Long Run Week 2

#polarvortexreprieve 

Sorry--you're getting two posts from me today, but I wanted to do a self accountability post following
Training Week 2.

I'm doing a four-day-a-week running program, with long runs on Saturdays. Last week, I totally slacked off, and I'm blaming it on the Polar Vortex. I don't know who came up with the term, but they really should have called it the "Vortex of Bitter Cold, Bitter Attitudes and General Winter Humdrums." This is, by far, the worst wintery weather I can remember in the central I-L in some years, and it's not helping my motivation.

So, I ran three miles on Tuesday, accidentally (riiiiight) skipped my other two midweek runs, and decided to wait until Sunday to do my five-mile long run. The Vortex broke for one day, the temperature climbed into the 40's and I headed out for my first outdoor run since before Christmas.

Roller derby turned winter running socks.

My first problem was tackling the wardrobe. I dressed in layers with a windbreaker on top, some long cooky socks, gloves, hat...You know, it's winter right? I regretted it less than a mile in, and started stripping off layers. Once I didn't feel like I was boiling under all my layers, I could try go focus on the task at hand.

As expected, it was a pretty brutal run. I wasn't physically or mentally ready for it, but it needed to happen. I took a couple of breaks at busy cross streets and worked on maintaining an even pace. For total disclosure, every time I stopped running, I paused my RunKeeper app, so it didn't reflects those breaks. However, my running pace was slightly over 11:00 minute miles.

This abysmal showing motivated me to take this week seriously, so my next long run doesn't feel like such a failure. Cue the sad trombones, because this also means I have to cut back on the Norb's cheese sauce. The good news is, each week is another chance to improve.

Here's to a fresh start.
Jessie

#statesaparttogetherinheart

I'm the oldest of the #threesistersrun crew. I live in central Illinois and have a full time job in marketing. Also, my husband and I (mostly him) own and run a favorite local establishment. We have two adopted dogs that consume my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds and will probably make frequent appearances in my posts. Afterall, who doesn't love a funny looking dog?

I was involved in team sports throughout my younger years (including roller derby and collegiate rugby), which always kept me in shape. As I morphed into an "adult" with a day job, I missed feeling fit, and I missed fitting into my pants.

At the beginning of 2010, I decided I wanted to run the Fatass 5K in Springfield, IL. To my dismay, I found my latent state meant I could barely run a mile without walking, making the name of the race less funny/ironic and more realistic. I worked pretty hard (for a non-runner) and was able to finish the race while eating a drinking along the route and in sideways rain.

Last year, after building a moderate level of fitness since the great Fatass debacle, I decided to take on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon. I think my family and friends thought I was out of my gourd. After all, a race called the Fatass 5K is light years away from 13.1 miles. I assured everyone that I had it under control and was quite capable. Really, I was trying to convince myself I'd cross the finish line without the assistance of an ambulance. Maybe a whambulance, though.

Well, I trained for 12 weeks, and I DID IT! Who knew I had it in me to discipline myself enough to do that. Certainly not me!

So this year, I've got all my sisters with me. We are going to try to document our progress through this blog, and you can follow my social media posts with hashtags #threesistersrun and #statesaparttogetherinheart.  I really enjoy trying new recipes and learning how to improve my running, so look for related posts as I navigate another season of training.

Cheers!
Jessie

Rachel's Timeline

Hello, my name is Rachel and I'm the youngest of the Lewis Ladies.
I currently live in Ann Arbor, MI about a 45-minute drive west of Detroit. I work for Toyota as a design engineer and have lived here in Ann Arbor for a little over a year. In the first 8 months here I lost 35 pounds, and have maintained my weight fairly well since. I am still looking to lose weight, but that's not why I want to run this half-marathon.

My goal for the next few weeks is to get fit and athletic, NOT to lose weight, though I wouldn't object if I shed a few pounds. My work schedule until the race is crazy, and I just want to concentrate on being able to run 13.1 miles with my sisters.

I started training last Monday and it was a rocky start; I am out of shape. I decided on a different training schedule than what Jessie and Sarah are using. This training schedule is a Run-Walk Program, for example on Mondays I run 4 minutes then walk 1 minute and repeat for the time specified. I think it's a little more rigorous than what Jessie and Sarah are using, but I need to do more work to catch up to them.

Hello, World.

Our title of the blog is Three Sisters.  Jessie, Sarah, and Rachel are all currently training for the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon on Saturday, April 5 in Springfield, IL.  We all live in different cities and are unable to see each other as often as we would like, so we decided that we all wanted to get in shape together and work towards a common goal together!  This blog will be here for us to share our training journey and beyond.  We would love your feedback, so please feel free to share any best practices, recipes, and encouragement as we run down this road together!


I would like to take some time to introduce myself to all of our valued readers out there...

My name is Sarah Mae McCoy.  I will be 27-years-old in a little over a week, and I am the proud mother to a 5-year-old Evelyn Rose (usually referred to as Evie - pronounced Eh-vee) and wife to Jake.  I currently work at Panera Bread Co. as an assistant manager and have a degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Springfield.









I spend a significant amount of time taking goofy pictures of myself with Evie.  I try to volunteer each week with a different organization.  AND I post plenty of motivating quotes for all to enjoy!



I am a thoroughly stubborn woman that pushes herself to do extraordinary things...so why not run a half-marathon with me seesters?

I hope that you enjoy our journey as much as we do!