I'm a "thinker" by nature, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your thoughts. As I get older, I'm more aware of my thoughts and how they affect my life. I realize that our experience in life is but a reflection of our internal perception, and so I try to remember this daily in gratitude for what is rather than what is not. One thing I love about running is the time to think, especially on easy or long runs. Sure you have to check your watch, pace or HR every now and then, notice how you're feeling, but in between it's just you and your thoughts. Today I thought about how grateful I am for everything I have in my life... my family, two beautiful girlie dogs, my health, a great job, good friends, the freedom I have to pursue my interests... and an amazing husband, who loves me for reasons I can't understand, to share it all with:) I am truly blessed.
So I was starting up an incline, my head went down and forward when I remembered that all the running books say to coast up hills well, you need to look to the horizan, keep your chest up and hips forward, don't fight it and I thought "lead with your heart...." as soon as I said this to myself, I smiled and thought, yes, that's how to live your best life, lead with your heart. My journal originally had a different title, but it seemed natural to change it to this simple truth and philosophy:)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
First long run down!
Well today was my first Sunday long run of approx. 13km, I say approximately because I met with a coach last week who wants me to focus more on time than distance, so the goal for today was an 80 min. run which I did and also know that the distance was 13km. So woohooooo!!!! I felt pretty good all the way along, it was a beautiful morning, 18 degrees and sunny, just perfect! I started out with the water bottle belt, first time, but had to off-load it in someone's mailbox enroute, just not comfy with it. Picked it up on the way back with about 20 min left to go... I did need the water by that point! I think I'll try to go out and plant water along the route the night before instead of using the belt, for most runs anyway. I kept my pace in check using my HR monitor, HR 140's throughout. The Sunday long run is all about "time on your legs" and making sure at the end you feel you could do more, especially for the "short" long runs. Todays run was a real confidence builder for me, I felt like I could have run much longer, which is a good thing since obviously I will have to! But it's a good sign that I'm making progress in my training because I've had shorter runs where I'm lucky to finish. What's making a difference is using the HR monitor which forces me to keep my pace slower, improving my endurance.
So about the coach... I'm so excited! I meet with him last Thursday and immediately knew it was the right thing to start working with him. He's passionate about running, trail running, marathons, ultra marathons... he's on a running streat having run every single day for the past 19 years! It's amazing! I should be getting my complete training program for the month in a couple of days, but he gave me a couple of days training until then. As I mentioned, it focuses more on time and pace than distance. I can't wait to see what's in store! I hope it includes some intervals or speed work of some kind, I'm anxious to push it a bit more to get my pace up. I'm thinking of adding in SPIN classes and elliptical this week as a second training session, hope this fits with the plan:)
It's a beautiful day here in the Thousand Island, Joe's golfing this afternoon so I'm going to hang out with Kali and Lucy soaking in the sun and reading a book:)
Cheers!
So about the coach... I'm so excited! I meet with him last Thursday and immediately knew it was the right thing to start working with him. He's passionate about running, trail running, marathons, ultra marathons... he's on a running streat having run every single day for the past 19 years! It's amazing! I should be getting my complete training program for the month in a couple of days, but he gave me a couple of days training until then. As I mentioned, it focuses more on time and pace than distance. I can't wait to see what's in store! I hope it includes some intervals or speed work of some kind, I'm anxious to push it a bit more to get my pace up. I'm thinking of adding in SPIN classes and elliptical this week as a second training session, hope this fits with the plan:)
It's a beautiful day here in the Thousand Island, Joe's golfing this afternoon so I'm going to hang out with Kali and Lucy soaking in the sun and reading a book:)
Cheers!
Monday, June 29, 2009
The real fun is about to begin...
Training has been going fairly well the past few weeks, mostly steady runs of 6 and 10km for a weekly average of 38kms. I'm finally getting past some of the discomfort I was having in my left shin through physio and massage, also doing alot of foam rolling which is BRUTAL but really works out those deep muscle knots. This week will be a real test, since it's technically week 1 of 19 of REAL training, so now the weekend long runs start to increase, and weekly K's start averaging 50+. If I get through this week, I think I will actually be able to do this:)
The running room program is good, however I decided I needed a little extra 1:1 coaching so I'm meeting with a well known local running coach this Thurs. Even though it's my first (not sure if i'll do another, but we'll call it "first") marathon, my goal is to run well and finish with a good time, not "just finish". Not sure if this is a realistic goal or not, hence feedback from a coach on my program and goals. Right now i feel pretty slow, but i know that speed will come once I lighten up a bit more (it's coming!) and hills and speed work starts near the end of July. I have to keep reminding myself not to be in such a rush.... it's a process!
..... yeah, good luck with that, hehe:)
The running room program is good, however I decided I needed a little extra 1:1 coaching so I'm meeting with a well known local running coach this Thurs. Even though it's my first (not sure if i'll do another, but we'll call it "first") marathon, my goal is to run well and finish with a good time, not "just finish". Not sure if this is a realistic goal or not, hence feedback from a coach on my program and goals. Right now i feel pretty slow, but i know that speed will come once I lighten up a bit more (it's coming!) and hills and speed work starts near the end of July. I have to keep reminding myself not to be in such a rush.... it's a process!
..... yeah, good luck with that, hehe:)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
OK, here goes....
Well, it's official! I've signed up to run a marathon... the NYC marathon Nov. 1, 2009. I was searching for something, another goal since I decided to take a break from competing in Figure and got the "crazy" idea that I should train for a marathon.... but not just any marathon, the NYC marathon! Am I on crack???? There's no real reason that I need to do this, I mean what's wrong with just fitness for the sake of fitness? I've been training and dieting hard the past 3 years for figure, why not take a break??? I have no idea... I just know that once I get an idea that I want to do something, I just have to do it. Anyhow, there's no turning back now, I'm going through a travel group and already paid in full (not cheap!). So now the fun begins.... training! I've been running off and on for years, and more so in the past 3 years as part of my prep for figure. A lot of physique athletes avoid running for fear of losing too much muscle, but I've never found it to be a problem. And I did run quite a bit, especially in 2006 which I believe was my best year (2006 North American's - 2nd masters B, 3rd open B). My running that year was awesome! I remember feeling so light and feeling great during my runs..... mind you at the time I was 112 - 116 lbs, so I've got a bit to go before it starts to feel good again.
So here's the plan; I've signed up for the Running Room 1/2 Marathon Clinic (didn't have enough people for the full, apparently I'll get a training plan for the extra K's), starts this Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm. Once I get the plan I'll structure my weekly training. I plan to do my runs in the morning and train with weights afternoon or evening, pretty much what I've always done. I will add in some extra cardio, either powerwalks or elliptical/bike at the gym until the K's start to get higher. I'm currently running 30-35 km/week but expect this to gradually increase into the 40-60km range, at that point who needs extra cardio! The only reason for it now is to drop 10-15lbs of pudge in the next 4-6 weeks so that I feel more comfortable running and can actually train. I know, sounds weird that I want to drop weight to run, alot of people run to drop weight, but if I've learned anything about dropping weight over the past 3 years its that for me, diet plays a HUGE role and I need ALOT of cardio to get the fat off my butt! So during the week I will be keeping the diet super tight, and save the extra carbs for the weekend longs runs.... we'll see how it goes. By mid-July I should lean and mean again and ready to run like the wind!
Happy training!
Michelle:)
So here's the plan; I've signed up for the Running Room 1/2 Marathon Clinic (didn't have enough people for the full, apparently I'll get a training plan for the extra K's), starts this Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm. Once I get the plan I'll structure my weekly training. I plan to do my runs in the morning and train with weights afternoon or evening, pretty much what I've always done. I will add in some extra cardio, either powerwalks or elliptical/bike at the gym until the K's start to get higher. I'm currently running 30-35 km/week but expect this to gradually increase into the 40-60km range, at that point who needs extra cardio! The only reason for it now is to drop 10-15lbs of pudge in the next 4-6 weeks so that I feel more comfortable running and can actually train. I know, sounds weird that I want to drop weight to run, alot of people run to drop weight, but if I've learned anything about dropping weight over the past 3 years its that for me, diet plays a HUGE role and I need ALOT of cardio to get the fat off my butt! So during the week I will be keeping the diet super tight, and save the extra carbs for the weekend longs runs.... we'll see how it goes. By mid-July I should lean and mean again and ready to run like the wind!
Happy training!
Michelle:)
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