Hey, I'm actually back! Guess I just needed a break from everything while we made the big move to NC. Yep, that's right, we've moved! It was a HUGE endeavor, but we all survived it and we are happily enjoying the new surroundings and weather! The south IS much warmer and a more delightful place to run. I just can't get over the fact that I'm still running in t-shirts, pants, and only one pair of socks! It's so great! I even got to wear shorts twice last week due to the warm front that brought in 70 degree days. :) Surely beats the sub zero temps of frigid MN.
Well, I managed to pull out another marathon since Grandma's (June 21). I finished the Raleigh marathon in early November and am pushing forward to do Myrtle Beach on valentine's day. The funk had ended by the end of August as I began running with a running group on the local trails. Despite a recent issue with my calf muscles/shin pain, I've been doing great. I am looking forward to running in Myrtle Beach along the ocean!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
It's a "FUNK" thing....
I can't begin to tell you the amount of stress I've experienced over the course of the past month or so. Life has been a whirlwind, an upheaval, an up hill climb all the way. Grandma's marathon was an exhilarating race but since then, well let's just say I've been in a funk.
Our house has been on the market nearly 2 months and it finally sold just 3 days ago. It wasn't a smooth process either, lots of back and forth battling to finally get to the last bit of paper work. So, with that done, we are moving tomorrow. I have been packing nearly everyday for a month and I'm finally down to the last bits to be packed. During this time, our foster baby was brought back to her parents so that was an emotional time for us all. She left our home just 2 days before Grandma's so I had many thoughts to think through during the 26.2 miles. The situation with this baby and her family isn't good so the case will stay open through September, we're still hoping we'll have a chance to adopt her.
Running? That's a different story all together. I've tried to at least run 3 days/week but even that feels like a struggle. I find myself needing to stop at least once each time I run and I'm only going 6 miles each time!! I think mentally I'm toasted, that's the major problem. The other is that I was so focused on succeeding at Grandma's that I really went overboard with the vitamin regime, eating properly by depriving myself of sweets/junk, cutting out Coke, drinking gallons of water, yuck!! Now, all I feel like eating are sweets, junk food, red meat, and any drink BUT water. The saving grace has been my running partner! She's finally been healthy enough to run 5.5 with me so that leaves me with NO excuses when she shows up at 6:30am. We even swam one day at Bush lake even though I was so freaked out by the dark, murky water that I wouldn't swim past the buoy with her!!
So, now the moving truck comes first thing Monday morning and by the afternoon, we are all in the car for the 20 hour drive to NC. I'm looking forward to the new scenery, nicer weather, and new running paths. :) Then we'll unpack all the boxes I just packed.
Our house has been on the market nearly 2 months and it finally sold just 3 days ago. It wasn't a smooth process either, lots of back and forth battling to finally get to the last bit of paper work. So, with that done, we are moving tomorrow. I have been packing nearly everyday for a month and I'm finally down to the last bits to be packed. During this time, our foster baby was brought back to her parents so that was an emotional time for us all. She left our home just 2 days before Grandma's so I had many thoughts to think through during the 26.2 miles. The situation with this baby and her family isn't good so the case will stay open through September, we're still hoping we'll have a chance to adopt her.
Running? That's a different story all together. I've tried to at least run 3 days/week but even that feels like a struggle. I find myself needing to stop at least once each time I run and I'm only going 6 miles each time!! I think mentally I'm toasted, that's the major problem. The other is that I was so focused on succeeding at Grandma's that I really went overboard with the vitamin regime, eating properly by depriving myself of sweets/junk, cutting out Coke, drinking gallons of water, yuck!! Now, all I feel like eating are sweets, junk food, red meat, and any drink BUT water. The saving grace has been my running partner! She's finally been healthy enough to run 5.5 with me so that leaves me with NO excuses when she shows up at 6:30am. We even swam one day at Bush lake even though I was so freaked out by the dark, murky water that I wouldn't swim past the buoy with her!!
So, now the moving truck comes first thing Monday morning and by the afternoon, we are all in the car for the 20 hour drive to NC. I'm looking forward to the new scenery, nicer weather, and new running paths. :) Then we'll unpack all the boxes I just packed.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Triumph of Victory
Pre race moments were fabulous! I went up to Duluth with a friend, Renee, who was running the half with a cousin. We headed to the expo for a few hours and then back to our hotels. I had a great dinner, drank plenty of water, took a hot shower, laid out all my clothes and pack up my race bag. I stayed by myself which gave me some much needed quiet time, time of reflection, and relaxation. After having such a stressful week, this is exactly what I needed. I managed to get into bed by 9:15pm and didn't have any trouble falling asleep. 
Wake up call was at 4:45, did my stretching, drank more water, felt too nauseous to eat so I just had some pretzels. Hopped on the bus at 5:45 and headed to the start line in Two Harbors, about a 45 min. ride. I spent time reflecting on the race and trying to keep my nerves in check. My first goal: qualify for Boston with a 3:45:00 time. Second goal (in case I didn't get the first one): sub 4. I felt determined, ready to run, hopeful. My family had been sending me text messages full of warm thoughts, prayers, encouraging words so I had plenty of thoughts to keep me running.
Finally, the bus dropped us off with all the other thousands of runners. It was chilly at the start, about 50 deg. or so. I kept my sweats on while I stretched and waited in the port-a-potty line. I then made my way to the start line near the 3:30 balloons. Finally, we were off at 7:30. The sun was shining, the wind was barely blowing, and the flag was green-a go. I felt pretty good in the beginning! I kept an 8-8:15 min/mi pace for several miles and felt great! I was on pace for 3:45 up until mile 18, then I began to fall apart. I was ok physically, but not so much mentally. I struggled to find good thoughts, felt like quitting, wondered why I was doing this again, thoughts about Twin Cities big flop of a marathon crept in, and the sun was scorching my back. The flag had gone from green to red, temps were now in the 70's and it was getting hot. I kept well hydrated, walking through every water station, and took Gu's every 5 miles. Finally, about mile 21 I got a second wind, a new found energy, a desire to still reach my goal. I felt within myself that I could do this, I would succeed, and I could still attain my second goal of sub 4. My mile splits were better and I felt better. Finally, I could see the finish line and the cheering crowds of people and Renee, and I knew I was going to do it. The announcer was counting down the clock for people to sub 4, so the sprint was on! I did it!!!! I barely squeezed by with a 3:59:08 finish time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's my medal on top of my shoes that carried me all the way through. :) I still couldn't eat after the race but I sure want
ed to relax in the grass by the water, so I did. It felt heavenly to feel the victory in my heart, to know I did what I had set out to do, and to think that mentally I stayed strong till the end. Wow, it's amazing. I spent a lot of time on my phone with my dad going over the play by plays of the race, the breakdown, and how it was. My family took turns chatting with me and sharing the excitement with me. It was exhilarating.
The finish line was in Canal Park, in Duluth. Here's the big draw bridge that went up several tim
es while I laid in the grass contemplating what I had just accomplished. I spent some time standing in Lake Superior to cool off my tired muscles, even though the water was only 35 degrees, once you go numb then it's not so bad. :) This was a fabulous victory for me, with all that's been going on, all that I've been stressed out by, and all the years of unsuccessful marathons/training due to injury, this was the icing on the cake. I'm in heaven (well, an earthly heaven.)
ed to relax in the grass by the water, so I did. It felt heavenly to feel the victory in my heart, to know I did what I had set out to do, and to think that mentally I stayed strong till the end. Wow, it's amazing. I spent a lot of time on my phone with my dad going over the play by plays of the race, the breakdown, and how it was. My family took turns chatting with me and sharing the excitement with me. It was exhilarating. The finish line was in Canal Park, in Duluth. Here's the big draw bridge that went up several tim
es while I laid in the grass contemplating what I had just accomplished. I spent some time standing in Lake Superior to cool off my tired muscles, even though the water was only 35 degrees, once you go numb then it's not so bad. :) This was a fabulous victory for me, with all that's been going on, all that I've been stressed out by, and all the years of unsuccessful marathons/training due to injury, this was the icing on the cake. I'm in heaven (well, an earthly heaven.)Here's the breakdown:
(for those of you who want to know)
mile 1- 8:15, mile 2-8:02, mile 3- 8:09, mile4-8:18, mile5- 8:07, mile6-8:38, mile7-8:14, mile8- 8:29, mile9- 8:36, mile10-8:01, mile11- 8:38, mile12- 9:15, mile13- 9:01, mile 14-9:02, mile 15-9:54, mile 16- 11:28, mile 17-9:16, mile 18-10:24, mile 19-10:03, mile20-9:33, mile 21-9:46, mile22-9:04, mile23-9:45, mile 24-8:59, mile 25-? mile 26-finished at 3:59:08!! It was miles 18-21 that really killed my time. I am soooooo glad, excited, thrilled to finish under 4hrs, barely did it, but very excited about it.
Next comes Twin Cities, so we'll see if I can train hard enough to get that 3:45 that I so desire.
(for those of you who want to know)
mile 1- 8:15, mile 2-8:02, mile 3- 8:09, mile4-8:18, mile5- 8:07, mile6-8:38, mile7-8:14, mile8- 8:29, mile9- 8:36, mile10-8:01, mile11- 8:38, mile12- 9:15, mile13- 9:01, mile 14-9:02, mile 15-9:54, mile 16- 11:28, mile 17-9:16, mile 18-10:24, mile 19-10:03, mile20-9:33, mile 21-9:46, mile22-9:04, mile23-9:45, mile 24-8:59, mile 25-? mile 26-finished at 3:59:08!! It was miles 18-21 that really killed my time. I am soooooo glad, excited, thrilled to finish under 4hrs, barely did it, but very excited about it.
Next comes Twin Cities, so we'll see if I can train hard enough to get that 3:45 that I so desire.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Finally!!
Whew, it's finally here, the taper week!! I'm looking forward to an easy week, I'm pretty sure my legs are thinking the same thing. :) The crazy thing is that my goal has always been to run Boston, but never thought there would come a day that I might be able to attain it. I've been training at an 8:30 pace most of these past 4 months, that's the pace I would need on Saturday to get me a qualifying time. So there it is, the goal is in reach but yet so far away. The weather could be horrendous, my stomach could have issues, I could feel lousy that day, or I could trip over an empty water cup, etc..... There are so many factors that go into that race day that the goal seems unattainable. I just want to have a great race, have fun, complete the race in one piece, and feel good about my accomplishment; but there's that little voice in the back of my head that loves the competition so it reminds me how close that 3:45 finish time is. Oh well, I'm so excited to run 26.2 that I think I'll just set my mind on having a great race.
It seems there are so many of you out there that are doing big races in the next week or so, so to all of you, GOOD LUCK!!
It seems there are so many of you out there that are doing big races in the next week or so, so to all of you, GOOD LUCK!!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Caught in a Whirlwind
Ever have a week where you feel like your head is spinning out of control? That's the type of feeling I've had this week. First, our house is now on the market so I've had to keep it clean & tidy for the past 3 weeks. I just love those showings that happen during nap time!! Second, we found out this past week that our foster baby, the sweet baby girl we've had since birth (and is now 14 months old) will be picked up next Tuesday and we'll never see her again. She's being returned to her parents, the parents who still continue to display anger, neglect, I won't go on. I've known this day might come, although back in December the courts had asked us if we'd adopt her, but I didn't realize how this would affect our family until now. It would be different, easier, better if this baby would be going to a decent home, to someone who loves children, just anyone/anyplace else. The situation is scary, I am not at liberty to disclose details, but for those of you who pray please do so for this baby. Thirdly, my husband's cousin, who has lived with us for the past three years, just graduated from high school this past Friday. Of course I had to throw her a big graduation party, so that happened on Saturday evening. We had all of her family in town to visit as well as half of my family, lots of entertaining!!! I am thoroughly exhausted. I also had to fit in a 15 mile run Sunday morning which surprisingly went well, I kept an 8:30 pace. It helped that I ran into (almost literally) an acquaintance of mine who said I could join him and his friend in their last 9 miles, that only left me with 6 to do solo. Then there's the kids who just finished their last week of school. Why do 6th grade teachers assign 4 final exams on the last 4 days of school??? I will never ever understand the purpose of that, it's torture for all of us. The kiddies have been emotional because they are saying good-bye to their friends, good-bye to the foster baby, and good-bye to my husband's cousin (she goes to college on Friday). What a whirlwind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm pleased to say that I'm staying afloat, but just barely. Like I mentioned before, I gave up drinking Coke and eating red meat a little over 2 weeks ago but now is when I could use that big fillet Mignon and fountain Coke!!!! Caffeine, I need you! I will say that my legs no longer feel so tight, fatigued, and heavy though!
So, this weekend I drive 18 hours to drop off the cousin at college and then I'm home-free. We'll be moving to North Carolina in a couple of months and saying good-bye to the frozen tundra of Minnesota!! Happy day.
11 Days Until Grandma's Marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! never felt more ready.
I'm pleased to say that I'm staying afloat, but just barely. Like I mentioned before, I gave up drinking Coke and eating red meat a little over 2 weeks ago but now is when I could use that big fillet Mignon and fountain Coke!!!! Caffeine, I need you! I will say that my legs no longer feel so tight, fatigued, and heavy though!
So, this weekend I drive 18 hours to drop off the cousin at college and then I'm home-free. We'll be moving to North Carolina in a couple of months and saying good-bye to the frozen tundra of Minnesota!! Happy day.
11 Days Until Grandma's Marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! never felt more ready.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Last Truly Long One!
Yeah!!!! Today was the last really long run before the marathon and I made it through it! After cutting out red meat and Coke from my diet last week and adding in Magnesium, my legs finally feel less heavy. Even though I over slept this morning, I was still able to begin my 20 mile run by 7:20am. It was already getting warm with no clouds to speak of, but that meant that today would be the FIRST time this year to run in just shorts and a tank!!! Can you believe that, the FIRST time this year! Good thing I'm moving out of this state in July!! :)
Anyway, my dad gave me a great idea after hearing about my Gu theft/robbery. So I took his advice and put all my Gu's, water, Ultima Replenisher, Advil, Excedrine, chapstick, etc., etc., in my driveway!! Yep, I wanted to make sure no one stole anything this time so I kept it all close to home. It's exactly 5.4 miles from my house, around the lake, and back so I figured I'd do 4 of these "laps." It worked rather well I must say! My first "lap" was 46:28, the second time around was at 46:45, the third was 47:16 (getting tired), then I just had 4 miles left so I just went out 2 and back for a total of 20 miles!! I'm sure the neighbors were wondering why on earth this insane lady kept running back and forth FOREVER, but that's ok.
I finished in 2:53:53, an 8:42 pace. Overall I am pleased with how well and how strong I felt and thankful that I don't have to run that far again for 21 more days. Next Saturday is a 15 mile run, then a 7 miler, then race day. :) Can't wait. As long as I can stay healthy for the next few weeks, it should make for a great race.
Anyway, my dad gave me a great idea after hearing about my Gu theft/robbery. So I took his advice and put all my Gu's, water, Ultima Replenisher, Advil, Excedrine, chapstick, etc., etc., in my driveway!! Yep, I wanted to make sure no one stole anything this time so I kept it all close to home. It's exactly 5.4 miles from my house, around the lake, and back so I figured I'd do 4 of these "laps." It worked rather well I must say! My first "lap" was 46:28, the second time around was at 46:45, the third was 47:16 (getting tired), then I just had 4 miles left so I just went out 2 and back for a total of 20 miles!! I'm sure the neighbors were wondering why on earth this insane lady kept running back and forth FOREVER, but that's ok.
I finished in 2:53:53, an 8:42 pace. Overall I am pleased with how well and how strong I felt and thankful that I don't have to run that far again for 21 more days. Next Saturday is a 15 mile run, then a 7 miler, then race day. :) Can't wait. As long as I can stay healthy for the next few weeks, it should make for a great race.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Providing laughter
Trimama had some good advice, "take a day off with some good stretching," so that's what I did on Friday. I woke up fresh on Saturday morning and headed out for a long run--this time I CARRIED my GU with me. The run was better than any I had during the week so I was thankful for that. Ended up doing a 13.1 mi. in 1:54:02. Had a few slow miles but didn't dehydrate and didn't feel quite as fatigued.
So how am I "providing laughter" like my title states? Well, let me share with you what I did Monday morning!! I so desperately wanted to bike outside but I still haven't purchased a bike, so I took
off for a 20 mile bike ride on this!!! Yep, that's right! This is my green, Toys 'R Us "mountain bike" special purchased 3 years ago! Notice the pink helmet? Yeah, it's my daughter's. My head's too small for the adult size helmets. :) I'm sure the bikers out on the trails this morning got a good laugh when they saw me coming. I don't even have toe straps on the pedals! BUT, I will say that I had a VERY good workout and enjoyed the scenery of Minneapolis at much higher speeds that by foot. I've never enjoyed biking more than I did this morning, an invigorating ride that left me begging for more. I really do need to get a 'real' bike however, I'm pretty sure it'll be easier to ride than this thing.
So how am I "providing laughter" like my title states? Well, let me share with you what I did Monday morning!! I so desperately wanted to bike outside but I still haven't purchased a bike, so I took
off for a 20 mile bike ride on this!!! Yep, that's right! This is my green, Toys 'R Us "mountain bike" special purchased 3 years ago! Notice the pink helmet? Yeah, it's my daughter's. My head's too small for the adult size helmets. :) I'm sure the bikers out on the trails this morning got a good laugh when they saw me coming. I don't even have toe straps on the pedals! BUT, I will say that I had a VERY good workout and enjoyed the scenery of Minneapolis at much higher speeds that by foot. I've never enjoyed biking more than I did this morning, an invigorating ride that left me begging for more. I really do need to get a 'real' bike however, I'm pretty sure it'll be easier to ride than this thing. So, I'm looking forward to a nice running week that will end with my last long-long run of 20 miles. I'll throw in a few more speed workouts and work more on the nutritional side of running, and then the taper will begin. 26 days till RACE DAY!
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