This morning I got up early to drive into St. Cloud to run with my running group. I arrived at the park at 6:30 AM and waited until 7 AM to meet Deb and Nikki. Deb and I waited a few minutes for Nikki and did not see her so we headed off down the road. A few minutes into our run we heard Nikki coming up from behind us....Nikki parked in a different parking lot and we missed her! Sorry Nikki! We continued on and my first run ended up being almost 4 miles.
After our first run we waited for the other runners to get there so that we could take our group picture. Here is Deb, Kathy and Denny.
This is Brian:)
I was so happy to see that Denny (AKA, my running dad) was also running this morning!
Our photographer Pat:)
After we took our group picture we headed out for our second run. I ran with Denny for the first part and then later with Deb and her friend Kathy. We ended up going about 3 and a half miles. My total for the morning was 7 and a half miles.
After our run we had an oatmeal pancake breakfast. Here is Chef Arvid sampling his creation:) They were so good!
Deb and I after eating those fantastic pancakes:) I was really tired this week but I did get all of my workouts and runs in. There were a few days where I was moving just a little bit slower than normal. This is what my training plan looked like for the week. Keep in mind that there are modifications due to running Grandma's half last weekend.
Sat....Grandma's Half Marathon, 13.2 miles.
Sunday....off. I did cut our lawn:)
Monday...6 easy miles.
Tuesday...6 easy miles.
Wednesday...6 easy miles.
Thursday...off, I really needed a rest. I do believe that after work I enjoyed a nice glass of wine!
Friday...off.
Saturday...7 and a half miles with my running group.
Sunday, I have an 11 miler on my schedule.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that it does not rain like crazy tomorrow. I am not thrilled about possibly doing 11 miles on my mill!
Oops, I forgot about this picture of me and Arvid:)
I have been very lucky over the past few weeks! First, I received a t-shirt from Italy in the mail:) Thank you Stefano! About one week later I received a P.F. CHANG'S giftcard from my blogger friend Pam:) We just happen to have a P.F. CHANG'S right here in Maple Grove! Thank you Pam! A few days later, another package came in the mail from Rad Runner! I was the winner of her Peaceful Mountain product giveaway:) Thank you Rad Runner! I love these products and so does my daughter...she is making me purchase some just for her! A few days after my Peaceful Mountain products came, I scored a Last Mile Brewing bottle opener from Jamoosh! Woo hoo, a bottle opener for sampling more unique kinds of beer:) Thanks Jamoosh! I love getting good stuff in the mail! I also really appreciate how lucky and blessed that I have been! I would like to take a moment to welcome all of my new followers! I now have over 200 followers:) I am in total awe that so many people are reading my blog...thank you!! I will be hosting another very cool blogger giveaway soon! Stay tuned:)I am getting kicked off of the computer again! Happy running, biking, swimming and lifting! Cheers to you all!
MCM Mama is hosting a Ryder sunglasses giveaway!
Angie is hosting a Nuun hydration and Spibelt giveaway!
Marcia is hosting a Scape sunscreen giveaway!
Excellent run group, girl!! Sounds exactly what you needed - a big group run/hug :). I can't run that much after I run a hard half so relish the feat of all those good runs!! You definitely deserved that glass of wine on Friday :). Ok, just sent you an email...and I'm off to bed! Hope the weather holds out for your 11 tomorrow...but remember, we can't predict the forecast come race day so it's kinda good to be prepared for all race conditions (well, it sounded good anyway!!). HUGS!!
ReplyDeleteYour running group looks like the cutest and most fun thing ever!
ReplyDeleteFrom those pictures is soooo obvious you live in the friendly mid-west. In DC sure you can find a running group, but, with a chief who makes you pancakes afterwards I REALLY REALLY doubt it ;)
Your own pancake chef with the flapjacks cooking up after the workout?Do you have a "I run for pancakes" shirt? I would if I was in that group but there might be more pancaking than running in my section. Wow.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to watch those mets v twinkies today.
That's some good running and a sweet bottle opener! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can understand that it is a GREAT running group :) Congrats for reaching over 200 followers! Looking forward to reading your new blogger giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday!
Your running group looks like a ton of fun! I finally have a couple of people to run with again, but we're moving at the end of next month, so I'd like to try to find a running group to meet new people.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is sketchy here, so I'm probably going to be on the treddy for 6 later this afternoon. My treadmill is both a blessing and a curse. :)
I see a lot of bloggers that I follow that joined a running group and I think that would be so great. We do have something like that in my village but everybody is working towards different goals and I would only join if we all worked together to run the same run.
ReplyDeletePics look great!
Oh and by the way: hop on a plane and come over here, it's going to be 78 to 86 degrees here next week so perfect weather for early morning runs, you're more than welcome :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun group. Congrats on the first 3 weeks of training.
ReplyDeleteI need to get in with your group! Sounds like your training is going well, keep it up and maintain that positive attitude, it will help you through the tough spots!
ReplyDeleteeverytime I come here and see you having a blast w/your group I am inspired to get off my behind and go join one already. Love the pics and woot for the loot!
ReplyDeletePerfect day--a nice group run followed by yummy pancakes! You've got life all figured out!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like sooo much fun, especially the breakfast afterwards - yummmyyy!! :) Also good job on your weekly mileage, you will do awesome at your marathon!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention! Where is the difference between you and me? You have a running father and I am a running father (yes I am old). Congrats to your nice running group.
ReplyDeleteCool running group - check
ReplyDeletePancakes - check
Doesn't get much better than that!
Hey Big Sis. Thanks for your comment on my blog this morning. Isn't it just a matter of time before you do your first tri?!?!?
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted more often on your marathon progress. I start my marathon plan in a few weeks and its always insightful to read about other's experience for their first marathon. Have a good week Julie!
Great running week after the half marathon! Nice work already 3 weeks completed!
ReplyDelete-Derek
Great job at Grandmas and I'm glad that you had a great week. Your running group looks like so much fun! Hope your 11 miles went well today. Here at least the weather was fine this morning so hopefully you were okay.
ReplyDeletehey julie..you have a real 'hottie' friend there in debs ;-)
ReplyDeletetypical me, I zoned right in on those pancakes, and started thinking of how to make them! What a great group, from the red faces it really does look hot!
ReplyDeleteI'm going into week 8 of training. A friend of mine ran Boston for the first time this year, her first marathon, she ran it for children's hospital of Boston, as her son was treated there. She gave me the plan that they gave her, and so far, so good. It's basically 3 runs during the week, one long on Saturday and cross training/cardio. I know what you mean about fitting it all in, it's going to get harder as I get further in. You're off to a great start! : )
Now that's the life! Awesome running group, pancakes, all kinds of goodies from around the blogosphere! Great training week overall...keep up the good effort and the marathon will be a cake walk, i mean a cake run!
ReplyDeleteI love all the pictures adn how fun to have such a big running group!!!
ReplyDeleteNice job with your runs this week! You are a lucky lady with all those winnings. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge group, Julie. It looks like you guys have so much fun! I love the pancake idea, it's like dangling a carrot in front of me during the whole run! Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun to run with a club. With my bad knee I will have to find a group that doesn't mind running slow!!! I like those pancakes!
ReplyDeleteWay to go on three weeks down!
ReplyDeleteYeah for such an energetic running group! that will be such a great help with your marathon training. Have a lovely week Julie!
ReplyDeleteNice mileage.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's a riding mower, mowing the grass definitely belongs in your running log.
You are racking up the giveaways :-) You must have a secret stash of luck...
ReplyDeleteYour running group looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHow was the 11? You got a nice day for them!
I am so jealous of your running group! I want one!!! Great photos, looks like you guys had fun! AND great mileage!
ReplyDeleteHello Lucky pants! :) What a fun run and breakfast following with friends? Ya that morning has awesome written all over it!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fun running group! Sounds like you got some awesome stuff in the mail as well.
ReplyDeleteYou always look like you are having so much fun with your running group!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I think I will be there on July 10th. I have a 10 miler scheduled for that day. Do you know the next time you will be going? I got to "meet" some of the SCRR's on Sat, very nice people!
ReplyDeleteTraining is sooooo much more fun with a great group of people to train with
ReplyDeleteYou're off to a great start to marathon training :-)
ReplyDeletewhat a great running group! I wish I had one to run with. Looks like fun. And great pictures!
ReplyDeleteNice mileage. I'm glad you found a running group to keep you honest. It's tough to grind out the miles, especially during the summer. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, congrats on being so awesome with marathon training! You found a great running group and have an amazing array of friends/runners to help you train and get where you need to go. It's such a blessing! I hope you and your family have an awesome 4th of July weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me want to join a running group! It looks good fun :-)
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at how great your running group is! Congrats on the great marathon training! =)
ReplyDelete