Did you notice I changed my banner? I’m now The Blonde Runner. haha And I made a Facebook Page, so you can go to that page and like it and it will be about all things running of course. OR you can like it from right here on my blog. Look 4 people like me! =)  Also, you can now subscribe to my posts via email!  How exciting I know!  Get an email as soon as I write a post. Go ahead- subscribe now.  Bottom right of the page.  I feel the love.

I was trying to read The Hunger Games on my new iPad, but Connor refuses to let me.  We are driving home from Lake Havasu right now (yesterday).  I’m really looking forward to sleeping in my bed tonight.  I love our new tempurpedic bed, though I was hesitant of change from the spring beds I’ve slept on the last 34 years. Lol. I’m also looking forward to sleeping through the night.  I don’t know why, but Havasu and Connor don’t mix.  First, I drank more than one drink on Tuesday night and got up at 4:30 am with a headache, took exederine and was wide awake.  But still had a great run that morning. The last issue of Runners World did say people who drink a little, run better than those who don’t.  So I thought I’d try it out.  Ha. Then Connor has been getting up at midnight, 1:am and 4:30 and wants to sleep in our bed.  He’s a bed and pillow hog too. Then the last two nights, he’s been fine in the day but then has a fever at night and cries and can’t sleep.  What’s up with that??  Then last night I had a dream.

I dreamt it was the night before The Sand Hollow Marathon.  I didn’t get any sleep because of Connor.  I got to the start line late, no chip timing, didn’t get my bathroom break or eat breakfast, forgot to buy Gu ahead of time.  Didn’t lay out my clothes the night before and my watch wasn’t fully charged.  Can anything else go wrong?? Thank goodness it was just a dream!!  I guess that’s my reminder to buy Gu and find out what time the race starts.  I still don’t know what I’m going to wear!!

First time wearing a skirt! I wore it on my 8 miler.

FIVE days until my first full marathon!  I’ve been on the road for the last two weeks, so I ran in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Lake Havasu, AZ.  Now I’m a little nervous because of the elevation. Am I going to go home and run my 3 miles tomorrow and notice the 3400′? I tried to run the London Bridge stairs a lot to make up for the flat island.   I’m not really nervous yet.  I had a successful 18 miler.  I think 9:00 min/mile is my goal.  9:09 is four hours and I want to be under that. Though it is my first and the goal should be to just finish, right?  We’ll see anyway.  We’ll see how nemesis feels at mile 18.  Nemesis was in my first Half Marathon, so why not in my first full. Lol. Shannon and I ran up it w/o walking when we did our 15 miler, but maybe I should save some energy to just finish.  Is that hill just going to kill my goal pace? I usually like to run faster at the end, are my hips going to allow it? Never in a million years would I have thought I’d run a marathon.  I still don’t feel like a runner yet. Is that crazy to say?

I have a new issue though.  I might have shin splints? REALLY, a week before my marathon??After I had the flu I ran a half mile and my right shin killed in one spot, I almost fell to the ground it hurt so bad.  But then it didn’t hurt again until my 8 miler on Saturday.  I felt it hurt a little in the beginning of my run.  But then later while sitting doing nothing it started to hurt in the same spot.  It killed.  So I googled it of course. Hmm, not stretching good enough before and after running, that might be my problem? Who knew going for a run had so many rules?? I always forget to stretch after, when I walk in the door its kids, kids.

I have been following Hal Higdon’s Novice II marathon training plan.  But I added speed work/training on Tuesdays. I also tried to do as many Zumba classes on Monday, core fusion on Tuesday, turbokick on Wed until the mileage bumped up over 8, strength training on Thursday and  maybe a Zumba class on Friday.  Only a few times I did all five plus the running, but I tried to do as much as I could.

I use Daily Mile to keep tack of all my workouts.  I love it.  DM syncs with Garmin to import my workouts. It sends me an email each week telling me my mileage and hours.  I have a few DM friends who comment and keep me motivated and vice versa. It keeps track of the mileage on each pair of shoes which is great.  It also let’s me know how many donuts I’ve burned. LOL  It’s linked with Facebook and Twitter too, so everyone knows when I run.

Also from DM- Look at my mileage for each month from Jan ’11- Jan ’12!  Holy craziness!!  And then in Feb I did 114 miles.

Well Evan has school tomorrow and his first soccer game on Wednesday. It’s late and we’re home!

Amber

Here’s some misc photos from the trip…

Evan didn't know what this was. And it worked. .50 local call

Mark Prince gave the boys this great toy- which was perfect all weekend in the dirt!

Connor and Morgan

Learning about spring break

Preza had fun too

They absolutely LOVED the RC track! They were laughing, screaming and having a great time just watching!

Nana & Papa

Teeter fun

WORCS ATV kids had bowling for the kids. Evan loved it. Connor liked wandering off. And SX was on!

It's always windy in Havasu- Mike did this while we went bowling.

This couple let the kids explore the catamaran.

Connor picked this one.

Who knew a pin wheel would be so fun?? They loved them.

3D had free pasta.

Connor is just cute.

Weekend collage from an app in the iPhone. Evan did fall on his bike- so all those band-aids were for a cause. And Connor has a white shamrock and tan arm now!

Connor's version of free-riding.

Love this pic!

Last day in Havasu - sometimes you can have just too much fun.

Thanks for reading!