A Cherry A Day For Running Recovery
by Janine Frank
For one Long Island runner, a lifelong goal is now just a
month away. Toni Church is training for the New York City Marathon on November
4th. This will be the first marathon for the 34-year-old mother of two who took
up running to get back in shape after her first child was born.
Now 15 years later, Church is ready to
take the plunge and attempt one of running's biggest challenges. “As long as
I've been running I have wanted to run one marathon and that marathon had to be
NYC!” Church says.
To finally get to this point, Church, a hospital nurse, has
been reliably and singularly focused on this one objective. And in all those
years, her conviction never wavered. “The marathon is the ultimate running goal
and I want to do it at least once,” Church says confidently.
Her training regimen consists of two runs a week with a
running team called We Are Athletes. They do drills, speed work, core work and
devote one of those nights to hill running. Church saves her longer runs for
the weekend. “On Saturday or Sunday I do my long runs mostly with people from
the team,” Church says. “My weekly mileage lands somewhere between 18 and 28
miles per week.”
Church also tries to do yoga three times a week as well as
cross training with a spin bike and an elliptical trainer. She also tries to
work in two weight training sessions per week. “I believe for balance and
injury prevention you need to have a well-rounded workout routine,” Church
says.
Unlike some first time marathon runners, Church is careful
not to over-train. “Many of the plans out there have first time marathoners
running an enormous amount,” Church explains, “And according to my coach it's
a recipe for disaster and injury.” She says it's also important to listen to
your body. “If something hurts, don't ignore it because it will only get
worse.”
Representin' in her Cheribundi tee at FitBloggin' 2012. |
Part of Church's daily routine also includes Cheribundi. She
says it's how she ends every workout. “Cheribundi has helped me combat muscle
soreness. I love having a [Whey] protein Cheribundi after a tough workout to fuel my
muscles and help replenish my energy.” In fact, Church says she also drinks
Cheribundi on her rest days. For her it's become a daily habit.
Church understands the struggle between achieving a fit
lifestyle and raising a family. “I do my best to spend time with the family
every day after work and by incorporating fitness and family time together with
bike rides, workouts in the park and healthy activities,” Church says. She
admits that the balance is challenging, but knows that her own fitness is
essential. “Running has changed my life both physically and emotionally for the
better and I couldn't imagine my life without it!”
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Toni recently went to the doctor and found out she has a stress fracture. She has to rest it for eight weeks, which means she will not be able to run in the NYC Marathon this year. But she has Cheribundi to help her recover and she says it's "definitely helping with the recovery." Toni will be back to her training routine once the fracture heals, and she plans to train for another marathon in 2013. Read more from Toni at her blog, Running Loving Living: The Road to My Dreams.
Janine Frank lives in Lafayette, Colorado with her husband, two sons and golden retriever. She writes about fitness, natural products and the great outdoors.