Kirsten.....my first inspiration

Another week of training in the books!  Up at 4:30 this morning to meet the group for a 10 mile run.  I was reminded this morning of what I wasn't prepared for in February....warm weather.  It was pretty humid and I felt every step.

All winter we trained in what we thought was every condition possible, snow, freezing rain & ice.  It never occurred to us that come February 23rd, the weather would be warm and sunny.  I wasn't prepared at all for it and as I stated before, Cowtown got the better of me.  So this summer, I am registered to run 3 half marathons, the last of which is the Hottest Half in August!  If I am not prepared to run in warm weather after this summer, I don't think I ever will be.

The pace this morning was a little fast and my legs pretty much voiced their displeasure all day.  I unfortunately didn't have an opportunity to put them up and give the legs a break.  We leave tomorrow for Florida so this mom had a family of 5 to get packed.  I have packed my running shoes so I hope to get out on the beach for a few runs.  Truth be told, I'll need to run in order to eat all the good food my mother in law has made!  Peach crisp in definitely in my very near future!

While I packed today, I caught up with my sister in law.  She really has to be credited with getting me started on this marathon journey.  I watched her complete her first in Houston before John & I were married, I think it was in 2000.  She amazed me & I thought there was no way I could ever do that!  She & I trained together (virtually) for my first marathon 7 years later.  We ran the San Diego Rock n Roll & I thought it would be my first and last.  As they say, "You've come a long way, baby!"  Thanks Kirsten for getting me started & always encouraging me to believe I can do it!

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Off to bed, early flight in the morning.....

So yesterday was suppose to be a rest day for me.  My legs were still pretty tired from the race on Monday & then the speed workout on Tuesday.  But did I take the day off?!  Have you met me?!

If you have not heard me talk about Camp Gladiator, you obviously don't know me very well.  I LOVE my CG & all I have met through this fabulous "exercise program."  I put that in quotations because it is so much more than what you would expect.  I've been a CG contender (I think I can say that now) for over a year.  I was never a strong believer in anything really helping to improve my running except running but boy was I wrong!  I am stronger, faster & in the best shape of my life, EVER, because of Camp Gladiator.  

Anyway, this is week one, which is Endurance Week & Wednesday was my first opportunity to make camp, so I set my alarm & went to bed looking forward to camp in the morning.  Kevin didn't disappoint!  Needless to say, I told him at one point he was no longer on my "favorite" list!  Its always a great workout when I don't like him very much!

Today was a weight day so again, not a day to be missed.  I have started to go to another trainer's camp on Tuesday (when I don't have a speed workout scheduled) and Thursdays because my BFF is there.  It feels a little like cheating if I'm being honest.  I love my MWF group, don't get me wrong but its a completely different environment.  Plus No Run Thursday is a bonus for my tired legs.  

I did get out on the road after taking the older two to school.  It wasn't far because I promised a park date to my littlest.  It is our last day at home just the two of us.  School is out tomorrow!  I can't believe the school year is over & next year all three will be in school.  What will I do with all that time alone?!  Probably run.......

Love this crazy kid!  One of our park adventures together!

And Houston is on the calendar.......

So after yesterday's race I once again submitted my registration for the Houston Marathon, next January.  My official finish time in the 10K was :48.50, 3 minutes faster than I needed to be so I was hopeful I would hear back quickly.

Training doesn't stop though, so I was up and out the door by 4:45 this morning to run a 40 minute tempo run.  I wasn't sure how well this run was going to go.  I woke up very sore and with a tight hamstring, but wasn't going to skip a speed workout.  If I've learned anything over the course of 3 marathons & almost a dozen half-marathons, speed work outs are an absolute must.  If I'm being honest though, I was glad when it was over.  Some days the run comes easier than others.  Today was tough.

Workout complete, but just the start to the day!  We have 3 & a half days left of school so it was home to clean myself up and get kids to school!  Just another typical morning.  Alex had a playdate planned so we dropped the other 2 off at school and brought his little buddy home with us.  They took off for the upstairs to play and I sat down to check email and ......

		Congratulations Hillarie Van Zanten!   You are officially registered for the    2015 Chevron Houston Marathon

Yep, I did the happy dance!  

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

A few weeks ago the Houston Marathon opened to runners with qualifying times prior to Open Registration and their lottery system.  The Houston Marathon is in January 2015 & I wanted to do it for 2 reasons.  First, if I don't qualify in October, I have another one on the books to try again.  Second, if I do qualify in October, its suppose to be flat & fast so maybe I can improve my time.  

Well, long story short, I didn't have a qualifying time.  Not because I didn't have the right time, I didn't run the right distance with a qualifying time.  Who knew this running thing could get so complicated?!  Anyway, I found a 10k to run & signed up immediately.  It was the Unforgotten Heroes 5K/10K in Arlington on Memorial Day.  My goal was to run a :51.08, which is what I needed to register for the marathon.  Again, not sure that makes sense but hey whatever it takes!  

I thought I may have to go this race alone as its a busy weekend with lots of plans for everyone.  I was overwhelming blessed to have 6 friends come out to not only see me through to the finish but to honor the men & women that through their service allow us to freely enjoy our hobbies & pursue our dreams.  As we stood at the starting line under a steady drizzle of rain, my oldest running partner, Kelli looked at me and said "Your road to Boston starts on Ballpark Way" & that it did.  Two of my  newest friends, Keith & Anthony agreed to pace me.  Yes, I know it sounds like I'm big time, I have pacers.  Not really, just some amazingly generous friends who love to run & happen to be A LOT faster than me so they really pushed me through!  

We ran a good portion of the race alongside what we guessed was a 6 year old boy.  He ran effortlessly and really seemed to be enjoying himself.  I was so impressed with him.  As we were headed in the last 2 miles of the race we passed a few veterans walking the 5k course proudly and with smiles on their faces.  I finished my race well under my goal with a :48.51 (unofficial) and came in second in my age group.  As I stood there waiting for my medal, I watched a man cross the finish line well after most had, carrying the American flag.  That is what it was all about & why I love this sport.  People run for different reasons but we all support each other, whatever the reason! 

So, if you are or have served this country, THANK YOU! You are not forgotten and I appreciate all that you are or have done to protect our freedoms.  I especially thank my dad for his service and my little brother for his current service and pray everyday for his safe return from sea in August!  I love you & am so proud of you!  I hope you & your families enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend together.

 The group prior to the race!

 A little wet but extremely proud of my finish!

Good Saturday morning!  As crazy as this may sound, I love my early Saturday morning runs. I always have good company with me & its our long run so plenty of time to solve the world's problems.  This morning was no different.  I ran with a group that I met while training for Cowtown and we headed out for an "easy" 9 miles.  There were 6 of us this morning and the term "easy" is different for each of us so its nice to have a group that is so diverse.  We each make the most of our run.  I really wanted to take it easy, so was happy to hang back with a friend who had her son in the jogging stroller.  My right calf was sore for some reason & I felt it most of the run.  

The topics of conversation ranged from everyone's plans for the holiday weekend, movies we have recently seen or are going to see, to not so light topics such as bullying in school.  I worry about this especially since we are only a few years away from transitioning to public school for the oldest.  As I mentioned, these runs often solve a lot of the world's problems so it came as no surprise when one of the group said very simply, "Don't fret too much about it.  It all works itself out".  It's just that simple isn't it?

The miles came and went quickly.  It was a great run (except for the slight calf discomfort) and we even caught up with the tortoise (a VERY large turtle from the creek out for a morning stroll).  I guess sometimes the hare does win the race!

Have a glorious Saturday!

Welcome to my journey & thank you for following on my pursuit to Boston!  For those that know me, the Boston Marathon is #1 on my Bucket List.  A list I didn't know existed until 10 years ago and even then, Boston wasn't on it.  My running "career" and I use the term loosely began in high school & I hated EVERY minute of it!  The runner's high was unknown to me & if I had heard of it, I would have ignorantly thought it was something my friends were acquiring at parties they didn't invite their good Catholic friend to.

Anyway, I have my sights on Boston now for so many reasons and I will explore them throughout this blog.  For now, let me start by sharing that I have attempted to qualifying for Boston once before.  It ended in complete failure as far as I didn't qualify but not a failure from the standpoint that it did NOT cause me to hang up my running shoes and never try again!

Thanks for stopping by!  Wish me luck!