A few weeks ago I signed up for a virtual 5K over at Macke Monologues. I am incorporating this into my training schedule for my fall races. I decided to use this race as a barometer of how well my speed work is going. Back in the spring, I started to work on speed a bit since I was doing okay with mid distances. I could complete them, but I wasn't the fastest. Unfortunately the brutal heat and humidity in Florida isn't helping. It doesn't seem like my time is improving at all. I tell myself that once the cooler temperatures are back, my time will improve. Hopefully, it does.
Anyway, I looked at a few training plans and the one I decided to use is Jeff Galloway's plan. He is the official "trainer" of all runDisney events. He uses a run/walk/run interval method that helps beginners and those prone to injuries. I don't use the intervals, but I know others who are successful with it. I chose his because it is flexible, and you only run three days a week. Since E never has the same schedule, and then was gone, it didn't seem overwhelming to squeeze three runs in during the week. I am tweaking his a bit to fit with my marathon goal of finishing, and my half marathon goal of shaving 10 minutes off my last time. This is what my week looks like:
Sunday-rest
Monday-core and strengthening workout
Tuesday-run 30 minutes using sprint intervals; 30 second sprint, 2 minute recovery run
Wednesday-core and strengthening workout
Thursday-run a 45 minute tempo run
Friday-core and strengthening workout
Saturday-run either a 5K tempo run, or it is my long run at a sustainable pace (The weekends alternate so one weekend will be a 5K, and the next will be a long run) For instance, this weekend I will run 7 miles, next weekend a 5K, the weekend after that I will run 8 miles, etc)
My fastest 5K time is 28:06. My goal time is 27:49 which would give me an overall pace under 9 min/mi. Breaking the 9 min/mi barrier for an entire run over 1.5 miles would be awesome for me. Let the training begin!
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The end is here!
Every hour that passed yesterday, I could feel the weight on my shoulders becoming lighter. You see, today is the day the deployment ends. Our family will be whole again. The flight has been delayed twice already, but if the Navy is smart they will make sure there are no more delays. Hannah is ready and anxious to see her dad. Meeghan doesn't really understand, but I know she will be happy to see him. He was only gone 8 weeks, but it felt like forever. The other stress reliever is a date for closing. Thursday! Thursday the house will be mine finally. I thought we would never see a closing date. Just in time, too, since my lease expires the 31st. The next 48 hours will be awesome!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The highs and lows of July
For me, July is a tough month to handle. There are so many events, both good and bad, that stay with me all month long. I will start with the good.
9 years ago, my friends and I thought it would be fun to sign up for an online dating site. I really didn't think much would come of it, and we really just wanted to see what it was like. Late January I receive an email from a kid (okay he was 21 at the time, but that was young to me) who was deployed to Iraq. The email was witty enough to interest me, but I figured he was too young and he was deployed. I decided to keep exchanging emails just to see where it all went. Fast forward to July, and the emails have now evolved to instant messages (it was 2005) and phone calls. This young soldier was coming back to Kansas City on leave, and so we decide to meet. Imagine my surprise when I find myself on a first date with this guy after talking with him for months. I never thought it would lead to a date, and then a second date, and eventually a relationship. Neither one of us remembers the actual date of the first date, but we do know it was late July. 9 years ago this month, I went on my first date with E. It was to an amusement park and I almost threw up on him thanks to motion sickness. We were able to squeeze in 4 dates before he left again for Iraq. 2 months later he was home for good, and I knew he was pretty important when I found myself leaving for Ft. Riley late at night to bring him back to KC. Here is the first picture we took together:
The low is one that is still difficult to handle. 10 years ago this month, on the 18th, I lost my mom. Even after 10 years I still struggle with the fact that she is gone especially now that I have kids. Hannah has started asking about my mom, and why she died. It is hard to explain to a 4 year old that she had a drinking problem, and her liver gave out. I never expected to say goodbye to my mom at the age of 24. It all happened so fast that I never had time to process it. I think she knew she was sick, but she didn't tell any of us until it was too late. It was about 6 weeks from the time we found out her liver wasn't functioning properly to her death. I can still put myself back in that hospital listening to the doctor talk about DNRs and life support. She was on the transplant list, but she was an alcoholic so she was low on the list and she had to be dry for 6 months. She never made it 6 months. I miss her every day. Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture of her. She hated to have her picture taken, and the good ones are at my dad's since most were taken before digital cameras were used.
9 years ago, my friends and I thought it would be fun to sign up for an online dating site. I really didn't think much would come of it, and we really just wanted to see what it was like. Late January I receive an email from a kid (okay he was 21 at the time, but that was young to me) who was deployed to Iraq. The email was witty enough to interest me, but I figured he was too young and he was deployed. I decided to keep exchanging emails just to see where it all went. Fast forward to July, and the emails have now evolved to instant messages (it was 2005) and phone calls. This young soldier was coming back to Kansas City on leave, and so we decide to meet. Imagine my surprise when I find myself on a first date with this guy after talking with him for months. I never thought it would lead to a date, and then a second date, and eventually a relationship. Neither one of us remembers the actual date of the first date, but we do know it was late July. 9 years ago this month, I went on my first date with E. It was to an amusement park and I almost threw up on him thanks to motion sickness. We were able to squeeze in 4 dates before he left again for Iraq. 2 months later he was home for good, and I knew he was pretty important when I found myself leaving for Ft. Riley late at night to bring him back to KC. Here is the first picture we took together:
 |
| We were so young! |
The low is one that is still difficult to handle. 10 years ago this month, on the 18th, I lost my mom. Even after 10 years I still struggle with the fact that she is gone especially now that I have kids. Hannah has started asking about my mom, and why she died. It is hard to explain to a 4 year old that she had a drinking problem, and her liver gave out. I never expected to say goodbye to my mom at the age of 24. It all happened so fast that I never had time to process it. I think she knew she was sick, but she didn't tell any of us until it was too late. It was about 6 weeks from the time we found out her liver wasn't functioning properly to her death. I can still put myself back in that hospital listening to the doctor talk about DNRs and life support. She was on the transplant list, but she was an alcoholic so she was low on the list and she had to be dry for 6 months. She never made it 6 months. I miss her every day. Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture of her. She hated to have her picture taken, and the good ones are at my dad's since most were taken before digital cameras were used.
July is always an emotional month for me. So many good memories mixed in with so many bad memories.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Life lately
I am closing in on the final weeks of the deployment. I am ready for my husband to be home. I told him once he comes home, I am running far away for a few days. I need it. Here's a quick recap of what is going on lately.
I still haven't closed on the house, and I have no clue when I will. The seller hasn't fixed the wood rot, and the VA won't give me the loan until it is fixed. So I wait. Meanwhile I found my closing costs are going to be more than I expected because of that whole problem earlier with my agent. She is claiming it is because my insurance premium is too high. My quoted closing costs are a few grand. I don't see how a few hundred dollars really changes that number.
The girls really miss their dad. I am doing my best to keep them entertained, but I am failing. It is hot so if we don't make it outside before lunch, we are screwed. Trying to get them going before lunch is a huge battle that I am tired of fighting. Meeghan takes a 2-2.5 hour nap (thank goodness!) which cuts into our afternoons. I took them to the play area at the mall the other day, and I had to carry Hannah out of there as she was screaming. I tried to calm her, but she wouldn't stop so I just ran out of there as fast as I could. Yes, I was one of those parents with the out of control child. She has been doing that a lot lately. I dread going out in public because I never know which version of Hannah I will have.
Running has sadly taken a backseat. I tried going to the family gym on base. I hated the treadmill. Hated it. Plus Hannah wouldn't stay in the play area. Finally, I gave up. I now push the girls in the stroller. I hate it, but I still like it more than the treadmill. My pace has taken a huge hit because the stroller just wears me down. It is heavy on its own, then add 60 pounds of kids, and it becomes very heavy. I tell myself that it is making me stronger by doing this. I was able to run without the stroller a few weeks ago when my mother-in-law was visiting. It was nice, and I ran at my normal pace again. This is my first week of training for the marathon. I am glad the hard miles don't start until next month so I won't have to worry about pushing the stroller or finding a babysitter.
This last week has been tough, but I repeat to myself that I only have a few more weeks. Just a few more weeks.
I still haven't closed on the house, and I have no clue when I will. The seller hasn't fixed the wood rot, and the VA won't give me the loan until it is fixed. So I wait. Meanwhile I found my closing costs are going to be more than I expected because of that whole problem earlier with my agent. She is claiming it is because my insurance premium is too high. My quoted closing costs are a few grand. I don't see how a few hundred dollars really changes that number.
The girls really miss their dad. I am doing my best to keep them entertained, but I am failing. It is hot so if we don't make it outside before lunch, we are screwed. Trying to get them going before lunch is a huge battle that I am tired of fighting. Meeghan takes a 2-2.5 hour nap (thank goodness!) which cuts into our afternoons. I took them to the play area at the mall the other day, and I had to carry Hannah out of there as she was screaming. I tried to calm her, but she wouldn't stop so I just ran out of there as fast as I could. Yes, I was one of those parents with the out of control child. She has been doing that a lot lately. I dread going out in public because I never know which version of Hannah I will have.
Running has sadly taken a backseat. I tried going to the family gym on base. I hated the treadmill. Hated it. Plus Hannah wouldn't stay in the play area. Finally, I gave up. I now push the girls in the stroller. I hate it, but I still like it more than the treadmill. My pace has taken a huge hit because the stroller just wears me down. It is heavy on its own, then add 60 pounds of kids, and it becomes very heavy. I tell myself that it is making me stronger by doing this. I was able to run without the stroller a few weeks ago when my mother-in-law was visiting. It was nice, and I ran at my normal pace again. This is my first week of training for the marathon. I am glad the hard miles don't start until next month so I won't have to worry about pushing the stroller or finding a babysitter.
This last week has been tough, but I repeat to myself that I only have a few more weeks. Just a few more weeks.
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