I AM TAPERING

Recently, a runner friend and I were talking 'training' (yes, I do that kind of thing now--I feel so runneresque). She asked me if I was tapering yet. 'What the heck is tapering?' I thought to myself, 'a new breathing technique?' Confessing that I didn't know what she meant, she explained that tapering is the two or three weeks prior to your marathon when you start to decrease your mileage. She told me there was a really good article about tapering in the most recent Runner's World magazine. When I got home I read it. It explained that it is very important to taper those two or three weeks before your event so that your body has ample rest time. There was a poll on whether people like to taper or not. It said: 26% love the rest and free time; 55% know it's good for them but feel antsy; 7% could take it or leave it; 5% think it's harder than training; 8% hate it. WHAT IN THE WORLD? I mean seriously? Ok, I know there are those die hard, ultra competitive runners out there but you mean to tell me the majority of people have a hard time with 'rest and free time'???? You've got to be kidding me!

I guess you can tell which group I fall in...as of yesterday, I am officially TAPERING and I am going to enjoy every minute of it! No worries, I won't be trying to run more than my training schedule tells me. Nope. Not me.

--IT IS OFFICIAL--

I AM TAPERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-------------------------YEA, YEA, YEA, YEA, YEA---------------------------

running thoughts

I was reading in Runner's World the other day that Deena Kastor, USA Olympian marathoner, has little 'one liners' or sentences that she repeats over and over in her head to keep her motivated while she is running. Here are the thoughts that I repeat over and over as I run:

• Isaiah 40:31: And those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like wings on eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Hebrews 12:1: therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for me.
• Phil. 4:13: I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me.
• No excuses, no exceptions, no explanations. Do what you do. (from Tony Dungy's book: Quiet Strength)
• Mind of Steel - I don't know where this came from--maybe I made it up?
• God is Who He says He is, God Can Do what He says He can do, I am who God says I am, I can do all things through Christ, God's Word is alive and active in me, I'M BELIEVING GOD! (from Beth Moore's Believing God bible study)
• Give it all to Jesus: Ready, Steady, Go! (For those of you that don't know, this is a song)

So, all you runners out there, what thoughts do you focus on to encourage you?

Also, I am going to focus on a different bible verse for each mile during the marathon. So far I have: Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 12:1-3, Romans 5:4-5 and 2 Cor. 12:9-10. I have been doing this for my last two 'long runs' and it has helped me tremendously! I would love any input on verses...Please share any that have been particularly helpful to you. Thanks :)

Aching and Breaking

Hey crazy marathoners,
How come you never mentioned the fact that during training your body aches 24/7 nonstop, like you have a bad case of arthritis that's never going away? I am only on week four and I feel like a train wreck. One of you crazies could have warned me!

It Has Begun!

Well, today marks week three of my training...I am training to run the Chicago Marathon! I am pumped! What makes it doubly excited is that I am running it for Team World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The focus of this year's Team World Vision fundraising is to provide clean water to the communities in Africa. I am so excited to be a part of this! My prayer is that I will raise so much more than my goal of $1,500.00. To see my fundraising webpage, go to www.firstgiving.com/mariagrogan or click on the feed to the right.

The morning of my first official day of training, I did my bible study before I did my scheduled run. The focus bible verse for that particular day was Isaiah 40:31: 'but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' This verse was the exact verse my sweet mother in law gave me to pin onto my shorts when I ran the Derby City mini marathon two months ago. It is so like God to give you just the right verse exactly when you need it! So, this has officially become my 'marathon' verse. God has been such an encouragement to me during my training so far...I am going to attempt to write about all the lessons He has been teaching me as I train--that is, if I can find the time! So, be watching for more to come....

THE FAB FOUR

Meet the Fab Four. The dynamic team of Eric, Mike, Trey and Adam. They ran the Flying Pig Marathon yesterday in Cinncinati, Ohio! Yea! What a foursome! While they live in different cities (two live in henderson, KY, one in Nashville, TN and one in Louisville, KY), they 'trained together' by keeping up with each other's training strategy and doing their 'long weekend runs' together when they could.

Myself, my sister in law Kelle (Adam's wife) and Kelle's sister Whitney (Trey's wife) along with four of our kids wound our way through Cincy to mile 10, mile 20 and the Finish to cheer for them. The Fab Four stayed together almost the entire race, spurring one another on. They finally began breaking away from each other around mile 21 or 22 and finished as follows: Adam - 3:40:13; Mike - 3:41:06; Trey - 3:41:45; Eric - 3:42:17. Wow. That's just about all I can say. Wow.

I am so inspired and impressed with each of them for different reasons. Adam, because he always finds a way to dig down deep inside of himself and finish strong. He has a ferocious drive and determination. I'm pretty sure I've never seen him have a 'bad' race. He is intensely focused and is able to keep the others 'on task'. Way to go, Adam! Mike is SO impressive because this is his very first marathon! His first 'mini' was just a year ago and now he's cranking out 26.2 like it's nothing. On top of all that, his wife was unable to come because she began having some pre labor contractions. (She is pregnant with #3). Still, even without his 'backbone' of support, he was able to stay focused and crank out an incredible marathon. Mike, you are a bulldozer! Now Trey is one of those runners whom I'm pretty sure always has a smile on his face, even when it's painful. He puts his heart into it. He runs because he loves it and his love for it is contagious. He keeps it fun for himself and those around him. Thanks for making it joyful, Trey! Eric finished with his best personal time ever! He never ceases to amaze me. He is the most disciplined, consistent, rock solid day in, day out person I know. Seeing these qualities displayed tangibly through the marathon was, well, it was something--I just don't think I can put pen to paper to describe it...love you, and so, so proud of you!

Now, Kelle, Whit, myself, along with our kids had quite the adventure. Maneuvering in and out of side streets, up and down hills in the big, white machine (our 12 passenger van) was no small feat. We withstood bone chilling morning temps as well as many interesting sights to withhold such as these:

Cheering on runners was so, so fun!!! It was fulfilling to encourage people who are trying to accomplish a big goal.

The Fab Four just might have to make a comeback in the future. Why don't you make it a yearly thing? I vote for NYC or DC next time. Here's to a great weekend of sweat, grit and accomplishment! It was so inspiring, I think you've convinced me to make the crossover from mere 'spectator' to 'competitor'; at least once, anyway! I'll have to find a different group to train with though. There is no way I could hang with the Fab Four!

GREAT JOB GUYS!!!!!