Marathon Dreamer

So tired... zombie run. 1 mile warm up, 1 mile at 9:13 pace with 3.5 % incline... 1/2 mile at 9:13 at 2% incline, then 1/2 mile cool down.

1 mile warm up..1 mile at 9:13 pace then 1 mile at 7:30 with 1/2 mile recovery X 2, 1/2 mile at 7:03 pace and chickened out on finishing it since I am in taper and not sure if I should be running that fast for too long...finished with a 1/2 mile at 8:49 pace.  This is the first taper of only 2 1/2 weeks.  My others have been typically 4 weeks in length so I am a bit lost at what to do for the remainder of the  time.  I'll wing it just like my other 2 marathons I guess and hope for the best!! 

Excruciating run on the mill... 4 miles in the afternoon... 3 in the evening.  It was stop and go.  I am tired.  Tired of running... tired of training.  Ya... not happy tonight.  Tired of the darn rain that never seems to stop. I hate the mill...worried about losing conditioning although I have been running slower, I have been keeping some varied incline in hopes that when I run in flat AZ, it will feel easier.  Blah... 

Felt hard...tired and winded. Getting sick. Darn it. 

Off.... I have a head cold.

6 miles sick.... wanted to run.  My body is sore and my legs are achey and heavy.  Got it done. Stopped every mile...sucks to feel like this.  Trying to trust the training that I have done and hope that being sick and running on the treadmill as much as I have had to, won't effect my marathon.  It is what it is.

I am not doing well.  Very tired, no energy and heavy, fatigued dead legs. I am winded even going up the stairs.  Very nervous about this marathon.  Although the sinus pressure has lessened, I have no gusto.  Any advice? Anyone? Anyone gonna even read this entry?  Sometimes I not only feel completely alone in my training... but feel like I am alone on here too! :-(

Off

Not bad.  Still a few stops but mainly struggling with my own head.  Ran a flatter sectiom of my usual route.  My legs and breathing were off the first 4 miles but improved once I realized it is more in my head than anything.  Did some strides...and about 4 miles of marathon pace running.  I will add average pace later to this entry. Still not up to par. 8:42 average pace.

Easy run with a local running group.  9:17 average pace but big hills >2.  Ran in the dark with very few street lights which made it a bit interresting.  Thankfully there were many runners with head lamps.  Didnt care about pace tonight.  Didnt feel good until the run was nearly over.

8:55 average pace...tried to reinforce my marathon goal pace.  Not sure what's up but I am still not right or feeling rested for this marathon.  By friday, I will be making a big decision.  I may either have to alter my goals or I may have to only run the half distance.  My first marathon I ran after being sick and it was brutal...not sure if I want to put my body through that.  

Rest

Not  too bad... there may be hope ;-) still a bit sick...it's in my chest. 8:46 average pace.

8:43 average pace....praying for a miracle. I got my bib signed by Meb today while I was at the Health and Fitness Expo.  What a talent !  He ran a 5:20 mile at the age of 12!!!  Nice picture of us together too!  Met an author...Dane.  Super nice and encouraging. He is  friends with ultra marathoner Dean K... very inspiring!! Perfect day...until mother nature decided to visit me.  WTH!?  I guess being sick wasn't enough.

Rest

Lots to say...  I was supposed to head to Arizona on Friday morning, but I was cancelled at work for Thursday so I decided to head out a day early so that I could spend some time with my Aunt and Uncle visiting my Mom for the week.  I arrived late Thursday afternoon.  What a long drive....5 hours, 45 minutes in the car makes for stiff legs.  Got in a 3 miler that afternoon and that would be my last run till Sunday.  Was really hoping to hook up with Burt during the weekend, but it just was so hard for us to connect because of my family, the marathon, and the short time there.

 On Friday, I went to the expo and really enjoyed myself!!  It was a runner's heaven.  I have never seen so much awesome merchandise and health related info under one roof!!!  Walked around for a bit, left to go eat lunch and then came back to see Meb Keflezighi speak.  I was really inspired from his story of while he was growing up and all of the hardships that he endured before coming to America.  Afterwards, I stood in line briefly and was able to get my Bib number signed by him.  It read... "Good luck and Best Wishes!  Run to win!"  I also got my picture taken with him.  It was so awesome to shake his hand and chat with him!  I also met an author while there at the expo... his name is Dane Rauschenburg and wrote "See Dane Run: One Man 52 Weekends, 52 Marathons." I told him that I had been sick and how discouraged I was... he was one of the nicest people I have met in a long time and so inspiring as well. Wish I could have heard him speak, but I will be buying his book and Meb's at some point soon.  

Ventured to the Pacer area, and found out how the pacing team thing worked and additional info on whom would be running for my two goal times in mind... 3:50 and 4:00 hour.  Toyed with these two times in my head and not sure which to choose.  I had really felt badly recently and even on my shorter runs, felt so tired although I had kicked the worst part of the virus by now.  I returned to my Mom's to spend some time with my family and had a great meal - her famous stuffed peppers!!  Lots of carbs!!!  Tonight, I made the decision that I would run the full marathon regardless of being ill for the past week and a half.  I felt better and said to myself.... WTH!!

Saturday rolled around and before I new it, I was heading to my in-laws for lunch and to rest/relax with them.  I had planned to stay the night there since it would be closer to the finish area where I planned to drive to early the next morning.  Took in a few beers and had pasta for lunch at applebee's.  Drank several G2's and hydrated well.  My in laws are such great people.  I am so lucky to have them.  They gave me lots of encouragement that night.  Somehow I managed to get a descent amount of sleep despite being so anxious.  At 4:45am my alarm on my phone rang and since I had showered the night before, I was ready within 30 minutes, complete with breakfast, and out the door heading to Tempe.

Very easy getting in to the finish area, easy to park, lots of porta potties, and the bus shuttle to the start went very smoothly.  Wasn't too cold and my superman fleece PJ pants which are "lucky" for me kept me warm.  I also wore a pendant made for me by my good friends and running group in Mazatlan.  Had my bib signed by Meb... said some prayers as I locked my car.  Met a great guy from Dallas named Carlos while waiting for the bus.  He is an anesthesiologist and has run 32 marathons. With me being a nurse... we had lots to chat about to pass the 40 minute ride.  Once we arrived at the start, we sat together and continued to chat until about 20 minutes before the start where we split up to use restrooms and check our gear.  Found the corral 3 and searched for the 3:50 pacer sign time elevated high above the crowd... I also eyed the 4:00 hour one in the next corral.  Little did I know that this would be the last time I would care about that 4:00 hour sign.

Met our pacer Mark.  He was sick so would be handing off the sign around mile 14 to another pacer.  We had a large group and there looked to be some strong runners.  As the horn blew, I hoped for the best.

Miles 1-4 were a blur... no ipod on during this time as the bands were enjoyable and people were everywhere!  Very congested start.  Our pacer guided us through.

Miles 5-8 Felt fine... kept to myself.  Observed the group I was running with and listened to people chat around me.  Reminded myself that a few weeks ago... I ran faster than this pace for this distance and it was easy for me.  Reflecting back on my training would become a very important piece to my success today.

Miles 9-14 Questioned holding pace for the distance... when I heard a band playing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,"  I muttered...oh brother to myself... I then turned on my ipod and went into my own little world.  Had a few miles in here where I felt pretty good and I kept looking behind me to see where the pacing group was. 

Mile 14... our new pacer joined us... Monique.  I'm over half way done... phew.

Mile 14-19... head games with myself... can I do this?  Legs were fine, breathing was fine, but my brain was messing with my body telling it that it was tired.  My upper back was knotting up... no Burt around to help me with putting a fist in it :-(.  I then saw Carlos... he wanted to chat.  I had to tell him that I couldn't talk while running.  I had to keep focussed. I wished him the best and before I new it, he disappeared.  Thought about Burt and I when we ran together a few weeks ago.  Running with Burt for my last long run, got me this far at this pace before.  I finally was convinced that I could make it at least to mile 20 at this pace, because I had already done it.  

Mile 20... Monique... our pacer... I am glued to her side... either at her left, her right, or within 20 feet of her, I am there.  There is a head-on wind, and I occasionally drift behind another runner to conserve energy.  I am venturing into the unknown.  Although my body has been here before, it is not a frequent traveler to 20 miles and beyond.  I run to each fluid station, take 10-15 seconds to drink... then catch up.  This had been my routine through the entire marathon.  Somehow, I catch up every time.  Monique says, "Dig deep people, I know it hurts... dig deep!"  My legs were fine, I'm not winded.  My darn back... ouch.  My toes are sore too and I can feel one toe on my left foot bursting into flames.  I then remember all the runs when I had experienced worse pain than this.  I recall my 5 miler the day after my 20 miler with Burt.  I have no idea how I completed that run... the pain that I have right now pales in comparison.  I have something to prove and have come this far!  I am pissed with myself because of my own self doubt and I then channel that into my next 6 miles.

Mile 21-23... Still not sure if I am going to make it... head games.  Thought about how disappointed I would be in myself if I had given up now.  All the training for the past year and a half ... the hard work... the pain... the sacrifice.... all the beer I had given up ;-).  I wasn't stopping unless I dropped to the ground and honestly, there was no bonk in my future... I didn't feel it at all.

Mile 24-25...  Thought to myself... hey!!  I think it's really gonna happen today!!!

Mile 26-26.2.... I am kicking it in, the crowd is yelling, I see the time and boom... I am there!!! I have qualified for the Boston Marathon!!!!  I hug some random chick beyond the finish... I start crying, and then I turn and search for Monique.  A few moments later, she crossed the finish line holding that 3:50 sign and she didn't have time to realize what hit her, because I had my arms around her in a heart beat.  I thanked her profusely.  We both cried.  We said our goodbyes... and soon I was walking searching to find my family.  I then heard my Uncle Bruce calling my name.  I ran to him at the fence, hugged him, cried and then coughed my brains out.  LOL!!

Once I collected myself, I then collected my beautiful medal... the medal that will now have very special meaning to me always.  I met up with the rest of my family... my Mom, Aunt, and brother.  They were all smiles and so happy for me.  I was just so elated and was still shocked at what I had just done, yet... I found myself saying, aren't I supposed to be totally spent?  I could run another 4 miles easy... or I could have run this marathon faster!? Are we ever satisfied with ourselves?? 

Walked around afterwards for a bit and before I knew it, I was limping.  My feet were now killing me.  I looked down at my shoes to see blood seeping through onto the mesh of the outer portion of the toe box areas of my sneakers.  Off to the medical tent I went.  When I took off the shoes and removed my bloody socks, I couldn't believe the terrible mess that I had made of my toes.  All black and blue, black and blue nails, blood blisters under 7 of the toe nails which I would later drain at home with a pin.  Yikes.  They patched me up as well as they could.  We decided to leave and go out for a bite to eat... "The Heart Attack Grill" was our destination.  Burgers, fries, washed down with a cold beer.  I deserved every bit of that sinful meal.  I crashed later at my Mom's around 8pm but then tossed and turned most of the night.  My darn toes hurt just brushing against the blankets.  Went for breakfast the next morning with everyone... said my goodbyes and off to California I went.  Another 5 hour, 45 minute drive home.  A little sore in the legs and certainly was very stiff standing up after the drive, but did pretty well considering.

It's funny.  After each marathon, I always say... OMG!!  That was the hardest thing I have ever done!!!  With this marathon... it wasn't running the marathon that was hard, it was believing enough in myself that I could indeed grasp something that I always envisioned so far from my reach... that darn BQ!!!!! 

A few pictures... check these links....

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1613438049127&set=a.1544473845065.2071591.1031575042

 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1610952786997&set=a.1544473845065.2071591.1031575042

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1610899865674&set=a.1544473845065.2071591.1031575042 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1613266724844&set=a.1544473845065.2071591.1031575042

Resting today.... a little stiff... toes are sore.... long ride home.

Another rest day.... I didn't sleep well last night, but I think I should be able to rest better tonight now that my toes are feeling a bit less sore.

First run since the  marathon.  Ran in my Vibrams due to my black and blue toes and nails.  I couldn't think of putting my feet back in my running shoes.  9:45 average pace...LOL.  Slow but ran a large hill and the run felt easy...and I liked the feel of the vibrams.  I no longer have any soreness in my legs, but my calfs will feel it by tomorrow.

I thought that I would be really sore after that run in the Vibrams, but not bad at all!! Last night's run was the perfect distance for a post marathon scoot. Met two nice ladies and chatted with them quite a bit during the run. I honestly am kinda shocked that I haven't been more sore from this marathon. I think all the hill running here in Carlsbad has done wonders for my strength and conditioning!!! 

Big hills...one was over 3/4 mile long and about 4-5 % garde.  So much for taking it easy tonight.  Ran with the running group. Met up with my new friend Mary.  It was soooo dark.  I again tried to purchase a head lamp last night but this running store where we met was also out of them!!  Mary fell and as I saw her going down, I too went down.  It was like a slow motion scene in a movie!! LOL!  When we got back to the store, she was bleeding from the knee and I was bleeding from the elbow.  Fell on my right hip...No run for me today.  I am so sore!!!

Had to rest today. Last night's fall really hurt. Sore hip today along with DOMS. Walked with a limp.  Bought a head lamp today!!  Wise investment if u want to run at night!!!

So tired.  8:50 average pace and it was a bit much. Ran with a few others ...all men and they were shooting for ten miles.  4 miles was enough for me.

8:50 average pace in my vibrams... this is gonna hurt. Ran hills in these and I am gonna be sore.

Tired.... I need the night off. Sore calfs!!

No speed and still tuckered.  Nice no pressure run along the ocean.  Perfect weather and peaceful.

6 mile walk today which I wont include in this mileage.  Met Mary and one other runner tonight. 6 miles in the Vibram's...2 miles 6:50-7:10... overall pace 8:30. Felt pretty good.  The vibrams make for sore calfs.  Can feel it already.

3 mile walk with my patient at work pushing her in the stroller.  I have sore calfs again post run from wearing the vibrams.  Taking tonight off and will run tomorrow.

3.4 mile trail run with lots of inclines...the rest of the run I did on the road.

8 miles with Mary. Breifly ran with some members of the running group. A few hills as always. 9:09 average pace. I am coming down with a cold.  Wasn't in the mood to run this morning...thanks to Mary...she chatted and helped pass the time.  Sore calfs still.

3 cross training miles on the elliptical. Busy day st home. Lots of work around the house. 

40 minutes on the elliptical.. 2.5 crosstraining miles. 5.68 miles at 8:28 pace... 3 miles in finally I was warmed up!  Then cruised with the youngins on the way back.  We had a large group tonight at the Movin Shoes meet up.  When the group set out together, it was like running with mobile christmas trees! Lots of head lamps, blinking lights and reflectors!!

Fartlek 8:25 average pace.  Expecting sore calfs tomorrow! Should start getting less now that I am adapting to the Vibrams. Starting to really like the feel and how light weight they are! One cross training mile earlier in the day just to help with my sluggish morning.  So tired today and managed a 30 minute power nap prior to my 6 miler by the ocean.

3 mile walk which I won't include in my mileage. 5 cross training miles on the stationary bike. Was planning a run but wasn't feeling well.  Sore throat and cold symptoms had be too tuckered.

One hour on the stationary bike for 10.1 crosstraining miles. Not counting all of this in my mileage today, just half.  Planning a short scoot later. Still not feeling well although the sore throat is gone.

Was hoping to fartlek this run which I did for the first 4 miles but then mt calfs kept cramping and I developed a pain on the top outer area of mt left foot. This ade for slow running the last 4 miles. I hope that this is nothing serious.

Slow moving today. Left top of my foot still a bit painful today. Right calf sore. Still trying to shake this cold that I have. First 2miles hurt, next 2 miles my foot felt better, last 2 miles it was stop and go. My calf kept tightening up and I had to keep stopping to stretch that and my left foot. Will rest tomorrow.

I am sick!!! Chest cold.  Ouch.

Still not ready to run.  My chest hurts although it does feel better than yesterday!! 3 mile walk today.

Nope... not ready yet. Still coughing up a lung.

3mile walk today. 6 miles tonight. Don't know the pace as my garmin battery died.  Left foot was fine tonight. Had been sore the past 2 days and I was concerned that I may have really done something serious to it.  Took the pace easy. Beautiful night and sunset!!!

Ran with my friend Mary. 8:50 average pace.  Left foot hurt again tonight. Coughed my brains out at mile 3 and again when the run was over!!

8:51 average pace. Both of my feet hurt. This sucks.

Feet hurt... can't run today. :-(

9 hour day at work. Feet a little better. Shooting for a nice run monday night. I hope my feet cooperate.

8:23 average pace with 4 big hills. Wasn't even that hard. Must have been all this rest over thw past week. My left foot will hate me tomorrow. 

8:52 average pace... not bad after the pain in my feet subsided.

Ouch...my feet.

2 mile warm up...4 miles of hill repeats. 8:23 average pace. Feet arenmt too bad this morning!

Feet aren't too bad today.  Was planning a short scoot but then the weather got really bad here.  Total down pours and wind!!  I opted to rest my feet today and curl up on the sofa. Could have run on the treadmill... oh well.  Did complete my weight routine though!!

2 miles at 9 minutes pace... 4 miles at 8:50 pace on the treadmill. Sore left foot but it loosened up after the first 2 miles.  Did this run in 2 mile segments as I had some interruptions.  Hoping that this coming week, I can get my mileage back up in the 40's.  What a crappy last 2 weeks.  I have been working so much too which has made it a challenge for me to get my running in.  I am typically spent after taking care of these pediatric patients.  It can be emotionally draining.

1 mile at 9 minute pace. 2 miles at 8:40 pace on the treadmill. Boring.  

Run with the group tonight...First 3 miles at 8:54 pace, last 3 miles at 7:47 pace.

Night off!! I am sore!

Average pace 8:10 however stopped my watch twice on this run. First time was to stretch and the second time was at mile 3 to watch the sunset.  Quite pleased though considering my left foot was a bit sore.

1 mile warm up followed by 3 miles worth of steep hills x2.5 then .5 mile cool down.  Although I stopped the clock for 2 minute recoveries at the top of each hill, my average pace was 7:56.  Pleased for sure! This was my first time I have ever averaged in the 7's for a run! Very excited!!

Bad weather.  Cold, wet, dreary, windy.  I just can't get myself on the treadmill today.  Getting sick again!! :-(

OFF. Sick.

8:51 average pace.  I am spent from being sick.  Although the run was slow, it felt moderately hard.

8:41 average pace with the running group and my friend Mary.  Foot pain is resolving however I am sick again so this run felt hard.

3 cross training miles on the elliptical.  My cold is now in my chest.  I decided to do more of a strength training elliptical workout than a cardio intense workout due to my sore lungs.

no time tonight for more. had to be downtown sd for a meeting with team challenge for crohn's disease and colitis. i have both diseases and i'm thinking about running for the charity. we will see...

Hill workout complete. Pace was around 8:23 average.  Took it a little easy since I've been sick.

easy pace of 8:52.

off

8 treadmill miles easy...2 cross training miles at the end and I pushed it hard.

Off

So pooped. Did 4 miles in the am and 5 in the pm.

I am sore. Wanted 6 miles, thought about 4 and compromised with myself and did 5 at 8:49 pace. Very tired.

6 miles total...4 miles worth of running up and down hills. took it easy and talked the whole time with one of the attendees of my running group. 8:49 pace was easy on these hills tonight. When I first moved here...these hillsa used to kill me to run up them once! Amazed at how far I have come since then. :)

Slow. as mollases...thankfully Mary ran with me!! 9:16 average pace LOL!!!!

Ran a 9:11 pace with perfect splits.  Took the pace easy since I have increased my mileage this week and I had been siick last week.  Ran with Mike from the running group.  Nice guy, but he's not Burt. :-(

Off

8:52 average pace with near perfect splits.  Ran with my friend Mary...she always helps to pass the time!!

slow as molases and tough mentally.  Sore legs.

Had to take today off... still a bit sore!

=ill repeats x 4...total of 6 miles at 8:13 average pace and 3 minute recoveries at the top of each hill.

9:13 average pace...trail run with my friend Mary. Tuckered today.

9:16 average pace.  I finished my run last night around 6pm. Not much time to revover between that run and this one at 7:30 am. I was sore.  It rained a bit but passed the time chatting with two nice ladies!!

Rest

very slow 9:13 pace... totally tuckered.

8:15 average pace... essentially a tempo with a couple of breathers thrown in there!!

8:14 average pace with some fast strides thrown in there!!!

8:31 average pace with  hills. took it easy ...sore from last n ight's strides!!!

Sore... rest

8:58 average pace. Wanted 16 miles but remembered that I have a race next weekend and need to taper for it.

Rest

8:11 average pace... still a bit tuckered from the run this past weekend but I am tapering now and just wanted to do some faster running to stay sharp...rest will be the priority this week.

Rest

8:30 average pace... heavy  sore legs...ugh.

8:23 average pace for these hill repeats...took long recoveries... tried not to run hard as I have a race on sunday...

Rest

Off... tomorrow I run five 5k races in a row!  WTH was I thinking? LOL! I registered today for San Diego R n R Marathon... gonna run this one for fun!!!

This race was something else!  I ran five 5k races all on the same day which started at 7:05 am and ended with the last race at 12:30 pm!  We ran with different age groups and sexes with short breaks between the races.  My goal was to get progressively faster, but that plan went out the window when I ran the first race 30 seconds per mile faster than I had originally planned.  The next race was my age group so I decided to pick it up a little.  I couldn't run all out because I had 3 more 5k races to run, but still I was pleased with the time.  I think I am capable of a low 23.  The third race I decided to still push it a bit.  Race four, was a "restful" pace but still fast for me.  By race five, I just wanted to be done already!!!  However, still managed a good pace although I was tired.  This was a great training day for me!!!  I am a little sore today, but nothing like I was when I have pushed the pace for a long distance.  What a fun day running with my friend Mary!  She and I run very similar paces so she was with me a lot during each race and we kept each other going.  We sure did enjoy a few beers after the race in the beer garden!  If anyone can tell me what all those numbers below mean... I would appreciate it... I get the overall, but not sure what the others mean... I am not race data savvy.  

Place over all.... 88 out of 258(that ran the all day 25k)... there were more participants obviously for each 5k race.  Typically around 1100-1500 runners per 5k.

Time cumulative 2:07:44 / 8:14 average for all 5k's 

Race                           Time   Pace O'All   Sex   Div

Masters Men 40+       26:10 / 8:26  143      40   40

 1516 Finishers - 1280 M / 236  

Masters Women 40+  24:09 / 7:47    67      17    3  

Men 30-39                  24:59 / 8:03  108       21   21 

Women 30-39             26:36 / 8:34    99       30    8 

29 & Under                 25:53 / 8:20    77       22   14 

Rest

Still recovering from the race!!

A few funky first strides but loosened up a bit... 9:07 average pace.

Met up with the girls for my running group hill workout.  Crazy afternoon weather-wise!  The wind was whipping and nearly blew us over at times.  Running into the wing was sure fun.  Strange tooo exert yourself and push forward to only move a fraction of the usual distance.  Took it easy and did 8:31 average pace and ran only 4 hills instead on the usual 6.  Beenn sleeping a lot this week.  Recovering quickly though. I dont feel winded at all when I run.  Just general fatigue. Leg soreness is gone.

rest.... 

8:52 average pace with the running group. Marathon training starts next week!

Right foot has a little bit of tendonitis in the top of it... felt it coming on yesterday at the end of my 8 miler.  Felt a little residual fatigue from the week and yesterday on the run.  Took it a bit easy and ran with my son Evan while he road his bike.  8:34 average pace and took about 1-2 minutes of rest every 3/4 of a mile when Evan and I would meet on the hill.  Marathon training begins tomorrow... saying goodbye to drinking beer (now only one day a week), eating healthy, early to bed, and racing a 5k next weekend.  I am pacing a friend on June 5th in hopes of a Boston Qualifying time for her...  it will be a training run for me.  By October, I plan to hit a 3:45 or less and shave a bit of time off my BQ to ensure my registration for Boston 2012!  And so it begins... 

First 3 miles slow, last three fast...8:34 average pace.

Rest

8:55 average pace. Really tired. I think I havent been drinking enough  fluids.

Hill repeats for 2.6 miles of this run tonight...still a bit windy but nothing compared to last week's crazy wing gusts! Forgot to hit stop on my watch during recoveries so not sure of average pace.  I hace sore feet... hoping to PR on sunday at the 5k!!

Speed walk. Was supposed to rest today but my husband made me really made me mad.  Did a speed walk with drills.  Probably shouldnt have worked as hard as I did but I had to work off my anger!!

Off today resting for my 5k in the morning... celebrating Evan's birthday at the pool today!  Awesome weather for it!!

Chilly morning. Team Cessy met up at the park for our race/walk for epilepsy in honor of my 2 year old patient. A bit windy as well in the bay. I had hoped to break 23 minutes today...my right foot with the tendonitis hurt with each footfall. Not a lot of fast runners in this race so I was running alone a lot which mentally does nothing for my ambition. The lead female was a ways ahead and I just couldn't catch her with my darn side stitch. My first mile was in the mid 6 pace.. I have learned that I need practice in racing 5k's. It is certainly a different "feel" than a marathon. I could have reached my goal today if I had rested more, had a little less wind but most of all, running back I ran into hundreds of people walking the narrow paved sidewalk extending into the grass. It was a crazy game of dodgums...I think at one point I lept over a 3 year old. Well...I will take my second place female finish regardless with a smile!

Slow going!!!

Very slow... painful right foot. Glad this run is over.

8:44 average pace... I am having an off week.  Been just so drained.

hills...hill sprints...and a mile at 7:40...

Off

Still sore from hills!  Went for the long run anyway. It was hard but got it done 8:57 average pace was all I could muster.

I tried to remind myself while I ran this miserably at a 9:22 average pace with 2 stops that Christ had endured far worse with his crucification....he did come back! And so will this runner... ;-) Happy Easter all!!!

So fun! Met with the group and did a scavenger hunt which turned into an interval/threshold/fartlek run.  8:24 average pace with some recoveries in there as I was running with 2 fast guys on my team!  At times, we were running in low 7's which is challenging in our hilly area!

No time to run between studying, library trip and then work. Sore tonight so rest is fine with me!

sloe moving...n ot recovered from monday's run.

slow with hills...8:54 pace. GI upset tonight but then when I was done with the run I felt better. We put our legs in the cold ocean! Bur!!!

Off

This was tough...it was so hard. I know why too...girl stuff and been real tired this week.

slow as molasses...9:38 average pace but I enjoyed it!!!  Can't always be work and no play!!!

9:01 pace.... running onto the wind was not fun in the way back. Tried to draft off of unsuspecting runners in front of me lol!

No time to run... I am getting sick I think.

8:46 average pace and it was very warm this morning especially running more inland.

Running with a nasty head cold.... ran hills x3 and a little bit of faster running thrown in there...8:35 average pace.  Felt ok once I got going.

Gentle run at 9:38 average pace in preparation for tomorrow's long run.

8:53 average pace with a negative split. 3 stops for fluids and bathroom. Sore upper back as this run progressed. Kept rubbing my shoulders and upper back and needed to do some stretching. The second half of the run it felt like my body finally woke up.

Not sure how I pulled this off after running 18 miles yesterday but I ran this at an 8:20 average pace with a headwind...:)

Tired. I hate running into the wind which is  what I did for half of this run.

A mixture of strides, threshold running/fartlek today.  I must run essyy tomorrow!  8:44 average pace seems slow but it was challenging being tired  and sore legged!

Warm morning!!  Split this run into two separate runs.  Ran 4 miles in the morning and ran down a trail that I stumbled across.  I t looked nice but it had a big surprise waiting for me about a 1/4 mile down it as I ran upon a swarm of bees! I hauled ass out of there!!  So scared! I thought for sure I was going to get attacked!  The PM miles were much more pleasant as I ran them with two of my gal pals!!

Ran 4 this morning and then met with the running group tonight for hill repeats and drills. I am so happy that I get to rest tomorrow!

Off.... rest is so needed!

8:53 average pace with a headwind of 15mph the whole way back home. Lots of hills and went into this run still tired and sore from the week.  It was a good training run. A few stops as my upper back was cramping towards the end but overall I faired pretty well considering the irritasting wind.

Nice and easy 4 mile recovery run.  I am sore but  managed to get it done. Left my watch home as I didn't want to even be tempted to look at pace.

easy does it... ran with my friend Mary and the group.  Felt good and held back for speedwork on  Tuesday.

Tuckered.... resting tonight.

raining...treadmill run it is!!

4 miles this morning... sllow moving as I had just run 8 last night.  Not fun but done. 4 miles in the evening doing hill repeats with minimal recovery.  Actually felt better than this morning!  Marathon is coming up fast!!!

recovery walk that turned into a major hilly workout...geez ! so sore!!

First 10 miles at 8:53 pace average... lots of hills on this out and back route.  Second 10 miles at 8:35 pace average.  2 stops on my way out for fluids and a bathroom.  On the way back, I stopped about every 2-3 miles.  I wasn't winded, legs were holding up ok, but my upper back was just so tight and in knots.  So weird how this happens to me.  I actually felt better running a faster pace.

Later in the day, I did a 3 mile bike ride... hurt but it really helped to loosen the legs. 

5 Cross training/recovery miles on my bike, but only taking credit for 2 miles of it as the intensity just wasn't there.  Loved riding with my son Evan!!  We rode through the camp grounds along the ocean.  Perfect day.  Overcast with a light breeze.  Legs are feeling pretty darn good!  Little upgrades through the campground and I felt some burning in the legs from time to time, but overall... it was good!

Road the bike another 2 miles last night... to frozen yogurt and back!  ;-) 

Boy...I am really tired.

rest

Yup...still tired. Signed up for a week unlimited hot yoga for 10 bucks!!! Enjoyed the class but I gotta say, calling it hot yoga is an understatement!! LOL!

2 mile warm up, 4x800...6:20, 6:04, 6:04, 6:17, 1 mile cool down.

Hot Yoga class this morning...I enjoyed it!

Hot yoga... rest.

1 mile warm up...4 miles at 8:00 min/mile pace  on the treadmill...too windy to run outside tonight...then 1 mile cool down.

Off... cleaned the house after having company this weekend!  What a mess!  A five year old and a 3 year old totally out of control took over my home!  I had cheese doodles in the bedrooms!  WTH?  2 Mile bike ride in the PM...

Short scoot... So tired this week.  It is so strange how through training I can go like crazy but once I finally do rest I seem to feel more tired than ever!

UGH... my typical crappy legged taper feeling... yuck.

4 miles with my ultramarathoner friend Dane and the Running Skirts ladies. I think our pace was around 8:40 but I had no watch! Bought a cheetah print running skirt and I can't wait to sport it on Sunday at the Marathon! Still recovering!

Rest...off to the expo!

Planning to do a few strides later.  Back to the expo. I need Meb to sign my Bib again for luck then I plan to drive the course.  There is no pacer for my goal time of 3:45!  Not sure how I will go about this race. The next time is 4hours.  Hoping for the best at this point!

Race results... depressing but not as bad as I thought... 04:37:47....5k27:26, 10k54:07, half 1:59:05, 20m 3:25:15... You can totally see where I started having major issues. That last 10k, I was totally reduced to muck.

For the last several days, I have been seriously beating myself up over this race, I have cried because of my disappointment, but honestly I think many people would have bagged it if they experienced what I had on race day.  How does a BQ gal end up with a marathon time almost an hour later than what she is capable of?  Well... here's how! While at the expo on Friday, I found out that there were no pacers from 3:40-4:00 time.  I wanted a 3:45, so I was miffed that I would have to try and pace myself through the race. I spoke with my friend Dane and planned to go out with the 4 hour peeps and pick up the pace if things were going well.  I had some really memorable moments this race weekend! My run on Thursday night with Dane and the Running Skirt ladies was a blast!  Having my bib signed by Dane Rauschenberg, Meb Keflezighi, and Desiree Davila gave me hopes for a great race! 

On Sunday morning, Mary and I left our neighborhood at 4:00 am to be at the 6:15 start. As we arrived at about 4:20 at the Washington St. exit to park at the airport to get the shuttle to the starting line, we sat in traffic until around 5:55 am!  The exit ramp was backed up for about a mile and it wasn't moving!  While at the expo on Friday, we were told that the last shuttle to the start was at 5:30!  I was freaking out!!!  To top it off, I needed a bathroom bad.  My stomach had been rumbling since we reached the line to exit the highway.  By the time we finally managed to park the car, it was after 6am.  Thank God we still had shuttles!  I dropped Mary at the bathroom before I headed down to park the car.  We left our gear check bags in the car because we didn't know if they would still be taking them at the race start.  The lines at the porta-potties in the parking lot were long and I was so afraid that we would miss a shuttle, so I continued to hold my poo and pee (just keeping it real) on the bus ride to the start.  I had to go so bad and I knew that diarrhea was going to be a problem for me.

When we arrived, the lines at the porta potties at the start were rediculous despite the fact that it was probably around 6:45 am by then.  We had totally missed the race start.  I was supposed to be in corral 6 with the 4 hour peeps and they were starting corrals now in the 40's.  As we waited in line for the bathroom, I prayed that I wasn't going to have an accident.  I also told the lady behind me that I would give her $20 for a piece of her toilet paper.  Thankfully, no bribes were needed and she shared hers with me.  I hugged her. Thank you nice lady!  That bathroom break was a major relief however, I noticed that I had blood in my stool.  Something was causing some major stress to my body.

Finally we were at the start.  I was so upset about the morning and my stomach felt totally off.  I had decided at this point that I would run this race with no pressure.  It was a crowded start and slow moving through the streets.  A few trips and heel hits but as the miles went on, it cleared some.  I vaguely remember the bands or music.  Something was wrong.  I had a sore rear, my hips were hurting and I had stomach cramps.  I was feeling tired already. At about 7.5 miles into the race, my Garmin malfunctioned and the screen went completely blank.  I had no way to pace myself. WTH!

I felt bad and it was getting warm.  At mile 17 or so... everything really started to fall apart for me.  Massive GI upset with diarrhea, bathroom stops, dry heaves, stomach cramps ensued for the remainder of the race.  I would try to run but by stomach cramped whenever I tried. Miserable.  My worst marathon and worst finish time ever.  I have to say that I had the biggest smile at the finish because I was just so relieved that I was done and it was over.  I'm not quite sure why I was so sick, but it could have been my nerves from all the mishaps, my Crohn's Disease acting up, or I had a bug of some sorts (I took care of a patient this past week that had the stomach flu).  One thing that would have helped me those last several miles is if there were more people running.  Most were walking and it really played with my focus and my head.

So, the marathon sucked!  It was poorly organized with the parking situation, poor traffic control, not enough porta potties on the race route which made for lines, the race route bit the big one (steady climb for a while at the beginning, ended up on the highway at one point, narrow route especially through Balboa Park, and odd out and back areas where you ran towards runners that were on the opposite side of the road, confusing branching off in several areas for half marathoners and marathoners which my friend Mary ended up in and had to turn around).  I will run this as a half, but I do not recommend running this as a full.  As I lick my wounds this week, I will pick yet another race to run and hope for better results.  I trained well and in order for myself to mentally wrap myself around this, I am calling this one a "training run for an ultra."  This marathon ate me up and spit me out, but it didn't stop me from crossing that finish line and I have that damn medal to show for it!  Regardless of the results, I am able to still muster some pride from its completion and feel good about enduring it all.  My friend Dane said it all too well, "The marathon is a cruel mistress." Happy running peeps! 

sore... pissed off... upset... yeah.

8:44 average pace.  I feel better.  Felt the best the last 2 miles when I picked up the pace.  I needed redemption, so I hit 6:30's for the last half mile.

It was a nice evening for a run. Starting to fell less sore.

Who knows the pace...left my watch at home, but it was quick enogh to make me pant like a puppy...LOL!

off

Yeah...First 5 felt ok then slight bonk at mile 7 which made it hard the last 4. 3 stops from cramping in my back and getting up those darn hills was hard.

45 minutes on the elliptical then 25 mile bike ride with my friend Mary and the crew. Tired now! I will only take credit for some of this mileage although this was a big workout today!!

 9:06 average pace...wasn't too bad but I was feeling a bit tuckered from yesterday's workout and poor night sleep.

I was hoping to do some speed work today but I just don't have it my legs yet! First mile at 9 min, then 8:34, thn 8:13, followed by 2 miles easy.  Another week of ez running and I will try again for low to mid 7's of mile repeats.

slow as mollases @9:15 average pace but not one stop!

had an active day of workouts! Started with water aerobics which had a great core and arm workout, followed by 5.25 miles of trail running ...nice and easy, then a 4.68 mile run in the evening with my hill masochist buds (including 1 mile warm up in the vigrams). ;-)

Finally rest! I weighed myseld today and I am the lowest weight I have been in 8 years!!

A very tired 8 miles with a few stops...ugh.

13 mile bike... will only take credit for half.

Fartlek 8:31 average pace. Struggled mentally...I am tired emotionally.  The s*** is about to hit the fan in my life... everything is about to change.

2 mille warm up, 1 mile at 8:34, quarter mile repeats 7:30 and with recovery jogs, 2 mile cool.  I still dont have much speed.

9:13 average pace

New route for hill repeats and really enjoyed it!  Will be doing it again next week with my group!

Off....

1 mile warm up on the mill, then 7 mile run out & back from Panikan Coffee shop-essentially a fartlek/interval run with some sub 7 pace running, then back home. Hopped on the mill and did 8 x 1/4 mile repeats at 7:13 pace with 1/4 mile recoveries for a total of 4 miles - 12 miles in the books today and feeling pretty darn good! I kept the recoveries longer due to the amount of mileage put in today.

13.34 mile bike ride with lots of hills.  My legs were burning frequently on this ride up the Carlsbad Coast.  Loved it though!  Taking credit for 8 miles of this bike toward mileage this week as it had great intensity!!

3 miles at 7:31 average pace. 3 miles at 8:27 average pace.

Off...tired legs.

4 x 800 with 400 meter recoveries for a total of 6 miles this morning on the treadmill.  1 mile sub 8 then 4 miles EZ. Windy and hot at the pier this afternoon so wasnt feeling this PM scoot.

3.5 miles this morning and it was so hard...I was totally tired and feeling winded!  Felt better this afternoon running hill repeats... flew down those hills tonight sub 6 pace...love that feeling!!!

Off

a very slow run with a few walk breaks.... an intense training week for me and I really could feel that I wasn't recovered from thursday night hill repeats.

easy 12:5 mile bike ride...I am officially in taper for a full marathon next sunday in Tijuana, Mexico.  Itms only been a little over a month since my last one but everyone seems to think I am ready for another so here I go!  Treating this as a training run with no pressure on time...planning on running my first ultra in September!

it was warm but we got it done!!

8:31 average pace...the heat is starting to kick in around here and it makes me feel like sh** but I am in taper and today I was tired to begin with after the beach yesterday, poor sleep and probably not well hydrateds

8:34 average pace and it was hot!

9:30 average pace...nice and easy...another hot one!

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Off

Well... I had planned to run a full marathon on this day but plans changed!  I was nervous about running another full since it had only been 5 weeks from my last, but I was willing to give it a shot.  The day before the race, I stopped over my friend's Beth and Chad's house to discuss race details.  When I took one look at Chad's foot (who was to be my running partner for the full marthon), I questioned if he was going to be able to run the distance since his foot was swollen, tender, and black and blue on top. His wife had been diagnosed that morning with double ear infections and she was to run the 1/2 marathon in the morning.  Things weren't starting out good for them going into the race!

I had planned to run the full... if I could keep pace, a 3:45 time would have been nice, but in reality, I wasn't sure that I was in shape to pull that off.  As the race progressed, the more content I became in the idea of keeping it as a training run and shooting for 4-4:15 time.  My friends picked me up a little late, but we were able to make up the time on the highway (speeding a bit- oops).  When we arrived at the outlets, we met up with other Americans heading to Tijuana.  The trip had been organized by a liaison named Hector whom coordinated our transportation over the border, and picked up our race packets.  What an excellent guy and an amazing runner pulling out a 2:32 time on his full marathon! The bus didn't show to pick us up in the USA even though Hector had confirmed everything the night before!!  We had to walk/run over the border on foot and then picked up the bus over on the other side.  As we all boarded the bus, the taxi's blocked the bus!  They would not allow us to leave... politics between the taxi drivers and the bus driver.  I don't know the details, but ultimately we had to get off the bus, pile in taxis and head to the hotel that way.  Hector had a hotel room for us so that we had a secure area to store our belongings.  We then headed over to the race start.  About 20 minutes before the start, the start inflatable arch collapsed, so race officials scrambled to move the start over using another inflatable to the other side!  LOL!  Mexico cracks me up!

The race went well for the most part.  I had a few times where I felt crappy and had to push through that feeling of wanting to rest.  Chad and I saw porta potties around mile 5 and we ducked in to use them.  It's a good thing, because we never saw any more from that point on.  At mile 7, I walked a bit just to down a gu.  A bad patch for me.  At this point, I lost Chad.  We had a few steep over passes to climb as well and I did rest a bit at the tops of them since I was planning to run the full distance.  I was still ahead of pace at a 8:35 or so at this point. nIt was in the high 60's and overcast, so weather was cooperating but I was beginning to see blue sky peaking through the cloud cover.  I could feel that the second half of the race was going to test me and it was getting warm.  As I veered off to continue on from the half shoot, I now had full sun. I stopped to take in Powerade since the course was not well stocked with this fluid.  The fluid stations mainly carried water.  I was concerned how the second half of the race was going to be and was wondering where Chad was and how my other friends were doing.  Trisha was running her first official half marathon although she had done several long runs to this distance.  I was concerned for my friend Beth with her ear infections.

No sooner did I finish my fluids and prepared to continue onward, Chad came and grabbed me.  He decided to stop at the halfway point.  His foot was giving him some serious trouble.  We chatted for a few minutes there and time was not a big concern for me.  Since I would have been the only one in our car full running the full marathon, I decided at that point to only do the half as well.  I just didn't want my friends waiting around for me especially since Chad was hurting and Beth was sick.  It was ok.  I had nothing to prove and in hind-site, although I am disappointed that I didn't do the full, it was the best decision.  I sprinted to the finish line... my garmen registered 12.6 miles and the course must have been short as I confirmed this with Chad's watch.  They ran out of medals and many runners were meandering around looking for one!  I was so bummed but then shortly, there were more and thankfully we were all still there to get one!

Being a nurse, I was very curious about Chad's sore foot post race.  It was more swollen and very tender.  His gait was altered and he was complaining of calf pain (probably from compensation).  I had bought some instant ice packs which I had run with one tucked in my sports bra on my back in preparation for the warm weather.  I pulled that out for Chad to use to ice his foot.  It really looks like he may have a stress fracture and I am hoping that he will go get it checked ASAP.  Chad and I are planning to run our first ultra in September together, so this could be a big setback for him if I am right but I pray that I am wrong.  Poor Beth... she finished with tears in her eyes.  Her ear pain and not being able to hear really put a damper on her race.  She is such a trooper! Afterwards, she was so sick.  Dizzy, in pain, and tired, she then vomited. :-( Trisha ran her half marathon with no major issues despite her asthma and the poor air quality that loomed over the city.  Andrea cranked it and ran very strong!  Post race on the way home, her sugar crashed.  She broke a sweat and we had to encourage gels and coke to fix her up.  So... yes.  In hind-site...I am glad that it was just a half.  I didn't kill myself running it and now I can get back to speedwork versus recovering for 2-3 weeks which probably would have been the case if I ran the full.

I am so proud of my friends and we had such a great time together!!  Post race we collected our belongings from the hotel, took a taxi back to the border, walked over and then drove back to our homes, but not until we took some great pictures with our International group!  We then stopped for a fabulous Mexican meal, but in our own country... :-)  International races are always such an experience!  This was my third race in Mexico!  I think we all will be making a point of doing this race together again next year... but a half marathon distance will do!!! 

8:49 average recovery run...yup...a little tired.

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Workout #1....2 mile warm up...5 x 1/2  miles on the mill...first at 7:30 then the rest at 7:19 pace all with active 1/4 mile recoveries then cool down.

workout #2...1 mile warm,  2 x 3/4 mile at 8:00 pace...cool.

 hills...ouch

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ugh...It's done ...wasn't pretty, wasn't fast but it's done.

Nice and easy on the mill...

8:31 average pace. It was hot!

2 mile warm up...4 x 3/4 mile repeats with 1/4 mile active recoveries...first 3 repeats at 7:30 pace, last one at 7:00 pace! Tired but managed to get it done after a busy day spent with Walter and his family visiting from Utah!  We had such a nice day at the beach and enjoyed hot dogs on the grill after!!! Yay!!!

Boy... these shoes have about had it.  Five easy miles along the Carlsbad Coast with the group out of Road Runner Sports.  Great run and really enjoyed the no pressure feel.  I can feel some strength coming back for me.  The fast repeats are starting to work their magic and I am feeling better!  Bought some Montrail trail running shoes for my long run on Saturday at Mount Laguna.  They are sooo nice!  I am excited to wear them and getting excited over my upcoming Ultra in September which will be held on the same trails I will run this weekend.  Should be an interesting run being that the first half is downhill and the second half is a climb!

Nice run... I was tired from the beginning and had felt a little under the weather today but managed to get it done!  Hills were tough but so love running down them and passing the guys that ran ahead of me!  This workout is really going to help for my ultra!

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What a run today!  Ran 8 miles downhill for almost a 4300 foot drop starting at around 6300 feet above see level, only to have to return up 4300 feet!  Brutal on the quads!!!  Had such a great run with friends and it was so nice having Walter Brown joining us today on this killer trail run!  What a trooper!  He just raced this past sunday at World Master's and here he was running this with me today!  Thanks Walter for coming!  We had a great picnic afterwards!  Lost one of our runners but thankfully he was found after about 1 1/2 hours searching for him!

Off!  Holy Crap!  I am so stinking sore!  I feel like I ran the Top of Utah Marathon yesterday but I feel worse than that if you can believe it!  Going down stairs backwards, avoiding the slightest touch to my legs... yeah... 

I honestly can't understand how my friends aren't hurting after that trail mountain run!  They have only complained about a few aches and pains.  I think they are pulling my leg and they can't sit on the toilet either without yelling! 

omg...I walked one mile and hobbled a mile back.  My legs are toast and light on fire with any movement.

My legs r still bad but ran slow and careful...walked down anything steep. 9:20 average pace.

slow...it's a recovery week. 9:04 average pace.

GEEZ...9:22 average pace and I am tired.

rest

4 miles on the mill then 7 on the road... average pace around a 9 min/mile or so. I wanted more mileage but I just didnt have the mental comitment to it.  Last weekend kicked my a** and I will be returning to Mt. Laguna/Noble Canyon again next weekend.  I really hope my legs fair much better this time.  I have had no speed in these legs all week.

This was actually a 26 mile hilly bike ride completed in 2 hrs, 18 minutes but I am only taking credit for part of it as mileage for the week.

8:50 average pace.  That bike ride yesterday was not exactly a nice leisurely recovery scoot.

2 mile warm up then 5 x 3/4 mile with 1/4 mile active recoveries.  First one at 7:30 pace, next two at 7:13 pace, last two at 7:08 for a total of 8 miles tonight!

Slow but got it done 9:22 average pace and a few stops. Tuckered.

slow but done! 8:54 average pace

off

6 miles on the mill then 11 miles on trails with lots of inclines at times more like a hike than a run because of the steapness of the area.

off... a little sore in the hip fexors and quads

2 mile walk in the morning. 6 mile run in the pm. Took it a bit easy at 8:54 average pace.

2 mile warm up on the treadmill then 5 x 3/4 mile repeats with 1/4 mile active recoveries. First at 7:30 pace, then 7:19, 7:13, 7:08, and 7:03.  Wasn't in the mood to do this but managed to get it done.

5 miles in the AM on trails. It was so slow ... ran mid to high 9's on pace . Very tired from the speedwork last night!!  4 miles in the PM at 9:20 average pace.

Hill repeats... yeah.  Ouchie.

Workout #1 - 1.5 miles brisk walking at 10% incline.

 Workout #2 - nice 3.5 mile bike ride on the Batiquitos Trail. Only taking credit for 2 miles. 

II have no idea of my overall average pace because my garmin malfunctioned and the screan blacked out around mile 12 then when I checked it last night, it had started on its own and the timer was running!  I swear it has a mind of it's own! I took the run easy and I would guess I ran in the 9:20 pace range. I had my hydration pack on and easily it weighed at least 8 pounds at the start of the run. I ran into trouble around mile 13-17 where my upper back in the right shoulder blade area cramped up. Felt a bit better after stopping and stretching it for a bit. I felt ok at mile 20 but by the time I got home my shoulder blade was jacked up and the pain was up into my neck. I couldn't even turn my head!! Thankfully my son Evan helped me rub it out. What a day!!!

50 minutes on the elliptical varied high and moderate intensity.  Not that sore from the long run yesterday but I felt my legs yelling at me after this elliptical workout!!