Fuel Belt

A few days ago I purchased a fuel belt so that I wouldn't get dehydrated during my longer training runs.  I have a history of getting easily dehydrated, so I figured this was a must if I want to complete my marathon goal.  I went to one of the running stores in Grand Rapids (Michigan)- Striders.  There were some belts with 2 bottles and some with 4 and I really had no idea what I needed.  A couple of the employees there were a great help though, and they were able to give me a better idea of what I needed.  They said that two bottles wouldn't be enough for a 20 mile training run, but if I planned my run to go by somewhere where I could refill, the 2 bottles would be enough.  They also suggested I try them on for size and comfort and said to keep in mind that the elastic can stretch out after awhile.  After I scoped out the selection, I decided to go with the Fuel Belt with 4, 8oz. bottles.

I was worried that it would be uncomfortable to run in, but I tried it out for the first time last Saturday during a 7 mile run and it was perfect!  I was so surprised at how comfortable it was!  I really like it.  I have yet to buy new running shoes (I really need some though!), but I think this was a good buy and will really help me get through those longer training runs!

Anyone else use one of these? What brand? How many bottles?  Do you like it?

Training Program

I've decided to follow the novice marathon training program laid out by Runner's World magazine contributing editor, Hal Higdon.  I found this training program a couple of years ago when my interest in running a marathon first peaked and I bought Hal Higdon's book, "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide".

I'll admit that I've only read sections of the book and I haven't read it cover to cover, but what I have read I've really enjoyed.  Here's the training program I am following- directly from Higdon's book and also published on his website:

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	rest	6	cross
2	rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	rest	7	cross
3	rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	rest	5	cross
4	rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	rest	9	cross
5	rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	rest	10	cross
6	rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	rest	7	cross
7	rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	rest	12	cross
8	rest	3 m run	6 m run	3 m run	rest	13	cross
9	rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	rest	10	cross
10	rest	3 m run	7 m run	4 m run	rest	15	cross
11	rest	4 m run	8 m run	4 m run	rest	16	cross
12	rest	4 m run	8 m run	5 m run	rest	12	cross
13	rest	4 m run	9 m run	5 m run	rest	18	cross
14	rest	5 m run	9 m run	5 m run	rest	14	cross
15	rest	5 m run	10 m run	5 m run	rest	20	cross
16	rest	5 m run	8 m run	4 m run	rest	12	cross
17	rest	4 m run	6 m run	3 m run	rest	8	cross
18	rest	3 m run	4 m run	2 m run	rest	rest	race

So today was the first 3 mile run of week 2 and it went great!  I got up this morning and got it in before it got too hot outside.  It felt amazing to have that accomplished by 7 am.

I like this training program because it's not too intimidating- the first 2 weeks just have 3 mile runs plus one long run on Saturday, so that's not too bad, and it just gradually moves up from there.  It's hard to believe that week 1 has already gone by- but kicking of that first week of training with Strides For Life was the perfect boost!

Are you following a training program? Which one and why?

4 Days, 100 Miles

For the last four days I've been super busy doing a bit of running and helping to staff this absolutely amazing event called Strides For Life.  It's a 4-day 100-Mile run.  And I don't mean a relay.  Each person individually runs 100 miles over the course of 4 days.  Wow.

Each day is split up into 5 legs that are approximately 5 miles each- it's hard to make them exact, so some are a little long and some are a little short.  Here's what a day running Strides For Life looks like:

8:00 am: Start running leg 1
9:00 am: End leg 1
9:15 am: Start running leg 2
10:15 am: End leg 2
10:30 am: Start running leg 3
11:30 am: End leg 3
11:30 am - 1:30 pm: Lunch break
1:30 pm: Start running leg 4
2:30 pm: End leg 4
2:45 pm: Start running leg 5
3:45 pm: End leg 5

Each leg has 3 aid stations along the way at 1 mile, 2.5 miles, and 4 miles.  At the end of the leg (the 5 mile stop) all runners stop and wait for everyone to get in so that they can begin the next leg together.

Runners can choose to run all 4 days and all 100 miles or they can choose to run a fewer number of days/miles.

Click here to view a Google map of the running route to see the ground we covered!

All runners are asked to try to fundraise at least $200 for each day they play to run, all of which benefits the American Cancer Society.  So if a runner wants to do all 4 days and all 100 miles, they should try to fundraise at least $800.  There is a $25 registration fee, but that $25 counts towards their fundraising total.  Aside from that, all the runners have to do is show up.  The planning committee and support staff take care of all food, lodging, and transportation for runners- pretty good deal huh?

All runners stay at a local college dorm, so the lodging is by no means "luxury", but most of the runners that have been a part of this event for awhile don't care- they describe it as "Adult Summer Camp" and seem to love every second of it.

It was so motivating and inspirational to be around this group of dedicated runners for the past 4 days.  My goal was to run 1 leg of each day.  When I wasn't running, I was helping to staff the 4 mile aid station vehicle during each leg.

Well, I sort of completed my goal.

I didn't quite do one full leg on day 4, but on day 3 I managed to run just about the entire day- 23.5 miles, so I think that makes up for it!  That full day of running taught me so much about myself, running in general, the dynamics of this event and the camaraderie of the runners that are a part of this event, that I can't even describe it in words.  It was incredible.  And it was the exact motivation I needed to dig into this marathon training.

I've never run more than about 13 miles in one day, so running 23.5 in a day made me feel invincible!  Now that I know I can make it that far, I have no doubt that I could do a marathon.

I'll be posting again soon about those 23.5 miles- the furthest I've run in the last year and a half has probably been about 6 miles, so I feel like I've got some explaining to do!

Day 1...but technically Day 2

I decided to run a marathon.  My first marathon.

And I'm going to be totally up front with you: I don't know if I'll be able to do it.

I've never run a marathon before, I haven't been running consistently recently, and I hate running in the heat.

Needless to say, deciding to train for my first marathon ever during the dead of summer may not up my chances of actually making it to race day.

But I've always wanted to run a marathon.

It's one of the very few things I can think of off the top of my head that I would, without a doubt, put on my "Bucket List", were I to make one.

I've always enjoyed running and I've always been motivated by distance rather than speed.  In the world of distance running for the average person, what could be more of an ultimate goal than the 26.2 miles of a marathon?

I have this feeling that this is my chance.  This is the time in my life when the stars and moons have aligned and it's time to make an attempt to achieve that goal.  Why?

1) I want to run a marathon in the fall so that the temperatures are not so brutally hot and it just so happens that the Grand Rapids Marathon takes place in October.  I live just outside of Grand Rapids so I wouldn't have to travel.
2) Although I hate running in hot weather, July and August are the least busy times for me at work and I think that gives me the best chances at sticking with a training program.
3) Right now I have a generous amount of "me" time where I can really focus on training and not feel like I'm neglecting other life responsibilities

So I feel like now is my time!  I'll be using this blog to write about my experiences in training as a first time marathoner- and I guarantee I'll be keeping it real.  Like I said, I don't know if I'll be able to make it.  But a big motivation for sharing my training experience through this blog is for accountability.  Even if I'm not really sure that anyone is reading this blog aside from my mother and my husband, just the fact that I'm throwing my declaration to run a marathon out there to the World Wide Web makes me feel like it's something that I have to try my best to follow through with now.  That being said, here's the deal:

If you know me in real life and you're not an immediate family member, please don't talk to be about this marathon business in person.  I know that sounds weird.  Here's why though: if for some reason I can't finish the training and do the marathon, (even if it's a totally legit reason like a health condition) I'm going to feel bad about it.  And the shy, cowardly part of me is already squirming at the thought of that conversation happening in person.  SO- for now at least- all marathon chit chat happens here, on this blog.  Maybe when I gain some confidence about this endeavor I'll change the rules, but that's it for now.  So if you are friends with me on Facebook and want to stay friends- no mentioning the marathon!

And with that my friends (if there are any of you out there!), I begin my Confessions of a First Time Marathoner.  Yesterday was the official first day of the 18-week training program I've chosen, but Mondays are always rest days, so today felt more the like the first official day.  And I'm happy to report that I ran successfully ran 3 miles.  2 days down, 123 to go.