Fitness Update

I have been doing a great job of tracking with both spark people and weight watchers. I have lost 5 lbs in the past two weeks. I have been really proud of myself for tracking everything even when Phil and I went to South Carolina this past weekend where they have pralines! I love pralines. I am looking forward to running with Galloway group this weekend... 10 miles. The last long run before my half in 2 weeks. I am already starting to get slightly nervous but as long as I use the Galloway method I feel like I will certainly be successful! :)

In Love with the Bling

And so it begins my goal for this Spring...the triple crown for completing 3 half marathons in 4 months. I am completing one every month for this year but I also am working towards completing several different races to recieve this extra medal. I don't know why but I will run anything for a medal especially a special medal. I guess it must be a competition thing but I just love knowing that I will have something shiny at the end of the race even if I am in a ton of pain it will take the edge off. 

This will be the first triple crown that I will attempt. Hopefully training will go well and in a few months this medal will be posted on this blog with my smiling face. :)

Training Plan

After my Monday run... It was 65 degrees out. So beautiful!

Recently I haven't been making it to the Galloway runs because it has been in the teens in the mornings which doesn't sound like to much fun to me. But I'm very proud that I have continued running and training with the help of Hayleigh who goes to the gym almost every day.

Our school has a room with weights and a few machines that are for teacher use after school. I have been using the elliptical and recumbent bike when they are working. It is great to be able to catch up with other teachers as well as Hay after the work day. 

This week's training plan:

Monday: Ran 2.11 miles (9:40 pace) Fastest I have ran in a few years but had to cut the run short because I desperately needed to stretch.

Tuesday: rest day

Wednesday: Elliptical minimum of 30 minutes

Thursday: 30 minute run

Friday: yoga/rest day

Saturday: Galloway run 8 miles

Sunday: Pure Barre class

I signed up for a deal at a brand new Pure Barre location opening up less than 10 minutes from my apartment. I have never done it before so I am really looking forward to trying it for a few weeks. If you are interested in trying it out here is their website: http://www.purebarre.com

Galloway Run #2

This past weekend was my 2nd Galloway run of the season and we ran/walked 7.2 miles. Wohoo! I haven't done that distance since I did my half marathon in November. When we started the run it was 25 degrees out and when we ended it was warmed up to 32... It was chilly! For the first mile I could barely feel anything but once I got my body moving it was much more tolerable. Next week we are doing 8 miles. Last week we were supposed to do 6 but they made it longer for water stations. I can't believe how much better my body feels with walk breaks in between runs. There is truly something amazing about this program!

Galloway Program

www.raleighgalloway.com

I decided a month ago to join the Galloway training program for half marathons. They have marathon options as well. My friend Meredith has used this method and has been injury free for two half marathons and multiple road races.

Yesterday, I went to the first day and received my training book, t-shirt and hat. I love the shirt and am excited to wear it this weekend for my first run with the program. It was pouring rain yesterday so I opted not to get my feet all blistered up for one training run. I am looking forward to running with people that are in my pace group since I am a very slow runner. I am signed up for multiple road races in the spring which is why I am going to use the training program. 

Training Plan for this week:

Monday: strength training/cardio

Tuesday: 30 minute run

Wednesday: strength training/cardio

Thursday: 30 minute run

Friday: yoga

Saturday: 4 mile run with Galloway Team

Sunday: rest day

Having extra time off every afternoon has allowed me to work out more after school and has been great for Hay, Carly and I to spend more time decompressing from the day and spending time with each other. :)

I am almost working on this plank challenge. I started it in Novmeber but stopped after my half marathon so I wanted to try again. I really like this challenge because I feel stronger every time I do a plank which I am sure is true and plus it is nice to feel like I am getting a good core workout in.

Bull City Road Fest: 5 Miler

I had originally planned on running the half marathon for this race but was relieved to be able to drop down to a 5 mile option which was significantly more realistic for me considering that I hadn't completed a long run past 7 miles in a few months. 

The day before the race I was nervous with excitement because this was the first time I was going to run for a running partner. 

I laid out all of my race belongings the night before to relieve a little bit of stress and decided to run in one of my old tennis dresses with leggings underneath which actually was really comfortable.

The morning of the race, Phil graciously woke up with me and took me to Kroger because I didn't have any pins for my bib and then we found a very convenient parking spot and heading down to the race site. There was over 5800 people running and this was the first race with this name which made the race quite chaotic at first. I was slightly confused on why both the 5 milers and half marathoners were starting at the same time. Phil and I found a spot to hang out while we waited for the event to start and tried not to be squished by other people.

Meredith found us and I wished her well this was her first half marathon and she had been training so well so I knew she would do great. I told Phil to meet me at the finish line about 1 hours 15 minutes was my estimated time.

When the race finally started I was so cold that I just starting running not realizing I was with the 10:30 min/mile pace which is significantly faster than my actual running so I slowed down making sure I had a calm upper body (Coach Jefferies words of advice in my head). My first 2 miles were great. I was feeling really good about my finishing time and so proud of myself for not stopping at all. I usually walk at least one to two minutes of a mile so I was excited to see myself push for that longer distance.

At the second mill there was a large hill. All of the hills so far I was able to run up except for this one. I saw it and it just made me want to stop and walk which in retrospect I am sure I could have pushed myself a little harder but I saw it and said no way. I knew that Durham was going to be hilly but that one was slightly unexpected. After walking for a short time up the hill, I began running again when someone saw my legs (I run 4) and noted that they ran for someone as well. This pushed me to run the rest of the mile. At mile 4, I was beaming. I knew I was only a mile away from the finish and knew that I must be making quite good time considering I had ran the majority of the race. 

I notoriously don't examine race courses which is where I hit a wall because at the 4th mile I passed Ninth Street which is where Phil and I love to dine out and suddenly I began to think... 

How can I be crossing Ninth Street when I am supposed to be finishing at American Tobacco which is a 15 minute drive from here with 1 mile left?

Then, I thought...did I get myself on the half marathon course somehow? Which made me extremely nervous... My confusion/terror of maybe having complete 9 more miles exhausted me...turns out the 5 mile course ended at a completely different location. If only, I had read the 1,000's of emails they sent me.

As I realized that I was on course I was close to the finish and pushed myself to finish 5 minutes earlier than I had expected!

At the finish, I received my medal and than grabbed some water and pretzels. I hadn't ate breakfast since it was only a 5 miler but looking back something small would have been much better for energy on the 3rd/4th mile. I told Phil to meet me at what I thought was my finish line so I quickly looked for him and began my mile walk back to the start. I didn't have my cell phone on me so I was quite relieved when I found him in the crowd. 

I feel like every race I learn something different or sometimes I learn a lesson all over again. This was the first race I ever completed without headphones and I have to say I thought I would be bored but I really enjoyed seeing everyone and the race course a little differently. I definitely will look at course maps and make a designated meeting spot in case something happens again. I was really excited to know Phil was going to be at the finish line and even though he wasn't at the actual finish line it definitely feels great to know someone came out to support me. :)

Dreaming of Disney 2014

Rec

Recently I have had one thing on my mind: Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I want to go back and run again. Last year, I ran with my cousin and it was a great time but I had walked too many days at Disney before the race which started at 10pm... So, the night of the race I was exhausted and made a run/walk of the race but I definitely really want to try for next year. I will begin saving my pennies right now. This is an expensive race but the entertainment along the way was a blast. Definitely hope to have people accompany me through the race so that it is more fun.

Saving pennies begins now!

Training this Week

Monday: Running in the evening: will be my first dedicated run. Yay!

Tuesday: Elliptical workout

Wednesday: Running with Adam in the evening

Thursday: Running in the morning.

Friday: optional day/no plans quite yet.

Saturday: Rest day. 

Sunday: 5 mile race at Bull City Race Fest. Meredith will be there and I am sure a few more runnerpeeps. :)

I Run 4:

I finally have been matched through I run 4 which is an organization where you can be matched with someone who cannot run and dedicate your miles to them. I have been waiting to be matched since August 26th and today I received an email that I am matched with Bain. I am so excited to dedicate my miles to him and push myself harder as a runner for all who cannot run.

I am reminded through this organization of the amazing gifts that we all have to offer and I am so grateful that this organization connects wonderful people together. 

-Much love. 

Beach to Beacon 10k

I won the lottery to get into this race! I called my parents saying I had won the lottery and it sure felt like that a few months ago...not training for a weeks prior did not feel like winning the lottery on race day.

It was a cold day with lots of clouds in the sky which to me is perfect running weather so I at least had that going for me. My Uncle Fred and I shuttled from Hannaford parking lot to the race site. The most grueling part of the day...waiting in line for 45 minutes to use a port a potty. There is never enough of them at any race site. There were approximately 6,500 runners that day. The wheelchair group was first...they average 3:30 min./mile what awesome athleticism! Then we were off well....the elite athletes were off....approximately 7 minutes later my Uncle and I were off. 

Mile 1 was great. There was a slight sprinkle which felt great and a man running in a lighthouse outfit which was really interesting. The spectators were amazing for this entire race. Almost every corner had them which is good for me since I tend to push myself more when people are watching.

Around mile 3 I realized that I had not worn the right shorts and I was in quite a bit of pain but I stuck through it. At the half way point of that mile I saw my Uncle Pete and Dave as well as my Aunt Kim and Wendy. I was thrilled. They were screaming and taking photos which motivated me for a really long time. 

At mile 4 I was so surprised because I knew I was close. Surprised because I usually see mile 4 on half marathons and think nothing much of them but mile 4 was awesome. I knew I was getting there.

My Uncle had warned me of a large hill around mile 4 which was no where to be found until mile 5. This hill wasn't the worst hill I have attempted (Chapel Hill!) so it wasn't that bad at all. 

At mile 6, I was looking everywhere for my parents knowing that I should be running when I saw them pushed me more and more to keep with pace. Then right before I saw the gate I see a poster that said: "Way to go Steph!" The rest of my family was giving me high fives (Sara, Amy, Sydney, Uncle Steve, my Dad, Katie and my mom). It was awesome to have so much support coming in. The announcer called my name which my grandparents found to be very exciting.

The only 2 downsides to this race: after the finish there was no metal... And, to get to the food/event afterwards you have to climb a larger hill than was in the race... My hips were not happy.

Positives of the race: beautiful landscape, great expo: lots of free giveaways, and most importantly, my family was there! 

(Image: google images)

Goals, goals and more goals...

My fitness training has been curbed recently with my trip to NCCAT and the fact that I really wanted to sleep in. So, here are my goals for the next few months broken down for ease (my friend Rita will be cringing on the concept of goal making).

Short term goals:

1.) Be able to do 5 burpees without feeling like I am going to die (measure able :/)

2.) Do 1 real burpee

3.) Run for 2 miles straight

4.) 20 lunges without feeling like I am going to fall over

5.) Run and be able to tell a story without walking

6.) Try hot yoga

Long term goals:

1.) Drop mile time to 11 minutes/mike

2.) Run 5 miles without stopping

Ultimate goals:

1.) Weight down to 160 lbs.

2.) Be able to run a half marathon without walking

3.) Mile time below 10 minutes/mile

I am going to try to get myself more on a routine since I have been exhausted recently with traveling and I feel like if I wake up and go to bed at certain times I will be able to get more done with my day. Tomorrow I am going to wake up at 6 am to run and hopefully will feel a little bit more structure to my day. :)

Training Week 2

                                    

   

                                                 (My new running shoes: they feel great!)

After an okay first week of training it felt great to get in the necessary amount of running/cardio in. 

Monday: 

I did water aerobics in the pool for about 45 minutes. It felt great! I love water aerobics especially the frog moves. Hayleigh and Emily taught me some new moves which were great and difficult at the same time. I also did planks and sit-ups for a core workout that I could feel the rest of the week.

Tuesday:

I had been frustrated with my running shoes fit since week one and it came to a full fit on Tuesday when mid run with Sue I popped off my shoes and decided to walk back with my very expensive Belega socks on. I don't think they are ruined, thankfully! We got in 2 miles of walk/run.

Wednesday:

Rest Day/I went in and traded in my running shoes and got the pair that I have now. They feel great! 

Thursday: 

4 mile walk/run with Sue which was super slow because of the 100% humidity. I swear that it feels like 150%. You would think running at 5:15 am it would be somewhat cool but it was brutal. 

Friday:

60 minutes on elliptical which was a blast. I love that machine. I bought a compact one a few months ago which doesn't have the arm things but it does help my abs by keeping me balanced on the machine. I also did a few arm workouts including tricep kickbacks.

Saturday:

I drank lots of water all day on Friday because I was really dehydrated on Thursday after my run. I ran 6 miles on the treadmill. Although, I would have preferred to have run outside I didn't want to run on the lake before the sun came up. And, the ultra benefit of the gym is that there is no humidity and I setthe temperature to 62 degrees. Ahh...nice cool running. 

Sunday: 

Rest Day

Good/bad: I certainly need to make sure I drink a lot of water! I felt great on Saturday even though usually I have slight soreness in my hips when I do over 6 miles. I think the training plan is working great for me and I am excited to see how much farther I can push myself. Excited for week 3! :) 

Is anyone training for a race or a big event? How is your training going?

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! 

I woke up and did a short run with some runnerpeeps and Triangle Turtles. Thanks to Meredith for getting her Firecracker Run together. Both of us, ran 1 mile and walked 1 mile. Then, we went to Bruegger's, where they had red, white and blue bagels. Amazing! Hope everyone enjoys their day!

Picture of my bagel <3

3 Half Marathon Training begins....now!

I have somehow managed to sign myself up for three fall half marathons...yes, a combined total of 39.3 miles ran in 3 months of races as well as a swimming portion in a quick triathlon. You may think, I am insane....good point. However, this was just good budgeting skills. Let me explain this logic:

1.) I saved almost 50% off my second race on October 20th: Bull City Race Fest.

2.) That race also finishes with a food truck rodeo...which I might add is smart because I will go to the food truck rodeo hungry and in no worry about gaining weight. My parents may be there and maybe they will pay for me to stuff my face as I go from truck to truck.

3.) The first race, I signed up for is the Capital Run Raleigh at North Hills. I saved 10% off that race because I was one of the first fifty to receive the coupon code...now that just makes me feel special so of course I had to sign up for it.

4.) The last race I signed up for was the Richmond Half Marathon. I received no deal on this race except for being able to share a bed with Meredith during our weekend there. Why did I have to sign up for this one? Almost half of the runnerpeeps are going and well of course I couldn't be left out of all that excitement. I mean, there are planning meetings! Planning is my forte. How could I not be involved in a planning meeting? Well, of course I caved and signed up.

So that equals: one half marathon a month in the fall. I am looking forward to this endeavor and am super psyched to actually train for a half marathon. I usually just try to run/walk whatever I can but I am going to be doing a mixture of running, cardio and of course my least favorite core. 

Runnerpeeps is an awesome group and I am excited to see where I can go with the awesome coaching and support I receive. Some day, training for three large races will just be my training plan and not an excuse to hang out with peeps and plan. 

Well, I am off to begin my first day of training...

Susan G. Komen 5k

Post race blog for the Susan G. Komen 5k:

I had been training on and off for the 5k. I endured some great runs at the track for preparation of the race. Sue, my very reliable running buddy decided to run together or run as much as we possibly could. We arrived by bus, thanks to our trusted driver Keri. The event was unlike any event I had been before. There was people everywhere. Up in lifeguard stands and pink everywhere. I was thankful that I had remembered to wear pink and was fashioning my runnerpeeps shirt. When we got there, we found the rest of the peeps and decided to take a few quick pictures and then go to the start of the race. Excitement was clearly in the air as some of the competitive runners had PR'd on this race! Congrats Michelle! 

Sue and I began to run when there was enough room to get past people. We ran on the sidewalk for a good distance and of course walked the hills. It was a hot day and there were many water sprayers on the side to refresh runners/walkers alike. I had just purchased my iPhone the night before and was updating before and after the race and keeping myself out of the soakers range. After the run, I was craving a snack and after many attempts found the food stand and many fun give aways which will hopefully come in handy later on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this race. Next year, I will do the competitive race since I felt like I was just continually zig zagging through people. My favorite part of this race was the Wednesday night track runs with everyone and of course getting to watch the Bruins at TriBeCa with everyone. :)

I continuously feel blessed that I took the leap to become a peep. It's a great group of people! :)

                                       

                                                                   

                                        

                                                The 5 am runners: yes, that is correct. 5 am!