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Category: running

207 days until the Walt Disney World Marathon!

June 19, 2012

That’s right, the Walt Disney World Marathon is 207 days away and I am counting down because I WILL BE RUNNING IT! I can’t believe it. I made the decision to go for it. It’ll be my first marathon and this year is the 20th anniversary. I can’t not do it. Especially for my first. I got married in Disney World so it is only appropriate that I run my first marathon there.

Just prior to registering and ever since I have registered I have had several dreams about the event. Most dreams were good. One dream had a hint of panic in it where I was thinking “what in the world did I sign myself up for???”. When I dream and also daydream about the event the things that come to mind is the actual route of the race and all of the entertainment along the way which will help me get through the long long miles.

As of now I am not sure if my whole family is coming. There are still things we need to have line up first. But after running a race this weekend and having my sister and brother-in-law there with their kids as I was approaching the finish line for just a 5 mile race, I just have to have someone there for me after completing my first marathon!

More training and fun marathon info to come!

Goals are necessary

June 9, 2012

So I have been in a funk lately. My runs were also not very good. I have had some events in life going on that were also challenging my emotions. My daughter finished her first year in preschoool, my son turned 5 and then on Friday my son graduated from preschool. With all of the emotions, there were also events that had to be attended for these milestones along with working a full time job. So finding time and the energy to run was challenging for me this week.

I was talking to a friend about my struggles and this morning she reminded me that I need goals to keep my focus. She is exactly right. I think part of my feelings of unorganization is because I wasn’t running towards a goal anymore. I know I am in the process of making a decision to do the WDW full marathon, but I was even having a hard time to make a decision about a 5 mile race in the next town over. If I am going to commit to a full marathon in another state 6 months away, deciding to run a 5 mile race should be a piece of cake. Speaking of cake. My whole diet needs to be fixed. Since I wasn’t running towards a goal, I was completely eating like crap. Which I also think affected my recent runs. So now that I decided to run the Branford Road Race next Sunday I will work on setting a goal to complete that race in less than an hour (50 minutes would be a great goal). Next goal will be to work towards a 2:15 time for the Gulf Beach Half Marathon in September and my third goal is to work on doing weights again to give me some strength. So far so good. I did weights this morning, I will sign up for the Branford race this week, and I’ll continue to think over the decision about the WDW marathon. I have until June 19 to pull the trigger to take advantage of the DVC discount and lower price bracket before they raise the price.

What will be next?

April 22, 2012

As I sit here a week away from my 1st half marathon, I am thinking about what will happen after the race. I know that I plan on running that week as usual and am also looking forward to packing my running clothes for our vacation and running in the cooler evenings in Florida. Once we get home I need to determine what I am going to do with my summer and running. It is very hot to be doing 12-13 mile runs. So should I shoot for some 5 mile races or 10Ks? Will I plan a half marathon for the fall? I have to do so me soul searching after this event to determine where I want to be. I also know that I need a goal in order to push forward.

13.1 DONE

March 7, 2012

I haven’t been logging my daily running stats lately, but a summary of the weeks prior to my long run include the normal soreness that I have been fighting with my shins. The week prior to my long run I was using bengay and arnica oil on my shins and using heat on my legs at night. I think this has been a contributing factor to my successful long run.

On Friday, March 2 I ran 13.12 miles in 2 hours 29 minutes! It was long and a little grueling mentally at times, however it was also awesome. I ran a half marathon distance! I met a goal. Now I am dealing with the emotion aspect that I ran a half marathon goal. It was sort of a quiet success. It was just a long run on a Friday morning. It wasn’t a race, I didn’t get anything for it except the personal satisfaction of going my farthest.

Summary of the 13 mile run. It was a 30 degree cloudy morning. My legs did not hurt at all when I started. The part that bothered me was the fact that I was going to run the same route 3 times around. I got into it around mile 5, but I still had moments where I was at mile 7 and 9 and had to break the distance into chunks and tell myself only 5 miles left or only 3 miles left. That did help a litt.e It also helped that Kevin and Adrienne met up with me at the duck pond during my firt pass there and then on my last lap around Kevin, Adrienne and little Kevin were there after they picked Kevin up from school. Seeing the car in the distance with my family there was a boost for me.

When I was finished I was sore in more areas. My lower back was sore, my shoulders were tired. I was tired. I did a cold bath and then a shower and then sat and worked and used a heating pad on my back to comfort me.

The following day I felt great. I stretched the day I ran and did my cold bath and used heat on my legs at night. I took a walk the day after to keep my legs limber. On Sunday, 2 days later it didn’t even feel like I ran 13 miles. I am amazed at the recovery from this distance. It encourages me to go longer on my next long run and keep up this training to see where it takes me.

I did my next run on Monday and I could only do 3.3 miles. I was shooting for 4 except I have a terrible cold and my throat was burning around mile 2.5. Next time I will push and go longer. I puchased a stand to hook up my bike and ride stationary for some cross training. I used it on Tuesday and rode for 25 minutes. My butt feels sore from riding in the seat, but I also feel some muscle soreness in my glutes so that’s good because I did some different leg work. I hope to continue using it on my off days from running.

I printed out some marathon training schedules and may increase my mileage and see how far I keep challenging myself. Next long run planned is 14 miles.

Running has become so much more to me than just exercise

February 1, 2012

It is as simple as that.

Running has become an activity that I crave. I think about it when I am not running, I think sbout it when I can’t sleep. I really enjoy it. At first I had to learn to like it. Now I can truly say that I love it. I have been running through all of the seasons and I love the time outdoors. I am so proud of what I have trained my body to do. I didn’t know I was capable of pushing myself to go as far as I have and now it doesn’t feel too much like pushing. It is s good push. I look forward to seeing how far i go. I heard in a podcast that anyone can run a marathon and indo believe that is true for me.

Being outdoors, smelling the air, seeing the change in seasons is therapeutic. I have a nice route that I run and see some people regularly walking or in their yards and we say hello. I love the time alone with myself.

My runs this week are much shorter according to the training plan. I miss the long runs but this is a good time for the shorter runs. My lower leg bones hurt so this is a time for healing and stretching to get stronger for my upcoming 9.5 mile run. I am looking forward to it.

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