Hi! I’m Andrea from theMFdre.

If you aren’t familiar with me or my blog, I’m a Wild Child Creator, Obsessive Runner & Fitness Freak.

Movement Fuels Me, Life Inspires Me and Passion Defines Me.

So I use the “Dre” to chronicle the milestones, the miles {and the journeys in between}, the zany, the inspired, the funny and the colorful.

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When you’re an obsessive runner and fitness freak training for marathons, the word Moderation somehow has still always meant do something every day in my head. And somehow I am able to justify a rest day as only running the homies 2 miles. Makes sense, right???

try.again

Two failed sub-4 marathon attempts and I’m finally wising up to my no-rest bad habit.

I trained for Los Angeles and Boston marathons by running all.the.time – like 6-7 days a week – and I LOVED it.  I loved the thrill of getting out there and training to be stronger, run longer, and was pretty much obsessed with the idea of being — a hard-core runner. During my training I had a few speedy days, but for the most part, my pace didn’t improve much — if at all, over the course of 18 weeks. Yet I built up a solid — but not totally bonk-proof — 26.2 mile endurance level.

In LA I bonked at Mile 18 –over trained and tired legs, fueling and digestion issues, adrenaline crash. That.Kind.Of.Awesome.

{Pretend you’re not bonking as friend takes millions of photos, then tell her you are dying and hope that a hug will miraculously make you feel better, all the while make sure you keep smiling – pictures tell better stories than reality}

In Boston – I won’t call it a true bonk – the weather bonked my sub-4 goal, no biggie, I finished smiling.

{semi-bonking and smiling up heartbreak – blame it on the heat and OK, very tired legs too}

As I’ve re-evaluated what worked and what didn’t in those training plans, I recognize that I still have a lot to learn about Marathons and that for me, running more does not equal running stronger, or better or faster. It actually leads me to mediocrity {which I totally hate} and not meeting my goals {which I hate even more}.

Insert need for MODERATION.

I’m currently running the lowest weekly mileage I’ve run in months based on my new Less is More training plan [my Google doc here] as I get ready for Chicago Marathon this October.

Inside my head is screaming whaaaaaat? what is wrong with you? I realize by sharing my training plan I’ve just become completely and totally accountable to all of you who now will follow me. So each day I will talk myself off the running obsession ledge and re-focus on maximizing each minute of every mile to accomplish more. I’m committed to 4 runs a week, max, and I’ll be filling in my obsession gaps with yoga, stretching and some light strength work. 

I’m finally wising up to the idea that MODERATION i.e. rest, is just as important a part of my marathon training as running — and with the proper rest, I can run faster.

How’s it working??? I’m two weeks in – last Tuesday I ran 3 miles in 22:27 – a 7:29 pace.  Wednesday I ran 5 hilly miles with an average 8:16 pace and Sunday I ran 9 LSD miles at an easy pace of 8:51 (I’ll admit I had a pretty crappy run Friday morning, but I can also blame that on the cocktails the night before).  Yet, ALL of those times are 10s of seconds faster than the majority of the times I was putting up while training for LA and Boston.

Surprise…by resting and running on fresh legs, I’m able to push my pace, running stronger and faster.

I think I’m digging this MODERATION thing.

I hope you’ll stay in touch and join my adventures over at theMFDre

Let me know if you’ll be in Chicago for the marathon – I’m planning a blogger meet up!

{MF Dre}

Hello Healthy Happier Bear readers!! Are you thinking about training for a marathon? Are you already training for one, or a second one? Third? WHY? Get used to that question…Some people just don’t get it. They look at us like we are aliens, or crazy, or crazy aliens.  With horns. They think of 26.2 miles as a long drive, never mind trying to fathom it as a run! You are about to cross over into Superhuman territory…and it is awesome and you are welcome here! I am AJ from 5 Miles Past Empty, 3x marathoner, 1x Marathon DNF-er, 17x half marathoner.

In my past life my marathon training had no moderation. I ran my first 26.2 in April of 2010, then my second in October 2010, and my third in December 2010.  Had y first DNS (Did not start) in November 2011 and first DNF (did not finish) in April 2012.  The only one I feel went well was my first. I am here to tell you what I learned while training for three marathons in a matter of 9 months, and then two not-so-great attempts.

 
1. Training for a Marathon is a commitment not to be taken lightly. Sure you can just show up for a 5k, 10k, some of us for a 13.1 but if you just show up for a marathon you will get hurt. You will do damage, whether it is immediately noticeable as in blisters and muscle soreness or sneaky, long-term damage like ITB irritation, stress fractures, or plantar fasciitis (all just the tip of the damage iceberg).  So make a plan, there are some great free ones online or treat a veteran runner to coffee and talk training plans. Be honest with yourself about your time available. Identify your roadblocks (childcare, family responsibilities, work, travel, routes, weather-it all factors in). Once the plan is made this is where the commitment comes in…Hang it on the fridge and repeat after me: With this magnet I Thee wed…I promise to run and to rest, from this day forth…rain or shine, PMS or not, until I cross the finish line. And this is an awesome Segway into #2….

 
2. Training for a Marathon works best when you make it a lifestyle change. It’s hard enough as it is, but toss in the late-nights out with friends, eating food that isn’t good for fuel and muscle repair, and trying to train is just a recipe for disaster.  The first few weeks of an 18 week training plan you may be able to get by with this. But come time for your mid-week long runs of 10+ miles and your weekend long runs in the teens and eventually 20 or more miles,  you are going to need your rest, recovery, nutrition, and mental fortitude.  So commit to making a lifestyle change, even if only for the 3 months you train for your 26.2. BUT…don’t totally deprive yourself. Treat yourself to that girl’s night out or glass of wine. It’s ok, in moderation.  Stay focused on your goal…which  leads me to #3….

 
3. Set realistic goals. Enough said. I mean really, yes we all would love to BQ on our first marathon but is it realistic? For some yes, for others….notsomuch. And that is just fine. My “A goal” for marathon #1 (and 2 and 3 and 4 and all those to come) was to finish with a smile.  If you don’t finish with a smile then what is it all for? Of course you can add your “B goal” with a goal time, “C goal” with a second best finish time…however you chose to do it just make sure you set yourself up for success, not disappointment.  Find running gurus who can help you visualize and set your goals, which leads me to #4…
 
4. Birds of a feather flock together…or run together.  It’s just easier when all your friends and family understand your goal-whether it be to win, to BQ, or to finish with a smile, their support is crucial to your success. Surround yourself with people who are positive.  Do what you can to find running partners. They will join you, stride for stride. They will laugh with you, cry with you, push you and pull you mile after mile…and you will find you are doing the same for them. It will blossom into an amazing friendship and better yet, if you actually share that first 26.2 miles together you will have forged a connection that will bond you for life…kind of like another “first” I often compare sharing a marathon to.  And on that note, you only have one first marathon…and you want it to be perfect.
 
If you follow these four simple pointers you will be well on your way to completing your first (and/or subsequent) marathon with a smile…and probably even accomplishing a time goal. And be aware that throughout this journey you will transform. You will slowly morph into a superhero of sorts. You will gain self-confidence, clarity, and strength that reaches all the corners of your life. So go ahead, make the commitment and drop me a line when you finish with a smile…

Hello Healthy, Happier Bear Readers! My name is Ada and I blog over at Out to Munch!

Last November I completed my second New York City Marathon. As a busy college student the thought of marathon training seemed equally as daunting as memorizing the chemical reactions of alkenes.

Luckily, running ultimately provided both a nice respite from the academic rigors of school and great stress relief. I’m also convinced that post-run endorphins constitute a better study aid than Red Bull.

Some helpful tips along the marathon journey included:

1) Cross Train

This might seem surprising, but I rarely ran while training for NYC. A competitive swimmer since middle school, I found that swimming six mornings per week provided the aerobic base and endurance necessary for a marathon. I highly recommend joining a local masters swim team to keep your workouts structured and regular [insert joke about Activia].

2) Make Long Runs Fun!

Instead of considering long runs a chore, incorporate them into fun activities. Enlist a friend to accompany you for some of the miles. Explore an unfamiliar urban area. The options are endless! Last year my friend and I ran the 23 miles from the Morningside Heights to Coney Island and treated ourselves with a post-run ferris wheel ride.

 

3) Devise a Mental Routine

People often overlook the mental aspect of athletic endeavors. Developing a mental routine to assuage any pre-race anxiety and pump yourself up can be crucial to good race performance. My pre-race routine consists of isolating myself and zoning out to “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. I also find smiling during any rough patches of the marathon helpful.

Ok, so maybe my mental routine went out the window during Tough Mudder. I would reveal my exact thoughts during this particular picture, but there would be far too many inappropriate expletives . . .

4) Fuel Well

In my first marathon, I underestimated the importance of proper fueling. Second time around I ensured sufficient caloric intake and adequate hydration.

The Night Before:

To avoid mid-race gastrointestinal upset, I recommend avoiding fiber and increasing carbohydrates and protein. Discover your ideal pre-race dinner and stick with it. I tend to consume pasta, chicken, and a huge slice of cake before every race.

Mid-Race:

The best advice I received was TAKE FUEL BEFORE YOU THINK YOU NEED IT. By the time you feel lethargic or hungry, it’s most likely too late. During NYC I initiated gel consumption at mile 12 and spaced out 3 additional gels at four-mile intervals. Taking these Gus kept me energized and prevented a mid-race bonk.

Also practice alternating between Gatorade and water during training runs to ascertain your ideal hydration method.

 DON’T EAT THIS WHILE RUNNING

Ultimately I finished the NYC Marathon with a time of 3:26.06 and survived relatively unscathed (excluding the unattractive inner-thigh chafing). Now that I graduated from college two weeks ago and started working for a busy emergency department, we shall see how NYC Marathon 2012 goes! If you would like more advice from an amateur runner and some NYC restaurant reviews check out my site at http://outtomunchnyc.com! Thank you for reading and thank you to Ashley!

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