introducing...

2009-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Beth!

I'm a mom of one, Austin (18 months), and a wife of one, to Bryan (although I may begin collecting husbands soon). I like to work hard and play hard. This year I've lost nearly 40 pounds, now I want to tone everything up, and actually get in shape. I started the C25K this week to help get on track, and will be doing my first 5K on August 10th! I've never run a mile in my life, I've always been kind of the "fat kid," but I want to change that and be a good example for Austin and any future kids.

Jess!

(I don't have your picture Jess!)

Wife and mom. I run, take pictures, scrapbook, make jewelry. I'm not super at any of those tasks, but it keeps me busy.

Caitlyn!

My name is Caitlyn and I am a law student at the University of San Diego, though I will graduate this December, wahooo! I ran the SF half marathon in July of 2006, then I was training to run the SF marathon when I got pg w/ DD #1, so had to put those plans on hold. My husband and I also trained for the SF half marathon, but unfortunately my grandfather got very sick, and we weren't able to run in the race we had trained for. I have an incredibly busy life, so I love being able to run with the jogging stroller. I am very slow, but I get the job done, lol. I am SO excited for this event, in addition to looking forward to meeting you ladies in person!

Laura!

I hate running. Why anyone loves to run is beyond me. But I'm hoping they are onto something and I hope I catch whatever they've got! I keep myself busy with the little miss and have gotten pretty heavily into cycling this year. I have a few events planned for the summer/fall, and I hope that running will only add to the experience. I am very excited to share this blog and experience with you ladies and can't wait to buy you all margaritas in San Francisco!!

I need your bio!

2009-06-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Friday and I intended on posting a bio on all the participants but so far I have only received ONE! (Beth you win the prize!) Please e-mail me today with a short write up and photo so I can include it with tomorrow's check in. I will be posting weekly blog updates/check-ins on Fridays and other fun stuff throughout the week.

ALSO, if you have not e-mailed me yet, please do so at lobenski@mac.com so I can add you to my mailing list. You can send you bio there, too. You'll notice I added links to the right with training blogs. If you have a blog, send me the link so I can list it!

26.2 reasons to run a marathon

2009-06-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

1. You have something to look forward to. When you register for the marathon and have it on your calendar, you have something exciting to look forward to. As the marathon gets closer and closer, excitement and anticipation build. You'll probably be a bit anxious, as well, but the anxiety is part of the excitement.

2. Emotional release. Angry? Frustrated? Stressed? Go for a 5-mile run and I guarantee you that those problems will just melt away. You'll feel so wonderful when you're done that you will temporarily forget what you were so upset or stressed about.

3. It's a good conversation topic. When someone asks you how you spent your weekend, you can say "I did an 18-mile training run". It's likely that the person will be in awe of you and you'll have something interesting to share rather than "oh I just relaxed and watched TV".

4. Runner's high. After about 4-5 miles (perhaps a bit more depending on the person) endorphins are released into your system giving you a pleasant "high" feeling. When you have runner's high, none of your daily stresses or problems seem to matter. You're on top of the world.

5. Toned legs. Running is great exercise for your legs. When you train for a marathon, everyone at the beach will be admiring how toned and muscular your legs are.

6. Your neighbor isn't doing it. Distinguish yourself! Fewer than 1 percent of Americans have ever finished a marathon, and you can be in that elite group.

7. You learn to love and respect your body. If you have a poor body image and often find yourself complaining about your body, training a marathon will give you a new respect for your body and what it can accomplish. When I started running, I could only run one mile, and it took me 11 minutes. I was exhausted by the end of it. I was truly amazed at how my body was able to run 26.2 miles when I put the effort into training it.

8. Weight Loss or weight maintenance. With all the calories you burn from running so much, you are bound to lose weight. If you are already at your ideal weight, then running will help you keep the pounds off.

9. Mental freedom. Running can be your time to zone out and give your racing thoughts a rest. Or it can be a time where you are free to reflect on your feelings and gain perspective on your life. When you are out running, there are no distractions or demands being put on you by others. Your mind can wander freely without consequence. Just be sure to watch where you're going!

10. Physical health. Training for a marathon requires that you exercise 5-6 times per week. You will greatly improve your cardiovascular health and increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

11. Greater music appreciation. If you like music (which most people do), running gives you an opportunity to let the music flow through your body. I strategically choose my running songs so that they motivate me and keep me energized. Music is often something we play in the background of whatever we are doing. By running, the music will take center stage, and you'll have a greater appreciation of it.

12. Carbs become your friend, not your enemy. Are you sick of hearing about how carbs are so bad for you? When you run long distances, carbs become your best friends. They give you the energy you need to keep running for an hours at a time. Enjoy that pasta dinner while everyone else is ordering burgers without the bun!

13. You can race against Oprah Winfrey. Oprah ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 4:29. Even if you don't beat her time, you can have fun trying!

14. Demonstrate that you are a highly motivated and committed individual. Prove to yourself and others that you can do anything you set your mind to. If you're on a job interview, casually mention that you ran a marathon (or are training for one) to demonstrate your motivation and passion.

15. Bond with other runners. Once you've run a marathon, you'll feel an instant connection with other marathon runners. It's a unique experience, so you'll enjoy sharing experiences.

16. Improve your math skills. Marathon training requires quite a few numbers: your mileage, your pace and your overall time. Some runners even measure their heart rate with a heart rate monitor. You'll learn to pace yourself across a specific number of miles and you might find yourself doing math in your head.

17. Add structure to your life. Adhering to a training schedule gives your life structure and organization. For many people, this structure can stave off depression and give them a greater sense of purpose.

18. Boost your confidence and self-esteem. Running a marathon is such a fantastic accomplishment on so many levels. It takes athleticism, commitment, and mental stamina. Once you've finished your marathon, you'll feel wonderful about what you've achieved. It will give you the confidence to tackle other challenges in your life.

19. Enjoy the outdoors and the scenery. Spending time outdoors and having exposure sunlight is proven to stave off depression. When you run outside, you have a greater appreciation for your surroundings-- whether they are natural or industrial. If your marathon is not in your hometown, you'll have exposure to a new area. When I ran the Miami marathon in January, some runners were stopping to take photos on the course. When I ran the Marine Corps Marathon, I ran past the White House, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Pentagon, and the finish line was at the Iwo Jima memorial near Arlington Cemetery.

20. The medal and the T-shirt. You'll have some great souvenirs from your race, including a medal that you can display in your home, and a shirt that you can wear that tells the world you ran a marathon. Most marathons also have photographers stationed throughout the course, and you can purchase running photos of yourself as additional souvenirs.

21. The carb-loading and celebratory meal. Before your long runs and a few days before the marathon, carb-loading (eating foods with a high carbohydrate content) is necessary to give you sustained energy. And when you finish the marathon, it's customary to enjoy an indulgent meal. Go ahead, you've earned it!

22. You'll be able to say that you "did it". For the rest of your life, you will always be able to say that you ran a marathon. This could mean a number of different things to you and others. But whatever it means, you know that you "did it".

23. You know someone who ran a half marathon. The half marathon is quickly rising in popularity. In fact, within the last decade many marathons have added a half marathon option to the race so that more people can participate. Typically, the half marathon has more runners than the marathon itself. Why? Because a half marathon is half the distance, requiring half the training, dedication and commitment. It's much more accessible. Running a half marathon is certainly an achievement, and I don't mean to minimize that. But having run both half marathons and full marathons, I can say that running twice the distance is twice as rewarding.

24. Making more time for yourself. Even if you train with other people, running is your "you" time. Throughout the rest of the day, you probably have people making demands on your time and attention. Running is one thing that you can do for yourself-- an escape from the stresses of everyday life.

25. You become more in tune with your body. When you train for a marathon, you become more aware of how your body behaves and how it reacts in different situations. As you walk around throughout the day, you might be more aware of your stride, or how your legs feel, or how your shoes fit. In the weeks immediately preceding the marathon, you will be especially in tune with your body, as you will naturally have anxiety about how your body will hold up during the race.

26. Crossing the finish line is a feeling like no other. When I saw the finish line in front of me at the end of my first marathon, I felt like gold. I had such a wide range of emotions all at once: pride, relief, excitement and amazement. I couldn't believe that I had actually run an entire marathon. If I could bottle that feeling and sell it, I would no doubt be a millionaire.

0.2. Experience the power of adrenaline. When you pass the 26 mile marker and you realize that you only have a fifth of a mile left, you get a burst of adrenaline. You may have hit the so-called "wall: during the race, and you may have had times during the race where you thought you simply couldn't run any more. But all of a sudden, you realize you are almost there! The adrenaline rush hits you like a wave and pushes you to the finish line.

(from Associated COntent, Elizabeth G.)

welcome!

2009-06-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

here's the nitty gritty....

the blog: a place for everyone to check-in, share progress, ask questions and motivate one another! i will encourage each of you to make a google identity if you haven't already. this will enable you to leave comments. if you feel inspired to make your own training blog, even better! if you do, you can enable your settings to 'follow' this blog. i plan on making weekly check-ins, challenges, and sharing inspirational material here. please let me know if there is anything you would like to see here, or if there is anything i can do to make this a more resourceful tool to help you accomplish your goals.

the goal: ultimately, the 2010 Nike women's marathon in San Francisco. the race isn't even half of it though- shorter term goals include training, accountability, and mental support and motivation.

the ladies: please send me a mugshot along with a short bio... about you, something that inspires you, your goal, whatever! i will post them in the near future so you can see who is participating in this challenge. also, please let me know if you have your own blog, so i can link it.

i am excited to participate in this challenge! i look forward to posting and learning more about you ladies :)

momathlon

introducing...

I need your bio!

26.2 reasons to run a marathon

welcome!