The big 21

Besides race day, another day that I have been looking forward to since I started training was Saturday's run. I ran the longest distance that I will run before the race - 21 miles. The run went really well. I tested another form of energy/carb supplements. Sarah and Eric gave me a pack of jellies to try. They are like fruit snacks that deliver the carbs. They tasted good, but I think I still have a chunk of one in my lung. I'm not good at having my mouth full when I'm trying to breath through my mouth too. I will definitely stick with the gel.

The weather was nice and the humidity was low. We got an early start. The goal for all of my long endurance runs has been a 10:40 to 11:10 pace. I usually try to pay attention to my watch and make sure that I'm not running too fast at the beginning or too slow at the end. On my 19 mile run 2 weeks ago my average pace was 10:49. However, on the 21 mile run, I really didn't watch my pace very closely and my average pace ended up being 10:20. I don't feel like I over-exerted myself. Part of having a successful run for me also means keeping check on my attitude. If I start getting down, I know that I'm probably getting close to needing an energy gel. I felt pretty good through the run, but I still can't imagine doing 5 more miles! The race is 6 weeks from today!!

We bought my race shoes today. I still have to find out how many miles to put on them before they are considered "broken in" for the race. We went back to Pacesetters because we received a lot of help and information there before. I ended up buying the same pair of shoes that I have been training with. I considered finding a totally new pair because my arches were burning some during last part of the 21 miles. Also, my knees were pretty tired and it felt like I needed more cushioning between the ground and my foot. However, we came to the conclusion that the shoes are probably doing everything that they can do, it is just the fact that I'm running so many miles at one time.

Hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day Weekend!

Only 3 miles

Tonight was the dreaded Wednesday run...actually it was only 3 miles, so I couldn't complain too long! The goal was 3 miles at 8:45 to 8:50 pace. My average pace for the run was 8:38. I really start out too fast and hurt myself for the rest of the run. We ran to State Farm to take our insurance payment and then the other direction to the post office to mail some letters.

Not that the US Open isn't great, but MAN!, I miss the Olympics!

Tips and YAY for Craig

Great weather! Wow! Tonight's goal was a 30 minute jog. I am used to running at least 40 minutes at the beginning of the week, so we went a usual route and completed 37 minutes.

Yesterday I was able to talk to a veteran runner and get a few tips about Chicago. This conversation was with someone who has run the Chicago marathon for the past 4 years and placed in the top 25 last year! Amazing!! We talked energy gels and gear. He won't be running this year due to a knee injury. It made me really excited for the marathon!

Last night we celebrated that Craig is done with his test and that he did really well! Craig was exhausted, but not too tired to enjoy a meal at Texas Roadhouse!

Saturday and looking ahead

Saturday's run felt quick. We started early and were done with 10 miles by 8 am. I really didn't pay attention to my watch to check what pace I was going. I just did what felt comfortable. My average pace was 10:07/mile. I used one energy gel. It was a different brand that they recommend at the bike shop where we bought Craig's bike.

I'm on the countdown. This next week will be 11 out of 17! I have started to think about what I'm going to wear on race day. I will probably need to buy another pair of shoes and get them broken in for race day. I also need to get some running tights in case the weather is cool. In previous races in the spring I have worn regular work-out pants, but that probably wouldn't work for the marathon!

This week will be a little different just because my Saturday run will be 21 miles. To keep my mileage for the week around 30, I will only do 9 miles during the week. This weekend is the annual Little Italy Festival and a 3-day-weekend! I'm looking forward to this week.

run or swim?

When I walked out the door this morning, I wasn't sure if I was going for a run or for a swim. It was soooo humid! I was glad it was only a 30 minute run and hope the weather changes before tomorrow's 10 mile run. There have been scattered showers, so hopefully that changes things up.
Today I only worked half the day. This afternoon I went to a continuing education seminar on prevention protocols - fluoride, sealants, etc. We get to see Craig's family tonight and some of my family tomorrow. It should be a good weekend. Please Pray for Craig as he has a huge test on Monday. I already have instructions, "Don't ask me if I feel prepared." I'm just going to be supportive and tell him he can do it whether he believes me or not!

Another hard one

I got up when my alarm went off this morning, but somehow rationalized getting back in bed and not running. So I ran tonight. The goal was 6 miles at 8:45 to 8:50 pace. I ran 3.3 miles at a 8:45 pace until I decided that I had enough. I walked about a 1/4 mile and thought about things. Craig said to me last week when I was having a hard time, "It's not supposed to be easy." That thought has stuck with me. My interpretation, "Don't be afraid of having to work hard." I definitely wasn't enjoying the run. Tonight he suggested just finishing the run, at my regular jog pace (about a 10 minute/mile.) I finished the run and my final average pace was 8:55 and I was glad to be done. So I'm still not convinced that I can keep my goal of a 4 hour marathon, but my main goal from the beginning has been always been to finish the race. I still don't want the thing to take all day!

Week 10

Tonight was probably one of the last evening runs for a while. We have been really blessed with low humidity and low temps for a couple weeks. It really hasn't felt like the typical Indiana August, but it is supposed to be on its way back. Tonight was a 40 minute run that went well. This year I have allergies for some reason. Luckily it hasn't really affected my running. My ankle swelled and was really sore about 24 hours after my long run Saturday. It stayed that way for about 24 hours and then was fine. I'm icing it after tonight's run, so hopefully it doesn't give me any problems in the morning!

19 miles

Today was probably my best run yet. We got an early start around 6 and the run took about 3 1/2 hours. Instead of diluting my energy gels in my water, I took them straight at 1 hour and 2 hours. I almost did a 3rd gel at 3 hours, but I felt pretty good. I tried a new flavor - chocolate and it was good!

We parked at ISU's campus. By the time we made it back, campus was buzzing with students moving in. We ran on Heritage Trail again and there was a ton of trail traffic! There were a lot more runners than we have ever seen, including a cross country team. It was nice to see a lot of people out on such a beautiful morning.

I have felt better today post-run than previous weeks. I always have a pretty severe headache the afternoon after the run. Today I am sore, but feel much better in general, with no headache. The temperature was less than 60 degrees when we started, so I wasn't drenched head to toe like usual. Craig was actually pretty cold the whole time!

I usually hit a point on my Saturday runs where I get really down. I start falling apart mentally thinking that I can't finish my run, let alone run a full marathon. I'm sure Craig can attest to my crankiness and bad attitude. Today that mentality only really started during the last mile and wasn't as severe. Overall, today was good. I only train up to 21 miles and that is in 2 weeks.

Tight

I ran 30 minutes tonight on a beautiful evening. My hamstrings are TIGHT!! No...not because of my hard run on Wednesday. Surprisingly I wasn't sore from that rough run. I'm sore because of what I did last night. One of my goals for this week was to pull some weeds. So I bent over and yanked really stubborn weeds out of the really dry soil for about an hour last night and my arms and hamstrings are sore! and I thought I was in shape!

The goal for Saturday's run is to start very early and get it over with. The goal for tomorrow is 19 miles. Craig is making his chicken parmesan for dinner to prep for the run. The track Olympics are on. Hopefully I'll get inspired for tomorrow!

un-fun-run

So I don't know how to start...I just ran 4 miles at a 8:43 pace and it wasn't fun. The goal was to run 10-15 seconds faster than race pace (9 minute miles.) During my run I really started to question if I should change my goal of running a 4 hour marathon to a slower pace. If I feel that bad for 4 miles, how can I run 26.2 miles at that pace? Next Wednesday I run 6 miles at the same pace, so I guess I will re-evaluate at that time. I will also make sure that I run in the morning (tonight was a little warm) and make sure I use some energy gel in my water.

Btw - yesterday was 2 months till the marathon!!!

Great weather

Today was a beautiful day! I'm calling it "allergies," but my throat and nose kept me awake some last night. So I didn't make it out of bed this morning. Fortunately, it was beautiful enough after work today to run this evening! It feels like fall. I pray that we have this weather on October 12th! Craig rode around with me for a 40 minute run.

Short Run

First of all...2 more donations to the American Cancer Society! THANK YOU!

I knew this Saturday was a shorter run and I guess I forgot to give the run the respect it deserved. Mistakes: 1.) I didn't eat dinner Friday night. I was really busy with finishing up a class and just forgot about it. So my body wasn't fueled up with the energy it needed. 2.) I didn't get up as early as I should have, but the weather actually was pretty mild. 3.) I didn't use any carb gel in my water. I thought, "Oh its just 10 miles, I don't need it." After all, I never used it when I trained for the half marathons. But because I didn't have dinner last night, I'm sure anything besides plain water would have helped.

It wasn't any certain part of my body that hurt, it was just an overall tiredness and lack of energy. My throat started getting sore last night and I'm hoping that it doesn't get any worse. My boss was sick all week - coughing and hacking, so hopefully I'm not getting what he had.


Side note: Opening ceremonies for the Olympics were amazing!

Count your blessings

The humidity broke and it was a beautiful morning for a run. My left calf was pretty tight, but it loosened up and felt better as I ran. I always get nervous that I will have an injury or set back that won't let me train. I am grateful for my health.

I have a co-worker whose husband, Warren, is battling cancer. They have a blog set up to make family and friends aware of their prayer needs. Here is an brief idea of what he is going through:

"For now you can pray for some struggles that have surfaced since my marker has risen. I have very labored breathing. The simplest task can tax my breathing. Now how am I supposed to keep up with the little boy in this condition? I also have pain in my side (the liver). If I over do it I'll become very uncomfortable and it takes some pain medicine and a lot of rest to get past it. Spencer thinks it's his superior boxing skills that causes the pain. I can't have him growing up believing this. Also, today I stayed home from work because of all of this and then some. I found it hard to keep my food down today. This could be a passing thing for today or something I'll have to deal with in the days to come until we figure out our new course of action. Pray for these things to subside so I can continue to function."

Wow! I can't imagine what he is going through. (Spencer is their youngest son of 3 children.) I can only pray that Warren maintains hope as cancer research progresses and methods of treatment are discovered.

1/2 way

The weekend really wore me out so I made some modifications to my training this week. Translation: Mainly I was lazy this week and busy in the evenings, so my training for Monday (40 minute run) and today- Wednesday (16 x 400 at 2 min pace with 2 min rest) got combined. I ran to and from the track where I completed the 400s. This is the last week for 400s and the last week of the "endurance" part of my training. Week 9, I start the "stamina" phase. Not a lot changes except for the Wednesday run where I will run consecutive miles at a pace that is about 10-15 seconds faster than race pace. I'm excited to be half through training!

A scary incident happened this week about 3 blocks from our house. It is really startling to realize how meth affects people and how this situation could have ended much worse.

On a lighter note, my dad emailed the Commercial Newspaper in Danville, IL and made them aware of the cause that I am running for. They ran a story this week and I think it turned out very well. I'm really hoping it creates some more donations!

17 Miles

Based on the previous 2 weeks experience during the long runs, we got up very early to try to beat the heat on Saturday. We headed to Heritage Trail again this week and started the run around 5:30. We got about 500 feet down the trail before I was gripping Craig's bicep and whining! It was pitch black and I was scared! Once we got on the trail and inside the trees it was just way too dark to see to run. Craig had a flashlight, but it didn't illuminate much of the trail. So we turned around and hung out in the car until the sun starting coming up around 6:15.

I had a lot of doubt hanging out in the back of my mind before I started the run. 17 miles just seemed...not impossible, but...very long! We ran the full length of the trail - 5.8 miles and then added almost 2 more miles running around ISU's campus. There were several areas in the shade with a cool breeze that made the run really enjoyable. By the time we were running back by Rose Hulman there was a lot of fans eagerly waiting for the Colts, but we didn't get to see any players this week. When we got back to where we started, I still had another 2 miles. When my watch said 17 miles, I started walking - I could hardly walk straight!

I used my fuel belt for the first time. It has 4 bottles that hold 8 oz each. I used a carb gel diluted in the bottles. I liked it pretty well, but the bottles must have hit my hip bones because they are sore today. My heart rate monitor also rubbed a spot raw. There are certain issues that arise when your body is in constant motion for 3 hours! I am slightly sore today, mainly in my legs, but also a little bit everywhere.