Spring Break

I wasn't able to spend any of the Easter weekend with my family

 

due to working 12 hour shifts all weekend.

 

I have to admit that I was a little down about it over the weekend

 

but after being able to spend the past two days

 

of spring break with them

 

I am happy with they way things worked out!

 

We have been busy enjoying the beautiful spring weather

 

that has finally arrived in Wisconsin.

 

Yesterday the boys and I met some friends

 

and headed out on the bike trail

 

for a beautiful 14 (ish) mile bike ride.

 

Here is my Instagram photo from the afternoon.

 

Once Tim got home the two of us headed to

 

Grand Bluff Running, a local running store that recently opened.

 

They are doing group runs every Monday night

 

 so we thought we would check it out.

 

It was a small group this week but it was very nice.

 

They were very welcoming and we had a great time.

 

It was a beautiful night to get out and run

 

and we got to explore a new route in the area.

 

I am sure we will go back as our schedules allow!

 

Today turned out to be another beautiful day

 

so the boys and I decided to take Mollie for a walk

 

and head to the school playground to play.

 

Another Instagram photo.

 We definitely made today count!

 

We had so much fun running around

 

and playing on the playground.

 

It was so much fun to see the boys

 

creating obstacle courses

 

and helping each other through the hard parts.

 

Mollie wasn't sure about the slides

 

but Isaac took her along

 

for most of the fun anyway.

 

It is so much fun to see how much he loves her!

 

On the way home we took time to enjoy even the smallest things-

 

we loved all of the sidewalk chalk art

 

and even found a flower peaking up through the brown grass.

 

 

 

not sure how safe this was but they sure had fun going down the hill!

 It has been wonderful to spend these

 

couple of days with my boys-

 

enjoying the beautiful weather

 

and being active!

 

That is really what this journey is all about for me!

 

I am so blessed!!

Vetfest Half Marathon

Over the past several months it may have seemed like I had gone missing.

 

I assure you that I am alive and well!

 

My absence all started out with me switching positions at work;

 

followed by our 'big move' to the new hospital building.

 

Training and learning new work duties and a crazy work schedule added to the mix.

 

I was getting in my workouts and training

 

and was able to do what I needed to around the house

 

before having to go to work.

 

Basketball games and tournaments

 

and other activities for the boys filled any extra time.

 

This combination left little time for blogging.

 

I tried to post a couple of times but found that I was having issues with Blogger.

 

I worked for hours on posts only to have it not work and I gave up.

 

I am getting into a better work routine

 

and finally found myself with a little time so I decided to give it another shot

 

and I figured out a way around the issue with Blogger.

 

I am very happy to say that I am back!

 

I am also excited to share that during my time away

 

we trained for and finished a half marathon.

 

Yep, that's right!

 

Almost a week ago we traveled to Reedsburg, WI

 

and ran in the Vestfest Half Marathon.

 

My best friend lives there and this is the one race that she does every year.

 

Over the past few years it never seemed to work out for us to do it with her-

 

until this year!

 

We were starting our training for a local half when I realized that I was

 

off the weekend of this race.

 

We decided that we should go for it!

 

Like the other half marathons that we have done,

 

I printed out the Hal Higdon training plan and wrote it out on the calendar

 

and we followed it as much as possible.

 

We even ended up doing a rough, hilly, 12 mile training run

 

while in Missouri the weekend before the race.

 

12 Mile training run in Eldon, MO

 

With that run in the books we had put in the work and were ready for the race.

 

In the days leading up to the race

 

I noticed a very significant difference from the past-

 

we were so much more relaxed!

 

We made the hour and a half drive to Reedsburg on Friday night

 

and enjoyed a great meal and time with our friends.

 

As we were getting ready to go to bed

 

 it hit us-

 

oh that's right, we are running a half marathon tomorrow.

 

We made a plan for the morning and headed off to bed.

 

I slept great and woke up ready to go

 

but it still didn't feel like other race mornings-

 

I wasn't feeling anxious or nervous.

 

The half marathon start time was 9 AM but

 

we missed the online registration deadline

 

 so we decided that we should

 

get there early so we had time to register

 

and get ourselves ready to run.

 

I ate my normal oatmeal for breakfast

 

and made sure to drink some water

 

before we headed out.

 

We walked past the start/finish line as we headed to the registration area

 

and it started to sink in that we were about to run.

 

 

Registration was smooth and very quick.

 

Within minutes we were headed

 

back to the warmth of our heated car.

 

It was breezy and the sky was threatening to rain.

 

We sat in the car and chatted for a bit

 

while deciding exactly how many layers we should wear.

 

Coat or no coat?

 

We were checking the weather to see if we were going to stay dry

 

or if we should prepare to be wet.

 

Then once again it really hit us-

 

we were about to run 13.1 miles!

 

I was still feeling relaxed!

 

We decided that we should really start getting ready.

 

We pinned on our bibs and headed to the bathroom one last time.

 

We all gathered for a 21 gun salute

 

and the National Anthem

 

and before we knew it

 

we were lining up...

 

in the rain!

traditional pre-race photo (blurry due to the rain)

It wasn't long and we were off.

 

This was a smaller race so everyone spread out fairly quickly

 

and it never really felt congested.

 

We ran along an area that was familiar because we had done a 5K in the area in the past.

 

During the first uphill section I remember saying that it felt much easier than

 

the last time we did it because I wasn't pushing Aidan in the stroller.

 

It wasn't long and we were headed out of town

 

 to back country roads and rolling hills.

 

I tend to be the pace watcher but I pulled my sleeves down

 

 and wasn't able to see my watch

 

 so we were relying on Tim's Nike+ on his phone.

 

At the first mile he gave me our pace

 

and we were feeling pretty good about it.

 

As we came to the second mile sign

 

he gave me our pace a bit early 

 

but we were still feeling good about it.

 

By the third and fourth mile his GPS was getting

 

more and more ahead of the course markings

 

 but he continued to tell me our average pace.

 

We did this up until about the 5th mile

 

when he gave me our pace and I could hardly believe it.

 

I was getting warm and the rain had stopped

 

 so I pulled my sleeve up to see my watch.

 

His Nike+ app was off by about .25 miles but our pace was pretty close.

 

Here are our splits based on my watch:

 

Mile 1- 9:17

Mile 2- 8:59

Mile 3-9:00

Mile 4- 9:25

Mile 5- 8:44

 

Our pace was a bit faster than I normally like to start out

 

but I was feeling really good.

 

Around the 6 mile mark

 

 the course went past another road for a short distance

 

 before turning around and taking that road.

 

We were close enough behind Julie

 

that we were able to see and encourage each other as we passed.

 

Around mile 7 there was a water stop

 

so we decided to walk through and grab a drink.

 

We were not talking much

 

and were both listening to our music

 

but we did comment that we were feeling strong.

 

There were still some rolling hills but it had flattened out a bit.

 

There was a pretty strong head wind for much of the course and

 

it got really bad between 8 and 9 miles.

 

It felt like a wind tunnel at one point.

 

There were times that it felt like we were hardly moving forward

 

and I started to get frustrated with it.

 

As we went through this area we passed an older gentleman

 

who commented to me that he really liked my flower.

 

This made me smile and helped me focus again!

 

I remember making the comment that my legs felt great

 

but it was my lungs that were bothering me.

 

Tim reminded me to take nice, even, deep breaths.

 

Just before the 10 mile mark we turned into

 

a neighborhood that was, once again, familiar to us.

 

There was another water stop at 10 miles.

 

Tim went to get water and I told him that he could drink at the end.

 

It was about this point that I was starting to struggle and was ready to be done.

 

Fighting the wind really took a toll on me.

 

Mile 6- 9:06

Mile 7- 8:46

Mile 8- 9:08

Mile 9- 8:59

Mile 10- 9:05

 

Little did I know that fighting the wind was going to be the least of my worries!

 

Next up was the hill that made me want to cry!

 

It seemed like it was never going to end and we were fighting the wind at the same time!

 

Mile 11 really sucked!!!

 

After this hill I got a side ache that hurt all the way up under my collarbone.

 

Once again Tim reminded me to take nice, deep breaths.

 

He was such an awesome encourager/supporter!

 

He even tried to go in front of me up the hill to help break the wind.

 

The road on this section was really rough and you had to be careful of your step.

 

The wind was better for a bit

 

but it wasn't long and we turned a corner

 

only to be hit in the face by the wind again.

 

We were battling the wind from that point until the end.

 

I knew that we were very close to our goal of finishing in under 2 hours

 

but wasn't sure if we could actually make it.

 

We turned into the park

 

and I knew that it was literally an uphill battle to the end!

 

As we weaved through the park

 

we tried to pick up the pace but I didn't feel like I had much left.

 

It wasn't long and we could see the clock-

 

we were so close to our goal but I still wasn't sure it was possible.

 

I could see Julie at the start of the chute and

 

we tried to sprint to the finish!

 

We collected our medals

 

and checked our time on my watch-

 

Mile 11- 9:27

Mile 12- 9:28

Mile 13- 9:34

0.11- 8:51

 

Time per my watch- 2:00:03

 

We just missed our goal!

 

I was a bit disappointed at first but was super excited at the same time.

 

We were so close- even with the wind and the hills

 

and it was a half marathon PR by exactly 4 minutes!!

 

How could I be upset with that?

 

As we headed inside to grab something to eat

 

we ran into that older gentleman from mile 9ish.

 

We talked briefly and said congratulations and then met back up with Julie.

 

We grabbed some post-race snacks and waited for official times to be posted.

 

 My Race Stats (F35-39):

Official Time: 2:00:22

Pace: 9:11

Overall Place: 71

Division Place: 7/10

Sex Place: 29/65

 

Tim's Race Stats (M35-39):

Official Time: 2:00:22

Pace: 9:11

Overall Place: 70

Division Place: 5/8

Sex Place: 42/66

 

Once again we saw that older gentleman-

 

he was checking official times when we were.

 

He commented that running at 65 has its benefits-

 

turns out he won his age group!

 

What an inspiration!

 

Tim, Julie, and me (sorry for the reflective strips blinding you)

Post-race with my honey!

 

We took a few pictures and were getting cold so we headed out

 

to find that the rain had let loose!

 

This flag was amazing and gives you an idea of the wind we were running into.

 Overall, this was a great race!

 

It was very well organized

 

and smoothly run.

 

The shirts and medals were great.

 

I think my favorite part of the race was seeing the local Veterans that were the volunteers.

 

They were at all of the intersections

 

and we even saw several of them driving along the course.

 

It did feel strange to see them out there supporting us

 

when we should be thanking them for their service!

 

I am sure we will be back to do this race again in the future!

 

Now it is time to get ready for the Grandad Half Marathon...

 

just two weeks away!

 

 

 

#BOSTONSTRONG

I can't believe that it was one year ago today!

I had no direct connection to last year's Boston Marathon

but I will still never forget it.

Like many, I can still remember where I was

when I heard about the attack at the finish line.

Immediately I was glued to the TV and social media

and watched as they replayed the events

over and over.

I was in shock!

I was sucked in as they tried to capture the men

that destroyed/changed so many lives

and changed the running community forever.

There were so many emotions that day and the days following

but one thing is for sure-

runner's are strong!

It was amazing how the running community

pulled together,

 to stand united...

and run on!

The outpouring of love and support for those that were affected

was truly amazing and makes me proud to be a runner!

 

I am off work on Monday and

 

I also have a personal connection this year-

 

Aidan's teacher will be running!

 

You can bet that we will be watching the Boston Marathon

 

and cheering for Mrs. Lang

 

and all of the other inspiring runners!

 

 

Running a marathon is such an amazing journey.

 

There is so much time and energy dedicated to finishing.

 

There are so many emotions felt along the way.

 

I can't even begin to imagine the journey for many of this year's runners!

 

 

There are so many wonderful stories/tributes

 

to the runners and survivors of Boston!

 

They inspire me.

 

They push me.

 

They make me stronger.

 

They make me more determined to reach for all of my dreams!

 

Who knows...

 

maybe someday I will be there-

 

running Boston!

 

Check out this amazing tribute-

 

but make sure you have the tissues ready...

 

you are gonna need them!

 

Dear World: Boston Marathon posted on Facebook by Runner's World.

 

Also check out the back story here:

 

Photographer Captures Portraits of Boston Marathon Survivors

YMCA New Year's Resolution Run

First off...

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

2013 ranks right up there

 

as one of the most memorable

 

years of my life!

 

From one of the lowest of lows-

 

 having melanoma and starting the year off with surgery to remove it

 

and all of the fear and worry that came along with that;

 

to one of the highest of highs-

 

finishing my first marathon with my husband right there next to me

 

and my best friend there to cheer me on;

 

2013 was a year I will NEVER forget!

 

I learned a lot about myself

 

and have gained a new appreciation

 

for the "little things" in life.

 

With all of that being said-

 

I am ready to make 2014 an AMAZING year!

 

 

 

Here in the Midwest we are in the middle of an Artic Blast

 

and I am NOT a fan!

 

Actual temp of -20 degrees this morning

 

with a real feel of -47 degrees.

 

I think Mother Nature

 

has gone completely crazy

 

and needs to be put on meds!

 

I am also beginning to think that I may be crazy

 

as I am the one that chooses to live here!

 

It has been a very cold winter so far

 

and it is only January 6th-

 

I AM READY FOR SPRING!

 

Saturday morning we were lucky

 

and had a very brief warm-up

 

(if you can call 20 degrees "warm")

 

 just in time for the

 

YMCA New Year's Resolution Run.

 

We signed up for the 5 mile run series

 

 and did the first race

 

of the YMCA Winter Running Series

 

back in December.

 

Because we were participating in the series

 

we already had our bibs from the first race

 

and didn't have to do any packet pick-up.

 

We arrived at the Y with just enough time to pick up

 

our timing chips and get ready to race.

 

We were inside briefly before we got warm and headed outside.

 

Pre-race

 

Pre-race

 We did a little stretching

 

 and a quick warm-up jog around the parking lot.

 

Before we knew it everyone was heading to the start line.

 

Getting ready to race

 They did a count down from 10

 

and we were off.

 

In the December race we started off pretty fast

 

so we tried to hang back a bit in the beginning and took it easy.

 

As we came to the first mile marker I check my watch-

 

 we were at 9:22/mi pace

 

and I thought to myself that it was feeling much better than last time.

 

By this point I was already getting warm

 

and flipped open the flaps on my mittens.

 

As we headed to the 2 mile marker

 

I was thinking that this race

 

was so much more enjoyable than the last one-

 

temperature was perfect,

 

pace was way better,

 

and I was able to take it all in

 

and really appreciate starting off the new year

 

in such a positive way.

 

At the 2 mile marker

 

I check my watch-

 

9:17/mi.

 

At this point we are running on sidewalks

 

and it was hard to get around people

 

but we managed to

 

pass a few as we headed up a hill-

 

what a great feeling!

 

I love passing people on the hills-

 

it makes me feel so strong and gives me

 

such a boost of confidence!

 

As we headed to the 3 mile marker

 

we were on and off the sidewalks

 

due to them being snow covered.

 

At times it was hard running

 

in the loose snow and I wished that I had

 

done some training runs outside.

 

Mile 3- 9:13/mi

 

I was liking what I was seeing on my watch

 

and the run was feeling really good at this point.

 

I noticed that I felt more relaxed,

 

my breathing was good,

 

and I wasn't clenching my fists

 

 like I was at this point in December.

 

Shortly before the 4 mile mark

 

we merged with the 5K runners

 

and once again this gave me another boost

 

of energy and confidence

 

as we were able to pass several more runners.

 

Mile 4- 9:01/mi

 

As I saw my watch I was pretty happy.

 

We were doing exactly what we needed to-

 

we held back in the beginning

 

and were able to pick up the pace

 

with each mile.

 

Just after the 4 mile mark

 

there is an incline and once again

 

we continued to pass people at this point

 

and it felt amazing!

 

As we turned the last couple of corners

 

 we really picked up our pace-

 

we paced ourselves enough in the beginning

 

that we still had some energy left in the tank

 

to have a solid finishing kick.

 

As we came down the street heading back to the Y

 

we passed a few more people!

 

We turned into the parking lot

 

and sprinted it out to the finish.

 

Finish time on my watch was 44:58.

 

We didn't beat our time from the first race

 

but we enjoyed this race a whole lot more.

 

We paced ourselves,

 

had negative splits,

 

and had a strong finish!

 

Post-race

 My Race Stats:

Gun time: 45:03

Overall Place: 57/114

Division Place: 11/24

Sex Place: 23/65

 

Tim's Stats:

Gun time: 45:03

Overall Place: 58/114

Division Place: 11/13

Sex Place: 35/49

 

Overall 5 mile Series Standings (2/3 races complete):

Heather- 33/61 with a total time of 1:28:42

Tim- 34/61 with a total time of 1:28:42

 

Female 5 mile Series Results (Top 10):

9- Heather Wellendorf

YMCA Jingle Bell 5 Mile Race & Rudolph's Dash 2013

Life has been NUTS!

 

Working extra shifts,

 

work meetings,

 

work trainings,

 

basketball practices,

 

basketball games,

 

school programs,

 

Tim working on a side project,

 

traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend,

 

sick kid,

 

appointments,

 

birthday parties-

 

the list goes on and on!

 

I am sure you know how it is-

 

it seems everyone is busier and busier these days.

 

Even with all of this craziness going on

 

I have been working out regularly.

 

It was necessary to keep me sane!

 

Life happened.

 

Great workouts happened.

 

Blog posts DID NOT!

 

Now that I am back

 

the first thing I have to share

 

is my Jingle Bell 5 Mile Race Recap.

 

The Jingle Bell Race is part of the local YMCA Winter Running Series.

 

There is a 5K or 5 mile option and

 

you can sign up for individual races

 

or the three race series.

 

In 2012 I ran this race with my best friend

 

and a couple of other Coulee Region MRTT (Moms Run This Town) ladies.

 

This year, Tim and I signed up for the 5 mile series.

 

Packet pick-up was Thursday/Friday

 

and was super easy and quick.

 

Here is the forecast that we woke up to race morning:

 

We are in the middle of a cold snap!

We thought the Turkey Trot was chilly

 

but this was going to be worse.

 

We bundled up

 

and headed to The Y

 

where we had to get our timing chip

 

to attach to our ankles.

 

Since it was so cold,

 

we hung out inside the lobby

 

until it was time to start.

 

I was able to meet up with a co-worker

 

and a fellow MRTT momma before the race.

 

We were also able to get some pre-race pictures.

 

Micca, me, Nikki

me and my honey:)



Everyone trying to stay warm inside before the race.



Nikki the Running Ninja

Once it was about time to start we headed outside to the start line.

 



Heading outside to get started.

We were able to get a few more pictures

 

 and before we knew it we were off.

Pre-race: Running Ninjas

 Tim and I got separated a bit at the beginning.

 

As you can imagine,

 

due to the weather

 

it wasn't a large race

 

so we were able to get back together quickly.

 

The first mile or so my fingers were cold

 

but it really wasn't that bad.

 

It wasn't long and we came to the first mile marker- 8:54-

 

not too shabby!

 

I felt pretty good that first mile and was happy to see my time.

 

Shortly before the two mile mark

 

we made a turn and at that point

 

my fingers were starting

 

to get very warm.

 

I started to flip open my gloves for short periods of time

 

and then they would get cold again so I would have to close them.

 

About that same time I could feel my eye lashes

 

freezing together

 

and some of the frost from my hat was melting

 

and dripping down my face.

 

Mile 2- 8:50 pace

 

Again, seeing this time felt great

 

and I was still feeling strong.

 

As we started to close in on the 3 mile mark I started feeling it.

 

It was hard to breath through my mask

 

so I pulled it down but then the cold air

 

was hard on my lungs.

 

I tried to pull my mask back up over my nose

 

but it wouldn't stay because it was all wet from breathing

 

through it and it kept falling back down.

 

Mile 3- 9:00 pace

 

Between mile 3 and 4 I was ready to be done.

 

Despite feeling like we started out at a good pace- it may have been too fast.

 

Before mile 4 we merged with the 5K runners.

 

Tim and I were able to pass several runners at this point

 

 and it felt good!

 

It may have been just the push we needed.

 

Mile 4- 8:51 pace

 

In the beginning Tim and I talked off and on.

 

By this point it was pretty quiet.

 

We were both focused on keeping our pace

 

and getting it done!

 

As we made one of the last turns

 

and could see the Y,

 

I started to not be able to breathe.

 

The cold air was making it so hard to breathe

 

and I just couldn't catch my breath.

 

I tried to take a couple of deep breaths

 

and just keep pushing to the finish.

 

It didn't feel like I had much of a final push

 

but we got it done and were very excited

 

to see the final mile split of 8:38 pace.

 

My MotoActv said our time was 43:34.

 

Our official time ended up to be 43:39.

 

We were super happy with our time!

 

After looking at each other

 

we had to get a post-race picture!

 

Post-race: Jack and Jill Frost

 

As soon as we got the picture we headed inside

 

to warm up and grab some pancakes.

My Stats:

Gun Time: 43:39

Overall Place: 46/91

Division Place: 5/12

Sex Place: 15/45

 

Tim's Stats:

Gun Time: 43:39

Overall Place: 45/91

Division Place: 10/12

Sex Place: 31/46

 

In the end we heard that race temp was about -13 to -15 with wind chill.

 

After eating and visiting with friends

 

it was time to head home to take warm showers

 

and head back with Isaac and Aidan for the Rudolph's Dash.

 

Aidan did the race last year

 

and had been talking about it forever.

 

I wasn't sure how it was going to go with it being so cold

 

 so I was hesitant to sign him up.

 

After he continued to talk about it

 

 I decided to sign him and Isaac up

 

when I went to packet pick-up.

 

Aidan would be doing the 50 yd dash

 

and Isaac would do the 200 yd dash.

 

Once we got home and were getting them ready to go

 

Aidan was saying he didn't want to do it.

 

Isaac was very excited and was all ready to go.

 

We finally headed out and

 

once we were there Aidan didn't want to get out of the car.

 

He did this last year and ended up running with me holding his hand.

 

We headed inside and I got Isaac's number pinned on

 

while Aidan kept hiding from me.

 

Isaac was excited and ready to go.

 

By the time I finally got both of them ready

 

we headed to the gym to find

 

the kids making their way outside in a line.

 

We joined in and I had to carry Aidan because he still didn't want to do it.

 

I figured once I got him to the start line

 

he would do it just like he did the Jr. Gobbler.

 

I put him down with the rest of the kids

 

and started to make my way to the finish line

 

and he started walking away from the other kids.

 

As they said go he just stood there!

 

I ended up going back and walking with him.

 

He wouldn't even run

 

and when we got to the end he didn't want his ribbon

 

and wanted nothing to do with Santa and Rudolph.

 

I guess he woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

 

This is the best picture I got of Aidan.

 I wouldn't have forced him to do it

 

if he hadn't talked about it like crazy before hand.

 

He was the one telling us that he wanted to do it

 

so we signed him up!

 

Who knows what was up that morning!

 

After another age group of kids raced it was time for Isaac to go.

 

He was all pumped and excited to sprint it out!

Isaac is in the blue sweatshirt with the blue and orange hat.

  As soon as they said "go"

 

he took off and pulled ahead.

 

I wasn't sure if he could hold onto the lead

 

as they turned the corner to come towards the finish line

 

but as you can see he did great!

 

Isaac in the lead as they turned the corner.



Isaac in the lead and pulling away from the group.

Isaac coming to the finish line- he was pretty proud of himself after looking back.

I think Isaac is going to be my runner;)

Isaac and Aidan after Rudolph's Dash

 

Isaac did a great job

 

and was so proud of himself.

 

I have to admit that I was one proud momma too!

 

Overall, I think it was a great morning!

 

When you sign up for a race in December in Wisconsin

 

you just never know what you are going to get

 

and I think we made the best of it!

 

The YMCA does a great job putting on this race

 

and the price is awesome-

 

for the whole series we paid

 

about what you would pay for a single race-

 

can't beat that!

 

Doing the 5 mile series is also a great way for us to stay motivated this winter!

 

Stay tuned for recaps on the rest of the series-

 

The New Years Resolution Run in January

 

and

 

The Valentine's Heart Throb in February.

 

 

 

 

Edited 1/6/13 to add race stats