The Road to DC...

Yupp i'm a marathoner!

2011-04-01T20:25:00.000-04:00

I really can't believe this is it. After 18/20 weeks of training, blog posts since January, and a big ass marathon run in DC--now its all over. I can't actually decide how i feel about all of this.

We left for DC around 10am on Friday. After an eventful drive down thanks to Maureen's GPS, and many a laugh shared among Moe, Mike, Greg, and myself, we arrived in DC. We went to the expo at the DC armory to pick up our race packets and bib numbers and walk around and see what they were selling. At this point i had a knot the size of my fist in my stomach. I was soooo nervous! After the expo we went to an Italian restaurant for a 'carbo load' dinner :-) WITH BREAD! I tried to replicate things i have eaten before that i knew wouldn't bother my stomach too much and would hopefully not affect my bathroom issues. I had plain penne with tomato sauce---lots of bread! I thought i made a good choice!

We got home and hung around for a little bit, but i wanted to go to bed early so i packed it in and fell asleep around 1015. My alarm clock was set for 3:55am. That way i had enough time to snooze once or twice before i actually HAD to get up. I slept kinda crummy in nervous anticipation of the race in the morning. Finally when my alarm went off, i was ready for it. I snoozed once and laid there with my eyes open just waiting for it to go off again. I got up, and was really kinda in shock that the day was here--i was about to run a marathon! I went downstairs and cooked myself up some toast! I spread some peanut butter on it, and then sliced up some banana. My very usual pre-running breakfast. In addition to waking up early to get my stomach filled up, i also wanted to walk around, get my body going, and perhaps kick start a little bathroom action. I would say my plan worked for the most part and was semi-productive (i thought at the time).

I got dressed in my most ridiculous marathon pants, and our custom running shirts (see facebook for pictures!), put my Zensah Sleeves on, my ear headband, my sneaks and some pretty pink and green ribbons in my hair! I looked like a highlighter--PERFECT! There was no way any of our spectators would miss me in a crowd of 12,000!!
My Aunt Lynn's house is only about 10/15 mins from RFK Stadium where the starting line was so we left at about 530 so we had plenty of time. Who knew there would be sooooo much traffic trying to get into the stadium! Umm yeah we didn't anticipate that! We sat in grid lock traffic as the minutes kept passing. Now those of you that know me, know i hate being late. And i hate sitting in traffic that is making me late. I all but puked with nerves over the whole situation! We drove and drove and drove; looped around looped some more; and then FINALLY got a parking spot on some random street. We hauled our butts to the starting line because it was about 645 and the start time was 7am! We were looking for Danny in his corral because we were supposed to meet him at 6am but obviously we missed that. We couldn't find him anywhere! At this point it was a few minutes before 7 so we knew we had to get into our corral. As we came around the fence to pile in--there he was! YAAAY our running 4-some was all together :-) We did some stretching, we chatting, pep talked, and started walking with the groups to the start line. At about 710 we were onto the course and running. It was overwhelming!!
I was having some dialogue in my head as we began. "Kell, its only 26 miles, no problem.", "Just one foot in front of the other all the way", "You're so ready. You trained--lets rock it!"

As we were running, things were pretty uneventful. There was a billion people with a "half" bib on their back which is just annoying! I was out there running the whole way and these people were only doing a half--i was jealous lol. It did seem that because my outfit was pretty 'out there' i was like a celebrity (in my own head). Everyone was cheering for me and my crazy pants. It was certainly encouraging! There were people on the streets cheering for us, holding up signs (some were very funny and amusing too!) and that was helpful to keep me going. The course was much more hilly that we had trained on, so that was a challenge too. Hills are hard!
So we figured that we needed 4 snacks for this run--miles 5, 10, 15, 20. GU was really the only option because i didn't have any pockets to put beans or fruit snacks. I had a fruit snacks while we were walking to the start line--i figured it couldn't hurt! I had two GU's pinned onto my waistband. Also, i tried out something new for the race (BAD IDEA) which was a dollar store sweat band on my right forearm with two GU's stuffed in there. It seemed like it was going to work perfectly--that was until about mile 3.5 when one of my GU's slid out of the sweat band and i dropped it. I had to go back for it--i needed it. I swung around, scooped it up, apologized to the people i ran in front of (i HATE when people do that to me!) and just held it in my hand until our first snack time. At 5 miles, i sang a little snack time song and downed my first GU--PowerAde Strawberry Banana--ehh. It gets the job done and its thinner than GU which i like.
As we ran, to be honest, there wasn't much to report. Lots of tall buildings, we ran past the monuments and it was fun to see. People were running with their phones and cameras and taking pictures as they were running or they would actually STOP to take pictures---they had half bibs on their backs! haha. Next up SNAAAACK TIME! This time i went for a chocolate GU. It tastes so yummy i love it! Thats the truth by the way and not sarcasm--its like icing on a cupcake!

After the first half 13.1 was under our belts, and the several thousand half-ers were off the course, it was time for the back half. Only 2879 of us. At the spin around we saw my mom, Greg, and my aunt Lynn so that was exciting and motivating! It always lifts my spirits and helps me along when i see people i know cheering for me! It also helped that my aunt ran part of the course to catch up to me and give me some water in my water bottle--best ever! Also, we passed Danny near the turn around point which put him about a mile and half ahead of us. At this point my stomach/colon was starting to act up, which i was nervous about because we still had 13 miles to go. I figured it was in my head and i could get past it. I kept chugging along and keeping my little "problem" to myself so far. It was mile 15 and SNAAACK time again. This time it was an orange GU--not too bad of a flavor i'd say--much better than most!
Chugging along, chugging along, and we get to mile 18. At this point i seriously couldn't hold it anymore. I needed a bathroom and STAT!!! Luckily only a mile went by and i saw one! I ran ahead, got in, got my business done, and got out. Then i had to haul butt to catch up with Mike and Moe who kept along the pace. At mile 18/19 i was running an 8:45ish mile to catch up. Umm.. really?! It was lucky for me i was quick in there so they didn't have a chance to get to far ahead! I felt like a million bucks! It was great--i was ready to finish this race out hard! Mile 20--SNAAAACK TIME! I had my last orange GU. There is something mental about having your last snack--knowing that you won't have another snack time which means not too many miles left which means almost done! I took my last GU still feeling strong and happy.
Didn't last too long--mile 21 came and i had that feeling again--where i needed to go to the bathroom and NOW! Unfortunately we didn't see one anywhere--we kept going, kept going, and FINALLY around mile 22ish there was one in a construction site that i so graciously took the liberty of using! Thank goodness too because it was beyond urgent! So i get in there, do what needs to be done, which took a little longer this time. Then outta there and hauling tail again to catch up with Mike and Moe. This time they got really far ahead of me! So at mile 22 i was running another 830/845 mile pace to try to catch up. At this point most people are struggling so imagine the dirty looks i was getting. I started out and couldn't even see them! I was running and running and finally could at least see them! I just kept seeing Mike's green hat and my sisters blue shirt getting a little closer and a little closer. I could do this! I found out later that my sister was saying to mike how she was really upset that i wasn't going to be there with them for the end of the race. Mike kept encouraging her and telling her it was going to be okay.. then on the last time he looked over his shoulder and there i was!!! Go me and my sprints at the end of a marathon :-) My sis was so happy she was going to cry--and i was so happy i was going to cry too!! We got to mile 23 and there was a water station there...i ditched my soaking wet gloves and on we ran. There was a guy there that was saying "Theres only a 5K left to go, only a 5K" Really buddy--did you just run the other 23.1 miles?!?!! So i was feeling better about my bathroom situation, however after the hills we ran, and the sprints i was doing to catch up, not once, but twice!, Elvis was getting kinda annoyed. And he let me know it! With every step he was hurting more and more. At mile 24, Elvis was really giving me the finger! I told him we had to finish so on we ran, but he was mad! By mile 25, the sprinting i had done was hitting me. I apparently had used a good amount of energy in doing so because i was starting to really fade at mile 25. Not to mention that the last 2 miles of this race were uphill! Really DC marathon people--really!? With every step my sister was getting farther and farther ahead of me! I was getting sad but i just couldn't give any more. Mike stayed with me and helped me along and wouldn't let me fade! He just kept reminding me that my Dad would have been so proud of me and was helping me get to this finish! It was really touching. He just kept at it and kept at it till he finally got my tired butt across that damn finish line. As i was struggling to get across the line, i saw my Mom, Greg, my Aunt Lynn, and then MICHELE AND CRAIG AND CHRISTOPHER and almost fell over!! I was beyond encouraged to get to the end at this point. I was so shocked at seeing them there because i had NO idea they would be there that i got to the finish line in absolute delerium!

Wanna hear the kicker--Not only was the finish up a big incline, but the total distance was 26.6!! Honestly, i could have done without the last .4!!! Elvis was hating me and my colon was hating me, and i would have liked the finish line to have been .4 closer people!

Race stats:
2079th place. Gun time 4:42, Net time 4:33. However, since we ran an extra .4, i would like to round down to 4:30! And i said i can so there!

Now, looking back this experience was unlike any other i've had. I wouldn't trade one second of it. All the training, all the runs in the rain, snow, cold, were all worth it at the finish line. This was certainly the biggest athletic feat i've ever accomplished and i'm not sure what else could ever compare to it! Being surrounded by my sister, and such good friends in Mike and Danny, with my family there for me, was the best i could have asked for. I don't think i would have been able to do this without them, or my Dad watching over me, and i owe it all to them.

::Thanks to my husband, sister Maureen, greatest friends and running crew Mike and Danny, and my great family for watching us and cheering us on!!
and thanks for the wings Dad::

now i'm glad its done :-)

no going back now!!!

2011-03-24T20:06:00.000-04:00

Today was my very last time on a treadmill for a looooong time! The tempo run was just 3 miles at PMP (Predicted Marathon Pace). Our PMP is about 10 min miles. I got onto my treadmill, did a little walking warm up, and then started my 3 mile run. It was over before i knew it. After all the miles we've put in and all the hours we've spent, 3 miles is absolutely nothing. When i was finished, i got off the treadmill, stretched, and left! Goooooodbye Gym! :-)

So the marathon is less than 36 hours away. Every time someone says good luck, or i hear the word marathon, or i read an email or something online about it, i get butterflies in my stomach. I'm a ball of nerves right now. I know i trained, i know i put the miles in, but all of it doesn't matter if i can't perform in the race. The race is the goal. The finish line is the goal. I'm so proud of my group and myself for coming so far and doing so well throughout training. Aside from Elvis, we all escaped debilitating injuries, we went out every weekend--snow, rain, wind, cold--and ran our long runs, and we were on that treadmill every week running sprints and IW's. No excuses--just hard work! I couldn't be luckier to have this group surround me on this journey and i wouldn't want it to be anyone else!

Maureen and I got shirts made up for the marathon in honor of my Dad. They are so awesome, and i will be posting pictures to the blog when we get back from DC. I also made huge posters for Greg to hold up while we run by for motivation :-) I am excited for this whole experience and i want to soak it all up and enjoy every second of it--It might be my only time doing this! Ha, i did decide that i hope the marathon is same way people say your wedding day is. The ever popular line "It goes by so fast!"...because that would be sweet!!

Thank yous:
Maureen--always my voice of reason. "Kell your sick, you really shouldn't be pushing yourself right now." "Kell, you probably should let Elvis rest because we have a long run this weekend." "Are you drinking enough water and keeping hydrated?" Its nice to have someone looking out for you, and taking care of you out there, and I'm so lucky to have it be my sister. I always knew i was safe, i always knew i was getting the BEST advice, and i always knew I'd never be alone running.
Mike--best marathoner i know! Thank you so much for all your tips and advice and words of encouragement. I couldn't have asked for a more experienced, trained, marathon runner to lead the group. You've said everything there is to keep me pushing myself and you've offered up so many helpful hits for racing. Also, thanks for the ride when i couldn't run anymore :-)
Danny--running buddy. You've waited outside many a bathroom and next to many a water fountain waiting for me. This training schedule was a lot of things--but easy was never one of them. It was nice to be able to talk to you about runs and complain to you about runs. I appreciate that no matter how slow i ran, you never left my side, except when you sprinted to get the car. I never had an accident while running and its because of you :-) You always believed i could get here and make it to race day, and thanks for the faith you had in me when i didn't always have it in myself!

Now I'm getting all emotional as race day approaches. I know that we are going to make Daddy so proud. We are going to run our little hearts out and leave it all out there on the road. Best of all--we are going to do it together. Love you guys!!

i'm ready...aren't i?!?!

2011-03-23T14:36:00.000-04:00

So this week was our last IW's sprint work out! I did it on Monday instead of yesterday because i was off from the gym yesterday (Date with Study Buddy ERIN!!).
On Monday, after school, i got dressed and headed to the gym. I got there and my usual treadmill was being used, so i had to use a back up. I blame the rest of this story on that! So i stretched my calves and hammies, and got all ready to run. Found a good show on TV (well as good as i could find) and hyped myself up for a 6x400m, 400m RI workout. I was warming up for 10 mins at my usual warm up pace, and just felt a little sluggish and slow. My warm up felt like a work out--that was a red flag! I had cramps in my ribs and i was really pushing myself. It was probably my treadmill :-( After my mile warm up, i started my sprints. I did the first 400 sprint at 7.5 on the treadmill--i was seriously struggling. Umm--hello body! Its the week of the marathon--this is not a good sign! I was so excited to be done with the first, and only had 5 more to go! I did manage to get the next 2 in at 7.5 as well on the tread, while my rest intervals were at 5.5. After the first 3 were done, i was seriously thinking to myself What the HECK was wrong with me!? It was probably my treadmill :-( So the next interval i did at 7.3 because i was just really needing a break. I did my rest at 5.3. I did finish up the IW's at a 7.5 for the last 2, but i didn't enjoy it.
This work out begs the question--What is going on?!?! I really feel like i couldn't be more ready for this race. We worked hard, did all our runs and long runs, and then this measly little last chance IW work out knocks me down 5 levels :-( It was NOT good for my mental state. I have been fighting nerves off this whole week. I can't believe its here already. I have one tempo run standing between me and a marathon. HOLY COW! I just can't wait until Saturday.... to be over. No, not really, i just hate waiting and anticipating. I just want to be there and going!

WEATHER UPDATE!!!
I have been stalking the 10 day forecast. We started out sunny and high 56. Then dropped at 54. Then 50 and rain. Then 47 still rain. 43 still rain! Lastly 41 and Cloudy. The most recent update i just got today (wednesday 2:34pm) is that the high is 44 and mostly cloudy. I guess thats better than earlier but umm.. BRRRR a bit chilly. I will keep checking!

Today is just a light cross train workout and then soccer (lightlyyyyy) later tonight.

i'm sorry i blinked--did i miss out 8 mile run!?

2011-03-20T21:01:00.000-04:00

Last night i had dinner with Christine and we has mozz sticks, i had baked ziti, and it was sooooo good. Then we went to visit Kathy, and we indulged in a few glasses of wine. When i woke up on Saturday morning before i had to go to snap, i had a few things on my mind. Well, really only one thing. Greasy, cheesy food plus wine makes for a veeeeery happy Kelley in the morning. If you've been reading my blog you know that I've been having a problem with needing to stop to go to the bathroom in the middle of our long runs. Well after all the junk i ate last night, i was able to do all that before i even went to work!! I knew from the start of today, that my run later was gonna be a GREAT one! :-)

I got out of snap and was meeting my running family at 1230 at the fishing club. Unfortunately Mike went running earlier while i was still at work because he had weekend plans. So, Danny, Moe and Me met at the fishing club and we invited my friend Kathy to come too! She is a big runner as well, and she keeps a similar pace to what we've been training for, so it was perfect.
Today's 'Long run' was only an 8-10 mile run. Ha, we decided on doing just 8 :-) We were all so excited over this because with the distances we were running for the past few months, this 8 seemed like NOTHING! I mean, its only one snack time!

Since I've been working on an outfit for the marathon, i wanted to give my shamrock pants one more go around, and just really make sure they weren't going to work. I talked to my running crew, and they agreed that they were a bit too big and probably wouldn't be the most comfortable thing. Bummer!!

We started out going North, me with my crazy pants on!, and were going to run to the end of Asbury Park (and a bit past it since its not far enough). The wind was quite a bit out of the North, so it was a wise decision to start out that way first, and then it could just carry us back in. We felt great running north, all four of us, and it was nice to have Kath along as our special guest. We were all excited about the seemingly shortness of the run that we had a bit more pep in our step. No wind could ruin our mood! There were so many people on the boards as well, which is nice to see! We got to the end of Asbury and went off the boards and into Interlaken, which was 4 miles, in just over 40 minutes. Perfect :-)
We turned around, and i quickly realized i wore TOO many clothes! I was dying of heat! I had on a heavy under armour shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a zip up fleece. YIKES! I unzipped a bit, folded my sleeves up, and drank a bit of water the whole way to try to cool myself down! The wind at our backs definitely helped us get back faster than we got out. We went one mile on the return trip and it was SNAAAACK TIME!!!! I was trying out something new this time--GU Chomps. They are very large, gummy, fruit snacks. Eww! I had fruit snacks one other run, and they were very delicious tasting. These however, were nasty. I have been talking about how GU is hard for me to get down, and i don't like the way it tastes etc..these GU Chomps should have been perfect--FAIL! They tasted exactly like GU. Umm hello company, if people are looking for an alternative to GU, perhaps you shouldn't make everything taste like it--just sayin! I could NOT be done with those fast enough!
After snack time, it was a 3 mile stretch to the car. We had picked up our pace, we were having a really nice conversation, and before we knew it, it was over! The back 4 miles only took us about 37 minutes. We were happy with our increase in pace!
It was definitely decided that my shamrock pants would NOT be marathon pants sadly. They just are not going to stay in place and comfortable enough for a full 26.2.

Wow 26.2... this is crazy. With it being only a week away--I'm getting really nervous and overwhelmed. I read an email they sent us about printing papers out for registration, and i was literally nauseous!

After our 8 mile run, we looked at each other, and thought--we should go to the gym because it didn't feel like we even had a workout. The 8-er felt so easy. Its nice to feel like we are so ready for this race, but it still scaring me a little!!

my week in a nutshell...

2011-03-20T19:07:00.000-04:00

Tuesday: ELVIS HATES IW"s and so do i! This was 5x1K sprints that i did on the treadmill of course. I did my usual 2min30sec increment warm ups, then i did the 1K's at 7.5 which is an 8min/mile and i did the 400m rest intervals at 5.5. I realized after reading all these times that marathon training has made me slooooooow! The classic line of "Its a marathon not a sprint" that people like to throw out there relating to many things is so true for me too. When you are used to running short distances like 5K's and 5 mile races, and you run 7:20's etc, its so hard to now go to this level. I feel like i have lost so much of my "speed" (i call it MY speed because to me its speedy even though to most others its not lol) and running an 8 min/mi for .62 miles is now a serious workout. Doing 5 times is even MORE serious! While running with my fingers pointed to keep track of what number i was on, i had a talk with Elvis. I told him i did not need his friendly reminders and nudging any longer. I get it, he's here to stay, so stop being so damn annoying all the time. He wanted to tell me he didn't like doing the sprints i take it. Well he'll get his when i rest for 4 weeks after the race and hopefully he goes the heck away!

Wednesday: Since we are getting so close to Marathon time, and Elvis is still with me, i don't want to "over do it" by working out AND playing soccer. Is soccer the smartest thing i should be doing with Elvis and 10 days before the big day??? Umm NO you are correct, however, running is an activity i do, but i don't want it run my whole life. Soccer is something i love doing, and i love my teammates and i don't want to let them down. So its just about being smart. So no working out if i have soccer on Wednesday!

Thursday: Today, we tempo! 2easy-3tempo-1easy. Ha, i laugh in this tempo runs face! I went to Wow Wall today to run. I was giving my marathon pants a "trial run" and felt as though i looked downright RIDICULOUS wearing them, so i went to Wall, and went to the tiny upstairs part, where no one could see me. Why wouldn't i want anyone seeing me you ask?!??! Well, my marathon pants are, umm, a bit unique to say the least. They are obnoxious Kelly Green with white shamrocks all over them! Yes, i went to the gym, on St. Patrick's Day, wearing obnoxious Kelly Green running tights with shamrocks on them! And it was a darn good thing i did! I got dressed and was skeptical about how they were fitting. I got to the gym and started my 2 miles easy (at 10min./mile pace) and was feeling that they kept sliding down. I was constantly stretching and pulling them up because they felt like they wouldn't stay up! For the rest of the 2 easy, and the 3 tempo (at about 6.5-7.0 on the tread) i tried not to think about it, or allow myself to stop to adjust them. I just got 'in the zone' of running and just kinda tugged at them every once in a while. I did the 1 mile easy cool down at 10 min mile, and then was finished with my run. But my gym visit wasn't over. From the time i started to the time i finished the gym got a bit more crowded. So i had to make my way down the stairs and out the door with as few people seeing me as possible. I got a few stares from these girls and i just said "Yes i know i look ridiculous but i am running a marathon in these pants possibly and i needed to try them out!" They just turned away. Ugh!!
Needless to say its back to the drawing board on the marathon outfit. I have a pair that i wore for the turkey trot that look like a pack of highlighters exploded on me, which i might have to use as my default. Its okay though, while wearing those pants, there is NO WAY my family will miss me while running this race of 13,000 people!!!

see the next blog for the sat long run...

i think i'm hungover...

2011-03-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

So Friday i did an elliptical light work out..just wanted to stretch and get ready for the long run on Saturday. Although I'd say that my dinner Friday night was a better prep for the long run. Talk about carbo load!! I had cheese raviolis (like 10 of them!!) and about a whole loaf of bread and butter (just by myself). It was so gloriously delicious i can't even describe it!

Saturday morning i woke up around 7am to get my body going before meeting at 9am for running. I wanted to try to jump start the GI track and be able to go to the bathroom before i had to run 20 miles. Then i had Cheerios for breakfast because that's all we had :-(. Not even a banana! Sheesh! After i was done, it was back to the bathroom to make sure alllllll was good in there. I left the house at 830 to get to the fishing club at 9am to meet Danny and Mike for the run. Since Moe did 20 last week, she was only doing the assigned 13 mile run.
With my snacks in my pocket and my running guys by my side, we trekked north to the end of Asbury Park (well a little past there) for 3.5 miles. We turned around and headed back 3.5 to the car to pick up Moe. It was a bit windy out of the west, which was MUCH easier to deal with than last weeks torture!
So after our 7 mile "warm-up" we were back to the car and picked up Moe and turned back around and ran the same path as before. Its so great running all 4 of us and staying together because its more motivating and we can all talk/laugh/share stories.
We got back to the cars and we were 14 miles into the run. Knowing i still had 6 more to go was rather intimidating. Mike and i rationed it to be a 7 mile warm-up run, then a 10 mile run, and then a 3 mile cool down. So by the time we got back to the car at 14 miles, we only had 3 more miles to go before we started our 3 mile cool down. But at 17 miles, half way through spring lake, at the turn around, i was really starting to get tired. That's not a good thing--because your brain really starts to analyze how DUMB running 20 miles is! Lets not even get into the whole running a marathon concept!
So, i dragged my sorry butt the last 3 miles back to the car and was sooooo happy to be done. Done is my favorite :-). We stretched and moaned and stretched and groaned and whined and complained and really just thought we would fall apart. I do believe at one point i was laying on the boardwalk curled up in a ball--yes this is my life! Then i got up and had to walk a little to my car. I knew that would be a veeeery long drive back to Marlboro.
During the run i must have drank the equivalent of 4 water bottles at least during the run. Then on the drive back i had another one. There was NO quenching my thirst today, water never ever ever tasted so good to me! When i got back to Marlboro i got out of the car to walk into the house (barefoot because i had to take those shoes off after running 3 hrs and 25 mins in them!). After sitting in the car for that half hour, and then getting up, i was literally walking like i was drunk. I HAD A RUNNING HANG OVER! I was so thirsty, i had a headache, i was walking into walls, i felt nauseous but i was hungry, i couldn't get up the stairs, and i flopped on the bed with my clothes still on! It was bad! If i had a running hang over after 20 miles, i can't even imagine what 26.2 is going to be like. I'll probably hallucinate or fall over at some point!

So sunday i rested. I didn't have time for a gym work out anyway. We lost an hour of sleep and i had to be up early--so i rested. I loved it!
Then monday i cross trained on the elliptical. I had Erin and Kristine next to me, fastest 50 minutes i've even worked out!!

Tomorrow is IW's. Its 1K sprints of some variety i do think. Will fill in about that tomorrow!

uhh, how many was that?! i lost count!

2011-03-10T18:54:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was my first day back at the gym in a looooong time! And how lucky--SPRINTS :-) It was 6 X 800m with 1:30 rest intervals. I was thinking it wasn't going to be "so bad" because its only sprinting half a mile. I have now decided that half a mile is far! Thankfully, this whole ordeal didn't take too long so it wasn't dragging out at least. And i had Erin next to me, and while we both had our headphones in, its still just better having a friend with you when your there.
Thoughts about the run--i bet people think i have a weird running stature. I know that 6 sets isn't a lot, but i use my fingers to count so i don't forget how many i did. The last thing i want is to do more than i was supposed to!! So i run holding my fingers out to keep track of each sprint. It looks funny to me, so i'm sure to others its even worse!!
Also, no ThunderFoot sightings in a looong time--i don't miss her or anything, but i just am wondering what happened to her!

Wednesday i went to Wall WOW for a little cross train action. I question how much i really actually did for myself since i got there, did 45 minutes on the elliptical and then turned around and left the gym. Ha! I did get a rock star front row parking spot so that gym visit wasn't a total waste!

Thursday i went to Wall WOW again for my tempo run. I was hoping for another "That was easy" moment after i was done running---uhh yeaaaah not so much! I will certainly say that it wasn't quite like running downhill like the last time i was there--and i was on the same treadmill. I had small victories today though. I was able to run the whole thing :-) in under an hour which is all you can set the tread for :-) :-) and i barely stalked my distance to see how much till i was finished :-) :-) :-)!! For me, all good things! I again think that it was due to my headphones that i was able to feel as good as i did about the run. I am pretty much a quiet treadmill-er and don't slam my feet or make too much noise, but with the noise canceling headphones you can't hear other people's noises, and you can't hear your own breathing, and it allows you to just get absorbed into the TV show your watching or the song your listening too. Today was an E! special--Christina Aguleria--i enjoyed it!

With a little over two weeks until the Marathon there are a few things i need to iron out. I need to wear my marathon pants for a trial run--which is pretty much going to make me look like a freak on the boardwalk or on the treadmill. They are "interestingly patterned" to say the least. I am not sure i want to reveal on the blog quite yet. Also i need to get some type of shirt made up and i need to do it soon--because time is going by fast! I can't believe its two weeks! So crazy! I'm excited for it to be here, and to celebrate after its over!!

"Go get the car...Hurry!" Oh my!!

2011-03-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

We are in need of a serious update!!
Wednesday-- Home right after school to try to fight off this sickness! I knew i had soccer Wednesday night so i counted that as my cross train workout, and was sure to rest and relax all day so i wouldn't get sick!
Thursday--Well, rest Wednesday didn't help a thing. Really not feeling well today. A slight cough and some sniffles. Not to mention the fever i decided to develop today. 101.2 at 7pm, 101.1 overnight. Didn't gym today after school which meant i missed my 8 mile tempo run. CRAAAP!
Friday--At about 1am, while i was lying wide awake and unable to sleep, i called out of work for today. The fever over night kicked my butt. Decided to skip gym AGAIN today while i rested in bed till about noon/1pm and then on the couch for the rest of the day. Tried to go to bed kind of early today since was up all night last night. Didn't work, i was up again all night Friday night. Fever again 101.3.

This brings us to...
Saturday--My fever finally broke and i was able to get a few hours of sleep from about 230-7am. After i woke up, i had major decisions to make. To run 20 miles, or not to run 20 miles. When i had no fever, i was actually feeling not so bad. And surprisingly, for having not slept for 2 days practically, i wasn't a wink tired! I can NOT explain that. And with just three weeks until the race, i didn't really have a choice of running or not--i had to give it a try!
So, we met at the fishing club at 10am for the run--my fever gone for less than 8 hours at that point. With snacks in my pocket, water bottle on hand, the four of us started out running north to the end of Asbury Park. When we got there, we turned around and started our trek to Manasquan beach walk. (20 miles is faaaar!). The wind coming out of the south the whole way was just brutal! About 30mph! When we got to the end of spring lake, off we went into sea girt towards the army camp. At this point, i was starting to drag behind. When we got to the army camp, i stopped and used the bathroom there--ugh i hate this problem! Mike waited with me and Moe and Danny kept going ahead. When i got out, i was ready to keep going, and on we went to 71, into squan and to the beach. When we got up there it was about 13.3 miles in. We turned around and Moe and Danny were still far ahead. I was really dragging it! In hindsight, i should have went to my brothers or something because i just should not have been running anymore. I was turning delirious. Mike and I got back to the army camp and i stopped to go to the bathroom again. When i came out, i slumped over and told Mike, i just couldn't go anymore. I literally had NOTHING in the tank left. This was at about 15 miles. He was very reluctant to leave me, but there was no way i could run another step. So i told him to go ahead and get the car, and come back for me. He is the best and sprinted the whole 5 miles back in to the car by the way!
So there i was, walking through the streets of sea girt, looking a hot mess i'm sure. My hands were tingly, my legs were tingly, i was light headed, dry heaving, and just really out of it. I stopped to sit on someones front lawn for a break, and finally made it into spring lake ocean ave. I was excited at the prospect of a water fountain at this point but when i got to it, it wasn't working. Danny so kindly informed me after the fact that you have to hold the button for 5 seconds--doh! It was windy and cold and i was shivering and i must have seen 800 jeeps that looked JUST like Mike's, until he pulled up to the rescue! I did make it all the way to the essex and sussex though! Mike gave me a fresh water that i chugged in 10seconds and drove me back to the fishing club to meet up with the group--i was expecting an "I told you so" but nope--everyone was nice and concerned and it was really comforting! I have just the best running crew around!
Moe (My sister)--Will run with me even if its practically a walk, and won't ever ask me "How i'm doing?" because she knows that gets old pretty fast. If she's ahead of me, she is constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure i'm okay! She always checks on me after the run, and she makes sure i stay hydrated too!
Danny--Will stop any time i need to stop, run next to me and listen to me complain for miles, and share his water when i don't have any more. He will tell me our pace and our mileage even after i've already asked him 50 times! He'll never leave me behind and is always asking me how i'm doing and how i'm feeling.
Mike--Would have run 50 miles to the car not just 5 if i needed him to. I know he ran as fast as humanly possible because he knew i was in trouble. I could ask him for any favor any time any place and he would be there for me in a heart beat to help me out! And he also switches GU flavors with me if i have a gross one i don't like and he has a good one!

See, my friends are unlike any other. We are the best running family and i wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. And after my debacle of a run this weekend, i know they are there for me always!

i'm done already!?

2011-03-02T07:50:00.000-05:00

Today was IW's. To be really honest, they were a joke at this point in the marathon training. It was 10 minute warm up, then 5 X (2 mins fast/2 mins easy), 10 minute cool down. It ended up only being 3.66 miles and 38 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I'll take it! But it just seemed that i was beyond this. The rest of our runs this week are going to be a bit more challenging so that's probably why we have an easy IW day. Just to be fair to you all as well, i am saying this run was easy, however i definitely worked to get it done and i got sweaty too! I think i am starting to get sick again though so i've been trying to take it easy this week and make sure i'm ready for the long run this weekend. I'm already coughing up "stuff" and i'm just reaaaaally hoping it doesn't get worse and i don't get a stuffy head! This week we have an 8 mile tempo run (I'm doing it Thursday) and then 20 miles on Saturday. Yes folks, you read it correctly, TWENTY--TWO then a ZERO. 20 ahhhhhh!!! To tell you the truth, i haven't really wrapped my head around that quite yet. We haven't figured out course yet, and more importantly i haven't figured out my snacks yet!
For the 8 mile tempo i'm going to WOW in Wall and hope that its just as pleasant as last weeks and we have a repeat of my "That was easy!" moment! Then for the 20, the four-some will be meeting again, hopefully my GI cooperates, and then we will figure out our mileage from there.

its about the .2 ya know!

2011-02-27T16:16:00.000-05:00

Soooo saturday we long ran. The four of us met at the belmar fishing club at 12:45 and stretched and chatted about our ailments from last weeks 18. Ultimately i felt pretty good from last weeks fun. No achey muscles really, no joint pains. Just Elvis--shocker! I'm sure he'll be with me for the marathon so i just need to get used to it!
We started at the fishing club and ran north to the end of Bradley beach and then turned around south. We started out a little on the conservative side for pace, but still faster than we had been. There is something about knowing you are "only" going 10 miles. We turned around at the end of Bradley and were feeling awesome. Granted, we were only about 1.5 miles in. So we just kept running and were conscious of keeping our pace a bit quicker than we had. This run was supposed to be at PMP (predicted marathon pace) but we ran much faster than that. Good or bad idea???
We got to mile 5--SNAAAACK time!!! We only had one snack time today, and my snack choice was GU--Mandarin Orange Flavor. I didn't have a whole lot of choices in the cabinet to go with, so that was it. I did carry it intimately close to me again so it was body temperature which helps with the texture a LOT! And the flavor was pretty good actually. Might be one of my snacks during the actual marathon!
The whole way south after the turn around, my intestines were a little grumbly. I am not sure if its because i KNOW i can stop at my top secret location. I ate the same thing i had eaten the last two Sundays we ran. But again, this Saturday run, i had to stop. Something about the Saturday after snap run that kills me! Danny stopped with me and Moe and Mike kept on going. We told them we would catch up! So, when i got done in the bathroom (ahhh felt so much better), we made like a bread truck and hauled buns! We raaaaan and raaaaan faster than we ever had before. Danny and i were moving at about 8:30's to catch them. Unfortunately for us, they also picked up their pace so it took us a few miles to catch up with them! Danny and I ran at 8:30's for 3 MILES!! Whaaat?!? At 8 miles (or a little before) in we caught up with Mike and Moe and we ran it into the end of the run together the 4 of us. We have joked a lot about the .2 at the end of the race, so today again we ran 10.2. Its not about the 26 miles you run, its about if you can run the .2 or not! After we finished, we saw that our average moving pace was 9:15's!!! So proud of us!
After this week (and last week) i really am feeling more and more ready for the marathon (FOUR WEEKS AWAY!!!) I have already decided on my outfit. I got my new sneaks to break in. I have figured out my snacks for snack time. I have my water management under control. I'm ready!!! I just need to continue to work on my diet and stomach so that i won't have to stop during the run. However, during 10 miles you have time to think. And i decided, if i go have the need to go during the race, I'm just going to stop. The 3 minutes its going to take will save me so much agony and discomfort and i will be able to finish the race in a good way!

Today, i used as a rest day. Got to sleep in and relax which was so nice, i stretched out, and i really feel great! Tomorrow i am doing an cross train day, and then Tuesday is sprints.

Did i really just say "That was easy!"???

2011-02-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

so here's the thing. I recognize that we are training for a marathon. We have been for almost 14 full weeks now. And so i should be able to run a shorter distance such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, even 7 miles without any problem. However, this hasn't been the case. I have felt that no matter what distance I'm doing, i always feel like its hard, and i want to stop, rest, take a break, skip it, etc.
So yesterday, i had work, and then the dentist at 3pm. (Teeth are perfect according to him btw :-D) After that i went right to the gym. Since i was in Belmar already, i decided to go to Wall WOW instead of going all the way back to Ocean. Now, at Ocean, I've already discussed "MY" treadmills and my usual routine. I've only been to Wall gym one other time. I was really going out on a limb with this one! I got there, and i didn't really know what treadmills were where and which to use. I looked around and saw the same type/brand of treads i use at Ocean, so i thought I'd give it a whirl. Upon further inspection i decided those treads were prettttty nice! They have a wide screen HD TV (unlike Ocean) attached to each one. The controls for the TV are easy to press buttons (unlike Ocean). They all were working (unlike Ocean). Already i was getting a bit more excited. As i was doing my one mile warm-up, i was looking for something good to watch on TV. I usually run with my iPod but i thought while i warmed up I'd get some TV in. I came across "E! Investigates--Rich Kids Who Kill" and thought--hmm... perfect! Once my warm up was over i kept the TV going and i upped the treadmill to 6.3 (9:30 min/mile--keep laughs to yourself please!) Here, i trotted along for a few miles. Early on i kinda thought to myself how this felt easier than normal. By 2-3 miles in, I'm certainly usually complaining in my head! When i got to the 4th mile of the tempo i upped the tread to 6.4, a 9:22 min/mile. Went along with that and still felt okay, so for the last mile i upped the treadmill 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 every quarter of a mile. When i got done, i actually still thought to myself that i could have kept going! It was like i was running downhill the whole way! Whaaaat!! Who am i am and what happened to my former self!?!?
I have now found a new love--running on the treadmills in Wall. I don't know if its because they are new and haven't been beaten up yet, or if the manfacturer has just made a better product, but i'm officially hooked! Add in the fact that i was wearing my NEW headphones that stick in my ears and i was all set.
No sweat in my ear holes, noise cancelling so i can't hear myself or anyone else for that matter, a treadmill that runs downhill seemingly, and best of all--NO THUNDER FOOT!!! Ohhh life was good yesterday afternoon!

So today is a cross train day and i will be doing the usual stairs/ellipty combo. i always do the same thing, but i do like it, so it works out. Then this weekend we have a 10 miler. Not sure what day yet but i better go get some Gummy Snacks or Magic Beans before hand!!!

i'm just all over the place today!

2011-02-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

Soooo after 18 miles i decided i deserved a rest---so i rested :-)
Monday was a non-workout rest day. I did clean the heck outta my house--trust me, i worked out!

Tuesday was IW's. Who doesn't love sprints?!
This was day #1 with my new headphones. Erin is the bestestttt!!! She obvi read and agreed that sweat should only be for boys! Erin got me pink skull candy headphones with squishy rubbery tips that fit into your ears. I used to have them from Apple but i broke them in the car door--talented i know! They are really great because they seem to be noise cancelling. Thunder Foot climbed up on the treadmill a few over from me, and i laughed. Stomp as you will--i can't hear you!!! So i climbed up on my OTHER treadmill, set it for "marathon mode" and i ran. After about 10 mins (.80mile) of warm up, it was time to start the sprints. I did 10 x 400 meters with 400m Rest in btwn each. As i ran in my true "sprinting" fashion, i of course started my usual indoor sweat. Except--with my new 'phones, nooooo sweat in my ear holes! Yay the world won't be ending--and i have no excuse to take a break from running to adjust/wipe off my headphones any longer! Ehh, pro's and con's i suppose!
I did feel pretty good about these sprints though. I did 7 of them at 8 min/miles and then 2 at 745 min/miles and then the last one at 8.0/8.1 on the tread, whatever that is! But surprisingly after the 18, i was feeling quite together and no injured. The IW's were good.
Funny, Kelley is a space cadet, story however. After we ran the 18, i uploaded my run at Nike+ and was so proud of my mileage. They divide up into levels, so each time you reach a new one, someone comes on the screen and talks. Literally thats all you get, but i look forward to it. So i was on orange for miles 31-154. I uploaded 18 miles from sun and it brought me to 153.29 TOTAL miles for the life of my band. I couldn't wait to run the IW's and log those miles to get out of orange and into green. Guess i couldn't have been too excited--i forgot to turn it on and log the 6.3 miles i did on IW's booooo :-( I'm special!

Wednesday (today) was a cross train. I pulled into the parking lot of the gym, and was so ready to just pull right back out and go home. I have reaaaaally been dragging. Thankfully, my running buddies are in the same boat, so i don't feel like i'm being a total slacker. Its strange how you don't really realize how much training takes out of you, but its the only thing i can figure. I mean i get a full 7 or almost 7 hours of sleep at night, so it can't just be that. But anyway, i did get out of the car and did the elliptical for 50-ish minutes. I figured no matter what level i did it on, it was still more active than the couch! Again no lifting today--i've gotten soooo lazy in that dept. I used to have muscles--key phrase, used to! :-(

Tomorrow we have a 1easy/5tempo run. 6 miles--ha i do that in my sleep! Oh geez i need help!

not mud, not snow, nor ice in sight will keep us from getting our run in!

2011-02-20T20:13:00.000-05:00

wow, i feel overwhelmed trying to write this post. Lets be honest, my overall day has been overwhelming with an 18 mile run included in it!

I started out my Sunday runday with the same bfast i used for the 16-er. Slice of toast with peanut butter and banana and then finished off the banana with some peanut butter plain. I did add in some other things today though too. I was sure to drink some water. I had a handful of gummy bears (mmmm!) and then a Gatorade prepare thingy. Ha, i doubt it works, but at least i can say i tried it.
We met around 1030-ish at the Manasquan Reservoir to run today. I had never been there and neither had Danny, but Moe and Mike have run it before and they seemed to enjoy it. So run we shall! We got onto the trail and it was pretty muddy and still a bit covered with snow in spots that had iced over, which made for an interesting turn of events. Sadly i was wearing my brand new kicks in that mud too!! Anyway, we made our way around the loop on our first trip which was 5 miles. It took some balancing on our part, some careful tip-toeing while running, cross over here, jump there, and some complete stomps in mud puddles, but we did okay. It was a little bit windy, but NOTHING like yesterday, and nothing unmanageable. After that first loop, the time had come. SNAAAACK TIME!!! The first snack time i chose to go with the Power-Ade type GU Strawberry Banana flavor. It was in a pocket of my pants that's was intimately close to me, so it was warm and thinned out, and easy to get down. Good flavor i suppose, but i just can't get over not liking the texture of it!
On the second loop around, of course we were getting a little bit more fatigued. In my opinion though those 5 mile loops go by pretty fast though. At this point though Elvis was really making some pressure in my pelvis. Thankfully that was the ONLY pressure in there this week! But with Elvis really bothering me, my hip was also starting to hurt. This has been a problem for a few weeks, but nothing i couldn't handle. However today was a bit tricky due to the uneven terrain. It was icy and spotty and my right hip area was seemingly not strong enough to keep myself in line... and when i would slip out on the ice on the right side, it really felt unpleasant. I will say a few four letter words were left out on that trail by all of us! We did manage to get that loop in on the trail before we decided to 'take it to the streets'! Up again, SNAAAACK TIME! This time i went for my Magic Beans! Sport Beans--Fruit Punch flavor. So yummy! Orange flavor might still have one up on this one, but much better than GU for sure!
Next, we rain in a loop on the streets of Howell that ended up being 6 more miles. Add that to the 10 from the loops and we are at 16! You guessed it, another SNAAAACK TIME! This time i had some chocolate GU and an epiphany! Have you had chocolate GU? Holy cow--pure deliciousness! It was like eating chocolate icing. Which, if you know my diet, that is RIGHT up my alley! I can't believe what i was missing out on by trying 'Lemon Sublime (ewww now!)'. Now, that loop around Howell was seemingly uphill the whole way. No matter which corner we turned and which way we ran--it was just uphill i swear! We did mumble about how sucky we felt and how we reaaaaally wanted to be done, and knowing that when we finished we would feel such accomplishment but that was seemingly no solace at the time anyway. Not even my chocolate icing, i mean GU, was working as motivation at this point. And i certainly would not recommend going out onto the streets because there were a LOT of cars, and the shoulder was so small we had to run single file, so we couldn't even talk to each other for the whole 6 miles. I'll tell you the tease too, we got to the end of that hellacious hilly, car invested course, and we had to run RIGHT past the street to go back to the park because we had 2 more miles to get in. We ran a mile past, then turned around, and ran the mile back to the park. Yay DONE!!
After we finished i announced to the whole group that i felt drunk! I was walking all out of sorts and pretty much having an out of body experience. If you gave me a hamburger i woulda looked just like David Hasselhoff eatting! 18 miles was the farthest i have ever run, so finishing it was kind of euphoric. Pure shock that i was able to get my body to run that far. My knees were sore, Elvis was a mess, i was hungry and craving a soda, and wanted to sit down more than anything in this whole world. BUT WE FINISHED!
Afterwards, when we realized how long it actually took us, i was a bit disappointed. I mean 18 is a great feat, but we didn't run as fast as we had been, i didn't feel as good as past runs either. We did 10+ min miles, and some 11+ min/miles too. Must have been the hills! We are soooo spoiled running on the boards all the time. Nice and flat--a racers best friend :-)

While on the course, everyone got to hear my embarrassing 'snot' story from yesterdays race (sorry, will not be disclosed here!), Moe's awesome trip to Disney and how she rain in capri's and a long sleeve shirt (aww poor thing :-) ), and various other running stories that shall remain unsaid. Hey, what happens on the running trail, stays on the running trail. Well, that is, unless i write about it here for the entire internet community to read! We did see a bald eagle flying overhead. I have never seen one before, so that was just downright cool! After we finished we went into the center to sit by the fire---that apparently wasn't lit today. Man! But it gave Moe and I a chance to change out of our sweaty running clothes into dry clothes. Yes i get it, the drive home was only 20 mins, but it made the world of difference i swear!

So this week coming up, the sprints don't look so bad, but the tempo run is 8 miles again, and then only 10 for the long run. Not looking past that cause i know there is a 20 that week.

What a year its been!

2011-02-19T09:24:00.001-05:00

Today is technically a cross train day since yesterday i rested (yet another Dr. appt) and tomorrow is long run. Well, today is going to be a different type of cross training day because I'm running a 2 mile Mid-Winter Beach fun run. Always a good time, and a good quick run, but i will tell you... you trot along and trot along and think life is just peachy, until the race volunteers out on the course direct you to the sand on the course. Its awfulllll! Its practically like running right into a brick wall at full force. And today its about 40 mph winds!!! There are many approaches to the sandy part of the run as well. Stay high and run in the softer sand but keep close to the top where the entrance and exit are. Or go down low towards the water line where the sand might be firmer but its that much more out of your way. Humm... i think i will make that a game time decision.

So today when i woke up i realized its been a little over a year since i started distance run training. Last year in mid January i was starting my training for the Asbury Park Half Marathon April 17th, 2010. That training was pretty good, except that was when i got my shin splints. Ouchhh! Talk about pain with every step. At least with Elvis i don't feel him all the time. At last years mid-winter run in Manasquan i ended up chatting with a podiatrist friend of my sisters, Dr. George Fahoury, and he suggested i come in and see him. So i did, and he fitted me for orthodics. I didn't get them until after the half-er was over, but since then they have made a tremendous difference in my life! Who would have thought I'd get such satisfaction from shoe inserts?! I also added the Zensah compression sleeves to my running outfits around September. I think they make a great difference as well. So the shin issue has been quite manageable really. Hope i see podiatrist Dr. Fahoury again today to thank him :-)

Its really crazy to think about how far I've come in a year. If you had told me last year at this time that i would be training for a marathon i'd have told you that you were crazy out of your mind! And yet, here i am! I'm really happy to have made this commitment in my life and stuck with it even though none of it has been very easy. I'm lucky to have such great family and friends that support me when i make these wacky decisions like running a marathon. And some of them not only support me, but then decide they want to do it WITH me too! I have great people in my life!

So tomorrow's 18, the whole foursome (Me, Moe, Mike and Danny) will all be back together :-) This will be the longest distance I've ever run in my life, so it will be an experience and an accomplishment all rolled into one! Check back tomorrow because I'm SURE it will be interesting!

Sweat should only be for boys!

2011-02-17T21:09:00.000-05:00

One-Four-One tempo run today. One mile easy/warm up, 4 miles at tempo--which for me was 9:30's, one mile easy/cool down. I wouldn't say that this run was particularly HARD or strenuous per say, but I'm just darn tired of the treadmill! When you run outside, you run to a specific spot or destination. Even if you don't make it all the way to the spot you had planned on, you still make it SOMEWHERE! Which then in turns means you have to make it back to the place you started. The treadmill doesn't have such appeal. You get on, and you go and you go and you go some more...and your still in the same place you were in when you started. This is why it has been sooo hard for me to fight my urge to hop on the rails, take a break, or just decide to get off because i don't want to go anymore! Regardless--i chugged on! I was happy to have finished and of course LOVED being done. Have i mentioned Done is my favorite? :-)

While running i had a few thoughts in my head--particularly about...sweat! I was going literally crazy with the way i was sweating today. When i run outside, i imagine i sweat in the same pattern and same amount as i did inside on the treadmill. However, when i'm running inside, i can not stand the way it feels on my face. I have this need to wipe it off all the time! This need was how i hit the emergency stop button last week during the 9 mile tempo run while reaching for my towel--ugh! While that didn't happen today, i was really getting annoyed with the little beads running down my face. In addition to just the general annoyance i was suffering, i also realized how must sweat collects in your ears. I am pretty sure that ear holes (where you put your headphones) don't sweat. Except the sweat kept running down the sides of my head and right into these said ear holes. Without headphones, nothing would have bothered me about this, but with headphones i was really getting annoyed. My ear buds kept sliding right out of my ears! I must have looked like a weirdo because i kept taking my sleeve or my towel and wiping out my ears and wiping off my headphones. And they just would not stay in! I use Apple iPod headphones, so if anyone out there uses different headphones that stay in even if your sweaty, OR if you have better headphones that this doesn't happen to, please do share/comment!!

ELVIS UPDATE
This by far is the most frustrating and hard to handle injury I've ever had! No one seems to know how to diagnosis, no one seems to know how to treat, and its just not getting better! The doctor i saw yesterday told me that he doesn't think anything worse can happen if i continue to run so i can get through this training and marathon, and then told me to come back and see him after the race for the next step. That will probably involve 4 weeks of constant steady rest and round the clock anti-inflams so try to get this healed up. If that doesn't work then they will have to look into more invasive options. I just don't feel happy with this. I'm not looking to go under the knife by ANY means, but i just want someone, anyone, to know what I'm talking about with this Sports Hernia and someone that knows what to do about it, be able to help me, or has gone through it themselves. Suggestions welcome!!

So, tomorrow i rest, Saturday is Manasquan mid-winter run, and then Sunday is 18 miler with the foursome. YAY Moe is home!!!

i looove me some IW's :-(

2011-02-15T21:47:00.001-05:00

IW--Interval Workouts.

Who on earth WOULDN"T love to be sprinting on the treadmill every week? exactly what i thought--not many of you! So i climbed on up to MY treadmill (which today wasn't necessary because i didn't go longer than an hour--but i'm a creature of habit i suppose) and started with my usual warm up. 2:30 walk then increase every 2:30 from 4.0 to 5.5...this particular IW workout is one of my personal favorites... 3 x 1600m sprints with 400m rest in between. Sprinting for a mile--how awesome! Again i remind that i use the term "sprinting" rather loosely with this marathon training because when i am "sprinting" i'm running an 8 min mile. ha! I did the turkey trot in November and ran 5 miles at 8 min mile. I haven't quite figured out why i can do it outside, and yet the treadmill is dreadful..but it is what it is i suppose! And these sprints were tough. I really pushed myself and i didn't let myself quit or even cheat really! Unusual for me when I'm tired/suffering through a workout i cheat--but i had Moe on my shoulder telling me not to! I mean, we have 18 this weekend, whats cheating going to get me!?

Also, in true Kelley fashion, my GI did not agree with me again today. I handled it very well and it didn't pose too much of a problem. But Elvis wasn't being so great. He was hurting today a little bit, which i can attribute partially to the pressure in my abdomen from various sources. It also seemed to add another additional pain about an inch lower than where Elvis is. And i was certainly not able to do any type of ab workout, stretching of the ab area, or some lifting exercises either! I go for an appointment with a specialist tomorrow at 230 (Dr. Cauda of Shrewsbury anyone??) to see what is going on in there and if Elvis is actually a 'sports hernia'. I'm excited at the possibility that i will be able to know what the heck is going on in there and perhaps figure out a way for Elvis to leave the damn building already. However, i must admit that i have googled and webMD'ed the whole Elvis/sports hernia situation, and i can't really figure out why i do that to myself?! There really is no pleasant information about pretty much anything on the internet and no one should look up anything on there ever! just sayin!

So tomorrow is Elvis's appt and then soccer at 810. I'm excited for this week at soccer because its the first time in a while that i didn't run 7, 8, 9 miles before the game--I'm gonna be SWEET out there :-) Then Thursday is tempo run. I'm not sure what it is exactly but i think 1-4-1 or 2-3-2... i just can't remember!

So tomorrow we health assess and i will keep you posted, of course :-)

This right here is THE SECRET TO LIFE!!!

2011-02-13T13:10:00.002-05:00

Well, its time to update about yesterdays long run. I had snap (Saturday detention) so we met at 1230 after i got out. Now, we all checked the weather and were excited that it said 41 degrees and partly sunny for Saturday. Umm.. no! When i got to the boardwalk it was so windy and cloudy and a bit chilly!! Probably felt like 28-30 with the windchill. Man i can't wait for spring! It was a good thing we all dressed mostly warm enough and brought hats and gloves etc.
We started at the fishing club and went north to the end of Bradley beach in order to add some mileage rather than have to run on any highways into Manasquan. Soooo once to the end of Bradley we turned around south and went all the way to the Army Camp in Sea Girt. Its pretty easy to tell actually if you look at my Nike+ Post (Kelley's Nike Runs) how windy it was and how long we ran into the wind lol. In the run towards Sea Girt we came across---SNAAAAAACK TIIIIIIIME!! That's my favorite part of the run. I had some Gummy/Chewy Fruit snacks on this run. "Gummy Snacks, Gummy Snacks, it's time to eat our Gummy Snacks!!" They were really yummy! With options like this available i can't imagine why ANYONE wants to actually use GU--bleck! Once we got to the Army Camp, we turned around and came back to the fishing club....sorta :-/ ..... Around 6 miles Elvis started to hurt a bit, which then starts a whole domino effect of other lower abdominal issues. At mile 10 we had our next snack, which i tried a new type of GU made by Powerade, it was muuuch thinner and a bit easier to get down. However, it tasted EXACTLY like Stoli O vodka. Ehhh, prolly not the best tasting thing to be consuming during the run. I fought to get it down, all the while thinking how delicious my Gummy Snacks were earlier and my Jelly Beans were last week. I think i will have to stick with those!! After i got that down, i was still feeling very uncomfortable in the GI area. We had to have a little "pit" stop along the way because i was having the typical Kelley issues. I will say that after our "pit" stop at a very top secret and undisclosed establishment that i felt MUUUUCH better. We flew the last two miles back to the cars and i felt awesome! Happy to be done of course cause Done is my favorite, but felt great the last two miles! It also helped at the turn around how the wind was at our back for some of the run--really pushed me right to the car :-)

It was really great running with Mike and Danny who were both really encouraging and thoughtful. Kept asking how i was doing, how Elvis was doing, and were really nice about the fact i had to stop. I have a great running crew :-) "Goonies never say die" or "All for one and one for all" or well... you know what i mean, something like that! Haha! I was grabbing for a quote about our togetherness while running...not so successful!

In comparing this weeks 13, to last weeks 16, I've come up with a few theories. Last week, when i felt so amazingly great during the 16, i realized, we did that run on Sunday. I was able to use the facilities before the run, and i had a much better bfast before that run. This week, before the 13, i had to work for 4 hours, only had access to a mediocre breakfast, and couldn't convince my body to "do the deed" before the run. Next week we have 18 and are doing in on Sunday. I'm already having a talk with my body to channel the feelings of the 16-er that i did so that i have a good experience out there with my posse.

Today i am just going to do a medium Cross Train activity. After yesterdays long run, i am surprised at how great i feel today! Enter: The secret to life! I'm sure you are all soooo curious and really waiting to find out what it is. Keep in mind my family is full of nurses--namely my sister who pretty much knows everything! Two weeks ago, before the 14 miler, she revealed that she took a few (3 or 4) Advil before her run. So Danny decided to do it too before he ran 14. I didn't have any so i just went without. Now we all read my post after the 14 at how great Moe and Danny did during this run and how i was about to call my mom to pick me up in spring lake lol. Soooo, the next week i took 3 Advil before the 16 mile run and felt pretty darn good doing it. Also, i took it yesterday before the 13 and still my body felt really good about it. It helps with soreness and fatigue during my run, and also after my run. I think its awesome and i feel awesome--hence the secret to life! For all you runners out that that suffer from sore knee caps and sore muscles during and/or after your run, and are not opposed to taking any type of pain management, i would HIGHLY suggest you try this secret out--its amazing!

ps for those that have asked me about getting notified of new posts--i believe there is a "Subscribe by email" below somewhere next to the comments section that you can click to subscribe!

9 miles on a treadmill---who does that?!

2011-02-10T20:53:00.000-05:00

Again i confess, yesterday after school, instead of going to the gym, i took the afternoon off and went to get new running sneaks! Yaaaay! My shins loved me for it and were all to excited to say goodbye to the old ones that were beyond ready to be swapped! I actually got the same brand (saucony) that i had before, which was only the first time i wore them, but i got less of a stability shoe and more of a neutral shoe. If you have never been to a running speciality store to get your work out sneakers--i would HIGHLY recommend!! Best experience and also they will tell you the exact shoe you need for your running type/stride. Years ago when i made the switch from picking out shoes at the sports store based on color, to going to a Running store and getting 'fitted' for the proper shoes, i really noticed a positive difference!

I did play soccer last night which i will consider my cross train for the day. That way i feel at least i got some type of workout in! I still got sweaty and ran around--it counts!

Today was a 9 mile tempo run---yuck! I rushed to the gym after a math dept meeting and got on the treadmill around 315. I did my usual walk for 2:30, 4.5 jog for 2:30, 5.0 for 2:30, 5.5 for 2:30. I kicked it up to 6.0 because i still felt like i needed a bit more warming up. After a bit i went up to 6.2 and just cruised along there for a while. Probably should have been running faster than a 9:40 mile, but ask me if i care?! I was running on a different treadmill that i found has marathon mode, which was a god sent because Thunder Foot was at the gym today in all her stomping sweaty butt glory, and i did NOT have to listen to her today. I did get my own form of punishment today however because at 4.31 mile 44:24 into my run, i hit the emergency stop button and the whole tread stopped :-( ugh!! So i made a mental note of where i was and started the treadmill back up to finish my 4.69 miles. Not long after i restarted it was GU time. I forgot my new Chocolate Flavored GU in the car, so i just went with the lemon sublime which was in my water bottle. Its not the flavors that even bother me, its the consistency of GU. Ewww! So i took that about 5 miles into the run and only had 4 more to go! I felt okay during the run but Elvis did not!! I was happy that the back 4.5 was a bit faster than the out 4.5 because i felt like i got done faster. I did 4.69 miles in 45 mins flat. So that's a little bit faster. The last two miles i was upping the tread 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 for each half mile. 9 miles on the treadmill is a loooong time, so at 6.5 i felt like i was all out running hard, even though i really knew i wasn't. Whatev, i got the run in and felt pretty good. I did happen to showcase one of my dirty/gross running habits, but i think only about 3-5 people saw me, so that's not too many, although i got some interesting looks from them as it was! And the new shoes felt great on the 9 mile run. However i did get a blister on the tip of my toe. I just hope they stretch, or whatever it is that shoes do so that this does not get worse. Blisters suck!
As soon as i finished the 9-er it was right down to change and go to work swim. I def downed two Alieve while working because i knew that i was going to be feeling the effects of the tread run. Also, i have soccer tonight at 1030. I will be playing. No fun, but will be playing. Tomorrow is a xtrain day and then date with my ErinBear :-) I miss her!

This weekend, 13 with my four-some, minus Moe. Hope she enjoys disney and gets her run in down there!!

i sprinted a 5k---again!

2011-02-08T21:07:00.000-05:00

soooo Today--we sprint! 10 minute warm up, 1K (.62mile), 2K (1.24mile), 1K, 1K, sprints with 400m rests in between. Then 10 minute cool down. Totaled 5.61 miles. It went pretty well. My dumb self forgot my iPod and headphones. I remembered i kept a spare set in my car, so i was relieved that i would be able to as least watch TV while i tortured myself through this. I plugged them in, and sure enough, i kept getting shocked in the right ear--fail! And even worse, I of course found myself next to Thunder Foot again! She looked different but i would recognize that stomp anywhere!!! No stare will scare her away, trust me i tried!

This week we have a long tempo run too. 9 miles mid-week before the 13 miles this weekend. I have finally seen how warped my brain really is. I look at 13 miles as a "short" long run. Holy crap they've got me! The dark side has gotten me! I mean, I'm not leading the pack in distance running, but i feel as though the more miles i put in, the more my perspective changes. I look at 13 miles (which mind you is only 1 mile shorter than my hellish 14 miles a few weeks ago) but yet, it doesn't seem that scary to me. 13 miles is half the marathon--ha I'm just going to wake up and run the distance of a half marathon (which when i was racing in a half i trained my butt off) and now I'm just going to wake up and do it. So strange!

Tonight i went to Dicks Sporting Goods and got some new GU flavors and other snacks. I got a new flavor of Sport Jelly Beans that I'm delighted to try out! Also, some Power Bar GU type stuff that seems to be much thinner, and almost more liquidy than any others I've seen, which i think will be much easier to get down. Also, they contain more sodium than GU which i think will be good since when running you lose a lot in sweat. I have some chocolate flavors, orange flavors, Strawberry/banana flavors, and Fruit Punch too! I have officially convinced myself that these will all be delicious and therefore make my run sooooo much better :-)

Also, my Uncle Michael B. sent a link about a man (49 years old) who did 365 marathons in 365 days. Umm.... are ya kidding?!?! He said it was like "his job". Some people wake up and go to work in an office, and he wakes up and goes to work "on the road". Ummm... no! My shins, knees, and ELVIS are hurting just thinking about it!

Tomorrow is cross training AND soccer at 630. Darn, no running snacks!!

I love being DONE! After 16, its a good feeling!

2011-02-07T19:39:00.000-05:00

So Sunday Funday consisted of running 16 miles before Super Bowl time!

I woke up at around 815 and went right to the kitchen to get my breakfast in. I had one slice of bread toasted, with peanut butter and sliced up bananas on it. Then i finished the banana off with just some peanut butter and drank a bottle of water. I think my bfast selection was a good factor in my run, but also the fact that i was able to "use the facilities" if you will before i ran was a HUGE help!

So we met up (the 4 of us) at around 1030 am and started in the south end of Spring Lake. We stretched, we chatted, and off we went! Running north. I was pretty quiet for the first few miles. I was really trying to convince myself that i was having fun! Last time, when we ran the 14 i started out quick-ish and was really talkative, and perhaps used too much energy? ha, i don't really know about that, but i just was trying it out the other way to see how it was. So, we got to be about 4 miles in when i was feeling okay about our run. I mean after all, we were almost to 5 miles which means, you guessed it, SNACK TIIIIIIME!!! Yesssss! So at 5 miles i had my first running snack, Orange flavored Jelly Belly Sport Jelly Beans---oh yum!!!! I really liked them and they tasted awesome. Have you any idea how hard it is to chew jelly beans and run at the same time? It is kinda tough i will say, but i got them down and they tasted way better than GU! At this point we were in Ocean Grove almost to Asbury. Of course, since we were doing 16 we kept on running. Through Asbury Convention Hall and i breezed right by the bathroom--i was happy. I felt that the lady or man on the TV commericals that has some type of bladder control/gastric problem, where at the end they take the pills from the commercial and they walk right past the bathroom with a smile because they "aren't letting it control them anymore" lol. Its the small victories along the way for me :-)
So we ran into Loch Arbor and then Allenhurst before we turned around to go all the way back. By the turn around, i was assessing my situation. I turned to Danny at 8.5 miles and said "I feel great!". When we got to 10 miles, it was GU time. Bleeeeeck! I had Lemon Sublime and it is a struggle to get that crap down. Thank goodness i run with a water bottle or else i might just throw up trying to eat that stuff. Which would probably defeat the purpose of actually having it! I really need to go to a different store that sells GU individ so i can get different flavors. YES i KNOW i already asked you all about this--but I'm a busy girl, i will get to it!
Once through Belmar, and back into Spring Lake i was getting excited and antsy to be done :-) I also pointed out to my running comrades how little i complained this run (don't be shocked--this is a true statement)! They appreciated it.
Now I'm not going to lie, this run was no walk in the park. My knees were getting a little sore by the end, but i did proactively take 3 Advil before we left in order to prevent any soreness i might have gotten. But i have to say, in comparison this run was much better than long runs before. It really helped my confidence because i was able to stay with my group the whole way, and at some points was even pulling out front a little bit. However, as much as i enjoyed the improvements in myself this run, i still love being DONE. Done is my favorite! :-)
Elvis is still being a punk ass. I am making an appointment with someone who can hopefully diagnosis this and tell me if running is making it worse, or if its just gonna stay status quo or whats going on. I'll keep you posted as i know more. But the fact that i was able to eat something that worked for me, and go to the bathroom before we ran, really helped things. The pressure i felt in my abdomen during the 14 was unreal. Elvis was hurting plus i had a lot of other GI pressures, i couldn't really imagine being worse. So this week, having a better handle of the GI tract-ness has made for only one discomfort in the abdomen which was do-able. One i can handle, more than that and i quit! :-)

So today i had a Math Meet after school which meant no gym. I should be niiiiiiiice and rested for tomorrows sprints oh joy!

leeeeeeeeeets get ready to RUUUUUUUUUN-YALL!

2011-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

So, yesterdays R&R with the work fam was awesome! So welcomed and needed. I work with some pretty great people and i truly do love them and being around them. <3

Today was a cross train day since it was raining and gross out--we were NOT running 16 outside in that! I went to the gym with Moe and Mike today at the WOW in Wall. It was nice. All new and shiny :-) Did the StairMaster for 10 mins as a warm up. I used the one where the stairs actually move. Ha, funny about it though. When you walk up and down the stairs in your house, or other familiar places, you don't really even look down at your feet, you just go. You know whats coming next, stair stair stair, landing, stair x8, turn to the right, stair stair stair stair, hallway. I mean, its your house of course you know the stairs. Now when i was on this particular StairMaster, its kind of like going up the steps at your house. There is nothing to trip over, you know exactly what is coming next, and there aren't even any turns. Its just step, step, step, step, step over and over again. So explain to me why 1.) I MUST look down at my feet? As if something might happen i insist on looking down every 2 seconds! and 2.) Its so much harder than the stairs at your house? I can walk up the stairs easy peasy but on here, i have to hold myself up on the rails and i am dripping sweat and its a lot of work. And that's not even on a hard level! Go figure really!
After that i ellipticalled for a while on interval level. I like that level. Its only one minute of hard and then over. Oppositely however, its only one minute of easy too, but you know how i like to look at things. And a minute is like no time at all. I enjoyed! I then watch Maureen do abs etc because Elvis STILL won't allow such shenanigans to take place! Oh Elvis how i loathe you!

Tomorrow (well practically today since its so stinkin late!) is 16 miles. Our foursome "Study" group will be together tomorrow. I told Mike, Moe, and Danny that i really don't know how I'm going to fair in a 16 miler so if need be, they can go ahead and i will have to drop behind a little bit. I'm trying not to psych myself out, and i really want to stick with my friends and run with them and stay with them, but i think they are just in better marathon shape than i am! I have been following our schedule to a T and yet, they are kickin my butt. Jerks! ::::JUUUUST kidding guys love you xoxo::::::
I am excited for the Jelly Beans i bought the other weekend, gonna be a good run filled with delicious snacks i knooooow it! And i also have 2 Lemon-Lime GU Packs to bring with me. I'm hoping that i have a better handle on my pre-run diet and will not be feeling like i have been the past few runs. I have been really reading a lot about what to eat and also what NOT to eat before a long run and am going to be trying out a lot of the things i read one at a time until i find SOMETHING that i can work with. Many people suggested peanut butter, but i did that the last weekend, and it still didn't work for me. Perhaps i just have a sensitive stomach/GI tract? Who knows!
Well rest time is in full effect for tomorrows/today's really long run. Then some serious relaxing during football. Please let me finish this run, please let me finish this run, pleaseeee!

Thunder Thunder Feet Ho!

2011-02-03T20:57:00.000-05:00

Today was a tempo run: 2 miles easy (i did walk for 2min30sec, run at 4.5, 5.0, then 5.5 for the first mile and then 6.0 for the second mile) 3 miles tempo (at approx 9 min miles) and then 2 miles easy (reverse of the beginning 2 miles). I felt great running. Except today i was next to Thunder Feet. This girl, about 20-ish, runs in the tiniest of shorts, a tank top, and a messy bun bobbing on her head. Now I'll give it to her, she runs 5 miles, which in my mind classifies her as more than a beginner. WHICH IS EVEN WORSE!!! If you are NOT a beginner tread-er, then why on earth are you slamming on the treadmill so hard!!! Sheesh, no wonder all the machines at my gym are always broken!
Now, i don't know how i could possibly be so lucky that these people find ME at the gym, but i hate it! People always look at me, and i just wanna say "Hey, its not me! I'm not being noisy". I will admit though that i got so annoyed and so aggravated by Thunder Feet that it really pushed me to finish this run. After all, i wasn't going to let Thunder Feet think she got the best of me. I was 2 miles in when she got there and still had over a mile to go when she left. Take THAT Thunder Feet!

3 running days out of the last 4 days is nooooot making my shins feel good! I have talked to a few people that have also agreed with me that the treadmill makes shin splints--I'm not weird! I mentioned the Zensah Compression sleeves, which i dearly love! I always wear them when i run, especially on the treadmill. But even those aren't going to stop these shin splints from killing meeeee after 3 days of 6+miles each on the tread. I am icing and Advil-ing to keep this under control. With Elvis being such a jerk, and stomach issues, i really can't add any more ailments to my list. The shins need to get there crap together!

Tomorrow is a rest day for some muuuuuch needed R & R. Hey, a girl needs her down time with some friends!! I got all my running days in this week and i am planning on doing 16 miles this weekend. Sunday looks like the day for that since Saturday is rain/wintery mix. Not going to do that again and get sick like 2 weeks ago!!

i just sprinted a 5k---whaaaat?!

2011-02-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

today--we sprint! Today was the Interval Workout/Sprints. In my opinion, you just don't sprint for miles. There is something wrong with that! Anyway, the work was: 10 min warm up, 1 mile sprint, 400m rest, 2 mile sprint, 800m rest, then 2 X 800m with 400m rest in the middle. Whoaaaa! Basically in a nutshell, i sprinted a 5K race, with a tiny rest in the middle. However, may i clarify that what i am calling a "sprint" is really just a fast jog to most. And when i race, i do run faster than my "sprinting" pace i am talking about here, but when you put it into terms of marathon pace--it seems like a sprint, so I'm going with it! Don't judge :-)

Elvis update!!!
not good :-( After i run, i can't do much of anything that involves using your abs----whiiiiiich is about everything. Lifting my leg to get off the treadmill is a struggle, sitting up in bed is painful, and with this cough I've had for over a week, Elvis is hurting more! Now, we've all tried to diagnose our issues, pains, symptoms, etc via WebMD, google, and various other sites. I have also done the same! I saw the trainer at my school and he mentioned to me about a sports hernia. That was early on in the Elvis fiasco, and it wasn't something i ever thought I'd entertain, but with the weeks passing and Elvis still there, its something I'm starting to research. This has been going on 15 weeks!!!! Something has got to give! There is no way that someone could have a 'strained' muscle for 15 weeks--i just won't buy that!
So i ask you guys: has anyone experienced this? know someone who has? similar pain in the rectus abdominis? know a good specialist should i decide to go see one? I really need to do something about this and i just feel kind of lost as to where to go from here. I tried resting and it didn't change anything for the long term. It felt better while i rested but as soon as i resumed activity (after about 2 1/2 weeks of solid rest) it started right back up again. Ugh apparently if its not one thing, its another with me and training for races!

Happier note--i think its time for new sneaks! Who doesn't love new sneaks?! I hate breaking them in the first couple of workouts, but generally speaking, new shoes are awesomeee!

Also, no annoying gym tendencies to report today either. I was in the girls on room, which luckily doesn't get too crowded. I went in there because out in the main gym, on the the treadmill next to the only other one open, was what we call "the sign of the cross grunter". He runs and runs and runs some more. He gets so sweaty and just keeps going. All the while just doing the sign of the cross over and over and over again for the entire run! Occasionally he will let out a big loud sigh or grunt. The first time i heard it i almost fell off the treadmill-literally! After reading my own posts, I've decided--MY GYM IS FULL OF WEIRDOS! :-) Not everyone, but it has its fair share!

Tomorrow is going to be a tempo run. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but i think its 2 easy, 3 tempo, 2 easy. nooooooooo problem! Then 16-er this weekend... not letting my brain go there quite yet!

treadmill? more like dreadmill~!

2011-01-31T21:29:00.000-05:00

since i last wrote--my sore/scratchy throat turned into a full blown snotty sandpapery mess of a cold! I was able to get a bit of a cross train in on Saturday after swim and then Sunday was supposed to be a 12 mile long run outside. umm... yeaaaaah def did not go down! I rested my sick and sorry behind on the couch/bed yesterday which brings me to today...

I had to go to work today, then work a swim meet afterwards, so i resolved i would go to the gym and get some type of 'long' run in on the treadmill. I ended up with 9.5 on the treadmill which I'm okay with since i have a cold and running on the treadmill sucks!

I did mention that i went to the store and bought some running snacks. Gu and Jellybeans and Gummy Snacks. Great plan. Except i didn't bring any of them with me on the gym for my make shift 'long' run. Ya know what i did have? Gummy Bears! Ehh.. same thing right? My thought process was to try eating something chewy while i ran--it got the job done. It was yummy. I held them in my hand for about half a mile to make sure they weren't going to be too hard and then around mile 5.5 i ate them--highlight of my run i will tell you!

A few things i noticed about myself and others while on the treadmill for over an hour and half.
Why do some people have cinder blocks for feet? There was a girl next to me for about 3 miles that was running so hard i thought her feet were going to go THROUGH the treadmill. I kept giving her a nasty look but she didn't get it. And i know it was just her because after she left, someone else got on and he was running just fine with no noise. Hey girl--Pick up your feet!!!
Why do some people hold on to the machine while they run? If you can't run at that speed---take it down a notch or 8! I mean what kind of workout could you POSSIBLY be getting if you are holding on for dear life to the treadmill?!?
Why is running such a gross sport? I need not go into specific details for fear i would seriousssssly lose a lot of friends--but my "study buddies"/long run partners know exactly what i mean. Running makes your body do awful things! Now, i'm not talking about having ever pee'd myself while running---i DO draw the line somewhere---but there are other bodily liquids that need to be released during a long run. I won't get into details but i will tell you that if i could learn how to snot rocket, my life would be a lot better! This type of topic is exactly how i got my running name--which will remain a secret..sorry everyone!

Again during this run i ran with my iPod and kept the tv off so i just stared at myself in the blank screen. It was really kind of mesmerizing. I stared at my hollow (the hollow hole-y part at the bottom of your throat/neck) for a few miles, i watched my ponytail swing back and forth for a few miles, i critiqued my eyebrows, freckles, and various outher facial imperfections for a few more miles. Before i knew it, time was almost up. Clearly i'm rather vain that i can just stare at myself for an hr and a half. :-)

So tomorrow is 3 swim meets going until after 7pm---looks like a surprise rest day early in the week! Then wednesday is sprints day--these sprints for this week are ridicccccccculous! Eek!

rest day = shovelin? what the!?

2011-01-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

ahhhhh friday--yay!
Yesterday was a "rest day" but apparently snow waits for no one! The snow storm didn't know nor care about my rest day which meant---i shoveled. Thanks to my awesome neighbor at my mom's house i didn't shovel nearly as much as i could have. He cleared our whole sidewalk, and then once i cleared off both cars, and moved them into the street, he plowed the rest of the driveway! I had to go back over with a shovel--so fun when its all compacted down from driving on it--to get the rest, but could have been worse.
Other than that i really tried to rest rest rest rest! This cough has got the best of me thats for sure--i sound nasty! I am really starting to stress about the long run coming up on sunday and hope i don't struggle to much with breathing.

Today was a cross training day. I did elliptical for about 45 mins and then some weight stuff with arms. With my throat feeling so dry and rough today's workout was hard. And i forgot a water bottle--yeah i'm a mess! Luckily i had Study Buddy Erin with me for the workout so i was able to go longer than i normally would have pushed myself while feeling this way. Tomorrow is another cross train day except i have to work swim until at least 3, so thats gonna be a tough one. I can do it, i can do it, i can dooooooooo itttttttttttt!

Side note, Moe and I went to EMS (eastern mountain sports) and bought some new Gu and other treats to use while running. I got some jellybelly running beans, and some chewy fruit snacks. I'm looking forward to this weekends run JUST so i can try these out!! Also, some Gu as well. They didn't sell individual packs of Gu however, so we had to buy boxes of 6. Some of the flavors we got are going to be new to us, but since there are 6 in a box--we better like them :-)
Anyone else know of a good place to get Gu in singles so i can get a variety? Does Dicks/Sports Authority sell them individ?

There's so much to do and never any time..

2011-01-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

I feel as though I've been a little Jessie Spano lately... so busy i didn't get to blog yesterday and its already 8:0 pm today! Where does the time go?!

Yesterday was a cross training day which i was very happy to do :-) The very usual and very ordinary StairMaster/elliptical cross training combo. Although i did add in some squats, lunges, dips, and push-ups for good measure. I felt good about the "rushed" workout. So much so that i did some ab workout! Maybe i can scare Elvis away with some good old fashion crunches. They were cheating crunches though because i was on the bench where you put your legs up on the metal bars and there is a headrest that aides you in lifting up. I'm not complaining! I mean how could i? I haven't been able to do a crunch or any type of ab workout since mid-October... eek! Trust me, my "abs" need the work! It was rushed though because Tuesdays swim meet was a later (430) start so i was able to get my workout in earlier before swim and then didn't have to fight the "Blahs" to get it done after. The "blahs" are killer and can really de-rail your working out mojo---dangerous territory those 'blahs' are!!

Today when i woke up my body was haaaaating me over the squats and lunges i THOUGHT were a good idea yesterday--mmmm yeaaaaah not so much! I felt like i aged 50 years over night! The walking up the stairs at school today made me really wish I'd taken the elevator.. all of this leading up to a very intimidating 8 mile tempo run.
The schedule says 8 mi tempo as 10K + 40 seconds pace. When i arrived at the gym (in the gross slush and snow, soaking wet socks and shoes) i stood in front of MY treadmill and it looked like a mountain i had to climb on. I did appreciate my stroke of luck that MY treadmill was open. Lets just be clear--I'm not that crazy about any particular treadmills at the gym, however when I am running 8 miles in marathon training, its going to take me longer than an hour. Most treadmills will not let you set it for longer than 60 mins, but MY treadmill luckily doesn't have this setting apparently. So i climb on up and feel the pressure of the run ahead of me. I was so sore i couldn't imagine watching 5 steps let alone the 8-er.
I started with a veeeery slow walk and gradually increased it to a jog. I did the 8 mile tempo part of the run at a 9:40 min/mile. My biggest challenge/goal with this 8 mile tempo was to run the whole time and not hop off onto the rails of the tread. I've mentioned this before as a very big problem of mine and I've been trying to change it. Moe has been a big motivator in all of this. She's helped me see that mileage is most important and pace is secondary. I need to do it at a pace that's comfortable if i want to reach my (and Elvis's) goal of running the whole time without stopping for this marathon. So today, i put on my iPod, started the treadmill, and just kept telling myself over and over that i didn't want to hop off! Whoa was it hard! I realized how many times that thought crosses my mind--i wanted to take at least 10 breaks. Also, i had the TV off so i basically just stared at myself for 8 miles--ha that sounds weird when i say it. I tried it out to help me get into "the zone"!
On top of all of this i think last weekends 14-er in the cold winter weather has given me a pretty gross cough. Made for a bit of a harder run but STILL i wouldn't stop and take a break. I kinda had my sister in the back of my brain telling me not too--i did NOT want to disappoint!

Overcoming bad habits is something we all should probably do a bit more often... i've started with some of my running bad habits but could certainly filter this into the rest of my life--ehh one task at a time :-)

Tomorrow is thursday---REST DAY! :-) We all saw that one coming! Then friday cross train and saturday cross train for a long run sunday this weekend.

26.2 or Bust-Week 11. Sprints anyone?!?!

2011-01-24T20:26:00.000-05:00

Todays workout: Interval/sprints workout. Always a good time, when people are the on tread next to you and think you're a heavy footed freak who keeps changing speeds for no reason!
Today's intervals: 2 sets of 4x400m with 1:30 in between each interval with 2:30 between the sets. With the length of sprints we've been doing, i thought 400m (which is a quarter mile) wouldn't be so bad. eek i was wrong! I ran the sprints at 8:00min/mi (i know but for me its fast!--this is a marathon remember?) and the rest times i ran at almost 11:00min/mi. Including the warm up and cool down it was 4.7 miles.

Not going to lie.. i was happy when it was all over! Small goals for me today, as it was a swim meet day, and usually i struggle to get to the gym on the days i have swim meets--but i made it! I felt like i could get it done no prob! These runs are my favorite day of working out because it goes by pretty fast, and you're always changing speeds etc. If i had to pick intervals vs. running 8 miles tempo on the treadmill (ugh this Wednesday) i will definitely take the intervals!

I was having major hunger issues today! No matter what i had to eat i was still so hungry--absolutely incapable of being un-hungry at any point today! Never a good feeling. And when this happens, you tell yourself, "Oh, i'm training so hard i must need to eat to keep my energy." or "I just ran so many miles i can eat this or that." and that my friends--is how you get 'Train Gain'. I feel like i fight this every time i'm training for a big race. Today i tried really hard and was pretty successful at not giving into these pangs of hunger,but i don't know if i can maintain such willpower.

Today's thought:
If anyone has suffered from similar situations where you don't lose, but stay the same or even actually gain weight while running/training, how do you fight the urge to eat and eat... and eat? I need help!! :-)

Whats your Gu??

2011-01-23T21:19:00.000-05:00

The day after the long run is one that could really go either way. A.) You could wake up and get outta bed and collapse on the floor in a heap over sore joints, muscles, pains etc. or B.) You could wake up and get outta bed and feel like a million bucks and wonder why on earth you had so many problems yesterday but feel pretty darn okay today.

I chose option B.

Ugh, why does this happen to me? I struggle the last few miles to get it done, but the next day i am fine. No pain, no injury, no sore muscles, nothing. I am trying to look back at yesterdays run and really change a lot of things for this weekends 12-er. Ha, only 12 how easy! :::::That was a joke::::

Thank you everyone for the suggestions on things to eat before and during my run. I will certainly be putting them into use! Gummy snacks, peanut butter on bagels, various delicious sounding Gu flavors, and stomach pills..all things i am going to have to consider. I am looking forward to this long run because I'm curious how some of these changes are going to work for me. I will be down in the dumps if i end up like i was yesterday. But NO, i will not allow myself those thoughts..Learn from yesterday and look forward to tomorrow. Hopefully Elvis will not tag along for tomorrow's interval work out and is taking a break from being a pain!

long run--one mile for every degree outside!

2011-01-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

Today's work out: long run--14 Miles in the freezing cold 18 degree weather on the boardwalk.

Even typing it, it sounds like a lot. Its barely half the distance of the marathon. Overwhelmed officially.

Today's run started out great. Yes it was cold, but i dressed right. I ate a good lunch before hand. I drank water all morning before the run. Seemingly i was all set to go out there and knock this one outta the park. Me, Moe, Mike, and Danny met at the boardwalk in Belmar with a fire in our eyes to tackle this run. We started out strong headed south 7 miles so we could turn around and run 7 miles back. Do you have any idea how far 7 miles south of the Belmar Fishing Club is? I'll put it to you this way--if you were traveling in your car it would probably take you 15/20 mins to drive it. Uhh yes i know, crazy! We ran through Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and Manasquan. I felt strong through the first 6.5 but by the time we got to the turn-around, Elvis was certainly with me in full force. It was like my legs had cinder-blocks attached to them. Regardless i pressed on. Ha honestly what choice was there--i was 7 miles from the car! It was about this time i tried out "Gu" for the first time. 'Lemon-line sublime' was certainly a surprising taste if you will. Ever seen the deco cake decorating icing you can buy at the store? Umm yes this is what Gu was like. Certainly a tough one to get down. I'll give it another go next week, but if anyone has other suggestions of running energy-ness please do share!!

By the time we got back to Sea Girt, i noticed i was kind of holding the team back. My sister had wings at this point and she was flyyyyying! I was really proud of how she pulled together after 10 miles and just took off. Mike was checking up on me and even offered a piggy back ride--which i begrudgingly declined. Through Sea Girt and into Spring Lake--i knew we were close but i was fading fast. I was starting to slow down, but i knew i had to keep going--the car was still a mile and a half away! By the time i got back to Belmar i was sure Elvis was going to jump out of my pelvis. I was feeling just downright ill and sick to my stomach. All i could think was how on earth i could ever run 12 more miles than this for the marathon.

Arriving back at the car, i never felt more relieved and happy. After all, i really needed to use the bathroom! Its mind boggling what running distances like this does to your body. Dehydration--check! Sugar levels drop--check! Salt all messed up from sweating--check! Sore joints and muscles--CHECK! Bathroom necessities like you couldn't imagine--check! I'm really proud of myself and my "study buddies" after this run. We got out there in 18 degree weather and ran a great run. Its almost halfway through our Training Schedule and i feel so sure the 3 of them are READY to kick this marathon's @$$!!

This week i am planning on having a nice long chat with Elvis. If he insists on tagging along for our runs, he needs to keep the inflammation and pain to an absolute minimum and leave the rest of my insides alone to run in peace! Also, i need to assess the long run morning diet. If any of you runners out there have a sensitive stomach--what do you eat before your long run to help you through without making you too heavy or sick?

Always in need of a "Study Buddy"

2011-01-21T16:36:00.000-05:00

Back in the day, if you needed help in a subject, your school or teacher would set you up with a "Study Buddy" to help you along with the work and make sure you got it done. Today, i had a "Workout Buddy"! It was a cross-training day today and i made it to the gym--no excuses! I did the StairMaster (which i think is the best/worst invention ever). Its so good for you but it feels so bad when you use it! And after that was elliptical time. All the while i was with my best friend Erin. It made the hour of workout go by sooooo fast! We don't get to see each other or chat/catch up as much as we used to so this was a much needed bonding time. Before i knew it--it was over!
On top of cardio i wanted to do some other exercises. I"m not sure if you know this, but do you have any idea how hard it is to do virtually ANYTHING with a torn abdominal/pelvic muscle? IMPOSSIBLE! Everything you do involves your core and Elvis just won't allow me to. He hurts when i do any type of exercise that uses abs. I think Elvis was such a fitting name because he just won't die!

After today's workout I'm feeling a bit more accomplished than yesterday. I made it to the gym, had a pretty decent pre-long run workout and am feeling ready to take on tomorrow's 14 miler. The say that running is mostly a mental sport--if your brain says you can do it, you will do it. I have been trying to remind myself of this everyday, particularly the days i get "the blahs" and don't want to do anything. I'm thankful for my "Study Buddy's" that help me through my workouts and push me along and motivate me when i just can't do it myself.

If your struggling--find someone who will work out with you, run with you, and just help you along with your training. I have a few of them and they make the world of difference!

So, who's up for a 14-er tomorrow??? .... Anyone? ... Hello? ... Sheesh...

missing: MOJO. If seen, please return!

2011-01-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't say that my motivation (Mojo, if you will) is at an all time low right now, but i certainly am feeling a bit sluggish and unmotivated. I need to get my head back into all of this training again. I feel as though i've traveled many peaks and valleys this last 8 1/2 weeks and apparently right now its the valley for me. I don't know how to get out of this 'funk' I'm in. I need my mojo back!

Exhibit A: Today was a cross training day so my plan was to do 45-60 mins on the elliptical and then a variety of lifting/toning exercises. All of this to be completed after swimming was over.
Well, swimming was over around 6pm and i again, like Tuesday, convinced myself that i did not want to do a workout that late and that it was definitely dinner time instead! ugh how do i do this to myself?!? On my 25 min drive home i had quite the debate in my head. I rationalized that Thursday is always my rest day. Its a good rest day. Gives your body time to get ready for the weekend workouts. Friday is cross training again, Saturday is the long run day (14 mi coming my way this weekend!) and then Sunday cross training just to loosen my muscles up from the day before. So really, Thursday is the best rest day there is! And THIS alas is what i have been able to convince myself of--sad i know!

Tomorrow will be a good workout. Tomorrow will be a good workout. Tomorrow will be a good workout!
I figured i'd try that and hope it sinks in for tomorrow :-)

Also, i wanted to thank everyone for following me and for reading my blog. I appreciate all the support and comments you have been giving. Keep it up and if you know anyone that would enjoy reading send the blog there way! theroadtodc.blogspot.com
xo

Look--no hands!!

2011-01-19T18:44:00.000-05:00

so before i start i have to confess---i was supposed to cross train yesterday after swim and i just couldn't do it! no energy to muster and get myself there... ahh now i feel better!

Today was Key Run #2 which is a tempo run. This tempo run was 1 mile easy then 5 miles tempo pace (30-45 seconds faster than your current 10K pace). Welllll my current 10K pace is approx 8:45-ish so i ran the 5 miles tempo at about 9:22 min miles (6.4 on tread). Yeah not a sprint by any means but i didn't hop onto the rails for a "water break" or to "Fix my sneaker" or "Check my headphones" or "Wipe my sweat" like i usually do on the treadmill to catch a quick breath! Come on--you knooooow you do that too! right? I mean cheating yes i know but over time i have convinced myself these breaks aren't hurting my training--well no more! Hence the title "No hands!"
Today's run was particularly sucky because i went to put my iPod on and low and behold--deadsville! Ughhh.. I've become so accustomed to running with my iPod that its really hard to do without. Luckily a good friend of mine was on the treadmill next to me for the full 5 miles.. so i wasn't thinking about how much running 5 miles on a treadmill really sucks!

However, speaking of iPods--i haven't updated my "running" playlist in ages. Maureen knows--it could probably use some work. I have the typical 'Eye of the Tiger' and 'Born to Run' on there as well as some country, Rap icons, and 90's dance music. If anyone has any suggestions of good songs to play do tell...4hrs and 30 mins is gonna be a long time so good songs are going to keep me going! Also, i have 14 miler coming up this weekend so suggestions welcome!

Now for the Injury List:
1.) shins felt pretty darn great. I'm a big fan of the ZENSAH compression sleeves! i wear them all the time--school, running, watching tv, sometimes even sleeping!
2.) Elvis--little jerk! Felt pretty good until about mile 3.5. I would probably give him a 4 overall on a scale of 1-10 because its just a nagging annoying pain!
3.) Plantar Faciitis--good until i stopped running. But hey, better to hurt after than during i suppose!

Up for tomorrow: Cross training after swimming. Gonna be a late one and makes me really wish i just dragged my sorry tired butt there yesterday so that tomorrow was my rest day instead! Doh!

26.2 or BUST! Week 10

2011-01-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

Goal: 26.2 miles in 4:30 or less and run the whole time!
I wish i had this whole blog idea earlier in my training since we are already 8 weeks in. I'm working on the F.I.R.S.T. program marathon schedule. Click the link to see it. Every time at the beginning of the week I'll update what week i am currently on if you are actually following that closely. (I know I'm probably reaching with that one!)
Since there was no school Monday for MLK i did my key run #1 (sprints) that day... 7.5 for the hards and 5.5 on the rests. This coming off a very hard 13-miler on Saturday in the freakin' freezing cold! This seemed like a cake walk that i got into a good grove. The problem with these runs is that usually people next to you on the treadmill at the gym look at your like you're crazy. I'm sure its not my grunting (only occasionally!) or my profuse sweating (i don't smell!) or even my triumphant arms in the air (only at the very end!) but the fact that you raise the treadmill up to "sprint" for 1/2 mile and then rest for 1:30. No one knows your timing, intervals, or how your training and they think you are just weird--guess i won't be making any friends??

So more about the Marathon:
March 26, 2011 is the BIG day! When i signed up for the race i was really excited--theeeeen i started training 8 weeks ago-ha! I'm glad my sister Maureen/Moe is doing it with me, even though we don't get to train together very often. Also, another friend of ours is doing it, but he's got a few steps on me in the speed dept so he does his own training as well.
Those that know me know that March 26th is a very important day! On that day in 2002 my father passed away from cancer. He was a very fit person who loved to run and workout, so this was my way of running this marathon "with" him.
Lately though i've been nursing some injuries. From last years half-marathon training i earned myself some shin splints/stress factures in my shins. Then this fall (october 23ish) due to soccer/running i tore an abdominal muscle (Rectus abdominus) which is practically in the pelvis. I named him ELVIS.. ha elvis in the pelvis! I reference him often and talk about him like he is a member of my family--i mean everyone has that ONE family member that is always there but ya really don't wanna be around--thats Elvis! And he just won't go away! Then just a few days ago i started having a plantar fasciitis flare up as well.
Seems as though i'm falling apart but making it to this marathon and running the whole thing is soooo important to me!