Back to my Natal State

Beautiful family!  Cannot believe how big the twins are- and how different they look!  Your oldest must be 9?

Thanks ! She's 8, boys are 4, Eliana is 16 mos.

I had been doing pretty well with 4 mile runs 4 or 5 days a week the last couple of weeks then I got some illness , I guess could be the flu with chills, very sore throat and fatigue. So, waiting for that to be through so I can run again .
I'm looking at fall marathons...I found a very little one within driving distance . I'd love to avoid hotel stay, but not sure if 10 female finishers is quite what I want. Nothing set in stone yet, just going to be very slow with adding miles to be good to my knee. Not currently planning to see an ortho because it's getting better with time and I am just frugal .

http://oregontrailrun.com in case you are interested . ..

Julie wrote:Thanks !  She's 8, boys are 4, Eliana  is 16 mos.

I had been  doing  pretty  well  with  4 mile runs 4 or 5 days a week  the last  couple  of  weeks  then I got some  illness ,  I guess  could  be  the  flu with  chills, very sore throat  and  fatigue. So, waiting  for  that to be through so I can  run again .  
I'm looking  at fall marathons...I found  a  very little  one within  driving  distance .  I'd love  to  avoid  hotel stay, but not  sure  if 10 female  finishers is quite what  I want.   Nothing   set in stone  yet, just  going to  be  very slow with  adding miles  to be good to  my knee.   Not currently  planning  to  see an ortho because   it's getting  better with  time and  I am just  frugal .  

http://oregontrailrun.com  in case you  are  interested . ..

Had me going there for a second! I keep forgetting that the Oregon Trail just ended in Oregon.

It looks like a beautiful place to run, though. Go for it!

Thanks Mark!
I don't know what happened. I guess I didn't log in for long enough that I forgot how to find this site, then I got an email last week with highlights , including Michele's report.

So...for the last 3 years' summary. 
I still haven't run any organized race since I ran a marathon in Witchita shortly before conceiving Eliana. When she was little I ran uphill and really hurt my knee and then took it easy for awhile. That got better then I got plantar fasciitis. But I just about have that taken care of after 2+ years of that, by icing after runs and doing deep massage with a spoon at nights. 
I haven't felt like signing up for anything because of how much things  have been cancelled. I work at the hospital, still, in rehabilitation including working with post-Covid patients now. We started getting post-Covid pts on my unit in April. I did get both of my Pfizer vaccines. I felt like I wanted to protect my patients and also my family.  

I have  been averaging 40 miles/week, though, and mostly running with my friends, which feels really good. I took a longer break last spring, had both big toenails removed (Which sounds really awful but I was so thankful I could have it done after 24+ yrs of problems with them) and needed some time off after that, then just ran alone avoiding contact with anyone....then decided it was OK to run with my friends because it was really driving me nuts to have no contact outside of the few days of work a month and of course my husband and 4 kids. My husband started working from home in March and is still here, which I really like. It's saving so much time, too, with him not driving or biking to work, so he's around more to see us.

Not sure what I'll do this year. I still have a few baby lbs to lose, which I think I shouldn't claim are baby related (since baby is 4 almost 4.5) , more just my own habits and too much baking. But I don't want to sign up for something right now without knowing if it'll happen or not, and have just been enjoying running. I have made it up to 15 miles for my long run but nothing longer. Plus, I have been wanting to not do too much longer until I am sure I am not injured. 

Running was going well outside until we got 14 inches of snow a couple of weeks ago. And now we're in a really bad cold spell. Our high Sunday is -5 ! and low of -22. So I'm thankful for my treadmill and that's been going OK. We will be thankful for spring, for sure.

Kids are 11, 7, and 4. I'm homeschooling them all, except Eliana doesn't really do anything formal, just listens to the books and gets some singing in. But Jocelyn is in 6th grade and Josiah and Noah are in 2nd. They're all doing well.

Howdy, ma'am.  Thanks for finding us again.

You sure have a thick running base.  You keep that up and you can run any race that you want!  

So glad your brood is doing well.  And that weather sure will be hunkering down onto y'all for the next week or so, I think. 

See you in 3 years!  Maybe sooner?

Great to hear from you!

You've been getting the miles in!  You'll be ready for racing when the option is available.

Good to hear that the family is well.  They are sure growing up quickly...I guess that's how it works.

Thanks for checking in.  There aren't very many active posters any more and we enjoy hearing from you.

Stay safe and stay warm.

I got a notification that someone had posted on my report - and it was so nice to see it was you.  Glad that all is well, and I'm happy for you.  Keep up the running.

Aww, thanks all! Yeah I had noticed that things were a bit quieter around here. And since I posted I have thought about replies, and then never think when I'm at the computer! But I just bookmarked this site so hopefully I can be more regular.

So, I am thinking about a 50K in October 

https://yippeekiyay.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=13186

It's only its 2nd year but sounds fun. One of my friend's friends ran it last year and the crushed limestone sounds nicer than pavement. 

 A week ago Friday I ran 16 miles and my foot felt OK/no different after the run. I would really like to run an event this fall just to feel more like a runner and have some motivation to get longer miles in.

Julie wrote:Aww, thanks all! Yeah I had noticed that things were a bit quieter around here. And since I posted I have thought about replies, and then never think when I'm at the computer! But I just bookmarked this site so hopefully I can be more regular.

So, I am thinking about a 50K in October 

https://yippeekiyay.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=13186

It's only its 2nd year but sounds fun. One of my friend's friends ran it last year and the crushed limestone sounds nicer than pavement. 

 A week ago Friday I ran 16 miles and my foot felt OK/no different after the run. I would really like to run an event this fall just to feel more like a runner and have some motivation to get longer miles in.

Great to hear from you Julie.  That sounds like a fun event and if you're already logging 16 mile runs you're well on your way with training.  Happy training.

You'll have to share a photo of the family...I bet those kids are all grown up.  

nkrichards wrote:

Julie wrote:Aww, thanks all! Yeah I had noticed that things were a bit quieter around here. And since I posted I have thought about replies, and then never think when I'm at the computer! But I just bookmarked this site so hopefully I can be more regular.

So, I am thinking about a 50K in October 

https://yippeekiyay.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=13186

It's only its 2nd year but sounds fun. One of my friend's friends ran it last year and the crushed limestone sounds nicer than pavement. 

 A week ago Friday I ran 16 miles and my foot felt OK/no different after the run. I would really like to run an event this fall just to feel more like a runner and have some motivation to get longer miles in.

Great to hear from you Julie.  That sounds like a fun event and if you're already logging 16 mile runs you're well on your way with training.  Happy training.

You'll have to share a photo of the family...I bet those kids are all grown up.  

+1.  A 50K is a great race to do when you've been training, as long as the trail is (for me) mostly flat.  The time limit is usually much more than needed, so no pressure.

Thank you both! Yes I think it's pretty flat. It's on a rails to trails trail so it should be really similar to a trail we have on the eastern side of Lincoln, crushed limestone. It's gentler on the old joints than asphalt, for sure. And yes the time limit seemed plenty generous. I will definitely be taking plenty of walking breaks. My running group has overall gotten slower and we take more walk breaks than ever. But it's OK. We are getting up early and enjoying the running together regardless.

I'm trying to remember how to insert an image without photo bucket (I am pretty sure I have forgotten that login).

I ran 14 miles Friday morning before we got thunderstorms, which means I started around 4 a.m which I wasn't a huge fan of, just doesn't feel as safe. This weekend and next I have 16 milers scheduled. So far so good but I realize the race is over 4 months away.

Enjoy the training.  You are so lucky to have a group to run with!!  Keep us updated.

I can usually fumble around and figure out how to post a photo but Mark is the specialist when it comes to posting photos.  I think you start with the insert photo icon.  Seems like it's easier for me to navigate though the process on my phone but maybe that's because that is usually where the photo is stored.

Stay safe in the heat and the thunderstorms!

Thanks Nancy! 
Just popping in super quickly , training is on track. I did have one more this week with a super tight and painful IT band or something in that area, and I couldn't run. I did walk 5 miles that morning , the next morning we had heavy t-storms so I rested, and then the next day I was OK. I ran 16 miles this morning, by the end I was having a hard time, it was 97% humidity and 70ish degrees. I started before 4:30 a.m. but it was still really hard, definitely a lot of walking breaks. But that's my 3rd 16 miler. Next week is a step back week with 14 for a long run and I'm eager for a lighter week just to keep me as injury-free as possible. Still haven't signed up for the race but I just want to not waste the money if I can't do it.

Julie wrote:Thanks Nancy! 
Just popping in super quickly , training is on track. I did have one more this week with a super tight and painful IT band or something in that area, and I couldn't run. I did walk 5 miles that morning , the next morning we had heavy t-storms so I rested, and then the next day I was OK. I ran 16 miles this morning, by the end I was having a hard time, it was 97% humidity and 70ish degrees. I started before 4:30 a.m. but it was still really hard, definitely a lot of walking breaks. But that's my 3rd 16 miler. Next week is a step back week with 14 for a long run and I'm eager for a lighter week just to keep me as injury-free as possible. Still haven't signed up for the race but I just want to not waste the money if I can't do it.

I can't imagine running in those temps/humidity.  I battle in my 65-75 degree weather with minimal humidity.

Trying to get my runs in early but I struggle to get through my morning routine that early?  Any hints?  I get up and drink a warm glass of water and a cup of coffee.  The other day I had to circle back by the house to use the bathroom.

Take care in the heat/humidity.  Hope you're able to stay injury free.

Hi Nancy,

I really don't have any secrets about handling that...I am not always successful and have a really sensitive GI system. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Once in the last year I even called my husband and asked him to pick me up I was in such desperate straits. I don't drink coffee anymore (it was giving me headaches in the early mornings before I'd even normally drink it and the only way I could think to handle it was to quite entirely and the decaf also gives me shakiness).

I came down with the kids' cold so I didn't have a great week. Hoping to run 14 miles in the morning.

Also our sweet bunny, Hopsy, died last evening. She was a very loved pet for 3 years and suddenly became ill (I know why but it's pretty unpleasant so I'll spare you) and died within 24 hrs. Thankful she's not suffering anymore. But now we have no pets and that is weird. I'm sure we'll get another rabbit but want to take a little time.

Julie wrote:Hi Nancy,

I really don't have any secrets about handling that...I am not always successful and have a really sensitive GI system. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Once in the last year I even called my husband and asked him to pick me up I was in such desperate straits. I don't drink coffee anymore (it was giving me headaches in the early mornings before I'd even normally drink it and the only way I could think to handle it was to quite entirely and the decaf also gives me shakiness).

I came down with the kids' cold so I didn't have a great week. Hoping to run 14 miles in the morning.

Also our sweet bunny, Hopsy, died last evening. She was a very loved pet for 3 years and suddenly became ill (I know why but it's pretty unpleasant so I'll spare you) and died within 24 hrs. Thankful she's not suffering anymore. But now we have no pets and that is weird. I'm sure we'll get another rabbit but want to take a little time.

Hope the cold is better and the morning run went well.

Sorry to hear about Hopsy.  Losing pets is always tough especially on kids.  It's a fact of life and a good lesson but that doesn't make it any easier for them or for you.  Hope that once the kids are ready you find another pet they can bond with.  Funny story...our kids weren't bonding with family pets when they were young.  We finally realized that we were raising calves, pigs, and lambs from a very young age up to slaughter age.  We named them, cared for them, and then butchered them.  The kids were fine with that but were unable to distinguish between those farm animals and the family pet.  We had to explain that family pets were different and they eventually were able to develop that relationship.

Enjoy the holiday.

Thanks Nancy, I did get the 14 miler in, but definitely took generous walk breaks.

Thanks for the sympathy regarding Hopsy. She was really a special rabbit. She really liked us and was so friendly. I feel badly that she had to suffer so much her last day and am trying not to think too much about what-ifs because I really don't think I could have prevented anything and if I could have, I can't change anything now. 

My husband is talking about a spring marathon. We want the kids to have some time with my parents watching over them so they can get used to it before we go on a longer trip together next fall. (Of course I'd be the one running the marathon. He just bikes).  So I'm thinking about where would be a good place. I would definitely want to get a new state for my map but I'll need to get on marathon guide and do a little research. Weather can be such a factor for travel in the spring, too, maybe April would be better than March .

Julie wrote:Thanks Nancy, I did get the 14 miler in, but definitely took generous walk breaks.

Thanks for the sympathy regarding Hopsy. She was really a special rabbit. She really liked us and was so friendly. I feel badly that she had to suffer so much her last day and am trying not to think too much about what-ifs because I really don't think I could have prevented anything and if I could have, I can't change anything now. 

My husband is talking about a spring marathon. We want the kids to have some time with my parents watching over them so they can get used to it before we go on a longer trip together next fall. (Of course I'd be the one running the marathon. He just bikes).  So I'm thinking about where would be a good place. I would definitely want to get a new state for my map but I'll need to get on marathon guide and do a little research. Weather can be such a factor for travel in the spring, too, maybe April would be better than March .

I'd forgotten that you were trying to get in all the states.  How many have you crossed off.  Sounds like a fun goal.  Nice that your husband enjoys going with you and providing support.  And it's a nice break from the kids.  Hope you find a marathon that fits your needs.

Happy training.

I had to count how many states, I've completed marathons in 12 states so far. And the Yippee-Ki-Yay 50K is in Iowa, which I've already completed. Adding states has been a pretty non-existent priority since having my boys. I will likely never finish them but I am not really concerned. I don't think anyone will care when I die if I've finished them all or not, but I do have friends who have completed them. It's a rather expensive hobby! 

I ran 18 miles this morning. There was some lightning at the very beginning but it was from 2 separate t-storms, neither of them very close and they didn't go through my area so it was fine. I ran 5 miles with a friend (miles 3-  8 ) then the rest on my own. I took 2 electrolyte tablets and some hard candy (like Runts but not, I can't do sticky but these were just sugary on the inside, I can't eat GU because my GI system won't tolerate it). 

The race director emailed me back today saying there is a 9 hour time limit, so barring injury, I should easily be able to do that. I think I'll sign up after I run my 20 in 2 weeks. And my husband is agreeable to biking with me for the last 11 ish miles of my 20 miler (Will run with friends for the first bit).

Julie wrote:I had to count how many states, I've completed marathons in 12 states so far. And the Yippee-Ki-Yay 50K is in Iowa, which I've already completed. Adding states has been a pretty non-existent priority since having my boys. I will likely never finish them but I am not really concerned. I don't think anyone will care when I die if I've finished them all or not, but I do have friends who have completed them. It's a rather expensive hobby! 

I ran 18 miles this morning. There was some lightning at the very beginning but it was from 2 separate t-storms, neither of them very close and they didn't go through my area so it was fine. I ran 5 miles with a friend (miles 3-  8 ) then the rest on my own. I took 2 electrolyte tablets and some hard candy (like Runts but not, I can't do sticky but these were just sugary on the inside, I can't eat GU because my GI system won't tolerate it). 

The race director emailed me back today saying there is a 9 hour time limit, so barring injury, I should easily be able to do that. I think I'll sign up after I run my 20 in 2 weeks. And my husband is agreeable to biking with me for the last 11 ish miles of my 20 miler (Will run with friends for the first bit).

 What a great set up!  Run with friends for a bit and then your hubby provides support/encouragement/company from the bike.

I can imagine that running all 50 states could get expensive.  Would be fun to do it with someone...maybe.  Shared goals are always fun.

Happy running.

Yeah, quite  a few of my running friends have been working on their fifty states, one finished them 3x!! And one is working on her 2nd time around.

My 20 miler went OK. It got really hot by then end. It was in the mid-70s when I started out at 5:00 but it was definitely warmer and the sun was really out by the end. Fortunately the last 11 miles were mostly on a trail and there was shade off and on. Quite a few people told me good job, I'm guessing because of how beat I looked! I ate a half a banana, quite a few candies and drank about 90 oz of water, took 3 s-caps. 

I've been tired since, though. I'm always a little tired just because I'm not an amazing sleeper but I think the mileage is finally making me more tired than usual. Other than making quite a bit of strawberry jam on Friday, I didn't do much after the run. 

11 weeks to go, I think.

Julie wrote:Yeah, quite  a few of my running friends have been working on their fifty states, one finished them 3x!! And one is working on her 2nd time around.

My 20 miler went OK. It got really hot by then end. It was in the mid-70s when I started out at 5:00 but it was definitely warmer and the sun was really out by the end. Fortunately the last 11 miles were mostly on a trail and there was shade off and on. Quite a few people told me good job, I'm guessing because of how beat I looked! I ate a half a banana, quite a few candies and drank about 90 oz of water, took 3 s-caps. 

I've been tired since, though. I'm always a little tired just because I'm not an amazing sleeper but I think the mileage is finally making me more tired than usual. Other than making quite a bit of strawberry jam on Friday, I didn't do much after the run. 

11 weeks to go, I think.

Tough to do a 20 miler in that heat!  Nice effort.  Sounds like you fueled and hydrated well.  Take time to recover...I'm learning how important that is after making a recovery/nutrition mistake last week that really affected my run the next day.

Strawberry jam sounds good...

Yes, nutrition and rest are definitely important! I've had my share of runs that have not gone well due to my eating something the day before that wasn't amazing for my very finicky GI system. I usually eat pretty well and enough but every once in awhile I don't, and there's payback for that. The rest is harder mostly because when I have much of anything on my mind I get insomnia.

I just finished my 14 miler. I had planned to run it yesterday but we had hours of thunderstorms here. We really needed the rain though  ,hadn't had any for 3 weeks and received an inch so that was great.

Unrelated to running, we've had the county fair this year and this was Jocelyn's first year in 4H. She just turned 12. She took 2 sewing projects, 5 photography displays, cookies, cherry tomatoes and marigolds. She did very well and her cookies and cherry tomatoes received purple ribbons (the highest). So it was a good but busy week. Now we have a better idea of what she can do next year. I was in 4H as a kid but so much has changed and I mostly took my rabbits. But I think a lot of the nature/agronomy/entymology could fit nicely in with our nature study for school. 

And another unrelated to running, but Jocelyn did all of her photography with a very old digital camera she bought on ebay for $8 and I'm looking at an upgrade. I can pay for it mostly and it can be mostly mine and she can use it with instruction. But if anyone has suggestions, I'm interested. We do have a nice independent camera shop in the area I could visit and learn from, too. Definitely not interested in spending over $1000, not sure how much under that I can go and get the body and lens and everything and still end up with something good.

Julie wrote:Yes, nutrition and rest are definitely important! I've had my share of runs that have not gone well due to my eating something the day before that wasn't amazing for my very finicky GI system. I usually eat pretty well and enough but every once in awhile I don't, and there's payback for that. The rest is harder mostly because when I have much of anything on my mind I get insomnia.

I just finished my 14 miler. I had planned to run it yesterday but we had hours of thunderstorms here. We really needed the rain though  ,hadn't had any for 3 weeks and received an inch so that was great.

Unrelated to running, we've had the county fair this year and this was Jocelyn's first year in 4H. She just turned 12. She took 2 sewing projects, 5 photography displays, cookies, cherry tomatoes and marigolds. She did very well and her cookies and cherry tomatoes received purple ribbons (the highest). So it was a good but busy week. Now we have a better idea of what she can do next year. I was in 4H as a kid but so much has changed and I mostly took my rabbits. But I think a lot of the nature/agronomy/entymology could fit nicely in with our nature study for school. 

And another unrelated to running, but Jocelyn did all of her photography with a very old digital camera she bought on ebay for $8 and I'm looking at an upgrade. I can pay for it mostly and it can be mostly mine and she can use it with instruction. But if anyone has suggestions, I'm interested. We do have a nice independent camera shop in the area I could visit and learn from, too. Definitely not interested in spending over $1000, not sure how much under that I can go and get the body and lens and everything and still end up with something good.

Can't help much with camera advice other than to say that I have a friend who takes awesome photos and helped me choose a Panasonic Lumix a few years back.  It's got enough features to take quality photos but not so many that it's hard to use and it was affordable.  She/we primarily use it for travel and hiking.  I'm not nearly as good at photography as she is but it fit my needs.  Wish I had learned more about photography at a young age so good for you for giving Jocelyn this opportunity.

4-H is such a fantastic program.  I took steers...and a pig one year...and sewing to the fair as a child.  Our kids were active in 4-H and now our grandkids are active participants.  Once again it's great you're giving your kids this opportunity.  They learn so much more than just the skills directly related to the project they choose....public speaking, record keeping, social skills, time management, winning & losing, community service...I could go on and on.  

Happy running.

Thanks Nancy! 
I ended up stopping at a local camera store and they were very helpful. They have a sale coming up on Panasonic cameras in a few weeks so he asked me to come back when he can give me the rebate  discount.

Yes, I'm very glad my kids are getting into 4H. I'm also glad they'll have a whole year to get ready for next year's fair instead of the 6 weeks we had this year since we only signed up in June.

So I ran 24 miles this morning. I worked the last 2 days and then when I got home I had to help get food out of our quite large upright freezer (which was full) because it quit working. Thankful we caught it before we lost any food and I have a couple of friends who were able to store food in their freezers. So I was up late shuffling food around, seeing how much I could fit in the other freezers (just one other upright and we have two fridge/freezer combos). Anyway I was exhausted and had my alarm set for 4:00, finally got up at 4:10 and started running just before 4:45. It shouldn't have taken me that long to get out the door but I was definitely moving slowly. I ran a 5 mile loop, stopped at home for bathroom break and water refill. Then I ran 8 miles, stopped at home for water and 3 rice cakes with jam and a little pb , trying to experiment with food, and took an s-cap. Then my husband biked 10 miles with me. We had about a mile before home when he called Jocelyn and asked her to help the little kids get ready for church, he biked off as fast as he could and showered quickly to take them all to church and I stayed home and streamed it while I sat on the couch eating cornflakes with milk and chocolate chips.

Overall the run went well. My left knee and shin started hurting the last two miles but I stopped to stretch and did OK. I did take generous walking breaks but overall did OK.

And I signed up for the 50K this afternoon! I knew I'd be really disappointed if it filled up after 13 weeks of training. So far I've followed the plan and am happy with how it's going.

It's weird to think if I had run 2 more miles I could have gotten a marathon medal and shirt.