Training offically starts tomorrow! AHHHHHHHHHH!

Tomorrow marks the official start to the next round of training for our spring "races." Not that we're actually racing. . . . especially the 50k, but I guess you could say we race against ourselves. I personally have a HUGE goal I'd like to keep in mind (BOSTON QUALIFIER), but I'm not setting that as my official goal yet. I need to ensure I can maintain injury free running as we prepare for our 50k and our 30 for Angie's 30th. Neither are small goals, so I want to ensure strong, pain free, and most important, enjoyable running.

The Holidays have helped me to stray from healthier eating. Although I did get a run in yesterday with my brother-in-law, who kindly joined me before dawn to get a few miles in before we went to my parents for our family Christmas, I still didn't eat the best, so I know I have some making up to do! My brother-in-law has run a couple of half marathons and is really into fitness, so it was no problem for him to lace up and run a few miles with me and our dogs. It was a much needed run and started our day off right! He took a break from running after his last 1/2 (Grandma's where I ran the full this year ---yes, I rub it in all the time that I ran a full and he only did the 1/2!!!!) He said he felt good after our 4 miles. I never want to push my passion for running off onto somebody else . . . . but I have to encourage when I can!  I'm not sure I can ever convince him to do a full, but I'd settle for a few more 1/2's......they're so much fun!

After a nice morning winter run, we all headed over to my parents to celebrate Christmas with the our kids.  Since Steve, Jackson and I won't be back there for the actual day, we exchanged gifts with my parents also.  It was nice to be with all of my siblings and my parents.  We were only missing one brother-in-law who had to work (surprisingly, it wasn't Steve, as that is usually the case with his job!).

 

This is a Moving Comfort Bra (my fav), pants, shirt and Money for a race entry. . . . AWESOME Gift from my parents!

 

 

After pushing aside his jammies & Doc McStuffins "operation" game, Jackson was excited to play with this.  Why are kids so embarrassingly annoyed with nice gifts they should be thankful for?

 

 

Cute Kid Alert!  This just melts my heart every time I see it!  This was right before his 3k school Christmas Program.  Cutest thing EVER!

Angie got me this shirt for my birthday. . . . and any smart girl would ALWAYS order one for herself!  LOVE IT!

Angie so graciously researched and determined our training plan. I have to give her kudos. . . . I HATE research (have I mentioned that before?). Although the plan looks terrifying (it better be terrifying or we'll never make it 50k on trails), it is exciting. I feel like I haven't done a LONG run in ages. I miss our long distance run dates where we have hours to chat about anything we want but forget everything we need to discuss so we end up texting all day long anyways!

 

I'm especially excited to regain some focus. Life has thrown a few curve balls lately and I've been super stressed. I haven't prioritized healthy eating or working out, so I'm very anxious to get back on track. I am at my best when I'm eating well and working out consistently, so the goals of a marathon, 50k, 30 miler, ect. . . . . those are just reasons to keep my motivation. I know I get a huge amount of energy and focus in my daily life by running or exercising. 

As I mentally prepare for the beginning of another long and exciting spring of training, I can't help but fear that I have lost my speed that I have been so excited about since my last race as I have taken some time off and really cut back on mileage.  I guess I need to remember that I won't be able to run as fast with the snowy sidewalks and the winter conditions.  I just need to focus on getting the miles in and avoiding injury!  Remind me of this if I get frustrated at any point.  The main thing is that I'm enjoying what I'm doing, which at this point, I can honestly say I am.  I'm very excited for this winter and upcoming spring.  Angie and I have a LOT to work on and a lot to look forward to!

 

 

What do you have planned for the rest of the winter and any spring races? 

 

Wish us Luck. . . . Here we go! :)

 

~Brooke~

Holy Shiz-Balls. . . . we're really gonna do it!

Well. . . . it's official! Angie and I are doing a 50k! Actually, as it stands, we're signed up for a 50k and a 50 miler. . . .but that 50 miler was a total air-head move on my part! Angie had a Christmas get-together today and registration for the race opened up at noon. It was full within 2 hours! Since I was at home, I registered both of us for the race. Then realized that I didn't scroll down to the 50k and I had us both signed up for the 50 miler! We're crazy but not THAT crazy! I scrambled on the web page to try and switch it but there is no way to do that because entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. I noticed 116 of the 200 50k positions were full so I signed us up for that race too! I'm sure I'll get refunded the money for both of the 50 mile entries since that race filled up already too, but most importantly, we got our positions!!!!! We are joining 198 other crazies running a 50k on the trails in May.

I'm excited but terrified. I've only run 3 marathons. Yeah, that's a great accomplishment that I'll talk about for the rest of my life, but it's not that much compared to what many people have accomplished. A 50k is a whole different level. A level we're excited to conquer.  If you have ever done long distance running, you know the energy it takes to do a long run.  But if you've ever done trail running, you know the significant difference between that and street running.  It's totally awesome running in the woods and on trails, but it takes an insane amount of energy to run and it really wears a person out.  I crave that feeling.  Pure exhaustion!

Since I've been "off" recently for my ankle, I'm really getting anxious to get some running in.  I have enjoyed a little extra sleep, a few extra hours at work as this is my busy time of year and just being able to stay in the warmth versus being out in the windy cold.  I ran a couple of times this week. Easy treadmill runs. I did a 2 miler over my lunch this week and I ran 3 yesterday on the treadmill at home.  So far, so good with the ankle.  I have minor discomfort but I've been icing and stretching so I'm hoping that it's resolving.  Well, it has to...... I'm a little over a week out from our new training schedule!  I just had the hubby set up the treadmill at home because I've heard from numerous people it's going to be a COLD winter.  YUCK!  I hate my dreadmill.  I really do. . . . BUT, after my birthday flop of a run, I'll take the dreadmill over sub zero windy outdoor runs any day . . . maybe not any distance, but we'll see.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  I've got plenty of ideas for series I can watch on Netflix to pass the time if I need to run indoors.

I'm pretty much ready for Christmas.  I have a few presents left to wrap, but I do believe I'm done shopping . . . maybe a few little odds and ends, but I think I'm done!  I'm thankful for my Thanksgiving week head start because things have been pretty crazy at work and home and I'm feeling a little stressed about everything that needs to get done.

We've succumbed to the damn Elf on the Shelf.  Now, I'm not all creative and making full fledged scenes with the little guy, who Jackson lovingly named "Snowflake," which reminds me of Jim Carey in Ace Venture Pet Detective every time I say the name.  Jackson was not buying it when we first brought him out. . . . . after he tried to tell me that Snowflake was a statue and not real I thought he was going to buy into it. . . . then he told me that Snowflake wasn't real because he had tags, so I bought him at the grocery store.  Something tells me this kid is going to be an early "non-believer."  I still convinced him that Snowflake tells Santa how he was each day.  He's confessed some pretty funny things to Snowflake followed by a quick "Sorry!" 

This is as creative as I get with this creepster.  Jackson was mad he had to share his motorcycle with Snowflake for the day and he couldn't play with it.  He got over it!


 

 Every year, the police association throws a fantastic Christmas Party for all of the law enforcement officer's kids.  They all run around like crazy people and then we eat pizza and junk food and then they sing Jingle Bells really loud so Santa will come!  Then, each kid gets a gift and a bag of candy from Santa.  It's pretty neat.  Jackson got an awesome Tonka truck.  I'm already using it as leverage to encourage good behavior. . . . . . "If you don't eat your dinner, I'm taking the Tonka Truck away!"  Am I a bad mom?  I feel like I'm a coping mom. . . . .a  busy, stressed around the holidays, coping mom.  (Don't judge!)  Anyway, Jackson got to see Santa and sit on his lap.  His first year he cried, like most kids, then last year he was a little timid, but this year I had to tell him to get off Santa's lap so other kids could have a turn.  Apparently he wants a real pirate ship, a nerf gun and a HUGE Monster Truck. 

My Child has no fear of strangers. . . . even fake Santa's.

I've had a crazy couple of weeks since Thanksgiving.  I am trying to focus on enjoying the Holidays instead of stressing through them.  Having a small child reminds me of the joy of the Holidays.  I don't know why it always seems so crazy.  I'm thinking it just seems worse because I'm not running the way I love to and need to.  I know I'll be back at it very soon (December 23rd to be exact).  I'm anxious to get back to a training schedule.  It will flip the switch of focus and determination on for me.  I know we have a HUGE spring with the 50k, a 30 miler for Angie's Birthday (guess how old she is!) and then Grandma's Marathon in June.

Stay tuned for some updates on our training.  I promise to be more diligent with blogging our progress as we work towards our first 50k.

So. . . . are we crazy for actually signing up for the 50k?  What do you have planned for winter or spring races?

Happy Running. . . and stay warm!

~Brooke~

Down & Out with an injury!

Nothing makes you crave a long run more than over eating for four straight days, a house full of screaming 4 year olds, a bunch of idle time on your hands (much more than usual, that's for sure!), and new running shoes!

I've been nursing an ankle injury for a week now. I had been running on a sore ankle since my last "long" run which was 14 miles. For some reason, my ankle started bothering me during that run and despite some lower miles, it hasn't recovered and with only 30 days until our next training regimen, I decided to do the smart thing and REST my ankle.

Angie and I start "official" 50k training on December 30th, so I need my ankle to be 100%. Despite feeling like a wimp and a total failure that I can't run 2 miles right now w/o some discomfort, I know I'll benefit from the rest. I'll be able to do some low impact fitness classes at work this week, so that will help get me the endorphin release I am needing right now.

About a month ago our past foreign exchange student Andre was in the States for a visit. He is from Portugal and lived with us 13 years ago. He was back 7 years ago for my wedding but hasn't been able to visit since. It was AWESOME to see him and spend a little time with him. He also got to meet all of the new kids in our family. Last time he was home it was wedding phase, now we all have kids!

He offered to go for a run with me when I was home. I ran 10 miles that day (which by the way was AMAZING - 8:06 average pace for the entire 10 miles! -best long distance pace I've had to date!). When I told him how far I was going, he said, yeah, no problem, I can do that! But he then remembered he doesn't calculate in miles, so when he figured out how far that was, he said, nah. . . never mind. . . you're crazy!

Cocktails to celebrate Andre's visit!

Andre, my siblings and all of our children!  This is a pretty special picture!

On a completely unrelated note, I have recently had an addiction to hot chocolate with whipped cream. . . . I think it's due to the cold weather and me not being able to have cup after cup of coffee because I'm pretty sensitive to caffeine so I limit my coffee intake. This is my attempt of a "coffee house" hot chocolate. I thought I'd treat myself while I was studying last week for my test!

My work. . . . not real cute, but tastes great!

This is what I was going for . . . . I guess I need more practice! :)

After I passed my test (barely, but I passed!), I cleaned house, enjoyed some cocktails on my birthday (as I mentioned in my last post) and then enjoyed a few more days at home before I headed to my parents for Thanksgiving. I got about 70% of my shopping done for Christmas and wrapped everything that I had. My husband took our son and our dog up north for hunting, so I had 10 days of quiet time. Of course, the first 5 were filled with work & studying, the last 5 were all to myself. I never get that time to myself, so I took advantage and got a lot done around the house and got some Christmas stuff done. What a great feeling!

Got a little chunk of Christmas shopping and wrapping done!

See the basket with a bunch of presents wrapped inside?? Those are books. . . I wrapped a 21 Christmas books (I need 3 more that I can't find right now) and Jackson opens one every single night in December and that is his bed time book! We did that last year and became a very fun tradition.

I'm back in Sheboygan after a great weekend at my parents with my family. My mother-in-law was able to join us as well, so it was so nice to see all of my family (except my sister-in-law and her husband). I'm looking forward to the rest of the Holiday season! I'm also super excited to recover from my ankle (strain I think) and get back to running. I'm craving a run so bad.

What do you do to get through "recovery" time when you just want to be running?~Brooke~