How I Train For My Races As A Single Mom

     Over the past almost two years of my running journey, I've been asked many times when I find time to run as a single mom.  It's not easy.  I have found ways to make it work though.  When I got asked by a friend to join her in a local Dallas race, my first response was "I don't have time to train."  She told me that she didn't really train either.  I agreed to do the race thinking that I would just run and walk it.  As I started back to school that semester, two weeks before the race, I realized that I have until 6:30 pm to get my girls from the after school care. 

     It was with that realization that my training began.  I was able to run two to three times a week after school.  When I first began running, I wasn't able to train on the weekends because I had the girls.  As summer rolled around and with that the hot Texas heat, I started taking my runs to the treadmill.  I am lucky to have a fitness center in my neighborhood.  So, the girls and I would walk to the fitness center and they would watch a movie on my laptop and I would run all the miles on the treadmill.  As it got closer to my first half marathon and I had longer miles to run every other week on the Jeff Galloway plan, I had to figure out how I was going to make it work.  I don't have family that lives close to us, but I am blessed with such an amazing support system.  I was able to arrange for my girls to have sleepovers with sweet friends that are like family to us every other week for two months. We alternated between two friends.   Since it is still so hot in Texas in August and September, I needed to get my runs done as the sun was rising.  Sleepovers worked perfectly!
     I could not have trained for my first half marathon or continued this running journey if I didn't have the friends that I have.  They love me and they love my girls.  To this day, I have a support system that continues to support my running journey.  I am so grateful for them.  When I run races, if it is a 5K, I always try to have my girls at the races with a babysitter (hopefully cheering for me at the finish).  I want them to see what mommy works so hard for.  They see me do my Beachbody workouts at home.  I want them to see that hard work is worth it.  It's now becoming a family thing.

My first race - Hotcake Hustle, January 2016.

The girls were there at the finish line cheering for me at my second race, The Hot Chocolate Run, February 2016.

The girls were there to cheer for me at the finish of the 2016 Color Run.

I had my favorite cheerleaders cheering across the finish at the 2016 Run Like A Mother.

In May of 2016, Lyla ran her first 1 mile run and earned her first medal.

Rock the Block 2016

Both girls ran the 1K at the 2016 Plano Balloon Festival Races.

These sweet girls waited (with their awesome babysitter) in the pouring rain to cheer for me at my first half marathon.

Running with our local running club.

Lyla ran another 1 mile run at the 2016 Plano Haunt Jaunt.

Their first runDisney race.

Princess Half Marathon 2017

     

Run Like A Mother 2017

Rock the Block 2017

     Is it hard to fit my training in my schedule?  OH YEAH!!!  I had a friend in high school tell me something that he learned from his father..."You make time for the things that are important to you."  I've learned that he and his dad were right.  If you want it bad enough, you will make it work.  You won't let excuses get in the way.  I will say that when I first started running, I was very consistent in my strength training.  The past year, I have not been as consistent.  I'm just tired and I've decided that I'm not going to kill myself.  Every month I sit down and look at my calendar and I figure out my running schedule.  I then try my best to work in my strength training.  I have to remind myself that this is a journey.  Every journey has its ups and downs.  

     I hope that you have a support system that can help you.  Sit down and make a plan.  It's not easy.  Sometimes it's downright exhausting.  I know that my girls are learning so much from my running and fitness journey.  I love that it is something that we can do together (even if one likes cheering better than running).  It makes us stronger.  Don't give up on your dream!  You are worth it!

runDisney's Virtual Running Shorts Series

     How many of you have ever wanted to participate in a runDisney race, but couldn't make it work financially or otherwise?  Well, last year runDisney introduced a new race that anyone and EVERYONE could participate.  They began the Virtual Running Shorts Series.  What is that and what does that mean for you?  Many races are offering Virtual Races to go along with their races now.  This means that you can run the distance of the chosen race on your schedule and in a location that is convenient to you.  You can do the miles on a treadmill, in your neighborhood, on your favorite trail, with friends or by yourself and you can run or walk them.  Many races will mail you the finisher medal after the specified race date.
     runDisney got in on this and they were smart.  runDisney races are not cheap when you factor in registration, transportation to Disney World, or Disneyland, lodging, food, park tickets, race costumes, etc.  I know that we cut out so many things in our day to day life so that we can afford these races and trips.  If you've always wanted one of those beautiful runDisney medals, you can now have that chance.  The Virtual Running Shorts Series runs over the summer.  It starts in June and ends in August.  There are 3 races that you can choose from (one for each month) or you can do the whole series and get a challenge medal too.  If you choose to do just one or two of the races, it will cost $40 per race.  If you choose the series it will cost you $142 (before processing fees).
     I did not do the series last year.  I'm kind of regretting it now.  The first set of medals were Mickey Mouse themed.

This year several of my friends in my running Facebook Group were doing it so I succumbed to peer pressure and signed up.😄  One of our members set up one weekend each month when we would virtually run together.  Once we ran our races, we would share it with each other.  I'm not sure when runDisney shipped my medals, but I know that they arrived in early July while we were out of town.  All 4 medals were shipped at once in a nice box.  Each medal is individually wrapped.  It's a very fun box to open.

Right before you run your 3.1 miles, you can go to the runDisney website and download your race bib.

You get to personalize your race bib!

 Once you finish your 3.1 miles, you can then enter them on the runDisney website to get your Finisher's Certificate.

For my first race, I chose to take it to the treadmill because it's HOT in Texas in the summer.  😃  For the month of July I was on the road.  I had forgotten to pack my race bib and didn't want to bother my friends or family to use their printers, so I just ran without it.

I did my July run in beautiful Long Island, NY.

My August run was part of one of long training runs for my upcoming half marathon.  Even though I was home, I forgot all about my race bib until I got home, but at least I got a picture with it.  😄

A beautiful, hot Texas August morning run.

There is nothing like experiencing a runDisney race in Disney World or I imagine in Disneyland, but if you can't do one of those your next best option is to participate in the Virtual Running Series.  Grab a few friends and go out and do it together.    Will I do this again?  Yes!  I love the medals and I loved cheering on my friends virtually.  

 Did you participate in the Virtual Running Shorts Series?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  What would you like to see for the medals designs for next year?  I would love to see some Pixar themes.  I wonder if they might try Goofy or Donald next.  What are your thoughts?

Training For My 6th Half Marathon

     Training For My 6th Half Marathon...Wow!  I look at that title and I can't believe it.  One year ago I ran my first half marathon at the Plano Balloon Festival.  You can read that recap here.  In two weeks, I will be running that same race for the 2nd time.  I can't believe that it's been a whole year and that this will be my 6th half marathon.
     Training for this half marathon looked a lot different than it did this time last year.  One reason it was different was that we were only home for about two weeks during the summer.  While I did make sure to go running in the mornings when we were visiting family and friends, I didn't push for long mileage and there were stretches of one week and then two weeks where I did NO exercise/running, but did A LOT of eating (Hello Disney and extra pounds).  😏  The extra weight and lack of mileage really hindered my training.  In the spring, I had gotten my pace just under 11 minutes, somewhere in the high 10 minute range.  Now, I am back to a 12/13 minute mile pace.  To say that I have been frustrated is an understatement.  I've been mad and disappointed in myself.  I also have not been enjoying the training this time around.  I'm running 4 times a week. One day I'm running/walking hills on the treadmill.  Another day I'm doing speed training.  The third day I'm just running for 45 minutes.  The fourth day I'm doing my long runs.  Those are the days that I've been dreading the most.  I'm almost dreading running this next half marathon.  I'm just not excited to run 13.1miles.  That is A LOT of running y'all!!
     I was going to run 10 miles this past Sunday morning before church.  I was dreading it.  I'm tired.  This hasn't been fun.  I have the utmost respect to all of you that train for and run marathons.  You are my heroes!  On Saturday morning (in the midst of mini melt downs) I reminded myself that Jeff Galloway alternates weeks with long runs and then shorter runs in his training programs.  I haven't been doing that because I had gotten so far behind with my training this summer.  I decided (& was encouraged by my sweet friends) to just get out there and run and do what I felt was good.  I ran 11.5 miles last week, so I'm ready physically for the half in two weeks.  So, I got out there and ran 4.7 miles.
     I started getting a little more excited about this year's race though after I went to pick up our race packets on Sunday afternoon.  This year they are offering the "Sky High Challenge".  If you sign up for this, you will run the 5K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday.  I did this last year, but this year with the challenge you get 3 medals instead of 2.  It's ALL about the bling, am I right?  Check this out:

5K Finisher Medal

Half Marathon Finisher Medal

Sky High Challenge Medal

I sent a picture to my sweet friend Wanda and I convinced her to change from just doing the half to doing the Challenge.  Woo-hoo!  On top of that, I have registered my 7 year old to do the 5K with me.  This will be her second 5K.  She is super excited to get the medal.  Her 8 year old sister is super excited to be on the sidelines cheering!  😃   Hey, cheerleaders are important too!  I was undecided as to whether I was going to sign Lyla up for the 5K because it's been so hot out.  Luckily, it has started to cool off a little.  We went for a training run/walk this past Saturday.  We did 2 miles and she did great!   We tried this in June of 2016 and it didn't go too well.  Now that she is a little older, it has gotten a little easier for her.  She has also had several 1K's and 1 mile runDisney races under her belt since that first 5K in June of 2016.  I am so excited to share this with her.
     So, will I PR this half marathon?  Probably not.  I need to remind myself that I won't PR every race.  I remember the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon being a really fun and good race last year.  I want to enjoy this race.  I get to run it with a sweet friend and I will also have the cutest cheerleaders waiting for me at the finish!  Let's not forget that ALL of the bling will be mine too!  I run because I CAN, for the race experience and once again the medals are SO addicting (am I right Wanda?)!
     Stay tuned for more updates on the Plano Balloon Festival Races!!

When You Are Overwhelmed With All Of It

     Hello everyone!  It has been WAY too long.  I came back from Princess Half Marathon and life just went full force.  Work went non-stop until summer vacation.  I thought I'd catch up with my blogging over the summer, but summer just flew by.  We went on a very long but fun road trip (more on that later).  I'm hoping to finally get back on track.
     Today I just wanted to talk about being overwhelmed.  Ever have those moments?  Can I get an Amen?  This weekend was one of them.  School has been non-stop since we started back.  I got spoiled over the summer of doing whatever we felt like, not having to cook for about 6 weeks, you know...just enjoying life.  Now we are back to juggling work, making meals, figuring out how to get my workouts and runs in, being a mom that is present, and so much more.  By this weekend I had just about had it.  I was done.  I'm over training for my next half marathon.  I was just over adulting.  I wanted my summer back.  It didn't help that I came home to my air conditioning not working and a few other not so fun things happening in our home this weekend.
     I ended up having a mini melt down Saturday morning.  They wouldn't come fix our air until Monday.  As I started to cry, I had to stop myself and say "Ann, there are so many families that lost their home in Hurricane Harvey.  You are complaining about not having air for a few days?  Suck it up and go by a few box fans."  So, I did.  It turns out that my unit was frozen and needed to defrost (on my carpet).  😄   I also had to apologize to my sweet girls because I did not have some good Mommy moments this weekend.  My pastor said yesterday, "Life is like a deck of cards.  We are going to have a good hand and we could have a bad hand.  What are you going to do with those cards that you are given?"  (I'm paraphrasing a little)  My cards were "meh" this weekend.  I could have played or handled things better.  I know that part of it was because I have been taking my relationship with God for granted.  "Hold on God!  I'll get back to you later."  I've been on auto-pilot and just coasting.  The problem is that I'm running on fumes.
     Just like in running, we need to make sure that we fuel ourselves properly, we also need to do that in our every day life.  Your way may look different from mine.  For me, it is sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus, pouring out my heart, and soaking in His Word.  My Sunday School class has been studying these verses the last two weeks:

Jeremiah 29:10-14New International Version (NIV)

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will callon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

I love verses 12 and 13, "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." God never promises that life will be easy.  In fact the Israelites were in Babylon for 70 years.  We are all dealt a hand of cards.  What do you choose to do with those cards?  Am I still overwhelmed?  You betcha!  I am not on this journey alone though.  I have someone who wants me to pour my heart out to Him. If I seek Him, I will find Him.  Sometimes it is easier to see Him than other times.  For some reason God chose me to be my girls' mommy, even as a single woman.  I'll take one day at a time and focus on my true love.  Only He can help me get through those moments that I just want to bang my head against the wall.
   Life is full of ups and downs.  Tonight, I am going to focus on the One who loves me beyond reason, find joy in the little things and not focus on things that I can't control (like me turning 45 and having to use reading glasses now-SERIOUSLY...it happened over night!).  😂  Tomorrow is a new day.  If you are overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe.  One of my favorite authors taught me to start looking for "what's right with this picture."  What is one good thing that is happening in your life or one thing that you can be thankful for?   I know that in the midst of the storm it seems impossible.  Let Him carry you.  Don't walk through those moments/storms alone.
     I will be back soon to tell you about our fabulous 6 week road trip from the summer.  I am also getting ready for my 6th half marathon that is happening in two weeks.  I've signed up for the "Sky High Challenge" with the Plano Balloon Festival Races.  That means that I'll be running the 5K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday.  The part that I'm most looking forward is that this cutie will be running her second 5K with me on that Saturday!

Talk to you again soon!  Hugs!

Ann

2017 Princess Marathon Weekend Arrival & Expo

I can't believe that it's been three weeks since we were at the 2017 runDisney Princess Half Marathon.  It was such an amazing weekend.  It began bright and early on Thursday morning, February 23rd.  The girls and I had a 6:am flight to Orlando, so we were up around 3:am.

It's easy to get up that early when you are heading to Disney.  😀 💜  Once we arrived in Orlando, we took the Disney Magical Express to our resort, Old Key West.  Our room wasn't ready, so we left our carry ons with Bell Services, grabbed a bite to eat and then hopped on the bus to the Expo.  I think that next time we will plan on heading to the parks first and then head over the to the Expo.  It was very crowded at the Expo.  We got our bibs, race shirts and then I picked up a few merchandise items.

One of my favorite parts of the runDisney races is seeing my Disney friends!

After we were done at the Expo we headed back to our resort to meet our friend Meredith before heading over to Magic Kingdom.  

We headed back a little after 8:pm because I had to get up early for the 5K.  Stay tuned for more on our race experience!  Check out my video recap of our arrival and the Expo.

The 2017 Humana Dallas Rock n Roll Half Marathon

Well, I did it!  I completed my 5th Half Marathon today since I started running a year ago.  I was really hoping to PR (get a personal record) this race.  The odds were not in my favor for this race though.  It started when I went to the Expo on Saturday to pick up my bib.  My bib was nowhere to be found.  They didn't have it.  They sent me to another table to get a new bib and timing tag.  I was originally supposed to be in corral 12, but this new bib put me in 7.  I decided to stay in 12 to start the race with my friend Wanda. Speaking of my sweet friend Wanda...I think that she has forever spoiled me for a Dallas race.  She had booked a room at one of the hotels in downtown Dallas that ended up being right next to our corral and the finish line.  She invited me to stay with her.  It was AMAZING to be so close and to be able to take a shower right away after the race.  Thank you Wanda!  You are an ANGEL!  Ta-Wanda!!!!  (Anybody know what movie that is from?)😀

We got to our corral this morning and were ready to go.  I had my wireless headphones all synched to my Jeff Galloway app on my phone and everything was working great until the race started.  It sopped working.  I tried to fix it, but gave up because I wanted to focus on running.  Besides, there was supposed to be a band at every mile and this was supposed to be an awesome race.  Oh and remember my new timing tag?  Well, my friends had signed up days ago to track me, but they were tracking my old bib (that didn't race), so they got nothing.  I didn't even think to have them change to my new bib.  Oops!  Back to the race...it was SUPER muggy this race.  My sunglasses kept fogging up.  I was having a great pace until the 10K mark.  I was right on track for my goal of finishing the half in 2 hours and 30 to 35 minutes.  Then I hit the MOTHER HILL. It was awful.  It just kept going up.  😞  There were also MANY inclines that would mostly level off.  The saying "what goes up must go down" didn't really apply to this race.

I had to go from down here to up there! 

There are a few things that I noticed about this race.  They said that they had a band at every mile.  I don't remember there being a band at every mile.  I could be wrong though.  I also noticed that there weren't enough water stops along the race.  In fact after when my friend Wanda got to the water and Gatorade stop after the mother hill, they were out of water and Gatorade.  She said that they were trying to fill up water cups from a hose.  😒  I started to slow down around mile 7.  Between the heat, hills/inclines and lack of water stops, I was just barely holding on.  The highlight of the race was when I was just about to the finish line and saw the Dallas Cheerleaders.  One of my friends is a Dallas Cheerleader and seeing her beautiful face made my heart smile.

My overall time for the race ended up being 2:42:04.  My very first Half Marathon (the Plano Balloon Festival) was 2:42:13.  So, I did better then that one but not as good as the 2:36:00 that I did at the Dallas Half Marathon in December.  Oh well.  I'll just keep training and I'll use the next few months to focus on PR'ing the 5K & 10K's.  I know that I'll have great races and not so great races.  I'm just going to keep pushing through though.

Brunch after the race with some sweet friends!