Why didn't I think of this before

Today I ran and used the incline on the treadmill. I ran a mile warm up and then 2 miles with 1.0 incline, then another mile without incline, then one with 2.0 incline, then one without, and the last mile was with 2.o inlince for half of it and the rest was no incline. It was a tough workout and I don't know why I didn't think of doing this before. It is fun because during the incline part I am feeling the burn but the thought of how much easier it feels to run without the incline after having incline makes me keep going. Hope that makes sense.
So I don't really plan on telling anyone about this blog I have created because it isn't really for anyone else, but myself. I just want to make a blog book of it to be able to remember what it was like training for the marathons. Also, no one really likes to hear me talk about all this training and such so it this is my place to do it. I am sure it is boring to most everyone since the majority of people that I know don't really even like running and think I am crazy for liking it so much.
The book I am reading is getting really inspirational. The girl, Kathy, is reading her brothers journal (he died of luekemia) and he talks about not having regrets. I have always liked the saying that we should live like we are dying, because really we are dying...eventually. Who knows when, or how soon, but it is important to get the most out of life now and take advantages of opportunities that we come accross. He also talks in his journal about how he thinks about life in a different way now that he knows he doesn't have much time and he feels like it has only taken him 16 years to figure things out that often take others 30 or 40 years. He is greatful that he knows he is going to die, he has a warning because he can think about things and plan for things unlike someone who is in a fatal car accident and is taken within minutes.
On a side note... Brea woke up when I was just about finished with my run and I let her sit on the other side of the room with toys, but she crawled all the way over to the treadmill and I had to end the run at 7 miles instead of 8. No big deal, it is just cute to see her so determined and able to crawl already. She will be 7 months on the 8th of August. She is such a big girl now!

warm water

It is sooooo hot in the den. I ran 10 miles yesterday and I did 8 today, but today was even harder because I think the heat in there is getting to me. I bring cold water bottles from the fridge in there and by the middle of my run they are not even cold anymore. It is almost the same as running outside I think. Well I have the fans blowing right at me so not exactly, but pretty darn close.
I am still reading the same book and I am getting close to finishing it right in time for the next Twilight series book to come out. Yeah :)

Haigler Hills

On Friday late afternoon I went for a run at Haigler creek on the road towards Young. The first 2 and a half-3 miles is uphill. Not really steep or anything, but a continual uphill trek I guess. After that it is a lot more flat and an easier run. Until right around 3 miles there is a downhill part that makes you want to turn around and go back just thinking about having to run up it. It was a going great so I told my dad I wanted to get out to 4 miles before turning around (he has a odometer on the quad). We turned around at 4 miles and that is when it started to rain, and then it started to pour. As I was going up the big hill it was almost hailing and it was windy so it actually hurt. It was all fun to be running in the rain until the uphill. That was when my dad pulled out his poncho and I hopped on his quad for a little ride up the rest of the hill. I started to feel guilty for not finishing my run so I stopped him shortly after getting on the quad and decided to tough it out. The down hill 3 miles is so worth it because it is a lot easier. It was still raining but it let up quite a bit. I was soaked, but it was worth it to have a beautiful run in the mountains.

The picture actually isn't where I ran, but it is Haigler... that was when we were riding quads.

8 uninterrupted

I ran on the treadmill for 8 miles today and I still had time to take a shower and type this post because the girls are still sleeping. I took them swimming right before nap time to ensure a good wipe out. I love the girls. The run was great. Easier than yesterday and I drank loads of water during the run. I weighed myself before and after and it didn't change much probably because of all the extra water I was drinking. I know I sweat quite a bit and I usually lose around 2 pounds after a run (of course it comes back....). I am really working hard to be in great shape for this marathon. Not only do I want to get a good time to qualify, but I want to shape up my body.

• Lose 10 pounds
• Gain more muscle tone all around

Wouldn't you think this would be an easy task when I am running so much.... well yes probably if I had a better diet. That is another thing I am working hard on.

So the run... I ran 8 miles in 60:57. I am still reading the same book and I didn't do any strength training in between. I am going out of town tomorrow (with the fam, to Haigler) so I plan to do a strength training workout tomorrow in the morning before we go. Then Friday and Saturday I get to do a hill run! Most likely it will be Saturday when Shaun will be there to follow me on the quad and push me through. I did it when we went up there with the Payne's and it was a killer workout. Not something I am used to since I don't run uphill or downhill and I usually run on a treadmill. It should be great!

6.7 miles

I used the treadmill at home today to give the girls a break from going to the gym. I had to start reading a different book today since I finished "no longer strangers" yesterday. 2nd time reading that book and it was just as good. I like a cheesy love story. This next one, "the secret journal of Brett Colton" will be just as good. I ran for 6.7 miles and had to stop because Brea Lynn woke up from the noisy doorbell. THe repair man for the dishwasher came and I had to answer the door in my sports bra and spandex since they will come in the house if you don't answer. SO embarrassing, but I didn't have a choice, the den is where the door is and I couldn't find clothes quick enough. I told him that now wasn't a good time and he would have to come back later since the girls were sleeping and I obviously was dripping with sweat since I was running in the den where it is a million degrees hotter than the rest of the house even with a fan blowing right on me. I think I lose at least 3 pounds from sweat every time I run in there. I also did push ups and some abs in between miles. It was a good work out today. 6.7 miles at 7:41 min mile pace.

11 weeks

My run at LA fitness today started out shakey only because I was worried about Keilah again. She doesn't like the kid center too much and if I even mention going to the "gym to play with kids" at home she screams and says no, then procedes to say "push" and actually push me. Aside from struggling with Keilah's dislike for my gym runs, I had to take a long break from running because we were in Mexico from Thursday to Sunday. I ran 10 miles in 1 hour 17:30 today which is 7:45 minute mile average. Not too bad, but I am training for the marathon in October and plan to run at least at 8:30 minutes mile average to qualify for the Boston marathon in April 2009.
While in Mexico I realized that I now have only 11 weeks until the marathon and I need to kick up my training to a higher level. I have a few new goals and things I want to accomplish to help me be in tip top shape and be healthy.

• Make time for one longer run a week
• eat more fruits and vegies everyday
• keep drinking lots of water before, after, and during my run
• add strength training at least 2 times a week
• try a different activity (swimming or biking) once a week or every other week
• run at least 30 miles a week

The plan is to keep a blog journal throughout the training experience so I can look back later and hopefully improve everytime. I plan to stick to all of my goals!