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!)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, April 2, 2010
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).
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!
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