I have been absent from blogging, but not from running. A lot has been going on all around. In a nutshell...
I completed a duathlon (run 5K, bike 15, run 5K) It was a lot of fun! I think I would do that again.
I also recently completed the Hot Chocolate 15K (9.3 miles) sticking to a 10:07 pace! I am so happy about that.
There's been sad times this summer and fall. Matt and I both lost grandparents. I miss my Mommom. I had a very therapeutic run a couple days after her funeral. Running is good for me.
My running has been pretty consistent. Some weeks were better than others. This past week since the 15K, I haven't run at all. With the time change, I will probably be switching to more treadmill running (yuck). Although, in the beginning of the year, I mainly ran on the treadmill, and my desire to be done faster probably helped me improve my pace. :)
I've been very contemplative lately. I'm in a place right now where I'm feeling lost in my "roles" of life. I've gone from "Pastor's daughter" and "Rachel's little sister" to "Mrs" and "Mom", in rapid succession... None of these are bad roles, obviously. Then there's "Junior Scientist" (hate that term, by the way), "Safety Rep", and "Department Lunch Scheduler" at work. I could take-or-leave those. Sometimes I feel defined only by the roles, and I feel like I've lost who I am. Maybe one's roles are all anyone can be defined by. I don't know.
When I run, it's different. I feel like everything gets stripped away. I'm no longer defined by to whom I'm related or married. It doesn't matter what value (or lack of value) I add to my job. I don't really care if others define me as "a runner". Even day-to-day (or larger) struggles seem to fall to the wayside while I run. And all I'm left with is me.
Just Julia.
Tuesday
June 15, 2010 - New plan
After the fun of the triathlon relay, I went home and talked to Matt about the possibility of doing my own triathlon. But, honestly, the thought of the swim, intimidates me. Then Tina informed me that an area triathlon has a duathlon. Right away, Matt got to work ordering my slicks for my Specialized Stumpjumper. (I love my bike, and while a road bike is better for racing, I'm not investing in one...just yet.) He also ordered me a new suspension fork...the seal was broken on mine...which required new brakes... V-brakes instead of Y-brakes...
Beth graciously accompanied me on a 14-mile "exploratory" ride last Sunday morning. The 7 miles out I maintained an easier 10 mph pace. The way back, since I had gas left in my legs, I was closer to a 14 mph pace. Unfortunately, I was on Matt's nobby semi-slicks because my tube on my rear wheel was faulty and therefore flat, with no extra tube. But he has it all fixed now! :)
SO! The registration for my first duathlon is in the mail! It's July 11th, and a 15 mile bike ride sandwiched between two 5K runs. Should be interesting! :)
Beth graciously accompanied me on a 14-mile "exploratory" ride last Sunday morning. The 7 miles out I maintained an easier 10 mph pace. The way back, since I had gas left in my legs, I was closer to a 14 mph pace. Unfortunately, I was on Matt's nobby semi-slicks because my tube on my rear wheel was faulty and therefore flat, with no extra tube. But he has it all fixed now! :)
SO! The registration for my first duathlon is in the mail! It's July 11th, and a 15 mile bike ride sandwiched between two 5K runs. Should be interesting! :)
Sunday
May 16, 2010 - Leaning Tower YMCA Triathlon Relay
GO TEAM JET!!! (Julia, Elizabeth (AKA Bethie), and Tina!!!)
WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth's Swim (450y): 9:25
Tran1: 1:34
Tina's Bike (18K): 35:04
Tran2: 0:29
My Run (5K): 29:08
Total time: 1:15:37.0
Place: 1!!!! (out of 8 teams, one DNF)
WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!
Beth's Swim (450y): 9:25
Tran1: 1:34
Tina's Bike (18K): 35:04
Tran2: 0:29
My Run (5K): 29:08
Total time: 1:15:37.0
Place: 1!!!! (out of 8 teams, one DNF)
Monday
May 10, 2010 - Thinking...
I have been enjoying running only 3-4 miles so much that I am considering not running a half marathon this year...
I know Matt would be glad if I didn't (training time-wise).
But I feel some grandiose obligation to run at least a half marathon....stupid stubbornness...
I know Matt would be glad if I didn't (training time-wise).
But I feel some grandiose obligation to run at least a half marathon....stupid stubbornness...
Saturday
May 1, 2010 - Police Memorial Run to Remember 5K
The 5K went really well! I finished in 31:00 (9:59 pace). The run felt good. I felt like I was pushing myself, but not overdoing it. It was difficult to meter my start though. All the people vying for position...makes me want to take out too fast, which is what I did last year. My first mile was a 10:30 (by my watch) so I actually picked up a little in the second two miles.
Next race: Triathlon (Sprint) Relay with Beth and Tina on May 16th! I'm doing the running portion (also a 5K). Yay! I'm excited! =)
Next race: Triathlon (Sprint) Relay with Beth and Tina on May 16th! I'm doing the running portion (also a 5K). Yay! I'm excited! =)
Friday
April 30, 2010 - Running Update and Image Ponderings
I'm afraid to say this as it might jinx things, but running is going really well! I'm enjoying it, even with the super intense head-wind yesterday. I'm so happy to be enjoying running again. Last season, I really didn't. It had become a chore. But now...well, this year it's completely different. I feel like I'm back to running because I want to be, not because I feel some grand obligation.
My race calendar is starting to populate now, too. Tomorrow is the Run to Remember Police Memorial 5K. I'm running with my sister-in-law and my hubby's best friend. On May 16th, I'll be the 5K leg of a triathlon relay with Bethie and Tina. I believe my half will be September 12th, but I haven't registered yet. Then I'll look into some neighborhood 5Ks, maybe with kid fun runs too!
My weight-loss goal is achieved, officially. However, it is not enough for me. What I am struggling with (as usual) is my self image. The core issues I have are still there, they have just re-manifested themselves. Before I was overeating for comfort. Now I am losing weight for comfort. I can calmly and "logically" say that I do not want to stop losing weight until the scale says a "certain number". I'm disappointed at the possibility that I may/will not get to that "certain number". It probably is too light for my frame anyway. But I don't want to really admit that. I think I should look a certain way. I know this is not healthy, but am afraid if I change my thought process, I will gain weight again and continue this awful yo-yo. I am still eating. I even splurge. But there is guilt, worry, calorie-fretting, etc. I am highly critical of my body flaws. When complimented by my hubby, I point these out. He gets annoyed.
I am taking baby steps though. Now, when I run, I focus on the strength of my legs. I remind myself of all my body has done and continues to do for me. She has been through two pregnancies, two c-section deliveries, two half-marathons, two full marathons, countless training days, the ins-and-outs of daily life, etc. Why should I put her down? I have been putting good food into her and she has rewarded me with enjoyable running and a slightly faster pace. So here's to the blessing of my body. Hopefully some day, I will not have to remind myself to be thankful.
That's enough emoting from me.
Happy Running!
My race calendar is starting to populate now, too. Tomorrow is the Run to Remember Police Memorial 5K. I'm running with my sister-in-law and my hubby's best friend. On May 16th, I'll be the 5K leg of a triathlon relay with Bethie and Tina. I believe my half will be September 12th, but I haven't registered yet. Then I'll look into some neighborhood 5Ks, maybe with kid fun runs too!
My weight-loss goal is achieved, officially. However, it is not enough for me. What I am struggling with (as usual) is my self image. The core issues I have are still there, they have just re-manifested themselves. Before I was overeating for comfort. Now I am losing weight for comfort. I can calmly and "logically" say that I do not want to stop losing weight until the scale says a "certain number". I'm disappointed at the possibility that I may/will not get to that "certain number". It probably is too light for my frame anyway. But I don't want to really admit that. I think I should look a certain way. I know this is not healthy, but am afraid if I change my thought process, I will gain weight again and continue this awful yo-yo. I am still eating. I even splurge. But there is guilt, worry, calorie-fretting, etc. I am highly critical of my body flaws. When complimented by my hubby, I point these out. He gets annoyed.
I am taking baby steps though. Now, when I run, I focus on the strength of my legs. I remind myself of all my body has done and continues to do for me. She has been through two pregnancies, two c-section deliveries, two half-marathons, two full marathons, countless training days, the ins-and-outs of daily life, etc. Why should I put her down? I have been putting good food into her and she has rewarded me with enjoyable running and a slightly faster pace. So here's to the blessing of my body. Hopefully some day, I will not have to remind myself to be thankful.
That's enough emoting from me.
Happy Running!
Wednesday
April 14, 2010 - SAVE LUTHER NORTH
I ran 3 miles with my throwing buddies from high school.
My high school, Luther High School North, is in serious danger of closing. They need to raise 1.8 million dollars to stay open. $1 million of that is due May 1st! The track team is running 24 hours straight to raise funds and awareness. We went to run some laps and show our support.
If you can donate, visit:
http://luthernorth.core-13.org/
Thanks! ♥
My high school, Luther High School North, is in serious danger of closing. They need to raise 1.8 million dollars to stay open. $1 million of that is due May 1st! The track team is running 24 hours straight to raise funds and awareness. We went to run some laps and show our support.
If you can donate, visit:
http://luthernorth.core-13.org/
Thanks! ♥
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