Week 2: Running Weaknesses

This week has been much better in terms of running conditions, the boiling temperatures have waned a bit allowing for a much more pleasant (and crowded) morning run.  It’s because of the more crowded trails that I realize now (or perhaps confirmed) that I recognize my weakness when it comes to running.

Before I go into details about my fun week 2, I want to give a special shout out to Kelly over at www.foodiefresh.com. As part of her awesome website, she has a great feature called “I am a runner” which she graciously allowed to me participate. You can find the feature here and get to know me a little better, along with the tons of other brilliant, amazing runners (P.S.- her recipies…kickass).

Every runner has a weakness, whether they want to admit it or not. Bad knee, weak ankles, inability to get up for the early AM runs… whatever it may be, the best way to get over that is to mentally prepare and strengthen that weakness. I discovered mine while running Wednesday and it is not your typical weakness. Sure I have a bad knee and sweat so much it is practically blinding, but these things pale in comparison to what I am about to tell you.

My parent's dog, Bailey-so cute I just want to squeeze him!

Puppies. My biggest running weakness is puppies. You can ask any person who has walked down the street with me, I simply cannot resist the adorable little fur balls. This desire to pet every puppy/dog that comes within reaching distance also applies to the trail. Perhaps it is because, while I view my trainings as serious, I don’t take myself seriously when I run. Like any other person going through the trials of training, I of course want to lower my mile splits and get a new PR but, at the same time, if I am not having fun while I run, what is the point? Running is my escape and I never feel more relax than when I am on the trail and legging out mile after mile. 10 minutes is the time I estimated I spent over the course of 5 miles playing with the plethora of puppies on the W O&D early Wednesday morning. I very easily could have fit another mile in during that time. Perhaps I should just be grateful that the Philly Marathon doesn’t allow dogs to run the race, or else I might be in serious danger of being picked up by the slow bus.

Week1: Early mornings and Cola Slurpees

My name is Patricia, and I am a sheep. "Why?" you may ask. It's simple. I try to take in as much information as I can about running and once I read about something that works, I automatically want to try it myself. As someone who prides herself on being an individual, it takes a lot for me to willingly follow the crowd, but in this instance I am very much willing to do so.

As you will easily be able to see, I am an avid Runner's World reader. In this last issue, there was a fantastic article about ways to beat the heat, which, as I not so subtly mentioned in my last post has been pretty overwhelming. A balmy 103 degree day was predicted for Saturday, the day of my first long run of training. I don't do well in the heat to begin with, but running 8 miles in it? It was going to be a challenge, but one that I was completely up for overcoming. I mapped out my day and was determined to finish my long run without feeling too terrible.

There are certain sacrifices every runner makes when in training. For me, a small amount of the sacrifice is social. As I was in the midst of shutting off my alarm clock, which went off at 3:30am, two people entered my house. My roommate, after a long night out on the town, and my boyfriend, coming to my house after working a long night shift and driving down to see me. While the rest of the world was getting ready for amazing evenings and shenanigans, I was on the couch, winding down and getting ready for my 9:00pm bed time. Of course I would rather be out on the town, sipping on a miller lite and dancing, but I have my priorities. And so the alarm clock buzzed and I was ready to prep for my day as the rest of the world was ending theirs.

I read in runner's world that lowering your body temperature before a long run in the heat will help your endurance. Baahh. And so my day began, with a road trip up the hill to my 7-11 for a deliciously ice cold big gulp sized Coke slurpee (just like in the article...did i say baah yet?).  My typical pre-run food of hot oatmeal with peanut butter was not going to cut it this morning and so I settled for a croissant with peanut butter and a banana. The weary lady behind the counter allowed me a moment to snap the picture to the left as a small line of exhausted third-shifters and intoxicated bar-goers formed behind me. Apparently, I wasn't the only person who thought that a slurpee at 4:00am was a good idea. And so I gathered my supplies, and went home to continue with this early charade.

After my delicious mini-mart breakfast, I changed into one of my favorite running outfit, to make sure that I was able to be seen in the darkness- my lime green brooks tech shirt, light grey running capris and my  slap bracelet reflectors-- I was ready for anything. I took the time for a good 20 minute stretch to ensure that I was ready for what was ahead. The last touch- I added my utility belt, complete with water, Gatorade, and shot blocks, tied my beautiful brooks shoes and I was ready to go.  I felt like a neon wonder woman, but without the awesome hair. The clock read 5:15am and I exited my house and headed into the 92 degree darkness to start my warm up, ready to conquer the 8 miles that lay in front of me.

The one benefit of being a runner is that often you are able to see things that others miss because of your hours. I can tell you right now, running along the W O&D trail and watching the sun rise over the trees, it is one of the most beautiful things I've seen in my life.The trail itself, once the sun rose, started to get crowded, even at the 6am hour. But that only made it more amazing. Despite the heat, everyone was still determined to get their miles in (Perhaps this is just me, but instead of admiring the toned bodies of the shirtless male runners, I was more horrified that, in this intense heat and humidity, they didn't carry any water with them). I slowed my pace as the sun, and with it the temperature, rose and just took in the trail and the sounds of the early morning. Every single step and every mile that ticked by, I only felt stronger and simple burst with pride, and I had done everything right to make this work.  I was back at my house an hour and 45 minutes later, exhausted, but accomplished, completing my 8 miles, without injury or dehydration and feeling triumphant. Yes, it was only 8 miles, and I have many many more to go, but perhaps, after all, I can do this whole marathon thing...

Week 1: Hot Hot Heat and the perseverance of runners.

Just in case you haven't set foot outside in the last week, the east coast is in the middle of a brutal heat wave. The hardest hit area happens to be the nation's capital, where I just so happen to live, work and train.

All over the television and internet people are warned of the excruciating heat and the need to stay hydrated and stay out of the sun. I understand the warning and the need to stay out of these conditions, but it's the first week of marathon training. The time of year that I waited oh so impatiently for, literally counting down the days until I could say I was training for my first marathon. How could I stay out of this heat if it meant putting myself behind schedule not even 7 days into the "season"?

I know a lot of people (including my mother) would suggest that I run inside on the treadmill. I understand that it would be the smart thing to do in this instance, especially considering the metro newspapers headlines feature the soaring temperatures (pre-heat index). But ever since I started running on the trail, I just can't run on a treadmill. I understand that sounds silly, but I guess I would just rather run in a really large circle than stand still. It's not the same as training outside- there is no change in elevation, no change of pace unless you change it and for me, just not as enjoyable as running outside. And if  Philadelphia is having a freak heat wave at the end of November, I will not have the option of running on the treadmill for the actual race.

I knew that marathon training was not going to be easy, I thought much better than convincing myself it would be a cakewalk. I did not, however, foresee the first week of training being quite like this. As part of my training I ran 5 miles the other day. Normally, running at 6:00am would prove to be at least a little cooler, but thanks to the increasingly bad conditions, 6:00am provided me with an extremely humid temperature of 90 degrees, steadily rising with the heat index climbing even faster. I felt like I was breathing with a towel over my face the whole time. Easily, those were the five hardest miles I have ever run. The one thing through all of it, which completely amazed (but didn't surprise) me, was the fact that despite the heat, there were still a TON of people on the trail. The faces, though a little more red than normal, are the same that I've seen week after week along the trail, still plugging away. People were still friendly and encouraging and while it seemed everyone moved just a little slower (as is the suggested way to go in these conditions) a little heat way did nothing to deter these runners. We runners are a different breed. We put ourselves through rigorous training in obscene conditions and all the while enjoy it. Other people often call us crazy, but I think sometimes, you need to be a little crazy to want to do this (For those that are looking for ways to deal with the heat and steps to take to prevent injury or worse, check out Runner's World Running in the Heat pages. It's got some great advice, which I use to help me through these tough runs).

Borrowed from: http://fightstyle.net

To supplement my running, I  plan on doing some class at the YMCA. So far I have been able to get both the Power Boxing and the Jazz Funk class in. The Power Boxing class.... it's intense to say the least. I can remember as a kid doing a wheelbarrow race and it being fun. I guess when You have to do that 30 minutes into an intense exercise the fun is masked by the pain of supporting your body on your weakened arms. Not to mention the cruel instructor throwing in 2 minutes of burpies 58 minutes into class.... Holy Abs workout batman! There is a wide range of athleticism in this class, but it's a great workout and something that I will continue for the next couple weeks, barring any injury.

The National Capital Area YMCA

Now Jazz Funk on the other hand can best be described... well as the total opposite. This class is intense, but not quite in the same way. Outside of the jazz and tap classes I took when I was much younger, I have no real dance background. However, ever since I read the description, this class has called to me. I took it for the first time this week, and it is a low impact FANTASTIC workout that brings fun to the workout. Each session, a combination of steps are created, which are a great workout for your core. The key to this class, is that while it is difficult, you are laughing and having fun the entire time. Hopefully one day, I will be able to keep up with the gracefully skill ladies in the class. Until then, I just might stick to the back.

For now, I just need to focus on staying healthy, hydrated, and getting sleep. Tomorrow is my first long run of marathon training, and in order to beat the heat, I'll be hitting  the trail at 5:00am. Perhaps I can turn into a morning person as well as a dancer by the time this whole thing is through....

Week 1: Cross Training and getting into the groove.

To all of you Hal Higdon trainers who hope to do the Philadelphia Full Marathon in November- Happy First Week of Marathon Training!! I almost could not sleep because I was so excited to begin this journey. It's crazy to think that the marathon is so far away (123 days), yet, at the same time, oh so close!

Because of my busy travel schedule, I have "adjusted" my plan to work a little better with my life. Instead of resting on Mondays, I will now be doing cross-training. Often, people do not realize the resourses that need to go into training for a marathon. Of course the most obvious is the time that you need to dedicate to train, but also all of the equipment that is need, from shoes and running gear, to fuel and cross training, it all really adds up. This is not me complaining, there is not a single person that is forced into running a marathon, but I just think it's worth noting that to do it properly, it's truly an investment on several levels.

I started Monday, by swimming 30 minutes at my gym, the local YMCA, that is conveniently located 3 short blocks from my office. Of course, I needed to make sure that I had all of the proper gear for 18 weeks of chlorine filled cross training and I purchased a suit, cap and goggle.

I  won't lie, I originally saw a finding nemo swim cap that I desperately wanted (perhaps in an attempt to make it a little more fun) but alas, I am not a child and the cap did not fit my noggin (believe me I tried). And so I settled for my fantastically bright cap and neutral goggles. I promise there is not a single person in the lap pool that will be able to miss me as I go swimming by.

One of the reasons that I thought that swimming would be best for me, was the low impact and the assumption that it was going to be easy. Let me tell you right now: I have a new found respect for all people that decide to do triathlons and iron mans. Towards the end of the 30 minutes of laps, I really thought that I was going to drown. Even now, two days later, my shoulders and abs still hurt and my legs are still a little heavy. OUCH. The person that spread the rumor that swimming is "easy" must have been a mermaid! Perhaps after a couple of weeks I will change my tune, but for now, I'll struggle through it.

For the first couple of weeks (and perhaps continuing on after, depending on how I feel) I am attempting to do 2-a-days. I will be running in the morning, (3, 5, 3 miles this week) and doing some classes at the gym at night. Thanks to a work networking event, I missed the body pump class last night, (strength training- weights) but I am extremely excited to attend my Power Boxing class tonight. Yes, perhaps it is a little crazy to attempt to do all of this, but I really want to be in top shape, and I think that, if I treat my body right, eat correctly, and most importantly, have fun, I will be able to tackle this marathon without a problem.

The Beginning of a Journey: 26.2 miles of self preservation.

It is amazing to me the series of events that happen to get you to where you are today. I am not one to live in the past; I would rather learn from it. There have been many things, both good and bad that have shaped my life. Especially in this past year, I have come to realize that I am a much stronger than I had ever thought. For most of my life, I have put others first. While I am not looking to be completely selfish, I  realize now that it is time to put myself first. I'm learning to love myself all over and, perhaps most importantly, proving to myself that I am indeed worth it.

This blog will serve as an unadulterated story of my journey to prove to myself that I am capable of achieving something that I've set my sights on: crossing the finish line after 26.2 hard fought miles. Both the good and the bad will be depicted, as all things shape a person. From the challenges I face- setting and meeting goals, recalling life experience of all forms I plan to share my journey with you. With pictures, videos and just old fashioned story telling, I hope to inspire those around me (including myself) to live life to the fullest and prove that you really can achieve anything when you set your mind to it.

My journey may not be typical, but I am anything less than a typical girl. My life, through my passions, hobbies, those around me, and (because it is me) my emotions, I hope to document my journey and see just how far I've gone, well beyond the 26.2 that will get me to the finish line.