3 Half Marathons in 3 months....Yes I'm crazy!

So the good news is, I am finished with my summer racing series!  Yay, me!  And I took 3rd place in my age group for all 3 races.  Super excited about that!

Too bad the glass was empty!

Bad news, I am feeling it tonight!  I think that the weeks ahead are going to continue to get tougher but I just have to say, "Wow"!  Running a half marathon with the sun beating down and the temperature rising was just the icing on the cake this week.  Here's what the week looked like leading up to today:

Monday - 16x400 (nope that's not a typo) with a 2 mile warm up & 1 mile cool down.  

Wednesday - 9 mile temp run - only had time for 6, sorry

Friday - 6 mile easy run 

Sunday - 16 miles (sorry only did 13.1)

I learned this week that I am not very good at keeping a steady pace when doing track work.  I went out way too fast for the first 8 400s.  I need to work on listening to my body and knowing what is a"good" uncomfortable effort and what is an "on the verge of vomiting" effort.  It's a fine line but not being able to distinction between the two could cost a qualifying time.

This piece I have known for a while but is worth re-iterating.  My mind is SO much stronger than my body.  There were times today that I just wanted to dial it back and take it easy.  My mind wouldn't let me.  I would spot someone & challenge myself to catch them.  Mentally, it also helped to have friends out there pushing me too.  I had 3 great pacers today that took turns keeping me going!  Thanks guys, you are appreciated beyond words!

Last & possibly the hardest lessoned learned, listen to your body!  When your legs ache, even 15 hours later, its probably a good idea to take a rest day.  At least today, this is an easy lesson.......I will rest tomorrow!

What happened to last week?

I can't believe summer is over!  Last week went by so fast.  I really tried to slow it down, but no luck. It hit me early in the week that all 3 kids would be in school this year & I realized I wasn't ready!  Mom of the Year right here!  I tried to convince A that he didn't need to go to school this year, that he could stay home with me for one more year.  His response was so simple & reassured me that he was ready.  He said "Mom, I'll come home everyday after lunch & my nap.  You can play with Bumblebee & Optimus while I'm gone because they love you too."

So, Thursday morning came too quickly and they were all shiny & new in their uniforms and ready to take on the school year.  I was a complete mess and every time I thought I had pulled myself together,  I would lose it again.  It was literally the longest day of my life.

I have spent the last 5 years with the youngest and while I miss the big kids I didn't have the luxury of staying home with them.  A & I have done EVERYTHING together since the day he came home from the hospital.  It amazed me how much I missed him & we were only in school two days last week.  I am pathetic.

My crazy sidekick

Such a handsome boy!

You are probably wondering what any of this has to do with my training.  Well nothing other than the best thing about running is, its always there when you need it.  It isn't on a set time schedule.  If you are late to your run, it doesn't care.  It's just glad you made it.  However, a late morning run (after mass on Friday) isn't as kind to you as the pre-dawn run.  I don't remember the last time I had a side cramp as bad as I did Friday.  It was hot, humid and I don't think even a slight breeze.  It felt like 100 degrees but when I looked at the temperature on my phone, it read 88 degrees!  Welcome to Texas humidity, I was drenched!

Saturday morning wasn't any better.  The mileage is getting up there & it was a struggle.  Thank goodness for great running partners.  We started out with 6 and picked up a 7th, 2.4 miles in.  At the 5 mile mark, we dropped to 4 and shortly after, down to 3 due to an injury.  At 2.4 miles left to go, I turned to the one remaining runner still with me & laughed.  He was the only one foolish enough to run the entire 15 miles.  I guess just like the run, the runner doesn't care when, where or what time.  She was just glad you showed up!  And kept her on pace, averaging 8:51.

Perspective

Training this past week was right on track.  At the end of the week, however, I find myself reflecting on perspectives.  Here is my list of reflection:

1. My training partner left for a month in order for her oldest son to attend camp.  This may seem strange to some that you would travel out of state for an entire month so your kid can go to camp but when it is what they need, you do whatever it takes to make it happen.  Perspective.....is what I am doing in the best interest of my family or am I selfish in my goals?

2. As a result of #1, I had to adjust when I got my runs in.  In order to accomplish my goal of finishing the Mankato Marathon with a certain time I HAVE to complete each workout at a set pace.  I say this so you understand that when I went out for a 7 mile run with 3 kids on bikes in tow, this was going to be difficult.  The logical me knew this but the irrational focus driven me didn't want to listen.   This resulted in feelings of frustration towards the kids.  Perspective....what the hell is wrong with me?!  They rode their bikes 7 MILES!!!!!

3. This last reflection really has me pondering.  "I" had a soccer tournament this weekend & I wasn't able to attend the first day.  J took her to the first game & when asked how it went, his perspective was she didn't play much.  Hmmm.  2nd game didn't go well according text message updates but I didn't realize the full extent of "not well" until the next morning.  The girls lost the game but it was the sideline behavior on the spectator side of the field that may need some perspective.  Have we lost sight of the importance of leading by example, being respectful,  supporting our coach, letting him be our voice & just being our kid's cheerleaders?

This morning I had a track workout scheduled and it sucked but I did it & there was one vision that kept me going & pushing to give it my all.  I watched one of our girls yesterday (who is not the fasted on our team) chase a girl halfway down the field to cut off her shot on goal.  She gave it her all, physically & with her heart!  She has been working so hard this summer to build her endurance & I COULD NOT have been prouder of her!  She got there & because if her, I did too!  Thank you M!

My goal has not changed but my perspective I hope has.  I will run, I will push but I will do it with heart & I will not beat myself up when I don't hit a mark!  I want my kids to see that isn't just about the finish, its about the journey & keeping things in perspective!

One year ago...

This past week was a trying one...

Emotions ran very high with everyone in the house and I couldn't quite figure out why.  I chalked it up to summer coming to an end.  Perhaps the kids & I were just done with so much time spent together, except it had been our busiest summer and we weren't all together a whole lot.  Someone had always had a camp to go to or a friend to visit, so what was our deal?!  Then it hit me, a year ago we all said goodbye to a very important person in our lives.

Arnold Van Zanten, aka Grandpa Beach finally lost his long battle against prostate cancer.  So while none of us voiced it, I think deep down we all were dealing with the loss in some way or another.  John & I were preparing to travel to Florida to be with his mom on the anniversary and to take Arnie to his final resting place.

As a result, my week of training was off.  Twice I overslept for boot camp and Friday's run had to be done on Thursday.  I planned to get as much of my long run in as I could while we were there on Saturday morning.  My hope was that it would help me get through the emotions of the day.  I had no idea how John was going to get through the day & I wanted to be the support he needed me to be.  I got in a little over 11 pavement pounding, sweat & tears pouring miles.

The morning was beautiful and the water was so calm.  We set out 3 miles off shore with a Captain that Arnie would have loved.  He was a diver & lover of the sea.  It was starting out to be perfect.  We anchored and while John held his dad's urn, his mom & sister said a few words.  It was soon time to say goodbye.  We toasted to him and continued to regale in stories of his love of the water.  We talked about the first diving trip I took with him.  I was a mess!  I had splinters in my hands from the tow line, a goose egg on the back of my head from the tank, and every blood vessel inside my goggles popped due to a mask squeeze.  He just kept telling me, DO NOT tell your mother!  I experienced a lot of firsts, things I never imagined doing in the short time I had the pleasure of knowing him and I was lucky for that.

Arnie provided so many opportunities for so many people, even outside his own family.  All who knew him were blessed to have been touched by him.  I know this weekend doesn't completely heal us but as I sat in church this evening I was reminded that while our bodies will return to dust, our souls go on forever.  Until we meet again, I am comforted by the thought that he is always with us and watching over.  Love & miss you, Arnie!