Whew! I had a great morning run! :) The best part is, it's 8:05am on Saturday and I am already done with my workout for the day! ;) Today was the Saturday "long run" of week 3 of the 18-week training program...so just 5 miles. I had a great time running with some "new friends" with the Lake Run Club's marathon training group. I really enjoyed myself and (at this point! ;)) am glad that I joined. It was great to hear people who have run marathons before chat with some advice for training/running. It was also nice to have company on the trail! Of course my favorite training partner is my husband :), but he's not as interested in running the long distances as I am! So, it was time to look elsewhere...enter Lake Run Club! ;) I met a nice guy, Dan, who will be running the Chicago marathon as his 1st marathon and ran the Illinois half marathon at just about exactly the same time I did...so maybe we'll run the same pace at Chicago! That would be great, but we'll see.
It was a beautiful morning for a run. I actually felt like I should've put in a few more miles, but I just left after the requisite 5.
I leave you with the suggested week 3 workout schedule/my actual completed week 3 workouts:
Monday: Rest/3.5 miles treadmill
Tuesday: 3 mile run/Rest
Wednesday: 4 mile run/4 mile run
Thursday: 3 mile run/Rest
Friday: Rest/65 minutes (6 mi) treadmill
Saturday: 5 mile run/5 mile run
So far, I'm right on target! :) I took the 2 rest days, but took them on days different than the ones suggested. I did 2 of my runs on a treadmill inside, but they were longer than the suggested outdoor runs...so I think I am doing ok.
I was more than fine after the 5 miles today. I kept up with the faster runners in the group and finished strong.
So far, I feel great about my training! Tomorrow's schedule calls for 60 minutes of cross training. I plan to either swim or do the elliptical at the gym. Maybe I'll get some strength training in as well, we'll see.
3 weeks basically down, 15 to go!!
Next Saturday's Race: Park 2 Park 5 mile
Yahoo!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Decision...It's time for some Big Confessions
I've decided that since this is MY blog (and I don't think that many people really read it anyway ;), which, quite frankly is the way I like it! ;))....I should:
1) write about anything and everything that I want to
2) be completely honest and not hold anything back
3) write about the really funny, really disgusting things that happen to me because: a) I CAN'T possibly be the only "runner" who has had such mishaps (can I?!) and b) because I crack myself up...and what's better than that?! ;) (I am a loser. Really. My husband should've been warned before tying the knot...)
For these reasons, I bring you: Rachel's Running-Related Bowel Mishaps, Vol. 1
I think it would be fair to take this time to give you some background information on my, err, bowel issues. Since approximately 2002 I have been plagued with some odd (??) GI issues that really run the gamut from one end of the spectrum to the other (let me spell this out for you....either I was all backed up and so bloated that my stomach actually looked as if it was gestating life inside....OR I had to run to the bathroom seconds after eating to unleash some terrible, terrible things). Long story short, last year it was determined that I have some form of gluten intolerance (whether it is actually Celiac Disease or something else is really up in the air, and at this point I'm fine with the limbo stage I'm in because, quite frankly, I feel great sans gluten and don't really have time to think about getting further tests, etc.) and have been officially GLUTEN FREE since October 18, 2008....check out my silly GF blog if you are interested in learning more about my adventures or the GF diet in general (I did my best not to plagiarize like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and cite sources to give credit where credit is due, etc. ;)).
Ok, so all of that being said...the point is, I do not have a "normal" digestive system. So, my "problems" are not my fault. Except for maybe the fact that I have been known to eat a Taco Bell Bean Burrito before running 5 miles on a hot afternoon. Maybe I was asking for it then. But that's neither here, nor now.
Ok, I bring you Exibit 1:
Last summer my husband and I were "training" for the Bix 7, a 7-mile race (hence the name!) in the Quad Cities that is held the last weekend in July each summer. It was to be my 5th Bix and his 4th. I am, in general, a stronger runner than my husband (I run year-round while he tends to just run February or March through October or so; he chooses to do primarily weight training in the colder months....but he's starting to get better at doing some indoor cardio during those colder months).
It was a Friday in the summer, and I was working in Peoria. Fridays tended to be busy days for me; I liked working through my lunch break in order to leave for home an hour or so earlier and thus getting back to Bloomington (where we live) earlier and starting my weekend ASAP. So, I tended to skip eating lunch if I was too rushed in the morning and didn't take time to pack a lunch. Clearly not a good idea. SO, on this particular Friday I decided to stop at Taco Bell (uh...) and pick up a Bean Burrito on my way home, since I was STARVING...and they were "on special" for like 79 cents on Fridays at this certain Taco Bell by my workplace. I devoured said burrito while driving and then when I got home, embarked on a 6-or-so mile run with Jer (this was over an hour after eating the burrito...so I didn't imagine that there would be any issues. I was wrong.). Well, about 1.5 miles from home, I began to feel some rumblings in my stomach. I chose to ignore them, and pressed on. A half a mile or so after that, there was no denying what was going on. I had to go...and I had to go IMMEDIATELY. I informed Jeremy of this and he suggested that I turn around and run back toward home, as there was a Porta Potty in a park on the way home. This sounded like a swell idea, so I turned around and began running 2 or so miles back home by myself...about .25 of a mile later, IT happened. I crapped my pants. And it didn't stop. Seriously. So, here I was...nearly 2 miles from home and about a half a mile from the Porta Potty and I was running with a serious load in my pants (I was wearing black loose-fitting capri-length pants, so at least I had that working in my favor)....
To be Continued...
1) write about anything and everything that I want to
2) be completely honest and not hold anything back
3) write about the really funny, really disgusting things that happen to me because: a) I CAN'T possibly be the only "runner" who has had such mishaps (can I?!) and b) because I crack myself up...and what's better than that?! ;) (I am a loser. Really. My husband should've been warned before tying the knot...)
For these reasons, I bring you: Rachel's Running-Related Bowel Mishaps, Vol. 1
I think it would be fair to take this time to give you some background information on my, err, bowel issues. Since approximately 2002 I have been plagued with some odd (??) GI issues that really run the gamut from one end of the spectrum to the other (let me spell this out for you....either I was all backed up and so bloated that my stomach actually looked as if it was gestating life inside....OR I had to run to the bathroom seconds after eating to unleash some terrible, terrible things). Long story short, last year it was determined that I have some form of gluten intolerance (whether it is actually Celiac Disease or something else is really up in the air, and at this point I'm fine with the limbo stage I'm in because, quite frankly, I feel great sans gluten and don't really have time to think about getting further tests, etc.) and have been officially GLUTEN FREE since October 18, 2008....check out my silly GF blog if you are interested in learning more about my adventures or the GF diet in general (I did my best not to plagiarize like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and cite sources to give credit where credit is due, etc. ;)).
Ok, so all of that being said...the point is, I do not have a "normal" digestive system. So, my "problems" are not my fault. Except for maybe the fact that I have been known to eat a Taco Bell Bean Burrito before running 5 miles on a hot afternoon. Maybe I was asking for it then. But that's neither here, nor now.
Ok, I bring you Exibit 1:
Last summer my husband and I were "training" for the Bix 7, a 7-mile race (hence the name!) in the Quad Cities that is held the last weekend in July each summer. It was to be my 5th Bix and his 4th. I am, in general, a stronger runner than my husband (I run year-round while he tends to just run February or March through October or so; he chooses to do primarily weight training in the colder months....but he's starting to get better at doing some indoor cardio during those colder months).
It was a Friday in the summer, and I was working in Peoria. Fridays tended to be busy days for me; I liked working through my lunch break in order to leave for home an hour or so earlier and thus getting back to Bloomington (where we live) earlier and starting my weekend ASAP. So, I tended to skip eating lunch if I was too rushed in the morning and didn't take time to pack a lunch. Clearly not a good idea. SO, on this particular Friday I decided to stop at Taco Bell (uh...) and pick up a Bean Burrito on my way home, since I was STARVING...and they were "on special" for like 79 cents on Fridays at this certain Taco Bell by my workplace. I devoured said burrito while driving and then when I got home, embarked on a 6-or-so mile run with Jer (this was over an hour after eating the burrito...so I didn't imagine that there would be any issues. I was wrong.). Well, about 1.5 miles from home, I began to feel some rumblings in my stomach. I chose to ignore them, and pressed on. A half a mile or so after that, there was no denying what was going on. I had to go...and I had to go IMMEDIATELY. I informed Jeremy of this and he suggested that I turn around and run back toward home, as there was a Porta Potty in a park on the way home. This sounded like a swell idea, so I turned around and began running 2 or so miles back home by myself...about .25 of a mile later, IT happened. I crapped my pants. And it didn't stop. Seriously. So, here I was...nearly 2 miles from home and about a half a mile from the Porta Potty and I was running with a serious load in my pants (I was wearing black loose-fitting capri-length pants, so at least I had that working in my favor)....
To be Continued...
Here we go!
So the "long runs" with the Lake Run Club start this weekend! I successfully got in contact with 2 guys who are in charge of the program and will join up with them all on Saturday for the first run....it is just 5 miles...but will be a good way to get acclimated to the program and running with a group. The program is starting on week 3 of an 18-week training program. The first few weeks were:
Mon (rest) Tue (3mi) Wed (3mi) Thurs (3mi) Fri (Rest) Sat (6) Sun (Cross-train)
Mon (rest) Tue (3mi) Wed (3mi) Thurs (3mi) Fri (Rest) Sat (7) Sun (Cross-train)
I feel good because my training the past few weeks has definitely surpassed that. So, I should be just fine to jump in with them this weekend!
Training yesterday: 4 mi running outside at State Farm Park. Beautiful night!
So, I think the biggest challenge for me (at least at this early point in the game) will be taking time to REST....I hate feeling lazy...and I have this (incorrect) mentality that I need to do something EVERY DAY...
Here is an excerpt from the LRC Marathon Training information:
Rest: Rest is an important component of any training program. It is during the rest period (the 24 to 72 hours between hard bouts of exercise) that the muscles actually regenerate and get stronger. You can't run hard unless you are well rested. And it is hard running (such as the long runs) that allows you to improve. If you're constantly fatigued, you will fail to reach your potential. This is why I include two days of rest each week for novice runners. If you need to take more rest days, do so. The secret to success is consistency, so as long as you are consistent with your training during the full 18 weeks of the program, you can afford--and may benefit from--extra rest.
Have a great day, all!
Rachel
Mon (rest) Tue (3mi) Wed (3mi) Thurs (3mi) Fri (Rest) Sat (6) Sun (Cross-train)
Mon (rest) Tue (3mi) Wed (3mi) Thurs (3mi) Fri (Rest) Sat (7) Sun (Cross-train)
I feel good because my training the past few weeks has definitely surpassed that. So, I should be just fine to jump in with them this weekend!
Training yesterday: 4 mi running outside at State Farm Park. Beautiful night!
So, I think the biggest challenge for me (at least at this early point in the game) will be taking time to REST....I hate feeling lazy...and I have this (incorrect) mentality that I need to do something EVERY DAY...
Here is an excerpt from the LRC Marathon Training information:
Rest: Rest is an important component of any training program. It is during the rest period (the 24 to 72 hours between hard bouts of exercise) that the muscles actually regenerate and get stronger. You can't run hard unless you are well rested. And it is hard running (such as the long runs) that allows you to improve. If you're constantly fatigued, you will fail to reach your potential. This is why I include two days of rest each week for novice runners. If you need to take more rest days, do so. The secret to success is consistency, so as long as you are consistent with your training during the full 18 weeks of the program, you can afford--and may benefit from--extra rest.
Have a great day, all!
Rachel
Monday, June 22, 2009
Lake Run Club marathon training group
So I think I am going to join the Lake Run Club marathon training group...but I wish I had someone to join it with me (there's no way I am gonna get Jeremy up early on weekends for long training runs of, say, 10+ miles! ;)). The first informational meeting is tomorrow night, but I am unfortunately unable to attend due to a prior commitment (volunteering to help teach an SLP class over at ISU for the evening). So, I am going to e-mail one of the contacts listed on the Lake Run Club's website and see if I can just sign up and then join in on some of the weekend runs. We'll see.
In other news, I haven't taken a day off yet post the 15k on Sat...I did take it relatively easy the past 2 days. I just did 65 minutes on an elliptical followed by 10 minutes on a stationary bike at the gym yesterday, and then 36 minutes on the treadmill today at the gym...I figured I needed to do at least SOMETHING, however small...since I am teaching that class tomorrow night and most likely won't make it to the gym. So, there you have it. Wednesday I'll pick up (hopefully) with an outdoor run. I really need to start getting up earlier (egads!) and getting in my runs before work when it's cooler. I am SO not a morning person, though. We'll see.
Have a wonderful day, everyone, and happy running :)
In other news, I haven't taken a day off yet post the 15k on Sat...I did take it relatively easy the past 2 days. I just did 65 minutes on an elliptical followed by 10 minutes on a stationary bike at the gym yesterday, and then 36 minutes on the treadmill today at the gym...I figured I needed to do at least SOMETHING, however small...since I am teaching that class tomorrow night and most likely won't make it to the gym. So, there you have it. Wednesday I'll pick up (hopefully) with an outdoor run. I really need to start getting up earlier (egads!) and getting in my runs before work when it's cooler. I am SO not a morning person, though. We'll see.
Have a wonderful day, everyone, and happy running :)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
State Farm 5k results
Oops, I almost forgot to record the results from last Saturday's State Farm 5k! Jeremy and I ran together and I am pleased to report that I creamed him ;)...by 46 whopping seconds!!!! I actually got 67th! I was in the top 100 :). I also got second in my division...F 25-29, with a time of 25:26.6. My pace for this race was 8:12/mi. Jeremy got 79th with a time of 26:12.9 and a pace of 8:27/mi. He got 8th in his division. Not too shabby! ;). Out of 253 runners, we did decently :). It was a really fun race, too :). Plus, it was only $10 ;). AND I did better my 5k time from the previous 5k I did (Race to Wrigley on April 25) by two minutes and 6 seconds! So, in other words, kind of a LOT! :)
WOW, so I've successfully completed 5 races so far this summer! 2 more are coming up in July (the Park to Park 5 mile race here in Bloomington on July 4th and the Bix on July 25th! :) )
WOW, so I've successfully completed 5 races so far this summer! 2 more are coming up in July (the Park to Park 5 mile race here in Bloomington on July 4th and the Bix on July 25th! :) )
The Steamboat Classic
So yesterday I ran in the Steamboat Classic in Peoria. There are 2 races: the 4 mile and the 15k. I chose to run in the 15k. The night before I got pretty nervous....I even had trouble sleeping! I was driving to Peoria by myself in the morning; my attempts to get a few friends to come with to run in the 4 mile event (since I knew none of them would want to run in the 15k!) was fruitless, unfortunately. And, Jeremy was scheduled to work so he was unable to go along. So, I was worried that I would wake up late, would be late to the race, would have a hard time finding where to go, have difficulty finding a parking place, etc., etc. Well, I successfully woke up at 5am, was in my car by 5:20am, stopped in Morton at a gas station for a potty break ( ;) ), and arrived at a parking garage off of Hamilton Avenue in Peoria around 6:20 am. The race started at 7am, so I was golden!
The next dillemna I faced was deciding whether or not to use Jeremy's iPod that I had borrowed for the day (I don't have my own iPod...I know, get with the times, right?! Even my father owns an iPod! ;)). The information I had gotten the day before when I piked up my race packet clearly stated that no portable music devices with headphones were allowed. Well, the thought of running 9.3 miles without the distraction that music could bring me just wasn't very appealing. Call me a wimp....whatever ;). I don't do my long training runs with an iPod, I only use the iPod during races. However, I reallyreally like doing so (I ran the half marathon with Jeremy's iPod in April, and also the Lake Run..a 12k at Lake Bloomington)...so I sat in my car for a while and scoped people out to see if people were wearing iPods and the like. Since I only saw ONE woman wearing one, I decided to leave Jeremy's in my trunk :(. I then ventured out to find the starting line. As I was walking, though, I noticed that there were indeed many people wearing iPods! So, I decided to go back to my car and get Jeremy's....rules or no rules, I decided that my comfort was more important ;). I will say, though, I listened at a low volume and often ran with only one ear bud in an ear so that I was still aware of what was going on around me and all that jazz.
The race was a lot of fun, really! The route was great and I will definitely try to do it again next year. It was HARD, though, too! There were some crazy hills...both up and down...that were strenuous (I saw a lot of people walking at these points!). I am so glad I did it, though!
I got 443 out of 726 overall, 19th out of 39 in my division (Female 25-29) and a time of 1:23:57. My 10 k time was 58:23 and my last 5k was run in 26:40. This all breaks down to an average pace of 9:08/mile....not too wonderful...but also not terrible! I was below the average time of 1:21:25. All in all, though, I am satisfied with my performace. Next year will be even better! :) And, I can't honestly imagine having done much better; I think I did the best I can do. I was unbelievably dead last night and am SO sore today! Honestly, I feel even worse than I did after the half marathon I ran in April! I am sure that it has to do with the fact that it was COLD in April and pretty hot yesterday. I am definitely not so used to running outside in the heat. I need to get better at that!
I will take this time to re-iterate my ongoing BEEF with post-race "parties". It totally stinks to NOT be able to eat anything (or much, anyway!) that is available due to my silly gluten intolerance. Seriously, there are bagels and cookies, etc. GALORE (and beer of course ;)) after races....sometimes even PIZZA (like at the half marathon in Champaign last April)....talk about tempting! I made due with a bottle of water and an apple yesterday. It stinks, though. Maybe someday huge GF muffins or something will be available after road races! That would be INCREDIBLE!
Off to have a productive Sunday. I think I'll let myself take the day off of training ;). My body probably needs some rest! :)
112 days and counting...Chicago, here I come!!!
The next dillemna I faced was deciding whether or not to use Jeremy's iPod that I had borrowed for the day (I don't have my own iPod...I know, get with the times, right?! Even my father owns an iPod! ;)). The information I had gotten the day before when I piked up my race packet clearly stated that no portable music devices with headphones were allowed. Well, the thought of running 9.3 miles without the distraction that music could bring me just wasn't very appealing. Call me a wimp....whatever ;). I don't do my long training runs with an iPod, I only use the iPod during races. However, I reallyreally like doing so (I ran the half marathon with Jeremy's iPod in April, and also the Lake Run..a 12k at Lake Bloomington)...so I sat in my car for a while and scoped people out to see if people were wearing iPods and the like. Since I only saw ONE woman wearing one, I decided to leave Jeremy's in my trunk :(. I then ventured out to find the starting line. As I was walking, though, I noticed that there were indeed many people wearing iPods! So, I decided to go back to my car and get Jeremy's....rules or no rules, I decided that my comfort was more important ;). I will say, though, I listened at a low volume and often ran with only one ear bud in an ear so that I was still aware of what was going on around me and all that jazz.
The race was a lot of fun, really! The route was great and I will definitely try to do it again next year. It was HARD, though, too! There were some crazy hills...both up and down...that were strenuous (I saw a lot of people walking at these points!). I am so glad I did it, though!
I got 443 out of 726 overall, 19th out of 39 in my division (Female 25-29) and a time of 1:23:57. My 10 k time was 58:23 and my last 5k was run in 26:40. This all breaks down to an average pace of 9:08/mile....not too wonderful...but also not terrible! I was below the average time of 1:21:25. All in all, though, I am satisfied with my performace. Next year will be even better! :) And, I can't honestly imagine having done much better; I think I did the best I can do. I was unbelievably dead last night and am SO sore today! Honestly, I feel even worse than I did after the half marathon I ran in April! I am sure that it has to do with the fact that it was COLD in April and pretty hot yesterday. I am definitely not so used to running outside in the heat. I need to get better at that!
I will take this time to re-iterate my ongoing BEEF with post-race "parties". It totally stinks to NOT be able to eat anything (or much, anyway!) that is available due to my silly gluten intolerance. Seriously, there are bagels and cookies, etc. GALORE (and beer of course ;)) after races....sometimes even PIZZA (like at the half marathon in Champaign last April)....talk about tempting! I made due with a bottle of water and an apple yesterday. It stinks, though. Maybe someday huge GF muffins or something will be available after road races! That would be INCREDIBLE!
Off to have a productive Sunday. I think I'll let myself take the day off of training ;). My body probably needs some rest! :)
112 days and counting...Chicago, here I come!!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
120 days!
...and counting til my big Marathon Numero Uno! :) I can't wait!
My good friend Jillian came down to Bloomington this morning (she lives in Peoria) so we could get in some training together. She is training for the Chicago Triathlon (in late August). Today we biked 8 miles and then ran 2 miles. It might sound somewhat wimpy ;), but having never ever in my entire life ran directly following a bike ride...WOW! My legs felt kinda goofy! It was a lot of fun, though. I really wish Jillian lived closer...for more reasons than one! She is so much fun and it would be great to have a training partner at easier access! ;)
Jeremy and I are running a 5k tomorrow morning at State Farm Park here in town. My goal is simply to beat my time at the Race to Wrigley 5k from April 25...27 minutes and 32 seconds. Not anything to be too excited about ;), but not too terrible either. I am excited; I always get excited before races! This will be my 4th race of the year. Woo hoo! :)
I also registered for the Steamboat Classic 15k race, which is next Saturday in Peoria. I am really looking forward to that race! I think it will be a great time. It will be my first time running in that event, but I guess it's one of the bigger running events in the area.
I want to get a bit more consistent with my blogging on this blog so that I can keep better track of my training/event times, etc....but we'll see if that actually happens ;). Somehow life just always seems to be busy and gets away from me rather quickly....and I don't even have a kid yet to chase around! It's just me and Jer and I STILL feel busy!
Off to see a movie with my doting husband ;).
Have a wonderful day!
My good friend Jillian came down to Bloomington this morning (she lives in Peoria) so we could get in some training together. She is training for the Chicago Triathlon (in late August). Today we biked 8 miles and then ran 2 miles. It might sound somewhat wimpy ;), but having never ever in my entire life ran directly following a bike ride...WOW! My legs felt kinda goofy! It was a lot of fun, though. I really wish Jillian lived closer...for more reasons than one! She is so much fun and it would be great to have a training partner at easier access! ;)
Jeremy and I are running a 5k tomorrow morning at State Farm Park here in town. My goal is simply to beat my time at the Race to Wrigley 5k from April 25...27 minutes and 32 seconds. Not anything to be too excited about ;), but not too terrible either. I am excited; I always get excited before races! This will be my 4th race of the year. Woo hoo! :)
I also registered for the Steamboat Classic 15k race, which is next Saturday in Peoria. I am really looking forward to that race! I think it will be a great time. It will be my first time running in that event, but I guess it's one of the bigger running events in the area.
I want to get a bit more consistent with my blogging on this blog so that I can keep better track of my training/event times, etc....but we'll see if that actually happens ;). Somehow life just always seems to be busy and gets away from me rather quickly....and I don't even have a kid yet to chase around! It's just me and Jer and I STILL feel busy!
Off to see a movie with my doting husband ;).
Have a wonderful day!
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