Did I really just do that?

Yes, I really did just sign up for the NJ Marathon in Long Branch on May 6th. 

May 6th people!!!

I signed up before I made a training plan.  I signed up before I had a chance to go into Google Calendars and count the weeks backwards...and find out today is the start of week 15.  Oh my goodness, 15 weeks to train for this marathon!  I signed up before I could remember the pain I was in on November 20th.  I signed up before I thought it through.

But you know what?

I'm really freakin' excited.

Since running before and after school isn't an option for me (hello winter darkness), I've been stuck on the treadmill/taking some pretty super classes at the gym which I'll tell you about later.  And to be honest, I've been sort of wimpy on the weekends; coming up with lame-o excuses like "It's too cold", "I'd rather go to the gym", "Actually I'd rather go eat vegan pancakes at The Pop Shop and cuddle on the couch in front of the fire all day". 

Today I channeled my inner toughness and went out for a run in the snow.  Wearing this shirt as one of my layers may have helped, thanks Mom!

Ready to rock it!  LOVE that putting a marathon on the calendar makes me remember how much I adore running :) Pop Shop who?  Scratch that, Pop Shop after a run!

After living in San Diego, I was sort of dreading snow.  It wasn't too bad, and the crunching under my feet made me feel...happy. 

After a few miles my legs, lungs, and body were feeling great...minus my fingers.  I was wearing those 2 pairs for a dollar cute gloves that look pretty but serve no purpose and I was literally worried that my fingers were getting frost bite.  The hurt so bad when I got home and took at least 5 minutes to finally feel normal.  

Besides that my FIRST TRAINING RUN (wow so excited to say that again!) went great!

In another post I'll fill you in on my new gym, the classes I've been taking, the personal trainer/running coach who's going to help me become a better runner, the amazing running app I used today, and much more. 

PS: Yesterday I ordered a Road ID tag and they sent me a coupon to pass along to friends.  Use the coupon code to receive $1 off any Road ID order.  In these times, every dollar counts, right?  This code can be used up to 20x within the next 30 days (until 2/22/12), so if you've been thinking about investing one, here's your chance.  Enjoy friends :)

Use: ThanksMelissa11395552  at www.RoadID.com

Lesson Learned: Don't Slack During Marathon Training

Oh blog friends, how I've missed you!  My new job as a kindergarten teacher has taken over my life.  I'm not complaining, and I absolutely love my school, colleagues, and  students; but if I let myself, I could spend all hours of the day/night/weekend planning and prepping for it.  But now that I'm getting more and more in the swing of things, and conferences are over, I'm going to make time for blogging because I love being a part of this amazing community! 


Sure I've had no time for blogging, but you may be asking if I've made time for other things in my life.   Actually no; I've had no time for running (or a lot of other real life activities for that matter). Which may not have been such a bad thing; except for the fact that I ran a marathon on November 20th!

I started off my marathon training pretty gung ho, and had my mind set on PR-ing.  I ran quarter mile repeats on the track, completed my first ever tempo run, got in two 20 milers, and even ran the morning of a hurricane!  But after I got my job at the end of October, I ran maybe 5 times on a treadmill.  I never doubted that I would finish, and a hopeful part of me still thought I may be able to PR by a few minutes.  However it didn't quite end up that way...

All smiles at the start....

 The Philadelphia Marathon got sold out, so I signed up for The Bucks County Marathon in Pennsylvania (awesome decision as this was a WONDERFUL marathon!).  It was this marathons first year and the smallest race I've ever done, capped at 500 participants.  The course was extremely scenic, winding mostly along the Delaware Canal Tow Path.  Shout out to all the volunteers, they were great!

I just joined a gym  and I was talking to one of their trainers.  He's a seasoned marathoner and iron man, so he knows his stuff.  He told me that going into a marathon and not being at my best, I should focus on achieving negative splits (well you should always do this, but especially if you're under trained) and really listen to how my body felt.  And the first half I took it easy, although looking back I should have taken even slower, and I felt super.

Seriously happy before the running began

 As I ran past the 15 mile marker I distinctly remember thinking to myself, "Wow, it sure doesn't feel like I've ran 15 miles!  This is great!  Maybe I will PR!"  <-----hah!


Mile 16 is when I began to feel a few aches and pains, but nothing alarming.

I had been rockin' a pretty steady pace (on track for 4:45 to PR) and had been doing well with fueling about every hour.  Had my GU's about each hour, starting from 1:00. 2:00, and 3:00.  But for some reason, around the 3 hour mark, when I took that 3rd GU my stomach began to have major issues.  I felt like I needed to throw up, and I came close to doing it a few times.  After that I *dumbly* did not take another GU.  

NOT.

I went from feeling great to utterly blah, in a matter of 2 miles.  By the time 20 hit, I was in pain.  Miles 20-26.2 are a blur and I mentally started to doubt myself at that point.  Here are a few snippets of my thoughts.

"Who the h e double hockey stick would sign up for this?  I am NEVER EVER EVER doing another marathon again!"

"Ow...ow...ow...ugh...owwwww"

"I can do it.  I can do it.  I don't care how slow I am.  I can do it."

"Never mind.  I can't do this.  What if I just called Shane and asked him to come get me?"

"If I stop taking walk breaks and pick up the pace, maybe I'll still PR???"

"Get real Melissa.  WHO CARES ABOUT PR-ING!!!!! "

Things also got a little scary in those last 4 miles.  I felt terrible, due in part for not taking another GU, and I started to get a little spacey.  I was close to tears a few times because my body felt bad.  I hyperventilated 2 different times; I couldn't get in more than a shallow breath, my airway constricted and I could hear myself wheezing.  I was not running fast enough to be out of breath, I just kept getting into these tearful, unable to breath, episodes, and it was scary.  I'm a hard headed person, and wanted to finish so after it passed I continued on, walk/run/walk/run.  

The last mile an extremely nice girl came up behind me and I started to run with her.  We were chatting and she was so motivating!  However my sick stomach did not enjoy her quick pace, so I wished her luck and she continued on.    As I left the towpath another runner came up next to me and he also shared some much needed positive energy.  He kept repeating, "We're almost there!  We can do it!"  As my feet hit the pavement, I knew we were close, but my body was giving up on me.  I begrudgingly gave into my bodies demands and began to walk.  As though there was a light at the end of the tunnel; a literal tunnel we had to run through to get to the finish, I saw my Dad, Kelly, and Shane cheering me on!  It was the extra oomph I needed to get my butt running, ahem, hobbling again. 

I couldn't wimp out with the finish line in sight!

 

It took every fiber of my being to make it across that finish line...but I did it!  5:05:11

 So what did I learn from my second marathon experience?  

TRAIN!  This one is obvious, but it still needs to be mentioned.  Even though *most* of my training had been completed, not running for a month completely threw me off.  And thankfully I made it across the finish line and a few days later I feel great, but maybe it could have taken a scary turn for the worst.  Check out *this* article from Runner's World about sudden death in races.

Have a fueling strategy.  Sure my stomach hurt, and just the thought of a GU made my stomach queasy.  But I should have sucked it up and taken another one around hour 4.  I think my breathing difficulties, mental haze, and overall fatigue could have greatly been reduced if not completely gone, if I had fueled properly.  I sort of "go with the flow" but next marathon I will have my fueling strategically planned.  No ifs, ands, or upset stomachs about it!

Know your limits.  As much as I would have loved to beat my previous time, I could tell my body was not going to do it.  At the end maybe I could have skipped the walking and pushed through the pain but I knew my limit had been reached and in order to finish I had to run/walk.  I'd rather be a bit slower than not finish at all!

Never make a bet on pre-marathon adrenaline.  I bet Shane 1,000 dollars he would not run a marathon by next year.  We shook on it and it was posted to Facebook.  He's running Philadelphia next year (so he says) and wants it delivered in a brief case...in one's.  

Any suggestions for my next marathon ;)  The amnesia has already set in!

**And Happy Thanksgiving**  A little late, but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

 

Ohh, We're Halfway There {Sorta}

I'm in week 7 of a 17 week marathon training plan.  Eeeek!  I know I'm not even halfway through, but it seems like it's sneaking up on me!  

Like I said in an earlier post, I'm using this book

And so far I've really like this plan.  A typical week looks like this:

Monday: Jog 40 minutes

Tuesday: Cross train 30 minutes

Wednesday: 400x___ quarter mile repeats

Thursday: Cross train 30 minutes or rest.

Friday: Jog 30 minutes

Saturday: Long Run

Sunday: Rest

During training plans I'm always good about getting in my long run, and this time around the speed work out.  However, I ALWAYS have trouble sticking with the plan during the week with those jogs and cross training.  Looking back at my Daily Mile  I've definitely switched days around and not followed the plan to a T, but I have gotten in miles and some cross training.

Weeks 1-8 are part of the Endurance Phase and so every Wednesday I've been increasing my endurance with quarter mile repeats.  Starting in week 9 through week 14 I will enter the Stamina Phase, and my Wednsday quarter mile repeat workout will be replaced with tempo runs.

During weeks 1-7 so far I've been using some of the "jog 40 minutes" day as a very loose tempo run.  Basically just running fast.  Since I don't own a Garmin, I have to just run at a pace which I perceive as being "fast" and then when I get home I plug my route and time into Daily Mile and get my average pace.  Not the most accurate, but it's been working.  I'm a little wary of the Stamina Phase and setting out for a "real" tempo run!  

And I don't think I'll be able to just drop the quarter mile repeats.  As much as I don't look forward to them, I've grown to enjoy them how I feel when I'm done with them.  So I think that they'll sneak their way into the stamina phase.

If you look at week 6 on my Daily Mile (this past week) it was so terrible.  In my last post I mentioned I took a break from blogging...well I also took a break from running.  Not because I was injured.  Not because I was tired.  But because I just gave up on myself for a little period of time.  I hate to admit it, but I was a weak person last week.  Mentally I knew running would make me feel better and help lift me out of my funk, but instead I had a pity party.  But I'm over it and on Monday I got in 15 miles!

These 15 miles were important for two reasons.  One because this is the furthest distance I've ran since last year.  And second because this was a key run in my fuel experimentation.  I have been toying with the idea of fueling my runs naturally and I made my own sports drink and energy gel.  No Meat Athlete is a great resource.

Natural Gel from No Meat Athlete

I didn't have all the ingredients so this is what I used:

6 dried apricots (soaked in water)

1/4 cup light agave 

lime juice

sea salt

My thoughts: It tasted alright, but it had some teeny apricot chunks in it.  Also, it was really messy.  I used a small ziplock bag (like in No Meat Athlete's picture) and tried to eat it out of the top corner.  I had to walk while taking it and it got my fingers sticky!  Also, this amount was too much and I only ate about 2/3 of it.

Sports Drink from No Meat Athlete

This is actually called Chia Iskiate.  I mixed it in a 16.9 oz Poland Springs bottle so I could hold it with me on my run.  

My thoughts: By mile 11 I had finished it and was feeling thirsty around mile 13.  I'm debating between investing in a fuel belt or a camel back for extra hydration on training runs.  The jelly like consistency of the chia seeds was a bit strange, but if I took a big gulp I didn't mind it.

Overall, I think I had enough fuel but not enough water.  Afterwards I took an ice bath and I think that definitely alleviated soreness!  Today I feel great!!!!

If you actually read all of this, thanks for sticking with me!  And sorry for the lack of pictures.

Do you follow training plans 100%? I've never been able to follow them exactly, but I'm okay with that.  Although this marathon I have a time goal (my first marathon I ran just to finish) I believe as long as I'm completing the most key workouts(i.e. quarter mile repeats/tempo and long runs)  and staying active during the week I should be fine.

How do you hydrate?  Camelback or fuel belt? Hand held bottles are out for me!  I really don't like having my hands full while running!

 

Turning Dreams into Goals

"It's a dream until you write it down, 

and then it's a goal." - Anonymous

source

I have some running dreams.  And I'm ready to turn those dreams into goals.  They've been written on my calendar, but I think they'll become even more real once I write them for the whole world to see.

 The first event on my calendar is the Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon.  I love the Rock 'n' Roll series, probably because I had such an amazing experience during my 1st marathon.  So I'm really looking forward to this one.

Another reason why I am so excited for this event?  My sister, new blogger (<---check her out)  and newbie runner, is signed up too!  This will be her first 1/2 marathon and I am so proud of her training so far!

Now here is where things get tricky.  I am most definitely running a full marathon this fall, but I have 2 choices a week apart from each other.  Basically it's dependent on if I get a big girl job for the fall!

Choice number one, is the Philadelphia Marathon on November 20th.

In 2009 this was my first ever 1/2 marathon.  I distinctly remember around mile 12 the full marathoners split off to continue running and in my mind I asked myself, "They are so crazy;  who would ever want to run 13 more miles after this?".  Guess I've gone a little crazy...

If I do get a job it would be a dream to run the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon on December 4th.  Who gets the chance to run the strip at night?  There are also plans for a blogger conference!

This sounds like it would be an AMAZING marathon to run. 

The only part I'm scared about is the 4:30:00 cut off time!  I ran my first marathon in 4:58, and I was focused solely on finishing.  This time around I have speed work and tempo runs incorporated into my training.  I'm thinking I can do it and this marathon would be the push I need to break the 4:30 barrier!

After my second full marathon the sky's the limit, right?  I'll have to see how it all goes.  But if I'm feeling good I may begin training for a 50k or 50 mile-er.  Being honest with myself, running is my passion.  At the beginning of the summer I thought I would train for a sprint triathlon for the end of August, but my heart wasn't in it.  For right now, I think I will stick with running and save swimming and cycling for cross training activities 2x week, as per my training plan :p

 *Awesome motivational pictures from I <3 to Run <--like them on Facebook!

What are some of your dreams?  Come on, write them down and turn them into goals!

Smoothie-rific

I was being such a bum this morning!  I woke up around 8, made some coffee, got my laptop, crawled into bed and proceeded to Facebook stalk, catch up on Twitter, read some bloggies, and chat with one of my BBF's on AIM.  And let's not forget the snuggling!

As the minutes ticked away, I could feel my motivation slowly slinking away.  I always find that after I've been sick and therefore haven't ran in a few days, that first run back is always the hardest to start. 

source

Around 10 I realized I wasn't doing myself any favors and proceeded to step away from the addicting little piece of machinery that is a laptop, and got myself geared up.  There were no excuses to not run today.

 true story.

I got in 4 miles at a 9:45 pace... pretty good for me!  Followed up by 20 minutes of yoga.  I was so hungry since my laziness also meant that I did not fuel properly this morning!

Enter the best smoothie ever!  I've seen other bloggers put oats into their breakfast smoothies but I always forget!  Before my run I had put 1/2 cup oats + 1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk in the fridge to soak.  Since my body was craving a smoothie I realized I could finally try the oats in a smoothie!

CHOCOLATE BANANA COFFEE SMOOTHIE

handful spinach
Chocolate Amazing Grass
1 frozen banana in chunks
 1/2 cup oats + 1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk: 
you want the milk soaked in, so leave it in the fridge for at least 10 minutes
1 cup cold coffee

Source

Pretty good stats for breakfast.  And if you're unfamiliar with Amazing Grass...it's amazing!  It includes real, organic, super food ingredients such as spirulina, alfalfa, wheat grass, and acai in a powder with yummy flavors like chocolate and orange dreamsicle.  You can find it at Whole Foods and at most health food stores.

Ahem, I know what you're thinking.  I said amazing, not pretty...

I did some cleaning/organizing and then met up with the BFF from this mornings chat sesh.  Allison and I did are usual Dunkin Date and of course I was strange and brought my own milk in a little container since DD sadly does not carry dairy milk alternatives.

Our usual corner so we can chat endlessly about whateves

On my way home I stopped for some more bananas to freeze, and I picked up the ingredients for Mama Pea's mmmm sauce.  Dinner was so good thanks to this simple sauce!

Ahhh one of my good friends from high school, Johanna, is getting married tomorrow.  She's the first of our "gang" and I'm pumped!  Gotta get some sleep now!

Peace out cub scouts :p

There's Nothing Like...

an awesome run

to put you in a good mood!

This is "runner's high clip art" from Google Images, I'm that random.  (source)

I don't know what it is, but lately my runs have not been giving me that amazing, accomplished, I'm awesome feeling.  Of course not every run is going to do that, but I've been in a bit of a rut, having a bunch of these so-so runs for the past couple weeks.

It's not fair, I just want to go for a decent run!!!  (source)

Let me back up a little bit.  I have some ideas of what could be contributing to my lack luster runs.  Numero uno being NJ humidity and heat!  I am so not used to these running conditions.  By the end of a 5 mile run I'm all sweated out, with no energy left to give.  Not a good feeling when I was going out for easy 10-milers at the beach the last few weeks I was in San Diego!

Lovely, just lovely. (source)

Number two would be not fueling properly.  I'm on a new schedule, currently unemployed and I'm not about to wake up at 5 a.m. if I don't have to.  So if I eat dinner at 7, go to bed and wake up at 7 (I actually wake up later!)  that's 12 hours with no food and although I may have some glycogen stores in my body, it's not enough if I'm planning longer than a 2 mile run.  No wonder I'm hitting a "wall" at the end of a 5 mile run and cutting runs short!

Everything I've ever learned about fueling properly, I learned from this book. It gives you the science of how to fuel your body, must read! ::wink, wink::  (source)

And finally, I'm playing on a co-ed softball league with Shane and some friends.  Although it's not the MOST physically demanding, I know my body just isn't used to that all out short running to bases with little warm up and softball in general.  And I got knocked in the shin with a bouncy ball, ow!


Okay so now that I've identified possible problem areas, let's fast forward to Monday's run.  

(source)

Serious awesome-sauce!  It was like everything was just right.  It actually started off with me being lazy.  I was so discouraged with my past few runs I didn't even want to go outside and attempt another one.  So I made myself my usual b-fast, made some coffee and chilled out for about 45 minutes.  But then I started to get antsy and bargained with myself to go for an easy paced 4.5 miles.

As I stepped outside I noticed something was missing.  The humidity!  It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and it didn't feel like I was wearing a wet blanket!  Well I started out along my usual route and after about a mile I really started to find my running groove.  I felt rested, fueled, and wasn't a sweaty mess!


As I approached the turn around spot for 4.5 miles I told myself, "Go ahead.  Go a little further today.  What's up this road anyway?"  As this is my boyfriend's neck of the woods (we're literally in the woods) I genuinely didn't know what was beyond my turn-around.  So I went for it.  And it was fantastic!  It was a great route with lots of tree cover and flat, flat, flat!


I payed attention to time, knowing I shouldn't go more than 8 miles since I didn't want to increase my mileage too fast.  So I headed for home and even had the energy to sprint as soon as the house was in sight.

Ahhh, running bliss.  Monday's run truly boosted back my confidence and I'm looking forward to getting out and hitting the road.  I  have some races in mind for fall and a running goal that I want to share so I push myself to achieve it.  I'm not officially in training mode yet, right now I'm just running and building a base for when training begins in a few weeks!


Have you ever found yourself in a running (or any type of workout) funk?  What did it take to get you out of it?

When do you run?  Do you always eat a pre-workout meal or snack?