Catching Up on the Blog - Jen

Steven & I enjoyed updating our progress on this blog last year but we're way, way behind this year. I wanted to update my progress.
I started training toward the end of July, beginning of August. BUT, I have a very hard time running in the heat, so I started off slowly & did my best to get some treadmill runs in, especially after school started & I was back in my routine.

September - after my long run of 5 miles, my hip and upper leg was hurting terribly the next day. I was thinking I was really, really out of shape! Come to find out, I had a case of the SHINGLES! Whoa! I had been having symptoms for about a week prior, but did not figure it out until after this long run. Lewis actually figured it out! The doctor put me on a 7-day anti-viral medicine, but I had to take a solid two weeks off from running. I slowly got back into the groove, but it was hard since the majority of my nerve pain was through my upper leg & hip.

The shingles pain lasted several weeks, but I eventually was able to get back to my 'regular' routine. It's been a little more challenging getting my long runs in on the weekends due to softball Saturdays, Lewis having REALLY long runs, and being busy with our PTO carnival. Luckily, the carnival is over, so it's time for me to get re-focused and not have excuses for skipping my runs!

I got in an 8.3 mile run this morning! It went great! The weather was AWESOME! 48 when I left up to about 60 by the time I was done. My body had to re-acclimate to the cold, though. Those first couple of miles were tough on my lungs. But, overall I felt great while I was running. I also tried those running beans (made by Jelly Belly) this morning. I think they really did help. Some of my 1/2 marathon veteran friends swear by the gel packs &/or beans. Lewis has started to use them for his long runs, so I thought I might try 'em. I didn't feel as fatigued this time. It may be the beans or just the nice weather! Either way, I was pumped to get in that 8 mile run this morning. I feel like I'm right on track & I'm ready to continue.

We're going to try to run a 10K in a couple of weekends. We've never done a 10K, so it should be fun.

On another note, Lewis has been doing AWESOME with his training. He's up to 16 miles on his long run and is getting his week-day runs in each week. At this point, he's doing a long-long run every other week (so 16 last weekend, 7 today). He usually increases by 2 miles every other week. He's been feeling fine in those runs & is keeping up the good work!

I hope the rest of you are doing well with your training! Keep it up, wherever you are!

Jen

Today's Run:
8.30 miles
11:54 pace (not bad for me!)

Training Begins Again!

First of all, it is HARD to run in this heat! I just can't quite get in the groove! My body is just not capable of running in 90 degree weather.

But, we've got to start somewhere, so last weekend, Lewis & I both got in our first official long runs for this season. He ran 4 miles in the neighborhood. I ran 3 1/2 & walked 1/2 on the treadmill. My long runs will be on the treadmill until it cools down a bit. I started this way last year, so it'll work for me! We both felt good after our runs....not overly challenging since we've been out of the groove for a while now.

Lewis also got in a 5 mile run this morning. He ran it all in the rain. RAIN! We finally had some much-needed rain! I think he really enjoyed that run in the rain! He's been pretty consistent with his gym workouts this week, too.

We're off to a slow, but steady start!

Jen

We're IN Again!!!

Yay! We are IN once again for our second-go-round at the Houston Marathon & Half Marathon. We have some awesome new team members this year!

Team McMagsicle is:

MARATHONERS:
Steven
Lewis (yay! 26.2 just days after he turns 40!!)
Billy
HALF-MARATHONERS:
Jen
Dana
Greg
Suzanne
Tod
Congratulations to everyone! We hope you keep us up-to-date with YOUR training! Steven & I like to post our progress. Feel free to add your progress (or setbacks!) any time!

GO TEAM McMAGSCICLE!!!!

Jen

27 weeks till the big day!!

FINISHERS!

Here are our official times from the race:

HALF MARATHON:
Lewis - 2:22:02
Jen - 2:42:51
Gyn - 2:52:16

MARATHON:
Steven - 4:12:34
Billy - 4:53:35
Mike - 5:28:54

WAY TO GO TEAM McMAGSICLES!!!!

The Half Marathoners



Lewis, Jen & Steven just after Steven's finish

The Marahoners...who look like they barely broke a sweat!

WE DID IT!!!!!

Well, team....we did it! Each of us completed what we started 5 months ago. I am really proud of each member of our team. I thought I'd post a few pictures of each of us "in action"....I think the pictures tell the story!!!

Billy.....AKA Speed Racer just before mile 4

 

Steven just before mile 4

Michael passing his fans just before mile 4

 


Crazy Jen just before mile 4

 



Lewis approaching the finish line



Jen approaching the finish line



Gyn....almost there!!!



Steven in the home stretch....

Last Week!!

Just trying to stay hydrated this week and doing some easy treadmill runs. I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday & will do the same tomorrow. I'm over-obsessing reading Sunday's forecast. It keeps changing all the time. It'll be fine, regardless. We'll all survive. I'm excited that the BIG day is almost here. We've all been working hard & it's time to put our training into action! Good luck Team McMagsicles!!

Jen

Final Long Run (Steven)

Finished my final long run yesterday. Perfect weather and I felt good. I ran 8 miles in 1:08:47 (8:35 per mile) I pushed it just a bit to try and work out some of the lactid acid build up in my right knee. It has been sore a little bit this week after two runs of 3 miles, but nothing serious. I felt fine during the run. I just need to keep stretching and watch what I eat this week and drink lots of water. One week to go. Craziness.