Week 2

Well, I was sold on running with the CARA group last week, but this week really confirmed it!

There are some days when I go for a run and feel like I can conquer any mileage, I can run for hours! Then there are those real awesome days where running one mile is the hardest thing I could ever overcome; that is how I felt this Saturday for our 7mile run. This is one of the shortest "long" runs I'll have the next few weeks and can't imagine how helpful CARA is going to be!

I find it amazing how externally motivated I can be sometimes. I really wish I could dig deeper and push myself further on days where I really do not what to do whatever it is. The bigger picture of wanting to survive the 26.2 miles got me through pre training on my own, but the runs were a lot shorter and not set on a schedule, which made it easier (As much as a love schedules, I hate them). So my new goal, on top of all this running, is to be more independently motivated in all areas of my life, to not look back and say I didn't try my hardest. (I've said this before, but now I'm writing it and telling more people so hopefully I actually stick to it! External motivation?!?!) 

Upcoming Week 3 Schedule: 

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 4 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 5 miles

Sunday: Cross Train

Week 1

First week of training is DONE! 

Once Tuesday rolled around all of a sudden I got very nervous and excited about the next five months!! I think this will be such an amazing personal accomplishment and I am able to run in support of a great cause. But it is five months worth of training: I don't think I have trained for anything that long and very independent--which will give a higher reward at the finish!

My friend Aly and I are training with CARA and for the first week we did our midweek runs individually and then we ran with the CARA group on Saturday 6:30am! We have had one group run so far, but from that I think it was a great decision to join! Everyone in our group, the "novice/9min pace, was very friendly/chatty which will make those 15 mile runs breeze by! (I hope) 

 Our first week of training included:
Monday:Rest
Tuesday:3 miles
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6 miles
Sunday: Cross train



Next week will look similar but on Wednesday morning Aly and I might try out the CARA midweek speed training and 7 miles on Saturday. 

I'm so excited it is finally here! I can't imagine what it will be like to cross the finish line!!!

May's Over Already?

The end of May:

1. I finally found out where Runners World took their Free Downloadable Wallpaper picture of Chicago! I run by this little path daily but have never thought to see where it led until a friend of mine told me that it was pretty cool (dead-end-but still awesome views).

My Picture!

Runners World Picture

2. As an earlier post mentioned, I've been training in Vibrams and I think I've reached the point where there is no turning back to my Brooks. I went out on a run in them (Brooks) the other day, I made it out 2 miles and my knee KILLED! So I walked a nice 2 miles home (these are the days I wish I brought my cta card with me...) I have been told that I will know when to transition to Vibrams 'full time' and I think that was my cue. I ran 6 miles in Vibrams yesterday without any problems! Now I just have sore calves :) but that's expected! 

3. A family I worked for recently moved so as a thank-you gift gave me a LuLuLemon gift card!!!!! So I picked up a pair of running shorts--Turbo Run. AMAZING! I usually just run with an ipod and keys, but there are some days that having my id/debit card/cta card/keys/phone/ipod would be nice(?)...these shorts hold them all and don't weight me down :) There are two gel pockets in front and a larger zip pocket in back. (I also love the new bags they have!)

Overall, I'm bummed with my mileage, but I'll give my self the excuse of mostly running in vibrams, so didn't want to make my legs any worse from the transition.

Well, another month down- time to start training for the CHICAGO MARATHON! I'm very excited for the Super Clinic this Saturday put on by CARA--I can't believe it's already here. . .

Walter Payton: Never Die Easy

Slowly, but surely I have finished Walter Payton's Never Die Easy! 

It was a great book about some of the key moments that shaped Walter's life and some of his core values he lived by. Unfortunately, Walter lived a very short life but it was one lived to the fullest. In summary, he leaves his readers with a little advice on how to make sure you live your life to the fullest, because you never know what tomorrow has in store; tomorrow is promised to no one:

1. If you love someone, tell them

2. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you can

3. Actually listen when talking to anyone

4. Every day is wonderful, because you make it wonderful

5. Fall in love

6. Set high goals

7. Believe in yourself, so others can believe in you

8. Create your own life and live it with no regrets

I think these are pretty obvious to some, but when rushing through life they are very easily forgotten. It is good to slow down sometimes and soak in everything around and really live.

There was much more to the autobiography and I'm sure as my training progresses I will be pulling out some more information and sharing it with everyone!

Vibram Five Fingers

New Bikila!

Recently, I've been training in Vibram Five Fingers. I started out with Sprint and just bought a new pair -Bikila!! 

Why did I switch out of a perfectly good pair of running shoes to go "barefoot"? 

-Knee pain

-They are super cute!

-Heel strike is not natural

-SUPER light 

-Feel faster!
-No more missing socks in laundry

-Very comfortable

I've been switching back and forth between Vibrams and my Brooks and I feel like I am running with bricks on my feet!!! It's amazing how different running feels in Vibrams.

I'm up to 4 miles so far and hope to continue training in them to the point where they are the only "running shoe" I need! 

 

St. Joseph Michigan

"When you run in places you visit, you encounter things you'd never see otherwise." 

Tom Brokaw

This past weekend my cousin had a little destination wedding in St. Joseph, Michigan, which, from Chicago, is directly on the other side of Lake Michigan. It was beautiful! According to St. Joe's city website, it has been named "The Riviera of the Midwest"! The location along the lake shore made it perfect for a morning run and I loved running through their small town shops and restaurants. 

 

Since I moved to Chicago I have used running as a way to see the city. I decided that when I visit any other location I would like to get at least one run in. I agree that through running you see things you would not have seen otherwise.

Currently, I do not have any more travel plans, but I will definitely continue to make sure my shoes are packed so I can tour the new city with a run.

Fifth Third River Bank Run

Over the weekend I participated in my first 10k! I traveled back to my college hometown, Grand Rapids, Michigan and ran in the Fifth Third River Bank Run! What I liked most about this race was the variety of distances available: a kids race, 5k, 10k, 25k, there was something for everyone!

I ran with part of the race with Mrs. Juzwiak and a congratulations is in order! She placed second out of 119 in her age group!! We had amazing weather and a lot of fans were out there cheering. The only thing that I thought could have been better was the course. Having lived in Grand Rapids for 6 years I have found a lot of beauty there but I don't think this race showed that. There were a lot of out of towners running this race and it would have been great to show off Grand Rapids' beauty!


My Easter 5k taught me to not start a race too quickly, this race showed me what you put into your body fuels....or does not fuel your body! (I already knew this.....but this race I FELT it!) My classmates and I have been enjoying our last week of not having classes and all of those nacho platters, slices of pizza, and a beer here and there...did not do my body good! I've never been too health conscious or picky about what I eat but I think it is because I did everything in moderation and it never really affected my running or any soccer game. With the marathon training just around the corner this was a nice little reminder to think twice about what I eat/drink! (MORE WATER, PLEASE!) So I've added this nice little cravings chart to give me some healthier alternatives when I want those nachos "general overeating" kicks in!

This week brings back the class and structure to my life so I'll be back out there running at 5:30am!