Gilchrist 26.2

Success!

2011-11-22T12:16:00.001-08:00

The Girls on the Run 5k on Sunday was awesome! Even with a broken toe (mine) and two short walk breaks (hers), my lovely fifth grader and I pulled out a 33 minute race. We started late because traffic into the venue was unacceptably ridiculous, and we spent the whole race dodging people. It was kind of fun weaving in and out, finding holes and sprinting in the open spots. It went by so fast, and she was so proud when she finished. I think it is such a great program!

Girls On The Run

2011-11-16T19:04:00.001-08:00

I joined a club after school at the beginning of the year. It's called Girls on the Run, and it is awesome.

Here is the info from their website:

About

Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.

Objectives

The objective of Girls on the Run is to educate and empower girls at an early age in order to prevent the display of at-risk activities in the future. At risk activities include substance/alcohol use, eating disorders, early onset of sexual activity, sedentary lifestyle, depression, suicide attempts and confrontations with the juvenile justice system.

The Program
Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Our core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development - their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors

Vision

We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

So basically it is a group of 19 girls training for a 5k together with many more added benefits. Each girl is matched with a "buddy runner" adult for the 5k so no one runs alone. My girl is a fifth grader. She is fast. One of the fastest in the group. I was matched up randomly, and let me tell you, this girl makes me WORK. During our practice 5k after school one day (22 laps around a soft-ball field-oy), we finished second, and I am pretty sure that if I had timed it, I might have made a PR!

Over the last week I had wanted to really push myself on the treadmill to work on some speed. I managed to do a 5k in 28:58. I wanted to try to do it again at least two more times because our race is this weekend.

I broke one of my baby toes two nights ago. It is black and blue and taped to its "buddy toe" for the foreseeable future.

I am resting this week but still plan on running. I cannot let my "girl on the run" down.

Wish us luck! It's going to be great!

Army Ten Miler- Volume 4.

2011-10-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, my husband and I ran the Army Ten Miler together. I wasn't expecting him to run with me, so it was a nice bonus to the run. I also have to add that I am really impressed because he didn't train at all for the race. Just rolled out of bed and ran 10 miles. If only it was that easy for me. I worked really hard for three weeks prior and gave it all I had. This was my third year and the hubby's fourth year running this race (but only because I was pregnant last year, so I think I get a bye for that one!). It wasn't the fastest I've run, and it wasn't the slowest. I felt great the entire time and was really proud of my performance. I downed three "GU" packs along the way, which I know also helped tremendously. I love those things. Anyway, Army knows how to put on a race, and organizing 30,000 runners was no sweat for them. It was a beautiful semi-cool day, and there was lots of free food after :) I had a few gripes, but with that many people, nothing will go perfectly.

Running post baby has really been an experience. Not just finding time to run- so hard- but my entire body just feels....different. I can't quite find that groove I used to have when I ran where I felt in tune with my body and completely comfortable. Even if all of my clothes fit again and the scale isn't scary anymore, it all seems like I was taken apart, mixed around, and then put back together. I guess that's kind of true! Oh well. I plan to follow a new mantra I saw on a sign during the race that really stuck with me- "Keep calm and carry on."

What's Up, Abe?

2011-10-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, once again with the well-wishes of an awesome babysitting husband, I went for an 8 mile run. It was definitely the longest by far since June of 2010! I was getting sick of the routes closest to my apartment, so I drove a few miles down the road to our old stomping grounds close to the Pentagon. I did a "memorial" run. Literally. I ran through the Pentagon parking lot, past the Pentagon Memorial and continued on in to DC proper. I hit up my friend Abe Lincoln for a nice drink of water at the fountain at his memorial and continued on past the Reflecting Pool (that isn't reflecting anything at the moment and will not be for awhile as they re-do it. It is a HUGE pile of mud) to the World War II Memorial and finally looped around the Washington Monument (also closed due to the earthquake two months ago- not a good time to be a tourist right now!) and back to where I started.

Abe Lincoln. I can call him Abe because we go way back. I have a fondness for this monument/memorial for several reasons. The first being the presence on the National Mall is just so regal and important feeling. He overlooks all of DC. Another reason is that I did a report on Mr. Lincoln in eighth grade, and then he got me a scholarship in high school when I used him to answer a question about who I would like to meet given the chance. Also, the bathrooms and water fountains in the monument's base are usually clean :) So, thanks Abe- I'll say hello again soon!

Just Sayin'

2011-09-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

I think running one mile with a jogging stroller should count as two regular miles without a jogging stroller. You push an extra 50 pounds of baby+stroller and tell me you aren't working twice as hard! Just sayin'.

Let's Talk About Full Length Mirrors

2011-09-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

The combination of a later-than-I-thought-would-last meeting after school and lots of rain drops forced me to take my run inside this evening. (Along with the words every new mom loves to hear-"It's ok, go run. I'll put the baby to bed." Woohoo! I was off. I live in a very large apartment building with a smallish gym containing 5 treadmills, a few ellipticals, a stepper and a variety of heavy machinery that I believe aids in muscle development. Not that I would know. Now, I have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill.

Treadmill Likes:
1. I can run a 5K with a sub-9 minute mile pace. This is blazing in my world. Even before baby. If I could keep that up on the road, I would be a respectable runner!
2. I don't have to carry my (fashionable pink) pepper spray. Yes. I carry pepper spray while I run on populated trails in broad daylight. I'm a mom now!

Treadmill Dislikes:
1. FULL LENGTH MIRRORS. The walls in the smallish gym are lined with them top to bottom, wall to wall. I understand that some people need to see their form, blah blah blah, but I particularly do not want to stare at myself for 30+ minutes (front AND back to infinity and beyond- stupid mirror tricks!) while I contemplate how much liposuction would cost because I have time to analyze every part of my body. Not helping matters was the fact that I was wearing 4 different non-coordinating shades of blue. My headband, tank, sports bra, and shorts combo coupled with above mentioned poor self image in the mirror made me feel like I resembled a warped cookie monster hitting the gym after one too many desserts.

2. People are weird. A girl got on the elliptical and proceeded to start shadow boxing every type of punch out there like she was training for the next Rocky movie (in her non-breathable Adidas track pants circa 1998, no less). She was throwing some mean hooks that were coming within 6 inches of the person on the treadmill next to her, and guess who was next to her- yup, cookie monster. I kept smiling because I imagined her swinging a little too hard and knocking my butt off the treadmill in a crumpled heap of blue. What a great story that would have been.

Map My Run- yes please!

2011-09-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

I've been hitting the pavement trying to train for the Army Ten Miler coming up in less than two short weeks. This is a feat considering I haven't run more than 4 miles in a year or more, and I have to work with and/or around baby. So far, I've been able to keep my goals and I put in about 16 miles in the past week (3,5,2,6). Goal for this week is 20 miles (3,5,4,8). It's really amazing how you can build up endurance so quickly if you just stick it out and commit.

Since my Nike+ does not work with Windows 7 on my new computer (really?! I can't even charge the darn thing- completely will not recognize it-anyone want to buy me a Garmin?), I am newly obsessed with mapmyrun.com. As long as I know where I want to run, I can map out how far I have to go, then turn around and come back to get my mileage. I love it more because I didn't have to create any accounts to use it. I play a lot of mind games when I am running. I like to "just make it to the fire hydrant", then "just make it to the I395 underpass and then run as fast as you can through the dark scary place that smells like pee and despair", and so on until my run is finished. With the website, I can target lots of landmarks and make this game much more fun!

Did you know it was 4.5 miles around the National Mall? Now you do!

Nine Eleven

2011-09-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

Last night, my husband and I participated in the Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5k. I have to admit that I was not looking forward to it. It is so hard to find time to run with the baby around, and I hadn't logged many miles leading up to the date. The day came anyway, and with the baby safely tucked away with her grandparents, we set off to join the other 4998 runners/walkers/wheelchair racers. I've had some negative experiences with over-crowded 5K races that involve slow starts, bottlenecks, courses too narrow to handle the crowd, etc. I tend to get easily annoyed before the race even starts.

We showed up about 45 minutes early. The crowds were loud, large, and rowdy. The course map had an indication of being too narrow. I was already tired from being up most of the night before with a sick baby. But, I was fine. I was calm, cool and collected. I knew it was going to be a crappy run, but I knew what and who we were running for, and those people would never have a chance to do what I was about to do- crappy or not. The first two miles of the race I spent carrying my music player instead of listening. I wanted to reflect, take in the sights around me, and really think about everything. I had the pleasure of spending 1.5 miles running next to a large fire-fighter group lined up in pairs yelling out cadences. Their pace didn't seem to fast for me, and I was really enjoying it. The course took us around one of the Pentagon Parking lots, skirting an edge of the Pentagon, right past the memorial where the plane hit. Lots to think about.

After the second mile marker, I slowed it down, put on the headphones, and did my best to finish as strong as I could. I met up with the hubby and we hit the food tables. Unlimited, free pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and beer was a great way to end the race! My time was crappy in the end, but I don't care. This race was definitely the most emotionally rewarding one I have done. Plus it was well organized, the course was wide with room for everyone, and the supporters were out strong.

I spent the majority of the day today watching the coverage of the anniversary, remembering, and counting the many blessings in my life. Hope that you did the same.

Drama at the Park

2011-08-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

There is a cute little, quiet park near my house. It's actually a historical Fort with a surrounding park. The asphalt path makes a circle (which I love. Out and back was never my favorite option) It is also a good distance- 6 tenths of a mile- which isn't too short that you feel like you have to go ten times around, but long enough that if your goal is ten times around it turns into good mileage. The major downfalls are you have to share the road with car traffic, and there are too many giant speed bumps. I have to come to a complete stop with the stroller to get over them.

Anyway, the heat finally relented today, so I packed up the baby and the jogging stroller and we set off. I ended up talking to a close friend while walking for three laps but then hung up and powered through running four laps. Overall I logged 4.2 miles while baby slept- the longest in 6 months since she was born. Yikes. Gotta start back somewhere though I guess. While running, I noticed that what I thought was just a sleepy, beautiful sunshiny day running in circles turned into quite a few interesting observations while people watching. I've made up my own back stories about each of the people, but I'll leave you to your own imagination and just report what I saw. This list gets more interesting as it goes.

1. While I was watching, a woman let her dog take a giant poo on this historical site and proceeded to cover it up with leaves ripped from a tree above her head.

2. Some middle-aged creeper dude had a remote controlled car that he was driving around while staring intently at everyone who walked past.

3. (Keep in mind I was at the park from 1:30-3:30pm) Around 2:45, this guy in a full suit parks his car, rolls down the windows, and just sits there. After another lap, he was sounds asleep with his mouth open and everything. He was still there when we left.

4. A woman in a minivan pulls up in a spot in the back of the park and doesn't get out of her car. For two laps, she appeared to be eating something from a box. Going to town with whatever it was. Another lap and I actually watched her back the minivan out of the spot she was in, pull down literally three spots over so she could be closer to the trash can, and throw away her box.

5. The most interesting one- two grown adults were sitting at a picnic table about 30 feet from the very clear road, straddling the bench facing each other. He looked to be about 50, she in her 30s (I had sunglasses on, what?!). For all 7 of my laps, they were there alternating between full on making-out, and her crying. They came in separate cars parked facing opposite directions. His car was a red Corvette. Hers was an old Ford something or other.

Thoughts on what their stories are? Maybe I should mind my own business, but none of these people appeared to be worried about a mom with a jogging stroller interrupting their private time. It's a public place!

On another note, it felt great to be back out running. Pushing a stroller while doing it, though, is no joke!

I'm back! (for now)

2011-08-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am not going to talk about how much of a slacker I am. I'll just try to post more often from now on. Our little girl was born in February of this year. I signed up for a race while I was still pregnant- with very high hopes. I was lucky enough to recover quickly and ran the 5k seven weeks after she was born. It was the Cherry Blossom 5K in April 2011. My goal was just to finish the darn thing. I managed a 33:34 finish, which isn't really close to what I used to do, but I ran the whole time and was pretty proud of it!

Having a baby has turned our life upside down! Fitting in time to run has been very difficult. She is finally getting big enough to put in our super awesome BOB jogging stroller. In the next few weeks, I will test it out because we are signed up for 2 races in September and October, so we have to fit some training in somewhere! We'll make a runner out of her yet!

Top 5 Time!

2010-11-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

The Top Five Body Similarities Between Pregnancy and Race Training:

5. Your body does not feel like "yours" anymore.
4. You hurt in places you never knew you had.
3. Sometimes you have to hang on to a railing for dear life while walking down stairs.
2. You just have to take things one week at a time.
1. That extra bagel is good for you!

Baby!

2010-11-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

It's been way too long since I have written a post, but it's been an exciting few months. I am currently in the beginning of my third trimester of my first pregnancy, so running has not been happening lately. I had to sell my registration for the Army Ten Miler that took place earlier this month, but I went to cheer on my hubby. I was really jealous, and all I wanted to do was jump in! I will be back "Army Strong" next year, though!

I tried to keep running early in my pregnancy, but I got so sick all I could do was lay on the couch for 2 months. After the inactivity, I thought it would be better to sit out of running for the remainder of this amazing journey. I am still walking and doing prenatal yoga and pilates, but I really miss running.

We are in the process of hunting down a quality jogging stroller so I can hit the trails as soon as the weather warms this Spring with "Baby G" in tow (or leading the way). I am 90% sure I know which one I want, but I would love any suggestions!

A Very Special Product Plug

2010-03-14T13:53:00.001-07:00

I have had a request to feature a product, so let me introduce you to the Snot Spot. Yes, you read that right. My brother and sister-in-law decided it would make a great funny gift for Christmas, so my husband and I were the proud recipients of the Snot Spot. We wore them for the first time during the Love the Run You're With race, and although I did not need to use it, it was nice to know the option was there.

What exactly is it, you ask? Well, I don't feel like I can really do it justice with my explanation, so I will let the company itself do the talking and you can check it out for yourself:

"The Snot Spot® is the latest innovation in sports accessories. It's the ultimate solution to a problem that plagues many cold weather and allergy-sensitive athletes - the runny nose.

Forget to grab a tissue in the lift line? Winter cold got the best of you out in the middle of nowhere? Or simply while walking the dog around the block? No problem! With the Snot Spot, you're always prepared. Skiers, snowboarders, hikers, cyclists, walkers, runners - the Snot Spot takes care of those pesky drips wherever they may show up!"

http://www.snotspotgear.com/

Lesson Learned

2010-02-28T12:33:00.001-08:00

Lessons learned today:

1. Do not run a race- even a 5K- when you have not run more than 5 miles since October.
2. Do not sign up for a February race in DC!

This morning we ran the "Love the Run You're With" 5k. It was supposed to take place on Valentine's Day, but this is what we were dealing with then:

"Snomageddon 2010"

Needless to say, the race was postponed until today. There are still piles of snow everywhere, and it is still cold but not too brutal. The best part of the race was that the starting line was right down the street from where we live. We walked over 10 minutes before the gun.

I am embarrassed to admit that I was sucking wind after about a mile and the rest of the race was spent with me trying to get a full breath without much success. I had faith in my endurance, but it let me down. I don't think it will be too hard to build back up quickly, but running a race after 4 months of (inexcusable) winter sedentary-ness was not the best idea I have ever had. I somehow still managed to finish in 30:28 even with walking for a little bit. The wind picked up after we finished, so we didn't stick around too long.

Looks like I need to start running more often before I sign up for any more races!

One Year Marathon Anniversary

2010-01-10T16:35:00.000-08:00

So, it's been one year today since we ran the Disney Marathon! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I wish I could say that I have another marathon to run this year, but so far there is nothing in the works. We ran a lot of races in 2009, though, so hopefully we can keep up with the shorter distances and maybe make 2011 another marathon year. I would really like to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon while we still live in the area.

Next up will be my third year running the St. Patty's Day 8k in March. It's always cold and crowded, but it's become a tradition for me now!

Spirit of Pittsburgh

2009-11-03T16:42:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the last race of the year for us (I think!). We had a great Halloweenn weekend in Pittsburgh that included the Spirit of Pittsburgh. We did this one as a relay just like Columbus. It was a chilly morning, but great running weather. Run Wild Racing did a much better job this time around. Lots of water, lots of goodies, and much better organization. They also gave us our tee shirts and hats when we picked up our race bibs on Saturday instead of at the end of the race on Sunday. The best part? Our time! We finished in 1:49:40, which was about a minute faster than Columbus. It was a good way to end our running season.

Look How Far I've Come!

2009-10-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

We ran the Army Ten Miler yesterday. It was a beautiful day for a run, and I love how organized the Army race is even when 30,000 people sign up. The gun went off at EXACTLY 8:00, and the whole thing ran so smoothly. Plus they give away a ton of stuff at the end, and the expo is pretty awesome.

The best part was my final time! Let's compare stats from last year's same race to this year:

2008: Time= 1:54:10, Pace= 11:25

2009: Time= 1:35:22, Pace= 9:32

Almost 20 minutes off the total and 2 minutes off per mile pace. I am so proud of myself! I guess it just goes to show that you get better with practice!

Spirit of Columbus

2009-08-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

Another race yesterday! We went to Columbus for the weekend (a VERY long time in the car) to participate in the Spirit of Columbus Half-Marathon and Two-Person Relay. There are two "sister" races for this event- one in Pittsburgh and one in Columbus. Since I am from Pittsburgh and my husband's family is from south of Columbus, we wanted to do both of the races. We decided to do both of them as a coed relay team, so we would each run 6.55 miles of the half-marathon.

I was not impressed with the organization and the fact that they ran out of water at some of the stops, but overall it was a great run for me. I ran with the 2 hour pace team (9:10 minute miles), and I was very comfortable. I talked to the people in the group, and the pace leader told jokes as we were going. I wanted to keep running with them, but I traded my spot with my hubby at the relay point. We were shuttled to the finish line. We finished in 1:50:31, coming in 32nd place out of 115 relay teams. I am very proud of that finish!

I am looking forward to the race in Pittsburgh on November first where I will run the second half this time. I only hope that Run Wild Racing gets their act together and makes up for the lack of organization. I would be very careful if you are thinking about signing up for a race with this company.

Running in the Rain

2009-07-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

We ran the Crystal City Twilighter 5K in the rain last night. We thought it was a novel idea for a race- starting at 8:00 pm instead of the usual early morning races. We rested up all day with lofty goals of finish times (sub 23:00 for Stacy and sub 28:00 for me). Unfortunitely, it was 90 degrees out and the storm clouds were rolling in as we walked to the starting area. The skies opened up about 20 minutes before the gun, and 2000 people crowded under every available shelter in the area. The hard downpour rain tapered off by the time we started but was pretty much steady with lightning for the whole race.

The course was way too narrow for that many people, so most of the first mile went much slower than I anticipated just because I was trying to wade through the crowd. Coupled with 100 percent humidity and dodging giant puddles that I could have swam in, things didn't go as well as planned. Oddly enough, though, Stacy finished at exactly 23:00 minutes and I finished at exactly 28:00 minutes.

The best part of the race was at the end when there was a free beer tent! It was a nice surprise to an otherwise frustrating race. We also got some pretty nice deep red technical tee shirts with our race packet, so that was good as well. I like the idea of the evening races in the summer. We might have to look for more.

Year In Review

2009-07-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

I started my training (and my blog) exactly one year ago today. I have come very far in the past year and am happy to consider myself a runner (and a blogger, too I guess)!

Since last July, I have participated in and completed 7 races out of the 10 I have done since 2006. Those 7 races included an 8K, two 10Ks, two 10 milers, a half-marathon and a full marathon. I've run about 650 miles and gone through two pairs of very expensive running shoes.

We have hit most of the major paths and trails in the area, but I know there are many more places to explore. We are signed up for four more races before November, and I hope to make it to 1000 miles by the end of the year.

Thanks for reading! Here's to another year!

Chasing my husband around the island...

2009-07-12T12:35:00.001-07:00

...is how I spent my Saturday morning! I just can't keep up with that boy!

We decided to switch up the scenery for our Saturday run yesterday. We went to Theodore Roosevelt Island about 5 minutes away from home. It was gorgeous! We had been there before to see the Teddy R. monument, but this time we ran the trails.

It's a great place to run because it's confined and small, so you can't get lost. There are 3 different trails with the longest going in a circle only 1.2 miles (and all shade). We went in circles several times, but since it was all woods, it didn't really matter as far as what we were looking at. I have never really been "trail running", but this was awesome. It was much more of a workout dodging roots and rocks and tree stumps! We only had one minor to moderate spill- I won't tell you who- but it didn't stop us :) The best part? No bicycles allowed!

Trail at T.R. Island

Shameless plug!

2009-06-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello! I admit I have been slacking on my posts, but it's been pretty quiet with the running lately. I did run in the Capitol Hill Classic 10K with some friends, but I was not feeling very well that day. My hubby and I have some pretty cool races coming up though, so I will hopefully be more diligent with the posting.

On to other things- check out my new business! I am shamelessly plugging it because this is my blog and I can :) I started a photography business that is targeting pet owners right now because basically people in DC have dogs instead of kids. I would love to get into more weddings and kid portraits, and I am happy to say assignments are trickling in from my Pittsburgh based people! Keep checking my website for expansion into landscapes and people portraits!

www.julielynnphotography.com

More on our newest race sign-ups to come!

Pittsburgh Half-Marathon

2009-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

What a great race yesterday! Yes, I ran two longer races one week apart, but I wanted to do both of them, so why not? My hubby and three of my friends all decided to run as well. Two of my best friends from high school and I ran together just like we did last week. The weather was perfect for the first 10 miles. It was cool enough to wear long sleeves, and the course was flat, so it seemed almost too easy! We pushed ourselves to pass the 2:20 pacing group and caught up with the 2:15 group. We ended up passing them, too and finishing in 2:08! It was a beautiful run with lots of scenery. We ran across all three rivers in Pittsburgh. It started to rain at mile 10, but by that point, we were almost finished, so it was ok. I felt really bad for all of the people who were running the full 26.2!

My next race is in two weeks- the Capitol Hill Classic- a 10K race. Then that might be it for the hot months of summer!

George Washington Parkway Classic Ten Miler

2009-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.gwparkwayclassic.com/

It's a mouthful to say, but it was a good race to run. The GW Parkway is a beautiful highway that runs along the Potomac river. I ran with two of my best friends from high school- Kelly and Kristen. We started at Mt. Vernon and the course was 10 miles up the highway (we were bussed to the start) and ended in Old Town Alexandria. We all ran together and finished in 1:40:43 with a 10:05 pace. This is a whole 14 minutes faster than my first ten mile race last year in October! We all managed to finish strong, but it was a struggle in the surprising 90 degree heat! I wish they would have had more water stops, but we survived.

Next up: Pittsburgh Half-Marathon next weekend!

Another Nike Milestone!

2009-04-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

I've logged 500 miles as of a few days ago. Well, it's actually probably closer to 550 because I don't wear my Nike Sportband for short runs on the treadmill, but I'm still excited! I am going to set a goal that I would like to complete 1000 miles by December 31, 2009. It's in writing, so the challenge is on!

St Patty's Day 8K

2009-03-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

It's time to start up race season again! Today we ran the St Patty's Day 8k with our friend Jen. This race is supposed to mark the beginning of Spring, but it was really chilly and dreary in the 30s with some misty rain.

Stacy finished at 40:02, which is awesome. Jen and I ran together and finished at 46:46, which crushed my results from last year by about 2 minutes per mile! It's still not super-fast, but I really just don't think I am built for speed :) I'll stick with distance. With a short race this crowded, you spend most of the time weaving in and out trying to find enough space to maintain a steady pace. I really enjoy running with a partner, though because I feel like I am being pushed. Plus, Jen finally gave me a hint to less spillage from the cups at the water stops- just squeeze the cup in and drink from the corner. Duh. SO much easier!

Still Running Indoors

2009-03-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

Oops. It's been a month since my last post. I finish a marathon and then become a slacker! I don't have too much to report. I have been running short distances several times a week trying to work on my speed. I am LOVING interval training where I increase my speed in short bursts. I did 3.5 miles today in 30 minutes, which is pretty good for me. I'd like to run a 5K this spring just to see how fast I could do it.

We were hit by a pretty decent snowstorm this week, so the running inside thing is still in full swing. I am itching to get out, though. Here's hoping it warms up soon!

Now What?!

2009-02-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well here we go- I'm back again. We took some time off from running for while after the marathon. I didn't think I was ever going to be able to walk again, but what do you know-the pain went away and I'm itching to get back out there!

Here are the official Disney results for me:
Chip Time: 4:59:44
Overall Place: 6982 out of 14940
Gender Place: 2593 out of 7139
Age Division Place: 536 out of 1295

I am signed up for 3 more upcoming races. The first one is the St Patty's Day 8K in March. I ran it last year, and it was COLD! It should be a good 5 miles and a nice ease back into the race scene. The next race is the George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler in April. I am running this with at least one very good friend, so that should be fun as well. The one I am really excited for is the Pittsburgh Half- Marathon in May. It is the first time in seven years (I think) that Pittsburgh has held a marathon. I entertained the idea of doing another full run, but I think I need more time between races. I am thinking about the Marine Corps Marathon in October, but we'll see.

I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather that should start to creep in here in about 6 weeks and really getting back out there to train for the half. We are running in Pittsburgh with several friends, so that will be fun as well.

Does anyone know of some other good races out there?

WE DID IT!!!!!

2009-01-13T12:32:00.001-08:00

We are officially marathoners! What an amazing experience. I don't even know if words can do it justice, but I will try.

We had a nice couple of days to acclimate to the (beautiful) weather and enjoy an abbreviated view of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and Animal Kingdom on Thursday and Friday and then rested up on Saturday.

We got up at 2:00 am Sunday morning while the rest of the world was sleeping or not even in bed yet. It was a cool but comfortable 50 some degrees. I felt really excited. My nerves had calmed down and I felt really ready. We took buses at about 3:15 am to the starting area in the Epcot parking lot and walked to the holding area.

There was a DJ playing in the weirdly lit parking lot and there were thousands of runners and walkers milling about. It was surreal and thrilling. We had a significant amount of time to wait, so we settled down on the ground in a corner. I had time to eat my pre-race meal (tea, bagel with peanut butter, and a banana). I also had time to do some people watching, and there were many people running in actual costumes. There were also the largest amount of porta-potties I have ever seen in my life.

Finally it was time to head to the corrals to line up for the 5:50 am start. They sang the national anthem, Mickey and Minnie did a little speech, and then BANG!- the fireworks went off and the race started.

Each mile marker was a giant billboard-sized sign, so it was impossible to miss. The first 10 miles went by very easily. Stacy and I were talking a little bit, but mostly taking in the sights and the sunrise. We were able to see my parents at miles 4 and 9 (my Dad took the pictures in this post), so that was a nice boost each time. We ran through Cinderella's Castle and then it started to warm up at about the half- way point, but I was still feeling great. There was a water/powerade stop at just about every mile, and I kept hydrated. There were food stops (bananas, gel, more bananas, and candy) at four or five different places as well.

We kept a really steady pace the entire time. I am not sure what our official average pace was, but it was around eleven and a half minute miles. We ran the whole way together with no stops, and no slowing down (other than the water and food stops because I never did master that drinking while running thing).

It wasn't until about mile 18 when the heat really started kicking in and my body was feeling it. I just had to suck it up and keep going, though. I remember saying "'Where the hell is Mile marker 23?" and some people around me laughing, but miles 20-25 were really blurry. The last mile was through Epcot. There were hundreds of spectators screaming and yelling. I kept looking to see how far we had left and thinking it was never going to end. Stacy was pushing me to go faster, and I was yelling at him. Then all of a sudden we came around the corner out of Epcot at mile 26 and there was a huge gospel choir singing the same songs I was singing in my head knowing that it was almost done. We went around one more bend and there was the finish line! We saw my parents cheering us on the side and sprinted across the line holding hands and defintiely smiling.

The whole experience was incredible. We trained hard, and it showed. We both ended up finishing in 4:59:44 . I owe it all to Stacy pushing me that last mile to be able to come in just under 5 hours. My original goal was just to finish, but when I realized we were keeping pace, I wanted a finishing time that started with a 4!

Amber also was a fantastic walker, getting a personal best time and being the BEST tour guide, inspiration, and friend the whole weekend. I could not have done it without her! Yesterday, we hobbled over to Hollywood Studios and a small child came up to us. He asked Amber how much money she wanted for her medal, and she told him she wouldn't give it up for all the money in the world!

My favorite "after" moment was when I called my grandma. The conversation went like this:

Me: We did it Grandma! We finished the race and it was great.
Grandma: That is really incredible. A first in our family. You deserve a medal!
Me: I got one!
Grandma: Got what?
Me: A medal!!!

Thank you all for your support and for taking the time to read this blog. I am not convinced I am going to be able to ever walk normally again, let alone run, but I'll keep you updated on my adventures :)

Day 179

2009-01-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

Total Miles Run in Training: approximately 425

I guess I should use this last blog post before the marathon to reflect back on training (time consuming, difficult, VERY rewarding), but I am really just super anxious about the whole thing, and I want to just get there and do it!

I read a race prep article by Bill McDonough on disneyrunning.com, and I don't know if it inspired me or scared me more! Here is an excerpt:

"Okay, so now you have arrived at Epcot. You have parked your car, hopped off the monorail or been dropped off by the bus. The scene before you is absolutely surreal.

Bright sodium lights turn the Epcot parking lot into an island of light in the early morning darkness. There are tents of various sizes and color everywhere, separated by barriers and fences for no apparent reason. Thousands and thousands of people are converging from different directions. A powerful PA system is continually blaring instructions and encouragement.

Looming behind all of this is the glowing silver golf ball of Spaceship Earth and Mickey's disembodied arm wielding a magic wand. Sort of spooky at 5 am.

All in all, a scene that alternates between chaos and fascination. It will certainly raise your resting heart rate by a few beats."

We leave tomorrow. I know I am well trained and mentally prepared (but I still need to pack). I will be on the course with my husband and one of my best friends, and my parents will be there to cheer us on along the way. Let's do this!!!

Race Day Checklist

2009-01-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

Six more days until the big day! We are leaving for Florida on Thursday, so it's time to think about packing (which will most likely not be completed until late Wednesday night). Here is a great checklist I came across to make sure everything is in a carry-on in case luggage gets lost. I've added some of my own items as well.

Racing shoes
Airline tickets (I like how the shoes were first on the list before the tickets!)
ID
Itinerary (Yeay Amber. She made us a rock-star itinerary. It deserves an award.)
Toiletries
Camera
Money
Racing socks
Racing shorts
Racing shirt
Racing undergarments
Throw-away clothes for waiting in the cold (the race starts at 5:50 am and we have to be there well before then)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sweat band
Nike Sportband
Emergency Gel

The rest of my stuff can be checked, I guess. This is going to be a pretty hefty carry-on!

Resolutions

2009-01-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Resolution #1 for 2009: Finish a marathon!

Day 170

2008-12-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 386

I hope everyone had a great celebration with loved ones. I know I did. I also slacked on my running and ate some pretty heavy meals, so it's time to get serious with 13 days to go! We are officially in the "taper down" portion of training leading up to the big day. It's almost time to start obsessively checking the 10-day forecast for Orlando. I cannot believe it's almost here!

Day 162

2008-12-21T13:13:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 372

Miles Run Today: 20!!!

I reached the pinnacle of training today. The daunting 20 miler. I ended up running it by myself because Stacy had to work. I took my MP3 player/radio and me and Ryan Seacrest hung out for awhile. It ended up being the best run I think have have ever had. I was feeling really great at the ten mile mark and I knew I was going to be able to finish strong. I went through 2 gel packets and about 40 ounces of water. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get up off the floor when I finished stretching after I got home, but after a tall glass of chocolate milk, 800 mg of ibuprofin, and a hot shower- I'm ready for the rest of the day!

Disney, here I come!

Mmmm, energy.

2008-12-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 350 (wow, and to think we started with 3!)

All those miles require lots of energy, so I am dedicating this blog to energy boosters that we eat while running. The skill of eating while maintaining pace is definitely an acquired one. (I still haven't mastered drinking from an open cup without coming to a complete stop if I want to stay dry). Running with only water gets me about 8-10 miles tops. When the runs start to get longer, our body energy stores burn off and that's when we hit the wall or get REALLY cranky (ok, that's just me). We have tried many different options-some of which were really good and some really bad:

Banana: This was a great idea in theory with all those nutrients, but I had to stop to eat it and then it just kind of sat in my stomach and yelled at me the rest of the run.

Running Gel Packets: I am a very big fan of the GU (get it?- "goo") brand. It comes in many different yummy flavors, and it is the consistency of icing, not slime. I was worried the first time I tried it that it would be like eating a mouthful of slime. I was pleasantly surprised. They really do work, too.

Running Gel Packets: You'd think all brands would be the same, right? I mean, how different can you make a blob full of energy? The Clif brand was exactly what I feared from the start- a giant mouthful of mango flavored slime. It was not a fun thing to deal with at mile 8 of 14.

Gummies: Clif brand redeemed itself with their "Shot Bloks". They look, smell, and taste exactly like a cube-shaped gummy bear and come in lots of flavors. They have become our new favorite energy booster.

Bars: We love Snickers Marathon Bars. We got them in our goodie bags from one of the races we did, and we tried them out during the 16 mile long run. Delicious and a great energy boost. They are awkward to carry, though. Stacy put one in the pocket of his shorts and it fell out about a half a mile before he realized it, so we had to run back to get it.

So far, we like the shot bloks and the snickers bars the best. We couldn't have done it without them! The Disney marathon will have food stops along the way with Clif products, so I hope they have some gummies!

History of the Marathon

2008-12-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

I decided to relay a little bit of information about what got me (and everyone else) into this whole training for a marathon thing in the first place- the history of marathons. I am sure you ask yourself these questions everyday, so I am here to answer some of them for you with the help of www.athensmarathon.com

How did the marathon begin?
The marathon began as a race to mark a soldier's run from a battlefield to the town of Marathon, Greece to bring a message of victory. Date: 490 B.C. (according to legend, the man-Pheidippides- then collapsed and died. Not exactly inspiring if you ask me!)

When was the first modern marathon?
1896. Runners ran from Marathon Bridge to Athens Stadium in Greece. (which is 24.85 miles)

Why 26.2 miles now?
The extra two miles were added (darn!) in 1908 during the London Olympics (from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium) so the race could finish in front of royal family's viewing box. I don't know why they didn't change it back!

Who has the world record for fastest time?
A man named Haile Gebrselassie from Berlin who ran a marathon is 2:03:59 on September 28, 2008 according to www.marathonguide.com. That's how long it takes me to run about 11 miles. Not even halfway!

I hope your curiosity has been satisfied!

Athlete entrance to the Olympic Stadium in Greece.
(Thanks for the photo, Ryan!)

One more month!

2008-12-11T13:47:00.001-08:00

The marathon is one month from today! We are feeling really good with our training, except for a couple of recent muscle tweaks. I think we are ready for an awesome weekend and completing a major personal goal! We have one more really long run left- the daunting 20 miler- then we taper down. I am getting really exciting and nervous.

Day 148

2008-12-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 301

We are getting ready to run our second-to-last really long run, and I am sitting here looking out the window with dread. It's a half decent, sunny 35 degrees out today with a forecast high of 40, but I am pretty sure the wind might change how it feels! It is a sustained wind of 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 mph, and all I can see outside are trees practically bending in half.

Now that I sound like a meteorologist, I guess we are going to suck it up and run 18 miles!

Update: We survived our run, although slightly windburned and very sore. The wind was the worst along the river and going across Memorial Bridge. At one point on the bridge, the wind pushed me so hard from behind that I screamed as I was forced to balance myself! Overall, it was a great run endurance-wise. I felt that I could go another 8 miles even if it is at my "shuffle" pace as I refer to it (when I am still "running" but could probably walk faster). We'll see!

Time to Buy New Shoes

2008-12-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

I took a little bit of a blog vacation over Thanksgiving since I was traveling. I guess you could also say that I took a little "running vacation", too. Now that I am back in DC, it's time to get serious about these last 5 weeks of training. Unfortunately for my wallet, that means a new pair of running shoes along with holiday shopping.

I went to my favorite running store a few weeks ago (Gotta Run located in Arlington), and they informed me that my shoes were good for about another 100 miles, but I definitely do not want to run in the marathon on "dead shoes". I will be purchasing a new pair this week.

Here is a summary of what I learned about the importance of buying new shoes:

The midsole is more important than tread. By the time your tread is worn down, the midsole is probably way past shot.
Replace shoes every 300-400 miles depending on your weight, running stlye, and surface. The best thing to do would be to take your shoes to the experts at a running store if you haven't been keeping track of your miles.
Running in worn-out shoes is a very common cause of injury, so don't risk it!

Day 134

2008-11-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 285

We ran 16 miles today. I was worried after my disastrous run last week, but today was great! I made sure to carb-load on Friday and a little on Saturday. For breakfast I ate cereal with a banana, peanut butter and jelly toast, and half a cup of green tea. Along the way we had marathon bars and these gummy shot blocks for energy boosting and endurance. Usually we plan our route around water fountains, but today I carried a bottle, and we only had to stop to refill twice. We ran all the way into DC and back- past Abe, the Washington Monument and to the Capitol where they are setting up for the Inauguration.

Only 4 more long-runs until we taper down before the marathon.

48 days to go!

Running in Cold Weather

2008-11-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

Now that the weather is getting colder and darker, it's time to adjust our training. DC hasn't been that cold yet, so the lowest temperature we ran in this week was about 38 degrees. It was still cold, but not that bone-chilling kind that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a blanket. We have also moved about one run a week indoors on the treadmill, but we don't want to get too used to that. Some tips I've come across include:

if you have to run on icy or snowy roads, opt for the snow because it provides better traction
protect your hands, feet and head- it will help with circulation
protect exposed skin with moisturizer and sunblock to prevent chapping

It might not be as enjoyable as running in nice weather, but just look at how cool you can dress:

http://www.runnersrescue.com/Cold_Weather_Running_Tips.htm

http://running.about.com/od/coldweatherwinterrunning/Cold_WeatherWinter_Running_Information.htm

http://www.runningplanet.com/training/dressing-for-cold-weather-running.html

Day 127

2008-11-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 256

I had an AWFUL run yesterday. We did 14 miles, and I really didn't know if I was going to be able to finish. The weather was humid, I started out too fast, and I didn't get enough gel or water in my body. I felt heavy and out-of-sync the whole time. At one point around mile 10, I honestly started to hallucinate! I was running on the Mt Vernon trail, and it had rained all morning, so there were puddles and leaves everywhere. I was looking ahead toward a dip in the trail, and I swear I saw the whole path covered in one giant puddle. I could see the reflection of the trees and everything. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get around it without getting my shoes wet, when I came up closer and realized there was no puddle at all. WOW. So yeah, now I know how people in the desert feel when they see water that isn't really there. I definitely walked for awhile after that. I managed to finish 14, but it was not pretty. I really hope next week is better.

Top 5 Tuesday- Recycle Your Running Shoes!

2008-11-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

In light of the spirit of being "green", giving to charity, and just having something to do with those old shoes:

Top 5 Places to Recycle/Donate Used Running Shoes

5. Nike Reuse-A-Shoe- Nike will take any brand of shoes and grind them into a material that can be used to make athletic and playground surfaces.

4. Shoe4Africa- This is a charitable organization whose mission is "empowerment through sports and education, creating unique health initiatives, and promoting AIDS awareness."

3. The Shoe Bank- This organization provides shoes for 20,000 people each year in the US and abroad.

2. Sole Responsibility- This is a non-profit Canadian organization that donates gently used running and walking shoes overseas.

1. Heart and Sole- This group provides new and gently used shoes to the world's poorest people. Since 1999, more than 6,000 pairs of shoes have been shipped around the world.

Check out the details including shipping addresses, phone numbers, and websites at the Runner's World Article.

I chose the topic for this post due to the fact that I need to buy running shoes- AGAIN. I didn't realize how expensive running really is! Look out soon for a post about when you need to get new shoes. I've been doing some research.

Personal Best!

2008-11-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

We ran the Veteran's Day 10K this morning, and it was great! I finished in a personal best time of 58:25. Stacy did even better finishing around 47 minutes. There were about 1500 runners on a really flat, fast, out-and-back course. We had disposable shoe timing chips, which was the first I'd seen of those. It was nice not to have to worry about taking the chip off at the end.

This will most likely be the last race we run before the marathon. There is one in December, but the mileage is too low for what we need! Our next local race will probably be the St. Patty's Day 8K in March.

Day 114

2008-11-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

Miles Run So Far: 216

We were able to enjoy a beautiful weekend in Pittsburgh visiting my family for the past few days. We were supposed to run 13 miles but ended up running 15! We ran at North Park, and it was by far the best course we have ever run. It was 5 miles around a lake on a designated bike/jogging path with mile markers every quarter-mile and water fountains every half-mile. The atmosphere was awesome. Everyone who was on the trail seemed so relaxed and calm (compared to DC where everyone is in a big fat hurry). People were walking their dogs, nodding hello to us (also unheard of in DC), and just enjoying the day as much as we were. Don't get me wrong- I love DC, but sometimes people need to take a deep breath and relax for a second!

We felt so good that we added those extra 2 miles. My feet were swollen a bit yesterday, and my quads are still sore today, but other than that it felt great. I think that if I can make it 15 miles, even if I had to walk/hobble jog the rest of the way I would still be able to finish the marathon in under 7 hours. It was reassuring!

"Cotton is Rotten"

2008-10-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd be raving about socks, but here I go! I got some synthetic athletic socks at the Army Ten Miler Race Expo, and the guy who sold them to me told me "cotton is rotten". He also said that the socks I bought were blister-proof. I was skeptical, but he was right! I have been wearing them for a few weeks now, and I have not had any blisters since I switched. They are comfy and stay dry for the whole run. I am just learning so much about this sport. Who knew there were so many aspects to think about?

Now if only I could figure out how to run and drink water without dumping it all over the front of me....

Marathon Fever

2008-10-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

The Marine Corps Marathon took place in DC this morning. We had intentions of going to watch at the finish line, but we were out a bit late last night, so that didn't happen. We did manage to run 12 miles this afternoon, though (barely). We saw a couple of scragglers from the marathon limping around with giant medals around their necks. It was inspiring. I can't wait to wear that Disney one proudly!

Top 5 Tuesday (Day 101)

2008-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 168

I included our mileage total with the Top 5 intro because today's Top 5 has to do with our training schedule. It's a little daunting that we are half-way through training and have not reached ANY of the following distances yet! It's also become complicated due to the cold weather creeping in.

Top 5 Distances in Our Long-Run Training

5. 13 miles (approximately 2.5 hours)- This is just shy of a half-marathon. When I finished the Army Ten Miler, I felt like I could have run another 3 miles if I had to, so here's hoping that still happens!

4. 14 miles (approximately 2.75 hours)- If I can do 13, I can do 14! At least, that's what I keep telling myself. One more mile.

3. 16 miles (approximately 3.25 hours)- I think this one will be brutal. I'll keep you updated.

2. 18 miles (approximately 3.75 hours)- If I can do 16......we'll see!

1. 20 miles (approximately 4.25 hours)- This will be the longest marathon training distance we run. From what I have been reading, it's those last 6.2 miles of the marathon that make or break you. I guess it would take the fun out of running your first marathon if you actually run marathon distance during training. We will be running this one 5 days before Christmas. I'm going to keep thinking about green trees and warm weather even when it's bare branches and freezing wind.

Another Race

2008-10-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

We signed up to race on November 9th-the Veteran's Day 10K. It's going to be much shorter than we are used to running on the weekends now, but it should be very scenic running around all of the monuments again. If you live in the DC area and are interested, registration is still open.

Does anyone have any good races where you live that you really like? Tell me about them in the comments!

Day 94

2008-10-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 148

I was out of town for the long weekend, so I wasn't able to post anything since last week. I won't be doing a Top 5 today, because it has been awhile since I've done a training update. We missed out on a long-run this past weekend (bad trainees!), but out of a 26 week program, it was bound to happen. We are back on track this week.

I've started to experience a side-effect from running that was expected but still a shock every time I wear sandals. The ugly runner's feet. My feet have always been fairly average in the looks department, but wow- run 148 miles in 3 months, add some bruised toenails, blisters, and calluses, and it makes for some really ugly feet! Sorry for the visual, but I wear my bruises proudly under red toenail polish. I earned every one of them!

I would also like to welcome the flood of new readers who have made my blog counter just roll through those numbers in the past few weeks. Please comment and let me know if there are any topics you would like me to research and write about. I'm taking requests!

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-10-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Foods to Eat/Drink Before Long Runs
(not in any particular order)

5. "Safe" Dairy- Soy milk, plain yogurt with live cultures that are easily digestible.

4. Fruit- Bananas have lots of potassium that you need.

3. Refined Carbs- Plain bagels top the list along with pasta and crackers. Refined carbs aren't as nutritious as whole grains, but they are easier to digest and convert into much needed energy.

2. Energy Bars- These come in every shape, size, and flavor.

1. Electrolyte Drinks- Sport drinks (watch the sugar, though!), and electrolyte powders that you can add to water give you more of the minerals you need that water cannot replenish as quickly.

All of the above foods were complied from various websites (running.about.com, runnersworld.com, and yourrunning.com). It's best to eat at least an hour before your run. Always stick with foods your are comfortable with and know will be easy on your stomach!

Success! The Army Ten Miler

2008-10-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Stacy and I both finished the Army Ten Miler this morning with flying colors. It was our first long race and the first time we ran 10 miles. It started out a little rough. There were about 20,000 runners that started in two waves. We were at the end of the second wave, so it took forever just to get to the start. We ran together for 7 miles, and then Stacy took off. I ran a pretty solid pace the entire distance- between 9.5 and 10.5 minute miles according to my Sportband which isn't perfectly accurate, but it's close enough!

The second half of the race was my favorite part. I spent 5 miles passing hundreds of people who weren't pacing and slowed down a lot or just couldn't take the distance. I finished really strong- sprinting the last half mile. Official race results will be posted this evening, but I am not worried about my time. I just wanted to finish!

The race kicked off with a sky jumping team and a four-helicopter fly-over. The weather was perfect- about 65 degrees and sunny. The course started at the Pentagon and took us across the Memorial Bridge and up along the edge of the National Mall. We passed most of the popular monuments, looped around the Capitol, down Interstate 395 and back to the Pentagon for the finish. The spectators were great along the way. I heard some great lines such as, "Great pace", and "Keep a smile on your face!".

Although it was less than half the distance of a marathon, this race made me feel really confident that our dedication to training will pay off in January. I can't wait!

Sit-Ups

2008-10-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

I received several emails from people interested in a sit-up program. Check out the comments section of my Push-Up Madness blog entry. There is a link to what looks like a good one.

Push-Up Madness

2008-10-01T12:11:00.001-07:00

I mentioned the push-up training that my husband Stacy was working on in a previous post. Well, I gave up a long time ago because I really hate push-ups, but Stacy was able to complete the training and do 100+ push-ups in a row without a break! He actually made it to 113. Since he started the program, my brother has joined and is in the process of trying it. Next up is a sit-up program. I am definitely in for that one. I'll keep you updated! In the meantime, check out the push-up program. There is actually a list on the website of the people who have completed it, so Stacy has been added. I am very proud of him and wanted to brag a little bit :)

Day 76

2008-09-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 120

I don't have time to write a long post, but I just have to say that I now love the runners gel packs that give you a nice shot of energy. I tried one this evening for our long run (we had to rearrange our schedule for the weekend), and it worked really well. I did 8 miles without a problem and felt really good. I also slowed my pace down by 30 seconds each mile, and I really think that made a huge difference as well. I'm learning as I go, but I am feeling really confident tonight!

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-09-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am being lazy today with my Top 5 and referencing about.com. My knee is continuing to act up, and I am not very optimistic that it is going to get better unless I take significant time off, which isn't an option! So, this top five is about great shoes for distance runners. Mine are not on the list, but they were fitted by a running pro, so I am confident that they are good for me!

Top 5 Running Shoes for High Mileage Runners (according to about.com)

5. Saucony GRID Stabil- provides cushioning and motion control

4. New Balance 806- lightweight and less expensive

3. Brooks Beast- for runners who are really hard on on shoes

2. Asics Gel MC Plus- helps excessive overpronation

1. Nike Air Pegasus- provides extra cushioning

Day 68- A Milestone!

2008-09-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 100!!!!

I hit a huge milestone today- running 100 miles. It took 68 days with 28 runs at just under a 10 minute mile average pace, but I did it! It is just what I needed to boost my morale. I was starting to get really frustrated and exhausted with training. Nike+ gave me a super cool "seal" to print out after I uploaded my run today, too.

My knee is feeling better! Thank you all for your continuing support. I have some pretty great friends and family.

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-09-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Causes of Blisters (which I am dealing with along with my bum knee)

5. Wet Conditions- Running through wet grass is a sure way of soaking your feet and causing moisture to build up. Plus it's slippery.

4. Cotton Socks- Cotton absorbs moisture instead of wicking it away like synthetic fabrics

3. Sweaty Feet- That darn moisture again. Wear the right socks, and try sprinkling talcum powder on your feet before running.

2. Running at a Faster Pace- Your feet might not be used to the increased friction.

1. Poorly Fitting Shoes- It is so important to get the right shoes for running. Your feet will thank you.

Prevent Blisters!

My Sad Knee

2008-09-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

I hurt my knee.

Well, it wasn't just one moment where I twisted or pulled or strained- it is a stress injury from repetitiveness. I have awesome physical therapist friends, so I got some advice. Apparently my patellar tendon (the one under the kneecap) is inflamed and causing issues with alignment. It's not going to end my running career, but I need to do some exercises to strengthen the muscles around my knee, ice it for a few days, and wear a brace to keep everything in place until it heals.

I am still going to attempt my nine mile run tomorrow, but I will listen to my body and reduce the mileage if I have to. The last thing I want to do is have to quit now! I haven't made it into the double digits yet with long runs.

Wish my sad knee luck!

Day 60

2008-09-10T13:16:00.001-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 80

I am doing much better these past few days than I was on Sunday, that's for sure! I have recovered from my illness, received much needed encouragement, and I am ready to run with a smile again!

Yesterday's short run went really well, even though I was on a treadmill because of the rain.

I started adding some pictures to my previous posts, so check it out. Also I know I missed my Top 5 yesterday, but I'll try harder next week!

Happy Running!

Day 57

2008-09-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 77

slump \ˈsləmp\: to fall or sink suddenly (according to webster's)

It had to happen eventually. I missed three runs this week due to a lingering head cold and then tried to get right back into it and run 8 miles this morning. The sky was clear, the scenery was stunning along the Potomac river, and there was a nice cool breeze, but I did not enjoy it at all. The last two miles were just brutal. Now the doubts are starting to creep in. Everyone who says we are crazy might just be right!

I need major encouragement......I'm a wreck.

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-09-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

I was out of town over the weekend (I managed to squeeze in a lovely 5 mile run in the beautiful town of Olean, NY, though.), so my blogs were sparse this past week. It's already Tuesday again, and you know what that means-

Top 5 Reasons NOT to Run Today (This post is inspired by the onset of a head cold that started today that I hope does not get worse)

5. Extreme Weather- hurricanes, lightning, extreme hot or cold temps- Stick to the treadmill or wait it out.

4. Injury- You are not going to get better if you push an injury. Give yourself the proper time to heal.

3. Sickness- Listen to your body. You might make a cold worse if you over-do it. This is an interesting article on that topic.

2. Recovery- If you are doing a training program for a race, it is important to have built-in days of rest so your body can recover from the exertion and build up endurance for the next run. Our rest days are Mondays and Fridays.

1. Safety- Unfortunately women tend to have to worry about this a lot more than male runners. Try to find a running partner or join a local running club. If you have to run by yourself, stick to well populated areas during busy hours. Don't become the next news headline.

Day 47

2008-08-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 64

It's a step-down week for us, so the mileage isn't adding up as fast as it was. It's really important not to over-train. The last thing we need is for one of us to get injured! As the miles build up each week, there are a few weeks where we back off and run less than what we have been. Then it builds back up again for another four weeks or so until we come to another step-down. We are following a 26 week program that was adapted from three different training programs I came across. I went for the longest one I could find since we are "novice" runners.

One of the best authors I have come across is Hal Higdon. He wrote a marathon training guide that was easy to read and very informative. It talked about everything from diets to stretching. This is his website: www.halhigdon.com.

Check it out!

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-08-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

This week's Top 5 was compiled by a guest contributor to my blog. My wonderful friend Amber has been a driving force behind our decision to run this marathon. She has experience with several marathons. This is her humorous take on the.....

Top 5 Things A Spectator Should Not to Say to Someone Who is Participating in a Marathon

5. "There was some kind of mistake and you went an extra mile." -This is not something to even joke about.

4. "Are you going to win?"- Really? Am I the first person you've seen go past?

3. "What are you doing? Why are the roads closed? How far is a marathon?" -I'm a little busy. I cannot stop and chat, and this is no time for a history lesson, people!

2. "You're looking good!" -Honestly, who looks good after they have been running or walking for hours on end?

1. "You're almost there!"- Unless the finish line is within sight, you have no business saying this.

So for all of you spectators out there, obviously the support is greatly appreciated, but try to stick with phrases such as, "I am so proud of you!", "What an accomplishment!", "Keep going, you can do it!", or anything along those lines!

Thanks Amber! (check out her page in my favorite links)

Day 43

2008-08-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 60

I love that every week in this training program I get to say, "That's the longest distance I've ever run at once". Seven miles yesterday went much better than six miles last week.

So, the following story happened twice so far, and I just have to shake my head.

A few weeks ago, we were running down a fairly long, straight stretch of sidewalk, and Stacy was about 30 yards in front of me, as he usually is toward the end of our runs. There was an older gentleman walking toward us. Stacy went past him, and as I came huffing and puffing past him, the guy said, "I think he's looking tired- you might be able to catch him!" I just laughed and said, "Yeah, I'm trying to!". I told Stacy about it later and then forgot about it. Then, yesterday we were in the same situation on a different street, and this time an older gentleman on a bike rode past us and yelled out to me, "You might be able to catch him. Keep running!" This time I yelled back, "I don't need to. He's my husband. I already caught him!".

I'm pretty sure these people must think I am chasing down random men on the street while I'm running. Like I have nothing better to do!

Next time, Stacy is running behind ME!

All About Stretching

2008-08-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

I've had some comments recently on a previous post where I mentioned stretching all of the important muscles. I really appreciate not only the new readers, but also the great advice, so thanks!

I've been doing some reading on this topic because there seem to be many conflicting reports on warm-up/cool-down regimens, and since I am no expert, I did some research. It seems that the general consensus is that stretching before running can cause injury, and the best thing to do is a light jog to warm up and then follow up a run with lots of stretching while your muscles are warm. I've also discovered that it really makes a difference if you are running in the morning vs afternoon or evening. Stretching before you run isn't so bad in the evening because you have spent the day walking around whereas if you pop out of bed and start stretching, your muscles are "cold" and more prone to injury.

Personally, I have to stretch my hips and calves before I run to prevent immediate tightening whether I warm up with jogging or not. It's really best to talk to your doctor and trainer before you start a training program, and find out what works best for you.

References:
http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_stretch.html

http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Stretching.htm

http://running.about.com/od/running101/a/stretching101_2.htm

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-08-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Marathons (according to runningplanet.com Top 10)

5. Chicago Marathon

4. Maui Marathon

3. Big Sur International Marathon

2. New York Marathon

1. Disney Marathon- this is the one we are running!

Ok, so maybe I chose this list because the marathon we are running was listed as number one, but so what?! Obviously, there are many many lists of top ten races because there are so many races around the country and all have pros and cons. So pick one already and start running!

Day 36

2008-08-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 47

The miles are really adding up fast now. This is the end of week 5 already. I am really excited about how well it is going.

Throughout my life, no one would ever describe me as "athletic". I come from a very athletic family, but somehow those genes bypassed me. My hand-eye coordination rivals that of a four year old, so it's only natural that I have stayed away from team sports that have any kind of bats/balls/kicking/catching involved. I was really into skiing and snowboarding in high school- until I broke my arm.

It's only been in the past 5 years or so that I have embraced individual sports like rollerblading and running. It's really nice to finally be "good at" something, even if it is just adding one more mile each time we run. Determination is key, and people can definitely describe me as "determined". The feeling of accomplishment is really just great.

I think that is why I love running so much. Anyone who is physically capable and in good health can do it. Not much hand-eye coordination involved at all! Let's face it, even four-year-olds can run :)

Day 32

2008-08-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 38 (that's only a few miles shy of the equivalent of running from DC to Baltimore!)

We had our first conflict with our running schedule this past week. We were at a wedding in Ohio in which Stacy was a groomsmen and kept very busy all weekend, so we could not run on Saturday or Sunday.

Even though intentions are good when starting a training program like this, it is inevitable that out of 26 Saturdays, you might not be able to run on all of them! We decided to tweak it a bit and run our long run last night and will most likely have to do something similar next week because we have another wedding this weekend. I guess you have to be flexible both literally and mentally in order to keep your health and sanity!

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-08-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Ways I Make Running Easier

5. Not looking at the distance on my Sportband every 5 seconds- it makes it difficult to concentrate on actually running

4. Taking it slow at first- especially the first mile

3. Not feeling like I have to "catch" or keep up with anyone- run at your own pace

2. Regulating my breathing- come up with an inhale/exhale rhythm that works best for you

1. Stretching my important muscles and joints before* and after- ankles, calves, knees, quads, hamstrings and hip flexors- especially hip flexors!

*See post about stretching!

No headphones?

2008-08-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

Marathons have officially had to attempt to enforce a headphone ban in races. Since many people depend on their music to help them pace and act as a nice focus, I looked into the reasons why. Apart from the obvious one- not being able to hear people around you- I found out the main reason was so that no one could transmit to the top runners as to the whereabouts of their opponents. It seems a bit silly to me because the majority of runners are not "elite" or competing against anyone but themselves. It doesn't really matter in my case, though, because I've gotten used to running without headphones just for safety reasons. I'm way too paranoid about my surroundings!

Top 5 Tuesday

2008-08-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Beginner Runner's Mistakes (from personal experience)

5. Wearing cotton shorts or tee shirts- absorbs the moisture instead of "wicking" it away like the technical shirts and shorts made of more breathable fabric

4. Running on a treadmill- it's just not the same

3. Running too fast- unless you are trying to beat a personal record, the time is not what matters. It's the distance and the endurance

2. Not buying the right shoes from the start- after my knees started aching back in March, I was told to get new shoes. I had them fitted at a specialty running store and it made all the difference

1. Not Drinking Enough Water- wow did my calves cramp today as we finished our run in 85 degree weather. You are supposed to drink before, during, and after

Day 24

2008-08-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 28

I talked to my dad on Saturday and told him how many miles we ran. He always has the same reply. "Was someone chasing you? The only way I'd run that far is if someone was chasing me." Love you Dad!

There is some quote out there that says something like "The view never changes unless you're in the lead". Well, that is certainly true. I have definitely become familiar with the back of Stacy. It's especially noticeable when his head hits the low branches of a flowering tree and I end up with a shower of petals in my face. It's not so bad, though. He keeps me motivated to keep running and not just stop and stroll like I really want to sometimes.

I'm going to try and start posting more often and adding more specific running facts, links, observations, and personal findings. I'm also going to try to throw in some pictures and Top 5 lists, so keep yours eyes open!

Day 19

2008-07-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Miles Run So Far: 21

We have finally leveled off after doing three 3 milers in a row. We move up to 4 miles this Saturday for our long run. We've made it almost 3 weeks, so only 23 more to go! Running is definitely getting easier, and I really look forward to it.

In addition to running, Stacy also has us doing this push-up training program where you do so many sets every other day increasing slowly, and the goal it to build up to doing 100 without stopping. He might be able to achieve this eventually, but I bet I don't get past 25. To quote Dwight from The Office, "Reject a woman and she will never let it go. One of the many defects of their kind........Also, weak arms."

Day 16

2008-07-28T04:52:00.001-07:00

Monday= rest. I love Mondays and Fridays now. Not that I don't enjoy all this running (I better like it since I'll be doing it for the next 6 months), but it's nice not to have to worry about it today.

We ran our first "long run" together on Saturday morning. It was only 3 miles, but the mileage increases weekly, so it won't be long before we will be running all morning every Saturday. I keep telling Stacy that we have to work on pacing and learning to run slower so we can make it all those miles when the time comes. He keeps wanting to beat the last time.

Day 12

2008-07-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

Day 12 and we've run 12 miles so far. We saw a lot of people walking dogs tonight. I keep waiting for one of them to attack me as I run past. (the dogs, not the people!)

I was reading an article in Reader's Digest this week (yeah I get that magazine- what?!), and they were talking about older people who have taken up fitness later in life. The one guy is a 94 year old sprinter. He wins medals in every race he competes. I'm guessing because he's the only one in his age group. I hope I can even walk if I live to be 94.

Day 9

2008-07-21T20:23:00.001-07:00

I spent the weekend in Pittsburgh visiting the family. Since it's so hilly, it was really hard to run. I ended up running up and down the only flat part of my street that's less than 1/2 mile long. The guy washing his car kept looking at me funny since I ran past him about 5 times. It was really humid, so my run kind of sucked.

My friend is fund raising for Team in Training to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. One of the websites that sells training tee shirts is donating 10% of their sales to this wonderful organization. Check it out- the shirts are pretty funny. OneMoreMileRunning.com. Use the promo code TNT to get 10% off your order.

Day 3

2008-07-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

Our first short run- 3 miles. I maintained a 10 minute/mile pace, which is good enough for me. I'm not trying to set any records! Stacy pulled ahead pretty early. I know I slow him down a lot. We're going to have to figure out a better system. He's a foot taller than me, so pacing is difficult!

I got this new gadget that I am so impressed with. It's the Nike+ SportBand. It's a bracelet that has a USB drive attached to it that records your distance, pace, calories and time, and there is a sensor that goes in your shoe. When you get home, you plug it in to the computer, and it downloads your run data into a profile so you can see your runs. It is so cool! You don't need an iPod, but you do need to have Nike+ running shoes because it has a special cut-out for the sensor. I actually got my shoes months ago without realizing they were Nike+. I just really liked them. Guess you can say I'm a fan of Nike right now!

Day 1

2008-07-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

We started our training today to run the Disney Marathon in January. We know it's a lofty goal, but we are really excited about it. It's going to be a long 26 weeks, so we decided to keep a record of the journey and share it with anyone interested in reading about it (so basically our moms and maybe a friend or two- Hi!).

So far, so good. Sundays are cross-training, so we get to do anything but run. Since it was ninety-five degrees out, we stayed in the gym in our apartment and did some weight training. I always like going to the gym downstairs just in case I get a glimpse of the crazy lady who comes in to walk on the treadmill with full painted on Barbie make-up and hair that doesn't move. She's about 75 years old and seriously yells random insults at everyone else down there. It makes the time go by much faster.