Day 16: The Hills are Alive...

...With the sound of music?!  Ha, not this morning they weren't.  

Our run today was once again decided on by Athena (why do I keep letting her do that?!).  You can just imagine, therefore, that an ungodly hill awaited us at some point along the 3-mile-loop.  We started at her house and went road running, fearlessly dodging invisible mailboxes and speeding cars.  It was pitch black.  But none of this compared to the huge hill/mountain that Athena alluded to at the beginning of our run.  So here I go, charging upwards, sites set on the top that seemed not too far off...  And let me just tell you, there was neither singing nor pleasant music of any sort on that hill.  All I could hear was my gasping lungs and the screams of my abused legs.  As we came to the rise, and I realized I had no reserve energy left, the road curved to the left and continued straight up.  Against my will, my legs (and the 10 extra pounds they still carry from Christmas) came to a stop.  

At times like these, we have learned to make good use of our exhausted state. We call it our "mid-run-stretch."  Whether of necessity, or simply for our fragile self-esteem, we have found these times of stretching to help both our legs and our lungs recover.  So halfway up the mini-mountain, we decided that it would be perfect timing to first stop (hallelujah!), and then do a couple toe-touches and hamstring-pulls.  Upon completing every stretch we could possibly think of (ha, not really), we continued to the top of the hill and started the blessed down-ward slope.  The final 1.5 miles consisted of a slight upgrade and then relative flatness.  

I've learned an important lesson from today's run:  when life seems like it's getting tough, look around at what it could be like, and you'll realize it's really not that bad after all.  Normally I would have been complaining about the gradual, nonetheless lengthy, uphill grade of the final part of our run today.  When compared, however, to the incredible steepness of the earlier "mountain," I found great joy and comfort in a challenge that was not nearly as challenging as the one I had just been through. 

Sorry for the book, but I hope you've been encouraged.

Posted by Kendra  

Day 15: Running in the Dark!

I think Kendra & I have officially given up on the track, especially since it always seems to be locked, even if there isn't any snow... grr!

We've been trying out alternate venues for our runs and went with the Rail Trail early this morning.  Decked out in a running light, headlamp, and reflective strips, as well as our winter warms, we embarked on the 3 mile run, which proved to be a challenge (at least for me!).  We stopped to stretch at approximately one mile, but my legs were already shot.  By mile 2.5, I felt like there were thousands of pins being pushed into my left hamstring, but continuing to run helped it feel better, I suppose???

Despite the almost constant pain & soreness, one cool thing from this new running craze is that Kendra & I are able to run 4 miles at a slow pace and survive!!  That's an accomplishment for me, at least!  :)  Now multiply that by 6.55 and add some hills... that's a full marathon!  Um yeah, we might die...

Day 14: I Can't Believe You're Making Me Do This!

So Athena and I have officially lost a couple friends as of this afternoon...to running.  Or maybe it was the cold weather.  Or perhaps the freezing wind.  Or better yet, all of the above...  


We amazingly had our biggest turnout for running today- five!  We met at the rail trail in the early afternoon, greeted with a cloudless sky and bright sunshine.  Yet despite these unaccustomed blessings, we still heard subtle complaints from the first-timers, such as, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MAKING ME DO THIS!!!"  


Our goal was to do at least 35 minutes of running.  We ended up doing 45 minutes, just a tenth shy of 4 miles.  Christmas goodies apparently add about 15 pounds to each leg, so this run was not fun for me.  I can't speak for Athena, as she ran like a trooper (or perhaps a drill sergeant).  Her encouragement was the only thing that kept me from walking the final mile.


As for our additional running buddies-- Kate, Megan, and Becky-- kudos to you all for braving the elements with us today!  It sounds like you had a bit too much fun (...eating dirty icicles?!) without us, but hopefully we can do it again soon!


Signing off and going to bed...

Posted by Kendra

Day 13: Run to a Destination

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!!

Well, Kendra & I didn't actually run today... we ran yesterday!  But after our run, we forgot to take video footage, so we met up later to do so... needless to say, our post is a little late!!

We did about 4 miles (3 of which were on the Rail Trail, 1 mile was through the city of York) in 47 minutes or so?  I'm not really sure, as I'm not the timekeeper!!  Regardless, it was a nice, flat, though slightly chilly run.  We survived and actually felt like we could have kept going!  Incredible, I know (especially for the end of only our 3rd week of training!)!!!  :)

Check out the post-run video... it was recorded later on the evening on December 24th, which was the actual day of our run!  :D

Day 13 1/2: A Christmas 5K (Sorta)

So this post is a little late, but I did manage to get it up here for memory's sake!  On Christmas day, I had the pleasure of running with my big sis, Kari, and our friend, Amanda!  They have been running now for about 2 months, but this was the first time we've gotten to run together.  : )  We figured their was no better way to kick off Christmas day than with a 4+ mile run in the park.  (Sorry about the "5K" in this post's title... "4+ Miles" just doesn't have the same ring to it!)  The run was challenging, but the company was good, so I can't complain.  They have finally been convinced to run the marathon with us--yay, girls!  Amanda and I have about the same stride and pace, so, Athena and I have found another running buddy... Kari, on the other hand, tends to frolic on her run, sprinting ahead, and then lagging behind... I'm afraid we may loose her in the 26+ miles, but I'm sure she'll find someone to talk to.  (love you, Kari!)

Day 12: A Shocking Discovery

What was this shocking discovery today?  ...You may be wondering.  Did you actually enjoy the run?  Do your muscles no longer ache?  Were you ready to get up at 5:30am?!  

Of course not.  Don't be silly.

The shocker today was actually 2 things.  1)  The track was open! (It's about time...)  And 2)  We chose not to run on the track!  I know, weird.  But Athena got to choose our route this morning since I insisted on running to grandma's yesterday.  Let's just say, after today Athena is no longer allowed to pick our running locations...

ha ha No it really was not that bad...ok, it was, but I was glad we switched up the routine a bit.  We ran what we call "Tennis Court Hill" (a steep, but relatively short, uh, valley?) 4 times.  One time down and up was about two tenths of a mile (actually a little more), so we lasted for about 0.8-0.9 miles--eh, why not make it an even 1 mile.  We finished up our run by taking our sore calves back to the track for 1.25 more miles. 

So we only did about 2.5 miles in about 33 minutes today, but I'd say the added intensity of Tennis Court Hill made up for the lack of mileage.  As much as I hate to admit I enjoy anything that has to do with running, I am liking the break from the track...lap after lap after lap of it.  It was good to be on flat softness to finish our run today, but my attention span seems to like these new challenges.  

I must be losing it.

Posted by Kendra

Day 11: To Grandmother's House We Go!

The track was STILL locked when we attempted to go for our run this morning, but Kendra had a back-up plan!!  We would run to her grandmother's house - what we made into a 3 mile long run (though we took a potty break halfway through... haha!).

Kendra apparently felt pretty good about the run, while I was just hoping it'd be over incredibly soon.  Though, I guess in hindsight, the run was in fact fairly reasonable - not too hilly, not too dark, etc.  A good run overall, I suppose!

We talked about our continually sore muscles and the fact that this running thing never seems to get any easier!  We're still not very fast, either... when do we actually get better?!?!?!?!?!?  When will we begin to ENJOY running??  Does that ever happen, or is "enjoying running" an innate characteristic that some will never possess??????

During our run, we also conversed about running as a weight loss technique, which definitely hasn't been working for me (I've GAINED 5 pounds since starting to run regularly!)... err!  Apparently it takes approximately 4 weeks until the appropriate weight loss happens, so I'll keep running & waiting!

The most important conclusion that we came to during our morning run today:  we are deathly afraid of the scary 5:30am trash truck...

Day 10: Our New Track

Today we were again greeted by a dead-bolted track.  Very disappointing.  So we once again had no other option but to run around the building.  Megan was with us today (what a friend, to get up early on her day off!), and although she did not lose her gloves this time, we did briefly lose her!  No need to worry, she met up with us at the end.  If only we ran twice as fast as she walked, we probably would have passed her.  But alas, sometimes it seems that our running is even slower than walking. 

So, our mileage equation for today:  

             0.7miles/lap x 4 laps + several small hills = 2.8 miles 

                        (I clocked it, I'm not really that good)


Time: I can't remember, but somewhere around 30 minutes. : )


Posted by Kendra

Day 9: Unexpected Glitch

We arrived at the track this morning to find it... LOCKED!  How dare they do that to us???  The sign does say the track opens at 6am, but every single other morning it was open at 5:30... err!  We'll have to take this one up with the facilities director...

Needless to say, we had to change plans - and quickly!  We debated waiting til 6am to begin our run, but decided that time was precious, so we should run right away.  We ended up running around the building and parking lot, which was snowy and slippery... PLUS it was hilly!!  Yup... we don't so much enjoy hills, but we made it :)

We were technically supposed to run 40 minutes today, but we kinda wimped out and ended up doing just over 30 minutes, and then walking a bit for a cool down.

By the way, the track still wasn't open by the time we left...

A new runner joined us today - MEGAN!  She didn't have to work and decided to join in on the "fun" - haha!  She didn't know what she was getting herself into, but she seemed to enjoy the brisk early morning run...

Points to ponder:  We're still confused about the wetness under our windbreaker jackets (do we really sweat THAT much??).  We wanna know if the distance on treadmills is accurate and translatable to miles around a track (for example).  And what type of running (flat or hills) makes the muscle on the back part of your thigh stronger?

*Athena*

Day 8: Frozen Muscles & JDitty

Wow, three days of running in a row!  That's gotta be a record for us.  AND we're still alive!  Another miracle!  You'd think we'd be getting the hang of this running thing now that we've almost finished our second week of training...yes, you'd think... Athena, however, aptly pointed out to me this morning that her muscles were stiff.  Again.  And as a faithful running buddy, I had to agree.  Instead of blaming the tightness on our rebellious bodies, we've once again turned to the weather.  We've simply decided that our muscles freeze the minute we step out of our warm cars, and they just never get the chance to warm up, thanks to the single digit windchill.  


Ok, enough ranting for today.


On the bright side, we also learned today that a story goes a long way for a non-runner...it can go a mile, in fact!  Ben decided to run with us today, instead of being miles ahead of us, so we made him tell us stories. : )  His first joke lasted about one lap around the track, so Athena thought that maybe the Christmas story would last a little longer.  Despite my protests, he decided to tell it in the NSV- New Street Version.  What followed was a story I vaguely remember hearing before... It was about an angel, Gabe, who told JDitty to take MPop to Bethlehem where she would have a kid, JC, who would be called Emmanuel, "God wit us, yo."  haha  We decided that he pretty much butchered the story, but hey, that's what he does for a living.  And besides, it got us through the final three laps of our run, so thanks, Ben.  I doubt I could have made it without you, although at the time I wasn't sure I would make it with you!  (My lungs aren't developed enough to run AND laugh at the same time)  I wish we could Rent-A-Ben to tell us stories every morning we run.  I bet he'd get through the whole Bible in 26.2 miles...


Posted by Kendra

Day 7: We're crazy!

So, I'm really beginning to think that we're slightly crazy for doing this marathon thing.  And, as Kendra said yesterday, we're especially crazy for starting in December!!

This morning Kendra & I ran 2 miles on the track in 18 degree weather with 14 mph winds!  FREEZING COLD - literally!  I'm honestly not sure how long it took us to run - we just wanted to get back into the warmth of our vehicles... ha!  Kate also joined for some running, and I'll have you know that Kate & I both (typically the late arrivals) beat Kendra in arriving at the track today!


A new running buddy:  my daddy's balaclava (ya know, those hat thingies that cover your entire head except your eyes & make you look like a bank robber - ha!)... EXCELLENT for warmth!!


Something we're pondering and needing to know before we embark on our longer runs:  What do runners (or in this case non-runners!) think about while running in order to prevent boredom??  We could really use some suggestions!!  :)


This quote is for Kendra... hehe:
"Nonmorning people rarely respond to alarm clocks."
Danae Jacobson

Day 6: Chased by the Wind...

 "I’m a believer in the don’t run unless being chased philosophy of personal fitness.  And even then, it really depends on who’s doing the chasing. ‘Cause let’s be honest, I’m not going to outrun many people; so why not skip all that running and just get to the part where they catch me?  A bit anticlimactic, yes, but much more energy efficient."

                                                ~Dawn Dais in The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women 


This morning's 5:30 run was, again, cold!  Although slightly warmer than other days, the wind mercilessly attacked not only our faces and fingers, but our poor helpless windpipes and lungs!  Needless to say, there was much less conversation today.  The "we" this morning included Kate, and more importantly, her new sneakers.  It was nice to have their company.  ; )  


But seriously, the windchill must have been like 10 degrees!  That ever-present, subtle question was once again whispering through my frozen little brain:  WHY IN THE WORLD DID WE CHOOSE DECEMBER???  The only pro to my very long con list was that we seem to run faster when the temperature drops below freezing.  Today we ran our two miles in about 21 minutes--although we didn't even take time to celebrate this feat.  We were too busy running to the warmth of our cars.  


Spring has never looked more wonderful.


Posted by Kendra.

Day 5: A longer run...

12/11/2010:  Well, the time came for us to do our "big" Saturday run, which according to the schedule was to be approximately 35 minutes.  Since our calendars don't really coincide - except for in the early mornings - Kendra & I hit the track at 6am for our run.  Ben came along for the fun (and we're still tryin' to talk him into running the marathon in October!).  Sadly, Kate was feeling "less than stellar", so we missed her today :(  Anyway, we did it - we ran 3 miles in 33 minutes (keep in mind, we've only been running for exactly a week now).  WAHOO!!  Enjoy the video for some more of our personal experiences with running this past week!

Day 4: To Knot, or Not to Knot?

That is the question indeed.

What in the world are you talking about?!  You are wondering... Well, it's a topic you probably haven't visited since the first grade, and, quite frankly, you probably haven't even cared to think about it since: how to tie your shoe.  Over the last 4 days of marathon training, however, we have discovered it is a dilemma every runner (or in this case, runner-wanna-be) will eventually face.


Let me clear something up right away.  The question is not whether or not to tie your running sneakers.  The dilemma is whether or not you choose to tie them the right way.  Ha, no kidding!  There is apparently a right and a wrong way to tie your shoes!  News to you too?  Read on.  


According to www.runnersworld.com, the right way to tie your laces is called the "reef" knot, in which the first knot is tied one direction and the finishing bow in the opposite direction.  The wrong way is called the "granny" knot (again, no joke!).  The mistake in this knot is tying both knots in the same direction.  According to the website, the difference between reef and the granny knot lies in the tension: "Lace tautness generated as your foot moves actually tightens a reef knot, while that same strain in the bottom part of a granny knot will work the top part loose."  


So there you have it.  No more need to interrupt your intense marathon training to haphazardly throw your laces together so that your shoes can somehow stay on your feet long enough to finish your daily 2 miles.  Unless, of course, you're sneaky enough to figure out that 5 seconds of retying gives you just enough time to catch your breath again....In that case, by all means, join me in continued "granny" knotting.  Happy running!


Posted by Kendra 

Day 3: Back to work!

Well, yesterday Kendra & I thoroughly enjoyed a day without running (remember, we don't even LIKE to run!), but today it was back to training at 5:30am on the track!  It was 21 degrees... SO COLD!!!  We figured we ran our 2 miles maybe a slight bit faster than previously, though we're going by Kendra's analog watch, which makes it hard to see the exact time (especially in the dark!).  We were excited today to have 2 other friends crazy enough to join us for our semi-regular morning running excursion!!!  Good job, Ben & Kate, for making it out for some fitness fun (always alliterating)!


Since we are not real runners, we have many questions about running that we will try to look up at some point (or if you know the answer, please reveal it!):

• Should we warm up a bit before stretching?
• Is it hazardous to sleep in an Under Armour compression top??
• How much water should a runner be consuming per day?
• Is there a secret to keeping shoes tied while running (geesh... those shoelaces were WILD today!)???
• How many layers & what kind of clothing should we be wearing when it's 21 degrees out?!?

We were lookin' a little rough after our run this morning...

Day 2: Welcome to the Worst 24 Weeks of Your Life!

This morning began the first full week of our marathon training...that's right, I said a marathon, as in over twenty-six miles of solid running!  Now if you're reading this and know either Athena or me, please pick yourself off the floor and attempt to stop laughing long enough to read our explanation...

Ok, nothin's coming to me.  


The truth is, there's no sane explanation for our sudden interest in running.  In fact, neither of us even likes to run!  But we are turning a new leaf, starting a new chapter--ok, we're just committing suicide-- to say:  WE RAN A MARATHON!  

We thought it would be fun to blog about our running excursions in the next 24 weeks and on to the marathon day.  I'm sure you'll hear a lot of ranting and a significant amount of complaining, but please don't let that scare you away!  We want to hear about your own adventures at the track or along the trail...anything but your love of running... THAT we don't want to hear...


Today's Tip from Kendra:  December is the absolute worst month to start training, with 5:30am runs not helping the situation.  But if neither can be avoided, make sure to drag along a couple friends to suffer with you!

Kate ran with us this morning!

Day 1: Our First Run!

Kendra & I embarked on our first run on Saturday, December 4th, 2010...

The book Kendra got for her birthday that will help us train for our first marathon!