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The most mentally mind challenging run to date-here is my recap

Movin' it with Michelle

Race Recap

Pre-race night I officially was nervous, but I did my best to relax by just reading and icing my knee.  I went to bed at 9:45 p.m. which is unheard of for me, but was awoken at around 2 am by my youngest, and 4 am from storms…but I got up bright at early at around 4:45, dressed, and then fought to get my Pandora bracelet off for 10 minutes, LOL…those of you that know me know this is one of my most cherished pieces of jewelry that reminds me daily of the love I am blessed with by my best friend, Jen, and husband, Brian…but I feared I would maybe lose it so ran without it today.  (Note to self, don’t take it off again-needed my Mati). 

My dear friend Carolyn picked me up promptly at 5:45, and we were off to the race.   We made it there without a hitch, and passed my sister in the parking lot so no worries on finding each other!  Bobbi went and picked up her race packet while I hit the porta-potties and we got ready with sunscreen and some water!  We were ready!  One last stop at the pottie and we headed toward the start.   I was lucky enough to get stretched out by one of the stretching groups in a tent, and then we found the pacer we wanted to stick with at least the first few miles (10:05), and settled in.  A huge hug from Carolyn, and the race had begun…

Thankfully it didn’t take long to settle in and spread out, and I felt pretty good despite the sun beating down on us the first nearly 3 miles.  Once we crossed the highway, and hit the actual trails I thought to myself, “Ah, now I feel home” and we were cruising.  Average of about a 9:40ish pace, we ended up passing our pacer. 

I started to really feel the sun baking me around mile 5, so we quickly stopped for water and a pee break, and that is where I started to fall apart.  The sun was in full force (come to find out it was around 88 degrees), and the shade breaks were so minimal I found the mental mind game killing me.  I wanted to cry, stop, quit around mile 7-8…My goals of sub 2 were let go long ago due to my knee, but I really wanted to hit 2:10…that sadly was gone by the wayside too, and I felt crushed.  I worked SO FREAKIN HARD for a good race.  While working and being a single Mom these last 4 months I managed to get my runs in EVERY week.  And for THIS? 

But my sister’s encouraging words and hugs kept me going…trotting…walking…and sometimes running.  From point to point, we trudged through the miles.  And around mile 9ish I started to feel a bit better, but after hitting around 11.5 miles I knew I was done.  Stick a big blunt object in my eye…But she kept me going…didn’t let me quit, and as I saw that finish line my eyes filled with tears as we picked up the pace finding energy I thought I had lost-and we crossed the line holding hands. 
I can barely look at this picture without tearing up…you can see the pain in my face, and Bobbi talking me through it…

I nearly fell into Carolyn, and sobbed as she hugged me…I turned to my sister, and thanked her as I hugged her hard, but I don’t think she knows what this means to me…
But we finished!

Already planning for a redo here in the next few weeks…<3

Crazy thing, is my knee didn’t give me any problems at all!  Tight hammy, and toes that were crying, but the rest of me felt great.  Sadly the heat literally sucked the life out of me, and I just couldn’t catch my breath. 

But…there is always next time!  J
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Friday Fun Facts

Movin' it with Michelle

Friday Facts

Two days til my second ½ marathon! 

My Garmin is charged….

I am tweaking my play list…

I pick up my race packet tomorrow!  WHAT??

I have broken off most of my nails in anticipation…

I have had the hardest, yet most eye opening week to date since I have retired from the AF…I will take this information and strive to get stronger. 

I took an extra rest day to nurse my knee, and am happy for this decision. 

I should clean tonight, but I read for a couple hours instead, and just finished my pre-1/2 marathon pedicure…done by yours truly. 

I was able to have a heart to heart conversation with my husband tonight…he’s been gone for over 4 months now, and our time “together” has been limited…this is just what I have been needing. 

Ultimately, as I have said in the past it is about the lives you touch, and the lives that touch you that make the moments we turn into memories. 

Praying for a great race with my sister and my friend Carolyn cheering me on. 

I truly, could not ask for more in life…
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Tuesday tapering and tidbits

Movin' it with Michelle

I ran 271 miles since I started pre-training/training in January. 

I have learned that I can push through almost anything, be it pain, emotional distress, or physical turmoil. 

I have found my comfortable pace…and I am enjoying being quicker than I was 5 years ago.

I have realized that people will always want to compete with you, but your race is yours alone. 

I have found that people will support you, and stab you in the back all in the same breath…hold on to those who pick you up…the rest will find themselves laying breathlessly on the floor with a knife in their hand. 

I did this…all on my own, with the help of my eldest daughter and my wonderful gym that has a daycare to watch my youngest so I can get my runs in and regularly. 

I know, that I shouldn’t look at what I don’t have, but feel blessed with what I have accomplished. 

My race is Sunday…may not sound like a race to some who have done several marathons.  But this is a race/run to me, and I will give it my very best effort. 

Lastly, I will give kudos to those who have truly supported me.  I can’t wait to run this race with my sister. 
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Unspoken blessings–T-7 days until my race…WOW

Movin' it with Michelle

I had wondered when I started this journey would I be able to finish?  Crazy knee, IT band, hammy issues all chalked up to 30 years of running have taken their toll on my body. 

But I have worked hard…through long days at work, to kids needing my attention, and even to holidays like today where I’d have much rather been chilling with my girls-I RAN.  Some weeks were better than others, but here I am at the tail end of training for my second half marathon and I couldn’t be prouder.

My girls literally made my day by waking me up with their make shift breakfast of bacon and lemon water for me…I came down stairs and they even put a Happy Mother’s Day sign up for me.  My husband although not here physically, sent me a beautiful locket to remind me how much he appreciates me…/sigh!

I finished the day with my last long run before the race…and it went amazing!  Thanks to my dear friend Carolyn for keeping me going!  These last 4 months have been tough, but I am blessed to have made new friends that help me keep going even when I want to quit!

I do so much on my own, but I am thankful for my amazing cheerleaders on the sidelines.  Ya’ll rock. 

Xoxo

Chelle
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Wednesday WOOP WOOP

Movin' it with Michelle

Wednesday WOOP WOOP

I drove to work today knowing tonight was my first “run date” and I couldn’t help but to smile.  Was I smiling because the air was crisp, and the sunrise was beautiful?  Quite possibly…I drove along the expressway jamming out to Linkin Park, and I just felt, well, good. 

We all have our aches, pains, and injuries, but I still couldn’t help but to feel giddy knowing tonight I wasn’t going to run alone. 

And the run was everything I had hoped for and more.  I met my friend just past 6 p.m. by the bridge in Geneva, and after a nice welcome hug and hello’s we took off on our run.  For the first time I left my headphones in my Jeep!  My Garmin shit the bed, so we stopped at the quarter mile mark and started my phone app so we could track our distance and pace.  I put my phone away in my shirt pocket, and didn’t take it out again until we hit our turn around mark.  It was nice to just run, chat, and not worry about pace/time/distance.  Did my knee bug me?  Yup…but I adjusted my form and we continued on with our run.  We stopped around the 3.5 mile mark to walk and catch our breath, and in the end I felt wonderful!  I now know why I was so jealous of seeing people run together…not only did I feel the bliss of being out in the beautiful weather, I now had a friend to share it with tonight!  My only regret is we forgot to take a picture together!  But we have a run planned for Sunday, so we hope to make up for it!  Thanks, Carolyn for catching this shot!

I hope to get more miles in Friday, but am taking things slow and easy because my ½ is just NEXT WEEKEND.  Holy shite!  LOL

In the end, isn’t this is what life is all about?  Embracing our lives, passions, and the people who inspire us?  Even on my hardest day I smile through it all because I have come so far, and am beyond blessed with amazing memories, people, and everything in between! 

May you all feel as blessed as I do at this very moment. 

xoxo
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Sunday Success

Movin' it with Michelle
What started out as a rough weekend, well, ended up turning around. 

I wanted to feel sorry for myself, but then realized life is just too short for those feelings.

I made up for lost time by hanging out with my friend next door last night and watching her son perform an amazing role in his high school musical.  He was amazing!  We finished the night with a cast party at her house, and I even indulged in a couple glasses of wine.   

This morning I woke up a little late as a result, but I put on my running clothes immediately so I wouldn’t have time to talk  myself out of today’s long run.  I did some research, and found a good trail to run for my planned 10K.  I PR’d this 10K at 59 minutes, and just wasn’t ready to turn around so I kept going-with a goal of 5 miles out-and back.  I needed to see if I could run 10 miles, and the weather was downright perfect minus the wind that I fought with on the way back…But I didn’t quit, and although my knee started to feel the effects of the miles around the 7 mile mark, I refused to quit!  10.01 miles complete at 1:35!!  A 9:29 pace, and I was darn stoked.

I came home, showered, and the girls and I hit up Red Robin to celebrate.  I wanted a nice yummy burger and fries, but instead had the Cobb salad and it was delicious!  We ran our errands late, but were able to pick up my Epsom salts, groceries, and headed home.

Meal prep for the week is now complete, and I will hopefully sleep well tonight despite my knee hurting. 

I completed 78 miles in the month of April.  78!!!  That is a personal best for me, and I only pray I continue strong in my training. 

Thank you to everyone who supports me on this journey…It truly means so much!!!
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Thursday Thoughts.

Movin' it with Michelle
I ran my fastest mile today.  After what could have been a horrible day…but I ran, and I pushed. 

My Jeep died right after I dropped my daughter off at daycare.  Today we were slammed at work, and I knew it from planning ahead-and I just HAD to get to work…I cried, slammed my hands against the steering wheel, and buried my face in my hands while not being able to get my Jeep to GO.  I texted my handyman, Jason, and he came to my rescue.  I was beside myself with gratitude.

I made it to work, and was overwhelmed with the amount of work we had today to accomplish.  But I work with a great team, and we made it happen.

I drove home, tired, groggy, and just wanting to lie on the couch.  But I didn’t do just that…

I came home, changed clothes, and fed my kids.  Kissed them gently and headed to the trails.

I put all my energy into this run.  The first two miles were ‘ok’ and I worked on finding my true focus.  I thought about my past, present, and future.  All of the friends who have supported me, all of the people who have truly been there for me through yet another stint away from my husband, and all of the things that truly make me joy.

My race

My feet

My pace

My beat

My trail

My run

My sail

My sun

My light

My goal

My sight

My soul

Bring on the weekend guys…xoxo
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Random facts for Wednesday

Movin' it with Michelle
1.       I look back often on where I have been, and where I am now.  10 years ago I lived in a trailer home on Scott AFB.  This home cost me less than a car costs now a days.  But I loved that home, and showed pride in how I kept this home as it was a new start for me and my first born child. 

2.      I thought I would struggle for a long time after I retired from the Air Force last year.  I wondered “what hat” I would wear each day and where I would be without my uniform.  Yet here I am, learning new things every day in my civilian career, and I feel more blessed than words can describe despite the plethora of hard work. 

3.      When I was 18 I never thought I would graduate college.  NEVER.  Yet I now possess an MBA, and pray I get to use the knowledge in the future.

4.      I will never grow tired of the smell of fresh cut grass, the air after rain, or a good run just before sunset. 

5.      Just yesterday I ran my fastest mile in 20 years.  I found inspiration in my daily struggles, and I kept pushing knowing I could break a sub 9 minute mile. 
My new Kicks!

 

6.      Sometimes we would rather have people accomplish things FOR us, rather than DO things ourselves…yet I have found a new found passion for planting my own gardens, improving my home, and entertaining my children. 
Our new deck, in progess!
7.      One of my happiest times of the day is driving my youngest to school.  She smiles, sings, and dances to the music at the wee hours of the morning.   I may loath mornings, but she takes away the painful urge to crawl back into bed with her gorgeous smile. 

8.      My eldest is becoming a lady…she’s growing up before my eyes…nearly 13 years old she is almost as tall as me, and can give me the warmest hug just when I need some comfort.

9.      I love to write…I love to learn…and I love to share my past with others so that just MAYBE they can learn from my mistakes. 

10.    I am on a new found path of health and wellness.  It’s been 2 weeks with (almost) no alcohol or caffeine.  I did fall off the wagon the other night, but I have crawled back on and am being smart with my health again.  (Please, hide the chocolate!!)

11.  You can’t help those that don’t want to be helped.  You can’t fix other people’s problems unless they want to help carve their own path.  But you can take every experience, and you can learn from those in your life. 

12.  There are days when I feel overwhelmed, stressed, hurt, and emotional.  But all it takes is a phone call from a good friend or family member to turn things around…

13.  Life…is short.  I’ve loved, lost, and been hurt more times than I can count.  But I will continue to plant my own garden, build my own future, and run my own race. 

May you all feel as blessed as I do each and every day.  Our past may lay the stones for the path on which we walk…but the decisions we make today will pave the path we choose to travel. 
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Sunday Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movin' it with Michelle
Today is day number 10 of my lifestyle change.  I of course was nervous for my run today, and probably stayed up a bit too late last night ‘planning’ the course I was going to take and making sure all of my favorite running clothes were clean.  But I slept nearly 5 hours straight before waking up to use the restroom, and was able to fall back asleep for a few more hours.  I was nervous when I woke up to an achy knee, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me today.  Yesterday was a rough one, and I refused to have a repeat of those feelings. 

So I ate a small breakfast, settled the girls and took a short drive in my Jeep to the trails that start here in St. Charles.   I found a perfect starting point, and decided although I didn’t know my exact turn around point I would run until I hit around 4+ miles and then turn around.  The trails in St. Charles are curvier, with slight hills but the sun was on my face and the wind was on my back so after the first mile I felt myself picking up my pace.  “Not too quickly” I kept telling myself, but the music was in my ears, and the scenery was gorgeous. 

Here I was…running with the chilly Chicago-land wind blowing all around, but I just didn’t care.  This is where I am free…on the trails without a care in the world.  I ran all the way to the outskirts of Batavia.  The wind caught my visor once and blew it off, but I just grabbed it and kept going.  It messed up my breathing, but only for a few minutes.  Once I turned around I felt the wind slapping me in the face, but I had come too far to quit now.  I had a bit of trouble breathing, but everything else felt great so between the open paths and the trees I found a bit of solace. 

Once I hit the paths in Geneva I knew I was home free.  I had two miles to go, and nothing was going to stop me.  St. Charles was just ahead, so I gunned it…and yeah…clocked my 8.25 in 1:21.  I have a goal to hit a sub 2:00 ½ next month, but am being realistic as well.  This will be my second ½, and really just want to break the 2:19 mark of my last one. 
Notice my swollen fingers, lol

I came home, and tried to give my eldest a hug…she exclaimed “Mom, you STINK!!!”  LOL, so I quickly took a shower and the girls and I went out for lunch and to Target…

It was a really nice day, and I spent the better part of my evening prepping my meals for the week.  I boiled 14 eggs, and made a crock pot full of chicken for salads and meals. 
Marinated chicken in garlic and adobo/fajita seasoning-small amount of kosher salt and pepper

Cilantro-fresh

Added my chicken to these yummy ingrediants and cooked on high for 4 hours.  Turned it down to low for the last hour!  YUM!

I truly have the best cheerleaders ever in life…It helps with my husband gone and busy, so for that I thank you all.  Xoxo!!

10 miles last weekend and then taper time, wow, where had the time gone?!?
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Thinking this Thursday…1/2 way done with my 2 week tune up!

Movin' it with Michelle
This post will be a bit different from some of my ‘normal’ posts.

Most of you don’t know me from Adam, but you’ve been kind enough to follow my journey on this running path I’ve made for myself.  My dream since a young child was to run a full marathon-even if just once. 

Since childhood, I’ve grown into quite a well-rounded woman I’d like to think.  I don’t think many people can say their childhood was filled with unicorns and rainbows, and I am no different.  After I left my home of Duluth, Minnesota back in 1991, I honestly didn’t look back.  Or at least that is what I thought…

I took those hard years filled with a low self-esteem and clouded self-image into early adult hood and made some pretty terrible decisions.  But again, who hasn’t? 

Yet with each bad decision I learned a lesson.  Sometimes that lesson was absorbed right away, while other times it took me years to realize I screwed up and needed to keep my shoulders back, and head held high. 

Finally at the age of 30, with divorce in my past, and debt finally paid off I realized I deserve MORE in this life.  I deserved to be happy.  I deserved to pursue my dreams.  A few core people got me through these times, and continue to stand by me even today.  My cheerleaders of sorts I call them, and they revel in my now ‘peaceful’ life after knowing the years of turmoil I went through in the past.

This turmoil caused other underlying issues.  One major one being me being dependent to a point on alcohol.  I didn’t see it until recently, when I couldn’t go to sleep without a glass of wine or a drink.  Yet these very drinks led me to feeling tired and groggy when I woke up.  I wasn’t getting hammered nightly, mind you, but I was having a drink or two most nights.

Today marks 1 week without a drink of alcohol, or caffeine, and I have never felt better.  Even after a crazy busy day at work like today I was able to knock out my 5.2 mile run and did it with a smile. 

I have only eaten organic food as well this past week, and feel like a new woman.  Here is my yummy salad I had for dinner!

My 8 miler (as previously mentioned) is this weekend, and I pray I can get it in between dental appointments, and my beloved massage therapy appointment on Saturday. 

I celebrated my first week, by purchasing the COOLEST running shoes ever…Happy day!

I will leave you all with this song…

Thanks to all for your unending support!

I will be on the trails on Sunday in Geneva/Batavia if anyone wants to join me!  J