Allison's Royal Family 5k training journal! **Comments Welcome!**

[DisneyPiPhi]

Hi, everyone! I've checked in at the Princess 1/2 Marathon Weekend board and have been enjoying the support over there, so I decided to start a journal about my training for the 5k.

The story: Allison. 25 years old. Central Florida resident/displaced West Michigander. Busy middle school teacher. Former cheerleader and current cheer coach. I'm 5'4" and my college weight fluctuated between 130 and 140... Or less when I had mono! I'm about 150 right now and would like to be closer to my college weight which I feel like is a comfortable size for me. For me, this journey is less about weight (I don't even own a scale) but about accomplishing a goal and feeling good about myself.

The goal: Complete the Royal Family 5k at Epcot on March 7! This might be silly, but even so, it's a goal! I don't care much about time since it's my first running competition ever; I just want to finish and feel good about it. My other main goal is to make sure I eat right during my training... (I've already noticed that I am MUCH hungrier now that I'm working out in the mornings and need to bring more healthy snacks to work!)

Issues: I have never been much of a runner. For my college cheer team, we had to run an 8 minute mile, so I never made much more of an effort than that. I have some serious knee problems, and I'm starting to suspect, shin splints. (My high school marching band marched parades in wooden shoes and I was a gymnast and cheerleader, so knee/shin/wrist problems are just par for the course!) I'm also ridiculously busy... I teach, serve on several committees at school, act as academy leader for 6-8, and coach our JV and varsity cheer teams. Finding time to run might be an issue.

I'm not following any kind of program. My plan is to get outside as much as possible and add more running into my walk every time. I plan to run five days every week, use Monday as a semi-rest day by just going to my yoga class, and take one additional day completely off. My schedule is to run at 5:45am three weekdays and also during the day on weekends.

Stay tuned as I try to stay motivated, avoid further knee problems, and keep my eating on track until March 7 when I will conquer my first 5k!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Monday/Tuesday update: Well, I was overzealous with my run on Saturday night (don't know where THAT energy came from after a day at AK, but I'll take it) and my walk on Sunday. (We're new to Celebration and I was just kind of wandering the trails... and suddenly I'd walked four miles!) This led to me taking Monday "off" and just going to yoga. That's a good break for me and give me a chance to relax, stretch, and still tone my muscles. I think that weekends are going to be the days when I really push, so Monday is going to continue to be a rest day for me.

This morning (Tuesday), I was still feeling the weekend a bit, so I only walked about a mile. I'm pretty happy with my eating the last two days: we made an awesome stir fry full of veggies on Monday, so that will be my lunch all week. With the morning runs, I'm noticing that lunch isn't enough to fill me during the day. I'm going to start bringing a snack to work, as well; today's snack was Sun Chips and some hummus, and tomorrow's is sugar free Jell-O pudding. (I can highly recommend the dark chocolate flavor... YUM!)

Plans for Wednesday: Walk/run 2.5 miles in the AM. I've recovered from Saturday/Sunday, so I need to run again! Remember to bring lunch and snack to work and actually eat it!

I'm so excited for this race... whenever I just want to stop running, I visualize seeing running through Epcot, seeing my husband at the end of the course, and wearing my t-shirt to Disney all day! (This sounds silly, but I'm always envious of the people who actually participate in the Disney races and I'm SO excited to actually be one!)

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Wednesday update: This morning I discovered if I want to do 2.5 morning I either need to start early or run faster. I ended up running about a mile and walking about a half more.

I chatted with a friend at work today about whether I should stay at one mile for a bit and try to increase my speed, or whether I should add more distance to work up to 5k sooner and then think about speed. He suggested staying at one mile for a bit and increasing speed. What do you all think?

What I ate today:
Starbucks tall decaf 1 pump sugar free vanilla nonfat latte
Croissant (I was starving and didn't have anything else - I have since gone to the store to pick up cheese, yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal for healthier breakfast options.)
Stir fry and sugar free Jello-pudding cup
I'm about to eat whole wheat rotini with marinara sauce and ground beef. I may snack on some popcorn or cheese later tonight, too.

If my husband is up for it, we might go for a walk tonight.

For Thursday, I'm going to hit the road a few minutes earlier to add a bit more walking to my morning. My other goal is to skip the croissant and eat a healthier, more filling breakfast.

 

[toystoryduo]

Welcome to WISH, Allison!

It sounds like you are off to a great start so far! Great job!

That is so cool that you live in Celebration! You are soooooo close to Mickey! Do you get to WDW often?

I hope you have a great evening!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

That is so cool that you live in Celebration! You are soooooo close to Mickey! Do you get to WDW often?

We get to WDW about once a month, a little more in the off season and a little less during busy months. It's fantastic!

Thursday update:
Today was NOT a good day. School was absolutely insane; it was just one thing after another. Testing is coming up, I had to help with some discipline issues in the office, I'm planning a field trip that is drying me crazy... it's just busy!

Training-wise, I used today as my rest day, but really feel like running right now. I know, though, that I need this rest and will get a better run tomorrow if I rest this evening.

I ate pretty well today. Usually latte/croissant for breakfast because of time crunch. Lunch was yogurt, cereal, whole wheat pasta, and a marinara sauce that my husband made. I didn't bring enough snack, though, and ended up eating some chips in the afternoon. I think I'm going to go make some tomato soup or heat up left over stir fry for dinner.

Tomorrow is a professional development day at my school, so I get to relax a bit. Also, I can go in late, so I should be able to get up at 6:00 and get a longer run in. My other goal is to make sure to bring and eat my own lunch; my leadership team has a "working lunch" and whatever they order won't be healthy, so I must remember to bring my own!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Let me start by saying... I had a great run today! I started the day by NOT running, actually. There was a wind chill of 30 degrees in Central Florida this morning. Now, as a Michigander, I would be okay with this but I really have no cold weather running clothes. This bothered me, but I went ahead to our professional development day with no run, planning to run in the afternoon.

Well, I worked longer than I thought I would and didn't actually hit the ground running until 5:45 this evening. However, I had had a CRAZY busy day at school - I've been feeling a bit overstretched and disorganized, and today didn't help. Anyway, I just sort of put all of that into my run and ended up running 1.5 miles with no walking in between!

I am lucky enough to live by a lake with a great walking path that has mile markers, so I know I ran exactly 1.5. With the walk to and from, I probably did a little over 2. When I had finished one mile and wanted to try for another half, that was the first time I actually felt like I was capable of doing a 5k in March! I was huffing and puffing and sweating and sniffling and other people were looking at me like I was a bit crazy, but I did it!

Eating-wise, today was eh. Breakfast: usual latte and croissant. (I have got to stop the croissant business!) Lunch: my leadership team had a working lunch, so I ate the turkey sub provided to me with a snack of a colby jack cheese stick and sugar free dark chocolate pudding. For dinner, I am going to be a cheater and eat California Pizza Kitchen pizza.

I'm looking forward to having an unhurried workout tomorrow morning. I will probably run 1.5 again unless I am totally dieing from today, but I would like to walk an additional 1.5. I think that on Sunday, if I feel good, I will try for two!

Anyone is welcome to comment on this thread... I know I am not very exciting, but I could use the encouragement and would like to meet other WISHers who will be at the Royal Family 5k in March!

 

[toystoryduo]

Great job on your run today!

I can't believe how cold it was in Florida today! It was zero here in Ohio (with a below zero windchill) and all my DH could talk about all day was how much he wants to move to Florida!
I hope you have a great weekend!

~Tracy

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

This morning, it was a little hard for me to get going. I lounged around our apartment for a bit, not wanting to go out in the cold but wanting to get my run in before my husband got home from work. I finally headed out around 9:30. I did another 1.5 miles, but it was a bit harder since I was worn out from yesterday. I still felt good, though.

I have no idea what my time is like and need to invest in a digital watch. I think I'm running about a 12 minute mile, though.

After my run and shower, I had about 10 inches of hair cut off! I learned at the salon that that was enough to donate, so my haircut was free! A challenge tomorrow will be to figure out a comfortable way to wear my new short haircut while running and workout out. I'm sure other female runners can identify with me...

I am currently thinking about my wardrobe for running the 5k. I usually run in Saucony running shoes, socks, and moisture wicking capris and t-shirt from Lands End. I love the capris because the have an mp3 player pocket and will probably run the 5k in them. They're very comfortable and breathable, and I don't really care for running in shorts. My t-shirts are probably also good for the actual race, unless it's going to be really warm in which case I will invest in a good sleeveless running shirt. What I need to do soon is get a new sports bra (sorry, guys, TMI) and some new running shoes. I plan to find a good running-oriented store and get some advice about which shoes will be best for me... the current ones were purchased because they were on sale at DSW. They're going to wear out, though, and I should get new ones soon to train in.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Yesterday (Sunday), I plotted a two mile route for myself to run using Gmap Pedometer. However, the running didn't go well - my legs were sore, my knees were bothering me, and my breathing just wasn't right. I only ended up running probably 1.5 of it and walking the rest. This is okay, though, because I got out and did something and didn't backslide. I wasn't feeling great, but since Monday is a day off, I set out and did a little bit anyway.

I was kind of an eating cheater this weekend - husband wanted barbecue, and I made homemade mac and cheese, too. I have been eating healthier breakfasts, though, because I remembered to buy yogurt! Usually, our weekend breakfasts are pretty bad, but I had yogurt and cereal both days, along with light lunches, to make up for eating some unhealthy dinners.

Today I'm off work, but I went to school for a couple of hours to get some things done. (Am I the only teacher that spends most of my days off working?!) Since I'm home and the weather is good, I feel like running, but I KNOW I need a day off. I will get back out there tomorrow (Tuesday) morning and improve my 1.5, and maybe even work up to two!

Even though I'm not running today, tonight is yoga, and my body badly needs a stretch, so I am glad of that!

I'm going to go read my new book now...

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

So last night, I woke up to the sound of rain, and thought, "Oh no, I won't be able to run in the morning!" However, I woke up to a dry and almost warm (50 degrees) morning for my run! I got in 1.5 miles again. Once again, the first mile felt really good, and I even timed myself. I came in at ten minutes, which I think is awesome! True to form, though, the last .5 was pretty rough. I'm not sure when I'll be able to move from 1.5 to 2 miles, but it's a goal I want to accomplish very soon. As soon as 1.5 feels a little more comfortable, I want to push myself to do more.

My yoga class yesterday has definitely had me hurting a bit today. The instructor changes it up every week, and this week, there were lots of arm and shoulder strength moves. I can feel it today! As always, though, it was wonderfully relaxing.

I want to run tomorrow (Wednesday) morning if the weather is good. Even if it gets as cold as it is supposed to, I pretty much need to go out in the morning... tomorrow evening is our report card open house at school, which always makes a late night for me! I am hoping that my Wednesday and Friday runs will have 1.5 feeling more comfortable and that by this time next week, 2 miles will be within reach!

My eating today was okay. Latte/croissant for breakfast (with morning runs and the new haircut, eating at home is out of the question); homemade mac and cheese for lunch; cereal and strawberry yogurt for snack; bowl of tomato soup with mozzarella cheese for dinner.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Okay, I just checked the weather forecast... at 6am tomorrow, it's going to be 32 degrees and feel like 25 degrees! (Did I mention I live in Celebration...?!?!)

Definitely not running. Now I hope I can get home from the open house to run early enough in the evening that it's not too cold.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Thursday update:
Well, I didn't update yesterday because there was no running. Sadly, there was none today, either! If I can't do it in the morning, it doesn't happen, which is due to my busy school day and evening commitments. Yesterday, all day, it was just too cold. I hate to be a whiner, but I don't have cold weather running clothes! Today the morning was too cold, and we had a basketball game this evening, so I obviously couldn't run.

I am hoping that tomorrow morning will be above 40 degrees so I can get out there. I know I'll be at work fairly late and probably wouldn't get to run in the evening. If it's above 40, I'll be out at 5:45 as planned! My goal is to do 1.5 again so I can think about moving up to 2 next week! I know I keep talking about that, but I'll know when I'm ready.

I've been really good about one of my eating goals, which was to bring healthy snacks to work. Having cereal and yogurt is a really good mid-afternoon snack! I need to hit Publix this weekend and replenish my healthy snack supplies.

What is not good, though, is breakfast! The latte is not my concern and I'm not going to give it up. (Seriously, it's decaf espresso, skim milk, and 1 teaspoon of sugar free syrup. It's not that bad!) The croissant is the issue. What I would rather have is oatmeal with brown sugar or dried fruit, or toast with cheese or jam, or cereal with yogurt. However, I can't eat those things in my car and don't have time to eat at home. I am already up at 5:45, running until 6:15, stretching, in the shower at 6:20, cleaning the apartment from 6:30-6:40, then blow drying, doing makeup, getting dressed, getting my lunch from the fridge (I make it at night), and getting out the door by 7:00! And I have to put in a lot of evening work (making lunch, washing my coffee travel mug, packing my bag, setting out my running clothes) to make my morning move that smoothly. An at-home breakfast is out of the question.

What I should do is keep something in the house that I can grab without cooking or heating and can eat in the car. Any ideas? (Don't say fruit. I don't like most fruit other than pineapple and that is NOT car-friendly!)

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I don't have time for much of an update because it's late and I'm tired, but I got home from work today and ran 1.75 miles! It's not 2 yet, but it's more than 1.5 and I felt really good about it.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to get new running shoes!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

So, after my run on Friday (which was awesome!) I had planned to buy new running shoes on Saturday. DH and I were headed to downtown Orlando for the OCLS used book sale, so I ended up at the Track Shack in Orlando for new shoes. The store was obviously running-oriented, and I got a lot of good information there. The staff helped me find the perfect shoes for me and even encouraged me to go walk around outside in them! I ended up with a new pair of New Balance running shoes (had been running in Saucony cross-trainers I had for the gym) and also a Moving Comfort sports bra. Love it!

Unfortunately, I also woke up Saturday with a scratchy throat and a headache. I didn't want to go for a run for fear of feeling worse, but DH accompanied me on a 2 mile walk to break in the new shoes.

All day Sunday, I still had the scratchy throat and felt lethargic. I don't know what's wrong with me! I wanted to run, but I just knew that I would wear myself out and feel worse.

Monday is yoga day, so no running for me. I an hoping that my DayQuil/NyQuil routine, along with yoga, lots of water, and lots of rest will mean that I feel well enough to run Tuesday morning!

My goal is to get in runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and maybe hit that magical 2 miles this week!

Eating has been going well, especially the healthy snacks at work. Yogurt and cereal is a great afternoon snack. I made chili this weekend and DH made homemade chicken noodle soup, so we have lots of healthy options in the house. We also plan to make white pizza later this week with chicken breast, onions, garlic, and spinach on top. I'm still hungrier when I run in the morning, but I've been remembering to bring extra snacks to work on those days, so it's been going pretty well!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Despite my illness (which now includes more of a stuffy nose and less of a scratchy throat - what is going on?!) I ran my 1.75 mile route this morning. It was rough going and the last quarter mile was killer, but I did it, and in pretty good time, too. My new running shoes feel great, are very light, and left me with little pain in my left shin and calf, which used to bother me a lot when running.

DH didn't work today and I was very tempted to sleep in and run after work, but I'm so glad I went this morning. School was busy today and cheerleading was, too, so I'm happy to just veg out tonight.

We are headed to Phoenix, AZ in a few weeks for a friend's wedding, and I'm looking forward to running in a new area, and maybe even getting on a treadmill to watch my time and miles.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I just wanted to update to say - no running for me. I am still sick and it's pouring rain here. Yesterday, I was too stuffed up to run, and I still am today. I could probably make it happen if I really wanted to, but the rain just puts me off. Tomorrow it will be cool and I am hoping dry so I can run in the morning!

Wish me wellness and dry weather!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Friday is continuing to be my best running day! I woke up Friday morning feeling pretty good, only to realize that it was still raining. I crossed my fingers that the rain would let up and I would still feel okay after work. I did! So I set out for a run at 6:30 and, feeling pretty good, in the middle of it, went a little longer than usual. When I used gmap pedometer to check out my route, it was 1.9 miles. So close to 2! It didn't feel like 1.9 - it barely felt like one!

I fiddled with my route map online and I have a plan for two miles, which I will hopefully do this weekend. For some reason, I'm really stuffed up again this morning, but the weather is great so I know I get out and run later today!

I loved the e-mail from Disney this week with the picture of the Princess 1/2 Marathon medal. Wish I was running that race! I am really feeling like I'll be able to do the 5k, but I know I'll deserve the medal at the end.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

It's been a while! Don't worry, I'm not taking a break from training - I've just been so busy, it's been hard to find time to update my journal!

On Saturday, I went out and ran the 1.9 mile route again. It was definitely tougher than Friday (plus we had spent the day at DHS so I had already walked pretty far!) but I made it. Sunday was my day off as we were getting ready for a Superbowl party and I had a lot of cooking to do!

Monday my work day was so busy, I was tired from Sunday, and still feeling sick so I skipped yoga and went to bed early. I felt really bad doing this because I know yoga is good for my running training, but I just wasn't feeling it. Yesterday (Tuesday), I got back into things with a short run. I ran at night, and I think that was what made it difficult for me. Weekdays just do not make for good evening runs.

Today is Wednesday, and I've unfortunately gotten myself into an evening running pattern this week. Fortunately, it's "early day" at school! I'm making meatloaf and twice-baked potatoes tonight, so hopefully DH and I can eat rather early and then I can head out for a run!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Pretty much business as usual around here... My eating was terrible today because I was on a field trip with our eighth graders. My schedule was all out of whack which meant I was eating whatever, wherever. I need to plan better for days like this! I don't even want to list the junk I ate...

...However, I did a good 1.9 mile run today. I want to hit that magical 2 miles soon so I can begin working up to 3.1, but the 1.9 is still killer.

We leave for a friend's wedding in Phoenix on Thursday, and I'm hoping to run most days between now and then. My DH's mom is here this weekend and we're doing Disney on Sunday, so that will be lots of walking! I think she wants to go to Epcot, which means I can check out my race course.

Actually, it's a busy Disney month all together... My best friend from Michigan just e-mailed to say she's bringing her three kids to WDW from February 16-20. I can't take time off to hang out with them, but I'll probably help corral her kids in the evenings! The next few weeks will be CRAZY, but I am determined to keep running!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Well, with our trip to Phoenix, I've been a real thread slacker! It's good to be back, though, and although I've been neglecting this journal, I haven't been neglecting my training!

Saturday, 2/7: 1/4 mile warm up and 2 mile run
Monday, 2/9: Yoga class!
Tuesday, 2/10: 1/4 mile warm up and 2 mile run
Friday, 2/13: 1/4 mile warm up and 2 mile run on treadmill at our hotel in Phoenix - that was interesting; I have never run on a TM before. It was okay.
Sunday, 2/15: 2.5 mile hike on the Summit Trail at Piestewa Peak in Phoenix

We were traveling Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday this week I was so busy getting back into the swing of things that I didn't work out, but today...

I RAN A 5K!

Okay, I didn't run the whole thing.... I ran 1, walked 1, and ran 1.1. Then I did about a .4 mile cool down walk back to our house.

The whole run 1/walk 1/run 1 is kind of my "back up plan" if my training doesn't get all the way to running 3 or if I am having a bad run the day of the race. I'm really happy I tried it once! I'm going to keep doing this route for my long runs and just add a little more running each time. I know now that I can at least finish a 5k and run most of that, so that makes me proud!

I haven't posted much about eating lately, but it's been good. Healthy snacks has become a habit, as has healthy post-run breakfasts on the weekends. I didn't go too crazy with eating or drinking in Phoenix, either. Our general busy-ness with getting ready and then settled after the trip caused some bad eating (ordering pizza, airport fast food, etc.). I'm back on this week, though - DH made yummy stir fry again this week, and my fridge is re-stocked with sugar free pudding, yogurt, and cheese.

Goals -
Short run (1.5) Friday (no school!)
Off Saturday
Long run (3.5 route run/walk/run/cool down) Sunday
Yoga Monday
Short run (1.5) Tuesday