ick

well yesterday's high wore off and today's run was painful - I think I start off running too fast on these runs, because by 1 mile today I was ready to throw in the towel. Ended up running in like 18 minutes. Maybe I was just tired from running 4 days in a row... lets hope so. Not much new to tell - going out to dinner with DJ so I don't have a lot of time to update anyhow. Day off tomorrow! I might actually do the gym or something, a little bike action maybe?

in the ZONE

Ran 4 miles tonight, and I don't know if it was the fact that I ran an entirely new route, my pace, the food I ate today or the fact that I am finally catching up with my training... but it was awesome. I wasn't fatigued at all - it felt great. I felt great. Ran in about 40 minutes, I think a little under that but its hard to tell without a watch. The route I ran today was really nice too, through Brookline (Huntington to Washington to Harvard to Longwood and up Riverside) and the temperature was beautiful. I have a feeling I am going to be doing most of my running in the later evenings, especially when it starts to stay light out later.

Also, my aunt has offered to buy me a pair of running shoes for my birthday!! We are going shopping next Tuesday. Really excited to get out of this crappy old pair.

I also have to mention - I got my car today!! Many many thanks to my wonderful grandparents for all of their help and the wonderful birthday present :) I love you!!

GEL-Kinsei® 2

This is ASICS premier running shoe, a stylish performance gem whose features include the Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®), which enhances gait without detracting from natural foot movement. The discrete forefoot set-up actually mimics connective tissue to create propulsion during toe-off, and mesh lining keeps your feet cool and dry.

SUMMER IN APRIL!

I had to wait all day today just to run 2 miles... and even at 730 I was overheated. I was running pretty quickly up until the 1.5 mile mark... that's when I really started to overheat and take the pace down a few notches. Finished in a little under 17 minutes... would have been around 16 if it hadn't have been for the heat. These shorter runs you would think I would enjoy more because its less time, but the increased speed really takes it toll... I am not a speed runner!!

Also, I saw on a running message board that I may not be able to run with music during the marathon... don't know how I feel about this. I NEVER run without music, so I'm wondering if I should stop using my ipod... I honestly don't think I can run 26 miles without something keeping me occupied. Hafta do some more research before I really start to panic.

week 1 over - 23 weeks left

Well I screwed up my training a little this weekend - I took 3 days off in a row. I couldn't really help it though, New England got hit with a major heat wave and my body is barely used to 60 degree weather... let alone 90 degree weather. So Saturday I missed my 4 mile run, and yesterday I missed my 5 mile run... so today instead of cross training I did my 5 mile run, and I accounted for my missed 4 miler with the extra 5 miles I did last Monday. So overall, I think it evened out. I will probably take it somewhat easy tomorrow (run slower than usual) on my 2 mile run so I don't wear myself out for the longer Wednesday run.

Today's run was good - ran in about 49 minutes (not counting my walking time). I took a quick break at about the 4 1/2 mile mark - walked about a tenth to two tenths and then sprinted the rest of the way home. My hips were really killing me so I figured it was best to take it easy instead of strain myself because I do not have the best shoes and still need to see a specialist.

This week's training is identical to last week's - my last chance at an 'easy' week. I need to get used to increased mileage and really start to push myself the next few weeks so I am prepared for the heat and stepping up the mileage. I don't think I fully have the marathon training 'mindset' and hope I can really get into it when the time calls for it. That's all for now folks!

day off

Today is my rest day... and thank god. Pulled an all nighter last night to study for my physics exam (not sure if it payed off) and I had to work. I guess I walked about 2 -21/2 miles today so I guess you could sort of count that as cross-training. GO SOX!

day four

Before I start, I realized on my run today that I posted the incorrect time for my run yesterday, and it was driving me absolutely crazy when I was running, haha. I meant 38 minutes, not 48 minutes. 48 minutes would be a terrible time!!

Anyways, today was another short one, 2 miles, at a pretty competitive pace. I don't know my time because I was wearing a long sleeve shirt over my ipod (which has a clock on it) and didn't get to see when I stopped. I'm guessing it was under 20 minutes at least. I really need new running shoes, I think its having a really devastating effect on my stride. Overall though, the run wasn't bad. Better than Tuesday's.

Also need to hydrate myself throughout the day -- I noticed I've been having random headaches lately and I can probably blame them on not having enough water. Day off tomorrow - I will probably get some walking in due to the fact that I am working - its about a mile and half away!

day three

4 mile run today - once again in the pouring rain! At least it was warm, I ran in a sport tank top. My time was about 38 minutes, not bad, not good either. Definitely felt fatigued the majority of the run... sometimes when I run, no matter how long I have been going for, it feels like I'm fighting the wind or something. And then other times, I feel like I could run a 7 minute mile for 5 miles and still keep going. I guess it all depends on diet, rest and stretching. Gotta find my medium.

I also need to find some new running routes - I ventured off my normal track towards the end of my run to make it an even 4 miles - and I noticed it was less difficult to keep moving. I think maybe part of why I have been struggling to keep going might have to do with boredom - mixing up my routine and maybe changing my workout play list might help. We will see! At least I have a few weeks of shorter runs to get into the swing of things...

Also, I have been having some serious problems with my right leg, especially my knee. I noticed that I often land on the outside of my foot. I think I need to get that checked out asap. Maybe get some sort of knee brace thing so keep my leg straight when I run.

day one (technically day two)

Started my official training today!! I started on the first Tuesday on my chart, since I did run yesterday... I ran about 5 miles yesterday so my first week will be a little off... ran 2 miles today in the pouring rain, haha. Not sure what my exact time was, took me around 15-16 minutes though. Its funny, the whole time I was kind of struggling (probably because I wasn't fully recovered from yesterday's disaster run) and I kept thinking, wow I can barely make it through 2 miles! How am I going to get through 13 times this? I kept pushing on though, and hopefully can keep up some positive thinking instead of dreading the long distances. Also did some grocery shopping, picked up some healthier foods - bananas, nutrigrain bars, jello!! When my mileage starts increasing I will need to do some heavy duty nutrition research and figure out a good diet to keep me moving!

2009 Portland, ME marathon!

After watching the Boston Marathon yesterday, (and from having the urge to run a marathon for quite some time) I have decided to train for the 2009 Portland Marathon in Maine. The date of the event is October 4th, 2009, 7:45 AM (I know, yikes!) This gives me roughly 6 months to train, and I decided to make an online journal of my struggles and triumphs for my family and friends to follow.

I have chosen a 24 week training schedule - hence, there are 24 weeks till the race:My marathon goal is to complete the race in under 4 1/2 hours. This means I need to be running at roughly 10 min/mile. The long runs will all be on Sunday. I will be running the long runs about 45 seconds slower per mile than I intend to run the marathon. My cross training will on Monday... I will probably mix it up between walking and biking. The runs midweek are going to be dedicated towards building up my speed. I will shoot to run these from between 8 & 8:30/mile. (nothing fancy like my little sister!) The runs on Saturday will be at the marathon pace - 10 min/mile. Rest on Fridays!
Before I start my long(er) runs I am going to need to get new running shoes. Would be a great birthday gift, seeing as my birthday is in 4 weeks!! *hint hint* I also need to get myself a water resistant stop watch so I can record my time. I have a pedometer but I don't think it is very accurate. I am extremely excited about this, and hope you will all come to watch!!