A hiatus of sorts!

The last time I ran, I was up in DC. I had a magnificent run where I happened to find a cool trail that meandered through woods, streams and open fields of deer. And then as the sun went down, lots of mosquitoes... But, it felt great to get out and run somewhere other than Florida.

Then, we were off in West Virginia visiting some friends and ran along the river in Charleston. It was a nice day, not too hot but still warm. Can I tell you how much I hated my run? It was only supposed to be 3 miles or so and it felt like 20. I even started 2:1 intervals which I haven't done since I started! I just felt like death.

Discouraged from my run, I gave it a rest for a day. My dh and I were talking about more personal matters and the next day found out that we were pregnant! OOOOOHHHHHH, so that is why running sucked the life out of me the day before! Needless to say, my running ended on that day.

Now many will say they ran up to their last few weeks, but I have to be honest, that is not me. Right now I can barely get my butt of the couch. I have about zero energy and my main goal is to get up in the morning! Every day I have a little conversation in my head about "this is the day when I will walk a mile!" then find myself crawling into bed at night without walking. Oh well, I am not going to beat myself up about it. This too shall pass.

I am thrilled about this new adventure we will be on. Baby #3 will be a welcomed addition into our home. But for now, running will have to take a backseat. I will miss all of my online and IRL running community for a bit but I will be back! You all are a great bunch!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering? My due date is Jan. 10th, 2010. Yes, it is the same day as the Disney Marathon that I was registered for. There is always next year!

Setbacks...

Don't ya hate it when just as you get in your running groove, something sets you back? Well, I have returned to getting up early and running, and what happens? A wicked head cold saps all the energy from me!

Today I ran 3 miles and it was pure torture. I was so weak all I could do was lope around my loop. Not pretty at all! I guess I am happy that I got out there but I can't wait to feel better!

Nothing like a little reality for your day...

Last weekend we spent the weekend down in Tampa. I was so excited to be staying about 2 minutes from the starting line of the Gasparilla race site that I had run only a few weeks before! I had a long run planned and this would be a perfect venue.

So Monday morning I started out on my run. My first 3 miles were around large yachts, expensive restaurants and beautiful homes. I made a turn and headed over a bridge that took me towards the old race route. As I had a wonderful view of the water I noticed sheets hanging from docks, bikes resting on fences that were supposed to keep away trespassers from expensive boats.

Then down on the ground behind a decorative wall I noticed the people. Men, women, young and old, sleeping on the cement.
What a contrast from what had been occurring there a few weeks ago. Smiling faces, people coming together to run and now this? The blaring reality that people share a different vantage point than you. As I ran, I thought of their stories. What brought them to this place? What about their families? It haunted my run as I thought that those people could be any of us. I felt so helpless to be running next to them. Kind of like I was rubbing it in that I had a home and a life that wasn't so bleak.

So then I remembered an awesome site that my friend Becky introduced me to. A site whose mission is to empower homeless people through running. It is called Back on My Feet and it is starting chapters all over the United States. Maybe it is calling you to be an organizer in your area, or buy a few awesome t-shirts to support the cause! While it doesn't feel like much by myself, with all of us joining in we can make a difference.

Gasparilla 15K race report

Well better late than never!

Had a great time at the Gasparilla event in Tampa on the weekend of Feb. 28th- March 1st. I am thankful I ran the 15K (9.3 miles) instead of the half as the weather on Sunday was quite cold and blustery! Our weather on Sat. was in the nice upper 60's and pure sun. Beautiful.

The expo was fantastic and provided a lot of entertainment for our family. Even my little ones had a blast trying out free samples of food and smoothie drinks. There was shopping galore but I was good!

It was up early for the 7:30 am start. I traveled by myself as my dh and mil didn't have to be there until 8:30. I was a bit worried about parking but I had plenty of time to get a great spot.

The race started on time and we were all off. I kept a good pace for most of the race but on mile 7 I started lagging. I had Hammer Gels that I took on mile 4 and 7 so I was thankful that I had them. The one negative of this race was that there was no sports drinks on the course, just water. I think I really needed it since I was sweating a lot.

Funny thing is that I had to go walk the 5K at 9:30 so I knew I had to book it before I missed the start! I was meeting my MIL and I had to be on time! So I kept on running and had a PR of 1:41:23 which was 20 minutes off of my last years 15K time. I was pleased as my goal was to be under 1:45.

I was especially proud of my dh who ran his first 5K! He ran the whole time and was laughing as he tried to plow through a water stop running but it didn't work so well. Gotta love him!

Here we all are!

Tag, I am it!

Snowshadow at The March of The Humans just tagged me on his blog! I first "met" Showshadow on Twitter or was it RuncastTV? Anyway, I have really enjoyed his presence on the web. A few months ago on RuncastTV he posted a challenge and the prize was a really cool Vado pocket camcorder. I participated in the challenge and low and behold, I WON!!! Life has been crazy as of late, so I haven't been able to post my video's but believe me, they are in there. I love it. And as a special surprise, he packed a cool Runcast TV shirt too with my user name on the back. Very fun.

So here are the rules: Link your original tagger(s), and list these rules on your blog. Share seven facts about yourself in the post - some random, some weird.
Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter.

Since this is a running blog, I am going to talk about running related things that might give you more insight into me!

1. I started running two years ago after being prompted by a dear friend of mine Sarah. She is an awesome runner who just finished her 2nd marathon in Jan. She also has 3 great kids and a wonderful husband who supports her in her addiction. ;)

2. I am addicted to my Garmin.

3. My dh just started running as well and is training for his first 5K. I am really excited that he is doing this as now we have a shared hobby! I am a bit possessive of my Garmin (and he borrows it) so I think I see a new gift in his future.

4. I love running on paved nature trails and despise the treadmill.

5. I have lost a toenail - and am very proud of it BTW!

6. I have just started back on my Weight Watcher journey to better health and fitness.

7. I have internet friends due to running! ;-) Y'all are the best!

Lets see, who should I tag!

Sarah who got me in this whole mess to begin with. She has been such a great source of support and encouragement. Also a good friend to kick me in gear if I need it. She opened my eyes to the best form of mental health out there as I swear running soothes the soul. Thank you!!!

Maddy She is a local running girl I have been excited to know from Twitter. She runs on the treadmill for most of her training runs and I am in awe at how she does that!

Kitzzy is another local Florida girl who I have actually had the pleasure to meet! She has been an inspiration to me as I have read about her transformation to be more healthy and fit. Also, she has incorporated her family in her running and she looks like she is having fun while doing it!

Nik I don't know if she will respond to this but she was the first person I was able to get running advice from via 4 Feet Running! I love listening to their podcast and enjoy Nik and Dan's friendly running conversations.

Lybe challenges me to get out even when it is coooold! ;) I love her ninja outfit where just her eyes peek out.


Nicole at blogs about her running up in Canada. Brrr! How does she do it?! Her blog is really encouraging and informative about all things running - and some not about running! ;) She has a great sense of humor that makes it fun to read.

And I know it said 7 people to tag but I know all of my other running friends would probably do me in if I named them. ;)

Ok, so I am tweaking my goals a bit...

Work calls and I won't be able to do the Princess Half Marathon on March 8th. But I am not sweatin' it because it was just darn expensive! My goals have switched and now I am doing the Gasparilla 15K the week before in Tampa. It should be a fun run and I feel as if I can be strong running it after completing my training.

Last week I decided the day before the Season's 52 5.2K race that I should participate so off I went, bright and early Saturday morning. Actually, it wasn't bright but it was rather early.There were a lot of folks there and the neighborhood was beautiful to run through. I really didn't have any goals for this race, I just wanted to have fun and run but a minute into it, I made two goals. One, not to trip as the roads were all brick pavers. Nice and quaint if you live there but a pain to run on! LOL! My second goal was to run straight through. Y'all know that I run intervals. Usually run for 3 and walk for 1 but I felt great and strong so I just kept on running! I did walk and take some water, and one time to tie my shoe but for me, that is progress.

My time for 5.2K was 33:24 which as one of my friends pointed out is actually a PR since I have never run that distance before... snicker snicker! My actual 5K time was 32:27 which isn't the fastest that I have run a 5K but given the amount of people in this race, and how congested it was, I am happy.

I'm Baaaaaaacccccckkkkk!

After a few weeks of just resting (aka being lazy) after the race, I think I am back. Of course New Year's day is a wonderful day to make a comeback but I have to grab the momentum from somewhere you know?

Holiday's, food, friends and family have ruled for the past few weeks and I am thankful for them. I am also thankful for the great weather here in Florida that pulls me outside to get on the trail.

While my 3 miles were slow, it felt so good to be out there in the fresh cool air. Good music and pod casts in my ears led itself to a cleansing time of rejuvenation that I have forgotten in the past few weeks. Good for the soul.

Happy New Years and happy running!