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.