And I am no where near ready. My training has been miserable. Between working 2 jobs, the absolutely dreadful heat and humidity, and my feet hurting from working so much--life has surely gotten in the way.
What does that mean? I might just die when we run not 1, but 2 (yes, TWO) race this weekend! The major one being the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon! :)
So here is what I am hoping for this weekend coming up. My goals:
#1: First and foremost--I want to have fun! I want to enjoy the races and take them in for all their worth!
#2: I want to walk past the finish line! :)
#3: I want to feel proud that I completed my first ever 13.1 mile race! I am lacking the confidence at the moment. Honestly I feel dreadful about how horrible my training has been. :( Ever since my incredibly horrible dizzy spell in May I have barely gotten any miles in per week.
I just want to have fun. I want to cross the finish line having ran at least 1/2. I honestly don't know that I will be able to run more than 1/2. Since my absolutely horrible training--I just am not sure its feasible. HOWEVER, I know that having my dad by my side pacing me--and just being there--will help A LOT! He truly pushes me to continue. We are going to take it VERY slow--and just enjoy! :) There are bands and pep squads every mile--so it will definitely be an awesome race to run!
The Muddy Buddy race we are just doing for fun. It won't be fast--and it won't be crazy. :) Justin and I are doing this together! I am so excited--Noah (my oldest) will be doing the race with us as well!! (Well, he is doing his own "Mini Muddy Buddy" race!
So there you have it! I am sure I will be back in the next few days blogging in preperation! :) I am starting to really up my hydration to prepare for the race! Although its at 6:30 AM--it is still going to be hot out there! The best way to prevent feeling extremely dehydrated is to hydrate early and really well! :) Bring on the water! :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tales from a not-quite 13.1 mile run.
This morning bright and early we set out for a run. I have to say--it actually wasn't to bad when we started out--the downfall of the trail was that there was NO shade what-so-ever. :(
The first 4 miles I was feel really good-EXCEPT I had to go to the bathroom. Like...BAD. I tried to go before we started--but couldn't. SO I started--well about 4 miles in--there was no questions--I needed to find a bathroom. So, I detoured off the trail and went to the gas station not so far away. That's where things went downhill.
I ran to and from the gas station--stopped to take a drink at the car before heading out again. And I just COULD NOT find my groove :( To add to the groove-lessness of the run, my hip was starting to bother me.
However, I was determined come hell or high water to finish the distance. So--I slowed down to a walk. I figured covering the distance was better than just stopping! So--I continued. Every so often I would jog some and then walk. Jog and then walk. It was between mile 7 and 8 that I could feel my dizziness kick in when I was jogging. SO--I made the ultimate decision to walk the rest.
My real goal today was to just FINISH the distance. I wanted to assure myself that I COULD go that far...and that I COULD complete it under 3:30.
The good news: I CAN complete the 13.1 in under 3:30. The bad news--I didn't really complete the entire distance. But based on our stats--and how fast we were going we would have been in under 3:15! :) So that is re-assuring! Even walking over half of the distance! I completed just about 11 miles!
Justin (my husband) turned around with me when we met as he had about 2 miles to complete (and I had 7+!) and walked with me! It was so nice to have someone with me! :) It really did push me to walk faster and keep up!
I was the only one out of us 4 that didn't complete the entire distance :( My Dad actually got up and ran a 1/2 marathon this morning as well! How cool is that? What a great experience for all of us! A great learning experience that's for sure!
I learned a few things on my run:
1) Make sure to go to the bathroom before you leave. No questions asked...sit on the pot until it comes out! Stopping is dreadful!
2) I REALLY REALLY need to hydrate a LOT these next few weeks. The prep for hydration needs to start NOW. I REALLY need to get my water intake through the roof so that my body has proper hydration.
3) I REALLY need to log some road time. I am not sure if it was the pavement or what--however, the soles of my feet HURT. They are really super sore. To the point that that was the determining factor in me stopping. I feel like I just need to build up the calluses! LOL!
4) I need to figure out how to stretch my hip to give it some relief when it is getting tight.
5) I REALLY need a running buddy! Running long runs WITH someone makes ALL the difference! THANKFULLY--my Daddy and I will be running together--so I will have encouragement along the way!
6) My iPhone battery--despite being fully charged--will only last about 10 miles with Nike+ and Pandora running. Thankfully, when we run the Rock and Roll 1/2 I won't need either! As the path will be marked and there are bands every 1/2 mile!
7) Getting pooped on by a bird is not really cool. LOL!
So yep...it was a great learning experience and it makes me feel A LOT better about what's to come! Even if I didn't finish the full 13.1 distance!
The first 4 miles I was feel really good-EXCEPT I had to go to the bathroom. Like...BAD. I tried to go before we started--but couldn't. SO I started--well about 4 miles in--there was no questions--I needed to find a bathroom. So, I detoured off the trail and went to the gas station not so far away. That's where things went downhill.
I ran to and from the gas station--stopped to take a drink at the car before heading out again. And I just COULD NOT find my groove :( To add to the groove-lessness of the run, my hip was starting to bother me.
However, I was determined come hell or high water to finish the distance. So--I slowed down to a walk. I figured covering the distance was better than just stopping! So--I continued. Every so often I would jog some and then walk. Jog and then walk. It was between mile 7 and 8 that I could feel my dizziness kick in when I was jogging. SO--I made the ultimate decision to walk the rest.
My real goal today was to just FINISH the distance. I wanted to assure myself that I COULD go that far...and that I COULD complete it under 3:30.
The good news: I CAN complete the 13.1 in under 3:30. The bad news--I didn't really complete the entire distance. But based on our stats--and how fast we were going we would have been in under 3:15! :) So that is re-assuring! Even walking over half of the distance! I completed just about 11 miles!
Justin (my husband) turned around with me when we met as he had about 2 miles to complete (and I had 7+!) and walked with me! It was so nice to have someone with me! :) It really did push me to walk faster and keep up!
I was the only one out of us 4 that didn't complete the entire distance :( My Dad actually got up and ran a 1/2 marathon this morning as well! How cool is that? What a great experience for all of us! A great learning experience that's for sure!
I learned a few things on my run:
1) Make sure to go to the bathroom before you leave. No questions asked...sit on the pot until it comes out! Stopping is dreadful!
2) I REALLY REALLY need to hydrate a LOT these next few weeks. The prep for hydration needs to start NOW. I REALLY need to get my water intake through the roof so that my body has proper hydration.
3) I REALLY need to log some road time. I am not sure if it was the pavement or what--however, the soles of my feet HURT. They are really super sore. To the point that that was the determining factor in me stopping. I feel like I just need to build up the calluses! LOL!
4) I need to figure out how to stretch my hip to give it some relief when it is getting tight.
5) I REALLY need a running buddy! Running long runs WITH someone makes ALL the difference! THANKFULLY--my Daddy and I will be running together--so I will have encouragement along the way!
6) My iPhone battery--despite being fully charged--will only last about 10 miles with Nike+ and Pandora running. Thankfully, when we run the Rock and Roll 1/2 I won't need either! As the path will be marked and there are bands every 1/2 mile!
7) Getting pooped on by a bird is not really cool. LOL!
So yep...it was a great learning experience and it makes me feel A LOT better about what's to come! Even if I didn't finish the full 13.1 distance!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Independence Day 13.1
Tomorrow morning, bright and early--my husband, brother, and I are setting out on a 13.1 mile run. While I will be by far the slowest--we are all going to go 13.1 it will take me at least an hour longer than those 2. Originally I was going to make my husband run it with me--going slow and encouraging me--but I know how absolutely horrible that will be for him. So--he is going to go ahead of me. As well as my brother! HOWEVER, they both said they were going to come join me for the last 5K or so after they finish! So that will be nice!
We wanted to do this run for prep. To see how absolutely miserable we are going to be! The other great thing--we are going to set out at 6:15. Which means not only will we be done by about 9:15--we will also be heading out the same time that we will for the 1/2 marathon on the 22nd! :)
I am excited and nervous! I think if I keep it slow and steady--and take it mile by mile and make sure to not get down on myself I can do it! We will be doing 2 loops of a trail that my brother knows but I haven't been on. At the 1/2 way point we will have water and Gatorade (as well as I think a banana and chews) in our car. We have frozen 4 bottles of water, and we have 2 large gatorades in the fridge to go into a cooler pack.
This last week has been a bit emotional. I am once again reminded of the horrible disease that cancer is. And as I embark on this 1/2 marathon distance tomorrow--each step of the way I will be thankful for my health, my happiness, and those "just one more" moments that Grandma and I shared together. I also know--that I will have an angel right by my side--cheering me on! Today as I was driving to school I cried for the 1st time in a long time--I was thinking about a friend who has a loved one in their final stages of their battle with cancer. It just breaks my heart and brings back such sad memories of those last few weeks in my Grandma's battle. And to add to my tears--there was a woman walking that looked JUST LIKE her. Walking like her--her body shape was just like hers--her wrinkles like her. And the tears just flowed. :(
I will report back tomorrow on how things go! :) I am hoping to log in a 1/2 marathon time under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Honestly I would really like to see under 3 hours...but, I also just want to accomplish the distance.
The goal will be the same for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon as well! No real time goal--just finishing! Well, and not getting picked up by the "Your going too slow" van. LOL! There's a time limit of 3:30 on the course and you have to pass certain check-points within a certain time frame or else the van will pick you up!
And I'm off! :) Have a great night!
We wanted to do this run for prep. To see how absolutely miserable we are going to be! The other great thing--we are going to set out at 6:15. Which means not only will we be done by about 9:15--we will also be heading out the same time that we will for the 1/2 marathon on the 22nd! :)
I am excited and nervous! I think if I keep it slow and steady--and take it mile by mile and make sure to not get down on myself I can do it! We will be doing 2 loops of a trail that my brother knows but I haven't been on. At the 1/2 way point we will have water and Gatorade (as well as I think a banana and chews) in our car. We have frozen 4 bottles of water, and we have 2 large gatorades in the fridge to go into a cooler pack.
This last week has been a bit emotional. I am once again reminded of the horrible disease that cancer is. And as I embark on this 1/2 marathon distance tomorrow--each step of the way I will be thankful for my health, my happiness, and those "just one more" moments that Grandma and I shared together. I also know--that I will have an angel right by my side--cheering me on! Today as I was driving to school I cried for the 1st time in a long time--I was thinking about a friend who has a loved one in their final stages of their battle with cancer. It just breaks my heart and brings back such sad memories of those last few weeks in my Grandma's battle. And to add to my tears--there was a woman walking that looked JUST LIKE her. Walking like her--her body shape was just like hers--her wrinkles like her. And the tears just flowed. :(
I will report back tomorrow on how things go! :) I am hoping to log in a 1/2 marathon time under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Honestly I would really like to see under 3 hours...but, I also just want to accomplish the distance.
The goal will be the same for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon as well! No real time goal--just finishing! Well, and not getting picked up by the "Your going too slow" van. LOL! There's a time limit of 3:30 on the course and you have to pass certain check-points within a certain time frame or else the van will pick you up!
And I'm off! :) Have a great night!
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