Week 13 = 36 miles

This week inlcudes another loooong run, I plan on running my 18 miles on Saturday from my parents house in rural Ayrshire all the way to Emmetsburg!! AAAHHH, I never imagined that until I was talking with my sister in the car this weekend and I asked her to help me figure out a route for 18 miles.  She says, "You can either run around the section 4 1/2 times or just run from Mom and Dad's to Emmetsburg!"  I drove those 18 miles countless times throughout my high school days, but this weekend I will set out to run it.......

I hope to celebrate this accomplishment with an ice cold beer with my lovely sister as she will be turning 21 this weekend as well! :)  Be sure to wish her a happy birthday on Sunday the 11th.

Today I will be running 4 miles, tomorrow 9 miles, and Thursday is a 5 miler.  Last week was beautiful, I got to run outside on Wednesday around a park that isn't far from us.  5 miles was running to the park, around it 4 times and then back to my apartment.  It was lovely that day; sunny and about 75 when I was out around noontime.

This past weekend I had a 12 miler as sort of a taper weekend between the 16 and 18 miles.  I still haven't defeated the 16 miles, I am only up to about 14.  I experimented with the GU pack on my run on Saturday out on the Fox River Trail in Naperville.  Jamie walked with little Lauren and I journeyed out ahead of them on a run not really knowing where I was going.  Thankfully the trail was marked with mile markers and was clear enough to follow.  I tried swallowing down the GU pack on my turn-around at about 9 miles.  It wasn't so good; the consistency was too thick and it was a little gagging, but I got the whole thing down and it helped a little with my energy levels, but it definitely didn't take away the pain I was feeling in my left knee again.  Did I mention that this entire time it was pouring down rain!  I figured that I needed to get out there rain or shine because who knows what race day is going to bring.  I made it back dripping wet, thinking I can't wait until I get a running partner again because this is really challenging my mental toughness!

It was awesome to get to visit Kyle, Jamie, and Lauren again this weekend for Easter.  Our mission was to get Lauren crawling, but reluctantly she is still not yet there.  She is so good and popping up onto her hands and knees, but she just hasn't figured out the one knee in front of the other yet :)  She did a great job and trying though.  We had some really great food and enjoyed a movie night in on Saturday after a long day of shopping around. 

I can't wait to share my expereinces in my 18 miler this weekend.  I will be carrying a cell phone just in case I don't think I can make it all the way to town.  Water and Jelly Beans will also be in my pack for energy and fuel in this long excursion.  Estimated time to complete will be around 180 minutes or 3 hours!!!!! 

Week 12 = 29 miles

Yesterday I went out for another 15 miler on a trail that was part pavement and part dirt/gravel.  This trail is called the Cedar Valley Trail that starts at Boyson Road in Hiawatha and travels all the way up to Waterloo!  The first 3 miles of this trail is paved and then it turns to gravel.  I only made it about 14 miles yesterday as I was starting to become severely carb depleted and my feet, knees, and hips were all VERY sore and cramped up in the last 1.5 miles.  I dropped a water bottle about 2 miles into the run so I could pick it up on the way back.  This was not soon enough!  It was a beautiful day yesterday, perfect weather and very little breeze.  My mouth was extremely dry by mile 12 when I finally got to that water!  I wanted to run Sunday with Liz and Rachel, but I had offered about 4 weeks ago to sub a Step class Sunday morning at 10am and this is when the girls went; so again I was all my my lonesome out there on the trail.  I was really starting to doubt myself on this run.  What am I getting myself into!  And then I just thought how good it was going to feel when I was done with this run and about all the great support I am getting from my family and friends who will also be there on race day to help me along the journey to 26.2 miles! 

I have been researching these GU packs that are gel like substances you can take along with you on endurance runs/walks/biking when you are going for 2 hours or more.  My run yesterday took me about 2 hours and 20 mins and I was definitely feeling it.  I think I am going to start supplementing these GU pack on my runs to see if they help and go down smoothly.  Some people really have a hard time swallowing them because of their consistency, but they should help restore my carbs during the run quickly as they are made up of pure complex carbohydrates and real fruit.  Here is just one brand of them.  I am going to a local running store today to get some more info about them.

Knees and feet were again very sore and stiff this morning on my way in to teach BodyPump.  I rode the bike for 15 mins before class and that seemed help warm them up and I was fine to teach all the tracks including the Squats and Lunges that I was most worried about.  I have 4 miles tomorrow, 8 miles Thursday, and 5 miles on Friday.  I hope to get a 12 miler in this weekend while in Naperville visiting Kyle, Jamie, and little Lauren Paige :)  Have a great week and Happy Easter!!!!!!!

Down, but not OUT! Week 9 = 27 miles

Yes, I have been down, but not out of the game.  At the end of February, that cold I talked about last post turned into bronchitis and walking pneumonia, so I was at home for a whole week unable to exercise or go to work.  AND, my computer has a major virus that I'll probably have to go get fixed for an insane amount of money.  If anyone out there knows anything about computer viruses, LET ME KNOW!  I relaxed at home, drank plenty of fluids and did some light yoga and walked on our treadmill for an hour at a time to keep my mileage up a little.  That was my 12 mile weekend run that I had to miss out on and Ryan and I went snowboarding with his family instead :).  The following week, I got back into it slowly, running 3 miles, 3 times that week and 8.5 on that Sunday, which was supposed to be 13 miles!  Last week, it was on.  I ran 3, 4, and 4 during the week because I was still getting back into teaching my full schedule of classes again, and did 10 miles yesterday outside.  Today I will run 3 miles, tomorrow 7, and Thrusday 4 and finish the weekend off with a 15 miler on Saturday so we can go out and celebrate my birthday that evening!!  AAHHH......15 miles, this is a big one.  We'll see how that goes, there will probably be a few stops on that one, but I just want to get out there and go for it.  I have had some pain behind my left knee, but that is probably due to lack of stretching....I know, I know.  Not too many more weeks of this, its going quickly.  May 16th will be here before I know it. 
I'm so thankful that the weather has been nicer here and I can actually run on the streets and trails.  There is a nice little trail about a half mile from our apartment and it is exctly 1-mile around.  It is really great because I don't have to think about how far I've gone I just have to remember how many laps I have done.  I did 4 around it yesterday before I got bored and needed some new sceenery.  There are also stations for doing sit-ups, climbing, push-ups, tires, arm-ladders, etc.  It will be nice to take clients there this summer for something new!
I haven't chosen a circuit yet this week, I will post at a later date once I have written it up :)  Have a great St.Patrick's week!

Week 7 = 24 miles + Bowl for Kids Sake

Since Thursday, Ryan and I have been battling sore throats and stuffed up heads.  For some reason, I've been dealing with the worst of it.  I got my smaller runs in this week, focusing on pace and trying to maintain a speed between 6.7 and 7.2 mph.  The 3 milers were a little faster as I was finishing under 25 mins and that got a little easier as the week went on.  I usually get more sore in my calves and hip flexors two days after my long runs and Tuesday was definitely a recovery day as I got in my 3 mile run later in the afternoon.  Sunday I did 7 miles on the treadmill since we had gotten some snow Friday evening and there were chances for more yesterday afternoon.  It wasn't bad except I was breathing a little heavier with this stupid cold.  I finished just under 65 mins and really felt sick after.  Sick to my stomach and I couldn't stop coughing from my chest.  I'm home today recovering and trying to hydrate as much as possible to get healthy.  This weeks run consist of 3 Tuesday, 6 Wednesday, and 3 Thursday, followed by a 12 miler on the weekend.  I hope to get this done outside again and hopefully the weather is nice in Eldrige where I will be running this weekend.  Ryan has 3 nephews who are competing in a snowboarding competition near the Quad Cities this weekend and I hope to get in on the action as well.  I'll have some fun picutres to post next time.

Here are some photos of me and some co-workers at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kid's Sake this past Friday.  There were 6 of us bowlers and we raised almost $800!  It was a fun event and Ryan even filled in as one of the team members :)

I've been trying to think of what I want to give up for Lent, and I think I have come to the conclusion of not giving up anything, but being more conscious of what I am eating on the days I am training, the days prior to the long runs, and doing more research to supplement these goals.  From what I already know, those who are exercising regularly should be consuming 60% of their calories in carbs, 20% protein, and <20% fats.  Endurance athletes require more carbohydrate calories due to the extreme calorie burn and energy wasting they endure during training runs.  Also, a low-fat diet will help in keeping me feeling energized and not sluggish on a day-to-day basis.  I will be striving for 1800 total calories which will consist of 65% carbs for energy source, 20% protein for cellular repair of my lean body mass and better recovery, and <15% fats.  I will use my.apex online to help meal plan and to make sure that all of my meals are balanced and nutritious.

Week 6 = 18 miles - Pace and Recovery

This week is all about working on race pace and recovering from the 10-miler.  I have been very nervous about this 10-miler that I did Sunday because I have never endured something like this before.  Each week I have been increasing my distance and trying to run outside to build endurance and run different trails.  I was going to run it on Saturday with Rachel, but after work I got home and made the mistake of falling asleep on the couch so when I got up to go meet her, I was not feeling well enough to go out.  Liz was running Sunday so I thought I could wait til then, but she was in Ames longer than expected and she ran hers alone too.  So there I was Sunday afternoon getting ready to head out to run by myself, getting myself psyched up to run for 100 minutes (about 10min miles).  Another reason I was a little nervous is because I didn't get in any of my short runs last week because I went to Des Moines in the middle of the week and it kind of messed up my work schedule and once again I had too many excuses to skip them.  NEVER SKIPPING THOSE AGAIN!!!  Yikes.........
So in the first mile of my run, I was having troubles with my ear buds staying in my ears while running.  I kept trying to put them back in and ended up just tucking them away and saying 'screw it, I will trying again at my half-way point'.  The trail was patched with snow/ice in some spots, but for the most part it was once again pretty clear.  About miles 3 & 4 I was starting to feel some pain in the outsides of my knees again so I couldn't wait to stop to stretch!  I made it to my half-way destination by the Cedar Lake and stopped to regroup/stretch for 60 seconds and try for the music again.  It gets pretty boring talking to yourself and thinking about how many more miles you have to go!  I was happy to have my music back for miles 6 & 7 because it was helping me to keep my pace and stride even with the beat of the music, until I messed with them again and they wouldn't stay in, GREAT..........2 miles to go and I was really starting to feel the fatigue set into my hips and knees.  A dog jumped out at me and I thought for sure it would hop the fence since it was propped up on a giant snow bank and try running after me, so I sped up and got moving.  Mile 9 had the large uphill over a bridge to Blairs Ferry.  This was exhausting the second time around.  My run was an out-and-back route so the first time over this bridge was up for one block and then down hill for about 3 blocks, coming back it was just the opposite.  I had to stop for traffic before the last mile and that was a killer.  At that point you are on auto pilot just trying to finish the distance and I immediately stiffened up.  The first 500 yards after that point was very painful!  I made it to the finish and had to track through the snow again to get to my car........heavy legs and sore everywhere!  1 hour 35 mins and burned 1,000 calories :).  I was very sore the rest of the evening and was kind of nauceous after eating dinner.  Monday and today I'm feeling great, recovery post-distance is getting better as well, so that is a great sign that my body is handling the distances and recovering much faster!

Resistance Circuits this week include 1 minute intervals of the following:

Weighted Burpees
Seated Cable Row
Single Leg Dead Lift to Overhead Press
Push Ups
Walking Lunges w/ DB Curl
Supermans
Bicycle Crunches

3 times through with 1 minute rest between exercises = 45 mins

I made some cookies from a recipe that Jamie sent me, YUM YUM YUM.  I entered them into my APEX program and for the number of cookies I made there are only 50 calories/cookie!  Oatmeal Raisin/Banana

I will be running 3 miles today trying to keep my pace at about 7.0mph to see how my legs feel.  Tomorrow 5 miles and 3 on Thursday.

Week 5 = 21 miles

This week, 8-14, mileage will total 21 miles as the long distance run increases by 1 mile.  Sunday, Rachel, Liz and I once again ventured outdoors to run.  We decided to find a trail that would be easier to follow and gage distance covered.  We started up on Boyson Road in Hiawatha on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.  We were driving up and could see that the trail was cleared and would be in perfect condition to tackle the 9 mile run.  We parked our car and realized that the start of the trail was completely covered with snow and were curious how long it would be until we would reach the cleared path.  It was a rocky start the first 1/4 mile was running on packed snow, similar to sand, and we all thought it was going to be a loooooong run starting this way.  Soon enough we were on the cleared path and pace was pretty good.  The trail was mostly flat with a few rolling hills and bridges to climb.  We ran south to the Cedar Lake which is located downtown right next to the Quaker Oats factory if you are familiar with the location when traveling on 380 through CR.   Down and back was approximately 9 miles, and it took us 1 hour and 30 mins.  It was cold and snowing lightly, but for the most part it wasn't too bad.  By mile 7, I was feeling very tired and the aches and pains were setting into my right hip flexor and outsides of the knees. 
A little fun fact for you:  The IT-Bands or iliotibial bands that connect from the top of the hip down along the outsides of your thighs and connect on the bump below the kneecap, can become very tight during long duration forward moving or sitting, and can cause pain in the hips and knees depending on where they are they tightest.  SOOOO, if you are a runner, biker, walker, sitter, etc., it is important to stretch these and massage before/after exercise to prevent or relieve pain. :)
SO, I think this is what was causing pain in the outsides of my knees so I have been foam rolling and massaging them before and after I run or get bored at work.
It is two days later and I am feeling pretty good!  Usually the second day is when it hits me, but I think because I taught BootCamp, taught three other classes, and trained 6 clients yesterday, I kept moving enough to prevent from stiffening up!  I have a recovery run of 3 miles today, 5 miles tomorrow, and 3 miles Thursday.  Saturday or Sunday we hope to be outside again for our 10 miler!

Total Body Weight Circuits this week will include the following:

Burpee Push Ups
Single Arm DB Chest Press on Ball
Pull Ups
V-Ups (Toe Touch Crunches)
DB Squat to Overhead Press
Pendulum Lunges
Biceps Curls with Band
OH Triceps Extension
Side Stepping Dip Squats

All exercises performed for 1:00 x 4 Circuits

I will be vacationing to Des Moines this week to see Kyle, Jamie and Lauren and also my best friend from high school is hosting a jewelry party tomorrow night :)  Weather permitting.........I want to get away during the week since I have to work every Saturday anyways, I can rearrange my schedule a little more and some of my clients are very flexible when it comes to the weekends too.  Have a great week!  See ya soon :)

Week 4 = 19 Miles

So, This week is actually week 4.  I forgot that we had to leave week 1 out and get started right away.  Last week was good to have a recovery week since I was so busy teaching other classes and 4 boot camp sessions of kick boxing!  This week I have 19 total miles; today 3, tomorrow 4, Thursday 3, and Saturday 9!  I hope to get outside for that one.  As long as it is close to or above 30 degrees, Rachel and I will definitely run outside this weekend.

I am already feeling fatigued in some of my running, body aches more than my breathing or cardio endurance.  I want to get outside tomorrow too, hopefully that will help because sometimes it gets pretty boring and discouraging just running inside on the treadmill with nothing to focus on my the pain in my legs! :)

Weight circuits this week consist of a 10x10 workout which is the following:
1. Lunges
2. Lunges + Jump Squats
3. Lunges + Jump Squats + KB Woodchops
4. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows
5. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jacks
6. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jacks + Reverse Flyes
7. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jacks + Reverse Flyes + Dead Lifts
8. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jakcs + Reverse Flyes + Dead Lifts + Overhead Triceps Extension
9. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jakcs + Reverse Flyes + Dead Lifts + Overhead Triceps Extension + Push Ups
10. Lunges + Jump Squats + Woodchops + Upright Rows + Jumping Jakcs + Reverse Flyes + Dead Lifts + Overhead Triceps Extension + Push Ups + 1:00 Plank

Each Exercise is 10 reps each and I just keep adding exercises to the first all the way to 10 total!  A lot of fun, gets your heart beating and burns major calories!  I burned 500 calories in 45 mins!

Have a great week!  I'll see ya again soon :)