The Final Post

It is now 48 hours post marathon and I sit to write my final post. I had full intentions to write while we were in D.C., but time did not permit. It was a weekend filled with wonderful memories and unforgettable experiences. We arrived on Friday around 11am and headed to the hotel to check in. Once we dropped our bags in the room, we headed towards the MetroRail to go to the Expo. It was quite the experience trying to figure out the Metro system! By the end of the weekend, we were pros at figuring out which train we needed. We arrived at the Expo where I received my race packet, which included my race bib, t-shirt, and giveaways. We walked around and visited all the vendors for a couple hours. It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people and I found it to be slightly overwhelming at times. I was trying to be careful not to be on my feet for too long at a time, taking short breaks to rest. After the Expo, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our trip to Old Town (just outside of D.C.) for the Alexandria Ghost Tour. We had a great time in Old Town...did some window shopping, ghost tour, and a nice dinner. The weather was really chilly and windy, making it a nice change from the hot and humid temperatures in Florida. The following day we headed for Union Station to meet the Double Decker Tour Bus. However, we were a little discouraged when we arrived because we were told that there was a rally scheduled for 12pm-3pm and as a result some streets were closed. The main route that would tour the city would not be running that day due to the rally. We knew there was nothing we could do about that, so we stayed positive and took the "blue" route towards Arlington. We got to see a lot of the city along the way, including the White House, Federal Reserve, and Arlington Cemetery. There was so much to take in during our sight seeing. The buildings are massive and the architecture is amazing. By lunchtime we decided to hop off the bus and stay downtown to grab lunch and get a closer look at the White House. The crowds were out of control, and at a moment, I found myself completely overwhelmed by all the people. I never thought of myself as one to be so sensitive to crowds, but perhaps with all on my mind, it was just too much. Mike could tell that something was wrong with me and I had to get myself some lunch and try to re-center. We found a relatively quiet place to grab a sandwich and I did feel much better after I ate. We walked over to the White House to take pictures and finished up the afternoon with some shopping. Saturday evening we met up with the running group in the hotel lobby for a celebration of the race and last minute pep talks. I found myself to be relatively calm the eve of the race. I was confident that I had trained as much as I could train and really had no regrets in terms of my preparation. I also knew that my success in the race would be a matter of perspective and the grace of God. Despite my calmness, I slept with one eye open all night. The hotel failed to give us a wake-up call two mornings in a row and luckily I had set my phone alarm as a backup. But oversleeping wasn't an option on race day. I was awake and ready to go. Race temperatures at the start was 46 degrees and I believe it warmed up to about 58 degrees by the middle of the day. We all met in the hotel lobby at 6:40am and headed out together on the 1 mile walk to the start line. It was game time. The mass of people crowded in the corrals caused for some close personal space! As I approached the start line, I heard Mike screaming my name...I looked to my right and he was waving at me...Jason trying desperately to find me on the camera. "Wow, they saw me!", I thought to myself. We headed out onto the course and the runner traffic was heavy for a while into the race. People were throwing their sweatshirts, gloves, and hats on the street as their body heat was warming up. By mile 3, I approached the first incline I had heard so much about. I didn't find it to be more challenging than what I had trained on during the year. My breathing remained the same, stamina strong, and no change in pace. However, around mile 5 my right knee began to give me intense pain. It felt like IT Band pain, which if you remember from previous posts, after too long it will not allow to continue running. I started praying continuously and paying attention to my gait to make sure I had good posture. I couldn't understand why my knee was hurting so bad, especially this early in the race. I couldn't imagine that the few inclines early in the race could bother my knee so much. Just when I started to panic, the pain would subside a little bit. Then it would return again, and then it would subside. Going into the race, I was confident that the strongest part of the marathon would be the first 3/4 of the race. My longest training run was 19 miles and I had managed to beat that during training. The unknown was mile 20 plus. I couldn't have been more wrong! By mile 17, I finally told my coach, Mary, that my knee was bothering me and had been since mile 5. She told me I should have told her earlier! I just didn't want to put it out in the universe that I was hurting. I wasn't ready to consider what would happen if the pain would not subside. Mary handed me Alleve and I quickly prayed for a miracle. Within 5 minutes, my knee pain was virtually non-existent! We made the last loop before the bridge which signified mile 20!! Suddenly, I felt energized and recharged. What I thought would be the most difficult part of the race, became the most powerful. Along the race, we met another runner named Sarah. She was a survivor of Thyroid Cancer. At mile 22, we both felt a surge of energy and we left the pace group. We kicked it up a notch and busted out the last few miles. As we were approaching the 26 mile marker, I told her, "Let's sprint across the finish line!" She said for me to go and she would be right behind me. At that moment, I clicked a switch. I felt my gait roll up to my toes, my calves flexed, my arms propelled me forward, and my breathing was my fuel. The last .3 miles of the race were up-hill. Marines lined each side of the last 100 yards until the finish line. As I came around the corner and up the hill, one Marine told me to "Dig Deep" and I heard him and just continued up the hill. The only other thing I remember hearing was the sound of my husband screaming "Go Jenn, Go Jenn, Go Jenn!!!" It was the most powerful thing I could hear at that moment and will never forget what that sounded like. I crossed the finish line and was almost in shock that the race was complete. There were no tears, just pure satisfaction. I walked ahead to the line of Marines waiting to drape medals to the runners. I stepped up to him and he said, "Congratulations, Ma'am." This whole process, lasting most of the year, had come to an end. An end that declared success and achievement. An end that my husband and son were able to witness. An end that will forever define who I am. I have accomplished many things in my life that have been the result of fighting against the world and how I am shaped among others. But, I haven never accomplished such a fight against MYSELF. The distance race truly is a discovery of the self. I am honored that my body allowed me to partake in such an event. All the family, friends, money, and education would be worth nothing without my health. I am grateful that today, I have good health. I never know what tomorrow will bring. What I do know is this...I began this journey in hopes to complete a bucket list item. What I found in the end, was a closer look at what my soul is made of. I am already thinking of what I will do next! Perhaps another marathon? Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. My hopes is that you enjoyed reading about all the series of events that went along with my training and perhaps maybe even learned something. I have heard from many of you that I have inspired you to work towards YOUR goal. I want you to know that I believe in you and my only wish for you is to find YOUR power within you. It may not be in the form of completing a marathon. Life is short, and you DESERVE to experience self-discovery, in whatever form it may take. Remember this, to live each day as if it were your LAST, you would be trying to remedy all the mistakes you had made, all the regrets, all the things unsaid. If you live each day as if it were your FIRST, you are freed from all obligations, all guilt, all regret. Peace.

The Final Days...

Yesterday morning, I completed my last run with the group for the training season. Mary, Nancy, and I set out for an easy 7 mile run and we were done before sunrise. It is still slightly surreal that the days and weeks have lead me to the final week before the marathon. I have juggled training, injuries, work, family responsibilities, and travel to accomplish the commitment required to train for a marathon. I couldn't have been in better company with those that I trained with, along with the support I received from my family and closest of friends. This weekend has been busy, but I spent most of the morning organizing the paperwork I need to bring to D.C. Flight information, hotel and expo directions, and registration confirmation forms are all included, just to name a few. I have my "Bring to D.C." list on the fridge and I am adding more to the list each day. My running coach suggested that I pack everything on a carry-on bag...this will avoid the baggage fee at the airport and ensure that my luggage won't get lost! The last thing I need is to lose my running shoes! I will be very strict with my diet this week. I will completely avoid refined sugar, increase my hydration, and stock up on Vitamin C. Of all weeks, my husband is getting sick with a respiratory cold. He will be sleeping in our spare room and staying AWAY from spreading his germs as much as possible. This week will be very little exercise. I will do TRX on Monday and Wednesday and will run a few miles on Tuesday. Wednesday will be my last day of exercise this week. We fly into D.C. on Friday the 29th. I am looking forward to the sight-seeing in D.C., all the while, taking care of my legs and making sure I'm not on my feet too much before the race. Stay tuned for more updates this week as I prepare for the big day on Sunday!

All in Good Company

With the last long run behind me, today Leah and I set out for a 7 mile run. At 6am, the temperature was a brisk 55 degrees. Within the first mile, our body heat had warmed up and we were running in perfect running temperature. We enjoy our runs so much. It's a chance to catch up on the weeks activity and chat about the plans for the weekend. After our run, we headed to the YMCA for the 8:30am TRX class. Our morning was certainly productive, to say the least! All the while we were running 7, our running coach was in Iowa running her 78th marathon in her 50th state!!! That's right, Mary started running 11 years ago and she has managed to run 78 marathons. Her goal is to run 100 marathons by the time she is 65. She is truly an inspiration. I have one more week of my usual activity before I have to really taper my physical activity. I got my last pre-marathon massage yesterday and plan to do HOT yoga tomorrow for some deep stretching. Next week will include the usual running, TRX, and personal training. I really have to listen to my body and make sure I get plenty of sleep. In fact, today I crashed for over an hour. I need to be super charged on sleep for the big day. I'm really concentrating on my hydration and nutrition these next 2 weeks. Each and every day leading up to the marathon are critical. Mary shared 26 marathon tips on her weekly email this week that I think are helpful. I have printed them out and plan to refer to them for reminders! 1. It's better to be 10% under trained than 1% over trained. 2. Remember that nutrition is not just important the day of the race. Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat balanced meals several days leading up to the race so your body is well nourished. 3. Trim your toenails at least two days before your race. 4. Trust your training and go with what the day gives you. Be flexible enough to make adjustments during the race and don't be afraid to have multiple goals going into it. Start conservative and hopefully game plan A will take full effect!! 5. Get a really good nights rest two nights before. It's much more important than the night before the big day. 6. Have a dress rehearsal of what you want to wear head to toe for the race. This includes laying out all items you will need or be taking with you for the race. Always include a cold or hot option so you can adjust depending on the race day weather. Pack one of every type of gear... no matter what the weather is SUPPOSED to be. 7. A huge need is BODY GLIDE and SOCKS. 8. Don't try anything new on race day. 9. Wear compression to avoid chafing. 10.Always go to the bathroom AT LEAST twice before the race, even if you don't think you need to go. 11. Take a Pepto-Bismol tablet before the race begins. It will settle a nervous stomach and help you avoid those "long stops" in the porta-potties. 12. Use a plastic bag, or throw away shirt at the start of the race instead of overdressing. 13. Remember a 1% decrease in hydration results in a 2% decrease in performance... Training for a 5k is a hobby. Training for a marathon is a lifestyle. 14. Wear your name on your shirt if it's not on your race number so spectators can cheer for you! 15. Don't go out faster than you trained, start slow and relaxed. Use the hydration/nutrition products you trained with. 16. Think of your race in pieces, run aid station to aid station. Mentally it is easier to do 2 miles than the full distance. 17. If doing the full, don't get sucked in to the half marathoner's pace when they are nearing their finish. Remember that they are finishing and you still have 13 miles to go! Also just watch your pace overall. Use that race day adrenaline but in an endurance pick me up way, not an excited sprint the first 3 miles way. 18. Walk through the aid stations. It's better to get a good drink. You'll lose more time if you get dehydrated than by walking a couple of minutes. 19. Take the electrolyte drinks whenever you can and water at every stop, don't wait until you need them. 20. Squeeze the cup! So you can drink out the little V opening. If you do choose to jog through, it will minimize what you spill on yourself. Practicing this technique could be beneficial if you are really trying for a good PR. 21. In the later miles make sure your arms are swinging forward and back, not side to side. 22. If you're going to make a mistake in a marathon, make it late! Too many runners run themselves out of races in the beginning. Save your bad (or brave) ideas for the last half. 23. When its late in the race, and you're hitting the wall...just keep taking steps. The miles run themselves. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other, and you'll get there. It may seem like you're so far away from finishing, but you just have to keep taking steps. 24. Have fun! The marathon is an incredible feat. It's a shame to finish something so incredible and feel anything less than the kind of joy that brings tears to your eyes. If you can't have fun, it's not worth it. AND try to smile, it helps to relax your muscles which will leave you feeling better running, and you look good for the photographers along the course! 25. To aid in recovery, walk a little after you finish, hydrate, and eat a carbohydrate/protein snack. Compression sleeves are great to wear afterwards, especially if you are going to be driving a long way. Take plenty of easy rest days and take pride in your accomplishment! 26. Learn a lesson from every race. 14 days and counting until race day!!!

Week 23 - The Last Long Run

After all these weeks of training, today was the last long run before the marathon. The month of October has been surreal for me. All year I have been training for this month. I've battled 4 injuries since January, experimented with different nutritional supplements, introduced new cross-training, decreased and increased my run days during the week, and even hired a personal trainer. All year, I have been working towards getting myself strong enough to withstand the demands of distance running. I am proud to say that I completed 18 miles today and never have felt stronger. I remember when I ran 15 miles for the first time. And then I ran 19 miles. And then I did a 26 mile split weekend, 13 on Saturday and 13 on Sunday. I kept waiting and waiting to really feel like I could beat this thing called running. Today, I felt like I beat it. We set out this morning at 6am. Some of us were planned to run 9 miles and others started at 4am and did 26! I couldn't have been happier that one of my running coaches, Nancy, was able to run this morning. She suffered from a foot injury about 3 weeks ago and hasn't been able to run since. But she was there this morning, along with my other coach, Mary. I knew in advance that Mary and Nancy would do 9 miles today. I had planned to run the remaining miles with Karen. However, Karen had to leave after only a couple miles. Nancy, Mary, and I set out for the 9 and it was smooth sailing (or running, I suppose). On the way back over Ringling Bridge, I told Mary and Nancy bye and did a lap in Bird Key to begin my remaining 9 miles. Mary and Nancy continued on to their cars and headed to the usual meeting place, Starbucks. As I began my first mile on my own I turned on my iPod and enjoyed just being with me. When I first started running I couldn't have dreamed of running 9 miles by myself. But now, it is almost therapeutic to have some time on my own. I either get lost in whatever song is playing or I get lost in my thoughts. I started to think about how we will be leaving for D.C. in 3 weeks. I'm so excited that Mike and Jason will be seeing me cross the finish line. Mike has seen me finish in 1 of the 4 half-marathons I have done, but Jason has never. I started to think about Jason. I thought about how much he motivates me. For most people I would think that the children look up to their parents for motivation. And that is true with me, my parents have given me endless motivation to follow my dreams. But at the same time, my son has been the driving force of MY motivation since his first day in existence in this world. It is because of him that I strive to be better. My quest to complete this marathon has become a self-discovery. Only in the last 2 years have I taken this interest in ME. Prior to Mike's "great idea" to sign us up for a membership at the YMCA, I had done ZERO in terms of fitness. Working full-time, school full-time, and mommy-hood full-time was on the priority list. But a series of events occurred, along with reading a few books, and I began to change what I was eating, drinking, doing, and thinking. I still remember when I told Mike my crazy idea to train for a marathon. I turned 30 last year and started a bucketlist. I told him by the time I'm 31, I want to run a marathon. He had his doubts at first, which was the reason I decided to do it! I am so glad that I did. The Jennifer I used to be wouldn't recognize me now. So, as I was running today I was thinking about this road I've been on this year. The tears were falling down my cheeks and I told myself not to get all emotional, I still had 9 more miles to run! I am so grateful for the family and friends that I have. There is a select group of people that have really touched my life this year. You know who you are. I could not have done this without you. On my last 2 miles, I ran into Stephanie's pace group. Steph saw that I was running by myself and she stayed with me. We ran the last 2 miles together. It was great. I just can't describe the camaraderie between runners, especially between Stephanie and I. She's the one who originally encouraged me to train and complete a marathon. And I'm so glad that I did. This experience has changed my life. I'm proud that I have successfully completed the hardest part of marathon training. The next 2 weeks will be taper runs and nothing I can't handle. And from a distance, I can already see that finish line.

Scratch That!

This morning brought some frustrating news...after I managed to pull myself out of bed and head to the YMCA for the High Intensity Training class, I learned that it was cancelled. Apparently, not enough people signed up for the class. I was very frustrated since I was looking forward to it, but figure that everything happens for a reason. I was hesitant at first to sign up for the class just because I didn't want to over-extend myself in new exercises that could lead to a potential injury. I also seriously contemplated the fact that the series was $80 in addition to my monthly membership fee. But, in an effort to increase my stamina, I agreed to do the class and showed up this morning with high hopes. Since I was already dressed and ready for the workout, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill followed by TRX class. I had a great workout this morning despite the change of plans. Looking forward to a great week. The weather is really pleasant the last few days and it makes my run so much more enjoyable. Hoping to squeeze in a personal training session this week, if possible. Stay tuned this week for a post on a "Day in the Life" for nutritional and supplement information on my current regime.

Change of Plans

This morning was a scheduled 8 mile run, however I was unable to make it. When I woke up this morning I had severe stomach cramps (for reasons not needed to be discussed) and instead of reaching for my running shoes, I had to reach for the heating pad. I was paralyzed from the pain and still tried to convince myself to get up and get dressed. Unfortunately, I was unable and forced to listen to my body. My husband woke up to my agonizing pain and helped me get comfortable. I text messaged Leah and told her I didn't think I could make it this morning. I was able to find some relief from the heating pad and as the cramps subsided, I was able to sleep. When I woke up a couple hours later, I was feeling much better. I did some housework and went out for a 5K run in my neighborhood. Since my body was still slightly weak, I didn't push myself on the miles. But I had to do something since my day was completely thrown off by missing the run with the group. The upcoming week calls for intense training. I will be adding a 4th day of TRX this week. Leah is coming tomorrow for her introduction to TRX....I'm hoping she will like it as much as I do! It's actually a TRX/spin class. I'm also beginning a 4 week specialized class at the YMCA with my trainer. It will be 2 days a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6am. I will continue to do TRX on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as well. And somehow, manage to fit some runs during the week as well. It will be busy, but it is marathon month! October will be intense training as I prepare for the race on the 31st. Stay tuned for updates on the new class!

Week 21

Since my last post, I recovered from the 26 mile split run with little injury. My left foot was giving me some trouble, however with some rest and that special touch from my chiropractor, it is back to normal. The plantar fasciitis pain has been creeping back up and I think that played a role in the foot pain. I'm trying to stretch it as much as possible and I wear my boot at night. I took Monday through Wednesday off from running last week. Even though my pain was almost non-existent, I didn't want to over do it from the 26 miles. Although I didn't just lay on the couch either...I still went to TRX class and by Thursday I was running again. I'm staying very busy between my runs, TRX class 3 times a week, and keeping up with weekly personal training sessions. The last two personal training sessions have focused on my abs. It's an area that I want to totally TRANSFORM on my body and will also keep propelling me through the marathon. A strong core is imperative for a runner. I'm finding that as much as I want to improve my ab strength, I also need to focus on my low back strength. For many of the exercises, the low back muscles are crucial. As a person who never thought would be the type to exercise, much less have a personal trainer, I have found it to be very motivational. When I'm running, I constantly have to self-talk my way through difficult parts of the run. But when I'm doing a personal training session, I have someone coaching me through the difficult parts and holds me accountable to finishing the task. It is very rewarding and challenging. This past weekend I was unable to run with the group on Saturday because I was out of town. However, Leah and I ran just shy of 8 miles on Sunday morning. The weather is starting to be consistently cool on our morning runs and it really makes such a difference! It is so much more enjoyable running in the morning when it isn't so dreadfully HOT! I am really getting excited about the marathon. I can't believe it is nearly October and soon it will be count down! Looking back on all these weeks of training, especially in the last month, I am feeling really confident. I know my mental strength is a big factor in finishing the race. But I also feel that I have kicked it up a notch in my physical routine, as well as, nutritional routine. I have found that there is ALWAYS room for improvement and I have really tried to incorporate different strategies in my workout to truly challenge myself. I've never been stronger than I am today. I am in the zone and I like it here.

26 Mile Split Run - Day 2

From my last post I shared with you that I was more than likely running solo today. But, my long time friend and running partner, Stephanie, text messaged me yesterday asking about the run. When she learned that I would be running solo today, she said she would be joining me for the first hour just until the sun would be rising and she could still get to church on time. Let it be known...that SHE ran 24 miles yesterday. But, because she is a good friend and was concerned for my safety, she joined me this morning at 6am and we shared a 4 mile run together. Afterwards, the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds and she went on to church and I ventured off on my own for the remainder of the miles. The weather was once again on my side today. At 6am it was a breezy 72 degrees! During the run, I felt strong. My energy was at full performance. My only "complaint" was my left foot was giving me some pain. I pushed through and since the pain wasn't escalating, I continued. I put one ipod earphone in one ear and used my other ear to hear my watch when it beeped and/or anyone behind me. The run was not too bad on my own. I had certainly never ran that far by myself for a training run. There have been times during a half marathon that I find myself behind my pace group, but at least there are hundreds of other runners beside me all trying to reach the finish line. This morning was a big accomplishment for me. I found myself fighting back the talk in my mind of ways I could turn around early. I could have easily used my foot as an excuse, but I didn't. And it was so great to take that last step and say that I had run a complete 13 miles today!!! I actually clenched my fists as a symbol of victory when I reached the mark today. I have spent the rest of the morning resting. My left foot in particular is quite painful. I have iced it and spent very little time on my feet to give it a chance to recover. Overall, I feel great besides the foot. I will watch and see how my foot improves to determine my level of activity for early this week. I may have to take a couple days off exercise if my body requires rest. Thanks to all of you who have supported me through this weekend. Accomplishing a 26 mile weekend is HUGE! And I could not have done it without YOUR support.

26 Mile Split Run - Day 1

This week called for a long run...and from the advice of my running coaches, we decided it would be wise to split up the 26 miles over 2 days. This way, I am still feeling the effects of 26 miles on my body within 24 hours time, but not all at once. In preparation for this weekend, I decreased some of my weekday running. The combination of preparing for today and my work schedule, I only ran 3 miles on Wednesday this past week. I also did TRX 3 days. I have also continued a strict schedule of my intake of BCAA/Glutamine powder, whey isolate, and nighttime casein protein. Having completed today's miles, I am feeling golden. I can remember a time not very long ago when it took ALL I had to make it 13 miles. The combination of ZERO history of exercise, lack of training, crappy lungs, inadequate nutrition pre/during/post race, wrong pace, and simply just being inexperienced, led to a miserable run. It's amazing what a little time and knowledge can bring. The girl I used to be would never recognize me now. Even if I never run another step, I know that I have evolved into someone beyond what my capabilities used to be. I can actually find the steady deep breathing, excessive sweat, and the timing of my intervals to be quite refreshing. On a day like today when there is a cool breeze at my face, the only word that sums it up is DELIGHTFUL. On a not-so-happy note, my running coach stepped on a rock this morning and it managed to twist her ankle. She had to turn around and head back to the car about half way through the run. I just received a message from her that she will not be able to run with me tomorrow. And unfortunately, it was just going to be her and myself tomorrow. So, I may have the company of my husband riding the bike alongside me or I may be heading out solo. I have never ran that far alone, but the more I am thinking about it, the more I am ok with it. Running is great therapy for the mind and it may be nice to appreciate the silence. Meanwhile, today calls for hydration, nutrition, and REST. Stay tuned for updates on split run day 2!!

Taper Run and Dungeons!

Today was scheduled to be bridge repeats on the training schedule. However, some of the group opted to do a straight run. Leah and I set out to do just shy of 8 miles, while others in the group were doing as much as 20 miles. We specifically wanted to curtail the mileage today due to Leah's recovery from a foot injury and my 10:00am appointment at "the dungeon". Yes, you read that correctly. Since I have been doing TRX 3 days a week, I learned that the instructor also offers personal training. Today was our first session and it was intense! The training was in a warehouse gym (otherwise know as "the dungeon"), which was set up just like it sounds...there is no a/c, 2 fans, and a giant room of weights, boxing ring, football field room, and space for circuit training. But, not just the usual circuit training. Here is an outline of what the session entailed: jump-ups onto a plywood box, jumping on-into- and out a giant truck tire, pulling a weighted tire sled, swinging medicine ball, flipping 150 lb. tires, swinging a sledge hammer onto a tire, ab exercises on a mat, and pull ups on a high bar, just to name a few. WOW! I really surprised myself when I flipped 150 lb. tires! It was really hard and really amazing at the same time. Definitely something that will enhance my cardio and overall strength, while targeting specific areas like my abs. The 8 mile run was a cake-walk compared to the hour of intense circuit training. Needless to say, it was a productive day. Afterwards, I felt rejuvenated and enjoyed a day of relaxing and spending time with friends. I'm REALLY looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow! My first day all week of NO EXERCISE! This past week was intense since I increased my running days from 3 days a week to 6, along with 3 days of TRX. I also made some changes in my nutrition...I am taking a BCAA/Glutamine powder 2 times a day, whey isolate protein 2 times a day with glutamine, and a caseign protein before bed. My goal is to TONE and FIRM and not deplete my muscle strength from the increased running that the marathon training demands. Next week calls for TRX and a 26 mile split run on Saturday and Sunday. That's right...I will be doing 13 miles Saturday morning and 13 miles Sunday morning!!

7 and some change

Happy Labor Day weekend! I decided to skip Saturday's run as I was preparing to leave town for the weekend and instead I ran this morning. Leah and I met at 6:30am and had such a nice run! The weather was overcast with some mild humidity, but the occasional breeze and good company made for a really great run. We did a 4 mile loop and then headed over the Ringling Bridge. We think we did a little more than 7 miles today. It was one of those runs that could have gone on forever. I was feeling strong and all my body parts were cooperating today! My week ahead calls for TRX and running...and on Saturday, after my run, I have my first personal training session for circuit training. I will keep you posted! Have a great week!

Do-Over

This morning's run really aggravated me....I managed to pull myself out of bed and drive to the track and then couldn't complete a full run. So, I made up my mind to go to the bridge tonight with my son. It was a beautiful day and the weather was slightly cooler than usual, with only some major wind at the top of the bridge...but we managed to have a great run and NO SIDE STITCH! This morning must have been a freak occurrence...I am a bit sore from my recent TRX training, specifically under the area of my rib cage. I suspect that some of this soreness may have contributed to a spasm during this mornings run. Either way, I was meant to run again today, and I'm glad that I did. Tomorrow calls for the first day of a new month, an hour run on the track, followed by TRX.

Side Stitch

Since the 19 mile run on Saturday, I have recovered quite well. My foot is doing great with very minimal pain and my hip is starting to feel attached to my leg again...LOL. I have been stretching and iced my hip over the weekend. I spoke with a friend who is an experienced runner last night. We were talking about the frequency of my running injuries and he suggested that I increase the frequency and duration of my runs during the week. My schedule had been 3-4 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a long run on Saturday. Instead, he recommended running no less than 5 miles during the week. Additionally, I would be increasing from 2 days a week, to at least 4 days. I was always under the impression that I should be conservative during the week, maintaining a 45 minute weekday run, to avoid injury for my long runs. However, it is quite the opposite. By running less miles during the week, my body is not adequately prepared to withstand the long miles on Saturday. So, it is a conditioning approach to becoming stronger for the long runs ahead. Of course, it calls for a "dedication check" since it will require more time and commitment on my part to get these miles in during the week. With that said, I headed to the YMCA this morning to run the outside track. I walked the first lap as a warm up and then started running. Almost instantly, I developed a side stitch. This happens very rarely to me, but I know how to control my breathing and stretch to help it subside. However, today was not successful. This was a bit discouraging. I continued to deep breathe and stretch, but was only able to run (or attempt to run) for 30 minutes today. I suppose it wasn't meant to be today. I came home and did a bit of research to make sure there wasn't other things I could do....here is what I found on side stitch while running. It is described as a sharp, twinge of pain just below the ribs, usually on the right side of the abdomen. There is no direct cause of a side stitch, although some theories support that it has to do with what a runner eats prior to the run. One study reports that those that consumed fruit juice or beverages high in carbohydrates can instigate the onset of a stitch. The more complicated theory is that it is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to internal organs, specifically the liver. While breathing, the jarring motion stretches these ligaments. For some people, they exhale when the left foot hits the ground. Others, exhale when the right foot hits the ground. It is those that exhale when the right food hits the ground that may be more prone to a side stitch. During the exhale on the right foot, it causes greater force on the liver. So as the liver is dropping down, the diaphragm is raising. The theory is that this repeated stretching leads to spasms. If you develop a stitch while running, it is recommended to stop and place your hand on your right side of your belly and push up while breathing evenly. While running, concentrate on deep inhalations and exhales. Short, shallow breathing can instigate a stitch. Many times, stretching can resolve the stitch and allow for a pain free run. Also, slowing down the pace, even to a walk may help. To read more: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuries/a/aa053100a.htm

17+1+1=19

Today was scheduled to be a 17 mile run...however, the weather was perfect and I was feeling a bit zealous, so I completed 19 miles. We started our run at 5am instead of 6am in an effort to avoid as much sunlight (aka HEAT) as possible. But, to my surprise the temperature was 74 degrees at 4am!!! The weather made for a very pleasant run considering we had so many miles to do. There was a great breeze through the entire run, especially on the bridge. I had a nice proportion of fluid intake, along with my Gu and dextrose. I think the last 3 miles were more painful just because I knew I was almost done. I had to work with myself mentally to talk myself through the last few miles. Now I will have a couple weeks of taper runs and then do another moderate run, maybe 15 miles or so? At the end of September I have a 26 mile split run planned with Nancy. So I am done with today's run and I plan to rest, rest, rest. My foot is holding up pretty well right now. I soaked in Epsom Salt and I am icing my feet as I type. Next week calls for more TRX and a couple 3 mile runs. I really am in awe that I did 19 miles today, I can't wait for Marine Corps!!!

TRX Suspension Training

This morning I began a new cross-training exercise called TRX Suspension Training. All I have to say is OMG and WOW! The suspension training is pretty cool and you use your own body weight to move through the exercises. (See the link at the end of this post to view the website.) The class was divided into two groups. One group worked on the "straps" and one group did cardio exercises. Each group worked on the same interval schedule, one set of 45 seconds and a second set of 60 seconds. The cardio exercises were jumping jacks, mountain climbers, push ups, squats, running in place with high knees, and shoulder presses with arm weights. It's hard to describe the suspension training exercises without being able to demonstrate, but basically it involved bicep curls, push ups, planks, etc. The video links on the website provided will be helpful for the visual of the straps. Stephanie and I had run 3 miles prior to the class starting, and I quickly learned that one water bottle is not enough for running and a TRX class. Silly me. I will definitely come more prepared next week! It was a great workout, although I did get a bit light headed about half way through the class. However, once I sat for about 10 minutes, I was able to get back in the class and finish the hour. Afterwards, I felt so energized and awake! It was a tough class, but I really liked the fact that I was able to work my entire body. I think if I stay with this for a while I can really gain overall physical tone and strength. The instructor was great and said this program was invented by Navy Seals. I plan to incorporate this class in my schedule at least once a week, ideally twice a week. My arms are sore but I think I should be back to normal tomorrow. I considered going back on Friday, but I'm doing a 17 mile run on Saturday so I better be ready! By the way, the foot is soooo much better than this time last week. I'm feeling really confident about Saturday's run! Start time will be at 5am. Check out www.fitnessanywhere.com to learn more about TRX.

Grateful

All week long you have been hearing about my foot injury and how it HAD brought my spirits down. I am happy to say that I ran just shy of 7 miles today and my foot cooperated very well! I am so grateful for my feet and my body that allow me to run. I had doubts that my foot would withstand such distance today, but it did. When I arrived this morning I thought it would just be Leah and I doing a straight run, but Mary, Nancy, and some of the girls in our pace group surprised us and joined. They went on to do 9 miles. Leah and I settled for 7 miles since she is battling a foot injury as well. The morning was hot and humid, but the occasional breeze and good company made for a really great run. After the run, I was able to sit down with my wonderful running coaches, Mary and Nancy, and we planned out my schedule for training runs. It's hard to believe that the marathon is almost here! Only 9 weeks to go! We have revised my schedule a little bit, thanks to good advice from my fellow running partners. Here what it will look like for the duration of training: Week of 8/28: 15-19 miles, weeks 9/4 and 9/11 taper runs, week 9/18: 10 miles, week 9/25-9/26 split run each day 13 miles, week 10/2 - taper run, week 10/9: 15-18 miles, weeks 10/16 and 10/23 taper runs. All of this will still be dependent on my currently healing foot injury. Due to the fact that I am a magnet for running injuries, they thought it would be best if I split my 26 mile run into 2 phases, but still within 24 hours. So, I will do 13 Saturday morning and 13 Sunday morning. This way, I will have completed the 26 miles, but in a more conservative way. I am looking forward to the weeks ahead! Stay tuned for a new cross-training exercise experience this week: TRX Suspension Training.

Things are looking up!

What a difference a day makes...since my last post on Tuesday my foot has drastically improved! I went to see my chiropractor yesterday and she reassured me that I would get through this. I told her where my pain was and she worked on that area. She also showed me a stretch I can do for my foot during the day. Since the sudden injury, my pain is not staying in one localized area. Instead, it has moved into a few different areas of my foot. If it would have been a stress fracture, the pain would remain localized. Right now, my discomfort is in my toes. I know it probably sounds strange, but it is the ultimate toe cramp kind of feeling. I felt a lot of relief after I left her office yesterday afternoon. I called the girls and planned to run this morning. We did 3 miles this morning and I would report that I felt approximately 90% better than I did Tuesday. The only thing I changed since Tuesday was the fact that I wore my old running shoes. I had been wearing New Balance since November of 2009 and recently switched to Saucony. I'm considering going back to New Balance. The run was a success and I'm icing the toes as I type. The last couple days I have found myself in silent prayers. Whenever I think about my foot I send a little request up above to help me through this. This Saturday was planned to be track work on the training schedule, but the group decided to do bridge repeats instead. Due to the fact that I am not 100% healed and bridge repeats are intense on the feet, I have opted out. Instead, I will run with my running friend, Leah, and we will do a straight run. Most likely, it will be 7-8 miles. More updates to follow after the Saturday run. Thanks for all the positive thoughts and prayers...keep them coming my way!!!

Trial Run

Today was my first run since this recent foot injury. I had been feeling some relief over the weekend and went to see my chiropractor yesterday for another treatment. She encouraged me to try to run this morning and just stay close to home to see how much I could handle. I had some soreness in my foot the minute I stepped out of bed this morning. I tried to stay hopeful that the run wouldn't be too painful. During my walk warm up I was trying not to change my gait, but my foot was quite sore. I began to run through my intervals and was pleased that running did not increase my already existing pain. I made it through 30 minutes and had to return home only because I did not wake up early enough for any longer. I also didn't want to over do it and be in severe pain the rest of the day. It is interesting because once I showered and got ready for work, my heels are actually the most comfortable for my foot and has the least impact on my gait. I have iced twice today and I am heading to the couch for more ice and maybe some massage. I must admit, this has brought my spirits down a bit. This is now my fourth injury since January of this year. I know in part this comes with the territory in being a runner. But I also know that I am just not strong enough. The time necessary for proper cross training and overall body strength are something that I lack. I was speaking to a fellow running acquaintance today who said she maintains a 10 mile maximum training run and doesn't rely on an intensive training schedule for a marathon. She believes that the mental component during the race is the essential element to crossing the finish line. She said that if you can run a strong 10 mile run, a marathon requires three times your strength. Just as a half marathon requires three times the strength of a 5k run. I have thought about that today and it has crossed my mind that perhaps I will not sustain the training schedule set before me. To date, my longest run is 15 miles. Initially, I had wanted to run a full 26 mile training run to feel that I had already accomplished such distance while I am at the race. But now I am not sure if that is the best plan. I am going to continue my treatments with the chiropractor and have a serious talk with my running coach this Saturday to discuss my training schedule. Obviously, I don't want to jeopardize my training by "over-training" and then be faced with a severe injury that prevents me from even reaching the start line at Marine Corps. I'm not sure why I have been faced with these injuries this year. Nothing is harder than having a goal and experiencing these set backs to make it so difficult to accomplish something! I'm seeking peace around this and praying for strong feet to get me through this journey. I'm actually looking forward to the 19 mile run in 2 weeks, but I need to be strong enough to complete it...which means my feet need to cooperate! Positive thoughts and prayers are welcomed right now for me.

Dropped Cuboid Bone

Since my last post on the 15 mile run, I recovered quite well. By Sunday morning I woke up feeling my normal self. I had a business meeting Monday through Wednesday that kept me from doing a run day on Tuesday. But, I returned home Wednesday evening and made plans to run with Stephanie on Thursday morning. About half way into the run, my right foot started to give me pain on the outside of the foot. I mentioned to Stephanie how strange it was that my right foot was suddenly giving me problems. Usually my left leg is the difficult one. We were almost done with a 5 mile run and my foot started to really hurt. The pain wasn't only on the outside, it was now radiating sharp pain into my toes. I could no longer run and we had to walk the last 1/2 mile back to Steph's house. Ugh! I got to my car and took my shoes off. I wasn't sure what the heck was going on. When I got home I was limping and in a lot of pain. I iced it and got ready for work. Immediately, I called and made an appointment to see my chiropractor. My work day consists of a lot of standing and walking, but I managed to get through it. I saw my chiropractor on Friday and told her the story. She immediately identified my symptoms and diagnosed it as a "dropped cuboid bone". A dropped what?? She said she has treated it before and it is very common for this to suddenly occur. I am scheduled to see her three times next week. The cuboid bone is one of seven bones in the foot. The cuboid syndrome often manifests in lateral (side-to-side) pain or foot weakness. The pain may come on suddenly or gradually persist over time. The condition mainly affects athletes, especially those with a significant amount of impact on the feet. The patient's foot type may play role, for instance in those that overpronate or underpronate. A medical professional can treat this syndrome by realigning (also known as reducing) the subluxed cuboid. It is a manual manipulation that is done by a trained professional. For some patients, this treatment also includes being fitted for orthotics. So, yesterday was a planned 10k race with the group. I was not able to run but I did show up to support the group. When everyone crossed the finish line they were complaining how miserably hot it was. It was so difficult to see them running in and hear their labored breathing. I really wanted to be running with them. My running coach encouraged me to follow the doctors orders and be conservative right now. At least we are on a two week taper until the next big long run which is 19 miles. I have been icing the foot and I am starting to feel some relief after only one treatment with the chiropractor. I believe that I will get through this set back, just like I have done all the others. Even if I show up at the start line under-trained, I will get through this race. Stay tuned for updates this week...

The Long(est) Run...to date

Today was certainly a long run. One of which was my longest run to date, 15 miles. I will admit I was thinking about it last night, hoping and praying I would survive. And survive, I did. The morning began with a slight drizzle of rain which made me hopeful for cloud cover during the run. Unfortunately, that was not the case today. The weather forecast called for 50% chance of rain, and at 9pm tonight we are still awaiting the sky to open up. Oh well, I suppose we survived despite the scorching temperatures. We managed to find shade whenever possible and we stayed very hydrated. My fuel belt carries four bottles, each are eight ounces. I filled them three times today!! Overall, I felt strong on the run. There is a section of our route that I find to be a never-ending stretch, so today I brought my iPod. I found it to be very helpful during this part of the course. My running partners were not offended by me tuning them out and it was a nice distraction for me to push through the long part. At mile 13, my running coach said, "Jenn, you just did a half-marathon". I knew this meant only two more miles to the finish. It felt surreal knowing I would run beyond my limit today. And those last two miles seemed to last forever. The morning was bringing higher temperatures the longer we were on the road and I began to feel increasingly tired. One thing I will improve on for the next long run is to be more conscientious of my energy replacements during the run. Over today's 15 miles, I only consumed one Gu and tons of water. I should have probably taken another Gu, along with a dextrose tablet. All of this was in my fuel belt, but I kept pushing through instead of feeding myself. The heat does incredible things while training and my body was definitely feeling its effects. When we reached the finish, the pain in my hips and feet set in. My stomach had reached full potential of fluid intake and I needed to SIT! When we returned to our cars, my running coach had ice-cold popsicles waiting for us! I ate the popsicle faster than light speed and chugged a coconut water. Ah, it felt great to be done! When I got home, my husband had a lovely breakfast on the table for me of eggs, turkey bacon, toast, and fruit! I headed to the shower and then nourished myself with breakfast and my recovery drink. Immediately, I iced my feet and re-centered. After a nap, I woke up to much less body aches and a more revived sense of self. It's amazing how two additional miles can hit you like a ton of bricks! I know this is all muscle adaptation and it's part of the process to train my body. I will have two weeks of taper runs, until the next long run of 19 miles. Meanwhile, I will keep hydrating, stretching, and resting. I may not have had the clouds on my side today, but I had something from above guiding each and every step. I am grateful for today and I thank my body for pushing me beyond my limit!

The Flip Side of the Snooze Button...

This is my first week without boot camp torture and I can honestly say that I miss it! My running partners are both on vacation (the NERVE of them!) and I have been running solo this week, until tonight! On Tuesday, I managed to climb out of bed and head to the YMCA. I lifted some weight and ran 3 miles on the treadmill. I planned to return to the YMCA this morning, but I didn't win the fight against the snooze button. My body has been sore this week, my hamstrings are tight, and I suppose I simply needed to sleep. I was perfectly fine with this mindset this morning. My bed was wonderfully comfortable and the sound of my husband snoring was delightful. I did, however, begin to feel guilty when my feet finally hit the ground and it occurred to me that I had slept through my workout. It is important for me to keep up with my week day runs so that I am strong for my long runs. Plus I want to lift weights during my "off-season" of boot camp so that the arm flab doesn't return. Besides, no one wants to see pictures of me crossing the finish line at Marine Corps with flabby arms!! As the day went on today I wasn't sure how I could make up for missing this morning's run. Perhaps I could go to the YMCA after work...but then I remembered how much I hate it there at that hour. You know that time...when everyone else has just gotten off work and people are timing you for when you will finish with the machine THEY are ready to use. I like it there in the peaceful hours of the early morning, when the rest of the city is sleeping! During dinner, the subject came up about running and my son said he hadn't run yet today. (He is a baseball player and is running two days a week). Then, my husband chimed in that he could ride the bike while we ran. Wow! What a great idea! So there we were...my son was well ahead of me and I was keeping a nice tempo while my husband rode alongside on the bike. About half way through the run I realized I should have waited another half hour for my dinner to digest, I suffered from some major heartburn...along with my continuous prayer for cooler air. But it was really nice to be with my family and spend the evening a little differently than normal on a Thursday night. We ran approximately 3 miles in our neighborhood. So, I don't feel guilty any more about sleeping in today, instead I feel grateful to have a supportive husband and a motivated son. Nothing means more to me than my family and my health. Stay tuned for Saturday's 15 mile run!

Taper Day!!

Ah, finally I sit to update you on today's run! It's been a busy day, and it all started with track work this morning. At 6am the weather report was 84 degrees, with a "feels like" temp of 93! These are rough temperatures right now to be running! However, we managed to survive and the run was quite enjoyable. I surprised myself with the appetite for a slice of Ezechial toast (flourless bread) and a glass of Emergen-C. I was careful not to have an abundance of fluids in my stomach since track work is usually brutal on my stomach. I also took a dextrose tablet on my drive to the track. A running friend has suggested I try something called "Succeed! S Caps" that will help my stomach from the recent pains I have had while running, and also provide necessary electrolytes. (Check it out:http://www.succeedscaps.com/main_scaps.html) I tried one pill before I started running and felt great for the run. Time will tell if this will be another staple to my running regime. We ran approximately 6 miles on the track and savored the ice cold popsicles that a running friend brought as our reward when we finished. It was delightful! I found that I was still running over my usual potential to benefit from the speed work, but I did not over do it like I did the last time Stephanie and I went out. I was definitely able to sustain more power throughout the run. Also, today's run was pain free! Loving all these pain free days! It was a nice treat today to have a taper run. Next week, I will advance to a 15 mile run. Then there will be another taper run the following week. Each week will alternate a long run and then a taper run. From here on out, my long runs will be significant mileage increases. Last week completed the boot camp series, so I am on a 4 week break until the next series starts up again. I plan to continue to run 2 days during the week, approximately 3 miles. I will also incorporate some weight lifting during the 4 week break as well. My feet are aching at this point in the day. Following this morning's run, I proceeded to clean out my garage with hubby and spent the evening on my feet shopping! I am now headed to the couch with the ice pack and much needed rest. I plan to loosen up tomorrow at HOT yoga!

Clear skies

Today's run was 12 miles. I went to bed last night thinking I might finish the run in soggy shoes since Tropical Storm Bonnie was expected to cross through...but I couldn't have been more wrong! The duration of the run was dry and with very clear skies. The humidity levels were high and the heat definitely took a toll on my body, but I managed to finish the run. I drank all the fluids I brought for the run, 2 Accelerade bottles and 2 water bottles, on my fuel belt. Once I was in my car and blessed by the ice cold air conditioning, I recovered quickly. I have maintained adequate fluid intake today and tried to rest. I'm looking forward to a good night sleep tonight...no alarm clock tomorrow morning!!! It will be my day of rest from exercise! Next week marks the last week of boot camp and next week's long run will be replaced by track work. I will have to find something to replace boot camp until the next session starts again in about 4 weeks. I am thinking of cross training with swimming and lifting weights on these next few weeks.

Partly Cloudy and Smiling

At the start of my 9 mile day today, I was slightly nervous. But by the first mile I felt a surge of energy that I knew would sustain me throughout the run. The weather was favorably cool and the humidity was tolerable...as the sun came up it remained hidden beneath the clouds. It was overall the best 9 miles I have ever ran. My knee had ZERO pain, heel pain temporarily vanished, and my lungs were unusually strong. I led our pace group through the route and finished feeling strong and healthy. Perhaps it was the extra training I did throughout the week or the power of positive thinking, either way, it felt good to run today. And instead of over analyzing why today was so much better than other days, I'm just going to smile and be grateful that I had the ability to get out of bed and RUN today. This training process can become daunting, so I am going to take it one day at a time. p.s. I'm doing great on the diet! Staying away from sugar and bad carbs...

A quote to end the day...

"People can't understand why a man runs. They don't see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents. The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions." Glenn Cunningham, American Runner, Olympic Games Medalist I'm interested in reading more about the psychology of strength and welcome any reading suggestions.

Intro to Speed Work

This morning was my first of many more to come track workouts. The running group had about 3 weeks of track work, but I was out of town for all of them. So today I had the pleasure of being introduced. Stephanie and I met at 5:15am and did quarter mile repeats for an hour. We walked a 1.75 miles and ran 1.50 miles. Stephanie was very pleased with my time. She is generally much faster than me and as a result, runs in a faster pace group. We didn't think we would stay together as much as we did this morning and she was impressed. She said she was running as fast as she could and for the most part I was only 2-3 seconds behind...my times for the 1/4 mile were 1:48, 1:44, 1:49, 1:48, 1:50, and 1:55. Unfortunately the last one didn't have a better time...my mind got the best of me, along with my lungs. Each time we ran, I felt extremely strong on the first half of the lap and then about halfway through my breathing was labored and my mind was trying to get the best of me. I found that I did best when I initiated self-talk the moment I started running, instead of waiting until I started to get tired. I kept telling myself, "Don't waste it, Don't waste it, Don't waste it...you didn't wake up early for nothing...keep going, keep flying, keep pushing". Mental strength is crucial to strong performance. I have found that self-talk and visualization are key to the psychology of strength. I am pleased with my workout this morning. My goal tonight is to get to bed earlier and have better quality sleep than I did last night. I'm feeling very tired today...slept on the couch last night to tend to my hubby recovering from shoulder surgery...hoping he can sleep in the bed tonight so I can get more comfortable sleep. Perhaps a protein shake will boost my energy levels! Make it a great day!

Reality Check

I'm back from my summer travels...and feeling the pain of reality. I managed to get myself out of bed and into boot camp class this morning. It was difficult, but I was inspired by the thought of fat burning. My already escalating weight, in addition to vacation over-eating, has caused me to dread the numbers on the scale. I am done telling myself that I must be gaining muscle, since muscle weighs more than fat....and I've convinced myself that my lack of attention to nutrition has spiraled out of control. I am back on track and ready to get with the program! I am avoiding the bad carbs as much as possible...going to finish the veggie pizza in the fridge and then avoid breads for a while. I am steering clear of refined sugars...which means no COOKIES and BROWNIES and ICE CREAM! However, I have my new favorite dessert...Purely Decadent Ice Cream!! It's Soy-Free and Dairy-Free. It's made from Coconut Milk and sugar is the second to last ingredient!!! The best part is, it is DELISH! I'm focusing on protein during the day through lean chicken, tuna, and lots of protein shakes to fill me up. I finally found a tasty protein powder (Elite Whey Protein Isolate - found at Vitamin Shoppe) mixed with organic low fat milk and Max Glutamine (for muscle recovery and immune function). I will finish the day with my magnesium tea called CALM and be off to dream land at an early hour. Sleep is critical to my energy, stamina, and weight loss. I know I mentioned in my last post that this weekend brings a 15 mile run...however, after further discussion with my running mentor and running coach, I will only be running 9 this Saturday. It is very important to be cautious of injury for running super long distances without proper training. Since my last longest run was 13 miles in March...I need to gradually get back to that level before I increase to 15. My running coach is confident that I will maintain a healthy schedule of mileage increase to be strong for Marine Corps Marathon in October. I still need to be conscientious of heat factors this weekend and maintain proper nutrition during the run. I will be shopping for a "fuel belt" this week so that I can carry adequate amounts of fluid during the run. I've been putting this purchase off for a while, and I need to get it this week. More updates on the fuel belt recommendations to follow...Fit2Run has some nice selections. I'm also incorporating an extra day of training tomorrow morning...I will be meeting my running mentor at the track for some speed work at 5:15am. No pain, no gain!

What goes up must come down...

This week is another week of traveling...this time in the area of Atlanta, Georgia. We are staying with friends just outside of Atlanta in Woodstock. I brought along my running gear in full attempt to seize the opportunity to run. I must say the options are limited. The terrain in Georgia is much different...there are hills! And I'm not talking about baby hills. The neighborhood where we are staying has a nice 1.3 mile loop that I have done twice this week. Notice that I say it is "nice"...meaning that it is short and I can still feel like I've had a workout. I have never huffed and puffed up a hill, like I did here. Wow! I can't find out the specifics on the grade of the biggest hill on the route, but estimations are about a 25 degree slope and 1/4mile distance. Once I get up and over the hill, the road is still not "flat", but not nearly as steep as the big hill. Running on hills is a form of resistance training. When I am running up the hill and trying to maintain my natural running movement, I am also lifting my body weight up the hill. In turn, my leg muscles have to work harder to run the same pace. It’s important that my stride is shortened and I rise up on the forward part of my feet. Most importantly, I need to keep focus of my form while running hills as it can help propel without losing energy. My arms need to be swinging forward and backwards instead of side to side. Not only do I gain physiological benefits, there are also psychological benefits to this strength workout. Tomorrow morning my running group will be running 15 miles. Unfortunately, I will not be there since our vacation has taken us out of state. But, I plan to keep running the hills of Georgia and will make up my long run next weekend. Next week will mark the longest run I have yet to complete. To date, my longest run is 13.1 miles. Stay tuned for updates on the 15 mile run….I also have some great information about running temperatures and how they affect finishing time. This will be imperative for the 15 mile run and its success.

Rain or Shine

Today marks week 9 of my training. The run today was a scheduled 6 mile "race". It's called a race to compare our times from the first week when we ran this same route. Although that particular first week my IT Band pain was at its prime. Today reflected much more improvement than the last race. The help of cloudy skies and the slight drizzle of rain on my shoulders allowed for much cooler temperatures. And, I am happy to report that I had ZERO knee pain for the duration of the run! My heel pain was minor and I completed the race virtually pain free. What a delight! I had a great run and spent some time with a new runner to the group, Leah. We maintained 2:1 intervals and enjoyed the morning. I reminded her that we had one advantage to the start of the day...we managed to get out of bed...because we can! I celebrate the fact that I am not bed-bound and my health allows me to embark on the challenge that running gives me. There are moments when I "huff and puff" my way to the finish line...I struggle to put one foot in front of the other....and sometimes I simply can't stand the thought of another step. But the big picture is what's most important. The picture of health, and drive, and determination. Happy Fourth of July!

Absence does NOT make the heart grow fonder...

Good Monday Morning!!! Today was day one of back-to-reality boot camp class. I took last week off since I was out of town and it showed today in class. I was some what faithful to my promise of scissor kicks on the hotel room floor...although nothing can compare to the agony of the class. Today was a hard class....I lost count at 80 sets of scissor kicks! We did a plyometric series that literally made me want to cry. I keep telling myself that eventually I will be stronger as a result of this torture. The teacher says its time for a set and reminds us that we "can" do it. And I am grateful that even though it's really hard, I CAN do it. I'm not constricted to a bed or suffering from a major illness. I am NOT lazy and I got my tired self out of bed, so I might as well not waste my time in class. What I do love about the class is the mile run at the end. Today was my first day running in about 2 weeks. I felt strong in my run and my foot was ok. I need to get back to my routine of healthy eating and lots of water this week. I've been surrendering to my sweet tooth a little more than I should lately. So I am setting an intention for the week to be filled with energy, focus, and will power! Have a great week!

No news isn't always good news...

I may be starting a 2 week trend of posting on the blog...I know you have been waiting for updates with bated breath. The truth is, I have been a very busy girl. Since my last post I started a boot camp class. We meet three days a week at 5:30am. The first week was quite brutal on my body. It's always humbling when you think that you are moderately in shape, and then find out there are so many areas of your body that is out of shape. During the first week, each class brought on seriously painful aches and pains. Even my ribs hurt. I managed to get through the first week by stretching and maintaining a good intake of both water and coconut water. By the end of the first week, I had to go out of town and missed my Saturday run with the running group. However, I did manage to get 6 miles on the treadmill. And then trouble set in....I started to feel the nagging pain in my left heel again. I tried to deny that it was signs of plantar fasciitis setting in, but much to my dismay, it has been with me most of this week. I returned to boot camp for week 2, but did not do the mile run at the end of class. I am happy to say that week 2 of boot camp was much less painful than the initial week! I have been implementing my arsenal for attacking plantar pain and I believe it is helping. I have done a combination of avoiding running, icing, stretching, and sleeping with a heel boot. Today was another scheduled run with my running group, however I am out of town again! It's a busy summer of traveling and somehow my training has to be incorporated. Today marks my first day with significantly less heel pain. I am going to continue to rest my foot for a few more days and then will incorporate some treadmill running. I will miss a whole week of boot camp this coming week. So, I will be incorporating exercise during my time away from home. I also forgot to add that I started a personal challenge on May 31st to increase my core strength and overall core appearance....I've been doing 100 sit ups a day. This is a 30 day challenge. Once it's complete, I will add another challenge, maybe increase it to 200? I'm already noticing a difference in my abs! So, the point of the story today is, it's important to listen to your body! That doesn't mean you become a couch potato...you just do what you can do. I'm so pleased with my program right now because boot camp allows me to focus on areas I haven't targeted before. The class is constant motion and each class brings different exercises. The combination of plyometrics, calisthenics, and high intensity strength and cardio exercises makes it a really great workout. I'll be keeping you up to date on my upcoming week....it looks like it will be filled with push ups and scissor kicks on the hotel room floor!!

A perfect way to end the week...with a little heat.

Just as I was battling near heat exhaustion on Saturday's run, today I grabbed my yoga mat and headed to a Bikram Yoga class. Bikram is otherwise known as "hot yoga" and is highly effective for tight muscles and heavy energy. Yoga in general is known for wonderful benefits to the body, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure, strengthening muscles, and improving flexibility. But the added degrees of temperature during the Bikram Yoga is said to enhance those benefits. Bikram is said to be exceptionally beneficial due to the 90 minute classes in a humid room heated up to 100 degrees. There are 26 asanas (positions) that are held and repeated twice for 10-60 seconds. These strenuous conditions are what allow the increased physical benefits of the practice. Because of the 90 minutes of such heat conditions, the body sweats buckets! This intense sweating serves to detoxify and cleanse the body. In particular, the poses that are held in Bikram Yoga can create a tourniquet effect. What this means is, when positions are released, it causes a rush of blood through the area that had been cut off during the asana, creating a flushing effect. As a result, this enhances the flushing of the lymphatic system, removal of toxins, and rejuvenation of cells. In addition, some of the 26 asanas apply to a pressure point, which takes advantage of acupressure. Thus, realigning chi and stimulating the body's ability to heal itself. It is said that if you practice Bikram Yoga regularly you can increase energy, stamina, and metabolism. For me, I feel completely centered after I am done with a class. I can walk into the room feeling heavy energy and sore muscles, but by the time I'm done, I feel light and revived. I am so glad I went to yoga today and feel myself centered and ready for all that this week has in store. Tomorrow morning...4:30am wake up to start my day at Boot Camp!!

Flat road is not necessarily easier than bridge repeats...

It's been 2 weeks since my last post. I can assure you, I've been running! I just haven't been blogging in part because "no news is good news". I find it's much easier to blog when I'm feeling down and out. That's really a shame, don't you think? Since my last post my knee pain has been progressively improving and almost non-existent. However, I purchased a new pair of running shoes and I'm having some setbacks. It's possible that I need some time to "break them in", so I've only been wearing them on my weekday 4 mile runs. I wore my old pair of shoes today since it was a 10 mile run. I am continuing weekly Active Release treatments and keeping a positive outlook. Today marks week 5 of my training. It was hot, hot, hot today. The combination of my knee pain and the dreadful heat, made it nearly impossible to cross the 10 mile mark. Around mile 9 I felt like I hit my wall. On a cardiovascular level, I just couldn't run any further. But I made it through the 10 miles, despite walking more than running on mile 9. I made sure to keep myself hydrated during the run and took an Accelerade Gel at the halfway point. Nothing seemed to cool me down until I jumped in my swimming pool when I got home. I kicked off my shoes, took off my watch, and jumped in the deep end! It was fabulous! I can guess that my biggest challenge of this marathon training will be battling the heat and humidity of sunny Florida. I can only hope that this will make me stronger...considering the marathon is in October in D.C. and there is expected to be very pleasant weather at that time. In an effort to build core strength, I am starting a boot camp on Monday. We will meet at 5:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I will keep you posted on that...I am a little nervous!

Strong Success

Week 3 - Complete! What a great week...I was able to return to my Tuesday and Thursday morning runs. My third ART treatment was last Monday, which has sustained me through a 4 mile run on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as a 9 mile run today. Today's run was 8 miles of bridge repeats and my knee was quite merciful on me. I would say that as the week has gone by, my pain has decreased during each run. Today's struggle was simply the tortuous heat! My knee pain was only about a 3 or 4 out of 10. I definitely feel that changing my pace group, as well as, interval time has contributed to a much more enjoyable run. It's a great feeling to run strong. Looking forward to the week ahead.

Picture Me Smiling

There were no tears today, well maybe happy tears, I suppose. I’m still coming down from the runners high I experienced this morning. Let me back up though and tell you about the week and my new pre-race rituals…since my last post I recovered from the dreadful run and the humidity has been merciful this week in general. Instead of running my usual Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I continued with spin class and Pilates. I visited my chiropractor again for my second treatment of Active Release and my very supportive husband has been using the “rolling pin” gadget we got at a running expo last year on my outside hip and thigh twice a day. I experience excruciating pain during the Active Release treatment and the rolling pin isn’t much better. But, I manage to suck it up and realize the benefits afterwards. So today was week 2 of training and we were scheduled to do bridge repeats which would total 5-7 miles depending on how many we could do. Given the fact that last week I gave up at mile 3, I wasn’t sure what today would look like since all of our mileage would be on the bridge. And it’s a doozie of a bridge for sure. However, my spirits were up and I was rather hopeful today. I managed to get out of bed this morning rather easily and walked my way to the kitchen to prepare the magical concoctions. First, I prepared a green tea for when I came home from the run. Then I noticed the Emergen-C packets on my counter…the label states there are 24 nutrients and antioxidants, along with electrolytes and B-vitamins. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it before a run…so I did. Then I mixed my sports drink, Accelerade. This particular drink is an advanced sports drink that extends endurance, speeds muscle recovery, and enhances rehydration. It is one of few sports drinks that contains protein. I retrieved my hand held Gatorade bottle from the freezer, and I was on my way to meet the group. On my drive to the run, I took something called “Dextro Energy”. One of my friends got this for me and thought it would help in my stamina. I took one tablet and the taste was good, sweet. As I met with the group and we started out on our walk to the start, I was puzzled that my knee was already talking to me. I would rate it at a 5 out of 10 pain. I tried not to focus on that and told myself I would just do the best I could. We progressed into a run and I decided this week I would change pace groups which additionally changed my run/walk intervals. Instead of doing 3:1 intervals, I was doing 2:1. On the first lap over the bridge my pain escalated to 7 out of 10. I stayed focused and tried to continue running. Once I got up and over the incline, the pain level decreased. After mile 2, I was really feeling great. The weather was on my side today and provided a lovely breeze. I saw the sun rise and was leading the pace group in very good company today. Before too long, we were on our last lap over the bridge and heading back to our cars! I accomplished 7 miles today, 6 miles being BRIDGE REPEATS!!! And I feel great! I started my car to head home and the pain in my knee was less than 1, maybe a .5 at the most! I am convinced that Active Release is the right treatment for me. I am also convinced that Emergen-C and Dextro Energy will be my staple for optimal running performance. Here is what I learned when I googled the Dextro…it is a natural sugar substance that is found in fruits and honey. It is obtained from starches and then split into individual molecules with the help of enzymes. The most important attribute of Dextrose, is that it does not need to be digested. It goes straight to the bloodstream and is transported to all cells and organs in the body. As a result, this provides direct energy! (To read more go to: www.dextro-energy.com) I didn’t have any increase in my heart rate and feel great post run. I’m looking forward to next week. I will have my third Active Release treatment on Monday.

The first of many more to come!

Well, today was our first training run with the running group. It was a scheduled 10K race to begin the season. Leading up to the race, I was hopeful that my Active Release Treatment on Thursday would prove to improve the pain in my knee while running. Although I was hopeful, I struggled to crawl out of bed this morning and made the mistake of not eating breakfast before the run. Despite my poor planning, I approached the start line eager to test out my knee. As a runner, it’s typical to flock to your pace group and activate the competitive rush to finish with a “good” time. Today was different for me. I only know a handful of the runners in this group so far, and I almost felt like the new kid at a new school! I said hello to those that I knew, but really felt myself concentrating on me, myself, and I. There was a combination of feelings and emotions, but I didn’t want to get caught up in keeping up with a particular pace today. My goal was to concentrate on my body and listen to what feels right in terms of pace, run/walk intervals, and when it would be time to ease up on running and finish the race walking. As I said in my last post, I haven’t been running the last 2 weeks. My last attempt before today was on the treadmill at my gym and I had to stop 1 ½ minutes after I started running. The pain had been too severe, like a steak knife was stabbing my left knee. Today was certainly more hopeful since I had the treatment on Thursday. I run on a 3 minute interval cycle and then walk for 1 minute. (Also known as the Galloway Method.) Today, each time my foot hit the ground I knew I could take another step. Before long, I realized I had run a mile. And then another. The turn-around mark was at mile 3 and I had been running on a pain level of about 5 out of 10. Along the route is a rather large bridge, which always kicks my butt, and much steeper than it looks. I was careful on the up climb and down slope to integrate more walking than the interval cycle called for since the incline/slope can really aggravate IT Band pain. While I could deal with 5/10 pain, I was sucking wind to run through the heat and humidity today. One of my flaws of being a Type A personality type, is my obsession with over analyzing. What I mean by this is, instead of me just staying in the zone and plowing through the mileage, my mind was all over the place analyzing what had gone wrong during my 2 weeks rest. I had been conscientious to stay active in cross-training, specifically in spin classes to maintain my cardio baseline. I was so discouraged to feel how much I had regressed in just 2 short weeks. So when I came to the turn-around mark and made my way back towards the finish line, perhaps it was a combination of things that led to my decision to walk back. My lungs were gasping for air, my stomach was cramping, and above all, my knee was screaming at me. The decision to walk back was discouraging, embarrassing and humbling. I can honestly say that I wanted to cry my eyes out! What a baby!! My pride kept the tears inside and I stayed focused on getting to the finish. The fact is, I woke up, I got out of bed, and I was giving it an effort. That’s all I am in control of. The rest is how my body responds to that effort. I believe that sometimes our thoughts create little subconscious prayers that we aren’t even aware of. And there he was….just as I reached the top of the bridge heading back, I saw my running coach from earlier in the year. I waved hello and figured he would just keep running past me. But, he stopped and he turned around to walk with me. He asked how I was doing and I told him about my recent IT Band injury. I told him that I was seeing a Chiropractor for Active Release and he nodded approval that I was doing the right thing. I confessed to him that I was discouraged with my breathing and overall stamina having only taken 2 weeks off running. He told me that the heat and humidity inflicts extreme setbacks for a runner. He assured me that after several weeks of training in the humidity, I would see improvement. During the fall/winter months, we had been running in very cool weather with no humidity. The fact that I am coming out of an injury and on my way to recovery, along with the heat, I was probably running at 75%. One of his many attributes as a coach is his ability to motivate me. I believe that his passion for running and genuine concern for my success as a runner is invigorating. After we walked together, he patted me on the back and told me to keep up the good work; he turned around and continued his run. Wow. Just what I needed. A little pep talk goes along way with me. Whether it’s my Type A personality, over-analyzing, or obsession with perfection I can be very very hard on myself. And as I write this post, now the tears are flowing. I realize how down my spirits were today. “But look at the bright side!!!!” I keep telling myself. You ran 3 miles today!!! Yet another angel appeared, just as I was approaching the final stretch, I saw my friend Stephanie walking towards me. She must have been concerned for me and came out to “fetch” me. I really appreciated her concern. I do NOT like being at the back of the line and she made it a little easier to come into the finish line with a slight limp. To my surprise, I wasn’t the last one to finish either! As a runner in Florida, or anywhere during these summer months, it is critical to plan for upcoming summer months of extreme heat and humidity. Early start times make for slightly better heat conditions. Today we started at 6am and it was shockingly very warm and humid. Of all the adversities for a runner, heat is number one. According to marathonguide.com, Mindy Solkin reports that because heat is the number one offender, it brings with it the risk of dehydration and overheating. She states that it takes 2 weeks of consistent running to adapt to warmer climates. It’s imperative to carry fluids during a run and drink 4-8 ounces of water and/or sports drink every 15-20 minutes. Following a run, it is important to continue drinking fluids until urine is clear. Pretzels and tomato juice are good sources of salt. And always check the heat index chart which calculates the air temperature with the relative humidity to determine what the temperature feels like and if there is a risk of heat-related illness. (http://www.marathonguide.com/training/coachmindy/heat.cfm)

When the going gets tough....the tough cross trains!

It's been a while since my last post. As one of my fans would say...it's been 17 days to be exact. During my last half marathon in February I started to experience severe left knee pain. It has become progressively worse and as a result, I have not been able to run in the last 2 weeks. Instead, I have focused my efforts lifting weights, spin class, and pilates. I will admit, when my body tells me it needs to rest, it is very difficult to listen! I certainly haven't been myself since I have stopped running. As most runners will say, however, the commitment to cross training is imperative to overall health and strength. Many different forms of exercises focus on different muscle groups and can allow for a stronger run as a result. As a matter of fact, Runners World Magazine published an article in August 2004 on the "Eight Benefits of Cross-Training". The first benefit is injury prevention: cross-training improves endurance without beating up on vulnerable joints, muscles, and connective tissues. The second benefit is rehabilitation: by maintaining fitness and/or correcting the cause of the injury. Next is achieving greater running fitness: almost every runner can run faster by cross-training than by simply running alone. Specifically, a runner can enhance running efficiency, increase running power, and increase time before fatigue or injury occurs. An active recovery is another benefit to cross-training. A high intensity workout is most important to performance. If a runner is injured, the cross-train activity can mimic runs in intensity, duration, and structure. Also, enhanced motivation is a benefit of cross-training. We all know that doing the same thing day after day can get boring! One of the key benefits of cross-training is to stay motivated to run and ultimately perform better in races. Rejuvenation is also a key benefit. No runner can train hard all year long. The body and mind need a recovery period after a big race. Typically, the winter months can classify as an "off season" which equates to 2 weeks of complete rest, no activity. Following a good rest, informal training can be re-introduced during weeks 2-8. This can be in the form of yoga, swimming, or weights. Additionally, enjoying other sports is quite beneficial. Endurance can be highly transferable to other activities. A strong heart and good lungs are the foundation to endurance. Lastly, cross-training can benefit a fit pregnancy. Pregnancy and motherhood does not equate to a career ending decision for competitive female athletes. (Click on this post's title to be connected to full article) For my current knee pain, I decided to research my options. Since I wasn't overly eager to deal with timely testing, toxic medicinal options, or who knows what else....I reached out to a friend. He is a chiropractor on the East Coast of Florida. I described my symptoms and he predicted I was suffering from "IT Band" pain. He referred me to research local chiropractors who provide treatment called "Active Release Technique". After some searching, I scheduled an appointment with one of two chiropractors in my area that are certified in this technique. I met the doctor today and she proceeded to tell me that she believed she could help my pain. I agreed and was eager to see what this "A.R.T." would be like. First, let me say that Active Release is the gold standard in soft tissue treatment. It's so effective that it is actually been granted a medical patent. In order to be an A.R.T. provider, a professional must undergo extensive hands on instruction and testing. (To locate an A.R.T. provider in your area go to www.ActiveRelease.com). After I endured the pain during her treatment, I can say that my entire left leg feels better than before my appointment. My first training run of the season is this Saturday (6 miles) and I will attempt to do what I can. I am scheduled for another appointment with this chiropractor next week. Stay tuned for more updates and as always I welcome your comments!!!

Sharing a Vision

Tomorrow morning, thousands of runners will line up to the start line at the Boston Marathon. Each runner with a different story, a personalized commitment, and a common goal to cross the finish line. For some, their success across the finish line will bring happiness. To promote my personal happiness, I encourage myself to model those that I admire. This could be someone that I know personally, a stranger, a historic figure, a celebrity..anyone that I find admirable. Of these select few, I can identify the characteristics that are commonly shared. Once I identify these characteristics, I believe that it is something that is nascent in myself but I have yet to bring it into existence. I find one of these qualities, that of running a marathon. I believe that the reason I admire it is because it is waiting to be uncovered within myself. And once it is uncovered, I will begin to admire something different, which is necessary to promote the cycle of growth into inner freedom and happiness! Knowing what you admire in others is a beautiful mirror into your deepest, unborn, self.

Team Fit Stop - Advanced Distance Training

Tonight was the first meeting of our running group...Team Fit Stop. It was great to meet the team and hear their stories of how long they have been running. Our team leader has been running for 11 years and has ran 71 marathons!!!! Can you believe it? Another runner I talked to started running at age 49 and has a WALL dedicated to her medals from half and full marathons. One thing I know for sure, age has no limits on the possibilities to be a runner. I am so incredibly inspired by the people I run with. I am really looking forward to the upcoming training season to get to know them better! They amaze me! I know people that discount their ability to run at a given age and give me that invisible pat on the back saying, "enjoy it while you can", "you're young, you can run right now, wait til you get my age". Excuse me??? I'm feeling kind of inferior to the other runners on my team right now!!! There are runners in this group in their 40s, 50s, 60s...I am a rookie in more than one way on this team! But that's the clincher. I am doing something that requires faith, trust, and determination. I am about to embark on a journey that will allow me to discover a side of myself that has yet to be uncovered. And that is why I am doing this. I enjoy a challenge and feel it is necessary for life to promote growth. But, first I am going to have to wrap my head around this training schedule and start times! Yikes!

It's official...I'm in!

Can you hear my sigh of relief? On Sunday I received an email from my running coach that the registration for the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) would open today at noon. She noted that the race would fill up within hours as there is expected to be 30,000 runners! My heart started to race as I read the email. Since I made the decision to run the full marathon, I never considered the possibility of not being able to successfully register. As I expressed this state of panic to my husband, he quickly redirected me to rational thinking and told me everything would work out. I knew I wasn't available to complete the registration process today at noon, but he promised he would be able to log on and sign me up. I had to trust that this would all work out for the best and if it was meant to be, it would be. So now it is Wednesday, the clock struck noon, and all the stars aligned. My sleep deprived, ever-so-wonderful husband was waiting patiently to log on at noon. (My husband works in the EMS field and just got home today from a very busy 24 hour shift. He was not able to get much sleep today to recover.) I couldn't believe my ears when he announced that I was "successfully registered for the 35th annual Marine Corps Marathon". It is entirely surreal. Just a couple weeks ago I was having moments of self doubt that completing a full was within reach....and now I am registered for it and I feel incredibly revived for a strong training season and memorable finish! I am lucky to have incredible people in my life to help me along the way...my husband, son, parents, family, friends, and of course my crazy running friends. Speaking of which, my crazy running friends insist on a 5:15am start tomorrow for our 5 mile run...so I better get some sleep!! Tomorrow evening is the big meeting with the running group...and we will receive the training schedule!

The Birth of my Blog!

Greetings! I'm very excited to introduce you to my blog. I have created it as a way to log my journey through the training experience for my first marathon! I will be beginning my training soon and want to hear from you with comments, suggestions, and most of all encouragement!! I plan to focus on things like nutrition, cross-training, stretching, hydration, sleep, and finding out what I DON'T already know about running. This is a learning experience! I admire all types of runners, fast or slow...it's about getting the job done and crossing the finish line!! Here's a little background about me...the summer of 2008 my husband came home and declared we should sign up for a gym membership at our local YMCA. I told him he was crazy...gym memberships are a waste of money, and besides, who has the time (or desire) to exercise!?!? Well, he disagreed. We agreed to disagree, and proceeded with taking advantage of the recent "discount" on initiation fees at our local gym. The sign up fee was waived and the family was signed up! To my surprise, the gym's appeal came early on. I began to explore the group class schedule and found that I was both interested and able to attend a few different classes such as yoga, spinning, and pilates. Before I continue, let me describe myself to you so that you understand my previous exercise experience. Let's see, how can I say this....it was ZERO, nada, nothing, non-existent!!!! I had never done much of anything that involved cardio, except rushing a sales rack at the local TJ Max. This may come across comical, but my baseline was pathetic. However, I tend to be overly confident and up for a challenge...so I began my first pilates class with a sense of optimism. Wow. I was in for a workout...it kicked my butt!! Over time, I kept going and found each class getting slightly easier than the last and I was ENJOYING it. During the class, I found myself thinking about how much longer I could "hold the pose", instead of my daily drama or what I should cook for dinner. The gym became my outlet for time for ME. It became my hobby....and I was seeing progress in my stamina and improved mood. I even started running on the treadmill! Fast forward to the following year, when I decided to register for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 60 mile, 3 day walk. I registered for a local half marathon in an effort to see how I would withstand such mileage, and about 5 minutes into the race I decided to run. I ran and ran and ran. To my surprise, I ran nearly the entire race stopping only for short breaks around mile 10. I crossed the finish line and was draped with a medal?!?! I had no idea I was entitled to a medal! "How cool is that!", I proclaimed. Not only did I already get a free shirt, but now a medal! From that moment on, I was hooked. I completed a 15k and another half marathon that year...along with the beginning of a collection of medals. In an effort not to injure myself, I had to stop running in order to prepare for the 3 day walk. But not only myself, my husband and my mom joined a team of wonderful men and women all walking for the cure. My previous year of exercise experience helped to prepare me for the walk. The rigorous training we endured pushed us along a hot summer of long,long walks. We all crossed the finish line together after almost 600 miles of training over 24 weeks. In November of 2009 I laced up my running shoes again. It felt great to hit the pavement. As much as I despised watching the sunrise during our training walks, I found myself refreshed and ready for a new challenge. As I was approaching my 30th birthday, I knew I had to set a new decade of challenges for myself. One of which was to complete a full marathon. So far, 2010 has included 2 half marathons and an upcoming 15k. There have been aches and pains and a recently healed foot injury resulting in tarsal tunnel syndrome. I take each day as it comes. I have learned to listen to my body and treat it with respect. I am so eager for what this year has in store for me. And I am eager for your thoughts and ideas on how this experience can be more enjoyable for me as my first really big run!