Saturday morning I got out of bed at 6:00 and did my normal long-run routine: got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, and then messed around on Facebook while starting up the electronics.

The weather looked good – cloudy and 75ish degrees. But then I heard thunder.

Was that thunder?
Nooo…..it’s supposed to be done raining!
Yep, that’s thunder. Crap.
Oh, nice, now it’s raining.
Wait, now it’s POURING.
Just my luck.

So I did what any normal person would do. Turned everything off and went back to bed. Until almost 8:30. It was amazing.

And instead of doing what I used to do during marathon training and freak out about not getting my run in, I enjoyed the morning with my boys. I even drove through a few more thunderstorms on my way to a wedding shower later in the morning and I still wasn’t freaking out. It was weird.

I had a few glasses of sangria at the shower so I put my run off a little more when I got home. I was starting to wonder if it was even going to happen because it was now sunny and warm. So I took a nap. Something I would have NEVER done in prior trainings.

And finally, around 5:00, I suited up. I thought I’d run on few on the treadmill in case my belly acted up and go from there. SO SMART on my part. I made it 3 miles (with a potty break), got bored out of my mind, and headed outside for seven more AWESOME miles. Seriously. Then I looped home, picked up J, and we headed back out for 4 more.

We got lucky because the Lakewood Criterium was going on.

So cool to watch these guys riding faster than I ride on a downhill! In a circle. For over an hour. Total badasses right there.

Then we ran home and I was done.

Fourteen perfect miles.

No struggling, no dying, just running.

Maybe that thunderstorm was the universe telling me to wait to run. Or maybe I’m supposed to drink sangria before my run. Whatever it was, I’m so glad I waited.

Life is good. Sangria is good. And compression socks are better than good.

I’m kind of digging this laid back approach to training.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten or drank before a workout (that didn’t make you feel like total crap like you thought it would…..)??

Just because I’m a runner………………..

• …….does not mean I’m not self-conscious spandex.

• …….and training for a marathon, mean I can eat anything I want.

• …….and am smiling after a race mean that it was easy.

• …….and run 4-5 times a week mean that I’m fast.

• …….does not mean I eat vegetables at every meal.

• …….do I listen to my body and get enough sleep like I should.

• …….and run a decent amount of races mean that I actually like to “race”.

• …….mean that I am 100% comfortable in my body.

But am I a runner. Not the perfect runner, but a runner.

And, despite everything listed above, all that matters to me is that I try my hardest, never give up, inspire others to get out there, and set a good example for my son.

I am a runner.

Do you have anything you want to confess??

C’s not the only one who did a race this past weekend. Sunday was my 2nd triathlon!

I woke up Sunday morning really worried because I ended up being pretty sick Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. So I had no idea what was going to happen. So instead of being nervous and over thinking every last detail, I went into the race with very low expectations.

We got to the race with plenty of time to spare, and I immediately headed to the transition area to rack my bike.

But my #1 priority was to find my friends.

And before I knew it, it was time to start!

But since I was in the “old lady start time group”, I had to hang back and watch everyone else take off before I was even into the water.

The waves went off in 5 minute intervals and I was in the last wave.

Learning from my mistake last time, I quickly got into the water (holy freezing!!) after the wave before me took off so I could get a good starting spot. I was right in the front line when we started and I am SO GLAD. I felt great the entire swim! What a difference from my last TRI - positioning really is everything with swimming.

p.s. Swim cap + running on sand = most unflattering pics ever. This was the best of the bunch.

I’m smiling!

But that was before I had to start the ride straight uphill.

It actually wasn’t too bad. I knew about the hill so I made sure my bike was in a light gear before I set it up in transition. I actually passed people going up the hill (which I NEVER do) because they were struggling with their gears (suckers!!).

The 12.4 miles on the bike weren’t too bad! I got lucky and caught up to some friends so I had company. Plus, there was this 22 year old who I kept going back and forth with. I kept my eye on her and was determined not to let her beat me to the finish. Made the time fly by, and 41 minutes later I was coming back down the hill.

Btw, that’s the 22 year old right behind/next to me!

The run was practically all in the sun, and by this time it was really warm. I just kept saying to myself “It’s only 3 miles. You can run 3 miles, Heather. Push!” And I did. I pushed right past that 22 year old (who never caught back up to me, btw)!

All the way to the finish.

Final time = 1:25:22

Good enough for 7/33 in my age group! I’ll take it!

Tired finishers!

I left this race so much more confident and comfortable in this sport. I think having no expectations really helped me – there were no nerves! Plus, I already had one TRI under my belt so I knew what to expect. I’m really enjoying the challenges this sport presents – I think it’s a lot of fun (well, it’s hard, but fun, too)!

Still smiling, even after I was all packed up. It was a good day!

And do you know that J took all these photos and we never got a picture together? Sadness. He was even wearing his “I Love My Wife” shirt! Talk about the best race supporter EVER. Thanks, Babe!

Do you think having low expectations helps or hurts you??

I’m ba-aaaaack!

Hey there! It’s me! C!

My mom thought that since I re-capped last year’s race that I should do this year’s, too. But I think she didn’t want to do it because I ran the race by myself and it makes her sad. She doesn’t like that I’m growing up.

But I love it!

Because now I can run with my friends instead of my mom and dad.

I mean, I still love my mom and dad, but it’s pretty awesome that I get some freedom now.

But not from the camera. My mom’s still crazy with the camera.

Sigh…………another picture for the blog. Of me stretching. Soooooooo exciting, right?

Anyways, I knew my 5k PR was 28:08, but it was so hot out that I wasn’t expecting to beat that. So, instead, I set out to beat last year’s Summer Meltdown 5k time of 28:41.

And I came close.

Real close.

29:02!

I could hear my mom screaming her face off during this last stretch.

And at least this year she didn’t cry.

Or at least I don’t think she did.

I’ve been at so many of my mom’s races that it was pretty awesome the roles were reversed on Saturday. I can’t wait until the day she is wearing a “Team Colin” shirt!

Do you like to run with your family??

My swim workouts normally range from 1700 to 2000 yards. I enjoy these workouts because there is so much going on that the time flies by (and they’re never longer than 45 minutes).

So when I read on my training schedule that today’s workout was 3200 yards I literally did a double take. I read it on Monday, again yesterday, and then today. And each day I added up the distance to make sure it was supposed to say 3200 (it definitely was).

I checked Dailymile, and my furthest swim before today was only 2100 yards!

But I figured, what the hell, may as well give it a shot.

I’ve always loved a good challenge.

So, like usual, I wrote the workout on my hand for reference:

• 300 warm up
• 4 x 75 kick
• 300 swim
• 4 x 100 (30 sec rest)
• 1 x 800 (2 minute bonus rest)
• 4 x 800 (30 sec rest)
• 6 x 50 cool down

The killer was the 1 x 800. That’s 32 consistent laps! And completely boring.

And I could definitely tell during the last two 400′s that I was losing steam. I had to work hard to finish!

I gotta say, I felt pretty badass when I finished. I was the first one in the pool and the last one out.

Go long or go home.

If you’re a swimmer, how do you remember your workouts? Do you write them on your hand like I do?

When was the last time you felt like a badass after a workout?

I feel like I can’t remember what marathon training is supposed to feel like. The last time I really “trained” was the winter/spring of 2010 (when I first started this blog!). I’m not counting NYC training because I was injured and just did what I could so that I’d cross that finish line.

So this time around I’ve already had good, bad, short, and long runs. But I also have had a lot of cross training. My schedule on any given week looks similar to this:

• Sunday: Cycle
• Monday: Rest
• Tuesday: Teach Group Power and Run (Speed workout)
• Wednesday: Swim
• Thursday: Tempo Run
• Friday: Swim
• Saturday: Long Run

I sometimes think I’m not running enough (3 days a week), but at the same time I know I need the cross training in order to stay injury-free (my #1 goal!).

And even though my pace is slower than it was earlier this year (I’m sure it’s a combination of both the heat and running less), I feel like this plan is working so far.

The deeper into training I get, the more running I think I’ll need to do, but I’m OK with this for now. Besides, this plan is manageable and not overwhelming, which is what I need in the summer. I need time to watch C’s baseball games, drive him to camps and friend’s houses (the kid has a serious social life), and see my friends (and my husband!).

How many days a week do you run? How do you keep it “manageable”?

I enjoyed a short run yesterday and so many random thoughts went through my head.

Here are a few that I remember:

1. Why does Lululemon not make more of my favorite running skirt in Tall?

Seriously, any shorter would not be appropriate on me.

2. I need to buy Clearasil.

3. I wonder if C’s sports teams will go to Angelo’s Pizza after a game when he’s older like those kids.

4. I feel GOOD tonight!

5. Don’t forget to buy Clearasil.

6. I need a new Garmin. Should I buy the 910XT? It’s a lot of money. But it would be awesome for tri training! J might kill me. But it would be seriously awesome!

(source)

7. I wish I was going with my mom and dad to visit my sister this weekend. I miss her.

p.s. Why didn’t anyone tell me my tanning was seriously out-of-control?

8. What am I going to wear for the Chicago marathon? (no idea why I’m thinking about this when the marathon is still 80+ days away, btw)

9. Justin Timberlake makes me happy. I need to put some old school N’Sync on my running playlist (Pop and Girlfriend specifically).

(source)

10. I should buy the Garmin 910XT. I’ll need time to get used to it before my Olympic distance triathlon and then the marathon. Totally justifiable, right? Maybe I should skip the Clearasil then……….

What random thoughts are in your head right now?

Twelve miles = my long run today.

The plan was to run 4 miles super early, 4 more during today’s Fantastic 4 Miler, and then 4 more after the race. But my plans were foiled when I got caught in a massive downpour 2 miles into the first 4 miles! It was 7:10am and I had no idea one of the local bars would actually be open. But it was…………and there were people in there reading the paper and drinking! They did let me use their phone to call J to come pick me up, though, so I can’t complain. But, really????

After a quick change, we headed downtown for the inaugural Fantastic 4 Miler.

This race was AWESOME.

The brace faces pre-race.

First stop was the Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Oh, hey there, Steeler fan, high fiving the Browns mascot!

We ran around the field:

And then back up East 9th to the Q.

C makes running look awful, right?

Into the Q:

And onto the floor where the Cavaliers play!

Then out of the Q,

and straight onto the Indian’s field for the finish:

Awesome, right?!

We ended up finishing right around 40 minutes, which was perfect for my long run, and for C, since this was a new PDR for him! The furthest he ever ran before was a 5k. He really hung in there and never walked, which was really something.

Proud of both these guys today.

Then we headed home, I ate 2 Clif shot blocks, and was back out the door to finish up my run.

And even in the humidity I felt great! My Garmin is acting all weird since my bike crash, so I ran without it (and loved it!). I wasn’t worried about my pace, just ran by feel, and checked the clock when I got home (right around a 10 minute mile). Loved it.

I will totally do this race again. Of course there are some kinks to be worked out, but it was the first time they’ve ever done this race so that’s to be expected. The course totally made up for it!

Twelve miles down. Bring on 14 next weekend…………!

p.s. Anyone in town wanna run some (or all) miles with me?? Email me!

What did you do to start your Sunday this morning?

Sunday I went out to Marblehead, OH for a triathlon day camp.

The day started off fantastic. It was my first open water swim and I couldn’t have picked a better spot:

The water was perfect (especially for me since I’m lame and don’t have a wetsuit yet) and the waves weren’t even that bad. Great day for this first timer!

I felt OK during the swim and actually didn’t want it to end. I’m telling you, guys, I’m becoming a fish. I can’t get enough of this swimming sport!

But we couldn’t swim forever, so we headed back to the pavilion for lots of boring education stuff (ha, just kidding, Coach!) and lunch.

And then I even did something unheard of.

I changed my own bike tire!

Ahhhh……..the days before my dreaded brace face…..

I’m definitely not a tire changing expert, and I’d probably come in last in a race if I got a flat, but at least I know I can change one if the situation presents itself (but, just to be safe, let’s hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon).

The day was going so great – the weather was amazing, I swam in open water, changed my own tire, made lots of new friends, and then this happened:

My first real bike crash.

With lots of ugly road rash. And bruises.

Monday morning my whole body was so sore. I must have hit the ground pretty hard! I’m sure I wasn’t graceful so it must have been quite the sight.

My leg is healing pretty fast, but my hands are another story. They’re the worst!

So, let’s recap:

• Saturday I pooped in a parking lot
• Sunday I crashed my road bike
• Monday I became an adult brace face

I’m praying this weekend is much better. I mean, it has to be, right?

Tell me one good thing that has happened to you this week – I need some good news!

Hahaha, glad yesterday’s post entertained you guys! It is quite funny, actually. And just to clarify, I DID use the bathroom before I left for my run. I’m guessing I was dehydrated from the heat and that’s what caused the emergency.

Anyways, today’s post is a farewell. A farewell to a lot of my favorite foods:

(source)

(source)

(source)

And the list goes on and on and on………

But I’ll be saying hello to a lot more smoothies, scrambled eggs, soup, yogurt and oatmeal.

Because this has happened:

Yes, I’m an adult with braces.

And I hate it.

Invisalign worked great – it’s been 15 months since I started the process – but they could only do so much. There are a few stubborn teeth that just don’t want to move. So the orthodontist recommended I finish up with braces since they’ll work faster.

It sounded all fine and dandy when he talked to me about 3 weeks ago, but when Monday rolled around it finally started to sink in that I was going to be an adult with braces.

Yes, I know the end result will be worth it. And I know it’s only 4-5 months. And I know other adults have braces. But that doesn’t mean I hate it any less. My teeth haven’t stopped hurting since Monday afternoon. They seriously KILL. I never thought I’d ever say this, but I actually hate eating. I can’t chew anything because of the pain and the food gets stuck in the braces. It’s gross. Ugh, I feel like the dorky kid in an Adam Sandler movie!

So when you see me, lie and tell me they look great, k? Awesome, thanks.

Did you have braces as a kid??