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!!!

Just three of the reasons why I run...

Bold

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.

~Orison Swett Marden

Playlist: Until the Whole World Hears

Training Week Five

I am sore.
The route was way too hilly for this girl who's used to flat terrain or running on a treadmill.
I would have taken 16 miles on the treadmill any day over the rolling hills I ran today...well, actually that's not true.
But, I have heard that hills are tempo runs in disguise
and it was so nice to run and chat with a friend.

The first 6 miles were great. We kept a 10:15 pace, which was really comfortable and left us both able to talk back and forth with one another.

I downed a GU packet right before heading out the front door of the church (we ran from church to home - the back way). It was pretty nasty and a little too much, but I got it down. About 45 minutes later, I downed another and it was almost more than I could take. The thought of ever eating one of those again about sends me in to dry heaves. I need to figure something else out.

Around mile 6 or so is when the big, giant, never ending hills started. Our pace slowed a bit. I was starting to feel my calf tighten up and pain shoot up my right leg. I focused on my music and then next short stop for water.

It was around mile 10 that I ate an energy bar my mother-in-law made that was oh so good. I had little to no stomach issues during this long run. I was relieved because it was my biggest fear about running a one way run somewhere...no bathrooms.

Mile twelve the pain got a little bit worse and my running buddy was in a lot of pain too. I am not used to the hills and the wear and tear on the legs.

We ended up going 14 miles and calling for a ride. My heart wanted to keep going, to run through the pain...but my body, I am afraid would have been really sorry for listening. I can't risk a serious injury now. Sometimes you just have to put the will to not give up aside because you'll be better off in the end.

Next week says 18 miles and I hope my body does too. We are looking in to a different course that's a lot more flat...a nine mile loop would be good to give us the option of a bathroom stop.

Weekly total : 32 miles.

Whatcha Eating: Blackeyed Peas

I had never had blackeyed peas in my life until today. I got a clean eating recipe for blackeyed peas and brown rice. It's basically a bunch of veggies, pepper, and garlic served with brown rice. It was pretty good, but next time I am going to add a few more veggies and cook the blackeyed peas separately.

I didn't have a red pepper that the recipe called for but I am thinking it needs some red and orange veggies mixed in there next time.

I have been enjoying sweet potatoes. Today for lunch I had a sweet potato with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and pepper and a 1/2 cup of blueberries and a hand full of dry roasted peanuts.



Anyone out there ever had bok choy? Is the taste much different than cabbage?

Energy Gels

I went and gave blood today. I am hoping it doesn't mess me up for my long run this Sunday.

I have to drive about a half hour to where I donate. It's conveniently located across the street from a Sports Authority. I snuck in there after donating and picked up a few packets of GU Energy Gels and PowerBar Gels. I am going to try them out and see how they work for me. I got a few without caffiene and a few with.

I was down the beginning of the week with a stomach bug and just started feeling better yesterday. It totally wiped me out and I haven't run as much/as long and I would have liked to this week. I had a great six mile tempo run today and feel like I am almost back to 100%. The next two weeks are going to be killer and I have no room for sickness right now. I have twenty miles looming out there at the end of week 7. It will either make or break me.

Playlist : Her Diamonds

Gels

At the end of this week, I am scheduled to do a 16 mile run. It will be the longest distance I have ever gone at one time. I am getting to the point where performance and recovery is pretty important. When the mileage starts getting up there, the body needs the proper fuel and hydration and I am new at this. I am about to go beyond what I am used to...leaving home with just my ipod and Garmin. Now, I will have to add water and fuel to that too (it's recommended for any strenuous workout over 90 minutes).

I have been looking in to how to best fuel my workouts. My Mom brought me a Fitness Magazine on her recent trip out and I was pleased to find an article all about Alternative Energy...gels, bars, and protein shakes. One of the highlighted products: GU Energy Gel. Anyone out there tried it? Have any opinions on it?

Now I am left wondering if I should go out and get a few to try or just pack a few handfuls or raisins and a couple of cookies?