I run for..."club membership"

New blog post today to commemorate my return to training! Yay! I've been off for 2 weeks (8 runs total) due to injury and illness. First, plantar fasciitis. Thankfully, I stopped as soon as I felt pain so my recovery time was fairly short. I did a combination of ibuprofen, ice, and massage with a golf ball. Was ready to get back into running after that and then sinusitis hit me. Took a couple days off work and rested which helped a lot! I returned to running yesterday with a short 4 mile run even though I have some lingering symptoms but it was SO worth it. I just love to run. There is nothing else to it. Today I followed up with another short 4 mile run. Tomorrow I return to cross training.

So on to today's topic - "club membership". My running journey began as a much needed step to get myself healthy and happy. This has been my story all along. I run for me. But over the years (3 years in November) I have come to value my membership in a seemingly exclusive club of runners. Once I started running, I became much more aware of other runners around me. I quickly developed kinships over our mutual love for running and I talked endlessly with other runners about our successes, struggles, etc. From this I have learned so much.

I feel like my first marathon experience is what really made my club membership official. As I walked to the start line and saw all of the people there for the same reason, I just relished in that feeling of belonging. That feeling never went away. Along the race that I day, I drew encouragement and strength from the other runners on the course. I will never forget how it inspired me.

Even though my running journey is for me, for my own health and happiness, I continue to be inspired by other runners. On April 15, 2013, when the Boston Marathon bombing occurred, it was an absolute tragedy. But among the horrors of that day emerged the ever inspiring and encouraging stories of runners coming together to support the victims. The entire national running community showed their support by running in solidarity for Boston.

The thing about this club membership is that it is not as exclusive as it seems. If you run, then you are a runner and you, in essence, "belong" to the club. I am always looking to recruit! That is why when anyone asks about how I got started or what it takes to train for a marathon, I am more than happy to share my experience. That is why I started this blog! It is not to toot my own horn. It's to encourage and inspire others to change their lives. Running DOES change lives. It has certainly changed mine.

So let this be my official "welcome to the club" post. Now go run! :)

Some of the things I've acquired in my years of club membership…(not included: race shirts, swag bags, and running clothes)

My Shoes! All Merrell brand. There's about 1500+ miles in those shoes. 

Handheld water bottle, 2 hydration belts, my flip belt, reflective bands, watch and heart rate monitor, IT band strap, iPod arm band, Camelbak

I display these medals and race bibs with pride! There's been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to go into those babies. 

And finally...my first StrideBox! I will get one of these every month!

I run for...a change.

This training season is truly a season of changes! I've already experimented with the way I run my long runs, my nutrition, my hydration, and now I'm changing my training program.

I have been a die hard Jeff Galloway training program runner since the beginning. What I fell in love with most about his program was that it was specifically designed for beginners and those that aim to "just finish" a marathon. Well, and I'm proud to say this, I'm not a beginner anymore! Jeff Galloway also offers programs for those that are trying for time goal (5:00, 4:45, 4:30, etc….) and this is what I started out with a few weeks ago but I just am not challenged enough. I still highly recommend his program for any beginners out there but as for me, I have to say good-bye.

So I have switched my loyalty to Hal Higdon. I still value and loosely follow Jeff's walk/run ratio but I am now doing the Hal Higdon Marathon Training for Intermediate 2. This week marked week 1 on this new program and so far, I love it! This week I logged 29 miles. The program goes something like this:

Monday - Cross Training (walking, yoga, bike riding, elliptical, swimming) 30-45 minutes

Tuesday - short maintenance runs (starting at 3mi and working up to 5mi as training progresses)

Wednesday - mid-week "long" run (5 mi working up to 10 mi runs after about 2 months of training)

Thursday - same as Tuesdays

Friday - rest days

Saturday - same as Wednesdays

Sunday - long run

This Sunday marks my first long run of the program and I am scheduled for a 10 miler. This puts me at my first 20 mile run in August. Before race day (10/12/14) I should have three 20 mile runs under my belt. I am VERY optimistic about this year's marathon and I truly need a redemption after last year's 6 hour and 30 minutes disaster. Although it was a great learning experience for me, I never want to be at the back of the pack again. From now on, only forward and upward.

Lastly, I have a bit of sad news. My treadmill bit the dust this week. I can't believe how sad I truly was about this. It completely ruined my whole day on Wednesday. I was in the middle of a 5 mile run, made it about 3 miles and my treadmill started to sound like it was cracking. Then, before long it felt like I was running in a bouncy house. I stopped to examine the underside and there was a huge crack in the deck (the particle board between the belt). I looked up the cost for a replacement board and it's $200!! That's half the price of this treadmill. So…I'm in search of a new and CHEAP treadmill. Although, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. I've become very dependent on my treadmill and as such, I have not been running nearly as much outdoors. Either way, I'm willing to roll with the punches, and I'll stick to my training no matter where I have to do my runs. With that, I will leave you with this...

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

I run for...strength.

Today's run - 11.1 miles, 2:00:45

Stubbornness? Endurance? Determination? Guts? I call it strength. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've had my fair share of disappointments, failures, and life lessons. In my times of trial, one thing I always wished for and prayed for was strength because deep down I always kind of felt like a coward. You know the old fight or flight response? Well…I would always flee. Every single time. Fighting through the pain, the guilt and the shame was too scary.

But I discovered something amazing when I started running. I realized that I am strong BECAUSE of the hard times. I made it through. Even through the darkest of my days I am still here to tell the tale. That makes me strong. And it was running that opened my eyes to this.

One of the biggest surprises during my first training experience for my first marathon was how much mental strength it required. The physical strength was understood but I had no idea how much my mind would come into play. There were days struggling to just get out the door where it took all of my mental finesse to convince myself that it would all be worth it in the end. There were times out on the road when I felt tired, weak, achy, miserable, etc. and it took my mental prowess to convince myself "I can do this", "Just a little further", "You just have to go". But my go-to affirmation while I'm out on the road is this…"I am strong". I am stronger than that little voice inside my head. My legs are strong. My heart is strong. My lungs are strong. I am strong enough to run this hill. I am strong enough to make it a mile further.

And those mental triumphs on the road translate to my life, time and time again. My life is far from perfect now. I still have difficult times because well, that's life. The difference, however, is that I fight. Running has given me the confidence I need to get through anything. Running makes me believe that anything is possible. Most importantly I realize that I am strong.

I run for...my son.

I have a 3 year old son named Emerson. That's him (see above) greeting me at mile 13 as I run my first marathon. He is absolutely the light of my life. One of the BIGGEST reasons why I decided to get healthy and run is because of him.

When my running journey started Emerson was 18 months old. My husband and I looked at ourselves and knew we were headed down a bad road, one that foreshadowed short lives, dependent on medication, and possibly subjecting our son to the same fate. Neither of us wanted that for ourselves and especially not for our son.

I like to think that I was a fairly active child. I was always involved in sports and rode my bike around the neighborhood for hours with my sisters and my friends. I even won a nutrition poster contest when I was in 2nd grade. Lol. But (at no fault to my parents) I was also prone to laziness and pigging out. These habits came from not being taught any different.

I fully believe that good eating habits start at a young age. They NEED to start at a young age so that children can fully embrace them as they grow into independent adolescents and young adults. In terms of physical activity, I think children have an innate desire for it but as adults we need to give them those outlets and those opportunities. That means putting down the game (or turning off the TV, etc.) and…

• Going outside for a walk/jog
• Running around the house
• Doing 50 jumping jacks
• Yoga
• Timing your kids to see how fast they can clean their room (It has to be done anyway! Why not make it into exercise?)
• Playing outside. Period. Let them climb trees, crawl under things, explore!
• Riding bikes
• Taking a hike
• Engage them in any type of exercise you are doing. Sit ups, push ups, weights, stretching, that corny aerobics DVD.
• Sports.
• How high can you jump? How low can you squat? Repeat.
• Swimming.

This list could go on and on. Tonight my son joined me as I did 30 sec planks and then we walked on the treadmill together. Didn't take up a lot of time and he loved it. I think it's really important with kids to make it fun so be creative. I also think it's important to talk to your kids about diet and exercise too. "Why are we doing 50 jumping jacks, Mommy?"  "Well doesn't it feel good? We work out so we can feel good and then we don't have to go to the doctor as much." Or however you want to put it but help them make that connection between eating right, exercise, and their overall health. This will be something that they come to value. Isn't that what we want for our children?

I absolutely want that for my son which is why I knew I had to be a better example. So I run, try to eat healthy, and continue to battle the bad habits I've lived with my whole life. It's super hard and I fail a lot but my son is worth it.

Happy running!

Amanda

More pics of Emerson...

Yoga with Mom

Walking the dog

Riding his bike

I run for...routine.

Sounds boring I know. But I would be nothing without the routine that running and training brings to my life.

This winter has SUCKED! I typically like the cold and snowy winter months but this winter has been outrageous and we still have roughly 2 months left of it. My point is…I have not ran as often as I would like. I love running outdoors but when it is -15 degrees outside it is hard to motivate myself to get out there. Not to mention the amount of prep and recovery time involved. So for about the past month I have only been running once a week.

This is where routine becomes important. I notice a HUGE difference when I don't get at least 3 runs in a week. I'm more irritable. I'm more stressed. I'm more tired, lazy, indulgent, etc. I was really becoming restless staying indoors and needed a fix and quick! So I bought a treadmill.

I think I've mentioned before that I absolutely loathe treadmills. The majority of my runs are done outdoors. There are a lot of reasons for this but namely I like the environmental connection and it most aptly prepares me for races - since they are solely ran outdoors.

But I've had a treadmill for the last 11 days and I've ran 5 of those days for a total of 22 miles. Ahhhhhh! That feels SO much better.

Getting back into a routine is now even more important because this week marks the first week of my half marathon training program. I am also set up to complete a new challenge for the month of February. I will be running every day! Can't wait!

This February challenge is part of my New Year's "resolution" to complete a different challenge every month. Not every challenge is devoted to fitness/running but I thought I would highlight them here in this blog. Maybe it will inspire you to do the same.

FUN FACT about me: I have never NOT completed a New Year's resolution. I am tenacious. When I make up my mind to do something, I do it!

So here are my monthly challenges for the year 2014…

January - 21 Day Sugar Detox - Successfully completed as of yesterday!

February - Run every day. - Developed to jump start my half-marathon training program and keep me motivated through the winter.

March - Meditate every day. - Switching gears to focus more on spiritual development and mental well being.

April - Push up challenge. - Let's face it. I'm a runner. My legs are strong but my arms are puny. This will hopefully help me bulk up my upper half.

May - End each day reading a book. - I love to read but don't do it enough. Ending each day reading a book will hopefully get me in the habit of reading for pleasure more often.

June - 30 random acts of kindness. - This year I turn 30. *gasp* And it just so happens that the month of June has exactly 30 days leading up to my 30th birthday on July 1st. This way my turning 30 will not be defined by growing older but rather by helping others.

July - Spend an hour outside every day.

August - Write every day. - I have a lot of stories up in my head that I've never put down on paper. This challenge will hopefully inspire me to write the children's books that I've always wanted to write. I might even start journaling and writing poetry again.

September - Go Vegan! - I've been a vegetarian in the past. Longest time as a vegetarian was 5 years (sophomore year of high school through college). I just want to try something different and see how being vegan feels.

October - 31 movies I've never seen. - I've already got my list of movies. A lot of them are scary movies which is appropriate for October. I'm so excited for this one!

November - Write a letter every day. - Writing letters is unfortunately becoming a lost art. I'm hoping to write meaningful letters to loved ones that they may cherish for a lifetime, including a letter to my son to open whenever he turns 18.

December - Technology Fast. - This was a hard one to come up with because I know December will be so crazy and hectic. But that is ultimately why I decided to do a technology fast. So that I can spend all my free time, enjoying the holiday season, with the people that mean the most to me.

Stay tuned for regular updates now that my training is in full swing!

Happy running!

Amanda

I run for...improvement.

 

One of the reasons I fell in love with running is that with every run you improve. My very first run (described in my initial blog post) was hard but that second run was a little bit easier. Then with ease came distance and suddenly I was running farther than I had ever run before. Even now, two years into my running journey, I make improvements along the way. Sometimes it’s a faster pace. Sometimes it's in regards to a mental feat - just getting myself out the door or convincing myself to run all the way up the hill, etc. I am always improving.

A big part of making improvements is making goals for yourself. In life I have learned that I need challenges. Challenges pose as opportunities for improvement. This is also true for my running. I have never been one to make it "easy" on myself. Right out of the gate, with just 2 months of consistent running experience under my belt, I made a new year's resolution to not only run 500 miles in 2012 but to also run my first marathon. Guess what? I did it! Crazy as that may have seemed at the time it was that commitment that drove me to success.

Last year with 2012 coming to an end I once again made a commitment to running 500 miles for the year, running a marathon, and adding in an additional race, a half-marathon, in the Spring. DONE! I have surpassed my goal of 500 miles (555 miles to be exact). I ran the Go! St Louis Half-Marathon in April 2013 and the Rock N' Roll Savannah Marathon in November 2013.

In 2014 I plan to push myself even farther.

#1 - Run 600 miles for the year.
#2 - Half Marathon in May - The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati (possibly making this a marathon run)
#3 - Marathon in November - Pensacola Marathon in Florida

And most likely, I will add a few other fun races in there too. I've always wanted to do a color or neon run and the hot chocolate run sounds awesome too!

So what are your goals for the year? I CHALLENGE you to do more running this year. Do you need to commit to a race this year? Running faster or farther? Or maybe you just need to commit to getting out the door. Whatever your goals may be I know you won't be disappointed with the rewards that running can bring you.

Happy New Year! Best wishes (and running!) to you in 2014!

Love, Amanda