Great day for a run

Today was a great day for a run. It was in the 60s (I think), sunny and just plain gorgeous outside. We ran about 3 miles at a 4:1 ratio and certainly picked up the pace from last week. This week we averaged a 12-13 minute mile ( last week was 14-15 min miles). It felt good...really good and my feet did not go numb. I did loosen up my laces and that must have helped. What a relief. This will be my last run before the first official Saturday morning group training run. I can definitely see myself doing a 4:1 ratio through the training and marathon. I would like to see if I could hack a 5:1 but I'm not going to push that just yet - adding miles is more important at this point than extending my run ratio.
I'd love to write more but I have a huge graduate curriculum unit due to my revision team by tonight and haven't done a whole lot on it. Off to get working on that. Ugh... I enjoy running more than curriculum writing - never thought I'd say that!

Pluggin Along

So...I ran with my new sneaks today. I did a 4:1 ratio - 8 times - 5 minute walk to start and 2 minute walk after. Nicole and I ran together - she clocked it out to about 3 1/2 miles. That would be the farthest I've ever gone. Woohoo. I felt really good after we got going. I picked up my pace a bit and overall my body felt pretty good. One thing that did bug me were my feet. I know...I just got new sneakers and I'm complaining about my feet. They started to go numb from the outer toes in. By the end of the run the outer half of both feet were fairly numb. My feet used to do this when I did cardio at the Y in my old sneakers. I couldn't ever tell why. I thought maybe tonight my laces were tied a bit too tight so I'll loosen them up tomorrow and see if that improves any. One thing that was great about my new shoes were their ventilation. My toes were nice and airy. Hopefully the numb feet thing only has a short life span and I'm back to normal feet once again.
After the run today I also tried some of the during run "snacks" that we have to have every 45 mins. Nicole and I bought a plethera of snacks to try and see what we like best and can stomach while running. Today's snack of choice were Sharkies. They are gummie like things - organic - with some after taste but I think they are totally doable. Pretty cheap at Target - they are in the running. I've also bought sport jelly beans and cliff shot bloks. If anyone has any suggestions on what they eat while they run please pass that info along!

NEW SHOES!!

So... look at my cute new shoes! Huge props going out to Fleet Feet in Annapolis! Some of the crew headed there this evening to get fitted for running shoes. They were totally knowledgeable and low and behold told me I am NORMAL (or at least my foot is!). These sneaks are totally comfortable - love the color and the fun wave in the heel! I am actually excited to go running tomorrow to officially try them out. I also got a new bra - gotta protect the ladies (sorry gentlemen). It was from a company called Moving Comfort. I have never felt more comfortable in a sports bra before. Totally need to check out this company more.
On another exciting note - today was my Weight Watchers weigh in day - I lost 3.8 pounds last week. Still have a few pounds to go until I am back to my 50 pound weight loss...I can totally be there within the next two weeks (I hope). I just can't express how much better I feel physically, emotionally and mentally lately. I'll be even better in 31 more school days. :)

On my own...

This weekend I am home alone. Normally I catch up on school work, clean, and sit in front of the TV. I hadn't exercised since our group run on Wednesday and I knew I had to run today. And...I did. I am normally not that self motivated but when you have new running clothes and a new running watch why not run?
I just got back from doing a 4:1 ratio (4 minutes of running and 1 of walking) for 30 minutes - walked about 5 mins prior and about 6 after. I did have to take two minute walk breaks twice. I wanted to stop so bad after 25 min of running. It's all such a head game so I talked myself into it and finished out what I had intended to run. My body felt tired but good -no aches or pains. My knees have been really good lately and my hip is still sore a little but I think that is improving. At least it doesn't pop - I must be strengthening those muscles! Hopefully I can motivate myself to run again tomorrow since I won't be able to run or do pilates :( on Monday.
Monday Debbie, Nicole, Donna and I will be heading to Fleet Feet in Annapolis to get fitted for running sneakers. I'm excited to actually get real sneakers and to retire the ones I've been using now for a while.
Training officially starts next Saturday so I treasured sleeping in this morning until 10. I won't be able to do that again until September!!! Well...off to shower and run some errands. I have 2 bags of clothes to drop off at good will - they are just too big for me...oh shucks..I might just have to buy some new clothes to replace them. :)
On a fundraising note:
As of this week I've pulled in almost 25% of my goal! Thanks goes out to this week's supporters : Ellen and Fred (waiting to see what he sent but he told me a check is on the way so I'll give him credit this weekend!)
Thank you cards will be coming to those folks soon - on tonight's agenda is making cards with my abundance of Stampin Up goodies!

Rita's

So...update on the tons of extra points left over today... I drove past Rita's to see if they had my favorite ice (Mint Chocolate Chip) and they did!!!! So I got a Gelati worth 11 points. It was worth every last point. If I wanted to I could still eat 1.5 points left over from my activity. Love it!!! What a way to end the day. :)

Amy's mean!

Amy made us run too much today. Ha. I only say that because I promised her I would post it. Actually it was a great run. I felt good, after a little while, and we ran at a good pace for me. We did about 2 1/2 miles averaging between a 14 & 15 min mile. The 3:1 ratio felt really good today and I think I might actually try the 4:1 during my other runs this week to see if that can become as comfortable. We went off the track and ran on the road for our time today- loved it. I was nice not to just run in circles - different scenery!

My realization that this weekend is my last one to sleep in on a Saturday was a scary one. I am going to sleep until I just can't stand it anymore on Saturday. Starting next weekend I'll be up by at least 6am every Saturday until September for our training runs. This is really starting - I'm excited but it still doesn't seem real.

On a fundraising note: Debbie is raffling off her beach house for any offseason week through April of 2009 in the Outer Banks, NC. If interested in buying a ticket let me know - $15/1 $25/2 or $50/5. All proceeds will be split among 4 runners who are selling for our marathon goal of $1000. To see her house click below:
http://www.surforsound.com/properties/property/601

Off to find something else to eat - I earned 3 WW points for running today and I still have 9.5 regular points left for the day. I should not eat that many points of ice cream so I'll have to put some thought into my snack (snacks) for this evening. I was good and did have some G2 after running. It's not often I'm willing to give up points in a drink but it's good for me.

And the money arrives

When we started having marathon meetings, the coaches said that the fundraising would be the easiest part of the process. Well - after sending some emails I already have raised $198. I sent 40 letters today and I'm sure that will only continue the fundraising efforts. I can't wait to have Kristy demo a Cookie Lee party where some proceeds will go to my fundraising. This week Debbie and I are also going to make raffle tickets for a week at her beach house to raise funds to be split among the teachers running. Already being at 20% of my goal and having not even really begun the training is awesome!
A huge thanks to this weekend's supporters:
Pia, Phil, Julie & Bob, Mom & Dad, Nicole, and finally my first financial supporter- Dr. Salmon!!!!!!

Today was pilates after school. I absolutely love it even though it is TOUGH! I am strengthening muscles I didn't even know I had. I intend to continue with Pilates even after training is over. It is obvious why people who do it are in such awesome shape and I want to be one of them. Tomorrow I hope to run and Wednesday is our group training run - this week we move off the track and hit the road. :)

So far - injury free and still extremely motivated!

Cookie Lee

The wonderful Kristy Gancasz is going to help me raise money for my 1/2 marathon by helping me host a Cookie Lee jewelry party. I love their stuff - she is wonderful - and I'll raise money while hanging with friends and buying jewelry...ok sign me up! May 9th - Friday night - my place...come on over. If you are interested email or see me! Help me reach my goal by buying fun jewelry for yourself or others!

By the way - I got my first check donation today from Dr. Salmon - the Superintendent of my school system. THANKS!!!!

Today x 7

I ran today - third day in a row! It was 75 degrees and it felt HOT. Becky and I ran 3 mins with a 1 or 2 min. walk break for a half hour. It was encouraging to know that my pace group will probably be a 3:1 or 3:2 ratio so I'll just have to keep up what I did today for 13 miles...haha. That was the daunting thought. 13 miles and late summer heat. It's hard to imagine that I'll be doing this in a few months but I am SO excited. I'm also so excited to have a day off of running tomorrow. I'm a bit sore - my left knee hurts a bit and my right hip was popping while I was walking today but was ok while I was running. Those are my common running issues so hopefully as I continue those will work themselves out through cross training etc.
On fun training gear news : My water belt and blister free socks arrived today. I NEVER thought I'd wear a "fanny pack" but I tried on one to hold my water bottle and "snacks" along the way and the one I bought isn't too bad. I'm just trying not to think about how I look while running and just focus on functionality of it. My new blister free WrightSocks are the most expensive socks I've ever purchased. Normally I get 5 pairs for what this one pair cost! I can't wait to try out my new gear though! I'm still waiting for my Timex Ironman watch to come in the mail. The next big purchase will be my running sneakers!!!

Pre-training runs

In preparation for the 1/2 marathon training, a group of us have been running weekly to get ourselves up to 3 miles using the couch to 5K program. It is a wonderful (and tough) program that I had used last fall when I ran 2 5Ks. I had not run since I played field hockey my sophomore year in high school and had no desire to start. Although it's been difficult the running bug bit me. I still can't believe I've committed to run 13.1 miles in only 4 and 1/2 months. I finally motivated myself this week to get back on Weight Watchers and exercise. So far I've eaten on points all week and ran twice, since Monday. I hope I can keep this motivation throughout the training - in regards to eating and running. I'm sore but I feel good. The running also gives me exercise points on WW and now I get to eat 3 more points worth of food tonight...BIG BONUS! I'm not always this gung ho and motivated so I'm sure I'll need some encouragement along the way!

If you haven't seen it yet - I have a fundraising page

www.active.com/donate/marathonrocks/carolanne

If you feel led to donate a dollar or two to help me reach my $1000 fundraising goal for the 1/2 marathon please stop by!

Feel free to comment - send the blog to others - and please keep checking in on the progress...I'm sure things will only get more interesting