Back in the Saddle

There's something about a good run that makes me feel like writing. Writing after a how long hiatis? I actually think about what I'm going to write as I run...makes for an interesting conversation with myself as I trot along. And what is so exciting about running that puts my fingers to the keypad again after so long an absence? A POSTNATAL run that's what! I'll just report that I had a difficult pregnancy, full of varicose viens, nautial, swollen everything...the (ab)norm. I did however, manage to stay in decent shape with the help of 24, yes, the show you all watched years ago, via Netflix, thank you Santa, and LA Fitness's pool. Here's my postnatal report. I had in mind my last postnatal experience when I ran a mile for each week starting at week 3 (3 miles) and going until week 6 (6 miles). I started a bit early and thought I'd try my luck 5 days postnatal. I ran 1 mile and REGRETED it! Way too early for such things. I sat on my booty for the following 3 days. 12 days postnatal I ran 2 miles and felt good. 17 days or 2 weeks and 3 days I ran 3 miles...going slow and did a 10 min mile, then a 9.30, then a 8.40. I ran a couple more 3 mile days... 20 days I ran 4 miles going slow but felt good. 23 days I ran another 4 miles and felt better. Yesterday my daughter had a pee pee accident at school. She came out crying and confessed the whole thing. It was just a tad and not a big deal...no puddle on the floor scenario. Fitting running in is tricky. Today it fit in after Jake got home from work and I had about 1/2 hour to it. I didn't run out with any fast intentions, but ended with 3 miles in 21 minutes. Felt great. However, I come home with a story to make my daughter feel better. I didn't even know what was happening until IT was flowing down my legs...how's that for postnatal? Yikes! I got to trace through the neighborhood in this state, yet true to my runner's pride, I didn't care...I was cruisin'! My daughter greeted me at the door and started to laugh...yes, she feels better. I feel pretty good too.

Marathon: check

ran the marathon in groveton last Saturday. it came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. that's for sure. it was a long and lonley stretch. it was a hot and hilly path. like a hotcake in a frying pan.

i ran the first half according to plan. felt great!!! at mile 16 i nose-dived, just like i have been in my last 3 training runs on anything over 15 miles. my back cramps up, and this time my chest caved in too...a full core squeeze. leaving me breathless. my legs and arms ready to rock, my core unable to move. yes, so i nose-dived/walked for 7 miles before i was passed for the lead...oh, we are talking SMALL town marathon here. somehow i still ended up with 3:50 even with a 10 mile walk in there...ha! it was really bad and frustrating. i almost pulled out at 20 miles, but couldn't knowing there was a whole race of struggling people still chipping away at it behind me. i couldn't give up when everyone else was still trying. i couldn't give up and tell my daughters that i'd quit.

so, i kept going.

although i was 30 mins off from where i thought i'd easily be. maybe another marathon, another day. until then, i'll be racing 5ks!

Training Log & Mantra #2

This weekend I ran a nice 20 miler. I've been wanting to hit 20 and just hadn't gotten the job done, so this run made me happy. I ran it in 2:20 which was nice and has me excited to run the race (which isn't for a long time and I've got to make sure I don't run too much and get burned out). Along the way I remembered my mantra #2. While watching the NYC marathon the top runners had a "slow" mile (probabaly like 5:30 or something) and the announcer commented that logging a slow mile can really throw off the runners. It's kind of like getting out of your rhythm. The first marathon I ran I didn't really know what to expect so I just went out there. I about died in the last few miles....really cramped up. After that I've had a cautious approach...start out SLOW! Now I'm ready to go all out again...one slow mile will really slow down my whole race. Couple this idea with Mantra #1 from below post, and I've got a fast race planned with training to back it up. Oh yes, sounds good...now if the stars will align just so, my kids will become independend and self sufficient, I am hit over the head with endless amounts of time and few responsiblities and my running shoes are tied just tight enough, but not too tight then I think this is going to be the pefect race.

Speaking of running attire. Remember that song Black Whole Sun by Sound Garden? Well, I feel the same way about my armpit....Black Whole Armpit! It keeps gobbling up my shirt and chaffing! Wierdest spot ever! Have my arms suddenly plumped up to make my shirts too tight? Have the shirts shrunk in the wash? I don't know. What I do know is that my armpit has a bright red chaff mark on it...ouch!

Hiatus

Nothing like a quick 3 month hiatus. My blogging motivation has been quiet...is it necessary that I provide myself a Monday Motivation for this? Hum. I have been motivated in my running though. I was given the Garmin Forerunner watch for Christmas and have loved it every day since. It is really great. For instance, I wanted to go out on a long run and had a park in mind, but had no idea how far it was. Without a care, I took off for said park and checked my mileage as I ran...sweet! Not only that, but I can see how my pace is without doing a dozen mathmatical equations in my head, however entertaining that has been in the past, it now frees up my mind for deeper thoughts. Maybe I've just been hanging out with my watch instead of my blog!

I am in the midst of training for a marathon! What? Really, I won't have a marathon on my mind and then all of a sudden I'm signed up. After I commited, I went out for a 12 miler on Monday, felt great...a few short runs inbetween...and then a 15 miler on Saturday, felt awesome! The following long week run was 18 miles...I surprised myself with how good and easy it felt...yes! and then Last weekend I tried to out of for a 20 miler, felt aweful, and ended up with 17 instead. Oh well, hopefully this weekend is better.

I have a few thoughts stuck in my head as I train for this. One is I'd like to get really nice and comfy with 20+ mile runs. In past marathon training I'd do an 18 miler or 20 miler one time before the race. I'd rather get several long runs in, but we'll see what life/time allows.

As I run I chant a little mantra: Train how you want to race. When I was in high school I thought I was training, but I was pretty much going out and jogging around everyday. Then when race day came, I really wanted to do well, but it was pretty much a 50/50 chance of success. Some races I just had it and others I didn't. Now I train how I want to race. I push myself hard, more like I'm racing as I train, and then when the race comes there is nothing left to chance. The race is much more fun this way because I'm not trying to do better then I've trained for. I've trained for the race I want. So, for this marathon I can't just go out and log 18/20 milers. I have to push myself through them and run them as if I'm racing them....fun!

This race is a qualifier for Boston and I'd like to use it to actually go and run the big race in the next few years.

Okay, now back to my Forerunner!

NYC Marathon

What an amazing race today! It is crazy to watch the top runners cruise....seems so effortless. Interesting to note that their slowest mile is part of my fastest 5k, cough, wow!

I love to watch races. I'd watch more of them if I wouldn't rather run in them! I'm always inspired by their SPEED, dedication, mental stregth, and effort. It makes me want to be a better runner

Can't wait to run tomorrow!

Racing

I ran the dollar race again this morning. What a great thing....a good run and a good price! I like running in smaller races too...it's nice to not feel so crowded. It has less of the excitement and hype that a big race has...but again, nice. I came in 3rd overall (you never know who will be there) and timed a 18:54! Yeah! I officially broke through the 19's! It felt good and sadly like I could have gone faster. But it's nice to get to know this course and hopefully when I race there again my time will drop even more just by knowing where I'm at in the race.

There was a big team of young girls there to run too. Their parents had come to cheer them on and put posters along the way. Two that I remember went like this:

May the course be with you

You'd be done now if it weren't for the running


It was good to see kids out having fun and running...and entertaining. Hope you get some race on soon!

Play List

Watched my first episode of Glee this week. THIS song will be pumpin during treadmill runs this week!

Also listening to Makano (however the video is really corny!)
and Kanya