Bullet list update

Its been a long time since Ive written a post. I often think of posts while Im out on a run but the actual sitting down, uninterupted, to write them hasnt been happening. So Im going to update via bullet list with short bits of whats been going on around here, in no particular order.

--On the weight loss front, Im not doing so well. I have been losing and regaining the same 2 lbs over and over. Part of it, is not having the same urgency as I did when I was heavier. Im okay with being at this weight, overall I like how I look. And the other part, is now that Im at a lower weight, I no longer have the leeway room I once did. I used to be able to overeat on the weekends and pull it together during the week. It doesnt work so neatly now.On a positive note -- Im not gaining more than flucuation weight.

-- My son's cross country team won all conference in their division!!!! I was so proud of the whole team. I had the honor of witnessing that race and it was a really proud moment. I enjoyed watching the boys trying to calculate scores and figure out if they pulled it off this year. Last year they missed 1st place by 2 points. I also enjoyed watching the coach remind his players to be humble -- do you know how hard it is to keep teenage boy enthusiam down? Almost the entire varsity team scored personal bests in that race.

-- 3 of my sons ran cross country this year. My eldest, J, loves to run and lives for cross country season. He scored his personal best at the all conference meet with a time of 18:38~! My 2nd son, N, does not enjoy running, although is is pretty decent at it. So he joined to earn the software, I bribed him with, to get him to try the season. He also had the poor luck of fracturing his foot, so he was out most of the season. Im pretty sure, N, does not intend to return next year. My 3rd son, Z, is somewhere in between. He did well this season and worked hard. He has a good friend on the team and is pondering coming back next year.

-- The varsity team has one more meet of the year. They have sections tommorrow and J is very excited!

--I have been running. After getting back on my feet after my surgery, I started training for my 5k race on Nov 14. I will be running the Chaska Turkey Trot again this year. Its sentimental to me, as this was the first race I did, after completing Couch to 5k. I am currently using the smart coach tool, from runners world, and doing training with that. It generally consists of an easy short run, speedwork and a long run. My goal for this race is 27:00 or less. I think this will be particularly challenging as my last race this summer was 28:15. This course is particulary hilly and it will be colder. Who knows-- all I can do is try!

-- I have been trying to do negative splits on some of my runs. I was very excited when I did it on a 6 mile run! Its challenging to run slow enough to keep up enough stamina to finish each mile faster.

--On one run, I started thinking about running a half marathon. I started thinking of the scenario of my eldest son(who would have finished way ahead of me) coming alongside me and encouraging me to finish at a 9 minute mile pace. All of a sudden, I look down at my Garmin to find I was running a 9 minute pace at that moment. It really showed me the power of the mental battle of running.

--Mr. F has not been running. I am hoping that if he does not chose to return to running, that he will find some other form of exercise to incorporate into his life such as biking or karate or something. He is moderatly trying to watch his food intake. I am still hoping he will find his way back to the journey of getting healthy

--While Im not always eating well lately, I have been keeping steady on my training. Im slated for 58 miles this month. I had an original goal of running 500 miles this year -- it doesnt look like I will reach that. Right now, I have run 339.1 miles this year. I am extremely proud of that! My longest distance of running at one time has been 8 miles!

--After I complete my 5k race in November, I hope to start working on increasing my mileage base. Right now Im running about 14-15 miles a week. Then in January, start training for a half marathon in april or may. Ive had people say, well you have run 8, you can run 13.1. Im not sure I feel that confident yet. If I can run 10, then I think I can do a half. I am excited though to start training for it. I like running distance moreso than shorter runs.

-- I now have run in all 4 season and by far, I love running in the fall the best. The crunch of the leaves, the crisp weather all combines to an excellent running experience. Perhaps, too, its because I started running the fall in the beginning.

-- Last year, in the town over, they had a thanksgiving day race. Im really hoping they do that again this year. I really would love for my whole family to either walk it or run it.

-- Scale is looking kinder this week. Im hoping, I can keep my eating under control and finally get past this hump.

-- This post is dedicated to my friend, Nikki, who lovingly asks every week, when are you going to blog again. After all, she needs something to read at work!

Thats all for now folks
Keep on running,
Mrs. F