I swear my training is a constant cycle these days.

My weekday runs are going GREAT. I feel fantastic, my breathing is on point, my legs are fresh, and I feel like I could run forever and ever. Then the weekend comes and my long run BLOWS. My breathing is off, my legs feel heavy, and I always want to quit early.

(post 16 long miles)

So, I wonder…………..is it all mental?

Am I psyching myself out? Going into it with a bad attitude and putting too much pressure on the long run?

My training is a lot more laid back this time around, but the long runs just aren’t as pleasurable as they used to be. In all honesty, I dread them.

So I’ve decided I need to approach them differently:

• Start SLOW (I have a horrible tendency to go out too fast)
• Relax and enjoy the scenery (sometimes I’m too caught up in my run that I forget to look and see what’s around me)
• Don’t take it so seriously (I mean, it’s only a run)
• Don’t pay attention to my watch (I’m getting better at this, but I still sneak a peak when it buzzes……maybe I should just turn the buzz feature off)

I want to enjoy my long runs as much as I do my shorter, weekday runs so maybe this well help.

How do you approach long run days? Are you relaxed, or do you stress like I apparently do?

It sucks getting older (for many reasons).

But what bothers me the most is my recovery time.

When I trained for the Pittsburgh and Cleveland marathons in 2010, I was teaching 5-6 classes a week in addition to running 5 times a week and I felt great! I took a few ice baths and stretched, but nothing like what I do now. And these days I try not to run 2 days in a row for fear of injury!

I sure can’t hang like I used to either.

In addition to the Warrior Dash on Saturday, I also attended Seanski and Matt’s Cleveland White Party.

I had good intentions, I really did.

But they put on one hell of a party.

Me and Alana. Still early in the night.

I knew I was supposed to run on Sunday, but I couldn’t help myself. J was out of town, C was with his grandparents, and I had a cab ride home, so I really had no other choice, right??

Total Vegas night club in the basement.

I didn’t get home until 4am (holy crap! who am I??). And when my body was screaming at me on Sunday I thought for sure it was from the Warrior Dash. But that was before Alana texted me this photo:

Bahahaha!!!! What am I doing??

Something tells me I was sore from the dancing, not the warrioring.

So, I spent Sunday on my couch, only getting up to change loads of laundry, until I had to fulfill my mom duties later in the afternoon. No exercise took place whatsoever. And I’m completely fine with that. It was worth it.

Have you noticed a difference in your recovery time the older you get?? Or am I the only one?

This past Saturday I did the Warrior Dash.

And it was awesome.

So much fun in one place!

I was lucky enough to be able to attend this kick ass event courtesy of Fitfluential and Reebok so I quickly picked up my race packet so I could hit up the Reebok tent/Crossfit box.

I can’t tell you enough how nice the Reebok reps were (what up, Dan and Alena!!).

So friendly, welcoming, and personable! I heart nice people.

It’s really the little things that make my day and when they offered to hold my bag while I raced, my body let out this huge sigh of relief. I don’t know why, but bag check is something that always freaks me out. I do it as little as possible (probably only once or twice ever?). They were also total ballers and gifted me with a new pair of tennis shoes (separate post coming)!

Anyways, I wanted to be surprised as to what I’d be doing during the race so I didn’t really look into it too much beforehand. And I was so glad!

It was 3 miles of trail running, obstacle climbing, swimming (!), mud pit crawling, and fire jumping. Basically, 3 miles of awesomeness.

Of course, the last obstacle is the mud pit. You have to crawl under barbed wire through a mud pit. There’s no getting around it. You’re going to get dirty. It’s inevitable (I swear I still have dirt under my nails!).

I’m not much of a mud person so this was definitely the most challenging obstacle for me (give me climbing and fire jumping any day!). But I just sucked it up, took a deep breath, and dove in. You only live once, right?

The best thing about this race is that it really is for anyone. I placed 116/1307 in my age group, and I think that totally shows what a ride range of people there were: competitive racers, runners, walkers, people in costume, etc!!

Here are some tips if you’re going to do a Warrior Dash:

• Wear old tennis shoes that you don’t mind donating at the end of the race
• Bring flip flops for after
• Wear capris, or shorts that cover your knees – you will be crawling
• Bring lots and lots of towels for the ride home – I had one to sit on, one on my back, and a small towel for across my body where the seatbelt was!
• Bring extra water to wash your hands
• Bring a good attitude – it’s all about having FUN!!!

And then feel like a badass when you’re done.

Have you ever done a Warrior Dash, or something similar? Would you do it again?? Me? Hellzzzzzz yes!!

I was able to attend the Warrior Dash free courtesy of Fitfluential and Reebok, however all thoughts and opinions are all mine. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity!

Today started C’s first day of 5th grade:

His last year of elementary school. I can’t even stand it.

Check out the progression (all taken on the first day of school on our front step!):

Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade……

3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade…..

I love that this is one tradition we have never broken (or that I haven’t forgotten!).

One thing is for sure – his style has never changed!

Another reason for me to keep doing what I’m doing. I don’t ever want to be the mom (in her mom jeans) on the sidelines watching her kid grow up. I always plan on being involved and active together. Well, as long as he lets me, I guess.

Did you have any first day of school family traditions??

This may be a little late, but J and I are still talking about the men’s Olympic marathon. I’m sure everyone has their opinion about what happened, but seeing 2 out of the 3 Americans drop out because they weren’t at 100% really disappointed me.

And, it got me thinking……………what motivates me?

Which took me back to last year’s NYC marathon:

• I knew I was coming off an injury that had to be nursed.
• I knew I was slower than ever before because of that injury and because I hadn’t trained like I normally would.
• I knew people were expecting me to be faster than I was.

But I also knew it was going to be the experience of a lifetime.

• I’m not a quitter.
• I finish what I start.
• I’m a good role model.

That’s what motivates me.

It doesn’t mean I’m happy with the time I put up in NYC, but I finished. I did it.

Worst marathon = best experience ever.

And I feel bad that Ryan Hall and Abdi Abdirahman didn’t get that. Maybe they regret it, maybe they don’t. But I bet they’ll never tell.

I don’t regret NYC at all.

Because I finished.

What motivates you to keep going when things get tough??

p.s. GO MEB!!!!

#1. Call your husband, mom, dad, spouse, neighbor, roommate, best friend, or whoever it may be and let them know that you are done with your long run. Ask them politely to start a bath for you. Cold water only. And, if they get annoyed, remind them that this must happen if they want you to be functional for the rest of the day/weekend.

#2. Hurry your stinky butt home.

#3. Thank said person when you walk in the door and drag your stinky butt to the kitchen for post-run fuel.

#4. Grab a sweatshirt, hoodie, or warm blanket. Put it on.

#5. Climb into the bathtub. It will be COLD. Suck it up.

#6. Ask your “person” to then pour the ice in. But tell them to be careful, it could hurt if they just drop that shit in there. Please pour the ice next to the legs, not ON the legs.

#7. Suck it up.

#8. Eat (or drink!) your post-run fuel to distract yourself from the numbness starting to occur on your legs.

#9. Sit there for 10 minutes and then shower off the awesomeness from your long run.

#10. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Ice baths: yes or no???

…………blowout!
(hehe, you dirty dirty kids…….)

Some of you have commented on my hair lately so I thought I’d let you in on a little secret:

I had it professionally straightened! I saw a Groupon a few months ago for a Brazilion Blowout Straightening Treatment and I couldn’t pass it up.

So now I have straight hair!

Well, for 3 months at least……

We’ll see if it even lasts that long. The girl at the salon said that the more I wash it the less it will last, and since I sweat like a crazy person almost every day I kinda have to wash my hair.

But so far so good.

This was my hair today after going to bed with wet hair last night and just straightening some of the top wavy pieces this morning (I didn’t touch the underneath).

Took 10 minutes tops!

Check out the before:

Me and my moms. She looks so young, right??

So, I’m praying that the treatment lasts 3 months like it’s supposed to. Because now I’m hooked. I just have to keep my eye out for another Groupon………..

Curly or straight – which do you prefer??? (in general, not on me)

I’m always a little worried headed into a long run. You just never know what’s going to happen.

So when I woke up Saturday morning and saw this:

I knew I at least had the weather on my side. I can’t remember the last time I ran when it was 62 degrees out!

I also had a plan:

• Run 5 miles down to the park
• Meet Becka
• Run 6 more miles together
• Drop Becka at her car
• Run 4 miles home

I was prepared.

And, for the most part, that’s how things went. There were a few glitches, like an unplanned bathroom stop at mile 4 and a much needed stop at mile 12 at Blackbird Baking Company to fill up my empty water bottle (who were SO NICE about it, btw!).

The humidity was killer, though. I was DEAD at the end. And disgustingly soaked head to toe.

This run was SO much harder than my 14 miler. Not sure if it’s because of the humidity, or I just wasn’t into it because of being on vacation (or no sangria??!). But not every run is going to be perfect. I’m glad, and proud, I got it done!

But since I was so stinkin wet, I ended up with the worst chaffing to date.

Under my arms, a little chubrub in the thighs, and even my tush (hey, let’s keep it real here).

My perfume of choice on Saturday and Sunday was Buttpaste. Doesn’t smell that great, but it’s the best stuff EVER for chaffing. And baby’s bottoms.

And then I sent this text to my sis:

Good times.

Have you ever had bad chaffing? What do you use to help relieve the pain??

I love how our vacations have become so active. They now revolve around “what can we do? where can we ride? can we run/walk places?”.

And that’s exactly what we did last week!

Cedar Point:

I kid you not, the best decision we made on vacation was to buy the new Fast Lane passes. They are totally worth the price when you have 2 ten year olds with you. The kids stay happy because they don’t have to wait in 2 hour lines (in 95 degree weather!), which equals happy parents.

C’s Triathlon:

My Triathlon:

A 35 mile bike ride with J (to lunch and back!):

Hodges:

Best street corn EVER. I seriously could have just eaten the corn – it was the best of my life!

Kelley’s Island, which included:

…….morning bike rides:

……..food and drinks by the water:

…….some much needed pool time:

…….morning runs around the island:

…….and beautiful sunsets:

The rest of our staycation was spent relaxing, hanging out with C, a long run (recap to come!) and watching an entire season of Breaking Bad. How did I never know about this show before?? J and I are invested now. We’re into the second season and can’t stop!

Life sucked this morning when my alarm went off and I realized I actually had to go to work. Back to reality, I guess. Until J lets me quit my job, or I win the lottery, one of the two.

Do you watch Breaking Bad? If not, what’s your favorite series on TV right now?? I love Dexter and RHONJ equally.

And it’s for a great cause.

I’m doing it again.

I’m the running coach for the American Liver Foundation’s Liver Life Challenge!

What is the Liver Life Challenge?
It is an endurance training team that helps participants achieve their own fitness goals, while raising funds for the American Liver Foundation.

What race is the Cleveland Team training for?
2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend!!! Team members can choose to participate in the half or full marathon, or the Goofy Challenge (completing both the half AND full marathons). Runners and walkers are both welcome at the race and our team is inclusive of participants at all experience levels.
Race weekend is January 11-13, 2013
Team runs kick off on Saturday, September 22nd, but sign up now to start fundraising!

What does the program include?
Personalized Coaching (that’s me!) – I’ll help you create a training program suitable to your own personal needs, whether you’re an experienced runner or have never walked a mile!
Team Trainings – Every Saturday morning at 7:30am starting on September 22nd
Team Meetings – Everything from proper attire and nutrition to fundraising tips
Logistics – Once you’ve committed to arching the fundraising goal of $3,400, the organization provides your airfare, accommodations, race registration, team gear, and most meals during race weekend
Make a Difference – Feel the exhilaration of crossing the finish line knowing you’ve helped the American Liver Foundation in the fight against liver disease

There is nothing more rewarding than helping others attain their goals. I am looking forward to meeting new people, making new friends, and watching teammates exceed their expectations!

For more information, you can contact me directly at mile26andmore@yahoo.com.

Or you can contact the organization’s Campaign Manager:

• Katrina Marshall
• kmarshall@liverfoundation.org
• 646-737-9426
• www.liverfoundation.org/disneymarathon

Katrina is a friend of mine and fantastic at what she does. She’ll help you reach that fundraising goal and I’ll help you reach the finish line.

We’re all in this together…………and running Disney, one of THE BEST races around!!!