Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Marathon Training: Week Twelve

Mon (9/21) 3mi run- Ran after work in the dark before hosting our pet sitter and her boyfriend for dinner.

Tue (9/22) 50min bike ride- Spent the day trying to clean the house and pack for our trip to Asheville. Wayne went with me to bike around our local neighborhood.

Wed (9/23) 3mi run- I did this run early in the morning in our neighborhood before we headed out on the road to Randal Glen Farm. We got to feed and pet animals, do a nice hike, and taste some farm fresh pulled pork sandwiches.

Fri (9/25) 3mi- Ran around some car dealerships and hotels in the pouring rain before heading off to the Biltmore Estate. I do enjoy running in the rain but it was a bit cold.

Sat (9/26) 13.1mi- I was supposed to do the Wild Vine Trail Half Marathon today but I'm not in Charlotte! We walked around Asheville's River Arts District. Not many artists where in their studios.

Sun (9/27) 11mi run- We went to tour Highland Brewing Company before heading home. I left our house for my run at 7:30pm when it was light outside. Came back to the bathroom after 2miles and then it was getting quite dark by mile 6 or so. It also rained/misted the whole time. Wayne ran the last 3miles with me. It was really nice to have my GPS watch on so I could choose my own unplanned route based on the weather and light conditions. Finished 11.2mi in 1hr47min.

Marathin Training: Week Eleven

Mon (9/14) 3mi run
Tue (9/15) 40min bike
Wed (9/16) 3mi run
Fri (9/18) 9mi run- had to stop after each 3mi loop to use the bathroom. not sure what I ate that didn't agree with my intestines.
Sat (9/19) 70min cross
Sun (9/20) roll + ice

Marathon Training: Week Ten

Mon (9/7) 3mi run + 30min bike-
Tue (9/8) 40min bike + strength-
Wed (9/9) 3min run + 10min bike-
Fri (9/11) 6mi run- first real longer mileage run and it felt pretty easy.
Sat (9/12) 70min cross-
Sun (9/13) ice + roll-

Marathon Training: Week Nine

Mon (8/31) 3mi run + 10min bike- took the day off from training to finish moving into our new house
Tue (9/1) 35min bike + strength- took the day off to finish cleaning the old house
Wed (9/2) 3mi run + 10min bike- I did 3 miles of easy running
Fri (9/4) 4mi run + 40 min bike- alternated 2mi of running with 20min of biking.
Sat (9/5) 65min cross
Sun (9/6) roll + ice-

Marathon Training: Week Eight

Moving into our new house has been taxing on my time causing the next few blogs to be very late.
They will be pieced together to the best of my recollection. I'm sorry for the temporarily diminished quality. We will promptly return to your regularly scheduled content with the start of October.

Mon 10min bike + 30min elip- lunge/stretch then use upright bike and 20min elip. I got a little ahead of myself on the elliptical.

Tue 35min bike + strength- tried to keep the resistance just a tad lower. Two sets of weights.

Wed 5min bike + 3mi run- Easy run around the park with a 5min warm up inside on the bike.

Fri 15min bike + 45min elip +2mi run- trying to take it easy on my legs

Sat 65 min bike- It was nice to pedal casually and get to read a magazine. I miss reading sometimes. I haven't had reason to or time to read anything other than required college material for the past few years.

Sun roll/ice- Need to roll so bad. Calves are tight achillies and quads are sore. Still not managing to get it done and my foam roller has already been taken to the other house.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Marathon Running for Good Causes

     I have chosen to fund raise for charities on both ends of the disease spectrum- the cause and effect. Disease prevention vs treatment. We're exposed to so much in our daily lives. The ingredients allowed in things that we put into and on our bodies are not well regulated to ensure that what is supposed to sustain our lifestyles does not make us sick over time. Farmers markets allow people to get more natural and more environmentally friendly products that will expose their bodies to less disease causing agents. They allow us to make more connected and conscious choices while supporting the local economy. On the other end of this story, once someone has gotten a disease, organizations like St Jude Children's Hospital are making great strides to cure people's sickness. I believe these charities are good causes that have a very positive impact on the world. I would be very proud, honored, and grateful if you would help me run this marathon to raise some funds to support these organizations


St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: www.stjude.org

Over the years I have had my own cancer scare (turned out to be a benign osteo condroma tumor) also, many friends and family members have been affected by cancer and other diseases. I think organizations like st Jude do amazing work. I want to pay it forward so that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital can continue caring for families at no monetary cost.


Mount Holly Farmers Market: www.mounthollyfarmersmarket.com  The Mount holly Farmer's Market is working hard to build a healthier and stronger community. The market got started in 2005 and they have now also created a beautiful community garden and started teaching monthly cooking and gardening classes. In order to expand and continue to support local growers they need a few new tents and other equipment to support our rural community.


Here's where this post may show my inner hippy-environmentalist outlook on life but, bare with me and take my opinion with a grain of salt .If you would like some background research on the philosophy behind why I've chosen these charities, see the links below.

  • THE HUMAN EXPERIMENT: This trailer for the documentary doesn't do the film justice. If you do no further research into my background motivations for donating to theses causes, PLEASE watch this film. It's on Netflix
  • Big box grocery stores and the commercial food industry create a lot of wasted food. See this documentary called "Just eat it" 
  • Caution to all ladies who use make up there's toxic stuff in it! ex. Lead in lipstick
  • Our agricultural system is unsustainable and unhealthy. See the documentaries Food Inc and Forks over Knives
  • The National Cancer Act was signed in the 1970's. See  THESE VIDEOS about it's progress.
  • environmental impact The food and products we choose have an eco footprint and
  • affect climate change
  • why not use permaculture?

     I will be wearing a screen printed running singlet during the race with the names of all my personal sponsors (like you!) and the charities we'll donate to so that, in a way, I can take you all with me- you'll "have my back"! Something like THIS.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Marathon Training: Week Seven

I came into this week with my body feeling very tired. My training is a bit taxing but, I think that the combination of a heavier work schedule, less sleep, and trying to work on and move into the new house we bought is taking a toll. Hopefully once we move in, September will slow down a bit and I'll feel more rested and recovered.

Mon 3mi run+20min cross- I thought about trying to elliptical more today and get my legs used to more running motion but I pushed too hard and tiered early. I did a 5min bike, lunges and stretches. Then I elipticaled for 30min but my feet got too numb, and my ankles and legs too sore so I finished the rest of the cross training with a 15min bike instead of ellipticaling the whole time. My toes never got un-numb after elipticaling but I realize now that I may have just had shoes laced too tight.

Tue 35min bike+strength- I started with lunges and stretches, then biked 35min. My legs feel pretty tired. I did one set of heavy weights. It was not enough. I wanted to do two sets but had to get back home to help Wayne with new house and make dinner.

Wed 2mi run+10min cross- Today started with lunges and stretches. Then I elipticled 10 min, and ran 2miles. My GPS watch connected faster this time either because it remembers location or I stood away from interfering building and trees. My breathing and leg motion felt odd but it was another happy run. I'm encouraged that all the cross training does seem to be helping. I was worried it wouldn't be enough to prepare me. I still have to remind myself not to push to hard and allow time to rest and recover. My body is nice and lightly sore from the weight training yesterday.

Fri 60min cross+3mi run- I had intended to do all of today's training inside the gym as cross training per what I've been doing for the last 6 weeks but, I got to the gym late and had to finish outside with some real running. I did a lung and stretch warm-up, 15min bike, 30 min elliptical, 15min bike, 12min elliptical, and then a 16:30min run outside. The run felt calm and easy. It gets dark almost right at 8:30pm now. The evening air was cool and humid.

Sat 35min cross+ 3mi run- I made it to the gym on a Saturday! So, no run walk today. This may be an increase in the intensity of my workout for the day from past weeks. I did a lung and stretch warm up. The 35min elliptical felt fairly easy and relaxed though my pace and heart rate where higher then previous days. My run was a little stiff today. My leg mechanics feel strange. I wonder if they would feel better if I ran first before ellipticaling?

Sun roll & ice- I definitely need to roll and Ice I do feel quite tired and sore but, I had to be at work at 8am and didn't get off until 8:30pm. I'm trying to get better at making time to do a recovery routine on Sundays but. In the midst of moving, and long work days, it doesn't seem to be working out.

I'm leaving this week feeling encouraged that I am doing well but the question always lurks in the back of my mind, Is it enough? We'll see, but for now I'm starting to see positive slow and steady improvement. Run rest repeat, don't get ahead of myself and push too hard. I increased the intensity of Mon Fri and Sat's workouts. I'll try to rest well and recover in the next few days.