Total: 10 miles
I planned on running longer today but my body wasn't going to be able to take it. I've learned to LISTEN to my body. It snowed yesterday so the roads were icy and partly snow covered. It was also extremely windy. Gusts of wind and snow blowing in my face did not make for a good time. The trails that I usually run on were snow covered. I ran on part of the IRT and ended up running in tire tracks that were icy. It was just a mess. I spent the entire time looking down at the road to watch where I was stepping. I didn't want to run on ice and slip and fall and risk injuring myself. I just got fed up.
It's almost a hour later and my face is still cold!!! I'm proud of myself that I consciously pulled the plug today. I didn't want to risk injury or burn myself out. Running head first into the wind is extremely tiring.
Train hard but rest harder.
Now it's on to week 7.
This week's total: 19 miles
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
12/23/12
Total: 10 miles
Easy 10 mile shake out
Week 5's Total: 21 miles
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now
Easy 10 mile shake out
Week 5's Total: 21 miles
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
12/16/12
Total: 20 miles
20 miles @ marathon pace + 60 seconds
Toughest run to date for me. I had a busy weekend, wasn't able to keep my nutrition in check on the days leading up to this run. I slept poorly 2 nights before. I still made it through but it was tough. I thought about quitting numerous times but kept pushing through. I'm very excited to be done with a whole month of training! Even more excited for the recovery week ahead!
Week 4 Total: 31 miles
20 miles @ marathon pace + 60 seconds
Toughest run to date for me. I had a busy weekend, wasn't able to keep my nutrition in check on the days leading up to this run. I slept poorly 2 nights before. I still made it through but it was tough. I thought about quitting numerous times but kept pushing through. I'm very excited to be done with a whole month of training! Even more excited for the recovery week ahead!
Week 4 Total: 31 miles
Friday, December 14, 2012
12/13/12
Total: 6 miles
1 mile WU
4 miles at long tempo pace
1 mile CD
"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
-Pre
1 mile WU
4 miles at long tempo pace
1 mile CD
"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
-Pre
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12/11/12
WEEK 4
Total: 5 miles
1/2 mile WU
4x1k's, 400 RI
CD
Believe me when I say
It gets better every day
Once you get used to the pain
Total: 5 miles
1/2 mile WU
4x1k's, 400 RI
CD
Believe me when I say
It gets better every day
Once you get used to the pain
Monday, December 10, 2012
12/9/12
Total: 17 miles
@ Marathon pace + 45 seconds
Great run for me today! I ran 17 and felt better and ran a faster pace then my 15 miler last week! I ran a new course which I think helped my motivation. I also added some inclines, so I'm surprised I ran better and faster! I hate hills! It was rainy and cool so I didn't feel overheated. I did have to watch my footing in some spots because it was muddy. I got a lot of crazy looks from drivers I'm assuming because a.) it was raining b.) I had my fuel belt stocked c.) I was completely soaked and d.) I was smiling!
This week's total: 29 miles
@ Marathon pace + 45 seconds
Great run for me today! I ran 17 and felt better and ran a faster pace then my 15 miler last week! I ran a new course which I think helped my motivation. I also added some inclines, so I'm surprised I ran better and faster! I hate hills! It was rainy and cool so I didn't feel overheated. I did have to watch my footing in some spots because it was muddy. I got a lot of crazy looks from drivers I'm assuming because a.) it was raining b.) I had my fuel belt stocked c.) I was completely soaked and d.) I was smiling!
This week's total: 29 miles
Friday, December 7, 2012
12/6/12
Total: 7 miles
1 mile warmup
5 miles at long tempo pace
1 mile cool down
Life is a series of obstacles and setbacks; living is overcoming them. Sometimes the key to getting to where you want to go is simple: Keep going.
1 mile warmup
5 miles at long tempo pace
1 mile cool down
Life is a series of obstacles and setbacks; living is overcoming them. Sometimes the key to getting to where you want to go is simple: Keep going.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
12/4/12
WEEK 3
Total: 5 miles
1 mile warmup
1200, 800, 600, 400, 200, all with 200 RI
CD
"Recovery? Rest? Who needs it? There'll be plenty of time for that when you're ten feet under. Right now, there's lots of life to get after. ENDURANCE NEVER SLEEPS..." -Dean Karnazes
Total: 5 miles
1 mile warmup
1200, 800, 600, 400, 200, all with 200 RI
CD
"Recovery? Rest? Who needs it? There'll be plenty of time for that when you're ten feet under. Right now, there's lots of life to get after. ENDURANCE NEVER SLEEPS..." -Dean Karnazes
Sunday, December 2, 2012
12/2/12
"If you are going through hell, keep going." -Winston Churchill
Total: 15 miles
15 miles at marathon pace + 45 seconds.
Week 2 Total: 26 miles
"Minor aches and pains have a way of working themselves out. The body adapts." -Dean Karnazes
Total: 15 miles
15 miles at marathon pace + 45 seconds.
Week 2 Total: 26 miles
"Minor aches and pains have a way of working themselves out. The body adapts." -Dean Karnazes
Friday, November 30, 2012
11/29/12
Total: 7 miles
1 mile warmup
5 miles at marathon pace
1 mile cool down
I forgot how much I enjoy running in the Parkway. Runners everywhere! Talk about motivation.
1 mile warmup
5 miles at marathon pace
1 mile cool down
I forgot how much I enjoy running in the Parkway. Runners everywhere! Talk about motivation.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
11/25/12
Total: 5 miles, comfortable pace
This week's total: 24 miles
This week's total: 24 miles
"So here I go it's my shot. Feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got.
You can do anything you set your mind to." -Eminem
You can do anything you set your mind to." -Eminem
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!!
11/22- Total run: 13 miles.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. I took the 13 miles to reflect on all the things I'm thankful for. The list kept going!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. I took the 13 miles to reflect on all the things I'm thankful for. The list kept going!!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Marathon training for 2013 has official begun!
Yesterday marked the beginning of marathon training for 2013.
Race: Rock & Roll Marathon, D.C., March 16th 2013
I thought it would be cool to record all my runs on my blog. Those interested in following me check back regularly!
Here's to 4 months of sore legs, no energy and walking around like a zombie.
11/20- Total: 6 miles
2 miles easy, 3 miles at short tempo pace, 1 mile easy
Next run: 11/22, 13 miles. (Yes, Thanksgiving! At least I will have room to eat whatever I want after)
My theme song for 2013::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jukv9Q1eR2g
Race: Rock & Roll Marathon, D.C., March 16th 2013
I thought it would be cool to record all my runs on my blog. Those interested in following me check back regularly!
Here's to 4 months of sore legs, no energy and walking around like a zombie.
11/20- Total: 6 miles
2 miles easy, 3 miles at short tempo pace, 1 mile easy
Next run: 11/22, 13 miles. (Yes, Thanksgiving! At least I will have room to eat whatever I want after)
My theme song for 2013::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jukv9Q1eR2g
Monday, May 14, 2012
NJ Devilman, Sprint Triathlon, 5/5/12
6 days after running a half marathon we went to Cedarville, New Jersey to compete in this triathlon. 0.4 mile swim, 20.5 mile bike, 4 mile run.
3am wake up call, on the road by 3:30am. It was just under a 2 hour drive to Cedarville. This course is advertised as being extremely flat. My kind of race!!!
We got there just before 5:30am and walked to find the packet pick-up tent. I couldn't figure out why I was being eaten alive by gnats? More like a heavy swarm of gnats! They were everywhere. Unless you kept moving they were stuck to you. We couldn't do anything that morning without trying to swat them away. The people that parked next to us went to the nearest store and got bug spray. They were kind enough share with us. Yeah, it made no difference. I was in transition trying to set up and couldn't concentrate. Come to find out later, we were pretty much in swamp land and gnats are common.
Swim: The worst swim I have ever had. Short but terrible. Everyone was talking about the water temperature and how cold it was. That didn't bother me, especially with a wet suit on. Everyone walked on a platform and down a set of stairs to get into the water. I was expecting to get into the water and not be able to touch the bottom. Wrong. My feet hit the bottom and it was complete mush/muck. I did a few warm up strokes to get used to the feel and then lined up next to the buoy. The announcer kept yelling for a group of about 5-10 women to move back behind the yellow buoy, they were attempting to get a head start. By the time the gun went off, they never moved back, so a head start it was. When the gun went off I found myself swimming over top of girls and not being able to see where I was going. The water was pitch black. I spent most of the swim sighting every stroke because you couldn't even see the swimmer's bubbles right in front of you. Imagine swimming with your eyes closed, that's how dark the water was. I also realized that I don't swim well in a wet suit. I felt like I was being choked the entire swim. With all of that said, I didn't come out of the water in a terrible position, however I was held up at the stairs to exit. A few of the men in the waves before me took their time getting out.
Bike: The race director wasn't lying when advertising the race as "flat." There were a few false flats and definitely no declines. I think I enjoy a hilly course better because at least with hills you can somewhat rest your legs on the declines. This course you had to continue to push forward the entire 20.5 miles. I didn't want to push beyond my limits though because I knew I still had a 4 mile run ahead of me. I was happy that I passed the few girls that exited the water before me, but at the same time I was surprised to see how many 40+ women passed me on the bike. I give them much respect, 40+ years old and pounding it out on the bike like that. I can only hope that when I'm 40 I can be as competitive. Something to work for. About 2 miles from T-2 I was trapped between the side of the road and a tractor trailer. I was hoping he would have accelerated a little bit so that I could have drafted off him, but instead, he was going too slow.
Run: Not my best run off the bike but certainly not my worst. It was better than the 4 mile run at South Beach where I was passed 3 times by girls in my age group. This time, I was not passed by anyone in my age group at all. I was passed only once by a 15 year old female who I later found about .3 away from the finish on the side of the road puking. Too many chocolate gels I think.
All in all, good enough for 1st place in my AG. I was about 4 minutes faster than the 2nd and 3rd place females. Once again, an accomplishment.
Next up, Black Bear, Sprint Triathlon, 6/3/12 and I'm coming back for redemption!
3am wake up call, on the road by 3:30am. It was just under a 2 hour drive to Cedarville. This course is advertised as being extremely flat. My kind of race!!!
We got there just before 5:30am and walked to find the packet pick-up tent. I couldn't figure out why I was being eaten alive by gnats? More like a heavy swarm of gnats! They were everywhere. Unless you kept moving they were stuck to you. We couldn't do anything that morning without trying to swat them away. The people that parked next to us went to the nearest store and got bug spray. They were kind enough share with us. Yeah, it made no difference. I was in transition trying to set up and couldn't concentrate. Come to find out later, we were pretty much in swamp land and gnats are common.
Swim: The worst swim I have ever had. Short but terrible. Everyone was talking about the water temperature and how cold it was. That didn't bother me, especially with a wet suit on. Everyone walked on a platform and down a set of stairs to get into the water. I was expecting to get into the water and not be able to touch the bottom. Wrong. My feet hit the bottom and it was complete mush/muck. I did a few warm up strokes to get used to the feel and then lined up next to the buoy. The announcer kept yelling for a group of about 5-10 women to move back behind the yellow buoy, they were attempting to get a head start. By the time the gun went off, they never moved back, so a head start it was. When the gun went off I found myself swimming over top of girls and not being able to see where I was going. The water was pitch black. I spent most of the swim sighting every stroke because you couldn't even see the swimmer's bubbles right in front of you. Imagine swimming with your eyes closed, that's how dark the water was. I also realized that I don't swim well in a wet suit. I felt like I was being choked the entire swim. With all of that said, I didn't come out of the water in a terrible position, however I was held up at the stairs to exit. A few of the men in the waves before me took their time getting out.
Bike: The race director wasn't lying when advertising the race as "flat." There were a few false flats and definitely no declines. I think I enjoy a hilly course better because at least with hills you can somewhat rest your legs on the declines. This course you had to continue to push forward the entire 20.5 miles. I didn't want to push beyond my limits though because I knew I still had a 4 mile run ahead of me. I was happy that I passed the few girls that exited the water before me, but at the same time I was surprised to see how many 40+ women passed me on the bike. I give them much respect, 40+ years old and pounding it out on the bike like that. I can only hope that when I'm 40 I can be as competitive. Something to work for. About 2 miles from T-2 I was trapped between the side of the road and a tractor trailer. I was hoping he would have accelerated a little bit so that I could have drafted off him, but instead, he was going too slow.
Run: Not my best run off the bike but certainly not my worst. It was better than the 4 mile run at South Beach where I was passed 3 times by girls in my age group. This time, I was not passed by anyone in my age group at all. I was passed only once by a 15 year old female who I later found about .3 away from the finish on the side of the road puking. Too many chocolate gels I think.
All in all, good enough for 1st place in my AG. I was about 4 minutes faster than the 2nd and 3rd place females. Once again, an accomplishment.
Next up, Black Bear, Sprint Triathlon, 6/3/12 and I'm coming back for redemption!
Friday, May 11, 2012
St. Luke's Half Marathon, 4/29/12
I wasn't too sure how this race was going to go being that I just finished my first triathlon of the season. I spent a lot of time after the Miami Marathon training for South Beach, which meant less running miles. After we returned home from South Beach we increased our mileage in the pool, on the bike and running. However with the time that I had left before the half marathon I was only able to get in a 10, 12 and 8 mile distance run. Last year I ran this race and it was my first half marathon ever. I finished in 2:01. This year, after completing 2 half marathons and a full marathon my goal was to finish in under 2 hours.
Matt and I decided that I would benefit by running with one of the pace groups. We couldn't decide if I should run with the 2:00 pacer and then pick up the speed at the end or run with the 1:55 pacer and try to hold on. He told me to go with how I felt.
I ran 3 miles 2 days out of race day and they were the worst 3 miles of my life! I felt terrible! So I went into this half with no expectations.
The race started and I felt great. I found the 1:55 pacer right from the start and ran with him. For those of you who don't know 1:55 is a 8:47 pace. This felt extremely easy and I wasn't expending any energy. This pacer was great too, always cheering and chanting and really motivating the group. I know why marathoners run in groups now. The whole group seemed to swallow me up and pull me along. Almost effortless.
A few days before the race, St. Luke's sent an email stating that the course was changed due to falling rock in the parkway. The change of course meant a decent hill at mile 7 followed by the hills in the parkway.
I stayed right by the 1:55 pacer until the hill at mile 7. I fell off pace slightly but he was still in my sight. On the downhill going into the parkway I was able to catch back up and a stay with the pace group, until the next hill after mile 8. At that point I fell slightly off pace and I wasn't able to catch back up. It came to the point where I decided I had to run my own race and bring it home.
At mile 10 I knew I was still under the 2 hour mark and I didn't feel like I was cracking. I made sure to grab water and gatorade at each water stop and took my gels every 45 minutes.
The last 3.1 miles I gave it everything I had left in the tank. The climb into the stadium was a walk in the park compared to last year. I remember feeling like I was dying going into the stadium and barely being able to make it around the track. This year I dug deep to the finish line.
1:58, 4 minutes faster than last year.
Runner's high for the rest of the day.
I call that an accomplishment.
Matt and I decided that I would benefit by running with one of the pace groups. We couldn't decide if I should run with the 2:00 pacer and then pick up the speed at the end or run with the 1:55 pacer and try to hold on. He told me to go with how I felt.
I ran 3 miles 2 days out of race day and they were the worst 3 miles of my life! I felt terrible! So I went into this half with no expectations.
The race started and I felt great. I found the 1:55 pacer right from the start and ran with him. For those of you who don't know 1:55 is a 8:47 pace. This felt extremely easy and I wasn't expending any energy. This pacer was great too, always cheering and chanting and really motivating the group. I know why marathoners run in groups now. The whole group seemed to swallow me up and pull me along. Almost effortless.
A few days before the race, St. Luke's sent an email stating that the course was changed due to falling rock in the parkway. The change of course meant a decent hill at mile 7 followed by the hills in the parkway.
I stayed right by the 1:55 pacer until the hill at mile 7. I fell off pace slightly but he was still in my sight. On the downhill going into the parkway I was able to catch back up and a stay with the pace group, until the next hill after mile 8. At that point I fell slightly off pace and I wasn't able to catch back up. It came to the point where I decided I had to run my own race and bring it home.
At mile 10 I knew I was still under the 2 hour mark and I didn't feel like I was cracking. I made sure to grab water and gatorade at each water stop and took my gels every 45 minutes.
The last 3.1 miles I gave it everything I had left in the tank. The climb into the stadium was a walk in the park compared to last year. I remember feeling like I was dying going into the stadium and barely being able to make it around the track. This year I dug deep to the finish line.
1:58, 4 minutes faster than last year.
Runner's high for the rest of the day.
I call that an accomplishment.
Nautica South Beach Triathlon, Sprint, 4/1/12
First TRI of the year. Matt did this race last year and loved it so once I got the TRI fever we agreed that we would go back to South Beach so I could do it this year. I studied the results from last year and realized that I had a very good chance of making the podium based on last year's results. Podium was top 5 at this race. I wasn't sure how I would adjust to the warmer weather being that I trained in the cold up until this race. But I did what I could beforehand to acclimate myself to the weather. We bought a room heater and turned up the heat when we did our indoor trainer rides and during treadmill runs I wore extra clothes in the gym to make it even hotter.
We arrived in Miami the Friday before the race. The evening we took our bikes out on the bike course to test them out and so that I could see what the course was like.
The day before: We took a nice long swim in the ocean around 10am in the morning. What a mistake! The waves were horrendous. I remember thinking, I hope it's not like this tomorrow morning!
Race morning: I have never seen so many triathletes before! What a great atmosphere. This was the biggest race I have been to this far. I set up my transition area, ate breakfast and then we went to the beach and relaxed until the start. Matt started about 30 minutes ahead of me, so while I was waiting I relaxed in the ocean, occassionally swimming to keep lose.
The Swim: .5 mile. I stood in the front line of my wave. The gun went off, I sprinted towards the water. I trampled over quite a few girls. I will never understand why people who struggle in the swim start at the front of the wave? It is an inconvenience to the better swimmers. I spent a good couple of minutes passing the slower swimmers, hitting them, swimming over them, you name it. Eventually I was able to get away and had a great spot. The swim was quick from that point on, I passed a few more girls with my color cap and I passed quite a few swimmers in the waves before more. Up and out of the water and running into transition. It's uphill out of the ocean and I passed another girl in my age group during the run into transition.
The bike: Quickest 19 miles of my life! It went by very quickly. The causeways slowed me down a little bit, but other than that I had a successful ride. Very scenic too. I passed a lot of people, but at the same time I was also passed by 2 girls in my age group. On the bike I thought I was sitting in 3rd place.
The run: 4 miles. The hardest part of a triathlon for me, go figure. I have a very hard time running off the bike. The first 2 miles of this run were good for me, I wasn't passed by anyone in my age group. I always pay attention to who passes me, I'm constantly staring at the age on the back of everyone's legs! At the turn around the heat finally caught up to me. I started to struggle. My pace slowed up and go figure I was passed. With about a mile left in the run I was sitting in 5th place. If only I could have held on a little longer. Passed again just shy of the turn into the finish.
Yes, I missed the podium by :50 seconds. That seems to be how most of my races pan out. Always passed on the run. People probably think, but she runs all the time how can she struggle with this? All I have to say is, try running 3+ miles after biking 20+ miles. It's a feeling you just can't explain.
7th in my age group. 1st race of the season. Biggest race competed in. I wasn't complaining, but I knew when I returned home to PA, I had a lot of work to do.
We arrived in Miami the Friday before the race. The evening we took our bikes out on the bike course to test them out and so that I could see what the course was like.
The day before: We took a nice long swim in the ocean around 10am in the morning. What a mistake! The waves were horrendous. I remember thinking, I hope it's not like this tomorrow morning!
Race morning: I have never seen so many triathletes before! What a great atmosphere. This was the biggest race I have been to this far. I set up my transition area, ate breakfast and then we went to the beach and relaxed until the start. Matt started about 30 minutes ahead of me, so while I was waiting I relaxed in the ocean, occassionally swimming to keep lose.
The Swim: .5 mile. I stood in the front line of my wave. The gun went off, I sprinted towards the water. I trampled over quite a few girls. I will never understand why people who struggle in the swim start at the front of the wave? It is an inconvenience to the better swimmers. I spent a good couple of minutes passing the slower swimmers, hitting them, swimming over them, you name it. Eventually I was able to get away and had a great spot. The swim was quick from that point on, I passed a few more girls with my color cap and I passed quite a few swimmers in the waves before more. Up and out of the water and running into transition. It's uphill out of the ocean and I passed another girl in my age group during the run into transition.
The bike: Quickest 19 miles of my life! It went by very quickly. The causeways slowed me down a little bit, but other than that I had a successful ride. Very scenic too. I passed a lot of people, but at the same time I was also passed by 2 girls in my age group. On the bike I thought I was sitting in 3rd place.
The run: 4 miles. The hardest part of a triathlon for me, go figure. I have a very hard time running off the bike. The first 2 miles of this run were good for me, I wasn't passed by anyone in my age group. I always pay attention to who passes me, I'm constantly staring at the age on the back of everyone's legs! At the turn around the heat finally caught up to me. I started to struggle. My pace slowed up and go figure I was passed. With about a mile left in the run I was sitting in 5th place. If only I could have held on a little longer. Passed again just shy of the turn into the finish.
Yes, I missed the podium by :50 seconds. That seems to be how most of my races pan out. Always passed on the run. People probably think, but she runs all the time how can she struggle with this? All I have to say is, try running 3+ miles after biking 20+ miles. It's a feeling you just can't explain.
7th in my age group. 1st race of the season. Biggest race competed in. I wasn't complaining, but I knew when I returned home to PA, I had a lot of work to do.
Friday, February 17, 2012
2012 Race Line-up, subject to change
Black Bear Sprint Triathlon, 6/3/12
Steelman Open Water Swim, 3.1 miles, 7/15/12
NJ State Sprint Triathlon, 7/21/12
NJ State Olympic Triathlon, 7/22/12
Age Group Nationals, Sprint, 8/19/12
Via Half Marathon, 9/9/12
Ironman Pocono Mountains, 70.3, 9/30/12
Possibly:: D& L Heritage Marathon, 11/4/12
Steelman Open Water Swim, 3.1 miles, 7/15/12
NJ State Sprint Triathlon, 7/21/12
NJ State Olympic Triathlon, 7/22/12
Age Group Nationals, Sprint, 8/19/12
Via Half Marathon, 9/9/12
Ironman Pocono Mountains, 70.3, 9/30/12
Possibly:: D& L Heritage Marathon, 11/4/12
ING Miami Marathon, 1/29/12
I finally feel ready to reflect on my 26.2 experience. It has been almost 3 weeks and it feels like forever ago.
I started training for this race in November 2011. 3 months out. Most people would have told me it couldn't be done. Too little time to ramp up the mileage. I just recovered from an injury that held me up for 2 months. But I proved all of those theories wrong.
Race morning- 4:30am wake up
-I slept great that night which wasn't expected. Alarm went off and I sprung out of bed.
5:00am- We arrived at the shuttle pickup, loaded the bus and ate breakfast on the way to the start line. Breakfast consisted of a cinnamon raisin bagel, a banana, and a muscle milk.
5:15am- We arrived at the start line. It was dark outside but the lights at the start were awesome. At this point it still didn't hit me that I was about to run 26.2 miles. Matt and I found a spot on the steps by the American Airlines Arena and chilled out. 1 hour til start time. I tried to remain calm and not let the butterflies start too soon. It was difficult considering the place was mobbed with runners, spectators, bands and mascots. I put biofreeze on my shins and calves, put on my calf sleeves and situated my fuel belt. Then we walked to find the bag drop off which was about 3 blocks in the opposite direction. Flying through the crowd, I started to get anxious. Once we dropped our bags off we parted ways and went to our designated corrals.
6:00am- 15 minutes until start. I was standing in the "F" corral. There was no room to walk, stretch or sit down. I had runners glued to my every side. There were marathoners and half marathoners around me. This race is comprised mostly of half marathoners. About 15,000-20,000 registered in the half, and about 5,000 in the full. I remember standing next to a girl who asked me about running with the pacers. It was her first half marathon. And to my other side, a girl and her boyfriend were running their first full. I felt like I was in the right place.
6:15am- I heard the race announcer start the pro and elite runners. The race had officially begun and the corrals were starting to move forward and closer to the start line. I heard them announce corral "C" crossing the start line, that was Matt's corral. "See you at the finish," I thought.
6:35am- I was quickly approaching the start line, the crowd started to space out and before I knew it I was over the start line and running. It was still dark out which was awesome.
The day before at the race expo I picked up a wristlet that had the 4:30 pace broken down by miles. On race morning I put it on my wrist underneath my garmin. I have been running for about 4 years now with the goal of running a marathon but I have always come up short because I would get injured. This time I made it through and I set a goal for myself to run around 4:30. After all my training runs I felt that this was a do-able goal.
Mile 1- It was congested. Runners everywhere. I remember being drenched in sweat and thinking this isn't good. I saw runners stopping, stretching and walking. Was there something that I was missing? Come to find out after, it was 83% humidity that day.
Mile 5- This was on the main strip in South Beach. Ocean Drive. I couldn't get anywhere near the aid stations. They were packed with runners. Once again there was half and full marathoners. I was thankful that I had a full fuel belt with water and gu brew. So I told myself just to use what I had on my belt until half way, because at that point the half marathoners would be gone. I compared the time on my watch with the time on my pace wristlet, I was well under at 4:30 pace.
Mile 6: I think I was somewhere on Washington Avenue and I looked up at the bank clock, 7:30am, 75 degrees. It was hot and humid. Still under pace.
Mile 11: ING Fan Zone. This part of the course was crazy! People everywhere. Bands. Drums, etc. It was a great way to boost energy. I remember I felt like such a star running through this part of the course.
Mile 12: I was slowly starting to fall apart. Still on pace, but the humidity was starting to creep up on me. This was the first aid station that I hit. I grabbed 2 cups of water, poured one on my head, drank the other one and grabbed gatorade and downed that too.
Mile 14: Humidity got the best of me. I fell off pace.My feet were starting to hurt. All the fluids in my belt were gone. I remember running up a very slight incline onto a grated bridge. I felt every inch of the metal crossing that bridge. The incline was ever so slight and normally I wouldn't even blink an eye at it, but after having 13 miles on my feet and the humidity, everything began to add up.
Miles 15-20: I continued to use every aid station. I grabbed as many liquids as possible. Poured water on me and drank whatever I could.
Mile 23: Legs became extremely heavy. I remember questioning whether I could finish. But I told myself that I wasn't going to stop. I was going to do whatever I had to do to make it to the finish line. I didn't come all this way to quit. Matt told me something before the race that came in handy during this mile. He told me no matter what I do, keep moving forward. Every step forward is a step closer to the finish line. And with another aid station gone, I continued to push forward.
Mile 24: When I hit this mile marker I realized that I was going to finish a full marathon. It wasn't going to be pretty but I was going to finish. I only had 2 miles left! At this point, I felt something in my left foot that made me stop and take my shoe off. It felt like my skin ripped on my big toe. I stopped, took my shoe off and realized I had one heck of a blister. Oh well, shoe back on and I continued on. After stopping for that split second and starting to run again I started getting cramps in my calf, cramps that I have never felt before. Matt ran his first marathon in October 2011. He described the calf cramps that he had during that marathon and I simply just laughed. Well at mile 24 I knew exactly what he was talking about. It was like lightning bolts shooting up my calves.
Mile 25: More people crowded the streets and there were bands and cheerleaders spread out on the sidewalks. I took my headphones out of my ears and just soaked in the energy. But the race wasn't over yet. I remember looking ahead and seeing another incline with another bridge approaching mile 26. Let's just say it felt like I was climbing a mountain and I have never been so cautious running over a bridge before. It's amazing how after 4 plus hours on your feet you can feel every inch of the road.
Mile 26: Emotions started flowing. I tried to contain my excitement and tears until the finish line because I knew if I started crying I would end up walking the last .2 miles. I rounded the corner and was in the finishing chute. They always say you can run 26 miles, but it's the last .2 that count. TRUTH. The finish line was so close but felt so far away! I saw Matt as I ran through the chute and I heard him yelling for me to finish.
Mile 26.2: FINISHED. 5:03. I paused for a second to catch my breath, got my finisher medal around my neck and walked over to the family area to find Matt. The walk over was slow and cautious.
After: I thought half marathons were hard until I ran 26.2! Now half marathons are going to be cake. The pain and discomfort that I felt after is something that I can't even explain. You truly never know what it's like or feels like until you have done it. I remember when Matt ran his first marathon and he couldn't walk up and down the stairs, couldn't sit down on the couch without falling into the sitting position, couldn't go anywhere fast, and always walked like a waddling duck. He also complained about cankles. I just laughed at him. Well, I wasn't laughing on 1/29/12 after completing 26.2. All the things I just explained, I felt. A 2.5 hour plane ride seems like cake, but not after running that far. I stood up at the end of the plane ride and I swear my legs were stuck in the seated position. Nothing like hobbling around through the airport. And yes, I had cankles. What's even better is the night after the marathon I went to work. I put on what I call my "fat jeans." These are a pair of jeans that are bigger than all my others, ones that I don't even have to unbutton or un-zip to put on. On this particular night they were not my fat jeans. Instead they felt like they were painted on! My legs were swollen from my hips down. It took me a good week for my ankles to come back and for my leg swelling to decrease.
It has been almost 3 weeks since I ran ING Miami. I have not run since but the past 2 weeks I have been able to swim and bike. Running will resume this upcoming week!
As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to run 4:30. I ran 5:03. Am I disappointed? Absolutely not. I was completely ignorant to the distance. I should have never made a time goal when I have never experienced the distance. It's amazing what you learn when it's just you and the road for 5 hours. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and at the same time it was the best day of my life.
Will I run another one? Absolutely I will. This time training will be a little different. I will incorporate more distance runs into training. 20+ milers instead of the regular 20 miler, 4 weeks out. At this point I know I can finish a marathon, but now my goal is time oriented.
I want to thank everyone who has supported me, friends and family. And I especially want to thank Matt. He created my training log and has coached me every step of the way. He believed I could do it from day one. Thank you!
NEXT: I am looking to run The Walt Disney World Marathon, January 2013!
I started training for this race in November 2011. 3 months out. Most people would have told me it couldn't be done. Too little time to ramp up the mileage. I just recovered from an injury that held me up for 2 months. But I proved all of those theories wrong.
Race morning- 4:30am wake up
-I slept great that night which wasn't expected. Alarm went off and I sprung out of bed.
5:00am- We arrived at the shuttle pickup, loaded the bus and ate breakfast on the way to the start line. Breakfast consisted of a cinnamon raisin bagel, a banana, and a muscle milk.
5:15am- We arrived at the start line. It was dark outside but the lights at the start were awesome. At this point it still didn't hit me that I was about to run 26.2 miles. Matt and I found a spot on the steps by the American Airlines Arena and chilled out. 1 hour til start time. I tried to remain calm and not let the butterflies start too soon. It was difficult considering the place was mobbed with runners, spectators, bands and mascots. I put biofreeze on my shins and calves, put on my calf sleeves and situated my fuel belt. Then we walked to find the bag drop off which was about 3 blocks in the opposite direction. Flying through the crowd, I started to get anxious. Once we dropped our bags off we parted ways and went to our designated corrals.
6:00am- 15 minutes until start. I was standing in the "F" corral. There was no room to walk, stretch or sit down. I had runners glued to my every side. There were marathoners and half marathoners around me. This race is comprised mostly of half marathoners. About 15,000-20,000 registered in the half, and about 5,000 in the full. I remember standing next to a girl who asked me about running with the pacers. It was her first half marathon. And to my other side, a girl and her boyfriend were running their first full. I felt like I was in the right place.
6:15am- I heard the race announcer start the pro and elite runners. The race had officially begun and the corrals were starting to move forward and closer to the start line. I heard them announce corral "C" crossing the start line, that was Matt's corral. "See you at the finish," I thought.
6:35am- I was quickly approaching the start line, the crowd started to space out and before I knew it I was over the start line and running. It was still dark out which was awesome.
The day before at the race expo I picked up a wristlet that had the 4:30 pace broken down by miles. On race morning I put it on my wrist underneath my garmin. I have been running for about 4 years now with the goal of running a marathon but I have always come up short because I would get injured. This time I made it through and I set a goal for myself to run around 4:30. After all my training runs I felt that this was a do-able goal.
Mile 1- It was congested. Runners everywhere. I remember being drenched in sweat and thinking this isn't good. I saw runners stopping, stretching and walking. Was there something that I was missing? Come to find out after, it was 83% humidity that day.
Mile 5- This was on the main strip in South Beach. Ocean Drive. I couldn't get anywhere near the aid stations. They were packed with runners. Once again there was half and full marathoners. I was thankful that I had a full fuel belt with water and gu brew. So I told myself just to use what I had on my belt until half way, because at that point the half marathoners would be gone. I compared the time on my watch with the time on my pace wristlet, I was well under at 4:30 pace.
Mile 6: I think I was somewhere on Washington Avenue and I looked up at the bank clock, 7:30am, 75 degrees. It was hot and humid. Still under pace.
Mile 11: ING Fan Zone. This part of the course was crazy! People everywhere. Bands. Drums, etc. It was a great way to boost energy. I remember I felt like such a star running through this part of the course.
Mile 12: I was slowly starting to fall apart. Still on pace, but the humidity was starting to creep up on me. This was the first aid station that I hit. I grabbed 2 cups of water, poured one on my head, drank the other one and grabbed gatorade and downed that too.
Mile 14: Humidity got the best of me. I fell off pace.My feet were starting to hurt. All the fluids in my belt were gone. I remember running up a very slight incline onto a grated bridge. I felt every inch of the metal crossing that bridge. The incline was ever so slight and normally I wouldn't even blink an eye at it, but after having 13 miles on my feet and the humidity, everything began to add up.
Miles 15-20: I continued to use every aid station. I grabbed as many liquids as possible. Poured water on me and drank whatever I could.
Mile 23: Legs became extremely heavy. I remember questioning whether I could finish. But I told myself that I wasn't going to stop. I was going to do whatever I had to do to make it to the finish line. I didn't come all this way to quit. Matt told me something before the race that came in handy during this mile. He told me no matter what I do, keep moving forward. Every step forward is a step closer to the finish line. And with another aid station gone, I continued to push forward.
Mile 24: When I hit this mile marker I realized that I was going to finish a full marathon. It wasn't going to be pretty but I was going to finish. I only had 2 miles left! At this point, I felt something in my left foot that made me stop and take my shoe off. It felt like my skin ripped on my big toe. I stopped, took my shoe off and realized I had one heck of a blister. Oh well, shoe back on and I continued on. After stopping for that split second and starting to run again I started getting cramps in my calf, cramps that I have never felt before. Matt ran his first marathon in October 2011. He described the calf cramps that he had during that marathon and I simply just laughed. Well at mile 24 I knew exactly what he was talking about. It was like lightning bolts shooting up my calves.
Mile 25: More people crowded the streets and there were bands and cheerleaders spread out on the sidewalks. I took my headphones out of my ears and just soaked in the energy. But the race wasn't over yet. I remember looking ahead and seeing another incline with another bridge approaching mile 26. Let's just say it felt like I was climbing a mountain and I have never been so cautious running over a bridge before. It's amazing how after 4 plus hours on your feet you can feel every inch of the road.
Mile 26: Emotions started flowing. I tried to contain my excitement and tears until the finish line because I knew if I started crying I would end up walking the last .2 miles. I rounded the corner and was in the finishing chute. They always say you can run 26 miles, but it's the last .2 that count. TRUTH. The finish line was so close but felt so far away! I saw Matt as I ran through the chute and I heard him yelling for me to finish.
Mile 26.2: FINISHED. 5:03. I paused for a second to catch my breath, got my finisher medal around my neck and walked over to the family area to find Matt. The walk over was slow and cautious.
After: I thought half marathons were hard until I ran 26.2! Now half marathons are going to be cake. The pain and discomfort that I felt after is something that I can't even explain. You truly never know what it's like or feels like until you have done it. I remember when Matt ran his first marathon and he couldn't walk up and down the stairs, couldn't sit down on the couch without falling into the sitting position, couldn't go anywhere fast, and always walked like a waddling duck. He also complained about cankles. I just laughed at him. Well, I wasn't laughing on 1/29/12 after completing 26.2. All the things I just explained, I felt. A 2.5 hour plane ride seems like cake, but not after running that far. I stood up at the end of the plane ride and I swear my legs were stuck in the seated position. Nothing like hobbling around through the airport. And yes, I had cankles. What's even better is the night after the marathon I went to work. I put on what I call my "fat jeans." These are a pair of jeans that are bigger than all my others, ones that I don't even have to unbutton or un-zip to put on. On this particular night they were not my fat jeans. Instead they felt like they were painted on! My legs were swollen from my hips down. It took me a good week for my ankles to come back and for my leg swelling to decrease.
It has been almost 3 weeks since I ran ING Miami. I have not run since but the past 2 weeks I have been able to swim and bike. Running will resume this upcoming week!
As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to run 4:30. I ran 5:03. Am I disappointed? Absolutely not. I was completely ignorant to the distance. I should have never made a time goal when I have never experienced the distance. It's amazing what you learn when it's just you and the road for 5 hours. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and at the same time it was the best day of my life.
Will I run another one? Absolutely I will. This time training will be a little different. I will incorporate more distance runs into training. 20+ milers instead of the regular 20 miler, 4 weeks out. At this point I know I can finish a marathon, but now my goal is time oriented.
I want to thank everyone who has supported me, friends and family. And I especially want to thank Matt. He created my training log and has coached me every step of the way. He believed I could do it from day one. Thank you!
NEXT: I am looking to run The Walt Disney World Marathon, January 2013!
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