Hi!!!!
Well, the little bloggy blog was down all last night and this morning so instead of writing this post I spent time with my new bosses. I got to clean up some serious, um, shall we call them “messes” inside the house. You don’t even want to know. And yeah, Harvey will not have a good report for Santa tonight. Ugh.
Anyway…..
Hmm… let’s see…
Workouts lately:
Tuesday- Ran 5.5 colorful miles on the treadmill with an AT set thrown in there. (That wasn’t too fun. I explain more later.)
Taught a BOSU class.
Wednesday- Taught spin class.
Ran 7 easy miles (much less colorful) on the treadmill while catching the tail end of Kelly and Michael and the beginning of The View.
(By the way, is it me, or is Barbara Walters really looking good these days?)
So finally I’m going to tell you about my coach and what he’s got me doing. Not that you’ve all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting, but I’m really excited about it,think he is one amazing cool coach and author and want to share.
I thought about not having any random food pictures on here at all today, but I just can’t do it.
So……
I’ll photo dump some random food pictures from the last day or so before we meet Coach Jason and talk shoes.
Okay?
Okay.
The other morning I went for the ultimate pear breakfast salad again, but subbed in a persimmon for the pear. It came out pretty well and of course I have to have my new healthy apple microwave muffin on the side (I subbed in pumpkin for the applesauce though).
My lunch was the same two days in a row.
Roasted kabocha squash with some pumpkin PB2 dip with chia seeds. I topped it with some GNC ice cream dream protein frosting, more prepared PB2 and peanut butter.
Tuesday’s lunch.
Wednesday’s lunch.
Don’t mind me. Just eating on the floor in the TV room after a long morning.
Oh yeah, I added some two ingredient dark chocolate frosting to that one too. And that peanut butter is Trader Joe’s brand that I think was recalled. I probably shouldn’t be eating it. Hmmmm…..
I got hungry again a couple hours after inhaling an entire kabocha squash so I made some non dairy kale chips.
I forgot how good they are. Messy, yes, but still good.
I washed them down with this little drink mix of a Nuun tablet, 1/2 CocoaVia summer citrus packet and some apple cider vinegar.
This morning has been all about Love Grown Foods Cocoa Goodness granola.
Oops. I told myself I was going to save it for a special occasion and not have any packaged snacks until after Christmas. Guess that didn’t go over so well. Stress does that too me. Eeekkk….
Okay, moving on.
Let’s meet my coach.
So I met Jason back in the beginning of July at the IDEA World Fitness Convention. I attended one of his sessions on running.
I thought it was a lecture. It was not.
Um… someone did not tell me this was going to be a workout people. I thought I was going to be taking notes.
It was more of a 800 interval repeat workout complete with proper warm ups (which I always forget to do- don’t tell).
Of course I tried to be “that girl” who asked a bunch of questions at the end and become best friends with the Dr. Really, I did have a lot of running questions (and still do). Seriously, I don’t know that much about running other than I love it, I love racing and I know I’m supposed to be doing it. I’m learning little by little, even though I’m finding my passion later in life.
Of course I decided that my goal was to get him to be my coach someday.
I was so impressed with his knowledge and inspired by what he said and taught us in that short session that I bought his book Running For Women.
I even had him sign it.
He’s a pretty funny guy and his book is pretty darn informative for women.
I attended another one of his sessions a couple of months ago at another training event for fitness professionals.
This one was a lecture about training for endurance events.
We learned a lot about the science of endurance. Some of the simple tips I walked away with were these:
- The number of miles (or time) run each week is the most important part of endurance training.
- You need high carbohydrates and high protein to recover quickly after hard workouts.
- On long runs you want to deplete carbs so your body is threatened. Your body will adapt and make more and next time you’ll be able to go longer.
- Men run faster. They have bigger hearts and can send more blood to working muscles. (We better show them up, yes?)
This session lit a fire in me. As I sat there I had this feeling that I wanted to push myself and find out what I was capable of. I knew I needed Run Coach Jason to help.
I already have the perfect Mizuno shoes, I already log the long slow miles, I already have the competiveness in racing and I already have a pretty full calendar of upcoming races in 2013.
I just needed a plan and someone to really make me work. If I want to do better, my leisurely jogs while watching TV on the treadmill aren’t going to cut it.
After countless emails, my new coach finally agreed to take me under his wing for a short time.
Well friends, I’m not kidding you, this guy knows his stuff. His approach is very systematic and thorough.
I started my training plan last week. The first four weeks the main emphasis is aerobic capacity by increasing the weekly mileage and acidosis (lactate) threshold.
I’m running about 45 miles per week, with 1-2 AT workouts in the mix. On my AT workout days I have a few miles I need to run at a faster pace that he calculated for me from my questionnaire. Um….. AT intervals- not easy. Yesterday I maintained a 6:44 pace for 1.5 miles and then 6:40 pace for 1.5 and yes, I felt like I was going to barf. But……… you’ve got to work hard if it’s something you really want, right?
I am one lucky gal and I keep telling myself I better bring it. My first big workout was last Friday after Thanksgiving so I had all kinds of excuses for Jason why I didn’t run faster than I did. He told me I better bring my A game to the AT workouts. He’s so right.
Especially since I have some silly goal that one day I’ll run a sub 3:00 marathon and maybe, just maybe win a half marathon race. I want to cross that darn finish line as the first woman runner. (I really can’t believe I’m putting that in writing.)
I’m nervous.
I’m scared of hard work.
I’m scared of success.
Why is that? Why are we always scared to really let ourselves see how much we can achieve? It just doesn’t make sense and I don’t think it’s just me, right? I still don’t get it and wish I knew how to overcome it. Maybe someday I’ll figure it out.
Oh man, enough rambling.
I did head down to Road Runner Sports in San Diego last night to meet up with Coach Jason.
He was there for a book signing and for the release of his brand new book Running a Marathon for Dummies.
If you’re thinking about running a marathon and are just not sure where to start or want some really great, easy to follow tips on training, this book is a good one. It really gives you everything you need to know.
When looking it over really quick last night this jumped out at me.
I totally get the post-marathon blues ever single race. I actually think I still have them a bit after the big Runner’s World Half Marathon race.
Hopefully working with my new coach will help me snap out of it.
Oh and heck yeah, I bought his new book.
This guy does it all.
Oh man, this ended up being a lot longer than I planned. Oops.
I better get going. I have a couple classes to teach tonight at the gym. See you soon! I have another special Mezamashii Run Project invite to give away coming up.
Feel free to “like” my new coach on his Facebook page here:
Have you ever worked with a coach or followed a training plan?
Dang you’re amazing! 6:40 for basically 3 miles?? Even I understand how fast that is. You’re such a fantastic racer already and I love reading those recaps so I can’t wait to see how this goes for you.
Um….. can I just say that I really miss you???? I would like to have a daily email from you.
Are you still doing Paleo? I have os many questions for you and I stack of Paleo recipe books that I decided is because of you. He he.
so cool for you….although, he kind of sounds like he may be your new boss…he is telling you what to do and you are doing it..way to go!! That running for dummies book looks good…may have to be a Christmas gift to me.
(i have a lot of those on my list
Kathy- That Running for Dummies book is good. Easy to read with a lot of information for your first race, etc. I wish I could buy everyone one.
I’m sure you will improve leaps and bounds with hiim as your coach. What a great opportunity!
We shall see Sarah. Ha!
Congratulations on your new plan. You can do it. Why no plans to run Boston?
I have 2 questions for you: what were the stretches he recommend (as I am guilty of not doing these as well) and what carb and protein loaded post long run meals are recommended?
Oh, I’m running Boston.
He’s got some stretching recommendations in his book- he mainly had us do high knees and butt kicks and a couple other things before our workout. I never do them on my own though although I really should.
Post long run meals should be high in easily digestible carbohydrates. His one book suggests oatmeal, a bagel, fruit, etc. as a snack.
if it’s one thing i have seen from you is that you are one determined woman, and i believe jason can get you there!
You are too kind friend.
Sounds like such an amazing opportunity to train with Coach Jason!
Q: saw your treadmill and I’m curious if you have any recommendations re: buying a treadmill. Still weighing the pros/cons of buying one, but wondered if you have any insight on brands/features.
I bought mine from a repair guy who had some commercial ones from gyms. I highly recommend that. They’re used, but have been taken great care of. If I had all the money in the world I would want a ProForm one.
http://www.proform.com/ Someday……
When I ran a half marathon the other year I followed Hal Higdon’s free one online that was 8-12 weeks long. It was good for me since the only running I’d ever done was for fitness testing back in college where we had to do the dun dun dun….Gauntlet. Run a mile in 7:30 or less, run 1/2 mile in half the time, run an 800 in half of that time, run a 400 in half of that time, run a 200 in 45 seconds or less. GROSS – but it was a bit more intense training since it was mainly for speed and not distance…so the longest I’d ran was for 30 minutes or less before training for this half! I was amazed at myself when I even finished 6 miles, and then completing that half was awesome! You amaze me with all the running you do!!
Nice job on that training Megan. That gaunlet sounds HARD!!!!! Did you do it all at once? I’m intrigued. Congrats on your half!!!
Yes the Gauntlet was all at one time with 1 minute rest in between! Ridiculous…..things that a Division I athlete has to do — blows my mind when I think about certain things done back then and all the workouts I lived through! Haha
Of course it’d probably be some great training for speed now if I was crazy enough to want to attempt it again!
Wow!! What an incredible experience you are having with your new coach! I can’t wait to hear about your progress.
Aw I still miss the RW half weekend too!!! We must have a reunion at Boston this year!!!!
Wasn’t it the best??? Yes- let’s definitely have a reunion. Question- how long did it take to get your packet in the mail once you got your confirmation. I’m anxiously awaiting mine.
I got my confirmation e-mail way back on September 18th, but my letter didn’t come until 3 weeks ago…the letter didn’t really have any useful information in it, I wouldn’t worry about it…but it’s strange they haven’t sent it! Although I’m not sure if I’m talking about the same thing as you— I received a confirmation e-mail and letter, but not a giant packet yet or anything like that…not sure how this usually works!
Well like a dummy I wrote this long comment and accidentally excited out before submitting!!:p so I basically said I have all the faith in the world that you WILL win a race very soon! And that pushing yourself to the point of puking and to the point where your legs begin to burn extremely is so worth it! Use your fear as adrenaline to push you to we’re you want to be! You are an amazing person, and when ever you have doubt think about how much faith your 2 little men have in you:)
YOU are amazing Jessica!
Thanks for such encouraging words.
When each of my half marathons were finished I kind of had that sad feeling too–even though they bost went really great, I had worked so hard for so long and it was hard to realize that was over! I had to figure out a new plan to keep me working hard and motivated, not to mention happy about it all
I love your passion for running! I’m such a newbie, but I really am enjoy it. I swear running has taught me so much about my body. I am so much more in tune with how my body works and heals from workouts these days. I’m focusing on my fuel sources and feeling so much better knowing how my body responds to the work I do and the way I treat it for recovery. I’m definitely grabbing those books! I’m a sponge these days and so eager to learn more about running!
How great to have someone passionate and smart about the science of running in your corner! I look forward to watching you run even STRONGER…and you are already pretty darn strong and fast.
This guy sounds wonderful, and how awesome that he is your coach! Thanks for telling us all about him.
I love that you put your goals out there. If you’re maintaining a 6:40 time for over a mile, that’s amazing. I’ve never hit under 7:00 for a mile and that’s my goal (when I can run again…I’m sidelined by injury right now). So reading that you’re doing 6:40 is so inspiring. Keep it up! You’re so strong!
Girl you are wicked fast! You definitely have what it takes to sub 3
Oh and I love kale chips!!
I might have missed it but what does AT stand for? Can I also ask you how much slower do you do your long/easy runs? I’ll have to check out those books he has wriiten. I think you will definitley run a sub 3 marathon your so fast!
Hi Christine- AT is the Acidosis Threshold. The fastest speed you can maintain aerobically before switching into anaerobic.
It helps you run faster before you fatigue.
I was wondering the same thing! awesome. I’m learning a lot following your site. (running my first 13.1 in March! yay!)
Sub 3 is yours, mama! You’ve got what it takes and good for you for putting it out there…exciting about your coach!! I’ve got big goals, too, and I think it’s a great thing. You will get them. I want a coach, the hubs is not on board yet. Gotta work on him a little more!;)
Have a great day!!
I am always so completely blown away by your energy levels and capacity to DO IT ALL… so inspiring but darn, it makes me tired just to read abou it!
And I have got to find some PB2 in Canada!
Have a great weekend.
Yeah- they need to get some PB2 in Canada don’t they?
Cool! I am putting a couple of his books on my Christmas list
I’ve just added both of those books to my Christmas list, thanks Kristin!
Very cool on the coaching idea! Can’t wait to hear about more fun AT runs. Lucky you!!
Just found your blog! Makes me so happy to find someone who eats as much squash as I do! (is it sad my hands are turning orange?)
He he! It’s really a problem.
My hands have yet to turn orange though.
Wow. You are amazing. I wish I could run 3 miles in under 7! I will have to check out your Coach’s book and website!
love this!! so excited to see what you can accomplish. and yes, i agree, letting ourselves believe we can accomplish these big goals is hard. i just started working with Jess (blogs at Pace of Me). This is week 2 i think. I didn’t realize how much i WASNT challenging myself until she gave me a plan. should be fun! well, and hard.
I know, right? You don’t realize how hard you really aren’t working until you push yourself to do so. Ugh.
I’m so excited for you to have found a coach- and he sounds awesome. It’s so helpful to have someone come alongside us and push us to meet our potential… can’t wait to see you win a half one of these days!
I really loved this post. I discovered that I really enjoy running about four years ago (at the age if 40). I’ve run a handful 5ks, a 10k and a half marathon. I’ve been sidelined with an injury for the past 3 months. I’m hoping to ease back into running. I’m a bit afraid truth be told. And intimidated that I have to start out on a treadmill…which I’ve never done before….and at a new gym (I belong to a kickboxing/cross fit gym that doesn’t have a treadmill) . Anywho I’m going to checkout your coach Jason’s book. I’m hoping he can make me a better informed runner. And one that can (fingers crossed) stay injury free!