We did it...the Chicago Half Marathon. We went into this thinking we were going to do the 5k but on mile 1.5 JB convinced us (we met up with JB's good friend Jason) that we should the the entire half marathon. We did it, but I must say it was HARD!! My knees were killing me. I had bought new running shoes and was going to "test them" on the 5k, so when we were in the long haul of 13.1 miles I realized the shoes do not fit me correctly. So, I will be purchasing yet another pair of running shoes. Is it too much to ask for a shoe to support my high arches, be good for someone who over pronates and have a wide enough toe box so my toenails don't fall off?? I'm sure Ken Combs Running Store will be able to fit me with a great shoe....here I come! I have to get ready for the Princess Half Marathon in March, 2010 and hope to keep all my toenails.

I'm back...

Yes, I've been a slacker, but we are running the Chicago half marathon in a few weeks and I really haven't done squat about working out/getting ready for this since June. Not good, to say the least, but a couple weeks ago I went and ran a couple miles and tonight I ran 2.5 miles and from now until Sept 13th I'm going to be running 3 times a week. JB tried quitting on me already, but I told him he couldn't, it is paid for and he is going to do it so he better get out there and start running!!! (hahaha) Wish us luck.

Yesterday we ran the "YMCA run to the sun" 4 miler. The weather was great and we had a good time. It was JB's first race and he did great. He has been training more than me, and it showed. I really need to start running more often so I am ready for the Chicago Half Marathon in September. Carrie B and I ran together (we ran the mini together), we are good running partners and seem to have the same pace, I'm glad to have someone to run with, it makes the time go by so much faster. Thank you Carrie!

We have decided to do the September Half Marathon in Chicago instead of the rock n roll half in August since the weather will probably (hopefully) be a little cooler. We shall see, it will be a fun trip nonetheless since we are making a long weekend of it with my parents joining us.

Derby Mini Marathon...

Yesterday was the Derby mini marathon and it was a challenge! My friend, Carrie, and I ran together and had a great time, but it was very hot (85 degrees) and there weren't enough drink stops. The race goes through Iroquois park which is very hilly for 3 miles then goes through the in-field of Churchill Downs and then into downtown Louisville. I will post more pictures later (they are on Carrie's camera), but the one below is in front of the twin spires around mile 8. I was whipped after the race, I hadn't trained as much as I did for the Princess Half marathon and I could tell afterwards by how stiff I was. Other than that it was fun and it was wonderful to see JB and the kids at the finish line!!!

Update...

It has been a long time since I have posted on this blog! I am still planning on running in the Derby mini marathon and look forward to it. My training has been lacking since the princess half marathon, I have only been running once or twice a week. I was sick for a week and then I was lazy for another week, but I went running tonight (4 miles) and feel great, I really need to get focused seeing that the countdown is on, only 10 more days before the race. Since I haven't been training on hills at all I have decided I am going to walk the first part of the race that goes through Iroquois Park (very hilly), I don't want to bust up my knees.

Running, running, running...

So I am planning my next couple half marathons. I figured I have to do the mini that is here on April 25th, even though there are a few miles that go through Iroquios park (very hilly) I think it will be a fun run, especially going through Churchill Downs. The other run is in Chicago, on my birthday, JB has decided to run with me so I'm super excited about that!

April 25th, 2009

August 2, 2009 (my birthday)...JB said he will run this half marathon with me, I'm so excited. It sounds like a really good time, they have bands playing at every mile marker, I can't wait!

Pictures

6 miles in at the Magic Kingdom

Finish Line

I did it!!!

13.1 miles! My first half marathon. I went into this thinking I will just run the Princess Half Marathon and enjoy the experience, but didn't think running would get into my blood. While I am not a die hard runner and probably never will be, the experience of a half marathon was amazing and has made me think about which one I will do next. Maybe the Country Music Half marathon in Nashville? It sounds like fun to me!

Last long run day until the race...

9 miles!!! I ran the first 8 and then felt a bit achy in my knee so I walked the last mile. I wasn't about to start having knee problems again before the race. I really hope it doesn't hurt tomorrow when I wake up.

Straight to Eight...

Yep...8 miles today!!! It took an hour and 44 minutes, and I feel great.

15 days left until I get my tiara!!!

Yesterday was supposed to be my 7 mile day and I went to the gym with all the intentions to run 7 miles on the treadmill (it was dark outside) and I got there about 7pm and got about 5 miles into my run and felt great, but then realized I was the last person there and the gym closes at 8...so only 5 miles for me yesterday. Tomorrow is my "early day" from work (I get off 1/2 day every other Tuesday) so I guess I will have to spend some time at the gym to make up for this.

The count down is officially on...only 20 days before the race!

6 miles...

I'm on track...I ran 6 miles outside yesterday. The weather was beautiful!!

Running, running, running

Today I ran 5 miles. After the first two miles my MP3 player died so I had to run the last 3 without any entertainment. It was a challenge, but I feel great and can't wait until sunny Florida!!

4.25 miles on Sunday...and today I feel great!! No knee pain or anything...woo hoo

Update

I haven't been very good with updating the blog for my running, but I have been working out. I ran 3 miles on Tuesday and 2 miles on Thursday and plan on running Tuesday's, Thursday's and Sunday's with Sunday's being my long run day. I will add a mile per week so hopefully by March 8th I will be up to about 8 or 9 miles.

The course has been posted online for the race. We start at Epcot go through Disney World and the castle and end up at Epcot. Here is the route map:

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0222/en_US/pdf/09NEWPrincessHalfMapweb.jpg

Back in the game...

On Saturday I ran/walked 2 miles. I woke up Sunday with no pain, so I will be getting back on track. Only 8 weeks until the race!

Update...

There hasn't been much information to put on this blog, seeing that I haven't been running or walking, or anything! No, I haven't given up, after I went through a couple horrible weeks with my knee hurting I then came down with the stomach bug, and now I am finally getting over the "crud" as I like to call it (sore throat, stuffy head, runny nose, etc.). I WILL cross the finish line in two months...I'm actually looking forward to it! I'm sure the gym will be packed now that it is January, but I will get back to the gym this weekend and try to get on track. I am going to try to take it slow at first, I don't want any more knee troubles. Florida here I come :-)

One positive thing about being sick is that I jump started my weight loss. I have lost a total of 11 pounds so far since the beginning of December, thanks to losing 7 while being sick. My goal is to lose a pound a week before the race, so I have 8 more pounds to go, but it won't end there, I hope to lose a total of 30 pounds.