This week’s mileage was 16 miles. Next week is 10-12 miles.

We had a slight mileage change of plans this weekend… instead of 20 miles, we changed the mileage to 16. We are back to running the second 20 miler two weeks out.  We’re just crazy gals that way.  Just messing with your heads, that’s all.

And funny thing is, this week we did a hilly 16 miler and I wasn’t even stressed about it.  I was all, “Meh.”  WHAT AM I THINKING, PEOPLE?  Meh?! Apparently I am unphased at a 16 mile run.

I had to borrow GU for crap sakes. 

So it serves me right that I came out of the run with a foot that looked like this one…

To answer the obvious question, “Correct, I have not had a pedicure since I began training.”  And the other obvious question, “Um, yes. It hurts. It hurts a lot.”

But on the up side, we conquered the one hill that had been vexing us since the beginning of time and we didn’t need to stop or puke.  Now THAT is progress.

Kids, I just have to say that I am getting pumped for this marathon!  Today I got my new Runner’s World Magazine and it has entire sections devoted to the NYC Marathon. One of my favorite parts of the magazine is, however, a series of advertisements for ASICS.

These ads show runners running through water and basically running through various words like fear, uncertainty, exhaustion, rage, insecurity, anxiety, skepticism, restlessness, fatigue, misery, doubt, etc…  IMHO, it is a excellent visual representation of what you experience tackling a goal such as this.

What do you guys think?  Does it motivate YOU?

This week’s run was much, MUCH better. (14.5 miles) We are getting stronger.

Not me. I never even look this good BEFORE I start.

Last week’s run was so bad. We finished, but it was bad.  And actually, I was waiting for that run.  It always happens when I train. When you experience a really difficult run it shakes your confidence.  I left that day with one thought in my mind, “If I can’t do 14 miles, how in the heck will I be able to do 26?”

Which, of course, only made me buckle down and try harder.  Because I refuse to feel like that come marathon day.

If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that you have to respect the mileage. You can’t just decide one day to haul ass.  Be it two miles, six miles or 20 miles, you need to prepare and respect the rigors you are about to put your body through. Or your body will revolt.

I kinda have experience with that.

This week I am thinking NUTRITION and HYDRATION.  I’m trying to view my food intake in an entirely different manner… as fuel.  So I have drastically altered my diet and have taken to writing everything down.  Which, for the record, I HATE TO DO.  Yes, it makes me accountable, but it also drives me nuts.  As for the hydration part, I am shooting for 80-90 oz of water a day.  Ahem. I have these humongous Weight Watchers mugs that can hold 30 ounces of water at a time. I drink one before I leave for work, one in the middle of the day and one at night.  My bladder loves me.

I also need the nutrition/hydration focus because I need to drop weight in a huge way.  I just can’t run 26.2 miles with this type of weight on me.  And OF COURSE, instead of dropping last week, I GAINED a pound and a half.  I ask you… how can one run 14.5 miles and GAIN weight?  I didn’t think it possible either.  Apparently, I have some sort of special talent.  You’re jealous, I know.

DON’T FORGET: I have 4 weeks to raise $2,000.  Please, please, please contribute to my cause HERE. Thank you so 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 you well know by now, I am back to my running schedule training for the  November NYC Marathon.  As I am upping my mileage and heading into training in the hot summer months, I am  phasing out running with just water for hydration and introducing some other products into the mix.

One of my newest training partners is Ultima Replenisher.   Ultima, as I have discovered,  is a natural sports drink with  no sugar, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.  (No sugar=no cramping or sugar spikes!) Everything about this product is terrific for you, it is even gluten free.  (Go Vegans!)

Ultima is also low in sodium but loaded with electrolytes, magnesium, calcium, selenium and potassium.  And parents, take note, there is even a kid version of this product.  (Which makes this mommy happy since my children seem to really love their sugar!)

AND MAKE NO MISTAKE – ULTIMA IS PERFECT FOR NON-RUNNERS AS WELL. Truly, if you want all the benefits of a sports drink without all of the sugar and sodium… look no further!

GIVEAWAY: I am going to make 5 winners very, very happy!  Each winner will receive a samples box of Ultima Replenisher to try for themselves!

Here is what you have to do:

• Friend “Hip As I Wanna Be” on Facebook
• Tweet out this message “I entered to win @mammamania ‘ s Ultima Replenisher giveaway! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/doQaL8 “
• Leave me a comment on this blog letting me know that you did both of these things.

SIMPLE!  Winners will be drawn on Saturday, June 12th!  Good luck!!

FTC Disclosure:  I was provided with product to review.