I did it!!!!!

Yesterday was the big day...race day.
We headed up to Portland on Saturday at lunch time. The packet pick up was from 10-3, so I wanted to be sure to be there early. The biggest thing for me was the overwhelming feeling of having no idea what is going on. Apparently I should have gone online and written down my bib number, so thankfully they had print outs so I could find myself. I felt anxious all day. Jonah did his best to keep me relaxed. We did a little shopping down town and then out to dinner. I was in bed by 9:30 and hoped for a good nights sleep. No such luck. I kept thinking in my mind that it was almost time to wake up but it was only 12:30...2:15....4...I tossed and turned all night trying to reassure myself that the book says it's okay if you can't sleep the night before. Just stay in bed! My eyes were so tired when I got up, I couldn't even get my contacts in for the first 45 minutes. Sunday was supposed to be a really rainy day but the weather held! We headed out of the hotel around 6:45. Jonah was going to drop me off by the start. Traffic around the square was nuts and we ended up stuck on the max line with the bus honking at us! I jumped out so Jonah could just get out of there, but in my haste, left my hydration belt on the floor. I realized it moments later but Jonah was already blocks away. It took some effort, but he did manage to get turned around and close enough for me to grab it! Tinsa and I wandered around the square. It was kind of an amazing sight. Hundreds of people milling around. The line to the bathroom was ridiculous. About 25% of the people were in costume. That was entertaining...I couldn't believe anyone would even run a 10k wearing a halloween costume! Finally the 10 minute warning, so Tinsa and I headed out of the square up to the start line. That's when I saw them. ALL the rest of the people that we were running with! It was insane! More then 2 full city blocks solid of runners! They said more then 4000 people ran the 1/2 marathon, 10k and 5k.
We were so far back that we couldn't even hear the start gun. We could just see a sea of people in the distance turning the corner. I don't even know how long it took us to cross the start. People were weaving around us and we were trying to get around the walkers. It was nuts! It got better once we hit the waterfront. My adrenaline was pumping...I felt breathless. It was so weird. I think it took me 3 miles to finally relax! The first 5 miles flew by. We ran up the waterfront and into the Pearl district. There was just so much to look at! By 6 miles we were headed up Barber Blvd and going UP hill. The course map said 4 miles of gentle incline. It wasn't too bad, but was discouraging to look ahead and all you see is hill! It didn't really matter to me, I was pumped up, channeling my dad's ADD! Tinsa was having a harder time then me. She has been fighting a leg injury and it began to start hurting. We had the last major up at the 10 mile mark, turning at the Fred Myer on to Turwilliger like we used to go to OHSU when Adrianne was a baby. I felt great at that point. I knew it was mostly down hill the last 3 miles and I knew that road well. I would have liked to turn on the gas a bit more at that point, but I knew that Tinsa needed me. We kept on pace and ran a great race. I will not forget passing the 12 mile mark and knowing that there was only 1 more mile to go. Jonah was waiting at the last corner (He had watched us at a few different places in the race). Then there it was...the finish line! I did it! 13.1 miles...check!
I don't have my official time yet, I will post it when it shows online. The lines in the square were worse at the finish then the start. We skipped even getting our free food. I felt so great afterwards that I walked with Jonah the mile back to our hotel. It was a great race and it totally made me want to do it again.

The final countdown!

Oh mama!
It's here. My final week of training. This is a light run week, maybe just 9 or 10 miles (last weeks total was 26). Then Sunday...oh don't think about it...

Saturday's run was fun. I ran with Joan. She picked a 12 mile course and off we went. Around mile 6 she began to struggle with low blood sugar. We slowed so she could eat some energy jelly beans and drink some orange juice and then took off again. A few miles later she was feeling bad again. We walked then jogged then walked then jogged. I know she felt bad that she didn't help me run the whole thing, but I didn't care. One thing I am learning is that the experience is worth more then any goal I can have. If I have any irrational thoughts that I am running to win anything, then I need to be snapped back into reality. The race this weekend is about me, yes, but it is also about Tinsa. I won't be satisfied if I finish with a great time but left her in the dust to struggle. More to come...

A good day for a run

This has been a great week for running. Monday morning was SO cold. I wore sweats, an ear warmer and gloves for the whole 4 miles. BRRR.... Jonah drove me and Adrianne to her school and I took her in and then ran home. 4 miles feels like a lot longer when you run it straight and not out and back.
Yesterday I ran 6 miles. I felt amazing. It was cool but not cold and a little damp from the morning rain. The wind was blowing too, the last 2 miles it was at my back. I imagined that it was propelling me forward. It just felt so good to be out there. Does it sound bad to say how proud of myself I am? I just kept thinking, "I have a 6 month old baby and I can go out and run 6 miles, wow!"
Today was my last short run of the week, 4 miles. I ran in town today my new loop up 5th to the hospital, down main to 7 Eleven up to 5th and back to the car. I think I run faster in town. All the motivation of people looking at me. I have been laughing to myself and telling the cars, "you'll never catch me!' Secretly I'm really glad I'm in better shape in case a scary man jumps out at me. I know I can turn on the gas and get outta there! My brain is strange.
Saturday is my last long run. I'm going to run with Joan since Tinsa is out of town. I know I'm ready for my race. I am feeling the nerves with it being just over a week away. I've been googling race tips. One of them said while you're waiting for the race to start, get in line for the portapotty and when you're done, get in line again. I'm wondering how I'll handle my nerves. Usually I would overcome it with red licorice, but I can't imagine that 13.1 miles would feel so jolly with a ton of candy in my gut. Okay enough thinking about it, I'm making myself get nervous as I type.

Week 6 done!

11 miles yesterday was more of a challenge. Maybe it was just the residual from the hectic week. Maybe it's because we changed directions and ran home from town instead of to town. At the end Tinsa told me she wouldn't have finished if I hadn't been with her. It does take a lot of mental toughness. A little grit to make yourself even when you really could stop. That kind of challenge just makes me smile and feel optimistic. I even made her run fast for the last 100 feet. I like that she needs me. It gives me even more drive that she is counting on me. Don't get me wrong. I'm not sure I could do this alone either. I can't imagine doing these long runs all alone. She also keeps me at a good pace so I don't over do it at the beginning and just having someone to talk to to help the miles pass.
One more long run this Saturday. I've run 112 miles during this training so far. 192 miles since July. I am still so surprised by myself. I didn't know I had it in me.
Miles:11
Miles this week: 24

It was the best of days. It was the WORST of days.

I did not want to run at all yesterday. I AM TIRED. I AM SORE. I AM WHINEY.
I needed to run 4 miles yesterday to finish up my training week. I made the mistake of not making myself get ready for it in the morning. I should have had Rebecca come and watch Charlotte when I took the big girls to school, but I wasn't in the mood. What I wanted to do was come home and sleep during Charlotte's nap. That didn't happen since Charlotte fell asleep in the car 5 minutes from home and then wouldn't stay asleep when I moved her to her bed. All day I knew that I needed to run and all day I kept thinking...LATER. Later. later.
Finally about 3pm I realized that if I didn't run now I wouldn't run at all. So I suited up and stretched out. Grumpily down the driveway and to the road. I could not have been in a worse state of mind when I started. On top of tired, sore and whiney, I felt like I was moving in slow motion. My feet began to hurt. My calves began to hurt. I've never struggled so much. I felt like I had the angel/devil thing going on. The devil side kept saying: "Turn back, you're hurting. This can't be good for you. You are fine, you don't need this run today. How about just 3 miles or even just 2?"
Then the angel side reminded me: "Tinsa is training this week too, how can you expect her to train if you won't do your part? 4 miles is no big deal, why are you letting yourself off the hook?"
I stopped and loosened my shoe laces and it was as if I started the whole run over. My body finally engaged. My mind was changed. I was so glad when I got to the 4 mile turn around that I had made myself overcome ME.
I have to power to will myself. I can do this even when I'm not in the mood. Geez, think of what all I wouldn't do if I was waiting to be in the mood. My kids would never go to school or eat most days as a matter of fact. I probably wouldn't get out of bed. Being "in the mood" is not a prerequisite for my life. This is what makes for a good run. The fact that I can. I can overcome. I can finish. 11 miles tomorrow.
miles: 4
Miles this week (so far): 13

Come on my run

2nd bridge, 5 mile turn around











1st Bridge, 3 mile turn around























My finish tape.

Well into week 6

Fatigue has hit me. It's not the running. I wish it was a simple as stopping something to get some rest. It is probably all the combination of a baby, small children, night time interruptions, PMS and the running that is doing me in. I am feeling like a slave to my schedules...school, baby routine and run schedule. At least it still feels good to get out there. I am looking forward to my race and having a mental break from the schedule of having to run 4 times a week. November and December will be months I can go down to 3 times a week and however long I want. That will be a nice freedom. Hopefully by the time we hit the new year the baby routine and school routine will be more polished.
Ten miles on Saturday was awesome. I woke up concerned for myself since I had two middle of the night adventures, one with Stella and one with Charlotte. I moaned inwardly about running ten miles on 5 hours of sleep. I picked up Tinsa and we headed out. It was really cold, but it felt so awesome, especially after 5 miles. I really enjoy the time we get to run together especially now that we are both in shape and can hold a conversation with out gasping for air!
This week that miles have increased to 4, 5, 4 for the short days and 11 on Saturday. I did 5 miles in town today. I really prefer the country roads. I keep tripping on the uneven sidewalks. I haven't laid myself out yet, but that may happen in the future! I need to read my chapter for the week and find out what I am supposed to be focused on. More to come...

Week 5 coming to a close

This week has sailed by leaving only the long run of 10 miles tomorrow. It blows my mind that I am not nervous about 10 miles. It feels totally doable.
I have been trying out energy packs on my longer runs. The running store steered me to GU Chomps, which are like a big fruit snack.

The nice thing about them over a energy gel is that you are not forced to eat a whole package. On my 8 mile day, I ate one at miles 4,5, & 6. I didn't want my stomach to be full all at once of a "jelly" snack and it seemed to really agree with me. Then I just folded the package and put the rest in my belt for next time.
I also picked up a hydration belt, an amphipod belt. The bottles click in and can be worn vertical or horizontal. I opted to get the one with 2 larger bottles and a pouch. The pouch is great, holds my mace, phone, keys etc... oh my Chomps too! I thought I would wear it low on my hips, but in order to make it stay put, I had to make it really tight which wasn't comfortable for me. I actually wear it slightly above my natural waist so that my ribs help keep it in place without squeezing my stomach. Not very fashion forward, but oh well!

I really like having water with me and having my hands free.
This is the last week of 3 miles being the short runs and I am so glad. 3 miles doesn't seem long enough and I hardly feel like I'm in my grove before it's over. Sick, isn't it? Who knew I would come to feel this way about running. I have totally been converted and transformed! Two more weeks of training, a week of tapering and then it's here. I am getting a few butterflies in my stomach since I turned the calendar page and can see the date marked out. I keep trying to put it out of my mind so that I don't start getting anxious about it.