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.

Marathon Training: Week one

So I've had to adjust my original training plan for the half marathon at the end of September and instead push the focus of my training further away toward the full marathon in January. I'll still be running the Sept Wild Vine race since I need a proof of time for the Disney marathon. According to my training I will not be "ready" for the half marathon distance by then, but it'll give me a slightly better chorale start at Disney race than if I didn't submit a prior race time at all. If I do run a slow race time it'll hopefully keep me from going out too fast at the marathon and give me folks to pass in the later parts of the race.

Mon 1.5mi run+ 15min cross- My achillies are still quite sore and it still makes me nervous to do actual running on the ground. So, I went to the gym and biked for 15min and then ellipticaled to mimic running. I'm trying to exercise as slowly and gently as possible.  I remember my high school coach talk about getting "Time on your legs". Just getting your legs used to moving for a length of time has a training benefit without stressing the musculo-skeletal system too much. Going slow and steady makes my legs feel different than expected- used but not the usual worked or exercised that I'm used to.

Tue 30min bike+ strength- Again I'm just gaining "time on my legs" focusing on breathing, staying relaxed, keeping my leg motions tracking straight. I also did two light weight circuits.

Wed 1.5mi run+15min cross- The timing with my work schedule was not good today and I didn't make it to the gym. I need to find a way to work this training in especially when I start doing longer mileage again. If I'm actually running on my feet I don't have to worry about gym hours, but I may still be doing a fair amount of cross training all the way up to the full marathon race.

Thr off- Went to the gym today and did yesterdays training. 15min bike easy and then 15min on the elliptical. I need to hydrate better. I could feel my muscles moving against each other roughly because I'm dehydrated and they're not well lubricated..

Fri 30min run+ 15min cross- I biked really easy first as a warm up and then ellypticaled for 30min. I was surprised to be able to hold such a steady pace. I've had to force myself to slow for the first 5-10min and then gradually work up to speed with a dew small decelerations in middle when I feel discomfort. I try to stay focused on breathing and foot strike. I ran a few steps in the parking lot afterward, which felt pretty good and pain free.

Sat 1.5mi run+15min cross- I ran a mile and a half on the ground today! I forgot the gym closes at 1pm on Sat so, when I pulled into the parking lot after work and it was closed, I decide to run around the park instead. I then also walked a mile and a half as my cross training for the day. Walking for fitness feels very strange to me since I walk so much in my daily job. I took my run at an easy pace, slightly forcing my foot strike under my body. My left knee was a little sore after the run as well as my heels. I'm not sure if this means I'm heal striking more in the thick sole of my Asics shoes or, if my Brooks shoes are allowing my heels to feel more impact when I wear tem to walk around during the day at work.

Sun roll+bath- Used the foam roller and took a 10min cold water bath. Our tap water isn't very cold so, I'm not so sure the bath did much. I'll be sure to use ice when I'm doing longer mileage. I wonder if it may be better to do foam rolling an ice bath right after Saturday's run instead of a day later?

This was a much better week than last two. Feels sogoodto do real running. being inside on machnines gets boring and manotinous. Still trying to figureout how toslowlywork into real running effectively to build back intotrainging.

I'm running the Disney Marathon for Charity!

I have finally chosen my first Full 26.2mile Marathon! I am busy planning and training for the Walt Disney World Marathon on Jan 10th, 2016) but, I need your help to get there.

I am running this race to raise money for some good causes. I'm hoping you will help me raise some funds for St Jude Children's Research Hospital which helps people fight cancer and other diseases at no cost to their patients. As well as, a small donation to the Mount Holly Farmer's Market that's helping our local community live healthier lifestyles.

Thankyou for all your love and support toward helping me check this important goal off mybucket list and supporting good causes. Please consider sponsoring one of my race miles with a $26.2 donation (or any amount you feel willing to give!) at http://www.gofundme.com/FaysMarathon!

The Plan

The training plans that I have decided to use can be found at HalHigdon.com. I will be doing a series of training plans that slowly build my mileage and endurance up to the full marathon distance.

5k Novice: 8 weeks after which I'll be running the Color Me Green 5K on March 14th.
10k Novice: 8 weeks after which I'll be running the first of this years River Jam Races on May 14th.
Half Marathon Novice 1: 12 weeks after which I'll run the Wild Vine Trail Half on Sept. 26th
Full Marathon: The plan I choose for this race will have to be evaluated once I complete the training for the half marathon. It could be a Novice plan, perhaps the Personal Best plan, or if i'm feeling really good I could go straight for Boston Bound. I have not yet chosen a particular marathon to run. The choices seem a little overwhelming and far away at the moment. I could visit family in Florida and run at Disney World, or I could stay close to Charlotte, or we could pick some place to take a vacation and I'll run a race there- with a few very relaxing recovery days planed in after the race.

I love working at the US National Whitewater Center because it hosts so many races and promotes such an active outdoor lifestyle!
I also plan to run the Shot in the Dark night run and perhaps the Dirty Dozen obstacle race just as extra workouts in my training plan.

Just a silly little graphic about training plans that I found

Starting the Journey

Here's to starting a new journey... to crossing things off my bucket list and following my heart toward my dreams and aspirations.

 

My New Year Resolutions:
Train for a 26.2mi full marathon- Not just to finish but to do well...well enough to maybe, just maybe, qualify for the 2016 Boston Marathon. This means I will likely be running 3 marathons. One to train for the distance + one to get strong enough to break 3hours35minutes and qualify for Boston = One in Boston. I just hope to hold out my mental and physical endurance long enough and successfully enough to achieve this final prize

Do more art- I would love to become a self sustaining artist. I have so much to still learn. I want to continue trying to grow my art business and to treat it like my second job. I still have so much more to learn, so many mediums to try, and so many craftsmanship skills to refine.

Be more Selfless- This stems from my innate antisocial nature. I feel like most of my relationships are one sided, so that I receive more than I give. I want to improve the person I am by casting a more outward focus on the people around me. I want to do more nice things for other people. I don't know if this will make me any less socially awkward, but I hope it may help a bit.

As with many new year resolutions I don't know how well I will manage to fit them into my life. I hope this blog will provide me a place to voice my frustrations, fears, and my successes.