My worst or perhaps dumbest race EVER...

Okay so while I was on my run this morning and doing my hill repeats I began to think back on my worst race. Well maybe in fact it was my two worst races…

Back in October 2008, I decided to be crazy and run a marathon for fun-which did not end pretty. Funny thing was this wasn’t the first time I had this crazy idea. The last time I ran a marathon for “fun” prior to this was quite amusing.  Picture a collegiate runner in July 1995 having left the team for 7 months deciding after her husband (at the time) thought it would be fun, to run the Deseret News Marathon. Yes that was me…oddly I was 21 and clearly was not thinking with all my neurons as the first thought that popped into my head was “its only 26.2 miles, how hard can it be”. It gets better.

So I arrived at the starting line that morning with maybe two and a half months at best, running 15 miles a week. No, that is not a typo; I literally may have run a few 3-4 milers 4-5 times a week. My attire consisted of a gray cotton sports bra, cotton running socks with my Saucony trainers, and some gray/blue plaid x-small men’s boxers from Gap. (No headphones-back then, we were tough-hahaha!) Do the boxers date me or what? A picture of that day would be worth a thousand words but I am blessed that no pictures have surfaced to date. Now if the attire hasn’t gotten a laugh out of you, perhaps the blazing pace I started with will? First mile 6:15. That’s right, how hard could this be as I was going downhill. So it was about a 7-10% downhill grade for most of the first 16 miles. This race was going to ROCK! Got done with about mile 5 and the pace slowed considerably over each passing mile, shocking, I know. An all downhill race with a grade like that will wear you down.  I got to about mile 17 and realized that perhaps my nutrition strategy of ONLY consuming the sports drink which I had NEVER tried before wasn’t such a super great idea. I made a B-line for a heavily shaded area. After the pit stop, reality was setting in BIG TIME. I looked at the mile marker which said 18 and I wanted to cry. BUT because I knew I had some doubters waiting at the finish line, I was not going to prove them right. I’m a fighter! Finally around mile 23, I did make “A” goal. I was able to hit the parade route before the Pioneer Day parade would start forcing others to use an alternative route. The finish line however looked like a mirage, the closer it seemed I was getting, the farther the finish line became. Goal number two finally was achieved when I crossed the finish line startlingly those who did not think I would finish. That’s right Marthas! Don’t tell me I can’t do something…it just motivates me. 

So I pulled out the race memorabilia that was mailed to me (cropped) so you can all see it. The medal, I am not sure where it went BUT I have proof of the first and WORST or perhaps better put “dumbest” marathon I ever ran. I decided after that, I would NEVER do another marathon again…OR WOULD I? Funny when I did run one for which I trained, I bettered this time by an hour and six minutes. Amazing what training can do for a person...

(Disclaimer: results may not be typical for all persons training for a marathon due to unknown factors etc. and names were changed to protect the innocent, oh wait just kidding this happened to be one of the many aliases I have run with)

Have You Thanked Your Pacer?

When it comes to running a half marathon at a particular pace, you have a few options:

1. One going to Runner’s World Website to print a wristband http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/marathonpaceguide/0,7167,s6-239-283-317-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

2. Running Times website http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6763

3. Run PaceCalc which is an iPhone app, but there are all kinds of apps to help with this also

4. You can find a pacer if your race provides them

5. Talk your faster friend into registering for the race and running with you to your target pace

If you’ve run or watched a marathon or half marathon you may have seen a pacer or two. These are those individuals who wear the time marker typically on a long stick raised in the air so you can locate them at the start or during the race if you “get lost”. Some dress up in fun or crazy gear and some just wear the regular running gear and blend in other than the extension that is attached to the arm.

Let’s face it if you are running that far, a few laughs and cheering along the way can really help if you have a crazy, fun pacer.  For instance, when “that guy” who happens to appear at EVERY marathon at the half way point with the sign stating the obvious “You Are Halfway There!” NO KIDDING!  “Who gave you the date and time of this event?” “Note to self, ensure he gets the wrong date for next year.” These are some various thoughts that may go through your head at that point-at least the “kind” thoughts anyway. If you’ve not been fortunate enough to run a half or full marathon, trust me when you do, you will be WELL aware of each mile you have run.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have a person pacer you can use your Sharpie BFF and mark up your arm from the paces you can find from the above websites. This picture was my left arm (OCD Melinda wears her watch on her left arm EVERY race) from the PF Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon. I refer to it as “light reading” during the marathon. Unfortunately I made it to mile 23 on target and then had a serious sugar issue and was put into an ambulance. Other than the super stud runners I was able to meet at that race, I also got to see Tiffany Amber Theissen as she ran the half…dating myself. Setting that aside, it is a great race and (even though it’s a little blurry) you can see how I set up my splits. My arm is only so long so I had it all laid out in 5 mile increments. If you are blessed with a forearm longer than mine OR have handwriting that is not as large, feel free to put what you can on it.

If you are lucky enough to have a friend who is willing to pace you, make sure they register for the event. As long as they are registered they can run with you (legally) and help pace you. We want to encourage all people who are running the race to register and not be a “race bandit”. (see article http://anywhere5k.com/2012/04/race-bandit/)

Best of luck in your next race and hopefully you’ll give the half marathon or marathon a try! Get your gait on and be sure if you use a pacer, thank them…they are doing it to help you achieve a race goal.

Are you a PURIST?

Once in a while I see in an article or hear a runner who claims to be a purist as they don’t run with an iPod or MP3 player. REALLY!?! That makes you a purist? Scratching my head at the fact that you wear a watch that syncs with the satellites, high tech shoes, and high tech clothing while you run doesn’t discount your purist definition? Merely removing tunes from your ears makes you a purist…I beg to differ.

So I began to think on yet another run, since I have LOTS of time to do that while running, what makes someone a “running purist”? I wear cotton t-shirts and cotton shorts for many of my runs, does that make me a purist? Perhaps if I got some of the cotton knee socks with the colored stripe around the top band, I would be more of a purist? If I run barefoot would that make me a purist? Perhaps taking racing to the same standard as in the first Olympics truly makes you a purist! (http://www.neatorama.com/2008/08/02/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-ancient-olympic-games/)

By definition on Wikipedia, “A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences. The term may be used in almost any field, and can be applied either to the self or to others. Use of the term may be either pejorative or complimentary, depending on the context. Because the appellation depends on subjective notions of what is "pure" as opposed to "adulterating" as applied to any particular item, conflict can arise both as to whether a person so labeled is actually a purist and as to whether that is desirable.”

While looking at the definition it appears that it truly is up to the individual. So perhaps whoever claims they are a running purist is correct. When you take a look at the advancements in running, is there anyone who can truly claim to be a purist by definition being “free from adulterating or diluting influences”? 

Running has come along way from the “olden” days. We have moisture wicking fabrics for every important spot of your body, GPS watches, and amazing kicks! Call me an “impurist” if you want but I will keep my iPod, thanks, and all the cool gadgets that make running what it is today. By the way these also seem to satisfy my OCD nature to keep stats on everything during my run. Personally, I feel if you are out running, you are a purist. You are keeping your body doing what it was designed and intended to do and that is MOVE. Does it get any purer than that? Enjoy where you run, what you wear and listen to while you run, and feel free to claim that you are a purist! I am a purist BECAUSE I RUN!!! Get your gait on…

How many of you would like to look this “smiley” during a 5K race? ME TOO! If you watched the Olympic 10,000m run Tirunesh Dibaba smiled during her 62 second last lap to win the gold. (http://www.tiruneshdibaba.net/) Obviously it can happen as I saw it on TV! I will be honest, this picture was taken an hour after I had finished and cooled down so I was literally “jogging” as I posed for this picture that was put onto a website and my running resume at the time.During my 4 miler this morning it got me thinking about what I wished I would have known in 2005 when I decided to come back after a nine year hiatus:

1.  Just do it! Yes that Nike phrase can certainly sum it up. Get out there and just run. Of course do so slowly and build up mileage no more than 10% every week or two.

2.  Run on various terrains. Train on a treadmill, trails, grass, gravel, cement, track, and asphalt. You will have your favorites of course but I can assure you that by working other leg and foot muscles from the various terrains you are doing yourself more favors than you realize.

3.  Get some books and READ as much as you can BUT do not become overwhelmed. Just read and learn all you can about the various systems like anaerobic, aerobic, and neuromuscular etc. how do these work together? Hal Higdon, Brad Hudson, and Jack Daniels (no not the adult beverage) all have great books. There are others.

4.  Find a 12-20 week training plan to train you for your specific distance. The authors mentioned above offer training plans for beginners, intermediate, and elites.

5.  If your workout calls for 1000m repeats or a particular interval maybe find songs that are the same in length to your pace and run through that song with the race effort and then take it easy for the prescribed time. Amazing what music can do for you! Also find new music every so often.

6.  If you feel uninspired, go to the Running Times site or Runners World site. Also look up some of the elite runners or find other runners who post stories etc. Maybe they have blogs that have suggestions as everyone has days and months of feeling sluggish etc. Maybe just reading will get you out the door that day. Get with a group. Many communities have groups for all levels and it’s a great way to meet people with similar goals. Also fun to have people to cheer you on and you for them during races.

7.  HILLS ARE YOUR FRIEND! You may not think so but hill workouts exert more of your muscle groups you typically do not work on a flat surface. They also help your running economy and your aerobic and anaerobic systems and SO MUCH MORE.

8.   Get a new pair of shorts or a shirt or some “go-fasters”. A new pair of shoes always makes you run faster! My daughter loves the new CRAZY colored running shoes they are manufacturing these days. Me---I’m the bland white shoe gal. My husband purchases a new pair just about once a month and we call it his “crack”. His eyes light up like light bulbs when the Nike shoes arrive.

9.  Find a pair of shoes that work for your gait or running style. If you pronate, supinate, or neutral, find a shoe to work with that so that you are less prone to injury. 

10.  WARM UP/COOLDOWN. I can not emphasize this enough. I am not one for stretching after or before my runs and physiologically there are articles out there that agree to either side. Regardless of your position on stretching, please get a good mile or two warm up and cool down before workouts and races. 

11.   Keep your music updated and count your strides. Physics, for those of you who may be science majors or had Mr. Krenichyn, moving forward is more efficient than up and forward or bouncing as you run. When you are running SUPER slowly for your warm up and cool down focus on this; are you taking short strides with 45 for 15 seconds, 90 for 30 seconds, or 180 for a minute? I put the figures in for you because when I am running, 2+2 does not always equal 4…HAHAHA! The shorter your stride, the less pressure you are placing on your leg muscles, which should help avoid shin splints and other jarring injuries.

12.   REST! Take rest and recovery seriously. Run slow on the easy days so that your body is ready to work hard on race day and workout days.  Don’t be afraid to take a day off

13.   ENJOY YOURSELF! This is the most important and one I lose sight of periodically. BUT find out what you love about running. My husband loves racing. He loses all sense of common sense when racing. I on the other hand LOVE the training that leads up to the racing. I have trouble racing if I do not feel I am at my peak shape. So I train more and race less. 

This list doesn’t stop here; add to it. DO what you love and what inspires you to run. Figure out ways to take the monotony out of various runs or workouts. Take some of my advice to heart and find what works for you. As always get your gait on and move forward!

Are you a runner or a jogger? That is the question.

I’ve heard a few times, “hey I saw you out jogging”. Incidentally one person in particular had seen me during a workout when I was “jogging” six-one mile repeats at 5:45 pace. Sure Mister, I was jogging. REALLY!?!

My cousin who has recently taken up road racing actually posed this as a subject for one of my blogs. I'm guessing since her training began she has been getting this question? Perhaps right after a tough run, thinking of a finger as she smiles and answers how many miles she "jogged"? 

It is interesting to hear people use the term jogging to describe what I affectionately refer to as running. I will admit I have jogged. I consider my pre-race warm-ups more of a jog as I am not doing anything too strenuous to warm up my muscles; just enough so that I am feeling fresh from the sound of the gun. I also consider it jogging when I am trying to keep the legs warm during a stop light in the Iowa winters. (By the way haven't these 90 degree plus temps been great?)

So what makes you a runner or a jogger? Perhaps it’s a personal judgment call? Whatever it is, I have to say I have lots of flutters in my heart for all of the people I see at road races. You are ALL winners and as far as I am concerned NO ONE comes in last! Even the last place person who may appear to the couch potatoes to be a jogger, still BEAT the couch potato. 

Feel free to honk or wave if you see me on the street. Please don’t ask me how my jogging is going or that you saw me jogging. Trust me, come along for a “jog” with me and I will set the record straight. Get your gait on and run or jog if you wish, I will be running. Will you be running or jogging that is the question…and how do you determine who is a runner and who is a jogger?

Altitude Running...Is it really advantageous?

A sorry sight to see right now would be me at my computer typing this blog. I have "nose tampons" in my nostrils due to allergies and the fact that my nose is so raw from wiping it. My eyes are swollen and red as though I have just sobbing hysterically. I am sporting my not so matchy-matchy running attire, which is in NO WAY close to glamorous, as anyone who has run with me before can attest. I would be the poster child for Nike "Just DON'T do it"...

Checking my iPhone weather before my run is a habit and it said 78 degrees. An upgrade that would be advantageous with this feature here in the Midwest would be to list the wind gusts in mph. Perhaps the humidity? Anyway, 2:30pm seemed as good of a time as any to take a two year old out in the stroller so he could sleep and I could get my twelve 30 second hill repeats done. I put about a liter of Opcon-A in my eyes, used the restroom, and gathered my running gear (iPod, Garmin, and Nike shades). My shades use to look fairly nice until my two year thought they'd look better with little bits chewed off the nose piece. (Darn kids, can't have anything nice...) I laced up my shoes one foot at a time just like Paula Radcliffe does and strapped the semi-tired, 30 pound two year old into the running stroller.

Once my Garmin synced to the satellites we were off...and every direction I ran was literally into the wind-HARD WIND. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I have to do hill repeats with a stroller in THIS? Sparing you the details of a wind blown two mile warmup and cool down, once I got to the hill to do repeats, I made note of the wind direction. YES-right directly into it for the repeats! Of course! Newton's 15th Law...the one they don't teach in school or science class. "An object that runs into high wind gusts will do so in every direction regardless of how slow or fast they are going or how much they weigh in grams".

Needless to say the repeats weren't easy and at about number seven, as the thought of quitting was heavy on the skull, I had a scientific idea pop into my brain. ("LIGHT BULB" said Gru from Despicable Me) Truthfully I can't believe someone hasn't researched this conclusion before. Does altitude running truly have an advantage over running in 20-30 mph wind gusts in the Midwest while pushing a 30 pound child in a running stroller? I think more research needs to be done with regards to this hypothesis.

I can assure you I was puffing harder during my warm up and cool down dealing with the wind than many of my six mile repeat workouts run at 5:40 pace. Seriously, I think elite athletes need to be open to considering this type of training. Especially the sprinters who use those parachute contraptions to work on their speed-NO NEED HERE! Just grab a stroller with a 30 pound child in the Midwest and head on out. It will give you the workout of your life!

So when I got back I was curious as to what the wind gusts were measuring since inside, before I started my run, the trees didn't look like they were blowing too hard. Below was the measurement from the KCCI website:

I can assure those of you who have never been to this part of the country, it is a rarity not to have wind gusts of some amount to measure. I truly feel like I am onto something here with this potential training plan. Question is, when will it catch on? And after thinking about it for a bit while typing this blog, maybe its better that it doesn't catch on? Then I can have the advantage?

World Record or World Best?

So between 2006-2008, I spent more time running than I have in the last few years. I am currently building up again to my 100-110 mile days so I can get back to racing competitively. During the span of my running career, which began when I was 13, I have followed many women who are currently 15-30 minutes faster than my marathon PR. After reading many of their training plans, I realize we aren't too different. Many of them run in excess of 100 miles a week, collected prize money, have children, and they also lace up their shoes one at a time like I do. One woman in particular does have something I am roughly 30 minutes off pace to claim; a World Record! Can you name her?

If you said Paula Radcliffe, you are correct. So perhaps her 100 mile week is more like 130 miles, her race checks total more like $150,000 not $5000, she has two children versus four, BUT the lacing up one shoe at a time is still exactly the SAME as yours truly! BUT I admire her and all she has accomplished and will tell you, though I have not walked much less run a mile in her shoes, I want to fight for her.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/8778319/Paula-Radcliffes-world-record-set-at-2003-London-Marathon-no-longer-valid.html


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/olympics/3864177/Paula-Radcliffe-bids-to-keep-marathon-world-record.html

After reading the above articles, I too am on board with the marathon majors! "Race directors from the events that make up the World Marathon Majors, including Boston, London and New York, and the Association of International Marathons, which represents more than 300 races across the world, have warned that they will refuse to accept the IAAF decision." (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/olympics/3864177/Paula-Radcliffe-bids-to-keep-marathon-world-record.html) This decision is to only allow women to claim a World Record if done in a women's only race NOT a mixed race with men.

WHAT??? In the probability lessons I learned in Mr. Luke's math class back in ninth grade, the IAAF ruling this past January would seem to indicate that women have far less of a probability of setting WR than men, due to the fact that most road races are mixed! So to me this means that now ALL road racing events, when a woman could potentially set a World Record, would need to have a separate start for women. This ends up being extra work for racing organizers of all race sizes.

So if Paula can run with the men setting a blistering pace of 2:15 end time result, she can't keep her World Record but can have the "World Best" title instead according to the IAAF. Clearly she has the ability to race that pace if her body can run that fast! Even with a mountain lion chasing her, if she can not keep a 2:15 pace, she won't run a 2:15 marathon and inevitably be taken down.

I would think with this ruling, the use of pacers for major events needs to be eliminated. "Rabbits", as they call them in the track races, would no longer be permitted to participate and this will cause such a mess in going back now to determine WR etc. Come on IAAF... I hope you do the right thing and reinstate Paula's 2:15 WR for the marathon, she ran it and quite frankly DESERVES every bit of each nanosecond even IF she was able to keep pace with two men!

She is planning to meet in Monaco soon for talks to plead her case. GO PAULA!  My opinion is of the point; regardless of gender, if capable of running a particular pace during a race, does it matter who you are running with or against or rather who/what may be chasing you? Seriously IAAF...curious as to how you'd feel if your World Record especially in the marathon that you worked so hard for was taken away and replaced with "World Best"? Is it me or is that still almost saying the same thing? World Best/World Record...potato/potato?

I have to go for a run to hammer out my disgust for this ruling and the length of time its taking them to allow this to go on!

I LOVE My Vacuum!

Well after a week of house drama, we FINALLY closed on our new home a week after scheduled. I still have some sanity, fingernails, and stomach rugae left to show for it and I figured it was time to update my blog.

My vacuum...my closest family and friends know that I truly have an addiction to vacuuming along with vacuums themselves since before the age of eight. I have yet to find a recovery group for this strange addition-perhaps that TLC special could feature me; but really its not that exciting and viewers may use that as a time to refill their drinks and empty their bladders. I have used ALL kinds of vacuums in my mid-range (its not long but not really too short either) life span. I also have received vacuum cleaners for two major holidays-Christmas 2011 and Mother's Day 1999. Truly, I am fine with this and I know it goes against the rules for men as to giving women appliances for major holidays. While waiting to close on this home I am now in, I was also waiting for major appliances to arrive as they were on order to be delivered. This gave us time to "camp" in our new house. We had to refill coolers with ice daily and use a toaster as well as the Cuisinart Electric Skillet for four and a half days. My one "old reliable" appliance was my vacuum!

I have owned four vacuums myself but have used countless others. For Mother's Day 1999 I received a Tri-Star. This is the door-to-door salesman vacuum which comes complete with a four figure price-tag and five attachments. I still have it which I now use it for car clean up and until last Christmas, it was my main squeeze of a vacuum. It will be hard to part with this gem someday. This past Christmas, I received the Shark Navigator with the Lift-Away. I have used the Lift Away option but prefer to keep it all attached and use the main suction brush on the stairs as it has better suction in my opinion. I have tried the coveted Dyson. Just was not as impressed with it as I hoped I would be, though it is still a good machine. I have read reviews and then of course with the machines I have used lately including a Eureka upright, the Shark has been most impressive to me.

Now I could go ON and ON about my preference with vacuums and how well they clean etc. Ultimately it is up to the end user. I will leave you with this, my favorite tool attachment for the vacuum of any type is the crevice tool. It just does my OCD good to know I was able to get into the tiniest of spaces and suck out the dirt. After a good vacuuming, which I like to do once a day, it feels good to get in a run! YEA!!! I was able to get in a run after a two week hiatus. It was an easy three miler but it felt good to get out and stretch out the legs with my iPod and Garmin giving me my mile splits. I probably ran a pace that was too fast but I didn't care, I was glad to be moved, finally closed, and have my major appliances finally arrive. Life is good and I am getting my gait on for a BIG half marathon this fall!

Moves, Migraines, and Mid-American

Well my family is in the middle of the BIG move. Today I have my migraine and FINALLY Mid-American came through with the gas meter being turned on and ready for use. (Trust me serious stress last week and also from past experience with home just sold) We are living out of a hotel so “homeless” in a sense but not really. We have all of our belongings in a 24 foot Budget truck in the hotel parking lot and a place to sleep at night. This time being in the hotel has gotten me thinking even more about those who are truly homeless. 

My husband and I have a condo in Oregon, a duplex in Utah, and hopefully tomorrow our newest town-home in Iowa. I know we are absolutely BLESSED! When “living” (and I use this term loosely as with the many frequent flyer miles I have accumulated over the almost four years of our married life) half of my year spent in various locations, I have been able to see different areas with more homeless populations than others. I realize we all have our opinions about this subject and as do I; but I feel the need with this topic fresh on my mind to expose myself more and my children to this reality in getting them to help me donate to a food pantry and maybe more. I have also thought that perhaps our next Thanksgiving should be spent helping at a soup kitchen.

Though this also is NOT a running topic, it is a topic that this marathoning mom thinks about at times while logging miles and many of those being run in some bigger cities during my various travels. My questions: How can I personally help? Who can I contact? How can my kids help? What should my family do that would be the most helpful? Perhaps I can look into a race supporting this particular societal issue?

Get your “GOOGLE GAME FACES ON” and start your searches to see what maybe you can do to help where you are located…keep checking back for what happened with my search and/or let me know how your search goes.

Now time to “get my gait on” and find my kicks for my run. Any idea where they may be hiding in the 24 foot Budget truck?

I-80, VNV Nation, 3/4, and a Sorento...

What do these things have in common? A solo road trip of course!

This past week I traveled on I-80 to get to my 3/4 College Bestie Reunion while listening at times to VNV Nation, driving my Sorento. To spare you all of the crazy stories, which lets face it, aren't as funny to those who did not live them, I figured I would let you know what has been keeping me from my serious training yet again.

I drove five hours to and from the reunion (which is ten hours for the math challenged) having many conversations with myself and switching positions in my seat to avoid "bleacher butt" as much as possible. I sang CAR-eoke while doing my part to help keep the bug population down and to give my car a temporary new look from the front with the colorful array of bugs plastered all over. For me it is fun traveling to another state, since I had foreign state plates, I had a "license" to drive a little oddly or make ridiculous decisions. Like on my way back, I had to backtrack twice while getting the same directions from the toll booth guy five times. Forgive me sir, I am not a dumb strawberry blonde, just really tired from my last minute drive and coming off my laughing highs with my girls. I am sure after seeing my plates he was thinking what I have been told IOWA stands for..."Idiots Out Wandering Around". Just doing my part to keep the stereotype alive.

(Can you spot the treadmill? And yes I am OCD and pack with bins labeled with crayon to be removed with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser when unpacked. Do they have group for this?)

Still adding excuses to my list of top ten list of excuses (maybe I should change it to Top Twenty?)...my treadmill is seriously stuck behind my wall of bins that are packed and ready for relocation with a few more being added each day. (see pic above) Plus the weather hasn't been very nice when I am ready to think about getting out to run. So I am spending my days washing sheets and towels to pack, cleaning various surfaces, chasing kids to and from school and activities, and shredding unneeded paperwork that I was keeping "just in case". So I promise to send you some inspirational tips and workouts here soon! For now, hopefully you can forgive me while I pack for a move, close on current place Tuesday, close on new place on Friday, all while getting kids too and from school and being homeless (notice the difference in closing dates) for a few days this coming week. My goal (and confession) is to have some truly amazing run to tell you about when I feel like a FREE woman next Saturday (barring NO issues with the gas company---spare you those details). It will be on the top of the To-Do list just above unpacking!

Three weeks ago I pulled out a 16 miler on a Saturday for a 50 mile week. Curious though as to who may have the best excuse not to run? Maybe we can kick one another into gear? Pinterest! I'm sure I can find a quote or a fun picture of a quote on Pinterest...which is another way to kill time NOT getting a good run in for the day...how did I get this far off track? 100 plus miles a week a few years ago to zero or barely 20? Inquiring minds want to know, namely mine.

A New Beginning...

Wow I'm officially entered into the world of blogging! And I'm officially insane as the title of this blog may have insinuated. Trying to come back from a three year running hiatus after a fourth bambino and gearing up for my fourth move at the end of the month. Yes it is true that I have lost brain cells with each child and also each run I log over 20 miles. Luckily for me, I've had no more children lately and also no 20 plus milers either. So with the brain cells that I had three years ago still in tact, I make yet another attempt at a running comeback. Planning for a half marathon this coming October. Hoping to keep you updated throughout this feat... With my garage half full of literally half of the belongings of a family of six, a treadmill, a gym membership, and a running stroller one might say why are you not training in full force by now? So I start this blog with my "Top Ten Excuses for Not Running Everyday". 10. Can't I just live through my daughter who is in junior high track like many parents? 9. What-like mile long treks through the home improvement stores aren't enough when I have close to four each day as of late for the new house we are building? 8. I need new songs for my iPod... 7. Stalking my elite friends isn't giving me the mojo I hoped for.   6. My brain only knows a few key phrases: "be friends" "simmer down" "talk nice" "play nice" "use an inside voice" "please act socially appropriate" NONE of which help when you need your running mantra. 5. My daughter left all my running clothes in her school locker. 4. So chasing a two year old around the triangle sidewalk in our town home complex doesn't add up to a mile with four laps? 3. Does vacuuming count for cardio? Perhaps a mile or two? 2. Stairs...maybe if I keep Popsicle sticks at the bottom, I can take one up each time and figure that as hill repeats? 1. I can't find a bobby pin to keep my hair out of my face. Okay so they are lame but pretty good I think. Off the get my four kids prepared for another evening of sleep. Maybe I could add that as an excuse too-I am not getting enough sleep...ah as one of my Rock and Roll Marathon Phoenix buddy would say, "you can sleep when you're dead". So tomorrow NO more excuses!!!