Three Weeks Until Race Day!!!

I know everyone is wondering how my run went yesterday.  Well................ good news and bad news.  Good news..........I DID IT!!!!!!! I completed the full 13.1 miles in a little over 3 hours - 183 minutes to be exact.  Bad news...... I should have ran earlier in the morning, I was really burning up with heat and sweat the last 3-4 miles. 

A few days prior to my run, I started to map out my running course.  I wanted to stay off the streets with a lot of traffic - especially since I would be running on a Saturday morning.  I was able to map a course within my subdivision.  One lap was 1.1 miles which meant I needed to complete 12 laps for my full 13.1 miles.  The night before my run, I went to bed early to get a good night's sleep.  I knew I was going to need all the energy I could store to complete 13.1 miles.

My morning began at 6:30am.  I had a light breakfast that included a protein bar and banana followed by shot of energy gel. I strapped on my water belt that included one bottle of plain water and the other bottle with Gatorade.   I hit the pavement at 7:00am.  To warm up, I walked the first mile.  After the first mile, my pace included - run 1/2 mile and walk 3 minutes, run 1/2 mile and walk 3 minutes, and so on and so on.  The first 6 miles, I averaged about 14.50 minute mile with my heart rate around 160.  After mile 6, the morning heat began to set it.  It felt like it went from a cool 68 degrees to 85 degrees in a matter of one lap.  By mile #8, my heart rate increased to 193 and I was getting very hot. I started to get concerned that I might over heat and have health issues.  To keep my heat levels lower and my heart rate around 160, I began to run a 1/2 mile and walk a 1/2 mile.  This was a pace that I kept for the last 5 miles of the run.  With the outside temperature rising, this strategy seemed to help me stay in focus and keep my body at a reasonable temperature.  

So I did it. I finished my first 13.1 miles.  After my run, I celebrated with a glass of chocolate milk and went indoors to cool down that included 15 minutes of stretching to keep my muscles loose and warm.  

I read in a running magazine that chocolate milk is a great drink to help in the recovering process after a long run. I will have to admit, it really does work.  You don't have to drink a 1/2 a gallon of chocolate milk to feel it work but instead a 10oz glass is just enough to do the trick.

Weekly Workout Schedule
Monday - Run / Walk (3 miles)
Tuesday - Cross Training (45 minutes)
Wednesday - Run/Walk (5 miles)
Thursday - Rest Day
Friday - Cross Training (45 minutes)
Saturday - Run/Walk (7 miles)
Sunday - Rest Day

This week I'm trying a new type of cross training for my workouts - Zumba.  I've heard that this is a great cardio workout so I'm going to give it a try.  Stay tuned for this week's post to see how Becky does with Zumba. 

Happy Running!

One Month to Go!!

So here we are, one month from today it's the big race!!!  It's hard to believe the race is almost here. The last several months have been such a great learning experience.  I have found out so much about myself during this time.  I've learned that life throws you daily obstacles that can affect the outcome of your day but it's how you make the most of each day that matters.

I began this journey with a 5 day workout schedule.  Half way through my training, life throws me an obstacle that forces me to cut my training from 5 days to 3 days for about 6 weeks.  Each week that went by I felt like a failure but as each week passed by, I made the most of the 3 days that I was able to work out.  At the end of the day, I was still getting stronger in my daily runs and lung capacity. 

So with only one month left, the nerves are definitely starting to come into play.  Each day I just keep saying to myself, I know I can do this, I know I can do this. 

This week includes a big hurdle in my training process.  At week's end, I will have to run the full 13.1 miles.  I've been advised by my trainer to complete the full run 3 weeks prior to race day.  This is going to be the "tell all" report card for the last few months of my training.    I thought the nerves were bad before, OMG  they have only just begin. 

Weekly Workout Schedule
Monday - Run/Walk (3 miles)
Tuesday - Cross Training (45 minutes)
Wednesday - Run / Walk (4 miles)
Thursday - Rest Day
Friday - Cross Training (45 minutes)
Saturday - Run / Walk (13.1 miles)
Sunday - Rest Day

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that next weekend I have good news.

Happy Running!