daily motivation

Keep Movin'

quick update

The weekly runs this past week were all short.

Tuesday 3.5 miles with hills. 90 degrees
Wednesday 3.40 miles with hills. + sprints afterwards 90 degrees.
Friday 4.0 miles 96 degrees.

i think the weather in Half Moon Bay will be a tad cooler, eh?

Gotta make it long on Sunday. 17-18 miles is goal

Keep Movin' Everyone. 28 days.

inter challenge challenge

So, as often is the case, I am back on another one of my "no sweets, no alcohol" kicks. Today marks DAY #9. Why did I do this?

1) I found I had been eating too much junk food recently; candy, cookies, & chips mostly. It's easy for me to rationalize eating this stuff since I am training, but while eating these things in the moment is sure tasty, it just doesn't feel too good afterwards.

2) Though I don't drink much, I feel better when I don't. Again, it's pretty easy to rationalize this during training, but bottom line, I feel better when I consume little to no alcohol. Even if I have 2-3 drinks a week, I can feel such a big difference.

3) I also just kinda get a kick out of challenging myself(big surprise, huh?). I make it into a game. I test myself. Even last night was a good test. I went out to one of my favorite places called Taqueria Del Sol. I will typically order a Margarita when I eat there so NOT ordering one was a challenge. I'm happy to report I did not "cave in".

The good thing about training is that many times after a workout, i will want nothing to do with sweets or alcohol just because my body feels so good from working out. My system will automatically crave something else.

So, with 9 days nearly complete and under my belt, I am feeling pretty good: my body feels "lighter" and definitely cleaner. As usual, the most difficult part is the first few days. By now, its becoming easier. My goal is to make it to race day. After race day, I will indulge...especially in a big fat gooey chocolate chip cookie. Good thing there are a few places in SF to fulfull this requirement: SPECIALTY'S BAKERY, anyone??

Daily Motivation

update

Month of July Running: approx 134 miles

August should be higher and then final push, then taper to race day on Sept. 25th

9 weeks to go

Howdy! Well, we are 9 weeks away from RACE DAY. 62 Days. I'm getting ready, but like every summer training in Atlanta, it has not been easy. I've been running outside and also taking advantage of the treadmill. We are getting into the time that no matter if i start running at 5:30am or 7:30am or 9:00am, it doesn't matter. Still tough conditions to run in. It's very easy to get frustrated by this, but I cannot allow myself to go down that path. I KNOW what the conditions are like this time of year. Deal with it. There's no whining in RUNNING

Looking back at my Running Journal, I see that I basically averaged about 75 miles a MONTH from JANUARY to JUNE. It's July 24th and I am already a little above 100 miles...So I know I am doing something right. My longest run has only been 12 miles, and I gotta get that cranking. Tried to go for 14 this morning, but just could not hack it. Struggled through 9 miles. Legs have been super tired. Otherwise, I feel fine. (knock on wood) I feel like my aerobic capacity is strong, but with my tired legs and the weather, it puts a damper on what i'm able to do. To help with my legs, I came home after the 9 miler and had a 10 min Ice bath. I've done these before and they help. I rested for a good part of the day and then tonight ran another 5.5 miles on treadmill. Felt pretty good.

I think I'm gonna mix up my schedule this week and maybe just do 2 runs during week and try for long run on Saturday, not Sunday. I just want to make sure my runs are QUALITY. A solid 15-16 miles will boost my spirits. Massage tomorrow will help heal the tired places.

All in all, my spirits are ok. What lifts my spirits are reading the other posts on here from y'all. You remind me how hard it is to get out and run 2 miles. Believe me, I have been there. You make me remember and appreciate. You bring me joy by your courage, your enthusiasm, and simply by finding out more about you. THANK YOU.

And, as always....KEEP MOVIN'

Daily Motivation

Keep Movin'

Been there...

I remember when I ran 2 miles as part of "training" during my years playing soccer. I played competitively until about age 20. I was living in Santa Rosa and would run from my little studio out and around the neighborhood. I ran through all the quaint streets surrounding the local high school and the Junior College. I was so proud of those 2 miles. So, believe me when I tell you that I understand how challenging it can be sometimes to even "think" of going further. I get it.
Even though I have been running road races for quite some time now, the marathon training is FAR FROM EASY. It's a daily commitment. If I am not running, I am thinking about the next run, planning for it. It's a challenge to get the weekday runs in when i am tired after work and have the choice between ridiculously hot/humid weather or more miles on treadmill. It's tough to get up early on weekends, thereby essentially not having any mornings of sleeping in. Wake up call during week isa bout 5:30am. Same on weekends now so i can beat the heat. And sometimes, I just flat out do not want to run. So, yes, I get it.

But then, the moment passes and I am inspired again. I am motivated again. To get out the door and put one foot in front of the other. To see what I've got on the given day. Today, was a scheduled rest day, but after meeting my friend at Piedmont Park after she completed her 1st 10k race, The Peachtree Road Race, i was all pumped up and jumping out of my skin. I was so happy for her and her accomplishment. So, I went to a park about 30 minutes away that I rarely go to anymore cause it is really not convenient to get to, especially during the week. It was about 84 degrees and 66% humidity at the time of 1030am. I ran for about 1 minute and stopped. Whoa, it is hot. Stopped. Reset watch. Started again. 3 miles and then 10 hill sprints. (2 sets of 5) It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a steep lil "f*#cker!





I think I look kinda mad in the photo...but i wasn't. Just hot and determined! :)

Done with 19+ miles over last 3 days. Tomorrow is rest day.

So, remember. When it gets tough for whatever reason, just put the shoes on. Just go one more block, one more 1/2 mile, one more song on the iPOD.

You can do it.

Double duty

It's easy to think I will get in a second run in the evening.
It's easy to get ready and get on the treadmill after running in the humid conditions in the morning.
It's easy to push the start button.

It's something entirely different to keep going and finish what I started.

Happy to have done so.

8 miles in AM
4.25 miles in PM
A good day