Nike Women's Festival, Downtown Sacramento

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."

-Paul Kergat

Today I participated in the Nike Women's Fitness Festival 5k Run in Downtown Sacramento. I was supposed to do it with my friend Heidi, but she was unable to join me. This gave me an opportunity to "test" myself and my speed ability!

As Jesse and I made our way downtown, Jesse encouraged me to try to run the 5k as fast as I could possibly run since I wasn't running with anyone... so that was the plan.

I ran the 5k in 26 minutes, 52 seconds!!! This is my best time ever for a 5k.... so this turned into a great running day!

Last Saturday Run!

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?"

-Peter Maher

OMG! Last Saturday was my longest run so far... 12 miles. I was not feeling like it was going to be either a great run or a horrible one. So, before I left the house, I took 2 CLIF Bloks and said "It is going to a good run!"

I decided to do a different route. This helped me focus on my running form more so than anything else. I decided I was going to run 6 miles out and then have to run the 6 miles back. This to me seemed like the best way for me to stick to running the full 12 miles.

During my run, I continued to remined myself about my form. This is what I have been working on so much the past couple of months. I want to make sure I am doing everything I can in order to fully use my body to its capability. I continued through my run with the mindframe "chest up, breath in and out, and knees high". This helped me stay focused.

Sometimes I think it is really hard to run alone, but I also think that it is hard to run with other people unless they are at your skill level. I want to push myself as mush as I can. but I also need to make sure that I am taking care of myself.

Time for this week's runs.. tomorrow I have 8 miles to do. Next Sat. 06/12 is my First Half.. we will see how it goes!

Half Marathon Training (276 miles run)

"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest, I run to see who has the most guts."

-Steve Prefontaine

So, I have been on a 12 week Nike Running Half Marathon Training plan through the Nike Plus website. It has been going pretty good, but we are now getting into some of my longer runs and I am having such a hard time. At the same time, work has been requiring more of me, so I have had to change my schedule a little bit to accomodate, AND I can totally tell in my energy level.

To help with the much needed energy, I have been adding more and more coffee... I know that probably isn't the best, but studies show that coffee increases your metabolism. In addition, I have been eating yogurt EVERY day. I have found m y new favorite, Chobani Greek Yogurt. OMG! THis tuff is delicious. And I am not kidding. Once I am finished, I want more and more. And it has tons of protein and calcium.. stuff my body needs to thrive.

Jesse and I have 4 weeks until our FIRST EVER HALF MARATHON!! We are both anxious and yet very exicted to show off what we have worked SOOO hard to do. To some people, this may be so easy for them and not a big deal... but for a few of us, this is a great accomplishment. THis is the defining goal that we have all been working toward and this Half Marathon is the beginning of many fun runs that I am going to look forward to sharing with my family, friends, and more importantly my husband. I am so thankful that he has been there for me all along the way and NEVER hesitated in supporting me and making the choices that we did.

I will say.. something I tell my Dad all the time... the most forgiving thing is your body. No matter how bad you treated it before, it will always forgive you and work for you if you give it what it needs and treat it kindly. Remember this when you are working out, choosing your meals, and ultimately in your everyday life.

The results are in.. and I was selected for the Full Marathon! AHHH!!!

"In running, it doesn't matter if you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say 'I have finished'. There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

-Fred Lebow

Yes.. I got in. I was selected for one of the most elite Marathons there is. THE NIKE WOMEN's MARATHON!!! Words cannot describe my excitement along with my fear of running the marathon. It is 26.2 miles in San Francisco, Ca on October 17, 2010. This will be my first (and possibly only) Marathon, it all depends on the outcome!!

With my Nike Running Plus Sportband, I am able to train for the Marathon through the internet. They have a lot of resources and training guidelines for me to get prepared. Our next run is June12th in SF as well. This will be my first half marathon that I will be running with my husband as well. We have both come so far in our journeys, it is important to do this first one together. For the Marathon though, I think it is important for me to do on my own. It will be such a personal accomplishment, that I need to do on my own.

More to come with my training plans and running playlists.

3 Lessons Learned tonight

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

-Oprah

1. Never run after 7pm in Spring in Sacramento near marshlands. I am sure this was a given, but I was just hoping there wouldn't be that many bugs.

2. Don't think just because you have lost most of your boobs that you don't need a sport bra.

3. Never, ever run in shorts. Now matter what. Spandex is better.

I'm just sayin'.

Nike Women's Marathon

"Run hard, be strong, think BIG!"

-Percy Cerutty

I registered for the Marathon on April 5.. the day that registration started. I really want to get picked for this Marathon for it to be my first one. I would have plenty of time to train effectively for my best time for a marathon.

I read a book this past week about starting to train for a Marathon. It was the best book I have read regarding running. Running has become so important to me.. so it was more important that I find joy in it. Dawn Dais, the author of thie book was able to be sarcastic (which I love) and funny about not being the best at something, but still trying.

I have always been similar to the author in competition. Running is a sport that makes competition within yourself to do your best and push your limits. My experience with competition has always been with a team and specializing in a position to help succeed. Running has taught me to be self reliant and also made me aware of what I can achieve.

Nike Plus Running Sportband...

"If the furnace is hot enough, it will burn anything."

-John Parker, Once a Runner

Ok, this is sent from God.. but at times it can be my worst enemy. I use the Nike + sportband to track my miles ran. I got the sportband for Christmas and love it. This is my problem with it. Although great, I have had to reset it twice.. in less than 4 months use. And when you reset it, you lose all your progress... so it really is a damper when you have run up to 156 miles (which I had) and then you have to delete all those sweaty miles. Tonight was frustrating, but I was able to make it through my 5 mile run.. just thinking about missing my sportband the whole time.