It's Almost Go Time! And Tapping Some Creative Energy!

Two More Sleeps until the big race! Taper week really hasn't driven me crazy like I know it does to some of you.  I've enjoyed the decrease in miles, more time with my family, and not having to take off to go to the gym right when my husband gets home.  I do think the lower miles has affected my mood some. And is it normal to get sick the week of the marathon?  Because I've been fighting a cold all week.  I woke up this morning with all kinds of grossness.  But I'm not freaking out.  Just taking vitamin C, drinking lots of water, and staying calm about the whole thing.  


I figure that taper week is a good time to tap into my creative energy, do some reflection and get my mind focused on my goals.  And you know what that means for Runninghood...Bring out the journals!  I have not posted a lot about my running journal lately. In fact, I have not been in much of the journaling/creative mood lately either.  I know for awhile there I was including my running journal, personal journal, marriage journal, kids journals, etc. in almost every post.  Some of you enjoyed it and were inspired by it and some of you just said "your journals make me dizzy".  

My Running Journal!

Today's "Get Focused" Collage

Some Mantras I'm focusing on!

Hopefully this will help me kick this cold!

Just about to head out for this workout

Taper Week is so nice!

Signs from my kids!

My sweet 4 year old was so proud of this!  Hard to see but so special!

Ready!

Set....

Go!  Unfortunately I have to wait until Race Day to open this but I know that whatever it is will be the perfect and "just right" something to see before I race.  Thanks Dear Friend.  

1. I announced the winners of the Kara Goucher book this morning.  Angela, you have no blog or e-mail for me to contact you.  If I don't hear from you in 24 hours from when I posted then I'll be moving on to the runner-up!  Hope you read this!  


2.  It's Go Time!  I'm feeling excited to get everything done that needs to be done before we head out but I'm in a good spot!  Thanks for your e-mails and words of encouragement!  


3.  Do you keep a journal of any kind?  Does it help you get your mind focused and clear?  What do you use it for?   

Amanda

First-time Burpee Video. My Attempt to Join the Contest Last Minute.

My arms are shaking and I'm still breathing hard after my first attempt at these things called Burpees.  Heard of them?  If not then you'll have to check out my video of my attempt to see how many I can do in 2 minutes.  You see, I'm always up for a challenge but I'm not always good at remembering things.  This Burpee contest has been circling the blogosphere for some time now and it ends today!  Yup, so I decided to wait until I am slightly injured, ran 8 miles yesterday and 12 today to try my first burpees.  Smart woman!  My very first video was 34 seconds and I did 10.  I decided to be a total puss and throw the towel in but then my competitive side told me to give it another go.  Second attempt is in this video below.  I think I did 20 in 1 min and 10 seconds.  When did I become such a quitter?!  What?! Who stops with 30 seconds to go?!  I need to go give myself a firm talking to and hopefully get control over this slacker attitude before it ruins me! I could have fit in at least another 10 in 50 seconds!  Good grief.   Ha, hope you enjoy the video.  At least I tried. Please look past the glasses and greasy, ready for bed look (besides the fact that I threw on some athletic clothes). Just keeping it real.  Thanks for the inspiration Katie and Running Wannabe.  You rock!    

Don't pay attention to what I'm talking about in the beginning.  I think it is something about doing 10 in 30 seconds already...blah blah blah.  But partway into it, my 3 year old gets in on the action with me.  So fun!

Some random things in the Running Hood here at Runninghood:
*  I've been posting like a fool so you might have a hard time keeping up.  I posted about my new favorite running bra.  I love it so much!  I just might have to wear it for everything...running, swimming, normal wear.  It is awesome!  


*  I really think I notice a difference with how I feel when I take this Udo's oil.  Seriously.  And I believe all the research I read about it.  


* Ice baths are NECESSARY!  They are so wonderful in how they help me recover faster after a long or hard run.  I've felt great all day!


*  Thank you so much for your Podcast suggestions.  Why have I never tried podcasts before?  It is a perfect world...long run or easy run + and interesting podcast means that i can learn, laugh, be entertained and keep myself from running faster than I should!  Loved it.  I flipped through some spiritual stuff, attempted a sermon, marathon talk, NPR, a Jeff Galloway Interview on walking breaks...hmmmm, not so sure I agree but interesting. This will be another blog post.  
  
*  I will add to that podcast post and include it in my running advice section of my blog for your reference if you are needing a good podcast to listen to on your next easy or long run or hey, if you're not a runner, maybe just for when you want to chill out!  


*  Running journals!  I am so excited to hear from so many of you about your running journals that you are starting!  yay!  I can't wait to see them!  


*  Speaking of journals, I have had a few blog readers ask me about the different kinds of journals I write so I plan on doing a post on that soon.  I keep a personal journal, marriage journal, running journal, and I write to each of my kids in their own journal (which includes other things).  Oh, and Kovas suggested that maybe I start a bathroom journal.  He's on to something there but I have to okay it with my agent before I mention it on my blog any further. 

*  12 miles today.  I tried to keep all my miles 8 or slower. Average 8:38 pace. Just where I wanted to be.  Felt solid.  A little bit of pain but my ice bath helped a ton!

*  Day off of running tomorrow but I have a Chiropractor appointment.  I'm going back for more Graston therapy.  I don't have enough bruises already.  Joy!  
* This week in running.  Might not go as planned.  Will listen to my body and plan accordingly.  

1.  Anyone have the day off tomorrow for President's Day?  


2.  Did you do anything wonderful and exciting this weekend?  I know that some of you ran races!  I'm so happy to hear about all the positive race reports from this weekend. Go check out AM's PR at Running, Tri-ing and Living. 

 Amanda

The Voice From Within. And Guess What?

I've written a lot about the mind of a runner lately and the mental, emotional, and reflective aspects of running.  I've posted about:
* The Mind of a Runner...What you think about when you run 
*  Creating Running Journals to inspire, motivate and reflect 
*  What you tell yourself to get yourself through the toughest of workouts and how we feel when we've pushed ourselves
* Why We Train and things that get us motivated, inspired and pumped up!

I believe that the mind is more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend.  As an athlete, I'm constantly working to stay mentally focused on my goals and dreams.  I'm doing what I can to believe in myself as a runner, visualize myself doing great things and having the right mental focus to push myself to new heights in my workouts and races.

Recently, as most of you know, I've started a running journal.  It is a place for me to record my goals, workouts, reflections, highs, lows, pictures that inspire and motivate me, photographs, racing stories, things I eat and how they affect my performance, etc.  It  has already become a powerful piece to my training and it serves a wonderful purpose for my personality and thinking style. I LOVE IT!

 During my workout today, the coolest thing happened and I wasn't aware of how awesome it was until I was finished with my run.  In the middle of my 5 miles I was trying to hold on to around a 7 or low 7 min mile pace for a couple of miles.  This pace, in addition to pushing myself for 2 min fartleks at around 6:18-6:30 pace, was definitely making me work.  On my last mile, I stuck with a 7:15-7:30 pace even though I was tired and just wanted to stop.  With about a quarter mile to go, I realized that my voice from within was repeating a power phrase over and over.  In fact, I might have been almost whispering it.  I was so focused on keeping my pace that I must have been repeating the phrase for awhile.  This was mantra for today:

"It's gotta get harder before it gets easier!"

I guess the coolest thing about this is that my inner runner voice was giving me just what I needed to hear!  When I finally heard myself, I felt strong and capable.  I believed in myself and knew that I was right.  In order for 7 min mile pace to feel like my base pace again, I need to spend more time running 7's and sub 7's for longer periods of time.  My workouts will get harder before this pace can seem easier!   I Believe!  Love the Power of a good Mantra!  This will be a great one to get me through my training!

I really think that these motivational collages I made from my Athleta catalog are serving a wonderful purpose too.

Last night at the gym, I was visualizing strength, focus, and determination to go along with strong arms to get me to muster up enough courage to do some pull ups.  I used to do pull ups all the time.  I had no reservations about getting up there with the men at the gym and doing 7 or 8 proper pull ups but since having kids, I've been kind of shy about the whole thing.  Besides the occasional attempt on the monkey bars at the park, I usually don't do them.  But I had my journal with me at the gym and I was jotting down my stats from my run and I saw these pictures.  I got myself up there and did 4 strong pull ups!  Hoping to get back to 7 or 8 and then 10 by the end of the summer!  

Oh, and Guess What?

Yes, that's right!  My BFF Jenny (in the picture with me above from Hood To Coast 2002) called me up and asked if my husband and I would want to be on a Hood To Coast Team with her and her husband and some of their family!  Uh, YES!  This is the first year since kids that I've wanted to do this race again.  My last time was in 2004 when I was just pregnant with my firstborn.  Since then, sleep has been WAY TOO PRECIOUS.  Even Hood To Coast didn't sound good if it meant giving up sleep.  I'm so excited for this year!

Happy Valentine's Weekend!  My husband and I get a date tomorrow night to go over to a friend's house and then we have a babysitter planned for Monday night!  

What are you doing this weekend or for Valentine's?  

Please share creative date ideas if you have any.  I'm wanting to plan something simple, inexpensive but special for my husband on Monday!  I would love some inspiration!


P.S:  As many of you know, I am very supportive of chiropractic care and how it can greatly help you as a runner.  I'm also a fan of supporting my friends and my friend Dr. Nicole Murphy is the owner of Whole Life Chiropractic.  If you are in the Kansas City area or even if you are not, please consider becoming a facebook fan of Whole Life Chiropractic or going for a visit if you live near.  Check it out:  Whole Life Chiropractic. Thank you!

Amanda