Week 3 - Recap

If you're wondering why this post is late, I apologize.  I was back home and without Internet access.  I couldn't write, but I could still run.

Week 3 details:

Monday - 3 mile run

Tuesday - 5 mile pace run

Friday - 3 mile run

Saturday - 6 mile run

Sunday - Cross-train (this week it entailed going to Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg)

In sad news, my fiancé's grandfather passed away recently.  Walter was 87 years-young when cancer took his life.  Although I only met him a few times, he made quite the impression on me.  He had kind eyes, a warm soul, and a smirk on his face.  After meeting him I understood where my fiancé got his sense of humor and strong will.  If you care to read Walter's obituary, you can find it here. 

Although Walter lived a long and fulfilling life, I am still outraged that cancer denied him of more years with his friends and family.  I've seen and felt this with young and old cancer patients alike, and the hurt is always the same.  This anger fuels my runs and is why I continue to fight for a cure for cancer.  

Week 2 - Recap

It's only Friday and Week 2 of training is already over!  But how can that be, you ask?  Well, I work this weekend, so I modified the training to accommodate my schedule.  Is that allowed in marathon training?  I have no idea, but I did it. 

Here's the Week 2 breakdown:

Monday - 3 mile run

Thursday - 5 mile run

Friday - 9 mile long run

I must admit, I omitted a 3 mile run.  I had every intention of doing it after work on Wednesday night, but a severe weather warning kept me on the couch (with a glass of wine.) 

I did the 9 mile long run early this morning.  Mind you, when I say "early," I really mean 9am.  I usually prefer to wake up at a leisurely hour, eat breakfast, drink coffee, watch Live with Kelly and Michael, see if anything is good on The View, and then mosey out the door.  But I've been finding with my long runs, it's just better to get them done and over with.  For one thing, it's much cooler in the morning than in the afternoon.  There's also fewer runners early in the day and I enjoy the solitude.  I've run many places, but nothing beats running along the Milwaukee lakefront. 

This run, I did some experimenting.  For one, I tried out Gatorade's new Cool Blue Energy Chews.  Truthfully, it was an impulse buy when I was grocery shopping, but I thought it might help keep my energy up while logging the long miles.  I've used Gu electrolyte gel in the past, but it upset my stomach and I really didn't care for the taste.  The pros of the Gatorade Energy Chews?  They are easy to store in a pocket, taste good, and don't upset my stomach.  The cons of the the Gatorade Energy Chews?  The package is hard to open while on the run, you need to eat six chews, and I really didn't feel any different after eating the chews than I did prior.  But as a bonus, it did turn my spit blue. 

The other thing I experimented with was listening to a podcast while I ran.  Normally, I listen to music, but after listening to the same songs over and over, it loses its motivation and affect.  I've listened to audio books and radio talk shows before, so I already knew I would enjoy listening to a podcast.  I selected a podcast from Dr. Laura Schlessinger, a no-nonsense radio host who I fell in love with when I bought my Rav4 and discovered satellite radio.  Listening to her talk and give advice to her callers helped distract me from my aches and pains and forget how far I still had to run.  Do you have a favorite podcast?  If so, I want to know what it is.

And in case you're dying to know, my blister popped while on my run yesterday.  I would post a picture of it, but I would hate for you to throw-up your supper. Thank goodness for Band-Aids!

...16 weeks to go! 

Money cannot buy health or happiness... but it may find a cure for cancer!

Woo hoo! At this time, I am at 25% of my fundraising goal.  I am very appreciative of all the donations, especially the ones from people I have never met but wanted to support the cause.  I am so passionate about cancer research and this charity endeavor, so it is exciting for me to see that others are equally moved.  Keep spreading the word!

The easiest way to make a donation is through the First Giving page at:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/andreavorpahl/stridingforacure.  Money goes directly to Cancer Research Institute and donating is quick, easy, and secured.  If you want to make a donation in memory or honor of someone, there is a comment section that allows you to do so.  You will receive a receipt in the mail and make sure you hold on to it. Why? Because all donations are tax-deductible! 

For those who prefer the good old-fashioned way, Cancer Research Institute will also gladly accept donations in the form of checks.  Here's the info:

Check should be written out to:  Cancer Research Institute

Checks should be mailed to:  

     ATTN:  Erin Kim

     Cancer Research Institute     

     National Headquarters

     One Exchange Plaza

     55 Broadway, Suite 1802

     New York, NY 10006

On the memo line, put:  Andrea Vorpahl / Striding For a Cure

Please make a note on the check if you want the donation to be in memory or in honor of a loved one and, if possible, attach this form with your check.  Once the check is received, I will be notified and will add the donation to the fundraising total.  All those who donate with checks will also be mailed a receipt. 

As always, thanks for your continued love and support. 

Week 1 - Recap

Week one of training has come and gone and I am happy to say it went pretty darn well.

Here's my week in review:
Monday - Rest day... or in my case, work a 12-hour shift
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Thursday - 5 mile pace run
Friday - 3 mile run
Saturday - 8 mile long run
Sunday - Cross-train... or rather, attend my Godson's baptism (eating cake counts as aerobic activity!)

While I dreaded the long run the most, it was surprisingly enjoyable.  With no worry of pace or time, and only a distance in mind, I found the run freeing.  For one hour and sixteen minutes, the only sounds were my feet hitting the pavement, Sugarland playing through my ear buds, and the thoughts running through my head.

I ran on the country roads near my parents' house - the same roads that have watched me grow up over the years.  The first time I ran that route, I was home from college and looking for a way to ease the summer boredom.  I could barely make it a mile without walking and my biggest worries were graduating from college and if I'd ever find a boy.  Fast forward to today, I'm training for a marathon, a registered nurse, and engaged to the man of my dreams.  Crazy.

Unfortunately, the eight miles didn't come without a few challenges.  Around mile four I could feel a discomfort in the ball of my left foot.  By the time I got back to my parents' house, the "discomfort" had turned into a nasty blister.  The blister has forced me to walk on the side of my foot for the past two days and I have never been more thankful for Band-Aids!  The other challenge I had was stomach cramps at mile seven.  I was fortunate I only had one more mile to go and that I was close to home, but I hope that doesn't happen ever again.

Alas, one week is down... 17 more to go! 

Ready, ready, ready, ready... ready to run!

The day has finally arrived... Today I begin training for the marathon.

18 weeks from now I will be crossing the finish line!

The key to finishing a race of any distance is a good training plan.  After asking nearly everyone I know who has run a marathon - friends, coworkers, WGirl members - I have decided to use Hal Higdon's training plan.  You can find the training plan here.  I chose this plan for a couple reasons.  First, I've used Hal Higdon's plans in the past while running half marathons.  I feel confident training with his plans and have developed an odd sense of loyalty towards Hal.  Second, I like that it demands only four days of running and one day of cross training.  The plan fits well with my work schedule and allows a day to do something other than running; I prefer yoga and bike rides, but I believe sunbathing and shopping counts too. 

Another "must' for running is proper footwear.  I get my shoes from Performance Running Outfitters in Shorewood.  The staff is trained to provide your feet with shoes that fit your needs.  They even do a video gait analysis to ensure the shoes feel and function optimally.  They are a bit more pricey than shoes you'd find at non-running stores, but they are worth it.  Proper fitting shoes help prevent injuries and I'm all for anything that will make running feel more effortless.  I have been running in Asics Gel-DS Trainers for years and I wouldn't dare put my feet in anything else.  My only complaint with running shoes is that fit overrules style and color.  For a girl who likes shoes, this is a problem. That is how I once ended up with a pair of yellow and grey running shoes - my two least-favorite colors. Fortunately, new versions of running shoes are released about every six months and the colors and always changing.

Although shoes are really the only requirement for running (and even that's debatable upon who you ask), I like to accessorize.  I have a GPS watch, iPod nano, X-1 earbuds, hat, and fuel belt.  The GPS watch takes the guesswork out of distance and pace.  Music is key to my motivation and entertainment while running and I like how the nano is light and clips anywhere.  The X-1 earbuds are my latest and greatest find.  I have wasted more money on earbuds that don't stay in my ears or stop working after a few months than I'd care to admit.  The X-1 earbuds stay in place and have buttons to control the music on the cord so I don't have to fumble with my nano.  The hat keeps the sun and sweat out of my eyes, protects my scalp from getting burned, and holds my hair in place.  Lastly, and most importantly, is the fuel belt.  A fuel belt is a strap that goes around the hips that holds water bottles and has pockets for packets of gel electrolytes.  Hydration and nutrition are essential to long runs and necessary if I want to finish the marathon. 

Lastly, training for this marathon would not be possible if not for the all the love and support I've received.  When I told my best friend, Heidi, that I wanted to run a marathon, she was immediately onboard.  She even recruited her boyfriend and sister to sign-up for the marathon so that there would be additional support on the course.  I could not train for or run this marathon without her.  My fiancé, Travis, is also incredibly encouraging and kind.  Trav, I apollogize in advance for any whining or crabbiness that may ensue. And to my family, friends, and Striding For a Cure participants, thanks for all the words of encouragement and for asking how the training is going.  Knowing that you care makes these next 18 weeks of training and cancer research fundraising worthwhile.