As I reflect back on the last 5 months there have been many first: Coached my first road warrior team,  I have heard inspirational stories and met some incredible people, my first born is graduating high school, my daughter Delanie is running her first 25k.

This has been a dream of Delanie’s for 6 years, she started running in 3rd grade with girls on the run.She told me that year,  ”mom I’m running the big race with you” I told her you can’t “Why” Well because the 5/3 River Bank has rules.You have to be 14. Well to any 3rd grader that wasn’t fair. So in the years leading up to this year. Delanie has ran many 5k’s 10k’s. I wasn’t sure she would bring it up last year,being a freshman in high school. Delanie has a full load with her studies and she  swam Varsity , Elite soccer, Varsity cheer, Jv soccer. I was thinking she’s to busy to even think about this. Well I was wrong, we ran the Turkey trot together after the race she says “you know I’m running the 25K!” What! I was thinking seriously. I said fine but there will be ground rules. I told here I would not push her  to run. I gave her the 5/3 training schedule. I couldn’t coach her,I had my own Team to help train. She was fine with that. Feeling guilty about not helping her.I told her I would take her with me on the long runs.There were some very key people that have helped Delanie’s dream come true. Michelle and Greg from Run Gazoom  they have given more support that anyone could have expected. Thank you !! Greg , Delaine looks forward to running with you.She would finish a run with Greg and tell me he is Crazy wild Fast guy but she loved it. Thank you fellow Road Warrior team mates Melissa and Jenn for taken her with you.

There have been so many moments when I thought should I let her do this run. I worried more than I think I ever have in my whole life. The questions were flying though, will this hurt her body, does she have enough mental toughness, will she want to run after this. I’ve watch  her train , without complaining doing many runs by herself ,determined to reach her  goal. Than there was a soft voice Wednesday night”mom I don’t think I have train enough”Well I woke up and thought oh no! I said “Oh honey you’ve trained so hard you’ll be fine, just relax I promise you’ll be great!!Well this morning she told me I’m ready!!.

As a Mother I’ve had memories that I will Cherish forever. I couldn’t  be prouder. I’m so glad to be part of her dream!!

Some words of wisdom From Delanie, Strive to do your best,follow your dreams ,run hard, Have FAITH!!

I’ll see everyone at the finish!!

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Well  it’s getting to be that time. Crunch time were six weeks away from the Race day. The next couple of weeks should be your high mileage weeks .You  should be putting in about 28 to 40 miles in per week ,depending on your experience level. These are the days were your tweaking your routine. What are you eating before you run? Does it upset your stomach? Is it enough to get you thought the first part of your run. Have you used your GU?. Not a good idea to try it on race day. Remember to use it the correct way with WATER!! Moving on to your shoes. I  rotate two pairs at a time so I have just the right amount of wear. Clothing this is a big one. I test clothing when I’m out for a long run. I really hate it when I get chafing. My new thing to wear is compression short .I’ve found that I don’t get any chafing around my legs.

The Mental part of running .Visualize while your running. I try a picture how things should go during my run. Also try and focus on your surroundings, people watch, talk to fellow runners. There can be a time where you hit a wall. This is where you can make or break your race. It’s like for me the devil is on one side and my saving grace on the other. You have to stay positive and fight thought. For me the crowds and music help  energize me. By the time I’m at mile 12 I’m already thinking about the next race I can run. There it is the Finish line!!! You made it!! nothing else matters because no matter how you ran you Finished and it was all worth it in the end.

Quote of the week “Winners don’t make excuses”

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For Women only I like the way that sounds. Thursday night I had the opportunity to be part of a panelto of women talking about specific issue we go thought as a runner. Kristen our race director started with Race 101. She talked about water stations to porta johns. Here is something I didn’t know and I’m glad to share. The downtown area will be under allot of construction come spring so you should know that many ramps to downtown will be close. However the Fifth Third River Bank run will keep you updated so make sure you check the web site and leave early on race day.(53riverbankrun.com) .

Erica who is a Sport dietitian for Spectrum Health. Erica explained the importance of eating the appropriate amount of Carbs  and fats.So you don’t have the crashes . It’s very important that after a long run you eat some sort of Carbohydrate . She also talked about supplements and that we do need to replenish our sodium and potassium. GU and Chomps are a couple that I use. It;s important that you try them before a race or training so you know how your body is going to react to them. Chomps are the gummy chews there great for those of us that have the need to chew. I use them quite often later in the day after a long run for a pick me up. Erica also talked about hydration,we should be getting 60z of water or supplement ie. Gatorade. Here one for you to you should have to pee about an hour after running a long run. If you haven’t you could be dehydrated. So drink up.

Amy was there from Brook’s she talked about there awesome shoes Here is a cool tip she shared. Brook’s shoes are going green. They are made of a biodegradable material that breaks down quicker. so they send less time in the land fills 20years compared to thousands. Amy also talked about there reflective gear, which I love there reflectivejacket. This is a must have if you run outside.I always say Saftey first!! Wright socks these are great wicking socks. My problem with socks were the rubbing against my toes and I developed calluses on the bottom. I”ve been wearing the Wright sock know for six months and I don’t have the calluses and my feet are drier.

Last but not least I talked about training . Where you should be at this point in the program. Good rule of thumb is the earl months in your training is to get the time on your body. I do speed work either at the YMCA . Which is an awesome place to train. Or mid March. I prefer not to worry about snow issues. I have found the older I get the wiser I am about trying to avoid injury. Rest many of us try and follow a schedule that’swonderful but remember that you also need to rest.Women , Stretching we don’t do enough  . Sometime we skip it altogether because we are so busy. But I have found taking the extra few minutes really helps me the next day. So Stretch, Stretch.

Gazelle, Vicky talked about keeping those girls together. Sports bras and the importance of proper fit. I didn’t know that you should replace your bra if you could read the label. Well no wonder you chafe . A good rule of thumb is when you replacingyour shoes replace you sports bra. Vicky also talked about the awesome running clubthey offer. Run Gazoom this a great club for all running levels. They we train you though what ever distance. They have an awesome support staff that is there to answer all your question.

Wow a little long winded today. I just want to say. The more I involved,I’m always delighted to see how there are improving the Fifth Third River Bank Run making this the BEST race you would ever want to Run. Our next event is Saturday March 6th at 8 :00a.m. at YMCA downtown we’re having a open to the public training run. There is many distances to choose from . Both RunGR and Gazzom will be running . There will be a wealth of trained people to help with any questions you might have. Many or our sponsors will be there also So I look forward to seeing you

Quote of the week:

“Don’t count the days,make the day count

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Well it’s been crazy!! to say the least. If anyone knows me,I’m going a hundred miles an hour seven days a week. Friends often ask how do you fit your runs in.There part of my life, when I have a off day. I’m always wondering what I was missing . It real important that you take rest days even if you don’t want to. Your body needs that time. That brings me to my next point. I have been running with Gazoom on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s.I never thought I would enjoy running with a group. But I have found I love the support . The coaches are outstanding!!. Joining a running club can be overwhelming. Not this one I walked up to them that first Tuesday’s  the coaches welcomed me other runners were to. I felt strange at first but loved it , I wanted to come back and for me that is a first. This program has something for every running level.
When you join they give you a folder with a wealth of information. Everything from the training schedules to power foods. They email you with the map and what is planned for that days run , which I love being as busy as I  am, knowing is have the battle!

Quote for the week

“The sweat we spill today is payment for our Victories of tomorrow”

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Well its’ Monday and I’m moving I cranked out 6 miles this morning. Thanking God that the temperature was warmer than this past Saturday. Rachel and I ran 8 miles and we looked like frosty the snowman when we were finished not to mention it took me the better half of the day to warm up. So lets talk about what we should wear in temperature’s around ZERO. I thought that what I was wearing was good however after all is said I needed more. I was wearing running tights and Brooks wind pants, wicking long sleeve , fleece jacket and my Brooks reflective jacket, headband ,gloves and neck gator. They say a good rule of thumb is to dress for 20 degrees than it is outside . I guess I ‘ll have to pay more attention to the temperature. The great thing that came out of this was we didn’t give up!!It’s easy to just roll over and go back to bed because it cold.

Quote of the week

“A run begins the moment  you forget you are running”

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