Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fit, Focused and Balanced
It’s hard to believe that my race is less than a month away. In fact in 23 days, I will be running my first marathon! Wow. Hard to believe and still very scary. My brother recently said that the banners are starting to get put up for the run in Portland. When he told me, my heart kind of sunk. Not a bad sinking feeling but an oh my gosh this is really happening feeling. My adrenaline soared and I felt excited and scared. I’m trying to do all I can to prepare myself for this run. I know it’s going to be hard. I don’t even think I realize how hard it will truly be which is probably a good thing. I have 3 weeks of training left and my last really hard LSD run this Sat. I know once I finish this, I can breathe a sigh of relief because I know I can do the other Saturday runs. After this Saturday, I will begin to taper. Which just means that it will be a period of active rest for me. I’ll still run but I won’t push myself as hard as I have been. I look forward to when this Saturday morning is over more than you know!!! In my mind, it means that my training is essentially complete. I have ran as far as I will have before the real race. Of course then I will just start worrying about the actual race and staying healthy and strong. On that note, I’m going to try my best to let this be the last time I say anything negative. I need to focus on the positive and picture myself completing this goal that I’ve worked so hard for. My dad so kindly reminded me of this and he’s right. He told me to omit failure from my vocabulary and visualize success. He told me not to give any of my time, energy or ability to absorb anything from anyone that isn’t mentally imaging positive things for me on my behalf. I loved this. He’s right. From here on out I will surround myself with positive people who want the best for me. I will visualize myself running the race healthy and strong and crossing the finish line of my first marathon. I will soak in the crowd and welcome the anticipation of what lies ahead. I will never have these moments back so I must make the very best of them. How many times can I say, “I’m about to run my first marathon?” This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I thank God for getting me to where I am today. As for Saturday’s training run, bring it on! It’s going to be hard and it’s going to hurt but I’m mentally strong and ready to conquer my goals.
Friday, August 27, 2010
One Step at a Time
Lately I’ve been getting really nervous about running my first marathon. It’s only 45 days away and I don’t feel near ready. It’s hard for me to even write about because telling people I’m doing it makes it even more real and even more scary for me. What if I get injured before or what if I can’t complete it? I know how hard it is to run a half so I truly can’t imagine running a full. Actually I do imagine it and I imagine it being extremely hard which is probably why I’m so scared. These are all fears of mine but I guess I need to focus more on the journey and take one day at a time and one step at a time. I love hearing other people’s running stories and recently I read about some people’s 1st marathon experience so now I’m going to share my own, so far…
Why are you running a marathon?
I started out training for a half marathon. During training I thought if I’m ever going to train for a full, now is the time to go for it!
How did you select your race?
My brother lives in Portland, OR and it’s a beautiful and active city. I knew it would be the perfect place for my first marathon and I LOVED the date. Silly I know but saying I ran my first marathon on 10-10-10 is really cool to me.
What shape were you in when you began training?
I began training in December 2009. At that time, the most I’d ever ran was 3 miles. When I began training, I was comfortable running 1 mile and semi comfortable running 3. I was used to being active and had a decent muscle base and fitness level from doing aerobics classes. I used to be a cheerleader and run track in High School but I really hadn’t been consistently active for quite some time.
What is your training plan?
I started training with Runner’s World in December of 2009. After I finished my half, I began training with Fleet Feet in early July 2010. Running with a group gives me much needed encouragement and direction.
What is your motivation for running?
If you read my blog, then you know I have so many reasons for running but mainly because I like having a goal and it makes me feel good! I’m also a little stubborn so I want to prove to myself that I can do it and check this off my bucket list. Although I’ve really grown to love running with so much more passion than I ever thought I would.
What is your biggest training mistake?
Hard to say since I haven’t completed my training yet. But my focus is on not getting injured. I need to start stretching more and start taking more ice baths. I’m petrified of getting hurt. Other than that, I wish I would be better trained when I run in October but I can’t really help that at this point. All I can do is try my best to finish. They say on your first marathon to not focus on a finish time but just to cross the finish line so that is my main goal.
What is your eating plan?
Ha-ha this is my favorite part. I eat whatever I want, not saying it’s right but I do. But with that said, I really do try to be mindful of drinking more water and Gatorade than ever before and I need to start eating clean and cut out alcohol completely. But there’s nothing better than having a few beers or a glass of wine Saturday evening after a long Saturday morning run. I think I deserve that after what I’ve put my body through.
How do you deal with injury?
I’ve had one minor injury so far, and I took the week completely off and R.I.C.E. Like I said I’m so scared of getting hurt so I’m doing my best to listen to my body.
What is your pre-race ritual?
I try to wake up an hour or more before race time so that my food has time to digest. I eat a Clif bar and just try to mentally prepare. I have usually set my running gear out the night before so I’m ready to go!
The next few questions, I can’t answer until after I’m done with my race in October. Fingers crossed.
Be brutal, what was the race like?
How did you celebrate your marathon?
Do you plan to run more in your future?
What is your running schedule now?
Honestly do you enjoy running or just the effects?
What advice do you have for first timers?
So it’s official, I’m 45 days away from completing my first marathon. I look forward to the feeling I will feel after I cross that finish line. But until that happens, the debauchery of training continues. Wish me luck!
Why are you running a marathon?
I started out training for a half marathon. During training I thought if I’m ever going to train for a full, now is the time to go for it!
How did you select your race?
My brother lives in Portland, OR and it’s a beautiful and active city. I knew it would be the perfect place for my first marathon and I LOVED the date. Silly I know but saying I ran my first marathon on 10-10-10 is really cool to me.
What shape were you in when you began training?
I began training in December 2009. At that time, the most I’d ever ran was 3 miles. When I began training, I was comfortable running 1 mile and semi comfortable running 3. I was used to being active and had a decent muscle base and fitness level from doing aerobics classes. I used to be a cheerleader and run track in High School but I really hadn’t been consistently active for quite some time.
What is your training plan?
I started training with Runner’s World in December of 2009. After I finished my half, I began training with Fleet Feet in early July 2010. Running with a group gives me much needed encouragement and direction.
What is your motivation for running?
If you read my blog, then you know I have so many reasons for running but mainly because I like having a goal and it makes me feel good! I’m also a little stubborn so I want to prove to myself that I can do it and check this off my bucket list. Although I’ve really grown to love running with so much more passion than I ever thought I would.
What is your biggest training mistake?
Hard to say since I haven’t completed my training yet. But my focus is on not getting injured. I need to start stretching more and start taking more ice baths. I’m petrified of getting hurt. Other than that, I wish I would be better trained when I run in October but I can’t really help that at this point. All I can do is try my best to finish. They say on your first marathon to not focus on a finish time but just to cross the finish line so that is my main goal.
What is your eating plan?
Ha-ha this is my favorite part. I eat whatever I want, not saying it’s right but I do. But with that said, I really do try to be mindful of drinking more water and Gatorade than ever before and I need to start eating clean and cut out alcohol completely. But there’s nothing better than having a few beers or a glass of wine Saturday evening after a long Saturday morning run. I think I deserve that after what I’ve put my body through.
How do you deal with injury?
I’ve had one minor injury so far, and I took the week completely off and R.I.C.E. Like I said I’m so scared of getting hurt so I’m doing my best to listen to my body.
What is your pre-race ritual?
I try to wake up an hour or more before race time so that my food has time to digest. I eat a Clif bar and just try to mentally prepare. I have usually set my running gear out the night before so I’m ready to go!
The next few questions, I can’t answer until after I’m done with my race in October. Fingers crossed.
Be brutal, what was the race like?
How did you celebrate your marathon?
Do you plan to run more in your future?
What is your running schedule now?
Honestly do you enjoy running or just the effects?
What advice do you have for first timers?
So it’s official, I’m 45 days away from completing my first marathon. I look forward to the feeling I will feel after I cross that finish line. But until that happens, the debauchery of training continues. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Why do I run?
There are many reasons why… but here are my top 10. I think it’s good to remind myself of these things from time to time.
10. I like good food
9. I’m competitive with myself
8. It feels good to move/burn calories
7. Because I can therefore I should push my body to its potential both physically and mentally
6. I'm running away from unhealthiness, laziness, mediocrity and a non-successful life and towards extraordinary goals, great friends and happiness.
(I read this somewhere and loved it.)
5. It reduces stress/anxiety
4. I love feeling healthy
3. I like having a set goal
2. It makes me feel good about myself
1. It gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction
10. I like good food
9. I’m competitive with myself
8. It feels good to move/burn calories
7. Because I can therefore I should push my body to its potential both physically and mentally
6. I'm running away from unhealthiness, laziness, mediocrity and a non-successful life and towards extraordinary goals, great friends and happiness.
(I read this somewhere and loved it.)
5. It reduces stress/anxiety
4. I love feeling healthy
3. I like having a set goal
2. It makes me feel good about myself
1. It gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Injured :(
On Saturday I accomplished a really great goal but it turns out that I also injured myself. It was quite odd because I didn’t even know I was hurt until the following day. When I ran, I do remember stumbling a couple of times on the pavement but I didn’t think it was a big deal. I was surprised when I woke up Sunday morning with a sore ankle. This has been my biggest fear since day 1 so I’m kind of freaking out. It would be really disappointing to not be able to run or meet a goal because you are hurt. I haven’t been to a doctor because I don’t think it’s that severe but I have diagnosed myself with having a high ankle sprain. I think it’s a mild injury and if I take some time off and recover, I should be back to normal soon. But honestly I have no idea what to expect. I know that time off is very important for me right now but it’s so hard to take time off when you know you should be training. It just kills me that this has happened but I’m trying to tell myself that things like this happen especially when you are running as much as I have been so I need to be responsible and handle it as best as I know how. RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation will help speed healing so I have started trying to follow these steps. The sooner I am healed the better! Please pray for my speedy recovery!
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