Feel like a Ninja Warrior

S'ghetti girl doing her lunges.  She said she felt like a Ninja warrior.

LBM did pushups on the road.  I kid not.  Photos to prove it.  Oy vey

You remember my Legs Love Lunges Post  thanks to the lovely Amanda at 5 Miles Past Empty, right?

That was the brain storm from one very nice west coastie soon-to-be east coastie runner who loves to stick out her tongue in photos.  I can't wait to get her on my side of the country!

She challenged us to do lunges for 30 days at least 3 times a week.  Well, you know I love me a good challenge so I did those lunges!  At first my legs screamed!  Hello back of my thighs.  Not in shape much?

But after about the first three days they seemed to get used to it.

I must admit that I never got past 20 lunges per leg.  Lazy much?  Yes I am.  But I did lunges after my runs 3 - 5 times a week. 

Here are the photos:

Before

After

You may not see a big difference but my muscles do feel firmer and the back of my legs does seem a bit smoother.  This is a habit I will be keeping up!

 

On the running front, it's Day # 129 and the third of four 10 mile days.  I am looking forward to the weekend and having some sitter support to get in some runs without the jogger.  I enjoy having LBM with me, we share some interesting conversations along the way.  I know the neighbors are staring!

BUT a girl needs to put in some solo trail miles in order to race on trails and have any idea of an expected pace on race day. 

I only need to know what paces I will be hitting to allow my family to be able to be at the finish line to cheer me in.  I am still not at a place where I am trying to be competitive in a ultra distance and probably never will be.  So for the upcoming races I will be 1) Running a relay with Hubbs ~ his pace 2) Pacing Hubbs in the half or using the Marathon as training run for the Ultra 3) Racing local 10k ~ Hubbs running 5k? 4) Running the Ultra ~ hopes to improve my distance PR.

If I can make all that happen along with day-to-day life is yet to be seen but one thing I know for sure is my legs will look good trying and maybe I'll feel like a Ninja Warrior too thanks to Amanda and her Legs Love Lunges Challenge!

Thanks Amanda!

Happy Wednesday!

Awesome Brooks Giveaway  hosted by a busy mom of three, entrepreneur and running coach;  Racing with Babes.  She's up to so much she has to write about it all or no one would believe one person can do all that! Go check it out!

That Third Bite

Morgan at Caution: Redhead Running has a interesting post today.  She questioned how your second marathon training went in comparison to the first.

My question is, pace aside, how was your first marathon experience compared to your second, third...

I equate the experience to eating.  I ran my first 3 marathons within 6 weeks of each other. 

For me, the first was like that first bite of dessert.  I am so eager to have it that I barely tasted it. 

The second marathon was that second bite.  Again rushed and hurried, as if someone would take it away if I did not have it quickly.  

Then there were a few weeks between the second and the third marathon.  Those weeks remind me of how I try to eat those things I like but do not nutritionally need.  

That third bite. 

I take time to think about whether or not I actually want to have more or need to have more.  Then after some consideration I take that third bite.  I enjoy the taste of the treat I am savoring.  That was my third marathon.  A savored treat!  I enjoyed the first two.  There is nothing like the accomplishment of completing a marathon however, between the nerves and self doubt I was a wreck at the starting line.  It wasn't until the third marathon that I was able to look around instead of at my watch.  I was able to know that the finish line was coming and I would see it. 

I still get nervous at the starting line.  I still have moments of self doubt when it's been awhile between races or I try something new; like the Greenway Trail Marathon on 8 weeks of training.  But now the marathon distance and I are old friends who challenge each other from time to time.  I show him (yes, my marathon distance is a man) respect by getting my training miles ran come rain or snow or jogging stroller full of unhappy kiddos.  He shows me new levels of accomplishment within myself  when he throws in more hills or a completely flat course (ugh!).  

Was what was your second, third, fourth marathon experience like compared to your first?

Am I The Only One?

I love to run. I don't so much like to follow a training program. That's the problem. I know that I could probably run much less and be far faster if ONLY I could stick to the plan but I don't. I think if I'm schedule to run 4, 6 would be better.

And am I the only one who knows that if you run morning and night, you never get sore because you just simply don't allow your muscles time to. Oh boy, the feedback I am going to get over that one. But it's true. I typically run 6.5 in the morning and 6.5 in the evening. Almost all the time. I run longer distances when I have races coming up and a bit less over the coldest month of the winter but for the most part, that is how I run - when I get my way.

How wrong is that?

I know that I have put in some really fast times since I have not been able to get my runs in. My mileage has gone from 50-80 miles a week to 25-50 miles a week and I am getting faster. (No extra speed work other than a few races). Any thoughts out there on why?

Does this mean that if I want to get faster I am going to have to give up some of my runs? And actually put up with getting sore? Seriously, marathons aside, I am never sore. I have been running this way since...hmmmm, well racing since 2003 this way.

I know there are a lot of busy racers this weekend but I'd appreciate the feedback and opinions if you have one.

p.s. Before you ask, Yes, I have sort of followed marathon training programs. But honestly, I put in my life time marathon PR by simply running and following what I already know works for me. Should I change now?