After my 20 miler, I felt confident. Finally! However, both my feet were sore. Makes sense after 20 miles so I didn't think much about it all week. Two days ago, I ran a short 14 miles. (You have to love when 14 miles is a short run!) It seemed really easy. My lungs felt good, my legs felt good. However, my feet started to hurt in the same spot as the previous week. One foot hurt worse than the other. I didn't think much about it, though, until I finished my run.
I touched my foot. Pain! I took my shoe off. Bruise! It wasn't a big bruise, but it is definitely still there two days after the run and it is also a bit swollen. This leads me to a dilemma. This week I am supposed to run 22 miles. Do I do it? I want to. I want to see how well I can do. I want to feel well trained. However, I truly wonder if my foot can take a 22 and a 26 mile run in the next 3 weeks. I have no doubt that I can pull out one long run. I know it will be painful, but that I will be able to get through it. I'm not sure I can do two long runs, though. I have no idea what is actually wrong with my foot. Even with my internet medical degree, I can't find a diagnosis!
I want to make the right choice, but I'm not sure which choice is correct. I'm not sure if I should run a shorter run this week or go for the full 22. I want to do what will give me the best outcome on race day. I fear that I won't know what the right choice is until it is too late, until I've run too far. Right now, I could really use a psychic to predict the future for me!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
One Month Out!
It hit me today that I'm really running a race one month from today. So many weeks of training makes the actual race day almost feel fictional. Running 20 miles yesterday reminded me that it's getting close, but looking at the calendar today really gave me the "Oh, wow!" feeling.
Training hasn't been perfect. Burn out. Illness. Pain. Vacation. All have played a role in the training; there's no doubt. Training could have been a lot worse, though. Now, in the last month, I'm hoping that everything I have put into this since January pays off. Four hours thirty nine minutes is the time to beat. The McMillan calculator says I can make it to 4:33. I really want 4:30. I know that if I can get to 4:33 that I can push out 4:30, but can I make 4:33? The last time I used the McMillan calculator I was 22 minutes slower than what it said. This time, I have a much better base so I'm hoping that makes a difference.
Why does the time matter? I'm not trying to reach something unattainable. It's realistic. Training is painful! I don't want to keep going through the pain year after year. Four marathons is enough for me! However, I want to go out reaching my goal. I don't want to have to give up Friday night because I have to run on Saturday a.m. I don't want to give up Saturday night because I'm too exhausted to do anything. And, I don't want to give up Sunday afternoon anymore because I am too sore to move. It's a lot of commitment for a mediocre runner. I've enjoyed every bit of it, but I want a well-rounded life. Half-marathons, vacations, AND fun with friends.
This is my last marathon. However, I fear that if I don't reach my goal, I'll put myself through it all again even though I enjoy the half-marathons so much more. Why does it matter? I know exactly what I want. However, I don't know that I'll follow my heart if I don't get my goal. So, 4:30 Clif Bar Pace Team, please pull me through in Duluth!
Training hasn't been perfect. Burn out. Illness. Pain. Vacation. All have played a role in the training; there's no doubt. Training could have been a lot worse, though. Now, in the last month, I'm hoping that everything I have put into this since January pays off. Four hours thirty nine minutes is the time to beat. The McMillan calculator says I can make it to 4:33. I really want 4:30. I know that if I can get to 4:33 that I can push out 4:30, but can I make 4:33? The last time I used the McMillan calculator I was 22 minutes slower than what it said. This time, I have a much better base so I'm hoping that makes a difference.
Why does the time matter? I'm not trying to reach something unattainable. It's realistic. Training is painful! I don't want to keep going through the pain year after year. Four marathons is enough for me! However, I want to go out reaching my goal. I don't want to have to give up Friday night because I have to run on Saturday a.m. I don't want to give up Saturday night because I'm too exhausted to do anything. And, I don't want to give up Sunday afternoon anymore because I am too sore to move. It's a lot of commitment for a mediocre runner. I've enjoyed every bit of it, but I want a well-rounded life. Half-marathons, vacations, AND fun with friends.
This is my last marathon. However, I fear that if I don't reach my goal, I'll put myself through it all again even though I enjoy the half-marathons so much more. Why does it matter? I know exactly what I want. However, I don't know that I'll follow my heart if I don't get my goal. So, 4:30 Clif Bar Pace Team, please pull me through in Duluth!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
18 Long Miles
After careful analysis, I am beginning to doubt my sanity. Do you know anyone else that has a hobby she doesn't enjoy? Didn't think so.
The previous two weekends (and two half marathons) were amazing. I felt on top of the world. Then came yesterday and 18 miles. I DREADED every step of the run. Let me repeat. Every step, not just the last few miles were miserable! I really and truly didn't want to be out there-and the long run is my favorite run.
Yesterday's run proves to me that choosing Grandma's Marathon to be my last marathon is a smart move. I'm a halfer. I didn't want to be; I wanted to be a full marathoner, but I just don't enjoy it. (Okay, so I had this same conversation with my friend, Amber, last night. One marathon does make you a marathoner; you don't have to keep doing them, but, you know what I mean.)
Part of my problem is mental. I guess that makes sense since I am questioning my sanity to begin with! Even though I have completed three full marathons, my mind doesn't really believe my body can do it. All three of those marathons were in 2009. The first one went well. The second and third were three weeks apart from each other (Hello, Rock N' Roll extra medal!) and completed while I was injured so those races weren't run anywhere near the way the first marathon was run.
Having completed 13 half marathons, they are almost second nature to me. The hilly IU marathon I ran over spring break without any running the previous week proves to me that no matter what shape I'm in I can always pull out a half-marathon. A marathon, though? My mind just doesn't believe I can run more than 15 miles. "Of course, you can run 13," my head says. "And 15, that means you'll be even more prepared for a half." But 18 or 20? My head just doesn't believe. I become so mental about my ability to run that far that the entire run is horrible. Realistically, if I just ran 13 miles the last two weekends, it seems that I would be able to get at least that far with ease and then struggle, but no, no, not my body. My body lets the mind rule which means every single step is awful!
After my 18 miler was over yesterday, I took the opportunity to reason with my mind. I let it know that I really only have 3 long runs left; 20, 22, and the marathon with two medium runs sprinkled in between. Hopefully, I will get a break from my mental running the next 5 weeks. Fingers crossed!
The previous two weekends (and two half marathons) were amazing. I felt on top of the world. Then came yesterday and 18 miles. I DREADED every step of the run. Let me repeat. Every step, not just the last few miles were miserable! I really and truly didn't want to be out there-and the long run is my favorite run.
Yesterday's run proves to me that choosing Grandma's Marathon to be my last marathon is a smart move. I'm a halfer. I didn't want to be; I wanted to be a full marathoner, but I just don't enjoy it. (Okay, so I had this same conversation with my friend, Amber, last night. One marathon does make you a marathoner; you don't have to keep doing them, but, you know what I mean.)
Part of my problem is mental. I guess that makes sense since I am questioning my sanity to begin with! Even though I have completed three full marathons, my mind doesn't really believe my body can do it. All three of those marathons were in 2009. The first one went well. The second and third were three weeks apart from each other (Hello, Rock N' Roll extra medal!) and completed while I was injured so those races weren't run anywhere near the way the first marathon was run.
Having completed 13 half marathons, they are almost second nature to me. The hilly IU marathon I ran over spring break without any running the previous week proves to me that no matter what shape I'm in I can always pull out a half-marathon. A marathon, though? My mind just doesn't believe I can run more than 15 miles. "Of course, you can run 13," my head says. "And 15, that means you'll be even more prepared for a half." But 18 or 20? My head just doesn't believe. I become so mental about my ability to run that far that the entire run is horrible. Realistically, if I just ran 13 miles the last two weekends, it seems that I would be able to get at least that far with ease and then struggle, but no, no, not my body. My body lets the mind rule which means every single step is awful!
After my 18 miler was over yesterday, I took the opportunity to reason with my mind. I let it know that I really only have 3 long runs left; 20, 22, and the marathon with two medium runs sprinkled in between. Hopefully, I will get a break from my mental running the next 5 weeks. Fingers crossed!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Race Review: 500 Festival Mini-Marathon: What's Hot and What's Not
The 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the largest half marathon in the country. It is held the first weekend in May every year.
What's Hot:
*The expo is amazing. Lots of vendors with lots to buy! It definitely gets you in the mood to run.
*The corral system is one of the best I've seen. Volunteers check your bib to assure that runners are in the right corral. There are still corral jumpers, but not as many as other races.
*Running around the Indy 500 track. Neat experience and historical. This year was especially historical with it being the 100th running of the Indy 500.
*Marsh Supermarket gives away plastic bags at the beginning of the recovery food. This way you don't have to hold your gatorade, your banana, your cookies, etc. all in your hands.
*The mile marker signs are easy to see and all give the running time of the race. There is a timer at the start line so you can easily see how many minutes have passed since the clock started running. Great for those not in corral A.
*The family reunion area has a lot of tents. Local running groups and stores have tents that welcome all the runners. Many supply food and drinks. Bands play in the beer garden. This is also good for the family members waiting on runners.
What's Not:
*The race is entirely too crowded. Being stepped on and pushed is par for the course well into the race. The track is the midway point and I was still being stepped on at that point. Very few runners in the race are even considerate enough to apologize. BIG NEGATIVE.
*The finish line did not have a medical tent nearby. You had to get through medals, recovery food, and pictures before the medical tent was available. It was a large area, but it was far into the family reunion area and not easy to locate. At the finish, no medics were around directing runners to the medic tent if they needed it.
*Traffic getting to the race is tough. It's at a stand still from all directions of town. If you get a meter, you only have four hours which doesn't really let you enjoy the experience of the race when you have to rush to the car after the race. If you can wait through the traffic to get a parking garage, it's not as bad.
*Beach balls being thrown into the corrals just before the start. The minutes prior to the race are for mental preparation, not for play, in my opinion.
Final Verdict:
Would I run this race again? No. Should you? Yes. Everyone should run this race at least once. The hoopla and the track are worth it once. Past once or twice, the crowd is too much to go through year after year.
What's Hot:
*The expo is amazing. Lots of vendors with lots to buy! It definitely gets you in the mood to run.
*The corral system is one of the best I've seen. Volunteers check your bib to assure that runners are in the right corral. There are still corral jumpers, but not as many as other races.
*Running around the Indy 500 track. Neat experience and historical. This year was especially historical with it being the 100th running of the Indy 500.
*Marsh Supermarket gives away plastic bags at the beginning of the recovery food. This way you don't have to hold your gatorade, your banana, your cookies, etc. all in your hands.
*The mile marker signs are easy to see and all give the running time of the race. There is a timer at the start line so you can easily see how many minutes have passed since the clock started running. Great for those not in corral A.
*The family reunion area has a lot of tents. Local running groups and stores have tents that welcome all the runners. Many supply food and drinks. Bands play in the beer garden. This is also good for the family members waiting on runners.
What's Not:
*The race is entirely too crowded. Being stepped on and pushed is par for the course well into the race. The track is the midway point and I was still being stepped on at that point. Very few runners in the race are even considerate enough to apologize. BIG NEGATIVE.
*The finish line did not have a medical tent nearby. You had to get through medals, recovery food, and pictures before the medical tent was available. It was a large area, but it was far into the family reunion area and not easy to locate. At the finish, no medics were around directing runners to the medic tent if they needed it.
*Traffic getting to the race is tough. It's at a stand still from all directions of town. If you get a meter, you only have four hours which doesn't really let you enjoy the experience of the race when you have to rush to the car after the race. If you can wait through the traffic to get a parking garage, it's not as bad.
*Beach balls being thrown into the corrals just before the start. The minutes prior to the race are for mental preparation, not for play, in my opinion.
Final Verdict:
Would I run this race again? No. Should you? Yes. Everyone should run this race at least once. The hoopla and the track are worth it once. Past once or twice, the crowd is too much to go through year after year.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Road Back to Love
I need racing in my life. Go ahead, dangle the carrot. Medals. Expos. Trendy running apparel. Dangle three carrots, I guess. If only I could race without training. There's my #1 bestseller idea.
Since running the Derby miniMarathon last Saturday, I have been on the road back to loving running. Hearing Nappy Roots on my iPod at mile 4 while running in Louisville, KY, hustling through the U of L campus where I attended college, and bustling through one of my favorite places, Churchill Downs, all helped to remind me of that love. However, the hype has continued into this week and this race.
Two weeks. Two races. Soon, two medals. Marathon season has begun and I am in love again.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Race Review: Derby Festival miniMarthon: What's Hot and What's Not
The Derby Festival miniMarathon is held in Louisville, KY the weekend before the Kentucky Derby. Here's a breakdown of the race.
What's Hot:
*The Derby Festivial miniMarathon in Louisville, KY had one of the best courses I've ever seen. It was very flat. The only "hills" were entering and exiting Churchill Downs, under one overpass just past the University of Louisville, and under two overpasses on the way back from Churchill Downs, also near the University.
*The course was well shaded. Open streets were early in the race. With a 7:30 start, those open roads were not a concern. The weather was great today, but had it not been, the shade would have helped tremendously.
*Oranges were handed out somewhere between miles seven and ten. This is only the second race I've ever seen do this. Oranges are better than any energy drink or gel. Big kuddos on this one.
*There was more than enough food at the finish line. The workers were great. If someone requested a second banana or bag of chips, they happily obliged.
*BlueMile running store had a lounge at the expo (though it's not hot that it wasn't with the rest of the expo) with music, food, and discount coupons for their store. This was the best part of the expo by far.
*Running through Churchill Downs. Historic. Enough said.
What's Not:
*The water stops are my biggest gripe. Almost all of the water stops were bottled water. (For some reason, one or two stops were in plastic cups.) Runners had to open up their own bottles! This is too much effort during a race. It also caused lots of jamming at the water stops because it wasn't as easy to hand out as a cup. To top it off, people were throwing bottles over other runners to dispose of them. It would have been very easy to be hit by a flying bottle. The worst part about the water bottles was the caps. Caps were all over the course and hard to avoid. I have a feeling a few sprained ankles were caused by those caps today.
*Powerade wasn't handed out until mile seven. For runners that depend on the energy drinks more than water, keep this in mind if you want to sign up for this race.
*It took too long to get to the water at the finish line. Honestly, that's the first thing I want when I finish running.
*For such a big race, the expo was too small and there was nothing there to pump runners up. At a big race, there is usually an atmosphere that gets runners excited about the next day. Not here.
*There wasn't a mile marker at every mile. The mile markers were very low to the ground and hard to see, too. Only about four places on the course had the running time rather than being located at each mile marker. Make sure you have your own Garmin if you want to know where you are at in the race.
What to Watch For:
*At the first overpass, there are a lot of filled potholes. Make sure to take your sunglasses off here because the ground is very uneven.
*Mile 8, at Churchill Downs, has a slight slant in the road. I had ankle pain (that made me wonder if I could finish) for most of that mile. My friend had the same problem here.
*Around 4th and Cardinal, coming past the University of Louisville the second time, has square bricks in the road for a very short while. Some of the bricks are loose. Watch yourself as you go over these.
Final Verdict:
Would I run this race again? Absolutely! I hope they fix the water/energy drink situation, but this race is a new favorite. I think it would be a great place to set a PR. I'm even considering making this my annual semi-local race. Hope to see you there next time!
What's Hot:
*The Derby Festivial miniMarathon in Louisville, KY had one of the best courses I've ever seen. It was very flat. The only "hills" were entering and exiting Churchill Downs, under one overpass just past the University of Louisville, and under two overpasses on the way back from Churchill Downs, also near the University.
*The course was well shaded. Open streets were early in the race. With a 7:30 start, those open roads were not a concern. The weather was great today, but had it not been, the shade would have helped tremendously.
*Oranges were handed out somewhere between miles seven and ten. This is only the second race I've ever seen do this. Oranges are better than any energy drink or gel. Big kuddos on this one.
*There was more than enough food at the finish line. The workers were great. If someone requested a second banana or bag of chips, they happily obliged.
*BlueMile running store had a lounge at the expo (though it's not hot that it wasn't with the rest of the expo) with music, food, and discount coupons for their store. This was the best part of the expo by far.
*Running through Churchill Downs. Historic. Enough said.
What's Not:
*The water stops are my biggest gripe. Almost all of the water stops were bottled water. (For some reason, one or two stops were in plastic cups.) Runners had to open up their own bottles! This is too much effort during a race. It also caused lots of jamming at the water stops because it wasn't as easy to hand out as a cup. To top it off, people were throwing bottles over other runners to dispose of them. It would have been very easy to be hit by a flying bottle. The worst part about the water bottles was the caps. Caps were all over the course and hard to avoid. I have a feeling a few sprained ankles were caused by those caps today.
*Powerade wasn't handed out until mile seven. For runners that depend on the energy drinks more than water, keep this in mind if you want to sign up for this race.
*It took too long to get to the water at the finish line. Honestly, that's the first thing I want when I finish running.
*For such a big race, the expo was too small and there was nothing there to pump runners up. At a big race, there is usually an atmosphere that gets runners excited about the next day. Not here.
*There wasn't a mile marker at every mile. The mile markers were very low to the ground and hard to see, too. Only about four places on the course had the running time rather than being located at each mile marker. Make sure you have your own Garmin if you want to know where you are at in the race.
What to Watch For:
*At the first overpass, there are a lot of filled potholes. Make sure to take your sunglasses off here because the ground is very uneven.
*Mile 8, at Churchill Downs, has a slight slant in the road. I had ankle pain (that made me wonder if I could finish) for most of that mile. My friend had the same problem here.
*Around 4th and Cardinal, coming past the University of Louisville the second time, has square bricks in the road for a very short while. Some of the bricks are loose. Watch yourself as you go over these.
Final Verdict:
Would I run this race again? Absolutely! I hope they fix the water/energy drink situation, but this race is a new favorite. I think it would be a great place to set a PR. I'm even considering making this my annual semi-local race. Hope to see you there next time!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Derby Time
Tomorrow afternoon I will leave for Louisville. All races are special in their own way, but I believe this weekend's race holds the most sacred place in my heart. For twelve years, I lived in Louisville, KY. I love Louisville and everything about it. My dog is even named Derby after the Kentucky Derby. I refer to him as my little piece of home. Visiting Louisville is always special.
This visit is not just any visit, however. This is for a race. Louisville is the place where running all began for me. During my last year in the 'Ville, a co-worker and I talked about running our first 5K. It seemed like such a difficult task. I couldn't run a 1/2 mile at that point! I laugh when I look back about how little I knew about running. I remember a third co-worker giving us both advice on how to start running: run for time, not miles. That was the first piece of running advice I ever received. It's amazing when I think how knowledgeable I am now!
Finally, my friend, Schlonda, and I decided to actually sign up for a race in May. It was the Run for the "L" of It race and we decided we were actually going to train. Oh, how little I knew! I remember trying to run two miles one HOT weekend day. I stopped early on into the run. I was so faint and out of shape. I wondered what I had gotten myself into....there was no way I could run a whole THREE miles! Little did I know that it's not the best idea to run in the dead of the heat. At that point, all I really wanted, more than anything in the world, was for Schlonda to decide that she didn't want to run this silly race!
Race day eventually came. I was thrilled that I wasn't there alone. I didn't even know how to pick up my bib-or, how to put it on, for that matter! I giggled with nerves as we waited for the start. I remember not knowing where to start or how to know which way the race was going. Looking back, I laugh over and over about all the things I didn't know about running!
Finally, we started. Let's remember that I hadn't ever made it three miles outside. One time about a month or two prior, I made it three miles once on the treadmill using the Couch Potato to 5K program. (For the record, I wasn't a couch potato. I went to the gym three to four times a week-just not to run.) Having someone to run with was the best thing ever. I wanted to stop so badly and so did my friend, but neither of us wanted to be the one to make the other person stop! We finally did stop once, but not for long. A nice downhill came soon after we started to walk and that was our key to get back running. I even sprinted at the end, just like I still do. I guess some things never change. Finishing strong is definitely my strength!
The two of us looked at our time after we finished. 31:08. Half training...stopping once to walk. At that point, we both realized that if we tried, we might just be good at this running thing. We both left that day thinking that we would continue our running endeavors.
I moved and started a new job so I didn't run a step for over six months. My friend might have run some after that, but not much. However, this is her year. She, also, is running the Derby 1/2 Marathon. As I'm winding down my running "career", it's coming to end where it started and with the same people. So, when I say the Derby 1/2 Marathon has a special place in my heart, I really mean it.
This visit is not just any visit, however. This is for a race. Louisville is the place where running all began for me. During my last year in the 'Ville, a co-worker and I talked about running our first 5K. It seemed like such a difficult task. I couldn't run a 1/2 mile at that point! I laugh when I look back about how little I knew about running. I remember a third co-worker giving us both advice on how to start running: run for time, not miles. That was the first piece of running advice I ever received. It's amazing when I think how knowledgeable I am now!
Finally, my friend, Schlonda, and I decided to actually sign up for a race in May. It was the Run for the "L" of It race and we decided we were actually going to train. Oh, how little I knew! I remember trying to run two miles one HOT weekend day. I stopped early on into the run. I was so faint and out of shape. I wondered what I had gotten myself into....there was no way I could run a whole THREE miles! Little did I know that it's not the best idea to run in the dead of the heat. At that point, all I really wanted, more than anything in the world, was for Schlonda to decide that she didn't want to run this silly race!
Race day eventually came. I was thrilled that I wasn't there alone. I didn't even know how to pick up my bib-or, how to put it on, for that matter! I giggled with nerves as we waited for the start. I remember not knowing where to start or how to know which way the race was going. Looking back, I laugh over and over about all the things I didn't know about running!
Finally, we started. Let's remember that I hadn't ever made it three miles outside. One time about a month or two prior, I made it three miles once on the treadmill using the Couch Potato to 5K program. (For the record, I wasn't a couch potato. I went to the gym three to four times a week-just not to run.) Having someone to run with was the best thing ever. I wanted to stop so badly and so did my friend, but neither of us wanted to be the one to make the other person stop! We finally did stop once, but not for long. A nice downhill came soon after we started to walk and that was our key to get back running. I even sprinted at the end, just like I still do. I guess some things never change. Finishing strong is definitely my strength!
The two of us looked at our time after we finished. 31:08. Half training...stopping once to walk. At that point, we both realized that if we tried, we might just be good at this running thing. We both left that day thinking that we would continue our running endeavors.
I moved and started a new job so I didn't run a step for over six months. My friend might have run some after that, but not much. However, this is her year. She, also, is running the Derby 1/2 Marathon. As I'm winding down my running "career", it's coming to end where it started and with the same people. So, when I say the Derby 1/2 Marathon has a special place in my heart, I really mean it.
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