SECOND STEPS

Today I went out for my second run since having a baby. It ended up being a run/walk, and it was not pretty. The proof is in the picture.

It wasn't pretty and I know I looked terrible out there - bad form, old pants that did not fit properly, a shirt that wouldn't stay in place, and one U-G-L-Y camouflage hat. But it felt so good. I was so excited to be out there RUNNING. After 1.5 miles I knew I needed a walk break and again I walked when I came to the big hill on my route. If I've learned anything from marathon training it is that seconds at the beginning can cost you minutes at the end (or trying to get back into shape too fast too soon could result in an injury or complication that could result in not being able to run). I want to get back into shape - and the quicker the better - but pushing myself too much now could result in an injury or some sort of complication (ripping my insides open). So I am taking it slow and being responsible. And that means 11 minute miles at this point in time.

As I was finishing my run (and completely enjoying my new running mix!!), I started to think about my goals and why I run. I started to think about races I want to run and places I would like to visit. What I concluded is this... I really enjoy running and I really like feeling physically fit and fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes. I also need some reach goals to get me off of my butt and back into shape (and then into better shape than I have ever been in). As I said yesterday, D and I are planning to run two half marathons this spring. I would like to complete both of them in under two hours. And in the fall, I want to run a marathon in under 4 hours.

There... I said it. I want to reach for the stars.

More than likely, D and I will not both get a spot in the 2012 NYC Marathon through the lottery. This means we will have to wait until 2013 to run the race together (which we SO want to do). My long term reach goal will be to qualify for the Boston Marathon in NYC in November 2013 (qualifying time for my age group is 3:40).

To do so would be EPIC.

With all of this in mind, I need to train well and remain injury-free. I also need to lose my remaining pregnancy weight and strengthen my core. None of this is going to happen over night, but I am confident that with time I can accomplish all of my goals.

Here's to a BQ in November 2013...

And in the meanwhile, here's to getting back into shape, loosing some weight, and enjoying every minute of if...!!!

2011 GOALS: REVISED

*** written Saturday, January 29, 2011

When I wrote my goals for this year, I wasn't pregnant. And now that I am pregnant several of my goals need to change. For instance, I am not going to be able to run 1250 miles this year. More than likely I won't be running much between June and November of this year. Getting more than 100 miles per month in isn't going to happen. And so, I have revised my goals for the year; making room and planning for Baby #2.

Here's what my revised 2011 goals look like. Additions and modifications are in a GENDER NEUTRAL GREEN.

MOM:

• Get everything in place  for K to attend preschool in the fall
• Plan one outing with K each week
• library
• museum
• pool
• spray park
• Read to K every day
• Introduce one new food/recipe every two weeks
• Prepare K for the arrival of the new baby
• Get things read for Baby #2
• buy new crib
• rearrange house
• plan maternity leave

WIFE:

• Plan one date night per month 
• Plan five year wedding anniversary celebration
• Encourage, support, and help D plan for his sabbatical
• Train for and run at least one race together
• Read book with D and take action accordingly

FRIEND:

• Plan 12 coffee dates (one per month with a freind)
• Organize an event for K's friends and their moms quarterly
• cookie decorating
• backyard sprinkler party
• picnic in RCP
• Make and start getting out with a running buddy

COMMUNITY / FAMILY:

• Volunteer
• at a local running / triathlon event
• in one of the many neighborhood groups
• Plan a family trip to California for Christmas 2011 

ATHLETE:

• Run 1250 miles (that is 2011 km)
• Achieve half fanatic status by June 2011
• Set personal records (PRs) in half and full marathon
• Race a 5K and a 10K
• Run one race in my Vibrams
• Do strength training at least twice per week
• Cross train at least once per week
• yoga
• spinning
• swimming

HEALTH:

• Lose 10 pounds
• Gain a healthy amount of weight while pregnant (do not exceed first pregnancy weight)
• Introduce K to health behaviors --- get her outside and moving at least three times per week
• yoga
• swimming
• bike riding
• walking
• Make / try a new healthy snack each week
• East at least 4 fruits / veggies each day

STUDENT:

• Defend dissertation by July 2011
• Complete at least three papers for publication by September 2011

CAREER:

• Practice patience
• Apply only for jobs I am excited about
• Make a list of what I really want to do and necessary steps to get there by June 2011
• Write out 3-, 5-, and 10- year goals
• Explore some non-traditional part-time opportunities

FINANCE:

• Set aside enough money to pay for K's preschool 
• Brainstorm ideas to make extra money
• Make plans to pay for delivery of Baby #2 and insurance of Baby #2

HOME:

• Paint, furnish, and decorate K's big girl room
• Make space / room for Baby #2
• Paint living room
• Choose color and paint our bedroom
• Plant garden with K in the spring

PERSONAL GROWTH:

• Read books on my to be read list:
• Born To Run
• Breaking Dawn
• Celebration of Discipline
• Anatomy of the Soul
• Me, Myself, and Bob
• Run Like a Mother
• Chi Running
• Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families
• The Help
• Read Bible (all of it before end of year)
• Learn how to use my camera

ME:

• Plan a me outing each month
• spring shopping with ACE
• afternoon at the library reading
• walk around The Mall 
• Pay for and get one massage
• Complete a year long photo challenge (commence in February)
• Save money for:
• Lightroom
• Keen boots
• bike and seat for K
• double stroller
• Get spinning instructors certification 
• Have a natural childbirth

GOALS FOR THE WEEK - January 31

This week centers around FOOTBALL. It is Superbowl weekend.

It is also our anniversary weekend. Five years ago, D and I were married AND the Steelers won the Superbowl. How great would it be if we were able to celebrate our anniversary and watch the Steelers win their SEVENTH Superbowl?!?!

Also this week, I have another job interview and am patiently waiting to hear back from the people I interviewed with last week.

With all that is going on, it is going to be an emotional week. Knowing that, I have set these goals:

WIFE: celebrate our fifth anniversary --- plans are currently up in the air due to the big snowstorm that may be coming our way. I'm planning to have an A, B, and C plan in place. Be prepared!

MOM: introduce K to a new food this week.

ATHLETE: three runs, yoga at least twice, two sessions of strength training, and spinning on Wednesday (assuming I can get to the class and we are not snowed in.

HEALTH:  try two new breakfast cereals; get new glasses (broke mine on Saturday night and are currently sporting a broken and old pair of glasses); and cut back on my caffeine* (I'm limited to two cups of coffee and two coke zeroes).




STUDENT:  complete rough drafts of two papers for my dissertation.

CAREER: rock my interview on Thursday and wait patiently to hear back from the two organizations I interviewed with last week.

PERSONAL GROWTH: finish Breaking Dawn (yes, it is true I am still not finished, but only 75 pages to go).

HOME: vacuum stairs and basement; and get the mountain on laundry done.

ME: begin year-long photo challenge

* caffeine --- this past week I had coffee with my old boss. She has since left her old job and started her own consulting company, which is doing REALLY well. So proud of her. Anyways, we got to talking about being healthy and having balance in live. She has completely cut out caffeine (minus chocolate) from her diet and is feeling great. She was a serious tea drinker back in the day and loved a good mocha. But now she is caffeine-free and doing so well. It was inspiring to talk wit her about it. So I am determined to cut back on my caffeine intake. I'm starting small this week as I do not want to be plagued with withdrawl headaches week.

GOALS FOR THE WEEK

This week is all about job interviews and snowstorms.

We woke up to snow this morning and are expecting several more inches this afternoon. Today I'm working from home and meeting a former boss / friend to catch up. In terms of goals for this week, I'm focusing on preparing for my interviews and trying to squeeze in some cross-training.

FRIEND: Meet two friends for coffee (Monday and Wednesday).

COMMUNITY: be sure our sidewalk and steps are shoveled and salted.

ATHLETE: three runs, yoga at least twice, and two sessions of strength training.

HEALTH:  make healthy breakfast muffins

STUDENT:  Figure out how to calculate exposure-years for each farmer.

CAREER: rock two interviews and get ready for another one next week.

PERSONAL GROWTH: finish Breaking Dawn and organize schedule for reading through Seven Healthy Habits with D. I also want to watch an instruction video that goes with me camera.

GOALS FOR THE WEEK

Today we're celebrating D's 41st birthday. He is currently out talking with a life coach about his plans for his sabbatical. Tonight we're getting a babysitter and going out to dinner with friends. I might be looking forward to a night out more than D. Due to D's work schedule and a couple of others events we had planned, I was a single-parent for much of the weekend. And our little angel is entering (maybe fully entered into) a strong-willed, disobedient little girl. I'm exhausted from being a parent. A night out is exactly what I need.

Because of the holiday, this week officially begins tomorrow. And here are my goals:

MOM: get K's big-girl room organized/planned (we purchased her big-girl bed yesterday). I also need to get her crib listed on craigslist (yes, we're going to sell it; if we have another child, we'll buy another one of craigslist; we don't want to store a crib in our house - no room for that). We also need to select paint colors and some wall decorations.

WIFE: celebrate D's birthday in style and listen/talk with him about his sabbatical plans.

FRIEND: two coffee dates to confirm.

COMMUNITY: attend neighborhood meeting on Wednesday evening.

ATHLETE: four runs, at least two sessions of strength training, and spinning on Wednesday.

HEALTH:  try to make granola bars (again - last week's attempt was a fail)

STUDENT:  finalize my code for dissertation analysis. Specifically, figure out how to calculate exposure-years for each farmer.

CAREER:  get read for interviewS (yes, that is plural) I have in the coming weeks. Apply for at least another three jobs.

PERSONAL GROWTH: finish Breaking Dawn and organize schedule for reading through Seven Healthy Habits with D. I also want to watch an instruction video that goes with me camera.

READING PLANS

I've set a lot of goals for the year, but the ones that scare me the most are my reading goals. As mentioned previously, I did not read a single book during 2010. I read A LOT for my dissertation and when I came at night the idea of cracking open a book made me want to throw up a little in my mouth. So I didn't read - ANYTHING.

But the list of books I wanted to read kept growing.

So I decided that not only did I need to set a serious reading goal for the new year, I needed to have a serious plan in place.

Here is the plan...

First I decided which books I wanted to read (explanation for each book below). Then I bought them (note: I borrowed The Help, Breaking Dawn and Born To Run from friends).

Here they are in all their glory.

 

Now that I have all of the books, I am looking for a place (in everyday eye sight) to put all of them. This is to remind me of my goal of reading all of them.  I've also set aside time at least four times each week for reading. These times do vary week-to-week depending on our activities, but I am going to sit down at least four times each week and read.

I also am aiming to read the entire Bible in a year. I'll be honest...I've tried to do this before and have failed miserably. My failure has been due to at least two things... 1) accessibility - not having the Bible and my reading plan at my fingertips when I have the time to read; and 2) timing --- waiting until minutes before I need to be asleep to read.

To deal with these failures, I've decided to go with an online reading plan. I'm using the YouVersion chronological plan. As a college history minor, I'm enjoying reading the Bible in the order in which events occurred. And as a Biblical dummy, I don't know what to expect next. Who knew that after several chapters of Genesis the chronological order of the Bible goes to Job? Seriously? The mystery and surprise of the chronological plan keeps me coming back each day. 

I'm proud to write the I am up-to-date on my Bible reading. And it has been easy to keep up --- mostly because I have a computer at my fingertips at all times during the day.

I'm hoping that having a plan in place and the books I want to read decided upon and in our house will help me achieve my reading goals for the year. Other suggestions/motivations for keeping up / on top of your reading plans? Please let me know.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why these books?

Celebration of Discipline --- this is one of D and my mom's favorites. I've read bits and pieces of it, but never the entire thing. It is one of the books D and I planned to read together a couple of years ago, but that didn't materialize. This is one of those books I feel like I need to read. NOW.

Me, Myself, and Bob --- this is the story of the bankruptcy of Veggie Tales. It chronicles the creator's spiritual journey from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows of his career. It was the subtitle alone that made me want to read this book: a true story about God, dreams, and talking vegetables.

Anatomy of the Soul --- quite simply, I want to read this book because the author goes to our church. He attended our wedding and has been a huge support to us. I cannot wait to read all he has written!

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families --- this is the book D and I will be reading together (our reading plan begins March 1). D is a big fan of Steven Covey; I appreciate what he has to say. I think the book will provide a good framework for us to use as we start planning long-term for our family.

Run Like a Mother --- this book is all the rage among the online group of women I run/blog with. I've read bits and pieces of the book and really want to read the whole thing. I've been told to be prepared to laugh and cry.

Born To Run --- again, another recommendation from a friend. I'm about 50 pages into it and it is a great story. I've heard that it is both inspirational and motivational. I can't wait.

The Help --- this book was recommended by a good friend, my college advisor and my mother. How could I not read it? Plus it is being made into a movie - sounds like a perfect mother / daughter date in the future!

Chi Running --- D got me this book for Christmas. He's a thoughtful and well researched gift buyer. I know I need to read this one.

Breaking Dawn --- yes, this is the fourth book of the Twilight series. And, yes, I have read the other three books. I read this article in The Atlantic magazine a few years ago and decided I needed to read the first book of the series. After about 100 pages I was hooked. I must finish the series. And although I do not (highly) recommend the books, I do recommend reading the Atlantic article.

GOALS FOR 2011

I had a draft of my goals for the year finished last week. Then came Sunday. Daryl, who married D and me, preached a sermon on humility.

It was convicting. It changed the way I think. It forced me to rethink my goals.

So I've spent the past five days thinking about my goals; reworking them.

And here they are... reworked, re-thought out, refocused.

MOM:

• Get everything in place  for K to attend preschool in the fall
• Plan one outing with K each week
• library
• museum
• pool
• spray park
• Read to K every day
• Introduce one new food/recipe every two weeks

WIFE:

• Plan one date night per month 
• Plan five year wedding anniversary celebration
• Encourage, support, and help D plan for his sabbatical
• Train for and run at least one race together
• Read book with D and take action accordingly

FRIEND:

• Plan 12 coffee dates (one per month with a freind)
• Organize an event for K's friends and their moms quarterly
• cookie decorating
• backyard sprinkler party
• picnic in RCP
• Make and start getting out with a running buddy

COMMUNITY / FAMILY:

• Volunteer
• at a local running / triathlon event
• in one of the many neighborhood groups
• Plan a family trip to California for Christmas 2011 

ATHLETE:

• Run 1250 miles (that is 2011 km)
• Achieve half fanatic status by June 2011
• Set personal records (PRs) in half and full marathon
• Race a 5K and a 10K
• Run one race in my Vibrams
• Do strength training at least twice per week
• Cross train at least once per week
• yoga
• spinning
• swimming

HEALTH:

• Lose 10 pounds
• Introduce K to health behaviors --- get her outside and moving at least three times per week
• yoga
• swimming
• bike riding
• walking
• Make / try a new healthy snack each week
• East at least 4 fruits / veggies each day

STUDENT:

• Defend dissertation by July 2011
• Complete at least three papers for publication by September 2011

CAREER:

• Practice patience
• Apply only for jobs I am excited about
• Make a list of what I really want to do and necessary steps to get there by June 2011
• Write out 3-, 5-, and 10- year goals
• Explore some non-traditional part-time opportunities

FINANCE:

• Set aside enough money to pay for K's preschool 
• Brainstorm ideas to make extra money

HOME:

• Paint, furnish, and decorate K's big girl room
• Paint living room
• Choose color and paint our bedroom
• Plant garden with K in the spring

PERSONAL GROWTH:

• Read books on my to be read list:
• Born To Run
• Breaking Dawn
• Celebration of Discipline
• Anatomy of the Soul
• Me, Myself, and Bob
• Run Like a Mother
• Chi Running
• Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families
• The Help
• Read Bible (all of it before end of year)
• Learn how to use my camera

ME:

• Plan a me outing each month
• spring shopping with ACE
• afternoon at the library reading
• walk around The Mall 
• Pay for and get one massage
• Complete a year long photo challenge (commence in February)
• Save money for:
• Lightroom
• Keen boots
• bike and seat for K
• Get spinning instructors certification   

REVIEW OF 2010 GOALS

At the beginning of 2010, I set the follow goals for myself, and I am happy to report that I reached/achieved many of them. 2010 had a rough start - drama with my (now ex-) dissertation advisor and FEET of snow that limited my ability to run. But as the winter snows began to melt, things started to fall into place. My accomplishments in 2010 provide me with a solid foundation to take on 2011!

HEALTH:

1. run 1000+ miles - accomplished 10/31 during my last long training run before the Philadelphia Marathon. In total, I ran 1105 miles last year.
 
2. run four races of differing lengths - 10k, 10 miler, 1/2 marathon, and marathon - completed. I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 miler, Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, and MCM Mama's 40th birthday celebration 8.25 miler.
 
3. do strength training twice each week (includes abs) - complete and utter FAIL.
4. run a sub-4 hour marathon; sub-2 hour 1/2; and a 10k under 50 minutes - successfully ran a sub-2 hour 1/2 marathon, but didn't run either a sub-4 hour marathon or sub-50 minute 10k (note: I didn't race a 10k in 2010).

5. lose 10 pounds - maintained my weight, but didn't lose or gain a pound in 2010.

6. lose the tummy/pooch above my c-section line (am I the only woman who had a c-section that cannot get rid of the fat?) - this will NEVER be a goal again. I believe that the pooch is a permanent fixture; a sign that my body couldn't handle natural childbirth and that they cut me open to get her out to ensure her health and mine. I'd rather have the pooch than not have her.



SCHOOL: -- All of my goals related to school were achieved. I am on schedule to finish my PhD before the end of the summer!
1. develop dissertation topic by end of February
2. have dissertation committee assembled by end of March
3. submit general research plan for May meeting
4. pass dissertation proposal defense by September 1st
5. schedule dissertation defense by June 2011
6. finish PhD program by September 1, 2011
7. complete my course-work by August 2010 
8. secure an external research grant for dissertation research by August 2010


PERSONAL WELL-BEING:
1. read a book for fun each month - complete FAIL. As noted previously, I didn't read a single book last year. In addition to not making the time to read and being a busy, working, studenting, running mama, I planned poorly for this goal. I have a new plan for this year...

2. read two books with D - also complete fail.

3. go out for coffee with a friend or alone at least once a month - this didn't happen once a month, but I did enjoy some great cups of coffee out as well as a milkshake reward post-proposal defense and a couple of nice dinners out with girlfriends.

4. pay for at least one massage - fail. Shame on me.

5. go to bed before 11pm on school nights - completed (most of the time). There were a few times when I just had to stay up to finish school work, discuss something with D, or watch the end of LOST.


FINANCIAL:
1. pay myself for mommy-share days (I'm watching a friend's child one day a week and she in turn is watching K one day; this cuts down seriously on our nanny expenses) - our mommy share ended in mid-July, but I did use the money we saved. See below...

2. with saved $, buy the new camera I've been eyeing for months and put at least $2000 into my IRA - I did buy a new camera and have $ to put into my IRA (just need to make the electronic transfer).

GOALS FOR THE WEEK - January 10

My goals for the week beginning TODAY:

Mom: develop and deploy a potty training schedule and rewards program for K (little girl is doing really well, but we need a little extra structure and rewards to certify her as potty trained).

Wife: plan/celebrate D's birthday.

Athlete: attend a FREE community yoga class on Sunday afternoon (included here is a trip to the store to by a yoga mat); and get a least four runs in this week (including two in my vibrams).

Health: drink at least four bottles of water on the days I'm at home (this week: T, W, F, S, S)

Friend: confirm time and location of coffee date with friend

Career: finish three more job applications and submit them to employers; follow up with individuals writing me letters of recommendation for a fellowship position.

Student: get ready for the class I'm TAing this semester (classes begin January 24); and complete reading list, which includes: 1. chapter on toxic effects of pesticides and 2. recall bias literature.

Personal Growth: finalize and post goals for 2011; post book list for 2011.

Me: stop at Starbuck and use my coupon for a free cup of coffee.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Blog posts to come: Favorite Things parts IV and V as well as Goals for 2011.

GOALS FOR THE WEEK

During the past six months, I've followed (read: stalked) Anne Marie at Goals for the Week. She's a mom, runner, triathlete, and goal setter. Each week (usually Sunday) she writes out her goals for the week on her blog. Her weekly goals are the stepping stones needed to meet her one-, three-, five- and ten-year goals. And her goals are categorized by the different roles she plays and priorities she has (i.e., mom, friend, wife, athlete, health, etc). What can I say... she's organized, driven, and capable of dreaming/aiming for big things.

I aspire to be so organized, driven, and capable of dreaming big.

So I did something I normally don't do... I wrote Anne Marie an email and talked with her a little bit about her goal setting. I read nearly two years worth of blog posts by her. And I did a lot of thinking and organizing myself.

And I've decided to make it one of my goals for 2011 to not only set goals for this year, but to also to set goals for each week.

Later this week I will post my goals for 2011 (but not until I have reviewed by goals from 2010 and reflected a la Jill). My goals for this year will focus on 12 categories/roles: mom, wife, athlete, health, friend, career, finance, home, community, student, personal growth, and me. I'll address the specifics of each category when I outline my yearly goals. But tonight I am aiming to complete the first of 52 posts outlining my weekly goals. Now, some of these goals may look like items on a to-do list and that is just fine with me. These little goals or to-dos are the necessary steps I believe will help me to achieve my year-long goals for 2011.

And with that, my goals for the week of January 3, 2011:

Mom: take K out to story hour or some other structured activity during the week; and sort through her toys and put old ones in storage bins.

Wife: encourage D to make plans for his upcoming birthday and work sabbatical.

Athlete: commence training for National 1/2 Marathon; attend spinning class on Wednesday at lunchtime.

Health: cut out coffee creamer and sugar in coffee/tea from diet.

Career: finish three job applications and send them to potential employers.

Student: finish writing data analysis plan for specific aims 1 & 3 of my dissertation.

Personal Growth: finalize the list of books I plan to read this year and order/reserve them at library.

Me: Go to bed before 9:30 one night this week.

CONFIDENCE

I'm three days away from towing the line at the Philadelphia Marathon.

And I am CRAZY nervous. I've been fighting negative thoughts and self-doubt for nearly a week now. Getting a nasty stomach bug a week before the race has not helped.

Before the sun was up this morning, I was trying to imagine what it was going to feel like on Sunday morning... and I got super nervous again and started thinking I might not be ready for this race. I cannot remember what I felt like last year before NYC. But I'm sure I wasn't this nervous. I quickly spiraled into a lot of negative talk about my training, my preparation, my strength to run another marathon.

Then I jumped into a cold shower - literally.

Standing under the cold water (which was slowly heating up) I washed away all the negative thoughts.

I am SO ready to run this race.

Since training began on July 12, I have:

-- run 512.71 miles

-- run 3 x 20+ mile runs

-- run more than 10 runs of a least 10 miles

-- hit repeats consistently and even managed to descend sets

-- nursed a very sore heal, successfully, and have NO PAIN

-- maintained my weight and feel light on my feet

-- conquered the hill on 13th Street so many times (and to think in early spring I could barely reach the top without stopping to walk)

-- run to National Airport and back home again with D

I am ready for this race. Yes, I've skipped a couple of runs here and there. And this week, I've opted for sleep over running. But I've listened to my body. I've trained hard and smart.

And I'm freaking ready.

I've held a pace of under 10 min/mile on EVERY long run I've run. I've held a sub-9 min/mile pace on several 10 mile and 1/2 marathon runs.

I'm going to rock this marathon.

And I'm going to look good doing it.

photo credit

COMMENCE TRAINING

EIGHTEEN WEEKS UNTIL THE PHILADELPHIA MARATHON.

In the past, when we (D and I) did not get into the NYC Marathon, we ran the Marine Corps Marathon. The MCM is a great race - great fans, great course, great location. However, we needed/wanted to mix it up this year. Philadelphia is close enough to home that travel isn't too complicated. And, in terms of scheduling care for K, my parents are available that weekend. Childcare: check.

So Philadelphia it is. And this year I am running with D. It will be our third marathon together.

For one glorious weekend, D and I will be together sans baby with three simple goals to achieve:

1. enjoy traveling to and staying in Philadelphia - have a couple of great meals while there, tour some historical sites, and run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky;

2. finish the race injury-free and with smiles on our faces;

3. finish a marathon in less than 4 hours.

This is my fourth marathon (I've done MCM twice and NYC last year). Never before have I trained with a goal time in mind. I've always trained to finish the race and remain injury free. Before NYC last year, my dad asked what would my perfect race look like in terms of time. Without much hesitation, I replied, "Finishing under 4:30." I thought I had trained to maintain a 10 minute per mile pace. And I had. I was crazy consistent in NYC last year. Aside from my last mile, each mile of my marathon was within 10 seconds of each other. My pace ranged from 9:55 to 10:05 for 25 miles. I finished my last mile in 9 minutes. I felt SO good at the end of the race.

With all of this in mind, I decided to set a reach goal for my 2010 marathon.

Why not go out there and try to achieve something that 

seemed impossible to me just a couple of years ago? 

So... my goals are simple: enjoy Philly, finish with a smile on my face, remain injury free, and run a sub-4 hour marathon.

Monday, July 19th is the first day of my 18 week marathon training program.

This training program is intense.

On Mondays I'll do short runs on HILLS (yes, the 13th Street Hill and I will be getting extremely close this summer/fall). I'm also going to work in some running steps workouts.

Tuesdays will be my medium long run (MLR) days. Mileage will build up to 10 per day (I may have to break these up into two x 5 mile runs b/c I am home with K on Tuesdays and cannot imagine her sitting in the stroller for 10 consecutive miles.)

Wednesdays are cross training days. Here's hoping there's a spinning class at the gym this fall on Wednesdays.

Thursdays will be pace days.

Fridays will be rest days. I'll spend my time going for walks with K and walking to/from local stores and parks.

Saturdays will be the day for L-O-N-G runs. The schedule includes 3 x 20 mile runs. I'll probably do 2 at 22 miles. I have a great 22 mile loop and the extra mileage is a real boost to my confidence come race day (this is what I did last year while preparing for NYC).

Sunday will be short recovery run days.

Modifications to the schedule will be made while we are traveling abroad this summer (visiting family). I need to think through some realistic training goals for the 10+ days we are in SE Asia.

I'm most looking forward to long runs with D. We have secured childcare to do at least one long run per month together. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to putting together a new running mix, getting some new running gear and a cute outfit for race day, and, most of all, challenging myself to do something that most people would think to be impossible.


It is official: marathon training 2010 is about to begin.

THE HILL

If you've been paying attention to my DailyMile account, you've seen that I've been doing battle with a hill on my normal running route. This is the hill.

It is a full city block long and it is steep. Several times this past week while running with K, I've had to stop and walk to the top of the hill. After 3.5 miles of running in hot and humid temperatures, this hill has gotten the best of me. In fact, prior to this evening, I hadn't made it to the top of the hill without walking with K. I was a complete failure. Prior to this evening, the only time I made it to the top without running was at the end of my 5 miler on Saturday when I was child-free.

Anyways, I made my mind up this afternoon that I wasn't going to give up during my afternoon run. I was going to run the whole way to the top of the hill.

And I did.

At the top, K and I clapped and yelled.

We even took a few pictures. What a great view! One of the best in the city.

That is the Capitol in the distance in the bottom photo and the Washington Monument and Bell Tower in the picture in the top photo. I'm so glad we stopped to take some pictures and to celebrate conquering the hill.

Next goal: running to the top of the hill and then continuing running until we reach home.

Tomorrow I'm going to aim to run the hill and then continue running for another couple of blocks. I'll then add blocks a couple at a time with the goal of making it home after the hill all the while running.

This hill is going to play a large role in my marathon training this summer/fall. More on this to come...

As for K, today she rocked an outfit only a toddler could pick out --- piggy tails, black and purple bondi-band, and bright pink mary janes. And no run is complete without a sippy cup full of ice-water and a container full of Cheeries, whole wheat crackers, and a few goldfish crackers.

This was my view of her during this afternoon's run...

500

In January, I set out to run 1000 miles before the year was over.

Each Monday I go to the google document tracking my miles and add the previous week's mileage. Last week I realized I'm over 500 miles. I'm half-way there. And I haven't even begun marathon training yet. I've run (a little walking from time to time) more than 500 miles this year.

500 miles.

That's...

880,000 yards
2,640,000 feet
1,056,00 steps.

That's a lot of running.

Thankfully some time spent cross-training and running on the treadmill this spring resulted in a healed knee.

Marathon training commences in 2.5 weeks.

I feel confident that I will achieve my goal of running 1000 miles this year.

A GOOD DAY

It was a good day for running. After getting up at 4am, running a 1/2 marathon, and then driving home, I am freaking exhausted. A full report from the weekend, complete with pictures, is forthcoming. For now...

Weekend stats:

1/2 Marathon: 1:57:20. Official time was 1:58. I had to use the bathroom three miles into the race and lost a minute. It was a good decision to use the portapotty.

Finished the race with David.

Finished with a smile on my face.

Received my finishers medal from a friend from high school.

Got less sleep this weekend than I thought I would.

Had a wonderful time.

More stories and photos to come, but for now...

To quote my daughter, "Night, night!"

HALF MARATHON

I've completed three full marathons, but have never raced just a half.

When I finished the NYC Marathon in the fall, I was fired up and ready to try my hand at some new race distances and really challenge myself in distances I have run. So I signed myself up (D, too) to run the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon.

And race day is just about here.

I'm really excited about the race for several reasons:

1. it's in Pittsburgh - my hometown, the site of my first race (the Great Race in 1989), and home to my parents (READ: free place to stay, home cooked meals, good company, and free babysitting!!).

2. I'm running with D. We attempted to run the Cherry Blossom together, but that didn't exactly work out. Our last race together was a Jingle Bell 10K in 2007, right before I found out I was pregnant with K. I'm looking forward to some quality racing time with D.

3. I've been training REALLY hard. I've put in 360+ miles of training since January 1st. I've been pushing myself to maintain a pace under 9:00/mile.

I'm ready to go!

I have three goals for the race:

1. finish with a smile on my face.

2. finish with D.

3. finish the 13.1 miles in under 2 hours.

According to the McMillian Running Calculator, the 10K I ran on Sunday predicts I'll be able to run a 1:56 1/2 marathon.

Do you hear that legs? mind? tummy? heart?

You can do this. Under 2 hours is possible!

THREE THINGS

Several of the women who have committed to the Tall Mom 1000+ mile Challenge have been blogging about the three things they want to accomplish before they die. Since reading the first response, I've been thinking about what is so important that I want to be sure I do it before I die. After much thought, here it is... my list of three things I want to accomplish or do before I die:

1. Grow slowly old together with D. Included in this is building our family, enhancing our relationship, and having a lot of fun together. I hope to cross the finish line of several marathons with him, cross the finish line of a marathon with him and K someday, enjoy many multi-course dinners and fine wines, and travel with him. I envision us being in our 90s sitting on a porch swing, sipping lemonade and still enjoying each others presence.

2. I want to complete an Ironman and qualify for the Boston Marathon. I want to put on my resume that I qualified for Boston and am an Ironman.

3. I want to become a college professor. I would really like to teach environmental science at a small liberal arts college.

That's it.

Anyone else want to share what they'd like to accomplish before you die?

2010 GOALS

I'm a focused and determined little lady. 

I thrive on structure, routine, discipline, and at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.


Setting goals is important to/necessary for me.

I need to know where I am going and how I am going to get there.


I have spent numerous hours since the beginning of the month/year/decade thinking out, organizing, and laying out my goals for the new year. I know what I want to accomplish, I know why I want to do it, and I have a plan to get there.

Yet I am so freaking nervous about putting my goals out there.


What if I fail to achieve a goal? 

Oh...the horror, the disappointment, the embarrassment. 


SHUT UP ALREADY!

Without further excuses, here are my goals for 2010:
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HEALTH:

1. run 1000+ miles
2. run four races of differing lengths - 10k, 10 miler, 1/2 marathon, and marathon
3. do strength training twice each week (includes abs)
4. run a sub-4 hour marathon; sub-2 hour 1/2; and a 10k under 50 minutes

5. lose 10 pounds
6. lose the tummy/pooch above my c-section line (am I the only woman who had a c-section that cannot get rid of the fat?)



SCHOOL:
1. develop dissertation topic by end of February
2. have dissertation committee assembled by end of March
3. submit general research plan for May meeting
4. pass dissertation proposal defense by September 1st
5. schedule dissertation defense by June 2011
6. finish PhD program by September 1, 2011
7. complete my course-work by August 2010 
8. secure an external research grant for dissertation research by August 2010



PERSONAL WELL-BEING:
1. read a book for fun each month
2. read two books with D
3. go out for coffee with a friend or alone at least once a month
4. pay for at least one massage
5. go to bed before 11pm on school nights


FINANCIAL:
1. pay myself for mommy-share days (I'm watching a friend's child one day a week and she in turn is watching K one day; this cuts down seriously on our nanny expenses)
2. with saved $, buy the new camera I've been eyeing for months and put at least $2000 into my IRA

REACH GOALS:
1. qualify for the Boston Marathon
2. train for an IronMan
3. get a real job