We're Moving!

I've been casually blogging over here for a while now, and finally decided to kick it up a notch.  So, I'm pleased to announce that you can find Running Slow Faster on it's very own website!

Head on over and check it out, and don't forget to update your RSS feed!

I Guess it Had to Happen Sometime

For the first time ever, I quit.  I've had many runs that have been bad, one's that I barely finished, but this was the first one I just plain quit.  I woke up Sunday a little sick, so I spent the day loading up on all my immune boosting supplements, hoping that when Monday came around, I'd be well enough for my long run.  It didn't work.  I decided to go out and run it anyway, after all, it was just a little cold...I could still run!  My training plan called for a 175 minute run (just under 3 hours) which at my current long run pace would somewhere around 10-11 miles (yep, I'm that slow!).  The run started out fine, I actually ended up "running" into an old friend during my first mile, so we ran together for a bit and chatted.  It was great!  But during that time I ran faster than I should have and my heart rate got way to high.  I'm supposed to run my long runs with my heart rate under 140, but I let it slip too high because I wasn't paying attention to my pace, and it ended up reaching 170's.  After that it was hard to get my heart rate back down, and keep it down.  Eventually I just gave up and decided to try just keeping it under 150, hoping after a mile or so my body would settle down a bit.  Nope.  By the time I finished mile 4, I was running nearly 20 min/mile and still unable to keep my heart rate down.  I was also feeling miserable.  My body just wasn't having it!  Trying to fight off sickness, plus running, plus trying to keep me warm in the rain...it was just too much.

I stopped off in a public park to sit for a few minutes, to see if I could get my heart rate calmed down so I could head home. I knew I'd be short of my required time, but I also knew I couldn't pull off the full 3 hours.  After sitting for a few minutes, my heart rate was still crazy high. That's when I made the decision to ask my husband to come get me.  I was miserable, I was tired and I was cold.  While I probably could have made it home, I knew that at such a high heart rate, it would probably do more harm than good.  

Of course my husband immediately came to get me, thankfully his job allows him the flexibility to do that!  As I sat in the park waiting, I was still trying to accept the decision I made.  In my head I knew it was the right one, but I still questioned it.  I'm just weeks away from my goal race, did I just set myself up for failure?  Are all those weeks I put into training going to go to waste?  Of course not, but I still had those doubts.

I spent the rest of the day in bed, binge watching Netflix.  Since my Garmin has a built in heart rate monitor, I kept an eye on my heart rate.  Even after spending hours in bed, my heart rate was still only in the 90's!  Which for my is high, since it's usually in the 60's.  That helped confirm that I did make the right decision.  My body needed rest, it's working hard to fight off sickness, and running will just make things worse.  So, I'm taking some time off to recover and looking forward to getting back to running soon!  Once my body is ready.

A post shared by Jessica (@runningslowfaster) on Apr 25, 2017 at 9:55am PDT

Love Earth Run Recap

This past week, I got to run another of FitFam's races.  As usual, it was a blast!  It started with getting my swag package in the mail.  The two year old loves to get the mail with me, and she was pretty excited to see the FitFam logo...she knew there was a new medal inside!

Since this race was all about nature, it came with a little seed bomb, which we decided would make a great Earth Day activity.

The kids have been checking it every day to see if the seeds have sprouted yet, they didn't really listen when I told them it'd be a while.  

When Earth Day rolled around, we had planned on going to our local library for some events they had planned, including a 1 mile fun run for kids.  My six year old was the only one who wanted to do it, but then when she found out that she'd be running it by herself, she decided she'd rather just run a mile with me at home.  Which I was totally fine with!  I wasn't a huge fan of her participating in a race that parents couldn't be a part of.  I get why they'd make that a rule, but it still made me uneasy to let my 6 year old run off in a race without me there.  So, the girls and I got all dressed up, and headed out to a local trail to run our mile.

Our matching sparkle skirts definitely got some attention!  But we had fun!  My plan had been to go out for a mile with the girls (about all they can do right now) and then finish up my 5k on my own, but the sun was out and it was such a gorgeous day, we decided to go hiking instead.  

We hiked about 2.5 miles, so we definitely fished up our 5k. Which of course meant I had to take another medal seflie ;)

Want to sign up for the next FitFam event?  Register for the Miles for Mom event and use code: beyourbest10 to save 10%

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Pretending it's Spring

Yesterday I tried to pretend that it's spring.  The sun was out, the weather was in the 50's (warm for around here this time of year) and I was heading out to run.  I was still in my warn up, when I decided it was way too warm for a jacket!

Apparently I was the only one who thought so though.  Since it was such a nice day, there were quite a few people out on the trail, walking, running and cycling. I however, was the only one in short sleeves.  Most people were even wearing winter coats, hats and gloves!  So maybe I'm just crazy?  I don't know.  But it felt great to get out there and run in the warm(ish) weather!

My long run route isn't easy.  It isn't hard exactly, but it's got some hills.  Well, really just one hill...if you could even call it a hill.  Looking at it in person, it doesn't seem that difficult, but it wears on you.  Especially when you've already been running for an hour!  And since I need to keep my heart rate under a certain level for my long runs, it gets pretty difficult.  I find myself running significantly slower on the uphill portion.  Which is saying something because I'm pretty slow to begin with ;) 

I think the hardest part about it is my head.  I've run this trail so many times, I know exactly where it starts to go downhill, when I have to go back uphill, and when it levels out again.  I suppose with most hills, you can see the top and you know you'll get there soon so you power through.  This is just steady elevation with no end in sight.  I've thought about changing my long run course, but I've decided to just stick it out because I know it'll make me stronger the more I run it.  Embrace the hill, right?!

Weekend Running

Well, we all seem to be over our sickness, so the first chance I had to go running, I took it!  Sunday morning came, I was feeling good, the sun was shining and I was ready to go.  Then the two year old woke up and excitedly asked if she could come running with me. I couldn't tell her no!  Then as I was getting her ready, her big sister asked if she could come too.  So, out we went, to run in the sunshine! 

Running with these two means not really running.  Well, some running, some skipping, some walking, some stopping to pick up rocks and some stopping to say "hi" to all the dogs.  But at least we look fabulous doing it.  My 6 year old was soooo excited to by "super matchy" with her running clothes today, so we had to take a picture.

These troopers made it about a mile and half though, which was a great way to start the day!  I dropped them off back at home and headed out for a little while longer on my own.  Looking back at my cadence, you can definitely see when that happened! (yes, I know my cadence is much lower than the suggested 180, but I'm a slow runner!)

4 Days and Counting

For real, you guys...I'm soooo tired of being sick.  This morning is the first day I ventured out of bed (other that the bathroom) since Wednesday.  It's bad.  The hardest part?  Not running!  I never thought I'd be that kind of person who got upset over having to skip running, but here I am.  I did at least get three runs done this week, including my long run, before getting too sick, so that makes me feel a bit better.  So, other than that...there's not much to report!  I'm looking forward to getting back out there again though!

Birthday Run and a Giveaway!

Yesterday was my birthday, and I'm now officially 35!  I gotta admit, I'm kind of feeling old.  Thankfully, not too old to run!  Yesterday the sun was shining, and I got to go run outside...which is always wonderful.  

I was sharing on Instagram yesterday, how funny it is that I wanted to run on my birthday.  A couple of years ago I never would have thought I'd want to do that!  Running has changed my life in so many ways, and it's hard to imagine what my days would be like without it.  

So, 3.5 miles to start my first day of being 35, I followed it up with going to a pottery painting place with my kids where I painted this little gnome.

I'm hoping he'll look less creepy when I'm done!  Then of course some coffee,

I came home in the evening to my husband making me a fabulous dinner, and he even cleaned the kitchen when he was done!  It was a great day =)

One other fun thing from the day, is I get the chance to give away some Balega socks for my birthday!  If you haven't yet, head over to my Instagram page to enter!

A post shared by Jessica S (@runningslowfaster) on Mar 23, 2017 at 9:11am PDT