Best run to date = pain.  Who knew?

This week was my longest run to date in FOR-EVA.  Katie & I tackled 14 miles, six miles of which was hills. The weather was good, we had endless energy and the conversation was flowing. It was glorious.  (And for the record -  we didn’t walk ANY of the hills.  MIRACULOUS.)

Today though, today I am so sore.  The best way to describe the pain is to liken it to the first time you do a lower body leg workout.  The day after pain you experience.  The I-can’t-walk-why-am-I-doing-this-again (?) pain.

I feel like an old woman today. Ouch.

When I feel like this my mind starts to ask questions.  Questions like “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE, JENNIFER?
My mind sometimes sounds like my dad.

You wanna know why?  For the kids.  For my kids. For your kids.

Let me explain: One day my friend Tracey encouraged me to take a five mile run with her through the park.  I told her that there was no way in hell I could run five miles WITH HER. (She had previously run a marathon.) But her persistence and encouragement that day paid off.  I ran that five miles and I realized that I was limiting myself.  That I could accomplish great things in life by taking it ONE STEP AT A TIME and by believing in myself.

That day represented SO MUCH MORE than ‘going out for a run.” It represented A PHILOSOPHY. The realization that I really could accomplish the unthinkable. And it shapes my life to this day.

My only wish?  That I had learned it sooner.  I am embarking on this charity run in order to pass that spirit along to MY CHILDREN and TO OTHER CHILDREN. I want them to find their power NOW.

So all of this training and running is for ONE REASON: To raise money for the “Run for Something Better” charity. This charity focuses on changing children’s lives through fitness. R.F.S.B. encourages healthy lifestyles, empowerment and the prevention of childhood obesity. They fund running and fitness education programs in schools to show kids how exercise can help achieve good health,  positive self-esteem and self-worth.

And people, I need to raise $2,500. HOLY CRAP.  I need to raise it in the next two months.

Yes, I am scared.  I’m not sure that I can do it.  I’m nervous.  Very nervous.  What I know is that I can’t do it alone.

Will you help me? Won’t you please consider making a donation to support and empower children? (Totally tax deductible, of course.)

• You can donate at my Active.com page.
• OR via PayPal to jlgerlock@comcast.net
• OR via check (happy to give you the address and information if you need it)
• OR your business could sponsor me. (Further details can be worked out on how this can be mutually beneficial. I’ll blog. I’ll tweet. I’ll wear your logo on a coolio t-shirt. And so will Katie because she is a fantastic pal! Email jlgerlock@comcast.net)

AND/OR

• Support me and my cause and help propel it forward through social media. Facebook, Twitter, on your blog.

Together we can help transform children’s lives and attitudes!  If you’ll support my commitment to Run For Something Better, I’ll do all the training.  TRANSLATION: Pain free for you!

Thank you so very much!

Didja notice that I skipped the training report for last week?  Wondering why?

Because it stunk, that is why.  Katie (@rjmommy) was out of town on vacation and I managed to squeeze out a measly 6 mile run before I called it quits.  Because I suck.  I can’t seem to run without her these days.  I’m beginning to think that Katie is my human GU or something.

Now might be a good time to fill you in on the power that is GU, I guess.  GU is awesomeness in a tube.  It is energy and it is addictive. (Hey, don’t judge. My addiction could be way worse you know.)

My favorite is Chocolate Outrage. It is like sucking down chocolate fudge icing.  I am so obsessed that I can even remember the moment that I discovered this crazy little flavor… it was during the Marine Corps Marathon around mile 18 at Hains Point.  Somebody handed me one on the course.  I slowed down to a walk just to enjoy it.  From then on I was hooked.  (Mint chocolate ain’t too shabby either!) If you ever find yourself attempting a strenous workout and need a little kick to get you through – I highly recommend GUing it.

SUNDAY MORNING LONG RUN REPORT – WEEK 15: Katie and I hit the road at 5:30 this morning to try to avoid the swealtering heat. Which didn’t happen. It was 85 degrees when we began and it climbed 10 more degrees before we finished.  It was so hot that we cut the run short at 10.5 because we were worried about heat exhaustion and hydration.  I never mess around with that as a general rule.

But really?! How much earlier does a girl need to get up to avoid this type of thing? 3am? 2am?  Grr….  My fingers were so swollen afterwards that I couldn’t get my wedding ring off.

This week my focus will be on cross training.  Specifically cross training with weights.  I really need to get rid of about 15 pounds.  Do you know how hard it is to carry around that extra weight when running? Not to mention my clothing that doesn’t fit. Gah! Don’t get me started….

So that is the race report for this week.  BY THE WAY: Interested in supporting me and my charity in the NYC Marathon?  If you are an individual who thinks I am bonkers and would like to donate to help support the craziness and to erradicate childhood obesity, then please do so here. I need to raise $2,190 before October 1st!  However, if you are a business who would like to sponsor me monetarily or otherwise, please email me directly at jlgerlock@comcast.net and we can chat.

As I have mentioned before, I am in training to run the ING New York City Marathon with Katie (@rjmommy) this November.  I’m a charity running working towards raising $2,500 for the Run for Something Better (@orangelaces) charity.

As I mentioned in my first post, there are so many reasons why I SHOULDN’T be tackling this.  Of course, I’ve ignored every one of them. I’m stubborn that way.

From here forward I plan on documenting my training for the marathon each week: the good, the bad and the ridiculous. I welcome your advice or support.  Comment away!

17 Weeks Out:

My running schedule is pretty basic.  I generally run three times a week and cross-train on off days.  This past week I ran four times, keeping my mileage pretty low for the majority of the runs.  We’re talking 3-4 milers at a very slow pace.  I’m afraid of starting speed work because of my IT Band injury last year.   My physical therapist said that speed work was a definite no-no.  (If you are wondering what speed work is, let me fill you in: you run in intervals at stupid crazy speeds. If you can’t breathe then you are on the right track.  Sounds like fun, no? Honestly, I’m not in a hurry to begin that.)

Our long run this week was 12 miles.  Yeah.  We ran 12 miles IN THE POURING RAIN.  If you ask me, the whole thing was debacle to begin with.  Problem #1 – I couldn’t find my Body Glide.  Problem #2 – I was out of GU.  (I am addicted to GU, a subject I will no doubt discuss in a later training update.) Problem #3 – I was exhausted.  Not a good combination.

Let’s talk about the beauty that is Body Glide for a moment, shall we?  You put on this handy product where clothing irritates so that you don’t chafe.  CHAFING HAPPENS (especially for women) when you run long distances.  When you don’t have it, well, you can only imagine. Rain only exacerbates the problem.  I’ll spare you the details and just say that my body looks like I’ve been the victim of torture at this moment.  My husband is none to thrilled because it has affected one of his favorite parts of me.  Ahem.

Despite the rain, the run was kind of symbolic.  It was the benchmark.  Running is officially no longer recreational. From here out our runs will be no shorter than a half marathon distance.  (Holy crap!) They will be an investment in time, planning and sheer will.

For the record: my husband thinks I am crazy.  I’m inclined to agree.

BY THE WAY: Interested in supporting me and my charity in the NYC Marathon? 

If you are an individual who thinks I am bonkers and would like to donate to help support the craziness and to erradicate childhood obesity, then please do so here. I need to raise $2,190 before October 1st!  However, if you are a business who would like to sponsor me monetarily or otherwise, please email me directly at jlgerlock@comcast.net and we can chat.

Mark this day:  Monday, April 26th.  Measurements are being taken. Weight is being tabulated. Body fat composition is duly noted.  The training has begun, people.

My husband and I are starting the Body for Life program together again.  We did really well on that program before, um, that it until I became whiny about getting up at 4:30 in the morning. But no matter – I’ve got tons of new inspiration now and a pretty freakin’ cool marathon to train for.

Speaking of the marathon, I did a 5 mile long run yesterday with Katie.

So far, so good!

By the way, If you would like to read more about the charity I am running for in the NYC Marathon or contribute in some way please read this post.

“Transformation can’t happen on the outside until it begins to happen on the inside. Be good to yourself and others. Love yourself, because when you do the outcome of the things that you set out to do will be greater than you ever imagined.” – Margi Faze

I remember the day that my life changed forever. A friend of mine encouraged me to take a run with her through the park.  I told her that there was no way that I could!  But her encouragement that day and my persistence made me realize that I could accomplish great things in life by taking it one step at a time and by believing in myself.

It represented SO MUCH MORE than ‘going out for a run.”

It represented A PHILOSOPHY. The realization that I really could accomplish the unthinkable. And it continues to shape my life and my dreams to this day.

My only wish?  That I had learned it sooner.  I want to pass that spirit along to MY CHILDREN and TO OTHER CHILDREN. I want them to find their power NOW.

That is why I’ve chosen to raise money for the “Run for Something Better” charity in the New York City Marathon. They are changing children’s lives through fitness. R.F.S.B. (@orangelaces) encourages healthy lifestyles and the prevention of childhood obesity. They fund running and fitness education programs in schools to show kids how exercise can help achieve good health and positive self esteem.

Won’t you please consider supporting me in this endeavor? Your support will empower kids and make an important impact on their life. You will be there with them in spirit as they work to achieve their dreams.  (Hey, even JLo and her hubby support this charity!)

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Donate now at my Active.com page.

OR

• Via PayPal to jlgerlock@comcast.net
• Via check (email me for more info)

We have until OCTOBER 1 to raise the funds.  CAN WE DO IT?

HELL YEAH!

(Please also help spread the word via social media!  Tweet, Facebook, Stumble, Digg, Link it up!  Remember – ANY help is completely appreciated!!)

Yeah.  You read right.

I’M RUNNING THE NEW YORK MARATHON IN NOVEMBER.

I signed up this morning as a charity runner.  Oh. My. Gosh.  The charity I am raising funds for is “Run For Something Better.”   Please take a moment to read more about this charity and why I chose it here. Because, quite frankly,  I’m gonna need everyone’s help to raise funds.

I’m going to be honest with you – there are virtually a thousand reasons why committing to this marathon is a stupid idea. There are a thousand reasons why I WON’T BE ABLE TO DO IT.

Why don’t we just get them out of the way right here and now, okay?

• I am not in shape to run a marathon.  Hell, I haven’t run more than 4 miles consecutively in months.
• I am fairly certain that my IT Band issue is just lurking there.  Waiting to become inflamed again and derail my efforts.  That petrifies me.
• I am in the beginning stage of launching a new business with my partner.  Me? Busy?  Only if you consider working until late into the evening and uber-early in the morning busy.
• I have two children, a husband and a household to manage.  We are in soccer mania people!  And call me crazy but I would like to actually spend time with the hubby once in awhile.
• I am a good 15-20 pounds over my ideal weight.  And by “ideal” I mean healthy marathon weight. I have a lot of training to do.  I’m not even on a strength training program yet.

OKAY.  DONE WITH THAT NONSENSE.

You wanna know why I will succeed? I have a passion for it. It has been a goal of mine since I was a small child.  I vividly remember living in Fort Wadsworth (Staten Island) at 10 years old when marathon time came around.  Runners would camp out overnight in our back yard.  I just remember thinking to myself, “What are they DOING?! Why in the world are they running so far?!” I was intrigued. I didn’t start running myself until about eight years later and didn’t pick it up as a sport until I was in my thirties.

I’m not fast. I’m not slow.  I’m just an average mamma runner with a dream.  The NYC Marathon has been on my “bucket list” since I can remember.

I’M GOING FOR IT!!!

I hope you will support me.  Perhaps some of you will give financially so that I can raise money for the charity. Perhaps some of you will cheer me on via Twitter or hang out here more often on my blog as I chronicle the journey.  Perhaps some will support me on race day…

Whatever you do, know that I will need you and that I appreciate you.  I hope that you find inspiration in this everyday, normal, trying-to-hold-it-together, working mom’s journey!

BELIEVE.

I don’t know if it is the weather or the fact that I am helping produce a 5K next week but I am INSPIRED lately to run.  I’ve hit the road a couple of times this week and although they weren’t the distance or pace that I used to be able to hammer out, hey, at least I hit the pavement, right?

I also think my motivation is tied into the fact that it is Spring and I can’t hide under sweaters, scarves and big coats anymore.  Nothing more motivating then the thought of squeezing oneself into a bathing suit to get your butt moving.