Let's get it on!

After the 8 miles went so well, I actually had a bad following week. I was feeling a little dinged up, so I only did one three mile run. So this last week I was worried, but I put in a five and a three and then ran the ten on Sunday and it went fine. It's like Lori said, the anxiety is the worst part, once I actually get my ass out there, it goes pretty well. I sent that first email out to about 25 girls, and now there are 4 of us. I can't wait to meet up with you guys at the finish line!

Finally registered!

Well, it is a done deal! I have paid my money and now I am in for sure. I had to resister as an additional spot or something like that, so I certainly hope they have space for me. I just finished my 10 miles today and I felt okay with it. I have to tell you, the anxiety level is huge before I get out there and I was just about to cry before running because I was scared to death I wasn't going to be able to do it, but then once I am out there, it all starts coming together. I am not sure what I am going to be free to do after the race bc my sister-in-law is running it also, and my whole in-law family is coming to watch (JOY!!! ugh) Well girls the end is near and we have come a far way!

Motivation

Runners, especially long-distance runners, have a lot of time to think about why they run. At some point, you may question why you run and wonder if you should continue to get out there. When that happens, remembering one of these quotes can give you the motivation to keep on running.
1. "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
2. "I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens
3. "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." -Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner
4. "In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
5. "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." -Oprah Winfrey
6. "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about." -PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian
7. "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" - Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner
8. "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable." -Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile
9. "Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'." -Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner
10. "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start

HELLO!! MOTIVATION!! Where are you??

Anybody feeling less than motivated this week? It's horrible. I went to do my short run yesterday and I walked. I just couldn't find it in me and now it's approaching the end of the day and I am finding myself saying..."do I really have to run today?" Well obviously the answer is yes but shit I don't want to. It's raining out. I have to do dinner and meet with my parents before they leave and to be honest what sounds best to me...MY FREAKING COUCH!! And it would be nice if someone could take Brody. Well I am off to find motivation somewhere...Hope everyone else is doing better than me.

Feeling the pain...

So ladies I did my 9 on Saturday and it royally sucked. It took forever. The weird thing was at about 7 miles it felt better to run than walk and I was freezing from sweating so much. About 2 hours so I am thinking that I will be more than pleased if I can finish the race in 2 hours 40 minutes but who the hell knows at this point. My body has literally shut down until today. More joint problems than anything. My muscles felt fine but my knees would either lock up or feel like they were going to buckle. My calves started tightening yesterday but I decided nothing again today and then run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I am thinking my 10 won't be til Sunday either and I hope that I am not overly hungover but I will make my way thru it. I will be in Cleveland this upcoming weekend and we are Brody free on Saturday which makes for a dangerous combo. I am so psyched we are at the end of the road and so proud of all of us. All we need to do is finish!! Who cares what the time is!! I don't. I think we will feel differently on race day though. All the people. And it's the end of this round of training. I am game for anything ladies but I need to be at the finish line for the full marathon peeps cause my cousin has been training for her 1st full and want to be there to greet her at the end. But we are definitely hanging out cause I took the day after off of work so we don't have to leave til Monday. Have a great week ladies! This has been so much fun.

The Plan

One more tough week to go, then we coast into Race Day. Kelsey mentioned a post race party before, I was thinking it's time to see what everyone wants to do. My house, bar, restaurant? Where are we going to celebrate? We should be done pretty early in the morning, so we might have to drink mimosas.

Not Far Now

Packet Pick-up
All participants who have already registered for the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and Corporate Wellness 5K can pick up their goody bags and chip timing devices at the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Health and Fitness Expo in Hall D of the Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215). In addition, registration will be taking place for the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon during the Columbus Marathon Health & Fitness Expo as long as the event has not sold out the 11,500 participant slots. Note: the event was sold out before last year’s Expo, so early registration is encouraged. The Expo will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 17 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Expo will feature more than 70 running and fitness related booths. If participants absolutely can NOT make it to the expo, someone else can pick up their goody bag and chip timing device. Remember, there will be NO Race Day packet pick up or registration.

Race Day
The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will both start near the corner of Broad and Third streets and the 1/2 marathon athletes will run or walk with the full marathoners until they turn left onto Nationwide Blvd. to the finish at 13.1 miles (note: there will not be a 1/2 marathon split on the course this year in Bexley). ½ Marathon runners will start with the rest of the field at 7:30 a.m. The total Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon field (marathon and ½ marathon participants) will have a ceiling of 11,500 participants.

My body is revolting!

Hello girls, well I ended up running the 8 miles on Monday and I haven't run since. Not only am I modifying the weeks I am just not doing it. I could hardly walk or move on Tuesday due to the knee pain and that doesn't bode well for a physical therapist. Anyways, I ended up deciding that I would run on Thursday but then I never did that either. At this point, I am going to do the long run this weekend and just try to get through the next three weeks doing the minimal amount to make it to the 13.1 miles. This is definitely a rough road to hack and we should be proud we are keeping up with the goal, no matter how we make it! Right??!

9...for real??

I seriously can not believe that I am about to run 9 miles this weekend and it's not even the furtherest I am going to go. I have to admit....I am a little worried and stressed about it. Now that I am breaking my runs up into small runs everyday to do my long run this weekend I think I feel a little better but seriously...9. That is almost home for me from work. I need to start thinking about my 10 next week. Once again we will be out of town in Cleveland so I need to figure out where I can run but seriously girls....WE ARE AT THE END OF THE ROAD. This is the final leg of the training. I am pretty excited. I think I just want the ability to run as I want. Set certain goals for each week and make sure I can't cop out on it but I would like to continue on this journey to hopefully do another half in the spring and maybe actually think about time when doing it. Hope everyone is having a good week and doing well. Not to much chatter out there!!

Anyone else feeling this way...

So before I posted that I am doing some modifications but now I am doing even more modifications. So this weekend we went to Pittsburgh for a wedding. I was all prepared to run my 10k and I couldn't do it. I have to be honest the two 5 mile runs this week were so hard after doing that 8 over the weekend. My body needs more rest time with these longer runs. It was like my joints hurt. My muscles are fine but it was like I couldnt' stretch enough in my joints. So I bailed. I was also a little hungover but still I wasn't that hungover. It wasn't until yesterday...even after drinking a bottle of vodka mixed with cranberry that I could actually think about running. So now I think I am going to run everyday about 2 miles and then do my long runs and do that until race week. I just hadn't felt that physically tired yet so I am thinking I am just not able to run that many long runs cause face it ladies...5 miles is a long run. Remember a few weeks ago it actually was our long run of the week?? So that's the deal here. I am glad that a few of our old school ladies have touched base with us and I am glad everyone is doing well still. It is officially the home stretch. I can't believe it. I think this has helped me so much and I am thinking that after this I am going to keep running a few times a week but nothing more than 5 and nothing less than 3. I think those are good mileages for me right now and hopefully I will do another half in the spring. Maybe one in Nashville?? Ladies think about it. It's a long way away but I was thinking about doing it last spring but was too sick too often to train properly. It's a music marathon with bands every few miles or so. And it's not super hilly like Knoxville. Happy Monday to you ladies!!

Logging in from the parents house.

HI Girls, I haven't given up I just lost my internet for the time being. I am trying to get the courage to go out for todays run, I think I am going to do 8 again and I was checking back with the blog. I have been cutting down to one run during the week and the long run on the weekend just to make it through this thing. I just want to be done at this point. I am sorry guys for being such a downer but I just want to make it and relax. I am glad I have you guys out there doing the same thing because I would have for sure given up already if you weren't going through the same thing. Anyways, I am hoping to go out in about the next hour and then I will try to check back sometime soon. Our internet went out with the power outages and now we can't rebout our router because we can't remember our password. We are a bunch of dopes I tell you.

Runner's High

Sometimes I feel like the world is against me. We went to the lake this weekend for a little family trip, so I planned to get up early on Friday morning and do my eight mile run that I didn't do last week (in place of the 10k). I spent all Thursday washing, packing, cleaning shit up, the usual (it was Dave's poker night - super!) I get all the kids to bed and I'm relaxing on the couch when I here Jack yelling...he barfed, all over himself and his bed. I spent the next three hours watching him dry heave into a trashcan while Dave slept off poker night on the floor - so tempted to direct the boys spits toward his sleeping father, Jack finally fell asleep about 2am, I brought him to bed with me - you know, so he wouldn't choke to death, so I got some uncomfortable sleep until the baby woke up at 4:30am looking to do some titty sucking - it was at this point that I turned off the alarm and abandoned all hope of running 8 miles. But wait, this sad little story has a happy ending. Gillian and her family were at the lake with us and Friday night she said she was going to get up and run 8. I didn't want to, but when I came down the next morning and she was walking out the door to run I had to do it. I didn't have a computer and I hadn't mapped a route up there so my plan was to run for 1hour and 36 min, that way I felt like I would definitely be going at least 8 miles. I don't know if it was running along the lake shore or what, but I felt so good, I really enjoyed myself, it was the first time I really felt like I could make 13 no problem.

Truckin'

Last week I fell off the wagon. I did my first 4.5 don't remember my time, then I drank too much, and then I left for a wedding in North Carolina, blah blah blah. That was that. This week I am going to get back in the groove. I busted my ass on Monday 5 miles, 55min., the Olympic team hasn't called yet, but I'm waiting by the phone. I took it easy on Tuesday and ran 5 in an hour. I'm going to do 8 tomorrow, should be fun.

Health & wellness fair tomorrow -- free screenings, presentations & giveaways

Oh yes, and another thing. For those of you here in Central Ohio, I wanted to let you know about a health and wellness fair I am coordinating. (Amanda already knows.) It's tomorrow. Given all that you are doing to train for the race, I think you'd find it beneficial for a number of reasons. Plus, you can win prizes, like a gift card for shoes at Fleet Feet for one.

Here are are some of the details. You can also get mor info online -- hope to see you there! Even if you can't make it, please pass this along to others.

The fair is this Thursday, from 4-8 p.m. at the Westerville Community Center (350 North Cleveland Ave., at the corner of Cleveland and County Line Road). It's free and open to all ages and is being put on by the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group.

There will be more than 30 companies demonstrating and providing screenings, tastings, etc. You can meet health and wellness experts from a variety of disciplines, win cool prizes, try out the Wii Fit, get free health and fitness assessments, sample food and nutrition products/services, get a massage, attend short presentations on a number of relevant topics and much more.

We'll have the following screenings available at no cost:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol
• Body fat/BMI
• Strength tests
• Ear scans
• Personalized health & skin assessments
• Performance stress evaluations, including posture and computerized nerve assessments
• The American Cancer Society's "Great American Health Check"
• Information about how to get assessed so your shoes and bras fit properly

And there will be short presentations/demos on the following:

• Balancing Your Body’s Energy
• Dance demo — Learn to tango, salsa and cha-cha
• What You Need to Know About Health Savings Accounts
• Ease Your Mind by Improving Your Credit Rating
• Five Weight Loss Myths & Four Ways to Permanent Results
• Recycling 101
• Healthy cooking demo
• Lifting Weights to Prevent Injury
• Maintain a Healthy Work/Life Balance

Hi ladies,

Sorry to have disappeared for so long. I do appreciate Kelsey getting my Marco Polo reference way back when! I monitored the blog for a few days after that without posting, then haven't been back in so long till today that sadly, I couldn't even remember my password and had to reset it. I have just been trying to juggle so many things and so this fell off my radar even though it was the last thing I wanted to.

I am so proud of you all. It's awesome that you are all still training for this. I am so impressed that you are balancing it with everything else going on in all of your lives.

I do want to report that, although running the half may not be practical for me at this point, I have been working out regularly and seeing results. I've been running about 2-3 times a week, anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 miles each time. For the first time in my life, I am really enjoying it. It's no longer something I have to do that I dread. It's starting to become something I really WANT to do. I used to feel great after runs but never at all during them. I am starting to feel lighter on my feet and almost fast. (Mind you, I'm not fast, but sometimes it feels that way.) Mike and I did the Abercrombie Challenge two weeks ago and ran it in 28:38, which may be the fastest I've ever done a 5K so I was very happy with that.

I've also been lifting once or twice a week with a trainer and trying to eat better and I signed up for a class I used to take at the rec center again -- it's twice a week. I've dropped about ten pounds overall plus gained some muscle mass and people are starting to say things about it. I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn in awhile this morning and they are loose. I'd actually hoped to have seen more results by now, but I can be patient.

I am still disappointed that I haven't made it as far as you guys. I'd still like to participate in this blog if you'll "let" me back in. It's very inspirational to hear about everyone's experiences along the way.

Happy training!
Kacy

Slight correction..

I meant to say 40 minutes for 3 more miles....

Seriously Sucked...

All I have to say is that 8 mile sucked. Seriously...I did 5 miles in an hour and then another 40 minutes to complete 4 more miles. It sucked. And sitting still was not an option for the rest of the day. If I sat still for too long my legs froze. I felt fine the next day but that night not so much. And I had to go out on Saturday.

Modifications

So ladies. I think I have decided to modify my runs a little bit. After not running last week I have realized how important the rests are to me completing the runs. But not necessarily completing resting but doing more short runs. I think I am going to try doing this next week. I am going to do the 5 on either Monday or Tuesday and then eventhough I said I was going to do it before but just hadn't gotten around to it, do a quick 2 the day after and the I am going to split up the next 5. Then do my long one on the weekend. Depending on which days my other runs have fallen on. My 5 felt awesome on Tuesday but then went to do it yesterday and the first part felt ok and I was actually running faster than normal but I stopped to get something to drink and went to finish the final 2 cause I was attempting another 5 but I just couldn't get my legs to start back up again. You know when you are walking and you say you'll give yourself til that sign, tree or whatever and when it comes you just can't do it. That was me. So I did 4.5 cause I couldn't motivate for the final .5 and I walked the last 1.5. So it made me rethink things. So that's what I am going to attempt this upcoming week. I am dreading this 8 this weekend. Longest run EVER in my life. But I can't wait to finish it. It will feel great when it is over. We're getting into the home stretch ladies!!

AMAZING!!!

So ladies...I have to fess up and say I didn't do any of the total runs last week. As all of you are all aware how F'ing hot and humid it was in Ohio and I tried to do 7 on Sunday but I made it about 3.5. I just chalked it up and said we'll just start a new week and hopefully make up some of the mileage. Well let me just tell you...I decided to run 5 yesterday and it went great. It was a beautiful 80 degrees out and by the time I went out to run it was overcast so I did my run outside. It took me almost exactly 1 hour. The first 2-3 miles went great and I was doing about a 11 minute mile but the hills were taking their toll so I had to walk a little more than I intended but I felt great. Amanda, you were so right about recovery time. I think about my first 4 mile and then 5 mile run and by the end of the day I felt as though I was 80 years old. My legs would freeze if I didn't keep moving. Now I feel great. I felt as though I could of kept going. I would of if I didn't have to pick up Brody but I am pretty pumped. I get a nice normal week this week so there are no excuses. Next week I gotta go to Pittsburgh but hopefully there is a workout room that I can run on the treadmill. Hope all you ladies are doing great. We are more than halfway there. We can do it ladies!!!

Just another run

I was really dreading getting back out there after my collapse on Saturday morning, but I drug myself back out to the trail today. It was more like a steeplechase than a marathon with all of the trees down in the path, but I churned it out 4.5miles, 50:30.

Another brick in the wall...

It was pouring down rain on Saturday morning so I decided to wait until later in the day to run. I finally headed out at about 1:00pm and it probably wasn't a good idea. When I walked out of the house the heat just hit me in the face, it was like running in some one's armpit, there was no relief, if the breeze did blow it was hot, like someone was blowing a hair dryer in my face. I made it an hour, I think I got about 5 miles in and then I ran out of water, and then I ran out of my will to live. I stopped running and started walking, it took me 40 min. to walk my sorry ass back home. I tried to get running again, but I just couldn't do it, I was dead. So, it was a little depressing, but I did finish, 7miles, 100min. I have left myself lots of room for improvement next week.

Keep On Keeping On.

Well, went for the 7 miler today and I made it in 77 minutes so I felt good about that. Kelsey, it sounds like you have had an exciting week, don't worry about it just get in the long run and I bet you will be just fine. I have been running two times during the week and then trying to do the elliptical one day on the weekend and the long run the other, but it is hard to get it all in sometimes. The seven miles today was rough but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. No pounds are coming off but at least I know I am getting "healthy" (isn't that what you are suppossed to say). That part sucks, you run and run and run, and my weight is still the same. I think I need to start Weight Watchers again. Lori

Fessing up...

So I have to admit to you ladies I haven't run this week. Things have been crazy. Gary and my dad have been trial since the middle of last week. In case you guys didn't see or hear, it was on national tv. It was the student love triangle. This guys wife was sleeping with one of her students and the husband shoot him. Anyway. I usually always run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week and on Tuesday Eric, the defendant, was testifying and I didn't want to miss it so I said I will run Wednesday but the closing arguments were running late on Wednesday. So we were waiting for the verdict on Wed and Thursday and I packed up the car and Brody was with me at work most of the day cause he had a doctors appoitment and as I am loading up to go run at 3:30ish Gary texts me there is a verdict so we ran back to the court. We were hanging out and talking with the family after the good verdict. I went to run but I mentally wasn't with it and I felt so rushed cause we had to meet for the celebration dinner. So I have to do 4.5 today, tomorrow and then 7 on Sunday. Not happy. But I am still with it ladies I promise. This thing is right around the corner. I find myself saying holy shit every once in awhile.

Take a little time for howlin' at the moon...

Monday - 4.5miles, 52:00
Tuesday - 4.5miles, 51:30

Great weather, good runs, looking forward to 7 on Saturday morning. Take a little time to feel good about how far you have come...

Back In Stride

Hi Girls, I was just about to quit this whole thing...back to work, Luke is overwhelming right now, just a bunch of crap, and then I had a good run today. I have not been doing as many runs (missing 1-2 a week) but I actually think it might work for me. I felt good today, no pain, which is a nice thing. Well, keep up the good work and lets watch those pounds melt-away hopefully!

1st Annual Water Buffalo 5k

The long weekend screwed up my schedule for this week, so I ran four yesterday(45:30), it went pretty well. Then today I decided I would do the 5k because I had to run early and I have soccer tonight so I figured less miles would be best. My goal was 33min, which turned out to be a little too lofty, I finished in 34:30. I swear, that first mile I was flying, but I ran out of gas, I think if I would have rested a day maybe I would have done better.
Today's running thoughts - Things that annoy me on runs:
1) People that say good morning or smile at me
2) Geese and their disgusting shit
3) Dead animal smell
4) Old people that are more fit than me
5) When my shuffle plays a slow song

I'm going out after soccer tonight, resting tomorrow and running 4 on Friday. Then I'm going to try and enjoy my weekend and not think about the new mileage until Monday, it's starting to get interesting, keep going girls, happy miles!

Out of touch

So ladies! I am still here...barely. It has been a crazy week and it is going to conitue for this week and then basically until the marathon. We just got back from Brody's first birthday weekend and now Gary and my dad are in trial which is tiring for all of us. Which by the way..their trial is on TruTV so check it out. Deadly student love triangle. But anyway. Thru the chaos I did my runs. The 6 sucked. I went up to Atrium park and ran the lake and down the path some. It was hot as hell though. I think my diet is affecting my runs this last week cause I have eaten like shit and I have noticed I am lethargic more so than before. I struggled on my 4 yesterday so I am going to do a quick 2 today. Who would of ever thought I would think a quick 2. Crazy. It really starts getting hairy in the next few weeks. I have to admit I am a little scared but excited cause I think that's when the weight will really start melting away. Have a great rest of the week ladies!!

Well, I started out okay and felt good at about 2-4 miles but then 5 and 6 really sucked. Now I can't stop complaining and Brian says he is going to trade me in for a newer model. Hopefully tomorrow will be a day of recovery. I can't believe we have to double that run in just over a month or so.

She moved so easily all I could think of was sunlight..

Got out early today, beautiful morning for a run. It's scary, but I felt really good for about three miles, then I started to tire a little bit, when I hit five miles my body was like "what, we are going to keep going?", but I did keep going and finished in just under 71 min. Today I was noticing how the thin people seem to run so effortlessly, while I plod along. It's like I'm a water buffalo lost in the gazelle herd. Oh well, these things take time. I'm going to reward myself with a beer and some buckeyes. Happy miles everyone.

Lingering Fay

So it's been raining for the last 24 hours here in Knoxville so I moved the run inside yesterday and it went well. 4 miles in just under 46 minutes. I may attempt to do 4 again today seeing that I will be in the car tomorrow and then I can attempt to do the 6 on Friday. We'll see. I have to admit it is starting to feel good to run and the funny thing is I was looking at the training schedule and on Wednesdays it has the 2m run or crosstrain which I was usually walking for about an hour but I think I am going to start running the 2. The weird thing about it is I feel like 2 is nothing now. Run for less than 25 minutes sounds great!!

Hello everyone, just finished the 4 mile today and was checking to see exactly how far I went with the little map your run icon...I love that little jigger. Today was great, well the first mile was rough, my knees always take a little warming up but at 2.5 miles in I started to think I could go for a while longer. Then at like 3 miles I actually started to speed up. I was so excited to be enjoying myself while running, which has never happened in my entire life! Anyways I also talked to my sister-inlaw Patti who lives in Col. and she and her friend are going to do it also and perhaps join us, though they might be a bit faster than most of us. I told her to log on and join the chat. This definitely keeps me going. I still have not lost an ounce and my clothes are shrinking, I think I need to cut out the trips to McDs in the morning...I am hooked on egg mcmuffins! Keep plugging along!

Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round

Monday - 4miles, 49min.
Today - 4miles, 47min.

I felt tired through both of these runs but I also had some periods where I felt pretty good. It's hard to get down when the weather is so nice, the trail is speckled with sunlight and a nice little breeze is blowing. Had some good tunes to pull me through the tough spots. Looking forward to the six miler. My ass is starting to regret ever getting so big...

Must be getting results...

So I just had to make note of this to all my ladies...I hate the scale. I stay away from it. I go on how my clothes fit. The problem is certain things are still just not fitting and I think they should be so I don't think that I am losing weight. I have come to conclusion that having a baby really does change your body shape cause I have had 3 people in the last 24 hours tell me that I have lost a bunch of weight but I didn't think so cause still certain things are not fitting the same. So that is my good news that I wanted to share with all of you. People are noticing a difference and the makes me feel good. Makes me want to do the run today!!! Happy 4 miles ladies!!

A little worried...

How's it going ladies??? Not to much talk about the long this past weekend. Mine went good. Similar to Amanda's. I thought this doesn't feel so good. This is going to be rough and then I ended up shaving about 3 minutes off of my time which I didn't intend to do so in the end it went well. And I didn't feel horrible at the end of the day. Just tired. We had our fantasy draft right after so it was a long day. I have to admit I am a little worried about doing two 4 mile runs and a 6er this weekend. I also have to throw a bachelorette party in there as well so I need to pray I won't be hungover cuz that will suck. I need to squeeze it in with that party plus Brody is turning 1 on Saturday and we are having a little party for him in Columbus. I hope all you ladies are doing well. Everyone is a little quiet these days. Have a great week!!

Going down the road feelin' bad...

So, I took off for my five miler this morning feeling tired. This bummed me out because I had hoped after two days of rest that my legs would feel stronger. Thinking about all of you definitely kept me going today, I imagine you guys in your various neighborhoods chugging along, perhaps with the same pained look on your face that I make. The shocker is that I did improve my time from last week, 5miles, 58min. Next week it really gets tough! Keep on keepin on.

New Additions!!

Hey ladies! I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with my girlfriend Nicole who lives in Columbus and we found out that we were both doing the half marathon and didn't know it. She is doing it with her friend but would love to find other people to do it with. The people that they know doing it are more experienced and I offered to do it with us.

Totally freaked out...

So I did my run outside at my normal spot. I start at the beginning of the trail cause it's marked very nicely and if I start at the beginning I don't have to do any math to figure out where to turn around or stop. Well F that. I am rethinking my strategy. Tomorrow I am going to park in the middle so halfway through I can down some delicious cold beverage cause I started freaking out at about a mile to go yesterday. So dehydrated I just couldn't go on. I spent more time and energy walking and jumping into the shaded areas than running. I have never freaked like that. I was so mad cause the beginning felt great. The first mile perfect other than have to run into the woods to pee. Let me just tell you how lovely that was. There was a KPD doing laps around the neighborhood plus this is a pretty swanky area. It's a neighborhood on the river with anywhere from half a million dollar homes to multi-million dollar homes and has this beautiful park that runs thru it. People peeing in the bushes is not a common thing so just keep your fingers crossed that I didn't get poison ivy going into the woods and dropping my drawers....Have a great week ladies!!

Hello Girls, Sorry I haven't "blogged" in a couple of days... I have been out of town and super busy but still keeping up with the runs. I ran the 5 on Sunday and it was painful, I had never ran that route and it was slightly uphill for quite awhile and that really sucked! Amanda, I totally was thinking about how I peeed my pants that one (maybe twice if I am really honest) and I thought that perhaps the 13 miles might be enough to put me over the edge once again. Hey is Laura doing this with us or not? I thought she was but then I haven't heard from her yet? Well keep up the good work, Lori

Half of the time we're gone and we don't know where, and we don't know where...

Often as I'm running I like to let my mind wander. Today I was thinking about soccer practice at OSU. Lori peed her pants once. And this other time I scored an amazing goal, no one remembers it but me I'm sure, but it was the sweetest shot I've ever hit, real far away and a real zinger. Because I never got to play I really loved practice. Anyhoo, you just got a glimpse of the craziness, bet you can't wait to hear about my ruminations during the five miler. Oh, the run felt good, but I didn't improve my time 3.5miles, 39min.

You've gotta fight for your right to party

Momma had herself a few well deserved beers on Saturday night, and I think they were still with me today. I had heavy legs from start to finish, but I did finish. 3.5miles, 39 min.

There she is...

There is our fearless leader cheering us on....I did my 5 this morning. I have moved it inside. I am just not ready to do my longs outside with inclines and declines. My week was rough...I'm not going to lie. Both my runs went pretty horrible but mostly because of the heat. I have been doing my during the week runs around 4...right after work...while the sun is just beating down and I don't do so well with that. I would love to be able to wake up before work but it's just not happening. I don't have that gene in me. I overheat bad because for some unknown reason I don't sweat until after I am done running. I will a little but it pours down after. It's weird. Anyway..I am going to continue during the week outside and just stick it out. So now I finally get to my point. My run went great today but little did I know I was going to feel like an 80 year old lady by the end of the day. I did it in 61 minutes and I only walked for about 5 minutes of it so I am pretty proud of myself. I think I am catching on to the whole keep a nice steady pace instead of trying to get it done as quick as possible. I felt great the whole run. Never really felt winded but I did need to walk to give my hips a rest. The pounding after about 4 miles was really getting to me but I think once some of this weight starts melting off it will help. I felt great most of the day and then I took an afternoon nap with Brody and woke up and could barely move. My legs had basically frozen up. It did not feel good. Once I got moving they felt better but I am definitely achy. I think I need to make sure that I have the day after the race off cause I can't imagine what 8 more miles will feel like....which leads me to a question..ladies are we going to plan a little celebration after the race where our significant others cook for us, rub our feet and backs while we all drink beers??? Just putting it out there ladies to think about. I hope that you guys all had a great 5 and are still able to move about. Who ever said that 30 is the new 20 never trained for a marathon. I think they would seriously disagree if they did.

Shake it, shake it - shake it like a polaroid picture...

OK, just to recap, Tuesday's 3.5 - great, Thursday's 3.5 not bad. Then today, the dreaded 5 miler. Ugh. But guess what? Not so bad. You heard me right, it really wasn't so bad either, and I'll tell you why. I've decided to stop poo pooing and start trying to be more positive. Yes, my ass is jiggly, yes, my legs are tired, sure there are octogenarians running past me like I'm standing still. But fucking A, I'm doing it, and I'm getting better. So take heart girls, chin up, you are marathoners! Go get em this weekend!

No Weight Loss Here

Hey ladies. Amanda & I completed our 3.5's today. It was tough for me - REAL tough. I did however play soccer last night & then went out for a few beers which I think you can always feel the next morning. We're planning our 5's for tomorrow since the weekend schedule doesn't work out so well for us this week. SHould be nice & crippled after that. I also am not losing weight, but I remember after I had my baby I started just walking & then jogging a little & she was born last August & I went until after Christmas before I felt like things were changing on my bod. Then all of a sudden around Feburary the weight did just start falling off. I hope this will be the smae situation - honestly I dont care how much I weigh if my clothes get looser & I am firmer I will be happy. SO keep it up everyone I am so proud of all of us & can't wait to cross that finish line! Have a great weekend!!!

Totally agree...

I think it just helps with the theory of getting faster at the distances. Also I think it will help with the mental aspect of it casue that is what I have the biggest problem with. I start freaking out and what to get it done as quick as possible so I end up going faster and then need to stop. Anyone else finding it almost more mentally challenging than anything else?? Physically it's hard but I start freaking out at times.

Here's the thing

I'm at Gil's with all the kids, she is out doing her run then when she gets back it's my turn. I was just reading what Kelsey's friend said. This sounds like a person who is a runner. I would warn against cutting any mileage. If you can run for 40 min. then 50 then 60, that's great, but what if you are only covering 4 miles in that hour? When it comes time to run the 13 it helps if you know that you can cover the distance. I don't think it's a bad idea to mix the theories a little bit, but I would make sure that you can complete the mileage of the long run each weekend.

Keepin on....

No problem. I don't know if things seem like they are going easier. To be honest...I seriously struggle during the week. I did my 3.5...outside...on Tuesday and it sucked. I have serious issues with the inclines here. It's like achilles area cramps up so tight but I am going to stick with it and stay outside during the week. I guess what is good when I gear up for my long run on the weekend it's by far my best which makes me feel good. And no....I am not losing weight just yet which fustrates me. I feel like certain areas feel a little better but certain pants that I thought would be baggier by now are not. I guess it's only been 3 weeks. I think if we just stick with it, it will all of a sudden start melting off. We'll be doing the marathon in biker shorts and sports bra!! Yeah right but we can hope!! Hope everyone is having a good week. I feel like our fearful leader has abandoned us!!

Thanks Kelsey, that information is good, I think I will try to keep it in mind when I am running and not fret if I miss a day like yesterday (the short 2 miler- I am trying to heal that stupid blister). Today I did the 3.5 and it felt pretty good, it definitely is getting a little easier day by day. The first 3-5 minutes is rough, but then thankfully my knees go numb. Is anyone losing weight doing all this running? I am NOT! and I am pissed! Brian tried to tell me it was because my fat is turning to muscle but I don't buy it and it did not make me feel any better! Lori

I just decided to copy and paste what Sean said. I am going to kind of combine both of them. I want to keep maintaining my times but I am going to kind of throw out the trying to get times faster cause what he is saying is kind of making sense to me. My problem is that I ran outside today and I kept the slower pace but trying to go slow up hills is way hard. I think I am going to try to do my runs during the week outside and then treadmill for the long. Maybe if I am doing the shorter ones with hills and somewhat complete it, it will be easier on me for the long ones and actually be able to complete it. We'll see. It was hard outside I have to admit but it was a nice trail so I am going to stick with it. I will be doing my 5 outside in Cbus though so maybe I'll run into some of you. Glad to see you ladies are still sticking with it.

Hi Kelsey, thats great that your taining for the half marathon. Im thinking about doing the full marathon so maybe I will be down there for that. So they key is to build slowly over time but I guess you only have about 7-8 weeks left so it is getting to be the time when you should be doing a long run once a week. I would just try to run for time now and not worry about how many miles you are running. Settle in to a pace where you can run comfortably for 30min to 45 during the week however many times you run. I really do reccomend every other day to keep your body healthy and yourself motivated. Then on the weekend you should gradually increase your time. At this point I would say 15 minute increments per week would be a good place to start. So this coming weekend I would try to do and hour or an hour 15. Then on Sunday the 24th or Saturday the 23rd try to run an Hour and a half, and remember you should start off very slow, slower than normal, as if it almost feels too slow. You are trying to train your body to burn calories more efficiently for longer periods of time. Make sure you have water or Gatorade with you or out on your course at selected points for your run. The weekend run is the most important. This is the one that will simulate race day the most as you get closer to the half. So to recap, during the week every other day for 30-45 minutes and build your weekend run by 15 minutes each week until the last two weeks before your race. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck, Sean.

If you guys have any other questions that you want me to ask him let me know. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Hey Guys, I am still here also. Plugging away...I am trying to stay on track and I was just telling Kacz that I think two weeks has made a world of difference in my tolerance to running. I never would have thought that I would have been able to run three miles without stopping and felt pretty good through it. Slight set-back...got a blister because I tried a stupid pair of new socks that didn't stay up and I rubbed a spot on my achilles. Now I am a little stumped as to how to get around it, I know that sounds really stupid, but I don't want to keep irritating it and yet I don't want to miss a workout. I think tomorrow I am going to ride a recumbent bike. Today I wore my old running shoes hoping they hit my heel in a different spot and it somewhat worked. Any suggestions??? Four miles went pretty good on Sunday and like others out there I am trying to shed minutes because I want to see improvement, but I was thinking that was a good way to go about it, is the marathon guy saying no its not? Anyways, ditto to I love checking in on everyone and it is definitely helping to hear from everyone! Lori

Tramps like us, baby we were born to run...

Still here. One bad week ...made me feel a little pouty, but I ain't quittin'! I am gong to get all my miles in this week and I had a great start today. I feel as though I am making some serious progress in the battle against my ass. My 3.5 (39 min) today was the best run I've had since starting the program. I felt really good the whole way and in the end my legs actually felt like they had something left instead of feeling like dead weight. Olympics 2012 here I come! Ok, maybe not, but hot damn I felt good today, don't know if it will hold up for the rest of the week but a girl can dream...can't she? I hope all of you that haven't reported in aren't thinking about giving up, one bad week doesn't mean you have to quit altogether, just pick up this week and get on with it. I'll be kicking some old lady ass tomorrow night in soccer then back on the road for Thursday, I'll let you know if today's run was just an anomaly or if I'm actually making some progress.

POLO!!!

I was just getting ready to leave a post asking the same thing. I hadn't heard anything lately so I was thinking either I was being too obsessive about it or maybe we have had a few casualties.

I hope everything is going well for everyone. Things with me are going but there are definitely more bad days than good. I have tweaked the schedule a little bit too but keeping the mileage up. I did my 4 miles on Saturday and it felt good. Shaved almost a minute off of my time but I need to stop doing that. I need to keep myself at a more slow steady pace but it's so hard for me not to look at time. I attempted to run outside here and it was impossible. At least through my neighborhood. I am going to attempt a path outside today. A co-worker ran it yesterday and he said the whole path is lined with trees so it's pretty shaded and not so hilly. So wish me luck. I spoke with a friend of mine who is very experienced in marathons. He has done the iron man several times and running a full is not even a problem. I asked him some advice and his advice was similar to the training schedule but there were some differences. He advised to run every other day but mostly focus on time, as in length of time not how fast. And then do the long runs on the weekend and every weekend add 15 minutes to it. If any of you want more info on what he advised cause it sounds more suitable to them let me know and I can send you his message. There's more details to it than that but that's the brief overview if it at all sounds like it interests you. I think in the end it's just finding what best suits you cause there are a ton of different schedules.

Well I hope everyone is doing great. I am still plugging away down in Tennessee. I feel like October will be here before i know it. I will be in Cbus a few weekends before the race so if anyone wants to run with me let me know. I'll actually be doing my 5 miles somewhere in Cbus this weekend so if you see a busty blonde passed out on the side of the road or a jogging path don't worry it's just me!! Have a good week ladies!!

Kels

Marco!

Ladies, where is everyone? I had an off-week last week but am trying to get back on track this week. I'm slammed so I haven't had a chance to write to you about it, but being the ADD person I am, I keep checking for updates on your progress. I need you to keep me going!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still trying to do this in case anyone else out there is feeling a little too busy themselves.

Where was my cheerleader when I needed her!!

Let me just tell you ladies how bad I needed a cheerleader next to me on my run yesterday. I was all pumped yesterday. I felt great. I thought this 3 miles is going to be my best yet. Maybe even do the whole thing at a decent pace...well at least most of it. IT WAS HORRIBLE. It was my worst yet. I barely made it through the first mile. I did the 1st mile and the last 2 I went off and on. In the end I shaved about 40 seconds of my time which I can't believe. I did it in about 36 minutes. But the whole time I hated it. If it wasn't for this I would of quit and I desperately needed a cheerleader next to me. I don't know what happened though. I felt like the acid in my stomach was halfway up my throat. Mentally I couldn't do it. I felt horrible the rest of the night. Anyway. I just had to vent about how horrible it was yesterday. I am going to walk today and then run outside tomorrow since it is going to be way cooler this weekend. I hope everyone is doing better than I did yesterday.

Back on Track

Yo yo yo, I too have been a little under the weather, but I was feeling a little better yesterday so I went for my four miler and it went pretty well. It took me 51 min., not great, but I felt pretty good the whole time, and I only walked for two one minute periods. The dream continues...

Minor Speed Bump

So ladies...I hit a speed bump in my first week. I went to Pittsburgh this weekend but was all prepared to do my 30 minutes there and then come home and run on Sunday. Well, to start the story out, Brody woke up Thursday night and puked all over me...twice. He seemed fine the next morning so we packed up and got on the plane. Well he proceeded to hardly eat the next few days and got a serious case of the runs on Saturday. Not fun but he seemed to be acting fine. When we got there though it seemed like a decent place to run so I was going to do my 4 miles on Saturday but then realized I left my sports bra at home and for all you ladies who are familiar with the fellas a bra is absolutely necessary if I don't want to knock myself out the before the first mile was over. So I just said I would run Sunday and just drink the whole bottle of vodka that I bought on Saturday. Hey it's a family reunion with Gary's family. It's needed. Well we were halfway home yesterday on our 2 hour layover in Cleveland and I realized my stomach is not feeling too hot and realized that I now have what Brody has had for the last 2 days. I pretty much prayed the whole hour flight that I either wouldn't have to puke in the barf bag or run to the bathroom. I made it except I proceeded to puke on the car ride home from the airport. Yeah it's been fun. So I passed on the run yesterday but feel extremely guilty about it so I am heading to gym this afternoon to do my 4 miles. Hopefully there won't be any setbacks. Good job to all you ladies for completing it!!! I am sorry that I wasn't able to complete with you but while you guys are enjoying your stretches I will be hopefully completing that. Happy Monday!!

I Can't Believe IT!!!

I cannot believe that I actually just jogged 4 miles! I did not have to walk any of it, though I swear I would have been moving faster than my jog at times. I can't say that I have gotten to the point where my pains ever go away but there is a point where I said "I am going to make this" Have any of you used that "map your run" tool on the blog site. That is what I used to figure out where I was going to run, and I'll tell you what, either my treadmill is lying to my or that tool doesn't work...I am hoping it is my treadmill! The run today took my 45 minutes and each mile took about 10 min 30 sec.. I felt like a slug today and when I am on the treadmill I struggle to run one mile at that pace. Well only time will tell but I am encouraged today!

Did The Four My Legs Are Rubber How Will I Do 13???

Good morning ladies! I just did the weekend 4 miles. Walked .25, ran the 4, then walked .25 to cool down. Time? 50 minutes of HELL. At this rate the 13 will take me 4 hours and a stretcher. I switched my Sat & Sun workout because tonight is our 15 yr high school reunion - Amanda isn't going what a cop out - and I have a feeling I might be a bit hung over tomorrow. The baby & I will do a nice bike ride or something less traumatic.

The run actually wasn't too horrible. The temp this morning was nice & the humidity down a lot. I still feel incredibly out of shape however & was being passed by people who looked like they are my mom's age. Still, if I can do it I can guarantee the rest of you can. I'm going to try & stand up from the computer now:) Good Luck Gang - hope everyone makes it through our first weekend!!

Scorecard: My Ass - 2 Me - 0

So, for the first time I played an entire half of soccer in my old lady league on Wednesday and woke up Thursday morning to a body that couldn't or wouldn't move. Should playing soccer make even your arms sore? Needless to say the morning run didn't happen. Then, Gillian called me and gave me the little kick in the ass that I needed (she said she would watch my kiddies for me), so I headed over to the bike trail by her house around 4pm, I'd say the temperature was somewhere between the inside of your oven set to broil and the surface of the sun. I made a deal with myself before setting out that I was going to run five minutes then walk one minute, and just keep that up until I finished. It took me 39.30 but hot damn I made it. There was a brief period after my first run and walk that the aches and pains actually started to melt away, and I felt pretty good, then as usual, I started to get tired and the legs start to get real heavy, but I dragged myself to the finish any way. "Take that, Ass!" You may be winning the early battles, but I will win the war! Looking forward to doing NOTHING today, I am going to do 4 tomorrow, because the family is going to Cedar Point on Sunday, I hope 8 hours in 95 degree heat at an amusement park is equal to a 30min. cross train.

This is UGLY!

Well, I ended up taking a rest day yesterday and did 3 miles today (in 38 minutes, UGH). This is a far cry from the 6-7 minute miles we used to be able to run in college. It really sucks being out of shape. Right now I am just terrified that I am not going to be able to do this. I have to take a short little walk at 2 miles right now. Oh my goodness, Amanda, what did you get me into! Each day will get better, right???

Starting to believe

So I know it's only the first week but i went to the gym this afternoon to do my 3 miles and after all day thinking how could I possibly feel this old at only 32 and I don't know how I am going to do 3 miles I did. As soon as I got started I felt great and even shaved a little time off from Tuesday. It may have been even better but mother nature called half way thru the run!! So I was kind of stressing about adding another mile on Sunday but after today I think that I can do it. i think knowing there is whole group of girls fighting thru the same thing helps. Thanks Amanda for putting this together. I am a little worried about this weekend cause I have to head to Pittsburgh for a family reunion and don't really know what will be available or what the area is like but I figure i can do my 30 minutes there and then do my 4 miles when i get back. I just hope I have the motivation on Sunday night. I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck on your 4s on Sunday.

Hey Guys, I have been diligently doing my daily duties but it sure hasn't been easy...well day one was okay. I just made the investment for new running shoes last night so I am thinking that is going to cure all my aches and pains and make me run so much faster. I completed my 3.0 miles yesterday in just under 38 minutes, pretty slow and with a 15 minute phone call break in the middle (I secretly loved the nice excuse). Today I walked up an incline for 1.0 mile on the treadmill and then ran .8 miles and then had to call it quits bc Luke was so happy that he had cleaned his whole room and I needed to go look. Well enough of all the excuses and all but I wanted to let you all know that knowing others are suffering through this whole thing with me is definitely helping. I hope I still feel this way in 6 weeks. By the way, my sister-in-law, Patti, is considering joining us so Amanda do you think you could add her to the invited list or whatever you need. Keep up the good work.

One more thing

See that person in the picture to the left? That's pretty much how I feel right now.

Ugh

Did my strength training this morning and we did a little bit of jump rope and stairs between steps. That came back to bite me tonight.

Mike and I just tried to do the next three-mile run (AKA, 36-minute run). My legs felt like cinder blocks and I was a little lightheaded, so I caved and asked if we could walk at 25 minutes (wanted to do that at like minute 18). We walked about five minutes, then started running again with the intention of doing the last 11 minutes straight through. At minute six, I needed to walk again. We walked about a mile back to the house and I was beat just doing that.

I am already really sore and feel sick to my stomach. I'm going to grab something to eat now and hope tomorrow goes better than today did. I may end up doing my rest day tomorrow because I have loads to do before we leave town and have a feeling I will be really tight.

I haven't registered yet and will probably wait a bit to do so. Sometimes the commitment hanging over my head is what keeps me from moving forward, so this will work for now, even if it's a few more dollars later. Amanda, are you signing up a team or is everyone registering as individuals?

Locked and Loaded

So I just registered. No going back now. It definitely helps with the commitment. I hope everyone's day 3 went well. Not bad here. Just did a 2.5 mile walk through the neighborhoods around here. I have to admit I think it was harder than my run. I took Brody so pushing him up the hills was tough. I didn't know if I was going to make it. Looking so forward to the 3 miles tomorrow...can you hear the sarcasm?? At least it will be inside. Good luck tomorrow to all!!

Early Bird Registration

ladies,

Just a reminder, early bird registration ends today, so click on the marathon page link and from there find your way to paying on line. soccer and beers for me tonight, then my ass and i will be waging another three mile battle tomorrow morning, I'll let you all know who wins.

My Fitness Fairies!

...and by "fairy", I mean that in a good way of the inspirational, mystical little things that bring you good stuff & motivation...actually, I just looked it up and the formal definition is "(in folklore) one of a class of supernatural beings, generally conceived as having a diminutive human form and possessing magical powers with which they intervene in human affairs. " ..I kinda like the sound of that!
I've loved reading all your posts; I had lots of doubts going in to this with back to work and spending time with the baby, hubby, blah, blah, blah... but you all have helped give me the boost I need.
OK, so there was one minor setback with the first run yesterday because of some stupid stomach flu but I'm not giving up hope...I'm coming around a little today and hope to catch up tomorrow!
How about some fun 'check-points' along the way and get together for a run at Antrum some weekend(s) - perhaps rewarded with a little Graeters after...or better yet, save the calories for a good pint at Gallows!?
Keep up the good work!!

I made it out alive

So making myself believe that running a couple times last week for just short jogs would make the first run a little easier was a complete joke. But I did it!! But not even an inch past 3 miles. I hit stop on the treadmill immediately. I am opting for treadmill runs right now cause living in Knoxville the hills are constant and pretty major in some spots. I will hit outside at times but this is better for now. I have to admit it didn't go horribly cause I finished but it was tough. I definitely walked in some spots but completed it in 36 minutes so not bad. I took the last mile and ran fast (about a 7 on the treadmill) for about .15 miles and then walked for .1 and I did that for the whole mile. I probably in the end walked about a mile total. Maybe a little less but I figured as long as I finish I will be just fine. I have no expectations of actually running 13 miles straight anyway. I am glad that everyone had a good first run. I am proud of all us. A nice easy day of 2 miles or so tomorrow. I am going to bust out the jogging stroller and push little Brody up these big hills!!

Not too bad for me

Just finished my 3. I have been running for about 2 months but NEVER ran more than 2.8 miles. The challenge for me will be pushing past the short runs. I'm pretty sure I ran at the hottest part of the day which sucked. I felt pretty good except my left knee which hurt at the very end. I am icing it as we speak because I have learned that something small can turn into a big problem or excuse later on. James ran with me in our neighborhood, he quit with about a half mile left and walked home which I think made me secretly happy and gave the some extra "umph" at the end. I don't know how long it took because I don't know how to work my stupid watch and changed the setting during the run. Oh well, there will be many more opportunities to time my runs I guess. Oh Amanda, if only you loved jogging as much as blogging-ha.

A snail's pace...

Trying to trick myself into getting in shape before I can make an excuse not to. I'm doubling up on the designated strength/stretching days because I'm afraid I won't make time for running this weekend and will give up after week one -- when it gets more difficult!

I went ahead and did my three miles yesterday afternoon even though I did the strength training in the morning. I didn't actually measure the distance, but decided to run 36 minutes, hoping I was running at least 10- or 12-minute miles. Sadly, it was rough.

However, I passed a man in a wheelchair with no legs -- not once but twice -- and that kept me going. Girls, think about him every time you want to stop from here on out. He was probably wishing he was sweaty and nasty and slow like me, so I will run for him.

Today I ran REALLY slowly for 60 minutes. I was almost running in place. Nope -- wasn't on a treadmill but as it turns out, slow running can be exercise too. Plus, it gave me a chance to catch up with my mom, who was actually walking (see, I told you it was slow) and walk the dog without him passing out from heat exhaustion (he's older, hairier and in worse shape than I am). That was my four-mile run for the week.

Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes

Made it! Back home and 3 miles completed, it took me 36 min. 30 sec., not exactly breaking any world records, but it's better than my first attempt which took me almost 40 min. When I started running it actually felt good...until minute two, (bud dah dum), then it felt pretty bad, then it felt really bad, then I finished, and it felt great! Damn I hate my big ass, I was cursing it and every child that made me eat cream cheese and made it grow to such an unusually large size. But that's all in the past now, my ass and I can be friends again until Thursday when we go for it again.
PS- I did stretch and strengthen yesterday and to my dismay I am barely able to do ten GIRL push-ups, and I think I did about 40 crunches before I had to stop for fear of puking. I did do 3 sets of ten with green bean weights and arm exercises, those seemed to go pretty well. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, I can tell now that the frumpy mom is going to fight my inner MILF, but sexy will prevail!
GO GET EM GIRLS!!!!

Day one -- check!

Well, I made it at least one day into the training program. ;) I did strength training and a tiny bit of cardio this morning. We're heading to Chicago this weekend for Lollapalooza, so I am a little concerned that it will all go downhill then.

For those of you who are looking for new shoes and are in Columbus, try Fleet Feet over on Polaris Parkway, near Old State. You can go in and they will measure your feet, assess your gait, look at how you hold your weight, etc., then recommend a couple of shoes for you. If you do go there and don't make it in till next week, ask for Amy Davin. She works at the Westerville Community Center now but will be taking over as store manager next week and is very knowledgeable and nice.

They also have a good knowledge of races and events around town that you might be interested in, plus running gear and accessories of course.

On your mark...get set...GOOO!

So ladies...I am so excited that Amanda has organized this. Yes I am excited to run 13 miles. At least I am after my panic attack has settled. I figured if Amanda can do it with 3 kids and now listening to other things that people are going through I can give it my best effort with only 1 kid...no I don't mean the Gar-bear...and a job. I did start doing some light runs last week so the 3 miles isn't such a shock tomorrow. I invested in some nice shoes last winter. My cousin who does these half marathons quite a bit took me to get fitted for proper running shoes and I have to say it has made a difference so I recommend it. And the shoes weren't that expensive. They were cheaper than what I thought I was going to have to buy. I just wanna say good luck to all the ladies joining and can't wait to run this with all of you in October. We need to get our husbands, significant others or whatever we have to be waiting at the finish line with a keg of beer on ice for us. Can't wait to hear how everyone's first few days go.

Kelsey

The MILF within

Katie and Gillian, I love your posts. I really appreciate everyone who is going to give this a try. I realize as mommies and wives, and employees, we don't have much time for ourselves, and it sucks, but I am going to make time for myself, and instead of using that time to sit on the sofa and eat wheat thins, I'm going to get out on the road and run my way to gorgeous. Goodbye frumpy mom, hello MILF. Today, I am going to do about 10 mins. of stretching followed by some sit ups and push ups, maybe even do a little arm workout with some cans of beans. I'm also hoping to get to DICK'S today and buy some new shoes, tomorrow is when the real fun begins. Still working on that running name, I'm hoping it will come to me during tomorrow's run.

ALSO:

I registered online for the Columbus Half yesterday, that's right people I'm committed! The early bird registration only lasts until July 31st, right now it's $50, it goes up 15 bucks every month until the race, so I suggest that you get registered ASAP. Click on the marathon page link and navigate your way from there.

Day One!

Hello ladies it is day one and I just wanted to tell everyone good morning and good luck.

I am tired from working until 3 am Sat night & 1 am Sunday night then getting up with a one year old so I am already trying to explain to myself why I can't make this work. HOWEVER, I am planning to nap with the baby during her morning nap & then we'll be doing some stretching & stregnthening. I have been telling myself to get my resistance bands out for 2 months & today is the day!!

If anyone local wants to park at my place to use the Genoa Bike Path you are welcome to. We are right next to the Plumb Rd end.

My motivation is to get the bod looking more firm after the baby & of course to be healthier...My running name will be ???? See you on the pavement, Gil

ONE STEP AT A TIME

okay - i am going to make an attempt at this. let's go for it ladies - shit when you really think about it 13 miles? it is NOT that much. we probably ran that far in college games for sure - plus OT or those games when we had fitness AFTER the game? Lori - those Saturday morning games recently in our old lady league are 2 X 40 minute halves - that is probably 8-9 miles right there and we did no training - barely warmed up and stretched and lived through it. go for a few runs for a few weeks - then do a few more and longer the next - i'm sure we can all make it - even if we have to walk together or drag each other's ass across the finish line. i would start the engines and see what happens. now that i think about it - Lori and i were discussing our old lady pains and guessing if we would hold up. then she speculated if she did try to run more and strengthen her muscles the aches and pains might go away or feel better. so i say instead of guessing or assuming that we can't - let's try then go from there. i really need to get healthier all around and i'm so appreciative for an opportunity like this to be motivated from an outside source. i rarely exercise because i don't make time for it. but really to be the best mom/wife/coach/architect/ - whatever i need to take care of myself and health first like i'm taking care of those things. anyway i'm going to at least try to start running one step at a time. i think this would be a great memory and thing to do together since our time spent with one another is great but limited because of life and distance.

Hey Amanda, I am on the fence...I just don't know if my knees can take it. I would love to get in shape but I don't know how to get past the knee pain. Maybe I could talk to a good p.t. or something. I will consider this one seriously. Lori

Still wavering...

Thanks for the invite, Amanda! Just started an attempt at another fitness program. Not sure yet if that means this is good timing to train for a half -- or bad. I'm not committing to this just yet, but did print out the schedule. I'm going to go week by week and see how I do.

Time to get your shit together

Here is what you need to do:

Print out a monthly calendar that covers the next 12 weeks, or fiddle with your blackberry or outlook, whatever you keep yourself together with. Open up the training schedule and get all your runs written out on their days. It is not important that you do the runs on the same days as the schedule, just that you complete the total mileage each week. The schedule begins this coming Monday July 28th. Here is an example of my first week:

Monday - Stretch & Strengthen (for me this means sit ups and push ups, then a good stretch)
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - Cross train (soccer game)
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday - REST
Saturday - Cross Train (30 min. bike ride)
Sunday - 4 mile run

You have to find what pace works best for you, but I always wear a watch to time my runs so I can see my improvement (it happens), and I almost always walk during my runs, the three milers I walk for a minute half way through to get a drink, the longer runs I usually go fifteen minutes to start, then walk one minute out of every ten until I'm done. I have sound that my times are actually better when i walk a little bit. BUT, like I said, everybody has to to what feels best for them.

I'm still thinking about my motivation, and my running name, I know you are all dying of suspense, so I'll post those soon.

Running against the wind

Ladies,

It's time to start training. Who is with me? I am going to think about my motivation, the results of my ruminations will be posted soon. Oh, and my running name, everyone needs a running name.