30 Day Ab Challenge. . . . Complete!

I've never been much for Ab work. . . . . Probably because I'm a total wimp! When I was pregnant I suffered severe back pain. . . . .before I even had much of a belly. I'm pretty sure my lack of stomach muscles had something to do with that. I'm the type of person that needs a goal and a visual to get my ass motivated!! Angie and I decided to ramp up our training for this marathon and we both agreed core strength would be a good focus! Last night I completed the 30 day challenge . . . . .pretty exciting!!! I won't say it helped me get a killer 6 pack or anything, but my ability to do 125 full sit ups (50 at a time with a small breather in between) shows me my progress and strength.

I love checking things off when done!!!

Jackson made it to 20 . . . Sort of!!!

I am taking a rest day on Abs today & looking into another "goal" to keep me focused on continuing Ab work. A strong core will help me to run stronger & avoid back pain! On another exciting note . . . . the Gu fairy paid a visit. . . . I'm not sure why anybody would be excited about this crap because it's pure gut rot . . . . But it really works for me and I hate to ruin a good thing!!!

How do you fuel for long runs? Anything that is a little "outside the box" that you find to be amazing?

A Run Down Memory Lane

Wrapping up the work week early was even more difficult than I thought it would be.  Normally I'm focused and working hard to get everything done before I leave so I can enjoy my day off and not worry about what I'm coming back to. . . . . . .but I also work at an insurance circus so there is almost always something crazy going on.  We had a 50's themed lunch with trivia, a costume contest and a hula hoop contest.

I made it 7 minutes and 28 seconds. . . . But apparently somebody else made it more than 30 minutes!
Apparently they don't have enough work! Haha!

Road Tripping with my little Buddy. . . he's fake sleeping!

I was back in my hometown (Wisconsin Rapids, WI) this last weekend so I had some new old scenery for my glorious 17 miles in nice cool weather.  I used to run when I was younger and I thought I was so impressive with how far I was running . . . . . .that was obviously before my Garmin watch and knowing exactly how far I was running.  After running through Rapids now with 17 miles to cover I realized two things; 1.  That town is WAY smaller than I ever realized. I had to bob and weave from street to street to squeeze my miles in.  And 2. My "long runs" growing up probably maxed out at 4 miles. . . . . My how life as a runner has changed!

My goal for this run was to have a better pace than my 17 mile training run for the last marathon I trained for.  Besides some stomach issues from the greasy food I ate on Thursday, the run went great. As Angie told me the day before our last Marathon, I found my pace and just stuck with it!  She was spot on.  I don't know how I do it but I just get into my pace & go with it.  Fortunately that pace is improving and I'm thrilled with my progress.

I started at 4:50 am so I could finish & enjoy some family time!
Here is a list of all of the memorable places I ran past:
-all 4 schools I attended in reverse chronological order (not on purpose. . . . It just worked out that way!)
-my first job. . . . IGA grocery store.
-both of my childhood homes
-both of my best friend's homes
-the church that Steve & I got married in
-and the road I used to run down all the time thinking I was going long distance!

The weather felt like fall. . . . I feel like it's a cruel tease. . . . BecauseJuly. . . . . I know we're going to have some awful sweltering heat again . . . But I am truly excited for fall running.


I got to enjoy some quality time with one of my besties, Devon! We certainly don't get enough time together so we take advantage when we do!

Hanging with Devon. . . . . pretty excited for some "kid free" time!

Yep. . . we're the only ones dancing. . . . but we got the party started.  I danced in wedge heels for about 3 hours the same day I ran my 17 miler!  (does that make me bad-ass?)

I soaked up some little Otto time while I was visiting.

Isn't she the cutest little girl?  I could just nibble her little cheekers!

 I also got to see my adorable niece & nephew!!! Little Otto is only 7 weeks old. . . . .and sweet as pie!! Sweet Maelyn has the most beautiful eyes and smile! I even got a little snuggle from her!!!! What an awesome weekend! Great long run, family time & some much needed time with Devon!!! Back to reality today! Do you have a hard time getting back into the routine of "life" after a nice weekend and seeing family? I find it terribly difficult to be happy about much after leaving friends and family! :(

Nice Melons!!

Honestly. . . .that is something I'll never hear. . . .but it sure was nice getting a juicy watermelon at work today along with a Target gift card after our Town Hall Meeting!  I plan on pumping my watermelon full of liquor . . . . and enjoying the weekend.




My melons are kind of lopsided!  Oh well. . . nobody will notice after they eat enough!



I'm excited to run in the cooler weather.  I almost got chilled when I stepped outside this morning for some hill repeats!  Of course, I warmed up quickly and it was a welcome temperature change from last week.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather stays cool with minimal humidity for my 17 mile run this Friday! 

What is your long run this week? 

Beating the heat. . . . Or something like it.

I'm finally recovered from my hot & humid week of running.  My two short runs .. . Only 4 miles each were amongst two of the hardest runs I've had in a very long time.  Even running at 4:30 am didn't make running more comfortable because the humidity was awful!  I had an entire bottle of water both days and it still felt unbearable.  I even suffered the consequences throughout the day.  I was exhausted for the remainder of the week and had a slight headache on Wednesday & Thursday. It's so frustrating have a tough 4 mile run.  It's even more frustrating not enjoying those runs and just wanting them to end.  I rarely wish I weren't running . . . . Except at the tail end of long runs when I'm totally spent. . . . So I hate the feeling of dreading every step.  Fortunately for me I've been running long enough and I've had plenty of runner's highs to know that these hot & humid runs aren't a demonstration of my ability to run a long distance at a decent pace.  If I felt the way I felt on those 4 mile runs for 25% of my runs I may quit! They truly were atrocious!

Angie and I met up for 13 miles yesterday.  The humidity had dropped quite a bit as did the temps (high 60's when we started at 5am).  While I think we would both agree we were thankful for the slight relief in hot and humid weather, it was by no means an easy run and we still had to work at it.  We both went through 40 oz of Gatorade & 16 oz of water.  We walked a couple times so we could have the energy to finish!!  

Running in the summer takes a different approach to having a good run and enjoying what we love despite the unfavorable weather.  We have to be proud of our dedication despite more walk breaks and a slower pace.  

Post Long Run recovery with my compression socks & my little man who had his 26th haircut . . . . A summer buzz cut!

I'm feeling refreshed today & looking forward to a productive Sunday of grocery shopping, laundry, cooking & family time!!!

~Brooke~

Mixing It Up a Little

For all of my past races, I've concentrated on running and a little cross training like spin or other low impact fitness classes offered in the fitness center where I work. I've never worked on speed, hills or weights.

Yesterday was my cross training day so I did 40 minutes of spin. I have the luxury of "The Firm," which is our on-site fitness facility right at my office! I work in the insurance industry, if anybody is wondering. I write commercial insurance policies. . . . lucky for me, my territory is Arizona . . .which is where I travel for work. . . it's not so bad! ; )

Thanks to Angie. . . . . I had one hell of an ass kicking this morning! We didn't run together, but since she developed our training plan, I have to blame give her credit for the amaze-fest workout today!  I've never sweat so much in my life from working out. . . .and I've put a LOT of miles on, so that's saying something.

 Here is what our workout looked like today:

6x800

**You don't know what that means? Well, up until this last week, I had no clue what that crazy runner jargon meant either. I did a 1 mile warm up (10 mile/min pace), then I ran 1/2 mile at a 5k pace (about 8.5 min/mile pace) and then 1/4 mile recovery, then back into the 1/2 mile 5k pace (slightly slower each time I did the 5k pace. Then I did about 3/4 mile of slow cool down pace (about 9:45 min/mile pace).

I learned after my run that I can actually figure out my pace for the sprint portion and the recovery portion by hitting "lap" on my watch. Thanks again to Angie for teaching me how to use my Garmin watch. . . . . I need a lot of work!  She picked a really "needy" running pal.  All in all, it was an excellent workout. Since I never hit my lap button, I just have an overall of each mile. I ran an average 9:22 pace for 6.25 miles. Considering it was 70 degrees with 100% humidity, I'm pretty happy with that. (I'm also very hungry from the extra calorie burnage that interval training gives!).


Today on our lunch break (aka 10:30 am) Angie and I went down to "The Firm" and did some arm work with hand weights and the machines. Lucky for us, we can run down, workout, shower when needed and then grab lunch in the cafeteria and then get back to work.


Here's part of our workout in our awesome fitness center.  Nice perk to working here!


Tomorrow & Thursday are just some easy 4 mile runs.  And when I say easy . . . I actually want to say, they could be tortorous due to the weather.  If you're from the midwest, you know we only have about 2 weeks worth of really hot weather. . . . . which this week happens to be one of them!  Angie and I are used to running in fricking cold weather. . . . so this heat (and mostly the humidity) is pretty darn awful.  We're kind of crazy, but we're looking forward to winter.  Well, at least to the fall when it's not so damn hot!  I would never have thought of bringing water on a 4 or even 6 mile run . . . . . but it's a necessity right now!

Happy Running. . . even in the heat!

~Brooke~

Finally . . . . . Meet The Sole Sisters!

I'm not gonna lie. . . . . I'm still learning this blogging stuff & figuring out how to navigate & post stuff. . . . . Now that I've figured out photos. . . . You have to meet us. . . .if you don't already know Angie & myself!!


This first picture is us road tripping to Duluth MN for Grandma's marathon. . . .which feels like an eternity ago already!  Angie is on the left & I'm on the right!

Pretty obvious . . . . But we were on a runner's high after finishing the Marathon!  Angie's first Full Marathon & my second!!!!

We obviously had to sport the "Marathon Finisher" shirts on the next jeans day at work. . . . . Nobody was really surprised we were matchy matchy! We are looking forward to more adventures now that we are in full swing of training for our next Marathon! ~Brooke~

Tequila & A Long Run!

I'm not a huge drinker . . . . Although once in a while I like to throw caution to the wind, have a few cocktails & see what kind of silly accent I can take on for the evening!  (Jersey girl happens to be the most vulgar & my all time favorite!)  I don't however, drink before running . . . . .and certainly not before along run!  That is unless I'm at a wedding and my influential friends and coworkers think that because my 15 miler isn't an actual race that I should have some shots!

A double shot of Tequila (barf!) a cheery bomb, a glass of wine and some serious dancing in heels on Friday night made for a tough 15 miles yesterday at 5am!   But we got it in & then I even had a busy day of travel & a birthday party! I was absolutely exhausted last night!



After forcing myself to do Abs to stick with my monthly Ab challenge I had a little quality foam rolling time with my little dude Jackson!  He always asks me how my runs went!  Such a supportive little fellow!

Today I plan on catching up on laundry, housework & a little shopping!  Busy rest day I guess! The hubby has off so we can actually have a nice family day!

Hill Repeats!

Angie is an obsessive researcher. . . . .which is great . . . .because I'm not! In fact I never even thought of doing any type of hill or interval speed work because I can't concentrate on a subject long enough to grasp what the training actually entails!  It's quite simple but I couldn't figure that out on my own!  Thankfully Angie is hard core into research!

I tried my first go at hill repeats today!  I only got 6 hours of sleep last night and woke up with a slight headache so I wasn't sure how it would go.  It went well! Tough, but I guess that's the point!  After near perfect race conditions and a HUGE PR on my last marathon I have to be realistic about my expectations for my next Marathon.  The only way to maintain my pace with potentially warmer temps & possibly more hills is to train harder!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the hill & speed work help me maintain my pace!

Happy Running!

~Brooke~

Craving Satisfied!

I've been craving long runs! Angie & I ran 8 last weekend which was still tough as we were still on recovery mode from the marathon and it was hilly but 8 no longer feels like a "long" run!  The temps are on the rise and certainly affecting our runs so that adds a dynamic of challenge now!  Normally I would complain about the heat as I hate really hot weather but I'm just happy that the heat held off for our Marathon and we had a cool day.  Also, I have daily interaction with some fine folks in Arizona for work and when they are hitting 120* and having to continue functioning I don't really think I have the right to complain! I'll keep it to a minimum!  And I'll also save my business trips for the fall and spring!

I got out for a great 12 miles today! I tried to be on the road by 6 am since it's hot & humid today . . . I wasn't too late . . . .6:10 start!  I don't know the exact temp when I started but it got pretty darn warm by the time I finished! I averaged a 9:35 pace which I was thrilled about since I have not had a lot of warm weather running yet!  My  long run craving is satisfied . . . .for the next 6 days anyway!

Today while I was out pounding the pavement I noticed a lot of people out running!  I was excited to see so many crazies like myself pushing through the warm weather & enjoying a good workout!! Then I got to thinking . . . . .where are all these people when it's cold out?  I never see that many out in January when I have I ice cycles on my eye lashes and snot running down my face!!! Here in the Midwest you either run through ALL conditions and temperatures or you wait for the perfect weather and only get out about 11 days per year!  I like to think us "Midwestern" runners are bad-ass!!

I also noticed a few running groups together and it really made me miss my BRB (best running buddy) Angie who is up north with family. . . . . .I absolutely love our long runs together & can't wait for 15 next Saturday!  I think it's safe to say I'm a full blown addict!  Some people say "I'm don't know why you run so much!"  . . . My response "I don't know why you don't!"  Until they experience that high. . . .they won't . . . SonI keep trying to recruit more people to enjoy this amazing hobby! I hardly ever talk about running (wink wink) but when I do . . . I try to get other people just as excited as me!

~Brooke~