My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 106

Official Marathon Training

I'm going to go right into it, because it's just ridiculous.

3 miles

28 minutes 17 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 26 seconds

Look familiar? Look down at my last post. Now do you see it?

I seriously ran 3 miles, on 2 different days, in the exact same time. And, yes I double and triple checked it.

Talk about cRaZy!

In other news, there is road construction happening on a little bridge, which is right in the middle of many of my routes. So, I have to change all of those routes, at least from now until the end of August.

You wouldn't think this was a big deal, but I basically had all of my routes mapped out already for my entire training schedule...ugh! :(

3 weeks 4 days down, 14 weeks 3 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 105

Official Marathon Training

I've been kind of out of it lately, possibly from a cold or something...ugh!

But, I'm still doing my runs, even though I didn't post yesterday's times. ;D

So, I'll start with yesterday.

3 miles

28 minutes 17 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 26 seconds

Not too bad, definitely not my best time.

And then there was today.

4 miles

39 minutes 20 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 50 seconds

I think this is my worst average yet. I really hope I get over whatever this is and I can get a decent night sleep to bring my energy back up. I've been so tired lately, but I just can't sleep at night. I'll go to bed about 10:30ish, lie there for I don't know how long, finally fall asleep and wake up about 3 or 4ish. Not so much fun. :(

But, at least I'm still under a 10 minute mile. :D

3 weeks 3 days down, 14 weeks 4 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 102

Official Marathon Training

I ran a 10K {6.2 miles} last night, so what do I do this morning?

I run 5 miles. :D

Gotta keep up with my training, even with events. ;D

5 miles

47 minutes 42 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 33 seconds

Not my best average, but I'm still happy with it, considering I ran the 10K last night. :D

Oh, and speaking of the 10K, I just found out my time.

10K {6.2 miles}

53 minutes 44 seconds

Average Mile

8 minutes 40 seconds

Just did the math on all of that and that's my fastest outdoor average mile. So, no wonder my time was a little slow this morning, I really pushed myself last night. :D

I'm really proud of myself for that 10K. Not only did I finish 2nd in my age group, I finish 9th in the women and 29th for the overall 10K event.

Not too shabby, considering there were over a 100 runners in the 10K event.

But the best part of these events, is the new tradition we have with the girls. After I finish my race, I go back to find my mom, who is pushing the girls in the stroller. We get the girls out of the stroller and run/walk with them over the finish line. After I finished and went back this time, Lizzi actually ran the last little bit of the track with me. While Maddi had grammy carry her with her blanky. :D It was getting late and I think it was about their bedtime by the time we finished. ;D

3 weeks down, 15 weeks to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 101

Official Marathon Training

It appears that I missed quite a few days. So here's the last few days at a glance.

Wednesday June 22

Treadmill 5K {3.1 miles}

25 minutes 55 seconds

Average Mile

8 minutes 21 seconds

I decided to change it up a little and try the level 2 for the 5K, definitely tougher. The incline portions are not very steep, but they are long. I was really pushing to keep going.

Then there was Thursday June 23

A nice day for a little rest or at least what I consider rest. ;D

And then we had Today.

Pretty easy day with the workouts. I did my weights and instead of walking on the treadmill I did the stationary bike. Talk about owie! I think that might be my new cross training cardio, because there were definitely some muscles in there that had not been used in a while.

In addition to all of that, I ran the Salem Summer Solstice 10K and WON 2nd Place in my age group. Pretty proud of myself. :D

2 weeks 6 days down, 15 weeks 1 day to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 98

Official Marathon Training

Another day, another run!

I'm getting a little annoyed with my body. It has decided that it's going to act like it needs to go to the bathroom all the way through my run, then when I get home, it does not need to go!! Very annoying!

Oh well, hopefully we {my body and I} can establish a schedule, because the runs are just getting longer from here on out.

Today's Time...

4 miles

36 minutes 13 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 4 seconds

At least I did better than yesterday! :D

Thanks to a good nights sleep. ;D

2 weeks 3 days down, 15 weeks 4 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 97

Official Marathon Training

I really need to start going to bed at a decent hour, it's really effecting my time. That and the fact that my body decides it needs a bathroom in the middle of my run. I'm hoping my body figures this out soon, because the time between potty breaks is going to get even longer as my training progresses.

Well, enough potty talk, here's the info from today.

3 miles

27 minutes 44 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 15 seconds

Not exactly bad, but definitely not where I was hoping to be by this week. It's kind of funny that my best time was my first. Oh well, maybe getting to bed earlier will help. :D

2 weeks 2 days down, 15 weeks and 5 days to go!!!



My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 95

Official Marathon Training

I made it! 7 miles done!

I know this is just a fraction of the distance that I will eventually be running, but I'm still excited! :D

7 miles

1 hour 7 minutes 25 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 38 seconds

Not my best average, but I'm still happy with it. :D

Considering I felt like I really had to "go" about half way through. ;D

The best part of today, was when Lizzi came up to me and said,

"Mom, you're a great runner!"

It made me feel amazing!

Now up to Portland for another 3 miles. :D

2 weeks down, 16 weeks to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 94

Official Marathon Training

Today was my cross training day, so what do I do, I run a 5K on the treadmill. I was able to run it at the 7.5 mph pace again and seemed to have bettered my total time by 1 second.

I know, I should be sWiTcHiNg things up on these days, but I was really in the mood for a run.

At least I did my weights and walking too. :D

Maybe I'll do one of Jillian's workouts tonight, to even things out. ;D

Tomorrow is going to be interesting. I have my 7 mile run and I've signed up for a 3 mile running event up in Portland. My plan was, I would do the 3 miles in the morning, then run my 7 miles in the evening/night. But, that's not going to work out, because I will not have anyone to watch the girls for me that evening. So, I'm getting up, bright and early, to run my 7 miles, then head up to Portland with the girls for the 3 mile event. I think I might allow myself to have some chocolate...maybe ;D

1 week 6 days down, 16 weeks 1 day to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 92 continued...

Unofficial Marathon Training

This morning I did my training run outside, then I went to the gym to do my weights and a little more cardio. I've been trying to increase my running pace on my outside runs, and basically been failing in my attempts. So, this morning, I decided to try another 5K {3.1 miles} on the treadmill. I wanted to really push myself out of my comfort zone.

My favorite thing about the 5K setting on the treadmill is that the faster you run, the faster you are done with the 5K. I love this, because when I go for a run outside, I have a set distance I want to run and I run until I'm done, regardless of how long it takes me.

Well, back to the 5K I ran on the treadmill. When I was deciding what pace to run at, I got to thinking about my friend Megan, who ran her first 1/2 marathon when she was about 10 weeks pregnant. And, of course, she didn't tell any of us she was expecting until after she ran. { I know, she's crazy, but I love her none the less :D } When she was training, she told me, she was able to get up to 7.5 mph on the treadmill when she was training. Now granted she's a bit taller than me, but I figured, hey if she could do it prego, I could do it.

And I did!

So, Thank You Megan for inspiring me to push myself further than I thought I could go and for the amazing finish time I got on the 5K.

5K {3.1 miles}

24 minutes 53 seconds

Average Mile

8 minutes 2 seconds

This is a huge achievement for me, because the fastest mile I ever ran was back in middle school, maybe 7th grade, at 8 min. 10 sec. {and yes I know how sad it is that I remember that}. The only reason I think I was able to run that fast was because I was running with my friend Jackie and she kept me going. And, we were only running a mile. Now, granted I was on the treadmill this time, but I still did it!

YAY ME!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 92

Official Marathon Training

( to: Jenny and Megan;D ) 

I totally lucked out this morning! I forgot to set my alarm, yet I still woke up when I was supposed to. I guess my internal clock remembered to set it's alarm. ;D

This morning was kind of tricky for me. I ran my regular route, but I was trying to push myself to go faster. It didn't exactly work out the way I had hoped. I would push myself too hard on the hills and then have to take longer to recover. But, at least my time stayed consistent. As a matter of fact, I had basically the exact same time as last Wednesday.

 

3 miles

26 minutes 45 seconds

 

Average Mile

8 minutes 55 seconds

Not to shabby, if I do say so myself. :D

Since tomorrow is my rest day, I think I might do another 5K at the gym this morning, just to see if I can increase my speed a little. :D

1 week 4 days down, 16 weeks 3 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 91

Official Marathon Training

Another exciting day of running. Last night, or I guess I should say early this morning, Maddi needed some extra attention, so I over slept. I was not able to go on my outdoor route, but thank goodness for the gym. :D

I decided to do a 5K {3.1 miles} on the treadmill. Which was kind of nice, because I had the chance to test out a faster pace. I started out with a 7mph and decided to bump it up to 7.5 mph with 1K{2/3 mile} left. Then, I decided to really push myself and raise the speed to 8 mph for the last 1/2K{1/3 mile}!

5K {3.1 miles}

26 minutes 10 seconds

Average Mile

8 minutes 26 seconds

Now, the treadmill integrates inclines/hills in the 5K setting, but none were as steep as the hill I normally run up. Although that big hill is probably effecting my total pace, it's definitely a great workout and perfect for training for all the hills I'll encounter on the marathon.

I think I might do one of my runs once a week at the gym, just so I can make sure my pace is staying consistence.

1 week 3 days, and 16 weeks 4 days left!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 90

Official Marathon Training

Some lovely Oregon mist/rain for my run this morning. Not my favorite weather for running, but it's probably going to be similar weather for the marathon, so I should get used to it. :D

3 miles

27 minutes 15 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 5 seconds

Not too bad, considering that my main goal this morning was to not slip and fall. ;D

I guess I should be happy, considering how much faster I have become over the last few months, but I really want to come in under 5 hours on the marathon. At least my ankle has been doing better and not giving me as much grief.

1 week 2 days, 16 weeks 5 days!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 89

Official Marathon Training

Another rest day and the start of the second week of training...YAY!!

I'm really hApPy right now, because I'm in the process of cooking some yummy, buttery and flaky biscuits, and I'm going to allow myself to enjoy eating one, maybe two. ;D

 I'm think I might get out some of my strawberry freezer jam too. I think I'm in heaven right now!!

This is my favorite benefit to the training, being able to allow treats into my diet, without all the guilt.

1 week 1 day down, 16 weeks 6 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 88

Official Marathon Training

So, I went out last night and didn't get home until about 3 am. I over slept and didn't get my running done this morning. I guess I should have just changed into my running clothes and done it then, but I didn't. Which, meant that I had to do it this evening, in the heat and with the sun in my eyes ;P

None the less, my time did not suffer any more than I anticipated.

6 miles

54 minutes 37 seconds

Average Mile

9 minutes 7 seconds

Honestly, I thought I'd just barely come in a few seconds under 60 minutes. But nope, I had just over 5 minutes to spare ;D

I'm actually really proud of my time, because back in January, I ran 5 miles in about 55 minutes. So, I was able to get a whole extra mile in :D

And the best part about this is that I not only ran up Wiltsey Hill once, but TWICE!!

Yup! I'm a glutton for punishment! ;D

1 week down, 17 weeks to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 87

Official Marathon Training

So nice to sleep in again, without feeling guilty.

Now to decided what to do for my cross training today. Maybe I'll do Group Power this morning. :D

6 days down, 17 weeks and 1 Day to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 86

Official Marathon Training

::sigh::

A wonderful day to sleep in!

It's kind of nice to have a day where I don't need to feel guilty for taking a day off from working out.

Ok, so I'm still going to do my weights and walk on the treadmill, but that is relaxing for me. ;D

And my favorite part is I'm already starting to lose a little weight! Not too much, but enough to be noticed when I measured  my waist. :D

If this gets me down to my goal weight {which is to be within my healthy BMI range} I think I might sign up for another marathon, just to stay in shape. ;D

5 days down, 17 weeks and 2 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 85

Official Marathon Training

Another day, another run.

I was feeling a little lacking in energy this morning and it shows in my time.

3 miles

26 minutes 45 seconds

Average Mile

8 minutes 55 seconds

It's not awful, but not exactly good. I think it's time to reevaluate my diet, to increase my energy. I'm already taking a Prenatal Vitamin {please note I'm NOT pregnant} to keep my Iron and B Vitamins up, but I think I need to be making sure I'm eating enough.

I am looking forward to having the next 2 days off from running. Tomorrow is my second rest day and Friday is my cross-training day. Which basically means, for me, that for the next 2 days I'll just be going to the gym to do my weights and walking on the treadmill. That's resting for me ;D

I'm getting aNxIoUs to see how I do on Saturday. I don't think I've ran a full 6 miles or more, outside, since the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon. Since then, the furthest I've gone, that I can remember, is 5 miles. But, I think I'll do just fine. I guess I'm worried how well I will do on my average miles. But, as long as I keep my pace to 11 minute mile or less, I will be able to meet and exceed my goal of running the marathon in 5 hours or less.

4 days down, 17 weeks and 3 days to go!!!

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 84

Official Marathon Training

Not a significant amount of news today. But, I'm still excited about what I do have to report.

3 miles in 26 min. 18 sec.

Average Mile 8 min. 46 sec.

Now, granted, I was 5 seconds slower today from yesterday, but that's ONLY 5 seconds! I'm so excited that I'm being consistent in my time.

I was worried that yesterday was a flook and I was going to end up finishing today in 30 minutes. Which is not bad, just not where I want to be right now. I'm really hoping to get to the point where, at least with my 3 mile runs, I'm averaging about an 8 minute mile or less.

3 days down, 17 weeks and 4 days to go

My Story of a Marathon and How I Survived it All : Day 83

Official Marathon Training

So, it's definitely been a while since my last posting, but not a lot has happened. Mostly just running on the treadmill, doing the elliptical, lifting some weights...etc.

I have been seeing the doctor for my ankle and that has gone from me having falling arches and needing to get $600+ orthotic insoles, specially molded for my feet (which the insurance will NOT cover for me) to having tendinitis and wearing a BULKY ankle brace. The only annoying thing is that I really just want an MRI to find out exactly what is going on and the doctor still hasn't done one. At least the brace seems to be helping.

On a lighter note, today was my first OFFICIAL training day for my marathon. Well, technically speaking, I guess that yesterday was the first day of training, being my first Rest Day, but I really don't need extra training in resting, I'm pretty sure I have that down pat. ;D But either way, today was my first run. I ran 3 miles this morning in 26 min. 13 sec., which averages to be about an 8 min. 44 sec. mile. I'm really happy about that, not only because it's under a 9 minute mile, but because it's the first time I've ran outside in just over a month and a half.

I'm been trying to minimize the stress on my ankle by running on the treadmill, and I'm not exactly sure if it's been working as well as I had hoped.

About 2 weeks ago, the girls and I took a little vacation to the coast. I didn't have the chance to do any running, mainly because there was no one to watch the girls. When I woke up on our last day there, my ankle felt like it had been twisted or strained. This was extremely surprising, because the most strenuous exercise I had done in nearly 4 days, was walking about a block to the beach and sitting there for an hour or two or three. I know, really taxing. ;D

Which is part of the reason my doctor thinks I might have some tendinitis.

So far so good, no major pain in my ankle, but we'll see how it's doing by the end of the week.

2 days down, 17 weeks and 5 days to go! :D

Lots of excitement! Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up a little better.