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!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
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?!?
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?!?
Friday, September 9, 2011
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!!
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!!
bit of a backtrack
Wow- actually had to read my last entry just to see where I was. Been a while...
BUT I have good news. After my 14 got cut short (thank you ITB) I sulked home with 8 and tried to stay positive. I rolled and stretched and rolled- AND kept up with my strength training. The following Saturday was a 5K... I planned to run it consertively and do another 7 afterwards. Well, I walked/ran 1.5 to the race site, then ran the 5k in... wait for it... 24:25! Yeah, so much for conservative! Although I am pretty stinkin' sure this course measured short- I will talke that time and relish it :) OH, and I am sure I dont need to mention- there was not 7 more miles after that!
Although the ITB felt fine during the run, fast forward a bit and my WHOLE right leg is just aching :( I mean hip to calf, just achy and no rolling or stretching is helping. In fact the stretching seems to aggravate! It just so happens AF is in town as well... Regardless- strength training continues, as do shorter runs that feel fine, but aching afterwards...
Well- in time for Saturday's 14 re-do, I dont have high hopes. Actually I am crossing my fingers for 10 miles! I fill the water belt, apply the KT tape and set off...
BUT I have good news. After my 14 got cut short (thank you ITB) I sulked home with 8 and tried to stay positive. I rolled and stretched and rolled- AND kept up with my strength training. The following Saturday was a 5K... I planned to run it consertively and do another 7 afterwards. Well, I walked/ran 1.5 to the race site, then ran the 5k in... wait for it... 24:25! Yeah, so much for conservative! Although I am pretty stinkin' sure this course measured short- I will talke that time and relish it :) OH, and I am sure I dont need to mention- there was not 7 more miles after that!
Although the ITB felt fine during the run, fast forward a bit and my WHOLE right leg is just aching :( I mean hip to calf, just achy and no rolling or stretching is helping. In fact the stretching seems to aggravate! It just so happens AF is in town as well... Regardless- strength training continues, as do shorter runs that feel fine, but aching afterwards...
Well- in time for Saturday's 14 re-do, I dont have high hopes. Actually I am crossing my fingers for 10 miles! I fill the water belt, apply the KT tape and set off...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
ITBS we meet again
Ugh, ugh, ugh... Ok- I dont think this bout is as bad as the last one / but annoying none the less! Last weeks 14 miler was cut to 8:( I felt the pain at mile 4, massaged/walk breaked to 6 (where I got home and wrapped the knee) and headed back out for a mere 2 more before I knew I had to give it up.
So- insert 3 foam rolling sessions a day and stretching. I have managed to keep up with my strength training, but I feel the knee:( I skipped Monday's run and opted to walk, fine. Wednesday felt ready but nervous- did 3 on the tm (with intervals) and felt fine. Then I did 4 more later that evening and felt some tenderness... Dammit.
Today, Saturday, I ran the bass Dash 5K. Knee was fine, race was fast, all was well. Until I get home. Knee is achy, I have rolled 3 times already and stretched... Needless to say I am sitting out my extra 7 today... Maybe tomorrow- but most likely Monday.
Arggg- this is annoying! Why can't I just run free??? Damn damn damn!!
So- insert 3 foam rolling sessions a day and stretching. I have managed to keep up with my strength training, but I feel the knee:( I skipped Monday's run and opted to walk, fine. Wednesday felt ready but nervous- did 3 on the tm (with intervals) and felt fine. Then I did 4 more later that evening and felt some tenderness... Dammit.
Today, Saturday, I ran the bass Dash 5K. Knee was fine, race was fast, all was well. Until I get home. Knee is achy, I have rolled 3 times already and stretched... Needless to say I am sitting out my extra 7 today... Maybe tomorrow- but most likely Monday.
Arggg- this is annoying! Why can't I just run free??? Damn damn damn!!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
12 miles...on a whim
My ITB really acted up Wednesday. I mean, .25 mile in and I knew I was doomed. Kinda came out of nowhere but the pAin was all too familiar. These stabs signaled the death of my Savannah marathon :( You know, I was pretty apathetic towards this race until I was told I couldnt do it!
So, in all too familiar fashion, I continued with the cross training and stretched and rolled and rolled. Come Friday I am just too eager to test out my knees. Unfortunately, I had all the kids and no way to swing a 12 mile run. But then, the sun went behind some clouds and a nice breeze picked up. And I start thinking... Hubs will be home soon and I might, just might- be able to swing this! Still tons to do with garage sale prep, but waiting till Sunday to see if I am going to register for this marathon just seemed impossible!
As soon as I mention the posibilty of running to my husband he all but pushes me out the door so I can be back home before dark. I geared up with water bottles and bloks not knowing if I would even make it a mile... But- I did! I made it many miles :) I ran 6 out to the lake, walked for a minute to swallow blokes, then ran the 6 back home. Only two times did I feel my knees, 1) at the onset of running again after the break. For a moment I thought the trip back was gonna be pretty hairy... But then the discomfort disappeared! And 2) around mile 9 or 10, I can't say they hurt, but they werent feeling incredibly strong:( But, again, this passed and I finished the run strong.
So, with a goofy grin on my face, I went straight upstairs to the computer, downloaded my results to dailymile and then swiftly registered for the Savannah RockNRoll marathon. I figure, if I can decide last minute, unprepared, to run 12 miles- then I am good to train for a marathon, again!!
Long story short- I am running another marathon baby!!! This time I will train with slower runs and little to no walk breaks. Not gonna say legs aren't tired after long runs, but runs are going really smoothly! I am so excited about how the training is going so far. Hopefully, knock on wood, things continue to go as well!
So, in all too familiar fashion, I continued with the cross training and stretched and rolled and rolled. Come Friday I am just too eager to test out my knees. Unfortunately, I had all the kids and no way to swing a 12 mile run. But then, the sun went behind some clouds and a nice breeze picked up. And I start thinking... Hubs will be home soon and I might, just might- be able to swing this! Still tons to do with garage sale prep, but waiting till Sunday to see if I am going to register for this marathon just seemed impossible!
As soon as I mention the posibilty of running to my husband he all but pushes me out the door so I can be back home before dark. I geared up with water bottles and bloks not knowing if I would even make it a mile... But- I did! I made it many miles :) I ran 6 out to the lake, walked for a minute to swallow blokes, then ran the 6 back home. Only two times did I feel my knees, 1) at the onset of running again after the break. For a moment I thought the trip back was gonna be pretty hairy... But then the discomfort disappeared! And 2) around mile 9 or 10, I can't say they hurt, but they werent feeling incredibly strong:( But, again, this passed and I finished the run strong.
So, with a goofy grin on my face, I went straight upstairs to the computer, downloaded my results to dailymile and then swiftly registered for the Savannah RockNRoll marathon. I figure, if I can decide last minute, unprepared, to run 12 miles- then I am good to train for a marathon, again!!
Long story short- I am running another marathon baby!!! This time I will train with slower runs and little to no walk breaks. Not gonna say legs aren't tired after long runs, but runs are going really smoothly! I am so excited about how the training is going so far. Hopefully, knock on wood, things continue to go as well!
Pixie Dust AwEsOmE giveaway!!
http://www.runfastermommy.com/2011_08_01_archive.html
Click here my friends and you will NOT be disappointed! My amazing friend, Heather Gannoe, has joined the fantastic force that is TNT in fundraising for Lukemia and Lymphona society. In an effort to raise max funds she has packaged up an incredible array of goodies :) GO to the site (Run faster Mommy.com), DONATE to a great cause, and ENTER to win the raffle!!
Stip reading and do it now!!
Click here my friends and you will NOT be disappointed! My amazing friend, Heather Gannoe, has joined the fantastic force that is TNT in fundraising for Lukemia and Lymphona society. In an effort to raise max funds she has packaged up an incredible array of goodies :) GO to the site (Run faster Mommy.com), DONATE to a great cause, and ENTER to win the raffle!!
Stip reading and do it now!!
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