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Friday, April 30, 2010

Day 75.

Today is a cross-training day.  I was feeling a little stiff, especially in my legs, when I got out of bed this morning, so I went for an easy walk for about 25 minutes.  When I came back home, I did workout 2 from Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 74.

4 mile run today.  Cold and windy again, but I'm trying to stay positive, and hoping that running up against a strong headwind for four miles will make me a better runner!  I warmed up with 25 minutes of Pilates/Yoga, and after my run I also did the 30 minute Yoga Meltdown.
At one point during my run I was on a stretch of country road and there was a huge flock (?) of wild turkeys gathered together in the middle of a field.  I need to get one of those little key chain size cameras so I can snap pictures of things while I'm on my runs.  I always see something: a beautiful sunrise, landscape scene, animals, weird things in the road...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 73.

There is one good thing about a strong, snowy headwind: at some point during a round trip run it becomes a strong, snowy tailwind! Today was a short run, 2 miles. I wasn't looking forward to heading outside when I woke up and saw the snow blowing around, but I got out there, and actually something really weird happened...I felt like a runner. It's still not easy, but it is getting easier and feeling more natural, instead of clumsy. When I got home I also did workout 1 from JM 30 Day Shred, and JM 30 min. Yoga Meltdown.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Day 72.

Today's run was 3.5 miles. I warmed up with 10 minutes of Pilates, then started out with about 5 minutes of walking. When I returned home from my run, I also did the 30 minute Yoga Meltdown.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Day 71.

Today was a short run day, so I decided to make it an interval run again. I started out with 25 minutes of a Yoga/Pilates warm up, then walked for about 8 minutes before starting my run. I used the same format as I did on Wednesday last week, running a total of about 2.21 miles, sprinting for about 30 seconds after each 5 minutes of easy paced run. I felt pretty tired on the first sprint, but I found that each one got a little easier. When I got home I also did workout 3 from Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, and also workout 2 of the Yoga Meltdown.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Day 70.

Rest day. Fuel for the mind:
"There are only two options regarding commitment; you're either in or you're out. There's no such thing as life in-between." ~Pat Riley, NBA coach

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Day 69.

This morning I did 40 minutes of brisk walking followed by 30 minutes of Yoga.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Day 68.

Today is a crosstraining/rest day. I did the third workout from Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD. Last night my legs were a little sore, probably from doing intervals Wed. and my 4.5 mile run yesterday. Thankfully when I woke this morning, I felt fine. Now I'm off to take my boys to Cubscouts.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Day 67.

Long run today: 4.5 miles. I warmed up with 10 minutes of Pilates, and then a few minutes of walking before starting my run. I actually felt pretty good for most of the run. Around mile 3 it started to rain, and by the time I got back home I was soaked. For some reason I felt like I was having a hard time taking in a deep breath. I tried to focus on recovery breathing during the second half of my run (breath in 2-3-4, breath out 2-3-4). I think it might have had something to do with the high humidity in the air. At any rate, it's a good feeling to increase the mileage each week and have a sense of accomplishment for just doing it. I also did 30 minutes of Yoga after my run.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Day 66.

Today the training schedule said to do a 2 mile run. After talking with one of my girlfriends (a marathoner), I decided to make it an interval run. Here's how I did it:

5 min. Warm up at an easy-moderate pace
5 min. Baseline: Increase speed gradually to a comfortable, moderate pace
30 seconds Sprint all out as fast as you can
4.5 min Reduce speed to a comfortable pace to fully recover
30 seconds Sprint all out as fast as you can
4.5 min Reduce speed to a comfortable pace to fully recover
30 seconds Sprint all out as fast as you can
4.5 min Reduce speed to a comfortable pace to fully recover
30 seconds Sprint all out as fast as you can
4.5 min Cool down at an easy pace
Total : 30 Minutes

It actually came out to be about 2.3 miles of actual running, with a walking warm up and cool down. I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Day 65.

I am loving this weather! After warming up with 20 minutes of Pilates, I went for a 3.8 mile run. My favorite part of running is being out on a quiet, country road soaking in the sun and enjoy how beautiful the mountains and countryside are, right here where we live. When I got home I also did a 30 minute Yoga DVD.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Day 64.

Today's run felt great. After getting a little pep talk from my amazing husband last night, I decided I should be pushing myself a little harder on the days I have "easy/short" runs. Sometimes I let my mind tell me I'm already doing the best I can do, but having someone else who knows me well tell me that I can do better is very helpful. The training schedule called for a 2 mile run, so I did 10 minutes of Pilates before leaving the house, then walked for about 1/4 mile before starting my run. I pushed myself to keep a stronger pace than usual and was trying to be mindful of my form throughout my run, and I did my 2 miles at a decent pace: just over 9 min./mile. Hey, I figured I have loved ones out there in Boston today trying to run their best 26.2 miles, the least I can do is run my best 2 miles! ;)
I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD after my run.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Day 63.

Rest day. Just want to wish tons of luck to my friend and mentor running the Boston Marathon tomorrow!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Day 62.

Another beautiful day today. I went out and walked a random route that took me a little over 3 miles, about 40 minutes. The training schedule said to do 45 minutes of walking today. The great weather has given me a boost of enthusiasm. I am getting excited and anxious about starting to do some longer runs. Next week my long run will be 4.5 miles, then an easy week before going up to 5 miles. Still not much compared with what I'll be running in a couple of months, though.

I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD and I plan to do some Yoga later today.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Day 61.

No running today. I woke up and did 25 minutes of strength training and 30 minutes of Yoga.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Day 60.

Longer run today: 3.5 miles. I warmed up with a few minutes of walking before starting my run. I had the sun shining in my face the whole time, and even though it was still a bit cold, it felt so nice to be in the sun. My legs were feeling a little tired and heavy during today's run. I try to do visualizations when I start to feel like that, that I am light on my feet with wings on my shoes, like Hermes. Sometimes it helps, other times I just have to force myself to keep running. Mind over body. After my run, I did 30 minutes of Yoga, and that felt really good. What I love about Yoga is the stretching and breathing combined with the strength training, it makes my body happy!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day 59.

Another short run today. I did 2 miles with a few minutes of walking before and after to warm up and cool down. I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Day 58.

Today the training schedule said to do 3 miles. I did 25 minutes of Pilates and Yoga before heading outside. I started out walking to warm up for about 5 minutes, then I started my GPS stop watch and set the alarm to alert me when I'd hit 3 miles. Well, my music must have been too loud, or something, because somehow I missed hearing it beep when I'd hit the 3 mile mark. By the time I looked down at my watch, I'd been running for 3.63 miles, so I slowed down and walked the rest of the way home. I also did a 30 minute Yoga DVD after my run.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Day 57.

Today was an easy 2 mile run. At least the sun was shining this morning, but I had a hard time getting into a groove. I really never did. I woke up feeling yucky (woman issues), but did 15 minutes of Yoga to warm up for my run. Then I walked a bit before starting my run, and walked a little at the end. When I came home I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD. I'm hoping I feel more energy tomorrow.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Day 56.

Rest day. Here's something to think about:

"You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."
~Christopher Columbus


Makes sense to me. It's just like this training: I'm trying to take it a day at a time, following my training plan each day knowing that when the day of the race comes, I will have done all I can do to be prepared. I still keep that finish line in mind, but mostly focus on taking each day and week one run at a time ~ the 26.2 miles will come in due time!!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Day 55.

Today my training schedule said to do 30 minutes of walking. I went outside and walked, but it ended up being for about 45 minutes because I wanted to incorporate walking up and down some small hills. When I got back home, I did a 25 minute strength training DVD.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Day 54.

Since today is a running rest day, I decided to use my time to do some of my cross training DVD's, since I wasn't able to do them on the days we were gone camping. I started with 25 minutes of intense strength training, then 30 minutes of belly dancing, and finally 30 minutes of Yoga. Now we're headed to the park as a family to do some walking.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Day 53.

Last day of camping, and a 4 mile run on the trail! It was a tough run, cold and windy. I also came face to "face" with a coyote at around mile 3. I'm just glad it wasn't a cougar! (For the full story, see my other blog: www.sixisenuf.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day 52.

I've written this post before leaving to go camping with my family, but I scheduled it to post automatically while I'm gone in order to keep a place in sequential order. Yes, I'm a little OCD, and type A personality, but I guess that's what is driving me forward with this whole Marathon training thing. Hopefully it will drive me forward to success! Anyway, today's run is 2 miles.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Day 51.

Today we are leaving to go camping, so I wanted to fit my run in before we left. The schedule said 3 miles, so I thought I would do the route I did last week, and just use my GPS to gauge 3 miles, and walk the remaining mile and a half. Unfortunately, we had ANOTHER storm come through, and there was ANOTHER 3-4 inches of snow, and the wind was blowing fiercely, so I opted for the treadmill. I started out walking 10 minutes before picking up the pace and running for 30 minutes, then slowed down to walk a 10 minute cool down. I'm looking forward to doing my run on a trail at the campground tomorrow, and the weather report says it's supposed to be a whole 50 degrees; I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Monday, April 5, 2010

Day 50.

Today was a two mile run, and even though it was drizzling a little I decided to do it out on the road. I didn't go to the track, I went a new route using the GPS so that my run would incorporate some hills. I walked for about a 1/4 mile before and after the 2 mile run. When I got home, I also did a 25 minute strength training DVD.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Day 49.

Sunday, and as always, a rest day. Food for thought:

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day 48.

Today the training schedule says to do 40 minutes of walking. Like some cruel joke, we were pounded by a snowstorm last night that left about 8-10 inches of snow, so I opted for the treadmill. Before doing the walking, I did a 40 minute Pilates DVD, then I jumped on the treadmill and did 45 minutes at about a 5% incline.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Day 47.

This morning is a no-run rest day, so I did a 30 minute cross training DVD. Unfortunately that's all I have time to do this morning before I have to take the boys and go to Cub Scouts.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day 46.

Today is a long run day. I woke up early to fit in a 30 minute Pilates DVD before taking the kids to school. Then, for my run, I decided to change things up a bit and do a different route that doesn't involve going to the park with the running path. I typically like using the park because I know how long the track is, and I can gauge my distance and time that way. But I recently received a gift from my mentor, a Garmin Forerunner 305, a brilliant invention you wear like a watch that uses GPS to allow you to track your miles, route, pace, heart rate and even tells you how many calories you burn. Then you can hook it up to your computer, and using the CD it comes with, you can download all the info stored from your workout onto a training program so you can track your progress. Awesome! This thing is really going to come in handy when we're on family camping trips and I still need to get in a run. With GPS, I can figure out a route with the necessary mileage, anywhere. I started out by walking about a mile, then I started my run. I did 3.75 miles of running, then returned to walking for the last 1/4 mile back home.

Now, with a new route comes new challenges, like cars zooming by at 50mph, narrow sloped shoulders to escape said cars, crossing guards of wild turkeys (yes, giant turkeys in the road!), and hills, lots of hills. Oh, did I mention hills? There's nothing like getting to the top of a hill, then flailing down the other side feeling completely out of control of your legs. Good thing the snow and wind were blowing perpendicular to me to help me keep my balance! ;) I guess this is what training is for, and I'd better get used to doing hills, since the ones I'm doing now are minuscule in comparison with the one I'll have to climb during the marathon! The first half of RimRock has about a 2500 foot elevation climb - Yikes! I'll just keep the positive self-talk going: "I am fit, I am strong, I can do this!"

Anyway, when I got back home from my run, I also did a 30 minute Yoga DVD. Even though the Yoga is great for strength training, it also helps me relax, and I felt like I was going to need it after today's run. :)