No Excuses

It seems like I do this every winter...you would think I would learn by now. I put on about five or six pounds and I am surprised by it and wonder how it happened. During the spring and summer (especially this past year) I don't have to worry about what I eat or how much because I am burning it off during my training. I get so used to that, that December rolls around and I "forget" that I can't just eat whatever I want unless I want to keep my mileage up (which during these months, I feel like hibernating).

So, I stepped on the scale on Friday for the first time in a bit and I swear my eyes got as big as saucers. I shouldn't have been shocked because I have actually felt a little sluggish on my runs lately...which were few and far between for a good two or three weeks. So, I knew I had to get serious...and when I get serious, it's on.

A couple of years ago, I had a stubborn last 10 pounds of baby weight that would just not come off...as much as I ran. So, a friend of mine gave me the tools I needed to do weight watchers on my own at home...and it worked and worked well. So, I am back to counting points...which I find pretty fun. Team that with working out twice a day and I am down 3 pounds since Saturday. My goal is to be down at least three more pounds by Christmas.

December is my last month of my gym membership, which was given to my anonymously last year when my husband was unemployed. I am going to miss it a whole lot and it's been such a help to me in accomplishing everything I did this past year. I need to get on track and come up with the tools I need for when that's gone.

It's not easy and I can come up with a million and one excuses why it's easy for me to justify not eating right and exercising like I need to...but about three years ago, I was given a phrase : No Excuses...and I will just stick with that.

Playlist: Breathe

Runner's High

I'm not sure that I can describe what has been called the "runner's high," but like poetry and beauty, I know it when I experience it.

Matthew Shafner, runner

A Favorite of Mine...

“I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.”

-Wilma Rudolph

I run...

...so I can eat.

In case you think I have it all together as far as proper diet and exercise go I have a confession to make: I don't...and especially around this time of the year (and this time of the month).

Like, let's take Halloween for example. I dress my kids up. I walk them around from house to house. And this Halloween, when my youngest decided he wanted to quit after not even filling his pumpkin half way, I was a little annoyed because it meant not so much candy for me.

So, it's no surprise that this week has been a terrible week for me. I have no will power and I feel like I am in a cloudy chocolate fog. I just cannot help it. I black out for a minute and I find 7 empty Reese's wrappers in front of me...how did that happen?! Just wake me when it's over...when all the candy has been eaten. At the rate I am going, that may not be too long.

I run so that I can eat...but this week I think the calories have caught up to me. I am sure next week, I will be able to resist the Reese's.

My Appreciation

Today just happens to be the national Married to a Runner Appreciation Day. So, I couldn't let this day pass without a shout out to my husband, because without him I could not do what I do. Over the past year especially, he has had to put up with my crazy running ramblings, my obsessing over races, my complaining over my aches and pains, my 3-4 hour absences while I get my long runs in, and the rapid increase of how quickly I wear out my running shoes. Most recently though, he put aside all sense and reason and ran a full marathon without as much as going for a jog around the block just so that he (and I quote) "could be a part of something that you (meaning me) love to do." Whatta guy!

End of 2010 Racing Season

Even though I didn't run as many races as I wanted to this year, I am happy with the distances I was able to run. This racing season I started off with my first full marathon, followed by another half marathon, ran another 10 mile CRIM, ran my first marathon relay, and then finished it off with my second full marathon. I am a bit down that it's over already...that the colder weather is coming and I won't be able to run outside as much as I would like. It's time to start planning for next year and searching for races that I would like to run and hopefully I will have it all planned out before the end of the year.

Since this past Sunday, I was able to get right back at it on Tuesday and kept my distance up this week. I collected four extra pounds over the past month...I enjoyed my carbs a little too much. So, I was happy to step on the scale this morning to see that I have shed two of those...two more to go. I have a goal of at least one long run a month just to kinda keep what I have going...it's amazing how quickly you can lose what you have built up (as far as endurance goes). For now, I am running for pleasure.

No Backing Down

Stepping outside the comfort zone is the price I pay to find out how good I can be. If I planned on backing off every time running got difficult I would hang up my shoes and take up knitting.

Desiree Davila, marathoner and member of the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project

Des Moines Marathon

...I rounded the corner, took out my headphones and soaked in the crowd cheering. I gave it my all in that last quarter of a mile. I crossed the finish line with my hands in the air and my head bowed in thanks...fighting back tears. I didn't start crying until I walked up to have my medal placed around my neck and the lady said, "This is what you have been waiting for". Yep, it really was...it meant that I had crossed that finish line. It meant that I conquered another 26.2 miles....



I worked all day on Saturday. Got out of work, headed home, and got in the car to make the five hour drive to Des Moines. Needless to say I was exhausted when we got there, but had trouble sleeping...like any night before a race. I was happy to have my husband there with me...and he surprised me by signing up to run. When I asked him if he was delusional, his response was oh so sweet: "I plan on staying with you as long as I can, but I just wanted to be a part of something you love to do." My man ran 26.2 miles because he is crazy about me...what more could a girl ask for?!



Anyway, I had no problem popping out of bed. My stomach was a little upset and I was trying to convince myself that this was no big deal, that I had done this before. After drinking a few glasses of water, I ate about a half cup of eggs, banana, and a bagel with cream cheese. I packed a half of bagel in my fuel belt along with peanut butter crackers, sport beans, and a few other things just in case (I was starving around mile 20 at my first marathon).

My race tat that Jamie picked up for me at the expo...pretty neat!


Ready to run!

The day was gorgeous...perfect running weather. Our group made our way to the starting line and found the pacer that we planned to run with. I honestly couldn't believe that I was there. I was pretty excited. We stood there waiting for a bit and then we were off. We ran the first two miles at a pretty fast pace and decided that the pace group wasn't for us...so Jamie and I chose to go it alone. We lost my hubby around mile 3...and that's when the crazy big hills started.

The scenery and houses were beautiful and really the hills seemed like no big deal. The next five miles were hilly, but felt pretty good. Just before mile 13, I saw my husband (he was around mile 11). He took a picture of me, gave me a kiss, and we kept on running. Crossing the half way point, I felt so much better than I did in Kenosha. I felt like I had a lot more in me, I was still smiling, and had no plans to walk.

It wasn't until around mile 18 that my legs started to cramp. Jamie kept on going and miles 18-20 would be rough for me...not only physically, but mentally too. I was trying really hard to push through, but I saw myself getting slower and slower. The thought of running six more miles seemed impossible. I kept praying, sometimes outloud and kept trucking.

The miles ticked down and before I knew it, I was at mile 25. The next mile would be an emotional one for me...and I wished I would have remembered my sunglasses. I fought back tears the whole way...so thankful. I was doing it, I was actually going to come in under five hours. I looked down seeing 4:49:12 on my watch. My Garmin tells me I did 26.4 miles...my chip time being 4:51:32. Either way, I am happy that I shaved so much time off from my last one!

Crossing the Finish Line!!

I found my running buddy Jamie after grabbing a few things to eat. We sat, walked, and stood around until everyone came in. I was so proud of my husband. He did not training at all, but ended up finishing in six hours...with a huge smile on his face and a heel kick in the air. We both had a great time, but a totally different experience that suited our personalities. It was a great time...and it was nice welcoming in to 2 percent.

Looking forward to my next marathon...I am hooked.

In it for a lifetime...

We may train or peak for a certain race, but running is a lifetime sport.

Alberto Salazar, American marathon runner and coach

Pumped

I really don't remember feeling this pumped for my marathon back in May.
I had a lot going on
A lot on my plate
I was determined then
but even more so now
I got my game face on
and I am ready to rock out those 26.2 miles
I know the pain
I know how mile 23 feels
I know I will make it
I am ready for this
looking forward to this
ready to lace up my shoes
walk out of the hotel
in to the chilly air
and run
and not stop for four hours and forty-five minutes
until I reach the finish
with my arms in the air
and a huge smile on my face
Des Moines, here I come.

Playlist : Just the Way You Are

A song that puts a smile on my face...and makes me run a little faster.

For my feet...

Last Thursday, I got up in the morning and wandered out of my room to the kitchen to get my kids started on breakfast. On the counter, waiting for me, was an Asics box with a note on the top from my supportive husband...a new pair of shoes! I haven't had a new pair since April 15th...I think it's a record...six months in the same shoe. Since Thursday, I have put 21 miles on them trying to break them in before Sunday. Another pair to carry me 26.2 miles. It's true: I run so I can eat....but I also run so I can have a new pair of shoes every so often.

Marathon number two, here I come...

I decided after my marathon relay last week that I needed to run another marathon. I remember how hard it was, I remember the pain, I remember it was the hardest thing I had ever done...but, I also remember crossing that finish line and the sense of accomplishment.

In the month leading up to my marathon in May, I trained my butt off. I don't think I walked normally that whole time. Something always hurt and I dreaded my weekend long runs toward the end. Some people can handle that training plan...my body didn't do the best with it.

My main goal going in to the Wisconsin Marathon was to finish. I had no clue what to expect...how I was going to feel...and while running it, if it was ever going to end.

Going in to this marathon, even though it's two weeks away, I feel a lot better about it. My body feels great, I know what to expect, and I know that I can do this.

Yesterday, after work, I drove to my marathon buddy's house to head out for an eighteen mile run. We settled on an out and back on a nearby trail...that is absolutely beautiful this time of year...out and back so that we had to finish. I was a little nervous about the distance since the most I have run since the middle of May is the ten miles I ran at the CRIM...and that was a pretty poor performance.

I felt really good going in to it. I hydrated all morning and loaded up on carbs the night before. About three miles in to it, I was still feeling great but wondered if I could keep it up. I decided to break it up in my head as four 4.5 mile stretches and not think about the whole eighteen. The temp was chilly (which I think helped), I had no stomach problems really until the last couple of miles, I had a rockin playlist, and it was good to be doing a long run again with Jamie.

As the pain crept up as I neared the end of the trail and the cramping in my calves grew more intense, all I could do was be thankful...thankful for my health and for the opportunity to be doing what I love again. I finished strong and checked my watch pretty pleased that in the 18 miles that I ran, I averaged a 10:40 pace. I will never be the fastest, I will never finish at the top of my age group...I am a middle of the pack runner...but, I will finish and I will keep running.

I am feeling good about this marathon. I am going to soak it in and enjoy every mile (didn't do a very good job at that last time). And, this time, I will finish below 5 hours...4:40 to 4:50 I would be thrilled with.

Here we go again...

Eighteen miles...

It's oddly familiar

painfully familiar

It creeps up on you

when the miles add up

Something I never thought I would miss

but now welcome as a lost friend

cramping, stiffness, shooting pain

pain from a long run

a run well run

oh how I have missed you.

Passion

I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise...it's a consistent reward for victory!

Sasha Azevedo, Model and runner

QC Marathon Relay

If you are a runner and have never done a marathon relay, you should...they are a blast.

My "Sole Sisters" and me : (from L to R - Me, Jamie, Hollie, Amy, and Dani)

Yesterday, I had the privilege of running the Quad Cities Marathon Relay with four of my running friends. We ran as the "Sole Sisters" and my friend Jamie made up some awesome shirts. Not only was is nice being a part of a team, but the distance was nice too. The race was broken down in to 5 legs. The distances being : 6.6, 5.6, 5.7, 3.5, and 4.8 miles. I took the third leg of the race.


The weather was absolutely perfect racing weather. The energy of everyone running the relay was really great. After getting the slap bracelet passed off, I took off. I wanted to keep a pace of about 9:15/mile. I didn't want to start off too fast and burn out so I spent a lot of time looking at my watch for the first mile, making sure I stayed right around 9:15. After I settled in, I was able to enjoy the scenery (which was gorgeous running on Arsenel Island) and be thankful to be there. I had watched a few runners take off before me in my leg and remembered what they were wearing and kept sight of a few of them, determined to pick them off. One by one, I did...up until the very last seconds of my leg. There was this one girl in a darker blue shirt and she was the last one that I wanted to pass. I kept gaining on her the whole way. At my last mile, I finally caught her. She sped up about the last half of a mile and I just kept saying in my head, "Not on my watch, not on my watch". I checked the history of my laps in my Garmin and I think that's when I started running at a 7:48/mile pace. I passed her with a little bit to spare and handed off the slap bracelet to my teammate, pretty happy with how I ran my leg of the race. I checked my average pace and it ended up being 9:18/mile...right around what my goal was. I felt redeemed after the way I did at The CRIM.

My team with our medals!!

This race was very well organized, the volunteers were great, and the course was beautiful. The water and Gatorade was well stocked, they had plenty of Gu along the way, and there was even a few fruit and candy stations along the course. The after race party was great too...variety and plenty of it. I give the Quad Cities and A plus...probably the best race I have run in so far.



It quite inspiring to see the full marathoners along the course and especially close to the finish line. A few times, I just wanted to cry for them. What an accomplishment! It also lit a fire within me. I need to run another marathon...as many as I can...and I will...

Like Eating...

It's my own space, my own time, when I'm just out there letting my thoughts go. It's part of my day like eating, and it's one of my favorite parts.

Louise Kent

I love this quote! It explains quite well what running has become in my life...it's part of my day...just like eating. I am a firm believer that there is no easy way. It's a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. If you don't want to do the hard work...if you don't want to make exercise a part of your daily life...eventually your weight and bad health will catch up to you. And, maybe it's just me, but I want to continue to be able to actually live and not sit by watching everyone live.

Obstacles

Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals.

Henry Ford

Routine and Up Coming...

School has started for my older two kids and my littlest and I have been hanging out, trying to get in to some sort of routine. Going to the gym at 4AM so I can get a workout in leaves me feeling really worn down by the end of the week...lately, most mornings, I don't even make it out of bed...I end up shutting off the alarm and going back to sleep. I have decided that twice a week, I will get up and go to the gym at four and while the weather is still nice, the rest of the week I will head out at 10AM with my running buddy (aka - my littlest man) in the jogger. So far, so good.

On the horizon as far as races go, I am getting ready for The Quad Cities Marathon at the end of September. For the first time, I will be running a marathon relay with four of my "running friends". We have all been given legs of the race and then finish together at the end. I want to make this the best five miles I have ever run...redemption after my disappointing CRIM finish. What ever the case, it should be fun to spend the weekend away with the girls.

Keep on running...

I ran and ran every day, and I acquired a sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never, give up, no matter what else happened.

Wilma Rudolph, US Track Star

CRIM 2010

On Saturday I ran my third CRIM. It didn't go as planned, but I am glad that I ran it another year. I was really hoping for a PR, but after mile 6 I knew that it wasn't going to happen. Along with fighting a nasty cold, I also forgot to throw my Garmin in my bag when packing for Michigan. I rely heavily on that thing...I am pretty attached, especially on racing days. I let my excitement get the best of me and ran my first 5 miles at a 9:20 pace (no little beeping on my arm telling me to slow down those first couple of miles). It was a pace I just couldn't maintain on those hills starting at mile five. At mile seven, I fell apart and ended up walking a bit. Not only do I need my Garmin, but I have found that I need my running buddies too. I really missed having someone to run with at this race. My time at the halfway point was awesome. My chip time, not so much. I finished this CRIM in 1:48:20. There were, however, a few highlights to this race:

My Dad drove me down there and waited for me at the finish line. Even though I didn't see him, just knowing he was waiting for me was special.

Around mile 2 or 3, I grabbed a Krispie Cream...something I have wanted to do since seeing them the first year I ran. Even though it didn't taste that great and I only ate half, I can now say that I grabbed one.

I went out there and ran. It wasn't my best race. It wasn't my best time. I was feeling crappy and PMS-ing, but I still did it. It just makes me want to do better next year.

And lastly, my medal is gorgeous! And for me, it's mostly about the medal.

Sick

I am hardly ever sick.
I can't even remember the last time I was sick.
I have a high pain tolerance, but I am a huge baby when I am sick.
I complain, but don't take anything for a headache, stuffy nose, sore throat.
A big pet peeve of my husbands...because he has to hear me whine.
So, when I woke up on Sunday morning feeling like crap
I knew this wasn't going to be good...for anyone.
I am sick.
I have a pounding headache
itchy watery eyes
a chest cold
and a nose that runs faster than I do
and I have a race this Saturday.
I went out yesterday after sleeping the day away
and tried to run 8
I stopped at 5 and felt like I was going to die
Along with a few other things that are going on
I am really hoping I don't miss this years CRIM
Crossing my fingers and praying that I am standing
at the starting line in front of the Character Inn
on August 28th at 7 in the morning.
Say a little prayer for me.

Incredible Edible

It has been wonderful to have so many fruits and veggies in my diet lately. My coworkers have been bringing in veggies from their gardens for anyone to take so I have helped myself. It has also been nice to up the protein in my diet. I have been having eggs once a day...usually scrambled with a few cut up veggies thrown in there (green pepper and tomatoes being my favorite) Above is a sample plate. I am down another 1.5 pounds and feeling so good. I haven't been at this weight for about two years. I am careful about what I eat during the week and limit snacking (I have eliminated all eating after 6PM). I am more lenient on the weekends (allowing myself sweet things), but watch my portions. And because I am a creature of habit and can eat the same thing everyday, anyday, I have been sticking to what works for me.

Quote

I think there is too much emphasis placed on the distinction between the people in the front and the people in the back. I happen to feel that the sensations are exactly the same for all of us.

Kenny Moore, marathoner and writer

Spinning

This was my Christmas present a few years back. Although I would rather run, it's been really fun getting back in to spinning. On mornings when I don't feel like heading out the door at 4:15 and on days that I don't think I am going to be able to work in an evening workout, I hop on my spinning bike in the comfort of my own home and off I go. It's always a challenge. The videos I pretty much know by heart now so I pop those in and just put in my ipod headphones so I can watch and don't have to listen to the people talk. When I hop off after a workout, my legs are burning and I am dripping sweat...always a good sign.

Playlist : Forever

I know, I know...Chris Brown, right...but this song does add a great kick to my playlist. I like the beat and my favorite line "All you gotta do is watch me. Look at what I can do with my feet".

What's for dinner...

I am not one to need much variety when it comes to food. I enjoy food, but I mostly just think of it in terms of fuel (the exception comes when I am PMS-ing). I can eat the same thing for lunch every day...same goes for dinner. With Dan working long hours, that's exactly what I did this past week. I had a little love affair with chicken. I added in different fruits and veggies each time. Here's my sample plate:




A few cut up strawberries, what's left of my half of an apple (I ate while I was waiting for my chicken to be done), peas (over the week I alternated between them and broccoli or green beans), a marinated chicken breast over about 10 cucumber slices. I followed that up with a 90 calorie granola bar and I was stuffed. I plan on doing it all over again this coming week. YUM!

Down

It's probably a combination of things....

Since I haven't been running long distances several times a week I am not so hungry. I just ate and ate the whole time I was training for my marathon. It's nice to eat normal portions now and be filled.

My husband finally found work after being unemployed for 22 months. These past three weeks, I could actually feel the stress just lift away. Not being under so much stress has definitely helped in every area...especially stress eating (which I have never had a problem with until he lost his job).

I had a week in Michigan to relax and run with my sister. She was such a motivation to me. I was able to get back in to running every day and enjoying it. It gave me the kick I needed to continue at home.

I have stopped the late night snacking (which was as much as another meal). It was hard at first but now I just take myself right in to the bedroom and ask myself why I am wanting to eat so late. It's usually either because I didn't eat enough during the day, I am lonely, I am tired, or I am bored.

So, with that said, I am back down to my goal weight! In the last three weeks I have lost the five pounds I was wanting to get away from. Now to maintain....

It's not like somebody else can run a marathon for you. It's all you out there. Finishing means you can say, "There's not a lot I can't do."

Kenneth Feld, Owner, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Playlist : Run to You

I am really in to them lately. Enjoy!

Back at it...

This past week, my kids and I took a trip to Michigan to spend the week with my family. It was a great week and surprisingly enough, it was a great week of running for me. Every morning, my pregnant sister and I got up and went for our 4.5 mile run on the dirt roads by my parents house. One morning I felt like dr doolittle...we ran by 4 deer, a racoon, a few cats, and two bunnies. Not used to that! It was great to run along side my sister again...it will probably be the last time for a while. She is 25 weeks pregnant and still schooled me on every run but one. This past week was just what I needed to motivate me in training for The CRIM at the end of August.

Upcoming

August 28th - The CRIM - A ten mile race that is way too much fun to miss. I am officially registered. I am really looking forward to it. During the registration process they ask how many CRIM's you have run. It was funny to put down 2. This will be my 3rd and I am really hoping to beat my previous time by a few minutes.

Sept 26th - Quad Cities Marathon Relay - This will be my first time running a relay. I am running it with 4 girlfriends...we have each taken a set distance. I think this one will be a lot of fun especially the team aspect of it. And, we get to make t-shirts!

I have been taking it easy these past couple of weeks and it will be nice to have two events on the horizon to motivate me.

Happy Running!

Sport

People can't understand why a man runs. They don't see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents. The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions.

Glenn Cunningham - American runner, Olympic Games medalist

Off Since Sunday

I stepped out the door today,
wondering how to explain my absence
thinking through excuses that might work
and I must admit I have a few good ones
loosening up, I realized I was being silly
a little space is good once in a while
and in an instant I felt the familiar again
walking down the drive
to the road where I have started hundreds of runs before
I put one foot in front of the other
and there I was
and it felt good
to be running again

Playin in the Mud

This past Saturday, a group of my running friends and I went and ran the Warrior Dash. If you haven't heard anything about it, the Warrior Dash is a 3.17 mile muddy race through 12 obstacles along the way. I was a little (okay, a lot) worried getting on the shuttle (a stinky school bus).

Jamie and me on the stinky school bus

When we arrived at the race, I was wondering what we had signed up for. Because of the wet weather that we've been having, there was no way around the mud, even off the course. You just have to embrace it.

The actual race was tough. It was a total body workout and the mud made every step harder...over cars, through tunnels, up steep muddy hills, across planks, through a swamp, over hurdles, up cargo nets, tires, rolling hills, over fire, under barbed wire. My least favorite part of the race was the swamp that smelled like manure (and it probably was). My favorite was the cargo net.

After I crossed the finish line holding the hand of my running buddy we waiting for the rest of us and walked to the "showers"...a tanker truck...which was almost as fun as the race.

If you don't mind getting a little dirty, you have got to try this race. It's definitely something I would love to do again!

The group after crossing the finish line...Don't we look like Warriors?!

*Results are in : I finished 102 out of 915 in my women's age group and averaged 9:44/mile! Pretty pleased with my time considering the obstacles and all the mud!!*

Clean Break

I really have no idea how this happened.

I went out for five miles last night with my marathon running buddy. When I went to put my head phones in, mind you they were all still in one piece, I had absolutely no sound. They have been sounding kinda fuzzy sounding for a few weeks, but as long as there was still sound, it didn't matter to me. I held on to them for the remainder of our run and tossed them in the passenger seat for the drive home. I got home, carried them in the house and felt something fall out of my hand. I looked down to see one of my ear pieces. I thought to myself, that can't be mine. Sure enough, it was. Clean break, just like that. Bummer. I was really attached to those head phones that have been so many places and so many races with me.

Rain

Running, lately, has been strictly for my enjoyment. The pressure is off. It's nice to go out for a run because I want to and not because I feel that I have to because that's what my training schedule says.

I haven't felt the need for a run in quite some time like I did today. I felt like if I didn't hurry up and get my running shoes on and bolt out the door that my head was going to explode.

I was in a mood and I know that running is one of those things that can pull me out.

The wind was strong today, but I was glutton for punishment. My first mile was a loop. My second mile, I headed out of my sub for a straight mile in to the wind. It was tough and I couldn't seem to get my mile under 9:45. The fight was exhilarating...it was like going up a hill for a whole mile. With my mood, I needed that...my body needed that.

My third mile, I turned around and went back. I had much better results running with the wind. My third mile I kept a 9:05 pace and it felt pretty effortless...it looked pretty good on my Garmin too.

It started to really blow and cloud up with I came back in to my sub. I really wanted to keep going. I was thirsty to run in the rain. I dropped my Garmin and my ipod back off at the house in anticipation and headed out for another 1.5 miles.

I hadn't even gotten 0.2 of a mile in to my last stretch that it started to sprinkle. I hoped it would rain even harder and I got my wish. It came down...sounded wonderful, felt refreshing, smelled incredible. It wasn't until that moment that I was able to smile.

It didn't last long, maybe about 5 minutes but it was all I needed to wash away my mood and leave me thirsty for another run in the rain.

Keep on running...

The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.

Nike Running Poster

Garbage Day and Dogs

I love that the sun is rising earlier so I can run outside earlier in the morning.

I had an eventful run this morning.

There are two things that I hate when running: garbage day and dogs that are not on a chain or a leash. And today was my lucky day because not only was it garbage day, I got chased by a big black dog.

I had forgotten what day it was when I walked out my front door and then I saw all of the trash cans lined up down the street like little soldiers standing at attention. Luckily, it was early and not many people were driving around so, for the most part, I stayed toward the middle of the road. The truck had not been around our sub yet so most every can was overflowing...at least the sun wasn't beating down on it or it would have been a lot more foul smelling.

I made it out of our sub and headed down the road to a neighboring one. When I entered the sub, I heard a dog. Now, when I hear a dog, I am instantly on high alert...because that dog could be running free. And this one was... a big, black dog. Then, I saw that he was running out of his yard toward me barking. Not a good sign. I tried to speed up. He must have saw something he liked better in the yard next to me because he disappeared behind the house in to the back yard. It was then that I prayed he would be hit by a car before I had to loop back by him...oops.

After that little scare was over, I heard the garbage truck and knew we would be crossing paths on a road up ahead. The truck was heading straight and I was about to make a left hand turn right in it's path or behind it if I didn't hurry up. So, I sped up a little and managed to get in front of it. I think it was incentive to speed up because I heard him chucking the garbage in his truck faster than what it seemed like before. Nothing is worse than being behind the truck. Now, I have this truck on my tail (not really, but it sure did sound like it) and I was rounding the loop and heading back toward the house with the dog on the loose.

I was relieved to see that the police had been called by the neighbor whose yard he ran in to instead of chasing after me. They had the dog under control...looked like he was off to doggy jail because the people weren't coming to the door. At least he wasn't hit by a car. :)

So, that's the story of my eventful run...and wouldn't you know, this is the morning I picked to go without my ipod.

Ridin' Solo

I sold my beloved double jogger back in March and in April I found a single jogger in a town nearby on ebay for $20. I couldn't pass it up. Training and joggers really don't seem to go together for me. When training, I have a hard enough time keeping myself rolling and can't imagine pushing a jogger ten plus miles. But, since I am going to take in easy for a month or two it works out rather nicely for me.

So, here's my youngest riding solo.

In the fall when my other two start their first year of full day school, it will just be him and me. I got a taste of what it will be like yesterday and decided to take him on a run with me.

He's a talker and I really should have brought my headphones and something for him to do for the half hour we were gone. It was difficult to concentrate...but he was so very cute.

About a half mile in he started saying, "Good job, Mommy, good job." It put a smile on my face to hear him encouraging me.

I decided to take him out of our subdivision and down the road. When we turned out of our sub he started telling me that I was doing a bad thing. He told me to turn around because we were going to get in trouble and Daddy was going to be so mad at us. Apparently, my two year old is the boundary police...and yes, he did tell on me.

Around mile 2 when I started to slow down a bit, he started saying, "Go faster! We're going too slow."

It was tough pushing him and I couldn't keep a pace that I was hoping for, but he was good company and I am looking forward to making it part of our morning routine.

Labor and Running

I am convinced that running a marathon is a lot like giving birth. Don't get me wrong, I am not an expert by any means...I have only run one. But, I have had three kids and in a lot of ways that was much easier...especially since both of my drug free labors were shorter than it took me to run my marathon (yep, both were less than 5 hours).

With both labor and also marathon training, months are spent preparing and making sure you are ready. It is so exciting but the closer it gets to "game day" you just want to get it over with. No matter how ready you are, there are still doubts if you will be able to get through it.

With a marathon, you know exactly what day things will happen....giving birth you do not. But, when the day arrives, the adrenaline is crazy and you are nervous and excited all at the same time. It's the moment you have been waiting for...no turning back.

Now, I had my last two kiddos with no pain medication at all and in a strange way, the pain scale was similar. You start out confident. You are feeling great. The further in, the pain is building and the fatigue is setting in. You dig deep and find something with in yourself to get you through to the end...but it's painful.

When labor is over and you are holding your baby in your arms, you very quickly forget the extreme pain. The moment you have been waiting for is here and you did it.

Just as it is with labor, when you cross that finish line and you are wearing that medal around your neck, all the pain was worth it and the accomplishment that you feel is out of this world. Because really, why would anyone ever put themselves through that again if they truly remembered in exact detail what it was like.

Now, I am in no way saying having that medal around your neck and being able to say you ran a marathon and finished is like holding that little life for the first time, but it was really bizarre to me just how similar the processes were. I had heard they were similar, but until you do both, you can't seem to reconcile the two.

Although, I will never give birth again (those days are over for us) I will run another marathon. With my first one under my belt, I now know what to expect and I only plan to improve my time from here. Shooting for an October marathon...more on that later.

Change

Running has the power to change your life. It will make you fitter, healthier, even happier.

Selene Yeager, "Let's Get Started," May 2010 issue of Runner's World

Rockford Half Marathon

This one was special.

My sister was supposed to come out two weeks ago to run Kenosha with our group. She was originally going to run the full Marathon, but had to change to the half because she found out she was pregnant. Well, a day before they were supposed to leave to come out her whole family (minus one) got the stomach flu. So, their trip was cancelled and we were both very bummed.

After running the Wisconsin Marathon, I started looking for half marathons that night. I found one in Rockford and called her to tell her...just to share...I had no clue that she would want to do it with me. But, that's what happened...I signed up and so did she. This time, she made it out here.

We got up this morning and left the house around 5:30AM. I was not nervous at all and I slept great. Having her by my side was wonderful...although I was a little worried about her (being pregnant). On the car ride over, a bird hit my windshield and I watched the feathers fly in my rearview mirror...wondering if that was bad luck.

We found our way to a parking garage near the starting line, hit the icky potties, and took our places at the starting line. We were freezing. The horn sounded and we were off. I wanted to keep a 10:00/mile pace to meet my goal of finishing between 2:10 and 2:15. During the hilly first half of the race (where aparently my sister was cursing me) I didn't know if I could keep it up. The hills were tough and a few seemed to go on forever. We got separated at about mile 3 or 4 and I literally thought about her and prayed for her and my little niece (just a guess) the whole rest of the way.

I did just fine keeping it below my 10:00/mile pace until mile 10. I looked at my watch and saw 1:39 and just imagined The CRIM and thought of how I would be done if that was the race that I was running. Well, that's not exactly something you should do during a race when you have a bit more to go. The mind games started and my knee was killing me. It was then that I thought of my two friends Jamie (who I ran the full with two weeks ago) and Hollie (my bestest and my encourager) and told myself that I had come too far to stop. I kept truckin.

I slowed down a bit from mile 11-12. I was pretty disappointed in myself that I couldn't seem to keep my pace below 10:30. But, at mile 12 I put the pain aside and decided I was going to finish strong. I turned the corner at mile 13 and the finish line was beautiful...but, more than .1 of a mile away (turned out to be .26 according to both my Garmin and my sister's)...it was a nice sprint though.

I crossed the finish line with both of my arms in the air, a big smile on my face, with 2:13:12 on the clock, and I thought to myself, "I love running. That was a blast!" It was probably the most enjoyable run I have had. I stood just beyond the finish line and waited for my sis. Baby on board, she finished in 2:17:32...I was so very proud of her.

We were so excited to get to the start line, we paid no attention to where we parked the car...oops...eventually we found it.

It's great to have something to share with my sister...a passion that we share...memories we make together.

Calist, it was a blast. After this kid is done cookin, we'll have to do it again sometime. :-)

Dreams

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.

Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

Playlist : Ain't Nothin Wrong With That

Running and Life...

I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought.

Arthur Blank, American businessman and a co-founder of Home Depot

Another Half

I am on a bit of a high right now. The last few weeks of training for my marathon, I was convinced that I hated running. I was going to give it up after May 1st because I had lost all love for the sport. It was no longer enjoyable...it was something I had to do. I was burnt out.

After crossing the finish line on Saturday, I could feel some of the enjoyment coming back. Although I was in pain and having some serious stomach issues, there was still hope.

When I woke up the next day, I knew that there was no way I was going to give up running. I felt great and felt like I could accomplish anything. So, I began looking for my next race.

I found it. On May 16th, I will be running the Rockford Half Marathon...and I am extremely excited. This one I am doing for fun...and to try and set a new PR for myself.

Goal: finish between 2:10 and 2:15.

I will never finish in first place, but I. will. always. finish.

My first 26.2

I sit here at a loss for words. It's hard to sum up this marathon experience or even put it in to words. It seemed to go on forever, but I can hardly believe that it's over. It was, by far, the hardest thing I have ever done. Now I can say that I have finished a marathon...a whole 26.2 miles.

I did not sleep very good at all the night before. I was up a few times during the night and then up for good at 3:30. I stayed in bed for about an hour and prayed off and on. I was missing my sister (who was supposed to run the full, but got pregnant - yay- and switched to the half. The day before they were supposed to leave to come stay with us, her whole family, minus one, got the stomach flu). I was also so nervous and having stomach issues because of it. Even though I didn't feel like eating, I managed to down a bagel with peanut butter and a half of a banana.

We got to the race and I had to pee really bad. We had ten minutes until starting time and I was still in line for the icky potties. Luckily, runners know how to get in a get out in record time and we all made it to the start just in time.

After the horn sounded and the race began, I felt really good. Mind games started around mile 10...I really don't know why other than reality had set in just what I was about to make my body do.


At mile 11, I saw my princess and my man standing there on the sidewalk and it gave me a little push to keep going. A little after mile 11, I got it in my head that I needed to stop and walk. Luckily, Jamie wasn't having it and she pushed me to keep going, reminding me that I said that I would not walk before mile 13. Up until mile 19 I felt pretty good...as good as you can feel after 19 miles. At mile 19 we turned around and headed back to the finish. And even though I wondered what all the hype was about the last 10K, I quickly found out that the last 10K is so tough...literally like a roller coaster ride.



At mile 23, I was having the worst stomach cramps and sat in the icky potty for a bit. A little bit down the road, we spotted our families again and this time our friends who completed the half were there to cheer us on too. It was so good to see everyone, but it made me want to just hop in the car and be done with it all. My best friend, came out with my princess to give me a pep talk and encourage me to keep going...I have never loved her so much in all my life. I kept going.

"The talk"



Mile 23-24 seemed to pass by pretty quickly. After, Jamie and I separated...I said a little prayer for her and kept her in my sights until she rounded a corner and I knew she was on her way to the finish. That last stretch seemed to be the longest 2.2 miles of my life. Ugh, they were so hard. Dani (another friend) met me and ran the last mile with me.


I found what little bit of speed I had left and gave it all I had in the home stretch. With a huge smile on my face and a big sigh of relief, I finished my first Marathon with the official time of 5:13:10.

I was a pretty happy camper.

I am a marathon finisher.

The girls...Jamie and I are on the far left...the other four rocked out the half marathon.

And next time, I will be faster....but 10 miles and 13.1 miles seem like a much better distance to me right now.

Pre-race ramblings...

Ready or not, my first marathon is tomorrow...I am beyond excited...and a little bit nervous. My ipod is charging, my outfit is in my bag, and all of my shotbloks, beans, and bars are packed. This is it! I can't believe it!

Tomorrow, I am going to be laboring for around 5 hours
to give birth to a 26.2 mile finish.
I know it's going to be tough.
Probably the hardest thing I have ever done.
There will be a lot of sweat.
I am sure there will be some tears.
Maybe a few times that I wish I could just stop.
But I will not quit
Because there will also be
laughter
a few moments along the way where I will see my husband,
my daughter,
my friends
cheering me on.
Then, there will be victory
when I cross the finish line
with my running buddy through this entire 16 weeks
our arms in the air
tears in our eyes
and I will probably say something like,
"We did it!"

Goals: Since I am a marathon virgin I have no idea what to expect or how my body will react or feel. Although my goal is just to finish...it would be nice to finish between 5 hours and 5.5 hours...anything below that would be a shocker. My only other goal is to have fun and soak it all in.

My Little Cheerleader

Playlist - No Plan B

Whatcha Eating: Red peppers, tuna, and sweet potatoes

If I had a garden, hands down, I would grow sweet potatoes...lots and lots of them. I am quite fond of them...so much, I think I am on the verge of turning a nice shade of orange.

I haven't done a whatcha eating edition in quite a while because in all honesty, I have been eating too much to blog about...I can't wait to not be so hungry all the time! And, some of the stuff I have been cramming in my mouth has been not so good. I often joke that I only run so that I can eat like a pig.

So, now that I am tapering, I haven't been as hungry. I have been trying to be good with what I put in my mouth.

Tonight for dinner I had half a red pepper stuffed with tuna and baked in the oven. Right beside of my yummy combo sat a delightful sweet potato with a dash of salt and a tablespoon of sour cream. I might just have to have this same meal tomorrow for lunch. So good.

The Taper

Taper time. Am I seriously in the home stretch?! With the way my body feels, I should be here. My confidence that I can do this has been replaced with doubts on whether or not I did enough of the work to finish. I just have A reoccurring day dream about sitting in front of a big beautiful house up in Kenosha 21 miles in to my marathon, tears streaming down my face, in intense pain, saying, "I quit, I quit."

I have always told myself that I am not a quitter...no way. You finish what you start, no questions asked. This fourteen weeks of training has shown me that deep down, if I know I can't win or at least perform well, I am a big quitter...and I hate that.

There have been several times in these past few weeks that I have felt anything but victorious. I think I have felt defeat more times that victory. And I know, there is going to come a point on May 1st that I will no longer be able to rely on the people around me, the music in my ears, or even the strength in my lungs or legs...I am going to have to rely on the fight within me...which leaves me wondering how strong that fight is now...

Dear Wisconsin Marathon,

I have never done this before and quite frankly, you're beginning to scare me. I am asking you to be kind to me...to provide enough hydration, enough porta-potties, and not so much wind ( I know weather is not your area of control, but I thought I would throw that in there just in case you can pull some strings somewhere). Or, on the other hand, just slip a note in my mailbox and tell me that I can't. Yeah, that's a better idea...tell me that I can't make it to your finish line...and then look for me there.

It may not be pretty - BB

Worn out...

My shoes, that is. A little too soon, if you ask me. It seems quite ridiculous how quickly one wears out a pair of shoes while training for a marathon. But, my shoes that I got back in January are starting to give me problems and it's time. It helps that I received the pair that I will be running my marathon in as a gift. You know the drill...same make, same model...different color (I had the purple and silver model and decided to go with the pink ones this time). Here they are...in all their glorious pinkness:



I went for my first run in them and it was truly as if I was running on a cloud...the nimbus kind. Much better. It was love after first run.

So, I say farewell to the Purple People Passers (I name everything).
You've been good to me.
You have taken me 400 plus miles
and softened the road during the longest run I have yet to run.
Although I would have liked to keep you longer
You're killin my feet man.
such is training
It was meant to be.
You will enjoy retirement
where all the others go to live out the remainder of their life
It's an easy life
slower paced
hospital living
Taking me where I need to go at work.

To my running buddies:

Do not underestimate the intimacy of running, and the people with whom you share your miles.

Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers blog, Runner's World.com

Thanks for all the miles you have shared with me...how you've pushed me...and suffered right along side of me. Love you girls!!

Playlist: Whyyawannabringmedown

It was only until recently that I became comfortable saying that I am a runner. When coworkers would ask, "So, you're a runner, huh?" I would just tell them that I didn't really consider myself a runner but I did like to run. For some reason, I had the idea that I had to run a certain number of races, be incredibly fast, or know more of the ropes than I do to be considered a part of this family. Yes, not only do I love to run but now consider myself a runner.

Here's a few on my list of "You know you're a runner when..." :

You know you're a runner when instead of having your meals planned out for the week, you have your distances all written down and planned out for the week.

You know you're a runner when random people stop in around town and say, "Hey, aren't you the girl I see running all over town?"

You know you're a runner when you have a tan line around your arm where your ipod usually goes.

You know you're a runner when you put on a pair of socks and before you have a chance to put your shoes on your kids automatically think you are going out for a run.

You know you're a runner when you get excited when you drive by a Dicks.

You know you're a runner when you'd take an issue of Runner's World over an issue of People or Redbook any day.

You know you're a runner when you aren't worried about running out of gas because you know you could always run home.

You know you're a runner when your only thought after being asked, "Is there anything you would rather be doing?" is that you'd rather be running.

You know you're a runner when running ranks right up there with being intimate with your spouse.

And finally...

You know you're a runner when you lace up your shoes and go out for a run even when you don't feel like it...because you know that you've never regretted a run after you've gotten home but always regret skipping one.

No Matter the Speed...

We run because it makes us feel like winners, no matter how slow or how fast we go.

~Florence Griffith Joyner and John Hanc, Running for Dummies

Pumping Iron...

I found out at a recent appointment (my annual that has become not so annual since having my youngest little man) that I am anemic. I was beginning to wonder what was going on with me but chalked it up to a side affect of living my vida loca. I should have known...I was anemic when pregnant with Kaitlyn and there have been several times where I was just on the verge of not being able to give blood because of my low hemoglobin.

So, I started my high potency iron Easter Sunday and I am determined to faithfully take them up until my marathon along with all of my other vitamins. I am looking forward to feeling energized and not so dizzy. Could this be why my heart murmur is a lot more prevalent than it has been?

Along with my vitamins, I am getting back on track with my diet. The past month, it's been filled with sugar, processed junk, and a little too much sodium...especially over spring break. It was fun while it lasted (well, maybe for the first two or three days) but it left me feeling sick and with a few extra pounds around my mid section...why are they so easy to put on but so very hard to take off??!!

Wisconsin Marathon - 25 Days and Counting!!!

Running Jewelry

I got this bracelet from a friend back before I got pregnant with my youngest. It was a really special gift: a bracelet with both my kids' names on it separated by their birthstones. I even wore it to the hospital when I went to have my youngest so I could glance down at my wrist and remember my sweet babies. It doesn't have my youngest on it, but I am thinking about wearing it during my marathon...and maybe I will write Collin's name on my wrist with permanent marker.

Which brings me to why I am telling this story:

I am not really a jewelry person unless the piece of jewelry means something. I never take my wedding rings off because they mean something incredibly special to me...I often fear losing them. I hardly went anywhere without that bracelet because it meant something to me.

While looking through my last Runner's World, I got to the back where all the running ads are. I saw one for running jewelry and decided to take a peak. I found this...and I want it. I love shoes so I thought the shoe with 26.2 and then Hope, Persist, Believe. What do you think?? My Golden Birthday is just three days before my first marathon, so maybe I will use some of my birthday money. I just think this is too big of a deal not to do something. The medal is fine and all, but I can't wear it to the grocery store, to work, or to church...ya know (and if you do, more power to you!)?

P.S. One month until my birthday!!

Week Twelve

Twelve weeks of this stuff and my body is really feeling it. This week was a tough one. I wasn't motivated and my hip was (is) killing me. Whopping total for this week was 19 miles...yeah, major fail. This weeks combined total of mileage was supposed to put me over 400 for my YTD total, but I guess I will have to wait until week 13 to hit that...I am so close. I think I just need to start my period and I will be okay...I have such a hard time training around this time of the month. Anyone else out there??

I am really looking forward to a marathon practice run on April 10th. They are opening up the course and it will be nice to get a feel for it and check the area out.

I have also started to give my play list some thought. I seriously need to switch my music up a bit and add some new songs to the list. I am running way more than I ever had before and some days my music actually annoys me. Some songs that really used to pump me up and motivate me now bore me.

Oh, and I need to get a new pair of shoes. :-)

"Old Blue"

*Here's something more personal than just how many miles I ran today, how many I have run this week, what I am eating, or how much pain I am in...*

Something *big* is happening this coming week.

I got my double jogger when my baby boy was 8.5 months old and my little princess was 23 months. It was "my sanity on wheels"..."the nap mobile"...the "what Mommy does when she's had enough". To have two kids fourteen months apart, I had to do something. Instead of taking up drinking (I am seriously just kidding), I chose running.

I looked forward to my "me time" every morning at 10AM. That two and a half miles was just enough to get me through the day...or at least until nap time. It was because of that blue double jogger that I slowly regained myself and found a passion for running. It taught me that it was okay to take time for myself...take time to take care of myself...take time to "be" by myself. Even though I wasn't alone it was a half hour of peace where I could pretend that it was just me and the open road.

Well, my kids are older now and my oldest two can ride a bike faster than I can run. Not only that, but I have taken my running to a new level...a level that is not conducive to pushing 100 or so pounds down the road. So, it's time. It's time to close a chapter in my life. A chapter that I enjoyed very much, but I am enjoying the present one even more.

This coming week, I am going to load my two toned blue double jogger in to the back of my van and deliver it to someone who is at the stage that I was once at. And even though I am selling my sanity on wheels for far less than it's worth to me, the worn out wheels, faded fabric, and torn foam on the handle bar is proof that I got good use out of it.

I have been running forever as far as my kids are concerned. They know as soon as I change in to my workout gear where I am going. I lace up my shoes and now head out by myself...solo. Gone are the days of pushing two (and for about a year, three) toe heads around in my blue jogger, answering their questions and pointing out the scenery to keep them distracted. They were my first little running buddies. But hopefully, because I have made running a part of our lives, one day we will lace up our shoes together and I will no longer be pushing them but be running beside them.

So, maybe I will take "Old Blue" out for another lap or two for old times sake...or maybe I will just keep the memories just the way they are.

Twenty Miles

It was a long time coming, but yesterday I completed a twenty mile run.

Jamie and I decided that it would be best if we went out to the trail so that we wouldn't be tempted to stop by home and never go back out for the second half. It was a gorgeous day and the trail was beautiful and peaceful. We did an out a back. The first ten miles we completed in about 1:44 and they felt pretty good. It was a comfortable pace. My hip started to really bother me on the way back, but it was nice knowing that we were headed back and the only way we could get home is to keep going. The second half was a little slower than the first but once I saw the end in sight, I forgot all the pain and sprinted to the finish. Twenty miles completed in a little under 4 hours.

My stomach felt pretty good on this run. I chose to only bring along a breakfast bar to eat at the ten mile turn around...I wish I would have brought more to eat along the way. I have never been more hungry or thirsty after finishing a long run. I came home and ate a pancake, a piece of toast, an egg, and a half of a kielbasa!

This twenty miles has gotten me really excited about my marathon. Don't get me wrong, the run was both painful and wonderful all at the same time...but the longer I go, the more I know I can accomplish this goal...I think I am going to look at this race as two tens and two 5Ks. One more twenty and it's time to start cutting back.

Week Ten ~ Completed

I feel like I am back. This week was a good training week for me. I stayed right on course. Yesterday, I went out with Jamie to attempt out long run in terrible weather (rain and wind). I can handle running in the rain, but when it's cold and windy, I would rather not. So, we managed 9 miles and called it a day. We were hoping for better weather today...I was thankful that the rain had stopped and it was slightly warmer, but the wind was worse. Wind, I have discovered, I just can't do wind. It's fine when it's at my back. I pick up the pace and feel like a real running rockstar...turn the corner and it's all over. So, we got in another nine this afternoon. One of these windy days I would love to just run with the wind at my back until my Garmin says I have gone the distance I set out to go and then call for a ride home. Anyway, I was determined to get my 18 in today no matter what. So, I went out this evening for another 9 at the gym. Might I add, on the way to the gym I have to drive by the Dairy Queen that has opened back up for the season...talk about torture!!! I want a blizzard already this year!

Mileage for this week: 38 miles...I have almost hit the 400 mark for this year!

Foods for Injury Recovery...

I thought that this article was worth the read over at Runner's World. Check it out.

Good to Know...

I received another Marathon email from the Wisconsin Marathon (that I will be running on May 1st). My heart skips a beat every time I get something from them, like it makes it that much more real or something. Well, I was happy to see at the end of the email that had written that in case we were to need emergency medical attention that we would only have to be taken 2 miles down the road to the nearest hospital...so much more comforting.

My foot is feeling much better. Stretching and taking it easy has seemed to have done wonders. I am sticking to my training schedule this week and hope to finished my long run this Saturday victoriously.

I did what I like to call "Fast For me Four" last night and finished four miles in 37:54. I have enjoyed running outside without all of the layers...and the snow. C'mon Spring!!!

My favorite 10 miles...

I remember when signing up for my most favorite race, The CRIM, felt like I was signing my life away. It felt crazy to think that I would be able to run a 10 mile race. It was 2008, and I was new to this long distance racing stuff. The longest I had gone was 6.2 miles and that felt like death to me. Funny what you can do when you become crazy addicted! Ten miles seems like a welcome relief...like fun...like something I know I can do. I have big plans for The CRIM 2010. The city of Flint: I actually look forward to seeing you again...and that blue line too. On August 28th, 2010, that's where I will be, right outside of where I said "I do" (maybe that's why I like this race so much).

Pain, pain, go away...

It seems as if all the signs and symptoms are pointing to plantar fasciitis. I guess I only have myself to blame for this one. Maybe the logical thing to have done before running 12+ miles was to stretch for a good amount of time...oops...lesson learned...really this time. I had the same thing happen to me last year before The CRIM...guess I forgot how bad this hurt.

I still haven't run yet this week and it's *killing* me. It's been months since I have been off this long. My plan is to try another long run on Friday and see what happens. I need to get back. I think I am at a critical point in my training and I have come too far to be skipping days now.

The weather has been gorgeous this week. With the sunshine, warmer temps, and blue skies, I am getting more and more excited for the warmer weather and my first Marathon. I wanted to quit running after Sunday (well, not really, but it's just what I tell myself after every crappy run), but I am back to my senses and want this too bad.

So, my dear left foot, are you with me or not? Because it looks like you have no choice...you either start cooperating or come Friday, I am taking an anti-inflammatory drug and running on you anyway. You have rested long enough. It's time to snap out of it.

Big Fail

My long run on Sunday felt everything but victorious. To sum it up, it was painful. I did something to my foot earlier in the week. Couple that with stomach issues and I was a big nightmare. It was only because I had Jamie with me that I ended up making it 15 slow miles. It felt like a big fail.

I am still in a lot of pain and haven't run since. I am hoping to be able to get out there by the end of the week, but that doesn't seem too promising. The only thing that makes my foot feel better is standing barefoot in the snow. So, over the next few days I am going to try a couple of things...but, maybe I am just going to have to stay off of it for a week or so. There is almost nothing worse than not being able to run.

My Fuel is Here

I found two things that work for me...and it's a big plus that I don't have to choke them down: Sport Beans - cherry flavor with caffeine and Shot Blocks - strawberry electrolyte chews. I ordered them in bulk online (it was a lot cheaper that way). So, I am set. Seventeen mile long run this weekend. I am hoping that it isn't as terrible as my last seventeen.

Finish

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first."

- Author Unknown

Week Seven

Week seven of my Marathon training was slow going. After my nightmare-ish 17 on Saturday, I took Monday and Tuesday off to try and forget about the pain and remember why I love running. It didn't take long and Wednesday I was back at it.

After another 14 miles today, I managed to knock out 39.5 miles this week! Other than feeling like I could eat a horse, I felt great this week. My YTD total is 250 miles exactly. What? What's that mean you ask? I think Mama needs me some new shoes soon...although I really can't justify it just yet. Maybe in another 200 miles.

Week eight is telling me to run 4 sixes...we'll see, I think if the weather cooperates I might try another 16 or 17 again.

Still chuggin along.

Snowy Long Run

The expression 'misery loves company' is meant for winter running. As I'm lying in bed on dark, cold mornings, it's a lot harder to talk myself out of getting up when I know I'm accountable to other people.

Jason Lehmkuhle, of Team USA Minnesota, runner-up at 2008 U.S. Half-Marathon Championships

It was snowing when I got up this morning. It wasn't supposed to do that. The past couple of days before it's been sunny and warmer...when I say warmer, I mean in the upper 30's. If I wouldn't have been accountable to Jamie, I think I would have put it off another day.

It seems that my training plan is a bit much. It goes up by two miles every week for my long run. Since I struggled so badly with 17 last week (which I was supposed to do 18) there was no way I was going to do 19 or 20 this weekend. It may mean marathon destruction on May 1st, but it's all trial and error here because I've never done this before...meaning used a training plan or run a marathon. So, we'll see.

For this run, I tried the Sport Beans and Shot Blocs...much better! I think I have found my fuel of choice. My stomach started giving me a little trouble at mile 12 and on and off until I got home (which is way better than it's been), but other than that, I felt pretty good the entire way. There were no tears and no thoughts of quitting. Although it would have been nice if it wasn't snowing so hard, or it wasn't so cold, or the wind wasn't blowing so hard, but overall it was a great run with Jamie. We finished 14.5 miles in 2:35:34.

Mind

"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."

Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

Week Six - The Beating

This week was not conducive to running, at all. I was over scheduled and beat. Along with commitments I needed to keep, I worked three afternoons and then picked up a half of a shift today...which kinda screwed up my long run.



I think after today's long run, I will be boycotting all long distances...okay, maybe not, but it's nice to think that way right now. Especially with the way my calves are feeling. If you could see me walk, you would understand...or just plain laugh at me.



The only good thing about today is that I pigged out...and I enjoyed every minute of it. I had a bowl of cheerios, two bananas, muffins, a bowl full of brown rice with black eyed peas and a few veggies mixed in there, and a peanut butter and honey sandwich, and a hand full of raisins. It makes my mouth water just thinking about everything.



I got off to a really late start. I worked from 5:30-9:30A this morning. Got home and didn't really feel up to it. So, I played with the kids and laid on the couch and decided that this would be a 17 miler instead of 18. It was 1:30 when I decided to get my butt out the door and get this dreaded run over with...alone.



Running alone, at first, was wonderful. It was peaceful, quiet, and I could do some real soul searching. I have been having some stomach issues (again...I don't know what's up with me) so I decided to stay kinda close to home.



I was chugging along at a good 10:00/mile pace and at mile 3.5 is when it hit me. I ran the rest of the .7 home and took a potty break. My stomach was cramping and quite a mess. But, I had to do this. I tried to be quick and choked 1/2 a gel packet down...which would be it for the whole rest of my run...I had that and almost a full bottle of water (kinda bad, I was told).



Up until about mile 9, I felt better and was able to stay around a 10:30/mile pace. It was comfortable. I had to take another bathroom break...I was happy with my choice to stay close to home even though it was so incredibly boring.



Mile 13 is when I wanted to quit. I even broke down in tears several times (must of been quite a sight, but I was hoping my sun glasses hid it). I just did not want to go any farther. I was cold, wet, wind burned, and so sore. One of the things that kept me going was knowing that my sister, off in PA, was running a 17 miler today too...and I knew she wouldn't be quitting. So, I sucked it up and pretended I was running with my sister. I even put on the song that she says she listens to at the beginning of her run.



So, there I was for four long miles, freezing tears on my wind burned face, thinking of my sister, whispering to myself, "You are a runner, push through the pain,"and imagining myself crossing the finish line of my first marathon. I was a mess. But, I finished the 17 miles and got a picture to prove it.




It's the longest distance I have ever run at one time. It's the most painful run I have ever had and it didn't seem too victorious, but I finished.



I am dreading next week and hoping that my body forgets about the beating that it's just experienced (my mind too).



Please tell me that it gets better!

Realization

I came to the realization this past week that life as I knew it has ended.
I am in a committed relationship
with a very needy partner
it's a painful relationship at times
that takes up so much
and doesn't allow for long stretches of relaxation
I'm always up and going, it seems.
It's give, give, give
and what I get back is a couple of sore feet, sore knees, and at times a messed up tummy
on the weekends, this relationship pushes me to the point of exhaustion
I have signed my free time away by being in this relationship
I am training for a Marathon
I took my affair with running to the next level.
I don't see an end in sight.
Week six, baby!
Eighteen miles tomorrow!!!