It's all downhill from here.

14 MILES!!!!! This is the longest distance I have ever run. I'm feeling pretty awesome, minus the stiff legs, sore feet, and just being exhausted. I ran on my treadmill since I'm a wuss when it comes to cold and wind. Yesterday's run with Amber was enough to send me into hibernation. At one point it felt like neither of us were moving.

This run was the tipping point. I'm over the hump and on the downhill. My mileage left to add is shorter than the mileage I've already run. During training for every new distance, the 'tipping' run has been crucial. My thought process changes and the runs get easier. I'm done with the uphill climb. As Kerri, Megan, and Amber know, I LOVE hills. But, when it comes to training mileage, I prefer the descent.

Majority of the population aren't fans of the treadmill. However, I love mine. 3 years ago, after much begging, Michael finally bought me one for Christmas. I had to prove to him I'd use it because that was his excuse. "People never use them" is what I heard over and over. I'm sure he knew that would push me to use it more. I cannot even begin to guess how many miles I've put on it. Hopefully enough that when this one conks out, there won't be a battle to get a new one. He knows my sanity has a direct correlation to my treadmill and running.

However much I love to run on my treadmill, I couldn't do it without music. Last year I bought a Bose iPod dock. Best gift I've ever bought Michael (which coincidentally I use more than him). I blast my running playlist from warm-up to cool-down stretch. I don't have typical songs on that list. Most take me to a specific moment or make me think of a specific person. When my brain is so busy thinking of other things, the miles fly by.

Next weeks killer won't be the 15 miles I'm supposed to run. It'll be the 66 flights of stairs I'll be climbing for the Fight For Air Climb. My quads are already screaming.

Twinge of jealousy

This past weekend we celebrated my nephew Zeke's 2nd birthday in Maple Grove, MN. It's a northwest suburb of Minneapolis. As always, I was very excited to spend time with my family.

Saturday morning Katie and I bared the 18 degree temp and ran 6 miles. Friday (and being in southern Iowa) tricked me into thinking it was going to be warmer than it was. With a little debate about running in the dome or around the lake, we decided that distance would be easier outside.

During our run Katie was telling me about the extensive trail system Maple Grove and surrounding suburbs have. I was immediately stricken with jealousy. As much as I love living in New Sharon, running multiple loops around town has lost its luster. Up there I could do my long runs without ever seeing the same house or street twice.

When I get to the 20+ mile runs I may be making a trip to visit my favorite sister. It would be worth the 10 hours in my truck to pound out my long runs. It would definitely stave off boredom and I'd get to spend more time with my best friend.

The pic was taken right after our run. My camera was fogged over from being in my truck all night. Our hair looks so stylish from being shoved under a cap for an hour.

Mantras

As a subscriber to Runner's World, I've read several articles about mantras. I've never really been a believer in them. How much can a couple of words help? Can repeating the same phrase over and over really make a difference? A lot and Yes.

There is one thing I know for certain about my running style... I'm a terrible pacer. I run at the pace of whoever I am with. When I'm by myself I have to set my treadmill or check my Garmin to make sure I'm at a pace I can sustain for a given distance. But the same rules don't apply while racing. I have to give it my all the entire distance. I aim to experience that 10 second window of potential vomiting.

While trying to ward off hypothermia during my last race, the light bulb came on. I was repeating the same words over and over without realizing it. "Never quit pushing. Never quit passing." And my mantra was born. (It's also my mantra while driving, hence the multiple speeding tickets and horrible gas mileage.)

During races I chase the person in front of me. When I pass them I chase the next person. I never want to quit pushing or passing. That's my race pacing strategy. Last year I hit all new PR's and this year is off to a great start.

I'm now a believer in runners finding those magic words that help break through the mental and physical barriers we all experience from time to time.

Race #2

I successfully completed my second race of 2012!

As I've progressed into February, I have conjured up more running goals. One is to run at least one race every month. This goal is one of few reasons I chose to wake up at 5:00 on Saturday morning after only 4 1/2 hours of sleep to run in 5 degree temps (wind chill was below 0). When a friend called me a lunatic, I had to agree. BUT, I was not the only lunatic. 1,669 other lunatics braved the frigid Iowa weather and completed Red Flannel Run 3-mile or 5-mile race.

It wasn't my 5-mile PR, but I was still happy with my 43:22 finish time. I placed 19th in my age division and 118th overall for women.

As I was preparing at midnight on Friday, I was debating on how many layers to pile on. Were tights enough? How many shirts? In the end I wore two layers of pants and four (yes, 4!) layers of shirts. It was not intentional. I had nowhere else to store my new race t-shirt, so I layered it on. The first mile I was chilly, but when I crossed the finish line I had sweat through my tights, thermal running shirt and first race tee. My hair was completely soaked under my fleece hat. I'm hoping this is the coldest race I run this year. But in case it isn't, I know I've done it before and survived to tell the tale... and without frostbite.

Hobby or Addiction?

You know you're a runner when...

• you frequently get asked "When's your next race?"


• One of the first things people ask you when they haven't seen you in a while is "What race are you training for now?"


• you always have your next race on the calendar.

These are most of my race bibs. There are a few missing. I hope to fill up another large section of wall this year.

At what point does running cross the line from hobby to addiction?

I had this thought the other night after registering for 3 different races. Has running become an addiction? Hmmmm.... I'm still leaning towards hobby. One that is beneficial to my health. On days I wake up at 4:30 AM it's my nutty hobby. On days I'm wound tight, it's my stress-relieving hobby. And some days it's my how-hard-can-I-push-my-body hobby.

I'll admit I get antsy if I go more than a day without running. Is my body addicted to the exersion of energy? Or is it my brain telling me I need to stay on track to achieve my goals? I'd say it's both. Mind and body have to work together.

My sister Katie committed to doing a half marathon with me in April. She hadn't fallen into a good exercise routine since Ezekiel was born, but once the goal was set she fully engaged. Now two consecutive days without running drives her nuts. She knows she only has a little over 11 weeks to push her body further than she's ever ran before.

When racing plays a role in weekly runs, running becomes a competitive hobby. When running becomes a daily necessity to make it through the day, it's an addiction. I'm definitely the former.

So, you won't be seeing me on an episode of Intervention. But, you may see me at the starting line of a race. I'm always looking for my next race and someone to run it with!

Lessons Learned

Kincaid knows when I'm wearing my running tights or shorts it means one thing... "Are you going runnin', Mom?"

As a parent, I hope we are teaching Kincaid healthy lifestyle choices. I consider us extremely lucky that he has Michael's eating habits instead of mine. Dessert to Kincaid is an apple. When given the choice of carrots or a cookie, the carrots win every time. He will eat just about anything we put in front of him. Though he will utter the occasional "It's not my favorite" he knows he still has to eat it.

He's also like Michael in that he'll try anything once. The other day Michael made this *disgusting* salmon and oyster casserole thing. The smell about made me vomit. Even knowing how good salmon is for runners, I couldn't bring myself to be in the same room as it. Not Kincaid. The kid snarfed it down like I would chocolate cake.

He tells us often "You know why I eat so much food? It's 'cause I'm gonna get as big as Dad." If that's true, then he definitely needs to stick to his awesome eating.

But, not only is Kincaid a great and healthy eater, he also likes to exercise. He is constantly asking if we can go on a bike ride or go to the park. When the weather is nice, we walk/run down to Mary and Leon's instead of driving.

At home he likes to 'exercise' on my treadmill or with the small free weights. He'll join in when Michael's doing P90X or Insanity.

I'm hoping he keeps it up through adulthood.

Added note: Yes, he wears his Santa pajamas all year round.

That makes me think back to my childhood. My mom exercised my entire life. When I was a kid, she walked everyday. Now she walks, runs, bikes, lifts weights, and does the elliptical and water aerobics. She never misses a day unless she's too sick to get out of bed.

But not only is my mom the queen of exercise, she's a healthy eater. Sure she has cookies and bars in the freezer for Dad, Grandpa Jacob, and Kris, but she doesn't eat them. She'll eat an apple or banana instead. She made balanced meals for us growing up. Rarely did we eat out and it was even more rare to eat fast food.

Though Katie, Kris and I haven't been as disciplined as adults as she is, we know the importance of physical exercise and healthy eating. It's been bred into us. With heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other health issue in our genetics, we have to fight to beat the odds.

Thanks, Mom, for teaching us healthy lifestyle choices. We will do our best to teach our children the same things you've taught us. Lessons learned.

I'd like to give my dad credit for my lack of willpower when it comes to sweets. I also choose the cookies and bars over an apple. Now if only I had his natural slenderness I wouldn't have to run so much :)

Seriously!?!

I was feeling pretty great about my time for Saturday's run. I was feeling even better when I came in 8th for women. A top 10 finish isn't too shabby. But, some of the excitement was depleted when I still placed 6th in my age group. Only 2 of the women to finish before me were in another division.

The last two years I've raced in the 30-34 or 30-39 division. I swear it is the most competitive. In many other divisions I could have placed top 3, but in mine I'm double digits.

I could take the time to analyze why that is, but instead I'll work on fartleks and hill training. I only have 3-8 more years until I'm in an easier division. That may be the highlight of my 40th birthday.

I'd like to welcome Katie to the major leagues. Push 'til you vomit. Even then we're not guaranteed a medal.