Fall starts and I'm feeling better

For almost two weeks now I have been dealing with hamstring pain. In both high school and college I was pledged with bad hamstrings (I've suffered both strains and a severe grade 2 tear). So I have been very cautious about my running these last few weeks. Which in turn has put me a little down in the dumps. I have been having a hard time trying to motivate myself to get out for my runs. Today in fact, Tony had to physically take me outside. He promised that I would feel better after it was over (of course he was right).

This is my first fall in New Brunswick. Today on my run I really got to take full advantage of viewing the beautiful changing leaves. I had one of those moments where I could just be thankful for the opportunity to be out running. Friday has to be my favorite day for running. Everyone is busy getting home...getting ready for their weekend. It was so quiet and peaceful tonight. Ah...smile. I'm just so happy!

On my way home I grabbed some of the beautiful leaves (so I could give you a teaser). Tomorrow I'm going to try and get out and take some pictures. So you can see just how lucky I am!
Tonight above all, I'm so very thankful for my teammates. They lift me up when I need it the most! Thank you TEAM POINT TWO! Sending my love, Jamie

Terry Fox Run Update

It has been over a week since I ran my first 10K race. Now I wouldn't really call this a race (we didn't have race numbers or chips), it was technically a "fun" run. All the same I was still nervous. The race took place on the trails in Fredericton that I usually do all my training on. It was good because I knew what to expect. This was probably the hardest race I have ever done. It pretty much felt like I was sprinting the whole thing! I felt out of shape and ready to cry. At mile 6 I wanted to quit...but dug in an finished hard (ha ha the last .2). Although I had a really great race it was overshadowed by my right hamstring. Early in the week I tweaked it and didn't email John because I didn't have internet. So I continued with the planned workouts and ran the race without him knowing. Needless to say I don't think the race helped the hamstring out any. Overall, it was a good experience. BUT the next 10K race I do will definitely be a road race.

The Terry Fox Run

"And almost 30 years later, Canadians adopted Terry’s mission of finding a cure for all cancers with an enthusiasm and passion that has done him proud. In keeping with the approach of its founder, The Terry Fox Run (1981 - ) is an innovative and volunteer-led event, all-inclusive, non-competitive, with no corporate sponsorship, incentives or fundraising minimums.

It has become a fall tradition in Canada to gather your friends and family, lace on your shoes, bring our pledge sheets and attend your favourite Terry Fox Run site, where Organizers have no budget for expenses but have unlimited appreciation for your attendance!

The Annual Run in Canada is usually hosted on the second Sunday after Labour Day, the month chosen by Terry to reflect when he had to stop running and when Canadians had to start."
Taken from Terry Fox Foundation http://www.terryfox.org

This year I will be participating in The Terry Fox Run held in Fredericton, NB. I will be running with my family in a group named "Family Ties." I'm so honored to be a part of such a special thing!

Nervous

I am starting to get a little nervous about my marathon in December. Since it’s my second marathon I know a little more about what to expect. But now I have the PR looming over head. Many many "what ifs" running around in my head. I'm thankful to have my teammates from Team Point Two around to help with motivation and inspiration!
I'm also missing the Netherlands. Normally around the end of August we are moving back to Europe for hockey. This year we will not be going back. I did find out on Monday that I got accepted into an 18 month program for Graphic and Digital Media Design. I'm really excited to go back to school and am thankful that I will be staying in my husband's home town. Lots of new things to look forward to.
Now I'm just trying to find a cheap flight home to Nebraska (for a quick visit) before school starts in October.

August Running Summary

Runs: 26
Avg. Time: 01:05:38
Total Time: 28:26:37
Avg. Speed: 6.6 MPH
Avg. Mi Pace: 9:04
Avg. Dist.: 7.2 Mi
Total Dist.: 188.1 Mi
Avg. Cal. Burned: 736.8
Total Cal. Burned: 19157

Recovery Week

Use this week as a recovery week before we forge into the next phase:

M: Off. Take a 4 mile walk if you must, but that's optional.

T: 5 miles. Warmup 1.5 miles. Stretch and 4x 10 second striders. 2 sets of 3x 1:30 up the best hill you can find that you can run 1:30 up. Walk 4 minutes between sets. 1.5 mile warm down.

W: Off.

Th: 4 miles. One mile easy. 2 miles in 17:10 (8:35/mile). One mile warmdown.

F: 5 miles easy, with 6x 10 second striders at end of run.

S: Off.

Su: 8 miles. After an easy first mile, run the last 7 miles at an avg. pace of 9:20/mile.

Week's mileage: 22 miles.

16 Weeks to Vegas

M: easy 8 miles on a flat course.

T: 9 miles. 2 mile warmup. Stretch and striders. On a track, run 4x 400 meters in 1:51, with a 200 meter slow jog recovery. 1x 800 meters in 3:40. Warmdown 5 miles EASY.

W: Off.

Th: 8 miles. Warmup 2 miles. Stretch and do striders. 3x 1 mile in 7:10, with a one minute rest/jog interval. 3 mile warmdown.

F: 8 very easy.

S: 7 Easy, plus 6x 10 second striders.

S: 12 miles. After first 2 miles, run next two miles in 15:28 (7:44/mile pace). Run easy for the next 8.

Week's mileage: 52

Sunday Long Run

We had such a great time doing our photo shoot and got so many great shots...I just wish I could post them all! So instead I think I will just add a new picture to every new post that I write.
I finished up this week with just a hair over 50 miles. Today was my first long run over 11 miles (the longest I've run during this training program). I had specific instructions to run 8:30 paces for a minute (during the odd miles, starting at mile 3) and two minutes (during the even miles, starting at mile 4)during my 13 mile run today. I felt really good for the first part of my run. I then hit some of the hill sections during miles 7 & 8. As luck would have it both pick-ups landed right at the bottom of hills. I think this pretty much wore out my legs and I started having problems for the last few miles.
I felt pretty terrible about it. I feel like one of my "strengths" is finishing strong. After beating myself up about it, I realized that I had a pretty tough couple of weeks. The heat out here has been hot hot hot well in the 90's and 100's. That coupled with the not having an air conditioner (which equals no sleep). I have been running either early in the mornings or late at night to try to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Honestly it just didn't want to cool off! So I changed my mind... I totally kicked butt! I'm actually looking forward to next week. If I can run during this hot spell, it's only going to get better and COOLER ;-)
I also wanted to thank all of you who read this. I'm going to try to be better at posting. I have been doing the running thing alone for so long. It seems as if I've gotten to be a little shy. That and living in France and the Netherlands and not speaking the native language made me super shy with people. I really want to thank you for listening because I have been pretty lonely these last few years. It's so nice to have friends that understand my running!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
lucky7runner

Sneak Peak...

Here is a sneak peak from our photo shoot Wednesday night. I wanted some new pictures for the blog, and because I just got married I wanted to do something in my wedding dress. So Stacey, Shawna (my sisters-in-law) and I got all dolled up and got some really great shots!

They are here!

Finally my new shoes arrive! During yesterday's 11 mile run I really noticed how bad my shoes were. I'm so excited to take my new shoes out for a run!




Today has been super hot AGAIN! It's 90...but feels like 103, super duper! This is my actual first summer training for a race. It's HARD! Lately I have been trying to keep myself motivated with listening to as many new podcasts as possible. It's so great because we are all training in this same hot heat.

One of my favorite runners is Dirt Dawg he just ran a 100 mile race (The Burning River 100) on August 1.
The Burning River 100 is an exciting 100 mile run held in Northeast Ohio that travels through several of the region’s most scenic areas, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cleveland Metroparks and the Metro Parks, serving Summit County.
What a great inspiration for all of us! If you haven't heard his podcast you should check it out.

As for me I have another big week of 51 miles and nothing but sun and heat in the forecast. But I do have my new shoes!!! I hope you have a good week.
See you on the road!
lucky7runner