Less than 50 days to go! The training continues, personal best half marathon, and more!

Hi All,

It has been quite some time since I've updated the blog on the training...mostly because I have been so busy doing just that!

This past month has been an amazing experience in terms of training, improvements, and running for the Alzheimer's Association. The mileage has really ramped up since mid-February when I ran the Half at the Hamptons. This half marathon was my third yet and quite possibly my worst - in terms of how I felt at the end and my time. I'm not sure what happen, but I think it really helped to fuel my fire over the last month! I started the month of March with a 16.9 mile run from Hopkinton to the Woodland T-stop. At this point, I had never run more than 13.1 miles in one sitting. I think my favorite part (besides the end) was running through Wellesley Center were I passed another runner who asked, "how far are you going today?!" When I said just about 17 miles, he let me know I was at 15 miles - and a feeling of joy overcame me! I had never run this far in my life!

Last weekend I completed 19 miles on my own. It was a beautiful day for a run - one of the warmest yet - and I felt really strong. This will be longest run until March 28th, when I'll run just about 21-22 miles with the rest of the Alzheimer's team on the marathon course. I've been told this is one of the most amazing days of training - not only is the longest run, it's also the day that nearly every charity team gets out on the course and trains together - thousands of runners together, all for different causes, running the marathon together! Amazing!

Over the course of training, I have been frustrated with my mile time. It hasn't seemed to budge too much...yet I yesterday, I had an amazing day! I ran the New Bedford Half Marathon for my person best time yet - 2:31:09, averaging about 11:32 minute miles. (I generally run between 2:45-2:50, with a 12:30-13 minute mile!) I felt strong, great, and I'm really excited! While I may not plan to run that fast in the marathon - it proved to me how much all of my training over the last few months is really beginning to pay off - and that makes getting out there every night even easier. I'm taking a day off of active rest today (celebrating with a Drop Kick Murphy's concert tonight!) - but look forward to getting back out there this week and weekend!

In terms of fundraising for the Alzheimer's Association, I am honestly floored at the generosity and support I have received. As of today, I have reached $4700!!! I was required to raise $3000 for the association, but I had set my goal at $3500 ($500 for each person in my life I know that had been affected by the disease.) I have completely surpassed this goal...and so, I have decided to ramp it up to $6000 by June!!! I'm hoping to make this a big event & really look forward to helping the association reach it's goal!

I am also planning to make a t-shirt to wear during the marathon which will display the photos of many of the men and women who I am running in honor or in memory of. I know the marathon is truly going to be an emotional experience - I wore my puprle alzheimer's shirt yesterday in the half and got a little choked up at some points, reminding myself of why I am running each step of the way.


Well, that's all for now! I hope to keep more updates coming as the time gets closer!!! :)

Jess

Mapmyrun.com

Yesterday I braved the cold for a 12-mile long run. It was bitter cold and it was definitely the most difficult run I've had yet. I kept getting pretty stiff - maybe it was due to the cold, maybe just a bad day, either way...my skin was completely red by the time I got home. I was going for 13.5 but had to call Marty to come pick me up by the time I reached Harvard - I was afraid I might be hurting myself more if I pushed it! 10k race with Lily next weekend! (But I'm still going to push for a 12 miler too!)

If you're a runner and haven't checked out mapmyrun.com yet - I definitely recommend giving it a look! It can jump to absolutely anywhere in the world with a street address and allow you to chart a course. Save your runs, maps, etc. A must do!

8 miles on a treadmill...

Last night was the first longer run I've completed inside on a treadmill. It's hard to get outside in the dark before or after work with the sidewalk/street conditions around our house - so I've taken to doing some training on the treadmill. Last night was the first time I've gone over 5 miles since training that was purely on the treadmill. It was a little long to do - but fortunately Gold's has treadmills with TV's and Closed Captioning. I watched Biggest Loser in its entirety. That's inspiration right there to keep going! So far, so good on the training - no aches or pains that have held me back, and each week I'm noticing my speed and breathing getting that much better. Last weekend I did 11 miles around the Charles River - from Watertown to the Museum of Science. That is probably my favorite run in all of Boston - great views of the city while you're on Memorial Drive and you're never alone on the course. Look for pictures soon!

Yoga for a good stretch!

This week I've been taking classes with my mom at NH Power Yoga in Merrimack, NH. I normally just enjoy yoga but with my mile distances continuing to climb and my running/lifting everyday, I've found the yoga to be a great way to stretch it all out!

Check out this article on Yoga for Marathoners from RunnersWorld.com published last January that offers 7 yoga tips for body and mind that will help to go the distance. http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-409--12407-2-1-2,00.html

My favorite excerpt:

"Body Sweeps
Running mindfully means staying in tune with your body throughout the race. "Use the mile markers as alarm clocks to check in with your posture, breathing and any tension in your body," Dreyer says. "It's like hitting the refresh button on your computer, going back to the beginning at every mile." Checking in with yourself and making adjustments starting at mile one will prevent you from hitting the wall at mile 18 or 20. If you find yourself out of breath or tense when you check in with your body, try some of the breathing or posture techniques listed below.

Run Like a Warrior
"When you're hunched over, you lose up to 30 percent of your lung capacity," Dreyer says. Keep airflow easy and smooth by making your spine straight and tall as your run. Lift up your head as if a string were holding up the crown, like in Warrior pose."

Sign a Proclamation to Our Next President...

Let Obama know that we want him to make the end to Alzheimer's a priority within our public health system.

Sign now!

http://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=4675247&en=ggIHLVNGIaJEKYOEJ8IELTMBLmLRI0PDI8IKLZPHIqK3G

1st day on part of the marathon course!

Today I met the Alzheimer's team for my first venture out onto part of the Marathon course. We ran from the association lot in the Arsenal on the Charles to Comm Ave by BC and then out in Newton on Comm Ave. It was 5 miles to run just a little past the John Kelly statue on Comm Ave - and then did the other 5 back. It was actually pretty warm once we got going, but on the way back the wind really picked up! At first I was pretty happy with my time - but on the way back was my first time battling the hills - it's tough and slowed me down quite a bit, but was definitely good practice! I'm not too sore yet either! Looking forward to getting back on the course next weekend! :) Tomorrow my mom's going to come with me to try NH Power Yoga - it's Vinyasa yoga, but should be a good day off from the running. more to come...

Sponsor a Mile by honoring a loved one!

A sample design of the t-shirt I plan to wear race-day. Sponsor a mile by honoring someone who has been affected by Alzheimer's disease through a $50 (or more) donation. Gardnerjess@gmail.com for more info!


Hi Everyone! Happy NYE! I can not believe 2009 is just a day away. This year really flew by fast - and in terms of running, it was defintely my best ever! Some highlights included the Harpoon 5-miler, the 10-mile Yankee Race in Newburyport, and the BAA 1/2 marathon. Less than 4 months until the full marathon!

As promised, I've included a sample design of the t-shirt I plan to wear on race day. The front and back highlight the names of 26 honorees - these include caregivers, family members, friends, and loved ones who have been affected by Alzheimer's Disease. As I reach each mile, this honoree will certainly be on my mind, helping me to get through to the next, reminding me each step of the way why I've embarked on this journey! (And trust me, I'm going to need every reminder possible!!!)