another half marathon and hanging out in Berne

Jason and I finished the Fort Wayne half marathon in September. It was Jason's second and my third race of that length. So collectively, we have run 5 half marathons in the past year! Pretty crazy... Jason was pretty spot-on his previous race time, while I finished 10 minutes slower. (One of these days maybe I will actually improve my time!) We had fun meeting up with several friends since there were only a few thousand runners participating. Overall we thought it was a well organized small race, and it was a new little adventure to try out racing in a different city!

Back at the ranch, Noah enjoyed spending time with two of his friends, Mia and Layla. Here they are cuddled up on the couch probably watching an episode of Little Bear.

The boys love to read, especially Noah. Noah could probably do nothing but sit and read all day and be content. (I wonder who his parents are.....?) Isaac likes the board books. He is still learning how to sit and listen to stories. He has had a reputation for tearing the pages and a 5-second attention span, but he is getting better!

The boys loved playing with the train set at their grandparents' house. Typically Isaac loves to say "choo choo" and tear apart the tracks after they are tediously put together. Noah has a fiery little temper and promptly bops Isaac on the head (or other similar gesture of annoyance). Learning to share and live in harmony does not come naturally.....

500 Festival Mini Marathon

Half marathon #2 - Done!

Running the 500 Festival Mini Marathon was a very different experience than my first half marathon last fall. First, this half marathon was much, much larger with a crowd of around 35,000 participants. The first mile or two felt like wall to wall people, and I had to run on the sidewalks to have enough space to find my own pace. There were points that people got so bunched up to round a corner they almost had to come to a complete stop. Second, due to the fact that the race hit at this time in our rainy spring this year, I didn't really train for speed and build up the weekly mileage. My longest run was 9 miles, and it wasn't really a continuous 9 miles. Last time I ran 10-15 mile runs at least three or four times before the half marathon. Third, probably because I didn't really train well enough, I had some heart/chest pain during the race. Especially after miles 8 or 9, I had to slow my pace nearly a minute per mile to continue running. I finished with a time of 2:09, nearly the same time as the half marathon I ran in the fall.

At any rate, this race was fun in a lot of ways too. Jason had never run a race this distance, and it was neat to train with him weekly for our long runs. (Granted, he finished the actual race nearly 20 minutes faster than me!) It was also fun to share this experience with Paul and Melody!



Noah enjoyed the fruit popsicles at the Purdue tent at the post race party.

Melody and Jason ran their first half marathons.

Paul and I ran our second half marathons.

running + melody

Since she was in town for the weekend, Melody and I went for a training run on Saturday morning. Can I just say, this girl amazes me! Could I have ever imagined even just one year ago that Melody and I would be running together? Neither Melody nor I has ever been the athletic "type" but here we are training for a half marathon. This will be Melody's first half marathon and my second.

We posed before our run with my bib wall in the garage. I love posting my bibs after each race. I don't have many, but I'd imagine I'll have a few more before too long.

I also love my favorite running verse, which you can't really see (in orange): For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, both in the present life and in the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8.

It reminds me that while running is great for now, my real purpose in life is to run after God! It keeps it all in perspective for me.

Tips to Start Running

If you are interested in trying out the sport of running, here are some tips to help get you started. (Keep in mind, I am still much a novice runner myself.)

1. Determine your motivation. Identify why you want to run. If it is simply weight loss, unless you are amazingly self disciplined and have a great accountability system, more than likely you will quit. You have to have a reason that is more meaningful and more long-term. For me, I started running to do something good for myself and give me a break from being with my kids all day.

2. Set a goal. Do you want to run one mile? Or a 5K, 10K, or half marathon race? Sign up for something so you have an authentic purpose to motivate you. Then tell everyone you know that you are going to do it. (It's really hard to back out on it when everyone knows!)

3. Make a plan. Print off a training plan such as the Cool Running Couch to 5K training plan or search online for other training guides. Hal Higdon has a great beginning guide to a half marathon. Figure out what days of the week and what times you are going to dedicate to running and exercise. Write it down on your calendar like any other appointment. That time is officially reserved for running.

4. Find places to run. In mild or pleasant weather, many people find running outdoors to be an enjoyable activity. In extremely hot or humid weather or cold weather, some people prefer running indoors on a treadmill or an indoor track. Check out Map My Run to plot out the distance of your possible outdoor routes. Ask other people where there are trails, tracks, or other places they enjoy running.

5. Buy a running item. Whether it is new running shoes, music for your iPod or a pair of workout shorts, knowing that you have invested financially in your endeavor should motivate you to go use that new thing!

6. Track your progress. Log your runs. You can use a Word document, Excel spreadsheet or numerous websites such as Active Trainer and Map My Run. Get excited as you see your mileage increase and your pace improve!

7. Get a support network. Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you and motivate you to keep working at it. If you don't know any runners, get online and find running groups in your area that meet occasionally to encourage each other and run together.

Final Tips:

• Stretch before and after runs. This will reduce injury!
• Try to do a cross-training activity at least once a week such as biking, swimming, dance class, etc. Also work some strength training into your routine if you have access to weights.
• Slow down!! Run slow enough to carry a comfortable conversation. If you are huffing and puffing the whole time, you are likely running too fast. This might mean you need to run at a much slower pace than you think you should. Fear not, over time, many people get faster.
• Do not compare yourself to other people. Someone will almost always be faster than you. Just be who you are and be proud of yourself for getting out there and doing your best!

Never give up. If you want to do it and set your mind to do it, you can do it.

Half Marathon Recap

My First Half Marathon story... (Beware, it's long. Most of it I am writing so I will be able to remember.)

5:45 a.m. The alarm goes off. I get up and eat Cream of Wheat and drink a cup of coffee and several glasses of water and start preparing all of my gear for the big day. While getting ready, I check the current temperature: 26 degrees. It's gonna be a cold one!

7:50 a.m Jason and I arrive in downtown Indy later than we'd planned, partially due to the fact that our car's driver-side door would not latch (possibly due to frost??)! We had to spend a few minutes figuring out what was wrong with it. Since I knew the race began at 8 a.m., I was slightly nervous about the delay! As we near the starting line I give him a quick kiss, hop out of the car and find the "10 minute mile" sign in the starting corrals. About 8000 others are jumping around, chatting, and fiddling with hats, gloves, iPods, Garmins, and other running accessories. I regret that I drank so much water already when I see how long the port-a-john lines are. There is no way I am getting in one of those lines at this time. I will just survive!

8 a.m.
Mile 1 - The Monumental Marathon race begins! Due to the crowd in front of me, I have to wait about 4 1/2 minutes before I can actually walk up to the starting line. There is a lot of adrenaline flowing and I want to run fast. But I knew this would happen, so I make a concerted effort to hold back to a slower pace to warm up. There are fans cheering and people holding signs everywhere. We run by Lucas Oil Stadium and see the Colts cheerleaders. It is definitely cold out, but within the first two miles I warm up enough to take off my fleece jacket and tie it around my waist.

Mile 2 - Jason cheers me on at mile 2-3 and snaps this picture. I toss him my sock hat.

(Jason leaves and goes to spend some quality one-on-one time with Isaac. He told me they spend a long time in a nice hotel lobby just playing together!)

Meanwhile....


Miles 3 and 4 - We run through the streets of downtown Indy. The fans hold signs like "Run Jessica Run" and "If Sarah Palin can run, so can you!" I am running just like I've trained, and it's so much fun. On my iPod I hear songs like "Alive" by P.O.D. and "I'm Alive" by Jeremy Camp, and it describes how I feel. I run behind a gal with a label on her back "Marathon Pacer Mandy 4:30." I can't remember exactly what pace per mile this is, but a Half-Marathon would be half of that, so a 2:15 time. I figure that I should be okay following her for a while. I mark my time on the iPod with each passing mile, and she's running around 10:25/mile.


Mile 5 - I am ready to run a little faster now that I've warmed up. I know I can push myself just a bit more. I pass the Pacer and see where my legs will take me. I pull out my Clif Energy Gel and eat it. (They're kind of gross, but it was probably a good placebo effect to help me run a little faster.) I simply go with what feels comforable for me and mark the mile. 9:22. I surprise myself that this feels comfortable, but I keep going.

Mile 6 - I take water at the water station. I really am starting to need it now, unlike some of the previous water stations. I realize I am capable of finishing this thing in less than 2:15 if I keep up this pace and stay comfortable. I pass the 10-Kilometer marker at 1:02:24 with an overall pace of 10:03/mile.

Miles 7-8 - I keep marking the miles on my iPod timer. I am doing better than I had expected, maintaining a 9:30 or less pace. The half marathon and marathon splits off at mile 7. Some people seem to slow down around me after the split, so I kick it up a notch and start passing people. I think this boosts adrenaline even more.

Mile 9-11 - We run down Meridian Street toward the Circle. But I can't see the circle because it is still so far off. Music like Hillsong United's "Take it All" and Desperation Band's "I am Free" keep my feet moving. I remember some people telling me they hit a wall at mile 10. It is getting harder, and my heart hurts a little. Remembering that the cardiologist encouraged me to run but to listen to my body, I slow down a little and pray that it feels better. I make a conscious effort to smile at spectators and thank the volunteers. I am thankful for the Gatorade at the water station. I slow my pace to 10:02 for one of the miles. My heart stops hurting, but I am getting tired. I start to tell myself encouraging things like,

-You trained for this.
-You've run farther than this.
-Now is the time to do your best.
-You're over halfway done.

I also see my favorite sign during this part of the race: "Random Stranger -- I'm so proud of you!" I thank that fan. I give high fives to two little girls who are holding their arms out.

Mile 12 - We run through Monument Circle again. The crowd is everywhere. I know I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I listen to MercyMe's "Hold Fast" and am encouraged by the lyrics, "One thing greater than my strife is His grasp, So Hold Fast, Help is on the way." Jason cheers me on down the street and snaps this picture.


Mile 13 - I know I am almost there!! I just have to keep moving. A sign I pass reads "DIG DEEPER" and encourages me. I run faster.

Mile 13.1 - I pass the 13 mile sign and I know we are SO close. I see the finish line ahead. I want to slow down. But I muster up everything left within me and SPRINT to and through the finish line.

Finish - I did it!!! I mark my time and see 2:08:37. My overall pace for the entire race was 9:48. I was proud of myself that I sped up during the second half, which is hard to do when you're tired. I ran the last 6.9 miles at an average 9:35 pace.

I finished 196 out of 441 women 25-29.

Overall I placed 2073 out of 4153.

Finishers were awarded a half marathon medal. Then we got a space blanket, a running hat, bananas, bagels and peanut butter, cookies, chocolate milk, apples, and on the list goes. After I met up with Jason in the recovery tent we took some more pictures.

My little guy is hanging out in his cozy carseat.

Running this thing was a great experience for me. It reminds me of why I like running. I have never been an athletic person, so knowing that I am capable of running a long distance was pretty amazing. Instead of feeling bad that I will likely never be a "fast" runner, I was encouraged that there are so many other people who run similar paces to me.

I am ready to run another half and plan to train for the HUGE half marathon in May.

Why I Like Running

Recently I was asked if I am a runner. I hesitated for a moment as I contemplated this term, but then answered, "I am now."

Five and a half months ago I gave birth to our second son. Three and a half months ago I tested the waters back into exercise as I participated in a 5K, and I was proud of myself for trying to run at times during the race. I wondered if I could run a 5K without any walking, so I persevered through a few weeks of training and ran the entire 5K! Since then I have been hooked on running. I have logged nearly 200 miles in the past three months.

Why do I like to run?

I like to run because it makes me feel alive. While I have never been much of an athlete and I am by no means a naturally competitive person, running has pushed me to challenge myself to new levels. Tracking my progress has motivated me to go farther and go faster. While I am not the fastest runner out there, I have learned that I can go my own pace and be healthy and conditioned.

The time alone is truly relaxing, though I am certainly not alone when I run. Running has provided me many hours to spend worshiping God by listening to uplifting music and in prayer as I run through God's beautiful creation. I love taking in the sights---the birds, ponds, trees, fields, flowers, sunsets, sunshine, rain, and on the list rolls.

Running is full of variety, which is another reason I like to run. The scenery, people, and weather conditions vary, but so do the runs themselves. I love starting out easy and then running intervals as fast as my legs will go. Sometimes I like to push myself and run a shorter distance at a harder speed. And I have certainly surprised myself with how much I enjoy running slow, long distances where the miles just tick off one after another.

There are other reasons I like running. It's cheap or free, it doesn't require a gym membership, I like achieving goals, and it's amazing to build endurance. I can't complain about the side effects of building muscle and losing baby weight either! :) And as a mom who takes care of others all day, it feels great knowing I am doing something good for myself.

As I train my body to run my first half marathon in just 24 days, I am confident that I will do a great job. Even if that means I just "run to finish" without concern for a finishing time. A half marathon is something I never would have dreamed that I would actually WANT to run. I know that I have inspired myself to continue to pursue health and fitness for myself and for my family, and I know that if I can run, ANYONE can too.