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!