Overview

Planning 2 run the whitestone 30k (18 mi)  http://www.ktc.org/RaceWhitestone.html  on Sunday.

Beautiful Bed & Breakfast: http://www.whitestoneinn.com/weddings.html

I anticipate a time of 3hr 20/30 min or so. Starts at 8:30 - suspect will be crossing the line about noon, just in time for the awesome brunch provided. everyone says it is delicious! I am excited about my husband, kids and mom being at the finish line to support me. I have a great family!

I am always amazed at how quickly time passes between my blogs. I always intend to be more frequent in my postings, but time just flies by. I ran the Calhoun's 10 miler in 1hr 44 min. After that was the Strawberry Plains half marathon. my time on that was a bit slower, but the course was tougher. I ran that in 3hrs 24 min at about 11min miles.

I have committed to preparing a little harder for this 18 miler. I ran a 17 miler on Saturday with the Knoxville Track club http://www.ktc.org/  starting at the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic out to Neyland Stadium. I am pictured here w/ my 2009 Covenant Health Marathon Teammate - Chevy just after the 8 mile turnaround point.  http://www.knoxvillemarathon.com/RaceInfo/MarathonMinute.cfm

I will run this week each day w/ an increasing distance Mon/4, tues/5, wed/6, thurs/5 then fri/4. Additionally, the elliptical each evening for no less than 4 miles. I will rest on Saturday and then hopefully be prepared for the 18miles on Sunday. I did pick a route w/ some hills on Monday and was able to continue running, so I am hoping to develop my strength on hills as Whitestone  is a challenging, hilly course as is the Knoxville marathon. see the course description & map: http://www.knoxvillemarathon.com/RaceInfo/Marathon.cfm

I do plan to reward my commitment this week w/ a night out for Mex food and Margaritas  at Pelanchos (our favorite) w/ my husband on friday night. Then maybe even out salsa dancing at Fairbanks where he and I met since I have all of Saturday to recoup.

Wednesday morning I am going hiking Cades Cove w/ Missy Kane and friends mall walking group: https://www.covenanthealth.com/coldfusionapplication/covhlthwhatsnew/Detail.cfm?Post_ID=17607 for a an 8 or so mile distance. It is supposed to be a beautiful day so I am excited about that as the last 3 wednesdays have been horrible storms.  More Later!!

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Saturday long run was another milestone in my beginning program as a "marathon runner".  I would love to classify myself in such an accomplished group, but, I have not yet earned that title and can therefore . . . "not yet bestow it upon myself."  I don't really talk like that; i just thought it sounded cool, or intelligent - maybe poetic -->alright, wierd. My mind works like that sometime.  Maybe that is what happens after running 16 miles and taking 2 hours and 57 minutes of my life to bang one foot in front of the other relentlessly on the pavement in the very cold and rainy weather. What was I thinking??  Is this supposed to be good for me?

Again, it was a great feeling of accomplishment. I try to not be concerned about time but I know that I am. Some call it competitive, some call it Type A personality, I call it wanting to do the best that I know I can do and not settling for less than that --> you don't have to share with me what YOU call that! Especially if it includes words like "anal" or "compulsive", "uptight" or any of those other endearing and charming phrases used to describe people like me.  I find comfort in knowing that there in fact are other people like me which may be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view and what kind of person you are, but that's O.K. I consider it good - ha, ha.

One of the other team members expressed a desire to get less than 4 hrs 30 min in time because that is the time Oprah Winfrey ran her marathon in.  I remember a similar incident in which I set a time in my mind. Just after I was selected to be on the 2009 Covenant Health Marathon Team I heard that Beth Ostrosky, 36 yr old former model wife of the radio shock Jock Howard Stern completed the NYC marathon in 4 hrs 15 minutes, http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/11/03/howard_stern_on_hand_for_wife_s_nyc_mara Being of the non competitive, type b personality that I am NOT, I told myself if she can do it, I can too! So that 4 hr, 15 minute time just can't seem to get out of my head - UGH. So that is the story behind the time in my head.

I'll keep you updated. Gotta go Run!!

Tags: covenant health knoxville marathon, knoxville, tn

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Can't believe how time passes. Now it is the new year and I have not done well w/ training workouts, blogging nor cleaning my house over the past two weeks, but I am back. New year, new resolutions, must get back into training w/ a purpose in mind. 

Today was the first Knoxville Track Club www.ktc.org training run for the NEW year.  I was very excited about it and went to bed somewhat early, hydrated as I should and brought the cell phone that I use for the alarm next to my bed.  Unfortunately, I forgot to ensure that the alarm was turned on --> my bad.  I woke up at 4:35 a.m. in anticipation for the run. Oops, too early, back to sleep. Next time my eyes opened, my clock showed 7:31 a.m. Darn it!! that is take off time from the Runner's market 15 minutes away. Luckily I had set out my stuff the night before so I threw it on, jumped in the van and headed to the starting point.  I did feel a little relief as I saw one other runner just taking off as I pulled up. At 8:00 a.m. I started on my run with the encouragement of Jason who said I could probably catch some of the other runners as some had just taken off.

It was a good feeling to catch up to some of the other around third creek @ neyland drive, just past Tyson Park.  I continued running with a group up to Neyland Stadium, the turn around point for 13 miles.  I ran into Chevy Lewis at that point and she and I ran a good portion of the return run together along with two other guys who ran just a bit quicker than my pace. That was good because it gave me incentive as they would occasionally curve around a corner or over a hill out of my sight. I would push a bit harder to catch back up near them.  The end of the 13 miles took me up a pretty steep hill and I walked the last half mile or so, but wow! two hours and 25 minutes of running.

It was a great feeling of accomplishment. I'm on my way for the New Year and ready to commit to a year of great family fitness.  The best feeling was when I got home and my 8 year old daughter asked if I was ready to run? She reminded me that I promised her that she and I could run the neighborhood together when I was done w/ my training run. I was very sore, and very tired, but excited about her motivation and desire to follow my example and run! So, off we went! It should be a great year!!

Tags: Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon

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. . . on Saturday or Sunday at 7:00 a.m., you'll find they're either already out running or just about to head out the door" explains Hal Higdon in his Chapeter 10, Running Long - endurance is essential for success as a marthoner.

Well, I don't consider myself yet a distance runner or a marthoner, but I was out on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. in the frigid 27 degree teamperature on my way to the Orhopedic Clinic on Weisgarber Road to run what is long distance for me - 8 miles.  I was apprehensive about the distance beacuse I can't remember the last time I ran that far, if ever.  Though I do believe I did an 8 miler or two while running cross country on the 260th Military Intelligence cross country team while stationed with the Army at Ft. Huachuca Arizona in 1990. Our races were 10k distance. 

I was fortunate to have a faster runner, Michael Harvey from the Green team, agree to pace for me.  We started out well and hit the 3 mile turn around point a little faster than expected.  We were still conversing at that point.  We then went on to the 4 mile turn around for the 8-mile training marker and I sure started feeling it. I was questioning my decision to run 8 miles instead of the 6-mile option that some were running.  When I hit the 5 miles, I was moving very slowly. I felt bad for Michael because I know that he is capable of running so much faster but so grateful that he kept me going. I know had he not been running with me that I would have broken down and walked. Then I got a second wind on the 6th and 7th mile and ran the last mile so-so.  I was pleased with the overall time of 1hr 21 minutes - aprox. 10 min. miles.  That is about 30 seconds per mile faster than I have been running, and I attribute that to Michael's encouragement and pace setting. 

Today I ran the Reindeer 5k run in Maryville.  That was lots of fun, but it was cold and hilly.  I ran the first mile in 9:30 and hit the second mile marker at 19.12.  both less than 10 minute miles so I was thrilled.  Then the 3rd mile was quite a bit slower with lots of hills to end the run.  My finishing time was 32:03 which was a minute slower than my last 5k which was on flat groung. It was nice to have my husband and 3 of my kids at the finish line to cheer me home.

Bottom line: I am seeing impovement and that gives me a sense of accomplishment which is a good feeling.  I am feeling good and am getting the "me" time away that I need.  I also love the social aspect of seeing people I know and meeting other people at every event all with the same goal in mind - get out, get moving, get healthy!

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Clark Campbell, a coach and professional triathalete from Lawrence Kansas goes on to explain, "The ability to adhere to a specific well-though-out and long-term training program is the most necessary factor leading to success in the marathon."

I feel honored to have the guidance of some very experienced professionals in setting a training plan for myself in my journey to my goal of crossing the finish line of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on March 29, 2009.  I would like to introduce them to you in no particular order of importance. All have been equally invaluable to us ordinary folk trying to achieve and extraordinary goal:

Missy Kane has been invaluable as our team trainer.  She is a former UT track and field coach, former Olympian and Pan American Games medalist and has been helping us with developing our training plan. http://www.covenanthealth.com/healthy/mkane/index.cfm 

Phil Bevins, PT, OCS, CSCS, Board Certified clinical specialist and certified strength and conditioning specialist specializes in the treatment of overuse injuries in the runner and the cyclist.  He provides each of us with a free runner's evaluation and assisted in the development of my 18 month training plan.  He advised me on the best shoes to get to counter my slight pronation on my left leg, shoe inserts to prevent injuries and a shin wrap to support during running also to prevent injury.  I would recommend him to every runner or cyclist to perfect form and avoid injuries. He is with the ParkWest Therapy Center, 200 Fort Sanders West Blvd., Bldg. 1, Sutie 201, Knoxville, TN 37922 and can be reached at (865) 531-5710.

Kayla Matrunik, MS, RD, Clinical Dietician for Fort Sanders Health & Fitness Center. She educates us on Running Hydration, Distance Runner's diet for peak performance to include overall nutrition, prerace nutrition and what to eat in the last few day before a distance event and offers regular lunch & learn clinics on helpful topics such as "Cooking on a Dime:  Learning how to make healthy dishes inexpensively."  She can be reached at (865)-531-5116. kmatruni@CovHlth.com

Jason Altman, an assistant manager of sorts for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Team who is instrumental in coordinating our training activities and acting as a liason between the the Knoxville Track Club (www.ktc.org) and the Marathon team. He advises on dressing for running conditions and is an expert athletic shoe fitter.  All may be purchased at the Runner's Market http://www.runnersmarket.com/ .  Additionally, he is the technology consultant to the team. He can be reached at (865) 684-4294. jason@knoxvillemarathon.com ,

Tonya Stoutt-Brown is the Covenant Health Marathon Team Manager, Marketing Specialist at Covenant Helath.  She worked at WIVK radio station for 13 years and is an expert in promoting the team and it's goal of inspiring others to get out and get active through each team member's journey to participate in the activities of the 2009 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Tonya can be reached at (865) 374-0426. tstoutt@covhtlh.com

Eddie Reymond is owner of The Health Shoppe and one of the originators of the Knoxville Marathon.  He spent many hours with a team to develp course, logistics, advertising, sponsors and all the other endless details that go into establishing a big city marathon.  He is an expert on nutritional supplements, refueling nutrients after training, products to aid body repair and much more pertaining to health and nutrition.  He is an accomplished long distance runner and can be reached at (865) 693-4909.  His store is located at 8025 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 in the Suburban Center by Toys R Us.

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God places people in our lives for a reason! I have been blessed by my recent encounters with previous team members Renee Kelly and Kim Deacon. It was so awesome and inspiring to get more details on their individual stories and to get the encouragement from them.  Additionally, I ran into current team member, Michael Harvey while on my way into the Fitness Center with my family on Tuesday night.  It was neat to talk training with him, to hear what he is doing and how he is progressing in his preparation; very well, I might add eventhough he is on the "other" (green) team. I still think he is doing well.

Today I ran 5 miles. I call it the Turkey Creek 5 mile look, kingston pike to lovell road to turkey creek to campbell station road.  I was thrilled that I ran the entire thing with a little walk at the top of two hills. More exciting was the fact that I felt so good doing it! I have to admit that I was kind of dreading it primarily because I have struggled in the past, huffing and puffing my way through. Today was different and I am feeling that I am on my way and can feel myself getting stronger and having more endurance which is just a neat feeling of accomplishment. Stay tuned . . .

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Where each day has a purpose." Hal Higdon goes on to explain, "If the weather is bad, you still run. If you have important business, you simply rise an hour early to run. Getting to the finish line of your first marathon is just a matter or preparation."

I have taken this advice to heart and have made a commitment to work training into my daily schedule.  Today I ran my 4 miles as scheduled, though I did get out a little later than planned - 9a.m. instead of 7:30, but the point is, despite the rain and the 40 degrees weather, I did it. I got out and ran. I was surprised at how good I felt and how quickly I warmed up. I also felt that I ran a little faster (yeah!) than my normal slow-moe jog. I really was feeling good and maybe, just maybe this is getting easier though I remember the words of Brian Piper, an experienced Marathon Runner, " Running a marathon never will be easy. If it were easy, the challenge would be gone.  But learning to train right can increase your enjoyment in both training for and running the race." 

I have put a lot of thought and research (looking at may other training programs and ideas via books, internet and talking with experienced runners) into how I plan to train over this 4 month period and I do feel that I have a plan that will work for me understanding that no one training program fits all. I am feeling enjoyment, motivation and rewards at each milestone.  Each day is one day closer to my goal and if I follow the plan, do the work, train the muscles and put in the miles, I feel that I can cross that finish line around the 5 hour time frame or less with a SMILE on my face. I'm feeling this will be the first of at least two marathons that I will run. I plan to reward myself with a trip to Hawaii for the Honolulu Marathon at some point in the future.  There is a combined purpose of this trip. My brother lives in Hawaii, I graduated in 1984 from Kailua High School in Hawaii and have not been back since then and this is the marathon that my dad ran his fastest marathon time of 2 hrs 48 min.  Though I will never top that, I remember standing at the finish line helping him over to the aid station to get some cramps worked out of his legs. So, I have some things to work towards!

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"Before running a Marathon, Learn HOW to run" is Hal Higdon's subtitle advice for Chapter 3 titled "Your very FIRST steps" of his book that I am reading. I am now in the official learning stage. I am enjoying the learning portion of my journey and can't seem to get enough information on training, nutrition, hydration, and all of the steps involved in preparing for a Marathon.  It is interesting to see all the different information and perspectives of the process.  I especially appreciate reading about the "mistakes" that people have made in training, diet, nutrition, etc. so that I may be fortunate enough to avoid some of them though I have no doubt that I will make a few  if not many of my own.

I have been pleased with my training progress though I do get frustrated in my results. I ran the Buddy's Race for the Cure 5k in 32:12 - aprox. 10:30 min per mile. The Autumnfest 8k on Thanksgiving day averaged about the same - time 53:06.  This is frustrating for me when I can remember a time, O.k. eventhough it was WAAAYYY back when and before 4 kids, that I used to run 8min - 8:30 minute miles or better in my best o'best a shape.  All I can do is to keep training and believing that the improvements will come.  After the 8k, i wondered could I run what I just ran another 4 1/2 more times.  Ugh, hard to imagine! Fortunately, I have time and motivation on my side, so will just be consistent and do the miles and cross training and try to attain improvement over time and not push myself to injury.  It is a hard balance, though, because most times I don't feel that I push myself enough and I that I settle for way less than what I am capable of which leaves me feeling a lack of an ability to "push" myself to be the best that I can. I try to remind myself that it is a process, a road to be traveled, a journey to a destination and that destination is simply (ha, ha) completing the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on March 29th. I remind myself that if the mere completion of my goal goes well, then there are other marathons that I can train for and the ability to become better is going to be present. It is a struggle inside of my own mind.

For training, I have a 3 day a week running workout, 2 days of cross training (elliptical & weights/ body pump class) and 2 days of true rest as my general rule. Of course, the mileage and intesity will be increasing so I should be up to par in 4 months. I am super pleased and the toning & endurance results & the 18 lb weight loss that  I have had this past 4 months since renewing my commitment to health & Fitness in August.  I look forward to that only improving as I go.

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