Ready to Go the Distance

Recovered:

 

Being injured sucks. How I got injured is just plain clumsiness. When I was in Greece this summer, I was walking in the middle of the night to get ice cream and I turned my ankle in a pothole. After a few attempts to restart training too soon I ended up taking a month and a half off. Now when I run I no longer have shooting pains in my bum ankle so I think it is time to start again.

 

Running Partner:

 

Two weeks ago I was talking to my roommate Haley and discovered that we had something in common: the desire to run a half-marathon! Since both of us are beginners and best friends it only makes sense that we have become running partners.

 

First Day of Training Picture:(Haley and I both wearing pink)

 

 

What Race?

 

Since we both go to UNF we decided that the best way for us to run a half-marathon is to stick with one in Jacksonville. Our goal is to run the 26.2 with Donna Half-Marathon on Feb. 23, 2014. I am also super excited about this race because it supports breast cancer. I think it will be inspiring and motivational to run alongside women battling breast cancer as well as running alongside women who are survivors of breast cancer.

 

This link has more information about 26.2 with Donna http://breastcancermarathon.com/run/

 

Ready to Go the Distance:

 

With a healed ankle, a running partner, and a race in mind I finally feel ready to go the distance!

 

 

 

 



Tri-Trampoline Jungle Gym & Panathenaic Stadium

Tri-Trampoline Jungle Gym:

Yesterday started out rather early, 8 A.M. to be exact, because Aya and I decided to take a morning trip downtown to see the Panathenaic Stadium. Since neither Aya or I bothered to figure out where exactly the Panathenaic Stadium was we ended up asking a couple of Wisconsin tourist how to get there. They sent us a rather round about way and Aya and I stumbled upon yet another playground. We had to go in because there was this huge contraption that was partly a tri-trampoline and partly a jungle gym made out of rope. We had fun bouncing each other and running between the trampolines and ropes playing tag. I am going to miss the creatively different playgrounds of Greece. I think Greek playgrounds are completely unsafe for children, but perfect for a couple of teenagers looking for an excuse to act like kids again.

Picture of Me on the Tri- Trampoline Jungle Gym:

 

 

Panathenaic Stadium( Luv2Run):

 

Running a lap around the Olympic track was number one on my bucket list of things I wanted to do in Athens. Since I ran cross-country and track in high school running on the most elitist track in the world gave me a certain rush and thrill that I believe only a passionate runner can experience. Aya and I listened to the audio tour, which told us about the history of the stadium and its unique features. Second to running the track my favorite part was exploring the tunnel. It was so cool because in the Roman period the tunnel was used as an entrance for the gladiators. In the tunnel Aya and I explored the room holding all the previous Olympic torches. I took a picture with the Beijing torch because, as I told Aya, my heritage demanded it. 

 

Picture of Me and the Beijing Torch:

 

 

 

After running down the entrance the Olympic athletes used Aya and I jogged down the first half of the Olympic track and had a 185m race down the second half of the track.

 

Picture of Me Running:

 

Picture of the Winner's Podium:

Running in Greece

Running in Greece:

 

In my mind running in Greece would be like running through a land of blue domed roof bliss. The reality though is that I am living in Athens, not Santorini, and that the air always smell of either garbage or restaurant fumes. It is also hazardous to run too fast because cars have the ride away not pedestrians! This makes it impossible to get a good stride because the streets in my neighborhood intersect every few feet. Even the people here hinder running because when I am running and approaching someone they continue to walk in the middle of the sidewalk so I cannot pass. Last night Amelia and I ran a couple laps around the track near our neighborhood, but it is unsafe to run too fast on it because it is made of gravel with a little bit of sand and is easy to slip on.

 

Mount. Hymettus:

 

One of the places I have found that will make a good running path is the road leading up to Mount. Hymettus. It is nice because it is secluded and there are not a lot of cars, but it is also secluded and a mountain so I am not comfortable running up it alone.

 

Me in tree pose after hiking up Mount. Hymettus:

 

 

Where the Athenians Run:

 

The other day I went to the National Garden of Athens with my friend Aya and we saw several Athenians running and I desperately wanted to join them. The National Garden is perfectly fairytalish in ways that Taylor Swift sings about in her songs with vines hanging everywhere and statues quietly keeping watch. The National Garden is behind the Parliament building in Syntagma, Athens. It is perfect for running because there are miles of windy paths that are shaded and it is not crowded so I could actually run fast enough to achieve a decent pace.

 

Me in the National Garden:

 

 

 

Running Bucket List:

1. Run a lap in the Olympic Stadium
2. Run in the National Garden of Athens
3. Run up part of Mount. Hymettus

My Uniform

 

I was packing for Greece and after laying out my running clothes realized that I had unintentionally made myself a uniform. Over the years I guess I have stuck with what works: Nike running shorts with a Hollister tank top.

 



Week Three: Perservere

Week two was successful except for the dog that chased me on my Saturday run. Week three is going to be a challenge with so much craziness in my schedule. I leave for Greece next Monday and have a ton of packing and other chores to do before I go. This is my revision for week three of Women's Running 14 Week Plan to train for a half-marathon:

Monday: Rest (Amen!)
Tuesday:  Run/Walk 3 miles
Wednesday: XT 30 minutes and ST
Thursday: Run/Walk 2 miles  
Friday: Rest ST
Saturday: R/W 3 miles
Sunday: W 2 miles run and ST

Kayano 19!!!

 

As stubborn as I am I finally gave in and bought new running shoes. After running holes into my old shoes I bought the new Asics Kayano 19. I've been wearing Asics Kayano's since the Kayano 16 and these felt like a totally different running shoe. They felt great on my run this morning I'm in love!

Week Two: Revised and Ramped UP!

To get me half-marathon ready I started following Women's Running's Couch To Half Marathon 14 week plan. The problem I have found though is that I am more in shape and am not being pushed by the week one workout for complete beginners. Below is the suggested week two workout:

Week Two (WR 14 Week Plan)

• Monday: Rest
• Tuesday: Run/Walk 3 miles+ Strength Training
• Wednesday: Cross Train(XT) 30 min.
• Thursday: R/W 2 miles
• Friday: Rest
• Saturday: R/W 3 miles
• Sunday: Rest

I'm still fumbling around with how to amp it up, but I think adding more strength training is a good place to start. I also dislike the idea of walking so I'm going to replace Sunday walks with runs of the same distance.

Week Two: Revised and Ramped UP!

• Monday: Rest Strength Train 30 minutes
• Tuesday: Run/Walk 3 miles+ Strength Training
• Wednesday: Cross Train(XT) 30 min.
• Thursday: R/W 2 miles
• Friday: Rest Strength Train 30 minutes
• Saturday: R/W 3 miles
• Sunday: Walk 2 miles run

The link below is great for those of us who are unsure what strength training exercises are good for runners. http://running.competitor.com/2013/05/training/upper-body-exercises-that-improve-running-form_70881