This week started off with a bit of a hiccup... I skipped the run on Monday in order to clean my apartment and recover from a totally crazy Holy Week.
On Tuesday, I jumped right back into training and did my walk. I was totally unprepared for the cold snap that we had early this week and because I was horribly underdressed I had to cut my walk short by 10 minutes. I'm not too discouraged by my bumby start to this week, after all I am still working out at least 5 days a week which for me is pretty freaking awesome. I will very soon have to take my runs a little more seriously in order to really get my training where it needs to be to start the distance training in June.
Wednesday was a challenging day, but one that I am proud to say that I overcame and did a great run. I procrastinated my run for hours, but finally found myself on the treadmill for the full 30 minutes. I might have cheated the last few seconds on the faster interval, but I felt really good after this run with not very much soreness.
I still need to work on a stretching routine for after my workout. Right now my runs are not very long or strenuous, but when I start adding significant time and distance the risk of injury will increase. As I just officially registered for the Marathon TODAY, I would hate to be laid up with a pulled muscle or worse. After all, the registration fee is non-refundable.
While going through the registartion, I started to feel much more serious about my training. This is real now. I'm registered. Signed on the dotted line. I also was pretty freaked to see that in order to officially finish the race you must finish in 6 hours 15 minutes. I was horrified at the thought that it would be possible to run a full 26.2 miles and not get the medal, or t-shirt, or "officially finish". I know that I would feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment just to cross the finish line at all, but for me I need that validation and recognition on paper! The pace for the race is 13:44 minutes per mile to fininsh in time and now I have a realistic goal to work for.
Even though I'm still not loving all this running, I might be hating it a little less every day.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Day 9 & 10
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| St Paul Skyline |
Monday- I am really happy with my workout on Monday. I pushed myself during my running intervals and even though I did get really tired toward the end, I was proud of myself. I was especially proud of myself because as I was getting out of my car to walk into the Y I twisted my ankle stepping in a hole in the pavement. I promptly sat back down in my car and decided that I couldn't run on a hurt ankle, could I. As I drove around the block and the initial shock of the injury faded, I parked my car and decided that I was alright to run and would be thoroughly disappointed if I didn't get my run in. Yay me!
Tuesday- This was a really disappointing day. I was completely unmotivated to even think about taking a walk. I drove around hoping inspiration would hit me and I would be excited to workout, but alas that did not happen. I eventually settled on walking along Rasperry Island along the river in Saint Paul. So far my walks have not been as pleasant as I anticipated them to be, and my calves burned more during my walk then they did on Monday during my run. I depserately need new shoes! On the up side, the scenery was beatufil and the sunset over the city did help make the walk worth it. |
| Harriet Island Bandshell |
Monday, April 2, 2012
Day 8- Week Two: Can you believe it?!
Week Two!
To catch you up: Thursday was a choir day, which I totally forgot until I was already at work and so I did not get my run in early. I also talked myself out of getting the run in after choir, it was just too late (a whopping 8:30pm). I'm a little disappointed in myself for that, but I have to let it go. On Friday I was so proud of myself. I woke up early and got my run in before work! This is quite an accomplishment for me since I still don't really love running and mornings are not my favorite time of the day. I have to admit though, I didn't really push myself during this run. I am going to have to work on challenging myself to work through the pain and get past to the next level (something to work on during week 2). Saturday was my official off day, so I took it. (I know I didn't run on Thursday... but it happens). Sunday was a great workout. I set goals and pushed myself to keep an even pace. I was able to jog more than I had earlier in the week. I still need to work on my legs. They are totally my weakness right now. My calves start to burn like they are on fire after just a little jogging. Hopefully, as I get stronger that will not be as much of an issue. I am also looking into getting running shoes sometime next week.
My fundraising is going well. I've had two donations so far already, and one for $100! (Thanks MaryJo) I'm not too concerned right now with the fundraising since it's just the beginning of the second week. I know that when my family and friends see how committed to this race I am the money will come pouring in, right?!
Tonight's workout is a 25 minute run 2 /walk 1. I got this!
Overview of this week's workout:
Monday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Tuesday- 30 min Easy Walk
Wednesday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Thursday- 30 min Easy Walk
Friday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Saturday- 35 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Sunday- EASTER DINNER! (Rest day)
To catch you up: Thursday was a choir day, which I totally forgot until I was already at work and so I did not get my run in early. I also talked myself out of getting the run in after choir, it was just too late (a whopping 8:30pm). I'm a little disappointed in myself for that, but I have to let it go. On Friday I was so proud of myself. I woke up early and got my run in before work! This is quite an accomplishment for me since I still don't really love running and mornings are not my favorite time of the day. I have to admit though, I didn't really push myself during this run. I am going to have to work on challenging myself to work through the pain and get past to the next level (something to work on during week 2). Saturday was my official off day, so I took it. (I know I didn't run on Thursday... but it happens). Sunday was a great workout. I set goals and pushed myself to keep an even pace. I was able to jog more than I had earlier in the week. I still need to work on my legs. They are totally my weakness right now. My calves start to burn like they are on fire after just a little jogging. Hopefully, as I get stronger that will not be as much of an issue. I am also looking into getting running shoes sometime next week.
My fundraising is going well. I've had two donations so far already, and one for $100! (Thanks MaryJo) I'm not too concerned right now with the fundraising since it's just the beginning of the second week. I know that when my family and friends see how committed to this race I am the money will come pouring in, right?!
Tonight's workout is a 25 minute run 2 /walk 1. I got this!
Overview of this week's workout:
Monday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Tuesday- 30 min Easy Walk
Wednesday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Thursday- 30 min Easy Walk
Friday- 25 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Saturday- 35 min Run 2/ Walk 1
Sunday- EASTER DINNER! (Rest day)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day Two- Unexpected Off Road Walk
I am happy to announce that I have successfully completed Day Two of my training. Today was just an easy walk, or so that was the plan...
I chose to walk down by the Missisppi River along the Hidden Falls train today. It was cool, but really pleasant to be walking outside. The walk started out easy enough with smooth, paved trails but within ten minutes the easy trail became shifting sands and rocky beaches.
It was a challenge but I have to say it was well worth it. The scenery was beautiful! I did find some unusual rocks all piled up, and after thinking about it for a while I think it might be for Geocaching. I'll have to look into that some time.
Day Two- Done!
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| Trail Entrance |
I chose to walk down by the Missisppi River along the Hidden Falls train today. It was cool, but really pleasant to be walking outside. The walk started out easy enough with smooth, paved trails but within ten minutes the easy trail became shifting sands and rocky beaches.
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| Ford Parkway Bridge and Damn |
It was a challenge but I have to say it was well worth it. The scenery was beautiful! I did find some unusual rocks all piled up, and after thinking about it for a while I think it might be for Geocaching. I'll have to look into that some time.
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| GeoCaching? |
Day Two- Done!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day One- And so it begins!
So here I am after just completing day one of my marathon training, and I'm actually feeling pretty good. I didn't push too hard and I was able to complete a full 30 minutes on the treadmill. Yay! I was a little disappointed at how difficult the jogging was for me and by the end of 10 minutes my jogging looked more like a brisk walk, but it was a start. My calf muscles seem to be the area that gives me the most amount of grief right now, so I'm going to talk to the personal trainers at the YMCA to see if there are some specific strength training exercises that I can do to help strengthen my legs as I build endurance. I also just thought to check my Wii for some strength exercises too. (Gotta love that Wii Fit)!
The training for the next week is very similar to the first week of training for a 5K, and it goes like this:
Tuesday: 20 Min. Run2/Walk 1
Wednesday: 30 Min. Easy Walk
Thursday: 20 Min. Run2/Walk 1
Friday: 30 Min. Easy Walk
Saturday: 30 Min. Run2/Walk 1
I know that people who know me might be totally blown away by this decision to train and run the Twin Cities Marathon. I've been "thinking" about getting to the gym and working to look and feel better for far too long. I'm currently averaging one day at the gym per week which just isn't doing the trick. I've been making strides in changing my diet but that's only part of the health equation. Genetics and time will not be my friend in becoming a healthier me so I needed something big and drastic to push me, force me and encourage me to get better.
A few weeks ago I received an email from our communications director at work about the opportunity to join the Team World Vision marathon team. I initially discarded the thought and the email. After a Grad School rejection letter and a long weekend sitting on the couch, when I went back into work this Monday and saw one last email about the Marathon, that impulsive side of me said, "why not". And honestly, why not?
Not only am I going to accomplish a 26.2 mile race, but I'm also going to help raise money for a great cause. I am running with Team World Vision and dedicating my race to helping provide clean water to communities in Africa.
When a community gains access to clean water:
If training and running this marathon for myself wasn't a good enough reason to finish this race, for every $50 I am able to raise gives one person access to enough water to last them their lifetime! A LIFETIME!!! Some of us can spend $50+ on just a bottle of wine for one meal. My goal is to raise at least $1300. That way when I'm running, for each mile marker that I pass I will have given one more person access to clean water for the rest of their lives.
If you are interested in donating, you can visit my personal race page: Kendra's Team World Vision Personal Page
I want to thank my family and friends in advance for supporting my decision to run, helping get over those physical and mental hurdles that are sure to pop up and for contributing money for the cause. I expect a big celebration when I cross the finish on race day, but until then there is a lot of work to be done. Stay tuned for the next update on how the training is going.
The training for the next week is very similar to the first week of training for a 5K, and it goes like this:
Wednesday: 30 Min. Easy Walk
Thursday: 20 Min. Run2/Walk 1
Friday: 30 Min. Easy Walk
Saturday: 30 Min. Run2/Walk 1
I know that people who know me might be totally blown away by this decision to train and run the Twin Cities Marathon. I've been "thinking" about getting to the gym and working to look and feel better for far too long. I'm currently averaging one day at the gym per week which just isn't doing the trick. I've been making strides in changing my diet but that's only part of the health equation. Genetics and time will not be my friend in becoming a healthier me so I needed something big and drastic to push me, force me and encourage me to get better.
A few weeks ago I received an email from our communications director at work about the opportunity to join the Team World Vision marathon team. I initially discarded the thought and the email. After a Grad School rejection letter and a long weekend sitting on the couch, when I went back into work this Monday and saw one last email about the Marathon, that impulsive side of me said, "why not". And honestly, why not?
Not only am I going to accomplish a 26.2 mile race, but I'm also going to help raise money for a great cause. I am running with Team World Vision and dedicating my race to helping provide clean water to communities in Africa.
· Infant mortality rates drop by half
· Children can attend school instead of gathering water
· Women can care for their families instead of walking to the well
· Crops and livestock thrive
If training and running this marathon for myself wasn't a good enough reason to finish this race, for every $50 I am able to raise gives one person access to enough water to last them their lifetime! A LIFETIME!!! Some of us can spend $50+ on just a bottle of wine for one meal. My goal is to raise at least $1300. That way when I'm running, for each mile marker that I pass I will have given one more person access to clean water for the rest of their lives.
If you are interested in donating, you can visit my personal race page: Kendra's Team World Vision Personal Page
I want to thank my family and friends in advance for supporting my decision to run, helping get over those physical and mental hurdles that are sure to pop up and for contributing money for the cause. I expect a big celebration when I cross the finish on race day, but until then there is a lot of work to be done. Stay tuned for the next update on how the training is going.
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