January and (some of) February Recap

It's been a busy and...well, interesting couple of months.  I have barely had time to get through my day-to-day business, let alone update my blog.

January was a solid month.  I continued training for my marathon on April 7th.  Training went really well!  I even continued to keep my swimming, cycling, yoga, and strength training going strong.  However, all month, I was fighting a sinus infection.  Took it easy one week, and thought I had kicked it.  I ended January on a great note:

Running: 140 miles
Strength sessions: 13
Swim yards: 3600 yards
Spinning session: 1
Yoga: 7 sessions
Races run: 3 (2 virtual, 1 IRL)

I am pleased with the yoga and strength sessions.  I would like to see my swimming and spinning increase again!

Sadie after her surgery on one of our visits.  

Along came the first week of February came along and the infection came back with a vengeance.  I had to take an entire week off.  I don't think I have done that since I started running 3 1/2 years ago!  I was down for the count.  The following week, I took it easy so as not to end up sick again.  Then on the 6th, one of my Cavaliers, Sadie, got really sick and ended up needed emergency surgery.  Once she got home, she needed to be supervised and given medications round the clock.  Finally on the 10th, we got the news that my husband's grandmother had passed away.  The memorial service was the following weekend.  Needless to say, this month has been rough on training. I will do an official recap at the end of the month, but I am slowly getting back on track!



I have run 3 half marathons this year to move towards my goal of 13in2013!  I will update my 13in2013 page with the recaps!

2013...a look forward

As I look into the coming year, I would like to begin thinking about what I want to accomplish.  I have 3 big goals that I want to accomplish.

Goal 1: Qualify for Boston. 
This past year I ran 2 marathons and surprised myself in both.  On a non stop hills course in Canton in June, I broke 4 hours, taking 35 minutes off my first marathon time.  In October, I came close to a BQ, with a time of 3:42:59 taking almost 15 minutes off my time from June.  I never thought I could ever come close to a BQ.  After October, I was determined that I will take that 3 minutes off that I need in order to BQ.  I can do it!  The training has already begun, and I am feeling good!  The next opportunity is April 7th in Xenia.  3:39...here I come!

Goal 2: Do a Half Iron Man. 
I was a swimmer in high school.  I love being in the water.  I discovered my love for running about 3 years ago.  I am learning to enjoy cycling.  Put these together, and you have a desire to do a triathlon.  In 2012, I participated in a mini-triathlon in July and had a blast.  This led to doing an Olympic distance triathlon in September.  I had such a blast and I developed the desire to challenge myself even more.  A woman from my running group and I are going to do Rev3 at Cedar Point in September.  I'm totally excited about this!  I would love to say I don't have a time goal in mind, but I do. I won't reveal it right now, but I can't wait to see what my body can do.

Goal 3: Run 13 Half Marathons in 2013. 
This idea was inspired by another member of my running group who ran 12 in 2012.  I thought it would be very cool to say I ran 13-13.1's in 2013!  I will need to do one or two virtual races, but I am totally confident that I can achieve this goal!  I'm looking forward to tracking my progress here, and I can't wait to look back in a year and reflect on each race!  There are a couple of bloggers that are helping me with this goal.  Jill and Sandra.  I want to thank them in advance for the support that they are giving and the encouragement!!

I am excited to see what 2013 is going to bring.  I can't wait to sit here in a year and reflect on what I have accomplished.  Cheers!

2012, a reflection...

As I reflect on 2012, I can honestly say I am proud of what I have accomplished.  I ran my 2nd and 3rd marathons. 

I got to run with my daddy. He ran about a mile with me in my marathon in June, 

and we ran the Jingle Bell Run (sorta) together, as well as with many other members of my family!  

I PR'd at every distance, except that illusive half-marathon.  I fought and won against PF.  I have stayed healthy.

I have run alone....

I have run with friends.  I have paced friends.  I have had friends pace me. 

I have run with my girls...

I competed in my first triathlon (Olympic distance). 

I met my running goal for the year.  Even with set-backs, 

I have fought through and I came out stronger.  

It was a good year.