June in Review

My 3.5 mile run this morning brought my June training to a close. Headed out today and decided to sandwich 3 x 800 meter repeats in my run. My goal was to run negative splits for the repeats. In the end, I was successful with splits of 3:50, 3:49, and 3:47.

June Stats

78--- running miles
0---- elliptical miles
0--- bike miles
78--- total miles
149--- weight as of June 30, 2010 (+1 pound since May 31, 2010)

Current 2010 Stats

581.12--- running miles

50.9--- elliptical miles

5.1--- bike miles

637.12--- total miles

I am very pleased with my June training. It was great to get back out there and "run" a race and actually place in my age group! I'm looking forward to my two 5k's in July, merely six days apart. I continue to follow a modified version of Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Marathon Training Program in preparation for the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon on August 1st!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Two 5K's for Two Great Causes

I will be running two 5k's the next two weekends. Both events are for great causes.

The Smiles for Sophie Birthday Bash and Dash 5K and 1 mile fun run takes place on July 4th. The event is a major fundraiser sponsored by Smiles For Sophie Forever, a foundation created in memory of four-year-old Sophie Quayle, who lost her battle with brain cancer, after a valiant fight, on October 6, 2007. Sophie would have been 7 years old this 4th of July.

The James Kerstetter 5K Memorial Run-Walk takes places on July 10th. This event is in memory of an Elyria Police Officer that was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 15, 2010. The event will take place on the New Kerstetter Way adjacent to the Police Station off West Ave.

I haven't really thought about my goals for these two races since they are merely six days apart. What I do know is that I am going to run to honor the memory of two very special people.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

10 Mile Metroparks Training Run with Jenn

So Jenn and I planned to meet at the Elyria end of the Bridgeway Trail for our run but imagine my surprise when I got to the entrance and the gate was still locked. I called Jenn and told her of the dilemma and then we decided to meet at the local community college and look up directions to the Lorain end of the Bridgeway Trail. Fortunately for us, Jenn has a GPS in her van so she got us there no problem and the gate was in fact open! The Bridgeway Trail is a 3.5 mile course that stretches from Elyria to Lorain. Our plan was to do the out and back on the trail and then run 1.5 miles back out on the trail and then head back to achieve our goal distance of 10 miles. We both got equipped with our running gear (ipod, Garmins, camelback for Jenn, Amphipod handheld for me) and then I snapped a quick picture of the trail map before we headed out on our run.

The trail was nice and shaded plus it was 7:30 in the morning so the weather was rather pleasant when we started our run. During the course of our run we had to go over the "shady" bridge as we named it because it would shake when we ran over it. A little unsettling and odd, but we managed. I even got a picture of Jenn running over said bridge.

When we were approaching 7 miles, we realized there was a pretty steep uphill climb and that is when we decided we would run out further than our intended 1.5 miles so that we would be at 10 miles before we approached the hill again and we could walk that hill as a part of our cool down. We managed to maintain a pace between 10:30-11:00 minute miles and we talked the entire time which made the time pass quickly. The run was very enjoyable and the scenery was great. I took pictures of where we ran while we were doing our cool down walk.

Once we were back to the start of the trail, I told Jenn that we had to go over to the playground. Afterall, running 10 miles certainly gave us the right to act like children! I walked up for a picture on the playground equipment and then Jenn asked me if I was going to go down the slide. Well, of course, I had to do it!!

I walked over to Jenn and told her it was her turn and she happily obliged!

I had a great time running with Jenn today and can't wait to do another training run with her soon!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Thumbs Up Thursday...Wendy Welch

Today's Thumbs Up goes to Wendy Welch. I sent Wendy an email to let her know that I would like to blog about her today and I asked her to answser several questions in the email. She sent me a text message and let me know she got the email and wondered if she could just answer my questions on the phone. I replied and said probably if I could give her a call after 9:00 and then I asked her what time was too late to call. Her reply was: "I will be asleep! I will try and reply to your email when I get home." I told her I was impressed that she went to bed so early. Her response to that: "I try to get to bed early because I am up by 4am to beat the heat and get my run in." Did I mention Wendy lives in Florida? Wendy was kind enough to answer my questions in an email last night!

Jodi: When did you start running?
Wendy: In 2000, after I walked the entire Disney Marathon for Team in Training at 208 lbs.
Jodi: What motivated you to become a runner?
Wendy: One of my Team in Training coaches.
Jodi: When did you start racing?
Wendy: Last year.
Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Wendy: Running Disney again in 2006 with my best friend Julie.
Jodi: What was your favorite race course?
Wendy: Chicago!
Jodi: Can I ask how much weight you have lost?
Wendy: 80 lbs!
Jodi: What is your favorite distance to run?
Wendy: Marathon.
Jodi: How many marathons have you run?
Wendy: Six.
Jodi: What is your current goal?
Wendy: 3:59:59 at the Wineglass Marathon on October 3.
Jodi: What other fitness activities do you do?
Wendy: I LOVE lifting weights!
Jodi: If you have a blog, please give me the address so I can send people your way!
Wendy: Here is my blog which I haven't updated lately but there are some stories on it about losing weight, etc. http://fengshway.blogspot.com/.

Wendy's before picture

Wendy's after picture

Me, Wendy, and Amby Burfoot at the Cleveland Marathon Expo


Thank you for the opportunity to give you a thumbs up Wendy! Best of luck at Wineglass on October 3rd. I am confident you will reach your goal of 3:59:59 (and qualify for Boston while you are at it)!


Keep running, you're simply the best, and Wendy, YOU inspire ME!!

Girls With Sole 5K Race Report

This morning I ran the Girls With Sole 5k. It would be my first "race" back since my marathon attempt. My neighbor Brenda stopped by and picked me up and we headed to Rocky River for the race. Once there we met up with my sorority sister, Jenn and another neighbor, Laura. We made our way to the restrooms and then had some pictures taken before the race started.

Jenn and I

Me, Jenn, Laura, and Brenda

With pictures taken and the Star Spangled Banner sang (very brilliantly by a young girl I might add), we headed to the start line. I have to admit I was a bit nervous since this was the first time I was pushing in a race since the marathon in May and it was HOT today! My thoughts immediately went to the risk of dehyration. I just told myself that I would make sure to grab two cups at the water stop. One to drink and one to dump on me to cool myself off. My awesome friends knew I was a bit stressed out about the race and told me to just relax and have fun out there and then the bell rang and the race started. I went out a bit too fast. My first mile was a 7:42 and it was really getting hot at this point. I made a point to grab those two cups of water and they were very helpful. I also made it a point to run through the sprinklers that happend to be on in the neighborhoods. The next thing I knew I was at mile 2 with a split of 8:00. From mile two on I just focused on the people in front of me and tried to pass as many people as I could. After passing several people, I rounded the corner for the uphill finish. I even said to the volunteer that was directing us that this uphill finish was so wrong. I guess I was doing okay if I was able to tell him that! Once I hit the three mile mark I noticed a guy in front of me and gave it my all to catch him and beat him to the finish. The woman that put on the race yelled out to me to not let him beat me. In the end, it was a sprint to the finish between us. He put his hand out for a high five and I returned that high five right before I crossed the finish line BEFORE him in an unofficial time of 24:48. Once we both caught our breath he told me it was all my fault that he had to sprint. I laughed and said good job and then I went back out on the course to cheer on my girls! I walked back out to the three mile marker and I saw Jenn coming and I knew she was under her goal time. I ran up to her and told her the clock was still under 28:00 and she could do it. I took off running with her and helped her navigate through people and made sure she knew there was a speed bump right before the finish line so she wouldn't trip. She gave it her all and crossed that line with an unofficial time of 27:51, an awesome PR for her! Jenn and I walked together and grabbed some water and then went back to the finish line to cheer the other girls in. Laura finished around 31:00 with a huge smile on her face! Brenda came in shortly afterwards. She had a rough go of it out there today. See, she is a spinning instructor and she taught class yesterday and didn't hold back so her legs weren't real happy with her! We all went and grabbed some food after this and then Brenda and I decided to head home. Jenn was going to stay a little longer to cool down before she went home. Now, back to my finish time of 24:48. It was not a PR by far so imagine my surprise when I got a post from Jenn on Facebook informing me that I won 3rd place in my age group. I never place in my age group so I figured I had no reason to stay for the awards ceremony. A friend of mine used to work for the company that sponsored the race and he told me to contact them through their website so I sent them an email to see if they would mail the award or if I would be able to pick it up. I really want the award especially after my Cleveland DNF. I feel like this was my "comeback" race and I earned that medal!! Maybe I am weird and shouldn't care but I can't help it. This is my first age group award since I started running again in February 2009. I am really hoping to hear back from them sometime tomorrow. In the end, I am very pleased with the race I ran today. I do believe I have found my confidence in my running ability again!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Thumbs Up Thursday..This one's for you Jenn....

Yesterday I was sitting here thinking about what I wanted to write about on my blog today and I couldn't help but feel like I wanted to share the story of my friend, and sorority sister, Jenn. So, I sent her a message to ask permission to share her story and she was more than agreeable, honored, I think was the word she used. So, with permission granted, I have instituted "Thumbs Up Thursday". Each Thursday, I will focus on the success of others.

This is Jenn in January 2009

photo credit: Jenn Davis
Jenn calls this photo "the wake up call that I needed to change something in my life". Jenn realized that she was turning to food to deal with her emotions and she knew she needed to change things so she could be happy and healthy for her family. Jenn started out trying to do different workouts at the gym. She enjoyed them but felt she needed something more and this is when her love for running was born. She started with the couch to 5K program and realized that she had a passion for running. She ran her first 5K on May 2, 2010 and finished it under 30 minutes. What an accomplishment. She loved running so much that she signed up for the 5K that was part of the Cleveland Marathon. Fast forward to the packet pick up for the 5K and Jenn realizes that she wants more and changes her entry from the 5K to the 10K! Jenn mentioned she was nervous but she successfully finished that race. Jenn has since run a few other races. I asked her if she was addicted (because we all know how addicting running can be) and she said yes and mentioned that she loves how she feels after a run and how she can clear her head out there and have a better day all around. I get it! She is currently training for a 1/2 marathon and has signed up for the Cleveland Marathon for next year! Jenn has mentioned to me on a few occassions that I inspire her but the truth is...Jenn inspires ME!! Her hard work and dedication amaze me each day and makes me realize we can do anything we set our mind to. Afterall, look how great she looks now in June 2010 (130 pounds lost)!


photo credit: Jenn Davis
Jenn has started a running blog of her own and I ask that you send some love, support, and good jobs her way! http://runjenn.blogspot.com/.
The best part of all of this is that we will be doing long runs together while training for the Cleveland Marathon. Jenn mentioned that she is excited and honored to run the marathon with me but again the truth is, I am honored that she would ask me to join her. There's a lot to be said for the bond between sisters! I am looking forward to crossing that finish line with her in May!
As you all know, I have a tag line that I end all of my blog posts with. Today, I am going to alter it just a little!
Keep running, you're simply the best, and Jenn, YOU inpsire ME!!

Sunday 7 Miler and Race Week

I headed out this morning to do my longest run since Cleveland. I got out there at 7:15 am and it was hot and humid already! I recently shared information about the importance of hydration on my blog. I took said advice and weighed myself before and after my run today. Before I left the scale registered 148.4 and upon my return I saw 147.2. It appears I "lost" 1.2 pounds out there today and I even drank 16 ounces of water during the workout so the heat was definitely a factor especially since I could literally wring the sweat out of my running clothes when I got home. I, of course, came home and drank 16 plus ounces of water to make up for that 1.2 pound "loss". I felt pretty good out there today. I made sure to take it easy and came in at 1:11.05 (10:09 pace). I will take it. Tomorrow is a rest day for me and my last day of work for the summer. I am looking forward to my early morning runs and spending lots of time with the kids. Of course I say that now but ask me next week how many times I have had to hear "I'm bored". HAHA!! My training schedule this week will be a "mini-taper" of sorts for the Girls With Sole 5K I am running next Sunday. It will be my first "race" back. I am very interested to see what my legs can do out there after many months of marathon training and recovery. And let me be completely honest, I have some "unfinished business" with that little thing called the finish line!! The plan for the week is pretty light. Run five miles Tuesday and Wednesday, four on Thursday and rest days on Friday and Saturday!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Summer Running Schedule and Important Hydration Information

I have officially determined my summer running schedule. As I mentioned in my last post, I am currently doing the 4 week post marathon recovery schedule and will finish it with the "Girls With Sole 5K" on June 20th. After the 5K I will be following the latter part of Hal Higdon's 1/2 marathon training schedule. During this training, I will also be running the "Smiles for Sophie Birthday Bash and Dash 5K" on the 4th of July. Sophie is the little girl that I ran the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon in memory of. The 4th of July was her birthday and this is the 3rd year that her parents have put on this race in her memory. It starts with a 5K run and then there is a celebration with all kinds of activities for the kids. It is a great way to honor Sophie's memory and to raise money for pediatric brain tumor awareness. After the 4th of July 5K I will finish my half marathon training schedule just in time to run the Chicago Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon on August 1st. I will be running it with 3 great friends. Our race entry included tickets to an Uncle Kracker concert so we will be heading to Chicago for the entire weekend. A girl's running trip of sorts!

Now onto the hydration part of this post. Summer running brings summer temperatures and an increased need for water/sports drinks during long runs to prevent dehydration. I speak from experience...dehydration is a unpleasant, serious, dangerous condition. My good friend Joe that recently ran 2 marathons 13 days apart for his friend Dom who is battling cancer just wrote a great post on hydration. Do yourself a huge favor and take the time to visit his blog and read about the importance of proper hydration and then do every runner out there a favor and post a link to Joe's blog so that this very important information gets to as many runners as possible. I know for a fact that Joe is more than happy to share his knowledge with us and has granted permission for his blog to be shared with all runners, old and new out there! http://joerunfordom.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/10-tips-for-running-in-the-heat/.
Tip number 1 stood out for me because I only drink about 16 ounces of water after any of my training runs. Apparently, I should drink 16 ounces per pound lost during a training run...yikes, I need to work on that one!!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!