The Feed Zone

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

We have been busy. The Goofy was great. Except...Sarah and I did get sick... we think it is from the water at the drink stations. Not completely sure, but we were feeling great, and then after two days of stopping at each drink stop and guzzling down our fair share we both ended up with some major stomach issues. I suppose it could be the fact that we ran 39.3 Miles in two days but.. ya never know. We took those races easy and had a blast, we stopped and took pics with sooo many characters. Along with the water stops, and bathroom stops.... we think it was the water.

Here is Sarah and I at some point during the 1/2. Yes it was dark. Disney is the only place I know that starts a race at 5:30am on the button. But, regardless of the early hour, they make it very magical. Fireworks, Characters, pixie dust...Disney does it best.

This was us at the end of the Marathon. We brought our 1/2 marathon medal in our bags with us that day because there was no way we were running 39.3 miles and not getting credit it for it. We brought home 3 blinging medals that trip =) Shortly after this pic I started eating a protein bar... and my day went downhill from there. By the end of the day I made a trip to the ER because I could not keep a single thing down. BOO.

Aside from that we have been in winter recovery mode. I was feeling alright after I got over the Disney experience but then ran into a nasty flu that lasted 2 weeks. It was horrible.

But now the sun is out, the snow is gone (hopefully for good) and I am back to running and training for my next marathon. I have chosen the Colfax marathon here in Denver. It isn't going to be a super easy marathon, but my plan is to just attempt to not give up!  During that goofy I learned a lot about myself as a runner. When running the 1/2, I wanted to give up between miles 8-11, but then I was good. During the marathon I wanted to give up between miles 15-20 and then I was fine. There are always times during whatever race that I always want to give up, but I always thought it was because I was running a much faster pace. My new theory is that regardless of pace I will want to give up during those miles. So if I can figure out how to overcome that mental block, I will be real happy =)

Also, I have tried to eat more real food while running. Looking at GU lately makes me irritated.

Check out this new amazing cookbook, The Feed Zone Cookbook. I stumbled upon it and had to try it. I suggest you do the same, give it a whirl and tell me what you think. I have tried the Chocolate Peanut Coconut Rice cakes and it was a success! During my 18 miler last week I had 2 "blocks" of this and never once did I want to bonk. I also noticed that my recovery was easy peasy.

Sorry it is backwards, but the cover was so pretty I wanted you to see a pic. Totally buy this book for its cover. I think it will be worth it ;) Oh, and p.s. I did not get this book for free. I bought it with my hard earned cash.

Who is running what this year?

What is your favorite marathon? -Mine used to be Disney....and although it is still very magical it has been tainted. Time to find a new favorite.

Do any of you have any good portable running food recipes?


Here is to Spring and Happy Running!!

-Jen

Goofy or Bust

I can't believe that January is already here. December flew by.  All three of us have been crazy busy with the holidays and now we are off to Disney!

My Mom and my sister Heather decided to surprise us and join Jen and I down in Disney to cheer us on.  And since this is a pretty special race I decided to make us some running skirts.  The blue one is for the full and the pink is for the half.  I had so much fun making these and I can't wait to wear them.  We all head down tomorrow and it is going to be in the upper 70s while we are there.  Woot Woot!  I am already over winter and ready for spring.

As far as the race goes it is all about having fun.  I am not wearing my watch or anything.  I am really looking forward to it.

 Oh and I have been eating all the right foods so that should help :)

Anyone running the Goofy this weekend??

XX
Sarah

Jumping the Gun

It has been 15 days since I ran the NYC marathon and during this time I have been thinking a lot about what exactly went wrong.  I was positive that the Run Less Run Faster plan was going to help me reach my goal so I was pretty devastated when I came in far from it.  Also I don't want to forget to mention that during these 15 days I have been enjoying myself immensely.  My parents were just here visiting with my Grandma who has not been here since 1946!  We ate, ate, did some sight seeing and ate some more.  It was GREAT!!!

So let me break it down....  One- I chose to use the 3:40 speed work program and then use the 3:30 long distance program.  This was a mistake.  I needed to pick one time and stick with it.  Two- Even though I was using the faster 3:30 program for long distance I was running them even faster than what was given.  Mistake! Three- My arrogance! I thought I knew better than the Run Less Run Faster authors on what I could handle and what I was capable of doing therefore I became EXTREMELY burnt out.  By the time the race hit all I could think about was ugh!  Let's just get this dam race over.  I do not feel like running. Which resulted in a 4:06 marathon.

Now let me get to the point of the title to this post.  If you would like to see the effects of jumping the gun when the race starts... well here it is.  My splits.  As you can see after mile 1(which was uphill) I quickly jumped to a 7:22 pace.  Ahhh not 8:00 which was what I was aiming for. Miles 2-7 were all under 8. So by the time the 8th mile was over I was feeling way tired.  Then as you can see my splits were all over the place.  One of my weaknesses with running is keeping a consistent pace.  I am pretty terrible at it and should have focused more on that during my training.  I also felt like I was going up and down, up and down the entire race so I posted my elevation as well.  As you can see I don't climb a whole lot but it is up and down.  This added to my tiredness in the end.

What have I learned from all this....  STICK TO THE TRAINING PLAN.  

So to redeem myself and have a little fun I signed up for the GOOFY with my sister Jen!  I seriously cannot wait.  I don't even care about what time I am going for, all I want to do is run a fun race.  Enjoy the distance.  Enjoy the scenery and crowds.  Plus is will be so fun to have Jen run with me.  She is an expert when it comes to numbers and time so she will be the perfect pace partner.  Oh and I told her that she can wear her watch and I am not going to. (I may change my mind later tho. Ha!)

What have I been doing for exercise in the mean time?  Well I am back to 4 days a week.  Last week because my family was here I only got in 3 days but this week I am going for 4.

This is an example

Monday- 8

Tuesday- Xtrain

Wednesday - 6-8

Thursday - 8

Friday- Xtrain

Saturday - 10 (I will add 2 miles each Long run getting up to 18 miles two weeks before the race and then I will taper)

I plan to run up the bridge hard for strength and work up to running comfortably 7:45-8:00 miles. Right now I am around 8:20 because I am still recovering from my last race and I don't want to push it to hard.

So that's it! Long post but had a lot to explain!

Here is to Goofy or BUST!! (Ps I better not bust cuz I am seriously considering the RnR marathon in DC this March :) Who's with me?!

XX
Sarah

Oh and I just watched Forks Over Knives.  Post coming soon about my new diet plan. :)

The Hardest Plan EVER

Hi all, This is Jen here. Long time no blog. I have been out of my mind lately trying to keep up with all the happenings around my house. But, I have really been wanting to blog to let you know how my RLRF plan has been going for me.

here is my thought. IT IS SO HARD! Although it may be easy to assume this plan is doable because you "only" run "3 days a week" I say don't assume as much.

This plan is hard, here are my majors reasons why:

1. You still need to for sure cross train to some extent on the non-running days which may seem easier then it is. Sometimes it is easier to just go outside and go for an easy run, no planning involved. But when you need to get motivated to either get your rear to the gym or dig out your old home workout video it can be a chore.

2. All of the runs are very very pace specific. There is no real room for an off day or a not feeling it phase. I have had a little of both and did my best to suck it up and get through it but then the following week it is hard running again, and again. There is no room for running where you aren't looking at your watch every .25 mile or so......

So those are my 2 main reason why this plan is hard.

Here is why the plan is good.
- I am getting faster. Here is a good indicator of what this plan has done for my short distance so far.
Back in May I ran a 10k at a 7:48 pace. That pace at that time for me was tough. Just the other day I went out my door and ran 5 miles (I could have gone 6.2) at a 7:20 pace. It felt comfortably-hard and was a great indicator to me how much I have progressed as a runner with this plan. Also, during my speed sessions typically I have been coming in faster then I need to and with the minimal recover this plan gives you (and I mean minimal) I have been able to keep it up despite the fact that sometimes after the last repeat I lay down on the track and wonder what the hell I am doing, and remind myself I choose to do this!!!

I am still waiting until my marathon on Dec. 4th to see how this all is going to play out for the long distance. Will I be able to run my goal of a 3:40 or will I be able to go faster... or will I BONK? I have no idea. All of those thoughts have come and gone through my mind at least 1000 times.

Anywhoo, as the marathon gets closer I am getting very excited to see how this is all gonna go and wanted to give an opinion of the plan and hear if anyone else feels the same way.

Who has done the RLRF plan and seen it through?

What were your results?

Do you still use this plan or something more traditional?
Although this training has been HARD it has also been very fun and I had made some good memories with my buds.

Alison and Amber before a run.... early in the morning in the dark.....

Tara in her car getting ready to go out for a run early in the morning in the dark......

This is just a new little treat I discovered that is DELICIOUS! Roasted sweet potato sandwich with grilled red onion and jack cheese. try it. it is good =)

P.S. This may or may not be a hint as to wear some of the ATTrio may or may not be running their next race ;)

Happy Running -Jen

Recovery and Whats next

I'll be in Minnesota until July 2nd and my plan while I am here is to relax, recover and figure out what is next on the agenda.  This is how it has gone down so far.

It was easy to rest on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday but today I am feeling all rested and ready to roll. I realize that my body will need a little more time to recover regardless of how totally normal I am feeling right now. BUT, I still wanted to get in some sort of workout.

Today's Workout: Keeping up with my 5 year old at Bounce Depot.  It is like this giant warehouse with all kinds of blow up slides, obstacles courses etc. I went in there thinking that we'd have some great bonding time and I'd be all ready to bounce around with him for hours... Only to start feeling like my brain was going to explode and my lunch come up after only 15 minutes.  Apparently running 26 miles is easier on your body then the bounce depot..... (note to self, only go to bounce depot with 5 year old if one of his friends promises to be present.)

After my workout or lack thereof I did the next best thing and stop by the grocery store and pick up all of the ingredients for dessert. My family and I are staying with my in-laws for a few days and I'd promised them some dessert of their choosing. 


So this Mess....

Followed by this Mess....

Turned into these two desserts (Banana Cream Trifle and Chocolate Banana Cream Pie) that I thoroughly enjoyed =)

Although I am able to relax and recover from the marathon I am already excited and anticipating what is going to be next on the calendar. I am for sure doing a Sprint Triathlon at the end of July.

SUPER excited about it.  

I will be blogging my training adventures for sure.....not that I have any idea how to train for one of those.  Suggestions?

Along with that, here are some up coming races this fall that I am trying to decide between.
Rock'n'Roll marathon or 1/2 in Denver (Oct. 9th)
Mankato Marathon in Minnesota (Oct. 22nd)
CIM Marathon in Sacrament (Dec. 4th)

And of course, my dream race which although probably won't happen this year but always do need to add to this list is:

Disneys the Goofy Challenge
My first marathon was the Disney marathon and after being a part of it and watching all of these people participate in the goofy challenge that I swore I'd go back.  If they can do it, I can do it! But I'll probably have to wait until next year....my dad always taught me to pay my bills...SHOOT.

Anywhoo, WHAT TO DO????

Anyone out there ran the Denver Rock'n'Roll?

Mankato, or CIM?

Also, I need help with training for my first tri.  Do I really attempt to do speed on a bike or just go for rides?

Happy Running -Jen

p.s. my plan is to be happily running again next week.  Take that week easy with some normal miles and then hop back into training slowly the following week =)