You can focus on all that discourages you OR you can focus on what encourages you.

Discouraging things can come in the form of huge things – like a close family member getting diagnosed with breast cancer OR they can come in the form of little things – like your fully charged garmin going blank and dying as you walk out of the house at 4:55am.

Encouraging things can be big – your grandfather is doing well on dialysis and is feeling better OR in the form of small things – fitting in to a pair of running shorts that you haven’t been able to get on in over a year.

Some of us are able to easily move past discouraging things and focus on those that encourage, for others of us it is a daily battle to focus on all the positive and not let the ONE little thing wrong with your day overpower you.

This morning as I was walking out of the house my fully charged garmin unexpectedly died. I tried to use the Map My Run app on my phone for the first time and failed at that. It was 71 degrees and humid at 5am. My legs felt heavy on my run and I questioned how I can feel great one day running and miserable the next.

I came back from my run a little more tired than normal but REALLY happy.

Today I am focusing on the fact that I was able to get on a pair of running shorts that I haven’t worn in a year. I almost donated said shorts, and 5 others just like them, because I told myself that I was never going to get back what use to feel normal, so why even keep them in my closet. Running in shorts felt so freeing this morning compared to my capris that I run in to hide my legs.

Miles graduates from preschool tonight. A preschool graduation seemed like a silly thing to me, until I saw how excited it has made him. He has been non-stop talking about it for a week. Can’t wait to see his big smile and little wave tonight when he sees us in the pew watching him graduate.

I’m going to be recording my first podcast with Dimity and Sarah of Another Mother Runner today. This scares the crap out of me – I don’t like my own voice and having 30+ minutes of me recorded talking about running doesn’t sound like anything anyone would want to listen to. I’m embracing my fear and telling myself that even if my own sister is the only one who listens to it then it was worth the time.

I am focusing on the fact that my husband booked a last minute beach trip for us to the Outer Banks and we leave in 4 days. This time next week I will be laying on a beach {or going for a run} on the lovely shores of North Carolina. I feel MOST at home at the beach. I pray when I am old and grey that I live near the beach. I can already imagine the pitter patter of little grandchildren running all around my future beach house.

I know this day may throw some more discouraging things at me, they may be big or they may be small, but I am making a conscious CHOICE today to focus only on those things that encourage me and make me happy.

What will you choose today?

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When people ask me what I do for a living or what I enjoy I typically say – all things running – which makes sense to me but maybe not to them. I do love all things running. There are parts I obviously love more than others but really I love it all.

Every year I am on a special committee that volunteers at the ACLI Capital Challenge race in DC. While working at Moving Comfort I had the privilege of meeting some pretty awesome men and women who have contributed to the sport of running in more ways than I could even begin to count, or relay to you. One of those people is Jeff Darman, the race director of the Capital Challenge. Jeff knows that I am one of the biggest running geeks around so a couple of years back, rather than hiring someone to pick up the special *running* guest for his race he asked me if I wanted to taxi them from the airport to their hotel. The race guest that year was Meb Keflezighi.

In subsequent years I’ve gotten to pick up Bart Yasso, Dick Beardsley and Meb and his brother again. The day I get to pick up the special guest and the following day, when I volunteer at the race, truly are two of the most fun days out of the year.

This years guest is Ryan Hall and this time not only am I picking him up and taking him to his hotel – I’m also staying at the hotel and driving him to the race tomorrow morning. For a non runner this is NO BIG DEAL, but to me it’s HUGE. Let’s pretend that runners are celebrities, because in my eyes they are. Imagine you had to pick up a singer or actor and drive them around! You would be EXCITED. Now you know how I feel right now. Nervous, excited, and praying I don’t get lost taking him to the race in the morning.

Then as if this week wasn’t already REALLY great – Saucony asked me to come lead the group run at the Fit Blog Event that Fitness Magazine is hosting on Thursday. The run says you get to run with a special Saucony athlete. I have joked that I am not special but I do consider myself an athlete. Either way I’m excited to be asked to lead the run and even more excited to meet some awesome fitness and running bloggers!

I leave Thursday morning for NYC and will be back on Friday. Last time I was in NYC was for the Women’s Running Cover shoot. I swear I love that city! I’m praying I get to sneak in some time to see some of my friends from high school and college who live up there! {have I used enough exclamation points in this post?}

Oh and to make the week EVEN better, I won an entry into a local 5K this weekend. So Saturday morning you can find my tired legs at a race with the best family a girl could ask for.

I’d say this week is going to be pretty AWESOME!!!

**If you have little kids you know it takes a village and a very patient family to make weeks like this week possible. I’m so very thankful that I am surrounded by people who believe in my dreams and help me make them come true!

Are you attending #fitblognyc – did you sign up for the Saucony run? What would you ask Ryan Hall if he was in your car today?

Want to follow along with my adventures this week? Be sure to follow me on twitter and instagram!!

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Race Location: Leesburg, VA

Race Date: 4.27.13

Race Website: http://www.runmehome.com/

Results: http://prracing.racebx.com/files/results/4d9205ce-7a0c-46c1-8929-4f56c0a86522/5109864b-99b4-4ca8-9140-1841c0a86524/2013%20Run%20Me%20Home%20overall.htm

Parking: Plenty of parking located at Catoctin Elementary or Loudoun County Highschool

Photos: Free photos from a couple of different local photographers

Eric and I decided race morning to sign up for this local 5K. My mother-in-law came over to watch my kids and bring them out on course to cheer us both on. Race morning the entry fee was $30. I wasn’t very excited about paying $60 for the both of us for a local 5K. I decided it was about being together and hanging out so I shouldn’t worry about the cost. We both ended up winning random prizes which more than made up for the entry fee.

The race website describes this 5K as flat and fast. It was neither in my opinion.

I hadn’t planned on racing so Thursday before the race I had done 90+ minutes of spin that had included a 60 minute class that really focused on climbing. My quads were toast come race morning – definitely a race for *fun* and not a race for time for me.

The first mile started out down hill and ran from Catoctin Elementary School in towards historic Leesburg. Before you entered the historic area you made a left on to the W & OD Trail. Race pictures on the website show historic Leesburg, you do not run where those pictures are taken.

The next mile was uphill for the entire mile. I had looked the map, but not close enough to realize that this was the 2nd mile or I would have passed on the race. The third mile was downhill for the majority of the 1st half with an uphill finish back towards the school. There were no course marshals {that I saw} at any of the turns though if you were behind others it was fairly easy to follow the person ahead of you {assuming they knew where they were going}. At the turn around point on the W & OD there was a volunteer standing there but no cones to indicate where exactly to turn around. I also don’t remember seeing any mile markers along course. I really don’t understand why these little details were not taken care of. I know that small local races are not as smoothly run as big races, but in my opinion if you are going to charge $30 for a 5K you should at the very least have course marshals and mile markers, as well as cones at the turn around. The timing was done by Potomac River Running and it was flawless. I can pretty much assume that what is on my Garmin is what my final time is on the race clock, when they are handling the timing.

Mile 1: 6:14

Mile 2: 7:05

Mile 3: 6:47

Mile .14: 6:26 avg

Average 6:42 – 21:00.18 {Garmin} – 20:57 Gun Time

Top two women got cash prizes, I was third. I was a tad bummed but couldn’t be upset with myself considering how my legs felt. Eric and I stuck around for the awards ceremony because I had placed 1st in my age group. We both ended up winning random prizes – he won $50 to a dog store {we gave this to my MIL for helping us out by watching our children} and I won an entry into another local 5K as well as a gift certificate for a massage.

The random prizes were CRAZY. More than I’ve seen at any other race and REALLY good ones that were worth $100+. How they chose the people who won was VERY shall we say – interesting. The announcer would ask a question and you would raise your hand with the answer and he would pick you. Not exactly the most fair way of deciding. Of course I was happy Eric and I both won something but in hindsight it was sort of ridiculous that we both won something when other families got nothing. You also could win even if you didn’t run the race?! The whole process was bizarre to me. They could have sold raffle tickets for $1 – $5 and raised even more money for their cause. I gladly would have paid money to try and win some of the awesome prizes.

The race proceeds went to a good cause but I couldn’t help but feel like they would be raising MORE money for their cause if the race was better run.

Eric and I had a great morning and it appeared that everyone else was having a great time too. Maybe I’ve turned in to a race snob, because I’ve run so many, but I just expected more from a race that cost $30. I have read two other blog race reviews and both ladies loved the race and had no complaints, so I guess it’s different for everyone.

Would I run the race again? Maybe. It’s local and the money goes to a good cause so I would consider it.

Did you run the Run Me Home 5K? What did you think?

What do you think is a reasonable price for a local 5K?

Are you a mother runner who wants to run Ragnar Relay? Check out the contest on Another Mother Runner’s website to win a spot on their team — http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/03/31/ragnar-relay-contest-team-dimity-vs-team-sarah-in-the-ultimate-mother-runner-showdown/

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Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb! Today’s deals include running shoes from various brands!

• Invite link here — http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/DorothyBeal

Race Location: Reston, VA

Race Date: 5.12.13

Potomac River Running Race Website: http://prracing.racebx.com/events/

Results: http://prracing.racebx.com/files/results/4d9205ce-7a0c-46c1-8929-4f56c0a86522/50bd6e7c-6de0-4a16-b533-523ac0a86524/2013%20Devotion%20Overall.htm

Parking: Plenty of parking located at Browns Chapel Park, short walk to race start. Stroller recommended if you have small children.

Photos: Free photos {this is an awesome perk of all PR Race Series races}

Mother’s Day was fantastic from start to finish. I’m fairly certain that any day that starts with a race is a good day. My husband and kids came out to watch me for this local 4 miler run on mostly main streets in Reston, Virginia.

The first three races I ran in 2013 were all miserable. The first one I ran was the Leesburg Rotary Resolution 10K - I was getting over the flu that had just had me in bed for a week. My average for the 6.2 miserable miles was 8:10. I can assure you this was my top speed on that day. Happy to have just finished that race I set my eyes on the Reston 10 Miler. I was again sick, didn’t feel like myself, and had sinusitis. Needless to say the race was miserable and I ended up taking on 6 more miles to make it my long run for the day that I should have ran instead of pushing my body in a race. My average for the race was a 7:17 per mile, which isn’t terrible, but it was a far cry from what I had wanted to run. Next up was B & A Marathon where I had the hopes of winning for a 3rd time. VERY soon in to the race I realized it wasn’t my day. By mile 12 I felt like I couldn’t breathe and wanted to quit. I was in first place for the first 20 milers of the race but couldn’t even manage to do anything other than r/walk the last 4.2 miles – I ran a 3:37 and finished 1st in my age group which again isn’t terrible, but no where near where I wanted to be on that day.

Having run three terrible races I started to feel discouraged about racing in general. I think there comes a time in the life of every runner where they ask themselves why am I doing this? For me, I know why I run, but sometimes I have to remind myself why I race. When you know you can complete the distance it becomes about time, and when you don’t see results from the work you are putting in, it can be very frustrating. I took some time off to try to figure out what was going on with some health issues I was having and started doing more spin and less running. Three weeks ago Eric and I decided last minute to sign up for a local race. I had done 90+  minutes of spin two days before the race, so my legs were in no shape to race, but that race ignited a small fire inside me. It reminded me that I LOVE racing. YES I love PR’s and running a personal record at a race is absolutely MORE fun than not running a PR, BUT running a race in general is still really FUN – PR or not.

When my sister asked me the following weekend if I wanted to run a 5K with her I said yes, even though I had run 13 miles that morning with a friend. Again, my legs were in no shape to run, but I had an amazing time and don’t regret running that morning, or signing up and running the 5K on dead legs.

This past weekend I was excited to finally run a race on legs that weren’t completely dead. My goal was to negative split and not go out too fast. Patience is one of the hardest elements of racing.

At the start line I felt out of place. I didn’t feel very speedy but at the same time I wanted to do well. I positioned myself at the front near my speedy friend Meghan even though I knew my finish time would be light years behind her. Right before the race took off I saw my friend Jeff {the local Saucony tech rep}. Seeing him reminded me that even though I wanted to run fast – this race was about having a good time on Mother’s Day and hanging out with friends and family. Always focusing on my time and getting caught up in self imposed pressure takes away from the fun of racing.

Mile 1: 6:54

In the first mile I set my eyes on three girls head of me I wanted to try and beat. The first girl I passed I usually see at every local race I run, she is always far ahead of me in the first mile or two but I always pass her {I think she goes out too fast IMO }. I was fairly confident I could pass her today. The other two girls I used to help pull me along. I didn’t need to sprint pass them, I just told myself to slowly get closer. Racing for me doesn’t begin in the first mile of a race. Races are typically determined in the last miles. It’s like in the marathon, it doesn’t matter what position you are in at mile 22. It matters where you are at mile 26. A lot can happen in those four miles that determine a good time from a time you aren’t happy with or where you place among the field.

I passed both girls by mile 2 and tried to drop down my speed with each subsequent mile.

Mile 2: 6:44

Mile 3: 6:37

Mile 4: 6:22

The course wasn’t easy. The first .2 or so of the first mile is downhill, then the course immediately goes uphill for the remainder of the first mile. The 2nd and 3rd miles are rolling hills, nothing too terrible but nothing that helps your speed. The last mile is uphill, then downhill, and then back uphill for the finish. Whatever you gain on the downhills makes up for what you lost on the uphills.

Overall I liked the race. I’m pretty sure it was my first 4 miler so my 26:48 was a PR. I would run this race again next year. It was extremely family friendly. Face painting, balloon creations, and donuts for the kids. If you wanted to you could run with a stroller and there was even a fun run that took off after the 4 mile race. There was a small playground right by the start finish line that kept many a little kid busy and the port-o-pottys were plentiful and close by {always an important factor IMO}.

I finished in 6th place for females and 1st in my age group – winning a $20 gift certificate to Potomac River Running Store.

I really had a fantastic time at the race and can’t wait for the next one {this coming weekend}.

Are you a mother runner who wants to run Ragnar Relay? Check out the contest on Another Mother Runner’s website to win a spot on their team — http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/03/31/ragnar-relay-contest-team-dimity-vs-team-sarah-in-the-ultimate-mother-runner-showdown/

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Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb!

• Invite link here — http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/DorothyBeal

Age: 29

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Running Blog: runblog.adamcondit.com

Running Homepage: run.adamcondit.com

Twitter: @adamcondit

Favorite Race Distance: Wow, this is tough actually as each race feels really different.  As far as the RACE itself, I really enjoy racing 5k – it’s intense, it’s fun, it’s quick, it hurts, and it’s short enough to race week in and week out if you really want to.  I’d say I enjoy marathon TRAINING more than other distances though as it’s truly a journey of self discovery and I feel I’m still a bit of a newbie and like the long term perspective and patience required to get things right.  It feels unbelievable clicking through longer tempo runs faster than I used to be able to race 5k races and I’m constantly learning more and more about nutrition, fueling, and all the other variables that’s associated with good marathon training.

How Many Marathons Have you Run: 6 full marathons: 2008 Philadelphia, 2009 Philadelphia, 2010 Marine Corps, 2011 Twin Cities, 2011 Marine Corps, 2012 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

PRs:

Running accomplishment you are most proud of: After a marathon debut 2:28:37 in 2008 I had trouble having the marathon click for me in the following years until I ran two marathons in the month of October in 2011: I finally ran another PR (2:27:20 – Twin Cities) and 28 days later placed 5th at Marine Corps Marathon (2:29:28) – both fairly honest and challenging courses.

Favorite Pre-Race Food:  Bananas and bagels with peanut butter for marathon race day

How do you find/make time to train: 90% of my training is alone in the morning before the sun is up.  I’m a morning person and love getting it done before the rest of the day starts and it’s really the only alone time I have.  When the weather is right, sometimes I’ll push my son in our running stroller – I get a lot of weird looks clicking off ~6:20/mile on our dirt trail, but my son LOVES the ride and sometimes giggles the whole time.  I’ve also been known to run to and from work once in a while when building good mileage in the summer and winter.  I keep a pair of shoes at work and shove all my work clothes in the tiniest backpack known to mankind – an old REI hydration pack without the reservoir. Sometimes I’ll rush my lunch break at work to get out and take a way-too-short non-effective non-soapy shower. 

If you could give one bit of advice to someone who wants to become a runner – what would it be:  Short answer:  Don’t force it … feel it.  Long answer:  Running is what you make of it.  Nobody except yourself should tell you what you should get out of running.  It doesn’t matter if you want to run in the Olympics, feel better about yourself, complete what you thought was previously insane, or simply just be more fit – it’s up to you to figure out what you want and go after it.  You’re going to have days  that you want to run forever and you’re going to have days you feel absolutely terrible, but overall, in the big picture of your physical, mental, and spiritual well being, running is great for you.  Don’t let running define you; let yourself define your running and how it best fits the lifestyle you want.  When starting out be very practical and conservative in those first seasons of fitness as you start to learn your body and what makes you happy when running.

What race are you currently training for?  I’m currently extending my marathon training from the Summer / Fall past my peak marathon race (Milwaukee Lakefront in October) to run my first ultra marathon on November 11th – Wildcat 50km trail run in Muscatine, IA.  I’ll be taking a low key approach to have fun, stay fit, and run through the woods for a few hours before taking off a lot more time when our 2nd baby is due in December.

What is your favorite race? The Marine Corps Marathon is an unbelievable event through the streets of DC with thousands of participants and spectators.  Before the 2011 event started I was in the front of the corral when the wheel chair participants started their race.  So many war veterans, young and old, still grinding away – giving it their all, despite the permanent injuries they now have was incredibly moving to me and a great reminder that nothing is certain and sacrifice in sport pales in comparison to true sacrifice elsewhere.

What’s the best thing that has ever come from your running? Without a doubt meeting my wife and the friendships I’ve acquired.  My wife and I both ran XC and Track and met in college and I was really good friends with her brother (also my best man), also on the team.  Our shared passion has helped us be active on vacations, travel for out of town races together, and take turns watching our kids when the other might be out for a long run!

What has Adam been up to lately? A solo Grand Canyon double crossing in April. Check out his blog post with video here >> http://wp.me/p2KlQt-C8

Ash – Arcadia – 151 BPM

Krewella – Alive – 128 BPM

The Band Perry – Done – 102 BPM

Daft Punk & Pharrell – Get Lucky – 116 BPM

Alex Gaudino & Mario – Beautiful – 128 BPM

Jonas Brothers – Pom Poms – 148 BPM

Will.I.Am & Justin Bieber – #thatPOWER – 129 BPM

Avril Lavigne – Here’s to Never Growing Up - 83 BPM

Paramore – Still into You – 137 BPM

Carly Rae Jepsen – Tonight I’m Getting over You – 126 BPM

If you haven’t yet seen the Saucony shoe medallions being sold to raise money for The One Fund check them out here — http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/04/bostonstrong-saucony-lace-medallions.html Unlike some other companies, Saucony is NOT taking a percentage of the purchase price or simply giving you a discount on something they would be selling regardless. 100% of the $5 purchase price is going to The One Fund.

To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com.  You can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era – to find the music that best fits with your workout!

What are your recent song favorites?

Interested in an I RUN THIS BODY Shirt? Check them out HERE —- http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

Mile Posts Blog is on:

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb!

• Invite link here — http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/DorothyBeal

* Run Hundred song list is posted with permission

Runners can purchase the #BostonStrong Lace Medallion for five dollars per pair. For every pair of medallions purchased, Saucony will donate 100% of sales to The One Fund Boston, established by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

I just ordered mine! If you would like to purchase one you can pre-order it at saucony.com now. Medallions will be available to ship within three to four weeks.

You can also go directly to onefundboston.org to make a donation.

My iron was a 14 and while my doctor {that I don’t care for and am no longer going to} believes this is perfectly normal because the range of normal is 10 – 291, I believe {through research and talking to other knowledgeable people in the medical/health field} it’s low for an endurance athlete. I’ve been taking iron supplements and trying to up my intake of foods that contain iron. I am also not talking about iron fortified junk {sorry if you believe that eating cereal with iron added in to it is good for you – I don’t}. I’m talking about whole foods that naturally contain more iron. I think both things are helping me feel less tired and hopefully my iron levels are going up.

My progesterone was borderline low. I suspected this was the case after talking to some friends who had the same issue. My doctor {who again I am no longer going to go to} thought it was ridiculous to have any of my hormone levels tested because according to her “they don’t matter.” According to me, they do matter, and I think others would agree. I’ve been using a progesterone cream and feel a world of difference in how I feel emotionally and physically. My thyroid levels were good, not too high, not too low, which was a relief.

My granulocyte percentage was low and my lymph percentage was high, I had to go back for more testing two weeks later to see if this had changed. Good news is that it’s back in the normal range so they think I was just fighting off something. Even though the doctor doesn’t think this is important I am going to continue to monitor it because from the research I have done it can indicate a possible auto-immune disease.

I’m also working on eliminating foods that are causing me problems. There are so many sneaky things in foods that you really have to be very proactive with knowing what you are eating. When I realized I had a gluten sensitivity I worked to eat less gluten and part of that was adding in gluten free processed foods because I just assumed they were healthy. It’s sort of like my former assumption that everything at Trader Joe’s is healthy or has to be good for you. NOT TRUE. Trader Joe’s may be on the healthier side than most change grocery stores but you still have to read labels to know what you are eating. Corn is the basis for many gluten free foods and guess what corn seems to bother my stomach and digestive system. It really has been eye opening seeing how many things I was eating that I thought was helping my stomach troubles but was actually making them far worse.

I’ve been eating more vegetables, less grains, and avoiding soy as much as possible. The soy part has proven harder than expected because not only did I have to kick my soy latte habit{April 12th was the last day I had one} but soy lecithin is in EVERYWHERE. I don’t mind it in trace amounts but I don’t want to be eating it at every single meal.

I’m also working on eating more protein, which for someone who up until recently didn’t really cook, this was hard also. Because of all the food changes I’ve been making we haven’t been eating out as much. I don’t miss it because I don’t miss the intense stomach pain that follows after. Our grocery bills have gone way up but I’m guessing we are actually saving money in the long run because of how much it was costing us to eat out a couple of times a week. I also feel better looking in our fridge and seeing whole foods rather than just quick things I can feed the kids. My mindset has changed from giving them foods to fill them up, to making sure they are getting the nutrients they need each day to grow and be the best they can be. This part has also been hard, they would much rather being eating something sugary, than something healthy. It’s my fault really…..I know I have an addiction to sugar and I passed it on down to them for the sake of convenience and time and also simply not having the knowledge of what is actually good and what companies have tricked you into thinking their stuff is healthy with creative marketing. {I will talk more about this later}

I still need to go have some allergy tests done that the ENT wanted. He said I have a deviated septum but it’s not so bad that he would want to operate on it. He said my throat is genetically deformed {I find this hilarious for some reason} and he thinks that I have chronic throat and sinus infections which is why I have a hard time breathing and why I also feel like I have a fog surrounding my head. He did say that after the allergy tests came back he would consider operating on my sinus’s to open them up – this way when I do have sinusitis there is room to swell and I will still be able to breath.

I bought the KP Duty a couple of you recommended and you weren’t kidding when you said it was expensive{I spent over $80 on 2 items}! Once I got home I realized it had parabens in it {http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben}. I know it may be crazy or paranoid or what not but I really am trying to eliminate unnecessary chemicals where I can. I took it back and went and got a natural sugar scrub from Target {J.R. Watkins Brand}. The scrub combined with some sun, and maybe some of the food changes, is helping it look and feel a little bit better.

Typing this out makes me realized that a lot has been going on in a short period of time!

For those of you who don’t care about the health stuff back to running. {I know my health information is boring/not relevant for most of you but I share this stuff in hopes that it will help someone else if they are struggling with feeling at war with their body}

Ran a 5K race with my husband on Saturday {race recap coming}. Was hillier than expected and probably not the best idea to attempt to race a 5K after 92 minutes of spin on Thursday BUT it was more about hanging out with him than it was really racing. It was his first race back since his knee surgery in 2010 and he came in 9th with an average of 7:22 per mile!!

Friday and Sunday were REST days. I hate rest days and love them. Since I’m not training for anything now I am trying to take more full days off a week to spend more time with my family or to just give my body a break from the years of non stop running. It’s hard mentally not to run since I have more energy on the days I do run, but it’s nice waking up and not running out of the door.

Monday I ran 8 miles in the rain. I normally LOVE running in the rain but cold, dark and rainy, isn’t as fun as a sunny summer downpour. I won’t complain though, because it was a run, and any run is good in my books. I decided NOT to look at my Garmin for any of the miles and just run what I felt was an even effort pace. Somewhere around mile 7.5 I realized I didn’t have enough time to make it home on time so I had to pick it up at the end. Many people have suggested to me to run with out a Garmin but I like hearing the little beep per mile even if I am not looking at what the pace is. I always run with my Garmin. I don’t find myself right now a slave to the paces it shows. I do most of my running on perceived effort and whatever the pace is for that day I accept it. The only time I really use the Garmin to know if I am running fast enough is when I am doing tempos. Then it’s a helpful tool that lets me know I need to pick up the pace.

• Mile 1: 8:51
• Mile 2: 8:08
• Mile 3: 8:05
• Mile 4: 8:05
• Mile 5: 8:03
• Mile 6: 8:03
• Mile 7: 7:44
• Mile 8: 7:24

1:04:30 – 8:03 average

This morning I had company for part of my run!!! I was able to get myself out of the house a little bit earlier knowing I was meeting someone. I think he said his marathon PR is a 3:09 and I’m sure his shorter distance PR’s are faster than mine which is AWESOME. I REALLY have been wanting to find people to train with that are faster than me {like my speedy running friend Meghan} who can help push me on runs when I would typically slack.

I had planned an easy run this morning – the run was not easy for me but I was REALLY glad when I was finished to have 10 miles sub 8 average on a Tuesday before the sun was up.

• Mile 1: 8:32
• Mile 2: 8:09
• Mile 3: 7:36
• Mile 4: 7:27
• Mile 5: 7:22
• Mile 6: 7:23
• Mile 7: 7:24
• Mile 8: 7:45
• Mile 9: 7:58
• Mile 10: 7:33

1:17:16 – 7:43 average

I always get asked about my early morning running and how I do it? Am I tired? Do I not want to get out of bed?

YES I am tired. YES I want to stay in bed. I KNOW though in my heart that every day I get up to run I feel better and that feeling alone is enough to motivate me to drag by tired butt out of bed. On days that it is particularly hard I remind myself how crappy my body and mind felt in college. I remind myself that being fit or staying in shape is not a destination you arrive at. You have to keep at it or it can slide away from you. I never want to return to the way I use to feel and that always gives me that extra push to lace up my shoes.

Have you entered the Believe I Am superwoman giveaway? Check it out here — http://www.believeiam.com/blogs/biablog/6970918-superwoman-giveaway

Are you a mother runner who wants to run Ragnar Relay? Check out the contest on Another Mother Runner’s website to win a spot on their team — http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/03/31/ragnar-relay-contest-team-dimity-vs-team-sarah-in-the-ultimate-mother-runner-showdown/

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su·per·wom·an (spr-wmn)

n.

1. A woman who performs all the duties typically associated with several different full-time roles, such as wage earner, graduate student, mother, and wife.

2. A woman with more than human powers.

As I sat down to reflect superwomen in my life the first ones who came to mind were the typical, my mother, my grandmother, and my sister. Followed by numerous friends, Amy, Sarah, Claire, Michelle, Meg, the list went on and on.

The longer I thought, the more names came to mind. What about Ellen and Elizabeth – the two founders of a women’s apparel company I once worked for. They started a company on their own in a men’s dominated sport and paved the way for women like me, they certainly are super women. I can’t forget Valerie, a former co-worker at that same company who recently overcame breast cancer all while being a great mom to her three sons, and running her own company. Instead of letting cancer bring her down, she welcomed the challenge to overcome it.

Clearing out the fray in my mind has opened up more room to focus on the positive people in my life. Those weeds in my mind were making it hard to see all the super women who surround me, but once the fray was gone, I couldn’t stop thinking of names. Names of women I know and see and names of women I only know virtually.

The more names I wrote down the bigger the smile on my face got. I realized I am literally surrounded on all angles by strong super women who inspire me every single day of my life to DREAM BIGGER and BIGGER.

One of my favorite quotes is:

“To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.”

When I think of this statement, my friend Ashley comes to mind.

Ashley is the god-mother to my daughter Chloe. She is the type of friend that comes over on her birthday to babysit so I can go for a run alone. She is the type of friend who offers to push my running stroller on a run, and doesn’t mind taking the uphill portion. She is the type of friend that you can call when you are in need and you know she will drop everything to be there for you. She isn’t just this type of friend to me. She is this person for every single one of her friends. She constantly gives of herself for others, all while raising her two children and keeping up with the demands of a hectic life.

For years my mother had a magnet on our refrigerator that said – Live to the point of tears. My friendship with Ashley brings me to the point of tears. She is the friend who wrote me a note before one of the most important marathons of my life that simply said – I BELIEVE IN YOU. She was that same friend that met me in the final miles of that race to run with me to help me get my first BQ. She talked me out of quitting and told me over and over again that I was strong and that I was going to qualify for Boston that day NO MATTER WHAT. When I relentlessly asked how many minutes I had left to get to the finish line and how many miles I had left to run – she answered the question each and every time with love – even if it was 60 seconds after I had asked her the same questions before.

She is MY SUPERWOMAN. Without her in my life I don’t think I would have had the courage to not give up on my dreams. When I need advice she is the person I turn to, for an honest answer. She makes me a better person.

I consider her my sister, sister in life, sister in sport and a true superwoman.

Surround yourself with superwomen. Let them lift you up.

Write a history of your life that makes you proud.

To enter – visit the Believe I Am blog and tell them who is a superwoman in your eyes! You’ve got until May 1st, 2013.

‘Tis the Superwoman season (Mother’s day is May 12th).We want to giveaway our “Strong” shirt and necklace to some very special Superwomen. Know any Superheroes that should be on a pedestal? I bet you do! We all know those special women in our life, the true super heroes. They do the self-less, thankless work, they are ones that raise energy of our environments with their compassionate work. We know their struggles, their fortitude, their courage to overcome, their generosity, their selflessness, their genius, and their strength. Many times our sisters (biological & non-biological) provide us with the strength to keep our heads up when times are rough. They have the ability to inspire us to follow our dreams and do more good in the world. Here is your chance to give them that “Shout Out” and nominate them – they’ll be entered in a draw to win our Super Pack! 

Believe I Am Blog: http://www.believeiam.com/blogs/biablog/6970918-superwoman-giveaway

Fine Print: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Pinch me.

Did that really just happen?

Kara is in Nashville this weekend for the Rock N Roll Nashville Marathon. She had a few moments to spare before a shake out run with around 400 Nissan employees {who will be running the race this weekend} and before her Race Day Tips Seminar at the Nashville Convention Center!!

If you are in Nashville for the marathon or half marathon Kara’s seminar is from 3-4 p.m., and then you can meet her at the Nissan booth and get her autograph from 4-5 p.m.!

If you are like me and are no where near Nashville here are a couple of things Kara will be sharing at today’s seminar.

• Be conservative in the early miles of the race. Go out slow and finish stronger.
• It’s okay to walk. The goal is to keep moving forward. Once you cross the finish line you will be changed. It doesn’t matter how you get to the finish line, just that you get there.

Here are a few of the things Kara and I chatted about. As you can tell I like to ask the very important questions {favorite color} that you won’t find on Runner’s World or another running website {wink}.

DB: Favorite color.

KG: Pink, definitely pink.

DB: What is your life mantra or race day mantra?

KG: I like to pick a new one before every race or training season. This year before Boston it was courage to believe.

DB: Since you bring up Boston do you think you will return there to race next year?

KG: I’m not sure I will go there next year but I am in no way deterred from racing there. I will run another Boston again.

DB: You and Shalanne have such a unique relationship and friendship. Last year I had the chance to talk to Shalane before Marine Corps Marathon and she said that both of you push each other to be better runners. On race day you are happy for each other but you both want to win. Since you ladies train together I would imagine that you both know each others strengths and weaknesses and could exploit that on race day. How do you also keep from getting jealous or letting what happens during a race NOT affect your friendship?

KG: I get asked this often. I do know her strengths and weaknesses but that doesn’t mean I can use it against her on race day. She likes to hurt early on, I don’t. I don’t like the pain. I can kick at the end, no matter the distance of the race, she can’t. It doesn’t mean that I want to hurt from the start of the race or that I plan on doing that. It also doesn’t mean that she will have that extra kick at the end of the race. Four years ago we weren’t close friends so maybe I would have seen what she had done and wished it was me, but now I love her. I want to win, but I really am proud of her, and she is of me. We joked that if one of us medaled at the Olympics we would cut it in half because it was half each of ours. We have a very strong respect for each other so we are able to celebrate each other. We also know that we want the same thing and that at the end of the day only ONE of us can have it.

DB: I think that’s true friendship when there is no hidden motives and when you can honestly say that you are happy for each other no matter who performs better on that day.

KG: I agree. I love Shalane!

DB: What do you think about while running?

KG: I’m usually with Shalane so we just chat away about whatever is going on in our lives. If I am by myself I let my mind wander, I’m usually thinking random thoughts – like what am I going to have for lunch!

DB: Are there any more kids in your future?

KG: I’d love to have another child but I will most likely wait until after I am finished competitively racing. It was much harder coming back to racing after having him than I thought it would be. Colt will be much older than any sibling he may have.

DB: How did you pick the name Colton? I have to share that I have a son named Colton too. My husband picked out the name before you had your Colton and I knew once I had my baby people would think I had named him after yours. My husband said I was crazy – that no one would make that connection – but sure enough – the day he was born I already had people telling me it was cute I named him after your Colt!

KG: You can tell them I stole the name from you!! I had about 50 girl names picked out and only 1 boy name before we knew we were having a boy, so my husband suggested we wait on names till we found out what we were having. Once we knew he was a boy – we liked the name Cole. One night I just said – I want to name him Colt. We decided to name him Colton but call him Colt! So really it was just a random turn of happenings as to why we picked that name.

DB: Is there a book that has impacted your life or one that you just really love?

KG: I love the Great Gatsby, I re-read it every year. I am equally excited and scared for the movie. I don’t want them to mess up the book, but I hope it is good.  I love reading – I go back and forth between serious books and then books that I call *brain candy* – I recently read The Dinner and then followed it up with a Jodi Picoult book.

DB: Do you have a specific race distance you love or that is your favorite?

KG: Ahhhh I love racing. I really like the 3K. I also love the mile and then well I love the marathon too. The marathon is a an art. I do love the track though and hearing the bell and knowing it’s time to kick it in. I also love the roads because anyone and everyone can race on the roads. I think I just like racing – all distances – I love them all.

DB: Has it been cool to be a part of the Innovation for Endurance campaign with Nissan.

KG: It’s been amazing! It’s really fun to interact with more people and fans. I had never been to the Boston Marathon expo and this year I went and signed autographs. Innovation For Endurance has helped bridge the gap between the fans and myself. It really brings me a lot of joy to be a part of it and to meet so many different runners and people.

DB: Lastly, how do you deal with the *Doubt Demons* as I like to call them?

KG: This is really important because it’s something I struggle with often. My mind is always talking me out of what I am capable of. This is where my mantra comes in to play. When I am struggling in a workout I say to myself the mantra – so for this season – COURAGE TO BELIEVE. When I am in pain I repeat it over and over to get through the workout. When I start to feel this pain in the race – I think back to the time that I was in pain and got through it – or had a break through workout – or just conquered those demons. I think acknowledging that you have been there before and that you can go there again helps to silence them. It something I work on through out training.

Kara was as I expected - super nice, easy to talk to, and the type of girl you want to be friends with!!

If you had the chance to interview Kara Goucher – what would you ask her??

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• Nissan Innovation For Endurance on twitter: https://twitter.com/NissanIFE

Fine Print: I was not compensated for this. These are not exact quotes – I’m am writing Kara’s words to the best of my giddy as a child memory.

The Top 5 Coolest Places To Run You Have Never Heard Of,

by Eric Orton

People run for all reasons, ranging from purely fitness, to racing, to adventure experiences, and travel.  I am fortunate enough to live near epic, world-class mountain running in the Tetons of Jackson Hole.  The great thing about living here is the access I have to these mountains.  I also have the opportunity to travel to many great places to run and many of the adventures that stick out in my mind are the ones that flew under the radar and were not expected.  Places that might get over shadowed or destinations you might never heard of to run.  So lets have a look at some of the coolest running destinations that might be worthy of your running adventure bucket list.

5. Washington Park – Denver, CO

Ok, so I am breaking the rules a little right from the start.  Of course you have heard of Denver, but I am trying to distract you a little from the remainder of the list (quit peeking).  Washington Park, or as the locals call it, Wash Park, is very special to me.  I spent most of the 1990′s training and racing in Colorado, living a warm-up distance away from the Park entrance.  But why does this make the list you ask?  Well, many folks travel to Denver for business and do not always have time to hit the main attractions of the high peaks and Boulder tends to get all the running attention.  Wash Park is the heart beat of Denver, serving as the place to be for everyone active.  It is the “happy hour” of the running scene and is literally an outdoor recreation center that revivals any of the better known city parks in the Country.

4. Moab, Utah

Most of us have heard of Moab and probably seen a few car commercials shot on location.  Moab and Utah is like no other State in the US.  It’s diverse landscape sets it apart providing some of the coolest land features in the World and maybe beyond, as you feel like you are in a different world.  Moab is best known as a mountain biking mecca, but is becoming a great run destination for those in search of dry dirt trails in the Spring, as the snow melts at home.  Unlike the other destinations on the top 5 list, Moab is not easy to get to and requires a road trip mindset.  But this is the genius of the area as you are transformed into an explorer itching to get out and run buttes and plateaus, slick rock, natural formed arches, stopping every so often, expecting to see smoke signals launching high above the rock pillar in the distance.  Moab is like no other and is not just for fat tires anymore.

3. Lantau Trail – Lantau Island, Hong Kong

The 70-kilometer trail system on Lantau Island is divided into 12 stages and offers some of Hong Kong’s most rugged and beautiful scenery. This is a very hilly, mountainous trail, winding through forests and crossing over two of the island’s highest summits, but it also offers stunning views of the South China Sea.  The steep terrain and Asian beauty alone makes this run experience standout.  But by having the unique opportunity to run to “The Big Buddha,” the worlds largest buddha statue, and visit the Po Lin Monastery, makes this a one of a kind trail run adventure and cultural experience. And, you don’t have to hire a Sherpa guide to get you there, with trailhead access less than an hour from the Hong Kong airport.

2. Teton Crest Trail – Jackson Hole WY

When you first think of Jackson Hole and the Tetons, you most likely think Grand Teton National Park and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park.  The Tetons are my training grounds and offer up what I believe to be the best mountain running in the US.   The Teton Crest Trail is 64km long, running North and South along the Teton Range.  You will traverse canyons, climb over several high passes, and run through high alpine meadows with the Cathedral mountain group staring you in the face.  This is stunning, world-class alpine exposure that can be easily accessed at several trailhead parking areas allowing you to pick and chose which trail section is in order for the day’s run.

1. Ometepe Island – Nicaragua

First time experiences are always high on my radar and Ometepe Island is one of the most unique places I have ever run.  For one, I have never run up a volcano before, let along running up two.  Add in monkeys, hanging coconuts, beautiful beaches, lung searing vertical climbs through a jungle maze with the potential for an active eruption at any moment, and you have yourself an adventure and cultural experience beyond imagine.  Running the trails of Ometepe will take you far away from the rest of the world, providing peace, intrigue, and mystical images of past Indian inhabitants on this sacred land.

Eric Orton’s experiences with the Tarahumara and his study of the biomechanics of running have led him to the cutting edge of the sport and made him the go-to guy for athletes everywhere.  The former fitness director for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Orton now personally oversees the training of dozens of athletes, from recreational racers to elite ultra-marathoners.  For more information about Eric and THE COOL IMPOSSIBLE, please visit his website at www.runningwitheric.com

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• Online – http://www.runningwitheric.com/
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/BornToRunCoach

Live in the DC area? Consider volunteering at the Capital Challenge Race. I will be there volunteering and would love to meet you!!

*Fine print: I was not paid for this guest post. This post is the first guest post I’ve had on Mile Posts. I don’t see them becoming something I will do often, if at all. I liked the idea of this post and am enjoying Ortons book, which was sent to me free for review purposes.

Vizi Pro Pink Saucony gear & my Kinvara 4′s – my favorites

• Mile 1: 8:22
• Mile 2: 8:07
• Mile 3: 7:56
• Mile 4: 7:44
• Mile 5: 7:52
• Mile 6: 7:47
• Mile 7: 7:20
• Mile 8: 7:18

I’m not training for anything in particular right now but it’s still a VERY good idea to mix up the paces on my runs. If you have the goal of getting faster or even just not moving backwards in your fitness level then mixing up the pace and distance of runs is extremely important. Your body is smarter than you think and adapts easily. For this reason when I am training I don’t run the same workouts on the same day of the week every single week for the entire duration of the training plan. I want to keep my body guessing. The exception to this is my long run which I usually do on Saturdays.

Now that I am back to early morning run mixing up my runs is even more important for safety reasons.

Early morning safety tips — DO NOT BE A PREDICTABLE TARGET.

• I don’t leave my house at the same time every morning. I also NEVER post on social media that I am about to go for a run. Though you think it’s only your friends following you, if you have a public account, it could be anyone viewing what you are posting.
• Right now I don’t have a concrete plan of how many miles I will run. This is follows the don’t be a predictable target rule of early morning running.
• I don’t have a set route I take. My run every morning is different from the morning before. I never know what I will run, which means neither does a predator.
• Let someone know what time you will be back. My husband knows what time I will be back, so if I am more than a couple of minutes late he knows something is off.
• Say hi to every runner you pass. If God forbid something were to happen to you, it would be helpful if there was someone who could recount seeing you. Runners are typically good about remembering what mile of the run they saw someone else at {when runners are few and far between} and could give the police an estimated time of when they saw you.
• I run in a well lit area, so I do not wear a reflective rest. I realize this may cause some of you to gasp, but the last thing I want to do is wear a headlamp and reflective vest and announce that I am a runner. I want to blend in to my surroundings. There are typically people awake from the night before at the hour I run, and more than once these people have not seemed like the safest people to be around. Steer clear of anyone or anything that gives you that funny feeling in your stomach. Don’t worry about if you are going to offend someone by turning around and running the other way. Your safety matters not if they may or may not be offended that you abruptly changed directions.
• PAY ATTENTION. I don’t run with headphones often, but I can assure you the dark morning hours will never be a time I reach for them. Running with headphones while having your dog is also not a good idea. The dog, though maybe a good idea, isn’t a fool proof way of making sure you don’t get attacked. {I bring this up because I see a woman running a couple of times a week with her headphones on and her seemingly friendly dog by her side} Leave the headphones at home and keep your eyes and ears open. You would be surprised at all the peaceful noises you hear in the early morning hours that can keep you entertained. Save the headphones for the gym.
• If you have a way to carry your cell phone, do so.
• Mix up your pace. This is not only good for your running but again you aren’t a predictable target if you aren’t running the same 6 miles at the same 8 minute pace around the same loop around your house.
• BE AWARE. If you are trying to blend in, like I am, you need to be extra aware of any cars that may pass you. Always run towards oncoming traffic, so you can see them. I don’t assume they seem me, as they would during the day. If I am running on the side of the street I will hop up to the sidewalk or grass to get out of their way. You are responsible for your own safety.

These are just a few of the tips I have for early morning safe running. Have a tip you would like to add?

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Live in the DC area? Consider volunteering at the Capital Challenge Race. I will be there volunteering and would love to meet you!!

Finishing my run under the light of the stars means a couple {okay more than a couple} of things.

1. I’m not stressing about when I am going to fit in my run for the day.

2. I am not worried about whether or not I should eat breakfast. I don’t typically eat anything before I run but if I won’t be able to run till 11 or so then I need to eat something.

3. I don’t have to worry about if the boys want to go to the gym or not. I don’t go if they don’t want to go.

4. I don’t feel like a terrible mother for running on the treadmill while they are awake. {which is not currently an option right now anyways – I burnt up the belt?? – too many miles?!?}

5. I am showered and ready for the day by 7 am. It’s a good feeling and I’m more productive the whole day.

6. I get more accomplished and feel more present.

7. I feel happier.

Last week the temperature was around 55 – 60 for all of my morning runs. Getting up when the rest of the town is sleeping to run under the stars isn’t as bad when it’s warm.

The temptation to turn off my alarm this morning was HUGE. I hit snooze three times and almost talked myself out of running. 40 degrees in the dark did NOT seem very fun.

Once I was running I told myself {and that little voice in my head that likes to try to talk me out of running} that running is running and EVERY single run is a RUN I GET to go on. No complaints here.

Today marked the 8th week day of early morning running. I think I’m well on my way to making this a habit.

I haven’t been recording my runs here lately because I am not really training for anything. The crazy part of me wants to be training for a marathon right now but the more rational side of me is enjoying running as far as I want, when I want, how often I want and not caring about the pace, distance or frequency.

• Friday April 12: 6 miles – 8:15 avg – 8:43, 8:08, 8:08, 8:22, 8:25, 7:55
• Saturday April 13: 7 miles – 8:06 avg – 8:33, 8:33, 8:38, 8:19, 7:42, 7:31, 7:20
• Sunday April 14: 9 miles – 8:22 avg – 8:29, 8:45, 8:50, 9:17, 8:09, 8:35, 7:43, 7:41, 7:47 {hilly – hence the up and down paces}
• Monday April 15: 5 miles – 8:23 avg – 9:00, 8:30, 8:21, 8:06, 7:56
• Tuesday April 16: 8 miles – 8:18 avg – 8:34, 8:17, 8:21, 8:11, 8:02, 8:33, 8:22, 8:07
• Wednesday April 17: 8 miles – 8:17 avg - 8:35, 8:27, 8:17, 8:37, 8:16, 8:25, 8:03, 7:34
• Thursday April 18: 9 miles – 7:43 avg – 8:35, 8:05, 7:49, 7:38, 7:14, 7:28, 7:27, 7:34, 7:29
• Friday April 19: 8 miles – 8:16 avg – 8:54, 8:19, 8:19, 8:15, 8:29, 8:12, 8:17, 7:21
• Saturday April 20: 12 miles – 8:37 avg {my favorite hilly route hence the dramatic pace range} 8:36, 8:58, 9:14, 9:43, 8:20, 8:08, 8:35, 8:57, 7:57, 9:12, 7:44, 7:54
• Sunday April 21: REST DAY
• Monday April 22: 7 miles – 8:11 avg – 8:43, 8:48, 8:16, 8:07, 8:07, 7:42, 7:34

Not training for anything also has it’s benefits. More time for other things……and no stressing about whether staying up too late is going to mess up my workout the next day.

Miles’s 5th Birthday is this week so rather than buy him new toys {he does not NEED more} – I want to focus on making memories.

Friday night he wanted to go to Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum.

Saturday it was Chuck E Cheese. {I feel like a super hero when I take three kids to that place alone – anyone else feel this way?!?!} National Zoo is next up on his birthday list. Really hoping it warms up a tad so we can head there this weekend!

I’d love to connect – you can find Mile Posts here —-

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

Live in the DC area? Consider volunteering at the Capital Challenge Race. I will be there volunteering and would love to meet you!!

If you don’t live in the DC Metro area you can find the article by visiting www.runwashington.com or http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=154152 - the article starts on page 69.

I also wanted to share another recent article I wrote on the Runner’s Marathon of Reston.

http://www.runwashington.com/news/4164/314/High-school-lacrosse-player-wins-the-inaugural-Runner-s-Marathon-of-Reston.htm

The highlight of the race was watching 17 year old Devin Nehill, a stand out lacrosse player in the area, take the win on the women’s side. Witnessing the tears of happiness stream down her face as she rounded the last bend on the track to take the win, was breathtaking and tear inducing.

The race was extra special to me because I had the chance to hang out with my sister and watch our cousin run her first half marathon. I was extremely proud of Ginny, for not only finishing but for having the courage to even start the race. She tragically lost her brother recently and will be running Marine Corp Marathon this fall with my sister and two other friends to raise money for a foundation she has set up in his honor. I’m am honored to be coaching all four girls and to help keep my cousins memory alive.

I’d love to connect – you can find Mile Posts here —-

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

Live in the DC area? Consider volunteering at the Capital Challenge Race. I will be there volunteering and would love to meet you!!

Spark Soul Headbands: Becca at http://onelittlebecca.com/

I Run This Body Shirt: Laura at http://pinterest.com/diffraction/

Email me at irunthisbody@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Brooke – before she ran up the *rocky stairs* http://instagram.com/brookethames

*Note: I am now SOLD OUT of all colors in size XL. Only pink and grey remain in size small. If you are interested in YELLOW I only have a couple of larges left and then I am SOLD OUT of that color. If you would like to purchase a shirt here is the link that has all the information!  http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

I’d love to connect – you can find me here —-

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

I’m not sure I have the right words and I even considered NOT writing anything. I blog because I love it but it has also become what I do as a source of income. I do not want to make money in any way off of this tragedy. I don’t want page hits. I don’t want to post this to twitter or facebook or any other social media outlet. I do however feel if I don’t say something, I am in a way not acknowledging the lives lost and those injured.

We as a family of runners are forever changed. Talking about it is helping many of us process what happened.

My mom – making the final turn – sheer happiness – in ten minutes she would feel sheer terror.

I wanted to run Boston. My husband asked me if I could take a break this year because we had a lot going on in April, so I did not sign up.

That did not mean that I didn’t want to run and that I wasn’t a little sad all Monday morning. I watched with excitement the live stream on the Internet and tried to convince myself that watching the elites was more fun than running. It wasn’t. I wanted to run.

I wanted to be there with my mom {she lives just outside of Boston} and I wanted to be there with my friend Jess, who was running her first Boston.

If I had run I would have finished the race and then run back to the finish line to watch my mom cross.

Minutes after finishing she turned around to take in one last glance of the finish line and enjoy yet another Boston finish. A moment later she saw the dust fill the air.

She heard screams. If you have run Boston you know that the screams down the final .2 are deafening {out of the 24 marathons I have run it is the most spectated} - she didn’t in that split second realize they were any different than what she heard every year.

Soon she realized something was not right.

When I tried to call her the lines were crossed. I got another girl on the phone. I asked where she lived and she said Boston – I said I was trying to get a hold of my mom – the lines must be crossed. She quickly said – get off the phone and try again.

My mom was sitting on a curb when I was finally able to talk to her. She could not get a hold of her significant other. They had decided rather than him being at the crowded finish line he should wait at the turn before the final stretch.

I started to panic……

I had to run to get Miles from school. I was crying and shaking while other moms tried to calm me down. I was physically unable to contain how I felt.

What I was thinking in my head was that there were more bombs and here is my mom sitting on a curb in the middle of it all. She needed to get out of there.

To make a long story short – she is fine – and I am MORE than thankful.

I’ve had nightmares every night since this tragedy. I keep imagining myself at the finish waiting for her. I hear the screams. I imagine terrible things and then I wake up and realize that though I am fine those terrible things happened.

I sit here today thankful that EVERY SINGLE last person I know is okay. It doesn’t give me peace.

I just keep asking myself Why? Why? Why?

There is no answer.

I am sad.

I know in my heart this sadness may fade but it will never go away. I still find myself thinking about the Twin Towers {I was in college in New Jersey when they fell}.

When I see a plane cross the sky on a clear blue day I get goose bumps.

I know every marathon from here on out – I will at some point think of the lives lost and those injured on April 15, 2013.

I am sad.

If you are looking for ways to support Boston — check out this post from Another Mother Runner — http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/04/16/10-ways-to-support-boston/

It’s no secret that I love Sparkly Soul Headbands – they are one of the ONLY companies who make headbands that actually do not slip off my head. What’s the secret? Unlike other headbands that use elastic at the bottom part of the band to make it fit around your head, these bands use the no-slip material all the way around.

I have been obsessed with sparkling a little bit on each run since I ran Hood To Coast a couple of years ago. Lately I’ve found they are the perfect addition to my spin class outfit. They help keep my dripping wet hair out of my face and keep me focused on getting up the next imaginary hill.

Here is your chance to win one thin sparkle band and one thick sparkle band of your choice!!!

Here’s how?

• Follow Mile Posts & Sparkly Soul on twitter and tweet – I want to win a @sparklysoulinc  headband from @mileposts #runchat   [leave your twitter handle in the comment or the link to the tweet you posted]
• Follow Mile Posts & Sparkly Soul on instagram http://www.instagram.com/mileposts      http://instagram.com/sparklysoulinc#
• Follow Mile Posts & Sparkly Soul on Pinterest  – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/    http://pinterest.com/sparklysoulinc/

 Coupon Code: BIRTHDAY will get you 15% off of Sparkly Soul Bands from 4/10/13 – 4/17/13

Sparkly Soul Bands are one of my running favorites!! {Competitor Magazine}

Details:

• Three ways to enter – leave a separate comment for each entry completed.
• All entries will be verified.
• This sweepstakes is open to those over 18 and residents of the United States.
• Contest ends on 4/17/13 at midnight EST. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
• Winner chosen at random by random.org and odds depend on how many entries are received.
• Winner gets their choice of ONE thin & ONE thick Sparkly Soul headband.
• Winner has two weeks to claim their prize before a back up winner is chosen.
• Void where prohibited by law.

Want to purchase an I RUN THIS BODY shirt before they are sold out? All information can be found on this page - http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

Have you entered the I RUN THIS BODY Shirt Birthday Giveaway? http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/04/birthday-giveaway-i-run-this-body-shirt.html

Two days left until my birthday! I happen to like celebrating with giveaways – because YES they are fun for me – so here is the first giveaway of my birthday week {because yes I am still 11 years old at heart and have a birthday week – don’t judge}

Here’s how?

• Follow Mile Posts on twitter and tweet – I want to win an #irunthisbody shirt from @mileposts check them out here http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body - #runchat   [leave your twitter handle in the comment or the link to the tweet you posted]
• Follow Mile Posts on instagram http://www.instagram.com/mileposts
• Follow Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Follow Mile Posts on Pinterest  – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/ and pin this post with the tag #irunthisbody

Details:

• Four ways to enter – leave a separate comment for each entry completed.
• All entries will be verified.
• Contest ends on 4/16/13 at midnight EST. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
• Winner chosen at random and odds depend on how many entries are received.
• Winner gets their choice of ONE  I RUN THIS BODY shirt of sizes and colors still available at the time of the sweepstakes ending.
• Winner has two weeks to claim their prize before a back up winner is chosen.

Want to purchase an I RUN THIS BODY shirt before they are sold out? All information can be found on this page - http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

Note:

• XL is sold out in purple, grey and yellow {only 1 pink XL remains}
• Small is sold out in purple and yellow

Checking on the status of your order?

• All orders placed before 4/7/13 have now shipped – last batch went out yesterday

The end of college seemed small in comparison to the end of the family I had known my whole life.

When I moved home I lived with my mom in a tiny two bedroom apartment.

I could touch the walls on either side of my room while sitting in my bed. Though tiny it was a space where I was free to be me. Yes I missed my family with 4 kids and 1 dog all living under the same roof but I felt more comfortable being surrounded by less conflict.

It was a growing period for her and some of her new found inner strength rubbed off on me.

While living with her she would incessantly play the U2 song, Stuck In A Moment……

The other day when I was writing about my health issues that have been making me a little bit crazy for the past 6 months or so, I was stuck in moment I felt I couldn’t get out of.

I was forgetting that my mind is my biggest enemy.

That night when I went to bed, I said to my husband, tomorrow is operation get healthy.

I decided rather than falling into the all to easy downward spiral of focusing on the negative I was going to take action and be positive.

When my husband got up at o’dark thirty to get ready for work, I got up.

I got on the treadmill and ran on feel. I finished 5 miles 7:55 average and hopped off the treadmill at 7 am to get the littles ready for their day.

You have a choice every single day. You can be an active participant in your life and try to improve what you don’t like OR you can whine about it, complain, tear others down, or think about all the ways that your life sucks.

My life doesn’t suck. Far from it. Even when I was at the lowest point in my life, overweight and depressed, I still didn’t think my life sucked.

I woke up early again the next day and got on the treadmill. Ran what felt comfortable and ended up again with 5 miles at 7:55 pace by 7 am.

Went to the ENT Doctor who was one of the nicest, most helpful DR’s I have ever seen. I felt positive that there are concrete steps I can take to feel better.

Woke up early again this morning – ran an easy 3 miles on the treadmill – got the littles ready for the day in time for all four of us to be out of the house by 7:30 am.

Getting stuck in a moment is a choice you have…….YOU can get out of it.

Do you find it hard to get out of a moment you are stuck in? What are your ways for pulling yourself up and moving forward?

Connect with Mile Posts!!

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

]]> http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/04/stuck-in-a-moment.html/feed 22 http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/04/stuck-in-a-moment.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stuck-in-a-moment http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mile-posts/QdjW/~3/MiVLKg8Dd0A/kind-healthy-grains-review-gluten-free.html http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/04/kind-healthy-grains-review-gluten-free.html#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:24:16 +0000 Mile Posts By Dorothy Beal http://www.mile-posts.com/?p=3439 I’m a BIG fan of Kind Bars so I was {really} excited to try something else from the Kind line up.

The three flavors I tried were:

• Oats & Honey Clusters with Toasted Coconut
• Dark Chocolate & Cranberry
• Vanilla Blueberry Clusters with Flax Seeds

I was going to say that out of the three I liked the Oats & Honey one the best but the more I thought about it the more I felt like I couldn’t really compare them{though it does appear I have eaten the most of the Oats & Honey}. They are like your kids, all different, but you like them all equally.

The Dark Chocolate & Cranberry felt like a treat so instead indulging in a high calorie dessert, I found myself reaching for this after dinner when I couldn’t kick my sweet cravings. It has only 7g of sugar per serving, making it a healthier and less guilt ridden option. {but only if you have one serving – wink}

Oats & Honey has been added to my afternoon snack rotation. It has 6g of sugar per serving, 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of dietary fiber.

Vanilla Blueberry is low glycemic and contains only 5 grams of sugar. This was my choice for mornings. Really tasty with a little unsweetened almond milk.

The clusters won’t soon replace my beloved BARS but they an excellent healthy option I will continue to buy.

They come in two other flavors that to be honest – I think based on the bars I like I think I will like these even more than the flavors I tried…..

• Maple Walnut Clusters with Chia & Quinoa
• Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters

I REALLY appreciate that fact that I can pronounce all the ingredients in all three of these flavors. There isn’t anything in them that I don’t know what it is. I’ve been trying to minimize my soy intake {a story for another day} so I like that some of the flavor options are made with out soy lecithin.

The bags retail for $5.99 but you can buy them on the Kind Website for $5.33 a pouch if you buy them in packs of 6. Making this an affordable snack for me AND my kids! {all three flavors are Mile Posts little people approved}

Connect with Mile Posts and Kind Snacks!!

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts
• Kind Snacks on twitter – https://twitter.com/kindsnacks
• Kind Snacks on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KINDSnacks
• Kind Snacks on instagram – http://instagram.com/kindsnacks
• Kind Snacks on the web – http://www.kindsnacks.com/

*I was not paid for this post. I was not asked to write this post. I was sent these flavors free of charge. I spend a small fortune weekly on Kind bars. All opinions are my own.

Someone telling me I did something wrong.

Someone telling me I didn’t call them enough.

Someone telling me that they didn’t like a picture I posted.

Someone telling me I didn’t tell them about a race I decided to run.

Someone telling me that I didn’t respond back to them fast enough.

Someone telling me that I work out too much or not enough.

Someone telling me that they don’t understand why someone who claims to be a private person would open up their life to the public on a blog.

Someone telling me how I should live my life.

Someone telling me what is the right path for me in life.

Someone telling me what my priorities should be.

Someone telling me I didn’t make time for them, or that I did but it wasn’t when they wanted it to be.

Someone telling me I need to say sorry.

The someones never seem to end. These comments turn into thoughts which play over and over in my head. I don’t want them any more. I can’t control others but I can control myself. I can control how I let these words and people affect me.

My husband reminds me that LIFE IS GOOD. That the people that really matter in life sleep just down the hall from me.

On the phone with my friend today we talked about how hard life can be. How complicated families and friendships are. How complicated all of life seems at times. She told me something profound that had been passed to her from another friend.

{I’m paraphrasing what she said and adding in some of my own words}

You may be a peach that is perfect in size, shape and color. You may be the sweetest peach that ever was. This does not matter. Some people don’t like peaches. Some people hate peaches. Some people feel ill thinking about eating a peach or even looking at one. Should the peach change into an apple and be like everyone else? Or should the peach remain a peach and BE OK with what it was created to be.

I can not make everyone happy.

I am not the perfect daughter, sister, friend, or even stranger, but I am ME.

Those that accept and love me matter and those that don’t — well they no longer matter to me. I don’t want them to change who they are for me, just as I don’t want to change who I am for them.

I want to practice what I preach and learn to live with agreeing to disagree.

I want to stop caring about trivial things. Life is too short and too sweet to waste.

At almost 31  I’m done with trying to understand what it is about me that bothers some and makes others love me. I’m done worrying about whether I upset someone with a picture I posted or with something I said or didn’t say.

I am doing the best I can in life – trying to be the best person I can be for me and for those I love. That is all I can ask of myself.

I am giving myself the permission to BELIEVE in my heart that —–

I AM ENOUGH.

Alex Gaudino & Jordin Sparks – Is This Love – 129 BPM

Miranda Lambert – Mama’s Broken Heart -  112 BPM

Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks – 107 BPM

Will.I.Am & Justin Bieber – #thatPOWER – 129 BPM

Kylie Minogue – Timebomb – 128 BPM

Afrojack & Chris Brown – As Your Friend – 128 BPM

One Direction – One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) – 163 BPM

Pitbull & Christina Aguilera – Feel This Moment – 137 BPM

Avicii – Silhouettes (Syn Cole Creamfields Mix Radio Edit) – 128 BPM

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis & Ray Dalton - Can’t Hold Us – 148 BPM

To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com.  You can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era – to find the music that best fits with your workout!

What are your recent song favorites?

Interested in an I RUN THIS BODY Shirt? Check them out HERE —- http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

*note – I am sold out of YELLOW in small, medium and XL. I am sold out of XL in grey, purple and yellow – PINK is the only color remaining in XL.

*Photo – Bri racing in her IRTB shirt

Mile Posts Blog is on:

• Mile Posts on twitter – http://twitter.com/mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://www.instagram.com/mileposts

Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb!

• Invite link here — http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/DorothyBeal

* Run Hundred song list is posted with permission

I use body glide on every single run. It doesn’t matter how much I weigh, my thighs rub. It doesn’t matter what sports bra I wear, I always end up chaffing on long runs. I consider myself a sweaty person {had to use prescription antiperspirant at one point in my life – YIKES} who deals with her chaffing by preventing as much as possible. When Run Guard wrote me and asked if I wanted to try their glide I was a willing tester.

They say NO new things on race day.

I say NO new things on race day. Yet for some reason I felt that I could ignore this rule after 23 marathons and didn’t think anything different would affect me. Trying a new form of gel for a marathon – not a good idea – trying a new glide turned out to be a FINE idea.

Even when I used Body Glide EVERYWHERE during marathons I still end up chaffing to a degree.

I used RunGuard Glide for #24 and was MORE than pleasantly surprised that I didn’t chafe anywhere. How is that possible? Not one single bit of chaffing after 26.2 over dressed, sweaty miles.

I’m a believer.

If you use Body Glide or another glide to help prevent chaffing you might like Run Guard as much as I did. I wasn’t unhappy with the glide I was using before but I will definitely be purchasing this brand from now on!

Have you used Run Guard Glide? Thoughts? Do you chaffe a lot during runs?

Connect with Mile Posts and Run Guard!

• Mile Posts on twitter – @mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://instagram.com/mileposts
• Run Guard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunGuard
• Run Guard on the Internet: http://www.runguards.com/

*fine print: I was not compensated for this post. I was sent Run Guard free for testing purposes. I did not guarantee a review.

Yesterday was one of those days.

When I opened my email later in the day and saw one had come from Saucony I’ll admit it made me smile. Saucony isn’t just a company that makes running shoes. They feel like an extended part of my family. Having been on the other side of a two running companies, I know what it is like to work on a product and then see it go to market. I know many of the people who work at Saucony and when I see new products they have worked on it makes me happy inside, proud in some strange way.

Opening the email blast and seeing that my Marathon Life Lessons Blog post was front and center gave me a little lift.

I needed a lift.

Lifting up others is very important in life. When you lift up others, others are there to lift you up when you need it.

Thank you for all your help yesterday in the comments. I went to the DR today more prepared and armed with well researched questions.

My experience there was not unlike my experiences I have at most DR’s.

They ask me about my running, they ask me about my kids and then proceed to essentially blame how I feel on being a mother who runs. I’m talking about my intestinal issues, unexplained weight gain, extreme fatigue, sinusitis, swelling of my face, unexplained mood swings and a myriad of other problems and the Dr asks me if I have ever had plantar fasciitis before? Am I wearing good running shoes? Do I push my kids on runs because that can make a person very tired.

What really got me today and brought me to tears hours later was a simple question about my arms.

I have Keratosis Pilaris and have had it for as long as I can remember. It’s basically little bumps that develop around the hair follicles caused by excess keratin my body makes. In high school it was mortifying. I used to wear three quarter length sleeve shirts in summer to hide it. I did everything I could to help prevent it or clear it up. Prescribed topical meds, exfoliating, sun, lots of lotion – nothing helped it. It is often called chicken skin, a term that I find offensive.

It is something I have learned to live with and be thankful for. I don’t have acne, and have been blessed with clear skin on my face for most of my life.

I have been thankful because I’d rather that my skin issues were on my arms and not my face. It took years however not to be embarrassed by it and to finally realize – who cares – my arms are bumpy – really bumpy and I have scars – lots of scars from picking.{thank you OCD}

The problem is that it’s gotten worse lately. It’s on my legs and I’ve been noticing it other places too.

I simply asked the DR if maybe the fact that it’s getting worse with age and not better, had something to do with something I’m eating, or something going on in my body.

She looked at me in all seriousness and said if the worst genetic problem with you is bumps on your arms you should be very thankful. There are many people in this world who have much bigger problems than you do.

It stung. I wasn’t asking for vanity reasons. I was asking because I am trying to see if there are signs my body is giving me that something is off. Maybe the worsening of the bumps has nothing to do with anything. BUT maybe it does?

YES there are millions, billions of people who have bigger problems than me. Does that mean I can’t care about mine, or want to figure out what is going on? Maybe that makes me selfish…..caring about how I feel….but what it doesn’t mean is that I don’t care about others simply because I want to figure out what is going on with me. Do I need to explain to you all the SH*T I’ve dealt with in my life to make it okay for me to care about how I feel?

Maybe we should all be just a little bit more understanding and compassionate of each other. We can never walk or run a mile in someone else’s shoes and WE ALL have a silent crosses to bear. Just because someone appears on the outside to live a charmed life doesn’t necessarily mean they do. Just because I appear to be a fit runner and you think I don’t have problems or issues doesn’t mean I don’t or that I am any less deserving of a DR’s help.

I’ll be happy when I get the blood test results back next week.

I learned a valuable lesson while at the Doctor. ALWAYS ask for a copy of your results. I’m going to see the ear, nose and throat Doctor later in the week so I needed a copy of the XRAY and CT Scan. Yes it said I didn’t have a fracture BUT what they didn’t tell me is that the swelling of my cheek months later where Colton accidentally hit me is a result a new bone piece growing where he hit. It also said that I have a possible deviated septum and that there is a marked narrowing of my maxillary sinus ostium as well as a host of other things going on with my nose and sinus’s. It is now clear why they wanted me to make an appointment with the ENT that day, wish they had explained why instead of just saying my bone wasn’t fractured.

Have you had a bad experience with a doctor? Unexplained health issues?

Connect with Mile Posts!

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My 1st run back was an easy 3, followed by an easy 4 the next day.

Saturday I ran 6 miles outside. I needed to feel like a runner again and feel the fresh air in my lungs.

I needed to consider all that has happened in the past 6 months or so.

There are things we can control and things we can’t control.

My health lately has felt like one of those things lately that no matter how much I try to control it, I can’t.

After Christmas I came down with the flu. It knocked me out. My first race of the year was more of a shuffle as I found myself unable to push hard. I had to be happy with an average I haven’t seen in a short race in a long time.

After that race Colton and I were laying in bed snuggling and resting together. He flung back and accidentally hit my face – HARD. It hurt more than anything I’ve ever felt before. As I cried I felt like something was broken and knew it wasn’t just me being a baby or feeling sorry for myself.

I had a black eye for over a month and still feel pain in my face. I have swelling that comes and goes around the cheek bone he hit.

The past three months have given me runs that felt more of a chore than something I loved to do.

Every breath on most runs has felt labored. I struggled to understand why I couldn’t just push through.

Before marathon #24 the swelling in my face seemed to hurt more and I was convinced I had a sinus infection and went to the Dr for meds. I was put on antibiotics for 10 days.

I came to the starting line of B & A Marathon not feeling strong, not feeling myself, but I am used to pushing through and decided I wanted to race despite the signs my body was giving me.

By mile 5 I knew something was more than off, but I pushed through. By mile 10 I fought off tears and wondered why the guys running directly behind me could carry on easy conversations whereas I felt like I was racing a 10K despite only seeing paces that resembled those that were on target for marathon pace.

At mile 12 I saw my husband. The guys with me told my husband I was doing great and was in first. While I simultaneously told him I couldn’t breathe normal and something was wrong.

He told me to push through, marathons hurt. I told him this wasn’t normal marathon hurt and I wanted to quit. He convinced me to go on and to just slow up the pace. I did, but it didn’t help. I still felt off and wanted the day to be over.

I ended up finishing the race, because of him. Had I been alone I would have quit and in hindsight I’m glad he convinced me to finish. I would have been more mad to have my first DNF than any time on the clock could have made me.

After the race I went to the Dr and told her the pain my face was too much. She sent me for an X-Ray. It revealed that I might have a possible fracture but that I needed to have a CT Scan with contrast to be sure.

I had the CT scan which revealed that II did not have a fracture.

The Dr told me I had sinusitis and that I may have had it for months. They gave me another round of 10 days of antibiotics, just stronger.

Today I sit here after two rounds of antibiotics, still with pain in my face from where Colton accidentally hit me and still with sinusitis.

It’s not the end of the world. Eventually I will figure out what is going on.

It doesn’t, however seem any less frustrating. I’ve been giving my body a break from running regularly to help it heal.

It’s not healing.

In the past 4 months I’ve come to realize that wheat, gluten {I was already aware of this but not to the extent that it now bothers me}, corn and dairy all hurt my stomach more than they should. My fatigue that I attribute to my Gilbert’s Syndrome is getting worse.

I want answers.

I want to know what is going on with my body. What is it trying to tell me and how do I fix it?

Tomorrow I meet with another dr to have blood drawn to see if it tells me something.

Thursday I meet with an ENT to see if he can figure out the pain in my face and to see if there is something I can do to get rid of this sinusitis since antibiotics don’t seen to be working.

I’m frustrated. I’m tired of not feeling like myself and I’m tired of not writing or running the way I want to because it just makes me even more frustrated.

I feel at war with my body.

It’s not a nice feeling.

When I feel off in life. I run.

The balancing effect it gives me is temporarily gone. I want it back.

Needless to say marathon #25 is not going to happen in May. Figuring this stuff out is more important to me than tallying up another marathon finish.

I know it will happen. I know I will run another marathon this year and I know in my heart I will feel good again. When I’m not sure. There are things I can control and there are things I can’t control and I’m slowly learning which are which.

Today on the Saucony Blog is a post I wrote after my 22nd marathon. It was a good reminder that even though I feel low now – I can push through. I am not a quitter and this is just a speed bump on the road of life. http://blog.saucony.com/inspiration/marathon-life-lessons/

Have you hit some speed bumps in your life? How did you react to them? How did you overcome them?

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Still want to run?

Register for the Runner’s World Challenge for your entry into MCM 2013!

Runners who sign up for the challenge receive VIP treatment race weekend including:

·         Entry into the always sold out Marine Corps Marathon

·         Private baggage check

·         Private bib pickup

·         Shakeout run with Bart Yasso and other Runner’s World editors

·         Course strategy session with Runner’s World experts and editors

·         Private pre and post-race receptions at the start and finish lines with nutritious food to help you bounce back quickly

·         Post race reception and private family meeting destination at Top Of The Town in Rosslyn, Virginia (near the finish line)

·         Technical RW Challenge Shirt

·         Choice of Runner’s World Book (Complete Book of Running, Long Run, or Runner’s Rule Book)

·         Your choice of one of more than 18 marathon training plans

·         4-month free trial of the Premium Runner’s World online training log, the Runner’s World Personal Trainer

·         1-year of online access to Runner’s World Experts on weight loss, training, nutrition, and injuries

·         1-year of online access to private forums

This will be my 8th time running Marine Corps Marathon. Marine Corps Marathon was my 1st marathon and first BQ. It only seems fitting that this 26.2 miles will be my 26th marathon. Every year I tell myself I’ll run another marathon, but once the crisp fall air hits I always think to myself – who am I kidding? I love Marine Corps. Why would I run anything else?

Frustrated by the online system used? Read this article from Run Washington on the fiasco — http://www.runwashington.com/news/4165/314/Marine-Corps-Marathon-lottery-under-consideration-after-registration-melee.htm

Do you think Marine Corps should keep it’s first come first serve registration system or go to a lottery like other major marathons?

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*fine print: I was not compensated for this post

Connect with Mile Posts and Nissan Innovation For Endurance!

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* Fine print: I was not compensated for this post.

When I got an email saying that Greg McMillan was coming out with a book I jumped up and down. Not kidding on this. I jumped.

I have 323049823094823 different running books. Some have information I agree with, some don’t. The books are sort of like some of the coaching classes I’ve taken, I agree with some of the philosophies and others I roll my eyes at.

I do however have this inkling that I’m going to love this book, so I thought I would make sure it was on your radar too. No this is not a sponsored post. No I do not know Greg McMillan……I’m just a runner dreaming of a sub 3:10 who thinks that maybe this book will help get me there.

Right now you can pre-order it – arriving in early May.

Other books I’m currently enjoying…..

Thrive – Katie suggested I get this book and I’m in love {yes love}. My mom asked if she could borrow it once I was finished and I flat out said no, that she needed her own copy. I refer back to this book daily for nutrition advice.

Made To Crave – It’s no secret that I have issues with over eating. What runner doesn’t at times? My appetite always seems to be out of control, though with some of the changes I’ve made by reading Thrive, I am getting it somewhat under control. Made To Crave explores why we have cravings and aims to help control them by realizing often times it’s not food we are craving. This book is a faith based book, so if you aren’t a Christian, you probably won’t like it.

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I’ve raced 3 races in 2013 and all of them I’ve raced while feeling sick. Our bodies are powerful, the mind strong, but there is only so much you can push through and I think this weekend I hit my max. So for now, instead of a race recap, which I’ll get to eventually, I’m sharing a post that I wrote for Map My Fitness on making time to train for races, as a parent……the post reminds me of my running journey.

http://about.mapmyfitness.com/2013/02/guest-post-dorothy-beal/

If you only define yourself and your training cycle by the time on the race clock, you will often find yourself disappointed or disheartened.

The journey should be celebrated and enjoyed.

I enjoy the journey. I enjoy pushing my body to it’s limits, not just during a race but during training.

I also happen to believe, as cheesy as it sounds, that everything works out exactly the way it’s supposed to. I didn’t run a PR on Saturday, not even close, my body started to feel like it was failing me at mile 5, by 12 I wanted to walk off the course get into my car with my husband and head home. When I finished the race, I sat down, mad, defeated, and looked at my garmin to see what my overall finish time was. I didn’t see the finish. I saw that my average pace was an 8:18 [a number I see often - in one form or another]. I can’t make this stuff up. I couldn’t try to run an 8:18 average even if I wanted to. I had wanted my goal average to be a 7:07 so I assure you that I didn’t try to end up with this average. It only strengthened my belief that everything – good and bad – happens exactly how it should. I may sound like a crazy religious person sometimes. I’m not. I’ll admit that I rarely go to church and that my relationship with God is between me and him, no one else. I am not affected when people call me a Jesus freak, and I am not affected when people critizce bad choices I’ve made by saying it wasn’t Christian-like. This blog is not about preaching, it’s about running. Sometimes they intersect and it feels wrong of me not to say that I truly believe that running an 8:18 average was God’s way of telling me HIS plans are better than mine. Me sharing how I feel about my beliefs is in no way is judging yours….or asking you to believe mine. I am simply sharing how I feel and what I think……some of you will love it…..some of you will hate…..but share it I will.

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Fashion wisdom from Nordstrom

Flux Pavilion & Childish Gambino – Do or Die – 145 BPM

Cee Lo Green & Lauriana Mae – Only You – 110 BPM

Baauer- Harlem Shake – 140 BPM

DJ Pauly D & Jay Sean – Back to Love - 128 BPM

Olly Murs & Flo Rida – Troublemaker - 108 BPM

Bignic - Down – 124 BPM

ASAP Rocky, Skrillex & Birdy Nam Nam – Wild for the Night  – 70 BPM

Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) – 77 BPM

Will.I.Am, Britney Spears, Hit-Boy, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne, Nelly & Diddy – Scream & Shout (Remix) - 130 BPM

Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child (Promise Land Remix) – 129 BPM

To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com.  You can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era – to find the music that best fits with your workout!

What are your recent song favorites?

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Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb!

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* Run Hundred song list is posted with permission

Taper essentially means I go a little crazy in my head.

Crazy from not running the way I want to be running.

Crazy from worrying that any little twinge I feel will turn into something more.

This time I’ve been extra crazy because I have a sinus infection.

Friday I went to the Dr. and asked as nicely as I could for medicine. I don’t normally take medicine I pleaded, but just this once I REALLY need it. I’m not against taking stuff - I just have this thing that if your body is in pain it’s trying to tell you something. My body tells me a lot and in order to feel normal I have to listen.

I’ve raced twice this year. Both times I was sick. A 10K on the first of the year was honestly harder than my first 10K 12 years ago. The flu does not mess around. I watched as woman after woman passed me. I watched as the miles seemed to crawl by. I was frustrated with my body even though I knew I was sick. I like to be super human. I want my body to do all I want it to do, when I want to do it.  When I can’t – it frustrates me – no  matter how irrational my want is.

I don’t want to be sick on my 3rd race of the year. I want to feel good. I want to feel strong.

What I am doing this week is controlling what I can control.

I can control what I eat and drink.
I can control how much I sleep.

I can try to control my thoughts and not let them run away with doubts.

Race #2 – The Reston 10 Miler taught me a couple of lessons.

• If you give yourself a way out and say that you aren’t feeling great so you are just going to run easy, but in your head dream about racing, you will only be able to run easy. I believe that your mind controls your body. I said multiple times I didn’t feel good and was just going to see what my body had. I gave myself an out and was defeated before I even started.
• I can’t race when I am listening to music. There was no racing going on in my body at the 10 miler. I let person after person go past me and didn’t really mind at all. I didn’t try to hang with them, I didn’t wonder what pace they were running. I just kept hitting repeat on a favorite song. On Saturday I will not be listening to music. I need to go to that place in my head that embraces pain, that enjoys the inevitable struggles that will happen. I need to be present in the moment, feeling every step. I am not out for a fun run, I am there to race. Racing means that I am a competitor at this race. I’m not running a time trial mile, I am running a marathon and trying to place.
• I am not going to talk about my plans for this race. I know them in my head. I know them in my heart. I believe them. I don’t want to say oh well my training was this – so I think I can run that OR I’ve been sick so I am just going to show up and see how I do. I don’t want to talk about it. So I’m not going to talk about it…..I need to keep my head in the mental game and stop those inner voices that always tell me I am not enough.

I RUN THIS BODY was born at B & A Trail Marathon. It was in those cold, lonely painful miles that I said to myself over and over – I RUN THIS BODY – I RUN THIS BODY. Who runs? Who pushes when there is nothing left? Who fights for their dreams? Who doesn’t give up when the going gets tough? Who doesn’t listen to those who want me to fail? Who pushes out the negative and allows the positive to grow and flourish? I DO. I RUN THIS BODY.

Are you running a marathon this weekend? Rock N Roll USA? Shamrock Marathon? B & A Trail Marathon? What are you doing this week to prepare?

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You have two weeks to claim your prize before a back up winner is chosen.

Didn’t win? Shirts are still available here —-  http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

All five of us in the Mile Posts household are snowed in. [It doesn't take much for them to panic and close everything] We are packing orders and getting them ready for when the Post Office opens tomorrow.

Thank you to so many of you for sending in pictures!! I get giddy looking at every single one of them.

Note: I verify entries. If you don’t do what you commented that you did, your entry becomes ineligible to win.

I want to thank you for your patience as I get your order filled or respond to your email!

All orders that have been placed prior to today will most likely get their first color choice and size.

USPS has raised their rates on shipping -
If you are someone from Canada who wants to purchase a shirt priority mail shipping is $20
If you are someone from the UK who wants to purchase a shirt priority mail shipping is $24

If you haven’t yet entered the giveaway for a shirt of your choice – you can still enter HERE up until midnight EST on 3/3/13

Want to purchase an I RUN THIS BODY shirt? Visit the SHOP page of Mile Posts — http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

Here’s how?

• Follow Mile Posts on twitter and tweet – I want to win an #irunthisbody shirt from @mileposts check them out here – http://www.mile-posts.com/2013/02/shop-i-run-this-body-shirts-are-here.html #run [leave your twitter handle in the comment or the link to the tweet you posted]

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Details:

• Four ways to enter – leave a separate comment for each entry completed.
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• Contest ends on 3/3/13 at midnight EST. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
• Winner chosen at random and odds depend on how many entries are received.
• Winner gets their choice of ONE  I RUN THIS BODY shirt of sizes and colors still available at the time of the sweepstakes ending.
• Winner has two weeks to claim their prize before a back up winner is chosen.

Want to purchase an I RUN THIS BODY shirt before they are sold out? All information can be found on this page - http://www.mile-posts.com/shop-i-run-this-body

If you want to look at pictures of other women in the shirts you can check out this link – http://www.mile-posts.com/personal-records/the-people-the-places

Shirts are $26 and come in yellow, pink, purple, and grey. Please read all details listed on the SHOP page before purchasing!

Thank you for making this DREAM come true. I get giddy every single time I see a picture of someone in their shirt!

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The run didn’t happen on Saturday. I didn’t run when I first woke up and I kept putting it off. Then I came up with a million and one reasons why it was everyone’s fault but my own as to why I didn’t run.

I came up with different plans in my head. Wake up at 4 am. Run 17 miles. Go to the race – run a 1 mile warm up – 3.1 race and then a 1 mile cool down. THAT MAKES TOTAL SENSE.

My alarm went off early, because part of me actually believed I would actually do this hair brained plan. The other part of me knew that it was total BS that I would run a discombobulated run like that.

Eric had to run to his parents and said he would take the kids with him, so I could get the run in.

I have literal rage when he asks me how many miles I plan on running, so he knows not to ask. He asks around how many hours I think I will be running or gone for.

The rage comes from the fact that I am stressed and unsure of myself. 2013 marks 10 years of consistently running marathons. I still don’t know when I run 16+ miles how I am going to run that far on that day. My mind doubts me. My body doubts me. I doubt me.

I don’t want to fail. I don’t like failing even though I know it’s part of growth.

If I don’t say how far I want to run then there is no failing. I’m running the day and what my body gives me. I can say I hope to run 20 miles but I will see how I feel. It’s not so much of a way out but a way of not freaking my mind out.

I didn’t want to be alone outside on the trail for almost 3 hours so I opted to run on the treadmill inside. It builds up my mental endurance, which is often more important to me than my physical endurance.

The goal was to run 20.

I hit 20 and I started thinking about my fitness level. Can I possibly PR at B & A with little training this cycle. My mind said no. So I asked myself why then was I waiting on running a treadmill marathon. I’ve wanted to do it for years. Why not today?

A treadmill marathon long run may seem silly to most people. It’s not silly to me. I like doing things that make me happy and running long on a treadmill, no matter how boring, makes me happy. I’m not the type of person that can do it every day but once in awhile I love these types of runs.

When I hit 26.2 I hit pause on the treadmill, took a picture of the time, and danced alone for a moment. I was HIGH on life.

I’ve always wanted to run MORE than 26.2 so I told myself if you run only 1.8 more miles you will have run 28 miles!! Do it – Do it. I started up the treadmill and ran another 1.8. At which point I hit pause again, took a picture of the time and again did a little happy dance.

Do it. Do it. Were the only words I heard in my head.

I’ve always wanted to run my age in miles. I had planned last year to tack on an extra 3.8 miles to Boston Marathon and run 30 miles that day to celebrate turning 30. As it turns out – it was a miserable day for me and I was lucky to even finish. Time ticked on and 30 miles didn’t happen.

I started the treadmill again, ran another 2 miles, and finished 30 miles with the biggest smile on my face I’ve had in awhile.

IT WAS AWESOME.

Was it boring? Yes at times.

Why did I do this? It made me happy.

Do I think I’ve run a *real* ultra? Nope. The only thing that counts to me is race day. One day I’ll race 30 miles, but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate the accomplishment.

Do I want to run an ultra? Yep. I really think clearest when running long. Life just makes more sense to me in those exhausted blissful last miles of a long run or race.

Was it too long of a run before B & A? Probably but it was only 4 hours of running. When I first started training for marathons my long runs would take me 4 1/2 hours. I want to do well at B & A because it’s in my nature to give it my all, but I do not regret for a moment running 30 miles, even if that means my time is slower at B & A.

What did I watch? Dexter. I’m obsessed with the show. I jumped up and down when I saw that one of the main characters is on the cover of Women’s Running Magazine. I’m pretty sure I’ll never get sick of smiling when I think about that magazine.

Did I listen to music? YES. I grabbed the BOOM BOX I’ve had since I was around 10 years old, plugged it in, dusted it off and listened to the radio. It helped. I lost my shuffle and yurbuds – insert sad face – and just haven’t had a chance to go buy a new one yet.

For the past week, I’ve walked around with this little voice in my head saying - you ran 30 miles on a treadmill – you can do anything you put your mind to. Each and every time it’s made me smile. That’s what life is about to me. It’s about being happy. Happiness isn’t a destination as I once thought. Life is rarely perfect, things often don’t go as planned. You have to learn to ride the wave of life and just enjoy it. Don’t worry so much what others think, do what makes you really happy. On that day, last Sunday, running 30 miles on a treadmill made me really happy – SO I DID IT.

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Joining a gym is an easy thing to do. Walk in, sign up, pay the money and you have a membership.

It wasn’t easy for me. Who the heck knows why, but it wasn’t.

Why on earth didn’t I do this sooner?

2 hours of childcare a day. All classes included [spin, yoga, boot-camp, etc.].

First day at the gym and I jumped right into a spin class. Here is what I have learned in the past couple of weeks. Hope it helps you if you are thinking of trying out spin!

• You are going to sweat, most likely more than you ever have in your life. Bring water [it rests in a little spot on the bike between your legs] and make sure when you arrive at class you are hydrated.

• Bring a towel. You are going to sweat and by sweat I mean that it may appear as if you have jumped in a pool. There aren’t any fans in the spin room I am in, so the sweat doesn’t evaporate, it just keeps coming. The towel will be great for wiping off your body but also good for keeping the handles of the bike dry so your sweaty hands don’t accidentally slip off.

• Hydrate. You sweat a ton as previously mentioned. At night after the first couple of classes I had a terrible dehydration headache.

• Don’t wear Hattori’s or other shoes that don’t have much between you and the peddle. I’ve been slowly adding in the Saucony Hattori’s on some of my shorter runs but they are best for running, not spin. On the first day of class I wore them and when getting out of the saddle at the end of class my feet hurt because I could feel the peddles pushing into my feet. Minamilist running shoes and spin do not mix well.

• Tell the teacher you are new. I didn’t do this and regretted it. I didn’t know how to position my seat or that it even mattered. On day two when another new student informed the teacher she was new, she helped her get the bike all set up. At that point I told her this was only my second class and she helped me too. If you are worried about bothering others or being embarrassed, arrive to class a little early so you can tell the teacher you want/need help.

• Don’t get discouraged. Wattage on the meter tells you how hard you worked during the session. On the second day the teacher told us her wattage for the day was pathetic because she was sick – it was around 200. Having gone to 5 spin classes at the time my average wattage hadn’t yet reached her pathetic level. I have however jumped in average wattage so I know either I’m doing it better or getting stronger. No one would expect to be good at running after only 5 runs so don’t expect you are going to be a super star after only a couple of classes. Like most things, it takes time to build up.

• Buy spin shoes. I haven’t done this yet, but am going to. It seems to be that you are missing half the workout if you don’t have the shoes. My legs do a lot of pushing but not a lot of pulling. Here are two posts I found online that I found helpful in knowing what to get when it comes to spin shoes. http://syncstudio.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/taking-it-to-the-next-level-investing-in-cycling-shoes/    http://www.dareyoutoblog.com/2012/05/get-spinning-shoes.html

• The teacher and music MATTERS There has only been one teacher I haven’t enjoyed so far. The music is low during her class, I don’t like most of it and the workout doesn’t seem to flow to the beat of the music. I think a good teacher makes all the difference in how much you will like the class. I also happen to think that LOUD music is REALLY good when you are in pain.

• If money doesn’t grow on the trees in your backyard, I suggest joining a gym over a specific spin studio if you are a beginner. Joining the gym was MUCH cheaper than paying for a spin studio near me. It also gives me other cross training options as well as childcare.

• You get of it what you put into it. This is a no brainer. If you want the class to be easy then it’s going to be easy. No one is forcing you to up the gears or peddle faster. It’s all up to you. If you want a workout and you want to see results then make it count. Half a$$ the workout and you will see half a$$ed results.

Are you new to spin? Thoughts? If you SPIN all the time what are you tips for those of us who are new to it??

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What I do know for sure is that I want to pick up the pace on the hard runs and really get in some good tempos.

Headed to the gym this morning to do the tempo since it seems easier to run faster with the added pressure of being in a packed gym. [I don't mind admitting that one bit - added pressure can be good sometimes]

One mile warm up – around a 7:30 average

Four miles at 6:35 pace

No cool down because I immediately got off the treadmill and walked to the spin room, where class was about to begin.

The teacher said that today was LEG day. We wouldn’t worry about RPM we would really be pushing ourselves on the gears and try to go higher than we have ever gone before. It was more of a strength workout for our legs. GRRREEEAATTT I thought. The day I decide to do my first tempo in months is the day that the teacher decides to work legs. 10 minutes into this killer spin class I wanted to cry, or walk out, or both.

A quick little mental pep talk, where I told myself it was OK not to push as hard as the teacher said, if need be, and I was back to my new-found-spin-loving-self.

I didn’t slack off in the workout at all. I did everything just as she said to do. I walked out of spin feeling utterly happy and utterly exhausted.

I’m pretty sure doing a tempo run followed by a spin class is NOT a good idea. I may or may not ever do that again.

I think for the next tempo run I need to pick up the pace a bit, but for today I was more concerned with running 4 miles of tempo rather than hitting goal pace range.

I say my warm up was around a 7:30 pace because it’s important when doing treadmill speed work not to cheat yourself. The end goal is your race, not how fast you did a specific workout. Be honest with yourself during training so you don’t finish your goal race and wonder why you didn’t hit your goal pace.

I started the 6:35 pace in the first warm up mile to ensure that I was indeed running 6:35 miles for every single mile. The last mile I picked up the pace down to 6:20 to ensure that I really did average 6:35 for all 4 miles. Another great way to make sure is to carry a stop watch with you and hit lap when you get to the mile so you can record what you ran.

Other ways you can cheat yourself on the treadmill are by stopping and resting during a tempo run. A tempo run is a run where you DO NOT STOP during the fast part. If you stop mid run and rest then you are doing a tempo interval. If you are doing intervals you need to be running faster than the pace you hold for a tempo run. [note: not all coaches agree on this].  You can also cheat yourself by resting too long in between intervals if you are doing tempo intervals vs a tempo run. I don’t really like tempo intervals, if I am going to stop then I would rather be doing a track workout variation on the treadmill.

So that was my day. I have a date tonight with my rumble roller because my legs are toast.

Note: I have been running marathons since 2003, and I am a running coach, but I may not be your coach. Be informed. Make educated decisions on what advice you listen to when it comes to what you read on the internet.

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Zedd & Foxes – Clarity – 129 BPM

Ke$ha – C’mon – 125 BPM

Bridgit Mendler – Ready or Not – 94 BPM

Martin Solveig & Dev – We Came to Smash – In a Black Tuxedo – 132 BPM

Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding – I Need Your Love – 128 BPM

Rihanna – Diamonds (Congorock Remix) – 126 BPM

Icona Pop & Charli XCX – I Love It (Cobra Starship Remix) - 130 BPM

Conor Maynard & Ne-Yo – Turn Around – 128 BPM

Kelly Clarkson - Catch My Breath (Cash Cash Remix) – 128 BPM

Ke$ha, Juicy J, Wiz  Khalifa, Becky G – Die Young (Remix) – 128 BPM

To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com.  You can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era – to find the music that best fits with your workout!

What are your recent song favorites?

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* Run Hundred song list is posted with permission

Eric typically heads to Starbucks alone for his coffee before I start my long run. It’s a 15 minute calm before the storm of watching three kids. This Saturday the littles all wanted to go with him and I didn’t want to be the party pooper mom who had to run and miss a family outing.

When we got in the car the temperature read 11 degrees.

There was no way I was going to run outside. NO WAY. I don’t like being cold.

I’ve been addicted to Dexter on Showtime lately so it was a-ok with me that I was going to do another long run on the treadmill.

21 miles later, the last at marathon goal race pace of 7:03, I felt like I could keep going. This always happens to me on the treadmill. There are many miles that think about quitting. I think about trying my run the next day or taking a step back week. Pushing through isn’t always easy but it prepares me for the hard parts of a marathon, so I never give up. Not once have the voices in my head won out and let me quit. At mile 21 I wanted to run 5.2 more just because. I reminded myself that my goal is a race, not a random 26.2 on a Saturday morning. One day I will do it just because.

21 miles – 7:44 average

Friday’s are my rest days [no cross training, no running]. Sunday I had planned on running but didn’t. Even though Friday’s are crazy I may need to start getting up at 4:30 to get a run in or at the very minimum a Jillian DVD in, because I typically end up skipping my Sunday runs.

I wanted to start the week out on the right foot so the boys and I headed to the gym.

3.1 miles – 7:19 average

1 hour of spin

1 mile – 7:25

It was my first time attempting to run after spin. It felt strange. Very strange. My legs felt like jello and my lower body did not feel strong. I have a new found respect for triathletes. Once the workout was over my first thought was – 21 miles on a treadmill was MUCH easier than what I did today.

Here is one of those do as I say and not as I do moments. If you are training for a race - working out for 2 hours a day is no big deal. If you are trying to loose weight or just be healthy I don’t recommend working out for that long. There is such a thing as too much exercise and if you aren’t recovering properly or eating well your body is going to break down.

Randomness:

• I read every single comment. Thank you guys for always taking the time to give constructive feedback or just generally lift me up. I’m sorry that I’ve been slacking on responding to them lately! Trying to find a mommy, training, writing, coaching balance and it has felt more complicated lately.

• Loved Katie’s disclaimer on this post http://msfitrunner.com/?p=4587 the other day – BE YOU people. It’s great to learn from other runner’s but what works for you might not work for someone else and what works for me might injure you. It’s important to listen to your body and not get caught up in comparisons.

• Many moons ago I stopped slacking on the treadmill after reading a post on Racing With Babes. Lately I’ve been really loving her posts and thought you might enjoy two of the ones I’ve liked.
• http://www.racingwithbabes.com/2013/02/goal-refresh-and-refocus.html - on training
• http://www.racingwithbabes.com/2013/01/perspective.html - on perspective

• Really excited for the latest addition the neutral Saucony line up. The Virrata is a zero drop minimalist shoe, that you can read about here – http://blog.saucony.com/saucony-lab/product-corner/virrata-0mm-drop-with-cushioning/ Counting the days till my pair arrives! Do you run in minimalist shoes?

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Training is back in full effect.

I say training because I think there is a difference between running and working out to be healthy and the things you do and do not do while *training* for a marathon or other big race.

Last post was last Wednesday. Sometimes I feel like talking, sometimes I don’t. I like it that way.

Thursday the little mini me had a two hour delay which meant there was no time to go to the gym and do spin and also make it home in time to get little #2 ready for pre-school.

Got on the treadmill when Colton was napping and busted out 10 miles while the other two were at school. I was REALLY happy with 10 because when you are first getting back into the swing of being on the treadmill for the majority of your weekly runs it takes a little bit to get over that 5 - 7 mile hurdle. I always find the longer I run on the treadmill for the shorter runs, the easier it gets to run a double digit run. Picking up the pace also helps me squeeze it in.

I am 100% sure that part of my speed increase over the years is due to limited time. When I had all the time in the world I was one word – LAZY. Now that time is limited I make the time I have count.

After said miles were over, showered and got dressed to go meet Blaire of http://www.themarketconfidential.com/ - She happened to be in town for the night, reads my blog, and wanted to meet up. I said sure because it’s totally normal making friends with Internet people now. Not joking at all. It has become totally normal. Blaire was adorable to say the least. I have this really bad habit [not sure if that is the word] of wanting to do something but then feeling so tired I just cancel [thank you Gilbert's Syndrome - I will continue to blame my abnormal fatigue on you].

Friday was a planned rest day. Met up with Jess of http://www.paceofme.com/ for a little mall play date with the littles. After a solid week of running I needed a day off.

I had planned to run long on Saturday but couldn’t find the motivation. Kept saying I would run later in the day but that never happened and I was okay with it. I had convinced myself that whatever run I went on that day was not going to be good. My mind wasn’t there so it turned into another rest day. At night I went out with my sister for a little retail therapy at Nordstrom Rack [oh Nordstrom how I love thee]. We headed to PF Changs for some yummy food and my favorite banana dessert. Ordered it with a side of salt, the waitress thought I was nuts, but it made me happy.

Sunday woke up MOTIVATED. It was icy and cold out so the treadmill looked like the best option.

I don’t hate the treadmill. It’s boring as hell and not ideal but anything that allows me to run is something I am never going to say I hate.

18 miles turned into 20 and to be honest I felt like I could have kept going. It’s exactly how I want to feel after a long run, but rarely do. 7:53 average for all 20 miles was right in the zone of where I want to be. I felt happy.

School was cancelled for the littles today because of ice. The four of us headed to the gym. I had barely any time to squeeze in a run before the spin class started. I made them count - 3 miles – 7:03 average. Day 3 of spin KICKED MY BUTT. I know I only went twice last week but I feel like I can already tell I am getting stronger. My wattage today was MUCH higher than my average last week. I felt happy.

I have a terrible headache from getting so dehydrated during spin. I have never sweat so much in a workout in my life. I really look like I just stepped out of the shower when class is over. Gross.

MUST drink more water.

Snow day means more time for snuggles with this pretty girl. I know it’s so cliche how parents say they love their kids more than life itself, but it really is true. She is the best.

Whenever you post about going REALLY long on a treadmill people typically ask a zillion and one questions. Here are some thoughts on some that I got on twitter this weekend.

• YES I was bored. I watched Dexter for all 20 miles, but it’s honestly hard to not get bored running for that long and not going anywhere.
• I like running long on the treadmill because it trains your brain to keep going even when bored or in pain. At mile 22 of a marathon you are going to ask yourself why you are doing this. You might come to the conclusion that you are insane or that you will never do it again. Miles 22 – 26 of a marathon are often the make or break miles. There is no point in giving up when the going gets tough during these miles. I often tell myself that if I slow down in those miles then I might as well have just run the 21 before it slower and these woudln’t have felt so bad.
• How bad do you want it? The winter is not ideal for training. Roads are icy and snowing or it’s just plain freezing outside. If you want to run a good race in the spring or any race at all, you have to put in the work. I want a marathon finish bad enough that 20 miles on a treadmill is worth it.
• NO I did not listen to music. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t. I wanted this run to be mentally hard.
• I put the tv on closed captioning so it’s not loud. Loud tv means I wake little people up. Watching the words keeps my mind on the tv and off the pain.
• YES I vary the pace. I always start out slow and finish faster. I started out at an 8:30 pace and worked down to sub 7′s.
• NO I do not run on an incline. I don’t believe in inclining the treadmill. I can talk more about this later. I don’t care what studies or reason you want to send me to try and prove it should be done. If it works for you, great. It doesn’t work for me. I believe in picking up the pace faster than you would run outside.

Do you run long on the treadmill? What are your tips?

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I write down the date of the race and work backwards.

• 10 – 12 -  one week out
• 16 – two weeks out
• 20 – 24 – three weeks out

I know the week before my longest long run I like to have a step back week.

• 14 – 16 miles - four weeks out

Then I look at how many weeks I have left till the race and what my longest long run currently is. Then I work forward. http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/ is my favorite go-to online calendar.

B & A Trail Marathon is March 16th

The race is in 8 weeks which means I have 7 weeks to get long runs in.

In a normal marathon training situation I would have allowed myself 12 weeks minimum to train with upwards of 16 – 20 weeks. I’m hoping that my residual fitness from the fall will help me out this spring. I’m also thinking that the shorter training cycle may mean I won’t get burnt out on winter running {I detest being cold}. I don’t’ have huge hopes of busting out a PR on 8 weeks of training, but I do want to finish this marathon feeling strong and happy, not weak and semi defeated.

Here is what my long run schedule is tentatively looking like

• 18 miles – 1/19
• 18 miles – 1/26
• 20 miles – 2/2
• 20 miles  – 2/9 {running a 5K the next day — http://www.prraces.com/runyourheartout/}
• 14 – 16 miles – 2/16
• 20 -24 miles -2/23
• 16 miles – 3/2 {running a 10 miler the next day – so I may just race the 10 miler and do a 6 mile easy cool down}
• 10 – 12 miles – 3/9
• RACE

I’ve signed up for Potomac River Run Marathon on May 5th which means there are 7 weeks in between B & A and that race. I don’t love the 6/7 week range for back to back marathons. I REALLY prefer to have the first marathon be the last super long run before the second marathon. My crazy marathon loving brain wants to run another one in April to break up that 7 week span.

This morning the boys and I went to the gym for day two of getting my butt kicked at spin class. I ran 4 miles before hand – 7:15 average – to warm up and then did an hour of spin. Starting 15 minutes into the class I was asking myself how on earth I was going to finish it. It did involved digging very deep and some seriously silent pep talks happened along the way.

After the gym the boys and I headed to Wegmans really quickly to buy more Kind Bars and some yummy Kombucha.

Colton is napping. Miles is at pre-school. Chloe is at school. I’m dressed for the day. Life is feeling extra good today.

Have I told you lately how much I love running and working out? It’s like brushing my teeth….I just don’t feel right if I don’t do it.

Looking for great deals on running, cycling, and fitness gear? Check out The Clymb. One of my favorite brands Aventura is on their today. The Daphne Shirt and Aurora Hat two of my favorites from this season are on there. I may need to order more colors! Other brands on there today include Sperry, GU Energy, and Cushe {I have the Cushe It Boot Cuff WP and the Fireside WP and like them both!!}

• Invite link here — http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/DorothyBeal

Live in the Northern Virginia/DC/Maryland area? Check out Potomac River Running’s Website for a bunch of great local races!

• http://prracing.racebx.com/

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I enjoy rest and I hate rest.

After a marathon I usually take a week off from running or working out. I’m typically in pretty good shape physically post marathon so sliding into my jeans isn’t hard. I feel good about my accomplishment and ride the marathon high.

When I return to running my mind is always ready. My body is usually ready but not always. I don’t start training right away. If I have another marathon coming up in a couple of weeks I just run to maintain but never build back any significant mileage.

I start to lose my motivation as it gets colder and running slows even more than it already has.

As my jeans get tighter and often impossible to put on I find myself questioning why I think I’m still a runner and why I think signing up for a spring marathon is a good idea. I think about getting rid of my jeans and buying a bigger size [totally irrational - I know].

THIS HAPPENS EVERY WINTER.

I love the rest because I like breaks. I hate the rest because I lose my motivation.

Two weekends ago I took the USATF Level 1 Coaching Certification class with THIS LADY.

Hanging out with her for 22+ hours of class, lunches at Starbucks and sushi after class got me motivated.

It was like looking in a mirror. Only what I saw in that mirror was a super motivated, sub 3 hour, tall, blonde, mother of 3, trying to fit it all in, marathoner.

I wanted to be her at that moment. Well not exactly her…..I wanted to be ME but more like her. If that makes sense.

Soooooo……

I signed up for 2 marathons. I got back on the training bandwagon and have enlisted her to help keep me on track. Accountability is important. I don’t want to push on slow workouts for the sake of bragging about it on a blog [not saying I do - I'm just saying that the temptation might be there if you have a blog, twitter, facebook account]. I want to go slow on the slow workouts and HARD on the hard workouts and I want to eat healthy while doing it.

The other night said LADY texted me and said she was sitting in front of brownies and had a spoon. I told her NOT to do it. As she had pointed out before – her buns and her runs would thank her later for resisiting. The truth is that motivation and accountability in my eyes are exactly — what they say in the Saucony Find Your Strong video. When we share it, we all get stronger. Helping her resist temptation will help me resist it in the future.

I digress…..

Saturday I ran 18 miles. My longest long run since Vegas Marathon.

Sunday I ran 10.2 miles at an easy pace – the average was easy but the run was anything but.

• Mile 1: 8:33
• Mile 2: 8:47
• Mile 3: 8:35
• Mile 4: 8:20
• Mile 5: 8:12
• Mile 6: 8:08
• Mile 7: 8:25
• Mile 8: 7:39
• Mile 9: 7:01
• Mile 10:  6:44

Monday I ran 7 treadmill miles while watching Dexter [total guilty pleasure and yes I like crime shows]. My average was 7:40. I felt like a runner again.

3 solid days of runs were awesome for my body but even better for my mental health.

On Sunday I joined LA Fitness. I want to be able to mix up my workouts and don’t just want to do Jillian Michaels DVD’s alone in my living room. I also like the fact that there is childcare. This means I don’t have to just squeeze in a workout while Colton is napping, Miles is at pre-school, and Chloe is at school. This allows me to free up some of that time to actually get some work done. {yes I do actually do work even though I consider myself a stay at home mom}

This morning the boys and I went to the gym. 2 quick miles on the treadmill – 7:30 average. 1 hour of spin class {my first spin class ever – more on this later} and then a fitness assessment which actually just turned into a mini workout.

I’m physically tired but am finding that I feel like I have more energy than I have in months.

Getting back on the training bandwagon feels oh-so-good.

Eric asked me the other day after I proclaimed that I wanted to be the fittest I have ever been in 2013. When will this all end? When will you stop running marathons and trying to get better and just chill. He meant it in a nice way {I’m assuming anyways}. I said NEVER and I sort of mean it. I’m a work in progress. My dads family is filled with women who are very overweight. It’s in my genes. I don’t just stay fit by sitting around. I lost the weight and found myself, by being active. I’m fairly certain the only way to not lose myself is to keep this up {and…..I’d like to fit into my jeans – totally superficial desire but I don’t care – a fit mom is a happy mom in my eyes}.

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• http://mollyberrieshodgepodge.wordpress.com/
• www.instagram.com/mollyberries

Katie:

• www.msfitrunner.com
• www.instagram.com/msfitrunner
• www.twitter.com/msfitrunner

Sarah:

• www.twitter.com/saweiss

Tami Roth:

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Send me a picture of you in your I RUN THIS BODY shirt, holding Women’s Running Magazine November/December 2012 issue, or how you went the extra point two on a run and you may see yourself in a reader round up photo post! email irunthisbody@gmail.com

Interested in purchasing an I RUN THIS BODY shirt? They will be back in stock in February! Colors will be – Yellow, Pink, Purple and Grey.

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I think at the beginning of every month and certainly every year it is good to analyze your priorities.

Besides the usual priorities in my life – my kids and my family – I want to make myself a priority.

This means when choosing between writing here, cleaning the house up, doing the dishes, or running – 9 times out of 10 I’m going to pick running. Running makes me feel better from the inside out. When I am having a rough day, nothing cures it quite like a run. When I am having a GREAT day nothing feels more celebratory than a good run. Running is so much more to me than just a way to exercise and burn calories – though I do enjoy those side effects.

Today I fit in more than I’ve been able to lately. Cleaning, dishes, a Jillian Michaels DVD, running and now taking a moment to reflect and record here.

Each run teaches me something. Today’s lesson was – going the extra point two only works if you are doing it for internal reasons and not because you are trying to impress anyone or brag.

I had exactly 55 minutes to fit in a run before I needed to be at the bus stop to get Chloe. I started out the run at an 8:30 pace and slowly dropped the pace down.

Note: when I am on the treadmill I never slow the pace [unless it is for cool down miles]. I only increase the pace as I run. I do it little by little knowing that whatever pace I increase it to is the pace I am committed to running the entire rest of the run. This teaches me pacing and also teaches me how to start slow and finish fast.

When I was at 4.9 miles I realize that I had 14 minutes to finish my run. I wanted to get in 7 miles and the only way that was going happen was if I ran sub 7 for both miles. I started to drop the pace faster and faster. My chest heaved and I regretted each time I upped the speed. at 6 miles in I realized that I didn’t have time to go the .2 on the end of this run and still get Chloe. Maybe I should just stop at 6.2 so I had my .2. That would have been cheating myself. Was I running the extra point two on runs so I could brag about it, or was I running the extra point two because I want to push myself this year.

Push myself.

I ran 7 miles in 53:35 – 7:35 average. [I started at 8:30 pace - finished at 6:15 pace]

I jumped off the treadmill ran downstairs and out of the house to get Chloe.

My heart was still racing as we walked into the house.

I had more in me.

Back to the treadmill I went to run 1.2 for a cool down.

It was the best run I’ve had in a long time because it built back my confidence. My motivation has been wavering lately. It does every winter. When I first started running marathons I only ran them in the fall because I hated the winter and being cold. Once I qualified for Boston that changed. I had to train for a spring marathon. After Boston I craved the feeling of entering the warmer weather fit and thus began the cycle of fall and spring marathons.

Last night I reflected why I didn’t want to run a spring marathon.

It occured to me I was still wrapped up in my time and speed and wasn’t being true to my inner self.

I may PR this spring, I may not. I don’t know what the outcome will be.

I’m learning to embrace not knowing what the future holds.

Being TRUE to myself I decided that I needed to train for a marathon this spring. SO I signed up for one and then I signed up for another and it felt DARN GOOD.

I’ve had an inner smile I feel in my heart ever since I hit the send payment button. It was a small price to pay for what I know will be more memorable days.

Going #theextrapointtwo in running doesn’t always have to literally be .2. Don’t cheat yourself – push yourself.

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Life has been a bit hectic to say the very least. There are a lot of things I want to talk about here but now is not the time. Maybe the time will come, maybe it won’t.

As a blogger I consider myself someone who overshares on the Internet. I do however try to keep many things to myself. I don’t talk about my kids all that much and I don’t talk about my personal life other than my own inner thoughts as they [mostly] relate to running. I don’t want my kids to grow up one day and be embarrassed that their life was chronicled on the Internet. I on the other hand don’t mind talking about my life if it in some small way can make a difference in the life of someone.

I’ve thought about quitting blogging many times – more times that I care to admit. Whether it was from a mean comment that stung, or way too many hours of my week being spent on all it takes to maintain this blog. What keeps me coming back week after week are the comments and friendships I’ve made that have LITERALLY changed my life.

After my last post on my revised goals I was humbled by the emails I received and moved by your comments. It got me thinking. I don’t just want to run #theextrapointtwo this year. I want to DO the extra point two as it relates to everything in my life.

I want to go farther. I don’t just want to DREAM BIG – I want to THINK BIG. I want to act rather than just talk.

*Every single run that I have managed to go on in 2013 has had an extra point two on the end of it.

So rather than write a long drawn out post about ways that I could go the extra point two this year or ways I plan on doing it. I’d love to hear from you. What are your suggestions? Or what are ways that you think you could put this simple idea into practice in your life?

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Here are my thoughts. random. raw.

Other than my 10 mile time my goals remained the same for 2013 as they were for 2012.

In 2012 I took my marathon PR from a 3:13 to a 3:11. While I love having a time that is two minutes faster it still isn’t the sub 3:10 I had wanted.

I didn’t race any half marathons so my PR remained the same. Not sure why I set it as a goal if I didn’t even bother signing up for one half marathon.

My 10K and 5K goals were after thoughts – I believed that if I PR’ed at the marathon the 10K and 5K would just follow. Problem was that I raced those distances when I wasn’t in peak shape – so they too remained unchanged from 2011.

The 10 mile distance was the only race that I had what I would consider a significant break through – taking my time from a 1:12 to a 1:06. Again – it wasn’t a focus – it happened as a result of being in shape for Marine Corps Marathon.

I know in 2013 I won’t focus on the 5K or the 10K. I don’t love either distance and while YES I do like racing them – I’m not going to train for them specifically so why am I writing them down as one of my BIG goals for 2013?

I do like 10 milers and half marathons but I should keep them as my goals only if I plan on training for them and signing up for them.

My marathon goal is close enough to my 3:11 that I think I can achieve it with decent training. What I keep asking myself is – will I be any happier with a 3:0X PR than I am with a 3:11 PR? Maybe – but it won’t be as a result of the time on the clock. If I am happier it will be because of the journey, because of the obstacles I will have to overcome to get there or because of the friends I make along the way.

So why does all this number talk matter?

It matters because I want to run the extra .2 this year. I don’t just want to be one of those runners that is so wrapped up in myself that I only care about achieving PR’s. This year I want to do more when it comes to running and I don’t just want that MORE to be MORE miles. I want it to be something that makes a difference in my life but also the lives of others.

The .2 signifies giving my all when I think I have nothing left. It is the .2 left after running 26 miles.

I’m starting to believe that when I am weak then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I’m really weak right now. Maybe this means I’m strong? Or maybe it means that being strong or FINDING YOUR STRONG isn’t something that happens once – maybe it’s something that has to happen daily [thanks Tess].

So my goals have changed. It might take me a couple of posts to work through all the goals I have and I know it’s going to take me longer to figure out how to achieve them or maybe even do them period – BUT – I will figure it out. Step by step. Day by day. I will get there.

Here are a few of my revised 2013 goals:

• I want to use all the strength I’ve gained stroller running, for good. I want to push a child who can not run in a race. My dream would be to push them for a marathon. I often see this during marathons and each and every time it brings me to tears.
• I want to run a race for charity. I’ve never fund raised for a race before. I’ve always asked myself – why would I? Why would anyone donate to my cause? Having run 23 marathons it is not like I’m doing something out of my comfort zone by running a marathon. I always saw it as just asking people for money. I don’t like asking people for anything – much less money. I want to find a cause that means something to me and I want to find a running goal that takes me out of my comfort zone and combine the two by racing for a charity.
• I want to pace someone in a race and help them achieve their DREAM BIG goal – whether this is running a marathon with a friend or showing up and buddy running with a girl at a Girls On The Run race – I don’t know yet. I only know that I want to be a part of helping someone get to the finish line.
• I want to help two of my coaching clients BQ. Boston Marathon isn’t about the race. It isn’t about the bragging rights. It’s about something much much deeper. It’s about setting a goal for yourself and working towards it. It’s about picking yourself up and trying again, and again and again until you get that goal. I want to do everything in my power to help these girls get there.
• I want to make a difference in the life of someone I do not know. I’m not sure now how or when, but I want to embrace the unknown in 2013.

I want to live by the words on this picture.

 At the end of the day – having a lower marathon PR does nothing to leave something behind. In 2013 I want to make a difference even if it’s a small tiny spec in the scheme of things.

Do I still want a sub 3:10 marathon? Of course. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. But I only want it if it comes as a result of making a difference and not as a result of an obsession with a time on a clock.

• Jan 1: 6.2 miles
• Jan 2: 6.2 miles
• Jan 3: 4.2 miles

I will go the extra .2

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• Mile Posts on twitter – @mileposts
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The reality is that you can start fresh any day you choose, but something about the new year and everyone around you setting goals helps to collectively motivate.

The words I write on this blog publicly are most often for my benefit. I write posts that I can read and re-read when I need them.

Race recaps remind me I am strong.

Stroller run - highs and lows remind me that there are always highs and lows and you can’t have one with out the other.

PR’s remind me that I love speed.

Falling short reminds me that failure isn’t really failure - it’s just one step to get you closer to where you want to be.

Marathon training cycles mostly done on treadmills remind me that YES even though you don’t love the treadmill you have trained on them before and you can do it again.

Early morning run recaps help me see that if you want something bad enough then you have to do what you have to do.

My running goals for 2013 are mostly the same as they were for 2012. I haven’t worked out what my personal goals are yet but I plan on doing that tonight before the ball drops and rings in another year.

If at first you don’t succeed – try try again.

• Sub 3:10 Marathon
• Sub 1:30 1/2 Marathon
• Sub 1:05 10 Miler
• Sub 40 min 10K
• Sub 19:30 5K

I plan on remembering these words each and every day of 2013.

I pray that this year is one of your best yet, filled with happiness, joy and dreams that come true.

Mile Posts Blog is on:

• Mile Posts on twitter – @mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://instagram.com/mileposts

One of my goals for 2013 is to always remember this statement.

What we do or do not do today affects our tomorrows. The life you want to live, the body you want to have, or the runner you want to be – aren’t things that happen over one night. YET if you keep this simple principle in mind you can see yourself literally transform before your very eyes. If you want to loose 20 pounds don’t think about the 20 pounds all at once. Think in terms of a pound or two and soon you will be on your way to loosing all 20. If you want to run 20 miles, don’t think about the 20 miles all at once. Start with one mile and work your way up. It make take you 6 months before you can run 6 miles but by the end of 2013 I’m betting you will be able to run all 20.

When you want to sleep in and skip a run….ask yourself….will you regret it later?
When you want that second piece of cheesecake….ask yourself….will you regret it later?
When you put off to tomorrow what should be done today….ask yourself….will you regret it later?

Do you like resolutions or goals?

Mile Posts Blog is on:

• Mile Posts on twitter – @mileposts
• Mile Posts on pinterest – http://pinterest.com/mileposts/
• Mile Posts on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/irunthisbody
• Mile Posts on instagram – http://instagram.com/mileposts