Many “Firsts” taking place

… new beginnings, hope, creation and unity ….

… intimate Seder at our house

… quiet Easter

…. more virtual races.

I am lucky to have running as my hobby.

It is my escape and keeps me center.

getting outside, soaking up the sun shine, boosts my immunity

This week long run …16 miles + some speed training at the track

#SafeDistance #Stayinghealthy #Stayhomesafe #smalltown  #hiddentrack  

Stay well.

During   the Covid 19 outbreak, I have been doing a lot of running to mitigate stress, and boost my immune system. I have been running at my local track.  Working out at the track is proving to be very easy to maintain social distance because of the rampant unpopularity of a running track.  Not much scenery at a track.

Anyways, with this extended Boston Marathon training period, I have decided to learn to run much faster and overcome my fear to run fast.  I know I can run much better.  I have to get acclimated to being uncomfortable.

I always hated Speed work.   I always did.

Speed work has always been hard and scary. My heart rate beats fast, my muscles are sore, and I hate the feeling of huffing and puffing.

Being age fifty, does not mean I have to be slow, I can still train my body to run faster as I age.

I reached out to Coach Jeff Galloway, and he developed a running plan to get me faster.  Time to break down my cement fear walls and run quicker.

These past two weeks, I have been practicing 800 meter repeats or mile repeats at the track. I was uncomfortable, coughed a bit, but I survived.  My plan is to continue using the track for speed practice during the extended marathon training season.

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I am also strength training at home using Les Mills Body Pump video.     It is a barbell based workout that uses very light weights with very high reps.

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Overall, I am doing well.  I have been relaxing at home and my mental and physical health has been good.

I am watching television, playing with the dogs, using social media to stay in touch  with others and just chilling out.

Stay healthy.

Here I am in quarantine, thinking I have to be locked up, feeling sorry for myself while sitting on the couch doing nothing, but this week, I took action with my family to mimic my usual work out plans and do one of our own.

Prior to going outside and getting fresh air, we all started getting antsy and crazy with each other.  My husband I were bickering about absolutely nothing. We were nervous about the situation in our country and the chaos. I am  also missing my routine, gym, eating out and just being social.

Then, magically, we discovered the outdoors and workout videos.  I also discovered I STILL have a home gym in my basement!!!  Yup, stress makes me forget things. And to my amazement, I STILL have a treadmill and other gym equipment just waiting to be used down in the basement.

I am also very glad for the running community and their friendship. They motivated me to get out the door and run. So, this week, I ran 16 miles and also did a home workout video. (Body Pump) I am looking forward to September when I run the marathon with Team Liver Foundation.

And I am happy again,

Boston Marathon is postponed until September 14^th.  Now I have 6 more months to train hard.

I also decided to work with Coach Jeff Galloway again, through a weekly email conference.  I want him to alter my running plan so I can keep up with my endurance, strength, and hopefully make me a faster runner.

I am also keeping up with my fitness plan.  I am able to run outside on the beautiful trails in Massachusetts,  or my treadmill.  I welcome the warm spring/summer months for running, and the beauty it brings such as bluer skies, blossoming trees, flowers, and lastly more sunlight.

Monday rest

Tuesday rest

Wednesday rest

Thursday……..18 mile run…. this run went well…..   I was in the groove! I am pleased with my effort.  I decided to force myself to rest prior to the run. I wanted to clear up all the allergy mucus and congestion in my airways before the 18 miles. Nailed it ..18 miles! Hooray!

Friday … lap swim 45 minutes

Saturday …Barbell Class … followed by a 20-minute lap swim, ….. afternoon 2 miles very easy run

Sunday 3 mile run

Total running miles 23 ……..Strong 50-year-old women working on strength, endurance …Boston I will be ready for you.

I am running the Boston Marathon with the Liver Foundation Marathon Team . If you would like to support this great cause click here

Support

scroll to donate to   runner …Robin Stairman

50 more days until the Boston Marathon!   Train well…Take care of myself  ….get to the start line

Monday    lap swim
Tuesday   Barbell Strength class
Wednesday rest
Thursday long run 10 miles.  no energy …. long slow horrible miles…Oh well, that’s marathon training.
Friday ….4 mile run and lap swim
Saturday Barbell Strength class..     Sunday rest day …I was a bit congested ..due to New England crazy weather. 

Sunday afternoon, for a treat, my husband and I went to the Museum of Science in Boston to see the exhibit DOGS!  A SCIENCE TAIL.  I love dogs, I have 3 Labradors and a Golden retriever.   I had a great time learning about life from a dog’s view.  It was neat to experience the way a dog sees, hears, and smells the world.

Last week pictures of Patient Match Bowling Liver  Foundation Marathon

Happy Valentine’s Day!   Amping up my training for Boston !  It is going well. Trying to get this 50 year old body …stronger ..swimming ,a Body Barbell class and running this week.

I did it!  I am officially Dopey!  I ran 48.6 miles in 4 days!   (5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon)

I started training for this event in July 2019. All those endless hours on the road, trails and my treadmill lead to my success.

It felt awesome, when I crossed the very last finish line Sunday afternoon!  I am a winner.  I did not quit or give up. I am exhausted, happy, sore, and also tearful (happy tears). I am physically and mentally wiped out.  My muscles are killing me.

The Dopey challenge taught me many valuable lessons.

I will always believe in myself and to push forward even when things are hard. Every so often, I had to push myself to run, even when I didn’t want to.

During my training. I learned my body is capable of doing so much more, than I have originally expected. The human body is amazing.

My commitments are always worth the time and effort. I am top priority.

My running confidence has improved.

I had a firm goal, that I was committed to, and all the hard work lead me to a positive successful journey.

I am still turtle slow but my strength physically and mentally has improved.

Lastly, I am more motivated and determined to make the most out of my life on earth.  I am more focused on strengthening and/or balancing all family relations, friendships, home life, my physical and mental health, my spiritual wellbeing, and supporting my spouse’s needs.

Thank you to my family and god who made this challenge possible.

Now on to the Recap…………………

Wednesday Expo and flying to Disney

At 6 am in the morning, my husband and I flew to Florida to kick off the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend “The Dopey Challenge.  My spouse was there for company.

Upon arrival, I immediately went to the World of Sport Complex to pick up my race bibs, and race shirts. After I picked up everything, I walked around the expo checking out all the merchandise.   After the expo, I headed back to the resort (Old Key West) to relax and then we headed out for dinner.

Thursday 5k

It was a fun race.  The race was completely located in Epcot, but the main focus was the World Showcase area.

There are about 11 countries that the World Showcase represents; and they all are centered around a beautiful lagoon. It was quite beautiful running past the countries.

Friday 10k

Another fun race.  The course was similar to the 5k.  Runners ran through Epcot’s scenic World Showcase, around Disney’s boardwalk, and then back to Epcot for the finish. There was also plenty of characters and Disney Music throughout the course. During the 1ok race, my strategy was to run a bit, walk a bit and just enjoy myself.  I wanted to conserve my energy for the two big races, the Half and Full Marathon.

Saturday Half Marathon.

The course started outside of Epcot, then we ran up to the Magic Kingdom, through the Magic Kingdom, back to Epcot, through Future World, and then we finished in the Epcot parking lot.

I ran this race very slowly.  I did not want to push, because I had 26.2 miles to run tomorrow. After the race, I went back to the hotel and spent the day watching television, and basically doing nothing. My legs and feet needed to be well rested.

Sunday The Marathon.

It was a hot one!!!!!!!  I had to slow down a lot for my safety. Temperatures were reaching low 80’s with high humidity.   Mile 20-26 was a very slow walk.

Anyways, the Marathon travelled through all the parks! Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

I am Dopey!

NEXT CHALLENGE BOSTON MARATHON!!!!

Sunday is the full marathon. This is the day I have been preparing for since July 2019! Last run of the Dopey Challenge.  The journey so far has been an incredible experience. I am excited. I am nervous.  I feel good. Time for bed …I have to run 26 miles! Wish me luck.   7 months of training …… has come down to this !!!!

So far …all my races have gone very well…

…. no asthma  (I am the only runner thrilled with the warmer weather) It was about 74 degrees for the Half Marathon.

….. no sneezing, coughing, or hay fever

…. well hydrated

…. nutrition on point

….electrolytes in check

….. well rested .. sleeping fine

…..legs and feet are fine

Thursday 5k done

Friday 10k done

Saturday 1/2 Marathon done

Sunday Marathon………

Ed spouse …thanks for keeping me company in Orlando

Time to go the Distance ……

Stay tuned