Training for the week of 02.07 - 02.13.2010

02.07 - stretching, lots of stretching!
02.08 - 4 miles/50 minutes/12.50 pace
02.09 - 6 miles/
02.10 - cross training
02.11 - 4 miles/speed work
02.12 - rest
02.13 - 11 miles/

Double Digits!

I ran my 1st double digit mileage this past Saturday! 10 miles! I enjoyed the distance for the most part. The last 3 miles were a bit of a challenge, my knees and ankles were definately talking to me. The most enjoyable part was actually the last 3/4 mile. I just hit a grove, and sank into it. The breathing was not difficult, and the gate and posture felt incredibly comfortable, I felt like I could keep going for another mile or so...which was an extremely pleasant surprise because usually the last mile for me is a real mind over matter struggle! I realized that pace is the wrong motivational force for me at this point in my running - I am still relatively new to this way of life. It hasn't even been a whole year, and this is my first marathon, and marathon training! So, I have decided that it is more important for me to find a rhythm to my running that feels good, whatever the pace turns out being. I know that there will be runs that will feel like I should push harder, and moments with my running buddy that I will feel as though I was more of a hinderance that an addition. All that will have to be something that I learn to let go of and learn from for now. Perhaps a year from now, when I have more running time and races under my belt that type of view point will be my motivation. For now i have to remember that "it's not about winning, it's about finishing"; and that all by itself is an accomplishment to be proud of!!

I am proud of my mileage, and my persistant effort, regardless of "mind-blowing" pace. I am proud of the way this new lifestyle effects everything else that I do: the way I eat, sleep, socialize, and the stress relief it brings into my mind and body and soul!

Thank god I found a running buddy, because without her reliability, and subtle pushing to go farther, and push just a little longer or harder...I don't know that I would be as far along as I am. I do not kid myself by thinking that I am an elite athlete, or someone to contend with in the truly competitive runners world - yet! Someday comes to us all, and in it's own due time for each person. I am learning to take pride in the acccomplishments that are all mine, no matter how they stack up against anyone else's journey. I still take the time to seek grand motivation, and at the same time focus on the reality of my place in accomplishing my short term and long term goals. One day at a time is so much more fulfilling, than the unanswerable question of what will be in three months, 6 months, a year... etc.

So, I am feeling good right here, right now! and look forward to being prepared for the next challenge tomorrow...and take pride in the victories and learning from the mistakes.


I hope for joy and happiness for every person no matter where they may be on their personal journey!

Quote: "The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat."

B.

Training Log:

01/30 - 8 miles/1 hour 45 minutes (longest distance i have ever run to date!!)
01/31 - Stretching, lots of stretching.
02/01 - 4 miles/45 mintes /11.25 pace
02/02 - 5 miles /57 minutes/11.40 pace
02/03 - cross train - 20 minutes of pilates
02/04 - 4 miles - speed work...didn't check time.
02/05 - lots of stretching...felt so good!
02/06 - 10 miles/130 minutes/13.00 pace

Frustrating challenges and personal milestones...

I realize that it has been a while since I have posted anything, but really I did not have much to say. For a good part of the Holiday season and the better part of January I was dealing with some health issues that really took me out of the normal training routine that I had been working so hard on creating and maintaining. I found myself very frustrated and wondering if I would be able to actually get all the training in that I need to run the marathon in April. The side effects of me being out of "the game" for pretty much a solid three weeks has created some significant obstacles for me do overcome. Namely; my pace which was in/around a 9.30 to an easy 10.00 has changed to an easy 11.50-11.30 and a more challenging 10.30-10.50 pace. Of course this is due in part to the fact that I managed to put on about 5 lbs while I was sick, as well as the cigarettes coming back into my life while I found myself dealing with extremely frustrating health-related issues. (Smart....I know!!) So, this has left me with a slower, sluggish-feeling pace....and even though I am trying to get the smoking thing back under control this week, my breathing is labored, and a times painful.

All of this is challenging enough for me to deal with alone, but the real frustating issue is that while I was "out of the loop", my running partner was still able to train; which leaves us in different stages of fitness. The hard part for me is not that she was able to keep going; because I would have done the same if the tables had been turned. And, she is doing really well, and has achieved a great endurance and pace level - which I am truly excited for her and her biggest cheer leader. The hard part is that I can see just how difficult it is for her to have patience with me, when she knows that she could be pushing so much harder than I am able to do right at the moment. She has been as gracious as she can be, but I can tell at times when i need to slow down my pace or even take extra walking breaks, that she gets irritated from time to time. Who can blame her? That would be a lot to deal with espescially after not even having a runnning buddy for most of January, to make personal strides that one can be proud of, and then to have to slow it down, just when you are feeling like you have the wind in your sails! I really understand, honestly i do.

I just don't know what else I can do, other than have patience for myself, and do what I can do to push and train smart so that I can get back to where I once was, and still be ready for the marathon without injury. I know that she and I will more than likely finish at different times on race day, and that is alright and always has been, she is much more petite than I, and a couple years younger with more running experience.
What feels like huge accomplishments for me at this point (after having been side-lined unvoluntarily), are not accomplishments for her, and I do not want her to feel held back by me in any way!

I know there are days where she would rather run alone so that she doesn't have to "wait" on me, and there are probably days where I would rather run alone and feel great about hitting a goal, instead of feeling badly that she didn't hit hers. I just wish I knew that I will be back up to speed in another week or so. That way, I could say..."well, I am almost there, just "x" amount of days and you'll see...I won't be a burden to your pace any longer". But that is uncertain, and I can only work hard, hope for the training to pay off sooner than later, keep hitting my training goals, and cut myself some slack.

I know that there will be a few more frustrating days before I feel as though they are behind me, and that is simply going to have to be okay. If it is not, I will undertsand and do whatever I need to do for me. My goal is unchanged, "It's not about winning, it's about finishing", this is more true now than ever...it is my first marathon, and it may not be pretty by certain standards. But, it will be mine.


Quote for today: "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up"

B.

Best pace yet!

My running buddy and I ran this morning at 6:00 a.m., 4 miles @ 9.35 pace. This is our best time to date. The run felt great, I personally think that it is due in part to our new face gators (it's pretty chilly in Salt Lake City at that time of the morning in December) and also the fact that we took a little break (1 week since our last run). Due to health, it was necessary. It was just the best way to start my day!

Time is moving right along, we have one more week on our current training program, then a week of for holidays and rest! Then December 28th the 4 month marathon training schedule begins. I am so excited! It is so nutty to think I wasn't even able to run for two consecutive minutes during the 1st week of September, and now 4 miles feels like a "short run" to me. I am constantly amazed at what our bodies truly are capable of in short amounts of time, if we are just persistant. So grateful for my health!!

Also, went to a cold weather running clinic last Wednesday and it was really insightful, and opened my eyes up to proper layering of running attire, safety, and some really cool gear! My christmas list was created in a 1 hour class. Hope that everyone has a wonderful Holiday season filled with wonderful memory making, laughter and lots of love!

Quote: "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."

and: "Just go out there and do what you've got to do!"

My first 5k!

I ran my first 5k on Thanksgiving morning...in 32.33 minutes. Feeling pretty good about the standard pace me and my running partner have established so far. We ran a 5 mile run this morning, which was a bit difficult, we were both pretty stiff and sore...but we did the mileage, even though it wasn"t perfect. We are on the tail end of our endurance training...3 more weeks...and then a week off, and then serious marathon training begins...woohoo!

hope everyone had a fantastic Thankgiving, and we'll keep you up to speed with the next chapter of our training.

Take care, and I will update soon.

Beth

5K race on Thanksgiving day

I am so excited about running in my first race in preparation for the marathon in April 2010. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am running the 5k (3.1 miles) for the Human Race campaign. My running partner (Sarai) and I will be hitting the pavement at 8 a.m. in Draper City, UT. Originally we were planning on running the 6k (3.75 miles) up City Creek Canyon; but we missed registration by one day! Ah well, live and learn. My hubby who is not really a morning person, will be coming along to support me, and see his wife in action. I am so happy that I have so much support as I pursue this goal. I am truly Thankful this Thanksgiving for so many amazing friends and family in my life. I am so aware that so many people do not have the ability to run at all, and I feel that I am given the gift of a fully functioning body and that it is not only my obligation but also my absolute joy to utilize what it is capable of doing!
I am so thankful for my health, and my awareness to be proactive with my body and my life. It has not always been the case, and perhaps because of poor discipline and bad choices that I have made in my life I am genuinely filled with such gratitude and a reverence for how amazing our bodies are at this point in time!

I hope everyone has a truly lovely Thanksgiving Day! And to all those who will be racing tomorrow, good luck and have fun!!

Quote's for the post: "I feel the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more"
"It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top."