ashleyd /

Marathons+Moderation Guest Post #21

Hello there, Healthy Happier Bear readers! My name is Shannon and I blog over at Tropical Eats.

I’m a Florida beach bum who moved to NYC with $200 in my pocket and am currently tapering to run my first marathon this Sunday– the ING New York City Marathon! (I’m kind of freaking out about it. Like big time.)

While I haven’t actually run a marathon yet, I trained 26 weeks and am ready to show NYC what I’ve got. I graduated college a little over a year ago and since then have creatively learned how balance an entry level salary, repaying student loans and NYC expenses– aka the real world. Budgeting can be a little tough at first, but with a little help from Mint.com, it actually can be kind of fun!
With that, here are my tips on How To Train For a Marathon on A Budget:

Don’t give into a fuel belt, unless you really really need to.

Find running paths with a lot of public water fountains and you can even hold a water bottle in your hand! I won’t lie, it can get annoying at times, but after a few miles you tend to zone out and forget about it. Money Saved: About $50

Buy GU in bulk on Amazon.com

Find your favorite flavor and order it in the 24-count box. Just make sure to order it well in advance of your scheduled long run! Money saved: A few dollars.

Forever 21 tank tops and Target Shorts FTW

As comfy as Lululemon sounds, it’s just not in my budget. Maybe one day! If you’re training during the summer, I highly recommend F21’s colorful $4-6 tank tops in their basic’s section. They’re light, airy and get the job done. Target also holds a special place in my thrifty heart for their spandex shorts. I bought my current pair about 2 years ago and they haven’t let me down! Money saved: $50+

Shop til you drop at Trader Joe’s

During training, your appetite will increase like a crazy person. While it’s nice to consume food like a vacuum cleaner, just remember that your grocery and restaurant bills may also skyrocket during this time. Therefore, take advantage of Trader Joe’s inexpensive products so that your fridge will be well stocked and you’ll be a happy runner. Money Saved: $50-$100/month

Wash your workout clothes under hot water after your run.

This little trick is my favorite. Especially in NYC, doing laundry can be the biggest hassle. To save your sanity and a little laundry money, wash your sweaty sports bra, dry-fit shirt and shorts under hot water right after your run. Taking a shower? Knock out two birds with one stone and wash your clothes while you’re in the shower. Mmm sweat. Money saved: A few dollars.

Track your distance using the Runkeeper App

As much as I drool over the Garmins on Amazon.com, I can’t complain that Runkeeper gets the job done. From my experience, the Runkeeper GPS distance measurement is about 80% accurate. So I don’t freak myself out if I actually did just run 16 miles, I usually chart my run on either MapMyRun.com or Google Maps before trekking out for a long run. Money Saved: $130+

Running for charity? Ask your job to sponsor you.

Don’t be afraid to ask your boss about getting the whole company involved in your fundraising. You’ll be surprised how supportive they can be! Send out an internal email to coworkers announcing “Jeans Week” where they can donate $10 to wear jeans the entire work week. You can even suggest holding an office bake sale to raise money. If your boss truly believes in the cause, they might even cover your entire fundraising goal! Remember that it doesn’t hurt to ask. Money potentially raised: $3,000+

Make a crap ton of ice cubes at home before your long run.

Little things add up during marathon training, even buying ice to ice your knees after long runs! Money saved: $10+ over the length of your training schedule.

Goody StayPut Hairbands > B.I.C. Bands

The Goody Extra Thin Secure Fit Headbands are fly-aways worst nightmare (that should be in their ad campaign, no?) When it’s sunny out, I usually wear a hat to keep my hair and the sun out of my face, but for night time runs, it’s all about the headbands. I bought 5 Goody Hairbands for $6 in Target and I swear, they don’t budge an inch. Money Saved: $44 compared to buying 5 B.I.C. Bands.

Don’t register for races. Just wing it on marathon day.

Ok, so this might not be the best advice, but it’s a true “fresh out of college-life” story. I’ve always wanted to run a race. A real race. Did I mention I’m going Couch to Marathon in 4 days? Gulp. The $30-50 entry fee always made me feel a little guilty financially-wise, so I’ve never actually signed up for one. Livin’ life on the edge I tell you. Races not participated in: A lot.

Hope these tips help!

Feel free to follow me on Twitter: @ShannonAMay if you guys have any questions.

Your turn! How do you save money on your workouts?

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Marathons+Moderation Guest Post #20

Hi Healthy Happier Bear Readers. My name is Robin and I am a new blogger and you can follow me on Twitter @robinbn. I am a stay-at-home mom to two little girls who is attempting to get into grad school. I was really excited when Ashley asked me to write a guest post as I love reading about other runners and love to share my story.

clip_image002

On April 16, 2007, I was sitting on the couch, severely obese, watching the Boston Marathon. I live just outside of Boston, so the television coverage of all the runners makes it hard not to be motivated. I sat up during the marathon and said to my husband that I wanted to run the Boston Marathon and would start by running the Disney Marathon the following year. My husband has always been a great to support me in whatever I do, even if it is a crazy endeavor and so began my new obsession, qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

clip_image004

(Before-at my highest weight)

clip_image006

(After 92 pound weight loss)

In January of 2011 I toed the line for my 13th marathon and my 4th attempt at the Disney Marathon. I finally qualified for Boston with a time of 3:37. Luckily for me my 3:37 allowed me to register for Boston 2012 and I will finally be running my dream race, exactly 5 years to the day after I decided to change my life for the better.

clip_image008

I have run 15 marathons in the past four years, so learning to balance life with running has become a full time job. I have learned the hard way what is too much and the past two years have been so much easier than my first few. Here are a few things I have picked up to help me to get to as many marathon finish lines as I can:

1-Trust the training plans and advice of experts. Run slow when it says to run slow and rest when they say take a rest day. This is hard advice to follow but it works. My 2nd year of running, I decided it was time to up my mileage as I wanted to BQ. That training cycle ended with double achilles tendonitis and 6 weeks of pool running. You will get to your goal, it just takes time.

2-Don’t take time from your family, make time to run. This has been one of the hardest things to accomplish but easiest to accept. While working full time, I would wake at 3am to get in a 14 mile run before heading into Boston. This wasn’t fun, but I was always at home when my kids were awake. My kids accept that I run, but I don’t want them to suffer from my need to run.

3-Make running fun for your family. This tip has been the most fun to adapt in my life. My husband and I started out running together, so we have made vacations out of marathons including, obviously Disney, but also Vermont and Honolulu. I want my kids to see how much fun running can be so we take them to as many races as possible. They love making signs and cheering me on and have also participated in a few races themselves, which they loved!

clip_image010

4-Set goals, reach for them but know that it takes time to get there. As with any program, whether it be weight loss or running, things take time. Don’t beat yourself up if every race isn’t perfect. Persistence pays off. Give yourself time and you will make it there. It took me 13 marathons before I qualified for Boston. Everyone around me was qualifying after only a few. This hurt emotionally, but I have learned that I am my own person and am incredibly proud of how far I have come. You don’t need to over schedule yourself because your race didn’t go as planned. Give yourself time to recover physically and mentally before you jump back on the training wagon.

5-Finally, just take your time and enjoy your journey. We are all different and can learn from others but must remember we are individuals. And most important when focusing on moderation, listen to your body! I run as much as my body will allow and have seen positive results ever since I learned to slow down and wait for good things to happen.

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Bring It On NYC Marathon!

Today has been exactly what the doctor ordered!

I woke up after only six hours of sleep, ready to run. My legs were feeling strong, I was excited, and the weather was perfect for taking my marathon outfit on a trial run.

I fueled with half a banana and orange marmalade on a Thomas Bagel Thin with peanut butter.

IMG_5073

The blue sky was already out to greet me when I left the house bright and early, heading towards Queensborough Plaza. Unfortunately the trains didn’t want to make it easy. Therefore, due to cancelled trains, I took a cab over the bridge to meet Melissa!

IMG_5074

We wanted to squeeze in a few miles, especially bridge miles, before meeting Theodora and the rest of the gang for our own version of the Running Center’s Last 10 mile run. The bridge views were gorgeous and we both felt strong even though we were catching up with non-stop chatter!

IMG_5075We met the gang at the foot of the Queensborough Bridge, ready to rock the last 10 miles. There were 7 or 8 of us in total, who met to run the last 10 miles together for free!  Luckily Theodora found a nearby gentleman to snap photos of us before we started!

photo 2.JPG

IMG-20111022-01054

                                    Sue, Theodora, Laura, and Megan made up the the faster group!

IMG-20111022-01055 (1)

                                While Rebecca, Melissa, and I followed their ponytails for 13 miles!

We printed out course maps ahead of time and then divided into two pace groups: 10ish and 10:40ish. IMG-20111022-01056

Running on the sidewalks and cobblestones was a pain but we still enjoyed the run together. Melissa and I shared tidbits of advice and memories of the race with Rebecca and it was so much fun to catch up with Theodora and the rest of the group at stop lights.

The temperature was perfect and Central Park was beautiful. The leaves have started changing and there were runners everywhere enjoying the weather and energy.

IMG_5076

Our splits for today’s run were right on target for the marathon. Even better, when we finished I felt like I had a few more miles in me. If I hadn’t sped up so much the last few miles then I probably could have pumped out more than a few miles.

2:19     13 miles   10:43 pace

1 10:52.1
2 10:49.2
3 11:08.3
4 10:19.0
5 10:30.3
6 11:09.4
7 10:35.1
8 10:40.2
9 10:51.0
10 10:40.4
11 10:35.7
12 10:27.5

13 10:55.1

IMG_5078 This is the face of a happy runner ready to rock the marathon, skirt and all!

The rest of the day has included a delicious cherry infused smoothie, lunch, a few naps, manicure, Pinkberry, and catching up on Parenthood and Grey’s Anatomy.

IMG_5079 (478x640) IMG_5080 (640x478) IMG_5081 (640x478) IMG_5082 (478x640) IMG_5083 (478x640) IMG_5084 (478x640) Now we’re off to celebratory drinks at Death & Co followed by dinner at La Mar NYC!

Share Button
Follow: