trail running with the iron mtn peeps and last week of p90x

 Hi guys! Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. Things have really been busy around here! Brock has worked pretty much every week day out of town ( and home on the weekends) since we have gotten back from the beach last month. 

Well, I am on my last week of p90X! I will take some pictures in a couple of days and post them to the blog. I don't know if you can see the results much from day 30.. but man, if there was only a visual on how I FEEL!!!  I swear I feel so much stronger and have more energy!!  The program really delivers what it promises. However, I can't emphasize enough the importance of the nutrition part of the program.. even if you don't do the recipes and follow the diet to a tee.. it's SO important to EAT CLEAN. and not eat processed foods.. fruits, veggies, then high protein, lean meats.. ( I eat alot of salmon and boneless, skinless chicken) and don't drink your caloric intake...( specialty coffees, soda and adult beverages) I am going to take a 2 week rest from it.. and just bike and run( but maintain the diet.. which isn't really even a big deal now.. it's just a lifestyle change and just the way I eat now.. then I am going to start over on my next 90 days. I am really excited about it.. because 90 days ago, i couldn't do ANYTHING.. and now it's about mastering the exercises and getting more reps when you max out. 

I got a couple of new toys a couple of week ago too. I upgraded to a garmin 405. I LOVE the wireless link up to my laptop, BUT not really loving the touch the betzel to control it stuff... it bothers me more than it helps me when I'm running. 

 Also got a double jogging stroller (BOB!) This was essential for me since brock works out of town so much, and jack is out of preschool for the summer.. so if I am going to get to run on all these pretty mornings, I have to take the kids!! but it's really awesome because THEY LOVE IT.. I think pushing 70lbs up all those hills really has made my upperbody and legs stronger too when I run. 

 Saturday I ran a 5k on state st in bristol. I ran a 22 min 5k.. which I thought SUCKED. but I got first in my age group ( which was cool because there was a field of 175 runners-- I consider that a pretty big race for our area) I am planning on running a 5k next sunday evening in kingsport called the AMAZINGRACE 5k.. and then in june 13th? I am running the varmint half marathon. 

Then on monday I was lucky enough to get to run some with the Iron Mtn trail runners club to backbone rock.  I had an AWESOME time!!  I really hope to do more runs with them this summer!! what a nice group of people! :o)  I will post some pictures from my run with this blog. 

lastly, the planning for the Christopher TOdd Richardson Memorial 10k is going well. I am contacting the volunteers from last year's race this week, and trying to line all that up.  I am SO thankful to have SO many good friends with big hearts.. who come out and help me with this race. The race wouldn't have gone SO well last year had it not been for the wonderful group of volunteers. I am SO excited about this year's race. ( august 15th for you guys who are wondering the date) all the information is on state of franklin track club's website: www.runtricities.org. 

 click on EVENTS and then scroll down to august 15th to get the info about the race. :o)

at NMB for a week!

 hey.. sorry to not have posted in so long!  I have been so busy the past month!

I am on day 68 of P90x! and still seeing very good results!! I will post some pictures in a couple days.  Also, I have been upping my mileage and running pretty much everyday.. and at least biking for an hour on my stationary bike on the days I haven't been able to get away. Which surprisingly have worked out well.  I really think that the p90x has supplemented my running because of all the stretching I do every work out, the yoga x dvd, and all the core work/upper body work outs. I had just never really focused on these areas before, and I really think they are making me definitely fitter and stronger ( hopefully faster!)

 I have received several more entries for CTR 10k! ( yay!) In the planning stages still for several things. I am leaning strongly to having medals for age group and the pottery platters for all my over all awards.. cost isn't really the issue.. they pretty much cost the same,but I was just wondering what the masses would more enjoy??? any thoughts???

The shirt is going to be awesome this year. It's going to be a technical fiber shirt still but with different graphics. 

so we are at North myrtle beach at my inlaw's house at barefoot landing. I am sure most of you saw on the new last week, that there was a forrest fire here at barefoot and many homes were destroyed. :o( My inlaw's house was spared from the inferno, but it has been really somber to run through what used to be some of the prettiest neighborhoods and see the charred remains of houses. :o( many demolition crews are working very hard to clear the debris and make them empty lots for the owner to begin rebuilding. 

other than that,  I have got to run every day :o) yay! and then spend quality time with brock and the boys we went to the beach today. The weather has been very nice. ( 85F and clear) the past several days. 

 here are several pictures i have taken so far this trip: ( sorry this blog is so choppy but I am kinda in a hurry typing this):o)

just received first entry for 2009 CTR 10k!!

  Hi!! just a quick update to tell you that this week I received the first pre-registration for this year's Christopher Todd Richardson Memorial 10k!!

Thanks martha!! She is so nice!! She attended last year as well! Her husband jerry also has volunteered! I appreciate their support so very much!!

 I need runners!! but also, I know a race going smoothly and well organized is impossible without volunteers!!! I had  such a WONDERFUL collective of people helping me last year! I can't wait until this year's race!!

Woo! 

it's p90x picture time! DAY 30

 hey there boys and girls. 

 I am blogging to post as promised my day 30 picture for p90x ( day 1 is a couple posts below)  and post a picture of my spin bike and tell you about the 5k I ran on saturday in Grundy, va. 

The race went well.  The weather was perfect.  2 gripes about the race I will get out in the open quick.. 1. no aid stations other than the finish. (?!) one half way point would of been nice.  I was fine because I usually go about 10 mi with no water.. but other people were DYING!!  they needed some gatorade!!

2. I am eating my own words with this one.. the course wasn't certified and I really feel it could of been short.  I used to think USATF certification wasn't that big of deal, but  now I kinda think otherwise and am glad that matt studholm really encouraged me to have Todd's race certified last year.   but the shirt was nice, the metals were top notch, the finish line had plenty of food, and gatorade and water.. everyone got a free squeeze bottle!

 I ran a 2o:55  and got first in my age group at the race. It would be a PR for me!  but I really wish had the course been certified because it doesn't really "count"...  anyways.. I was running right at 7 min pace or under the entire race and it felt awesome. I felt VERY strong the entire race.. and I really can't wait to run another 5k, because I really would like to get my time down some more.  5k's are so intense!! 

 I am continuing on training for the varmint half marathon in june! very excited about this race because I love it SO much!  this will be my 4th time running this race!

p90x is going well. it continues to be a challenge and kick my butt everyday.  I really am very pleased with my progress. even if no one else can tell, just the simple face I can do push ups and pull ups now.. and see the gains and progress I make every week.. make it all worth it.  This is a GREAT fitness product for someone who can't go to the gym or doesn't want to!!  I stay home with my 2 young children, so it works very well for me!

without further ado here's the pictures

 

just finished week 3!!

 I just completed week 3 of the p90x program. I now start my recovery week!! hoorah! When I get to day 30 I will post a picture. I see improvement/changes.. I really think by the time 90 days are complete it will be a big difference.  I have to add that I think that to make this program work, you have to follow the nutrition guide.. and then even my results may be different because I am running so much and doing many other things in addition to the program... 

 I have been using my training/spin bike TONS!! I am a spinning machine these days. I haven't posted a picture of that yet either as promised. I will get on that. 

Running: I have been averaging between 30 and 40 miles per week. I am going to Richlands to go run 10 miles today ( in the rain!) .  I can't wait. :o)

 and I am running a 5k this weekend in Grundy. The Appalachian School of Law 5k.  This makes the 3rd time I have ran this race. I am looking forward to it. It's a very small race, but I enjoy it. The awards are nice, they have a nice shirt and always have plenty of food at the finish. :o)

well, I will post a picture of my spin bike( promise) and give a race report about my 5k experience next blog.. 

week 2 of p90x and on target to break 35 mi this week

 I made it!! I survived week one of P90x program and began week 2 today with a killer chest, back and abs work out! 

  I am kinda glad that I had an upperbody workout this morning because I ran 10 mi last night in my hometown of richlands, and my legs are feeling it.  I really think the running/p90x combo will deliver some fantastic results.  ( all I know is that I have been more sore this week than what I have in YEARS.. so I'm working hard and doing something right!!:o)

 I also am following the nutrition guide fairly closely: I usually have a bowl of organic cereal and soy milk for breakfast. 

 a protein bar for a snack

a protein shake and an apple for lunch

 and then a small dinner (usually a chicken breast or fish) with one side of veggies or brown rice. 

(yummy I know but if you are going to get the results you have to sacrifice)

april 4th is looming closer!! my first 5k back!!  I am very interested to see what my time will be. I think it will be a great way to gauge where I am, and how much more work needs to be done to improve.:o)

  I am going to piney flats to get my stationary bike today! I will post of picture of it the next post!:o)

solid consistent running and p90x is kicking my butt..

 hey guys! just wanted to update the blog and let everyone knowing what I've been up to the past couple of weeks. 

 I have been so fortunate to be able to continue on a consistent daily ritual of running and working out everyday! and I feel AWESOME!

 it really boiled down to me TAKING the time to run.. ( so some creative juggling of my schedule) and recruiting my mom to help babysit the kids twice a week for my 10 mi group runs. Then any other day, if I can even get 30 min to an hour.. I GO!!  and go hard as I can while I'm out!!

  I have been getting some 30-40 mi weeks. It's a start..  I really have a long road ahead of me to get into marathon shape by the fall or for my first ultra attempt.. but I am slowly but surely getting there. ( HOORAH)  It was incredibly frustrating bouncing  back  from having todd 15 months ago..  it was so different from my first pregnancy with Jack..  I literally made three attempts at coming back to running, only to wind up injured or overwhelmed from my time constraints. 

Also, this week I started the p90x program!  I am hooked! I love it! The picture I have posted is from MY DAY 1 picture... I am supposed to take another one on DAY 90.. to see the results.. so we shall see how it goes:o) It's so challenging and I am so sore.  I really think I will see gains of being stronger and faster from doing this.  I am doing the p90x workouts first thing in the morning then recovering and going for my runs.

 I also have ordered a spyntech spinning stationary bike for when I absolutely can't leave the house to go run, but want to do some REAL cardio.  I ordered it from piney flats bike shop, I can't wait for it to come in.. it's this crazy yellow color. I will post a picture of it once I get it set up. 

SO things are good, I have so much more energy, and I'm more patient and happy..  and just so thankful that things are going better for me in terms of me being able to workout and run regularly.

 I am planning to run some races this spring and summer. I will post those on the blog, and OF COURSE I am planning and organizing the race I am race director of : CHRISTOPHER TODD RICHARDSON MEMORIAL 10K! august 15th on the VA creeper trail!  The race is so meaningful to me( of course) but I get so much satisfaction from the planning ( and over planning) of this event! I really hope everyone who attended last year, returns and brings tons of friends with them!!!:o)

another productive week.

   This week Brock had a window  in between jobs, so we loaded up the kids and our little dog, and went to North Myrtle Beach for the week where Brock's parents has a beach house on a golf course there at barefoot landing. 

 It was wonderful for many reasons: spending time together as a family unit, being in a different, relaxed environment, AND I was able to run everyday! That time I had to myself was invaluable. :o) 

 i ran 5 miles everyday and took saturday off for a total of 30 miles this week. 

The weather was nice. Not really cold( as cold as swva anyways) about50-60F and breezy..  very enjoyable. The MB marathon weekend was going on went we first arrived. I ran this marathon in 2006, and was kinda bummed I was too out of shape to even consider an event like this. It's like I'm starting from ground zero..  but that's okay because at least I'm attempting to get there. and it probably will take me a good year to get to the type of shape I was in 2006. The journey is so well worth it. :o)

 here are some pictures from our MB trip..

7 consecutive days of running!

 this has been such a milestone week for me!  i logged a meager 40 miles this week, BUT I got to run EVERY day this week! which is something I haven't been able to swing in almost 2 years! AMAZING! is exactly how I feel!

 I am on vacation all this week in North Myrtle beach with brock and the kids, So I get to run every day this week as well!

 I can't get over just how much better I feel inside and out.. ( I knew this would occur) if I could get some consistency going. 

 I will try to carry my camera with me tomorrow on my run and post some pictures. I am going to go run on the beach in the AM. 

 I just ran 6 mi this morning.. but it was very nice. it's so flat here in comparision to the running route that I run in bristol or the 10 mi loop that I run in richlands. So it went by relatively fast. 

 I dragged out the running diary  again.. so I can keep a food diary and journal of my mileage and runs and my pace. This seems to help me focus more than anything else on my goals, future races and really how I am running and feeling in general. 

 I am working on the CTR 10k in august..  if I haven't posted the link already here it is from the state of franklin website.  I really think this year's race will be even bigger and better. We plan on more activities and a couple bluegrass bands to play there on the grounds for the spectators during the race and while we are tallying the race results.:o)  I'm working on this year's design for the the race shirt. 

CTR 10K link

the muddy muddy creeper

 hey. I just got back from an 8 mi run on the vA creeper trail!  Today's weather was SO extremely springlike. It was perfect really a nice 64F with a nice breeze. The trail itself was a little muddy because of all the melted ice and snow from earlier this week. The town will definitely have to work and grate the trail from the trail head in downtown abingdon to the watagua outlet.. there were places where the entire width of the trail ( and even the grass on the sides) was ankle deep mud.. no avoiding it. 

 I had a  fairly consistent week for running this week! ( HOW EXCITING!!)  I ran 5 mi thursday 5 mi friday and 5 mi saturday..  then 8 today.. 

it's not a high mileage week by any stretch but just getting to run everyday like that was WONDERFUL. 

 I have been keeping a food diary ( that I wont bore yall with here) but so far I have lost 5 lbs.. ( that I really needed to) 

well, hope everyone has a great week!