Starting marathon training and random updates

I haven't posted in months, I tend to get really busy so my blog gets abandoned.  Anyways, I have been working on my base miles since January.  I've read between 3-6 months is a good range to prepare yourself before marathon training.  Since this is my first full, I thought better to start earlier than try to cram it all in last minute.  I did strength training with weights and went back to my low-carb diet.  I've dropped about 20 lbs since March and it definitely helps running when you weigh less.  In the winter to be on the safe side I use the treadmill.  Michigan had a weird winter this year, we had snow in APRIL... I have proof.  This photo was from the Meteor 10K, I even got a new PR despite the snow and cold weather.

I'm finally running outside regularly, I hate the heat, but I know I have to get my body used to it again.  At least in the fall it should be cooler.  In summer heat, hydration is key! I have a water belt, but I'm thinking I might try a hydration pack for my long runs.  I finished my first week of marathon training, only 17 more weeks to go.  This summer will have some challenges: I have work training in Alabama for a week (there is a fitness center so I should be able to get my runs in) and a couple weekend trips that I'll have to squeeze my runs in too.

One of my side jobs is being an usher at Comerica Park, I got in about 27 games in before my marathon training started.  I'm treating the marathon training as a job and making sure to get my runs in and my rest days truly as rest days.  I will be working a few games the rest of the season, but my priorities are my main job and this training plan.  My main job is Tuesday-Saturday and my long runs are Sundays so it works out nicely.  I'm starting to get used to waking up early on my days off, but if I have a night run here and there, no biggie.

Last year I didn't do any races during my half marathon training and this year will be similar.  I tend to get nervous sometimes and eat different when I have a race, so this way hopefully I can stay consistent the next few months.

However, this season will be the last year the Red Wings play at the Joe Louis Arena.  I saw a few friends post about the Hockeytown 5K which is part of the Farewell to the Joe.  For my training plan that day, it lists 8 miles so I will just break up the miles into 2 runs; I rarely do it, but since this is a once in a lifetime race, that's how I'm justifying it.  My mom was nice enough to sponsor me, she told me I would kick myself if I don't do the race and I know she's right.  I'm a diehard Red Wings fan and it combines hockey and running, what more could a girl ask for.  The start line is at the Joe Louis Arena and you run along the riverfront and once you make it back into the building your name is on the big screen so spectators can see it.  My parents and fiance plan to sit in the stands to cheer me on.  The finisher medal, bib, and shirt look awesome, I can't wait for the race!!! I'll post a link to the 5K, it is sold out.

Hockeytown 5K   

Hopefully I will post more regularly about my marathon training and everything that happens at the Marine Marathon in October!  Thanks for reading this post and hope everyone's runs are going well too!

Changing my mind on races

Originally, I was planning on the Grand Rapids Marathon to be my big race for the year.  I did a lot of research on a few marathons.  I looked at time limits, pace times, location, reviews people post. I made a list of pros and cons.The Marine Marathon was my #1 choice.  However, being a lottery system it wasn't a sure thing I would be picked and thought I would have to do the transfer or charity bib route.  One big factor was the GR Marathon is a few hours away from me and didn't have a time limit so that appealed to me.  I was set on the GR Marathon until March when I started thinking about the Marine Marathon again.

Just for the heck of it I put my name in the Marine Marathon and I got picked in the lotto.  I didn't think I had a shot and would have kept my course with the GR Marathon.  I have a few options, I can see about deferring my GR Marathon to next year or transfer it to someone.  I haven't decided on that yet.

The Marine Marathon has been on my bucket list and my fiance is a former Marine so I really want to do this.  I've heard so many great reviews and people loving the race.  I even remember reading an article on Runner's World how 1/3 of the runners are first timers.  I'm also freaking out: what if I don't finish, what if I should have just stayed with doing the Grand Rapids Marathon, will I even be able to handle a full marathon,  will the pin in my foot hold up, etc.  This will be my first full marathon.  I have a few half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks under my belt, but a full is completely different.  I know if I don't make an attempt, I'll never know.  There is a chance I could fail, but it's a challenge that excites and scares me.

The first time I started training for my first half, I thought why did I sign up, I won't be able to finish.  As I trained I went from barely running a mile to running 10 miles for a long run.  My two friends who were supposed to run with me backed out last minute so I considered quitting, but I realized I am doing this for me and completed the race.  I'm doing my best to changing my thinking to this will be extremely difficult but NOT impossible.  I've never quit a race, I've had some bad runs with horrible times but always made it to the finish line.  I have also gotten new PRs and improved my pace.  I just need to trust my training and do the best I can.  

I've been reading articles on how to tackle the Marine Marathon, read blogs from runners who have ran the race, and went on BibRave for tips too. I won't be changing my mind a third time. My training plan doesn't start until the end of June so I'm not behind.  I've been working on my base miles and strength training since January.  Hopefully it goes well and I can write a blog entry about completing my first full marathon.  Stay tuned!

2 Races in 2 Weeks

I normally do one race a month.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to do 2 races in 2 weeks, but I did!  This time I wasn't sick so that helped with training.  I did a combination of the treadmill, running outside on the track, and running/ walking my dog.  For the Kona Shamrock 5K, I beat my Paczki run time by 13 seconds.  I didn't want to push myself too hard because I knew I had another race in a week so I ran at a moderate pace.  The course is flat, but there were a few icy spots so I had to be careful.  I finally got to test out my Garmin Vivoactive and loved it.  I could see my current pace, time, and distance instead of pulling my phone out of the arm sleeve and struggling to get it back in.  After my activity is complete I can see a breakdown of my mile times, best pace, etc. The weather was great for that race.

I had been dealing with some hamstring issues on my right leg so the day after the race I took a rest day.  I iced it, kept it elevated, it seemed to do the trick.  A few days before the race I used the hydromassage at my gym on my legs and it felt awesome!  The week of the second race I alternated between running on the treadmill and outside with my dog.  I got Pasha a harness and leash that had a belt so I could be hands free.  I also brought a drawstring backpack so I could have her regular leash, dog waste bags, water bowl, water bottle, and some dog treats.  

Another first for me was volunteering at packet pickup for the Corktown Race.  They had satellite locations so people could pick up their packet early instead of on race day.  I really enjoyed talking with other runners and answering any questions they had. 

Finally, the day of the Corktown race was rainy.  I'm not a fan of running in the rain, but I knew we had to do it.  Pasha and I got downtown early so we could get a good parking spot. My coworker Dave told me about the Corktown race and he does it almost every year.  He did the Dublin Double: 1 mile run, then the 5K.   Pasha and I just opted for the 5K,  I didn't want to overdo it because Pasha has never ran a race before.

The Michigan Central station finally has the windows back in.  The top is a photo from last year's Corktown Race to this year.  It looks a lot nicer now.  

Before the race I made sure Pasha went to the bathroom so we wouldn't have to stop as much while running.  Pasha loves meeting other dogs, but some weren't so friendly.  We ended up waiting in the car for a bit so we wouldn't get drenched before the race.  When we finally headed back outside and made it to the start line a bigger dog did not like her so another runner put an umbrella between the two of them and they both calmed down. We were in the last wave and once we started running, Pasha saw a different dog and both started to get really agitated so I had to pull her away so they wouldn't fight.  I've taken my dog to a hockey game, dog parks, and she's been able to have a lot of dog play dates.  We have taken her to a few dog training classes and she's improved a lot.  Sometimes I think she just gets scared.  I will just have to get her more socialized.  Pasha only got in the way of a couple runners, I kept apologizing.  We were able to pass a few people so we could go at a good pace.  Near the end there were too many walkers in a row so I gave up trying to do a final push to the finish line.  I got really close to my 5K PR, but didn't break it.  I did beat my Kona 5K time by 2 minutes and  3 seconds.  Every race this year I've improved my time.  With the rain and Pasha getting distracted a few times I was happy we just made it to the finish line.  I think if I take her for a race again, I might bring her the Paczki Run, it was less people and that might be easier on her.  She's really good running with me when we go around my neighborhood.  

I ordered a 5K dog tag for Pasha's collar for completing the race.  I got two things checked off my list for running this year: have my dog complete a 5K and do some volunteered  My main goal is completing a full marathon, that's not until October so I have time to train and get myself mentally ready.    

My selfie in the St. Patrick's Day Red Wings shirt won Healthy Selfie so I will be going to the Wings game this Saturday!!!  I put the link below.

Red Wings Healthy Selfie tweet

  

First race of the year and gearing up for the fall.

I'm a wimp in the cold, but I'm starting to get better.  Michigan winters can be rough so I usually wait until spring to run my first race of the year. I started running in 2013.  In 2014, I ran a Mind Over Matter 5K in May.  In 2015, I ran the Cork Town Race in March.  This year my first race was February, I think being a mild winter helped too.

I usually start training a month before a 5K race.  I was increasing my mileage and doing well.  My third week I got sick and I got one run in.  I was bummed because I thought I would have to miss the race.  I already had it paid for and really wanted to run it.  After taking a Z-pak and time off from work I finally started to feel better.  The week of the race I eased back into running and I would run about a mile and need a walking break.  I knew I wouldn't PR, but I felt okay enough to do it.  I'm still breaking in my new running shoes, so I went with my old shoes for the race.

Yesterday, went better than expected.  I thought I'd have to walk most of my race and my time would be around 40-45 minutes and I ran the whole time!  My average pace was a little slower than normal, I'm just happy I did it.  I ended up getting a custard paczki at the finish line.  Hamtramck is the place to go for them!  Lazybones has a maple bacon paczki, they are amazing too.  I'm getting sidetracked on food... oops.  

Anyways, I finally realized to not be ashamed of my running times.  I know I'm not the fastest runner and some people would probably put me in the jogging category, but who cares.  I'm a fast walker normally and if I'm going faster than my walking pace then I am running.  I would like to beat my best 5K time: 35:29, it will happen eventually.  I know running isn't just about beating your time every race, its about having fun too!

This year my focus will just be keeping a consistent pace for races/ running in general.  I know a person's 5K pace is faster than a 10K, half marathon, & marathon pace.  If I break any PRs for shorter distances, great if not I always have next year.  For my first full marathon, my main goal is to just finish the race.  The Grand Rapids Marathon has no time limit, but they want you to keep moving.  I may need walking breaks but I'm going to try to run the majority of the time instead of a run/walk technique.  For now I'm just working on my base miles and some fun races before I start doing intensive training at the end of June.  

Next month I have two St. Patrick's Day races.  Last year I wanted to bring my dog to the Cork Town race, but she was spayed and I didn't want to rip her stitches.  If I would have been able to take her running with me before the Paczki run, she would have came with me.  One of my goals this year is to take my dog to run a 5K race. She loves other dogs and running.  Don't worry, I'm not one of the runners that just leaves her dog's messes on the ground,  I always have dog waste bags on me.

2016 races including a 26.2

I always wondered when should you sign up for a full marathon.  I have 5Ks, 10Ks and 2 half marathons under my belt.  I've ran the Freep International Half twice so doing a full I would know half of the route.  They give runners 6 hours and 30 minutes to finish the race.  The time limit isn't bad, I just want a change of scenery.      

For about a month I was looking up different marathons and possible ideas.  My biggest fear is not being able to finish in the time limit and then being discouraged to try a full again.  A few people told me about the Grand Rapids Marathon and the course is flat with only a few hills.  There is no time limit and they even have an early start for the velocity challenged.  Once I have an idea of how long it will take me I'll know if I should do the early start or the regular one.  They even offer showers at the YMCA after the race, SCORE!  

If I get injured or can't do the race, I can pay $20 to defer my entry to next year.  I will have to get a hotel for a night or two, but I don't mind.  I want to visit the Founders Brewery after the race.  The Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team plays at Van Andel so I have a couple ideas to make the weekend enjoyable.  I am planning my race schedule around my full marathon.  

I have signed up for 4 races so far:

  

February 6th: Paczki run 5K

March 6th: Kona Shamrock Run 5K

March 13th: Cork Town Race 5K (Maybe I can get Pasha a green tutu for St. Patty's day)

October 23rd: Grand Rapids Marathon

Around the end of June will be my cutoff for races so I can focus on my training.  Last year when I trained for my second half, I didn't sign up for races during my training either, it helped from being distracted and throwing off my training schedule.  I'm going to be following the Hanson's beginner training plan.  I still have a few months to tune up before training.    

The list below are possible races, its only a rough draft and I'm sure I'll find more I'll want to do or attempt them next year.

*April 9th: Meteor 10K 

*April 24th: Glass City 5K

*May 6th: Hightail to Ale 5K (I might volunteer, haven't done that before)

*May 7: Super Run 5K (It depends when my work in-service is)

*May 21st: Komen Race for the Cure 

*November: Turkey Trot 10K

*December 11th: Jingle Bell 5K

I left links for the races and training plan if anyone is interested.  I hope to have a medal to show off in October.  I'm nervous about the full and really excited at the same time!  

Destination race and starting my bucket list!

This year I tackled my first destination run, it was in Chicago, the BTN Big 10K.  Since I had a half marathon under my belt I thought 6.2 miles wouldn't be too hard.  It was a 15 minute pace per mile which gave me wiggle room to finish it the time limit.  A friend of mine that went to MSU had run it the previous year so that's how I found out about it.  I graduated from Michigan State so the race meant a lot to me.  On January 1st, I signed up for the Freep International Half Marathon so I was planning on starting training soon anyway. Training was going well and I felt confident for the race.

While I looked for hotels, they were insanely high and a week before my race I found a hotel with parking that was cheaper and closer to the race so I switched.  My boyfriend came with me because I didn't feel safe going by myself.  He drove us down Friday so I could pick up my packet.  I always pick up my packet the day before if I can, it reduces my stress on race day.  Well everyone else that was coming from other states had the same idea so it took about an hour to pickup my shirt and packet.  I ended up walking around the store and bought a few racing items including a water bottle that said runCHI so I had a nice souvenir. The hotel had a gym and restaurant inside (another reason why I picked it).  I did my last workout before the race, showered and then we had a nice dinner there.  I always set everything out the night before the race and double and tripled checked.  I made sure my phone alarm and the clock alarm was set so I wouldn't oversleep.

On Saturday, I woke up on time and got ready.  I got to my corral with plenty of time so I warmed up a little and made sure my iPod and phone were all set.  Since it was in July, it was warmer than I would have liked and I think they classified it as yellow or orange (go at a slower pace and drink a lot of water).  The first 3 miles went well but the temperature got hotter and the pin in my foot decided to act up.  I ended up having to do walking breaks.  I was hoping to get a new PR for a 10K, but at this point I just wanted to make it to the finish line.  I kept track of my time to make sure I could make it.  At mile 5 they had a slip and slide if you wanted to cool off which would have been awesome.  There was a long line so I didn't want to risk it and so I kept going.  When I finally got near the finish line I had a little burst of energy so I booked it.  It wasn't my best time, but I finished the race.  BTN streamed the 10K race online so my parents got to watch me make it to the finish line. They saved some screenshots and sent them to me.  My boyfriend was cheering me too, but I still had my earbuds in and I have horrible hearing sometimes.  Right by the finish line was the Fan Fest, they had a ton of cool things to do: photo with the Big 10 Championship trophy, run sprints, photos with the mascots, etc.  I got my finisher's medal and all the runners got a free beer and sausage.  I didn't feel like standing in a long line so we started walking back to the hotel.  My foot was killing me at this point so we ended up taking a taxi back.  I tried to pace myself for the race but I think the heat was the main factor for having so many issues.

Anyways, I started to look at other races including out of state ones that I want to run at some point of my life.  I will have to post a list once I figure out them all.  My boyfriend was in the Marines and so I really want to run the Marine Marathon in the future!  I know with the lottery system it might take a bit to get in, I might consider trying to get a charity bib.  For now I'm starting to get back into running again.  If I run all year I get burned out.  I did sign up for my first race next year: the Paczki Run in Hamtramck.  The finishers get a paczki and a beer!  My dog Pasha might be running her first 5K with me :)  I put a link to the races if anyone is curious about them.  Thanks for reading!

So one time at bandcamp... I fell off a bus

I wish I could post more often, but I'm going to try once a week.  Since I live in Michigan and we already have snow on the ground, I like doing my workouts and runs inside so I don't slip and fall.  I know they have traction aids, but I would find a way to fall and hurt myself.  If I do run outside, I'm extra careful.  I've broken my right ankle from bandcamp (embarrassing story there) and broken my left foot because I'm a klutz. Crutches suck!!!

My actual story: In high school we loaded our luggage to go to bandcamp on the school bus and jumped out the back at the emergency exit... well my ankle rolled when I landed and yeah I broke it.  When we arrived at bandcamp I told the people my ankle was hurting really badly and they just pushed me forward and asked the next person how they were.  I marched an entire day on my broken ankle and finally went to a chaperone for help.  We took my shoe and sock off and my ankle was about the size of a softball.  I felt so bad for my parents, they were going to go out to dinner and have a nice night out, instead they got a call that they needed to come pick me up.  When they arrived, my parents took me to the nearest doctor and got an x-ray.  It was a broken growth plate at my ankle and I would need crutches.  That was probably one of my worst summers.  When my mom was younger she broke her foot and had the old school cast so she knew what I was going through.  I sort of lucked out by having an air cast, I could have had a regular cast but I didn't want it.  I didn't care to have it signed, I was already annoyed I wouldn't be able to walk normally.  I could shower semi-normally just had to be careful and not put any weight on that foot.  My ankle did heal up and I think I was only on crutches for the first couple weeks of school.

Second broken bone story.  In college, I had my own room which was awesome and had a shared bathroom with a suitemate, luckily no one lived in the other room so it was all to myself!  I have my klutzy moments and I slipped on my backpack strap and fell funny.  I heard something pop and had trouble putting weight on my left foot.  I limped downstairs and drove myself to an urgent care nearby.  They took x-rays and said I had a Jones fracture (one of the worst fractures I could get).  The area has limited blood flow so it would take long to heal up.  I did luck out by a cancellation for a surgery so they had an opening within a week so they booked it for me.  For my surgery, they had to put a pin in my left foot which would help stabilize and heal up quicker.  I couldn't put any weight on my left foot so I lost a lot of muscle in that leg.  Again, I choose a sports cast so I could take it off when I showered, I just had to put a bag on my left foot so no water could get in.  My dad got me a shower chair so that helped a ton!  It took about 8 weeks I believe to heal up.  I used to have blog entries of my progress, I should have kept them.  I had an handicap pass, but MSU's campus is huge and even when I could park in a handicap spot, sometimes I still had a ways to crutch my way over.  It was a pain, but I'm proud I got through it.  My doctor told me I could get my pin removed in the future but I would have to be on crutches for a month and no running for a while so he said if it doesn't bother you, leave it be.  My pin doesn't set off the sensors, just have to let someone know its there if I have to get an MRI.  In the first year I only remember my pin hurting once or twice in the cold.  Sometimes I have issues while running, the majority time I don't even notice.  I focus on where my foot lands and that seems to help a lot.      

Anyways, back to running.  I gained some weight being on crutches and once I could walk again I started going to my college gym and would workout a few times a week.  I thought a 5K was impossible and too afraid to sign up for any.  I always thought you had to run fast and couldn't walk them.  I got to a point of being able to run for a half hour on the treadmill without stopping or slowing down (I never recorded my distance, only how many calories I burned SMH).  The silver lining of it all, I started to enjoy running.  I didn't consider myself a runner, I just knew I could run for longer than 5 minutes.  

From #RunChat the other day, I'm thankful for many things including family and friends, I'm also thankful I that I'm able to run.  I have coworkers/friends that have bad knees that can't run and wish they could.  When you are on crutches you appreciate just being able to walk normally.  I have no idea if I would have gotten into running if I didn't break my feet.  I'll just have to wonder.   

If you do run outside in the winter be careful and just go slower, you don't want to end up with crutches like me.  If a sidewalk is salted with no snow or ice I run outside occasionally, just have to layer up.  I started running in 2013 and I did run a Jingle Bell 5K and they cleared the course of snow and ice so I didn't have to worry about that.  I had my best time, still working on a new 5K PR. 

Right now my main goal is to not have any running injuries this year.  I have been mostly strength training and logging a few miles on the treadmill each week.  I'm started to look at races I would like to run next year.  I don't plan on running any more races this year, I considered a turkey trot, but I have to work on Thanksgiving this year.  Oh well I'm getting holiday pay so that helps.  I would like to tackle a full marathon next year and maybe if I keep writing it in my blog I'll keep working hard and sign up for one.  I've also been looking at training plans and run/walk strategies to complete one, I know its possible just hope the pin in my foot doesn't act up.  I'm excited what next year will bring!  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone if I don't write another entry later this week!