Am I ready?

With just a week to go until the Eugene Marathon, I will bet there are a lot of people out there wondering.

Am I ready?

It is a valid question. If you've been training for months, and sticking to a schedule, then yes, you probably are ready. Is it enough? Is it ever enough? If, like me, you haven't been as dedicated as you'd liked to running, then you may have some self doubt.

Now, I'm doing the 5K, and could probably run that far without a lick of training if I had too. I'd just be sore and maybe even injured afterwards. But I don't want to just limp through. I'd like to enjoy the race. And I see it as a bridge to my triathlon at the end of May.

I hope I'm physically ready, and after running 3k at the March of Dimes, March for Babies event on Saturday, I think I'm also mentally ready.

I'm also getting really excited. I can't wait to see all the thousands of runners lined up, and all their friends and family cheering them on. It is very cool to feel a part of something.

I feel like a little bit of an impostor, because I'm only doing the 5k, but I know I shouldn't. Because I'm taking a step (actually a whole bunch of fast steps) towards a bigger goal. And maybe someday I'll tackle a half marathon.

At the very least, I hope by joining this race, I'll understand a little better why so many thousands of people spend hundreds of hours running and running, chasing a dream.

And I've still got a week of training, to make sure I'm ready.

Better Weather

What a difference a week makes. I just finished a run along the Willamette River in crisp, sunny weather. Everyone was smiling and giving little nods of acknowledgement as if to say, "Yeah, I love this weather, too."

Last week I ran in the pouring rain and blistering winds, and biked in hail and pelting rain. Now, it wasn't miserable when I set out on these training legs, but turned nasty when I was about as far away from home as I could be. Grrr.

Or more like Brrr!

I admit it. I'm one of those fair weather sports gals. I like to ski in calm, sunny or overcast conditions. I prefer to swim outside when the temperature is 75+. I like to run when its not to cold or wet, not too hot or humid. I like to bike in still, mild weather. I'm no hardcore triathlete.

I like comfort.

But there's been nothing comfortable about training this spring. Blame it on La Nina or whatever, but its been a lousy season. Last year when I trained for a triathlon, it was much later in the year, and much nicer weather.

So after so many weeks of total discomfort, it is so inspiring to run in the sunshine.

I hope, hope, hope its like this next week for the Eugene Marathon. Not just for my own selfish comfort, but because I want all the visiting runners to enjoy their Eugene experience. I have friends coming down from Seattle to run, and if its hailing, I'll be a little embarrassed.

But, frankly, that comes with the territory. When you are reaching for a goal, you can't let a little rain, wind, sleet or hail get in your way. Because, as my husband like to remind me all the time, it could be just as miserable on race day.

Let's hope not.

Getting excited...

I got an e-mail yesterday with Eugene Marathon race day details. The race is fast approaching. I am getting excited--and a little scared. Running 13.1 is such a gargantuan task. I'm confident I can do it, but I have some nerves going on.

In other news, this morning's Training in Track Town installment is really interesting. We met up with local walking coach Tyler Burgess yesterday. I'm a runner, but I do walk to warm up and cool down (and for the occasional rest on my long runs, of course) and turns out, I've been walking wrong. I mean, I can obviously walk around--but I had the total wrong idea about strides and steps and all that good stuff. So you should check it out on kval.com

Time...

Jen--I read your post and I definitely agree. It is so hard to find time to train--let alone blog (as our web guy Darryl knows. He has to remind me to blog). I don't even have kids to worry about. But just keeping up with work, errands and my favorite TV shows (yay, 30 Rock is back) is enough to sidetrack me.

But this race is important to me. In my very first blog post, I talked about why I love training as opposed to running. The still holds true. If it weren't for the Eugene Half Marathon, there is no way I would spend so much time on the trails... enjoying the nice (sometimes) weather, checking out the scenery and realizing that people here actually go outside in the summer. That probably sounds strange--but in Arizona we spend May through September indoors, hiding from the sun and blistering heat. On a recent run through Alton Baker Park, I saw a ton of people walking, biking, fishing and feeding the ducks and geese. This got me really excited for the summer.

But I digress. My point of this whole post is to say I'm trying to make running (and health) a priority in my life. It is hard--but I think it's worth it.

Running while juggling...

I don't literally juggle while I run. But sometimes, in fact, most of the time just to get out on the trial or on the treadmill is a huge juggling act.

We are all so busy. To train for a race takes dedication.

For some reason I'm finding it harder this spring to find time to train. Maybe its the 3 kids playing soccer, the full time job, the new dog, the photography hobby, the trip to Disneyland or the gashed knee that's getting in the way.

But frankly, that is par for the course. I'm always busy. There is always something. There is always a reason not to run (or swim or bike.)

So I have to remember why I'm doing this. (Why AM I doing this?) Partly because I said I would. Partly because I love the training when I finally get going. And mostly because I love finishing a race. I loved doing my first triathlon.

I also have to give myself a break. Last time I followed my training schedule religiously. This time I've missed, or been half-hearted about some of my training, especially the time consuming biking. But that's ok. It's not all or nothing. I need to just take it one day at a time. One run at a time.

So I'm trying to be my own cheerleader. Go Jen Go. Run, run. You can do it!

Right after I fold this last load of laundry....

Ouch!

Those of you who survived the 80's probably remember the terms "feel the burn" and "work through the pain." Turns out that when you feel pain, your body is telling you it hurts and its time to give it a rest.

Any good trainer will tell you that in order to go faster, run longer and get better, you've not only got to work, but rest.

My training bible for my sprint triathlon is called "Your First Triathlon" by Joe Friel. For every six days of swimming, riding and running, there is one day of rest. He explains muscles and endurance builds during these times of rests.

And even though I've read this, and am even writing it here, that doesn't mean I live it. Because people aren't always smart. In this case the dumby is I.

Here's what happened. While on vacation, racing with my kids at a highway rest stop, I fell and cut open my knee. I left urgent care with seven stitches, badly bruised knees and elbows, and one sore ego. I spent the next six days running around Disneyland and Southern California, ignoring my injury. When I returned home, I resumed my triathlon training. That is until my leg swelled up, the gash in my knee stopped healing and I collapsed in exhaustion and pain after work one day.

So this wasn't a training injury, it was an injury none the less. I just ignored my pain and exhaustion and ended up sidelined for almost a week.

Thankfully, I'm now on the mend, and my training is back on track.

The lesson to my painful tale (and tail) is: don't be like me. Give it a rest if you're in pain.

Your body will thank you.

13.1 here I come!!!

Well. It's official! I took the advice of a comment I got on my only other blog, and decided to finally bite the bullet and sign up.
Tuesday I officially signed up for my first ever half marathon at the Eugene marathon. I realized on Monday as I was running 5 miles, that I can do it! And even if I can't run the whole thing, I can set a mini-goal for myself. Like run 8 miles of it. And I keep telling myself this is only my first half marathon, in what will be a long string of them.
Now the race is really on though, because I only have about four weeks to get my mind, body and especially my feet prepared! I've been watching Laura's stories diligently, and reading as much as I can online about gearing up for race day. My first battle, has already been blisters. I'm trying to find the balance between training hard, and not killing myself! But it's a day by day approach, and at least now I have the focus to get it done!!

In the swim again...

I realize that this training blog is probably read mostly by runners. But since I'm training both for the Eugene Marathon 5K and a sprint triathlon, I thought I'd also write a bit about swimming and biking.

Getting back to swimming was, honestly, a little daunting. First of all, you need to find the right piece of water to splash around in. Secondly, its cold. Putting on a swim suit isn't easy when its 30 degrees outside. Finally, I'm worried I've lost all I gained after not swimming for a few months.

So that first morning I prepared myself to huff and puff my way through the first few laps. Stepping onto the wet cold cement deck in my Speedo, I thought, "What am I doing getting into a pool while its hailing outside? This doesn't look like fun." So again, I have to tell my brain to shut up, and just take the plunge.

As soon as I push off the wall and start my stroke, it all comes back to me. I remember that wonderful feeling of being submerged, cruising almost weightlessly along in the water, the rhythmic breathing and meditative quality of watching the bottom of the pool slip by.

I love swimming. And I can't believe I've waited all winter to get back in the pool. It feels so good, even the ache in my arms and shoulders is a reminder of why I like swimming. All the hard work of last year... learning to breath on both sides, figuring out how to move my whole body and not just my arms, and building my endurance... seems to be paying off.

I don't love the getting out of the pool part. Its still cold.

Still Training

Hi All,
It's been awhile since I entered a blog, but in between getting the crud and spring break, I have been training! I've had a lot of success on the tredmill, watching the NCAA basketball games. It sure helps pass the time and keeps my mind on something other than walking the boring tredmill. I can't believe I've enjoyed working out on the tredmill. When I trained for the marathon, a couple years ago, it was all outdoors and during the spring it was especially great to get out and see the evolving spring. But with all the rain and cold temps this past week, I was glad to be inside. I'm up to well....8 miles, so far this week....did my longest walk yet Sunday and that was 2 games...I mean 6 miles. I'm not setting blistering paces, but I'm also not sore, which is good.
Sorry, not a lot to add...I have noticed that it's easier for me to sleep all night, as the workouts continue. Also, despite what some e-mails indicate, I am in a better mood in the mornings! Oh...and probably the best part is, yep, it's helping with the toning and even a little bit of weight loss....can't hurt!
See you on the trails!
Shelley

Training on Vacation?

I've been a blog slacker the last two weeks. That's also because I've been a training slacker the last two weeks. I haven't been hitting the trails or the computer screen as much as I should be because I've been going out of town.

It's a battle to squeeze training time into my normal busy schedule. It felt nearly impossible to fit those runs in when I went to visit my family in Yuma, Arizona. Okay, to be honest, it's not impossible. It's just more appealing to spend time with my family, eating food from my favorite Mexican food restaurant than it is to run some canals in the 92-degree heat. That's how hot it was when I was there.

Now that I'm back in Eugene, I'll be back on the running path. I'm already back on the blog.

Life gets in the way sometimes. What's important is getting back.