Halloween Weekend

Happy Halloween weekend to you! 

Friday was my rest day and let me tell you, those have become by favorite day of the week! I get to sleep in just a little bit more than usual :D I went to a friends party, shout out to Dolly Livingston, and had a great time, with Jillian Lee!

Jillian as a Boxer or (Miss Capt. America) and Me as a "Hipster"

I didn’t get home and in bed until 4:30am on Saturday, so I decided to change my workout a little. Instead of doing my long run, I did my “Sunday Cross Training”. I walked for 30 minutes at 4 and 4.5 mph and then went on the bike for about 15 minutes. I did my other usual workout and called it a day.

I was able to get to bed a decent hour last night, so today I did my long run, 7 MILES! Let me tell you, I DID IT! I ran at my usual 6 mph speed and finish obviously in 70:00 minutes. That is the longest I have ever run. I am really proud of myself and I didn’t get tired until about mile 5 and just pushed through. It is encouraging knowing that I am able to keep and endurance for this long. It is something that I never thought I would be able to do.

I posted a question on Yahoo to see if I could get some music suggestions for while I run and got some help. I am going to put some things together while I am at work this week and hopefully have a good playlist.

The week ahead looks relatively easy. I have 3,4,3 and 5-mile runs. I am going to try and run outside this week also, weather permitting. I want to use my new running pants and see if they work. I think I have appropriate tops for running so that isn’t a problem. I am still looking for a marathon to run but have not found any in the area. I don’t think I am going to be able to find one, but that fine. I found a half marathon in January in Chicago that I am going to sign up for. It will throw off my training a little, but I’m not really worried about that right now. So, yea… Good things are happening…

Until the next run,

cody! 

Wednesday

Today was another 3 mile run day. Nothing exciting or out of the ordinary happened today. I felt good running. The only notable thing that I have done is recently started listening to my own music.

When I was in college, I used to listen to my ipod and just work out. A friend, who I cannot remember, told me that they don't listen to music and just work out. I tried it and liked it. So, for the past two or so years, I haven't listened to music when I ran or worked out. At LA Fitness, my current gym, they play music, but it is low and whatever they have on the radio at the time. So, a few days ago, I went to Sports Authority and bought a pair. Nothing fancy. So, long story long, I started to use them and I am finding it to be good because it is something to distract me from being bored, tired and less energized. My problem is... I don't have good music. So, to the 2 people reading this... any good suggestions for music while running?

I am going to look around and post a question on Yahoo Questions and hope to get a good response. We shall see...

Tomorrow is the same thing... 3 miles. I am thinking about moving my runs outside next week...

Until the next run...
cody!

Tuesday

Today started the second week of my Mission: Marathon. Since I've last posted, I have been keeping up rather well. On Sunday, I had my Cross Training day. I took a 20 minute walk, when spent 20 minutes on the bike and then about 20 minutes in the pool. It was the first time in a long time that I had been in a pool, and let me just say that I have the most respect for swimmers. Everyone can call themselves a good swimmer, but when you actually get in a pool for stickily swimming laps, it is another story. What a cardio workout that is! 

Anyways, Monday was my off day and let me say.. it is a good thing because I had lots of, maybe too much, fun on Sunday night. 

Today started the week off with a three mile run. I ran it at a 10:00 minute pace as I did last week. I think one more week of this pace and I am going to try and up my speed for the short distance runs. I was able to finish the three miles feeling good and energized. I had a really good rest of my work out and hope that this continues for the coming days. 

Tonight I am going to watch some high school volleyball. I am looking forward to it seeing as how I love volleyball to the core. I'm going to support a friends daughter, so GO SANDBURG! 

Until the next run, 

cody! 

Day 5

Yesterday was my day of rest, and let me tell you, it felt really good. I was able to sleep in and when I woke up, my body felt recharged and fresh.

Today was the day I was looking the least forward to this week. It was the dreaded 6 mile run. I know that 6 miles is only the beginning of what is ahead for me, but I am allowed to over exaggerate. I got to bed at 12:00am, and decided to not go out with my cast mates, with the hopes that that would get me enough sleep. When I woke up at 7:00am, I was a little tired, but ready for the run.

I got to the gym a little later than I was hoping to make it, I wanted to allow myself enough time to shower and get to work on time. I still managed, just not in the timeline I wanted. I started off my run with a good stretching and 5 minute walk at 4mph. I knew that I needed to be as comfortable as possible.

I started my run at 6mph with the intention of slowing down after my 3 mile mark. After one mile, I was feeling really good. Not tired, not sore, just really good and comfortable. However, at mile two, I started to feel really weak. I didn't have anything substantial to eat before my run, so I started to feel feeble and tried. I was going to try for 3 miles, but I figured I shouldn't over do it. I had gotten to the point where I felt like I was sick, my stomach was not happy. So, I stopped running and went and got a banana and an energy bar. I had a couple of bites and it was back to running. Of course when I stopped, I didn't look to see how far into the 2nd mile I was, so I figured if I run 4 miles, I'll be good. And that's what I did. I ran the 4 miles all at the 6mph and it felt great. I felt like I could keep running. I was physically ok, mentally ok and still feeling motivated. I stopped after the last mile because I know it is important to stick to the training manual.

So, all in all, I had a good run today. I think I know what I need to do in order to be successful (eat something substantial before my runs). Tomorrow is a “cross training” (another form of cardio other than running) day, so I think I am going to SWIM :D I’ve not used the clubs pool yet, so that should be interesting. If all else fails and I don’t swim, I will use the bikes and figure out some other cardio work.

Until the next run,
cody!

Day 3

Good news... I'm still alive. 

Today was the last 3 mile run of the week. I did fine except for the fact that a part of my leg (right above my calf muscle, but right under my knee) hurt. I felt it the whole run. I made sure to stretch before and after. I suppose it is just my legs not being used to the intense running that I have been doing so far. The good news is that I get to rest tomorrow, so hopefully that will give my body time to rest up. 

I spoke to a good friend of my, shout-out to Jackie Venditti, and she was telling me about the half-marathon she is going to be training for. Hers is in Florida in February somewhere around Orlando... I would love to run in Florida in the "winter". I imagine the conditions are great for running. Not too hot, nor too cold. 

I should probably start looking into a marathon so that I actually have a marathon to train for, instead of just training to run one. I am supposed to run 6 miles on Saturday, which will be the most I have ever run at one time. I am both nervous that I won’t make it, but also looking forward to the challenge. I normally workout after my run, but I think I will just run and then be done so that I don't over do it to my body. Thanks for reading… if you are :D

Until the next run,

cody!

Day 2

So, today was day number 2 of my many, many, many days of training for the marathon. It was another 3 mile run. I did the same pace as yesterday, but today was a little bit more difficult. My body needs to get used to running for longer than 15 minutes. I could really feel the tension in my legs this morning, which probably means that I need to stretch before I start my runs. Anyways, I was able to pull through and get the 3 miles done. Tomorrow looks like it will be the same routine. I am striving for FRIDAY which is my REST DAY!!

While I was running, I started thinking about how LONG marathons are. With where I am at right now, 30 minutes of running seems like forever, and add 23 more miles... YIKES. I know my pace will vary as I continue to train, but the thought of running for several hours, without stopping, is a little nerve rattling. Can I do it? I think the reason I want to do this so badly is because I want to prove to myself that I do have the discipline to achieve this and that I have the focus that is needed.

I am interested to see how things go this weekend as my show picks up again and I will be out late most likely drinking... I can do it :D

until the next run,
cody!

Day 1

Today was the first day of my Mission: Marathon and I have to say, it went really well. I am following the
Hal Higdon Novice 1 Marathon Training  training guide. It looks pretty intense, but I know if I commit to it, I can do it.

It started the week off with MONDAY REST! Which I was happy for. Today I ran 3 miles. I am forced to do it all inside on a treadmill due to the cold weather. I know that once I get more comfortable running longer distance with a consistent pace, I can try it outside, but for now... Inside it is. I ran with a 10:00 min mile pace which is 6mph. Normally I would run at a 7mph pace, but I figured that would be way to ambitious, and I am glad I made that decision :D. 

Along with my new running routine, I am trying to eat healthier. Being that I am a vegetarian, I already eat fairly healthily, but I am going to cut back on sweets, take in more water, and look for a good multivitamin. If you know of any, suggestions are welcome.

As I look ahead to the rest of the week, it looks doable... until Saturday... That is certainly going to be a challenge, 6 miles, but I am ready for it!

Until the next run,
cody!

My History

So here marks the beginning of my journey. I have an 18 week training guide that I plan on following each day, each week. Before I get started in my running, here is a brief history of my running experience:

When I moved to Park Forest, I was entering the 7th grade. I had never really played any sports, and being that I was the new kid; my mom thought it would be a good way for me to make friends if I joined the cross country team. It couldn't be that hard, I thought. I was a kid, had lots of energy, and the running couldn't be that far! Well, let me tell you that it was definitely a struggle. Go figure that I was always the last one done with practice each day, as I would come running up to the building a good while after everyone else. However, I thought that I would give it a chance and decide if I wanted to keep doing it after the first meet.

So, naturally the first meet came around much quicker than I anticipated it. I'm on the starting line and "GO"! I'm running, and at this point feeling pretty good about myself. I'm passing people, not getting tired and really believing that I could do it. When all of the sudden... I need air. I'm totally winded and realizing that I started the race WAY to fast and now I have nothing left. So I walk for a little bit. No one was around to see me. Then, they all came running behind, nope, now alongside, nope now in front of me... at this point, I could see the last stretch of grass, probably 100 yards away. I hear footsteps behind me and who is it? None other than 3 girls that I had passed before. They ran past me and then stopped. They decided that they were going to walk with me to the finish line. I of course was humiliated and eventually finished the race. Needless to say, that was the end of my cross country career.

In college, about my jr/sr year, when I realized that I had gained about 25 pounds, I decided that I needed to do something about it. I would go to the gym and pound out a mile a day, sometimes two. Eventually I got the point where running 3 miles was about it. But I was comfortable with that. While in Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to run a 5k with a friend and that was fun and rewarding. Since then, I have incorporated running into my daily workouts, whether it is one, two or maybe three miles. I would by no means consider myself a good runner, but it has been something I have overcome and want to make a commitment to making it easier, and more pleasurable.

So, here starts my long embark of Mission: Marathon.