Something amazing
happens on the first day of marathon training. Hope, determination, and
motivation are at an all time high. Visions of you at the finish line with a
personal record and a medal around your neck fill your head. Today was this day
for me. With this new marathon journey,
I am also driven to find that special little something, that something that
will make me better, faster, and stronger. Today's run was my first
experimentation with trying new things.
On race days I do
not use my phone or any music or anything. I like to be in the moment and
experience every mile. This is different from most of my training runs in that
I almost always use MapMyRun or listen to music on my run. So I've made the
decision that during this new marathon journey I will do most training runs as
similar to how things are going to be on race day as possible. I started this
new experiment with today's 8 mile run. No music. No phone. Just me and my
trusty watch. I'm already excited by this new development! Today I discovered
something new about myself. When I am feeling fatigued during a run, it is
usually when my running form changes - my shoulders are hunched and my hips pushed back. Without any distractions, I was able to correct my form and thus,
run easier and faster! Only down side to not using my phone today was not being
able to track my mileage. I created a course on MapMyRun before I went out that
equaled 10.5 miles. Once I got out there I decided to make a few changes, take
some different turns, and I ended up running only 8 miles. That means less
spontaneity. I will have to strictly follow my mapped route or else I'll risk
this happening again.
I am also switching
to using my Accelerade during my runs instead of just water. I've done some
research over the last couple months regarding my recent troubles during my
last two races: 1) feeling cold and faint during runs (happened in Savannah)
and 2) severe leg cramping at the end of races (happened in Cincinnati). What I
have learned is that I am a "salty sweater". Sounds weird, I know,
but it basically means that I lose more sodium and potassium when I sweat than
most people and it causes the aforementioned problems. Hopefully by
substituting Accelerade for water during long runs and increasing my daily
sodium intake will fix this. Today's run - no cramping and no cold. So far, so
good.
I am also
experimenting with what to eat during runs. I've mentioned before that I
typically stick to GU gel and Dole fruit bites. Today I use PowerBar gel,
orange cream flavor. Absolutely disgusting! I definitely prefer GU gel over it.
On today's run I also use SuperCandy gummies. Absolutely delicious!! I felt
like I was eating candy. It has all natural ingredients, B vitamins for energy,
antioxidants, electrolytes, and 90 calories. I definitely will be using them
again.
So it's official. I
have started my marathon training. This year I will be running CHICAGO!!! Words
cannot adequately express my excitement. This is something I have dreamed of
from the start of my running journey. I CANNOT wait to do this. I know it will
be an experience I will never forget. This year's marathon journey carries an
added bonus. I will be running for the American Cancer Society. Here's an
excerpt from my DetermiNation fundraising page:
"Any
race could be a life-changing event - but my next race will be a lifesaving
event. I've run in 2 marathons in the last 2 years. Those races were
for me - to prove that I could do it. But this year's marathon is for
someone else. It's for my Mema, my Uncle Marty, and every other person
out who's been affected by cancer. As part of the American Cancer
Society DetermiNation team, I am achieving things I never imagined I could
accomplish. Yes, training is tough, but for me the finish line is just the
beginning. My race victory will help save lives from every cancer in every
community. And I'm hoping you'll support me
in my efforts.
It's up
to us to change the course of cancer - and I believe in the work the American
Cancer Society is doing to save lives. Every day, they're helping people stay
well and get well, they're funding and conducting research to find cures, and
they're rallying communities to join them in fighting back. More than 11
million Americans who have a history of cancer will celebrate another birthday
this year. Please support me with a donation so that together, with the
American Cancer Society, we can help save lives and create a world with less
cancer and more birthdays."
Let this be my first
humble plug for fundraising. If you would like to donate to my cause and help
join the fight against cancer, you may do so through my personal fundraising
page here - http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11IL?px=27819447&pg=personal&fr_id=62236
