Week 7

We just completed week 7 of our 18 week training program.  Our mileage was 4, speed work, 5, 6, 4 and 10 miles.  Our furthest run to date was our 10 mile run on Sunday and Mother Nature wasn't our friend that day.  First of all, I couldn't even get out to the street from my house.  If you've ever been in my neighborhood when it rains a lot you understand this.  Alison, Mitzi and I ran the first 2 blocks down the street by running in my neighbor’s grass – yes, wet grass but it was better than jumping (trying to jump) the water and getting a foot full of water.  The rest of the group (those with long legs) jumped the water and were off.  It sprinkled on us off and on the entire run and rained pretty hard on us at mile 4.  We almost called it quits but decided since we were already wet, we would finish.  We were glad we did and didn't have to finish the run on our treadmill.  Our runs this week were all in all good runs.  It’s the little things that help with good runs – the weather was cooler and I got new shoes.  It’s amazing how good new running shoes feel J  We are definitely beginning to LOVE Wednesdays a.k.a. “rest day”.  It’s so nice sleeping in and knowing you get to rest your tired legs. 

We appreciate all the support our fellow runners continue to give us.  We had several of you leave water this last week and even had our own little cheerleader (Blair) out there cheering for the evening runners – how sweet!!  You continue to ask how our training is going and are there to jump in and run with us and give us advice when we have questions.  We couldn't get through this without you!!  Sometimes it’s tough to get out there but knowing we have the support of our Wellington Runners makes it a little easier. 

- JB 

Quote for the Day: "There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people" 

- Bill Bowerman

Mindset

This was a looong week! I ran 9 days straight and the others ran 10 days straight. The whole purpose of this new schedule is to run on tired legs, and boy does it work! We all complained of how sore our legs were. We are used to running 3 times during the week and once on the weekend, this is sure different for us. 

I have been in a funk and not really wanting to run much, so I decided that I needed to change my attitude. I told myself that there would be no more negative thoughts or comments, we were doing this for a cause and I should be happy I have the physical ability to do it. Well, these silly girls that I run with insist on running in the mornings, and that just happens to be when I am the grumpiest! So, this has been a very hard promise to keep. We did actually have a speed workout on Tuesday evening and it was awesome.  We ran 7 miles like this......2 laps around the track for a warm up, then 1 lap at our fastest 5K pace and a slow lap, then repeat.  We were all dreading it because it sounded so hard, but I loved it.  It was so nice to have that evening air blowing in my face...until the next stinking morning when we were back to morning runs.  We ran our longest run to date on Friday, with an 8 miler, and then another 8 miles the next day (that’s the one I skipped).  We all felt pretty good on the Friday run, but the girls said it was much harder the next day.  All in all, I think things are going well (except for my mindset), and we just keep our final goal in mind while pounding those streets.

- Alison

Quote for the day: "You have to want it, you have to plan for it, you have to fit it into a busy day, you have to be mentally tough, you have to use others to help you. The hard part isn't getting your body in shape. The hard part is getting your mind in shape"

 - Amby Burfoot

I'm Thankful!

As we start week five of our training, I’m thankful for the Wellington Running Group.  Last week I ran 16 miles by myself, 11 in the hills of Iowa.  It was hot and humid, like it was here, and I was quickly reminded of how thankful I am for our supportive running group.  On one of my five mile runs, I entered the trees again on the running trail with 1 ½ miles left.  I so badly wanted to walk but it was then I found strength from our Ethan and “ran for those who can’t”.  So, for anyone who runs alone, I encourage you to jump in with our wonderful group and see how much more enjoyable it is to have company on your runs.

On Monday, as we took off at 5:45 a.m. in the 85 degree heat, we had another friend on our minds.  We found ourselves “thankful to be able to run”.  You never know what lies ahead of you in life.

Wow, what a busy week!  We are thankful we have the strength and energy to do all we do.  No excuses for not having enough time in your day to run (or exercise).  With our extremely busy schedules this week, we still managed to get 24 miles in.  We run mornings and evenings, get out and join us!  Great job to all who ran the wHEAT Run!!

The five of us who are training for this marathon have pledged to raise $1,000 each for PPMD.  Saturday night we started our fundraising efforts.  Many thanks to everyone who helped with Team Higgie in the Beer Garden at the Wheat Festival and everyone who contributed to the proceeds for PPMD.  Your support to this organization means so much to us.

As we continue to raise money towards our goal, we ask that you pray for a cure of muscular dystrophy so Ethan can enjoy the freedom of walking or jogging with us!

Next week will be a challenge for us as we increase our mileage and add speed/strength runs to our schedule.  Please join us and “Run for Those Who Can’t” and be thankful you can!

- Mitzi

Quote for the day: "Great is victory, but the friendship of all is greater."

- Emil Zatopek.

Just Keep Swimming!

Wow! It’s hard to believe we have completed 4 weeks of training for the Chicago Marathon! Only 14 more to go! We had a great running week; we got a well-deserved day of rest on Monday, followed by a 5 mile run on Tuesday and another rest day on Wednesday! Thursday, the 4^th of July we had an awesome group run! I think I counted 26 people for a nice 3 mile route through downtown Wellington. It is such an awesome sight to see that many people! Whether it be running, walking or jogging to keep their bodies healthy! I would encourage anyone who even thinks they might like to join us to please do. We have all levels of running in our group and we would love to have you!

Friday was another 3 miler, followed by 5 on Saturday and Sunday. The miles are adding up for sure! We each have different ways of getting through our runs and Saturday I was having issues. My mind kept telling my legs to STOP! I had to find something to get out of that funk because I was NOT going to stop! So, I had recently watched the movie Finding Nemo with my granddaughter and Dori was telling the other fish to “Just keep swimming” so in order to finish that tough 5 mile run I sang that song for about the last mile and a half! It’s funny the things that can motivate you. Another motivation that I have is Ethan! I use him as motivation every day, in everything that I do! He is such a trooper, he is my “why” I get up every morning and put on my running shoes and hit the pavement! He is my inspiration, he is the reason we all must help raise money to help find a cure!

We will be doing some fundraisers in the near future for our Chicago Marathon, we are running for Parent Project’s Run for our Sons team as charity runners and we have to raise $5,000 as a group. I know we will get this done! I am confident in the people of Wellington and their giving hearts. So if you see, Stormie, JB, Alison, Mitzi or I and you want to help out, let us know. Team Higgie is out to get it done! I want to thank you all for the support and encouragement that we all get in our marathon quest. It means the world to us, keep it up, we only have 14 more weeks to go!

- Lisa

Quote for the day: "Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

 - Lou Holtz

Well, we're still running...

This week we began the torturous task of running in the terrible heat with high humidity. It’s so hard to talk yourself into completing a run when you know its 100+ outside! I'm guessing we will be dealing with this many times as we train in the summer. But I guess you just try to put it out of your head and walk out the door and “just do it”. Our schedule called for 4 miles on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which we completed in the very high temperatures. Sunday was our first sort of long run with a 5 miler.  We were blessed with a beautiful spring like morning on Sunday and it was such a great day to run. Again this weekend, we have seen many new and old faces joining the group to pound the pavement. We hope this continues throughout the course of our training schedule. It’s always nice to have a set time, a set route and a set group of people to keep you motivated. This next week temperatures look very mild, so set a time and get out there and run!

To end, I want to share a personal story with you. It is not my intention to draw sympathy or pity from stories that I share. And those of you that know me well; know that sharing isn’t something I do often. J Rather, my intention is to inspire. Inspiration by definition is “the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something.” If you aren’t mentally stimulated or inspired to do something, what is the point? Inspiration, in my mind is the key behind everything in life. Last week Ethan received a new stander. This contraption is a chair he sits in, we strap him in and then we get to crank him up until he’s in a standing position. It honestly looks sort of like a torture chair. We’ve teased him that we might put him in it if he gets in trouble and add a muzzle… of course we are kidding (sort of). One thing that was discussed during the first time we put him in it is how tall Ethan is. When he is stretched out and standing up right, he really is just about as tall as me. Seeing Ethan in his wheelchair every day, we obviously are constantly staring down at him. It’s quite a welcome gift to be looking at him at eye level. And he sure does light up when he’s able to look at me and tell me how tall he is J  We had a conversation as he’s in his stander and we’ve had this talk before, but this week he said “Mom, I really wish I could walk”. And as weird as it sounds, he’s not really sad about it, it’s just a statement. Struggling to walk has been what he has known his entire life. It’s difficult to realize that what we do every day, we take for granted. The little aches and pains and complaints we have about running and his only wish is just to walk across the room. So, for obvious reasons I remind myself to think about this often. So when you’re feeling down or your legs are tired, or it’s hot outside, or you feel as if you didn’t do very well today, or someone ran faster than you today, I want you to think about Ethan like I do. Imagine him like I do through the eyes of his mother. If only Ethan had our legs, just imagine what he could do. He dreams of it and we get to live it every day. Don’t take that for granted and let him inspire you. Because he sure inspires me. Team Higgie

Stormie

Quote for the Day: "Change your thoughts and you change the world"
- Norman Vincent Peale