Still Going!

Before the Muddy Buddy I had slipped into a rut that the Muddy Buddy dug me out of and so far I haven't slipped again, but it hasn't been the running that's kept me going it's been the bike riding :)!!

I'm still running and just signed up for the I run for the party 4th of July 5K which I plan to walk/run while pushing my son in his stroller. But the biking is what I look forward to. I feel like a little kid again, free to go anywhere I want and go as fast as I want. When I feel the burn in my legs challenging me to go up the next hill I want to push myself even further. I love it!

I've been debating on whether or not to do the half-marathon in Murfreesboro but in the meantime I'm looking for some more bike races, either mountain or road. And then maybe I'll do another race that combines the 2! I was in Amelia Island on vacation last week and rode my bike everywhere. They had amazing trails that overlooked golf courses and the beach and I had a blast! I rode everyday I was there and it's really helping with my running! I may have finally found something I can stay motivated to do!! Yippee!!

Inaugural Williamson County Jingle Bell Run/Walk

The Inaugural Williamson County Jingle Bell Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 in the Downtown Franklin Area. The Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a 5K race/walk that includes a 1mile fun run and is the Arthritis Foundation's nationwide run/walk holiday event that raises funds to fight arthritis. Funds raised provide vital funding for research, programs and services to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases in our local area.

If you are interested in helping make this the best run/walk EVER by helping out on the committee, please contact Ashley Jordan Rickel at ajordan@arthritis.org or (615) 254-6795 ext. 107. There are several different areas you can get involved: Public Relations, Sponsorship, Team Recruitment, Corporate Recruitment, Logistics... and the list keeps going.

Why come Jingle with us?
-300,000 children in America have a form of arthritis
-Arthritis costs the economy $128 Billion dollars a year!
-Arthritis is responsible for 9,500 deaths every year.

What happens at the Jingle Bell Run?
-5K run/walk
-Costume Contest
-Family and Kid Friendly fun walk
-Entertainment
-And much much more!

How can I help?
-Recruit a team! Sign up and fundraise at WilliamsonCoJBR.org
-Sponsor! For information, contact Ashley at 615-254-6795 x 107
-Donate! Donate online at WilliamsonCoJBR.org
-Volunteer! Call 615-254-6795 x 107 to help with the committee or day of!

Running back

Time to get back into the running game. I have continued running, but I'm not doing as well as I should. I blame not having a race ahead. So, I have decided to run a half marathon this fall (October).



But that also means my first ever Summer training (boo!). So, starting tomorrow, I'm sort of starting over. I am going to be training Monday, Wednesday and swimming Tuesday, Thursday for an hour each day and a long run when I can fit it in (but I'll try for Saturday or Sunday).

This also means I'll be training with a Camel Pack because I sweat so much with the Tennessee humidity. And I'll be updating as I go.

What are you up to?

Marathoner's Q&A

A friend suggested I do a Q&A about my marathon experience- especially as a first-timer.



So, ask away- Questions about hydration, bathroom breaks on the run, what I ate the night before... I will answer anything. I still can't believe I ran 26.2 Saturday.



And yes, I'll run another one. Hopefully the St. Jude Memphis Full (I did the St. Jude half last year) next December.



Thank you to my dad for documenting this day. UNBELIEVABLE.

The marathon

I'm going to be lazy today (the day after the FULL marathon), and refer you to my other blog, Gilliam.life for an update on the marathon.

All I have to say is, "wow."

Click here to read about my marathon experience.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and for keeping in stride with your own personal goals. You are ALWAYS my inspiration.

Remember why you are running.

Again, I am a novice like everyone else but here are a few simple reminders and thoughts about marathons. KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. That is the motto of my life as I have always tried to keep things simple and this includes running. Leave the heart rate monitor at home (unless you have a condition that requires monitoring). Leave the headphones and iPod at home, enjoy the pain that lingers between your ears for 5 hours. The emotional rollar coaster, that produces troughs of self doubt will be followed by peaks of euphoric pleasure, should be experienced with little distraction. Leave the fuel belts behind. There will be plenty of fluids on the course and you can have family members carry the load for you. Don't wear a watch. If this is your first marathon (I am talking to you Sarah B.) all you should worry about is crossing a line at 26.2. Think light. Shoes, socks, shirt, shorts, hat, and sunglasses. Wait, include nipple guards and something to prevent chaffing as well ;)

Good luck to those of you who are running this weekend and please enjoy your experience!

Marathon checklist

My year of training has led me to this. The County Music Full Marathon.
Click here to have pity/view the course.
Thanks to my running buddies and runnersworld.com, I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
As I'm preparing for the big one this week, I ran across a great checklist (for those of you going or racing at all this year):

Running shoes
Comfortable socks
Lightweight shorts or pants depending on the weather on race day
Lightweight and breathable top depending on the weather on race day
Hat
Sunglasses
Additional clothing if you plan to leave extra clothing at the finish line
Watch with the ability to take splits
Heart rate monitor if you plan to use one during the race
Identification
Any paperwork required for check-in
Race number if it was mailed to your prior to the race or if you picked it up at a pre-race check-in event
Race belt if you intend to use one in place of safety pins to secure your race number
Timing chip if it was mailed to your prior to the race or if you picked it up at a pre-race check-in event
Sunscreen
Hydration pack and liquid to fill the hydration pack
Nutrition bars or energy gels if you plan to carry your own on the course

Here are a few I've added:

- Money (for beer, Gatorade, etc immediately after the race)
- Gum
- Chapstick
- Ibuprofen
- Hanky (for those with runny noses)
- iPod

Please feel free to add to the checklist or add any additional marathon advice!
Good luck to all running this weekend and those keeping up with their training this week.