My toughest Challenge

I’ve been an athlete all my life. I played Division II field hockey, and was a swimmer. I remember the 2 a days in college getting ready for field hockey. I remember sprinting the hills on my college campus. We had this one called cardiac hill, and yes the name fits the description of what it really looked like. Cars had a tough time making it up this monster. With that in mind, we use to sprint that hill day after day, several times.. until we all were about to fall over (the coach also made us carry our sticks through all of this.. like we needed to be holding onto something.. we were exhausted). I use to think that it was the hardest physical thing I would ever do. Then we’d head over to the field and sprint more. We sprinted until we were about to throw up (some did). We ran for miles in the mornings, and miles in the afternoon. At that time I said I would never forget how exhausting all of that was. Part of that was because I was not a good runner back then, I just loved my sport and wanted to be the best at it. I thought I was in the best shape of my life. Little did I know, I would be in the best shape of my life at 32 years old. Honestly, training for a marathon has humbled me. Running never meant anything to me other than a way to lose weight, and a way to train for the sport that you were playing. Now that I am doing it for the competitive reasons: I can truly say I have never in my life done anything this physically exhausting or challenging. I had no idea what I was going to put my body through when I decided to do this.

Running the Strip in Vegas

I broke away from the cold Buffalo weather, as my husband I spent the last few days in Las Vegas. We took our running shoes with us, and took advantage of the beautiful weather and the quiet Vegas strip at 8am. The best part was the fact that we were able to wear shorts and were not hampered by the cold weather gear, gloves and hats we’ve been sporting the past couple of months. It was an opportunity to see just how much those hills and running through the snow has helped. Wow did it ever… my pace was great, and I felt great. We did our long run on Saturday and I enjoyed the entire thing. It was great to see all the hotels in the daylight. The strip was still quite busy: there were a handful of other runners, and those who had not yet gone to sleep. It was also a nice way to burn off those big steak dinners we had the night before. So now that we’re back in Buffalo and it’s spring (even though it does not feel like it), I am rejuvenated by the warm weather… knowing it is coming our way soon!

Running with Asthma

I don’t like saying it, because I feel like it’s an excuse. I do have asthma, and I do not let it stop me from doing what I love to do. I guess I should have mentioned this in one of my earlier blogs. With my doctor, I have found the right combination of my inhalers that allows me to run without having attacks. I usually find it’s the recovery period after I stop running that is the toughest on my lungs. It is still very difficult outside in the cold, and a big reason I prefer to run in the warmer weather. Because of that, I have a full mask that covers my nose and throat when I run outside. I do feel like a bank robber with it on, but it has made the difference and allowed me to run at my normal pace without feeling like I will never be able to catch my breath again. It basically warms up the air before I breath it in. With that being said, I was able to get outside twice this week. The first was Wednesday afternoon, and it was 35 degrees. What a difference from running in the low teens that past few weeks. By the middle of the run, I was taking my gloves off, and pulling up my sleeves I was so hot. Everything I read, says to plan on 20 degrees warmer than what it actually is outside. I didn’t on Wednesday. Then reality set in that it is still winter when my Sunday long run came along. Today we did 15.5 miles out at Chestnut Ridge with those pesky hills again. The temperature when I started was 29 degrees, and there were constant snow flurries throughout the run. After a few miles, it turned out to be a light snowfall, to the point where it felt like I was running with snow shoes on.. making it harder to pick up each foot as the bottoms of my shoes were building up plenty of snow on them. As much as I hate those hills, I do feel like they are making me a stronger runner. I didn’t say they get an easier to run, but at least I know what I am in for unlike the 1st time I ran them. I have been getting faster and I can feel my endurance building. So the prize at the end of the run: (after I warmed up) another great big stack of pancakes… Hey, they say to get carbs back in your system to help fuel your muscles!

Long runs on the Treadmill

Our long group run was cancelled this morning because of the winter storm. I was ready for it too, despite the snow and the fact that I anchored last night and we turned the clocks ahead losing an hour of sleep. We were supposed to run hills today which I hate running, but I do always feel great afterwards. It also helps me in my regular long runs the following week. So that only meant one thing: The BORING treadmill. I still got up early this morning, and I jumped on the treadmill for what seemed like an eternity….. 12 miles! I would have been running 16 outside, but I just didn’t have it in me to do that inside. I don’t know how everybody else gets themselves through it, but here’s what I do. I start by finding something on television. that will entertain me, I mean I can only watch so many re-runs of SportsCenter. I turn the sound down, and then turn the radio on to something upbeat. I know this sounds strange, but I was in for a long morning. I have the remote controls in one cup holder on the treadmill and a bottle of water in the other cup holder. Did I mention it’s still BORING, it’s just better than staring at a wall for the entire time. I also find by changing the speed on the treadmill every so often really helps, mainly so I don’t fall off because I was so bored. I did complete all 12 miles, and then treated myself to a nice plate of pancakes. In fact, I was thinking about the pancakes for the last 2 miles. I think that was what motivated me to stay on. Let me know what you do for these rare days that you’re stuck inside for your long runs.

My 2nd month of Training

I am officially through one month of training and I feel good. I have still not set my goal of what time I would like to finish the marathon in, but I am at the point where 10 miles feels like running 4 miles. I am o.k. with the fact that my long runs are going to be cold and usually snowy or raining. Well, I am not o.k. with it.. But I have learned to deal with it and not complain about it. My weekly mileage has surpassed 40 miles a week, something I thought would be impossible in the beginning. The best part of this week: Greg bought me a new spring running outfit. While I can only wear it on the treadmill for now, it did make me feel good about my training and made me think about how nice it will be to run the marathon in warmer weather!
Does anyone have any cold weather running stories they want to share?

The 4 month Countdown

I was mentally ready to begin my training when January came around. I started the last week of the month and haven’t looked back. While I never got out of running shape from my half-marathon, it certainly was tougher increasing my weekly mileage. I was still up to the task. What I wasn’t ready for was the cold Buffalo winter weather and trying to run through it. What you need to know about me is that anything under 50 degrees feels very cold to me. Call me a wimp, but I hate the cold. I was always the person driving along and thinking people were crazy for running outside in the cold or snow. I have now become that crazy person! I do most of my weekday running on the treadmill I have at home. My Sunday long runs are another story. After my first long run of this training program I was freezing, soaked and felt like it took two weeks to thaw out. So we went out and got REAL cold weather running clothes. What a difference! After that, we joined a local running group that trains for a spring and fall marathon. Our first run with the group was a 12 mile loop around Chestnut Ridge Park. It was in the ball park of 25 degrees and sleeting for half of the run. Did I mention the hills?? At this point I was wondering what I had got myself into, but I felt it could only help me when May rolls around. I did get through it, and several more runs like that one. I never thought I would run outside when it was below 32 degrees, but 2 weeks ago we did our long run through the streets of Buffalo on a sunny and 17 degree day. I can’t believe I am saying it: But it wasn’t bad!

Countdown to a Marathon

Let the countdown begin! I’m running my first full marathon on May 25th, the day before my birthday… Happy birthday to me if all goes well. To understand how I got this far in my running I’ll rewind a little bit.

About a year ago, my husband (Greg) and I started running together. We wanted to do something together and we wanted to have healthier lifestyle. It began as a means of exercise, and turned into something competitive. We are both former athletes, so it’s easy to see why we decided to start running races. We did a bunch of local 5k’s and loved it!

Soon after, we decided to tackle a 15k! That went well, except for the fact that I learned my husband can’t stand when he gets passed while running. So, we decided to run at our own speeds and once he finishes he turns back around (what a great husband) and helps to run me in for the last stretch.

After that race, we decided to run the Niagara Falls Marathon. Greg ran the full marathon, his 1st and finished in his goal of under 4 hours. I ran the half marathon and finished just over 1 hour and 45 minutes. After crossing the finish line, and then waiting and watching Greg finish I set my next goal. The Buffalo Marathon in May. Greg is making this marathon about me. He will run along side me, despite the fact that he hates running at my speed. He will pace me and help me reach my goal. (He calls this taking one for the team).

So, whether you’re a high school, college or casual runner I believe you can appreciate my goal. Hopefully, you can help me by offering advice and tell me your marathon or running stories whether it’s a short race, or long distance.