From Fat to Triathlete

Tag: marathon

2

I am baaaaaack!

January 25, 2010

This morning was my first official “run” after being sick for way too long!  I didn’t go far, only about 1.5 miles and I certainly didn’t go fast.  But it really was the first time I felt interested in running in a few weeks.  Which is a very good thing.  (Wrigley thinks so too, he has not been sick and has missed the daily running.) 

I want to make sure that I don’t jump back in too fast.  I still have a slight cough and a runny nose (wish I could run that fast!).  So I will be easing my way back in, not trying to do too much.  I wanted to try and eek out that extra 0.5 miles this morning to get to 2 miles, but even though my mind said “Yes” my body was saying, “Well….”  I decided to err on the side of caution.  Which is totally my personallity, and I hope won’t get me in trouble and make me lazy.  But I have every intention of getting back to the level I was at and then increasing my fitness.   Hopefully all while staying healthy. 

I think my marathon plans will have to be put on hold.  I haven’t run longer than 4 miles since before Christmas.  I might go searching for a shorter run or a marathon that is later in the season.  I want to do something in the spring….besides just training.  I will have to see what’s out there.  Any suggestions?

Still tri-in! 

Jenn

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1

Just 5 More Minutes, Mom!

December 7, 2009

I’ll admit it, instead of getting up when I should have this morning, I pulled the covers up and slept for another hour!  And boy did it feel good.  It was cold out, and warm in bed and I was tired.  I think the extra hour of sleep helped with my running this morning though.  Lately, I have not been feeling motivated to run.  I go out every day, but it’s only because Wrigley sits and stares at me with his sad eyes and makes me get up and take him on his run.  He’s extrememly difficult to resist.

So, this morning, I have been doing some research on the sleep needs of a person training for a marathon.  (Or triathlon, or 5K, or whatever a person happens to be training for.)  Here are some key things that I read which I already knew, it’s just nice to have them refreshed in your memory. 

  • Getting enough sleep boosts your immune system.  These days, when the Swine Flu, other flu strains and scores of colds are running rampant, a strong immune system is critical.
  • Getting enough sleep improves athletic performance.  Since I’m training for a marathon and future triathlons, good athletic performance seems important.
  • Getting enough sleep improves mental clarity.  Having a fit mind is important while training because you are more in tune with your feelings, both physical and mental. 
  • Getting enough sleep improves your attitude.  Some days, the only thing keeping you going is a smile and a good attitude.  Being rested ensures that you will be able to go the extra mile.

  For all of these, the term “enough sleep” was used.  So, how much is enough?  It varies from person to person, but the average is from 7 - 8 hours a night.  Reserach has shown that adults that get much more or less than  7 good hours of sleep a night have a higher mortality rate.  Adults who sleep closer to 7 hours have lower mortality rates.

And remember – quality counts too!

Still tri-in’

Jenn

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Running in the Rain (or not) – Podcast Edition

November 13, 2009

I made it out in the cold today for a short 2 mile run.  I was able to practice some speed work, getting my heart rate up and even sweating some.  The other day, during Wilmington’s welcoming of Tropical Storm Ida, I stayed bundled up in the house.  I just couldn’t bring myself to run in the downpour. 

I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s race reports following the Beach2Battleship.  It seems like you all had a great time, even if you were participating in a iron distance triathlon.  It just adds to my excitement to participate myself in 2 years.

Hope you enjoy my new podcast.  Thanks to Gayle, it is now available on iTunes.  Head over and subscribe so you won’t miss an episode.  In this episode I talk about the Beach2Battleship triathlon, my marathon plans, and a new calf stretch I discovered after Thursday’s run with achilles pain.

[podcast]http://fat2triathlete.com/podcast/VA030_016KBPS_091112_091356.MP3[/podcast]

Have a great day!

Still tri-in’

Jenn

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2

Beach2Battleship Triathlon

November 9, 2009

This weekend we were able to volunteer at the 2nd annual Beach2Battleship Triathlon here in Wilmington.  The tri has both a half and a full Ironman distance race.  If you ever get the chance to volunteer at any race of any distance, I would highly reccommend it!  The athletes are so inspiring and they are working so hard.  And I know from racing that the little bit of encouragement received from the volunteers is always appreciated and sometimes desperately needed.  It’s also a great way to see just how things work. You can watch the participants and pick up tips on things they are doing that you might not have even thought of.  And you can see things that you thought would work that seem to bomb.

All in all, we had a great day directing cyclists, watching finishers, and cheering for all!  Congratulations to everyone that finished both the half iron and full iron distance!  Next year I will be among the half ironman finishers.  We were even able to pick up 4 participants leaving the battleship and give them and their bikes a ride to their hotel in Wrightsville Beach.  They did not need to try and get across town after finishing a half ironman!  We really enjoyed talking with them and getting to know them a bit during the 30 minute drive.

Speaking of next year, I am still training.  Saturday was a scheduled rest day so Wrigley and I walked 2 miles in the morning.  Sunday we ran 3 miles disappointingly slow.  My average for each mile was 19:29.  And boy was I consistant, the first mile was 19:28, the second was 19:30 and the final mile was 19:29. 

Today we ran 2 miles and the pace was a bit better, an average of 18:45 min/mile.

I do have sort of a goal change for the next 5 months.  On Friday we were at Bike Cycles, a local bike shop, picking up our volunteer t-shirts and I noticed a flier for the inagural Wrightsville Beach marathon to be held in March of 2010.  Well, I decided if I’m going to train, I might as well run a marathon!  So, I found an 18 week marathon training plan online and counted 19 weeks until the marathon and figured it was fate!

With all that said, here is my training plan for the rest of the week.

Tuesday (11/10) 3 mile run with speed work

Wednesday (11/11) rest day

Thursday (11/12) 6 mile run

Friday (11/13) 2 mile run

Saturday (11/14) rest day

The six miles on Thursday kind of scares me, but I’ll make it through.  I’ll let you know how it goes…..

Still Tri-ing!

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