My Road to Success

LAST CHANCE: I am taking this blog down!!!!

2010-05-05T06:43:00.001-07:00

PLEASE FOLLOW MY NEW BLOG

http://gettingstrongerburningfat.blogspot.com/

PLEASE FOLLOW MY NEW BLOG

2010-04-11T15:15:00.001-07:00

http://gettingstrongerburningfat.blogspot.com/

My Marathon Fundraising page

2010-04-05T12:47:00.001-07:00

http://www.active.com/donate/chicago_run/aniven

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Donate to help this cause!!!!

CHICAGO MARATHON 10.10.10

2010-04-01T09:05:00.001-07:00

It's Official....I am running the Chicago Marathon on 10.10.10 for a charity Chicago Run
It will be my first one!!

I am super excited because all of my Dad's family lives there!!

AHHH I am so hyped right NOW!!!

Follow my other blog

2010-03-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

All,

I am taking a hiatus from writing on this blog until I start training for a full marathon. Please visit my other blog http://greer718.blogspot.com/ where I post daily on that and will include running posts!

Thanks

Ashley

Disney Princess Half Marathon LONG Recap!

2010-03-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

Wow..as I sit here 4 days later I still cant believe it...Sunday March 7, 2010 I ran 13.1 (13.25 says my garmin)...my first Half Marathon. It was September 15, 2009 when I clicked the submit button on active.com. I spent the next 5 months gradually increasing my mileage, running in 10 degree weather with 4 layers on, for that moment when I crossed the finish. I feel like I have accomplished so much in these past few months. Training for a race is the perfect way to set goals and accomplish them. I am a Half Marathoner! YAY
The Race weekend. I flew from Boston to Orlando Friday morning with my Mom and my good friends, Jenna and Steve.. My Dad, Step Mom and one of my friend Kristyn all Florida locals now met me as well. On friday, my mom and I went to the expo and got my race bag. I checked my d-tag( timing device) and picked up a headband from Sweaty Bands courtesy of my mom! I got one with Martini Glasses on it to signify my 66 days without Alcohol to prepare for the race post New Years Eve! I then hit Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom over the next few days!

On race day I got up at 3:00am, showered, dressed, drank a bottle of water and ate my classic pre race meal of a Bagel with Peanut Butter and a Banana...my energizer of choice is Jelly Belly Sport Beans so I had a packet of those and I packed a tylonol and another packet in my capri pants for mid race. At 3:45am a taxi took a bunch of us from my hotel (Regal Sun Resort..loved it) to Epcot. It was now 4am and a freezing 37 degrees out. I did not bring layers. I was only wearing my North Face fleece. After about 20 minutes I checked my coat and shivered my way into the waiting area. I cant describe how cold I was. Next time I will bring disposable layers or some people wore trash bags over them so they could rip them off before the start. Somehow with a 10K race average of 10:04 I got into Corall A which was the first to go! I was able to get up to the start line. For the next hour plus they tried to entertain the FREEZING princesses with the YMCA, Cupid Shuffle, Macarena etc. I participiated to stay warm and keep from beign anxious. Honestly I wasnt as nervous as I thought. Maybe the cold helped in a good way to distract me. At 6:00 the fireworks went off and I started running....not knowing what the outcome would be.

All I know is that I wanted to run the race without stopping and cross the finish without struggle. My goal was 2:20:00

Mile 1:10:21 one small hill, went by fast
Mile 2:10:24 enjoyed local HS bands
Mile 3:10:26 fun characters along the way (did not bring camera, did not stop for pictures)
Mile 4:10:28 Getting closer to Mgic Kingdom...past 5K mark
Mile 5:10:21 Hill going into Magic Kingdom, crowd was great
Mile 6:10:36 heading out back onto the highway, slowed a bit as i was almost half way
Mile 7:10:29 hit the Grand Floridian where there were more spectators..half way mark..I was feeling good and ready to take on the next half
Mile 8:10:38 trying to speed up but my body was definitely feeling a bit tired at this point
Mile 9: 10:31 over the slump and I passed a woman wearing a shirt for a fallen soildier...I started to tear up and said "Keep going, God Bless" as I passed her, what a great honor for whoever that young man was! Made me feel proud too!
Mile 10: 10:36 only a 5k left! Definitely feeling tired but anxious to get to the finish
Mile 11: 10:47 Hit the first major hill/overpass and tried to keep a steady pace going over it...also 11.1 was the farthest distance I had run to date so I didnt know what to expect after this point
Mile 12: 10:47 Hit ANOTHER hill/overpass again trying my best but I was defnitely fatigued and ready to finish...I was so close! I could see the entrace to Epcot!
Mile 13: 10:34 trying to speed up as I was inside Epcot rounding the corner trying to find the finish. I was prepared to look for family and friends at this point.
Mile 13.1 10:22 I stated running on the left hand side close to the crowd so that I could look for my cheer squad. Luckily I saw my Dad and Carol and waved, then Jenna and Steve, then Kristyn then my Mom, they had all spread out along the end of the course. At this point my left calf started twitching and I said "not now" but I could see the finish and I headed for it. I gave it all that had left crossing the finish at a 7:38 pace.

I dont remember what my first thought was..all I remember was my quads and sides aching and being glad that I was walking and not running anymore. I think I was smiling but Im not sure. All I knew is that I had just run my first Half Marathon with no picture or bathroom stops and it felt amazing!

My Chip time was 2:19:27....I beat my goal! Not bad for a first timer right?

Whats next you ask? Another HM on 5.30.10 on Cape Cod (my home town area) and then the CHICAGO MARATHON on 10.10.10. I feel that this HM is only a stepping stone to my true goal of running 26.2 miles...sure a lot of people can run 26.2 miles but right now I cannot. In 7 months I will!

Here are a few pics from the race....

Disney Princess Half Marathon

2010-03-04T16:24:00.001-08:00

I am leaving tomorrow. Wish me luck! Full report when I get back!

My First Half Marathon....

2010-02-26T09:36:00.001-08:00

IS IN LESS THAN 10 DAYS!!!!!

10 Mile Race

2010-02-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

So I was not ready for the amount of hills that course presented me. Had a weird numbing(like pins and needles) in my left foot...felt like leg was peg leg but still had mobility..anyone know wha causes this? Almost wanted to give up at mile 4 but I kept pushing...my goal was 1:50 or under but no big deal. I am just glad I finished it. I know my half marathon in Disney will be a lot more FLAT. I guess it was good to get the hills in there though. I ran 11:12 minute miles finishing in 1:52:07

BBH Run Club

2010-02-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

I started a running club at my work that starts on March 1 2010...so far we have 33 runners of all abilities. I have had multiple emails thanking me for starting something like this. I am super excited :)

11 MILES!!

2010-02-16T09:09:00.001-08:00

I did it....I finally got to 11...well over 11 :)

I finally have the confidence that the 2 extra miles will be purely mental. I broke the 2 hours of running non stop mark...so whats another 20 mins??

T minus 16 days!!!!!

It's Official!

2010-02-10T06:32:00.000-08:00

I got my Bib number for my Half Marathon...I will proudly be running with number 3139!

PR 5K and 10K!!!

2010-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ran the Super Sunday 10K in Boston. This race was also a 5K. The 10K was 2 loops instead of 1. First off it was a sunny day around 15-18 degrees with 20 m/h winds....not the best running conditions. I ran the race with my friend Derly. She is a fellow WW girl and avid runner. We told ourselves that we could do this and there would be no stopping. Mentally it was very hard to get to the finish line and know that for the 5Kers it was over and we had another 3.1 miles to go. Somehow we managed to pull through the wind block and finished breaking my 5K and 10K record. I ran my first in October. You can check out that experience here. My 5k time was 30:50 and my 10K time was 1:02:38. I don't know how I managed to do that but I did and I am super happy. I have a 10Miler in 2 weeks! I dont expect to run that as fast but I will use it as my last big run before my first Half Marathon 2 weeks later!!!

Success on the Treadmill: 5 Miles

2010-02-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

In the past month or so I had eaten dinner and then tried to run on the treadmill...I was lucky if I got a mile or more in. Ive been running in 10 Degree weather which has also been a struggle. On tuesdays I usually do a 5 mile run with a run club. Last night I had dinner plans so it was quicker to skip the club and go to the gym. I challanged myself to run 5 miles on the treadmill because I havent run that far since September when i first decided that I could infact run a 10K if I could do 5 miles. Anyway I did it! It was hard because I used to love running on treadmills and hated to run outside because it was so much harder. Very few people can train for races indoors so I took the challenge to become a real runner and I began my journey outdoors. The more I got used to it, the more I began to hate treadmills because your legs feel like theyre going so fast and spinning out control. For my speed I started off at 5.4 and worked my way up to 6.2 by the last mile...I finished in 53 minutues 10:38 pace which isnt bad considering ive been running a minute slower or more per mile outside in the cold. Treadmill I don't hate you so much anymore!

Ugh Not getting any better

2010-02-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

I only did 7.22 this weekend. My goal was 11.1. The weather was below zero wind chills and my hip muscles/IT band were cramping. I did a walk run combo again which is not typical for me. I have one month left and realistically I am not going to get to 13 before the race but I feel confident that I will get through it to the finish. I hope that it doesnt snow this weekend so that I can run the Super Sunday 10K.

Struggling/Confession of a Nervous Runner

2010-01-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

Ok Folks I have only a little more than a month left until I run my first 1/2 marathon. The last "long" run I had was a few weeks ago. I have been having a hard time running alone. My friend Trish usually does long 9-10 mile runs with me. I didnt run 2 weekends ago at all. This sunday I only ran over 3 with walking in between which I never do. Part of that is that I had WAY too many layers on and I was burning up. I missed run club due to snow last week. Well today in Boston it is Sunny and 40 degrees. I WILL run 5 miles tonight at run club and then run 11 this weekend.

I know that I will have the strength to run the 13.1 to the finish in disney I just need to get up a little closer to feel confident and get my running mojo back. I have also had knee pain ever since my first 9 mile run which makes me a bit nervous now. Hopefully this isnt permanant.

I have a 10K race on February 7th and a 10 Mile run on Feburary 21st which will be my last long run before the race most likely. I am going to try to run the 10K at race pace, but I may not run the 10 mile at race pace just to avoid injury. At least its 2 weeks before.

So thats the update...hopefully I find the motivation I need to get back in the game!

February

2010-01-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

I am signed up for the Super Sunday 10K on February 7th in Boston and the Old Fashioned 10 Mile race on February 21st in Foxboro, MA. These will definitely get me ready for my Half Marathon on March 7th! It is coming up fast!!

Over 10 miles!

2010-01-11T09:20:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I ran 10.11 in just under 2 hours. It was 13 degrees in Boston. O M G this was hard. If I can do this I can certainly run 13 in nice sunny florida weather!

Cannot wait! :)

Garmin Forerunner 205

2010-01-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

I finally ordered one of these to prep me for my last 2 months...my 1/2 Marathon is coming up so soon!
It tracks speed distace pace and calories burned!

9.1 Miles

2009-12-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

I did it..I made it to 9.13 miles :)
12/14/2009 Route
Find more Runs in Newton, Massachusetts

It's been awhile!

2009-12-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

I have still been training. Not as much as I would have liked. I was sick for a few weeks. Then I fell running. Last night I ran 5 miles in the cold!! This weekend I am going to run between 7-10 miles with a group of marathon trainers! I am also signing up for a 10K on february 7th called Super Sunday. You get free Clam Chowder at the end!!!

Just a little announcement...I have run 110 miles since August 28th! Pretty cool for a beginner runner!

8.2!

2009-11-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

I ran over 8 miles today. Furthest run yet! Yay...my damn nike+ stopped working at 7.34 but my friend Trish mapped out the 8.2 run so we still finished the route. My lower back did start hurting after the 7.34 but otherwise I felt good.

Running in the Dark

2009-11-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Last night I ran 5 miles after work at running club. I have never run at night before. Now it is completely dark by 5pm here so I was a little nervous. I was planning on running 3.5 if my 2 running buds Liz and Anna werent coming. We run a slower pace than the rest of the group so I wanted to make sure they would be there so that I wasnt running alone in the dark. Just like anywhere you should be careful. I was pleasantly surprised that the route we run was more well lit than expected. Its kinda sketchy because we run along the Charles River and there are no fences preventing you from falling in so I try to keep to the street side, just incase of an accident. A few people in the group did fall last night. I ran a 10:31 min pace which was my fasestes 5 mile run. My first 10K was faster/further but in terms of my 5 mile running club session it was the fastest yet in 53 mins. I also won a pair of Mizuno winter gloves, for running outside in the snow/cold. Ive never won a raffle so I was pretty pumped :) All and all it was a good night!

My Farthest Distance Yet!

2009-11-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

I broke 7 miles 7.2 to be exact. It was a big leap from 6.2 (10K) to 7.2 but I decided the easiest way is to add on my the mile or if it gets too hard ill do 1/2 miles. My lower back is sore but It felt good other than that. I never imagined ever being a runner and its amazing what you can set your mind to! My step mom gave me the book "Born to Run" by Christopher Mcdougell which is supposed to be amazing. I cant wait to start reading. My 1/2 Marathon is approaching in 4 months!!!

Nike+ Human Race 10K!

2009-10-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well I completed my second 10K in 01:05:04 today. I litereally just signed up a few days ago. I definitely wasnt planning on doing another one so soon! I was a minute slower than a few weeks ago due to inclement weather....rain puddles mist etc. This was being tracked by my Nike +, they didnt have chrono chips since it was a free race. But all in all it was more of a fun run than anthing. I highly suggest you get a Nike+ (See post on my other blog "A little Bit of Everything" to track your progress. Since 8/28/09 I have run almost 70 miles! So crazy! Definitely a cool race..free dry fit t and free food :)

Here is a pic of Derly and I after we finished!!

Spinning Victory

2009-10-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to spin class for the first time in over a month. I had been focusing on running since the end of August. I wanted to share that it was the easiest spin class Ive probably ever taken. I did the same resistance as usual. There were just a few subtle differences. It physically jsut wasnt as hard, I didnt sweat as much and I drank less water....these combined mean one thing...my stamina/endurance has built up! I could actually tell a huge difference and I know its because Ive run so much...over 50 miles since 8/28! Its really amazing how the human body can change and stregthen! Its a great feeling :)

10K under my belt!!

2009-10-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

My official time for my 10K was 1:04:14 which was an amazing time! I thought id be finishing around 1:20:00 so that was huge for me. I did finish without stopping as well. I ran with a bottle of water so I was able to cruise through the water stations! It was a great day. Can't wait to start training for my half marathon now!!!!

This is a horrible action pic of me rounding the corner to the finish!

Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women

2009-10-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe its here! I am running my first 10K on Monday. My Mom will be there to see me cross the finish of a 6.2 mile race. I will be happy when this is over so that I can move on to my new mile stone of half marathon training for March! I am so excited!!!

My goal is under 01:30:00 without stopping! Really shooting for 11 min miles 72-75 mins!

I will post the results on monday!

Have a great Columbus Day Weekend Everyone!

One Week Until my 10K

2009-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

My first 10K is in 1 week! I cannot believe its finally here! I am confident that I will be able to run it without stopping! I am aiming for 11:30 minute miles finishing in less than an 1 hr 20 mins but we will see. Id rather it take longer and finish than to stop. I am excited to run this and then keep training. I am trying to get to 10 miles before it gets really cold. Then I can add on the other 3 in the spring when it gets a little warmer before the 1/2 Marathon in March. Tomorrow I am going to run 5 miles then rest the rest of the week up until the race. I dont want to risk getting injured too close to the race. Ill let you all know how I do!

Hatha Yoga

2009-09-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday....as I mentioned yesterday I fell while running so my knee isnt feeling too hot. I wanted to get some sort of exercise in so Brittany and I walked on the treadmill for 20 Mins and then did an hour of Hatha Yoga. This was my first time trying it...it was much more difficult than id imagine keeping balance and stretching virtually every muscle in the body...Here is my favorite pose the airplane....its definitely important to cross train on the days when youre not running which is every other day to avoid injury!

Bittersweet Saturday

2009-09-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

First the positive....I ran 6.47 miles this morning....I am totally ready to take on my 10K in a few weeks!!

The negative is that this morning I woke up at 9 to go to my running club, which starts at 10am. Of course the bus didnt come and I was 5 minutes late and they had all left without me :( so I was pretty bummed because I really wanted to run around Jamaica Pond. The run was supposed be around 3.7 miles....

Then I decided that I was going to go for my own run so I headed down brookline ave towards fenway and then went around the charles..then at 3.28 miles I was going up some stone stairs near the hatchshell, missed a step and fell. My right side took a pretty hard fall...knee gashed open even though I was wearing running tights. I walked it offf for a few then decided since I was downtown I would try running again....needless to say I ran over another 3 miles to get home on comm ave...putting me over 6 miles with just less than a few mins break so I was pretty proud of myself....ive been icing my knee and hopefully it doesnt bruise too bad.

I definitely learned how easy it is to fall so training outside this winter should be interesting for sure!

All and all today was successful despite missing the running club and falling!

Broke 5 Miles tonight!

2009-09-22T18:41:00.001-07:00

I ran 5.10 miles in 56:11 at an average pace of 11:00 min miles....my goal is to get another mile in before the 10K on 10/12/09!!

5 mile Tuesdays

2009-09-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Today is my 5 mile run with the City Sports Run club....this is only my second time running that far....On Sunday I want to try to Run 6 in order to fully feel ready for the 10K in a few weeks....The first weekend in October I will be in NYC and will only be able to run on a treadmill if the hotel has a gym...I am starting to get excited to take on more and more miles in preperation for march!

1/2 Marathon Training!

2009-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to track my thoughts,feelings, and training log for a 13.1 mile race in Disney! Please offer me feedback if you are a runner or any sentiments are greatly appreciated. Feel free to leave comments or email me at agniven@gmail.com