I did it!!!

It is May 3rd and I have completed the 2010 LI Marathon- yay!! I am sore but my worst injury is a bad toe that is swollen and red. I can't let it touch the ground and I can't put on socks or shoes. That is not bad for running 26.2 miles in over 80 degree humid weather!

The race was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Many people switched to the half marathon because of the heat (smart people) and I was feeling excellent at the 13 mile mark so I kept going. At that point, I had run 10 minute miles and thought I would be coming in at 4 hours and 20 minutes. At the 19 mile marker, I was feeling really bad. My heart felt like it was beating uncontrollably. I could not get it to slow down and started feeling like I would end up in the hospital. At mile 22, I wanted to end it.

I never thought that it would be so difficult to finish. When I had 2 miles left, it might as well been 10 miles. I felt like I couldn't run another inch and there was only 2 miles. I knew that if I kept running, I would be at the finish line in about 25 minutes yet, I wanted to jump into a car and end the pain. I still remember when I got to a sign that said there was only a 1/2 mile left. A 1/2 mile and I wanted to cry, not because it was almost done but because I believed I couldn't finish even a 1/2 mile.

When I did finish, my blood sugar was very low so I had to go get food and drink right away. I felt like I was going to pass out. I couldn't talk to my family and friends. I just had to try and feel better instead of throwing up. I got it under control pretty fast and was able to smile and talk after about 15 minutes. It is funny how fast you recover from feeling like you are going to die to feeling like you can sit, eat and socialize after running 26.2 miles.

It was worth it but I will never do it again. I often focused on my grandfather during the race and I am proud of the money I raised and the race I finished. BUT NEVER AGAIN!

1 Week Left- No turning back

I haven't been writing lately because I have been so busy with life. I can't believe that I am 6 days away from this marathon. Over the last two weeks, my running has slowed down again and I am struggling with the fact that I am concerned about being prepared. I will run today (Monday) and try to figure out if I should run two more times or one more time before Sunday.

No injuries at this time. Last week I had some nagging pains when I walked and as usual, was getting concerned. But for the last couple of days, I feel good. I won't push it this week. I will try to do about 5 miles today and maybe just 2 miles two more times before Sunday. I am still trying to figure out how long it will take me since my family is coming to cheer me on. I don't want them standing out there for 4 hours but I think I will run faster than I have been on the day of the marathon. I calculated that it will probably take me 5 hours and 30 minutes but down deep I am hoping it takes me less than 5!

I have a lot of preparing still to do this week. I have to finalize what I am wearing, bringing and eating. I have to get to Nassau for my number and chip and figure out parking for my family. I also have to have some food/drink at my house afterwards for family. I won't be moving much but it would be nice if they hang out for a while after. (or will I want to go to bed!)

3 weeks left - 20 MILE RUN- killed me!

There are exactly three weeks left until the race. I got up at 6am on Sunday and had a half of whole wheat bagel with peanut butter. I didn't want to eat it but knew I had to try. I had a little coffee and got ready to start running by 7:15am. It was a beautiful day. I wore my new skort and a long sleeve black shirt. I also wear my small fanny pack with my phone.

I headed out knowing that I would run in 1 hour increments three times and finish with a short 2 mile equaling 20 miles. The first two hours were fine. They were not wonderful or fun or easy. They were just "fine." When I came back the the house for liquids and knew I had to run another 8 miles, I was feeling pretty bad. I went out and had to walk for about 6 minutes on and off. I was very slow. When I got home after the 18 miles, I was devastated that I had to go out again and do 2 miles. During a normal run, I would be done with 2 miles in less than 20 minutes but I knew it would be a struggle to get this done. My legs felt like lead. They felt like 200 pound weights that I could not lift. But I got it done.

The scariest part of this is not that 20 miles hurt so bad because I was able to do that. The scariest part is that during the race, I will have to run another 6 miles when I felt like that. I wanted to curl up in a ball on the driveway. But on race day, I will have to run another 6 miles which because of my slow pace, will take me over an hour.

The rest of the afternoon I was exhausted. Couldn't talk or really walk for about an hour. Then it just hurt a lot to walk. I went to bed at 8:30pm and passed out. I did wake up a lot during the night b/c of body pain. The next day, I am still feeling a lot of pain and very tired. The day after the marathon, I am going to try to get someone to watch Donovan so I can take the day to relax!

I have raised over $800 dollars which is excellent.

4 1/2 weeks left- ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!

When did I get to this point! I have 4 and 1/2 weeks until the big day. Am I ready? Absolutely not! I did hill work yesterday and I am hurting today. I went up the hill 8 times. I ran each hill in 43 seconds. I then finished up with a good fast run home. I really felt exhausted and wanted to walk home but I knew I have to train myself to run when I want to quit. I have been told so many times that I will have that feeling where I don't want to take another step during the marathon. I have to train my brain to fight through it.

I am reading a book called, "First Marathons" about people's experience with their first marathon race. It is a great book but also intimidating b/c all the people ran their first marathon in under 3 1/2 hours. Actually, some of them quit and it took years for them to complete their marathon. (My mind seemed to forget that part).

It is almost over for long runs for me. I have one more long run next weekend - 20 miles, then I taper. I will do 12 miles this weekend and try to keep a 10 minute pace. I also have to practice eating and drinking while running. NERVOUS!

6 Weeks to Go- Tough Stuff

On Sunday, I completed my long run. It was 18 miles. I have been going on an incorrect assumption that I was running a 10 minute mile for my long runs and discovered that I was going slower. This is bad news. My new time for the marathon is going to be 5 hours instead of 4 hours and 20 minutes. That will be an 11 minute mile with stops for food/drinks and bathroom. This is the new assumption and hopefully it is correct.

The run on Sunday was difficult but good. I ran 6 miles and came home, took PowerGels, 4ounces of water and ran out. I did this three times. I believe I stayed in the 11 minute mile range. The problem was when I was done, I became sick to my stomach. I had to sit on the couch the rest of the day and felt like I had a stomach virus. I think it was from the gels but have no proof of this.

It is stressing me out b/c I don't know what to do for energy during the marathon. I am going to stay away from gels and need to figure out how to keep myself energized and hydrated during the race.

Week 7- Last run of the week- Hill training

As I already posted, I have been lacking in training time due to life. I only got out to run twice this week. I ran up and down a hill on Montauk Highway about 5 times, really getting a work out. I put a few new songs on my ipod which helps me out. ONe song that I love is "I was here" by Lady Antebellum. My husband says it is the corniest song he ever heard. It gives me the motivation to run harder so I just keep listening to it over and over again.

When I run up the hill as fast as I can, I want to give up with every step. I feel like slowing down at the end but instead, I try to go faster. It hurts. I probably look loony to the cars driving by. I know my face looks like I want to die. It is a good training and I have to increase the times up the hill to about 7. Hoping to run tonight on the dreaded treadmill and get one more run in before my long run on Sunday (second to last long run!!!!)

Week 7!!! March 16- 1st run of the week

Bad two weeks! We went away and I did not run at all. The weather in Florida was horrible. It rained - I mean downpoured- almost every day. When I got home, we had a storm that blew out our electricity for two days. My scheduled was ruined. I didn't run for 1 week and 2 days. Finally, I took a 3 mile jog and felt great to be back.

Life is getting crazy and my schedule is making it harder to run. My husband is working late almost every night so I can't do a run during the day. I am at the end of this training and I am running less and less.

I am going to try powerbar gels for my last two long runs in the next two weeks and see how my endurance is. Hoping to get some extra energy.

Week 9- LONG LONG RUN- about 19 miles

My grandfather always said "you got to make a fun thing out of it." He was referring to "life." When I decided to run this marathon, those words came through loud and strong and I try to keep focused on them when I am running my longest run of the month. I have been hitting that "wall" often during long runs and picturing my grandfather at the finish line of the marathon always seems to get me through another 5 miles. I know he would do his best to be there if he could even if he wouldn't be able to sleep the night before.

The run on this Sunday was probably about 19 miles. I ran for 3 hours and 6 minutes. (It was suppose to be 10 minutes). I wish I could say that it was invigorating. I also wish I could have gotten into a "zone" where you don't remember running and suddenly you realize that you ran 10 miles already. NO, I felt every minute and every mile. While I was running at one point, I was hoping an hour had past by and only 45 minutes had. Another time, I was praying that 2 hours and 45 minutes had gone by. I knew that if it was less time, my spirits were going to be hit hard. When I finally got the guts to check the watch, it was 2 hours and 20 minutes. Devastated! When I only had 15 minutes left to run, I truly felt like I was never going to make it. And the scary part was I started to think about the fact that I will need to run another hour and 10 minutes (if I am on schedule) for the marathon.

I really believe I will complete the marathon. I do get filled with self doubt sometimes because this is such a monumental task for me but down deep, I don't really think I will give up on that day. I will keep picturing my grandfather at the finish line. I know I will have my family there to support me. And I know that will be the one day I get to really sit on the couch and be served!!

Week 9- 2nd run- Was I crazy to commit?

Wednesday morning on Long Island south shore. Cold but sunny today. After the school bus took the girls, I dropped off the little one at my neighbors and headed out for a one hour run. Ouch. I ran through the neighborhoods to the water. I almost tripped at least twice. The unexplainable stitch was back also. I ran as fast as I could and got it done. I had put on some new music on my ipod and it really helped keep me going. I had some new pain in my foot after the run but by afternoon, I was fine.

I plan on doing a short 2 mile easy run on Fri. and long run on Sunday. That will begin the beginning of the end! I can only run long distance for another 5 weeks, then I have to take it easy for the final day. I am still trying to figure out what I will wear and what to bring on the day of the race. I think I will have to do the dreaded fanny pack so I have to practice with it on. I will start doing some research. I have no idea!

Week 9 - First Run- The stitch is baaaaccckkk!!

Help!!!!! I went for a run yesterday outside as soon as I started to run, STITCH!! Why? I kept going and did some great interval training up and down a (small, really small) hill. On the run home, the pain was bad. I went on line to figure out why it is happening and there are a lot of theories. Some say you can't drink or eat close to your running time. Others say you have to slow down your heart rate and breathe deeper. Still others say there is nothing you can do but get through the pain. So I have no answers and still have pain.

Plan is to do two short runs this week and my long run on Saturday or Sunday, trying for 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Week 10- Last Run of the Week- New Issues!

We had more snow today so running outside was out. My friend called me and said I could come to her gym and use the treadmill. The treadmill was excellent. Very new and updated in its technology. I started the run slow to warm up. And a new pain developed!

It was a stitch on my right side. I have gotten them before when I run very fast before warming up. This started immediately. I had to run at a extremely slow pace for a long time before I picked up speed to try to get control over it. Eventually, it went away but not after I ran slowly for about 15 minutes.

On a more positive side (I need to focus on the positive!), my running is going well and I think I am getting to where I need to get. I just need some good weather and LOTS O LUCK!

Week 10- 2nd Run of the Week

Things are going well. Weather here is horrible - rainy and cold. The girls got off the bus at 3:45 and I brought them home. Luckily, my husband got home early so he took over and I left for a short run. I did the regular route, about 2 and 1/2 miles.

Week 10- I should run but......

It is Tues., February 22 and I should run tonight. But I don't want to! I want to come home from my meeting and get comfy on the couch and hang out with the kids. I should run. I should run. Just 30 minutes on the treadmill would be enough. Come on!

Week 11- 3rd Run- LONG RUN

After running for 2 hours and 50 minutes, it is hard to enjoy running. I am finding that my love for running is decreasing with every scheduled long run. This is a sport that I have always looked forward to. But on the day of a long run, I don't want to get out of bed.

The weather was sunny and warm for February. I left the house at 7:45 am. I decided to run without music for the very first time, planning to put my ipod on during the last hour of the run. With all honesty, I can say the run was BORING!! I did not enjoy an moment of it except the last 15 minutes when I knew I only had 15 minutes left.

Pain- the usual. My right outer foot hurt. My legs, knees hurt. I felt I couldn't lift my legs much at the end and was going to stumble to the ground. But, with all that said, I did complete what I set out to, 2 hours and 50 minutes. I hope it was about 17 miles. With the completion of this run, I only have three more long runs to go. I will try to do a 3 hour 10 minute run in two weeks, followed by a 3 hour 30 minute run and my last run will be 3 hours 50 minutes. (can't wait!!)

When I got back from my run, I took some Tylenol and stretched for a while. I ran out of time for icing b/c I had to get the kids to a party. My foot is feeling good but my whole body hurts when I move!

Week 11- 2nd Run -Back at Home

Just finished a 20 minute run back at home outside. My right foot feels good. I have a new pain but I am going to skip over it today and ignore!

I can't believe I am at week 11. I am getting worried about my progress but don't have any idea if I am on track or in trouble. I am hoping to do my long run on Sat. or Sunday. I will try to run 2 hours and 50 minutes. I believe I am on schedule but this is where it counts. I will keep going and see where I land.

Week 11- 1st run -Running in Beautiful New Hampshire

It is Sunday, Febuary 14 and we are away in New Hampshire. It is absolutely beautiful here. The trees are covered with snow and the lakes are all frozen. I went for a 30 minute run around the wooded area and lazily avoided the hills. The run was easy and uneventful. I picked up speed during the last mile and pushed hard. During my cool down, my right foot began to hurt as usual. My new pain. It hurts from the pinky toe to the heel on the outer right part. It hurts to walk without shoes. With shoes on, it is better but still I am reminded constantly of the injury with every step.

After the run, we all went for a long hike over a frozen lake and through the woods. My foot was killing me but I wanted to get a good walk in. When I got home, I iced my foot and after about two days, the pain was completely gone. I find that when I slowly stretch the foot from toe to heal, it feels better. Icing and stretching are my quick solution right now.

Snow Days and Sickness

We had a blizzard on Wednesday (2/10) and have been stuck in the house for two days. I also had a stomach virus and have been sick for days. I haven't run since Sunday. With the snow, I won't be running outside until next week. I am hoping to get on the treadmill tomorrow if I am feeling better.

I feel like I take two steps forward and one step back. I never feel like I am accomplishing as much as I want to. I want to keep my spirits up and fight through it but it is discouraging.

On a more positive note, I am more than half way to my goal in fundraising. That is good news.

Week 12 (Sunday- 2/7) - First Run of the Week

I checked my fundraising page today at Lustgarten Foundation and found out that I am halfway to my fundraising goal ALREADY!! The people in my life are so supportive and generous. I know that I am very lucky to have such wonderful friends and family helping me to reach my goal.

I had a chance to do a run around 2 pm. It was cold. I decided to do an hour run and a faster pace than my marathon pace. My husband watched the kids and I got ready. I decided to warm up on the treadmill downstairs before running outside. I walked on the treadmill for about 6 minutes and then headed out.

The run went well except for a nagging pain in the back of my left leg. It felt like a muscle strain. I really stretched afterwards and felt fine hours later. I also iced my foot and my leg as soon as I got home. I finished the run in 65 minutes, running at a fast pace and feeling very good.

I hope to run again on Wed., maybe interval training and a short 2 mile run on Friday. Then on Sunday I will do my long run and aim for 2 hours and 5o minutes.

Week 13- Last Run of the Week

I had a chance to complete a short run yesterday (Fri.) so I headed out. I ran 2/12 miles in 24 minutes. I tried to run fast and not focus on the pains in my foot. I did have some but it was not bad at all. I am having a problem with focusing too much on injuries. I know I have very far to go and it I get hurt, it is over. I am listening to my body too much. I need to step back and just run.

Week 13- Injuries are part of the deal

It is Wednesday, four days since my long run. My right foot has been causing me a lot of pain when I put any weight on it. But it was time to run again. I had to test it. I went on the dreaded treadmill for 33 minutes, doing intervals. Three minutes fast and three minutes slow. My foot hurt but it was not unbearable. It hurt less while I was running than when I am walking (what does that mean?). I worked out hard and then iced it for a while. I do not know what this injury will mean for my future trainings. I am hopeful the pain will fade.

My training plan is to run three times a week for the next 10 weeks. On every other weekend, I will do my long run, increasing the time by 20 minutes to get to a maximum time of a 4 hour run. That last long run will take place during week 4. That should be about 20 miles. That is the max I will train in distance. After that, I will run only short distance for the three weeks before the marathon.
I am very scared about my foot getting worse but I have to be positive and I have to understand that I will hurt body parts during this training. IT IS 26.2 MILES.

Just when I commit......my foot is hurt!

I can't believe that I decide to make it official yesterday for my fundraising and..... yesterday, my right foot started to ache. Soon after, sharp shooting pains all day. I haven't run since Saturday and suddenly I have my first injury. Today the pain is bad. I am walking with a limp. I can't run and have to rest it but that is not going to happen! I am very upset but need to calm down and just rest it for a few days. Ahhhhhh!

Committed officially

I sent the email to loved ones about the fundraising for the marathon. I guess I really have to do it. I will register for the race tomorrow. One step a day.

Week 14- LONG RUN : 2 1/2 hours-ouch! (15 miles?)

I was suppose to start my long run at sunrise, around 7am yesterday. The temperature was about 8 degrees with a chilling wind. I finally made it out around 9:30. I knew I had to run until 12 pm and was not excited about it. It was freezing. I ran to two towns over, came back and headed to the beach. Half way through, one side of my leg was completely numb to the touch. I had no pain in any part of my body but I felt exhausted.

When I had about an hour left of running, I wanted to stop. I really wanted to walk a little. I thought, "what is the big deal." Just a rest. During the marathon, I will have to stop to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water. But I remembered people telling me about how I will feel like quitting when I do the marathon. And that I will have to use my mind, not my body to run through it. So I thought it would be a good exercise, fighting through it, for training. It was tough. I just kept running and thinking, "almost there, almost there." I completed the run in 2 hours and 28 minutes.

When I stopped running, my legs kept propelling me forward. They would not stop moving. So I was walking fast and felt like I had no control. Later, I had body pain ALL OVER! It hurt to move, walk, get up from a chair. But it wasn't "injury pain." It was soreness which is ok. I didn't get smart and realize to take Tylenol until the next day when I was still hurting.

I have to drive the route to see exactly how long it was but if I did the 10 minute mile without stopping (which I did!), I should have run about 15 miles today. More than half way!

Hoping to run every other day for the next two weeks. My next long run will be 2 hours and 50 minutes, maybe in about two weeks. I am going to post my fundraising letter by tomorrow. Then I will have to finally commit. SCARED!

Week 14- First Run of the Week

I haven't run for a full week because of babysitting issues. I finally got to run again today, after a rest period of a full week. I was suppose to do a long run this weekend but that has to be scheduled for this weekend coming up. I just finished a run on the treadmill. HATE IT! Ran for 25 minutes with interval training. Increased speed to 7.0/7.1 for 2 minute intervals. I really felt like I was going to pass out.

Because I have no babysitting until May, I don't know when I am going to run during the week. I have to keep increasing my running time but scheduling is becoming an issue. Goal for this week is to run again on Thur. and do a long run on Saturday, about 2 1/2 hours non stop.

Week 15- 1st run-I hate Treadmills

Wed. -
I have been unable to get out to run so I decided to go on the dreaded treadmill. Hate it! It is from 1980 and the controls are stuck on an incline. I ran for 20 minutes, doing intervals of 2 minutes each. It was horrible but at least I ran. I had slight pain in my knee and behind my leg (I hate treadmills).

I want to run my long run on Fri. and race on Sunday but because of my crazy schedule, it looks unlikely. I definitely need to do my long run by this weekend and attempt 2 and 1/2 hours. I'll try my best.

End of week 16- 5k Race

Sunday morning I headed to Robert Moses Park to complete a 5K with friends. It was freezing at the beach and I was not happy to be there. My friends were very positive and really pushed me to "get over it" and run fast.
I felt very good during the race and had no pain in my legs. My first mile was slow, about 9 minutes. I had a lot of energy so pushed a little harder. My goal was to compete the 5k at my PR which is 8:30 minute, finishing at 26:30. When I saw the 9 minute mile, I felt pretty defeated about reaching my goal but decided to at least move a little faster.

I finished feeling bad but not so bad that I wanted to throw up. I ended up with a time of 26:48 coming in 16 out 70 in my division. I felt good with that number especially since I had no painor injuries which is so important when you are training for a marathon.

Next run should be on Tues. but not likely with no babysitters around and I have a meeting at night. Also must complete my long run sometime during this week (week 15) and attempt 2 hours and 30 minutes, non stop!

I read a fanstastic book last week about the NYC Marathon called "A Race like No Other." Favorite quote- "you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable."

Week 16- 1st run of the week

I was able to go for a quick run today (Wed.) which was a surprise. I thought this week would be an impossible week to run. At 4 pm, it was about 26 degrees and the sun was starting to set. I headed out for a short run, thinking I would try for 2 1/2 miles. I completed my 6 minute warm up walk and started to run. I ran at a slow beginning pace since it was cold. It was strange because my left knee began to hurt. I have never had pain in my left knee. About 1/2 thru the run, I decided to push it and speed up for the rest of the run. When I picked up my pace, my knee stopped hurting completely and I had no pain. I ran a little over 3 miles in about 28 minutes total. I ran very fast for the last 10 minutes and my body felt good.

I am concerned about having knee pain when I run slow b/c I will be doing a slow run during the marathon. My pace will be a 10 minute mile which is much slower than my normal pace. If I am having pain at mile one at that pace, how will I be feeling at mile 20? It is strange to not have pain when you go fast but at a slower pace, feel the pain in the knee. It must have to do with my stride.

My plan is to do a short 2 mile run on Friday and run a 5K race with my girlfriends on Sunday and work on my speed. We will see if I get to my goal this week. So far, so good!

3rd run in week 17- Painful

At 8:40 am on Sunday, I headed out for my long run. It was about 25 degrees out and sunny. I was in a bad mood and really felt I was not going to complete the long run. About an hour in, I was ready to call it quits. I have a lot on my mind. I couldn't focus or get into the run. I also had pain in my right knee but not bad. I ran for 2 hours and 10 minutes. My plan was 2 hours and 30 minutes but I could barely finish the last 10 minutes. It is still my longest run. AT the end of the run, I realized that at this point of my training, I could not run another 2 hours. I am not near the condition I need to be in 17 weeks to run this full marathon. I am just assuming that if I keep doing what I am doing, I will get to the condition I need to be to do it.

I had a lot of soreness during the day after the run and that night, I had a lot of soreness and pain all over. I really felt like I pushed it. I woke up around 12am and had to take tylenol b/c I couldn't get back to sleep with the pain.

Plan for week 16- don't have one b/c I am going to have a crazy week and don't know when I will have a chance to run. I should be running Tues., Thur. and Sun. but don't see it happening. I plan on running a race on Sunday with friends (5K) and checking out if my speed has decreased. My last 5K race was timed at 26:31. I have a feeling I will be slower.

Still week 17- 2nd run of the week

I completed a 30 minute run in Amityville today. I brought Donovan to my mother-in-law's house and went for the run. The weather was not bad, not too cold. I had some pain in my left knee and in the back of my right leg. I was a little concerned considering it was a slow and short run. I want to run my long run in 2 days in Sayville- about 2 and 1/2 hours. I hurt my toe later in the day but I seem ok now.

My goal for the marathon is to complete it in 4 and 1/2 hours. That would be about a 10 minute mile. I felt that this would not be a difficult goal but I am getting a little nervous about it because I heard about a person who trained on the schedule I am doing and ended up taking 5 hours! Too long.

17 weeks left

For the past few weeks, I have been increasing my running distance. I have not been measuring in miles but instead, in time. My longest run was 2 hours. I ran from my house to downtown Sayville and then headed to the beach. It was Christmas morning and the roads were full of snow. It was a great run and I have had no pain or injuries with my training which is unusual for me.

I plan on running 3 miles tomorrow (Fri.) in Amityville and completing a long run on Sunday, probably about 2 and 1/2 hours. Hoping the weather will hold up and I will get some good runs in January.

Decision!

In honor of my grandfather, I have decided to run my first marathon. I cannot express the excitement but also the trepidation I feel about this decision. But I will go forward with this goal and raise $1000 to donate to the Lustgarten Foundation to find a cure.

This blog will be my training log. I want to remember this accomplishment and the road I traveled to get there.

The marathon is on May 2nd, 2010 and the count down begins.