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