Tanaina Kids Marathon & Glacier Half Marathon 2013

Stephen attends Tanaina Elementary School.  Our family chose to participate in the Tanaina

Kids Marathon which began in April.  Each participant was given a running log so they could track their miles.  April 9 was the official start date for all runners/walkers.  25 miles had to be completed by May 22 in order to participate in the final 1.2 miles on field day.  It was wonderful to see Stephen & McKinley run with their Daddy.  We would ask the kids if they wanted to do 1 mile or 2 miles every time we would take them for their run.  Stephen would always say "2" or sometimes "3."  McKinley was often content w/ "1."  I love my little girl.   She was a strong finisher on field day.  I was very proud of her.  I have a video of her that Mari will try and post.  I couldn't get it to load.   

We reminded our children that we are "finishers!"  We told them to start slow and finish fast.

They did great!

 Here are Stephen and McKinley before the race starts.  They earned cute t-shirts to wear

during the run and they received a medal at the finish line.  So fun for them!

Hafen's getting ready for take off at the start line.  Ray ran w/ Stephen and I ran w/ McKinley.  Loved encouraging them every step of the way.

Ray and Kary ran a 1/2 marathon 2 days later in Anchorage.  The Glacier Half Marathon started and finished at Westchester Lagoon.  It was an out and back.  I loved running the trail and seeing the new leaves on the trees and the flowing creek.  The sun felt so warm.  I couldn't believe how hot I felt by mile 6.

Ray and I both had a goal to get a PR (personal record.)  Our previous PR for a 1/2 was a 1:52 for me and last Saturday I pushed hard and finished in 1:48.  I was so happy!  

Ray's previous PR was a 1:40 and he hauled some bootie and got a 1:34 finish.  

He was thrilled!

It was a great way to enjoy our last running day of being 44 and 45 yrs old.

We celebrated our 45th & 46th bday on Monday, so I have entered a new age bracket in the running arena.  I'm ok w/ it.  I feel young, so I'll just keep acting as if I'm 27.

Ray ordered these shirts to support Boston marathon survivors.  They came in the mail the day before our race, so Ray said we should wear them.  I'm not much for yellow on me, but a few runners that were behind me thanked me for the message on the back of my shirt.  :  )

So, wherever you are in your walking or running training, KEEP walking/running!  Be a finisher!

Free at last!

Last Saturday felt like a Spring run.  It was my first time in shorts and I felt so free.  Remember, we have been running in several layers during the winter months.   We are members of the Willow running club and we get together w/ other runners once in a while to do some training runs.  Last Saturday we met on the Willow side of Hatcher Pass and started uphill.  We did an out and back.  9 up, 9 down.  The downhill was fun, but challenging.  I haven't done a lot of downhill training, so I definitely felt the quad burn.  So, if you're prepping for Timp half, train on the downhills.  Burn baby, burn!

We were running w/ Dave Johnston who is an Ultra runner.  He is the winner of Resurection Pass 100 miler every year and a variety of other races.  He also finished 1st place this year in a 350 mile winter race on the Iditarod trail.  Animal, for sure!    Check out his awesome pony tail.  I almost held on to it a few times so he could pull me up the hills.  :  )

As you can see in the pictures, I am the only woman who showed up to run that day.  Keeping up w/ the guys was tough, but they definitely slowed down to a gentle pace for me.  Ray would come back once in a while to check on me and get me up another hill.  It was a beautiful day and when three eagles flew overhead, I felt uplifted and ready to soar.

Run free and fly!

Goooooooooaaaallll time (said like a Latino soccer announcer)

I've had some harsh realizations lately. One of those that I need to push myself more when I exercise if I want to see real progress. So I figured if I wanted to make this real I needed to make more people aware of what I wanted to do. I have set up my training plan for the next 10 weeks for the 90 For Nan half marathon. I'm going to run it in two hours and 15 minutes. I started my sprint training runs last night and have to admit, I pushed myself so hard I almost wanted to throw up. But, I did it and it felt great. And I feel great today. Love you all, and I am excited to do this with you!

Boston Marathon 2013

Today was to be a day of victory for runners who had trained many miles.  These runners had also run PRs at a previous marathon to qualify for the Boston marathon.  Today was to be a day where perseverance would pay off.  Today was to be a day of celebration for achieving audacious goals.  Today was a day to be a finisher.

As I watched the horrid scenes of the bombing attacks near the finish line of the Boston marathon,  I felt sorrow, frustration and anger.   I could not believe the shattered dreams.  I saw marathon runners at mile 26 (right before the finish line), getting ready to cross the line and then the explosion occurs.  Their  joy of finishing comes to a halt.  Chaos surrounds them and all they had trained for seems to have been taken away from them.

Today, on my training run for my marathon, I ran angry.  I thought of all the people in Boston that were suffering.  I wanted to run for them.  So, I did.

We have a friend from Willow, AK that is one of Ray's running buddies that was there running the marathon.  Fortunately, he finished before the attacks and was back in his hotel room when the chaos occurred.

Many eyewitnesses to the scene said they were told to "run."  They didn't know where they were to run to, but they just kept running.  I feel it is critical that we all keep running/walking/moving forward so we will be prepared for whatever challenges may come our way.   If we are prepared, we have no need to fear.  I know that is true!

Love,  Kary

Ultra Runner Ray

A few weeks ago, during Spring Break, Ray set an audacious goal.  He was going to run 100 miles.

Initially, the run would start one afternoon and end the next evening, but after mile 35, plans changed.

The winds kicked up and dust was getting into his lungs.  A texting teen almost ran him off the road.  So, he came home, took his asthma inhaler (due to the dust that caused labored breathing) and evaluated his running plans.  His wise wife suggested that he break the 100 miles up into the rest of the week.  Ray agreed that was a good plan.  (Always a good idea to go with your honey's idea.)  ;  )

So, the next day, he hit the indoor track and ran 15, so now he was at 50.  The next day, at the indoor track, he ran 20.  Now he was at 70 miles.  The last day, he ran 30, at the indoor track.  The winds

continued to whip and make it bitter cold the entire week of Spring break, so he chose to run in circles and complete his goal.  He felt like a gerbil when he was done!  But, he did it!  

The kids and I made him a 100 miler medal, put mint oreos out in a "100" design and the kids

made a beaded "100."  

Way to go Ray!

We can do hard things!  

Ray is training for Resurrection Pass 100 miler this summer.

Running outside

I've been running on treadmills for over a year now. It was nice being able to simply set a pace on the treadmill and have it force me to run at that pace while comfortably watching a show and enjoying the indoor weather.

 Now that I'm training for the half-marathon this summer, I figured it was time to start running outside. It's been a pretty weird adjustment. Figuring out how to pace myself. Planning a route to take. Stopping at stoplights. "Pounding" the pavement (it hurt my legs the first time). But I'm assuming it's all going to be worth it in the end.

 I ran six miles yesterday. It felt like it took forever (I always forget to check what time I start/end), but I'm pretty sure it was the longest run of my life.
 

 If I were to follow Mari's blogging patterns, I think this is the part where I write about some dramatic self-realization and sprinkle in some motivational thoughts. Well, um, running is hard. Suck it up, buttercup.

Wicked winds call for track time

As many of you know, Wasilla can produce some pretty wicked winds.  The past two days of Spring break have felt like bitter cold winter due to the wind chill.  I really struggle mentally with going out in the wind when it is so cold.  Fortunately, I was able to get a few runs in at the indoor track this week. Thanks to my friend Crystal for sending me her track punch card (since she moved to UT., it won't be useful for her there.)

Another struggle is running around and around in circles for miles and miles.  So, today I had to fight the mental battle and take the first step forward on the track.  I did it and I even added a few extra miles than I had originally planned on.  I officially started my marathon training schedule last week.  I have been doing some intervals at the track which really push me to kick it up and give it all I've got.  We all have to dig deep sometimes.  Just getting dressed to run can be the greatest challenge.  But, be committed.  Be consistent.  Timp half is 4 1/2 months away.  YOU will be ready IF you stick w/ your training.  Trust me, there are days that I don't want to run or don't feel like running.  But, if it's written on my calendar, I know it's a "to do."  I always feel better after going.  Always!

If you are enjoying 'real' Spring weather right now, be so grateful and run an extra mile for me (please!!!)  Dry pavement is a gift to you lower 48ers.  Kiss the dry trail for me (if you dare.)  We still have snow and ice here and there.  It will be a mental challenge through April.  But, we've done it before, so we'll do it again.  Always better to press forward than stand still and whine.  It's time to arise and shine!  If you haven't started training yet, it's time to start.  You will enjoy race day so much more if you are prepared.  It can actually be fun to run!!!!!!

If you need more motivation, go to: vanormerview.blogspot.com and read Mari's 'learning to walk' post.

We can do hard things!

Smiles & miles,
Kary

Forward

 So, I have been slacking a little. Last week I only ran 3 days, this week I will do my darndest to get in 4. We are still in the middle of finding a home, and it has been just a little crazy. (A lot crazy!) That is life though, right? Gotta keep your head up.

Today was beautiful. The sky was blue with dark grey clouds -- my favorite combination. (A rainbow would make it perfection.) :-) I was slowing down when I heard a weird noise way above me. I looked up and there they were, my feathered friends honking me along (they always know when to come). :-) 

 Mom is gone so I have been running with the stroller again. Man it is SO much easier without it! I use my arms a lot and the stroller makes it really tricky. But I made peace with the stroller long ago . . . make that 12 years now. Crazy. I am getting old. That's not suppose to happen! 

Just Keep Moving Forward  . . . 

Just Keep Swimming

Kim and Jim get in a quick 1500 before bed.

Moving and Moving

See that furrowed brow -- that is stress

I have been running. I have just had other things on my mind lately. Like moving out of our home, unexpectedly. (The home we are renting is being sold in a month, or two. We had just signed another year lease, but to no avail.) My efforts now are all geared towards finding a home, so we are not homeless in a month. So, I keep jogging along . . . but I can hardly stress about it. If I miss a day of running, I don't care. Not now. I did run strong yesterday, and I felt good. May this be remedied quickly, so we can get a flow back to our lives! 

Wish us luck in finding a home. I can't wait to pack. Fun. 

(Don't worry . . . in about a month, or more, I will look back and smile at this post -- because everything will have worked out. ) 

Kary's Videos

Here is Stephen getting his exercise. Ray taught him how to use the snow blower today. It was so fun to watch him try and be like his Daddy. 

Another 5 inches of fresh snow today. So, I chose to run up and down our plowed driveway for my workout. The kids loved it and so did my gluteus maximus! Fitness is fun! (sometimes). : )

You will hear Stephen crying at the end of the video because he had gone in the house to go potty and thought he missed his turn in the sled. Oh boy! 

Don't worry, it all worked out. And what a work out it was. 




Mush on!

Strength-Training

See that sweat? My fat was crying. 

It will be downhill for most of the run in July,  so I thought I ought to train my legs in a different way. Tae-Bo is going to be thrown into my workouts. I have had the same video since I was 17, but it is SUCH a crazy-good workout. I also like it because it is a full hour. And that Billy Blanks, he is just so motivational! ;-) I have also started lifting weights, my strength is finally coming back to me. My arms don't feel like weak marshmallows anymore. 

I went running yesterday after doing Tae-Bo the day before and it felt weird. But good weird, I think? Just gotta keep going. This is week 8! 

A Nice Day

Friday was a beautiful day . . . 54 degrees of loveliness. We set out for a run/walk/bike ride. It was going great. 

Henry all cute and ready to ride with Grandma. 

 It was warm, but you still needed a light jacket. 

 Except for the kids who thought it was T-Shirt weather . . . 

 It was going great until Sammi dropped my bike that she was riding, and the brakes got jammed. We had to walk the bike to a neighbors house. We ran back to get the van to pick it up. Sammi ran with me so we could get home fast. I was feeling good about myself, until Sammi was just walking next to me while I "ran." She got in front of me and said, "Come on mom, keep up!" Very inspiring, I tell you. She is like a gazelle . . . not fair. My confidence was shaken. 

Not the best run day ever, but we did it. 

Super Skier Stephen

Listen to what Stephen starts singing in the video 




Gotta love it. 



Skiing in the 6 inches of new snow we got yesterday was his workout. 

Dig Deep

Last Friday, 6 inches of fresh snow made running difficult. Mentally as well as physically. I just looked out the window and took a deep breath. I didn't want to put on the layers and struggle through the snow. I tried to tell myself I could just workout indoors. After a few minutes, I finally put on the running clothes and hit the snow covered road. I told myself, just 3 miles Kary. It will make you stronger. My loyal dog Sage was waiting for me outside. She is always ready to go. I usually take her 1-2 miles around the neighborhood and bring her home. Then, I continue the rest of my run. She is such a great running buddy. Never whines, great listener and she really knows how to potty in the woods. 

All I could do was put one foot in front of the other. So, that's what I did. 
Those of you that are enjoying running on dry trails, roads, etc.... No whining !(unless you're PMSing!) 

Just get out there and take that first step. Dig deep, press on and success will come. Just believe!

Saturday, I decided to run the indoor track for 10 miles. The surface under my feet felt fabulous, but I get so bored running in circles. I'm very excited to get outside tomorrow and run in the snow. : ). 

-Kary 

Wooo-hoooo!

I P.R.'d today on 6 miles! I ran strong, felt strong, and I am so proud of my amazing body. I am training for my first relay March 9 and today 's run proved all my hard work is paying off.

I also credit my lovely ribbon on my shoes (from the marathon flag) and my "Krid Hearts Rex" t-shirt. Grace was given to me today;)

Bob's Steps . . .

From today's racquetball game.

Annie Update

That's me before hiking. We started our family hiking almost weekly last year we loved doing it. We are doing it this year til my surgery :)

-Annie

I am so excited!! I will try post something here (maybe in a volleyball outfit) as my "my before" look. I'm gonna try & lose some weight before I have my major surgery. Better than nothing right?

What's awesome is that my boys & honey are gonna be with me all the way! Eating right & going for an walk whenever we can. Even they learned of the run, they want to participate! I'm gonna cheer them on!

See you around!

Go Posties!!

Posting to Blog

I sent out an email invite for you to be a blog author (if I have your email) . . . so you can post under your own name. But if posting is too inconvenient for you, I am HAPPY to post for you. 

Just email me @ mari4u@hotmail.com and I can post your pictures/text for you! 

Thanks! 

-Mari 

It is so nice to see what everyone is doing! Love it!