Only three days and I've got another race.
I'm basking in this lovely low key week, although I blew it and had two hamburgers and a hotdog before running last night and ended up cutting my run even shorter and walking home. My stomach was protesting wildly.
I did grab a couple of big rocks and swung my arms profusely like professional speed walker in order to have some good come of my poor dietary decisions.
I got an email from the people who direct the race I'm running on Saturday. It's content was a little irritating. Here are the exact words from start to finish:
"Being one of the last accepted registrants, We are asking for your cooperation to please load the first group of buses at 5:00 am in order to get all buses to the drop off area early enough to start the race on time. We appreciate your help in doing so. Have a great race!"
Why is that irritating? Well, let me tell you:
First, I say, you snooze you loose. And... I was in the very first group of buses on my 1/2 marathon last year. BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS, GARGANTUAN mistake.
I sat on that bus for an hour before it even budged, FREEZING my rear off and gnawing on a piece of cardboard, oh... I mean a snickers marathon bar. Then I stood at the start line for another hour and half wanting to die because it was so cold and nothing was happening while the last buses came up the canyon. But that was a different, VERY poorly organized race with even more runners.
Unless they make an effort to assign buses ahead of time based on what order you signed up for the race. I say a big FAT middle finger to your unsigned email. SORRY :)
Don't get me wrong. I WILL be there at 5 because I want to be able to find a place to park (there are something like 300 spots for the 1500 runners), I'm not driving to Orem to get my race packet, (ok, I might) but if I don't make it then I'm going to have to pick it up the morning of the race, and I don't want to get left behind. Sorry, but if you think I'm getting on that first bus you are mistaken! And sorry, everyone who signed up for the race did so within something like a 9 hour window. First and last means NOTHING. AND...I will have a great race, thank you!
Another note, I have finally secured what I think will be acceptable lodging in St. George. What a pain! Three reservations, about 20 phone calls and a few sleepless nights and I think we're set. Two nights in St. George ought to be nice. I just wish it was in February when I'm sick and tired of the cold weather.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A new record
Last weekend I ran the farthest I've ever run... EVER in my entire life. I went 17 miles.
Boy it was tough to run that far all by myself.
I left home around 5:45 am which was also very hard. I don't like running in the dark and while I could see the signs of morning creeping over the edges of the mountains it was still quite dark.
Luckily, anyone in their right mind is asleep at 5:45 on a Saturday morning and I could basically run in the middle of the road where I could more easily see my surroundings. Everyone in their right mind may be sleeping, but I worry about the one's who aren't "in the right mind". For the most part I try not to worry about what could happen to me when I'm out running by myself, but worry about it just enough to stay out of harms way the best I can I guess.
Strike #3. I am so slow to wake up in the morning. I just drag and drag and drag. It seriously takes me 5 miles to feel like I'm awake. Last Saturday was no different.
And last but not least. I chose a route that was good because I knew there were bathrooms and water through most of it. But I really should have run it backwards. I ended up running east in Spanish Fork for about 3 miles. If you don't know much about Spanish Fork, you still probably know that it's always windy there. ALWAYS! There is this canyon and they have 6 huge windmills at the mouth because, in the morning especially, the wind blows so hard all the trees grow at an angle. I was running straight into it.
I did somehow make it home. It only took me three hours. ONLY! Ugggg. I'm tired again just thinking about it.
Then I come home to a family all fresh and ready to play and work all day.
Mileage like this will not be missed and will never be in my voluntary running schedule. That's for sure!
Surprisingly my muscles didn't really hurt after the run, it was my bones. All up and down my legs the bones and joints hurt. And why wouldn't they? Seriously, running for 3 hours straight (ok, so I walked a little) is a LONG TIME!
And to think I will probably, hopefully, maybe run just an hour longer than that and 9 more miles than that seems impossible. Yet, totally do-able. Factor in a lot of adrenalin, and about 7,000 running partners as well as a big ol' helping of satisfaction and I just might make it.
Last week was a relaxed week with three glorious days off. The coming week is even more relaxed with three days off and low mileage then WHAM! A big fat 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I really can't wait. It should be a good race.
My half marathon last year was good. I was not prepared and had only run maybe 7 miles at the most but still ran the entire way and finished in 2 hours flat. My only goal this year is to beat my time.
The only thing that could get in my way would be a bathroom break. Darn bathroom breaks!
So... I'll let you know how it goes. :)
Boy it was tough to run that far all by myself.
I left home around 5:45 am which was also very hard. I don't like running in the dark and while I could see the signs of morning creeping over the edges of the mountains it was still quite dark.
Luckily, anyone in their right mind is asleep at 5:45 on a Saturday morning and I could basically run in the middle of the road where I could more easily see my surroundings. Everyone in their right mind may be sleeping, but I worry about the one's who aren't "in the right mind". For the most part I try not to worry about what could happen to me when I'm out running by myself, but worry about it just enough to stay out of harms way the best I can I guess.
Strike #3. I am so slow to wake up in the morning. I just drag and drag and drag. It seriously takes me 5 miles to feel like I'm awake. Last Saturday was no different.
And last but not least. I chose a route that was good because I knew there were bathrooms and water through most of it. But I really should have run it backwards. I ended up running east in Spanish Fork for about 3 miles. If you don't know much about Spanish Fork, you still probably know that it's always windy there. ALWAYS! There is this canyon and they have 6 huge windmills at the mouth because, in the morning especially, the wind blows so hard all the trees grow at an angle. I was running straight into it.
I did somehow make it home. It only took me three hours. ONLY! Ugggg. I'm tired again just thinking about it.
Then I come home to a family all fresh and ready to play and work all day.
Mileage like this will not be missed and will never be in my voluntary running schedule. That's for sure!
Surprisingly my muscles didn't really hurt after the run, it was my bones. All up and down my legs the bones and joints hurt. And why wouldn't they? Seriously, running for 3 hours straight (ok, so I walked a little) is a LONG TIME!
And to think I will probably, hopefully, maybe run just an hour longer than that and 9 more miles than that seems impossible. Yet, totally do-able. Factor in a lot of adrenalin, and about 7,000 running partners as well as a big ol' helping of satisfaction and I just might make it.
Last week was a relaxed week with three glorious days off. The coming week is even more relaxed with three days off and low mileage then WHAM! A big fat 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I really can't wait. It should be a good race.
My half marathon last year was good. I was not prepared and had only run maybe 7 miles at the most but still ran the entire way and finished in 2 hours flat. My only goal this year is to beat my time.
The only thing that could get in my way would be a bathroom break. Darn bathroom breaks!
So... I'll let you know how it goes. :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Oh where, Oh where?
Well, This is turning out to be quite the short little blog.
Curses!
Curses I tell you! My husband has been sent back into the ranks and has been gone for three weeks.
Training for a Marathon is not for the faint, the weak, or the women without their childrens' father.
I HATE the treadmill, although it has been easier than before. I actually made it 12.5 miles the other day. I was supposed to run 16 miles, but after three hours I was done. Don't worry, I actually walked two of the miles while I chatted with Shane on the phone. My hip was screaming and I had spent my only 3 hours of peace for the day on a whiney torture device. I was done.
Only three more runs on the treadmill and hopefully we will be out of the woods and it can go about it's rightful duties as a coat rack.
Adding insult to injury. literally. My neighbor, who has been kindly donating her son as a babysitter while we run together, broke her toe.
She's out, and I'm so sad. It was so nice to have someone to run with and a nice young man to watch my kids and save me from that wretched machine in our basement.
I also wanted to have somone at the race who could calm my nerves and keep me focused.
Guess I'm on my own.
As far as my actual runs go. They have gone well. I shortened my long distance runs because my current schedule was killing me. And August was set to have 3-20 mile runs. THREE!!!! Too many! The way I have it now is more comfortable and more realistic. I DO have a family to take care of, even if a major player is out of the game for a while.
I can't believe it's almost August! I have a half Marathon in something like 4 weeks. I feel prepared for that one. I know I can run 13 miles. I've done it before. This Marathon though... It's like a distant dream, or some pending doom.
Or like having your first baby. Everyone can tell you how it's gonna be but until that baby makes it's way out of your body... There is no comparison.
And with that.... I say good night. Happy running :)
Curses!
Curses I tell you! My husband has been sent back into the ranks and has been gone for three weeks.
Training for a Marathon is not for the faint, the weak, or the women without their childrens' father.
I HATE the treadmill, although it has been easier than before. I actually made it 12.5 miles the other day. I was supposed to run 16 miles, but after three hours I was done. Don't worry, I actually walked two of the miles while I chatted with Shane on the phone. My hip was screaming and I had spent my only 3 hours of peace for the day on a whiney torture device. I was done.
Only three more runs on the treadmill and hopefully we will be out of the woods and it can go about it's rightful duties as a coat rack.
Adding insult to injury. literally. My neighbor, who has been kindly donating her son as a babysitter while we run together, broke her toe.
She's out, and I'm so sad. It was so nice to have someone to run with and a nice young man to watch my kids and save me from that wretched machine in our basement.
I also wanted to have somone at the race who could calm my nerves and keep me focused.
Guess I'm on my own.
As far as my actual runs go. They have gone well. I shortened my long distance runs because my current schedule was killing me. And August was set to have 3-20 mile runs. THREE!!!! Too many! The way I have it now is more comfortable and more realistic. I DO have a family to take care of, even if a major player is out of the game for a while.
I can't believe it's almost August! I have a half Marathon in something like 4 weeks. I feel prepared for that one. I know I can run 13 miles. I've done it before. This Marathon though... It's like a distant dream, or some pending doom.
Or like having your first baby. Everyone can tell you how it's gonna be but until that baby makes it's way out of your body... There is no comparison.
And with that.... I say good night. Happy running :)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Race #2
Ah the freedom run.
I ran this race last year. My time was 57:18.... or something like that.
I believe I started training only one month before running it. So surely I could run it faster this year right? RIGHT?
I wasn't so sure. I feel so slow.
Last year, about 5 miles in I wanted to die. And the last mile is almost entirely up-hill. Mix that with a major need to use a bathroom I had to stop and walk. I hate it when I just HAVE to stop running. It's so hard to get started again and I see my time just exponentially rise before me. But I'm not the type to pee my pants and keep on running. Especially when I'm running a 9 minute mile. Even the bushes or a well placed port-a-potty are bellow ruining my time and walking for a bit.
**SIDE NOTE***Let's visit this potty issue for a minute. SERIOUSLY!!! As if having children, raising them, having no life, no money, stained clothes, stretched skin and no sleep wasn't enough. It has go and totally mess with your bladder. Even now, I have to be sure there is a potty every six miles or I'm in trouble. I feel so OLD! Old and slow. **back to the subject**
I know, time doesn't matter, but I'm a racer. A slow one, but a racer nonetheless. Even when I say time doesn't matter, it still matters. It's what keeps me going.
So anyway, I signed up again this year with the only goal of beating last years time.
How did it go?
Great! I managed to keep a 8:22 mile pace with a total time of 52:18. I was 31st in my division. 422 place out of 1233.
I feel a little better about my speed. At least I'm improving and all this running isn't for nothing. How cool would that be if I had that kind of pace in the marathon? (not counting on it)
Anyway, In true freedom run fashion, the shirts were useless and ugly. Of course, that's just my opinion but you would think they could get a decent shirt out there. It seemed to look best on the people with a little more meat. It just looked so misfitting on me I couldn't wear it. :(
Two races down, two to go.
It's going to be a long hot July and August.
I ran this race last year. My time was 57:18.... or something like that.
I believe I started training only one month before running it. So surely I could run it faster this year right? RIGHT?
I wasn't so sure. I feel so slow.
Last year, about 5 miles in I wanted to die. And the last mile is almost entirely up-hill. Mix that with a major need to use a bathroom I had to stop and walk. I hate it when I just HAVE to stop running. It's so hard to get started again and I see my time just exponentially rise before me. But I'm not the type to pee my pants and keep on running. Especially when I'm running a 9 minute mile. Even the bushes or a well placed port-a-potty are bellow ruining my time and walking for a bit.
**SIDE NOTE***Let's visit this potty issue for a minute. SERIOUSLY!!! As if having children, raising them, having no life, no money, stained clothes, stretched skin and no sleep wasn't enough. It has go and totally mess with your bladder. Even now, I have to be sure there is a potty every six miles or I'm in trouble. I feel so OLD! Old and slow. **back to the subject**
I know, time doesn't matter, but I'm a racer. A slow one, but a racer nonetheless. Even when I say time doesn't matter, it still matters. It's what keeps me going.
So anyway, I signed up again this year with the only goal of beating last years time.
How did it go?
Great! I managed to keep a 8:22 mile pace with a total time of 52:18. I was 31st in my division. 422 place out of 1233.
I feel a little better about my speed. At least I'm improving and all this running isn't for nothing. How cool would that be if I had that kind of pace in the marathon? (not counting on it)
Anyway, In true freedom run fashion, the shirts were useless and ugly. Of course, that's just my opinion but you would think they could get a decent shirt out there. It seemed to look best on the people with a little more meat. It just looked so misfitting on me I couldn't wear it. :(
Two races down, two to go.
It's going to be a long hot July and August.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Supposed to...
This week is supposed to be pretty intense. Running wise anyway.
5 miles, 4X800, 4 miles, rest, 4 miles fast, 14 miles.
Instead I think this is how it's going to go:
4 miles (I walked over a mile of it), rest? or maybe 2 slow miles, 4 miles, 3 miles fast, 5-7 miles.
I have a race on Monday (10K) and while my time doesn't matter, I don't want to die. And it would be nice to have a better time than last year.
We started off the week with 4 hours in the E.R. in the middle of the night. Monday, I could barely stand up, let alone run.
I just think this week isn't the week to push it.
Speaking of pushing it. I'm not getting any faster. I'm stuck in my nine minute miles like a fly stuck on a fly trap.
Actually, I have no idea how fast I'm running really. I don't run with a watch. All I know is that if I run 3 miles, I get home 30 minutes after I left, if I run 12 miles, I get home 2 hours after I left. I know... that's 10 minute miles, but I do walk and stretch a little in there accounting for the extra time. ;) I just feel like I'm not getting any faster at all.
Oh well, here goes another week.
5 miles, 4X800, 4 miles, rest, 4 miles fast, 14 miles.
Instead I think this is how it's going to go:
4 miles (I walked over a mile of it), rest? or maybe 2 slow miles, 4 miles, 3 miles fast, 5-7 miles.
I have a race on Monday (10K) and while my time doesn't matter, I don't want to die. And it would be nice to have a better time than last year.
We started off the week with 4 hours in the E.R. in the middle of the night. Monday, I could barely stand up, let alone run.
I just think this week isn't the week to push it.
Speaking of pushing it. I'm not getting any faster. I'm stuck in my nine minute miles like a fly stuck on a fly trap.
Actually, I have no idea how fast I'm running really. I don't run with a watch. All I know is that if I run 3 miles, I get home 30 minutes after I left, if I run 12 miles, I get home 2 hours after I left. I know... that's 10 minute miles, but I do walk and stretch a little in there accounting for the extra time. ;) I just feel like I'm not getting any faster at all.
Oh well, here goes another week.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A day of rest
I think I'm going to look forward to Thursdays this summer. It is my "rest" day. (along with Sunday, but that day is filled with church responsibilities and such and is exhausting on a whole new level)
Things are starting to pick up on my running schedule. My lovely 3 miles runs have now turned into 4 mile runs, and next week will be 5 mile runs! SCARY!
I haven't run mileage like this since highschool and I was young and had not given birth 3 times. I didn't have little people waking me at all hours of the night and my meals were pretty much made for me.
On a fantastically positive note, I'm getting my apatite back. Do you know how long I've gone since food was simply something to cure hunger pains? Just about since I was pregnant with Roman. It's been over 6 years now!
The other day I made some of my sisters Rhubarb crisp. I devoured it and was so absolutely satisfied afterward. It was like heaven.
I may be able to pin this wonderful development on running. I don't know, but I like it!
This week I did intervals again. And will continue to do intervals just about week. This time it was 4 X 800's. I took my kids to the track hoping they would play happily in the sand pit while I ran around and around. No such luck. Ezra cried so I had to push him and Marisa. Uggg. Talk about exhausting. I guess it's can only be good for my training to push them but it's so hard. They weigh a combined total of 60 lbs and the stroller is something like 15 lbs. 75 lbs I'm pushing around! As soon as the wind pushes against us even a little I feel it.
I'm not against just letting Ezra cry until he gives up and starts playing, but the whole town was at the track that morning. I didn't want to seem cruel... even though I am... a little. :)
Things are starting to pick up on my running schedule. My lovely 3 miles runs have now turned into 4 mile runs, and next week will be 5 mile runs! SCARY!
I haven't run mileage like this since highschool and I was young and had not given birth 3 times. I didn't have little people waking me at all hours of the night and my meals were pretty much made for me.
On a fantastically positive note, I'm getting my apatite back. Do you know how long I've gone since food was simply something to cure hunger pains? Just about since I was pregnant with Roman. It's been over 6 years now!
The other day I made some of my sisters Rhubarb crisp. I devoured it and was so absolutely satisfied afterward. It was like heaven.
I may be able to pin this wonderful development on running. I don't know, but I like it!
This week I did intervals again. And will continue to do intervals just about week. This time it was 4 X 800's. I took my kids to the track hoping they would play happily in the sand pit while I ran around and around. No such luck. Ezra cried so I had to push him and Marisa. Uggg. Talk about exhausting. I guess it's can only be good for my training to push them but it's so hard. They weigh a combined total of 60 lbs and the stroller is something like 15 lbs. 75 lbs I'm pushing around! As soon as the wind pushes against us even a little I feel it.
I'm not against just letting Ezra cry until he gives up and starts playing, but the whole town was at the track that morning. I didn't want to seem cruel... even though I am... a little. :)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Vacation
I haven't been writing about my running because I was on vacation in Ohio.
Never fear though, I ran dilligently and I think I only missed one day.
Wow! Talk about training. Just go from a place with litterally no humidity to a place with 80% humidity.
My first run was a simple 4 mile run and I nearly died. I probably walked over 1/2 mile and came home just dripping with sweat.
I shortened my long runs two miles because It became really hard to cool down with all the humidity. So my 8 mile run was actually just over 6 and my 10 mile run was 8.5 miles. They were still quite the work out.
One day I decided to do some lunges in hopes of strengthening my silly hips. HOLY COW! I was in pain for an entire week for that stunt. I guess I haven't been using that muscle AT ALL when I run. But my hip has felt a little better so I think I better keep it up.
Also, I got my official results from my 5k and was slightly disappointed. My actual time was 27:11. I wish I could use the excuse that it took 5 minutes just to get across the start line, but 'tis not so. There were 178 runners. Still, At least it wasn't 30 minutes. :)
Now we are back home and I am totally enjoying my low mileage week. 3-3 mile runs with a 6 mile Saturday. I wish they were all so easy.
Never fear though, I ran dilligently and I think I only missed one day.
Wow! Talk about training. Just go from a place with litterally no humidity to a place with 80% humidity.
My first run was a simple 4 mile run and I nearly died. I probably walked over 1/2 mile and came home just dripping with sweat.
I shortened my long runs two miles because It became really hard to cool down with all the humidity. So my 8 mile run was actually just over 6 and my 10 mile run was 8.5 miles. They were still quite the work out.
One day I decided to do some lunges in hopes of strengthening my silly hips. HOLY COW! I was in pain for an entire week for that stunt. I guess I haven't been using that muscle AT ALL when I run. But my hip has felt a little better so I think I better keep it up.
Also, I got my official results from my 5k and was slightly disappointed. My actual time was 27:11. I wish I could use the excuse that it took 5 minutes just to get across the start line, but 'tis not so. There were 178 runners. Still, At least it wasn't 30 minutes. :)
Now we are back home and I am totally enjoying my low mileage week. 3-3 mile runs with a 6 mile Saturday. I wish they were all so easy.
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