Author Archives: runlikeam0ther

The one where I go 26.2….

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Here we are… a week removed from my very first marathon…. yep- you read that right…. I finally did it! I am no longer a marathon virgin! Overall the experience went well… minus the knee pain that kicked in at mile 2 :( but needless to say I battled through and was able to finish the race- thanks in large part to my cousin Bekah Metzdorf who ran with me for the last 9 miles and kept me moving when all I wanted to do was stop… and to all those who came out and cheered!! I was so humbled to see how many people recognized what a big deal this was for me and wanted to support me… I was very moved by each and every one of you and to be honest – you all kept me going… I wish I could describe in words what it meant to see you all. You moved me and I will never forget each of you that took the time our of your lives to be a part of such an important piece of mine!

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I finished in 4:01…. had hoped to be at 4 hours or under but am ok with 4:01…. I did stop once (and only once the whole time) to go to the bathroom so I figure that’s where my extra minute came in and I am ok with that. :) I am honestly just thrilled that I was able to do it at all… with the hamstring and glute injury I was not sure that I was going to be able to run it at all….

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I sit here now at Mill City Running in Minneapolis for the Fifteens 5k run training group that I am supposed to be out on but I cannot go… sadly during the marathon I developed IT band tendonitis and a potential stress fracture in my left foot. :( I knew marathons were hard on your body but did not expect that. So I am not able to run for a few weeks- which is probably good for me…..but is also killing me. I miss it when I cannot do it. Here’s hoping with some physical therapy, rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories that I am running again in no time…. especially since I am signed up to do the tough mudder in July with my family…

To commemorate one of the biggest accomplishments I have ever achieved and something a very small percentage of the population can say they have done…  I got my tattoo… literally 3 hours after I finished the race- I figured if I was going to be in pain- might as well get it all done in one day…. and the hubs even likes it :) Oddly enough it ends up being right over the area where the stress fracture is… guess that makes the tattoo story even better….

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p.s. registration is open for Fifteens 5k…. sign up and finish the race on home plate at target field! We guarantee a good time!

 

Song: My fav during the marathon was “clarity” by Zedd

Distance: 26.2 baby!!!!

Quote: “The number of “followers” you have does not make you better than any one else. Hitler had millions, Jesus had 12″

 

The one with the lazy a*s….

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Here we are…. spring(or something)…. back from sunny FL and now in a winter mess in MN…. I came dangerously close to pulling out my patio furniture this weekend… thank God I got too busy otherwise I would be brushing snow off of it… snow… in April…. really?!

Anyways…. things have been interesting around here…. first I have my first anniversary of my 29th birthday at the end of March… yep thats right… I am no longer in my 20′s…. to be honest I didn’t think it would bug me but it did ever so slightly…. does that make me vain… maybe… but I am just being honest. 

Next- while training for my first marathon I developed an injury- piriformis syndrome and strained my gluteus medius (she also informed me I have a lazy gluteus maximus….a lazy ass? Lady- have you met me?) …. and as my husband can attest I do not do well on the DL…. so it has been a long couple weeks… I hadn’t been able to run and that makes me crazy…. no I am serious…. CRAZY! I have been biking but lets be honest… every runner doesn’t like biking…. and I am sure bikers don’t like running…. but I have been gritting my teeth through it. I was finally given the a-ok to run again last Friday and it has been a slow return but a return no less…. feeling pretty good- most of the injury healed with a good chiropractic adjustment which straightened out my hips and allowed my muscles to move back into their rightful places… oh and some good anti-inflammatories. :) Here’s hoping it doesn’t come back and I can continue getting ready for this marathon…. that I just might be running in the snow…. in June…..

The one with bobcats, eagles, and scares…oh my!

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ImageFresh off our trip to follow the hubby while he played for Team USA…We took the kiddos to see “OZ- the great and powerful” yesterday and it got me thinking about my “yellow brick road” to the marathon…. in my time down in Florida we have been incredibly busy but somehow I have been able to increase my mileage up to 18 miles… my longest run so far. We have been to Fort Myers, AZ, Miami, and back again and along the way I have had a few interesting things happen…. in Fort Myers while on my first mileage increase to 14…. running with my bestie we had a bobcat cross our path…. gotta be honest… we sped up for the next mile or so constantly looking back… that definitely does not happen in MN. Next while increasing to 16 miles while on a treadmill in AZ I learned to love the “blonde bond”… I have to admit- I am not a “shoot ‘em up, crazy car chase” movie kind of gal but I do love me some Bond… I loved Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan but when they said the new bond would be blonde… I was not on board- so I boycotted the movies…. but out of curiosity and a need to kill 2 hours while I ran I gave in and watched “Skyfall”, which then lead me to watch “Casino Royale”… and I have to admit- while he may not be as suave as Pierce- he is a good bond and I am hooked again. Finally while on my most recent increase (and farthest distance ever) to 18 miles- my mom was kind enough to bike along next to me when I was not engrossed in listening to R.A. Dickeys book on my ipod… when out of no where we spot a bald eagle in a tree… a rare site in Florida. So I have to admit- the few few mileageincreases have been interesting…. I only have 2 more increases…. 20 miles… and 22 miles before the full marathon and I am excited to see what they bring. As far as how its going…. I still have all my toenails (though I do have a few new calluses) and so far it has been challenging but not gut-wrenching so I think that it is as good as it gets when training to push your body to its limits.

Distance: 7 miles- 59 mins

Song: Been listening to R.A. Dickeys book- “Where ever I wind up“- AMAZING read!

Quote: “You can do anything… but not everything”

The one with the tattoo…

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ImageWe are here…. settled in and enjoying the sunshine in good ole Fort Myers. It is hard to believe that this is our 8th spring training! Glen is good… arm is great… feels ready to go. We will only be in FL for about 2 more weeks before we head out to AZ, then Miami, and hopefully San Fran for the World Baseball Classic. Glen was honored to be asked to play for Team USA and we are excited to tag along an be a part of all of it. It will be a lot of travel but I am hoping it will be worth it!

I spent the morning looking up fonts for my new tattoo… yep…. I am getting another tattoo (much to my husbands schgrin) but not until June. To be honest I LOVE tattoos and would probably have sleeves if Glen would let me. I find them so fascinating… they tell your story with you saying a word. But since my hubby is a bit of a conservative when it comes to that stuff I am stuck compromising on every tattoo I get (which I lose so I dont get any more)… but this one is a BIG DEAL to me. I will be getting it after I complete my first full marathon in June. To be honest- running a full marathon has been on my bucket list since I was like 14… I have been fascinated with pushing your body past its breaking point. I know for a lot of family and friends and a few of you reading this- you have already done one and think this is silly but for me this is big…. and I am going to forever remember the one thing that has always been on my bucket list… now I just have to pick a font :)

So thats my big news… June 2nd I will be running the Minneapolis Marathon and I am going to need all the fans I can get…. so PLEASE come out and cheer!! It would be amazing!!

In the mean time I am getting used to running in the extreme humidity…. its been tough… especially when I have spent the last 4-5 months running in my nice 60 degree basement with the window open and a fan blowing on me…. making it a nice 45-50 degrees while I watched my shows… sometimes to be honest… I kind of miss the treadmill :) But I barrel on… working my way up to longer runs in preparation for the Marathon….. still can’t believe I am actually going to finally do it ;)

Distance: Today is my off day because yesterday I ran 12 miles (with the help of my cousin)

Song: “Va Va Voom” Nicky Minja

Quote: “Don’t judge others just becuase they sin differently than you”

The one where we count it down….

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ImageHere we are… on the eve of a new year… 2013… and just like everyone else I think that the end of each year is a time to reflect, thank, question, and hope…. so let’s do it…

Reflect:

2012 was a great year for my family and I. Glen had an exciting and injury free year. Addie started “real school”- Kindergarten and is growing in God everyday. Lyla also started at a “real school” this year and is trying so hard to do everything her older sister can.. and sometimes can do it better. :) As for me… I started to take running more serious but also realized how fun it can be… I dropped time in almost every race… I ran races for amazing people and awesome causes, and I also started yoga and barre which have not only changed my body but also my life. Thanks to my crazy passion for running we started Fifteens 5k this year and it was an amazing success and raised over $18,000 for Cystic Fibrosis… we will be back in 2013 with some exciting new announcements (as if we can do any better than Mauer showing up last year :) ) stay tuned…… Jan.7 is the BIG announcement!

Thanks:

First and foremost I am thankful to a God that loves, forgives, encourages, supports, provides, challenges, and is sovereign. Second- I am thankful for this amazing family that God has blessed me with. My awesome husband, darling and healthy girls, amazing parents and brothers, and sweet “girlfriend in law” :) , and my kind in-laws. Third- my friends… I am not a person who needs a lot of friends and I take who I let close to me very seriously so I am thankful to those who stick with me and my craziness… and there are those few (and you know who you are) that are more than friends- they are like sisters and I love you to pieces. Fourth- I am thankful for health- Glen’s- as it pertains to baseball, mine with running, and the girls in general. We have been really blessed. And lastly for now- I am thankful for running- it has created an outlet for me and helped me to look inward as well in a way that nothing else has.

Questions:

So many things I wonder in the new year…

1. how long does it take to get used to these irritating contacts?

2. when do you know if you are done having kids? what does that feeling feel like?

3. should we get the kids a puppy?

4. has checking facebook and twitter just become a reflex? do I even care?

5. do the people that I love always know it?
 

And the list could go on and on….. hopefully I find some answers in 2013

Lastly… my Hope for 2013…

I hope to be able to run at least a mile everyday! watch me do it on twitter...

I hope to run a FULL marathon

I hope to let go of the worry

I hope to not care as much about what others think

I hope to spend more time with God

I hope that Glen has a banner year :)

I hope that my kids continue their walk in faith and grow as Gods children

I hope that Fifteens 5k is even more successful

I hope to encourage others to better their lives through running and other fitness.

I hope you all have a magical 2013~!

 

Distance: Didn’t run today- its my last day off for a year! :) I did however drag my mom and some friends to barre this morning :)

Song: I am obsessed with “scream and shout” by Will.i.am & Brittany

Quote: “We met for a reason- you are either a blessing or a lesson”

 

The one with the border collie…

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Glen and I were watching “Modern Family” the other night and Phil (who honestly reminds me of Glen) said about Claire (who is truthfully so much like me it is frightening!) that she need to run everyday or she goes crazy… she is his border collie…. :) And I had to laugh because I realized it was yet another way in which her and I are alike. I have come to realize that even on the days that I do not want to run I really should do it because otherwise I get stir crazy… I know it sounds nuts but I seriously feel on edge all day if I don’t…. weirdly enough it calms me…. which I sometimes cant even wrap my head around…. when did it go from a hated experience to a calming one?

I get asked a lot how to run… how do you start… how do you get past hating it…. and to be honest I wish I could give you a clear answer… or at least one that you would like to hear but I think honestly you just start anywhere… a half mile, mile, 2 miles, and slowly add on- add a quarter mile a week…. and do it even when you hate it- you never regret it after. And as far as getting from the point of hating it to the point where it is calming…. truly I think the runners high sets in after you cross mile 4-4.5… I feel like after that your mind goes numb and you body follows… it is hard to explain if you have not experiencd it but once you do it is hard to go back to running anything under 4 miles… you are constantly chasing that high…. and somewhere along the way I guess it calmed me and like Claire I could use a little calming everyday- I am wound pretty tight…. You just have to trust me on this… just maybe running can calm you too… lexapro be damned :)

Last weekend I ran the Monster Dash with my college roommate Annie- we had a blast- just visited the whole time- and even thought the picture says we did it in 1:24… our chip time was actually 1:22- so not too bad for 10 miles of visiting! Now my races have come to an end for 2012- next up is the commitment day 5k with my brother, then 13.1 Miami in March, followed by a half in Tennesse in April. I am not crazy enough to do many races in the winter in MN-so you can find me on my treadmill for the next couple months probably watching Gossip girl, Revenge, or Nashville :)

Distance: Hoping to do 10-11 miles this afternoon- I have some shows to catch up on :)

Song: I am loving “Some nights by Fun.”

Quote: “Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have”

 

 

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The one with the victories…

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“More than that we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces preserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3

I came across this verse this week and it hit me like a ton of bricks… it just really connected with my soul… and I felt like it sums up my running career and especially this last race out in San Fran….

The trip was filled with a lot of much needed down time for me…. started off very odd I have to admit since I have never traveled alone… I mean ever…. I have always had Glen, the kids, my mom, or friends with me but this one I was braving alone. I did a lot of reading, watching tv, shopping, and sleeping which was just right with my soul! The main event came on Sunday- the big half marathon for T.O. and LLS! I woke up 5am and lined up with 25,000 other people to run through the streets of San Fran in hopes to find a cure and kick cancer’s a*s! Emotions definitely ran high as we ran through the wharfs and past the Golden Gate Bridge- unfortunately it was so foggy out we could not see it :( Then at mile 6 the challenge of the hills of San Fran started… we ran up hill for an entire mile… yes you heard that right- AN ENTIRE MILE! And listen…even if you wanted to prepare for that- we don’t have hills like that in MN! I am proud to say that I ran up about 98% of it… only walked for about 30 seconds- the thought of T.O. and all the other people who have it much worst than this hill kept me going…. and after that it was smooth sailing…. that is until mile 8 when the hills started again… but hey we were in San Fran after all… :)

And while in the end it was one of the most challenging (if not the most challenging) courses I have ever done- I did feel amazing and finished only 3 minutes off my best time- hills and all… 1:47 is not bad for the craziness that is San Fran! And while I did victoriously finish the race- another victory was had 2 days before I began when T.O. was told that he is in REMISSION!!! Amazing news and music to our ears…. all your prayers and dollars donated are helping…. people are getting cured and hope is abound! Maybe that is why Romans 5:3 hit me so hard… in the end we are all just hoping…. looking to God for the answers we need….Make sure you stay strong and keep fighting… whether it is cancer, finances, relationships, or just training for your next race… have faith… and find hope….

 

Distance: I did Yoga Sculpt last night and it kicked my butt! :) Today is 6 miles… probably while watching gossip girl…

Song: “Locked out of heaven”- Bruno Mars

Quote: “Hope is the little voice that whispers “maybe”, when it seems the entire world is shouting “no!”"