Thursday, May 20, 2010

Three Things Thursday

1 -

One VERY cool blogger keeps snagging me my race photo proofs, and sending them to me, out of the kindness of his heart. I just received this cute photo of Chelsea from Early Runner with me at Crazylegs last month. Aren't we adorable?! Looking forward to more, fun bloggy meet-ups this summer!! Let me know if you are attending any of the 2010 events listed on my sidebar!!
2 -

Hubby and I sat down and watched the latest The Biggest Loser "marathon episode" last night. I couldn't agree with Tall Mom's comments on the episode more HERE. I love running and watching The Biggest Loser. So, of course I was really looking forward to this episode. But, they really go about this all wrong. They make it look like they've only been training for one month for their 26.2 mile journey, while they really have been on the ranch for months, pushing themselves to new limits. And, the trainers went off on Daris about his small (yes, very small!) weight gain. This peeved me off. He's obviously enjoying his new LIFESTYLE (which is what this is all about, right?!) and has made running a HUGE part of his life .... and he's fueling himself .... to succeed. They obviously want him to have huge, unmaintainable weightloss in a short period of time .... while his goals have obviously become quite different .... which he has ACHIEVED! I say, good for him! He's running faster than I am these days. And, he absolutely rocked that marathon, even with an injury. I, myself haven't lost a pound with this marathon training. I can't stop eating .... and have treated myself quite a few times to ice cream. All things in moderation, that's what I say.

3 -

Speaking of marathons ..... There are only TEN DAYS until my second 26.2 mile journey!!! EEK! The Madison Marathon is next Sunday and I'm on an emotional roller coaster!! Somedays I feel prepared and others I don't. For my first marathon (Chicago '08), I had 4 20+ mile runs and ran 4-5 days a week. Now I am running 6 days a week consistently and had a 17 mile treadmill run, a 20 miler and a 22 miler only. My consistency and frequency make me confident, however I am not sure what I can do with only three super-long runs under my belt. I now have 6 additional half marathons under my belt and two 10-mile races.

I looked over the new course yesterday and since I'm a "local" I'm able to envision myself along the course. I see myself strolling along with a gel in hand, a cute Bondi Band on my head and a picturesque day. With so many other factors that could possible through a wrench into my plan of finishing between 4:20 - 4:30, I sure hope that the weather cooperates. My Chicago time two years ago was 4:37 and I would love to shave 10-15 minutes off of my time. My half marathon times are around 1:56 - 1:58 these days. I'm not sure what to expect for a full?!?

How much did you improve
during your second marathon??

26 comments:

  1. That is an excellent comment about Daris. I hadn't really thought about it like that since he is in a contest, but you're right. Two pounds over the course of one month isn't a big deal, especially if he can lose those two pounds in the next month.

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  2. It sounds like you and I run about the same pace! My first marathon was 4:51. Five years later, I got up the courage to train and run another one. My second marathon was in Chicago (2009). I improved my time by ten minutes with 4:41. I would love to run under 4:30 one day! I told my husband that if I keep running long enough, I may be able to qualify for Boston by the time I am 60 or 70!!!

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  3. I'm running my first half in 10 days - I will be thinking of you girl.
    Oh and I wore my Bondi band yesterday I wrote about it on today's post.
    Thanks again Jamie I love it!

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  4. BL is a popular topic today! I totally agree with your comment about Daris. I thought the trainers were off base to tell him people lose weight training for a marathon. It's more common to stay the same or gain a little b/c you have to give your body the fuel it needs to keep going. Highly restricted calories just won't cut it.

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  5. i'm still considering the Madison Mini.

    I shave 14 minutes off of my time this past weekend, so it is doable to knock your time down by what you are hoping. I ran a bunch of halves between the two marathons and was definitely stronger for longer this time.

    Good luck!

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  6. loved the comment about Daris.

    I took of 38 minutes from marathon one to marathon two!! [9 year split between one and two also!] was sooooooooooooo happy!!

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  7. Oh, best of luck to you on your marathon!! I think you will do great. You have put in some serious miles!

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  8. Great pic!
    Good luck with your race...sounds like you are super prepared!!

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  9. I don't get BL here in Belgium but it seems like there is too much focus on the number of the scale - and it is darn hard to lose weight while training for a marathon, not to mention avoid gaining a bit!
    Good luck with your marathon - from following your blog I think you will be well prepared!

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  10. Good luck with your marathon =) I, unfotunately didn't improve on my time between 1 and 2 (10 yrs, 3 kids in between) But I'm hoping to with some more consistant training in the next few months.

    Lakefront was one I was considering this fall, but not sure now...

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  11. I've never run a marathon, but I'm thinking about it. I'm sticking to halves for now. My opinion is that no matter how much you improve or don't improve, you still completed a marathon (soon two) and that's HUGE!!

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  12. I would think that based on your 1/2 times and the fact that it is your second go, you should be able to take that kind of time off. Now just take it easy out there until the big day!

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I don't know if I will ever run another marathon. I had such a bad experience with mine and had so much pain from shin splints and stress fractures that I figure long distances just aren't for me! We will see though! Never say never! :) I agree about Daris. I love TBL and I hated how they reprimanded him for gaining. He is a great runner and I hope he continues with running!

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  14. I lowered my time by 35 minutes. We'll get you to your goal. Doing number 2 is a lot different because you have that one under your belt. Don't worry about the small stuff "everybody" second guess themselves before a marathon if they could have done more and what not. You've put in the miles and all of the hard work will pay off.

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  15. Yes! I totally agree with you about Daris. That guy works hard! Good Luck next weekend! I know you will have an awesome time and put up an awesome time! :)

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  16. Syl talked about the Bondiband so I clicked over to read your blog. I bought one at my first 1/2 marathon in Virginia Beach this March. It says "Running Diva", I HOPE you have that one!!!

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  17. I am so excited for Madison too! I'm heading down to Beloit (my grandma's house) next Friday, and we're staying at the Edgewater Saturday night. Planning on hitting the expo Saturday . . . I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and great running!

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  18. 1. Great photo!
    2.I love The Biggest Loser...I do not love the marathon episode...I think they romanticize the hard work, don't stress the importance of real training, don't stress fuel and hydration and make it all seem a bit to easy...While I encourage anyone to try running, I think they should be introduced responsibly. While these contestants have been on the ranch losing weight and training hard - their focus is not on running. I just wish they'd have some disclaimers or something about the importance of learning the right way to run long distances. That being said - Daris rocked the marathon - must be nice to be young :)!
    3. You're going to do great on your second marathon. You could try any of the online pace calculators to see what your expected time for the marathon might be...but I say just go out, give it your all and enjoy!

    I haven't done my first marathon yet so I can't tell you anything about improvement there :)!

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  19. It's the taper talking - you are going to do great! Those are my half times and I have come in in the 4:02 - 420 range depending on the course.

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  20. Hi there! Thanks for the visit today. :) I haven't ever run a marathon...or probably much longer than a mile. But I do like to shop. ;)

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  21. You'll do fantastic at your upcoming marathon! Just go into it with confidence and kicks its butt! :-D !! I would love to do the Madison Marathon eventually.. Mainly cause it has my name in it and I think it would be super cool to get a medal with my name on it!! haha!! :)

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  22. I totally agree with what you said about training for marathons! I'm training for my first marathon and I've lost and gained a little weight. I understand that Darius is in a competition to lose weight, but I think it's amazing that he ran that marathon so fast! I'm voting for him.

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  23. TOtally agree about BL. It irritates me the way they portray the marathon! It deserves WAY more respect than that. Don't worry any more about being prepard. Follow and trust your training. You will be fine. Marathon improvement? I went from 4:07 to 3:38, in the year between my first and second marathon. Since my first, I've taken off a little more than an hour, too. Baby steps, baby steps.

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  24. You're going to do great! Can't wait to see your results!

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  25. You will do great - I am betting you will smash your first marathon time. Praying for good weather.
    The picture of you and Chelsea is really cute.

    I am hoping to be on the course - to see you and another friend from work that is running the 1/2. I have checked out the course and think that Tenny Park will be a good location to catch both of you. ;-) Her in mile 6 and you in mile 12. I am soooo excited for you.

    Make sure to drink lots of water this week and get some good sleep and RELAX.

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  26. I TOTALLY agree with your comment about the BL marathon. People get all bent out of shape about it - but they've been working for months and months and i've got to think that a lot of that is running on the treadmills.

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