Week 6...

This past week brought about its challenges. My Garmin GPS watch died several weeks ago and I was using my phone to keep track of my mileage and intervals with the help of the lap button on my regular watch. Well, the band on my regular watch broke... and I didn't really feel like doing 2000 meter repeats (5 laps) on the track. So my first run last week was mostly for mileage and I tried to keep the pace going even though I had no way to keep track of my laps.

Thursday I ran with my friend Teri at the Santa Rosa Plateau, and it was great fun. The only bummer was the fact that the hills and dirt slow down our pace, but having a buddy and talking the entire time not only makes the run go by faster but it is a great way to catch up with a friend. I'd rather have good company than just run to get a good time.

Friday we headed up to Reno for Christmas. We had a great time with family and we were able to relax (after the 8+hour drive) and needless to say that was my day off from running/exercising. Saturday I had a 10 mile run ahead of me but I was fortunate enough to have a new running buddy. I still had to wear my head phones, and gloves, beanie, pants, jacket and well... a leash. Duke, my parents dog, tagged along on my run in the cold (I think it was in the low 40's). Besides the occasional tree sniff, leg lift to pee, or dog-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence-to-bark-at, he was a pretty good running buddy. Here is a picture of the cutie pie... if I didn't hate cleaning up after a dog, he is the one exception I would make to having a dog.

Duke

By the end of our second day of visiting even Kellen warmed up to both of the dogs. He usually doesn't really want anything to do with dogs and he was walking around the house following them! He played catch with Duke (and Fozzy, my parents other dog- a long haired wiener dog). 

Monday I was up in time to finish my workout and shower without getting in the way of anyone in the busy house. My parents, brother, sister and her family, and grandma were all staying together.

Unfortunately Monday I started not feeling well. I had a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold which prevented me from sleeping very well. By Tuesday I was achy, sore throat still, and now had the yummy mucus and snot to go with it. Duke was pretty sad that I had to take the day off from running. We walked to the park and played catch for a while and the kids played on the playground. 

At the Park

Wednesday we traveled home (and hit yucky traffic) unpacked, showered, started laundry and went to bed. Today I was able to complete my tempo run, and I even ran a little quicker than I needed to. Colin had an optional soccer practice at school so I was able to get in my 5 miles while Kellen played with the soccer kids (and pretended to drive our car). I did not have my head phones on, but sure had a lot on my mind and a little less than 2 miles into my run I fell. The side walk seemed to lift up and make a cone like shape on the ground and I didn't lift my leg up high enough to get over it. So, I tripped and my left elbow, hip and ankle broke my fall... along with both palms and some knuckles on my right hand. I debated turning around and walking back, but I got up and finished the run. The pain went away much more quickly that way. Thankfully it wasn't a really bad crash. I'm sure I'll feel it a little bit more tomorrow on my elbow and hip. I can't remember the last time I fell... I think it was when I was like 7 months pregnant and fell at a cross country race trying to get across the race area to see the kids run.

The small cuts always seem to hurt the most!

Saturday I plan on running my 12 miles with my friend Terri as long as I continue to feel better. 

I am now at almost $600 for my fundraising! My goal is $655! (Roughly $50 per mile- to help 13 people get clean water for life). Every time I use water now, or any utilities that we pay for, I realize how fortunate I am to have them. I can't help but think that there has to be a way to do more. I hope that by donating to World Vision it also makes your realize how blessed you are to have clean water and all your basic needs met. 

I hope you all had a nice Christmas, and Happy New Year to you all!

Mindie

Week 5 Completed

  

So on my "off" days from running (Monday's and Wednesday's) Colin and I have been cross training together. We completed the P90x Legs and Back workout today. We do not have a pullup bar that can be set up anywhere, so we use the resistance bands in the back yard. The band that Colin was using snapped in half while he was using it!! He was able to finish his workout with another band... this was an old one. 

I just finished week 5 of training and I ran 15 miles on Saturday. The only bummer was that I ran by myself. However, it was a new route thanks to my realization that Nichols road is now open. :-) It was in the middle of the day, so I was spotted by my mother-law, Shelley, on her way to work! Ha ha! Thought that was funny. It was a little bit of a bummer to finish on an EXTREMELY big up hill back home. :-( I will have to take a picture of that hill from the bottom. It is MASSIVE! I think it is like 500 ft elevation change from bottom to top.

Tuesday I ran 6 1/2 miles, it was supposed to be a 2000 meter repeat day, but I didn't feel like running 5 laps at a time on the track, so I thought I could figure it out on my phone- I bought my new GPS watch with my birthday money AFTER the run that day. I think I ran a little too close to lunch time because I had to use the restroom in a hurry during my run. And of course, no bathroom in site... at least that I knew of. However, just in the nick of time there was a random port-a-potty.

Not only was this thing where I needed it to be at the exact time I needed it, but it was freshly cleaned, had plenty of toilet paper, AND it had a working sinking with water and soap inside!!! Praise the LORD! I am totally convinced it was divine intervention. It is still there, so I may have to continue running that direction so that I can have a planned bathroom route from now on. Ha ha!

Tomorrow I will be running at the Santa Rosa Plateau with my friend Terri. She is running in the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon in January. Looking forward to a nice run. Then, the Lakeside Lancer Soccer boys are doing their annual hill repeats with lunch at the Gilliland's afterwards. I will probably run with them, but not up the hills since I will already have 5 miles under my belt. 

Friday we head to Reno for Christmas. I will be running 10 miles Saturday (in the freezing cold) and then some repeat 2 miles (in the freezing cold as well). I may take some photos with my phone in Reno, there are always so many pretty pictures to take up there. We are spending Christmas with Nana, Papa, Uncle Bobby, Uncle John, Aunt Cassie, Nolan, Mazie and Grandma Shortie! And I think we might be starting a new Christmas day tradition... UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS! Haha! (Good idea Bud).

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Week 4

Just finished a nice run at the plateau with a good friend of mine. I can't believe it has already been four weeks of training.
As I write this post, on my phone, I am rubbing out my hamstrings on my new foam roller.  It was a gift from my cross country athletes. I have had issues with my hamstrings forever and I think this will be what finally gets the knots out.

Thank you so much to everyone that has donated so far! I am almost half way to my goal! I will be running ten miles saturday morning while pushing kellen in the jogger. That kid if starting to get heavy!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Mindie

Week three of training- Team World Vision

Hi Everyone! I am now in week three of my training! I have already completed over 50 miles of training since I started just a few weeks ago, and my training only requires 3 days a week of running.

My second week of training allowed me time to myself (thanks to my husband having the week off from school) and I was able to complete my repeat 1200m on the track (that is 3 laps).

I also had to do a 6 mile run on Thanksgiving day! It was a good thing too, my brother in law Tymon made some yummy side dishes, and my mother in law Shelley baked a wonderful turkey. The night was cut short because our kiddo was acting up, but he was pretty tired. He went to bed at 5:30pm and woke up at 7 the next morning!

Saturday I had to complete 10 miles. My family was visiting from Reno and we met them for breakfast in Temecula. Colin dropped me off near Elsinore High School and I ran the rest of the way home! :-) It felt like a slow run, but I was still on pace. Speaking of pace, I am hoping to buy a new Garmin GPS watch this month to help with my training. My previous watch that I used for over 4 years finally died. They have a sale at Costco right now and I hope to get it by the end of the month.

This week Kellen and I will do the runs together again. He gets to sit in the jogger while I push. Tuesday wasn't so bad, but today is super windy! I just have to suck it up and bear it! Hopefully we don't blow away!

Have a great week everyone