Day 4- Pace Group day/ 4.0 miles

Saturday was the first day we were to run w/ our pace groups. I volunteered to be the Pace Group Leader for the duration of the training.

I knew it was official when I got my Timex IronMan watch!!! Of course I didn't know how to set it. Gah! The watch tells you when to walk and when to run...but the newspaper size instruction sheet didn't get me anywhere when it came to setting it.

Running with our Pace Group begins at 7:15am (sharp). I had to be at the site at 6:45am for a Pace Group Leader meeting. Yes, I volunteered to be a leader for my team. Being a leader meant, you are the cheerleader for your team. You make sure everyone is comfortable, motivated, and on track!

Saturday we ran 4 miles and it felt great! While training, we do a walk-run ratio. For my group, we run for 3 minutes and walk for 1 (and we did that for 4 miles). You actually aren't as tired when done and you feel like you can go on a bit further. The greatest part about this training is that EVERYONE motivates each other. When you pass another group running, they cheer you on! It's amazing to know that we're all doing this together...all 150+ of us. It makes the race that much worth while.

As for not having my ipod to run too, I didn't even notice I didn't have it.

Next Saturday we're running 5 miles. So during the week, I'm training on my own to run at least 5 miles. Pray for me :)

Thank you to all who have donated already! YOU are the best!

Yoleine

Day 3 Training (7:00a)- I passed 2 breakfast trucks/ 4.1 miles

Today was a bit easier to get out of bed and go for a run. Once again I failed to pre-route my route, so it's another day of guessing. Yesterday's run was around 3.2 miles, so I thought going an extra 2 blocks north and around would add on an extra mile.

I loaded up my phone w/ music and set out. Again, as hard as it is to get out of bed to go running, it's very exciting knowing I'm running for a cause and helping people who are less fortunate than me.

I passed not 1, but 2 breakfast trucks!!! The nerve! The tease! The smell was delicious. The thought of eggs, bacon, bread, coffee, mm-mmm...I could almost taste it! The thought just made me run quicker so I can get home to have exactly just that ;). The hardest part about my run today were the many inclines I encountered. I don't know if the actual marathons will have steep hills/inclines, so I might as well practice. It ain't easy.

Below is the route I took today. Again, if you have an scenic routes to suggest, I would love to know about them. I don't mind driving to that location and running.

The breakfast I quickly made bc sistah girl hungry! Not at great as the breakfast trucks I'm sure. But this will do for now!

Thank you for reading and donating!

MY DONATIONS PAGE: http://apla.convio.net/goto/runwithmetothefinishline

You're a hero today and forever!

Yoyo

Day 2 Training (6:00am)- On my own this time/ 3.2 miles

Hello friends,

Today was my 2nd day of training for the marathon. I'll be running a few times every week on my own (or with you!) to build up running long distance. I'm not going to lie...waking up at 6am this morning was brutal. It hurt. I was in pain. I was tired. But once I took that first step, I couldn't stop. I think it would have been smart to route my path before I headed out, but I had already figured out in my mind that I would run up to Pico Blvd and circle around. I knew it would have been at least 3 miles.

One rule APLA has  is that during training, you can't run with Ipods!!! I don't know how I'm going to survive without BEP, Jay-Z, Hans Zimmer, and the rest of my running gang! Now that I'm my pace group leader, I definitely can't run with an ipod. This will be a challenge that I will overcome.

Below is the route I took this morning. I thought about changing it up every so often every week. If you have any ideas on good scenic routes, let me know! I'm open for suggestions!

 

Disregard the little U-turn on Washington, google maps wouldn't allow me to fix it. Never made a small u-ey

Until next time!

See you at the finish line!

Yoyo

DAY 1- First day of Training for APLA

I'm running a full marathon in December!  Full Marathon = 26.6 miles.

I've always wanted to run a marathon, but I never pushed myself to do it. This year I wanted it to be different and I wanted to accomplish that goal. I signed up to run for APLA(AIDS Project Los Angeles). APLA provides assistance to people affected with HIV/AIDS by providing food, education programs, and home health care.  So I'm excited to help support such an amazing cause.

Saturday, June 19th was my first day of training at 6:45am. It was going to be a light morning. Run 3 miles. The coaches were going to determine our running pace and put us into groups. I ended my run w/ 41:47, which put me in the 12:00 per mile group.

My goal is to raise at least $3,200 by September 25th ($5,000 total). Please visit my APLA Fundraising page or Facebook page to help support me in crossing that finish line! 

Much Love...and here we go! 

Yolie