thank goodness for interval training...

...because this morning some guy in a big ol truck did a nice rolling stop as soon as i was crossing an intersection and i had to move my ass FAST to not get hit.

pretty sure i got to my max heart rate this morning.

it's not the destination . . .

the last few weeks have been pretty good so far. official training started last week- but i have been running since the 10th of the month. since then i have run 40 miles. 40 MILES!

i can't believe that. i never thought i would be the runner type- or rack up that kind of mileage so fast. i have also had some other firsts since i have started:

• gotten excited over spandex clothes (i'm a mid length pant fan myself)


• bought socks that costs over $10 - FOR ONE PAIR!


• said to myself- those 4 miles were easy.


• ran 6 miles in 60 minutes - non stop!

it's also been a time where i feel as though i have really treated my body like something i am truly relying on. until now- i never thought of my body as something to help me in my everyday existence. but now i am constantly thinking about whether i am eating enough of the best foods (ie eat oatmeal and eggs every morning) and often enough; what sport supplement will i fuel myself with during runs; what exercises ans stretches will strengthen my core to help give my back and shoulders the most support- and so on and so forth...

i think for the first time i am giving my body the respect it deserves. that sounds funny to me - but that's the best way i can describe it.

but this saturday, halloween, i have a 5K to get some race practice in. i'm hoping to get in around 30 or less-- last 5k i ran it is 31 - so a ten minute mile pace. now that i am in better shape i think that that - plus the adrenaline will help me shave some time off. but if not - no big deal - as long as i finish- i'm ok with that.

in a book i read they talk about how it's not just about race day- but all the time spent preparing. and i can say- in a total after school special way - that i know i will look back at this time in training with a lot of pride and accomplishment.


( i must note i am expecting to have some poopy day posts- it can't all be this good).



but if homer can do it....

i can't wait to run to this!

to the core

the last few weeks of "pre-training" i have noticed my abs pop just a bit. i have heard how running can get you the abs you always wanted- and now i think i'm starting to believe it.

so to continue my quest for distance- and great abs- i have been focusing my strenght training works outs on my core. to support my back/spine and rest of my body during the long runs.

my one main health concern i have during this training is my back. about 10 months ago i started to notice my feet would go numb when i would run. i thought it was shoes - but nope.

i went to my primary dr (who i did not care for) and she had an ultrasound done on my legs to check circulation. it was perfect. then she told me to go see a personal trainer. wtf?

since then every dr i have talked to has said it is probably a nerve being compressed by a disc or something like that.... i have since then made an appt with a new dr who i think will be able to help me out.

luckily it is not as bad as it once was. i think since i have been doing lots of strength training in the last 10 months my core has gotten stronger helping me keep my posture while running and possibly not causing a nerve to be pinched.

but monday's run was no fun- by mile 4 i could not feel my feet- which is really weird and just hard to keep form overall. but i think because it was post vacation (PS- i ran 8 miles in two days in cold hilly ohio!!!) i wasn't concentrating on standing upright- which i usually do.

so i have been on the hunt few good articles i found on strength training for runners. and theses in particular i came across for the core. and another here.

but i think this will help greatly- along with stretching. keep fingers crossed. i cannot imagine running 9+ miles with feet that fell like blocks of ice!

eek!

These shoes were made for running

I love running. I love getting ready to run, tying up my Mizunoes, I love seeing Gainesville as I run. I love coming home sweaty and thirsty with a runner's high.

Instead of focusing on pace, distance, and heart rate, I want to focus on having a great time with each run. Clearly, I will track these things, and ultimately aimed to improve, but more than that, I want to enjoy my time outdoors and enjoy the feeling of running.

Running tonight was nearly perfect, and for the first time in a long time, I ran with a friend (that isn't of the canine species). We took a route that lead us past half a dozen friends' houses; a few friends hollered at us as we past. The smells of garlic and BBQ wafted through the neighborhoods as we chatted. The setting sun's white light bounced off the trees.

We ran 3 miles and I came home to my honey cooking dinner. Bliss! I'm a happy girl.

in a rich runner's world

one more thing before my run.

i just opened up a pack of my new running socks.

here was my thought process.

1. wow - i paid $10 for socks?!?!
2. damn! only one pair?!?!?
3. this is going to be a expensive three months

performance anxiety

every night before i know i have to run- even if its just 5 miles- i get super anxious. last night i started my marathon for mortals book. it goes on how your life changes for a while during your dedication training time- i also watched an iron man rerun that i get with my new converter box- all athletic competition! so of course i had a dream last night that i was running the race and only went a short distance-- something to do with a big hat. ha.

i dont know if its the anticipation- the fear- too much reading/crazy tv competitions= i dont know- but when i'm out there i love it. and i know the work will pay off for that feeling of crossing the finish line.

so i just need to focus on that. lets see how i do this AM.

The trouble with the treadmill

is I think I'm running "SO" fast, and its "SO" easy. Then I run outside, and its a whole new ballgame.
There is sunlight blinding me, potholes to maneuver around, kids on bikes yelling at me...I could go on and on. I'm making a resolution to run at most once per week on the treadmill. I think it harms more than it helps. Bummer.

music mania

i can not run without music. no way. no how.

i am totally excited to report that while looking for some interval training podcasts- i found an awesome podcast with running tunes- Indie Soup Runner.

They have all kinds of mixes with clever lil themes - such as Heat Stroker, Chest Chafing, and one of my faves SWEDISH INVASION- and much more. So it will be nice to have some good tunes.

Right now I am also going through my 30+ gigs of music on my lovely new hard drive to pull together all of my tunes for a mega playllist.

This is no where near the last post about music- but very excited about this initial discovery.

splurge!

as mindy as shown- you can totally exude super hotness while sweating your ass off.

i'm just a little more geekie- and applied it to my new heart rate monitor/watch! now get here!

I want it!

Except for my Mizunos, all my gear is pink and black. I'm so cool.
BUT-I'll only be cooler with this hotness.

run becomes her

these words would never have been muttered from the katie and mindy 4 years ago

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mindy

i'm doing 4.5

saturday

7:40pmKatie

gonna TRY 5

i got it mapped out

7:41pmMindy

cool

you take walk breaks?

7:41pmKatie

nope

look at this one!

http://www.amazon.com/Puma-Collection-Cardiac-Monitor-PU900111003/dp/B000WS1V6M/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1255044919&sr=1-19

7:42pmMindy

DAMN

what about food? do you "gu"

7:42pmKatie

its a nice watch

not yet

i have one

a sample

soeone told me not to do solids

7:43pmMindy

i like it

i do PB and half banana

7:43pmKatie

liquid gu for me

LOL

7:43pmMindy

:-)

7:43pmKatie

before you run

?

7:44pmMindy

like 45 mins

7:44pmKatie

i have to test out what i cna eat

i get cramps easy

7:44pmMindy

its fun

the gu is good

for me

7:44pmKatie

ill try it tomorrow

i still gotta get a water holder

what do you use?

7:44pmMindy

i also have some "FRS Energy Chews" from publix

nothing yet

i read a review in runner's world.

dude tried alot and like the hand held one best

?

7:45pmKatie

wow

IM GONNA GET THE WATCH!

its cute!!

lol

7:45pmMindy

do it!!!

also i have one of these

http://www.amazon.com/SPIBelt-Small-Personal-Purple-Black/dp/B002OF2ARA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1255045770&sr=1-5

LOVE it

its tiny. and when you race, you attach your bib to it

it holds keys, ipod, gu, money

and no bounce

7:47pmKatie

is it worth $20?

can i get it cheaper?

what else do i need== lets make this a one stop shop...

lo

7:47pmMindy

i paid 20 for mine

7:47pmKatie

lol

7:47pmMindy

HA

i LOVE that belt.

check their website

7:48pmKatie

i like the black and red

7:48pmMindy

http://www.spibelt.com/spibelt.php

7:49pmKatie

this has a pouch too

http://www.amazon.com/Nathan-10-Ounce-Nutrition-Flasks-Medium/dp/B000KBD9QQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1255045927&sr=1-5

pouch

7:49pmMindy

i want to try before i buy with those

i worry about bounching

bouncing

7:50pmKatie

yeah

7:50pmMindy

i thought about this one

http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-FlashFlo-Hydration-Black-Metal/dp/B000IF63OE/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1255043831&sr=1-23

but one never knows

the reviews sometimes are so un helpful

7:54pmKatie

yeah

7:56pmKatie

well ill just get the pouch and watch for now

omg running is breaking my bank

but it is so worth it!

7:56pmMindy

totes

i just signed up for that turkey trot

AND soon will have to buy longer capris or pants

7:57pmKatie

i know!

and my current clothes are getting too big already!

me too!

7:58pmMindy

shit. i'd rather buy running clothes

how funny is that

8:00pmKatie

i know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8:00pmMindy

oh my friend ani is going to run with us too!

8:01pmKatie

in miami?

8:02pmMindy

yeah

she is moving back to gville from alaska

snow bird

8:03pmKatie

coool

8:03pmMindy

shes rad

and a fast runner

so....she probably won't be running "WITH " us

8:04pmKatie

haha

we CAN DO IT!

i mean in general... little running surge there

8:04pmMindy

i totally think so

i'm really getting better

8:04pmKatie

you should try spin for a cross traiinng

8:05pmMindy

i might

i do ride on my own

and swim

and strength

the spin people at the y are kinda nuts

so i steer clear

8:05pmKatie

haha

8:06pmMindy

i'm off sugar too. today was day one

and meat

it started to sick me out

but i'm eating seafood and eggs

8:06pmKatie

im cutting back but i need the protein

and im not a huge seafood person

but chicken tuna mostly

8:07pmMindy

i'm getting some hemp protein powder

8:07pmKatie

yeah i do whey

8:07pmMindy

and trying for lentils, beans, nuts, all that

8:07pmKatie

mhmmm

8:07pmMindy

we will see

i'm not attached, but my bod doesn't want the meat right now

do you use body glide every run?

8:08pmKatie

no.. i use pants right now

but someday id like to use shorts

the thighs get in the way

LOL

8:09pmMindy

right me too

8:09pmKatie

i got the riding up issue

8:09pmMindy

what pants?

8:09pmKatie

just nike knee lenght

got em at tj maxx or sometihgn

real thin

8:10pmMindy

drawstring?

8:11pmKatie

nope

just a lil elastic

8:11pmMindy

i want the brooks ones cause they ahve drawstring

just in case...

LOL

i gotta study

waaaa

gettin' ready

so while my official traning hasn't started yet- i have still started to hit the pavement with my new shoes. the first time out with my shoes was clearly a test drive that turned into 4 miles!

i did the same run with ease on tuesday and am feeling good. today i did my cross training with my favorite spin class that is hardcore sweating the whole time- builds great endurance and leg strength.

now i have to start getting together the things i need to start the official training- so i can do this the RIGHT and SAFE way.

right now i have:

• my sweet new shoes.
• padded socks
• anti-chaffing gel (did you know guys get bloody nipples from their shirts? OUCH!)

the official training will begin when i get my:

• nike fit
• marathon for mortals book
• my funny ha ha motivation book

i still need:

• water bottle carrier
• more socks
• heart rate monitor (mindy i am may be buying yours!)
• more running clothes- bras and bottoms of all synthetic material- mindy does the skirt thing - i think i am more of a pant person- and shorts with the help of that gel!

tomorrow is my day off from working out- and i am hoping for a package in the mail to start the planning!

ARG!

didn't even make it 3 miles this morning.

problems-dog wants to smell and pee the whole time. also, dog refuses to run in a straight line
trash day-garbage trucks and recycle trucks coming at me like i was in a video game. in front of me, behind me, at one point they were coming at me from both directions.
yard day-thomas center doing yard work. lawn clippings blowing on my sweat body and boogery yard workers staring at me
shirt-falling off my shoulder because i cut the neck like flashdance

hope tomorrow is better.
i'll have to start coordinating my runs with trash day.

part two of this post:
a bad run in the morning can lead to general frustration throughout the day.

and we're off

Welcome to the Whole Half.

This blog will follow the training adventures of Mindy (of Gainesville, FL) and Katie (of Hollywood, FL) for their first half marathon, the ING Miami Half Marathon, which is on Januray 31, 2010.

This blog hopefully will help others as they to start to learn and train (as we too are total novices) and also provide a place for us to keep each other motivated as we are on opposite ends of the state.

To start, here is the course!