I haven't posted in a few days because I have been enjoying the Christmas holiday and made a quick trip to Charlotte during that time. The good news is that the training is still progressing. Last week, I ran several 4 mile sessions, leading up to the highly anticipated 5-miler this past Saturday.
As mentioned in the last blog, my sister, Merlin, offered to find a new route and run this milestone with me. We ran near Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC) and it was a lovely paved trail. I can tell you that since I am not yet really strong at 4 miles, jumping up to 5 was a real step. There were a few times toward the end that I felt like stopping because there was nothing left in the tank. But, Merlin kept up a good pace and encouraged me along (especially as I started to S-L-O-W down even more than usual) during the last half mile.
After the run, she commented that my pace and stamina seemed much improved since she ran with me at Thanksgiving. Whether she was telling the truth or just trying to keep me motivated, I am not exactly sure (since she still has yet to break a sweat "running" with me), but I would like to think that something is better than it was 4 weeks ago. Whatever the case, I felt like I worked harder at yesterday's run than I had since the first day.
I never thought I would say this, but I am really glad that my Tues, Wed, and Thurs runs are "only" 4 miles this week instead of more! After the 5-miler, 4 seems like a piece of cake! I guess they figured we should go easy because we are schedule to move up to 6 miles this Saturday! Gulp!
Until next time,
Lisa
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Up to 4 Miles
This weekend began the start of the 4 mile runs. So far this week, I ran on the weekend (4 miles in 54 minutes) and today (4 miles in 53 minutes). Today was a special treat because it was the first time in about a week that I have run outside. The weather has been bitterly cold lately and I have been wimping out and going to the gym....
Even at the gym, I always get the mileage in, but I have decided that I prefer running outdoors even if I have to drown out the whistles, cat-calls, and horn honking that showers me as I pant and sweat down the street. Outdoors, the scenery is far more interesting than the gym and I guess watching the scenery go by allows me to get into my own little zone. For safety reasons, the TNT coaches recommend that you train without an iPod or any music. Though I don't miss the music at all, I may start running with headphones to deter the "noises" from strangers!
Christmas will be here in a few days and the countdown is on. Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend the holiday in California, but I am excited to spend the day in Charlotte with my sister, Merlin. Merlin is planning the course and will accompany me on this weekend's 5-mile run. She has been an incredible supporter since Day 1 of this adventure and though she is training for her own endurance event (which is far bigger than my marathon), she calls almost daily to check on my progress and offer encouragement. It will be an honor to run with her this weekend.
Before that time, though, I still have a two more back-to-back days of 4 miles each. I will keep you posted on how that goes......
Until next time,
Lisa
Even at the gym, I always get the mileage in, but I have decided that I prefer running outdoors even if I have to drown out the whistles, cat-calls, and horn honking that showers me as I pant and sweat down the street. Outdoors, the scenery is far more interesting than the gym and I guess watching the scenery go by allows me to get into my own little zone. For safety reasons, the TNT coaches recommend that you train without an iPod or any music. Though I don't miss the music at all, I may start running with headphones to deter the "noises" from strangers!
Christmas will be here in a few days and the countdown is on. Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend the holiday in California, but I am excited to spend the day in Charlotte with my sister, Merlin. Merlin is planning the course and will accompany me on this weekend's 5-mile run. She has been an incredible supporter since Day 1 of this adventure and though she is training for her own endurance event (which is far bigger than my marathon), she calls almost daily to check on my progress and offer encouragement. It will be an honor to run with her this weekend.
Before that time, though, I still have a two more back-to-back days of 4 miles each. I will keep you posted on how that goes......
Until next time,
Lisa
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Darkness & Hour Changes
Many of you know I have been looking for a job for a few months. Well, as of this week, I am officially back to the "grind". On one hand there are many huge benefits to going back to the workforce, not the least of which is a steady paycheck. As you can imagine, the biggest trade-off for me was giving up freedom to work from home with the highly flexible schedule that I loved. Though the sacrifice is worth it, I have some obstacles to overcome with respect to training in winter.
My new job is 35 miles away, which means, to avoid traffic, I need to be on the road by 6:30 am and can not leave the office (due to the same traffic) until 6:30 pm. In both cases, it is pitch black outside and not very conducive to training. This is particularly frustrating because the campus of my new employer is literally surrounded by miles and miles of FANTASTIC running trails, parks, neighborhoods, and generally great places to train. None, however, are doing me any good in total darkness.
Since I refuse to train via headlamp, I am afraid I will be relegated to more treadmill workouts than I would prefer. On a positive note, this work campus also has an onsite gym which makes it ultra-convenient (based on my workout there last night).
I have considered the lunchtime workout, but unless I cut most of my hair off and stop wearing makeup, I can not see this being a practical solution. There are only certain things a girl can do!
That said, I will be looking forward to my weekend (outdoor and daylight) runs more than anything. You won't be hearing me complain about running at 8am on Saturday, because I will just be happy to be outside in the sun!
Until next time,
Lisa
My new job is 35 miles away, which means, to avoid traffic, I need to be on the road by 6:30 am and can not leave the office (due to the same traffic) until 6:30 pm. In both cases, it is pitch black outside and not very conducive to training. This is particularly frustrating because the campus of my new employer is literally surrounded by miles and miles of FANTASTIC running trails, parks, neighborhoods, and generally great places to train. None, however, are doing me any good in total darkness.
Since I refuse to train via headlamp, I am afraid I will be relegated to more treadmill workouts than I would prefer. On a positive note, this work campus also has an onsite gym which makes it ultra-convenient (based on my workout there last night).
I have considered the lunchtime workout, but unless I cut most of my hair off and stop wearing makeup, I can not see this being a practical solution. There are only certain things a girl can do!
That said, I will be looking forward to my weekend (outdoor and daylight) runs more than anything. You won't be hearing me complain about running at 8am on Saturday, because I will just be happy to be outside in the sun!
Until next time,
Lisa
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Not Yet Habit
I have been training now for almost 2 months straight (if you include my pre-training days). In spite of that I still struggle with finding motivation to run on days when it is freezing cold and raining. Granted, I can (and will) do my workout at the gym today, but that is not the point.
The point is, that after 8 weeks (and only one missed workout due to travel), I still run through the laundry list of excuses not to exercise on any given day. This week I took note of the myriad of reasons (the frequent offenders) and quite honestly, they are all pathetic. It's too cold, it's raining, it's really windy, I don't have a clean jog bra, it's too dark outside, it's Sunday and I just ran yesterday, I just ate, I need to eat, my shoes need a break.... you get the idea. I continue to labor over excuses for hours before I eventually put on my shoes and hustle out the door to do the inevitable workout.
So why do I continue to torture myself like this? I mean, if I know that I am going to workout anyway, why do I go through this procrastination drill every single day?! Clearly, I have no answer or I would not be doing it!
I have a dream, though. My dream is that someday, exercise will just be a part of my life, like taking a shower. I can't think of a time when I didn't make time for a shower or when I had to talk myself into it after considering reasons why I shouldn't! It's just habit. I know that when I wake up, it is time for a shower. End of story. No discussion.
What has me worried is that if this switch doesn't flip, the long-term lifestyle changes I am struggling to make to be Fit By 40! won't be long-lasting. Since I reeeeaaaalllly don't want that, I pray someday soon, exercise will become that daily routine habit.
Until then, all I can say is that my excuses had better become more entertaining because even I am sick of them!
Until next time,
Lisa
The point is, that after 8 weeks (and only one missed workout due to travel), I still run through the laundry list of excuses not to exercise on any given day. This week I took note of the myriad of reasons (the frequent offenders) and quite honestly, they are all pathetic. It's too cold, it's raining, it's really windy, I don't have a clean jog bra, it's too dark outside, it's Sunday and I just ran yesterday, I just ate, I need to eat, my shoes need a break.... you get the idea. I continue to labor over excuses for hours before I eventually put on my shoes and hustle out the door to do the inevitable workout.
So why do I continue to torture myself like this? I mean, if I know that I am going to workout anyway, why do I go through this procrastination drill every single day?! Clearly, I have no answer or I would not be doing it!
I have a dream, though. My dream is that someday, exercise will just be a part of my life, like taking a shower. I can't think of a time when I didn't make time for a shower or when I had to talk myself into it after considering reasons why I shouldn't! It's just habit. I know that when I wake up, it is time for a shower. End of story. No discussion.
What has me worried is that if this switch doesn't flip, the long-term lifestyle changes I am struggling to make to be Fit By 40! won't be long-lasting. Since I reeeeaaaalllly don't want that, I pray someday soon, exercise will become that daily routine habit.
Until then, all I can say is that my excuses had better become more entertaining because even I am sick of them!
Until next time,
Lisa
Friday, December 11, 2009
Goodbye Twos
Easy workouts are over. Yesterday marked the last 2-mile training day on the schedule and it made me somewhat sad because I was finally getting "really good" at my 2 or 3-milers and know that I am not yet strong enough to handle 4, 5, 6 miles and beyond! The real work is about to begin, but before I jump right in, I want to pause to reflect on some of the accomplishments that I have made in the first 5 weeks of training:
1) I have built a strong 2-3 mile base
2) My pace is 2 min per mile quicker than when I started
3) My breathing patterns (except on large hills) are under control
4) I have no injuries or pain
5) Though I haven't lost a pound, I am certain that I have built some muscles
That's a list I am proud of and very grateful for!
So, as I say goodbye to the 25-min, easy workouts and hello to the longer mileage, I look forward to a few new things:
1) Finding or building strength and endurance that I have never had
2) Finding a steady running rhythm and breathing pattern
3) Increasing speed
4) Losing weight!!!!!
5) Getting one step closer to completing the marathon
It is hard for me to believe how far I have come in 5 weeks and how far I will go in the next 5. But one thing I know for sure is that none of this would be possible without the enthusiastic support of my TNT team and coaches, family, friends, and friends of family who are the best cheerleaders I could ever ask for. Your support and encouragement means the world to me and keeps me motivated day after day. So, bring out your pom-poms, I'll lace up my shoes, and 5 weeks from now, we will be celebrating again!
Until next time,
Lisa
1) I have built a strong 2-3 mile base
2) My pace is 2 min per mile quicker than when I started
3) My breathing patterns (except on large hills) are under control
4) I have no injuries or pain
5) Though I haven't lost a pound, I am certain that I have built some muscles
That's a list I am proud of and very grateful for!
So, as I say goodbye to the 25-min, easy workouts and hello to the longer mileage, I look forward to a few new things:
1) Finding or building strength and endurance that I have never had
2) Finding a steady running rhythm and breathing pattern
3) Increasing speed
4) Losing weight!!!!!
5) Getting one step closer to completing the marathon
It is hard for me to believe how far I have come in 5 weeks and how far I will go in the next 5. But one thing I know for sure is that none of this would be possible without the enthusiastic support of my TNT team and coaches, family, friends, and friends of family who are the best cheerleaders I could ever ask for. Your support and encouragement means the world to me and keeps me motivated day after day. So, bring out your pom-poms, I'll lace up my shoes, and 5 weeks from now, we will be celebrating again!
Until next time,
Lisa
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Fundraising Update - Dec
All I can say is WOW and THANK YOU! It is not even mid-December and I have raised over 50% of my goal to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Between my website tracking the online donations, checks and cash I have sent in to be processed, and matching corporate gifts on their way, I am well on my way to raising $5,500 by April!
The generosity of friends, family, and friends of family humbles and inspires me. Whatever the reason for giving, whether because the thought of me running 26.2 miles seems amusing or because you believe in the fantastic work the LLS, your contributions are appreciated more than you know.
Last Saturday a 37-year old gal spoke to us before we ran. Like me, she is training for a marathon (her second!), but more importantly, she shared her story about being a survivor of lymphoma. At 31 she had been diagnosed and her doctor promised..and then did...cure her of the disease. That oncologist could never have been that confident had it not been for the years of research, patients, clinical trials, and drugs that had come before her.
I am so honored to be raising money for the LLS because each dollar donated represents a gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it make research and patient advocacy possible today, each step made brings us that much closer to being able to cure all blood cancers, so that future generations diagnosed with these diseases will feel confident that they, too, will be cured.
Thank you for your extreme generosity!
Until next time,
Lisa
The generosity of friends, family, and friends of family humbles and inspires me. Whatever the reason for giving, whether because the thought of me running 26.2 miles seems amusing or because you believe in the fantastic work the LLS, your contributions are appreciated more than you know.
Last Saturday a 37-year old gal spoke to us before we ran. Like me, she is training for a marathon (her second!), but more importantly, she shared her story about being a survivor of lymphoma. At 31 she had been diagnosed and her doctor promised..and then did...cure her of the disease. That oncologist could never have been that confident had it not been for the years of research, patients, clinical trials, and drugs that had come before her.
I am so honored to be raising money for the LLS because each dollar donated represents a gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it make research and patient advocacy possible today, each step made brings us that much closer to being able to cure all blood cancers, so that future generations diagnosed with these diseases will feel confident that they, too, will be cured.
Thank you for your extreme generosity!
Until next time,
Lisa
Monday, December 7, 2009
Need for Speed
A couple of minutes before the group run last Saturday, my coach was giving the team a few pointers on running efficiency. When she finished I raised my hand to ask a question: "Which is more important to focus on right now: SPEED or DISTANCE?". You could tell she felt tremendously embarrassed to be breaking the bad news as she said, "Well, Lisa, in your case, you really need both."
Since I suppose this was no revelation to me, I set off to the gym today to work on speed. I ran/walked 3 miles at a 3/1 rhythm (run 3 min/walk 1 min). During my running segments, I have been working to get to that 12.5 minute/mile pace (which is a 4.8 speed on the treadmill), so I used that as the baseline. Every 30 seconds, I would increase the pace to 5.3 on the treadmill and then drop back down to the 4.8 pace. Not only could I handle it, it really didn't seem that much harder!
Tomorrow the weather should be nice and I am going to take this new-found speed outdoors. My plan is to attempt these short sprinting runs to help increase my pace. I can't hold that speed for long periods of time, but I need to begin pushing some more boundaries. We'll see where it leads!
Until next time,
Lisa
Since I suppose this was no revelation to me, I set off to the gym today to work on speed. I ran/walked 3 miles at a 3/1 rhythm (run 3 min/walk 1 min). During my running segments, I have been working to get to that 12.5 minute/mile pace (which is a 4.8 speed on the treadmill), so I used that as the baseline. Every 30 seconds, I would increase the pace to 5.3 on the treadmill and then drop back down to the 4.8 pace. Not only could I handle it, it really didn't seem that much harder!
Tomorrow the weather should be nice and I am going to take this new-found speed outdoors. My plan is to attempt these short sprinting runs to help increase my pace. I can't hold that speed for long periods of time, but I need to begin pushing some more boundaries. We'll see where it leads!
Until next time,
Lisa
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Week 1 Repeat
Today is Saturday and that means we have an 8 am GTS (Group Training Session). Dutifully I showed up right on time to listen to a famous podiatrist talk about injury prevention for an hour before training began. Through our speaker series and countless other efforts, TNT really does a fabulous job of training people like me to prepare for endurance events and arms us with everything we need to know to stay healthy and make it across the finish line.
As wonderful as TNT is though, the real reason for my entry today is to celebrate my "progress". This was my 4th Saturday running with the group and today marked a repeat of the 3-mile course we ran on Week 1. All I can say is....WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
On Week 1, I ran the whole 3 miles with my coach and here is what I remember: loud gasping for air through mile 1, switching to a run/walk by mile 2, and barely being able to walk my way up the incline by mile 3. I remember that my legs felt very weak and I could not get my breathing (and gasping) under control. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled with that performance when I clocked in a blistering 50 minute time, but there was obvious room for improvement.
Here I am, on the same route a mere 3 weeks later. Today's run was a controlled 2 min run/1 min walk cycle. My recovery time was in check, my breathing was in check, the "hills" that seemed so menacing were nothing but small inclines, and by the end of the 3 miles, I knew I had energy left in the tank! The best part: it only took me 38 min and 30 seconds (just under 13 min miles)!
What a feeling of accomplishment! All I can attribute it to are the tiny incremental improvements I make each day I lace up my shoes. I would have never thought I would have seen this much difference in such a short period of time. Today, I am celebrating this milestone because it shows me there is HOPE for my quest after all.
The next 4 weeks are gonna rock!
Until next time,
Lisa
As wonderful as TNT is though, the real reason for my entry today is to celebrate my "progress". This was my 4th Saturday running with the group and today marked a repeat of the 3-mile course we ran on Week 1. All I can say is....WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
On Week 1, I ran the whole 3 miles with my coach and here is what I remember: loud gasping for air through mile 1, switching to a run/walk by mile 2, and barely being able to walk my way up the incline by mile 3. I remember that my legs felt very weak and I could not get my breathing (and gasping) under control. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled with that performance when I clocked in a blistering 50 minute time, but there was obvious room for improvement.
Here I am, on the same route a mere 3 weeks later. Today's run was a controlled 2 min run/1 min walk cycle. My recovery time was in check, my breathing was in check, the "hills" that seemed so menacing were nothing but small inclines, and by the end of the 3 miles, I knew I had energy left in the tank! The best part: it only took me 38 min and 30 seconds (just under 13 min miles)!
What a feeling of accomplishment! All I can attribute it to are the tiny incremental improvements I make each day I lace up my shoes. I would have never thought I would have seen this much difference in such a short period of time. Today, I am celebrating this milestone because it shows me there is HOPE for my quest after all.
The next 4 weeks are gonna rock!
Until next time,
Lisa
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time Matters
For those who have been following my blog, many have noticed how often I comment on how slow my running is or how little progress I have made regarding speed. In fact, many supportive friends have even told me that I shouldn't be worried about speed, but only focused on finishing.
Here's what I know for sure: short of breaking a leg or being hit by a bus, I can and will finish the marathon. That part, I have great confidence in because I have lots of supporters counting on me and a ton of personal motivation to make it across the finish line.
Something else I know for sure is that time matters, and here's why: After signing up, I learned that to run the Paris Marathon, you need to be able to finish in 5 hours and 40 minutes, at which point the course is closed. To finish the marathon in this amount of time, I need to run/walk 12.5 min miles consistently for the entire race. Right now (at 3 miles) I run ~14 minute miles. This will not be enough to get me to Paris.
Over the next several months, we will have 2 "event evaluations" to ensure that we are on-track to complete our chosen event. If my speed does not improve by the 2nd evaluation, I will by transferred from the Paris team to the Country Music Marathon team heading to Nashville in late April. Either way I will be running and completing a marathon, but Nashville seems like a far cry from Paris. In the event I were to wind up in Nashville, the good news is that runners have 8 hrs (instead of 5:40) to complete the race. The tradeoff is that Nashville is full of hills.
Perhaps this makes my obsession with speed a bit more clear. As excited as I am to run a marathon, I am growing increasingly aware that a 5:40 finish for me is on the ultra-aggressive side. At least for the present time, all I can do is continue to focus on my speed and forget all about the hills of Nashville.
Until next time,
Lisa
Here's what I know for sure: short of breaking a leg or being hit by a bus, I can and will finish the marathon. That part, I have great confidence in because I have lots of supporters counting on me and a ton of personal motivation to make it across the finish line.
Something else I know for sure is that time matters, and here's why: After signing up, I learned that to run the Paris Marathon, you need to be able to finish in 5 hours and 40 minutes, at which point the course is closed. To finish the marathon in this amount of time, I need to run/walk 12.5 min miles consistently for the entire race. Right now (at 3 miles) I run ~14 minute miles. This will not be enough to get me to Paris.
Over the next several months, we will have 2 "event evaluations" to ensure that we are on-track to complete our chosen event. If my speed does not improve by the 2nd evaluation, I will by transferred from the Paris team to the Country Music Marathon team heading to Nashville in late April. Either way I will be running and completing a marathon, but Nashville seems like a far cry from Paris. In the event I were to wind up in Nashville, the good news is that runners have 8 hrs (instead of 5:40) to complete the race. The tradeoff is that Nashville is full of hills.
Perhaps this makes my obsession with speed a bit more clear. As excited as I am to run a marathon, I am growing increasingly aware that a 5:40 finish for me is on the ultra-aggressive side. At least for the present time, all I can do is continue to focus on my speed and forget all about the hills of Nashville.
Until next time,
Lisa
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