Hallelujah! - I made it through Week 8 of training without any stomachaches, puke, or tears! Many thanks those who e-mailed, texted, or called about suggestions for hydration and nutrition while running. It tells me that A) people do actually read this blog, and B) those people care. I've spent well over $50 this past week in endurance products, but it's worth it. Also, praises to God for the cooler, perfect running weather. I ran 3 miles during a downpour, but I'll take that any day over the 90 degree temps and dense humidity.
Week 8:
Monday - 4 mile run
Wednesday- 7 mile run
Friday - 15 mile long run
Sunday - Color Run 5K with my mom and sister
Two months of training are over! These past four weeks I logged 92 miles and 15 1/2 hours training. In total, I've ran 165 miles and trained for nearly 27 hours. I've come a long way, but there is still 10 weeks to go before the big day. As the weeks go by and the distances get longer, motivation and support is important as ever. Words cannot express my appreciation for all the love I've received - keep it coming! And as always, the invitation to run with me still stands. :)
As for fundraising for Cancer Research Institute, we are correctly at 40% of our goal. Remember that all money raised will go to cancer immunology research, aiming for the prevention and treatment of human cancer. If you'd like to join the fight to conquer cancer, please consider making a donation here.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Week 7 - Recap
I am just going to be honest.... this week of training was rough. It put my mental and physical strength to the test. The excessive heat and humidity was merciless. I carried water and ran on shaded paths, but in the end I was no match for the elements. I walked more than I cared to, but the blow to my ego was better than suffering from heat exhaustion.
Week 7:
Wednesday - 4 mile run
Friday - 7 mile pace run (and walking at Relay for Life)
Saturday - 14 mile long run
Sunday - cross-train ... riding my bike, reading, and relaxing at the pool!
All week I was dreading going on my long run. The heat was fierce and I had never run farther than 13.1 miles. The thought of running for nearly 2.5 hours in this weather was enough to make me want to sit my butt back down on the couch. I expected the run to be difficult and my time a bit slower, but it turned out to be one of the worst runs I've ever had. At mile five I got a stomach ache. I blame this on the Gatorade I was drinking. I had never drank Gatorade on a run before and it turns out my stomach does not agree with it. I will be sure not to make that mistake again! I was able to keep running until mile nine, but then my stomach ache got too severe. I stopped at my Grandma Steffes' house to refill my water bottles with water and rest a few minutes, but when I tried running again, I couldn't. All I felt was the fluid in my stomach sloshing back and forth and it made me queasy. I humbly walked the remaining miles of the run, pausing only once to vomit on the side of the road. (If you happened to be driving past me on HWY 67 during that moment, I apologize for the ugliness.) I must admit, I felt much better after puking - but when I looked at my GPS watch and realized I still had 2.5 miles to go, I got angry and did what I felt was the only thing I could do in that situation - I cried. More than anything, I wanted to quit and hitchhike my way back to my parents' house... but I didn't. Instead, I stubbornly marched on. I finally made it back to my parents house 2 hours and 46 minutes after I left.
Praise the Lord that this week of training is over. Only 11 more to go!
Week 7:
Wednesday - 4 mile run
Friday - 7 mile pace run (and walking at Relay for Life)
Saturday - 14 mile long run
Sunday - cross-train ... riding my bike, reading, and relaxing at the pool!
All week I was dreading going on my long run. The heat was fierce and I had never run farther than 13.1 miles. The thought of running for nearly 2.5 hours in this weather was enough to make me want to sit my butt back down on the couch. I expected the run to be difficult and my time a bit slower, but it turned out to be one of the worst runs I've ever had. At mile five I got a stomach ache. I blame this on the Gatorade I was drinking. I had never drank Gatorade on a run before and it turns out my stomach does not agree with it. I will be sure not to make that mistake again! I was able to keep running until mile nine, but then my stomach ache got too severe. I stopped at my Grandma Steffes' house to refill my water bottles with water and rest a few minutes, but when I tried running again, I couldn't. All I felt was the fluid in my stomach sloshing back and forth and it made me queasy. I humbly walked the remaining miles of the run, pausing only once to vomit on the side of the road. (If you happened to be driving past me on HWY 67 during that moment, I apologize for the ugliness.) I must admit, I felt much better after puking - but when I looked at my GPS watch and realized I still had 2.5 miles to go, I got angry and did what I felt was the only thing I could do in that situation - I cried. More than anything, I wanted to quit and hitchhike my way back to my parents' house... but I didn't. Instead, I stubbornly marched on. I finally made it back to my parents house 2 hours and 46 minutes after I left.
Praise the Lord that this week of training is over. Only 11 more to go!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Week 6 - Recap
It is another Sunday night and I'm wondering where the heck did the week go? When I wasn't working, I was unpacking and getting the new place whipped into shape. It's actually starting to look less like a warehouse and more like a home. And although moving was a pain in my tush (literally and figuratively), I'm thankful to have new routes to run. The change of scenery is quite refreshing... and so far, I've only gotten lost once.
Week 6:
Thursday - 6 mile run
Friday - 3 mile run
Saturday - 9 mile long run
Sunday - Cross-train (this week it was camping! - playing bean bag toss,
swimming, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, making s'mores,
drinking bloody marys and sangria, enjoying golf cart rides, spending
quality time with family, and all-around good fun)
As this week comes to an end, I'm already looking forward to the next one. This Friday my family and I will be participating in Relay For Life of Calumet County. We walk in support, honor, and memory of all those who have been touched by cancer, but especially my Aunt Pam, Grandpa Petrie, and Grandpa Steffes. My Aunt Pam is a stage 3 fallopian tube cancer survivor and was last year's keynote speaker. You can hear her speech here, but I must warn you to grab a box of tissues first. She was brave to get up in front of an arena full of people and share the intimate details of her cancer story. Her words, "If something doesn't feel right, have it checked" may have saved some one's life and her encouragement to "pay it forward" has brought Striding For a Cure to fruition. If you don't have anything going on Friday night, I highly encourage you to join the fun and fight against cancer. Details for the event can be found here. We are team "Walking with Pizzazz" and I will be the crazy one running laps!
Week 6:
Thursday - 6 mile run
Friday - 3 mile run
Saturday - 9 mile long run
Sunday - Cross-train (this week it was camping! - playing bean bag toss,
swimming, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, making s'mores,
drinking bloody marys and sangria, enjoying golf cart rides, spending
quality time with family, and all-around good fun)
As this week comes to an end, I'm already looking forward to the next one. This Friday my family and I will be participating in Relay For Life of Calumet County. We walk in support, honor, and memory of all those who have been touched by cancer, but especially my Aunt Pam, Grandpa Petrie, and Grandpa Steffes. My Aunt Pam is a stage 3 fallopian tube cancer survivor and was last year's keynote speaker. You can hear her speech here, but I must warn you to grab a box of tissues first. She was brave to get up in front of an arena full of people and share the intimate details of her cancer story. Her words, "If something doesn't feel right, have it checked" may have saved some one's life and her encouragement to "pay it forward" has brought Striding For a Cure to fruition. If you don't have anything going on Friday night, I highly encourage you to join the fun and fight against cancer. Details for the event can be found here. We are team "Walking with Pizzazz" and I will be the crazy one running laps!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Week 5 - Recap
Week 5:
Monday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - 6 mile run
Thursday - 3 mile run
Saturday - 12 mile long run
The past week was a blur of working, moving, and running. That is the reason this blog post is delayed. I spent the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of July working at the hospital. It doesn't make for much of a holiday, but a hospital is a 24-hour business. I would rather of been celebrating with family and friends, but I'm sure the patients did too. When I wasn't working, I was packing boxes, loading my car, and taking trips back and forth from the old apartment to the new townhouse. My legs killed from running up and down two flights of stairs and my arms ached from carrying boxes in and out. I tried convincing myself that I deserved to rest and that manual labor is nearly the same thing as running... but in the end I still put in the miles.
Monday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - 6 mile run
Thursday - 3 mile run
Saturday - 12 mile long run
The past week was a blur of working, moving, and running. That is the reason this blog post is delayed. I spent the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of July working at the hospital. It doesn't make for much of a holiday, but a hospital is a 24-hour business. I would rather of been celebrating with family and friends, but I'm sure the patients did too. When I wasn't working, I was packing boxes, loading my car, and taking trips back and forth from the old apartment to the new townhouse. My legs killed from running up and down two flights of stairs and my arms ached from carrying boxes in and out. I tried convincing myself that I deserved to rest and that manual labor is nearly the same thing as running... but in the end I still put in the miles.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Week 4 - Recap
Week 4:
Monday - 3 mile run
Tuesday - 6 mile pace run
Saturday - 11 mile long run
Sunday - Cross-train (walking, shopping, eating and drinking in the Third Ward)
I've officially completed one month of training! In the past four weeks, I've logged 73 miles and 11 hours and 21 minutes of running. Physically, I've earned a few blisters and bad tans lines from my running tank tops and shorts. Mentally, I've acquired the strength to push through the boredom and physicality of running the increased distances.
Highlights from this month of training:
1. Running a 3 mile run at sub-8 minute pace
2. Having my 3 year-old nephew cheer me on while on a run at home
3. Inspiring my mom and sister to start running and sign-up for the Color Run
I have come a long way, but I still have many miles to go. Thank you for accompanying me on this journey!
Monday - 3 mile run
Tuesday - 6 mile pace run
Saturday - 11 mile long run
Sunday - Cross-train (walking, shopping, eating and drinking in the Third Ward)
I've officially completed one month of training! In the past four weeks, I've logged 73 miles and 11 hours and 21 minutes of running. Physically, I've earned a few blisters and bad tans lines from my running tank tops and shorts. Mentally, I've acquired the strength to push through the boredom and physicality of running the increased distances.
Highlights from this month of training:
1. Running a 3 mile run at sub-8 minute pace
2. Having my 3 year-old nephew cheer me on while on a run at home
3. Inspiring my mom and sister to start running and sign-up for the Color Run
I have come a long way, but I still have many miles to go. Thank you for accompanying me on this journey!
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