Anna's Results!

Anna had a great run!  She started with a 6:45/mile and let up a bit as the distance got longer and the hills appeared.  Her lungs were what slowed her down.  How could she have fixed that: more interval/speed training.  Unfortunately her tendinitis was keeping her from that the last few weeks.

Final Time: 24:50 and she placed 2nd in her age group!

This was for a great cause: Uganda Water Project.

Great Job, Anna!  Remember - she's a MOM of 2 little ones!!  Another Shout Out to Corrie Tanner, also a mother of 3 little ones, who also ran the same race.  She did extremely well, too and I think this was her first 5K.  YAY, Corrie!!

The Week before the Race

Anna Finley's 5K adventures continue:

Anna is suffering from a 6yr old tendinitis issue.  She's still going to run - that's my girl, but knows she needs to play it safe....This is what she's doing this week:

Monday: 3 miles (avoiding hills)
Tuesday: 2 miles in the a.m. and 1 3/4 miles of intervals in the evening: 1:40/1:53 for 1/4m splits w/200m rest/walk
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Light run and a few intervals
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Race Day!  She's hoping for 8min/miles now due to her injury. 

We'll have to wait and check out her results on Saturday.  Anna, we want pics!!!  (Josh, take pics while taking care of the boys, please!!)

On the Side

So I've started something new lately.....I not only get the dressing on the side with my salad, but I also get the cheese on the side.  When you are living a lifestyle of portion control (or a trek to fitness!) everything counts.  I think it makes a big difference.  It's fun to see the amount of cheese they bring you.  It's so much more than I'd ever put on my salad.  I still put SOME on, but definitely not all of it!

Every little bit counts - for better or for worse!

More on Anna's Trek to Fitness tomorrow!

A Running Mama!

So I'm not the only Mom that is on her Trek to Fitness and loves to run......let me introduce you to:

Anna Finley: wife, mother of 2 boys, and a runner

Anna likes to run 4-5 times a week.  She ran in high school and could do 5:45/miles.  She is running a 5K race this Saturday with hopes of doing 7:45/miles.  It stinks to not have that same speed as in high school!  I could do a 1:05 100m swim and now I'm lucky do to a 1:20!  Life sure does change, but it's fun to still be doing the things you love even after age, babies and all that good stuff!

Anna uses interval training to increase her speed.  She picks a pace and runs that pace 1/4, 1/2 or 1 mile and then a 200m walk and then repeat.

Her pre-race meal will be:   Ezekiel Toast with butter and sliced cheddar cheese and coffee.  Tip for you:  Anna says the meal you eat 2 nights before should be your carb loader meal.

I'll update you in the next day or two to let you know what Anna's training is going to look like before her big race on Saturday.  Good Luck, Anna.  You are going to do great!!

13 miles

I guess I did a 1/2 marathon on my bike today!  My time was much better than my 1/2 marathon run!!  My leg is feeling better.  Ultrasound and xray says nothing.  I do have REALLY low white blood cells and the dr says stay away from anyone sick because I don't have much to fight back with.  This has been going on a month now.  Will go to another dr soon if the pain and issues continue in my leg.

However, I did enjoy my biking today.  I have high hopes to do a duathlon in May - run, bike, run!

Enjoy your day!
Jen.

Cool!

Thought this was cool!  They sent me this today!!

Salty Thoughts

I found some interesting salt info/alternatives in the latest Weight Watchers magazine:

Soy Sauce:
1T packs 800mg of sodium (about 1/3 of the recommended daily amts for adults)
Better Option: Low Sodium Soy Sauce (cuts sodium in 1/2) or use fresh lemon juice or use a few ice cubes to dilute your soy sauce (I like the last suggestion!).

Pickles:
Dill Pickles contain about 800mg of sodium.
Better Option: Sweet Gherkin (or better yet - a fresh cucumber!)

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese:
Some brands have more than 900mg of sodium
Better Option: Cup of low-fat Greek Yogurt which is about 150mg of sodium (I've been eating the Yoplait Greek and it has 0g fat, 95mg sodium, 19g carbs and 12g protein).

I did ride my bike 7 miles today.  Going to the drs tomorrow.

We did it!

That's God and I did it!!  Couldn't have done it without Him!

I completed my first 1/2 marathon!!  Ahhhhh it felt great.  I lost my little sister 20mins before the race, so I was on my own.  At mile 2, I caught up to her.  We chatted for a bit.  Off I ran and met up with some lady who was about my same pace.  That was fun until I realized the chit chat was slowing me down a bit.  Around mile 5 I met up with Kristin's friend and we ran the next 5 miles together.  At mile 10 I started to get a little nervous thinking - this is the furthest I've ever run!  I continued on.  Yes, I felt pain, but I just pushed through it.   I tried to stay hydrated as much as possible.  I carried a handheld water bottle.  It worked out great.  I wore a tank and shorts - although I was chilly standing waiting I warmed up quickly.  I even got a sunburn!

What an amazing experience!  Yes, I'll do it again, but after I get this darn leg sorted out.  I'm in a lot of pain.  Not really sure what it is.  I have 2 doctor appts coming up to help figure this out.  It kills me not to work out.  I was VERY sore the day after, but by Monday my good leg was pretty much back to normal.

Instead of 2 Blog Posts in one day I'll give you my March Recap here too!

March Recap:
48 miles ran
7 miles biked
2 miles swam

Thanks for all your love and support!  Once I get this leg fixed I'll be onto my next event - not sure what that will be until I figure out how long I'm 'out.'

Off I go.....

Well I'm going to NYC and I sure hope my aches and pains don't show up at mile 2!  Pray for me!!!!  13.1 miles later and I'll have finished my first 1/2.  YAY.