My first Marathon: 26.2 miles in 5:32!

 Well, 26.2 miles are complete!

I received lots of congratulations and many people said how proud they were, as a marathon is an amazing accomplishment.  For some reason I don't look at a marathon as an unattainable goal, like most others do.  I never ran, until 5 years ago at 23.  I played sports growing up, but that was it.  If i can train and run 26.2 miles I truly believe everyone else can, too.  Obviously health concerns do outweigh this option, for some.  I've never been one to sit on the sidelines as life passes me by.  Go live your dreams because nobody else will!!!! :)

So here's my marathon recap in pictures, blurbs, and thoughts..

 The week of the marathon I ran very little and saw friends (what's better than that)?!  One of my friends asked to see my marathon attire, i was too lazy to find my clothes, so I put on the rest.  And this was the result:

After resting and force feeding myself carbs, it was the day before.  I was honestly more nervous driving into Philly to pick up my packet than I was to run.  I am directionally challenged (even with two gps')!  I picked up my pack and holy moly no turning back.  I was "too legit to quit" at this point.  Total side note: having run numerous 5k's, 10 milers, and a half I have a general idea of the people at the expo's- marathoners are a whole other breed, just sayin.

I then ate more carbs.  Can I tell you how much I despised carbs by the end of this training?  The day before I opted for buttered noodles, rolls, and rice.  I didn't want an angry stomach during 26 miles.

Race morning had arrived.  My mom agreed to drive into Philly with me in the morning (even though she had a cold)!  Love you, Mom!  I woke up at 4, or if you ask my mom "3:53am", because I woke her too!  We were on the road by 4:30, because I needed to be there by 6, and well I'm kinda anal and like to be on time,  if not early.  We were parked by 5:45 in Philly, and I wanted my bed.  

We followed all of the other runners out to Eakin's Oval by the Philadelphia Art Museum, what an amazing site.  I found a porta potty in the dark without lines and snuck in (thinking if others hadn't used it, they didn't see it, if only).  I then got some stretches in, or in my mind just an attempt to keep warm.

After stretching commenced I wandered back to the blue corral, in other words, the slow corral.  I have no problem being slow, but when I have to wait an additional 45 minutes to start a run in 30 degree weather, I'm wishing I was fast.  My mom hung around the corral until we started running, so it was a nice distraction. At this point I also got a text from my friends to look for them at 16th street with my face, this in itself made me laugh.   I found the 5:00 pacer and kept my eye on her.  

I did see some funny signs throughout the course.  These are the few I remember:

"all the cute ones run away"

"if a marathon were easy, it'd be called your mom"

"if you were Paul Ryan, you would've been here 2 hours ago"

"free beer"

Throughout the first 13 miles I saw my friends I think twice and my Mom at 13.  As I saw her and told her I was doing it, I heard the announcer say "we've already had a lot of Boston qualifiers".  Great, just what I want to hear 2.5 hours into a marathon- as I have the option to run right and finish 13.1 or turn left and run 26.2.  So I did it, and turned left to run into Manayunk.

My objective was to run as long as I could.  Once I start to add in walk breaks, it mentally screws me up.  I ran 18 miles straight, no bathroom breaks, no water stops, no stops for gels.  My Camelbak, and clif shot bloks really helped.  I had really done a lot of research and was so proud of myself when I ran by lines of people at the porta potties, because I knew when and how much to drink.

Around mile 18 I took a very brief 30 second walk break because a muscle or tendon behind my knee was aggravated.  This happened after my 20 miler, so I knew a walk break could help, and I refused to hurt myself- since I obviously wasn't going to win.

I'm not sure where it happened, but somewhere in the last 6.2 miles my body just said "done"!  I knew if I walked the last 6.2 miles it would be another couple hours for my family and friends and I had the potential to be over 7 hours (aka disqualified) and I refused to let that happen.

My highest training run was one 20 miler, anything beyond that was new territory.  I had created a new mental game to finish this thing.  I would walk 1-2 minutes to rejuvenate and force myself to run 7.  Now during training when I did this it was on hilly, hilly roads and if I had to walk it would be a minute walk after a mile.  

Each footstep was pain radiating throughout my entire body.  I could feel myself cringe with each step, my carboloading had failed me...

Now to all those marathoners who say anything over a certain time isn't a marathoner.  Let me tell you, I guarantee whoever the last person of that marathon was had more heart that day than anyone else out there.  To see people running to the finish when you aren't even halfway through and having hours ahead of you, really messes with you.  You have every opportunity to quit, and most non-runners would've given up hours ago.  We slower runners typically are out there twice as long, and while others may be twice as fast, we aren't in it to win it.  If you think I'm not a marathoner, try running with these hips and butt- then we'll talk.  

I finally got to mile 26 and could see ambulance lights- knowing the finish was ahead I picked up my pace.  And then I saw them, my awesome group of family and friends with signs jumping and screaming, then running part of my last leg of the marathon with me!  I "sprinted" the last .2 of the marathon, or so I thought.  I looked back at my garmin and ran the last .2 at a 10 minute pace.

And I did it!

During the last 6 miles I questioned myself, I prayed, I thought of all those people who can't run, or even walk- and was thankful.  I then questioned why I did this.  When I finished one of my friends asked if I'd do it again, and I said yes.  Knowing what I now know, I need to beat that wall or at least post-pone it!!

Might I add, the warm chicken broth at the end was the best food I have had in life, ever, hands down!

We then went out to eat.  I had a beer and a burger and fries mmmmmm.  Here are most of my supporters minus the photag.  And my large sign with my face....ah hahah.  I now have my marathon signs at home: one with my face, one with all the details of the run, and one that says "run mermaid run"!  

I had no stomach issues before, during or after; zero blisters; zero chafing.  I'd say it was a success.

After 18 weeks I did it, and was so excited and thrilled to say I joined the 1%!  In the days following the marathon I had very minimal tightness.  I am starting to feel the post marathon burn out that people sometimes experience.

I tried to run 5 days post marathon and shouldn't have, the knee pain returned, and I think it may be hamstring tendonitis.  May have to do some cross training for awhile.

Now onto the next thing...

Week 17 of 18: 8 miles in 1:30

ohhh emmm geee!! The Philadelphia Marathon is a week from today.  One week from today: I will have left at 4:30am to head to Philly; started, ran and completed 26.2 miles;  celebrated with family and friends; soaked in a bath full of ice; And...joined the 1%.  Yes, I will be a marathoner- and just thinking about next week gets me more excited than a kid on Christmas morn.

My long run this week was 8 miles, which I took nice and slow.  I finished in 1:30 and that was just fine.  Now on to week 18 of 18- :)!!!

This week I am eating, lightly exercising, and resting.  In theory this sounds delightful, it reality it's not going to be fun.  I have to carb load this week, which in terms of a marathon is a bigger beast than any track meet, or soccer game carbo load I would do in high school.

I need to eat 3-5 carbs per pound of body weight for an entire week.  So I need 405-675 grams of carbs per day, if you're calculating I weigh 135.  This is a lot of carbs, and for a girl who loves carbs to death that's saying a lot.  According to my "research" I should gain 1-3 pounds if I properly taper.  I've never willingly become a glutton and gained weight, this should be funny.

Now that I've divulged my weight, let me discuss marathon training and weight gain and loss.  Prior to this adventure I'd read and heard a lot of women gain weight during marathon training, and men typically lose.  I've spoken to a few people who knew someone who lost 4 dress sizes, or went on to train for a triathlon.

My marathon training weight began at 135, and 17 weeks later is still 135.  Everyone always says you'll lose inches.  I started taking my measurements early on to see if this theory was legit.  My neck, chest, biceps, abdomen, and calves are all the exact same as they were on day one.  My hips and thighs decreased slightly between 1/4-1/2 inch in total.  This is just where my body gains and loses, so with or without marathon training this constantly occurs.

So here I am- the beginning of the end..  Week 18 of 18 is upon me.  So i'll eat like a pig, take airborne to prevent any last minute colds, run a total of 6 miles this week, and prep for the most awesome experience next weekend.

My next post will be post-marathon. WOHOOOOOO!!!!!!! :)

Week 16 of 18: 12 miles in 2:14

I realized i'm almost a week behind on posting again, so today's lunch break is dedicated to keeping this thing on track.

My first week of taper went well.  I've read time and time again that during taper random injuries appear, and you are tired and eat a lot.  I luckily haven't had any issues arise, knock on wood.  I have however become ravenous and with my decrease in running, feel like a blob. 

I did fit yoga in one day I think, or was it two last week?  I also only ran two of my 4 scheduled runs.  I was just tired after running 20, and decided listening to my body would be best.

My 12 on Saturday went well, aside from wearing my full on cold weather running gear- running tights and all it was fine.  I've noticed as the weather went from summer straight into winter, "winter" weather appears to involve more wind, thus making it colder when you run.  I couldn't find my gloves or ear warmers so i just went.  I finished in 2:14 which was a 11.16 minute mile. 

At this point I couldnt care less about time I just want to run my marathon under 5.  As long as my longs runs are under what I need to be at for the marathon I'm not concerned.

I clearly have no recollection of what happened last week.

Week 16 of 18 complete!  It's so close, I now have a bib number. :)

Week 15 of 18: 20 miles in 3:59:50

Well I did it, the peak of training is now done.  How crazy is that?!

This week was a 40 mile week in total according to Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training (which i'd totally use again and recommend to any first timers).  I was scheduled to run 5,10, 5 and the scary 20!! ahhh 20 miles!!

Since I ran 12 on Monday (the should've been 18 from a week prior), I didn't run the 10 during the week.  I ran 5 on Wednesday after a work event, and was still a bit stiff and didn't want to hurt myself before 20.  So this week's total mileage was 37, I didn't do the other 5 mile run.

I was feeling good, and was ready for my 20!  Days prior I had been hydrating and documenting how many bottles of water and gatorade I was drinking.  This sounds weird, but it's the only way I can force myself to drink enough, it has to become a game! ha

The days prior my antibiotic was starting to aggravate my stomach, so there was only so much I could eat.  Knowing that I had 20 the next day I ate lots of rice cakes, a bag of (boil in bag) brown rice, and plain pasta.  If I couldn't carb load like I wanted, I'd at least carb load with some buttered carbs.

I had planned to run roughly 5 miles alone, meet my running mentor to run 10, then run 5 home.  I really liked the idea of breaking up the run.

I packed my clif shot bloks, filled my camelbak, turned on my watch, and started my music- I was doing 20!!  I was actually so excited (I know, who gets excited to run 20), that I kept waking up during the night, like a kid on Christmas.

At this point I didn't care how long it took, as long as 20 miles were complete.  As mileage increases, my speed decreases probably more than more seasoned runners.  I can run a 10 miler in a a bit less than a 10:30 minute mile.  If I kept this pace for 20 I would be done in roughly 3:30.  Given my past runs and being sick I was shooting for 4 hours (also allowing for walk breaks if I had any pain).

I ran 5.5 to my meet my running buddy, ran 10 miles at a conversational pace, and ran 5ish home.  I was having some hip itb tightness and the ball of my left foot aka my small bunion was acting crazy and was throbbing.  My walk breaks were to ease the pain and loosen up the hips.

My 5 miles home were, um, hell.  I ran 5 miles home essentially uphill- which seemed to be the aggravating factor for the hip and foot.  Had I run the entire run home I would've probably been done at 3:50, but I didn't want to injure myself more.  

I do believe I hit "the wall" around mile 19.5.  I had drastically slowed and literally wanted to curl into fetal position on the sidewalk.  After realizing this wasn't the best idea, I pushed ahead, keeping a close watch on the time.

I finished 20 miles in 3:59:50!!  Being that I'm super stubborn I refused to let my watch hit 4 hours. :)

After finishing this run I really questioned marathoners.  I just ran for 4 hours, who on earth chooses to do this?!?  I felt good though mentally, add another hour and my marathon would be done, I hope!!

I hobbled home and sank into a cold bath (while drinking chocolate milk), I don't add ice I think that would just put me over the top.  I then took a warm shower and laid around trying to nap.  I also made eggs with toast to refuel a bit.  And I put on my compression socks! Mmm, i love those things!

A day later I am hobbling, my shins and calves are uber tight, and my compression socks are still on!

Headed toward the start of week 16!! November 18 is coming so much faster.  I'm almost a legit marathoner!! ahhhhh

Week 14 of 18:18 miles..scratch that, 5 miles..

I am really slacking on these entries, but I have a pretty good reason.  The week before last I was still sick, and super busy.  My head cold from hell still had a grip on me and there wasn't much I could do.

I managed one 5 mile run the entire week.  I felt ok during the run, but the next day I think it worsened my symptoms.  By Thursday of that week and having been sick for over a week, I decided the Dr. was in order.  My doctor likes to know you've waited a week plus with a cold to prescribe antibiotics.  So as soon as that week arrived, I was there.

Just as I suspected I had a sinus infection.  Whenever I get a head cold, it immediately turns into a sinus infection.  Since I moved to Delaware this was been the case, without fail.  I'll just blame Delaware for being dirty. :)

I started antibiotics Thursday night and was getting antsy because I had missed two decent sized runs before my 20 miler.  I was starting to freak that my weeks of training would be lost! :(  I talked to my running mentor and she assured me I would be fine.  I had been training long enough and hard enough before getting sick- there was nothing to worry about, but avoiding additional illness and injury.  This was was just the glimmer of hope I needed during the week.

I had taken off on Friday months prior to run my 18, and may have been able to, and then it rained.  Trying to be a responsible adult I knew running 18 in cold and rain would only worsen my symptoms and delay my training, so I didn't run.  I decided to take off Monday as well- to run my 18!

Aside from being sick, taking sick days, and taking vacation days I also had a big weekend ahead of me.  UD homecoming and an event for a young professionals group I joined that benefits the Ronald McDonald House.  I needed to be healthy and ok to be outside two days and drinking.

UD Homecoming went well, definitely not as crazy and wild as we were last year- we appear to have gotten old this year.  Last year we acted like we were 18 again, this year our age was starting to show.  I knew I needed to be ok for my event Sunday and my 18 miler, so I watched what I was drinking.  Last year about 4 of us slept over at a friends, this year just one person did.  This was best  for me though with my event and run lingering.

Sunday's event was perfect, weather was great, great turnout, and a lot of money raised for the House!

So Monday I headed out for my 18 mile run not knowing what to expect.  I had run two 5 milers in a matter of 10 days.  I was sick for 10ish days, and just had a weekend with beer.

I felt ok, not phenomenal, but ok.  I was super tight- not a shocker I had been laying around for quite awhile.  I didn't want to really screw myself up, so I ran 12.  Given all the factors I felt this was ok.

Less than a month to go!!

Week 13 of 18: The good, the bad, and the ugly..

Week 13 started off to a great start!  I had obligations later in the week so I planned to squeeze in some extra workouts early on.  Monday I did Bodypump at the Y before work, then went for a 4 miler after work (before it got dark).  I was feeling good, just a bit tired.  Tuesday I did hot yoga at work, and ran 9 that night.  I was happy to see Wednesday roll around to say the least.  My body had enough..

I was tired, but figured I wasn't used to all this extra exercise.  Before training I would workout 3-4 times a week for about an hour.  This week I did at least 2 hours, 2 days in a row.  My attempts to become superwoman failed me...

Wednesday I worked then had to volunteer and didn't get home till about 9:30.  I unfortunately wasn't as tired as I should've been, and didn't get my traditional grandma sleep in.  During training if I'm home and tired I've been going to bed between 9:30-10- yes at 28 I've taken on the sleep schedule of an 89 year old.  I need at least 8 hours of sleep, if not- watch out, I'm not very nice without food and sleep!  I had also been sneezing a lot, but I do have allergies so figured it would go away.

By Thursday morning my throat was raw, but again I passed it off as allergies.  Thursday night after an after work meeting I planned to run 5.

Here's the "good" of the week:
I've put about ~250 miles on my current Nike's (which is less than I should've according to Hal Higdon's novice plan, but hey I've got a life).

I've noticed my sesamoids starting to ache, and some knee and hip pain returning.  Was it already time for new shoes?!  I don't need broken sesamoids or ITBS again, or ever for that matter.

According to the girl at the running store, yes, yes it was time for new shoes!  Now all you runner's who get 500+ miles on your shoes, how?!  I wore off the bottom heel of my left shoe and the waffles up top were starting to peel.  I do know I walk heavy, and am pretty sure I run heavy, too.  Just the way God made me, I guess.

So I got a new pair of Brooks!  Now my last pair before the Nike's were Brooks Glycerin, and I was in absolute love with them.  I ran my 10 miler and half in May in Brooks with no complaints!   Then they changed them up a bit, and I hated the newest version.  Here are my new shoes which will be on my feet marathon day:

I then went to my after work meeting.  During the meeting I started to feel kind of off, but figured training was getting the best of me and "moved" my 5 miler to the next morning.  I was very excited to try out my new sneaks.

The "bad" of the week:

Friday morning I woke up feeling my death.  I couldn't smell, breathe, and my head felt disconnected from my body.  Thankfully I had already decided to work from home Friday, so I sat on my couch all day in pj's drugged up, doing work.

*On a total side note:  I can't stand when people talk about being sick on social media- there are just some things you keep to yourself.  That being said, as it appears this happens to almost all marathoner's at some point, I felt the need to discuss.

My counter also had turned into a pharmacy:

And I wasn't hungry (during the peak of training), so I forced myself to drink tea and sip soup:

The "ugly" of the week:

Saturday morning should've been my 18 miler- after running 4,5, and 9 during the week.  This obviously didn't happen.  Saturday also was a going away party for my cousin who is moving to Colorado, today.  I didn't do anything Saturday besides some work, and taking medicine.  I was so upset I couldn't run 18 and missed the going away party, I could've cried.

After researching, it appears a lot of marathoner's (especially newbies) get sick at the peak of training or during taper.  This made me feel better, a bit.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to fit in my 18 miler.  Do I run that this coming Saturday instead of the recommended 14, before the following weeks 20?  Or do I shift everything back a week, and lose a week of taper?

There are only 5 weeks till this marathon, and as far out as that seems, after training for 13 week thus far, it's not!

To be continued..

13 weeks complete, 5 to go! :)

Week 12 of 18: 12 miles in 2:12:48

Wow, I feel like I just started blogging and I'm already 3 months in, and accomplished at that!

This marathon journey has definitely been interesting.  It's amazing to see how far you can push yourself (and your body) without losing it!

Some of my runs have been easier than others, and some morning's like yesterday I wanted to stay curled up in my warm bed.

If I run on a Saturday I usually veg out on my couch with a huge bowl of pasta and a movie.  I think at this point I've seen every comedy the local RedBox has, they need to add more movies!  A few Friday's I've gone out to dinner and as long as I eat carbs with a bit of protein I'm ok for the morning run.  I've starting turning down alcohol the night before like someone avoiding the plague.  That being said if I happen to have any beer in my fridge after a long run, i'm drinking it (even at 10:30am).  Nothing tastes better.

So yesterday I woke up at 6am while it was dark and rainy out, and stared at my alarm.  I had been in a deep, deep fantastic sleep and was uber confused why my alarm was going off, "yesterday was Friday", or so I thought, why was this going off.  Then I remembered, oh yea only a 12-miler.

Earlier in the week I was talking to a friend and after she asked what I'd be running this week, I responded with "oh, only a 12 miler this week".  Did those words just come out of my mouth?  Only 12 miles, who am I kidding? Prior to my half in May, 10 miles was a long, hard run.  What on earth is happening to me?!?

So I begrudgingly dragged myself out of bed.  I made my toast with jelly and had a big glass of water with nuun.  I've somehow trained my stomach to behave before these long runs, so I don't feel sick after- it's awesome!  I got dressed, grabbed all my stuff and was out.

It was around 7:15 when I finally got out.  It takes me longer to get ready for a run than it takes me to get ready for work.  Oh well, whatever works.  I started and just wanted my bed, it was brisk, but it was a clear, sunny morning.  

I've started to notice I run better after I start taking fuel.  I don't know if this is all mental, but usually 1.5 miles after taking my clif shot bloks, the run is much easier.  Maybe I'll start taking a few bloks before I head out the door to top off my glycogen stores (or lack thereof).  

I had a pretty good run, my head was clear and I was just going.  My runner's high did kick in, but so did some pain.  I think my lack of yoga the past few weeks is catching up to me, I need to get my "om" back!

Towards the end of my run as I was running uphill two women passed me.  Now in my defense I was 10 miles in, and frankly I was mentally over it.  It really bothers me when people pass me, I'm just a bit competitive.  I know I will never win a race and that's not my reason for doing it, but when people pass me on the road, I get mad.  The first woman was killing it and had someone following her on a bike- get it girl!  The second was running like it was the best thing, ever!  She almost looked like a ballerina dancing up the hill- and was the quintessential "marathon build"- long and lean.  

I on the other hand felt like a dead horse trying to drag myself up this hill, then I had a moment.  Neither of these women had fuel, water, or music.  It was very possible this was their morning 4 miler and in that case, I'd be just as peppy.  So at this point I got over myself, and kept running.

I finished my 12 miler in 2:12:48, 8 minutes faster than my last 12 miler!  Whether or not I felt accomplished it was faster than the last, accomplishment enough.

After my run I went out for the day and did a lot of walking.  I am not stiff, sore or in any sort of pain today. I'm definitely dragging myself out after my 18 and 20 milers in the upcoming weeks.

Week 12 of 18 complete!!! 5 weeks to go..where'd the time go?!

Week 11 of 18: 16 miles in 3:10:43

This week was crazy, plain crazy.  Work was busy, after work activities and meetings were busy, I volunteered, oh and yes, training.  

Here's the short version (since blogger just deleted my long version):  I was supposed to run 4,8,4 this week and 16 on Saturday.  After the above activities and being invited to a Phillies game the night I should've run 8, I ran one of my three runs during the week, the 4 miler.  I also wasn't hydrating like I should've been all week, or carb loading a day or two prior.

This all lead up to what I consider my worst training run.  There were lots of things I didn't do this week, so it could've been any number of variables.

I met my running buddy so we could begin these runs.  I was running 16, Amy had to run 18.  We both laughed at how ridiculous we looked with our running gear, and how we look pretty legit!  After letting our gps' find satellites, we were off.  About 2 ish miles in Amy had to stop with chronic calf pain she's been battling, after a recent half.  I continued ahead hoping this would be a smooth run, not the case.

The entire 16 miles I felt like the tin man- stiff, and feeling like I needed a can of oil for my muscles and joints.  As I ran I realized this is why everyone says hydration is key- and I can attest to that 1000%.  I felt like an old woman trying to walk up a flight of steps- never, ever, ever again will this happen.

Aside from pain I found another porta-potty about 6 miles in.  I would love to see how ridiculous I look running up to these parks specifically for the porta-potty, then back to the road.  I of course choose the peak people hours, so everyone around I'm sure sees me or hear's my ice jiggling in my Camelbak.

I experienced no runner's high yesterday, not one ounce.  I was hurting, and my body knew it.  Never in my life have I watched the clock and miles so closely, and wanted to give up every time the song on my iphone switched.  I knew I would do 16 whether it meant walking the last 5 or not.  Beyond mile 10 I started taking long walk breaks, trying to revitalize my joints.

Instead of running two big 7 mile loops I ran one and ran up and down this once nearby hill 5 times, easily.  Anyone driving by probably thought I was one of those crazy people who talk to themselves.  After mile 11, I started getting really upset with myself and knew it would be nowhere near my time of 2:44 for my 15 miler last week.  I would look at my gps and shake my head out of disbelief.

Finally 3 hours and ten minutes later I finished 16 miles of pure torture.  I really understand the purpose of training runs, to find out what works and what to avoid for the marathon.  Well, this past week was a learning experience to say the least.

I can't believe how close Philly is.  11 weeks complete and done, 7 to go!!!!!

Eeekkkkk :)

Week 10 of 18: 15 miles in 2:44:22

Well, I did it.  I ventured into the unknown and in my opinion, had a phenomenal run.  I now understand why runner's, well, run.  It was such an amazing feeling to prove myself wrong.  There are always people who thing you're nuts, but to prove yourself wrong is the best feeling in the world.  

I left the house around 7:15 and started running around 7:30.  Usually the first three miles I'm running through mental games and random aches and pains.  This is usually the point where I want to quit.  

I ran my normal short loop, then down and up a pretty hilly stretch nearby.  I knew there was a 7 mile loop that was part of the route I ran the past few weeks, but I never investigated.  I also had been told the hill on this road is never ending, and is worse than the dreaded hill in Manayunk for the Philly Marathon.  I figured if I could do this, I could do the hill at the marathon.  Looking ahead this mountain of a hill looked horrific.  Somehow as I was running it didn't seem as scary as it looked a half mile away.

I changed my fueling for this run a little bit.  I had 3 clif shot bloks every 4 miles and this really, really helped my run.  I also had my good ol' Camelbak with water, so I was good to go.  

The temperature this morning was in the low 50's, which is prime running weather.  I've always enjoyed running in the cold, I really enjoy running right after a snow- it's so peaceful and calm.  Since it was brisk I didn't end up needing any electrolyte tabs, and still had water left when I was done.

I ran the hilliest route of training today.  The elevation gain for today's 15 miles was 974.  I'm just excited I can run hills- BIG hills.  Once this marathon comes I'm going to be faster because of my hill training, and I can't wait!!

Best of all my 13 mile split was 2:22- 9 minutes less than my 13 miler two weeks ago.  Seriously, I went from 2:31 to 2:22 for my 13 mile time.  This was just the boost I needed to finish strong.  I finished running uphill in 2:44:22!!!!

As I was running my last mile, uphill, I decided I deserved a "snack".  So i continued running my 15 and ran to WaWa.  The benefits of living near farmland and WaWa, you have a scenic route and can run and get a drink.  I went into WaWa looking like some homeless, hiker woman.  I had on my gps watch, my camelbak, my iphone on my arm, and my running gear- I'm sure I was a sight.... and I definitely got some strange looks.  I then walked home.

Week 10 of 18...DONE!!! Still holding strong for my 5 hour marathon, and after today's run, it could happen!!! :)

Week 9 of 18: 10 miles in 1:45:30

So after realizing I totally forgot to post my last 10 mile run, here it is.

10 miles has now become a bearable, shortened run of what's to come.  It's funny when I've trained for and run the Broad Street Run the past four years, 10 miles was a lot, a whole lot.  I used to be very conservative with what I did the night before, and what I ate.  I've now realized 10 miles it just another run.  My fear has now shifted the the pending 15, 16, 18, and 20 milers I have ahead of me.

I didn't get out till around 7am, when it was light enough to see everything, and everyone could see me.  One of the disadvantages of running this alone, is that I don't feel safe running in anything less than bright sunshine in well traveled areas.  So I was off, and was excited because it was in the low 70's- haven't seen running weather like that this entire training.

I also have some blisters that continue to reemerge during these longs runs.  I'd read that a lot of people use duct tape on their blisters- and it seemed like the next logical step.  So here are my poor feet before (in need of a pedicure, I know).

And I couldn't just go with plain old duct tape, I liked the pink. :)

I taped both toes since my second toe likes to rub on my big toe, and my big toe rubs in my shoe.  I also had a blister under the ball of my foot, and since I was afraid the duct tape would move due to sweat, I taped aroud my entire foot.

About 5 miles into the 10 I knew the tape had moved, and thought it was irritating the current blister.  Not exactly the case, here is my duct tape experiment after the run:

I've learned when duct taping feet to prevent current blisters from rubbing, don't assume you aren't creating new ones.  I had a new blister in the arch of my foot from this great idea.  The duct tape around my right big toe also started to split.  Not sure if I'll try this again, I clearly need to research some more.

The duct tape was the only real issue I had this run.  Weather was great, camelbak still had some water left when I was done, and my clothes weren't moving around, no real complaints.

This also marks the halfway point, 50% of the way there!  As tiring as this process is,  can't wait for the marathon.  I'm glad I had a good 10 miler this past weekend, because my 15 this weekend is really scaring me.  Honestly, how many people choose to run 15 miles....

Only the crazies, which I am now totally embracing.  I'm proud to be that crazy person with enough dedication and motivation to do something that not everyone will attempt to do in their lifetime.  I'm excited to be a part of that 1%.  :)

9 weeks down, only 9 to go!!

Philly Marathon I'm coming, and I'm going to finish...

Two a days..

I've started doing two a day workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Work offers Vinyasa hot yoga these days during lunch, and since I know I need stretching , I do both..   

As long as I hydrate properly it goes well and I feel awesome!!  I did yoga today and ran 7 tonight in 1:11, 7 minutes less then my last 7 miler weeks ago.  Yippppppeeee!

I was pretty proud of myself so this needed to be documented.

The end.

Week 8 of 18: 13 miles in 2:31:42

Well, I did it!  I successfully ran 13 miles just exploring- no parks or people, just me and the road.  I've decided the best way to explore a new area is to run it.  I saw more today running around and exploring than I've seen the year I've lived here.  My biggest battle running where I live is dealing with hills.  Every hill I ran down I had to run back up at some point, there's no flat 13 mile trek here, which is a good thing.  It reminds me of where I grew up in PA.  :)

I've now come across two people that I know from a local non-profit who've completed marathons.  My best bit of marathon advice, is to seek out other marathoner's for advice.  I've got the male perspective of running the Philly Marathon and was told "Go eat whatever you want.  I was eating pizzas, burgers, and beers when I trained for that one...and finished in 3:30".  Then I've got the women's perspective of "drink at least 80 oz of liquid the day before a long run, preferably 64 oz of water and the rest in a sports drink.  Then at miles 3, 6, 9 fuel with either powerade, chews and/or electrolyte tabs.  It's all mental, you can do it!".  This is also someone who runs faster than I could ride a bike and has completed Boston- someone to admire, because I'll never be at that level.  So given the fact that if I ate pizzas, burgers, and beers everyday I may turn into a blob, I decided to stick with the woman's advice, and it worked.  Shocker..

I ate well yesterday, but didn't starve myself of anything I truly wanted and hydrated using the above formula.  I also bought nuun in strawberry lemonade.  I had seen it at the sporting goods stores, but had no idea of it's purpose. It basically supplies the same stuff as gatorade and powerade, but with only 8g of sugar.  It's also a lot lighter, and almost has a bit of a fizzy taste.  I drank two glasses of that yesterday, instead of the sports drink.  I'll be using this again for sure, and it doesn't hurt that it's pink.

I also tried new fuel this week, again.  This time I bought the clif shot blocks.  I haven't tried them before because you can't see what they look like, the package hides them.  I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but with stuff like this I want to see texture, size, how many there are, color, etc.  I ate two at miles 4 and 8 and had one at mile ten.

Around mile 10.5 I decided I needed something more than water and dropped two nuun tabs into the remaining water in my Camelbak.

So speaking of the Camelbak... When I bought this thing I thought people were going to think I'm nuts running with this (because that's what I used to think when I saw people with them).  I only ended up passing two runner's today, since it was just me and the road.  The first runner I passed about 2 miles in and she also had a Camelbak, then around mile 6 I passed a guy with a Camelbak, too!  I was happy I wasn't the only one running in the 97% humidity with my Camelbak.

My run today cleared my head, I have no idea what I was thinking about while I ran, I honestly don't think anything.  I was more distracted by cars not hitting me to think.  I did find another bathroom on today's route- and this wasn't a porta-potty, this was a state park shed- like potty over (I'm pretty sure) a hole in the ground.  At least it was a solid structure, I guess.  Must've been around mile 6, considering it looks like I was at a turtle's pace (see below).

It also rained for a few minutes about halfway through my run, which was nice with all the hills.  Check out these hills, and YES I ran them all!!!

The best part of all: beating my half marathon time from May by 2 minutes.  Given the hills were NOTHING like this and the humidity doesn't compare, it's happening- I'm really starting to become a "runner".

Week 8 of 18 complete.  Almost halfway there, 10 weeks to go.  Bring it on Philly Marathon!

Some things I've learned, so far..

After my 12 miles this past weekend, I feel like I've entered a new part of training.  The part of training where I don't care how long it takes, how nasty I look, or how horrible I feel.  If I have a run, it's happening during the week no matter the length of the run, the weather, or if I'm up for it.

Runner's High

The runner's high has taken on a new meaning.  After my 12 miler Saturday I showered, ate, and took a nap.  When I woke up I decided to check out some local places, since I haven't really explored my new area- even though I've lived here for a year.  Can't believe I've been a homeowner for a year!  So I was exploring and realized I passed the natural food store I had been looking for, so I needed to turn around.  I made a u-turn and thought the road was pretty narrow, but my car is small it would be fine.  Well if only my poor car had been fine.  As soon as i turned I thought I cleared the guardrail...and didn't.  I was going slow, so it wasn't an accident, I'd like to think of it as: an incident.  The right front bumper scraped as I turned. 

Now this is the interesting part:  normally this would happen and I would freak, not on Saturday.  I was definitely on my runner's high still and thought "oh well, I'll get it fixed eventually, no biggie".  They say the runner's high lowers anxiety levels drastically and the body reacts the same way it does to a drug induced high.  Can't say I ever was high, so I have no comparison- I prefer the free, natural way.  Now to avoid driving the next few weeks after my long runs should be interesting, I may not have a car by the time the marathon rolls around if I keep doing this!

Running Shorts

It's no shocker that I have issues with running shorts, when I have issues with everyday shorts.  Shorts no matter there shape, constantly move and shift and ride up- ohhh these hips.  I bought a pair of UnderArmour heat gear shorts that were 5 inches long, so I figured they'd be ok.  They weren't "booty shorts", so they shouldn't ride up, right?  Wrong.  I figured I'd wear them around the house and see where they ended up, within ten minutes I realized they were going back.  I exchanged the shorts for another brand of 7 inch spandex black shorts (because they keep you cooler than plain running shorts- and I don't like the leg jiggle).  

After speaking with the woman at the running store she mentioned "hippier, pear shaped women" can't wear the cute, short running shorts- because like I said, they roll and shift, and give everyone else a show.  Apparently anyone with thighs as well has this problem if the shorts hit at the wider part of your thigh, which is why it's best to go a bit longer.  If I wasn't training for a marathon and was told by more than a handful of people about my hips and thighs, I may take offense.  However, these big, strong legs are getting my through 26.2!  The new shorts worked like a charm.  I also used bodyglide for the first time tonight during my 6 miler and was cool and had no chafing!

Recently the humidity in Delaware has been oppressive.  I forgot that I didn't live in Florida.  It's like running through a tropical jungle, yuck.  I got home and was soaked from head to toe, again.  I've been over hydrating to avoid headaches and muscle stiffness, all I do lately is eat, sleep, and run.  You know it's bad when your pregnant co-worker in her 9th month says, "boy, you look tired today".  Only 2 months left, and I can regain my life.  :)

Week 7 of 18: 12 miles in 2:20:45

12 miles, I respect you.

Summary of this week: ITB stretches, getting over being sick, porta-potties, experimenting with fuel, getting blisters, chafing, lack of daylight.

The ITB hasn't been crazy, but my 10 miler two weeks ago aggravated it- causing some walking.  I was trying to figure out who to see or what to do with the ITB, when I had an aha! moment. One of my friends from college is an athletic trainer at a local university- why didn't I think of this sooner!  

So, I asked him how to fix my ITB woes.   He had me come in to assess what was happening, and by assess I mean tons of one-legged squats and lots of balance - no thanks.    After this it was determined my ITB is crazy because my big ol' hips are weak.  Now in my mind big = strong, so big butts are muscle, wide hips are strong- you get the point.  Apparently this is not the case, and a lot of women with "bigger" hips, have big, weak hips.  Really!?  How is this possible, God clearly is playing a trick on me, this is not cool.  I have 40 glorious inches of weakness, great..

So I left with some good stretches and ways to strengthen the hips, and haven't had pain this week, yet.

I did yoga twice this week at work and ran my 3 mid-week runs.  The 3 milers were ok, I ran them in less time than I did when I started this adventure.  The 6-miler was tough, but I did it.

This all was leading up to my run of the unknown today:  12 miles.  I've run 12 miles once in life- and that was my half-marathon in May.  This was proof in itself running is mental, because boy I really freaked myself out on this one.

I woke up at 5:45 thinking I could start running by 6:15.  Another thing I didn't take into consideration was daylight.  I woke up to complete darkness- and then wasted 45 minutes getting myself ready.

I filled my Camelbak, grab my gps watch, ipod, and cooler filled with drinks and ice (which I conveniently spilled all over the floor before getting it in the cooler- sorry downstairs neighbors).  I got to the park as the sun was rising..it was beautiful.  :)

I started running and within the first two miles realized I overhydrated and needed to find a glorified porta-potty.  Now I've been running for 5 years, and never had this issue, but for some reason twice in the past week I've been running to the porta-potties.  There is a fine line with hydration and running, and I clearly have no clue what it is.

I also let my watch keep going, because if this happens at the marathon I need to be realistic with my time "goals"- aka finishing.  I then continued on and honestly struggled a whole lot.  I kept needing to take walk breaks to breathe- I really think that cold virus is still lingering in my lungs.  I don't normally require breathing breaks, usually knee pain starts my walking.  So this started messing with me because my goal time for today was 2 hours flat, yea that didn't happen.  

I also was using new fuel today, which was recommended by the guys at EMS.  I like Gu, but it starts to become sickeningly sweet after 2 plus hours.  I would add a picture, but my computer is acting crazy and I just don't have the patience.  I used Honey Stinger chews in pink lemonade for today's run.  The verdict: they taste good, but I found myself needing one every mile- and having to dig the bag out of my camelbak 12 times during the run became quite annoying.  Need a new fuel source.

Today everything just seemed to happen, not the way I would have planned.  I'm a total planner so again, this messed with me.  I had mild blisters on my big toes from my 6 miler during the week, which became full on blisters today.  Ouch!  I also experienced for the first time ever chafing, and it wasn't my thighs.  I guess since my shorts ride up I always expected to have thigh chafing, nope not today.  Between the tank top I was wearing, my camelbak, and my iphone case my underarm is raw.  Definitely investing in some moleskin and bodyglide for future long runs.

And last but not least I was sweating like a pig.  I'm fair skinned so I immediately turn bright red upon any physical exertion, and usually sweat a lot.  Today I was dripping, and I don't drip.  I got home and looked like I had taken a shower, my thick hair was drenched- every last piece of it.

So after just waking up from a nap and showering I can say I'm still excited for this marathon.  During today's run I questioned why I was doing this, as young high school and college girls pranced by me looking like gazelles with no sweat to be seen.  I'm doing this for me, and nobody else- and that in itself is fulfilling.

Week 7 of 18 complete!  11 weeks to go- time flies when you're having "fun"! :)