First one back

Today was the first run since my marathon.

I was nervous.

I don't know what for,

I was only running 3.5 miles, not 26.2!

It went surprisingly well.

I felt good.

I did feel a little sluggish.

And I did a lot of hills.

Every time I ran up a hill all I could

envision were all the hills during the race.

I wanted to beat the crap out of the hills.

Then I felt something in my shoe

that I for sure thought was my toenail.

Good thing it was only a band-aid!

I'm excited to get re-conditioned in running again.

Hopefully getting new shoes soon,

and I am going to start pushing myself.

Maybe even plan a fake race for myself.

A half marathon the day after Thanksgiving.

Something to look forward to,

and burn off the yummy Thanksgiving feast.

Sweat sweat sweat

We live in a tiny cottage.

And when I work out it turns into a gym.

Or at least smells like one.

HA!

I should have looked at my schedule

because I did the 20 min Turbo cardio,

and the Jillian DVD today.

40 minutes of excercise.

Then a bike ride to the post office.

As much fun as I had being super lazy,

it made me feel so crapy.

Nothing feels better than to sweat!

And it's over...

The training and anticipating is over for the marathon.

There are a few things I will do differently next year.

1. More strength training during all the runs.

2. Keep my mind strongER. Know that it will all work out and doing your best IS ENOUGH!

3. Enjoy the training. Your body goes through so much and gets so strong, enjoy it!

I'm almost a little said the training is over.

I sure don't want to loose the power and strength and distance I built up.

I don't know how my knee will hold up, I'll find out Tuesday.

I am going to focus on my strength these next three months.

Included with a schedule of 4, 6, and 4 during the weeks for my runs.

And some long runs twice a month.

It's nice to have a goal to look towards.

Makes the days feel more rewarding.

I am looking forward to these next 3 months of workouts.

Push my body in another way and see what I can do!

26.2

I ran a marathon!!

It was incredible and oh so awesome!

Kellie and I decided we wanted to be on one of the first

busses up to the start line so we were there at 3:50am!

It was early.

But I am glad we did it.

It was awesome to be up there.

Music blaring to get you excited.

Hundreds of porta potties.

Big bon fires blaring.

The race started right at 6:45am.

We crossed the start line around 7:00am.

And so the race began...

Mile 1: Went by really quick. I blinked and we passed it.

Mile 2: Made some friends in the pace group

Mile 3: Settled into a good running groove

Mile 4: Met another friend with a sweet GPS running watch. We were jealous.

Mile 5: Made a bathroom pit stop and lost the pace group.

Mile 6: My knee and IT Band started hurting like a motha.

Mile 7: The big hill. Not too bad.

Mile 8: Cursing out my knee. Considering making a deal with the devil to make pain go away.

Mile 9: Sun finally up and blaring. Feels good.

Mile 10: I think it was a good can't really remember it.

Mile 11: Told Kellie to go on. I didn't want to hold her back cause I was in pain.

Mile 12: Red Rock canvasing the trails was awesome.

Mile 13: Just completed a half marathon... one more to go.

Mile 14: Kept getting passed by two guys talking about spiritual problems. I finally stayed ahead.

Mile 15: Got my legs rubbed down with Bengay from a stranger.

Mile 16: Saw my parents and their awesome signs. I cried. So cool they were there. Kellie waited there for me. She's a nice sister.

Mile 17: Called Todd and chatted with him. Ya know, just running a marathon and chatting on the phone. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.

Mile 18: Called Cory. Gave good mental advice.

Mile 19: Another hill. I swear they said this race was all downhill. Liars.

Mile 20: Only 6 miles left. That's not bad!

Mile 21: Got my knee bandaged up and more Bengay rubdown.

Mile 22: Feeling really hot thinking I am a baby.

Mile 23: See James to cheer me on!!

Mile 24: Finally on the streets with lots of people cheering.

Mile 25: Feeling dehydrated and getting sprayed by a man with a hose.

Mile 25.2: Made a new friend. One mile left!

Mile 26.2: See family and push hard across the finish line.

I DID IT!!!

I RAN AND FINISHED A MARATHON!!

The best part after finishing was getting the medal,

AND standing in the water tunnel.

They said it was the hottest race they've had in 20 years.

The race was hard with being hurt. It broke me too early.

And with it being so hot it was like a double whamy.

It feels so awesome to have accomplished this feat.

I may have not gotten the time I was hoping for, but I am ok with that.

It just gives me a goal to beat for next year.

I am totally addicted!

And I am totally a marthoner!

22 miles

Yesterday I set out to run 14 miles.
I only ran 12.
I have done two 18 mile runs,
but was beyond freaked out for the marathon in two weeks.

I had it stuck in my mind I really wanted to do 22 miles before the race.

It is advised to not do super long runs close to the race,

but I didn't listen.

I woke up early and ran 22 miles.

I started at 5:15am and

it was awesome to see the world wake up and get moving.

Some highlights from the run:

- Waking up at 2:00am and eating a bagel {I have to eat 3 hrs before or bad things happen}

- Running the roads I've always ran but seeing them in a different light, literally

- Stopping at a park to use the restroom and walking in on an old asian lady going to the bathroom. There are locks on doors for a reason.

- Getting to 18 miles and debating of stopping but remembering James advice the night before, 'Pick a goal you want to run and do it no matter what'

- Breaking past my physical and mental wall in running

- Running like Pheobe from Friends for a bit {it was exhilarating. please try it soon!}

- Hurting so bad I wish I had no legs

- But having the most incredible feeling in the world when I finished

Bring it on St. George Marathon!!

Just plain working out

I love Sundays cause you can rest.

I love being lazy, and taking a snooze.

But come Monday morning I can't wait to workout.

I don't feel good and ready for the week until I do.

I wanted to do 22 miles on Saturday,

but I just plain couldn't do it.

But I've set a goal to do at least 22 miles before the race,

and I intend on meeting that goal.

And I feel much better about running 26.2

if I have hit the 22 mark on my own.

So this week I will watch what I eat,

except for GNO dessert night Tuesday night,

and mentally prepare so I can have a good run.

It's exciting to have such big goals to accomplish each week.

Marathon or not,

it just feels good to push your body and work it!

It's a science

The running is a science.

Listening to your body.

Pushing your physical, mental, and emotional self.

Eating GU at just the right time.

Making sure I eat a banana and bagel at least 3 hours before,

or body will not be happy.

Drinking plenty of water and gatorade,

but only at certain times to not get over hydrated and cramp,

or get dehydrated and cramp.

It's been a fun and interesting science experiment.

I'm just glad I've finally nailed down my specifics and can just run!

You know what's awesome...

is getting stronger.

Is falling in love with running.

To feel better about myself,

and proud of achieving something on my own.

I was scared out of my mind to train for the marathon.

Most everyone said I would need running partners,

but I did this completely solo.

And it feels pretty freaking awesome.

I ran a tough 3.5 mile hill course today.

It was my fastest time yet of doing the course.

And nothing can take away the high I got from doing so well!

Running definitely has improved my life.

2nd 18 miles

It felt good.

I felt strong.

I managed the Gu's, water, and gatorade to a T.

I most likely will drink more during the marathon,

but during these practice runs it feels good to be able

to manage what I am intaking and

to be able to push my body past it's limits.

It's pushing your physical well being,

your mental well being,

and your inner spirit.

Sounds corny?

It totally is.

But that's what I go through to help myself with these ubber long runs.

I am doing this training without any running partner.

Does it suck at times?

Totally.

But it makes me proud of myself that I can accomplish

this big feat by myself.

With supporters of course, but when it comes down to you

and finishing those 26.2 miles... it's all me!

This second 18 mile run felt good.

I am going to shoot for 20 - 22 this coming Saturday,

then taper down until the big race!

WOO-HOO!!

Even for 4 miles

Today I set out to do 6 miles.

I only made it 4.

It was hard.

It made me realize that whether you are pushing your body

to do 18 miles or 4 miles there are times where you

still have to push yourself.

And that's ok.

Another revelation I had was I HAVE TO stop eating junk.

I had a bowl of ice cream last night

that I am sure led to the wanting to throw up feeling.

So I am going to try to only have a treat on Saturday nights after long runs.

It's only a month, I can do it.

I have to do it for the sake of running

and wanting to do good for the marathon.