I Am Runner!

Let me start by stating that I think that the idea behind 3 servings of dairy a day is a scam. Or maybe ice cream just isn't a good choice for someone who is semi lactose intolerant. I had a frosty last night and soft serve at Jason's the night before, and this morning I could feel it all over. ICE CREAM IS EVIL! I'm going to have to have more will power I think.
So, I started thinking about how I define myself- I'm a wife, a Christian, a Republican, a roofer, a college baseball fan (Hook 'em!). Then there are all the things I'm not- not the prettiest girl on the block or the girliest, uncoordinated, a horrible dancer, not liberal for sure. As I was pushing through my dairy cramps this morning, trying to convince myself from the first step out the door to take it one mile at a time, I realized something- I'm a runner. I've been running distance on and off since I was fourteen, but I never felt this way before. So as I trudged through my eight miles this morning, ending in a sprint inside to the bathroom (TMI I know), I decided that I want to run again after work today, because, well, I AM RUNNER! and that's what we do. -Lindsey

Quit eating those Bagels! By Sarah

So, today I had the worst run thus far. I decided I would go whenever I put the boys down for a nap, which happens to be right after lunch. I made myself a bagel sandwich using these really really high fiber, low carb-ish, low calorie bagels (150 cal., 18 grams fiber!!!!!). They are great, since I'm doing weight watchers and they are only 2 points and so very filling. But, I have learned twice before that I cannot eat one of them right before I go running. Remember our 6 miler, Melin? I was having stomach cramps the whole time. Today I really thought I was going to have to stop - I didn't, but I felt like I was going to puke the entire run. It was terribly miserable and it took me all the way from lunch to dinner to feel like touching food - and I only went 4 miles! I just kept thinking, "what if I feel like this during the marathon? Am I going to stop then?" No, I say! But, hopefully I will remember next time to not eat one of those bagels before I go running! :-)

7 miler

Hey guys,
Does either of you want to do the 7 miler together mabey Friday or Saturday? Im pretty open those days. What do you think? That clock on the marathon website is so inspiring. Everytime I see it,it just keeps ticking away pumping me up to run.
Just let me know!
Love,
Melinda

So Eager!

It's so strange how just about 4 months ago I was talking about how I would never in a million years do a marathon and how bad it must be for your body, etc, etc. - and now I am just so eager to be running 26 miles! I am just really loving this running thing for the first time in my whole life! I am so grateful to you, Lindsey for inspiring me to begin this new sport and I'm so happy that we are all doing this together! I've taken today off, but will start back in tomorrow for a new week of training. My longest run this week is 7 miles - the furthest yet, and I am really looking forward to it. I am so proud of all of us for taking on this challenge and I just can't wait to cross the finish line as a marathon-finisher with 2 of my closest friends! Love, Sarah

So close, but just as far

We have 115 days left! I'm glad to hear that running is coming easier and easier to both of you. Personally, I need to start doing some cross training(One of those things that I promise myself I'll be better about next week-but this week is full of extra days so I have no excuses). You both are very disciplined about cross training with running so y'all will be my good examples. Happy Thanksgiving! Lindsey

Out the Window

I'm throwing out this weeks training schedule. My diaphragm has been so sore from being sick and I'm letting it affect my running- but it's all in my head. So I've decided to take this week as a down week (except for the 15 miler that I'm amped about completing on Saturday). I'm going to do some shorter runs and let my body get some rest, recoup mentally, rehydrate, refuel (it's all I can do to force down enough calories to get through the day). I'll be ready to get back up in milage for Thanksgiving week and have a lot more time on my hands with the days off work. I have some good sources of inspiration - Sarah with your ferociousness, not getting intimidated by any amount of miles, and Melinda with your tenaciousness, determined to beat your shin splints. Oh and the much awaited sequel to Once a Runner- Again to Carthage- showed up on my door step yesterday. Once a Runner was the book that motivated me to stick with Cross Country when I was in high school. So here's to "The trial of miles; Miles of trials." -Lindsey

Run on Wednesday

Lindsey,
How did you do with your 13 miler this Saturday? Do you wanna do 5 miles on Wednesday at 515pm. Well meet at Sarahs. Sarahs going to make sure Wednesday will work for her yet it might be fun with all three of us. No big deal if not since I know your schedule is different.
Love you guys!

Lost in OKC!! by: Sarah

So, I went to visit my grandparents in Oklahoma City this week for a few days. While I was there, I mapped a run around their area that was a little less than 4.5 miles. I was running in about the back quarter of the run and I guess I missed my turn. I ran and ran and ran and when I finally got to a large intersection i stopped at a gas station to get directions. I figured out where i was and kept running in the same direction, thinking that my turn off was just ahead. I kept on running when i came to another rather large intersection. At this point I knew I was running the wrong way, but I had told my family that I would be back in about 45 minutes or less and that if an hour passed, then they should come look for me. So, it had been about 55 minutes at that point and knowing I was far away from home, I stopped in at a hair cutter store to call the house. But, then i realized that I didn't know my grandparents' home phone by heart and the shop didn't have a personal phone book or long distance to call my mom's cell or information! I went ahead and left the salon and began running back the way I came. Once I had past both large intersection by a half mile or so, I began to get really frustrated, almost in tears because I didn't see the turn anywhere up ahead and I knew that my family must be so worried at this point! Then, all of a sudden I glanced up at the sign of the street I was about to pass - it was my street! I thanked the Lord, knowing that He had a reason for all that extra running. I finally got to the house, just as my grandfather was about to start leaving to look for me (about 1 hour and 10 minutes had passed). To my great relief my mother thought that it had only been 1 hour and she was not worried a bit - she just figured I made a wrong turn and was lost. Because the same exact thing happened to me last Christmas when I visited them and went running! I'm such a ding ding, but I got a great run in. I ended up running just over 6.7 miles total and I felt great the whole time - besides being a bit frustrated I guess! Signed, Sarah

New Perspective

This weekend was awesome! One of the things that I love most about traveling is getting to run new routes. This morning I saw a little bunny and the sun rise in the mountains which helped me forget about the hangover that was slowly setting in. God creates the most amazing scenes for us, and running is such a good way to really take it in. I can't wait for my thirteen miler on Saturday, I know I can do better than I did in Houston. I will probably pass the new edition of runner's world to Sarah later this week, but I think you would really enjoy some of the articles too, Melinda. Peace out-Lindsey

I need to put in more miles!

Hey guys-
Well as I am writing this my legs are sore! I did a leg workout concentrating on my quads and strenthing muscles around my shins. I took your advice Sarah and after my leg workout at the gym, I did 4x(100 feet of lunges and 30 airsquats. I feel it today. Love it! I cant remember the last time my legs were sore so I just crave that for my legs. With my jogging, I need to be doing my puttin in more miles . I have been busy with work and have not made time. Im still running yet probably have been missing out about 3 miles per week. So hopefully I can get some in tonight sometime. I ran 4 miles on Monday and it was a hard run for me. It was in the morning and I had a really bad cramp in my stomach that kicked in the 2.5 mile and I fought through it for a mile and then felt nautious. So it was just a bad run, I dont think I had enough fuel.
Im sure my next blog will be more fun and pumped up!
See you guys tonight!
Love,
Melinda