Wife Mother Runner running Archives - Page 5 of 8

Providence Marathon Second to Last Long Training Run

April 5, 2014

Friday I did my 23 mile training run to prepare for Providence. I was lucky again, the weather was good for it. It was sunny when I started, but 30 minutes into the run, the clouds rolled in. There was the chance for rain late in the day, so I was hopeful to get my entire run done rain free.

I began my run with a walk for the first mile to warm up. After the walk, I ran 30/40 intervals for the first 14 miles. I did the route I had been following recently that brings me past my house around mile 5. That’s where I fuel up with a Mott’s applesauce at my mailbox and then head up my hill again for the rest of the route.

I felt good during my run. I met some animal friends along the way. Listened to my favorite pod coasts, Mickey Miles Podcast, Laugh or Go Crazy, Two Gomers, and Another Mother Runner. I think that is my favorite part about the long runs. I get the time to listen to all of my favorite pod casts and reflect on what they are talking about. The Mickey Miles podcast had Eddie McCoy and Kimberly Markey on it so I felt like I was running with my friends for a little bit! I also made me wish we were running race together sooner rather than later.

During this run, I felt a little negativity after mile 13. I think I was comparing this training run to my training run I did in 2012 to prepare for my first marathon. During that year I was a bit faster than I was this year. I am going to have to compare my stats to see in reality where I really was. This year I am using Jeff Galloway for my training. He is recommending I go slower. I think I did go slower, but still went faster than he recommended. He wanted me to do a 15/20 interval. I did that after mile 14. However, at the 13 mile mark, I was running a 3 hour half marathon. My past best half marathon last year was 2:25. This year I am so much slower. But in the beginning of my run, I was running 12 minute miles, which to me has been faster than my last long run’s pace. As you can see here, your mind goes through a lot during these runs and one ounce of negative thinking can go crazy in your brain while on the road for 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Despite the negative thoughts, I was happy that I had fast bursts of speed during the run portion and then rested in the walk. I can’t avoid the hills however. Every time at the end of my run, my pace slows down because I have several large hills to climb in order to get back to my house. The only way to avoid this is if I drive to where I want to begin my run so I can end on a flat area. I guess it’s not a bad thing to work on some hills during the end of my run to push the tired legs.

So with one more long run left, I will take that even slower as advised by Jeff and my other running friends. So I expect to be out on the road for a LONG 6 hours on Good Friday. I hope it doesn’t rain! I really hope that I can meet my goal of a 5:30 marathon in Providence and I am hoping my friend Gail can help me get there for it! It may hurt at the end but I really want this!

To Dope or Not To Dopey?

March 31, 2014

So as the registration for Dopey arrives quickly upon us, I have to really think hard about this. I know this is something that I want to do; but I have to believe in myself that I CAN do it.

It is a major commitment not just on race weekend, but all of the long training runs leading up to it. The longest back to back run I have ever done was the 10K and half marathon races at Dumbo Double Dare and Princess Glass Slipper Challenge. I have not done a half marathon back to back with a marathon. When I type that out, I get a little bit of a stomach ache thinking about it.

Training for a marathon doesn’t bother me. I enjoy it for the most part. Even when the 20, 23, and 26 mile runs come up on the schedule because I am proud that I have made it that far and the race isn’t too far off. But to think of adding a training day prior to that for a half marathon is where I get nervous. My friend Gail is obtaining her perfect Goofy this year for the anniversary year of the Goofy Challenge so I hope to run with her and her friends to celebrate her accomplishment which ALWAYS make a race so much fun!

I am planning on using Jeff Galloway as my coach for the Dopey challenge. Mickey Mile Podcaster Michelle Scriber-MacLean did this last year for the Dopey challenge and she said she did very well because of it. I also plan on arriving to Disney prior to my family to get 2 of the early races out of the way. I will also sleep early and rest often when I am there prior to their arrival.

I believe I can do it. I just have to believe that I can commit to the training also. My daughter will begin kindergarten next year so I can save up some vacation days for my long training runs and hit the road once she gets on the bus and I’ll be done in time for when both kids get off the bus. So in that sense, I think the universe is lining up to allow for me to give this a try.

Do you all have recommendations or suggestions for doing Dopey? Was there anything that you didn’t like about doing Dopey besides the early wake ups? Did anyone fail at attempting their first Dopey? I’d like to hear about it. The good, the bad, the ugly.

My Traditional Birthday Run

March 30, 2014

In the past few years I made it a point to go for a run on my birthday. As a wife, mother and runner this year I will do the same, however I have to first be a mother and wife and get treated to breakfast by my family. Then I can be a runner and go out for my annual birthday run. I was going to go to a breast cancer walk this morning; but my plans didn’t work out as I wanted them too. It’s ok, I will still do good deeds throughout the year. It’s a gloomy day outside, but I don’t care. I will still take my time to myself and get in my run. Rainy days are not always bad for running. Sometimes they are more peaceful than a sunny day.

On our way home from breakfast we stopped into our local woods (Tyler Mill) and checked out the river. The water was so high from the rain, it was cool. I’m looking forward to heading out for my run, reflecting on my past year and looking forward to the new year ahead.

I am looking forward to what this year has to bring for me. I have plans in the works for 3 marathons within this year which is a much bigger goal than I had last year. My daughter will be starting kindergarten in the fall. My son is doing great in school and I am thankful that I am healthy and that my family is healthy.

Bring on another year!

Running For Her Life

March 29, 2014

My friend Kim was filmed back in December by Disney for their inspirational stories they are sharing on their site to focus on why you run Disney.

You can read about her story and view the video. I had the opportunity to run the marathon with her and it was one of my favorite races to date! The girls who ran together have grown a close friendship and are looking forward to running MANY more races together helping each other through our journeys!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zu8FPZVGKU&w=560&h=315]

SELF Magazine Blew It

March 28, 2014

Have you heard the latest blow up on social media lately? SELF Magazine mocked a cancer warrior for running the LA Marathon in a LAME Tutu! For real?

Their magazine featured an article in their +BS Meter on what is legit and what is lame. Their opinion that running the LA marathon in a Tutu was LAME! Their claim is that it is BS that runners can run faster if they run in a Tutu which is a new fad.

The girl on the right in the blue Tutu is a brain cancer fighter going through chemo at the time of the LA marathon, I would call that far from LAME!

Glam Runner is the creator of the tutus in this photo and I hope the make a fortune off of SELF Magazines poor judgement.

What do we do about it when we heard? Well, my friend Kim who is a breast cancer warrior gave it right back to them! She also ran through several marathons while going through her chemo. Some races she wore Tutus and some she did not. So NOT LAME.

For more info about this visit the Huffington Post. What do you think about this snafu that SELF has gotten themselves into?

I Was Not Accepted Into The NYC Marathon for 2014

March 27, 2014

I was so excited when I woke up on March 26 and knew that this was the day to receive notification if I would be running the NYC Marathon on November 2. I know it’s silly, but these are the kinds of things that help make the long cold days a little more exciting. So I checked my emails throughout the day, checked in with Facebook and logged into my NYRR.org account, and even checked my bank account for a pending charge. But it wasn’t looking like anything was happening for me.

Then after my run I saw that many of my friends and fellow runners were getting their notification and most of them were going. I checked my NYRR.org account to see this sad news:

After a few minutes of disappointment I decided oh well! I guess I have to pick a different marathon to do that month. I knew that Philadelphia had some good reviews and that lined up better with my training plan for the 2015 Dopey races that I want to participate in. So I put the word out there to my Facebook account and several other runner friends of mine are going to Philadelphia so I’ll have friends to hook up with there! Here’s Jennifer Tara’s thoughts on Philadelphia!

Registration opens up on April 1 so I will make my decision soon and then plan a new marathon for November! NYC is not over for me, I am considering going down there to see my friends and cheer them on for marathon morning. That way I can still experience the excitement of the NYC marathon and get my bearings for when my day does come!

e-coaching with Jeff Galloway

March 25, 2014

I had been considering hiring a running coach for about 6 months now but didn’t do it. I wanted to do it last August after pulling my hamstring and needing physical therapy. Then after the therapy worked and I wasn’t hurting anymore I decided I didn’t need to.

After the WDW marathon I came home and wanted to do another marathon sooner rather than later. I didn’t want to wait until the fall and because I had the mileage base under my belt I wanted to get one done in the spring. I found the Providence Marathon. This was perfect! It’s a short drive from home, the course looks nice, the price was good and several other friends of mine decided to run it.

When I went to the Princess Half marathon a little over a month after the WDW full marathon, I wasn’t happy with my training. I was struggling with hip flexor pain and my running was very, very slow. I was hoping to talk to Jeff Galloway at the expo, but didn’t get the chance. When I got home I made the decision. I was going to do e-coaching with Jeff Galloway! Why wouldn’t I? I follow his training plans, I met him twice and I love his training method. I already read several of his books and I believe in his method of run/walk/run. Because I was planning on running another marathon within 6 months of my last, I wanted to do it in a way where I wouldn’t hurt myself, since I seem to be prone to injury. I also wanted to use it as a method to prepare me for a decision to do Dopey in 2015.

What comes with ecoaching?

Individual Training Program to the goal of your choice by Jeff Galloway
A copy of one of Jeff’s books (Galloway Training Program, Galloway’s Book on Running–2nd Ed. or Year Round Plan)
Direct email access to Jeff, for questions and clarifications, with priority
Free Monthly E Newsletter
Opportunity to ride on the Galloway Bus for the New York City Marathon start
Discounts on Fitness Vacations at Lake Tahoe Meet and run with other Galloway Members at races around the world

I am three weeks into the training plan now and I have been very happy with it. I was surprised with the intervals Jeff recommended and the pace for my long runs, but I can see now why they are recommended. I also liked the other workouts he prescribed from cadence runs to hill repeats. I never took those workouts seriously before, but now I see how they are effective for the whole process of building other muscles and to help with speed. My recover on my 2 last long runs were very quick and just this past Friday with my 20-miler I was able to hike Sunday and ran and rode my bike on Monday and didn’t even feel like I ran 20 miles just days ago.

On April 6, Jeff will be at the Harvard Pilgrim Middletown Half & Legends 4-mile run. I hope I get the chance to run with him during the 4-mile run. Every time runDisney had a meetup the guests had the chance to run with Jeff. I never had the chance. If not, I will be sure to get another picture with Jeff! I am also looking forward to participating in his Jeff Galloway 13.1 Inaugural race in Atlanta in December.

Providence Marathon Training Picks Up

March 15, 2014

Last weekend I did a long run of 17 miles to prepare for the Providence Marathon on May 4th. This was a big day for me. I had been struggling mentally with running since I returned home from the Princess Glass Slipper Challenge weekend. I had the BEST time running that weekend, but my legs weren’t good. I had been having issues with my hip flexors. I am also sooo slow!

I typically train by myself and do all of my long runs alone because I remain committed to my plan and am self-motivated. But because of my apprehension about doing another marathon shortly after doing the Disney full marathon in January I decided to hire a training coach. Not only did I hire a coach, I hired the best! I am doing e-coaching with Jeff Galloway. That was a VERY smart decision for me. His instructions for my 17 mile run made a huge difference for me. I just received my autographed book from him in the mail and was excited!

I was just reading the latest Runners World magazine and there was an article from Dimity McDowell about her Iron Man endeavor. You can also read about her Iron Man race on the anothermotherrunner.com site. First of all, I am in awe by any mother who does the Iron Man. That’s just awesome. I met Dimity in February at the Princess Half Marathon weekend and she is so humble and friendly and awesome. But her article hit home to me. She wrote about controlling as many variables as possible. Having a coach to keep you on track is key. I feel that having Jeff to help me achieve another marathon within a few short months of my last one will help me to avoid injury and still achieve my goal.

Proof of this success came when I did my 17 mile run last weekend. All week prior I was having issues with a muscle spasm in my back. I saw my incredible chiropractor three times and it quieted down the issue. He also reassured me that I would still be able to do my run. Mentally I was struggling. I was having doubts about my ability. Even though I did a half marathon just 2 weeks prior I didn’t feel like I had the base of mileage behind me.

When I set out on my run I did as Jeff recommended and changed my interval time to 30 seconds run, 1 minute walk. At first that was nice, but it felt like I was going a lot slower. I kept this interval up for the first 4 miles. Then I changed it to my usual 30/30. I did that for miles 5 – 10 then stepped back down to 30/1:00 for the rest of the run. My average pace was about 13:30 per mile which again, is much slower than I am used to doing. However, I had a lot less pain during and after my run and I recovered much faster during the days after. I know Jeff is my coach and he’s been doing this for MANY years so he knows what will work for me. I have to trust that. Even though it means I will be out on my training runs for 4-6 hours, these runs will help me for my race day so I don’t get hurt.

During the week I do my cadence drills to pick up speed and turnover, and hill repeats to build up the other muscles that get ignored by doing flat runs. Even though I read magazines and books about running it really sunk in for me that each type of training run has a purpose and when you do them all as part of a plan it will make you a more efficient runner. I am maturing in my knowledge about running and hopefully that will help me to achieve my goals and one day achieve a goal of qualifying for Boston. That is a VERY hefty goal for slow little ole me, but it’s out there and hopefully one day it will happen.

Hill Repeats

March 7, 2014

I had always heard of them, but never did them. Now it was time to put on my big girl panties and start to do some “real running workouts”. I thought when you run, you just run. But I am learning that each run has a purpose. My purpose was to always get out there and get moving and have my time to myself. That’s all well and good, but if I want to improve my time or to improve my body, I have to do some other workouts as well. Cadence drills and hill repeats are on the plan for this week. I didn’t do the cadence drills yet, but I did do the hill repeats.

I didn’t hate them, I kind of liked them. But it took forever to fill 30 minutes of time with running up a hill and then walking down and then running back up that hill, then walk down again. Repeat until 30 minutes is up. The purpose of this is to strengthen other muscles that you don’t use as much when running on flat surfaces. I did feel it in my glutes and hip flexors and that is a good thing because those are areas that are very weak for me. I saw an article in Runners World recently and I have to go back to it and read it. Weak glutes and hips are a major cause for injuries which is something I have had to deal with in the past year.

So to help combat those issues, hill repeats are now going to be part of my running workout regime. It is also convenient because I can do it while my kids ride their bikes in the driveway and cheer me on as I run up and down the hill about 20 times!

Disney Princess Half Marathon Video

February 25, 2014

This past weekend I went to Disney for the Glass Slipper Challenge. I still have to write up a recap of the whole weekend, but I wanted to share the video that Eddie McCoy, a new running friend, created of the 1/2 marathon we ran on Sunday. To date, this has been the funnest race I have run so far!

http://vimeo.com/87525101

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Category: running