Deep thoughts with athletic mommy

So - how much do I look like a Hollywood starlet in my TRI pictures? I'm totally in! I've got my kids in tow as well as what appears to be a alcoholic monitoring device strapped to my ankle! AWESOME...I joke only b/c I'm not a drinker. Although I have been thinking about becoming a bartender lately - they make serious cash!

I continue to have issue with my knee so I've been focused on my bike.My runs are very short - no more than 3 miles. I have no race plans right now b/c of the combination of finances & my knee - neither one are healthy -

I suppose that's life!

More Deep Thoughts with athletic Mommy to come...

I am a triathlete

Here I am before the race...overly confident and excited!I have a newfound respect for the swim...I've just received a serious buttkickin'. Here I am at the start of the bike. I love the bike!The run was awesome...off road and totally shaded!


After the race...rehydrating - literally. this was a great experience - I had lots of fun. I am sure I'll do another one - once I get my swimming technique...and am confident in my ability in the water.

It's almost time to TRI

I'm really excited about the race this Saturday. While Jason is doing ANOTHER 1/2 marathon I am going to be taking part in my first sprint Triathlon. I am planning to have loads of fun - no matter what the outcome - I'm deliriously excited about FINALLy doing this! Arron Chambers & Travis Jacob - a couple of guys who I used to work with at Southside planted this seed a couple of years ago. I've kept my dream alive and am going to live it out on Saturday. I can't wait to share my experience & photos!
I hear there is a tropical storm joining us for the race Saturday too! 25 - 30 pmh winds will toughen the "easy" course, alligator mating season being in full swing should keep it interesting but the best part - the high is only 86 degrees and it might even be raining! Yahoo! I love to run in the rain! I really do...it would be my first time being pelted by the rain on my bike though.
I really wish I had a seasoned triathlete to take me under their wing on this first TRI - that was awesome that you stuck by my side the whole race Jason...really cool. Good luck on your race! I'm going ot have a blast at mine!

I'm gonna try to TRI

I registered for a TRI a while back, moved the date b/c of amoeba and now the new date is actually this weekend. I'm not ready. I thought that I was ready...so I did my own little TRI here at home so I could see if I could REALLY do it. I swam in my pool for 1.5 minutes - it kicked my butt. I had to stop & start 2 times but I ended up swimming for 15 minutes then did my 10 mile bike and 3 mile run in 1hour and 3 minutes (not including transitions...which need LOTS of work). I'm going to do it - I'm confident that I'll finsih and that's my goal for my first tri. Reasonable?

I'm going to be working on my swimming for the rest of the week. I have no technique at all - I really wish I'd been working on my swim. Oh well.

on the positive/ preparation side I did use the outfit, swimsuit, socks & shoes that I intend to use in the race...and they worked out great! Also, the knee pain was minimal, muscle soreness...not there and cardio was great. I'm thinking about trying harder on Wednesday morning and then no more until race day.

PS. The Turkey Trot sounds like a smart idea...and then I can eat more! :)

I will run again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just don't have nother race on the calendar yet. I did receive some birthday moeny from my inlaws at Sela's party...now I just to decide on a weekend. 5K? 10K? or should I aim high for another 1/2 marathon in November? That's where my heart is - I want to improve my performance...reach my goals. I think I"m just scared of falling short again. Am I alone in this? Is this normal for athletes? Yeah...I consider myself an athlete! :)

1/2 Marathon

My first half marathon is finally behind me. I couldn't have - scratch that - wouldn't have finished without Jason being by my side. I thought that I was totally prepared and I learned that around mile 6 that I was NOT. I was not properly hydrated - not conditioned for the terrain and not very well rested due to traveling...with kids! :)

It was a great experience and I'd do it all again. I think that the best part was on mile 3 when we saw our support - Jason and I married well. Our spouses and children were there cheering us on - and Noah yelling "GO MOMMY GO!" brought me to tears! It was totally awesome.

I have respect for the 1/2 marathon distance and admiration for those crazy folks who run hills. I on the other hand am going to stick to my flat hot & muggy Florida terrain for now. I hear the Space Coast 1/2 marathon is still open and going on in November...there's time to work on my training, right? :)

Long Run

I've been running on E. Rumour has it that stress can do that to you...:)

I really have been running but we've been having computer issues so I've not been able to get online regularly enough to be able to update the blogs. The most important update for me is that I ran 13.5 yesterday and m a tiny bit sore this morning. Yesterdays run was my longest and unexpected. I started off with a nice 5 miles - felt great so I added an extra 3.5 - still felt great despite being a little dehydrated so I came home for a quick drink of Argenine Extreme and Catalyst - so I ran another 5 miles. I did have an issue with my knee around mile 11.5 but worked it out and made my way home without further issue.

The greatest thing about my run yesterday though is that now I am confident about the run in Nashville in a few weeks. I was worried that it might be too much - but now I feel like it's going to be tons of fun - can't wait to get my medal! :)

I'm going to put it on the Christmas tree!

Slacker

I've stolen Jason's nick name - or maybe he's outgrown it...hmmm. I have been having a hard time getting out the door to run. I missed my running date with my Run Mommy Run buddy Lynn. I'm regretting that. I overslept - I've been just exhausted. I could be feeling the physical effects of stress...maybe, is that even possible? It's gotta be something.

I rescheduled (transferred) my tri date to October 4th. I'm going to be really ready for it. I can't wait to do the 1/2 marathon next month. I have no doubt about finishing - I'm looking forward to having fun and getting a new cool T shirt. I wish I had more time and less stress - I'd train for a full!

Anyways - this is a running blog right...and I haven't' run in um....4 days! :( Am I still even considered an athlete? Maybe I'll try and do a run tonight when Rob gets home. I'll let you know how that goes!

I chose green for today's entry b/c I'm green with envy. Jason not only has time to train (with being a husband AND only having 1 baby) but he's out in Fresno with our parents...loving the ability to "run forever" because there is no humidity! Jealous, Jealous, Jealous!

Sundays hot run

Sunday I ran a rushed 5 miles. It was terribly hot & humid. I was dehydrated by mile 3 and ready to be home. I walked a couple of times and then realized that I had to run the rest of the way if we were going to make it to church. It was a rough run...I think that the combination of stress, kids, the heat and a sleep deprivation are taking a toll on me. I'm sure it could be worse but I'm going to be an optimist and look forward to things getting better!

I'm registered for the Moss Park Sprint Triathlon on Saturday August 18.
I've got less than 2 weeks and I'm totally excited and nervous. This will be my first Tri - and I've had this dream for 3 years now!
Today I rode 10 miles in just under 40 minutes then ran 2.5 in 22 minutes. I feel good...lots of sweating so I was a bit dehydrated but no "fatigue". I want to work on my 5K time tomorrow...to run all out.
I'll be back on the 1/2 marathon training plan with Jason after the Tri. I think that the Tri is really going to improve my 1/2 though...better endurance.

Run Mommy Run

I made a new friend today via the "Run Mommy Run" website. I had a nice "easy" run today with a lady in the neighborhood - 3 miles together + 1 mile each way to our meeting point. I ran a total of 5 miles today and I felt great. I hope I'm back in the swing of things. Today was a good day.

I'm very disappointed in myself. Last night I was asleep by 10pm and woke this morning right before 6. Everything was running right on schedule, I was tired but I'm always tired when I get out of bed. I headed out the door at 6:48am...It's 7am and I made it once around the block ... I am exhausted. My whole body, everything is heavy and lethargic. I've made the hard decision to take off my shoes and nix today's 11 mile run. Did I say I am exhausted? Aunt flo is killing me - how do all these women do it? I'm impressed. I really wanted to run - but would rather miss an important run than get injured and miss the most important run...the race.

I really have been running...I promise. I'm having a hard time keeping up with commitments though. I've been keeping pretty close to the training schedule. To update on the important runs... Saturday - 9.5 miles and felt amazing.
Sunday I never had the chance to run but felt great all day with no soreness (must be those awesome Advocare products!).
Monday felt like 3 really hot sticky miles that dragged on forever.
Tuesday again...life (children, weather, prior commitments) didn't allow.
Wednesday - evening run...3.5 hills on treadmill. Weight training + ab work. I would have preferred an outdoor evening run but the weather has not been cooperating. If I don't get out of bed early in the morning and run b4 the family is up and at 'em than I have to wait until the evening and unfortunately in FL...storms are here from about 4 - after dark. Not just rain...tropical stuff with lots of lightening. Needless to say - it's just not safe to run in that.

Check back later...I'm putting this on the web to motivate me. My knee feels fine now so I'm going to get my booty on the treadmill since I got the kids in bed at 730Pm (I'm AWESOME!) and all is quiet in the Padgett home (except for me on the keyboard...clak clak clak). The plan: Friday night 6m, Saturday morning 2m, Sunday morning 9m, Monday rest. Then I should be caught up, right!?!?!? Let's see how it goes - and I expect encouragement from anyone who cares about me meeting my personal goals b/c I could totally bail out and watch Supernanny tonight!
No SuperNanny for me...I ran 6.2 tonight on the treadmill. I'm beat - ready to hit the hay and recover so I can do it again tomorrow AM before the kids wake up. My run tonight was not good on time but enlightening...I didn't realize that I slouch when I am tired and at the start of mile 5 - I started having horrible pain all through my abdomen and lower back and shoulders . I tried the whole pretending like I have a string pulling me up and that really helped me to keep my abs tight and I ran through my 5th mile and I think that it was my best mile tonight. So all in all...tonights workout was very productive for me.

Wednesday was my easy day - so I took it really easy. 2 miles in 18 min...can't take it much easier than that! My knee was fine on the run but achy once I was walking again. I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm supposed to do a 6m today but am hurting just walking up & down the stairs. Self preservation in kicking in and I'm scratching my head wondering what the best thing for me to do is. Should I suck it up and (hopefully) run it out OR take a break and wait for it to stop causing me pain?

Cry baby

Ouch...I'm feeling it in my left knee. I don't know if this is all in my head but this morning when I woke up knowing I had a 5 mile hill run ahead of me my knee was already aching. I ran it - the whole thing although I stopped about 5 times for a drink, to walk, grab a towel or just change the cd on the stereo (rotating between Shakira, Gwen or Justin...they all are helping me bring my sexy back) I finally finished about 45 minutes later. Mind you, this was all on the treadmill(the treadmill said 42 min but that doesn't count my frequent stopping). It was a tough run - thought my knee was going to tear apart and I can barely get up and down the stairs today but I did it - it's behind me.

Sunday

3 miles...no big deal. I was sore from yesterday. I was VERY tired...9 hours of sleep overnight yet I felt as though I could've used more. My run was slow and almost relaxing, I enjoyed it but felt good knowing it was behind me. I spotted a baby gator in the pond behind our house though...they seem so harmless when they're that small - but I know better. I've got to get serious about working on my speed so that I can outrun a frisky one - forget all that "zig-zag" running nonsense! :) I will embrace my day off tomorrow.

Noah's party ..should I or shouldn't I?

I ran that day...the day when I claimed I would take the day off. I ended up running only 3 miles and they whooped me. Today, I surprised myself again by running. I know, I'm supposed to be committed to my training but today was Noah's birthday party...a big deal in my world. I was up until 2AM and then woke around 630AM - feeling decent so I figured there was no reason not to run. I did...all 7 of my miles, plus a little extra to impress myself I suppose. I felt it though, my muscles were tired and although I was doing fine during the party and into the afternoon...here now that it's 930Pm...I'm ready to hit the hay. Let's see how my 3 miler tomorrow goes. It's 3 miles, right?

Being Olivia

I am who I am. I rarely pace myself...I'm more like a tornado than a hurricane (sorry dad). There is an endless list of things that I should do to better myself, learning to follow a plan and pace myself is one of them. Today I am not going to do my 5 mile run due to a combination of exhaustion and a nagging pain in my left knee. I felt fine as soon as I woke up but within an hour (I had Sela awake at 6AM and couldn't take off with everyone else sleeping since I didn't want to have to push a stroller for 5 miles) I was feeling rough. Hopefully I didn't get the cold my mother in law is fighting while I was over there yesterday. I'm taking today and tomorrow to rest. Saturday morning before Noah's party or Saturday evening I will take some "me" time and finish my week strong.

What day are we on?

I did not do Sundays run...I had good intentions to take the day off in order to start a new week a day early. This did not happen, so I'm going to do my best to stay on schedule. That in itself is a difficult task. I used to think that it was a cop out when people failed to make race goals due to time issues. Today, as a wife and the mother of 3 young kids, with 2 businesses run out of our home...I accept that excuse for them...yet still not for myself. So this is how things have been going with my training.
Tuesday I got a wild hair and decided to bike 15 miles - but got my route all confused and ended up biking only 10. I felt good, came home for a drink and headed out for my 5 mile, scheduled run. I was whooped by the time I was done. I recuperated by laying out and swimming...and by night fall I had fully transformed into a lobster. I was crispy...not as in delicious Krispy Kreme but as in toast. Not good. I went ahead and did the weight training and ab work suggested by my brother and training partner Jason & my husband Rob around 8:30 after the kids were in bed.
Honestly this is harder than I thought. The workouts are awesome...I love the workouts but the time requirement is tough. I'm committed to not only running the 1/2 with Jason...but doing great.
Today - I ran my "easy" 2 miler with Caleb in tow and Chevelle (my sassy black lab) to keep me motivated. I didn't time myself but it was awesome...early around 730am and quick...about 12 or 13 minutes. I felt great. I'm looking forward to tomorrows 5 mile run again. No biking before hand though.

Day 6

I am pleasantly surprised at how good I felt all during and after my 7+ run this morning. I wish I had chosen to run further or faster- knowing now that I can do it no problem. Not much to say about this run...it's a good day!

Days 3 & 4

I realized Wednesday that I was off on the training calendar because I started a day early. My run on Wednesday was uneventful aside from the air being so thick that I was dripping wet with sweat from an "easy" 3 mile run. Today I decided to start training on my bike - I rode a little over 10 miles and loved it. I have a new found respect for cyclists...my quads and shoulders are sore. I had a hard time walking back down stairs after my shower! I didn't' run today - the kids were giving daddy a hard time while I was on the bike so I felt a stronger calling to be helpful than selfish and continue to workout. I am definitely going to keep working on biking - I averaged a 4 minute mile today. I don't have a set goal yet but I know that when I do my first sprint tri - I want to be at the top of the finishers rather than the bottom.

Day 2

I ran my 5 miles this morning between 8-9AM. My time was right at 45minutes. I have a lot to work on but it's nice to know where I stand. I was tired but feel good now that I'm showered and rehydrated. I did 2 laps of 2.5 with a lot of sprints on the way back...I forgot about them until the second 2.5 loop but made up for it. I felt really good when I was running all out but when I'd slow back into my "comfortable" pace I felt like it was rough on my body. I'm looking forward to a easy 3 tomorrow. I wish I had a training partner here in town though.
I'm also going to keep track of my weight for now too. I want to lean out while I'm training...my goal is to be 115. Today I'm at 122 before my shower but after my run, swim & drinking my Post workout Recovery shake, fiber drink and a bottle of water. Watch me melt away over the next 2 months - no-one will ever believe that I am the mother of 3! :)

Day 1

Monday July 2, 2007

Today was a rough start. I'm on day 2 of an Herbal Cleanse so my energy is down. In my first attempt to run this morning I couldn't get out of the gate of our gated community. The gate literally wouldn't open and I waited 5 minutes for a car to come through...but the gate never moved. We only live about 1/10 of a mile from the gate but just the walk to and from, along with the wait, I was sweating and the dog was overheating. I got down on myself and wound up engrossed in housework before I actually put in my miles for today.
I ended up running on the treadmill on an 5% incline at 7.5 mph for the first 3/4 of each mile and went up to 12% incline at 9.5 mph for the last 1/4. Total running was 3.1 m in 24 minutes. I was super disappointed in myself today b/c I felt every step of my run. Due to my poor planning, the kids (Noah & Caleb) interrupted me so many times I don't think I ran even 1 mile continuously. I have higher hopes for tomorrow and a new schedule to go along with it.
I'm looking forward to feeling good about my run tomorrow!