50K...errr, 25K Race!

Last weekend, my friend Carrie and I ran in a local 25K or 50K (~31 mile) race. It was the first year for this event and we thought it would be fun to do. Yes, we thought it would be FUN to run a 31 mile race, in Iowa, in December, on a trail, in the snow and cold temps. We girls know how to have a good time!

Let me just interject that this is a for realz trail race. It's not all nice and sparkly. We're talking mud, trees, roots, rocks, etc.

So, race day is a bit rainy, but at least it's a balmy 30 degrees outside! We geared up and headed to Lake MacBride. As we're sitting in the car with Denton (Carrie's hubby), Carrie says this. "I don't get why people seem to think we could get hurt." To which I say, "Carrie, because we might ACTUALLY get hurt!!!" Um, duh! Carrie then says that we are smart runners, so we wouldn't get hurt. To which I say, "No, we are not smart, Carrie. The very essence of what we're doing today, in these conditions, is stupid." I think I made Denton's day at that point.

We all gathered at the start line and took off. The first part of the race is on a short little woody trail, then it drops you off at a road. We were on that road for a few miles, before linking up with another trail.

I have to say, even though it was raining and not ideal conditions, I was able to keep a decent attitude. I was actually pretty warm for the first part of the race. I had no real time goal for this race, other than to just run however I felt and finish. So, I took my time and enjoyed the Christmas music mix on my Shuffle.

When I got to the trail in Solon, I realized just how much rain was falling. The trail was muddy. I have a bum ankle that doesn't particularly do well in uneven, muddy terrain. It basically starts to roll. It can only roll so many times before I actually sprain it. So, around mile 7, I was entertaining the thought that I might be doing one loop. The only reason being that my ankle wasn't going to do well when that trail got even muddier.

I finished that piece of the trail and then headed off to the part of the trail where you head toward the spillway. Oh yes, the spillway. This part of the race wasn't too bad...until the spillway.

As I came upon the spillway, I heard, "GO MARIAH!!!" It was Denton, being a fantastic cheerleader - that was a huge boost! I had packed a few Target bags in my coat, hoping they would help. The DNR lady told me not to bother. I was trying to figure out the best way to cross without getting wet. Then I decided that it was all just too funny, and I should just walk right through. So, I just let myself soak my shoes up to my ankles and crossed. I told Denton that it may be a one lap day and went ahead. I had about 4 miles left at this point.

Again, I had a pretty good attitude and hadn't thought about how wet I actually was...until now. My pants kept falling down and I honestly couldn't figure out why. Only after 11 miles did I realize they were SO soaked, they couldn't stay up. I thought, "Hmm, I might be wetter than I think I am..."

I came back to the start/finish area for one final drink, before the last 2 miles. When I took off for the last bit, I felt great and just went with it. But, the last mile slowed me down. It was all mud/sludge and very tricky. I can't say there was much running, as I was constantly dodging trees, rocks, and falling on my behind.

As I crossed the finish line, the volunteer said, "Are you a 25K or 50K runner?" My reply? "I'm a 25K now!"

Physically, I felt fine and I think I could have done a second lap (albeit, a slower second lap). But, I had a couple concerns. #1 being that my ankle(s) would likely collapse on the second lap, going through the muddy sludge. #2 being that I would be out on that second lap pretty much by myself. I had a cell phone with me, but I was worried about being soaking wet, in the middle of the woods, with the temps dropping and snow falling.

I opted for the smart choice of calling it a day at 15.5 miles. And I'm completely fine with that. It was a challenging run, but I'm glad we did it. I would do it again, but not in December.

When I finally changed into dry clothes, I can't even describe to you how heavy/soaked my clothes were. It was ridiculous!

A few pics from the race, courtesy of Denton:

Here I am crossing the spillway

Marathon #8 - Oorah!

As usual, my blogging is very sparse... Would it help if I said that I would LIKE to blog on a more regular basis?

Anyway, marathon #8 is complete! My brother Gabe and I ran the Marine Corps Marathon on Halloween. The trip was pretty good and it was fun to be in DC again. I love how much there is to see there!

Gabe had an injured foot and had concerns about being able to run the whole thing. Lower back pain struck me at mile 9 (grrrr), so I was not a very happy camper either. The BEST part of the race was around mile 20 on the bridge. There I was running along, trying to stay positive, and my bro comes up beside me. Let me relish this moment for a minute - my brother (uber-athlete) caught up, to ME. (Sure, he had an injury, but let's just pretend he didn't, mmmkay?) Anyway, we ran together very briefly, but long enough for me to snap a picture of us with my disposable (cheeseball) camera. To date, said camera has not been developed, so the picture could very well be of our heads.

Gabe moved on so he could keep whatever pace he was doing and I stayed my course. I looked for him in the last miles, but never did see him. We ended up finishing about a minute apart! How crazy is that? If either of us had known that would happen, we could have just run the whole thing together!

So, here's a bit more detail on the overall race. A howitzer kicks off the 26.2 mile journey and it's incredible! I crossed the start line after only a few minutes (over 21,000 people ran this race). Overall, I felt pretty good. I saw Dad, Pat, Julie, and new niece Sydney, at mile 1. I was amazed that in a race that big, with that many spectators, that I could see them!

I ran pretty much on pace for the first half of the race. Like I said, around mile 9, my back was aching, but I tried to stick to my plan. I crossed the halfway point nearly on pace for 4:00. But, the back had other plans. I made it to mile 16ish and saw my family. I decided it would be worth it to stop and take a picture. When ELSE can I do that? So, I gave my new baby niece a kiss, told my Dad I was in a lot of pain, and took off running. At this point, I wasn't sure if Gabe was still running or not. Then he and I saw each other at mile 20. I ran/walked from mile 15ish on, I think.

We had perfect running weather, it was gorgeous! But, at mile 24, a lovely headwind decided to swoop in and stay for the last 2.2 miles. Good times, good times. I finished somewhat strong (as much as I could) and was greeted by Marines at the finish (and all throughout the race!).

Here's the thing, as disappointed as I am that I still haven't hit my 4:00 goal, I'm not THAT upset this time. Had either Gabe or I run any faster/slower, we wouldn't have had that moment at mile 20. And that moment will always be special to me (however brief it was). Because I highly doubt he and I will ever be in that situation again. It also allowed me to get that picture with my family cheerleaders during the race.

Overall, this marathon was an incredible experience. My dad so appreciated that we ran in his honor (we had t-shirts made for the race). And it was very inspirational to see so many amputees/vets doing the race. I certainly couldn't complain about my back if these guys were charging up hills on hand bikes!

Below are a few pics from the experience:

The shirts we made/wore for Dad

Mid-race pic (mile 16ish)

Gabe & I post-race, modeling our stinky shirts!

Cutest. Cheerleader. Ever!

Best post-marathon activity? Feeding my beautiful niece, Sydney!

Back again...

It's been a few weeks since my last entry and I've decided that I'm a horrible blogger. I am very sporadic and would like to post more often. Unfortunately, my busy schedule is to blame. Maybe someday, I can actually blog on a regular basis. Because, let's face it, you all are DYING to read my daily entries!

Update #1 (for those who don't know or haven't seen) - I recently chopped nearly ALL of my hair off! Yep, I had 16" cut off and donated 2 very thick pigtails to Locks of Love. I've been wanting a major change for a while, but couldn't get the guts. I finally reached the point of full on annoyance with my mass of curly hair, that cutting 16" was PAINLESS! I didn't even flinch!

So far, I have no regrets and am really enjoying the new 'do. I can't believe how much easier life is with short hair. Seriously. It's easier. I'm not making this up! For the record, I lost 3 pounds of hair...3 POUNDS! That. Is. Ridiculous. 'Nuff said.

I've run a few more races since my last post. They have both gone well. Most recently, I ran a 5K and hit a big PR. My goal this year was to break 24:00, and I came close in April, with a 24:10. With all the speed work I've been doing, I was 90% sure that I'd break 24:00, but didn't expect my 23:21 final time. Total surprise!

This was the Especially For You 5K (benefits breast cancer research) and I ran in honor of my Aunt Marilyn. She must have been pushing me along, because I felt pretty good throughout! It was incredible to see over 15,000 people out walking/running for this great cause. What a sight!

So now, my new goal is to break through...23:00? Seriously? I would NEVER have set that as a goal. For some, that might seem easy, but that's a time/pace that wouldn't have occurred to me until this past Sunday.

I'll say it again...Our bodies are AMAZING!!! I don't think I could have run a 23:21 5K when I was in college. So, to run that 10 years later is exciting!

In other news, my fave workout buddy, Carrie, is back in town. So, we are taking advantage of running/biking together and catching up, which has been fun! She's joining me for my final 20 miler this weekend.

My 8th marathon is only a few weeks away and I couldn't be more excited! Life is somewhat stressful/busy/overwhelming lately, and I'll take any break/vacation I can get. Even if it involves me running 26.2 miles.

At age 33, I still haven't learned the word NO. There are multiple "adds" in my life right now that I need to just say NO to and/or quit. If I don't, I'll never get sleep or time to clean my house. Or, time to just SIT.

So, here's to REST! May I get plenty of it in the next few weeks leading up to the marathon!

Catch up...part deux

Seriously, I have no idea what happened to the month of August. Absolutely. No. Idea!

Work has been busy, weekends have been busy...

OK, we'll start with running. For a while now, running has been a real chore. I've felt tired on runs and just really struggled with it in general. In mid-August, I ran a 10K race. Well, saying I ran it is generous...I pretty much willed myself to finish. In my defense, it was a very hot and humid morning, but still - the race shouldn't have gone that bad. I was winded, nauseous, and light headed.

Then, I attempted to run 18 miles the next day...I managed to complete 14.5, with a lot of walking. (My friend Denton is a true gem, for sticking with me, and for convincing me to stop.)

I talked to an elite runner friend of mine and sort of self diagnosed myself with anemia. I've been anemic before, but sort of slacked on taking my iron pills for a long while. So, now that I've been taking iron again...things are hopefully turning around.

I ran 2 half marathons within a week of one another and set a PR by over a minute. While I'm very happy to have PR'd, I really just wanted to run long and feel GOOD - for once. So, for both races, I was able to push myself but also feel strong. (Oh yah, and being able to breathe and not want to puke? Those are also good things!)

I went for a 10 mile run tonight and felt pretty good. It was 80 degrees with a breeze, but I felt good throughout. A month ago? I wouldn't have made it a few miles without dying.

So, I think things are turning around and I'm on the right track. Good thing, too...since my marathon is in 6 1/2 weeks!

OK, moving on to some fun stuff. I had my 2 nieces over for a sleepover at Auntie Mariah's. It was soooooo much fun! We colored, watched movies, ate pizza, painted nails, and just had a good time. And this past weekend, I took my nephew on a "date" to Chuck E. Cheese. I'm so fortunate to be an aunt.

My brother and his wife welcomed their first baby, Sydney, so I can't wait to meet her at the marathon. She's a doll and I can't wait to hold her!

The only other big news I can think of is that I will no longer have a ponytail after this weekend. The hair is getting chopped! I've had long, curly hair for a very long time and am just bored with it. I found a cut I really like and I'm hoping it works out. If not...I'll be on the hunt for a wig!

Catch up...

Ooh, yet again, it's been a while since my last post. I guess life got a little too busy for me this past month! Let's see, what have I been up to?

This past February I auditioned for a local CR production called, "Follies." I'd heard of it before, but had never seen it, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. Basically, it's a variety of singing and dancing acts - this year's theme was "Viva Las Vegas."

We've been rehearsing since May, but the schedule became really crazy in July, when we neared opening night. The show (all 6 of them!) went really well. I was very fortunate to have many family and friends come and support me. I think I had someone at nearly every show!

I'm glad I did it, because it gave me the opportunity to do something I love, singing. I mean, I sing at weddings and church, but this was different. I also met some super fun people and had a great time!

Thanks to all who came to see the show - it meant a lot to have some "fans" in the audience!

OK, in addition to Follies, I began training for marathon #8 (Marine Corps). This new plan (Run Less, Run Faster) is a tough one. But, I think the change up in training will ultimately be good for me.

I went to Adventureland with a few friends a couple weeks ago. I hadn't been there since I was a little one, so it was fun to be a kid for the day. We had a great time, but there is one lesson I learned in a big way. Do NOT. I repeat, do NOT go on the Silly Silo as an adult. It will not work out for you, I promise. The Silly Silo was my fave ride as a kid, but not so much as a grown-up.

Then it was vacation time and I traveled to Denver, CO to visit my brother and sister-in-law. I had a good time and it was fun to be in Colorado again. I even met up with a random running club for my long run. It was so fun!

I really miss living out there and would love to live there again some day. (Too bad it isn't cheap!)

Now it's back to work and marathon training!

You just have to laugh...

This past weekend, I had a half marathon on the calendar. It's in my hometown and I look forward to it every year. While I wasn't planning to PR, I was hoping to have a good race.

Plans change...

Late Friday night, I woke up to go to the bathroom and walked back to my bedroom...in the dark. Well, I slammed/stubbed my pinky toe into the dresser (I think). Several thoughts went through my mind as I held my foot. The pain...oh the pain!

I really really wanted a good night's sleep, so I crawled back into bed, without looking at my toe. After about 10 minutes, the throbbing stopped, and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up 7 hours later...remembering that I'd had a little mishap. My toe was at least twice its normal size and changing colors. OOPS! I've broken toes before, so I was fairly certain it was broken.

I tried to put my running shoes on, just to see, and that wasn't very fun. It felt so crunched in the shoe. I was a good girl, though, and elevated my foot. I even iced it!

Of course I was still planning to run my half the next day...stupid, I know. As I looked at the course route, I realized they'd made some changes, due to flooded trails. The course was going to be a bit boring and slightly more challenging.

It rained (for the millionth time this month) all night long. When I woke up on race day, it was STILL raining. Ugh! My shoe went on easier, so I took that to be a good sign. I picked up my friend and we headed to the race.

At this point, it was still raining, so I opted to leave my Shuffle in the car. I saw a ton of familiar faces, which was so fun.

Just as the race started, the rain stopped. Um...dang, I could have had music?

My friend took off and I just kept my own pace. I wasn't sure what I'd be able to do, let alone run the whole 13.1 on a bum toe. My plan was to quit, if necessary.

The first 4 miles were a bit of a chore, I was just telling myself anything I could to get to mile 5. By mile 5, I was convincing myself to make it to 7 miles. Actually, the last 8 or so miles, weren't too bad. My toe didn't bother me too much (thank goodness it's my pinky toe), until the last few miles. I'd say the humidity/muggy weather bothered me the most.

It turns out the course was shortened on race day, due to rain, so it was a 20K.

As I came around the final stretch, I saw members from my running club, my parents, my brother, sister-in-law, and their kids cheering me on. Seeing those kids brought the biggest grin to my sweaty face!

So here's my point (and the reason for the title of this post). Sometimes, things just don't go your way. But, you just have to laugh and embrace it a little. I'm not trying to be Sally Sunshine (ok, maybe a little), but I could have had the WORST attitude during this race.

1) I've got a broken toe - not ideal for running any distance, certainly not 12+ miles
2) The course has changed and is a bit more difficult, to me (on a street I hate)
3) The weather - very muggy and gross
4) No music (anyone who knows me as a runner, knows I prefer music and it gives me a
boost)

These four reasons alone, are enough for me to get super irritated and just not want to do it at all. But, I saw all of these familiar faces (ahead of me and behind me) and it just made me smile. And the fact is, everyone looked a little miserable. But it's that sort of miserable that is secretly happy...know what I mean? It sort of bonds us as runners.

I finished the 20K in 1:52:44 (9:05 pace). Considering I walked a bit a few times (and the reasons mentioned earlier), I was pleased.

The thing is, running is basically a hobby for me. It keeps me fit, sane, and usually happy. But having a bad race or less than ideal conditions, shouldn't get the best of you.

I have a friend who is out of work, a cousin with a baby in the hospital, and I'm sure there are so many other people suffering hardships. THESE are real problems that deserve care and attention.

Me having a crappy race? Not so important in the scheme of things.

Confidence Boost!

Yesterday, I ran a local race that commemorates the flood that hit Iowa 2 years ago, "Run The Flood." The race route (7 miles) takes you through many of the flooded neighborhoods and you can see where progress has been made and how far there is to go. I'm happy to support such a great cause.

But, I must say I didn't have high hopes for my performance at this race. For one, I've not run more than 5 or so miles since the marathon on May 2 (other than a slow 10 miler a week ago).

I've been running on the treadmill lately (I know, I know...) as well. I can't stand humidity and heat. There, I've said it. And no, I don't want to become tougher by suffering in it. Also, I've been trying to get back into a regular lifting routine. It's quicker for me to hop off the treadmill and go straight to the weights. If I run from my house, there's about 2% chance I'll go lift at the gym afterwards.

Aside from those things, I've just been kind of blah about running lately. I think the La Crosse Marathon really bummed me out. Of course, I've been running regularly, but just not very pepped up about it.

So, going into this race, I was thinking it would be a fun run - with NO expectations. I PR'd at this race last year, but didn't feel like that was realistic this year.

Add to that, the awesome forecast - 80 degrees with 90% humidity...and rain. Um, woohoo?

Alright, I decided I'd go run the race and plan on finishing anywhere between an hour to an hour and 10 minutes. Honestly, I'd have been happy with ANY time in that window, considering my attitude and the weather.

I found a bunch of my fellow CVRA club members at the start and got ready.

Mile 1 - I took off fast and then after a bit, realized I was running a 7:20 pace. While I dream of doing that consistently someday, I wasn't in any shape or attitude to do that to myself for the first mile. So, I made a concious effort to slow down a bit. I hit mile 1 at 7:53.

Mile 2 - I was feeling ok and tried to settle into a decent pace. I hit mile 2 at 8:20.

Mile 3 - Well, by now I was feeling pretty toasty (thank the LORD that the sun wasn't out). But, I tried to hold pace. I hit mile 3 at 8:22.

Mile 4 - At this point, I told myself that I was nearly half done and could do whatever I wanted for the second half. I hit mile 4 at 8:24.

Mile 5 - I was getting a little tired, but still trying to keep pace. I hit mile 5 at 8:36.

Mile 6 - When I saw that I hit 5 miles around 41:00, I did some quick math. Basically, I could run 9 minute miles for the last 2 and still finish under an hour. Since I honestly thought I wouldn't be finishing in an hour, this made me happy. I'm pretty sure I slowed down and "phoned in" the 6th mile. I hit mile 6 at 8:42.

Mile 7 - OK, 1 mile to go, so I might as well push it. By now, I'm positive I'll finish under an hour (unless something horrible happens). But, I still was doubtful of a PR. When I had about a half mile left, I was looking for the finish. They revamped it this year, so it was different than I remembered. All of a sudden it was in front of me - oops! So, I went as hard as I could. Mile 7 was 8:01.

I could see the clock and thought I could at least tie my time from last year. When I got home, I realized that I actually set a PR! My final time was 58:19. (Last year's time - 58:29) Woohoo!

I'm one of the biggest whiners about weather, so I am very excited that I set a PR in less than desirable conditions. It could have been much worse, had the sun been out or the rain come down harder. We even felt a breeze from time to time - which was heavenly!

This was a huge confidence boost for me right now. I have a half marathon at the end of the month and hopefully it will go well.

Make-Up

I ran my 3rd 5K of the year this morning. I have a little cold (again) and so, I wasn't feeling 100%. But, I still feel pretty good about my time and the race overall. Now, onto the point of this post.


I've noticed, for quite some time now, that many women show up to these races in full make-up and with their hair quite done up. We're talking, more make-up than I wear to go out with friends on a Saturday night. And the hair? Well, they're doing fancier stuff than what I have paid to have done to be in a wedding.


Let's get this straight, ladies...you are running/walking a 5K (any other distance), in other words, EXERCISING!!! Why on earth would you need to have your face covered in make-up and your hair done? Even if the pace is slow, you still might break a sweat.


OK, I'm not an idiot. I realize that maybe a single lady would want to put her best self forward, just in case. Um, I'm one of those single ladies and it's never occurred to me to wear make-up or do my hair. Well, I do throw my haphazard curls into a ponytail...but I don't think this qualifies as a hairdo. Make-up? Oh, I put Chapstick on, if my lips happen to be chapped. There ya go.


It's not that I don't care what a guy thinks of my looks, but it's that he should know that I'm there to exercise, not go clubbing. I guess I would naively hope that he'd be interested in me because of my interest in running/athletics. But, maybe I'm wrong.


I remember playing basketball against a certain school when I was in high school. Most of the girls on the team wore a LOT of make-up. So, halfway through the game, they've got mascara running down their face. And I'm wondering, "Why???"


I know a certain friend/fellow blogger who wears make-up to races...that's right, I just called her out. She's happily married and beautiful without make-up, but wears it. And honestly, she's the LAST person I'd suspect would wear make-up to a race.


So, apparently I've missed a memo somewhere about wearing make-up to races. All I know is that I look much better after a race without make-up on, than I would after a race with make-up running down my face.

It shouldn't surprise any of you, based on this post, to know that I also don't get all dressed up to get groceries. I mean, if I happen to already look nice, then yes...but I don't put a bunch of effort into looking good - for the grocery store. My mom is one of those, "you should ALWAYS look your best, because HE could be there." Well, he hasn't been there yet (and I've looked nice a few times)...so I don't plan on extending the additional effort.


Does anyone have any thoughts/opinions on this? Am I missing something?

Marathon #7 - Not so lucky...

Well, I had hoped that having the number 7 attached to this marathon would mean I'd FINALLY hit my goal of finishing in under 4:00.

I'm not a complete moron, I assumed my training would have something to do with it as well. But, it just didn't go as I had hoped.

This was the second year for the La Crosse Marathon and just under 300 people were registered, with several more running the half marathon.

We travelled to La Crosse on Saturday afternoon and then had a wonderful pre-race meal at Applebee's. We wanted Olive Garden, but the wait was too long. We went to bed at a decent hour and I think my sleep was pretty restful.

Here is something that was a little irritating, breakfast. We figured we could grab toast and/or cereal before heading to the race. The sign on the breakfast door said, 6-9am. So, we called the front desk, who snottily informed us that that was Mon. through Fri., Sunday breakfast starts at 7am. Um, wouldn't you think they'd make an adjustment knowing that most of their business the night before was in town for, um, a RACE???

My dad was nice enough to take us to the start, so we didn't have to deal with the shuttle. After an impromptu stop at Kwik Trip for a granola bar breakfast, we were on our way. We greatly misjudged how long it would take and arrived at the start area around 6:15am. The race was to begin at 7:30am. Oops!

Without going into any detail, let's just say my stomach was very nervous that morning. I'm fairly certain I started the race on a less than empty stomach. 'Nuff said.

The bonus of a small marathon is that you cross the start line within seconds...as opposed to minutes at a larger race. The negative? There were no pace groups to align myself with. I usually like to start with one and see how long I can hang on.

We took off and I felt pretty good. The first and supposedly only hill in the race was within a few minutes of the start, over a huge (and beautiful) bridge. Even though I felt like all 300 people were passing me, I tried to focus on not going out too hard. Well, I was marginally successful, but the first mile was 8:21, a little fast for what I was planning.

So, I re-evaluated and tried my best to slow down, but the pace I was running felt fine. Mile 2 was 8:25. OK, still not getting into the right pace...grrr!

My dad, stepmom, and Carrie's Dad were GREAT at getting around the course. We must have seen them at least 4 times before the first 4 miles, then again at mile 15.

I finally started to settle into a better pace around mile 3. Mile 3 was 8:38, Mile 4 was 8:46, Mile 5 was 8:42, Mile 6 was 8:51, Mile 7 was 8:45. All of these splits led to me hitting the 7 mile mark in an hour, 8:34 pace.

While I would normally be happy with that pace, I knew it could possibly come back to bite me later on. It did.

I still felt alright, but could feel myself slowing down, which was discouraging. Miles 7-14 were variations of 9:00, 9:15, etc. But, since the first 7 were a bit faster, I wasn't completely off my chance of breaking 4:00.

There were a few miles of panic where I thought I missed the turn off for the marathoners. It occurred to me that we hadn't yet split. So, I looked around me to see if there were any marathoners around me. Nope, all of them were half marathoners. So, I was beginning to wonder if I'd be running 13.1 rather than a full? As I approached the 13 mile mark, I could see that the half marathoners turned to the right to finish, while the marathoners continued ahead. Phew?

I saw my Dad and the crew at mile 15, which was encouraging. I have to say, with only 300 runners, I felt pretty lonely at times. I train with friends often, but I also run alone quite a bit. But, for some reason, it sure gets lonely in a marathon when there's no one else around you.

OK, so they advertised that this race was flat, other than the bridge in mile 1. I wouldn't say it was crazy hilly, but they could have been a bit more informative. We went over several overpasses and came back over them on the turn around. As I approached an overpass in the latter half of the race, I was SO negative, "Um, what the heck? Why does this overpass have to be here, now, at this moment?" So, I tried to push my way up the hill and then I see a mile marker sign, turned the other way. Frick! Now I know for sure that I will be coming BACK over this stupid overpass when my legs are even more tired. I checked the mile marker...mile 23. Grrr...

At this point, my splits are going into the high 9:00s and low 10:00s. I'm so disappointed in myself that I'm sure it's affecting my attitude, therefore my running. I hit the 20 mile mark around 3:05. So, if I busted the final 6 miles, maybe I could break 4:00. I can tell you right now, there was no "busting" in my vocabulary at that point. I tried my best to fight the negativity and make myself run through it, but it just wasn't enough.

My lower back wasn't really a big issue at this race, as it has been before. It did start to flare up in the final miles, but I can't blame it for my performance...or lack thereof.

As I finished the last few miles, I tried to remind myself that I was about to complete marathon #7 in less than 4 years. While that is a great accomplishment, it just didn't make me feel much better.

I crossed the finish line in 4:11:51, full of disappointment and frustration. Everyone has been so encouraging and telling me that I'm too hard on myself, which I so appreciate! But, when you spend 4 1/2 months working toward a goal and on the 7th attempt STILL don't do it...it's VERY upsetting. It's not as if I'm going to quit marathoning once I break 4:00, but it's just a barrier I need to break through. Then I can focus on qualifying for Boston (hopefully some day!).

I'm still down about it, but of course I realize there are much worse things than this. I have a ton of races on my schedule in the next several months. My goal is to set some PR's in the shorter distances and then start training for the Marine Corps Marathon!

Our post race "meal?" We stopped at Kwik Trip and purchased a 44 oz. diet pepsi fountain pop, a large bag of Cheetos, and a Twix ice cream bar, EACH of us. Mmm, very healthy!

Here are some pics from the race!

Me & Carrie before the race, we've run 5 marathons together (sort of)!

Here I am, I think maybe the first few miles of the race.

Here I am around mile 15, feeling tired...

Me & Carrie after the race
Carrie ran a PR and was the 4th female overall!

Yay for PRs (and taper time)!

Last Friday was my last long(ish) run before I taper for the marathon in 2 weeks. I had a plan...to have a fantastic run and just let the time fly by. As some of you know, this plan doesn't always work out. You take off and don't feel right, legs feel heavy, and the run takes forever.

I took off on a gorgeous day and felt great. It was a titch windy for my taste (I can be a pansy, I know), but for some reason I was just loving my run. I loved it so much, in fact, that when I hit the required 12 miles, I decided I'd tag a few more on. My pace was right where it needed to be and the time literally flew by. This is exactly how you want your final long run to go.

I ran a local 5K race on Saturday morning. My goal this year is to break 24:00 in the 5K. This requires me to cut 25 seconds off my current PR. Typically, I like to have an easy rest day before a race, but with training, that doesn't always work out. So, I went into the race with an open mind and just hoping to feel good and have fun.

An elite friend of mine (who was 1st female) reminded me of what a hilly course this was and how she thinks it's a tough course to PR on. Oops...maybe I won't PR today?

I took off and felt great! My first mile was 7:50 and I felt strong, so I tried to keep that up. Mile 2 was a bit slower, 7:56. I think the hills were in mile 2? I don't remember... I was feeling strong into the final mile, so I really tried to push. Mile 3 was 7:47. Final time: 24:10.

Woohoo! What a great feeling! The last few times I've PR'd were when I went into the race with low to no expectations. Maybe there's something to this? This was my 2nd 5K of the year and I felt SO much better after this one than I did after the one in February (which was slow and not a PR).

So, now I just have to cut a pesky 10 seconds from my time to meet my goal. Is it possible for me to run in the 23:00s??? I sure hope so and I'm going to push myself to do it!

Back to taper time...while I enjoy the decrease in mileage, I don't enjoy that I'd like to eat anything and everything at ALL times. Oh wait, I do that the entire time I'm training anyway. However, with less mileage, maybe I don't want to eat 6,000 calories a day? Ugh, I'm a born eater, I can't help it!

I hope I feel as good as I've felt the last few weeks on marathon day. No matter what, it will be another fun experience!

T Minus 3 weeks...

The LaCrosse Marathon is creeping ever so much closer...less than 3 weeks away!

I ran my 3rd and final 20 miler this past Saturday. After a brief experience with allergies on Friday, I was thrilled to feel 100% ready to run Saturday morning. The goal was to feel strong throughout and make sure my GU/water stops were very brief. Mission accomplished!

I met our local running club and ran the first few by myself. Then, I ran a stretch of 6 miles with a girl I had just met that morning. Again, a very cool by-product of running...making a new buddy in minutes! So, I ended up running about 13 of it by myself.

I felt pretty good throughout, with no major issues or moments of frustration. My last 2 miles were the only 2 over 9:00, so I was pleased with that. I ran this 3rd 20 miler in 2:56, which is pretty much what I ran the other two in. So, at least I'm consistent, right?

I just need to carry that through for the final 6.2 miles! That's where I typically get into trouble...so I really really really really really really hope I can push past that this time, and break 4:00!

I remember the first 20 milers I did and they took well over 3 hours...with a LOT of walking. Now, while I may stop for a quick water break, for the most part, I can run the whole distance. We can do anything we set our minds to!

On another note, I registered for the Marine Corps Marathon last Wednesday! Honestly, when I first started to think about running a marathon, THIS is the one I wanted to do. Four years later, here I go!

My dad was a Marine and served proudly in Vietnam. He and my stepmom will be coming out to the race and he is VERY excited. My brother is also running the race, so that will be cool. I also know a few others running. The race is on 10/31/10, but already it's all I can think about...I need to pace myself. :-)

I have a 5K this Saturday and am looking forward to it. Of course I'd like to PR, but I'll be happy having a good race and supporting a good cause, victims of domestic violence.

Laziness...

Hot on the heels of my last upbeat blog entry, comes this entry.

A few weeks ago, I caught a cold, my first in a long time. It knocked me out for the weekend, but after that I felt fine. Mind you, I was still coughing and going through 1,000 tissues a day, but at least I didn't want to die anymore.

Well, as of today, I'm still sneezing, sniffling, and coughing. Ugh!!! In my head, I've had this cold for about 5 days. I took a look at my calendar and realized that this all started on March 2. Oopsy, I guess it's really hanging on!

I ran Monday and Tuesday and felt ok, but not 100%. The plan was to run an easy 6 miler today after work. I wasn't too enthused about it and was hoping my mood would change once I started.

I came home from work and changed into my running clothes. I turned on the Garmin and waited for the signal to pick up. I turned on my IPOD. I took off...

Fast forward (at a very slow, pathetic pace) three blocks. I have now switched to a walk. Fast forward another two blocks, I've stopped.

Now I'm considering my options. I could turn this into a run/walk and just log the miles. I could keep walking for a few miles and at least do something. I mean, it IS gorgeous outside!

Alas, I turned around and walked home. So, tonight's workout lasted a whopping 6 minutes and 3 seconds. Whoa, Nelly!

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I took the trouble to put ON workout clothes, only to be gone for a few minutes.

But here's the thing, this happens. I don't know that I've ever punked out like this before, but I'm sure it's happened to someone, right? Please tell me I'm not wrong about this!

Rather than struggle through the 6 miles tonight, knowing I wasn't feeling well, I decided rest was better. Those of you who know what a stickler I am for a plan, know how hard it is for me to go OFF the plan. So, I must have been tired/sick, right?

Here's hoping I can still get in some quality runs this week! More importantly, I should probably continue to focus on rest, as this cold (potential sinus infection) doesn't seem to be going anywhere!

7 weeks to go...

Marathon #7 is creeping closer and closer. I don't know where the time has gone, but I'm a bit surprised that it's nearly here! So far, training has gone pretty well.

I'm following a higher mileage plan this time around (Hal Higdon - Intermediate II). I wanted to do this for a few reasons. #1 - I wanted to change things up a little and not do the same exact plan. #2 - High mileage tends to be really difficult for me. The higher mileage weeks in previous plans were always the ones I had the most trouble completing.

When I do high mileage, I either burn out quickly or get so frustrated, that I walk more or slack on pace. So, THIS plan called for 3 - 50 mile weeks (including 3 - 20 milers) and I wanted to see if I could do it.

The most I've ever run in a week is 44 miles, and it was not what I would call easy or fun. Today, I hit a milestone - I ran 45 miles in one week! I know, for some of you runners, that is an "easy" week, but for me, it's an accomplishment of sorts.

I caught a cold last week, which meant I had to cut my mileage a bit short. So, I went into this week (still a little sick) hoping for the best. My plan called for 2x5 milers, 2x10 milers, and a 20 miler.

I took Monday off, because I was still feeling pretty crappy. I decided to see what I could do Tuesday, and ended up running an easy 10 miler. The weather is changing here, so I was excited to run Wednesday night as it was gorgeous. I had a good 5 mile run and felt great. I took Thursday off, in preparation for Friday's 20 miler.

By Friday, I was still sniffling, but not nearly as sick as the week before. Carrie and I had perfect weather for our 20, so we were pumped. The miles and time flew by and I ran it the fastest I've ever run 20 miles.

I debated running 5 Saturday morning, but I had a pretty busy day ahead, so I slept instead. Today, it was 54 degrees here! Unbelievable! So, I just HAD to get out there, no matter the mileage. I decided I'd just see how my legs felt and do whatever felt good. I ended up running a great 10 miler. It felt SO good to wear shorts and a t-shirt...ahhh!

My legs felt relaxed and the pace was perfect. The last 4 miles were a bit slower, as I was running into a fairly strong headwind. But, I enjoyed the entire run!

So, that brings me to 45 miles for the week. Here is why it's a big deal to me. It wasn't hard, I wasn't dragging my feet to go run today. My legs didn't feel like 150 pound weights attached to my hips.

Also, I'm not quite back to 100% yet. So, if I was able to do this while a little sick, I'm anxious to see what I can do when I'm healthy.

Do I think I can do 100 mile weeks? Um, no...I can say with some certainty that I won't have a desire to do that, ever!

Here's to hoping the rest of training goes well and leads to a PR at marathon #7!

First race of 2010: Check!

Well, I've got my first race of the year checked off my list. The Freeze Fest 5K is a race put on by our local running club and it's always in February. Hence, the race's clever title! This was my third year running it and it is always a good time.

I'm following a higher mileage/more demanding marathon training plan right now and I'm about halfway through. While I'm doing ok with it, I can definitely feel the fatigue in my legs. Carrie and I ran 12 miles on Friday (the day before the 5K). This isn't ideal, but it's more important to me to get the long run in. Both of us were tired and just took the 12 miler nice and easy.

When I woke up on Saturday for the 5K, my legs were still telling me they weren't too pumped for a run, regardless that it was only 3 miles. I stretched and headed over to the race. Well...I was running a bit late, so I had to park at the other lodge, which was a little jaunt from the lodge where the race started. I did my "warm-up" jog/sprint to the lodge to get my bib and chip.

My goal for the 5K this year is to smash 24:00. My current PR is 24:25, so this should be achievable. I won't say I thought I'd break 24:00 on Saturday, but I did hope to have even a tiny PR. However, I'm also realistic and knew how my legs felt.

As the race started, I took off at a comfortable race pace and felt alright. I hit the first mile at 7:53 and was pleased. But, I wasn't feeling like I was going to be able to maintain that pace.

I was right. Mile 2 was 8:10, with mile 3 being 8:07. My final time was 25:34, an 8:14 pace. While this isn't a PR, it's also not my worst time or anything that truly disappoints me. I ran as hard as I could and this was the result. I can honestly say that this 5K hurt - which means I didn't go into it with the most rested legs. There are plenty more 5Ks this year and I plan to reach my goal at one of them!

The other cool thing about Saturday's race was the social atmosphere afterward. I ran into so many people I knew and it was fun to find out which marathons they're racing this year and what their plans are.

Again, one of the coolest things about running is the community of it. I have recently gotten to know a girl who is in my age group at a lot of races. She saw me at my gym (and at this race) and struck up a conversation about planning a run together. It turns out she's running the same Spring marathon as me! Very cool!

Then I ran into a high school girl I used to coach in basketball. She ran with her sister and her sister's friend. It was so cool to see her and talk to her about the race. Her sister is training for a half marathon and then a full and asked if she could run with me this summer. Um, YAH!

Running has a great way of bringing people together, no matter their pace or anything else. I remember growing up playing basketball. While I loved the game, I didn't like the cliques and the snottiness of a lot of the girls on the team. And, since it's a team sport, it's sort of important that everyone gets along.

Then I joined cross country my senior year. Oh. My. Gosh. I was completely shocked at the "team" atmosphere. I honestly had NO idea that THAT was what a team felt like. The varsity girls cheered for the junior varsity girls and vice versa. And we're talking genuine cheering here. I was never made to feel different since I was new to running and just joining the team my senior year. I felt encouraged at every practice and at every meet. Most importantly, we had FUN!

The good memories I have from that ONE year of cross country far outweigh any memories I have from playing basketball for 9 years. Isn't that interesting?

Running's life lessons...

For some reason, as I was going to bed the other night, I started thinking of all the things running has taught me (and probably several other runners) over the years. I decided to put them down on paper (so to speak) and share with you.

Keep in mind that you’ll see many of these intersect with one another, but I think they are all valuable lessons!

Patience: You have to be patient to endure the multiple miles you put in, whether training for a 5K or a marathon. Everyone knows that, with running, there are mostly good days. But, when you do have bad days, you have to have patience to get through the run (no matter what). The race atmosphere can be very hectic, chaotic and, most of all, crowded. A runner must be patient to deal with the crowds and the lines and just…relax and enjoy the experience!

Resilience: I was in quite a bit of pain the first few days after my first marathon. And while I’d already committed that I’d be running another one, my legs weren’t so sure. In those moments you think, “Seriously, is there any way I’ll ever be able to run again, period?” Here’s where the resilience comes in! Our bodies are incredible! I remember the first time I ran after that marathon, about a week later. I remember thinking, “Wow, I’m back!” This applies to life, too. No matter how bad it is or how bad it might feel, you can bounce back!

Mental Toughness: Nothing teaches you mental toughness like grueling long runs in preparation for a marathon. Oh wait, running a marathon will really give you mental toughness (if you didn’t already have it). I was unemployed when I ran my first marathon. Or let’s just say I was “between jobs,” which sounds better, right? OK, so it was a pretty rough time for me, but I remember crossing the finish line and thinking, “If I can run 26.2 miles, I can get through THIS!” You have to be so focused to run these long distances. I’m not just talking about the race, either. I’m talking about sticking to a training plan that guides your mileage and then following through on race day. There are days where it’s so hot and humid outside, the last thing you want to do is run for 3 hours in it. There are days where you’d rather quit early and find/make up and excuse, but you push forward.

Determination: Sometimes I treat running as if it’s my opponent in a one on one match. And I refuse to let running win! Here is what I mean… I ran a marathon last year where intense lower back pain struck me at mile 6 (only 20.2 more miles to go!). Mind you, I had never had this issue before, so it was a complete surprise. And I had been running fine, up until that point. While the pain was pretty bad, I was determined to finish the race, no matter what the final time would be. I was able to run another 7 miles (at a slower pace) and then walk/run the last 13. There were some very unpleasant moments and two significant moments where I wanted to just quit. But, more than anything, I wanted to finish the race. I guess you could say running won, but I like to think we tied? (Side note: if the pain is so bad you think you are seriously injured, you should not feel “determined” to keep going. I think I knew I would be fine if I just adjusted my pace, how I ran the race, and my expectations for the race.) Another example of this determination? My friends (Carrie and Jen) and I ran the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon, in the humidity heat wave. We started separately and then finished together (about 20 pounds lighter). Did we have fun? OK, probably not. But, we powered through and finished the race, no matter what!

Discipline: You have to be disciplined. You can slack in other areas and maybe “get by,” but you can’t really do that in running, no matter your natural ability. For example, I don’t think most runners would just up and decide to run a marathon tomorrow if they’ve never run more than 10 miles in their life. This is where the training plan comes in. Yes, I’m a planner and have a bit of OCD, and I do love a good PLAN. I follow mine pretty close (some friends would say freakishly close). But, my reason is that I know I’m on track when I follow the plan. Yes, I might move Thursday’s workout to Monday, but I try to get the weekly miles in. Runners know how much worse they’ll feel on/after race day if they show up unprepared. I can’t imagine running a marathon without having put in the requisite long runs.

Time Management: If you weren’t good at managing your time before becoming a runner, I’ll bet you are now! This is especially true if you train for long distance races. Prior to training and running for marathons, I ran during the week, after work, usually 4-5 miles at a time, sometimes a bit longer. But, once you start doing the long runs, you have to block out 2-3 hours of time on a weekend day and sometimes an hour and a half on week nights. For me, that means getting up early on Saturday mornings and joining the local running club and my friends. It also means that I sometimes have to do that run on Friday, if I plan to be out of town that weekend. I’ve even taken a half day off of work to get my long run in. For others, it means making sure someone is watching the kids, making breakfast, etc. No matter your situation, you have to make time for the longer runs, which means planning the route, the water/Gatorade stops, and the Panera reward afterward!

Jedi Mind Tricks: I play so many little tricks on myself when I’m running. Sometimes I’m running with a good friend (Carrie) and mind tricks are not necessary. The two of us are gabbing so much that, before we know it, 14 miles are done! But, sometimes, you have to play little games with yourself in order to get through a run. You know what I’m talking about. “OK, I’ll stop and take a GU when I reach the bridge.” We all know that you get to the bridge because you have a little “reward” coming. “I’ll stop and walk for a bit when I reach that sign.” Typically, when you reach the sign, you keep running. My favorite trick is this – math! I ran 17 miles last Friday and it went well. I did a stretch of 7 miles, then another stretch of 6 miles, then 4. Let me tell you, when I hit 10 miles, I immediately told myself I had an easy 7 miler left. In my head, it was as if I was starting at zero miles and just had to run 7. After my last water stop (at 13 miles), it was refreshing to know I had 4 measly miles left. While I’m not a “math” person, it sure helps me during tough runs! I love that after all of these years, my mind still allows me to “lie” to it from time to time.

Appreciation: Running has taught me to appreciate my body and what it can, and can’t, do. I’m constantly thanking God for giving me a healthy body and strong legs that can withstand the training and run long distances. I am fully aware that there are people who would love to run, or even walk, and can’t. When you look at it this way, you see running as an incredible gift. It keeps you healthy and fit, while opening you up to wonderful experiences and friendships. Sure, some days it feels like running is a torture device, but most days you know the good you are doing and what running is giving back to you. It doesn’t matter that God didn’t give me a natural ability to be “fast,” He gave me the ability to run, period. He gave me a passion for it and that’s all you need!