Going the Distance

Well Sunday I will run my final long training run as I wind down training for the Philadelphia Marathon. I have been following Jeff Galloway's plan and it has been working well so far. The main difference in the plan is I run long distances, much longer than many other plans. I ran 20 miles almost 2 months ago, 23 last month, and 26 just 3 weeks ago.

Sunday I will set out to conquer a new beast: 29 miles.

I would be lying if I was I was not scared shitless terrified excited. It is only 3 more than I ran a few weeks ago, it is at 'easy' pace so that will be around 10 minute miles for the first half and I plan to try to do some 8's later on. I have a plan. I have my route mapped out. I have my music programed.

Now all I need to do is dig in deep and find the guts. Find that determination I have had for the past 18 months and use it on Sunday. Every time we set out to do something more grueling than we have done before it is scary, it is intimidating, but this is what makes it a challenge. And we all know I love a good challenge.

I am used to hearing the 'you are crazy' talk, I am used to hearing wow that is far, I have never heard of a training plan that goes beyond 20. I went past 20 awhile ago. My toughest run was 23. I totally boinked at mile 21 and almost passed out by mile 23 I collapsed when I got home and T almost called 911. So what did I do? Researched, asked questions, and learned a lot before the next long run of 26. I made a new plan and stuck to it. And 26 went great 3 weeks ago.

That is the simple beauty in this marathon training plan. I have had more dress rehearsals for the real thing. I know how my body will respond after running for 4 solid hours, I know how to fuel it and keep it working. I know my legs may feel like they want to quit but if I switch around my music it will get me motivated.

I guess the most daunting part will be those first few miles at 445 am in the dark and cold. And a bit lonely. Running alone for 4 and a half hours gives you lots of time to think about things. I come up with some good ideas while I am running :) Some of them make no sense once I get home but hey it passes the time right?

So I am staring down this run on Sunday and looking forward to getting it over with.

I know 29 will be different and a whole new challenge. I am not saying it will not be hard, I am just planning to use my plan that worked for 26 and hoping I can make it to watch my Patriots Sunday night ;)

Do you find your training plan to be a bit 'crazy' ?

Running Into Darkness

Well I live in Boston, this means 90% of my runs will now be taking place under the cloak of darkness.
I got used to running in the dark last winter when I fell in love with running. I really do not mind running in the dark, actually I enjoy it. But I do have a few tips to help stay safe while doing it.

-First, I always wear my Road ID but especially when running at night. It is a tiny bracelet that has my name, dob, and emergency contacts. This way if anything happens people know who I am and who to call to help me. It also has my mantra engraved on it "never give up" I figure it is perfect because I do not want the emt's to give up on me either ;)

-I wear a reflective running singlet. Now Last winter I had a shirt with reflective tape type stuff on it. It worked but it was a pain in the ass washing it all the time. Then T put it in the dryer by accident and melted some of the paint. You get the idea, it simply did not last lol. But I found something at my local running shop that is absolutly perfect. I am in love with it!

It is simple, it is functional, it is light, I do not even realize it is on!! Its just a reclective vest, and it holds a gel in the front zippered pouch. And it is totally adjustable and easy to put on and off! I found it on amazon cheaper too.

-I also got a blinking light that has 3 options to blink slowly, rapidly, or stay on steady. It clips anywhere and is light. Again I do not even realize I am wearing it when it is on.

It is nice and bright and I feel safer when I am wearing it. I am also wearing a neon shirt, I found these at Target on clearance for $3.75!!! I bought 2 ;) I cannot resist a clearance running sale hehe

So to run at night it is all about safety. I make sure I am easily seen, remember to stay on the well lit sidewalks when ever possible. If I have to go on the street without sidewalks I make sure I am facing the oncoming traffic, this gives me time to see what is ahead and for cars to see me sooner.

A night run can be fun when you are properly outfitted with the correct gear.

There I am after a chilly 6 mile night run. When I run in the early morning around 5AM it is chilly and dark too. I am glad my vest is easy to use and works so well.

What do you use to run in the dark?

My 'Biggest Loser' Interview

I was honored to be featured today on Dr. Sherry Pagoto's blog!!! She has a great website called FUDiet.com

If you are looking for inspiration and advice, this is the place to go! She has interviewed many 'biggest losers', people who have lost weight the old fashioned way: through exercise and hard work. This website is about YOU, not about diets, meal plans, pills, NO it is simple. She also discusses the plank a day movement :) Which you know I am a big fan of hehe 

I really hope you get a chance to pop over and say hi and check out my interview  :)

What Is Your Fitness Lacking?

Our topic this week is What is your fitness lacking? Over at Fitness Blog World!

I love these topics, they come in handy and also force me to look more into my own journey and help me improve my training.

Well this week is no different. My fitness is lacking lots! I mean in reality we all are lacking in one way or another, whether we are willing to admit it or not.

Since I began marathon training I began slacking on my stretching. Yes I know I am a runner and stretching is super important right? Well I just need to be earnest and say I just do not have patience, time, motivation to sit and stretch after all of my runs. I could sit here and make excuses, and believe you me there are plenty! But that is not the nature of myself. There really is no valid excuse just the need for me to sit down and force myself to stretch more.

I have muscle aches and pains, I have pelvis alignment issues, and knee problems. Stretching and my PT exercises that I learned back in May when I was having a  lot of problems are the solution to keep these things at bay. So actually making time and doing my stretches is what I need to do!

The other way my fitness is lacking is with REST!! I know I know the body needs rest. I do not love rest mentally, but physically it is a necessary evil. When you rest it gives your muscles time to regroup and regenerate. Ironically if you do not rest you will over train and destroy the muscles you think you are working so hard to build.

I run a lot. Well I am training for a marathon so I have no choice. Even when not training for a marathon I work out daily. I am addicted. I cannot help myself, you see when you are morbidly obese and on an antidepressant daily, then you replace that with exercise it is hard to take a rest day. Mentally it makes me nutso and I fear for people around me ;) Well ok so I am just a little bit cranky when I do not get to workout, BUT I need to work on that.

I need to realize that rest day is a good day and I can do other things to relieve stress that do not lead me to a binge of chocolate or fit of tears. Things like reading, blogging, and spending time with my lovely family. After all I need to take some rest here and there if I want to be able to win more of these ;)

 So what is the plan to make this happen?

1. Stretch! In fact I will not allow myself to have my recovery drink until I stretch. I love my recovery shakes so this will be the main motivator! I will make myself do my stretching exercises after my runs and take the time to thank my body for carrying me through the torture I put it through.

2. Rest days! I will take a rest day once a week no matter what. I have been better about this but I still have some weeks where I do not. I have a plan! On a rest day I will reward myself with a 30 minute epsom soak where I read a running magazine and just relax. It still gives me the 'me time' I get from working out and helps to take some stress away!

What is your fitness routine lacking?

Marathon Training Week 18

This was a crazy week! Mainly because I had so much work to do at work and it wore me down in the beginning of the week. I tried not to let it bring down my training but ultimately I think my cross training suffered a little bit this week. Not a big deal too much but still bugged me a bit.

Monday- I hit the gym for 4 miles on the elliptical and then some weight training. Weight training was 100 push ups, 50 sit ups and 50 leg raises. I really want to tighten up my abs. Then I used 20 pound hand weights and did bicep and tricep work.

Tuesday- I went running after work in the lovely Newton with my coworker! We did 5.3 miles in 53 minutes. It was great to get out there with a friend and crank out some miles after a long stressful day. When I got home I did my 100 push ups and 100 sit ups and then stretched and foam rolled. It was a good day.

Wednesday- This was treadmill day, it was pouring rain and I honestly was just not motivated to run in the rain again. So I did some speed work on the treadmill. Got in 3 miles around 7 min pace and then 2 more at my comfortable 8 minute pace. Then I did a cross fit workout! This workout was insane and it left me sore for days. Sandy always makes me work hard!

Thursday- I took the day off! It was T's birthday and that was my gift to him, a day of me not being "crazy" as he calls it and just focusing on us. We had a good day.

Friday- T and I went to DW Park for a run together :) It was so nice getting out there with him and running together. We did the 6K hilly loop together in about 40 minutes, he is slower than me but I stuck with him for the most part, it was his first time running outside and he did well. Then he waited in the car so I could do the loop one more time! I did it the second time in 29 minutes.

Saturday- I went out to meet Stephanie and Robin for a 10K run. We ran on a bike path and it was great! You know when you are running with friends the time passes quickly and it just does not feel like work. We did a speedy 6.2 miles in 49 minutes! Thank you to the gals for a great run :) I cannot wait to train with them this winter for long runs.

Sunday- 7.3 miles with a magic mile. Jeff Galloway's plan is based around these magic mile time trials. I ran 3 miles at 8 minutes per mile each and then went for my magic mile, I did it in 7 minutes and 30 seconds. I was happy with that until I came inside and looked in the marathon prediction calculator and it told me that is a 4:25 marathon... Then I started freaking out a bit, my goal is a sub 4 marathon but then I looked up race predictions based on my 5k and half marathon times and its sub 4 so I think I will be ok.

I learned this week that it is fun to run with friends!! I was spoiled all week running with people during most of my runs :) Thank you to everyone who kept me company this week it was fun!

How was your training this week?