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.

Two Weeks to go

For my 12 miler yesteday, I ran 10.93 miles in 1:38:05 (8:58 per mile) I undershot the distance a little bit because of convenient turn around points on my trail. I am comfortable with what a 9 minute mile pace feels like, but I am not sure I can hold it the whole marathon. I need 9:09 per mile or under to beat 4 hours. We shall see. I felt good, and the weather held up. Plan on running a couple times this week and then 8 miles Saturday for my final long run. TWO WEEKS TO GO!!! GO TEAM GO!!!

Last LONG Run

Lewis & I ran our LAST long runs before the race on Saturday. I ran 12 1/2 miles and Lewis ended up running 13. We are both VERY, very sore today. Yesterday after my run, I think everything in my body was sore from my neck to my toes. My knees are killing me. This is the first time my knees have ever hurt when I've run. The good news is that my breathing and overall stamina was good. My feet were also okay with my new orthodic in only my right shoe.

One thing I got a little bit frustrated about was my speed. I was holding a steady pace for my first 8 miles, then I started to slow down. In my head, prior to this run, I was thinking I could do this thing easily in 12 minute miles, if not faster. After mile 8, I was going more like 13 minutes a mile. I was very discouraged. I decided I didn't need to worry about my time. This is my first 1/2 marathon. I need to finish....not win the race! I also remind myself that a year & a half ago, I could barely run around the block. Wow....look how far we've come!

As far as being sore and running so slowly, I think the bottom line is that running for over 2 1/2 hours is a LONG time! I have upmost respect for you, Steven, Mike & Billy for tackling the full marathon. If my 35 year old body is aching like a 90 year old after 2 1/2 hours, I can't imagine how I'd feel after 4 hours!

On a positive note, Lewis & survived those final long runs and we're ready to tackle 13.1 in two weeks. We're looking forward to it! Go team McMagsicles!!

Jen

FINAL LONG RUN:
12.6 miles
2:40:50 (12:46 pace)

15 miles (Steven)

New Years day turned into an eventful day. I was all ready to run 20 miles, but when I exited my apartment parking lot, my brakes failed and I rammed the gate. I was going slow enough to not do damage to the gate or my car, but my heartrate went up, and I slowly turned around on the street to park my car back in the complex. I have had issues with my ABS light recently, but never had my brakes totally fail. Scary. So, I declared death to my car and took Lisa's car instead.

At this point, I was already amped up and not really in the running frame of mind anymore, but I still needed to get my run in. I started off strong and I kept going through scenarios about a new car in my head which increased my stress level. I was able to calm down after about 4 miles, and then hit my groove. When I got to a long straight away stretch, the wind was brutal. But, I kept pushing it. I stopped for water along the way a couple times to fill up my fuel belt. I knew I was going to have to stop at the 15 mile mark for water, but I knew once I stopped, I would not be able to start again. So, I made 15 miles my stopping point. After a crazy amped up morning, I was able to complete:

14.95 miles in 2:11:14 (8:46 per mile)

I was very pleased with my time, so now the super long runs are done. I will not be getting a 20 miler in, but I feel good about it. This last month will be about stretching and conditioning my legs. That is what is holding me back from the heavy miles. I think if I do that, I will be OK come race time. A good healthy start to the new year and a crazy car fiasco to start the new year.