Marathon Dreamer

Ran 2 miles then had to return to my hotel for a bathroom stop.  GI issues this morning.  Decided to play it safe and stick close to a bathroom so I hit the gym. Ran 6 miles on the treadmill at an easy pace.  My left knee was bugging me at the end of it.  Strange elastic snap feeling in it yesterday when I got out of the jacuzzi.  It didn't hurt at all when it happened, it was just a strange sensation.  I am praying to GOD that there isn't a real issue there and that this is runner's knee.  I just recently started doing more running on the treadmill, so I am wondering if it is messing with my knee.

SLEPT well last night!  Finally.  I am RESTING today... after an aching knee yesterday, I have decided to give myself a full rest day and see how I feel tomorrow.  I will be doing upper body weights and abs later today just to keep with my routine. I have realized something about myself.  Even though I was able to run 60 miles last week, it doesn't mean that I should!  I have a breaking point... No more than 55 is where I will be sticking from now on.  Although I would like to be like some people on this blog that can do big mileage, I see now that it causes me issues when I do that.  It happened last training cycle too.  That was right around the time when my plantar fasciitis got really bad.  So despite recommendations to run big mileage... you have to know your own limitations.  You cannot expect to be able to do what others suggest.  Although it may work for them, it may not work for you.

Average pace 8:59 min/mile.  Still a bit tired today.  Mother nature left me a "gift" over night.  UGH!  Yeah... I know... I know TMI.  But hey... this is my blog.... and hardly anyone follows it anyway except a few special people!  That little "gift" does explain why I have not been up to par this week.  I also think my body was a bit overloaded to begin with.  I gotta say though.... I am glad I got the "gift."  Lately things haven't been right with that... I am sure it is from all the training.  It will be interesting to see how long I keep the "gift" and when it moves on!  And at least I won't have to run my marathon with the gift!!  Right?  I took it easy on the mileage today.  This weeks' mileage hasn't been great... but that's ok.  The training is in the bank and I had some quality workouts this week.  Last long run this weekend then I officially start my taper.  Last taper was 4 weeks, this time around will only be 2 weeks.  I am curious to see if I do better with a shorter taper.  Did abs and arm weight routine in the late afternoon at the gym.

Ran along the ocean.  Had my husband with me but we were running different paces.  8:09 average pace per mile.  First 1.5 miles in 11:04.  The extra rest this past week has served me well.  Last long run before the marathon tomorrow.  My knee is better and my Plantar Fasciitis is better at the moment.

5 miles at 9:30 pace...then 10 miles with average pace of 8:50 per mile....last 2 miles under 8 minute pace!! 15 miles done....cheers! Time for that beer!!  I'm as ready for Utah as I'm gonna be... taper time!!!

REST... never overrated!!

Not a bad run but I am tired... left knee started bugging me towards the end.  Kinda felt like I was soul searching at the beginning of the run and then I loosened up.  Felt my best during miles 3-7.  Cool and misting outside this morning... air felt pretty good.  Not a lot of people out running.  Average pace 8:49 min/mile.  Trying to figure out my taper plan until Sept. 18th.  I want to avoid the sluggish feeling that I had last time.  Don't know what to expect for the marathon.  Here's to hoping that a 18 miler and 20 miler will be enough for this marathon!  I have had a few other "longer" runs ranging from 12-16 thrown in over the past few weeks and I have to say that I think my runs have been quality runs.  I have run fatigued and heavy legged frequently.. so hoping that has helped prepare my legs for that feeling again at miles 20-26.2.  I feel a bit more mentally prepared this time around. Saying prayers.

heavy legs....ouch 8:54 average pace.

Workout on the mill: 1/2 mile walk (which I am not including into my mileage), stretch then 2.5 miles at 8:09 pace, 1 mile recovery; then 2 miles at 8:09 pace, then 1/2 mile cool down. Very tired today.  I don't think I slept more than 5 hours last night.  Nervous about today and tomorrow with my move into the house.  Lots to do... lots on my mind.  Had to cut the run short by 1 mile due to GI issues and needing the restroom.  Couldn't hold pace through the whole tempo because of my fatigue so I split it up with a recovery mile.  Meant to do 2.5 on the second fast pace mileage, but my phone rang (I was thinking it was the trailer delivery guys) so I had to slow the pace and cut that one short to 2 miles.  Still, not bad considering all going on and how tired I am.

Rest today...yeah right! Spent the day moving into the house....lifting and going up and down stairs. Taper... what taper?

Stopped weight lifting and doing any exercises that involve core or legs.  I am beat from the taper and the move.  Had a hard time walking down the stairs this morning.  Slept better last night.  Havent slept in my own bed in a year since it was in storage while we were in Mexico.  My planta fasciitis hurts.  Ugh.  Short scoot t 8:45 average pace.  I am tuckered.  Thankfully I have help coming here tomorrow.  This is just rediculous and I run  my marathon in 6 days!!!

8:25 average pace....ugh.  Last fast run before the marathon.

8:49 average pace.  Ouch...felt really hard and I am exausted!!

9:25 average pace.  was really trying to force myself to run slow today.  I am running on tired legs.  The move this week has really taken alot out of me.  I stopped lifting boxes today and carrying heavy stuff up the stairs.  Thankfully my mother in law has arrived and now I have more help.

Resting .... praying that I am not getting sick!!!

,9:25 average pace....did a mile below 9:00 pace  and the rest nice and easy.  I did no unpacking today.  Took it easy at home.  Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight right now thinking about all the training and the taper and hoping to feel rested by saturday. 

Resting today.... driving around Logan and taking in the pretty scenery!!!  Trying to will away the sniffles.  I wish I had more time to rest!!!

So excited to share my race report with you all!!

My husband and I left San Diego on Thursday afternoon.  We arrived that evening in Utah after a ways drive from Salt Lake to Ogden.  We were staying at the Marriot there because we just could not find a hotel any closer to Logan.  We had a great dinner that night at a local pasta place.  Quaint little town.  The next day, we went to Denny's for a big breakfast and then drove into Logan.  We decided to drive the marathon course up the canyon.  It was a bit misleading as it felt almost like we were driving down hill!!  I was real nervous!!  But when we drove down the course from the top, we realized that the course turned before all the rolling steep hills that we drove in on!!  Phew!!!  Thank goodness!!  We stopped and had a few beers to pass the time before we went over to the hotel there to pick up the race packet.  I gotta say, the beer in Utah is not as strong as in California. Hardly even felt the effects of it!!  LOL!!  I did drink plenty of fluids to be sure I was well hydrated.  We picked up the race packet and headed back to Ogden for dinner and rest.  I fueled well for 3 days before this race with lots of carbs, ;-) and slept well the night before!!  Woke up at 3:30 am to get ready and to be at Merlin Olsen Park in Logan before the last bus departed for the start up the canyon.

It was FREEZING!!!  I am so glad that I had picked up a cheap pair of gloves in a convenience store the day before.  I also was glad that I brought my superman logo fleece PJ pants to wear and I had a sweatshirt on over my athletic sports bras.  The bus was comfortable and warm.  There was this lady that kept talking behind me.  I thought to myself... how the heck is she able to be that awake to be yackin' that much at this time of the day?!!  LOL!!  I just zoned out and rested my head on my knees in the seat.  It was even colder once we arrived at the top of the canyon!!  It was bone chilling up there!!  I went straight for the porta potty... froze my #$%^ off while waiting and then after, ventured down the hill to find warmth in the heated tents below.  Took about 10 minutes to wrestle my way in... but once there, I was really warm.  I rested as I sat on the ground for a bit.  Ate one of my gels because I didn't eat enough for breakfast.  Took off the bottoms and placed them in the plastic drop bag as I defrosted.

Before I knew it, it was 6:45 am.... Oh no!!  GI upset!!  I ran up the hill and was waiting for a porta potty praying that I wouldn't miss the action down below at the start.  Major lines still at the porta pottys!! It is a good thing that I went though... major GI issues!!  Thankfully, I made the start.  It was tight quarters for the first 2 miles and frankly I was irritated.  Probably should have started a little further up in the group.  The road was narrow though.  Not much I could do but dodge people and avoid being tripped.  My plan was to walk through water stations so that I would be sure to drink enough fluids (this was probably a big issue during my first marathon and why I crashed and burned so hard in that one).  Here is an area where I lost time, but mentally it helped me deal with the length of the race.  I dropped my sweatshirt at mile 3 since I was feeling comfortably warm!

The miles flew by... the sites of the canyon gorgeous... and then, ugh!!  GI issues again.  Amazingly, I held it from mile 6 to mile 13.  Every time I ran by a bathroom, there were people waiting for it.  I stopped at mile 12 to go and still... whoever was in there was taking forever!!  I was losing time so I decided to head down another mile for the next porta potty grouping.  Finally, I only had to wait 2 minutes and got to use the toilet!  I am lucky that I didn't have an accident.  I could have been one of those "girl craps pants in marathon" pictures on youtube... Phew!!  Mile 13.1 time on my watch 1:56 and a few seconds.  Not bad.  The downhill part of the race was hitting me in my knee caps.  But after a while.... I couldn't feel the pain.

Saw my husband at mile 14.... :-).  I was still wearing my gloves at this point... I then took them off and bunched them in my hand.  It became a game for me.  I would switch hands with them at every mile marker.   I then saw a deer run across the road and up the hill.... wow!!  Then before I knew it... it was mile 15... then mile 18.  Then mile 19 and ouchie.  Was really starting to feel the fatigue.  I started to remind myself that I could only walk through the water stations.  So I pressed onward.  I could feel myself slowing down but managed to push through that bad feeling.  Mile 22 :-(... not happy... a couple of cramps in my upper back had me stop and stretch.  There was this lady running in front of me and she twisted her ankle.  Poor gal.  She limped off to the side.  At around mile 23... I saw a dude puking his guts out.  Poor dude.  Kept pushing along and started talking to myself out loud....  "Just a little further...."  Mile 25... "one more mile or so.... only a few more minutes..."  Suddenly I saw the finish and ran a nice strong fast pace to it!!  When I crossed, I buried my face in my hands and cried.  I felt like I had broken through something huge... whether it was a physical thing or a mental thing.... I did it.  It was overwhelming.  I finally believe that I am capable of doing more.  It's funny, but I think this race could be a turning point for me.  Utah was beautiful.  I am very sore from the marathon.... but very happy.  I didn't qualify for Boston... but I knocked off 32 minutes from my previous marathon... and I do think that I would have been sub 4 hour if I didn't have to wait for a bathroom.  With each marathon, I get stronger... and I learn more about myself.  It is very rewarding!!

 Somehow, I missed getting my offical times throughout certain points in the race.  The only other time I have is the one at the 20 mile marker....3:03:29.

I am a hurting unit... returning to California later today.  Did some walking... painful as it was.... loved Utah!!  Went to Park City before we headed to the airport.  What a gorgeous place!!  Can wait to come back here to ski!!!

Hobbling around still! No running yet... mabe a day or two!! 

I ventured out!!  Those first few steps...so scary!! Ran 3 miles with average pace of 10:23 per mile!! LOL!! I was so sore and stiff.  I avoided any area that had a downward slope.  I could not tolerate it.  It will take me a while to feel right again.

Average pace 9:13. Felt hard. I did feel a little less stiff.  My lungs feel like they burn a bit when I take deep breath....similar to how they felt at the end of the marathon.  everything just feels full of effort for me.  I had to walk up the last hill I ran today.  Wanted to do 5 miles... close enough!!

After my run yesterday, I had decided to take today off to get some things done here at the house.  It is starting to come together although I didn't get to rest much.  I have goodwill coming on tuesday to pick up lots of stuff.  My mission is to get as much out there as I can until then.  I hope to clear out this garage!!!

Stop and go on the run the whole time. I cannot breath. Totally knackered. 5 soul searching miles done. I feel like I'm running on top of a mountain... there's just not enough air for me. My legs feel fine. Tomorrow will mark one week post marathon.... running is tough right now and will be for another week or so.

Felt really beat on yesterday's run so decided to rest today and try for 6 miles tomorrow.

First 3 miles somewhat of an interval run...or at least it felt hard like that ... 8:13 average pace with 3 stops at each mile.  Next 3 miles 8:58 average pace.  I still cannot breath right and feel so tired and spent.  I miss running and feeling strong! I know I just need time....

Ugh.  9:18 average pace with a few stops.  Warm today here... may set record temps again today!!

My son Evan was up half the night vomiting and having GI issues, hence I was up with him.  He has spent most of the day sleeping on the sofa.  Poor kid!  Finally stopped vomiting around 9:00 this morning.  My husband ran 9 miles this morning.  I left after him and managed 8.75 miles at 9:09 average pace.  It was stop and go the last 2 miles.  It was character building... 

9:17 average pace.  Felt better than I have in about a week.  Not up to par yet... but better.

8:40 average pace... stopped 3 times to catch my breath.  Humid this morning.  Tried to push it... but I ain't really feeling the love yet from my body... ;-)  There is no "EZ" run in Carlsbad, CA.  There are hills everywhere.... so, I just must suck it up.