Wife Mother Runner running Archives - Page 3 of 8

Running Goals for 2016

January 3, 2016

I have several things to talk about for my goals for 2016. But for now I will just give a brief summary of my running goals. Since this week kicks off the official week of the January Walt Disney World marathon events I will give a brief summary of my thoughts of my plans for my races and overall running goals this year.

Something that I began to include in my weekly routine is strength training. Before I started running I used to be very diligent with my weight training. So I want to make Strength training a more important element to my routine.
Next I want to add more JOY to my runs. Last Fall my running became more of a chore than my enjoyable time to myself. I was dreading my long runs. After Labor Day weekend I didn’t want to put in the time for the Marine Corps Marathon and once that race was done I didn’t want to put in the time for my Dopey training. But after listening to Dimity at the Girls Night Out event I really wanted my running time to be my play time again. So this year after my Dopey Challenge race is over I will determine what races I want to run this year and if I want to improve my finish times or my quality of my training runs.

I noticed that many of my runner friends also felt some burnout this past year. It seems that we have all participated in the same amount of runDisney races so we are at the same “mature” running age of participating in races. When you travel to these races and do as many as them plus local races it takes a toll on you. So I think we all felt like we were overbooked. Something I will think about for next Fall. It’s hard to train for a Fall marathon because the long runs do begin in the late summer and it is still very hot.

With that in mind I have to ponder the decision to re apply for the lottery for the Marine Corps Marathon to redeem myself at that race and I also want to enter the lottery for the NYC marathon. That marathon has been on my radar for many years.

So as I prepare for my second Dopey challenge and have these 48.6 miles ahead of me I will wait to decide what the rest of my 2016 racing season will look like and enjoy all 48.6 miles. The first 3.1 miles will be with my mom for her first runDisney 5K. The next 6.2 miles will be with my friend for 20+ years PK and his daughter who now live in North Carolina. And I will finish off the half marathon with Diana and Mandy will be joining us for the full marathon. And I want to enjoy every single one of those miles!!

I Am A Sweaty Bands Ambassador!

December 20, 2015

And we have special offers for you from Sweaty Bands! For the holidays you can still give the gift of a sweaty band with their e-gift cards and also get 20% off! Time is running out but you can always give a gift card!

After the holidays you can benefit from my special ambassador discount too! So if you get s gift card please be sure to check back here and follow my link for 15% off of your order!

I Am Now A Nuunbassador!

December 18, 2015

Wednesday night when I got home from a girls night out, I checked my phone and saw an email from Nuun congratulating me on becoming a Nuunbassador. I was so excited. I applied to the program in November and wasn’t sure when I would receive any type of notification. I love when I don’t check emails for several hours and then find an email with good news in it!

I used to train using Gator Ade and Power Ade; but once I was done with my run I would immediately have to run to the bathroom and had stomach problems for the rest of the day. I also didn’t like all of the extra sugars that were in the other sports drinks. I heard that Nuun is a much gentler electrolyte enhanced drink tablet from the Another Mother Runner Podcast so I tried it. There was an immediate improvement! So from now on I only use Nuun when I run my long training runs. Nuun does have a fizz to it when you first drop the tabs into water so if you want to have your water without the fizz on your run, then make the water the night before and leave the cap off. I also use Nuun before my runs to hydrate my body and prepare it for the longer training runs.

So be sure to check it out and if I receive special offers to pass to you as a Nuunbassador I will be sure to post it on my blog and via social media! So don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @pamjamer and Instagram @pamjammer and on Pinterest as pamjammer99

Holiday Gift Guide For Your Runner in the Family

December 7, 2015

Do you have a runner in your family? Or perhaps a walker? Those who participate in fitness or races? I have a few holiday gift ideas to share with you to give you some insight into what runners will appreciate for gifts.

Layers – If you live in cold areas fleece lined pants are so helpful. Target actually carries and affordable line of fleece lined tights so before you invest a lot of money for something you won’t need unless it is 30 degrees or colder, check out Target first. Under Armor is also a good brand name for getting your layers on. It’s best to dress in layers for the colder temperatures so you can take off a layer if you get too warm. But when running in cold weather, make sure you hands and head are covered. If they are warm; the rest of you will also remain warm.

Photographs – You may wonder how photographs could be a good gift, but actually, Marathon Foto offers gift certificates. When I ran the marine Corps marathon they had a special offer during the event. I knew that this race was going to be something special and like no other race that I have run before, so I took advantage of that offer.

The Gift of Flight – Airline gift cards. I use Southwest for most of my trips, but all airlines offer gift cards. So for the runDisney runner in your family every little bit helps to enable the addiction to continue to run in the runDisney races.

GPS – Garmin Forerunner 220 – This is the watch that I have and I love it! I has always been reliable and consistent. Except for when I forgot to charge it before a long run; but that was my fault. I brought a power pack and a cord with me so I could still get some use out of it for most of the run. I had to because I have come to depend on my Garmin to be accurate with my distance and my pace.

Bluetooth or wireless headphones – I don’t have blue tooth headphones yet. I use yurbuds; but that is because I use an iPod shuffle when I run and it doesn’t have the blue tooth receiver. But if you do use blue tooth (you cell phone), then you could you blue tooth headphones to eliminate the wires. I have been getting a little irritated by my wires getting caught in my hands but haven’t pulled the trigger to make a purchase of blue tooth headphones yet.

RaceDots® – Get rid of the pin marks in your nice running gear with these great Race Dot magnets that lock together to hold your race number in place. They never hurt your clothing! No more holes or rust marks in your running gear! They carry 20 stock colors plus custom designs. This is actually an item that I have not tried yet! (hint hint!)

Photo by Race Dots

Beecause Charms – My friend Kimberlee got me hooked into Beecause charms! I had seem them at races and placed a pair of crowns on my Princess New Balance sneakers; but I hadn’t considered them for my running shoes. I picked up some at the Marine Corp Marathon. Then after that I picked up one for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. While at Wine & Dine, I picked up a Dopey Challenge charm! Can you see the habit forming problem here?!

Stocking Stuffer ideas:

Hand warmers – you can always find these at Target or even Home Depot! These are great for training runs and for waiting at the start of the races to help keep those hands and feet warm!

Mylar Space Blankets – you must be wondering what the heck would we need those for? Runners get them at the end of the race. Well I actually purchase them in bulk every year or so and take them with me to my races in case the mornings are cold. You can find them on amazon.com for less than $10 for a package of 10. They are all folded up so you can easily stick them in your fuel belt to have with you in case you do need it. I used several of them for many races this year. Especially during the 5K of the Dopey challenge last January when it was incredibly windy and cold before the start! They really do help hold in your body heat and are easy to discard at the side of the start line. It’s also a smaller item to have to pack in your luggage, rather than a piece of throw away clothing.

Sweaty Bands! I am now a Sweaty Bands Ambassador and LOVE my Sweaty Bands. These make a great stocking stuffer! And with my Ambassador discount you can save 15% on your order! I have to hurry up and order this holiday design this year. It’s too cute not to purchase!

photo by Sweaty Bands

Real Time Pain Relief – This is my go to cream/lotion after and sometimes before some races. Depending on the aches or injury I am dealing with I will use this cream and it has enabled me to continue to run with less pain. It does not cure the injury but makes running while having pain/discomfort more tolerable.

iTunes gift cards – every runner has some kind of an electronic device which access music and most likely it is from the iTunes store. So iTunes gift cards will NEVER go to waste!

Amazon gift cards – When I need a last minute item for a race, I always turn to amazon, especially since we have Amazon Prime. I wouldn’t put it past myself to one day ship something from my hotel to my hotel if I needed it bad enough for a race depending on where I am staying. Amazon has just about everything you could need for running, walking or fitness. It’s my go-to place for most of the training needs.

What’s on your holiday list? Do you have any special you are asking Santa for?

I Took Things Off Road Recently

November 19, 2015

Well, not completely, but I did venture off the main road a little bit this past weekend and ran in some of the vineyard fields and the cornfields on my normal route. I wanted to get in at least 6 miles over the weekend and it was a nice sunny and windy day on Sunday. I was itching to get out for a run because I had been so busy with work and running to different places and doctor appointments with the kids.

Saturday morning was a lazy morning. The family took our time waking up, eating, cleaning, making beds, the usual stuff you do on a lazy Saturday. I sat in bed with a cup of tea with my husband and talked about Christmas gift ideas for the kids, and flights for our April vacation, and then I had to get moving. It was nice to sit around and relax; but I can’t sit for very long.

The views on my run are always the best!

I got dressed and was on the road around 1:00. While I was on the road and observing the area around me, I took note that I’d like to go off road on my way home and run through part of the cornfield. I kept going and went to the Gouveia vineyard up the hill from where I live and decided to run through the grape fields. So while I didn’t necessarily do some real trail running; I consider it close enough to trail running. The ground I was running on consisted of uneven car paths from where the farmers drive their vehicles through the vineyard. I ran about a quarter mile through the vineyard.

Then on my return route home I went off the road into a cornfield. I didn’t run very much in that field but it was nice to get off the road and run on a different surface. With marathon and Dopey training being my priority from now until the end of the year I have to be careful if I am going to run off road. I don’t want to hurt myself. I wasn’t running in special trail shoes so I don’t have the necessary ankle support to run on such surfaces. It was great to do something different and mix up the routine a little and run on a surface other than the hard pavement.

I’d like to make a goal to run in Tyler Mill near my house after I complete my Dopey challenge and don’t have to worry about avoiding any injuries prior to that big race weekend. I also made it a point to start cross training during the week with weights. My daughter always loved when I would go workout in our workout room. Once she heard me say I was going downstairs to work out she ran to her room to find her favorite workout clothes so she could join me. That night when she went to bed she kept asking me if I was going to work out again the next day because she enjoyed working out with me and spending girl time with me. She’s so awesome!

It’s Not How Fast You Are, It’s How Far You Can Go

September 23, 2015

Now that Autumn is here, race season is getting into full swing and the miles are piling up. Long runs are on the calendar for the next four months. I have a 20 miler on my schedule in preparation for the Marine Corp Marathon. I’d like to get that done prior to the weekend so I can enjoy the Durham Fair and my daughter’s softball game without having it on my mind.

Since the Disney Dumbo Dare Challenge, my IT band has been slightly irritated. I have been taking care of it with hard massage and I have still be able to run. I just wonder how much it will be affected by a very long run. I am going to be careful to not push too fast on this long run. It’s not how fast you run, but getting the miles under your feet. This fact from Jeff Galloway, who also wants you to run slower than your race pace by almost 2 minutes while training for the long distance races. I just hate being out on the road for 5 hours!

I plan on loading up the iPod with all of my favorite podcasts and loading up on some sunscreen and fuel to get the miles done. I was listening the Another Mother Runner podcast and Rod Dixen mentioned, running the races is the easy part. That is so very true. The race is the reward for all of the training that has happened. Fitting training runs into the schedule and putting in the time and enduring the injuries is all the training that has to get done so you can enjoy the races and relish the medal you earn.

The reality is setting in that I am going to the Marine Corp Marathon in a little over a month. I did finally book a room and I am going to purchase a ticket to attend the Pasta Party, where we can listen to speakers like our pal Jeff Gallowaoy! I’m going to go to this event with my friend Kimberlee. It’s best to do something with friends when you can with any race. This race isn’t going to be about getting my best finish time. It’s the ability to actually run in this event and to “Beat The Bridge” and get my Marine Corp Finisher medal. My friends Kimberlee and Anne are also feeling the same about not being prepared for this race so we are going to try to stick together and survive the distance together.

Time for me to do my mental training and prepare myself for my task coming up on Friday and to know that I can do this; it’s just a matter of, once again, wrapping my head around the feat.

Be Our Guest Mike Rahlmann runDisney Marathon Training Follow Up Interview

December 10, 2014

Earlier in the year I interviewed Mike Rahlmann from the Be Our Guest podcast. He is training for the runDisney full marathon. He NEVER thought he’d be running a marathon and here he is, just one long run away from doing it in less than a month! Here’s the interview, enjoy it! I ran into Mike on the bus at the Tower of Terror weekend and we took some pictures together before the race!

Mike and I at the Tower of Terror 10 Miler – October, 2014

How is your training going! I see your training stats when you finish and they look awesome!

My training is going pretty well! I think I’m starting to become a bit of a “runner!” I make sure to schedule my days and weeks not to miss my 4 “run days!” I feel so much better when I get out there and get in my miles!

How are you feeling mentally, physically and emotionally about the race?

I’m very excited about this all! Once I completed my 24 mile training run last Saturday, I started finally feeling like I can actually do this marathon! I realize after running many runDisney events that the excitment of the race and being with “running friends” does carry you a bit, so I know if I can get close, I can get to that finish line!

Now that you are one more long run away from race day (and I know you said you are saving the .2 for marathon day), do you feel ready?

I do! Thanks to the encouragement of so many of our podcast teammates and others from the Disney Community, I’m starting to believe in myself. It is great having this shared experience with so many friends. I know that I won’t be the only one in those corrals on January 11 going for 26.2 for the first time! Also, I know that every mile of the race, there will be smiles, friends, and encouraging words to get me to that finish!

What was the hardest training run for you so far?

I think some of the hardest training runs have been on the coldest days so far this winter. I run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and on Tuesday and Thursday, I have to run before school. It’s still dark when I get my run in, so it is tough to leave that bed in what feels like the middle of the night knowing how cold it is going to be out there. However, I know others are doing the same and it will all be worth it when I get to the race!

How do you feel the day of and the days after your long runs?

I’m always a bit anxious to just get out there when it is my “run day!” Also, when I know I have a long run coming up on Saturday, I’m at bit on-edge that entire week. I actually feel good knowing that I only have one long run left before Marathon Weekend. I do love the training, but the nervousness that I feel before the weekend of my long runs is a bit crazy! After I get in those long runs, I reward myself with a nice Saturday afternoon nap on the couch watching college football, unless it is my beloved Mizzou Tigers! Then, who could sleep?

Now that you have seen how much work goes into training a marathon will you do another after this one?

I’ve heard my great friend Adam mention that this might be his only marathon due to these long runs during the training and I really can see where he is coming from. There are many days I feel exactly the same. However, I’m the kind of person that never says never. I NEVER thought I would run a Half-Marathon, and now I’m nuts enough to get out there and shoot for 26.2. Who knows, Dopey anyone?

Your times are very fast, have you considered trying to qualify for Boston?

Not a chance. That actually cracks me up! I heard someone mention that one day on Twitter about my times. I use the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run method in 1:1 intervals, so I don’t consider myself at all fast since I walk half of the time. Also, I see Boston as an elite athletic event, and I’m just out there to have fun with some buddies and get a great Walt Disney World Vacation at the same time!

Are you staying healthy and injury free during this time?

Actually, the day I’m writing this, I’m fighting a tough stomach bug that caused me to miss my first “run day” in over a year. However, I feel like I am a “real” runner now because while I was laying in bed, I was worried about not getting in my miles. As soon as I got up and ate some breakfast the next day having had to stay home from school, I made sure to head downstairs and get in at least 6 miles of walking on the treadmill.

Are you hungrier?

Yes, I can eat just about anything these days. Before I started this journey, I ate a ton of fast food. It was almost my exclusive diet. Now I tend to eat out just about as much, but we go more to sit-down restaurants where there are slightly better choices. I enjoy fajitas from my favorite Mexican restaurant about 3 times a week and watch what I eat for breakfast and lunch and enjoy a healthy-sized dinner.

Do you have a goal time in mind or do you just want to finish? Is your daughter still running it? How has her training been?

I would love to finish the Marathon in about 4:20 or so, seeing as I have run about that pace here in Missouri where it is rather hilly, but I’m in a dilemma here. I want to make sure I enjoy this experience. I’ve been working on this goal since July 30, 2013 when I took my first 1 mile run. I want to be able to stop for pictures on the course, take pictures of other running and inspiring signs and scenes along the way, ride Expedition Everest, and more! Life is about the journey, right? It’s not about who gets done first. Being competitive, that’s going to be hard for me, but I think I will slow down and enjoy one of (hopefully) the best mornings of my life!

Paige is still running the Marathon with me, but hasn’t done much training. She was injured for about half of her Cross Country season this year with a stress fracture so she needed to stay away from running for a bit. I have been getting on her for the past month about getting out there and training, but do you think an 18-year old girl is going to listen to her step-dad? I think she will do fine. She is very athletic. I just want her to have an amazing time too.

What do you listen to on your long runs?

Let’s see if this surprises you – podcasts. I really do enjoy hearing “friends” while I am out there on the road. I always “screen” our upcoming Be Our Guest Podcasts, but also love hearing WDW Today, The Disney Dish Podcast, RFF Radio, MacBreak Weekly, This Week in Tech, Mickey Miles Podcast, Resort Loop, and more. Also, on Saturday mornings with my long runs, I listen to College Gameday on the ESPN Radio App. What can I say? I’m just not a music guy!

Do you have a mantra to help you through the tough times?

Luckily (knock on wood), I haven’t had too many tough times. I see friends out there thousands of miles away who are on this journey with me. We keep each other motivated. I have friends like Mike Bankhead and Stan Harris who will post just the right motivational message on Facebook when I need it. Social Media is more powerful that I think most people give it credit – it has helped shape me as a runner and changed my life for the better.

What do you use for fuel for the long runs? I used to use Gu but now I use pretzel fish and gummy bears and Nuun because they cause less upset to my stomach.

I will be honest – I don’t fuel on any runs. Before my 24 mile run, I got up and ate a small bagel with some peanut butter and hit the road and I was fine. My mistake was that I didn’t have any water available during this run either. I made it home after the run, but on my last training run, I’m going to ask my wife to meet me around mile 15 with a sports drink or something. I tried a gel years ago at the first Tower of Terror race and it made me sick to my stomach, so I tend to run light and eat when I finish.

Clothing- you are training at home where it is cold. Are you conscious of what gear you will wear in Florida? It’s hard because we don’t have the chance to test out the summer clothing for the long runs in our winter states.

I’m pretty simple – I’m planning on just running in some running shorts and out BOGP Running Lizard Team shirt. However, I ran the “Frozen” WDW Half-Marathon in 2010 and I learned my lesson. I will have my cold-weather running gear with me, but hope that I don’t have to use it. When it is cold here in St. Louis, I run in Nike Combat Hyperwarm undergarments and swear by them. I can run in wind chills down in the single digits and be fine except for my exposed skin.

It sounds to me like Mike is ready to go! And if you ask me he’s a runner!! No doubt about it. Great job Mike! I can’t wait to hear all about your experience and yes, Dopey may be in your future one day! Like I always say, “Never Give Up!” I also say “Never Say Never!”

Check back in January for my recap of my first experience with the Dopey challenge and I will also interview Mike again after he completes his first Full Marathon! I can’t wait to hear what he thinks of running a full marathon, and running the Disney marathon as his first marathon.

Dopey Mental Training

August 10, 2014

I set my alarm for a Sunday morning early run again and have to say I enjoyed it. At first when the alarm went off I turned it off and thought about going back to sleep. I could see through my blinds at the sun was shining bright so I knew I had to get up and get out there. I took my time while I had my tea and cinnamon bread. I checked my emails and Facebook, watched the news and weather and then headed out the door.

The air was comfortable and I was prepared for some humidity. I kept the pace steady and not too fast not too slow. But while I was out on my run my iPod died so I had time alone to think. I was thinking about my trip coming up next week and how I need to do a 6 mile run followed by a 17 mile run the next day. Where I will be on vacation will be a very hilly location so I am concerned that I am going to struggle with the hills. This is why it becomes mental training at this point.

I have to not worry about the hills and just put one foot in front of the other and get the miles done, especially with a 6 mile followed by 17 mile run back-to-back. I’ve never done such a run before.

I want to enjoy my vacation, and I know I will but I know I will feel even better about myself when I get these training runs completed while on my trip.

Since it is going to be a hillier run I’m thinking that I need to pack my Camelback. My husband said he may ride his bike while I am on my training run. I don’t think he realizes how early I plan on hitting the road.

So now as the week goes on and I know that I have a double run and a long run on the schedule I will spend the week thinking about it. Usually I am more comfortable with it. But since it is in a different location I feel a little anxious about it. Mental training time. Sometimes it is harder than the actual run!

Help Me To Get OntoTeam Chocolate Milk

August 2, 2014

Last night I was at the Annual Potato and Corn Festival in our town (it’s a very big event in this little cow town), and I saw an email come through on my phone. I looked at it and it was the announcement that I was selected for the voting round to be on Team Chocolate Milk! I worked hard on my video to submit and was so pleased to learn that I was chosen.

So from today until August 15th I need to ask for your help. Please vote for me daily (from any/all devices) and help me make it as 1 of 8 finalists to be on Team Chocolate Milk!

Thanks so much for helping me achieve this dream.

You can view my video and vote at http://www.gotchocolatemilk.com/vote

It’s My 3 year Runniversary!

July 19, 2014

Today is my three year anniversary of when I began running outdoors and changing my running habits from a treadmill workout to “running”.

I was on vacation with my family in New Hampshire and went for a walk which turned into a jog. The next day I could barely squat down to get into my beach chair. But then the day after that I did it again.

When I returned home to Connecticut that Saturday we unloaded the car and I had the itch to run again. I put on my shoes and clothes, despite having just travelled about 7 hours with the kids from New Hampshire to Connecticut. I didn’t run far. I remember it was just a mile but I loved it. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember I was getting a cold, too but I wasn’t going to let it stop me.

I decided to make it a daily routine every morning before I had to go to work. I was hooked. Three marathons later I am still going at it. I am in the middle of training for my fourth marathon and am also training for the 2015 Dopey challenge.

I have some dreams I am working on for a new idea in the coming weeks which involves my community in town. I hope it is successful. More details to come!

Running has opened so many doors for me. It is healing, I have met so many great people. I am growing. I feel proud. I am setting an example for my children. It has taught me so much and there is still so much more to learn. I never thought I would have an Olympian for a coach and I have Jeff Galloway as my coach.

I am grateful and thankful for my body and that I can run. It may not be pretty, it may not be fast, but I do it and I love it and will continue to do it until I can no longer walk!

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