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
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