It's Rough Getting Back To It

After my post-marathon hiatus through the holidays, I'm not gonna lie. 

 Running has been ROUGH.

My ten-mile run this past weekend was really rough. It's been hard not to get discouraged, especially when I glance at my pace and realize that the hills are getting to me, and though I feel like I'm going fast, I'm definitely not. 

Yesterday after one mile, my legs were already sore and hurting. I self-talked and told myself that just like always after a break, it'll come back. I'll be fast again.

I was super happy when I saw my time at the end.

It's nowhere near my fastest time, but it was the first time in a long time that I had a sub-10-minute pace. And that's the story of running (or I imagine any type of training):

The training will pay off.

Your body will "remember" its better in-shape you, and the faster pace will come back sooner this time than the first time.

Celebrate the small victories.

Recovery and Getting Back To It

I decided to take it easy after my marathon in terms of my training. Almost a month off from running.  Then I backed off quite a bit from my weekly mileage and tried to do mainly non-running workouts.

Southwest Oklahoma cotton fields in December.

 Even though my knees and hips held up during this last marathon season, I can tell I'm going to have to strengthen them up if I want to keep on running. And if I want to get faster. 

I decided to implement more non-running cardio and weight training before my next marathon.

I enjoy running out in the country. Especially on warm December days.

 As usual though, winter brings sickness and cold weather so my running drops off. I got to do one 5K in December which was fun along with some other running days. 

Look at this cutie I met on my run.

Had to stop and pose with the donkey!

I was hoping I would get to full workout mode this week, but it didn't happen with traveling and an unexpected snow day with the kids.

Pretty wheat fields

Three of the kids went with me after my run for a walk-run. Jaci and Case took turns dribbling and pushing Baby.

 I'll have to hit it hard starting next week, but I'm looking forward to a new work out. I'm planning on only running three days a week with implementing other cardio and strength-training the other days.

Showed the kids the cotton.
Case: "Cotton grows?!?"

That's my running girl! She ran almost the whole two miles or so that we went.
She would run and  then stop and wait for me to catch up.
My favorite moment was when we were running next to each other and H looks over at me, "Mama, I love you."

I'm excited about getting to run the marathon in OKC with a new time goal. 

Here's to hoping the cross-training pays off!

December is Our Crazy Month

December is always our CRAZY month. 

We like to just flow with the craziness and let the kids wear themselves
out at the stores while we Christmas shop.

December graduation: time for regalia and work buddies

With the end of the typical semester stresses - grading and finals - as well as submission deadlines for my conferences and reference letters for students, throw in all the holiday events, and the calendar gets pretty full quick.

Ugly Sweater CrossFit Party

Chickasha lights

Christmas Eve 

Got lots of Mom time - did my heart good.

I love Christmas excitement. 

 We did four Christmases this year, people. 

Four. 

Whew!

Cousins!

I got lots of uncharacteristic Casen snuggles over break.
I soaked them up.

Shelby and Haddie enjoying each other.

Lawrence and I stayed awake into the New Year...Josh and Joy, on the other hand....

Josh and I also thought that December wasn't busy enough so we chose this month twice for important events: our wedding and having L Child.

The Christmas Tree Star pretending he lost his eye.
Remember why we call him a Christmas Tree Star?
"Mama, I wish I was a Christmas Tree Star so everybody could see me."
And true to form, I have no pictures of him on his birthday even though we had a small cake for him.
Just reenforcing that middle child syndrome.

Celebrated sixteen years with three nights of going to the movie theater!

We also all like to get sick during Christmas break. Preferably on holiday trips.

Nothing like grading lab reports while being on a whole bunch of cold medicine.

As it always does, it worked out and it was a fun month. Once we get through the next week or so, and we'll be back at the swing of things. 

First though, I've got syllabi to prepare and the boys' birthday party to celebrate.