Running in the rain ... that can be fun if the temperature isn't hovering just above freezing. Running in the snow ... that is neat, magical, relaxing even. Oh, it was just exhilerating ... especially on New Year's Eve ... the last run of the year ... what a special gift from Above!!!
The temperature was at a nice 36ish degrees and it wasn't a wet snow ... it was a dry big flaked snow that started slowly and then came down faster and faster until it was all around me. But the ground was warm enough that it wasn't sticking so I didn't have to worry about falling because of it.
Oh ... and my pace ... averaged out over 5 miles ... was 12:15/mi. I know to some that would still be considered snails pace, but that's booking it for me.
I felt so uplifted after today's run!
Running Stats
Running Time: 1:01:16
Running Distance: 5.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:15/mi
On the Pain Front ... my left hip has been giving me some problems. Not bad, just enough to know that it is there.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Feeling Excited
I was reading my friend KT's blog (mom on the run link ... cool blog) and she must be going into week 4 of her training schedule, following 'The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide'. I'm watching her mileage increase and I'm getting excited for her.
I'm reminded of my first few weeks of training where I was seriously taking it 'One Day at a Time' for fear of looking ahead and freaking myself out and wanting to quit.
I've decided that this should be week one of training, though I still haven't figured out for what. I can honestly say that I'm eagerly looking forward to my long runs, I know what's coming and I say BRING IT ON!!!
I'm reminded of my first few weeks of training where I was seriously taking it 'One Day at a Time' for fear of looking ahead and freaking myself out and wanting to quit.
I've decided that this should be week one of training, though I still haven't figured out for what. I can honestly say that I'm eagerly looking forward to my long runs, I know what's coming and I say BRING IT ON!!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Ran Again
I hate to admit that I had my doubts that I would run again so soon without having a strict schedule or an end goal in sight. But I did it! This morning I woke up, said to myself I'm gonna go running, grabbed my running gear and got ready to go. I then waited for two hours while I waited for my house guests to be up and about ... they were kind enough to watch Megan for me!
I went out on a nice 4 mile run. It was nice to know that I do indeed have a four mile circular route from the house. Very helpful!
Still listening to "At Home in Mitford". So far so good ... it has my full attention and I'm anxious to get back out on the road so that I find out what happens next. Always a sign of a good book.
I still love my shuffle. I ran with it hanging from my neck again ... it's awesome!!! As far as I know it doesn't have a way to bookmark where I left off. I'm kind of worried that next time I listen to it that it will have lost my place and I'll have to start all over again. This morning I had the bright idea of 'rewinding' to see if I missed anything. It took me to the beginning of the audiobook and I had to spend my first three quarters of a mile 'fast forwarding' it to where I left off last time. Any grand idea's out there from you Shuffle users on a better way to listen to an audiobook? Maybe I should just read the instruction booklet that came with it. But seriously, that is one of the things I love about the shuffle ... I didn't need an instruction book to use it ... it was that easy!
Running Stats
Running Time: 52:31
Running Distance: 4.00 mi
Average Pace: 13:08/mi
I went out on a nice 4 mile run. It was nice to know that I do indeed have a four mile circular route from the house. Very helpful!
Still listening to "At Home in Mitford". So far so good ... it has my full attention and I'm anxious to get back out on the road so that I find out what happens next. Always a sign of a good book.
I still love my shuffle. I ran with it hanging from my neck again ... it's awesome!!! As far as I know it doesn't have a way to bookmark where I left off. I'm kind of worried that next time I listen to it that it will have lost my place and I'll have to start all over again. This morning I had the bright idea of 'rewinding' to see if I missed anything. It took me to the beginning of the audiobook and I had to spend my first three quarters of a mile 'fast forwarding' it to where I left off last time. Any grand idea's out there from you Shuffle users on a better way to listen to an audiobook? Maybe I should just read the instruction booklet that came with it. But seriously, that is one of the things I love about the shuffle ... I didn't need an instruction book to use it ... it was that easy!
Running Stats
Running Time: 52:31
Running Distance: 4.00 mi
Average Pace: 13:08/mi
Monday, December 26, 2005
On the Run Again
Today was my second run since the Marathon. The first one was on sore feet and I was only out for 2 miles. Today I felt great.
I had initially been planning on just waiting until after the first of the year when Megan started back up with preschool, but I woke wanting to run today. So I got up, got dressed ... then proceeded to spend the next two hours messing with my new toy ... an Ipod Shuffle. KT has got it right, this thing is awesome!!!
I am listening to "At Home in Mitford" by Jan Karon. So far so good. It is a multi-book series which I enjoy in general as I just can't stand it when a book ends. I'll review it after I'm done listening to it.
So my little shuffle that weighs next to nothing was on a necklace around my neck and tucked nicely between the two bras that I have to wear. About 2 miles into my run my chest just felt like it was on fire. I was starting to wonder if that was what it felt like to have a heart attack when I realized that it was the shuffle that was causing all that heat. Guess that's not a great place to run with it. I thought that if I ran with it just hanging on the necklace that it would bounce too much, but it was fine once it was released from it's confines.
I'm glad to be back on the road. I don't have a schedule that I'm following yet, which means I'll probably be pretty lackadaisical in getting my runs in. I need to sit down with a list of marathons and a calendar and get myself on a rigid schedule again!!!
Running Stats
Running Time: 38:46
Running Distance: 3.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:55/mi
I had initially been planning on just waiting until after the first of the year when Megan started back up with preschool, but I woke wanting to run today. So I got up, got dressed ... then proceeded to spend the next two hours messing with my new toy ... an Ipod Shuffle. KT has got it right, this thing is awesome!!!
I am listening to "At Home in Mitford" by Jan Karon. So far so good. It is a multi-book series which I enjoy in general as I just can't stand it when a book ends. I'll review it after I'm done listening to it.
So my little shuffle that weighs next to nothing was on a necklace around my neck and tucked nicely between the two bras that I have to wear. About 2 miles into my run my chest just felt like it was on fire. I was starting to wonder if that was what it felt like to have a heart attack when I realized that it was the shuffle that was causing all that heat. Guess that's not a great place to run with it. I thought that if I ran with it just hanging on the necklace that it would bounce too much, but it was fine once it was released from it's confines.
I'm glad to be back on the road. I don't have a schedule that I'm following yet, which means I'll probably be pretty lackadaisical in getting my runs in. I need to sit down with a list of marathons and a calendar and get myself on a rigid schedule again!!!
Running Stats
Running Time: 38:46
Running Distance: 3.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:55/mi
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Giving Thanks
I ran a marathon ... the training for and running of the marathon was a very momentous time in my life. A time that I would not have had, had it not been for the love and support offerings of others and for this I want to give thanks.
I am so grateful to have the Lord Jesus in my life, without Him as my Rock I know I would not have even attempted something of this magnitude. With Him, all things are possible. I have said before that I ran alone ... but in actuality that just isn't the case. The one true running companion I had was my Lord and Savior. I carried on many a conversation and shared in some truly spectacular sights with Him during the long hours of training and the seemingly longer hours of the marathon. Thank you Jesus!!!
I am thankful for Jason, without his support, I literally would not have been able to do this. Training for a marathon is a very time consuming process. Towards the end there I was running almost 8 hours a week. This was time that was spent away from my family and time that I had to schedule for Jason to be home with Megan. Which in and of itself is great ... but it does make it more difficult when I am on a strict 'schedule'. I needed that schedule to get me through! He was my main source of encouragement and the external drive that I needed. When he told me he was proud of me, it made it all worth while!
I am blessed by my beautiful daughter, Megan. She is a momma's girl, but she never complained about the long hours that I spent away from her. She would get excited for me when I put my running gear on and would always talk about "momma go runnin". Training for this marathon was as much for her as it was for me. I really want to be a positive influence for my daughter.
A big thanks to my dear friend Christie, who inspired me and gave me the tools that I needed to accomplish this momentous task. I wouldn't have even considered that I, a complete non-runner ... someone who actually disliked the very act of running, could have done this without her planting the seed and nurturing it and then giving me a bit of a push and shove on occasion.
A huge round of thanks to KT, Em and Sarah Elaine who followed my progress, kept tabs on my whereabouts and spurred me on. They were a huge source of encouragement and their support meant more then they will ever know.
I also want to thank everyone who has stopped by and read my blog. The more people who read it the more I felt like I needed to finish it ... the marathon that is ... so that I could finish that chapter on my blog.
THANK YOU!!!
I am so grateful to have the Lord Jesus in my life, without Him as my Rock I know I would not have even attempted something of this magnitude. With Him, all things are possible. I have said before that I ran alone ... but in actuality that just isn't the case. The one true running companion I had was my Lord and Savior. I carried on many a conversation and shared in some truly spectacular sights with Him during the long hours of training and the seemingly longer hours of the marathon. Thank you Jesus!!!
I am thankful for Jason, without his support, I literally would not have been able to do this. Training for a marathon is a very time consuming process. Towards the end there I was running almost 8 hours a week. This was time that was spent away from my family and time that I had to schedule for Jason to be home with Megan. Which in and of itself is great ... but it does make it more difficult when I am on a strict 'schedule'. I needed that schedule to get me through! He was my main source of encouragement and the external drive that I needed. When he told me he was proud of me, it made it all worth while!
I am blessed by my beautiful daughter, Megan. She is a momma's girl, but she never complained about the long hours that I spent away from her. She would get excited for me when I put my running gear on and would always talk about "momma go runnin". Training for this marathon was as much for her as it was for me. I really want to be a positive influence for my daughter.
A big thanks to my dear friend Christie, who inspired me and gave me the tools that I needed to accomplish this momentous task. I wouldn't have even considered that I, a complete non-runner ... someone who actually disliked the very act of running, could have done this without her planting the seed and nurturing it and then giving me a bit of a push and shove on occasion.
A huge round of thanks to KT, Em and Sarah Elaine who followed my progress, kept tabs on my whereabouts and spurred me on. They were a huge source of encouragement and their support meant more then they will ever know.
I also want to thank everyone who has stopped by and read my blog. The more people who read it the more I felt like I needed to finish it ... the marathon that is ... so that I could finish that chapter on my blog.
THANK YOU!!!
Marathon Recovery
Recovering from a marathon can be likened to childbirth. No, it's not as painful as childbirth. What I mean is with time you do tend to forget the pain and remember the joy. I am now two weeks post marathon, and though I do have some residual foot pain, I am considering myself recovered.
I do remember that my whole body was sore back at the hotel after the marathon. Jason ordered pizza and when it got to our room, I ate it laying down. What can I say, I was comfortable. My dear friend Christie once told me that she had some Thai food after her first marathon and it was the best she ever ate. A few weeks later when she went back for more because it was so good, she found out that it really wasn't. My pizza was awesome, canned mushrooms and all. Anyone who has ever eaten pizza with me knows that I will not eat canned mushrooms. But that was the bestest pizza with canned mushrooms ever!
I lubed myself up pretty well in an effort to avoid chafing, especially around the bra area. It worked, no chafing there. What I did not count on was that I had lost weight and that the sweats that I was wearing would try to fall off if the drawstring was not tightened enough. I ended up with several lines of chafing on my back from my sweats. I did not feel this when I was running, only afterwards when in the shower.
I know that I was sore on Monday only because I called Christie and told her about it. I have the memory of discussing it, not the memory of being it. She warned me that it would get worse on Tuesday before it got better. I called her back on Tuesday so that she could remind me that it would indeed get better. I remember at that point that the rest of me was fine and pain free (unless I was walking upstairs). It was my darned feet which had been cramping during the marathon that were giving me a hard time still and would continue to. It has gotten better, enough that I was able to transition from my slippers to my running shoes a few days ago. I'm not pain free, but I'm not pain ridden either.
I am ready to start training for #2!!!
I do remember that my whole body was sore back at the hotel after the marathon. Jason ordered pizza and when it got to our room, I ate it laying down. What can I say, I was comfortable. My dear friend Christie once told me that she had some Thai food after her first marathon and it was the best she ever ate. A few weeks later when she went back for more because it was so good, she found out that it really wasn't. My pizza was awesome, canned mushrooms and all. Anyone who has ever eaten pizza with me knows that I will not eat canned mushrooms. But that was the bestest pizza with canned mushrooms ever!
I lubed myself up pretty well in an effort to avoid chafing, especially around the bra area. It worked, no chafing there. What I did not count on was that I had lost weight and that the sweats that I was wearing would try to fall off if the drawstring was not tightened enough. I ended up with several lines of chafing on my back from my sweats. I did not feel this when I was running, only afterwards when in the shower.
I know that I was sore on Monday only because I called Christie and told her about it. I have the memory of discussing it, not the memory of being it. She warned me that it would get worse on Tuesday before it got better. I called her back on Tuesday so that she could remind me that it would indeed get better. I remember at that point that the rest of me was fine and pain free (unless I was walking upstairs). It was my darned feet which had been cramping during the marathon that were giving me a hard time still and would continue to. It has gotten better, enough that I was able to transition from my slippers to my running shoes a few days ago. I'm not pain free, but I'm not pain ridden either.
I am ready to start training for #2!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Philly Marathon - Short Version
Well I did it ... I ... a non-runner ... someone who detests the very act of running ... ran a marathon. In fact I ran the whole thing. I didn't walk at all. I may have had to slow down to pick up a cup of water, but I ran while I drank it. I did have to wait in line for an eternal 6 minutes to use the loo ... but I really had no choice there.
It was a wonderful experience, loads of fun and something that I do plan on doing again and again!
Official Race Results
Distance: 26.2 miles
Final Time: 5:55:16
Chip Time: 5:53.03
Average Pace: 13:33
Overall Place: 5832 out of 5934
Race Results as per my Garmin Forerunner
Time: 5:53:58
Distance: 26.52 mi
Average Pace: 13:21/mi
Overall Place: #1
It was a wonderful experience, loads of fun and something that I do plan on doing again and again!
Official Race Results
Distance: 26.2 miles
Final Time: 5:55:16
Chip Time: 5:53.03
Average Pace: 13:33
Overall Place: 5832 out of 5934
Race Results as per my Garmin Forerunner
Time: 5:53:58
Distance: 26.52 mi
Average Pace: 13:21/mi
Overall Place: #1
The Philadelphia Marathon
If you are expecting to read a quick post letting you know how my marathon went, this is not it! I spent close to six hours running today and I actively tried to imprint it all to memory. I created this blog for this very reason, for a release of all things running and so that I can return later and remember what it was like. I'll post a separate short entry so that you don't have to read overly long post.
***
I did not spend a good deal of time last night in a deep relaxing sleep and it was easy to get up when the alarm ... and then my cell phone alarm went off. I already had all of my clothes laid out and I jumped in them quickly and was ready ... with about an hour to go before it was actually time to leave. I remember the exact same scenario for my first day of kindegarten, and then every first day of school from then on. Of course there was Jason and Megan to get ready and thankfully that was time consuming but not too difficult.
I had prepared the night before by pulling off directions from the hotel to the race site and back. It was much easier finding it today then it had been yesterday. Yesterday we spent about an hour driving around downtown Philadelphia looking for the expo so that I could check in and pick up my race number and shirt. Then we drove around about an hour afterwards, in some not very nice neighborhoods, just trying to find our way back to the interstate so that we could head to the hotel. I was so thankful today when we made it to the race site without trouble and actually even found parking close by, if not exactly legally.
It wasn't until we parked that I remembered that I should probably eat. Luckily I had thought ahead and had a couple of whole grain bagels stashed in the car. I had turned on my forerunner when we got into the car back at the hotel and it was fully charged, satelites found and ready to go. I definitely had my priorities straight there!!!
I picked at the bagel as we walked towards this huge mass of people who turned out to be waiting in line to use the port-o-potties. Going to the bathroom is considered a good idea before running a marathon so I got in line ... and waited ... and waited. I chatted with the nice ladies in line around me and it turns out this was their first marathon as well. I wonder how many people ran their first marathon today?!?
Of every runner that I talked to today I found that I was definitely the newest to the sport. In fact everybody that I talked to has been running for over a year. I have been running for 15 weeks, one week shy of the 16 week training schedule suggested by "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide".
After my turn in the port-o-potty I met back up with Jason and Megan and they kept me company while I waited to make my way to the starting area. As we were waiting a school bus driver ran over a street lamp and knocked it down. Thank God there was no one in it's way as it fell hard.
I started noticing more and more people were headed towards the starting area and we decided it was about time to make our way in as well. Jason and Megan walked in with me and kept me company some more. We found the general area that I would be starting from, marked by a sign that read 12:30+ pace, emphasis on the +. As the start time approached we made our way over to the side gates and let them out so they wouldn't be trampled when the guns went off, little did we know that wouldn't have been a problem.
Finally, after waiting for ages, I heard "runners on your mark" ... the gunshot ... and then ... we stood there. After about a minute or two we started walking ... very slowly in a forward movement. My fears about not getting to the starting line were coming true?!? But then I saw it and we were still inching toward it and then I stepped over it ... and the race was on!!!
It was fun!!! If that's all I could say, that would be it. It was fun!!! There were people all around me crowding together, and there were spectators on both sides yelling and screaming for blocks and blocks. And It was Fun!!!
I looked down at one point shortly after we started and I was running a 10 minute mile and it was effortless. My initial plan had just been to run at a comfortable pace, but I had to slow myself down some or I was going to burn out too quickly. Before I knew it the one mile mark was upon us, and then it seemed I turned around a few corners and there was the second mile mark and I was still surrounded by people.
Somewhere between the second and third mile things started to slim down a bit but it was still so exciting. It was also about this time that I ran across the 5:30 pace group (that's hours not minutes). I was kind of in a quandary at this point though. My plan was to run at a comfortable pace and to not pay attention to how fast (or slow) I was running. Of course when you are in line of sight of a pace group, you know exactly how fast you are running. Should I follow because it was comfortable, or pass because it was comfortable or to slow down because I didn't really expect that I could run that fast for that long. In the end, I decided to just stick with them.
That was until I had to wait six minutes for the bathroom and they ran on without me. We had been told that we could expect a port-o-potty at each of the aid stations, but that was not the case. The first port-o-potty wasn't until 6 miles and by that time, I knew I couldn't hold it for the next two miles. I had no choice but to wait ... for six minutes I had to wait. I was going to say that was the longest six minutes of the entire race ... but in actuality it was the longest six minutes up until about mile 21.
While I was waiting people just kept running and in some cases walking by. By the time I finally left that aid station, I don't really think there was anybody left behind me in the race, well except for those that were in line behind me. But in a weird way that was cool because it was fun to pass them later.
The traffic was closed off during the marathon. There were police officers at each of the intersections holding cars off. That was fun!
The spectators along the course were great. There were a few times that I ran by someone who had the music from Rocky, which was filmed in Philadelphia, playing. The young kids wanted to give all the runners high fives. I was dubbed "blue" because I was wearing an all blue outfit. As I ran by people would yell "Go Blue!!!". I ran by a group of college students in front of a fraternity house banging on garbage can lids and yelling and screaming loudly. There were a few live bands and even someone playing bag pipes, which was my favorite because it brought me back to an 11 year old me on a camping trip.
There were runners from all walks and seasons of life. I passed an old man walking with a shirt that read this is his 100th marathon, he later passed me while I was waiting for the bathroom, but the good news is that I passed him again a little while later. There was a lady that I ran passed towards the end of the marathon that had a map on her shirt of all the marathons that she has ran. Hawaii is the last state she has left to run in and she said she is running that one in December. Batman ran the marathon, and so did a guy who jumped rope. Apparently when he crossed the finish line they said that he had been jumping rope the whole time, but he didn't. He was carrying that rope when I crossed paths with him when I was on mile 16ish and he was at mile 24ish. At mile 15 I was running behind a runner whose shirt read "83 and going strong" ... it's not as much fun to say that I passed him as well.
After I waited in line for the bathroom I came up behind a lady who was running slowly then all of a sudden stopped and started walking. When I reached her she said "Oh Lordy, you are an angel" as she started running with me. At this point I was feeling great, and still trying to catch back up with the 5:30 pace team. At first I tried asking her questions but she was out of breath and couldn't respond. So I was just talking to her. Then she just stopped running. I tried urging her on, but she told me to go on ahead without her, that she was just walking and wasn't quitting. I told her I would see her at the finish line, but I never did see her again.
Jason and Megan were going to meet me at mile 7. He called me about a block before I reached mile 7 to find out where I was. Apparently they were at 21st and Chestnut and I had just ran past 32nd and Chestnut. Unfortunately the next street I passed was 33rd, so I missed them. That was sad ... I was really bummed about that one.
The race route took us through downtown Philadelphia, along a river with some huge, huge ships in port, back downtown, next to a zoo, through a large park, back to the start/finish area, down a 7 mile scenic stretch next to a river and then back to the finish area.
I wasn't execting to be running next to the finish line at half way through the race. It was 3ish hours into the race at this point and there were folks finishing strong and I still had almost half a race left to finish. But the added excitement was a great push. Right at about mile 14 I turned a corner and there was Jason and Megan. Now that was a wonderful sight. Megan rushed to me and gave me a big big hug, Jason gave me a kiss and then I was off again, refreshed by my families love and support.
From then on it was a split course, those running out and those running back. The spectators were awesome, the view was great, the weather was spectatular ... it was fun!!!
Mile 18 came and went and I was still going strong. At this point I was averaging about 12:53/mi. From then on out each step was one step further then I had ever gone before. At this point I just wanted to get to mile 20ish where the turn around point was.
Mile 20 was extremely exciting. I had this grand plan of counting everybody who I passed going the opposite way and all those that I passed ahead of me. By the time I crossed the finished line I had counted 97 people. I was so bummed because as I got closer to 100 my goal changed from finishing the race to finishing it ahead of 100 people. The official race results have me coming in ahead of 101 people. I was number 102 ... how cool is that?!?
After mile 20 the aid stations were being disassembled and water was no longer available. Thankfully I had just passed a very nice man handing out little bottles of water. I took one from him so that I could consume my last gel of the race and it was a good thing I did. That little bottle of water handed out roadside by a spectator was probably the most important water that I had the whole race.
Up until about mile 21 I was feeling physically fine. Shortly after I hit mile 21 the sides of my feet started cramping. It was never an option for me to stop, but I was definitely running with pain and it did slow me down.
I think the hardest mile would have to be mile 24. It got harder and harder each mile after 21 ... but once I reached mile 25 it was almost over and there was an end in sight. I didn't think I had any kick left in me, but when the race volunteer told me that the finish line was just around the corner and that I should smile because they would take a picture everything changed, and I added speed. Which is so funny, because speed for me at that point was probably the 13:00/mi that I had averaged over the race. But it was speed then!!! I crossed the finish line just in front of the lady next to me ... now that was the real race!!!
Can you believe that I forgot to smile. I had just been advised to smile, but I forgot. I had only one thought in my head at that point and it was to pass the finish line so that I could sit down. Jason said that I had a look of serious determination on my face. He had our digital camera with him and it has a bit of a delay. So he has a picture of the finish line ... I had already passed through ...
We didn't stick around very long once I finished. I sat down long enough for Jason to take my championchip timing device off of my shoe and then we headed out, grabbing a banana on the way. I wanted to make it back to the hotel before I couldn't move anymore.
I am very happy to report that I ran my first marathon, without walking. And I will be back for more!!!
Official Race Results
Distance: 26.2 miles
Final Time: 5:55:16
Chip Time: 5:53.03
Average Pace: 13:33
Overall Place: 5832 out of 5934
Race Results as per my Garmin Forerunner
Time: 5:53:58
Distance: 26.52 mi
Average Pace: 13:21/mi
Overall Place: #1
***
I did not spend a good deal of time last night in a deep relaxing sleep and it was easy to get up when the alarm ... and then my cell phone alarm went off. I already had all of my clothes laid out and I jumped in them quickly and was ready ... with about an hour to go before it was actually time to leave. I remember the exact same scenario for my first day of kindegarten, and then every first day of school from then on. Of course there was Jason and Megan to get ready and thankfully that was time consuming but not too difficult.
I had prepared the night before by pulling off directions from the hotel to the race site and back. It was much easier finding it today then it had been yesterday. Yesterday we spent about an hour driving around downtown Philadelphia looking for the expo so that I could check in and pick up my race number and shirt. Then we drove around about an hour afterwards, in some not very nice neighborhoods, just trying to find our way back to the interstate so that we could head to the hotel. I was so thankful today when we made it to the race site without trouble and actually even found parking close by, if not exactly legally.
It wasn't until we parked that I remembered that I should probably eat. Luckily I had thought ahead and had a couple of whole grain bagels stashed in the car. I had turned on my forerunner when we got into the car back at the hotel and it was fully charged, satelites found and ready to go. I definitely had my priorities straight there!!!
I picked at the bagel as we walked towards this huge mass of people who turned out to be waiting in line to use the port-o-potties. Going to the bathroom is considered a good idea before running a marathon so I got in line ... and waited ... and waited. I chatted with the nice ladies in line around me and it turns out this was their first marathon as well. I wonder how many people ran their first marathon today?!?
Of every runner that I talked to today I found that I was definitely the newest to the sport. In fact everybody that I talked to has been running for over a year. I have been running for 15 weeks, one week shy of the 16 week training schedule suggested by "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide".
After my turn in the port-o-potty I met back up with Jason and Megan and they kept me company while I waited to make my way to the starting area. As we were waiting a school bus driver ran over a street lamp and knocked it down. Thank God there was no one in it's way as it fell hard.
I started noticing more and more people were headed towards the starting area and we decided it was about time to make our way in as well. Jason and Megan walked in with me and kept me company some more. We found the general area that I would be starting from, marked by a sign that read 12:30+ pace, emphasis on the +. As the start time approached we made our way over to the side gates and let them out so they wouldn't be trampled when the guns went off, little did we know that wouldn't have been a problem.
Finally, after waiting for ages, I heard "runners on your mark" ... the gunshot ... and then ... we stood there. After about a minute or two we started walking ... very slowly in a forward movement. My fears about not getting to the starting line were coming true?!? But then I saw it and we were still inching toward it and then I stepped over it ... and the race was on!!!
It was fun!!! If that's all I could say, that would be it. It was fun!!! There were people all around me crowding together, and there were spectators on both sides yelling and screaming for blocks and blocks. And It was Fun!!!
I looked down at one point shortly after we started and I was running a 10 minute mile and it was effortless. My initial plan had just been to run at a comfortable pace, but I had to slow myself down some or I was going to burn out too quickly. Before I knew it the one mile mark was upon us, and then it seemed I turned around a few corners and there was the second mile mark and I was still surrounded by people.
Somewhere between the second and third mile things started to slim down a bit but it was still so exciting. It was also about this time that I ran across the 5:30 pace group (that's hours not minutes). I was kind of in a quandary at this point though. My plan was to run at a comfortable pace and to not pay attention to how fast (or slow) I was running. Of course when you are in line of sight of a pace group, you know exactly how fast you are running. Should I follow because it was comfortable, or pass because it was comfortable or to slow down because I didn't really expect that I could run that fast for that long. In the end, I decided to just stick with them.
That was until I had to wait six minutes for the bathroom and they ran on without me. We had been told that we could expect a port-o-potty at each of the aid stations, but that was not the case. The first port-o-potty wasn't until 6 miles and by that time, I knew I couldn't hold it for the next two miles. I had no choice but to wait ... for six minutes I had to wait. I was going to say that was the longest six minutes of the entire race ... but in actuality it was the longest six minutes up until about mile 21.
While I was waiting people just kept running and in some cases walking by. By the time I finally left that aid station, I don't really think there was anybody left behind me in the race, well except for those that were in line behind me. But in a weird way that was cool because it was fun to pass them later.
The traffic was closed off during the marathon. There were police officers at each of the intersections holding cars off. That was fun!
The spectators along the course were great. There were a few times that I ran by someone who had the music from Rocky, which was filmed in Philadelphia, playing. The young kids wanted to give all the runners high fives. I was dubbed "blue" because I was wearing an all blue outfit. As I ran by people would yell "Go Blue!!!". I ran by a group of college students in front of a fraternity house banging on garbage can lids and yelling and screaming loudly. There were a few live bands and even someone playing bag pipes, which was my favorite because it brought me back to an 11 year old me on a camping trip.
There were runners from all walks and seasons of life. I passed an old man walking with a shirt that read this is his 100th marathon, he later passed me while I was waiting for the bathroom, but the good news is that I passed him again a little while later. There was a lady that I ran passed towards the end of the marathon that had a map on her shirt of all the marathons that she has ran. Hawaii is the last state she has left to run in and she said she is running that one in December. Batman ran the marathon, and so did a guy who jumped rope. Apparently when he crossed the finish line they said that he had been jumping rope the whole time, but he didn't. He was carrying that rope when I crossed paths with him when I was on mile 16ish and he was at mile 24ish. At mile 15 I was running behind a runner whose shirt read "83 and going strong" ... it's not as much fun to say that I passed him as well.
After I waited in line for the bathroom I came up behind a lady who was running slowly then all of a sudden stopped and started walking. When I reached her she said "Oh Lordy, you are an angel" as she started running with me. At this point I was feeling great, and still trying to catch back up with the 5:30 pace team. At first I tried asking her questions but she was out of breath and couldn't respond. So I was just talking to her. Then she just stopped running. I tried urging her on, but she told me to go on ahead without her, that she was just walking and wasn't quitting. I told her I would see her at the finish line, but I never did see her again.
Jason and Megan were going to meet me at mile 7. He called me about a block before I reached mile 7 to find out where I was. Apparently they were at 21st and Chestnut and I had just ran past 32nd and Chestnut. Unfortunately the next street I passed was 33rd, so I missed them. That was sad ... I was really bummed about that one.
The race route took us through downtown Philadelphia, along a river with some huge, huge ships in port, back downtown, next to a zoo, through a large park, back to the start/finish area, down a 7 mile scenic stretch next to a river and then back to the finish area.
I wasn't execting to be running next to the finish line at half way through the race. It was 3ish hours into the race at this point and there were folks finishing strong and I still had almost half a race left to finish. But the added excitement was a great push. Right at about mile 14 I turned a corner and there was Jason and Megan. Now that was a wonderful sight. Megan rushed to me and gave me a big big hug, Jason gave me a kiss and then I was off again, refreshed by my families love and support.
From then on it was a split course, those running out and those running back. The spectators were awesome, the view was great, the weather was spectatular ... it was fun!!!
Mile 18 came and went and I was still going strong. At this point I was averaging about 12:53/mi. From then on out each step was one step further then I had ever gone before. At this point I just wanted to get to mile 20ish where the turn around point was.
Mile 20 was extremely exciting. I had this grand plan of counting everybody who I passed going the opposite way and all those that I passed ahead of me. By the time I crossed the finished line I had counted 97 people. I was so bummed because as I got closer to 100 my goal changed from finishing the race to finishing it ahead of 100 people. The official race results have me coming in ahead of 101 people. I was number 102 ... how cool is that?!?
After mile 20 the aid stations were being disassembled and water was no longer available. Thankfully I had just passed a very nice man handing out little bottles of water. I took one from him so that I could consume my last gel of the race and it was a good thing I did. That little bottle of water handed out roadside by a spectator was probably the most important water that I had the whole race.
Up until about mile 21 I was feeling physically fine. Shortly after I hit mile 21 the sides of my feet started cramping. It was never an option for me to stop, but I was definitely running with pain and it did slow me down.
I think the hardest mile would have to be mile 24. It got harder and harder each mile after 21 ... but once I reached mile 25 it was almost over and there was an end in sight. I didn't think I had any kick left in me, but when the race volunteer told me that the finish line was just around the corner and that I should smile because they would take a picture everything changed, and I added speed. Which is so funny, because speed for me at that point was probably the 13:00/mi that I had averaged over the race. But it was speed then!!! I crossed the finish line just in front of the lady next to me ... now that was the real race!!!
Can you believe that I forgot to smile. I had just been advised to smile, but I forgot. I had only one thought in my head at that point and it was to pass the finish line so that I could sit down. Jason said that I had a look of serious determination on my face. He had our digital camera with him and it has a bit of a delay. So he has a picture of the finish line ... I had already passed through ...
We didn't stick around very long once I finished. I sat down long enough for Jason to take my championchip timing device off of my shoe and then we headed out, grabbing a banana on the way. I wanted to make it back to the hotel before I couldn't move anymore.
I am very happy to report that I ran my first marathon, without walking. And I will be back for more!!!
Official Race Results
Distance: 26.2 miles
Final Time: 5:55:16
Chip Time: 5:53.03
Average Pace: 13:33
Overall Place: 5832 out of 5934
Race Results as per my Garmin Forerunner
Time: 5:53:58
Distance: 26.52 mi
Average Pace: 13:21/mi
Overall Place: #1
Marathon Fears
This morning I woke up with the realization that I am going to be running 26.2 miles and I am absolutely terrified. Wanna know something ... the idea of running 26.2 miles doesn't scare me. I know in my heart of hearts that I am prepared for the physical and even the mental aspects of this very momentous run.
What am I scared of then? I am scared that I won't be able to find the starting line or that traffic will be so bad that I will have to be dropped off miles away from the starting line and that I won't get there in time.
I am even more scared that I will get there and everyone will realize that I am a fake. I have had some pretty major support getting to this point ... but it has all been long distance and sideline support. I have never ran with a runner and I really don't know what a runner is supposed to look like.
What am I scared of then? I am scared that I won't be able to find the starting line or that traffic will be so bad that I will have to be dropped off miles away from the starting line and that I won't get there in time.
I am even more scared that I will get there and everyone will realize that I am a fake. I have had some pretty major support getting to this point ... but it has all been long distance and sideline support. I have never ran with a runner and I really don't know what a runner is supposed to look like.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
On the Blog Again!!!
It's been a long few weeks. In fact I'm pretty sure that the last two weeks have lasted about two months.
The big news is that I run a marathon on Sunday. As in this Sunday. I am beyond nervous and seriously freaking, but you know, I have a serious stubborn streak. Always have, always will. I'm counting on that stubborn streak to get me through 26.2 miles. That and lots of prayer!!! About 6 hours worth of prayers!!!
I have been running. Not as much as my schedule dictates, but I have been running. I will be spending the next few days updating my blog for the runs that I have completed since October 24th which was my last official blog update.
The big news is that I run a marathon on Sunday. As in this Sunday. I am beyond nervous and seriously freaking, but you know, I have a serious stubborn streak. Always have, always will. I'm counting on that stubborn streak to get me through 26.2 miles. That and lots of prayer!!! About 6 hours worth of prayers!!!
I have been running. Not as much as my schedule dictates, but I have been running. I will be spending the next few days updating my blog for the runs that I have completed since October 24th which was my last official blog update.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Week 13 Schedule
This should be interesting ... Jason is working at a brand new job, Megan is no longer in preschool for the time being and I need to log in 27 miles this week. Where will I find the time?!?
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5 miles
Wed - 8 miles
Thu - Rest
Fri - 5 miles
Sun - 9 miles
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5 miles
Wed - 8 miles
Thu - Rest
Fri - 5 miles
Sun - 9 miles
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Long Run in New City
Today's long run was almost delayed until tomorrow which means it probably wouldn't have happened. Thank you Jason for getting me back on track!!!
By the time I headed out the door for my run it was almost noon. I talked Jason into letting me turn today's run into a short 3-5 miler and letting me run my long run tomorrow before we leave for New York, if and only if I promised to get up extra early and head out right away (which I admit to having a serious problem doing).
I headed out for a short run but got about 2 miles into it and realized I really could do my long run today. I pulled out my phone to call Jason to let him in on my plan only to discover that there was only one bar of battery left on it. I'm smart enough to realize that I didn't want to run in a very new and strange city without adequate cell phone availability so back to my original plan it was. When I got back to the house and told Jason that I almost ran the long run today and why I decided not to he literally pushed me out the door with his fully charged cell phone. So away I went.
Running in Pittsburgh ... oh my goodness the HILLS!!! Up, down ... Up, down ... Up, down, that's all I did today for over three hours. I saw alot of runners out there today and I had lessons to learn from them. At first I would huff and puff my way running up each of these hills, proud of myself for running while that runner was walking. After I noticed that this was definitely a pattern I realized how smart they were and I started walking right along with them. Keep in mind these are not your average every once in awhile hill, but STEEP come at you nonstop hills.
I did find a nice trail to run on. I probably could have run the whole run on this trail, going up and down over and over again. But it's hard running on a trail that you don't know how long it is ... or where it ends ... or how in the world you will get home ... or if you can find your way home ... or if you can't find your way home if the folks at home could even find you to pick you up. All in all ... it was a very unsettling kind of run today.
I ran for 3 1/2 hours today and only logged 13.56 miles. I have been told and have read that training runs should not exceed 3 1/2 hours and I was more then happy to quit when I was supposed to today. I'm hoping that the hills were enough to make up the extra 4.5 miles that I didn't get in today's run ...
Running Stats
Running Time: 3:29:35
Running Distance: 13.56 mi
Average Pace: 15:28/mi
On the shoe front ... my feet hurt and I'm pretty sure that it's the new shoes. My achilles tendon that was hurting in my old shoe was hurting today along with the other side where the tongue of the shoe hits. And the bottoms of both feet are pretty sore ... a new sore that I haven't dealt with before. I spent quite a bit of time (with timer turned off of course) readjusting my shoes trying to get my feet to stop hurting. I think I'm gonna wait until Tuesday to run again and try running with my old shoes again.
By the time I headed out the door for my run it was almost noon. I talked Jason into letting me turn today's run into a short 3-5 miler and letting me run my long run tomorrow before we leave for New York, if and only if I promised to get up extra early and head out right away (which I admit to having a serious problem doing).
I headed out for a short run but got about 2 miles into it and realized I really could do my long run today. I pulled out my phone to call Jason to let him in on my plan only to discover that there was only one bar of battery left on it. I'm smart enough to realize that I didn't want to run in a very new and strange city without adequate cell phone availability so back to my original plan it was. When I got back to the house and told Jason that I almost ran the long run today and why I decided not to he literally pushed me out the door with his fully charged cell phone. So away I went.
Running in Pittsburgh ... oh my goodness the HILLS!!! Up, down ... Up, down ... Up, down, that's all I did today for over three hours. I saw alot of runners out there today and I had lessons to learn from them. At first I would huff and puff my way running up each of these hills, proud of myself for running while that runner was walking. After I noticed that this was definitely a pattern I realized how smart they were and I started walking right along with them. Keep in mind these are not your average every once in awhile hill, but STEEP come at you nonstop hills.
I did find a nice trail to run on. I probably could have run the whole run on this trail, going up and down over and over again. But it's hard running on a trail that you don't know how long it is ... or where it ends ... or how in the world you will get home ... or if you can find your way home ... or if you can't find your way home if the folks at home could even find you to pick you up. All in all ... it was a very unsettling kind of run today.
I ran for 3 1/2 hours today and only logged 13.56 miles. I have been told and have read that training runs should not exceed 3 1/2 hours and I was more then happy to quit when I was supposed to today. I'm hoping that the hills were enough to make up the extra 4.5 miles that I didn't get in today's run ...
Running Stats
Running Time: 3:29:35
Running Distance: 13.56 mi
Average Pace: 15:28/mi
On the shoe front ... my feet hurt and I'm pretty sure that it's the new shoes. My achilles tendon that was hurting in my old shoe was hurting today along with the other side where the tongue of the shoe hits. And the bottoms of both feet are pretty sore ... a new sore that I haven't dealt with before. I spent quite a bit of time (with timer turned off of course) readjusting my shoes trying to get my feet to stop hurting. I think I'm gonna wait until Tuesday to run again and try running with my old shoes again.
In Pittsburgh ... Finally!!!
We arrived at Jason's parents house last night just after dark. I was so hoping to get there with daylight to spare so that I could head out for a short run, but alas, I realized once 'I' got seriously lost in Pittsburgh that wasn't going to happen.
We actually arrived in Pittsburgh in the daylight, but the directions that we pulled off of Rand McNally online were HORRIBLE. It didn't help matters either that we were driving two vehicles and trying to stay together in some pretty major traffic. After about an hour of driving around aimlessly while Jason was trying to get directions from his dad, who had only been living in Pittsburgh for about two months himself, we finally got back on the right interstate. Then I noticed a landmark from our Rand McNally directions and told Jason to take the next exit which he did. After driving about 10 blocks he abruptly turned off onto a side road and I had no choice but to follow. Just in time to watch him run a yellow light and leave me stranded at a red light. He called and told me to get back on the interstate and to take the next exit. I managed to somehow miss the turn to get back on the interstate and spent the next 45 minutes or so searching for it. Jason, by this time had gotten off at the exit his dad told him to take and sat sipping coffee at the local starbucks.
I never did find my way back onto the interstate but I somehow did manage to find my way back to the street that I was on before Jason took the unexpected detour on me. Funny thing is, we were only about 6 blocks away from their house when he made that turn that caused me alot of stress!!!
I ended up pulling up to the house at literally the exact same time as Jason ... we parked within seconds of each other.
So we are finally in Pittsburgh and we have just enough time to get our luggage upstairs and in our room before company, the man who got Jason his very first job in the nuclear industry and his wife, arrive for dinner. It was a fun evening and I had a few too many glasses of margarita. How smart is that the night before a scheduled 18 mile run?!?
We actually arrived in Pittsburgh in the daylight, but the directions that we pulled off of Rand McNally online were HORRIBLE. It didn't help matters either that we were driving two vehicles and trying to stay together in some pretty major traffic. After about an hour of driving around aimlessly while Jason was trying to get directions from his dad, who had only been living in Pittsburgh for about two months himself, we finally got back on the right interstate. Then I noticed a landmark from our Rand McNally directions and told Jason to take the next exit which he did. After driving about 10 blocks he abruptly turned off onto a side road and I had no choice but to follow. Just in time to watch him run a yellow light and leave me stranded at a red light. He called and told me to get back on the interstate and to take the next exit. I managed to somehow miss the turn to get back on the interstate and spent the next 45 minutes or so searching for it. Jason, by this time had gotten off at the exit his dad told him to take and sat sipping coffee at the local starbucks.
I never did find my way back onto the interstate but I somehow did manage to find my way back to the street that I was on before Jason took the unexpected detour on me. Funny thing is, we were only about 6 blocks away from their house when he made that turn that caused me alot of stress!!!
I ended up pulling up to the house at literally the exact same time as Jason ... we parked within seconds of each other.
So we are finally in Pittsburgh and we have just enough time to get our luggage upstairs and in our room before company, the man who got Jason his very first job in the nuclear industry and his wife, arrive for dinner. It was a fun evening and I had a few too many glasses of margarita. How smart is that the night before a scheduled 18 mile run?!?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Excuses Excuses
I am three weeks away from a marathon, and my training schedule is going bust. I was supposed to run 8 miles yesterday and 5 miles today, but it seems like I just keep coming up with excuses, even though on the surface they are very valid.
The movers were here yesterday and boy was that rough. I have never dealt with someone who had less of a personality and yet was more lazy then Mr. Mover ... but that's a story for another time. After the movers left Jason and I spent the next couple of hours getting the house spic and span cleaned for the new owner. I am happy to say that I am proud of the way we left it.
Just as we were finishing our cleaning spree our realtor dropped by with our set of papers to sign. This was definitely the easiest house sale we have ever had ... what a relief for once.
Then it was time to catch a quick bite to eat and check into the hotel for the night. It was about 9 pm when we finally got all settled into the hotel. No chance I was running 8 miles yesterday. No problem right, I can do it today ...
... but I woke up this morning with a burning desire to get this show on the road. What's the difference between staying the night in a hotel here or staying the night in a hotel on the road. Well besides the added bonus of we get to split a 10+ hour drive to Pittsburgh into two days.
I have already got Jason on board, cancelled our room here for the night and arranged for lodging at a pet friendly hotel in route. Now I have a busy morning ahead ... packing up the car here at the hotel, loading up the stuff we still have left at the house (did I mention Mr. Mover was lazy?), returning the cable box, filling up gas tanks and ... oh my why did I want to leave today?!?
To make a long story short, I have already missed a 5 mile and a 8 mile run with only 3 weeks left until the marathon.
The movers were here yesterday and boy was that rough. I have never dealt with someone who had less of a personality and yet was more lazy then Mr. Mover ... but that's a story for another time. After the movers left Jason and I spent the next couple of hours getting the house spic and span cleaned for the new owner. I am happy to say that I am proud of the way we left it.
Just as we were finishing our cleaning spree our realtor dropped by with our set of papers to sign. This was definitely the easiest house sale we have ever had ... what a relief for once.
Then it was time to catch a quick bite to eat and check into the hotel for the night. It was about 9 pm when we finally got all settled into the hotel. No chance I was running 8 miles yesterday. No problem right, I can do it today ...
... but I woke up this morning with a burning desire to get this show on the road. What's the difference between staying the night in a hotel here or staying the night in a hotel on the road. Well besides the added bonus of we get to split a 10+ hour drive to Pittsburgh into two days.
I have already got Jason on board, cancelled our room here for the night and arranged for lodging at a pet friendly hotel in route. Now I have a busy morning ahead ... packing up the car here at the hotel, loading up the stuff we still have left at the house (did I mention Mr. Mover was lazy?), returning the cable box, filling up gas tanks and ... oh my why did I want to leave today?!?
To make a long story short, I have already missed a 5 mile and a 8 mile run with only 3 weeks left until the marathon.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Saying Goodbye to Sac & Fox
Today's run was my last on the Sac and Fox trail and I'm feeling very bittersweet about it. I was once asked if the trail was an asphalt or gravel trail and I never answered because I thought it was bet explained by a picture. I kept meaning to bring my camera and take pictures of the beautiful fall foilage, but it never happened, and now it never will. So in answer to that question, the Sac and Fox is a hard packed dirt trail that is probably about 6 feet wide. The Sac and Fox was kind of like a well worn pair of sneakers that you know every nook and cranny in and you never want to let go.
To the Sac & Fox ... you were a good friend ... and you will be missed!
Running Stats
Running Time: 1:07:50
Running Distance: 5.00 mi
Average Pace: 13:33/mi
To the Sac & Fox ... you were a good friend ... and you will be missed!
Running Stats
Running Time: 1:07:50
Running Distance: 5.00 mi
Average Pace: 13:33/mi
Monday, October 24, 2005
Week 12 Schedule
This is going to be a very busy week. We have the packers coming to pack up our house tomorrow. Everything will be loaded onto the moving truck on Wednesday. Megan's last day of school will be Wednesday. Jason's last day of work will be Thursday. We close on our house on Friday morning at 8 am, pick up our documents at 9 am and then we drive non-stop to Pennsylvania to spend the evening with Jason's parents. We will spend Friday and Saturday night in Pennsylvania and then head back on the road on our way to New York. Jason starts his new job next Monday. Our household goods should be delivered sometime Monday or shortly thereafter.
And sometime during all this craziness I need to find time to work 8 hours of running in. Crazy!!!
Tentative Week 12 Schedule
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5 miles
Wed - 8 miles
Thu - 5 miles
Fri - Rest
Sat - 18 miles
Sun - Rest
Oh, and did I mention that I'm still really sore from my last 18 miles ...
And sometime during all this craziness I need to find time to work 8 hours of running in. Crazy!!!
Tentative Week 12 Schedule
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5 miles
Wed - 8 miles
Thu - 5 miles
Fri - Rest
Sat - 18 miles
Sun - Rest
Oh, and did I mention that I'm still really sore from my last 18 miles ...
Sunday, October 23, 2005
I am Shocked!!!
Running Stats
Running Time: 3:51:19
Running Distance: 18.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:53/mi
I am proud of myself! I am so very proud of myself that I had to start off with the running stats this time. I cannot believe that I ran 18 miles. I cannot believe that I ran 18 miles with an average pace of under 13 minutes a mile. I mean it's been ages since I have averaged less then 13 minutes a mile on my short runs let alone for a full 18 miles. Wow ...
I ran the Sac and Fox again. Parked in the middle, ran there and back one way ... there and back the other way ... and there and back the first way.
I will not lie, it was hard. I had two very dear people ask me once I was finished if I could have done another 8 and the answer was NO. Then again, if you would have asked me at mile 7 if I could have done another 11 the answer would have been NO.
I was sore the whole run. My butt cheaks actually felt like they were burning. I didn't think I was going to be able to sit down to drive home once I finished.
Oh, and let's talk about the shoes. Wearing new shoes for a long run is not a good idea. I thought I was being smart. I parked in the middle of the trail which I ran by at miles 7 and 14 and I brought my old shoes with me in case my new shoes got too uncomfortable. My feet started hurting around mile 4 and I couldn't wait until I could get back to my car to change my shoes. I reached the car at mile 7, slurped an energy gel and put my old comfy shoes on and then took off running. Limping rather as my old comfy shoes hurt like crazy. I have no idea what the deal was but they pressed against the bottom of my achilles tendon on my right foot and it just hurt. I only got about .05 of a mile down the trail before I realized I couldn't do it and had to go back and put my new shoes on. The new shoes hurt the bottom of my left foot, but not nearly as bad as my old shoes hurt my achilles tendon.
My favorite part of the run was when I ran past a couple as they were headed out for a walk and I was nearing a trailhead, with about 11 miles logged. I ran past them again as they were headed back from their walk and I was headed out from the trailhead. The lady asked me how far I was running today, to which I replied 'today's run will be 18 miles'. Her eyes got huge, really really huge. I didn't hear her reply because I was already running past her, but she looked more shocked then I felt.
I ran 18 miles today ...
Running Time: 3:51:19
Running Distance: 18.00 mi
Average Pace: 12:53/mi
I am proud of myself! I am so very proud of myself that I had to start off with the running stats this time. I cannot believe that I ran 18 miles. I cannot believe that I ran 18 miles with an average pace of under 13 minutes a mile. I mean it's been ages since I have averaged less then 13 minutes a mile on my short runs let alone for a full 18 miles. Wow ...
I ran the Sac and Fox again. Parked in the middle, ran there and back one way ... there and back the other way ... and there and back the first way.
I will not lie, it was hard. I had two very dear people ask me once I was finished if I could have done another 8 and the answer was NO. Then again, if you would have asked me at mile 7 if I could have done another 11 the answer would have been NO.
I was sore the whole run. My butt cheaks actually felt like they were burning. I didn't think I was going to be able to sit down to drive home once I finished.
Oh, and let's talk about the shoes. Wearing new shoes for a long run is not a good idea. I thought I was being smart. I parked in the middle of the trail which I ran by at miles 7 and 14 and I brought my old shoes with me in case my new shoes got too uncomfortable. My feet started hurting around mile 4 and I couldn't wait until I could get back to my car to change my shoes. I reached the car at mile 7, slurped an energy gel and put my old comfy shoes on and then took off running. Limping rather as my old comfy shoes hurt like crazy. I have no idea what the deal was but they pressed against the bottom of my achilles tendon on my right foot and it just hurt. I only got about .05 of a mile down the trail before I realized I couldn't do it and had to go back and put my new shoes on. The new shoes hurt the bottom of my left foot, but not nearly as bad as my old shoes hurt my achilles tendon.
My favorite part of the run was when I ran past a couple as they were headed out for a walk and I was nearing a trailhead, with about 11 miles logged. I ran past them again as they were headed back from their walk and I was headed out from the trailhead. The lady asked me how far I was running today, to which I replied 'today's run will be 18 miles'. Her eyes got huge, really really huge. I didn't hear her reply because I was already running past her, but she looked more shocked then I felt.
I ran 18 miles today ...
Saturday, October 22, 2005
0 Miles in my New Shoes
I bought myself some new shoes today. It was quite a process and I visited many stores, but I finally found them. Even if they weren't actually what I was looking for.
I started off the morning at Running Wild trying on a Asics GT2100 men's 9B. It had this annoying bar going across the ball of my foot and it wasn't a good fit. I then went to Famous Footwear and tried on a size 10, exactly like the shoe that I already own. It felt snug but I was willing to go with it because I've been running in a size 10 without any problems, though I can't say that I have run 26 miles in them either.
This afternoon we took Megan to the big mall 45 minutes away so that she can play in the 'mall park'. I left Jason watching her play while I went shopping!!! It's so fun shopping after you have lost some weight!!! Anyhow, I checked out Foot Locker, Lady's Foot Locker and the Finish Line looking for a size 10.5 in the Asics 2100. I was told the same thing in each store, they don't make 1/2 sizes after a size 10. I don't know if this is true or not but it's what the folks at these stores were telling me.
My last stop was at Scheel's which is a pretty big sporting goods store. I was given the same old story about the no 1/2 sizes after size 10, so I gave him my story. Size 10's seem to fit fine, but I'm fixin to run a marathon and was told I needed a larger size shoe. He agreed that I needed a larger shoe and had me try on a size 11. My foot slid all over that shoe and I told him it was no good that it just wasn't going to work. So he bent down and re-tied my shoe for me. And wouldn't ya know it .... it fit a lot better after he tied it. I apparently don't tie my shoe tight enough, nor did I know this little shoe lace trick that he did that apparently scoots your heel towards the back of the shoe. I have tried on shoes four times at Running Wild, a specialty running shoe store, and never did I receive the kind of shoe service as I did today. The best thing is, if these shoes don't work out for me, I can return them and get my money back. That is definitely a feel good.
So tomorrow, I'm running 18 miles in my brand new shoes. I am going to park my car at the mid point of the trail again and leave my old shoes in the car just in case. I don't expect to need them, but you never know.
It is such a relief to finally get these new shoes so that I can get them broke in appropriately before the big day.
I started off the morning at Running Wild trying on a Asics GT2100 men's 9B. It had this annoying bar going across the ball of my foot and it wasn't a good fit. I then went to Famous Footwear and tried on a size 10, exactly like the shoe that I already own. It felt snug but I was willing to go with it because I've been running in a size 10 without any problems, though I can't say that I have run 26 miles in them either.
This afternoon we took Megan to the big mall 45 minutes away so that she can play in the 'mall park'. I left Jason watching her play while I went shopping!!! It's so fun shopping after you have lost some weight!!! Anyhow, I checked out Foot Locker, Lady's Foot Locker and the Finish Line looking for a size 10.5 in the Asics 2100. I was told the same thing in each store, they don't make 1/2 sizes after a size 10. I don't know if this is true or not but it's what the folks at these stores were telling me.
My last stop was at Scheel's which is a pretty big sporting goods store. I was given the same old story about the no 1/2 sizes after size 10, so I gave him my story. Size 10's seem to fit fine, but I'm fixin to run a marathon and was told I needed a larger size shoe. He agreed that I needed a larger shoe and had me try on a size 11. My foot slid all over that shoe and I told him it was no good that it just wasn't going to work. So he bent down and re-tied my shoe for me. And wouldn't ya know it .... it fit a lot better after he tied it. I apparently don't tie my shoe tight enough, nor did I know this little shoe lace trick that he did that apparently scoots your heel towards the back of the shoe. I have tried on shoes four times at Running Wild, a specialty running shoe store, and never did I receive the kind of shoe service as I did today. The best thing is, if these shoes don't work out for me, I can return them and get my money back. That is definitely a feel good.
So tomorrow, I'm running 18 miles in my brand new shoes. I am going to park my car at the mid point of the trail again and leave my old shoes in the car just in case. I don't expect to need them, but you never know.
It is such a relief to finally get these new shoes so that I can get them broke in appropriately before the big day.
187 Miles in my New Shoes
I've been trying to get my new shoes ... really I have!
I went to Running Wild and they measured my foot and said I really should be in a 10.5 for a marathon because my feet will expand. Unfortunately, Asics is coming out with a new model on November 1st and it is next to impossible to get the old one right now. They ordered it but it never came in. They then ordered a men's size 9 narrow, insisting it was the equivalent shoe. My friend, kt, has been dealing with shoe difficulties, in large part because she was put into a men's shoe instead of a women's shoe. I don't even want to go there, I am going to be running a marathon in these shoes afterall. I did humor them and tried them on, and I can honestly say there is a bar that runs across the ball of my feet which was really uncomfortable.
I purchased my last two pairs (ok, only two pairs) of running shoes at Famous Footwear so I decided to go ahead and check them out this morning just in case. They have two pairs of size 10's! I'm going to try the other Famous Footwear here in town to see if they have a 10.5. If not, I'm going to go with the size 10. I've been running in a size 10 for the last 187 miles and so far so good!
I went to Running Wild and they measured my foot and said I really should be in a 10.5 for a marathon because my feet will expand. Unfortunately, Asics is coming out with a new model on November 1st and it is next to impossible to get the old one right now. They ordered it but it never came in. They then ordered a men's size 9 narrow, insisting it was the equivalent shoe. My friend, kt, has been dealing with shoe difficulties, in large part because she was put into a men's shoe instead of a women's shoe. I don't even want to go there, I am going to be running a marathon in these shoes afterall. I did humor them and tried them on, and I can honestly say there is a bar that runs across the ball of my feet which was really uncomfortable.
I purchased my last two pairs (ok, only two pairs) of running shoes at Famous Footwear so I decided to go ahead and check them out this morning just in case. They have two pairs of size 10's! I'm going to try the other Famous Footwear here in town to see if they have a 10.5. If not, I'm going to go with the size 10. I've been running in a size 10 for the last 187 miles and so far so good!
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