Time for a Change

I am heading out for vacation for 10 days to visit family and finally see the state I grew up in with more effort. (Arizona) I have been running in this cold weather for three months and I just can’t wait to get out there and feel the sun on my face and lighten up the load of clothing, hats, gloves, etc. I will certainly be back to the blog with details of that trip and running routes that I am sure will be more exciting than what I have been doing so far.

Having said that though, I know that because it has been cold, I don’t drink as much water as I should, nor do I feel like I need to refuel during my runs, which I am sure will be different in a warm and dry climate. I have always had trouble with a lot of the sports drinks that most people swear by before, during and after their runs. I really only like water, but that isn’t helping to replenish the nutrients and vital electrolytes I am losing during the run. In the past I have traded off between water and Gatorade during the races. While I train, I carry a water bottle that I can fill up along the way and that seems to work pretty well. But there is something new out there that I am really enjoying and think it would be a great substitute for Gatorade and that is Propel. I love the lemon and Kiwi one. I guess it really isn’t new but it is to me because I gave up on all of those drinks years ago and just took a chance recently and wow- it's really good with half the calories and sugars. Though you may not think you really need to worry about that after 26.2 miles, why load our body up with unnecessary sugar? I am thinking about trying those gels which are tiny little packets of carbs, proteins and simple sugars meant to give you a boost when you need it. I don’t know if it will just make me more thirsty or really give me energy when I need it, but I do know it’s time to break out!

Gotta go run…..

Perfect Running Shoes

Well, another week of training under the belt and I am so happy to report that I finally broke the 20-mile mark this weekend. Most training plans have you running during the week and working your way up to your long run on Sunday. I hate having the big run hanging over my head all weekend so I plan my long runs for Saturday and then I have the rest of the weekend to relax, recuperate and eat anything I want!:) I am feeling good and not sore at all, surprisingly.

I know that there is a 2nd grade elementary school class who is studying motion and friction and interested in how running might tie into those two topics so I thought that I would share with them some details of my training that might tie these together. I am a huge fan of Saucony shoes and I have honestly tried just about every brand and there isn’t another shoe out there that allows me to put my feet into a brand new pair of shoes and run 26.2 miles without a blister or care in the world. I know there are many runners who do suffer from blisters, lost toe nails, heel pain or arch pain and I guess I am just lucky or I found the right shoes. I will share a little trick for those people who do tend to get blisters: cover your feet in Vaseline then put on your socks and shoes. This will prevent friction in your socks and shoes as your feet sweat and move back and forth in your shoes. Another good tip is to wear real cotton socks as they absorb the moisture, which also cuts down on the friction and subsequent problems related to that after 3+ hours of running.

As far as clothing is concerned, I have a lot of little preferences depending on the weather, but one thing I always place at the top of the list is what can I wear that will make me feel good about getting out there and doing it. Since it has been cold, windy, rainy and sometimes snowing, I like to wear running pants and a windbreaker that wicks the wind and rain and keep me dry underneath. Imagine a ski pant without all that padding. If the weather is a bit better but still a bit chilly, I will wear a lycra pant that is warm because it hugs the body and a turtleneck and t-shirt with a sweatshirt over it until I warm up. And when the weather is fine, like it was this past weekend (almost 60 degrees!), I will wear shorts! You really have to layer your clothes when you are running in the winter to spring time as you just never know how you are going to feel until you go out and get going. So, as we are heading into the spring, I hope by the time the marathon starts, I will be able to wear shorts and maybe a long sleeve t-shirt and think about tulips, daphodils and lilies :)


Gotta go run…..

Week 9: The Infamous Heartbreak Hill

Hello All!

Wow, I really appreciate all the comments and training advice you have sent me. I feel a bit isolated running down here with no one to bump into and share my aches and pains with or the high of just completing another week of training and a 3 hour run. In the past I have either had a training partner or have trained in the city where the marathon is held and you always see those lonely runners on a Sunday wearing a marathon shirt from previous years indicating that they are probably in training again. Or the couple that heads out together, the smart one on the bike and the other running along side.

Running is a very solitary sport and for many, too boring or sedate. I know a lot of people are not runners and so running a marathon seems like just a crazy idea to torture your body, but really there is truth behind the “runner’s high”. I didn’t start running until I was 25 and I decided I wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. I started running and walking a mile until I could actually run the mile and then I just worked my way up and within 8 months I was ready. I didn’t break any records but the high and feeling of accomplishment was enough to get me hooked. Since then I have been running for health and to work off extra calories throwing in a few races here and there.

Since I have run a few of these I have tried several training schedules and have found that no race is the same no matter how well you train, it’s all in your mind and your mood. I once ran a marathon only training as long as 10 miles once a week with a few shorter runs in between and I did really well vs. a marathon that I religiously followed the training plan and was miserable the whole race. I am a firm believer that if I feel good during the training, have more good days than not, then that’s how I go into the race. I approach it like “another training day”.

I say this all with such confidence, but I think I must take a step back and say, could the Boston Marathon be different? Could this marathon be the one that surprises me and catches my weakness? I am taking the comments about this with a healthy bit of skepticism as I don’t want to psyche myself out but I want to be prepared so I will just nip this in the bud and say that from here on out I will make beating the “HEART BREAK HILL” my number one priority! I have gotten two weeks of long runs in and I am feeling good and prepared for the distance portion so I can now focus on the specifics of the race. Hospitality Homes is making a shirt for me to wear and for the people who will be supporting me along the way and maybe we should have the shirts say, “Are You Gonna Let a Little Hill Like That Beat You?” That would do the trick! :)

The folks at Hospitality Homes and I check this site regularly and we squeal with delight at the comments and generous donations so many people have made. We are all making dreams come true and that’s enough to get me to lace up my shoes and get out there. I just have one more week of the really heavy running and then it’s all down hill from there. So keep the words of encouragement coming, I really appreciate it!

Gotta go run…