Marathon Eating on a Budget

I mentioned a few posts back that I was focusing my pre-training marathon training by honing in on my nutrition to really find out what works and what doesn't work in order to keep me energized and avoid being a ravenous beast (oh, and not spending a million dollars trying to feed myself and family). As two post-college, debt-to-our-ears, new home owner, young-er parents, our budget is pretty tight.

Shawn and I are not creatures of habit when it comes to dinner-eating. Growing up, I always knew that we'd have American Chop Suey (ughhhh) one night, pizza one night, tacos another... I like to try different things and different styles of cooking. I don't LOVE to cook, but I do LOVE to eat delicious food, and food that I know is fueling my body for the miles I've been, and will be, putting in. The problem with making "good" food fuel is that it is often preceded by an expensive grocery bill. So here are a few money-saving tips for both marathoners and non-marathoners alike. I'm no pro couponer (I'm actually the worst couponer...), but I've learned some lessons over the last few years!

Preschool woes, CHaD Allstar Football & PUPPIES!

It has been a wild ride over the last few weeks and it seems crazy that we're already a week into July!

Back in the beginning of May we had Cameron's IEP meeting with his Preschool teachers and other staff. The decision was made that Cameron would go to summer school (gasp!) as there was clear evidence that he had some motor regression after not having physical therapy at school all summer and fall last year. He also has some minor fine motor delays, such as his inability to grasp scissors and write at an age-appropriate level. The preschool he attends is going through some changes this summer, and thus is taking place at his new elementary school, instead of the school it had been in. We're excited about this because he will be able to learn the new space he's in (they're actually using the Kindergarten classrooms), with the people he's comfortable with (he has the same teachers) all before adding the other kids, new staff and longer days.

After Cam's official/unofficial Preschool graduation

So Tuesday was Cam's first day at summer Preschool.

Training Evolution & Becoming a CHaD Kid Ambassador

My training strategy has changed a bit from the first races I did over two years ago. Going into my first 5k, I had no idea what I was doing, I only knew that I had to run about 3 miles. It was a a St. Patrick's Day race, so it was pretty chilly when I started training for it (and the coldest race I've done to date!). At the apartment that we lived in at the time, we had the perfect one mile loop around our neighborhood, which was important to me because I wasn't comfortable getting too far away from my house yet. In the beginning of my training (though, it seems silly to even call it training), I did a lot of indoor cardio work and HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts, which did get my heart pumping and somewhat used to the intensity of running, plus built up my leg muscles. The first run that I tracked, (which might have been my 2nd run?), was 3 miles at 12:41 pace. I don't remember this run at all! I can only imagine it must have something to do with the body's ability to forget pain. ;) Most of my training prior to registering for my first half marathon was literally just practicing to run distances. I didn't try to go fast, I just went. I didn't follow a training plan, I just ran a few times per week.

My first tracked run!

Pediatric Orthopedics Update and 4 Years Ago

For the second time in Cameron's four and a half years of life, we made a trip to Dartmouth to visit a specialty other than Pediatric Neurology (the other time being the Pediatric Nephrologist when Cameron had problems with his kidneys after starting new meds). We saw Dr. Timothy Lee and Dr. Michelle Prince on Monday in Pediatric Orthopedics. Any visits not dealing with Cam's brain or other vital organs are always so much less stressful. The visit started in the waiting room when the receptionist asked if Cameron has had a cough recently, to which he promptly coughed...multiple times...in order to get a fun mask. ;)

National Running Day Interview

National Running Day is TOMORROW, June 3, 2015!

I participated, with a bunch of fellow Sweat Pink Ambassadors, who all completed this set of interview questions in preparation for National Running Day! Thank you Kristen at Jonesin' for a run for sharing this with us all!

1. Why do you run?
I know that there are a hundred reasons that I could list as to why I run and why I continue to run. It all started with a push to raise some money and has grown into (recently) part of my everyday life. Running keeps me honest and humble, patient and energized, goal-seeking and motivated. I run to get outside, to feel the endorphins and to get away. I run to be strong and accomplished and to be an active role model for Cameron.

2. How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?
My marathon training schedule has me doing 3 miles tomorrow, June 3^rd.

3. How many miles have you run so far this year?
Great question – I have no idea! I have never added them up. Now I may have to! ;)

4. What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?
My first marathon is on October 18, 2015. The Baystate Marathon in Lowell, MA! I’ll also be doing the Monadnock Half Marathon in Rindge, NH on August 9^th as a prep-race.

5. Before you leave for a run you must have:
For a short run, I just wear my Garmin and Sparkly Soul Headband (along with the obvious: shirt, sports bra, shorts/capris and Saucony sneaks). For a long run, I’ll wear my fuel belt with some Nuun in it, Garmin, Sparkly Soul Headband, either GU Chomps or Jelly Belly Sport Beans (for runs over an hour), head phones, cell phone and AMR Podcasts downloaded!

6. Do you have one favorite app to track your runs?
I was a Runkeeper user until I got my Garmin. I still occasionally use Runkeeper if my watch needs to be charged. I also love Charity Miles!

7. Who is your favorite running partner?
My BFF Becca and I have a very similar pace and she entertains me on my shorter long runs – I’ll get her to do a 10 miler with me sometime! Right, Bec??

8. What races have you ran so far this year?
Big Lake Half Marathon in Alton, NH on May 9^th!

9. If you had to give someone one piece of advice about running what would it be?
Don’t compare yourself to others. Run your own race, your own pace. Comparison is the thief of joy! You’ll never feel the euphoria of completing a race if you are focused on the runners who came in ahead of you.

10.  Describe your relationship with running in one word:

Restorative

Check out the other awesome women who are sharing their interviews:

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As another week of training has come and gone, here's a little recap:

The run streak officially began on Memorial Day Monday:

Monday: 2.20 miles at 10:54 pace

Tuesday: 1.02 miles at 12:01 pace

Wednesday: 3.20 miles at 11:55 pace

Thursday: 4x200s with half mile warm up and half mile cool down

Friday: 1.01 miles at 11:20 pace 

Saturday (sight seeing in Philly): 2.00 miles at an on and off photo-taking pace ;) Then walked 3 miles with friends for more sight seeing.

Sunday: 1.00 treadmill mile starting at 12:00 pace and ending at 10:30 pace.

The 11-12:00 pace has been my go-to while my quad still heals and I crank up the mileage with the run streak. I started out looking at that 12:00min/mi pace and feeling like a bum, but I realized I was feeling that way solely because I didn't want to share that I was going "that slow", because I know I can go faster, but really...who cares? Everyone has their own pace that works for them at any specific time. A mile is a mile, right? 

We're going STREAKING!!!

Okay, not THAT kind of streaking! ;) 

In my post the other day I asked if anyone else was participating in the Runner's World Run Streak 2015, so I wanted to share why I am!

First off, the running community is incredible, and each time I have the opportunity to participate in an "event", especially a free one that I can do on my own time, I take it! The Runner's World Run Streak is a challenge to run at least one mile each day from Memorial Day until the Fourth of July (41 days, this year). My intention with the challenge is to go about my normal 4 day x week training schedule - Run my scheduled mileage on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays. I will add just one super easy mile on Tuesday, Friday and Sundays. My goal is to continue to find motivation to get up, since I have to do all of my workouts early in the morning for two reasons, 1. because its going to start getting really hot! and 2. because its the only time that I know I always have for myself. I have the darndest time getting out of bed to do my lifting & strengthening workouts, so if I have to get up to run a mile, I might as well add in some strengthening routines afterward - especially if I can do it outside in the crisp morning air (doesn't that sound lovely??). 

Another reason to do it, similar to what I mentioned, the support system via social media is so great. The connections I've already made through my blog and through becoming a Sweat Pink Ambassador have already given me the added push. There are quite a few fellow ambassadors also taking on the challenge, so it'll be fun to share our runs together. I enjoy connecting with other runners, and I have a sweet spot for other mother runners. Social media makes it very easy these days to form a support system and find accountability partners who have no bias, and honest and truly want to help each other succeed. So this time is no different.

Lastly, along with motivation to get moving, I want to be really cautious about my nutrition leading up to the high mileage of marathon training. These early weeks, before the load starts to pick up, is the perfect time to play with nutrition - find meals that work to help my body recover, good solid breakfasts after my morning workouts, and nutrient-dense snacks for those hangry moments during the day. Of course, all without doubling our grocery bill...I'll keep you updated on that. ;)

And a side note, I do intend to seriously listen to my body during this challenge. If my quad starts acting up again, or any other injury seems to creep in, I will not continue the streak. This marathon is really important to me, so I don't want to screw it up so early in the training by over doing it.

That said, if anyone else wants to join in, we're on day 4! You don't even need to sign up! Just share your running adventures and use hashtag #RWRunStreak on your social media post to join in the challenge!

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Have you ever participated in a running streak? How long did it last? 

What's your favorite breakfast food?

Tee Ball and Marathon Training Week 1!

I mentioned in my last post that I would share some details of the excitement going on in our little lives! Because I have yet to take any "after" photos of our new house, I'll share those another time. ;)

Tee ball has been an adventure over the last 3 weeks. Boy, when I originally looked at the schedule and saw that it was only 5 weeks long, I thought to myself - "That's it!? We pay this money for just 5 weeks of tee ball?" Now, I need no explanation. The kids on Cameron's team are great. The parents are all super helpful and both Shawn (as assistant coach), and head coach Carrington, are trying their best to teach these little boogers the rules and basics of baseball. 4-6 year olds are EXHAUSTING! They're so fun and we've seen great improvements in their skills over the last few weeks, they're just so easily distracted - by the dirt, by the trees, by the caterpillar on the bench, by the dirt again, by the team playing on the other field, ohhh the dirt... You get it. It'll be a bitter/sweet day when Cam's first year of tee ball ends. Anywho, some photos of the "little" Red Sox in action:

Coaches giving a pep talk before the game!

Playing catch to warm up.

Coach Fisk giving batting pointers.

"Good game. Good game. Good game."

Their best game yet - Look! They're all standing in their positions!

Another notch on the excitement list: The Big Lake Half Marathon!
This was the first half marathon that I ran without a cheering squad, or anyone familiar present. During the halfs that I've done in the past, I've always looked forward to the time when I can high five family and/or friends on the side walk. Its a fantastic push and energizing moment to see Shawn and Cameron off to the side cheering me on as I run by, and there when I cross the finish line.
This time, I left the house just after 5am by myself, and made my way to Alton, NH. What a beautiful little town! The check in was so quick and easy, and it was about a quarter mile walk to the starting line. Because we were in the valley of the mountains and right down by the lake, there was NO signal, so my Garmin would not "get location". I really didn't mind, even though I was having a little panic attack when it wouldn't start - for no good reason, really! It was absolutely beautiful!

The views of Lake Winnipesaukee were incredible and there were so many aid stations, I barely used the Nuun in my fuel belt (which worked well as a recovery drink after the race!). When I crossed the finish line, the first thing I did was call Shawn - who was at tee ball practice with Cameron. It was nice to be able to walk around to the different vendors and relax a little before getting on the bus to go back to my car. Even though I didn't have my cheering squad, I did appreciate being able to take my time to stretch and walk around a bit!

Crossing the finish line of the Big Lake half was the official start of my marathon training. I took the next week completely off, because my quad was a little sore longer than any of the other muscles in my leg, and I am really trying to make sure I'm being careful.

So, a little Week 1 training in review:
Monday was my first run 3.01 miles at 11:37 pace
Tuesday is strength day - I focused on my core and am going to be especially cautious of my hip flexors and glutes when strength training, to make sure my muscles are strong and healthy to help prevent injury!
Wednesday another 3.00 miles at 11:36 pace
Thursday will be a speed work/hill workout day when I'm confident that my quad is good to go, so for now, I took that day off and slept in an extra 45 minutes
Friday Cam and I did our weekly yoga!
I decided to swap my Saturday and Sunday workouts this weekend because ...yard saling! ;) So Saturday was technically "rest" day this week
Sunday I did just about 4.5 mi at 11:50 pace then joined my friend Cait for her weekly yoga in the park class at 10am!
Total mileage: 10.5
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Anyone else feeling extremely slowed down by the humidity over the last few days?
Who else is participating in the Runner's World Run Streak 2015??