by LT MarathonGirl | Jul 1, 2018 | Marathon Training, Running, Uncategorized
Hydrate
Nutrate
Poop
Run
In the summer, planning out your run the day before is just as crucial as logging those miles. I am a Weather Channel app addict. Extreme amazement at how often they get it wrong. It still helps to have some sort of expectation as to the elements. The next two weeks are gonna be scorchers here in Chicagoland. With training runs of 16, 17 and 2 10 milers during the extreme heat I’ve gotta plan on getting up as early as possible to get some relief from the blistering heat and have a strategy for hydration.
If you are planning a long run, walk, or hike here are some tips to stay hydrated.
- Hydrate before you go. This takes some planning so you don’t have to “go” when you go, but if you start hydrated it’s easier to maintain hydration.
- Choose a course that provides water. Many public parks have drinking fountains throughout. I am lucky enough to live near one that even has fountains for my furry running companion. Gotta keep pups hydrated too.
- Carry a water bottle. Not the most convenient because it gets tiresome carrying the bottle around. It’s funny how heavy a water bottle can begin to feel when you start to get fatigued.
- Drive ahead and leave bottles on your path. Not the safest most secure method, but if you are very familiar with your territory this plan can work for you.
- Wear a water bottle belt. The sloshing around may be uncomfortable, but it is handier than carrying that bottle around. I found that strapping the belt around my hips was much more comfortable than around my waste. It also doesn’t put as much pressure on your bladder if you take in too much liquid.
- Wear a hydration pack. A new favorite of mine. My husband was careful to select one for me that couldn’t get over-packed and become too heavy, the Camelbak Rogue is a game changer. Comfortable and able to store GU, keys and a cell phone it allows you to take frequent small sips and stay refreshed.
Happy running. Stay safe and hydrated.
by LT MarathonGirl | Jun 10, 2018 | Marathon, Marathon Training, Running
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
A training schedule to prepare for a marathon is a must, but you must build in flexibility both in your plan and in your mindset. Things are going to happen. Life is going to happen over the course of the months you will spend training. If your schedule is too rigid it can cause frustration or worse, cause you to give up.
My 2018 schedule is loaded with (more…)
by LT MarathonGirl | Jun 3, 2018 | Marathon, Marathon Training, Running
Chances of getting drawn were slim to none I thought. It was November 30th and the last day to enter the lottery for the 2018 Chicago Marathon. “I’ll never get drawn anyway” I remember thinking as I completed the on-line registration.
The very next day I got fired. My very first thought as I stared at my boss as he delivered the message was “shit, now I’m not even going to live in Chicago. I’m going to get drawn for sure now”.
Not that you need to live in the area of the event, but it does make it more convenient, much less expensive, and you don’t have to burn vacation days to do it.
Fast forward, and here we are, day 1 of official training. I like to do my training in reverse of most conventional training schedules and start with the long day. This way instead of dreading
the impending doom of the long run I “eat the frog” and get it done first. The whole rest of the week is a piece of cake. Leading up to this week I started piling on miles to prepare for a 1/2 marathon in April and continued getting in one 13 miler per week since then. Last month was a record month for me logging 148 miles, something I’ve never done before.
Here’s this week’s plan
Sunday – 13 miles Check. Done!
Monday – Shred class at Lifetime Fitness
Tuesday – 5 miles
Wednesday – 10 miles
Thursday – 5 miles
Friday – 5 miles
Saturday – 5 miles or cross train depending on how the legs feel
Entire schedule
by LT MarathonGirl | Feb 21, 2018 | Book Review, Business, Self Development
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of my all time favorites! I listened to it on Audible during my commutes. Sometimes I would sit in my car in my driveway and just keep listening. I found the history, geography and world culture lessons given through the lens of someone sharing their life story absolutely fascinating.
In January 2008, I saw the movie The Bucket List and crazy as it sounds, as a non-runner put “run a marathon” on my list. I’ve been running in a different brand ever since, but now that I have read this story I am going to the running store to pick up some Nike’s immediately.
Thank you Phil Knight for your contributions and thank you for sharing your story.
View all my reviews
by LT MarathonGirl | Jan 2, 2016 | Diet, Self Development, Whole 30
The top reason I have stayed with the same employer for over 20 years (dating myself) is that it is so great to work for a company with tremendous opportunity that encourages you to grow as a person. Several years ago they made it even more fun to do so with the 68 Day Challenge. Check it out here on Facebook: The 68 Day Challenge.
The challenge I am taking on this year – the Whole30 Program. 30 days of cleaner eating for better health. No grains, beans, dairy, added sugar, and alcohol for 30 days. What is attractive about this program?
First, anyone can do just about anything for only 30 days. Next, I love this philosophy that eating healthy is easy, it’s the psychology that gets in the way.
So, the challenge is 68 days and the program is only 30. No worries. This isn’t a program to jump right into. The first few steps that I am working on now:
- emptying my pantry of temptation
- reading It Starts with Food
- meal planning – for family members on the plan and those not on the plan
- schedule planning
This last one, schedule planning, has actually been the hardest part so far. Why make this program more difficult by trying to do it when there is extra temptation and will power busters? We’ve (I’m lucky that my husband agreed to go along on this journey) moved our start date from February 23rd (the day after my husbands birthday) to January 4th (let’s stop talking and get started) to January 8th (really, you have 2 business dinners this week).
