Weekend Re-cap and Meal Plan Monday

Hey y'all! I hope you had a great weekend. Ours was busy, busy! Ben was out of town Thursday-Saturday, which makes things seem crazy no matter what. I had choir rehearsal Thursday night for our Palm Sunday/ Easter Cantata which we presented yesterday (Sunday) morning in both services. Friday morning, we had the PEP Moms spring luncheon, which was super-fun! Our speaker was a master gardener, and she helped us make some one-pot herb gardens. She even gave us some recipes to use our fresh herbs in! It was lots of fun, and the food was great too.

I tried to do my 20-mile training run on Saturday morning, but my start time kept getting delayed! I finally started a little after 11:30, and it was brutal! The high temperature was somewhere in the low 80's, and I am not used to that! I basically walked the last 5 miles, but at least I covered the distance. :( The marathon is only 19 days away!!! I also got just a little sunburn...

We had a huge family cook-out at my mom and dad's on Saturday evening, and it was lots of fun. My kids love playing at my parents' house; they have lots of property and lots of toys. I enjoy it too because I can let them have lots of freedom compared to being in our subdivision. Rush also got to go with my dad and my grandfather ("Papaw") to their garden while I was running. He helped them plant yellow squash and zucchini, and he rode the tractor and played in the dirt. It makes me so happy when my kids get to experience things like that with their grandparents. I hope that Rush has a love for home-grown foods like my dad and papaw. It would be awesome if one day he was running the garden!

Ben got home around midnight on Saturday, and I had to get up for early service on Sunday morning. I was almost late to church, which would have been a disaster since my solo was the opening song! But I made it just in time. Whew! The service was so sweet and spirit-filled. [The link will not be up on the church website yet, but if you're interested in watching it, check in about a week.] It was a great Sunday all around! We even got to take dinner over to my sister's house before the evening service! If you like salmon, you MUST try this recipe. It was the perfect spring meal: strawberry feta salmon wraps!

On to last week's meal plan. Like I said, it was an odd week, so the plan probably would not fill a four-person family's normal weekly meal plan. But life is life. You've gotta roll with it. 

Shrimp tacos with Mexican fried brown rice and hominy (recipe for the rice coming soon)

Southwest stuffed sweet potatoes with shredded slow-cooker salsa chicken

Tortellini 

We even had take-out one night. Very rare for a week night. It was a nice break from the norm, and I was so excited to eat it that I did not take a picture. I had crab cakes with snap peas and mashed potatoes, and Ben had petite pork chops with spinach maria. 

I also made morning glory muffins. The recipe made 6 regular sized muffins and 24 mini muffins. I sent the regular-sized ones with Ben on his trip. 

This week should be a bit more normal. I am so excited to celebrate my Savior this Sunday! Happy a happy holy week!

Friday Favorites

Well... If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my post about our Little Lottie having RSV this week. So... that is my Friday un-favorite. ;) But, despite the sickness, this week has not been short of favorites. Here goes:

I decided for sure that I am training for the Covenant Marathon. Early morning runs, here I come... you may or may not see me with clothes on inside out during my training. 

Got some exciting (to me) shopping deals this week:

Awesome skirted running tights from Gap for $4.00!!! Yes, you read correctly: $4.00!!! 

I had just been thinking that I needed to find more skirted running gear for modesty reasons because of a recent conversation with Ben about modesty. Thanks for the gentle reminder, honey!

Plum Organics Fruit Straws for half-price at Kroger!

A successful first trip to the dentist for Rush. He was so brave, and his teeth looked great. Aunt Brittany, I know you're proud. 

Baking homemade Cinnamon Raisin Flax Bread. I doubled the recipe for my sister and her family since Baby Aubrey will arrive at any moment.

An awesome workout thanks to Sarah @ Sweetmiles!

I used my body bar for all of the weighted exercises. I had to cut it short, though, because as you can see on the light indicator on the baby monitor, Lottie woke up {poor sick baby}.

We are headed back to the pediatrician today for a follow-up. Then I am going to get my hair cut... just a trim, but it will mean a few hours of freedom for me because my mother-in-law will have the kids. :) I hope to do Sarah's workout again when I get home. Tonight is family movie night, and probably leftovers for dinner... my fridge is full! {I that's a good problem to have.} After the kids go to bed, we are going to do a run-through of the lesson Ben has prepped for Bible study; then we're going to watch episode 1 of North and South on Netflix. I'll have 14 miles to get in tomorrow morning, but besides that, we have no other plans tomorrow. That's a great Saturday in my opinion!

Happy weekend!

What are you currently studying in the Bible?
What's your favorite way to spend a Saturday?

Marathon Training Log #11

8 miles. 6:00 a.m.  Last Saturday run before the marathon. We had a busy day planned, so I ran early with Chris, and Ben ran after lunch alone. It worked out well for Ben because he got to sleep in since the kids slept until after 7:00! {Cue Napoleon Dynamite voice} Lucky! ~sigh~ 

I had my usual cinnamon raisin bagel with a little peanut butter for breakfast, plus coffee and water. I started drinking Spark on the way to our meeting spot, which is about 10 minutes from my house. 

I wore my belt, but took no extra nutrition in the pouch for during the run since it was only 8 miles. This run went pretty well. Our pace was right on target with our goal for the marathon. 

I love the route that we ran because it is exactly where Chris and I went on our first-ever run together last October 19th. It is crazy to think that one year after that first run, we will have completed three half marathons and a full!

This week I am truly looking forward to taking it "easy."  Here's my plan for the week:

Monday: off

Tuesday: 3-4 easy

Wednesday: 2-3 easy

Thursday: 2-3 easy

Friday: walk

Side note: This will be my third week of posting my "Meal Plan Monday," so be sure and check that out as well, especially if you're curious to see what someone running a marathon might be eating. ;)

Let me just say, in my opinion, running is never easy, but the hardest part is those first few steps. I never thought that I would run a marathon. 

When I started the training, I prayed for God to use the process as a way to bring glory to Himself. I'm not sure how he's going to do that, but I hope that I am sensitive enough to know when I see (or feel) it. 

I am definitely a mixed bag of emotions right now. Part of me keeps doubting that I can even do this. Another part of me is saying, "There's no way you can't do this! Trust your training." And a third dimension is telling me to just get it over with, no matter what it looks like. I could definitely use some prayer. And I know that Ben and Chris would love to know that they're being prayed over too. 

We are heading down to Chattanooga on Saturday morning. We hope to scope out the course and get familiar with our surroundings to help calm our nerves. 

I will certainly write a post after the race is over to record how it all goes. I am especially nervous to see how my stomach does after the race. If you've been reading my training logs, thanks for sticking around!

The finisher medal. I stole this pic from the race Facebook page. :)

D you have any advice or words of encouragement? Please leave it in the comments section below.

Marathon Training Log #10

Taper week! Wahoo!

I have been doing this Marathon training thing pretty blindly, I guess. I have only just realized this because I recently started reading a lot of running blogs and book reviews, and I know nothing! I don't even really have a goal finish-time for the race. I just want to finish! 

This past weekend, our plan was 12 miles. After running 20 the previous weekend, I thought that 12 would feel easy... I was wrong. We started later than what was optimal, and it was hot! 

For breakfast, I had whole wheat toast with a thin layer of peanut butter and coffee. I did not drink a Spark before the run because I had extra coffee and thought that it might make me a little crazy! (Second mistake.)

I took one non-caffeine Power Gel in my belt (third mistake), one water and one sport drink, plus powder to mix in when I refilled. 

I felt fine the first half of the run--- not great, but fine. We stopped at the usual park to refill at 5.75 miles. I ate/drank (what are you actually doing to those things?!) the gel with at least 8 oz. of water. The rest of the run, my legs felt heavy and tired. While I was running I tried to think of what I had done differently to make me feel that way, and here are the three things I came up with: 

1. I ate pizza for dinner the night before (first mistake). 

2. I did not drink my Spark. 

3. I had run 20 miles for the previous long run, not to mention 100 miles over the last month. That is definitely a record for me! 

Ben finished well ahead of me and Chris, so he came walking toward us on our last half mile. They both had to practically drag me to the finish. How was 20 so awesome and 12 so awful?!

Had a huge sport drink and a pack of peanut butter crackers soon after we finished. My stomach was A-OK after the run! Yay!

2 weeks until the race! 8 miles this Saturday!

Lottie and I got our first Toms. Just a random tidbit for you. :)

Marathon Training Log #9

Race day is three weeks from today!!!

We did our final L O N G run yesterday morning--- 20 miles! The weather was amazing! It was about 55 degrees when we started. I was a little cold before we started, which made me very happy. Training in the summer in East Tennessee has been brutal! So, to the fall season I say, "Welcome and stay a while!"

Chris and I were unable to run this one together, so Ben planned to go with me. We were able to arrange for kiddos to sleep over with my parents on Friday night (thanks, Mom and Dad!), so we got to have a date night and chose pasta from Johnny Carinos to fuel our run. 

For breakfast (around 6:00) we each had a slice of my homemade cinnamon-raisin flax bread with a thin layer of peanut butter and coffee. 

In my belt, I took my usual one water and one sport drink, each 10 oz. I planned to use a Power Gel (the brand that will be provided at the race) at 6 miles, 12 miles, and between 16 & 18 miles. We were running a double out-and-back route, so we were able to plant some drinks and fuel (Marathon Bars, VO2 Bars) at our car. 

We both drank a Spark 20 minutes before we started the run. I stopped to take a bathroom break and re-fill my water at the usual park (5.9 miles) and took a non-caffeine Power Gel with about 8 oz. of water. I also topped-off my sport drink with some water. I decided to turn on some music for a little while, which is unusual for me. But I knew I had a long way to go to be alone. I did not have headphones, so I just carried my phone in my hand. It was a nice little change to pass the time. My two favorites from yesterday were Mandisa's What If We Were Real and Travis Cottrell's Oh My Soul March On. I  stopped for another bathroom break at mile 12, which was back near our van. I refilled my water and sport drink and started eating a VO2 Bar as I started running again. Before I knew it, I had reached 16 miles, which was my turnaround point. I had to go a little further than that because Ben had planted a water for me. Ben ran by me on the other side, heading to the finish. He had planned a 23 mile run, and his pace is over 1.5 minutes per mile faster than mine. Since the planted water was a little past my turnaround, I decided to pause my GPS and walk after I picked up the water so I could pour the water into my belt bottle and eat another Gel (with caffeine). I had drunk all of my water between mile 12 and 16 and drank almost half of the sport drink. I knew that there were no more water stops along the way so I tried to be conservative, but reasonable. Around mile 17, I started getting "giddy" because I couldn't believe how good I felt. My pace had stayed the same (within 3 seconds) the entire run, and it was 40 seconds faster per mile than my goal race pace! I passed a friend at mile 19. It was nice to get some encouragement. When my phone said 20 miles and told me my pace, I let out a joyful "ha!" and threw my arms in the air. It felt great to finish so well. The best part was Ben waiting for me at the finish. 

Once I sat down, which was after a while of walking and stretching, I made a soy milk chocolate protein shake (I had packed a cooler in the van) and drank it on the way home. We took a quick shower, and I made us some roasted chicken and Swiss cheese on rye toast and black bean and cheddar cheese dip with yellow corn tortilla chips, all just in time for the Vols to kick-off at 12:30. We each ate a banana, stretched some more, and then I went to bed. I never went to sleep, but I rested. I think I was too excited from the success of the run. I was praying while I was lying in my bed, thanking God for giving us the physical health and ability to accomplish our goal.  That is something I pray I never take for granted- the blessing of a healthy, fully-functioning body (see Bible passage below). (I hope to write an entire post on this subject this week, so stay tuned.) God has entrusted me with this one body; and so far, he has blessed me with great health, including two healthy pregnancies despite a blood disorder! And I was also thanking God for our supportive family that has been willing to help with our kids while we train. We are so blessed!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? For you are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I am finally able to say I believe I can run a Marathon. Until Saturday, I was not confident enough to believe it. This weekend, we have 12 miles assigned for the long run. I will still be journaling our runs as we taper.

I found a great blog this week that I just can't get enough of: milesandblessings.com. Jen is a Christian, mom, pastor's wife and runner. Her take on life is so sweet! Check her out!

In case you were wondering what "belt" I wear when running, here it is: the Nathan Speed 2 Waistpack. I could not train without it.

 

Marathon Training Log #8

I will never run more than 3 miles at 2:00 in the afternoon. Ever. Again.

So, I had the genius idea to wait until naptime on Sunday to do my 14-mile run. Chris had already gone on Saturday, so Ben I went together. As always, 50 yards into the run, he went off and left me. I do not use music when I run; so this was going to be a long and lonely 14 miles. It was a beautiful (and mild) 70* day, but there is no shade on this route, except about a 1-mile stretch. And I planned poorly for this one... no hat, no sunglasses, no headband. I did, however, remember sunscreen. Yay for no skin cancer!

I did not know what to expect tummy-wise during the run since I always run in the morning, and I always eat pretty much the same thing in my efforts to stop my problem after long runs. I had a whole wheat waffle with peanut butter and banana with coffee for breakfast, and a turkey salad for lunch at about 1:00 (lunch is always way late on Sundays!).

We started the run between 2:30 and 2:45. I took my two 10 oz bottles in my belt, one with water and one with Spark. I also took my usual Marathon Bar.

The first 2 miles were painful... literally... let me explain:

after the 18 miler, (last weekend), I started having crazy low-spine pain. I thought that it was because I sat on our driveway for a while that same day, but realized quickly that it was more than that. I have a friend who is a chiropractor, so I went to see him on Monday, and he gave me lots of advice and made lots of adjustments to my lower back, knees and feet. The thing he stressed the most to me was icing after the long runs. I had quite a bit of relief over the next few days.

So I was not happy when I started feeling the same pain in the beginning of this run, but it soon faded, and I felt fine the rest of the run. I tried to be conscious of trying to keep my hips tucked under and not sticking my tail out. I know that poor posture has contributed to the problem.

I stopped at 5.75 miles at the usual park to refill my drinks. I ate most of the Marathon Bar when I started back up. I was so happy when I finally reached 7 miles... the first 7 seemed to take forever!

I got back to the park just before reaching 9 miles, and I stopped again to top-off my waters since there is no other fountain from there on. I felt like I  needed to take a short walking break, so I started my GPS back up, but I was walking. I didn't watch the time, I just walked until I felt like it was enough... I'd guess it was about 2 minutes.

Before I knew it, I hit 12 miles! I came to a busy intersection and had to wait a while to cross safely, so I finished the last 1/4 of the Marathon Bar. The last 2 miles were not fun. All I could think about was how 16 and 18 miles seemed easier and less painful than this one! Oh well... I finished. But like I said, I will never run that far that late in the day again.

My stomach did not feel so great the rest of the day, but it wasn't debilitating like it has been sometimes. So far, so good!

Ben finished right about 15 minutes after me... he had run 18 miles. He said it was brutal for him yesterday, too.

This weekend is our biggie: 20 miles!!! Don't know how or when we are going to do it, but I have to do it in order to feel confident enough to register for the race... did I just admit that?

Nope, I haven't registered yet... oh, and, I didn't ice.

New shorts I ordered from Lucy Activewear, my favorite running apparel store.

Marathon Training Log #7

Marathon day is less than 5 weeks away! Craziness!!!

Our training plan assigned 18 miles for our long run this week. Chris and I could not meet on Saturday, so we had to get up extra early (4:20 a.m.!) on Friday in order to start our run by 5:00 so our husbands could get to work.

For breakfast, I had my usual cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter plus coffee. I started drinking a Spark on my way to meet Chris (about 4:50). In my belt, I took my usual one water and one sport drink (both 10 oz.), plus two Marathon Bars and an extra Spark packet.

We carried four waters and planted them along the run because we were doing an out-and-back route. We stopped around mile 4 for a bathroom break and to refill our waters. We shared a Marathon Bar around mile 6. We stopped again around mile 7 for another bathroom break and to top-off our waters. We also shared an AdvoCare VO2 Bar at some point (don't remember when that was... maybe mile 10). I gulped down about half of a Gu packet around mile 12 (yuck!), and that was about when the sun finally came up! We shared a Spark packet for a little extra caffeine around mile 13. I ate a couple of bites of the second Marathon Bar around mile 15.

By mile 16, we were SO ready to finish! This was a distance record for both of us. Overall, the run went really well. Our hips and knees were so tired at the end, but we both recovered quickly, which hopefully means we are doing something right! No tummy problems this run! Yay!

We get to taper down to 14 miles this weekend and the weather is supposed to be awesome.

Marathon Training Log #6

We got to taper down to 12 miles for this run! 

Around 7:15, I ate one raspberry mini muffin and a mini cinnamon-raisin bagel with peanut butter along with coffee and water. I drank a Spark around 7:45, and gave the last 2 oz to Ben right before we started. 

 I took a sport drink and a water in my two 10 oz bottles in my belt, plus a Marathon Bar (caramel flavor). 

Our schedules did not allow for Chris and me to start at the same time, so Ben and I started together, but he quickly ran ahead. Ben missed the 16 mile run last weekend, so he wanted to do 14 miles. It was a beautiful morning, quite cool compared to usual. Despite the milder temp, it was still very sunny, and it is the route with no shade (glad I wore my hat). I felt great from the beginning except for a strange tightness in my left calf. But it soon disappeared, and at mile 2.5 I saw a hot pink-clad girl coming toward me--- it was Chris. I was hoping that I would get to run at least a portion with her; so I turned and ran back toward the start (her finish). I reached 5 miles as she finished, so I turned back around and ran the same scenery that I had just run, plus an additional mile to make it to 12. There was tons of traffic (thank you, tourism), which was distracting--- lots of toots and honks and whistles--- but I think it somehow kept my pace up. I ate the marathon bar at mile 6... was still feeling great at mile 10 when I looked behind me to see Ben catching up to me! That stinker--- he is so fast! We finished together, and Ben's parents even did a drive-by around mile 11 with our kids, which was a fun surprise. This was a great run overall. I did not know what my pace was as I was running because I could not hear the tracking on my phone due to the heavy traffic. To our surprise, I had run this training run at my racing pace, which is quite faster than my training pace. Ben was really pleased with his pace as well. 

I drank a sport drink as soon as we finished and ate about a quarter of a banana. My stomach felt good for about 2 hours, but I did have some cramps on and off for the rest of the day. I am starting to see that the harder I push myself, the more prone I am to these tummy problems. I will still call this training run a success! We are scheduled for 18 miles this weekend, and Chris will be out of town on Saturday; so we are planning to get babysitters and run it on Friday morning. I will update again soon!

Marathon Training Log #5

Friday morning, Chris and I met at 6:00 to run 16 miles. Another distance PR for both of us. 

5:00- mini cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter, coffee, and water. Ate a few bites of leftover spinach quiche, too. 

Started drinking a "Spark" as I headed out the door at 5:25. Finished it before the run started. 

In my running belt, I took my two 10 oz. bottles: one with water and one with Gatorade; a Snickers Marathon Bar, 6 peanut butter crackers, an extra Spark mix, and a gel. We planted two waters to pick back up after the turnaround around mile 13, where I ran out of water during the 15 mile run on Monday. 

We have decided that we want to run the Marathon with the 10:30 pacer. So our goal for this run was to stay between a 10:00-10:30 minute per mile pace. 

Chris and I both felt great starting out. It was a very humid morning, so we forced ourselves to drink more than usual. We shared an Advocare VO2 Bar around mile 5. We stopped at the usual park at 5.75 miles to refill our waters. I think we shared a little bit of the Marathon Bar when we started back up (can't remember exactly). We ran by the park again at about 11 miles. We stopped again to refill our waters (mixed Spark into one) and take a bathroom break. I ate 3 peanut butter crackers. We drank lots because it was getting hot quickly, and the planted waters were much-needed. I think we ate the gels somewhere around the planted waters. We walked while we poured the waters into our belt bottles. We finished well with an average pace of 10:04!

I drank a sport drink on the drive home and finished the Marathon Bar and peanut butter crackers. 

We just couldn't believe how good we felt during the run! I was pretty discouraged after the painful 15 mile run on Monday with Ben. This run definitely boosted my confidence. 

And no stomach problems whatsoever. I usually at least feel some effect on my stomach after a long run like this, but I felt NO symptoms at all!!! Yippee!

Marathon Training Log #4

I mentioned that we were going on our annual family beach trip, and would be there when our training regimen assigned 15 miles. We did run 15 miles while we were on vacation, but not all at once. We did a 7-miler on Thursday and two 4-milers (Friday & Saturday), all while pushing the double stroller.

As you can tell, Rush was thrilled about being strapped-in!

Ben pushed both kids the entire 7 miles, and I pushed L for both 4 milers while R rode his bicycle. The paved paths all over Hilton Head Island are so nice! We decided to save the full 15-mile run for Monday when we could get a babysitter (Ben took Monday & Tuesday off too!).

This run was miserable! We started later than we had hoped to- 10:00 am. Even though it has been milder than usual, it was still hot, especially with hardly any shade along the route. 

~8:00 am: peanut butter toast & pineapple (and of course coffee!) along with water

Took my two 10 oz bottles in my running belt, one with water and one with Gatorade. Also packed two gels: one Body Glove brand & one Vega brand (both gifts from Brittany), and a Marathon Bar for Ben & me to share. 

Started off feeling well. Got to a park just before mile 6 to refill waters and take a restroom break. We shared the bar as we started back up, and got to see a new part of town with our increase in distance. It was a nice shaded river walk: very welcomed on a hot sunny day! Around mile 8, I felt like I needed a bathroom break again, and luckily, we were passing the park again. I decided I needed the Body Glove gel; I think it was green tea and honey flavor; not a typical "gel" texture, but pleasant taste compared to most other gels I have tried. We had already been slowing WAY down since mile 8, and after my stop it was a snail's pace to the finish... But I finished!

I think that I should have eaten a little something closer to starting. It may have helped with the "crash" that I experienced around the 8th mile.

Drank a 20 oz sport drink soon after stopping, and felt great the rest of the day. No tummy troubles post-run again! Hallelujah!

Going camping this Saturday morning, and my running partner is going out-of-town too. We are trying to figure out a way to run on Friday morning. It's supposed to be a 16 miler!!!

Less than 9 weeks to Marathon Day!

Marathon Training Log #3

10 miles. Seems short after 14...

We decided to meet at 7:30 Saturday morning. I slept-in until 7:00!!!! Didn't really give myself enough time to eat and use the bathroom...

About 7:10: ate a 4 oz cup of yogurt topped with Kashi honey sunshine cereal. Drank about 8 oz of coffee along with it. Sipped on water too.

Took my two 10 oz. waters in my belt and a Snickers Marathon Bar (found them at Wal-Mart in boxes).

Ben ran ahead of Chris and me since he wanted to go a little farther than us. Chris and I were both feeling yucky this run. It was just one of those off-days. But, by mile 5, we had gotten into a groove and it seemed like our aches and cobwebs had loosened up. I ate 3/4 of my marathon bar at the halfway point and had a few sips of Chris's electrolyte drink. Had to stop for a bathroom break around mile 8, and I was worried that my stomach was going into "dumping." All was fine after the stop, though, and I finished strong. It was a great run this week.

Ben and I both drank a 32 oz Gatorade when we finished. My stomach was very unsettled the rest of the day. Not sure if it was related to the run, though, because our baby girl had tummy trouble yesterday too. 

We got to eat a delicious and satisfying dinner at a wedding reception. Ben and I were both very hungry, so, of course, we over-ate. I can't say that I regret it, though. Plus, we had some great company.

My friend, Brittany, and me at the reception

15 miles scheduled for this weekend, and we are taking a family vacation.  We may have to reschedule the run for the following Monday. We'll see!

9 weeks to race day!

Marathon Training Log #2

14 miles. The longest I have ever run. Our training schedule assigned 13.1, but we decided to go ahead and run farther in order to boost our confidence. We planned to start at 6:00 a.m. Ben was joining us too, so in order for our kids to not be left home alone (they're 3 & 1), we stayed at his parents' house. It turned out to be great location because we were less than 10 minutes from our meeting spot.

In my running belt I took the two 10 oz bottles, one with water and one with a Spark powder mixed in. I packed two gels (one for me and one for Ben), and a Marathon Bar. 

At 5:30 I ate 4 oz of yogurt with granola. I ate a banana on the way to our meeting spot, so it was about 5:55. I did not have any coffee(!!!), so I felt sluggish as we started. But Chris brought me the Spark, and I drank it early in the run. It has 120mg of caffeine; about equal to one 8 oz cup of coffee, plus lots of B vitamins. It perked me up quickly.

Between miles 7 & 8, we shared the Marathon Bar (I think it's made by Snickers?); it was chocolate covered peanut butter protein... I thought it was good. We refilled our waters at a park around the same time. I was feeling pretty tired around mile 10, so I tried the Hammer Gel (Huckleberry flavor, I think) that I had gotten in a swag bag at my most recent race. Ben never ate the gel that I had packed for him.

Once we finished, I "trotted" and walked for several minutes before stopping to stretch. I am so happy to report that again, I experienced no stomach problems post-run!  We averaged a 9:48 pace, and it was a beautiful morning for a run!

Running beyond our previous distance record was just the first step in our marathon training, but it is a definite confidence booster just knowing we can do it! Only 10 weeks to Marathon day!

Marathon Training Journal

After running 3 half marathons since December 9, 2012, I have decided to tackle training for a full marathon. It is 10 weeks before race week (7 Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga), and my most recent half was 6 weeks ago.  My running partner, Chris (female), had been "toying-with" a full marathon training plan already. I asked her to send me the plan and we calculated where we needed to pick up in order to be ready on October 20. Here is the plan:

We started our training at the end of week 7. We had already done both a 3 and 4-mile run during the week, but I had not run any real distance since June 22. Really--- starting with 12 miles?! And to add insult to injury, neither of us could run on Saturday, so we had to do the 12-miler on Sunday. So, for us faithful church-goers, that meant getting up extra early in order to get back home and ready for church. It's just too hot here in East Tennessee in August to run in the afternoon. 

Chris (left) & me volunteering at a 10K

So, our plan was to get started running at 5:30 a.m. (I had already been getting up at 5:30 all week in personal effort to spend more time in prayer and Bible study), meet at our usual spot, and run a familiar route. 

The thing that I want to really keep track of in this training is what I eat right-before and during a run. In all three of the halves that I have run, my body, i.e. my intestines, goes into "dumping" mode almost as soon as my feet slow to a walk. There is very little research &/or factual information out there for this problem, and I am guessing that each individual case is very different. This only happens to me after races, and rarely after a training run. I suspect that it has something to do with adrenaline??? So, I need any help I can get--- if you have any advice, please share in the comments section.
 

Here is my food log for my first marathon training run:

5 a.m. Coffee (black) and water

1/2 Cinnamon-raisin bagel with peanut butter

5:20 Advocare (from Chris) Spark energy drink mix 

During run:

~15 oz water & 10 oz. Gatorade

1/2 Clif bar (coconut chocolate chip)

In my running belt I had one water and one Gatorade (10 oz. each) along with a Clif bar and Clif gel (I hate gels, but they seem to work well).

I felt fantastic the whole run, despite not getting to "go" before I left my house. We didn't have any strategy for this particular run; we just wanted to finish. We stopped and walked while we shared my Clif bar around mile 8. We stopped soon after so I could (finally!) go to the bathroom. Glad there was one close-by! I never used the Clif gel shot because my energy was still good after the Spark and Clif bar (coconut chocolate chip=amazing!). I drank my whole water and a half (Chris refilled while I was in la latrina) and my gatorade. When we finished, we walked for about 5 minutes (which is new for us; we usually walk only about 30 seconds because we have babies waiting for us at home and husbands that need to leave for work), then stretched and headed home. As soon as I got back in my mini-van (yes, you read correctly!), I started drinking a Gatorade that I had planted purposely for my post-run drink. The post-run sport drink is something I do per the advice of a well-read/fitness-knowledgeable (and beautiful and amazing!!!) friend regarding my stupid "dumping." View her blog here. 

I had a few nibbles of the other half of my bagel and a couple bites of banana with lots of water when I got home. I ate several raw almonds on the way to church, and 2 mini candy bars after Sunday school/before service. No tummy problems after this long run! Wahoo! 

It's 14 miles this weekend and guess who's joining us? BEN- my husband! I am so excited that when I said that I MIGHT be interested in training for a marathon, he said he would train with me as much as possible.  Ben is a great runner and has run one marathon already. I am thrilled that we are working toward this goal together. I plan to journal all the long training runs, so I'll be updating weekly.

I'll leave you with a passage of scripture that Ben and I committed to memory a month or so ago. It reminds me that relying on my strength to do anything, no matter how big or small the task, gets me nowhere. I have asked God to use this training process and marathon to bring glory and honor to Him, not me.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31