Nemesis Defeated!

I ran 12 miles the other day out on the Kokopelli trails in Loma.  Matt had the day off, and the kids were in school for the morning, so we had a date (fear not- he was riding his bike- not running)!  This date did not involve sparkles, but I totally rocked the sweatpants.  Last time I tried to run this particular route was about 10 years ago, when I could just get up and go for a long run.  It was summer, and my dad, brother and I took off for a run/bike ride.  By the end of the run I was a little too dehydrated, a little too hot, (OK maybe it was heat exhaustion) and let's just say it was not pretty.  I ended up barfing all over myself, wiping my face with my shirt, throwing my shirt in the back of the truck and traumatizing my brother as I rode sans shirt, smelling like barf/sweat, smooshed up next to him on the bench seat.
But I fear Mary's loop no more!  I completed my 12 miles without the barf (40 degrees cooler does wonders for a run in the desert), and my date still took me home- even without the sparkles!

Sweatpants to Sparkle Transformation

Ok, this post is really for my sister, who does not believe that I ever get dressed up.  Last week (in honor of Jamie and Kenny's birthdays) these runnin' momma's ditched the running tights and donned the sparkles (a requirement of Jamie's for our date).  I had to borrow sparkles from Libby (she was not impressed that I took her flower hair pin) - but I made it!  Just wanted to show that under pressure, I too,can actually wear more than just sweatpants :)

Gateway 1/2 Marathon

 Tasha crossing the finish line

 Jamie coming up to the finish

Tiffany crossing the line

You rock girls!

OUCH!

We ran our half marathon today and survived!!  (My aunt took some pics- we'll try to get them uploaded soon!)  Here is a picture of my foot (avert your eyes now if you are queasy) and the nasty blisters I have been fighting with.  I even bought new socks- which obviously did not work.  Any blister prevention ideas would be appreciated- I still have lots of miles to run on these puppies!

Training...but being a mom too....

So here is my 3 mile run yesterday...Raining can't run outside, so I drive home have an hour before I have to be at a meeting and I also have to make dinner. Get home start the oven, run upsairs change to my running clothes, run downstairs put the chicken in the oven, run to the basement, run a mile, run upstairs turn over the chicken, run downstairs run another mile, then run upstairs take out the chicken and start cooking some green bean, run downstairs run the 3rd mile, then run upstairs and get the other stuff out for dinner, run upsairs and take a quick shower, come back downstairs then fix plates, Kenny and the kids walk in eat then I go to my meeting...Whew:) I ran my 3 miles in less than 30 minutes even stopping to make dinner!
Tasha

"Easy Week"

This week our schedule is 3 miles, 5 miles, 3 miles, 7 miles. I looked at my calendar and thought, "phew, it's an easy week. Only 7 miles this weekend." Since when did 7 miles equal an easy run? I used to think about runing 7 miles with dread. But now it seems like a relief when the next weekend we run a half marathon.

So cheers to the easy week! Let's celebrate (with some wine and sparkles)!

My cute new running buddy

I found a cute new running buddy (sorry girls, he's all mine)!  He is too fast for me, but luckily he obeys the traffic signs in the neighborhood and "stops" to wait for me.  I asked him if he wanted to be my coach, and he said "I'm not your coach!  You have to be an adult to be a coach!"  Maybe if I hang out with him I'll pick up some speed.  If not, I figure its never too early to train him to be my water sherpa :)

Week 5 Complete!

Week 5 complete! I survived our 10 mile run (even though Tasha made me run hills) and Jamie's spin class (the trick is not to turn the knob, no matter what she says).
Well on my way to completing goal # 3- "Not die"
~Tiffany

Alive...

I never thought I would be a runner. I am able to run, I have sneakers and a cute pair of running shorts, but there is something in me that comes alive when I run. I don't know if it has always been there or if it is like a switch that got turned on. Whatever it is, it's there and it's growing. With every mile and every race and every training day checked off, it grows. It keeps me running when I want to stop; it gets me off the couch when I don't feel like getting up; and it agrees with "coach" Aaron when he tells me I can go faster. It is the feeling of being alive, of feeling strong and knowing that if I can run a marathon, I can pretty much do whatever I set my mind to.

What could you do if you believed that about yourself?

The Benefit of an Organized Friend

Look at this!!  Can you believe I have my own calendar counting down the weeks and planning out our distances until the marathon?  Is it color coordinated?? Why of course it is - Tasha made it!  We each have one (and it does continue on until June) and it has helped keep me on track.  That is the benefit of having an organized friend.  Thanks T-Fizz!