Catching Up (on running)

So sometimes I just don't feel like writing. Other times I don't even think about it. I'm not going to force myself to write something that comes out awful. Today, however, I feel like catching up.

October 18, 2014 - I ran my first full marathon. I trained for it using my Nike + app on my phone. I used the 'Coach' feature inputting my goal, 26.2 miles, and the date of my race. From that, it mapped out a training schedule for me to follow. I'll admit to slacking some at the end while I was in a show. I was always running several times a week, but a few of my long runs towards the end were not as long as they should have been.
My goal going into race day was two-fold. One realistic goal and one more optimistic goal. I knew I could finish the race in under 5 hours. I wanted to attempt to finish it closer to 4:40. I came in at 4:53. My iphone/music/nike + died at mile 18. Coincidentally my calves started to feel like rocks at mile 18. Miles 18 - 23 were a struggle. I had pushed harder than I maybe should have in the first half of the race. I was ahead of the 4:40 pacers for a good chunk of the race. Then I saw 4:40 and 4:50 pass me by. I didn't let it discourage me though and by mile 23 I got a second wind. I just kept telling myself it was a 5K at that point. My friend, Kelly, was outside the chute cheering me on and telling me to, "finish strong". I did it. I ran a marathon. I dedicated my run to my Dad who has Multiple Sclerosis and to my Mom, his caregiver.
Just under a month later I ran a half marathon. This time Kelly was running. It was her first half marathon and she was nervous to say the least. I stuck with her and instead of coming in after 3 hours like she feared, we came in together at 2:46. It was 32 degrees at the finish and in the last mile snow was pelting us in the face. I'm sure she enjoyed my Christmas carols.
Now to plan the next one for a PR time.

Now that it has turned cold, I still plan to run. I don't have to be as strict since there is not a race planned yet that I am training for, but I will layer up and get outside in addition to some treadmill runs at the gym. I asked for YakTrax for Christmas. I do have a fear of slipping and falling in the snow/ice conditions. I am slowly getting back into using my Turbo Fire too. Dropping everything else and only running did no favors for my mid-section. So I'm looking to whittle that down before my Mexico trip in Spring.

Week 10/24, Callback, World Cup Love

So first off, my training is still moving right along. Scheduling has been tough so I have had to utilize the dreaded treadmill still. For example, Monday night I had a theatre audition so I hit the gym afterward. I will do the same this evening as I just found out I got a callback for the same show. After this week the long runs increase steadily before there is another recovery week. Bring it!

Scheduling will stay challenging if I am offered a role after tonight. Rehearsals seem to be Monday through Thursday, 7pm - 9pm and even some weekends. The show performs in September. My marathon is only a month after that! Eek! :)

Other than running and theatre related stuff, I have been enjoying my favorite quadrennial event - the World Cup! USA made it out of the "Group of Death", but they did not survive the knockout round. I enjoyed three of their games out surrounded by other soccer fans. One outing was at Power & Light District with thousands of other fans cheering on team USA!
Now that my home country is out, I have been cheering on my heritage  country of Germany. Deutschland! Yesterday they killed Brazil in their home country. 7-1! Today the Netherlands and Argentina play. My brother is rooting for the Netherlands and is calling a World Cup final of 6-2 Germany over Netherlands. Could be! We'll see. Soccer is really growing here in the states. Most MLS teams now have their own soccer specific stadiums and are charging ridiculous amounts for beer. That's when you know they're doing well.

Enjoy the game!

Week 8

It is week 8 of 24 of marathon training for me. Really since my trip to Dallas, where I still did at least two 6 mile runs, I have struggled with my schedule. This is partly due to a children's theatre camp I am helping with (doing choreography) for two weeks. We are on the final week. The schedule of going straight from work to camp until 9pm, plus my 40 minute drive to my town, not to mention not having air in the theatre and maintaining 50 kids (not even near as much as our director), has lead me to be pretty exhausted. Never the less, I have made post camp trips to the gym at 10pm to run on the treadmill. Treadmills are not my favorite, but I don't want to run in the dark for a number of reasons. So I make the best of it with speed intervals and such. Last night was a 5 mile run and below is my post workout photo. It doesn't really show the sweaty mess I was. 

Oh since last post I signed up for a half marathon that takes place almost a month after the KC full marathon with a friend of mine. Yay for running pals! 

Week 5 of 24 Weeks

I am in the middle of my fifth week of marathon training. Everything is going smoothly (aside from left shin pain :( ). I'm even waking up early to run in the mornings before getting ready for work! I had to essentially. I get heat sick so running over my lunch hour was a no and running after work finally became a no go too. I have done a couple of late night runs, but overall morning runs have been the way to go. I wouldn't say I am a morning person now by any means. I hit snooze, roll out of bed in my jogging gear, splash cold water on my face and am out the door. My first miles have been "wake up miles" at a sad (for me) 11 minute/mile pace. Then I make up for it in subsequent miles.
I'm trying to add more gym time aside from the alloted cross training day in the middle of each week. Distance running can deteriorate your muscles if you're not weight lifting as well.
My new favorite breakfast protein shake consists of Skippy Naturals dark chocolate peanut butter, a banana, almond milk, plain greek yogurt, fiber powder and vanilla whey protein. Better than a Sonic shake! Yummy!
So there's a quick update. CANNOT wait for the World Cup to begin next week!!! Go U.S.A.!!!! For Club and Country!

Happy Nation Running Day!!!