The gory details of running 26.2

It's official! I complete my first marathon!  I finished 26.2 miles and I can't believe it! So good news first eh. Here's how it all went down.

Well, I woke up and puked. ick.  Well not to worry I was just nervous right? Hmmm well read on and decide for yourself. Anyway, sweet sweet Eric also got up at 3am with me, and he drove me to Abilene. I was pretty keyed up all morning. I am a little nervous right now just reliving the moment!  We got there about an hour early, so there was plenty of time to get my registration packet and do the all important....POOP!  Check and check!  The next thing I know it was time for the race! It wasn't an especially big race, so the crowd thinned out right away, but there were still several runners around me.  The marathon and half marathon runners all started out at the same time. The half marathoners went 6.5 miles and then turned around. Things went great for the first 6.5 miles. I was making pretty good time. Then everyone turned around (they must have all been running that half I guess) then I was all alone! HAHA!  There were only about 50 people running the marathon I guess and by that time we were pretty well spaced out.

Oh one thing I forgot to mention...this race was out and back (kinda sucky BTW) and the first 13 miles were INTO THE WIND! Damn!  I think that drained a lot of my strength. The first 13 miles I did really well! I stayed very positive and I was feeling pretty good. I turned around, got to mile 15, then WHAM! The puking started!  I also forgot to mention that the high that day was around 90. So I am not 100% sure why I was sick, but I just was. Then I was in trouble. Luckily at mile 18 Eric came and we walked for a little while. He wetted a hanky with water and put it on my neck. That helped too. So I muddled on. When I got to mile 22 I was pretty sure I was going to make it, but I was also pretty sure I was in bad shape. The puking continued, it was getting hotter, and I was starting to break down physically and mentally.  I couldn't eat any gels b/c they made me sick. I could just sip sip sip water. So I did that and just did what I could.  LUCKILY Eric came and took the last 2 miles with me. By that time I was veering off the road and crying profusely. :) I must have been a sight!

So more on those last 2 miles! OMG those were the longest 2 miles of my entire life! I thought they would never never end. And the last .2 of the 26.2 were ENDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But I finished! This was by far the toughest physical challenge of my life, and probably up there as one of the toughest mental challenges of my life.  I have never been so happy to sit down in the A/C and drink water in my entire life!

So I didn't get a really good time needless to say. But my goal was to finish and that I did. I am now part of the 1% or less of the world's population that has finished a marathon.  Was it worth it? Yes. I need to elaborate more on this, but maybe not today.  I'll finish with the after race experience.

It was so nice to sit in the car w/ the A/C on. And Eric was nice enough to get me a SQUISHEE! nom nom nom. Just what I needed! We stopped to pick up a notebook at Eric's lab, and I got out to walk and change clothes. Man that was hard!  I could barely get up let alone walk to the bathroom and change clothes. But somehow I did. The rest of the evening I laid on the couch with Buffy.  I was pretty sore and couldn't sit in one position too long, but it also hurt to change positions. Oh did I mention I was also sunburned...burnt to a crisp would be more accurate. Yea add insult to injury for sure!

How am I doing now? Glad you asked! I am physically mostly recovered. The arch of my right foot hurts like a mother and I am limping around but I am otherwise ok. I am very very tired, and from what I read that is normal and may last for a week.  I got hydrated pretty quickly afterwards, so I am sure that helped. I only took 1 dose of aleve, after that I was pretty much ok.

Mentally I seem very emotional. I read that depression is common after a marathon, but I have yet to experience it. I am mostly concerned about what to do next. I am already entertaining the idea of a race in the near future. More on that to come.

So I have done the 26.2. Me, the girl who isn't a runner, who once could not run a mile, has completed a marathon.  I am proof that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. If you are thinking of running, do it. I did it, and I am glad that I did. Yes it was hard, it was fucking hard. But if it were easy, everyone would do it.  I am glad I took on the challenge. I will blog about that more later, mostly because I am still reflecting on the experience. To be honest, it hasn't really sunk in yet, but I will share my thought later.

So what is "beyond"?  I am not 100% sure. But stay tuned, I AM sure it will be an adventure!

For now, happy trails! Thanks for taking the first part of this journey with me!

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!

What don't kill ya will make you more strong!

Man oh man I have been a bad blogger!  I promise to try harder! This will be the stuff to read b/c I am getting to the meat of the marathon training.

First off, training for a marathon seems exponentially harder than training for the half marathon! Oh my goodness, and last week I was beat down and worn out! My goal was a 10 miler for my long run and it was an epic FAIL! I didn't even do 8. So sad! But I buckled down and ran more mileage during the week to make up for it.  I ended up running 11 miles this weekend in just under 2 hours which is awesome for me! And awesome for a marathon training run! It seemed so much easier this week, and I am happy!  Thank you to Andrea for being a good coach! And thanks to Meg for listening to me and being encouraging! I am going to go after more miles during the week, and try for 13-14 this weekend.  I don't want to up too much, but I am a teensy bit behind, so I am playing some catch up!  The week after that is a recovery week, so I get a break! yea! Only a 10 miler that weekend!

Speaking of long miles, I find that mentally it is very challenging to get that far.  I mean right now 8 seems short to me, but 14 seems almost not-doable.  Hell 11 seemed out of reach after last weeks run!  I will share what works for me in training and in a race.  I do 2 things. 1, in my mind I break up the run into segments. I say "I will run here, and when I do I will get some water or have a gu". Then I just pick up the next part like I just started. It seems more less like a mountain and more like a mole hill that way.  I did this for 2 miles when I started, and I've done it for 16 at the most so far, and it seems very effective for me. Also I like to listen to music and get lost in my thoughts. I prefer songs w/ a similiar tempo so the beat keeps me at a good pace, and I can get lost in my thoughts. I can do this b/c I run on a trail w/ no traffic, this would not be a good idea if you were on the road w/ cars and things of the sort!

Speaking of music, my fave tunes to run to right now are the new Disturbed album and the new Linkin park album. Thumbs way up for me!

In other news, my Nike pants bit the dust. They are just too thin for these really cold runs. So I bought some saucony tights that I am diggin!  Wicking materials are the way to go, especially when it is cold! You don't get that " I am sweaty under my clothes, but cold otherwise" feeling!

Ok I will try to be a better blogger! Happy trails everyone!

Time to up the anty (and the mileage!)

I'm back! HAHAHA *evil laugh*  I got wrapped up in the holidays, and didn't get to post. However I did run!  I finished my half marathon in November. Since then, I have been running short to mid-distances (3-6) miles, but I haven't pushed too much, for a couple reasons. 1. I wanted to fully recover and 2. It's the holidays! But now Christmas is over, and it's time to PUSH! 

So you may recall that I had a horribly slow time!  I have been doing some runs on the treadmill at a slightly faster pace, and I think it's paying off.  I haven't ran a long distance outside yet, but my 3 mile time was pretty good!  Interesting fact---I run so much better when it's really cold! I am talking in the 20s and 30s. No idea why, but I do. I had my best half marathon then (the temp didn't get out of the 20s the whole race) and best 5k time (it was cross country w/ lots of hills, but I did better than a flat course in warm weather!) It was also in the 20s that day. What gives?  Then I run in Wisconsin, in the snow, in the cold (also in the 20s) and I also got a really good 3 mile time. (There was even ice on the road!) WTF! I am hoping it will be COLD for my marathon! Maybe I need to move to Canada or something. HAHAHA!

So what am I doing? Upping the mileage!  5-6 miles this weekend, then my mid week runs will eventually go from 3-4 miles to 4-8 miles. My long runs will get up to 20 miles.  I am also doing some cross training.  I got the 30 day shred for Christmas. I really like it. It works muscles that running doesn't, it's quick, and it's not something that is likely to result in injury.  Why am I doing this? 1. I need to do some strength training, and that is in the workout, and 2. I am hoping to ramp up my metabolism to burn some fat.  I am not looking to look great in a bikini but any weight I lose will be less to carry when I am running 26.2!

So I shared last time that I was going to eat breakfast. Am I...YES!  I started w/ just some juice and I am up to smoothies now.  I figured out a way to do a quick, cheap smoothie, high in protein. 

Combine
1 c. plain greek yogurt
1 banana
3/4 OJ


blend. Add more or less OJ depending on how thick you like your smoothie.


So far no weight loss, but I have been eating a lot over Christmas. But no weight gain either!


I'll be posting more regularly after the new year!  Stay tuned! Happy trails!

Halfway to 26.2!

Ok so I have been super lazy about blogging, secondary to being super busy with other life stuff :) So a quick recap. When I last blogged, I did 5 miles outside. The next weekend I did 10 miles outside. The following weekend I COMPLETED MY 3RD HALF MARATHON! Let me tell you, it was a test of my will to finish that run. I am an embarassingly SLOW time, and it was HELL to finish!  The course was described as "fast and flat". Fast and flat my ass. It was all hills and very windy.  I had not trained properly. Lesson learned....check out the course if at all possible! I had my worst time ever by FAR! So I am going to make a few adjustments to train for the marathon.

I start my marathon training TODAY! I am nervous but also excited. I want that damn 26.2 sticker! hahaha.  So I am following Hal Higdon's program. I am undecided whether I am going to do the novice or the 3 day runner program. Stay tuned for that.  December is going to be an easy month of training, which is nice b/c it's the holidays. And yes I am fully aware it is going to be COLD! I would rather run in 30 degree weather than 80 degree weather anyway. That is just me. I will blog later on about gear I like for cold weather running. 

Anyway, the race is April 9th in Abilene, KS.  I mentioned that I am going to make a few tweaks in my training program. First, I am going to train at a faster pace. I am starting from short distances (3-4 miles) that are easy for me right now. I am going to train faster to being with, starting on a treadmill so I can feel what faster is like.  Then I am going to try to monitor my times, and push a little harder. Not too awful hard on long runs, that can lead to injury. Second, I am going to incorporate speedwork. There are several ways you can do this, but one method I read was to run an 800 in the time you would to finish the marathon in. (ie, if you want to finish in 4 hours, you should run a 4 min 800).  This might be challenging for me but I am going to try it. The idea is to start by running 1 or 2 800s at that pace, then work up to 10 in a row, with an equal amount of resting time in between.  So this is going to be hard! But I can do it!  Second I am going to confuse my body with unfamiliar cardio and weight training. I think my body is used to running, and I need to kick its ass more!

Second, I am going to tweak my diet. I think I can kick up my metabolism with a few extra changes. I am not out to lose a ton of weight, but even being 5 lbs lighter will make it easier to go the 26.2 miles. First, I am going to eat breakfast (I know I know it's the most important meal of the day!) I just get really sick when I try to eat in the am. So I am going to drink juice the minute I get up! And hopefully then transition to juice and some protein. Second, I am going to try and incorporate more protein into my meals. I am a selective vegetarian, so sometimes this is hard to do. (I only eat locally raised, grass-fed, ab free meat).  I will still need carbs, but I want to increase protein in addition to keeping most of the carbs I eat now.

So that's the plan. I'll keep you posted! I finished a 3 mile run at a faster pace yesterday and it went well. On tap tonight is another 3 miler at the faster pace!

Happy Trails!