Saturday, May 24, 2014

I run for...the journey.

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

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