Back in the saddle...sort of.

Meet my new friend, Wes.

We haven't known each other long...but we are starting to gel.

 (Yes, I know this is an absolutely ridiculous photo of me NOT working out. Just let me say that it was too much work to airbrush a bag over my head today =D ...and I would never pose for REAL like this...just being weird. )

Wes is short for Weslo- my new ride. We have been spending some quality time in the evenings this week...

How do I love thee, Wes? Let me count the ways...

Your recumbant seat has plenty of room and never leaves me wishing for more padding.

Your pedals are strappy and adjustable. That suits me fine (especially with duct tape to keep them from jumping out of the notches).

The nifty side handles are rare.

(I am not sure of their true purpose, but I have used them to stabilize myself as I try to keep from lifting off the runway when trying to get my heart rate up.)

The special clicking sound you make with each revolution is really growing on me.

You are light enough that I can store you on the balcony and bring you in for Netflix. Ahhh...netflix.

Your display is digital and pauses while I get up to re-duct tape the toe straps :)

You are probably SAVING my BACON while my running is on the back burner. That keeps hope ALIVE.

Wes, I can't say you complete me, but if I close my eyes you'll do. I Heart YOU!

Special thanks to my hubby who has been very understanding of my temporary insanity. He has helped haul this thing upstairs and in and out the sliding door many nights now. Jon, you are my HERO. Such a patient man.

Also, special thanks to Janae at http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/ for some bike XT tips =D .

***

In other news, I got some new socks. I thought I might turn them into arm warmers ( i have no present need for them, but always looking for fashionable ideas here, ;) ...)

The boys took right to them.

I might have to splurge and buy a few more pairs. We could look like a really RAD family in our next outing to the sportsman show!

***

For believers:

I appreciated all the recent comments regarding the challenge I am doing. It has been AWESOME so far.

I have had some struggles, but overall, I really like how things are going. There are some similarities to the "Love Dare"/fireproof movie, but specific to a woman's role in marriage. I really can use the practical suggestions for how to be encouraging. It's not a natural thing for me to follow or encourage, (Oh how I wish it were, sometimes!).

Day 3 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge


"Love suffers long, and is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4a)
"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)


Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider this challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement.


If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender.


Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind, or tender--especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude.


Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure or loved. Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.

Day 4
Day 4 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
"Let him labor, working with his hands what is good . . ." (Ephesians 4:28b)

We are all accountable for the things we say, both negative and positive words. Have you embraced the challenge to speak only positive things to your husband and to others about him? Here's a suggestion that touches the core of your husband's world.

Some women take their husband's career for granted, and they show it in many ways. Do you "dump" on your husband at the end of the workday, or do you strengthen and encourage him with your words? A wise wife will make her husband feel that she values and appreciates his work. Let him know that you are glad he is a hard worker. Take opportunities to praise his diligence and resourcefulness to others.

If your husband is out of work, unable to work, or refuses to work, you'll need to be more creative. Praise him for a character quality that you see in him that would be a vital part of a successful career - such as persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, good with people, good listener, determination, etc.

This part could be hard, as hubby has been in a big work slow-down, but since he is such a HARD worker, I should have no trouble...I just need to remember to thank him for it!!

***

Are you currently injured?

What types of cross training do you do?

Are you facing any personal challenges this week? If so, how do you handle them?

Making Vows, Other "Stuff" - and 9 weeks left!

Running stuff:
Well, I survived the week!!! Another 20 miler done I am really looking forward to a "restful" cutback before the "monster month" of training that lies ahead.

Somehow I have managed to get through 7 weeks of  this training plan without injury *insert HAPPY DANCE here*.

At this point I am higher in MPW (miles/week)  than my peak for my first marathon (last May) was.
Yet, with Eugene training, I was icing Achilles tendons and the fronts of my ankles, etc...and wondering if I should be cutting back mileage.  I am a hard-head and went on through it. I know its a big blessing  not to be injured, and I am so grateful for it.
I am really glad that I slowly starting building my mileage after Eugene last year- so I have already hit the 70 MPW mark back in October. That has to help with the injuries. We shall see how it goes as I continue to increase over the next 5 weeks.

Short race?
I'd really like to do a "formal" speed check sometime soon and might throw in to a short race, if I can find one that doesn't mess up my training too much.

Hill stuff: (addressing some comments)
First off- I love downhills, but can understand not loving downhills. I love MY downhills. I don't know that I will love steep or long downhills on a course that I have never ran.
I hope the hill running and weights will build both my strength and my confidence. I  am still new to the distance and my habits have been to err toward holding back too much. My strategies are starting to change, though.

Here are some VOWS I will make publicly (to hold my bad-self accountable).

I vow to:

• get two more hours of sleep each week
• get intimate with my foam roller at least twice a day, 4 times if I can!!
• keep up on the weights through the first week of April.
• NOT MAKE PIZZA for dinner the night before a long run. It just ain't workin'!!! I will spare you the details, but will just say that I don't want to be inventing a portable TP dispenser for running with. How do people carb load the night before a race? I'll never know!!...It must be without fiber.
• No fiber after 7 PM. I don't care how bad that banana or chocolate roll is calling my name. I am saying NO!
• Carefully consider my training plan each week and make changes as necessary. (I am already considering redesigning the monster month to have a few runs broken into doubles. I will probably do this on interval days, since I don't want to break up any long tempos or medium long/ long runs.)
• Get to my race weight- but not really sure what the bottom line is. I know I am close now and have a lot of miles to put in.  I think things will balance out, as my appetite is really picking up. I made a REAL PIG out of myself Saturday and Sunday. I was famished Saturday night and made cinnamon rolls, without cinnamon- instead I slathered chocolate inside before rolling up and cutting. I ate so much chocolate in the process that I didn't feel like eating the rolls when they were done.
• Try to be nice to those around me who are not training for a marathon and have no idea how much I want to take a nap. =D

Also, special thanks to Jenn and Meg and Jill who continue to give me VERY VALUABLE advice regarding Boston. THANKS, Ladies!!! Any other tips are greatly appreciated.
I am currently wondering about corrals, since I have never been in one.  It will be a whole new concept for me- and I am not sure if I am going to be in the right one. I have a little research to do there.

OM Goodness! 9 weeks left!!!

Other stuff:
You might have noticed a few changes on my blog, like the header.  Nathan, my oldest son (6) took it on a road a few miles from home. Thanks to Tina and Slugo for the comments last post- I have had the hardest time settling on a header I like since I want to be pictured, but not necessarily IN YOUR FACE all the time. I think I am going to stick with the new header for a while. Maybe =D...


Also- I found a new blogger, or rather she found me...Niz at Run, Niz, Run! - Go check her blog out. Great stuff there =D.

For Believers
I also added a Christian blogs section. It's my goal to use my running (and blogging) to glorify God. In time I hope to get my "steps of faith" tab going again, once I can reestablish all the links to the proper places. There is also something else faith-related that I hope I can post soon.

Recently I was listening to a podcast from http://www.marathontalk.com/ where Ryan Hall was interviewed. Listening to him really inspired me to use my gifts more. He talked about all sorts of things marathon related on that episode, but the part where he discussed how he became a runner, and what he hopes to accomplish with his Hall Steps Foundation, was really interesting. In my opinion, here is a man who is humble about his gifts and wants to serve others. He understands that life isn't about running, but about relationships. It was worth listening to during my LR, even if with the "Click and Clack" of the marathoners talking before and after =D

For the ladies: the True Woman blog just started a 30 day husband encouragement challenge. I SO need this. If you are interested in joining me in this challenge, I would be thrilled. I am sure your husband would be too. ;)

And yes...it is VALENTINE'S DAY today! So happy Valentine's Day to you.

 I bought myself chocolate =D ...

Really, I have the best hubby in the world for ME- he fixed the sink and cleaned the garage yesterday (That's way better than candy or flowers) and he gave me three of the most beautiful boys in the world...and he watches them while I spend hours of running each week. Man after my own heart!