10 miles!!!

I did it! I ran 10 miles this morning! This 193lb, 33 year old woman did it!!! I got up at 4 and then left at 5am. I am thankful for having my own coach that lives with me! I couldn't do it without Blake. He gets up with me and gets me all ready to go. It takes most of the nerves away!

Last Sunday I ran 8 and I was tired but it felt pretty easy. This week my legs felt like I my thighs were made of stone! It started at mile 6. I really didn't know if I would physically do it. Mentally I would NOT let myself stop, even though I really really wanted to! My fear was that if I did stop, that I would not be able to finish.

I realized I have NEVER EVER purposely put myself through that much pain! But I also realized I was mentally stronger than I ever realized. And during this last month, that is something I needed to realize!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband and that he is my best friend. I have three beautiful girls that are so sweet and loving! I am grateful for all I have!

I DID IT!!!!!

P.S. Next week is 12! Ahhhhhh:)

Wow what a run!

So I haven't been feeling very good lately and I have had a sore hip. Tuesdays run was better than Sundays because my hip hurt less and I was 30 sec per mile faster. Today's run was a tempo run. I was supposed to run one mile warm up, run 3 miles @11:53 and run 1 mile cool down.

I started out ok. The first two miles are the hardest for me. Then I got in a groove and felt great! I ran as fast as 11:48. I was so happy! Plus my hip didn't hurt! Yay!!!!! And it was 60 degrees. Even better!

So I didn't cool down at the end, I just kept going until I got home. I really felt good and the run was awesome! I never thought I would be here after having Faith 3 months ago! I am so proud of myself!

8 miles

Today I ran 8 miles. I ran 8 miles one time with Blake last year. My experience this time was very different! 1. Blake was at home with the girls. 2. I have a sore hip that made it so I couldn't run like last Sunday. 3. I still did it!

Last year I would have used my sore hip as an excuse not to run. This year I am training for the San Fransisco half marathon and I only have 4 weeks left to train! No excuses and I want & need to run as many miles as I can before the marathon!

Besides the pain and being a whole minute slower than I was last week, I enjoyed my run. I enjoy the time to myself. It helps me to feel good & the only thing I have to worry about is making to the end. All of life just pauses until my run is over.

I am proud of myself for running. It is not something many people do or even want to do. I would never have thought in December of 2008 that I would have had a baby and 16 weeks later I would be running a half marathon!!!

I could never have gotten to this point without my family! I love Blake, Emma, Sara & Faith so very much!

7 miles

Today I ran 7 miles. It has been a year since I have done that! I distinctly remember running it. I ran by myself while Blake drove and gave me water and Gatorade at stops.

The biggest thing I remember though is how I felt about running! Last year I ran and I don't think I ever enjoyed it. I knew I needed to and I loved the sense of accomplishment after I ran. Blake ran with me a couple of times and he was so sweet it help me but I wasn't nice at all. It was hard and I couldn't talk, I just had to focus.

My run today was very different. I wasn't nervous about the run. I really can say I enjoyed it. I even felt like I could have chatted along the way! Faith was born 11 weeks ago and I am already up to 7 miles. The farthest I ever ran was 8 and it was pure torture. But i can't wait to run 8 next week.

I really don't know what changed other than having Faith. But I am glad it did. I may not be fast but I can say I am a runner! My average pace was at 12:38. That is awesome because I want to run my first half in San fransisco in 2hr 45 min. And 12:45 is the pace! So excited! I am already there so maybe I will be faster in 5 weeks!

San Fransisco half

I have been runnig again for 6 weeks. I have been doing pretty well! Last Sunday I ran 5 miles and I felt good. The miles are good I just want to be faster, and that will come with time!

So I thought I might do the San Fransisco 5k, but that is only 3 miles and I do that all the time! Blake and I talked and I decided to do the San Fransisco half marathon! 13.1 miles. I only have 5 weeks to train! I am excited but very nervous at the same time! I don't actually run 13.1 before I run the half, so that makes me a bit apprehensive. And I won't have anyone I know running with me. But it will be good. On July 25th 8:30am pacific time I will be on my way!

I am lucky to have my own personal running coach! He's awesome and I couldn't have a better one! Thanks Blake for pushing me and encouraging me. I love you!

5 miles

Blake and I have figured out a schedule since I start my training soon! My long run days will be Saturday. It gets so hot we both can't run on the same days.

So Sunday morning I decided I would run 5 miles. I have been feeling good, so I have been pushing up my miles! I felt pretty good. I felt like I could have run for miles! My time was 1hr 7min. 13.00 pace! Awesome!

June 12

4 years ago today, I had our Sara Victoria Jones! The only good thing about that day was that Sara was born! That Sara is a fighter!

I can't believe that she is already 4. Sara is independent, loving & kind.... When she wants to be! She an be mean, and sweet all at the same time! I love that she remembers all the words to song she has just heard! I love her hugs and her kisses! She loves to play princess, and the next minute she wants to go play in the mud with rocks. Sara can say some off the wall things, and Blake & I look at each other to figure out where she came up with it! Sara is hillarious and makes us laugh!

Today her dad is racing a half marathon in honor of Sara's birthday! We get to go see him run! We are also going to the carnival! Thanks daddy for being a great example to us by running! It has truly changed all of our lives for the better!