8/30 - 18 miles

Many runners listen to music when they run. It is a source of motivation and can act as a distraction when your mind is telling you that you are tired. A study showed that individuals who listen to music workout longer than those who don't.

Well, I am not one of those people. I do not listen to music when I run. I guess I never wanted to become dependent on music. Sometimes, it is nice not having noise blaring into your ears. This way, running becomes therapeutic. You have the next couple of hours all to yourself, just you and that little voice in your head. But at the same time, this means that long runs can become such an emotional rollercoaster. You start thinking about anything and everything. Last night, I ran 18 miles. Here’s what was going on in my head throughout the run. (This post is dedicated to Sephanie a.k.a. “East”).

Mile 1: "Hmm...maybe I should've waited more than 30 minutes to let my food digest."

Mile 1.25: "Definitely should not have eaten spicy indian food for dinner. At least the pain in my stomach is keeping my mind occupied from other pain that is happening throughout the rest of my body"

Mile 2.5: "Weeeeee!!! I love down hills!" ::witness a cyclist struggling in the opposite direction:: "Hahahahah"

Mile 4: "Night running isn't too bad. Dehydration isn't an issue, I get to watch the sunset...bonfires!? …and I get to inhale some smoke for the next 2 miles."

Mile 5: "When does this runner's high kick in? I definitely could use some of it right now."

Mile 5.25: ::pass up a runner:: "Hahaha"

Mile 5.5: ::almost got hit by a bicyclist who tells me that I should be wearing a light:: "Where the heck is your light?! And how about riding on the right side of the road!"

Mile 6: "Next time, I should safety pin these snacks to my top or shorts. Yeah...LIKE A BOSS"

Mile 6.25: "What do I want to eat when I get home? Oh, I know. Chocolate ice cream with strawberries and ibuprofen. Mmmmmm. I think I'll call this a runner's sundae!"

Mile 9: "Road closed!? Dammit Gmap-Pedometer.com!"

Mile 10.25: "A shooting star!! Oh, I wish I was at mile 17......dammit shooting star!"

Mile 11.5: "Totally take back dehydration not being an issue! I'm so thirsty. I need water. I need water!!"

Mile 12: "Ooh, Target! They'll have a water fountain." ::Target hours on Sunday 8AM-9PM – CLOSED:: "Dammit Target!"

Mile 12.25: "Thank you, Starbucks!" ::chug down 4oz:: "I can't run with a 12oz Starbucks cup in my hand. Or can I? I can!" ::within the next mile, I consume the entire cup of water:: “Methinks I was bit dehydrated.”

Mile 15.75: "No chafing! Oh no, why did I say that? I hope I didn't jinx myself."

Mile 16: "Where did this extra energy come from? I am definitely running faster. I wonder if it was the Shot Blok I took 3 miles ago, or maybe it is because I'm a little scared of running down this dimly lit street."

Mile 16.75: "You can do this. Almost there. Define yourself. Define yourself. Define yourself."

Mile 18: "Runner's Sundae....weeeeee!"

I finished at a 10:23 minute pace. No chafing. No blisters. No runner's trots. :)

8/16 - 16 miles

Today was full of first times. I ran 16 miles for the first time and I experienced chafing for the first time. Fortunately, it happened around mile 14. It was mild; no bleeding or raw nipples. However, I'll definitely be using Vaseline or BodyGlide on my next long run. For those of you who have trained for a marathon before or are currently training, is there anything else I should expect? And yes, I already know of runner's trots.

My new best friend, Vaseline.

Also, Tyra's best friend

Click here-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOR4qekHWlA

Define Yourself

An article on Active.com discusses the power our mind can have over the way our body reacts. For example, Tuesdays are hill training days. I dread Tuesdays; the night before I'm already thinking "I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. It's going to be so difficult." And during the run, I'm thinking "I hate hills, I hate hills, I hate hills." These thoughts that run through my mind create negative physiological responses in my body. I run at a slower pace and I take unnecessary breaks. I believe half the battle in marathon training is keeping a focused, positive mindset.

If we can train ourselves to think in a way that produce positive physiological responses, we could drastically improve our performance. The article refers to this as self-talk - using phrases or statements that relate to effort and morale. During my long runs, I found that repeating "Define Yourself" motivates me to keep on running, and to run faster. What words or things do you think about that keep you motivated?

"Show Me the Money!"

Its been three weeks since I started this blog and I've raised $91 (9% of my goal). Not exactly where I thought I'd be at this point -- I didn't think it'd be that difficult to raise money, but I realized during these times people aren't as willing to part with their money unless they receive something in return. So this past weekend, a few close friends came over for dinner. I baked banana muffins and placed a sign next to them reading "Muffin? Help me fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society." From that night I raised $35!!


Since the muffins were a hit, I decided to do a bake sale. I haven't ironed out all the details, but it will be soon. Expect a post in a couple weeks with the details. If you have any special requests, please let me know!


Do you have any fundraising ideas to share?

RE: 8/2 - 13 miles (Half Marathon)

The weather this morning was perfect for a long run. Unfortunately, I did not beat my goal. In fact, my pace was a minute slower than my Surf City race pace. It is still the early stages of my training, so I won't let this get me down.

Next Sunday will be a much shorter run --only 6 miles. Hope you can join me!

8/2 - 13 miles (Half Marathon)

I won't be wearing knee pads, but I will avoid drinking, power hours, and century clubs the night before. The goal for Sunday's run is to beat my Surf City Half Marathon time (2:02).

Sunday @ 7AM - Victoria Street & College Avenue, Costa Mesa
http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ca/costa%20mesa/961124916926050056