49 and Fabulous

49 and Fabulous

Friday, December 30, 2011

Week one, Christmas and Torch Passing

On Christmas day my sister Patty walked towards me with a smile and “Merry Christmas” as she handed me the book “Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer.” (1) It wasn’t a big moment, I thanked her and she walked into the kitchen, no tears, no additionally chatter, if I didn’t know more of the under story, I wouldn’t have even taken notice.

But I knew she was passing the torch to me. Patty is having problems with her hips and currently may never be able to run long distances again. I have also mentioned that she is one of my inspirations and motivation to run the Pittsburgh Marathon this May. It meant a lot to me that she is lending me this book, that she is supporting my training and helping me with my journey. Her path was cut short suddenly and after running being an extremely important part of her life for the last 20 (plus) years, she is looking at making doctor’s appointments, planning a surgery and recovery time. Thinking about her situation, seriously helped me to run just little faster and keep going when I want to slow down this last week.

I did start my training this week and am taking the four day training program out of “The Trainer’s Book.” I emailed my part-time running coach, Ryan McEntee to extend the 16 week program to an 19 week program. In my mind I like to set my four days and stick to that schedule and I seem to be able to just mechanically say, “it’s a run day,” and not question if I am going to run or not.
Right now my run days are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday long run. I am open to switching Wednesday with a Tuesday. A few things I am playing around with is doing an AM run once a week and maybe a lunch time run at work. Two of my co-workers, Dean and Redjeb are currently doing a once a week lunch time work-out, so this may become an option. I also like the idea of keeping my evenings open for fun and dating.

What hasn’t been an option are the actual work-outs. I do the .80 warm-up at a slow pace, followed by a stretch, the actual run and a five minute cool down at the end. I still have a problem including that in my daily mileage, but this part for me is like clockwork. Also, I am a crazy treadmill runner. I like running on treadmills. Right now my goal is to finish the Pittsburgh marathon, so I am not worried about pace and speed workouts, but more just clocking miles this few first weeks.
I started having vertigo and headaches in July, which is a story for another day, so haven’t really worked out since July. I was really nervous if I would be able to run 3 miles let along anything higher than that.

Day One, Week One (Three miles): Tuesday training on the treadmill at New York Sports club on 40th and 3rd with my new amazing blue saucony running shoes and my I-shuffle (I know, technically I’m old fashioned). I was worried about how it would go, but found my Christian music and started off running with God in my ear pods.

It came quick, the sweet spot, came about .40 miles and I just settled in and had an easy run. I had sweat dripping off, my face was bright red as usual, I felt my lungs – but it was an old hat to me. It made me smile on the inside. I know other runners will really know what I am saying.
Day Two (Four miles): wasn’t as easy of a run, my back started killing me on the left side and a few times I thought I might stop. I had Dean running on the treadmill to my left and Redjeb to my right and felt sandwiched in between my two friends. I had read in the “The Trainer’s Book” about running into the pain, welcoming it and talking to it, so I actually did that. The pain didn’t stop, but I finished. I was wondering how to say this, so sorry guys, but I realized that I was very hormonal and that once a month I will have to watch out for severe back issues with running. I am noting my calendar, and will talk to Dr. Peterson about extra treatments for these few days.
Day Three (Three miles): was a non-event. I am finding that with my busy schedule, just having enough time to run is going to be the biggest problem. I have a feeling I will be talking about this in more detail along the way.

Day Four (5 miles): I am running with Ally tomorrow in Central Park, she’s younger and faster than me, but she promised to stay at my pace. I am sitting here at my desk at work, typing and feeling the excitement at stepping into Central Park again to run. It’s been five months since I’ve pounded the pavement in the park, I am eager to get back to the fresh air and my course.
I went to City Sports with a generous gift certificate and bought some great cool weather addias running pants, a new pull over, and under armor. I have a feeling I will be over dressed, but I will be color coordinated with my new fancy blue shoes ! I just got a good laugh at how much I love the color of my new shoes.

I have 19 week before the race. Let’s see what happens between now and then.
Patty, I am honored for the privilege of being the torch carrier, I know Pam will do just as great with her 13.1 walk in May as well. My New Year’s hope is that I am able to run this Marathon and make you proud.

Blessing to everyone for a great 2012
Please stay safe,
Stephanie Caroline


(1) “Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer” by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener and Tanjala Kole


Stats:
Week One training: 3-4-3-5 Total 15
5'8"
155 pounds
No body fat taken as of yet
No Charity foundation as of yet: $0,0 earned

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Alot has happened...

Alot has happened since my November 17th post.


  • I contacted the charity that I would like to work with for the Marathon

  • Un-froze my membership at New York Sports

  • Talked to my cousin Bill, who is "thinking" about running the Pittsburgh Marathon

  • My sister is committing to walking the Pittsburgh half

  • Have two sponsor's: T-Mobile and my chiropractor

  • Got a clean bill of health from my doctor

  • Saw my running coach by accident (HI RYAN!!)

  • Oh...and I ran two miles

It was acutally the first time I had run in aproximatly 20 weeks (four plus months). That is another story for another day -- another post.


After running the two miles, I have to say, I started thinking "what am I doing, I can't run a marathon....this is crazy, I can't do this, it's to far, to much work, I can't train through the winter. I got sick last year, I can't do it." And my back hurt.


I was never one to let a little challenge stop me, so here goes, doing the impossible. I am now trying to get a couple runs in from now to Sunday, which feels like an impossible task. I have to remember, this is about running, I acutally have to run.


Question, what are you doing in your life that feels like an impossible task to complete ?


Have a great day,


Stephanie

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Top Five reasons to run the Pittsburgh Marathon

Any seasoned runner will tell you: If you need motivation to start training, you have to pick a marathon and register. All I know is that I need motivation.

I am looking at two, The New York City Half in March and The Pittsburgh Full in May. There are many reasons to run a Marathon in Pittsburgh. But I wanted to narrow it down to the Top Five reasons to run my first full 26.1 Marathon in Pittsburgh.

Reason One: The first reason and what probably started the Pittsburgh dialog is that my Dad was born and raised in Pittsburgh and since I’m a bit of Daddy’s girl, I have always loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. It would feel right that my first full marathon would be in the Steel City – It would be a challenge for me to finish and I would have to dig deep inside my competitive drive and my faith to see this through beginning to finish line. For some reason, I want Charlie Batch to run with me. Maybe because #16 is my favorite number, maybe I love Charlie Batch. But somehow, I am going to convince him this is a good thing to do.

Reason Two: Secondly, my sister Patty has been my inspiration to start running– she wanted to run her first full by her 50th birthday. I now want to do the same thing. This last year, after several Full and Half marathons, she was told by doctors she needed a hip replacement and had to stop running long distances. She was devastated and this required a complete change in her weekly routines. I feel like I owe her for giving me my love of running and would dedicate my run to Patty.

Reason Three: My birthday is May 2nd and the Marathon is May 6th – I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate my birthday than by running my first full Marathon.

Reason Four: I have a calling on my heart to run and raise money. A foundation that I would represent is Troy Palamalu and his wife’s foundations, The Harry Panos Fund for Veterans which raises money for veterans of foreign wars that have current health issues or financial difficulties. I want to set a ridiculous high goal and reach it. My cousin Bill is in the Air Force and I have always liked to support our servicemen and women. (Wow, maybe he will come and run with me.)

Reason Five: I am Second. I am a true believer and nothing, nothing in my life would give me more pleasure to run as a testimony to my love for Jesus Christ.

I feel like I’ve already committed to run. I also feel like I have a bit of work to do to get this all set up. If anyone out there in New York City wants to become my running partner, let me know. I also may need someone to carry me the last few miles – just say’in, just in case.

All my best,
Stephanie