Marathon Dreamer

Today was a milestone for me.... I have never run 20 miles until today.  Didn't set out to run the distance, but once I hit mile 18- I said why not!?  First 4 miles, I could feel my knee caps... but once I warmed up, that discomfort went away.  My right heel with the PF really didn't bother me much today.  I have been faithfully taping it and wrapping my arch when I am not running.  Stopped at mile 6 to take in a gel and hit the bathroom.  That was the fastest bathroom break ever!!  LOL!!!  Stopped for about a minute to chat with a friend at mile 13 that I ran into along the malecon.  Took in sips of water throughout the run - love my running belt.  Ran into the convenience store at mile 12 to refill my water bottle and took in a gel at that time.  Another gel at mile 16.  At mile 18- ran to my car and dropped off the running belt and grabbed my gatoraide.  Almost felt like I was in a relay race....ha ha.  Felt a very heavy feeling creeping up on me at this point.... probably started to kiss the wall.... The only thing that kept me going was I got angry.  I told myself to suck it up and stop being a whimp!!!  I probably could have mustered another 2 miles, but I think that it would have brought me to a place that I'm not sure that I'm ready for yet (both mentally and physically).  I took the advise of some great runners on here and ran the first 13 miles with average pace range of 9:20-9:40 or so - was comfortable and easy.  The next 4 miles I picked up the pace to 8:50 to 9:20 range and the last 3 miles I ran as fast as I could muster ranging from 8:15 to 8:40 pace.  I don't have the exact numbers for you.... just from memory of what I saw on my watch - I have yet to learn how to use my garmen properly!!  Although it took me 3:06:22 to do the run, it gave me hope that I am indeed on my way to getting that BQ... what's 6 more miles.... right?  I have a funny feeling I may be eating those words!!!

UGH!!!  Could not sleep last night.... my body was yelling at me.  My quads felt burny and tingly .... just irritating enough to keep me aware of them.  My son Evan also decided to crawl into bed with me and he was sleeping almost sideways!!!  I tried to move him but he was like a boomerang!!  He just kept coming back!  3 miles very slow today.... I am beat.  The first 2 miles, my darn knee caps just hurt big time!!!  I decided to go run in the dirt lot next to our condo just to cushion the blow.  Knees felt better by the time the run was over.... OUCHIE.

Finally a good night's sleep!  Even though it wasn't for a full 8 hours, at least it was a quality sleep.  Frankly I was a bit worried about running today after the way I felt yesterday.  My knee caps hurt big time on my short 3 miler yesterday... you know something's up when you see me running in dirt.  I am not a big fan of getting my shoes or legs dirty!!  LOL!!!  Hit the malecon right after I dropped off the boys to school.  Met up with my new friend and running partner Alan - we just did two 4 mile tempo runs. First 4 miler was in 33:52- we then stopped to take in fluids.  The second 4 miler was in 31:54.... wow!!  The knee caps felt totally fine.  Right foot a little tender with the PF for the first mile or so, then after that, the tenderness was gone.  What a great workout and I was shocked that I mustered it!  Alan really pushed me and got me there!! There's always that looming question... could I have done more? Umm.... I don't think so.... It was tough!!  My lungs were totally working for it!!  I even had a layer of salt form in the elbow bends of my arms which I have never seen before!!  Very proud of this run.

6 mile run done - moderately easy. Tired. I can always tell when I've trained hard because that night I have trouble sleeping. Picked up a passenger around mile 5. I saw this little guy with one leg in his wheelchair rolling down the malecon.   

I usually see him down by Valentino's with his begging cup and I know that he rolls him self all the way down there almost every day because I have seen him before. I gave him a push for about a quarter mile. I was afraid his wheelchair may not hold up, but it did fine. He absolutely loved it and I got a great kicker thrown into my workout. He was so cute - people were giving him thumbs up and he was waving back at them like he was famous or something!! Bless his heart. I'll be sure to do that again. It made my day and his.  Just saw a post on the Mazatlan Running Group wall that stated that someone else started pushing this man down the malecon too... he must have taken over pushing him where I left off.... SEE!! Kindness is contageous!!!  Tomorrow is going to be another challenging tempo run with my friend Alan from the Mazatlan Running Group.  I really need some rest if I'm going to attempt this one again!!!  I honestly don't know if I have it in me to do another 8 mile tempo, especially with 4 miles below 8 min/mile pace.  Although, I never dreamed that I could run that pace the last time.  I'll need the "Running Gods" for this one!!!

 Home from another butt kicking run thanks to Alan with the Mazatlan Running Group!! WOW! We ran 4 miles at 7:42 average pace- the first mile or so was a warm up so that means we were cruising the next 3!! Thought I was gonna toss my oatmeal! Ticked off that I couldn't hold it to 4.2 mark, so that I could win the bet that I have with my husband but another week or 2 & I will definitely be there and Dave will be eating his words!  (the bet is that I have to be able to run 4.2 miles at 7:40 or under pace and if I do, then he has to train to run 18 miles).  Next 4 miles were at 8:38 average pace. Humid this morning on the malecon!  The run back, Alan and I were really feeling it.  I have to say though, I feel like a rock star and feel like I am moving to another level in my training!  Very excited!!!

Difficult night's sleep... it always seems to follow a tough training session.  Woke up feeling like I am coming down with a cold but felt ok to run.  Left the Garmin watch at home this morning.  Sometimes I don't want to run to train, sometimes I just want to run for me and today was one of those days.  Enjoyed this run and remained relaxed through it despite some faster paces thrown in there.  No pressure.... tried to really focus on this run and pay attention to my breathing, my form, running smoothly and effortlessly.... I felt like I was gliding.  Great start to my day.... now for some rest.

Day of rest