Lincoln 1/2 Marathon

I realized I didn't do a play by play on my half Marathon in Lincoln!  So here goes!

May 1, 2016. Rain and cold (37F).  And windy.  Such cruddy conditions.  We were hoping for the rain to subside, but it lasted all 13.1 miles

Pre photo op:



The race was so well supported.  The course is flat and goes through several neighborhoods.  There were so many people out despite the chilly temps.  I was so grateful!

I paced myself pretty well.  My feet didn't hurt.  Unfortunately, I hadn't eaten well the day before so my gut wasn't mad, but I finally decided at mile 8 I wasn't going to PR so I'd feel a lot better if I went to the bathroom.

The end was awesome! You run through the tunnel and finish the race at the 50 yard line! I was so happy to be done!

Deena, Brett, Mandy and I shivering while we take a photo op


The finish line:
I'm so glad I got to run with my friends.  We had a great time and lots of stories to share.  My time was 2:36:25 (unofficial).  I would like to go back next year and hope for better weather!



-Kat

366 Days of Running!

Today marks 366 days of running one mile every day.  Wow.  Yesterday and today I've taken a step back to take that all in.

I still remember my first run.  12:50 for the mile and man was it hard.  It was at Marion Lake.  I remember the next morning when I was walking with my friends and Deena said "We are all going to run the mile with you for the next 40 days!" I was blown away.  And so for forty days, there were several of us who got together every day to run a mile.

And then that goal was over and then the numbers slowly dwindled down until it was three. Deena, Tami and I.  What a fabulous ride!  I think my best mile was 8:58.  I have run in rain, snow, heat, wind.  I ran some miles on the treadmill. In this year, I've run two half marathons and one 10K. And a few 5Ks sprinkled in.

I'm so much more fit than a year ago.  I've lost 7 pounds and a pant size.  I have so much more energy. I've learned how to pay attention to my body.  I know that icing my feet every day is a necessity and when I stretch every day, I feel much better.  Acupuncture is also my friend.

I get asked often, "how long will you go?" And I answer, "As long as I'm capable of running a mile".  I enjoy running every day.  I can't imagine not going out for a day.  And I am so blessed to get to run every day and see my friends every day.  Running with them has made all the difference.

So running a mile has changed my life in more ways than I can say.  And I'll keep on running so you'll have to keep hearing me talk about running!


-Kat

Weekly Chase: Week 20

This weekend was packed! Saturday I packed it in with a long run, haircut and Beerfest.  I have been sleep depriving myself so I fell asleep at 8:30 PM on Saturday!  Sunday, I spent the morning relaxing, prepping for the week.  We went to one of Jeff's kids graduation parties and spent the evening with the Konda's.

It's officially summer for L! Yes!!

On to the Weekly Chase! Here's a recap:

1. Run a mile a day:Yes!!  I finished Day 365!!

2. Stretch and ice daily: Yes!! Every single day. 

3. Say Grace:Yes! 

4. Read or meditate daily:Yes!

5. Log my calories daily: 100% of the time

6. Finish a book:Yes.  I finished 'Gratitude' and '80/20 Running'

 7.Get my year end gifts: Yes!  I went for simple-gift cards and cards :)

 8. Make a list of things to bring camping. No.  I really need to work on this



Here are my goals this week!

1. Run a mile a day
2. Stretch and ice daily

3. Say Grace
4. Read or meditate daily
5. Log my calories daily

My Extra goals:
Finish a book.
Pack for camping: I have to get this done!
Journal every day

Caturday-The Stretching Edition

AJ loves to stretch with me. Oreo came up to the door. AJ wasn't scared.


In fact she thought she could play


Oreo was not amused





-Kat

Fitness Friday 5/20/16 Edition

This week has drug on!  We were all talking about how long a week it's been.  I think we're just excited to hit day 366!

Friday: nice run and Shocker Fitness



Saturday: we had an awesome run.  Ran 5 miles at an average pace of 10:50 per mile!


Sunday: we checked out the new part of the Nature Center.  It was gorgeous! We even saw our mama doe and her grown up babies!


Monday: sleep in because it was raining.  I got a little break when I went out



Tuesday: a big group for lots of running, laughing and joking!

Wednesday: Campus run and Shocker Fitness

Thursday: nice recovery walk and run

Weekly chase Week 19

This weekend was quiet.  Not much going on (which I'm ok with).  Jeff and I watched Captain America Saturday night.  It was really good!

On to the Weekly Chase! Here's a recap:

1. Run a mile a day:Yes!!  I finished Day 357

2. Stretch and ice daily: Yes!! Every single day. And I got acupuncture on my foot and my plantar fasciitis  is gone

3. Say Grace:Yes! 

4. Read or meditate daily:Yes!

5. Log my calories daily: 100% of the time

6. Finish a book:Yes.  I finished ' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'

 7.Clean out the garage fridge: Yes! It looks so much better

 8. Work on camping stuff.: I got the menu planned and people bringing items



Here are my goals this week!

1. Run a mile a day
2. Stretch and ice daily

3. Say Grace
4. Read or meditate daily
5. Log my calories daily

My Extra goals:
Finish a book.
Get my end of year gifts
Make a list of all the things I need to bring camping

The Helper

AJ has been "helping" around the house. She started off by helping Jeff get my Mother's Day gifts together.


She likes to help distract me when I am stretching in the morning


She's helping by hunting for strangers, bugs, etc


And she's a great helper when I'm putting my clothes away.


-Kat

Fitness Friday 5:13/16

What a fun week I've had!

Friday: one mile before we headed to Topeka for the Capitol field trip


Saturday: struggle run. I hadn't hydrated well so I was not feeling well the whole run


Sunday: I dodged raindrops for a super stellar mile run!


Monday: we ran fast and then went to Shocker Fitness


Tuesday: it was a big group for our run. We started doing interval running also


Wednesday: I was tired so I slept in and ran a mile (10:00) and walked


Thursday: another fun interval and running sessions with my peeps!


-Kat

Weekly Chase: Week 18

This weekend was wonderful.  I love going places, but it's also nice to stay home and get caught up! The house is cleaned, I had plenty of time to read and play with the animals.  Jeff and L took me out to lunch yesterday and showered me with gifts.  It was a great weekend!

On to the Weekly Chase! Here's a recap:

1. Run a mile a day:Yes!!  I finished Day 351

2. Stretch and ice daily: 80% of the time.  

3. Say Grace:Yes! 

4. Read or meditate daily: 80% of the time

5. Log my calories daily: 100%

6. Finish a book:No.  But I am close

 7. Journal every day: 50% of the time. I am caught up though :)

 8. Prep the week: Yes!  I got all my meal planning and meal prep done!
 


Here are my goals this week!

1. Run a mile a day
2. Stretch and ice daily

3. Say Grace
4. Read or meditate daily
5. Log my calories daily

My Extra goals:
Finish a book. I am reading ' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'
Clean out the garage fridge
Work on camping weekend.  I've got to get stuff started.

Where's AJ?

I got a new pair of running shoes Thursday night and just as soon as I opened the box, AJ jumped in! She jumped in and out repeatedly and then tried to chew off the shipping label.


Later that evening she found a bag. She LOVES bags! She tore a hole in the Loft paper bag. The Walgreens bags are wonderful (Reggie also enjoyed them). One can hide, jump in it or just lay on it!


-Kat

Fitness Friday 5/6/16

This week was full of good runs!  To start off on Friday, I ran a mile by myself.


Saturday: it was a quick solo one mile before we left for Lincoln!



Sunday: 13.1 official miles in Lincoln-more on this run later!


Monday: recovery run!  My legs were so heavy!!


Tuesday: I got together with friends and we had a great run and walk!


Wednesday: Yea for sleeping in.  One faster mile!


Thursday: back together with my group.

Weekly Chase: Week 17

Wow! My weekend rocked!!!!  Friday night, I got home and convinced Jeff and L to eat supper at Chili's (this was super easy to do) and while we were walking out, we saw my old high school friend, Stephanie Tallman Richardson walking in! We chatted for a few minutes and then headed to Academy Sports to get weatherproofing spray for my shoes.

Saturday, I ran my mile and then headed to Lincoln, NE with Deena and Brett.  We got there after noon and got our packets and went to the expo (which was kinda lame).  Then we headed to Nebraska Crossings.  It's a really nice outlet mall.  We had lunch at Voodoo Tacos and then shopped the Loft, Under Armour, Nike and Kate Spade.  I bought several things at the first two places.  We headed back to the hotel for a quick nap and waited for our other friend Mandy to arrive and then had dinner at the hotel. 

Sunday, it was cold (37F), windy and rainy.  Pittsburgh rain, but still, it Rained. The. Entire. Time.  I have a knack for picking races where the weather is crappy :). I was thrilled with my time, but more on that later. We headed home after we cleaned up and I was unproductive the rest of the day.

On to the Weekly Chase!  Here's a recap:


1. Run a mile a day:Yes!!  I finished Day 344

2. Stretch and ice daily: 80% of the time.  

3. Say Grace:Yes! 

4. Read or meditate daily: Yes!

5. Log my calories daily: 100%

6. Finish a book: Yes.  I finished 'Love Food and Live Well'.  It was good, but pretty preachy about God.

 7. Journal every day: No.  I had to catch up Sunday :(

 8. Pack for Lincoln: Yes! I brought plenty of clothes. 

 9.Plank a day: Yes! I have done this for 7 days!

Here are my goals this week!

1. Run a mile a day
2. Stretch and ice daily

3. Say Grace
4. Read or meditate daily
5. Log my calories daily

My Extra goals:
Finish a book. I am reading ' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'
Prep the week.  I didn't get to do this Sunday, so I've got to plan each day ahead of time. 
Journal every day in both my planner and workout journal.