Still Running… Preparing for Marathon #4

It's been a while since I've posted.  My son is now in 11th grade and my daughter in now in 9th.  My son is still a member of the Cross Country team, for which I am now an assistant coach.  My daughter is on the JV dance team, and she still also is involved in studio and competitive dance.  I continue to work as a Guidance Counselor and am an assistant coach for Cross Country in the Fall and Track in the Spring.  Keeps life busy.

We suffered a big loss in the fall of 2014.  My father-in-law committed suicide.  He was suffering from depression after losing his wife to cancer 3 years early.  Losing my mother-in-law had been hard.  Watching her suffer and fight of the cancer was a difficult time for the whole family.  She was diagnosed in March of 2011 and lost her battle to cancer in October 2011, so it was quite fast.  After that, my father-in-law (who lived next door to us), spent much of his time with us.  He was at our house for dinner every night.  We travelled together on our summer vacations.  He was starting to have few health issues of his own, largely due to the fact that he couldn't give up smoking and drinking.  Not that I can blame someone in their 70's for not wanting to make lifestyle changes.  On September 19, 2014, I came home to a message from the rehabilitation center he was supposed to be attending, saying he had not answered the door to the van driver that morning and had missed his therapy for the day.  I knew something was wrong.  I went next door and eventually found a note he had left and then found him in his car in the garage.  It was traumatic and changed me forever.  This happened a few days before my last long run before marathon training and taper.  Therefore, my 3rd marathon ended up being my worst.  I had also suffered a foot injury during training, so I had missed much of my training.  Not a good combination.  I felt accomplished just to finish the marathon, as it had been an emotional time for our family.  It took many months before I wasn't worried daily that something horrible was going to happen.  The week of September 19 was difficult this year, as well.

At this point, I have completed 15 half marathons.  My most recent half at the beginning of October, my finish time was a 2:07.  This was my second best (my best being a 2:04).  I wasn't going for a PR this time, this was just a training fun while training for my 4th Marathon.  Next weekend I will run my 4th Marathon.  I'm hoping for a PR!  This marathon training season has been my chance to feel like I've made a comeback from the difficult fall/winter of 2014.  It's been my way to heal from the losses.  Doing well this weekend will help me feel like I am finally back to who I was before last September.  Somehow it's part of the grieving and recovery process for me. 

I have also attempted a few triathlons.  I completed 2 sprint triathlons in the summer of 2014.  I worked all winter and spring on my swimming to be able to perform better in the summer of 2015 (and be more comfortable in the open water), but then I had a mole with irregular cells which needed removed.  Due to the biopsy then removal of the mole, I was not able to swim in open water during much of the summer.  Between that and our summer travel plans, I was limited on the weekends I could fit in a triathlon.  I ended up having to do a duathlon instead.  It was a challenging run/bike/run course.  I felt good to complete it, but I was a bit disappointed that all my swim training hadn't been put to the test.  Now I haven't swam since August, because I just haven't made the time between work, coaching, marathon training, and family life.  After the marathon, I plan to work swimming back into my schedule.  It was great for recovery from running and a nice whole body workout.

My husband has completed an IronMan and four half IronMan distance races.  He just signed up for his next IronMan for next September, which will keep life busy.  He is currently battling Plantar Fascia in his feet, so he is unable to run the upcoming Marathon this weekend.  He is in recovery mode (begrudgingly), but it's more important for him to get healed before starting next year's triathlon work.  He has decided he is better off doing triathlons, as a former high school and college swimmer.

This blog has been a bit rambling, but that is kind of how my thoughts are right now.  It helps to get them out, whether anyone else looks at this or not.  Hopefully I will remember to get back on and update after the marathon!  Wish me strength and speed to get my goal!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Wow, time sure has been flying by!  With a 9th grade son participating in Marching Band and Cross Country and a 7th grade daughter very involved with dance lessons and dance team, the fall and winter were a blur.  To top it off, I moved into a new position as a high school guidance counselor.  After 7 years of teaching 2nd grade, it has been a big change returning to a guidance position at the high school level.


Now for an update on the running.  I completed a half marathon in Indiana over Labor Day weekend, a full marathon in St. Louis in October, a 5K Turkey Trot in November, and the Hot Chocolate 15K in December.  My husband completed two half iron man triathlons (one over Labor Day and one the following weekend), the full marathon in October, and the 5K Turkey Trot in November.  We took some time off from running in the winter months, since the weather was not ideal for running this winter, and focused on strength training using the P90X program.  I have missed not participating in any races the past few months, but I have been hesitant to commit to a race with the extreme cold, winds, snow, and ice we have had throughout the winter.  As I returned to running more often, I tried out a 3 day pass at one gym and a 14 day pass at another gym to use the treadmills while the roads were covered in snow and ice, and the wind chills were below zero.  Now that spring has sprung, the weather is still running colder than normal most of the time.  We are starting to have some nice days here and there, which is making running more enjoyable again. 


We do have upcoming races planned.  Our next race is the RNR Country Music Nashville Half Marathon at the end of April.  I started training in February.  I liked returning to following a running training schedule.  I like the structure and getting to cross off each completed workout.  I am also planning to sign up for a half marathon in May in Columbia, MO (because it has a cute medal along with a wine glass for finishers), and a half marathon in Arvada, CO while we are there on vacation in June.  My mom and I are considering The Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Chicago at the beginning of August, since I like to do a half within my fall full marathon training.  I have already signed up for a fall full marathon.  I will be running the Prairie Fire Marathon in October in Wichita.  We have friends in the area, and my friend is planning to run with me.  Can't wait!


Dave has committed to a Full Iron Man!  He has begun training.  He has two workouts most day.  He gets up before work at 4am for his first workout, then he completes his second one after work.  It keeps things busy, and it will only get worse as the length of time required for the workouts increase.  His Iron Man is at the end of August in Louisville, Kentucky.  As part of his training, he will do a sprint tri in May, an Olympic tri in June (in Boulder, CO while on vacation), a half ironman in July, then the full iron man in August.  It will be a very eventful spring and summer!


With the cutback in running over the winter, I have gained a few pounds.  It is so frustrating!  I am hoping as my running is increasing again, I will be able to quickly drop the extra pounds and get back down to where I was last year at this time.  I think my appetite increased while training for the full marathon, and I kept eating the same way when my running decreased.  It doesn't help that Dave can eat whatever he wants right now with all his training.  I just need to be aware of portions again and make healthier choices.  I know I can do it!

Where Has Summer Gone?

Since my last post, the last two months have flown by (as summer always does)!  In June, I ran in the Estes Park Half Marathon.  It was a beautiful, difficult run.  I clocked my slowest half marathon (2:26), but I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I got from completing 13.1 miles at 1755+ feet above sea level.  The biggest difference I noticed is that my legs tired out much more quickly.  I never felt as if I couldn't breathe, but getting less oxygen caused my muscles to feel tired.  Of course, the travelling and the fact that this was my 3rd half marathon within 5 weeks could also have caused me to be more tired.  My mom participated in the 5K, and she was able to place 1st in her age group (though she also clocked one of her slowest 5K times due to the altitude).  My daughter participated in the kids 1 mile fun run the day before.  I also had some friends along, and we made a vacation out of the trip.  While my son and husband were with boy scouts in Philmont, my mom, daughter, father-in-law and I enjoyed some time in Colorado.

The next run of the summer was on the 4th of July.  We went to visit my brother-in-law and his family at their new home in Charlotte, NC.  I found a 4 mile race on the 4th that we could all participate in.  It was not too hot that morning, but it was quite humid.  Several of us all ran in the race, and my 8 year old nephew placed 1st in the 14 and under age group!  Quite impressive.  He also beat the rest of the Nielsen clan.

While in Colorado, I received a text from a college friend living near Chicago asking me to come run the Rock and Roll Chicago Half Marathon July 21.  Of course, I'm not one to turn down a race or a fun girls weekend, so I said, "Sure".  So my most recent run was my 9th half marathon.  I was concerned about what the weather would be, but just a few days before the forecast was for a bit of a cool front, with a high around 78.  Can't ask for better than that in the summer.  Of course, the morning of the race when we walked outside into the humid summer morning, we knew it was not as cool as we were hoping.  It was humid from the start, and as the sun came out it heated up a bit.  Luckily, there were sprinklers on the course and a sponge station and plenty of water stations.  I did see some people passing out or being walked off the course along the way at the medical tents as the humidity was a bit high.  I listened to my body and did what I could do.  This race was more about having fun hanging out with friends, and not about a PR.  It was one of my slower times, but that didn't matter.  I felt fine at the finish, and I had a great weekend with some longtime friends!

Now I am in the midst of training for my next full marathon.  My next race in a half marathon Labor Day weekend in Indiana at the midway point of marathon training, then the Rock and Roll St. Louis Marathon at the end of October.  And now, I better get off the computer and complete today's 6 miler.  Happy Running!

Paducah Iron Mom Half Marathon and Hospital Hill Run

May was an extremely busy month and it just flew by!  I accepted a new position at work, so I will be moving from teaching 2nd grade in an elementary school to working as a High School Guidance Counselor.  I've been in my current position for 7 years.  Therefore, I wrapped up the school year with mixed emotions.  It is difficult to leave a school where I have become so close with my coworkers, students, and families.  On the other hand, I am so excited to return to a counseling position.  After working hard to complete my second Master's degree and entering a counseling position, returning to the classroom felt a bit like a step backward when we relocated.  Now I feel like I am finally where I am supposed to be....though for many reasons, I know where I was for the last 7 years was the right place for me during those 7 years.  I trust all things happen when they should, and now is the time for me to move onto High School again.  I will be working with my husband and where my son will be attending next year, too.  My daughter will be there in just a couple of years, too. 

Through the craziness of getting a job change and finishing out another school year, I have continued on my training.  I completed the Paducah Iron Mom Half Marathon on Mother's Day weekend with a new PR!  2:04:16.  This is about 7 minutes off my previous best.  When I finished a got a water and a cookie, I then went backward on the course until I found my mom.  I ran with her a bit, then went around to the finish to cheer her on.  She also had a new PR of 2:28, taking about 30 minutes off her previous time!  My dad and my son each completed their first half marathon, as well.  My dad finished in 2:45 and my son in 2:44.  We all celebrated with a big lunch out, a nice nap, a little shopping, and then a light dinner, and then relaxing in the evening at the hotel.

I felt quite tired on my runs the whole next week.  I think it was due to pushing the pace more than I had before in a half.  Packing up my classroom was quite time consuming, too, so I missed a couple of runs over the three weeks between the two half marathons.  Then on June 1, I ran in the Hospital Hill Run Half Marathon in Kansas City.  I was nervous, having heard that the course was quite difficult.  The friends I went with were both running in the 10K.  We enjoyed the expo, a late lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, shopping on the plaza, and then dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.  Not my usual prerace preparation, but I was really just there to have fun with friends.  I was able to complete the race in 2:10:37.  Just about 6 minutes slower than my PR, but still my 2nd fastest half marathon.  I was pleased with the results.  I amazingly had no pains after and was able to enjoy the rest of the day.  I've only had one easy run of 3 miles so far since the run, but it felt fine. 

Now I must prepare for my 3rd half marathon of the spring.  This will be 3 half marathons in 5 weeks (and my 8th half marathon overall) The first one was chosen to try to PR (and to get a medal from KY).  The second was chosen to meet up with friends, and to also see how I could do on a hilly course (and because it came with a cute jacket and nice medal).  The third is to see if I can run at elevation (and to get a medal from Colorado).  Maybe I will try to work on completing a run in all 50 states.  Not sure if I'll make it to Hawaii or Alaska, but maybe some day.

I'm a bit nervous about completing a half marathon at a much higher elevation.  I'm hoping that since I've done well in the past with hiking and skiing at elevation, that I will be able to complete this run without too much difficulty.  Wish me luck!

Before the Pacudah Iron Mom Half Marathon

After the Paducah Iron Mom Half Marathon; PR for my mom and me; First Half for Dad and Erik!

Enjoying the Expo for the Hospital Hill Run

Preparing for the Hospital Hill Run; 10K for Jackie, Half Marathon for me

Preparing for the Hospital Hill Run; 10K for Amy, Half Marathon for me

Showing off our well earned medals after the Hospital Hill Run.
We went out to eat at Jack's Stack Barbeque on the Plaza in Kansas City.

10K PR and Spring Half Marathon Training

Here we are on the last day of April, and I felt like taking a moment to reflect over the first quarter of 2013.  I have passed the 400 mile mark in running miles and just switched into my second pair of running shoes for the year on my Sunday run.  These first shoes of 2013 ran with me through my easy base running in January, a 4 mile race in February, starting my half marathon training plan beginning in Februrary, a 5K and a 7K in March, around Walt Disney World resort during our spring break trip, and a 10K race this passed Saturday. 

The 10K race on Saturday was at St. Charles Community College.  They have an annual health fair, 10K, 5K, and fun run.  I was pleased to score a new 10K PR (57:45).  This is the same race that was my first 10K (and second race ever) just two years ago.  At that first 10K, I ran a 1:09.  It's so great to see that the hard work has paid off with better finish times.  It was raining when my mom and I were getting ready and driving to the race.  We were happy when it stopped raining for the start of the race.  A cool, cloudy day is just fine for having a good race time.  About halfway into the race, it started to spit rain.  Then it picked up a bit and we had back and forth between a light rain and rain showers throughout the rest of the race and after the race.  My mom ended up finishing with a 1:05 ( last year she ran a 1:07, so she ended up taking 2 minutes of her time for a new PR, too!).  She placed 3rd in her age group!  We were not initially going to do this race, as we were focused on training for our upcoming half marathon, but after the bombings that occurred in Boston I had a strong desire to compete in a race.  I do enjoy this race as I have completed it now 3 years in a row.  It also gives me a nice progress indicator to track my improvement, since at that first race I had only been running for 8 weeks!  Now after 2 years of running it makes a difference!

I'm just under 2 weeks away from my first half marthon of 2013.  Well, I actually ran my own half marathon in training a week and a half ago, but this will be the first "official" half marathon of the year.  I am hopeful to get a PR based on the way my training has been going and how I have done in the races so far this year.  My mom is going to run the half, also.  My dad and my son are going to walk/run the half marathon, too.  They plan to mostly walk, but they say they will run some, too.  I chose a half marathon that said it was walker friendly (allowing up to a 4 hour time).  My dad initially planned to run, but after having to take some time off due to a knee injury (not from running) he was not going to do the half at all until my son decided he would walk it with grandpa.  They are training for a Boy Scout hike they will be taking at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, so they are using this as part of their training.  Since there training hikes have been on trail while carrying 40 lb plus backpacks, they should have no problems completing the half.

The two weeks before a race are always a time when I feel nervous.  I'm nervous about whether my training will pay off and I will be able to perform to the level I desire.  I'm nervous about getting injured and not being able to complete the race after all the effort and training.  I'm excited about the trip and the whole experience of the race weekend.  I start thinking about what I should wear and checking the forecast daily to see how it is changing as we get closer to the day.  At the same time, I try to enjoy the final two weeks of training.  There is something magical about completing each workout and checking it off the training plan, knowing I have stuck to my plans and am working toward completing a goal.  I enjoy the time I get to spend with family and/or friends who are also training for their own goals.  I enjoy the break from the monotony of day to day work and chores, and I aspire to do something that will make a difference in my health and wellness.  Also, I begin to look to the "what's next", so I can be ready to set my next goal and start working toward the next race. 

This time I'm already scheduled for a second half marathon June 1 and a third half marathon June 16.  After completing 3 half marathons last spring, I felt that I had to live up to that same expectation this spring.  I guess spring is about being "half crazy".  Then in the fall I will go all the way crazy again as I tackle my next full marathon at the end of October.  I will most likely sign up for a half Labor Day weekend as my midway through training race toward the full.  Who know what else lies ahead for 2013.....I'm thinking some Hot Chocolate, again, but this time in St. Louis (Hot Chocolate 15K in December), but I haven't signed up yet for that.  I have to space out my registrations, especially since Dave is not signing up for triatholons, too, and they are a bit pricier than some of the running events.

Looks like I'm beginning to ramble, so I think it's time to sign off.  I'll update after my half and report on whether I've reached my goal!  Happy running!!

Golden Egg 5K and St. Patty's Day 7K

I'm excited to announce that both the 5K and the 7K resulted in new PR's at each of the distances. 

The weather was cold and rainy for the 5K, but that didn't stop 178 runners/walkers from showing up.  It was great to complete the race with the family.  Erik ran his best 5K time.  Mom had her best 5K time.  Anna walked with my dad, and she actually had her best time also.  I placed 3rd in my age group, which was nice even though they only gave out an award for first.  Mom was 2nd in her age group (but her age group was 50 and up, and she was the only woman in her 60's to place in the top 5 of that age group)!  The course was fairly hilly, but I don't mind hills as much as I used to.  I think the course was actually a little short, because they had us walk up the hill at the start to be able to start going down hill first, which I think actually shortened the course just a bit.  According to my Garmin, the course was actually 2.95 miles and I ran it in 26:10 with an avg. pace of 8:52.  The official finish time has me at 26:06 for a 5K distance with an avg. pace of 8:24.  Either way, I ran the race maintaining a pace in the 8's, which was my goal and I'm pleased with it!

The St. Patty's Day 7K started on the chilly side, and the temp actually got colder as the day went on.  The wind also began to pick up a bit at the end.  It was a crowded start through the streets of downtown Cottleville.  I lined up at the 9 min/mile pace mark, but it was very clear that there were many people ahead of us that did not line up in their proper pace.  The first mile was a slow start, but I was able to pick it up a little and end up with a 9:30 for the first mile.  Once we got to the long hill, I was able to final pass a lot of the slower paced runners and get into more of  a groove.  I ended up finishing in 39:46, with an average pace of 9:08.  This was better than last year, so I'll take it.  We didn't stay for the parade as we were cold and wanted to get home for some down time before our girls night out later in the night.  We did have fun dressing up in our St. Patty's day finest!

What's Ahead in 2013

After the marathon, I immediately wanted to sign up for my next marathon and improve on my time.  I chose the Rock and Roll Marathon in St. Louis on October 27, 2013.  I felt this would give me time to recover before embarking on the next round of full marathon training.  So what to do until then...  Here are the races I have already signed up for 2013:

Truffle Shuffle 4 mile race in Cottleville, MO- 2/9 (Already completed)
Golden Egg 5K in Wentzville, MO on March 9
Run for the Helmet 7K in Cottleville, MO on March 16
Lourdes Paducah Iron Mom Half Marathon in Paducah, KY on May 11
Hospital Hill Half Marathon in Kansas City, MO on June 1
Rock and Roll Full Marathon in St. Louis, MO on October 27

Here are some other races I am considering adding to the mix:

Estes Park Half Marathon on June 16 in Estes Park, CO
July 4 Spectacular 4 Miler on July 4 in Charlotte, NC
Oak Brook Half Marathon on Labor Day in Oak Brook, IL
Chesterfield Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving
Hot Chocolate 15K in St. Louis on December 15

We are taking a spring break trip to WDW, so I'm hoping it won't be too hard to keep up my training while travelling back and forth and staying there.  I'd still like to find a run for April, though it might be best to use April for training since I will have two or three half marathons over May/June.  Then July I'll start back up on the Marathon training for fall.  Hopefully my body holds up and I don't get any injuries.  My ankle still bugs me a bit ever since I injured it last August.  I also sometimes feel a little soreness/tenderness in my right shin.

Dave is hoping to do a half ironman over Labor Day weekend.  He is looking at a sprint tri in May and then an Olympic tri in July as practice races.  He has been doing a lot of swimming (3 days a week at Gold's Gym), but he is nervous to return to running after his stress fracture in his shin.  He goes to the sports medicine doctor next week to get a walk/run plan to ease back into running.  He has been a bit discouraged as he has ended up with an injury in each round of training so far.  Hopefully the crosstraining for a tri will help him stay injury free.  He has also been using P90X and doing yoga for runners to strengthen his body to prevent injury.  Say a little prayer that all goes well as he returns to running.

I still have running on the brain a lot of the time.  I spent a lot of time looking at races I'd like to do in the near or distant future.  I'm very hopefully that some of my friends, family, and co-workers that are getting into running with catch the running bug with me!  Happy running!!