Silence that is GREEN, Motherhood Reflections, and Week 4 of Boston Training

Silence.  
Not even sure I can imagine silence anymore.  When my kids aren't talking loudly, asking me questions, or creating noise of one kind or another, my head is usually loud enough with my own thoughts to keep me from even recognizing silence when I do have it.  I really should make more of an effort to just...
Be
Still
With Silence.  
This would mean getting up extra early for some morning meditation.  Or turning everything off at night and just sitting for a bit with myself before I fall asleep. Silence is most definitely not going to be found around here during the day. I'm certain this practice of BEING with silence would be good for me to start.  After Boston.  Until then...


Here's another kind of silence that I'm lovin' as of today:

The Green Silence by Brooks

I've been wanting a nice light shoe to use for shorter races like the 10k and 5k.  It has taken me forever to get a pair since I've been content just racing in my Brooks Launch but after hearing about these shoes from several friends, I finally ordered a pair.  It was hard deciding on a color because they come in some really cool designs!  I went with the baby blue but I'm sure this won't be my only pair.  My first thoughts when ordering these was that if they didn't work out for a racing shoe, they would surely make a great addition to my wardrobe and look cute with jeans, shorts, capris and even a sporty dress!  You can read all about these shoes on the Brooks Running website.  You can also read more about them by reading the excellent review of them on RunBlogger.  I can't write a very good review of these shoes at this time since I've only run in them once.  My initial thoughts:

• I like that they are a "Green" shoe and are made with recycled materials.
• They felt great in my tempo run today.  I ran a total of 6 miles in them and then switched back to my Launches just to make sure I wasn't overdoing it on my first time in them.
• They are only 6.9 oz
• I think they will make a good racing flat for 10k and under or even up to the half marathon perhaps.  The review that Pete from RunBlogger did says that he would give them a thumbs up for a marathon even.  
• They are so CUTE.  I know, not the biggest reason to buy a shoe but with this shoe fashion meets function.  I might have to break the rules and wear these out sometimes when I'm NOT running.  Shhh, is that allowed?  If anything, I'll just have to replace them sooner.  
• They look unique with the way the laces tie

Here's what Brooks has to say about them on their site:

"Make an eco-statement with the Green Silence racing flat. Each and every part in this fast, groundbreaking shoe has a sustainable element, including soy-based inks and recycled materials. And in this case, "green" goes hand-in-hand with the great performance you expect from Brooks. The Green Silence helps you take responsibility, and first place—with good karma to spare. Weight: 6.9 oz."

And if you're interested in seeing some of the other styles, here are just a couple:

Ooooh, I didn't even know until now that they have brown!  After these have too many miles on them for running, wouldn't they be cute with jeans?  Putting them on my wish list.  And brown is easier to keep clean than the blue that I have.

I know that this SPEEDY GIRL loves these shoes and I'm pretty sure she has this color. 

Boston Training
So far so good.  I'm recovering quite nicely from my strains that I had awhile back.  I've been eating lots of healthy (and some not healthy) food, making sure I get adequate recovery, taking time for core work (although still don't have a set routine), and really just enjoying running without OVER-thinking the whole thing.  I'm not making things any more complicated than they need to be.  Just running.  And taking care of myself and my family.  Thankful for good friends to keep me in check and help me keep things in perspective.  Here are some randoms of training:

• I'm still having to break up my mid-distance runs that are over 11 miles.  I just don't have the time to fit in a 15 mile run in one stretch of my day but once a week I do go to the gym and do 11 miles while my little man plays in the gym daycare.  He enjoys it and it gives me a chance to fit in a longer run and still have plenty of time to be with my kiddos and feel productive as a mom, self, wife, etc.  Then later in the day I can fit in 4 more.  
• My body is handling the mileage very well and I'm glad I decided to only do the up to 70 miles a week plan instead of shooting for higher this time.  I'm in a good spot for ME.  No doubt that I could handle higher mileage but right now I am happy to just be healthy and strong.  I'm not doing too much and I'm improving...isnt' that goal?  
• I'm still not entirely sure of my Boston goals.  Part of me thinks I will just be content running strong and enjoying the ride without being too ambitious with my time goal.  But this could also just be the part of me that is scared to shoot too high and then fail.  If I'm ever going to see what I'm capable of, I have to get rid of the safety net.  Not sure I'm ready.  
• I'm keeping on the weight. I always feel stronger and better about my body when I stay at 120 lbs without going under.  I'm 5'4 and weigh more than most people think I do.  If I got down to the weight that many people my height are then I would look AWFUL and not nearly as cute as they do at the same weight.  117 on me is probably the lowest I'd want to get and even that is pretty low for me.  Weight is all relative.  SO different for everyone!  I'm just personally happy to be staying solid and strong without losing weight while I increase miles!  Yay!  
• Core work often means playing with cars while in a plank position and using funny voices to make the cars talk and crash into each other.  I'm okay with this.  It's called multi-tasking.

And since I don't keep an online training log, I thought some of you might be interested in seeing some of my training.  And some of you probably don't give two hoots.  Here is this week (week 4 of 12 in Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger).  I've been sticking pretty closely to the plan but last week I had to change some things around because of changes I made with my long run the week before. This is all part of being responsive and adaptive with training and I'm thankful that I'm learning so much about training so that I can make decisions that are best for me.  This week has been spot on for following the plan.  

Week 4:

Monday 2/13:  

Off/Rest/Nada/Zip...a good solid Mommy Day!  (20 miles on Sunday@ 8:13 pace and ending week with 68 miles)

Tues  2/14:  

13 total  A.M 9.5 on treadmill at 5:30 a.m so that I still had time to read to both of my girls' classes for Valentine's Day.  Most at 8 min pace (7.5 speed) with lots of playing around with the incline.  P.M 3.5 easy

Wed  2/15: 

15 miles total.  11 miles in morning with some .25 pick ups @ 7:14 pace for first 5ish miles.  Ran miles 6-10 @ 7:53 pace and mile 11 was 7:30ish.  In afternoon I finished with 4 miles. Not sure my avg paces when I run on the treadmill and not outside with my garmin since I'm too lazy to do the math.  

Thurs 2/16:

5 miles SLOW recovery with Nicole

Friday 2/17:

10 miles in 1:14:31 (this is with stopping the TM for 3 or 4 minutes to stretch, get my kids situated, etc. so not a true 7:27 avg since I had a couple breaks)

First 2 easy

5 mile threshold:

6:59

6:59

6:54

.25 @ 8:34 for active recovery

6:54

6:49

Finished 10 miles with last mile @ 7:24.  

Feeling STRONG

Tomorrow:  

5 miles recovery

Sunday:

18 miles

Motherhood
I have some motherhood reflections coming soon. Hope to get inspired to do a blog post on managing motherhood and marathon training and ways I make it all work without losing my mind or ruining theirs. Lots on my mind as I am ramping up my training here.  What I am I talking about?  It feels like I've been training forever really.  I miss some of the motherhood magic that comes for me when I'm not focused on a serious goal.  Although I'm surely enjoying my training and having fun with it right now, I do know that I will welcome the transition that will come when Boston is over.  I'm not rushing it or wishing it away.  Just knowing that when I'm not specifically training for something, I will have more energy and inspiration to be doing some of the things with my kids that make me excited as a mom.  Like creating forts, going on more adventures around town, PAINTING and creating art, coming up with performances to perform for our family.  I'm still finding time and energy for lots of fun and memorable things but I'll tell ya, this marathon training takes a lot out of this momma!  


Hope motherhood, running, and life in general is good for you right now! Happy Friday!


1.  Have you ever heard of or tried out the Green Silence shoes?
2.  How do you balance motherhood and training so that you still feel like your doing a good job at both? What are you tricks for making it all flow? (Blog post about this coming soon).
3.  Anyone racing this weekend?  I know that Nicole from I Dream of Running is racing a 10k for a speed workout so go wish her good luck.  That girl has got some talent to go with her beauty and strength!  

Amanda