July: 48.65 miles

I didn't make my goals for this month. I had a feeling they were a little ambitious when I initially made them, but I wanted to give myself something high to shoot for and knew I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't quite make them. And that's what has happened.

JULY goals
mileage - 45 miles
ACTUAL - 48.65 miles
distance - 7 miles
ACTUAL - 6.03 miles
pace - 10 minute miles (for 7 miles)
ACTUAL - 10:09 mm for 6 miles (furthest), 9:34 mm for 3 miles (fastest)

I'm pleased with my running progress this month! The only thing I'm disappointed with is my inability to lose these remaining pounds. I had hoped to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes and hovering around 130 pounds by this time. I'm not there. Not. Even. Close. *grumble, grumble* In fact, I've only lost a whole 2 or 3 pounds this month. That is it. *heavy sigh*

happy happy joy joy

I hate to quote television personalities, but wow! was that a good run - Bam! That was exactly what good runs are made of. For me, it was my best run yet. Who knows, maybe I will hit all my July goals afterall?!

A special thanks goes out to the two teenagers who "raced me" down the hill - one on his skateboard, the other running. This old lady still has something in her! I picked it up to run that little bit with them at something faster than an 8:30 pace and when they stopped at the bottom of the next hill, I kept going. Booyah!

"Mommy run!"

I have always enjoyed running with the jogger because my little guy is such a good sport. He never fidgets or complains. Usually he doesn't even say a single word the entire time we are out there. I've often wondered how long it would be until he started talking to me more during the run and maybe (hopefully!) cheering me on as we run. He's two years, two months and talks up a storm so I knew it wouldn't be long.

This morning I heard "Mommy run!" several times during our run. I don't know where he came up with this but it was terribly cute and really got me to pick up the pace and continue running during those times I wanted a walk break. Each time I would answer "I am running, honey! I'm running as fast as I can." It really made the run this morning enjoyable and fun.

[Thanks, T! I'm looking forward to the day when we go out for runs together. Please, no rush though. You're growing up too fast as it is.]

reflections while running

I went out for a short run this morning and took T in the jogger with me. I haven't pushed the BOB while running probably since October due to my pregnancy. Morning sickness got the best of me then. It was really nice to have T with me today, but pushing a 30+ pound boy in a jogging stroller was quite a workout -- even if it was a short run!

While running this morning, I thought about what I was doing last year on this same day -- a half marathon out at Sauvie Island. I ran with a group of friends and everyone had a personal best. It's a fantastic course - super flat and fast - for that sort of thing. It got me thinking about other personal bests at different distances so when I got home I looked them up. Being the nerd that I am with these kinds of things, I had them all listed in a file...

8K - 49:44 (2001)
5 Miler - 52:35 (1998)
10K - 58:56 (2003)
15K - 1:23 (2006)
Half Marathon - 1:54:21 (2006)
Marathon - 4:20:30 gun time (2006)

Post-baby #1, all of my times for longer distances dropped. It was amazing. I had heard the year immediately following a birth is the best year for a woman runner and I believe it. I'm hoping I can get back to where I was last year at this time and drop my times even more. I've never been a fast runner and never will be, but I would love to get closer to averaging an 8:30 for all my longer distances. It would get me to Boston!

running blogs

We had too much going on this morning to get out for a run and we seem to be in a heat wave so no run this evening either. However, tomorrow morning I'll be out there!

And because I can't get enough of running and talking about running, I've joined another running blog. I'll still be posting things here, but I'll also be contributing to Marathon Mommy. See my profile for a link. These three women are amazing -- both as runners and individuals.

So, to the few out there who check here to see what I'm doing, take a look over there, too. I have no doubt you'll find yourself motivated and inspired to run!

June: 19.62 miles

Last night I was thinking about what my running goal should be this month. I definitely need a mileage goal, but shouldn't I have distance and pace goals, too? June was spent easing back into running, but now I feel like I really need to step it up. Maybe still a bit conservative, but my goals for this month are...

JULY goals
mileage - 45 miles
distance - 7 miles
pace - 10 minute miles (for 7 miles)

I also need to kick the remaining pregnancy pounds to the curb. A BBQ with old friends at the end of the month is my incentive to lose these last 12 pounds. It's certainly more than the recommended pound or two for healthy weight loss but it would put me back under 130 pounds. If I can somehow pull this off, the last 5 pounds I'd like to lose can wait until Labor Day. If the 12 doesn't happen, I'll try not to sweat it. I just want to wear my regular clothes again!