Week 1 Training - Jennifer

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.
-Lowell Thomas

This week can best be described as one of those “mental” weeks that we runners struggle with from time to time.  For me, overcoming my brain is often times more difficult than putting in the mileage.

My first “official” week of training for the marathon began with a sinus infection – yuck!  When you’re running, breathing is very necessary so, needless to say, it made for a rough start to the week.  I completely missed my 4-mile Tuesday run.

I felt better Thursday but that day came with a challenge all its own.  I awakened to pouring rain.  Anyone who runs with me knows, I can endure from extreme heat and humidity to 20 degree temperatures but I CANNOT handle beginning my run in the rain.  It took everything in me to get dressed and leave the house.  By the grace of God, it stopped raining before we began and didn’t start again until just after we finished.  5 miles accomplished and an obstacle overcome (at least for that day.)

Friday’s 4-miler was OK. I still struggled with my breathing a bit and an old injury seemed to be making a minor comeback.

Sunday began my ascent towards 26.2.  I increased mileage from 8 to 10.5.  It was a tough day for me.  My left leg began giving me a lot more trouble (I injured it a year and ½ ago and it’s never been the same since.)  After 2 miles I thought, “I don’t even know how I’m going to get through the next 8, let alone another 24!”  About half way through, my leg no longer ached and I was able to finish strong.  I could have very easily said, “I just can’t do this today” and quit after 2 miles.  Another obstacle overcome.

While last week was tough it was one of those amazing growth experiences I live for.  It reminds me why I run.  I initially began running to stay physically active, be with friends and clear my head.  I continue to run because of all the lessons it has taught me.  I am stronger not just physically but mentally.  I’ve learned to be patient when working toward my desired outcome.  I’ve learned pain is not always a bad thing.  I’ve learned my body can endure way more than I give it credit for.  And, above all else, I’m learning how to take control of my thoughts and make them work for me.  I don’t know if I’ll ever master this lesson but I know I’ll keep trying.

Jennifer's Bio

My entire life I’ve been active.  At the age of 3 I began dancing and continued through college.  As a child/young adult, I never liked doing things active outdoors.  My happy place was in a studio with hardwood floors, mirrors and a ballet bar.  I danced competitively and was at the studio more often than not as a child.  When I went into high school I was on cheer and dance team.  In college I kept up with my discipline by enrolling in dance classes and I kept my fitness up by attending the gym regularly.  A marriage and 2 children later; fitness, let alone dancing, was the furthest thing from my mind.  I would exercise every now and then but not anything near like I used to.

In 2004 I became mysteriously ill.  I had no energy, all my joints ached and I slept most of my day away.  I had to quit a job I loved dearly because I just couldn’t get out of bed.  After a year or more of seeing many doctors and every one of them saying there’s nothing wrong with me, I finally received a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.  I had a choice to make:  I could succumb to this syndrome and spend the rest of my life on the couch or I could get up and fight.  I chose to fight.  I read all I could on the syndrome and determined that a lot of my illness could be controlled through diet and exercise.  That’s when I began to run.  It was very difficult to get up and move at first.  I began very slowly with just walking one lap in the mall.  Then I went to 2 laps.  After awhile I decided I wanted to run a little bit.  I couldn’t run a minute without being completely out of breath but I kept at it.  When I would run, I’d think about what it would be like to finish a half marathon.  I made it my goal, although at that time it seemed highly unreachable. 

January 2010 I decided I was ready to conquer my half marathon goal.  I began training regularly.  In July I began running with the “Running Dawgs”, a local running group comprised of amazingly godly women.   With their help, I became a stronger runner than I had ever imagined and completed my half marathon goal just this past September.



Faithful Running Dawgs!
Heart & Sole 1/2 Marathon
September 2010



I never thought, in a million years, that I would be training for a marathon but here I am!  I rarely have flare-ups from my Fibromyalgia and when I do, stretching and a good run usually takes care it.  I love being outdoors now!  I love seeing different parts of the city I wouldn’t otherwise see.  I enjoy getting acclimated to the different seasons; I feel it’s made me a stronger runner.  I love sharing my passion for running with other ladies.  It makes the 4am wake-up calls much easier when you know you are spending it with great women!  I’m excited to mark this next conquest off my list!

Kara's Bio

I began running in the spring of 2007, with the help of a state-wide program called "Women Can Run"  that teaches women how to complete their first 5K. I ran thru the summer, when I was plagued with a back injury that kept me off of my feet until the spring of 2008. This is when I began competing in RRAC events.

Jonesboro is blessed to have RRAC, the Ridge Rider Athletic Club, that promotes health, fitness, and competition in Northeast Arkansas. I am a competitive person and need to set goals to have something to accomplish. After playing volleyball, basketball, and tennis in high school, my thirst for competition was fulfilled with women's rugby at ASU. Once out of college, I needed yet another sport to fuel my competitive drive, and I found running.

I always thought that running was a talent that one was born with, not something that an average individual could step onto the road and accomplish easily. Running was boring and hard, and I found it hard to focus when my thoughts seemed to take over my body while I was trying to simply put one foot in front of the other. As it turns out, I think running is as much of a mental sport as it is physical. Some good music on my ipod, and good friends by my side always makes it easier.

You see, I run with a group called the "Sole Sisters." I'll never forget the day I mentioned to Paula Panneck (our "ring-leader") that I was interested in running a half marathon (a goal at this time that I thought was unattainable). Well as soon as she got home, she sent out an email that I was part of the group. I knew at that point that there was no backing out now!

Joining the Sole Sisters was the best thing that has ever happened to my running career. It's much easier to run when you have a set schedule and a group of women to keep you accountable. They are friends that have turned into family and have been there thru thick and thin.

At this point, I have completed around twenty-five 5K (3.1 miles) races and four half marathons (13.1 miles). This does not include the hours and miles leading up to events... It takes days, weeks, and months to prepare for half marathons... Which lead me to training for my first marathon, which was scheduled for December 4th. As it turns out, I didn't exactly make it... I got severe tendonitis in my left foot on October 31st, as a result of my first 18 mile training run. So instead of running beside my fellow Sole Sisters, I was forced to wear a boot (fun!) for 8 weeks, and rest two weeks before running again at the beginning of 2011.

So, here we are... I completed 10 miles on Saturday and have my first half-marathon (since returning) in just two weeks. Miles and miles to go training for this marathon on May 28th!
26.2, here we come!

Website Launched!

The marathon is official and the website has launched!

Fitness Bootcamp Unlimited and NEA Baptist Clinic are proud sponsors of the 5K Fun Run, Relay Marathon, and Marathon, all of which benefit NEA Baptist Clinic's very own Center for Healthy Children!

http://www.jonesboromarathon.com/