Never Give Up.

9.27.14
10AM: I went to Eagle Creek Park for a what was supposed to be a beautiful Saturday 12 mile run. I took all of my Advocare (supplements that keep me going), strapped on my CamelBak, and started my run with my husband. I made it 4 miles. 4 whole miles before I decided that I started too late in the day, it was too hilly, and I just didn't have it. I went home, ate lunch, and proceeded to sleep the rest of the day.

5PM: That same day I took off for another try at my 12 mile run. I walked out the of door my house and set off on a familiar trail. It started great and fast.

I even saw this little gem on the trail: A reminder that even on bad run days what we are doing is pretty awesome.

It ended at 6 miles and with a feeling of pure failure. My mother and father-in-law picked me up so I didn't have to walk all the way home.

10.28.15
6:30 AM: I woke up without snoozing my alarm (a rare occurrence for me). I sparked up (Advocare supplements again) for the third time in less than 24 hours. I wrote all of the girls that are training for the Chicago with me (accountability, since I clearly didn't have it on my own). I set off for my third try at completing 12 miles.

I finished all 12. I didn't stop one time. And for the first time in a long time, I actually enjoyed running. It wasn't the fastest or longest I've ever run, but it was perfect. It was a perfect effort.

Third times a charm.

Never Give Up,
Ash

Sunday Runday

More like Sunday Rundown. 

(JaxDog after our 20 miler)

This weekend marked the last of the super long runs. 

After talking with the ladies, 

we've all been pretty rundown lately. 

Wah. Wah. Wah. 

I know, we signed ourselves up for this. 

But still, it feels really good to be through the final push. 

Now it's on to tapering and carb loading...yay! 

Noncrazyrunning folk, tapering is slowly cutting back before a race, 

aka slowly losing your mind because you think you're not prepared.

But enough of that. 

Here are some photos from the last couple of weeks! 

Ashley running through a winery in Indiana...

hopefully there was wine at the end of the run! 

Lora in Chi

"I fucking hate running/existing in any temperaturebelow 80 degress, 

but I can deal as long as the sky looks like this."

hahaha

And also her being a B.A. after that 20-miler

I was dying that day in Philly

and should have jumped in the fountain! 

Too bad the pup HATES water. 

And speaking of water....

Betsy taking advantage of the Chicago Lakefront.

Ally on the Tow Path in Indy. 

And Cel in Playa Del Carmen FTW.

17 days to go! 

Cheers to pizza, pasta and sleeping in, 

*KB

Sunday Runday!

Happy Football Season everyone!

In the midst of watching a billion hours of football this weekend, 

we managed to also do some running. 

Ally in Indy with a speedy 20-miler! 

Ash and her hubs loving those country roads! 

Cel in the muck at the Warrior Dash. 

My 18-miler was pretty brutal...

Not only did I procrastinate for 2 hours and 

end up in 85 degree heat with 80% humidity, 

but I left my running buddy/trainer at home. 

I was so sweaty I couldn't wipe off the camera any better than this. 

Thank heavens that run is over! 

And Lora by the lagoons in Chicago. 

Only 2 Sunday runs until it's time to taper! 

Eeep! 

My Long Run Routine

My husband and several of my friends know how big of a nut I can be when it comes to my routine before a big run. I imagine 80% or more of it helps me mentally and the other 20% actually does help my body get through my long run in optimal condition. I envy anyone who can just roll out of bed and go.

The Night Before 

I used to limit myself to no alcohol the night before a big run, but training during the summer and running on Saturdays makes it nearly impossible not to have a few beers with friends on a Friday night. For dinner, I'll eat just about anything I know won't upset my stomach. This is usually pizza, pasta or a bit ol' juicy burger. Depending on when I'm going to take off, I aim to be in bed by 10 at the latest (this Friday I went to bed around 9). I also have to lay out all my stuff... which may be weird - anyone else? My list of stuff includes:

- Shoes

- Shorts ( I only do long runs in spandex because otherwise chafing kills me)

- Shirt/Sports bra

- Socks (regular and compression)

- Hat

- SPI running belt 

- Headphones

- Camelbak

- Gu/Sports Beans

- Garmin watch

- O2Gold and Catalyst supplements by Advocare (ask Ash and Celina - this stuff rocks) 

I set my alarm for 70 minutes before I want to hit the pavement (allows for a 10 minute snooze of my alarm), and hit the head hoping not to toss and turn and get a good night of rest. 

The Morning 

7:20 - Alarm goes off, I hit snooze

7:30 - Pop my O2Gold (supposed to take an hour before running) and brush my teeth, wash my face etc.

7:35 - COFFEE - essential to the success of my morning 

7:40 - Make peanut butter toast (2 slices) with banana slices on top and grab a Chobani yogurt to go with it

7:45 - Turn on HBO Go and fire up an episode of whatever I'm binge watching (right now it's True Blood) or watch the news 

7:45 - 8:15 - Eat and watch TV waiting for the coffee to work it's magic 

8:15 - Pop my Catalyst (take 15 minutes before running) and hit the restroom 

8:20 - Put on all my gear and watch a couple more minutes of TV

8:27 - Fire up the Garmin and find those darn satellites, pull up my Spotify playlist

8:30 - Get after it

This is what makes me happy before a big run. I've had to adjust based on circumstances or lack of peanut butter, but otherwise this is what you'll catch me doing every Saturday morning of marathon training. Does anyone else have a pre-run routine?

The "Just" Runner...

You know what really chaps my ass? 

Well, besides my running shorts, 

but I'll save that discussion for another day. 

I've noticed lately when I talk to people about running

they often use the word "just" about the races they've done. 

I've found myself saying it too
in a crowd of runners.  

"Oh, you're running a marathon? 
That's awesome...

I've done races, but just a half."

Just a 5k.

Just 20 minutes. 

Just. Just. Just. 

I run races to challenge myself. 
I run races because I love the camaraderie that inevitably
comes with doing something fun yet difficult with 30,000 other people.
I run races because I love the surge of energy I get 
from a high five at mile 8 making the next mile easier. 

(Ally, Cel and I after the Carmel half this past spring)

There will always be someone running 
farther and faster than you,  

so why do we constantly take our accomplishments 

and make them seem lesser than they are?

Regardless if you're training for your first 5K
or your 50th marathon,
let's stop being "just" runners and 
be proud of every accomplishment. 
~KB

Sunday Runday...

Things are getting real over here in marathon training land. 

With the mileage picking up, 

it's starting to feel like the race is

just around the corner. 

Only 49 days to go! 

And here, as always are some pretty pics from our weekend. 
(Two weeks worth!)

Lately, Jax and I have been running on the banks of the Schuylkill 

(scooo-kill for all you non Philly folks)

It's pretty lovely. 

That monkey made it 20 miles without slowing down. 

I think I'm going to hire him out as a trainer.  

Oh, and don't worry, 
he was running around the house an hour after we got back.
Thanks buddy! 

Ally has been seriously tearing up the trails. 

So speedy! 

Ally and her friend Carolyn. 

Having friends run with you makes such a difference! 

Cel in Indy.

there really is something special about running along water. 

I've noticed we all do it! 

And Lora in Chicago/Columbus, IN. 

I never get tired of seeing those beaches! 

Cheers friends! 

Where is running taking you this week? 

-KB

To Prove that I Can

In celebration of getting back to training this week, here is a post I wrote towards the end of July, just a couple weeks before my surgery. It's also my first post (ever). My name is Ashley, although most people call me Creigh. And now that I am recently married it has turned into an awkward mix of CreighSchwab (my old and new last names combined). Honestly, I am not a runner. I am a horseback rider, that was forced to grow up and get a job, that fell into running :) And I am meeting some pretty amazing people along the way! So here we go:

I still remember the first time that the thought of becoming a runner ever crossed my mind. I was standing in Lance's (my boyfriend at the time, now husband's) house looking out the window witnessing my first race. As I looked at the porta potties lined up along the street, I couldn't help but wonder; how far could they possibly be running that they would need to stop to go to the bathroom? After asking Lance several questions I realized that I was watching the Monumental Marathon. Upon further investigation of figuring out that a marathon was actually 26.2 miles, I realized yep they need bathrooms! It was something that day about knowing that those people were running for 26.2 miles that made me think I can run 1. Yes, you read that right. I laced up my shoes and that day began my running journey. I completed 1 mile.

As I trained today for my second marathon, I couldn't help but remember where this all started. It was overwhelming going up and down the hills on Lake Norris, Tennessee with Lance, who helped me learn to run when I couldn't run more than just a few miles. My mileage has increased, my gear has certainly improved, and I am now married to that same guy. However, through all the changes one thing has remained exactly the same. The reason I run. 

Lance running at Lake Norris. He's fast...this is my typical viewpoint!

Also at Lake Norris...Caution Deer on Bike. (I'm easily amused!)

Yesterday, I jumped off a rock cliff into the lake with my husband and brother-in-law. 
This is why I run. 
Next week, I have one of the biggest client meetings of my work career to date. 
This is why I run.
In two weeks, I have surgery. 
This is why I run.

I run to prove to myself that I can. 

For me running is less about the physical activity and more about the fact that each time I go out I am proving to myself that I can do something that I once thought I couldn't. It's at mile 8, or 14, or 18 that a positive thought crosses my mind that keeps me going. It carries with me in all that I do, not just running. It's a chance to clear my mind, strengthen my faith, and to keep on going.

Prove that you can,

Ash

When Running Really F*cking Sucks

Last weekend, everyone’s mileage levels got real serious.

I slogged through 19 miles. That sounds like a lot -- and it is --  but this distance is bearable. Reason being, you don’t wake up one morning out of the blue and just randomly decide to run 19 miles. You work up to it. While these runs really put the L in LSD*, if you’ve done everything you’re supposed to do, you survive just fine.

So I chugged my way through each mile, put one foot after the other, and finished all 19 tired but strong.

This post is not about those 19 miles sucking. They were actually pretty fine. What I’m finding funny today is that those 19 miles were a piece of cake to the pathetic 3.5 miles I just ran.

If you could even call whatever I just did running. Imagine something more like… what someone looks as they slosh through waist-high waves. But there were no waves. It was just me trying to run on the streets of Chicago, imagining that everyone was secretly pointing at me because your speedwalking great-grandma could have covered ground faster than me.

I know I can’t beat myself up about this. My body is tired. I’ve been training hard. Even though I took a day off post 19-miler, my body is still recovering from those 3+ hours of pounding on pavement. And this is what preparing for a marathon is all about. Having the discipline to run when it hurts because training your muscles to get their ass in gear even when they’re mad at you is what you need to do during that marathon.

But still. Regardless of the reasoning behind why, today running really f*cking sucked. And that just f*cking sucks. Because running is supposed to be something I mildly enjoy. Unfortunately, on some days, that’s not the case. Some days it just really f*cking sucks.

I mentioned in my last blog post about new shoes that I knew there would be runs like this -- the kind when I question why I am even running in the first place. Yet that’s all kind of part of the deal. You never know when these bad runs are going to hit you. Sometimes you feel fine leading up to your run and for some reason (or no reason) you take two steps and know the next few miles will without a doubt be awful. But you trod through them anyway because

1. That’s what you’re supposed to do and

2. What if a neighbor was watching and saw you take two steps then turn around and walk back into your apartment? That would be embarrassing and silly.

So run/shuffle/plow on I did. And was I happy I did? Eh. Not really. I was happy at the end I didn’t have to do it anymore. And hey, since today was so f*cking sucky, that means my next run will be better, right? Let’s hope!

*LSD = runner speak for long slow distance.

— Betsy

Sunday Runday

Running a little behind this week....

...har har har....

(sorry, I've still got some puns leftover from my teaching days)

But look at all of the pretty places we ran this week! 

Ally ready to take off! 

And congrats to the Speed Queen on her fastest 1/2!

Seriously, my legs hurt just looking at that time. 

I was in Chicago this past weekend for a wedding 

and took full advantage of being in proximity of my favorite ladies. 

Lora and I ran around the lake

and then spent an exorbitant 

amount of time floating in the waves.

It was pretty amazing. 

Lora also hit the trails in Michigan.

And then Cel also came to visit Chicago, 

so Betsy, Celina and I took off back to the lake 

for a bit more the next day. 

It was so great to catch up with all of my favs! 

Now I just need some serious motivation

to run alone this weekend....

Ladies, anyone up for a road trip to Hilly Philly? 

:-) 

Cheers to running and the friendships that are strengthened from it. 

KB

New Kicks

New running shoes signify lots of things. For some, it’s the start of a new workout plan or a recommitment to finally get in shape, once at for all. The shoes are something fancy and new to provide a little extra jolt of motivation.

But for a marathon runner, new shoes means the point of no return. With just about two months to go, mileage is steadily climbing week-to-week. The first 20-mile training run is just around the corner. For these seriously steep mileage weeks, I need to be ready with fresh (but not too fresh, because no new blisters are needed, thank you very much) kicks. Ever cognizant of the very real possibility of injury, I always replace my running shoes at this point in marathon training -- right before the “real” training begins.

This morning, right before I take one last swig of water and head out the door for my mid-week run, I’ll slip into my spotless new running shoes. They’ll feel light and bouncy, and I’ll have a little extra kick in my step.

But I’ll break them in fast. They’ll get dirty seemingly overnight.

These shoes will carry me across many, many miles over the next two months, then over the finish line at the Chicago Marathon on October 12.

For me, these new running shoes represent two months of high highs and low lows. I know I have many amazing runs ahead of me during which I couldn’t be happier doing what I’m doing because I love running and how alive it makes me feel.

I also know I have many awful runs ahead of me during which I will question why the heck I decided to do this stupid thing (yet again, this is marathon #5 for me), because actually, now that I think of it, I hate running and it’s boring and I just want to eat pizza.

Regardless of how today’s run, tomorrow’s run, or any of the others over the next couple of months make me feel, I will do them. Because that’s what marathon training is all about: Having the discipline to put in the work day after day because you know every mile is mental and physical preparation those 26.2 miles on race day.

New running shoes, you have no idea what’s in store for you. But I promise you -- despite the love/hate relationship we may develop with each other over the next 67 days -- in the end, it’s gonna be great. After that, I probably won’t see you for months, so let’s try our best to enjoy this time together.

— Betsy

Getting Myself Through the Long Runs.... Pt 2

“You can be happy or miserable. But you still have X amount of miles left.”

(a fav running quote of mine)

More than any other question I get asked about running,

"How do you keep going for so long?"

is definitely the most frequent.

Ally wrote a blog about this last week 

and I wanted to chime in too. 

Because the thing about running is your (or at least my) brain continually says 

"stop. it hurts. stop. this is boring." 

stop. 

stop. 

stop. 

For me, it's podcasts. 

First and foremost, 

1. This American Life. 

Aside from Ira Glasses' overall awesomeness, 

the stories are an hour long and really entertaining. 

Some of my favorites include:

20 Acts in 60 Minutes, 129 Cars & 

the Harper High School stories. 

2. Freakonomics Radio. 

Yes, you've heard of the book. 

Same Economists. 

Super interesting studies. 

Check out:

The Middle of Everywhere (about Chicago!)

3. RadioLab

Pretty science centered. 

My favs are definitely:

Games & Cut and Run 

(about why a certain Kenyan tribe produces super runners) 

A couple of others to check out are

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Slate's Double X Gabfest

Ask Me Another

How about you? 

What keeps you going? 

Any other Accidental Ladies want to weigh in? 

Anything is worth listening to once or twice :-) 

Cheers! 

~KB

Sunday Runday!

Now that we're getting up there in mileage, 

every little bit of nature and amusement really helps! 

Betsy is still making her way through Paris! 

There's no better way to learn a city than to run it. 

Cel admiring the art in Indy. 

All of Ally's lake pictures really inspired me to get my butt to the lake....

a HUGE thanks to Kate and Anthony for running 3 of the 4 

4 mile laps with me this morning; 

I definitely appreciated the company! 

I also took full advantage of post run lake time...

And speaking of lakes, 

still jealous of all of Ally's lake time...

Lora in Chicago. 

Happy long long! run weekend! 

~KB