Always be prepared

I am preparing for my first marathon this coming saturday and I am trying to keep my nerves in check. I ran 19.8 miles two weekends ago with a steady 14 min. pace (it's maybe slow, but it's steady, even at the end). I finished with a blister on the arch of my foot, which has healed and should not return thanks to some 'remodeling' to my insole. My goal was to get in a long run with all of my gear and see how it went - I passed, I think I am ready.

Now, I am trying to get everything coordinated, packed, purchased, etc. for Friday, which is coming quicker than I thought it would. I have neighborhood meetings tonight and tomorrow night, a short, easy workout on the eliptical on Wednesday and then it is laundry, packing and list making..... If I find the energy and the time I will try to get another post in before the weekend - thanks again to all of my loyal family and friends who have been out on the trail supporting me and who are making the trip to see me finish - I love and need your support.

Oh yeah, I have to download a few more songs into the i-pod - guess I know where my free moments went. I should start a list, no I should start laundry, no I should go to bed...... aaahahhhhh!, deep breaths, look how far I have come. I'll get a good nights sleep and start my lists tomorrow.

If only I had this to drink:

Some of my support crew (Brian, his mom Sherri and Darby):

And if I could only get the smell of the blossoms to go through the computer... (it won't be long i'm sure).

Thank you everyone for your support - I will carry it with me on my 26.2 mile adventure.

G O M A C H A!

Ready to Run

It has been an emotional week. On Sunday March 9th I finished 16 miles with my friends and family being my 'aid stations' along the Orting Trail. I finished the 16 miles with a 13:30/mile pace, which is about 30 seconds to 1min. faster than normal. I finished strong, with energy and a smile. My support crews were wonderful - Thank you!

The photo is at the half-way point.

I didn't cramp up too bad and I finished out my Sunday. At step aerobics class on Tuesday night, my calves were giving me trouble, it hurt to step down, so I slowed down and took it easy. By Thursday I was hurting (only when I walked) and I did some ill fated internet searching. I was convinced that I had stress fractures. After going to the doctor on Friday and getting x-rays I was feeling a little better. Keep doing R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate).

Saturday I walked while the Couch to 5k group did 25min. of running, I just wasn't feeling that I could do it. I walked with one of the groups little girls, Gracie, she sang Hanna Montana and told me all about how she was going to sign up for t-ball soon. She kept my mind off of the fact that I wanted to run, but it hurt.

Saturday afternoon Wendy and I drove down to Longview where Michelle and Jenny were running the Pac Rim 24 hr run (they were doing 50 miles) and Steve was going the full 24 hrs. Rob and Jamal were already done when we arrived. Wendy and I started running with them around 7 and I finished with them completing 13 miles and feeling great. The energy that Michelle and Jenny had was contagious. They were happy, smiling, and having a great time that I just had to finish with them. I did not have any pain and when Wendy and I finally got back to the hotel after 11pm I stretch and felt fine. Sunday I was walking like nothing was ever bothering me. Today I went to my orthopedic doc. with my x-rays, just to be sure and he said I did what my body told me, I rested and started moving when I was ready. He is a runner also, so he listed to my 'training' plan and suggested that I go cross-training that is non-impact, such as the eliptical machine, biking and swimming - no step aerobics during the week (icing and heat afterwards) and running on the weekends should be fine. He also said that my body will start to adapt to the mileage and this may not be an issue after awhile. Oh yeah, the best news, no stress fractures - now I understand how mental this sport really is.

I'm back on the road again. - More on my run last weekend (and if any of my aid crew is available this Saturday, I could use some help again).

Here is to listening - even if you don't want to hear it.

Oh yeah, Congrats to my crazy running friends, Michelle and Jenny for finishing 50 miles in 14 hours and Steve for finishing 105 miles in 23.5 hours - you guys are amazing. Rob and Jamal will get 106 next year =)

Hydration Test #02, #03 and new sock test.

Last week I tried the camel back – it passed, but need refinement. Last Thursday at the track I tried carrying a water bottle that had a strap on it (designed for running), but between the water condensation, my sweaty hand and the sound of the water it was not working. So Hydration Test #02 failed as a long run solution.

Last night I tried out the Nathan Hydration vest built for women. Michelle was gracious enough to loan me hers to try it out. It fit well, adjusts easily and has pockets in the front to store snacks, phone, ipod, etc. So I ordered mine at REI using my 20% off coupon and it should be here before the big race. Hydration Test #03 worked great.

While browsing at REI I finally found the Smartwool running socks – I have been looking around for them, but I was unsuccessful at finding the ‘running’ version. So I tried them out last night on my run. They felt like I was wearing cozy slippers while running. I had been having blister issues on the insides of my heels and with new SuperFeet insoles the problem had gone away. Now, with the new socks, my feet have never felt better (ok maybe when I was getting a pedicure or when they were buried in the sand in Maui, but you know what I mean). So all in all, I am finally getting my equipment refined.

Last night Darby and I did 4.75 miles around the Sunrise neighborhood. We started out just before sunset (I can’t wait for daylight savings time) and turned our headlamps on and had a great evening run. We even sped up and ran like we were kids going down the hill, I’m sure we are a sight to see! One equipment item that I will work on for this weekend is a tank top or a sports bra top that goes to my waist. The feeling of my tummy is not great when wearing the hydration pack and a tech shirt, so hopefully that will help without making me too warm.
Today is supposed to get to the 60’s and I am planning on running at the track tonight. I can feel spring coming!

Sunday, I have planned a 16 mile journey on the Orting trail and I have recruited friends and family to be at ‘aid stations’ for me and to provide moral support. Everyone has been very supportive and I am glad that I asked for help. I’ll try to take some photos of my ‘support crew’ for the next post. In the meantime, smile, get outside and enjoy the journey!

Hydration Test #01

Tonight I tried out the camel back. Brian had one sitting in the closet that had only been used once. So I filled it up with a few ice cubes and cold tap water, got Darby all suited up in her head lamp and I with all of my reflective gear and we headed out. Tonight it was in the 50's and a little misty. I ran in shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt, I have not been without my jacket in months - spring is on the way! We started out walking to warm up and when we started jogging I thought the sloshing noise of the camel back was going to drive me crazy - when I run at night outside I don't wear my i-pod for safety. So I got used to the noise after a few minutes and we got into our groove. We treked out and back home for a total of 3.5 miles with an average pace of 13.12 on the runs (I did .5mile runs with 1min. walk breaks). The pace was ok, but it can be improved. I did notice that I was just getting into the groove when it was time to end, what an amazing feeling.

The camel back gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Positives:

I have water when I 'need it'

It didn't rub.

It has pockets to carry stuff

I didn't notice that I was sweating any extra with it on my back.

Negatives:

• The sloshing noise (which I was getting used to, almost like the rhythm of waves).
• The taste of rubber (I will try a flavored water or adding a little lemon juice to knock back the taste).
• The straps are built for a man - the only cross strap goes right above 'the girls' and makes for an awkward feeling (I'll get some spare straps from the camping kit and 'fashion' a contraption that should help).

So, for a test run the camel back gets a passing grade. Tomorrow night at the track I will try the water bottle that I carry in my hand (it has a mesh handle that your palm slides in). I will also try a flavored water to see if I can handle it.

I did also notice that I did not seem to drink that much water after all - I think it is just the knowledge that I have it accessible that is what I need. After all, I take a glass of ice water to bed every night and I might have a drink or two and that is it - I usually pour it out in the morning. So if I can carry a small amount and know that I have rest stations then I should be ready to run!

Time to sign up for the Tacoma Half marathon - keep running!

Runner Girl...

I forgot - I ordered a new t-shirt in preparation for the marathon.

It will be a great addition to my running wardrobe!

Brian is working on a personalized shirt for the race with my name on it so that people can cheer me on from the finish line. I am getting really pumped up!!!

Guess I better get my travel plans in order, after all it is going to be here before I know it.

L-O-N-G Run - Short Report (that was the idea)

It has been awhile – I have been running (I even got a 13 mile run in with my brother while he was passing through town). I tried pilates (love them – and as Brian says, they taste good =)) and I went cross country skiing for the first time. Oh yeah, the car is fixed and we got a refund from the oil change store – life is back to normal – knock on wood – real wood too.

Here is a run down of last weekend:
Couch to 5k group on Saturday morning at Bradley Lake – logged about 2.3 miles (run/walk). They sure are progressing, they will all do great at the 5k!
Saturday on the Orting trail – logged 15.5 miles starting about 10:00 and finishing around 2:00? For a Saturday total of almost 18 miles!!!!!
Positives from the run:

*Beautiful weather – mid-50’s with sunshine.

*Smelling freshly cut grass.

*Views of Mt. Rainer.

*Chasing my shadow.
*Nothing rubbed in places that they shouldn’t (thanks to the liberal application of body glide)
*Talking to friends on speaker phone for ‘pep-talks’
*NO blisters – the insoles are working!
*Good songs on i-pod.
*Making it up and down the hills just north of the McMillian trail head (they are not big, but after the drinking foundation incident).

Negatives:
*very, very thirsty
*hot tamales are not a good idea as something to suck on.
*i-pod running playlist is not perfected. I NEED my Dixie Chicks- Goodbye Earl.
*Did I mention very, very thirsty – chapped lips.
*Walking more toward the end that running.
*Hip was starting to give out, give me some pain.
*Started to get hungry.
*Drinking fountain at McMillian trail head was not on – I could see it from the trail for awhile and when I got to it, it was not working – that sure is not a good feeling. – contact people who maintain trail and ask when they will be turned on.

What I took away from the run and what I will work on for next weekend:
*Set up friends and family for mock aid-stations about every 2-4 miles.
*Try out the camel back and a hand held water bottle on short runs this week to see what works the best.
*Find a food that I can have at the aid stations. Some options are all natural fruit leather (no weird red paste like the hot tamales), green apple slices, bread product, pretzels w/ salt.
*Layer clothes better so that I can shed a layer – or wear a visor to vent top of head.
*Wear sunscreen on my neck (I covered the face last week, just not my neck and ears.)
*Stay positive – this run has been my longest run to date and even though I had to walk some, I still made it.

Plans for this week:
Tuesday, run at the YMCA, do ab work, maybe an machine.
Wednesday, run outside with Darby, try out the CamelBack.
Thursday, run at Rogers track carrying water. Try fartlek (sp?) work
Friday, pilates class
Saturday, couch to 5k group and short run.
Sunday – LONG RUN with my support groups on the Orting Trail!

My bulbs are two inches out of the ground, how far are yours?

AND POURS....!

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WHAT DID I DO TO PISS OFF THE HIGHER POWERS! Our brand new car died last night. It is undergoing a diagnostic now, until we know what is wrong I can't blame Subaru or the oil change place. Until then, I can be really cranky. We just fixed the other car.

I will be at Step aerobics tonight (after I ride the bus to the YMCA) if you see me I'm the one running around the track after class screaming!

Deep breathes, positive thinking......

Here comes a sunshine break..., things will get better - they can't get worse.