HELP! Calf pain...

OK all you runners out there....I've been having calf pain as of late after a run and when I get up in the morning. I've rested and iced and taken ibuprofen and it doesn't seem to be feeling any better. As I type, I have an Icy Hot bandage on it...what to do? I've stretched and streched and stretched....please help. I do not want to be sidelined. It actually doesn't hurt when I run, just before and several hours after. It also doesn't hurt when I stand on tip-toes, however it hurts terribly going up and down stairs. It's only the right calf, the other one feels fine.

9 miles!!!

Whoa-it was soooooo humid this morning. I had planned on getting up at 5:00 am to go, but forgot to set my alarm last night. So I woke up at 6:00 am and went. I took a frozen Ultima Replenisher with me and was so glad I did. I also ate some lemon-lime sports beans beforehand and I think that helped give me an extra boost of energy. You could have cut the humidity with a knife though. I was soaked through all of my clothes, not a dry spot on my body. It wasn't the worst run I've ever done, but I felt pretty slow. I definitely run faster in colder weather. I finished in 1:17:59-an 8:40 pace. The good thing is I burned 1064 calories. Not too shabby-considering I ate so much at the neighborhood street party last night. So tonight I think I'll have that mint julep as I watch The Belmont....We went to the beach this morning, so a nap is calling my name now-happy weekend!

Still running...

I'm still here and still running. Running has been going well but it is definitely getting warmer in these parts. This morning I got up at 5:45 am to run and it was already 70 degrees with 100% humidity-YUCK! I had a dentist appt early this morning so I could only squeeze in 4 miles in order to have time to shower...I was sweating as if I'd run 8 though-it was pretty warm! I did 8 last weekend and am planning on doing 8 this weekend too. Hopefully it won't be as humid as it was this morning. I'm feeling good though!

A great Mother's Day gift...

Right now RunningSkirts.com has a selection of skirts marked down 1/2 off. These skirts are super cute and comfy to run in. I get compliments on mine all the time and it's oh so sassy! Isn't that what it's all about? Just in time for Mother's Day!

Running has been going well this past week. I was supposed to do 8 miles last Saturday but my Garmin died on me at 5.78, so I did my 7 and called it quits. I had no idea how long another mile would be. So this week it's 5-5-5 and then 8 this Saturday. I'll be sure that my Garmin is all charged up. I know, I know I am a slave to that thing...but it really does help.

What I'm looking forward to....

after my 8 mile run tomorrow.....

If you're gonna dream...DREAM BIG!

You heard it here folks-ONE DAY I WILL RUN The Boston Marathon! Hey, if you're going to dream....DREAM BIG! How awesome would that be? You gotta set your sights somewhere. I don't know how old I'll be, but I'll do it. Hey, an 101 year old ran the London Marathon.

Sometimes you just gotta do it...

I really didn't want to run today. First time in a long time-I just wanted to sleep until 7:00ish (when the boys wake up) instead of getting up at 6:00 to go. I decided since it was Saturday, I could sleep in, get the boys dressed and fed and then go. Well, it turned out to be a little warmer than I'm used to...but I pulled through, ran my 7 miles and did a great time of 56:20-8:02 pace!!! Now off to replenish those 850 calories I burned.

Come run with me...

This is why I can get up and run by myself in the morning....it's so freaking beautiful. Wouldn't you get up at the crack of dawn to run when you can see this?

Holding myself accountable...

In an attempt to lose the last remaining 4lbs (to where I'd like to be) I need to hold myself accountable to what I am eating. All of this running has me so hungry, but I still need to watch what I eat. By writing it down, I'm less likely to eat poorly. This morning I did a strength training workout, did not run...so this is what I ate today.

Breakfast-Luna Bar-Iced Oatmeal Raisin, YUM! coffee with 1 TB sugar-free creamer, 16 oz water, calcium + vitamin D pill, multivitamin
Snack-handful of pita chips and hummus, 16 oz water
Lunch-PB and banana sandwich (on 1 slice whole wheat bread), 2 % greek yogurt with strawberries, 1 diet coke
Snack-1 circle babybel lowfat cheese, handful of pretzels, 16 oz water
Dinner-turkey burger on whole wheat bun, roasted red potatoes, green salad with low fat dressing, 16 oz water
Dessert-1 oz dark chocolate square

Happy eating!

Nothing beats a great run...

5 miles, 39:55!!!, 7:59 pace, 600 calories....beautiful run on Park Island on the marsh. It seemed like I was the only person in Charleston awake this morning, except the birds!! It was beautiful and I feel great. Best.Time.Yet!!!

In search of-

new music for my ipod. Please, please, please tell me what's on your playlist. I've had the same playlist going since Jan 1 and I'm getting TIRED of it. What do you listen to while you're running/working out? I need to know....

You are what you eat...

I really am appalled by what people put in their grocery carts. As long as I can remember, I've had a fascination with what people buy at the grocery store. The other day as I was shopping, I couldn't help but notice this woman with a baby loading her cart full of refined sugars and junk food. I didn't see a single fruit or vegetable in the cart...and it was pretty full! I try hard not to judge others, but when it comes to food it's pretty easy to make a healthy choice. Why not try whole wheat bread instead of white? Unsweetened applesauce instead of sweetened? Real fruit instead of fruit snacks? 70% dark chocolate bars (eating 1 oz servings) instead of ho-ho's? You get my drift? No wonder so many people are overweight. If people truly believed "you are what you eat", would they really eat so much junk? Now, I love food as much as the next person, but everything in MODERATION. You've got to keep moving and burning calories. I don't mean to come across preachy, it was just on my mind...that's what you gotta love about the blogosphere!

Oh, and super great run this morning!
5 miles, 40:18, 8:04 pace, 600 calories burned-so far my best pace yet!!!
I feel like I could conquer the world...

Favorite Running Items...

I never realized how expensive running can be until I really started getting into it. I feel like the more "stuff" I have, the better I will be...I've purchased quite a few running items lately, so I'd like to share my "goods" with you...

Oiselle Leslie Knickers-I love the way these fit and they are oh so cute to wear to the grocery store too!

Nike Elite Running (no show) sock-I have a lot of problems with my feet sweating so bad (TMI!) I know and these socks are the best I've found so far...

Garmin Forerunner 205-I honestly don't know what I've done without this before now. This thing tells me my calories, pace, miles, and time all on one screen...it also has neat functions like planning routes, saves your running history. I could go on! I don't leave the house without it. It tells me when I need to pick up the pace...something I never even knew before now.
Cute running tank from Running Banana -I love a cute running tank. I just got one custom made from here that says-"Marathoner in Training" on the front and "Run Mom Run" on the back. And it's made of wicking material-I love it!!!

Cute head band from Bondi Band-I just won one of these at a recent running expo and my friend Run Happy just posted about hers. I love it! I didn't like it at the race on Saturday because it kept sliding off...I was wearing it wrong. I wore it for my run on Monday and it was AWESOME-it stayed in place the whole time. Mine says "iRunLikeAGirl", so I love it that much more!!!!

I could go on and on about running shorts, but my favorites are the Adidas Climalite, Nike Dri-fit, skirts from runningskirts.com...but those are just a few!

Happy running and exercising!

Back to life, back to reality...

We had company in town this weekend (Dan's parents)-so you know what that means-I ate way too much! While I was at the race on Saturday, Dan and the boys drove to Columbia to meet up with his parents and sisters and their kids, hang out at the Children's Museum, eat lunch and then brought his parents back here for the weekend. They had flown into Charlotte to be with his sister and then are flying out of Charleston today. While they were in Columbia, I went to the grocery store to get all of the fixin's for a good Low Country dinner. I decided on crab dip (they make the most amazing crab dip at Boone Hall Farm's market), steamed shrimp seasoned with Old Bay (yum!), roasted red potatoes with garlic and olive oil (double yum!), squash sauteed with olive oil, salt and pepper and fresh Key Lime Pie (triple-diple yum!). Yesterday we celebrated his mom's birthday so I picked up a coconut cake from Publix that was amazing and to top off the weekend of eating we went to dinner at Barbara Jean's, where I ordered a crab cake, baked sweet potato and a cup of she-crab soup. Do I really need to say more?

So, it's Monday morning, I did my 5 miles (40:21, 8:05 pace) and it is definitely back to reality...all in all it was a great weekend though!!

Race results!!

Great race today-more to come later but I finished 51:41 chip time!!! Whew-hew! It was so packed too...I lost a lot of time at the beginning because of the crowd but I was pleased with the time. My goal was to run it in at least 52 minutes!! Garmin gave me an 8:15 minute mile, but Active.com says 9:00-I think I believe Garmin!! They also have me placing under someone with a longer time in my division so I believe my Garmin instead of Active.com....

A running year in review...

This time last year I ran for the first time with a mission. You see, it was my first run post-partem from having twin boys. They were six weeks old and I had gained 63 pounds with them. 63 pounds on a small frame, 5'3" woman is a very big deal-in other words my body was a train wreck!!! With my older son I had gained 55 pounds-and he was only one child. Why, you ask? I'm not sure-I didn't gorge myself with that pregnancy, the weight just came on. I actually did not even gain any weight in the last few weeks, I was just very swollen with him-it was August!!

Anyway, this time last year I could barely run down the street without stopping. I could definitely feel pain just running a little bit. I have been running for several years, but for not very long distances-the longest race I had ever done was a 10K! I had put my weight loss efforts on hold until we were done having children-my body tends to go a little haywire in the hormonal department when I lose weight. Well, my friends, we are done and I wanted my body back.

When I started running, I set small goals for myself, "run to the tree, stop, take a break, walk a little, then run again". I would come home and tell Dan, "well, I only stopped once or twice". Slowly, I didn't stop anymore, I just kept on going. Surely enough, the weight started melting away. I'm happy to say, I have lost all of the weight and more. Since February 12, 2007 I've lost a total of 72 pounds and I owe it all to running, weight training and eating healthy. I honestly feel better than I have my entire life. I have 3 beautiful children, an amazing husband and my health back. My story doesn't stop here though-I've put my pursuits on doing a marathon in December. I'm so excited about it-I'll also do a half-marathon along the way too.

I don't run with the boys either. I have a hard time running with a jogging stroller and also living down here in the south-it can get very hot even in the early morning. I run for me, by myself, before Dan goes to work. It is my time to either think about saving the world or nothing at all. I am a better mom because of it. I want my boys to look up to me, I want them to want to be healthy. It takes discipline knowing that it's just me telling myself to get up, no one else is holding me accountable. But now it's like nothing to do. It's in my routine just as brushing my teeth or showering is....

So why am I telling you this? Yesterday a friend of mine told me she wanted to start running and I got so excited about it. Anyone can be a runnner if you set your mind and heart to it. From someone who could barely make it to the end of their street last year...to now being on her way to training a marathon.. YOU CAN DO IT!!! All things are possible, just believe you can!!!

I feel like I've already done the race...

This morning was the Bridge Run expo. Whewwww! is all I have to say. There were tons of vendors and freebies. Three floors of swag...I got Lara Bars, Clif Bars, Jelly Belly Sport Beans, you name it, it was there. I won an Asics singlet, normally $30...it's adorable. I also scored a irunlikeagirl headband-now that my hair is shorter I need these to keep it all in one place-it's adorable!!! It was actually a bit overwhelming with all that was there. Oh and I got a running jacket for 15 bucks for the cooler weather...made by Brooks-so freaking cute. The downside is that it was 80,000 degrees in the building and I had to manuever a double stroller (and mine is not that big, Maclaren twin traveler) through a very crowded area with lots of stairs and only one working elevator. I also kept getting that "she's got her hands full, glad it's not me" look. I'm becoming very familiar with that look! And finding our packets, it was like a maze!! They had us go to one side of the building to "look up" our number, then take that number to the other side of the building and pick up chips and bib numbers, then go down to another floor and many stairs (some nice gentleman helped me) to pick up our packets...I was sweating like I had already done the race. Harrison was so GOOOOD! He got freebies too-Chic-fil-a lemonade, ice cream, Cape Cod chips, jelly beans-I think he was in Heaven!!! He kept saying the whole time we were going home-"I loved it there, can we go again?" Gee, I wonder why. The boys were really all troopers-we didn't get home until 1:00, ate lunch and they are now down for naps. We have a "happy hour" playgroup at 4:00-so excited for that-and then several neighbor ladies are going out for dinner tonight. Tomorrow morning I'm doing one last run before the race!! Hope it doesn't rain...

pushing myself...

This morning I set out for 4 miles. Well, when I got to 4, I said "I'll do another mile". I've really been pushing myself which I hope will help when I get to longer runs. So I ended up doing 5 miles in 40:48-another PR at 8:10 pace. It was awesome weather-66 and sunny!!! I know I will dread the mornings this summer when it will be 85 at 6:00 am. But until then, bring on the beautiful weather....

200 miles and a rainy run...

Today marked my 200th mile since January 1st of this year. I've been tracking my miles since the beginning of the year and today marked mile 200!! So many more to go...but it still feels good. I ran 5 miles in the misty, yucky, cold rain this morning and I feel fantastic now. I think people were looking at me like I was nuts, but when I left it wasn't quite raining yet. Oh well. This Saturday is the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K. I'm so excited!! The expo is on Friday so that should be fun. My girlfriend from Richmond is coming down and we are running it together. She has done way too many marathons to count, so I don't know if I will be able to keep up with her, but it will still be fun!

7 Miles!!!

I did it-7 miles in 57:46. I was so pumped!!! Garmin gave me an avg pace of 8:16. I feel great-right now at least. Dan was making muffins and had all the boys dressed when I got in. I left the house at 6:45 am. The weather couldn't have been better. Now I don't feel so bad for pigging out on that pizza at Giuseppi's last night. It made it that much better...I told Dan that if I finished under an hour I wanted to celebrate with a special drink tonight. I think I will. I also want to give a shout out to my pregnant friend running a half-marathon in D.C. this morning. You are truly my inspiration. You rock!!!

Best time ever!

This morning was a four mile run. It's funny, these runs are becoming super easy and to think I used to dread 4 miles. I could do it in my sleep now. Garmin said avg pace was 8:11 MM. So far that's my best time yet...I'm loving that Garmin so much. It has definitely motivated me to kick it up a notch with speed. Tomorrow I'm shooting for 7 miles..we shall see!

Let's talk nutrition...

What do you eat before/after a run? (for those of you who even know about this blog, not too many do) I am not one of those that can eat before a run, but I know when I start my longer runs I will need too. After a good run, I love eating Luna Bars, with my favorite flavor being Nutz over Chocolate. What do you eat during the day to stay fueled? I've been so HUNGRY since I've started increasing my milage. I also love Clif bars too, especially Peanut Chocolate Chip. I also drink a 12 oz G2 as soon as I come inside after a run. So tell me, what do you eat?

Running is a drug....

Today I had my heart set on just staying in bed. Yesterday I did a pretty tough cross-training workout and my calves and back were hurting. Besides, it was 37 when I get up. WTH? I'm over the cold!!! But I got my butt up anyway and just wanted to get it over. As I was running, it got easier and easier to keep going. Dan was going to work a little later, so I knew I had more time. I ended up running 5 miles instead of my normal 4! I was pumped! Garmin said I burned an extra 120 calories and I still ran at my consistent 8:21 MM! It really is a drug because now my body doesn't ache quite so much and my mood is lifted. I think now that it is getting lighter earlier I can get more miles in during the week. I may do a 4-6-4 during the week and get my longer runs done on Saturday morning. That may be the plan for now until I need to bump it up further along in my training.

Running Fashionista!

I love a cute running shirt, as well as a comfy one. No cotton shirts for me. I discovered Running Banana while searching for running shirts online. You can custom make your own running shirts or search through their cool slogans and designs. I am definitely going to get a singlet and a long sleeve one. These are the ones that I designed....

front of singlet

back of singlet

Now check it out and go design your own...

A "beautiful" run..

Yesterday my 6 miles was absolutely beautiful. One morning I'm going to take pictures of the marsh view I get on my run. It is amazing...and according to my Garmin, I ran an 8:13 mm. I finished the 6 in 49:15-my best time yet. I seriously could have gone more....but I had so much to do this weekend. Oh well, next weekend I'm going to do a short run and then after that is the Bridge Run and then it's time to get some longer runs in....I'm so excited I can't stand it! Who would have thought? Besides, with all that I ate this weekend, I better get my butt out there....

Gulp! Double Gulp!

I can't tell you how long it actually took me to press the "pay now" button, but I did it. I am officially registered for the Charlotte Marathon on December 13, 2008!!! WOW, it's real now. I'm gonna do this thing. I'm scared! I'm excited! I'm nervous! So many emtions. I know I have a while to process and train. My sister-in-law lives in Charlotte, NC, so it will be great to be up there. We'll just make a family trip out of it! It's only about 3.5 hours from here. I decided against the Kiawah Marathon because so many people that have done it don't really like it because it loops so much...kinda boring. Besides registration doesn't open until August and there was no guarantee that I would have gotten in it (it's a lot smaller than most), but now I am OFFICIALLY REGISTERED for the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon!!!!

I got my new shoes on....

and everything is gonna be alright! Can't wait to break out these 'bad boys' tomorrow morning..these are the Mizuno Wave Rider 11's-in pink, no less. What shoes do you wear for running? According to our local running store, these were highly recommended to me.

Amazing 4 mile run...

I had an amazing 4-mile run this morning. According to my Garmin, I averaged 8:25/mm. Not too bad I guess. Of course there's always room for improvement. It was a beautiful 63 degrees when I left at 6:40 am! I ran in shorts and a tank. I felt so good after the run too...SPRING is definitely in the air.

I want to get a couple of marathon books too...I'm considering this one and this one. Anyone have any suggestions? How about gu vs. sport jelly beans? Just thinking ahead to my long runs...

It has finally happened...

and every runner said it would. After a long 10 or so years of running off and on-I am finally addicted. I LOVE it now and actually look forward to it. I never did before. When we were trying to get pregnant and going through fertility treatments I was advised not to and I had NO problem with that. But now I have a newfound love for it. Yesterday I did 4 miles and I honestly could have done 4 more but Dan needed to go to work... I guess I need to start going earlier, it's just that it's so dark. On the days that I don't run, I do strength training and although it's important, I don't get out of it what I do with running. I find myself a little "crabby" when I don't run also. I'm finding myself reading blog after blog of people training for a marathon and it motivates me even more. I'm trying to improve my time and yesterday I did 8:30 minute miles and I was so happy! I also keep stalking the Kiawah Marathon website to make sure I haven't missed registration...I will be so bummed if I miss it!! I never thought I would be a "runner" but now I am proud to be one. I love the fact that my boys can look up to their mommy as an "athlete", I hope they will catch the running bug too! I feel better than I ever have in my entire life and I owe it all to my new outlook on running....

New Blog, New Post...

Join me as I discuss running and training for a marathon while being a mom to 3 kids at the same time....I'm so excited to be embarking on this adventure and can't wait to share my details along the way...