I Did It!

What a day.  Up at 3:45am to eat bread and peanut butter.  Then a 5 minute walk to race start at  4:30.  Fireworks rained down at start time and everyone was full of energy and anticipation.  It was, as distance sports usually are, an amazing experience.   We ran through downtown Honolulu in the dark.  This time of year they have all their Christmas decorations and lights up.  It was festive and beautiful.  Mile 7 was the first hill up over Diamond Head.  The sun was rising as the wheelchair participants raced past us to the finish.  Then it was out to the highway to the Hawaii Kai loop.  By mile 17 we were back on the highway headed back to the finish.  Mile 18 was difficult.  Doubts, sun, tired legs and a bit of nausea caused me to walk for the first time. 

(mile 22)

Coach Jeff was waiting a mile 22 and wondering why I was taking so long.  By then I had started to run again and felt better at the 22 mark than at 18.  The last hill loomed ahead, a gentle incline then back over Diamond Head.  I walked up the hill. 

Bob was waiting in the Park at mile 26 with my after race recovery drink.  The finish line still seemed far.  I walked and ran to the finish.  5 hours and 54 minutes after the start I crossed the line.  Longer than I hoped but I was just happy to finish. 

Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement and inspiration.  Thank you to my wonderful partner, Bob, who has put up with a lot the past months as I trained.  Thank you to Carol, Shannon, and Nathan for the checking-in phone calls to see where I was and how I was.  Thank you to Jeff who got me through this starting last July.  I could never have done this without a coach.  Thank you to Karena and Baird and Alice and Tea for cheering at the finish line with a specially made sign for grandma.  And to Baird for arranging the car to be across the street so I didn't have far to walk after the finish.

I am tired and sore as this journey comes to an end.  I never imagined I would ever be able to do another marathon. Since my last one, 12 years ago, I have had back surgery and foot surgery.  After my back injury, the sports therapist said I would probably never run again.  Well, I did!  Pushing physical limits is an amazing journey.  Not bad for someone turning 60 next year.   Aloha.

(Mile 26)

Anticipation

Oh, my, 5am Sunday, Dec 9th is quickly approaching.  I'm as ready as I can be, excited and a little bit scared, nervous.  It's sunny and warm.  Hoping for clouds and a breeze tomorrow.  Here's me trying to look cool and relaxed...

I crossed the finish line and tried to visualize tomorrow.  The finish line time clock which they were checking said 5:33:20.  I was hoping it was a sign...with this weather I will be happy with that.

Count Down

Did my last training run this morning.  Two miles around Kapialani Park.  Oh, it was hot.  We went to the packet pickup and expo today.  Bob found something to him busy.

The expo was disappointing, not much there and most of it was in Japanese.  For the next two days coach Jeff says to rest, hydrate and plan.   So far I am planning on finishing.  My time will not be what I had originally hoped because it is so hot and humid.  The idea now is to survive.

20!! Thank you, Carol

This morning Redondo Beach, CA was cool and foggy.  I started out with a long sleeve t-shirt which ended up around my waist by mile 4.  The sun was out and the entire run was along the beach.  It felt good to have much less clothing on.  My sister, Carol, after a 16 mile bike ride, met me at mile 17 with anything I could possibly need: Lance Armstrong waffle (didn't try), lip balm, much needed Hoo Ha gel (yes, that's really what it's called) for those body parts that at mile 17 are chaffed and burning but I won't go into that here, and the always needed encouragement.  She told me I was looking good so many times I started to feel it.  I finished mile 20 at her doorstep and felt almost okay.  It was fun to run together again even if it was for 3 slow miles.  We discussed the fact that our mother would be proud of us: we are in great shape and we are good friends. 

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and now I can focus on that.  I am so very thankful for my sister who is always there and my brother, Jeff, who is getting me through this seemingly impossible goal.  I am thankful for my wonderful partner, Bob, who has put up with my tiredness, my whining, and my doubts.  I am grateful for my children who are always my cheerleaders telling me that I've never quit before and I won't now.  I am grateful for all the encouraging words from family and friends.  This journey will come to its end in a few weeks, the goal is in sight and ready or not I will be at the start line on Dec 9.  It has been 13 years since my last marathon.  Will this be my last?  Ask me Dec 10.

Calculating

It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining!  I really ran 18 miles!  I can almost see doing 20 but 26 is still way out there.  I was hoping to get a call from my favorite massage therapist, Marlene Sullivan, saying she had a cancellation and that I could come by but no such thing happened.  She's good so she is busy. She did wonders on my legs after last week's 17 miles!

So these 18 miles took me 3 hours and 27 minutes.  The last 2 miles took over 13 minutes each.  So if I calculate the rest of the race I have possibly another 2 hours of running!  Oh my.  This time my legs were so sore I could hardly walk after I got home.  I keep trying to explain to Bob that he will need to get the car to pick me up at the end of the marathon because I will not be able to make the 1/2 mile walk to the condo. 

Next week I will be in Redondo Beach, CA at my sister's when I do my 20 mile run.  It will be at least 30 degrees warmer. Oh my...

"Fun" Run

This is what I woke up to.  I thought, no way! 

Today is supposed
to be my hour fun run!

I had to do it. I got ready and ran through the snow, slush and water.  It was a very slow run but it was fun! 


The woods were beautiful and I left my mark on them...
Hopefully it will be sunny on Thursday for my 18 miler!!

SNOW!

Woke up to this today!  Lucky my core workout is inside.  What will I do this week if it keeps snowing?  I have one more long run - 18 miles - next week then I go to California for my last long 20 mile run before going to Hawaii. 
I have not had to run in the snow yet.  So I am visualizing sun for next week!

Oh my, 17!

Oh my,  17 miles today.  It was not fun, it was painful, it was scary and it brought back all the reasons why I should not be doing this.  I started out at about 9am.  It was 32 degrees and frosty but I was ready.  I ran on Fish Lake Trail.  It is a beautiful, quiet path that meanders through the pine trees.  In the 3 hours and 9 minutes I was out there I only saw 3 other people.  They appeared smarter than me, 2 were on bikes and one was walking her dog.The first 8 miles went along fine, then by mile 13 I knew I was in trouble.  I had dropped my ipod/cell phone three times!!  It was because I had to rearrange my water bottles.  I lost one glove and my legs were tired.  By mile 16 I had decided that I would break the news to everyone that it was not going to work for me to do a marathon.  Mile 17 had me thinking about hell and how I was in it that last mile.  I was sure someone had moved the mile marker since I had passed it the first time but after a quick look at my watch followed by a bad word, I realized that I was just slow.  Again I stumbled into my car and barely endured the 8 minute drive home.  My legs were really hurting and I felt sick. 

I have started using a plant based product called Vega Sport and took that as soon as I got into the house.  It is now 2 1/2 hours later and now I am just sore and tired.  Luckily I am on my way to see massage therapist, Marlene.  I know she will help me feel better.

As far as next weeks 18 miles, well, I guess I might give it a try...

Doubts

Yesterday I ran 16 miles.  It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, it was over 55 degrees.  It was my most difficult run yet.  At mile 1.5, I decided that I would not be doing the marathon.  About mile 7, I decided not to make any definite decisions and would just see how it went.  I was looking forward to mile 11 when I could eat my not-so-good-tasting gel pack.  Then by mile 12.5 when I had expected that energy boost to kick in, it didn't.  By mile 14 I knew there would be no boost and my legs hurt and I told myself that I was really crazy.  I have such a wonderful life, fabulous partner, things are good and easy so why am I doing this?  At that moment I had no answer. 

Lucky I got to 16.0 at my car door.  Stumbled in, drove home, hobbled up the 2 steps, ate, then fell onto the couch with doubts hovering all around.  I realize this is the first time I am training for a marathon without my running partner and sister, Carol.  That makes it much more difficult, I am older, started out being less in shape.  Yes, excuses.  My brother, coach Jeff, set the bar very high this weekend with his Exterra Triathlon in which he crashed a number of times, once cutting his ankle so bad he needed 10 stitches.  What did he do?  He wrapped his ankle with his t-shirt, told Krista, his partner, in the bike-run transition area to meet him at the medic tent AFTER he did the run so he could get stitches.  Yes, he finished the run then got his ankle stitched.

This morning my daughter gave me a lecture too.  She said, "we don't quit."  She pointed out that I would feel worst if I didn't do the race.  Coach wrote: you can do this!!! follow the schedule! 

OKAY, I will continue...

37 Degrees and raining

Not only did I run 15 miles today but I also got ready to run! 
long underwear
running pants
compression socks
running shoes
new running bra
water wicking shirt
long sleeve t-shirt
rain jacket
gloves
head band
knit cap
cell phone/ipod
ear phones
water bottle to carry
belt with extra water bottles
HR monitor
GPS watch
energy bar
gel pack
sun glasses (I was being optimistic, they stayed in the car)

The first mile, I decided that the marathon was a bad idea.  I was cold, my HR monitor was not working and it was under all my clothes.  I was depressed and just wanted to go home.  But that little voice was there saying, "your brother will see you giving up."  I kept going.  By mile 3 I was in a better mood and by mile 7 I knew I could do anything.  Then by mile 14, I decided that I was insane.  Mile 15 was a total surprise because I never thought I would see that kind of mileage again in my life.  I finished with a sore knee and wondering how I am going do 16 miles next week.  (Coach says next week is an easy week yet there is a 16 mile run in it.  How is that?)  Anyway the saga continues...

forgot?!

Today, for the first time, I ran 9 miles on the Fish Lake Trail.  Didn't see any lake or fish but lots of trail.  Beautiful!  It was sunny but windy and cold.  I ran about a half mile before I noticed I didn't start my watch.  You might wonder how I could forget to do that.  I am still wondering.  Until mile 7 I just thought I would stop at 8 1/2 miles on the watch and explain to coach what I did.  Then, as it oftens happens after 7 miles, doubt crept in.  What if he doesn't believe that I forgot to start the time, what if he thinks I'm trying to cheat.  So I ran an extra .5 mile so my watch would show I ran all 9.  Oh my...

14!

I made it, 14 miles! 2 hours 37 minutes. My first thoughts after I finished the last mile?  How will I make it the 1/2 mile to my car and I can't possibly run 26 miles! 

It hadn't crossed my mind that the water fountain on the trail would be shut off already!  It was, so I had to leave the trail at mile 9 to search for water.  I ran through a residential neighborhood hoping to find anyone outside.  I meandered through the deserted area, asked a woman walking if there was a park nearby.  She said sure but it didn't have a water fountain.  Finally came across a kind, slow, elderly man who insisted he get his wife to fill my water bottle instead of me using the hose.  Then he gave me directions (yes, I am directionally challenged) on how to get back to the trail because by then I was totally lost.  That adventure put me a half mile off my course and that's why I had to walk back to my car after I finished.  I try to end right next to the driver's door so I can fall in and get home ASAP.   Still wondering where my support team is, at least a cheering section...

Further Proof of Insanity

After 3 consecutive days of a 7 mile run, a hard core workout and an 8 mile run, coach Jeff says to have a fun run: run for one hour without HR monitor on and remember how enjoyable running can be.  I could have chosen any path so I decided to run through the woods to the top of Hatch hill!  It's a very hard run and I only did 4 1/2 miles in an hour.  I did notice the trees, the sun, the clouds, the path, the people and their dogs.  It was a refreshing change not to look at my watch every 10 seconds to see if my heart rate was in the right zone.  Now I'm hoping for a day off!

Feelin Good!

After our Mediterranean cruise, it is good to be back on land.  It was an amazing experience but what I learned most is that I do not belong on a ship.  My equilibrium was off the entire time (yes, I still danced).  I felt dizzy and sick much of the time even after trying the patch (that was awful) then resorting to whatever drugs the ship had on board.  They worked but made me tired.  The first day at sea I ran 2 hours 20 minutes on the treadmill and it was downhill from there.

I am grateful to be home and running again.  Coach gave me a few days off.  Today I ran 7 miles trying to keep my HR under 140.  It was slow and easy but it's getting cold!  I can feel the shadow of the marathon looming...

Can I??

Wednesday's 14 mile run turned into a 12 mile trip of discomfort, weakness, and lack of energy.  I started out tired and decided to do 8 miles.  Knowing little brother, coach Jeff, would see it, I managed to get to mile 10 when my ego kicked in and shouted that I should go 2 more.  At 12 I was done.  "Sometimes it just isn't there. Don't worry." was Jeff's comment.  I am worried.  Can I really do this?!

So today's run was only 6 easy slow miles.  It was going fine until this creature decided to cross the path in front of me.  Scared me!

Hallucination

Hallucinations have started!  Today I ran 6 miles keeping my heart rate kind of under 140, so I was slow.  When I finished and downloaded the stats to my program for coach Jeff to see, I noticed that my run for the day should have been only 5 miles!  Yesterday I thought it said 6.  Oh, my.

Anyway, I think I need to get a sense of humor about this so I am looking for a running partner to do a run like this with me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUU3yenVH2U
Love their running clothes! Any volunteers? Carol and I could do it but could anyone else??

Seriously, you are doing great

Seriously, you are doing great - keep it up!!! Such simple words but I was excited - that's what coach Jeff wrote after I sent him my 13 mile stats from yesterday.  13 miles!  The Centennial trail was beautiful, the air was cool and I just kept on running. It was a great change from the high 90 degree temperatures I endured the past week while I was in CA. 

13 miles in 2 hours 21 minutes.  I stopped twice to fill water bottle, once to take a picture and slowed for a coyote crossing the trail.  That puts me at just about half way through a marathon.  Trying to stay positive.  Today did my core workout and tomorrow is a rest day!   

Can I?

Another week of training.  It was actually fun and easy until today.  I ran 12 miles in 2:09.  Coach Jeff wanted me to go faster but it just didn't happen.  I did keep my heart rate just under 160 bpm.  And then I started wondering if I could really do a marathon.  Doubts invaded my head at the finish of mile 12 as I realized I wasn't even at half way for the real race.  I drove home wondering if I was crazy and as I limped up the two steps into the house I figured I was dillusional.  I was tired, needed a nap and was cranky.  Bob went to work.  I was wondering where my support team was.  Negative thoughts were ricocheting, my body was moaning.  What did I do?  I got online and registered for the Honolulu Marathon, Dec 9, 2012.  I guess that makes it official and me totally crazy.

Help!

It was beautiful along the Centennial Trail this morning!

Today was my long, hard 11 mile run. I was supposed to keep my heart rate around 155 and probably do a 10 min. mile pace.  It was more like 11 minute miles.  I finished in 2 hours.  20 years ago that would have been slow, now it was just about all I could do.  So I have gotten older but at least I can do 11 miles.

What I figured out during today's journey is that I need a support crew.  I need people to tell me that I can do this.  I questioned why I am even trying around mile 11 and also again about 2 hours later when I needed a nap.  I guess I just need that cheering voice that affirms I am not too old, not too out of shape and not too crazy to try this now.  I have always thrived on the positive input from all my friends, family and students.  I really need it these next few months!

Funny

I'm a Runner

SLOW/fast

Technology sure has changed training.  Last week I ran 3 miles and was supposed to keep heart rate under 125 BPM It took me 42 minutes!  Then I had to run 10 miles as fast as I could: 1hour 46 minutes. I am not bored yet.  This week is harder.  I told coach Jeff I didn't like to run fast.   "You have to get used to running fast, its the only way you get faster."  Oh, yeah, I suppose he has a point...

Learning Experiences

Things I've learned already:

1)  I do much better when held accountable to someone

2)  Working out was easier in my 30's

3)  I can't cheat because of the technology of GPS plus heart rate monitor (Oh, yes, I would)

4)  There is nowhere flat in Spokane (no, I will not run on a track)

5)  My brother knows more than me and he is 7 years younger!

Marathon, here I come!

On my 59th birthday this past June, I decided to run 13 miles.  I managed 10.5 and ended up with heat stroke and disappointment.  That's when thoughts of marathons started invading my brain.  I haven't done one in 12 years.  My dad did his first marathon at 60.  My sister, Carol, and friend, Nathan, are training for the Ironman next June.  So, inspired, I tried to do some more training and could not get past 12 miles.  That's when I emailed Jeff.  He is an Ocean Safety Lifeguard, he was the kayak support for Penny Palfrey's historic 68 mile open ocean swim in the Cayman Islands and again for her attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida in this past June.  He is a triathlete coach and also he is my brother.

Very willing to help, he is now training me for the Honolulu Marathon in December-from a distance.  He lives in Hawaii and I live in Washington.  With technology, it is easy.  All I needed was a GPS watch, a heartrate moniter, and an account on his training site.  I have those and am on my way to being a marathoner again!