Just signed up for 2 more races in my area. The first is the 12th Annual Run for Life in Raleigh, NC on Sept. 9th at 8:30 am and the other is a fun run with the Carolina Hurricanes called the Friesen’s 5K Stanley Cup Fun Run. The Stanley Cup run starts at the RBC center at 8am. Caroline has also decided to run in this run. Info on the Friesen’s as follows:
All proceeds from this race benefit the Leukemia / Lymphoma Society. About Julia Rowe -Julia Rowe is a vibrant 6 year old girl who happens to be the one of the Carolina Hurricanes biggest fans. Unfortunately, Julia had to follow this year’s Stanley Cup Finals from her hospital room at Duke University’s Medical Center where she was undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Coach Laviolette, a neighbor of the Rowe family, started the Coach’s Against Cancer Challenge campaign in honor of Julia. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Eastern N.C. Chapter serves patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma in 49 Eastern N.C. counties. The Triangle based chapter, with a satellite office in Wilmington, raises money for research leading to a cure for the blood cancers and to enhance the quality of life for local patients through services such as family support groups, educational programs and financial assistance. For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit www.lls.org or call (919) 677.3993. Head Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach Pete Friesen is sharing his morning with the Stanley Cup the Carolina Hurricanes fans by having a morning of exercise, fitness and fun. The day begins with Friesen’s 5K Stanley Cup Fun Run. This will be a great opportunity for you to run with Trainer Pete Friesen and Head Coach Peter Laviolette, as well as interact with Carolina Hurricane players Kevyn Adams, Glen Wesley, Cory Stillman. Drawings for photo opportunities and autograph items will be held at the Finish area. Numerous drawings will be held for all registered participants to win one of the following: • Photo opportunity with the Stanley Cup, players and coaches • Autographed items from the players and coaches Due to the limited time schedule, player autograph opportunities will be not be available. Please do not bring items for the players or coaches to autograph. The course makes a 1 mile loop around the RBC Center first for those who only choose to do 1 mile. The course then continues to Trinity Road and Blue Ridge Road before continuing back to the RBC Center
Actually less than two weeks, but here are the tips from Jefferson Health System 1/2 Marathon Training:
TWO WEEKS TO RACE DAY
TIP #1
Avoid boredom by altering your course from time to time. If you have been running for some time, you have probably developed a sense of how long it takes to run a mile, on average. Runners may take six, seven, eight, nine, even 10 minutes running a mile. If you are at a point where you are normally running six miles at a time, at the rate of eight minutes per mile, and you are bored, then you run about 45-50 minutes. So when you alter your route, time yourself on the new route. You should get a sense of what you doing just by using time.
TIP #2
On days that you feel a little lazy and need some motivation to get out to complete your running workout, think of the many health benefits that running provides. Running conditions the cardiovascular system, lowers one’s risk of hypercholesterolemia and adult-onset diabetes, and helps runners maintain a healthy body weight. Running is very beneficial in reducing one’s risk of developing osteoporosis. Runners also report lower stress levels. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages to running as a form of exercise is that a health-club membership is not required. You can do it anywhere. Whether you are traveling or on a lunch break at work, you can just put your shoes on and go out the door and run.”
While reading up on shoe reviews, I found a great article on training for a marathon. It answers some questions such as:
Why do I want to run a marathon?
Should I train in a group?
When should I start training?
How far should I be running when I first start?
How can I get started?
Secrets to start: What you wish you knew before training
All runners wish they could turn back time — run a race over again, return to peak form, log some extra training — to use their post-race knowledge to their benefit. Melody Barron, a newbie turned marathon runner, has some things she learned the hard way:
- “Everyone is different with what they can and cannot eat while training, but you have to pay attention or else it won’t be pretty.”
- “It’s OK to need to walk during your long runs.”
- “The burning feeling in your lungs when you first start out will go away if you just keep training.”
- “Look for other runners — listen to what they have to say.”
- Steer clear of cotton socks to avoid blisters, and invest in a good pair of running shoes to replace every 350-400 miles. Running stores can help with this one.
- Radios and mp3 players help pass the time on the long runs, especially if you’re alone.
- “Having small goals and motivational tools really helps. One of my favorites was that I printed out a map of the Chicago Marathon course and posted it on my wall. Every time I reached a mileage I had never run before, I highlighted that mile on the course, all the way from one mile to 21 miles. And it felt really good every single time.
Just signed up for a couple races in October. The first is a 5K called 7th Annual Second Empire 5K Classic which will be held in Raleigh, NC. This race is on October 1st from 2pm till 5pm.
The other race is the Inside-Out Sports Classic 10K - 2006 which is held in Cary NC. This race is on October 22nd.
Both races are part of the five-race Second Empire Grand Prix Series. Other races in the series include the Autism Ribbon Run (October 14), the Nike 5K (November 5) and the Turkey Trot 8K (November 23).
So there is only a couple weeks until the Half Marathon and I’ve been trying to stay busy training. This week I had soccer on Monday, 10 mile run yesterday and today the first softball game of the season. Does that make me a triathlete?
Caroline and I are pretty excited about the first softball game tonight. We’ve been at most of the practices and Caroline has found a position as pitcher. I’m sure we’ll be moving into all different positions as time goes on. We’ll just have to see how comfortable we feel at different positions.
No matter how we do, I’m sure we will have plenty of fun.
OK, the Polar S625X is going on my wishlist. At fist glance it looks just like the Polar S120 I currently have, but the S625 can do so much more. One very cool feature is that it also measures your running pace, and distance. It does this by adding another sensor that attaches to your shoe. You also have the chest strap that measures your heart rate and the wrist watch that collects and analyzes all the data to give you real time information on your run. Here is Polar’s Overview of the product:
The Polar S625X is the world’s first Running Computer that provides accurate heart rate, running pace and distance information right on your wrist. It delivers continuous running speed without relying on where satellites are positioned. With enhanced training tools and features like altitude and ascent for route profile, and the Polar OwnOptimizer™ recovery test– the S625X let’s you put the power of information to work for you.
Don’t worry, I’m not having heart problems . . . I’m starting to feel the pressure of my first 1/2 marathon bearing down on me. There are only a few weeks to go before I’ll be standing at a starting line wondering if I’ll make it to the finish line. I’ve not been running as much because of the heat, but in place, I am playing on a soccer team and a softball team. My only worry with playing these two extra sports is that I don’t end up with an injury.
The other area of focus for me is my weight. I really don’t want to carry around extra pounds of fat in the half marathon. I’ve decided to go on what’s called the Alabama Cardiac Diet. This diet is really for people who need to lose weight quick just before a major surgery. I heard about if from my father who was on the diet by recommendation from his Dr. I did try this diet a few times and I did loose some weight, but not the amount they have posted on the their website. I lost a few pounds each time I did it, but also, I ate better because of it.
I’ll be starting this diet (along with Caroline) tomorrow so that I’ll be able to eat what I want when the weekend arrives. We’ll have to see if I lose any weight . . .
I have to admit, the heat has slowed me down. I haven’t been getting nearly as many training runs in as I would like because it’s just so hot. With the Rock and Roll half marathon coming up in about a month, I was really hoping to get in some good training here with a few weeks left. All week we’ve been under the severe heat advisory and it looks like it will be the weekend before we really start to feel a break from the heat.
I just got the email yesterday about registering for the Old Reliable Run. This race is the first run I’ve ever competed in and will mark the first anniversary of me running. All I can hope for is that my time has improved over the past year. The race is Sunday November 12th which is the day after an ECU Football game. This will make for a very busy weekend and limited drinking during the ECU tailgating, if any at all. The football game, as it stands now, starts exactly 24 hours before the Old Reliable. Plenty of time to get back for the race.
According to the email I got about the race:
The Old Reliable Run is the longest running 10k race in N.C. The race normally attracts more than 2,400 participants and nearly 2,000 spectators to Downtown Raleigh.
Join us for the 23rd Annual Old Reliable Run to build a healthy community and a healthy you! Since 2004, race participants have raised over $160,000 to benefit the Triangle United Way Community Care Fund and improve lives across Durham, Orange and Wake counties. Your involvement helps you stay in shape and helps us create real, lasting change for thousands of families, seniors, kids and people seeking basic needs: food, clothing and shelter right here at home. It’s simply the best way to do the most good. For a complete list of our member agencies and programs visit http://www.unitedwaytriangle.org/
Get your friends and co-workers together and take the Community Care Team Challenge!!! Prizes will be awarded to the following:
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Largest Corporate Team
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Largest Community Team
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Largest School Team
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Team Captain
Registration deadline is Friday, November 3, 2006.
www.oldreliablerun.com