Strike

So today me and Gabe did this class at lifetime called Strike...its like Taebp but soooo much harder...I think I like it better... but I sweat it out for 1 hr at this kick butt class...anyways keep up the workout!!!

~Christa

Running in the cold

Yesterday I ran 2 on the treedmill and 5 outside in the cold... Runners - look out!!! ITS FREEEZING!!!! Make sure you bundle up when you go outside... I got really bad frost bite on my legs :( but thats ok... Its just getting me ready for the Turkey Trot... Remember last time when it snowed that day and the year before in the sleet... we have been through it all!!!!
Good luck runners!!!! Hope everyone is ready by next Thursday for the Trot!!!


Runners World Quote of the Day:
"To make your life a work of art, you must have the material to work with. The race, any race, is just such an experience."

~Christa

Taebo - Rockin Buns!

So today me hannah and my mom did rockin buns taebo with the amp bar!!! SO hard...
I love when ALL the girls do a workout together it makes it so much better!!!!
Anyway keep it up!!! ROCK IT OUT!!!

~Christa

fittin it it!

so i did a gross....but needless to say..."oh so necessary evil..." i ran without showering and saw a patient! yuckie...but ya know what... i don't care... i mean i do (since i'm writing this) but i must say... i wouldn't have been able to fit in my workout with doing so...

funny how after marathon training (which was soooo time consuming) you can't find time for a 30 min run or 1 tape/class... what happened???

we gotta make it a priority!

fit it in out there! =)

h.

Running with a smile and my cuter

So yesterday (Tuesday) brandon came over... He decided this yr that he would do as he calls "his marathon" aka the Turkey Trot this year with me... I beg him every yr and this year he caved and said yes... We have been training together.. he never has ran more than one mlie before I made him run with me :) SO before he came over yesterday I ran 4 by myself and then we ran 3 together.... His first time running 3!!!! Wow I am so proud of him!!! Running next to him I couldnt help but smile as he ran with his tensed up face looking so serious trying to get his breathing right... SO CUTE!!! Anyways I wanted to dedicate this blog to him because I am so proud of my lil cuter running with me... So please leave a lil message to encourage him!!!

Turkey Trot
2 weeks
6.2 miles
Brandon ran so far - 3miles down

~Christa

P.s. It seems like this is now my blog - noone ever writes on this but me.... :(

On The Mill

So today I (christa) ran on the tred mill at Bally Total Fitness...

I was sooo pressed for time... You see have have classes from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday... so any workout between on those days are a bonus ;)... Well.... I just found out a week or so ago that there is a Ballys on 12 mile rd only a few miles away so if I ever get a break I try to rush over there and do a quick workout...

Today it wasss extremly hot in there bt I pushed through and ran at a 2% incline on 7.8 speed for 4 miles and on mile 5 I went from 8.0 - 9.0 speed... I am very proud of myself for always pushing myself to workout even in the midst of NO TIME!!! haha
So I just wanted to encourage anyone who reads... That no matter what... You can always find a lil time for yourself... no matter what it is because you are important and you need a lil "girl pampering" :)

xo
~Christa

Cycle to u fall

WOW!!! This post is not about how I ran.. I did a cycling class at lifetime with Gabe and Hannah yesterday.. Man did it kick my butt... I went in thinking I am in shape and it wouldn't be tough... but it was super hard!!! I loved it because Saturdays are so much fun hanging out with my two squshers... Hannah and Gabe :)Now I am ready to go back for round two to kick its butt back!!!!

All in a hard days work
~Christa

Good Run...Lots of Plans

So today me (Christa) and Hannah tok a run together a little over five miles... No headphones but plainly talking the whole entire time!!!!! It was sooooo much fun... We got allot accomplished while running, we made allot of plans and set Lots of goals we want to accomplish for this coming year... My running goals for this coming year are: To walk the three day boston caner walk, run the hell run with the fam (boys against girls), and to run the Detroit Marathon in October...

Fun Fun Run Hannah!!
~Christa

Official Results reviewed by Uncle Mike

I have the official results from the marathon. I have contacted the Chicago transit authority and they have provided me with traffic camera video which I have reviewed and found some interesting information? First entrant that I found on video was Gabe entering a doughnut shop on 3rd street and exiting doughnut shop in golf clothes. He then hailed a cab and proceeds to oakpoint municipal golf course where he exited cab and joined up with a foursome and proceeded to play his usual four hour golf round. I was curious to make sure it was gabe so I zoomed in to the course and confirmed it was him because he was looking for his ball in the trees or water on most of the holes and on one hole when I zoomed in even closer I found he was not only searching for one of his lost balls but also petting a baby deer? He has formed so many great relationships with wildlife since he has taken up golf. I remember the time when he went into the woods to find his ball back in august at Indian wood golf course. I grew impatient and went into find him. I found him unwrapping a nature valley granola bar and hand feeding a wood chuck. That explains his 8 hour plus marathon???????????????

Entrant #2 Was spotted at the eleventh mile mark clearly suffering from fatigue, being followed for several miles by an out of state Macomb county sheriff vehicle with the driver resembling Jim Carey and even more remarkable the occupant strangely resembling Sarah Palin. For a minute I thought it was some hired look a likes that the city of Chicago hired for a promotional stunt. Until I saw the women get out and open the rear door, I then zoomed in and saw it was Shalene and put two and two together on the look a likes! After zooming a little closer I proceeded to see the Sarah Palin look a like pull out a spray bottle on the twenty fourth mile spray Shalene down to look like sweat from the grueling run. Shalene then exited the vehicle and finished the race strong. While at the end of the race the Sarah Palin look alike cheered and was forced into signing autographs for the following two hours. I also noticed that the Jim Carey look alike was put on probation for one week for unauthorized use of county vehicle.

More results will follow as video is reviewed…

conflicted...

I simply cannot believe that my fingers are sequencing my computer keys in this order producing these words but................. drum roll please..................

I think....... umm........... I may want to run another marathon......... as I walked... stumbled back to the hotel like at wounded man on the beaches of Normandy Sunday I reached the room and made Hannah promise just one thing.... Never, ever, under any circumstances ask me to do this again! I then proceeded to lay prostate on the shower floor in my own salty filth...

But then Monday morning I woke up feeling holy dissatisfied in my performance on Sunday... Call it my 5 potty stops of 20-25 minutes in total but nonetheless... I felt like a failure... Maybe it stems from a point in the marathon when I heard a lady yell "go Chicago walkers!" as I was passed by a 70 year old man wearing a Chicago Walkers t-shirt... Yeah, actually happened.... But ya know...? I can do better than this!

Whatever its worth, I'm so glad that we all did this together and I am in fact open to doing another one... God forbid...

We'll have to see...

gabe

Whatta Marathon Day!

Purely from a spectator's viewpoint!

First of all the sunrise was amazing, but warned us of the upcoming heat.  If the marathon had heated up 1 more degree, they would have cancelled it.  It was the largest "no show" for the Chicago Marathon because it was 20 degrees hotter than ideal marathon weather.   45,000 people signed up, and there was still amazingly crazy people all over the place - 1.5 million spectators, of which were:  Gary and I, Greg Fisher, Diane, Angie & Jeannette Fisher, friend Carly, and Grant Heugel!  

Amber was registered for the marathon, but because of her crazy-busy PA schedule, she had to postpone running because she can't run as a "full time job" to train.  She DID run the first 10 miles of the Chicago Marathon, though, and did an amazing job, then joined us with the spectators!

Our group braved the heat and were up early and ready to go.  Although not without incident, everyone finished the marathon!   They were AMAZING -- I am so proud of each and every one of them!  Being at the finish was NOT without tears of joy and victory!  Our amazing marathoner highlights:

Hannah and Christa -- They ran with Bethany up to mile 21, but then Bethany wanted them to go ahead so she could slow her pace since she was beginning to feel the heat.  Hannah and Christa crossed together.

Bethany -- Bethany finished right behind the girls and called me from someone's phone to find me.  I couldn't believe how amazing she sounded, but on her way to meet up with us, she started to "white out" and see white in front of her and her pulse dropped to a scary-low level.  She happened to literally stumble onto a Doctor who helped her along with several people.  They called the ambulance because of her dangerously low pulse, but after some Gatorade and a while recuperating, Bethany insisted on getting up and going back to the hotel herself.

Jesse -- Jesse ran an incredible marathon, breaking all his marathon records and in keeping with the time he was shooting for up to the 30K.  Then heat exhaustion took over, and he got extremely sick and began to dehydrate (as is common in runners over 6 feet), and the knee injury he sustained in football kicked in.  His determination brought him across the finish line, but he sports a knee as large as a grapefruit and a doctor's appointment this week!

Shalene -- Shalene persistently and determinedly pressed forward, feeling the pain but well trained enough to keep going.  Although the heat began to get to her, her Mom jumped in at about mile 21 and with shoes too small (borrowed from Jeannette), and with her jean capris on, ran in with Shalene to the finish.  

Mike Moon -- Mike pressed through incredible calf cramps, but kept going right to the finish line!  His first half of the marathon was amazing, and the second half slowed him down, but he never gave in and never gave up!

Gabe Bahlhorn -- Gabe amazingly pressed through to the finish too,  although he wrestled with feeling the effects of the heat.  He ran by us with smiles and cheers at the onset before the sun began blazing.  After that, his determination took over until the finished!

It was an incredible event to be a part of.  Pictures coming soon!

Uncle Mike's Predictions for the Chicago Marathon

2008 chicago marathon

Acronym's

DQ= disqualified
H= hospitalized
AH= assisted by HP
I P= I Pod disqualification
B= berating non competitor
$= unauthorized purchase during race


first place Bethany Budzinski (DQ)         Disqualified for carrying her fiance on her back for the last nine miles

second place Christa Budzinski (B)         Would of won but had to stop and call and yell at Brandon for not calling her all weekend

Third place Jesse Budzinski Should of won race hands down but was seen boarding bus on Michigan avenue on the 18th mile.

Fourth Place Shalene Fisher ($)         Could of ran closer to the top but was distracted by a pre-Christmas sale at a Louie Vutton store

Fifth place Hannah Budzinski (IP)  Disappointing finish but again can only be blamed on fiance's continual disapointment in pressure situations as displayed in previous events; family picnic water balloon toss and perennial Ginger Bread House debacles. Also race officials and dog sniffing unit finds iPod sewn into sports bra

Sixth Place Gabe Bahlhorn (H)          Strong competitor from a long line of distance runners, but again fell to his appetite and stopped at a Chcago Stuffed Pizza shoppe and never completed race.

Seventh Place Mike Moon (AH)         Collapses on ninth mile and is carried another seven or so miles by homeless person in shopping cart.

Goo/Water/Gatorade????? Whats best?

Jesse,

Reporting in here T-minus 16 days till Chi-Town!!! Listen I have sponsered all 7 of us with a pacetat that I will have for us by next week!! I also wanted to get your feedback on mixing gaterade/water/goo. I have been reading on many websites that if you do all three you tend to get very upset stomachs and that you should NOT do SPORTSDRINKS. I have read that you need to keep 100 calories an hour going in while running while keep a steady in take of H2O.

I have heard many of the runners in this group complaining of upset bubbling stomaches during and after our runs. Many stories on-line talk about how marathoners are throwing up from miles 20-26 so its something to keep in mind.

My conclusion for me is: Take a goo/gel 15 minutes before we start, and then every 45 after. Drink little to NONE gaterade, and stay hydrayed with water from the beginning. I have been doing this and feeeling MUCH better in my runs...Let me know what you all think.....

shin splints n' micro fractures

after my run today... i have sharp sharp shooting pains "in" the bone of my left leg.... it's painful to walk... ice ice ice....rest rest rest...and PRAY....

=(

han

run for the finish..

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit." 

everyone will have a different goal... 

                   "what's your pace??" 

     "what's your race goal????"  

mine???????.....run for the finish!

han

Pics

well in the spirit of getting for race day I pulled a few old photos and attached an video at the end I am sure we can all relate to by now!!! Enjoy

Jesse

Video commercials....oh how we all can relate!!!

Here we go 21er!!

Well I woke up at 4am and am eating a muffin and just finalized my route and playlist leaving in 10minutes. Nina voluteered to drop me back off at my house on her way to church so it looks like I have to finish this in under about 2:50!! Wearing my camelback and got my goo's!!!

20..20...20..

So today me Hannah and Gabe hit St. Clair shores for our 20 miler :)  We all started off SOOO very strong, we even got to run in a 10 k on Jefferson too!!! At mile 11 I felt is if I could run it twice... Me and Hannah we doing so good on our time and Gabe wasn't far behind us!!! I loved running down by the Mansions so much!!! Everything was sooo beautiful and it was perfect running weather!  At mile 19 I all of a sudden within 3 secs got terribly tired... but me and Hannah knew we could finish it and do it strong... We got back in record time for both of us... We ran it in 2 hrs and 55 min... 8 1/2 min pace miles :) WOW Hannah we rock... Gabe did so awesome too!!! I was so happy to run with him... I am so proud of you Gaber!  Pain... None, Walking-Never Ceasing, Tired - Never, Strong , Determined, READY!!!! 

~Christa

i'm tired

i'm tired of running... no... i don't need a new playlist... no... i don't need a new route...i need a new workout... i need a break...BUT we have 3 more weeks....3 more long runs until our race...sigh....oh for the a fresh set of shoes, legs, and motivation to go with it!

han

14+ Miler!

So, yesterday me and Shalene were too tired to get up early and run because we were out for Gabe's birthday party. Our plan was to run Sunday night, but it ended up pouring. Today, Shalene came over, and we decided on our route. We planted our G2's, and we were off! It was a good run,... The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was cold, but not too cold, and it was sprinkling, but just the right amount. Now, I am exhausted, but I am glad that we did it. I can't wait for the marathon! Less than a month away. I am very proud of Shalene. She kept a good even pace, and didn't stop once. I love having someone to run with because even though it's nice to do alone, it's always better to have a partner. ;) XO~Bee

14 miles in Blistering Winds, Jet Lag, Minimum Sleep, No ipod or carbs

Ok.... So Hannah and I REALLY didn't want to run our 14 miles this morning.  We hadnt eaten any carbs the night before, not only was my body jet lag (still in a 12 hr difference mode from Hong Kong) but I also only got 4 yes 4 hrs of sleep and Hannah only got 5!!!! We wake up and start out run... On mile one my ipod dies.... Hannah gives me her ipod for the remainder 13 miles... She run without any music NO IPOD for thirteen miles, WOW!!!! She is awesome, I could have never ever done this - she has a REALLY strong mind!!!! Then we passed up our only water station by .25 miles, we had to run back to it and then get back on our path so that was an extra .5 miles :( Just when we thought it couldn't get much worse it POURS down rain so hard as to the point where you could not almost see when u ran for about 10 miles.... At mile 11 I thought I was going to give up, in fact I wanted Hannah to come get me when she was done, but she gave me a huge talk and so we pushed on the last three miles even stronger and faster.... This was my hardest run - even harder then my 20 miles because of all these factors that came into play, but it just shows u that a strong mind can get u far, just don't EVER give up (also have a good running partner there too, it helps :) ) Good luck and I hope this inspires you to push on!!!!! 

~Christa

drip drip drop...runnin' when it rains

so next week is the big 22 miler (or 20 or 21 if that is your preference...) but this week was the baby lil 10 miler...which i was grateful for for many reasons...but one of which is that is was POURING DOWN RAIN when shalene and i left for the run.  sloshing through the puddles at mile one made me crabby at first...then i realized... "wait a second... this is SWEET!!! i mean really who in the the WORLD DOES THIS???" who wakes up at 6:00....stretches...eats 1/2 a goo... and goes out for a run in the rain...thinking....i'm glad i'm running a short run today (for a 10 mile run???"  you guys.... we are runners... and we are pretty sweet if you ask me....someone commented that i may have a "runner's superiority complex..." i was at first offeneded...but ya now what????? I DO!!! here's a quote to go along those lines... KEEP RUNNING... almost 1 month till race day!!!!

"The world is divided into two kinds of people: runners and non-runners." 

han

40 days till!!!

Me,Cer,Bee & Shay started the last 40 days right with a strong 14miler over on Jefferson Ave. Beautiful run. I know I really got to pick it up over the next three weeks then taper off after that I am going to be training hard during the week and the long runs will be 17, 21,17!! Lets keep each other accountable and excited for our big weekend in Chicago in 40 days!!!

14

me and christa did a strong 14 yesterday into stoney and back! we were meet with a mishaps...one being christa losing the car key!!! christa is a great running partner!  she is NEVER negative on the run and she keeps an amazing amazing path (even in the HiLlS!)  

keep up the good work runners! let's hear about your running?!

i thought this "runner's world" quote was sweet...it is so true...discipline from running sets the tone for your life!

~Han

"Taking charge of your body can help you take charge of your life. And that power can help you go wherever you want to go, every single day."

20 mile metro run

the route was from shalene's house to metro park and back to 16 mile and moravia.  it was a great run. we planted many H2O's and powerades along the way.  perfect weather. nice pasta dinner at bahama breeze the night before. no excuses!

it seemed to be a pretty tough 12 miles out. stretched out and kept running... and the last 8 were sooo much easier! this was amazing to be able to accomplish this run with my cuter than cute running partner....shalene patricia!  she was such a tropper because she was SICK! and she finished sooo strong!

some sore hamstrings....big blisters....but that was a sweet course....sweet run....let's hear your story bethany and christa (they ran it it 2 1/2 hrs earlier than we did!!!)

han

keep runnin'

The aftermath...

Well it wasn't pretty but I made it....I ran the 20.4 the pics are of me on metro parkway, then reaching just over the halfway point...then about to pass out in our house after the run!!! I really couldn't of made it without my partner biking next to me the last 4 miles....She rode the bike super slow I removed my headphones and we just talked as she PUSHED me that last few miles....all and all a great run and time spent with my fiance!!!(by the way only 12 more days I can say that!!!) 

want to throw out a "WHAT UP" to matt bunk running the old half marathon on his B-Day he really is an inspiration to running. It is always motivating to see another running pushing themself to their limits no matter what THAT DISTANCE is.....everyone keep up the good work!

The Half

Sorry to link to my site, but I put up a post about my epic run today.  I know it's not as long as you pros run, but for me it was monumental.  Check mattbunk.com for the details.

--Matt

the FEARED 20 MILER!!!!

Well since I am supposed to be the seasoned marathon runner...I am venturing out before the rest of the group to run the first 20 MILER!!! ahhhh it is saturday afternoon I just mapped it out...I will have the lovely company of my beautiful wife to be biking beside me pushing me when I get tired....we will go from her house on Dodge park and 15 mile to Metro-Park then to our lovely new house together on Gordon,....leaving at about 6:20 hoping to be done at 9PM.....sunset is at 8:51 according to weather.com and you typically have another 27 minutes of light!!! good incentive to not fall behind!!! looks for pics and update on how it goes...i am very nervous!!

-jesse

we all need speed

following the attached websites recommendations.... we should be running 15-20% of our runs at "tempo" aka "comfortably hard"

~Han~

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263-265-6141-0,00.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263-265-12224-0,00.html

sweet oasis

"Running is ultimately a personal experience. It is a revival of the spirit, a private oasis for the thirsty mind. Yet, its healing power only increases in the presence of others. Run together and the oasis grows cooler and more satisfying." 

these last few days have been so great running with shalene.  she is such a great motivator!  we have been doing our early morning runs and even if i am tempted to sleep in or put if off until later... she is so determined that all my lazy excuses dissipate! 

keep up the good work everyone!  

oh... and try out yoga.. it is such a good relaxer b4 bedtime 

~han~

Perfect Partners

Wow... 18 baby! Me (Christa) and Bee ran our 18 miles Sunday in the am.... It was a great run.. my amazing partner went out the night before and planted baby gatorades at various locations, as well as carried goo for some energy boastin ;) While running we both were pumped up and energized.. which is great for waking up at 6:30 in the morning :) at mile 9 we were both laughing and smiling, and talking to not only each other while running but greeting everyone on the same path with a "good morning" Now I know were defiantly runners if we can run that far, laugh, smile, talk, and still have energy :) We got to mile 14 and all of a sudden my ipod froze and broke. Bee did not realize this until mile 14.5 and when she did she AMAZINGLY AND GRACIOUSLY gave me her ipod and ran without one for the remainder miles... wow what a running partner I have... i dont know if I could have done the same... she is just so amazing and I am so happy I got to run this with her....Great job!  :) 

I am so proud of all of us 18 milers and all of the other runners as well. Looking back in January I would have never thought I could come this far... and I know I could have not done it without the support and fun help from my family. I am so happy we have partners, friends, and family who will constantly push each other to our limit... I am SOOOOOOO proud of us all... after all... not many can say: I ran 18 today and am ready for my 20 miles in a week or so :) WOOOHOOOO!!!!

~Christa

saturday morning with the cutest running partner... PREPARATION IS KEY!

total miles: 18.6

start time: 6:50 a.m

pre-run meal:  Maggiano's Dinner Slurge- whole wheat  pasta w/chicken and pinenuts 

   and Chicken w/spinach manicotti 

power foods: 2 (8 oz) poweraids, 2 goo gels, 1 (16 oz) bottle of Dasani water 

bed time: 10:30 p.m. friday night

Great run with Shalene today!  It seems like we had all the right ingredients going into the run... and the result was amazing... not to sore...not to tired...just feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment for a great run.  Seems like if you put all the right preparation into the run... it turns out beautifully.  We ran out and back from Jesse's and Amber's soon to be home along Lakeshore Drive.  It was such a gorgeous run along the water by all the beautiful homes in the Grosse Pointe area.  I'm thinking this will be a repeat run for me!  Keep it up guys! 

trial and errors

"You find out by trial and error what the optimal level of training is. If I found I was training too hard, I would drop it back for a day or two. I didn't run for five days before the sub-four-minute mile." 

hey does anyone want to work out the "bumps" in our running schedule?? i want to "re-vamp" it... let's put it in excel and see what we can do about changing it up so we are getting the "optimal" training.....off to school!

~Han

cross training

well well... this picture says it all... me and gabe have been biking around ann arbor the last 2 days... and let me let you... BIKING IS HARD! i know i know for all you athletes out there i thought i could just "ride off into the sunset" with no issues... but my heart rate was soaring and i had to beg gabe to wait for me at least 5x in the last 2 days. (it may be that i haven't let up on my running schedule too!) after today's run which will be 4 miles (sprinting) i will have run 27 miles this week.  me and shalene are going to do our 18 on saturday morning (very very early) we were thinking of heading down to gross pointe to run by the water... i'll work on plotting out the course... if we have any takers... let us know if you want to join!? 

wishing you all happy "no injury" runs!

~Hannah~

First Place Ribbon Baby!

Today me (Christa) and Shay were up and ready o run our 14. We had only gotten 4.5 hrs of sleep and were so exhausted from the bachelorette party the day before....  We ran great together side by side... We even got the pleasure of having it spinkle ran on our heads for the second half of our run!!! haha anyway we got the blue 1st place ribbon in our book!!!! 

~Christa

Ready to Run

Today me and Bee work up nice and early and started running (at a rapid pace i might add) we ran our 4 and are pushing on to tun our 18 miles on Sunday!!!! Hope everyone is staying stong!!!! Lets do it!!! GO GO GO Sunday and dont give up!!!!

~Christa

WHOOAA Baby!

Me and Cer were up at 6 am, out the door by 6:10. After running four miles in ~32 Minutes... We were exhausted, and worn out! It's not even that we ran INCREDIBLY fast, or that we were tired... It is just SOO humid out. It was literally like running under water! Anyways, WE PUSHED through, and it feels like more of an accomplishment... KEEP UP THE GOOD RUNNING! 

Ps. Anyone have any good ideas for a 18 mile route!?! SUNDAY! 

♡Bee and Cer

"Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
--Lou Holtz

sweating it out

  

so here's the story... it is just TOO HOT to run! i mean with temperatures in the 90's it's just too hot! i should have gone to bed earlier these last few days...but i wanted to hang out with gabe... so it just didn't happen.  i didn't give up on getting my exercise entirely...taebo amped helped me ramp up my heart rate so it is not all lost! i'm feeling the "heat" of not running! but i suppose no-one said summer training was easy! keep it up! stay hydrated!

~Han~

shorter n' faster: my new resolution

this is my new resolution...on the tuesday and thrusday runs i am going to run 4 miles at a faster than race pace instead of 6 miles.  reason 1:  on tuesday my legs are really heavy from sunday's run so i think less miles more intense is the way to go.  reason 2: i think our training schedule is too intense for a first time marathon, i've been looking at other beginner schedules are ours BY FAR has more milage than any one of them.  reason 3:  i think speed work is important! i haven't been doing it and i notice my long runs are taking me longer than i should.  reason 4:  it will give you the opportunity to cross train....if you want to do taebo or "lift" you still can after a 32 min run.  

that's all guys...i ran to matt's playlist the other day.  it was really encouraging upbeat music...check it out if you haven't already!

~Hannah~

SHELBY run!

The alarms were going off at 6 am this morning, and me and Christa were lying in bed debating whether we should run or not... After about 2 minutes... We were both out of bed and getting ready... 6.5 miles total, and in the end we were both SOO happy that we did it. Sometimes you have to push yourself, even when you may not be too thrilled at the moment. =) I am so glad that we have each other's support... It makes it that much better! 

PS. Matt... I downloaded the playlist, and it's a good one

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character."
-- T. Alan Armstrong

another one down... and still feelin good

so here is a lil picture of the loop me and shalene ran on sunday.  yeah, we pretty much did a tour of sterling heights don't you think!!?? we had the most amazing pre-run meal ever at Luciano's! (bread, pesto pasta with chicken parm) we hit the sac early so we would have no excuses for our big endeavor the next morning at 7:00 a.m.  it was a nice lil surprise to run into matt bunk at the very beginning of the run!  the loops was a grand total of 17.5 miles!!! we ran most of the way together and it was so nice to have the encouragement and company of another runner!  we were 15 minutes late for our church service...so we may have to set out a lil bit earlier for the next one! keep it up out there! can you believe the milage we are putting on the road... pretty sweet if you ask me...

~Hannah~

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." 
- Steve Prefontaine

A New Playlist

Hey Guys.  I've heard a few people saying they are getting bored with their music playlists lately, so I decided to grab an hour of music from my playlist and put it up for you guys to download.  It is exactly one hour, which means most of you can probably run about 7.5 miles during it.  I have posted it for one week so you have until about midnight next Sunday to download it.  Hope you guys enjoy.  I have added an image of the playlist incase you're curious before you download. Just click on it to make it bigger. But then again, why don't you just trust me.  :) Click the link below to start downloading.

THIS IS THE LINK

--Matt

16 MILES completed today....me and Bethany took of nice and early from our driveway....to a waiting Aunt Laurie in Saint Claire Shores....(Thanks Aunt Laurie for the pics, water, and encouragement after the run!!! luv u) 

We did very well we crossed the finish 16.3 mark in 2:15.42 as of the Garmin watch putting us in a respectable 8.28.875 MINUTE miles..!! It was so nice have Bethany there pushing on with me. We stopped and grabbed one Gaterade at Moravian and Utica(about 10.8 miles) into the run and shorly after(milde 13) encountered some cramping :(( but we pushed on and finished strong!! 

Everyone keep up the work 18 next week then back the restful week! luv you all.....-Jesse

The BIG HOUSE BIG HEART RUN

hey guys... this race is super super fun!  I hope that you all sign up for it... if you are thinking... well it is kinda expensive.... well you can run for a charity so at one family party we could raise the money for the race....7$ of the race money goes to the children's hospital in ann arbor and any money you raise above the entry fee can go to whatever charity you choose! pretty sweet huh?  if your 2nd excuse is that it is a measly 5k... you can make it a 10k (no extra fee).... let me know who is  in! 

i'd love to see you all out!   check out the website!!! 

www.bighousebigheart.com

~Han

No Pain No Gain..No Guts No Glory!

Wow... Up at 6- ready to go! I ran 16 around Standford University in California! I know people always say no pain no gain and u might laugh and giggle...but today It really came true for me...I suffered through some sever pains like my hug blister gushing blood as I ran... but NO i would not let it take my glory from me...I pushed on and stopped at mile 10 to drink a gatorade for a min then pushed on for the rest of the 6 miles. My mom let me use her new GPS watch and it really helped with my accuracy... No guts no glory is another "famous" saying...and I experienced it too!!! haha anyway I push through and got my glory baby!!!!! I am happy to say that underneath all the salt that covered my body and all the sweat and pain I went through I can say...BRING IT ON!!! 

Christa Sets the Pace at Stanford University

We hit the Stanford area running this morning.  Christa ran an AMAZING 16 miler -- WOW...  Made my 4.8 mile run seem mundane, although it was a GREAT run there!

Posted by Karen

Hotel Valencia in San Jose, CA

Christa and I are at Hotel Valencia, an incredible place in San Jose, CA.  We got here, and even our traveling all day didn't stop us from hitting the treadmill:  Christa to run 6 and me to run 5 miles~

Posted by Karen

rain...no excuses!

today i ran in the rain... the torrential rain i might add!  i got done with school at 4:00 and headed out for my 6 miler (still a lil sore from the long run on saturday).  when i turned around at the 3 mile mark i noticed that the sky was soooo dark and it was really getting windy.  with dust and lil pieces of dirt flying in my eyes i headed back to the dental school.  it started to drizzle with 2 miles left... and by the time i was 1.5 miles away from my finish... it POURED... but it really cooled me off and it made me feel like a "tough-it-out" runner... kinda cool actually... i hope it doesn't ruin my semi-new shoes! keep it up! 

~Hannah~