16!

So, today was a scheduled 16 miler... And for the first time (in this training) I need to slow down;) I seem to stick around 9:30 or less. Problem being I'm kinda dieing around 12 miles:( Last week it was a nutrition issue, but this week- I dunno?? And- I've felt I've needed a nap all day!
Perhaps the workweek got to me, or the lack of Xtraining.... Legs were dieing before the lungs, and back was sore. Gotta get used to the job and get back on track!

Official re-start

This week marks the pick-back-up of marathon training. I found (quickly) that running in the deep south through summer was pretty depressing! Therefore I focused of tri training and let the long runs go...and speed runs for that matter! It's showing now, but it will get better!
I don't have a mantra for this training yet/ haven't had enough time to think of anything but "you need to go!"
10 miles this Saturday, fought for neg splits but was off by 2 sec per mile;( like I said- lots of work to do!

Recognize

So, Spring marathon training has commenced:) 10 miles last week, 12 this week. Nothing too hard yet, as long as the weather cooperates!
Today's run coincided with Run for Sherry. I would be lying if I said she, and her family, weren't heavy on my mind for many of the mikes I ran today. Perhaps, thar is where today's mantra stemmed from: Recognize.
One word, three little syllables- yet it means so much. Recognize. How often do we stop to recognize what we have; what we can do; who is in our lives; how we affect people; our surroundings, and how easily and instantly all things we "know" can change. Recognize.
Here are just a few things I recognized today in the 2:07 it took me to run 12.3 miles:
1. The sun, you don't see it much this time of year. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was beautiful and warm on my back.
2. Clear roads and almost clear sidewalks- something else you don't see much in Minnesota winters.
3. Progress- this is my second time training for Fargo. The difference between this year and last is amazing, simply amazing!
4. Effort- (linked to #3) I had to recognize, many times, how easy it was to maintain a 9:40 pace, even when dbl digits came around and I was tired.
5. Luck- for lack of a better word- how lucky I am to be able to do this. To run, to maintain, to race... To return home time after time to a loving and supportive family.
6. Sherry. Recognize that we aren't all lucky. Bad things do happen and lives/families/dreams are shattered every day.
7. My home. Albeit not always my favorite place, the air is clean, roads are safe and it's beautiful to look at.
8. Haha- recognize that I Got This:) I have rocked another training run, despite below freezing temps and tired legs. I.have.got.this.
Recognize something in your life today.
For me- now- even though I am tired and pretty much done for tonight, I can't wait for Saturdays 14 miler to see what I can recognize again:)


My thoughts and prayers go out to Sherry's family, as well as one simple yet impossible wish: peace. I pray you all find peace in the tragic untimely death of a wonderful wife/mom/friend and runner.

2012 Goals

My biggest goal, well- OK- a goal for 2012 is to update my blogs more! I seriously skipped at least 50% of Savannah's training and everything else in between and after :( Who has time to do this??
Ok- short but sweet entries, I can do this!
On tap for 2012: Fargo Marathon in May, Savannah RnR in November and hopefully at least one half in there somewhere. Twin Cities in October may be on tap as well, If Hubby's friend mans up and registers! So exciting- lots of training happening, and it all starts.very.soon!!!

Let's Rock n Roll!!!

Savannah Style!
I know I skipped the whole training updating part... but you know you want the race report the most anyway! So without further ado~
Hands down the best race experience I have ever had. I loved, loved, loved every minute of it. I wish I could tell you why, but after much soul searching...I just dont know! Was this marathon so much better because I had experience on my side this time? Was it all location, location, location? Was it family waiting at the finish line? Maybe all of those, and maybe, none of it!
Whatever it was, it has me all psyched up to do another!
Miles 1-16, honestly- I dont even remember anything but the cheerleaders! All those wonderful souls from the "rougher" areas of Savannah coming on out to cheer us on. Something about hearing, "Mornin' dahlins!" from a big black lady all bundled up at 8 in the morning just for us...sigh.. I miss the south! Mile 8 was back downtown on Liberty- much bigger crowds and lots of hootin' and hollerin'! Apparently my sister saw me here and chased me for 2 blocks, but crowd had me going!! She said I was weaving in and out and just kept speeding up and up, lol! She collapsed on the corner wondering How in the He** Someone Does this for 26 miles?!?!
Mile 11/12 was a mimosa party :) Too bad they werent passing them out! Shortly after, the herd is seperated... the rest from the best :)
At mile 17 I knew I needed to text my locale to my family. But dang! I just didnt want to stop! I am still in awe of just how AWESOME I felt! This mile marker is also where one of my uncles waited for a looonnnggg time for me to pass by! First time I have ever had someone meet me mid-course, took lots of effort not to cry :)
Finally at mile 18 I sent out one quick text, 18 doing good!
Mile 20- girls in front were celebrating and dancing! Heck yeah- 20 miles down, WE GOT THIS!
Then mile 21...the parkway of doom, dah dah daaaahhhh! Back on the Truman Parkway which was incline-y (I hesitate to call them hills) and a 20mph wind tunnel :( This vast passage with no crowds/support lasted for a full 3 miles! I remember passing mile 24 and thinking, Gosh- there is only 2 miles left in this damn race- when are we gonna get off this thing and get back downtown?!!!?
But alas, we did get off shortly after 24, straight into downtown-ish and back to some crowds and OUT of that life-sucking wind. By now I know that my kick-ass PR is gone but my goal PR is still attainable. I. Must. Rally. and bring this thing home. I send out one last text at mile 25: 25, give me 10 minutes!
I fully remember rounding the corner on Drayton. I am scanning the crowds because I know my mom, aunt, niece and sisters are waiting for me. I see Aunt Janet!!! I see my Mom!! It is on now!! Pace gets picked up and I am bringing this biotch HOME at a 7 m/m !!!!!! I cross the finish in 4:30:09 and am ready for the world!!!!
My goal is met, my mind and body are happy. I have done what I set out to do. I am not tired, I am not sore, heck- my hamstrings are hardly tight. I shouldve run faster! LOL That is OK, next time I will. NEXT time, I will finish in 4:15! Watch me, Savannah, just watch me!

I'm Sexy and I Know It

Love, love love that song (this week anyway!) it totally made me bust out some moves right around mile 10, yeah- that crazy chick dancing while running this morning- just ignore her! Whew- it was hot this AM! Got out a little earlier than usual- but not early enough. Miles 15-17 were pretty rough :( I really just wanted to stop; BuT I acknowledged that my legs, lungs, and the rest were felling pretty good. It was a mental game. I think just knowing I was SuppOsed to be tired, and hot, and thirsty made me a little more negative than I felt!
So, at the pace I kept today, I stand to beat my A goal of 4:30. bUT hang on!!! We all know the last half of the race is much harder than the first! So, considering how I felt, I think shooting for 4:30 is still a (reachable) but logical goal!
I didnt wear my compression/knee support pants today- hello!! Mega hot out!- so this 17 miles was done with only KT tape on the knees :) Knowing that I made it that far with minimal help on the ITBand is a pretty big confidence booster. Oh- and that KT tape started to sweat off around 6, lol! I could see the edges flapping on my shadow runner girl as I kept trudging down the road.
I wish I could find the times of my last 17ish mile runs, just to compare... I am not walking except for nutrition breaks, would be interesting to see how I am stacking up. I suppose in the interest of the NEXT marathon training- I will post times... Today 17.1 was 3:01. Just looking at the numbers- it still makes 4:30 look lofty. Fargo was 4:42, and experience has to count for something, right?!?

back on track!

I made it!! I made all 14 (ahem... 15) miles today! Gotta say, the first 4 were iffy, I couldnt think of anything BUT my knee. Is my form right, am I relaxed, did I just feel something... On and on and on it goes. But finally I was able to let go and just run. It was awesome! I didnt stop till mile 7. There I walked @ 3 minutes for a GU break. Then I set off again. I stopped next at 11 miles to check out my friends garage sale (I needed new fabrics for the headbands!) I figured I deserved a little break from battling a head wind my whole way back :(
Anyway- I left her house after about 10-15 minutes and head home. I started feeling bad for breaking, so I decided to tack on an extra mile. I think I walked a minute at 13.5 or 14?? I was tired... but then something just kicked after that and I brought it home nice and strong :) 15 miles with no ITB pain!! I am ecstatic.
Now, for the record- and maybe you have noticed something like this too? I am wondering if the flare up has anything to do with AF? Gonna keep my radar tuned into that! Until then, on to 17 Saturday!!