Marathon training update

On July 2nd Ralph and I started training for what would have been our first marathon at the WDW Marathon weekend in January.  About two months ago, Ralph and I decided to change courses and run the 26.2 miles in the Space Coast marathon on December 1st.  After the initial fear and the what-was-I-thinking mode, we have gone into full swing in training.  Here's a quick recap of training thus far, including training for WDW:

Training method used:  Galloway
Interval used:  1:1 run:walk
Weeks in training: 13
Weeks to go: 9
Total miles run: 112
Longest run:  15 miles
Fastest pace: 12:21 mm
Slowest pace:  15:13 mm
Roadkill seen: 1 squirrel
Rained on:  once
Used the bushes to do number 1: 1 (Ralph, by the way)
Longest time without going to the bathroom:  3:48:26 (me)
Injuries: None
Aches and pains: plenty
Blisters: pinky toe (me)
Bleeding nipples:  none (thank you, Bandaid)
Favorite fuel during runs:  Power Beans and Gu gels
Weird experiences:  loss of appetite after a long run
Post run refueling: Silk chocolate milk or protein shake with bananas
Pre run energy favorite:  slice of plain bagel
What not to do before a long run:  put cheese on your bagel
Worst part of training: 5 am wake ups on Saturdays!
Best part of training:  end of any run!
Newly found favorites:  full compression socks after a long run!
Amusing event #1:  Ralph busting into a dance move during our walk intervals
Amusing event #2:  Ralph breaking into a song during long runs!
Best cross training workout:  Strong!
Days wasted after long runs: 1
Next run:  10 miles
Biggest fear to date: getting hurt when we run 20 miles in November
Best lesson:  Put one foot in front of the other and just do it.
What's next: Why, keep running, of course!

#10 in 2013 - Turtle Krawl 5K

The Turtle Krawl 5K at Nance Park was my 10th race in 2013.  This is touted as running for the turtles and how fitting since I still run almost at a turtle's pace!  Although I did not PR this year, I shaved off almost 9 minutes from last year's time! That was all I really wanted to achieve on this race and I did.  What made this race even more special was that two of my best friends and a fellow teacher ran the race as their first ever 5K!   It makes me so happy that I have encouraged my friends to try running.  They may not continue on with any more but at least I got them to go out and try!

There was nothing new about the race; same course, same heat, same awesome t-shirt, and the same overall well organized event.  What was different was that there was a record close to 2200 participants this year! The organizers did an excellent job at getting these many runners to the start by providing shuttles so that there was no jockeying for limited parking spaces closer to the venue.  The after race food and refreshments was a aplenty that from the looks of it, no came out hungry or thirsty after.  They even had coconut water!  As for my running what was different was that I didn't feel like I was dying from exhaustion this time around.  I also did more running than walking, thus, the faster finish.  I can attribute this easily to having run at least 9 races since last year and putting more miles on my running shoes in preparation for my first full marathon in December.  This will definitely be an annual race to run for my husband and I in support of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society.

I look forward to running more races with my friends and maybe you may want to run along with us.  I also look forward to completing 3 more races to achieve my 13in2013 goal!

Next race, Disney's Tower of Terror 10 miler on October 5! 

With two of my friends, Nahid and Monica.  This was their first 5K ever!

  

With my fellow teachers, Natalie and Michelle.  This is Michelle's first ever 5K and I am so proud that she came and conquered the race! (Photo courtesy of Natalie Marshall)

A sea of runners, getting ready to run for the turtles! (Photo courtesy of Natalie Marshall)