Just a week after the marathon I was out running again for the official kick off for training for marathon #3! Even better is that my friend and co-worked Emily volunteered to come with me! She didn't have a clue what she was for... Well I was kind to her and we took plenty of walk breaks. Even my legs were wondering what I was trying to do. It is going to be harder to train again without a coach and no official training times. Not to mention the heat of summer and working around 2 work schedules, something I said I wouldn't do again, but here I go anyways.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Marathon Numero Deux
Ok I know this is like 2 months late, but you people love reading this stuff, so I'll do the best I can.
Marathon Day #2 started VERY early, like 2:30 am! The only time when someone should be awake at 2:30 is when they're still up! Anyway after some coffee maker oatmeal and applying layers of body glide and sunscreen it was time to meet the team. Unfortunately we hung out by the pool for almost an hour, which didn't make us happy because we all would have rather been sleeping. After the group photos and double checking supplies for the day we were off on the bus to the starting area. Bummer again, we were there at 5! Literally the first ones there, we actually christened some of the brand new porta-potties, that's got to be a marathon first! Cue more sitting around and waiting for the other 21,000+ people to show up and for the sun to come up. During this time I did find my old friend from high school, Becca, who now lives in LA who was also running with Team in Training. We knew that we were both running but had no clue if we could find each other in the craziness of a major marathon. Another minor miracle was that Chad and I found each other before the race too! I seriously almost jumped into his arms, I was so happy to see him right before the race. After one last trip to the porta-potty it was time to line up and start this thing.
Where as Chad was in coral #2 I was way back in #22 with a bunch of the ladies running the half marathon from my team. They were all friends and one of the women had lost her daughter to Lymphoma. She was doing this in her memory with her friends there to support her. We were all very emotional as the race began. It only takes about 13 mins. to start the race officially, it's amazing to see this massive string of people running for miles. For example, by the time I started Chad was probably at mile 2 and there were solid people in between! First we ran through the Hillcrest neighborhood which is the gay pride neighborhood in San Diego. It was hilarious because the first cheerleading squad we came up on was a bunch of guys in full drag cheerleading uniforms, most of which were Team in Training colors! I've loved them! Next was a navy band in full dress whites rocking it out! I'll spare you the play by play and just deliver the highlights and lowlights. We went through Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo then into downtown San Diego. Right before Petco Park I had to pee really bad, so I actually ran into a Scottish pub call the Twisted Kilt. I don't now if the owner knew what he was getting into but I yelled over that I was moving to Scotland in 3 month, so I should be good, he laughed! I have to say it was nice to not wait and to pee NOT in a porta potty. Around Petco Park and through the Gaslamp District before running on the highway with a 45 degree pitch.
That means that the street was anything but level! Everything seemed to be going really well so far by mile 9 which included a 2 mile uphill stretch on the evil pitched highway. All along it was really nice to have music because it gave you something to look forward to and give a little adrenaline boost. Miles 12-15 weren't exactly happy miles for me. This is when I started walking outside of water stops, which I was stopping at all of them because of the heat anyways. I knew once I passed the 1/2 way mark there was no turning back and I still felt pretty good. I was actually feeling a lot better then I was at this point in the Grandma's Marathon last year. I was walking but I wasn't in too much pain or having problems yet. When I came out of my funk I was able to run again for much longer sections. Although I was cursing the palm trees because there was NO shade! Miles 18-21 weren't real great either, but I was eating a lot of food! This was new for me, I never really eat real food while running, but I had had breakfast too early and I have now burned through it so I had to replenish. This was done with fist fulls of pretzels, sports beans, cliff shots, and Swedish fish. Just like last year I drank beer during the race! There were some 20 somethings out in there front yard offering beers to people and playing Chariots of Fire (a marathon requirement,) so I ran over and shotgunned a beer! It's amazing, normally I don't really like beer but by mile 20 of a marathon it's just what my body needs! Part pain killer, part carbs, part hydration, and part adrenaline shot. Along the course I saw my coaches and staff so that was nice to look forward to seeing familiar faces and all sorts of Team in Training supporters! I'd also being playing tag team with a TNT runner from Iowa, which was fun. My coach caught up to me in mile 24 where I was walking, I was going to run from mile 25 all the way to the finish. I was the last runner from my team on the course so Coach Mike was going to run me all the way in. At first I wasn't real happy about that, but in the end it was just the pick-up I needed. I was hard to hold back the tears as I ran onto the Marine base passed the uniformed Marines. Then the adrenaline really took over, I knew the finish was close but I didn't want to sprint until I could see the finish line. Just after the mile 26 marker I was looking for Chad and then I heard him and saw him, game over, I was going for it! I couldn't believe he'd waited for 3 hours to see my finish! I took off as soon as I could see the finish at full speed. I was passing people left and right and the announcer said, "oh my gosh look at her go!" I finished in a new personal best time by about 8 1/2 mins. Official finish time was 6:42:27.
I got my medal and was about ready to pass out since I was having trouble breathing after my amazing finish. My coach was also awarded a medal, which I though was really cool of the race organizers to recognize what these coaches were during that day. Coach Mike actually ran 27 miles according to his watch, so I'd saw he earned it! Got all my stuff, food, and water and then went in search of Chad! It was so nice to see him again I know I had seem him 7 hours earlier but we'd both come so far since then! After a quick sit down, flip-flops on, bus ride, ice bath, shower, call home, and 15 min. nap, then it was time for the victory party!
I figure I ran about 3/4 of this marathon, up from 1/2 last time. I felt a lot better this time as well in muscles, joints, and sun burn factor! It was a fun and changeling run all the same. Is it bad that I'm already thinking ahead to marathon #3???
Marathon Day #2 started VERY early, like 2:30 am! The only time when someone should be awake at 2:30 is when they're still up! Anyway after some coffee maker oatmeal and applying layers of body glide and sunscreen it was time to meet the team. Unfortunately we hung out by the pool for almost an hour, which didn't make us happy because we all would have rather been sleeping. After the group photos and double checking supplies for the day we were off on the bus to the starting area. Bummer again, we were there at 5! Literally the first ones there, we actually christened some of the brand new porta-potties, that's got to be a marathon first! Cue more sitting around and waiting for the other 21,000+ people to show up and for the sun to come up. During this time I did find my old friend from high school, Becca, who now lives in LA who was also running with Team in Training. We knew that we were both running but had no clue if we could find each other in the craziness of a major marathon. Another minor miracle was that Chad and I found each other before the race too! I seriously almost jumped into his arms, I was so happy to see him right before the race. After one last trip to the porta-potty it was time to line up and start this thing.
Where as Chad was in coral #2 I was way back in #22 with a bunch of the ladies running the half marathon from my team. They were all friends and one of the women had lost her daughter to Lymphoma. She was doing this in her memory with her friends there to support her. We were all very emotional as the race began. It only takes about 13 mins. to start the race officially, it's amazing to see this massive string of people running for miles. For example, by the time I started Chad was probably at mile 2 and there were solid people in between! First we ran through the Hillcrest neighborhood which is the gay pride neighborhood in San Diego. It was hilarious because the first cheerleading squad we came up on was a bunch of guys in full drag cheerleading uniforms, most of which were Team in Training colors! I've loved them! Next was a navy band in full dress whites rocking it out! I'll spare you the play by play and just deliver the highlights and lowlights. We went through Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo then into downtown San Diego. Right before Petco Park I had to pee really bad, so I actually ran into a Scottish pub call the Twisted Kilt. I don't now if the owner knew what he was getting into but I yelled over that I was moving to Scotland in 3 month, so I should be good, he laughed! I have to say it was nice to not wait and to pee NOT in a porta potty. Around Petco Park and through the Gaslamp District before running on the highway with a 45 degree pitch.
That means that the street was anything but level! Everything seemed to be going really well so far by mile 9 which included a 2 mile uphill stretch on the evil pitched highway. All along it was really nice to have music because it gave you something to look forward to and give a little adrenaline boost. Miles 12-15 weren't exactly happy miles for me. This is when I started walking outside of water stops, which I was stopping at all of them because of the heat anyways. I knew once I passed the 1/2 way mark there was no turning back and I still felt pretty good. I was actually feeling a lot better then I was at this point in the Grandma's Marathon last year. I was walking but I wasn't in too much pain or having problems yet. When I came out of my funk I was able to run again for much longer sections. Although I was cursing the palm trees because there was NO shade! Miles 18-21 weren't real great either, but I was eating a lot of food! This was new for me, I never really eat real food while running, but I had had breakfast too early and I have now burned through it so I had to replenish. This was done with fist fulls of pretzels, sports beans, cliff shots, and Swedish fish. Just like last year I drank beer during the race! There were some 20 somethings out in there front yard offering beers to people and playing Chariots of Fire (a marathon requirement,) so I ran over and shotgunned a beer! It's amazing, normally I don't really like beer but by mile 20 of a marathon it's just what my body needs! Part pain killer, part carbs, part hydration, and part adrenaline shot. Along the course I saw my coaches and staff so that was nice to look forward to seeing familiar faces and all sorts of Team in Training supporters! I'd also being playing tag team with a TNT runner from Iowa, which was fun. My coach caught up to me in mile 24 where I was walking, I was going to run from mile 25 all the way to the finish. I was the last runner from my team on the course so Coach Mike was going to run me all the way in. At first I wasn't real happy about that, but in the end it was just the pick-up I needed. I was hard to hold back the tears as I ran onto the Marine base passed the uniformed Marines. Then the adrenaline really took over, I knew the finish was close but I didn't want to sprint until I could see the finish line. Just after the mile 26 marker I was looking for Chad and then I heard him and saw him, game over, I was going for it! I couldn't believe he'd waited for 3 hours to see my finish! I took off as soon as I could see the finish at full speed. I was passing people left and right and the announcer said, "oh my gosh look at her go!" I finished in a new personal best time by about 8 1/2 mins. Official finish time was 6:42:27.I got my medal and was about ready to pass out since I was having trouble breathing after my amazing finish. My coach was also awarded a medal, which I though was really cool of the race organizers to recognize what these coaches were during that day. Coach Mike actually ran 27 miles according to his watch, so I'd saw he earned it! Got all my stuff, food, and water and then went in search of Chad! It was so nice to see him again I know I had seem him 7 hours earlier but we'd both come so far since then! After a quick sit down, flip-flops on, bus ride, ice bath, shower, call home, and 15 min. nap, then it was time for the victory party!
I figure I ran about 3/4 of this marathon, up from 1/2 last time. I felt a lot better this time as well in muscles, joints, and sun burn factor! It was a fun and changeling run all the same. Is it bad that I'm already thinking ahead to marathon #3???
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Pre Race Reflections
Ok so I admit that I’ve been horrible about blogging during my training for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon! As I write this I’m sitting at the gate in Minneapolis waiting to fly to California for the weekend. I have to say that I’m really looking forward to the weekend!
I’ll take some time now to reflect on what has happened during my training over the last 3-4 months. I’ve learned to love Minnesota in all of it’s forms and seasons, well ok mostly winter, since it was too long this year! This includes running around the frozen Minneapolis lakes in sub-zero temperatures and actually enjoying it! As it gradually got warmer people started getting spring fever and heading outdoors. On our team training runs Saturday and Sunday mornings I would encounter many other runners who turned out to be very friendly and encouraging! It is called “Minnesota nice” after all… Most of my training was been done in the City of Minneapolis proper which is a major change for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the change of scenery.
Although I’ve only run about as much as I did before Grandma’s Marathon a year ago, I did make some positive changes so it’ll, hopefully, go better this time around. For starters all of my training has been outside vs. almost entirely treadmill for Grandma’s. I did about 4 12-14 miles runs and almost all of my other runs were at least 6 miles vs. a whole bunch of 3-5 mile runs and no real long runs. So I think my body will be more prepared for this one. I can tell a difference in my legs, the muscles are definitely bigger and stronger than last year. I remember my leg muscles stopping around mile 17 last time so hopefully I can push that off ‘till mile 23 or so…
In the run up the marathon I’ve done some races and here’s how they went. I was supposed to run the 100% Irish for a Day 5K again this year but alas couldn’t do it because I couldn’t hold up my own arms because of strength training which I had started 2 days before. I was very sad about since I love St. Patrick’s Day and that race! My second cancellation was the Fruit at the Finish Triathlon, which was cancelled in the LATE April due to inches of snow on the ground! Also not happy because of course I had bought a tri-suit and everything! That’s ok, I am signed-up to do the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon – Olympic Distance in July so that $80 suit will get used! May was a much better race month for me. I ran a mile race for the first time since Jr. High! I got my redemption too! Official time was 10:10 and I was genuinely worried about making the 12:00 cutoff. I’ve never run a mile that fast ever! One of my original running goals when I started 2 years ago was to run a 10:00 mile and it’ll happen now! 2 weeks ago I ran the first half marathon in my hometown, which was run and I had a time of 3:02:something, which is only 8 min off my other ½ marathon time. I was pleased with it since I was in taper for the big event and probably shouldn’t have exhorted that much effort…
Alright I should wrap this up. I am worried, nervous, and scared about the race this weekend. I’m hoping to finish in a time of 6:30:00. Pretty much I’m flying by the seat of my pants and playing it by ear as far as how much walking I’m going to do. I know I’ll walk but I’m not sure it’ll be half again, I’m hoping it’s not half again! I’m also really looking forward to seeing some of my BUNAC friends again! It’s bittersweet because this will be the last time I get to see them before I move to Scotland in 3 months!!!
Ok boarding time, I’ll try to post again during the weekend. Thank you everyone for all your support throughout this entire process and I’ll be looking to you on Sunday morning!
I’ll take some time now to reflect on what has happened during my training over the last 3-4 months. I’ve learned to love Minnesota in all of it’s forms and seasons, well ok mostly winter, since it was too long this year! This includes running around the frozen Minneapolis lakes in sub-zero temperatures and actually enjoying it! As it gradually got warmer people started getting spring fever and heading outdoors. On our team training runs Saturday and Sunday mornings I would encounter many other runners who turned out to be very friendly and encouraging! It is called “Minnesota nice” after all… Most of my training was been done in the City of Minneapolis proper which is a major change for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the change of scenery.
Although I’ve only run about as much as I did before Grandma’s Marathon a year ago, I did make some positive changes so it’ll, hopefully, go better this time around. For starters all of my training has been outside vs. almost entirely treadmill for Grandma’s. I did about 4 12-14 miles runs and almost all of my other runs were at least 6 miles vs. a whole bunch of 3-5 mile runs and no real long runs. So I think my body will be more prepared for this one. I can tell a difference in my legs, the muscles are definitely bigger and stronger than last year. I remember my leg muscles stopping around mile 17 last time so hopefully I can push that off ‘till mile 23 or so…
In the run up the marathon I’ve done some races and here’s how they went. I was supposed to run the 100% Irish for a Day 5K again this year but alas couldn’t do it because I couldn’t hold up my own arms because of strength training which I had started 2 days before. I was very sad about since I love St. Patrick’s Day and that race! My second cancellation was the Fruit at the Finish Triathlon, which was cancelled in the LATE April due to inches of snow on the ground! Also not happy because of course I had bought a tri-suit and everything! That’s ok, I am signed-up to do the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon – Olympic Distance in July so that $80 suit will get used! May was a much better race month for me. I ran a mile race for the first time since Jr. High! I got my redemption too! Official time was 10:10 and I was genuinely worried about making the 12:00 cutoff. I’ve never run a mile that fast ever! One of my original running goals when I started 2 years ago was to run a 10:00 mile and it’ll happen now! 2 weeks ago I ran the first half marathon in my hometown, which was run and I had a time of 3:02:something, which is only 8 min off my other ½ marathon time. I was pleased with it since I was in taper for the big event and probably shouldn’t have exhorted that much effort…
Alright I should wrap this up. I am worried, nervous, and scared about the race this weekend. I’m hoping to finish in a time of 6:30:00. Pretty much I’m flying by the seat of my pants and playing it by ear as far as how much walking I’m going to do. I know I’ll walk but I’m not sure it’ll be half again, I’m hoping it’s not half again! I’m also really looking forward to seeing some of my BUNAC friends again! It’s bittersweet because this will be the last time I get to see them before I move to Scotland in 3 months!!!
Ok boarding time, I’ll try to post again during the weekend. Thank you everyone for all your support throughout this entire process and I’ll be looking to you on Sunday morning!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Pain, Lots and Lots of Pain!
As if running outside in subzero temperatures wasn't enough to prove that I've officially crossed over to the dark side, then this will just solidify it! I got up at 4:30 AM this morning to go to strength training at 6:00 only to be at work by 7:15! Needless to say I was super sore for like a week following and couldn't even run my favorite race of the year because I couldn't hold my own arms up!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Self Induced Hypothermia
Genius that I am just figured out why I'm frigid all day every Saturday. Self induced hypothermia! I figured out that my body temperature drops so much during the 2 hours I'm on the ice every Saturday morning. NOTE TO SELF: Wear more layers while skating!!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday Night = Running + Skating
I'm proud of myself for doing a lap and a half around Lake Calhoun tonight which was about 4.5 miles. It's getting a bit warmer so the paths are clearing out. I ran with two other women on the first lap. It was nice to run with someone for once. Their story was quite amazing! One of the women lost her daughter to leukemia just in November after suffering for 8 years and she's running in her memory.
Worked a lot on backward three turns and spinning tonight to try to catch up on Saturday.
Worked a lot on backward three turns and spinning tonight to try to catch up on Saturday.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Jumping!
So after about 6 hours on my new skates, I'm starting to get back to where I was on my old skates! This week I got my waltz and half-flip jumps down. Yeah for jumping! I'm beginning not to be afraid of it anymore. My waltz jumps are done moving from back crossovers now. I'm also starting to get spinning back, which was definitely NOT an option a week ago. Although I think I pissed off some of the 8-10 year old girls in my class because they weren't paying attention and then complaining about not getting anywhere. I have a slight prayer of actually passing this level, IF I can get my scratch spins and backward 3 turns down in a month. 'Till next time!
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