20 in the heat and 12 in the snow

Alright I need to update on 2 weeks worth of training!  This time is pivotal, and I am going to try and document it as best I can.

The week before last, I ran 40 miles. OMG I RAN 40 miles! I ran 20 during the week and ended the week in a 20 mile long run.  So I tried to run that Saturday, but it was pouring and there was lots of thunder and lightening. Not cool. So my only option was Sunday, and the predicted high was 80 degrees. At this point I am sure you are thinking "and". Ahem may I remind you that I am used to and highly prefer running in temps of 40 degrees and under.  This was going to be a challenge! So I woke up early and ran 20 miles. Yep I did it!  The highlight of the run was when Eric showed up at mile 14 to cheer me on!  We walked for a few minutes then I ran 6 more miles for a total of 20 miles! Ok that's the good part. So  remember me telling you in previous blogs that what you wear is important. Well it is! I ran in my really think anti-blister anti-cold socks, and GOT HEAT RASH ON MY FEET!  Also I did not have good running shorts, so I had to run in my thin tights. I could have done without that. Thanks goodness I had 2 bottles of gatorade or I would not have made it! Anyway I ran out and bought new socks, a tank top, and running shorts, just in case it is going to be warm on marathon day.

Last week I started the taper!  I still ran 30 miles, but mentally it was easier.  Yesterday I ran 12 miles.....in the snow! What a change from the week before!  The only downside was that the weatherman did not predict snow, so I didn't bring my waterproof jacket :(  So I got pretty wet!  Otherwise it was a good run.  The only problem was that I didn't stop to drink very much, so I ended up feeling pretty sick. Lesson learned. Drink no matter what!!!!

So 1 more week of taper, then its the week of the race. I am going to take this time to freak the fuck out!. OMG WHAT AM I DOING!  I need to focus mentally this week. I need to psych myself up. I feel like I am just a jenny from the block trying to run a marathon. I have to remind myself that I AM an athlete and I HAVE trained for this. I AM ready!  I think I need to stop reading shit online and just go with what I have!  Bottom line...my body is ready....now to prepare my mind. It's all mental! And that is why a raven is like a writing desk!

Until next time, Happy trails!

One last loooooong training run

I have made it........almost.  This is the final week before the taper. Honestly, sometimes I never thought I would get this far.  It's really amazing!  Last week was an off week, 5 mi Tues 9 mi wed 5 mi Thurs, 14 mi on Saturday. I must say I was tired after the 14 miles, but I pushed a little bit. I also farted around a little bit b/c the weather was so nice!!!!!!  By farting around I mean I took extra time during my water walks (I walk when I drink water otherwise I don't actually injest much!).  Which brings me to an aside.  Some might consider walking to drink water not actually running the race the whole way. I disagree.  I only walk a sufficient amount off time to drink or take a gel, simply b/c that way I can actually hydrate!  If you don't do this, that's fine, but I am of the school of thought that this is totally valid!  But anyway I took some extra time on this training run to walk after I drank water. And I still completed it in less than 2.5 hours! WOOT!

This week is going to be tough.  Last night I ran 5 miles, tonight I need to run 10 miles, then Wed I need to run 5 miles.  That doesn't bother me. That's chump change. The big 20-miler is coming up this weekend. I am intimidated! But this is what I know.....I've ran 18, I just need to run 2 more, I need lots of fluids, I need energy replacement (I am preferring gatorade over gels more and more), and if I need to take it slow no biggie. Then after that, that's it! The hard part is over.  After that comes the taper! YAY! Then after that is the big day!  Honestly I am freaking out a little bit, but I am trying to tell myself that they hard part is almost over, and I just basically have to do 1 last loooooong run, enjoy my taper, and then just show up and DO THE DAMN THING!  hehe. Then whatever happens on race day happens. I've prepared as well as I can. I have been training since September (I ran a half in November remember! yaya!), and at this point there is not much more to be done.

So I am totally having mixed emotions, including but not limited to: self-doubt, exuberance, exasperation, triumph, and sadness.  It's going to feel so great to finish, but what after that? What indeed?  This is what I am pondering, and what I will blog about next (it is journey to 26.2 and beyond right!?!?!?!) OHH YEA!  So although my road to 26.2 is rapidly coming to a close (the most exciting part is coming up in 3.5 weeks...expect more about that for sure!)  I am turning my eyes to the horizon and thinking about what is next....what indeed.  Can anyone answer why a raven is like a writing desk?

Until then happy trails!

HTFU

First, thank to my coach and shoulder to cry on, Andrea, for the title! :)  This has been my mantra as of late!

So I am currently running anywhere from 30-35 miles per week right now. That means I do a 4-5 miler 2x per week, a "mid-distance" run of 7-9 miles and a "long-distance" run of 16-18 miles. Whew!  I have to be honest, I didn't think I could do it! But I have been keeping up which amazes me!  Last night I did 8 miles. I was tired from work, etc etc and didn't want to do it. But I just laced up and ran. If you can manage to distract your mind, it's amazing what your body can do!

Speaking of, I get a lot of, OMG I can't believe you are running a marathon, I could never do that!  Well let me just speak to you for a minute......I said that exact same thing. Indeed I did.  And here is the thing. I am not an athlete. Let me repeat, I am not an athlete. Sure I am now, but I wasn't born with great running ability. I am stubborn, and I do possess this persistent determination, and that my friends is what you need to run a marathon. I am convinced of this. When I distract my mind,  I can run for miles and miles and not be tired. You heard me. It's not because I am this talented athlete, just b/c I am STUBBORN! Damn right! I want that 26.2 sticker on my car dammit! So to those of you who say you can't run a marathon, a half marathon a 10k a 5k or a mile I am here to tell you that you can! It's mind over matter and I am scientific proof! Now whether you want to do it is a separate issue.  I will say that this venture takes time, patience, blood, sweat and tears. But it's so rewarding to know that you can push yourself to do ANYTHING!

This weekend I have to run 18 miles. I am not gonna lie, I am terrified. But I am going to finish, even if I have to limp back to my car.  It's going to be the same for the race. I am going to finish even if I have to crawl across the finish line dammit! Mind over matter.  I have an 18 miler, a 14 miler a 20 miler then the taper! Oh yea!

I have to admit, the post-marathon life looks so good right now.......but I know after a few weeks after the big race I'll be back hitting the long distance runs....stay tuned!