So I went to Eureka Springs this week to run the most challenging course I have done so far. It was pretty much up hill for about 2.5 miles and then straight down for the last half. And that is no exaggeration whatsoever! The first hill goes straight up - turns left and goes up and to the right some more! Then a very brief hilly section before the straight up incline leading to the historic Crescent Hotel. (can you say "butt-kicker"?) It was very tough...  I had to walk for a few feet on the second incline...and I hate walking during a race! I felt like I was crawling along, barely moving at all. Then after conquering the hill I almost never caught my breath! Sheesh! And just about the time I did, the course shifted and went straight down Benton Rd! It was almost as difficult to hold myself back as going up the hill had been!  I crossed the finish line in just over 35 minutes. That's not too bad actually, for an old lady. My PR is in the 31 minute range so I really fe...

Next week I will go to Eureka Springs and run a 5K. I would love to try the 10K, but I'm not sure that I could handle that on the hills. Actually, I am sure that just a 5K will kick my butt pretty good! I don't want to be too sore after because it'll only be a month until the Chicago half marathon. So there ya have it. The two biggest things that I am apprehensive about! (as far as running goes!)  The Chicago half has a strict time limit. I can do a half marathon - did one in May. But I need to shave about 12 minutes off my time. That's quite a lot in the running world! And so I am forced to embrace the treadmill once again! lol! Actually, it's not too bad. It's right here and I can hop on it any time I want to! I enjoyed being able to run on Sunday this week!  So here is where the pep talking begins. I must tell myself things like you can do this. It sure feels like an uphill battle. But I am determined to make it. I'm going to beat this thing! I have ...

Do you ever get tired of that question? I think I have answered it in a hundred different contests. (none of which I've won so far!) For the runner it seems more logical to ask the rest of the world, Why don't you run? That makes much more sense...those answers may seem superficial except for the very few legitimate ones...and my mind is blank...I started to say unless you don't have legs, but then I've seen too many successful runners who run with a prosthetic limb....Now they might be very well qualified to ask the rest of the world what their obstacle is to running! It's kind of amazing to see stories like that though, isn't it? Or to hear such inspirational stories. You've probably all seen the video now of the father who pushes his son in a wheelchair in his races. Those are the types of stories that give us that extra kick in the butt to get moving down the road in the morning, aren't they? And although I did begin running out of desperation du...

Did I ever mention I don't like running on a treadmill? Maybe not. Mostly because I hadn't tried it. However, our aid quit and the new aid has very different hours so that means I cannot run in the mornings. I also cannot run at noon in this record breaking triple digit heat wave either! So I got a treadmill...the first time I tried to run on it I hated it...and nearly hurt myself!  I actually gave one thought to quitting running...but then I have a half marathon I'm committed to this fall in Chicago...The more I thought about it, I looked at the treadmill as a help to get to my goal instead of an obstacle in the way. My goal far outweighed my obstacles.  I have had to go pretty easy on the treadmill this week, because it makes my whole body hurt. But this morning was a little better so I am hopeful that I will be able to log some miles on this puppy!! And then the good news is that the aid will be here early two mornings a week so I can run outside those two days until...

Today is a rest day as tomorrow will be my long run for the week. I'm shooting for 7 or 8 miles. I really need to pump up my training as the Chicago half marathon is only a few weeks away. This heat is really kicking my butt though! And my age - that is a factor! And the fact that I am a full time caregiver which means two things - lots of stress (why I run) and very little sleep....but you know what? I figure those are all excuses. Are they weighty? sure. Are they real factors? Absolutely. But they are not reasons they are excuses. I have to run while the aid is here in the mornings as I cannot leave my son alone. This week she told me she is quitting because she was offered another day job. It's funny to me because my first thought wasn't when I could buy groceries or run errands...my first thought honestly, was how will I run? I think that qualifies me as a runner! lol!    It looks like I will be getting a treadmill and so my stress level can go back down to a mode...

So i started this new eating plan right? It's nothing fancy mostly very little sugar and white flour, more grains and fresh fruits and veggies and high lean proteins like beans. I almost immediately lost 5 pounds which was good. I also started eating 6 meals a day. I basically eat the equivalent to either 6 medium snacks or 6 small meals - depending on how you look at it. Like I said I lost that initial 5 pounds and although I haven't lost any more (yet) I have not gained an ounce either! But yesterday I decided that I wanted a pizza - that was brought on by the fact that Little Caesar's pizza has $3.99 pizzas on Mondays. I only ate 3 pieces, which is good for me as I could put away 4-6 normally. I did go back later at one of my "meals" and eat the other two pieces though! (my daughter ate 3 pieces too!) I figured I would gain but not an ounce when I stepped on the scale this morning.  However, I had no energy on my run this morning. So my point is this...jun...

I am planning on pushing myself this week. I think i want to shoot for over 20 miles this week. And I do have a plan! My biggest obstacle from here is actually the hot weather. It's nearly 80 for the night time lows! And by the time I run around 8 in the morning it's usually 80 or above already. But I will win this thing!! While I was working on my technique for tackling longer runs last week I had a lot of thoughts... that's actually very normal for me no matter what I'm doing! I was thinking about how far out of reach the half-marathon feels right now. The pressure is that I have to complete it in under 2:45:00. My first was just under 3 hours.. so that's a little bit of pressure. I'm not sure the distance is the largest factor - my speed is. That's why I am really pushing for a higher base speed...  As I was running I was thinking about how tired I was etc...but because of the half marathon I have out in front of me I must keep pressing on! So my tho...