How We Do Ice Days

We got to sleep in this morning, hooray!

I managed to cross off one MASSIVE to-do, off my list, I ordered our Christmas cards. You'll be seeing these beauties faces in a week or two in your mailbox. I only ordered 25 cards because OMG money. YIkERS, cards are expensive. Once I get the hard copies mailed out, I'll make an online version….so keep coming back to the blog ((((( in anticipation :) )))

Even though it was freezing outside, Dakota loved it. She wanted to crawl around in it.

Today, was soooo relaxing!!!! It was a nice change of pace for all of us. Trey didn't get any emergency service calls, so he stayed at home with us too. I ran one mile, we made snowflakes, baked cookies, watched a movie and took a family portrait <---- self timers are the best invention.

We even got Dakota to take more than 5 steps. It was for smarties.

2013 Dallas Marathon Cancelled 
This weekend is Dallas Marathon and I'm so glad I'm not registered. Today, they announced Sunday's Marathon is cancelled due to weather. It really is icy in Dallas!!!! No word on refunds (I doubt they will refund), also no word on credit towards next year or if race day will be reschedule in a week or two. Can you imagine training for so long and being so close to your marathon date and getting word that it's cancelled??? I would cry. No, really, I would. Obviously, it's not the race directors fault, they don't control the weather, I just know I would be extremely bummed about it…The cancellation is necessary, in order to keep everyone safe. I get it, but still. This is not a good race weekend.
I thought about running an ultra trail race that was scheduled for tomorrow. They also cancelled their race.
I know Dakota, it's sad! Tomorrow, I'll be running on the treadmill. Again….I know Dakota, it's super sad!

My Dallas (Half) Marathon Race Photos

Here are my race photos

This was early on, during the race - that's why I'm so happy. And the photo to the right is me crossing the finish line.

Jeri and I tired, but happy.

2012 Dallas Marathon (Half for Me)

Distance: 13.1 miles
Duration: 2 hr 6 mins
Avg Pace Per Mile: 9:38 (official time)
Weather: 70 degrees (HUMID)
I'm so glad I did not have my eyes set on a sub 2 hour race. My Half Marathon PR is 1 hr 56 mins. It was too hot for that. Oh, yeah and I had a baby a few months ago, so there's that too.

EXPO (Saturday) 
I'm going to backtrack for just a moment. Saturday, Trey and I took the girls to the Dallas Convention Center and we checked out the expo. I was hoping to see my friend, Jeri -- She lives in South Dakota. I've been blog/twitter stalking following her online for a few years. I like to think, the stalking is mutual. I was so excited when her schedule and my schedule worked out and we were able to meet in real life. She's so much fun! I enjoyed the few hours we spent walking the expo floor. I wish we had all weekend to hang out, but I'm sure her Dallas family would hate me for kidnapping her.

Instead of kidnapping Jeri, I did the next best thing, we ran together. Granted, it was only about a mile and a half, but still...

I promise, she's totally normal. Haha!

SUNDAY MORNING: RACE DAY 
3:30 am
I heard Dakota moving around in her crib. I got her and fed her.
4:00 am
Got dressed. Ate Oatmeal with bananas walnut and cinnamon. Updated my music playlist. I needed Weezer!
4:50 am
Becca arrived at my house and shortly after, we were in the car driving to Dallas.
6:30 am
Parked! I was worried about traffic, but going to the expo the day before really put me at ease. I knew where I was going and I had a general idea of where I wanted to park.
6:40 am
First porta-potty break.
7:00 am
Met Jeri near the 9:30 pace group and had to say goodbye to Becca, since officials were enforcing assigned corral locations. She was assigned to C. I wanted to run with her too.

By 8:05 am I was running. The first mile was fine, but then the heat started to get to me and I knew it would be a terrible mistake to push it. So, my race strategy was to run and do my best to keep a 9:30 pace. If it was cooler (maybe 40-50 degrees), I think I would have shot for a 9 minute pace. Honestly, I was thrilled just to be running, my longest distance since having a baby - (6 months postpartum). I ran the first mile and a half with Jeri. She gave me the green light to go on without her, so I did. We met at the finish line.

Becca and I after the race. She is also a momma. Her son turns one this month. She did great, I'm so proud of her and I'm pretty sure she exceeded her goal time.

It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for me:
After I finished (30 minutes later), I was so thirsty. I needed bottled water, not a kid cup that volunteers were handing out at the finish line. You guys know how I am about water. When I went in the expo, there was a massive crowd, trying to make their way to the expo area and I was standing there trying to make my way over there too, I almost lost it. I felt nauseous, weak, light headed, irritable, and extremely thirsty and hungry. Remember, I ate at 4:30'ish am. I was on the verge of fainting. Once I broke away from the crowd, drank water and ate food - I was back to myself. Next time, I need to run with at least one gel and have my own snacks handy. I thought Gatorade and water would get me through, but obviously not. It worked for me before, but this time I didn't take into account that I'm still nursing a 6 month old.

Recovering
Today, my legs feel sore, but not trashed.

More Race Stats 
 

Since When is this a Long Run? & Brownies!

It was a good first week of training for the Dallas (Half) Marathon. Now, only 11 more weeks, something like that....

Saturday Long Run

Distance: 5.11 miles
Average Pace Per Mile: 10:09
Duration: 52 minutes
Weather: 66 degrees, but I was still sweating like crazy
I felt okay about this run. I took three rest breaks for 30 seconds. I caught my breath for a moment and chugged water. I drank about 8 oz of water.

I was done in less than an hour and this was considered my long run for the week. Yeah, I'm really liking this half marathon schedule. I know, that as the weeks progress, the miles and time, will be more demanding, but still this is not what I'm use to for a training schedule. I might have to reconsider more half marathon races. Now, I feel like I'm cheating on my ultra marathons. I'm sorry, I take it back (maybe).

Other than running and Jubilee of Tables, I also got a chance to spend quality time with my girls!
 
One last thing, this post deserves is chocolate and while I'm thinking about it, I deserve chocolate!....Paleo Brownies! 
I tried this recipe and it is a keeper! Oh, and it's made in a slow-cooker, hellz to the yeah. Here's the simple recipe. 

My Half Marathon Training Program & How to Accidentally Run 10 miles

Here is my half marathon training program for the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon.
My first training day starts on Sunday, so my long runs will fall on Saturday (minor detail).

I. Dominique. Commit.
For the first time ever, I'm committing to a program 100% (I'm hopeful). I've used all kinds of training tools before, but I would tweak them to no end. Long runs are a staple, so I would always stick with them, no matter what. However, weekday runs were free game and cross training was hit or miss, depending on the week. This time around, I'm going to stick with the plan.

Terrible at Math
I decided to go with the Hal Higdon Intermediate Program because it includes speedwork.

Am I doing this right? <-----see picture below. Since I'm terrible at math, I feel like I'm going to mess this up. Instead of running a total of 1.25 miles (in speedwork), I might accidentally run 10 miles. I'm sure I'd die before reaching 10 miles, but you get the point. This workout is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Now, I can dwell on it from now until then, yay!

The Workout: 5x400 at 5k Pace
The post-it says 5x100, see I'm already messing up and I haven't even started. Dang it!

Breakdown for people who don't really "get" speedwork (ME!): 
Warm up 2 miles 
.25 run at 5k pace
Recover (jog) for about .11
Repeat run/recover 4 times
complete at 4 miles

How We Work-Out

The girls and I did a 15 minute ab workout. Aren't' they adorable? Even Dakota was getting into it.

I hope when they get older they enjoy running. I'd LOVE to have mommy-daughter running dates with them! If they hate running, I'll try to forgive them.

Half Marathon Training Starts Next Week! 
Speaking of running, my treadmill has been getting a lot of attention, lately -- particularly in the mornings. I feel like, I'm back in my running routine and it feels GOOD. Oh and my Dallas Half Marathon Training starts next week. I'm so excited! From now until December, that's all you will hear me blog and talk about.

If you are running the same race, let me know - maybe we can run a few long runs together.

Strappin' & I Committed to a Winter Half Marathon

What do you do, when a baby wants to be held, but you need to get things done? You strap them on you and go about your usual business. I guess, Dakota just wanted to help with dinner.

How do you get a 3 year old to do anything you want her to do? Threaten to take away her prized possession, "her" kindle fire. In the process of cleaning she found her dress up accessories. I can't wait to show this picture to her boyfriends, when he gets older.

There's a Half Marathon in My Future
Earlier this morning, I registered for a half marathon, it's the Metro PCS Dallas Marathon. Two years ago, I raced that marathon, but back then, the race was called Dallas White Rock. I don't think I'll have 26.2 miles in me, so it's best to aim for a half. I'm glad I have a race to look forward to.

Have you guys been watching the Olympics? We watched swimming last night and those athletes have amazing bodies, it's motivating me to workout.