A Live Blog - A Morning in the Life of a Runner

It is currently 8:30 AM… I am doing a live blog today. With 9 days to go, I have begun tapering. Today, I wanted to give a detailed description on what my day will look like. From what I do to prepare for my run, to what I do post run.

·      Please support me next Sunday, November 3^rd for my first marathon and thank you for following my journey!

10:15 AM: I just out of the shower and after I finish my runs I sit down with a cup of coffee to relax before starting my day. Friday’s have always been a good day for me to run because I have a lot of free time on this day. I plan to run again on Sunday and then run a very short distance next week.

9:58 AM: I just got back home from the run! I completed it in 1 hour and 9 minutes. I am very happy with that time. It was starting to get really hot on my run, so I am happy I am done.

8:43 AM: I am outside and ready to take on an 8-mile run ahead. I am planning on running through downtown and then taking a loop through Davis Island. I like running 8 miles because it doesn’t feel too long, or to short. I will write again once I am finished!

8:40 AM: I have finished applying Vaseline, so I will not chafe on my run and have attached a belt around my waist to make it easier to switch my music during my runs.

8:36 AM: A month or so ago, I began to get irritated on my runs because I would have to refill my water bottle so often, and or would get dehydrated. I found a solution by using Liquid IV packs. A single pack is equivalent to four glasses of water, so I am able to run longer without feeling like I need to fill up my water. Right now, I have filled up my bottle and am almost ready to start my run.

8:32 AM: I have just finished getting changed for my run. Since it is always really warm in Tampa, I usually just jog in shorts and a sports bra. Today, is no different.

Music on Runs

Running for long periods of time can be seen as boring for many if you don't find ways to entertain yourself. For a while, I would just listen to music on my runs. If you are running for a short period of time, music can definitely do the trick. By creating a workout playlist, time passes faster. You are hearing music you enjoy, and not just being swarmed with your thoughts on how much longer you have left. Sometimes listening to the same songs can become brutal though. At that point, I know exactly how long each song is that I listen to on my runs, so that kind of defeats the purpose of trying to not know how much longer I have left. 

A few months ago, I began thinking of other strategies on how to distract myself on my runs. Yes, sometimes I do listen to my own workout playlists and know exactly how long each song is... but I have started doing new things as well. From listening to Apple Music Workout Playlists, to listening to Podcasts has helped a ton.... I like listening to these because I don't know how much time has passed. Each playlist is different, gets updated frequently, and isn't something I would listen to on a frequent basis. In terms of podcasts, I listen to an entertainment podcast called the Morning Toast. I like listening to this playlist while I am running because of how funny and relatable it is... and also because I like entertainment news. It is embarrassing to say, but I do find myself laughing out loud on my runs when they say something funny. I must look like a crazy person running and laughing alone, but at least time passes! Finding numerous ways to entertain myself on runs is really important because I need background noise to get me not only motivated, but through my long runs. I recommend even changing your music and or podcasts during the run. What do you guys listen to on your runs or workouts? I would love some new ideas!

I read this blog from Runner’s World to learn some of the pros and cons of listening to media while running. Music does help with your pace, is motivating, blocks out your surroundings, and makes your run feel easier. I don’t necessarily agree with all of those, but listening to something definitely makes a run more enjoyable.

Also, tomorrow I will be posting a live blog on a long run I will be doing! Stay tuned. 

Website: https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a20799208/should-you-listen-to-music-while-running/

How I Feel About The Race Coming Up and What I Want To Do To Stay Fit After

In just over a week, I will be running 26 miles through all five boroughs of New York City. I don't really know how to feel or what to expect because I have never competed in a race this long before. I know I can expect huge crowds, excited runners, and hopefully a beautiful day. Race day jitters are definitely real, and I can already feel my nerves sneaking their way into my thoughts. While writing this blog, I decided to look up some tips for running this marathon. I read a blog that is written by a trainer for the famous New York Marathon. Just from reading her blog, I can feel myself getting so excited. In her blog, she gives some tips for each big part of the race...including how to pace yourself, how the crowds make you feel, and how accomplished you will feel by the finish. Since I have started training for this race, I have researched a lot about training for marathons, for the purpose of expanding my knowledge on long distance running. I have enjoyed reading all the positive feedback about racing, because it makes me feel great that many others enjoy it as well. I believe that the feeling I will feel after I finish running, will inspire me to train for other races. I have always liked the idea of racing because of my competitive persona... but the accomplished feeling outweighs any other feeling I might feel prior to race day. I hope to compete in a triathlon in my lifetime and if I am feeling ambitious, maybe even some form of an iron man. I miss playing competitive team sports, so racing has become a newer hobby of mine. I believe that training for a race makes working out that much easier, because I feel like I am working out for a purpose. 

According to Jenny from her blog, “Running the New York City Marathon is a gift. Enjoy the course, the people and every mile.” I can’t wait to experience this gift on November 3rd, 2019. If anyone has any ideas on ways, I can prepare with a week out, please let me know by commenting below! I want to race to the best of my ability.



Below is a photo of me training for the marathon with the famous Bachelor star, Tyler Cameron... who is also running the race in a few weeks!

Websites:
https://runningbrina.com/new-york-city-marathon-course/
https://www.jennyhadfield.com/tips-new-york-city-marathon/

The Famous Run

In 1991 my dad ran the New York Marathon. For as long as I can remember, he has told me the story of him finding out he got in the race, six weeks out. Only having six weeks to train for a marathon is tough and almost unheard of. He spent those six weeks training in some very hilly conditions, on purpose. Since I have always wanted to run a marathon, I have always been curious about his training route. I was curious because of how intimidating it sounded. So, in mid-September, I called home and asked if there was any way I could come home for a weekend to do the run I had heard of my whole life. I thought it was a good idea because not only would I get exposure to cooler weather and steep hills but get to share a memory with my dad that he remembers so clearly from 1991.

 Three weeks later, I was on my way home to run. The day I got home I did an 8-mile run in preparation for the much longer run I would be doing on Sunday. I woke up at 7 am that morning to take the drive up to his running trail. The plan was for him to ride alongside me to make sure I was running a good pace and be there for me when I needed to fuel up. I started the run and within a mile I was hit with a hill much bigger than any “big” hill in Tampa. Immediately, I got nervous because I was told the elevation gain didn’t really start to occur until a few miles later. I ended up getting to the hard stretch and didn’t feel as out of shape for hills, like I thought I would. The hills were just constant and long. I was going a really slow pace, but I did it without stopping. Once I finished up the most difficult part of the route, I felt really content and happy that I made it through a course much harder than the actual marathon. The part that made me the happiest was seeing my dad so excited. He was so happy to be biking through the paths he had gone through years ago and be reminiscing on amazing memories. I am so happy I went home that weekend because I not only got exposure to different running conditions but got to also create a great memory with my Dad.

Florida is HOT for runners

For the past several months, my mornings have started before the sun is up. Training for a marathon in the late summer and early fall in Florida is brutal to say the least. By 8:30 am, it is already boiling and that makes it much harder to run long distance. I haven’t minded the idea of waking up early several times a week, but it sure is very different to train in Florida compared to Manhattan. Although it is sometimes tough to wake up when it is still dark outside, how I feel after my long runs make up for it. I do believe in runner’s high because I experience it every time I go for a jog. In regard to Manhattan, during the fall months the temperature in New York is perfect to run in. It is typically in the 50’s and 60’s. The fall in New York is known as perfect running weather. Also, New York has a much higher elevation compared to Florida. When I am home, there is a good balance between flat, medium hills, and big hills to climb. Originally, when I signed up to run this marathon, I was worried because of how differently my training would be in Florida. I was used to the hot weather in the summer in New York, but I also relied on the hills to increase my tolerance for running longer distances. I was really worried about not having many hills here because the race consists of many. I realized that the running conditions here were almost, if not harder. Having really hot conditions has made a huge impact in my speed, unfortunately making me go much slower. Even though I go much slower here, it makes my tolerance for running distances at home much easier. I have also found alternatives to hills in Florida. Within my cross training, I have used a stair master, climbing bleachers, and even using elevation gain on treadmills to help me train for hills. Before I started training for this marathon, I felt like I would be unprepared for this race because of the drastic change in running conditions, but now since it is so soon, I feel more than prepared. Tampa has helped me with not only running in tough conditions but has shown me alternate routes in my training regimen. Has anyone had any past experience in running in hot conditions and has had successful results in cooler weather? Please let me know!!

An example of running conditions can be seen in this picture below. This was taken before the Gasperilla Half Marathon race began at 5 am. Most running races do not begin this early but because of the weather conditions in Florida they do.