Jingle Bell Team Challenge

US Road Running puts out team challenges where you can register a team and pay $10 per person and receive a very cool medal. You can even run from another location, just so long as you get it done!

I registered our Mommyathlon team and we met up for a 5 mile run to celebrate the holidays. A few of us had to run elsewhere but it didn't matter, we are Team Mommyathlon. What a great morning! We did the run together, cheered each other on and then went out for a yummy breakfast. Running friends are the absolute best thing in the world!!!

Two weeks of streaking and going strong!

Two weeks after my last post, I am glad to report that I have been able to maintain the holiday streak and the ab challenge. I have a new found respect for people that are able to do a run streak for years. It's been 19 days and I'm looking forward to a break. That being said, I do find that I feel better on a rest day when I get that one mile in. Maybe it's mental but I feel like I loosen up and don't feel the sore after a long mileage day which bring me to my next statement.

Time to catch up...

December 7th, my daughter got a PR at a cross country 5K. I was very proud as she is not used to running hilly courses but she stuck through it!  I ended up getting sore shins for my half the next day but well worth it to spend time with her.

The next day, hubs and I took off for the Palm Beaches marathon. I didn't prep very well since it was a recovery run for myself in between two 18 milers and I already had sore shins from the day before. To make things worse, I neglected my water intake and to really top things off, I had a couple of drinks (it happens when I get away from the kids and relax) and hence, ran a very slow half. I felt sluggish and hot and could have kicked myself for going into a race so unprepared. I then reminded myself to enjoy it. It was, after all, a recovery run. I started talking to other runners, took the time to really thank volunteers at the stations and then I met a man that had been the victim of a hit and run 5 weeks before this race and there he was at his first race after a near death experience. It reminded me to be thankful that I was out there even if I hadn't prepared properly. Hubs prepped and he achieved a sub 4 marathon - he's been working on this for a while so it was a great day and a great race! 

I ran 18 miles this past Saturday - no falls, no accidents but there was one Rottweiler attack. Apparently every time I go long, something new is going to happen. It was one of my worst nightmares come true. The loud bark, the growl, and the realization that a loose Rottweiler was trying to bite at my leg. There was no owner or collar, just him and me at a stare down. I always carry pepper spray/mace and I slowly went to grab it.  As I said "nice doggie, nice puppy" and he growled, bared his teeth and inched towards me, I prayed I would not get bit. I took a practice shot and he must have sniffed some of the stuff because he stopped advancing and I started inching away little by little. It felt like I was standing there for an hour. It was probably about 5 minutes. I made it away and started to walk away faster and faster. I warned bikers to turn around and another runner to go the other way. I looked at my GPS and saw 17. Was the Rottweiler going to stand in my way of seeing 18 on my GPS?!?!  NO WAY! I made it back and was happy to find that I didn't feel quite as sore as I had anticipated. I had practically done 18 miles 2 weeks before but there had been a break with my fall. This time, it was straight and I felt pretty darn good, minus one dog attack of course.  

I had to celebrate so of course, I chose my favorite food which you all know - PIZZA!  

 

Streaking - Day 4 and the Mommyathlon December Ab Challenge

So day 4 of streaking was not a happy thought for me today when I stood in front of my treadmill all bruised up and sore from yesterday's 18 miles and even more sore from yesterday's fall. I made a commitment to try this so I had to do it! On I went and the first .25 miles were brutal but soon enough, my muscles loosened up and I started to feel really good. I finished 1 mile then straight to the floor I went for the Mommyathlon ab challenge for December (copy below).  

I had posted to see if other Mommyathlons would join me in the challenge because I can't stand core work but I recognize its importance. Luckily there was group support behind the idea and an ab challenge for this month was created. Doing this with all the other Mommyathlons makes it so much easier and so much more fun!  Today was Day 1. Join us as we get these cores strong! 

DAY ONE

THE ENTIRE DECEMBER AB CHALLENGE

Hard at work and keeping the streak and the challenge going strong!

A streak, a fall and 18 miles!

Streak day 3 and I was due for a 16.5 mile run. Things started out great but I was going to come face to face with a really big challenge. Around mile 3-4, I took a hard fall from a lifted sidewalk. As I flew through the air, I was hoping I wouldn't break anything since my daughter's birthday party was scheduled later this day. I hit the floor, slid and felt that horrible burning sensation in my right hand and around my left knee. It was bad. I got up and thought about running back to the car and then something happened. The runner in me told me to suck it up and keep going and I did. Armed with the best running friends and 26.2 partner, we kept going. I finished 18 miles instead of 16.5 because I was so shaken, I forgot to start my Garmin and the distance once we turned around and got back was 18. 

Tired and sore, but happy, I got home, cleaned up, bandaged myself and off we went to celebrate my daughter's birthday. It ended up being a great day and I got a couple of lessons out of it. 

1. Wear a head light on early morning runs - this is a great reason to get to the running store today!

2. You can stop and wonder if you could have made it, or you can keep going and realize you can surpass what you thought you could do. I surpassed!