Generosity - THANK YOU

THANK YOU so much to these fabulous people for their generous contributions. It is not too late to contribute.. List will be updated.

It's Almost Time!

So after months & months of training it is almost here!!  Only 1 more sleep until The San Francisco Marathon - 1/2 Marathon race.

Yesterday I attended the Runner's Expo and collected my official race shirt, runners bib & electronic shoe tag (to make sure no one is cheating).

I had my bib personalized  -

I am very excited and extremely OVERWHELMED by the amount of generous donations, sponsors & pledges that are coming in from friends, family & fans for Mickayla.  Another post to follow this one will include the names and amounts from those kind, generous people.  

I will be letting you know how I go & posting Nike+ information / data from my run on Monday after the race.

Thanks again to everyone for your support with this cause that is dear to my heart. xo

Marathon 4 Mickayla Video

I LOVE GU!

I LOVE GU!  

Earlier this year, a friend introduced me to GU at the racetrack which he uses to give him energy before a race on his motorcycle.  He assured me that this energy gel worked wonders within 15minutes and without any sluggish feeling afterwards.  So I tried some that day as I was feeling fatigued, recovering from an illness and could use the energy..... Then I fell in love!  This stuff really works & tastes fantastic!!

So with my 1/2 Marathon around the corner & training getting more intense, I started using GU before long runs to give me the energy I need (ok and the yummy taste is also a treat).

A runners blog I follow by a woman called Monika http://monikaruns.blogspot.com/ (Fantastic blog!) was running a competition where you could win 20 packs of GU & 2 SF Marathon Sweatbands - I WON!!!

I now have enough supply for the 1/2 Marathon & then some!!  Thanks Monika!  

For more information about GU Energy Gel - visit www.GUenergy.com

Music is life.....

I have had a couple of requests online from people wanting to know what music I listen to while I am training.  I find it extremely hard to train without music and never leave home without my iPhone / iPod.

When training for 13 miles, you go through quite a few tracks on your playlist over the period of 2hrs.  I have narrowed down the list to particular songs that drive me, motivate me & inspire me on my training runs.

My Running Playlist

'The Game' - Disturbed

'The Sea is Rising' - Bliss N Eso

'Down With the Sickness' - Disturbed

'The Hand That Feeds' - Nine Inch Nails

'Bring Me To Life' - Evanescence

'Lose Yourself' - Eminem

'Get In My Car' - 50 Cent

'I need a Doctor' - Eminem

'S&M' - Rihanna

'Extreme Ways' - Moby

'Just Doggin' - Tha Dogg Pound

'Recapturing the Vibe' - Hilltop Hoods

'Roll Wit Us' - Tha Dogg Pound

'Ryde or Die B**ch' - The Lox

'On My Level' - Wiz Khalifa ft Too Short

'Empire State of Mind' - Jay Z & Alicia Keys

'World Hold On' - Bob Sinclar

'B.O.B' - OutKast

'Chase The Sun' - Planet Funk

'I Like It' - Too Short ft Dolla Will

'Kush' - Snoop Dogg

'I'm in Motion' - Mac Dre

'Moment 4 Life' - Nicki Minaj

'Please Dont Stop The Music' - Rihanna

I listen to different music when I am in the gym and also when I am stretching & doing yoga.

ONLY 10 DAYS until the 1/2 Marathon!!!

xo Monica

Monica Lee Paige

My Knee Pain Miracle!

G'day folks!

Ever since I was 10 years old I have been very enthusiastic about sports.  Sports I participated in on a school & club level included Athletics (in particular running and Javelin), Soccer and Martial Arts.  It was these sports which were strenuous on my joints especially my knees.  Over training eventually led to a rather nasty knee injury (Patellar Dislocation) which slowed my participation, however didn't deter me from sports completely.   Since my Javelin days, my knees have continued to give me grief while training, whether simply at the gym or training for 1/2 Marathon.

As my distances started increasing in my training schedule for this 1/2 Marathon, my knee pain began to increase.  As per my previous post, I decided to experiment with my running shoes to see if a change in shoes would ease the pain.    My Brooks GTS11 running shoes certainly helped, however didn't eliminate the pain completely.

Aware that Glucosamine supplements are great for joint mobility and pain issues, I decided to research the best products for my knees. Then I found  Schiff MOVE FREE ADVANCED Plus MSM.

Schiff Move Free Adcanced Plus MSM Formula is fantastic for comforting sore joints in particular, the knees.   This Glucosamine, MSM  +  supplement truly is effective.

For the first two weeks as directed on the box, I took 3 tablets twice a day with food.  After the first two weeks I definitely noticed an improvement in my knees.  During my runs, I would usually get to the 4 mile mark and my knees would start to hurt.  By the end of the second week, my knees were pain free for approx 7-8 miles with only slight pain kicking in around the 7.5 mile mark.  Each day that I run, I find I can get a little further before the pain begins.  I now continue to take the directed amount of only 3 tablets per day and the pain relief continues!

I cant say enough good things about this product.  There are so many great reviews about it on the Internet and I for one am giving it 5/5!   For more information on this product and the active ingredients please visit the Move Free Advanced website link below.

You can purchase Move Free Advanced online through the likes of Amazon, or find it in a store near you by following this link.   WHERE TO BUY

I hope this review helps any of you who suffer joint pain.  This product is my little miracle and I will continue to take it for pain free training!

www.movefreeadvanced.com

My Favourite Runners: Nike Vs Brooks

I have been a Nike brand junkie since buying my first set of Nike runners when I was 16 years old. Nike joggers seem to always have the best looks, style and always fit well. 
When I started training for this 1/2 Marathon I wore both Nike Shox & Nike Air Max regularly. As the distances in my training schedule began to increase, I found my running shoes just weren't cutting it.

Nike Air Max (2010 Flywire & 2011 Air Max)-  Although comfortable with great ventilation and considerably light, the Air Max's just were not offering me the stability I needed. I often rolled my ankles in these especially if I was running off road trails. I now only wear my Air Max's to the gym to workout (not running).

Specs & More Info 

My Nike Air Max 2010 Flywire (black & red) & Air Max 2011 (purple & grey):

Nike Shox - These are runners I have owned several different pairs of over the years as the look & style had me hooked. The Shox are also very comfortable, however offer little ventilation and are heavy. My current pair of Nike Shox now serve as my walking & gym shoes. As a result of many childhood sports & injuries, my knees have always been a problem area. I also found the Shox to be too rigid which led to knee pain early in my training.

Specs & more info

My collection of Nike Shox:

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11's Limited Edition- I just can't say enough great things about these shoes.  My significant other, Darius purchased himself a pair of the Men's Adrenaline GTS11's and absolutely loved them.  After seeing how the Nike's were just not quite making the grade for my 1/2 Marathon training, Darius was kind enough to purchase me a pair of the Women's GTS11's.  My first run in these shoes - I was IN LOVE!!  Not only are they extremely comfortable, they offer great support and are extremely light (9.4oz or 266g).  I can run short distance sprints & up to 13 mile runs without rolling my ankles and with very little knee pain.  When I wear these runners training, shoes are no longer on my mind, they fit perfectly.

Specs & more info

My Brooks GTS 11 Limited Editions:

Verdict- The Brooks are my favourite shoe for training long distances.  I love the support & shock absorption they provide.  They are well ventilated, light & look great! 

I am still a huge Nike fan and will continue to purchase their shoes & running clothes, however the Brooks are my 1/2 Marathon shoe of choice.

Brooks Running Website
Nike Website

Training Update

G'day everyone!
It has been a little while since I last checked in, so here is an update on what I have been up to with training.

The SF Marathon date is only 5 weeks away so training has stepped up a notch. I am running 4-5 days per week and strength training at the gym at least twice per week. Although I have missed a couple of days of training here and there over the past couple of weeks, it is getting down to crucial timing and missing training is no longer an option.

My training program includes:

- Easy Pace Runs
- Race Pace Runs
- Long Distance Runs
- Stretching & Strength training
- Rest Days
- Walking
- Cross Training
- Tempo & Speed Training

The next 5 weeks are going to be quite intense so I will keep you all up to date on my progress.

More posts coming soon on topics including: Product Reviews, History of The SF Marathon, Sponsorship Information & more information on Mickayla & her rare illness.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by - Stay tuned....

xo Monica

View of the hill terrain running trails that I run.

'Coogee to Bondi - My favourite running trail.

On my last trip home to Australia in late 2010, I had the opportunity to run on THE MOST STUNNING running trail I have ever had the pleasure of treading.

Sydney Australia has some of the most picturesque beaches and stunning coastlines. It is no wonder the running trail which extends from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach is a popular one for locals and tourists alike.

During my time in Sydney, I stayed at my friend Amanda's place in Coogee. Unable to sleep the morning after arriving, I decided to put on my joggers before the sun came up and go see the sun rise over the ocean.

Feeling amazing on my run and being totally enchanted by the beach on sunrise, I decided to jog from Coogee to Bondi Beach via the stunning coastal trail.

Words and even photos cannot truely justify the beauty of this scenic trail. The run (Coogee, Bondi & back to Amanda's place) came to just over 15km (9.3 miles).

I took my iPhone on the run with me and captured some stunning images.
Here are some images from the run, enjoy! .........

In Action...

My two training parnters came along today.  One on a bicycle armed with a smart phone & the other with 4 legs & a huge amount of energy! Did 6 miles (9.65km) flat trail.

Welcome!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

I have created this blog to share with you over the next 4 months, my training & progress for the 1/2 Marathon.  I will also be keeping you updated with my fundraising efforts & sponsorship updates.

When I recently went home (Australia) for a visit in late 2010, my heart was touched by a story in a way that written text simply cannot justify.....

I was at a BBQ get-together with some great friends of mine, one of which was the amazing Jenn Patten.  Jenn is a wonderful soul who is constantly doing amazing work for charity along side Tex & his "worlds fastest dog on a motorcycle"  called Bundy.
We were all sitting around the table having a drink & catching up when Jenn receives a phone call & walks off to chat in private. 

When Jenn returned her usually smiling vibrant face looked troubled & sad and tears began to well in her eyes.  "Whats wrong?"  I asked.  Jenn responded with a smile under the tears,  "Mickayla is in hospital, but doing well..."  At this point I did not know who Mickayla was or her story.  I asked about Mickayla and listened attentively as she told me with such love and compassion, the story of the beautiful little Aussie battler - Mickayla.    To hear that such a dear little girl with such a strong spirit was battling the rare & fatal disease PPH, broke my heart. Jenn explained to me that Mickayla is on oxygen 24 hours a day, is housebound & taking several medications daily.  PPH is only treatable, there is no cure.  
Sadly, Mickayla's mother Kerry recently lost her son Benjamin to PPH.  Mickayla knows about her condition and her fate yet holds strong, brave composure & her spirit shines brightly.

I aim to raise money for Mickayla & Kerry to make Mickayla's life a little easier & bring some happiness into their lives.  Anything helps, I understand these are trying times, however your donations or sponsorship pledge would be greatly appreciated.

Please stay tuned & subscribe to this blog for updates, pics & great 1/2 Marathon & fitness tips!

Thanks for your support.

Monica Lee Paige

Bundy(front) Jenn, Mickayla, Tex

Jenn, Mickayla & Tex

Bundy, Tex, Mickayla, Jenn & Kerry