Wednesday, April 1, 2015

#RunthisYear 2015 March Summary


March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. Weather-wise and otherwise. So for the last day of this tumultuous month, I wore this RunHappy shirt from Brooks. Because that has been my mantra for this month. Actually, Brooks has some pretty awesome ladies running gear--wouldn't you agree?

Let's sum it all up...shall we?

Looking at my goals--how did I do this month? 


Run a sub-2 marathon: Yes please. Yes I did. This race, my backup plan, the Get Lucky half marathon, went better than I could have dreamed. Not only did I sub-2, but I PR'd by over 4 minutes. My finish time was 1:52:08. My previous PR was in 2011 at the North Shore Half Marathon where I finished with a time of 1:56:31. That race was memorable for my 3 portapotty stops. This year's race was memorable for no portapotties along the course. Man, was I lucky I didn't have to stop. But this race was also no frills in other areas. I came in second in my AG and there will be no award for that. Seriously. Who does that? Oh, that would be Team Ortho. Every other race I have run provides awards for the top 3 finishers in each age group. For my $80 entry fee, I expect some kind of memento. A pint glass? Maybe I could trade my cheesy sweatshirt for an AG award medal? Oh well. I'm not one to be greedy, and hey, at least I can be proud of an amazing finish.

Tom caught a puffer fish! LOL! He puffed right up. The fish, not Tom. At least he let me take this picture. And I've never seen a puffer fish outside a tank before.

Matthew on his way to a "try"
Control the mama drama: Not so much. I do think I was able to channel much of my angst into an amazing month of running. I had some of the fastest mile splits of my 20+ year running cycle. I hate to call it a career, because it's more of a hobby...but I digress. I ran 114 miles this month, and all of them were sub-9 minute miles. That is crazy fast for me and such a thrill. I can't help but wonder how long I can sustain this. Hey, if my oldest son keeps bringing trouble into my life, all I can do is take it to my favorite therapist, the road, right? We took a family vacation to Florida at the end of the month, and while he was pretty rotten to me the first couple of days--god forbid I'd take him away from his friends and make him go to Florida--he did thaw as the week went on and we ended the trip on a really positive note. After all I've been through with him, I'll take it. Now I have to figure out how to pay all these medical and therapy bills. On the plus side, my youngest son is playing a new sport this year, rugby, which he has fallen in love with. I've only been to one scrimmage--the brutal weather this month forced cancellations of many of his games--but he scored a "try" and made this mama proud. 

Becky keeps me working on my core strength. Any of you participating in that multi-blog core challenge? I'm a little scared...
Stay injury free: I'm knocking on wood as I write this, but I had a pretty uneventful month on the injury front. I was really good about foam rolling, yoga, and doing my hip stuff (clamshells and supermans) until we went to Florida. My big toe, my nemesis, is talking to me this week, but it is more sore than anything. It's time to switch out my shoes, and I think that's what my toe is telling me. I hope that's all it is. Damn toe. Usually some body part starts to hint that my shoes have exceeded their mile limitation. I probably have about 400 miles on these shoes. Even though they have a lot of good juju in them--see my race above--it's time to put them aside for the spare pair in the closet. They'll be great for CrossFit. Speaking of CrossFit, after a 3 week hiatus from Becky, I restart back this week. I'm actually looking forward to it. I have no idea what she has in store for me. It can only be good. Right? Back to the pain cave....

Remember, the link will be live April 13! Patriots' Day!
Grow the blog: The blog views have been growing. I've found new outlets for attracting new readers and that's been really fun. I'm getting approached by vendors who want me to test and review their products. That has been even more fun! I loved the Lily Trotters compression socks, and coming up this month will be a product review from SpiBelt. The first month of the book club was a huge success. I had an email interview with the author of our book, and a ton of comments on the book itself. It was so fun and rewarding to have that kind of interest. Hal Higdon has committed to an email interview for this month's selection, which I've chosen in honor of the Boston Marathon. I also have experienced some frustrations with my attempts to grow the blog and I'll be writing about those in the future. It's been interesting.

So what's up for April?

I have my favorite race, the CARA Lakefront 10 miler, on April 18. This is a runners' race, with fast finish times and great post race treats--including Lagunitas IPA at the finish line. I'll be running with my pals Sara and Marcia this year, which makes me happy, since I've done this one by myself both times in the past. April weather is fickle, and I sure hope Mother Nature cooperates! And if any of you Chicagoan bloggers are going to be there, let's plan to meet up at the beer tent after the race!

I'm hoping to get more miles on the bike. I did get out once this month, and rode 20 enjoyable miles. I love my bike. This year, I get to look forward to having some rides with Karen and Michelle, who are biking now too! I hope we can at least get one ride in this month. I've never ridden with anyone, but I imagine that it would be like running with people. So maybe not as fast as I like? We'll see...

And more rugby games with my youngest. What an exciting sport!

I hit the 300 mile mark in paradise!
The stats
-running miles: 114.18
-cycling miles: 20.79
-races: half marathon 1:52:08 PR and AG 2d place

How was your month? Any goals that you crushed? Any new mantras? Do you have lucky shirts? And does your body talk to you when it's time to change shoes?

Thanks for following along!

I almost forgot to link up with the ladies at Workout Wednesdays! Please check out all the other awesome blogs that link up at their sites!
I'm also trying a new link up with FitFoodieMama, AngelinaMarie, Pretty in Pink Fitness, and Bold Fit Mom. Oh my gosh! So many fun blogs! Check them out!
Linking up with Tuesdays on the Run for their goal check in!




62 comments :

  1. I totally know when it's time to change shoes! And unfortunately, that time is approaching pretty quickly :/

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  2. Congrats on the sub 2-hour half!!! You rock and that is excellent. Also you are in awesome shape and PLEASE join our Rock Your Core challenge this month. Don't be scurred....it's going to be a lot of fun!! #wowlinkup

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  3. Sounds like things are really looking up! I'll be looking forward to your interview with Hal Higdon!

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  4. Congrats on your PR and an amazing month of running!!! Thanks so much for linking up :)

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  5. Seriously? No AG award?? So wrong. Especially from a big and pricey race like that. Mama drama aside, looks like a stellar month! This chest crud I've got make me worry about the CARA 10. I'll walk it if I have to. :/

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  6. You had a positively inspirational month, my friend! Please pass some of those no-injury vibes my way! :D
    I know you are going to knock it out of the park for April as well!

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    1. It's amazing to me--guess I was able to challenge all that angst into some awesome running! Silver lining, I guess....

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  7. Sounds like a great month, Wendy! I completed my second marathon, FINALLY finishing the Little Rock Marathon, and also received two age group awards in races with my local team. Can't wait to see what April brings for you!!

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    1. Even though it didn't feel like it, when I put all out on the blog, yes, it was an amazing month! Yours too!

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  8. My March summary would be nothing compared to yours, brave girl! :)

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  9. You had a great month. Congrats! You inspire me.

    I had a PR for 4 miles and 5 miles so I am happy. I rotate my shoes a lot so I can never keep track.

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  10. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in March, running and blogging! I see your updates on Facebook all the time! Hope things get better with your son, but at least you're getting some great "road therapy" in! #wowlinkup

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  11. Looks like you had a great month! Congrats on the awesome new half PR. I try not to have a lucky anything because then I lose it. I do think my new shoes are lucky though!

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    1. I feel like my current pair is lucky, but unfortunately, their time has run out...

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  12. Wow what an amazing month. Super awesome on the marathon time. I totally relate with the proud mom and the kids sports. Our son is playing freshman baseball and JV football, our daughter runs track and cross country. This mom is one loud cheerleader on the sidelines :)

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  13. Looks like you had a really awesome month! Except, no award for being top in your age group? What is that about?! psh!

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  14. That PR is great!! In 2015 I started keeping track of my monthly miles for the first time. In March I ran 119, and I'm pretty excited about that.

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  15. Congratulations on your PR!!! That is awesome that Hal Higdon is going to do an email interview for virtual book club! I read 4:09:43 last weekend and was in tears within the first few pages. I will be writing up my thoughts sometime in the coming weeks to link up. Can't wait!!!

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  16. What a great month for you in a lot of ways! I know the mama drama is still happening, but it seems like the vacation may have done some good for you all! I read that book last year after the Boston Marathon, it's a great one!!

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  17. Sounds like a well rounded month. The rugby sounds exciting and great that your son loves it. I'm sorry to hear you are otherwise being put through your paces. Our son is only 9 and we've struggled with him so I'm a little worried how his teen years will be (gulp). Congrats on growing your blog. I'm a first time reader from the #wowlinkup and I'll have to check back in with you in the future! Cheers!

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  18. Wow, great month for you! Congrats again on the PR. I look forward to hearing about your April adventures. At some point I will be back to visit Illinois. My parents live southwest of Chicago, although this summer is their turn to come out East.

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  19. I love this shirt! It was a splurge but it spoke to me!

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  20. Woah, you got so much done last month! March wasn't that great and I had to defer a lot of things from my list of goals to May. I don't have high hopes for April on account of exams, but I'll be trying my best :D

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    1. I didn't realize what a great month it actually was until I summed it up here. And I think that's a good thing!

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  21. Oh I"m so inspired by your drive and motivation for the blog!! Send me your good energy!! Your picture above with abs made me smile - I know I"m always dying by the end of my ab workout!! Having worn out shoes is a pet peeve of mine - and my feet will let me know!

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    1. My feet are still letting me know...and I have the new shoes ready for today...and it's raining!

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  22. You had an awesome month! Congrats friend!

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  23. You had a rocking month!! Awesome job!! I wish we had a 10 miler like that one locally! I'd run it every year too. Good luck!! I'm sure you'll have a great time! :)

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  24. Congrats on all the awesomeness!!! You are rockin' it my friend!!! Keep up the great work!

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  25. Look at that awesome form for the core pose, the challenge seems a bit intimidating :)

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    1. I get a ton of core with my coach...I probably should do more, tho!

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  26. awesome month lady! way to kick that PR- i wouldn't know what to do with myself if I ran under 9 minutes!! I need to review March and my goals to to see how I am doing :) thanks for the reminder- nice pictures. Rugby makes me squinch- I have been to one game- to much banging around for me!!

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  27. Hal Higdon was a researcher at Ball State University where I did my Masters in exercise physiology. I don't remember him that well but that was in the 1980's. #wowlinkup

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  28. Wow! You`ve had a great month! My running is slowly building back to where it was before I had kids mileage wise. I ran a 30k race at the end of the month and finished only 5 min slower than I did when I last ran that race 12 years ago. I need to do more strength like you`re doing -I had forgotten all about clam shells until you mentioned it. Have a great April!

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    1. Great job on that race! The strength training has definitely helped me regain some of that lost speed.

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  29. Amazing PR! Way to crush your old PR! A trip to Florida is just what the doctor ordered! Glad your son did not give you too much trouble on your vacation. Perhaps the RUGBY will help whatever is going on! Keep up the amazing work mama!

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    1. Oh, that's the other son...he doesn't have those issues, probably bc he plays rugby!

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  30. Sounds like you had an amazing month! I'm totally impressed with the pace you have goin' on! I haven't seen much sub-10 lately, much less sub-9.

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    1. I'm a little shocked by the pace myself! Who knew that I still had it in me? What will happen when I cross over to the dark side--menopause?

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  31. Great month! And that lakefront 10 miler sounds awesome...I had a good training month but just now starting to get into racing mode. So far so good.

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