Week 12

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: speed/bootcamp

Thursday: Cross Train

Friday: 5 miles

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Smuttynose 1/2 Marathon

Week 11 Recap

So, I am feeling really great this week, we had a 10 mile run on Wednesday, that despite the humidity and blackout darkness, was really kind of fun. Then, the run I dreaded all week, the 18 miler went SO well. Besides a little knee pain that came and went, I felt strong and ready. I still can't believe I finished 18 miles and felt so good, I hope this is a good sign of runs to come. The countdown is really on....33 more day! GULP!

Week 11

I really can't believe we are already into week 11...Here is the training for this week

September 20-September 26

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: 9 miles

Thursday: 4 miles

Friday: Cross Train

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 17 miles

Week 10

So, because of my class, I didn't get to do the long run this week, so it was scheduled on Monday with one of my running friends. Unfortunately, we got almost 5 miles into the run and it started thundering and raining large hail, so we luckily had another running friend who drove our course to save us!!

September 13-September 19

Monday: 15 miles (only 5 miles...boo)

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 8 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: Cross Train

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 16 miles

Week 9

So, my class starts this Saturday which means my long runs will now be on Sunday or Monday depending on the week. I will be moving my cross training to Friday's now, so my rest day will be Saturday in prep for my long runs on Sunday/Monday.

September 6-September 12

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 7 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: Cross Train

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 15 miles

Week 8 recap

So, week 8 went a little differently than planned due to me being on vacation in Arizona. My week looked like this:

August 30-September 5

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 7-8 mile hike in Grand Canyon

Friday: 2 hour walk around Phoenix Zoo

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 14 mile run

Week 8

August 30-September 5

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: 6 miles

Thursday: 2 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 13 miles

Sunday: Cross train

Week 7 Recap

Wow, what a week of running!! I can't say I had great runs all week, actually most of the week my legs felt like lead, especially on the 7 mile Wednesday night run, but all in all it was a great running week. On Saturday we had the Spartan 5k race which could possibly be the best time ever!!! 12 obstacles over 3 miles, a perfect Saturday morning and afternoon with some of the best people I know..who could ask for more? There were hundreds of pics taken over the course of the day with our teammates and I couldn't have been more proud of every single one of my team mates. This will definitely be a yearly race we do!

Since we didn't do our long run on Saturday, we had to make up for it on Sunday. We had 14.05 miles up two of the biggest hills in Worcester, Goddard Memorial and Airport Drive. I had a great run, made it up the hills with no problems and finished the 14 miles strong. Afterward however, I was SORE!! I haven't been sore after a run since the half marathon, the only thing I can attribute it to was the 2 mile hill climb on our run, because other than that, there were no changes in the terrain of our long runs.

Well, I am leaving for AZ on Wednesday to hike the Grand Canyon with Robyn. I'm going to have to tweak this weeks running schedule slightly since we are planning a 16 mile hike on Thursday and my long run is moving to Sunday.

Week 7

Ok, I haven't been posting, but I didn't miss a run or workout last week, just been running around like a lunatic at work and home. I had 2 FANTASTIC 12-13 mile runs where I felt like a million bucks, so let's hope that feeling continues as the mileage continues to increase!

August 23-August 29

Monday: Rest (Yoga)

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 7 miles

Thursday: 4 miles and Strength

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Spartan 5k

Sunday: 14 miles

Week 6

Ok, after a tough week or so, I am getting ready to get back on track with my training.

August 16-August 22

Monday: Rest (Yoga)

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: Bootcamp with team

Thursday: 2 miles and Strength

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 13 miles

Sunday: Cross train

Week 5

Week 5 was a struggle, I didn't get to all the runs I would have liked due to a death in my family. This is how the week should have looked and what I did was in parentheses.

August 9-August 15

Monday: Rest (About 7 miles)

Tuesday: 2 miles (Rest)

Wednesday: 5 miles

Thursday: 3 miles and Strength (Rest)

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 12 miles (My tracker said it was 13)

Sunday: Cross train (Hiked Purgatory Chasm)

Week 4

Week 4

So, I have to make a slight adjustment to this week since I missed our 10 mile run on Saturday (which I did Monday,) so Tuesday will be a rest day and then I'll be back on track.

August 2-August 8

Monday: 10 miles

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 4 miles

Thursday: 3 miles and Strength

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 11.6 miles

Sunday: Cross train

10 miles

So, due to unforeseen circumstances, I missed my Saturday run with my team. I ended up taking 3 days off and ran my 10 miles yesterday evening, on a treadmill, but hey, I got the mileage in and overall, I felt good. I can't believe we are moving into week 4 already!

Week 3

So far, I haven't missed one workout or rest day!! I can't believe we are on week 3! Let's hope for some relief in the weather!

July 26-August 1

Monday: Rest (Yoga)

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: 6.2 miles

Thursday: 2 miles and Strength

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 9 miles

Sunday: Cross train

A steamy Saturday 8.2 mile run

Another day of scorching weather in Central, MA struck again! We embarked on our 8.2 mile run on Saturday morning. While the temperature at 8 a.m. was only around 75 degrees, the humidity was about 95 percent, making it a pretty difficult run. The good news is, my legs actually felt fairly good, despite a few hills...the bad news is, about 3 miles before we were finished, I was shivering again. This is the second long run where I got the chills and felt sick. What is happening? I am super hydrated, and even used my fuel belt for the first time on this run, with sport drinks and water. I need to look it up on some of the running forums, its not a pleasant experience. I will say this over and over again, but I am SO thankful for my amazing team mates, they make running long distances in unbearable heat doable.

On another note, I saw the foot specialist on Friday and I start PT in 2 weeks to strengthen my weak inner right ankle so hopefully, I can continue training with no pain and finish this marathon!!

Another week of training is done and overall, I'm feeling pretty great. 97 days until the Cape!

Weather strikes again...

Last night we were supposed to have our team run, but Worcester had tornado warnings so our run got canceled. I was so bummed because I look forward to the Wednesday team run all week. So, I hit the gym and got in 4.5 miles in on the treadmill, while listening to the intense rain and thunder outside. I have to admit, while many people don't like the treadmill, I actually don't mind it. It pushes me and keeps me honest with my speed, plus, I love knowing how far I've gone and mentally can prepare and push myself harder.

It's all about the shoes...

Since I've started running, I have come to understand that one of, if not that most important thing needed is a great pair of running shoes. For my 1/2 marathon training I was fitted in a pair of Asics GT-2150s, and while I didn't LOVE the color (Pink! And it really is ALL about the color and look for me ;) ) I loved how lightweight and sturdy they were and from that point forward, I was hooked! They are such fantastic sneakers, how could I not go back to them for my marathon replacement?

I've read many articles and they say you should run in your shoes for anywhere from 300-500 miles before replacing them. I did the math and realized I am at about 300 in my 1/2 marathon shoes, so its time to break in a new pair. I bought the beautiful Asics Kayano 16 in blue (my fav color!) shown above. My plan is to slowly break these in, while using my other Asics, the 2150's for my short distance runs during the week. That way, when it comes time for my marathon, I will have plenty of miles left on my Kayano's for the race and they should be super comfy!

So far, so good with the new shoes. Good news is, I have 60 days to try them out and return them if I don't love them...what a deal, right?

Week 2

I'm really hoping week 2 is not as hot and humid...one can dream right?!?

July 19-25

Monday: Rest (Yoga)

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: 4 miles

Thursday: 2 miles and Strength

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 8 miles

Sunday: Cross train

Saturday's 7.6 mile group run

Saturday morning rolled around and I was feeling good about the morning run...that is, before I went outside and felt the 90 degree weather and humidity and immediately started to perspire. We had a pretty tough course ahead of us, with the infamous Beechmont and Institute hills.

I laced up my pretty new shoes (so excited) and got ready to run with my great running friends, Jill & Ana. The first few miles weren't too bad, but I could slowly feel my legs feeling heavier as the air felt thicker and my breathing was more labored. We made it fairly unscathed through the first 3.5 miles or so until we hit the first hill. At this point, it was torturous, our legs were barely moving and we made it up halfway before we began to walk. I felt disappointed and defeated. I have never, ever walked during any training run for the 1/2 marathon. I have always prided myself on that one fact, something that no longer holds true. Okay, enough sulking, I need to cut myself some slack in this weather.

I am SO thankful for Pam. She placed water at 2.5 and 5 miles for us, without this water, I would have never made it through. This just proved to me that my fuel belt can't get here quick enough...I should have it by next week's long Saturday run.

This run was TOUGH, probably my toughest yet, not because of the mileage, but because of the weather. The last 1-1.5 miles I started to feel light headed and got the chills, not something I have ever experienced before. I finished the course and after a lot of water and recovery drink (thanks Jill) I started to feel better after about 5 mins. Then, as a reward, we all went to the Nu Cafe for smoothies...that made it all worth it!

Holy Humidity!!!

We had our mid-week run last night, about 3.6 miles and let me tell you, it wasn't easy!! The humidity must have been at 95% with temps in the high 80's. Our 6 mile run last Saturday seemed way easier than getting through the run last night. Thankfully, I am not running alone anymore and had two awesome team members, Ana and Jill, to run and talk with last night, so it took some of the misery out of the run!!

On a brighter note, my new sneakers, Blue Asics Gel Kayano 16's have been ordered and shipped yesterday, so I will have them tomorrow, just in time for our Saturday run!! So excited!!

The fuel belt I ordered last week FINALLY shipped last night, but estimated delivery date is next week...not too happy waiting ANOTHER week, but such is life! I could have totally used that fuel belt last night!

I got in my short 2 miles this a.m. and it felt pretty great...looking forward to Saturday's 7 mile run!

First training run...

So, we kicked off our training on Saturday with 6.2 miles. Normally, that distance wouldn't have be *too* bad, but with 90 degree temps and insane humidity, it made for a more difficult than usual run. I ran with a great group of girls, who made the run so much more enjoyable than it has ever been when I am out by myself and we all completed it more or less with smiles on our face!

I've decided that my goal for this race is to finish with no injuries. In order to keep my knees and feet happy, I have to slow down. This is not an easy feat for someone who likes to move fast, but I've committed to trying my best to slow down. I also committed to trying to be more social with my running group. They are a fantastic bunch of people, but I don't always do too well in large groups of people, but I guess it is time to push out of my comfort zone and just do it!!

Well, day one of training down...how many more to go??

Week 1

So, here is my first week of training...let the ride begin!!

July 10-18

Saturday: 6.2 miles

Sunday: Cross Train

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2 miles

Wednesday: 3 miles

Thursday: 2 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 7 miles

Sunday: Cross train

I will have to adapt this to my schedule, as I teach classes on Thursday evenings, so I'll be adding strength on those nights, but all in all, I will try and keep to this plan as closely as possible.

I'm running a marathon...

Yes, you read it correctly...I know, I know, pretty crazy, right? Up until about a year ago, I never thought running would be possible again. After 3 knee surgeries, I could barely run .25 miles without extreme pain, now...I *may* even consider myself a true runner.

Flash forward to June and I finished my first half marathon so I figured, what do I do next? Well, not really...after my half marathon, if you asked me if I'd ever do it again, my answer would have be "N0 way," but I have a kick ass team of runners that inspire me to push beyond what I thought I was capable of doing, which has landed me where I am now.

Well, what race am I training for? The Cape Cod Marathon on October 31, 2010 (capecodmarathon.com). My training starts on Saturday July 10, 2010 with my fabulous teammates and I could not ask for a better group of people to start this incredible journey with. We have a 16 week training program put together by our fearless leader and coach Andy that has everything we need to prepare our bodies and minds to safely cross the finish line on October 31st!!

So, I've set up this blog for a few reasons. One, to have a place to document and reflect on this journey and secondly, to keep me accountable and on track with my training plan. :)