A tough workout

As soon as I got the kids off to school today I put a movie on for the other 2 and quickly made my way down stairs for an interval workout on my elliptical. I wasn't alone either, since Chad was able to join me for the first 20 minutes of the 40 minute workout. I've been taking this week really easy. Sunday, off, of course. Monday, off. Tuesday, 4 mile run, nice and easy. Wednesday, I ran stairs for 20 minutes. And then today...killer. It's my first tough workout since the half marathon, and my body was aching to be pushed a little. Intervals never fail to make me feel like I'm going to throw up. It reminds me that I need to push myself a little harder in my races because I feel so much worse after and interval workout than I do after a race. The interval is pure torture, but I love it. I was nauseous for a full half hour after. It took every once of will power to keep my breakfast down.

Can I also say that I love running stairs? Every time I go up or down, I can't help but smile. It feels good on my legs.

Anyway, eating is going better today. I faltered a little last night and ate way too much banana bread batter. The batter was gluten free and delicious. I can't say the same for the 4 baked loaves though. I ended up throwing them all away. Gluten free cooking is so tricky, and purely trial and error. I'm going to take a break from baking gluten free goodies for a while. The batter is too good to resist and I can't seem to figure out how to get a good consistency in the end.

I'm looking forward to next week, when I can jump head first into building up my miles again. Marathon, here I come!!!!!

Race day came...and went! It was a blast, and my body felt great. Here's my race day stats:

Weight:125

body fat percentage:18

muscle percentage:36

Time for the half marathon: 1:43:08

I'm really excited about this because it gives me hope that I can qualify for Boston if I work really hard. I've got 8 months to train...after I take a week off though. I'm going to enjoy a week of easy workouts, and I'm so glad that my stomach is feeling so much better. What seems to be working best is gluten free plus avoiding processed foods. I've been sticking to lots of fruit in the morning; almonds for snack; soup, salad and potatoes for lunch; celery and peanut butter for snack; lots of veggies, brown rice, and a lean protein for dinner; and a string cheese for my post workout snack.

Two days away from race day and I can't wait! There is just so much wonderful energy hovering around the start line, just waiting to be snatched up! Saturday morning I will wake up really early, eat my breakfast, get dressed and head into DC for my half marathon. I've had a couple of rough weeks with my eating and my digestive system. Although I've been eating well and avoiding wheat, I haven't felt well. I'm not really sure what is going on. It seems like there is more bothering me than just wheat. In an effort to get things feeling better, I decided to try eating only fresh foods, nothing boxed or canned. That seemed to help, and I went to bed feeling great...no bloated stomach aches. Here's what I ate that day...

Breakfast:

blueberries

Strawberries

Lunch:

Low sodium organic butternut squash soup

Low sodium organic tomato soup

brown rice

Dinner:

Chicken Breast

Jasmine Rice

Asparagus

Cherry Tomatoes

Snacks:

Carrots

Organic Creamy Peanut Butter

String Cheese

Raw Almonds

Simple enough! The snacks fit in right between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. It was a great day! My body felt strong and happy during my Taikwando class at 1 and also during my ab workout in the evening.

This is Rebekah and me in the middle of our 12 mile run in the snow and ice. It was pretty brutal, but wonderful at the same time. She's great company. Her half marathon is at the end of this month. I'm so excited for her. She's going to do awesome!!!!

My stomach has still been giving me trouble...so I tightened the reins even more. Sunday night I sat down and came up with an eating schedule and menu. It's working. Here's what a typical two workout day looks like, and it seems to work.

Breakfast: blueberries, strawberries, clementine and banana. Wait 1 hour, eat 1/4 c almonds

Pre work out snack: 1 C gluten free whole grain cereal

Workout drink: Hammer water

Lunch: 4 C lettuce, half avocado, 1 C brown rice, chicken, lemon juice and Parmesan for dressing.

Snack: whole grain gluten free crackers with peanut butter and homemade jelly on top. Yum

Dinner: large bowl tomato soup, 2 baked potato with salt and Parmesan, butternut squash, lean protein.

Workout drink: recoverite

After work out snack: yogurt.

And that's it! I feel great, no more stomach trouble. I hate having to be so strict, but if I'm not, I'll pay for it...and everyone else in this house does too. It's hard to be a good mom and wife when I can barely move.

Today was just supposed to be an easy 3 miles, but the weather has been so bad and icy and snowy, that I couldn't resist running just a bit farther today since the temps rose to a huge 40 degrees. It was wonderful! I felt free running with out the gator, hat and heavy gloves.

Here's what's on my mind today. I'm a bit tired of running with the stroller. For two reasons. First, my kids are really tired of it. I started using the portable dvd player so they could watch movies while I run, but sometimes it slips, or stops or they fight over it and I have to put the break on the stroller and use my awesome negotiating skills. My other issue with stroller running is that I can't hit my pace with it. That extra 100 pounds really slows things down. The only time I can run kidless is on the weekend. I'll be able to get 12 miles under my belt on Saturday, but I just wish I could head out early in the morning strollerless.

Now for the other thing on my mind. What do I do about running through the summer? It's so hot and humid here, and I'm kinda dreading it! So here's what I'm contemplating. Do I buy a treadmill? Is it worth the purchase? Or do I get a gym membership for those really hot days and when my husband is out of town? I'm going to need some time to roll the options around in my mind.

Everything is going well though. I just signed up for my first Marathon. So far this year I have 2 halfs and 1 Marathon. I'm so excited! I'm hoping I get the opportunity to do Ragnar again.

I've decided to be really careful about what I eat. It seems like even the littlest detour from my normal eating regimen gives my stomach trouble. Sometimes I forget, but the side effects are so unpleasant that hopefully I won't forget anymore. The weekends are my downfall. Typically I've held it all together all week that by the weekend I use my long run on Saturday to forget about my eating goals for that day and then next. Then when Monday comes and after a rough Sunday night I'm back on the bandwagon ready to train hard again. Somehow I need to break this cycle. It's the same thing every weekend. Plus, for the past Forever weekends, my husband arrives in town for about 32 hours before he has to leave for the week again. So there it is. A glimpse inside my mind.

Now with all this complaining, I need to express some gratitude. I am so grateful that I have a strong body. After all the years of being pregnant and surgery and illness, it's wonderful to be able to run! I love everything about running. Even with a stroller, I love it. Plus, I figure for the sake of exercise it must give me a little bit more "umph" toward my fitness goals. I am grateful for my husband who provides for us so well, and gives me the opportunity to stay home with my 4 cute kiddies! Last thing I'm grateful for...

My new running shoes! I bought them with my winnings money and a gift certificate from the running team I coached last year. So sweet of them to help me buy my new shoes. I decided not to coach this year, and I will miss them. I wore them for the first time to break them in for my race next month. They felt great for the 5 miles today.

Is there a better way to start the new year than with a RACE?

Vanna was up sick all night, so I left the house alone this morning.

No little cheerleaders to love me across the finish line.

No tiny runners to run with me for the last 30 feet.

No amazing running partner named Nat who's sick too.

Just me, myself and I.

There was one runner in front of me named Marcy, with a Y, and she had lots of cheerleaders.

I just pretended they were cheering for me.

That was fun, and helpful.

A nice lady also stuck with me to help me keep pace.

That was fun, and helpful too!

When I felt like slowing down, she reminded me pick up my legs, and my pace. When I came to a hill, she reminded me to let my legs lengthen and speed up. I wish I had someone like that every race.

My goal was 22 minutes.

I didn't reach my goal.

Next time.

I ran 23 minutes, which is the same time I got late in October. I am glad I am back where I was before my surgery.

Guess what else I'm glad about?

I won an award for placing 3rd in my age division. A gift certificate to the running store!

When they called my name, I couldn't resist jumping up and down. Did I really hear my name?

I even let out a little scream.

I was so excited to tell Chad that I ran all the way back to my car to call him.

My first award!

I'm in shock!

I'm saving it for some new running shoes.

My sweet running team that I coached gave me a gift certificate to the same store after the last running season ended.

Isn't that so thoughtful?

It too is going toward my new running shoes.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!