Updates: The Truth about Marathon Training: Episode 2

I'm 52 days away. Definitely feeling super nervous and anxious because i'm now moving into higher millage. I'm using a schedule from my coach to help give me a guideline of where I should be at.

I missed track training yesterday...  and I literally had a 2 second panic attack and it floated through my mind most of the day yesterday. I convinced myself that I would hit the gym after eating dinner and putting the kids down to bed. I ended up not going. I was exhausted. I worked both salons and when I got home my kiddos just wanted to play, so that's what I did. I went to bed fairly early and I'll hit the gym today. Sometimes I just need to breath and remember its all okay and everything will work fine.

On a positive note: Keeping a comfortable pace has been easier. I can see and feel my training paying off lately. I've really been implicating starting off a little slower and building up for the end. I guess, gaining some 'running momentum'. Before I started this training program..  pacing and starting comfortable was so hard. I would start too slow, or too fast and try and push myself at the wrong times. I start to feel a 'peak' now. The last 10 miler I did I started at almost an 11 min mile.... and ended with 8:30 min miles for the last 3 miles. My energy is better, my performance is better, I don't get tired as fast and my runs have become so much more enjoyable. Right now my plan is to use this method for my marathon. I'm hoping to preserve and store energy so the last few miles I don't feel like i'm running on empty.

Another factor in making my performance so much better is my fueling routine. I never truthfully understood fueling before and after... so I started researching and asking questions. Right now, I use UCAN to fuel me. I take it about 30 min prior and I don't have fatigue or hungar. I also use the one with protein. The longest I've ran with UCAN is 11 miles... so i'm curious to see how it does for 15 miles this weekend! I follow every run with a banana and Nuun. I get a headache if I don't immediately fuel afterwards.

 Ive also been keeping myself motivated! I treated myself to a Momentum Jewelry wrap!
They are running an awesome special right called #sharesheSpark. They have 4 positive and uplifting sayings to choose from and the best part is, they are $10 bucks each (plus shipping).
Perfect for yourself or anyone who needs a little extra motivation! I also grabbed a few for some of my dear running friends!!

 "Be the spark that lights someone's fire...because everyone needs their own cheerleader."

Have great week!!! Happy running!!! 

Weekly Work Out Recap: 10/3-10/9

Had a great week of working out. Enjoy!

Monday: Rest! Gymnastics, grocery shopping and LAUNDRY haha.

Tuesday: Track Tuesday of course!
2 min 90%, 2 Min easy jog 8 times
Might I also add that my speedwork was great! I got faster each time around!

My team also signed up for Ragnar!

Wednesday: Crosstraining!!
2.05 miles recovery run on the treadmill and 2.39 miles on the elliptical.

Thursday: Rest day! Check out my sons cuteness though <3

Friday: Evening/Night 6 mile Trail Run with my Fleet Feet crew!

We ran Government Canyon! 

Im a real trail runner now! haha

Saturday: I was honestly super sore from the trails. I decided rest and family time would be best!

UTSA Football game!!!! #meepmeep

Sunday: 6 mile assessment run! Seeing the progress felt so great!

Hope everyone has a great week! Some cooler weather is rolling in, so that means Halloween Decorating!!! Happy running!

Weekly Work Out Recap 9/26-10/2

This week was a little more of an off week... and ill be honest. I strayed some from my regular routine. I was tired, so I took it easy.

Monday: I mostly cleaned and caught up on laundry. Also did a little Ragnar work. I also got an awesome package in the mail from Reebok/Ragnar with some cool gear. SUPER soft. Perfect for some cooler weather rolling in!

Tuesday: #TrackTuesday! Woke up and hit the track for some speed work at 5am with Helen!

16 times:
1 min hard, 1 min recovery

Testing our my new Ragnar Ambassador tank <3

Wednesday: Rested! And had my helper with some Ragnar work.

Thursday: A nice 5k run with my kiddos, enjoying the cooler weather .

AND SOME MORE RAGNAR MAIL!!! Pro Compresson Socks! 

I promise they make you run faster ;)

Friday & Saturday: Family stuff! 

Sunday: 9.7 miles! I really felt great!

Ran with Helen, Heidi and Lisa... Helen and Lisa 

split from us about a mile in.

Heidi finished with 7 miles.

BUT... check these splits! When I said I felt great... I surely ment it!!!

All this resting will help me have a successful running week!! Feeling great!

Happy Running!

Updates: Ragnar, The Truth about Marathon Training, #Goals2017

How is Ragnar Training?
Its going, hah. I wish I was able to hit trails more, but hey, at least I've done a few trail runs. I'm also on a non-competitive team. Which is nice. They will give me just as much praise for a 15 minute per mile walk just as much for 6 minute per mile run.
I will be able to rest in between each leg and really foam roll!
So with that, its going! I'm just excited for some beautiful views, memories, and being around friends!




Marathon Training:
I have heard the same few pieces of advice: Its pretty much takes all your time, the race is a metal game and Good luck!
Let me elaborate on exactly what I'm going through since I'm 6 weeks and 6 days into training. I have 9 weeks and 1 day of training until the big 26.2.
1) I have NEVER put this miles on my body before when training and I have never experienced some of the inner body feelings before.
I'm tired. I'm always tired. I work 2 jobs, I have 2 kids, Jason is in school and works full time. My days are  F-U-L-L. I wake up at 4:30 some days to run, and I stay up till after my children go to bed to get a run in. I love running with my kids.... they love running with me, but I am beginning to recognize how much I need to run without them in order to learn how to maintain a comfortable pace for THIS race.
The mental game has already started. Some days I second guess myself, some days I'm super encouraged. 26.2 miles sounds more intimidating now, then it did before I started training. lol.
My body! Oh my goodness, some of the things I feel. My stomach is super sensitive, I don't want big meals, Maintaining my weight. That's why I got a coach and joined a group. So I could constantly be around several accomplished runners. I'm sure I could have googled a layout to help keep me structured every week, but having the support behind me, knowing I have a group to turn to also.... it helps so so much.( not saying I don't have support at home, trust me I do )
There is so much that goes behind prepping, and I'm starting to realize it.




2) Learning when to Rest.
Id like to consider myself a more seasoned intermediate runner.
I have a few years and a quite a few races under my belt. I've encountered some difficult training ( mostly after pregnancy). I have learned to read my body and what its saying and I've also learned (the hard way) that resting is just as important as training and fueling. I felt I was in a good point in my running journey to were I can read myself and what my needs are. If I have to miss a run because my body is in need of rest or I am extremely sore... I am 110% okay with it. Pushing yourself past your limits WILL result in injury. I also excepted that if for any reason, I had to drop to the Half marathon, that I would be okay with it. #trainsmart




3) Praising your not-so-amazing runs as often as your amazing runs:
Knocking yourself down is the quickest way to make yourself believe that you cannot do it. I will be honest with myself after every run and say it was an alright or amazing or crappy or slow, but I did it... and I feel good. I tell myself often: "Its not about the pace, its about the time spent running." Every run should be praised because you did it! NEVER sell yourself short!

Goals for 2017!!!

Right now I am signed up for:

The Woodlands Half on March 4 2017 and Ragnar Luckenbach March 31 - Apirl 1 2017

Goal 1: Get faster. I'm waiting to see after the Rock n Roll long distance is something I really want to focus on. 

Goal 2: Run more trails. I mostly definitely want to dabble in trail running more.  I enjoy it so so much.

Goal 3: Run more with Jason. Jason truthfully gave me the push to want (and have the courage) to run distances longer then 5ks and 10ks. 

Goal 4: Travel to at least 2 different states and run!

Pretty basic, but realistic!

Hope every ones training is going well!!!!! Happy Running!