What's better than the feeling you get from a good run?
How about knowing that your run is helping someone else. As a Team in Training participant and mentor, I know the rewards of training and logging miles in order to help others. After all our purpose is raise money to fight blood cancers by training for endurance events.
However, recently, I was told of another way to make my miles count. Every.single.mile. Plus3 network is a great website that lets you choose a sponsor and charity. Then you log in every time you run, bike, swim, kayak, skateboard, walk, spin, sail, do yoga, strength train, etc. If you have a GPS device, you can just upload your miles and tell Plus3 what you were doing, they do the rest for you. If you don't have a GPS or are doing an indoor activity, you can just enter the miles or time of your efforts on your own.
Depending on which sponsor and charity you choose, and the activity you do, each mile is worth a certain amount of change. I chose the charity of Team in Training and the sponsor: Chain Reaction Bicycles. They donate about 6 cents a mile. This may not sound like a lot, but since I joined on January 3, 2011, I have raised $23.62. I generally only remember to upload my GPS activity too, so I could be earning more if I would remember to log treadmill miles and cross training. I figure, by the end of the year, I'll have raised $100 just by logging the miles that are part of my daily routine. Not too shabby.
For those of you that are competive...there is a leaderboard for the sponsor and charity you choose. FYI: I'm currently the leader on my "leaderboard." :) There are also challenges such as first one to 99 runs or 99 spins or to reach 600 miles. You have to sign up for the challenges seperately, so no pressure if you're not into that.
As in most things these days, it's also a social network of sorts if you choose to use it that way. You can be friends with people that are with different sponsors and charities, so be sure and friend me if you decide to sign up.
What are you waiting for!? Imagine what all of use could raise if we lot into Plus3 Network. Why not give it a shot.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I found my keys
That is all. 1.5 weeks post losing them. My Trader Joe's bag fell over in my car, and lo and behold there they were, under the passenger seat. Has anyone seen Adjustment Bureau? I'm convinced they were involved in this.
OK, well I also had a great run on Sunday. 16 miles at an 8:41 pace. This was not a planned pace because I've been trying to not stress about my long runs. However, it felt good to hold that pace for a full long run.
Compared to last week, the weather was great. I still have to admit that I like a cooler run, especially for a long run, but mentally, I'm ready for Spring. That being said, the 40s on Sunday was pretty spot on for what I need right now.
And on a life note. State testing for my 7th graders is this week. I think I'm looking forward to it being over more than they are. They are good kids and put their all into the tests, but the rest of the day...my class gets invaded by gremlins (and most of them aren't like Gizmo).
It's either the tests, or they're turning into 8th graders...time will tell!
OK, well I also had a great run on Sunday. 16 miles at an 8:41 pace. This was not a planned pace because I've been trying to not stress about my long runs. However, it felt good to hold that pace for a full long run.
Compared to last week, the weather was great. I still have to admit that I like a cooler run, especially for a long run, but mentally, I'm ready for Spring. That being said, the 40s on Sunday was pretty spot on for what I need right now.
And on a life note. State testing for my 7th graders is this week. I think I'm looking forward to it being over more than they are. They are good kids and put their all into the tests, but the rest of the day...my class gets invaded by gremlins (and most of them aren't like Gizmo).
It's either the tests, or they're turning into 8th graders...time will tell!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Exercise Induced Amnesia
This post is a little overdue, but worth sharing.
Sundays I have a pretty set routine. Get up around 6, eat some toast with almond butter and an apple, get in the car and drive to our TEAM group training location about 35 minutes away, listening to accoustic Sunday Morning.
Then I run whatever the set distance is (this week was 18 miles under 9min pace in torrential downpours), chat with TNT members for a bit and then head to Whole Foods for some fuel and veggies for the week.
Then I drive home, and grade papers or make lesson plans.
This week was no different. Rountines are easy. However, somewhere between putting my groceries in my car at Whole Foods and going to start my car, I lost my keys. You may think, "oh perhaps she returned the cart with her keys in them" - no cart (Only a few things; Whole Foods is pricey!), or "she left them on top of the car," -no such luck there, or "she dropped them in a grocery bag -nope; not only did I look in every grocery bag, I opened up my salad bar container to see if they somehow opened the container and placed themselves in there.
Long story short (well sort of). My mom had to drive the 35 minutes in the torrential rain to bring me my extra set of keys. It's now Thursday, and they are still nowhere to be found.
Sundays I have a pretty set routine. Get up around 6, eat some toast with almond butter and an apple, get in the car and drive to our TEAM group training location about 35 minutes away, listening to accoustic Sunday Morning.
Then I run whatever the set distance is (this week was 18 miles under 9min pace in torrential downpours), chat with TNT members for a bit and then head to Whole Foods for some fuel and veggies for the week.
Then I drive home, and grade papers or make lesson plans.
This week was no different. Rountines are easy. However, somewhere between putting my groceries in my car at Whole Foods and going to start my car, I lost my keys. You may think, "oh perhaps she returned the cart with her keys in them" - no cart (Only a few things; Whole Foods is pricey!), or "she left them on top of the car," -no such luck there, or "she dropped them in a grocery bag -nope; not only did I look in every grocery bag, I opened up my salad bar container to see if they somehow opened the container and placed themselves in there.
Long story short (well sort of). My mom had to drive the 35 minutes in the torrential rain to bring me my extra set of keys. It's now Thursday, and they are still nowhere to be found.
So my question for you is (I guess I should say questions)...Is it possible that in a fit of exercise induced amnesia I chucked my keys down a storm drain or something of the sort? Has anyone else experienced something like this? Has anyone seen my keys?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Who Woulda Thunk
On Sunday I had a 16-17 miler planned with 10 at marathon pace. I woke up to a slushy mess on the ground and a slushy mess in my stomach (not sure what's up with that lately). It didn't seem like the ideal conditions to run long (i.e. away from a bathroom), or fast (picture me sliding into a slushy face plant). So, I bit the bullet and realized that if I wanted the run done right and with as little embarrassment possible, some of it was going to have to be done on the mill. (man that mill keeps appearing on here lately)!
I did a 3.6 mile warm up outside and actually did keep it at about marathon pace. (BQ Circa 2010 pace) I was pleased, but still thought it best to run at the gym with my mom. We got to the Y and I headed onto the mill. I figured I would try to get about 9 miles done there, and only 7 of them needed to be at marathon pace. Of course I did make a few pit stops before beginning this attempt.
I knew I needed to keep myself interested, because that's what kills me on the treadmill. I feel like one mile takes 30 minutes. I decided to flip between two types of miles. Mile one was segmented into 1/4 pieces. The first I would do at about 8:50, then 8:25, then 8:00 and then 7:35ish. Then mile 2 I would run segmented into 1/10 sections: 8:20 pace, 8:13 pace, 8:06ish pace then rotate back. Then I'd go back to the mile 1 pattern, then mile pattern and repeat. I kept this up for 8 miles and averaged 8:15 (which is BQ Circa 2011 and beyond pace). Then I did 1.5 at about 8:45 (I think). I finished the treadmill portion of my run with 9.5 miles at 8:23 pace. If you're keeping track, this technically means 13.1 miles at BQ circa 2010 pace. I'll take it (and the 13.1 was completely by accident).
Finally, I had to finish my 16 miler. I went outside (in shorts!) and finished it off with 3.2 at 9:36. And I survived a long run that consisted mostly of the treadmill. Never thought that would have happened. I know some of you busy moms have done 20 milers on the mill. Do I ever want to do that; absolutely not. Am I starting to think it may be possible, maybe....
Happy Monday Everyone. Today is my rest day, but tomorrow is back to a busy running week!
I did a 3.6 mile warm up outside and actually did keep it at about marathon pace. (BQ Circa 2010 pace) I was pleased, but still thought it best to run at the gym with my mom. We got to the Y and I headed onto the mill. I figured I would try to get about 9 miles done there, and only 7 of them needed to be at marathon pace. Of course I did make a few pit stops before beginning this attempt.
I knew I needed to keep myself interested, because that's what kills me on the treadmill. I feel like one mile takes 30 minutes. I decided to flip between two types of miles. Mile one was segmented into 1/4 pieces. The first I would do at about 8:50, then 8:25, then 8:00 and then 7:35ish. Then mile 2 I would run segmented into 1/10 sections: 8:20 pace, 8:13 pace, 8:06ish pace then rotate back. Then I'd go back to the mile 1 pattern, then mile pattern and repeat. I kept this up for 8 miles and averaged 8:15 (which is BQ Circa 2011 and beyond pace). Then I did 1.5 at about 8:45 (I think). I finished the treadmill portion of my run with 9.5 miles at 8:23 pace. If you're keeping track, this technically means 13.1 miles at BQ circa 2010 pace. I'll take it (and the 13.1 was completely by accident).
Finally, I had to finish my 16 miler. I went outside (in shorts!) and finished it off with 3.2 at 9:36. And I survived a long run that consisted mostly of the treadmill. Never thought that would have happened. I know some of you busy moms have done 20 milers on the mill. Do I ever want to do that; absolutely not. Am I starting to think it may be possible, maybe....
Happy Monday Everyone. Today is my rest day, but tomorrow is back to a busy running week!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Surprising Benefits of the Treadmill
The treadmill is not my favorite apparatus. I much prefer running outside, no matter how cold, windy, etc. As long as the roads are safe to run on, you will find me outside, usually.
Yesterday, my mom and I went to the gym together. I took this as an opportunity to tackle a treadmill run. Because, you see, there are benefits.
1. There is no mental game about speed here. If you want to go a certain speed, you turn it up. What it feels faster than a 7:40 pace? Well, you can't say it's the wind, or the cold, or the stop lights, or the icy sidewalks, or even the hills (cause you control that too). If the 7:40 feels too fast, it's you.
2. I find myself reverting to the swimmer in me and making up fun sets when I'm on the treadmill. I have to, in order to survive the mental anguish of such a dull machine (sorry it's hard to list its positive qualities without including some of its no so positive ones.)
3. It is cold out, and though I love running in the cold. There's a fairly good chance that it wont be cold in Nashville on April 30th or in Burlington on Memorial Day Weekend. Therefore, getting some indoor training should make that adjustment a little more possible.
Yesterday, I ran 2 main sets on the mill for a total of 8.5 miles. My first set was 3.5 mile repeats (don't ask about the .5 I changed my mind into running my 8 mile run instead of my 5 after I finished the mile repeats). First mile was at 7:54 then 7:45 then 7:36 and then 7:27/7:18.
Then I decided I wanted to do my 8 mile run so I hopped back on the treadmill for a 3.2 mile progressive run at an average of about 8:29.
All in all, a pretty good workout! Headed out for a 12 miler in a little bit.
Have a happy hump day. And don't forget today is the contest deadline. Guess my training mileage total with a $2 donation to Team in Training (per guess) and you can win a $50.00 gift card to a favorite restaurant.
Yesterday, my mom and I went to the gym together. I took this as an opportunity to tackle a treadmill run. Because, you see, there are benefits.
1. There is no mental game about speed here. If you want to go a certain speed, you turn it up. What it feels faster than a 7:40 pace? Well, you can't say it's the wind, or the cold, or the stop lights, or the icy sidewalks, or even the hills (cause you control that too). If the 7:40 feels too fast, it's you.
2. I find myself reverting to the swimmer in me and making up fun sets when I'm on the treadmill. I have to, in order to survive the mental anguish of such a dull machine (sorry it's hard to list its positive qualities without including some of its no so positive ones.)
3. It is cold out, and though I love running in the cold. There's a fairly good chance that it wont be cold in Nashville on April 30th or in Burlington on Memorial Day Weekend. Therefore, getting some indoor training should make that adjustment a little more possible.
Yesterday, I ran 2 main sets on the mill for a total of 8.5 miles. My first set was 3.5 mile repeats (don't ask about the .5 I changed my mind into running my 8 mile run instead of my 5 after I finished the mile repeats). First mile was at 7:54 then 7:45 then 7:36 and then 7:27/7:18.
Then I decided I wanted to do my 8 mile run so I hopped back on the treadmill for a 3.2 mile progressive run at an average of about 8:29.
All in all, a pretty good workout! Headed out for a 12 miler in a little bit.
Have a happy hump day. And don't forget today is the contest deadline. Guess my training mileage total with a $2 donation to Team in Training (per guess) and you can win a $50.00 gift card to a favorite restaurant.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Long Run Recap
Yesterday's long run was tough. I can't really pinpoint why, though there were a few factors that seemed to be testing me. I think I only scored a C on this one.
17 miles at 9:20 pace. Wanted to hold under 9 dare I say under 8:50 really
My hamstring/butt/sciatica was ANGRY. the.whole.time (thought it's feeling a little better today)
it was 20 degrees which isn't bad, but with average winds of 15 mph and gusts of 31, it felt a lot colder
My stomach was angry in the a.m. and I don't I had much left to work with
Not really making excuses. It just wasn't a good run and trying to decide how much of it was mental. Certainly you have to have bad runs in a training cycle. Way better to have them during the training than during the race.
For now, I'm keeping my 2011 goal of a 3:40 marathon. No, that's no longer a BQ, but it's a goal I've had for a while and I have been unable to reach it yet. Does it make sense to be mad at myself if I get the 3:40, even if it's no longer a BQ? I don't think so. One thing at a time. Then I can readjust and go after a BQ. When I swam in high school and college, I was nowhere close to qualifying for things like NCAAs etc. It didn't stop me from setting personal time goals.
Currently I'm training for the Country Music Marathon, which I will run with Team in Training on April 30th. On Memorial Day weekend I'm rematching with Vermont City. Burlington is pretty much my favorite place on earth and so many of my friends are still there. I can't wait for that race. Then in the fall we'll see what happens: maybe Hudson Mohawk, maybe Philly, maybe even Baystate again.
Remember you can still enter the guess the mileage contest. A $2 donation to Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can win you a $50 gift card to your favorite restaurant.
17 miles at 9:20 pace. Wanted to hold under 9 dare I say under 8:50 really
My hamstring/butt/sciatica was ANGRY. the.whole.time (thought it's feeling a little better today)
it was 20 degrees which isn't bad, but with average winds of 15 mph and gusts of 31, it felt a lot colder
My stomach was angry in the a.m. and I don't I had much left to work with
Not really making excuses. It just wasn't a good run and trying to decide how much of it was mental. Certainly you have to have bad runs in a training cycle. Way better to have them during the training than during the race.
For now, I'm keeping my 2011 goal of a 3:40 marathon. No, that's no longer a BQ, but it's a goal I've had for a while and I have been unable to reach it yet. Does it make sense to be mad at myself if I get the 3:40, even if it's no longer a BQ? I don't think so. One thing at a time. Then I can readjust and go after a BQ. When I swam in high school and college, I was nowhere close to qualifying for things like NCAAs etc. It didn't stop me from setting personal time goals.
Currently I'm training for the Country Music Marathon, which I will run with Team in Training on April 30th. On Memorial Day weekend I'm rematching with Vermont City. Burlington is pretty much my favorite place on earth and so many of my friends are still there. I can't wait for that race. Then in the fall we'll see what happens: maybe Hudson Mohawk, maybe Philly, maybe even Baystate again.
Remember you can still enter the guess the mileage contest. A $2 donation to Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can win you a $50 gift card to your favorite restaurant.
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