Tuesday, March 8, 2011
New Goals
I am a goal-oriented person. For the past 13 months, I had the Disney Princess race to motivate me. Now I need new goals!
In 2011, I hope to participate in at least one more 5K, 10K and half-marathon. I am thinking that I may do a 10K in April, at least one 5K in early to mid-summer, and the Women's Half in Nashville in September. Of course, that leaves several more months in 2011, so I may add something else in the last few months. Training for the half in September will be tough for me because I have the kids 24/7 during the summer (which I love, but it does make solo mommy activities difficult), and we will have baseball tournaments on many weekends. I am going to do my best to get the training done because I think that I will enjoy another women's event.
Since running has dominated my posting lately, I'll move on to new topics for a while, but I wanted to set my goals. That keeps me motivated!
In 2011, I hope to participate in at least one more 5K, 10K and half-marathon. I am thinking that I may do a 10K in April, at least one 5K in early to mid-summer, and the Women's Half in Nashville in September. Of course, that leaves several more months in 2011, so I may add something else in the last few months. Training for the half in September will be tough for me because I have the kids 24/7 during the summer (which I love, but it does make solo mommy activities difficult), and we will have baseball tournaments on many weekends. I am going to do my best to get the training done because I think that I will enjoy another women's event.
Since running has dominated my posting lately, I'll move on to new topics for a while, but I wanted to set my goals. That keeps me motivated!
Labels: Running
Monday, March 7, 2011
Out of the Mouths of Babes
My Best Girl wanted to take my (very nice) half-marathon medal to show her kindergarten class, so I told her I would bring it in for her when I came to volunteer (there was no way it was making the journey in her backpack). On Friday, she held it up in front of the class and received a round of ooohs and aaaahs.
Then one of the kids asked me, "Did you win?" I laughed and said no, and another child immediately said, "Did you come in second?" I said no again and explained that I finished 3000 something (3708 out of 13,000+ women to be exact). One of the kids said, "Wow. They shouldn't have even let you have a medal!" So funny!
Although the kids in her class were not impressed with my finish, my Best Girl has been my encourager throughout this entire training process. When I arrived home last week, she gave me this:
In case you can't tell, that's a crown that says, "Yay Mom" and a "Good Job." I am thankful for my cheerleader!
Then one of the kids asked me, "Did you win?" I laughed and said no, and another child immediately said, "Did you come in second?" I said no again and explained that I finished 3000 something (3708 out of 13,000+ women to be exact). One of the kids said, "Wow. They shouldn't have even let you have a medal!" So funny!
Although the kids in her class were not impressed with my finish, my Best Girl has been my encourager throughout this entire training process. When I arrived home last week, she gave me this:
In case you can't tell, that's a crown that says, "Yay Mom" and a "Good Job." I am thankful for my cheerleader!Labels: Me, My Best Girl, Running
Friday, March 4, 2011
My Princess Marathon Weekend, Part Three (The Final Chapter)
After the race, Rachel and I headed back to the resort for a quick shower. Once we were clean, we boarded a bus for Hollywood Studios. I wore the "I Did It" shirt that Rachel gave me, and we both sported our medals. It was so fun to see all the women wearing their medals in the parks. It felt like we were part of a special Disney sisterhood. :)
It was about 11:15, and we snagged one of the last sets of Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania. While we were excited to obtain the precious Fastpasses, we were slightly bummed by the 8:00 PM return time. We didn't know if we would be able to hold out until then (remember we woke up at 3:30 AM), but we decided to wait and see.
We hopped aboard a Friendship boat and headed to Epcot. This was the first of several boat rides during the day, and my legs appreciated them all. Once we arrived at Epcot, we grabbed some Fastpasses for Soarin', and then walked around the World Showcase in search of lunch. We weren't sure what we wanted, but we knew we were looking for something we we wouldn't do with our children. We ended up in France.
Our lunch was delicious, and it was so fun to enjoy a nice, relaxing meal. I don't think I have mentioned the weather, but the entire weekend was sunny with highs in the mid-eighties and lows around 60 (perfect). During lunch, the sun was streaming in the windows, and we could see all the beautiful landscaping outside. So nice!
Speaking of landscaping, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was about to begin, so many of the topiaries were already on display. We spent the afternoon walking around the countries and admiring the beauty.
We also enjoyed the Gran Fiesta Tour, Soarin' and Living with the Land before ending our time at Epcot with a treat from the caramel shop in Germany. YUM!
At about six, we headed back to Hollywood Studios. At this point, we were both EXHAUSTED, but determined to finish the day with a bang (we probably walked at least four or five miles in addition to the race). We forced our tired legs to the Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios, and then almost fell asleep in One Man's Dream (no offense to Walt Disney's life story--it's amazing, but a dark theater was a tough challenge for our tired eyes). Finally, it was time for Toy Story Mania.
Rachel finished the marathon 30 minutes ahead of me, so I am happy to say that I came out on top in the video game category. :)
We got back to our room about 9:00 and crashed. The next morning came quickly (and so did the sore muscles), and we boarded the bus for the airport. The entire weekend was so fun, and I am so thankful that Rachel was able to go with me. I am always sad to leave Disney, but not this time. We're going back in a few weeks! Yes, my name is Lauren, and I am a Disney addict.
It was about 11:15, and we snagged one of the last sets of Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania. While we were excited to obtain the precious Fastpasses, we were slightly bummed by the 8:00 PM return time. We didn't know if we would be able to hold out until then (remember we woke up at 3:30 AM), but we decided to wait and see.We hopped aboard a Friendship boat and headed to Epcot. This was the first of several boat rides during the day, and my legs appreciated them all. Once we arrived at Epcot, we grabbed some Fastpasses for Soarin', and then walked around the World Showcase in search of lunch. We weren't sure what we wanted, but we knew we were looking for something we we wouldn't do with our children. We ended up in France.
Our lunch was delicious, and it was so fun to enjoy a nice, relaxing meal. I don't think I have mentioned the weather, but the entire weekend was sunny with highs in the mid-eighties and lows around 60 (perfect). During lunch, the sun was streaming in the windows, and we could see all the beautiful landscaping outside. So nice!Speaking of landscaping, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was about to begin, so many of the topiaries were already on display. We spent the afternoon walking around the countries and admiring the beauty.
We also enjoyed the Gran Fiesta Tour, Soarin' and Living with the Land before ending our time at Epcot with a treat from the caramel shop in Germany. YUM!At about six, we headed back to Hollywood Studios. At this point, we were both EXHAUSTED, but determined to finish the day with a bang (we probably walked at least four or five miles in addition to the race). We forced our tired legs to the Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios, and then almost fell asleep in One Man's Dream (no offense to Walt Disney's life story--it's amazing, but a dark theater was a tough challenge for our tired eyes). Finally, it was time for Toy Story Mania.
Rachel finished the marathon 30 minutes ahead of me, so I am happy to say that I came out on top in the video game category. :)We got back to our room about 9:00 and crashed. The next morning came quickly (and so did the sore muscles), and we boarded the bus for the airport. The entire weekend was so fun, and I am so thankful that Rachel was able to go with me. I am always sad to leave Disney, but not this time. We're going back in a few weeks! Yes, my name is Lauren, and I am a Disney addict.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
My Disney Princess Half-Marathon, Part Two
On race day, we set an alarm for 3:25 and had a wake-up call for 3:30, but we didn't need them. Both of us were tossing and turning from 3:00 until 3:20 when we decided to get ready. About 3:45, we headed to the bus. We were SHOCKED when we got to the pool area and found a very long line of princesses curved around the pool. At that point, we realized that Disney had very good reason for requiring everyone to be at the bus by four: it takes a long time to transport thousands of princesses to the start! We finally boarded a bus at 4:25, and there were plenty of runners still waiting after us.
The bus carried us to Epcot. After walking the red carpet into the staging area, Rachel and I posed for a picture. It was probably just after 5:00 AM.
The walk to the corrals was long, but amusing. So many people were dressed up in elaborate costumes, including the few men who were participating. Check out this video to see some of the creativity.
I stopped at the port-a-potties (there were hundreds of them), and then we headed for the start. Rachel was in corral A, and I was in B. We hadn't been there long when the Fairy Godmother got us going. Each corral started with its own fireworks. It was very exciting.
The first few minutes of running are always the hardest for me. Once I get in my groove, it is much easier. For the first mile or so, I worked to get in a comfortable pace. This was difficult because there were so many people, but everything thinned out as the race progressed. When I started the race, I thought I would stop for lots of character pictures, but once I got going, I didn't want to wait in the lines (some of the pictures in this post will be blurry because I took them while running, and some have random runners in them). In the first few miles, we were entertained with DJ's playing fun music, Captain Jack and his pirate ship, a hot air balloon shaped like Epcot, and some dashing princes. So fun!
It wasn't long before we were greeted by this wonderful sight. I think this was around mile 2.5 or 3, but I'm not sure.
We ran by the Disney World Speedway and the Polynesian. At the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Japanese drummers were playing. Of all the entertainers, the drummers ranked among my favorites.
We ran on towards the Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom. Near the Contemporary, there was a DJ on an overpass. He yelled out, "Let's see if you ladies are the same age I am," and he started playing "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Suddenly, I was surrounded by thousands of women singing, "In West Philadelphia born and raised; On the playground where I spent most of my days; Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool; And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school." Obviously, many were near the same age because everyone new the lyrics word for word. This was so fun!
Soon, Space Mountain came into view.
We entered the Magic Kingdom through a cast member entrance and then headed up Main Street toward the castle. I stopped to get a picture. I guess you can tell that I missed my mouth with the water at mile 4. Racing tip: Walk while trying to drink.
We ran through Tommorowland and through Fantasyland before coming to the castle from behind. I wanted to stop for a picture with royal Mickey and Minnie, but the line was long.
After coming through the castle, we passed the six mile mark, headed through Frontierland, and exited the Magic Kingdom through the backstage areas. They had several of the parade floats and characters out to cheer us on.
I had heard that the next stretch of the race seemed long because you have passed the thrill of running in the Magic Kingdom, but it didn't feel that way to me. I knew I was doing well with my pace, and that energized me. Additionally, there was still plenty of entertainment along the course. The stretch near the Grand Floridian had quite a few princesses with their princes, as well as golfer Donald with his Mickey golf cart (this was so cute, but I don't have a picture).
Somewhere around mile 9 or 10, we could see Spaceship Earth (the ball at Epcot). This was encouraging, but I knew we had an on-ramp to conquer. There ended up being a second incline around mile 11.5, so we really had two uphill battles near the end. My Tennessee training helped me at this point because I rarely run without hills. Also, the Green Army Man from Toy Story was shouting at us in the middle of one of the ramps, and that helped to keep me moving. He told us that Sarge really likes to see people running early in the morning.
Near mile 12, I saw Mrs. Incredible. I was feeling pretty incredible at this point, so I was glad she didn't have a line.
We ran through the Future World section of Epcot, and then we ran by this choir just before mile 13.
HOORAY! I finished in 2:26:19. Considering this included two potty breaks and picture taking, I was very pleased with my time. According to my Garmin, I actually ran 13.3 miles, but who's counting? My friend Rachel was waiting on me (she finished in 1:56ish), and she surprised me with an "I Did It!" t-shirt, which I proudly wore the rest of the day (and even the next day, but don't tell anyone). Then, we headed over to see Rapunzel and Snow White. We apologized to Rapunzel for our sweaty skin and odor. She replied, "Oh, don't worry. I spend most of the day with my horse, so it doesn't bother me at all." Love it.
In terms of importance, I have to say that the day I became a Christian, my wedding day, and my children's birthdays rank at the top. I admit, however, that this day ranks very high. I am so excited that I set this goal over a year ago and stuck with it. Before last year, I would have laughed at the thought of completing 3 miles, much less 13(.3). The race was so uplifting and FUN, and I can't wait to complete another! I don't know how future races can compare with the Disney Princess, but I look forward to the excitement and encouragement that is sure to come when you have a large group of people working towards a goal. This was truly an amazing experience.
Stay tuned to read about our after-race fun!
The bus carried us to Epcot. After walking the red carpet into the staging area, Rachel and I posed for a picture. It was probably just after 5:00 AM.
The walk to the corrals was long, but amusing. So many people were dressed up in elaborate costumes, including the few men who were participating. Check out this video to see some of the creativity.I stopped at the port-a-potties (there were hundreds of them), and then we headed for the start. Rachel was in corral A, and I was in B. We hadn't been there long when the Fairy Godmother got us going. Each corral started with its own fireworks. It was very exciting.
The first few minutes of running are always the hardest for me. Once I get in my groove, it is much easier. For the first mile or so, I worked to get in a comfortable pace. This was difficult because there were so many people, but everything thinned out as the race progressed. When I started the race, I thought I would stop for lots of character pictures, but once I got going, I didn't want to wait in the lines (some of the pictures in this post will be blurry because I took them while running, and some have random runners in them). In the first few miles, we were entertained with DJ's playing fun music, Captain Jack and his pirate ship, a hot air balloon shaped like Epcot, and some dashing princes. So fun!
It wasn't long before we were greeted by this wonderful sight. I think this was around mile 2.5 or 3, but I'm not sure.
We ran by the Disney World Speedway and the Polynesian. At the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Japanese drummers were playing. Of all the entertainers, the drummers ranked among my favorites.
We ran on towards the Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom. Near the Contemporary, there was a DJ on an overpass. He yelled out, "Let's see if you ladies are the same age I am," and he started playing "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Suddenly, I was surrounded by thousands of women singing, "In West Philadelphia born and raised; On the playground where I spent most of my days; Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool; And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school." Obviously, many were near the same age because everyone new the lyrics word for word. This was so fun!Soon, Space Mountain came into view.
We entered the Magic Kingdom through a cast member entrance and then headed up Main Street toward the castle. I stopped to get a picture. I guess you can tell that I missed my mouth with the water at mile 4. Racing tip: Walk while trying to drink.
We ran through Tommorowland and through Fantasyland before coming to the castle from behind. I wanted to stop for a picture with royal Mickey and Minnie, but the line was long.
After coming through the castle, we passed the six mile mark, headed through Frontierland, and exited the Magic Kingdom through the backstage areas. They had several of the parade floats and characters out to cheer us on.
I had heard that the next stretch of the race seemed long because you have passed the thrill of running in the Magic Kingdom, but it didn't feel that way to me. I knew I was doing well with my pace, and that energized me. Additionally, there was still plenty of entertainment along the course. The stretch near the Grand Floridian had quite a few princesses with their princes, as well as golfer Donald with his Mickey golf cart (this was so cute, but I don't have a picture).
Somewhere around mile 9 or 10, we could see Spaceship Earth (the ball at Epcot). This was encouraging, but I knew we had an on-ramp to conquer. There ended up being a second incline around mile 11.5, so we really had two uphill battles near the end. My Tennessee training helped me at this point because I rarely run without hills. Also, the Green Army Man from Toy Story was shouting at us in the middle of one of the ramps, and that helped to keep me moving. He told us that Sarge really likes to see people running early in the morning.Near mile 12, I saw Mrs. Incredible. I was feeling pretty incredible at this point, so I was glad she didn't have a line.
We ran through the Future World section of Epcot, and then we ran by this choir just before mile 13.
HOORAY! I finished in 2:26:19. Considering this included two potty breaks and picture taking, I was very pleased with my time. According to my Garmin, I actually ran 13.3 miles, but who's counting? My friend Rachel was waiting on me (she finished in 1:56ish), and she surprised me with an "I Did It!" t-shirt, which I proudly wore the rest of the day (and even the next day, but don't tell anyone). Then, we headed over to see Rapunzel and Snow White. We apologized to Rapunzel for our sweaty skin and odor. She replied, "Oh, don't worry. I spend most of the day with my horse, so it doesn't bother me at all." Love it.
In terms of importance, I have to say that the day I became a Christian, my wedding day, and my children's birthdays rank at the top. I admit, however, that this day ranks very high. I am so excited that I set this goal over a year ago and stuck with it. Before last year, I would have laughed at the thought of completing 3 miles, much less 13(.3). The race was so uplifting and FUN, and I can't wait to complete another! I don't know how future races can compare with the Disney Princess, but I look forward to the excitement and encouragement that is sure to come when you have a large group of people working towards a goal. This was truly an amazing experience.Stay tuned to read about our after-race fun!
Labels: disney, Family and Friends, Me, Running
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My Princess Half-Marathon Weekend, Part One
This past weekend was an awesome experience for me! I left for Disney World on Friday morning. When I arrived at the Orlando airport, my friend Rachel was there to greet me, and we boarded the Magical Express bus bound for our resort. We checked in at All-Star Sports, headed to our room, and had to smile when this greeted us.
After leaving our bags in the room, we went to the Expo at the Wide World of Sports complex. This was my first big race, so I really enjoyed looking at all the merchandise. Because the event was geared toward women, most of the merchandise was for women as well. There are a couple of things I wish I would have purchased (a 13.1 car magnet shaped like a Mickey head and a "See Mom Run" shirt). Next time, I won't hesitate with my wallet so much (that's a common issue in our family).
How cool are these coachmen?
After the expo, we headed to Downtown Disney for a nice dinner at Wolfgang Puck's and some browsing. Again, I didn't purchase anything, but I enjoyed looking!
On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to board the bus for the Magic Kingdom. We had reservations for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour: a behind the scenes look at the Magic Kingdom. Before we checked in for our tour, we walked up Main Street, rode Snow White's Scary Adventures, hung out with Pinocchio, and grabbed some Fastpasses for Pooh.
We checked in for our tour and got our special Guest passes so we could go Backstage.
The tour lasted around four hours, and it was wonderful. There were so many things that I wanted to capture with my camera, but once you went behind these walls, no cameras were allowed.
Although some of the Disney magic has been revealed to me now, I finished the tour with an even greater appreciation for Walt Disney's vision and what happens behind the scenes every day in the Magic Kingdom. It is truly an amazing place.
After the tour, we visited several attractions before heading back to the hotel for dinner and an early bedtime, groaning as we set our alarm for 3:30 eastern time. We just couldn't understand why we needed to board a bus by 4AM, but we should have trusted Disney. Stay tuned for a race day report!
After leaving our bags in the room, we went to the Expo at the Wide World of Sports complex. This was my first big race, so I really enjoyed looking at all the merchandise. Because the event was geared toward women, most of the merchandise was for women as well. There are a couple of things I wish I would have purchased (a 13.1 car magnet shaped like a Mickey head and a "See Mom Run" shirt). Next time, I won't hesitate with my wallet so much (that's a common issue in our family).
How cool are these coachmen?
After the expo, we headed to Downtown Disney for a nice dinner at Wolfgang Puck's and some browsing. Again, I didn't purchase anything, but I enjoyed looking!On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to board the bus for the Magic Kingdom. We had reservations for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour: a behind the scenes look at the Magic Kingdom. Before we checked in for our tour, we walked up Main Street, rode Snow White's Scary Adventures, hung out with Pinocchio, and grabbed some Fastpasses for Pooh.
We checked in for our tour and got our special Guest passes so we could go Backstage.
The tour lasted around four hours, and it was wonderful. There were so many things that I wanted to capture with my camera, but once you went behind these walls, no cameras were allowed.
Although some of the Disney magic has been revealed to me now, I finished the tour with an even greater appreciation for Walt Disney's vision and what happens behind the scenes every day in the Magic Kingdom. It is truly an amazing place.After the tour, we visited several attractions before heading back to the hotel for dinner and an early bedtime, groaning as we set our alarm for 3:30 eastern time. We just couldn't understand why we needed to board a bus by 4AM, but we should have trusted Disney. Stay tuned for a race day report!
Labels: disney, Family and Friends, Me, Running
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Anniversary
One year ago today, I blogged about starting a new challenge (you can read the post HERE). I announced to the world that I was going to start running by following a Couch to 5K plan, and I set my sights on the Disney Princess Half-Marathon.
One month from today, I will be running at Disney World! I am so excited that I stuck with my goal, and I can't wait to cross the finish line (I am really looking forward to running inside Magic Kingdom as well).
We've been having bad weather (does the snow realize it's not supposed to visit Tennessee so much?), so I've had to do some runs on the treadmill. Thankfully, I've been able to do my long runs outside. Next week, I'll do twelve miles. That seemed SO far one year ago today!
One month from today, I will be running at Disney World! I am so excited that I stuck with my goal, and I can't wait to cross the finish line (I am really looking forward to running inside Magic Kingdom as well).
We've been having bad weather (does the snow realize it's not supposed to visit Tennessee so much?), so I've had to do some runs on the treadmill. Thankfully, I've been able to do my long runs outside. Next week, I'll do twelve miles. That seemed SO far one year ago today!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Updated: 9.5
I am excited to say that I am up to 9.5 miles in my half-marathon training. As soon as the kids were off to school on Tuesday, I set out for my long run. This may sound crazy, but I actually enjoy the long runs more than the short ones!
I am now at a distance where I have to refuel (and sometimes find a potty) during my run. This is a learning experience, and I am still figuring out what works best for me. On Tuesday, I used the restroom at my kids' school, and I think I'll leave a water bottle and sports beans there on my next long run (which will be 11 miles!). I can work the timing right to stop at the school about half-way through, giving me the opportunity to get some water, electrolytes, and relief!
My half-marathon is February 27th. I am at the point where I know I can go the distance, but I hope my continued training will help me to finish strong so I can continue to walk for the rest of the day. :)
If you run long distances, feel free to tell me how you refuel. I would love to hear other ideas!
Updated to Add: I now know that long runs are not the most difficult. The difficult run is the short, 30-minute run that comes two days after the long run. As soon as I started running this morning, my legs started screaming. I made it, but it wasn't enjoyable!
I am now at a distance where I have to refuel (and sometimes find a potty) during my run. This is a learning experience, and I am still figuring out what works best for me. On Tuesday, I used the restroom at my kids' school, and I think I'll leave a water bottle and sports beans there on my next long run (which will be 11 miles!). I can work the timing right to stop at the school about half-way through, giving me the opportunity to get some water, electrolytes, and relief!
My half-marathon is February 27th. I am at the point where I know I can go the distance, but I hope my continued training will help me to finish strong so I can continue to walk for the rest of the day. :)
If you run long distances, feel free to tell me how you refuel. I would love to hear other ideas!
Updated to Add: I now know that long runs are not the most difficult. The difficult run is the short, 30-minute run that comes two days after the long run. As soon as I started running this morning, my legs started screaming. I made it, but it wasn't enjoyable!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
It's Official!
I registered last night for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon, and I made my room reservation this morning. I am so excited that my friend Rachel, a college buddy and great runner, is going with me. Although she will finish much more quickly than I do, it will be so much fun to have a friend there. Also, we are planning to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour, which is a behind the scenes tour in Magic Kingdom. I am so excited about this! Since kids can't take this tour, it's not something I would do during our family trips. The tour will be perfect for a girls' weekend, and I know it is something that Rachel will enjoy as well. Both of us will be celebrating our birthdays around the time of the half-marathon, so by the end of the weekend, I hope we'll both be wearing Disney birthday buttons as well as our race bling!
Now...I guess I better get back to training!
Now...I guess I better get back to training!
Monday, October 4, 2010
On the Road Again
I am happy to report that I am running again. I started back a little over a month ago, and this morning I ran 4.5 miles, which was my longest distance before I stopped in June. Although I missed the 10K that I wanted to do on Labor Day, I found a 10K for November 6th, and I am planning to register for my goal, the Disney Princess Half-Marathon, by the end of October. My dream of participating in the Disney half seemed so far away when the idea first hatched in January, but it is getting closer and closer.
I am using the Jeff Galloway/interval style of running. Before I stopped in June, I was doing a 4min run/1min walk ratio. Right now, I am doing 3/1, but I'll bump it up at some point. I am really enjoying this format because it breaks long runs up into manageable segments. I am sure there are some hard-core runners out there who would call this cheating, but since Jeff Galloway was an Olympian, I am not going to worry. If he can do it, I can, too!
I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am really looking forward to reaching my goal at the end of February!
I am using the Jeff Galloway/interval style of running. Before I stopped in June, I was doing a 4min run/1min walk ratio. Right now, I am doing 3/1, but I'll bump it up at some point. I am really enjoying this format because it breaks long runs up into manageable segments. I am sure there are some hard-core runners out there who would call this cheating, but since Jeff Galloway was an Olympian, I am not going to worry. If he can do it, I can, too!
I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am really looking forward to reaching my goal at the end of February!
Labels: Running
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sidelined
Well, my plans to run a 10K on Labor Day are out. I am 99% sure I have a stress fracture in my lower shin. I haven't run in two weeks, and it it still hurting some, so I know it's not just a minor injury. I haven't gone to the doctor because I know they will prescribe rest for 6-8 weeks, so I am just going to prescribe it for myself. I'll be able to start running again about the time the kids start school, which will be much easier anyway.
I am disappointed about missing the 10k, but the Disney Princess Half-Marathon is my ultimate goal, so resting now will enable me to train. Also, when I start back, I am going to go very slowly. I have been pushing to go faster, and I am sure that's why I am hurt. I am not going to worry about time when I start back; I am just going to take it easy and enjoy it!
I am disappointed about missing the 10k, but the Disney Princess Half-Marathon is my ultimate goal, so resting now will enable me to train. Also, when I start back, I am going to go very slowly. I have been pushing to go faster, and I am sure that's why I am hurt. I am not going to worry about time when I start back; I am just going to take it easy and enjoy it!
Labels: Running
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Back to Blogging and a Running Update
Well, I meant to be gone about two weeks, and it has turned into three. It's been very busy around here! We finished school, vacationed in Clearwater, and have been playing lots of baseball. I hope to backtrack a little in the coming days so I can post about pre-K graduation and our Florida trip.
As far as current news is concerned, I ran my second 5K this morning. I finished in 32:53, which is 36 seconds faster than my April race. I really wanted to do better, but it was so hot and humid. I could really feel the effects of the heat in the last mile. Considering my April race was 60 degrees and cloudy, I am trying not to be too hard on myself. I also ran into a friend at the race who mentioned that she thought the course and the heat combined to make it the worst race she has ever run. She's run over 30 races, so that made me feel some better.
I will say that I am 2 for 2 when it comes to picking races with good restroom facilities. I dread the day I have to use a port-a-potty! :)
I plan to start training this week for a 10K. It will be on Labor Day. I am sure it will be super hot and humid then too, so maybe I learned some things today that I can apply then!
As far as current news is concerned, I ran my second 5K this morning. I finished in 32:53, which is 36 seconds faster than my April race. I really wanted to do better, but it was so hot and humid. I could really feel the effects of the heat in the last mile. Considering my April race was 60 degrees and cloudy, I am trying not to be too hard on myself. I also ran into a friend at the race who mentioned that she thought the course and the heat combined to make it the worst race she has ever run. She's run over 30 races, so that made me feel some better.
I will say that I am 2 for 2 when it comes to picking races with good restroom facilities. I dread the day I have to use a port-a-potty! :)
I plan to start training this week for a 10K. It will be on Labor Day. I am sure it will be super hot and humid then too, so maybe I learned some things today that I can apply then!
Labels: Running
Monday, May 10, 2010
Running Update
After I completed my first 5K run in April, I set a few new goals. I have mentioned that my long-term goal is to run in the 2011 Disney Princess Half-Marathon. In the short-term, I am hoping to run another 5K in June and a 10K on Labor Day.
Training is going well, but I have made a few adjustments. A few days before I ran the 5K in April, I heard about Jeff Galloway's training programs. Jeff Galloway, a former Olympian, recommends including one minute walk intervals in your runs to reduce injury, speed recovery and enable stronger finishes. For my first 5K, one of my goals was to run the entire distance, but after that race, I started playing around with intervals. I was amazed that I could finish the 5K distance faster when I included a few walk intervals!
In the last few weeks, I have been experimenting, and for now I am going to stick with the interval plan. I really think it will help me mentally as I get into longer distances because it breaks up the run into smaller, more manageable segments. At first, I worried that this would be cheating, but if a former Olympian uses this method, then a mom of two who has never run before can as well!
I am enjoying my new Garmin so much. It is very helpful with the interval training because it alerts me when it is time to run or walk. I don't have to focus on my watch, I can just enjoy the run. Truly, I can't believe how much I do enjoy running now!
Training is going well, but I have made a few adjustments. A few days before I ran the 5K in April, I heard about Jeff Galloway's training programs. Jeff Galloway, a former Olympian, recommends including one minute walk intervals in your runs to reduce injury, speed recovery and enable stronger finishes. For my first 5K, one of my goals was to run the entire distance, but after that race, I started playing around with intervals. I was amazed that I could finish the 5K distance faster when I included a few walk intervals!
In the last few weeks, I have been experimenting, and for now I am going to stick with the interval plan. I really think it will help me mentally as I get into longer distances because it breaks up the run into smaller, more manageable segments. At first, I worried that this would be cheating, but if a former Olympian uses this method, then a mom of two who has never run before can as well!
I am enjoying my new Garmin so much. It is very helpful with the interval training because it alerts me when it is time to run or walk. I don't have to focus on my watch, I can just enjoy the run. Truly, I can't believe how much I do enjoy running now!
Labels: Running
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My New Running Toy
As a reward for finishing my Couch to 5K and running in my first 5K race, I bought myself a little reward. I wanted this for a while, but I wanted to be sure I was going to stick with running before purchasing it with my birthday money. This is a Garmin Forerunner 305
.
The Garmin tracks distance using satellites, so I never have to drive around and measure a route for a run. It also tracks pace per mile, calories, heart rate, and other things I haven't figured out. One feature that I am especially excited to use is the interval alert.
I recently read about the interval training plans of Jeff Galloway, a former Olympic runner. He advocates short walk breaks during runs. He believes that this helps the body recover during runs, which can actually speed up your time because you feel stronger after a short break. He suggests intervals (like 4 min run:1 min walk) based on your pace per mile. I tried this out, and I couldn't believe that I finished 3 miles faster using intervals than when I ran the entire distance. I also felt much better with the short breaks. Although I am glad I met my goal of running 3 miles without stopping, I think the interval system will suit me better for longer distances (especially in training for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon). My Garmin watch will beep and let me know when it's time to run and walk.
My plan is to do another 5K in June and a 10K Labor Day weekend. I truly can't believe I enjoy running. If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be training to complete a half-marathon in 2011, I would have thought you were crazy. Yet, here I am, and I am ready to run!
.
The Garmin tracks distance using satellites, so I never have to drive around and measure a route for a run. It also tracks pace per mile, calories, heart rate, and other things I haven't figured out. One feature that I am especially excited to use is the interval alert.I recently read about the interval training plans of Jeff Galloway, a former Olympic runner. He advocates short walk breaks during runs. He believes that this helps the body recover during runs, which can actually speed up your time because you feel stronger after a short break. He suggests intervals (like 4 min run:1 min walk) based on your pace per mile. I tried this out, and I couldn't believe that I finished 3 miles faster using intervals than when I ran the entire distance. I also felt much better with the short breaks. Although I am glad I met my goal of running 3 miles without stopping, I think the interval system will suit me better for longer distances (especially in training for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon). My Garmin watch will beep and let me know when it's time to run and walk.
My plan is to do another 5K in June and a 10K Labor Day weekend. I truly can't believe I enjoy running. If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be training to complete a half-marathon in 2011, I would have thought you were crazy. Yet, here I am, and I am ready to run!
Labels: Running
Saturday, April 17, 2010
5K
I reached a running goal today! This morning, I participated in my first 5K race. The few times in my life that I have run 3 miles, I finished in about 35 minutes. My time this morning was 33:29, so I was very pleased.
My husband wanted to be supportive, so he signed up to run as well. Since he has been running for years, I talked him into running the 10K. For his first formal race, he didn't do too badly. He finished third! I had to kid him about upstaging me when he was there to be supportive. :)
Grandma and Papa Don came up to watch the kids during the race. It was fun to see them all standing at the finish line, and we really appreciated their help.
Race Tidbits:
-The race started at a local high school. This was great because there were real bathrooms. I know if I continue to participate in races that I will have to use a Port-a-Potty. I was glad I didn't have to do that today.
-I got a Spibelt to hold my camera, keys, etc... It is very well designed, and I couldn't even tell I was wearing it. This will be handy during training and races.
-I can't drink and run. I really wanted to run without stopping today, so I tried to grab a cup of water as I moved. I only got a sip before tossing the cup. From now on I will walk through water stations and actually swallow the water without spilling it on myself (thanks for this advice, Rachel).
-I need to find some running buddies. I am fine training alone, but the races would be a lot more fun with a friend (it was great waiting with my hubby before the race, but I ran alone).
-And finally, I looked even worse than I thought at the end of the race, so cut me some slack when you see the pictures. :)
My husband wanted to be supportive, so he signed up to run as well. Since he has been running for years, I talked him into running the 10K. For his first formal race, he didn't do too badly. He finished third! I had to kid him about upstaging me when he was there to be supportive. :)
Grandma and Papa Don came up to watch the kids during the race. It was fun to see them all standing at the finish line, and we really appreciated their help.
Race Tidbits:
-The race started at a local high school. This was great because there were real bathrooms. I know if I continue to participate in races that I will have to use a Port-a-Potty. I was glad I didn't have to do that today.
-I got a Spibelt to hold my camera, keys, etc... It is very well designed, and I couldn't even tell I was wearing it. This will be handy during training and races.
-I can't drink and run. I really wanted to run without stopping today, so I tried to grab a cup of water as I moved. I only got a sip before tossing the cup. From now on I will walk through water stations and actually swallow the water without spilling it on myself (thanks for this advice, Rachel).
-I need to find some running buddies. I am fine training alone, but the races would be a lot more fun with a friend (it was great waiting with my hubby before the race, but I ran alone).
-And finally, I looked even worse than I thought at the end of the race, so cut me some slack when you see the pictures. :)
Labels: Running
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Graduation
I am excited to say that I graduated from the Couch to 5K program! Yesterday, I ran 3 miles in 34:55. Yes, that's pretty slow, but since I don't think I have ever run three miles without stopping, I am pretty excited!
As much as I enjoyed last night's run, the best part came later. I often tell my Best Girl stories, and I start by saying, "Once there was a sweet little girl with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes..." Last night she said, "Mom, I want to tell you a story: Once, there was a mom with pretty blue eyes. She ran and ran. She got better and better, and she never gave up. She's awesome. The end."
That little story was worth all the hard work, the shin splints and the other forms of pain that I have dealt with over the past nine weeks!
As much as I enjoyed last night's run, the best part came later. I often tell my Best Girl stories, and I start by saying, "Once there was a sweet little girl with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes..." Last night she said, "Mom, I want to tell you a story: Once, there was a mom with pretty blue eyes. She ran and ran. She got better and better, and she never gave up. She's awesome. The end."
That little story was worth all the hard work, the shin splints and the other forms of pain that I have dealt with over the past nine weeks!
Labels: My Best Girl, Running
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Hooray for Spring
I am so thankful that warmer temperatures are here!
For starters, I was able to run outside twice this week. I have been working on the ChiRunning
technique, and I think it is really helping me, particularly with my shin pain (although I am not yet completely pain free). I completed week 8/day 2 of my Couch to 5K program on Saturday morning, so I only have four more runs to go before I finish. Until this week, I had done all my running on a treadmill, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run as long outside. When I did my first outside run, I concentrated on controlling my pace (I didn't want to run too fast and run out of energy), and it worked out fine. I was able to run the required 28 minutes, and I found that the time went by much more quickly outside than on the treadmill. I am hoping to participate in a local 5K on April 17th, so I'll post soon about my progress.
Today, we were able to enjoy the beautiful spring weather at the ballpark. It's baseball time again, and my Favorite Boy and Coach Dad played a scrimmage today. Next Saturday will be the first real game, and they'll play through the first full week of June. I look forward to enjoying the fresh air and sunshine at the ballpark (although I am sure we will still have some cool temperatures for another month or so).
After a loooong, cold winter, I am so glad spring is here!
For starters, I was able to run outside twice this week. I have been working on the ChiRunning
technique, and I think it is really helping me, particularly with my shin pain (although I am not yet completely pain free). I completed week 8/day 2 of my Couch to 5K program on Saturday morning, so I only have four more runs to go before I finish. Until this week, I had done all my running on a treadmill, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run as long outside. When I did my first outside run, I concentrated on controlling my pace (I didn't want to run too fast and run out of energy), and it worked out fine. I was able to run the required 28 minutes, and I found that the time went by much more quickly outside than on the treadmill. I am hoping to participate in a local 5K on April 17th, so I'll post soon about my progress.Today, we were able to enjoy the beautiful spring weather at the ballpark. It's baseball time again, and my Favorite Boy and Coach Dad played a scrimmage today. Next Saturday will be the first real game, and they'll play through the first full week of June. I look forward to enjoying the fresh air and sunshine at the ballpark (although I am sure we will still have some cool temperatures for another month or so).
After a loooong, cold winter, I am so glad spring is here!
Labels: Family and Friends, My Favorite Boy, Running
Friday, March 5, 2010
Taking a Step Back So I Can Run Forward
Well, I was making great progress with my running plan, and then my shins started hurting. I have had problems with shin pain in the past, so I knew I needed to address the pain quickly before it kept me from running at all. Thankfully, I came across the name Danny Dreyer and his idea of ChiRunning on several websites. According to the information I read and the reviews of runners who attest to the technique, ChiRunning leads to pain-free and effortless running. With painful shins, I thought that sounded pretty good, so I decided to read the book.
ChiRunning is based on principles of Tai Chi. I am not qualified to fully explain it all, but the idea is that our bodies were made to run, and if we run with the proper form (including posture, balance, and technique), it should not be painful. What I learned from reading the book is that I am definitely not running in a Chi kind of way. As a matter of fact, I am running with a pound the pavement kind of form that is prevalent in our "just build your leg muscles" and "no pain, no gain" western running environment.
Some of the thoughts in the book are eastern-y/be one with nature/be centered in yourself kind of ideas. However, in the same way that I think a person can benefit from the physical aspects of Yoga without adhering to its spiritual components, I think that the lessons I am learning about running are truly beneficial to me. Unfortunately, I am going to have to take the time to re-learn how to run, and this will delay my progress in the Couch to 5K program for a few weeks.
Although I am a goal-oriented kind of girl, I am okay with this delay. I really want to stick with running long-term, and I know I won't do this if it hurts. Now I have to get busy teaching this old dog new tricks. I'll let you know how it goes!
on several websites. According to the information I read and the reviews of runners who attest to the technique, ChiRunning leads to pain-free and effortless running. With painful shins, I thought that sounded pretty good, so I decided to read the book.ChiRunning
is based on principles of Tai Chi. I am not qualified to fully explain it all, but the idea is that our bodies were made to run, and if we run with the proper form (including posture, balance, and technique), it should not be painful. What I learned from reading the book is that I am definitely not running in a Chi kind of way. As a matter of fact, I am running with a pound the pavement kind of form that is prevalent in our "just build your leg muscles" and "no pain, no gain" western running environment.Some of the thoughts in the book are eastern-y/be one with nature/be centered in yourself kind of ideas. However, in the same way that I think a person can benefit from the physical aspects of Yoga without adhering to its spiritual components, I think that the lessons I am learning about running are truly beneficial to me. Unfortunately, I am going to have to take the time to re-learn how to run, and this will delay my progress in the Couch to 5K program for a few weeks.
Although I am a goal-oriented kind of girl, I am okay with this delay. I really want to stick with running long-term, and I know I won't do this if it hurts. Now I have to get busy teaching this old dog new tricks. I'll let you know how it goes!
Labels: Running
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Run, Lauren, Run!
Remember this?
My short-term goal is to participate in a local 5K in April. I can't wait to cross the finish line!
That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going.Well, my accomplishment pales in comparison to running for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours like Forrest Gump, but I am thrilled about my progress. I am starting week six of my Couch to 5K program. At the end of week 5, I had to run for 20 minutes straight. I will confess that when I started running in January, 20 minutes sounded like forever, and even when I started the 20 minute run, I wasn't sure how it was going to go, but I did it! Now that I know I can run for 20 minutes, I am excited to finish the next three weeks. These weeks consist mostly of 25, 28, and 30 minute runs, but now that I passed 20, I know I can do it.
My short-term goal is to participate in a local 5K in April. I can't wait to cross the finish line!
Labels: Running
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Running Update
I recently mentioned that I am participating in a Couch to 5K program. I am happy to report that I started Week 3, Day 1 on Monday. Each week, the running intervals get longer, so I conquered three minutes yesterday (in the beginning you alternate between walking and running to help build endurance). Next week, the running interval goes up to five minutes, which sounds long to me, but once I have done three days at three minutes, I will feel more confident about it, I'm sure.
I haven't gone out and bought a lot of running gear, but the one purchase I did make was a nice new pair of running shoes. I went to a local running store and got help with choosing the right shoes for me. I am very glad I did this because I have very narrow feet. In the past, I have gotten shin splints easily, and the salesperson told me that my feet were probably moving around too much in my regular width shoes. I left with one of the most narrow pair of shoes they had, and they feel great! I can really tell a difference in the fit, and I hope this purchase will help me to avoid some unnecessary problems. If I am going to stick with running, I want to set myself up for success!
I know this program will get tougher as the intervals increase, but I am excited about the baby steps, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
I haven't gone out and bought a lot of running gear, but the one purchase I did make was a nice new pair of running shoes. I went to a local running store and got help with choosing the right shoes for me. I am very glad I did this because I have very narrow feet. In the past, I have gotten shin splints easily, and the salesperson told me that my feet were probably moving around too much in my regular width shoes. I left with one of the most narrow pair of shoes they had, and they feel great! I can really tell a difference in the fit, and I hope this purchase will help me to avoid some unnecessary problems. If I am going to stick with running, I want to set myself up for success!
I know this program will get tougher as the intervals increase, but I am excited about the baby steps, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Labels: Running
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A New Challenge
I have enjoyed exercising for many years. Mostly, I attend classes at my local Y (aerobics and spin), and I also use the elliptical trainers. Because I was sick off and on all last year, my fitness routine really suffered. Now that I am returning to a more regular exercise schedule, I want to get back in shape!
I have never been a runner, but I would like to be. For some reason, I have always disliked running, and I have trouble sticking with it. I hope to change that this year. On Tuesday, I started a Couch to 5K program that lasts 9 weeks. For my first short-term goal, I want to participate in a local 5K in ten weeks.
This is not going to be easy for me. I really, really don't like to run. But, I hope that I will get to the point where running is as addictive for me as it is for so many others. I plan to have some smaller goals, like the local 5K, to keep me going, but I do have a BIG goal out there. My dream is to stick with this and run the Princess Half Marathon at Disney World in 2011. If anything can motivate me, it is the thought of running through the Castle and down Main Street (and a girls' weekend at Disney would be so fun!). Check out this video from the 2009 run. Doesn't that look great?
I have a friend working on this with me. I hope we can encourage each other all year long and make it to the half-marathon next March. It would be just in time to celebrate my 37th birthday. I would also like to note that my husband and son are very skeptical about this plan, and they have good reason. I have never stuck with running before. Of course, their doubt makes me want to prove that I can, and I know they will be proud of me if I do!
I look forward to documenting my journey here. Having an audience will help me when the going gets tough!
I have never been a runner, but I would like to be. For some reason, I have always disliked running, and I have trouble sticking with it. I hope to change that this year. On Tuesday, I started a Couch to 5K program that lasts 9 weeks. For my first short-term goal, I want to participate in a local 5K in ten weeks.
This is not going to be easy for me. I really, really don't like to run. But, I hope that I will get to the point where running is as addictive for me as it is for so many others. I plan to have some smaller goals, like the local 5K, to keep me going, but I do have a BIG goal out there. My dream is to stick with this and run the Princess Half Marathon at Disney World in 2011. If anything can motivate me, it is the thought of running through the Castle and down Main Street (and a girls' weekend at Disney would be so fun!). Check out this video from the 2009 run. Doesn't that look great?
I have a friend working on this with me. I hope we can encourage each other all year long and make it to the half-marathon next March. It would be just in time to celebrate my 37th birthday. I would also like to note that my husband and son are very skeptical about this plan, and they have good reason. I have never stuck with running before. Of course, their doubt makes me want to prove that I can, and I know they will be proud of me if I do!
I look forward to documenting my journey here. Having an audience will help me when the going gets tough!
