Training stuff and Blog-up in Eugene w/ Congratulations!

First up:

Major congratulations are in order for each of the racers I got to dine with on Saturday night!!

The lovely Julie (adventure is out there) was my dinner date!!! So charming....I think she's trying to convince me to tri. And..She brought us each a TnT towel that reads "Know Test your limits!" How nice is that?

She ran WAY faster than her goal pace in the Eugene half marathon. So PROUD of you, Julie!

 Fruit Fly and Biker Boy brought some delicious cupcakes with some sort of frosting that tasted buttery :). Just think of the goodies they could cook up if they both lived in the same city! Fruit fly wept on the sister of Steve Prefontaine at the expo. She then went on to run a PR half and vomit on the U of O track (which is MUCH nicer than in Pre's era, thanks to all of my tuition payments).

Stacie (impossible is nothing) and hubby. It was her hubby's first half! She has a really fantastic blog race report about how they raced TOGETHER! Love it- and the awesome medal they earned!

Kim organized the Gala blog-up and brought some tasty gummi bears for us. Treats- even though I wasn't running! How sweet!! (She also made me model my Boston Jacket- no photos here!- which was kinda embarrassing, but also made me feel special.) Her hubby, S., ran the race on essentially NO practice training, and must be pretty gifted. Kim went on to PR and is a HALF FANATIC ! Read her fantastic write up at (Just) Trying Is For Little Girls.

The AMAZING Laurie and her husband were also there! Laurie trains regularly with a stroller (very dedicated!) and finished the Eugene Marathon (her first) well under 4 hours- great debut!!!Read her outstanding race report at (Mis)Adventures of a Jogging Stoller Mom- a very good read.

Beth (SwimBikeRunDC) (center), Amy  (right) and her friend (left), from the DC area- so fun and friendly. Amy finished in 3:44!! Beth's goal was to run under 3:40 and she DID it!! PR !!! She really executed her race well...talk about smart!

The whole bloggy group at Mazzi's Italian in Eugene.

(I am throwing these pants in the goodwill donation after this photo!!)

Backing up a bit, before dinner I headed to the Eugene Marathon Expo, where I managed to score 5 free tickets to a University of Oregon track meet- the Twilight Meet (thanks to the Oregon Track Club).

Now I just need to sweet talk hubby so we can go! :)

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Training Stuff:

• I am in the process of rebuilding my mileage after the marathon. In the past, I have been able to return to about 80% of my peak within 4 weeks, but I am not sure if that's going to be as easy this time. I suppose it depends on which peak I go with- the peak before injury, or the second peak after injury.
• My running is at "easy pace" these days- and that varies depending on fatigue. It can range from about 8:00 miles to 8:40 miles. (My training tab above has specific workouts; the truly curious can click on each run to see the pace/notes). The point is to repair my body and not to take on too much while I recover my muscles, and any bone stresses that have occurred. A mind repair is probably also in order. :) Detoxing mentally and emotionally from race training is feeling pretty good right now.
• Heart rate training is something I am fairly interested in. Not so much to do all my workouts by heart rate, but just to explore whether I am hitting the right zones; i.e. "easy pace" at the appropriate zone, speed work in the appropriate zone, etc. By now you might think I should have a grasp of whether I am putting out the right effort, but I am still curious. :)  The first step will be to establish a MAX heart rate for myself. This will require a break away from easy paces for a day, so I might wait a week or two (If I can wait that long).  My resting heart rate this morning was 44/45, right out of bed. I think the lowest I have ever seen it was at 39 on some grocery store blood pressure machine.
• I put in some new tunes in the ipod this week. They are just loud enough to cover the Garmin BEEP on autolap, lest I decide to obsess over my mile splits. (but not too loud, dad, so I am still safe!)

It's kinda funny to see how music can control your cadence! It was a lot of fun to see what happened to my pace during this song....

Not my usual genre. :) Love the tunes...just hard not to let them take over my run sometimes!!!

Do you ever let music take over your run?

What do you do post race to recover? Do you go right back into your old mileage, or take an extended break?

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 .

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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!

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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!!

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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?