Reflection on my LAST LONG run before 26.2

Taper Madness Day 3 or at least post 3 about TAPER MADNESS.  Today was a great running day.  I had an 8-10 miler scheduled which I knew was easy compared to what I have been doing, but coming off a hard, mental run last week I knew I shouldn't tell myself it would be easy.  I kept an open mind and was open to whatever would happen.  Waking up a little later than usual I had to get moving quickly which is hard to do when you need time to eat and wait before running.  Thankfully hubby was working from home and got both the kids ready while I got breakfast ready.  Breakfast has been so yummy lately.  Doing oatmeal on the stove, (instead of the microwave) I add cinnamon, raisins, walnuts and honey....soooo GOOD.  Reading (from other bloggers) about the Clif Builder bars I had to try them and I ate half of a Peanut Butter one today and they are TASTY.  Loaded the kids and got them to there classes at the gym and got ready. 

I had forgot to tell you that when I bought my glasses I also purchased some Nike Armwarmers.  Our June here in Washington has been less than ideal...we wait all year for Summer but obviously the weather could care less about that.  Oh sorry...rambling again.  Saying all that, it was COLD this morning so it was a perfect day to try them out and I LOVE THEM!  I had tried some on in the store that weren't Nike and they were ok but then I tried the Nike and they were GREAT. 

Ok, My run...it started out great and was feeling good.  I kept trying to decide which route to go and decided on good ol' faithful route which I haven't run in a while.  It's a decent route that takes me up Mile long hill with a little downhill and a little crawl back up with it ending at the base of Nice Hill.  This was a great run, wonderful and just what I needed.  Had to make one bathroom stop, but other than that is was smooth sailing. 

Today's run was a day to reflect on my training and also to Thank God for all he has shown me in the last 6 months.  You start training for a marathon for the physical stuff but so much happens beyond what you you can ever imagine.  Its incredible to see how much you change from training.  The last few weeks, during my long runs have been emotional as I think about how far I have come and the miles I have put in.  Not sure if these emotions will always come out or if it's just first marathon emotions.  Learning that you REALLY can overcome something you never thought possible makes you wonder what else you are capable of.  Reflecting on last year when I finished my first half marathon and said I will never do a FULL and now look, I am a week away from actually doing it.  Training is everything and when you commit and set your mind to something it's really amazing what you can and will do.  It's not easy and at times you question if you can do it.  Well at least I do and did.  But each run, each step, each breath brings you closer than ever before.  That's a GREAT feeling.

Maybe my run was great because of all of this reflection or maybe it was the builder bar or my arm warmers, who knows but it was good. I couldn't believe my splits.

June 17, 2010

Miles: 9.29

Pace: 9:11

Time: 1:25

Calories: 1170

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:07

Mile 2: 8:54

                          Mile 3: 10:17 (Mile Long Hill)

Mile 4: 9:10

Mile 5: 9:02

Mile 6: 9:03

Mile 7: 9:25

Mile 8: 9:36

Mile 9: 8:40

Lap 10: 7:39

Bloggy Meet-up at RnR Seattle?

You know you are slightly obsessed with running when you can't put a book about a runner down.  I am not the fastest reader and really don't read that much unless it's a book I am reading for a retreat or something else.  Though since having kids I have been reading more books for time out quiet time.  Mel lent me a great book, "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner" by Dean Karnazes.  This is such an easy read.  I am a slow reader and this book was finished in 3 days.  I couldn't put the book down. Maybe my endurance through running has made me a faster reader? Maybe?!?  I'm not sure if it's just a great book because I just watched his DVD or what, but definitely worth the read.  He brings up some great points and just to read what he has done is downright AMAZING.  He pushes his body to places I couldn't even imagine.  His story is so inspiring even if I never run an ultra marathon.  It's so enjoyable reading stories about how people started running.  We all have stories of our own and can relate on some level with any runner which makes this community of runners so exciting.

OK so the continuation of "TAPER MADNESS"...finalizing some things for marathon day.  If you didn't already know...Marathon WEEK is next week.  Can't wait for the expo, the bloggy pack meet up for carbo loading Friday night (if you are in Seattle and want to join us, please let me know), and all the other great stuff Marathon Week has in store for me.

We need to figure out a bloggy meet up at the starting line.  I would hate to miss those of you who can't make Friday night dinner.  I would say lets meet at the Porta-potties but since there is a few hundred of them...that could be a BIG problem.  There is a Starbucks there?  Maybe in the parking lot.  WE need a BLOGSPOT sign?!?!?  Any takers on meeting up race day to get a picture and a short meet and greet?

More Marathon advice is needed, but I think I will wait for tomorrows post for that.  I have all sorts of questions on products.  I know you are never supposed to try anything new, but...well that's why I will blog about it later.

Today I will be running my last long run of 8-10 miles...Wowzer!  Watch out.

Taper Madness

Hello Taper Madness!  A few of you warned me, but I don't think I really got it.  How bad can taper be, RIGHT?  I was actually looking forward to it.  Maybe the fact that taper is taper, makes it scary.  You're in the home stretch finally and the idea is actually becoming more real than ever before!  Maybe part of it is the anticipation?  Running 4 miles during taper or not can sometimes be hard so when it does happen during taper week it becomes all mental.   I ran 4 miles on Sunday and Monday and 7 yesterday and when I am done with the runs it feels good but the idea of running 26.2 miles in a few weeks during those runs seems impossible. I had to text Tall Mom a few times to verify that this was indeed normal...she assured me it was.  At the same time I realize I ran 25.23 miles, which is a mile shy of what I will be running and I did it so I know that June 26 I will be able to do it.  It helps that 27,999 fellow runners will be running with me, which will be very encouraging.  The best part will be seeing family and friends on the way and at the finish line, that doesn't happen every running day...can't wait.  Race day is always better than any other day.  Not to mention that a dream of mine is happening...in less than 2 weeks.  So exciting.

I had a great run with my friend, Diana.  We decided to do an evening run which we don't get to do to much with busy, working husbands and children's bedtime.  I love this time of year because it stays light so much later.  We had both just eaten dinner and hour earlier so we weren't sure how that would feel.  I did OK, but the beer Diana had was reminding her that she had an hour earlier.  It was a great evening with clear, blue sky's, which we soaked up.  I love running with friends because it takes your mind off of the run and lets you catch up with each other.  I hope I am able to do more of that this summer.

June 14, 2010 

Miles: 4

Pace: 9:42

Time: 38:50

Calories: 502

Another Madrona run.  I have to say I am really enjoying this course.  I know I have mentioned this before, but it's just a great route that is close to home so it never feels really far away.  I decided as I was finishing up to take a little longer route so I could get an even 7 miles in.  When you feel good, actually even when you don't, but you have time...then push it a little further.  I am always so happy after a run...sometimes getting out there to start the run is not easy but the feeling at the end is FANTASTIC.

June 15, 2010

Miles: 7.01

Pace: 9:26

Time:1:06

Calories: 884 

Running Through Grad Parties & Sunglasses!

Loren rarely travels away from home but got a great invitation to travel with our friend to Denver. He was gone from Wednesday through Sunday which meant a busy weekend for me. I have to say I am so Thankful for my husband and all that he adds to my life. I take him for granted a lot and don’t realize the support he really is to me and our entire family. I missed him and was so happy for him to be home. Sometimes you don’t realize what you got ‘till it’s gone…I should write a song about that…oh shoot, someone beat me to that.

Anyways I say all this because I wasn’t sure if I would get another run in this weekend. (How do all you single parents do it?) We have had a great weekend in Washington with some wonderful, warm, SUNNY weather. I was looking forward to getting a run in to help turn my bad 10 miles around in my head. The only way to fix a bad run is to do another run! I was able to get 4 great miles in and enjoy the houses filled with graduation parties. I think I saw 4 or so parties going on in my short blossom drive loop. The smell of hot dogs is not that great when you’re running and I like hot dogs. Ok…back to my run…had a great pace going and was feeling good. Oh and I was really excited because after a year of running I finally got a pair of running glasses! I was looking forward to trying them out and I LOVE THEM. Sports sunglasses don’t win a lot of awards in the looks department and are so $$$. Glasses cost more than my running shoes…I don’t think so. I found a great pair online at Road Runners for $35.99 and they are PINK. They were the first pair I didn’t hate when I first looked at them…they still look sporty, but hey…you have to compromise in this running world.

Sporting the news shades and the skirt, well the skirt isn't new.

(Max took this...and he didn't cut my head off...this could be good)

June 13, 2010 Stats:

Miles: 4

Pace: 9:03

Time: 36:17

Calories: 504

Max, say Cheese...Saying cheese and looking at he camera phone is hard to do.

Dear Running

I used to struggle with running because, well it was hard. Running was Hard, it was hard to breath, hard to talk, hard to enjoy one moment of one single step. That was then. This is now…Running you are not hard to do anymore, I can breathe, I can talk and I can really enjoy many of my steps, but why running, why do you have to be so mental? Just when I think I overcame the hard part you have to go all MENTAL on me. Though I know running is mental and have experienced that I realize that sometimes being mental can be the hardest obstacle to overcome. Some people run very well when they are angry, I do not.
From,

A Mental runner who had a hard day!

***************

Wow, running is mental. I got to experience how mental it really is, when I did not want to run at all. Due to some difficult family things going on I had a rough few days. Didn’t eat as much as I usually do, didn’t sleep as well as I do…and I love my sleep. I always like to do my long run on Thursday but this week that was not happening. I had to do it Friday which wasn’t ideal since I had plans Thursday night for dinner which included wine, oh well…I will deal with it. I was really hoping that Friday something would click and I would be roaring to go, but sadly that did not happen. I wanted to think of every excuse not to run but I knew I had to get out there. I had 13 miles to cover and I had 2 weeks before my marathon and there was no way I skip it. Hoping that I would be able to process I didn’t turn on my iPod and I decided it would just be a time for me to talk to God about some things. The first few miles went OK, but after that…I just wanted to quit. To be honest I have never had a day like this. I have endured mental, tough runs, but this was on a whole new level. I just didn’t want to do it. I really think the lack of food and sleep in addition to high emotions was playing into this. I stayed close to home and decided to do 3 loops which I never do but figured I wanted to be on auto pilot with no lights and few cars. I decided that I needed to get to 10 miles and then I would allow myself to stop. I was freaking out and hoping I would not have to deal with this on marathon day. Thinking about how Olympic athletes come to major events and compete just hearing tragic news and they manage to do amazing things, I really wonder how they do that. Those are some SKILLS that I obviously do not possess. I did make it to 10 and just stopped and really didn’t care. I wanted to be done.

June 11, 2010 Stats:

Miles: 10

Pace: 9:52

Time: 1:38

Calories: 1272

I am so thankful for my training and all the ups and downs it brings. It does really prepare you for what’s ahead…the good and the bad.  I hope marathon training will forgive me for missing 3 miles.

I have to end the post on a good note:

Blog spot finally brought back spell check...It's about time!  But that wasn't the good stuff I was talking about.  Tall Mom had a birthday celebration and house warming party on Saturday and I was so excited to celebrate with her and see my fellow bloggy friends. Having local bloggers is so great.  Every blogger loves pictures so I had to share some with you...

You probably saw these on Mels' blog, but I knew she would want to share them....

Pretty running LADIES...Zoe, Amanda, Mel, Kerrie and me.

We are running, running and running...come on Cole, keep up.

Prego beats us...Cole is the one who slowed me down.

Running & Hot Weather

Oh wow…I have over 70 followers…That is so exciting. Thank you and WELCOME all new bloggy followers. I really need to get it together and do a giveaway soon. I have been thinking about it for a while now. What have been some of your favorite giveaways? Sometimes the simplest things are the best? Well I don’t know about you…so tell me your thoughts.


A GREAT big THANK you to those who responded to my “Please HELP” post yesterday. A few of you even sent an email with some great info. I love BLOGGY WORLD. THANK YOU for taking the time to comment and to give me some helpful info and thoughts.

Oh running and HOT weather. Ok so some of you might not think it’s hot, but for those of us who have been watching the rain for months now, 65 is HOT, well at least it seems hot, really hot when you’re running. The last two days I have enjoyed my runs in the sun and have been feeling the heat. How do you do it for those of you who run in 85+ degree weather? I was praying today that it would be a cool June 26th day for my first marathon. I would say I was a wimp, but I have birthed two children so that can’t be true.

It’s funny how a route you hate during a speed workout can become your favorite route. I think I like it because it’s in my neighborhood and if I need to I can stop at my house for a bathroom break and it’s mostly on back roads and it’s a challenge with hills at the end. I guess as much as I like a flat course I also like the challenge of the hills, the new hills. Call me crazy, but what runner isn’t a little crazy? Plus the views of the sound and the mountains add to the beauty or it’s the downhill part of the run while I see those views….good views, downhill…it’s all good.

Monday I took the shorter route, about a mile less.

June 7, 2010

Miles: 5.17

Pace: 9:39

Time: 49:52

Calories: 651

I decided to leave my iPod at home and just enjoy my breathing, footsteps and the view. It’s strange how as I am walking out the door with my iPod I question if I should leave it and the first few moments of my run I still wonder if I should have brought it, but then I get so caught up in the run and my thoughts that I forget about it. Strange how I used to think I could never run without it and now I really enjoy the runs with no music.

June 8, 2010

Miles: 6.25

Pace: 9:39

Time: 1:00:15

Calories: 790

My friend, Diana, who I have mentioned before has finally put her blog together. So go visit her and leave her a comment. Welcome to the BLOGGY WORLD Diana! The name of her blog is Done the Run. Tell her I said hi! Diana is not just my friend but also the captain of our “You Go Girl” half marathon and 10k in September. The name of our team “Will Run for Ice Cream”. I can’t reveal it yet, but oh man are we going to have some cute outfits.

Help PLEASE!?!?!

I need your expertise. Pretty PLEASE!!! As you have read in some of my post of my long runs I am struggling with some stomach issues. I wanted to share my theory with you and see if you could help. I am sure others struggle with the same issue. I thought it was the chomps the first few times but now I realize that whatever I take my stomach is feeling sick and sensitive.


My usual plan on a run is to take a gu about 45 minutes into my run. I also take water and nuun for hydration. The first Gu is no problem and doesn’t seem to cause any issues. The 2nd one seems to do okay but after that my stomach just feels sick. On my long runs it just seems that no matter what I do I don’t feel great the last hour or two of the run. It’s defiantly something I can run through but I would love not to feel that way. For my 25 miler I stopped in the middle and had a couple pretzels and a bite of a banana. I also used gummy bears most of the way to see if those would be better than the gu’s. I think the food really helped.

Here is my theory: My thought is that when you run for 3-5 hours you make sure to eat a good breakfast but that usually is 2-3 hours before you start a run/race. By the time you are done with the run it’s been 5-7 hours of just sugar and water without any REAL food. I am thinking that is why I am feeling sick. My friend Janeette suggested I eat on the run and take a energy bar during the race. I think that might be a great idea.   Have you taken an energy bar or food while running a marathon?  I am out of my long training runs so I don't have more time to test it. I can test it on my 13 miler this week, but thats only 2 hours compared to 4 hours...so I won't get the exact science down.

Thoughts?

A fun Saturday!

After the Marathon!  Good job Mel.  Sorry about the straw in the face Dave.

What a busy Saturday. The day turned out a lot busier than I had planned but it was all fun. Just wish I would have been better prepared. I walked out with a hat on thinking I would be back home after a coffee run, but that didn’t happen. It was a lot of running around supporting those we love. I wish I had been able to run the FREE Green River Marathon with Tall Mom and Amanda but I had already planned on running my long run Thursday. I figured I could make it up to be at the finish line. Being a runner and knowing how nice it is to have a familiar face during a run I wanted to be there…I love being at the finish line of a race when the schedule allows it. The day started out at Starbucks with hubby and baby Cole (who is almost 2, but he will always be my baby) and some yummy coffee. Then we went to cheer on Max as he played his last game of the season for t-ball. Even at 4 they can learn a lot!

Alex and Max being silly!

 Then it was off to see my cousin at her MOPS garage sale and then onto see Mel and Amanda. I spoke to Amanda to get an idea of time and location. It was a HOT, sunny day which made me even happier to be heading to Alki which is such a beautiful place. I got to see some of the runners on our way to Alki and was looking for Mel and Andrea spotted her first and rolled down her window and yelled out to Tall Mom. It was at that point that I realized I should have kept my running shoes in the back of the car so I could finish of the last few miles with Mel. Planning better would have been nice. We got to the finish line and waited for Mel to come in and we didn’t have to wait long. She came through and was GLAD to be done. Marathon and Fun…those shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Great job Mel, you did it and had a great time. Then it was off to see my cousin’s, husband baseball game an hour away. Fun day supporting our friends and family. Really that is a perfect way to spend the day.

Cole and Addison at Tim's baseball game! Cutie cousins!

Long Run ReCAP!

Heading out...

I still can’t believe that I ran as far as I did. That is the exciting part of marathon training, pushing yourself further than you ever thought possible. Watching my food for the entire week and making sure I was drinking a ton of water really helped. I was also thrilled that I would have my best friend to run with for the first 10 or so miles which would help me take my mind off the amount of miles I had to run. I was really looking forward to going to Burke Gilman trail and taking in the wonderful sites, not to mention that FLAT trail. I realized that after 6 months of training I am REALLY tired of running around my neighborhood and new sites and views are always a breath of fresh air when you are running, especially when you are running for hours. I packed up the night before so I wouldn’t have to rush in the morning since I had to be out of the house by 8:30 and with kids, that can be tricky. It’s amazing how much stuff you can have for a run. I had 3 bags with clothes, food and all my gadgets. I always like to change after my long runs pretty quickly afterwards…sitting in sweaty clothes for hours after a long run is dangerous.


I was so happy when I woke up and saw SUN because all we have seen lately is RAIN. We got out of the house on time, picked up my friend and headed down to Grandma’s house to drop the kids off. Got to U Village pretty much on time and we headed out for the trail. I took a shot block to get started. It was so fun to run with Andrea and to show her the trail. We often go to U Village for shopping and had never knows about this great trail. She loved it and I loved running together for my last long, training run. The sites were great and we were running at a very easy pace. She hasn’t run for a couple weeks so I was hoping she would be ok. We got to the turnaround point and I started running ahead a little bit and decided to take a GU. I got back to the car at about 11.5 miles and switched out my water bottles and had a few bites of food which ended up really helping before the next half. I saw Andrea as I was heading out and she hugged me and said she would be praying for me, which is what I was going to need.

I was feeling good and knew I needed to go 6.50 miles out and then come back. I kept on running and was taking it slow. After what seemed like forever I was able to turn around at 18.50 miles and head back. Heading back mentally is always nice! I knew once I started hitting some location markers it would go faster and faster. I kept putting myself in mental check as some negative thoughts would creep in which is no good when you still have miles to run. I was having some stomach issues, but I think I will bring that up in another post this week because I need your advice. I was looking forward to the last two miles so I could call Andrea and she could have chocolate milk waiting for me. Just knowing I had someone at the end made it so nice. I started seeing my markers that meant I was getting close which was great. What’s strange is the last few miles always seem to take the longest but this time it didn’t. I was still feeling good, tired, but better than I thought I would feel. The last 2 miles I got some kind of pain in my stomach which stopped me a few times, it was worse than a stitch or side ache, still not sure what it was. A guy ran by me as told me I was doing a good job which pushed me to pick it up and it also put a smile on my face. I have to say that when strangers encourage you on a run…it is one of the BEST things. I pushed through and I was coming to the end I thought I saw Andrea but she was in different clothes so I didn’t think it was her until I got closer and then I started to get emotional. I finished and we hugged and we were both crying. It’s so exciting when someone is on this journey with you; maybe not the physical journey but they are a part of the process in a way. We went back to the car and I ate, drank, changed and stretched my legs. As I was texting someone that I went 25 miles I realized as I typed it out…that is FAR. It’s weird when you see it written out. The whole run took me longer than I thought, but I figured race day will be a different day and run and really, time isn't everything.
Andrea asked me if my marathon will be less exciting because I almost ran that. Others commented that I should have gone ne more miles to make it a marathon. The truth is I want my first 26.2 miles to be at my first marathon on June 26, 2010. No matter what happens on June 26th…it will be exciting. The last 6 months leading up to it has been life changing. I know that my first marathon is going to be great because I made it to the starting line…of a MARATHON…that is a HUGE deal and something I never dreamed would actually happen.

June 3, 2010

Miles: 25.23

Pace: 11:28

Time: 4:49

Calories: 3093

Today I ran 25.23 Miles!

Andrea and I

(after I had already changed, can't stay in running clothes too long)

You read that right, I ran 25.23 miles. That will be my final LONG run until the marathon and now it’s time to TAPER! I am too tired to write about my run right now...I just ran 25.23 miles people. I wonder how many times I could type that throughout this post. Ok, but really the short and the sweet of the run.


I got to run the first half with MY BEST FRIEND and then I headed out for the 2nd half by myself. I felt good the entire way which was so exciting to me. I guess eating right and drinking a TON of water before a long run works, who knew?
My time was not what I was hoping for but I ran the first half a lot slower than I normally would have, but in the end I realized it probably helped me get through the last half with so much energy. I also know that going slow on a long, training run is ok and I really should not worry about it too much. It helped me realize that RACE day is going to be a lot better and I am hoping to reach my goal time of 4:30. I think I can do it!
In the end if you can finish 25.23 miles and still be "ENJOYING THE RUN", that is all that matters.

More tomorrow, I am SLEEPY, plus I want a pop...SEE YA!