On the suggestion of my awesome running friend Sherry, I decided that today's 7.5 mile run would be a run/walk combo. I've been reading a lot about Jeff Galloway's method of running for a set amount of time and walking for a minute. I tend to find that in running, I wait too long to walk and then have a hard time getting started again, so what better way to combat that than put in walking intervals. 


So, today, I ran two miles, walked for a minute, and then every mile after that, I'd take a minute long walk. The results? 


It went so well! I ran faster than my average 10 mile/minute pace. And I was able to speed up at the end, which was even more exciting. It was a good run -- the best run I've had in awhile. I needed that! 


The run/walk might be my new favorite method. :)

Spring break! :D

Today is one of my favorite days of the year -- Spring Break Friday! I love my students -- I do, I love them, but it is at this point in the year when we all need some time away from one another. Nine days out of my four cement walls (well, three cement walls and one collapsible wall) and away from people who ask me questions like these makes me pretty happy. 


I'm also hoping I can use this break to get back on track -- with sleeping, errands, life, and running. I've been looking forward to break to help me get back on track and remember why I like running again. (I like running. Right? Right.)


Side note: I ran out of peanut butter today. This is a minor emergency in my life. I will try to survive. 

Two in a row

Today, I ran two miles at a 7 mph pace. This was, by no means, a giant accomplishment on its own... but it means I ran two days in a row for the first time in... awhile. I'll take it!

Runner's World is on to me

I think the fine folks at Runner's World are on to me. They know I don't want to be running right now. I got two emails from them today. 


The first was a quote that read, "Have a dream. Make a plan. Go for it. You'll get there, I promise." -Zoe Koplowitz, marathon runner who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis and diabetes 


The second contained this article, which talks about remembering why you started running in the first place and focusing on the positives of running, like feeling your body move. Oh yes. That's why I started running. 


So, at least for tonight, I've found a fool proof way to make sure I run five miles: At the end of it will be my parents' house, and there will be dinner on the table. That's tough to say no to. :) 

A blog about health

Health  is a funny thing. I think, for the most part, it's something we all take for granted until it's gone. 

Case in point, I'm under the weather this week. (Side note: Where did that phrase come from? And why?) I'm not feeling like myself, and it's a reminder of how lucky I was to be healthy my entire training for the Princess Half. Anyway, thanks to medications and, hopefully, some extra sleep, I'll be back on track in no time. 

Today, I was talking to Dan about going to the doctor. We talked about how sometimes people (read: men) don't go to the doctor, even if they're sick. 

I suppose that's one of the blessings in disguise about being diagnosed with a chronic illness so young. You know when something is wrong in your body and you know that you can't necessarily fix it on your own. I'm certainly not a hypochondriac, but I know when things aren't right. And as much as I hate meds, they're far better than the alternative of suffering through illness. 

And, again, I'm the most boring blogger ever. EV-ER. 

Lazy writer, lazy runner

Who's been a lazy writer this week? This girl has. But part of the reason I've been a lazy writer is because I've also been a lazy runner. I ran on Tuesday for five miles. That was it. 


To be fair, I'm really and truly not feeling well this weekend, and thanks to medication, I'm hoping to be feeling better ASAP. But, also to be fair, I still probably could have run this weekend considering I had the energy to see friends, go to shows, and drink beers. 


With spring break only five short school days away, I'm feeling like I'm in survival mode. I need to get through this week, get some runs in, and get back on track. It's coming -- I know it is. My last race was still less than a month ago, so it's not like I've lost the taste for it this quickly. I just... can't seem to find that spark, no matter what I do. 


Come back now, spark! 

Is the long run too long?

So, yesterday, in my trusty inbox, I got my daily Runner's World email. The lead article caught my attention: Is your long long run too long? After I immediately thought to myself, YES, I decided to read the article. Read the article here


It's an interesting read. In the event that you didn't immediately go read the article (even though I told you to!), it essentially makes the point that marathon runners train up to 20 miles, but on the day of the race, run 26. The author was questioning whether half runners really need to train beyond seven miles, since, theoretically, the body is capable of running six more miles than they've trained for. He argued that it might be better to go shorter distances but focus on speed as opposed to longer distances that are slower. There were LOTS of comments on the article about how this is completely wrong -- how if you don't train for high enough mileage, your body will burn out. One commenter made the point that if you're looking at competing equally, you'd want to train up to ten miles, as that would make you go only three miles longer on the day of the actual race. 


I'm not sure what I think about all this yet, but it has started me thinking. Since I'm not so much feeling the runs lately, anything that gets me running shorter mileage might help to motivate me more. Our boys track coach (an expert on running) told me early on in my training that if I could run seven miles, I could run a half. So, I'm contemplating cutting back on longer runs for this race. 


On the flip side, it was during my 12 mile training run that I realized how tight my IT Band was and was able to work on it before race day. If I hadn't run that far, I don't know if I would have discovered it before the blinding pain kicked in. 


Regardless, yesterday I had a great day at school. I wanted to go shopping after school, but instead, like a good little runner, I went to the gym and got on the treadmill (because I was not about to run in 83 degrees). I ran slow. I ran long. And it took forever. But I did it. That's saying something!

Heat + Humidity + Hangover = Not seven miles

It was another wonderful weekend (seriously, they just keep coming!). We were off school on Friday, which meant I was able to get a lot done. Five loads of laundry, grocery shopping, and some light cleaning were all accomplished before it was off to the Chicago for dinner with Dan. Have I mentioned he's good people? He's good people. :) 


On Saturday, I got to greet Lisa, who was staying with me overnight for a wedding. I knew I wouldn't get a run in on Saturday, so today's run was going to have to be my long one for the week. Slight problem, since yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. I ended up following two afternoon beers with approximately 3/5 of a bottle of wine. Oh, and a shot, because, why not. 


Additionally, my eating yesterday was awesome in a really awful way. Breakfast was Garrett's popcorn. Lunch was Leprechaun Fries at O'Rourke's (Leprechaun Fries, if you didn't know, are basically giant, delicious fries covered in a ton of cheese and bacon. I then dipped these in ranch dressing.). Dinner, then, you might ask, came in the form of about four pounds of cheese and crackers, potatoes, and cabbage at Dan's friends' house. Oh, I also ate a giant chunk of fat off Dan's plate, because I thought it was a potato. NOT potato. 


Amazingly, I woke up this morning five hours after going to bed and didn't feel terrible. I didn't feel great, but it wasn't a feeling of death warmed over. But, it was raining this morning, and Lisa and I went to brunch (THAT'S when the hangover headache kicked in) so my run got pushed to the afternoon. I took a quick nap and woke up feeling better, so off I went for my seven mile jaunt. 


As I mentioned earlier, there was no transition in the temperatures here. Today was just like the past few days, 75, very few clouds in the sky, and humid. I wore shorts and a tank top (lesson learned) and headed off on my seven mile trek. 


I'll spare you the details, but it was ugly. The first two miles were fine, but then the thirst kicked in. I never bought a water belt (I will now though!) and mile 3 LITERALLY had me thinking about picking up a water bottle on the side of the road. Furthermore, and maybe it was just because I was thirsty, I'd never noticed how many water bottles, beer bottles, and cans are on the side of the road. It was like a big, giant liquid tease. 


Also around this time, I realized that I was probably still incredibly dehydrated from yesterday's imbibing. My GU was making me nauseated. So I did what anyone would do...


...I aborted the path, ran to my parents, drank their water, and had my mom drive me home. My grand plan if I got there and they weren't home was to drink water out of the hose spicket and then walk home. Stupid, stupid heat. 


I suppose it goes without saying that I didn't get in seven miles. But I did get in 5.5, so I'll take it. My mileage was back up to 17 this week, which makes me feel like I'm getting back on track. I just wish I was liking it a tad bit more than I currently am. 

A blog about Arthritis

If you are anywhere close to northern Indiana and have lived here for more than two years, you know that the weather we're having this week is anything but typical. It is March 16, and I have the windows open, a fan on, and am wearing shorts and a tank top. Furthermore, when I went for my run this morning (in a t-shirt and capris), I got so hot, I had to take the shirt off. That's right, it was a sports bra run or passing out, so I chose the sports bra run. It was a good reminder to keep my form in check, though! 


So, while this weather is beautiful (and it IS!), it is wreaking a bit of havoc on my body. As you may have read in earlier posts, the whole reason I wanted to run a half marathon was to do it honor of those who can't -- those who have debilitating diseases and are physically unable to run. Almost 12 years ago (wow, that seems long!), I was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. It took years to find the right medications, the right balance of sleep, the right level of physical activity... and now, I have days where I don't even remember I have it because I'm incredibly lucky to feel so good. 


Enter extreme weather changes. Whether the weather changes for better or worse, it is TOUGH on the body when all of the sudden, the temperature is 30 degrees different. On Sunday when I ran, it was 37 degrees. On Tuesday when I ran, it was 68 degrees, and today mimicked that warm temperature. My knees aren't used to heat yet and they're certainly not used to humidity (humidity, in case you didn't know, is the devil). This might be the only time I'll ever say this, but I think I actually enjoyed running in the winter more than I do running in nice weather. Does that make me nuts? 


Anyway, arthritis is weird. It's hard and it's tough. But, that's where you come in. 


The South Bend Arthritis Walk is coming on Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m. at Potawatomi Park in South Bend. This is your chance to give back and make a difference, and you can help in a variety of ways. Visit my web site and sign up to walk with me, volunteer, or donate to the cause. Here, you can read stories of those with arthritis, link to the Arthritis Foundation web site, and spend some time learning about the cause. 


Okay, that's it. My shameless plug is over. :) 

Seven!

Do you remember that Friends episode where Monica and Rachel are trying to teach Chandler about sex? They tell him there are seven erogenous zones on women (he's baffled at this, by the way) and then proceed to explain the numbering system to him. The scene ends with Monica yelling, "Seven, seven, seven!"


Yesterday, I ran seven miles. It wasn't nearly as exhilarating as the Friends scene, and I didn't want to scream out anything when I was done. For starters, this was my longest run since the half. Secondly, it was 65 degrees and sunny, which, while wonderful, is about 30 degrees warmer than what I'm used to running in right now. Lastly, I've been in a bit of a running funk (i.e. I feel like I accomplished my goal and don't seem terribly motivated to do better during the next one). So, I wasn't sure how the seven miler was going to go.


It went, though. I was motivated for the following reasons:
1. There were a lot of people there.
2. All of those people looked like they were in good moods.
3. I saw one of my awesome Jazzercise friends, Tara, there! She's the one who gave me the term "dreadmill," clever girl that she is. 
4. Four senior members of the boy's soccer team were running at Kesling before practice, and I REFUSED to quit before they did. 


So, seven miles I ran. It wasn't pretty, but it was faster than I anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise at the end of the run. So, I stretched and drank a TON of water, and drove home to shower and go to dinner. 


Pretty fantastic Tuesday...  bring on seven more! 

10-1=10?

Upon taking off my toenail polish tonight, I discovered a black toenail and a gray toenail in addition to the already missing toenail. Naturally, I have decided to remedy this the best way I know how: Gray nail polish. Or, in one case, gray skin polish.

Perfect weekends :)

I don't want to jinx this, but the past three weekends have been nothing short of perfect. Two weekends ago, I was running my first half marathon. Despite the pain and going a little slower than I wanted to, the whole experience was amazing. Spending a weekend with my parents in Orlando was also amazing. I love that at 28, I still have a relationship with my parents where we're not sick of each other after four days of non-stop togetherness. 

And last weekend and this weekend, I've literally been surrounded by get togethers with friends and family. Between Erin Parker's birthday, a comedy club visit, Kayla's first birthday bash, and Jamie's baby shower in Detroit, there has been non-stop happiness. And because of Dan, there has been pretty much non-stop smiling. :D

Additionally, I think I've finally gotten back on track with running. After ten glorious hours of sleep last night at Grandpa's, I woke up this morning and headed out for a run. I didn't time myself or map it until afterward, but I did right around 5 miles and felt decent about it. My love for the sport seems to be slightly m.i.a. right now, but I think running just ebbs and flows and this must be an ebb. 

All I know is I wouldn't trade weekends like this for anything.

Accountability and prayers

Okay, friends, I'm keeping this short as I'm heading to Detroit to see the Saoud clan! So, I missed my morning run. Again. I chalk it up to a combination of margaritas, a late night out, coffee with the girls, and leaving today for Michigan. I also chalk it up to not wanting to run. I've realized I'm firmly off the wagon, although, I keep rationalizing it because I read somewhere once that you're allowed to take a day off for every mile you run after a big race (13 miles, 13 days). Today is day 13, though, so that excuse is moot. 

So, TOMORROW, I am back on track. I will get up early at my cousin Amanda's, go for an hour long run, and tell myself that training is back on. I'm telling you this so I stay accountable. If I can't make me run, maybe you can, darnit. 

Also, if you're the prayin' kind, please pray for my runner friend Sherry as she deals with the loss of her sister. Sherry is so positive and motivating, and has helped me so much. Help me send some prayers her way. 

Advice for a Disney run

In my non-professional opinion, here's what you need to know about running Disney. 

1. Go the Expo on Friday, or the first day it opens. I was completely and utterly overwhelmed by what awaited me at the race expo. It was loud. It was ADD like. It was scary. And one of the workers commented, "Yeah, but you should see what it's going to look like in here tomorrow!" Get it out of the way early. Plus, they won't be out of freebies yet! 

2. Stay on Disney property. I know this sounds expensive, but it was the best move for me. The shuttles took us directly from Saratoga Springs to the Expo at the ESPN complex and to and from the race the day of. Had we driven, I would have been extra panicked about times and making it to the places we needed to be. I figured if a whole bus of us were late, though, they'd have to let us race! Plus, they take care of getting your luggage to and from the airport -- no worries there!

3. Get on the shuttle early. Shuttles ran from 3-4 a.m. and we were called to our race corral at 4:45. It was about a 20 minute shuttle ride. We got on about 3:30, and that worked perfectly. I had enough time to get there, buy a shot glass, get nauseated, wait in the port-a-potty line for 25 minutes, and cry while saying goodbye to my parents. It was enough time to enjoy the sights and sounds but not let my nerves totally take over. 

4. Potty early, potty often. Disney rocks at making sure there are enough bathrooms available. I pottied before I went in to the corral and then again as I was walking to my post. Disney even had potties around mile 1, and you'd be stunned at the amount of people who stopped (seriously, you can't hold it until mile 2?). The bathrooms in the Magic Kingdom are open and available to the runners, but the lines were looooong, so if you don't mind that much, just hit the port-a-potties. I went around mile 7 and the lines weren't too long. 

5. Stretch immediately. After you cross the finish line, they wind you through a little area where you get your medal and take your finisher photo. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT you need to stretch. Do not go to the food table. Do not leave the finishers area! Drop to the ground and sip (chug) your water while you stretch. I didn't do this. I told myself, I'll stretch when I find my parents! Forty minutes later, I told myself, I'll stretch when we wait for the buses! When we didn't have to wait for a bus and walked right on, I told myself, I'll stretch at the hotel! I did, but that was about 90 minutes after finishing. Mistake! 

6. Take your support team. You will need people to cheer you on and people waiting on you at the finish line so you don't take so long. You will also need people to get you water, bags of ice, TONS of food for your voracious appetite, and to hold your arm as you travel up and down stairs. This is not a joke. Take your people, people!

7. Smile the entire time. Why, you ask, would this go on the list of things you need to know about running Disney? Because the cameras are everywhere. EVERYWHERE! I got an email with all the pictures of me in them. In most, I look like I've been running for days. In one, where I actually saw the camera, I attempted to do an open mouth excited face. I look like I'm attempting to eat the camera. It's not pretty. But, there are a few where I at least look pleasant. :)

Second half motivation? Where you at?

Mom and me at Disney's Grand Floridian (lately, I choose sitting on tiny furniture over running) 

Something strange is going on with me and running this week. Saturday was my first run after the half (six days later). It felt okay -- not great, but okay. I was going to run Sunday, but there were car troubles to attend to, and that was far more fun and entertaining than going for a run (I'm not being facetious, I actually mean that!). Yesterday, I taught Jazzercise in the morning and evening. 

So, today, I was going to run four miles. But then, we had book club after school. And then by the time I got home, it was 5:45. And then I was tired. So instead, I took a perfectly beautiful day and didn't run and instead ate dinner. And candy. 

I seem to be having a hard time getting back into the habit of running. Toward the end of my training, I was trying to run four times a week, but I know I'm going to need to scale back to three runs for the time being. I'm hoping a run tomorrow and a few good runs over the weekend will help me get back on track. I don't seem to miss running right now, which worries me for my motivation for this second half. We'll see, though. 

I think eight hours of sleep will help. I've been lacking on sleep hours lately... but I kind of don't mind. :) 

My support team

I wish I could explain how crucial it was for me to have such a strong support team throughout this training and racing process. This might be my best training advice -- yeah, the runs are important, and eating is important, and stretching is important, but the MOST important thing for me was having people who believed I could do this on the days where I wasn't entirely sure. 

My parents, of course, were instrumental in this process. They were supportive from the get go, even though the first question my mom asked me was, "Did you ask Dr. Balog [my rheumatologist] if this was okay?" Having them at the race with me was the biggest motivator I could have had, because I knew when I finished, I had people there waiting for me. If you're training, make sure someone is at the finish line (or maybe next to you). I don't think I could have done this without their presence. 

Beyond that, though, you need other people too. You need people who will ask you about your training (to keep you accountable), people you can talk to about your training (because you'll have stuff to say), and people you won't talk to AT ALL about training and running (because your brain requires a break. Oh, yeah, and, you have other interests and stuff). 

And if you can swing it, try to surround yourself with things that inspire you and make you be more positive. Count on that support team -- even when they're people you haven't met yet. Support is so crucial to getting through this process with a smile on your face. 

Here is just one example of the many, MANY people who supported me: 

My Jazzercise students on the southside gave me a whole bag of peanut butter goodies before I left for the trip. Also in the bag were a set of small wands. I decided I was going to need an extra push during the race, so I tucked one of them in to my iPod case. When I wasn't sure I could do it, I looked at the wand and remembered I was running for all of them too. So, here I am, at the finish line. I've just spotted my dad, and am reaching out to wave to him. But, notice what I have in my hand? iPod complete with magic wand! (Do not judge the sweat or the look on my tired face.) 

I can safely say I literally don't know what I would have done without all the support. Whether you said something, or sent me good vibes, or stayed awake until 3 a.m. to text me good luck, I'm grateful for your support. 

Miles 8-10

 About a minute away from the finish line!  (I'm not in this one, though, as I'll save that one for after I see my Jazzercise ladies on Monday.) :)

In anything challenging, there is the proverbial wall. For me, I've encountered two such walls as of late: writer's block and the running wall. In the half marathon, the runner's wall came to me in the form of miles 8-10. 

At mile 7, I was living large. I'd run through the Magic Kingdom, seen my parents, listened to the first half of my pump up songs. All was well. 

Then I stopped to go potty. 

Restarting proved to be more difficult than I thought. My knee pain kicked in (which probably had nothing to do with stopping, but, still). This was also the most boring stretch of the race for me. Up to this point, there were characters, picture taking stations, music, or, you know, a Disney park to look at, but now, we were back on the highway, and there wasn't a lot going on. The Clif recharge station was in this stretch, but since I had my handy packets of GU safety pinned in my shorts, I didn't need to stop. I did, however, get to run over about a thousand discarded packets. 

I think my brain had a hard time wrapping around the idea that I still had five miles to go when I was already so tired. Plus, with every step, my right leg knee ached. So, at mile 9, I made the executive to move the IT band from the left leg to the right, leaving only my knee support on the left. 

But with the sign proclaiming Mile 10, I felt a small surge of energy. I've run 3.1 miles a bunch of times. I could do it then too. 

I won't say the last 3.1 miles were easy, especially with a climb up a winding overpass (cool people watching from above! not so cool to run up from the bottom!). But there was something about knowing I was only 30ish minutes away from the finish line, a medal, and my parents that gave me the push I needed. 

I have no real advice for beating that mental wall. Focus on your breathing and form. Say your mantra over and over. Make sure you have heavy, pumping music when you know you normally hit that wall. 

And then run like hell. :)

The Expo

I've been trying to think of a way to effectively describe for you the Expo from the race. The best, and most accurate, description I can come up with is this: I now understand what it must be like to have ADD. 

There are lights. There are people. There are people talking in to megaphones. There are people talking in to microphones. There are people handing you things. There are women. There are men. There are children. There are stickers. There are computers. There are poster making stations. There are things to trip over. There are lines. There are items for sale. There are treats. There are freebies. There are 40 bajillion things happening all at once, all right on top of each other. 

And I went on Friday, before the Expo got REALLY crowded on Saturday! 

Highlights of the Expo were being in the Jostens convention center (go yearbooks!), getting my official race bib (complete with Belle background!), picking up 19 mini Luna Bars (with the help of my super resourceful mother), and getting some Princess Half gear (a super cute I Did It t-shirt (I was being optimistic!) and a key chain that I'll be using as a Christmas ornament).

Swag!

Additionally, the Expo was also where I was able to sign up to send my parents texts of my splits so they knew where I was and set up my Facebook posts so my friends who were up at 6 a.m. could follow me. 

This was easily the busiest, craziest Expo I'd ever seen, but it was really awesome, and comes highly recommended.

The Bib! 

The vacation aspect

In addition to accomplishing my goal of finishing the Princess Half Marathon, I also got one of the best vacations of my life out of the deal. I think, in part, it was so great because not only was it relaxing (and with two of my most favorite people in the whole world), but I accomplished something too. 

We left out of Midway late on Friday, thanks to the winter storm that rolled in. I tried not to be frustrated, but was kind of sad that we'd be missing our late lunch reservation at The Rainforest Cafe. Bygones. We got to our hotel, Saratoga Springs, at about 4 p.m., and went straight to the grab and go restaurant because I was getting hangry (hungry/angry). After we scarfed our food, we went to find our room... a lovely first floor walk in that was directly across from Downtown Disney. Then, we trekked over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex so I could attend the race expo and get my race packet. Holy overwhelming, Batman! I'll save that for another blog. Friday night, we walked over to Downtown Disney to see the sights and sounds. It was PACKED with people, but we still managed to work our way into Ghiradelli so I could have a peanut butter chocolate ice cream sundae, otherwise known as heaven in a glass.

Saturday morning started with breakfast at The Polynesian. This was perhaps my favorite meal of the trip due to one thing: pineapple macadamia nut butter. I literally wanted to lick the remaining goo off my plate, but refrained, as we were in public and I'm classy like that. Seriously, yummy breakfast though. :) Afterward, we went to some of the other hotels to see what they looked like. It reminded me of hotel hopping in Vegas, but calmer, and with more little people there. Then something really cool happened. 

So, through the Arthritis Foundation, I met Amanda, a 20-year-old Purdue student who also has RA. We met last year at an AF event, and she killed me in fundraising last year for the Arthritis Walk. Anyway, Amanda is studying at Disney World this semester and sent me a message on Facebook. So, on Saturday, we got to spend the day with her at the Magic Kingdom, which was SO much fun (and, made for even seating on the rides!). It was great to visit with her and get the behind the scenes scoop on Disney. :) Saturday night was an early night, as I needed to rest. If you've read my earlier blog, you'll know that didn't even happen a little bit, but I didn't care too much come Sunday. 

After the race, I went back to shower and decided it was best to keep moving. I was afraid if I napped, I wouldn't get up. Plus, I still had too much adrenalin. So, off we went to Epcot for the day. I forgot how much I LOVE Epcot, easily my favorite park! Most of Sunday is a blur of rides, walking, sitting, and tiredness. But I DO remember Sunday night's sleep being some of the best in a while. 

Monday, I woke up with some serious quad pain. No good. But livable. And then it was back to reality. 

I'm taking off running until the weekend, and then going to try to get a few runs in. Looking forward to seeing what my legs can do! 

A casualty...

And then there were 9...