marathon training

Cleveland Marathon // Real Talk

May 14, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

OK, friends. It’s time to get real. I’m currently signed up for the Cleveland Half Marathon, which is this Sunday morning…

… and I have NOT properly trained. At least not as of recent.

As of recent my training runs have been short. Like at most, 4 miles. Even though I was regularly running 10+ just a few short months ago in preparation for the Pittsburgh Marathon (before I decided not to run it at all), I’m now on the lower mileage side of things.

And I’m torn on what I should do this weekend. Realistically, a 10-k is totally doable. In my dreams, I’ll be able to power through 13.1 miles without the pressure of finishing within a certain time.

So I’m seriously considering dropping to the 10k at packet pickup this weekend. But I’m also looking for advice. Should I TRY for the half marathon? With little-to-no expectations in regards to time and outcome? I can run, walk, and practically crawl my way to the finish, right?

Please weigh in. Looking for your advice and input, runner friends!!

running // the cheap sport.

April 8, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

I used to think that running was the sport that required little monetary investment. All you need is a pair of shoes and an open road. Right?

Wrong. Oh so wrong.

Sure, you need shoes. But the more you run, the more often you need to replace your shoes. And only the right shoes will prevent injury. And shoes range in price from $50 – $250. On average, let’s say a good pair of running shoes costs $110 and need replaced anywhere from 3-6 months. Yes, you CAN run with cheap shoes; but I don’t recommend it. Cheap shoes are cheap for a reason.

If you want to run outside — which is the most fun, am I right?? — you’ll likely want to carry your phone with you for music. So you invest in an armband, such as the NeoSleeve for the iPhone, for your smartphone. This particular sleeve, which is my personal favorite (and costs less than $15 on Amazon) because it’s fairly inexpensive, water resistant, and has a space for your car key. Others can cost upwards of $20.

And then you begin to run longer distances. Long distances require keeping yourself hydrated and also energy gels for fuel. So you decide to get a hydration belt. Which costs anywhere from $10 to $30. I paid approximately $24 for mine. And energy gels are an ongoing expense. You have to figure out which of the gels are best on your personal digestive system, but they range in price from $.85 to $2.00 each (this is the price if you purchase in bulk on Amazon; but if you purchase them individually, they are much more expensive).

Now that you’re running longer distances, you start to get aches and pains that come with the kind of wear and tear running puts on your body. Enter compression sleeves, KT Tape, and foam rollers.

Compression socks run about $30 – $50; KT Tape is about $15 per pack; and foam rollers run anywhere from $10 to $70.

And then you sign up for a race. Let’s say a 5k or a half marathon. A 5k will probably run you between $25 – $35. A half marathon is anywhere from $50 to $150. That’s JUST your race entry (which may come with some ‘swag’ such as a t-shirt and post-race food).

If you are running in a cold climate, a gym membership or a treadmill may be necessary for your training. A cheap gym membership would run someone about $20 (hey, Planet Fitness!) a month. So about $240 per year. And a treadmill is a one-time investment of anywhere from like $800 – $1700. It’s insane how much a treadmill or a gym membership can cost. This past winter was cold — like -20 degrees cold. But we cancelled our gym membership and I started running on a treadmill, which is saving us monthly.

Some runners (OK — MOST runners) choose to run with a GPS watch, whether it be a Garmin or Nike watch. I had a basic Garmin and I hated it; but now I have a much more user-friendly Garmin that I LOVE to use! The battery lasts for my long runs and it controls my pace better than any iPhone running app could possibly do. These run $100 to $500. Mine is middle-of-the-road and runs about $170; but I have to admit I wish it had Bluetooth so it would update to the internet/my iPhone app automatically. (I know — first world problems, right??)

Last but not least you’ll need running clothes. I used to be a Target running gear connoisseur; but that changed when I realized I was getting what I paid for — the clothes I was running in were not withstanding the wear and tear of my running regimen. I don’t feel like I was putting any extraordinary wear on my clothes, but somehow they were pulling and riding and wearing out in a major way. Also? Target charges like thirty-five bucks for running pants! Do you know you could spend just about $50 on a good pair that actually lasts?? I’m not saying that you need to shop at Lululemon; but go to a running store, but go to a running store and try on some gear made my athletic designers. Believe it or not, this makes a difference. I personally stalk down good deals with local running stores to find discounts on “expensive” running clothes.

I wanted to add up all of these costs, but my wallet told me that it would just depress me; so YOU do the math. It’s EXPEN$IVE to run — am I right!?

Basically, running is NOT cheap. In theory it should be just a “lace up and get out there!” kind of thing; but it isn’t. Not if you’re serious about it and doing it right. You don’t have to be a marathoner or even a half-marathoner to take running seriously; but I can tell you that once you put your mind to it and start running seriously, you’ll find a way to make these things a priority. And it’s totally worth it. <3

why I’m no longer running a spring marathon //

March 3, 2015 by Rachel 2 Comments

I must admit — I bit off more than I can chew.

There are several reasons I’ve decided not to run the Pittsburgh Marathon. But the main reason is that it is taking away from time with my husband and son.

Don’t get things twisted — Chad is incredibly supportive of my aspirations to run a full marathon. But I just can’t justify the time it’s taking away from my family for training. It’s becoming more and more stressful on me than it should be. And less and less fun.

Working all day, coming home and “working” at home, followed by making sure I fit in my training runs is becoming more than a chore. It’s making me dread working out. And I’m spending much more time “watching” Chad + Ari play than I am actually playing with them. Literally. I watch them play next to the treadmill while I run.

And I hate it. By the time I’m finished with my runs, it’s time to shower, eat, and head to bed. There is little to no time available to spend with Chad, because all of this running is forcing me to need even more rest.

So I’m choosing my marriage and my family over this marathon. I’m choosing snuggles and stories and bedtime rituals; I’m choosing running for fun instead of running for miles; I’m choosing TV on the couch with my husband; and I’m choosing to run the half marathon on May 2nd instead of the full marathon.

I’ve been tossing the idea around in my head for the last week, but I finally verbalized things the other day to Chad. I told him my fears of the word “quit.” But in all truth, I’d rather be a quitter at marathon training than a quitter at my family and my marriage.

Thank you to my family + friends for already being incredibly supportive of this “adjustment” to my plans! 🙂

weekly mantra //

February 9, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

This feels incredibly appropriate considering this weeks long run is 13.1 miles. So while most people look forward to the weekend? I’ll be anxious… mixed with a teeny bit of dread. Eek! I need to remember that regardless of how long it takes, I can do it! I realized this past weekend as I was running 10 slushy, cold, miles… that it is all mental. My body? It can handle anything.

And that translates into everyday life, too! I’m going to OWN this week! xo

TGIF for real.

January 23, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

Blogkeeping: Be sure to enter my giveaway to win 2 tickets to Red & White on Thursday Night Presented by Akron General!

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This particular week in January always seems to rock my world. Even after 24-years — even after thinking that I’ve completely grieved — it still manages to rock me. So I’ve had a bit of an off week in an already “off” month. Blahhh.

But today is Friday, my day off. And as a bonus? I have a three-day weekend. I totally forgot I scheduled a vacation day for Saturday! Hooray for surprise three-day weekends!

So to get the ball rolling on a long weekend, I went to a 6:30 am yoga class. Because of COURSE I won’t actually sleep in on my day off. I only want to sleep in on workdays! Ha! Christina kicked my butt and it was exactly what I needed to start the weekend.

And now we’re off to a pediatric orthopedist for Ari. Yep. No big deal (I hope), but he has a bit of an issue with “in-toeing.” We’ll see what the doctors say, but I know he’s in good hands and that it’s better to get it looked at sooner than later! The realist in me is totally playing this off, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that that it makes me a teeny bit nervous as a mom. Eek!

But post-doctor we have a LOT of fun planned. A playdate, a run on the indoor track at the gym, and perhaps even a nap. That’s right y’all, a nap! Just over here livin’ the dream! Ha!

In all seriousness, I think I need this three-day weekend in a major way. Husband time + Ari time + time alone = what should be the picture of perfection!

Why are you grateful for this weekend?

marathon training // an update

January 21, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

During the holidays I was anticipating the impending doom of a training schedule. But I was ready for it… until I got the flu. It took a total of two weeks to fully recover. My doctor delayed the start of training for a week to make sure I was 100% in good health.

As difficult as it was, I listened to my doctors orders (ugh) and got myself back to 100%. It was totally worth it because when I jumped into training, I really, really, jumped in. All in.

I’m following the Hal Higdons training plan. Yes, novice, even though it seems a teeny bit too easy (thus far). But I’m working out as much as possible.

The plan is as follows:

3-semi-easy runs during the week. Thus far, it’s been 3, 4, 5 miles on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays.
Mondays + Saturdays are my “rest days,” to which I’ve been having to convince myself to rest. Seriously. Once I commit to training, I really commit.
Long run Sunday. I have a love-hate relationship with long run Sunday. It’s both fantastic and awful at the same time. It’s a commitment on my calendar that is non-negotiable. I hate it at the beginning and I love it at the end.
Cross-training. Yoga and weight-lifting. Yay and nay. It hurts SO good. I’ve committed to a 6:30 AM hot power yoga class every Friday with one of my fave yoga teachers. Yeah, Friday is my day off; yep, I could be sleeping in; but I’m committed to this. I’m committed to getting stronger through this type of training.

The truth:

It sucks. And it’s awesome. It sucks because it’s incredibly time-consuming and that means I have to keep a very tight schedule and schedule every single workout; it’s awesome because I NEED to keep myself accountable; but it’s also hard being a working mom. ‘Cause things come up. Sometimes your kid goes batshit crazy on a day when you’re supposed to take him to the gym daycare. And things just don’t work out. But you have to make it work when you’re training for a marathon.
I’m adjusting the training schedule as the unanticipated conflicts come up. Saturday is supposed to be my long run day, but I work 8 hours on Saturdays… so long run day is Sunday instead. Minor adjustments,but still making sure to fit it all in — even the rest days!
There is a bit of guilt associated with rest days. I mean, I understand the need for rest days; but I’m always so torn inside. I *should* be working out, right?? Usually by my rest day I’m feeling awesome; I don’t feel like I need to rest. But then I remember that rest days are scheduled for a reason. So I rest. But the struggle is real, y’all.

Tips, tricks + inspiration are appreciated, friends! 🙂 XO