Brittnee rocks out and eats right.

So in Team In Training we don't run with our ipods. Running outside w/ ipod = major dangerous. Don't do it.

Now, when you're cross training at GB3 in some crazy body conditioning class, you are totally allowed to listen to music. And you kind of have to, because they blast it at you hardcore. And so... I introduce my new love. Electonica. Oh yes!

Before you go one minute longer - head to http://www.pandora.com/ (if you haven't been there before, WOW, you need to check their music gemome project out, it will probably change your life), and make a new station from song "Don't Trust Me" by 3OH3!. You will super love it and want to dance your butt, belly, and thighs off.

This is important - really! Cross training is a big, big part of being able to successfully run a marathon, so all of us in Team In Training are not only running 3 times a week in this nasty heat, but we are also hitting up pilates, yoga (our pup Atlas is a pro at downward dog), lifting weights, and doing all sorts of other activity to train our core muscles.

The other important thing... cough, cough, Amanda... is eating right! And let me tell you, if you are a no-carber, back away from your computer screen, because what's coming up will not even sort of motivate you to run a marathon. According to Runner's World magazine and like, everyone else, the marathon trainee's diet should break down (approximately) as follows:

• 15 - 20% protein
• 30% fat
• 50 - 55% Carbohydrates

Holy smokes - that's a lot of carbs! But, According to Registered Dietician Allegra Burton carbohydrates are important because they are "the body's preferred fuel for running (or any endurance sport) is muscle glycogen. Glycogen is the body's storage form of carbohydrate. If muscle glycogen breakdown exceeds its replacement, glycogen stores become depleted. The result is fatigue and inability to maintain training and racing intensity. In order to replenish and maintain glycogen stores, the marathoner's diet needs to be carbohydrate-rich.

Alright Allegra, I am putting a big pot of pasta on the stove right now! I promise.

While it boils, I'd of course like to thank the most recent donor to my fundraising campaign, Gina Cuttone! Thanks for showing some Theta love, Gina! I am so proud to have my sisters' support as I run for one of our own Theta ladies.

Coming up this weekend, the Team is headed to Millerton Lake where we will be running 8 MILES. That is almost the longest I've ever run (except for that random entry into the Trail of Two Cities Half-Marathon here in Fresno - which you can train for with Team In Training, by the way), and I am a little bit intimidated! But, at least I have the gummi bears to look forward to! Yup - just another reason why training with the Team is the way to go for wanna-be marathoners. While you could run miles and miles and miles alone with no company, we run with friends AND organized water stops, all of which are stocked with water, gatorade, and a little candy in case any one is getting low on blood sugar. (Or in case you are a candy freak like me, and need the lure of gummi bears to make it another mile or two) It's pretty awesome.

Now, I'm going go to go make that pasta and get in bed - 5 miles at 5 am tomorrow!

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to visit my fundraising page to make a donation! Even the littlest ones make a huge difference in my fundraising efforts!

XOXOX,

Brittnee

Hello Hydration.

Another week (and change) of training has gone by. And even if you're not running 4+ miles a day, I bet this summer weather has got you feeling the thirst.

Staying "hydrated" so they say is something that I can't seem to get a grasp on. I drink and drink, or I forget to drink any water or sports drinks, I just can't find that happy medium. Where is it?

"Drink until you're not thristy" makes no sense to me. That's like telling me to eat until I'm full. Right, like that's gonna get me to drop that spoon and back away from the ice cream carton. I need a bonafied stop point where my self control (or lack thereof) is not a factor. Maybe you do, too.

Anyways, that's why I decided to Google "how much water should I drink a day". And, I found this neat calculator that tells you down to the ounce, based on your weight, activity level, elevation of your hometown, etc., etc.. Now I know, 53.5 ounces of water a day is my optimul amount. So much easier, right?

You can figure out how much water you need to drink this summer using the calculator, here.

Now, I am sure I don't need to tell you all of the benefits of drinking plenty of water, but I will take a moment to let you know that being amply hydrated is helping me run better - so much that coach upgraded me and the girls I run with to level 2 (with the repeat marathoners!). Yikes! 6 miles this coming Saturday - you know I'll be throwing back the waters Friday night while we celebrate Kristen's birthday!

So, while you drink a nice tall glass, here is what I've been up to:

Running the cow loop at Woodwark Park with the Team on Saturday (check out our Team pic here - though not all 70 of us are present!)

Yoga! Yep, I am getting all deliciously zenned out in my first ever yoga class with fellow running fanatic Mary. We are taking "Begginer Basics" on Wednesdays at Perfect Balance Yoga. SO fun! (Even though I am pretty sure I am "that" girl that needs help with everything...) Keep checking my blog for news about an upcoming event with the wonderful people at PB Yoga!

Sending thank you cards - Thanks so much to the latest donors to my event! Gloria Craig (in honor of Pete Bispo), Uncle Jeff, Gary and Leslie Knutsen, and Kelly Sylte - you guys are awesome! P.S. Readers who are looking for the motivation to do their own marathon, or anything BIG!, you need to talk to Kelly, or see her speak at the Health, Wellness, and Happiness Expo this Saturday at 2 pm. I will be at the Fresno Women's Network booth, so you can come say HEY to me, too!

And that's about it! So, now that my blog post is over - check out my fundraising page! Your donations are a huge help to Leukemia patients all over!

Thanks for reading,

Brittnee

Lonely Five Miler

Dear Blog Readers,

Today I ran just for you. I missed Team In Training's practice this morning because me and Jackson dog had to work, so I decided to make up the mileage by myself this afternoon at Woodward Park.

You know what isn't that fun? Running five miles alone in Woodward Park. No one to see if you're actually running and not walking, no one to talk about dog strollers with (Annie, I missed you), and even worse, NOTHING to look at. Seriously, nothing. If you're ever in the mood for a solitary stroll in the park, you should go at two in the afternoon on a Saturday. Not a puppy or bike rider was in sight almost my entire 5 mile trek down Eaton Trail.

That is, until I needed to use the bathroom. What are the odds that I FINALLY get to the stupid bathroom just before the 4 mile mark and there is a whole family of bicylers waiting to go into the single person bathroom shack. If you're Brittnee Maxfield, apparently those odds are pretty good. So lo-and-behold, there was no bathroom break in the cards for me. Mainly, because I wanted to make you all proud, and run as far as I could without stopping! I swear, I really wanted to come home and post on my blog how far I ran, and thinking that it wouldn't be very exciting to say a mile or two kept me going for over four miles, at which time I was dehydrated and needing to use the restroom all at once. Then I walked a little bit, but I am still very proud to say that I ran four miles without stopping, and only walked part of my last one, even without the company of my Team Mates.

Thanks, blog readers, for keeping me motivated!

Thanks also to my mom and dad, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Peggy for donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on my behalf this week! Your donations are a huge part in keeping me motivated to run my marathon, so thank you!!!

Now, on with my weekend to include a yummy BBQ at Uncle Jack's, and a shot at Bikram Yoga tomorrow. Yoga in a 90 plus degree room? Should be interesting...

Talk to you soon!

Brittnee