Marathon Training Update

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Wednesday even run...

Practice doing hills (Cincinnati is famous for them and they are part of the run)
During run, lost a contact 1/2 in. Half blind for other half and oh it started snowing pretty heavy for the end of our run and the area was so dark.

Praise God all is well and I'm at home with my dear glasses on and can see.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DHSPARK 2/25/2010 7:36AM

My goodness...you had quite a run. I can relate and sympathize with you about the conditions one has to endure when in training. People that haven't yet tried an endurance event don't realize that those that have/do train in all kinds of conditions...hills (ugh! I'm sorta a "flat-lander"), wind, rain, traffic, fog, darkness (not-so-much for me), ice, snow, and on and on... You inspire me by taking on this "running thing" but most of all for your Godly and gentle (and humorous) spirit! Gotta "run" (ohhh...you do it for me) Deb Report Inappropriate Comment

Update - Bubble Gum

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

It's been sometime since I blogged about my craving of yes...bubble gum. It's something I've had since school age. You can imagine the dental visits. Well last year I got better because of tracking everything and there really is a lot of room if any for bubblegum if you truly track it. But then I got lapsed and when from what I thought was my favorite gum - BubbleYum (regular flavor) to a less expensive gum (Double Bubble) when also by the way gave me more the 3x the amount of gum and for less. Bad combination. I just loved that gum and could easily devour a bag in a day. You see my chewing habit is flavor gone, pop it out and put in another. For anyone who has had sugar gum you can already know how quickly that happens.

What about sugarless? Answer: I just don't like sugarless gum! Period! I tried it but it's just not good to me.

I tried different things/challenges to try and let go of the bad habit but being able to get the sugar goodness for only $1.89 a bag and the sweet smell when you pop open the bag made it so hard. Thank God I never gave up. Each time I neared running out of gum was a time of reflection that this isn't a good thing. I didn't like my mouth and teeth being covered in pink and all that coloring in my mouth was also inside me.

Well Praise be to God on Friday, February 19th I chewed my last piece of my favorite gum. I've notice a slight desire for it, but nothing like the past. Instead getting more I did buy fruit flavored Certs. I figured this would help with the obvious sugar withdrawal but doing away with the PINK mouth!

Of course the Certs option is not the best so my next phase I plan to start tomorrow is Fruit Snacks from Sunkist. Yes still some sugar, but no PINK and I'll get 100% Vitamin C.

So you may be thinking it hasn't even been a week yet why is she blogging this. Going 48 hours with gum is unheard of for me and besides I wanted to get this out there so all my Sparkfriends could help me by being my accountability partners.

To not chew gum. Wow it's something within reach now. Feel free to ask me anytime how I'm doing.

  

Garmin 305; Running; Gu; Shoe Buying & Sparking!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Hi all! I am getting sleepy now but I wanted to say that I had a good day today. I decided last week to order the Garmin Forerunner 305 and it arrived on Thursday so today I got to test it out and I have to say it was a good purchase and has some really cool feature. I've gone tech-y.

We did a 12 mile run today (back to up weeks). We ran in an area that had much more to see, but with all the snow it's still dangerous b/c you can't run on the most of the sidewalks. Several of us had a close encounter with a bus (including me), but we made it through okay. I'll be glad when it does warm up because some areas it is best to run on the sidewalk.


At our half way point we got to try Gu, an energy gel. The texture is just like the word. I had two Strawberry Banana gels. All in all they were too bad. (Has anyone else ever tried them?)

After the run I headed back to the local running store that organizes our group runs for their shoe sale. I've blogged about shoes before and I must confess I was getting better but I still didn't have the right shoes. When I arrived to the store there were a good number of folks there. One of the running coaches was going to help me, but it was quite a mad house so he since me downstairs to get a proper fit and there I found out I need stability shoes. Ha! That wasn't a surprise at all (but no laughing!!)

I made my way back up to the shoe sale and there were even more people!! With some additional help I found three pairs of shoes and as I was leaving I ran into Coach Steph also braving the crowd to find a good deal. We chatted while waiting in line to pay for our shoes and just remembered to smile and make way for the crowd.

I'm excited to keep trying out my new Garmin and this Wednesday my new shoes.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JOYSONG50 2/22/2010 4:06PM

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SP_STEPF 2/22/2010 2:50PM

It was SO GREAT to see you on Saturday. Your positive attitude and upbeat demeanor are contagious, my dear SparkFriend! Enjoy those new shoes. Stepf Report Inappropriate Comment

DHSPARK 2/20/2010 2:54PM

Three new pairs of shoes? Also on the Garmin Nice "running" into you (tee, hee), Deb Report Inappropriate Comment

Training - Miles 12.0

Sunday, February 07, 2010

So either I'm officially dedicated now to the trainings for the marathon in May or I'm loony in exercising.

Cincinnati got several inches of snow Friday evening and Saturday morning so I didn't make it to the Saturday run. Thankfully the training organizers planned a make up run on Sunday. I debated doing a Sunday run for a while, because I didn't want it interfering with worship service. I'm happy to say that because of the early start time I was able to complete the run, make it to church, and even have an after run snack before service started!!



Since the sidewalks were still very snow covered we mostly ran on the street, which actually is much smoother than the sidewalks so it's easier on the knees.

As I came in for the home stretch a runner who I had already seen going back while I was still coming passed me again. I had to ask him how many miles had he ran, he said 16! What else was amazing was the icicle on the back of he head!

They tease me because I bundle up, but this guy just had on running clothes (looked like one layer) and a head band (no hat just head band!). Wow! I'm so not there yet, I like being warm.

After church I took the doctor's order (Dr. Oz that is) and purchase organic fruits. Yep I paid more for them but after seeing his show the other day I rather pay more. I remember one other show when he talked about how the food we put on our tables is handled by so many people including some not so sanitary moments and sure enough I watch a man getting broccoli and one fell to the floor, he just picked it up and put it back with the other broccoli. Yhew! Thank God I've learned to bless my food!

Well back to nicer things...Next week we have a down week. After completing 12 miles today I figure 7 miles will be like a breeze. Also I'm glad it's a down week because I'm suppose to take one of the young girls at my church to see Cinderella. I got FREE tickets!

I'm so happy to be able to say I've ran 12 miles (never done that before until today!)

Well gotta go. Take care s!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

THEQUEENBEE333 2/15/2010 4:34PM

AWESOME JOB. Dont worry, I think some runner dress warmer than others! I would too if it was me! Have a great week! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLFAITHWALKR 2/8/2010 3:04PM

You're awesome. Inspiration for those of us coming up behind you. Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYSONG50 2/8/2010 9:13AM

Nice job! Report Inappropriate Comment

We All Could Use A Giggle #2

Friday, February 05, 2010

Giggle 1 confirmed that fellow sparkers like to giggle (I know I do) so here's another to help make that happen.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JOS4EVER 2/11/2010 8:03PM

That made me laugh. Thanks. I needed that. Report Inappropriate Comment

LJR4HEALTH 2/7/2010 4:01PM

love it Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLFAITHWALKR 2/7/2010 12:12PM

Ahhhhhhhh! That is funny. Did you see Sally Met Harry or whatever the name was? Report Inappropriate Comment

BEAUTIFUL_BABY 2/5/2010 4:03PM

LOL thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

JADERUNNING 2/5/2010 3:33PM

Too funny! Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBESTA 2/5/2010 12:35PM

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JOYSONG50 2/5/2010 11:33AM

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READYTOLOSEIT2 2/5/2010 11:03AM

WOW! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

SHANA-LEANNE 2/5/2010 10:13AM

lol. that is so cute :) Report Inappropriate Comment