Just Breathe

I'm half-way through my training for the week and I've discovered my biggest challenge is breathing. Running is such a mind game and this tends to be a problem for me when I run outside as well. Anyway, I've tried to maintain a positive frame of mind and focus on my breathing rather than distance. It seems so simple, breathe in...breathe out...find the rhythm, listen to your feet. Once I'm able to settle in for a run the breathing comes easier but getting to that point can take awhile and wastes my energy in the process. To overcome this problem I came home from the gym today and googled "breathing while running" and of course there are pages and pages of information. I seriously have to wonder what we ever did without google because I find myself using it daily! I even found YouTube clips about controlling your breathing while running. So, my plan for the rest of the week is to continue to focus on my breathing ratio and keep it at a 3:2 ratio (inhale for 3 steps, exhale for 2 steps). I have faith that if I identify these issues early in my training I can avoid frustration as my training becomes more intense!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

After agreeing to run the Ragnar Relay with Jaime, Betsy and Ashley last week I thought, "Oh my God, What have I gotten myself into?" I had serious doubts about my ability to complete such a huge challenge. I looked at the training schedule online and it was overwhelming. The beginners schedule looked a little too simple for me and the intermediate schedule looked insurmountable! I took a few deep breaths and looked to Jaime for support. She assured me I wouldn't let anyone down. Now that I was committed I had to figure out the best way to train. With over a foot of snow on the ground and sub-zero temperatures, running outside was not an option. I had been using the elliptical at the gym and doing Bob Harper's Yoga for the Warrior DVD at home over the winter months to stay in shape. The treadmill had never really been something I loved doing but I realized that we were now going to become fast friends or complete enemies. I headed to the gym, hopped on the treadmill and after a few minutes I thought I would die! Why does running outside feel so amazing and running on the treadmill feel so awful? A friend recommended "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" so I decided to give it a try. After reading the first few pages I was hooked. This training program can prepare a non-runner to run a marathon in 16 weeks! Unbelievable! The book, written in 1998, is based upon a class taught at the University of Northern Iowa. At the time the book was published, over 200 people had taken the course and all but one had completed a Marathon at the end of 16 weeks. Most had little to no running experience prior to the class yet all shared the same drive and determination to succeed. It was about challenging themselves to test their personal limits. I have now completed week one of my training for Ragnar on the treadmill and I no longer dread it. We are now 17 weeks and counting! Bring it on...