And We Keep on Training

Last week we only got in two runs, which was unfortunate, but had to do with flying to Birmingham Alabama on Thursday to visit Brant's 8 month old nephew James for the first time.

I did have a really great run last Wednesday though, where I ran about 4.4 miles in 40 minutes. I was pretty impressed with myself.

In Birmingham we had a great time getting to know the wee one who's really not so wee. Jamie is a very healthy 25 pound baby! He was very sweet and pretty laid back. He liked to play with his toys and was rather un-fussy.

While there we did manage to go out for our long run on Saturday. We went to a state park nearby to run on their trails. We had picked out a route, thinking it was 12 miles. At the halfway point we realized it was more like 10, but it was a really hard route, so I think it was plenty long.

For those of you who have never been - Birmingham is actually quite hilly. Our run had about a few hundred feet of elevation gain - and basically we ran uphill for the first half, and downhill for the second. It was a really challenging run, and I had to walk some of the really steep hills. I did complete the whole run in just under 2 hours - which meant I knocked 18 minutes off my time from last week - and I was on a much harder course, so I felt really good.

This week we are scheduled to run 30 min easy tonight, 50 minutes (20 easy, 10 pushing it, and 20 easy) tomorrow, and 45 minuntes easy on Thursday - so things are definitely picking up.

It ends up this week will be my first Tuesday night training. Last week we got there about 15 minutes late - and since we were the only ones who showed - we just missed our coach. This week I'll go for sure!!

Fundraising is still coming along. Brant and I are trying to come up with some more ways to reach our goal. It would be nice if we could finish it up quickly so that we could just concentrate on the training - knowing that we have helped raise a ton of money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So remember to tell all your friends!!

This weekend's long run is back to 8-10 miles. I am going to get through a full ten miles without walking any of it. It'll be a great week.

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Ten Miles

Let's see here, after doing 8 miles and feeling great, I had a tough week - my legs hurt - especially my calves and shins. So I had to stop and stretch, and even walk a bit of my runs during the week. I decided maybe it was my shoes and went over to Luke's Locker.

There they told me - while these shoes aren't the best for you...it probably has more to do with your muscles not being used to this much running. Embarrassing. But good to know. I got some new shoes anyway, 'cause mine were about to wear out. I was also given the advice to go ahead and walk a little of my run on Saturday.

So I did. I also stopped and stretched a couple times. As a result, it took me an entire hour longer to run 10 miles than it did to run 8!! So I feel kind of like I didn't even run it. But everyone keeps telling me that it's okay to walk some of it.

This week's training schedule looks exactly like last weeks: 30 min easy on Monday, 40 min (15 Easy 10 harder 15 Easy) on Tuesday, and then 40 min easy on Thursday. Saturday's run is 10-12 miles. Brant and I will be in Alabama at the time, but we're still going to get a run in. We will be visiting his sister Susie, her husband Jeff, and their 8 month old boy James. It's our first time to meet him, and we're really excited.

This week is also recommitment. We are signing papers saying that we are *definitely* going to do this whole marathon, and raise our full $10,400. It's a little scary, but exciting too.

Anyway, tonight I actually get to go to the optional Tuesday night practice. They have done various things like work on form and work on sprints to help increase their speed. I'll let you know what we do tonight. I should also get to go next Tuesday, so I hope it's fun!

Honored Patients

On Saturday we went to a party with all the honored patients and other TNTers from all around Houston. It was really neat to see so many people there all trying to raise money for this cause.

I have to admit that when I got involved in this it was more for personal reasons. I thought it would be great to go on a trip to Alaska, and that I would feel so proud of myself if I could complete a marathon. I just figured that I might as well help people out at the same time, since that was the opportunity.

It really is amazing though to see the people who we are helping.

It is so great to see the people who have already been helped, but saddening to know how many more people are out there who need our help.

Even if I didn't start this for the sole purpose of helping out the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society the end result is the same - the money that I raise will help patients.

So far the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter has raised over $100,000 this season. And you helped! Thank you!!

Training for 3/13 - 3/19

Well this week we finally step up the weekly runs a little bit. Monday night we're supposed to run 30 minutes. On Tuesday it's 40 minutes - with 15 minutes easy, 10 minutes hard, and 15 minutes easy. then on Thursday it's another 40 minutes easy.

Though I've found that easy does not really mean take it easy. It doesn't mean sprint it, but I do find it works better for me if I'm pushing myself a bit during the week.

Then on Saturday it's 10 miles. Woohoo!! This is kind of neat - every week I reach a new personal best!

8 Miles!!!

Today I ran (almost) 8 miles in one hour and 18 minutes! I was very excited. Our coach thought the course was 8 miles, but it ended up only being about 7.6 miles. I think it would have taken me about 4 minutes to finish the rest, so I am psyched.

This past week I pushed myself harder during the weekly runs. I ran 4 miles in 38 minutes. That convinced me that I could run 8 miles today. And I did, and I felt great the whole time. I was really tired by the end, but hey, I did it.

Brant ran almost 11 miles, 'cause he's crazy. He said he felt pretty good today too.

Today we have a party with all the honored patients. It should be a good time!

One Fifth

We are now 1/5 of the way to our fundraising goal! Woohoo!! But that means we still have a long way to go. So tell all your friends!

Training is going well so far. I ran 6.3 miles, and Brant ran something like 7 or 7 and a half. I am a little disappointed with my speed right now, though everyone keeps telling me I'm doing great. Here's the thing - I don't want to be out there running for 6 hours...I want to run for maybe 5 or so. Okay, even 5 sounds like a lot, but I'm not completely insane - I don't think I could run any faster than that!

Anyway, so I am going to try and be building up not only my endurance, but also some speed. Apparently I'm supposed to work on speed during the week, and just endurance on the weekends.

This week our training schedule is 30 min easy on Monday and Thursday and 40 minutes easy on Tuesday. On Saturday we are to run 6-8 miles. I'm going to do the 8 since the next week is 8-10! I want to be on the high end of these scales.

I am worried that the runs during the week aren't doing enough for me, so our coach Robert told me I need to push myself more during the week. So that's what I'm going to do. Run hard and work on my speed during the week, and then hopefully those long runs will start getting easier! This is supposed to be a proven system to train - so I'm going to start counting on it!