XT?

Today I decided to ride a stationary bike for my workout because the heels of my feet were killing me. I think it had something to do with walking around a carnival in flip flops all day yesterday. I brought the latest issue of my Runner's World magazine to help keep me from going insane. (I ended up only reading it on the commercials of What Not to Wear...loove that show!) I've been interested in this issue because it has been dedicated to Half Marathons. It talks about programs for seasoned marathoners and beginners, and those in-between as well.

I'm not planning on running any halfs anytime soon, but I AM training for a 10K and I'm always looking for opinions on how I should train. Especially now, as my knee is worse than ever before. It used to be that I would run, my knee would hurt for about a mile, and then it would go away. Nowadays my knee hurts the instant I begin to run, and only gets progressively worse throughout the workout. UGH.

Back to my point. I read through the suggested training schedule for beginners, and was amazed at how much XT was on the schedule! (that's cross-training for those who didn't know) With my previous programs, there was hardly any (if any at all) cross training on the schedule. Cross training is awesome because you can choose any activity you want, as long as it isn't running! ALSO, the only workout measured in distance is your Saturday long runs. The rest say something like 40 min run, 50 min run, etc. Same with the cross training. The woman who designed this program, Jenny Hadfield, emphasizes that for beginners it's all about slow, steady improvements and that cross training is a huge part of that training so that you can avoid injuries, fatigue, and BOREDOM.

I think I'm going to give it a shot. Jenny mentions in the article that most beginning runners keep sticking to their schedules even if their bodies don't adapt. I feel that I do that. She claims that her program will help beginner runners' bodies adapt to the changes of running long distances. I'll let you all know how it goes.

If you want to see the program, try visiting runnersworld.com, or leave a comment and I can let you in on it ;)

4th of July 5K

Well, we did it. I sucessfully convinced Tony and his parents to complete a 5K with me this past Saturday for the 4th. We all did really well for our different levels. Tony (he's a fast guy) finished 2nd in his age division! I was so proud of him! This was his first race ever. I knew he would do well because he likes the short, faster distances.

I was hoping to beat my last 5k time by four minutes and I was on good pace to do so, but right around mile 1 I twisted my knee by slipping on some loose rocks causing causing me to have to walk some of the race. BUMMER! But, despite being injured, I finished 12th in my age division and was right around my last 5K time. I was pleased to know that I am indeed faster than I was before since I walked some of the race and finished at a similar pace.

I was glad to have watched the movie "The Spirit of the Marathon" a couple nights before the race. I didn't watch it FOR the race, but just because I thought it looked interesting and I've been wanting to see it for a while. There was a girl on there who was talking about how you can train and train until you're brains melt out of your ears and be more ready than ever for your race, but if your body isn't feeling up to it that day, there's nothing you can do! It's kind of discouraging, but kind of ENcouraging at the same time. Yeah, I was a little sad that I didn't get a better time, but it wasn't because I wasn't good enough. My body just didn't let me finish the way I wanted to. That's always something I will have to deal with as a runner. So, there's my take-home message for the day.

In other news, I am planning for my first ever 10K! I started the training program yesterday and I've picked out a race that I'd like to do in Park City, Utah. For those who don't know, a 10K is 6.4 miles--twice a 5K. I have gone that distance before, but only ONCE. In my training I'm going to work up slowly to it for an 8-week period. I'm so excited! I'm also trying a new diet system to hopefully shed some poundage. I'm sure that being 10lbs lighter will help my running immensely.

My BIG goal that I've recently set is to run the Half Marathon in the SLC Marathon events next April (2010). I ran my first 5K in that race and I think it's a pretty doable goal. I think I'll have plenty of training time. Then I'm going to train for the big dog, and complete my first marathon sometime after that. I'm not quite sure how long it takes to train for a marathon, but I am thinking the October following my half I would go down to St. George and run that race.

I'm crazy.

Question Answered

So, my three workouts = OVERKILL! It didn't help that I decided to sprint a good chunk of my run on Tuesday night. Here I am sitting, it's Thursday, with dead legs and I haven't run since then. I did some stretching last night but it didn't help. I am sooo sore! I tried to get on the tredmill to time my mile but my legs gave out and I stumbled down to the floor. Luckily no one was watching me.

I better burn MEGA calories for this. 'Cause I'm hurting!

Overkill?

I just might complete 3 fairly difficult workouts in 24 hours. Last night at 9pm I did the Jillian Michaels DVD, today I went to check out the local rec. center and took a cardio interval class, and I plan on doing my run tonight. Right now as I am just getting home from the cardio class, I am completely wiped out. I'm making breakfast to hopefully give me some energy, but my arms can't seem to move when my brain tells them to.

I know it might be a little excessive to do three workouts in a 24 hour period but honestly, I didn't MEAN to do it that way. I need to go on my run tonight because I've got the 5K in less than 10 days! I can't just do DVDs and cardio classes all the time. Hopefully I don't kill myself.

In other news, I'm going out today to buy some hiking shoes! Hoorah! Tony and I have become hiking fools and we're planning all of these crazy hikes. The week after our 5k we're hiking to Lone Peak (an estimated 6-8 hour ordeal), and in August we're taking a little anniversary trip down to Zion's National Park to hike the narrows (which will take us a couple of days. It's more of a backpacking trip). I'm stoked to get my new hiking kicks! I'll probably take a looksie at some running shorts to see what I can find as promised in my post below. If I find some on sale, I'll get them and try 'em out for the race.

Shorty Shorts

I know I've already posted today, I'm just making up for lost time!

Actually, I have been researching a question I had about running gear and I thought I'd share the answers I've found. My question is kind of an embarassing one, but I got the courage to type it into Google.

What do I wear UNDER running shorts?!

I didn't know if my little spandex shorts, regular undies, or what were the best option. I've noticed that the things I've been using are soaked by the end of my run, causing some not-so-fun irritation on my legs.

The best answers I've found today are at this Marathon Training site, which basically says no undies under the shorts but I've found other sources that say microfiber undies work wonders as well.

I am going to try some of this stuff out, see if it works. Sorry if this is totally TMI for you--but I know you were curious about the same thing ;)

Fourth of July

I am running my second 5K on July 4th, early in the morning, before all of the BBQs and fireworks begin. I somehow convinced my mother-in-law and husband to join me, and we are registering this weekend for it. I may have to convince my handicapped sister-in-law to walk by her mom's side so we can get 5 bucks off for registering as a family. She'd like it, I'm sure. Especially since there is a free t-shirt involved! (Heck, that's why I'M running!)

I'm pretty excited to run another race. I'll be able to see what I can do without the first time race excitement. I hope to beat my time (34:11) and I am pretty confident I will seeing as how the first race I just wanted to finish it alive. Back then I was pretty inconsistent with whether or not I could even finish 3.2 miles. After having run 6 miles (I forgot to post about that!!!) with little to no problems, I am pretty sure this 5K will be easy for me to finish. I'm glad that I can focus on time instead of distance for this race.

I've checked out the course map, but I'm not too familiar with the location where we will be running. It seems like a fairly flat race from what I can tell. The poor 10K runners have to just complete the loop twice..how boring!

After this 5K I'm going to start training for a 10K distances and hopefully I can find a couple races to try before I start school back up in the fall.

I'm so excited!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!