Training Schedule- Revised

I discussed our training schedule with my sister over the weekend since I will not be participating in the LA Marathon this year (still having mixed feelings about that...). She's still not sure what her plan is, however she did update our training schedule just in case she does decide to join me on the races I have scheduled. there's going to be a lot of running going on next year..

Some of my half marathons that I have scheduled are going to need to fit in some how, but for the most part I think it works itself out fairly well.

2014  Training Schedule
	Date	Mileage
Week 1	8/31/2013	3 miles (COMPLETED)
Week 2	9/7/2013	4 miles
Week 3	9/14/2013	5 miles
Week 4	9/21/2013	3 miles	Simi Valley 5K
Week 5	9/28/2013	6 miles
Week 6	10/5/2013	3 miles
Week 7	10/12/2013	8 miles
Week 8	10/19/2013	3 miles	Ventura Color Run
Week 9	10/26/2013	10 miles
Week 10	11/2/2013	4 miles
Week 11	11/9/2013	12 miles	Calabasas 5K/10K
Week 12	11/16/2013	4 miles
Week 13	11/23/2013	14 miles
Week 14	11/30/2013	4 miles
Week 15	12/8/2013	SANTA TO THE SEA - 13.1
Week 16	12/14/2013	4 miles	4 miles
Week 17	12/21/2013	5 miles	14 miles
Week 18	12/28/2013	5 miles	5 miles
Week 19	1/4/2014	15 miles	17 miles/Camarillo Half
Week 20	1/11/2014	5 miles	5 miles
Week 21	1/18/2014	6 miles	6 miles
Week 22	1/25/2014	17 miles	20 miles
Week 23	2/1/2014	6 miles	6 miles
Week 24	2/8/2014	6 miles	6 miles
Week 25	2/15/2014	13 miles	23 miles
Week 26	2/22/2014	6 miles	6 miles/Seaside Half
Week 27	3/1/2014	7 miles	7 miles
Week 28	3/9/2014	SAN DIEGO HALF	LA MARATHON
Week 29	3/15/2014	5 miles
Week 30	3/22/2014	8 miles
Week 31	3/29/2014	5 miles
Week 32	4/5/2014	HOLLYWOOD HALF MARATHON
Week 33	4/12/2014	17 miles
Week 34	4/19/2014	6 miles
Week 35	4/26/2014	20 miles
Week 36	5/3/2014	6 miles
Week 37	5/10/2014	23 miles
Week 38	5/17/2014	7 miles
Week 39	5/25/2014	MOUNTAINS 2 BEACH MARATHON
Week 40	5/31/2014	13 miles
Week 41	6/7/2014	6 miles
Week 42	6/14/2014	7 miles
Week 43	6/22/2014	MAMMOTH HALF MARATHON

When It's Not For Me

I have been running for almost three and a half years. Since the beginning of my running "career" I have more often than not been running for someone else. Obviously I'm the one doing the running, but it's been in support of someone else.

My first 5K was with my sister. My first 10K/Mud Run was with my sister. My first half marathon was with my sister. My first marathon was with my sister.

In fact, the reason I started running again was for my sister.

Since I decided to run with her I knew that my pace would be her pace, my finishing time would be the same as her finishing time, my training schedule would fit around her schedule. I was pushing my body to new limits, but I was never really pushing myself to be better, faster or stronger. I never had to because I was comfortable just running with her at her pace.

The Turkey Trot two years ago was my first opportunity to run any sort of race alone. It was a much different experience. Not better or worse, just different. It was weird going alone and knowing that there was no one there to talk to beforehand or celebrate with afterwards. It was just me. And me in social situations = awkward.

I don't believe I spoke more than two words to anyone while I was there. In fact I believe my total word count for the day was two word... "Thank you" to the volunteer who handed me my medal at the end.

I was a little more vocal at my first solo half marathon, the Arroyo Creek half a year ago. Most likely it was because our running group was there and although I ran it alone, I was more comfortable knowing that there were people there that I knew and that were going to be there for me at the finish line. There was one other runner that I spoke to that I didn't know. We pushed each other the last 2 miles or so. It felt great to know that I was helping someone dig deeper since they were doing the same for me.

It felt very different training for these races because I was doing it alone. I was pushing myself to limits I didn't know I had. I was uncomfortable most of the time because I was reaching new top speeds and usually training alone. I had to find something inside of myself that I wasn't aware existed. It felt very different, but the pride I felt when finishing alone was a very different feeling then when I finished races with Rachel. I got to celebrate my finish, not our finish.

To be honest, for a while I was a very selfish runner. It had been mentioned in our training group that there were openings for pace group leaders. At the time it sparked my interest, but not enough. I wanted to be able to go for my long run and focus on myself and not the other members in the pace group. Of course we did talk and we were looking out for one another, but I was able to be focused more on myself than anyone else, and I liked it that way.

And I'm looking forward to doing it a lot more next year. Since I am planning on running a race every month (half marathon distance or further) I will be doing a lot of running alone. That works for me because then I can train at my pace and focus on me.

I wouldn't trade those runs with my sister for anything because our relationship grew stronger and we became closer as siblings and as friends, but it's difficult to want to push yourself and not be able to.

And yet, that's what I'm doing right now. I know it probably doesn't make any sense to want one thing but to do another, and yet that is exactly what I am doing.

I am currently working with my niece to help train her for the Simi Valley 5K in September. This will be her second 5K, but it's been a while since her first and her body needs to get used to running again. Since she is 9 years old and hasn't done much running recently we are starting out at 30:1 intervals and taking it slow. It feels weird to go out there to run and not push myself, but at the same time the pride I have in her for getting out there and doing it takes over and I know that it is so worth it.

I'm not sure if this post even makes any sense, but basically what I'm saying is that sometimes it feels really good to be a selfish runner and go out there for a run that is solely for you. Other times, it is so worth it to pull yourself back and be there for someone else.

I knew back then that I didn't want to be a pace group leader because my heart wasn't in the right place to help someone else. I had already done that for my sister for so long that I honestly just wanted to see what I could do. I've reached so many of my own running goals since then that at this point I am ready to help others. I'm not the most knowledgeable, I'm not the fastest and I'm definitely not the best, but I am willing and I am happy to do so.

And of course, knowing that there are races that will be just for me helps too.

Running Crafts

I used to have every single racing bib and medal hanging in our living room in our apartment. I was proud of my accomplishments and wanted to show off.

 

But we never had any visitors and it felt kind of silly having them hanging where they were. I decided one day out of the blue to take down all of my running memorabilia that was in the living room, leaving room on one shelf for my running books and my racing bib, medal, a picture, my knee high sock with "Los Angeles" down the side, my shoe lace and congratulation cards from my first marathon.

 

I kind of thought that it was silly to be bragging about these races. I thought that it was a bit much to show off all of my bibs and all of my medals and to have pictures up from races.

 

But a few weeks went by and I realized that I was missing something. I missed seeing those numbers, those medals, those memories from my accomplishments.

 

I can talk anyone up. If they're having a bad day or are thinking little of themselves for doing something that they don't think is amazing I can put on my cheerleader outfit (not literally- and sorry for that mental image) and wave my pom poms around in order to make them feel better and to boost them up.

 

But ask me to be a cheerleader for myself and I am unable to think of anything positive to say. I can think of a few reasons why this is, and I'm learning how to get out of this way of thinking through therapy but not making much progress.

 

Back to my point..

 

I felt like my races were not anything to brag about because there are so many people out there who have done so much more than I have. But there is no reason why I shouldn't be proud of what I have done, in fact I should be showing them off because there are so many people out there who haven't done as much as I have.

 

I decided to put some of my bibs and medals up on a bulletin board.

 

 

But it's not really doing it for me. So I decided to make my own. I'm still in the process of making it, but I'm really excited about it. I think it's going to be just the right size to not be the center of attention, but I can put it out where people can see it without feeling like it's over taking the room.

 

I have already decided that I'm going to be making a set for a couple people for Christmas, but with different sayings. I'm excited about that too. And my mom has suggested I make a bunch of them and sell them at a nearby craft show. I'm not sure they're that good and I would probably spend more time to make them better, but is it really that far fetched of an idea? I had fun doing it, it wasn't too expensive and it would be awesome to make some extra money... We'll see what happens.

 

 

The hooks I plan on using for my sign.

 

Stencils.

Bling It On.

Find Your Happy Pace

This will be the sign that I hang my medals on.

This sign will be the sign that I hang my racing bibs on (once I get a clip).

Someone Stop Me!!

I cannot stop registering for races.

It's a sickness.

An addiction.

And I don't regret it one bit.

I mean, I have the money right now. Yes, we are supposed to be saving money, so spending it on races may not be the smartest thing, but at the same time we have made our budget and have set aside some money each month for certain fun things (like races and golf).

We have hobbies and we are lucky enough to be able to save for our future as well as enjoy our present. The problem with this is that I have just been signing up for so many races at one time that my checking account is taking a hit.

I need to take a step back and wait until next payday until I sign up for any more races..

This time I was searching for races in July of next year. And I ended up seeing that the Calabasas Classic was coming up this November. I've participated in this race once before and it is a difficult race considering the distance.

I only ran the 5K, but this year I upped the ante and decided to do the 5K/10K back to back. This is so exciting for me. I have never tried to push my body this far and I am ready to see what I can do. I am ready to celebrate my running accomplishments. I am excited to smile as people say I'm crazy when they hear what I am planning on doing over the next couple of year. And most of all I am so so ready to start training.

I see positive things in my future. Positive things and a bunch of miles being covered by foot.

Uh Oh...

Rachel and I participated in the Disney half marathon last year and although it has been the most expensive half marathon I have finished, it is also up there for one of the best. Definitely worth the money.

Which is why I put the Goofy Challenge on my bucket list. It was a new challenge, it was exciting and it was something that was worth spending the money on to me. Well, something that was worth saving the money for.

Then this year they added the 10K, which means they added a new challenge. Obviously you know what I'm talking about.

It was pretty obvious to me that after completing the Dopey Challenge (pending I get a spot- which is my number one concern) that I would sign up for the Disney half marathon in September in order to get the Coast-to-Coast medal.

I found out a couple days ago that they have added an extra challenge to the Disney race in September.

It is called the Dumbo Double Dare. 10K on Saturday, half marathon on Sunday. Nothing compared to Dopey. And pretty obvious that this is one challenge that has to be accepted.

I mean, come on!

Completing all 6 races will result in a total of 10 medals.. 10! 5K, 10K, Half, Full, Goofy, Dopey, 10K, Half, Dumbo and Coast to Coast. And that's nothing compared to the experiences I'll have during the races.

This may be the second time I plan on having my racing memorabilia professionally put into a shadow box. The first will be (has yet to be, but sometime soon I hope) my first marathon. I can't just allow 10 Disney medals to be put aside. That needs to be displayed.

Dopey Challenge Training

I wanted to know how much time I needed to set aside to train for Dopey.

I went looking on the runDisney website and found a great training schedule by the one and only Jeff Galloway.

This is the training program I plan to follow for Dopey. training will begin the middle of June next year. A year away.

It gives me a lot to think about. There is a lot I would like to accomplish between now and next June, both physically and financially. 

I would like to be in better shape before starting to train and with the way weight loss has been going this go around it may be awhile before I see any progress. 

I am hoping that if I continue to run daily then I should easily earn about $100 a month to put towards my Dopey Challenge Savings. I just have to really focus on getting the daily workouts in and I know as soon as I go back to work and start up my daily walks again on top of my daily run it will be no problem making it to $100 a month.

I'm getting excited to start focusing again on training and when Dopey training starts it's going to be a busy and stressful six months. I think the important thing is to make sure everyone is 100% on board with it. The training doesn't just impact me, it impacts my entire family but especially my mom and Patrick. They are the two people who help me the most during training and are always available to help watch Isabel and to provide support along the way. I do not know what I would do without them.

Training is going to be taking up a lot of time, so it's important to make sure my priorities are straight going into it. There's going to be no point starting the training if I start skipping scheduled workouts like I sometimes tend to do. I think that as long as I keep the goal in the front of my mind then nothing can steer me off course.

And of course, there's no guarantee that I will get a spot in the race. From what I can tell this year Dopey filled up fast. I need to keep an eye and ear open to know exactly when registration is and be ready to get my spot as soon as it opens. I really can't imagine anything worse than looking forward to a race only to have it be full when you go to register. And that is my number one fear for Dopey.

I won't say that I don't fear the distance, but I'd rather look at it like a challenge than a fear. If I fear it then I have a greater chance of not completing it. And I'm sure the fear will truly set in after I pay the registration fee and am actually starting to train for it...

Mud Run or Bust- Camp Pendleton Mud Run 6/9/12

(I have so many things I want to write about regarding running and my plans to run the 2015 Dopey Challenge, but in order to focus on my future I want to embrace and share my running past... These race recaps were written for my original blog and have been added here for a view into how I came to where I am now.)

*Originally posted 6/15/12

This past Saturday was the Camp Pendleton World Famous Mud Run. Rachel, Patrick and I participated in the mud run two years ago and had such an amazing time!

It was definitely an easy decision when Rachel suggested we participate again this year.

I had an easier time this year going through all of the obstacles, and running the course in general. Possibly because I've been running a lot more than I had two years ago. Possibly because I knew what to expect. Either way, the before and after pictures are impressive.



Before- 2010

After- 2012. Maybe we just got smarter and took the picture from the waist up..



 

Add caption

 

Add caption

 

Add caption

Here are some of the random pictures we took from that day.







Not sure if we're doing it again next year or not. I know Patrick said this was his last year, so we'll see what happens. Running is just not his thing, so I'm proud of him for doing it with us the last two times when he really didn't want to.

I think that lunch was enough of an incentive to get him to do it this year. We love our Tito's!

Camp Pendleton Mud Run- 6/5/10

(I have so many things I want to write about regarding running and my plans to run the 2015 Dopey Challenge, but in order to focus on my future I want to embrace and share my running past... These race recaps were written for my original blog and have been added here for a view into how I came to where I am now.)

 

*Originally posted 1/23/12

 

I have only entered one 10K since I started running. I never really thought about it much, considering a 10K is only 6.2 miles and I had already completed 3.1. I guess the opportunity to enter a 10K just never really came up. At least not until my brother in law, Shawn, ran in the World Famous Camp Pendleton Mud Run in 2009.

He had entered in the race with a group through his work. We had gone to cheer him on. It looked awesome! As we waited at the finishing line, watching people swim through mud, Rachel and I knew that this was something we wanted to do and decided that we would enter the following year.

Sometime between his race in June and sign ups at midnight on January 1st we had also talked Patrick (my boyfriend at the time, now fiance) to enter with us. We didn't have enough people to sign up as a "team", so we signed up as individuals. But that didn't keep us from having fun with it.

 

 

I guess I didn't learn from the 5K I entered, but we didn't start training until about 2 weeks before the race. We kept saying we had plenty of time and then there wasn't a lot of time left. We trained as much as we could those two weeks though. It was the longest distance I had to train for and the most intense training my sister put me through. I hit so many mental and physical walls.

But it was worth it. In June 2010 we ran in the World Famous Mud Run. We had so much fun the day of the race. It was intense, but it was the most fun I've had while running. We were sprayed by fire hoses, swam across a lake, ran up "suicide hill", climbed over walls, crawled through tunnels and swam through mud pits. Who wouldn't have fun doing that?!?

From left to right: me, Patrick (my husband) and Rachel (my sister)

A nice cold beer really is the way to refresh after a run!