Almost there!

Hit a huge milestone yesterday - 10 miles!!! 10 freakin' miles. And I ran six before having to stop and walk for a few minutes. So I finished, but I'm not gonna lie, there have been more fun times in my life. Like, everything. I may be a runner, but I still don't like running.

However, I must say that it's absolutely astounding how well I can run when I don't drink the day before. Well, not astounding - I run like 12 minute miles. Still.

P.S. I got new shoes that are half size bigger than normal and my toe doesn't hurt anymore. Vegas, bring it on!

My toe hurts!!

Aughhh!!!! My toe is killing me. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it really hurts to walk today.

So after the past few long runs, I've been noticing that my third and fouth toes on my right foot get sore. No big deal - my right foot is a tad bit bigger than my left, so I just figured it's pushing up against the shoe.

But I did three miles yesterday and now my fourth toe is hurting to the point where I can't walk properly. This SUCKS. I am staying off it today, but I was supposed to do five miles tomorrow. Yikes!!!

Not sure what to do - I feel like a total loser with a freakin' toe injury!

Well, it's been awhile....

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing well! I've been slacking on this blog a bit, so sorry. I hope everyone is getting ready for our trip!! I can't wait!!!!

I ran seven miles on Sat., taking advantage of the warm weather! It was kind of hard. Up till now, I have been running only twice a week (a short run and a long run) and I really should be doing three or four times a week.

My plan for this week is: 3 miles today, 5 miles Weds., and then 8.5 miles on Sat. before I leave for Charleston. Next week will be difficult, as I will be in South Carolina through Weds. for a business conference, but I just need to force myself to get up early one day and run a few miles in the hotel gym.

No injuries or any other major challenges thus far, though my fourth toe on my right foot bothers me after long runs. I do this weird thing when I run where I clench my toes to the ground, so they're always sore the next day. Super random, I know.

I have to say I am pretty proud of myself for running seven miles. I NEVER thought I'd reach that far in my life. I realize that's only about half of what we will be running in Dec., but hey. Progress is progress!

WHAT?!?!

OMG!!! what?!!?!? I can't even run 2 miles yet!!! You guys are making me feel like CRAP!! Okay, I'm running every day this week. I NEED to get back on track. Last week was the first week I went to the gym since I started that other stupid job...so my mind is in a better place. ;) I WILL do it. And I'm going to get new shoes as soon as my bank account allows. ..

Yikes!

 I just did 5.4 miles! New high for me, and I don't feel like I am going to die! Now if I could just run a couple more times a week, I just may be able to do this stupid race!

Reagan, I think Amy was going to go to Fleet Feet too. I got Asics. There were $95, but I got the extra arch support to prevent injuries. And with a couple pairs of socks, I think I spent around $160. But I feel much better running with good shoes... I am not getting shin splint anymore. 

Amy, plan on coming down here next weekend to run... we'll run past the marathon to keep us motivated... then we'll go get drunk while those crazies finish their 26 miles!

Back on track

Hooray! I ran 2.5 miles yesterday, and it felt really good. No injuries, AND I stretched afterward. Leaving work early today and going to run in a park in Wheaton that has a long paved path.

SHOES

p.s. Katie, good idea getting fitted for shoes at Fleet Feet...my friend Julie just bought hers there I think, and she said they're the best she's ever had. I forgot what the brand name is--it's definitely one I haven't heard of before. But I will find out and keep you posted! I know they were around $100. How much were yours??

Need to Start Running STAT

Hi girls!

Okay, I'm determined to get back on track. For reals. I want to feel good and look good--most importantly though, I don't want to die whilst trying to get through the 7th mile, okay?! So I'm going to the gym today (its been over a month now I think since I've visited) and I plan on running at least 2 miles....that's not even enough, but it's a start.

Here I go.....and p.s. those restaurants looked really good, but expensive!! Where else are we planning on going before the race? We're going to be there for a few days before so we should probably figure that out...maybe we should consider just laying out by the hotel pool and eating lots of carbs?? Okbye!!

It's the weekend!

Hi ladies!!!

It's get-back-on-track weekend. Reagan, mostly I mean you.

But I've also been slacking. I only ran once this week, and strugged through 2.5 miles. I suck. Seeing as we are now nearing the start of October, we should be aiming to try to run 4 miles this weekend. Let's do it!!

Also: I know we're using the schedule as a guide, but if we get behind a week or two, it's not a HUGE deal. We should try to keep each other on track, but with trips, job stuff, family crises etc. bound to pop up, we need to be flexible.

Once we get up to the 6-8 mile range, I have a feeling we'll find running long distances a lot easier. It's just starting out and conditioning your body to do the longer miles in the first place that's the tough part.

P.S. Did I mention how much I love walking??

More motivation

Here are some restaurant ideas for out post run celebration dinner...

http://www.craftrestaurant.com/craftsteak_lasvegas.html
- Owner is Tom Collicchio from Top Chef. Read great reviews, and not as pricy as a lot of other places.
http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/fleurdelys.aspx
-French Restaurant- More Pricey, but I hear it is yummy
http://www.mandalaybay.com/DINING/mix.aspx
-My old company did a show on this place- looks good, but again more pricey than Craft

Being a complete Top Chef geek, my vote right now is for Craft Steak.

Hooray for rest day

1) I am sore!

2) Running with a partner definitely makes it go faster.

Shit, if he can do this, we can run 13 miles...

Run, Izzard, run and run again

By Claire Heald 
BBC News 

It's the last leg of Eddie Izzard's 43 marathons in 51 days. How did the less than athletic comic pull off such a feat of endurance?

Running into London's Trafalgar Square on Tuesday, Eddie Izzard took the last of 1.6m steps, from the 43 marathons he has completed in 51 days.

He has run at least 27 miles a day, six days a week, over the past seven weeks, covering more than 1,110 miles of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The aim - to raise what he calls, in classic whimsical Izzard style, "billions" for charity Sport Relief.

Just the one marathon race is enough for super-fit modern athletes, and the pinnacle of achievement for "fun runners". The suggested recovery time afterwards is two to three weeks.

It seemed impressive enough when hardened explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes ran seven marathons, in seven days, on seven continents in 2003.

So how has Izzard, a 47-year-old with no previous aspiration to emulate Paula Radcliffe, made it through so many since his first marathon in July?

And if he can run 43 marathons in a row, can it really be that difficult?

Absent toenails

The secret does not lie in strict training. Where athletes devote a life to running and amateurs clear the diary for months before a race, Izzard admits to only five weeks of prep.

Indeed, during the course of his schedule he has demonstrated what sports scientists call a "training effect" - he has sped up instead of slowing down, from about 10 hours to just shy of five.

It's a positive, if unexpected, benefit of all the running.

Some nay-sayers wonder whether a 10-hour marathon really counts, arguing that it is little more than a lengthy sponsored walk.

And Izzard himself admits people no longer believe how many races he has run. "I might as well say I've just eaten a car."

But run them he has, despite the painful physical cost of the friction, the impact on his body, and the mental struggle to get up every day and run.

Before each race, his feet are bandaged. He has lost toenails, and one ankle ligament is seriously sore.

"My feet blistered up terribly, then started healing when I shoved them in surgical spirit," says Izzard. "Then they reblistered because you've got new skin coming through.

"Blisters upon blisters are not very nice. It's the pain. Like the pain from mouth ulcers, it's not a massive area but sharp and quite agonising."

Daily ice baths are a necessary evil, he says, "to stop your legs inflating to twice the size of an elephant".

Body eats itself

And internally there is more, albeit temporary damage, says sports scientist Professor John Brewer, of the University of Bedfordshire.

With each run sapping about 3,000 calories, Izzard's body will be eating its own fat stores to keep going.

The force of four to five times his weight slamming through each foot, with every step he takes, takes its toll on muscles, tendons, ligaments.

Haemoglobin - the blood protein which carries oxygen around the body - will be broken down by the power of his own frame repeatedly crushing it in his feet.

So is completing these punishing runs miraculous?

It seems not.

"He should be commended for showing that anyone can unlock that running potential," says Prof Brewer.

"Our bodies are designed to run because that's genetically how we developed - to catch food and avoid being someone else's food. We have enough body fat to sustain about 40 marathons."

“ I would definitely put him closer to the Kenyans than to the man in the diver's suit ” 
Andy Dixon, Runner's World

Although it's better to build up slowly, Izzard will benefit from reshaped muscles, more efficient organs, and boosted blood vessels.

And expert commentators are impressed by his endurance.

"In terms of the sliding scale of marathon runners, I would definitely put him closer to the Kenyans than to the man in the diver's suit," says Andy Dixon, editor of the racer's bible Runner's World.

"Covering 26 miles in a day at whatever speed for 43 runs, it's demanding.

"A five-hour marathon is a fairly decent pace. It's a massive achievement. The big difference is raising yourself to do it again and again and again - physically and mentally. I can only imagine the suffering he's going through."

The relentless runners in life, the real Forrest Gumps, do exist. Take American He-man Dean Karnazes, a brawny type who brands himself Ultramarathon Man.

For him, 50 marathons across 50 US states in 50 consecutive days, only to run back to the start, is a mere jog.

Perhaps the real surprise is that the British equivalent is a once well-upholstered comedian, and sometime wearer of heels.

What we have to look forward to...

I got my new shoes at Fleet Feet... one of those places where you are required to be a runner to work there, you know. So the girl helping me asked what I was running for, and I told her Vegas. She is also running in Vegas, but, naturally, she is doing the full marathon. ANYWAYS, here is what she had to say about the Vegas Marathon...

"Vegas is funny. Like, every couple of years, there is, like, 2 inches of snow the day of the marathon. Usually it is 65 and sunny and perfect for a marathon, but, like, every couple of years there is a bunch of snow. It is so weird!" (continues to tie my shoes as I stare at her in horror)

I'm saying it right now... if there is 1 centimeter of snow, or even snow in the forecast, my ass isn't moving from the roulette table! Zero/double zero, here I come!!!

Some pretty pictures of Vegas

What happened to my sister?

Reagan?? Where you at.

We demand an update on your progress. Last I heard, you fell off the treadmill at the gym, much to the amusemment of our fellow gym-goers and to the embarassment of your nearby family members.

So, it's been awhile....

I am sorry!

I totally dropped the ball on this. My last post was in July, and it's now mid-September! According to Hal Higdon's Half-Marathon Training Program, we should be preparing to run five miles this week.

Here's where I am: I tried to run a mile yesterday and could barely do it. Since the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in mid-August, I have been totally slacking. Work got in the way, and there are thousands of other excuses. But I am READY to start this up again! Although after yesterday's short run, I am feeling nervous and anxious....13 miles is a LONG way from where I am.

Anyway. First thing I have changed in the past few days: My eating. I will touch more on this later, but for now let's focus on breakfast.

For breakfast, I usually eat eggs (1 whole, and egg whites) and sometimes turkey sausage, and wheat toast w/ peanut butter. According to Women's Health, it's the ideal breakfast because:

1) Eggs and turkey sausage have TONS of protein. Always a good thing to eat in the morning. Protein helps your muscles recover quickly after workouts.

2) Wheat toast provides the carbs, but the good kind (white bread essentially breaks down in your body very quickly, making you feel hungry again in a short period, whereas whole wheat breaks down slower, keeping you fuller longer). Also, peanut butter provides just a little bit of the good kind of fat that helps keep you feeling full. (mono and poly unsaturated, as opposed to saturated)

So there you have it: an ideal combination of protein, carbs, and healthy fat. Breakfast really is the most important meal, as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. You are less likely to gorge later when you have revved your metabolism properly in the a.m.

So EAT BREAKFAST, people. Have a nice day.

A Catch-22

This is totally frustrating.

I thought I had stumbled upon something genius when I began working out in the mornings. I got my workout out of the way early and could enjoy the rest of the day.

However. Working out so early has had an unintended effect.

I am hungry ALL THE TIME. I constantly am snacking, way more than I normally would if I worked out after work. I had noticed it the past few days and had just written it off as weakness. Then I really began thinking about it and talked to a few co-workers who are runners (as in, marathon runners) and discovered it's not just me.

It's the workout time. Apparently, early workouts make you hungrier throughout the day; i.e. after working out, your metabolism is higher and remains higher. So now what do I do? I want to keep working out in the mornings, but I also want to lose a few more pounds. If I am constantly snacking throughout the day, then it becomes harder for me to eat healthy, as well. (I am so all-or-nothing.) So it becomes a lot more likely I will end those days with a DQ blizzard (as I did yesterday) or pizza (two days ago.)

Ironic, huh - I am working out more and am struggling more than ever to maintain my current weight. So I need to find an alternative to help control my hunger. Otherwise I'm in deep trouble!!!

Thoughts on eating

Here are some great links about food while training.....

http://www.marathon.ipcor.com/Marathon-training-diet.htm

http://www.thedietchannel.com/Marathon-Training-and-Nutrition-Fueling-for-Long-Runs.htm

More to come...I have a bunch of my own, as well....

A sample schedule

Here is a sample schedule....just FYI

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Again, that's why it's important to be able to run that 3 miles by the start of September. That's the base, people - that's what you should be spending August doing!

If you need help getting to this level, check out this link:

http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm

How I'm feeling

I am feeling really fatigued right now. Plus, I can't stop snacking.

My legs hurt. It's kind of odd, because I haven't pushed myself too hard this week, but my legs just feel really tired and sore. I guess that's my body's way of telling me to rest.

Also, I am constantly fighting temptation to snack. Right now, I am not all that hungry, but I can't stop thinking about chocolate. I already had half an oatmeal cookie and a bunch of pretzels, but I still can't stop thinking about food!

Who Has REALLY Signed Up?

Okay, so we're all participating in the daily blog...but who has REALLY SIGNED UP for the half marathon? C'mon, tell us the truth. The only REAL excuse you might have is that you're waiting until after you pay August's rent....now spill it! what.

Amber?

p.p.s. have we added Amber yet ame?

This week it's 1.5 miles.

I know I know, my goal for this week is only a mile and a half. But next week it will be 1.75 - 2 miles. And the week after that? 2.5 miles. I'm slowly getting up there! But I don't want to push it too hard or else I might give up. I have time so I'm using it. And that's what YOU should do too!!

p.s. I still need eating tips!! Anything you'd suggest that will make my body stronger, burn more calories, and fuel my insides to run for a longer period of time? ;)

A first

I woke up at 5 a.m. today. To go running.

I have never, ever done this before - worked out before work - though it's something that has always seemed like a good idea. And it was really hard to force myself to get out of bed, especially because I didn't sleep well last night and went to bed later than I'd planned. It was still freakin' dark when I got up!

Thankfully, I have a trail right outside my apartment, so once I began running, I felt OK. Great, in fact. It was really peaceful and quiet. I ran 20 minutes, took a break and walked for five and then ran another 15. I'm not paying as much attention to distance right now - though I'd estimate it was over 3 miles total; I am more concerned with just building endurance. I had to stop to walk because, as always, I had a bad cramp on my right side.

It feels weird to have already worked out. Now when work is done, I can actually leave and go straight home and have the rest of the evening to do productive stuff, like watch TV and pig out!

I'm kinda liking it!

someone new to invite

so i started my training today...

DAY 1 - got home from work and put on my running clothes...then i went to the grocery store with amber.

i'm hoping for a bit more progress on day 2...

i don't know how to invite someone but my roomie wants to join to...can you send an email to amber.sharp@target.com...

reag do you know her gmail acct???? :D YAY

Hooray!!! Our group is expanding!!

I have very exciting news, people! Lisa, Reagan's friend, has decided to join us!

AND, yesterday I was over at my friend Kim's house, and she and her husband Brian are going to do this, too! Now, Kim just got back from doing a marathon in Hawaii (the full), so she is a bit out of our league, but maybe she could provide some tips and advice. This will be Brian's first!

Also, my friend Joani might be in, too! I also mentioned our race to my friends Colleen, Kate and Shan, but they all have declined, saying something about being pregnant or just giving birth to an 8-pound human being. AS IF that's a good excuse.

Running ISN'T hard. period.

p.s. I'm here to say that running actually ISN'T hard. If you pace yourself, you will do just fine. Yesterday I started my "training" and ran a mile and a half. I know I know, it was only a mile and a half. BUT I still did it. And I'm setting small goals for myself. Usually, I'll increase the treadmill speed by .2 every 2-3 minutes, and that's where it becomes hard. Yesterday, all I did was run at a constant pace and I sure was sweating a whole lot by the end. But I could have definitely ran more! ;) Try it, see what happens.

The proof!

Oops, sorryboutit.

Need Some Eating Tips

Hey guys!

So I'm currently at Coffee Bean (California's version of Starbucks) and eating a chocolate muffin (that's delicious by the way) and a blended latte. WTF?! Can I PLEASE start eating healthy so it matches my soon-to-be-healthier-than-ever lifestyle?????????????

Any tips would be greatly appreciated....great pics Ame! :) :)

<3 Reagan

To get us in the mood

You can't tell, but I am nervous as HELL! This was right before my first sprint triathlon in 2008 in Naperville. We were delayed by rain for over an hour.

Reagan and I hiking in Runyon Canyon just outside of L.A. in June. What a great experience!

Taken at a recent race, the 5K Bastille Day in the West Loop, just a few weeks ago. It didn't pour like last year, which actually turned out to be a cool experience.

These have certainly been defining moments in my life - times when I've felt really alive and in awe of my surroundings. In each of these instances, I have felt inspired, motivated and empowered.

mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

OMG, those look soooo good. I would love one fresh out of the oven with a huge glass of ice cold 1% milk, what.

I promise I'll never do this again

But LOOK at these wonderful, warm, delicious-looking brownies!!

OK, sorry folks. I'll never post up pictures of yummy food again. But seriously, I am craving one of these right now. Even though I just had a huge chocolate eclair ice cream cone last night. Oh, God. I'm in SERIOUS trouble. How am I going to get through this?

I guess the real point of this posting is: Official training starts in September, so get your junk food eating habits out of the way NOW!! Love all you guys!

Isn't it hard enough?

Isn't this race hard enough without wearing a dang elvis costume?? This guy is awesome.

Check out this hot guy!

Here is some inspiration. We will get to see Elvis, live and in the flesh!!

This picture is from a previous Vegas Rock N Roll. I want to wear a costume, too!

Officially entered!!!

I'm officially entered!!! Just signed up at:

http://las-vegas.competitor.com/register/

Jim's In?!?!?!

Wait a minute....I just saw Jim's post....are you really in?!?!

Dang that's a lot of money....but worth it!!

Hey guys!!

Ame, you are already inspiring me. I need to sign up. I think once I do that I will really be serious about it. What is the link? Sorry if you already gave it to me....

So who's in FOR SURE?? Is it just me and you? Or you too Katie?!?! I still need to ask Amyjo. And maybe Lisa.

I can't wait to start running....and experiencing all of the perks that go along with it...feeling good about myself, getting healthy, wanting to eat better, and of course, looking HOT!

What the hell I'm thinking...

I don't mind working out. But I hate running.

I run, but I hate it. I run because when I'm not running, and I see other people who are running, it makes me feel lazy and out of shape. So you see, I want to quit running. But I can't.

So when I run, I run short distances. A 5k is all I've ever aspired to, and I've accomplished it several times. I've always felt like that was enough.

But now my girlfriend is attempting to make me feel physically inferior by running this half marathon. I've never even run a 10k, much less 13 miles. Neither has she. In fact, she usually finishes the 5k slower than I do. But now, if she runs this half marathan, and I don't, I'll feel like a slacker once again.

And yet, my hatred of running remains.
This commercial pretty much sums it up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MitGV7bomY0

I just signed up for a half marathon!!!!!!

What have YOU done today??

Our pre-training goals

Hi guys!!

Hopefully, you are really considering doing this. Here are our goals before we actually begin training.

1) Sign up! Duh.
2) Before training starts, we need to be able to run/walk a minimum of 30 minutes. It should take between 10 and 12 weeks to train. The race is on Dec. 6, so we should probably begin training around early September. So we have the next five weeks to get to the point of being able to run/walk for 30 straight minutes.

If you are starting from scratch, just start out by walking 10 minutes, if that's all you can do. Gradually add in some running, but it's fine to do a mix of running and walking the next few weeks. Again, the overall goal is to be able to run straight for 30 minutes or do a combination of running/walking for 30 minutes by the start of September!!!

You failed to mention the 6:15 am start time... I am reconsidering. 

How the hell am I suppose to get up that early after a night on the roulette tables sipping on free vodka, flirting with movie stars? You couldn't find a race in a city with zero temptations?

the first entry

HELLOOOOOO ALL!!!!!!!!

Hi guys! I am so excited to start this dang thing up! So I have made all of you administrators, which means you can post too.

I know it's a little early to start training, but it's not too early to start thinking about it.


So here are the basics

What: Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas
Where: Las VEGAS!!! (That's in Nevada, people.) Ha.
When: 6:15 a.m. Dec. 6, 2009 (Sunday)
How much: Sign up is $100 before Aug. 15
Web site: http://las-vegas.competitor.com/
Why: Why the hell not? What do you have better that's going on in your life? That's what I thought.