Since my marathon

I've been slacking on this blog, time to get up to speed.  Really, this is the best procrastination I can come up with to avoid my online faculty training to teach.  Oops..

Well, I'd always heard running a marathon changes you, just like getting married and having kids can.  BUT, I just took this in stride (pun intended) :) and trained and ran a marathon, not really understanding this philosophy.

They say for something to become a habit it must be repeated for I think 6 weeks.  Multiply that by 3, and you've got newbie marathon training.  Habit set in stone.  I now workout 6 days a week, and if I miss a day, I'm way off.

I decided to run a marathon for a few reasons, some of which I realized after the fact.

1. Running a marathon is a big deal.
2. I didn't want to lose the training from my half marathon.  Which looking back, wasn't  much in comparison.
3. Training is mentally tough i.e. will toughen you up, or make you cry!
4. Running in the dead of the summer heat and humidity is just ridiculous.  So why not try it.
5. Marathon training takes time, and I've got plenty of that.  No distractions here!
6. Get more in shape.  I've heard stories of weight gain and loss, and well I just thought I could be another story of weight loss.  Then I realized my bone structure wouldn't change if I ran 1,000 miles.
7. Join the 1%.  I'm competitive in my own weird way, so if there's a chance I can do some others haven't/can't/wouldn't dream of- I'm usually in.
8. To prove myself, and anyone who ever told me I couldn't, wrong.  I was always just average in everything growing up, and I didn't want that anymore.

The first few weeks after the marathon I didn't really want to run, and when I did I didn't enjoy it.  Apparently this is totally normal, and the fun did return a few weeks out.

Back to number 2 from above, I didn't want to lose all of my training.  That being said I wasn't venturing out in the early morning for any 15 mile runs either.  So I decided to stick with 4 runs a week.  The 3 during the week between 3-4 miles a run and the weekend mileage around 8-11 miles a run.  I've also stuck with yoga twice a week and added strength training twice a week.

My goal is to run a race decent race every two months.  So the marathon was November 18, two months out put me at the January Icicle run 10 miler.  So I just maintained mileage and ran 10 hilly miles in 1:46- not bad considering I hadn't been all out training, and my downhill 10 mile time is a minute less typically.

And in two more months I'll be running the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon, conveniently on St. Patrick's Day.  Maybe I'll dress up like a leprechaun....maybe not.

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! :)