Ahhh, Two Weeks Til The Training Begins....

So I'm sitting around catching up on my DVR and it dawns on me that training starts in 2 weeks!!!

Immediately I started to sweat...The next 18 weeks of my life (starting June 10th) will be run by runs! 
I called Alice and started to panic!  We had the same conversation we've had a million times.  We talked about days we plan to run with as little disruption to our normal lives as possible, we talked about flights, hotels, breakfast on race day, etc.  Did we discover anything new?  No, but talking to her (as redundant as the convo was) helped calm me down....a little (if nothing else I made her panic too-misery loves company! ha ha)

I did the math, I will be running 435 miles until the race....counting the race, I will clock 461.2 miles...Ahhhh!   I plan to follow Hal Higdon's marathon training program (novice 1).  It is a program that has you running 4 days a week, 1 day cross-training, and 2 days resting.   I will be running Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  I will be resting Tuesday and Friday and Cross-training Sunday.  My Monday and Thursday runs will be my low mileage days.  Wednesday will be a "higher" mileage day and Saturday will be my long run day.  Looking at the schedule, I'm already fearing week 15 where I will be running 40 miles (5, 10, 5, 20)!

Considering the issues I've had with my knee/hip lately my goal is finish the marathon.  I've already starting talking with my mom about ideal time frames for me to get surgery on my knee (if it comes to that) after the race.  I'm not going to let my knee/hip issues get in my head tho.  I'm confident that if I take my training run by run I'll get through this and surprise myself with my results. 

Get ready for me to be blogging on a regular basis!  I'm excited, scared, and anxious all at once... 

Bay To Breakers...A Must Do!

My last blog was the day before heading out to San Francisco for the Bay To Breakers 12k...It also mentioned me blogging while I was away ha ha... 

It was an incredible weekend-I had the three best traveling companions, San Fran is an amazing city, and the race was just what I needed before the training begins. 

A few things to know about the race.
1) This race is HUGE in SF.  If you aren't running it, you're out on the streets watching (aka partying).  Stores had DJs, random houses had huge speakers set up on the route, spectators were dressed up and high-fiving you the whole way.  
2) EVERYONE dresses in a costume.  (er well with the exception of the creepy old guys who ran naked...) We didn't have any costumes planned so we hit up a dollar store and a tee shirt shop and whipped something up the night before. (random and awesome, much like our trip) 
3) If you sign up for this race don't think you are going to race...it's not happening! (you can run, but you aren't going for a PR here) You need to accept it's not serious and in costume it's hard to run. :) 

The race ends on the water at Golden Gate Park...gorgeous!  Post race, you're in the park, meeting people (everyone was insanely nice), and having a blast (you're also planning your costume for next year). The race starts at 7am so the rest of the day the entire city is out and celebrating race day. 
Unfortunately, the race excitement ended on a really low point...As we were enjoying the gorgeous weather in a park with some new friends we made we witnessed a man fall off the roof of a building-he died at the hospital later in the day.  Man Falls From Roof  A terrible end to a great day.

To end on a happier note, I would absolutely recommend this "race" to anyone (runner or not). My one friend came to SF to watch us run (she also claims to be "morally opposed" to running) and the day before she signed up-a decision she is so glad she made! I know what you're thinking...San Francisco is hilly! Yes, but you only run 1 hill...I promise! Besides, you're so busy looking at everyone and everything around you won't even notice the hill! 

 

I'll see you at Bay To Breakers 2014!

Mmmmm.....

I have been the world's worst blogger lately....I apologize.  I wanted to post the other day to announce the 1 month countdown to when the blogging gets serious and I keep you up to date on my training, but life got in the way.  I'm heading to San Francisco tomorrow for the Bay To Breakers 12K race on the 19th.  I'm beyond excited.  (I hope to blog while I'm away...hope)
Months ago, my friends Alice and Kristin, and I decided to run this...mostly because San Fran is an awesome city, but I heard it was an awesome race to run too.  It's my last bit of "fun" running before my training begins.  I've actually taken a bit of a hiatus from running and have been working on strengthening my hamstrings, lower back, and glutes...I'm excited to hit the pavement and see if I feel any difference....we shall see...
One of my oldest and dearest friends asked me to post about what to eat before running and I found it ironic as my friend, Jen, sent me an article talking about what to eat when you travel to run.  As far was what to eat before a run like I always say, I'm not an expert and I can tell you about myself, but who knows if I'm doing the right thing.  I am the type of person who can eat an Thanksgiving dinner and then hit the gym or go for a run.  Food doesn't really affect me.  I have friends who need to eat at least 2 hours before running or they will be in pain and miserable the entire run.  I'm a creature of habit and if it's race day I'm eating what I always eat.  Race day is NOT the time to change up your diet.  My advice is try out different things on runs if you are training for an run.  See what feels good for you and give your the most energy. 

Below is a link on what to eat if your are traveling for a race.

http://m.runnersworld.com/nutrition-for-runners/road-food?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Nutrition-_-RoadFood