Moving On

Recovery week is over (Booooo!) and it's time to hit the road again. So far this week I took a Pilates class, worked on "ROME" (range of motion exercises), and ran a few miles this morning with Katie (TNT friend, not my sister). We hit it early, 5 a.m., and liked it so much we decided to make it a regular thing.

I also checked out a great book from the library: "Ultra-Marathon Man" by Dean Karnazes. That dude is crazy! It's really inspiring to read about his efforts, though. I figure if this man can run for, literally, days at a time without stopping, I can surely make it a few hours. I'm about a third of the way through the book, but I highly recommend it. It's also motivating to read about someone who is never satisfied with how things are, but wants to keep challenging himself. I mean, one of my biggest fears is becoming complacent in life. Whether it's in my career, relationships, athletics, whatever, I always want to push myself and be working toward something. I think that's part of human nature...mine anyway!

Whew!

Talk about relief! It's amazing what cooler temps and a little rest can do. My 18-mile run Sunday was actually...good! The route was fun, mostly flat, and I unexpectedly ran into several people I know. That gave me a little boost. Once I passed the half-marathon mark and then headed into unknown territory, my legs and back were feeling it a little. Still, it was adrenaline that kept me going, knowing just how close I was to making it. I imagine that's what it will be like during the marathon, when the longest I'll have run is 20 miles and that last 6.2 is all heart and guts. Less than seven weeks to go!

On Saturday I headed out to the Komen Race for the Cure with Valerie, Jackie, and Molly. We ran into Terri, too, who was on the TNT Philly tri team. It was a really great morning. The weather was cool and nice, the support for breast cancer survivers was fantastic, and I had one of my best runs ever! It was only my second 5k (the first being this March in the first leg of the Triple Crown of Running) and I shaved more than 4 minutes off that time, finishing in 25:30. I was really excited AND had a great time. Can't beat that.

Later on Saturday, some of the TNTers that were around met up for a quick lunch at Panera Bread. It's great to hear what everyone is doing...we had at least three future Ironman competitors at the table. It's a beautiful thing to see more people catch the endurance-sports bug! And beware, folks, because it's contagious:)

Lucky 7

I did seven miles Wednesday night, 5 of which were "tempo" on the loop at Seneca with Jackie and Kenny. Now, you must understand that Kenny was a collegiate runner and is really fast, so even though he was slowing down a lot for me, I still felt like we were flying! It was good to push myself yet feel really good at the end of the run, and it makes me feel more optimistic about my 18 miles coming up on Sunday. Special shoutout to Shawn, who was on my Memphis tri team and was a mentor with me for Philly; he gave me some great advice and route info for long runs that is also boosting my spirit. Shawn completed his first marathon in Nashville in April (same day as my mini!). I know the most awesome people!

I Love Running...Right?

"I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens

This, I need to remember! I think running has become too much like work lately, and that’s why I’ve been struggling a little. I need to just enjoy the experience and appreciate that I am able to do it. I’m looking forward to a “fun” run this weekend at the Komen Race for the Cure 5K with some of my bestest running buddies: Valerie, Jackie, and Molly. It’s going to be a blast, I’m sure. And then 18 miles on Sunday…but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there!

I tried Pilates last night for the first time. I’m still trying to decide how I feel about it, but I think I liked it. Definitely very different from yoga. It didn’t feel too hard at the time, but I am noticing my muscles a little more today…like, “oh yeah, abs, you ARE there after all!”

Hit the Wall

Sunday's long run at Seneca/Cherokee was YUCK! I don't really want to get into it, but there was a lot of walking involved, a lot of inner cursing, and I'm really REALLY angry that we are still setting records with the heat. Enough is enough! Happier times to come...

Finally Fall

Wow. It’s October! Less than two months until my marathon…it’s flying by. It’s still a little hard to believe that in that short time I’ll be able to run 26.2 miles.

Training this week has been good so far. I’ve done some yoga, strength training, and even a stint on the elliptical. That’s always a nice break, because I can actually read a magazine while I’m on there!

Jackie and I had a really good run last night on the 5-mile loop at Seneca Park. The weather is just great lately. The leaves are just starting to change, so I’m looking forward to the beauty of the coming weeks. It just seems like that perfect time of year between the heat of summer and the dead of winter is so short.

I treated myself (and my IT Band) to a massage last night. It was wonderful! Of course, now I want to get one like every week. They are so beneficial on so many levels, I would love to be able to get them more often. The massage therapist, Tim, encouraged me to continue yoga to maintain flexibility and strength to help protect my body against the pounding of running. Done and done!

Breaking Records

Friday I ran the farthest I've ever run before. Of course, that's going to start happening a lot as I run 16, 18, and 20 miles the next couple of weeks. But it was a little crazy breaking that half-marathon mark, like I'm actually going to do this thing.

I ran on Friday to get it over with. I had a lot planned for the weekend, including Doug coming in from St. Louis to stay with us. I left work early to get going, and now I understand why long runs are typically a weekend thing. It was TOUGH.

Not only was the traffic busy and the weather warmer than if I'd run Saturday morning, but I was worn out from the day/week, had hit my energy low, and my food intake was different. Still, the first 10.5 miles were pretty great. Then I got a stitch in my side, and as I slowed down to remedy that, the rest of my body started stiffening up. My knees were tight, my hips grew sore, my ankles throbbed, my back spasmed. It was truly painful. Oh, and I couldn't breathe with the stitch in my ribs. But as soon as I realized I'd passed that record 13.1 miles and began running farther than I'd ever run before, I was able to suck it up and jog out the finish. It was exciting, painful, and a little overwhelming.

I learned my lesson, though, and I'm not going to try to cram in a run between a million other things. I've committed to this marathon (I registered Saturday!), and I need to make it the priority for the next nine weeks if I want to survive.

Luckily, the misery of the 14 miles was over in a flash and I was able to celebrate with Adam, Doug, and Jackie on Saturday night at Mojito's Spanish restaurant. Check out Jackie and me...it's hard to recognize each other without sweaty ponytails!