Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Guest Post - My First Marathon - Part 1: The Training

Hey everyone, I am a little low on blogging material regarding training, unless you want to read about my pregnancy (MiniFancyPants) or how I went to the gym and I did the spin bike for 45 minutes to a cool mix while playing on my iPhone this week, I decided to get my friend Lisa Campisi (@campisister) who is running her FIRST marathon - The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, to write a post!
I met Lisa through Team Triumph, our tri team.  Towards the end of the Bridge Run 10k we ended up running together and realized we ran a similar pace, go figure, right when I go and get myself knocked up (joking), but she says she may run the 8K that I still plan to do at Rutgers next month!

Here is Part 1 to Lisa's post on the training for her first Marathon this weekend!  She promised a race report when she is done.

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For me… I never thought I would run a marathon.  I hated and still at time hate running.  So, you may be asking…why are you running a marathon?   This is a question that I have constantly been asking my self through out this training process.  Well, the simple answer is, I want to do an Ironman, next year.  My coach who has complete several Ironmen told me it is best to run a marathon before you do an Ironman.  So here I am training for my first marathon. 

The training hasn’t been too bad to be honest, but you should know that I am not going out to win it.  I am running to finish.  That is always my plan whenever I do anything new.  Another part that you need to know is that I was injured for a long time and running really hurt, literally hurt every time I ran.  I have gone through Physical Therapy and had to relearn how to run, plus build strength in my hips, which took away my IT band pain.  I am finally healthy and strong enough to train for a marathon. 

Besides the fact that my pain I had every time I ran went away, my training was not too bad.  This was mainly because I have a ton of support from my friends and family.  This support came through all kinds of avenues, not just though posts and my coworker saying “way to go,” but friends that went out on run after run with me through the crazy winter weather we have had…the wind, rain, snow, ice and changing temperature.  The snow and ice seemed to always show-up when I had one of my really long runs to do. 
Some of my supportive friends at the end of my long runs.
One thing that really put a cramp into my training was I got sick.  UGH!  I thought I was going to be able to fight through it, but No.  The Thursday after my 18-mile run was the day I got sick and it last for an entire week.  I missed a several workouts including a long run.  I ended up at the Doctors office and on antibiotics.  I finally finished the antibiotics the day before my longest run (20-miles).  And of course it was suppose to rain on that day.  Turns out that day it was just misting, so I was able to get the run in.  Boy was it a hard run!  I fought through and made it the 20-miles.  

After the 20-mile run, I was excited to finally taper!  I felt good and ready for the marathon.  But the way things go in my life it is never that easy.  I got a blister in the middle of the arch of my left foot.  Ouch!  It hurt no matter what shoes I had on.  This injury put me into the pool to do a lot of water running, so I didn’t fall behind in my training. 
My blister after one of my long runs. Ouch!

Now that I am exactly one week out, I am finally healthy and had a great last long run, yesterday.  I am feeling good about my marathon.  A little nervous, but good!  Bring on my marathon!


To Be Continued…

Saturday, March 2, 2013

This Week's Happenings....

As most of you know, I will not be doing any racing this year due to Baby Girl (no names picked out yet)....If you want to read my pregnancy happenings you can go to MiniFancyPants - I wanted to keep a separate log on those happenings :)  Until then, I will live vicariously through all my blogging friends and their experiences, maybe even bookmark any races for 2014...Anyway, lots of stuff still happening, working has been INSANE mainly due to increase amount of projects so it's nice to not have a 15 hour training week hanging over my head.  However, because I'm not can't train for any races, I have been having so much fun with my workouts.  I have been doing things I haven't been able to do in a long time! 

Fun things like - Running and then taking the pup for his walk/my cool down
In addition, I am not being overly critical with myself which in a sense causes me to relax a bit and not be as stressed....increasing yoga hasn't hurt either.  Some weeks I'm swimming more, some I bike more and some I run more, I am just going with the flow, which normally would drive me nuts but the fact that there is something I have to take care of in my body has changed my tune a little...

Last Sunday, I was able to get to a yoga class at the new studio Yoga Soul in NJ with Yasi, Joe and Craig.  I was a little concerned at first when I found out it would be heated, but I think being 17 weeks I am still okay with that.  The class was an intense Vinyasa and, with the exception of a couple poses I am not allowed to do, I worked hard and felt good. 

I had a great afternoon with my book club peeps at my parents house complete with Barista Tony (DAD) making us super fancy cappucinos :)

Book club minus Yasi (she had to go home early booo)
My mom and I while watching the fashion of the Oscars after book club
Monday was another super crazy intense TRX class and the combination of the Yoga class Sunday and lots of one leg TRX push-ups and squats and a shitload of core work, I was one sore human on Tuesday morning but my favorite kind of feeling.

Tuesday, I was able to do a light spin for a little over an hour on my trainer while catching up on my shows.

Wednesday was another 90 minute yoga session with Jen.  My other prego friend and I are taking a pre-natal yoga class which is just as intense as any other vinyasa.  Jen, the instructor is amazing and she comes to our house to do the class so it is catered to what we can and should do. 

Thursday, I checked out a new spin instructor and sweated a bit after my strength training session that left my legs sore again on Friday...

Friday - I took a wonderful full rest day which worked out perfectly since I received my winnings from super awesome Ironwoman Hilary Biscay's blog that highlighted my friend Anabel -  check out Anabel's amazing story in 3/GO Triathlon  The compression socks are perfect as I prevent any swelling in my legs from being pregnant (figure I would get the jump on it.)  The jersey is awesome, but will have to wait till next year - although I plan to wear it for the time being before my belly really pops while on the trainer so I still feel cool. 


I finished off Saturday with a great run in the crisp cool weather we have been having - my pace has slowed a little but all in all its good. I feel comfortable and have more energy than the first trimester. 

Now off to a little date night with the hubby...
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