The Big Push

Hey everyone. I'm writing this from the library on a late night research session, so I'll make it quick. My training hasn't started, and I think it's because I'm so focused on school. I'd really love it if I could get an extra five hours into my day, but I doubt that will ever happen.

On the plus side: Last Thursday, I played soccer with some classmates, and I was able to run faster than I did in high school, and my endurance was up. After two hours of soccer, I was still able to jog. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it enough to make it a weekly event.

On that note: I know Joe has told me that I should "tell him when I actually start training." I told myself that this is the week, which explains why I'm in the library so late so I can get ahead of work for the week & get a nice running start. The downside is that the shoes that I bought still aren't broken in, so running is a lot more painful because of the shoe. A friend recommended that I use my old running shoes for longer runs and the newer shoes on shorter runs. Definitely going to try this out. Makes sense though, doesn't it?

Hope you guys get off to a great start this week!

What Did I Get Myself Into?

So I found this lovely gem on the internet. I never looked at how long twenty six miles was... Evidently, it takes you all around the Walt Disney World property. And this got me thinking... what did I get myself into?

In order to get myself in motion for the upcoming race, I bought new shoes to train in. So I present to you, my brand new Saucony Mirages.

I am so very excited to have both of these brand new things. They're new motivation for me to keep on running. I also got a brand new Vera Bradley backpack in java blue. My poor North Face backpack is looking a little bit worn after almost three and a half years of being used. Amazingly enough, the shoes were very affordable - I got them at an outlet in Orlando.

When I got back to my house, I got presents! My window decal came, so it's hanging up in my room to motivate me. I'm right around the 90 day period for my marathon, and I feel really good about this.

My training plan: I found this marathon training guide thanks to Runners World. I'm planning on starting more than mid-way through. It's designed for beginner runners, who rarely run more than six miles. I think I'm a bit beyond that, so I think this will also help increase my time by a little bit.

This week's workout should ideally be:

Monday: Up to one hour (XT)
Tuesday: Quality 7-8 miles
Wednesday: Easy 4-5 miles
Thursday: Tempo 6-7 miles
Friday: Rest!
Saturday: Easy 10-11 miles
Sunday: Easy 3-4 miles

I'm integrating weights into my Monday workouts (specifically). My maximum mileage for the week is 35 miles, so I hope I can break in my new shoes shortly. I don't care much for blisters. Last but not least:

I'm so very excited to see my Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters in February!

93 days: Guilt-Free Eating & Countdown to 2012 Disney World Marathon

I officially bought the sticker to clip to my monthly schedule to remind myself of what I'm shooting for. (I feel bad for Joe when he drives it. Two hot pink stickers stuck to my car and sorority letters.)

The morning after my race, Joe went to Magic Kingdom & bought me a cupcake and fudge since Disney World was celebrating its 40th anniversary. I, on the other hand, was starving, and all I could think about was the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. We made it around the world - stopping in most of the countries to try something new. I think Canada is still my favorite with its cheese soup, sausage, and Moosehead.

My parents came into town the day that evening to celebrate with me, and of course, we went to my favorite sushi buffet. After being sufficiently stuffed beyond caring, I realized that I was a little more than three months away from my next race. This time I'd like to cut down my time a little bit more, which will require a new means of training.

I'm no running guru.

But I like sharing my experiences with other people, and hopefully, they won't make the same mistakes I did. One thing I did notice was that people were trying new protein bars, water belts / running belts, and shoes on the day of the race. They would talk about it with their friends, and I'd look at them with pity. Not a good idea at all. Train the way you want to run - in all aspects. I ran with the same clothes I had been wearing. The only thing different was the treadmill - I didn't have it. So my advice to you: Don't try anything new on the day of the race. You don't want to risk not finishing because your feet hurt from the brand new shoes or your body reacts badly to the new protein bar you just HAD to try.

This weekend's goals:
- Get new running shoes.
- Find a marathon training guide.
- Get running.

Race Recap: 2011 Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Good morning everyone! (As I'm eating this, I'm eating a whole appetizer size portion of calamari... and not feeling guilty AT ALL.) Here is my recap for my most recent race.

5:00 P.M.: Ate grilled chicken with pasta and marinara. Took a nap because I had a headache.

6:30 P.M.: Woke up from an hour long nap. Had all my stuff set out on the floor, so all I had to do was put on the stuff. Ashlie drove me to Epcot, where we boarded buses that took us to the start line at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Pleasantly enough, as if God had perfect timing for all of us, we were blessed enough to have the temperature drop to around the 60's. No/little humidity. No chance of rain.

8:00 P.M.: Finally got off the bus. I wish they worked on the bus situation, since it was the same as last year, but less time spending lazing around. Ashlie left around 9:00 P.M., and it was into the 'runners area' for me to stretch lightly and just mentally prepare myself for it.

Even though I ran last year, the feeling was surreal.

9:20 P.M.: I found a great spot in corral B. The corrals this year went from A - E, so I was placed with people that ran around my pace. (My goal for next year is to get into corral A.) I sat on the concrete, waiting, much like cattle waiting to be let out into the pasture. I didn't start playing my music until around 9:55. My dread was for my iPhone to die. I also placed my phone on airplane mode. I people watched to pass the time.

My favorite costume pair this year: the lobster in a pot & his wife, the cook.

This year, Disney added a feature where you could inform your family and friends via text message about where you were in the race. So Joe and my parents could tell that I hadn't died yet. It was particularly helpful when you were trying to meet up, and it gave them an accurate idea of where you were.

9:58 P.M.: Wheel chair athlete (yes, singular) took off. Anticipation was in the air. I took my first GU + water. Began playing my playlist - 2011 Wine & Dine. Time began for the race.

10:00 P.M.: Corral A fireworks. I didn't want to take a picture of our corral's fireworks and start because last year I was almost run over for doing that. 5 minutes of waiting was excruciating.

10:05 P.M.: Corral B start time (7 minutes behind wheelchair athlete, who started off the show). As I was heading onto Osceola Parkway, I had that feeling of dread. Miles 1 - 4, I doubted if I could make it. I thought for sure I would be swept. The thing with training on a treadmill is that it really doesn't give you the impact of a road. (I refuse to run on a treadmill now that the weather is beautiful.)

My feet ached for the first four miles.

As we approached Animal Kingdom, my pace had begun to settle. I ran the first four miles with an 11 minute pace, which was 2 minutes up from what I had been training from. Not too shabby. Only stopped to power walk up the incline, which I think is for the best. My left knee had been bothering me the whole way already, and I didn't want to not finish because of an injury.

The sad thing with being a slow runner is that those sub-8 minute milers were already making their way on to mile 7. (The route loops through Animal Kingdom back onto Osceola Parkway.)

Animal Kingdom is my least favorite part. I know Expedition Everest looks amazing, but the smell of animals + seemingly increased humidity stinks. They had restroom facilities open throughout the park, so that runners wouldn't have to be faced with using a port-a-potty. They did a good job though this year. They didn't use those stupid cones to try to force everyone to keep in a little path. There was more room for experienced runners to get by.

Race Tip: Do not let the feeling of everyone passing you get you down. Do not increase your speed. Keep at training speed (+/- a minute or two). My biggest failure last year was that I ran my first three miles at a 7 minute mile (= burnout). Chances are they're only running the first half of the relay!

As we made our way through a backstage area of Dinoland, USA, we headed onto a very dimly lit path. They did set up lights, and this is where the relay exchange took place. Runners for the half marathon stayed left, and runners for the relay stayed right. Turning around a lake, I saw the constant stream of runners. (At least I wasn't at the end!)

Making our way through the exchange point, we saw the power walkers, followed closely by the police escort at the end of the race. At almost mile 6, this is the point I knew I was going to make it (barring any race-ending injuries).

Just keep running... Just keep running...

Powering (in my own way) towards mile 7, I wondered whether they had changed the route so that we wouldn't all be funneled on a single lane and made to do a complete 180 on another single lane. They did. Good job, guys! I definitely saw the improvement between this year and last year.

Just around this time, I asked myself: "Why did you sign up for this? Why did you sign up for a marathon?" Followed by a: "Surely, you've completely lost it, Vanessa. You'd only be a quarter of a way towards 26 miles." As we headed up on World Drive, there was a ClifBar stop. I had just taken my second GU, so I snagged some for the road (and for future training purposes).

Around mile 9, we entered Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) through the back cast entrance by where Fantasmic! is. Past Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, made a loop over by the Fantasmic! theater was. Past Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Toy Story: Midway Mania, and through the backlot tour area. We got to run on the backlot tour route, which is where I stopped and walked to peek into the windows. But then, I continued - towards mile 10, followed shortly by a trip to the Lights, Motor, Action! stage. We got to run on the part where the cars drive. I tried to take a picture of myself on the big screen, but that failed.

Mile 11 was just exiting the park, and then I knew only 2.1 miles left. It's an amazing feeling. It really is. Knowing you're almost done. We headed towards the sidewalk leading to the Boardwalk from Hollywood Studios, which Disney had thankfully left those stupid cones off, so I ran in the grass for a little bit. Good feeling - relieving my knees of the impact for a little. Snagged some BioFreeze and slapped it on my knees and around my legs. It made them tingle. I wasn't in pain so much as I was annoyed. Then I thought about Civil Procedure, and that made the whole running bit better.

Mile 12 was on the Boardwalk someplace. Only 1.1 miles left.

Race tip: If you see someone struggling, give them a thumbs up, a smile, or something! Smiling really helps. Something with the positive attitude. Regardless, I had someone come up to me after the race and thank me for giving them encouragement. Not everyone feels like they can run it alone.

Mile 13 was just near the finish line for last year. They pushed the route back, which was a great idea! Instead of having the signs stuck in the ground, they had volunteers waving them around. Surprisingly, this year I was so hungry after the race. (You'll get to see what my first meal back was.)

I stopped at the finish line to wait in a five minute line to see Mickey and Minnie and take a picture with them. I didn't get one last year, so this year was it!

I crossed at 2:48:05. Realistically, that includes the 7 minutes for the wheelchair athlete and 5 minutes for Corral A. So, I definitely shaved off time since last year. I'd like to think 12, but even just knowing that I did better than last year (with only a week and a half of training), made me feel so amazing.

Resisting the urge to cry with tears of joy...

It's a great feeling knowing that you have friends on the other side waiting for you. I grabbed my medal, took a picture, and then headed for the goodies (i.e. food - banana, muffin, water, powerade, Clif bars). I was so hungry/dehydrated, but the first place I headed was to the race recovery area 'self medical tent,' where I slapped more BioFreeze on my knees, legs, and back. I wrapped my knees with ice and headed to a small area for stretching and reflection.

After that, I met up with Joe and Ashlie, took some photos, and found out: the food stopped serving at 1:30 A.M. (What the heck...) I grabbed a BudLight, which I sipped on. (YES! First beer in ... I can't remember.) I know I was nowhere near the end of the runners, but I had spent so much time in recovery because I knew I needed it. Instead of heading in to Epcot, I had Joe drive me to my favorite late-night spot... McDonalds. Were you wondering what I ate? A Big Mac, fries & powerade. Yes. That burger did NOT last two minutes.

Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you CAN'T.

I started running about a year and a half ago. Someone told me that I should start little, almost implying that I couldn't ever finish a half marathon. "How long is a half marathon?" "13.1 miles." (Silence on the other end.) So if you stick it out, train, eat healthy (don't use me as a model for this), you can do it. So, now as I'm thinking about running outside (yes, I am actually able to move/walk/run), I'm planning on upping my challenge & pushing myself further.

See you in January 2012 for my first marathon! xx

P.S. Photos to come when Blogger feels like cooperating.

Pre-race: 2011 Wine & Dine Half Marathon

12 followers! Not too shabby! It's now 6:41 A.M. on race day. My plan is to get to Epcot around 7:00 P.M., and Ashlie and I will hop on a bus to the start corrals as soon as they start running. After that, I'm going to laze around in the grass - not really stretching... but not really lazing either.

It's weird. After a year, I did not have the same sweep nightmares that I had last year. My only fear this year is not finishing because of some obstacle. I think it comes about because I have my first full marathon in four months, which I hope this will show some sort of endurance. I hope I can move my legs more than last year - because while I was in better shape for this race, I don't think I paced myself well. I was so hyped on adrenaline that I finished my first three miles in 21 minutes. (Yeah, I didn't think I could move that fast either... except to get out of a burning building.)

I know I have a loving support team (who will most likely be tanked by the time I get to the finish line), consisting of my boyfriend, Joe, and my little, Ashlie. My parents will be driving up to go to the Food & Wine Festival on Sunday with Joe and I.

I have run consistently this week to prepare. After a foot injury two weeks ago from heels (yeah) and recovering from a bad cold, I want to just finish this beast. I packed in an 8 mile run, 5 mile run, 10 mile run, and 3 mile "run/whatever" to make myself come to this. After I got on the road, I had plenty of time to sit and think. I thought about all the times in high school I didn't really want to run. I could run a mile... no big deal. But anything more than that... I just didn't want to.

I remember running in college, and that was a big fail. Until my friend, Amanda, signed up for her first half marathon and encouraged me to do it. I remember thinking: "This would be a great activity for Joe and I do to do together." (Unfortunately, his knees won't let him, but that doesn't stop him from being my number one fan!) And I signed up for my first 5K... and did it. It took me longer than I thought I would... A cold February day... and I ran by Kellum Hall and Smith Hall and realized I could push myself further.

Fast forward to a 10K, where I twisted my ankle on mile 5, and I still ran to the finish. My time was still good enough to submit for start time. That reminds me, I need to run another 10K before the year is out for start placement. Who was cheering me on and running alongside me for the last .25 miles? Joe.

After last year's half marathon, who was the one who force fed me a banana, a muffin, and whatever other food he could try to get me to eat? You guessed it. Joe.

And he never fails to surprise me and remind me why I'm with such a perfectly amazing guy... He planned a surprise party by faking me out. (Thanks Ashlie, Christen, and Brandon! I love the shout outs on the wall from my friends.) I told him that he better not have any other surprises in his sleeves. I've got nothing this weekend but all my effort to put into the race. Oh, and one trusty pair of shoes that I'm probably going to donate.

So after eating cake, smart popcorn, and various stuff I'm not supposed to eat and vegging on fries/fried pickles with Ashlie + late night Olive Garden... I'm ready for some healthy food (i.e. Sweet Tomatoes) at lunch.

The half looks to be more organized than last year. We are not going to be funneled on one lane, but rather Osceola Parkway will be closed entirely for the race. They claim that their water stations are approximately every 1.5 miles, but I think it will be closer to a mile. That's how they had them last year.

My upcoming races:
+ November 2011 5K with a beginning runner, who is a classmate of mine
+ January 2012 Disney World Marathon (my first!)
+ February 2012 Disney World Princess Half Marathon
~ September 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon (tentatively)

I have a few words of wisdom for anyone thinking about running their first race.

• Sign up for a race to get you motivated. I paid a pretty hefty fee for a Disney race, and that completely motivated me. You'll have a deadline for your goal. Commit yourself to a running plan. (Don't be like me who just decided to run 8 miles to see if I still could.)
• Get support from your friends and family. See if anyone will be waiting for you at the finish line. That is a big motivator for me. I WANT to see their smiling faces at the end.
• Build up to your race. If you've never run a 5K/10K and want to do a half marathon/full marathon, do that first.
  
• Talk to other runners, whether it's people who you know or commenting on blogs to find what tips they have.
• Running is 85% mental. You can do it. If you tell yourself that, you will succeed.
• I like running with music. It makes the time go by faster, and it helps me keep my pace. If you don't, that's cool too.
  

All that aside, I truly believe that everyone is in my life for a reason. Thank you all for your support, and I hope that the next time I post, I can include a nice picture of my medal. xx