Associative or disassocative?

New terms from my Non Runners Marathon Training book. Meaning to think about running or other things while running so it gets over with faster. I choose (and they agree), you should enjoy the act of running so associative is the way to try, although there are times you must tune out or die. I enjoy doing the ABC game and thinking of words to go with running....the word takes me off into directions like T=turtle, since I'm so into the Disney theme and the race-Crush came to mind and the little turtle buddy and when they get into the jetstream and they are taken away and fins out floating....made me laugh and pretend I was in the stream....anyway, silly, but I works. I do like to think of my legs if they get tired, drink of water and how that goes to the muscles and its like fireworks and....pixidust! magic happens! ANything to make you keep going and going.
Today I had to come up with a plan for measuring progress since I cant do distance for accurate pace. since I still cant afford the 200 for the Garmin. Time and how much I run in the time frame. Today was approx 4m in 1.01hr. but not really sure. That is about right for me but I like to pretend I'm gaining SOME speed. I decided to do speed work today and at least once a week since I keep reading that is way to gain overall speed, get your heart better at distributing O2 to your muscles. I did 4sets of 2", one at tensy bit faster than easy for me, second was uncomfortable faster for me, made the ole ticker pound. rest of time I spent trying to increase overall run time at reg snail pace. I ran 36" our of 61". better than 1/2 in run mode, I'll take that!

Gear: Must cut hole for my friend bunnion....making blister on my great toe. hate to cut my new shoes, but oh well

Hydration/nutrition: will be on look out for sports bean/chews sound more appetizing than gel for long runs since getting into 6 and over now.....Still doing better on liquid fuel, smoothy before run with hand full of raisin/nuts.

Schedule: yeehaw--4m today (approx) 1.01hr. speed drills. T3,Wct,Th3, Sat 6=16

Weight: who care hahahaha, not today. focus is on training.

1/4 Marathon done...check

so this week has been quite the challenge....still not able to get my mojo back at all this week. Tues was good, then got really busy with work rest of week. So....I was doing the alphabet game in my head toward end of run and got to "O" for 'obstacles' ...so I took the time to reflect over the week to determine my obstacles over the past 2 weeks so see what problem is with my mojo. I used to love to brainstorm....what I came up with Time, Stress, Energy. I quickly let Time go, I have the time, not something most people can say. Stress and Energy----Big stress at work just messed my up. What I need to do is realize that my measslly 45" run will Decrease that not add to it! And Energy....I am a big sleeper and like my rest. SO if I dont feel like I'm getting that, its hard for me to muster up the energy to do anything. How how how to mentally overcome those obstacles???? That is the question. It is all mental that is for sure. Stress. Must keep focus on meditation when running, this is an awesome stress release. Energy. I get plenty of rest, be real. There is not a day go by that I dont get to sit and rest. My job is not that stressful. I can get my ass up in the morning and go for 45" run. Esp after this morning. I was out and going at 630. It was still dark, crickets chirping, light muffled sound of traffic on highway, sound of quiet, it was truely super! I just have to remember that when I dont want to get up! I had already quit this morning until I got woke up at 530am and just layed there thinking about Disney, the marathon and how very very sad and disappointed I would be come Feb I was sitting at home. My thoughts: Y is it so important for me to finish this race: 1. I paid for it. 2. Its Disney and an excuse to go to WDW! 3. Thinking about the race and all the MAGIC. 4. I need to finish something I start. 5. I need to the exercise, I do not need to be an all or nothing at this stage in my life with exercise, I have to do it for me, its a lifestyle not just a race. Its a lifestyle not a race. Its a lifestyle not a race. That's it!! If I miss a couple days, just pik it up and go.
Todays run: SUPER 6miles in 1hr 30". I know now I can do the 1/2 Marathon in 3 hrs, even walking some. I ran more today than ever, I am practicing the chi running and doing pretty well. I was able to actually run 52", more than ever before. I think it is combo of chi, new shoes, and took advantage of the downhill, even though I did do 4" up hill this time.

Schedule: Week 7 LR ended well but over all only got in 9.5m. Week 8: M4m, T3, Wct, Th3, S6

Nutrition/hydration: still using my water bottle, have to remember to relax my arm with the bottle. Drank before and that is working well. I had good carbs last night and that took me through my run.

Gear: shoes, doing ok. My lil toes start going numb early but get better as I keep going. I have make my hole in my bunion side. Otherwise they do fine.

Weight: i have no idea. Feels maybe at same or 1-2 down but afraid to step up until Iknow down.

Something is wrong....

I CAN NOT seem to get my mojo back! I did go Sat and do the whole 5.5 m but soon as I got started I stopped the timer. I knew it was going to be slow. I was able to run 2.2 on that beautiful downhill slope. And some more after that but cardio wise, I need help. That seems to have always been an issue for me....do I have a small heart, or just not used it enough. Anyway, it was another day I asked myself WTF am I doing??? AND, I have not been out since. So, I did not make my scheduled miles this past week and this week is not looking so good either. I am going to have to make adjustments in my overall schedule and not take a down week after this one as planned d/t the down week this past week! I am bummed. i cant shake it....

Gear: My new Saucony Rides did ok,, not great, but I am glad I got the extra cushion instead of less.

Hydration/nutrition: water did good, need to look into those bean things for longer runs.

Schedule: week 6 only 12m instead of 15 planned.
Week 7 starts slow: T3.5, W3, Th3, Sat6=15.5

Windshield or Bug?

New meaning when you are running....sometimes you feel like the windshield, all areodynamic and shit, other days like Wed you feel like the freakin bug...splat. It was probably the worst feeling run I have had in all my pitiful weeks of training. Hot, tired, legs feel like stones. Funny part, I made my self run 2 on 2 off and beat my time! not by much but was 3m in 44.49. It was hot, muggy afternoon, I have found that it is the worst time to go. Really makes you drag. I just have not had the get up and go in the morning, taking Monday off really messed me up. I was going swimming yesterday but work ran late so didnt do that either. I have go 3m to do today before my 5.5 tomorrow. shit. When?

Gear: NEW SHOES! My others were just not working anymore, really worn them down, I do feel I got my moneys worth out of them though. Went to new running store, local flava, I like to support them. The guy was great, friendly, which lacked at the other store. He watched my stride on TM and found I was Heel Stricker! ugg. Not good, must work on form for mid foot strike. I am pretty stable, not much of pronator which is good. Best shoes for me--neutral to maybe mild stability. I tried Muzino shoe in stability that I liked except for spot on right heel that just felt wierd. Tried Muzino Precision, they were nice, until I tried the Saucony ones. Lots more cushion and toe roll. I feel I need cushion for my old bones and ankle support. So 95$ is what I paid today for my new Sauconys. We shall see. Im excited.
Oh and yeah....I put it out there all official and all with some girls at work about the race. Thats scary! New shoes, now people know, Have to make it!!

Schedule: 3 today and 5.5 tomorrow.....shew....that's alot.

Weight: 152.5 I'll take it

sore?

I am so sore today I could hardly get oob! What? I have not been sore in weeks. I did increase my run mileage yesterday, ran 2.5 out of 3.5 yesterday with minimal walk breaks at 4.3mm. 14.6 total pace for 3.1 in 44.50 run 3.5. and also really tried to stay in form with Chi running. I really like that, didnt make my legs so tired but CV I did stay winded for most of it, although it did get better toward end but then legs started to get tired lol....

Schedule: T3.5, today 3, Th 3, Fri....Im thinking rest, Sat 5.5

Weight: 153. oh goody, something new and diff

on and off....

Its a been a few days and a lot has happened.....Ill start with Sat and LR of my first 5m. It was super awesome! However slow, 1h 18m for 5m is 15.6mm, slow but I ran my first full mile at 12.5mm. Yes it was a slight down grade but I did it and I felt gggreat! The rest was status quo but I didnt get too tired. It was almost 1/2 of my HM distance. I will have 1/2 the distance covered in 2 weeks. I read on my forum some folks are about the same in distance and they were saying it like "oh man, Ive only done 1/2 the distance, it seems so far....", my glass is 1/2 full! I cant believe I have already gone 1/2 the distance. I'm sooo proud of me! So that was Sat. Sunday: sat on my butt for Weeds marathon on TV, Monday: sat on my butt for Weeds marathon. Yes, 2 days in a row. makes for a very very lazy person. I did not run yesterday, But I will today. Do I want to, a hell no. Now I just want to sit on my butt. Did I eat good? Sorta. Not great, but Ok. realized fried oystercrackers and lots of bread just dont work for me. I am still excited and loving my newfound running frenzy but not as much as Sat.

Gear:I really need new shoes, I really want a Garmin.

Shedule: fininshed week 5 for scheduled 14m. New: week 6: (really??) T3.5, W3, Th3, Fct (swim?), Sat 5.5=15m

Nutrition/hydration: Did well with my hydration, new bottle really did trick and drinking 16oz before leaving house. Need to figure out what those "beans" are, sound like the gel packs but something I might like better. I did get fatigued around mile 3-4, and not eating before I think i might help for LR.

Weight: from 152.5-154.5 over weekend. Another words, no change. Shocking.

Super Fab run....

So this morning was sooo hard to get up and moving...but I did because I knew I would not want to do it this afternoon....I didnt eat enought but I knew that so my legs were somewhat sore from my weight work out yesterday. I was not expecting much out of myself. So I started walking with full intent to continue that until I picked up the pace a smudge with my Chi Skooting as will be affectionatly called from here on out. I was able to keep going with that posture and speed (snaillike) for quite a while and then able to pick it up a little later. I finished a full min later that I did on Tues, but SOOO much better than I expected to finish at all. And. felt pretty strong at the finish. I really feel like my muscles and lungs are picking up speed and I could do a 5k with minimal difficulty by Sept. I am super stoked! Ready for my 5miler on Sat. Already picked my route! Having a little nagging ankle....will ice and ibup for next 36hrs....no injury please!

Schedule: on schedule....3m 46.07 today. Sat my firt 5m!

Nurtition/hydration: its true, I can not eat right before. I knew I didnt eat enough night before, i could feel it, so I drank soy milk and so had runners trots before my finish! But I made it! I think I have the hydration down somewhat.. Drinking 16oz about 430AM and then another 16oz before my coffe on way to run. Then I dont feel I need to carry water if <4miles.>

Weight: 155.5. This is really pizzing me off!

Dont fear the Sweeper.....

This is awesome! It means....at the WDW races the person that comes to pick you up off the course if you are going too slow is called the "sweeper"...Its the big fear esp for new runners! It would just be humiliating to be swept esp before getting to the castle in MK! I'm going to put a pix of the castle on a stick and put it in front of me while I run, you know, like they do dogs on a track....lol.. Anyway, time to pick up the pace girly...

Week 5....

So already into week 5, 28 to go until Marathon! Feelins good!. I really have embraced the run/walk thing,,,,I'm really gonna be ok if I have to do that. I understand the Jeff Galloway method is all that, run/walk throughout. The only thing about that is I hate the walk. I feel like I'm not getting anywhere, I need to learn when I walk I need to keep the pace up even then. I think I use the walk as too much rest, I need to use it only as transition. I have also picked up on the Chi running, that really sounds promising too. It goes with what I was trying to do with the meditation but also lends for your posture too, makes perfect sense. I find morning runs are easier to use meditation cause I'm not fully awake, it is cooler and quieter.
So....runs....I went to gym yesterday> I still like TM because I can really track my time and distance accurately---TM 3.1 in 45.09, lil better. Did some speed work and tried to increase to 4.3 some of run. WOOOW< color="#009900">Carrier this AM, for 3m in 45.12. Trying to push a little harder for faster this week, Its not that easy to even take off 30" from time! My legs feel a lil tired this afternoon, Gym was afternoon and Carrier this AM, not much break.

Gear:Got me new water bottle with handle! Awesome! works just like I imagined....Really really needing new shoes.. Prob before garmin:(

Schedule: starting back on up week this week. Did some tweeking on schedule too. Heard on Nike site to increase by 5% instead of 10%. that really makes more sense to me...that 10% increase was looking really rough to me. Adjusted and now looks more doable, still having me at over 1/2 marathon distance in Nov. Week 5: M3, T3, Wct, Th3, Sat5 = 14m

Hydration/Nutrition: Did well with hydration with new water bottle. Did drink every 15", and drank about 16oz before leaving house. Did not have to pee at all. Did not eat before or during, that did ok but I dont think I had enough last night so was lil weak by end. Morning runs means little bigger dinner than evening runs.

Weight: 155.5. WHAT is going on????

End of Week 4....

Boy time is flying! Today is end of week 4....it was supposed to be 3 miles but Thurs started raining during my run (which was fine with me) my SO and dogs did not appreciate the humor in the wetness in lieu of hot n sticky....so only did 1.25 for their sake. I added the extra mile today, made it 4 . Got like 11.25 in for rest week....I can sure tell it made a huge difference today too, the down week I mean. I was able to go longer without rest but did it with my 'skootin' method and E calls it. It is somewhere between a walk and run...close to ground, uses more glutes and quads and less calf action, AND less cardio. When I started to actually run like normal, I could only go a couple of minutes. Still, I got in 40" of run time out of 1'4" total. That is 16"mile, not gonna keep me from getting swept! So good points today? Went 1/4 of my 1/2 marathon today! Thats totally Super! It was a great run for sure. IF all were that good. I was able to meditate more because I wasnt focused on my lungs about to explode! I am rejuvenated once again! Feel great. I read in my new Runners World the benefits of massage for joints and connective tissue adhesions, so E found us a guy who does for 35$ hour, it was so great!! Today: run 4 miles, breakfast with my sweetie, feel good moment, nap, shower, massage....and its only 3pm. Can it get any better! New shoes would just top it off....

Schedule: 3mile split 46.20, 4miles 1'4". Finish week with 11.25 miles. Next week is back on the up swing. Oddly, I'm looking forward to it.

Gear: Mama needs new shoes, I can tell my great Mizunos are starting to wear.

Nutrition/hydration: I ate chip and sherbet with my grill cheese for supper. Didn't eat before run or during, but did drink some water before run and during. I felt ok, better than trying to eat for me, I just dont do well with something sitting on my stomach, and with delayed empyting?? Drinking a smoothy my sweetie bought while I was in massage, her turn.

Weight: back to 153. Thank god. I am feeling a smudge lighter. I put on fourm about this and one person said it may be my body getting used to new activity and rest will fall into place. That sounds good, we'll go with that!

New attitude....

I have been following several threads on Disboards.com and am finding there are a lot of women just in my postion, mothers, with lives who just want to run, and are starting out very slow and hopeful, just like I am. I have found my attitude has been sucking wind the last week, more pesimistic than hopeful, I am afraid I will grow to hate running, I dont want that. Tuurrning the corner....I am doing something I want to do and love, so shut it and run!!.....today is gym for CT and weights.

Completely frustrated....

Although the run went fairly well this AM, 3m 45", 10r, w5, 2-3r alt w/ walk for total of 24" runs. Its breathing and calfs today that were the culprit of stopping, usually calfs hold out, go figure. I am trying to be patient with myself on the run walk thing...as long as I can keep the outdoor run of 3m 45 or less ....The frustration is the weight thing! I have busted and sweated and busted and sweated and ate very well, for most part, and have gained 2 lbs! Gained! People say muscle, and that would be all fine and good but a 5'4" girl should not ever have 155 lbs of muscle! EVER. When oh when will it fall off like it did before??? This tub o tummy is really getting on my last nerve! I just know I could move faster without it!! OKOK I will not quit. I just need to vent, which is what this blog is for me mostly! I am really wondering though how in the world I will do 13.1 miles.....onward though, I will continue onward. Tried the meditation thing, felt good for about a min then I loose focus. Need help with this....Thanks for listening

Schedule: 3m--Carrier park, 45"

Nutrition/hydration: drank tea about 430 am, then 16oz water right before I left for park. Did not eat, actually felt ok with this. I think eating night before and having carbs fill my muscles with glycogen and having stores is way to go for me. At least on short runs....

Weight: 155?? WTF

so begins week 4....

So it's day 1 of week 4. I go to the gym and begin...hard to get the core work going but I do it, then hit the mill. I have decided to do the mill at least once a week, I can pace by workout precisely, run longer because of room temp control, and softer landing. It is my recovery week, meaning 3 weeks increase, one week of recovery. So Im starting out with 3 miles, on the mill I am able to run longer, today did 5w, 20r, 3w, 10r, 3w, 5r. and felt really great. I am finding I am getting a little bored at times, trying to focus on focus, doing the alphabet game has helped (picking a word for each letter, A Animal...I am an Animal when I run, B Beast....as in Beauty and the Beast,,,,so on), coupled with pod, meditation, mantra. Havin a hard time catching my grove last couple days. I really would like to learn the meditation running. Seems it would make me happy to be able to do that and run too.. I am going to get a new book, I can feel it.
I also am really thinking about a 1/2 marathon in Charlotte in Dec, Thunder Road. seems I should be able to do it somewhat by then even if I have to walk. and I think doing one with hills would give me a time to beat in Feb! I run because I feel strong and confident, gliding and free. T=Tinker Bell today, I could picture her flying in front of me, beautiful blue sky with a few clouds, it made me smile and ...float. My legs actually feel really good, not too tired, so up in the morning...get over with in morning.. Thanks for listening.

Training Schedule: Recovery week. M3, T3, Wct, Th2.5, Sat3.5 total 12.

Nutrition/Hydration: This is the one I'm struggling with right now. I thought with long runs I might need more carbs and I couldnt stand the thought of actually eating something, so drinking sport drink came to mind. I have tried that 2x and I just DO NOT like gaterade type drinks, they are so sweet. I have eaten more this weekend and legs feel really good but its not helping th weight issue. I FEEL heavy and bloated and just fat. My gut is just still there! Its been 3 weeks and nothing. I am just not going to change anything much this week and see what happens....cont to eat healthy like the past 3 weeks M-F, then have a splurge the weekend. I will continue to work on before and during run fuel. short runs not such issue, its after 3m it begins to be issue.

Weight: not going to happen today

End of Week 3

Did my first 4.5 m....3 on track in 38.38, walk /run, interesting, boring. Was visiting a new town for and went for run while E was taking her intermediate state EMS exam.....went to track and was doing my thing and along came couple with their yappy lil pomarainan dog...well i'm afraid of dogs, even lil 1pounders, they can bite too. So I have to stop while this lil yapper if coming at me barking his fool head off and I'm looking at the man like "dude, get your dog" and hes like 'he wont hurt you' and I'm like 'I dont care'. So the woman realizes it and they move on, but not before the man is pissed....I didnt care, I needed to get my run in.....
Kept going run/walk...it was ok. finised my week 13.5 miler. I have been reading forums of Disboards, the disney forum page, its great to be associated with people doing the same race I am planning and also hearing they are on the same page. Thanks for listenin.....

Training schedule: completed 13.5 m schedule. Next week is short week, hopefully my it will give my legs time to gain the muscle Ive been pumping in these past 3 weeks

Nutrition/hydration: It has been a weekend of eating. Period. not good for you food either, anything/everything, yummy. Pancakes, syrup, cookies, cake, fried rice, fried chicken. And I wonder y I cant lose weight. Back on track tomorrow, right after mashed pots here in a few. On running note, will need to get a velcro strap water bottle to carry with me. something else want to check out, on Runners World site, the not eating before-during race to train your body to use fat for ATP makin. That would be great! I'll do some research....

Weight: 153.5