Chicago Preparation

It has been a LONG time since I have blogged about my running.  I have many excuses as to why, but none of them matter and I vow to be better at it.

I am disappointed in myself for not blogging about the Austin Marathon that I worked so hard to complete... It was a great experience, which led me to register for the Chicago Bank of America 2012 Marathon, October 7. 

I have continued to run and maintain 9-10 mile distances, at the most.  Most typically 5-7 miles is most common.

Over the next 16 weeks, my blog will be about the expreriences leading up to Chicago.  I have 3 friends who will be running in the Chicago Marathon, friends going to support and of course my amazing husband JB.

DAY ONE CHICAGO TRAINING

Goal:  3 Miles Easy 
Food Previous Day:  Oatmeal, Bowl of Chocolate Cheerios, Almonds, Pretzels, Chocolate Animal Crackers, Edamame (steamed) and pizza (I do not like chocolate, and just realized I had 2 forms of chocolate food), LOTS of WATER
Sleep:  Asleep on couch, watching a movie, around 9:30, to bed around 10:30 and up at 6:10 AM
Todays Food:  Strawberry/Banana GU Gel, Water
Weather:  I didn't check the temperature, but it was sunny, slight breeze, beautiful day to run
Pavement Time:  7:00 AM
Run Duration:  29.23
Average Pace:  9:38 min/mile
Actual Distance Completed:  3.05 miles

Several things have changed since my last blog. 

• My knee is no longer hurting... figured out it was lack of stretching my quads... SO MUCH BETTER!!! 
• My other 'issues' that I used to write about quite often, are improving.  I am in tune with my body and paying attention
• Dylan is driving now, which frees up time to run, because we no longer have to plan runs around drop off/pick up times
• No more music on runs
• 2 toenails missing (due to previous running shoes not being fitted properly)

JB has gone back to work full time, which makes my running (when home) a little different.  He doesn't get to run/bike with me in the AM now. 

Headed out the door as Dylan was pulling out of driveway for weights/conditioning. 

Today was 3 easy miles and I have found a 3 mile route that I really like right now. 

I run through a neighborhood and about the time I get there, garage doors are opening and people leaving for their jobs.  I love this because it gives me a temporary sense of routine.  Since I travel so much, I feel like I miss out on a 'normal' life, getting up, kids ready, driving the same route to work, doing the same thing each day, drive home, water the yard, etc. 

I leave the neighborhood and run on a trail, where the 'sidewalk ends' and circle back, head back into my old neighborhood and then home. 

Todays run seemed faster than usual and ends up that it was. 

Running in the AM is proving to be my favorite.  It gets my day started the right way and allows me to have extra time in the day. 

I left for Detroit today and look forward to running in familiar and new territory.  I will have a running partner tomorrow, Doug, who I am traveling with. 

Just remember, you never come back from walking, running, biking, working out, being active and think to yourself 'I really regret doing that'....but you do regret not doing anything. 

Lace up and go do something active and healthy...