Training Day 1

My Pinterest inspired count down. I'm following the Jeff Galloway "Finish Upright" plan for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon for those who have been running more than 6 months. Today was training day 1 and it called for a 30 minute run.  

It was cold and windy and dark when I set out this morning. I walked my kids to their bus stop, kissed them goodbye and off I went. I came home to an empty house and I may continue this routine in order to experience getting ready without being interrupted!

The run itself was fine. I managed a little over 1.5 miles and was slightly under the 30 minute mark. It rained a little as you can see in the picture. I'm still on the fence about running in the rain. Maybe in the summer it's fun but 50 and windy in Chicagoland and its a little uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable, why is it that I cannot find ladies wicking underwear? At my favorite big box store for work out equipment, Target, they had rows and rows of sports bras and pants. No undies. If I'm going to wear wicking everything else, why would I wear cotton briefs? I'll confess, I went commando today because my 2 wicking pair I was able to snag last January, (Do they only offer in the winter?) were in the wash. I thought perhaps that's the story behind not being able to find them, ladies are supposed to go sans wicking undies.  I did not enjoy that experience either. 

Running Tip: I use the Nike Running App and right now I'm pledging my miles to the Red campaign to eradicate HIV. Bank of America will donate $0.40 for every mile. I think it's a win all around! You can too! Visit this link to learn how!

I Am A Runner

 As a new runner I rejected the title "runner". I even rejected it as an adjective to describe me. I was running. I was learning to run. I was training for a 1/2 marathon but I was not a runner.

I had this idea that a runner was someone who was fast, who ran marathons and was stick thin. And I admit, I judged that the running community was unfriendly. It was club I was never going to belong to. I'm not fast, I'm not thin, and I am not a marathoner. Therefore, I was not a runner.

But it's hard to talk about running a 1/2 marathon without defining yourself as a runner. I tentatively tried the title on, the week of the Biggest Loser 1/2 at the phone store explaining to the sales clerk that "I am a runner and need a phone that won't die".  Yes, 6 months of training for the race and I used the term runner to describe myself for the 1st time. 

I held my breath after I said it. I was afraid he was going to challenge me. Ask for my runner card or something. Quiz me on the lingo. Challenge me in the store. But this crazy thing happened. He accepted my statement and then we bonded over his girlfriend being a runner.

I felt I needed to earn the title of runner because for so long I never felt it was something I could be. Six months of training and a 1/2 marathon medal seemed like enough sweat equity to bestow upon myself this coveted title. But guess what?

I became a runner the first day I started training.

That's right. The first day. The first step, in fact. I didn't need to prove it to anyone but myself. Because by and large, runners are an inclusive and friendly group. When I began talking about being a runner I found all these other people in my life were runners (or runners afraid to admit it) like me. I joined a Facebook group of people who love Disney and running and they were great. 

Every person I told was excited. Some were skeptical, which I totally get. I would look at me and think-she never runs. But I do. But ultimately everyone wanted to connect with me if they were a runner or cheer me on if they weren't.

I'm sorry I missed out on the running community for so long. As I hit the pavement Friday morning before work to relieve the stress of the week, I passed several other runners. And when the last guy in tights waved at me, it hit me, I really am a runner!

1) I was running in the morning on a Friday

2) To relieve stress

3) When the guy in tights waved he was accepting me as a fellow runner

4)I didn't think, How strange? he's in tights

5)I thought, I bet he's training for a marathon. Good for him.

I imagine that he was having a similar thought as he was running behind me because here is the thing, unless you are a top finisher, your fellow runners don't care how fast you are. They are just happy you are a runner too. They aren't thinking "My God, why is she so slow?!". Nope. They are thinking, "You go do your race!". 

When we were in Disney earlier this month a runDisney race, Tower of Terror 10 Miler, took place. Seeing the participants walking around with their medals was amazing motivation. And so many of them looked like me. All of the eager to talk about running. Some excited to talk about gear (one lady and I bonded over my Sparkle Skirt on the tram in Animal Kingdom). Each an inspiration to me, a fellow runner!

Love in Elevator

So my Trainer was trying to kill me helping me get fit, and Aerosmith's Love in Elevator came on and I couldn't help but get excited. That's one of the songs they play in the Rockin Roller Coaster Ride in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. And it happens to be my favorite ride at that park (well aside from The Great Movie Ride after a few drinks at Dad's Liquor Cabinet because that was awesome!). I got really pumped for my training for the Princess 1/2 Marathon. (PHM)

I mean I was so pumped, that I got dizzy from the effort. The hit man  Trainer said that it was the Anaerobic excercise we were doing. I was a little frustrated. Luckily, I recognized that I was headed towards feeling that way as last week I pushed too hard and then felt nauseous. It's no fun to feel like you are hung over without the shenanigans of drinking to go along with it!

My cute little Garmin Forerunner 15 was telling me my heart rate was up around the high  150-160 range.  I felt strong. Until about 4pm when I realized I didn't stretch after my workout. And  my legs felt  like Jello.  But hey! That's what they feel like at the end of the race.

My next mini-goal is to improve my time for the Ditka Dash 5K. It's this fun race where everyone gets aviators like  Da  Coach used to wear, a faux 'stach, and a race shirt that says Ditka on it like the Bears sweater he wore back in the 80s.  Apparently, these Anaerobic exercises and the sprints Dr. Death* prescribed will help me that.

Then it will be time to train for the Hot Chocolate 15K to qualify for a start corral  for the PHM.

*In all seriousness though, I really like my Trainer. We'll call him B. He's got some great energy and he's always smiling and he has good taste in music.  He pushes me when I need it and he has taught me how to approach my fitness. I look forward to our sessions even on days where he makes me stand on the Bosu and throws 10 lbs. balls at me.  

Same Thing, Right?

So in my quest to learn as much as I can about the best way to train as a runner, I read several places that Chocolate Milk was a great post workout beverage. Something about the right ratio of protein and carbs.

I ran thirty minutes on the treadmill this evening and foam rolled for another 15 and figured that if try out this whole post workout chocolate milk thing. But then I drove past the fast food place and thought- Chocolate Milk Shake!?! Pretty much the same as chocolate milk, right?

Right. 

The chocolate shake almost made up for the pain of the foam rolling. Foam rolling is great but it hurts like a mother when you are doing it the right way. 

I just keep thinking that after the Princess 1/2 I'll be able to pit a posture of myself in a Tiara on my desk at work and it will be perfectly acceptable!

March

Down 11 pounds. Running at least 1 1/4 miles in 25 minutes. Able to hold a plank for 60+ seconds.

I've been working with the trainer at least once a week. He has the right mix of motivation and he doesn't yell. He was fairly optimistic about my abilities this week. We have been working on balance and leg strength in order to prevent running injuries.

Last week we introduced the Bosu ball into my work out. I loath the Bosu. It works everything. Basically it's 1/2 an exercise ball on a flat board. Last week we played catch. Today I did leg lifts and worked a medicine ball. 

Then we worked on triceps. I am not going to be able to wash my hair for days because I can't lift my arms. And forget getting out of a chair. 

It is all "good" pain. Mr. Trainer gently corrected my use of the word pain, trading it in for soreness. Whatever dude. At the end of my session he asked me if I had any concerns, questions, or comments. I quipped, "None that are nice." He told me to keep them to myself.

I'm glad it hurts. It reminds me I'm working hard. And I feel stronger every day. 13.1 miles is no joke. I have to train. My muscles have to learn. I feel great knowing that I'm sticking to my goal.