I never left I returned stronger

And so it goes. My friends who have followed me over the years I apologize for my absence but it has allowed me to find more solid ground. We get older and faster simply because we eventually come to learn our bodies and know not our limitations but the limits we subconsciously place on our selves. We will never out run a cheetah or Usain Bolt anytime soon, but we dont have to settle for what we have achieved.  Its, time to push for what you can achieve. The amateur athletes,  the sportsman,  there is beauty to competition and a race as PRE says is a work of art. Why compete if we dont win? The challenge to try makes it exciting, daring, brave. Push your own limits and open your stride.  Even if you never race, there is a world out there to be explored.  If its on two feet, pedaling, or on your wheels the roads, tracks, trails are open. Just go forth with strength and desire, beauty and flow. Run into the rain (or snow) & start an adenture. Just let your feet go.

My most recent adventure. Running the chicago marathon in 3:24 with no traditional long run to post. Yup. I was that asshole on the stepmill. 2 hours one sunday to build time on my feet. Hey I never said the gym couldnt be an adventure ;). I ran as an illinois elite at north shore half and accomplished my goal of placing. 10th is a place. I never said I would win so hush. 10th overall for the elite woman is a start on the road to somewhere... probably just more crazy miles. I love the chase the thrill the challenge. I may never go pro but damn, I love what I do and im blessed to share my passion with my son who gets quite angry if I dont push him fast enough.

To my friends, thank you for reading and staying with the journey to nowhere. Ill post again more than let a two year gap pass. Unless im just out on that ridiculously long of a run,

You will only get as far as you go

Stop worrying about a race that's 6 months away. Worry about the miles your missing tomorrow.

Pushing the tempo all week
Sat | 9.34 miles
Sun | 60 min bike
Mon | 7.25 miles Fartlek
Tues | 60 min bike
Wed | 8 miles of speed work
Thurs | 45 min bike
Fri | 7 miles Fartlek

You're heart is where you put it

You're always in control whether you wanna own it or not. If you didn't love it, you wouldn't do it like it was your religion.

Is running a religion? Ill make it mine then.

Tuesdaily | 7.25 miles inc. 1/4 mile easy followed by 1 mile balls out. Repeat until you reach 7.25.

Wednesday | killer bike intervals 60 min. End of story. My legs are on fire. I wouldn't want it any other way.

I wear my heart on my feet ;)

Sometimes it just feels right. Other days you are just plain exhausted. Whatever you are and whatever your feeling. Keep your feeties moving ;)

5 min warm up
6 x this pattern: 5 min hard, 2 min moderate/recovery pace
Got about 7 miles in

Life lemons and lemon lime Gatorade

The best part of running? Even a bad day running still beats a good day doing nothing ;) admit it you love it.

7.5 miles yesterday
60 min on spin bike today

Faster or slower your still moving

Some of my best thinking is done on the run. My risky adventure as of late? Running through a town at night where I have no idea where I'm going. It's Texas and beautiful. How do they expect me to just sit quietly in my hotel room all evening when it's 75 degrees out there?!

Sometimes you need to liberate yourself from your emotions in what you love to do.

Monday | 7 mile tempo run with hills
Tuesday | 45 min bike, 15 elliptical
Wednesday | 60 min bike, 60 min weight lifting, 3 mile run
Thursday | 70 min run
Friday | 60 min run

Saturday is a gift.

There really are no breaks

In life there is only continual motion. You can't say "hey time out! Hold on a sec so I can catch up". There is no stopping. So I guess you just have to step it up get stronger and go faster. Take charge of your training and set the pace. No one but you can accept the challenge. Get used to being uncomfortable :).

Typical weeks been looking like:

Mondays | step mill intervals for 60-70 min and 45 min of power yoga

Tuesdays | run 6-8 miles moderate and 45 min kettlebell/ plyometrics

Wednesdays | step or cycling for 60 min and weight lifting

Thursdays | speed work - mile repeats, tempo runs, Fartlek intervals

Fridays & Saturdays | spin bike 45-60 min

Sundays | easy run 6-8 miles