4 Weeks Down...

...14 more weeks to go. I felt like I was getting through the weeks really quick, but 14 weeks is still a lot of weeks. I've started 5 weeks today and feel better about it. Last week wasn't really great. I was feeling sick on and off most of the week and missed my long run. I know these things can happen, but it's still hard to not beat myself up over. I'm trying to be positive. This week will be better and longer (more on that later).

Let's take a look at last week:

Monday: 2.71 miles

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Sequence 1 of the Tracy Anderson Method

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3.03 miles, 5 minute yoga, & .5 mile walk

Saturday: Rest (Sick all day)

Sunday: 3 mile walk

I'm hoping that this week I'll be feeling much better. So far today seems good. I got out for my run and finished with some yoga. 

This week will be a little more challenging. I signed up for a race that I'm not fully trained for, but then again I've never been fully trained for anything I feel like. So on Sunday morning I will be driving up to Rockport, MA for the Yukan Run TripleThreat Half Marathon Challenge! The races start at 9 am. Yes I said races. This is how the morning will look:

9 am: 1 mile

9:20 am: 5k

10:15 am: Half Marathon

Extra for running all 3 races!

If you do all 3 you are completing the TripleThreat Challenge. Of course I signed up for that. (I'm losing my mind!) Regardless of which race/races you do you receive a tech-race shirt. If you complete the half marathon you also receive a medal. Of course if you complete all 3 you receive a beach cooler as well. I'm excited to go to the North Shore to run. I don't usually go anywhere north of Boston. I've never been to this area either so I'll be using this experience as a sightseeing time as well.

The following weekend I will be going south to Narragansett, RI to run. (I've never been to this part of Rhode Island either. I must be going for the ocean views!) I'll be running in the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic. This is a 5 mile run which will also include ocean views for part of the race. You do receive a tech-race shirt and a medal for finishing the race.

Not only am I excited for seeing new places that are pretty close to home, but I'm also excited that I've reached 30% of my fundraising goal so far! I've set a new goal of reach 50% by September 6th. I know there's been a lot of stories going around right now about children who are sick. As someone who has seen these people first hand at Children's Hospital, my heart breaks even more for them. 

CJ's first opening day!

I know that most people who are in my life today know CJ as a happy kid who is always running around. And that is how we see him now too. My family also remembers him being in the hospital. It is awful to think this is how we spent months, but CJ is stronger because of it. (No really, wait until he hits you or throws something at you.) We have pictures that we don't really show people hidden way on the computer. I hate that anyone has to go through this. I know that it is hard to think about good things that happen to us sometimes, but we should all try. It can be something small even. (Like that woman who held the door for you.) 

I'm running for every single child and every single family who has to go through hard times with their children. I may not be a mother, but I do feel for you. If you can donate any amount to the hospital please do so here: Nicole's Fundraising Page.

Week Three of Marathon Training Complete!

I've finished week 3 of 18 of my marathon training. This week seemed a little harder for me to get through than the previous two weeks. I've been feeling worn down lately so every workout felt like a chore. Even though the week felt like a chore, I did do a lot.

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.07 miles

Wednesday: XT (20 minute yoga with 3 lb weights)

Thursday: 3.11 miles

Friday: XT (walking)

Saturday: XT (walking & dancing)

Sunday: 4 miles

I'm trying to do weight training at least once a week, but just couldn't get into it this week. I did get in my 3 planned runs though. 

On Friday I went on a whale watch with my mom, aunt, and cousins. (This is the summer of whale watches apparently.) The whales were close to our boat which was nice to see. I got to see 2 seals for the first time on a whale watch this time around too! I would have tried to take a picture, but it would just look like a dot in the ocean if anything at all.

On Saturday I finally got to see Justin Timberlake. The tickets were originally for the show in November, but was one of the shows that were postponed. It took 8 months, but we finally got to see him! The wait was worth it too. He played his hits and some of his newer material off The 20/20 Experience. He also did a couple of covers which was great. No one can say that he isn't a great entertainer. (It's okay if pop music isn't your thing.) If you do you must be an ass. 

We really did have excellent seats.

I'm still at $1,000 towards my fundraising. Every cent goes directly to Children's Hospital. If you would like to donate you can do so here. I may have a special connection to the hospital with my nephew, but I'm running this marathon for any and all children who need this hospital.

Week Two Check-In

Week 2 of marathon training has finished. I feel like I've been training a lot more than 2 weeks, but maybe because I was running a race up until 1 week before training started. This is how this week looked:

Monday: XT (walking)

Tuesday: 1.54 miles

Wednesday: XT (walked in Boston)

Thursday: 2.03 miles

Friday: 30 minutes of yoga

Saturday: 3.1 miles & 10 minutes of yoga

Sunday: XT (walk along the beach)

On Wednesday I went on a whale watch with my boyfriend. We saw a ton of whales and had a beautiful day in Boston. We also went to the New England Aquarium before walked a little bit in Boston.

 It was a great day off.

On Sunday I took a walk in Falmouth with him again. It was a nice beach walk while the sun was starting to go down.

One of the beautiful views you can find down the Cape.

I've officially hit the $1,000 mark on my fundraising this week too. To donate to this wonderful hospital you can do so here. Remember no donation is too small.

NYC Marathon Check-In

I can be bad at talking about my training. Okay, I'm awful at it. Maybe it's time for some accountability here! Plus I'm barely talking about how I'm running the NYC Marathon.

I've always thought about how awesome it would be to run this marathon. Most people strive to run Boston, not me. (Yeah I know, but you're from there.) I can't wait to see the city in a whole new way. I'm currently at 28% to my goal. You can always donate and help kids get better.

CJ is much better at taking pictures now.

My training for NYC and for the Dopey Challenge started last week. The hospital has a training schedule that I'm following for right now. I'm following the beginner plan. I've only done one marathon before and don't want to push myself further than necessary. I have enough problems without hurting myself by going to hard. Here's how my training looked for the last week:

Monday: Rest day. (I ran 1.18 miles the day before.

Some XT with walking and dancing at a concert.)

Tuesday: XT (walking, stairs, dancing)

Wednesday: Rest day.

Thursday: 1.52 miles

Friday: XT (workout DVD)

Saturday: 2.02 miles

Sunday: XT (walking on the waterfront in Plymouth)

The mileage isn't super high (yet). I've also been working everyday so there's always other things that I'm doing. I actually haven't felt overwhelmed by this training plan. Usually I feel like I can't do it or that I don't have time, but 1 mile isn't bad and can be done in a short amount of time. I know that I'll have to do back to back long runs sooner or later, but the runDisney training plan for Dopey begins the back to back runs starting on Week 12 (the week of September 15). There are 3 weeks that I'll need to add back to back long runs during my NYC Marathon training and I'm okay with that. 

Let's see how next week looks when I check in again!