Rule-Abiding Nerd + Athlete's Heart

So.  I'm pretty by-the-book when it comes doctor and dentist visits, car maintenance, recipe instructions and such.  Meaning, I'm a rule follower.  I get excited with I see a "manufacturer's recommendation" or a numbered list of rules.  I don't exactly know why, but I've been this way my whole life.  There's something about someone already going through the painstaking process of figuring out the best sequence of events for the optimal result.  I also subscribe to Consumer Reports.  Hint: That last sentence should pretty much sum up how big of a rule-abiding nerd I am.  I do form my own opinions (there are a lot), but I'm not so stupid to go and try to reinvent the wheel for every issue or question I encounter. 

So.  I've never had a heart issue nor do I suspect I have one, but I'm also very sure I'm not a medical doctor and as to not follow in the footsteps of those amazingly (stupid) people that also do not have medical degrees but seem to be doctors in their own heads (p.s. those people annoy me more than the people that leave 1 of something just so they're not the one to finish said something - cookie, cracker, piece of cereal, drink of orange juice - and that says A LOT), I decided to have my ticker checked out so I didn't become one those horrific headlines that goes viral on Facebook about a distance runner dying as she crossed the finish line...during her first marathon.  I'm putting my body through something I've never put it through before, I thought I'd leave it to the experts. #runonparagraph #dealwithit

So. I see my doctor once a year for an annual check-up complete with the following blood work: Lipid Panel (cholesterol), Fasting Glucose (Diabetes), Thyroid Level Check (family issue), Iron Level Check (because I'm a woman of child-bearing age, not because of veganism), Vitamin B-12 Level Check (because of veganism), and Vitamin D (because we have a history, I'm vampire pale [no shimmers here], and because me likes my sunscreen.  Do not fear the needle - this information is valuable, and I advise you all to suck it up and get the numbers. 

To save you all the fascinating talk about how my doctor's visit went, we'll skip to the main points here:

1. My heart is A-ok.  I can run until my feet turn into giant, puss-filled blisters (true story), but my heart will go on (I crack me up.)
2. My doctor called me a name, and I wanted to hug her.   

The latter is obviously needing a little bit of explanation, so on with the fascinating talk we go.

While my loverly doc was listening for a murmur - this was like the longest anyone has EVER listened to my heart - she pointed out that my heart was sooooo slow.  Okay, I thought, that explains the delay here.  I knew that crazy mad athletes had resting heart rates that should otherwise deem them...well...dead, but that's not me!

It's ok, she said, this is typical.  And then it happened - "You athletes and your slow hearts!"  My (nervous) resting heart rate clocked in at 48 bpm.  Before marathon training, my pulse had always been around 70 which is fine too.  But, what?  I was officially an athlete!

Now, the fact that I ran a half-marathon in April and have been in training the last 3 months should have clued me in to the whole "athlete" thing, but seriously, I still feel like that couch potato that just goes jogging sometimes.

This is a mental thing and yes, one day my mental thing will catch up to my physical thing, but until then, I'll rely on the proof in the numbers.

And by the way, since going vegan, my total cholesterol has dropped down to the 140s.  I'm not anemic, have no thyroid issues, Vitamin D and B-12 are in the safe level, and I am diabetes-free.  Yay, plants and running my ass off.

Peace out and run on.  

  

Weeks 3-6 in Review + Running Abroad

Well, we're back to the normal routine around these parts after a lovely extended vacation abroad the past few weeks.  I, for obvious reasons, didn't voice that we were away from home on the blog WHILE we were actually away from home.  Well, hopefully, the reasons are pretty obvious. 

So yes, I'm still in the throes of marathon training and now I'm back to face the Midwest heat and humidity all over again.  I will give Mother Nature some props for dropping the temps this week though; she's delivered some wonderful running weather.

The vacation was spent with family, exploring the sights, eating LOTS of (vegan) carbs...and running.  My husband and I logged a total of 45 miles in the UK, and they were ideal.  Great temps, low humidity, a few hills when you needed them, but some flat stretches for long runs...wonderful ambiance and decor for any crazy person who exercises on vacation.

You'll notice the glaring red notations above - those are activities that were skipped due to time constraints, domestic travel (road trip!), jet lag exhaustion, and just for the simple fact I.was.on.vacation.  To be fair though, I did do quite a bit of airport luggage handling, a whole hell of a lot of walking, and not so much sleeping.  Systems have resumed, and I'm not noticing any great decline in fitness and/or strength by cutting out what I did.  But despite that, I'm going back to the plan and sticking to it. 

Caithness, Scotland

Highlights of running in the UK:

• Roadside sheep and cows with long eyelashes. Enough said.
• Beautiful country/sea side scapes in Scotland.  Green and blue have always been my favorite colors.
• Having generous family members willing to watch our little man so my husband and I could run together.  Long runs are so much better when you can take out your hangry on a spouse.  No, really, I was super nice.  For real.
• As mentioned above, no evil heat and humidity to contend with.
• And not that I'm convinced it made a huge difference, but running at a lower altitude may have made things a bit easier. 
• Not UK specific, but I tried the Huma Chia Gels for the first time and they.are.amazing.  My new fuel.

Hi, Sheep!

This week's missions: calculate the miles on my running shoes.  Methinks it's time to get a new pair.  Oh, also, my Garmin's band literally snapped off hours before our trip and so now I need to replace it.  I'd love to just give up on it and get a new one of these, but yeah, shoes trump rocket science running watches.

Peace out and run on.

Week 2 in Review + Fueling on the Run

Another week in the books! 7% down, 93% to go!

This week was a bit jumbled due to my husband running a race on Saturday morning and a subsequent (much needed) shopping a.k.a. chill time trip with my seester.  Just a run moved and a strength training session postponed to week 3 is all.  Got to run with the punches - heh.

The miles were lower in week 2 because that's how my plan works - every 3rd week the mileage dials back a bit to prevent over-training injuries and burnout.

I combined Sunday's Yoga and Foam Rolling session and did a relaxing but intense 38-minute session of Yoga on a Roll from Runner's World.  Not a huge fan, but if you're strapped for time, it does the trick.

So let's talk fuel for a few - when I say fuel, I'm referring to what I must consume DURING my run to provide my body with a boost of energy (carbs) and electrolytes that are depleted while running.  When you run, you rapidly use up the energy (in the form of glycogen, a sugar) stored in your muscles and liver.  After this, your body turns to your fat cells, but the time it takes to break down the cells is too long and can often result in a runner "hitting the wall" or "the bonk".  Check out this clip from "Run Fatboy Run" for a great illustration of what it feels like:

Marathon training is obviously about training your body to be able to run the long distances needed in order to cross the finish line - a lot of people would say it's also a great way to torture yourself and prove your lunacy to the rest of the world.  I say, right and right.

It's also about training your muscles to store more glycogen so you can go longer without hitting this evil wall.  This process takes time and everyone's body adjusts differently, and it also requires training your body to consume replacement carbs on the run.  For me, if I know my run is going to be longer than 45 minutes, especially in heat and humidity, I have to take in something to keep me going and get the most out of my workout.  I also take water because in order for your body to breakdown the carbs, you need to consume water with them.

Eating/drinking while running can be tricky.  I'm not really talking about coordination here either.  Putting food into your stomach while you're pounding the pavement can lead to stomach upset, cramping, and sometimes even vomiting.  Sounds like a blast, right??  It's all about finding the right fuel for you, training your body to take it in, and figuring out the timing so you don't face unnecessary energy slumps.  If you're feeling it, you've probably waited too long. 

For the majority of my half-marathon training, I ate pitted medjool dates with a pinch of sea salt inside.  I got my sugar and some salt.  It worked.  When I tried to eat gels - even broken down into smaller portions- there was this awful blood battle in my body.  My muscles wanted the blood to replace the oxygen they were burning through, and my stomach wanted it to help breakdown the huge shot of carbs I'd given it in the form of a gel.  The muscles won and I experienced some of the most awful abdominal cramping I'd ever felt.  It also makes me gag going down.  This is quite common in runners, so I switched to the natural date alternative and everything was great...until the thought of eating another date made my mouth water in that "I'm going to hurl" way.  Date burnout.

Fuel Experiment: Honey Stinger Chews + Gels, GU, & Huma

So now I'm going to experiment with different brands, chews and gels, and maybe even some other natural alternatives like sweet potato and oranges.  I'm totally stoked about the huma chia gels - 100% all natural and instead of a honey-like consistency, they're more like a fruit puree.  I may also trying making my own gel using No Meat Athlete's/Thrive's recipe.  Less gagging perhaps?  Fingers crossed.

My last timed race during training is this Friday - and I couldn't be happier about the weather forecast.  Looks like the temps around race time will be in the mid-60s - ideal!   Hope to set a new personal record, but if not, it will be good to get my longer run finished with a crowd cheering me on!


Have a safe and Happy Independence Day!

Peace out and run on.

Week 1 in Review + Yogi Unicorns

I'm 3.7% of the way through the mileage of my 18-week plan.  

During Week 1 (also notated as 11 due to my previous maintenance plan) I contended with my arch nemesis: Humidity.  Heat sucks, yes.  Humidity is just pure evil.  

Side Note: I'll say this once, I'm asthmatic.  It's a new(er) diagnosis that lead to a surgery last year and long-term meds.  I have to carry my inhaler with me just.in.case.  Yes, it's a medical condition that could hold me back as I throw myself up and down hills in the stifling temps and soup-like air, but I will never let it be an excuse not to do what needs to be done to reach my goal.

wtf?

The great running sources say it takes a full 2 weeks for your body to acclimate to running in heat and humidity.  I doubted this seriously as I had to walk during a few long runs on previous Saturdays due to feeling like I was overheating and couldn't breathe (see wtf? pic.)  I envisioned training for this whole thing inside - yuck.

My mind could not force my legs to dial it back and SLOW DOWN THE PACE.  I'm not a fast runner, but giving up the gains I've made over the last year in the speed dept. was really hard for me.  This week I made a breakthrough and got it through my thick skull that I'd never get through this training if I didn't slow down.  So I did, and it worked.  Phew. 

A few lessons learned:

1. Relative Humidity is almost always higher first thing in the morning, but it's also the coolest part of the day.
2. Suck DOWN the electrolytes + Fuel with a 4:1 snack (that's 4 parts carb, 1 part protein) after any and all runs going over an hour in length - otherwise, Excedrin will have to be consumed to deal with your bitch of a headache later.
3. Post-long-run naps are good.
4. I have no fear of dogs until...I'm running, and they aren't on leashes.  Leash your dogs, people!
5. Running in only a sports bra and shorts does not a prostitute make, it helps keep you cool.  Not dying always trumps modest running.  (Pretty sure I got an awesome ab workout from sucking in my gut to my spine the entire run too.)

 A few other updates...

• I am not a group runner - I can run with a partner, but a group, no.  It was great meeting and talking to other runner chicks, and I'm super happy I found a veteran marathoner to knock out my 7 miles with.  We stuck with each other and got.it.done all before 9 am.  It was good to pick her brain about her past experiences.  I did feel très shitty leaving the rest of the group behind, but if I stop to walk even for a second, I don't see myself regaining my momentum to finish.

• Strength training is reassuring me that while my primary leg muscles may be ripped from running, those special hidden ones still need to be stronger.  72 weighted squats later and some unidentified near-my-hamstring mucles are crying.  Cry on, weaklings.

• I now have the ugliest feet ever.  Calluses, funked up toe nails, yeah.  Gross stuff, but I am proud of them even if they do scare small children.

Week 2's Motivation: Post-run yoga on Thursday.  Hurts so good.  As weird and creepy as the term "hip openers" may sound, deep lunges and lizard pose are magical and visions of yogi unicorns will ensue.  And if you're interested in seeing said unicorns, here's lizard pose brought to you by Yoga Merge via You Tube. 

Peace out and run on.

Runner Monologues + First (Running) Date Jitters

Running, for me, is a solo sport.  I like to get lost inside my head, go at my own pace, and just relish in the fact that if I screw it all up, it's all on me and I'm hurting no one else.  I also don't have to feel an ounce of guilt for picking up the pace if I feel I can.  It's my ME time.

I trained with my husband for my first (and only, at this point) half marathon and for the most part, we ran nearly all of our Saturday long runs (and a lot of our weekday runs) together.  Well...next to each other; it's a bit different than a group run.  This is how the runner monologues typically went:

Pre-Run: Yay, I'm running because...I am a runner.  Holy shit.  Yup, here I go.  I'm going to do this!

Mile 1: Okay legs, you're all warmed up and the good old heart is pumping.  Why do I feel like I have to yawn?  Yawn.  Well, great.  So much for beast mode.  Sheesh, Jess, really.  Look at Ewan, he looks like he's out for a leisurely stroll.  I don't see him yawning.  He probably just saw me yawn.  Okay brain, shut the hell up, and focus.

Mile 2: Okay, NOW I'm good.  Everything is warm...well, getting hot actually.  I'm taking off these damn gloves.  Okay, time to eat a date!  Hit Ewan's arm to signal him that it's fuel time. Okay, now we're a team - communicating - running in sync - fueling together.  I wonder how many couples can say that?  

Mile 3: Coming up on a 5k soon.  A whole 5k.  I can run a 5k in 32:00 minutes or so.  Ewan can run a 5k in a lot less time.  He could be going so much faster.  I'm holding him back.  Decide to ask Ewan how he thinks the pace is.  He says "Good."  Yeah, I bet he doesn't mean that.  I'm going to speed up.  Wait...is that a damn hill.  Nevermind.  Maybe on the downhill portion.

Mile 4: Why on earth am I doing this?  We could be at home, on the couch, eating Spicy Sweet Chili Doritios and catching up on DVR.  No, that's silly.  We'd be watching some shit from Nick Jr., diffusing a tantrum, overdosing on coffee, but we'd.still.be.on.the.couch.  Look at all these other runners hopping up and down like gazelles with pogo feet.  Why are my legs so HEAVY?  Hmmm...Ewan looks a bit sweaty now...or wait, is that freezing rain?

Mile 5: Why do I feel like he's speeding up?  He better not be speeding up.  I should tell him to slow down.  Express feelings to Ewan about not trying to show me up during a freaking long run.  Well, that didn't go well.  He sure was short with me.  Now he's going too slow.  Is he mocking me??????  God dammit.  Fine.  I'll just run my pace, if he doesn't want to be a team player, well hmph.  Oh look, another hill.

Mile 6:  I'm positive that 3 out of 5 toes on my right foot are dead.  And another hill is up ahead and no, I will not do another fucking hill on a long run....I need flat.  Flat like pancake...flat like junior high training bra...nothing that requires me to lift my legs THAT high is all...why is St. Louis so damn hilly?  There goes Mr. Gazelle pogo-ing up the hill.  I better tell him we're turning around.  Loudly yell/hyperventilate to Ewan about changing course.  Not so happy about his lack of responsiveness.  Smug bastard.  Fine.  I WILL go up this hill, but I'm not going to like it.

Mile 7: My hips hurt.  My feet are numb.  How is it possible to go down a hill and still feel like this?  I'm going to eat all the kale and all the Frida burgers after this.  And a banana and an apple.  I bet I look like a lunatic out here flailing about up and down the path.  I'm surprised I haven't been attacked by a legion of squirrels out to protect their precious territory from the giant rabies-stricken beast with compression tights on.  I hope Avery isn't being a nightmare for my sister.  There is no feeling in my legs.  They.are.lead.  Only a mile left.  I can't go on.  Tear earbuds out and scream a loud expletive.  I can't listen to anymore.  I need to hear my own gasps for oxygen.  Why in the shit is Ewan not dying like me??  I am so angry.  Why am I angry?  Because this sucks...and I'm doing it to myself.  Stupid girl.

End:  We are awesome!  I love running so very much! My husband is the greatest!  So loyal and understanding! Endorphins!  Gatorade is the BEST drink EVER! Can't wait until next Saturday!

See how that works?  Yeah, me either.

Admittedly, the infamous long run has gotten a lot easier for me.  I like the challenge of a good hill, and I can lay down the miles like never before.  But now there are 2 new factors called heat and humidity.  Anything can happen. 

And so what does the girl-who-prefers-to-run-solo go and do? 

She commits to her first EVER group run.  And not only that, a group LONG run...in the heat and the humidity.  I will be running with several other runner chicks for 7 whole miles.  This is going to get interesting.

Based on previous "running with others" experience, I can say I'm a bit nervous...apprehensive...terrified.  But this is a step in the right direction.  Even if that direction has me setting my Saturday morning phone alarm for 4:45 in the morning so I can get up and fuel in order to meet the group at 6:45.

Big Girl Run-derwear: ON! Group Run Challenge: Accepted!

Peace out and run on.

The Plan + I Am the Tortoise, Not the Hare

So here is the plan, and because I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl, I'll be sticking to this religiously.  It can be done.  I forced myself (and my poor husband) to follow my half-marathon training plan through the Polar Vortex from hell, no excuses accepted.  There was a bit of a tendonitis issue at one point and only because a medical professional threatened strongly advised me to, I was forced to bench a 4-miler, but the rest?  Done and done.  Runs may be juggled but never skipped.

This is a combination of a Hal Higdon Novice 1 plan and a No Meat Athlete Plan combined with some advice given by a personal trainer and a little intuition about how I operate and how I'm most likely to get.it.done.

A bit of explanation...

Running: Because this is an endurance plan, most of these runs will be at an easy pace.  For me, that's about a 10:00 min/mile.  Long runs on Saturdays may even go slower than that just because it's important to get the actual miles in without falling over dead all because I wanted to set a personal record.

Strength: This is a 45-minute session of weight-lifting/muscle-building training using 2-8 lb. weights, my own body weight, and resistance bands (which I still need to dig out of storage!)  Per my trainer's instructions, strength training stops when my weekday miles tally more than 18.  Something about the fact that I need everything I've got to get the miles in, not worry about breaking down and rebuilding muscle fibers.  (It all made perfect sense during our one-and-only session.)

Yoga: This is crucial for me.  I did a weekly yoga class during my half training and it proved to be very therapeutic for my mind and my body.  I now have a Yoga for Runners DVD that I can do at home because let's be honest, I don't have time for yoga studios!

Cross (as in Cross Training): An activity that gets my heart rate up for at least 45 minutes to an hour that is anything but running.  I typically do walking, rowing, or swimming.  This is to work my cardiovascular system but give my primary running muscles a bit of a break.

Abs: I do an Ab-Only workout that keeps my core and back strong - it is the powerhouse - ROAR!

Foam Roll: There is soreness.  There are knots in muscles that just don't go away.  There is pain.  I'm not going to lie - this is not a walk in the park.  It's a run up a damn hill.  This is the definitive guide to rolling away your pain.  Try it - love to hate it.  I also implore the use of a rolling pin and a tennis ball - screams of pain happen and then I'm in my happy place. 

Captain Obvious Disclaimer: I'm no running guru.  I have no medical training.  I can't tell you what is best for you.  This is the story of my journey - possibly motivation for some - but definitely not a running, health, or nutrition guide.  What I can do is tell you this: Check with your doctor, do your research, get professionally fitted for running shoes (do this if nothing else), don't wear cotton anything, listen to your body (not your inner blerch), and get your ass up and run.

And my mantra when I see young whippersnappers zooming by me on the trail or energizer bunny grandmas smoking my ass road-side...

This is a race to finish, not a competition with anyone but myself.  I am the tortoise, not the hare.

Peace out and run on. 

Marathon + Me + Saving the Princess

I decided to keep this blog because frankly, I'm awful at writing in a journal.  I now have a super cute "Marathon Journal" that is being used for writing to-do and grocery lists.  $8 well spent, I'd say. 

Yeah, so, right now, this is for me to keep track of the next 18 weeks of running-related fun during marathon training.  I may share it, but I won't apologize for foul language or rambling posts.  I also won't humor comments about "not enough protein" and "bad for your knees" - so take that, naysayers.

Today is day 1.  Monday, June 16, 2014.  Day 1 of the ultimate torture: Full Marathon Training.  That's 26.2 miles of running, fueling, hydrating, inner monologues of the crazy, and pure and utter insanity in the hot, hot, humid mid-west summer.

Let's reminisce here.

Jan 2013: Joined the Rec-Plex to lose weight and start setting a good example for my son.
Feb 2013: Sinus Surgery + Adoption of Vegan Diet
Mar 2013: Started Couch to 5k Program.
Apr 2013: First 5k Fun Run - the Color Run in the Rain - Jogged/Walked the whole thing and came in under an hour.
May - September 2013: Dropped 50 pounds and walk/ran my first timed 5k in July.  Crossed the finish line at 40:00.
October 2013: Trained my ass off to finally run a whole 5k non-stop.  Ran the Howl for the Homeless 5k in 34:47, knocking over 5 minutes off my previous PR.  Made the fateful jump to start training for my first Half-Marathon with my husband.
November 2013-March 2014: Trained like a beast in the winter from ice hell.  Dropped another 25 pounds.
April 2014: Ran the Go! Half-Marathon in 2:27:37 and that next day signed up for my 1st marathon (wtf?)
April - Present: Ran using a self-developed maintenance plan (15 miles/week) to keep my fitness, added HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), Cross Training, Yoga for Runners, and ab work to my line-up. Set 2 new PRs - 5k: 27:57 and 10k: 1:03:03.  

So yeah, there's the back story  - this blog is going to be my marathon training therapist.  You know, the kind that keeps their lips zipped, nods, and lets you go on endlessly about your life.

So why am I doing this?
Yeah, I'd like to know too.
No, really...

I'm doing this because I can.  I put in the work to shed years of over-eating, couch dates, and living in the land of comfort zones.  I chose the apple instead of the vegan ice cream.  I got my ass up, put on my running gear and ran even when I would have rather gouged out my eyes.  I saw my body transform in front of my eyes.

I'm running this shit because I earned the satisfaction of succeeding, and I don't care if I have to drag my legs across the finish line with my own teeth -- I will cross it, and there will be celebratory ugly crying.

For you non-runners who enjoyed a rousing game of Super Mario Bros. back in the day, I can only say that this is like the need to beat the next level no matter how many times that one fucking flying turtle got you.  Must.Save.the.Princess!

Peace out and run on.