Treadmill Long Run 13 miles!  Galloway Method.

My nutrition was a lot better this run.  I had  more energy.   I decided to eat a lot more carbohydrates and a healthier balanced diet.  Whats up with the hate on carbs ? I run better with more carbs. Pre Run dinner was a Dutch Pancake!

Fueling my long runs with football playoff foods  is a  big No  for long runs.  That mistake was made last  week.  My body does not run well on nachos and wings. Lesson learned.

I did two 3 mile runs and one longer 13 mile run.

trying to stay motivated for Boston during the winter cold  months .

Week 2 Boston Marathon Training ….Long Run 14 miles

14   miles done!

 It went really well and I felt strong throughout the miles.

 

Fun times…

 Watching Football Playoff games … I spent the whole day sitting on a couch.

 …Patriots and Jaguars …  The Patriots winning the AFC Championship Game was very exciting.

Vikings and Eagles…Eagles  a big win.

I enjoyed spending time with my family over winter break.    My youngest daughter was on College Winter break, so my oldest daughter and her boyfriend, my husband and I were able to catch up with her.

We enjoyed dining at many different restaurants and appreciating everyone’s company.  It was a fun week.

 

 

Week 1 Boston Marathon Training

IT’S TIME!  Boston Marathon training starts this week.  I will be following the Jeff Galloway Marathon Program.   I feel many running plans are very focused on pace and speed. Jeff’s plan focuses on accomplishing the distance, which is a much more realistic goal for asthmatics and  more enjoyable for me.

This week I am in Boca Raton enjoying a family vacation.

WORKOUTS

Saturday  13 Miles…treadmill at gym

Sunday  3 Miles

Tuesday  3 Miles  and an aerobic  class

FRIDAY  3 Miles

FUN TIMES

… relaxing by the pool, lunch outside,  75 degrees

beautiful scenery A1A in Boca Raton

 

Last weekend, I was supposed to run the Disney World Half Marathon;  however, that race never happened. On Thursday morning, the day I was supposed to fly, Massachusetts was hit by a major blizzard with wind gusts up to 40 mph.  There was a least 18 inches of snow that was dumped at my home.   As the day went on streets were flooding and cars were getting stuck. No one could get by certain areas, especially by the water. For Boston Logan airport, the flights were either continuously delayed or cancelled.

I was bummed.  I trained hard for this race and prayed to the weather gods to change the forecast.  Nope, it did not happen.

Throughout this storm, I was viewing several different runner’s social medias to see their story of this storm along with sharing my story.  Later that evening, I decided to run my own 13.1-mile VIRTUAL race on Saturday at my home.

To my surprise, that night Run Disney announced a new Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon.   The race included a on line   bib and a medal  they will  be send through the mail after completion.  I immediately signed up.   I was officially running the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon and I would get bling upon completion. I was no longer bummed about missing the Disney race due to weather.   I had my own Virtual race to do.

 

My Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon

LOCATION   home GYM

TIME 2:07PM

Finish Time: 5:11PM

 

After my run, I felt great.

Although, I rather have been in Disney World, I enjoyed my VIRTUAL Half Marathon. This mix up taught me that even though you can’t always get what you want, you can still try and get pretty close to what you want.

 

Last week went well.  I did some strength training Body Pump.  I have not done strength training for a while so it was hard.  My muscles were tired!    Plus trying to keep up with my daughter   age  18   …not a good idea .

 

Taper time…

Disney Marathon ….January 7 2018

The bottom of my  feet were sore from running, so this week I took a break from running.

My family had a nice Hanukkah celebration.  Lots of latkes or potato pancakes consumed.   Latkes are the quintessential culinary treat of  Hanukkah.  It is a   traditional to serve latkes fried in oil to celebrate the Hanukkah  miracle, that involved the oil of the Temple menorah lasting for eight days instead of just one.

Happy Hanukkah     Chag Sameach   Jewish Festival of Rededication.

 

Workouts

Monday 6

Tuesday 6.5 miles

I am officially done with all my hard training for the Walt Disney Marathon.  In three weeks, I will be flying to Walt Disney World for Marathon Weekend. I am so excited.

My body was so tired …. back off time …to rest

 

Last weekend was spent in my home enjoying some quiet relaxation time before my last final training push.  I am now tapering.  Yeah!!!

 

Saturday was the first snow of the season.  The snow always adds a festive atmosphere as we celebrate Chanukah; Plus, Christmas and New Year’s is on the way.

Sunday …Football time

 

 

yummy Hanukkah  desserts

 

December already!  The year has flown by. I had a nice weekend.  I spend my time lounging around the house and watching football.  My husband and I had no obligations or events to attend, so we both enjoyed the quiet.

I am training for the Disney Marathon in January and Boston in April.

Wow…. in 4 weeks, I will be heading to Disney World for Marathon Weekend.     I am so excited.

Most of my running has been on a treadmill. I am not a cold weather runner.

Sunday 6 miles

Monday 12 miles… It wasn’t bad but my feet were getting sore.

Tuesday   18 miles …. Last 4 were tough

I also decorated my home for the holidays.

Love this time of year !

Enjoying A Mudslide after a long Run .  So delicious!

Dogs enjoying the holidays also ……

 

I had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  It was nice to spent time with friends and family.  I truly enjoyed the extra-long 4-day weekend.

I am training for the Disney Marathon in January and Boston in April.

Sunday I ran 10 miles.  ……After enjoying a fun holiday pack weekend, I finally had a whole day to myself.  My adult children returned to their homes and I decided to take advantage of the quiet and run.

Monday ……Long run 18 miles … The first 13 miles. I was fine.  The last five felt very hard.

Tuesday ….. 5 miles

 

 

Hello, After the Disney 10k and half marathon last weekend, my spouse and oldest daughter enjoyed some time in Boca Raton. We spent most of our time sitting by the pool and pampering ourselves.    During our stay, I scheduled a facial and manicure/pedicure treatments, that I truly enjoyed.

 

It  was  very hot and humid in Boca Raton, so I decided to take a break from running.   It was a good idea because I was able to rest my body a bit, so I can be more prepared to increase my long run mileage past 13 miles. In about 7 week, I will be running the Disney Marathon.

On November 11, we flew back home to MA.  It is nice to enjoy the fall crisp weather.

This week Nov 13 -19

Monday long run 16 miles

Tuesday 8 miles

Wednesday rest

Thursday 3 miles

Friday rest

This past weekend, I participated in the Disney Two Course Wine and Dine Challenge. This event combines the 10K on Saturday with the Half Marathon on Sunday—a total of 19.3 miles through the   beautiful Walt Disney World Resort.  I was incredibly excited to be part of this Disney Adventure.  This was my first time participating in the Two Course Challenge.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience but the humidity during both race days was very high. Humidity and I are not running friends. Every run in the humidity makes me feel like I am breathing under water. Yet, I enjoyed participating in both the 10k and Half Marathon.  I love the feeling of accomplishment, receiving a medal, and also the euphoric ‘runner’s high’ after a race.

My husband and oldest daughter were with me in Orlando. They were great company throughout the weekend.
We arrived in Orlando on Friday morning, had a nice lunch at the ESPN Brewery and then I went to the expo to pick up my number. The expo was held at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Race pick up was super easy and very organized.  After I got back from the expo, I unpacked, and then we all went to dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse.  I had a delicious steak with mash potatoes.

After dinner, it was time to lay my gear and get ready for an early 10k race at the crack of dawn.

…………..

The 10k (6.2) race

My first race of the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend was the 10k.   My goal for this race was to take it easy and have fun, since the half marathon was the next day.

My race morning started very early with my alarm going off at 3:00 a.m.  I showered, got dressed, grabbed a granola bar and was on my way to the starting line.  I caught the first bus from our hotel, Disney Beach Club, to the staging area located at the Magic Kingdom Parking lot.  I arrived at Magic Kingdom early, used the porta potty, and then headed to the running corrals.

At 5:30 on the dot, Corral A, the elite and fastest runners were sent off with fireworks.  To make the start more special, Disney sets of fireworks for each corral. Soon my assigned Corral F was on our journey to complete 6.1 miles.

We ran through Hollywood Studios, around the Boardwalk, over by Epcot, then to the Finish line located near Space Ship Earth.

I had a lot fun greeting the Disney characters along the course and taking pictures.  There was also plenty of aid stations and volunteers  surrounded the route.

Six miles later, I crossed the finish line.  After the race, I collected my water, Gatorade and a few snacks.  I got my medal, and then waited in line for a picture with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Later, I headed to the hotel for a nap, and some relaxation time while my husband and daughter went to Universal Studios to ride some rollercoasters and other exhilarating rides.   I am definitely not a fan of rides, so I just stayed at the hotel.   Later during the day, we went to dinner at the Trattoria Forno on the Board Walk, so I can carbo load for the Half Marathon.

 

Day one of the Challenge, has been such fun! Day 2 is tomorrow.

Day 2 The Half Marathon

Race morning started off with another 3:00 a.m. alarm. I showered, got dressed, and I was out the door and on the shuttle bus to the start for the Half Marathon.

This time we ran through Animal kingdom, Hollywood Studio, and Epcot.  The miles flew by. Around mile 12, I was very excited, when I saw that golf ball (Space Ship Earth) which meant I only have a mile left!   We than ran through a security gate towards the finish line.

Thirteen miles later, I crossed the finish line! I got my medal and drank some water and headed back to the hotel.

 

That night, my family and I had dinner at Bongos Cuban Café.

After dinner, we walked around the Disney Springs.

I now have my Disney Two Course Challenge Medal, in addition to my Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon medal and Disney Wine & Dine 10K Finisher Medal.

Challenge completed.    10k and Half Marathon done!!

Monday morning, we will pack our rental car and head to Boca Raton to visit our town home for a week-long relaxation vacation.