Day 5 - hard at first but second half easy

Today was an easy 3 mile run. It started out not to good with an ache to chest, and a slow start but it's amazing how fast you warm up to the idea of running and your legs just wants to take off. The second half of my run was easier, smoother and faster. Today was 3.01m/ 4.84 km in 33.25, Avg Pace 6:54/km burned 407 cal. Overall fairly easy run, I took a different route along the Ottawa river today. When I use my Garmin watch it's easy to run where I want, the only thing is that it adds a little diversity to the course that I'm not always use to and I find that harder to run at first. Today was a big day to concentrate on stretching. I reviewed the running stretches in the running book the other day and added a few more to my routine. It feels great to do a full stretch before and after a run and I can see why it is so important. I have to incorporate alot of hip stretches and ham string stretches to make sure I don't seize up. Keep the spinal fluid flowing. All in all a great day out on the course, another easy 3 miler tomorrow. TGIF

Day 4 - survived last night's migraine and ran this morning

So I have a feeling, I'm going to get every test in the book during this journey of mine. It's only day four and I managed to make it out to run despite the massive migraine I suffered last night. At about 7pm last night I started to get a headache so I layed down for a few minutes before supper and managed to get up to eat. But had to go right back to bed, between the hockey game playing in the living room and my beautiful princess coming to give me kisses on my forehead it was hard to get rid of the pain. I somehow fell asleep and managed to get some rest so this morning the head ache was 95% gone. As stubborn as I am, I had to run. So I ran 4.02 miles, 6.48km in 45:34, Avg Speed 8.5km/h and burned 551 Cal. not bad for the night I just had. So now this is were I need the expert advice from all you runners, personal trainers and nutritionist. Did I not drink enough water? Eat enough? or maybe my muscles are pulling my spine in an awkward position to cause such a discomfort? Even though I was diagnosed last year (after 11 years of specialists) with sacrilicious - arthritis of the sacrum I am determined to figure out this issue as I believe a 31 year old athlete shouldn't have to suffer in this much pain. I always feel good during the workout it's after wards that the problem creeps up. So I survived another day! I'll drink a lot more water and eat more often today to make sure I don't get a headache like that again.

Day 3 - quick and painless

Today was an early run, Dan had to leave at 8am so I had to do my run before he left. It was a quick run today, fast and fairly easy. It's so nice to get out on the trail in the morning, I heard a woodpecker, saw two squirrels playing up in a tree, a bunny jumped across the trail in front of me and I even heard some ducks. Usually I run into people walking their dogs or people out for a morning job but no one on the trail this morning as I was the early bird. I ran 3 miles, 4.84km in 32:03, Avg Pace 6:38/km and burned 403 calories. I would of ran slower, like Dad suggested yesterday but had to get back to the house ASAP. The hard part of the run is at the end because I have a hill to run up. All I keep telling myself is 'baby steps baby steps, keep your head down and you'll be at the top before you know it!' and before I know it I'm at the top. Works like a charm every time! Thanks for all the good training when we were young Dad! After my run I go in the house right away and do my cool down and stretch inside, it's still a little to cold to stay outside and I don't want to get sick. That left ham string seems to be still bothering me, I will have to make sure I stretch it and roll it often. Lovin' this training thing especially right after the run, it feels sooooo good.

Day 2 - I guess running in the rain isn't so bad after all

So what can I tell you about Day 2, well as I type this my hands are still cold and stiff from the run. I woke up to the sound of a pitter patter sound outside my window. 1 degree celcius, current conditions are snow showers, winds north at 29 km/h, humidity 87%, I have to say if it wasn't for Dan's positive encouragement this morning I would of probably said I'll run later and then not end up running at all today. BUT he got me out the door, wearing a hat and a pair of Boston Marathon running gloves (Dad must of left those at my house on his last visit). I ran 4 miles in 45:20, avg speed 8.5 km/h and burned 575 calories. It was a fairly easy run, a little cold at first but I warmed up fast. The only real problem was a charlie horse in my left ham string. Oh, did I forget to tell you I've been living with chronic back and hip pain for the last 11 years. Well that is another reason to do this marathon. I really think that those muscles of mine need a real kick in the butt! (litterly) I always feel much better when I'm working out or when I'm doing some sort of activity. So that is why my stretching and rolling is so important, to avoid seizing up. My personal trainer Maryse Senecal was always the best at reminding me of this. I did my yoga stretching before and after my run today and through out the day I'll be doing major rolling to see if I can get rid of 'MR. Charlie'!
Oh and to top it all off, remember those construction workers I was telling you about yesterday...well they are on our street doing some water main repairs so when I got back to the house after my run we had no running water :( I guess I'll be taking a trip to the YMCA to have a shower before my 10am business meeting this morning.

Day 1

My name is Laura, I've been running all my life. I grew up running with my dad at local 5km and 10km road races. I've always had an inner urge to run a marathon. Why? a few reasons, one being my dad has run over 26 of them and if he can do it at 67 years old than at the ripe age of 31 I should be able to do it too, secondly I think it will be a great thing to experience running a marathon with my dad and finally well it's healthy to exercise and training for the marathon will get me in great shape for the ski season.
So I've decided to start this blog for me, to keep me honest and dedicated to the goal at hand. And I've also started this blog for my dad, so he can read it afterward and see how much he has positively impacted my life and how much I look up to him.

Day 1

Woke up at 7:15am this morning, rolled over as most of do and talked myself out of bed. 20mins later I actually got out of bed. I'm a morning runner, don't get that confused with morning person! My family will tell you that is far from the truth. But I have to run in the morning because if I don't do it right in the morning I know once I start my day I will not do it later. So, the routine goes like this crawl out to bed, brush teeth, dress put shoes on and leave the house. I'm actually still half a sleep when I hit the pavement. But I quickly wake up in the first few steps.
This morning was a beautiful day to start a running program. I am very hopeful. I'm following Tom Flemming's Training Program for a 26 week intermediate level marathon. I've had this book 'The New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running and Fitness' on my book shelf for probably 8 years now. I think I actually got it from my father's library on a visit home. Dad's always a great resource for book that I like :) Thanks Dad.
Anyway, in this book there is a fully laid out plan of how to prepare for a marathon in 26 weeks. So I called Dad last night and told him about my interest and goal of running a marathon with him this fall. He was encouraging as usual but I could hear the dought in his voice. That's all I need to prove to him I can do this and I will work hard to achieve this goal to run with him in an upcoming Marathon in the fall. We talked about a couple marathons we could participate in, like the Saint John Marathon but that is in August, to soon. The Ottawa Marathon but it's next month, definitely not! Then I remembered having worked on the founding board of directors for the PEI Marathon back in 2004, and this marathon is held in mid October. Dad agreed this would be a perfect time to run. It will also be a great opportunity to return to the island and run the marathon I helped build.
Today's run started out great. I had my Garmin Forerunner 301 with me and started out the driveway. What is the first thing I run into...construction workers. Well you guessed it, 5 or 6 guys standing off to the side of the road almost pulled the muscles in their necks they turned so fast. I got the node, the good morning and as I run past them you can assure they did go right back to work...I chuckled to myself and said 'and this is Day 1 of 182, can't wait to see what other experiences I will have'
Today I was scheduled for a 3 mile easy run. I completed a 3.12mi in 33:09, lap pace of 10:36, burned 438cal. Not bad for Day one. I did my stretching before and after and had my Extreme Isolate 97 protein drink and now I'm eating a can of tuna.
I don't call myself a running expert at all, especially with my minimal knowledge in health, nutrition, long distance running, weight training, maintenance etc. I will do my best and try to incorporate as many good practices into this training. If any of you have suggestions or comments please share. Not to mention I will need lots of encouragement.
Till tomorrow...