Mommyathlon on the run again!!

After a week hiatus due to a cold, I went out and ran my third marathon of the Storm Series, the Miami Marathon. It was so hot!! Horribly hot!! It was so hot, that the hubs and I stopped to get slurpees, yes, slurpees from 7-11 and I have the finish line picture to prove it (see below).  That being said, it wasn't a PR race anyhow as I am tapering for my first full on 02/16 and I have the Ragnar relay this coming week-end so we ended up enjoying it despite the Miami heat. We also got our Storm Series medal #3 and who doesn't love a little extra bling?!

In 2014, I am taking on 3 new challenges. It all began this month when I am participating in Ragnar Miami to Key West. 2 days and I am off as the first runner of our team.  How exciting!!!  I’ve heard many good things about this relay and I am lucky to be sharing it with my husband. The week after, I will be running the Fort Lauderdale A1A full marathon. It will be my first 26.2 and I have been in training for this race for months and I am sooooooooooooo nervous!!! I have several friends doing that race that will be there to cheer me on. Running friends are the absolute best thing ever! I am closing the year in November with the Miami Man Half Iron Distance Triathlon (gulp). This one is scary and a very new challenge since it will involve three activities. In order to prep for that one, I already registered for my first triathlon this coming May. 

I love running in my own race but I also really enjoy family races such as our local Color Run and Turkey Trot in Miami. These races allow us the opportunity to do something we love with the people we love and to have a really great time doing it.

I thought I'd share a little bit about the gear I can not imagine running without since I get asked what's my favorite item.  Here are 3: 

1.  My awesome Brooks Glycerin running shoes – LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I’m on my 8th pair so I know what I’m talking about! 

2.  I was having problems with my shins a few months ago and found Zensah compression socks which were snug enough to provide relief but also comfortable for running.  I always put them on for my run or immediately after.  Love them! 

3.  The last item is my ARMPOCKET armband which I use on every run. It carries all my things from my cell phone to keys and mace and yet stays firmly where I put it and never slides or bounces. 

The amazing friends I have the opportunity to run with (and my great hubs).

Yes, that's hubsman and myself crossing a finish line with slurpees in hand!  

Don't judge, it was hot! (and I'm a slurpee fanatic)  :-)

Knowing when to not run (although I'm not happy about it!)

Tomorrow was my last long run before my full. The race I have been training for. It has been months of runs, exercises, cross training and challenges. There have been countless runs in 85 degree weather and many in +75 degree weather. There were many runs that I thought were not going to be completed but then found myself staring at my Garmin in awe and realizing I had done it.

Miami had a cold front this week and I was ecstatic to get out tomorrow and complete my last long run, 20 miles which was going to get done in 60 degree weather. It was going to be perfect. A perfect way to end a long training. Unfortunately, my son got sick this week and now this cold made its way to me. I can not begin to tell you how bummed I am. At the same time, the idea that I am bummed to not have to do 20 miles is amusing. 

When did this Mommy turn into a badass running Mommyathlon? Was it the day I decided to do a full? Or perhaps the day I crossed the finish line of my first half and started thinking I had to do another? Maybe it was the day I looked in the mirror and wondered where I had gone. In the midst of diapers, homework, dinner, chores and life, I was missing the person I was. Perhaps it was the day I told my husband I needed something that was all about me and the day I decided I was going to make the time for me. Or maybe it was during all those runs with friends where running became the funnest part of my week. The happy hour that I looked forward to that included running shoes, friends and a heart pounding long run. I can't quite pin point it now, but I love the feeling of it. I love who I am, a combination of the woman I was and a newer, stronger version of the woman I have become. I am a Mommyathlon - mother, wife, runner, strength, beauty, perseverance and joy. 

So yes, I was ecstatic b/c tomorrow was going to be the first time I would have gotten some cooler weather but it ends up being that I'm sitting this one out. I know better than to run through a cold and make myself worse. I have learned to balance recovery with training, another lesson learned in all these months. Listen to your body. Something that running has taught me and that I pass on to all new runners I meet and may train one day.  I decided to see this as God's way of telling me to taper since I have the Miami half marathon next week-end, then Ragnar and then my full. So instead of being upset, I''m going to enjoy taper time and take the time to get rid of this cold before the fun begins next week.  I'm also going to revel in my achievement of finishing my journey to 26.2. One run short does not diminish the hundreds of miles and hours of running I have done. 

I am a Mommyathlon, I am a mother, a wife, a runner and strength, beauty, perseverance and joy. This is the woman that will line up at the start line in 3 weeks and the woman that will cross that 26.2 finish line several hours later adding the word marathoner to all she already is. If you ever wondered if you could get there, I'm here to show you that you can and will. 

Dear 26.2,

See you in 3 weeks and one day.

A gorgeous day here in Miami. I went out with Billy (Idol) and PR'd my 5K time. It was either him or the speed work I have been doing the last few weeks. Either way, this Mommyathlon is happy!!! I got back and my husband took a pic of me playing with the kids and told me to post my cold weather attire. Ridiculous isn't it/  It's ok though, I got a PR and am happy!

22 Freaking Miles!!!! WOW!

I'm now 4 weeks close to my first full and last week-end, I completed my longest training run of 22 miles with some great company (hubs and a best friend of ours - thanks guys for keeping me safe and providing great company).  I did 5 miles yesterday of bridgework and I felt great.  It was hot and humid and nasty but it got done.  I have one more long run of 20 miles and I am officially done with my long runs for the first full.  Is this really true???  YES IT IS!!!

New Year Team Challenge Run

Mommyathlon had another fabulous team challenge run to celebrate the new year followed by a delicious breakfast! Running friends are the best gift EVER!

Bridgework/speedwork and Meg's miles

Today my wonderful running buddy/friend and I went out for speed work and tackled the bridge many times over. It was fantastic!!! Miami finally got some cool weather and the sky was breathtaking - it reminded me that life is so fragile and such a gift. We ran for Meg.  I thought about how lucky I am to be here, to have my fmaily and my wonderful running buddies.  To laugh to live to run. We are blessed. 

#megsmiles. If you ran for Meg, comment here! Let's add our miles together.  I did 5.50 and my friend did 6. How about all of you?

One step closer to a new dream and a new goal - CERTIFIED RUNNING COACH

In the beginning of January, I went to a RRCA course to become a certified running coach. This is a new goal I set for myself after helping several Mommyathlon ladies/friends reach their first half marathon goal. I wanted to be able to help others do this and to have more knowledge and information on how to get there. I passed the certification exam today!  I am so happy! I am one CPR/First Aid course away from receiving my certificate!

Could this be a career change for me? I think so!