Day 26 - Pain Pain go away, come back...

Never! My biggest wish is to have this internal pain go away and never come back. I have to say, I do feel better, healthier and much more toned since I started running. It's just this chronic back and left hip and leg pain that never seems to go away. I know most people would say 'oh I see Laura all the time I would never think she was in pain' or 'she must not be in that much pain, she training to run a marathon...' but the fact of the matter is it's a pain I have lived with for over 11 years now. It's always there and I have just learned how to go about my day and try not to have it affect me. The real bad and most painful time for me is early in the morning, when I'm just waking up. It takes me a good 10 mins to get my joints in moving so I can get out of bed. But I know that once I start moving I won't feel as bad. I guess always staying mobile and moving is the best way to fend off this arthritis. As that is what the doctors say I have arthritis of my sacrum. So anyway, as I was getting ready for my run all I could think about was the song Pain, Pain go away come back another day....except I hope it never comes back. I know if I keep trying hard, running everyday, stretching and staying mobile I will win in the end.
Pain and all I shuffled out the door and took baby steps as I headed down the street. As wouldn't you know it after a bit my muscles loosened up and I was on my way.

FRI, May 21 08:00am		temperature 13		Wind	E 15     humidity	41

Today's stats: ran 4 miles, 6.45km in 41:46, avg pace 6:29/km, burned 588 cal, 158 lbs, run was slow starting but pretty neutral after 1 mile in,knees, shins and calve muscles hurt today, I can feel the muscles building, easy run today and tomorrow to get ready for long run on Sunday.

Day 25 - new route new records

So I decided in stead of writing something random each day. I thought I would pick out something from my run and write about that and also do some research around the particular topic and share with you what I've found and as for your advice. So if any of you followers out there have suggestions on anything I write about please feel free to make suggestions.
The topic I was thinking about today was journaling. I'm having alot of fun keeping track of my progress and I think it is a real factor in my success so far so I wanted to know if other professional running keep records. I did some research and found that keeping a training dairy is very common and is one of the most important aspects of a successful runner. It allows the athlete to gauge progress, assess improvements and failures to avoid injury and helps keep momentum from one training season to the next. In one of the running book I referenced they suggested keeping the following info each day:
1. Date and day of the week
2. Distance or time run; the course or place running occurred
3. overall evaluation of the run: weather, type of effort (eg., hard, moderate, easy), feelings, comments (eg. felt sluggish on up hills), training partner or group
4. Pulse - resting (taken in the morning while still in bed), training pulse, when and where relevant or of interest of you.
5. weight, measured before run
6. list of planned upcoming races
7. Long and short term goals, chart up to one year

So here I go:
Thursday May 20th, 2010, ran 4 miles, 6.44km in 39:34, avg pace 6:09/km burned 569 cal, avg heart rate 165 bpm, resting heart rate 120 bpm, 154 lbs,

THU 07:00

Temp 14

Dew 10

Wind

W 6 Humidity

77

For me I found it really hot at 7am this morning, humidity was high, glad I ran as early as I did. Felt good, calf muscles a bit tight but I took a different route so I didn't have to do any hills today and I hope this will help. The route I took today was really flat compared to my usual path I take. My time is still hovering around 39 mins so I think I will start beating that by next week as a 4 miler will become the basis of my training.
The Ottawa Race weekend is coming up on the 29th and 30th so since the 10 km and half marathon are sold out I think I will run the 5 km for fun. Maybe I'll take Sophie with me if I'm allow to bring a stroller. This will be my first race during my training. It will be fun to shake things up a bit. TGIF tomorrow.

Day 24 - my running rollercoaster

How come when I start my runs I have such a hard time getting going? I start running and I can't seem to get any momentum until about 2 miles into my run. I do admit I'm a bit tiered some mornings when I start running but I don't think it would take 10 mins of stretching and 2 miles to get going. Then I run the next 2 miles pretty easy and with an extra pep in my step. Of course when I'm nearing the end of my run it seems a bit hard again as it's the mental thing that pops up when you know you are almost done your run and just want to get there. Not to mention the last part of my run everyday is up a hill, so I have to keep the momentum and speed running up hill is not always an easy task.
So I wonder, how will my endurance stand up in a 26 mile run? I'm sure I'll have some parts that will be easy and some hard, some when I'm ready to just fly and other times when I just want to give up! I wonder what my marathon rollercoaster will be like? I know I will never really know what to expect on D-day but all I can do is make sure I train everyday, stick to my training plan and hopefully the 6 months of hard work leading up to the marathon carry me through the day.
Today's stats: 4 miles, 6.44km in 38:37, avg pace 5:60/km burned 571 cal - oh look at that, I beat my time again!! woo hoo!! - I guess there is something positive that comes out from it being that TIME of the month! :) Ladies you know what I mean!

Day 23 - must blog...

Today's stats: 4 miles, 6.47km in 39:30mins, avg pace 6:06km burned 567 cal, I'm just writing this update now at 10pm this evening because I can't go to bed without blogging everyday about my run. I had a crazy day today and didn't get to the computer to make my blog post BUT I did my run and just wanted you all to know :) Running again in 8 hours and since I didn't get much sleep last night I'm off to bed to get some shut eye. I'll dream and/or visualize me running the marathon with my dad as I fall asleep

Day 22 - Wedgie

So I'm glad I have all these small 3 mile runs to test out equipment, cause let me tell you. I don't think I could of gone another mile wearing the shorts I wore this morning!! Normally when I run I wear spandex shorts, I find they are comfy, cover my thighs, make for less wind resistance and never ride up! I should of known better but all my spandex shorts were in the wash so I grabbed a pair of what I would call more traditional running shorts, low cut shorts that matched one of my running tops. Big mistake, the shorts kept riding up in between my legs and my thighs were sticking together - it was so uncomfortable not to mention I probably looked like a retard picking my shorts out of my crotch every 30 feet. So the moral of this running lesson is go buy more spandex running shorts so that I never have to go running with out them again.
Now that I think of it, I'm pretty picky when it comes to what I wear running. I hate t-shirts, I hate anything on my arms restricting my movement back and forth! I always wear a tank top and if it's cold I'll put a light running coat over that but that's about it. My socks have to fit just right in my running shoes or I have to take them off and put my shoe back on again or get another pair of socks. I don't like wearing hats but I do where a visor if I have to. I have a sweatband I wear if it's really hot out cause I don't like the sweat in my eyes.
Oh my, I never realized how many things you have to take into consideration to have a good run.
All though I just thought 'I'll run a marathon!' why not, can't be that hard...it's week four I'm having lots of fun and love experiencing a new adventure each day, lots more to learn I'm sure.
Today's stats: 3 miles, 4.83km in 30:26, avg pace 6:18/km burned 428 cal, avg heart rate 161 bpm

Day 21 - Officially a habit

As the saying goes 'Do something for 21 days in a row and it becomes a habit'. Today was my 21st time I ran in a row. Which officially means running is now ingrained as a habit for me. I don't really have to push myself out the door anymore in the morning. I just automatically start the steps in my morning routine and I'm off running before I know it. Have you ever tried to start something new or change a bad habit? It's not an easy thing to do but as long as you are strong willed, determined and persevere I believe we can achieve anything.
I was thinking about all the Olympians I watched at the Olympics this winter when I finished my run this morning. My personal goal I set for myself was to do my 6.2km run this morning in under 1 hour. A very obtainable goal seeing that it was just an easy 6 miler I had to do this morning. I have to say, I felt the heart ache I'm sure many Olympians felt when they miss their target by 1 sec or less. As you can see my time for 6.20miles, 9.98km was 1:00:01 just a second over my desired goal. The avg pace was 6:01/km, burned 1346 cal and avg heart rate of 165 bpm. I learned two things from this run today, 1. if you set a goal, track your progress, their is no reason I couldn't of beat my desired run time, I just didn't track my speed through out the run. And 2. Maybe I need to start bringing water with me on my longer runs? I always drink 1 to 2 glasses of water before leaving the house but as my runs get longer I'm going have to bring water along the way to stay hydrated. So I wonder what the maximum amount I should run before I should start bringing water with me is?
All in all it's a great feeling. Being able to fall asleep at night, no tossing and turning just solid sleep and then awake fresh and ready to run. It's been along time since I've slept through the night due to the chronic back pain which I've suffered for the last 11 years. But now that I'm in a routine of exercising and doing three rounds of stretching daily the pain has seemed to have subsided. It's not 100% gone but I can definitely feel an improvement.
So I've reached my first milestone in my time-line for achieving a completed marathon with my dad, it was to 'run 21 days in a row to solidify habit'! DONE, Achieved, checked off...now what? My next question is should I run in the Ottawa Race Weekend 5km next weekend? I'm suppose to run a 3 miler that day anyway. How do races impact the training schedule?
Lots of questions for all you running experts out there, I can't believe how many questions pop up from day to day when writing this blog. I thought for sure I would run out of things to talk about but as usual there is no loss of words for Laura. Love the advice, support and encouragement from all my family, friends and followers. Keep it comin'!

Day 20 - Nothing like a new pair of shoes!

Lucky girl, just got a new pair of shoes! So, how important are running shoes really? Let me just tell you when I decided to start training for this marathon I didn't think about whether or not I had the right equipment or not. I just got up in the morning, got dressed, put my running shoes from 2006 on my feet and started training. It's only after about 2 weeks I started feeling the pounding of the ground in my heels, calves and knees. Finally I realized that I'd better get a new pair of running shoes as these ones have had their day. You can see from the pictures below that the treads are pretty much gone and there was absolutely no bounce left in these ones.

They was just nothing left in them.








I"m lucky to have my support team out there looking after me. My thoughtful mother, called me the other day and said she saw a sale on Saucony Running Shoes at Sports Check. As the loving mother she is, she sent me some egg money, so I could treat myself to a new pair of shoes. Thanks MOM you are the best. I will think of you every morning and every step of my marathon.

And let me tell you they were needed








You wouldn't believe the difference in the bounce in my step. I actually felt like I was getting a foot massage during my run it was so soft and comfy! Not to mention they look really cool and match my company brand!
I like Saucony brand because of the mess the shoes has over the toe area. You can see it in the photo, it's almost as if you don't have anything covering your toes when you have the shoes on allowing them to breath and expand if needed.
These are the specs official specs:
The Saucony Progrid™ Triumph 6 shoe provides a plush, flexible ride for the neutral runner. The synthetic and breathable mesh upper of this women's running shoe offers durable protection, while the HRC strobel board increases cushioning and step-in support. The SSL EVA maximizes rebound while minimizing weight; the shock-absorbing SRC Impact Zone sets the foot up for a smooth transition. The XT-900™ carbon rubber outsole of the Saucony Progrid™ Triumph 6 shoe offers exceptional traction on a variety of terrain.
Weight: 9.6 ounces in size 8
So my question is...what is the normal or maximum amount of weight that a pair of running shoes should be for a marathon? I don't want to have extra weight to carry on this long journey.
Today was a good day to test out the new shoes, it was an easy 3 miles, 4.90km in 31:34, avg pace 6:27/km and burned 458 cals. I got a chance to break them in easy. Long run tomorrow, ready for anything now!