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

Week 7, Check!

This long run was a challenge. I decided to do it a day early since our Saturday is really full. I don't know if it was a mind thing or what, but not having the day of rest was a bummer to me. I felt tight, tired. It probably didn't help that the night before I was the speaker at our youth group so a lot of extra energy and focus was expelled there.
I pretended I was the character in a video game (super mario to be exact) and that someone else on a controller was making me go forward. I air punched the signs I passed. That helped me get through about 5 miles. I swear the last few miles were me just saying: almost home....keep going.
I am nearly half way through the training and I know some weeks will be like this, a grind.
For your viewing pleasure, I'll add this picture Jonah took of me. I wish I was one of "those" people who looked good while working out. I always get so red faced. The only reason I'm smiling is because I'm only a 1/2 mile away from home.

Miles today: 12
Miles this week: 26
Miles this month: 89
Miles this Year: 145

I get by with a little help from my friends

This training has been so good for me. Since I have no official running partner, I am learning to dig deep to stay motivated and to train hard. It is a good feeling to know that you have mental toughness...guts....faith.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that sometimes I think about the mass of people who are also out there training for my race and that it helps me to imagine that we are all working together. It's been so fun lately to learn that I know some of the mass. A lady from my church, Ellen, who lives down the road and also my good friend Bethany are both training to run the 1/2 on the same day as my marathon. Yesterday on my way to town I spotted Ellen getting in her run and it just does something in my heart to have someone else to pull for. I got the privilege of running 6 miles with Bethany last night in Corvallis. It was a soggy run, but one of the most fun that I've had in awhile. I loved the change of scenery but most of all to get to run with a good friend, an old friend and create another link of things that bind us together. The miles flew by and before I knew it, we were done! Hopefully we can make our schedules mesh so we can do a few more runs together.
I've also been drawing inspiration lately from my friend Samantha who gets up at 4:30 every morning to walk. Monday when it was 27 degrees out at 8, I told myself that I had no reason to whine since she had long been out in the cold weather. It is amazing to me to see Samantha, Bethany, Ellen, Joan, Charlie and others I know, just make this work even though life is hectic and there are so many things drawing them other directions. I can keep going too.
Miles yesterday: 6
Miles this week: 10