Running shoes

So far I'm on a terrible start on writing daily this week.

In the past I was a lover of Sauconys and Brooks, then in 2010 I went to Second Sole a specialty running store in Akron and I was told that I should try a Nike shoe. I have always thought that I wouldn't like them but I tried a pair of Lunarglides and have never looked back.

2010

2012

2013

2014

2016

2016

2017

I think I am missing a few pairs as I tend to get two pairs a year,  well at least 2 other pairs. I think I had ones that were between the first and second pair. Oh well, if I was really smart I would just buy two or three pairs of the current one since I got them for a deal of 50% off. I also think I need to set a reminder on my phone so I don't go too long before buying a new pair. I usually wait until my knees (or something else) starts to hurt. Seriously though, I love the current pair and can't believe I waited so long before getting them, it's like running on clouds.

One week away!

Can you believe it? Next Sunday is marathon day! Easter weekend happened and I totally forgot to post anything. So here's a quick recap of the last two weeks of running.

April 9-16

Monday I did an hour of yoga.
Tuesday I ran 5 miles
Wednesday I ran 4 miles
Thursday I ran 5 miles before kettlebell, which I learned was a terrible mistake. But I was unable to get out any earlier and that's just what happens sometimes.
Friday was a rest day but because Matt had the day off I spent the day helping me re-work part of the pergola and mowed the grass. Another thing I learned that was a terrible mistake!
Saturday Amanda, Megan, and me went down to Canton to see part of the course and 12 miles. Amanda told me that she was going to run at a 9 minute pace which is too fast for me when going more than 6-7 miles but I thought I was going to be okay since this was going to be a group run. Only 15 (maybe less) people showed up and all quicker that I had to run faster than planned. I died around 8 miles and made it to 11 miles. But walked the rest. Oops! I do know now that I can't run anyone else's race except my own.

April 17-22
Monday I had a little bit of time and since I bonked on Saturday I decided to run 3 quick miles. Then since we were kid-less (thanks mom and dad), Matt and I rode our bikes on the towpath from big bend to lock 29 (a stop for the Winking Lizard) and back. It was a lovely bike ride and dinner date!
Tuesday I met up with Amanda and we ran 4 miles. I also got new shoes! I always wait way too long for shoes but since I get the same shoes over and over (just different generations but same shoe) I can run in them without worrying too much. In fact last year I ran a 9 mile race the day after I got shoes and a 3.5 mile race the day before I got another pair!)
Wednesday I ran 3 miles on the treadmill, it was like running on clouds with the new shoes! (kids were home again!)
Thursday 4 more miles on the treadmill.
Friday I took a true rest day
Saturday I met up with one of my very favorite buddies, Cathy, and we had the most pleasant 8 mile run.

I am going to try to post every day this week random thoughts about running/training/reflections.

Seriously there is only ONE week until the Football Hall of Fame Marathon!

3 (well now less...18 days actually....)

Last weeks training was good again.

Monday, Charlie had the day off school and we were so busy that I forgot about going to yoga! Tuesday I met my buddy, Amanda, at her house and we ran around Ellet. I also went to the GNC by my house and the guy there had never heard of GU (haha! I found it later at the GNC by Target on Friday). Wednesday I ran on the towpath 5 miles and on Thursday I ran again on the towpath with Amanda 6 miles. I also had kettlebell/kickboxing on Thursday night and before I ran an extra 2 miles since I had some time and I like to warm up a little before class. Friday I rested and laughed at the snow on the ground, knowing by Sunday it was going to be 73 degrees.

I think I decided what I am going to eat the night before the race, and it's not pasta! The two times that I did my 20 milers I had steak and chicken with veggies. I eat a lot of carbs through the week and I know that carb loading the night before is kinda silly (I'll have spaghetti Thursday night instead...LOL!). Seriously all that protein has helped for the long runs so why do something different, right? RIGHT?!?!!?

Saturday morning I met up with Amanda who was going to run the first 13 miles with me and then I was going solo for the rest. I got two vanilla GUs on Friday and Amanda gave me a strawberry/banana to try. I am still struggling to figure out when it have them. I took one vanilla at mile 7 and then again at 14 but at mile 17 I needed the strawberry/banana. Hmmm, should I take one at every 5 miles? Every mile? (haha kidding about the last one...) Overall the run went great, I even cut 15 minutes off from two weeks ago. I felt good and was happy. However, by 3 or 4 in the afternoon my legs felt bad and I had a headache, I don't think I was dehydrated (I usually weigh myself once before a long run and then again after and I was only one pound lighter) and I drank enough throughout the day. Maybe running a little quicker did that to me? Who know, I crashed in bed by 9 and slept soundly until 8 Sunday morning. I had an hour of cross training to do so I jumped on my bicycle and rode from my house to the towpath for 13 miles.

This weekend, Amanda and I will be running 12 miles which doesn't seem that ridiculous anymore and then we just got to stay healthy until April 30th. We do have a few scheduled runs but all under 8 miles. Holy cow I can't believe it's almost go time.

4 weeks to GO and a March wrap up!

This past week of training was just that, training. Nothing exciting but nothing bad at all. I ran all my distances at mostly the right paces. I ran 5 miles in the mist and wished I had long sleeves on Tuesday, to a crappy 5 miler on the treadmill (probably dehydration) on Wednesday, and 6 miles through thunder and lightning on Thursday. And then I realized I had mixed up weeks and should have run 8 miles on Wednesday. So I ran a quick 2 miler on the treadmill before kettlebell/kickboxing Thursday night so I could rest on Friday. Rest days are soo hard for me, I get grumpy and stir crazy. It didn't help that it was rainy all day too. I had a headache and was ready  to go to bed when Matt got home at 530, HAHA. I ended up in bed by 10 to wake up at 6 so I could run 12 miles with Amanda and Brittany! I did the same loop that I did the week before, a little faster and less walking breaks, and flew down the hill on Portage Path by Sand Run. My last two miles were around a 9 min pace. I sent Brittany and Amanda off to run 10 more miles. I did my usual cross training on Sunday and feel ready for this coming week 3-5 milers and a 20ish miler on Saturday.

Which brings me to a question...what is your favorite flavor of GU? Or what is your favorite type of fuel for long runs? I had been using shot blocks but they're too chewy (okay I will admit the ones I have been using are like 5 years old!) and take FOREVER to eat and they get stuck in my teeth! I have used GU in the past with goodish results but taking the top off of the package made me gag once. It was during a half marathon and I had a dry mouth to begin and the "metal" of the package got on one of my fillings in the back of my teeth and made me gag (I hope that made sense) and I stopped using them. I know at the marathon the tops will already be ripped off so I don't have to worry about that.

March Review

I ran a grand total of 147 miles! I definitely credit that to running 18, 20, 13, and 12 milers on the weekends. Also the plan had me running 8 miles every Wednesday. I have been doing well with strength/crossing training and added going back to yoga. Yoga kicks my butt every Monday but I'm beginning to feel more flexible again. I can almost touch my toes again, darn running and tight hamstrings! I am glad that I stopped "stressing" over eating right now. Since I need to be eating a few more calories than I had while trying to lose weight and be able to have enough energy for longer distances. I AM proud to say that I haven't gained any weight either though! Most of my running friends who have ran marathons say they usually gain like 5 pounds. I was wearing a shirt on Saturday and Matt commented that I looked leaner and I've noticed that my jeans aren't as snug. Maybe I've lost a few inches, I last measured myself in December, so it's probably time to remeasure. Overall I am happy about all my efforts for this marathon and am excited that in 28 days I will be able to say that I have run two marathons, even though this is the first that I feel truly ready for.

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER!!!!!