Today was a rest day for my training schedule. I met with a trainer at the gym to basically figure out what I should be doing for strength training there. I haven't been anywhere other than the cardio area and stretching room. Nice to refresh myself with the rest of the gym!
I ended up doing a quick ab workout. I wanted to keep it light today with the 10K tomorrow. Tonight is New Years Eve.. but low key. I really want to do well in the 10K and I need my rest. Out partying all night wouldn't work well for that!
I checked out my online fitness journal today, where I log everything I do. GREAT way to go back and see my history. Even with all my slacking the last 2 weeks with Christmas and with the snow storm, I still managed over 40 miles in December. And that was without training for Boston! I'm proud of that! 12 months ago I NEVER would have thought I could run over 40 miles in a month! That's NUTS!
I went shopping today to use up Kohl's cash and some gift certificates. I still spent a lot of money but I got great deals and I really did need a lot. I got running pants, sports bras, regular bras, fleece mid layer pull-overs ($7.50 EACH at Target! I got 4!), Vests with matching headband ear warmer things (got 3 at Kolh's for $13 each!), exercise tank tops with built in bras, and shoes of course. It was a GREAT shopping trip.
One funny thing happened today. I knew I had lost weight, and more specifically, I lost size. I'm stronger than I was before. When I was 22 years old, I weighed less than this by a few pounds. But I was bigger then in size. That's when I got my old Express bootcut jeans, size 9 short. Those are too big now. WAY too big now. I mean, if I wear them, people tell me I need to get rid of them. (those jeans were my goal! I wanted to fit back into my favorite pair of jeans that looked great on me when I was 22!) I still can't part with them, even if they look stupid on me.
SO back to shopping today. My arms hurt with the HUGE pile of clothes I carried around. I'm still struggling to figure out my size. Depends on the brand and where I'm shopping. Marshall's, I'm generally a size 6 petite in pants. So I was just grabbing a few things here and there. I knew that some of the small tops I have do have some room in them, so I grabbed a couple of X smalls too.
The exercise tops are Fila. I got 2 of them, both X Small, and 2 of Fila's X small sports bras too. Some of the tops I brought in were smalls, they were too big. Then in the petite section, I grabbed another stack to try on. NOTHING fit. 6 pants, the waist was too big. Then the CUTEST cord skirt. 6 petite. Yup, too big! When did this happen?
At Target where I got the deal on the Champion fleece pull overs (with a little 1/2 zipper and thumb slits too!) I took off the hoodie I had on and tried them on over my tank top. The small was WAY too big. I got 4 X smalls.
I hadn't realized that my size changed this much until today. I know people keep saying, "Julie, you are so tiny. You have no waist!" And I knew I had a small waist but I still wouldn't say I'm tiny. I just never realized my upper body really was tiny. I have no upper body! I'm wearing a freakin size X SMALL! When did that happen?
Anyway... not sure yet what my resolutions will be. I always name my year too and haven't figured that one out yet either. Still think it is so funny that 2010 was my year of fitness. I have never been this fit in my entire life! Guess this whole naming the year thing works! :)
Hapy New Year. Here is to an amazing 2011!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
One more day
Starting to get back into a good routine. Last night I went to the gym and got in 4 miles on the treadmill. I did a LOT of stretching when I was done to help with the calf cramps which I ended up with after running last night.
I stopped at the store on my way home, bought some bananas and some Magnesium supplements. That helps with Potassium absorption, so I'm hoping that between that and eating a banana or 2 a day I'll stop with the cramps.
Tonight I met some friends at the pool for my cross training and got in another mile. Took a little while and a couple of breaks, but I can feel myself getting stronger with swimming after each time I go.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow as well. It is supposed to be my rest day, but it is really the only day that it will fit into my schedule. I'm meeting with a trainer at the gym so I can start getting in some strength training that I have been skipping out on. I just need a little bit of direction to get me started so I can obtain the goals I want. I'm really looking forward to it!
But I don't want to push it too much when I'm working out. Saturday, for New Year's Day, I am running in a 10K Road Race in Salisbury. I want to be ready for that, and not really sore from working out on Friday. Plus, with New Year's Eve, I'm planning on taking it easy. I want to be really rested for the race!
I'm VERY excited that one of my friends might be running with me. A few weeks ago we did a 5 mile run together at a really good pace. It can be nice to have company on a race. This is either a 5K or 10K and everyone else in the group I am going with are ALL doing the 5K. SO I'm pretty happy that Carrie said she might be doing the 10K too.
The race has an optional Polar Bear Plunge I was on the fence about. I had a GREAT idea for it... which I need to keep posting on Facbook tomorrow a couple of times and again Saturday morning. My post which included the link to the donatation page was:
Saturday I'm running a 10K in Salisbury. I'm still on the fence with the Polar Bear Plunge after the race! Want me plunge? Want me to post pictures of it? If I can raise $500 between now and when I finish the 10K, I WILL DO IT! :) Plus, donate $75 or more and you are entered to win the prizes still being collected! Each $75 donation gets you another entry... working on Red Sox tickets, gift certificates and many more great prize options!
Hmm... we'll see if I get any donations from that! :) Nice interesting way to get the fund raising started! Too bad I didn't come up with that earlier!
I stopped at the store on my way home, bought some bananas and some Magnesium supplements. That helps with Potassium absorption, so I'm hoping that between that and eating a banana or 2 a day I'll stop with the cramps.
Tonight I met some friends at the pool for my cross training and got in another mile. Took a little while and a couple of breaks, but I can feel myself getting stronger with swimming after each time I go.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow as well. It is supposed to be my rest day, but it is really the only day that it will fit into my schedule. I'm meeting with a trainer at the gym so I can start getting in some strength training that I have been skipping out on. I just need a little bit of direction to get me started so I can obtain the goals I want. I'm really looking forward to it!
But I don't want to push it too much when I'm working out. Saturday, for New Year's Day, I am running in a 10K Road Race in Salisbury. I want to be ready for that, and not really sore from working out on Friday. Plus, with New Year's Eve, I'm planning on taking it easy. I want to be really rested for the race!
I'm VERY excited that one of my friends might be running with me. A few weeks ago we did a 5 mile run together at a really good pace. It can be nice to have company on a race. This is either a 5K or 10K and everyone else in the group I am going with are ALL doing the 5K. SO I'm pretty happy that Carrie said she might be doing the 10K too.
The race has an optional Polar Bear Plunge I was on the fence about. I had a GREAT idea for it... which I need to keep posting on Facbook tomorrow a couple of times and again Saturday morning. My post which included the link to the donatation page was:
Saturday I'm running a 10K in Salisbury. I'm still on the fence with the Polar Bear Plunge after the race! Want me plunge? Want me to post pictures of it? If I can raise $500 between now and when I finish the 10K, I WILL DO IT! :) Plus, donate $75 or more and you are entered to win the prizes still being collected! Each $75 donation gets you another entry... working on Red Sox tickets, gift certificates and many more great prize options!
Hmm... we'll see if I get any donations from that! :) Nice interesting way to get the fund raising started! Too bad I didn't come up with that earlier!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Back on track
I'm VERY tired so this is going to be quick.... I jumped back on the wagon tonight. I went to the gym and got in 3 miles on the treadmill before heading to the pool to meet Jen. I ended up swimming 3/4 mile at the pool.
Feel good, but mentally tired at this point. Looking forward to running tomorrow night again, and I feel good about it.
The weather for Saturday is looking great for the New Years 10K. Still up in the air if I am doing the polar bear plunge. Might be a last minute decision.
Hope to finally sleep well tonight, but COLD right now.
Feel good, but mentally tired at this point. Looking forward to running tomorrow night again, and I feel good about it.
The weather for Saturday is looking great for the New Years 10K. Still up in the air if I am doing the polar bear plunge. Might be a last minute decision.
Hope to finally sleep well tonight, but COLD right now.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Snow hits
Tomorrow I am going to get back on track. I ended up extending my break and didn't get in a long run at all over Christmas. The weather was HORRIBLE last night... the Blizzard.
Tomorrow I'll be at the gym right from work, then the pool as well. And I'll hit my schedule full force.
Just to share some pics of the storm. A tree in our yard had a huge branch (branch isn't even the right word for it!) come off and take out the neighbors deck and landed on their cars. Holy Snow!!!
The tree snapped off!
What was the neighbor's deck. (is that their chair hanging off on the right side?)
The neighbor's cars under the snow and the tree!
Tomorrow I'll be at the gym right from work, then the pool as well. And I'll hit my schedule full force.
Just to share some pics of the storm. A tree in our yard had a huge branch (branch isn't even the right word for it!) come off and take out the neighbors deck and landed on their cars. Holy Snow!!!
The tree snapped off!
What was the neighbor's deck. (is that their chair hanging off on the right side?)
The neighbor's cars under the snow and the tree!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
A few days off
Thursday night I went swimming and felt my calf pop. It was still sore Friday and Saturday. With Christmas on Saturday, I decided to take a couple of days off and let my calf muscles heal up a bit. I didn't want to make anything worse and injure myself more seriously.
Today I slept in.. and I slept in until 11am! WOW! Nice to relax and be lazy on a Sunday. Miss that. I was going to go to the gym early then be home by 1 for the Pats game. Didn't make it. And it has been snowing with flurries all morning and hasn't stopped.
At this point, I am not leaving my house today. So no running for me. I have tomorrow off from work and nothing planned anymore (was going to do Christmas with a friend who is an hour away, but with the blizzard overnight, I'm not driving up anymore). Tomorrow I will be hitting the gym afternoon, when the roads are clear to get in a long run.
I miss running outside. I'm already sick of the snow. Enough already! I want to get back outside for my runs. I don't love running at the gym and the motivation is harder to get there. But, if I want to do this, I need to run!
Today I slept in.. and I slept in until 11am! WOW! Nice to relax and be lazy on a Sunday. Miss that. I was going to go to the gym early then be home by 1 for the Pats game. Didn't make it. And it has been snowing with flurries all morning and hasn't stopped.
At this point, I am not leaving my house today. So no running for me. I have tomorrow off from work and nothing planned anymore (was going to do Christmas with a friend who is an hour away, but with the blizzard overnight, I'm not driving up anymore). Tomorrow I will be hitting the gym afternoon, when the roads are clear to get in a long run.
I miss running outside. I'm already sick of the snow. Enough already! I want to get back outside for my runs. I don't love running at the gym and the motivation is harder to get there. But, if I want to do this, I need to run!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Back in the pool
Today was a fun work day with our company luncheon. I ate like I haven't in a while! App's including amazing onion rings, a cup of soup, my salad (which I didn't eat much of), dessert and 2 glasses of wine. By the time I got home around 5, I was exhausted! I set the alarm on my phone and ended up taking a 45 minute nap.
But I got up, made it to the pool to meet Jen and got in a mile of swimming again for my cross training. Felt good and I know I'm getting stronger with it. Sometimes it just seems to be hard to get going in the beginning. I have to rest often, then after 20 or laps, I'm good and I just go! I love that!
Unfortunately, tonight it was my OTHER calf! SHOOTING pain in my right one. I thought my calf muscle split in two. I almost started crying in the pool! I kicked my legs up and out over the edge to use the edge to sort of massage my calfs. It helped a little.
Stubborn me, I had to finish up the stupid mile! By the end, I was only swimming using my core and my arms, letting my legs drag behind me. It helped a bit.
After leaving the pool, hit MANY stored and finished up almost the rest of my Christmas shopping. Can't believe how much I got in under 2 hours! :)
So right now, with my calfs DYING, my training schedule is mess and I'm not exactly sure what to do. Originally and generally with the training I'm following, Friday's are rest days and Saturdays are longer run days. This Saturday was supposed to be 6 miles.
Because the chance of me actually running on Christmas day is less than slim to none, I was going to swap the two days. With snow still on the ground and roads slick, I was going to hit the gym tomorrow to run for 6 miles, then count Christmas as my rest day. Now my calfs are in knots, even as I am laying here across my sofa, I can feel them both... BIG lumpy knots, NOT FUN!
Sort of that Charlie horse knot you can get when you stretch too hard first thing in the morning and you basically just feel it snap and want to scream out in pain. Yeah, that is EXACTLY what happened in the pool tonight. And after you do that, even when you are not moving, you can still feel the dull ache inside the muscle. Yup, feeling it in BOTH legs right now. (I almost bought a foam roller tonight when I was shopping to see if it could work out my calf muscles if I rolled my legs over it. Maybe I should have!)
So with this pain, and my schedule already a mess, I am thinking of changing it around again. I really don't like messing with it, but if I'm hurt, I have to stop and recognize that. I think I might take my normal Friday rest day, then add in a Christmas rest day too. And on SUNDAY, I can hit the gym and get in my 6 mile run. Not sure how that will leave me on Monday since I should be doing either 3.5 or 4, I can't remember. Hmm.... Maybe I'll do 2 on Monday to do something and make it a light day, then Tuesday do 3 before hitting the pool and be back on my normal schedule on Wednesday.
I don't know. I'm all messed up now. But I do know that I need to be aware and listen to my body when I'm hurt. I have LOTS of training to do over the next 4 months and injuries can happen. If I don't listen to them right away, then they could get worse, and that would be worse than me being worried about rearranging a week of my training schedule.
Lots to think about. :)
Merry Christmas!
But I got up, made it to the pool to meet Jen and got in a mile of swimming again for my cross training. Felt good and I know I'm getting stronger with it. Sometimes it just seems to be hard to get going in the beginning. I have to rest often, then after 20 or laps, I'm good and I just go! I love that!
Unfortunately, tonight it was my OTHER calf! SHOOTING pain in my right one. I thought my calf muscle split in two. I almost started crying in the pool! I kicked my legs up and out over the edge to use the edge to sort of massage my calfs. It helped a little.
Stubborn me, I had to finish up the stupid mile! By the end, I was only swimming using my core and my arms, letting my legs drag behind me. It helped a bit.
After leaving the pool, hit MANY stored and finished up almost the rest of my Christmas shopping. Can't believe how much I got in under 2 hours! :)
So right now, with my calfs DYING, my training schedule is mess and I'm not exactly sure what to do. Originally and generally with the training I'm following, Friday's are rest days and Saturdays are longer run days. This Saturday was supposed to be 6 miles.
Because the chance of me actually running on Christmas day is less than slim to none, I was going to swap the two days. With snow still on the ground and roads slick, I was going to hit the gym tomorrow to run for 6 miles, then count Christmas as my rest day. Now my calfs are in knots, even as I am laying here across my sofa, I can feel them both... BIG lumpy knots, NOT FUN!
Sort of that Charlie horse knot you can get when you stretch too hard first thing in the morning and you basically just feel it snap and want to scream out in pain. Yeah, that is EXACTLY what happened in the pool tonight. And after you do that, even when you are not moving, you can still feel the dull ache inside the muscle. Yup, feeling it in BOTH legs right now. (I almost bought a foam roller tonight when I was shopping to see if it could work out my calf muscles if I rolled my legs over it. Maybe I should have!)
So with this pain, and my schedule already a mess, I am thinking of changing it around again. I really don't like messing with it, but if I'm hurt, I have to stop and recognize that. I think I might take my normal Friday rest day, then add in a Christmas rest day too. And on SUNDAY, I can hit the gym and get in my 6 mile run. Not sure how that will leave me on Monday since I should be doing either 3.5 or 4, I can't remember. Hmm.... Maybe I'll do 2 on Monday to do something and make it a light day, then Tuesday do 3 before hitting the pool and be back on my normal schedule on Wednesday.
I don't know. I'm all messed up now. But I do know that I need to be aware and listen to my body when I'm hurt. I have LOTS of training to do over the next 4 months and injuries can happen. If I don't listen to them right away, then they could get worse, and that would be worse than me being worried about rearranging a week of my training schedule.
Lots to think about. :)
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Got the entry form in the mail today!
YAY! Got my entry form in. Of course Christmas is in 3 days and sadly I have barely done any shopping yet (I will be one of those fools out on Christmas Eve this year. :( Shot me now!) so I will wait until AFTER Christmas to mail it in.
This is NUTS!
Set up the donation page today and put the link here on this blog. Now I can order the business cards with the links too. YAY! This is all coming together. As long as my calf starts feeling a little bit better.
How long can I really do downward dog??
About a month ago I found website that I LOVE to keep track of all of my workouts. It logs everything from running routes, sneakers, mileage, cross training, weight, sleep, everything! It even keeps track of the miles on your sneakers and gives a warning on when you need a new pair. It is www.running-journal.com. LOVE it.
I realized that with the run and swim I did yesterday, I didn't eat enough. My weight was down this morning and I'm trying to not let it get that low. I'm going to have to be more aware of what I am eating and how much.
Tonight I went straight to the gym from work. I had the best of intentions of logging 4 miles on the treadmill. After a walking warm up, I did the first mile at a +1 incline with the speed at 5.5 for a 10:54 mile. For 1-1.5 I was at the same pace but did a +5 incline to do hill work. I was pushing it, but felt ok. Then 1.5-2 I did a -2 decline to do the downhill.
It was during the downhill that my right calf started to bother me. I had a knot and I was trying to work through it. It wasn't going away.
When I hit 2 miles, I set the incline level back to +1. That's when it got BAD. OH my God, if I could have been limping on the treadmill at a 5.5 pace, I would have been! I only made it to 2.25 and then walked for a half mile, still trying to work it out. I really thought it would get better and then I could start running again.
I stopped the treadmill at 2.75 and did some calf stretches. I had my ankle hanging over the side and I could feel it. Oh MAN could I feel that knot! WOW! After at least 5 minutes of just calf stretches, I started the treadmill back up, determined to get in another 2 miles.
HELL NO! I didn't even last 1 minute! After I cleaned off the treadmill and went to grab a mat in the stretching area, I was literally LIMPING! It hurts SO bad right now. URGH! So I'm not pushing it, I gave up on today's run and I'm looking forward to tomorrow to go swimming. I hope it feels better then.
I tried to stretch it out for a while. Not sure what else I can do right now for it. I did downward dog SO many times... not helping. But I didn't want to push it too much and really injure it, then mess up the whole of my training instead of just one day.
Tomorrow is another day. :)
I realized that with the run and swim I did yesterday, I didn't eat enough. My weight was down this morning and I'm trying to not let it get that low. I'm going to have to be more aware of what I am eating and how much.
Tonight I went straight to the gym from work. I had the best of intentions of logging 4 miles on the treadmill. After a walking warm up, I did the first mile at a +1 incline with the speed at 5.5 for a 10:54 mile. For 1-1.5 I was at the same pace but did a +5 incline to do hill work. I was pushing it, but felt ok. Then 1.5-2 I did a -2 decline to do the downhill.
It was during the downhill that my right calf started to bother me. I had a knot and I was trying to work through it. It wasn't going away.
When I hit 2 miles, I set the incline level back to +1. That's when it got BAD. OH my God, if I could have been limping on the treadmill at a 5.5 pace, I would have been! I only made it to 2.25 and then walked for a half mile, still trying to work it out. I really thought it would get better and then I could start running again.
I stopped the treadmill at 2.75 and did some calf stretches. I had my ankle hanging over the side and I could feel it. Oh MAN could I feel that knot! WOW! After at least 5 minutes of just calf stretches, I started the treadmill back up, determined to get in another 2 miles.
HELL NO! I didn't even last 1 minute! After I cleaned off the treadmill and went to grab a mat in the stretching area, I was literally LIMPING! It hurts SO bad right now. URGH! So I'm not pushing it, I gave up on today's run and I'm looking forward to tomorrow to go swimming. I hope it feels better then.
I tried to stretch it out for a while. Not sure what else I can do right now for it. I did downward dog SO many times... not helping. But I didn't want to push it too much and really injure it, then mess up the whole of my training instead of just one day.
Tomorrow is another day. :)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
In training mode
I packed my bags this morning before I left for work. After work, I went straight to the gym for the treadmill... still too much snow on the ground to run outside. I ended up getting in 3 miles at a 1+ incline. I did under 11 minute miles, so that was good. My training schedule was for 2 miles today but I felt good.
After the run at the gym I hit the pool with my friend Jill. I was pretty tired, but I got in a full mile there. I love seeing improvement in my swimming. I'm getting stronger each time I hit the pool. And the cross training is making a bit difference for running.
For fund raising, I think I am going to be getting Celtics from someone at work who has a part time job at the Garden! I'm SO excited that I can start fund raising right away!
Now time to get a good night sleep so I can hit the gym tomorrow night to get in another 4-5 miles! :)
After the run at the gym I hit the pool with my friend Jill. I was pretty tired, but I got in a full mile there. I love seeing improvement in my swimming. I'm getting stronger each time I hit the pool. And the cross training is making a bit difference for running.
For fund raising, I think I am going to be getting Celtics from someone at work who has a part time job at the Garden! I'm SO excited that I can start fund raising right away!
Now time to get a good night sleep so I can hit the gym tomorrow night to get in another 4-5 miles! :)
Monday, December 20, 2010
And so it begins!
I WAS ACCEPTED! Holy crap! It is for real! I am really going to be running in the 2011 Boston Marathon!
When I got the call at work, I was so excited! After I hung up it was all I could do not scream in my office! My arms were up in the air waving around as I squeeked an "EEEEE!" I ran up from my desk to share with the couple of people I told who were excited for me, for the most part. I shared with a few others, posted on facebook and emailed a few friends. I think I only got negative feedback from 2 people, so that's not bad.
Now I need to get on the ball and start getting my fund raising act together. I need to make some calls and get my prizes in order. I am going to hit some local businesses up after the first of the year of who can contribute. I have some ideas in mind.
And I am going to have to order those business cards I found on Vista print. I was thinking of getting a few of the little stands for them to put up in different places... my gym, the studio I used to work out at, my doctor's & dentist offices, and other local places.
I really need to work on those first, because that will make a big difference for what I can get for donations. And I need to not let the couple of negative people get to me.
Today is snowing. It took me 8 minutes to get to work from my driveway to the office parking lot. It took me 30 minutes to get home! There isn't too much snow on the ground, but nothing is treated and it is pretty slippery out there. SO... no outside running tonight for me. I figure I'll wait until the traffic lets up (the highway I passed over was a PARKING LOT and people are cutting through back roads) and see if they treat the roads at all. And then I'll make my way over to the gym when it is a bit quieter there, and I'll get my run in.
Today is scheduled to be a 3.5 mile run. I was hoping for 4 again, since that's what I did last week and that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Tomorrow is 2 on the schedule and I was planning on that, plus hitting the pool for a swim. Wednesday is 3 but I want to do 4. Not sure if I'll have to hit the gym for my runs all week with the weather like this and snow everywhere, but we'll see. If I do, then I do. I just have to make sure I get my butt out the door and to the gym! :)
WOW... I am really going to be doing this. I am going to be running in the 2011 Boston Marathon! HOLY CRAP!!!
When I got the call at work, I was so excited! After I hung up it was all I could do not scream in my office! My arms were up in the air waving around as I squeeked an "EEEEE!" I ran up from my desk to share with the couple of people I told who were excited for me, for the most part. I shared with a few others, posted on facebook and emailed a few friends. I think I only got negative feedback from 2 people, so that's not bad.
Now I need to get on the ball and start getting my fund raising act together. I need to make some calls and get my prizes in order. I am going to hit some local businesses up after the first of the year of who can contribute. I have some ideas in mind.
And I am going to have to order those business cards I found on Vista print. I was thinking of getting a few of the little stands for them to put up in different places... my gym, the studio I used to work out at, my doctor's & dentist offices, and other local places.
I really need to work on those first, because that will make a big difference for what I can get for donations. And I need to not let the couple of negative people get to me.
Today is snowing. It took me 8 minutes to get to work from my driveway to the office parking lot. It took me 30 minutes to get home! There isn't too much snow on the ground, but nothing is treated and it is pretty slippery out there. SO... no outside running tonight for me. I figure I'll wait until the traffic lets up (the highway I passed over was a PARKING LOT and people are cutting through back roads) and see if they treat the roads at all. And then I'll make my way over to the gym when it is a bit quieter there, and I'll get my run in.
Today is scheduled to be a 3.5 mile run. I was hoping for 4 again, since that's what I did last week and that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Tomorrow is 2 on the schedule and I was planning on that, plus hitting the pool for a swim. Wednesday is 3 but I want to do 4. Not sure if I'll have to hit the gym for my runs all week with the weather like this and snow everywhere, but we'll see. If I do, then I do. I just have to make sure I get my butt out the door and to the gym! :)
WOW... I am really going to be doing this. I am going to be running in the 2011 Boston Marathon! HOLY CRAP!!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Cross Training Day
Technically today was "Stretch & Strengthen" on my training calendar. I went to Zumba with my friend Kim for a 90 minute class at 9am which was a REALLY good class. I don't know if I'm getting old, but the music was BLASTING! Weird to walk outside at 10:30am with bright sky's and have my ears ringing. I felt like I should have been at a club all night! :)
We left the class and headed over to the pool where we met Jen for some swimming. I got in a full mile again. I felt really good. Someone in the next lane told me that I swim really fast and she was trying to keep up with me but couldn't. Funny how everyone sees things so differently. There I was thinking I was struggling, and she thought I was fast! I was trying to keep pace with Jen. But I can't. I need to stop between laps and catch my breath for a minute. Jen just keeps on going and going!
I really like swimming as cross training. I feel good, I feel like I am making progress and I just get into a zone and go.
Before running, I had never experienced that "Zone" before that so many people would talk about it. I never knew what they meant. Now I do. Almost like a sitting meditation, where you are supposed to just quiet your mind. (Yeah right!)
I have never done well with a sitting meditation. My mind is ALWAYS going. But with exercise, I am able to be in the moment, focus only on what I am doing and just hit that zone. I have it in running, yoga and now swimming. I'm not thinking of anything else, I'm just going.
Today I was trying to do the math and figure out how many lengths I had done, knowing that 65 is a mile. I couldn't do the math! I was so into just swimming, and moving my arms for the strokes and breathing, that I couldn't do math! When I hit the end of the pool, I stopped and figured out where I was at, but while I'm swimming it is just, "one, two, three, breathe. One, two, three, breathe" and that's how I get through the pool.
Now I'm heading up to mom and dad's for dinner before coming home to relax before a crazy week. Only 3 1/2 working days this week, but still 5 days worth of work! Hopefully after all the exercise this morning, I'll sleep well tonight and be off that kick of not sleeping from last week.
Tomorrow is running. I can't remember the training schedule but it is around 4 miles. We might be getting snow tonight into tomorrow, so I'll hit the gym for it. Tuesday is a 2 mile run, and depends on the weather and if we have snow on the ground for where I run. Then I'm meeting friends at the pool again. Hopefully I'll get in another mile. Wednesday is another 4 miles, and Thursday cross training, so back at the pool for a 3rd time this week!
Friday is supposed to be rest day and Saturday is supposed to be 6 miles. Saturday is Christmas. I'm not going to be out running on Saturday. I KNOW that no matter what intentions I have, it just won't happen. SO, I'll just get the run in on Friday instead and keep Saturday as a rest day. Not sure yet what I'll be doing next Sunday and if the pool will even be open or not. I'll have to find out this week.
And I'm avoiding talking about the big elephant in the room. Hopefully tomorrow I will find out if I have been accepted to the team (or not). I'm nervous, but hopeful. And then I can just push forward. Fingers crossed!!!
We left the class and headed over to the pool where we met Jen for some swimming. I got in a full mile again. I felt really good. Someone in the next lane told me that I swim really fast and she was trying to keep up with me but couldn't. Funny how everyone sees things so differently. There I was thinking I was struggling, and she thought I was fast! I was trying to keep pace with Jen. But I can't. I need to stop between laps and catch my breath for a minute. Jen just keeps on going and going!
I really like swimming as cross training. I feel good, I feel like I am making progress and I just get into a zone and go.
Before running, I had never experienced that "Zone" before that so many people would talk about it. I never knew what they meant. Now I do. Almost like a sitting meditation, where you are supposed to just quiet your mind. (Yeah right!)
I have never done well with a sitting meditation. My mind is ALWAYS going. But with exercise, I am able to be in the moment, focus only on what I am doing and just hit that zone. I have it in running, yoga and now swimming. I'm not thinking of anything else, I'm just going.
Today I was trying to do the math and figure out how many lengths I had done, knowing that 65 is a mile. I couldn't do the math! I was so into just swimming, and moving my arms for the strokes and breathing, that I couldn't do math! When I hit the end of the pool, I stopped and figured out where I was at, but while I'm swimming it is just, "one, two, three, breathe. One, two, three, breathe" and that's how I get through the pool.
Now I'm heading up to mom and dad's for dinner before coming home to relax before a crazy week. Only 3 1/2 working days this week, but still 5 days worth of work! Hopefully after all the exercise this morning, I'll sleep well tonight and be off that kick of not sleeping from last week.
Tomorrow is running. I can't remember the training schedule but it is around 4 miles. We might be getting snow tonight into tomorrow, so I'll hit the gym for it. Tuesday is a 2 mile run, and depends on the weather and if we have snow on the ground for where I run. Then I'm meeting friends at the pool again. Hopefully I'll get in another mile. Wednesday is another 4 miles, and Thursday cross training, so back at the pool for a 3rd time this week!
Friday is supposed to be rest day and Saturday is supposed to be 6 miles. Saturday is Christmas. I'm not going to be out running on Saturday. I KNOW that no matter what intentions I have, it just won't happen. SO, I'll just get the run in on Friday instead and keep Saturday as a rest day. Not sure yet what I'll be doing next Sunday and if the pool will even be open or not. I'll have to find out this week.
And I'm avoiding talking about the big elephant in the room. Hopefully tomorrow I will find out if I have been accepted to the team (or not). I'm nervous, but hopeful. And then I can just push forward. Fingers crossed!!!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Another run under my belt
This week was tough because I haven't been sleeping all that well. I finally made up for some of it last night and didn't get up until noon! I haven't done that in.... I don't even remember the last time I did that!
But after some facebook messages then a call from my friend Carrie, I ended up meeting her at Weymouth HS and got in a 5 mile run. Felt good! It was a little colder out than I expected, but still felt good to get the run in. I stretched after but I'd like to get in another good stretch tonight.
I did 2 miles, then stopped and took off my top layer and had some water and stretched my calves. After that, I stopped, stretched and had water after mile 3 and mile 4. But felt good to get the full 5 in.
For some reason I generally have a hard time with the Saturday runs. I am so used to running at night, after a full day of work and then I get out there and work off the stress of the day. Saturdays, after a lazy morning? SO different to get out and push myself, especially when it is for a long run!
I'll need to change that mindset soon. Next week is 6 miles and the week after is a 10K in Salisbury on New Year's Day. I have next Friday off and I'm not planning on running on Christmas day, so I think I'll tweak the schedule and get the run in on Friday instead and take Saturday as a rest day.
Still nervous about waiting on a decision. But just trying to put it out of my mind.
But after some facebook messages then a call from my friend Carrie, I ended up meeting her at Weymouth HS and got in a 5 mile run. Felt good! It was a little colder out than I expected, but still felt good to get the run in. I stretched after but I'd like to get in another good stretch tonight.
I did 2 miles, then stopped and took off my top layer and had some water and stretched my calves. After that, I stopped, stretched and had water after mile 3 and mile 4. But felt good to get the full 5 in.
For some reason I generally have a hard time with the Saturday runs. I am so used to running at night, after a full day of work and then I get out there and work off the stress of the day. Saturdays, after a lazy morning? SO different to get out and push myself, especially when it is for a long run!
I'll need to change that mindset soon. Next week is 6 miles and the week after is a 10K in Salisbury on New Year's Day. I have next Friday off and I'm not planning on running on Christmas day, so I think I'll tweak the schedule and get the run in on Friday instead and take Saturday as a rest day.
Still nervous about waiting on a decision. But just trying to put it out of my mind.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Still waiting...
At work today, I had an internet window minimized all day for my personal email. Every half hour or so I would refresh it to see if I got an email yet about if I was accepted to Team Eye and Ear. All day, I kept waiting and waiting.
As I was getting things wrapped up for the day, I needed something in my purse. That was when I noticed a voice mail and missed calls. Come to find out... she had CALLED me!
I keep my cell phone on silent at work. I don't want to be THAT person with the obnoxious ringing phone. And most people who I actually WANT to talk to have my work email or work phone numbers. Any daytime calls to my cell phone are usually telemarketers who somehow got my number.
I almost didn't even check my voice mail right then. It was a 617 # and for a while I did have a telemarketer calling me from that area code. And I can go DAYS without checking voicemail. Sometimes it will even fill up! I usually go off of caller ID.
I finally did check my voice mail and it was her. She has some questions for me. Her 2nd call was at 4:29 per my cell. I'm assuming she was on her way out the door when she called on last time. I tried her back at 10 of 5, but her voice mail she wasn't in the office. :(
SO now I get to wait over the weekend before I can find out on Monday. I don't love waiting and have limited patience. My mom always tells me "Patience is a virtue". And my standard answer is, "One I do NOT possess!"
But now I have to have patience and wait this one out. It isn't going to change my weekend any. I'm sleeping in tomorrow and then in the afternoon plan on getting in my long run. My office training schedule for the 1/2 marathon has me doing 5 miles this weekend. I might try for 6, depending on how I feel. 4 felt really good the other night, but that was on a treadmill.
I'll just need to pick a route to run. I need to hop onto www.mapmyrun.com. LOVE that site! Helps you plan out and change roads to change the distance you need.
Tonight is my "rest" day is the training, which is nice and MUCH needed. I'm exhausted from not really sleep well the entire week. I had to cancel my plans because I'm so tired! Pretty sad, but one or 2 good nights of sleep and I'll be fine. I just don't want to get sick from being run down, especially this time of year. And EVERYONE I work with is sick right now.
Ahh.... so right now, my fingers are still crossed. I want to get going on the fund raising and collecting of my "prizes" but I need to know first if I'm actually going to make it on the team! I talked to someone else at work about my raffle idea. Everyone seems to like it. The minimum required is $5000, but I'm making my personal goal $7000. Honestly, if I am able to get really good prizes for the raffle, I could do even more than that!
I was thinking of adding in that only 200 entries are available into the raffle. If I have 200 people who donate $75? Um, yeah, that's $15,000! HOLY CRAP! I honestly think that might be a bit far reaching for me, but even to just think about it! WOW!
SO the steps now if I am accepted to the team?
1. Keep up with the training I have been doing for the half marathon in February.
2. Contact everyone I can possibly think of for amazing prizes I can use for this raffle idea.
3. Order the business cards I did on VistaPrint.com (LOVE THEM!)
Ok, so another part of the fund raising idea is that I will obviously be telling EVERYONE I meet that I'll be doing this. And if people what to donate or have a shot in my raffle, I will just hand out a business card which has the link to this blog. Then on this blog, I will have a link to the page to donate. (knowing from past fund raising websites, the link is SO long, it is easier to have people come here first and click than trying to write out that web address. This is an easy one!)
Here's a sample of what I am going to order, so I can randomly pass them out to people
(isn't it cute!) :)
Ok back to the list:
4. Start asking people to donate to me.
5. Go to businesses to add to prizes and use ALL possible contacts available!
6. Keep repeating and repeating!
7. Call the doctor and make an appointment. She was happy when I had my physical in October when I said I was running, but is there anything special now that the training will move up and be more intense for a marathon?
8. Get a referral to a nutritionist. I need to make sure I am eating properly to keep up my health and to fuel me for running.
9. Have fun with it! :)
And that's all I got right now!
URGH, I hate waiting!
As I was getting things wrapped up for the day, I needed something in my purse. That was when I noticed a voice mail and missed calls. Come to find out... she had CALLED me!
I keep my cell phone on silent at work. I don't want to be THAT person with the obnoxious ringing phone. And most people who I actually WANT to talk to have my work email or work phone numbers. Any daytime calls to my cell phone are usually telemarketers who somehow got my number.
I almost didn't even check my voice mail right then. It was a 617 # and for a while I did have a telemarketer calling me from that area code. And I can go DAYS without checking voicemail. Sometimes it will even fill up! I usually go off of caller ID.
I finally did check my voice mail and it was her. She has some questions for me. Her 2nd call was at 4:29 per my cell. I'm assuming she was on her way out the door when she called on last time. I tried her back at 10 of 5, but her voice mail she wasn't in the office. :(
SO now I get to wait over the weekend before I can find out on Monday. I don't love waiting and have limited patience. My mom always tells me "Patience is a virtue". And my standard answer is, "One I do NOT possess!"
But now I have to have patience and wait this one out. It isn't going to change my weekend any. I'm sleeping in tomorrow and then in the afternoon plan on getting in my long run. My office training schedule for the 1/2 marathon has me doing 5 miles this weekend. I might try for 6, depending on how I feel. 4 felt really good the other night, but that was on a treadmill.
I'll just need to pick a route to run. I need to hop onto www.mapmyrun.com. LOVE that site! Helps you plan out and change roads to change the distance you need.
Tonight is my "rest" day is the training, which is nice and MUCH needed. I'm exhausted from not really sleep well the entire week. I had to cancel my plans because I'm so tired! Pretty sad, but one or 2 good nights of sleep and I'll be fine. I just don't want to get sick from being run down, especially this time of year. And EVERYONE I work with is sick right now.
Ahh.... so right now, my fingers are still crossed. I want to get going on the fund raising and collecting of my "prizes" but I need to know first if I'm actually going to make it on the team! I talked to someone else at work about my raffle idea. Everyone seems to like it. The minimum required is $5000, but I'm making my personal goal $7000. Honestly, if I am able to get really good prizes for the raffle, I could do even more than that!
I was thinking of adding in that only 200 entries are available into the raffle. If I have 200 people who donate $75? Um, yeah, that's $15,000! HOLY CRAP! I honestly think that might be a bit far reaching for me, but even to just think about it! WOW!
SO the steps now if I am accepted to the team?
1. Keep up with the training I have been doing for the half marathon in February.
2. Contact everyone I can possibly think of for amazing prizes I can use for this raffle idea.
3. Order the business cards I did on VistaPrint.com (LOVE THEM!)
Ok, so another part of the fund raising idea is that I will obviously be telling EVERYONE I meet that I'll be doing this. And if people what to donate or have a shot in my raffle, I will just hand out a business card which has the link to this blog. Then on this blog, I will have a link to the page to donate. (knowing from past fund raising websites, the link is SO long, it is easier to have people come here first and click than trying to write out that web address. This is an easy one!)
Here's a sample of what I am going to order, so I can randomly pass them out to people
(isn't it cute!) :)
Ok back to the list:
4. Start asking people to donate to me.
5. Go to businesses to add to prizes and use ALL possible contacts available!
6. Keep repeating and repeating!
7. Call the doctor and make an appointment. She was happy when I had my physical in October when I said I was running, but is there anything special now that the training will move up and be more intense for a marathon?
8. Get a referral to a nutritionist. I need to make sure I am eating properly to keep up my health and to fuel me for running.
9. Have fun with it! :)
And that's all I got right now!
URGH, I hate waiting!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Time to Wait!
Today I finished up the application to join Team Eye and Ear and eamailed it off. Now I wait. I'm nervous but excitd about this. I had a dream last night that she told me no. :( That wouldn't be good.
She emailed me back and said she'd review it and be in touch with me tomorrow. So tomorrow I will either be super excited or just crushed. I'm hopeful and optimistic. But right now, all I can do is wait and see.
Either way, I'm still doing the Half at Hampton on February 20th, so that training continues. Today is cross training day. I'm leaving in about 10 minutes to meet my friends at the pool for some lap swimming. That's always fun and I love that I can already see progress in my swimming ability. Can't wait until I get my new bathing suits and my kick board delivered!
Saturday is my long run. The half marathon schedule is for 5 miles, but I'd really like to try for 5. I've done 5 a few times already and I'd really like to try for 6. It depends on the weather though. I have to get this run in outside, but the weather this weekend is questionable.
That's another concern I have for this training, the weather. The races are outside... I need to run outside to train! I might do a couple of the night runs at the gym, if I need to.
Ahh... waiting isn't fun!
She emailed me back and said she'd review it and be in touch with me tomorrow. So tomorrow I will either be super excited or just crushed. I'm hopeful and optimistic. But right now, all I can do is wait and see.
Either way, I'm still doing the Half at Hampton on February 20th, so that training continues. Today is cross training day. I'm leaving in about 10 minutes to meet my friends at the pool for some lap swimming. That's always fun and I love that I can already see progress in my swimming ability. Can't wait until I get my new bathing suits and my kick board delivered!
Saturday is my long run. The half marathon schedule is for 5 miles, but I'd really like to try for 5. I've done 5 a few times already and I'd really like to try for 6. It depends on the weather though. I have to get this run in outside, but the weather this weekend is questionable.
That's another concern I have for this training, the weather. The races are outside... I need to run outside to train! I might do a couple of the night runs at the gym, if I need to.
Ahh... waiting isn't fun!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
And the journey begins....
Two nights in a row I didn't sleep well and I'm pretty exhausted right about now. Hoping that tonight I can get a good nights sleep! Need it. I'm afraid I am going to start to get pretty cranky if I don't sleep.
While at work today, I actually took a lunch break. I am ALMOST done filling out the application to join Team Eye and Ear. I am SO excited about the possibilities of this. I'm absolutely terrified, but so excited at the same time. I can't wait until tomorrow to get her my application. It'll be SO hard when I have to wait until Friday to hear back for the decision.
Also at work today, I talked to one of the managers. I had mentioned this to her yesterday, that there was a possibility of doing this. Today I told her, this could REALLY happen. I told her my idea for fund raising, to have a raffle for people who donate $75 or more and she thought that was a GREAT idea. I asked what she thought about the company president donating Red Sox tickets to be part of my prizes. She said, "OH Yes! They would do that!"
Now I feel MUCH better about this and about the chances of really building up a pot. :) Someone else works at a VIP restaurant at The Boston Garden. She overheard me talking with someone that I might run Boston and my idea for the raffle. She said she is working on Sunday and she'll talk to her contact there to see if she could get me anything to contribute to my prizes as well.
I really think the fund raising side is going to come together. I feel less pressure about it and once I started brainstorming, more and more ideas kept coming. I want to get business cards made that list the link to this site. And once I register for the race and have a webpage for donations, I'll include that link here. That way I can pass out the business cards so people know where to go, can follow me and my journey and can help contribute to my fund raising efforts.
Tonight it was about 22 degrees when I got home from work. I did NOT want to run outside. So I put on my running clothes and headed to the gym. I'm glad I went with my friend Betsey last week and she showed me the way she does hill work on the treadmill.
Tonight, my workout was:
5 minute walking warm up.
4 mile run, split:
Mile 1: pace 5.0, incline +1
Mile 2: pace 5.0,
1.0-1.5 incline at +4
1.5-2.0 incline -2
Mile 3: pace 5.0. Incline split by qtr mile. +4, -2, +4, -2
Mile 4: 0 incline
3.0-3.5 pace at 5.0
3,5-4.0 pace at 5.5
5 minute walking cool down
Then I did about 15 minutes of stretching.
Next time I want to do a pace of 5.3 but tonight I wasn't sure about the hills, so I went a little slower. Plus, I wanted to stay consistant the entire time and not feel like I needed to slow down. And I was even able to go faster the last 1/2 mile!
Tomorrow night is cross training and I'll be at the pool doing lap swimming. :)
A little nervous about finishing the application and seeing if I am REALLY accepted to this team. Then I can go from there.
While at work today, I actually took a lunch break. I am ALMOST done filling out the application to join Team Eye and Ear. I am SO excited about the possibilities of this. I'm absolutely terrified, but so excited at the same time. I can't wait until tomorrow to get her my application. It'll be SO hard when I have to wait until Friday to hear back for the decision.
Also at work today, I talked to one of the managers. I had mentioned this to her yesterday, that there was a possibility of doing this. Today I told her, this could REALLY happen. I told her my idea for fund raising, to have a raffle for people who donate $75 or more and she thought that was a GREAT idea. I asked what she thought about the company president donating Red Sox tickets to be part of my prizes. She said, "OH Yes! They would do that!"
Now I feel MUCH better about this and about the chances of really building up a pot. :) Someone else works at a VIP restaurant at The Boston Garden. She overheard me talking with someone that I might run Boston and my idea for the raffle. She said she is working on Sunday and she'll talk to her contact there to see if she could get me anything to contribute to my prizes as well.
I really think the fund raising side is going to come together. I feel less pressure about it and once I started brainstorming, more and more ideas kept coming. I want to get business cards made that list the link to this site. And once I register for the race and have a webpage for donations, I'll include that link here. That way I can pass out the business cards so people know where to go, can follow me and my journey and can help contribute to my fund raising efforts.
Tonight it was about 22 degrees when I got home from work. I did NOT want to run outside. So I put on my running clothes and headed to the gym. I'm glad I went with my friend Betsey last week and she showed me the way she does hill work on the treadmill.
Tonight, my workout was:
5 minute walking warm up.
4 mile run, split:
Mile 1: pace 5.0, incline +1
Mile 2: pace 5.0,
1.0-1.5 incline at +4
1.5-2.0 incline -2
Mile 3: pace 5.0. Incline split by qtr mile. +4, -2, +4, -2
Mile 4: 0 incline
3.0-3.5 pace at 5.0
3,5-4.0 pace at 5.5
5 minute walking cool down
Then I did about 15 minutes of stretching.
Next time I want to do a pace of 5.3 but tonight I wasn't sure about the hills, so I went a little slower. Plus, I wanted to stay consistant the entire time and not feel like I needed to slow down. And I was even able to go faster the last 1/2 mile!
Tomorrow night is cross training and I'll be at the pool doing lap swimming. :)
A little nervous about finishing the application and seeing if I am REALLY accepted to this team. Then I can go from there.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
I want to run!!
Here is my first post in a new blog. Wow! And the reason I started a new blog is an even bigger WOW!!
I have been running a bit now and have many 5K's under my belt. I decided on a 10K for New Year's Day that I'm not worried about. And since I'm on my way toward that, I found a 1/2 marathon I'm now training for on February 20th. I'm really excited to run in that race. The hardest part will be running outside to be prepared for the winter weather in Hampton, NH along the water. But tonight I made it outside for my run and it was 27 degrees out!
I am the type of person who believes in signs. If the universe has something to show me, it will find a way to get my attention and make sure I am paying attention. Well let me tell you, I have seen the signs and put it all together!
First let me back up.... everyone has heard of the movie, "The Bucket List" and I know so many people who have since created their own lists. LONG before the movie, there was a book, The Aladin Factor, by Jack Canfield. Does his name sound familiar? Well, if you have ever heard of The Chicken Soup for the Soul books, you will know his name!
Way back, about 15 years ago, I read everything I could with The Chicken Soup series. Then I found Jack's book "The Aladin Factor". Think of a prequel to "The Secret" but the same concept. Think of what you want, visualize your dreams, and that is how they will come true.... ask Aladin what you want and BE SPECIFIC!
One of the tasks in the book was to create a sort of Bucket List. Oh MAN did I get creative! I must have put at least 150 items on that list! Well, time passed and I lost that book AND THE LIST! I even went out and bought another copy of that book! I knew I had crazy things on the list, like Climb the Great Wall of China, and Run the Boston Marathon.
A few weeks ago I found that book when I was helping my parents clean out boxes in their basement. Right now the book, with THE LIST, is still sitting in my trunk (do I run outside in the now 20 degree weather to go grab it??)
A month or so ago was the registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon. They did it early this year, before the NY City Marathon, which meant those runners couldn't use their 2010 times to qualify for the 2011 marathon. But the people who did have times they could use... those sports filled up in 8 hours! WOW!!
I read an article that because it is so hard to register now and actually get a spot in Boston, that the new "Big Deal" would be to just qualify alone for this race! Just to qualify, not even actually run! WOW!
So all of this is in my mind as I am doing my 1/2 marathon training and feeling pretty good about it. I know I'm not a fast runner, but slow and steady right? I feel good running, I've lost over 30 pounds in past year and a half. I look and feel better than I have ever looked and felt! I have people telling me I am wasting away to nothing (I haven't lost a pound in MONTHS!) as I continue to exercise, run and tone.
Well, yesterday someone joined the fitness group I organize online. Her greeting was that she managed the Mass Eye and Ear Boston Marathon team and they still had spots open. I thought, wow, that's cool, haven't heard of spots open for the marathon before. And then thought passed.
SO I guess I was supposed to get more out of that, so the universe slapped me in the face and I got an email from a local theater who has a team running and they have an open spot on their team. I thought, WOW, I've never heard of one open spot for the marathon and in the matter of hours I hear about 2 unrelated teams with bibs available? That's INSANE!
Ok, so the universe got my attention with that one! I emailed Kristina about the Mass Eye and Ear team and with my questions... but last night it was more of a, "hmm... is this something that might be a possiblity? Could I do this?" Then I went online and found a link to a marathon training schedule. The weekend of my 1/2 marathon, the schedule calls for a 14 mile long run. Well, a 1/2 marathon is 13.1, so I'm close! And I'd be on track for the training with the marathon!
Then there was more of, OMG, could I do this for real??
Today I got an email back from Kristina with the application and answers to some of my questions. By this point, the idea of actually training for the marathon (believe it or not) wasn't super scary. But she confirmed that I would need to raise $5000 in donations to run. WOW! That's a LOT of money, especially in this economy. But otherwise, she was great in answering my questions and getting me the application.
Tonight I started thinking of the best way to raise that much money. I have a few ideas. I want to see if work will donate some Red Sox tickets, and I am also going to ask my uncle if his company can donate other tickets to possibly the Celtics and Bruins, and then I want to contact my cousin to see if he can get me signed Red Sox items. I would obviously take donations in any amounts, but my idea is, for anyone who donates at least $75, they will be entered into a raffle for whatever "prizes" I end up coming up with. And I am going to cap those entries to 100 people. That would give me $7500 if I got 100 people to donate, not to mention any smaller donations I receive!
SO now I need to get my application completed, find out if my fund raising ideas are acceptable and then get the word out to collect and obtain my "prizes"!
That's how I got here and that's how this blog, "Julie Runs Boston" was started. I'll be using this blog to give updates on my training and my progress along the way. I'm so excited for the possibilities in this journey and can't wait to see how things are when I get to the other side of the finish line!
I have been running a bit now and have many 5K's under my belt. I decided on a 10K for New Year's Day that I'm not worried about. And since I'm on my way toward that, I found a 1/2 marathon I'm now training for on February 20th. I'm really excited to run in that race. The hardest part will be running outside to be prepared for the winter weather in Hampton, NH along the water. But tonight I made it outside for my run and it was 27 degrees out!
I am the type of person who believes in signs. If the universe has something to show me, it will find a way to get my attention and make sure I am paying attention. Well let me tell you, I have seen the signs and put it all together!
First let me back up.... everyone has heard of the movie, "The Bucket List" and I know so many people who have since created their own lists. LONG before the movie, there was a book, The Aladin Factor, by Jack Canfield. Does his name sound familiar? Well, if you have ever heard of The Chicken Soup for the Soul books, you will know his name!
Way back, about 15 years ago, I read everything I could with The Chicken Soup series. Then I found Jack's book "The Aladin Factor". Think of a prequel to "The Secret" but the same concept. Think of what you want, visualize your dreams, and that is how they will come true.... ask Aladin what you want and BE SPECIFIC!
One of the tasks in the book was to create a sort of Bucket List. Oh MAN did I get creative! I must have put at least 150 items on that list! Well, time passed and I lost that book AND THE LIST! I even went out and bought another copy of that book! I knew I had crazy things on the list, like Climb the Great Wall of China, and Run the Boston Marathon.
A few weeks ago I found that book when I was helping my parents clean out boxes in their basement. Right now the book, with THE LIST, is still sitting in my trunk (do I run outside in the now 20 degree weather to go grab it??)
A month or so ago was the registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon. They did it early this year, before the NY City Marathon, which meant those runners couldn't use their 2010 times to qualify for the 2011 marathon. But the people who did have times they could use... those sports filled up in 8 hours! WOW!!
I read an article that because it is so hard to register now and actually get a spot in Boston, that the new "Big Deal" would be to just qualify alone for this race! Just to qualify, not even actually run! WOW!
So all of this is in my mind as I am doing my 1/2 marathon training and feeling pretty good about it. I know I'm not a fast runner, but slow and steady right? I feel good running, I've lost over 30 pounds in past year and a half. I look and feel better than I have ever looked and felt! I have people telling me I am wasting away to nothing (I haven't lost a pound in MONTHS!) as I continue to exercise, run and tone.
Well, yesterday someone joined the fitness group I organize online. Her greeting was that she managed the Mass Eye and Ear Boston Marathon team and they still had spots open. I thought, wow, that's cool, haven't heard of spots open for the marathon before. And then thought passed.
SO I guess I was supposed to get more out of that, so the universe slapped me in the face and I got an email from a local theater who has a team running and they have an open spot on their team. I thought, WOW, I've never heard of one open spot for the marathon and in the matter of hours I hear about 2 unrelated teams with bibs available? That's INSANE!
Ok, so the universe got my attention with that one! I emailed Kristina about the Mass Eye and Ear team and with my questions... but last night it was more of a, "hmm... is this something that might be a possiblity? Could I do this?" Then I went online and found a link to a marathon training schedule. The weekend of my 1/2 marathon, the schedule calls for a 14 mile long run. Well, a 1/2 marathon is 13.1, so I'm close! And I'd be on track for the training with the marathon!
Then there was more of, OMG, could I do this for real??
Today I got an email back from Kristina with the application and answers to some of my questions. By this point, the idea of actually training for the marathon (believe it or not) wasn't super scary. But she confirmed that I would need to raise $5000 in donations to run. WOW! That's a LOT of money, especially in this economy. But otherwise, she was great in answering my questions and getting me the application.
Tonight I started thinking of the best way to raise that much money. I have a few ideas. I want to see if work will donate some Red Sox tickets, and I am also going to ask my uncle if his company can donate other tickets to possibly the Celtics and Bruins, and then I want to contact my cousin to see if he can get me signed Red Sox items. I would obviously take donations in any amounts, but my idea is, for anyone who donates at least $75, they will be entered into a raffle for whatever "prizes" I end up coming up with. And I am going to cap those entries to 100 people. That would give me $7500 if I got 100 people to donate, not to mention any smaller donations I receive!
SO now I need to get my application completed, find out if my fund raising ideas are acceptable and then get the word out to collect and obtain my "prizes"!
That's how I got here and that's how this blog, "Julie Runs Boston" was started. I'll be using this blog to give updates on my training and my progress along the way. I'm so excited for the possibilities in this journey and can't wait to see how things are when I get to the other side of the finish line!
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