Digging deep on the DREADMILL!

 I had a full schedule of events and starting my day off with a major temper tantrum and a preteen was not part of the plan! My morning episode of me loosing my marbles had full potential to sabotage the day. I knew in order to recover I was going to have to seek God to give me peace and comfort.

I dropped the boys off and came directly home. I grabbed my coffee and my bible and sat in my favorite place..The dogs mat in front of the fireplace.  I just hate seeing myself the way I did this morning. Out of control, angry, and beaten. I see the mom I want to be and I try so hard and yet this 12 year old just does something to me. This is the part where I think I may be being to honest..But then that is me. Take me how I am..Imperfect ..
I prayed and opened my bible to Exodus, I could slowly feel myself calming down. I read and studied and sat with my heavenly Father. Who knows my hurts and heartaches. I can be totally transparent to him and after purging feel refreshed and recovered.

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Tim. 1:8

 How quickly it became 9:15 in the morning. I still had to run, clean, and pick mom up to go to Trader Joes.
I got to the gym about 9:40. I decided to go to the gym to do my speed work.  I am more disciplined having a machine pull my legs than trusting my head to do the same work.
I honestly HATE running on the DREADMILL but it works pretty good for me when I am running fast. I sweat like a stuck pig and get embarrassed when people come into the gym  because I know weird noises are coming out of my.....................MOUTH...!! What were you thinking!! lol..

Todays RUNDOWN looked like this:

DREADMILL AT GYM. Roll the It band. Hit the Dreadill for TEMPO RUN. UGH...
MILE ONE: Pace: 8:00
5 MILES : Pace: 7:19
MILE 7 : Pace 8:00 Cool down
MILE 8: 3-6:40 PACE Intervals lasting 2 minutes a piece w/ one minute resting in between puking and dying!!

 I had my magazine in the front of the Dreadmill to keep from seeing the dashboard. I get discouraged staring at all those numbers blinking pain and discipline at me. It seems like the dashboard doesn't read my pace and time rather it reads like this.." Run ANITA...Is that the best you got." Or, "POOR little baby, NOW SHUT UP AND RUN." Or, as though all the numbers become letters that read "WAHHHHHH". So I choose to just COVER it all up and flip through my magazine. I can't read the words I get dizzy and confused but I like to look at the pictures. As I look through Octobers Runners World I can make out the "Numbers" from "Personal Best Page". And I can read the quotes as long as they are in LARGE FONT...Here is the one I really liked. " If Running is important to you, then your mind set shifts from Can I find the time for it? to When can I find the time for it? You think in terms not of Will I run today? but When Will I run today?
Well I looked at my numbers and discovered I had a grueling 2 miles still to go at my 7:19 pace. Just reading this I felt as though I puked in my mouth. I searched for some better music like it was going to give me a surge of energy or something and still heard my whining destroying any motivational thoughts. And then I remembered.....One more race...Just one more..do or ..I haven't thought that far yet....Dying isn't an option...feeling like it is...
Well I finished..even added another mile of repeats to it, along with more sweat, sore calves and even more grunting.

 THE FISH TACOS WERE A HIT!!! They were soo good. I used Tilapia for my fish.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fish-Tacos-352976?mbid=ipapp

If any of you try it let me know what you think..!
Anita

Meal Planning for Sanity..

Well life has just moved into a new season and a new adventure in our little family. But it has happened in a big way.
While the running season tends to die down right about now with races coming to a close there are other areas that are opening up. Andy has decided to coach my sons 7th grade Basketball team! This is HUGE. It is a big committment for Andy and has potential to add stress to thier realationship.
As for the family it also poses some changes in our routines and schedules. Andy and Austin will not be getting home till almost 7:30 which leads to a  a few problems:

1. My 9 year old and I do not like eating that late EVERY night.
2. There are certain dinners that just are not good warmed up.
3. I have made a habit and am sticking to it that I WILL NOT make 2 meals. This is both costly and time consuming.

So Yesterday I got on Epicurious  and started looking for recipes. I decided I would meal plan and buy everything once a week or close to.
Andy is not fond of the crock pot meals but as we discussed it we are going to have to eat out of the crock pot a couple times a week. It is easy and convenient on the days that I work and makes great left overs.

Corn Souffle

HomeMade Sloppy Joes with Ground sirloin and Ground Turkey

So Here is my Menu: 

Greek Spinach Pasta Salad

Wednesday:Homemade Sloppy Joes. Corn Souffle and Spinach Pasta Salad

Thursday: Fish Tacos, Spanish Rice, Homemade re-fried beans
Friday: Braised short Ribs...Andys pic!!
Sunday:
LOOKING for a SUGGESTION for Sunday!!!




The Rundown
Time:53:26
Distance:6:01
Pace:8:53
Description: Ran in Andys pants! lol..seriously though I saw Austin wearing them and couldn't believe they fit him so I thought I would try...Yup..Those are some big pants to fill!! lol..On a serious note, Kate and I ran together only she rolled her ankle at the Big House Big Heart. She was hoping it would feel better by the time we ran together. I felt bad seeing her limp through our run. I had to really convince the little cheetah not to run 8 miles..we did 6.  She is one tough cookie. I told Katie that running injured requires time and rest. It is like pruning a tree, sometimes we have to cut it way back to see it Grow. It takes more strength to recognize when you have to do this..AND do it!!

Anita

Bone head moves I have done in the name of RUNNING...

NOTICE the MUD!

How come dumb stuff seems so smart while you're doing it.

I was journaling my runs on "Daily Mile" and  I got a response from  "Scott C".  The response was in regards to a Bonehead move on my part.
My Post read like this:
Left the house feeling great...The emotion of the weather carried me about 6 miles but then my BONEHEAD move of NOT bringing water or chomps took its tole. If you are from MICHIGAN hope you took advantage of the DAY..IT ROCKED!
"Scott C" Responded and it read like this:
Scott C.

I think there is something in the official runner's handbook that says you have to do that BONEHEAD move at least 4 times in your running career.

Great job getting out there and getting it done.

This sparked a fun post for me....ANITA'S BONEHEAD MOVES! unfortunately there are a few move than four and I am not even done with my running career!

 

Here are a FEW of my Favorite Boneheads Moves!

1.After a end of the summer run the endorphins where pulsing through my body like a junkie on crack. Finishing this run left me with enough energy and not enough brains to think I was Jackie Chan. Seeing a branch hanging from a tree about 5 feet in the air seemed like a good target to throw a front kick....Until I heard a POP in mid air and landed in a cat like position....I Tore MY ACL!

2. Not knowing I had tore my ACL I refused to go to the DR's because I KNEW they would not let me run the half marathon I had registered for the following week....Bonehead move....I RAN !!

3.Having stomach problems for a few weeks off and on I thought I would self diagnose and treat myself for what I thought was constipation. My sister in law provided me with a couple options. My belly hurting, I took the option 1,the "slow reacting" gel thing that had to be ....Inserted...ewe! And when that did not work to my liking I took the tablet she gave me that was "fast Reacting". My belly continued to hurt but there was no movement so I decided I my as well "RUN through IT"..Till I got to mile 3 and was drenched in sweat and running with my teeth and other parts clenched. I would run a little, walk a little, drop to my knees and breath all the while looking for an escape route....There is NO toilet paper in the woods!!....I ended up with an appendectomy 3 weeks later!

4.Distracting a BONEHEAD on a motorcycle. I was running into oncoming traffic which is what you are supposed to do, when I heard a crotch rocket coming up behind me. I could hear him gunning it as he was approaching me around a blind curve. Only it was not blind to ME...I could see the van coming towards me. The Motorcyclist couldn't though  and lost control of his bike showing off around the curve. He dumped his bike all the way in my lane missing the van by INCHES. I fall to my knees in fright as the motorcyclist must have been doing about 90 miles an hour and his bike screeches with flames about 500 feet down the road with him still attached. HE Walks AWAY from it. His Momma comes in her Jaguar and says this is his 2 total in less than a month. Favorite line came from the guy in the van.." I didn't know who to hit, I had to make a choice..."Moron on the bike or innocent runner girl"

5. While training for Boston back in the winter this year I was doing a long run. It was very cold and snowy out. I had bundled all up and prepared myself for the temperatures and conditions. I had gotten to about 10 miles and was FREEZING. My knee was acting up and I was over the whole run. There is a neighborhood across the street from my house (where I have lived at for 6 years BTW). I thought I would take a short cut and go through there and it would bring me by my house. I got LOST. TOTALLY LOST in my own backyard practically.  I didn't recognize anything!  I panicked and did all I knew to do and retraced my footprints back! 

6. I took my 1 year crazy hyper boxer for a simple 3 mile run. I didn't run with a choke collar because it seemed mean. Sheba loves to run, She also loves to LEAD and NOT listen like most puppies.  On the corner of the street during high traffic time Sheba ran on the left of a sign...Only I was on the RIGHT....YUP...the leash wrapped around the pole and sent me flying back off my feet and on my butt at the corner of a 4 way stop!! Choke collars are so nice!

There are several others...These are just some of my favorites. I have forgotten GU"S, not brought enough water, peed my pants, AND even ran through a veterans cemetery not knowing you are not supposed to!

PLEASE SHARE YOUR BONEHEAD RUNNING MOMENTS SO I DO NOT FEEL ISOLATED!! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR!! 

Running back roads that had 3 days of rain!

THE RUNDOWN:

TIME:42:07

PACE:8:24

DISTANCE:5:01

COMMENTS: MUD run. Ran with Sheba. So amazing out. 

Anita

Mommas words always spring back up...

"Once you sit down, You can never get back up!" Mary Lou.

My mom used to always say this to my sister and I when we came home from school. The basis was to keep moving to get your chores done because the longer you delayed  the more comfortable you got and once you SAT down you were toast.
I work Friday and Saturday on my feet all day.  So today after coming home from that second day I am usually tired. Now that the warmth isn't available to invite me into its elements I had to get some internal motivation to put the running shoes on. The sun was shining and the temperature was a perfect 60 degrees. But I came home and SAT. Yup. I tuned out the voices in my head trying to convince me to keep moving. I exchanged those motivational mantra for putting my feet up on my bed and wasting time playing WORDS WITH FRIENDS instead.
Andy was sitting next to me with Sheba covering me, which  just made me settle in more. "Anita, aren't you gonna go running? "You better go now if you are gonna go."  Andy said coaxing me to get going.
I looked at the clock and it said 3:45. Yup. I knew it was do or die. I knew that the longer I sat there in my NOTHING BOX the harder it was going to be to move.
I got dressed and was out of the house by 4 pm. I reminded myself to go out steady and smooth. Do not concentrate on the Garmin. Do 5 miles at a conversational pace. I decided I would run the route with the hills first. It was so nice out. As I turned onto the dirt road I had found myself. I had locked in my breathing and was settling into my comfort zone. The first 2 miles I always struggle and adding hills did  not make it a easy beginning. Hills make you a stronger runner. They help improve endurance and add strength to your training.
Getting the hills out of the way allowed me to go on cruise control the rest of the way home.  It was like dessert, I had saved the best for last!
That last 500 meters I was digging the heels in hard. No Pain-No Gain. Not to the point of being stupid but to the point your lungs want to explode, the blood has left your face and if you have any food its making its way through your esophagus. To the point you recognize the sensation of PAIN. You have to recognize what PAIN feels like to know to accept it with appreciation and love. The Pain produces Endurance. Our initial reaction to pain is to retract and retreat, But PAIN is a catalyst for strength and stamina. When you recognize and embrace pain as a stepping stone towards growth you will find that it seeps into all arenas of your life as well~~

THE RUNDOWN
Time:40:27
Pace:7:52
Distance:5:15
Thoughts: Progressive run. Each mile got consecutively faster. Beginning with 8:20 and finishing with 7:25.
Have not been eating healthy the last couple nights. Pizza, chocolate, Hardly any vegetables except for salads. Slacking on my recovery protein drinks and JUICE PLUS.
If you are gonna train hard you have to eat Good for the best performance.

Anita

When it Rains it Pours..washing away Disapointment

Before I was even awake I knew it was going to be one of those days.
It was 6 am and Andy was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. The water was blasting through the faucet like Niagara Falls. Full blast just running down the sink. "Really Andy." I could hear my aggravation in my mind as I laid there looking like I was sleeping. " How many times have I asked you to not waste water." My thoughts screamed in my head. I looked all sweet and innocent under the blankets but my thoughts described a totally different picture. There was nothing sweet inside my head - actually the sweetest part of me was the fact I kept my thoughts in my head and not out of my mouth.
It wasn't but a few minutes later Alec came to take his fathers place in the bed. But before that little darling climbed in he took a pit stop in the bathroom. That's when I heard that familiar sound or Niagara Falls again. Only this time it was not taking a direct route. It sounded more like it was hitting rocks and trees and spraying rather than descending with grace. This time the words escaped my mouth, "Alec, please wipe the seat down." "I am mom, the light was off and I couldn't see."  I was trying to figure this all out at the same time as I was trying to be gentle. No one wants to get barked at first thing in the morning. Or course, showering the bathroom with urine is not one of those areas I like to give grace.
He crawls next to me and I quickly forget my irritation. I lay there for a couple minutes and my bladder tells me it is time to get going. I go in to use the bathroom only to just about slide off the toilet. "UGH, DISGUSTING"  Alec didn't wipe it off, He wiped it all over.
And that's when I should have PRAYED!
My morning continued to go sour. My pubescent preteen son was in form. Austin thought that I had a "Help Wanted" sign on. He directed, dictated and decided he was the "Man of the House".  Austin, had no idea the battle that I was waging in my head. I am sure if he could have read my thoughts he would have backed down. But, he didn't so that War Zone played itself out in my kitchen.  It was not a scene out of The Waltons let's just keep it at that.
When we had all uncomfortably settled down Austin lead the way into the garage to start the car for me.  Only The car didn't fully turn over.... I was overcome with a sinking feeling of defeat. I quickly jumped in and turned the key over to hear that familiar clicking sound....The battery was DEAD.  Someone had left the light on...AHHHHHHH!!! ...For the record...that never left my mind, I somehow grabbed the reigns to the emotions and bad vocabulary that wanted to erupt from my mouth. "Stay calm, Breath, Think, Stay calm. One thing at a time."
It all worked itself out. The neighbor picked up the boys and got them to school for me. I had to postpone my breakfast with "April", A breakfast we had planned 3 weeks ago. I was supposed to run 8 miles and It was going to rain all day, How was I going to get to the gym with no car? This is when  I recognized that God really wanted me to "Be Still".

Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you"

I spent the next hour and a half in the Word. Asking for direction and forgiveness. I enjoyed my fellowship and cup of coffee with HIM.
I had NO car, it was raining and I had to run. Mom and dad live 3 miles away. So guess what? Yup! I ran first to the gym to get a couple miles in there and then  to their house to get the car! Our legs are another form of transportation!!! I felt so fresh. My legs felt swift and carefree. I felt like I had been given a new heart. A fresh passion. I ran in the rain letting my disappointment from Sundays run be washed away by the rain. The rain washed away that feeling of failure that was stealing my joy and left me feeling restored.

THE RUNDOWN
Wednesday:8 miles
Dreadmill 2.5 miles, repeats.
Ran to mom and dads (3) and ran through  their community to get to 8 miles total.
Felt GREAT.
Thursday: 10 miles
Time: 1:19 :42
Pace: 7:58
Wanted to run that last mile at race pace. ....Accomplished!

Deep thoughts on the RUN:

James 1:2-4 " Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Today while running I really examined my race last Sunday. I stripped away my grief and disappointment. I realized that since my "Epic Fail" that many of us have them in the tournament of life. But just because we fail does not mean we are a failure. This was an opportunity to Seek God more diligently. To remove all the distractions that have blurred my vision on HIM. On the pavement with the rain against my face the only voice I wanted to hear was HIS. As I looked at the autumn leaves He is all I saw. Through the beauty that trailed around me I saw his companionship and Grace. I saw his Forgiveness and Mercy resting like silk on the path laid out before me. 

AND I heard THIS.....Anita, though you may have failed YOUR goal, it was not MINE. You have not failed in my eyes. Through your hardship you have sought me. That is victorious. Your sufferings has not been in vain." Sometimes our sufferings has NOTHING to do with us. It was RIGHT where HE needed me to be. 

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

Anita