Been there, done that!

It’s been a little over a month since I accomplished what I thought was a virtually unaccomplishable goal–I ran a marathon! Looking back now, I can’t help thinking, “what’s the big deal?” Having that thought, I can only think that this experience must be a lot like childbirth. Going into it I was terrified that I would die, during the training I was sure that I would die, during the race I wanted to die (really only the last 5-6 miles) and now that it’s all over I wonder when I can do it all over again! Crazy stuff!

The race itself was an awesome experience! I ran it with some of my favorite people, women from my running club SOL, who I trained with all summer. There we were, along with 30,000 other people running an epic race in our nation’s capitol. The fan support was absolutely spectacular–there were people cheering the entire 26.2 miles. They held the most entertaining signs and shouted “Run Like a Mother” (the saying on my shirt) to me over and over!

Approaching mile 20 at MCM

My favorite part of the race, was that my daughter Kate was there! She and her boyfriend Brendan woke up extra early on a Sunday morning to see my run. I first saw her at about mile 2, thanks to Kelley’s sharp eyes. I was surprised and so happy to see her again right before the bridge at mile 20–boy did seeing Kate at that point really help! I stopped and hugged her and we took some pictures together. I appreciate so much that she went out of her way, studied the “how to be a good spectator guide” and figured out the best spot to spectate and then fought the crowds on metro to see me run! I surely I shed a tear or two!

I walked a lot the last 5-6 miles and finished a lot slower than I expected 5:13:13, but overall, I would do it again. In fact, I’m thinking that will be Philly 2014, where I plan to get under 5 hours!!

SOL Sisters Before the race

My First Marathon…Bring it On!

It’s been a long road, one that I wasn’t sure I was equipped to run, but here I am at Taper Week! I am READY! Ask me tomorrow or any of the remaining days preceding the Marine Corp Marathon and I might tell you differently, but today I feel READY! My running pals and I have trained for months, in all kinds of crazy hot and humid weather, hours before sunrise, all to prepare for the culmination of our efforts, which occurs one week from today!

How did this start? I always said I would NEVER run a marathon! and then I found this awesome group of women to run with, SOL– Southern Ocean Ladies Running Club. I actually heard them outside my open windows at 4:00-5:00 in the morning, before I knew who they were. And although I had been running for years, mostly by myself, but sometimes with one of my daughters, I was reluctant to join them. I mean who wakes up THAT early to run?

I bit the bullet and joined them and made the best decision of my life! I can’t imagine NOT waking up at 3:50 in the morning to meet these awesome ladies! It became a regular occurrence and one that I cherish! Running in the dark, chatting away, while the rest of the world sleeps is a great experience. We tell stories, laugh and support each other; it is really special.

I had run a couple of half marathons in the past years and when one of my running partners, Jen, told me I was ready for a marathon, I wasn’t so sure, but decided to give it a try. Several of the club members were planning on trying to get into the MCM and although I was afraid of the course, I would rather train and run with this group, then try to go it alone and run a different race. Plus, turning 50 this year was a pivotal time for me and I needed to do this! Trying to register was crazy, but we all got in!

All summer we trained and I felt like I was always trailing behind during our longer training runs. It was especially hard when we had to run for several hours. Even though we started before sunrise, there was still an hour or so in the hot sun that really sucked the life out of me. I really hated the hot and humid conditions in which we had to train. I found it distressing to be lagging behind everyone and running so slowly during a lot of our long runs. I need to remember that I am not a summer runner and just do the miles and shut up!!! My recent runs have made me feel better. The weather is cooler now and I still may lag behind a bit, but there is pep in my step and I’m confident that I can run a pace that I am happy with. I feel ready for MCM!

Next weekend will bring a big challange, but I am looking forward to experiencing it with some awesome women who have changed my life! Thanks Ladies! ❤

Post Run Recovery

When the long run is over, I feel as if I can’t do everything that I need and want to do fast enough! I am sweaty, salty and surprisingly chilly. I am thirsty and ravenous! My legs are sore and achy. I usually can’t decide what to do first. I want to be warm and clean, but I also need to food and drink. Those are my biggest concerns.

Here’s how I handled it today. My normal ankle pain flared up at about mile 11 of 13, but that wasn’t all. This time the arch of my other foot started hurting for the last couple of miles too. As I was running those last couple of miles, I decided that I would stick both my feet in an ice bath as soon as I got home.

So, I walked in the door, found a pretty pink bucket in my laundry room and filled it part way with cold water and ice.

Once my feet were incredibly numb. I jumped in the shower and felt so much better. But I was still starving! This is the biggest problem post-run! I wish I could shower, eat and drink at the same time! I made some peanut sesame noodles for my meal and at last I felt so much better.

Next stop, compression sleeves on my calves and onto my back with my legs in the air. As crazy as this all seems, the goal is to make it to the start line of the Marine Corp Marathon on 10/27 and finish the race.

If you think this is such a grand production, you should see the pre-long run preparations!

The mind is willing (and wanting) but the flesh is weak

MY FOOT HURTS!  I’ve described my pain and heard a lot of diagnosis…metatarslagia, morton’s neuroma, stress fracture, plantar’s wart…personally, I’m rooting for the latter!

So it’s Sunday, a little chilly, but the sun is shining.  It’s perfect running weather!  I decide to be an adult and not run.  I do yoga, take a shower, go shopping and can’t believe I’m wasting this beautiful day when I should be doing 8.  That’s what my running plan says–8 mile, easy run.

There are so many FaceBook posts from the ladies in my running club, “I ran 9”, “10 mile trail run”, “9 on the treadmill”….UGH!  So, I did what any reasonable (not so much) person would do, I put on my Brooks and went for a run.  The first half mile was fine, but it went downhill from there.  As soon as I hit mile 2, I couldn’t take it anymore.  The pain in my right foot was ridiculous. I started to walk the half mile home.  I gave running one more try, and abandoned it completely to walk home in total frustration.

Run was a failure!

Eating clean

http://instagr.am/p/UySdtUpXWH/
My breakfast. Today’s smoothie includes cucumber, celery, spinach, banana, pineapple, berries, cottage cheese, flax seed, vanilla whey powder, cinnamon, and I’ve.

Food for the rest of my workday…

http://instagr.am/p/UyR2kWJXVw/

New year, new start

RunStreak Badge

It’s been a long time since I posted last. Yes, I completed the Running Streak Challenge by running every day from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day.  41 days in a row for a total of 103 miles.  To some that may not sound like much and to others it sounds crazy! I ran in the pouring rain and in the dark wearing blinky lights and reflective clothes.  I ran the treadmill and got at least a mile in before spin class, quite a few times.  It was an obsession!

Since New Year’s Day, I’ve only run 5 times (it’s now January 21) for a total of 22 miles.  However, I switched to other activities.  I’ve gotten back in taking spinning twice a week and more importantly, I am now back to boot camp.  Boot camp is a crazy, challenging workout that occurs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:00 am.  To get there on time and get a spot, yes it’s actually really crowded, I have to wake up at 4:00.  I’ve also started taking Body Pump class.  Lifting weights has been an area that I’ve really needed to add to my workout routines to help tone the flab.

I’m also trying to eat better, less processed foods and tons of fruits and veggies.  The flu is crazy this year and I’m hoping that the bolus of vitamins and fruit/veggies will help protect me!  I’ve lost 4 of the 13 pounds that I need to lose so far as well.

Here’s to a happy and healthy new year!

Day 6

Today I went to spin class after work.  It was a great class and I worked up quite a sweat!  I would say about half of the class we were standing in position 2 and running.  I’m a purest however, so once class was over I hopped on the treadmill and did my mile minimum.  Day 6: 1 mile!

Tomorrow starts my attempt at the Dr Oz 3 Day Detox.  I bought all of the ingredients that are needed.  I’ll keep you posted on how it goes…if it goes! 🙂

Day 5

2 miles at 9’51″/mile pace in 44 degree weather. Back to work today so I had to race home and get out there before it got too dark.

And so it begins…

On Thanksgiving, a mere four days ago, I challenged the ladies in my local running group to participate the Runner’s World Running Streak. In this challenge, a runner pledges to stay active through the holidays by running at least one mile per day from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

This blog is to document my participation in this challenge. I’m four days behind, so I better get started!

Day 1: Thanksgiving Day – met some ladies from SOL (Southern Ocean Running Club) on our local trail for an early pre-turkey run. We all run at different levels and we naturally broke up into three different groups. My pal, Michelle and I were joined by another SOL runner Jen and we ran 6 miles in a little over an hour.

Day 2: I ran 3.09 miles by myself in 32:44, 10’35″/mile pace. The weather was cloudy and 46 degrees.

Day 3: 2.02 solo miles in 20:17, 10’00″/mile pace. The weather was sunny and 39 degrees.

Day 4: 4.07 miles in 48:00, 10’12″/mile pace. The weather was cloudy and 41 degrees with a breeze that made it feel much colder.