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Ask Me Something!
Good Morning Friends!!!!!
I had so much fun with my last little Vlogging session I thought I'd do another one f you have any questions left for me!!!!
So if any of you would like to know ANYTHING at all about me, my life, my training schedule, my eating habits............WHATEVER..............I
d be happy to answer in VLOG (video blog) form! Simply leave your questions here in the comments and I'll get to them late this week when I'm not at work!!!
love
This is What I do on My Days Off
They ride the carousel and LOVE it.
Try to eat at least 2 huge salads a day just like this one!
I COOK!!!! As you know cooking is my second love aside from running but I haven'y had mush time for it. Today I'm making Chicken Tika Masal. It's pretty much the most awesome Indian dish EVER. You can find it in my recipe index!!!
Planning For the Future
Ever since the marathon was called off all I can think about is how I'm going to get into kick a$$ shape in 6 weeks before I start training again.
I headed off to spin class this morning and got my morning butt whooping. Loved every second!
I figure I'll do 2 spinning classes in one day once a week to try and get 2 hours of cardio in to simulate long runs (Thanks Yo Mamma Runs for this tip). I know this seems crazy but.........
You have to remember on my long runs I was running for 3 hours sometimes with my heart rate between 120 and 170. So it's really hard to keep up with if I can't run.
On the days I don't do 2 doing classes I'll show up an hour early and do the elliptical for an hour before class starts!
I'm going to head to the sports store today and buy a medicine ball and yoga ball so I can get my core in check. I love doing crunches on the yoga ball. Ohhhh.......It's burns like a mother!!!
It's such an awesome workout. and the medicine ball too. It really works the obliques!!!
CORE STRENGTH!!!
YES!!!!!
Also planning to walk 3 miles in the mornings with my hubby and the kids to the park. Also a great steady calorie burner!
Moving Forward
NEWS:
I had my last "test" run today and my shin had pain so the marathon for Sunday is officially off!
SAD? HEARTBROKEN? DISAPPOINTED?
Yes. Yes. and Yes.
MOVING FORWARD????
shouting from the roof tops
YES!!!!!
I ran 1.66 miles, my shin hurt, I could tell it was getting worse just with that short amount of mileage so I walked home and cried the whole way!
I needed to. I trained 6 long, hard months in the 15 degree weather and 80 degree weather. I trained though stress, anxiety, exhaustion and fatigue and I LO*V*E*D every second of it.
To have it all come to a screeching halt is devastating and expected.
I had my cry.
I felt the disappointment HARD and now I'm moving forward!
8:30 am tomorrow SPIN CLASS!!!!!!
and core workout!!!!
I'm going to hit it HARD!!!!!
POSITIVE. POSITIVE. POSITIVE.
God has a plan for me and right now I don;t really like it much but there's always a plan.
Maybe I'll get in such great shape I'll qualify for Boston on my first marathon. You NEVER KNOW!!!
But I do know there is a plan!
Mark my words
I WILL RUN A MARATHON and I will achieve that life long goal probably even stronger and faster than I am now!
I WILL RUN A MARATHON AND I WILL QUALIFY FOR BOSTON!!!!!
Next Marathon I'm signing up for in October 21st, Albuquerque NM!
If that one goes off without a hitch then it's on to Las Vegas Rock n' Roll series December 2nd hopefully with my blogger buddy {CHRISTY}
Inspirational Interview with Yo Mamma Runs
Good Afternoon!!!!
I am so excited because I have another incredibly inspiring runner to share with you today!!!!
Please meet Lisa from Yo Mamma Runs
#1. Why did you start running? and how quickly did you progress?
My friend invited me to run the 2011 Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, and I went for it. The race is in April, and I started running in January. The month before the half, I did a local 8K to get a feel for things. I loved, loved, loved the excitement of the Nashville race and the medal (which for some reason I didn't realize you got just for finishing), and I wanted to keep running and build off the base I had started so I signed up for the Savannah Marathon in November. That started a cycle of races. I just finished my fourth marathon on Saturday. It was the Country Music Marathon, so I felt like I had come full circle. I also ran four half marathons between this year and last year.
#2. How long have you been running?
I played recreationl league soccer and other sports since high school, but I never ran just to run. So a year and a half ago was my first attempt at running, just to be running. I didn't enjoy it at the start. It felt too solo and miserable, but after the first race and discovering the community of running, I can't get enough.
#3 Does your running interfere with your "day" job or your your a stay at home mom job (which is much harder in my opinion) ?
I'm a stay-at-home mom to four kids (8, 6, and 3-year-old twins), and I do weird odd jobs like part-time editing and secret shopping (not so secret now!). Marathon training is definitely time consuming, but it's worth it. Luckily my kids enjoy the kids' club at the gym, and I see Saturday runs as a time for my husband and the kids to bond, especially because he works tons of hours during the week. Would it be more convenient not to fit in training, probably, but the benefits far outweigh the effort I put into training. The endorphins really help me be a better parent. WHen do you have time to train? I do all of my weekly training at a gym thanks to that kids' club. Some people hate treadmills and tracks, but I rely on them to work up a good sweat and get me to where I need to be in training. So I'm thankful for them. On Saturdays I run outside in the early mornings, but my husband is very excited about my training break so he can use that time for motorcycle riding.
#4 How many miles a week do you run and do you follow a specific training plan?
I used the Hal Higdon novice plan for my first half and full marathon, and after that, I used the Hanson training plan for my next three marathons. The Hanson plan maxes out at 16-mile long runs but builds lots of miles in during the week and focuses on cumulative fatigue. It worked well for me so I didn't take so much time away from our family on Saturday, the only day we are all together uninterrupted. During the plan, I average from 40-50 miles a week.
#5 About how many races a year do you run and what's your favorite distance?
Since I'm so new to running, I don't really have a number I usually do. I've scheduled to revisit the Savannah marathon (my first) this fall, and I'd like to sign up for Rocket City marathon in Huntsville, AL, in December. I'll probably throw a few halves in there to run as part of marathon training. Also, this summer I'm hoping to do some shorter races and try to build speed.The marathon is definitely my favorite distance. It is such a mental challenge. It stinks when it goes worse than you hoped because of all the time you put into training, but if you succeed at your goal, the joy is amazing!
#6 Tell us what your favorite race of all time was?
My favorite race has to be the Mercedes Half Marathon I ran with my brother here in Birmingham. We got a free entry from our insurance company (cool, right?) so there was no pressure to perform a certain way. We dressed up as super heroes, high-fived everyone, took tons of pictures and just had a blast in general. And still had a decent time. Plus the after-party for that race is indoors with tables and lots of good food and socializing. So fun! My second favorite is the Country Music Half (not the full!). The fans are so great at that race. You don't even need music (which I usually always need when running) because it's so fun the whole way.
#7 Does your hubby run too?
No. He's very supportive of my newfound love, but it's not for him. He tried to take part in a relay for Mercedes, but his back killed him. He has always had back problems -- maybe from growing up on a farm and all of his child labor.:) But I get to run regularly with my brother who lives in town, so that is awesome!
#8 How does it make you feel to be such an accomplished runner and have FOUR kids?
(yes people, she has FOUR)
Running is so weird because you never feel like you've fully accomplished something. It seems like you're always trying to get a little faster or qualify for Boston or something else. But I have to say that every time I have crossed a finish line, no matter what the race or time, I have felt amazing in that moment. Now my kids talk about running a lot, and we stand on our front porch and cheer on runners who are going up the hill in front of our house (it's a killer). Hopefully, I'm passing on some of the love and excitement of running on to them. I just read a quote from Bill Rodgers (who won Boston four times back in the day) where he said, "You only get cheered in running. Every other sport, you get booed." I love that. In every race I've been in, spectators are so positive. Even when you have to take a walk break, they are cheering you on. It's such a positive sport.
#9 Do you have a just a few tips to help any of my readers who are not runners but desperately want to be?
Having a race date really helped me start running. I knew I didn't want to waste money (hate doing that!) by not showing up to the race and being prepared, so I stuck to my training plan. There are so many free training plans on line that are easy to use and effective. Start at whatever race distance feels like it would challenge you, and build from there. And stick with it through that first race/goal. I honestly did not like running until after that first race. It felt like a chore. I remember reading Born to Run and thinking what an interesting idea it was that people ran just for fun, but now I can see it. It took some work, but once you get past the initial pain and awkwardness (for me anyway), it really does become a small version of flying (slooooowly). And don't worry about all the expensive gear. Just get some shoes and go.
#10 Do you follow a specific diet plan or just try to eat healthy to keep your weight down?
My sister is a major health guru, so I try to copy her as much as possible. My number one favorite thing is always keeping fresh lemons around for drinking water mostly, but then I put lemon juice on most of my food too. It helps me drink a lot more water, which I am bad at. Last year, with my sister's help, I quit Diet Coke, which was a major accomplishment for me. It's helped get rid of residual nerve issues I was having (weird, I know) and just made me feel more energetic overall. I try to always keep spinach and lettuce in the fridge so we can have something green with every meal. I have a major sweet tooth so before most races, I try to cut out desserts for a couple of weeks. Not surprisingly, I loose a couple pounds every time I do this, but it's mostly about having more energy for my race. It helps when you are not in a sugar hangover.
#11 Do you plan on running races for the rest of your life?
I really hope I can keep it up. Luckily, I've been pretty healthy and active most of my life, so my plan is to make running last a long time. It's something that you can do anytime and anywhere, which makes it such a practical form of exercise.
#12 If you ever had the chance to go pro, would you take it?
Definitely! I don't think I'm going to have to face that decision anytime soon, but I would love to have a coach and a nutritionist keeping me on track. And cool clothes from sponsors. Running gear can get so darn expensive!
A big huge than you to Lisa from Yo Mamma Runs. I am so inspired by her story and her life. Thank you so much for sharing it with us today!!!!
To see more inspirational running interviews click
{HERE}
To see more inspirational running interviews click
{HERE}
Let's Get Fit
I just wanted to share a little fitness inspiration with you today!!!
I did my very first spin class Monday morning. I even called ahead of time to see who the most difficult teacher was and yup I went to his class.
hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have finally found something that I can even compare to running.
I was so sick of going to the gym and trying to pound the heck out of the elliptical or the stationary bike only to be frustrated because I couldn't even get a real workout! It's hard when your used to running 40 miles a week to find anything that can compare to it!
I sweated HARD........I Needed a towel, I sweated so hard.......MY heart rate was sky high and I realized this is a GREAT cross training exercise for me. It will help with my speed work immensely. I would love to see how fast I can run after a few months of speed spinning!!!! YES!
So any of you runners who are temporarily sidelined I HIGHLY recommend spinning.
It whoops your booty!!!!! The next day I could barely sit down!
YEAH. IT HURT SO GOOD!!!!!
800 calories in an hour. Hello Endorphins!!! Thank you very much, that is more like what I am used to!!!!
So as I embark on my journey, my mission to become a stronger, more competent athlete I leave you with a few motivation pics. All found on Pinterest!
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