So here we are on to our second installment of Tuesday Tunes!
As I stated last week I am definitely a runner who runs with music. I know some of you poo poo that idea but for me it's motivating. I have been known to skip a run until later because my iPod was not charged. For me when I hear certain songs it pumps me up. I'm also a spin instructor so we all know how important music is to those classes. A bad mix of music can make a 60 minute class painful.
Like it or hate it music is motivating. Come on even the most dedicated runner who never runs with music can attest that certain songs can bring out your "beast mode" pretty quickly.
Did you like last weeks selection? If you missed it you can find the post here. This weeks song is one that mixes a little techno with an oldie. It's California Dreaming by Royal Gigolos. Listen to the whole 30 second preview before you make your decision. It's such a fun song. When I play it in spin class people are like what the heck is this but as soon as the beat of the older version gets mixed in and people love it!
Let me know what you think.
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Tuesday Tunes!
I am definitely a runner who runs with music. I have been known to skip a run until later because my iPod was not charged. For me when I hear certain songs it pumps me up. I'm also a spin instructor so we all know how important music is to those classes. A bad mix of music can make a 60 minute class painful.
Like it or hate it music is motivating. Come on even the most dedicated runner who never runs with music can attest that certain songs can bring out your "beast mode" pretty quickly.
So I thought I would start sharing some of my favorites. I always am tweaking my play lists and before my races I will make a play list based on the time I want to complete my race in. I will put a certain song at the 2 hour mark so I can gauge how I'm doing. Yes I have my garmin or Nike+ watch to look at but sometimes hearing that song at the two hour mark will refocus me on my goal.
So for today I am giving you one of my favorite songs, I Feel So Close To You; by Calvin Harris EP remix. This has been on my spin class play list as well as my marathon play list. It has a great beat. Take a listen you won't be disappointed.
Happy Tuesday!
Like it or hate it music is motivating. Come on even the most dedicated runner who never runs with music can attest that certain songs can bring out your "beast mode" pretty quickly.
So I thought I would start sharing some of my favorites. I always am tweaking my play lists and before my races I will make a play list based on the time I want to complete my race in. I will put a certain song at the 2 hour mark so I can gauge how I'm doing. Yes I have my garmin or Nike+ watch to look at but sometimes hearing that song at the two hour mark will refocus me on my goal.
So for today I am giving you one of my favorite songs, I Feel So Close To You; by Calvin Harris EP remix. This has been on my spin class play list as well as my marathon play list. It has a great beat. Take a listen you won't be disappointed.
Happy Tuesday!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Am I Crazy?
Does it seem like everyone thinks I'm crazy? When you tell people you are training for a marathon they look at you and nod appreciatively. Most people even if they haven't run one can relate in some form or fashion. When you tell someone that you are training for an ultra marathon you get a blank stare....
Oh what is that, they ask. So you try to explain that there are many types of ultra races, 32 milers, 50 miles, 100 miles, 50K, 100K, 12 hour 24 hour...the list goes on; but you've chosen a 50 mile ultra race. Again with the blank stare and maybe an eye roll. The next question I get is....50 miles in one day? Yes in one day I say. Again the blank stare, eye brows furrowed, you can see the smoke billowing from there head trying to imagine running 50 miles. The next question I get is Why? Honestly that's a hard one to answer because I have many reasons for wanting to take this on.
For starters I like a challenge. I like to push the limits of what I am capable of. I know fitness is important for a healthy life but having a goal, big or small keeps me motivated. I like to have races on the books, it makes me accountable. Also I really enjoy running long distances. I relish my long runs. I do most of my training alone. I love being with my thoughts, it's where I find some space from the hectic day to day. I can think through things and gain perspective. It is something that is solely mine which being married and having three children you can lose sight of yourself. So that's why I run...that's why I'm taking this on.
So Why am I training for a 50 mile Ultra Marathon...because I can and it brings me joy. Oh and PS to all of my blank stare friends....I'm not crazy.Well ok maybe a little :)
Oh what is that, they ask. So you try to explain that there are many types of ultra races, 32 milers, 50 miles, 100 miles, 50K, 100K, 12 hour 24 hour...the list goes on; but you've chosen a 50 mile ultra race. Again with the blank stare and maybe an eye roll. The next question I get is....50 miles in one day? Yes in one day I say. Again the blank stare, eye brows furrowed, you can see the smoke billowing from there head trying to imagine running 50 miles. The next question I get is Why? Honestly that's a hard one to answer because I have many reasons for wanting to take this on.
For starters I like a challenge. I like to push the limits of what I am capable of. I know fitness is important for a healthy life but having a goal, big or small keeps me motivated. I like to have races on the books, it makes me accountable. Also I really enjoy running long distances. I relish my long runs. I do most of my training alone. I love being with my thoughts, it's where I find some space from the hectic day to day. I can think through things and gain perspective. It is something that is solely mine which being married and having three children you can lose sight of yourself. So that's why I run...that's why I'm taking this on.
So Why am I training for a 50 mile Ultra Marathon...because I can and it brings me joy. Oh and PS to all of my blank stare friends....I'm not crazy.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
It's really happening!
I've got so many things to share I'm not sure which one to tell you all first! OK first I am officially registered for the Stone Cat 50 Mile Ultra Run- November 8th! Whoot whoot! It was a lottery for entry so even though I signed up right at 12am when the lottery opened I wasn't sure I had gotten in until it closed 12 days later!
Other great news surrounding my latest challenge is that I have an amazing coach and friend to guide me through this next journey. Her name is Tara and I will be sharing more about her experience as an accomplished ultra runner in another post. But all I can say for now is I cannot wait to learn from her and embrace the ultra running community.
As my coach Tara asked me to think about what my goals were for this race. Goals....humm that's an interesting concept. It's a great question and one I probably would have over looked in thinking through my plan. I mean when I run a road race, time is usually the first and foremost goal for me. A personal best is always in play at most of my races now. But when going for a 50 mile ultra run the goals must be different. So I pondered this for a few days and I jotted them down. This is what I came up with and emailed to her.
OK so I have been thinking about what you asked me, i.e. My goals for this 50 mi trail race.
Pretty basic I know, but right now I'm not feeling in tip top physical shape. As for running I feel good. My base mileage is where it needs to be, but I need to work on some strength training and find a balance. Unfortunately cross-fit just isn't fitting into my training schedule right now, so I have to look at other options for me. Hot yoga is very important for my flexibility so I have to get that in at least 1x per week now. I have an initial plan that I got off of this site. But Tara has taken all of my requests i.e. Yoga, Strength Training, need for variety into account and she is mocking up my plan as we speak. I am very, very, VERY scared to trail run by myself so that is going to be a huge obstacle for me to conquer. But what is life without challenges?
This past week was my first full week of training, where I accomplished training runs and required weekly milage. The first 4 weeks are really about ramping up my mileage again to get a good base. I was pretty psyched that I rocked my first back to back long runs a 12 mi Saturday and 10 mi Sunday. ((It is to be noted that I was only so posed to do 8, somehow I had it in my head it was 10 miles and I did 10, oh well). I felt amazing, way better than I thought. In fact Sundays run was much more enjoyable than Saturdays who knew! I guess the object is to keep your expectations low and you won't be disappointed! LOL. This was last weeks schedule and what I actually did.
Other great news surrounding my latest challenge is that I have an amazing coach and friend to guide me through this next journey. Her name is Tara and I will be sharing more about her experience as an accomplished ultra runner in another post. But all I can say for now is I cannot wait to learn from her and embrace the ultra running community.
 |
| Tara & I after a hot 2014 Boston Marathon finish. |
OK so I have been thinking about what you asked me, i.e. My goals for this 50 mi trail race.
1. Make it through the training uninjured.
2. Learn how to eat/hydrate properly. Complete the race without being nutritionally depleted. (This one is big for me because I have had many races where I have experienced the repercussions of dehydration.)
3. Finish the race feeling strong both mentally and physically. (I think I have mentioned that I have been having issues with psyching myself out, so I want to feel totally confident in my abilities and not doubt myself or the training process.)
4. Finish under 11 hours. (I do think this is a lofty goal, but hey a girls gotta dream right?)
This past week was my first full week of training, where I accomplished training runs and required weekly milage. The first 4 weeks are really about ramping up my mileage again to get a good base. I was pretty psyched that I rocked my first back to back long runs a 12 mi Saturday and 10 mi Sunday. ((It is to be noted that I was only so posed to do 8, somehow I had it in my head it was 10 miles and I did 10, oh well). I felt amazing, way better than I thought. In fact Sundays run was much more enjoyable than Saturdays who knew! I guess the object is to keep your expectations low and you won't be disappointed! LOL. This was last weeks schedule and what I actually did.
Jul 21 Week 3 01040204 4.58 0 12 12.01 810.333036.3
I did more than I needed and I understand that cannot continue. The 10 on Monday was actually soposed to be done the previous week but I couldn't get it in so it happened Monday, hence the 0 mileage on other days. On tap this week was this.... I'm off to hit that 14 miler! I really feel like this is happening! Yippee!
Jul 28 Week 4 0 25.584065.580 14 8 34
Monday, July 21, 2014
That little voice...
Isn't it crazy when you embark on a new journey? The endless questions, internal battles, all asking the same questions "what if"....
I have been on this mental roller coaster for about 18 months. Since we moved to Massachusetts in Sept of 2012. There were so many "what if" scenarios that played out in my husbands and my head before we made our big move. But I'm here to attest that we are still together, happily married (most days😉), we are not destitute, living on the streets....our children didn't crumble from the trauma of leaving their friends or family, we are not friendless or unhappy with our choices. So right now I look back and think it was all for naught. Not worth the time and energy.
But yet here I am snarled into another worrying frenzy. Allowing myself to be mentally sucked into the contemplating of my decisions. As soon as that starts self doubt takes over and I'm rethinking everything.
Last night as the hubs and I snuck away for a date night. We talked about our goals for this year. So many were house related, some were career/family driven. But then we spoke of my next life goal I talked about my 50 mile run. As soon as you tell anyone your planning on attempting that mileage they say "why?" "Why would anyone want to do that?" Actually I have that answer. I want to prove to myself that I am capable of something I never thought possible. In 2009 when I secretly started training for my first 1/2 marathon I thought that was the impossible. Yet here I am.... Crossing the finish!
I couldn't even run a mile when I made the commitment to myself. In 2011 I took it to the next level, my first full marathon. That was hard... I over trained, was injured, I learned a lot.
Have I won 26.2 for me? No not completely. I have run four marathons none up to my expectations. Many races have been lost "between my ears". Yes you read that correctly. You know what I'm talking about we have all experienced it at one time or another, that little voice that says "Yes you can!" or "Are you crazy girl, you can't do this?" That little voice haunts me.
That little voice....controlled me my whole skating career. My mom would say "Why bother going to the meet you already decided you lost or are going to fall." She was right. I was and still am my own worst enemy. Last year I ran the Hartford 1/2 marathon with my husband. By mile 6 I had I talked myself out of racing and gave up. My worst half marathon time ever. I was so disgusted with myself. It's pathetic that a 43 year old woman can psych herself out, but I'm laying it all out there and it's the truth.
But change needs to happen...I need to take back my little voice. So little voice listen up... I'm hear to tell you your days are numbered! I'm running this 50 mile ultra! I RECEIVED MY LOTTERY SPOT! I'm in and I will win this for me. I will train on the trails, which I am scared of. I will push through both physically & mentally and I will not allow you to own me any longer.
I have been on this mental roller coaster for about 18 months. Since we moved to Massachusetts in Sept of 2012. There were so many "what if" scenarios that played out in my husbands and my head before we made our big move. But I'm here to attest that we are still together, happily married (most days😉), we are not destitute, living on the streets....our children didn't crumble from the trauma of leaving their friends or family, we are not friendless or unhappy with our choices. So right now I look back and think it was all for naught. Not worth the time and energy.
But yet here I am snarled into another worrying frenzy. Allowing myself to be mentally sucked into the contemplating of my decisions. As soon as that starts self doubt takes over and I'm rethinking everything.
Last night as the hubs and I snuck away for a date night. We talked about our goals for this year. So many were house related, some were career/family driven. But then we spoke of my next life goal I talked about my 50 mile run. As soon as you tell anyone your planning on attempting that mileage they say "why?" "Why would anyone want to do that?" Actually I have that answer. I want to prove to myself that I am capable of something I never thought possible. In 2009 when I secretly started training for my first 1/2 marathon I thought that was the impossible. Yet here I am.... Crossing the finish!
 |
| Long Branch NJ May 2009 |
 |
| Napa Valley CA, March 2011 |
That little voice....controlled me my whole skating career. My mom would say "Why bother going to the meet you already decided you lost or are going to fall." She was right. I was and still am my own worst enemy. Last year I ran the Hartford 1/2 marathon with my husband. By mile 6 I had I talked myself out of racing and gave up. My worst half marathon time ever. I was so disgusted with myself. It's pathetic that a 43 year old woman can psych herself out, but I'm laying it all out there and it's the truth.
But change needs to happen...I need to take back my little voice. So little voice listen up... I'm hear to tell you your days are numbered! I'm running this 50 mile ultra! I RECEIVED MY LOTTERY SPOT! I'm in and I will win this for me. I will train on the trails, which I am scared of. I will push through both physically & mentally and I will not allow you to own me any longer.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
New Goals and Letting Go of the Old Ones
The time has come to put it out there....Do you ever notice that if you put something out into the universe by telling someone or writing it down that it becomes more real? I have felt that way over the past few weeks. Let me explain...
I think I mentioned I ran the Cape Cod Ragnar race in May. Just two short weeks after Boston. I wasn't running on the freshest legs and it was a hard experience. Hard mentally and physically. But it was on my 2nd leg at 4am that I had a "Come to Jesus" moment. I was coming off of running at 7pm, one and half hours sleep and doing it again at 4am. When I was running there was not a soul on the road, I was completely alone. My music was annoying me so I turned it off and just listened to the world waking up around me as I pounded the payment. My body was cramping, my legs felt like lead, I was practically in tears. This 6 mile leg felt like 600 miles. I remember prodding along my legs weary and I thought I don't want to train for another marathon... I don't have it in me...I'm tapped out emotionally.
The Boston Marathon although amazing in some respects, was a total downer for me this year. In 2013 I was having the race of my life, (you can read more about my full Boston experiences here and here). But in 2013 I was 20 minutes faster than any of my previous marathons, I was on my game the stars were aligned. 2014 the conditions were HOT, the course was so crowded you couldn't race it if you wanted too. I walked multiple times and I ended with my worst marathon time ever. Mentally that wrecked me. Right after Boston I was determined to try to qualify. After the race my friend Tara said We will find a race and qualify in the fall. At that point functioning on my runners high I was like YES we will, game on! After Boston I immediately went home and started researching the best BQ marathons for the fall. I even registered for one. But after my runners high subsided from Boston and the mental crap I thought about during my lonely runs at the Cape Cod Ragnar I knew it wasn't for me. When I was talking to Tara we were sharing our struggles with motivation, goals etc. I finally got up the courage and told her; "I just don't have it in me to try to train and qualify for Boston is that bad?" Just to say it out load was huge for me. Putting it out there was scary because I don't want to seem like a quitter, I didn't want to let her down, but at the same time needed to be true to myself. Her response was was an emphatic "no it's not". Ahhhh it was out there. I had support, I wasn't condemned. The running Gods didn't strike me down.
Finally I let that huge secret roll off my shoulders. It had been a big weight I was carrying mentally, really since Boston 2013, only realized in 2014. I told her that my two experiences at Boston were both amazing in their own way, but I'm just not there anymore. I want this Ultra. I want to trail run. I want to push through the mileage and do something that requires more effort than I ever thought possible. That's where my mind is at, not qualifying for Boston, at least not right now. So this past week I have been working on my Ultra plan, which I will share as soon as it's been tweaked. My friend Tara will be my coach since she is an Ultra veteran having two 100 milers under her belt and a few 50 milers to boot! I do have some road races planned in the fall. A 25K and a 50 mi trail relay in Sept. I am still planning on a mid Oct marathon but I will not try to BQ, it's more of a training run for my Ultra and then the Ultra in November. Whoot Whoot!
So I've put it out to the universe...my goals have changed and it's ok...More importantly I'm ok with it. It's the love of the run that I crave. The thrill of accomplishing something I never thought I could do. That's what gets me out each day.
So do you have anything you want to do but are afraid to put it out there? Any goals that you need to let go of but are afraid of rejection or seeming like a quitter? I'm here to tell you don't be afraid the universe is here for you!
xoxo~ deana
I think I mentioned I ran the Cape Cod Ragnar race in May. Just two short weeks after Boston. I wasn't running on the freshest legs and it was a hard experience. Hard mentally and physically. But it was on my 2nd leg at 4am that I had a "Come to Jesus" moment. I was coming off of running at 7pm, one and half hours sleep and doing it again at 4am. When I was running there was not a soul on the road, I was completely alone. My music was annoying me so I turned it off and just listened to the world waking up around me as I pounded the payment. My body was cramping, my legs felt like lead, I was practically in tears. This 6 mile leg felt like 600 miles. I remember prodding along my legs weary and I thought I don't want to train for another marathon... I don't have it in me...I'm tapped out emotionally.
The Boston Marathon although amazing in some respects, was a total downer for me this year. In 2013 I was having the race of my life, (you can read more about my full Boston experiences here and here). But in 2013 I was 20 minutes faster than any of my previous marathons, I was on my game the stars were aligned. 2014 the conditions were HOT, the course was so crowded you couldn't race it if you wanted too. I walked multiple times and I ended with my worst marathon time ever. Mentally that wrecked me. Right after Boston I was determined to try to qualify. After the race my friend Tara said We will find a race and qualify in the fall. At that point functioning on my runners high I was like YES we will, game on! After Boston I immediately went home and started researching the best BQ marathons for the fall. I even registered for one. But after my runners high subsided from Boston and the mental crap I thought about during my lonely runs at the Cape Cod Ragnar I knew it wasn't for me. When I was talking to Tara we were sharing our struggles with motivation, goals etc. I finally got up the courage and told her; "I just don't have it in me to try to train and qualify for Boston is that bad?" Just to say it out load was huge for me. Putting it out there was scary because I don't want to seem like a quitter, I didn't want to let her down, but at the same time needed to be true to myself. Her response was was an emphatic "no it's not". Ahhhh it was out there. I had support, I wasn't condemned. The running Gods didn't strike me down.
 |
| Atalanta the accent Greek Goddess of Running |
Finally I let that huge secret roll off my shoulders. It had been a big weight I was carrying mentally, really since Boston 2013, only realized in 2014. I told her that my two experiences at Boston were both amazing in their own way, but I'm just not there anymore. I want this Ultra. I want to trail run. I want to push through the mileage and do something that requires more effort than I ever thought possible. That's where my mind is at, not qualifying for Boston, at least not right now. So this past week I have been working on my Ultra plan, which I will share as soon as it's been tweaked. My friend Tara will be my coach since she is an Ultra veteran having two 100 milers under her belt and a few 50 milers to boot! I do have some road races planned in the fall. A 25K and a 50 mi trail relay in Sept. I am still planning on a mid Oct marathon but I will not try to BQ, it's more of a training run for my Ultra and then the Ultra in November. Whoot Whoot!
So I've put it out to the universe...my goals have changed and it's ok...More importantly I'm ok with it. It's the love of the run that I crave. The thrill of accomplishing something I never thought I could do. That's what gets me out each day.
xoxo~ deana
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Can't-Shake-It...
I don't know what is wrong lately but I just can't shake the feeling of exhaustion no matter how much sleep I get. It seems things are coming at me 90 miles a minutes, keeping up with three little ones schedules, year end hoopla etc is draining. I succumbed to having a physical this week. Which I was 6 months over due. I told her I was exhausted all the time. Her answer to me was "Welcome to your 40's." Well that wasn't what I wanted to hear. All my blood work came back normal, which is good I guess although it is rather frustrating. I work out, eat reasonably well and feel like crap. How is that fair.
I don't know if my body is just rebelling against me. I went through something similar after my first marathon. I ran the marathon, a half marathon and a few 5K's and then I hit a wall. Exhausted tired. I didn't exercise etc. They thought I had lyme or some other tick borne illness. It finally passed but my summer was plagued with exhaustion. This winter I trained for the Boston Marathon and ran that April 21st. On May 8-9 I ran the Ragnar Cape Cod race and logged another 23 miles racing. Almost another marathon. Maybe I just pushed by body over the edge? The Ragnar wrecked me. (which I have a post started on that race) I was exhausted for over a week. You don't realize how much the no-sleep and being awake for 23+ hours can wreck you. Plus it's not like I have no responsibilities once I got back. Life continued to move at it's hectic pace. I had to dive right back in.
So what do I do? I feel like a slug. I'm slated to start my training for my newest goal- my first 50 mile ultra in the fall. But my body is telling me something else. I had hopes of also pulling a BQ this fall. But as of right now I'm not on top of my game. Have you ever just needed a break? But I'm afraid to stop. I'm afraid of not going back. Exercise and running are a part of who I am. They keep me sane but right now my body says slow down.
I don't know if my body is just rebelling against me. I went through something similar after my first marathon. I ran the marathon, a half marathon and a few 5K's and then I hit a wall. Exhausted tired. I didn't exercise etc. They thought I had lyme or some other tick borne illness. It finally passed but my summer was plagued with exhaustion. This winter I trained for the Boston Marathon and ran that April 21st. On May 8-9 I ran the Ragnar Cape Cod race and logged another 23 miles racing. Almost another marathon. Maybe I just pushed by body over the edge? The Ragnar wrecked me. (which I have a post started on that race) I was exhausted for over a week. You don't realize how much the no-sleep and being awake for 23+ hours can wreck you. Plus it's not like I have no responsibilities once I got back. Life continued to move at it's hectic pace. I had to dive right back in.
So what do I do? I feel like a slug. I'm slated to start my training for my newest goal- my first 50 mile ultra in the fall. But my body is telling me something else. I had hopes of also pulling a BQ this fall. But as of right now I'm not on top of my game. Have you ever just needed a break? But I'm afraid to stop. I'm afraid of not going back. Exercise and running are a part of who I am. They keep me sane but right now my body says slow down.
What would you do? Suggestions please.
xo~ deana
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