Vacation Running...and Eating!

 Walt Disney World 2014

The most magical place in the world...Disney World! A place where all your dreams come true! When chosen to sponsor the senior class trip to Disney World, you must give up your own ego to care for kids that vomit from getting too excited and go on too many rides. Or that become dehydrated when Pennsylvania has only experienced 5 days over 60 degrees in 2014 and it's 88 degrees in Orlando. And don't forget the sunburn! Nonetheless, the trip is about the kids and celebrating their last four years, as well as one of the last moments to bond as a class before they go their separate ways. It is a beautiful thing to see 17 and 18 years enjoy Disney through the eyes of a child. 

Let's look at the challenges I put my body through. Waking up after 5 hours of sleep to run 2-8 miles each day, maybe taking a swim in the pool after. Running around the park for rides. Eagerly eating chicken fingers and fries after the caesar salads get old. Snacking on granola bars and fruit snacks to avoid eating a huge desert that is AWLAYS included in my meal plan, of course. 

5:30AM run after going to bed at12:30AM!
Always better in the warm climate though.

So after 6 days of this, surely my body rejected me. It's a wonder why my throat began to hurt and when I returned to school to teach and coach I lost my voice! All the Emergen-C could not keep my immune system up! Only rest will do that :-) However, I'd probably do it again. Just get more sleep the week before to keep my system up. It's how we do it to keep pushing ourselves to get stronger and better.

Disney Snack Pack-aka Kid's Meal!

I try to follow the lenten "no meat on Fridays" and it's pretty easy to do when you get an uncrustable and goldfish in a Chip and Dale cartoon box. I'd take this over the chicken leg. I am assuming bagged carrots and grapes are better then no fruit or veggies. 

Besides, I get to experience kids having the time of their lives, warm weather, and fantastic runs through Coranado Springs and Epcot's Boardwalk. I'll take the next week to enjoy teaching, coaching, and spending time with my puppy and fiance...with sleep and my normal healthy eating lifestyle. 

The Taper

Taper. The this word describes not only a period in an athlete’s training cycle, but also can be used when describing a candle, comparing geometric shapes, and explaining financial activities. In both the athlete and the bank, the taper is necessary. An athlete gets rest so that he or she can compete on fresh legs, and the bank risks inflation if it does not taper. It is difficult for an athlete to taper after dedicating weeks and sometimes even months for a race.       

 For me, the taper torments me as much as the speed workouts and hills. It drives me nuts that I can’t keep training to get better the days leading up to an important run. In fact, I try to get up early week before a long run and get a little run here and there to get used to the early morning run routine.

   So, during the nervousness of the week of not being able to train hard, I focus on several other elements- nutrition (did I eat enough veggies and protein?) I take the puppy on long walks. I try to go to bed early- around 10pm!

   Also, being around other people is super important for me during the taper. Often times, I can FEEL grumpy because I am not getting to exercise as much or as hard as I want. Other people can always make things better.  I normally eat dinner the Saturday before with some running friends and my fiance. This week, I got in a 50 minute AM run with my friend and we talked all about work, all about our training, and all about our strategy. And fun events coming up with our friends!

My taper schedule for a half marathon:

Sunday- 8 miles

Monday- Swim 35 minutes/Yoga

Tuesday- Run 30 minutes, core work

Wednesday- Run 50 minutes

Thursday- Off

Friday- Swim/Yoga

Saturday- 20 minute run

Sunday- 13.1!

The lessening of workouts does not mean that it is less important. It means that the body is recovering and preparing to perform at optimal level. It definitely teaches you to mentally prepare and give the body rest.

Ask me next time how I feel.

 

Here’s me before the inaugural Love Run (in the pouring rain!)

And after I PRed with my cheering squad.