Goals for the summer - MS 150 and Mini Marathon

Knowing that I needed something to stay motivated over the summer I knew I was going to sign up for the 2nd Madison Mini Marathon in August.  I did the inaugural race last year and really enjoyed the course.  But I didn't know until Friday that I was going to sign up for the MS 150 Best Dam Bike Ride on August 7 & 8th.  There is a group of people at work that do this every year.  I have wanted to in the past - but we are usually on vacation that week end . . . but not this year . . . so I signed up.  I am very excited - but a little nervous.  I biked 11 miles on Saturday - in the heat and wondered "how in the world I would bike 150 miles over 2 days???????"  I know I will be able to do it - it will just take training.  My 8+ mile bike to work will be nothing compared to this.  Looking forward to it.


On a running front - I am going to follow Hal Higdon's 1/2 marathon training schedule and will add a biking training schedule to the plan.  Today calls for Strength and Stretch - so I will be doing that and add a bike ride.


I biked down to Tenney park to be able to see Chelsea from EarlyRunner and Mary Ann ( a friend from work) running the 1/2 marathon yesterday and Jamie from RunningDivaMom run the marathon.  It was brutal out there.  The temp's were near 90 and the humidity was high. I was drenched from biking 5 miles and really can't imagine how the runners kept it up.  Chelsea and Mary Ann were spotted first - they were in mile 6 of 13.  Then the marathoners started to show up, they were in mile 11-12 . . . and there was Jamie - running strong.  I biked with her for about a mile and then wished her luck.  She did great.  You can read her race report here.  The race was officially called at 4 hours due to the extreme weather conditions.  But she kept running and finished great.  So proud of her.  Now today is a day of rest for all the runners from yesterday.  Oh course as luck would have it - it is cool and overcast this morning - seemingly perfect weather for a race . . . .


Enjoy the day off.

Sunday morning - 4 mile run

Hot and sticky - but feeling great.  I ran 2 miles with Sophie - my dog.  Dropped her off and then did 2 more miles and I feel wonderful.  Oh it is so good to be able to run again.  Speed wasn't there - but I am OK - it was 4 miles in 39:33 - all four miles under 10 minute miles.  Yahoo!  The Komen Race for the Cure is coming up on June 5th and I helped get a corporate team started at work.  I am looking forward to the race.  We are ordering Bondi bands with our corporate logo . . . sweet.  ;-)

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.  My day includes a celebration at church for all of the members who are 80 years old and older . . . I get to pin flowers on them.  ;-)

Time to stretch - do a few push ups and shower for church.

ENJOY the DAY!!!!

Gardens and mulch and Back to running ;-)

I took Thursday afternoon and Friday off from work to spread 7 yards of mulch around my flower beds.  Took some before and after pictures.  My son's both helped, Charlie on Thursday and Friday afternoon after school and Joe in the evening after work.  Glad to say that job is done.


Just about everytime we get mulch delivered - every 2nd or 3rd year - I say, we should really get this done every year and just spread a thinner layer . . . but we don't.  Oh well.  I just love how the gardens look, with fresh dark brown mulch which works to accent the bright green foilage of the plants.

Today's weather is drizzling and cooler - perfect for yard work.  But this weekend we are suppose to get 90 degree temps and that can only mean one thing - spending time on the water.  We have a boat and two jet skis.  The boat is home in the garage - but we still need to pick up the jet skis from storage - we will be doing that tomorrow.  Although the water will be cold - it is just so relaxing to be on the boat and fun to get on the jet skis.

This morning I ran and it felt . . .  GREAT!! - I wore my Garmin for the first time since my stress fracture.  I did 2.67 miles - Just under 10 minute miles . . . slow - but nothing hurt.  I am so excited.  I have been running / walking for the last week and figured I would try a run this morning.  I'm back and so thankful to be able to run again.  YAHOO