Catch Up

Thursday (2/24/2011) - Unmotivated was the word for today.   I had no desire to go to the gym to do 3 miles of sprint jogs say anything about doing any weight training too.  But, I received a text from my wonderful family personal trainer that asked what my workout was for the day.  When I responded with 3 miles, I then proceeded to receive a follow up text from her that stated I should go to the gym and do my weight training workout too. Ughhhhh.  Not what I wanted to do at all.  After some serious stalling I knew that I needed to get my act together and just go complete the workout.  An hour later I was finally at the gym and ready to work off some stress that accumulated during my hectic week.  24 and a half minutes later my 3 miles of sprint jogs were done and it was time to move on to the weight training.  Since I was so sore after the first weight work out last week, it was recommended that I only go through the circuit twice this time instead of three times. Before I knew it, I had completed the circuits twice and was all set to head home for the night with two rest days ahead of me!  Yayyyy.

Wednesday (2/23/2011) - I got caught up at work late and had plans for the evening which meant I had only a half hour to fit in my 3 mile loop that I had to do.  The whole hour T ride home I was preparing myself to just go out there and get my run completed as fast as possible.  My adrenaline got pumping early on which is always a plus during any run.  I kept pushing myself even when I was tired and wanted to stop which helped me to complete my goal of 3 miles, easily under 30 minutes.

Tuesday (2/22/2011) - Run Club day!!  I could not decide if I wanted to run 3.5 or 5 miles due to the amount of ice that was on the route the past few weeks, but I was talked into doing 5 miles by my run club friends.  Thankfully, there was hardly any snow or ice on the sidewalks which allowed for a much stronger run than in the past.  Running with the group pushed me to go faster than I would of if I was running by myself.  As I sprinted the final stretch back to the store and heard the overall time it took me to finish the run I was very excited to hear that this was one of the fastest runs I had ever completed.  Wooo Hooooo!!  Accomplishments like this help me to continue on the long marathon journey.

Monday (2/21/2011) - Rest Day.  I had hoped to make it to the gym to do some weight training but my busy schedule did not allow this to happen.  Maybe next time.

Sunday (2/20/2011) - After two days of so called rest, you would think that I would be ready to head out for an easy eight mile jog.  However, I was extremely exhausted from lack of sleep and too much dancing!!!  The last thing I felt like doing when I got home mid afternoon was to go for a run.  Thankfully all of my friends were busy which gave me a solid hour to go out and get my run before anyone was available.  Shortly after beginning my route, I was in the zone and nothing was going to get in my way and slow me down.  There were less hills on this route through Hanover, NH than I normally face along Commonwealth Ave. so it felt as though I was running extremely fast (ok so really it just felt like I was running a little bit faster than my typical nine minute mile, but still!).  A little over an hour later my run was done and I was ready to relax for the evening.  I cannot wait to see how my half marathon goes this coming Sunday!!

Saturday (2/19/2011) - A rest day that consisted of elevating my heart rate by standing high above the ground on the ropes course at the Hulbert Outdoor Center.  I am so thankful for my amazing ropes course partner!!  If it was not for him cheering me on and showing me how to complete the various tasks by always flying through the mission first, I would not have even attempted or completed the so called "island" walk high in the air.  Awesome work by all!!  The evening was completed by a great dance with lots of jumping, jigging, laughter and of course the seemingly never ending cotton eye joe!!

Friday (2/18/2011) - Friday was a rest day, but I definitely was keeping busy and having fun with all of the Winter Weekend campers!!

Thursday (2/17/2011) - Knowing that I had a busy weekend ahead of me, I had to get up before work in order to be sure I could get my run done.  I struggled to wake up (so not into waking up early to go for a run), but the weather was beautiful and the sun was shining.  So after hitting the snooze button once, I was up and ready to hit the pavement.  There were very few people out and about at this hour of the morning, which allowed for a very peacful run.  Even though it was peaceful, I still struggled with sore muscles.  I completed a 3 mile loop at one of the slowest paces I have run since I started my training.  Thankfully I had already told myself that today was not about speed but completion of the task on hand instead which was to run 3 miles.  The best news about being done this run was that I would be taking the next two days off from running to go to VT to volunteer for a diabetes camp! So fun!

Wednesday (2/16/2011) - All I can say is SORE!  I was still extremely sore from my Tuesday workout at the gym and decided it would be a good day to take off and just rest and stretch.  I used the foam roller for about 20 minutes.  Foam rolling was very painful, but having my muscles feel much better on Thursday made the pain all the more worth it!

 

 

Spring Fever

Wednesday (2/16/2011) - I thought that on Tuesday my body was sore, well just getting up and down out of my chair at the office today is painful!!  I can tell that I got an excellent workout in on Tuesday and for anyone that would like a great trainer just let me know!!!   My elbow is a bit sore today from my fall, but besides that I am feeling great!  Decided to take today off and foam roll and stretch.  Early work out again in the AM tomorrow.

Tuesday (2/15/2011) - I started my morning off extra early and hit the gym at 6:00am to get in some strength training before work.  This is the first day I have completed any strength training during my marathon preparation.  Luckily for me, my roommate/cousin is an amazing personal trainer who completed the Boston marathon last year and knows exactly what it takes to get one's body ready for the long journey.  Even though it was her day to sleep in, she was willing to get up early with me and go to the gym to show me some exercises that I need to be doing at least twice a week in order to prep my body.  I learned six new exercises that were not going to bulk my muscles up like heavy weights and completed each one three times.  After a great workout it was time to head out an get ready for the workday!

 

Although I was a bit tired from getting up early to work out in the morning, I headed over to City Sports Run Club after work to meet up with the crew to complete a 5 mile run that I needed to do as part of my running schedule.  There were approximately ten people there and since last week the Charles River route was extremely icy, we all decided to do a new route down Beacon St. to Comm Ave to the BU Bridge.  The past few runs, at least one person has fallen during the run.  WELL it was my turn this week!!  Although the sidewalks were not too icy, I apparently did not see a bump and tripped and fell :-(  It seemed to all happen in slow motion and was fairly graceful.  I guess it was my week to take a spill.  Thank goodness I only scrapped my elbow!!  The fall must have been partly due to the fact my legs were tired from the morning workout and I got lazy.  After the fall we finished the trek to the BU Bridge and then turned around and came the 2.5 miles back to the Store.  Now that my running fall for the year is out of the way, the rest of the year should be no problem!

Monday (2/14/2011) - Although it was Valentine's Day and most people were out celebrating their loved ones and friends and family, I was back at it again.  The weather was significantly warmer than it has been and created a gorgeous night for a run.  I did my usual 3 mile loop around the apartment and this time I even passed someone else that was out running!!  Passing someone always gives me that extra motivation to keep working hard. 


Saturday (2/12/2011) - On Saturday, I participated in a 12.5 mile route that took me along part of the marathon route.  I started at Chestnut Hill, took a left onto Com Ave and ran all the way down to the end of the Carriage Lane by the Mass Pike and then stopped, turned around and did the same route back.  I was lucky enough to be joined by three great friends who all helped me perform at my best.  When I began to slow down or get tired, one of them was always providing support to keep going strong, reminding me that the marathon was only "64 days away".  Crazyy!!  Not only was I running with friends, but there were numerous other people and teams completing training runs along Com Ave as well.  A variety of distances were being covered and there were numerous refueling stations with water, Gatorade, gel packs and other snacks being provided along the way.  All the refueling stations were extremely supportive and even allowed my friends and I some refueling liquids along the way.  Without the Gatorade and water I received, my body would not have been able to push as hard.  Another successful run completed!!!  I just want to say THANK YOU to all my family and friends who have been patient with my training schedule which consists of going to bed early on Friday nights now, no drinking, early Saturday mornings, and resting all day Saturday after the long run has been completed.  I just keep telling myself it will be so worth it in the end!

Brrrrr

Thursday (2/10/2011) - Completed a 3 mile sprint jog at the gym.  The first 2 miles were a breeze and I was on track to making one of my best times yet, but the last mile was a struggle.  After this part of the workout was completed, I did some weight and core training. 13 this weekendddddd.  Ahhhhhh!

Tuesday (2/8/2011) -  I headed over to Run Club at City Sports on Boylston Street after work.   When I went to work in the morning the temperature outside felt as though it was around 38 degrees F.  However, on my walk over to run club I realized the temperature had dropped about 10 degrees F and the wind had picked up significantly.   As other run club participants arrived, I was excited to see a familiar face walk through the door!  A friend of mine that I had not seen in some time came to run club and is also going to be participating in the 2011 Boston Marathon!  Yayyy!  Another Run Buddy for the lovely weekend long runs.  Shortly after 6 P.M. the group headed out and almost everyone was participating in the 5 mile route.  As soon as we crossed the footbridge and reached the Charles River, the wind immediately picked up and was making the run extremely cold.  With my face hidden in my shirt and my legs battling the wind and serious amounts of ice I just kept going step after step.  As soon as I reached the Mass Ave Bridge, I contemplated cutting my run short and heading back to the store.  Then I remembered a saying that a few of my friends have always said, "You never know what race day is going to be like.  You always have to be prepared for anything."  With that in mind, I forced myself to head over the Mass Ave Bridge onto the Cambridge side of the Charles to continue the 5 mile route.  Battling the wind and ice on the path the entire route, I had never been so happy to make it back to the store.  Man did it feel good to say another run was behind me.

Four Day Recap

Monday (2/7/2011) - The temperature in Boston is warm and it feels as though spring is in the air.   When I got home from work, I changed into my running gear and went out for a 3 mile easy jog to begin another week of training.   
 
Saturday (2/5/2011) - The second I opened my eyes, I immediately was thinking about my pre run meal and 12 mile run.  Since I was up in VT for the weekend, I did not have a route already mapped out.  I ate some eggs and toast and headed out in my car to clock a route.  A half hour later, I finally had a route picked out that incorporated lengthly hills (both up and down) and a beautiful winter scenery.  Finally I was ready to run!  I headed out and within the first mile struggled with very tight calf muscles.  I stopped briefly to try to stretch them out and then continued on my way.  When I reached half way I was feeling great.  I checked my blood sugar and ate a gu to refuel my body.  As I continued on the last six miles, it began to snow.  Luckily I had asked some friends to come check on me and supply me with some water.  Next thing I know I hear beep beep!  I turn to see a familiar face looking back at me.  Just when I was starting to slow down I got the boost of a friend cheering me on.  Perfect timing!!  As I approached the ten mile mark, the blizzard like conditions caused the visibility to decrease significantly.  I decided that since mile 11 was all along a stretch of the road with no sidewalks that I would cut my run short and stop where the sidewalk ended.  No matter how many miles were completed, it was another run for the books.
 

Friday (2/4/2011) – Friday is my favorite day of the week.  Not only is it one of the two days of the week that I do not have to run (yessss!), but it is also the start of the weekend :-)  The only thing on my mind on Friday nights is the long run I have ahead of me on Saturday morning.  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

 Thursday (2/3/2011) - This past Thursday was a quick workout that consisted of 3 miles of sprint jogs.  It was a beautiful night out in Boston, but I decided in order to get the most explosive sprint work in, the gym would be my best bet since the treadmill is typically not icy or slippery.  I did some stretching pre and post workout which had my entire workout complete in around 45 minutes. 

Until next time...

Another Blizzard

Wednesday (2/2/2011):  For my training, Wednesday always seems to be my day of struggle.  Not only were the roads covered in snow, ice and slush again, but it was pouring rain combined with a little sleet by the time I got home from work.  At the end of each block were huge puddles that were ankle deep and seemed to span a few feet wide.  Not wanting to run outside and risk slipping on the ice causing an injury, I knew my only option would be to hit the gym. Ughhh I hate running on the treadmill.  Good thing I shoveled my car off prior to heading into work this morning!  After bundling up to head back out to the gym, I get down to my car to only realize I had forgotten to grab my ice scrapper that was sitting by the door and of course my car was covered in a nice layer of solid ice.  Was this a sign I should stay home tonight and get things done that were on my To Do List?  Hmmm......Since my run was cut short yesterday I knew I had to get my miles in for the week.  So, instead of going all the way back upstairs and grabbing my ice scraper, I decided I was going to be stubborn (and maybe pout a little) and just sit in my car and wait until the ice melted.  15 minutes later, my car was finally ready to begin the journey to the gym.  The trip was slow and steady, and soon my car and I were at the gym in one piece.  Finally, the night felt as though I could successfully get my run in.  3 hard miles and nine pump up songs later my workout was done and I was free to go home and eat a delicious dinner.  yummmm.

Early Week Recap:

• Tuesday (2/1/2011):  Every Tuesday, City Sports on Boylston Street holds a Run Club that meets at 6:00pm.  Generally there are two loops that people run which begin and end at City Sports:
•  One loop is 3.5 miles and focuses on the Boston side of the Charles River
•  The other loop is 5 miles and heads along the Charles River on the Boston side, across Mass Ave to the Cambridge side of the River and then loops around the Museum of Science to finish up the final stretch of the run along Storrow Drive.
• This week only a few of the die hard runners showed up with everyone covered from head to toe in their night gear to be sure that drivers could see us.  It was blizzard like conditions with slush, snow and puddles everywhere.  Due to the fact that the running paths along the Charles River would not be nicely plowed, the six of us that committed to a run (even though we considered just running a block to the bar) completed a new route which was a 2.5 mile run through the park in the middle of Commonwealth Ave to Mass Ave and then back down Boylston Street.  The park was filled with beautifully lit trees that were a nice addition to our route.  However, there was also a layer of snow making our calf muscles work extremely hard just like when running along the beach.   Immediately we began thinking about warm weather and vacations, even though it was approximately 15 degrees F out.  The whole group ran together for the entire 2.5 miles and finished strong back down Boylston Street to the store.  
• Overall the run was challenging, but was completed with great friends who all shared in the excitement of another run completed.

• Monday (1/31/2011):  Knowing that yet another mid week blizzard was upon us, I got home from work and did a decent 3.2 mile loop around Boston which wrapped up with a couple hills.  Luckily most of the sidewalks were nicely cleared and dry which allowed for an awesome start to my training this week.