Friday, May 1, 2015

#RunThisYear 2015 April summary

Things settled into a nice little groove for April. Although the weather hasn't always been springlike, I've still been getting it done. And it's time to summarize the month and look at the goals!

I believe that spring is actually here!
Sub-2 half: Last month, I crushed that goal I set for 2015 of the sub-2 marathon. No half marathons this month, but I did have a 10 miler in which I almost did myself in! I managed to salvage what could have been a disastrous race, but if I take nothing away from that experience, it's that I have to work on pacing myself better. Last year during marathon training, I was doing a great job with that, but now that I'm running faster mile splits, I've let my pacing get away from me. The legs just want to go.
While I was able to reign it in during the race and salvage what turned out to be a strong race, I know now that I have to focus on pacing for my fall marathon training. Kind of a sub-goal for the rest of the year. I've got my final spring half coming up this weekend. I already checked out the finish times of the runners in my AG from last year. This is going to be a fast race, and since there's not much chance of an AG award for me in this one, I'm going to work on pacing it and finishing with negative splits. Success in that realm will do wonders for my confidence heading into fall marathon training!

Marcia, Sara, and me at the finish!
Staying injury free: I'm lining up for this final spring race with a few aches and pains but no major injuries. My big toe, which gave me some trouble last year (remember the boot?), has been talking to me. I've been icing it after I run and applying my Voltaren gel when it really gets angry. The ailment is called hallux limitus which I prefer over the more common term for this ailment, arthritis, which makes me sound old. Besides, hallux limitus sounds so much more exotic.
source
I'm planning on taking 2 weeks off of running after this race, and I hope that will give my toe a chance to calm down. During that rest period, there will be no CrossFit, so I also am going to focus on doing those hip strengthening exercises Becky has had me do in the past. Clamshells, supermans, monster walks (resistance band), and pistol squats. Believe it or not, these simple exercises really help with my stride and keep me from landing squarely on that toe joint. It seems that for me, heel striking is probably a plus as well. Hip strengthening to help the toe? Who knew? Everything is integrated, isn't it?

Working those glutes and hamstrings on the GHD machine...
Grow the blog: The blog keeps growing! I was really excited to have Hal Higdon all in for this month's book club book review. His interview was awesome, and he shared both posts on his FB page. I found him to be a wonderful man to work with. For May's book, we're reading Tales from Another Mother Runner, and I've already heard from Dimity, who has agreed to answer questions for the blog. This has been really fun for me. In an attempt to get more visitors to the blog, I did apply to BlogHer, but was turned down. I'm actually kind of relieved, even though that would have brought me more traffic. I'm still ambivalent about putting ads on the blog. I'm all about "it's meant to be", and I truly believe that is how it is. I'm really in this blogging thing to share, inspire, and interact with other runners. That goal has been surpassed and then some. I'm so grateful to everyone who has been reading and commenting on my posts! But in the comparison game, I see a lot of bloggers revamping their blog and I'm trying to decide what to do with mine. I kind of like it...but when I see all the fancy, glossy blogs out there, I feel a little inadequate...


Controlling the mama drama: As far as things on the home front go, the month was uneventful. For April, the mama drama meter is in the green zone. I'm not saying things were always peaceful. But it was an uneventful month. And that's all I can ask for. When I mentioned to my oldest son that I was accepted into the Chicago Marathon for this 3rd time, his response was "cool". I get glimmers of hope that this guy will come around. I do have my youngest son, the one who reminds me every day through his actions and demeanor that I'm not a terrible mother. It's funny how the universe balances everything out. The hard part is trying to balance the good with the bad, to not downplay all the achievements of my youngest and not to overplay the problems with my oldest.



May is all about recovery, as well as preliminary work as we move forward on that final goal, that sub-4 marathon. Becky's got another heavy lifting cycle planned for me, so stay tuned for my reports on that! I'm also looking at a late summer/early fall half that fits into my marathon training plan. And you know I'm always game for jumping into a last minute race...

April Stats: 

Miles Run: 104.3 miles
Races: 10 miler 1:24:30, 5th in AG

The goal for the year is 1252 miles aka 2015 km!

How was your month? Did you make progress on your goals? Have you read this book? Do you have questions for Dimity? 

Linking up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!




54 comments :

  1. You had a great month! Yes, on the pacing thing. You'll get it and be golden. A change up in May sounds perfect. I love that pic of you and Becky!

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  2. You are doing amazing! I'm scratching my head, trying to figure out a better strategy with my blog as well. I seriously do not have much down time, and I struggle with finding the time to post something each week. I have plenty of creative ideas swimming around in my head, but getting them in print (with fun pics and related links) takes more time than what I have at my disposal. #firstworldprobs I was pleasantly surprised to see that my mileage for April was 85.5 miles! Kind of meager in comparison to what other "real runners" log, but for me it was above & beyond what it felt like. I'm rallying back with caution and guardedly optimistic the marathon and ultra will work out with minimal complications. #fingerscrossed Thanks for your constant inspiration & support :-)

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    1. Back at you, my friend! I figure if I stay the course, stay conservative in my training, and keep up with the cross training, the rest will fall into place. I'm so afraid of getting injured. That old age thing and all...

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  3. Hey, lady! What a great month! I'm so glad that you're going to take some time for your body to rest and get some relief; I should probably do that, one of these days - ha! I think I've had a pretty good month; trying to add in more strength work, as much as I can. As you said above, that old age thing and all...hahaha!! Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. The best part about doing these monthly summaries is looking at the progress and all the good things that have happened!

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  4. I attended a MotherRunner party where they read from their book. It was very fun. My foot has been bothering me. If I were smart I'd stop running but I have signed up for races every weekend thru Jun 20. That includes 2 halfs and a 10 miler - ouch!! So I plan to take it easy on my training and that means no PRS.

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    1. I always have a hard time holding back. And my toe reminds me about that!

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  5. What an awesome April you had! April was filled with running adventures for me - 3 races and a new half PR. I only have one race in May, so my goal is to keep up my running fitness level and get in some more strength training.

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  6. I like your blog! what a great April! I logged in 55 miles and that is the most for me so far. I have one of those Mother Runner books, I need to see if I have that one, I gave away one last year for Mother's day which was fun! Keep up the great work! You are very inspirational for me and I love to ready what you are up too!

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  7. Great job on an awesome month!!!! I like your blog as it is to be honest!! Sometimes people get too fluffy in my opinion. I too want to grow my blog, but all the linking up and etc. seems so trying to me. I just want to write and share and maybe inspire and help a few people along the way. Can't wait to see you Sunday, and great job again on crushing your goals!!

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    1. I"m right there with you Michelle! I can't forget why I started this thing...

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  8. Sorry to hear that BlogHer turned you down, but I see where you're coming from in regards to the ads. I feel as though ads are starting to detract more and more from blogs, especially when most bloggers started out blogging as a way to journal whatever it is that their blog focuses on.

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    1. I was actually kind of relieved, to tell you the truth. I feel that I still have 100% control over my content. And that's a-ok by me!

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    2. 'm not sure how blog her works or why you got turned down, but I find too many ads on a blog to be distracting. I largely ignore ads, whether online or in a newspaper (I do read them in magazine if they are nicely done). I prefer reading a blog that sticks to its topic and engages with readers, like this one. Too much pushing of products is a turn-off.

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    3. I agree....I hate all those pop up ads. Which is why I had mixed feelings about BlogHer.

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  9. An excellent month. Good luck with your half tomorrow. I know you'll kill it. I'm backing off a little too before marathon training starts. :) I need to strengthen my hips and fix the little niggles I've been having.

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  10. Great month. You have my legs shaking at the mention of pistol squats. Those exercises do help. I'll be interested to follow your journey to the sub-4 marathon goal. I don't think I'm cut out for that distance. I should have been able to do a 4:10 based upon my sub-2 half but despite following a rigorous training plan I clocked a 4:23. Oh well...at some point I may get the marathon bug again but for now I'm fixated on my triathlon goals.

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  11. Great job with your April runthisyear goals!! :)

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  12. A great month for you!! I'm the same way about the advertisements, although it would be nice to get paid for all of the time and energy that goes into the blog!! Glad things were fairly calm on the home front, I hope May brings great things in that department :)

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    1. My husband would love to see me be paid for the time I spend on the blog. I tell him it's a labor of love...

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  13. You did have a busy and successful month. I think you e earned a little rest. I'm also reading the book. Are you doing a link up for reviews?

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    1. I am! The link up will go live May 14, right after Mother's Day! I 'm excited that you're going to participate!

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  14. This whole blog revamping thing....It's very hard when you see all these other "fancy" blogs with ads and different posts, etc, to not get tempted to change what you are doing...
    Anytime I have a blog hesitation, I think, what was my objective when I first started this blog, and is this post or change going to be true to that...if yes, then I'll go for it...if not, then no....
    And that will either be good enough or not....but it will stay true to me! I think it seems like you are doing a great job of that!

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    1. Thank you! I have to keep reminding myself of why I started this blog--to inspire, to share, to meet other runners. And that is what I'm doing here. Isn't it funny how we play the comparison game so much?

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  15. I love all your running tips and how motivational you are - you are quite the bad ass if I do say so myself! Enjoy heavy lifting!!

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  16. I've been approached recently about Ads and have actually considered it. Still not sure. You have rocked the running this year!

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  17. You had an awesome month!! Lots of good things going on and seems like even more on the horizon! I've had times where I thought to self host because maybe I'd have more opportunities, change things around, revamp things, etc. Each time I start that I remind myself that blogging is my hobby and with me working full time and with a family, I have to keep it from becoming a second job. I fully understand where you are!

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    1. It's really nice to hear everyone weighing in on the blogging thing. Kind of funny, the blogs that I like the most are the ones with the least ads...

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  18. I love your blog and have loved watching as it grows! Very impressive. I think your formula works. :) Awesome month but i'm sure you are looking forward to a little winddown with May!!

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    1. My favorite part of the blog is interacting with other runners and bloggers!

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  19. I'm glad BlogHer turned you down! lol I hate a commercialized blog. Yours is perfect just the way it is!

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  20. Sounds like you had an awesome April. Congrats on the sub-2 half and your 10 miler, I love age group awards!

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    1. It's something new for me, these AG awards. Kind of a mixed blessing, being in the old lady age group!

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  21. hahaha, leave it to the medical field to come off with super fancy + exotic-sounding names for things! ;P (I love the dihydrogen monoxide one. >_>) I hope your toe stops being angry and lets you run again soon without any irritation!

    I know it's easy to say this, but don't compare yourself to other blogs! (Or if you do, don't feel down about it!) You have a great space in here, and so much awesome engagement! :] Don't discredit all your hard work! <3

    Best of luck to you on getting a sub-4 marathon! :]!

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    1. Drinking a lot of dihydrogen monoxide as we speak! I'm really good at scrabble too...lots of fun words in the medical vocab!

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  22. Wow, that's an amazing month! I hope your toe gets better, and yes the more exotic sounding the better! ;-) Sub 4 hour marathon is an amazing goal. Go. Go. Go. ;-) Every runner has their journey. And you're on yours. I definitely have not reached sub 4 hour, and I'm not sure I ever will, but maybe someday. :))))

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  23. Wow-- Amazing month of running! Congrats

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  24. Yep, I have hallux limitus on my right foot, and it's been acting up recently as well. I agree, hallux limitus sounds so much better than arthritis!

    Hope you're having a great weekend!

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  25. My biggest goal for April was to graduate and I crushed that. Still riding that high so I haven't gotten around to making goals for May yet haha
    Congrats on all you accomplished last month!

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    1. It's fun to sum up the month, because I don't always realize how much I do otherwise! Congrats on your graduation! What's next for you?

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  26. I've got stuff planned to keep me active, so we'll see how I hold up without running!

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  27. Looking forward to your interview with Dimity! I have this book and am looking forward to reading it. If you get to the mother runner story about a 10 miler on a treadmill in a hot basement...that's me!!

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