Mom on the Run--Woman of Steele

My daughter's school put on a fundraiser this year through SchoolAThon called Colorathon. This is basically a Color Me Rad-type run for kids to raise money for their schools. It's such a really cool idea!!  Maddie has been literally begging to do Color Me Rad with me this year, so when this fundraiser came home, I knew we had to do it!! So we enlisted all our family to donate money so that we could reach the $150 family level. At this level, we would all be able to run the 1 mile race together! We raised that and more and Maddie was able to get some really cool prizes for the run. She got a wig, headband, glasses, backpack, and tons of color packs to throw at the end of the race.  Maddie had to try out her wig, glasses, and headband as soon as she got them from school! She's such a goofball!! We got to the school early so we could park and get ourselves ready to run!! Pre-race clean picture!!! This is hubby's first official race!! The kids have done other races but Dadd...

For Mother's Day this year, I registered for a virtual Mother's Day run.  It was pretty much run whatever distance you want and log it on their facebook page.  I really just signed up for this race for the awesome shoe necklace!  It did come with a cool medal, t-shirt, car sticker, key chain, temporary tattoos, and race bib.  I also ordered myself some cool pink arm sleeves that say My Happy Pace. I'm  thinking I will use them for my upcoming Twilight 10K and Half Marathon.  I'm pretty excited about them as they have thumb holes also!!  I love anything with thumb holes!! Anyway, I was initially only going to go out and run an easy 5K since I ran my last long distance training run of 12 miles the day before.  However, I looked at my training plan and it called for 5 miles.  Even though it was Mother's Day and it was rainy out, I pushed through the 5 miles.  My legs were not as sore as I would have thought they would have been actually. ...

The Lake Monona 20K was an experience I will never forget!  It was tough, it was beautiful, I am super proud of myself for doing it.  It was one that I had never run before and, frankly, I am wondering how I never heard of it before.  It shocks me a little actually, since this was the 37th running of it!!  I am usually so on top of all the races in the area. Anyway, it was a perfect morning for this race.  I could not have asked for better weather.  I only wish I would have dressed a little differently.  I wore capris pants and a t-shirt.  About halfway through the race, I was wishing I would have worn shorts and a tank top.  Oh well, you live and learn.  We got to Monona with about 30 minutes before the start time, which was perfect because I had to use the bathroom, like I always do, and the lines were not too long yet.  When I left the potty, the line had doubled in length.  Boy was I glad I didn't have to wait!  Th...

Last Sunday, April 26, my youngest, Elijah, turned 5! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! It seems like only yesterday my little man was snuggling I my arms, so small and precious. He has turned into an inquisitive, stubborn little boy! I have been able to spend a few days alone with him this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing how he has grown in his play and mannerisms. He is truly quite the character! I love him more and more each day!! As much as he can drive me crazy at times, I wouldn't change him for the world!!  Here's a few pics from the party! We totally had a blast!!  Love my crazy life! Blog on my first race of the year coming soon!!  Until then, run on my friends, and always remember:  Laura

So it's been awhile since I've written. A lot has been going on in my life. Many good things but also some not too good things.  March was actually a rough month for my family. We found out the empty lot behind our house that was for sale had been sold. We really had our hearts set on buying it ourselves one day, but that was not to be, I guess. My husband took it the hardest. Without getting into too much detail, we were close to the Big D with all our extremely heated discussions about whether we should move or not. I didn't want to move as I love our home and our kids only have memories here. However, the tension has decreased and we are working towards repairing the wounds left by these arguments. We are moving forward in our relationship and, it's funny, but I think our relationship is getting stronger because of it. That's what I need to realize most about marriage. It's not something that is perfect all the time. It takes work! There are ups and downs and...

Hey everyone! I was just thinking that I haven't blogged in awhile and you are all probably wondering what I have been up to!  Well a lot of it has been running! Duh! Haha! But seriously, I actually sat down this past week and mapped out my training plans for my half and full marathons, since I finally signed up for my first full marathon in November.   It was quite eye-opening!! I realized that I actually should have started training for my half marathon in May already, so starting next week I am starting Hal Higdon's intermediate half marathon training plan week 3. It actually calls for less miles than I've been running so I think I should be ok! It's probably going to be really hard for me to stick to these plans initially because of the low mileage. I'm so used to high mileage weeks now! I did 50 miles again this week! I'm going to really try and I'm going to try and follow the rest days and stretch and strength days. I still have 3 more weeks of Insanit...

So it is quite clear that my addiction has reached an all new level this month! Granted I have been stressed out and needed some of those extra runs for my sanity, but last week alone I ran 60 miles!!! I have never ran that many miles in a week before!! I'm actually surprised I can still walk!!!  I am thankful for Insanity Max 30 and PiYo for building my strength and endurance!  I guess more than anything I am thankful that I have found something that I love more than any other workout or sport! I am such a happier person when I run! There is no doubt in my mind that running has helped to save me!  Within the last week I have become more and more at peace with decisions I have made at home and at work. And I believe wholeheartedly that running helped me reach those decisions. Running is my outlet, my time to think, my time to reflect, and my time to be truly with me. I love my runs alone on the road with just my music and my thoughts. I can truly think things through, but...