Every Day's Another Chance to Turn it All Around

Two days in a ROW...Holy Moly! OK I didn't bring any work with me to work (school work to the work that pays the bills) because I needed to take a break.. from carrying my book bag around everywhere. I am not a graceful presence in the summer by any means and the book bag makes me have sweat marks even if it's like 70 degrees, so 90...forget about it! So I have been surfing the net and writing to friends, so why not write here too?

I ran 3 miles last night outside in the dark. well, its never really that dark when you live in the city...actually its not dark on the route I chose to run at night in the city. I ditched the headphones and just ran. It felt good, I felt like I was running faster then usual but I forgot to check the time when I left, I probably was about a ten minute mile like usual. I am switching the days off this week, because I want to meet up with some people after work without having to run, shower, change and it be 8 oclock. But I have thought about running today and not like "Uggg I have to run" But like "where should I run? Oh wait tomorrow, not today" Not sure what has happened to me mentally but I sure hope it stays.

"To reach a port, we must sail—Sail, not tie at anchor—Sail, not drift." ~Franklin Roosevelt

Week Two...Going Strong

Friday I ran the farthest since the Marathon- 10 miles!!! I went from my house down the Locust Path to the 2 mile mark right before the St. Joe’s boathouse and back. Even though it wasn’t as crazy hot as it has been, I still brought my own water bottle. I drank 3 bottles of water during the run, which is probably more than I should have but I felt good. I walked some of that too and it took about 2 hours which I was figuring it would. It is harder to schedule the walking when I don’t have the treadmill telling me the exact time and distance. I do have a Nike plus, I actually have two and Maggie gave me the watch too. But I have been too lazy to take the time to configure the sensors. I usually map out the longer runs before hand and map out the shorter ones afterwards on Maymyrun.com It’s nice to live in a city grid…blocks and squares to map. Yeah I was surprised that I wasn’t hurting or anything after the ten. I went to see John Mayer about an hour after I ran. I took the train to Camden and then was standing the whole show. By the time I got back to the city I felt like my legs were on fire. Not sore though, if that makes sense but like they had done their job for the day.

The next morning, Saturday, I got up and ran 2 miles. It was good to just get the blood flowing. It’s weird and I don’t want to jinx this feeling but I missed running on my days off this week. Sunday I was even thinking about going for an evening run but I convinced myself I needed workout clothes for the rest of the week. I have been pretty strapped with cash lately so I am mainly doing laundry once a week, I have to plan ahead.

Last night I went to the gym after class and ran 6 miles. I was listening to Pandora on my Phone..
Evanescence was the station of the evening. I hate that they always have ABC on and you don’t have an individual TV at Ballys. I think PSC spoiled me a bit. The Bachelor or Bachelorette was on and I can’t even watch that. Last week I saw some of it when I was there and it was like a reunion of all the guys that didn’t win and well it’s just ridiculous, the whole concept of that show. I mean I don’t think, at least for me that I would be able to A fall in love in 6 weeks, B especially when there are multiple choices, and C want to get married by the end. They are all actors! Come on Lady, you are kind of asking to be cheated on or have your money taken.. But that is why I am not on TV, thank God. So anyway, I did walk for 60 seconds every mile- mile and a half last night and I finished in 58 minutes! This means I had under a ten minute mile, even with the walking! That is great! I think I am getting faster. On Saturday, my short run, my mom showed up early to my apartment and was waiting for me so I think I was at about an 8 minute mile running home.. That never happens. I saw my reflection in the Kimmel Center doors and I was like “Holy Crap I am flying” ha it looked like I knew what I was doing :) The training is going well right now, it is only day 8 but I feel really good about it. I think it helps A LOT to know that Ashley and Maggie are training too and I think Colleen and Francesca, I gotta touch base with them too. Get some pointers from everyone. Even though running is an individual sport, I need to know there are other’s where I am. I make up my own team in my mind lol even though I am not always with them it still keeps me going.

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” ~Unknown

Not sure whether I have used this in a previous post but I am too lazy to check. If I have any religious leaders you’ve probably forgot by now too, so here it is. Tonight is 3 miles, outside and tomorrow will be some Strength and Conditioning.. Feeling good today feelings very good :)

Day Two and Going Strong

Last night I decided to run outside. On my walk home Monday night I saw a handful of runners out past 9 so I figured I wouldn’t be the only one. Plus there is just something nice about being able to actually run and not have to stay in one place on a treadmill. I went down the Ben Franklin Parkway then turned around and came back on 22nd street. I think it is going to be a lot of fun running the Distance run. With the flags on the parkway lining both sides of the street and the people cheering you on, it’s going to be a lot of fun. This will be the longest race that I’ve done in Philly. I did the Broad St Run two years ago and I did Back on My Feet’s 20 in 24 (8.4 miles) in July of 08. Both of those races were a lot of fun because I had a sense of where I was and that’s comforting.

I did 4.5 miles last night. I had no idea how far it was until this morning when I mapped it out online. I thought it would be around 5, so I wasn’t too far off. I was supposed to run 3 yesterday and 6 on Monday but I was only able to do 4.5 on Monday so I made up the difference last night. Tonight is conditioning or strength training. I think I am going to check out Franklin Field tonight. I have never gone inside. I used to park in the parking lot behind the field a couple years ago…Each morning I would walk around the side and think how cool it would be to go in. Well apparently anyone can go in, as long as there is not something else going on. I have to do pushups, lunges and things like that tonight so I may just go to the gym. I figure I will make up my mind by 5:25. Wednesday is the only day that I can go after work, because I do not have class.

I am sleepy today.. Ok time for some motivation:
Ohh here’s a good one for summer

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." -Bill Bowerman

Training Schedule 8 Weeks and Counting

OK I made an awesome document with a table and then I came on here and it got messed up. I dont have the patience right now to fix it. Thanks to Maggie :) this is my schedule for the next 8 weeks.

Week 1

July 26
6 miles

July 27
3 miles

July 28
Strength/
Conditioning

July 29
Off

July 30
10 miles

July 31
3 miles

August 1
Off

Week 2

August 2
6 miles

August 3
3 miles

August 4
Strength/
Conditioning

August 5
Off

August 6
12 miles

August 7
2 miles

August 8
Off

Week 3

August 9
6 miles

August 10
3 miles

August 11
Strength/
Conditioning

August 12
Off

August 13
13 miles

August 14
3 miles

August 15
Off

Week 4

August 16
8 miles

August 17
3 miles

August 18
Strength/
Conditioning

August 19
Off

August 20
10 miles

August 21
2 miles

August 22
Off

Week 5

August 23
8 miles

August 24
3 miles

August 25
Strength/
Conditioning

August 26
Off

August 27
15 miles

August 28
2 miles

August 29
Off

Week 6

August 30
8 miles

August 31
4 miles

September 1
Strength/
Conditioning

Sept 2
Off

Sept 3
10 miles

Sept 4
3 miles

Sept 5
Off

Week 7

Sept 6
6 miles

Sept 7
4 miles

Sept 8
Strength/
Conditioning

Sept 9
Off

Sept 10
8 miles

Sept 11
3 miles

Sept 12
Off

Week 8

Sept 13
4 miles

Sept 14
3 miles

Sept 15
Strength/
Conditioning

Sept 16
2 miles

Sept 17
Off

Sept 18
Off

Sept 19
RACE
DAY

Back on the Saddle

Good Morning Blog Peoples!!! I decided to keep my blog, one because I like the name, and two I feel like it holds me accountable to something else. I am not currently raising money for Team in Training, but I am signed up to do the Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 19, 2010. I printed out a schedule fully anticipating following it, and I am technically on Week 3 and have only ran twice, so I will be taking another alternative.

Last night I ran 4.2 miles (Says my Iphone GPS). I ran/walked I should say but def ran the majority. Last week, Monday or Tuesday I ran about 3.5 miles which was the farthest at that point that I have run since the Marathon, over 2 months ago!!
Not that I am trying to make excuses but since the last entry, I have passed an Anatomy & Physiology class.. Ok I was planning on that sentence having a lot more accomplishments in it but if you have ever taken a summer class then you know just how much time and work that was. I was in lecture and lab 3 nights a week (lecture-3 and lab-2). This summer session I have Psychology which does not have a lab so I will be done class by 8pm and therefore, NO EXCUSES!!

Running makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. Even though I am not always in a race or even if no one was watching, I get a sense of victory after every run.
Yesterday after I ran 3.5 miles I start telling myself “just walk, no worries, you did great” which is a good thought to have but I know that I wanted and was fully capable of running a little farther. So then my mind broke it down; “This is just how far you have to run today. Just for today run a little farther before walking.” And that helped.

I tend to always think about the big picture even when I am in training mode. Like when I run three miles, instead of getting the automatic sense of accomplishment I get a little fearful thinking that on September 19 I will run ten more miles after that three mile run. I have to constantly remind my mind that it is all in the preparation. Plus, like I wrote before; the announcer in Nashville said it best when he said “You have trained and can absolutely run this race, now think of it as your victory lap, because you have already won” Or something along those lines.

So this entry is a start to holding myself a little more reliable and just to get the positive/negative thoughts out there so they don’t waste as much time up in my brain. And now an inspiration quote to carry us through the day:

“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” -Japanese Proverb

Photos!!!!!

The first couple are from Nashville

And then NJ...

Mile 22...

Wohooooo!!! We did it!!!

Ouch...it was a HOT one

It was a HOT one!!!!

But I finished the Marathon!!!!! It was 92 degrees, sunny, and OH MY did it seem like eternity. But I got there. I should say, we got there, because without the Team in Training coaches, and Alissa I would not have had a very good time. I know, the average person hears..26.2 miles, 6 hrs, 92 degrees and they think 'Why on earth?" But for the marathon runner...it's different. After the race, my mom looked at everyone limping and some barely walking, myself included and she asked "why do these people do this to themselves? I just don't get it" Maybe we are crazy...but hey WE are marathon runners!!! ahhh I'm a marathon runner!! haha



The strangest thing happened, the hours leading up to the start, I wasn't nervous. I have gotten nervous for every single race I have ever done: 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons...And this day, the biggest race of all, I was calm..

Saturday Night I arrived in Long Branch, NJ. I had never heard of the town and so was not sure what to expect. It was the shore, just not the shore I am used to. The hotel where the expo was, was also the start and finish. It was nice, right on the boardwalk.

The Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon had about 10,000 runners which was a little different than Nashville's 30,000. The expo was a lot smaller, but I still was able to get what I needed.I got a hot pink belt, so I could fit my Gu in. I was only able to carry one pack in my shorts and that was not enough. Then I wandered around and found some headbands. They were cloth, so I figured it would be good to dunk in water and put it back on during the race. I bought a purple one with 26.2 written on it. I was hesitant because I didn't want to jinx myself. I mean what if something crazy were to happen and I were only able to finish half again? But I knew that even if I didn't run the 26.2 on May 2...I would some day. So I got it..

I stuck with the PowerGel (3) and some sports beans. I am not a huge fan of the Gu so I brought two gels with me and some beans to mix it up. I knew I would be drinking the Gatorade too so I would be getting the calories I needed. The beans taste just like Jelly Beans, but they have caffeine so its like a cracked out Jelly Belly :p

I get so frustrated adding pictures on here, so I will add the race ones next as a separate entry.

When I met up with the team later on, I got all the same chills back from the week before. Decorating the Jerseys and just feeling the excitement with everyone in the room, it was great.

I saw Alissa there and I got so excited! She had given me a ride home from one of the Team functions a few months back but I hadn't seen her many times since. I had a feeling we were around the same pace though.

My roommate this time, was Magee.. Not Maggie, Magee (Ma- G- EE). Her name is Margaret and she was pretty excited! She was running the half marathon. We stayed up for awhile talking about what made us join Team in Training and who we were running for. I told her about my mom and she shared with me about her family. She was running for her brother who passed away with Leukemia at a very young age. She had a picture of him that she laminated and pinned to her back. Another one of the most rewarding things this experience has brought was being able to talk with people about their experiences with cancer and how they have been affected by the disease. In Nashville, one of the runners was running for her roommate who has leukemia and another person was running to remember their college roommate who also had leukemia. One of the runners that was in Nashville with me and came back for round 2, Beth, had 37 people she was running for. She made something to keep with her during the run. It was made out of hair ties and ribbons. Each mile she dedicated to one or two patients so she would know who she was running for the entire time.

May 2, 2010 The Starting Line... 9Am

They had us line up near the pace team we were aiming for. I was right next to the 5 hour pacer, who was dressed in a full suit. It was his 34th year running the New Jersey Marathon and I believe, his 34th in a full suit! Did I mention it was 92 degrees?!

They played "Born to Run" by The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen...Of course they did, it was the NEW JERSEY marathon!

As we got piled in and started to move, I closed my eyes and just remembered what led up to that moment. The night I went to the orientation at the Crowne Plaza and signed up to do this, FREAKING OUT in my mind at the thought of 26.2 miles.. to the training runs in Valley Forge in the snow with the frozen Gatorade.. Hearing the mission moments before the team runs about how research truly is saving lives and about those who it was too late but it doesn't have to be for the next person.. The blisters.. Sore muscles... and sense of victory I felt as I ran 14, 16, 18, then 20 miles! and I thanked God for carrying me up to this starting line.. As a tear started to form I opened my eyes and asked Him to carry me another 26.2 and I was on my way...

Alissa was exactly what I needed..She helped me to keep a pace, instead of letting my adrenaline speed me up then having to walk. We had about a 12 min mile, which I was happy with.. As the course went away from the beach..the heat started to climb. We went through mostly residential areas, which ended up being the best thing. The people who lived on this course were absolutely amazing!!!! They had their hoses out and sprinklers set up and as the day progressed, they started to set up their own water stops. Maybe I didn't notice them the first loop but the second loop they were what kept me going. The water stops were about 2 miles apart which was about 24-26 minutes for us. We hit every hose (or I should say every hose hit us, we just got in their stream), Gatorade, and Water stop the entire time.

One house had a little boy, spraying us as we ran by. A runner behind me said, "You think that kid is going to get in trouble tomorrow, because now he thinks it's okay to spray everyone that walks by." haha

There were signs in the middle of the street with motivational quotes that helped a lot.

By Mile 12, Alissa and I were planning our next marathon. As we headed back to the boardwalk to go to Loop 2, most of the runners were finishing up. There were at least 4 times the people running the Half. My parents, Aunt, and Paul were the best fans. Alissa's parents and Boyfriend were awesome too. They went from Mile 9...to Mile 13...Back to mile 22...and the finish. They had a cooler of Ice water and rags to refresh us. As the day crept on...the heat picked up.

In Nashville, I was so worried about my time (because I was trying to qualify to finish in time to run the whole) that I wasn't able to enjoy each mile, each step for what it was. The night before this race, I prayed that I would be able to stay in each step...And it truly worked!!! I spent little to no time trying to figure out the projected finish time. I did try to see how long each mile took, but the mile that was already done..the mile I would not have to see again!

Mile 18 was the first time that we took a walk break..we walked while we got water and stopped to see our families but up til 18 we ran most of the way. We ran/walked til Mile 22 and then walked the majority of the end. It is so crazy how my muscles felt DRASTICALLY different from run to walk then back to run. At mile 24 I asked Alissa about that second marathon and we both laughed...but we decided if we do another it will be somewhere like Antarctica..

She kept telling me to run ahead if I wanted to, but she had gotten me through the first 23 miles and I wasn't going to cross that finish line like I had run that marathon by myself. We crossed it together and the pic turned out pretty good. When I saw the informational video, the night I signed up for Team in Training..it showed people crossing the finish line together and hugging and crying.. And I was able to experience that true team feeling. The coaches were amazing too, they kept popping up right when we needed them and I know now that I was in the race I was supposed to be in. After all is said and done, I wouldn't change a thing :)