Marathon Training ~ Week 14 ~ The Oregon Marathon

The Oregon Marathon is less than three weeks away!  I didn't want to blog this week about training or the race!  I'm feeling too hot to run, too tired to run, and slightly run down.  It's now summer, and I'm scared it's going to be too hot July 16th!  I have run the course before and I do know there is a great deal of shade.  I also know that last five miles is "no shade." I'm trying not to think much about the weather.  It is what it is, but...I can't help it!

I guess it's good timing to say, "It's taper time."

I don't care for the taper, but I also love the taper! It's such mixed feelings for me.

I don't like that I need to slowly work my miles down.  I actually like to run!  I don't like the thought of running less.

I do like having extra time to do other things like "get more sleep."

This week my tapering isn't much.  I'm going to cut my long run a little short, but that's about it.  Week 15 will be more cuts!

Fully rested legs are going to be very important on July 16th!

Last week went really well! It was "peak week."  I meet up with Tonya on Monday for an easy six mile loop around town, then went to Olivia's RIPPED class!  Tuesday, I went out with the family for an early evening bike ride! I got in my ten mile tempo run at the correct pace.  A 20 miler with friends and a couple other easy runs!  I topped off my week with 52.4 miles!  My goal for the week was a minimum of 50, so I was pleased with this especially after only running five days this week instead of my normal six.  Like I said, earlier, I have been too hot and tired to run!  It's been a struggle!  I really miss being able to run before work on the weekdays!  I loved running before my day got started! 

I am in hopes of getting some rest over the next two-a-half weeks. I know the pain that comes with the marathon and It can be scary to think about it!  I pray I can make it mentally!  That's where I feel my biggest struggle is this week. 

With all that, this week has already started! Like I  said earlier, I didn't want to blog this week....finally, two days late, here it is! 

Happy Running friends! 

Run with me June 27th to July 3rd!
Monday, afternoon easy run and 6:15 pm RIPPED class with Olivia atFitness with Studio Fuego 
Tuesday, afternoon Tempo run
Thursday, easy afternoon run and 7:00 pm HIIT class with Olivia 
Friday, easy afternoon run
Saturday, long morning run
Sunday, easy morning recovery run.
Let me know if you would like to meet up for a run this week! ‪#‎ZaoFit‬

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Marathon Training ~ Week 13 ~ Running Coins and Peak Week, Chu-Ching!

The The Oregon Marathon is right around the corner, four short weeks out from yesterday!  Last week's training went well.  Monday, I got in a late night tempo run!  I almost didn't do it, but I am so glad I did!  I was really tired Monday evening! 

Wednesday was a great RIPPED class with Olivia and a nice easy run!

                                        

Saturday I was excited to meet up with a few friends for my 20 miler! The first half of the 20 miles was nice and flat.  The second half was HILLS and it made me very tired. It was a really good training run with great company!

Sunday (this morning) I meet up with Olivia with some morning hills for breakfast! Another great run in wonderful weather! Olivia is planning on running her first marathon in 2017!  She's going to kill it! 

As I go into this next week I'm expecting to be sore! Next week is peak week.  It's looking like nice weather for lots of good training runs!  Of course, I would like it to be 10 degrees cooler every day, but it could be a lot hotter so I won't complain! 

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For those of you who have done any running with me know I often will stop for just a sec, then catch up with the group!  At first my friends chuckled at me, some wonder how I see these small things on the ground, others think it's silly...possibly even stupid! I don't care what anyone thinks!  I am on a mission! I am collecting running money!

I started running as an adult the end of 2008.  My friend Darcy gave me a stack of Runner's World Magazines! In one of the Magazines I read an article about a guy in New York who had 1000's of coins, all found while out running!  After reading that, I often would look for coins!  I started finding them!  I started off putting the coins in a little jelly jar.  The little jelly jar, turned into two, then three jars!  I then transferred everything into this large vase.

 It sits on my night stand collecting dust, coins and an occasional "paper bill!!!!" 

I have rules for my money jar!  I have to be out running, walking or riding my bike to add the money to this jar!  If my running/biking friends find money and pick it up, it can be added! Coins from my purse do not count! If there is identification, I must return the money.  This happened once!  I would have $101.00 ($40.00 more) if it wasn't for that driver's license! 

When I first started collecting it was just for fun! I didn't know what I would ever do with the coins, but continued to save.  Over the last two years I have been on a mission to qualify for Boston.  These coins and bills have turned into my Boston jar!  When I qualify for Boston, I will uses this money to pay for my registration fee!  I can't think of a better thing to use this for!  

I decided to count this money for the first time ever today! I have $61.00!  That's about $10.00 a year savings! I know that sounds silly, but I love it!  To register for Boston, I will need to find $119.00 more dollars!  To cool thing is, I have $61.00 already!!!  I realize I will probably need to pull funds out of my bank account to get the full $180.00 but I'm going to continue to look for money as I run for the next four weeks and after! I still need to qualify, then wait a few months to even register! You never know what you will find out on the open road! 

This week I want to hit head on!  Peak week for me means...more miles, nailing every workout! Eating clean! Enjoying how far I have come! 

If you can join me for a run, I would love your company! 

Run with me June 20th to June 27th
Monday, afternoon easy run and RIPPED class at 6:15 pm (Fitness with Studio Fuego with Olivia)
Tuesday, afternoon 10 mile tempo
Wednesday, afternoon easy run
Thursday, afternoon easy run or some speed work and HIIT class at 7:00 pm with Olivia at Fitness with Studio Fuego
Friday, rest day
Saturday, 20 mile long run
Sunday, recovery run
Let me know if you can join me! :)

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Marathon Training ~ Week 12 ~ Some stuff I've learned from the Good and the Bad!

Week 12 is here! 5 weeks out! I'm getting excited about the The Oregon Marathon, but I don't feel I'm ready yet! 

Last week was a really hard training week.  I ran a very hot 20 miles on the 4th of June.  After that day, my legs felt tired and swollen for days!  I ran the next few days, but nothing fast.  I was worried I was overtrained, or in some sort of running slump.  I tried to keep positive!  I've had this happen before and typically, it doesn't last very long.  Yesterday (Saturday the 11th) I went out for my long run (14 miles) and I felt back to normal!  It was a great run.  It was a long 6 days for sure!  I did give myself and break and rested Thursday and Friday.  I do believe it payed off. I'm looking forward to this coming week!

Eventbrite is running an endurance event campaign (how cool is that?) I thought I would share them with you!  Eventbrite is a great place to advertise your event, sell tickets for your event and find great local races. Check them out ----->HERE!<-----

What I have learned from marathon running?

 I have ran nine marathons and have learned a lesson at each and every one of them!  The beauty of the marathon is you never know what you are going to get on race day, but when you hit your goal...it's the best feeling ever.  It will keep you coming back for more, even if it means trying many more times to hit the goal! Another thing I've learned from myself and watching friends train (or lack of training) is, there is no luck in distance running. You can only run as fast as you trained for, even on a good day.  There is something called "burn-out" or "hitting the wall!"  It happens, and it's a very very real thing!

I think my worst marathon would be Portland Marathon 2010.  This was my very first time running a full marathon.  I had NO idea what I was doing!  I did train, but not like I should have.  My back went out partway through training so my longest long run was 15 miles.  I did most of my training alone.  I didn't know too many runners back in 2010.  Nobody to ask questions or get advice from. I went out expecting to run a 4:30, and ran a really painful 5:25.  I was in so much pain by mile 18, I cried and walked along feeling very sorry for myself.  The weather was stormy and the last eight miles were "never-ending."

A few things I learned:

  1) I needed more base miles.

 2) I needed more long runs.

 3) I needed to run 20 mile long runs

 4) I needed more wisdom from people who had been running longer than me

 5) I was strong, even though I didn't run fast

 6) I had a deeper respect for "the marathon" 

7) I needed to eat better during training

I will never forget the pain of that race, and would never want to re-live that race.  I am glad I went through it!  It set me up to want more!  To do better! To dream big! To love running! It also was the beginning of many beautiful running friendships. With help, wisdom and lots of hard work, I have managed to shave off 91 minutes from that first marathon.

For my 10th marathon on July 16, 2016 I am training to shave off another 13 minutes in hopes of a BQ (Boston Qualifier).  This scares me and motivates me!

I hope that you can find some motivation in your running!  Motivation to dream bigger, to live healthier and to enjoy that people in your life.  Running is a gift and I am very thankful! 

This weeks Run with Me Schedule! 

June 13th to June 19th:
Monday, afternoon run
Tuesday, afternoon run
Wednesday, afternoon run and evening RIPPED class with Olivia at Fitness with Studio Fuego

Thursday, evening HIIT class with Olivia 
Friday, afternoon run
Saturday, morning run possibly 20 or 20 Sunday
Sunday, 20 miler long run?
Locals, can you meet up? Ask about more details! I would love to run with you!!! ‪#‎ZaoFit‬

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Marathon Training ~ Week 8 ~ The Oregon Marathon

Week 8 of training!  

 > The Oregon Marathon < > July 16th, 2016 <

Monday right after work I meet up with my friend Tonya.  We headed out of town for a nice 6 miler in the HEAT!  It was good to run in the heat, but exhausting.  Tuesday was very hot after work so I decided to wait a few hours before doing a speed work session.  I had been really tired and I wasn't sure why.  I planned on running 3x mile repeats but ended up doing 8x400s.  I just couldn't keep pace for a full mile.  I was glad to get some speed work in, but also disappointed. 

Wednesday and Thursday I figured out why I had been so tired.  I have seasonal allergies and they decided to flare up.  My allergies turned into a headache, then caused a migraine. I used to get migraines about once a month.  Since I started running in 2008, I rarely get them.  But, occasionally, I still do.  When I get a migraine, I am pretty much out of commision.  I feel like I have the flu, intense throbbing in my head, accompanied by nausea, causing stomach issues for a few days. It was horrible. 

Saturday I felt a lot better, so Jerry (my husband) and I went out for what was supposed to be a 20 mile afternoon training run.  It was cooler that day, really nice afternoon weather.  We decided to run out to the golf course on Hwy 22, then back.  I like this route because it's flat and there is a bathroom stop and water half way.

As we headed out, I was feeling better than I had for three days!  I started for get warmed up, and was really enjoying the run.  About mile 8 or 9 I started to have an upset stomach. REALLY?!!! My body was feeling good, but my stomach was NOT!  At mile 10 I had to stop and walk it was so bad.  Jerry encouraged me to keep going, we were almost to the golf course! I couldn't!!! I just couldn't keep going! I did what many of you understand (if you're a distance runner!!!!) and many of you will NOT understand....I pulled out my emergency toilet paper and found a squatting spot in the bushes. It was not my finest moment and I was glad the group run didn't work out this day!!!! Really glad!

We ran on to the golf course.  There, I had to use the bathroom again!  I composed myself and headed

Jerry sent this to me after our long run!  LOL! "Runner's are a different breed"

back, now over halfway done with the run.  

I just was not feeling good!  At mile 12 I had to stop and walk again and I was getting really frustrated.  

Jerry told me it's not worth it and we needed to call it a day. He called our friend Jesse, who gladly drove out and picked us up.  I was rather upset at first.  When I got home, I was really happy we stopped, because my stomach acted up again.  I would of been in trouble if I had of tried to finish the 20 miles.  

Sunday was a new day!  Kristi was driving over at 7:00 am to run 6-8 miles with me.  I decided to go out early and try to get a "good" long run in.  I started on my treadmill in the dark hours of the morning.  It was nice and calm, nobody was up yet.  At mile four, I had to again...use the bathroom!  Good thing I was at home!  I decided to take my run outside now, it was daylight and beautiful out.  I was just going to run for an hour (6-7 more miles), then be back at the house by 7 to run with Kristi!  I never made it back........

Me and Kristi after our Sunday morning run
#mysoxyfeet

I ran thru town towards Dallas High School.  I was feeling decent but when I hit Lyle Elementary (1.25 miles from my house) all good vibes went south!  I was going to have a problem really soon! My quick idea was to walk up the little steps on the side of the school, cut thru the playground and make a quick shot to the Softball fields port-a-potties.  Well, the playground is fenced and is now locked up (it wasn't locked when my kids when there, BTW...Randy is a Senior now, it's been awhile).  Plan "B"  I would never make it around the long way, so I would walk around the fence on the park side.  That worked, but it was tall WET grass I walked through.  I got to the softball field, my feet felt as if I had walked through a creek and I just stood there!  The port-a-pottie was only 50 yards away and I stood there doubled over....I'm...not....gonna....make....it.......
Somehow, I did make it to that pottie box in the softball field.  I had to let Kristi know I wasn't going to make it back to the house at 7 to meet her.  I may not even be able to run.  She said, "Oh, I saw you on the Softball field.  I wondered if I should stop."   We decided just to meet up on Ellendale and see how it would go. 
Well, it surprisingly, it went really well. We ran eight wonderful miles and I haven't had a stomach issue since!  WHAT????  I didn't end my weekend with that 20 miler I wanted, but I got in 12 on Saturday, and 16.65 on Sunday.  With all considered...I was happy with that! 
 I am hoping the worst of my allergies for the season are over, but I'm thinking that isn't going to be how it goes!  The cottonwood is all over Dallas area!  Guess I have no choice but to suck it up....literally! 

This week's schedule (and I realize this is almost over, lol):

Wednesday, 5:00 PM tempo run
Thursday, 2:10 easy run
Thursday, 7:00 PM HIIT class w/Olivia at Fitness with Studio Fuego
Saturday, 7:00 am run for food group run. Ending with real strawberry shakes at Cafe 22 (will need to set up carpooling, who's coming? You can run 5-20 miles for this one)
Sunday, 7:30 am easy run
Hope you can join me for a run or too. Subject to change so be sure and comment your questions and if you're planning on meeting up! ‪#‎ZaoFit‬

 

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Excited to try out this awesomeness!  Join me for the #summerstong Instagram challenge with Fit Approach and Bob's Red Mill July 18th-23rd! Get your coupon for Bob's Red Mill HERE!

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Uberthons Running

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Marathon Training Week 7 ~ The Oregon Marathon

I am a few days late getting week 7's update out!  With Mother's Day weekend and work, that's how it goes sometimes!  

My beautiful family at Saturday's race

Kristi and I having fun after the 10k

Last week was a low point for me in training.  It was a stressful week due to some personal stuff.  I couldn't get in the miles and workouts I wanted to get in.  My legs felt tired every time I went out for a run.  I did have some good company!  My friend Kristi ran with me after work one day!  I also ran the Uberthons Chocolatathon 10k on Saturday the 7th with some great friends and family!  It was a little warm for racing, but it was loads of pre Mother's Day fun!  I didn't PR, but I sure enjoyed the Uberthons atmosphere!  It ended up being a good tempo paced run.

Sunday Mother's Day and Long Run

Sunday, I was visiting my Mom for Mother's Day.  I took my long run out of town on a beautiful country road.

 My husband Jerry joined me for some great hill work! 

 Finally some cooler weather to run in!

This week, I am trying to embrace the warmer weather and afternoon runs.  It is what it is! The heat is my biggest weakness in training and racing. 

 As much as

Loved running into Kelly!
Good luck at Newport
next month! 

 I complain about afternoon running and the heat, this is a really good thing for me to conquer for July's Marathon.  The chances of it being warm that day is pretty high!  

I did get some exciting news today!  I have been chosen along with 19 others to be an Spandits ambassador. I will be posting more about Spandit soon!  In the meantime, check them out here!

Spandits!

I loved taking part in the first ever Chocolatathon with Uberthons!  They have such great races!  They are family friendly and promote being active and eating healthy!  Check them out HERE!  I would LOVE to meet you at the Uberthons Spring Half on May 28th!  If a half marathon isn't' for you, there will also be a 5k and a 10k!  You can walk or run!  Don't miss out!

The Oregon Marathon

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This weeks workout plans!

Monday 2:10 PM run with Tonya
Tuesday after work speed work
Wednesday after work run
Thursday after work run and 7:00 PM HIIT class with Olivia at Fitness with Studio Fuego
Friday, after work run
Saturday, 7:00 am group run on the Banks trail Group Run<---(click link for details)
Sunday 7:00 am easy run
Let me know if you want to meet up and we can figure out exactly what time and place to meet at! Have a great week friends! ‪#‎ZaoFit‬