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

 Join me for "The Oregon Marathon" Check it out --> HERE <--

Get 10% off at Spandits! HERE with promo code SPANDITSLOVE

Be sure and enter "Julie Mullins" in the "how did you hear about us box"

Get 10% off at My Soxy Feet HERE with promo code GETSOXY

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

Twitter HERE

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Athletic IQ HERE 

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts Review and Giveaway

ON MY SALAD

IN MY SMOOTHIE

     As a Sweat Pink Ambassador I was asked to sample  Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts and write a review!  I love trying new healthy foods so I was happy to say "yes" to this one! All opinions are my own.  I was not paid.  A free sample will be sent to one lucky reader.  Enter at the end of this blog!

IN MY GREEK YOGURT

I tried the Hemp Hearts on a lot of my normal favorite foods.  They can be added to just about anything.  They are also good just to eat out of your hand!  They have a nutty taste to them. 

ON MY MIXED FRUIT

Some facts about

 Hemp Hearts!

~They tastes Great!

~Easy to Use, sprinkle on anything!

~Nutritious! 10 grams of protein and

 10 grams of omegas per 10 gram serving! WOW!

~They are raw

~Vegan-friendly

~Non-GMO

Connect With Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods on facebook here!

On Twitter +Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods 

On Instagram +Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods 

ON MY OATMEAL

YUMMY! HEMP HEARTS!

~WIN your own bag of Hemp Hearts to try for yourself on my Rafflecopter giveaway below! Winner will be chosen Tuesday March 10th!  Good Luck!
~For 20% today use promo code: HHSweatPink215 at www.manitobaharvest.com (promo code is good until March 31, 2015)
~Tag Hemp Hearts and use #fuelledbyhemp and you'r automatically entered in their monthly drawing to WIN your favorite Manitoba Harvest product!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bondi Band Review and Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I was asked to review a Bondi Band headband and give one away!  Sounds like fun? Yes, this is fun!  I was given this purple "It's all Good!" headband ($9.00 value). Bondi Bands are made out of a blend of nylon, lycra, and spandex.  They are nice and stretchy, yet form fitting to hold up to my crazy hair and yours too!   I wore, and washed it several times.  It never lost it's shape or faded.  In fact, after several washes, it still looked new.  

My favorite things about my Bondi Band Headband:

    ~It's very comfortable 

    ~It never slipped

    ~It made me feel really awesome

    ~It caught all my nasty sweat.  I seem to sweat more than other people, seriously!  The Bondi Band was soaked after every run.  It kept my eyes from getting the sweaty eye burn.

    ~I will enjoy wearing this for training and for racing 

    ~It washes well

    ~It pulls the sweat away from my head, and onto the band

My least favorite things about my Bondi Band Headband: 

    ~It doesn't have a shade over my "sensitive to light eyes."  

  A word from Bondi Band:

 We are a simple company with a dedication and belief in our product. Our philosophy is to make a great product at a great price and to build relationships one at a time. And as much as we believe in making a tidy profit we also believe in giving back. Each year we donate 10% of our pretax profits to charity. For 2009 we have chosen the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is a major affiliate of Harvard Medical School and is located in Boston, Massachusetts.

The origins of DFCI date back to 1947. DFCI employs about 3,000 people. Most importantly, there are more than 150,000 patient visits a year, and it is involved in some 200 clinical trials. It is internationally known for its research and clinical excellence.


Want to order your own Bondi Band right now?  Use code SWEATPINK and get 10% off all items except Bargain Bin, Design Your Own, and Custom Items. This code is good through June 28th.  Visit Bondi Band here.

 WIN THIS!!!!! Sign up below!
Winner will be randomly picked June 7th! 
WINNER: Becky Ginther

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