Day 2 - 30 Day Run Challenge

Why did you continue to run?

2009 me and 2012 me. Running Makes a huge Difference

As you learned from my last blog post I gained a lot of weight from not being physically active and running has helped me lose weight and keep it off. I have also suffered from eating disorders and from lack of self confidence. Now I am involved with races and I love lacing up my sneakers and heading out the door with just me and the music. It is a time for me to clear my head and get some perspective on my life. My favorite time to run is during my lunch hour. I can get pretty stressed out at work but heading out at lunch for a 4-5 mile run allows me to come back with a clear head and willingness to tackle the afternoon.

Someone once told me “Sometimes I hurt when I run and sometimes I run because I am hurt”. Sometimes there is nothing better to do for yourself when you are having a bad day but to put on your running shoes and run out your problems, they are still going to be there but at least you can give yourself about a half hour to think about them.

Sometimes I run to stay in shape, sometimes I run to clear my head, every day I run I run to love myself but one thing I do know is I love the rush I get from finishing a run. 

Happy Training!!

Day 1 - 30 Day Run Challenge

When did you start running and why?

Elizabeth and I on the last mile of the Nike Women's Marathon

I started running in high school we had to run for cross training when I was on my swim team, but once I got injured I didn't run or swim anymore and due to being very active than not being able to be active I started to gain a lot of weight.

In 2009 I decided I needed to start running again, I was very overweight and I hated the way I looked. When I first started running I would literally run for like 30 seconds and walk for a song than when the next song started I would run for 30 seconds again, it was so hard for me. I actually remember the first time I tried to run a 5k. I got a km away from home and thought I was going to die. I called my friend and had her pick me up.

In October 2012 I finished my very first marathon and now I am training to qualify Boston at the Calgary Marathon.

Never in a million years did I ever think I would run a marathon let alone start training to qualify for Boston. However, when Nike Women contact me in May to be an Ambassador and run the Nike Women’s Marathon I was up for the challenge, the training was hard you can read about that in my past blog post. 

While running the marathon around mile 18 I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish, I texted my friend Elizabeth and she gave me encouragement and met me at the last mile and ran it with me she is one of the reasons I complete my first marathon.

Now running is my favorite pass time and I can't wait to run my next marathon and run the Nike Women's Marathon again with my #SistersInNike in May. 

Training and Nutrition

Your pre-training nutrition is important to top up your energy for the workout ahead, it doesn't matter if that is a short track workout, a long run even a gym weight workout you need to make sure you have proper nutrition while training. 

There are several important considerations for the pre-workout meal:

Hydrate: Drink fluids throughout your day and be sure to drink at least a half liter to a full liter (two to four cups) of fluid starting four hours before your workout. You want to make sure that dehydration doesn't set in. Even being a little dehydrated could have a negative effect on your workout.

Choose carbohydrate rich foods: Carbohydrates should comprise the main part of your pre-training meal. Carbohydrates found in foods such as grains, cereals, breads, fruits and veggies are easy to digest, provide energy for your working muscles and top up your blood sugar.

Small amount of protein 2-4 hours before training: In order to sustain energy and fullness, add a source of protein such as meat, poultry, seafood; peanut butter; yogurt/milk, cottage cheese or eggs. Be cautious with the amount of protein you intake before a workout excessive amounts of protein are not ideal if you only have a short amount of time before your workout since protein is slow to digest and may feel heavy in your stomach or cause cramping or bloating. In taking large amounts of protein before your race wouldn't be a good idea.

Avoid high-fat foods: Fat is very slow to digest and won't top up your muscle fuel. In your pre-training meal skip high-fat foods such as chocolate, chips, fries, greasy burgers, and cream soups. These probably aren't the best for you anyways so my advice is to stay away from these all together as they don't do anything for your body.

Watch high-fiber foods: While small amounts of fiber are ok, be aware that fiber is slow to digest and may cause stomach upset during a workout without enough time to properly digest. My rule of thumb with fiber is the same as protein 2-4 hours before I workout I will intake fiber but any closer and I stear away from it.

Timing before your workout: The less time you have, the smaller the amount of food you should take in. If you have two or more hours before exercising eat a high carbohydrate meal that is low in fat and has a small amount of protein. If you have less than an hour before your workout stick with a small snack that is mostly carbohydrate. Normally I try to eat 6 small meals a day and this helps with my workouts. 

Sample meal ideas for 2 or more hours before training

• Smoothie with fruit, unsweetened juice and yogurt, milk or protein powder.
• Hot/cold cereal, milk/yogurt and fruit.
• Toast, banana, and peanut butter.
• Toast, egg(s) and juice.
• Sports bar - my favorite are Luna Bars or Macrobars and .
• Sandwich with turkey/roast beef/ham and veggies.
• Pasta with tomato sauce and a small amount of meat.
• Chicken noodle or vegetable soup with crackers and flavoured tuna.
• Cottage cheese and canned fruit with a bowl of oatmeal.
• Pasta salad with low-fat dressing, chicken breast and veggies.

Happy Training!!

My Decision to Run Calgary Marathon

Yesterday I made the decision to run the Calgary Marathon and not the BMO Marathon in Vancouver. I was kind of sad but had to make the decision.

One reason I decided on this is because Calgary in also a Boston Qualifying run and it is where I live. I figure if I can BQ anywhere it is going to be at my home. I’ll have my friends and family to cheer me on. Support is important. Also I tend to get stomach issues when I go away, I think it is from the change in water and I learned in San Fran that you can drink bottled water all you want but you cannot control what type of water is on the course and sadly for me it was tap water on the course and it turned out to be disasters for me at mile 15. I am used to the tap water in Calgary so I shouldn't end up with the same stomach issues as last time.

I was really looking forward to running the BMO marathon but maybe next year. I was looking forward to running in the crisp ocean air and having that feeling of my lungs opening right up but I think I will do amazing here in Calgary.

Since I don’t actually start training until the 9^th of February now I have created a calendar in word to hold myself accountable to my workouts. As a group of #SistersInNike along with Brandi and The Nike San Fran Runway Crew we are aiming for 23,000 NTC minutes in 2013 and I have 22,835 more to go, but the year has just started. Since I don’t have a whole lot of NTC incorporated into my marathon training schedule I have decided that I need to get a good head start this month. After I am done my Calgary Marathon I start training for the Nike Women’s Marathon shortly after. I would really like to make my goal. Hopefully this can hold me accountable and be able to track the minutes I am doing each month.

What is your favorite part of training? What is your favorite marathon? I am creating a bucket list of marathons I want to do. Leave them in my comments I’ll look them up and consider them.

Remember to keep rolling out your muscles, especially those IT bands!! They will keep your muscles and knees healthy. I found this and have printed it and put it at home to remind me to roll my muscles out often. The foam roller should be your best friend when training.

Happy Training!

New Winter Running Clothes - Amazing

On December 24th, as I was leaving my house to go and do a Christmas Eve workout I opened my door and the FedEx man was standing there with a package from Nike Running. I was ecstatic. I love receiving Nike packages. I went to the gym with full knowledge that when I returned home there would be a package waiting for me to open. 

I went straight home after the gym and opened the package I received from Nike Running. The Nike Running team was more than generous!!!

Nike Twisted Women's Running Capris

In my package was a pair of Nike Twisted Women's Running Capris. Oh my gosh!! These capri's are soft. They feel super awesome against your skin and I love wearing them. They are a twisted color on the band and even have a draw string on the inside for added support. They are breathable and move with you rather than restricting you. They have moved up the list in my favorite capri's to wear. 

Nike Tailwind Short Sleeve V-Neck

The Nike Running team also sent me a Nike Tailwind Short Sleeve V-Neck top. I am kind of in love. I am really picky about what I wear on my skin. If I don't like the feel of it I won't wear it. One thing that stood out to me about this top was the feel of it. It has a very soft almost cashmere feel. It's comfortable and breathable. When you run it pulls the sweat away from you, that is important for winter running because one worry with winter running is hypothermia. This shirt calms my worry of that.

Nike Element Shield Full Zip

I also received the Nike Element Shield Full Zip. This has been a want of mine for a few months. It's a beautiful coat for one and it is comfortable. It fits kind of on the small size so if you like clothes tight go with your size, if you don't than you may want to go a size bigger. I personally like the way it fits and when I run I don't like my clothes being to baggy on me. It even has thumb holes and built in hand gloves, this is my favorite feature. By no means should this be your gloves, but if you happen to forget them these would work. I love this coat and have worn it out and about cruising around town to the store. 

Nike Dri-Fit Running Vest

My last item is the Nike Dri-Fit Shield Running Vest. Honestly, from the moment I took it out of the package I knew I was in love!!! Like head over heels love. For one it is bright, and I love bright colors for two it's warm. Running in the winter you always want to make sure you are layered up. You can always take off layers but if you don't have the layers you can't always put them back on. I have wanted a vest for winter running for months now. My wish came true. There is a small pocket in the back for your keys and a pocket upfront for your iPhone. Winter running drains your phone and keeping it close to your body will help the battery from dying faster. I still prefer to run with the Nike Running Watch but if you must have your phone for music it's a great place to store it. It has a reflective streak on the back because there is less light in the winter so other can see you and not hit you. I am totally in love with this and it is the cherry on top of the perfect running gear. This vest is also perfect paired with a dri-fit running top and a vest for the warmer winter days. 

Thank you Nike Running Team for the amazing running outfit. You have given me the no-excuse winter because really with this gear I have no excuse not to run the element and make it count. 

Winter Running - The Upside

The winter is among us, and for those of us who live North of the 49th parallel know that it can get very cold up here. Well as I embark on my journey to qualify for Boston I have to run through the cold Canadian winter. Lucky for me I live in Alberta and we get the chinook that warms the place right up and brings spring like conditions, however here are some positives of training for a marathon in the winter. 

Clothes that Hide Your My Body: Winter running means winter clothing and that winter clothing covers me in all the right places, pretty much my entire body and I kind of like that since I am not as fit as I want to be right now.

It’s Dark Out: Not really a positive, but I get to wear the really cool Nike Element gear that Nike Running sent me.

You are Pretty Much Alone on the Trails: Running for me is a time when I get to be by myself and I can listen to my own thoughts and get lost in myself. I like being alone sometime and running gives me this option, it is literally just myself and the pavement. I turn on the iPod and let my legs and heart carry me. Sometimes I turn off the iPod and motive myself. Really nobody else is in the running trails this time of year so I don't have to run into friend and politely say hi, when all I really want to do is run.

Snow Is Soft: I like running on the soft snow because I suffered from planters fascistic (believe me I don't want this to come back) and a cushion of snow on the ground is a good thing – the cushion is going to feel a lot less punishing than running on the bare concrete or pavement you’d be running on if you started running in the summer. Also it will save your knees. In the summer I try running on the grass as much as possible but in the winter that snow is nice for the body.

It is Beautiful: Honestly, once you get over the face that it is cold outside the beauty of running in the winter is nice. There is nothing better than a new snowfall and running through the falling snow, it is peaceful and serene. 

Those are my upsides to winter running. Can you think of others? Leave me a comment and, please, get out there and enjoy the winter season!! You won't regret it and will maybe make the winter a little more bearable. 

16 Days Until I Start Training for Boston Qualifier

In 16 days I start chasing my Boston Marathon Dream. Some say it isn't a dream until you have thought about it for a long period of time. 

I say it is a dream as long as you are determined to reach it.

I am not one of those people that have dreamed of running Boston their entire lives. I have only dreamed of running Boston since I realized I could run a marathon, but Boston is a race I want to run more than any race out there. Boston is the elite races of races, my idols have all ran Boston and I want to push to be like those I look up to.

I start chasing my Boston goals in 16 days. In 16 days I start training for the first of at least 2 marathons maybe 3. How do I feel? Excited!! I love running, I get a rush of endorphin from it and it makes me feel AMAZING, but I am also super nervous too because I know I am putting myself under a lot of pressure to perform. I know where I went wrong in my first marathon and so I am going to take those weaknesses and turn them into strengths I need to work on my pace and on focusing not on the distance I have left but rather making each mile count.

Will I be unhappy with myself if I don’t make it, of course, but knowing that I don’t like to be disappointed it gives me even more of a reason to push harder in my training, so I can push harder in my marathon.

I have given myself two qualifying courses to go off of, the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May and the Nike Women’s Marathon in October. Hopefully if I don’t make one I can make the other.

I found a great plan on the Nike Running Facebook page and plan to use this, incorporate NTC for weights and keep up with my Kinect Training. I also have a pretty strict diet that I am sticking too along the way and not allowing cheat days until my marathons are over. Hopefully all of this combined will help me reach my Boston goal. 

With Nike's new Make it Count Campaign it is really getting me out there to push and make this year count.