Sneak Preview @ Training Plan for MS Run The US

Happy HUMPDAY! Oh my gosh, WHAT a WEEK this has been! Between the excitement of the Holiday season kicking off, Cyber Monday, GIVING TUESDAY, all the wonderful donations and support I've gotten for my MS Run The US Fundraiser, and beginning my Runners World Run Streak- this week is FLYING BY! I hope yours has been the same ; )

I wanted to share with you the training plan that I put together for my MS Run the US 175 mile Relay run (while also training for a possible Marathon PR in mid-April) in May 2018. MS Run the US provides us with a 3-step multi-week build-ups (depending upon the level of fitness you are currently at). The first step builds you up to running a half marathon (averaging ~30 miles a week); second step builds you up to running a marathon (averaging ~50-60 miles a week); third step builds you up to running 6 x 26.2 mile runs (averaging ~70 miles a week)! 

Because I was in such great shape from doing the Hansons Marathon Method and I peaked around 63 miles a week, I decided that I would use that training plan for my Spring Marathon (to be announced SOON when I post my races for next year!! I'm almost 100% set on one, just need to sign up) which will in mid-April (a month prior to my relay). After my marathon is done, I will have around 4 weeks left to build my mileage up another ~10-13 miles to peak around 71-75 miles a week two weeks before my relay.

I will be running 6 days a week from here on out. I've begun building my base mileage now (for the next three weeks) and am really trying to focus on strength training and getting in easy runs before my next training cycle kicks off the last week in December. 

Strength Training, trail running, AND hill training are going to be BIG components in my plan from now until my relay. I have two very large mountain passes to climb up AND over, as well as varying terrain so I know building up my glute and lower body strength is what will propel me up and over those passes. I haven't done too much trail running in the past, so I plan to incorporate my every-other-week double 10 mile runs (one on Friday; one on Saturday) with a trail run on one day and a hill run on the other day. 

When I say "hill run" I'm not talking about hill repeats, I'm talking about finding the hillest courses I can (and VARYING those courses each time) and running on them (even if I have to do multiple loops). I also really want to try out many various trails to run on, so I challenge myself each week. For both of these workouts, my pace will remain SUPER easy and I will mainly be focusing on FORM and activating those muscle groups that are important. 

It is definitely pretty daunting to see the next SIX MONTHS laid out infront of me, but I am also SUPER excited! I can't wait to become a stronger runner and conquer this major accomplishment! 

For my 2018 race calendar, as well as goals for 2018- I'll be posting those over here shortly (as well as reflecting on this past year), so make sure to keep checking back ; )

I will continue to post weekly training logs, so you can follow my journey and will also include a recap of my 40-day Run Streak!

Ever participated in a Run Streak?

Ever done a relay? 

Trail Running- yay or nay?

Any tips/advice for me!?!? 

GIVING TUESDAY- DOUBLE YOUR DONATION!

DON'T FORGET- you can DOUBLE YOUR DONATION today at 8AM EST-8:15 EST by visiting my Facebook Donation Page for MS Run The US HERE. 

Facebook is waiving all donation fees on Giving Tuesday, so it's great way to kick-off the Holiday Season and donate to a GREAT cause that not only focuses on running, but Multiple Sclerosis as well! 

Also here's a picture of our kitties because we all need something cute to look at today : )

Now, GO DONATE! 

Saturday Special-Diagnosing MS

Since there is currently no simple test or symptom to give doctors the indicator that someone has Multiple Sclerosis, a multitude of tests and exams are done to come to the MS diagnosis. 

Tests used to determine if symptoms are MS (source):

• careful medical history
• neurology exam
• Various other tests including:
  • MRI
  • Evoked Potentials (EP)
  • Spinal Fluid Analysis

For a doctor to diagnose it as MS, they need to have the following:

• Find evidence of damage in 2 or more areas of the central nervous system (CNS). Damage needs to done to separate areas of the brain, spinal cord, and/or optic nerves AND
• Find evidence that the damage occurred AT LEAST one month apart AND
• Rule out any other possibilities

I remember when my Grandfather was first going through diagnosis of his symptoms, he was constantly traveling to the doctors office (I was around 10 or 11 at the time). I can't even begin to imagine how stressful it is to be bouncing from doctors office to tests to more imaging, also how burdensome it is on family/friends to help you get from appointment to appointment. 

This is why I believe further research can help us find a CURE for MS and why I am so passionate about running 173 miles over 6 days to help us END MS. Don't forget to also check back on my post about Giving Tuesday, where you can DOUBLE YOUR DONATION and my MS Run The US page which details my journey and story behind accepting my Segment 7 invitation. 

It is amazing to me there is definitely a link between where you live and the prevalence of MS:

Giving Tuesday & Race RESULTS!

Happy HUMPDAY! I wanted to share with you all my results from Marathon #5! I finished in 3:55:33 and couldn't be happier! I'll be sure to post a full amazing race and trip recap shortly : )

Also wanted to share with you my DONATE NOW option for MS Run The US Fundraiser on Facebook. November 28th is also the perfect day to donate to my cause! The Gates Foundation has pledged to match everyones donation, but the amount alloted won't last long so be sure to donate RIGHT at 8AM EST. Not ready to donate? You can also SHARE my fundraiser with the donate now button and help increase the donations that I will receive! Don't worry, I'll continue to update and remind you about #givingtuesday almost every week ; )

Until then, happy Wednesday! No running for me this week (trying to go 2 weeks without running, but we'll see I'm really eager to begin training for my next race ; ) ). 

Did anyone else run this weekend!?! How'd it go!?

Next race coming up, what is it?

Feature Friday-Multiple Sclerosis What Is It?

Happy FriYAY! This week has been both equally long AND short- it's definitely possible for it to feel like both. I'm looking forward to just one 8 mile run this weekend (or however long I feel like running for : )...) and lots of RnR! I'm getting a mani/pedi tomorrow (a definite treat for me) and going to a pilates class. I definitely also think that there will be pancakes for atleast one (if not both) morning- Alex is the one who almost always cooks us breakfast (I'm not the best breakfast maker...), which is super nice so I can just relax with my cup of coffee ; ) 

I wanted to share with you some information on Multiple Sclerosis. I'm also planning on doing a weekly post on MS in the near future so stay tuned : ) It's one of the best ways I can think of to spread the word about the disease and would LOVE to hear from you if you (or someone you know) has been affected by MS. Also possibly thinking about a possible guest blog posts regarding stories with those who have been affected by the disease...so let me know if you're interested in writing a guest post!

Multiple Sclerosis is an AutoImmune Disease. All the information below was provided by the National MS Society. 

It is unpredictable and disrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body. It attacks the Central Nervous System. 

There is both no cure for MS, nor is the causation of the disease known. Scientists believe that environmental factors affect some rather than others (they are genetically predisposed). 

The immune system attacks the myelin (the covering that protects your nerve fibers) and forms scar tissue. Because of these attacks, it causes a disruption between the brain and spinal cord (body)- the more damage caused, the more disruptions. 

There are four disease courses and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than men. 

Have a great weekend and look for more posts on MS in the future!

Don't forget that you can help me reach my fundraising goal of $10,000 by visiting this page. Even the smallest donation or spreading of the word of my fundraising efforts helps MS Run the US.