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...