Part of a team!

(trying to wear this as much as possible!) :)
Hi all!

Less than 2 weeks and I will be running with around 40,000 other people through downtown Chicago for a total of 26.2 miles! Wowza! Lately, I have been very excited to be a part of the World Vision team! I got an email yesterday that my dinner is paid for at the "team dinner" on Friday night. I was on the fence about attending this, but after that I signed up my Mom and I to be there! I'm hoping to meet some cool folks and maybe a buddy or two to run the race with:) It'd really be great to be linked up with some other like minded peeps to run this last leg of the journey with! So, if you're the praying type, add that one for me please:)

This clip has really inspired me as part of the team as well: Less than 2 weeks! Check it out!

So, this picture is my desktop background right now and I really feel like it sums up how I feel sometimes about this race
You can see the road curving, but what lies beyond the last curve? You can't see it!! You know the road continues, you know the colors of fall will continue to be beautiful, but ultimately--you can't know until you get there! Even as I type that my hands get a little sweaty and my heart is beating a little faster. I've been really fortunate to be encouraged by everyone I talk to about this upcoming race from my Chiropractor to my favorite local running store owners! People tell me, "You could run the race today," or, "You're there, you're ready, now just relax and enjoy the ride," and, "even if you did nothing but the eliptical from now until the race, you'd be just fine." This are precious gems of hope that I've tucked away in my heart for the moments of sheer panic as I realize the magnitude of what I'm embarking on!

Yesterday I came home from a 6 mile run, and I was icing my knee and ankle and just felt kinda mopey as I was frustrated that my legs/joints are hurting. JG asked me if I was okay, and I told her that I'm just frustrated that I don't feel really strong going into the race. She said, "You know you're probably going to feel different every day before the race as it gets closer." I'll have to remember to thank her x 1,000 for the boosts that she gives me when I need it!

I hope this doesn't read like I'm a huge drama-queen, because really, I'm only like a minor-drama-queen, and have a SLIGHTLY altered view of reality:)

On, a completely unrelated note, I'm becoming alarmingly good at the banana-slam-car-game! If you're unfamiliar with fun car games, or it's been awhile since you've hung out with adolescents, allow me to present the rules: you get to punch, or little tap, nudge whoever is in the passenger/driver seat whenever you see a YELLOW car! Now, depending on who you're playing with the rules may be altered slightly to include yellow houses, lawnmowers, dump trucks, fire hydrants, restuarants, etc...However, the excuse, "Come on, how many times do you see a yellow lawn-mower?!" can only be used once!! No cheatsies! :)

So pick up the game, start slamming the people you're in the car with, and maybe the rate of road rage will go down in our great metropolis of Manhattan, who knows?! :) But, please remember, I am not liable for bruises incurred or inflicted upon you or your loved ones!! And, if you hear this threat, "Shelby, do you really want to play this game with me? I mean you need to really think about this because I will hurt you! If you keep playing this with me I cannot be held responsonsible for how hard I hit you--I used to be a boxer!" Ahem, please JG, BRING IT! :)

Happy Hump Day! ;)

It's all related

This isn't the post I envisioned while I was running. I didn't get far enough to have time to let my mind wander to a place of even being able to plan my post. This post might come out of a different place than my previous posts--caution!

So, this training stuff is hard. Working so hard for a goal that is now, 2 weeks away, continues to force my gaze and focus UP, and OUT. So emotional stuff that goes on at the same time as training, let's call that stuff life, is never easy either! I love people deeply. Sometimes, I hurt them unintentionally. Sometimes, I do more harm than good, and sometimes what I thought was this great thing, isn't so great.
It's like training. I thought that today I'd be ready to run a nice easy 12 miles. I had taken Wednesday completely off from running. Thursday was an active rest day where I rode my bike 6 miles and then lifted a bit. Friday was indoor cycling and I was free of ankle/knee pain. Yesterday I was at school from 8AM until 9:45PM...that's a loooooong time! I spent a good majority of that time on my feet on concrete working in the concession stand, and by the end of that my ankle had started to feel tired and sore. I also got a text from Beth that B-man was sick and she couldn't ride with me in the morning. Well, I sent out a lot of text-pleas and got nothing in return. So, I spent the drive home in the rain planning my run and mentally preparing. I envisioned the trail, where the the water was and what it would be like for me to be out there alone.
This morning I was planning on sleeping in (till 7AM) and then getting up and ready. But, like I've already mentioned, it's all related, so I was feeling overwhelmed and uneasy. About .15 of the run, I felt a tinge in my ankle. I felt the tightness and stiffness and then it hit my knee. I knew I should stop, but I kept going because stopping is really hard. It's like admitting defeat or that I'm not going to be able to do it. I kept going and the pain would go away, then I would feel it again. And it's not muscular, it's joint-stuff -how scientific...So on the trail the debate is going back in forth in my head do I keep going, or do I stop? Do I forge through, or is that unwise? Will it hurt me more later to keep going now? Do I keep the END in mind and take care of myself now, or just go because I wanted to be able to run today? Are you beginning to see the greater picture and how all this STUFF is related???

At 1.68, I turned around. I ran 3.11 and walked the rest .50 mile home. It's soooooooo hard for me not to feel like an absolute failure! I wanted to be on the trail, I want to be healthy, and more than that, I want to be able to give myself grace in this moment. I want to be able to believe it, ya know?

I hope this isn't just downer ramblings to you today!

It's beautiful outside, I'm hoping for some JG time and maybe a nice leisurely bike ride:)

Happy Birthday Sam!!
Happy Saturday!

That's alotta Muha's!

Pick-up-your-pictures-at-school-day!!! That's right, I didn't cut them up and write on the back and give it to all besties...so, if you want one, just lemme know because I've got 4 years worth of teacher HOTT school pics! :)


I feel like it's been awhile since I've chatted with ya'll! The last connection was via a landmark 20-miler-and well, oh blah de-oh blah dah, life goes on:) This week I have been feeling quite OLD! My physiological age could have been near 40+ if you judged this based on my walking capability or sound effects when sitting (aka plopping) down or getting up. Needless to say, I was SORE! My joints hurt, my bones hurt, and I was tiiiiired! Sunday was a slow mover for me, I took a brief nap and hoped my right ankle/knee got to feeling better soon. Monday, well let's just say I tried to run.....and I basically would start out running and then stop when I felt pain in my ankle/knee. Then, it went away, I would start out again, then stop, then start, etc. I only did this for 2 miles.
Well, yesterday I thought the ankle was feeling better and so I hit the road again for an 8 miler. I know, my training/pain avoidance wasn't on allstar-level at this point. I shouldn't have ran 8 miles, but I wanted to hit the road and the weather was beautiful, and I couldn't resist. So I ran in and out of pain for the whole time and went pretty quick. The first 2 miles were around 8:50 min/mile pace and then I slowed where every mile after that was under 9:30ish min/mile pace. I got done, readily applied some ice to my ankle and after a chat with the G-man decided to rest. G-man coaches and has coached Cross Country/Track and Field at the school were I work for 30+ years and knows his stuff! The man is an excellent coach, and he told me very confidently that I needed to take 2-3 days off to rest my ankle completely before the race so I'm able to finish and finish strong! I heeded his advice and NO running, NO cross training, NOTHING on this fine Wednesday. The weather was awesome, so NP and I enjoyed a Sprite (him) Vitamin Water (me) on my driveway in camping chairs after work. Ahh, the life of a teacher....:)

Guess what came in the mail today........................

That's right! My official race-day apparel that I ordered on Monday! Super excited to try it out on a long run and see how it feels! I hope all is well because I'd love to wear it and feel good on race day in that!

Back to So You Think You Can Dance and early to bed tonight!! :)

Guh' night all:)

Konza, Second City AND 20 miles!

Whoa-nelly! I've got LOTS to report--hold on to your hats!

KONZA
First off, the BEST class field trip ever! I hoped to impart my love for the outdoors with physical activity and took 2 of my classes to Konza Prairie Reserve to hike the 4 mile loop. We had originally hoped to hike 6 mile route, but the timing and our pace as a class wasn't allowing this to happen and be back at school by 2! So, alas, we still had a great time and enjoyed the great outdoors thanks to some really adventurous Sophomore boys and geckos/grasshoppers/bugs/anything living that they found and thrust in the face of any female within the vicinity of them. Ahh....boys will be boys?! Needless to say, I moved from RIGHT behind them to towards the middle/back of the pack. Check out some fun pics below:

Started off my day of activity after spinning this morning with a Passion-fruit flavored Coconut water as an effort to stay ahead of dehydration! It is a task for someone like me that sweats--well, A LOT is an understatment at times;)
Great view with a super fun student Shug/Doodie or Kam-Bam:) Depends on what you'd like to call her! So cute!
Lunch break, we all brought lunch and popped-a-squat! The boys claimed not to be hungry and wanted to play in the nature...as I heard one of them mention later, "I've got nature all over my legs..."
Back on the trail, cute hats/sunglasses or maybe it was their "official hiking gear."

I loved the color contrast of greens/tans/yellow colors against and blue sky with big white fluffy clouds

One of my roads/trails ahead.

No one else wanted me to take their picture, so K-dawg was all about it...I was all about photog-ing our random finds--like this well that is only used under supervision and permission and stuff..


Check out what came in the mail for me yesterday!!
My official confirmation ticket to the CHICAGO MARATHON! whoop whoop!! I read it immediately and will probably 7 more times before heading to Chicago:)

SECOND CITY
That's right, in typical Chicago fashion, I went to SECOND CITY last night! My friend John asked me to go with him, and it was AWESOME! :)

Jenny and I had to pose for a quick pic in our matching shirts before I headed out the door:) That's right, I DID wear the shirt to the show, I had to represent the Chi-town experience! One of the cast members was from Chicago, so just like the red-head in the latest Sonic commercials (I'm like your little tator-tot) I look at these people and feel like their my friends from Chicago!
Sweet hook-up:
So John is a Friend of McCain and he got an invite on his seats for a little smoozing action in the Director's Lounge! I was extremely excited to meet some folks and enjoy FREE refreshments which was a bottle of water for me and John and a little Pepperidge Farm cookie;) Super funny! Good times had by all!

Onto this morning's JAUNT!
As I looked down at these feet, I was trying to give them a little pep-talk. Like, "here we go fellas, got 20 miles ahead of us, you got this? slow and steady, don't quit on me, ok?! You can do it!"
This is my friend for these long runs, unfortunately I did not apply enough today do the immediate upper area of under arm, and wow, let's just say: PAIN and screaming out bloody murder in the shower!
Not exactly sure what was happening here. Looks like I was still dancing to Miley's latest hit: Party in the USA when NP was at my house ready to hit the road, and JG took a pic!
Brrr this morning! Wowza, it was 48 degrees according to my computer when we started out. Def could see my breath! That long sleeved was awesome to wear at the start, light weight and warm, had to be shed though around mile 7.
So the journey this morning found my legs, body, and mind fatigued from a really intense week! This was the climax of the training week, so as of today I've logged 40 miles THIS WEEK! That's a lot, and when the alarm went off this morning, my body was not super excited for the trek! I have had some issues this week with my right knee and ankle and I got them re-aligned from my favorite Chiro here in town on Friday, but this morning I was hurting around mile 6 and then again really intensely around mile 13! I considered stopping because I felt like I was just slinging my right knee thru ankle/foot along for the ride. I felt very gimpy and NOT good! I was getting discouraged and just announced to NP that I was going to pray. So, I did. And I asked God for grace to finish the run. I asked God to take away the pain and allow me to finish this moring. I kept asking for other things and lifted up people and it was a really great opportunity to connect with Him this morning. The pain went away. It wasn't even a dull ache, it was gone and I was moving forward and feeling good. The motto today was: slow and steady. My pace stayed right around 10 min/mile. I was in the 9:4o's ish and the 10:11's sometimes. My goal was to finish under 3:20 and made it: 3:19!
Can still put my arms up! We got done in the middle of the trail with still about 1.5 left before we got to my house.
There's more miles to log, but from here on out, it's TAPER time! I say now that I'm ready to take it easy, but we'll see how I do when I really do run less and less. It'll be different that's for sure--don't worry, I'll keep you posted;)

This afternoon I slept for awhile and will do MORE of it very soon!

Happy weekend!
Love-Shelb

Every Run is a Victory!

So, I know it sounds kinda lame, but today I was telling myself that every run is a victory because today I wanted to quit! I played sports (ultimate football and soccer) with students at school during physical activity day and this morning I was hurting! My legs are soooooooore!

The 5 miles were pretty good, I wanted to help play/scrimmage volleyball with the elite VARSITY team...but alas, the road was calling my name, and honestly I'm not good enough to play with the upper class! They would have taken me in..but pity-plays aren't my fav!
I was glad when the journey was over today and when I was stretching my knee was NOT feeling very good. Luckily after a more intense stretching time the knee was feeling better but I made an appt to see my favorite Chiro tomorrow bright and early at 8AM! Bring on some alignment relief:)
Good night all!
Spinning bright and early at 5:45AM!

26 days until 26 miles

Wow!

The miles are adding up and the days are running out! eek! I can't quite believe how rapidly the race is approaching! I just ran 10 miles this evening and am tired! It was a real trial of endurance mentally and physically! At the start of the run, I was not really feeling the journey ahead! I was tired from a long day at work and I had compensating for my stress by nibbling on little candies that are resting on my desk for my students! It wasn't a good solution--as it didn't relieve my stress and now my tum hurts post-run! The 10-miler I just completed is the longest mid-week run in the entire training program! This Saturday: 20 miles!!

Well, I'm anxiously listening to hear who will win this season's Big Brother...come on Jordan! My lower eye-lid is still a twitch-twitch twitchin' so to bed I head;)

G' night!

This is the climax of the training

Hi friends,

This week marks the climax of this training program! Since May 15 my body, mind, and soul have been working up to this part of the training--20 miles on the schedule for this Saturday's run! wowza! So the mileage total for this week will be 40, which is substantial for me FOR SURE! :) I ran 5 today with my hippie friend NP--he rocked! Way to still be an enthusiastic story-teller while running! That's impressive! We ran 5 and just for good measure I kicked it up a notch the last 2.5 miles! I did mile 4 in 9:05 and mile 5 in 8:32! It felt good to be able to push my legs to go that fast! Fun times;)
Well, I'm going to head to rest my twitching eye--does that ever happen to you? Part of your eyelid just decides to spasmodically bounce all over the place while you're just chillin' watching Dreamgirls on the couch? I think its the signal to me that it's time to get a good solid night's sleep!! :)
Night all--tomorrow is 10 miles! :)

I care. And so I run.

Hello there-
Let me update ya a bit! Wowza, I've been busy! First of all, thanks for World Vision for the sweet bracelet and little push! I'm usually not one for the thicker-rubber-plasticy-athletic bracelets, but this one...I saw and said, "ya know what, I'm wearing that until the race, I'm in all right now!" So yeah, it's been on my wrist, ever since:)

So since the bracelet and I have become friends, I've also gone on to KSU Volleyball game at Ahearn Feildhouse with a Pack-a-Parkers...:)
I guess Natron got hungry and decided to chomp on Katie's head....hmm

Beth and Brady are in this picture somewhere...see if you can find them....:)

But this little guy was a wee bit sleepy! So, I decided to hold him a bit, and he fell fast asleep!! zzzzz's It was SUPER hot in Ahearn so I could only hold my little sauna friend for a little while before giving him back to mama! Gotta love some cute cuddly baby love!!

On to running news:
This morning, when I walked out of my room at 7:15AM I saw my little friends lazin' around on the couch..
lucky....I was ready to hit the road with shoes laced up and all this made me want to do was crawl back in to bed....but alas--
A one NP decided to join me on the 14 mile journey on Linear Trail! But first he had to add some air to his bike via my little hamster/gerbel air compressor
it hopped around on the ground when you turn it on to pump air...kinda cute;)

And when the bike was ready Natron-the-Incredible decided to swing his bike overhead, which was the universal signal that it was time to begin the journey!!

I got a little nervous when he turned into Natron-the-Incredible...eek! BUT..

The Road Ahead was calling myname:) We hit the trail and went 7 out and turned around and came back! Did 14 without stopping once! Lots of muddy/splashing puddles, and lots of sweatiness! I do have the say that at this point the running is getting a bit tedeous...BUT with the help of my new bracelet I could focus on the goal ahead! The race is coming and it's going to be great, keeping the end in mind!

Well friends, time to go! :) Happy weekend!!

Love-Shelb

The misty 9 and a new SPOT on the lake!

Hello all,

I'm currently writing from the comfort of my own couch watching the Presidential Address. I was planning on watching So You Think You Can Dance AND GLEE Season Premiere! But no, sadly all I get is some words from Obama, followed by standing, yelling and clapping...it's kind of wearing me out already!
Yesterday I went on a 9 mile run!
No, I didn't do this--THIS picture is from Saturday's run! I was at the 12 mile mark and saw a camera pointed at me, I couldn't help myself;)
But the nine yesterday were pretty good. I ran between 8:48-9:36 minute splits. I told myself to slow down and keep it between 9:20-9:40 because the run was supposed to be nice and easy! It was cloudy and I was worried it might thunderstorm on me, but alas all I got was a gentle misting. The misting cooled me off a little bit, but left me very wet! Eek! I was pleased with the run and my ability to do it lone-star style! Me and my fuel belt, we're BFF's:)
Tonight after school I did 26 minutes on the eliptical machine and lifted arms and legs. I got a flu shot today and HIGHLY recommend it to others--except for the fact that my arm is still sore! I mean seriously, shots HURT :( or...i'm a weenie...

On to my spot....

Love this spot because you can walk around the bend and explore, throw rocks in, skip rocks, just walk, it's nice!So this spot is where the fish live and dogs play, I don't swim here, but look at the pretty surroundings!Ahh, the waves! From this view it looks like the water isn't THAT disgusting out at Tuttle Puddle...I still think there's a hidden fungus or disease lurking in the waters that you'll get if you swim in it for too long! The theory has yet to be proven....
Well, I'm off to watch more the clapping, standing, cheering, and President addressing the nation about healthcare. So, already I'm wondering if it's okay to act/behave/think that because we're American citizens if we can be entitled to not get sick? Because it kinda sounds like that just a little bit...I hope I'm not ostracized by this opinion, just a wondering really...And, I've been blogging during the address, so my attention hasn't been entirely fixated on one thing at a time:)

Tomorrow morning, I think there is a run ahead of me...in the dark of the dark...

See ya!

The beauty of a day off!

If only I could run in the 7AM hour everyday! The sun was brilliant this morning and sometimes I wish my eyes were a camera lens and I could just take incredible pictures as I see them and share them all with you! I am the inspired blogger this morning after seeing Julie and Julia on Saturday night with some friends! So great, KP and I laughed the whole way through and couldn't wait for the movie to get over so we could start imitating our Julia Child accent! We thought it was quite funny!!:)

I was a tired puppy this morning and stayed in bed until 7:18AM and then decided it was time to get up and lace up the shoes and hit the pavement. Normally running around 7:45AM would be traffic central by my house but today the cars were sparse and the weather was glorious! I enjoyed having a lit path with splashes of color in the sky from the clouds/fog and rising sun. Sunflowers were catching my attention everytime I passed them! Did you know that sunflowers turn throughout the day to face the sun? I think this is a beautiful metaphor for God! I mean, the fact that he created this flower to turn and face the source of it's life as it passes through the sky--hello! if only my attention stayed on Jesus like that!! I am always amazed when I see them!

This morning's run reminded my legs that I ran 18 miles on Saturday and sometimes running hurts just a little bit! But around mile 2 I found my stride and wasn't feeling any pain the rest of the run. I did 5 miles quite comfortably and then came home and did strengthening and core work! I'm timid to lift too much with my legs because they get sore and tired and I use them A LOT, but it felt good today and if I keep my protein and water/potassium up, I'm hopeful I'll feel alright.

Saturday's Long Run:
So, I wanted to write my splits from the 18 miler: (feel free to skip over if bored!)
mile 1: 10: 18
2: 9:56
3: 9:51
4: 9:54
5: 9:57
6: 10:00
7: 10:26
8: 10:05
9: 10:09
10: 9:47
11: 9:42
12: 9:54
13: 10:05
14: 9:57
15: 9:44
16: 10:36
17: 10:36
18: 9:50
Wow, I just wanted to see that for me. Normally I could upload this information wirelessly directly from my Garmin Forerunner 405, but they don't have the software developed yet for MAC users..which is what I am;) So, that I do it manually or just scroll back through to compare splits and that's it. I could tell that around miles 16, 17 my legs just felt in a dead rhythm, like painful and slow and I couldn't make them go any faster. Well, obviously when Beth told me at mile 17 no more looking at your watch, just go strong 'till you hear it chirp at you....I did go strong and think about finishing this HUGE accomplishment!!

To Do on Labor Day!
Let's see...
-toe nail clean up (remove polish, reapply)
-possible nap
-possible Bistro excursion
-possible put laundry away
-finish my book: The Wednesday Sisters
-go to new favorite spot on the lake
-possible Eagle Eye watching before returning via netflix
-Return State of Play to Dillon's Redbox--love instant gratification of Redbox BTW:)!

Have a great Labor day!
Much Love, Shelb

I did it!

18 miles feels GREAT! I know it sounds CRAZY and it could be the running buzz (high) and the fact that this accomplishment feels awesome! I can't believe I did it, it's a huge accomplishment!! Here's some pics to recap the journey!
Before I got ready to leave my house I got on my knees. I woke up last night at 2:32AM and was nervous about this run and the length of it! So I knew I needed help and before I even laced up my shoes, I read some encouragement from Paul in Philippians about running to good race:) I laid down my anxiety and asked God to strengthen my legs, mind and keep me strong. I am really thankful because God answered those prayers!!

Yep, I sleep with earplugs and I thought I'd show you how cool my 1986 alarm clock and what time I was getting ready to leave my house to meet BETH! Oh Beth, how I love thee!!
especially when you are wearing your helmet:) We met at the Linear trail head at Casement and she rode my studly bike and wore a mini backpack with water/cameras/ kleenexes and 1/2 a powerbar. She was awesome! Such an encourager and coach and pushed me when I needed it! I told her at mile 2.5 that I wanted and needed her to push me and not let me stop as we kept going! She said, "uh yeah, I won't let you stop, NO stopping, especially after mile 15!" At that point, I knew it was going to be tough but I could do it! I need to be pushed every once and awhile and it felt grrrreat!
Before heading out--yep, that's what we look like:) So on the way we passed a few runners at various times along the trail. I love the commraderie among runners! I mean, that is close to being my FAVORITE part and what gets me really excited about the marathon!! We passed people and they asked, "good job! how far are you going?" to which I replied, "18" Immediately the next question is, "what are you training for?" Which I proudly boast, "Chicago Marathon!!" it felt great, other questions ensued like how far you going, what are you training for, etc...I loved it! The encouragment was such a booster for me!
Half-way point--wetness picture! Beth is entertained by my sweating cability and I do like to entertain!
which is why she likes to find the dry spot and take a picture of that--just to point out the color variation!
All done! Felt good and I was REALLY glad to be done! There were some really fun action shots taken around mile 12 and more scenic pics taken on Beth's camera...I'll share those when I get them:)
I don't know why this isn't rotated, but look how hardcore she is: muddy bike, pants and pack, she's aggressive with those puddles, gets after that mud!
At the end, just a little bit wetter:)
So, here's to Chicago! I'm coming for you soon! So look out world, because I'm running in that marathon and I'm gonna kick some butt!! :) Look for me jumping for joy on ESPN Oct. 11, 2009!

Have a great Saturday all! Go Cats:)

Shelb