Training isn't always easy, especially when you aren't feeling up to par - Kara

"If you don't risk anything you risk even more." ~Erica Jong

Post my Little Rock Half-Marathon high, I got sick.
I was more sore than I have ever been in my entire running career.
Running more miles than I had done since I injured my foot in October, pushing myself as hard as I could, and then being sick and laying around for a few days took a toll on my body. I didn't run an entire week post LR. I did a 5K faster than I had planned the following Saturday, and then re-pulled whatever tightness was in my right hip flexor. I took off another few days, tried speedwork - bad idea, and re-injured my thigh. I tried to run during our group "long run" and ended up walking more than I ran and only made it about 4 miles.

Last week was Spring Break, and though I took my running shoes with me, my feet were squeezed into boots and snapped into skis the entire week and though I was exercising and working my legs, I did not run a single step.
That's the way it goes sometimes. Miles written out on paper don't add up to miles on the road. And here we are, 60 days away from our first marathon, and Jennifer and I are planning out our last (and bulk of the majority of) long mileage runs. Eight more weekends, 120 more miles of long runs (not including our week-day runs) and our big day will be here. I'm more excited now than ever, and hoping that our bodies will hold out long enough for us to make this dream a reality.

My leg is still sore/tight, but I was able to pull out 5 miles last night. I've got about 25 more miles scheduled for the week so wish me luck!

Week 3 – Jennifer

The challenge of a significant physical journey on foot unleashes some primitive connections to our identity as human beings.

Jeff Galloway

Training last week started rough but ended great!  I logged 21 miles last week total.  I would have logged 25 but decided sleep was more important to me on Tuesday. Haha And I completed the very important cross training on the days off from running.

Sunday I began increasing mileage again.  Up until that day, I had been very insecure about completing a full marathon.  Our long run the week before was horrible for me.  Those were the hardest 7 miles I had completed in a long time.  They left me feeling defeated.  My legs ached and I had to walk several times.  I decided to try a different approach this last weekend during our12 mile run. I began at a slower pace and just relaxed and enjoyed the run.  It ended up being the best 12 miles I have ever run.  I still ran a good steady pace but I think taking the pressure off did wonders for me.  I believe I put so much pressure on myself when I go into training that I end up having some of my worst runs.  The best part about that run was that I ended with plenty of energy to spare.  That gave me the confidence I needed to be certain that I can complete the 26.2.

I still have a long way to go before I feel totally ready to conquer the marathon but at least my mental state of mind is finally lining up to where it needs to be.

Jennifer - Cross training and the difference it has made for me

Thought is cause: experience is effect. If you don't like the effects in your life, you have to change the nature of your thinking.~ Marianne Williamson

I have always thought of myself as a fairly slow runner.  It was always more important to me to run long distances; even if it meant slowing down considerably to do so.  It wasn’t until last year that I decided I needed to increase my speed.

When I began training with my running group, speed with distance became somewhat of a necessity.  I was running an 11-12 minute mile while the rest of the group was running a roughly 8-10 minute mile.  Now, if you’ve ever spent any time with me, you know that finding my way from point A to point B is not my strong point.  Thankfully my running group is composed of some of the most compassionate, understanding people on the planet because I have received numerous calls from them during a run that all begin the same way “Jennifer, WHERE are you?”  To which I would reply “I have no idea!”  Somehow, someway my sense of direction managed to take me in a wrong direction and I end up in a completely different place.  They would get in their cars or run to me.  They are the best.  So, needless to say, I began to get very determined to increase my speed. 

At that point, my only exercise was running.  I never felt the need to lift weights or to do any other type of cardio.  I felt that cross training was only for hard-core athletes.  So when I decided I wanted to increase speed, I just worked on running. Each time I would attempt to go faster my legs would not cooperate and my joints would be in pain.  Speed work left me exhausted and winded with minimal speed increases.  I began doing some research and talking to other runners.

I found out that my core muscles needed to be strengthened.  I began with reverse lunges before every run along with my stretching routine.  It took about a month to notice a difference but I slowly began creeping up on the group.  Then I added other exercises such as plank pose and noticed I was getting stronger every day.  It was when I began to add a formal cross training routine to my days off from running that I really saw a significant improvement in my speed.  I lift weights and do cardio exercises for 30 minutes on Mondays and Wednesdays along with running Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  It’s not an easy workout regimine but it has been well worth it.  The best part about increasing speed was that it was almost an effortless transition from slow to fast.  The muscles were stronger and therefore picking up my legs became a lot easier.  I barely noticed I was moving faster.  I transitioned from an 11-12 minute mile to 8-9 minute mile in about 6 months.  I owe this progress to cross training and, of course, my running group who pushed me and didn’t even realize it.

I’ve also noticed other benefits I’ve received from my cross training routine.  I’m not as prone to injury as I used to be, I have more energy and, overall, I’m stronger.  It’s not always easy to add yet another thing to my week but the benefits have outweighed any sleep deprivation I may incur.

Half Marathon Success - Kara

After hurting my foot and being out 10 weeks, and just starting back in January, I didn't set any high expectations for my first half marathon of the year. This was my fifth half marathon, and after training for my marathon and working up to 18 miles, I must say that a half marathon isn't so grim anymore. It was actually the most fun I have ever had while running.

The Little Rock Marathon was held on Sunday March 6th and drew in approximately 3,700 half marathoners and 2,100 marathon runners. My group of Sole Sisters totaled 14 participants. Four of which did the half marathon, and ten did the full marathon-many for the first time. Little Rock offers the largest medal for the marathon and many of my teammates thought that if they were going to do this, they were going to do the hardest course with the largest reward. And they did. Everyone did so amazing. I am so happy and proud of everyone who completed the race and who is now able to call themselves a marathoner. It's an amazing title that so few can claim.

I personally had a great run. Mile #8 is usually my wall when I start to second guess why I am even running, but for this race, I made it to mile 10 before the pain set in. My 10K time was 59:43 and I felt stronger than ever. But slightly after mile 10, I got a side stitch in my right side, then the left, then my foot started hurting. So holding both sides and slightly changing my gate, I completed the last three miles of the race. Not only did I finish, but I set a personal record at 2:08:51. I know that I am never going to win a race, but I try to set a goal for myself to beat my own time. This gives me something to work toward and to look forward to.

One of my favorite things about Little Rock was the variety in participants. Some large, some small, and so many were physically challenged. Some were in regular wheelchairs, some were using hand pedaled bikes. I saw several with one limb, one gentleman who was deaf, and even one man who was blind. The blind man had another guy on his left side as his guide.
This is one of the first races that I have become emotional. I was just so happy to be able to run after having to set out two big races in the fall and I think to the times when my legs hurt, or when my feet get heavy and start to drag and never think about the wonderful ability that I have even to be able to run. The feeling of the pavement beneath me or the fact that I can see each step I am taking or the beauty of my surroundings, and I surely can't imagine not being able to listen to my ipod while I'm running - not only does it help drown out the pain, it helps me create a rhythm of my steps.

Not only were the participants inspiring, but the thousands of volunteers, friends, and family members that were lined up alongside the race route holding water, gatorade, orange slices, encouraging signs, etc. were so motivational. Our race bibs had our names on them, and it was so wonderful to hear complete strangers shouting out to you from the sides, especially as the miles started piling up behind me and the pain started setting in. There was one more new feature, "Marathon Tracks," which teamed LR with social media on facebook and twitter. I entered my facebook information and it automatically updated my facebook page as I was running. It updated at the start, 10K, and finish. So I knew that my friends and family back home were keeping up with my time, and as always, I wanted to make them proud.

LR was a great race and I was so happy to participate and to be a part of something so special. Thank you Little Rock for putting on such a great race and congratulations to my Sole Sisters and all of the other participants who complete the half marathon or full marathon.

Training Runs - Kara

I have my first half marathon of the year this upcoming Sunday in Little Rock so I don't have any eventful training news to post for the week. It's been an easy one leading up to the big day!

I think there are around 12 of us Sole Sisters headed to the state capitol to run amongst the thousands of runners from across the US. Four of us are running the half marathon (13.1 miles) and the rest of the group is running the full marathon (26.2 miles). We have a lot of injuries so we will see who all is able to keep going once the first half is over. Little Rock offers the largest medal so many of my group thought that if they were going to do a full, this one would offer the best hardware. I'll be sure to post a photo next week! These medals are huge compared to all other races-you'll see!

I wanted to take this opportunity to share my training method...

I use Runners World "Smart Coach" to plan out my training log. This is awesome, it is free, and I hope that you check it out!

If you go to http://www.runnersworld.com/ and scroll down about half way on the page, there is an option called "Smart Coach". Once this link is clicked (and you join, it's free!) then you can create your own custom training plan. It's great because you can use it to train 1 mile, 2 miles, a 5K, half-marathon or even full-marathon. It's available for everyone to use at their own pace!

For those of you who are following Jennifer and I as we train for this marathon, I encourage you to think about planning your own race! In addition to the marathon and relay-marathon on May 28th, there is also a 5K run/walk (3.1 miles). This is a great way to get started and at this point, you still have plenty of time to train to walk or run this event.

Don't know where to run? http://www.mapmyrun.com/ is another free site that allows you to plot your own route, or to view the routes of other runners! I use this a lot to help find a route, and my group also uses this to e-mail the route to each other so we can plan our long group runs together! (Or maybe I should say together-without getting lost!)