Marathon Training! One Month going Strong!

Marathon Training 2017 (Newport Marathon) started with much intimidation to me. I knew I had a lot of work to do in order to get in shape for my 2017 goals and it honestly scared me!!!  I made a decision to stop

Track work!  I'm learning to like it more and more! #foundchange

making excuses to myself about not having time, being too tired, maybe "failing" again with my time goal and just do it! This was difficult. I had to make a plan.  I took a good look at my schedule and placed training runs in time slots that worked best.  I would wake up each morning knowing what I was going to do each day. Each day, I just give it my best and that's all I could do! 

I've had tired days! 

I've had grumpy days!

I've had days of "why am I doing this?"

I've had good days!

I've had days I was excited to run!

I've had days I wanted to run farther!

I've had days I wanted to quit!

I've had days I felt stronger!

I've had days of feeling very sore!

I've had days I DIDN'T want to run at all!!!

I always would remind myself...what if?  What if June 3rd is a success this year? Not just a marathon finish. What if I actually make my newest time goal...the time goal I once thought was impossible?  

I've had a great training month to kick off my 11th marathon season! 

The month of February I did some pretty hard workouts! I do a weekly speed session on the track, a fatigued ten mile tempo run, a long run, and three easy runs!  I also added HIIT workouts into my 2017 training schedule.  The first time I stepped onto the track to work on my speed I thought, "I don't even know if I can do this?"  I actually hate speed work.  It makes me want to vomit, and I have! 

Part of meal prep today! Healthy cookies.
1 ripe banana - 1 cup Umpqua Oats
1 tea. cinnamon
raw walnuts
dried cranberries
peanut butter powder
Protein powder
Bake at 350 for 10 mins.
Freezer friendly

I do have pace goals to hit for my speed sessions and tempo runs that work together with my marathon goal time!  It's all a big math problem I don't fully understand, but I know it works! As the weeks have gone by, I am hitting my times so far!  I can feel my legs getting stronger!  I am having better long runs than I ever remember having!  It's too early in training for me to get too excited, but I am excited to be off to a good start.  I have a wonderful group I do a lot of my runs with and we all support each other. Especially on long run days.  It's a wonderful thing! 

Group Runs...my favorite! #fueled by Umpqua Oats

Next week will be a "rest" week! Of course I will still run, but I will also give my body a break from some of the intense workouts. Then, it will be back to business! I need to up the speed sessions to a higher intensity.  I'm excited to see what the next three months of training brings! As much as I hate speed sessions, when I'm done...I feel so alive! It's a pretty amazing feeling! 

Sunday Funday! Had a beautiful snowy run! 

On March 11th I'll be running the Uberthons Luckython 10k! I'm going to run it without watching my Garmin!  I want to really test myself and that's hard to do when you are watching your Garmin every half mile!  Uberthons also has a 5k, 15k and a kids race! Check it out ----->HERE<------ Uberthons welcomes walkers and runners! I'll be helping with the kids race after the 10k.  Bring the kids out...it's a great event for the whole family! 


This week I will enjoy not having to work so hard! I will try to keep away from processed foods, white flour and sugar!  I will try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night!  I will keep meals prepped so I won't be tempted to grab a bad snack or meal.  

What are you training for? 

 I would love to hear from you!

 Find me over on facebook at ZaoFit

Fueled by Umpqua Oats ~ Fueling all my long runs for Marathon Training 

My Soxy Feet, keeping me blister free from 2017! Check out these high quality athletic socks a mysoxyfeet.com. Use Promo Code MYSOXYJULIE for 10% off.

Proud to be an UBERTHONS Runner and Blogger! 

A New Year! What Next?

2017 is right around the corner! New goals. New dreams, putting 2016 behind us! Moving on!

What's your 2017 going to look like? 

I'm looking forward to some running and fitness goals that I have already been working on!  I'll be fine tuning yet again! It seems like it's a never ending process, but as long as I keep myself surrounded by positive, like-minded people, I can keep moving forward.  Even if I've stepped back for a bit! 

My running buddies are a constant help in moving forward.  Group runs, early morning runs, evening HIIT workouts.  This group is so much fun and a lifesaver for getting me up and moving.

  I don't have to be "in training," they motivate me to keep going in training or not! It's a lifestyle afterall! 

Run Oregon is doing a run streak that started during my 3rd annual November run streak.  A friend of mine encouraged me to keep it going for one more month (Nov and Dec).  Run Oregon streak is bringing me into the new year ready for marathon training.  The goal has been simply to get a mile in every day. Most days I run more than a mile, but often I am tired from work, home duties, taking care of the family and such.  Then I don't run! I have learned that no matter how tired I am, I can at least get a mile in on the treadmill.  My streak will end on January 2nd.  

I have also been doing a challenge with a running/facebook friend.  Amber, has been keeping me accountable for meal prepping and planning my week ahead along with planned workouts!  It's just a fun facebook challenge, but I love it!  Sometimes just having a friend doing this with you is what it takes to keep going! Now, as Amber's challenge is ending, my friend Kristi and I will be keeping each other accountable through marathon training.  

Uberthons has kept me moving forward too!  I am an ambassador for Uberthons and I get the honor of running their races and representing them.  Running races can get very spendy. I would not be able to run very many races if it weren't for my blogging and Uberthons letting me represent them. 

 I plan my race schedule out with their races first. I will then add a

 few races that work with

 what my goals are for the year.  Uberthons cares about everyone being active, from little toddlers on up!  Walkers and runners are welcome! They have helped me help others be more active and I love them for that! I have also met some of the most awesome people via Uberthons! 

2017 races aren't all planned out for me yet, but I do have some on my calendar. I will run Newport Marathon in attempt to qualify for Boston Marathon.  This has been an ongoing dream of mine for the last few years that I just haven't quite got yet! Is 2017 my year?  I did just turn 40, I think it's time!!!!!  I will also be running for Uberthons! My first 2017 race will be the Uberthons Winter Half on Saturday January 21st.  I don't think I'm in shape enough for a PR (personal record) yet, but I'll give it a go! Right after the Winter Half I'll be going into training for Newport. I won't be doing much racing during training.  I do plan on running Uberthons Luckython 15k on May 11th. I love the Luckython.  There is also a 5k and 10k for anyone interested! 

After the Marathon I will look at my schedule and go from there.  Depending on how I do at Newport, I may run The Oregon Marathon on July 22nd.  If I run a BQ, I will run the Half on July 22nd.  Uberthons has a whole Series of Half marathons I'm looking at for 2017.  One for each season. You can register for each one $60.00 or save $10.00 for each race by registering for the series. 

------->Oregon Half Series info HERE! <-------

They offer a Winter Half on January 21st

A Spring Half on May 27th

A Summer Half on July 22nd

A Fall Half on September 9th

What are your goals and dreams for the coming year? I would love to hear from you!

Follow me on facebook at ZaoFit HERE

Twitter HERE

Instagram HERE

Uberthons  Luckython Giveaway going on right now! A winner will be chosen on Wednesday March 9th for the March 12th Race!  Don't miss out! Enter to WIN and share today!

 

-----------> You can also REGISTER for Luckython HERE <------

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Uberthons Gear at Luckyton 2016

-----------> REGISTER HERE! <------------

Mo and Alan, showing off their UBERTHONS Jackets!

If you're looking for a fun race, join me for Uberthon's Luckython on Saturday March 12th.  Uberthons offers a 5k, 10k, 15k, 15k relay, kids mile and kidathon.  Read more about it here! 

Darwin, sporting a UBERTHONS Scarf!

Look at this UBERTHONS shirt!

Find me and say hello! Would love to meet you!

I'll be at the gear table with all kinds of fun stuff for you to purchase. Fun items like Team Shirts, Other Uberthons shirts, Jackets, Athletic Socks, Hats and Scarves!  Come see me when you get to the race!  I would LOVE to meet you!

More awesome UBERshirts to choose from!


Follow me on facebook at ZaoFit,
I would love to hear your story!

Luckython Preview ~ March 12, 2016

~ Register for Luckython 5k, 10k, 15k, or Kidathon  HERE! ~

Some friends who joined me for Luckython a couple years ago! 

For the last three years, my husband and I have had a special St. Patrick's Day weekend.  We start with the Uberthons Luckython and end it with Shamrock in Portland.  Today I want to tell you about what goes on at Ubertons Luckython! 

Erika and I showing off our Uberthons swag '15

Luckython is held every year at The Reserve Golf Club in Aloha, OR.  The race is ran on the paved path that weaves in and out of the golf course.  The Reserve closes down half of the golf course, just for the runners.  No need to be worried about getting hit with a golf ball or ran over by a golf cart!  It's a very safe, off road course.  This is my favorite 5k every year.  I'm thinking about running the 10k for '16. 

Race day is Saturday March 12th. 

Race time: 8:00 am and 9:00 am

Potato bar opens at 8:30 am

Kidathon and kids mile run is at 10:00 am

Kids Race!  So fun to watch! 

What to expect at the race! 


~All asphalt or concrete off road path
 ~Potato bar for all participants

~Awesome belt-buckle medals
~Music
~Cool flags and banners
~Plenty of water
~Lots of GREEN
~Tons of FUN

Luckython offers a 5k, 10k, 15k, 15k relay, Kids timed mile and Kidathon.

It's the year of the Belt-buckle medal! 

Prices:

5k: $30.00

10k:  $35.00

15k: $40.00

15k Relay (3 people teams): $30.00 per person

Kids timed mile: $10.00

Kidathon 1/4-1/2 non-timed fun race: FREE

All races include a finishers medal with registration expect the Kidathon.  You may purchase your child a medal for $10.00

Hope you can join me for this super fun St. Patrick's event!

~ Register and get more information HERE! ~

Find Uberthons on facebook here!

Find The Oregon Marathon (part of Uberthons) here!

Find Uberthons on Instagram here!

Follow me on facebook at ZaoFit here! 

Don't forget, Uberthons has some really cool running shirts, socks and scarves for sale at every race!

  

Upcoming Luckython 2015

This years Uberthons Luckython will be head again at

         The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club 

4805 SW 229th Ave, Aloha, Oregon 97007

on Saturday March 14th

Events include a 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run, 15k Relay, a Kidathon, and Kids 1-Mile run

The Event will start at 8:30 am this year for the 5k, 10k, 15k and 15k Relay

At 9:00 am the Potato Bar will open.  It's open to all participants. You may purchase extra tickets to the potato bar when you register.

At 10:30 am the Kidathon and Kids 1-Miler will start. 

  

Don't delay registering for this fun run, price goes up March 1st!  

Register here for the 5k, $30, March 1st, $35.  

10k, $35, March 1st $40.  

15k, $40, March 1st $45. 

 15k Relay, $30, March 1st $35.

         Kids mile run is $10 (for ages 12 and under, your child will                                                         receive a medal) 

    The Kidathon Non-timed run is free~You may purchase a medal 

                                           for $10.00

       Uberthons uses Jaguar Timing for chip timing for this event. 

There will be a water and a Gatorade station out on the course and 

    at the finish line.  Everyone will pass the aid station every 1.55 

miles running/walking the 5k, 10k 15k or Relay.  Feel free to bring

    your little ones in strollers.  You will just be asked to start in the 

       back.  Please leave dogs home for this race.  No dogs will be 

                        allowed.

     I have run this race the last couple years.  I always bring friends

  and we have a blast.  It's a very fun atmosphere with great food at 

   the end.  Uberthons also has really cool medals.  They will be 

          handed out to all finishers!

Tonya and me having a blast, Luckython '14

These are some fun 

times from last year! 

 Hope to see you this 

year on March 14th!

Follow Uberthons on 

facebook here. 

Follow me on facebook 

at ZaoFit

See you on the 14th!

---