Sunday, July 25, 2010

Completed; Week 7 of Chicago Marathon trainings

Monday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday Actual: None- Sick w/ food poisoning

Tuesday Scheduled: 7 mile run
Tuesday Actual: none- Sick w/ food poisoning

Wednesday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday Actual: My First Two-A-Day! morning run: 4.3 miles 34:43, 8:05 pace, evening run: 5 miles 45:00, 9:00 pace, push ups 1 x 20

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 5 miles on treadmill 44:00, 8:48 pace, push ups 4 x 10

Friday Scheduled: 7 mile pace run
Friday Actual: P90X ab ripper, P90X Core Synergesistics

Saturday Scheduled: 14 mile run
Saturday Actual: 7 miles on treadmill 60:00, 8:34 pace, Uppper body lifting

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 10.02 miles 1:25:31, 8:32 pace

Scheduled Mileage: 36 miles
Actual Mileage: 31.32 miles
Weight: 120lbs

long run fail and bladder issues

Today's long run of 14 miles was a big fat fail! I really do not understand what is going on with me. I let the heat, sun and my head get to me. I bailed and only ran 10.02 miles. I can't be doing this with only 11 weeks left in my training. At this rate, not only will I not meet my goal, I doubt I will even finish faster then my previous time. Somethings got to give.

I already knew this week was going to be rough getting in all mileage due to being sick, but I had really hoped I could do it. I guess there is still time to do so. Its only 3:45pm. I could head back out for a few more later this evening.

And on to my bladder issues. Let me warn you, this is a total TMI!

I peed my pants on my run today. Not once, but twice. WTF?? Seriously, I couldn't stop it either. I was running along and had to stop at a light to cross the street and it was there that it happened. I began to pee. I tried to stop but it just kept coming out. We are talking full on wet shorts and trickling down my legs! This is totally gross and not right. I need to figure out why this happened and how to make sure it doesn't happen again!! Its not comfortable running with the crotch of your shorts wet and passing buy people hoping that you do not smell of urine!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Getting to know me!

This was passed on to me from Brit

1) What was on your To-Do list today:

•Go to work.

◦Go shopping at Target! I am a freak for Target. I shop there at least once a week. This weeks list consists of q-tips, new shoes (flats, to be specific), shampoo and travel items for a business trip.

◦Go for a run. I plan to do my dads ladder work out on the treadmill as well as a 1 mile warm up and 2 mile cool down.

•Figure out what I want for dinner! Chris offered to take me out, but I am not so sure I will want to after my run tonight.

◦do laundry. I have to wash my running clothes.

2) 5 Snacks you enjoy:

◦Apples with peanut butter
◦pretzels
◦fresh fruit
◦yogurt
◦ice cream :0)

3) 5 Places you have lived:

◦I've only lived in Michigan...and no where fun and well known either. Unless you consider the metro Detroit area "fun" and "well known".





4) What were you doing 5 years ago:

◦remodeling our first house/current home! we purchased the home in May of 2005, but did not officially move in until early August. We did all the work on it first.

◦5 years go, this coming weekend would be my wedding shower!

◦I would not only be remodeling a home, but also be tying up the last bit of plans for our wedding.

◦Move somewhere where Chris could surf every day, probably the Central Coast of California.

5) 5 things you would do if you were a Billionaire:

◦Pay off my parents & Chris's parents homes/cars/bills and make sure they had everything they neeeded to live comfortably and give them a vacation home to the destination of their choice.

◦Pay off our siblings bills and make sure they had what they needed to live comfortably.

◦I'd donate to charities for children less fortunate as well as children that come from abusive homes.

◦I would travel to various tropical or warm weather destinations. I'd also like to travel to Poland (Chris is 100% Polish so I'd love for him to see his native country), Italy, England, Germany.

◦I would send my husband on a hunting trip to Africa. He is an avid hunter (deer & turkey) and he's said that is one thing he'd love to be able to do. I'd go with him. :0) Just to see Africa, not to hunt.

I am passing this along to;




Two-A-Day!

I experienced my first two-a-day.

Yesterday I woke up bright and early before work to head out for a 4.3 mile run. I had a decent pace of 8:05 per mile and felt pretty darn good, especially after being very sick for 2 days. After work it was hot and humid so I went to the gym to run the treadmill. I had planned to run a minimum of 4 miles, max of 6 miles. I made it 5 miles and it was tough! I averaged a 9:00 per mile pace, which is definitely on the slow end for me. I wasn't feeling all that well when I left the gym. I was hot, dripping with sweat and sick to my stomach. I made sure to grab a bottle of G2 as soon as I walked in the door. I thought about the run and what might have gone wrong and I determined it was a combination of errors on my part.

Error 1. I didn't eat enough through out the day. Salad and fruit doesn't cut it! I should know better.
Error 2. I believe I should have waited a couple more days to do this since I had just gotten over being very sick. I was so sick on Monday & Tuesday that I lost 6lbs, so doing my first two-a-day on Wednesday wasn't the smartest move.

Overall, I have to consider it a success regardless of how I felt during and after. It's a success since I have never done a two-a-day and no matter how hard it was, I made it through!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

How to handle set backs?

How do I handle a couple set backs?

This week I am already missing 2 (and may be more if I do not get better soon) of my runs due to being sick. Next week I travel for work and will spend 4 days in North Carolina. I plan to bring my running gear and will contact the local YMCA to see if I can use their facility.

At least I know I will not miss my long runs. I have 14 miles scheduled for this weekend and 15 miles for the following weekend. I also need to get in an additional 24 miles each week (4,7,4,7). Should I consolidate the daily runs so I can meet my required mileage? Or if I miss one, do I just pick up where I left off?

I wasn't worried about my business trip next week, I knew it would mess with my training. It's this food poisoning that I have that is really making me stress. 2 weeks back to back with things that will interfere with training.

Completed; Week 6 of Chicago Marathon Training

What a great week. I really felt this week was the push I needed to mentally get back on track. Too bad I spent the last two days sick as a dog, so that is really going to mess up week 7! :-(

Monday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Monday Actual: 3.57 miles 27:53, 7:43 pace

Tuesday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Tuesday Actual: rest

Wednesday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 5 mile run on the treadmill; 1 @ 8:34, 1 @ 8:13 1 @ 7:57, 1 @ 8:13, 1 @ 8:34, core work, push ups 2 x 15

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 4 mile run on the treadmill @ 8:13 pace, upper body lifting

Friday Scheduled: 6 mile pace run
Friday Actual: 2.59 mile run before work; 20:22, 7:52 pace

Saturday Scheduled: 9 mile run
Saturday Actual: 4.39 mile run at the lake, 35:00, 7:58 pace - hilly terrain

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 13.34 mile run, 1:48:52, 8:10 pace - hilly terrain

Scheduled Mileage: 26 miles
Actual Mileage: 32.89 miles
Weight: ?

Friday, July 16, 2010

Morning run before work

I've always wanted to get up extra early and run before having to get ready for work. There is just one problem; Monday-Friday I am NOT a morning person. On Saturday and Sunday I can be up early and out running with no issues, but when it comes to getting up earlier then I already have to for work, I just can't bring myself to do it. That is, until today!

For some unknown reason, both Chris and I woke up at 4:30am and were wide awake. I tried to fall back to sleep but it wasn't happening. I got up and started my day. I made coffee, did a load of laundry, watched TV and decided to run. By the time it was light out, I was only able to get a short 2.6 mile run (20:22, 7:52 pace) in. It felt GREAT! I felt GREAT! I left the MP3 player at home and just enjoyed listening to the birds. I wish I could have kept going. Boy, have I been missing out on a great thing! I am going to try to be up earlier at least 1 day per week to run before having to get ready for work. I'll have to head out with it still some-what dark to ensure I can get longer distances in, but I am fine with that. I may soon know what it's like to have my evenings free versus them consuming my training runs and trips to the gym.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

New Kicks!

After my whining in the previous update, I am hoping these will help turn things around.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10's



I love new running shoes. I love the new shoe smell, I love how my feet feel on that first run, it's heaven.

In my opinion, these are the best GTS Brooks have put out since the 7's. The toe box is slightly narrower, better cushion & arch support, lower profile design and lighter then all others. I can't wait to hit the pavement tomorrow!

Completed: Week 5 of Chicago Marathon Training

I can't believe the Chicago Marathon is only 13 weeks away! As some many may think that is a long time, I do not. I've had a rough couple weeks with slower paces then I was expecting and the heat really getting to me. These rough times make me question myself whether or not I will actually be able to reach my goal. I've never missed a goal I've set for myself when it comes to running and I'd really like to not start now! My head has been messing with me a lot lately. When I feel tired or have dead legs, I start to tell myself that I'll never run this marathon in 3:40 or less - that I just don't have the strength. I must get a handle on the mental aspect of my training or this could ruin what I have set out to do.

I think I may need to add track work to my short scheduled runs too. I HAVE to get my pace up on my longer distance training runs, even in this heat & humidity.

I need to get out of this funk I am in.

Here is how this weeks training went.

Monday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Monday Actual: 3.36 mile run w/ my brother in-law; 27:56 8:22 pace

Tuesday Scheduled: 6 mile run
Tuesday Actual: Rest Day

Wednesday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 7 mile run on the treadmill; 1 @ 8:41 pace, 1 @ 8:20 pace, 1 @ 8:13 pace, 1 @ 8:00 pace, 1 @ 7:47 pace, 1 @ 8:13 pace, 1 @ 8:41 pace, push ups 1 x 20

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 6.09 mile run on treadmill; 1 @ 8:41 pace, 1 @ 8:34 pace, 1 @ 8:27 pace, 1.09 @ 8:20 pace, 1 @ 8:27 pace, 1 @ 8:34 pace, leg lifts 4 x 15, push ups 2 x 15

Friday Scheduled: 6 mile pace run
Friday Actual: 2 mile run on treadmill @ 8:34 pace (sore legs), upper body lifting; biceps, triceps, shoulders

Saturday Scheduled: 12 mile run
Saturday Actual: 11.92 mile run; 1:38:49 8:17 pace

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 30 minutes stationary bike, upper body lifting; chest & back, core work, legs (squats, lunges, wall sits)

Scheduled Mileage: 30 miles
Actual Mileage: 30.35 miles
Weight: 123lbs

Friday, July 9, 2010

Completed: Week 4 of Chicago Marathon Training

After being on vacation, I am finally getting around to updating my blog. I was able to stick with my training through out my time at the lake. I ran in some very hot & humid weather and experienced my first "duck into the woods" on a long run. Overall, I am pleased how the week went. My pace wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but I am not going to dwell on it.

Here is how my training went.

Monday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Monday Actual: 20 minutes stationary bike, 25 minutes elliptical intervals, upper body lifting

Tuesday Scheduled: 6 mile run
Tuesday Actual: 6.18 mile run; 48:36 7:52 pace, push ups 3 x 10

Wednesday Scheduled: 3 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 6.09 mile run; 47:48 7:51 pace

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 5.42 mile run w/ speed intervals with dad; 41:48 7:43 pace

Friday Scheduled: 6 mile pace run
Friday Actual: upper body work w/ resistance bands, push ups, core work

Saturday Scheduled: 11 mile run
Saturday Actual: 11.30 mile run; 1:36:34 8:33 pace (stomach issues!!)

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 5.49 mile run w/ my brother in-law; 44:39 8:08 pace

Scheduled Mileage: 29 miles
Actual Mileage: 34.48 miles
Weight: did not weigh in

Thursday, July 1, 2010

On Vacation!

Beginning this afternoon I am on vacation. 6 glorious days at my mother in-law & father in-law's lake house on Lake Leann! I can't wait. The weather will be perfect, family will be in town from Chicago, its a great place to put in mileage, lots of boating, jet skiing, sun bathing, kayaking, indulging in good food & drink, I could go on!

I have various runs schedule starting with 5-6 miles tonight with my dad before heading to the lake and 11 miles tomorrow morning. I also plan to use the resistance bands, do push ups and core work.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!