Bridge? What bridge?

It's Memorial Causeway Tuesday and I wasn't taking any prisoners this time.  I have run this bridge many times and have ALWAYS had to stop and walk on the way up.  Well today was a GREAT accomplishment for me.  I RAN THE WHOLE BRIDGE...and the entire 3.1!  Plus my average pace was 9:47!!!  So happy to finally beat this bridge.  Yay me!!!
I hope everyone gets out there and is relentless with what you want with hard work and perseverance!

Have a great day and I'll see you at the races!!!

5 miles = short run = WHAT?!

Today was my 5 miler and I was able to finish it with a 9:45 pace!  The thing is, I didn't want to stop once I hit the 5 mile mark.  Normally I'm begging the miles to magically disappear, but today, I just wanted to keep going.  I didn't because I really want to stick to Hal's program.  So, the moral of the story is, as stated above!  HARD WORK PAYS OFF...PERIOD.

I guess all of the bridge runs are making me stronger and I love it.  I remember my first 5 mile run.  It was within the last year.  I was so excited that I was going to finish 5 miles at one time, and then I heard sirens.  My mind started freaking out!  I actually thought that I could be having an out-body-experience and my real body could be on the ground somewhere behind my spirit, and the sirens were going to take me to the hospital.  lol   Of course my goal is still to just finish, but it would be awesome to feel great afterwards, not like I've been hit by a Mack truck.  lol

It's finally starting to feel like Fall in Florida and I'm literally doing a happy dance.  There was actually a chill in the air this morning at 8 AM when I headed out.  Thank you God!  It was the first day that  I didn't have to pour water on my head during the run and I actually had water left in my fuel belt.  YAY!!! 

I so enjoyed the run this morning.  I ran through my extended hood and around my gator lake.  No gators in sight, which is kinda creepy because I know they are there...somewhere.  The sun coming up around the lake was beautiful.  What I wasn't prepared for was the swarm of gnats...I'm guessing...that I ran through.  I guess that was God's way of forcing me to have breakfast.  lol  YUCK!!!!

Running has always been my time to think...about everything and anything...and today was no different.  Except, my mind kept going back to "What am I going to wear in the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon?"  I can be quite a Diva at times.  ;)  I really want to look "rock-n-roll" but I'm just not sure what that really means.  Any suggestions? 

After I had taken time to cool down, and get ready for my day, I started adding my training schedule to my old fashioned paper wall calendar.  Holy cow!  I actually wrote, 20 miles on a Saturday in December!  I also realized that I will be pushing Sarah for 2 weeks of my runs during Christmas break.  I'm hoping it doesn't kill me but makes me stronger. 

Well it's off to have a great day!  Go Blue and I'll see you at the races!

Practice Makes Perfect

Because I had too much fun last night with my girls from the L.O.L. and I had to finish watching the Rays play...and beat...the Yankees, WOW what a game!!...I truly didn't want to get out of bed this morning.  Soooo I definately didn't want to run 3 miles in the never ending Florida heat.  BUT I did it.  However, I cheated.  I didn't run the causeway, I ran around a local lake.  My "gator lake."I pushed myself just a little bit and ended with a 9:38 min/mile, which is REALLY good for me.  My training is working and I AM getting stronger.  The lake is almost exactly 1 mile around with inclines at the either end.  These inclines used to kill me and cause me to stop and walk.  NOT today!  Today I took those inclines almost as if they weren't even there.  It's also trail running which is not as easy to run because of the constant changes in footing.  AND I LOVED each step! 

I started running this lake last year and truly fell in love with the nature that lives around and in the lake.   Until today, I had only suspected that a few LARGE (12 ft. +)
 gators called the lake home, along with a few medium (5-6 ft.), and several smaller gators.  Today I actually saw 2 large gators to confirm that I wasn't seeing the same one all of the time. As much as I would HATE to run up on any of them, I find it comforting seeing them swimming in the lake.  Maybe because that's how I know for certain where they are.  lol 

The picture at the top is from this morning.  The small black dot to the left of the "don't feed the gators sign) is actually a 12 ft. + gator.  She stayed by the road for my entire run.  The other stayed more in the middle of the lake.  The picture below is from a run last year, but it's a much better picture.  Enjoy! 

I'm going to take my "rest" days seriously and enjoy a pedicure tomorrow and then hit the road on Saturday for my 5 miler.  With just over a month until the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon, I'm feeling very strong!!!  See you at the races!

Holy Heat Batman!!!

It's been a few days since I've blogged, but I have been running.  I finished my 7 miler on Saturday, as Hal had planned for me and it wasn't too bad.  I finished 7.02 miles in 1 hr. 14 min.  I was happy with that, until my husband decided that he wanted to "run my route" on Sunday morning.  I just knew he was going to put my time to shame and even though he's 6 ft. tall and has been a runner most of his life, I have been working so hard on my runs, that I just wanted him to leave my route alone.  I know! I know! I know!  I can be competitive, but so can he.  I guess that's part of our "couple charm."
Well anyway, he ran my route, from last Saturday...6.25 miles.  However, he ran it slower than I did.  (Insert silent happy dance and evil laugh.)  It's really not that I don't want him to do well...I just want to do better.  I can say that because I know he feels the same way.  :) 
I am starting to feel stronger, not that my runs are getting easier, I'm just more mentally prepared for what's coming.  If that makes any sense?  I'm keeping at my average of 10 min/mile.  BUT, the summer will NOT end!  The temps are in the 90's at 9 AM and it's brutal!  Where are you Fall? 
Have a great day and I'll see you at the races!!!

REALLY????

I woke up after not getting much rest last night, and knew I had another run ahead of me...and boy was I dreading it.  I'm still not feeling well, and would love to just rest while Sarah's at school, but again, everyone's encouraging words, kept ringing in my head, so I laced up the Asics and hit the road. 
This morning seemed hotter than yesterday, but maybe it was just me.  My car said it was 81 degrees, and it felt every bit of that and more. 
I only had 3 miles to run, so I knew it would be over in about 30 minutes.  I could push through it and I did.  It was hot and I was tired, but I didn't let the bridge get the best of me.  I didn't stop until I was finished.  3.1 miles with a pace of 10:11.
I'm so glad that my inner runner has taken over and I'm not letting any more excuses stop me.  I feel better each time I run, and I love feeling good.  If you haven't found your inner runner...or whatever it is that will get you going...find her/him.  You won't regret it. 
So I'm posting  pictures of my game face.  It isn't always pretty, but it's always a good thing.  Until next time...I'll see you at the races!

Hello 1st run of the week. I'm calling in sick!

After a long weekend of taking care of a sick husband and a rest on Monday, I woke up Tuesday feeling like I'd been hit by a Mack truck.  My first thought was "don't get out of bed" but those days are long gone.  So as I got my daughter ready for school, my head started thinking of EVERY excuse to NOT run.  I imagine my calling in sick, phone call to go like this...
"Hello Me, it's Me and I'm sick.  I don't feel like running today.  The heat will be brutal, the exhaustion will take over and I'll be useless for the rest of the day and I have to save my energy to keep up with Sarah.  My appetite is gone so I don't have the nutrients to keep up on a run this morning.  Thanks anyway but I'll see you when I feel better." 
And then my inner runner came out.  Needless to say she wasn't happy.  After all, I am training to run a "Beat Breast Cancer" marathon and ALL of the words of encouragement I've heard from everyone on Facebook, emails or in person came roaring back to me.  I would be letting so many people down if I just gave in to the "not feeling good" routine.  Plus I had two friends waiting on me at the bridge.  So I laced up my Asics and hit the road. 
The run was EVERYTHING I thought it would be and more.  IT WAS TOUGH!!!  However, with the strength of my amazing friends I made it.  I did feel better, sweating it out works wonders!  I did have enough energy to keep up with Sarah...at least I gave it my best shot.  My pace was 10:10, which truly surprised me. 
Along the route I did pass a new celebrity's home.  You may have heard of her.  Winter, the Dolphin from a Dolphin's Tale, the movie.  She lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and has been a long time favorite of mine.  If you get the chance to see the movie, please do.  It's an amazing story of how Winter overcomes an almost tragic event.

Anyway, that's my Tuesday!  Have a great week and I'll see you at the races!

6 miles of peace, beauty, fresh air...

Today I took on my first long run, 6 miles.  It was GREAT!  I can't remember feeling as strong on any of my recent runs.  In total I ran 6.26 miles with an average pace of 10:27. 
After I crawled out of my warm bed, I found myself waiting for the sun to come up this morning, which was very reminiscent of an actual race.  I didn't want to run in the dark because I would be running by myself and I just don't trust most people these days.  So at 7:04 AM I turned on my Ipod and took off.  Yesterday, my husband and I drove to where 6 miles would be if I took the straight route.  YIKES!  Somehow, it seemed much longer than 3 miles out from my house.  Plus it would be up and over the causeway and back.  Also, I can't say it enough, Florida is NOT flat.  I don't know how it works out this way, but the route is up-hill both ways. 

Anyway, it was beautiful outside so I was enjoying my run.  Then I came to my literal crossroad.  I could turn in either direction and have a nice flat road, or I could keep running forward and tackle the steep causeway again. 

So I chose the causeway.  I'm starting to believe that running is doing something to my brain.  I'm eager to take on challenges and less likely to back down and take the easy way out.  It was amazing coming back up the other side to face a breath taking sunrise. 

It somehow makes it all worth it.  Isn't God amazing?!

Well I made it and am much better having done it. 

On a side note, I saw this sign today and am adding it to my  "From a Runner's Perspective" album. 

 Running is a great way to stay healthy. 

Also, I tried my neighbor's suggestion for fuel and although I wouldn't say I like the taste, I felt great during the run.  Accelerade, is a 4-1 drink mix.  Four parts carbs and 1 part protein.  Thanks Tye!  I think I'll buy some for our house too. 

Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you at the races!