marathon training – Page 3 – Movin' it with Michelle

My day started out like any other. My alarm went off just before 6 a.m. although I had been up since 3…WHY? I had terrible nightmares of being tortured and I kept trying to scream for help, yet my scream wouldn’t develop in to any sort of sound. So I kept trying to scream until I woke up in cold sweats and had to walk around the house for a few minutes to calm myself down. Where do these dreams come from? You just never know, I suppose. I maybe fell back asleep for a few minutes, but as I reached over to push the snooze button and peaked down the hall to my eldest daughter’s bathroom I realized she had overslept. Crap…there goes my 8 minutes of snoozing (like it really matters, right?). I got up, woke her up, and prodded down the hallway to wake up my youngest. She’s always smiles in the morning, but something was off today…I asked her several times if she was ok? “I’m fine, Mommy.” We got ready, had breakfast, and did the routine of drop offs as we’ve done for the last 3 weeks.

This...the happiest girl in the world even when she is sick. — This…the happiest girl in the world even when she is sick.

And then I got the call from my neighbor who takes my youngest to the bus. She had developed a fever, had the chills, and I needed to come pick her up. I of course had just made my last turn before arriving to work. I pulled over, called the lab and my boss letting them know I needed to stay home. Thankfully I work with amazing and understanding people. So after my 30 minute commute back home, I picked up my youngest and we spent the day on the couch watching Disney movies. Her fever broke around noon and her appetite came back briefly. We settled back in to our movie watching with my worry alert brought back down to normal and I found myself daydreaming a lot, and thinking even more about this whole thing they call life.

Since retiring from the Air Force in 2011 after 20 years of service I have fought to search for my niche in life. I think I have found it between all my hobbies of running, writing, cooking and photography but still find myself just another 40+ year old woman that is trying to reestablish herself. We tend to lose ourselves in our kids, our marriages and our careers but what really makes US, well, US? Having had been through a lot in my life and overcoming more than can be even put in to words I created my FB page that stems from this blog. I have spent the last 2 1/2 years posting, reaching out to others to remind them they are #more and #worthsomuch and to always #keepmovinforward. It was MY way to give back to the world because I know…I know what it means to hear those words, read that story or hear that song that touches you RIGHT at the VERY MOMENT you need it to. I know.

But since the changes of FB algorithms my reach is down to nil, and the time I spend “talking” to others trying to inspire with my every day life has fallen on deaf ears. I’ve collected the data, studied the stats and compared the amount of time I spent posting anecdotes, quotes, work outs and recipes to my page. And WOW…the numbers are truly nuts. I will stand by the fact that if I can touch ONE life, help ONE person, my goal is complete. But I can’t do this when FB hides the posts of everyone who refuses to pay to promote. Out of nearly 11k followers on FB, I am lucky to ‘reach’ even just 100 people. And this number continues to decline.

Yet for the better part of 2 1/2 years I didn’t blink an eye at getting up early to post something to start people’s days, another lunch time post normally and after work I would try and motivate with my work outs or an inspirational post. At the end of the day there would be a real life adventure, or a truth post, and I would bid everyone goodnight. And it made me happy, every, single, day to reach people.

But with the changes, I can’t keep spending that much time in a venue that doesn’t value my posts ‘worthy’ of being seen. So tonight I posted my last longish truth post letting everyone know I was still there, but that they can find me here. I have a lot to offer, I think…I believe. I just have to find the right outlet. I just want to help people…I want to be that voice that says, YOU CAN. Don’t give up.

So I’ll be blogging more, and FB’ing a lot less…because I know I have things to say and share.

Here’s my day in photos….Thanks for being here, y’all.

For dinner, shrimp over romaine hearts, avocado, cucumbers, radishes and cherry tomatoes!

1:3 interval training, ran one minute hard, 3 at a steady pace for 21 minutes.

Keep Movin’ forward!!!

❤ Michelle

Tuesday Truth

Tuesdays and Treadmills, it’s a love hate thing.

February 25, 2015 Movin' it with Michelle

Normally I love Tuesdays…it’s one day closer to hump day but this week has been an inward battle. Between the weather, and knowing another week of training will be on the ‘mill, I had to dig deep.

I’ve learned a lot this winter in regards to relationships. It’s hard to hang close to people you don’t spend time with a lot. BUT, that doesn’t mean you care about them any less. At least in my book.

In all honestly I miss my running friends. They’ve all remained tough and have ran outside ALL winter long. I, well, have not. So it’s hard to relate as we are all over the place. My sleep has been less than stellar as it is most winters (and when my husband travels) so I have taken advantage of any extra sleep I can get, even if it means missing run club. Why? Am I not hard core enough? Am I not dedicated enough?

A lot probably would say such things about me, and my running/training this go-round has been less than hard core. And I understand…while my friends are in sub-zero temps running miles outside, I am indoors with a tank top and shorts running in the comfort of my own home with indoor facilities and all the entertainment I need….right?

Oh HECK NO…I would much rather be outside, but the thought of my hands/feet going so numb it actually hurts (Reynaud’s syndrome-self diagnosed as my Mom has it) to the point I can’t take it keeps me inside in temps below about 35 degrees. So sorry, but I just can’t be sorry. I am simply exhausted and doing the best I can on my own. I know…insert the #poorme reference here. Sorry…

But here’s a good image that describes how I feel running on the treadmill…

I can’t find my groove, I can’t have that feeling of bliss. Ack…I am saying I can’t.

But I’m running. I am working hard. And it’s the hardest mental test I’ve given myself in quite some time.

Brooks Launch 2's are officially MINE! — Brooks Launch 2’s are officially MINE!

Running a marathon was almost easier than running 6 miles on the ‘mill last weekend. If I have to do 8 miles on the mill this coming weekend, I may need to be pre-medicated. Just saying.

With that, I bid you all goodnight. Another sleepless night has left me feeling less than stellar, and I am praying for some beauty sleep. Sometimes I just can’t turn the ‘ole noggin’ off.

Pretty much! Pic from Pinterest — Pretty much!
Pic from Pinterest

I ask, how do you deal with winter training? What do you do when you try to engage in conversation but things are always one-sided? Any tips on a full nights sleep?

Sweet dreams, y’all!

#keepmovinforward

Michelle

Three things, Thursday, training

What would Thursday be with out Three Things? TTT

February 20, 2015 Movin' it with Michelle

Boring, right? Today’s three things are all in one way or another running related.

So here are my three things, in no particular order for the week.

1. I CAN DO THIS. No wait…I AM DOING THIS…I have started out week 1 of marathon #3 training quite well if I do say so myself. I’ve worked out every day this week so far, and am feeling strong despite lack of sleep due to hubby travels again. Is my endurance where I want it to be? No way…but it’s week one, right? 3 shorter distance runs, 30 minutes of yoga, daily planks/pushups, with a 6 mile long run on deck for Saturday….I got this!!! Positive thinking is in full force. Step aside any negativity, please.

2. In regards to my last post about Treadmill tips, I enjoyed reading ALL of your ideas. So today I decided to try watching the show “Chopped” on my Kindle and make the show into an interval session of sorts. Yup…I can turn just about anything in to something that involves running, especially when I am in official training. So it went a little like this.

My Kindle perfectly covered the screen of my treadmill!

While the four Chefs were introduced by Ted Allen I started slow, at about a 5.4 mph pace (keep in mind I kept the read out covered WITH my Kindle so these are only approximate speeds-in fact I am not concerned with speed this year, but that’s my next ‘thing’). After he told the Chefs to open their baskets, I sped up just a little more-maybe to 5.8?…I held this pace while the Chefs cooked, until their two minute warning, where I sped up significantly running all out for those 2 minutes. Once time was up for that round, I scaled the time back to my 5.4 mph-ish pace again and held that until the next round. I repeated this sequence for all 3 courses and it worked GREAT. I also had my friend Maria helping me out virtually, which I really can’t say enough about. There’s just nothing better than supportive friends and family during training.

3. Speed snobs. There…I said it. I have always praised the running community and how welcomed I have felt since moving to this area almost 4 years ago. But every now and then I catch myself succumbing to the speed snobs snide remarks or lack there of when I post a run on FB (for example). I will never be a 7-8 minute miler, and am honestly happy with that fact. In fact, I run for peace of mind, release of stress, AND because it’s a healthy exercise. I have no need to go ‘balls to the walls’ for EVERY. SINGLE. RUN. That is not peaceful for me. There is no release in that type of running-for me. But in the same breath, I applaud those who CAN run that fast and enjoy it at the same time. I have never been one to judge another runner, or compare my pace or goals to anyone other than ME. We aren’t all like that tho, are we? So the slight sting I felt today was brushed off quickly and replaced with the other 99% of runners in my life, as well as family and friends.

Does positive talk come in to play during your training season? Have you ever made up your own “Interval training” program creatively with a TV show or music? How do you deal with the elitist type people who seem to put everyone else down?

Keep Movin’ forward, y’all!

❤ Michelle

Tuesday Truth

Tuesday Treadmill Tips!

February 18, 2015 Movin' it with Michelle

I’ve seen several posts today about treadmill training tips. One over at Marcia’s healthy slice, and one over at Taking the long way home. This made me stop and think, and I am a hater of the mill. But we have this sort of love/hate relationship you see…

Yet still my descriptive terms for the ‘mill are as follows: Hate. Loath. Despise. Sorry…til true. I run to get outside of my head, be free, release stress among many other things. Running in place on a hamster like wheel just doesn’t relieve any stress for me.

But after last winter of NOT running due to Polar Vortex madness here in in the Chicagoland area which thusly turned one once normally cheery Michelle in to a hot mess of depression – I decided to reconsider my feelings.

I started shortly before the holidays after giving myself a few weeks off after my half marathon in November. I was only doing a couple miles at a time, but I was moving.

Then I had my forced rest period after cutting part of my thumb off (which has healed miraculously by the way-you’d never know I cut it!) and started back at it about a month ago….No bid deal as I wasn’t in official “training” status.

But now, here I am in week 1 of full marathon training, and the temps are a real feel of below 0 so it’s to the ‘mill I go…

So here are my tips to not pull your hair out while running on the ‘mill, in no particular order.

1. Don’t try to beat any records if you aren’t a fan of the ‘mill. Start out an an easy pace, and just let your legs do the work.

2. Music. A must have if you don’t have a TV available.

3. Turn the music UP, and allow yourself to get as lost as you can in the music without falling off the back of the mill. (yes, I’ve nearly done this a couple times)

4. Keep your eyes open, and focus on your balance. (see number 3)

5. If you have a TV near by, catch up on shows, watch a movie, or good re-runs of your favorite show.

6. Cover the read out with a towel.

7. Don’t peek…I know…nearly impossible but TRY.

8. Vary your speeds to break up the monotony. I go all out for a song, then slow it down for a song, that keeps me from having to peek at the time/distance.

9. Keep water or your hydrating liqiud of choice near by. I am a fan of plain water or Nuun.

10. Feel free to “fly” while running on the ‘mill. When I run outside and find myself running down a hill I always spread my arms and ‘fly’ with a full out WEEEEEEEEE to go with it.

11. Dancing is also recommended, but I encourage you to only do this while running at a slower pace. (See note in number 3)

12. Phone a friend. I text my friend Maria over at Running Flaps about an hour before my run. She’s my virtual running buddy, and encourages me along the way.

My face says it all...lol — My face says it all…lol

So tonight I did my first official training run on the ‘mill. I had 3 miles on deck and felt like I was stabbing myself in the eye by .5 miles in. Lord help me if it doesn’t warm up soon, because no matter how many tips I post-I still loath the ‘mill.

How do you handle running indoors? Any tips I am missing that you could pass on to me?

Keep Movin’ forward, y’all!

❤ Michelle

Tag: marathon training

Today is a new day…Never a wordless Wednesday

Tuesdays and Treadmills, it’s a love hate thing.

What would Thursday be with out Three Things? TTT

Tuesday Treadmill Tips!

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