Last night I completed my first ever 18 week full marathon training! I ran a nice easy 2 mile run after the kids went to sleep. I didn't take any music with me and I just had my mind and the light of the moon. I usually hate running at night but I really enjoyed that last run. I spent the time thinking about my first full marathon. What my hopes are. How far I've come. How hard I've trained. How many new experiences I've had. How many new friends I've made. How much I've learned about myself. And how many times I wanted to quit. I had a friend tell me a few months ago that I'm a pro at running and that's not true. Its true that I usually don't have to MAKE myself go run, because I have to MAKE myself NOT go run. But that doesn't mean I can't lose motivation. There were a few times where I lost my motivation to try to run a full marathon. I don't know if you know this but 26.2 miles is a long way to run! I can remember when I ran 14 miles. I did it alone. I had never run that far. It was in the rain. And I was exhausted. I had to stop and walk. I cried. I was angry. And I was ready to say eff this. I had a few other messy training runs along the way but I'm so happy with my own determination! So Sunday will mean even more because I've put so much of myself into this race. I can't wait to run a full marathon and be able to say that I have. I might just start introducing myself to strangers that way. "Hi, I'm Bry. I've run a full marathon." I'm sure people have been annoyed at my constant runner talk. But I seriously don't give a shit! I have had some real encouragement along the way and I'd be a fool not to give a shout out to a few special people who have really helped me get to where I am right now! Obviously my family has been incredible and totally encouraging! It goes without saying that my husband, kids, mom, sister - have all been there for me through everything! This shout out is just for my friends.
Number One: Amber! I can't even say why. And I don't mean that to sound like an empty choice. But you're just THERE for me. And have really encouraged me at every step! Even my very first 10 mile long run! Thank you for everything! And when I say you're my running coach I really mean that.
Number Two: Joy! You make me laugh! I love running with you. I love your stories. I have a lot of respect for you and how hard you have trained! Can't wait to hear how awesome you do on Sunday!
Number Three: Anna! You ran my 12 mile long run with me and stayed at my pace the entire way! You new how important it was for me to train even while I was in Illinois on vacation and you took care of it for me. You are a true friend.
Number Four: Mel! I'm so so so excited to see you at the race on Sunday. It means more to me than words can even express that you and your family are coming to cheer me on on Sunday! I've truly been blessed with an amazing friend!
Number Five: Erin! You have always been there to listen and encourage me in a zillion ways in my life and I love you so much for that! You have never made me feel like I was annoying you by talking running!!! haha. You listen. And that means so much! I think we all know how much I like to talk! ;)
- If you didn't get a shout out don't get pissy. It doesn't mean I don't think you're awesome or that you haven't helped me! Because you probably have.
As for my marathon playlist! I have put special songs on my playlist to kind of represent certain people in my life. Here are the songs that I have so far:
Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap - for Penny
Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts - for Grant (it's the Cars theme & he makes me sing it to him a lot)
You and Me by DMB - for Joe
Tribute by Tenacious D - for my sister Monique
The Call by The Back Street Boys - for my MA!!! (hahaha, this song choice is a LOONG inside story)
And, Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club - FOR ME!
There will be lots of other songs on the playlist of course but those are the meaningful ones I have picked thus far. I can't wait to be come a marathoner! And I hope I can do it in under 4:29. And... without pooping my pants!
Des Moines here I come!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Marathon Training: Hello Injury!
So I'm getting so close to the actual race day that I can FEEL it! I feel it way down deep in my right hip... where I have Bursitis! Wooo Hoo! My first running injury!!! No, I'm not celebrating. The other option is to whine like a bitch though so I'm going to laugh about it instead. IT'S HOW I ROLL. So what's Bursitis? It's an inflammation of the bursae around your hip joint... basically all the goo in your joint is ON FIRE!!! And I gotta tell you... it feels excellent! NOT. I noticed this early last week when my right hip was aching so bad I was limping. I then ran a 3 mile hill run and it really started hurting. So I talked to a medical professional (Ma) and was told to take 600mg of Ibuprofen three times a day to reduce the inflammation and rest until my 20 mile run (scheduled for that saturday). I wasn't sure if I was going to do my last long LONG run because of my hip pain. But by Friday afternoon my 3 days regimine of Ibuprofen was doing the trick and I knew I would be able to at least attempt the 20 miles.
So I did it! I ran 20 miles (again)! This time I was like a freakin' rock star though! I took 15 minutes off my previous 20 mile run time! The first time I ran 20 it took me 3hrs 56mins. This time I did it in 3hrs and 41mins! I didn't stop to walk at all. A few times my iPod went wonky and I had to slow down to mess with that but otherwise I WAS RUNNING! IDK why I have this issue with 'stopping to walk'. But I am really pumped that I did all 20 miles w/o walking. I have few goals with the actual race because it's my first. But one of them is to NOT HAVE TO WALK... accept for the water stations. I will walk the water stations!!! Because my running coach (Amber) told me that's a good idea. And I believe her. lol. But after that 20 mile run I feel so ready! I now have TWO 20 mile runs under my belt and am ready to slap on another 6.2 to the end of that total! Two weeks from Sunday!
As for the old hip - running 20 miles definitely pissed it off! If I were a smart body conscious person I would rest and let that heal. But I am not going to stop training NOW. Hello??? McFly!? I have two weeks to go! I'm not throwing in the towel b/c of some stupid inflamed goo in my hip! NO! I will run this mother. I am continuing my Ibuprofen regimin and that is helping tremendously. Sitting on ice packs helps. So I will continue to do those things until race day and while I will keep running these next two weeks are TAPER weeks! God I love the sound of that word 'taper'!!!
So what are my goals for the marathon??? Here's the short list:
1) Don't stop to walk (excluding water stations)
2) Come in in under 4 hours 40 minutes. I'd like to do it in 4:30:00 but I will see how I feel.
And that's it! I bought a new Brooks long sleeve running shirt yesterday along with my first pair of arm warmers. (like leg warmers for your arms). So I will be able to make a decision race day on what to wear. If' it's as mild as it has been I will probably wear my Under Armour compression capri's and a t-shirt. If it's chilly I can wear the arm warmers. If it's COLD (b/c there's a chance, mother nature can be a ho!) I can wear my new Brooks long sleeve shirt. So I'm all set! I'm ready! I have done all the planning and training I can. Right now I just need to take care of my hip and get ready for the race!!! We're going to the Bahama's this week but I will be bringing my running gear. I hope I get a few chances to run but if I don't I know my hip won't mind.
Running Song of the Week: It's a tie between - "Sexy & I Know It" - LMFAO and "Marry You" - Bruno Mars. I know the Bruno Mars song is super duper lame but for WHATEVER reason I was able to get through the last two miles of my 20 miler listening to just that song over and over. But I love that LMFAO song! It cracks me up.
Running Quote of the Week: "Everything you finish gives you strength everything you don't finish weakens you." Christopher Reeves
So I did it! I ran 20 miles (again)! This time I was like a freakin' rock star though! I took 15 minutes off my previous 20 mile run time! The first time I ran 20 it took me 3hrs 56mins. This time I did it in 3hrs and 41mins! I didn't stop to walk at all. A few times my iPod went wonky and I had to slow down to mess with that but otherwise I WAS RUNNING! IDK why I have this issue with 'stopping to walk'. But I am really pumped that I did all 20 miles w/o walking. I have few goals with the actual race because it's my first. But one of them is to NOT HAVE TO WALK... accept for the water stations. I will walk the water stations!!! Because my running coach (Amber) told me that's a good idea. And I believe her. lol. But after that 20 mile run I feel so ready! I now have TWO 20 mile runs under my belt and am ready to slap on another 6.2 to the end of that total! Two weeks from Sunday!
As for the old hip - running 20 miles definitely pissed it off! If I were a smart body conscious person I would rest and let that heal. But I am not going to stop training NOW. Hello??? McFly!? I have two weeks to go! I'm not throwing in the towel b/c of some stupid inflamed goo in my hip! NO! I will run this mother. I am continuing my Ibuprofen regimin and that is helping tremendously. Sitting on ice packs helps. So I will continue to do those things until race day and while I will keep running these next two weeks are TAPER weeks! God I love the sound of that word 'taper'!!!
So what are my goals for the marathon??? Here's the short list:
1) Don't stop to walk (excluding water stations)
2) Come in in under 4 hours 40 minutes. I'd like to do it in 4:30:00 but I will see how I feel.
And that's it! I bought a new Brooks long sleeve running shirt yesterday along with my first pair of arm warmers. (like leg warmers for your arms). So I will be able to make a decision race day on what to wear. If' it's as mild as it has been I will probably wear my Under Armour compression capri's and a t-shirt. If it's chilly I can wear the arm warmers. If it's COLD (b/c there's a chance, mother nature can be a ho!) I can wear my new Brooks long sleeve shirt. So I'm all set! I'm ready! I have done all the planning and training I can. Right now I just need to take care of my hip and get ready for the race!!! We're going to the Bahama's this week but I will be bringing my running gear. I hope I get a few chances to run but if I don't I know my hip won't mind.
Running Song of the Week: It's a tie between - "Sexy & I Know It" - LMFAO and "Marry You" - Bruno Mars. I know the Bruno Mars song is super duper lame but for WHATEVER reason I was able to get through the last two miles of my 20 miler listening to just that song over and over. But I love that LMFAO song! It cracks me up.
Running Quote of the Week: "Everything you finish gives you strength everything you don't finish weakens you." Christopher Reeves
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Marathon Training: 20 miles is LONG WAY!
Last week I entered a new relm of awesomeness! The 20 mile club. I have no idea if there is such a club but I'm creating one if there isn't. Running 20 miles is other-worldly. I was very very worried about my 20 mile long run because the longest I had run up to that point was 16. I did 16 twice and both times were less than stellar. Yeah I got it done but when I did those 16's I had to stop and walk, I felt tired, slow, and just never really felt like I was in my runner zone. Well that changed because I found my zone for the 20. I have a few theories as to what made 20 so much more enjoyable than 16. Number one is that the weather is so much more forgiving these days! When I ran 20 last friday it was in the 60's when I started and about 73* when I finished at 11:45ish. So the fact that I wasn't running in a Vietnamese Jungle was incredibly helpful!!! The second theory that I have is that I had three days of rest before my LR this time. Since I got back from Jamaica I have been running hard and a lot. I was in panic mode b/c going on vacation wrecked my endurance. So, frankly, I think my legs were tired. I've read a lot of running experts comments about proper rest and there is something to that!!! I don't' know that every week I should go out and only run 5 miles on a monday and then 20 miles on a friday but for that week, it worked! You can burn out your muscles by running TOO MUCH, and I think that was part of what I was dealing w/ during long runs. I was so concerned about getting my miles in each week that I didn't think about how hard that is on your body.
So what I did for my 20 was I did out and back 5 miles, twice. The trail I used (Mopac East) has a really nice restroom at the trail head and lets just say I wanted to know I had a bathroom should I need one! haha. All I ever really allowed myself to think was "just go 5 miles". I ran out 5 miles. That went well! So I thought "just go 5 miles". I went back the 5 miles! Success! 10 miles, done! I took a pit stop and hopped back on old mopac and though "just go 5 miles". I was getting tired by 14 and I decided that when I made it to the end of that 5 mile stretch (so at 15 miles total) I would turn around and walk a quarter mile. I'd take that time to fuel (w/ my power bar gel, that I now LOVE and hydrate w/ the water on my fuel belt). So that's how I played it. I got to 15 and turned around and allowed myself to walk for a whole quarter mile. When I trained for half marathons I never allowed myself to walk. If I ever walked I felt so pissed at myself. Well not now. Not with this training. A full marathon is freaking HARD. If you know anyone who has ever run a FULL marathon you should hug them! You should tell them they are the most amazing human being you know! Because they are. They are the most amazing human being you know. Especially if they trained properly! (digressing). Anyway, after my fuel, water, and nice little .25 mile walk I was back at it and ready to tackle the very last 4 and three quarter miles! That was it! I was like... I can totally run 4 and three quarter miles! Especially after my little walk. I was recharged and feeling AWESOOOOOME! (sing that like Oprah).
Towards the end I was totally getting tired. I really did EXCEPTIONAL (in my book) until 18 miles. At that point I think I did stop to walk but I only allowed myself a 10th of a mile to walk. Between 18 and 20, my last two miles, I probably stopped 3 times to walk a 10th of a mile at a time but that was all. I did manage to run in the last .75 mile. I should say 'run' in quotes because it was more of a foot shuffle! haha. But I did it! I FREAKIN' DID IT!!! The feeling of getting a 20 mile run in and under my belt was phenominal! I felt like a damn Goddess! I felt like NOW I HAVE STREET CRED! NOW I CAN RUN THIS MARATHON.
And that's the best part. I had so many doubts before that 20 mile run. When two 16's went 'so-so' I thought, 'am i fooling myself? should i really try running a whole marathon? that's 10 more miles than those shitty 16's!' But now that I did 20 I know I can do the full. I don't care if I stop to walk a bit here or there. I don't care if I have to run a few 13/min miles. I don't care if I get passed by everyone on my running team. I don't care if a zillion other people cross the finish line before me! I don't care if anyone else does anything involving a marathon... I care about ME, what I have achieved, how hard I have worked, how much I have put into this and what a GREAT feeling it will be when I CROSS THAT FINISH LINE... because you know what... I WILL. And that's a fact, Jack. :)
Running Song of the Week: Wretches and Kings by Lincoln Park. I listend to it about 5 times during my 20 miler. (and I didn't listen to music the whole run.) but it makes me think of Katniss Everdeen (hunger games) and it makes me feel like I can do anything!
Running Quote of the Week: "Man is so made, that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." La Fontaine
So what I did for my 20 was I did out and back 5 miles, twice. The trail I used (Mopac East) has a really nice restroom at the trail head and lets just say I wanted to know I had a bathroom should I need one! haha. All I ever really allowed myself to think was "just go 5 miles". I ran out 5 miles. That went well! So I thought "just go 5 miles". I went back the 5 miles! Success! 10 miles, done! I took a pit stop and hopped back on old mopac and though "just go 5 miles". I was getting tired by 14 and I decided that when I made it to the end of that 5 mile stretch (so at 15 miles total) I would turn around and walk a quarter mile. I'd take that time to fuel (w/ my power bar gel, that I now LOVE and hydrate w/ the water on my fuel belt). So that's how I played it. I got to 15 and turned around and allowed myself to walk for a whole quarter mile. When I trained for half marathons I never allowed myself to walk. If I ever walked I felt so pissed at myself. Well not now. Not with this training. A full marathon is freaking HARD. If you know anyone who has ever run a FULL marathon you should hug them! You should tell them they are the most amazing human being you know! Because they are. They are the most amazing human being you know. Especially if they trained properly! (digressing). Anyway, after my fuel, water, and nice little .25 mile walk I was back at it and ready to tackle the very last 4 and three quarter miles! That was it! I was like... I can totally run 4 and three quarter miles! Especially after my little walk. I was recharged and feeling AWESOOOOOME! (sing that like Oprah).
Towards the end I was totally getting tired. I really did EXCEPTIONAL (in my book) until 18 miles. At that point I think I did stop to walk but I only allowed myself a 10th of a mile to walk. Between 18 and 20, my last two miles, I probably stopped 3 times to walk a 10th of a mile at a time but that was all. I did manage to run in the last .75 mile. I should say 'run' in quotes because it was more of a foot shuffle! haha. But I did it! I FREAKIN' DID IT!!! The feeling of getting a 20 mile run in and under my belt was phenominal! I felt like a damn Goddess! I felt like NOW I HAVE STREET CRED! NOW I CAN RUN THIS MARATHON.
And that's the best part. I had so many doubts before that 20 mile run. When two 16's went 'so-so' I thought, 'am i fooling myself? should i really try running a whole marathon? that's 10 more miles than those shitty 16's!' But now that I did 20 I know I can do the full. I don't care if I stop to walk a bit here or there. I don't care if I have to run a few 13/min miles. I don't care if I get passed by everyone on my running team. I don't care if a zillion other people cross the finish line before me! I don't care if anyone else does anything involving a marathon... I care about ME, what I have achieved, how hard I have worked, how much I have put into this and what a GREAT feeling it will be when I CROSS THAT FINISH LINE... because you know what... I WILL. And that's a fact, Jack. :)
Running Song of the Week: Wretches and Kings by Lincoln Park. I listend to it about 5 times during my 20 miler. (and I didn't listen to music the whole run.) but it makes me think of Katniss Everdeen (hunger games) and it makes me feel like I can do anything!
Running Quote of the Week: "Man is so made, that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." La Fontaine
Monday, August 8, 2011
Marathon Training: Week 10
I am only 10 weeks away from running my first full marathon. In theory. That's if I make it. My faith in myself is starting to waver a tad. During week 12 I did a fourteen mile long run. It wasn't pretty. It rained from mile one through ten - which was fine. It felt great actually! But by mile 11 I was slowing down and just running sopping wet was getting old. By mile 12 I was struggling to keep it together. I actually started shouting out "I CAN, I CAN, I CAN" to help motivate myself. It just made me winded more than anything, lol. At 13 and a quarter miles I stopped and walked. I walked a half mile and ran the last quarter to make it a total of 14. I'm not mad at myself or disapointed in myself I'm just worried. If I struggle so much with 14 how will 26.2 go? So I'm getting scared about the race.
Last week, week 11 of training, went pretty well! I did 4 on the TM on monday. That went well. Then Tuesday Joe didn't have to drive so I was able to run before waking up the kids. I did 7 miles at 4:45am. It was a very eventful run because I nearly had a heart attack when I saw a locust, then I got attacked by a GINORMOUS grass hopper. On a more pleasant side though I saw a deer and I got to watch the sunrise - which is always beautiful. I was thankful I got a good distance in before work. Wednesday I did speed work and did three miles. I did a light mile circle and then did 1/10th of a mile sprints, 1/10th of a mile walk on and off for two miles. So I did a total of 10 sprints. This killed my shins.
Friday I had planned to do about 12 miles on MOPAC trail but there was a thunderstorm. I was invited to join some friends for a run Saturday but after talking with Joe I decided not to. I have to say it's really difficult to be a good mother and wife and also train for a marathon. Other people need me around more than I need to get a run in. It was obvious to me that Joe wanted me around Saturday morning to help wake up the kids so I bowed out of the LR on the trails w/ other runners. I ended up drowning my sorrows though on Friday night. This didn't help me when I did get a run in on Saturday. I ran during Penny's AM nap at 9a. But I only did 7 miles. I tried a new route. I had always seen a bike trail just off of 180 and decided to run to it and see what it was like. I'll tell you what it's like it SUCKS. I don't ever want to run on that trail again. I don't think it's been paved since 1980. Now I know why I never see runners on it. The hills to and from that trail are also brutal! So when I need to do hill work in the future I will probably go to the highlands neighborhood.
This week should be fine. Aside from getting a lot of packing done for vacation and getting all my school shit together (b/c it starts less than 24hrs after our plain lands in omaha) I will be running as much as I can. Saturday I will hopefully be doing 16 with the runners I had to bail on last weekend.
I have to admit that I'm a little bi-polar in my emotions about marathon training right now. I'm partially burnt out. Partially frustraited. Partially scared. Partially discouraged. But I'm not giving up OH, HELL NO!!! I'll be running my ass off whenever I get the chance. And depending on the rain today I should be able to get 4 in this afternoon - and hopefully OUTSIDE, not on the TM at the gym. I'm still focused on doing this damn race that's for sure! I'm actually getting really excited for next week because I'll be in Jamaica on vacation. I will be brining my running shoes but I plan to give the new "barefoot" running craze a try... ON THE BEACH!!! Right where the surf hits the sand, it's packed tighter. I saw this tip on a running website. So I'm going to bring my garmin watch and try to do a few three milers while there. I probably won't do all of them barefoot but I"m going to do at least one barefoot run.
This weeks running song: T.G.I.F. - Katy Perry
This weeks running quote: "Training and racing have shown me sides of myself that I never knew existed. I've found perseverance, an ability to focus, stubbornness, compulsiveness, bravery, organization, a sense of humor, and a capacity for unbridled joy." —Gordon Bakoulis Bloch, in How to Train for and Run Your Best Marathon.
Last week, week 11 of training, went pretty well! I did 4 on the TM on monday. That went well. Then Tuesday Joe didn't have to drive so I was able to run before waking up the kids. I did 7 miles at 4:45am. It was a very eventful run because I nearly had a heart attack when I saw a locust, then I got attacked by a GINORMOUS grass hopper. On a more pleasant side though I saw a deer and I got to watch the sunrise - which is always beautiful. I was thankful I got a good distance in before work. Wednesday I did speed work and did three miles. I did a light mile circle and then did 1/10th of a mile sprints, 1/10th of a mile walk on and off for two miles. So I did a total of 10 sprints. This killed my shins.
Friday I had planned to do about 12 miles on MOPAC trail but there was a thunderstorm. I was invited to join some friends for a run Saturday but after talking with Joe I decided not to. I have to say it's really difficult to be a good mother and wife and also train for a marathon. Other people need me around more than I need to get a run in. It was obvious to me that Joe wanted me around Saturday morning to help wake up the kids so I bowed out of the LR on the trails w/ other runners. I ended up drowning my sorrows though on Friday night. This didn't help me when I did get a run in on Saturday. I ran during Penny's AM nap at 9a. But I only did 7 miles. I tried a new route. I had always seen a bike trail just off of 180 and decided to run to it and see what it was like. I'll tell you what it's like it SUCKS. I don't ever want to run on that trail again. I don't think it's been paved since 1980. Now I know why I never see runners on it. The hills to and from that trail are also brutal! So when I need to do hill work in the future I will probably go to the highlands neighborhood.
This week should be fine. Aside from getting a lot of packing done for vacation and getting all my school shit together (b/c it starts less than 24hrs after our plain lands in omaha) I will be running as much as I can. Saturday I will hopefully be doing 16 with the runners I had to bail on last weekend.
I have to admit that I'm a little bi-polar in my emotions about marathon training right now. I'm partially burnt out. Partially frustraited. Partially scared. Partially discouraged. But I'm not giving up OH, HELL NO!!! I'll be running my ass off whenever I get the chance. And depending on the rain today I should be able to get 4 in this afternoon - and hopefully OUTSIDE, not on the TM at the gym. I'm still focused on doing this damn race that's for sure! I'm actually getting really excited for next week because I'll be in Jamaica on vacation. I will be brining my running shoes but I plan to give the new "barefoot" running craze a try... ON THE BEACH!!! Right where the surf hits the sand, it's packed tighter. I saw this tip on a running website. So I'm going to bring my garmin watch and try to do a few three milers while there. I probably won't do all of them barefoot but I"m going to do at least one barefoot run.
This weeks running song: T.G.I.F. - Katy Perry
This weeks running quote: "Training and racing have shown me sides of myself that I never knew existed. I've found perseverance, an ability to focus, stubbornness, compulsiveness, bravery, organization, a sense of humor, and a capacity for unbridled joy." —Gordon Bakoulis Bloch, in How to Train for and Run Your Best Marathon.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Marathon Training: Week 12
A lot of people have been asking me 'how's marathon training going?' the answer is GREAT! Well... I still have some stuff to bitch about! Starting with this blasted HEAT. Grrr. I would be running sooo much more if it weren't for the heat. I would be waking up early to run too but the hubs has been driving so much and gone so early that I can't. So my only time for running is in the afternoon just before getting the kids. This equals the hottest part of the day! And with heat indicies of 115+ this ain't happening. Last week, week 13 of running, I had 3/5/3/9 on my training schedule. I ran 3 miles on Monday in the gym. And then I did 6 on Thursday at the gym. Both treadmill runs sucked. I seriously cant' stand that thing. Doing 6 miles was sheer agony. It's so freakin' boring! I hate not getting my LR's in especially. I even got Amber to let me tag along that morning for the 9mile LR starting at 5:15am. But there was a thunderstorm. Which took me to the stupid treadmill. So lets just say last week was a craptastic week for marathon training! Totally took the wind out of my sails.
Yesterday, Monday, I decided come hell or high water I was running outside. Well guess WHAT!!!! that sucked TOO. It was soooo sooo sooo hot I can't even explain. My muscles were hard as rocks. I couldn't breathe either. I only did 3 and walked from 2.25 - 2.75. I'm not sure what I'm going to do today. It's another hot day of course. I'm leaning towards going outside and giving hot running another try! Why? Because maybe I can train my body to get used to it! Is that dumb? But I'm running today regardless. If I leave work and decide it's too hot I will just take my sorry ass to the gym again and takle that bastard treadmill.
THIS WEEKS LONG RUN WILL ROCK THOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark my mother f*cking words! I'm going to make it rock if it's the last damn thing I do! I need a good LR to feel like running a marathon isn't totally unatainable. I've already warned my boss (aka my mother in law) that I'll be arriving late thursday morning for work! Why? Because I'm running 14 miles on the mopac trail! THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID FOURTEEN! I've never ever run fourteen miles. That's far. I'm excited though. I will be making a GU run today to make sure I'm prepared. So 7:30a on Thursday it better not effing rain!
Saturday I am running in a 'Warrior Dash' race! (this is why I'm running my LR thursday - so my legs will hopefully be willing to move on saturday). I'm excited b/c I'm running w/ a bunch of friends and it has obsticles and anyone who completes the race w/o dying gets a Viking helmet!!!! Oh, I can't wait! It's only a 5k but it should be pretty brutal! I'm excited to challenge myself via fire pits and mud pits and other kinds of icky pits.
My shoes got exchanged for new one's last week! Yes they were 'new' but they were not working for me! Which was a bummer. but after the first few runs in them I was really noticing my feet were killing me. After a few runs of foot pain I noticed my ancles were starting to hurt. After a few days of foot & ancle pain I noticed my knees were sore. So I said this has to stop. I took them back to the Lincoln Running Co where I got them w/ the same box, reciept & everything and I'm happy to say they gave me an even exchange! I was kind of surprised but pleasantly so. running shoes are expensive as hell! So I was worried I'd be shelling out more money but I didn't have to. I tried on three other types of shoes and found one I wanted to try (and had heard from other runners that these shoes rule) and they were the same price as the Ravenna's so they let me take them! So far... so good!!! I hope they take me to Des Moines on Oct 16th!
Running song of the week: Beyonce - Naughty Girl (yeah, that's right!) haha.
And lastly I've horded a lot of running quotes lately. On FB recently some running co had a status for people to post their favorite motivational running quote. I copy/paisted those quotes like a mad woman! I got a boat load of good quotes! So I'd like to share a few of my favorites. These are helping me stay motivated through the HEAT!
"One day I won't be able to do this, today is not that day..."
"When your feet get tired, run with your heart." -Julie Tyson Westcott, Founder of Cures Rock
(this is a big favorite of mine-)
"When you’re running, your biggest challenge isn’t someone else. It’s the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells ‘CAN’T”, but you don’t listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper ‘can’. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." -unknown
"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon."
Happy running!
Yesterday, Monday, I decided come hell or high water I was running outside. Well guess WHAT!!!! that sucked TOO. It was soooo sooo sooo hot I can't even explain. My muscles were hard as rocks. I couldn't breathe either. I only did 3 and walked from 2.25 - 2.75. I'm not sure what I'm going to do today. It's another hot day of course. I'm leaning towards going outside and giving hot running another try! Why? Because maybe I can train my body to get used to it! Is that dumb? But I'm running today regardless. If I leave work and decide it's too hot I will just take my sorry ass to the gym again and takle that bastard treadmill.
THIS WEEKS LONG RUN WILL ROCK THOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark my mother f*cking words! I'm going to make it rock if it's the last damn thing I do! I need a good LR to feel like running a marathon isn't totally unatainable. I've already warned my boss (aka my mother in law) that I'll be arriving late thursday morning for work! Why? Because I'm running 14 miles on the mopac trail! THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID FOURTEEN! I've never ever run fourteen miles. That's far. I'm excited though. I will be making a GU run today to make sure I'm prepared. So 7:30a on Thursday it better not effing rain!
Saturday I am running in a 'Warrior Dash' race! (this is why I'm running my LR thursday - so my legs will hopefully be willing to move on saturday). I'm excited b/c I'm running w/ a bunch of friends and it has obsticles and anyone who completes the race w/o dying gets a Viking helmet!!!! Oh, I can't wait! It's only a 5k but it should be pretty brutal! I'm excited to challenge myself via fire pits and mud pits and other kinds of icky pits.
My shoes got exchanged for new one's last week! Yes they were 'new' but they were not working for me! Which was a bummer. but after the first few runs in them I was really noticing my feet were killing me. After a few runs of foot pain I noticed my ancles were starting to hurt. After a few days of foot & ancle pain I noticed my knees were sore. So I said this has to stop. I took them back to the Lincoln Running Co where I got them w/ the same box, reciept & everything and I'm happy to say they gave me an even exchange! I was kind of surprised but pleasantly so. running shoes are expensive as hell! So I was worried I'd be shelling out more money but I didn't have to. I tried on three other types of shoes and found one I wanted to try (and had heard from other runners that these shoes rule) and they were the same price as the Ravenna's so they let me take them! So far... so good!!! I hope they take me to Des Moines on Oct 16th!
Running song of the week: Beyonce - Naughty Girl (yeah, that's right!) haha.
And lastly I've horded a lot of running quotes lately. On FB recently some running co had a status for people to post their favorite motivational running quote. I copy/paisted those quotes like a mad woman! I got a boat load of good quotes! So I'd like to share a few of my favorites. These are helping me stay motivated through the HEAT!
"One day I won't be able to do this, today is not that day..."
"When your feet get tired, run with your heart." -Julie Tyson Westcott, Founder of Cures Rock
(this is a big favorite of mine-)
"When you’re running, your biggest challenge isn’t someone else. It’s the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells ‘CAN’T”, but you don’t listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper ‘can’. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." -unknown
"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon."
Happy running!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Marathon Training: Week 15 "my sport is your sports punishment"
I'm happy to report that last week (week 16) of training went swimmingly! (or runningly, as it were). On my training sked was 3/5/3/10 and last week I ran 3/5/3/10!!! I probably won't have another week where I make every single training day happen for a while. This week already I have only done 3 miles. This weeks sked says 3/6/3/6. (this is not 4 days in a row, i'm just telling you the miles on the calendar). It is my last week of classes so I hope that getting those finished will help. Next week I'll be in IL on vacation so I'm not sure just how much running will occur. I do know that Anna is joining me for a 12 mile LR. I am excited to run with my BFF! She's become a pro so it'll be fun to see how we pace together. (which will end w/ me behind, I garantee).
Random story of the week: So I went on a field trip with my son the other day and as we were getting on the train (that goes around the zoo) the 'conductor' (aka old man volunteer) noticed a monster bruze on my thigh. I am fairly certain I picked it up at the bachelorette part two weekends ago. Anyway, he noticed the bruze and said "Ouch, look at that! Do you play ball?" To which I quickly answered "No. I'm a runner." He laughed at me and said "you mean you run into things!" Which I laughed at and said 'obviously'. As Mr. Smarty Pants Old Ass Volunteer got the train moving I started thinking to myself 'what a stupid answer, Bry!' Because who answers 'are you a ball player' in regards to a BRUZE with 'no i'm a runner?' obviously I didn't pick up this mega bruze on my thigh by running. That would be perposterous. But it boils down to this - I wanted him to get STRAIGHT what kind of athlete I am. And I feel a lot of pride in the fact that I am a runner. I actually, in that split second when he asked if I played ball, was offended at the thought. God no, I don't play ball! I RUN! So while I look like a jackass to the Old Man Volunteer train conducter at the childrens zoo and also to the teachers of Grant's class that were standing by me (on the field trip), I personally felt good for correcting him. Silly!
So last week I did my 10 mile long run on a new trail and loved it! I was lucky enough to get to tag along with Amber and her roommate Abbie for this run. I hardly ever run with people so I wasn't sure how it would go. I brought my iPod and earphones just incase I got left in the dust. But we all three ran together the entire time! I didn't need any music and I felt awesome the entire time. I was afraid I would feel fatigued and have to fall behind but never did. I even attempted to sprint to the finish with them but my water bottle flew out of my fuel belt and I had to stop to pick it up. PS: I love my new fuel belt!!! Talk about handy! I thought it would annoy the crap out of me but it didn't! I was so glad to have it. But I'm so happy with last weeks running I can hardly express it. If I have weeks like that for the next 15 weeks I would have zero issues with the marathon. But... those may be few and far between.
I'm thinking about registering for the Bill Seymour half marathon on Sept 3rd. It's in GI, and I ran it in 2007. It was my second half marathon. The course then was the flatest thing ever. They have since changed the course but it still says it's flat. I think the incline was listed at like 79ft or something histerical. So I am thinking I might get my negative two hour PR! I will be sure to do my speed drills as often as possible when training now.
I'm going to start adding a running song of the week. This weeks running song is "Something good can work" by Two Door Cinema Club. It's awesome and I love running to it! So if you're looking for a new tune for your running trecks get this one.
And lastly, the quote in the title of this blog is something I found on a running website. It was printed on a tshirt. I didn't buy it but it made me laugh. And it's true. Running is considered 'punishment' in other sports practices! Now doesn't THAT make you want to go out and run?
Random story of the week: So I went on a field trip with my son the other day and as we were getting on the train (that goes around the zoo) the 'conductor' (aka old man volunteer) noticed a monster bruze on my thigh. I am fairly certain I picked it up at the bachelorette part two weekends ago. Anyway, he noticed the bruze and said "Ouch, look at that! Do you play ball?" To which I quickly answered "No. I'm a runner." He laughed at me and said "you mean you run into things!" Which I laughed at and said 'obviously'. As Mr. Smarty Pants Old Ass Volunteer got the train moving I started thinking to myself 'what a stupid answer, Bry!' Because who answers 'are you a ball player' in regards to a BRUZE with 'no i'm a runner?' obviously I didn't pick up this mega bruze on my thigh by running. That would be perposterous. But it boils down to this - I wanted him to get STRAIGHT what kind of athlete I am. And I feel a lot of pride in the fact that I am a runner. I actually, in that split second when he asked if I played ball, was offended at the thought. God no, I don't play ball! I RUN! So while I look like a jackass to the Old Man Volunteer train conducter at the childrens zoo and also to the teachers of Grant's class that were standing by me (on the field trip), I personally felt good for correcting him. Silly!
So last week I did my 10 mile long run on a new trail and loved it! I was lucky enough to get to tag along with Amber and her roommate Abbie for this run. I hardly ever run with people so I wasn't sure how it would go. I brought my iPod and earphones just incase I got left in the dust. But we all three ran together the entire time! I didn't need any music and I felt awesome the entire time. I was afraid I would feel fatigued and have to fall behind but never did. I even attempted to sprint to the finish with them but my water bottle flew out of my fuel belt and I had to stop to pick it up. PS: I love my new fuel belt!!! Talk about handy! I thought it would annoy the crap out of me but it didn't! I was so glad to have it. But I'm so happy with last weeks running I can hardly express it. If I have weeks like that for the next 15 weeks I would have zero issues with the marathon. But... those may be few and far between.
I'm thinking about registering for the Bill Seymour half marathon on Sept 3rd. It's in GI, and I ran it in 2007. It was my second half marathon. The course then was the flatest thing ever. They have since changed the course but it still says it's flat. I think the incline was listed at like 79ft or something histerical. So I am thinking I might get my negative two hour PR! I will be sure to do my speed drills as often as possible when training now.
I'm going to start adding a running song of the week. This weeks running song is "Something good can work" by Two Door Cinema Club. It's awesome and I love running to it! So if you're looking for a new tune for your running trecks get this one.
And lastly, the quote in the title of this blog is something I found on a running website. It was printed on a tshirt. I didn't buy it but it made me laugh. And it's true. Running is considered 'punishment' in other sports practices! Now doesn't THAT make you want to go out and run?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Marathon Training: Week 17. New shoes!
After some hickups I am offiically training for my first marathon. Yeah, I registered for the Twin Cities Marathon and waisted $100. (woops). I won't be running that marathon because I will be in the Bahamas with my family. What a bummer! HA! So instead of TCM I am going to make the Des Moines Marathon my very first full on October 16th. Last week was my first week of marathon training. I am currently in the middle of a summer session (aka summer school). It's pretty busy and brutal but I did find time to get out and run three times last week. I am thankful that I have had time to squeeze running in. I even took Thursday off, I planned to do my scheduled 8 mile long run that morning. I was going to take Penny & Grant to daycare (dressed & ready to run), drive over to my favorite running trail and log in the Long Run (LR). However, as I sat watching the weather before waking up my kiddies (already dressed in my Under Armour pants & wicking shirt) I quickly found out Mother Nature had other plans. What a stupid whore! I hate Mother Nature!!!! So the sky was all gross and cloudy and grey. And it started to pour down rain. The wind was blowing like a freaking hurricain and the weather man said that a thunderstorm w/ hail & strong winds was headed our direction. Effing great. So I went back up stairs (stomping, of course, because I'm incredibly mature when I don't get my way) and changed into regular clothes. Instead of running I got all my grocery shopping done for Grant & Penny's party (which was saturday).
I did manage to run that day but I think it sucked. I cant remember specifics but all my running has sucked lately. This week I have gotten in only one run (its only wednesday). I managed to make it three miles monday afternoon is 90+* heat. But the verdict at the end of that messy run was that my shoes are officially done. There was no way I could put it off a day longer. Not one more step could be taken in those Brooks shoes! I estimate that I ran about 600 miles on them. They are toast. I went yesterday to the Lincoln Running Co. and bought a new pair of Brooks. This time I got Ravenna's. I tried on two other shoes that guy thought I might like. Asics and Saucony's. Neither had the kind of support that the Brooks have. I was willing to try something else but in the end I appear to be brand loyal! Brooks have never done me wrong (until around mile 601). I had a great time at the shoe store talking to the shoe guy who helped me. He had run the Paris marathon! Yeah, in actual Paris France! Not Paris Tennesee. Anyway, he watched me walk, measured my feet, we talked about how I've had two kids and my feet have changed (thanks a lot pregnancy!). So with my trusty new kicks and some other goodies - I got two new pairs of running shorts I can't wait to wear. They are soooooooo comfortable! And I also got some little electrolite things called NUUNs. (they are electrolites w/o the sugar like you get in gatoraid and you just put them in your water). Since I am running a lot in the heat of the day I need that help. I think that's part of my problem with having bad runs lately... I am so freakin' hot because it's like in the 90s! Baah.
We shall have to wait and see if I am able to squeeze in my long run this week. That is pretty damn important! I am going for a quick, short run today to test out the new shoes. But I am hoping Thursday or Friday to make it 8 or 9 miles. The calendar has this ominous looking number 9 on it. But I am not sure if I should make the jump up to 9 already. Having not done any LR's since the Lincoln Half over a month ago... is it wise? Or should I start with 8? Next week it says 10LR so I could make a two mile jump. What I plan to do is just go for 8 and if I feel great I will go another mile. The good news is ina few weeks the LR is only 6. So I am thinking if I get a little off track I can swap out that little 6 for one of my missed LRs. I'm flying by the seat of my pants.
I did manage to run that day but I think it sucked. I cant remember specifics but all my running has sucked lately. This week I have gotten in only one run (its only wednesday). I managed to make it three miles monday afternoon is 90+* heat. But the verdict at the end of that messy run was that my shoes are officially done. There was no way I could put it off a day longer. Not one more step could be taken in those Brooks shoes! I estimate that I ran about 600 miles on them. They are toast. I went yesterday to the Lincoln Running Co. and bought a new pair of Brooks. This time I got Ravenna's. I tried on two other shoes that guy thought I might like. Asics and Saucony's. Neither had the kind of support that the Brooks have. I was willing to try something else but in the end I appear to be brand loyal! Brooks have never done me wrong (until around mile 601). I had a great time at the shoe store talking to the shoe guy who helped me. He had run the Paris marathon! Yeah, in actual Paris France! Not Paris Tennesee. Anyway, he watched me walk, measured my feet, we talked about how I've had two kids and my feet have changed (thanks a lot pregnancy!). So with my trusty new kicks and some other goodies - I got two new pairs of running shorts I can't wait to wear. They are soooooooo comfortable! And I also got some little electrolite things called NUUNs. (they are electrolites w/o the sugar like you get in gatoraid and you just put them in your water). Since I am running a lot in the heat of the day I need that help. I think that's part of my problem with having bad runs lately... I am so freakin' hot because it's like in the 90s! Baah.
We shall have to wait and see if I am able to squeeze in my long run this week. That is pretty damn important! I am going for a quick, short run today to test out the new shoes. But I am hoping Thursday or Friday to make it 8 or 9 miles. The calendar has this ominous looking number 9 on it. But I am not sure if I should make the jump up to 9 already. Having not done any LR's since the Lincoln Half over a month ago... is it wise? Or should I start with 8? Next week it says 10LR so I could make a two mile jump. What I plan to do is just go for 8 and if I feel great I will go another mile. The good news is ina few weeks the LR is only 6. So I am thinking if I get a little off track I can swap out that little 6 for one of my missed LRs. I'm flying by the seat of my pants.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Marathon Training: Week 18 (or is it 20?)
As you (should) know by now I registered for my very first full marathon last week. I'm registered to run the Twin Cities Marathon on October 2nd. My training for that race began on Monday. I was home w/ sick ones so I skipped that day. Off to a bad start!!! Right?! Then Tuesday I ran 2 miles, which weren't very pretty. Yesterday I was set to run 3, which I did (on national running day!) but again I struggled. I haven't had a good run since the Lincoln Half for some reason. And yesterday just before I left work to do my run before getting my kids my mother in law and boss informed me that there is a company trip to the BAHAMA'S the last week of September into the first weekend of October. Which you may realize is WHEN I'M REGISTERED TO RUN A MARATHON! Crap. Crap. Crap!
I was pretty bummed I hadn't talked to my MIL before registering. I didn't think about that - but next time I do anything that takes a large committment you can bet I will be checking with my mother in law first to make sure there are no Carribean Vacations in our future!!! After I left work to go run I felt pretty let down. I had it all built up in my head that this was the race! I had tried and tried to actually talk myself OUT of running a full marathon this year. I kept saying I don't have time, I'm insane, I can't do this, this is a bad time, don't register. Yet I googled and googled and googled races and reviews and did research and asked other runners and I found the Twin Cities Marathon and it felt perfect. So after I got the OK from the hubbs I registered. I almost feel like there's a higher power at work telling me I should listen to that little voice saying I shouldn't run a full this year, I don't have time, I'm insane, I can't do this, this is a bad time! So I reflected on this conundrum during my run. Another bad run on a string of bad runs. It was hot. It was windy. (the weather channel said sustained winds of 30mph, w/ gusts of 55). But I did it ANYWAY! After googling some more... I found the Des Moines marathon.
The Des Moines Marathon is October 16th. It has some hills early in the race but many runners have commented they got a PR. (personal record). I'm not afraid of hills. I just don't want to run a "hilly" marathon. (which excludes Omaha all together). I'm not registering right away for the DM marathon but I have a feeling I will. Joe agreed it would be a lot more fun to go to the Bahamas then watch two kids alone while I went off to run a marathon alone. Two weeks later we could all make the short 2hr45min trip to Des Moines and this way I could have some fans cheering me on! After a while I started seeing this as possibly a good sign. Maybe God wasn't saying I should run a marathon... I just shouldn't run TCM. For whatever reason. But I can say I will enjoy being on the beach with my little ones and Joe and being able to play in the sand with them! My family makes me whole and I love building memories with them. I just can't pass up this chance. So my marathon training will actually start in two weeks! Which gives me a little more time to get my runs back to a good place.
I have a 10k race on Saturday morning. I am not looking forward to it actually. Mostly because I've had such a hard time with running lately. I know this race is HILLY. I ran it 2 years ago on a team and did pathetic. I think my time was 1:06:?? Which is bad. My last 10k finish time was 59:24. I will NOT be beating that time for a new PR. But I sure as hell better beat 1:06:??
But with all this complaining I keep on going. I don't know why. I think I just refuse to give up.
I was pretty bummed I hadn't talked to my MIL before registering. I didn't think about that - but next time I do anything that takes a large committment you can bet I will be checking with my mother in law first to make sure there are no Carribean Vacations in our future!!! After I left work to go run I felt pretty let down. I had it all built up in my head that this was the race! I had tried and tried to actually talk myself OUT of running a full marathon this year. I kept saying I don't have time, I'm insane, I can't do this, this is a bad time, don't register. Yet I googled and googled and googled races and reviews and did research and asked other runners and I found the Twin Cities Marathon and it felt perfect. So after I got the OK from the hubbs I registered. I almost feel like there's a higher power at work telling me I should listen to that little voice saying I shouldn't run a full this year, I don't have time, I'm insane, I can't do this, this is a bad time! So I reflected on this conundrum during my run. Another bad run on a string of bad runs. It was hot. It was windy. (the weather channel said sustained winds of 30mph, w/ gusts of 55). But I did it ANYWAY! After googling some more... I found the Des Moines marathon.
The Des Moines Marathon is October 16th. It has some hills early in the race but many runners have commented they got a PR. (personal record). I'm not afraid of hills. I just don't want to run a "hilly" marathon. (which excludes Omaha all together). I'm not registering right away for the DM marathon but I have a feeling I will. Joe agreed it would be a lot more fun to go to the Bahamas then watch two kids alone while I went off to run a marathon alone. Two weeks later we could all make the short 2hr45min trip to Des Moines and this way I could have some fans cheering me on! After a while I started seeing this as possibly a good sign. Maybe God wasn't saying I should run a marathon... I just shouldn't run TCM. For whatever reason. But I can say I will enjoy being on the beach with my little ones and Joe and being able to play in the sand with them! My family makes me whole and I love building memories with them. I just can't pass up this chance. So my marathon training will actually start in two weeks! Which gives me a little more time to get my runs back to a good place.
I have a 10k race on Saturday morning. I am not looking forward to it actually. Mostly because I've had such a hard time with running lately. I know this race is HILLY. I ran it 2 years ago on a team and did pathetic. I think my time was 1:06:?? Which is bad. My last 10k finish time was 59:24. I will NOT be beating that time for a new PR. But I sure as hell better beat 1:06:??
But with all this complaining I keep on going. I don't know why. I think I just refuse to give up.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Just registered for my first Marathon!
I was reading an article titled "11 Keys for a successful marathon journey" http://www.active.com/running/Articles/11-Keys-for-a-Successful-Marathon-Journey.htm?cmp=1747 and in it it suggested keeping a journal or blog. So here we go.
Well to start at the beginning I started running in the winter of 2007. I was working at the local CBS affiliate as a photojournalist. I had lost 30lbs by working out at the gym and was getting bored. A co-worker suggested I train for a half marathon. I had literally not run a step. (though I ran the Steamboat 4mile race in 2003). It sounded like a nice change and so I did it. I registered. I had no idea what I was doing back then. All I did to train was print off a running schedule I had googled and put the daily miles on my refridgerator calendar. Every day I religiously stuck with it. I can vividly remember the terror I felt inside when I got to the day with the number FIVE on it. How could I ever run 5 miles? I had made a loup in my subdivision (that I still run!) and that loup is 1 mile. I did it once, twice, three times... the most I had done up to that point... as I kept on going I eventually finished my 5 mile "long run" for that week and I knew I could do the half marathon! The rest of the runs I did for that race don't particularly stand out in my memorie. But the feeling I had that day that I ran 5 miles is the feeling I am constantly chasing. 4 years later I'm after that same sence of accomplishment. That ability to show myself just what I CAN do.
Later that year I ran my second half marathon. My first half I had a finish time of 2:29:58. I had wanted to come in under 2 and a half hours and I just made it. My second finish was faster - though to this day I can't remember or find what it was. And it was then that I was blessed by my very first pregnancy. After I had my son Grant I was eager to get back into running. Knowing full well just how great running is for weight loss I wanted to run to get rid of the weight I gained during my pregnancy. (a shameful 60lbs, lol). Well I did it. I lost the weight and I ran my third half marathon in May of 2009, almost a full year after having my first baby. My finish time for that race was 2:21. Shortly after that I was blessed with pregnancy number two!
After I had my daughted I was even more obsessed with getting my running shoes on again. I hadn't gained as much weight so this time it was just all about my love for running. I realized its how I cope with stress the best. My daughter is stressful (God love her!). So I needed it badly, especially in those first few months after she was born. I decided of course that I would run the Lincoln Half Marathon again. I signed up for my fourth half marathon and began training in the winter of 2011. I found a few new running buddies (some are also mom's like me, who also work, go to school, etc). And I even ran a 10k in under one hour! I had never been concerned with my time. In fact, I was just extatic to finish. What my pace was was completely insignificant to me. So when I ran that 10k with under a 10min/mile pace I was asstonished. Another little running high was born and now a fast pace is something I am chasing. I was extra motivated to be fast for my fourth half marathon. I was able to reach a major PR (personal record) with a finish time of 2:08:16! That's a avg of 9:45min/mile!
As soon as the 2011 Lincoln Half was completed I was googling races like a lunatic. What should I run next? Should I do my 5th half and shoot for an under 2 hour finish time? Or is it time to finally do a full? I wanted to sign up for the Wine & Dine Disney Half Marathon on Oct 1st but it's expensive as all hell. (though, i will do that one when my kids are older). There's a half in Peoria (my hometown) in August. I would love to run on my home turf but I will have JUST gotten back from Jamaica the sunday before. I do not like the idea of getting back in the car to leave my children again. (mommy guilt is a bitch). There is the Vegas half & full in December and I toyed with doing that race. But I'd have to bring my children to Las Vegas with me. I'd also have to be a burdon (again) on my entire family - husband, kids, in-laws. I decided this wasn't the right fit either. I found about 20 marathons/half marathons around the time frame I wanted to run. I had to widdle them down by course. The Omaha Marathon would have been ideal but it's a hilly bastard that has actually been labled "brutal". (omaha is very hilly if you didn't know). There is a race in Northern IL that might work but yet again it just didn't feel right. Then boom I stumbled upon the Twin Cities Marathon. I had noticed it before but hadn't really focused on it. But when I read it I realized it had everything I wanted. It got incredible reviews online. Someone said they had run 17 marathons and this is their favorite. Someone else said it should be on every marathoner's bucket list. Someone else said they are trying to do all 50 states (a marathon goal I've heard ppl talk about) marathons so they can't do this one again anytime soon but if they were to do ANY of their marathons again... this would be it! Add to all of that lots of comments about amazing race support/crowd support, it's well organized, has great accomidations and the runners expo is apparently amazing. So I decided this was it. My answer was to run a full and not another half. This really is the perfect time for me to do a full. I can use the momentum I have built up from the Lincoln half and go with it.
I registerd for the Twin Cities Marathon this morning. I was actually shaking when I typed in my CC info. I'm incredibly nervous. How the fuck am I going to run 26.2 miles? How? Well I ran 5 miles 4 years ago. If I can do that, I can do anything right? So I will remind myelf of Kara Goucher's (olympic marathoner) mantra.. "I am not afraid". I am not afraid... I am not afraid... I am not afraid...
Training starts on Monday.
Well to start at the beginning I started running in the winter of 2007. I was working at the local CBS affiliate as a photojournalist. I had lost 30lbs by working out at the gym and was getting bored. A co-worker suggested I train for a half marathon. I had literally not run a step. (though I ran the Steamboat 4mile race in 2003). It sounded like a nice change and so I did it. I registered. I had no idea what I was doing back then. All I did to train was print off a running schedule I had googled and put the daily miles on my refridgerator calendar. Every day I religiously stuck with it. I can vividly remember the terror I felt inside when I got to the day with the number FIVE on it. How could I ever run 5 miles? I had made a loup in my subdivision (that I still run!) and that loup is 1 mile. I did it once, twice, three times... the most I had done up to that point... as I kept on going I eventually finished my 5 mile "long run" for that week and I knew I could do the half marathon! The rest of the runs I did for that race don't particularly stand out in my memorie. But the feeling I had that day that I ran 5 miles is the feeling I am constantly chasing. 4 years later I'm after that same sence of accomplishment. That ability to show myself just what I CAN do.
Later that year I ran my second half marathon. My first half I had a finish time of 2:29:58. I had wanted to come in under 2 and a half hours and I just made it. My second finish was faster - though to this day I can't remember or find what it was. And it was then that I was blessed by my very first pregnancy. After I had my son Grant I was eager to get back into running. Knowing full well just how great running is for weight loss I wanted to run to get rid of the weight I gained during my pregnancy. (a shameful 60lbs, lol). Well I did it. I lost the weight and I ran my third half marathon in May of 2009, almost a full year after having my first baby. My finish time for that race was 2:21. Shortly after that I was blessed with pregnancy number two!
After I had my daughted I was even more obsessed with getting my running shoes on again. I hadn't gained as much weight so this time it was just all about my love for running. I realized its how I cope with stress the best. My daughter is stressful (God love her!). So I needed it badly, especially in those first few months after she was born. I decided of course that I would run the Lincoln Half Marathon again. I signed up for my fourth half marathon and began training in the winter of 2011. I found a few new running buddies (some are also mom's like me, who also work, go to school, etc). And I even ran a 10k in under one hour! I had never been concerned with my time. In fact, I was just extatic to finish. What my pace was was completely insignificant to me. So when I ran that 10k with under a 10min/mile pace I was asstonished. Another little running high was born and now a fast pace is something I am chasing. I was extra motivated to be fast for my fourth half marathon. I was able to reach a major PR (personal record) with a finish time of 2:08:16! That's a avg of 9:45min/mile!
As soon as the 2011 Lincoln Half was completed I was googling races like a lunatic. What should I run next? Should I do my 5th half and shoot for an under 2 hour finish time? Or is it time to finally do a full? I wanted to sign up for the Wine & Dine Disney Half Marathon on Oct 1st but it's expensive as all hell. (though, i will do that one when my kids are older). There's a half in Peoria (my hometown) in August. I would love to run on my home turf but I will have JUST gotten back from Jamaica the sunday before. I do not like the idea of getting back in the car to leave my children again. (mommy guilt is a bitch). There is the Vegas half & full in December and I toyed with doing that race. But I'd have to bring my children to Las Vegas with me. I'd also have to be a burdon (again) on my entire family - husband, kids, in-laws. I decided this wasn't the right fit either. I found about 20 marathons/half marathons around the time frame I wanted to run. I had to widdle them down by course. The Omaha Marathon would have been ideal but it's a hilly bastard that has actually been labled "brutal". (omaha is very hilly if you didn't know). There is a race in Northern IL that might work but yet again it just didn't feel right. Then boom I stumbled upon the Twin Cities Marathon. I had noticed it before but hadn't really focused on it. But when I read it I realized it had everything I wanted. It got incredible reviews online. Someone said they had run 17 marathons and this is their favorite. Someone else said it should be on every marathoner's bucket list. Someone else said they are trying to do all 50 states (a marathon goal I've heard ppl talk about) marathons so they can't do this one again anytime soon but if they were to do ANY of their marathons again... this would be it! Add to all of that lots of comments about amazing race support/crowd support, it's well organized, has great accomidations and the runners expo is apparently amazing. So I decided this was it. My answer was to run a full and not another half. This really is the perfect time for me to do a full. I can use the momentum I have built up from the Lincoln half and go with it.
I registerd for the Twin Cities Marathon this morning. I was actually shaking when I typed in my CC info. I'm incredibly nervous. How the fuck am I going to run 26.2 miles? How? Well I ran 5 miles 4 years ago. If I can do that, I can do anything right? So I will remind myelf of Kara Goucher's (olympic marathoner) mantra.. "I am not afraid". I am not afraid... I am not afraid... I am not afraid...
Training starts on Monday.
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