Bud E. Boo Race Report

As you all know, I had a nasty sinus infection that kept me from running on Wednesday or Thursday of last week.  And then I followed the advice you gave me and took Friday off as well.  Friday night, I headed down to Cleburne (about 80 miles away) to my inlaw's house.

A few of you advised me not to run the race Saturday... even more of you told me to just run it slowly and not race it... and a few of you just know me too well to know that just wouldn't happen.  Sorry, I'm a bad kid.  I don't always listen, even when it's for my own good.  I did and do still have a sinus infection (ugh... go away, already)... but I have no fever and no other major symptoms other than the congestion.  Anyhow...

I woke up Saturday morning at 6:30am (felt like I got to sleep in).  I have never gotten out of bed only 90 minutes before a race, nevermind that I wasn't even registered yet.  But this race was about 2 miles from my inlaws house, and it is very very small, so I knew there wouldn't be many worries, and I didn't want to sit outside in the cold with sinus issues.  I arrived around 7:30am and had no problem registering.  Handed my goodie bag and my pre-race water to my husband and got ready to go.

For some odd reason, no one would step up to the starting line.  At 2 minutes before the start, the announcer asked us to line up, and everyone still stayed at least 50 ft back from the starting line.  There were only about 50 half marathoners... many of them first timers.  The gun went off and I headed out.  It was around 45 degrees.  It's been in the 70s here up until the last few days in the mornings, so I wasn't used to the cold yet, but it felt great.  I was going way too fast for me (according to my watch), but didn't feel like I was going fast according to my effort.  It hit me at mile 2 though, so I put on the brakes and settled back into my normal half-marathon pace (around 10:30-10:50 min/mile). 

The course was 2 loops.  There was a small part where you did a short out and back up a street to add the appropriate extra amount to make the loop mileage work out.  I noticed a girl running past that part but then stop and turn around to look... I stopped to help.  I told her there was a short out and back before finishing the loop.  Fortunately, I had studied the race map... something I never do.  I was worried that a smaller race wouldn't be marked well, so I had looked ahead.  (For the record, though, the course WAS marked pretty well, but I understood how that part could be confusing for some who didn't know about the short out and back section.)

I stayed with the girl that I helped make the turn, and we talked.  We were at about mile 4 and due to the small size of the race, it really felt like a long lonely training run.  There weren't people cheering along the route (except when you looped through the start line).  No one passed me, and I didn't pass anyone.  Most people were pretty spread out.  It was so welcome to have someone to talk to, even if only for a little while. 

It was immediately evident, though, that she was faster than me.  Running with her put me over my normal level of discomfort.  But I was aching for some distraction, so I held on... numerous times I let her know that if she needed to push on to go right ahead.  But since it was her first half, I think she welcomed the distraction too.  I think we were almost at mile 10 before it even occured to me to ask her name!!!  Melissa and I were thrilled to see that 10 mile marker.  It was really starting to hurt at 11, pushing her pace.  This is where I told her to definitely move on... but for some reason... I kept pushing still.  Mile 12... oh my goodness.  I was fighting the mental demons.  At this point Melissa did push on.  And though I never caught back up to her in that last mile, she was never more than 50 feet ahead of me until the final sprint.  I pushed it in and was so happy to be done (and needed to pee so badly) that I forgot to stop my watch.  When I finally stopped it, it was around 2:16.  My previous PR (set earlier this year in May) was 2:19:14.  My official time... 2:15:30!!! 

I was over the moon excited about a 2:15.  I am a slow runner.  I mostly train at 11 minute miles.  I do not know how I managed 13.1 miles of 10:20 when I never run more than 3 miles at that pace in training.  Un-boo-lievable!  Want to hear the best part?  (Yes, I intend to brag a little because, well, it's my blog!)  In just under a year, I have shaved 20 minutes off my half marathon time - that's more than 1:30 per mile.  Just maybe a sub-2 hour marathon is in my future... maybe far off, but still achievable.

Race logistics - For a small race, it was really well done.  The course markings were plentiful.  There were water and gatorade stations at every mile.  The charity was fantastic - the race benefited Community Opportunities, Inc. (COI).  COI provides skills training, job placement, and social activities for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  And the amazing people that benefit from the fundraising this race does were manning every single water station.  It was fantastic!  And major kudos to the race organizers for putting kleenex at every water stop.  I think me and my sinus infection made good use of that way more than you'd like to hear about.  The medal was really nice.  There was plenty of food at the finish (plus activities for the kiddos).  The race shirt was a technical tee (I was admittedly surprised) that was quite decent.  It was, however, unisex sized which means it's too big, but that's ok... it'll still be used.

All-in-all, a really nice experience.  I will do this race again.  And next year, I will convince all my Dallas runner friends that it's worth the drive down to enjoy a smaller race with a great cause (and who doesn't like more bling?).

Don't forget my necklace giveaway!  Last night to enter!!!

The End of an Era

This era:

No, not the end of an exceptionally cute child running on the treadmill.  The end of the Reebok ACD1.  With a dead motor, my husband and I dragged it out to the curb last night.  I planned to take a pitiful photo of it on the curb, but by daylight, it was already gone... all 300 lbs. of it.  I'm still baffled at how someone drove by and just "tossed" it into the back of the truck.  It took all our strength to get it to the curb.

And today... wait for it...

Yeah, come to your new mama...

Come on... a little closer...

And closer...



Ah, safe at home in the garage for tonight... We'll move you to your rightful home on Sunday.

Tonight we are headed to Cleburne for a quick birthday celebration.  We'll sleep at the in-law's tonight, then I'll wake up bright and early and run the Bud E. Boo Half Marathon.  Head back to the in-law's, clean up, then have a birthday lunch with the family.  Then we'll make the trip straight back home.

Thank you to all of you who gave advice to me yesterday.  Some of you know me too well and know that missing a race would involve bed-ridden illness or heavily bloodied limbs.  So, yes, I will be running tomorrow.  I'll determine pace AFTER I start out.  Last year, only 24 people crossed the finish line for the half, so it'll be small, and I'm worried about boredom affecting my pace more than anything!  But we'll see.  I did rest, and I did not run today.  

What Do I Do?

Alright, fun and fantastic blog friends...

Here's the info...
- I am 5 weeks out from my first marathon and at least need some sort of long run this weekend.
- I am supposed to run a half marathon this Saturday.
- I am completely trained and capable of doing a half - and this one is supposed to be flat and fast.
- I am sick... I've had a sinus infection the last two days, and my planned 10 and 9 mile runs didn't happen at all.
- I am not supposed to run tomorrow, but instead supposed to "rest" for my half marathon.
- I am going to my inlaws for my husband's birthday on Saturday, so if I don't run the half marathon in their town, I probably won't get a run in at all.

Do I run tomorrow?  See how the legs feel?  I'm still icky, but definitely improving.  My head is just very congested.  If I run tomorrow, how far?  6 miles?  9 miles?  I don't question if I could do back-to-back mileage, but it might make my time Saturday slower.  Do I run in the race Saturday?  I can't imagine missing a weekend run this close to the marathon... I've only got 2 more long runs after this one before taper.  I honestly think I can push through it...

Alright... shout out and tell me what you think!

I'm Talking to YOU!

Yes, you!  I have some amazing "followers"  (though I admittedly don't really care for that word and would love suggestions on something fun to call it).  I am always encouraged by the comments I get on posts, and it definitely helps to have some accountability in my running.  Thank you!

I wanted to respond to a few recent comments:

"I'd like to see you post about how much gu, gunk, and beans you know you need to eat with each run." -Julie

Most of the GUs or sports gels suggest taking one every 45 minutes.  But if my run if 7 miles or under, I usually don't bother.  On longer runs, I typically eat every 4 or 5 miles.  Some people prefer things like the jelly beans or chomps or shot bloks because you can take just one at a time and eat them every 15 minutes or so.  The most important thing is that you test your body.  Some people can't stomach GU at all.  Do what works for you.  I've seen runners eat gummy bears, hard candies, bagels, and even peanut butter & jelly sandwiches while they run.  Do not do anything new or different on race day.  And for the record, I was clueless about fueling prior to my first half marathon.  I ate nothing at all the entire run.  I remember feeling so hungry.

"My new favorite thing for winter are arm warmers. That way I'm not too hot in a long sleeve but still warm when the weather is cold. Happy Running :)"  -Karen R

I saw these for the first time about a year ago (the Moeben ones), and I had been itching to own a pair.  I think it would be perfect for the marathon since it'll likely be chilly at the start and warm by time I finish.  Thanks for reminding me!!!

 

"Absolutely beautiful! I'm a follower... trying to think of what I would want you to post about... Your favorite running spot and distance? " -Meredith 

 

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  White Rock Lake in Dallas.  Distance - 1 loop - 9 miles.

 

"Would love to learn more about how you changed your training for a full marathon vs. half marathon." -Ever Strong

 

Honestly, it is just flat out more miles.  Runs that used to be my long runs are now my mid-week runs.  I also am a lot less lenient on myself.  I feel like I could push through a half marathon at any point, though it might be painful if I've been slacking on my workouts... but I feel like I just can't slack here.  I want my body to be fully prepared.  (On a side note, I'm stuck home with a sick kid today and missing a workout and very unhappy about it.)  I should be doing speedwork, but I'll admit that I don't - I hope to focus on that next year.  The only other thing is that each Saturday long run is treated like a race day in terms of preparation (NOT in terms of pace).  I pay attention to my hydration, lower my fats, up my carbs, and try to up my sleep.  A marathon is a real commitment, timewise.  I knew it would be, but living it is a little different.  I cannot wait to cross that finish line, though!

 

"I am signed up for the Dallas Rock N' Roll half marathon, which will be my first. I might join you for the White Rock.....but half that is. ;) "  -texassizeslim

 

Well, come on... but hurry up.  The half marathon for White Rock is 97% full!!!  Would love to meet up to say hi, if you do come... otherwise, I'll see you in March!

 

"You mentioned something a while back about not losing weight even though you're training more now than ever.  Do you want to lose more weight?  You seriously look great, and it doesn't look like you have anything to lose!"  -Christina

 

Thank you Christina.  You rock!  I would actually love to lose another 15-20 lbs.  I think it would help with my speed, and I think there are a lot of shortfalls in my diet (SUGAR).  I'm pretty tall, 5'11", so even if I did lose another 15 lbs, I'd still be an Athena by most race standards.

 

"I'd love to read about recovery after a race and tapering before it.  My weaknesses." -Cora

 

Unfortunately, I won't be much help on this one.  I don't taper before half marathons... in fact, I find my body works better the more consistent my running has been.  I won't be able to follow this plan for my marathon, and I'm scared crazy about the taper doubt!  As for recovery... again, I'm little help.  I'm not injury prone (knock on virtual wood).  My compression socks have made a world of difference in my calf recovery (which used to be my most sore area).  (Use code BLOG15 to get 15% off your compression socks at sportscompression.com ).  After a race, I usually eat and relax first (with my feet up).  I ice any particularly sore spots.  Then I shower and try to take it easy the rest of the day.  If I run the next day, I keep the mileage low and the pace slow.  I do not run at all the next day if I'm still feeling a lot of aches and having trouble going up the stairs.   Generally, the old adage - listen to your body.  I suspect marathon recovery will be a lot different.  A LOT. 

 

"I would like to see you write about chafing. :) " -Stephanie

 

I think that topic deserves it's own blog post, don't you?  Expect it soon!

 

"Well yay, another Texas runner! I just found (and followed) you - and would love to hear more about running in the lovely Texas heat and humidity and how you deal with it." -Shelley

Unfortunately there's no magic formula, and the Texas summer is brutal.  I spend a lot of hours on treadmills.  When I run outside, I never leave without a water bottle, I make sure it's as early as possible, and I don't push the outdoor miles too much.  I did race this past summer - Too Hot To Handle 15K and the Hottest Half (click the links to read my reviews).  Honestly, they were both miserable.  My body does not deal well with the heat.  I did write a post that has some tips on dealing with heat HERE.  My main tip is never ever run a race in the heat without carrying your own water. 
 
and slightly off-topic from running, but I'll still answer it... ;-)

"Do you have an online store where I can browse your goods?" -Christina

Yes, I do... http://www.beadgeniecreations.com/ but I don't typically make necklaces like the one in the giveaway unless it's a custom order.  I mostly specialize in chainmaille.  I do art shows, typically in the fall and spring, although I dropped all my fall shows except one this year in order to train for this marathon!

Lastly, a huge shout-out to Sarah at skinnyrunner.com for featuring me yesterday.  Her blog is one of my must reads, and she is outrageously funny (and pretty speedy too).

Proper Form - Jeff Galloway - Week 2 of 4

As promised, I am sharing Jeff Galloway's second of four short videos released for runDisney.  This one pertains to everyone... not just those interested in his run/walk method.  He talks very briefly about running form.  I am happy to say that I follow all 3 of these things when I run... shew!!!  I know I have many other issues with my form, but at least I have the basics.

"Proper running and walking form is essential to reduce the risk of injury. The Jeff Galloway method teaches runners to stay upright, maintain a short stride and eliminate bounce. Let’s get training with Jeff Galloway. "

Link:


I'm glad to see him talk about stride, because I often get told "you're so tall, you should be really fast".  Well, if you're keeping your stride short, it really doesn't matter.  Sherry, who ran with me at my last half marathon, is significantly shorter than me and yet we paced exactly the same and strided exactly the same... except maybe I don't listen to that advice so well when I walk... and that's when my crazy long legs really do push me forward.  I guess, though, according to Galloway, I should be keeping my stride short then, as well.
 
(If you missed video 1 of 4, you can view it in THIS POST.)

100th Post!

This is my 100th post to this blog, and I kept trying to think of ways to celebrate, so I decided to give you a run down of my 100 most memorable miles from the last year!

(In order of date...)
9 miles - Dec. 5, 2009 - My first full lap around White Rock Lake - It was freezing cold with high winds coming off the lake, but I was determined to finish it.  I was alone, no music, no water, no GU, no Garmin, nothing.  I didn't have any of that stuff then and didn't know any better!

13 miles - Dec. 13, 2009 - Completed my first half marathon - Dallas White Rock - I ran with the 2:30 pace group until mile 9, and then I completely lost it and my body started to shut down.  The last 4 miles were complete misery, but I was filled with an immediate sense of accomplishment... not to mention, I got my first bling!!! - Time 2:35

6 miles - Feb. 6, 2010 - Tal Morrison 5K Race - I ran this with my super speedy 8-year old nephew.  He really pushed me, but I forced myself to keep up with him.  I somehow turned my usual 11 min/mile pace into a 9:22 pace to get a 29:07.  This was my first 5K since my very very long break from running (almost 10 years).  THEN I went over to a friends house and helped her push through a 3 mile run.  It was cold, cold, cold... but I felt extremely accomplished and was shocked at my time.

13 miles - Apr. 5, 2010 - Training run - I cannot omit this run because this was the day my friend, Karen, asked me if I would do her long run with her to help her prepare for her half marathon.  I was glad to take her up on the opportunity.  I chose the path, and the goal mileage was 10.  I got us completely lost... completely... it was insanity, and we ended up finding our cars after 13 miles.  I laughed and laughed (even though I feared Karen would never speak to me again), and I was also shocked how good I felt.

13 miles - Apr. 11, 2010 - Big D Half Marathon - Well, that training run helping a friend that I just talked about... well, I didn't want to waste it, so I signed up for this half the week of the race.  Something I could've never fathomed doing (especially considering I already had another scheduled 3 weeks away).  This was the half marathon that completely changed my confidence about running.  I signed up on a whim, and I felt great the whole race.  I felt like I could've gone further (this was the moment a marathon entered my mind - something that previously seemed completely ridiculous).  Time 2:28

8 miles - Apr. 13, 2010 - Training Run - A friend challenged me to 100 miles in 20 days... I did it!  This was the run that was the final 8 miles on day 20 of the challenge.

13 miles - May 2, 2010 - Heels and Hills Half - I had just run a half-marathon 3 weeks before, but the stars aligned, the weather was perfect, and I felt great... this was my PR race (and still holding). Time 2:19.  It was also the final day of a 39 day running streak totalling 182 miles.

1 mile - May 31, 2010 - American Heroes 1 Mile Fun Run - I also ran a 10K that day, but that was awful... this 1 mile fun run with my middle child, Lily, is probably the single most memorable mile I have ever run.  I will never forget it!

8 miles - Jun 15, 2010 - Training run - I was on vacation in Virginia and was proud of myself for getting up early and pushing through an 8 mile run that had me zig-zagging down way too many small streets in my hometown.  It was just a new environment...  It was odd to have this new me in my old town.

14 miles - Sept. 4, 2010 - Training run - My first time running more than a half marathon, and I felt great.  I ran the whole thing with my friend, Robin, and she kept me on pace.

3 miles - Oct. 2, 2010 - Vineyard 5K - I have never pushed my body so hard in a run.  5K's are a totally different mindset and very difficult for me.  The hills were insane, but I pushed like crazy and pulled off a 28:26 PR.  My fastest miles ever... and the first time I had to lie down immediately after crossing the line.  This was also the only time, in all my races, that I can remember really tearing up.  I was just shockingly proud of the way I pushed.  (It was also the final day of my highest mileage week ever - 50 miles.)

I think I did 101 miles, but I'm not going to dare edit this list.  It is what it is.  And there you have it!

If you haven't already entered, don't forget my necklace giveaway!

What I Eat!

Well, several of you mentioned nutrition when I asked if there was anything I should post about.  I am certainly not a doctor or a dietician, and I, by no means, consider myself to be a super healthy eater.  In fact, I have a ridiculous sweet tooth... especially for cookies.  And I have an uncontrollable Diet Coke addiction that I know I would be better off without.  I love cheese - melted, sliced, shredded, whatever.  Twizzlers and peanut M&Ms mysteriously appear before me from time-to-time.  But I did make some big changes in my diet when I started running.

I used to be the casserole queen. And when I say queen, I mean that I would cook double or triple recipes of several casseroles and separate them into enough to serve the family twice and freeze them. You know what the majority of casseroles entail, right? Cream, cheese, oil, butter, etc. I mean there has to be something to goo it all together. My favorites were King Ranch Chicken, Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Husband's Delight (which has a center layer of cream cheese and sour cream). Mmmmmmm, good. You know what? I honestly can't remember the last time I made a casserole, and I rarely miss them (but apparently the kids do since Lily requested King Ranch Chicken for her birthday).

 

These days my meals look more like this:

Yes, I'm generally somewhat boring with what I fix.  I find the less the preparation, the less likely I am to add fatty sauces or ingredients.  (BTW, I cook most things in just a smidge of grapeseed oil - I love love love the flavored grapeseed oils from WildTree.)  And I have really increased the amount of vegetables I eat.  For instance, 2 years ago, I would've had a sandwich on wheat bread with light mayo and turkey and cheese.  Today, I had this sandwich:

A flatbread with a couple slices of roasted turkey, swiss cheese (sorry folks, I will not give up cheese), dijon mustard, spinach, tomatoes, carrots (yes, I like carrots on my sandwich), and red bell pepper.  I tend to put vegetables into just about anything I can sneak them into (which I never would have done in the past).  If I make a spaghetti sauce, I'm usually chopping whatever veggies I can find to throw in - zucchini, carrots, spinach, or whatever.  Even something indulgent like grilled cheese, I like to add spinach and tomatoes to it.  Same with eggs - spinach, bell pepper, whatever I have hiding in the fridge.  (Yes, mom, I know, I put spinach in everything.)  And for the record, yes, my kids eat it.  In fact their lunches usually have raw carrots and bell pepper.  Sometimes I put raw broccoli in there too. 

I thought I'd share a photo of my casserole days and my current days, but apparently I was never in front of the camera (I'm usually the one taking the photos).  My weight loss was around 30 lbs.  For my height of 5'11", it wasn't a huge difference, but still noticeable.  When I lost weight, I was focused on that.  I wasn't running nearly as much, and I was keeping tabs on my intake.  Now with the amount of running I do, the focus has changed to the training, and I'm less focused on food, although one day at a time, I try to make small decisions that are good.  Enough small decisions in favor of healthy options and it will start to add up.

As for things like carb-loading, I do try to up my carbs about 2 days prior to a race or really long run.  And I do have a standing tradition (which will be interrupted this Friday, though) of eating at our favorite little Italian Restaurant, Cosa Nostra, the night before a race.  Although I do try to stay away from the cream sauces, and I try to moderate the quantity so that my stomach isn't too heavy. 

During a race or long run, I typically eat something every 4-5 miles.  Usually GU or Sports Beans, although I'm looking to change this up a little because I still feel ridiculously hungry on long runs.

Post-race, I seem to crave fajitas.  Mmmmmmmm...  They seem to hit the spot every. single. time. 

I won't talk about snacks, because it's my weakness.  I must work on this.

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my necklace giveaway!!!

What-to-Wear

It is still in the mid-70s here in the Dallas area, although I know that the cold has already hit most of the country.  We don't get nearly as many months of cold as most other places, but when we do, I think Texans are perhaps the most ill-prepared to deal with it.  It never fails on a 60 degree day, that I will see someone in a parka, and on a 30 degree day, I will see some guy in shorts and a t-shirt.

When it comes to running gear, I am sometimes just as mixed up about what to wear.  I am usually the one that is way overdressed because I cannot stand to be cold.  Anyhow, one of the running blogs I love to read because it is so full of information is RunnerDude.  And he had a great post a couple days ago about what to wear on your runs.  So head on over HERE and read it.  If you've ever struggled with what to wear, I think you'll find it useful.


(And don't forget to enter my necklace giveaway!)

Necklace Giveaway!

No review for ya, cause this was made by yours truly... but I thought I'd throw out another fun giveaway for my readers.  Please forgive my stamping - it's an inexact art ... although I, personally, like the organic feel of stamping's imperfections.

Up for grabs is this lovely sterling silver "Live Laugh Run" necklace with freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal.  I etched a satin finish onto the sterling disc.  The length is currently about 20", but I can shorten it to the winner's expectations.  Don't like pink?  I can swap out the crystal as well.  See???  A customizeable prize.  Woo-hoo.

Entry is super easy:

1.  Mandatory - You must be (or become) a follower and leave me a comment stating something you wish I would post about.

2.  Optional - Post about this giveaway on facebook, your blog, or twitter.

That's it.  Winner will be chosen the morning of November 1st.  Good luck!

Conquering Goals (Part 2 of 2)

Many people have asked me if I have a goal in mind for my marathon.  Yes, I do... 4:59:59.  That's my goal.  That is what has been stuck in my head.  I had a fantastic 19 mile run a couple weeks ago that solidified that I can achieve that if I put my mind (and body) to it.  I had a very intense and hard 21 mile run yesterday that told me perhaps that goal was way out of reach.

It is amazing how we can talk ourselves out of victories.  Should it really matter how much I creeped through those 21 miles if I had the mental stamina to keep pushing despite every fiber of me saying stop?  It immediately had me re-evaluating my goals, minimizing my accomplishment, and wondering if I really could pull off another 5.2 miles in just 6 weeks.

My friend, Robin, has a goal... she wants to Boston qualify.  She is very focused on it, and she is truly doing everything she can (including taking rest on the appropriate days) to make sure that it happens.  She is an inspiration.  I know she'll have to really push to reach that goal, but I honestly think she can do it.  I'm just sad that I'll be too slow to be at the finish to cheer for her.  (Passing that duty on to my friend, Jenn.)

But sometimes there are factors that are out of your control - legs cramp, digestive systems rebel, weather turns bad, crowds of runners block the way... whatever it might be.  There are conditions of each race day that make it impossible to predict.  All you can do is train to the best of your ability and then bring it all with you to the starting line. 

The timing of all this in my head is perfect, because guess what was in Runner's World this month?  There was an article about setting goals.  And, honestly, I think this article was right on.  Here's an excerpt from the article "Good Targets" by Jennifer Van Allen in the November 2010 issue of Runner's World:

BEST EFFORT

You can't PR every time you race, and once you've completed a distance, you know you can finish. That's where having goals not tied to times comes in. These targets reflect the effort you put in to do your best given the circumstances. For runners dealing with injury, it may be to get to the start healthy. Those with a history of bonking might try to take in 30 to 60 grams of carbs every hour. The goal can still be performance-related—for instance, aiming to finish each mile within 10 percent of a reasonable goal pace. "If you maintain it for most of the race," McGlynn says, "you'll feel a sense of accomplishment."

A GOOD GOAL?—When you're establishing a performance goal not tied to times, make sure it's measurable, so you can tell if you've met it, says Brown. And don't be afraid to change your mind—even on the fly. "Psychologically flexible runners who give themselves permission to reset goals are often more content with their performance," says Brown, "knowing they've made the most of what they had to offer."

I am officially editing my goal #1 to
1.  Finish the race while still in an upright position.

But despite my doubt, I am going to keep my head on straight and retain my original goal as #2, but with a little side note...
2.  Finish in 4:59:59, but re-evaluate this goal at miles 13 and 20 and stay realistic.

And I'm also going to add some non-time related goals:
3.  Start and finish the marathon un-injured.
4.  Do not start too fast, and maintain a steady pace.
5.  Eat something every 4 miles (I really think this was part of the problem yesterday... you should've seen the pile of rice I packed in post-run.).
6.  Hydrate properly, eat nutritiously, and sleep sufficiently during both weeks of taper.

Surely I can check off a couple of those!  6 weeks and counting until the big day.

Conquering Goals (Part 1 of 2)

I had two major goals for 2010:
1.  Complete a marathon
2.  Run 1000 miles

I am six weeks away from attempting to accomplish goal #1, and I am 118 miles away from completing goal #2 (with 72 miles of racing still on the schedule).

Today, I set out with the goal of getting in a 20+ mile long run.  For the next 3 weeks, I have races - half marathon on Oct. 30th, half marathon on Nov. 7th, and 20-miler on Nov. 14th.  After that, I will have reached taper.  So this was my last chance to get in a 20+ mile run.

If you read my post HERE, you know that my last long run was 19 miles, and other than 2 miles where I was pretty spent, I really felt great about that run.  I wasn't very sore after either.  So I went into my run today knowing that although it would be a challenge, that I could do it.

The "dream" goal was 22 miles, but I also know that I didn't want to break down my body, so I was going to see how I felt on each loop around the lake (9 miles).

On loop 1, my friend, Emily, joined me.  She was getting in her first ever 9 mile run to train for the half at White Rock Marathon.  Loop 1 went reasonably well.  Sure, I was tired but we just trucked right through it.  At the end of loop 1, I stopped at the car.  I refilled my water bottle, guzzled some Gatorade, and grabbed a bag of Sports Beans.  I said good-bye to Emily and headed out on the next loop.

Loop 2 started out really well.  My pace was good and my legs were still moving steadily, but I could not get out of my head.  I know many of you know exactly what I mean.  But the entire second loop was a never-ending dialogue with myself - "you still have 3 hours of this", "oh, that muscle on my upper hiney hurts", "my ankles ache"... and right about when I hit mile 13, my body went straight downhill.  The dialogue turned into "I'm going to die", "I need to walk now",  "Forget walk, how about lying down in the grass", "I think I'm going to throw up."  And I really did think I was going to throw up like those Biggest Loser contestants when Jillian is all up in their face making them run sprint intervals.  My stomach hurt in a way that I have never experienced during a run.  Each tenth of a mile took forever to execute.  My mind was winning... I started taking walk breaks, especially up the hills.  And then the stomach pain got so intense, I couldn't do anything but walk.  All I could think about was mile 18 and finding my car where I would get gatorade and more sports beans.

Finally, I gave up.  You heard me...  I gave up.  I am a pretty determined person, and I had already come to terms that 18 would be my number for today.  I clicked my Garmin, I unlocked my car door, I set out my towel to sit on, I texted my husband,  I started the car and put my seatbelt on.  I guzzled some Gatorade and went ahead and ate some more Sports Beans just to get some calories.  And then the unexpected happened...

I belched.

Yep, that's right, I did... big and loud... and strangely it's not something I do often.  (Emily will laugh at this point because we had a girl pass us that belched loudly and it stunk, and the two of us giggled like school girls... so this was my due punishment for giggling at her.)

And then something else happened...

My stomach felt better.  REALLY???  That's it???  So I put on my big girl attitude, turned off the car, unbuckled the seatbelt and got my rear out of the car.  I did loudly say to myself "I can't believe you are going to do this."  A fellow runner overheard it and gave me the strangest expression, but I did.  I headed back out and ran another 1.5 miles, then turned around and ran 1.5 miles back (although I did need 2 short walk intervals - I kept an eye on the watch to make sure they were short). 

So there you have it... 21 miles.  Well, 21.05 according to the Garmin.  It was painful, it was miserable, it was possibly the slowest I have ever run, but my brain told me my body was shutting down, and I managed to overrule it.

And this run has made me re-evaluate my goals for my upcoming marathon... (to be continued)

14 Days and Counting - the Treadmill!

After spending a weekend in Edom, TX selling this:

I was able to get over my nausea and guilt, and call up Sole Treadmills and order one of these:

Now I have 14 days to figure out how to get my dead treadmill out of my house!  I am so excited.

I know what many of you are thinking... ugh, a dreadmill!  How can THAT be exciting?  You know I have a love/hate relationship with them.  But the simple fact of life is that there are days where they are just unavoidable for me, as the mother of 3 kiddos. 

I run 3 places (untill my recent treadmill death) - outside, gym, and home.  The decision process pretty much looks like this... If I have childcare (my husband is home and will continue to be home until I am done) and someone to run with, I love to get outside.  Usually this is on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  If everyone is healthy, the big kids are at school, and I have no morning appointments/events that I have to attend to - then I go to the gym for the treadmill.  There's better people watching and usually a friend or two there to chat with.  But, if my husband is out of town, the kids are out of school, or a kid is under the weather, or a morning appointment killed my gym window... then I depend on my home treadmill.  And these things occur more often than you'd think!!!

I like to run at least 5 days a week, though I can be ok with 4.  If I miss more than a day or two of running, I can automatically feel myself getting grumpy.  I also find it just dreadful to run after I've been off 2 or 3 days.  The more often I run, the easier each run feels.  I'm just careful to gauge my runs on how my body feels and not be afraid to take a very short, slow run if I feel my body needs the recovery.

Anyhow, I researched for several weeks, and I cannot wait to get this treadmill.  I promise to do a full review once it arrives, and I've had some time to test it out.

And don't forget to read my review below on CEP Compression Socks and use up that coupon code - BLOG15 - at SportsCompression.com .  Perhaps you should write it down and pass it to your spouse for your Christmas wishlist!

A Race Review 5 Months Past Due

First, on a side note, I wanted to clarify about the Jeff Galloway video I posted.  I, personally, do not use this method.  I find it interesting and think a lot of people can benefit from it and it will get them to the finish line.  I, typically, will run the whole race except for water stops.  While I'm interested in playing with this timing a little bit once I get past my marathon, I currently have no real intention of switching over.  However, I still think it's a great method and wanted to share it with those that might adhere to it.  And in response to another comment, I don't stretch either.  I just do a walking warm-up like he does.  I know many runners who do this, but I also know many who stretch pre-run every single time.  There is a lot of information out there for both sides of that coin.

Now, onto something that is way overdue.  A review of the American Heroes Run that was held in Arlington, TX on Memorial Day.  I must've been lax in the blogging back then, but that race was very important, so I want to play flashback for awhile. 

This was the first race I signed my kids up for.  I signed both Patrick and Lily up for the 1K, and I signed up for the 10K with my friend Elaine.  I loved that this race would circle all three major sites in Arlington - Texas Ranger's Stadium, Cowboy's Stadium, and Six Flags.  Anyhow, so my whole family, including my father, hopped in the car early that morning and headed to Arlington.  The kids and I got our race bibs on.

Just before the start of the kid's race, I hear the guy announce that it's time to line up for the 1 Mile fun run.  Huh?  1 Mile?  The website said 1K.  (Yes, I checked later to confirm... it definitely said 1K.)  I knew Patrick could handle a mile, since he's done it with me many times, but didn't know if Lily could.  As they got ready to start, Lily looked scared by all the people, and I realized she was uncomfortable and wasn't big enough to be going that far on her own.  So I hopped out there to go with her.

The kid race started at 8am, and it was already getting really hot.  And we were off.  Patrick took off like lightning, and I yelled at him to SLOW down or he'd burn out.  Thankfully, he listened. 

Lily and I took off very slowly, but kept it steady.  I kept telling her that we could go as slow as she wanted, but we would not be stopping.  Patrick kept pushing forward on his own like a seasoned race vet.  Lily did pretty well, despite feeling tired.  About 2/3 of the way into it, Lily hit her mini-wall.  She wanted to stop.  She was complaining of all the same things you hear when adults race - I'm cramping, my knees ache, etc.  I kept telling her that it would be over soon, but that she had to keep going... no matter how slow.  This is where one of my proudest moments occured... Lily kept pushing her tiny 5-year-old body along and started chanting to herself "You can do this, Lily.  You've got this, Lily.  Keep going, Lily.  You CAN do this, Lily."  Over and over, she chanted.

It took forever (longest mile of my life), but we finally saw the finish line.  She kept going and crossed that line.  I was SO proud.  Patrick was waiting for us at the end.  He came in at about 13 minutes, and Lily finished in about 15 minutes.  Paige was at the finish line cheering.  It was perfect!!!

Well, it was perfect for that moment, cause this is the point where it all went downhill.  So, Lily and I finished at 8:15 and my race started at 8:30... I was thirsty and couldn't find water.  I needed to pee, but the bathrooms were too far away to make it there and back before the start.  So I just found Elaine, and lined up.

It wasn't long before we were off.  At this point I was a 3-time half-marathoner, so I figured a 10K would be a piece of cake... WRONG.  This run was sheer misery.  No shade, no breeze, beaming sun, and not even close to enough water stops.  It was hot on the asphalt and having two water stops was just not sufficient on that day.  My stomach was cramping, I still needed a bathroom, I was thirsty.  Everything was just wrong... and it never seemed to end.  It was just one of those days where it didn't matter how you trained, it was just not the day for a race, and my body said no. 

As I finally came towards the finish line with a ridiculously slow time, my kids run out onto the course to finish with me.  Used to the bigger races, I tell them they can't do that, but my father assures me that many people had finished this race like that, so we ran through.  That was the single highlight of my whole run.

To make the day even more interesting, while I was out suffering a slow and painful run, my family was interviewed by the local news.  When I got my phone back, it was lit up with texts from friends who had seen it.  Go figure!!!

Run-Walk-Run - Week 1 of 4

Most runners have heard of Jeff Galloway and his methods.  He advocates run/walk intervals.  While I, personally, do not follow his methods, I find it really intriguing.  On one of my half marathons, I spent the entire race next to a group of Jeff Galloway runners.  Despite my running the whole time, they would pass me when they ran, then I would pass them when they walked.  We crossed the finish line in virtually the same amount of time, but they looked a lot less miserable than I felt on that particular day.

So this is for those of you that either haven't heard of Jeff Galloway or are new to running and looking for a method that might work, or if you're looking at conquering a new distance - this might be for you.  Olympian Jeff Galloway was recently named the Official Training Consultant for runDisney, and I will be posting a series of 4 videos about his methods.

Week 1:

Run – Walk – Run Method

The Jeff Galloway Run – Walk – Run method has helped thousands of runners get started. By alternating running with walking you conserve energy, reduce fatigue, reduce injuries and run farther. How fast do you need to run and walk? Once you decide your minute per mile goal, you adjust your run – walk pace accordingly. Let’s get training.

So what do YOU think about these methods?  I am, admittedly, curious if it could really make me faster and post-marathon training, might take a few runs to test it out and see what happens.

Happy Birthday Lily!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled running programming to say Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet and very silly Lily!!! 

Newborn

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

(ignore my belly, I was pregnant!!!)

Age 4

Age 5

Happy 6th Birthday Silly Lily!!!