Winter sunshine in Small Town, Oregon
Photo by Matthew, age 4 - Each day is another chance to start fresh, to drop the yoke of yesterday, to throw the past into the sea! I need a fresh start today.
- I have been praying that God would show me how to love others, especially my family. My kids have some mysterious illness that left them with a rash. That was not the answer to prayer that I was looking for! Anyhow, I trust God is working this out to His good purpose. I am thankful to have a GOOD God, and that no illness lasts forever.
Running stuff
I registered for the Eugene Marathon ! There are so many reasons that I am looking forward to this race (More on that soon!).
After doing some base-building and easy running for several weeks, the intensity is starting to pick up. I am using Jack Daniels marathon plan A fairly closely, but without sticking tight to the long run time cap of 2 1/2 hours. Ending week 9 of 24, my goals right now are:
- to make the hard paces feel easier by doing interval work once a week- but not enough volume or speed to get hurt. (Following my VDOT training paces- if I can hit them!)
- make the slower, easy, long runs feel truly "easy" while adding mileage.
- alternate my weeks with some more challenging long runs: some T pace built-in, some marathon pace (coming up).
- keep testing fuels out in training and refueling immediately after a run. I am also cutting out all the night time snacks that have fiber, but drinking a cup of warm milk or hot chocolate before bed. Last week was gel week. This week is Powerade week. Powerade is cheap and probably has artificial colors (I have not read the label), but I can buy it here in the middle of nowhere. That's a bonus. I think I will try some powdered electrolyte drink mix soon, but leave it more concentrated. (Hydration is not really my main concern). The gels I have used (both Gu and Powerbar gel) work pretty well, since I can actually get more carbohydrates in during a workout through those than with a premix drink.
If you are interested in racing the Eugene Marathon and live in (or near) these cities: Eugene, Bend, Tualatin, Ashland, Salem, or Seattle , you can receive a 10$ discount by signing up in person, January 14th. Click HERE to find out more!
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Best wishes to all those racing or spectating the Olympic trials in Houston this weekend!
Wahoo! I registered a few weeks ago and am looking forward to the training cycle. I'm also running the Hagg Lake 25K in feb so it's good timing mileagewise.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Lauren! See you there!!
Deletesorry about the sick kids. nothing i hate more than that parental feeling when your babies are ill. prayers are with your kiddos and family.
ReplyDeletesome day i will do eugene. i am a fan of that area. beautiful, especially the Fall.
Thanks for the prayers! You SHOULD do Eugene. I agree about fall, but spring is nice too :)
DeleteYay for being registered!! The sunshine today was glorious! So very thankful. I will keep this brief since I must get in bed right now but excited to read more about Eugene training. Why are you cutting out fiber before bed? And please tell me how you figured out how to add the reply to comments on here??? This would save me so much time!!!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure Blogger just did it for me, Amanda!
DeleteWhy doesn't mine have this feature?? :( I need to just figure it out. But I didn't get any e-mail notification that i had a reply so I guess it still doesn't help me much since people would still have to come back to my blog to see if I responded.
DeleteOh my gosh! I think I must be a test blog?! I can't find comment reply on any other blogs yet.
DeleteYAY!! this is so exciting Raina!! I really hope I can make it down that day to cheer you ON!!! I have been fueling more DURING runs...even the shorter easier ones.i do think there is something to drinking water while you run and keeping those working tired legs hydrated. Iseem to be recovering faster:)
ReplyDeleteI am also thankful for this beautiful sunny winter we are having. LOVE IT! I hope your kids get better! that is just NO fun!:(
love you!xx
Great news about the hydration! Hope I will see you at Eugene some year, when you aren't busy with that silly Boston race :)
DeleteYes!!! Eugene is my favorite marathon! Good luck with all your training!
ReplyDeleteYou got your BQ there last year!!
DeleteThanks Beth :)
I will be racing in the Olympic trial this weekend...so wish me luck...lol!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you get a discount for signing up in person. Sounds like a great race and sounds like you also have a great plan.
Winter sunshine is the only thing that gets me through this time of year, that's for sure!
Michael, you are too funny! Yes, I love discounts and promo codes :)
DeleteYay for Eugene! And yes, so many blessings. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcia! You have a great weekend too!
DeleteSo a few things...
ReplyDelete1. Yay to being registered!
2. My kids are sick too...vomiting. I'm not taking it as well as you. If anything, I might need an attitude adjustment.
3. I also drink a cup of warm milk at night! (I add a tsp of sugar and cocoa powder though.) Why no fiber at night?
Have a great weekend!
My kids had the vomiting too, Katie...:( getting better though. Fiber= too much bulk for morning run.
DeleteI'm excited to follow your training, but more excited to see you cross the finish line!! Soooo...who's organizing the blogger meet up???? :D
ReplyDeleteWill you be there Julie!? I should see if Kim is hostessing again :)
DeleteWoo hoo! The course is so fast and so are you...can't even imagine what your finish time will be.
ReplyDeleteI'm not running this year, but I would come down to watch and meet up!
Yes! Fast course!! I will miss you this year..Come watch though! Forgot to mention that the discount is also on on the EUGENE WOMEN'S HALF- maybe you are doing that race??
DeleteLooks like another banner year is heading your way -- minus the sick children.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading about your training for this race; plus you know the other topic that I always look for. Peace and Godspeed.
Thanks C2! Yep- more on faith :))
DeleteGreat. I am currently re-reading Ezekiel. Oh, many things to learn.
DeleteWill be thinking of you at the races this weekend in Houston! Eugene is on my list to run one of these days, so definitely keep me updated on your training cycle!
ReplyDeletePraying for those kiddos! :)
Adrienne, you know that sub 3 could be yours there!! Have a great time at the OTs :)
DeleteI hope the kiddos mysterious vanishes quickly and they are back to their spunky selves again soon!
ReplyDeleteI hear nothing but wonderful things about the Eugene Marathon, I hope you enjoy the course and I can't wait to follow your training leading up to it.
Happy Weekend!
If you decide to do it, I would love to do a preview run on the course with you! The course has changed just a bit since I last ran it in 2010, but for the best, I think :) Come on out, Jill!
DeleteBest of luck in your training, Raina! I am excited to follow along and excited to see what's happening on the nutrition front for you. I am always trying to figure out optimum fueling for myself. Also, I have been getting White Cherry Powerade, which doesn't have the dyes and such in it-if you're trying to be a little more conscious of that stuff. It's pretty tasty. I live in a smaller town too and it is available at my grocery store.
ReplyDeleteAh yes! I have seen that Powerade flavor at the Cash Market.
DeleteI saw that you found it. Yay! If you are feeling adventurous in the future, you can also add some Pre-Race to it *before* your long runs (http://www.firstendurance.com/nutrition/prerace.html). I have experimented with it before a couple of runs/races, and I like it! I got some at REI (when I was in San Diego), but you can also order it online. Try 1/2 scoop at first and go from there just in case you have a sensitive system.
DeleteHm! Interesting! I will check into it :)
DeleteExciting!!!! and good luck during your training, I will be following for sure:) Working on my nutrition while I am running is something I really need to start testing out.
ReplyDeleteExcited to see what kinds of things your new coach has you doing for fuel!
DeleteYay!! I love finally signing up for a race, makes all the training more real & worth it! Good luck, not that you need it cause you are a rockstar!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandi!
DeleteGreat goals Raina! I love winter sunshine too. It makes longing for spring a little more bearable.
ReplyDeleteSunny but cold (for here)...Pool is iced over!
DeleteYour comment about the sick kiddos made me smile...not because it's funny that they aren't feeling well, but because it's always funny how sometimes our prayers are answered. Oh, you want to work on showing love to others? Here you go! I'm always afraid to ask for patience because I know God will put me in situations where I need it! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the marathon training! I definitely want to work on making my easy runs feel easy. Since I'll be doing them on trails, that'll be easier and harder for me. I mean, trails are harder, but it's easier to go easy on them...if that makes any sense. :) Have a great weekend!
Be careful what you pray for, right? :) Trails are a GREAT way to keep the easy runs easy paced. But watch out for roots!
DeleteCongrats on registering! Sounds like a smart training plan. We used to live in the finger lakes area of NY which was extremely cloudy and dreary, and I completely know what it's like to thank God for winter sunshine, enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to NY, Laura, but it must be a beautiful part of the state. Is it pretty green there with all the clouds? We get a lot of cloudy weather and grow tall trees.
DeleteWoot woot on Eugene! I think I'm more excited for your marathon than mine.....Yep, I am! Ha! You're running SO well! Yes, Powerade is cheap. I can get you coupons too. My word, I sounded middle-aged writing that....I also order the powdered Heed mix by Hammer Nutrition in a bag where I can mix it in my bottles. I like the melon. Most people HATE this drink but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteI love what you're thankful for Raina! I've just always admired you in so many ways. Best of luck in week 10 here and hoping your handsome little blondies are spot free and fever free soon. If only I lived closer, I could bring you over a meatloaf:)
And I have always admired your meatloaf!
DeleteWoo-hoo, Eugene sounds great!! Jack Daniels training plan?? I bet that would get my husband's attention!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I bet he would be thinking of the other Jack Daniels?? Hope you are having a great time in HOUSTON at the trials and in your race!!
DeleteGood luck in your marathon! Can you do a post on finding a training plan later on? I have to register for my marathon but am lost on finding a training plan.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea Rena. I will start working on it, though I am still learning about marathon training too!
DeleteWise goals. i like your plan about the long runs. Good luck with your training and .... the marathon.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week end.
wow 10.17 a.m. here and 01.17 a.m. there .... I don't want to disturb you while sleeping....
ReplyDeleteYou have a great weekend too in Italy! Don't worry, my computer does not wake me when you leave a comment- leave as many as you like. haha
DeleteGood luck with your training!! Praying that your boys are on the mend. If I don't see you before.. we'll have to make plans to meet up next when I am down in June for Epic Relay - I'll drag Brena out too!
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun, Liz! Thanks also for your prayers. :)
DeleteHope your boys are better soon. Sounds like you have a good training plan. I've been meaning to check out Jack Daniels. Do you have the book or is there something on line?
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Barbara
My Running Shortz
I have the book :) ! There is some stuff you can read online, but so far I can only find his actual training plans in his book- although there is also one for the marathon in Lore of Running, but it is all in Kilometers. The book is exceptional for the how's and why's of running. I highly recommend it!
Deletecongrats! yes, i know God will use you during this time and I can't wait to follow you on that journey. Enjoy the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteOoh, see you in Eugene!! Once I kick this cold I'm throwing training into high gear to see what I can do at that race this year!
ReplyDeleteI predict a PR smash! Galloway again? He seemed to work well for you last time!
Deleteraina, i thought for sure I commented on this post...I can't find it...so apparently it was one I commented on in my head! :) So excited you are running Eugene. I'm going to chase you down (many minutes behind) but I'm going to picture chasing you those 26.2. :) See you then, friend. Run Strong!!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up, Julie! I will be sure to look for you & I hope we can meet up at Eugene for a pre or post race get-together. :)
DeleteSounds like a great marathon to do! I LOVE Oregon. Such a beautiful place! You have such a good structured plan! I like it! Hope your kids are doing better!
ReplyDelete