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Recipes and realizations

Movin' it with Michelle

I start this post, with a caveat to my last post. 

I have amazing support, amazing friends and family.  I am simply surprised I suppose at the lack of interest in my goals and dreams from a select few that I cherish dearly.  It is what it is, and I have decided that these few can’t outweigh the awesome people I have come to love. 

With that, I am embracing the taper and my injured (there, I said it), knee.  I am walking miles I should be running, taking vitamins and supplements like a mad woman, and hoping it will heal in the next 11 days.  (Ignore the glass of wine I am thoroughly enjoying).  I will accomplish my last 8 miler before the marathon this coming Sunday with 2 women who have changed my life, and we are awesomely known as the 3 musketeers. 

Tonight, I was tired after work.  Sleep hasn’t been the best lately, between marathon nightmares, and normal life stress I just can’t seem to STAY asleep.  I went to bed at 10 last night, which is early for me, and had Tylenol PM on board in hopes of a full 7 hours of sleep. Nope…woke up at 2, again at 4, and sadly my alarm goes off at 4:45.  So I took a quick cat nap on my chair, and decided to pull myself up and cook dinner!  It’s my second favorite thing to do besides running. 

Here is what we have tonight…
 

Pan seared chicken with garlic and roasted veggies in butter and white wine, served over gluten free rice pasta. 

For this recipe you will need:

4 large chicken breasts

4-5 cloves of garlic, minced

½ of a large white onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

1 cup of sugar snap peas, left whole

¼ cup of green onions thinly sliced (set aside for garnish)

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

A splash of avocado oil

3 pats of butter, unsalted

2 cups of white wine

Preheat your oven to 350, and start preheating your skillet on medium temperature. 

Add your oils to the pan, along with the garlic and sauté until very light brown. 

Pat dry your chicken breasts, and salt and pepper generously.  Turn the heat up to medium high, and brown the first side for about 5-7 minutes.  Flip your chicken, and add a pat and a half of butter.  Once melted, ladle the butter repeatedly over the chicken.  Brown on both sides, and turn off the gas. 

While the chicken is browning, chop your veggies.  Add the chopped veggies to a large casserole dish, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Top the veggies with the chicken breasts, and pour over the entire dish the 2 cups of white wine.   Feel free to add some of the butter you ladled over the chicken for additional flavor. 

Bake the chicken for approximately 35 minutes. 

While the dish is roasting gently in the oven, approximately 10 minutes before the chicken is done, cook a box of rice pasta according to package directions (5-7 minutes).  Once cooked, drain, and add the remaining butter and green onions. 

Place the pasta mixture in the bottom of a serving dish, and add some of the roasted veggies.  Top with the chicken, and ladle over the white wine sauce that has been reduced. 

Time to serve!  This was a huge hit with my family. 

T-11 days until the marathon…I am still uneasy, but know my heart and passion will get me through the miles. 

 

 

#movinforwardfitness
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Revisting the River…T-16 days

Movin' it with Michelle

The Fox River trails are normally my happy place; my place of peace. 

But last weekend on my 20 miler, the Fox River Trails and I battled…big time.  My once happy place of peace had been transformed in to 20 miles of hurt, mental heart ache, and blinding rain in my face.  My knee felt like it was going to explode, and I felt my dreams of a sub 5 hour marathon dwindling nearly as fast as the tears and rain poured down my face. 

I know we all need craptastic runs…all of our training runs can’t be effortless experiences of bliss.  I know this…

But when you have been seriouslytraining for 10 weeks (I started a few weeks late, since I was already at the half marathon distance I researched and found this to be acceptable to jump in with full marathon training), I had hoped my 20 miler would at least go smoothly. 

Without effort?  Nope…but a strong run was all I wanted. 

If you read my last post, you know there was nothing strong about this run, except for the determination I had to finish the miles. 

So I took Sunday off, fighting the urge to run just a few recovery miles…heck who was I fooling?  I was still limping.  It wasn’t going to happen. 

I did walk the streets of Chicago with my family on Monday, enjoying an awesome Labor day filled with shopping, walking, and site seeing in the world’s greatest city.

Back to work on Tuesday and I went back and forth with running…nope.  Knee still had that ache, and I can’t afford to injure myself further this late in the game.  So instead I enjoyed my first day of being able to pick up my daughter from the bus, helped her with homework, and cooked some amazing orange chicken with jalapeno peppers and rice pasta. 

This week I am on the 4 am shift, and this shift always kicks my tail.  I am a night owl by nature, and going to bed before 10 just doesn’t happen with busy household, chores, and kid’s homework…after work I was tired.  My tummy is acting a little funny still (post run yucks), but I didn’t give myself an option.  I changed immediately after work, and laced up my shoes. 

I could’ve run in my neighborhood…but that would’ve been too easy. 

No…I needed to revisit the river trails.  We had to find peace…

So I parked my Jeep in downtown Geneva near the bike shop which is located adjacent to the river.  I have parked my Jeep in the same spot for nearly 2 years, and have so many fond memories of this venue for running.  I met my dear friend Carolyn here for the first time, I have run countless training runs starting and finishing on this trail solo, and my hubby and I had our first run date here. 

I started out slow…(heck I finished slow for me), mindful of the twinge in my knee.  But I ran…I stopped several times to embrace the beauty of these trails I have loved and wanted to “make up” with…I saw chipmunks, cranes, geese, and several more creatures that God placed on the path in strategic places knowing I would stop and snap a photo…these stops gave me just enough rest, but deep down I was at odds with this run knowing I never stop on a short run….ever.  My goal was 5 miles, but I only managed 3.5 miles total. 

 

But the river and I…well, we are starting to see eye to eye again. 

My confidence of running a sub 5 hour marathon may be diminished…but in the end, I know I will finish this race, and finish it with pride. 

The river will be running, right alongside me…and in the end, that peaceful bliss I get from running in my favorite place in the world is all that matters. 

#movinforwardfitness
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20 mile training run recap…The Hay is in the barn…

Movin' it with Michelle

8-31-20 miler recap

Gosh…where do I start…

I pulled up to Dick Pond promptly at 6 am, ready to run 20 miles in some possible crazy weather…yet nothing could have prepared me for this one. 

I saw Bob and Diane Miller who recently lost their son and wrapped my arms around both of them.  Tears were shed, and I had to hold back my sobs.  Why do bad things have to happen to such amazing people?  Sigh…

I was blessed to see Karen from Trading in my Heels, as well as my running family all around me.  I thought for sure I would nail this run…little did I know that was SO far from the truth. 

I strapped on both Garmins, and wore my FVM pacer hat proudly.  I have been able to pace 4 out of the 5 training runs, and felt fairly confident.  My knee had been bugging me this week, but I set aside the pain and briefed my group that I would do my best to hold pace.  I was in it for the 20 miles regardless, although the race directors switched the course to a 16 mile course with an additional 4 mile loop for those that wanted to continue. 

The first few miles heading south to Geneva were nice…I ran with fellow pacer Dave on one side, with Janel on my other side…I felt good and we held a nice strong 10:30ish pace.  Just after passing through Geneva, the rain started…we all thought, “This is a nice cool down,” until the sky turned black and it started POURING.  We were soaked within seconds, and I knew my poor feet were screwed.  My knee brace was soaked, and as I kept pulling it up, I felt a tug just underneath my knee cap.  I figured I could brush it off…again, what the heck did I know. 

Several showers later, we made it to the turnaround point.  High fives and “Good mornings” were shared between groups and by mile 10 I still felt good.  We made it past the hill from hell, and then the lightening started, coupled with MORE down pours and my heart started to sink.  I couldn’t get my mind straight, hell, I couldn’t SEE straight as the rain pooled on the brim of the hat I was so proud to be wearing.  I was fading…and fast.  Most of my group started to move forward, and my knee started to SCREAM at me at the 15 mile mark.  I wasn’t sure if I was crying or if it was the rain, but I was limping so bad I decided I needed to stop and stretch/walk for a second to regroup. 

As I started running again, I saw my pace group about a quarter mile ahead of me, and my heart began to hurt.  I felt like a complete failure. 

The turnaround point for the additional 4 mile loop that was needed to complete the full 20 miles slapped me in the face, yet I turned back to the south and decided I’d finish the distance regardless of pace. 

I was alone, and although I love running alone, I was at a point where all I wanted was SOMEONE to run with me…

I stopped to walk again as my knee torqued in pain, and I heard a voice…”Michelle, is your knee ok?”  I turned, and there was Jack Erwin, a fellow vet, and runner I met last year during these training runs.  With tears in my eyes, I said, “No…”  He quickly handed me some numbing cream for my knee, and I smiled through my tears…”Thank you” was all I could muster up as I was at a complete loss for words.  He ran by my side, talking, encouraging, and keeping me moving.  I offered for him to keep going each time I walked/slowed.  Yet when he said, “No, I will never leave a fellow comrade behind,” I found myself holding back the tears.  I was brought back to my military days and a whole new sense of pride and longing filled my heart. 

We ran slowly, walked some, yet made it back to Dick Pond with 20.5 miles under our belts. 

Do I feel confident for my marathon in 3 weeks?  Hell no…

But as I walked in to Dick Pond, more so hobbled, I was welcomed with open arms by my friends.  I sobbed like a school girl, and then cried some more…

As Glen (the owner of Dick Pond) was getting ready to ice my knee, my calf seized up…and I realized one of my many mistakes of the day…

We were literally SOAKED to the bone.  I quickly remembered not only did I not FUEL enough for this run (I only consumed ONE bag of sport beans the entire run), but I didn’t HYDRATE enough either.  I stopped at the two water stops and had a couple Dixie cups of water, but I still had water w/Nuun in my hand held….BAD BAD BAD.  Normally I fill it up several times at various water fountains.  I am positive this lead to my demise and the uber fail in this run. 

Yet with each run, I try and find a positive spin.  I believe we have to have a few bad runs under our belts to keep things ‘real.’  While some felt like rock stars running in the thunder and lightning, I felt like a scared little girl.  This run humbled me, and brought me back to last year’s 20 mile training run when we were hit with nearly 90 degree temps, and I again fell off pace. 

With this new found lack of confidence in the one thing I truly feel I do well, I have decided to take a couple days for ‘me’ to step back…feel sorry for myself…cry…and cry some more in order to get all the BAD out, so that I can refocus and regroup for the next 3 weeks of tapering. 

I have been promised by Andrea that although I allowed a couple days, she will quickly be ‘clearing my table.’  Pity party for one will be short lived. 

But today, although proud I finished the distance; I am still beating myself up.  I didn’t run this training run smart, and it kicked me swiftly in the chest, ass, and knee. 

Lastly, I am counting my zillion blessings of amazing friends and family.  My phone was blowing up during this run (I can hear the text ‘ding’ as I use my phone for music) yet I couldn’t pull it out until the 17.5 mile mark when the rain finally let up…I was in awe of all the encouragement and it helped get me through those last 3 miles.  I was greeted, with open arms by my awesome friends at the finish, who allowed me to cry, yet took care of my knee all at the same time. 

So while this run may have SUCKED…I came out on top…between the friends I have found through running, my fb page, and real life, I truly couldn’t ask for more. 

The hay is officially in the barn…

 
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Week 14, and my nearly 14 year old…

Movin' it with Michelle

There are moments in life we often wish we could forget. 

There are moments in life we wish we could hold on to forever.

There are GREAT training runs we are proud of.

And there are days, even weeks we wish we could just put behind us. 

I have been training now for 14 weeks respectively.  I have been working in a new job that although I love, I have found myself complaining about the hours. 

Today, I kicked myself for complaining.  For I have a job that pays decently, and I have a roof over my head and food on my table. 

What I don’t have, is a happy household. 

There. 

I said it. 

I have struggled with my teenager for longer than I care to admit.  Long work hours, husband traveling, and now added training hours, I am sure have not helped. 

We hit our cross road today when I got home from my long run of 14 miles, and hubby was away for a well-deserved weekend of fun.

The run?

Went quite well despite a few hic-ups…I was able to get a couple ‘flying miles’ in, and spend a couple hours with some very dear running friends.  It was by far, not my best long run, and I admittedly was a bit disappointed in my average pace of 10:31 for 14 miles.  But we finished strong, and I was satisfied.

I came home to my normal hormonal teen, and immediately the bliss I felt on the trails was replaced with anger, hurt, and disappointment in me as a Mother.  We fought, and I poured myself into a hot shower hoping for relief. 

Yet as I got out of the shower I felt something was ‘off.’  I went to her room to check on her, and found a dark room, and the doors of the front closet where we keep shoes, left wide open. 

She.  Was gone. 

I panicked. 

Grabbed my youngest after throwing on some clothes, and searched the neighborhood…texted her friends, drove, cried, and searched for my child whom I can’t seem to connect with…

And my heart broke a little more with every neighborhood we drove through, with no child in site. 

Within 30 minutes she called my cell phone from our house phone.  She was safe, home, and aware of what she did wrong. 

But who truly has done wrong?

I am left feeling as if I am failing her as a Mother…

Her biggest concern is the length of her punishment…normal, for sure for a nearly 14 year old. 

But does she not see the importance of communication and treating people with respect and kindness?  Are my efforts truly falling on deaf ears? 

Do I work too much?  Run too far?  Am I too hard on her? 

Probably. 

I am still having a hard time finding the words.  I thought I could pour myself in to my new Garmin, but even THAT I couldn’t figure out…

It seems despite a strong training season, I am lacking in so many other areas.  I am often left to feel as if I don’t belong in my own home.

Yup…I said that too…

After a time, you find yourself giving, and giving, and giving some more…until you have nothing left to give and your heart feeling empty. 

So tonight, I allowed myself dinner with friends, so that I could not only GIVE, but receive kindness and support. 

Yet still the hole in my heart is aching, and I have a void to fill with my daughter before it’s too late…I don’t want to hit that stage with her…and I pray we have a chance to mend broken bridges. 

So this coming weekend on my 20 miler, I will be pacing, yet more than likely running 95% silently, in my own head and heart in hopes of finding a balance between work, Motherhood, and my own passions. 

Re-reading this, I realize it may be too much to ‘put out there’ but holding it all in any long would be too much….

I may be quiet for a bit…as I search for my balance and peace.  I can’t keep preaching what I don’t practice.  But, I am truly thankful for the select few who have been there throughout this crazy process we call ‘Marathon training’ and life.  Y’all rock. 

Week 14 of training.  Completed. 
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Pictureless post! T-34 days!!!!!

Movin' it with Michelle

Pictureless post

My morning started out early, with the alarm going off at 5 am, and my immediate reaction to my scratchy throat was to grab my water bottle…Oh no…I don’t have time to be sick. But after weeks of not sleeping and increasing miles, I am beginning to wonder if it’s inevitable.  I got up, started to get ready, and my charm ‘Be Strong” that I wore to the Fox Valley 20 miler and Chicago Marathon last year-fell quickly to the floor.  I heard the ‘clink’ as it hit the bathroom floor and my heart sank.  Is this how today’s 18 miler was going to go down too?  With a clink, and not a BANG!?  Nope, I was determined…

I came down the kitchen and had 2 vitamin C tabs along with my granola bar and 5 hour energy.  I gathered my gear, and hit the road at 5:45 so I could get to Geneva Running Outfitters early enough to go over the maps and settle down. 

I got to see all my amazing fellow runners, and my spirit lifted.  We got our group together, and it was time to hit the trails at 0630…suddenly, my Garmin wouldn’t pick up the satellite.  SERIOUSLY?  I was a little nervous as last night it randomly turned on by itself, showing it wasn’t charged even though I charged it all day, and now no satellite.  Argh…How does a pacer keep pace with NO GARMIN?  I know my pace quite well internally thankfully, and Katy had her watch so we kept rolling. 

Around mile 3 I was able to get some sort of read on it, but it was saying we were running a 9:05 pace.  HAH.  That’s just plain funny for me and a long run.  So I just let it go.  Enough quirks in the beginning of a long run can totally mess with you mentally, and I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. 

Our group consisted of maybe 20 runners to start out with, one of which was a 10 year old boy training for his half marathon NEXT weekend.  His Mom was amazing, meeting us every few miles with smiles and fuel for her son.  This amazing little boy talked our ears off, and kept our hearts singing…(at least mine)…I felt blessed to be a part of his group.  He broke off at the 12 mile mark, and suddenly things got quiet, and a little more ‘real.’ 

The hill from hell as I will kindly name it hit us like a ton of bricks at mile 16.  We had just stopped for the last water stop, and the Shot Blok I ate was suddenly NOT going down…I barreled up the hill, because that’s what I do, and the Shot Blok threatened to exit my increasingly upset stomach…I held it down, and although we lost most of our group at the water stop, we were almost thankful we could slow down a touch to try and regroup.  

It was just Katy and I at this point, and we were hating life, and the run…we decided that mile 17-18 was the LONGEST mile ever, and I began to wonder who stole the trail from me and stuck me on a moving treadmill outside. 

BUT…we kept pace…we actually were around the  10:19/10:20 pace for the entire run, and the group said “keep going” to which we accommodated. 

18 miles, in 3:06:45.  I’ll take it.  8 more miles to the finish line…lets pray this pace HOLDS. 

 

#movinforwardfitness
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Week 12 of Marathon training, COMPLETE…

Movin' it with Michelle

Week 12 of marathon training completed…yup.  I logged 32 miles this week, and hit 511 miles for the year!!!  I am so darn stoked. 

Monday-rest day…

Tuesday-4 mile run/plank 40 seconds
 

Wednesday-10 mile bike ride

Thursday-4 mile run/plank 45 seconds

Friday-12 mile long run/plank 45 seconds—This run was different, because I set out to run my solo miles, well, solo…But at the 4 mile mark I was already struggling mentally-so I texted one of the most awesome runner friends I know…and she got me through the last 8 miles…<3 her. 
 

Saturday-went to my sister’s house for my nieces and nephew birthday party, at which I ate terribly, drank several drinks, and what?  I had a darn blast with friends and family…<3
 

Sunday-relaxed, did chores, and even managed to get a quick 1.5 mile run in before the skies opened up.  We also did a chopped challenge and here is what I made!  Yes, I have always dreamed of being a Chef, so I take these family ‘challenges’ quite seriously! 
 

This week will bring on a busy week of work, getting kids ready for their first week of school starting next week, and my 18 miler on Sunday.  Lord willing I will be strong enough to pull it off…I know last week was hard, and I am still unsure how I made it through training and crazy hours at work!  I sadly woke up Saturday morning with terrible bubble gut, and knew my system was completely in overdrive.  Does anyone else get this terrible stomach issue AFTER a long run/long week?  I am guessing it is my old IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) creeping up its ugly head, but I am determined to beat it. 

I feel a bit odd not having any other races scheduled this summer, but I felt it best in navigating my home and work life to just concentrate on the marathon.  I was going to be an Ambassador for the Fort to Base run, but knew I would be taking on too much so I backed out a month or so ago. 

I don’t like to quit, or give up on something I have committed to do, but I also know my limitations. 

With that said, bring on my 13th week of training, and my 18 mile run which I’ll be pacing ALONE on Sunday.  I can, and will, DO THIS…Lord willing. 

 

#movinforwardfitness
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52 days and counting…

Movin' it with Michelle

 

52 days left until I battle the trails to finish my second FULL marathon. 

I swore I’d never toe the line for another 26.2 miles. 

Why?

Training is hard.  It hurts.  It truly is time consuming for someone who has more on her plate than I can often juggle, even on a good day. 

I see others posting 100 mile months, thinking there is NO way I could do that…yet in July I accomplished 127 miles, some of which were biking, but the majority were on my feet.  And for those that say biking miles are easy?  Well, they’ve never biked on my trails.  Miles, are MILES. 

I used to think I didn’t have support…and this mental challenge made training tough.  But as of late my support wagon has filled, and I feel so very blessed. 

I work 2 jobs, although my second job of teaching gave me a little break this summer.  But summer is ending, and I will have to juggle my 2 jobs, and training, as well as taking care of my family…

I can’t turn back now…I achieved 16.12 miles on Thursday…just 10.1 miles to go…right?

My training will have to suffer this week in mileage, because my family ALWAYS comes first and we will be spending the weekend downtown.  My youngest turns 7 years old on Monday, and I can’t wait to celebrate her life this weekend. 

52 more days…

This leads me to answer the question of WHY I chose to train all summer again….in the heat, humidity, with crazy hills, miles, and sweat. 

And it all comes down to my family, friends, and ME.    

I run to be a better ME; a better Mom, a better wife, and a better friend.  Because when I run, I run for me, but the result of every mile achieved shows me that I am more than any life stressor…because I push through…I feel the pain, but I don’t let it win.  What an awesome life lesson. 

I could roll over in bed and say NO.  I could come home from work after a craptastic day and just say, “screw it” and close my eyes. 

But I don’t. 

I run, and I give every run my heart and soul. 

I was running this past Thursday my long run of 16 miles…at the 12 mile mark it truly started to hurt.  But I ran with a friend, and she got me through one of my toughest training runs this year. 

Isn’t that what life is all about?  Helping, supporting, and inspiring others. 
14 mile training run, 2 weeks ago.  Love this group!
 

Yup…52 more days…and I hope and pray these months of heartfelt training pay off.  I don’t care to BQ…I just want to achieve my goal of sub 5 hour marathon.  I want to feel that sheer bliss of seeing the finish line.  I want to run, and race strong.  I want to say, “I DID it, and I did it strong.”  I don’t want to shuffle my last 7-8 miles. 

I want to run. 

26.2 here I come. 

#movinforwardfitness
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57 days, and counting…

Movin' it with Michelle

57 days left until my second full marathon…WOWSA…where did the time go?  Am I ready?  Can I really run 26.2 miles, AGAIN?

I am a creature filled with self-doubt, and sadly have been surrounded by doubters for most of my life.  I try to keep these people at bay, but sadly the world has turned a negative page on life, and it’s hard to avoid.  I wasted much of my weekend hidden behind my own thoughts of ‘stuff’ I will keep to myself on here, but that has consumed too much of ME, and my energy. 

I did my best to enjoy the weekend and party I planned for my husband’s 40th birthday, but sadly woke up this morning engrossed in thoughts of things I can’t control.  I am trying ‘self talk’ but so far I still feel that anxious feeling I hate when it comes to opening closed lines of communication. 

Sorry, I know this post is all over the place.  Doesn’t make a lick of sense I am sure, but I needed to get at least SOME of it out, somehow…argh.  Thankfully my husband is an awesome sounding board, and he’s given me great advice. 

That being said…I will rejoice in my accomplishments this weekend.

I planned and held an awesome party for my husband’s birthday.  He truly enjoyed having friends and family with us to celebrate his turning 40. 

I ran 15 miles for my long run, and felt GREAT minus some knee aches. 

I ran with friends, and this makes a long run SO much better. 

I played with my kids in the yard today, and took a much needed nap on my recliner vs. cleaning house. 

I logged my most miles in a week this week with 33 miles, and a 120 mile month between running and biking. 

I wanted to cry today as I felt my depression creeping in…but instead I ran around my yard with my kids to release the bad vibes. 

Here’s to a new week, new challenges, and even better energy!

#movinforwardfitness
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26 (.2) things I love about running/training for a Marathon

Movin' it with Michelle

26 things I love about running (do you see a pattern here?  Yup, self-motivation is key for marathon training!!!)

1.     Running provides me a release of “life” stress.  We’ve all got it, work, kids, husbands, housework, training…but when I am running all the “crap” becomes just that…crap…

2.    Is it odd I love the smell of sweat after you hit the second or third mile?  Sorry, I love it…it reminds me that I am sweating, working, and moving. 

3.    I see so many posts that people run to lose weight.  Not me.  I gain weight while in training for a marathon.  I love it anyhow. 

4.    While running with friends, you can literally talk about ANYTHING.  Long runs are awesome, because you are running at a “comfortable” pace therefore talking is acceptable.  And we talk, let me tell you…

5.    Running friends get it…they get the issues, the heartache, the pain, the sweat, and the tears that can be shed during a long run. 

6.    Shoes.  I love new running shoes.  Yup.  I have a small, ok, large addiction. 

7.    Vaseline, body glide, and “the Stick” are words that don’t make a runner giggle…they are sheer necessities. 

8.    Rest days aren’t welcomed.  Runners get it.  We know they are needed, but they make us anxious.  This said after my 45 minute cat nap taken after a long day of work, LOL. 

9.     Cross training is also an oddity.  But we do it.  And it makes us stronger. 

10. GU, beans, and fuel are something that is shared during water stops.  A runner will never go without. 

11.   Planning your weekend around long runs is normal.  Running errands and going to Walmart after a long sweaty run, is also normal.  #ignorethestench

12.   Logging your miles on Facebook, dailymile, or runkeeper isn’t a burden, it’s a shout out of pride. 

13. It’s ok to come home after running a long run, seeing nothing has changed.  Your kids are playing, your husband is doing his thing, and your house work is still waiting.  But YOU, YOU, have changed because you accomplished those miles!

14.   Race bling, is, well, COOL.  Display it with pride. 

15.   You begin to get superstitious about race bib numbers.  Too many even numbers?  Too many odd?  How will it all pan out?  You never know what the day will bring. 

16.   Crossing the finish line of any race, no matter what distance, brings you close to tears because you feel your hard work displayed RIGHT THEN AND THERE. 

17.   You realize that not every race will be a PR, and you are ok with that.  As long as you gave it your ALL. 

18.   Becoming a crazy creature of habit makes you smile.  Because you know it works for you. 

19.   You receive your dailymile week recap, and get giddy seeing your mileage creep up each week!

20.   You endure pain, suffering, and sacrifice of “fun” on the weekends to get those miles in each week, and LOVE every minute of it. 

21.   You count down the miles, instead of telling yourself OMG I have XX miles more to run. 

22.   The mile markers become LIFE markers.  Each mile, one mile more you’ve ran, you’ve endured, you’ve WORKED for.  And you celebrate every single mile. 

23.   The alarm going off at O’dark 30 on an early Saturday morning is no longer a chore, it’s a blessing.  Embracing the long run is awesome.

24.   Sweaty hugs, laughter, tears, and everything in between encompasses what you feel after a long training run with friends.  #runningfriendsrule

25.   Your running friends know, more so understand more about YOU, than even you do…and they build you up with every single run.

26.   The .2 after a 26 mile is bliss all mixed up with sweat, tears, and pain.  And it literally is better than any feeling you can imagine, pain and all that jazz mixed in with miles.  I honestly can’t NOT get choked up thinking about my ONE full marathon. 

 

#movinforwardfitness
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Things I have learned from running

Movin' it with Michelle

Things I have learned from running

I am a creature of habit.  I set my gear, fuel, Garmin, Ipod, pre-run breakfast and have my play list set the night before each and every run/race/training run.  I can tell you exactly what I will eat, drink, and take with me, as well as the amount of Vasoline I will apply on my toes the morning of my run to prevent blisters.  I have it down to THAT much of a science.  Please don’t let me forget my nose spray, or my 5 hour energy…one missed entity and I feel discombobulated. 

I am going to sweat.  I am going to sweat in places I didn’t think possible, which in turn could cause chaffing.  I don’t like chaffing.  I have only encountered chaffing twice.  I don’t like it…Vasoline, again, is my friend. 

I will have to pee on a long run.  If it’s over a half marathon, please…let me stop and relieve myself.  Because there will come a point where I have to pee so bad, I no longer have to pee. 

I spit.  I just have to.  I promise to look back and make sure no one is behind me, but if you are downwind, I can’t promise anything…after about 10 miles my aim suffers.  Sorry…just sayin’…

I carry a sweat rag…because well, I frickin’ sweat like a MARATHONER IN TRAINING. 

I sing.  Loudly.  On long runs I find it best to sing LOUD and PROUD to get the frustrations of my aches and pains out…get it?

Bike up?  Bike back?  I will call it out if I am in a group…and I will say good morning to every runner and biker I see…catch me at mile 8 and you will see one giddy girl.  A runner high is in full affect for me at this point.  Don’t like it?  Look away.  I run to be happy.

I will talk of kids, husbands, job, housework or lack there-of, and yes, the STICK.  What get said on the long run, stays on the long run.  Yup…more just sayin’…

My delusional horse like sounds often come out around mile 10.  This is my release, my AHH HAA, my OK KEEP GOING GIRL time…don’t like it?  Hmm…turn your Ipod up. 

I believe in the high protein, MUCHO H20, and day before a long run carb load. 

I don’t run to lose weight, for I’ve gained weight doing so…and I still love running dearly. 

I embrace my water weight, for I know I am at least hydrated. 

My IT band, patella femoral syndrome, and other running issues are all every day topics I can discuss with my running partners. 

An Epsom salt bath…is bliss.  Yes….no ice baths for this chick. 

And so is this well-deserved Cosmo…wait, who took away my glass of wine?

I just spent 20 minutes cutting down my ugly toe nails because I refuse to pay anyone to do it for me, for it would be pure torture to endure working on these nasty black and dead nail beds…bah. 

I end this roller coaster list with the best…

My running friends. 

These people…the ones who see me sweat, cry, hurt, laugh, endure, suffer, MOVE FORWARD, gain momentum, and so much more…these people…my sole sisters and brothers…are the embodiment of the foundation in the journey in which I RUN.   

And my running not only has taught me inner strength…it has taught me more…

It has taught me with all my quirks and weirdness, if I can help ONE person run ONE more mile, than I have succeeded. 

Life is good.

My 18 zillion ounces of water were good.

And now my Cosmo is even better. 

14 miles in the books. 

Damn I love to run. 

It hurts.

It’s hard.

And it is so darn worth it. 

#movinforwardfitness