Week 11, Check!

I finished my last 16 mile run. I remember mapping out my training on the calendar months ago and looking at March thinking "Holy Crap! That is a lot of miles! A lot of long runs! How am I going to be able to do it?"
Here I am on the other side! I can't believe it! March is essentially over. April looks much better. I have 2 18 mile runs and then I get to taper. It's amazing...
Todays run was really good. I really focused and achieved my "flow" at around 6 miles. My training book speaks against using tricks to make yourself forget that you are running, but instead focus on the running itself, your body working, whats around you etc. and enjoy the experience. Once I was back out in the country (at around the 10 mile mark), I let my mind clear of other things I had been processing and instead tried to focus on my running. It was a beautiful clear day. The sheep were grazing in the fields. Dogs barking. Water gurgling in the streams. Birds singing. Wow the birds were really active today...oh wait. That was the squeak of my spandex rubbing together. No joke, it took me at least 1/4 of a mile to figure out it was just me! I love that I can laugh at myself. I'm hilarious!
I'm almost there. I can't wait to be done!
Miles today: 16
Miles this week: 34
Miles this Year: 273

A gentle mercy

I've been reading this book "A severe mercy" and it's really given me a lot to think about when I am running. It's given me a new appreciation for seeing God in an ordinary day...not needing crisis to bring me to see God as supreme in my life and my need for Him. Running has made me be thankful for small things. Well I guess they are big things that I just take for granted. Like a body that works. Time to give to running. A family that is glad for me. My ordinary days of training, being a mom and a wife.
Miles today: 8

Week 10, Check!

All week I look forward to the long run. This week has been a challenge. We are recovering from ear infections, fevers, pink eye, restless sleeping at night and PMS (ha!). The shorter runs are now 5,8,5 miles and that is a long way for a short run! My knee (the surgery one) was really sore after last weeks 16 miles so I have been a little nervous all week that it is aggravated. It doesn't seem to hurt when I run so I think it is just sore from the mileage. Someone told me that it will stop hurting when I stop running so far! Okay, 6 more weeks until then!
The first 8 miles were really easy. They seemed to go really fast and I had that Bob Marley song that goes "Every little thing is gonna be all right" stuck in my head. Jonah met me at the market by the bridge to switch empty water bottles on my running belt and give me an apple. It seemed to be a pretty easy run until I hit the 10 mile mark. I really have to concentrate on something. So it's nice when I have things to roll around up there, problems to sort out, people to pray for etc. For some reason I just couldn't get my mind to stay on one thing. It kept drifting to how my body was feeling which at that point was tired and a little sore. I struggled for a few miles until I did what I do best...distract myself with planning. I thought all about my marathon day and what I would need to do to prepare my kids for being overnight at the grandparents and be ready to wait at the finish line. I thought about what time they would need to leave to be down, what they will wear, eat, play with. Ahh... I love making mental lists...almost as much as I love making actual lists. That helped and I made it home! 3 more long runs...

Miles today: 16
Miles this week: 34
Miles this Year: 239

Week 9, Check! Random Thoughts

Today I ran 16 miles... further than I have ever run before. It was so nice to wake up to blue skies, even though I prefer to run in the rain. It's been a long week full of ear infections, fevers, night time disturbances and missing naps. I was a teeny tiny bit worried for my run today since I am beginning to cough up "clams" (as Jonah calls them). My mom came to watch the girls and Joan was my ride to my start. I wanted to run a loop today instead of out and back so she dropped my 2 1/2 miles from my house so I could run down one side of the river and back the other. She took my extra bottle and a nectarine to give me at the 1/2 way mark. My 13 year old sister in law Rebecca wanted to jump in at the 8 mile mark and run 8 home with me. I haven't tried eating food while running but I decided some juicy fruit would be the best thing. Joan used to eat PB & J on her long runs but that doesn't sound appetizing to me for running. Rebecca usually runs much faster then Joan so I was hopeful that she would be able to keep pace with me. Actually I was a little scared that she would leave me in her dust too. It was apparent right away that my stride is too big so I go faster. So I slowed down and we had a great time chatting on the route. I left her behind with 1 mile to go. It was a great run. 2 more weeks of 16 mile long runs.

Here are some random thoughts.
- I never untie my running shoes. I just slip them on and away I go.
- Most mornings I see an old woman who walks. She must be in her 80's. It always makes me think about how glad I am to be young and to have my whole life ahead of me.
- I try to run with my eyes closed past the dead deer in the ditch. It is pretty darn gross.
- I am getting really tired of water. Who knew I could get tired of water? Lemon lime Gatoraide is my new drink of choice.
- I frequently hear Shania Twain's song "Any man of mine" in my brain when I'm running (Thanks a lot mom). I am so thankful that I have THAT man.
- When I drive to town, I look at my running route and imagine how I feel when I'm running.
- I don't think it's fair that I am breaking out. I should get a pass on that since I'm 30 and I'm working out.
- I just realized that the reason I'm probably breaking out is that I wash my face too much.
- 6 weeks until my Marathon!


Miles today: 16
Miles this week: 31
Miles this Year: 205

I rocked 14 Miles! Week 8, Check!

I just had the best run of my life. It will definitely be in the back of mind to draw from when days are hard.
I've had a little anticipation about this run. 14 miles is a long way and a mile longer then ANY run I have ever done in my life. I woke up this morning and the butterflies were there. I did my normal pre-run routine. A bowl of oatmeal, cup of tea, glass of water. This time Jonah dropped me off 4 1/2 miles from our house so I could run down one side of the river, through town and back home down the other side of the river. I figured out that I cannot handle 3 bottles on my running belt. The one in the middle rubs my spine, so I left it, my long shirt, etc at a friends house as I ran by. I had a lot on my mind and spent some time praying for my friend Becca who is 9 months pregnant and found out that her dad has a brain tumor and is going in for surgery tomorrow. The first 6 miles flew by and before I knew it I was crossing the River to run the last 8 home. That's when I noticed something. Someone had written in chalk on the pavement. I didn't think anything of it and I actually didn't even read it all the way because I was on top of it before I realized what it was. It wasn't until I ran toward the next message at the 6 mile mark that I realized that Jonah had driven my route and left me notes in sidewalk chalk. I burst into tears. I know that I am married to a really good man. I know that he loves me. Today was just another reminder that he is amazing. I don't know what I ever did to deserve him. I am so fortunate to have someone who is my teammate. My support. Who loves my dreams and goals and wants me to accomplish them. I am so thankful that we have made it a point in our marriage to be connected and I am so blessed to be married to you, Jonah.
I ran 14 miles in 2 hours and 5 minutes. I am so proud of myself.
Miles today: 14
Miles this week: 29
Miles this Year: 174

TMI

I have been reading some blogs lately where people are so....honest. I don't even know them and I am getting to share in their inner thoughts. The funny/embarrassing/aggravating things that happen to them. I try to operate my life on the line of TMI because I think it is very freeing for other people to know that I have some inner crazy. That I sin on occasion (or frequently). That I am a whiner. That I have those really bad mom moments. That perfection is not my middle name, nor do I ask it of anyone else.
Take last week for example: Walking Adrianne to class, trying to get Stella to stop wandering down the hall, all with Charlotte on my hip. I am not paying attention at all to where I am, just trying to corral Stella, when BAM! I totally ram myself and Charlotte's head into a AED emergency box. Wow. Embarrassing. An F-bomb moment. I wish I could say that was the worst of the week, but I'm sure I can put a few more things just on my short list.
There are many things about running that I appreciate other peoples TMI. You can google just about any combination of words and get someone's post about it. So here is my running TMI just in case you ever need it:
Lots of mileage means lots of sweat. Which can also mean rashes in places you'd rather not have them (where is a place you'd like to have a rash?). I never knew what the term "jock itch" meant until a few months ago. This is the golden advice I received on the subject. Blow dry. Yes, blow drying your butt will prevent you from getting a rash. Yes it is necessary because your towel will always leave a tiny bit of moisture. Yes you can burn your butt with the blow dryer if you hold it too close (not that I know this from personal experience). There you have it. My TMI for the week.
Miles today:4

I have enough...that's all

It's funny to me that I only seem to have enough in me for that days miles. If it's 4 like yesterday then that is what I can do. Today it was 7 and I knew I had enough to finish. I guess this is a good place to be....at least I'm not feeling like I don't have enough! Jonah joined me today and I was really glad for the company. He wasn't sorry about it until later when he went golfing and was really tired!
This is week 8. I am half way done with my training. Another 8 weeks to go. This weeks long run is 14 miles...The longest distance that I have ever run in my whole life. I'm excited to get to this milestone. I only have 6 more long runs until I get to taper. This training is flying by. I have 245 miles left in this training until I run my 26.2. 245 miles in 8 weeks. Crazy.
Miles Today: 7