To a heart healthy Valentine's Day

Today is a four point five running day! I put an exclamation because if excitement is there (even faked until it's made) your run will be more successful than with a dreading mentality...

For Valentine's Day - let's explore what exactly happens to your body during a run:

In the first two minutes your body begins burning glucose to produce ATP that allows muscles energy and to release lactic acid. Fascinated yet!?

Your body begins to torch calories with all major muscle groups engage ( about 100 calories/mile)  and your muscles require even more oxygen - hence why I should like a panting dog on a hot summer's day.

Within ten minutes your body is running (literally) like a well oiled machine with a cycle of ATP, glucose, lactic acid, oxygen + C02 exchange AKA you are STRONG.

Keep going and to recover at the end of your run dopamine is release; which also happens to be the same hormone that encourages you to say, "No thank you" to sweets.

Here is to Mrs. Smith, my high school biology teacher that apparently taught me something that stuck!
<3 Running Girl

Nathan Sawaya's Candy Heart

This is what I know...

A dear friend may have pointed out my lack of posts lately....so here I am to tell you what I know.

I know that Cystic Fibrosis stinks - big time. It's a hereditary disease that threatens to rob children of their outdoor adventures due to decreased lung function.

I know that less than half of patients with CF are over the age of 18 due to survival rate (45 percent).

I know that the predicted median age for people with CF today is thirty. 

I know that I will be thirty by the end of the decade and that I have many adventures still to be taken.

I know that any cold, bronchitis, coughing fit or physical condition that I face will always dim incomparison to living with CF.

I know that our children may also have CF if we are both carriers.

I know that what I share may sound dramatic - this isn't drama. This is truth.

I also know that with our combined support and continued research that the median age of children with CF living past their thirties can grow; and that I'm willing to run a stupid amount of miles to help. How will you help?

Here is to Rocking CF!

<3, Running Girl

Mentality

After reading Born To Run, I am even further affirmed that your mentality going into a race is just as important as your physical training.



Today is day six of our training plan which means today is our first four mile run -rain or shine ( it's crazy to be considering rain clothes instead of snow gear but hey, welcome to Michigan ). Although my weekly running mileage has been hovering around nine miles prior to our training four miles is my personal best. Ever. However the last time I rain four miles it was on Michigan State's campus and it was also a dreary rainy day. I remember the satisfaction and pride I felt for concentrating on just one mile at a time until I was successful.


Today, I am heading into this run at Johnson Park with the mentality of tempered resiliency ready to run. However I also take today to think about those who no longer have the chance to run : the taken children of Newtown, CT , the brave educators, and Eric King; whose was a leader, a former police chief, and a giving Grandfather and father to thd King family. Today, this four mile run is for those who have been taken too early but have served our community greatly.

Here's to the ones who we've lost,
Running Girl

Breaking Ground

Tomorrow is the day! Tomorrow my official training program begins. Last week I was able to get my weekly mileage up to nine miles - my greatest yet. I am feeling good, feeling great and very motivated to send my feet, shoes, and spirit to the streets so that I may partake in the effort to ROCK CF in March.

Just finishing reading Born To Run by Christopher McDougall has helped to keep running in perspective. Running can be more than just an exercise it can be a positive mentality, a light-hearted adventure and a way to encourage others. Intrigued? Check it out : http://www.chrismcdougall.com/

Here's to the beginning,
Running Girl

Running Companion: Número UNO

Meet Deacon!

Deacon is only 9 months old however on a good day he makes a great running companion; very little complaints and in little need of encouragement. Deacon is our foster puppy that we are helping to raise into a future service dog! Although... If you ask me he is already helping me get out to run on a cold brisk night - something about those big puppy eyes pleading to get energy out after sprinting around the leather chairs four or five times gets me willing to bundle up, music free, and with dog treats in hand.

Here's to another running adventure,
Running Girl

Today's miles : 1.5
Current goal : I can increase my weekly mileage to eight miles a week by December 24th