"Magic 8"

I can not believe that I have been training for over 60 days and only have another 60 or so to go before race day...aghhh. The past 60 days have been some of the hardest but most fulfilling. I never would have imagined that I would actually enjoy getting up early on a Saturday morning, strapping on my shoes and running. I know it sounds absurd and perhaps it is.

This past Friday I reached a new milestone. I finally conquered the "magic 8." Thanks to the knowledge from a veteran runner, conquering the magic 8 means being able to run 8 miles. Apparently, once one is able to physically run 8 miles 13.1 is supposed to be a cinch.  I seriously doubt I will ever call 13.1 a "cinch."  Although, I will say that for once I finally feel like I may be able to complete the 1/2 marathon without passing out half way through.

Completing the 8 miles was a challenge but surprisingly do-able. I decided to run the Silver Comet Trail since it was a new place and I was hoping that it would keep me from getting bored. Boy was I distracted...distracted by the car that almost hit me, the numerous killer hills, my empty water bottle, the strange people wandering the streets and the growing blister that decided to pop up on mile 3. Despite the difficulties when I reached mile 4, the half way point, I felt great. I was shocked. I stopped for a few seconds to stretch out and began the 4 mile hike back. Going back was difficult. I could tell my body was getting a little more tired and my energy level was dropping. (Before my next long run I will be investing in energy gels!) Finally, the little lady on my GPS said "2 miles to go." It was just what I needed to hear. I kicked it into high gear, stopped focusing on my pain and just ran. I think I finally hit what is known as "runners high," and it is addicting!

This run was different than the others, I felt like I was mentally prepared to complete the distance. I have heard before that running is 25% physical and 75% mental. I am now a true believer of this saying. When I woke up Friday morning my outlook was different. It is hard to explain the feeling but I was determined to achieve my goal and believed that I had the capability. When I finally conquered the 8 miles I was elated. I just hope I have the same mentality next week when it's time for the 10 miler!

On another note, I want to thank Casey Bowen for my first donation to TNT!!! If you are interested in contributing to this phenomenal organization please visit my Fundraising Page!

Running on Vacation?? What has happened to me?

In the past, I never would have dreamt of packing my running shoes with me when I went on vacation. Vacation always meant loading up on tons of greasy, sweet, carb loaded foods. The foods that you limit yourself to on a regular day, the "special ones." The thought of running was not a concept I would have ever fathomed.  Sweating on vacation....not happening.

Well, I guess I have been brain-washed. This past weekend Craig and I drove up to Pigeon Forge to spend some time with his family. As I was packing my suitcase on Thursday morning the first thing to go in the  bag were my running clothes and shoes. I think I even shocked myself. I realized that I am becoming addicted to running. I love it. I look forward to it every most mornings. So far, I have not missed one day of training, (I even ran on Thanksgiving) and I didn't want the first one to be due to being out of town.

Friday and Saturday morning I woke up early laced up my shoes, put layers of clothing on (it was so so cold!), and with my IPOD in hand, I darted out the door. My Friday run seemed super easy. I ran at my fastest pace yet and when the voice on my IPOD said "distance 3 miles" I was shocked. I felt great! The scenery was perfect. Christmas decorations were everywhere and the mountains in the background were beautiful. If I could run in a new place every day I think I could run forever. I am so easily distracted by my surroundings that my feet just keep moving and I don't have time to think about how tired I am.

Such Beautiful Scenery!!

Saturday's run was a bit more challenging. My cousin in-law, Aaron, decided to run with me. I love running with other people but running with him made me a little anxious. He is super tall so his stride is like 3x the distance of mine. I knew it was going to be a challenge to keep up with him. Needless to say, at about the 1.5 mile marker I gave out. I had to stop for a few seconds to catch my breath and slow my heart rate down. I made it to the 3 mile mark and found him waiting there for me.

So...from here on out my running shoes are going wherever I go. There is no better way to discover a new place and see beautiful scenery than by strapping on my shoes and hitting the pavement. Thank you Team in Training for changing yet another aspect of my life!

Please remember to check out my fundraising home page to make a donation!!!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/Georgia12/amandamckinney

You Are What You Eat...

You are what you eat has taken on a whole new meaning to me....

This phrase is one that is thrown around A LOT in the loose weight/feel better/train harder world. It is something that I have always known to be true but it was not until this morning that I actually became a true believer!

This past weekend was an awesome one, however, I am severely paying the consequences this week. The only good thing I did for my body this weekend was my morning Group Training Session. As previously stated in the post from yesterday, I felt great after the run.  That all quickly changed after Saturday evening. 

Every year my pledge class gets together for a Thanksgiving Dinner. It is a tradition that we hope to always continue. It consist of TONS of carb loaded fatty foods and of course a FEW drinks. I think I may have gone a little overboard. Sunday was not one of my best days and  running was out of the question. Monday rolls around and the thought of running 3 miles makes my body ache. So finally, this morning, Tuesday, is here and I am determined to hit the pavement.

My mind may have been ready but my body was no where close. It was by far the worst run I have ran since I started running over 2 years ago. My goal was a simple 3 miles. My body was done after 1. I tried to push through but it just was not happening. My legs felt like lead, my heart was pumping way to hard and an awful cramp decided to come along as well. After 2.5 miles I was done. With tears in my eyes I accepted the fact that I was defeated.

I know that they say some days training will be tougher than others, and I believe that. However, the difficulty of this run was not due to distance, speed, or elevation. It was simply due to how I treated my body this past weekend.  I now understand that if I want to complete this 1/2 marathon not only do I have to train to run but I have to truly understand and believe that "I am What I Eat."

On to a better running day tomorrow....fingers crossed.

First Group Training Session

This past Saturday I attended my first group training session. I will admit that waking up at 7:00 on a Saturday morning caused me to reconsider setting my alarm. Running outside on a cold and windy 29 degree morning did not sound like a great way to start my weekend. However, I convinced myself that if I am going to make it across the finish line, these Saturday morning runs are a very important piece of my training.

Reluctantly, I drug myself out of my warm cozy bed, bundled up in layers of clothing and left to meet the other ambitious runners. I was surprised to see that 15 other people had drug themselves out of bed as well to attend the run. It was so neat to see so many people who dedicated their Saturday morning to training in order to run for such a special cause. The experience level of everyone varied tremendously. Some had ran numerous marathons and 1/2's while others had never ran at all.

The meeting began with a few quick introductions. It was then time for training to begin. After a few minutes of stretching we were off. Myself, along with Kelly, another trainee, ran side by side the entire time. We got separated from the rest of the group and wound up missing a few turns. Instead of running the scheduled 3 miles I believe we ended up getting at least 4-4.5. Whoops! I guess we will be prepared for next week.

I am already looking forward to another great week of training and seeing everyone again on Saturday. It was so nice to have people to run with. It makes such a big difference! Onto conquering the next mile....

"Together We Train to Beat Cancer"

On March 18, 2011 I am running my first ever 1/2 marathon--The Publix, Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. Many of you that know me may have just rolled your eyes and/or said to yourself, "yea right, I've heard that before." I don't blame you at all if that was your reaction. For those of you who don't know me as well, this is the THIRD  1/2 I have trained for, but still have not completed the first. This time I am determined to make it different. This time I am running for a different and bigger purpose. One that I know will keep me determined and inspired to make it to the finish line.

I am running this marathon as a participant in the Team in Training program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For those who don't know about the Team in Training program, it is one of the largest organized endurance training programs in the world. I am being coached with running and nutrition advise while I raise money for research and patient services for those fighting Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease and Myeloma. Over the next 4 1/2 months I will be training and collecting donations to raise at least $1,000 for cancer research. You can access my official Team in Training website to make donations and see the support I have been given.

I am starting this blog as a way for me to track my progress and to share this wonderful experience and challenge with you all. Thank you in advance for all your support!