18 miler

Happy Monday friends!

Yes you read that right- HAPPY Monday!  

Why is my Monday so happy?  Because I had a great weekend at a horse show, packed a little, cleaned a bit, and ran a lot.  I hope you all had a great weekend as well!

This weekend marked the big 18 on the calendar.  I was so intimidated by this number and this run, and I was excited/dreading the run all week.  If I've learned anything from this training experience, it's that running is mostly mental. 

 I have to find ways to convince my mind to do things because I know my body can.  I used my "break it up" strategy to accomplish my 18.  If I broke my run into three six mile runs, it seemed manageable compared to an 18 mile run.   Three six mile runs or one 18 mile run?  It's amazing what a little math can do ;) 

I decided to start my morning with a piece of toast with peanut butter and bananas, two eggs, coffee, and a glass of water with a NUUN tab.  Filling and satisfying fuel for an 18 mile run.  I am starting to learn that coffee is a double edged sword.  While I like the jump start to my system, it makes me have to pee constantly during my run.  I have never sprinted into a burger king so fast.   

I was really lucky that the weather was so beautiful.  I started at about 9:15 Sunday morning and went out  dressed in my Moving Comfort capris, Green Pro Compression socks, long sleeve shirt, and my Lulu jacket.  I ended up ditching the jacket at mile one (I ALWAYS over dress).  The wind picked up a little but the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect.  Glad I slathered on the sun screen before I left.    

I filled up my camel back with half orange gatorade (not my choice, it was gifted, and who says no to free anything?) and half water.  I threw two GUs in the little pocket in the bottom of the bag, and threw a pair of gloves, chap stick, and head phones in my jacket pocket.  I slapped on my half charged Garmin and quickly ran out the door before I let my mind take over. 

The plan was to run 5.5 miles to my friend Jill's house in downtown Old Saybrook, run 6.5 miles with Jill by the water, have Olive dropped off, and run the 5.5 miles home with my pup (lots of planning involved in running).  I broke my route up into three pieces- the first part of my run I NEVER feel good so I did that at my own pace.  The second part I had some company to motivate me, and the third part I had Olive to help me keep a steady pace and keep me going for the last part of my run.  

Route 

The first 3 miles were absolutely brutal.  My shins were so tight and felt like they were on fire.  I was thinking to myself  "there is no way I can run more than five miles if this doesn't let up".  I kept my spirits up, stopped to stretch every mile, until finally relief came around mile four.  Around mile 4.5 I was warmed up, feeling great, and 18 was starting to seem doable.  Amazing how quickly a run can change from bad to good- anyone else notice this?

I got to Jill's house and used the bathroom (again, damn coffee), stole a packet of shot blocks, and right back out for a 6.5 mile loop on the water with Jill.  It felt great to ditch my IPOD and have some company for a third of my run.   When we got back I refilled my camel bak, stole a pack of Gu Chomps (my new favorite run fuel), and headed home with Olive for the last 5.5 mile leg of the run.  I loved the caffeine in the chomps and loved that the bite size pieces were perfect for snacking on during my run.  I had a chomp every half mile- something to break up my run and look forward to.  It's the little things... really....

Seeing this sign 2 miles from home always reminds me I am in the home stretch and that the end is near.  Miles 12 + felt great and I was comfortably running 9:20 minute miles (averaging about 10:00 until this point).  Proper Hydrating with the camel bak and Gu/Blocks at miles 6, 9, 13, and 15 seemed to be a really great combo for me.  My muscles felt great and fatigue was minimal.  Everything was going pretty perfect until I felt a sharp shooting pain behind my left knee around mile 15.  I slowed my pace down to 10:00+ minute miles which seemed to help the pain a little.   The pain came back in short bursts but I pushed through it and made it home 18 miles and 2 hours and 59 minutes later.  (This was purely running time, I paused it during each stretch break and my break at Jills).  

I was happy to be done, but a little nervous about the possible start of a new injury.  I put my new gel ice packs to good use- two on the shins and one behind my left knee.  I was considering taking an ice bath until I realized there was no ice.  This seemed like the next best thing.  Of course with a beer in my hand and one compression sleeve (I will find the other one day).   

I couldn't believe I just spent three hours running, covered 18 miles, and actually enjoyed it.  Besides the first three miles and that funky pain toward the end of my run- I felt great.  For the first time I finished saying  "I think I could have ran a marathon today... I think I could have kept going..."   One more milestone down and another mile closer to 26.2.

A beer, a lunch of grilled steak and roasted veggies, some ice cream, and some quality time with my pup wrapped up my Sunday Runday. 

 If I can get through those first three miles- I can get through any distance I set my mind to.  

Happy Recovering,
Katie 

Three Month Recap: Marathon Training

I can't believe I have been training for this marathon for THREE MONTHS!  It feels like just yesterday I was struggling to run three miles.  Oh wait that was yesterday....  Well it feels like just yesterday I got on the scale after Christmas to confirm what I felt and saw:  I had put on some weight and was feeling and looking less than spectacular.  I kept telling myself the same thing(s). 

* Instead of complaining set a goal and work towards what you want, one day at a time.  

* You are 25 and maintaining a healthy weight and body image is only going to get harder as I got older and life gets more stressful.  

*This isn't about a number or an image, its about being the healthiest me I can be.  

*It is only going to get harder so lets nip this in the butt now.  

(Me during the Turkey Trot five miler pretty healthy and pretty happy before the start of the holiday weight, and the first  one of many many many beers) 

 Nip this in the butt?  Ill run a marathon!  That should do it!  Every time I run a half marathon I swear I can NEVER run a marathon but hey.. the sky is the limit right?  Its a bucket list item and I want to be a statistic.  I want to be in the .5% of the US Population that has run a marathon.
More fun marathon stats here. 
This one makes me nervous....

Average number of miles ran per week during marathon training

40 miles

I will run a marathon as a goal to keep running while learning how to fuel my body properly.  I decided I was going to run 3-4 days a week, one long run on the weekend and 2-3 short runs on the week (maintenance runs).   Throw in horse back riding walking and hiking for cross training, plenty of rest days, and a once a week HIIT class and it was a recipe for success!  

Or a disaster.  

I guess we will find out in May....

January 2013  started off really well.  I had been running a few miles here and there during December so I could jump right into a long run of six miles that first weekend.  It was a really rough six miles but I kept reminding myself:

I pushed through that first month with a total of 63.5 miles, ending on 9 miles being my longest distance run. (Ignore the pace, I never filled in the time of my run so this ap thinks im amazingly fast)  Good for the ego....
I used Running Log Free- a free app to keep track of all my workouts. 

Long run weekends
Weekend 1: 6
Weekend 2: 7.5
Weekend 3: 8
Weekend 4: 9

February 2013 was a busy month and marked my debut back in the double digit runs.  I decided to take Running Master Jill's advice and try to go 3 weeks hard one week easy, so I threw in a 5 miler for a long run the second week to help prevent injury and make Jill proud. My only goal was to run more miles than last month, while gradually increasing my longest run.  Nailed it.  

Total miles 75.11

Long run weekends

Weekend 1: 10

Weekend 2: 5

Weekend 3: 12

Weekend 4: 13

March 2013 was a challenge.  You can read about my awful 14 miler here and then you can read about that bad week after  where I took a week to recuperate, ran once (3.5 miles) and agreed to get back on track.  I did get back on track ..... I stuck with my 15, 16, and 17 and ended the month on a good note 94.5 miles later.  

94.5


Long run weekends
Weekend 1: 14
Weekend 2: 3.5
Weekend 3: 15
Weekend 4: 16
Weekend 5: 17

Now it is April , the sun is shining, the Daffoldils are blooming, and I am scheduled for 18, 20, 22 miles and a week in Bonaire.  Because I am going to Bonaire for a week and will miss two weekends of long runs, I am going to push through my "three weeks hard 1 week slow"  and change that to "six weeks hard 2 weeks slow"  and then taper down for my MARATHON!  This sounds like a risky idea but I had to adjust to my diving drinking and vacation schedule.  Oops, 

Thanks for sticking with me this far.....According to the scale I have lost about 8 lbs and according to my jeans, mirrors, and my friends, I look great.  I feel great and I am so excited to reach 18, 20, 22, and 26!

Enjoy your weekend and I will report back Monday about my 18 miler.  Gulp! 

Relax

I really need to learn to listen to my body.  It usually knows whats up.  I woke up Thursday morning exhausted.  8 hour shift as an environmental scientist followed by a five hour shift on my feet bartending is exhausting.  Combine that with my workouts, running, riding, cooking and cleaning and no wonder I felt like a bag of poop yesterday.  

I would like to say " Oh I will relax and slow down this weekend"  but with a horse show Saturday and an 18 mile run.... relaxing will be kind of hard to do.   I really need to cut back on my schedule.  What I don't know but something needs to give.  I need some time to relax, read a book, drink some wine, and catch up on some sleep.  

                                      

I listened to my body Thursday morning when it told me to hit the snooze button four times.  I ignored it around lunch time when I went out for my three mile run still feeling heavy, tired, and just flat out exhausted.  

I ran 1.5 miles to the beach, stopped to stretch and snap a few pictures, and ran 1.5 miles back.  It was a beautiful sunny day at the beach and I was terribly over dressed.  The entire run I felt heavy, tired, achey, hot and uncomfortable.  At the half way point I stopped and got a little down on myself.  I ran 17 miles last weekend, how is 3 so hard?  Why does everything hurt?    A few deep breaths and the blue water got me back on track for my run home and got me thinking why this run was going so poorly.

It was probably so hard because I do way to much, I never stretch, I was over dressed over stressed and I never drink enough water.  I need to find ways to better hydrate throughout the day, and also find ways to fit in lots of stretching after my runs.  I really need to stop procrastinating and take a yoga class and see if maybe that helps this "heavy" feeling I experience sometimes.

I really like Tara's idea from Undressed Skeleton to mark a water bottle with times and amounts as a "reminder" to keep drinking water throughout the day.  I am probably going to leave off the ribbon and the bling though.  I left gem stones behind about the same time I stopped buying Lisa Frank.  

I am three hard months into marathon training and I can't let myself get burned out yet.  Looks like its time to tweak my plan a little bit, hydrate better, stretch, slow down, and enjoy the ride.  

In the mean time, I am going to keep reminding myself this:  

Running For Rescues / World Stray Animal Day !

Signing up (committing and paying) for a marathon was a huge leap forward for me.  Running a marathon will be a huge check off the bucket list, an amazing accomplishment, and I nearly tear up thinking about crossing that finish line in May (I know I am pathetic...).  When I signed up for the marathon I was still only at 13 miles for distance and I was really nervous about doubling that.  What if I get injured?  What if I just can't do it?  Oh look here... I can defer my admission to next year?!? Perfect.

That got me thinking.  I am months away and already looking for a cop out?  I need something more binding... something more motivating.  That is when I found Running For Rescues, a way to combine my passion for animal rescues and marathon training into one. 

Running For Rescues is a non profit organization dedicated to saving lives of shelter animals around the country.  

Taken from their site:  

Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state. Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.

"Here’s what we’re gonna do with the money you raise. We’re going to give it to small, grassroots organizations (that may or may not have 501(c)3 status) which are on the frontlines - people pulling animals out of shelters before they are put to sleep. The cost associated with their efforts can be staggering! Your money might be used for shots, spay/neuter, transport, boarding, or food while the animal is being fostered.

Ever wonder what happened with your $50 donation you sent to the ASPCA or The Humane Society? While these are both great organizations, they are corporate top-heavy. We don’t get paid here. With Running for Rescues, you’ll actually be able to see how the money that has been raised is spent. We will post pictures of the dogs and cats that we help to rescue with funds that you ran for (or tri-d for).  "

Olive and I are perfect for the charity. 

Olive is my shelter dog that I rescued almost two years ago and she runs almost every mile with me.   Instead of going to a pet store or a breeder and spending close to $1,000 if not more, I gave an amazing dog a home for free.  She is the most loyal and amazing dog I have ever met and could not imagine training for this race (or doing just about anything else) without her.  

Now that I have a charity to help out, and the support (financially and emotionally) from my friends and family, I am going to cross that finish line crawling if I have to.  I set a goal of $500 and I am already at 575!  I suppose its time to up my goal and raise more money for these shelter animals.  

If you are interested in supporting my marathon training and this amazing organization- Please visit my fundraising page!  No amount is too small and every dollar helps!   Click here to donate!

You can also head to their site and buy t shirts, hoodies, and make donations.  Head on to their site and consider Running For Rescues :) 

Click here to see their site!


If you can't donate (as a poor 25 year old I know money can be tight).  PLEASE consider adopting your next pet or maybe even fostering for your local shelter/rescue.  


P.S.  Today is World Stray Animals Day! Take some time today to show your compassion by sharing, volunteering, or educating someone about needy animals ♥ April 4 is the worldwide celebrated day to give special attention to the 600.000.000 stray animals in the world.

Recycled dogs are the best dogs-
 I Promise!



Thanks to all of my friends who have donated already! You are all so amazing and I am so lucky for all of your support :)

Tom and Pam Great cause, great runner, GO KATIE! 3/29/2013	$50.00
Dive Buddy You go girl! 3/26/2013	$50.00
Thatcher Katie beats me. Anyone want a cat? 3/26/2013	$50.00
Marissa Can't wait! Will be there to cheer you on! 3/25/2013	$25.00
Janusz Dziurzynski 3/25/2013	$25.00
Sarah Robertson Go girl, go!! You are supporting a great cause...Amelia is throwing in a few pennies here too! 3/24/2013	$25.00
Matt P 3/23/2013	$25.00
Stacie Seidman 3/22/2013	$25.00
Loray Paul Best of luck, to you & Olive! 3/22/2013	$25.00
Sean Murphy and Kristina Koncewicz 3/21/2013	$40.00
Jonathan Dwyer 3/21/2013	$40.00
Kristen Yay Katie! 3/21/2013	$30.00
Hannah Storton 3/21/2013	$25.00
Liz Can't wait to cheer you on every mile of the way! 3/21/2013	$20.00
Christine Adanti 3/21/2013	$15.00
Chris 3/21/2013	$50.00
Rachel Pope The one cause I will ALWAYS donate to! 3/21/2013	$20.00
Katie Arruda 3/21/2013	$10.00
Tracy Montalbano

10 Gym Problems That Make Being Out Of Shape And Unhealthy Seem Like Better Options

I love love Thought Catalog.  They provide articles from Love and Sex to Food and Health.  Some are funny, some are serious, but I find they are all well written and thoughtful.  This one really hit home.  On my way to work I was trying to find ways to save a buck. I have a gym membership (I enrolled during the winter months) and it is time to cancel it once again.  I haven't been in months because I really hate the gym.  For me the gym is an awful awful place and hey... spring has sprung!  back to workouts outside, fresh air, and tiring out the dog.  If you are a gym go-er you can probably relate to this- enjoy Chrisopher Hudspeths article :)  

10 Gym Problems That Make Being Out Of Shape And Unhealthy Seem Like Better Options

APR. 4, 2013 

By CHRISTOPHER HUDSPETH

Shutterstock & Dawson’s Creek – The Complete First Season

1. The risk of PUBLIC humiliation. One of the benefits of home workouts is that no matter how hard you fail or how foolish you look, there are zero witnesses! The gym can bring anxiety and self-consciousness to the tenth degree. Why? For me it’s because seemingly everybody has immaculate abs and works out with such grace, while my struggle face throughout every exercise resembles the infamous Dawson’s Creek cry face and after I get off of the treadmill, I walk like a baby giraffe taking its first steps. Not smooth.

2. People with the worst hygiene. By exercising, we’re all putting our deodorant to the test; so a little funk is to be expected. The confusing people are the ones who smell like hate for no conceivable reason. The ones that walk past you and the gust of air makes your nostrils tingle and eyes water. Those unexplainably foul-smelling folks make you wonder if compromising your nose is worth saving your heart.

3. Couples showing affection during the workout. Yes, we get it, your babe is doing a good job and that’s fantastic, but you don’t have to let him/her know that with congratulatory kisses after each set. Just soyou know, we all hope you break up, seriously. Then maybe you’ll meet someone with enough sense to tell you that gym affection should be limited to high-fives, back pats, and occasional words of encouragement.

4. People making fun of out of shape people in the gym. Dear, jerks at the gym – how is the person with a flabby stomach that you’re cracking jokes about supposed to get better? Oh, that’s right, BY WORKING OUT. Maybe if they didn’t have to endure comments under your breath or blatant, rude giggles, they’d be comfortable enough to go consistently and get in better condition. I’ve never understood the concept of criticizing someone as they are literally in the process of bettering themselves. Would you poke fun at an alcoholic as they arrive at an AA meeting? Probably, considering you’re a complete asshole (not youguys, I’m still talking to the douche-y gym bullies).

5. People who are there to look good and hangout. When people obviously did their makeup or fixed up their hair in preparation for the gym, they are typically there to socialize and draw attention more than burn calories. And hey, do you’re thing, just keep it away from me. You being done up only further exposes my hideousness. Aside from the moments after first waking up, mid-workout is usually my least appealing moment aesthetically.

6. The lingerers who spend absurd amounts of time at the same piece of equipment or in the area that you need. Checking Facebook, Tweeting, Instagramming – doing whatever on their phone, stopping only to glace at themselves in the mirror. Maybe some stretching, tying, untying and retying of their shoes – then maybe a quick set of actually exercise, before repeating the entire process again.

7. Filthy machines. So many people don’t disinfect the machines after they doused ‘em in sweat. I can’t comprehend that. I feel like even if you’re a disgusting human being, you’d at least wipe it down because there are people around who can see you. 

8. Intense grunters. It basically goes like this:NGUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHSHHH! One.
NGUUUUUUUUSUSUSHHHHHHH! Two.
NGUUUUUUUUUUSHHSHSHHSHHHHHHHHAAAH! Three. NGUUUUUUUUSHAHHAH. Four. NNNNNNNYAAAAAAAAAHAHHSHHAHHHHH. Five. NYYYYYEVERYBODYLOOKATMEIMLIFTINGHEAVYSHITAHHHH! Six. NNNAAAAAAATTENTIONINEEDITAAAAHHHHH! Seven.
UUUUUHHHSERIOUSLYLOOKATMEGODIMIMPRESSIVEHHHHHHAHH! Eight.

One set down, three more to go… And the rest of us have to hear this and pretend it doesn’t sound like The Hulk is having his first orgasm in years.

9. Location, location, location. Why are gyms ALWAYS by a Taco Bell or a Coldstone, or a McDonalds, or a place that offers foods that are terrible for our health? WHY? I want answers! Burn 500 calories – gain 1,000 immediately after because you can’t get the burger without the fries, and the fries without the McFlurry. Is this a cohesive plan? Are gyms secretly united with unhealthy fast food joints to exist near each other and keep us a somewhat out of shape, thus forcing us to maintain our membership? Sick, twisted, maniacal bastards.

10. It just takes so much time that could be spent not gasping for air. Aside from having a nice body, the main purpose for working out is for good health which, we’d hope would result in a lengthier life. The thing is, the years our living is extended from exercising are spent on a treadmill. So basically you can live to 85 instead of 82, but you spent three years of your life doing cardio and passing on fried chicken and donuts. Some eat to live, I live to eat — is working out and dieting worth it?