2nd Time Around

HE SAID.....

Sunday was my first "long run" Sunday of the 16 week training schedule and it was only 4 miles. Next Sunday it will be 5 miles and steadily get longer each Sunday. Susan's "long run" day is Saturday...

Being this is the second time around for me training for a long race, I am interested to see if there are some different challenges that will face me this time. When I trained for the ING NYC Marathon, God blessed me in that I did not have any injuries to contend with during my training. There is some concern how my knees might hold up now that I am two years older and nearing my mid 30's. Although I guess at 33 I still qualify to say I am in my early 30's. I have never (knock on wood) had trouble with my knees before, but I am concerned it could start at anytime.

There is no question, this week for both Susan and I, will be a challenge getting in our training runs. This week I will be gone from the house, after school, 4 days until after dinner time because of three tennis matches and a basketball banquet we had Monday night. Most of these days I will be getting my 30 minute run or walk in on the treadmill later at night after I have put down our daughter, Sarah Gray, for the night. I am not a huge fan of the workouts at night after a long day of work, but it has to be done.

Ready to 'Rock 'n' Roll'!!!!!!

SHE SAID.....
Well, today was my first LONG run day (like every Saturday will be) and first, let me say, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!! How could you not get inspired to run in weather like this?!?! The run went really well. I ran 4 miles in Lake Carolina. If you've ever been there, you know it's HILLY! Actually, when I was running those hills, they felt like mountains, especially around mile three. You can't quite grasp what kind of hills those are by riding in the car.


But, I did learn a few things I want to change about my long runs in the weeks to follow. First, I need some way to hold a water bottle besides in my hand or placing it somewhere along my route. Do they make some kind of belt that could hold a water bottle? If so, I need to find it before next week. Also, I'm training for a run in Chicago, which is very flat. I felt like I was training to run in the mountains today! So, a change of course will be needed before next Saturday when I'm due to run 5 miles.


I do feel really good about today. I've been running since February and I feel like it paid off today. My thighs were burning towards the end of the four miles today and my knees hurt a little. But, all in all, not bad! Start praying for a repeat of this beautiful weather next Saturday!


Here are a few pictures from today......It may have been a tad cheesy (I'll be honest, REALLY cheesy)to take pictures of me going to and returning from my run, but I had to make it somewhat fun!





Sarah Gray thought she was coming too!





FINISHED !!! And back with my loot from Sonic
A girl's gotta eat!!!

The Top 10...SHE SAID...

Over the course of the past year and a half, starting when John was training for the ING NYC Marathon, I've learned a lot about what you need on each run when you're training for a big race. So, I've come up with a 'Top 10" list on how to make it through those LOOOONG runs. Most of these are even helpful for those short runs. Maybe if some of you are trying to take on running a race, these 'observations' of mine, could be helpful to you! Let me know!

10. jogging stroller....as I sit here writing this with one finger b/c I'm holding a fussy, teething, 10 month old, I couldn't help but think of all those moms who are trying to get off that baby weight. You can still exercise when you have kids. Jogging strollers can be pricey, but can be found at consignment shops.

9. energy packs (gels).....I've personally never used these, but my husband thinks they're great for those long runs. Supposedly some of them even taste like APPLE PIE! Running and eatin' apple pie at the same time...sounds like my speed!

8. good route/course....What is worse than running 12 miles and having to run the same loop, 12 times! So boring! Find a good route that gives you different scenery. It makes a world of difference!

7. ipod/music/book on tape....Personally, I love my ipod filled with music that gets me energized and ready to run a good distance. I'll do another post later with all the songs I have on my ipod.

6. layered clothing.....Especially when you're actually running the race (1/2 marathon, marathon), you need clothing you can take off. You're going to start a race like this EARLY in the morning when it's cool outside. But, by the time you're on mile 6, you're hot and ready to get rid of some clothing. Some runners toss clothing to the side on the ground and it's picked up later to donate to charity.

5. A goal/race to train for....This is great motivation to train when you have a goal. I'm running the Providence Women's Heart and Sole Race May 16 and I know I have to be able to comfortably run 5 miles by that time.

4. Good shoes/socks....This is especially true for me. I have very flat feet, so I need special shoes and insoles so I don't kill my feet. They even make special socks for marathon runners....but, I warn you, they're not cheap!

3. Water, water, water.....I can tell such a difference in my energy level when I run when I've drank at least 8, 8ounce glasses of water the day BEFORE a run.

2. Toilet paper.....sad, but true. Nature will call during those long runs. So, come prepared!

1. Flexibility....yes, I have a training schedule, but you know what, it's not always going to play out the way I want it to. Life is going to happen. I may get sick, my children may get sick and put a kink in my training plans. But, I've got to roll with it and pick up where I left off.

I hope these make sense and help someone out....

Let me know what you think!

Susan

Thank you!

HE SAID.........

I must send out a thank you to my wife for the encouragement she gave me the other night to make sure I got my training run in before I went to sleep. Tuesday night a little after 9 PM and after I just finished putting down my 10 month old baby girl for the night, (which included a little snooze while I was rocking her) I wanted to head to bed for the night. My wife on the other hand strongly encouraged me not to go to sleep. I put up a little resistance and mumbled a few things about being tired--but after a few minutes I got up and got in a great 2 1/2 run on the treadmill before going to sleep for the night. I felt great after the run!

I am very appreciative for my wife's support and encouragement! With out her push I would have most certainly missed the work out that I did not need to miss. That was being a good teammate! Thank you Susan!

I Have a Plan!!! (She Said..)

I'm excited to say, I now have a running plan to help me prepare for this 1/2 marathon! It feels good to see on paper what my training schedule is going to look like over the next 16 weeks. Like John, I chose a plan from http://www.jeffgalloway.com. The plan is designed for a runner who is looking to just finish a 1/2 marathon, not make great times. But, the plan is designed to help a runner finish the race strong. That's music to my ears!!! I'm really hoping to not be pushed over the finish line on a stretcher. My workout schedule for this week is going to look like this...

Sunday....off
Monday....run 30 minutes
Tuesday....weight training
Wednesday....run 30 minutes
Thursday....weight training
Friday....easy walk
Saturday....long run (4 miles this week)

**When I say weight training, I mean squats, crunches, leg raises, etc.

Now that I have a training plan, I'm going to concentrate on selecting a family/charity to raise $$ for. Hopefully, I'll be able to share that plan with you in the coming week. I am so excited about this aspect of the 1/2 marathon experience. To do something I love (running) and also help someone else will just make all the hardwork so worthwhile! Please continue to pray for me in this aspect of our venture. I'm really torn on how I should approach the family I want to help. I feel God has laid this one family on my heart. But, I'll definitely have to move out of my comfort zone when it comes to approaching them about my desires to help financially. Speaking of moving out of my comfort zone.....I realize John and I make a lot of cracks about each other when it comes to competing and running. But, I think we make a great team. We push each other in our own ways to step outside our boxes and attempt goals we (by ourselves) would never attempt. Let's hope this positive attitude I have about our 'team' continues!

"For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13

Susan

Happy Easter!

HE SAID (JOHN COMBS):

I hope everyone had a very happy Easter holiday and you were able to spend some quality time with your family and friends!

IT HAS STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I mean by it has started is Susan's trash talking. Friday night we were watching TV and Susan came out and said to me, "I need to get a mobile camera for when I pass you I can take a picture." Those were awfully bold words coming from her. I am going to keep my mouth shut...at least for now. I am going to post her comments up in my locker (OK--my closet) as motivation to train a little harder.

This morning I was able to get in a 2 1/2 mile run before church. This coming week starts my official training schedule for the 1/2 marathon. I am following one of Jeff Galloway's marathon programs--you can find more information about Jeff Galloway and his programs at: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

My Running Schedule for the week of April 13:
Monday: 30 minute brisk walk (2 miles)
Tuesday: 2 1/2 Mile Run
Wednesday: 30 minute brisk walk (2 miles)
Thursday: 2 1/2 Mile Run
Friday: 30 minute brisk walk (2 miles)
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: 4 Mile Run

*each week the schedule will stay roughly the same except on Sundays--this is my long run day and it will generally go up a little each week.

Here we go!

HE SAID (John):

This will most certainly be interesting that Susan and I are running a 1/2 marathon together--but doing a blog together might more dangerous.......I mean interesting.

Next week will be 16 weeks before the The Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon. We picked this particular one because the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 & full marathons are run by a group called Elite Racing. In August of 2007 I ran in the Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon when preparing for the 2007 ING New York City Marathon and I had a blast! It was a very well run race with plenty of people cheering you on around the course and there were bands stations every mile or so for your entertainment. I like to run--but I hate to run a long distance when there is not much scenery or anything else going on. The race in Chicago will have a plenty of scenery and activties surrounding it. The Chicago race like the Virginia Beach race is fairly flat.

This morning I got a "simple" 2+ mile run in before really starting the day. I always feel good for the rest of the day when I get a good run in the morning. I must admit after running this morning I realized I am further behind in my training than I thought I would be. It could be a long summer of training!

REBUTTAL/EXPLANATION FROM SUSAN'S LAST POST:
**I feel like from time to time we are going to need to do this**
1. Our yard as of Friday, April 10, 2009 is not overgrown nor has it been yet at any point in 2009 (other years have been a different story--but I am working to make 2009 my best year yet!). There were one or two weeds in bad spots--but I took care of those and will continue to work on other areas of our lawn.

2. I am a dreamer (dreamer sounds better than day dreamer) and goal setter. I am thinking about--but not yet set in stone--also doing the Chicago FULL Marathon that will be in early October. I am also thinking about participating as a runner only in a team triathlon race in between the 1/2 and FULL marathon. It might be a little too ambitious--but never say never!

He Said......She Said.

Well, here we go.....again. If you've read my husband, John's, article in the local newspaper, The Country Chronicle, you know we are undertaking ANOTHER huge feat....running a half marathon. And here's the hilarious part, we're doing it together! So, we're going to take this amazing opportunity to make cracks at each other and criticize. We're also going to have fun and in the process of this journey be as real and honest as possible about our road to running 13.1 miles!



Before we really get rolling, I'd like to give you some background about our experiences with running. In March 2007, my husband, John, decided he wanted to take up running. Not only did he want to take up running, but he wanted to run the New York City Marathon. Yea, I thought he was crazy and I let him know it (you know the rest of you thought he was out of his mind too!). John had only run, at most, 6 miles at one time in his whole life. Then he slept the rest of the day! But, instead of JUST running, he wanted to give himself some real motivation. So, he decided to run for charity. By early November 2007, when we traveled to NYC for the marathon, he had raised $5000 for the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Foundation in NYC and Children's Hospital right here in Columbia. John did finish the marathon....yes, that's 26.2 miles, raise $5000 for charity, lose 30 pounds and run into Katie Holmes.....not bad!



My story is not all that interesting. I really can't believe I'm taking on the daunting task of running 13.1 miles ALL AT ONE TIME!!! While training, at this point, I'm not even doing that much in a week's time! The most I have ever run at one time is five miles, when two years ago, I participated in the Providence Women's Heart and Sole Run. It was so much fun. I ran with a good friend, Lea. It was cold and rainy, but we had a blast. I was 9 months pregnant the following year, but am planning to run it again on May 16 of this year.



We are determined to train, run and finish this half marathon. You probably have many questions, like which 1/2 marathon, where, when, etc..... Well, duh...I guess I should answer those questions! We are running the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half-Marathon. We'll be up bright and early to run at 6:30 am on August 2, 2009. If you'd like to check out their website, go to http://www.rnrchicago.com/. We are running for a charity or a family in need which we haven't chosen at this time. We're continuing to pray about the plans God has for us in this venture. We hope you'll keep us and this decision in your prayers also.



Now for the fun part....my rebuttal to John's article in the Country Chronicle which is on stands, today....Thursday, April 9, 2009! Please know both our comments are for fun and it's just how our relationship rolls. So, here goes.....I feel like in the article, I'm made to look like Kate Gosselin in a nasty episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8. John states, he's been doing a lot of "thinking and self-examination" over spring break. This is so true and a good thing to do.....it's just too bad he hasn't been doing the 'thinking and self-examination' while riding the lawn mower around our overgrown yard! John also says I think he's a "daydreamer" when it comes to athletic goals. I don't think he's a daydreamer. John has such a good heart and really just bites off more than he can chew at times. Tell me what you think.....After we run the half marathon, John wants to run ANOTHER marathon and then participate in a triathlon, ALL IN THREE MONTHS TIME!!!!! I bet some of you are mumbling words worse than, "daydreamer" right about now! Finally, John also says I "encourage" him to work out in the only way I know to be most effective. This statement just shows John's good heart I spoke of earlier. I'm sure he really wanted to put "NAG" instead of "encourage." That is an area I need to desperately work on....my encouraging skills. I'll get right on that....once John cuts the yard!



I hope you all have enjoyed this first post on our 'Race 2 Chi-Town.' I'll be writing throughout the week and the many weeks to come. So, please check back and feel free to write comments. I'm also looking for a training plan for running a half marathon. So, if you have any ideas, please let me know!



"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3



Susan