18 is tough

ONE DAY, just merely thinking about blogging is going to generate a blog post. But, for now...it's getting me no where. I have honestly *thought* about blogging quite a bit over the last month. I know, that means nothing because I did not actually write a blog post for over a month.  So, what pushed me to actually write up a blog post today? A combination of inspiration from a professor I had in college (I looked her up today and discovered her amazing blog! Click Here for inspiration from a wonderful lady, Dr. Carolyn Weber) and I ran 18 miles today.

I ran 18 miles today. I ran 18 miles today! Holy crap. Let me first admit that I quit early. I was going for 20 miles, which might have been an unrealistic goal considering that the farthest I had run before today was 15 miles.  18 is good. And, 18 is tough. I had a good friend of mine confirm that. She has ran 18 miles many times. I believe her (not that I didn't before, but I admire her marathon training and know that she HAS TO know!). I have three weeks to go until I run the Chicago Marathon. 20 miles would have put me in a better position, but perhaps next week I will accomplish that feat.  If not, I will be fine. I'm pretty sure that I will finish. No doubt, I could have put a little more effort into my training. I could probably put a little more effort into a lot of things in my life if I wasn't stretched so thin.  What's that my Grandma used to say..."if you're going to sweep the floor half assed don't do it at all!" Luckily, I don't feel that I'm stretched so thin that I am "half-assing" anything...but you get the idea. Crunch time!

Happy Sunday. I got my run in before 11am so I could watch football!

Motivation

I had originally planned on having a very successful training month during July, but in hindsight I realize that I was being a bit over ambitious, especially considering that my sister got married mid-month. However, I could have ran more than I did. I took two and a half weeks off.

I am now finding that I have a boat load of motivation. For starters, I am motivated by my two and a half week break. I know that I cannot do that again before my marathon on October 7. I have also found motivation in the fact that I signed up (on Instagram - totally official) to do 45 miles in July (#45milesinJuly) and actually made the comment that I would probably finish that feat in a few days. Well, the statement is true, but not because I was running 13-milers every week in July, but because I waited and am now coming down to the wire and want to make sure I follow through!

I have also been motivated lately by the Olympic athletes. It's hard not to be. They are so amazing and have worked so hard. When I think that I do not want to run or start to tell myself that it would be ok to stop early, I remind myself of them and all of their hard work. This is the same concept that I used for motivation previously, and still use. I went and watched my mom complete a full Ironman and I frequently tell myself that my mom did that, 10 miles is nothing! No distance I will run will be comparable to the Ironman, so it's guaranteed to work!

I am hoping for a much better August, no matter how busy I get. I have to get up to 20 miles. I will find a way to stay motivated throughout the month. Just a little over two months until marathon day. I'm considering creating a board of some sort like this one that I found. That, or writing inspirational quotes on my mirrors! Whatever it takes!!

Each person is different in terms of staying motivated. What motivates you?

Racing the sun

It being Easter, I got started on my run a little late today. Late, like 6:30pm. The sun hasn't been going down until closer to 8 lately, but I had to put in 8 miles today and at a 10:30 pace, that's really pushin' it. Today, I was racing the sun to get my mileage in. Lucky for me, the sun went down around 7:50 but it wasn't totally dark until 8:15 or 8:30. Once again I was able to meet and exceed my goal even with this challenge thrown into the mix. I set out for 8 miles and ran 9. I'm not sure how long my body will allow this one mile increase each week, but I'm loving it. It feels so good to go out with a number in mind and be able to go beyond that. It feels better than good - it feels AMAZING. I know I'm not even to 10 miles, but the way things are going I am confident in my ability to be well-prepared for a full marathon. And, right now running is my outlet - I need it for my own sanity(crazy at work right now).  

When things get tough, better just go running...

Marathon Training Guide

On February 1, 2012 I was registered for my first full marathon. My mom signed the both of us up, so no backing out. For those of you that know my mom, she's an incredible athlete and an Ironman. Yeah, an IRONMAN. So, we'll see if I can keep up with her!

I'm not sure it really sank in that I am running a marathon in October until about a week ago when I tried creating a training plan. Right now, I have 216 days until the Chicago Marathon. Seems like a long time, right? Wrong. That's 31 weeks. I'm sitting at 4 miles right now! Yikes.

Here is what I came up with for anyone that is looking for a marathon training plan, CLICK HERE. I think it will be challenging. I'm telling as many people as I can about this training plan so that I will stick to it!

Nike+

I finally bought the Nike+ sensor for my training. I'm pretty stoked because I have been looking at buying one of these for a while now. Hopefully the device meets my needs and expectations!

I'm so glad that there are options for people that don't wear Nike shoes to run. I cannot wear them, they are far too narrow for my feet. I am a little bummed that I have to order the universal case online to attach the sensor to my non-Nike shoes. Oh well, all in good time!

Newton Running Shoes

A couple of weeks ago, my mom declared that she was buying me and my sister each a pair of Newton running shoes. I have to admit that before she had said this, I had no idea what the big deal was, or that they even existed. I have always been partial to Asics, but I was totally sold on the Newton shoes and theory after reviewing the website and hearing my mom get so enthusiastic and excited about the shoes. You'll notice the size of the mid-foot location on the shoe, rather than the large heel that most running shoes have. I noted the difference right away just having my Asics sitting next to a pair of Newton's.

This is week two with the shoes and this morning I had my first set back: my legs were too sore to run. Last week I ran two miles and three different days. Let me just say this: they aren't kidding when they say start out slow. It is incredible how little I was using my calf muscles before. I'll be switching between my Asics and Newtons from now on - at least until I build up my muscles...

My mom then shared this link, and this link with me. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not doing my research! There is so much I have to learn about running still. I love that.


P.s. I'm still sold on Newton shoes and theory!