 Last summer, when I started running and getting more serious about getting strong enough to run, I used a daily planner to help keep me on track. I think I got this idea from another fitness blogger so nothing really original there. I laid out a plan that I would follow every week and would log daily what I had accomplished. It helped me to see what was working and, sometimes more importantly, what was not.
This became incredibly useful when I got gluten/soy poisoned in late summer. Like Superman’s Kryptonite, I crumble when these two substances get to me. First, the migraines start followed by an unrelenting fatigue. It takes about six weeks for everything to clear up and feel human but then another six before my superpowers return and I feel like working out. Just getting through my day becomes the priority during these times. After about twelve weeks I picked up my daily planner/workout log and got started again. I'm not going to lie, seeing what I had been doing and knowing I had to start back almost over again was discouraging. At the same time I was motivated to get back to the level I had previously achieved. For these last 2 weeks I have not done a lot to be honest. The first week after the half marathon I really needed rest. My body was tired, and I was tired of thinking about training and being so careful with my food. So, I walked a lot, I did not lift, and I ate a lot. In fact I ate a lot of dairy. So much so, that I had to skip my first long run back! In one of the many books I've been reading, "Lore of Running" by Tim Noakes, I came across a paragraph talking about how dairy can cause gastro distress during running. For me, I think this is true and after being off of it for several weeks I realize that to have a successful run I have to limit my intake. Over and over, I have read that it is not really about the run itself what makes the difference is what you are doing when you are not running. Everything you eat, whether you stretch daily, drink enough water and your sleep. All of these things I find to be so important to have a good morning run. After this first week of active rest I got back to it! Usually my goal for each week is: - 3 days of weight training - 3-4 days of running - 1-2 days of biking. Obviously, each week varies in reps, intensity, etc. However, I do stretch daily, that never changes. Also, the MOST important thing of every training program - a day of rest. Here is the wrap for week 1 and 2 of my training for the Spokane Half Marathon: - Weight training 3 times with 2 sets of each exercise. I worked mostly on stabilization exercises with slower tempo for these two weeks. Stretching was done daily. - My runs were between 3-4 miles during the week. I added in hills and intervals on 3 out of the 6 runs. (More on this next week!) One thing I am having a hard time with is my long runs on Sunday. I have missed both! One was due to not feeling very well (I'm blaming the dairy!) and the other I chose to take Jack to his basketball camp instead. I could not get both done that morning. Since I got to go shoot around with him on the courts at Gonzaga it really was not that much of a dilemma! - No biking. Sadly, my bike was stolen in early July and the one I replaced it with I do not love. It is my goal for August to get on the new bike and learn to love it! Week 3 will be interesting since I'll be in Denver. A little worried about the altitude difference and having enough time to get everything in. Favorite running song this week: We Are the People (Sam la More Remix) by Empire of the Sun Favorite after run snack: Banana Almond Shake - 1 banana, almond milk, water, 1-2 TBSP of almond butter (depending on length of run), 1-2 TBSP of Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydolysate. YUM!
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 Two weeks ago I accomplished a long time goal of mine. I completed my first half marathon!! Since my early 20s I wanted to complete a half marathon but due to various illnesses and injuries it was never really achievable. Two and half years after major surgery and many lifestyle and food changes I was finally healthy enough to run 13.1 miles. As I said I had wanted to run a half marathon for a long time, however, my journey towards running didn't really start until May 2015. While picking up my son, Jack and my husband, Jason from Bloomsday that year my son said five words to me that motivated me to start running. "Mom, why don't you run?" Over the years as a trainer I am always amazed at what might trigger a client to start on a path to health. For me it was 5 little words motivating me to keep you with my son and husband. I noo longer wanted to be the one picking them up at races but running along side of them. At this same time my lab, Lucy, turned 2. If you've ever known or owned a labrador there is no explaination needed here. Lucy was the perfect personal trainer. As we developed the habit of running together (we had already been walking for 2 years) it became harder and harder to leave her sad and sometimes annoying face to go to work instead of going for our morning run! This wasn't the first time I'd endeavored to run. Over the years I have tried several times but an injury would pop up or a life event would happen and derail my plans. This time was proving to be different. Between Jack's simple question and Lucy banging around in her create every morning telling me it was time to run already!!! I simply wanted to get up and follow my training program. Consistency and planning made this goal a reality. I had a plan that was manageable and stuck with it! Did I do every single thing on my plan? Nope! Did I miss workouts? Of course! Did I have to adjust my plan throughout the months of training? Absolutely! None of these stopped me from continuing to the next day. Every morning I checked what I had planned and started again. Choosing to not focus on what I missed or didn't do the previous day helped me to focus on the goal of the present day. Very few folks knew of my plan. I did not share for several reasons. The biggest reason is I do have bad food allergies that can lay me up for weeks. I am very careful but sometimes a harmless snack or a protein bar that you thought was fine can sideline any workouts for me. The other is I could not imagine telling everyone of my clients and friends that I had failed to reach my goal. These two thoughts motivated me to be in control of my food and to learn as much as I could about training to have a good run. This next time around I feel I will share more. Mostly because I did it once and have faith I can do it again! So for my next race, the Spokane half marathon, I decided to write about my journey. To all my friends and clients don't worry I won't talk your ear off about running!! Instead I'll post to our blog a weekly report for those who choose to follow along or want some motivation or advice. Make no mistake I have run only two races so these weekly reports are from a very novice runner. I only look to share my journey and hopefully inspire others to reach for their next goal!  |
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