Well.. after *thinking* about doing it for 3 years.. I’m finally running my first marathon.
It’s a very exciting and yet scary time.
I’ve always been a gym person, but felt like it was time to set a new personal goal.
And I’m finding out day by day.. I’m not as in good a shape as I thought.. but getting there.
I *officially* started my training a few weeks ago.
(Because I was running a little before that )
I’m now up to 20 miles per week.. which is the most I’ve ever done... with my longest run at 9.9 miles. I’m still *a lot* on the slow side though.

My immediate goal is to finish the NY half marathon next month.. then ultimately finish *the* NY marathon in November.
It’s a big step..that I’m willing to take.
I know it’s going to be hard work.. but well worth it.. when I cross the finish line.
Heck.. already I’ve lost *5* pounds. I haven’t been able to do that in years!!!

THURSDAY: JULY 20TH
This week I’ve logged three runs... each 3 miles a piece.
The first seemed rather easy.. the weather was hot.. so I hit the treadmill. NO sweat.
Then today.. I actually went running outside in Prospect Park.. and felt the difference.
My legs started out achy.. and the wind although not blowing very hard.. seemed like hurricane force at the time.
Okay not quite... but it did make going uphill more difficult.
I clocked 3 miles in 10:11 seconds. I’m still struggling a bit uphill.
Tomorrow is my rest day.. so that’s exactly what I intend to do.
My next run is Saturday.. a long run. Wish me luck. I just pray my body feels better than today.

FRIDAY - REST DAY

EXHAUSTED- SATURDAY JULY 22nd.
Well today is not turning out as I had hoped. I planned to do an 8 mile run.. but was absolutely exhausted.
I slept plenty but still felt like I’d barely slept at all.
So, I decided to rest again today and reschedule by workout for tomorrow.
Unless of course.. I start to feel more energetic by this afternoon. Which I’m hoping happens.

LONG RUN - SUNDAY JULY 23rd.
Well, as much as I wanted to just stay in bed and sleep late.. I knew I couldn’t. Today I *had* to make up for the long run I did not do yesterday.
I started out by walking one mile b/c my lower back and left hamstring had been a little bothersome.
I then started running. I felt pretty good considering I did not eat breakfast.
But by the time I got to mile 6.. I was in need of some energy. I popped a power-gel which totally gave me a boost.
I ran to mile 7.. stopped to walk for one minute.
I then ran to mile 8.
I felt really good.. but my muscles were extremely fatigued. My breathing was fine.. but my legs were exhausted.
I know I should have eaten breakfast.. that may have helped.. but I just wanted to get out the door and do it.
I also am learning going out with friends the night before.. is *not* a good thing.. unless I am willing to be the first person to say “it’s time to go home.” I’m trying to teach myself better self-discipline on that front.

MONDAY JULY 24TH - STEADY 3 MILE RUN
Today was my steady 3 mile run. I decided to run clock-wise in Prospect Park.. which is usually more difficult for me b/c I don’t do it as often. I was not having the best day. I struggled a bit. I ran 15 minutes.. walked one.. ran 10 minutes walked one.. then ran out the rest. My lower back and left hamstring has been a bit bothersome lately so I didn’t want to push it too hard. It ended up taking me 39:47 to finish... basically a 12:06 minute mile. Which isn’t my best. I also did not eat a lot at work before running which did not help my cause. I’m so trying to teach myself to eat more. That’s actually one of the hardest things for me. Before this, I had been so accustomed to staying away from carbs. I’m now having to re-train myself to eat them again. It’s like being brainwashed!!

TUESDAY JULY 25TH - EASY RUN
Tuesday I threw in some weight training for an hour.. then did an easy run of 3 miles on the treadmill to give my knees and back a break. I was little exhausted after the weights (spaghetti legs) so I took it slow. I ran for one mile at a 12 minute pace.. stopped for one minute to drink water.. ran for another mile.. stopped for one minute to drink water.. and then finished up my third mile. it took me about 36:30. But I felt good after the first mile. Again I’m still experimenting with the eating thing. I didn’t have time to eat before I ran out. From now on (beginning today) .. I’m taking a friend’s advice and eating at least half a bagel or more 45 minutes before hand.
I am glad to say Wednesday is my rest day. And boy.. am I looking forward to it.

WEDNESDAY JULY 26TH - REST DAY

THURSDAY JULY 27TH - STEADY RUN
I started out feeling heavy. I think the hot weather and humidity had something to do with it. I didn’t get to run until 11am b/c of work. Not exactly the coolest time of the day.
After mile one.. I started feeling better and warmed up.
I ran 3 miles around the park without stopping. It took me 32:57.. a ten minute 59 second mile.
Oh and today.. I ate a bagel an hour beforehand. It definitely helped with my energy level.
Tomorrow is another rest day. I will either run long Saturday or Sunday. But so far so good. I’m feeling a lot better and more energized today.

FRIDAY JULY 28TH - REST DAY

SATURDAY JULY 29TH.. 6.0 MILE LONG RUN
I had to leave town unexpectedly this weekend.. but I still managed to get my run in. I ran 6.0 miles on a hotel treadmill. I did pretty good stopping only once after three miles. And to be honest.. I only stopped because the room got humid and I fogged up all the mirrors. I did the first 5 miles at a 12 mile pace. Then did my last mile at a ten mile pace.
Overall I felt good.. and my leg didn’t bother me as much. After my workout.. I did some stretching and deadlifts with light weight to stretch out my hamstrings.
In the meantime, I went to get fitted for orthotics this week. The doctor says I may be overpronating too much.. and that may be what’s been causing my hamstring/lower back pain. I’m also making regular visits to the chiropractor (which I did already)to make sure I don’t further injure anything.

SUNDAY JULY 30TH REST DAY

MONDAY JULY 31ST - 3.0 MILE STEADY RUN
The heatwave is officially here. So it was back to the gym today.
I ran for half a mile. Then worked out with a trainer doing light weights/core exercises. Afterward I hopped on the treadmill to finish out my 3 miles. I ran 2.5 miles without stopping. I ran the first mile at a 12 minute pace. I then ran the next mile at a 10 minute pace. For the remaining half mile.. I kept inching faster per minute ending at a 9:15 mile.
In all.. if you count the half mile I did before.. it took me about 33 minutes 15 seconds.
I felt a lot better today. I felt strong, more energetic. I think it helped that I ate a bowl of oatmeal an hour before going to the gym.
My hamstring and lower back didn’t bother me as much today. I also did a lot of stretching at the end, throwing in deadlifts with light weight. I think that may be helping.

TUESDAY AUGUST 1ST
Wasted day.. at least for training. Had a doctor’s appointment which involved anestesia. So basically I couldn’t exercise all day. I’ll have to make up today’s 3 mile run on Sunday.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2ND- 3.0 STEADY RUN

Today I totally wanted to stay in and rest. But I forced myself out the door and ran 3 miles on the treadmill in the gym.. given the heat outdoors.
Surprisingly I felt great. The inside of my right calf was a bit achy.. so I made sure to stretch it good after my run.
I averaged at 10:55 mile.
I also did 15 minutes of ab work.
My next workout is tomorrow. That will be another doozy. I have to workout with the trainer and run. I better get lots of sleep.

THURSDAY AUGUST 3RD- 3.0 MILE

Thursday actually went better than I expected. I ran 3 miles on the treadmill.. the last mile on an incline.
Afterward I worked out for an hour with the trainer.. and actually felt great. I walked away feeling wonderful. No major aches and pains.

FRIDAY AUGUST 4TH - REST DAY

SATURDAY AUGUST 5TH - 9.0 MILE

Today I’m actually in North Haven, Connecticut dealing with family matters. Ran nine miles at local middle school track.
Took me an hour 52 minutes 09 seconds. My right middle calf was hurting.. and left glute was hurting. Both subsided after a while. I only took two half-minute walking breaks. Ran all the rest.
Felt great.

SUNDAY AUGUST 6TH

Well I was supposed to do a make-up run today for the run I missed on Tuesday. But that’s not going to happen. I was in so much of a rush when I packed to leave for Connecticut this weekend that I forgot to pack an extra pair of running clothes.
I’ll probably just have to eat this one. It’s probably for the best.. I’m sure I can use the rest. I may go for a swim instead.

MONDAY AUGUST 7TH - 3 MILE STEADY RUN

Today I ran 3.3 miles- one loop around Prospect Park. I ran clock-wise which is usually pretty difficult for me. Today though I felt great. I kept at a steady pace about 12:28 per minute mile. But the hills didn’t bother me as much today. I just kept concentrating on staying at the same pace. My right calf is still bothering me some. I can’t tell if it’s a shin splint or something else. I asked my trainer about certain stretches that may help. So I tried those today after my run. All in all though I felt really good. After running 9 miles this weekend.. the 3 today felt like nothing.

TUESDAY AUGUST 8TH - 3 MILE EASY RUN

Well I didn’t feel like doing anything but vegging.. but I made myself get out the door. Immediately, my right middle calf was very soar. It took a while for it to loosen up. After a few minutes though.. my run itself went fine. No major fatigue.
Eating more.. has definitely helped. I notice the difference like night and day. Before I was maybe consuming 850 calories.. now I’ve pumped that up to between 1200 and 1400. (mainly 1200)
After my run I went to the pharmacy to buy some of those immediate ice packs. I’m going to try that on my calf and see if that works. In the meantime, all I can do is wait on my orthodics. I may also schedule a massage to help loosen up my muscles before this weekend’s 11 mile run.
Today I averaged an 11:20 mile.. which is actually faster than I had been the past few days.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9TH - REST DAY

Today was supposed to be a 3 mile steady run. But my calf has still been pretty soar. Another runner advised that I rest today and see if it helps. I may be over-doing it. It’s just killing me though not to get out there. I feel like I’m slacking.

THURSDAY AUGUST 10TH - REST DAY

Extrememly long day at work. I was going to run but still felt soarness in my calf.. so I decided to take another day of rest.

FRIDAY AUGUST 11TH -

Ran an easy 3 miler. I was still achy but not as much. But had a lot of stress. (mentally)

SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH - REST DAY

SUNDAY AUGUST 13TH - LONG RUN

I ran 12 miles at a 14 minute mile pace. It was my worst run ever. I walked more than ran. I started out feeling out of breath.. I honestly think it was stress which was another reason I needed to run. Then by mile 7 my muscles just started aching like crazy. I hurt just to walk. I popped a power gel at around mile 8. While it helped keep my energy up.. by that point I think I was just too fatigued. Anyway.. I refused to give up until I got to mile 12.. even if it did take me almost 3 hours. Before going to sleep, I soaked in a hot epsom salt bath.

MONDAY AUGUST 14TH - 3.3 EASY RUN

Since this week may be hairy given a possible death in the family, I figured I’d better run now while I can. Surprisingly, I started out feeling like I weighed a ton of bricks.. but then after a few minutes.. I felt great. I ran one loop around the park at an easy and steady pace. It took me 42 minutes.. but I felt really good about.. and no major aches and pains. I think the epsom salt bath worked. Today I may try the ice bath.. since I hear that’s even better after runs.

TUESDAY AUGUST 15TH - REST DAY

I was supposed to run today.. but I’m taking it easy. I’ve been fighting awful stomach cramps all day.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16TH - Due to a death in the family.. I had to spend the day traveling. No run today.

THURSDAY AUGUST 17TH - 6.0 EASY MILE
Today I ran 6 miles on the hotel treadmill... to try to make up for the time I lost all week. Felt great.. no major aches or pains.

FRIDAY AUGUST 18TH - 6.0 EASY MILE
Today I ran with my sister in law through New Haven, Connecticut. We ran 6 miles at about an eleven mile pace. I felt great.. and even did okay running uphill.

SATURDAY AUGUST 19TH - NO RUN/FUNERAL

SUNDAY AUGUST 20TH - NO RUN/FUNERAL

MONDAY AUGUST 21ST - NO RUN TRAVEL DAY

TUESDAY AUGUST 22ND - STEADY 3.0 MILE

Today I finally started back running after a death in the family. It felt great to be back. I ran a steady 3 miler in the park at a 10:22 pace. No major aches and pains. At first, my left side was cramping.. but it finally went away after mile 2.
Today I also bought a calf stretcher and the stick to help work out soar muscles. So far so good. I’m supposed to be running the NYC half this weekend.. so I’m a little nervous after getting behind last week.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23RD - 3.0 EASY RUN

Today I did a very slow, easy run at a 12 minute mile pace.
My husband actually ran the first mile and a half with me. Weather wasn’t too bad. And I didn’t feel any major aches or pains. My stomach has still been a little bubbly.. but I think I’m still recovering from being on Nexium which turned out to be too strong. Tomorrow will be another steady run. So far so good.

THURSDAY AUGUST 24TH - 3.3 STEADY MILE

Today I ran one full loop around the park clockwise. I felt good but the weather was pretty humid by 11am. It made my breathing a little more labored.. plus of course there was a lot of gradual uphill that seemed to last forever.
Tomorrow is my rest day.. but I’ll probably try to run at least 3 miles to make up for Monday.

FRIDAY AUGUST 25TH - CROSS TRAINED

Instead of running I decided to cross train given I’m running my first half marathon on Sunday. I’m scared to overdo it before the race. I guess I’ll find out Sunday if that was a good choice or bad one.

SATURDAY AUGUST 26TH - REST DAY

SUNDAY AUGUST 27TH - 13.1 MILES - FIRST HALF MARATHON!!

Well I did it! And not only did I do it.. but I didn’t have to walk.. I ran the entire thing. (which is big for me) I had set my goal at finishing the half marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I ended up finishing in 2 hours and 35 minutes. That was despite the pouring rain and one 10 minute bathroom break. (b/c the line was so long). Anyway.. I’m so excited and am now icing my wounds.

MONDAY - AUGUST 28TH - REST DAY

I’m supposed to be running 3 miles today.. but fuhgetaboutit! I’m pretty soar from running the half yesterday. I’ll start back up tomorrow and probably hit the gym for a little weight training.

TUESDAY - AUGUST 29TH

Despite being extremely tired after work.. I forced myself to head to the gym. Turns out I had a fabulous run. I ran 3 miles on the treadmill and kept increasing the pace until I was running a 8:57 minute mile. It took me 30 minutes and 30 seconds which basically comes to a 10 minute 10 second mile. I felt great.
Afterward I worked out with my trainer for an hour doing weights and plyometrics. Who knew I had so much energy stored up?!

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 1ST

Well I haven’t run since Tuesday. I went to the doctor and found out I’m now PREGNANT! (or at least that’s what the test says) I plan to run tomorrow. I know running is still okay.. I’m just not sure about the marathon anymore. Actually I’m pretty sure the doctor will say NO! I’ll find out in 2 weeks.
If that is the case.. I will continue to build up my base.. and run next year. Who knows.. maybe I’ll be more prepared.

SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 3RD.

Okay so .. Saturday’s run did work out as planned. I was feeling very tired, bloated and soar due to the boost in hormones. Today though, I finally got off my butt and ran 3.3 miles in the park. I took it slow.. at an 11 minute mile pace. It felt great. I then came home and did 200 crunches, which I believe I can do up until the 3rd tri-mester. I just couldn’t believe how great I felt running. I now don’t feel as bloated or soar as yesterday. Anyway.. I hope I can keep it up.