Marathon Training Check In

Ok.... I know a few of us are doing 1/2 marathons this fall.  Blair and I are doing one at the end of August, Joe's is in November and Amanda has one coming up too. Who else is doing one? How is everyone's training coming along? Me?  After a 8 weeks of struggling runs, stressed out training programs (my own fault) and really feeling like running was my job, I took this weekend and reflected on what it was that I really wanted from my running program. Well...it occurred to me that the whole purpose of me doing the 1/2 marathon was to fini****  Time was not important to me the day I registered, so why was it now??? So...I struggled though a run on Saturday (thanks to my sciatic nerve problem), but hit it hard yesterday....7 miles (my challenge is to go beyond 7 miles without the mind telling me to stop).  It felt great to do that.  I'm a bit  sore today, and it's all good.  But....I did it - without issue. So....I sat down with my calendar and added running back into my schedule and removed all of my kickboxing, some of my dance classes, etc.  Time to challenge myself again and to get over my self induced stress - who cares if I walk some of it, right?  Isn't that what I'm always preaching?  The point is to try!  Guess I need to follow my own advice on this one, huh? So, ladies and gentlemen....I'M BACK WITH VENGENCE!  And I feel GREAT!!!!!!!

I am doing 8 mile suns 2x a week now. It's about all my knees can take. My left one is still ugly from having the MCL and ACL re-built. I am like you. I have no doubt that I will walk parts of it. Are you still in for the Mud Run? I am. I have been doing races, but lately all I can find is 5ks. I actually like that distance because I can really pu**** and I am done in a half-hour. Two little training factoids here: 1. I am simply not able to shed the last couple of pounds to get to 220. I am floating between 226 and 222 depending on the day, and I am thinking I am fine with it. My hypothesis is that I am pushing myself so hard when I run that I miss the fat burning zone and go straight to cardio training. I did a caloric analysis and it said I should be near 3000 calories a day to maintain based on activity, age, and weight. As it is now, I am still only taking in 1700-1800, so I cannot understand why else I can't drop the last few. 2. I seem to have developed vertigo. I have been getting dizzy while working out and if I stand up too quickly my face tingles and I feel like I am going to bite it. My doctor gave me a full work-over and all my labs were excellent, my BP was perfect regardless of activity, and my sugar is spot on. There was nothing neurological they could point to. She just thinks that my body is going through a temporary balance issue because I have changed my composition so quickly.

Last week I did 2 - 5 mile runs, and went for my 3rd 5 mile run and about died due to the sciatic nerve problem.  But, I got in 7 miles yesterday to start out this week.  Felt really good to think of my run differently. It's weird, ever since that 10K you and I did, my runs have been like garbage (hey....did you voodoo me when I passed you??? haha  I know....it was meant for for the bum in the dress shoes - haha).  But, i really think that it has been because I started looking at it like it was my job.   Plus, with the slight weight gain (between 7 - 10 pounds) I must admit...it really depressed me.  And nothing I do is making it go away...except eat more.  I've changed how I ate (I'm up to about 1600 calories a day - with great graving - haha) I backed off my activity, I stopped dance for a few weeks....nothing I did worked.  But, I really think that everyone is right....I just need to eat more and the body will stop starving.  I know that I am retaining a lot of water and my clothes still fit well, so I'm not going to worry too much about it anymore.  In fact, I've even considered adding in another protein shake to see if that helps. That has been the big chant from everyone.  But, both physically and psychologically...I cannot.  So, I've just resolved to stop fretting over it (my new thing as of today - haha).  I'm in great health and my body will let it go when I stop worrying about it (or I lipo the cr*p out - haha). Gotta register today for the mud run and the Run with the Chiefs.  It's a 5K here at the naval base to raise money for scholorships for kids who's parents are Chiefs in the Navy.  I was razzed last year for not doing it - my son and brother-in-law do it, so i HAVE to be out there this year.  It's kinda cool....some do it in cadence, and it takes you down to where the ships are and back up.  That's the weekend before the 1/2 marathon, so it will be my last run before the 1/2. I too like the shorter distances.  I get bored with the longer runs, desite the amount of music I have.  It's too much time for my mind to start being hateful - haha.  But...I like the burn i get from the longer runs.  Gotta love that! Well....let's trade notes..............keep me posted and i will definately see you at the mud run. PS:  there is a run ont he 19th in New Kent - it's the Derby run.  It's a 5K and sounds really cool.  I already had plans with the Bayside H.O.G.S for that day so I'm not going.  Let me know if you find any for July...I need the personal competition - haha.

Ok....REGISTERED! Here's to mud in ya eye......... [protein shakes]

Ok...because I have absolutely NOTHING to do at work, I'm doing some research..... Check this out.  Every Tuesday evening during the month of July there is an event at the Botanical gardens.  Looks interesting.  I'm going tomorrow and will report back. Not an "event", but could be cool to get some tips, challenge or just run without an iPod (YIKES!!!!). http://tidewaterstriders.com/docs/races/ss08.pdf

Don't push yourself and you will get there.  I started out walking three miles then began to jog it.  Then one day my dog decided I was going to slow and we ran...and kept running (run, Forrest, run!).  Now I do six miles every morning and most nights another 5-6 after I get home.  I do not push myself or time myself.  I think if I did I would not be doing it anymore! Tammy

That's what happened to me...I took all of the fun out of it - haha! But....since taking a bit of a break - I still ran during the past 8 weeks, just not as often or as well, I feel much better.  I just stressed myself out is all.....imagine that....I do it SO often and SO well - haha. Since starting this new job, I've been doing the ellipticle during lunch and that's been very helpful in re-energizing myself.  it gave me something new to do that i did not normally do in the middle of the day. It was the same with dance class.  I went so often that I reached a point where I did not want to go.  I went, but really did not want to be there.

I'm registered for the mud run. Maybe I can lift the accidental curse there.

No exercise for another 4-5 weeks.  WTH? for a face lift? The only thing I can do is leisurely walks.  Me and leisurely walks are incompatible. Maybe I can bring a putter with me and at least get to wear something pink. Crap!

Ok...I must admit that I snickered...for a face lift?

I have this image of you wandering aimlessly around, wearing your pink and white golf shoes and carrying your putter - hehehe.

Be strong...it's only 4 - 5 weeks.....you can do it - haha