So, it was here! The day that seemed so far away 14 weeks ago had arrived as 10,000 runners laced up their shoes for the NYC half marathon last Sunday. In that sea of people was a group I had grown to know intimately—my team of inspiration, as I call them, for this year’s half marathon.
It was important for Quiana to write the blog contained in this post--and after reading it--I now know why!
Quiana has been changed by reaching outside of herself and doing what had seemed impossible. She challenged herself and has already reaped the benefits that will continue the rest of her life. Now...through her words...trust me...she will inspire you! Read on!
Below the blog are some comments from her teammates!
Q--You are a true inspiration!
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I can’t believe that I am one day away from running a HALF MARATHON! When I think about where I started, it’s hard to visualize that young woman who struggled to run just one mile…gasping for air and barely making it with my heavy stride. Heck, back then I didn’t even know to call my steps a “stride”. But now, as my running coach Jimmy says, my “stride is much lighter”. Plus, I may not be the fastest in the bunch, but I now am running for hours without stopping. Who could’ve imagined such a transformation?!
So...
Running sucks when you are injured--why, you ask? Because in my case, you can't run. I have run twice in the last 3 weeks! Now, you should know, it takes only two weeks completely off from running to basically return you to the form you were at the very beginning! BUT, BUT, BUT I haven't totally taken off--I have been swimming and running in the pool since I strained my upper left quad.
Physical therapy has involved active release on my left upper quad--which helped! I am virtually not bothered by it--however, something worse happened. My right psoas muscle was strained in the process. That muscle has an important role. It basically is responsible for raising and lowering your leg--or running, in general! So...I have not been running as a result!
It's with complete happiness and sadness that I talk about our last practice!
All showed up yesterday for the last tune-up before Sunday's race. All had broad smiles and were completely inquisitive about how each were feeling. For all but Bruce, Alison and myself, this is to be their first half marathon race. It's daunting to just write that statement. Even though I have run countless half and full marathons I totally have the perspective of how grand this project is for all of them. They went into this with huge insecurity as to whether they could even run the distance. Now, more than 3 months later, they have moved from, 'can I do this?,' to 'I wonder how fast I can do this.' Wow! They don't realize this, but that means they are ready!
With 1 week to go you have been training your body to adapt, and now you are prepared! Part of the adaptation process is how your body uses the fuel provided to it.
There are so many wonderful training adaptations in terms of health and well being that range from improved energy and mental outlook to enzymatic changes at the cellular level. The list is long. Still, training for a half marathon, 13.1 miles, a huge feat for anyone, does not require a huge output of energy (in the caloric sense) daily. A 4 mile training run burns approximately 400 calories (more or less based on size of runner and intensity of run).
Each week, we all come to practice with something to share. It might be a happy moment, a bad day at work, or the longing for more sleep and fewer mile repeats from our coach. We are sharing bits about our lives with people who, 13 weeks ago, were strangers. It's the best objective therapy I know--costing only 5-6 miles of intervals every Tuesday.
However, something struck me last week at practice. One of our teammates, Alison Bewalder, is a cancer survivor. That part I knew. What I realized was this: you will never hear her complain about the disease that could have taken her life--or the constant doctor visits she undergoes--unless you asked her.
From our Coach Jimmy Lynch:
This is it my fellow warriors. The time is near and the show is about to begin.
In this last week of tapering, the mileage is reduced, but the intensity is still up for the tempo runs. The body will recover now from all the hard work and allow you to go into next weekend's race strong and confident.
Continue to hydrate as you were doing and most of all get rest this week.
Good luck to everyone!
See you Saturday, August 16th in the park. Enjoy the scenery, live the experience and put your best foot forward!
Here are a few pictures from a recent team practice
From L to R: Coach Jimmy Lynch, Alison Bewalder, Bruce Katlin, Dale Layne and Trainer Jonathan Angelilli
Click below for more photos
We are down to just two weeks!! You are getting sharp and should be brimming with confidence. The ugly work is nearly done and the pretty work begins as we focus on August 16th. Stay focused as you let the race come to you. Run in the moment and you will be amazed at the outcome! Coach Jimmy.
Coach Jimmy Lynch.
Download Runwithheidi_trainingschedule12
I recently took a long weekend away! The first thing I packed was most definitely my running shoes. Running doesn't ruin a vacation. It's quite the opposite. Running on vacation, in my opinion, enhances your time in a new place. You get to see more of the city or town you are relaxing in and still feel better about that local dessert or drink you plan on having later that night.
Here is a recent picture taken in Newport, Rhode Island--one of my favorite places in New England. This is along the famed 'cliff walk.' Guess what?! Instead of walking the 3.5 miles--I ran it in a fraction of the time and got to see the entire walk and then some. In fact, this run encompassed 8 miles of the most beautiful cliffs I have seen and 'take-your-breath-away' mansions in historic Newport.
So--pack those running shoes the next time you take a 'vacacione.' I promise you'll see more than you expected and dessert will taste even sweeter!
I am posting Coach Lynch's schedule for next week early as I will be out of town for a long weekend! So grab a sneak peek and stay safe running this week!
Here is Jimmy's note:
Hi every one, hope the training is going well and everyone is feel good, strong and excited. We're four (4) weeks out from the main event, so we will be shifting the training a little. This week is more of a Tempo/Speed cycle. This will require you to have a quicker leg turn over and at the same time keep the tempo pace going.
We should be prepared for this after plenty of Aerobic and Anaerobic cycles we have been doing. Have a great training week.
Running is a lot like going to the dentist. You dread the appointment, the procedure, and the duration--but that doesn’t stop you from smiling from ear to ear when you leave the office.
For my team, it’s the mile and a half repeats or 5-mile time trials that leave us wishing we could re-schedule the practice. However, when we are done, nothing suddenly seems insurmountable—and it’s our body that is grinning from head to toe.
Check out this awesome post on runnersworld.com
Makes me feel better about some of my runs! :)
Here is this week's training schedule.
The intensity will be up the next several weeks...but this is the final push!
Hang in there and you will be more than prepared for August 16th.
A lot of runners like running because it is a solitary sport. There is no reliance on another runner's performance to determine your finish. For better or worse, you are in charge of your destiny. There are no assists, no defense or offense--there is only you!
However, running can at times be lonely. There is something comforting in running with others and knowing they are feeling the same pain as you. It somehow makes the run easier.
That's where my team comes into the fray.
Here is your training schedule for 7/5-7/11
Here is next week's training schedule, which begins Sunday.
We are now into the 'meaty' part of our training.
It will get a little tougher, but you can handle it.
Happy running and stay hydrated in this warm weather!
Cheers!
Heidi
So, we did it! We ran our tune up race this weekend in Central Park. Five miles in the rain and humidity. Butterflies ran rampant in the pit of our stomachs, and for some there was still a question of whether or not they could complete the race. After all, we only have had 6 weeks of training. Read on for a story that will surely have you smiling.
Today our team came together to run the Father's Day 5 mile Race Against Prostate Cancer as a tune-up to the NYC half marathon in August. We are more than just a team...we have become family in the short 6 weeks we have been together...and it shows in this photo gallery. You will notice someone is missing. Heather Cowan couldn't be with us due to a family obligation. She was most missed! But, we all ran to make her proud.
Congratulations to everyone who ran today supporting this wonderful cause!
Click here to check out our photo gallery from the race.
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