Glorious Day Of Rest

Barometric pressure was really low yesterday and I never found my happy place during my scheduled run. I usually hit it right at about the first 10-15 minutes. Yesterday it eluded me for 45 minutes. My body felt as if it were encased in cement running gear. I also had the beginnings of a migraine before my run. At least I managed to keep that at bay all day.

Today was a glorious day of rest. I slept in an extra hour this morning. It felt so good. I really needed it.

This week I have been ravenous. I am hungry all the time - not gaining weight - yet definately feeding my face. I am trying to make really good choices when it comes to eating so I keep healthy and my body gets stronger and reacts well to the increasing length and pace of my runs.

I am really worried about fundraising. This marathon is so important to me and to my family. I can't let anyone down. I am doing this not just for me, but for my inlaws. I love them so very much.

Catch Up

The Saturday Group run was really fantastic. I didn't want to get out of my warm bed and run that morning. It was pouring down rain and inside just seemed like a much nicer place to be. However, I dragged myself up and out the door and made it to Boulevard Park on time. The rain stopped, and the weather wasn't too terribly cold. The first half of the run is the most difficult. My running partner and I realized that the first half is a slight uphill grade for most of the way. The run on the switchback hill trails through Arroyo Park were a challenge and I really felt the burn in my quads. The trails were a bit slick and I slipped once. I discovered too, that when running when you step on a big fat slug they squish open just like a foil ketchup pack. My legs were adorned with slug guts. My lungs are really acclimating, my legs are taking longer to catch up and still get pretty fatigued.

Sunday I was supposed to run, but my legs were so wiped I took that as my day of rest and ran yesterday instead. My running time is lengthening and my walk time is decreasing. This really pleases me.

This morning I ran in sunshine. It felt so great. I need to get a baseball hat to sheild my eyes.

I have been working with a local title company and they are brainstorming with me for fundraising. They want to support me and they are looking in to a corporate sponsorship. Woo! The fundraising is the most difficult part of all this. I keep telling everyone I know. I have been sending out letters and am getting pretty brave at asking for money in a pretty direct fashion. I have to raise this money, the marathon is so important and has become such a huge factor in my life.

Nutrition and my day of rest

Tommorow is our big group run. I have 110 minute run. I am greatful for today's day of rest.
I am feeling a bit sleepy and lethargic today. We are socked in with a heavy mist and dark clouds which is supposed to last all weekend. I am so ready for summer. I don't really enjoy running in the rain. I do need to get a hat to sheild my eyes. The rain and my contacts don't play well together.

Last night we met with a nutritionist. She gave us a fantastic goody bag. It was very informative and helpful. I am not getting enough calories in me. I am lucky if I can make it over 1000 a day. I am just not hungry and after eating I feel like I had had a 10 course Thanksgiving Dinner. She gave me some good strategies to work on and some helpful tips. I need to make sure I getthe fuel my body is requiring or I won't make it. I also don't want to lose muscle mass. I do track my food intake each day. I am good about the percentages of fat/carbs and protiens. I just need to increase the calorie amounts.

I am learning so much. I want to keep running, long after I complete this marathon. I do think this is becoming a lifestyle.

Run Rabbit Run

This week's runs have been really rough. I haven't been able to really find my stride and each run has seemed terminally long. Tuesday night my youngest child was up all night. So Wednesday morning's run was after about 2 hours of sleep. I did feel great the rest of the day. This morning's run felt like it would never end. I kept watching the clock. I know I shouldn't do this. I have little tricks to keep myself from looking at the time. They failed me this morning. I think I was a bit dehydrated and under nourished this morning as well. Tomorrow is my day of rest.

I received an email from my ex mother in law. A close family member died recently. This morning I found out he had Leukemia. Now that I am part of TNT, leukemia seems to be everywhere. Just about everyone I talk to has been affected by a blood cancer in some way. I had no idea prior to this how prevalent blood cancers are.

Yesterday I received a little package in the mail from my mom. It was a fantastic TNT tank top. It will be perfect for running in during the hot summer months. The back says "Run Like A Girl". I just love it! It was a great surprise and really lifted my spirits.

I need to focus on fund raising. I am going to do this.

I really would love a long soak in a hot tub.

Time to get started

I have been meaning to take some time to start typing, but life tends to get away from me and the next thing I know it is time for bed. I have been officially in training for the Nike Women's Marathon since May 12th. I have been humming along, taking the runs in stride and feeling pretty great, until this weekend. This weekend was tough. Maybe the weather has something to do with it all. It was cold, windy and pouring down rain during my runs. Saturday's run was pretty good. I love my running team mates and my partner is great. She and I have perfectly matched strides. It makes those long Saturday runs go by quickly. I had an emotional Saturday afternoon. I just felt exhausted and off all day. I woke Sunday to cold dark skies and a deluge of rain. I really struggled through my run. I got it done, but it exhausted me. Normally after a run I feel great. My mood is elevated, I am filled with energy and ready to tackle the day head on. Not Sunday. I just couldn't move beyond the fatigue and cranky mood.
I had a general feeling of being completely overwhelmed all weekend long. I didn't handle it very well and for that I apologize to my family....

Today is our official day of rest and I took it. I often will do something other than run on the days off. Today I haven't exercised at all. My body really needed a down day.

I have my first 50 letters ready to mail out. I am nervous about the fund raising aspect of this journey I am undertaking. I have a couple of event ideas floating around in my head. I need them out of the idea stage and turned in to an action.

Tomorrow I will run. This week we are adding time to our planned runs.