27 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week 14 report: RUN ANGRY!

Weight: 135

Miles ran this week: 30 

Miles ran so far in my training: 359

I was angry the fall of 2010. Potential job cuts were headed in the school district I worked for.  I let go of some toxic friendships.  I knew that my Mom was going downhill.  How did I deal with all of this?  I decided to run the Turkey Trot (that I had not trained for!)  Big mistake, HUGE!  As bad as that race was for me it made me realize that I really missed training for and running half marathons.  I set my sites on the spring Johnston's Half Marathon.  I continued to use a three day a week program and my newly found love of ZUMBA had me in excellent Cardio shape.  
I did well with my training until 4/9/11, the day my Mom went into the hospital.  I had just finished a 10 mile run when I had gotten the call and I went up to the hospital.  I went back the next day and got to visit with her briefly and she told me that she was tired so I left.  That was the last time she talked to me.  We admitted my Mom to Hospice on the 15th and she died the following morning on the 16th.  I had known for years that cancer would take her life but it was just so shocking how quickly it all happened.  No way could I do my "peak 11 mile" training run that day.  The running stopped for at least a week.  I was not only grieving my Mother but was also grieving not being able to do my upcoming race.  
Running though is friend that is with  you need it.  I decided to try and run 12 miles on Saturday the 23rd (on the actual course) and if I was successful I could use the actual race as my peak.   I did those 12 miles and to date it was probably the hardest run of my life.

My sign for my Mom 

 On race day I wore a sign on my back and dedicated my race to my Mom. I ran with a friend of mine and his father.  They helped me hold a 10 minute mile.  Due to the age of my friends father we did need to stop (for about 6 minutes) at mile 6.  People would pass me and pat my back and sometimes and give me a thumbs up.  My beloved Zumba teacher Denise passed me at a point when I was crying and assured me that "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

Right behind Denise at the finish!

In the last stretch my running friend Annette ran me in.  We saw Denise ahead of us and Annette challenged me to try and catch her.  I almost caught her at the finish.  I was emotionally and physically exhausted.  BUT I DID IT!  

Annette and I at the finish. 

Through the pain and hurt of losing my Mom, running was still there for me.  

Running continues to be the best therapy.  I love hearing everyone stories when I run as it makes the miles fly.  If you have ran with me and have listened to my stories, I thank-you.  You are helping me get through a hard time.

 Running was great this past week and I was relieved that Kathy and I only had a 12 miles.  I hope that you can join me  on April 5th for a part of my longest run to date, 20 miles.  More details to follow at dailymile.  

34 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week 13 report:  A Great Running Partner leads to my first 1/2 Marathon in 2007

Weight: 135

Miles ran this week: 34

Miles ran so far in my training: 326

A great running partner makes running easier and fun.  When Lisa moved I had no one to run with for several years.  I met my next running partner Barbara, in 2004 at Vacation Bible School. On that first day of VBS I was especially down because my Mom had told me of her terminal breast cancer the night before. Barbara had a medical background and she was able to explain to me the medical stuff I did not understand. She was such a comfort. I was out running one day and saw her running and told her that we needed to run together.  So we did.  

We did some 5K's and in 2007 we trained for our first 1/2 Marathon.  We used a three day a week program which worked well for us since our parenting duties took priority over our running.  

I do not have a picture from that first 1/2 but I do remember that my time was pretty slow 2:30ish?  I thought I would throw up when I crossed the finish line.  

We also trained for the 2008 Johnston's Half Marathon but Barbara broke her toe and she was not going to be able to run the race.  I did that race alone.  I pulled my hamstring around mile 11 and had to walk.  I started to see finishers around mile 12 with their "cool" finishers medals and I wanted one, so I continued on.  Problem is that at the 2:30 point they ran out of the "official" medals and had to substitute with a cheap generic version of the medal.  When I got my "slow runner medal" at 2:32 I could not help but cry.  I said to myself "*u%k this!" I felt so defeated that I did not run another 1/2 marathon again until 2011.

Running wise this week things went pretty well.  We were on spring break so I was able to time my runs around the warmest time of day.  Yesterday brought my longest run to date, 19 miles.  I went to Derby to run with Stacie and Stacy.  I had guessed that I was about 20 years older than them and I was right.  I met them through the Start 2 Finish Program.  They had 12 miles on their schedule so at least I had people to run with for over half my run yesterday.  The last 7 I did alone were lonely and hard.  Purposely went to Mass last night (where I could not kneel!)  so I could sleep in this morning. My lower back hurts as do my quads and hamstrings.  I think I will be fully recovered tomorrow.  I did have to walk some in that 19 miles but the walking seems to be less every time I do a long run. Please consider being a part of my longest run of my training program which will be 20 miles on 4/5/14.

Workouts for the week of 3/24/14

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: 8 mile run

Wednesday: Extreme Ride

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: REST

Saturday: 12 mile run

Sunday: REST

41 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week 12 report:  2002 my first 10K race

Weight: 137 (not losing weight, yet my size 6 jeans fit me???)

Miles ran this week: 27

Miles ran so far in my training: 265

In my late 30's I had a great running partner and her name was Lisa.  We both had two sons and all four of our children were friendly.  Until I had met her I was used to running alone.  We would run on Saturdays and because of this consistent running I wondered if I could run a 10K? This would be a great goal for me to accomplish before I turned 40 years old later that year. I had never run more than 3 miles in my life.  I had doubts.  If you know me in person you will know that I am very hard on myself.  Well, I DID IT!

  I remember hobbling around after finishing the race.  I was proud of myself.  Picture one shows Lisa and I before the race.  Picture 2 shows Brad, Logan and Lane with me after the race (I REALLY miss my kids being that age!)  Picture 3 shows me after the race with my medal.That race gave me the confidence to try something else, a Masters in Education degree program from Wichita State University.  If any of you know about Educators pay scales there comes a time when you "bottom out" and if you want to make decent money at your job you really must obtain a Masters degree.  I was scared about graduate school and feared flunking out.  But I kept telling myself you ran 6 miles, you can do this.  So in 2004 I graduated from WSU with my M.Ed. in Curriculum and Education.  That 10K + my earned degree gave me the confidence to reach for more.  Wonder if I could run further than 6 miles?  More about that next week.

wind, Wind, WIND are the three words I can use to describe running this week.  Did 8 miles on Tuesday and most of it was in the wind.  Our son Logan needed my car on Thursday so I had him drop me off at school and I ran home.

6 mile run from my school to my home

 The wind was from the South West that day and it was intense.  Saturday brought 13 miles and I had such a great group of runners from Start to Finish to do this with.  Mandy, Kathy Stacie and I did 4 miles before hand and then we took our group out for 7 miles.  Hooked up with Kathy, Joni, Doni and Mandy for my last 2 miles.

Took our Start 2 Finish group through the nature trail part of SCP which made me remember running cross country at Knob Noster State Park and once again thought about Coach Long.  Looking forward to next week where I will jump up to 19 miles.  I think I will be doing it in Derby and am hoping that Helaine, Mandy and the two Stacies can join me.

Workouts for the upcoming week..

Monday: 5 mile run easy

Tuesday: 5 mile pace run

Wednesday: Extreme Ride

Thursday: 5 mile run easy

Friday: REST

Saturday: 19 miles LSD

Sunday: REST

48 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week 11 report: 18 miles HOLLA!

Weight: 137

Miles ran this week: 36

Miles ran so far in my training: 238

I was sad to discover Coach Cecil Long's Obituary  yesterday. I had hoped to one day find him and tell him in person the difference that he made in my life.  The lesson learned is that as runners we should try to make a difference in another runners life.  We were all once beginners and we need to share our passion about running with others.  I am glad that I had a Coach Long in my life and if I can inspire one person to run then I have made a difference.

 I forgot to add these pictures last week to my blog entry.  The first one is a staged photo that we used for the sports divider for the 1981 Dragon Yearbook.

 The second picture is me from the track photo 1981.  And then the running stopped.  I went to Wichita State University from 8/81-8/83 and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where I graduated with my BA in 12/85.  I taught in the Argonia public schools from 1986-1989, Larned public schools 1989-1990 (where I coached track).  Got married to a fitness buff named Brad Johnson in 1990.  Taught in the Winfield public schools from 1990-1992.  Finally settled into the Wichita public schools in 1992 where I have been ever since.  The nineties were busy for Brad and I as we were raising our family.   I know that I ran some because I used to use a Walkman radio and remember running while listening to T-95.  Did not race as it was expensive.

During the summer of 2000 I was featured in the Wichita Eagle for my use of exercise VHS tapes for fitness. Continued with videos for a few more years and occasionally ran with some friends.  Then in 2002 I decided to challenge myself physically and mentally.  I will continue with that story next week. 

NOW FOR SOME BIG NEWS:  I RAN 18 MILES TODAY!  HOLLA!  Sara, Joni and Helaine joined me for my first 8 miles.

We are holding up fingers to show how many miles I would be running today.  The first 8 miles were GREAT.  I am very glad that Helaine got to meet Joni as they have a lot in common and run at a similar pace.  I loved running with Sara.  She is a PE teacher at my school, and a GREAT addition to our school.

Mandy was waiting for me in my driveway.  It had gotten a bit warm so I changed my shirt.  The first 15 were OK but 5 miles worth of wind got the best of me and we had to walk at mile 15.  I think I would have ran better without that wind.  Glad to be done.  

Workouts for the week

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 8 mile run

Wednesday: Extreme Ride

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: 5 mile run

Saturday: 13 mile run

Sunday: REST

55 Days until the OKC Marathon

Week ten report: BPHS Running 1980-81

Weight: 137

Miles ran this week: 32

Miles ran so far in my training: 220

Thought I would continue with some more of my running history.  In January of 1980 my family made its final move of my childhood to Belle Plaine, Kansas.  This by far was the smallest town our family had ever lived in and because of this it was easy for me to be involved with Drama, Music and Track.  Sadly BPHS did not have a Cross Country Team.  Because BPHS at the time was a 2A school we competed with other small towns.  I ran the 220, 440, 1/2 and mile relays (as the anchor).  I was also for the first time in my life a part of "the in crowd."  Unfortunately part of in crowd involved partying and drinking. I was the first person in my class to turn 18 and was often the one buying the beer for everyone else.  My athletics took a back seat to my "having a good time."  I was still "BPHS good" by my senior year but got less medals.  I was considering walking on to the Pittsburg State University (in Kansas) Cross Country team but due to financial reasons my parents could not afford to send me to that school.  After graduation from High School, the running stopped.  I attended WSU for two years and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where I earned my BA in 1985. I do not recall much running at all between the years 1981-1995.  Instead I was a "high impact aerobics diva."  I attended classes and eventually moved on to exercise VHS tapes.

GoRun had Diva night on Friday, I did not win any prizes but I had a good time.  I HIGHLY recommend Moving Comfort if you are needing a good running bra.  I have one and it is my favorite. 

Running was good this last week except I really struggled with Tuesdays 8 mile run.  I could only do 7 miles of it.  I really wished I would have pushed myself and ran the extra mile because I would not have gotten into the minor fender bender that I got into on the way home from DTYMCA.  

Saturday brought my longest run to date, 17 miles.  Met Kathy and Joni at 6:15 and we ran 6 miles before meeting up with our Start 2 Finish groups.  Kathy and I were together and she was such a GREAT leader for our groups 5 miles.  I did well to stay with the group for a mile and then I did fall behind the pack. BTW GREAT JOB RUNNING ON SATURDAY ABI! After S2F I noticed that my ponytail was frozen so Kathy and I ran another mile to our cars and decided to do the rest at DTYMCA.  We are anxiously awaiting warmer weather and the ability to do our long run non-stop.

Workouts for the week of 3/2/2014

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: 8 mile run

Wednesday: REST due to Ash Wednesday Mass

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: REST

Saturday: 18 mile run

Sunday: REST