Maybe....

For those that still follow... I think I'm going to run/jog/walk the Baltimore Marathon this Saturday... wish me luck!

Goal = Finish

16 miles complete!!!!!!!

wouldn't it be nice to look like
this at a marathon finish line?

I would have liked a faster time but I need to just realize that my goal is to FINISH the marathon!!  Over the past year (and even further back) my body has been through complete hell!  I need to realize and accept that while I think its cool that my body is able to train and do this less than a year after "brain" surgery, that does not mean it still doesn't have needs and issues.  I cannot and should not be pushing it too hard, maybe when training for a future marathon I can.  But for right now, my goal is to finish with a smile.  I need to stop comparing times and I need to focus on me.  My body is amazing and I am so glad that I have recovered from my surgery without complications and I am so lucky that my whole tumor was removed.  I've also has nutrition issues in the past and I think its cool I'm doing well with that too.  My mood is amazing and I'm just all around feeling well.  I do have my tired and not motivated moments but I think that is normal for everyone during periods of life.  I am happy overall but I'm not happy every second.  There is an overall and long term happiness that I think I have and then there is an in the moment happiness and I think no one can say they are happy all the time.  Anyways, I just need to get my priorities for the marathon in line and not let anyone or myself believe otherwise.

Annapolis 10 miler next weekend!  I am so excited that my mom is coming with me!!!!!  I am beyond excited actually!  It means a lot to me that she is coming, words can't describe my happiness surrounding that.

First day back at work tomorrow after summer vacation.  Professional week this week and then the kiddos come next Monday (the 29th).  I am so excited for this year!



Another Awesome Run!!

I am very fortunate that I have awesome health insurance but sometimes it disappoints me.  Today was one of those days so I did not go to my Wednesday doc appointments.  I was mad at the time when I was dealing with all that drama but tonight I saved a lot of money in gas and I was able to get in my 5 mile run.

I went out at 7:30 tonight but it was still 90 degrees outside.  However, the sun was setting and I drove to someplace with trees but still close to major roads (for safety).  My mind was totally focused on running, I don't think I thought about anything else which is very different for me.  Normally I think about day to day things and run at a leisurely pace.  But I was determined to run in less than 50 minutes.  My total time was 48:26 Miles 3 and 4 were a little over 10 minutes but miles 1, 3, and 5 were awesome!!!  It was HOT!  Normally with this temperature I'd go to the gym but I toughed it out.  I was beyond soaked in sweat and dripping.  It was sooooooooo gross but at the same time I could tell that I worked hard.  I wore my water belt which was good because I needed water.  I am very happy with my time.  Now I don't have to worry about getting a run in tomorrow (its my birthday tomorrow and I have babysitting all day and my bday dinner at night).

I usually just like running for the fun of it.  I'm kind of getting into running for faster times.  I just don't want to get obsessed and I still don't want to aim for a marathon time, I just want to finish and do my best.

the content turtle now wants to run faster

Next Saturday (the 16th) I'm running an 8k and I'm hoping to get under 46 minutes.  I can't remember my exact time from 2 years ago when I ran this race but I'm hoping for less than 46 min.  Its a night run so we shall see, I won't have the sun but it'll be hot.

Sore.... very sore!

So my awesome 10 miler yesterday left me waking up in a world of pain and soreness.  I felt like I couldn't move, not fun.  I did get up and run/walk 3 miles but that was painful.  I slept like 12 hours last night and took a 3 hour nap today.  Wow, the sun and running are killing me.  I'll run 5 miles tomorrow night so hopefully my legs will have some rest.

My friend put this video on my facebook wall so I thought I'd share.



If only it were that easy.... but I'm glad its not because it would take away a lot of the excitement on training and completeing it.  If it were easy, people wouldn't frame their medals and put stickers on their car.

In Training

I got my "In Training - Baltimore Running Festival - 10.15.11" Under Armour shirt today!!!!

So of course, I took it out of the package, changed out of my work clothes, put the shirt on and went for my 3 mile run!  It was so awesome running with it on.  I went on an outdoor run because all the rain had stopped by the time I got home.  I chose a new route, it was nice to change things up a bit.  All the roads, trails, and side-walks are all hilly so I didn't get away from that but this run wasn't too bad.  I always run slower when I am unsure exactly where roads are. 

Ankle is doing ok.  I had no problems with it at work today which was good.  This week our community trip was bowling which was so much fun.  I love my students, they truely make me happy.

I cancelled my weekly doc appointment this week because I have another tomorrow and I just didn't think it was necessary to go.  It is so nice being home on a Wednesday night (normally I leave work right after my kids and then don't get home until 10pm).  It is 7:30 and I've run, had a nice dinner, did some work, watched TV, and am about to get into the bath and read.  I have to figure out how to make all my training weeks set up like this week.  I do have to go to my doc office tomorrow but I won't be there for hours.  All my apppointments are complicated.  I'm hoping over the summer I can work it more nicely into my schedule.  Basically, it is nice to be home and it was nice to run.

Start

Welcome to my random marathon training blog!  I started this more for my own sake to keep me accountable.

I am running the Baltimore Marathon on October 15, 2011 which means I have 23 weeks to train.  Sounds like a lot but in reality it is closer than it seems.

Background:  I first fell in love with running when I ran cross country in high school.  I am 23 now so that wasn't too too long ago.  I was not fast however, my PR for 3.1 miles was 23:55.  I remember that day, I was so excited to break the 24 minute mark.  Anyways, throughout college, I mostly just stuck to the gym.  i went for myself and wasn't competeing.  My junior and senior year in school I taught a weight lifting class (nothing intense, low weights to music).  At the end of my senior year, I ventured outdoors again and started running.  After graduating, in the summer of 2009, I started running a lot.  I ran a 6k, 8k, and 20k that summer.  And then, in September 2009 I ran a half marathon in 2:05:08.  That time for the half marathon is pretty good considering I started my first teaching job 3 weeks prior and only ran once or twice in those 3 weeks.  Well, then teaching took over my life and I stopped working out.  In January 2010 I got sick and spent 2 months in and out of the hospital.  In May 2010 I had my first seizure which led to me being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.  So, I did not run or exercise the summer of 2010.  In September 2010 I had brain surgery to remove the tumor.  It was a very successful surgery but left me out of work until November and I couldn't exercise until January 2011.  But I was so busy with work.... anyways, it was only a month and a half ago that I decided to start running again.  It was a gift to myself.

Registering for the Marathon:  It was my friend's 30th birthday and she was really sad about turning 30.  She tried convincing her friends that she was now more seceptible to new diseases and infections.  She also complained about her body.  Anyways, somehow that led into her wanting to be in shape and making it her year.  Someone then suggested we run a marathon.... to make a long story short, that night, my friend and I registered for the Baltimore Marathon.  I think it will be a cool gift to myself after making it a year after brain surgery.

The program: I have decided to train using Hal Higdon's training program.  My only problem is that his schedule does not fit my schedule.  Unfortunately I have lots of doctor appointments and a job.  So I have kind of modified it (which I know I shouldn't do).

Today:  I have mostly been running on treadmills up until today.  Today I ran 3.4 miles in 35 minutes.  Not too bad considering I haven't been outdoors in awhile.  I am happy with my time.  The hills were a killer but I did not walk at all!  I am having trouble with cramping on my left side but that isn't new.  It is just hard to work through.

Tomorrow: I have to go to Towson after work for doctor appointments so I won't be running but I might try and take a short walk between appointments.

Thoughts: I'm excited at the idea of running a marathon and I don't forsee any problems now and over the summer.  However, the start of the school year in September will be hard and thats when the workouts will be harder.  We shall see how training goes then.  I'm just going to try my hardest and if worst comes to worst, I have 7 hrs to complete the marathon.  My friend and I put our expected finish time as 4:30:06 (don't ask why we put 6 seconds).  I am hoping that I can do that. 

Anyways, I hope to continue posting.  Again, its more for my sake.