Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day! My friend from Ft. Lauderdale came to Orlando. We went out Friday night with a few friends downtown. Sunday I went to a Crawfish Festival with music, food, friends and sunshine! It was a really fun weekend, but I'm exhausted today! Friday I swam laps for a hour and did a quick mile, but didn't work out on Saturday. Sunday I woke up and ran with a friend in Celebration, which was great except the pain in my right foot came back midway through- I pushed through it but it was pretty sore again when I was finished. I am probably going to take my shoes into a running store to get checked for new shoes, since people have told me it could be the arches in my shoes are too high.

I ran 5 miles in 43:27

Quick 3

I ran 3 miles in 25:38. 

I didn't start until around 8:30 PM and it was already getting dark. I usually don't run so late, but I had a busy day and knew I wanted to get a run in because the weather was perfect. I ran in Celebration and stayed around downtown and the trails that were near it, and lit up. It was getting pretty dark by the time I started, and I was pretty hungry which made me move faster than usual for a quick run. I felt great the entire time. I thought about just not doing it today because of how busy I was, but I love when I go anyways and feel great afterwards.

Today I made a spinach, banana, greek yogurt, flax seeds and cranberry juice SMOOTHIE. I have heard a lot of things about putting spinach in smoothies, and tried it today. It was delicious! I have been making a lot of smoothies lately, which are a great substitute to breakfast since I am usually getting ready while eating. I'm excited for Memorial Day weekend, I have a friend coming in from Ft. Lauderdale. It's supposed to rain, but I hear it will only rain here and there. I hope that is true because I plan on running, swimming, and playing tennis on my days off!

Now that my half and full marathon are completed I am anxious for a new goal. I am thinking a triathlon. Now I need a bike... 

...and I'm back!

Last night my feet were still a little sore, but the weather outside was beautiful. My favorite way to enjoy a nice day is definitely by running. Today I woke up good as new! I knew exactly how I wanted to spend the afternoon. It's been a little longer than a week, the longest I've gone without running since I've started training back in January. I went to Celebration and anticipated getting back into it slow with a 3 mile jog. I felt great and went for 5.

I ran 5 miles in 53:34. 

It was slow, but awesome. I felt great, and didn't feel any pain. I don't know how it will be from here without "training" or having a goal in mind. I do have a few in mind, such as improving my 5k times. I don't know when my next race will be yet, but I'm excited to start lining them up!

Recovery.

This week there hasn't been a lot to update, because I haven't been running! It's been a week and one day since the Marathon, and I'm still recovering. My body feels fine. I was never really sore in my legs, or body or anywhere except the bottom sides of my feet. I can walk fine in heels, just flat footed hurts. The two days following the marathon were by far the worst, and everyday has been getting better since. I went to Dick's Sporting Goods  yesterday because we got a $10 coupon in our marathon bags. I ended up buying the Thrive by Dr. Vonda Wright to try to massage out my pain!

Here is the "product information" from the website. Experience the healing benefits of the Thrive™ Massage Ball. The Massage Ball features durable spikes designed to stimulate sensory points on the body. The compact design allows you to release tension of sore muscles and promote healing anywhere. Place one on the floor below your feet for a relaxing foot massage, or place against a wall or chair for a soothing back massage. 

FEATURES:

• This fitness tool is part of the Dr. Vonda Wright, M.D., fitness program
• Spike design stimulates sensory points on the body
• Increases blood flow to release tension of sore muscles to promote healing
• Use at home, at the office, or while traveling
• Constructed with durable materials built to last
• Diameter: 3.5"

I brought it to work today and rolled it under my feet at my desk. If anything, it feels good! 

I swam on Saturday, but other than that I took it easy this week. I have plans to see "Water For Elephants" tonight, which I've been excited to see but tomorrow I will probably start my workout routine up again :) It will be interesting to see what I do without training now. My goal is to incorporate swimming, strength and yoga as well as run shorter distances. It is going to be a hot summer, but I have a treadmill for quick runs and I am sure I will still attempt outside. If I don't run in a few days I start to get antsy, and I'm starting to feel that now! I just want to be 100% before I attempt to run again. 

I feel settled in Orlando now, and am looking forward to Memorial Day weekend coming up! 

Marathon Cont...

I am working on my Marathon Post. It's going to be a long one! My feet are still a little sore today, I iced them a little and just took it easy today. I think tomorrow will be better!

MARATHON

 This will probably be a pretty long post, but this was the reason I started this blog! Actually, when I started it was to survive a half marathon. At the time, I had no idea that it would turn into a full marathon just a few short months later.

My journey started with a wonderful company called Arctic Ease.  They passed out a sample at my half marathon expo and I really liked the sample after the race. I wasn't sure where to buy it so I started following them on facebook.  Almost immediately after I started following them they were holding a contest for the Pittsburgh Marathon.  I had to answer questions such as "favorite things in Pittsburgh", but since I had never been I looked up different places that looked interesting to answer the questions. To my surprise I got a message in my inbox saying I was the grand prize winner and won the entry fee and either a flight or hotel to the marathon! This was before I even knew I would be moving to Orlando.

When I found out I was moving I chose flight- I was determined to still run the marathon. Although with moving and the crazy week and weekends leading up to it, I wasn't able to put 100% into my training. I still had some amazing runs though, from Bonita Springs in Florida to Manhattan Beach in California.

I have crazy memories of getting bit by a dog, settling into my new apartment in Orlando and discovering new trails. It has really been an exciting, yet crazy few months leading up to it, but I can't even express how happy I am that I went through with it.

Saturday morning started my 24 hours in Pittsburgh journey. I didn't arrive in Pittsburgh until 5 PM. One of my friends, Nicole, who I haven't seen in years- and was roommates with Natalie (who I visited in California) absolutely made my trip. I was blown away by her kindness. First- her and her boyfriend JD picked me up at the airport and brought me to pick up my race packet from the wonderful Arctic Ease staff. Then we went to a cute Italian restaurant in a basement near where Nicole lives in Shady side. I had a house salad and pasta with vodka sauce- it was amazing! I took carb loading that day very serious, and spent the day snacking and drinking water. When we got back to Nicole's apartment I laid out all of my race things. This is one of my favorite things to do before a race!

 I went to bed right around 9 PM. I didn't sleep well the entire week leading up to the trip because I was excited and anxious for the race, so it was great to fall asleep early. I woke up at 4:30 AM to my alarm, and realized I was in Nicole's bed alone. When I went to her living room I saw her curled up on the couch and her boyfriend basically sitting up in a chair sleeping. They were worried about waking me up so decided to sleep in the living room, I COULD'NT believe it! Also, I had planned on taking a taxi or walking the 5 miles to the start line because I knew I would have to get up crazy early- but instead Nicole arranged with a friend of hers who was running the half to meet me at the bus stop. They said there was no need for me to run a 30 mile marathon and they would drive me- at 5 AM! 

 

So I met up with Nicole's friends at the bus stop, and the bus never showed up. We ended up driving to the race, and although it was crowded we found a spot close in the parking ramp. I was in the same corral (B) as the sister so we headed into the corrals together, said good luck, then I put my headphones on. It was raining on and off throughout the morning, and I used my white lululemon headband to cover my ears to keep my headphones in and dry. 

Now onto the race! My official stats off Active.com were as follows: 

Bib: 1946

Div: Women 25-29

Chip Time: 4:07:58

Clock Time: 4:10:09

Overall: 1573

Sex Pl: 395

DivPi: 109

10k: 53:30

Half: 1:54:29

15 mile: 2:11:43

20 mile: 3:02:20

DivTotal: 377

Sextotal: 1639

Pace: 9:28

4284 Finishers, 2645 Male, 1639 Female

As you can see the beginning was great! I was flying. I felt GREAT honestly until about mile 20. It was rainy, but it felt nice after a few miles. When I got to the half point and realized I had about half left, I wasn't worried. My body was still feeling great and I was moving along. I didn't feel any pain until about mile 20, and then it all kind of hit me. It was really tough to push through- it wasn't as much a mental wall as physical wall. Each step was painful and it was hard to push through the end. Around mile 24 the 4:00 pace guy showed up and when he passed me it was like everything stopped. I had no motivation and it was hard for me to move, since I was so close to finishing under 4 hours. 

A man came up behind me and said "come on! we've been at this together since around mile 6" I didn't realize but I guess we'd been running near each other for the past 15 miles! So we ran the end of it together, even chatted a bit and crossed the finish line together. After the race, we gave each other a hug and that was it. It was something I'll always remember! Also when I crossed Nicole and JD were standing there. I can't even explain how amazing it was to see people at the finish line, especially since when I signed up I didn't expect anyone to be there.

The marathon was an incredible experience. I couldn't walk for almost a week following the race- I could walk fine in heels but flat footed was a different story. Physically my body has never been in the pain it went through those last few miles, but I felt so amazing when it was finished and accomplished that I could see myself pursuing another one. I love running still and am anxious to start up again once the pain goes away in my feet. 

I am happy to say I completed my first marathon! 

WOW

I just got home from a crazy 4 days. I have A LOT to update. Until then...

FINALLY!

My "blogger" has been down the last two days. I have been busy thinking and preparing for my MARATHON weekend!

I sent everyone the link so they could TRACK ME! Although I'm nervous for my results, considering with the move and crazy schedule I don't feel as prepared as I did for my half, I think knowing people are tracking me will be motivation throughout the race to KEEP GOING!

Also, I read an article a few months ago and it stuck with me so I thought I would give it a try. I wrote down the names of 26 (well more than that, some miles have a few names) names to think about and "run for' or motivate me along each mile. It was fun coming up with a list! My marathon "playlist" is complete.

I have enough music for 7.9 hours of running. OH DEAR, I BETTER cross the finish line before my music runs out ;) I thought I would listen to it on shuffle, so it would kind of be a surprise what song was going to come next. And I have a mix of Adele, Florence and the Machine, and more upbeat songs. I usually listen to lighter tunes when running, so the combination should work for a long run. 

I am completely packed! I ended up buying a new Lululemon outfit for the run. I bought longer shorts- the Groovy Run Short and a Cool Racerback.  I tested the outfit during a 3 mile loop (I ran 3 miles in 30:15) around my apartment complex and although they still rode up a little bit, they definitely were longer than my speed short. 

It is supposed to rain a bit in Pittsburgh on Sunday- but weather from the 60's-70's.

This is it! My marathon outfit, and supplies for Sunday. I am packing them in my suitcase now. I have had a very productive Sunday so far preparing everything and packing, doing laundry and "catching up". I am not going to run today, but I'd like to do something active- I am going to swim laps at our pool and check it out. It's hot enough!

Tonight I am going to make myself a pasta meal, just wheat noodles and instant sauce. I have been drinking water and green tea all day. If you would have told me a year ago that I was going to run a marathon in exactly one year I would have never believed you. I remember being nervous for my 10k in Bangkok, not knowing if I could make that! I am really excited. 

Almost Ready!

ALMOST ready. I've been getting nervous about this weekend, now that it is quickly approaching. I went to Lululemon today to get an outfit for the run. I needed longer shorts- and a top. I ended up buying the "Groovy Run Short"  (highlights: mid-length, COOLMAX liner, chafe-resistant) in all black and a "Cool Racerback" (highlights- luon fabric, body hugging, flat seamed) top in a light purple with stripes. It's a really simple outfit, and I debated going with short sleeves but didn't want to be too hot. I went to three different stores today looking for Body Glide and it was nowhere to be found! Here are a few other options I tried on at the store. I want that blue top, but the material is so delicate I'm nervous I would snag it just by looking at it.

I am starting to put out some of my items for the marathon- I am going to wake up in the morning to do a quick 3 mile loop before running errands, cleaning up and packing for my big weekend ahead. I'm actually going to wear my outfit to test it out tomorrow morning- I did the same thing while training for the half- wore my outfit one time before the actual race and I will do it again tomorrow morning!

DIsney Run!

It didn't even occur to me that I could run along Disney's Boardwalk.  A new friend invited me this afternoon and it sounded like the perfect setting for a run, and it was! I was ecstatic to see the Tower of Terror  during a RUN!

It was a quick run, we ran 5 miles in 42:53. 

It was HOT though. This will definitely be a new fun running destination! 4 days, 6 hours, 41 minutes, 39 seconds until the marathon. Eek!

Enjoy The Struggle

Motivation came in the mail today. My friend Hannah sent me an amazing bracelet she made for a group of our friends who are all currently in training. They are all training for the San Diego Half and full Marathon while of course my Pittsburgh run is Sunday. I received a bracelet and cute note in the mail today, that really meant a lot.

She also included a quote "You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." -Steve PreFontaine

My favorite part of the note was "Next time you feel like giving up use this bracelet as inspiration- we're all here for you, enjoy the struggle". Hannah has been a great inspiration throughout my half marathon and marathon training, I will wear this bracelet this entire week, the race, and probably after that! Thanks Hannah! Love you!

Today was a REST day. I considered doing a shorter run because the weather was beautiful, but I really enjoyed having a rest day and using it to knock a few more things off my "moving in" list. I keep telling myself to just get through this weekend...

One week...

I ran 3 miles in 93 degree heat today. It was tough, but I was happy when it was over. I don't have any long runs left until the race, so I guess the time is almost here... I can't even imagine how excited I will be one week from today.

I ran 3 miles in 28:04.

Happy Birthday, to Me!

I had a wonderful Birthday weekend and first official weekend in Orlando!

Birthday outfit! 

Friday night I went to dinner and out in downtown Orlando with my good friend from high school and his roommate and friends. Everyone was really friendly and I had a great time with everyone. Saturday I went to Epcot  with my roommate and her friends and a few other friends I met prior to moving here. I was really excited for my Birthday pin :) The weather was perfect and it was fun to walk around Epcot without an agenda. After the parks I went and saw "Thor". I loved it! It was a fun Disney and superhero day.

Today is officially ONE WEEK UNTIL THE MARATHON. Let the carb meals and water drinking begin!

8 days 14 hours 39 minutes 40 seconds

That's the countdown until the marathon! I did a easy 4 mile loop today.

I ran 4 miles in 39 minutes 22 seconds.

It started to rain on me halfway so I threw my ipod in the car and went "zen" style. I don't know what I think about running without music, it was interesting to hear my breathing- but it got old after like two seconds. 

Look what I bought today! Aerial Arts! I am going to try it with my roommate. Maybe afterwards I can join the circus!

 I am starting to get e-mails for the marathon. It's coming up! I'm going to meet my friend who lives in Orlando tonight and go out a little for my Birthday. I don't even feel like it, but at midnight I will be 26.

WOW Run

I can't think of any other word to describe my run just now. WOW. 8.5 miles? Really? They FLEW by. And by that I mean I could have went on another 8.5 miles, easily. Back to my favorite running area, Celebration. Every detail about today's run was perfect, the setting, the weather, my energy, everything. Maybe it had something to do with my lunch ;) Or the fact I was sitting all day and antsy to get out and RUN! I took some pictures along the trail to share. The trail was like my private trail, I saw very few people on it the entire time. I have a feeling I am going to run miles, and miles, and miles on these trails. I LOVE them!

I ran 8.51 miles in 1:32:03. 

I really feel like I'm exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment. These trails are just perfect in every way, I'm on the path to getting my dream job, and feel strong. Although I'm not where I want to be with my weight, I think this is definitely the best shape I have ever been in. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life where I could just go for a 8.5 mile run on a random night during the week, and not think twice about it. Happy!

Now it's time for Parks and Recreation! Night!

Best Lunch Ever

I am working from home today. Busy! Not "working" like job sense, but working on applications, taxes, boring grown up things. I decided to treat myself with a yummy lunch since I have been working all morning!

I made a boca burger with 100 calorie bread, spinach, tomato, ketchup, mustard and relish. I had a few tomatoes on the side as well (I LOVE tomatoes). It was quick, easy, and delicious! I can see myself making a lot of quick boca burger meals in the future :)

For dessert I had frozen green grapes. They tasted so sweet! I need to do a few more things, then depending on how hot it is I will decide on what my workout will be (running or swimming). Until then, back to work!