Girls on the Run 2016

NECS Girls on the Run (less two of our girls)

Saturday morning was our Girls on the Run race in Ludington. This was Ellie's first year as a Girl on the Run and my first year as a coach. We've had practice every Tuesday and Thursday since the beginning of March. We ran through drizzle, snow, wind and barely any sun this spring. Saturday's sunny, beautiful, warm morning was much deserved!

Crazy girls in their matching "Crazy Pants!"

Monday miles – Run with a Happy Heart

Monday miles, going forward, can be found here…

Run with a Happy Heart

Miles last week

15.25

 Miles in 2016

328.75

Monday miles

After the Gazelle Girl half, I've taken a week (almost) completely off, and now two weeks of easy running before I begin training for another 26.2. Yes…I'm going back for seconds! :)  I committed to heart rate training this time around. The AMR Heart Rate Challenges promises:

During this training cycle, your perspective on running will change. You will not be wasted exhausted after long runs. Your runs will become more meditative, less stressful. You will become a smarter, better, stronger runner, all by slowing down.

I've followed the same AMR training plans for my six half mararthons, and another AMR plan for last year's 26.2. I'm ready to shake things up a bit. Heart rate training has intrigued me for a long time, and I feel that now's the perfect time to give it a try. Starting next week, if you see me running really, really slow, I promise it's on purpose!

Miles last week

17.5

 Miles in 2016

313.5

Monday miles

Finish line at the 2016 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon

My main goal for last Sunday's Gazelle Girl half marathon was to finish strong – no pooping out around mile 11 like I usually do. I walked through the water stops and walked about 20 yards up the big hill at mile 12-ish, but that was it.  This wasn't my fastest half marathon to-date, but it wasn't my slowest either. I'm good with it.

Miles last (two) weeks

29

 Miles in 2016

296

Monday miles

I think I've almost forgotten. Almost.

Miles last week 

21

Miles in 2016

251

Monday miles

Beautiful long run Saturday – spring is in the air!

Miles last week 

20

Miles in 2016

230

Monday miles

Well, not yet anyway.

 

Kyle has been in Texas for work and the only time I've been able to squeeze in a run is after the girls have gone to bed. Thanks to my trusty treadmill and the DVR, I've gotten my miles in. The cold and rainy weather helped too – no 50˚ sunny skies to tempt me!

 

Miles last week 

22

Miles in 2016

210

Monday miles

Miles last week 

21

Miles in 2016

188

Monday miles – Girls on the Run

Last week was my first week as Ellie's Girls on the Run coach. There are 11 girls on the team this year (plus Josie, my "assistant" who tend to participate more than she actually assists.) Our first week was a snowy one, so all of our running was around the gym – which seems quite small after about 10 laps.  So far the girls are great, the curriculum is easy to follow, and I'm looking forward to watching these girls get stronger and become more confident runners in the months to come!

Miles last week

24

Miles in 2016

167

Monday miles

40˚ in February = lots of mud!

 Miles last week

25

Miles in 2016

143

Monday miles

I think I should have earned a mental toughness award this week – all of these miles were done on the treadmill. Kyle's out of town + road is basically a mud bog = treadmill. Thank goodness for the DVR!

 

 Miles last week

20.5

Miles in 2016

118

Monday miles

This photo was taken while on a run last week. It 100% represents how our week went…

Starting at point A, eventually making it to point B, but with numerous turns and distractions along the way. Just when Kyle or I would feel as though the end was in sight, something else would require our attention. More than once we were faced with a situation that was out of our realm of knowledge. Seriously. Last week was exhausting!

Thankfully, my in-laws asked if they could have Ellie and Josie for the weekend. Perfect timing. The girls had a mid-winter break, and Kyle and I were in desperate need of two quiet, rejuvenating days at home. (Thanks, M&J!)

Miles last week

18 

Miles in 2016

97.5

Monday miles

Miles last week

16 

Miles in 2016

79.5

Monday miles

 

 

I started a new half-marathon training program two weeks ago. Four days in, I had to take a few days off to get thorough a cold that I caught. If I had to chose, much better to get that out of the way!

Miles two weeks ago

7.5

 Miles last week

16 

Miles in 2016

63.5

 

Monday miles

View from the sled – Ellie drove Josie and me around for a
few post-run laps around the house

Miles last week

13

Miles in 2016

40

Monday miles

Hike with my peeps for Thursday's cross-training

 

Nothing like jumping back into our daily schedule with a bang.

This over-the-top busy week had me wishing it was still Christmas break!

Miles last week

14

Miles in 2016

27

Monday miles

Yes, those are my "resolutions" for the year 2016. I think #3 will be the most difficult, but by getting back to my wake-up earlier than God at 4:30–5am routine on most work days, I can make it work.

A few other running related things on my 2016 calendar:

1. Run some races: Gazelle Girl, Hurt the Dirt, and the Grand Rapids Marathon are on my wish list. I might look into a few other longer trail races if I can convince Amy to run a race again.

2. Spend five minutes stretching my legs after a run. My body deserves it!

3. In addition to the strength routine I use, add in these ab moves once a week.

Miles last week:

13

Miles in 2015:

13

Monday miles

Windy, but 55˚F run

 

Miles last week:

14

Miles in 2015:

1001

 

I met my goal! 1000 miles in 2015.

What will next year bring?

 

 

Bike ride/run/walk with my Peanut

 

Monday miles and stuff (on Wednesday)

Christmas break, a pre-Christmas stomach bug (getting it over with now), and work have kept us a bit busy so far this week. That's ok though. It's rainy, it's gloomy, we're getting extra snuggles out of our girls. Kyle suggested Family Movie Night last night with Herbie the Love Bug as the feature film.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve followed by a quiet Christmas at home (and Kyle's 44th birthday!) before and even busier next week with Kyle's side of the family. We're ready though!

So…what's been going on (besides the puking bit?)

Josie and her friend Kenai with the closing prayer at Christmas Chapel

Christmas at my Mom and Dad's

Her mother's daughter – trying everything on as soon as she gets it

Uncle Mike, surrounded by little girls (and a tired Jake in the background)

Mom does it again with PJ's for all of her grand daughters!
(Dana…not pictured.)

Miles last week:

13

Miles in 2015:

987

Monday miles

Kyle and I spent Thursday and Friday walking around the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis, IN. My watched tracked 14 miles those two days – not running though, so not counting them. Wish I could have run another day…but I was worn out this weekend!

Miles last week:

14

Miles in 2015:

974