliding. Sometimes you are running fast and sometimes you are barely walking!! You use everything from leg muscles, to the core and even the arms!!! No wonder I'm tired tonight :)

11 miles in for the day, followed by weights.

The Good Days

As I said in my post yesterday, the good days always out weigh the bad ones, well, today was one of those days :) After about a week of really crappy runs and workouts, I finally had a GOOD one!!!!!!



I ran 6.5 miles on the treadmill due to the cold weather and felt great!!! So good, that I did a fartlek run that included 4x1 min, 4x 1:30 min, and 4x 2 min pick ups at a 5k race pace. I could have went longer but I forced myself to stop while I was still feeling good!! I had a great swim afterwards, swimming 1 and a quarter mile and felt strong!!! Then did a 45 min spin class and pushed myself hard. Did leg curls and extentions after class with some core work. Very happy with myself but tired :) On a day like today, I can say "Bring It On"!!!!!!!!!

Weekend Wrapup

Well, the weekend is over and it had it's good and bad moments!!

First of all the good. I'm finally feeling better after about 2 days of the stomach flu and then 3 days of trying to recover. After an entire week, I got to the Y for a mile swim. Got shopping done and some of the house cleaned plus very grateful that we have a warm house since it has been so very cold out!! Got some miles in although they were slow and I was tired!! Kyle placed second for OWU in the 800 at their home meet on Saturday. He is finally starting to come around after his broken foot and knee problems. Corey seems to be settling in at Kent and Keith is enjoying his second semester classes thus far. He is also enjoying the snow days but will have to start making them up if they have anymore :(

Now for the not so good!! I will start by saying"I hate being and getting old!!" It seems like my mind says go, go, go but my body feels otherwise!! Because my body is suffering, my mind is starting to give up!! And the vicious cycle goes round and round!! I tell myself to be gracious and wise and except the changes in my body but it is so very hard!! I try to remind myself of this as I am running on the snow covered trails, trying to keep from crying. It was just so hard running in the snow and every part of me was saying STOP!!!!! I drudged on for 16 miles finally stopping and wondering why I do this to myself and wondering why I think I can stay up with those 20 years younger. I don't know if I can answer these questions but I can tell you that I LOVE TO RUN and it is in my blood!! I just have to get through this age and change of life thing!!! I know that there are going to be bad days, but the good days always out weigh those darn bad ones!! SO, I shall continue to try to be the best I can!!!!!!

Saturday - 6 miles on the dreadmill in the am, 1 mile swim that included 300yd pull and 6 miles on the road in the pm

Sunday - 16 miles on the trails at MO

Still Under The Weather

Still not feeling well :( No energy and the stomach is still upset which means no eating which is why there is no energy!!lol Kind of a merry-go-round cycle!!! The price of getting old, I guess!!! I sure hope this passes soon!!!

I was able to force myself on the treadmill by late morning. Keith had a snow day and Corey had came home the night before so since they all slept in, so did I :) I knew the roads would be in bad shape and I didn't want to fight the snow covered trails so I decided it would be on the wonderful dreadmill!!! 10 miles of trying not to throw-up was no fun but I survived!! I then decided to lift weights which was not a smart idea since I had no strength, but I got that done!! You guessed it, I was trashed the rest of the day and have now spent all evening lying around.

Maybe a trail run in the morning with friends!! Stay tuned.......................

Sick :(

For the last two days, I have been struck with the terrible stomach flu!!! No fun at all, but I have survived!! Still feeling weak and alittle unsettled but I'm sure that will pass soon. I need to start eating in order to gain some energy but the good old stomach is still kind of yucky!!

Two days of no running is sort of making me squirm!!!! Tomorrow, I will definitly run but it might have to be on the dreadmill. It will all depend on how much snow we will have by morning. Hopefully, I will be back to normal and the rest of the family doesn't get the bug! Between getting sick and all the snow and cold weather we have been having, my training has started to suffer!!! It is time to get on with it.......................................

A Damp Kind Of Day

After a day off yesterday, the legs have bounced back nicely :) The quads are alittle sore but after my short, slow run today, they are fine!! The goal for the week will be to run only 6 miles a day plus cross training until the weekend and then hopefully, I will try to get in a couple of 20 milers on the trails.

Today was wet and dreary but at least it was warm :) I even thought about running in shorts but chickened out at the last minute!! Ran a nice and easy 6.5 miles on the road and felt good so I guess the day off did me some good!! I thought about running on the trails but I figured they would be pretty sloppy and I have had my fill of snowy, sloppy trails so the road sounded pretty darn good :) After my run, I lifted weights and did some much needed house work. I also took an unplanned nap but it sure felt good!!lol

Until tomorrow.................................

One Week

This is what I have been doing this week........ I am going to try very hard this week to blog more :)

Sunday 1-9-11 11 miles on the road. abs

Monday 1-10-11 6 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim and 45 min. spin class

Tuesday 1-11-11 10.5 miles on the trail and lifted weights

Wednesday 1-12-11 Snow day for Keith so I slept in also :) 8 miles on the dreadmill with 2 of those miles walking on the highest incline and lifted weights.

Thrusday 1-13-11 1o miles on the road and did not feel very good. I have been fatigued with no energy. I think it has to do with the change of life thing!!! That will have to be a subject all on it's own!! Lifted weights after my run. I need to start to taper a tiny bit for Run With Regis 50k on Sunday.

Friday 1-14-11 6 miles on the road, 1.25 mile swim with 450yd pull and 45 min. spin class.

Saturday 1-15-11 6.5 miles on the trails which were very snowy and difficult to run on!! abs

Sunday 1-16-11 Run With Regis 50k A cold and snowy day. To be truthful, it beat my body to hell!!!!! There was about a foot of snow on the trails which were slippery and slushy making running very difficult :( Image running on the beach in the deep sand for 6 hours, that's how it was except it was cold!! I did get my PW(personal worst) with a time of 6:16 but there was no way I could have gone any faster!! However, all is good and it will only make me stronger as soon as I get over the soreness!! First female finisher and 8th overall.The best part was seeing and running with all my friends :) A big thank you goes out to Tanya Cady and all the volunters for a great race!!

Monday 1-17-11 Martin Luther King Day A complete day of REST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back To The Cross Training :)

My three sons at Christmas - Keith, Kyle and Corey

Ran a cold, 6 miler, this morning!! Double pants, shirts and gloves, UGH!!!!
It's time to get back to my regular workout routine and do some cross training!! So, after my run, I went to the Y and swam 1.25 miles and did a 45 min. spin class. I could tell I haven't been in the pool or on the bike in a while, which equals out to tired legs!!!! I do need to back off at the end of the week for the Run For Regis 50k on Sunday. Not really a goal race so time really won't matter, it's all about the miles!!!

Sleeping In

WOOOWEEEEEE!!!!!!! I got to sleep in today :)

My plan was to get up and run with a group in Lucas, a small town close to Mansfield, but when the alarm went off around 7am, I just was too tired :( I guess staying up until 1am was not a good idea!! Plus it was just too cold :)

An eight hour+ night of sleep did me wonders and it has been a long time coming!!! Sooooo, around 9am, I managed to drag myself out of bed, put on the running clothes and enjoy the sunshine even though it was about 12 degrees!!! I also made Mark come out with me so I didn't have to run alone!!!!

Mark ran about 4 miles and then I continued for a total of 11 miles on the road. No big push, just a nice steady pace :) Did some core work and called it a day...................

p.s. The real Christmas tree downstairs finally came down and upstairs, we are still celebrating Christmas with the artificial tree!! lol
p.s.s. Really am missing the boys :( I guess I'm going through the empty nest syndrome even with one boy still at home! I hate to think what it will be like when he leaves in a year and a half :( I'll just have to workout more!!!!!!!lol

Running In The New Year

It's been an entire week since I have been on my blog so I will try to give a summary of a very busy first week of the year. With all three of the boys home, there seems to be a lot of activity here at the Lemke household!! I do love it but sometimes it's a little overwhelming when they all need something!! I have had to do about everything for everyone which gave me little time for working out, of course, with the exception of RUNNING :) Between Christmas and New Year, cooking, cleaning, extra laundry, colds, the flu, cold and snowy weather and simply spending time with each of the boys, left me with little time for myself except running and an occational weight lifting session. No time for cross training which probably was a blessing in disguise!!! Corey has left for nursing school at Kent State, Kyle left to go back to OWU and Keith is starting his 2nd semester as a Jr. at LHS. This equals out to be a very sad mom and a very quite house :( Sooooo, it's back to running, swimming, spinning and lifting, with the possiblity of starting up bootcamp in Feburary!!

The first week of the year went like this...........

Saturday 1-1-11 Get you Fat Ass To The Bio 50k at Granville, OH near Dennison University. No one really knows for sure if it was exactly a true 50k but it was fun! Started out in the 60's with rain and ended in the 40's with rain!! A very muddy and wet 7+ mile loop that you could run at least 4 times. I did the 50k with the the first two loops at a pace under 5 hrs for a 50k but then suffered on the third loop which cost me some time and then came back on the fourth loop. My time was somewhere around 5:10. Very pleased :) Thanks to Chris Gillman, who ran with me the first two laps and to Jay Smithberger for putting on the event!!

Sunday 1-2-11 No soreness from Saturday's run!! I guess the chocolate milk thing really works!! Ran 8.5 miles on the trails at Mohican.

Monday 1-3-11 10.3 miles on the road and lifted weights.

Tuesday 1-4-11 12 miles on the trails and swam 1 mile that included 450 yd pull.

Wednesday 1-5-11 6 miles on the road in the AM and lifted weights. Kyle needed to do a track workout, which he can do at the indoor track in Wooster, so I decided to tag along. I ended up with 5 more miles in the PM. 1 mile warm-up, 3 miles of 200 and 400 yd pick-ups and 1 mile warm down.

Thrusday 1-6-11 Kimba's Birthday run at Mohican. Dan Bellinger, Cheryl Splain, Nancy Dillion, Chris Gillman and myself, celebrated her birthday with a 16 mile run!! Itwas a wonderful morning as the snow began to fall and turn the trails into a winter wonderland. When we got to the Big Lyons Falls, we were surprised by a huge ice sculpture that had formed from the water falling off of the falls!! Really neat!!! After the run, we all enjoyed cupcakes that I had made :) I decided I wanted more miles, so I ran 4 more, for a total of 20!!

Friday 1-7-11 8.6 miles on the road with very tired legs and lifted weights. Went with Kyle, again, to the track and ran a 4 mile tempo run!!

Saturday 18-11 11 miles on the trail along the river and then up the hill on the bike path. It was hard running due to the snow that fell during the night!! It's muzzle loading season so I needed to stay close to the park.

Total for the week(Sun.-Sat.) 84.4 miles

A New Beginning

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

I hope everyone finds what they are looking for in the year 2011!!!!