Today I Turn 50

I fully expect to receive my AARP card in the mail any time now. After the initial shock of being twenty years early, I’ll now be eligible for discounts on icy hot, glide and possibly a knee or hip replacement. Hopefully my health insurance, coupled with my new discount card, will work towards reduced rate massage and the occasional pedicure. My body hurts. It doesn’t just hurt a little or only when I get out of bed, it hurts all the time. Into week three I started using the door handle as leverage to get off the toilet. We ran this morning, albeit only 2.6 miles (our lowest since the first week). We may not have run far but we ran fast today—so fast that Little B almost ran right into a car. Hopefully tomorrow will be better because I have bruises today from hitting the wall.

Running is a Learning Process

Since tomorrow morning (7:30am) is our first official run with the actual ‘team’ Burnham, I thought I’d better get a post ready. Little B (see below for info on this) and I are meeting in the morning at Starbucks at 6:45am so that we can caravan together. Hopefully the toll roads will still be free as this will be the highlight of my morning, considering I cannot drink coffee from Starbucks without fear of having an accident in my pants on my first team run.

It’s been a big week for Little B and I. For purposes of this blog, I am still ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun but internally, I am now Big B (as in Big Bitch). Mandy is Little B (as in Little Bitch). These are not terms of endearment (although we did have a pee together last weekend) but rather they take up less room when sending text messages.

Little B and I ventured out this week to Fleet Feet where we were properly fitted into overpriced, glow in the dark sneakers. The ‘runners’ were very interested in Little B’s dance moves as they marked her feet with black markers and had her run on the treadmill. During her tryout, I checked out all the accessories a budding runner might purchase. I grabbed some body glide (the very lube that we have been hearing about for weeks) and some gummy bears. We got matching pink pouches for our Nikeplus gear too. They had nipple abrasion covers but they didn’t look like they would fit – and I haven’t had any problems in this area yet either.

This morning we did five miles with our new running partner, Fay. Fay has been around for nearly a week now and she has kept us from going out the last few days. On my way home yesterday I saw what I interpreted to be a ‘real runner’ in the rain, which synched it for our run this morning. So, here we were at 5:15am this morning – me, Little B and big bad Fay. At one point in the beginning I thought Little B might crack over the rain, but then she pulled it together and got into her groove. At one point I almost had to grab Little B to keep her from blowing off the sidewalk but in the end, we did it!

Big day tomorrow! Just got confirmation that we are running - rain or shine.

I'm Exhausted

And here's why: It's Week Four (I know, I know... it's a bit early to be exhausted)

August 18-24
Miles: Jury still out... one more run to go
Death Toll: 0
Injuries: No new injuries, but one of us has a new pain each run

But that doesn't mean we're giving in and breaking the cardinal rule of running: "Don't be a ______." I can't even type it (this is a semi family-friendly blog after all); but I have it on high authority that to continue reaching for the finish line and our ultimate goal...whatever that may be...we can't give in on the mornings we're tired, feel about as large as a humpback whale and have a hangover the size of Mount Kilimanjaro! (Granted if that last one happens, it's our own damn fault! But I guarantee we had a "top night"!).

On with the weekly "run" down. Monday, I can't even remember what we did Monday. Hold please, while I consult my Nike iPod Plus (which is the BOMB- if you don't have one, and you're a recreational runner, get one- b/c they're totally cool- oh and Nike has some marketing and branding geniuses working there- they get you to buy a product but you need their shoes for the product- how brill?!) I digressed... Monday we did 3.2 miles, in 28 minutes, averaging a 8:51 min/mile. It was a good run.

Now Tuesday... with our girl Fay rollin through town (for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past week, that would be the Hurricane, downgraded to a Tropical Storm that hit Florida), we took off a little earlier than usual (I don't care if it was only 15 minutes earlier- at 5 something in the am- it makes a huge difference!). We were so not feeling it from the moment we walked out of the driveway and into the street. So, you're asking yourself...was this going to be a "___ out" morning? NO! For that exact reason! We're ambitious, over achieving women in our day jobs, so what makes you think we wouldn't give that kind of dedication to our new found hobby?! You bet your sweet, bounce-a-quarter-off-of-it-ass we forged on with our five miles. We did a 10, 10, 9, 10 ,8 minute miles and finished in 48 minutes my running peeps!

Did I mention we both cross trained with dance and the gym- well, I had to teach, dance was called off Tuesday, but I taught two more classes on Wednesday- and ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun has hit the gym - she's a good doobie with her weight training.

So, Wednesday was a rest day...and it's a good thing b/c TS Fay, was being a real you know what on Wednesday morning...and then continued that mess into Thursday! We totally had to call off our run on Thursday- see ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun's (a.k.a. Big B) post from today...Friday.

Sporting our fabulously new, overpriced, glow-in the dark shoes, we ran against wind and rain this morning; which I've now dubbed "resistance training" (anyone who wants to argue with me on that go right ahead and step up to the plate, b/c it's one argument you'll loose my friend!). So, we ran 5 miles in 48 minutes! We really wanted to try and work in our long run, since we didn't get to yesterday, but decided against it since we have the team run tomorrow...so until then... stay dry!
- Little B

Three Things That Suck...Three Things That Rock

August 11-17
Total Miles: 25
Death Toll: 0
Injuries: Fluginator still out

It's week three of training, so now seemed like an appropriate time to give the list of the top three thinks that suck about running and the top three things that rock. We'll start with the positives and then move into the negatives, before we delve into how we progressed this week.


Three things that ROCK:
1) I love the shapely and muscular "gams" I'm seeing from all this running and am really looking forward to eventually having an a$$ so tight you could bounce a quarter off of it!
2) The feeling of accomplishment at the end of a run (big or small) and the calories burned!
3) When the "bee-ach" (as we call her) on the NikePlus on the iPod says in a British accent "Congratulations, that was your best run yet." Yippee! We get very excited!

Three things that SUCK:
1) What is the point of having great legs, if they're black and blue with bruises; all the runners claim "you must be kicking yourself." Helllloooo, I've think I've kicked myself enough times during dance that I would feel it. With this activity, I wake up with a new bruise everyday and have no clue how it got there.
2) I'm washing my running clothes every three days and it's ridiculous! I finally went and bought some more so I can maybe just do a "run wash" once a week. Not to mention, the funky, smell that fills the room as I peel the sweaty clothes off!
Gross!
3) How the pro runners like to mess with our novice minds about the "lube." We think there's merit to "lubing" up to avoid chaffing; but we're hearing about some interesting places to "lube" and are not quite sure if they're accurate.

So, onto this weeks training. I'm going to start with today's run b/c it was a big run for us and work our way backwards.

We went for broke today, seven miles. We were stoked b/c we did seven miles in an hour and 10 minutes, averaging 10 minute miles. We were thrilled and felt moderately good the entire time. We were both tired at the end, don't get me wrong, but we did exactly what Runner World, U.S. (yes, we got the correct version- woo hoo) and ran at a "conversational pace." We then treated ourselves to breakfast at Sweet Mama's and boy was my breakfast burrito with home made salsa the BOMB! ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun had a healthier wrap, but whatever, I was totally craving the burrito!

Saturday was a rest day b/c Friday was the hardest run we've had to date and we had no idea why. So hard in fact, that her husband had to ask what was wrong as we were almost passed on in the drive way trying to recoup. We didn't even run that far. We did a 5K in 28 minutes, averaging a 5:43 min/km pace (I can't translate km to miles so by all means someone, be my guest).

Thursday was five miles, in 38 minutes with a 9:09 min/mile! This was a good run b/c the "bee-ach" came on and said "Congratulations, that was your best time/mile yet." Yippee!

Wednesday was a rest day. Boy did we need it. B/c we both had outings Tuesday evening and threw back a few. But the way we saw it, we earned them with our Tuesday morning run AND I took ballet that night (not taught, took). So I got in a little extra exercise and I know ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun even had a gym workout, so she got an extra workout as well. So we earned those cocktails! Anyway, I digressed, and Tuesday we did 5.16 miles, 49:57 min and 9:40 min/mile pace.

We started the week off with five miles as well. Averaging 48 minutes with 9:38 min/mile. Monday was a pretty good run since Sunday was a rest day as well.

So, all in all, it was a good week. We start again tomorrow morning with an EASY run...thank goodness b/c my knees are killing me and my bedroom smells like a chest of moth balls from the Icy Hot.

Until next time...
Mandy T (we have new names by the way but ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun will be blogging about that)

Loose in the Laces

During Monday’s run (5 miles - 3@10min, 1@9min, 1@8min), both my feet fell asleep. It’s a darn good thing that my running buddy, ChickWithLottsaQuestions (aka Mandy) has a direct link to the Burnham training coaches so she could include an inquiry about my foot issues in her list of questions to coach Bill. Thank goodness she left off the part about my over doing it the day before by the pool with multiple salted rim, frozen Margaritas. Personally, I think it was the salt although Coach Bill said I should try loosening my laces. Phew, because I was concerned! He also suggested that I try wiggling my toes while I run.

On the other hand, ChickWithLottsaQuestions has real problems! Her little cramp on the right side of her oh too skinny body happens to require much more of a fix than simply loosening laces. Coach Bill suggested that ChickWithLottsaQuestions should try strengthening her core (sit ups, crunches, balance ball, etc). Next time ChickWithLottsaQuestions might want to keep her questions to herself.

I overslept this morning. Got up at 5:41 and ChickWithLottsaQuestions was at my door at 5:45. I only had time to down a mango flavored chalk drink and half a banana and give myself a quick rub of the icy hot stick before we hit the streets. No coffee (yes, I felt the impact).

Understanding ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun

Since this is my first post, let me start with an introduction. I’m Jennifer. 33 years old. Slightly overweight according to all the gossip rags. I exercise with the help of a personal trainer. I am a very social individual and can be both a slacker and an overachiever simultaneously. I enjoy interacting with my peeps, my husband, my dogs, complete stangers, etc. On occasion, I’ve been known to drink a bottle of wine, down a few cold ones and even fire up the blender if necessary (all in one night if the mood suits me). Let me say this – I’m half a decade older than any of these other b**ches that I’m running with! I eat too much and I consume way too many liquid calories. My knees and back hurt when I get out of bed. I live with a limp until 8am and I cannot even begin to function until I have had my two cups of coffee. The only thing I have going for me is that I don’t smoke and there is no need for hacking up a lung before the morning run.

Because my thighs are larger than my other team members, I’ve also managed to develop an abrasion where my legs are rubbing together. This week I’m planning to invest in special ‘panties’ for runners but until then, I’ve got to do laundry every day in order to keep my one pair of sliders clean and attempt to prevent further injury. Sure, the running is hard. Getting up isn’t too bad but actually going from a walking pace to a running pace is difficult (it’s more the pains in the legs than the pressure on the lungs). We’ve been training as a group for two weeks now. Here are some of the things I’ve learned and some general observations:

1. Before beginning a training regiment, purchase special under garments. This includes dry fit, support top bras for moderately endowed women like myself AND underwear that act more like spandex shorts to keep the thighs from rubbing and limit chafing. At no point will it become appropriate to replace everyday attire with athletic attire. Remember, running outfits are for running only.
2. During the big race, don’t be alarmed by Vaseline popsicles. I’m not sure if these are frozen or fresh but the intent is to rub them on the inner thighs. DO NOT eat. I’m been lamenting on these all week and when I’ve been in need of a pick-me-up, I’ve gone to thoughts of the popsicles. Thank goodness we have the items from #1 because a ‘runner friend’ (not invited on the team because she actually knows what she is doing) said that our nipples could begin bleeding by the end of the race. (Seriously! I'm not o.k with this). I’m not sure how much to pay attention to these ‘runner friends’ because they may just be trying to frighten me and know that I am handing on their every word. By the way, none of this crap was mentioned in my Runners World UK.
3. Set the rules early. Sure, I may have gone on one ‘secret’ run but let’s be real folks. Not only am I half a decade older than either of them, but I’ve also got a least 50 pounds on Mandy. Rules are that if you are the skinniest one in the group, you don’t rub it in by showing up in your short shorts and a red sports bra (no shirt) and act like the chubby girl is going to be alright with this. OH, and did I mention that she’s a ballerina!
4. It is very important to stock up on the essentials -- Alieve, Icy Hot Patches and your very own personal Icy Hot Goo Stick (I read the directions and it said: Do Not Share). Also, thick orange protein supplements go well with morning coffee. They taste good belching up on the third mile. If you can hold them down, they provide energy.
5. No matter what others tell you, it is NOT o.k. to urinate or defecate on oneself during a race. IF in the slightest of chances that this were to occur, it will NEVER be discussed.
   

So tomorrow starts Week 3. I have all intensions of being ready, but we’ll see where the rest of the day takes me (I'm going out by the pool for the afternoon). Our goal this week is 27 miles (5 miles x 4 training days plus 7 miles on Saturday). We have also been discussing the full marathon vs. the half marathon. Why do something half-ass? It's not like you can put on your list of life's accomplishments that you did half a marathon. It's all or nothing, right?

Week Two

August 4-10
Total Miles: 21 (give or take)
Death Toll: 0
Injuries: 1 (The Flugninator has an ankle injury!)

Week Two has come and gone! I can't believe it! Jen had a "secret" run Monday morning. She made it two miles (which was two more than I can say I did Monday.) I joined her Tuesday and we decided to "turn it up a notch" and try to run 40 minutes. Up until this week, we had been completing our 3 mile runs in about 30 minutes and were totally psyched! We couldn't believe that in our first week, we were averaging an 11 minute mile.

While this might not sound impressive to some of you, we were pretty darn excited!

So, we took it up a notch and went for broke, running 4.48 miles in 42 minutes, averaging about 9 minute miles! Woohoo!

(Shoutout to whomever suggested we give regular updates on the actual progress- we'll be sure to make an effort and include stats throughout the post!)

I had a non-secret run Wednesday [the difference between "secret" and "non-secret" runs, is you disclose that you're doing a solo run...not agreeing with the group that you'll take the damn day off and then still run...kinda like those "secret studiers" that we all knew in college- you know who you are :)]Oh and in case you're wondering, I did 3.5 miles averaging 9:38 per mile!

So, Jen and I resumed Thursday (I need to point out that Jen and I live on the East side of town, and Flug lives downtown; this is like a 20-25 minute, $2 toll road hike for her [each way]. We'll join Flug for the Saturday run). So, here we are, up bright and early on Thursday, we're kinda feelin it, we're kinda not, but we gotta do it. So we set out, again for at least a 40 minute run, trying to reach 5 miles. We did 5.3 miles in 54 minutes averaging 10 minute mile! Can I get a "whoop whoop?!"

We are pretty darned impressed with ourselves! And BONUS...you know what this means...Massage Envy, here we come!

TGIF! Or so I thought! Friday's run hurt like hell...and let me tell you why. ThomsonWhoDoesNotRun decided we need to start working on our endurance which entails, interval training. You see she's been reading the UK version of Runner's World (yes...the UK version- she picked up the wrong copy- but we're not sure how) and it's given a time table and training suggestions. So, since there's no time like the present, we decide on a plan of action and implemented it Friday morning. For our second mile, we traded sprinting ahead of each other. So I took the lead and the first few "trade-offs" were fine, until ThompsonsWhoDoesNotRun, a.k.a. "Secret Runner" decided she was going to sprint with me on one of my turns to pull ahead of her. OH NO SHE DIDN'T! Girlfriend's a sprinter, unlike myself (I've learned). In all the runs we've completed to date, she totally out sprints me hands down. I'm lucky if I can get half way into the sprint before I drop off and she picks up speed and off she goes! So we're running and I'm yelling "BACK OFF...CUT THIS SH*T OUT!" Well, she just thought this was hysterical and tried it again a second time! I repeat for future interval training "CUT IT OUT!"

Oh, I completely forgot to tell you how we did on Friday: 4 miles, averaging 9:21 a mile, for 37 minutes!

Finally, end of training week two...Saturday. Being up on a Saturday at 6 am is not my idea of a good time. In fact, I'd rather sleep in and wake up around...now (9:30ish), just in time to catch 90210 and Melrose Place re-runs on the Soap Network (don't act like you don't watch it if you come across it people!). However, that was not to be, so I was up and at ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun's by 6:30. We had a good run along a new stretch of road, wide open to us (it's not in use). So, we ran and ran and ran, and on the run back, we saw two deer off in the distance! It was awesome...it was straight out of the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. It was a mamma and her baby. They meandered for a while and checked us out from a distance as well before gracefully heading back into their wooded home! It was so cool. All in all, we went 4.77 miles in 48 minutes this morning. Had we kept going and not decided to have breakfast again at "Morning Glories" we would have hit the 5 mile- 60 minutes mark. But we'll just save that for next week. If you're wondering where the Flugintaor is....she's out with an ankle injury! Please wish her a speedy recovery.

As a final thought, I'd like to request your input. If you haven't noticed the "Jen's" have given themselves fun names. I didn't realize this was apart of the "blogging world" so I need a fun name and I'd like you to either a) make a suggestion or b)tell me which one you like better: Dancing Diva or Skinny Bitch (that last one courtesy of ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun.

Until next time...which could be in the next few days if one of the other girls post...

Mandy T, The Fluginator & ThompsonWhoDoesNotRun

Week One

July 29-August 3
Total Miles: 11 (2 walked)
Death Toll: 0
Injuries: 0

Disclaimer for anyone thinking about getting into running: Do not, I repeat DO NOT try and run three miles after three glasses of wine the next morning. I get the "math" involved- you know, the "burn a glass a mile theory"... but NO... you will feel it the entire way...and you'll consider it a good run if it doesn't come back up! (Which it didn't!)

So, we completed week one of training. We ran Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday! We were exhausted, it hurt like hell but we pushed each other, encouraged and cheered one another on and we lived through the first week to blog about it.

My first day out, I thought my lungs were going to explode! I don't think I'm an asthmatic, but I might be diagnosed as one by the time this is all over. (People, have the oxygen masks ready for when we cross the finish line, there's a 99.9% chance we'll need them!)

Moving along... Wednesday was a hard but good run; and I paid for it the next day. I was sore and "lubed" up with icy hot, smelling like an old woman. However I will say, there's something rewarding about getting up, exercising and sweating your as off first thing in the morning. It gives you a small sense of accomplishment and is a great way to start your day! (As if we all needed one more thing to cram into our day!)

Anyway, Flug joined us Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We've been running in Avalon Park; a new, clean, safe neighborhood to run in. Our Saturday run was great b/c we treated ourselves to breakfast at "Morning Glories." It was a heavenly reward! And BONUS, we burned more calories b/c we walked to and from breakfast! We've decided our Saturday runs will be some place where we can reward ourselves with breakfasts! (Brilliant idea I say).

On Sunday we headed downtown for a run along Orange Ave and around Lake Eola. And it was so worth it...we only thought we had nice scenery in Avalon to look at (and I'm talking about homes and nature people). However, and thankfully, downtown we passed the hunky runner guy or else we probably would have all just given up, called it a day and walked b/c we were worn out!

So here we are, going into week two. If we meet our "5-mile by the end of the week" goal, we get to treat ourselves to massages. (You gotta have goals people, you gotta have goals! Whether it's breakfast or a massage- do what you gotta do to reach the goal!)

Until then...
Mandy, Jen & Jennifer

The Beginning

It was a week ago tomorrow, that my friend and colleague called and asked if I would join her ACS Relay team as a Chair. Since she's a friend, colleague and happens to be chairing a Relay in a community my company wants to get into, I said yes. Well, during a glass of wine, she tells me "Flug talked me into running the Disney Half Marathon. " (Flug is Jennifer's nickname for the Jennifer who recruited her for this run). And I responded with "OMG, I totally want to do it!" What was I thinking... it was only one glass! After two more however, I was fully committed, to both the run and the committee, and we scheduled our first run the following day!

And our training blog begins here. The team is myself, Jennifer Thompson and Jennifer Flug. This is our team blog where you can read about the trials and tribulations we will overcome in the next five months preparing for the race in January.

However, it's important to note we are actually part of a larger team- Team Burnham. For those of you who may not know, the Burnham Institute is a huge research company out of CA that came to O-Town about a year ago. I would tell you more about the medical breakthrough research they conduct but you can just read about it yourself at: www.burnham.org. What is important though...is we have a fundraising goal to achieve and will be counting on our loyal supporters and readers to help us achieve our goal! (Stay tuned as more information about our goal and where you can donate online is to come).

So here we are the "Terrific Trio" (we need a snazzier name), training to run the Disney Half Marathon...or we'll die trying!