Ten Days and Counting

I haven't run for 10 days.

Today would make it eleven if I don't get out and hit the pavement.

I've been tangled up in Holiday This and End of the Year That. But today is the first day I am feeling it physically. I feel like someone took my back and shoulders and tied them in a knot.

I'm pretty sure the stress is getting to me too. I'm cranky and I can almost feel a migraine trying to wrap it's evil fingers around my brain.

Doubt is also trying to creep in. Trying to make a home for itself in the self-loathing part of my brain. Asking me "Who I thought I was fooling! A Runner! HA!" It spits at me.

I'm not going to let that stop me!

I will not let Doubt live in my head rent free!

I don't know for how long or how far I will go but I WILL RUN TODAY!

Twenty

Friday, I set my mind on it and even daydreamed running portions of it, running strong and happy. I was quite excited to finally reach my goal.

But Saturday ... oh, Saturday.

I will go through the break down as a list:

• I woke up to find I had snoozed away an hour causing me to start my run an hour later than I had planned. But I still got up.
• I got dressed and realized my pants running pants weren't fitting right ... not a bad thing necessarily but bad timing to say the least.
• I started to prepare my pre-run meal of a PBJ but found that we were out of Jelly. I replaces it with Guava but found that the bread was stale so after two bites I couldn't eat it anymore.
• I started to work on my race hydration camelbak filling it with water and Gatorade powder and found that I hadn't taken care of it last week as I should have after my dismal run and mold had gotten to it.
  
• I was out of Shotbloks ... so I just went without.

Something was just out to stop this 20-miler from happening!?!

But did I let that stop me!?!

HECK NO!

What saved the day?

• The cold front that is currently in our area was just getting started making the weather absolutely wonderful.
• My Nathan's Handheld bottle I got a giveaway by Fair Weather Runner's(Thank you AGAIN!?!)
• My absolute stubbornness! :)
• and finally, Mr. Boyfriend who got worried after I hadn't come home and went out to get me and found me two blocks away from home cause I stopped running right after twenty miles and couldn't get started again.

When I got home I gave my legs a rinse in cold water for a good 10 minutes (just let the cold water run on my legs) and I put on my compressions socks and by the afternoon I was A-OK!

Today I'm set for a 6 mile recovery run! Hope that cold front behaves itself ;}

Have a great day!

The Clouds They ThreatenedRain

All morning the rain clouds threatened.

It rained for a few hours in the afternoon.

Then it stopped resumed to threaten.

When I got off work, I looked up at the clouds in defiance and got changed into my running clothes. I was going to go to the running park this afternoon no matter what.

When I arrived at the park, the clouds seemed to grimace and as I stretched a sparse drop would fall every few moments on my back but I was not deterred.

I started my warm up and ended up walking a half mile before I decided that if any running was to get done I needed to get to going.

Warm-Up - .5 mi Walk - 8:32.34

Then I got moving:

Mile 1 - 10:44.37
Recover - 6:15.68

I thought I would repeat the same, as I would in a tempo run but then:

Mile 2 - 10:40.23
Mile 3 - 10:35.94

Then I caught up with a couple of guys and we got to talking about the Miami Runner's Club and I finished off the last mile with them:

Cool-down - 1 mi Jog - 11:40.04

As I stretched and got into my car, the rain began, as if it was waiting for me to finish before it began to pour down.

This is the first time I've ever done negative splits. I am very much loving this improvement. Another great run to round out the week!

We are in for a cold front this weekend but it's not slated to start until Saturday evening, leaving me Saturday morning for my long 20 miler. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Happy Friday!

Thankfully Thursday

Phew ... Thursday sure took a long time to get here this week. It's flight was probably delayed due to the holidays or may it got stuck in holiday traffic but thankfully it's here now safe and sound ;)

So a few things have happened since I last wrote:

• Mr. Boyfriend and I had a wonderful Italian Dinner at a local little hole in the wall. It was unplanned and unexpected and they ended up having our favorite wine (which is less than common) and everything.
• I had a great 7 miler last night.
  
  

  1.00	0:10:49
  0.25	0:03:08
  1.00	0:10:45
  0.50	0:06:25
  0.50	0:06:08
  1.00	0:12:53
  1.00	0:13:10
  1.00	0:13:47
  1.00	0:12:47
  0.16	0:02:18

  
  It was supposed to be a tempo run with a warm-up of 1 mile, 4 repeats of 1600 at 10:49 with a 400 meter recovery jog after each repeat and a cool down of 1 mile.
  
  Granted that I was only able to do the first 2 of the 4 repeats but that's the most I've done to date and I am quite happy with that ... for now ;) The rest of the miles were neither here nor there but they got done and I'm happy with that too.
  
  Final stats:
  Distance: 7.41
  Time: 1:32:10
  Pace: 12:26

• And after my run and my shower and laid out to get my relaxation on and I saw that the lovely people at POM emailed me that they will be sending me some POM Wonderful to try since my blog has quality tips and ideas on how to live a healthier lifestyle. I was quite honored. I can't wait to try out their product and maybe some new recipes ;)

We are now one week out ... that's 7 days ... from Christmas Eve!

There are only two weeks left ... that's 14 days ... in this year and in this DECADE! Wow, that one flew by!

We are 45 days out from the ING Miami Marathon!

Have a great day!

I may have lost the battle but I will not lose the WAR!

This Saturday, I set out on my first 20 mile run ...

... and it got started relatively well ...

... until at about the end of mile 4 ...

... I RAN OUT OF GAS!

Now, I normally run more than 4 miles. My short runs now range from 5 to 7 miles. But something just went wrong :(

But I pushed on.

The miles felt like forever and each one stretched longer and longer as I slowed more and more.

Then it happened.

I ran out of fluids :(

Mind you I was carrying 64 oz of Gatorade.

But I ran out in 10 miles, it took closer to 18 miles last time.

I was dehydrated.

I remembered I hadn't really hydrated at all during the previous days.

And that was it.

I hobbled home after barely completing 10 miles.

I recalculated in my head and decided I could consider this a rest week and attack again next week!

I may have lost the battle but I will not lose the WAR! :)


Have a great day!

Happy Hanukkah!

Ok, so I spoke to soon the Garmin ... turns out it did have a little Glitch (probably user issues ;} But I am very much enjoying the fact that I don't need a foot pod and the extra features are fun (and I'm still discovering more :) Yesterday's run was alot more accurate :) A friend told me about the pace feature that predicts when you will finish the lap so it's easier to know how much you need to push yourself to get the pace you are looking for. LOVE IT!?!

So it turns out I did about 7 miles on Wednesday and Thursday ... so today I rest and tomorrow I go for 20!

I am still on target for my 900 mile in 2009 Challenge ... but that also means I will be running some 100 miles over the next 20 days ... YIKES!

Wishing everyone a Happy Friday and a Happy Hanukkah!

Test Drive: Garmin Forerunner 305

So I got my Garmin Forerunner 305 yesterday and of course I couldn't wait to take that puppy for a test drive.

I didn't have a route planned and I really didn't feel like going out but the newness of the the Garmin got me out there.

As I walked from my door to the where my running path begins, I fiddle with the Garmin but it keep displaying LOCATING SATELLITES.

I was concerned but as I arrived to my Start Point it started to receive the signal.

I did a few stretches and positioned my self at the start line only to find that it was LOCATING SATELLITES again.

I waited a few seconds and decided that if I waited I would lose my nerve and end up walking home (i.e. FAIL!) and I was not about to let that happen.

I pressed start and just got going!

I kept a watchful eye on the screen for the first half mile and NOTHING.

Oh, well and I just kept running!

At about 3/4 miles I took another peak and the screen was lit up with numbers but something must have gone WONKY because it read that I was running an 8 minute mile and that I had covered 2.5 miles (when I KNEW I HADN'T). I could believe the 8 minute mile part because I do run that fast in short bursts but I knew I hadn't covered that distance by any means.

When I went over my stats later, I noted that for a burst in that first half mile I was recorded as going 242 miles per hour (That's the weird distance jetting south on the map and which is OF COURSE, IMPOSSIBLE!)

It also said that I had covered 7.72 miles, while my DailyMile Map says I did something closer to 6 miles.

When my other Garmin did WEIRD things like that I would just remove that portion of the run and allow it to recalculate but because I had not set it to AUTO LAP I couldn't ... POOH! (I set it up now!)

I am also excited to start playing with the Virtual Partner and Tempo run settings.

Thank goodness it's Thursday!

Never say you can't!

I was checking out my google reader when I saw that Mel at 2nd Chances posted an Inspiration Showcase: Episode 3 Whatever It Takes about Margaret Hagerty who holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to have completed a marathon on each of the seven continents at 81 years, 101 days



Do whatever it takes to get over the Hump-Day!

Eliza

Migraines Mondays & Temperate Tuesdays

BAD NEWS: I haven't been feeling too great for the last 24 hours or so. I had a MILD migraine (i.e. Level 3 migraine on my migraine scale). It is my regular monthly migraine (the one I get every month right before my visit from Mother Nature).

GOOD NEWS: I have officially pretty much reduced my migraines from 4 out of 7 days a week (i.e. 180 days a year ... i.e. 15 days a month ... i.e. every other day) to 1 day a month and I no longer have Excruciatingly-Painful-persistent-hot-flashes-can-not-stand-light-or-sound-nausea/vomiting-crying-from-pain-Need-to-go-to-the-Hospital-Migraines (i.e. Level 10 migraine on my migraine scale)

That being said, my little Level 3 did knock me off my workout plan yesterday, POOH!

I was totally lazy and ended up having Pizza for dinner and Publix Moose Tracks Ice Cream for dessert (i.e. creamy chocolate ice cream with scrumptious peanut butter cups and rich Moose Tracks Fudge) making yesterday a total Eating Healthy and Light FAIL!?!

But I did do something good!

While I lazily watched TV and Facebooked and toyed on the computer, I noted the price had gone considerably down on the Garmin Forerunner 305 (probably due to the Garmin Forerunner 310XT which is waterproof).

So, I went ahead and ordered it as my Christmas Present to Myself!?!

I do admit I am a bit of Stat-Lover! It keeps me motivated and getting out there regardless of the fact that they aren't the most impressive STATS ... they are MY STATS and I LOVE THEM!

I also promised myself I needed to start taking my paces more seriously and working on some speed is going to be my next FOCUS!

So, this morning I drowsily opened my eyes to check the time to see if I could squeeze in another 5 minutes before the alarm rang and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT: I WAS LATE!!!!

Alarm was set for 5:15 ... Alarm clock read 6:05! YIKES!

But instead of rolling over and getting another hour of sleep, I jumped up and rushed out the door!

Score 1 for me!

It was a beautiful TEMPERATE morning: 69° degrees with 93% humidity.

Today's run was a recovery run so I decide to keep it easy.

Mile 1: 0:12:19
Mile 2: 0:12:50
Mile 3: 0:13:25
Mile 4: 0:12:06
Extra: 0:05:18

I didn't get into it until another runner passed me as I started Mile 4 ... she wasn't the first one of the day ... but she made me realize I could run faster and that I was just being ... well ... LAZY!

I realized I need to focus more and push my body!

I haven't run a Great-Outstanding-Wanna-Puke run in ... well .... AGES!

I know that doesn't sound attractive but it's how I know I've run my all!

I realized haven't been pushing myself and just let myself run COMFORTABLY which is probably ABSOLUTELY why I have been slowing down the more I run!

Final stats:

Distance: 4.45
Time: 0:55:59
Pace: 12:35

Lesson learned: I can't just let my body decide my speed, I need to keep my head in the game!

Today I plan to do a DOUBLE-UP!

Don't worry it probably won't become a habit! But because I ran in the AM I am going to do some of my Strength Training to make up at least a little part of yesterday's workout ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Notes on my 18 Miler

Today I would like to do a re-cap of my 18 miler (mostly for my own posterity and incase I need to review my long run strategies at a later date)

Pre-Run Meal: 1/3 cup of Apple Juice & Spirulina and half of a PBJ on Potato Bread.

I used my 2 liter (64 ounce) camel back with Orange Gatorade. I was concerned about the calories being that I am going on nice long run and burning about 1600 calories but then I did the math and the Gatorade would be 400 calories and the 4 shot blocks would be another 132 calories that I would be in taking through it so I figured it would be ok. (Yes, this is the stuff I think about while I run).

I wanted to start running at my regular pace like on Friday (I'm not very fast and I really perfer not to slow down anymore than I have to) but I knew it would probably be better if I didn't and I guess my body agreed and my run went something like this:

Mile 1	0:12:13	4.91
Mile 2	0:12:31	4.79
Mile 3	0:13:06	4.58
Mile 4	0:12:51	4.67
Mile 5	0:13:02	4.60
Mile 6	0:13:27	4.46
Mile 7	0:12:20	4.86 *
Mile 8	0:12:23	4.85
Mile 9	0:13:51	4.33
Mile 10	0:12:46	4.70
Mile 11	0:13:12	4.55
Mile 12	0:12:40	4.74
Mile 13	0:13:08	4.57
Mile 14	0:12:27	4.82
Mile 15	0:12:48	4.69
Mile 16	0:12:53	4.66
Mile 17	0:12:28	4.81
Mile 18	0:13:00	4.62
Extra	0:00:20	3.60

* Stopped the clock for potty break.

I tried to keep my Garmin at about 4.8 and after the first 6 or 7 or so miles started using a walk-run method. My watch was set to beap at a 5:1 ration but I tended to skip every other walk break giving me a 12:1 walk ratio instead.

For the first time, I experienced HUNGER on a run. At about mile 10 my stomach was rumbling as if I hadn't eaten in days. I started to use the shot bloks more frequently at this point (I had only had 1 up to this point) so I started having a portion of one ( i cut mine in fours to make them bite sized) every half mile or so.

I also feel like maybe I was over hydrating because towards the end my stomach felt sloshy but when I got home, Mr. Boyfriend did his PALENESS inspection and I got the seal of approval. I was happy to earn since I didn't get it on my 15 miler, he said I looked pale and tired and I had dark bags under my eyes, but not this time. I think HYDRATION was the KEY!

In Review - Week of November 30th:

Full Marathon Training Week 10 of 18:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	36.93 Miles	4.82	4
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 07:47:12
Total Running Time: 10:07:17

I was so happy when I got my Daily Mile Weekly Training Report.

I was at the top of the leader board this week! It was my first time :)

I no longer have any doubts about being able to complete the FULL MARATHON! My 18 miler got me hyped up! I CAN SO DO THIS! :)

Next thing to work on is improving that time ;)

Happy Monday!

Weekend Debriefing

I started off the weekend getting my 5 miler in before partaking in any festivities. It went really well.

Distance: 5.15 miles
Time: 1:00:00
Pace: 11:39

Finally a sub-12 min run. I hadn't been able to get sub-12 since the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale almost 3 weeks ago.

Then Mr. Boyfriend and I headed up for a well earned evening out to listen to some live music and spend some time with friends.

I pushed my Saturday 16 miler to Sunday because I knew we'd be getting home late ... and I was right ;}

Saturday slipped away in languid restful glory watching way too much TV and Taco Bell for dinner.

I tired to do a little core work but after trying a repeat of this core workout, I only got through the first set.

I was able to get to sleep early and up at 5am to find absolutely perfect long run weather. For me that now is: 61 degrees, 91% humidity, and overcast.

I set out for my longest run to date: 16 Miles.

I was worried, afraid and doubtful but I set out anyway and was holding my planned pace steady until at about 6 miles I got a rumbly in my tumbly and took the turn back home to use the rest room. I was afraid I would be cut short and end up with something in the 7 mile range.

Oh, Pooh!

But restroom break and a refill on my Camelbak later, I was out again.

I started running the same path all over again but this time after finishing it I ended up above and beyond what I was hoping for!

Finally tally:

Distance: 18.02 miles
Time: 3:51:02
Pace: 12:49

I have slain the 16 mile monster and the 18 mile monster with one shot and within my pace range! Yay me!

Hope everyone enjoys what's left of the weekend!

Two for Two Hundread

Well, Hello There, Mr. 200th Post!

When I started this blog I could not fathom ever seeing you but 10 months (or so) later ... here we are!

We've seen many things over the last 200 posts from a weekend in Austin to romp across the 7 Mile Bridge to learning how to ride a bicycle in your 30s to signing of for a FULL 26.2 MARATHON to the start of making a replica of Lafayette's Afghan to completing a half marathon and keeping up with my friends to running with a stranger and actually enjoying it (geesh, that was a mouth full ;)

Who knew!

So what do I have planned over the next 100 posts you ask?

• New Years in Miami (a photo shoot :)
• Finishing up that Afghan
  
• The ING Miami Marathon
• Possibly a trip to the PR (Puerto Rico) to visit the family
  
• The 13.1 Miami Beach
  
• Completion of the 100 Push-up / 200 Sit-up / 200 Squat Challenge
  

Speaking of which, I finally got started and completed Week 3: Day 1 yesterday as part of my Strength Training Session (the first in 45 days)

The session of went like this:

Used: 8 Pound Weights

Skipped the starters and went straight for the meat!

Exercise
Push-Ups W3:L3:D1
Sit-Ups W3:L3:D1
Squats W3:L3:D1
Tricep Push Down
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Press
Dips
Bicep Curls
Chest Flys
Dead Lift Squats
Side Leg Lifts
Bent Knee Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Leg Lifts
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Bicycle Crunch
Under-The-Leg-Lift
Calf Raise Squats


I am not sore per se but this morning I did have a faint memory in my muscles that I had worked out. I'm wondering if I need to up the intensity a little bit or switch up some exercises? (any tips?)

Today I have an easy 5 miler on deck and a fun evening out with friends which is causing me to push my 16 miler to Sunday.

I'm actually getting excited about my long run this week! Who knew?

Happy Friday!

Black Toe Nails and Blisters and Calluses, oh my!

**WARNING**
This might get gross!
**WARNING**

So my feet look like a carnival of foot issues!

I am currently suffering from two toe nails in the process of falling off (one with blood, one without), a recurring blister on my pinky toe that have graduated to a blood blister and a strange kind of cork-screw calluses on the side of my toe (is that even possible) along with the regular calluses all over the place!

I am wondering if after two months (approx 170 miles logged) of running my shoes no longer fit right?

Is that possible?

Since my Post-Half-marathon-Slow-Down (two weeks ago) my foot issues have quadrupled!?!

Why don't I go get a pedicure, you ask?

Because the poor woman will freak the hell out at the sight of my feet! They never understand WHY I RUN! I have a sneaking suspicion they don't believe that I run (because in their heads Chubby Chicks aren't Runners) and they are silently thinking I am some sort of S&M Foot Demolishing Menace!

I didn't have this many issues before?

I've also developed a recurring hip-pinch which seems to be easily cured by a foam rolling session post run.

I know I am not stretching nearly enough!

I wonder if all this is happening because of my slow down?

Which I also know is happening because I have stopped my cross-training which was highly beneficial in that it's what was keeping my knees and other body parts from aching!

Hmmm ... Better get moving all increasing cross-training and stretching!

Or we will have more repeats of last night:

Distance: 8.12 miles
Time: 1:46:02
Pace: 13:02

Why do I keep seeing Slow Poke Ramirez (Speedy Gonzalez' Slower Cousin) in my head!

Happy Thursday!

Ok, I get it!

So, last night I had dinner with one of my Running Buddies (i.e. my mom) and I was telling her how demoralized I was after the Half and how hard it was to get motivated for this full marathon. I admitted that as I looked at my training schedule I was starting to fear the miles. She gave me a pep talk and told me it would not be a defeat to wait and do the marathon a little later when I felt more ready.

It didn't really help but I know she's right.

When I got home and chilled out for the evening, I got a call from her to change the channel because the Biggest Loser was on. Not being a avid watcher I was not too interested until she told me they were running a marathon this episode. (Read Episode Recap here)

A sign!

I watched the final four Biggest Loser candidates and shared in their trials and tribulations through the 26.2 mile course. I got so inspired I started doing squats during the show! It renewed my Marathon Motivation!

I'm excited about today's run and tomorrows and the following one!

It was definitely something I needed to see!

I finally get what the hype is about! I am a Biggest Loser convert :)

Getting Back in the Swing

So, yesterday's run didn't totally suck.

It went something like:

Mile one: My legs were cramping and knotting to no end
Mile two: I felt like I couldn't breathe
Mile three: Slow but Steady
Mile four: I like to run!
Mile five: I missed running, why did I ever stop!

So, I am getting back into the swing of it.

and here are last months stats:

In Review - Month of November

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	102.79 Miles	5.04	16
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 20:41:46

Happy Tuesday!