13.1 Day 1

40 Weeks, 273 days to be exact!

That's how much time I have to train for my newest adventure.
On August 30th 2015 I will be doing my very first 1/2 marathon, 13.1 miles.

I'll be doing the Women Rock Minnesota 1/2 with at least one of my friends that ran the Hammer with me back in October. A 1/2 marathon has been on her before "a certain age' bucket list and she'll hit that number next year so it's kind of something we need to make happen in 2015.

I never think about how friggin' tall I am till I see pictures like this.

I found a 20 week, 1/2 marathon training program that I really liked and decided to take 1 week of training and stretch it out over 2 weeks. I know my body and do much better with a slow and steady pace. PLUS it'll allow for those inevitable days when things don't go according to schedule and I won't be stressing out over missing a day.

My week will begin on Sunday and look like this; Rest, Cross Train, Rest, Run, Rest, Cross Train, Run. Luckily, Zumba is cross training and already built into my week on Monday's and Fridays. I've been doing some beginning weight lifting after each Zumba class and plan on continuing with that. I'm also adding in a little yoga for runners, which has been awesome for my perpetually tight ham strings . Here's what my training day looked like today.

Pre-run yoga, run, weighted plank, post-run yoga

I have a treadmill we inherited from Blue Eye's folks so I don't have to go to the gym, or outside in the cold for running days. I'm not fast by any means, but I figure it's better than sitting on the couch. 5 mph is the pace I'm reaching to maintain by race day. I like to catch up on the latest episode of Scorpion or watch a movie from the library while I run. It's extra nice when Matt is home because we can visit while I run and he does his gaming from his computer. When he's not home the kids get some t.v. time while I run. Here's what my set up looks like.

Yep, those are t.v. trays AND my hammer right underneath my growing collection of race bling.

I'm really not THAT into running, unless I'm watching something interesting or running with friends. BUT I do like a good challenge and I guess if I'm going to do it, doing it with my gal pals to check of an item on a bucket list is certainly that way to go.

Bad Attitude and a Song

So, it's turned cold and snowy here in Minnesnowta, and while it's certainly not unexpected, I still don't like it. Never have. Never will. Period. I've had a craptastic attitude about it thus far and basically feel trapped with no hope of release ... ever. Blue eyes was born and raised here and his personality is such that I probably can't even begin to fathom the depth of the roots he has planted in this arctic place. So, no. Moving somewhere warmer is probably not in the cards for us. Thanks for bringing it up and rubbing salt in the wound. 

The only things I can do until summer weather once again visits us for a very underwhelming two months is layer my clothing to the point of looking like the Michelin Man, drink copious amounts of hot tea, make our water bill skyrocket from all the steaming hot baths and camp out in front of my lightbox so I don't go bonkers from the lack of vitamin D. 

All I know is Pa and Ma Ingles must have been nuts. No one in their right mind ever goes "You know where we should move the family to? MN!!!!" To which an even more mentally challenged person replies "That's a great idea! Lets do that!" *sigh* 

Anyway, in an attempt to pull myself up by my bootstraps I decided to record a new song on my beloved Uke. And if any of you tell me "But think of how much time you'll have to play your instruments during the winter!" I will reach through your computer screen and El Cabong you with my tiny guitar. 

 Now, if you will excuse me, I have to waddle my way back to the kitchen for another cup of tea. 

Mother's Monody

Distractions pull at grey matter edges

Echoes of past and whispers of future

Words unfinished, unwritten, unspoken

Notes unheard, unplayed, unrelished

Unsung melodies drifting in time and space of could and would

So many weights to be carried, balanced

Broad shoulders make lighter load

but strength wanes quivering with no respite

Crown jewels are races reward

but glittering things shine dimly to the weary

Stephanie Neher