Marathon Training and Clean Eating

I'm in the middle of training for the Country Music Half Marathon on April 26th. I ran 10 miles yesterday and then ate baked sweet potato fries and greek yogurt tzatziki.   I am trying to be prepare for how I will train AND what I'm going to eat while training for my 8th full marathon this fall.

I've run the Akron Marathon for the past 5 years to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of my younger sister. I really am not a marathon runner but I feel that as long as I can run a marathon - I'd like to so I can continue to raise awareness and money for MS.   This year she won't be in town the weekend of the Akron Marathon - so I have been trying to figure out where else to run my fall marathon.  I haven't picked one yet.

BUT I am already thinking about the training and the nutrition.  One of the reasons I don't think I'm a marathon runner even though I've run 7 marathons already - is that I get sick after I run.  ***TMI warning!*** I've had runners trots, needed to throw up while running and my body feels achy for hours after I run.  I had a colonoscopy in 2010 to see if there was something wrong with me but I have a healthy colon.  So each year I work on what I eat while I'm training and then specifically what to eat the week of the marathon.  Last year I made it through the entire marathon without feeling badly and then I one light beer.  And almost immediately felt horrible.  I made my own protein bites to eat instead of nutrition filled with artificial ingredients.  I only drink water and take Hammer Endurolytes.  Those three things seemed to work pretty well for me last year.  Until the beer...

I'm also working on cleaning up all of my eating.  I've been following a cleaner eating plan since the beginning of January with Niki G's Fitness - my boot camp community that I joined when I moved to Nashville. But I know that once I start into my full marathon training - I will have to add foods to my current eating plan.  I crave protein when I am in full marathon training mode - last year I ate a lot of hard boiled eggs and salads with avocado.  Yummy!

All of this to say - I haven't found a lot of info online for marathon runners and clean eating. That doesn't mean it isn't out there - send me links if you'd like!  But because I'm not finding a lot of it - I am going to document some of what I am going to be eating over the next year.

I have found a lot of information on Instagram about cleaner eating by people who are training for bikini competitions or are into Crossfit type fitness. I am so thankful for that info!  But I want to use as much whole foods as possible and if I use any kind of protein powders then I want to know exactly what is in them.  I don't want to gain weight while training this year.  I want to fuel my body efficiently and still enjoy what I'm eating!

Healthy.  Strong.  Cleaner. Here goes...

I passed my dad last year at the Akron Marathon. Akron, 2013

3 oz Flank steak, sautéed zucchini, yellow squash, mushroom & sweet onion on a fresh salad! 

Protein Powders - Cleaner?

I have spent a lot of time reading through different protein powders to find one that is cleaner.

I haven't bought it yet because I still have a few samples to try but I think I am going to use Vega Sport Protein as my protein powder.  I like to add a little protein powder to smoothies or pancakes or bars every once in a while and I really wanted one that is less processed and has very little additives.  Or none.  This one is plant based - and it seems to have ingredients that make sense to me. And it's sweetened with Stevia!

I have also used Whey Protein from Jay Robb.  It's sweetened with stevia and I feel like I recognize the ingredients.  But I'm trying not to take in Whey Protein for now.

I realize that there are probably others out there that are cleaner - and I'd love input from people who have tried some!

This journey into cleaner eating has meant that I read a lot of ingredients.  I still don't know a lot of what I need to pay attention to - I'm learning as I go.  But I definitely feel like I have a much better idea of what I am putting into my body these days.
 

Protein powder pancakes with strawberry yogurt syrup, March 2014

Savor. 601-650

601. Running my last 8 mile taper run through Black Mountain.

602. Naps on the deck at the Knob.

603. Second chances

604. Hard questions

605. The warmth of arms wrapped around me.

606. Friends who teach with me.

607. The same two friends who meet me at Los Compadres for chips and drinks.

608. Sharing in life stories.

609. Julia, mom and Grace picked me up from the airport the weekend of the Akron Marathon!

610. Grace's smile.

611. Raising over my goal for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of my sis.

612. All of the messages that we received in support of the marathon and my sister.

613. The grace that my parents offer so that I can struggle less.

614. Rolling a ball with Grace.

615. Excitement of walking through the Akron Marathon Expo with Julia and dad.

616. Getting to know Julia's community better.

617. Digging through old pictures to find some of dad for his surprise retirement party.

618. Hugging dad and Paul before the marathon.

619. The feeling of freedom & strength while running down the hill before I got on the towpath around mile 12 during the marathon.

620. Knowing I would finish the marathon.

621. Passing Brandon the last two miles and giving him my arm band.

622. How I always sob as I cross the finish line.

623. Running up heartbreak hill. Or walking it. I hate that thing but I get to the top!

624. Finishing strong - and thankful that I got my nutrition & water intake right this year!

625. Dinner with one of my girls, Jamie at Los Compadres. Love getting to know her better!

626. Catching up with my amazing, strong warrior of a friend - Mary Ann.

627. House sitting at the Kuna's for over a week. Such a great place to be still. 

628. My cell phone does not work at the Kuna's.

629. The Brantley's opening up their home for our Fall Break movie night!

630. Getting to know youth families even better.

631. Going to Wilderness Trail for a Fall Hike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

632. Sharing a ministry that I love so much with my new church family.

633. Being invited to the oldest UMW Circle at Lebanon FUMC to share my story.

634. Vacation in Utah! 

635. The wisp of cloud resting on the tallest mountain.

636. Rising up and away from beauty

637. Having a friend who can get away for a week 

638. Michelle being willing to be flexible for three days to see if we could get a permit to hike the Wave.

639. Feeling so small and insignificant next to mountains

640. Crumbling the edge of sandstone with my boots

641. Yellow trees that pop up unexpectedly

642. Driving a long road that has a new view around each corner

643. Chopsticks trying to grab the last of a shared Pho

644. Remembering how yummy Del Taco guacamole salad was

645. Stopping the car for fire roasted pizza on the side of the road. Even though we already ate lunch. 

644. Giggling as we walked back to the pizza with frozen yogurt in our hands

645. Melty mozzarella on a margarita pizza

646. Finally getting my Zion National Park stamp - it was closed last time

647. Finding my stamp that Mary Ann signed for me - verifying that I had been in Oct 2010. 

648. Sharing that moment with her over text

649. The cameras in cell phones now

650. Listening to songs that I hadn't heard in awhile

"I'm so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Mom & Dad's the night before the Akron Marathon. September 2013

Savor. 551-600

551. An afternoon with Mary Arthur in Nashville. 

552. Finding a masseuse at Massage Envy who helps me be ready for the marathon.

553. My community. All of my friends who cheered me on through text, fb and in person during my 20 mile training run.

554. Falling asleep on the couch with Nathan while waiting for Brenda's flight to get here.

555. Life changing conversations with Brenda.

556. House sitting with Toly and Yana.

557. Long conversations about life and faith and brokenness with Yana.

558. Building a little trust with both of them.

559. The invitation to sing at the church for the first time.

560. Learning a new song in two days.

561. The congregations sweet response when they realize that I can sing.

562. Driving down I-65 with Brenda & Ingrid with Mumford and Sons playing loudly.

563. Rereading "Love Does" by Bob Goff.

564. Giving Susie my copy of "Love Does". 

565. Celebrating Susie's birthday in a small way by decorating her hotel room in gator colors.

566. The gift of a free flight to Pensacola with Gene.

567. Feeling I was coming home when we got to Pensacola.

568. Trying to see many of the people I love while in town.

569. But also giving myself permission to not see everyone so I could rest well.

570. Meeting Clay and having a new friend in ministry with him.

571. Getting to share what I love about all of the amazing youth he works with. 

572. Meeting Lisa's new boyfriend.

573. Candis was in Pensacola at the same time I am!

574. Meeting Heidi and Denise to run at Bagelheads on Wednesday morning.

575. Laughter with them. 

576. The fact that they mocked me for forgetting my running shorts  and I wore a skort instead. And they though I was just wearing a khaki skirt and no underwear. Ha.

577. Play and laughter with Cora. And Stacy and Ben. 

578. Pedicures, songs,friends and good food in honor of Susie.

579. The fresh, cool breeze when I got off of the plane in Nashville. 

580. Getting back to Nashville in time to spend a couple hours with Nathan before he went on a retreat for the weekend. 

581. Meeting Becky and Emily E. to run twelve miles on the greenway.

582. Experiencing Shari's Run - one of Lebanon local 5k's with church members.

583. Gorgeous weather to run in. 

584. Freedom to leave work early to get my haircut.

585. Catching up with Merrill.

586. Spending an evening exploring live music on Broadway with Nathan.

587. Stories about our families and experiences that shape us into who we are right now.

588. Inviting middle schoolers to be open to a life of faith filled with adventure at Winfree Bryant Middle School FCA.

589. Spontaneous photo of all the middle schoolers from the stage.

590. Short nap on the middle of the afternoon.

591. Listening to suicide survivors tell their stories at the "Never Alone" rally.

592. Being asked to do the opening prayer at the rally.

593. Getting to take care of Nathan after he injured his knees at Ultimate frisbee.

594. A weekend in Black Mountain, NC.

595. Having sweet and wise friends to sit with when my world is turned upside down.

596. The risk of opening my heart to someone else.

597. Bubbles in the mountains.

598. Roasted broccoli with parm and lemon.

599. Local Carolina brews.

600. Friends who are family.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Photo by Susie Schmidt at the Knob.

Savorings...501-550

501. That I took the risk to meet meet Nathan. 

502. Free haircuts & color from Merrill. Technically not "free" because I'm housesitting for her but I like this trade!!

503. Finding a spot in Percy Warner Park to hang my hammock. 

504. Beautiful, cool weather at the beginning of August - so I'd want to hang out in my hammock.

505. Heading out to the McIntyre Farm for the first time.  They have turned their farm into a beautiful Bed and Breakfast... Cascade Hollow Lodge. 

506. Meeting Dave and Patty McIntyre.

507. Setting out my running gear to run 12-14 miles the next morning even though I was in a new place.

508. Actually getting up to run at 6:00 am.

509. Running 14 miles in Normandy, TN. Which means I'm following through with my marathon training. 

510. Yummy breakfast that Patty made for us!

511. Kayaking in the rain.

512. Experiencing life in a small community. 

513. Yummy barbecue and live music at River Cafe, Normandy, TN.

514. Hearing about Nikki Mitchell's story - the original owner of River Cafe before she died this past spring of cancer.

515. That I'm invited to come to Cascade Hollow Lodge anytime for Sabbath.

516. Enjoyed the last Sunday night of the summer out at the Broadway Brewhouse.

517. Matt and Kim live at Live on the Green.

518. Living in a place with so much great live music all the time!

519. Napping & reading and cuddling with Panda & Bear. 

520. Laughing so hard with Matt after we almost fell off the picnic table and pulled it on top of us.

521. Running 16 miles and sharing stories with Emily Edmonson.

522. Celebrating that Emily ran her farthest mileage ever!!!!

523. That Nathan is willing to hang out with me after my long runs even though I have no energy for much.

524. First annual Eggstravaganza at Lebanon FUMC!

525. Standing in a circle sharing prayer requests as the sun starts to go down and we are all covered in egg.

526. Leaving the house key for Dave & Merrill's house at the church. 

527. Locking my car key in my car when I get to their house.

528. Standing outside covered in egg wondering which neighbor had their key.

529. Being able to laugh about the entire situation.

530. My shower when I finally got inside after 1 1/2 hours.

531. Remembering Lee and praying for Shannon, Lila & Luke.

532. Open windows and doors in August. Love this.

533. Shorter long mile days. 

534. Being surrounded by friends from Pensacola and Lebanon For RUNMS:TEAM JULIA.

535. Realizing again & again that I belong to such a beautiful community!

536. Having friends from my own youth group join TEAM JULIA.

537. The Wilson County Fair.

538. Just how excited everyone at the church is for me to experience the Fair.

539. Eating corn on the cob dipped in butter.  Fair food!

540. Got to experience Cascade Hollow B & B with both Ingrid and Abe.

541. The gift of being with friends and eating yummy food!

542. Having Emily & Becky meet me at mile 5 to run their 7 miles.

543. The silence of running before 6:00 am on the greenway by myself.

544. Finishing up my 18 mile run even though the last mile was incredibly hard and hot!

545. Being asked to share my experience with Niki G's.

546. Sharing about my Appalachian Trail hike at Walter J Baid Middle School FCA!

547. Another day on the boat with the Glissons and Heather Graviss.

548. Looking and pictures and remembering the end of the AT hike TEN years ago!!

549. Having space to rest over Labor Day weekend at Michelle's house - house sitting.

550. Summer Beer and home made calzones

"Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all." - William Faulkner

Normandy, TN August 2013 

Year Four. Day 52.

So incredibly thankful for this home I'm living in. A hot tub the day after a marathon... Wut.

Year Four. Day 51.

It was a beautiful day to run a marathon. But they still do me in. Did great till I got home & started packing. Now I'm laying on the ground at the airport. Thankful for all of you!!! 

Year Four. Day 50.

The youngest RUNMS: TEAM JULIA member!!  She's pretty adorable!!

Year Four. Day 47.

Carb loading for the RUNMS Marathon!!! Someone's calzone didn't stay closed...

Year Four. Day 44.

8 mile taper run in the rain in Montreat & Black Mountain... 

Year Four. Day 29.

Just finished my strongest 20 mile trading mile ever. Wut. Thankful for all of the support - including snacks, texts & cheerleaders!!

Year Four. Day 28.

Lots of water these days...

Year Four. Day 7.

"Travel"

Bootcamp agility training... Running through the ladder!

2013: My 4th year to run a marathon for a cause or three...

It might be my 4th year to run a marathon for a cause but it's my first year to run this marathon and raise money for the National MS Society in honor of 3 separate individuals who all live with an autoimmune disease.

I've signed up for my 5th marathon with the Akron Marathon on September 28th.

I've signed up to raise money for Ohio Buckeye National MS Society for the 4th year in support of TEAM JULIA because I live in awe of my sister, Julia Neal.

I've decided to also run this marathon in honor of my dear friend, Lorene Adams and my incredible dad, Bob Capes!

Training:
To be perfectly honest - I haven't gotten in the training runs that I had hoped to at this point.  I had a hard time training last year - so I feel a little intimidated by the entire process.  I'm not too worried about it yet but I know I have a hard 2 1/2 months of training in front of me!  I have found a great running community in Mt. Juliet, TN - so I'm pretty excited that I've made new friends and have some people who will help me get the long runs completed!

TEAM JULIA:
It's an interesting thing to ask others to donate money to a cause that I care so deeply about.  My younger sister, Julia, lives with an autoimmune disease called Multiple Sclerosis.  And she doesn't know what every day will bring!  I spent a couple days last week in Ohio with my family and my sister said in passing that she hadn't been feeling great for a few days. I asked her what she meant and she said that she is feeling numbness in areas again.  I think I was hoping (she probably was too) that since she had her beautiful daughter, Grace, that her MS would just disappear forever.

But it hasn't. The MS is still around and will be until we find a cure!!!

So.  I will be training to run a full 26.2 miles and asking many of you to donate any amount of money towards the National MS Society!  You can click here to support TEAM JULIA for 2013!


ADAMS' AVENGERS:
I also was able to go to Pittsburg for a day with my mom, sister and niece to see friend Lorene at the Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Center!  Lorene had a double lung transplant about 3 weeks ago because she is living with another autoimmune disease, scleroderma.  It has been an emotional couple of months while she waited to the perfect lungs for her.  I can't even explain how proud I am to know Lorene and to be able to share in her story just a little bit.  She is such an incredible miracle!

Lorene has been one of TEAM JULIA's biggest supporters over the past few years when I've participated with RUN MS - because she has her own story and struggle with Scleroderma.

Two of my best friends and their families are signed up to Step Out to Cure Scleroderma on August 10th in York, PA as ADAMS' AVENGERS - You can support them here.


My dad:
This year I am intentionally running for my dad too.  Robert Carl Capes was diagnosed in 2006 with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia - also a disease that affects the autoimmune system.  He will be running the half marathon as part of TEAM JULIA again and honestly tells me every year to focus on raising money for MS.  So I am.  But he's part of my motivation as well.

See why I run a marathon to raise money and awareness?

I am surrounded by individuals who fill me with awe every time I think of them.  Each one of them inspire me to live each day more fully.  So how could I not run?

Will you help me fight Multiple Sclerosis???

It's that time again.  I am in the middle of training to run the Akron Roadrunner Marathon on September 24th!!!  And I am running this marathon to raise money and awareness for the National MS Society, the Ohio Buckeye Chapter.  I was so honored to be supported last year by so many of you - we raised over $3000 which at the time was the largest amount for RUN MS!!!  


Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. With the help of people like you, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world. I am writing to ask you to join the movement by kindly donating to this cause that is so dear to my heart.


Your help means so much to me and all of those who live with MS. It is because of fundraisers like these that my sister, Julia (who I'm running in celebration of) and the millions of others with this disease are able to lead a somewhat normal life. Please join me to end MS. Help the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s ultimate mission of finding a cure possible, and, in the meantime, provide the crucial services to those living with multiple sclerosis.

Things are going to be a lot harder this year. The economy is at an all time low and many people are losing their jobs. These times are most likely negatively effecting you as well, which is why I understand if you cannot donate as much as you previously would have. Every little bit counts and adds towards our goal. I am asking you to visit my MS page at the following link:http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Run/OHAGeneralEvents?px=5065216&pg=personal&fr_id=15931

I honestly didn't know if I was going to be able to run a marathon again this year.  I really stopped enjoying running this past spring.  I've run multiple 1/2 marathons and marathons over the past 6 years and trained for them in the Florida heat and I really wanted a break.  But last week I decided that if my dad(who was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2006) can run a marathon every year and if my sister(who is living with Multiple Sclerosis, can run, bike, and tri multiple races this year)then I better get my happy tail out there and run!!!!   And honestly, I am excited about it!!!


Here's to running 11 miles tomorrow in the Florida humidity and heat - and here's to the National MS Society finding a cure!

Please invite your friends to join! ANY DONATION, big or small, helps. Your support means more than you will ever know!