"I am a Marathoner"

Before I ran my 10 miler, I read a chapter in my Marathon book. In there, it suggests that you tell people you are a marathoner. Not that you are training for a marathon, but that you are a marathoner. I am a marathoner. When the weather is cold and I want to crawl back in bed with my sweet comfortable husband, I tell myself- "I am a marathoner". When Mile 11 is coming and you have more to go and your legs are burning- you say "I am a marathoner". This week it was bitter cold outside. I mean like with the wind chill it was 15 degrees. I took off for my run at 5:30 am. I planned to go 6 miles. I started running and felt the distinct feeling that I should turn around and put some more clothes on. I didn't at about 1/2 a mile I ran past another runner she had a ski coat- snow pants, hat, gloves, face warmer. I had on a long sleeve t-shirt and long running pants, and gloves. I wished at that point that I was dressed like her. I got up next to the temple- about 1 1/2 miles, and I could not go a step farther. But, "I am a marathoner" I have to go farther. And then it hit me. I am a marathoner, so if I don't make this run I will be fine. I am mentally a marathoner. If my run was tomorrow- even though I am only up to 14 miles-I think I could do it. I would be surprised if I couldn't! In training I only go up another 4 miles. So before the race I only run 18 miles. Wow! that is so close! I am a marathoner. And a sick one at that. Fever and all tomorrow I will go run my 5 miles with a smile on my face and 2 months till Fargo, because I am a marathoner!

More of the diet

OK,
so I never knew that three cups of salad was a serving size did you?
So have you ever eaten 3 c. salad-it is almost as large as a medium sized mixing bowl.
This is one of my favorite things to eat because it is so much food!
The salad in this picture has
3 cups lettuce
1/2 c kidney beans
1 carrot
3/4 c mandarin oranges
2tbs raisins
1 cup cucumber
2 oz of tuna (Costco has the best tuna I have ever tasted-takes like canned chicken!)
2 oz mozzarella cheese

For my daily intake I eat 4 serv of veg, 4 of fruit, 3 protein, 3 starch, 2 dairy, 2 fat
This dinner salad used up 3 veg, 2 fruit, 1 starch, 1/2 protein, 1 dairy
Breakfast usually starts with a fruit, dairy, and protein or starch. Then in between I eat whatever is left.

I crave cookies, chocolate, corn chips, doughnuts
The hardest days for me are Sunday and Monday-when we are used to glutting ourselves on a desert on Sunday and a treat on Monday night.

I have heard from my mom that I should be eating more protein, and read online that I should be eating more carbs-for running. I am loosing weight, but does anyone know more about this? Should I be eating or doing different?
Help from the unknown world is required

A sample of my diet

Breakfast
1 cup berries
1/2 c cooked wheat
1 oz almonds
2/3 c milk
10:30
2 oz cheese
3 c lettuce
2 tsp salad Dressing
Lunch
1 c peas
1 carrot
3:30
kiwi
Dinner
3c lettuce
2tbs raisins
3/4 c mandarin oranges
1/3 kidney beans
2 oz tuna
10 olives
1/3 c milk

Searching.

Well,
Its time to be big and get into a race. I have put it off long enough. Now I really need to focus. I am looking for a Saturday race either the 5th of June or Friday the 11th.
It can be in the Midwest or Idaho/UT.
Yep that's the parameters. So, there are 2. I will either be running in South Bend Indiana-the 5th or Bear Lake area ID-UT-the 11th. I have a wedding to go to in Idaho on the 12th. I will stay in ID until after little sis has a baby and then head back to the Midwest.
When I get home, I will be on to the next big adventure. We will be looking forward to adding little one number 5 to the family. (this is not an announcement-just a plan) no addition until at least what March or April of 2011. Big month in our family!
Now for training. It is still going well. I actually sprinted nearly a quarter mile yesterday and today. Sure cuts time off the training! I get so bored running around the gym, that when I have 10 laps left I can hardly wait to get out of there. I sure wish there was more time in the day!
I am still loosing weight. I run 5,6,7, or 8 miles this week. Depending on what I decide in the end. I wish there was a marathoners diet for overweight people training for the marathon.

On a positive note- I fit back into my junior prom dress-2 weeks ago and my wedding dress last week. Now for my senior prom dress. If I fit back into that I will be wearing it on vacation-even if the formal night is cocktail attire.
I realised today that the local marathon I am training for was on Sunday-major let down. I just can not run on the Lords day! Even though everything else about this marathon screams pick me! Oh well. So like I said- I may have 2 or 1 to choose from. I waiting to hear from the Bear Lake marathon-I am hoping they will let me run it. If not I will travel to south bend- Land of Rudy Rudiger.
So thats the plan- and I am stuck with it.
Happy Running.

Time to blog again

Still running-now dieting too. Lost 10 lbs. No diet today- baklava, birthday cake, hot dog, frozen yogurt from Costco, and 1 1/2 protien bars. Holy smokes I feel full!
I don't think I will need to eat for the rest of the night. Oh well back on the diet tomorrow. No real harm done.
Starting to thaw- I am sure I will be running outside by next week wahoo!

Still Running

I still run daily, still running my 3 miles. Cant wait till I can get outside. Still doing the 10 minute miles. Funny to think that I run at least a 5K everyday. The Human Body is such a miraculous machine!
I had someone ask me the other day how I was doing on my goals. I'm still running was my reply. I have a love hate relationship with running. I hate that Everything hurts, I am not very good at it, My feet are big, I am 55 lbs overweight. The turns in the church gym seem endless. I love that despite all of these things I run, it is free, I can push myself as hard as I choose, in some small way I am honoring Heavenly Father by using the body that he has given me.
So, though I am not dwelling on the hard things- I do want to mention them, because if you are going to try a marathon you don't want to go into it thinking there are no challenges.
"You are what you eat" This may be cliche, but it is true. If I eat junk the day before I run like junk the following day. You may as well throw the sweets, chips, fats, fries, burgers, ice cream (you get the idea)away. You can not run on those empty calories-not for a sustained period of time. FYI 3 cups of green salad with out any thing on top is 20 calories- have you ever tried to eat that much salad? Add light dressing-90 calories. Apple-40 calories very filling and sweet, Lindt truffle 200 calories. 1 cup low fat plain yogurt, 1 cup fruit(berries), 1/3c granola about 300 calories-totally curbs my sweet tooth fills me up and helps me feel like I am not depriving myself. Don't forget importance of proteins, carbs, and fats. Educate your self! You need all the healthy calories you can get.

Give your self goals to hit. When I look at the clock I say I have five minutes to run 10 (1/2 mile) laps. I like the 5 minute timer- because its to easy to get overwhelmed by 20 laps and 10 minutes for me. If I just try to run a 10 minute mile with out a timer, I normally make it in about 12. So the clock helps me measure my success.

Shoes are essential. Because I have been turning corners for a month I am going to have to get some new shoes soon. I hate to do it, and burn through another pair before I even get out to run, but I just can't afford a stupid injury.

Rest is essential. Sleep and giving your body days to recoup. If I don't get 8 hours, I don't run well. It usually hits me by about day 4. And it takes about 4 days of good sleep to get back the stamina I lost. The training guide I use has me run 2 days rest 1 day run 1 day rest 1 day run long run 1 day rest 1.
I like it! I love feeling like- just make it through today and tomorrow I can rest. Just make it 30 40 50 minutes and I can take a break till Thursday.

Everyone says don't miss your long runs. I have found that once I do a long run-as slowly as I choose, I have more strength to run the shorter runs faster. Which leave me running the next weeks long run faster-even though the distance has increased.

Injuries that you don't have to worry about-side stitch, Pain around knee cap, sore feet, sore back, basically any sore areas will heal and get stronger. Shooting pains or sharp pains need attention, like shin splints or anything that feels like a shin splint in any part of your body. Some times pains come from improper shoe fit, or lack of stretching warm up and cool down. If you want to be a runner think like a runner. Which means read books, and talk with other runners. Education is power even in running.
When you walk your body receives twice the force that it does when your standing, but when you run it receives 7 times the force. That take a large toll on your body. Give your body the time it needs to preform the way you want it to.
So now my mileage is up to 3-4-3-6, 16 miles a week. I plan on maintaining this for about 2 more weeks. Then I will have a little more time to run in the mornings. I want to get good and strong. No injuries this time!

Week update

Again I have been running- I can't really get out of it- so I go :)
It has been really good
Because I don't have as much time, I have really been working on getting my time down. I can consistently run 10 minute miles now. So, I can get my 3 mile run done in 1/2 hour. 6 miles in 1 hour ect. This is really good for me! I am happy with the way my body is preforming. At the end of every mile I tell my body good job, and give myself a drink.
I did run an 8 minute mile this week, but I totally exhausted myself, and I had to walk for the rest of the time. So if I continue with 10 minute miles I can finish in 4 hours and 20 minutes. My favorite contestant of all time on Biggest looser is Tara, and she did it in just short of 5 hours. I would be happy with any time between those two. However if I shave another 40 minutes off my time I could always run the Boston marathon later...hmmm
40 minutes is...
9 min would be 26
so 8 would be 52
So if I ran some where between 8 and 9 I could do it
8 minute mile did me in
maybe this is a goal for a different marathon
Though I can't afford to run too many

Thoughts to think. I feel that familiar knot in my stomach that comes when I am about to set a ridiculous goal. :)