I am ten days or so into my official training and I'm doing alright. Nothing to exciting to report on just yet - just going out and getting in my basic runs. Last week I was scheduled to run 10 miles and finished at 10.85. This week I'm also supposed to run 10 again and seem to be on track. My mileage will increase somewhat next week.
I haven't had to deal with any real running issues yet like chaffing or blisters or the dreaded "I REALLY need to find a bathroom ASAP" kind of moments. Granted my longest run so far has only been 4.5 miles. Mostly my issues have been a lack of motivation to run and a lack of motivation to keep up a good pace. It is ironic since I thought my body would hold me back more than my mind - I thought I could do anything if I put my mind to it, but yet it is my mind that really isn't in the mood. I think about Leah a lot during my runs. I think about the hell she felt when she was going through chemo and how the burning in my legs could never compare; I think about the kids who can't run due to a weakened heart from treatment or amputations or even lung cancers. I think about how my running is raising money so families can have hope. I think about how blessed I truly am to have my beautiful babies alive and in my arms every day and such a strong body to be able to do this training. Then I realize that all the mental motivation stuff has only pushed me for the past half-mile and I still have several more left to go in my run. My mind wanders and I find myself coming up with excuses to stop. I end up feeling disappointed with myself even if I finish my run. I'm not really sure what the answer is. I wonder how other (more successful) runners feel - would they too would rather just be out for a walk?
I've started keeping a running journal where I log specifics of my run like time, temperature, what I ate, how far I ran, etc. and also trying to note something that I'm proud of during my run (like, conquered a hill that I walked before). I'm hoping this will help.
Also discouraging, and in case any of you were wondering, I haven't seen the number on the scale move much. I didn't take up this challenge to lose weight by any means, but I'm a little surprised that getting in an extra 10 miles of running every week hasn't led to at least a one or two pound loss, especially since I'm not eating that many extra calories.
Anyway, just wanted to check in.
Weeks until marathon: 10.5
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
On your mark... get set....
Today starts my official training for the half-marathon!
It is nice to have an actual plan to follow, rather than running several times a week with no real purpose or distance. Although I am proud to say that last Monday we did run further than I ever had before in my life - 4.51 miles (yes, that .01 is necessary and needs to be counted). I have changed my original training plan based on what I feel will work best for me (and our schedule) and will be using Hal Higdon's novice training schedule instead of the one I picked out before I even started running. Here is the link to my training: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm . I hope to follow it very closely, but will be changing the long run days to Saturday instead of Sunday.
I'm still doing great on the fundraising front with $1360 raised. Thank you!! If you would like to donate to St. Jude in Leah's honor here is my link: http://www.mystjudeheroes.org/LeahsHope
Not a whole lot of other progress to report on - I've been making the training pretty easy on myself by sticking with flat terrain, but that might change this weekend as I've got a trip to Blacksburg planned to visit Lauren. My plan for today: 3 miles. Total goal for the week: 10 miles. Hello, Monday!
Weeks until marathon: 12!
It is nice to have an actual plan to follow, rather than running several times a week with no real purpose or distance. Although I am proud to say that last Monday we did run further than I ever had before in my life - 4.51 miles (yes, that .01 is necessary and needs to be counted). I have changed my original training plan based on what I feel will work best for me (and our schedule) and will be using Hal Higdon's novice training schedule instead of the one I picked out before I even started running. Here is the link to my training: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm . I hope to follow it very closely, but will be changing the long run days to Saturday instead of Sunday.
I'm still doing great on the fundraising front with $1360 raised. Thank you!! If you would like to donate to St. Jude in Leah's honor here is my link: http://www.mystjudeheroes.org/LeahsHope
Not a whole lot of other progress to report on - I've been making the training pretty easy on myself by sticking with flat terrain, but that might change this weekend as I've got a trip to Blacksburg planned to visit Lauren. My plan for today: 3 miles. Total goal for the week: 10 miles. Hello, Monday!
Weeks until marathon: 12!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Running regularly, blogging sporadically
Running the past two weeks has gone really well. I'm running a minimum of three times a week and have begun holding a 5.0-5.2 mph pace during my 3 mile runs, including my walking breaks. My "official" training program starts in one week. I've noticed that running is much easier than it was just a few weeks ago. My shoes, ipod & distance watch are helping tremendously. Just last weekend I ran 3.5 miles without a real route planned - just letting my feet take me wherever they wanted and my watch keeping track of the distance.
We spent the past week at Ocean City and I am proud to say that I ran 3 times, despite some unhealthy eating and drinking. Running along the boardwalk was nice and I felt proud of myself knowing that this was the first vacation I've ever taken where I continued a solid exercise program. Not to mention I've started fooling other runners into thinking I'm one of them as we politely wave to each other in passing. I feel like I've infiltrated their secret club.
This week I have continued 3-4 mile runs planned, hoping to get in at least three runs, as I wrap up my last week of unofficial training. We'll be keeping busy at the Duggan house, as Andrew goes back to school on Tuesday and Leah & I head back to Memphis for another checkup. Autumn is officially underway as the leaves have started to fall in our front yard, football is on all weekend long, the kids are fascinated with all the Halloween costume catalogues coming in the mail, and I will soon be back to spending my mornings only chasing after one child instead of two.
On the fundraising front, I am making lots of progress and have reached $1360. So thank you to my generous friends and family. Your support of our family, this amazing cause, and my run have blown me away.
Mike & I have also started speaking at local St. Jude events. It is going well, but I have a hard time telling our story without tears. Somedays I just can't believe this happened to our baby. I know our story moves people and I'm sure the tears are understood. As hard as it is for us, we have agreed to help the hospital in any way we can, as we will forever be in debt to them. On that note, in addition to the half-marathon we are running in Memphis we will also be doing a 5k walk (yes, walk.. that means you can join us, no training needed!) at Potomac Mills Mall in November. We are hoping to have as many Team Leah members there. While we won't be fundraising as hard for that event, we would still love to have as many participants with us.
So here is some information on Team Leah for our 5k:
https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?programId=601&userId=647963&eventId=176284
This link will take you to our page where you can click a blue button that says "join our team"
And here is Mike's half-marathon fundraising page:
https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=649887&programId=401&eventId=166948
He is only $9 towards his goal of $750. While I like to be pretty competitive, even (or especially) with my husband, I know it is important for him to raise money in Leah's name as well. If you are thinking about donating, please consider his page. It is all going to the same wonderful cause.
On one last note, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. In order to further awareness, I want to pass along some information:
Pediatric cancer is a non-discriminating, life-threatening disease that affects millions of children and their families on a daily basis. In an age where medical breakthroughs occur with great frequency, very few advancements have been made in the fight against pediatric cancer over the last 30 years. Since 1990, only one new drug has been approved to combat pediatric cancer, a period that has seen 50 medications approved to fight adult cancer. As a society, we are capable of addressing this destructive disease that affects the world's most precious assets… our children. Despite this ability, research for a cure has been limited by a lack of funding.
When I took a tour of St. Jude they put it much more simply: there is no money in the drug business for children's cancers. Drug companies are not motiviated to spend millions in research knowing that it won't bring them their big pay day. Thankfully, we have St. Jude. St Jude's big pay day comes when they can say that no child will die in the dawn of their life.
We spent the past week at Ocean City and I am proud to say that I ran 3 times, despite some unhealthy eating and drinking. Running along the boardwalk was nice and I felt proud of myself knowing that this was the first vacation I've ever taken where I continued a solid exercise program. Not to mention I've started fooling other runners into thinking I'm one of them as we politely wave to each other in passing. I feel like I've infiltrated their secret club.
This week I have continued 3-4 mile runs planned, hoping to get in at least three runs, as I wrap up my last week of unofficial training. We'll be keeping busy at the Duggan house, as Andrew goes back to school on Tuesday and Leah & I head back to Memphis for another checkup. Autumn is officially underway as the leaves have started to fall in our front yard, football is on all weekend long, the kids are fascinated with all the Halloween costume catalogues coming in the mail, and I will soon be back to spending my mornings only chasing after one child instead of two.
On the fundraising front, I am making lots of progress and have reached $1360. So thank you to my generous friends and family. Your support of our family, this amazing cause, and my run have blown me away.
Mike & I have also started speaking at local St. Jude events. It is going well, but I have a hard time telling our story without tears. Somedays I just can't believe this happened to our baby. I know our story moves people and I'm sure the tears are understood. As hard as it is for us, we have agreed to help the hospital in any way we can, as we will forever be in debt to them. On that note, in addition to the half-marathon we are running in Memphis we will also be doing a 5k walk (yes, walk.. that means you can join us, no training needed!) at Potomac Mills Mall in November. We are hoping to have as many Team Leah members there. While we won't be fundraising as hard for that event, we would still love to have as many participants with us.
So here is some information on Team Leah for our 5k:
https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?programId=601&userId=647963&eventId=176284
This link will take you to our page where you can click a blue button that says "join our team"
And here is Mike's half-marathon fundraising page:
https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?userId=649887&programId=401&eventId=166948
He is only $9 towards his goal of $750. While I like to be pretty competitive, even (or especially) with my husband, I know it is important for him to raise money in Leah's name as well. If you are thinking about donating, please consider his page. It is all going to the same wonderful cause.
On one last note, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. In order to further awareness, I want to pass along some information:
Pediatric cancer is a non-discriminating, life-threatening disease that affects millions of children and their families on a daily basis. In an age where medical breakthroughs occur with great frequency, very few advancements have been made in the fight against pediatric cancer over the last 30 years. Since 1990, only one new drug has been approved to combat pediatric cancer, a period that has seen 50 medications approved to fight adult cancer. As a society, we are capable of addressing this destructive disease that affects the world's most precious assets… our children. Despite this ability, research for a cure has been limited by a lack of funding.
When I took a tour of St. Jude they put it much more simply: there is no money in the drug business for children's cancers. Drug companies are not motiviated to spend millions in research knowing that it won't bring them their big pay day. Thankfully, we have St. Jude. St Jude's big pay day comes when they can say that no child will die in the dawn of their life.
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