I typed this entire blog one handed

(The right hand to be exact. Baby is fast asleep in the left arm, and he's too cute and cuddly to put down.)

It's happened. I am becoming addicted to running again, and I couldn't be happier!!! let me catch up the blog training wise:

Thursday: went to the gym, hopped on the treadmill, ran the first half of my 5k at 8:49/mile, the second half at 8:41/mile. Didn't stop once. I was stoked. I needed to get over that mental block of "needing" to walk, because i know i didn't *need* it.

Friday: sort-of off day. In my mommy group, a bunch of ladies have shown interest in taking up running. So we are doing a beginner running group (lots of jogging strollers!) at the park. Friday, I led them in 1:00 run/2:00 walk X 10 intervals. a total of 30 minutes and 2.14 miles. These girls are doing great, even if they claim to hate me during, I PROMISE them it will pay off in the end! While at the park we found this: I found out afterwards it was written by a trainer at the gym right next door who leads a running clinic. How fabulous!

Saturday. I woke up early, sooo excited to run. I packed up the boys in the jogger, and made it about 1/4 mile before the boys let me know we would NOT be running that day! So we turned around and headed home to "ride bikes" on the back deck (Rowen's favorite past time of this week). Despite the failed attempt, i was SUPER excited to see that my neighborhood got a pedestrian/bike lane officially painted! Granted, it only goes about the half mile stretch of the main road, but whatever, it's better than nothing. Now if only the rest of the town could join in on this fun ...

Rich worked the day shift on Saturday, so I was holding out for him to come home while there was still daylight so I could get in my 5 mile long run. I can't even begin to explain how fidgety and antsy I was all day...I just wanted to run! I did, however, put that pent up energy to good use and attacked my laundry mountain (I discovered there was indeed still a couch underneath it!)
Finally, about 6:30, Rich came home, and I was freeeeee! I headed out the door for a 5 miler. First mile felt awesome. I felt strong and faster. Once 1.5 miles hit I thought to myself, hmmm, I wonder what kind of 5k i could pull out right now? So I pushed. And ended up taking 3 minutes off of my 5k race time from 3 weeks ago!!! I was so excited....and incredibly nauseous. Perhaps the spinach tortellini for a late lunch wasn't the best idea, haha. So, needless to say, at about 3.5 miles i called it quits. Still super excited from my 5k! Here are my splits:
mile 1 = 8:46
mile 2 = 8: 25
mile 3 = 8: 31
mile .1 = 0:47 (8:06/mile)
total 5k/3.1 miles = 26:30 = 8:31/mile avg pace

I'm pretty excited with that for only being in my 3rd week of training. BUT...I realize that my ultimate goal is a fast marathon, not a fast 5k...so i need not loose my focus in building up my long runs. Therefore tomorrow (Monday) after work (Rich is home, yeay!!) I will be putting in my 5 miles at a reasonable pace.

Sunday: I worked this morning/afternoon. I am amazed at the amount of energy I'm gaining from working out, despite the fact that my kids have been on a sleeping strike this week! When I got home I braved my weights/plyometrics DVD despite the fact that My allergies/nose are in overdrive. I've been in SC over 6 years now, and just NOW the pollen is affecting me? I don't get it!! Anyway, my wonderful nurse-friend Kristie mentioned something about natural antihistamines being released while exercising...and was she ever right!! I was totally clear until about an hour later when I sat back down in my chair.

But anyway, I've never been consistent about any type of cross training before, and I can really tell this is helping my running (not to mention toning up this post baby flubber). While the video still kicks my a$$, i can complete the whole thing without stopping, and I'm *almost* ready to increase my weights. so, hooray!

In other training news, I've noticed the significant impact of food. After Rowen i dieted and ran with the initial goal of losing weight. I definitely didn't fuel my body as well as i could have. This time, I'm running with the goal of running faster and stronger, and not so much worried about my weight, as I know it will fall into place. As a result, I'm not scared to fuel up with some pasta, carbs, protein, basically whatever I'm feeling. And I feel SO much stronger when i run because of it. Now if only I can cut out the junk (i.e. soda). One thing at a time, hahaha.

So, fundraising wise, I'm at 33% of my goal! Yeay! Thanks for all of the help, you guys/gals are great. But, that means I still have 66% to go to reach my $1,000 goal. So, consider making a donation to the Ulman Cancer Fund if you can spare a few extra dollars. And this week is Young Adult Cancer Awareness week.
Did you know?:
~65,000 young adults diagnosed with cancer each year
~Survival rates have NOT increased for young adults in over 35 years

Help me help out the UCF as they raise awareness about cancer in Young Adults. You can learn more about the UCF and about my race/fundraising here: http://www.active.com/donate/TF2009/heathergannoe. Thanks so much everyone!!