HALF WAY TO MY GOAL!!!

This past Saturday was easily the HARDEST day I've had yet. We met in Portolla Valley, and ran the Stanford "Dish"...For locals, you know how hilly the Dish is!!! It was a BRUTAL first 6 miles to say the least, with lots and lots of hills. My legs felt like complete jello and I was actually pretty unsure how I was going to be able to finish the second half of the run. I ran with a friend/running partner Sarah (A Nike Women's Marathon Vet) for the first half, and being able to pace myself/chat with someone definitely helped. The second half of the run was basically straight up Alpine Road. It was my goal to run 12 miles that day, but when I got to the 12 mile turn around point, I knew that if I ran just ONE more mile, I would have completed a HALF marathon distance. So, I dug in and got energy from SOMEWHERE and was able to squeeze out the extra mile. My legs were totally throbbing and my shoulder blades were hurting from moving my arms back and forth for so long, but I did it. There was a HUGE feeling of accomplishment, when I realized I was half way to my goal of completing a full marathon...It was also awesome to be welcomed back to the starting area by my fellow TNT participants, who had finished before me. Lots of hugs, cheering and hugs. I can only imagine how emotional crossing the finish line will be...I've got about 10 weeks left until the race. Hard to believe!!!! Here is a picture of me and my running buddy Sarah, right after we finished running....Headed home for an ICE BATH!!!!!!!

Double.Digits

Two weeks ago I hit a huge milestone. I ran my first EVER double digit run! It was a nice, cool morning, foggy, and we ran along the ocean in Half Moon Bay, so it was a gorgeous run. I finished in a little over 2 hours, which is right where I want to be, time wise. The last mile or so, I got pretty emotional and definitely teared up, as I realized how much I had just accomplished. Never in my life did I think I would be able to run that far...I also thought alot about our honorees and their familes and how much they have endured to be where they are today. It was an awesome day, to say the least. After the run, I participated in a "Half Moon Bay Run" tradition, and jumped into the (freezing!) ocean. The coaches and mentors have really hammered it into us that taking ice baths after long runs helps get your muscles back into action quicker and also helps to dull the aches and pains...So, this dip in the Pacific acted as such. Fun!!!! Above are pictures of me in the water/ice bath and also with my 'mentor' and HS friend Maria, after the race. :-)

The importance of BodyGlide

Two weeks ago (yes, it takes me that long these days to update my site!) I finished my first EIGHT mile run! We met at 7am, at Seal Point Park in San Mateo...Here I am with my mentor (and friend) Maria before we took off. It took me close to 2 hours to run the 8 miles, but I did it! I didn't even walk!!! At the end of the run, I found out the importance of 'body glide'...I won't say any more about the subject, for fear of sharing too much information, but basically I ran so far and so long, that my body started chafing, from skin rubbing on skin...so, I went out and bought the slimy stuff, that I'll rub all over my body tomorrow before I take on my first double digit run in Half Moon Bay.

8 inches in 18 weeks...

SO, my newest 'goal' is to not only run (or jog, doing what I call the 'marathon shuffle') the entire 26.2 miles, but the morning after the run is over, I want to cut my hair, and donate it to "Beautiful Lengths"...a partnership between Pantene and a wig maker, that takes donated hair and makes wigs for women and children with cancer. In my life I have had many family members and friends who have battled cancer...along the way, they purchased wigs to wear, making them feel better about themselves, and I can only guess, probably helping to remember what life before cancer was like...Donating my hair is only a *small* way I can give back :-)

The ironic part is that in order to donate your hair, your hair needs to be as healthy as possible. IE: no bleaching, dying etc. The last time my hair was 'naked' without bleach or dye was when I was about 13 years old!!!! I guess this summer is going to be about challenges all around--training for a marathon AND refraining from giving in and going to see my hair dresser, when my roots start to show!!! Thank goodness I've got a bunch of Nike running hats to keep my 'in transition' tresses covered up ;-)

I'll need to have at least 8 inches to donate...I've got about 18 weeks or so to make sure I get to that length...

A love/hate relationship with Tuesday nights...

I woke up this morning kind of groaning to myself, and thinking---oh geez. It's TUESDAYYYYYY. Which of course means, another good butt kicking at the Stanford track...I am not gonna lie, this evening when it was time to make my little peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner (I usually eat one before track and then *scarf!* one down in the car on the way home from track) I was NOT feeling it. I was tired and had a long day with the kiddos, but knew if that putting the shoes on was half the battle, and if I could just get dressed, drive the 2.5 miles out to the track; I would feel so much better when I got there...Low and behold...It worked! There is just something about the energy you feel when you are with Team in Training people...The coaches, the mentors, the honorees...Everyone is very outgoing, friendly and uber supportive. We spent some time doing the same types of core workouts...situps, pushups, planks, back bridges, jumping jacks, lunges, etc. Then we sprinkled in a few "pick up" laps around the track...Which basically means you sprint (or close to it) the straight aways, and jog the corners...Which I was told tonight is not only good to help you become faster on the longer runs, but is also a good way to jump start weight loss---woohoo! I KNEW there was a reason I liked Tuesday nights!!!...................oh wait, now I *like* Tuesdays???....Actually, it's pretty funny that track nights are going to be on Tuesdays the entire summer...Tuesday nights and I have had a pretty good relationship since January, when my sorority sister and friend, Stephanie Anderson was a contestant on The Biggest Loser. I started watching her show, which airs on Tuesday nights and said to myself, if SHE can do it (start working out and changing her life for the better!) WHY can't I? So, Shawn and I joined the YMCA in early January, and that's when this whole "Maybe someday I will run a marathon" notion snuck into my head ;-)

Here is a picture of Me and Jennifer--She is one of our honorees, which means she is a cancer survivor! She was diagnosed last year as an 18 year college freshman...She was treated at Stanford Children's Hospital, and is now in remission! She is actually training with us for the Kauai Half Marathon! She is AWESOME! ♥

More "See Jane Run" pics!

PS. I forgot to mention that "See Jane Run" is actually a National women's clothing/running store...the race this past weekend was held to benefit local girls' after-school/self esteem programs...who doesn't like running for a good cause?! :-)

See JANE Run!

Where did you think I got the idea for the name of my blog??!! ;-)

On Saturday 6/5/10, me and 3 of my best friends ran in a 5K in Alameda. The event is called "See Jane Run" and it's a virtually all women's event (all though there were a few men running in it, presumably with their wives or girlfriends) I found out about it online a few months ago, and was intrigued by the fact that the tag line of the event was "I run for Champagne and Chocolate"!! Who DOESN'T love those two things?! So, my good friends Johanna, Elizabeth and Katie Boyington all signed up for the event with me (Katie is actually my friend who did the Nike Marathon last year with TNT and is doing it again this year!) We carpooled over to the event EARLY on Saturday morning....All decked out in our best running gear ;-)

The atmosphere was very light and fun, and everyone was super friendly. At exactly 8:30am, the gun went off for the 5K portion of the event (the half marathon started 30 minutes before our race) It was a gorgeous course, that ran along the water. The sun started peaking around the clouds just as we turned the corner of the first half mile. Even though the race was 2 days after my first 6 mile run, I actually felt surprisingly loose and really good running! I ran with Katie (the experienced marathoner!) and she totally pushed me to a personal best! We finished 3.2 miles in 35 mins 51 seconds...shaving almost 4 minutes off my PR! At the end of the race, we rec'd little medals (mine is already hanging up in my room!) and we pleasantly surprised to get gorgeous REAL champagne glasses (we joked before the race that they were probably going to serve the champagne in little dixie cups! ha!!) and pieces of yummy dark chocolate!!! We also got super cute T-shirts, and free Jamba Juice! ;-)

It was a really fun race, and gave me a little taste of the GIRL POWER I am sure to experience later this Fall at the Nike Women's Event!!! (We had so much fun, we are already looking for more 5K's to do together this summer!)

Health and Happiness,

Jannie

PS. Here are some pics from the SEE JANE RUN 5K!

SIXXXXXXXXXXX Miles!

I still can't believe it. I am so proud of myself. Last Thursday I went out for a run by myself around the neighborhood...I was originally was going to do 4 miles, but felt so good, I just kept going! I had on my new 'hydration belt' and kept drinking water while I was running, so that could have had something to do with it. :-)

Anyways, I got 3 miles away from home, and instead of turning and going the shorter way back, I ran my exact same route, thus doubling the mileage and making it a 6 mile run!!! I ran (jogged!...and slowly I might add!) the entire thing---no walking!!

Six Pack Summer!

.....Ok. So maybe I'm not gonna have a SIX pack set of abs any time soon, but I *am* getting my core into shape! Tuesday night at Stanford was a good butt (or stomach!) kicking as the case may be ;-) We did almost 2 hours of 'ground' work---pushups, situps, crunches, lunges, and then for dessert, we did some sprinting!!! It was actually really fun! Everyone I have met (coaches, mentors, fellow participants) through TNT has been so outgoing and friendly--I am really enjoying it. At the end of the night, one of the girls who has been working out for us (and is currently training for a half marathon in Kauai!) gave a little presentation about her cancer story. Her name is Jennifer and she is currently 19 years old. She was diagnosed as an 18 year old college freshman with Hodgkins Lymphoma....in her case, it was extremely curable and she has been in recovery for the past 6 months! She is just one of the many reasons I am 'racing for a cure' :-)

Tuesday Track Workouts=A good A$$ kicking!!!!

Sooooo, Tuesday nights are now officially going to be referred to as BUTT KICKING NIGHT!!!! Phew! I still can't believe I survived last night's track workout!!! Every Tuesday we will be meeting as a team, with our coaches at the Stanford University track. I have been told that track workouts are a bit of a cross between boot camp workouts and having a personal trainer yelling in your ear ;-) Well, I can now officially report that both are TRUE! We started at the track (about 50 or 60 of us) by jogging 2 laps (.5 mile) and then we got down to business. We lined up at the end of the track (after a good stretching workout) and the coaches said "Ok. Now we want you to do lunges--all the way down both of the 'straight aways' and jog the corners". I about died. My butt was killing me. My calves were killing me...Everything was killing me!! And that was only the first lap!!! We proceeded like this for 1.5 more hours! We did everything from 'skipping' an entire lap, to side ways shuffles, walking on our toes and 'high knees' around the track. I was a sweaty mess, but boy did it feel like I was doing something so good for myself!!! At the end of the workout, we gathered together for announcements...that's when one of the coaches pointed out that one of the gals who had been working out with us, is an actual 'honoree'...which means she is either fighting or has fought blood cancer recently. She was totally out there kicking butt with us and none of us even knew she was a cancer patient! What an inspiration! She will be sharing her story with us next week after track, and I am really looking forward to it :-)

Until then, more gym time for me today (can't wait for Friday when I get a 'rest' day! woohoo!)

Health and Happiness,

Jannie

PS. Here I am getting ready to leave for my first track workout....I went out and bought 'shiny slippery pants' (ha!) to wear for the occasion--and boy were they comfortable! I almost *look* like a runner now, huh?!

First Team Run!

Saturday was our first big "team run" in Mtn View. We met at 8am, and although it is the end of May, it was COLD!!!! (Which I am told I will be wishing for, come August, when we are going for a quick 20 mile run!) Anyways, we met with the coaches (who are all totally awesome by the way!) and they led the entire group (about 70 of us!) through stretches and warm-ups. We were then given the choice of running (jogging, as I like to put it!) 2,4 or 6 miles...I decided to be right in the middle, and jogged 4 miles! It was a nice run, and it did warm up about half way through. I met another girl who was about my speed, and we ran together and chit-chatted the entire run, which is good, considering wearing an Ipod or headphones at all is a big No-No with TNT...I am still not sure how I will get through an entire MARATHON without listening to music, but the coaches promise if we give it a chance, we may actually learn to *enjoy* running, without the distraction of music....only time will tell I guess! :-)

Woohoo!! Let the season begin!

So, I *just* got back from the Silicon Valley's Summer 2010 season kickoff event--and let me tell you---I feel a little like I could go run a marathon right now-they really pumped us up at this meeting!! (Ok, probably not!--but still) I am very, very, very excited for the season to begin; in case you can't tell by the fact that I *already* have my official shirt on in this pic! hahaha! My journey will begin Saturday morning with a 4 mile run! Tonight I also met my mentor (a past TNT participant who will be guiding me through everything this summer) and not only is she the sweetest girl, but it turns out we went to HS together! She is two years behind me, but her brother was in my class and played football when I was a cheerleader! Small world!! At any rate, the above picture is my friend Katie and I...Another friend from HS! She did Team in Training last summer and completed the Nike's marathon last fall! Her amazing experience is one of the reasons I wanted to join TNT this year--and I am one of the reasons she decided to do it again this year! I am looking forward to meeting lots of new people (BTW, EVERYONE I've met at these events is UBER friendly and outgoing!) and of course, getting my butt kicked and hopefully into some decent shape--all while raising money for an AWESOME cause...One of the first things we did tonight was watch a video about a child and his journey surviving Leukemia. Let me tell you there was not a dry eye in the house....I am so thankful for this opportunity and for the healthy children in my life.

Health and Happiness!
~Jannie

Fallen off the wagon...

I have fallen off the 'run wagon' as it were...My sister had a baby last week, and between trips to the hospital and fighting a springtime cold, I haven't had the time to dedicate to running every single day. Don't get me wrong, I am still exercising, but the other day I ran two miles (after a week of no running!) and it was HARD! I do have a new Ipod (Thanks dad for the bday gift!) and have downloaded almost 5 hours of music! (Just the amount I'll need to make it through the entire marathon! gulp!)Hoping to nip this cold in the butt and get back at it next week...TNT's Summer Kickoff is Thursday May 20th and I am SO excited! Happy Friday!

Is it May 20th yet?

Shawn and I joined the local YMCA in January, and I started working out a few times a week. About 6 weeks ago, I decided it was about time I used the gorgeous treadmill Shawn bought me for *last years* birthday. I hopped on it, and walked .75 miles and then ran (jogged--and slowly I might add!) for 2.25 miles. I WAS ELATED! I was so proud of myself. I was sweaty and tired and really sore, but realized that maybe I hadn't given up *all* of my sporting ability to the motherhood Gods. After that I decided to try running (jogging) a few more times; ya know, just to make sure it wasn't a fluke or something. I even started keeping track of how far and how long I was running! The feeling I got after each run was indescribable. Even if I was running slowly and for a short period of time, I was starting to feel like I was taking control of my life again. Like I was doing something GOOD for myself. I was even noticing that I was snapping at the kids and Shawn less, after I worked out. I then signed up for my first 5K run. It was a race sponsored by my college sorority chapter (Kappa Delta, at SDSU) All the money raised went to supporting Child Abuse Prevention--a great cause, and a great time with many of my old friends and sisters. Stephanie Anderson is one of my friends from college....she can currently be seen on NBC's THE BIGGEST LOSER. She has lost over 100lbs, and I am not going to lie. She was definitely one of my inspirations to get healthy again. I ran the 5K in April (pushing both the boys in the stroller I might add!) and after I crossed the finish line, decided I wanted to try and run a half marathon--big goals people. I signed up for the Nike Women's Half Marathon, which is in San Francisco in October....Unfortunately so many women want to run in the event, they are forced to hold a random 'drawing' to see who actually gets *into* the race. Sadly, my name wasn't chosen to run in the half...With my 'rejection letter' came a note, that there was still a way for me to enter into the race...join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their effort to end blood cancer, and run the race with Team in Training...I not only decided that was what I wanted to do, but I also decided that as long as I was going to be training for 21 weeks, I might as well go for the entire enchilada and go for the FULL 26.2 mile marathon. I know. I am crazy. So, I went to an informational meeting last week and was truly inspired. I listened to the stats about how the survival rate for childhood Leukemia has risen from 4% to almost 85% in the years since LLS was founded. I also found out that one of Cameron's beloved preschool teachers has a now 20 year old son, who is a Leukemia survivor...He was first diagnosed at the age of 3.5--the same age as Cameron. It brings tears to my eyes just THINKING about it. At any rate, Shawn and I have made this commitment together (as it will be a true TEAM effort--juggling the training, fund raising, child/boppa watching efforts etc.) The official Kickoff Meeting is May 20th, and I am super excited to get my training started (remind me I said that, when I am dreading running 18 miles later this summer!!) Yesterday I went for my first run (ever!) that was over 5 miles. It took me a little over an hour, and although I did it slowly, I still did it without stopping! I am so excited, scared, nervous and READY to begin this amazing journey....I will try and keep this blog updated with my training efforts...and promise each entry won't be this long.
Health and Happiness,
Jannie

Here is a link to my Team in Training fundraising site--Any and all donations are gladly welcomed and appreciated!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf10/jowent