The Long Run Diaries - Epilogue The Big Show

It's been a little over 3 days since The Big Show. I'm finally walking like a normal person and it's not taking me 15 minutes to get up and down (down is the worst) our stairs. I wasn't sure what to expect from my body post-race, but I'm surprised how little discomfort I experienced. 

I still am in awe of my new bling! Isn't she purdy?!?!

Overall the race went fabulously. I don't know how runners that blog can remember every detail about their races. Most of it is a complete blur. I tried not to focus on one thing too much. Five hours is a long time be alone with your thoughts and having the same thought in your head the entire time can be maddening! 

Not really knowing what to expect, I had 3 goals in mind:

• Primary Goal-Finish
• Secondary Goal-Finish in under 5 hours
• Tertiary Goal-Finish in under 4.5 hours

I achieved #1 and #2 and came SO CLOSE to #3, but I am so proud of how I did that there is no way I'm disappointed! It just gives me a goal for next time and I can guarantee that there will definitely be another marathon in my future!

The stats

26.2 miles

4:32:10

10:24 pace

Overall Place: 528/738

Gender Place: 153/264

Division Place: 37/58

The start of the race was cold. Much colder than I would have liked. I couldn't feel my fingers or toes and had to wear gloves and my shell. None of that would have been a problem for a shorter race, but I knew it would warm up and I wouldn't need all those layers. Not what I was hoping for, but in the end it all worked out. I got up super early and went through my regular race-morning routine. Diet Coke, oatmeal, shower (Yep, I always take a shower before races! It wakes me up and makes the event seem more special. You wouldn't just roll out of bed the morning of a big job interview would you?), feed the baby, get dressed and use the bathroom about 800 times. Traci and her hubby picked me up at 6am and we were off. We parked hit the restrooms a few more times and then got in line with our other running partner Christy S. It was a much smaller race than I was used to. They had pace signs up so that people could line-up accordingly, but before the start they just asked everyone to scoot up. The 4:50pace group was ahead of the 4:25 group and we were all mixed up. There was a moment of silence for Boston that brought tears to my eyes, our National Anthem was sung and with the sound of a blow horn, we were off!

The first few miles were VERY quiet. I guess we had finally ran out of things to say to each other! A marathon is a long race, Carmel is not a very long city so there were LOTS of twists and turns. I'm a more an out-and-back runner so the twisting was a little annoying to me, BUT it gave the hubby lots of opportunities to see me along the course. He first popped up at mile 3 which was a huge and welcoming surprise! We gave a little wave and continued on our way! We stuck with our plan of walking every 4 miles. It had worked well on our practice long runs so there was no way we were going to change a thing. The first break came up quickly and we all shed our gloves and outer layers. I don't remember much of miles 4-8 but I do remember that for some reason 8-12 was one of worst stretches of the entire race. Each mile seemed to crawl along and I couldn't wait until mile 12 for a break. It was around mile 12 that Traci started having some trouble and it seemed like she wouldn't be able to keep up. Her husband was there too and he agreed to stay with her. That's the thing with the Big Show, no matter how much you prepare there's a lot of time for unexpected things to occur! 

By mile 13 I was feeling much better. My feet felt strong and my head was in the right place. Nate made another appearance and ran a tiny bit with me. We decided that I would need a little bit of company along the way so he went to his car to put on his running shoes and agreed to meet up with me around mile 18. I'm not sure when, but I started to pull away from Christy S too. I get like that sometimes. My feet takeover and my head is not really sure what is going on. I just know one minute she was next to me and the next she wasn't. At the mile 16 walking break I put in my earphones and Blink-182 was my running buddy for the next 10 miles. 

Around mile 18 Nate found me again and he ran with me for another 4 miles. It was so nice to have him there. We didn't do a whole lot of talking but having company kept me from thinking about how much further I had to go or how achey my legs were. It was funny to hear everyone cheer him on too. He got a lot of "you are looking FANTASTIC" and "You've got this, you're doing awesome!!!" People were so amazed to see someone looking so "fresh" so far into the race. Miles 18-23 had a little bit of trail running which was a welcomed break from the looping through neighborhoods. Nate left me around mile 23 so he could sprint to the finish line and cheer me on as I crossed. The last 3.2 were my own.

It was around  this time that my stomach started feeling a little barfy and my legs oh so heavy. Coming up on my final walking break at mile 24 I was a little torn. My main concern was not being able to start running again if I took a break, but if I didn't take a break I was concerned that I would need a break before the finish. I decided to take a short walking break. Just enough to get a reprieve, but not too long where my legs got comfortable. The last few miles were a little tough and it felt like forever before I could see the finish line, but there it was! 

With the finish line in sight I got my last burst of energy and a HUGE smile on my face. It was a fabulous finish. The hubby on my right cheering me on and my good friend Christy B on my left screaming my name (Christy had finished at 4:04 and was waiting for me!). I finished strong and happy! I can't wait to see my finish-line photos, I'm sure I have a Cheshire-Cat grin on my face!

I think it's true what they say about marathons, that it's just as much a mental race and a physical one. I knew that physically I was ready. I had trained hard and my body was ready. There was no doubt in my mind that as long as I kept a clear head, I would finish. I looked at the race in 4 mile increments. I can run four mile, four miles is nothing. I tried not to think about how far I had left to run and rarely looked at my watch. As long as I only thought of the current four miles I was golden. Like many other runners, I have my own running mantras that I've been using for years to keep me motivated, but Boston was my true motivation last Saturday. I just kept thinking of all the runners that had trained and prepared so hard and were unable to finish. My little leg aches were nothing compared to their heartache and loss. The only thought in my mind as I crossed the finish was BOSTON STRONG.

So I crossed the line a happy girl! 

I was crowned a marathon runner with my medal and my mylar wrap. I was rewarded with cookies, pizza, bananas, fruit snacks and hugs from Nate and Christy B. We headed back to the finish to wait for our friends. Traci's husband Eric came in shortly after I did. Traci finished in under 5 hours and earned herself a new PR. Christy S had some knee trouble along the course but she also finished in under 5 hours. One-by-one the day's goals were achieved. 

The hubby and I had our traditional Five Guys post-race meal. I knew I'd regret it later, but it was SO worth it! At home I got a shower and a little nap. Then Nate put on my 26.2 sticker that I had definitely earned and that I am super proud of!

The celebration continued with a glass (or 2...or 3) of my favorite bubbly. The hubby knows me so well!

That night I had so much trouble sleeping. My mind was going in a million different directions and I'm sure it was just way overestimated. I'm getting eager to start running again but my "coach" Hal says I have to rest. Tomorrow I get to start running/walking again. It's nothing compared to what I had been doing, but on Sunday I can run 8 miles and I'm so looking forward to it!

The next race is Labor Day weekend. Traci is going for an under 2-hour half and I'm hoping to help her do it. Our training "officially" starts June 10th but there will be lots of running before then! The next marathon is The Flying Pig 4-way in 2014. It'll be a 5k, 10 and a full marathon in the same weekend. I'll get 4 medals!!! 

BRING ON THE BLING!

Long Run Diaries-Week 14

Because this is the forecast for today...

We decided to squeeze our long run in yesterday when it was sunny and in the mid 40s. Runs are instantly better when you only have to wear one pair of pants!

Week 14

11.75 miles

1:51:58

9:31 pace

Yesterday just confirms that I am a early morning runner! I have my routine down and both myself and my body and happy with it. Because I work Saturday mornings we needed to run in the afternoon. We certainly couldn't have asked for better running weather. It was sunny, hardly any wind and it was in the mid 40s. Despite this awesomeness, my belly was all sorts of awful. I didn't know what or how much to eat before, and Lo's school had their pancake breakfast that morning so I didn't really start off my day with a running-friendly meal! For most of the run my stomach was cramping and felt heavy. I also had to stop and use the restroom along the way-UGH! I am very thankful we only had to run 12 miles!!! Even with all my belly issues I was still able to enjoy the run. There was plenty of conversation and we had a great overall pace. 

Next week is the final LONG long run of 20 miles. Since 19 went well I feel confident that it will be okay. As of now, the weather looks like it will be warm and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will stay that way. This week's mid-week runs are all 5s which makes me so happy! I can do them on the tready if needed and won't eat up too much of my day!   

As for today, I am SO enjoying my first Sunday morning at home in a long time! They hubby and I had this conversation this morning:

Hubby: You don't know about this. This is a new experience for you.

Me: (confused) What?

Hubby: Sitting at home at 8:45am on a Sunday

Ahhh, yes, noting better than sitting a home on a Sunday morning in your jammies drinking a Diet Coke!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 13

Oh my has it been crazy around here! Last week we were quarantined and I'm pretty sure I lost my mind! I had one little one with the flu, another with the flu and an ear infection and just when I thought we were in the clear, the third came down with strep. On top of that, the hubby was out of town all week...seriously I. Lost. My. Mind. I "think" I have recovered, although yesterday Noa told me my "brain wasn't working" so I'm not entirely sure I'm 100% myself. In the midst of all the illness I still had to find time to run and had many dates with my treadmill to get all my miles in. Lucky for me the hubby returned in time for my long run. I definitely needed some alone time with me and the pavement to clear my head. 

Week 13

19miles (woo-hoo!!!)

3:14:33

10:14 pace

After the unpleasant 18 mile run a few weeks ago I was a little nervous about this week's run. What if I couldn't get my head where it needed to be? What if it was another 3 hours of misery? What if I couldn't finish? As I've mentioned before, it's the mental "game" that's the hardest. I don't have many complaints about the run except the weather. I am so looking forward to wearing a normal amount of clothes on a run! Double pants and double gloves is getting a little old! The first 9 went by quickly, there was plenty of conversation to keep my mind off the run and the weather, though cold, wasn't too unpleasant. The way back gave us a lovely head wind which in turn kicked in my asthma and gave me an oh so pleasant persistent cough and wheeze (Note to self, bring inhaler with you). We decided to run with our music on the way back and it was a nice change of pace. I let the music take over and my feet just did what they needed to do. By the end of the 19 I was pretty sore but still had enough energy left to sprint at the end. I recovered pretty well too and even had time for a little nap-ahhhh. This week was my last mid-week 8 mile run. YAY! I just couldn't push the jogger one more time so I loaded up the DVR and hit the treadmill. So glad to have that checked off my to-do list!

This week starts the 4 week tapering down to the big "show." I have one more long long-run (20 miles) before the longest of them all-the marathon. I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm starting to get both nervous and excited. I just keep visioning myself crossing the finishing line, both upright and smiling!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 12

(Thanks Keely-love this!!!)

This week had some wonderful qualities to it. First, it was a taper week. Whoo hoo!!! "Only" 13 miles for a long run-love it! Second, it was actually somewhat warm out! Double whoo hoo. I only had to wear one pair of pants and didn't need a hat, jacket or gloves. Such a wonderful feeling. I also ran by myself. I need that. I had been in a serious funk and I think I needed some alone time on the pavement with my thoughts and my music. I just plugged in, tuned out and let my feet take the lead. I had a great run, mapped out a new route and had a pretty decent time!

13.08 miles
2:02:41
9:22 pace

I've got about a month left of training and I can feel it all coming to a close. We have two really long runs left, 19 this week and 20 in two weeks and only one more 8 mile mid-week run. I'm feeling ready. It's been a long journey for the whole family and I think we're all ready to have our lives return to normal. The hubby and I were discussing it the other day and we think when people think of running a marathon they just focus on how far it is and not how much of a commitment it is to EVERYONE involved. You have to make a lot of sacrifices. I definitely think it's worth it and will be so proud of myself when I cross that finish line, but I am so looking forward to sleeping in on a Sunday morning!

Have a great Wednesday! It's been  a little crazy around here. I've had two sick kiddos and everyone home at once has made us all a little stir-crazy! Hope you are all having a happy and healthy week!

Long Run Diaries-Week 11

*WARNING: Crankiness and whining ahead*

If it's cold out you can put on more clothes. If you're thirsty you can carry a Camel Bak. If you're hungry, eat a snack. But what do you do when you're downright cranky and don't want to run? This was my big problem this week for my long run. It wasn't so much that I was thinking, "I can't do this" but more, "I don't want to do this!" I was in a funk and I knew it. It started on Saturday and I knew it would effect me on Sunday. I think it mainly stems from being tired. Tired of not having one day to sleep in. Tired of running a million miles each week. Tired of wearing layers and layers of clothing each week because it's still ridiculously cold. Tired of being tired. Tired of my weekends going by in a flash (I did warn you that there would be some whining!). I'm about half-way through my training and I'm just physically and mentally exhausted! This week is another taper week so I have high hopes that I can get myself out of this funk quickly. 

Week 11

17.98 miles

3:09:41

10:33 pace (actually faster than last week)

We ran on the Monon again and it's really great for longer runs. You run half the distance down the trail and turn around and run back. It's relatively flat and there usually are a ton of runners out. It was clear that we were all in some sort of funk because it was a VERY quite run which made it a VERY long run. I also had Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" in my head the WHOLE time (thanks Noa) which just added to my crankiness!  We again took a walking break every 4 miles and each group of 4 miles seemed like 18! I'm not sure how, but we actually ran faster than last week when I felt terrific! As I mentioned earlier, I had all my gear, nutrition and hydration where it needed to be. I felt pretty good after and lasted most of the day before I crashed into bed. We run 19 miles in a few weeks and I'm definitely going to bring my music just in case. I normally wouldn't listen to music when running with other people, but I think that this week it might have made my run just a little less awful.

Have a happy Monday and thanks for listening to my whining...you guys are the best!

The Long Run Diaries - Week 10

Any runner will tell you that you have good runs and bad runs and distance isn't always the factor. Some days 3 miles can seem like 30 and somedays, like yesterday for me, 17 can feel (sorta) like 7!

Week 10

17.19 miles

3:02:12

10:36 pace

Yesterday's run was amazing! Not only because it's the furtherest I've ever ran, but because it was the furthest I've ever ran and I felt great afterwards! I felt strong, even sprinted at the end, and honestly felt like I could run 20. Seriously, it was a great motivator for the things to come. Again, I felt "I can do this!" and let's be honest, I need all the positive reinforcement I can get. The full race is going to add another 2 hours to that 3 and that my friends is A LOT of running!

Traci and I ran on the Monon Trail and her friend Christy, who is also running the marathon, joined us. It's so nice to have other people join us. It gives us new stories to hear and another person talking so we get to take a break every once in awhile. Our plan was to walk every 4 miles, eat a little and drink some water. It worked out great. Often we were surprised that it was time for a break. Another great thing about the Monon is that it's mostly flat. It's nice to have a flat long run. 

Again, I worked hard on my nutrition this week, making sure the meals I ate on Friday were full of protein and fuel and the Saturday meals were light so that they didn't sit heavy in my belly. I also drank lots of water on Saturday which I definitely think helped. I didn't need as much water on our run. During the run I ate 3 Honey Stinger Waffles (YUM!) and made sure to take my Hammer's Electrolytes. Having my inhaler with me also helped. I've have a few cold weather runs where I forgot it making for an unpleasant run! We were blessed with a wind-free morning which also makes for more pleasantness! All in all a good run and I even stayed pretty perky for most of the day and was also headache-free. The hubby said he's noticed that my "crash" seems to be happening later and later. It was around dinner time when the exhaustion hit and I was in bed by 8:30, but at least I didn't fall asleep at the dinner table!

This week the mid-week mileage AND the long run mileage increases-OY VEY! Hopefully the runner's high I got from yesterday's run will stay with me all week!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 9

Week 9! WHOO HOO I've reached the halfway point!

Week 9

13.02 miles

2:17:01

10:31 Pace

This week was another taper-ish week. The midweek runs were the same, but the long run was "only" 13. It was another fr-fr-freeeeezing day, but luckily it wasn't too windy so it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. When you see that it's 10 degrees outside it kinda makes you want to stay in your warm cozy bed! Both Traci and I had a great run and I had no issues with migraines, soreness or extreme exhaustion. Yay for me!

This week the miles increase AGAIN and we're up to 8 on our midweek run and Sunday brings us to 17! The furthest I have ever run in my life is 15 so it's going to be both a mental and physical challenge!

As a treat to myself for all my hard work I bought myself 2 new running shells. When I thought about how long I've had mine (ahem...over 10 years!) I thought I deserved a new one! I had been eyeing this polka dot Saucony jacket all winter! When I popped into the running store last week I was beyond excited to see it on the clearance rack!!! I practically wore it out of the store I was so excited!

It's so bright and cheerful (and NEW) that you can't help but pick up your step a little bit when wearing it, and with the mileage creeping up there, I'm going to need a little pick-me-up!

Have a fab-u-lous Monday and seriously, thank you all so much for the encouragement! You rock!

The Long Run Diaries - Week 8

...next week I'm totally trying horizontal running...

Week 8

15 miles

2:43:15

10:53 pace

Ahhhh week 8! First the weather was so much better than last weekend! It was in the 40s and the roads and sidewalks were clear. Not having to wear several layers of clothes made everything so much more enjoyable! I felt really strong this week, even after running my 15 miles. I had my usual oatmeal breakfast and ate my yummy Honey Stinger Waffle bars along the way and I'm happy to report that there were no belly issues. Luckily I had no problems with my water and was able to keep myself hydrated. My running partner Traci and I had decided that we were going to incorporate walking breaks into the actual race. Our feeling is that we'd rather take the first part of the race easier and feel stronger at the end rather than go out strong and hard and suffer at the end. No matter what, the last 8 or so miles are going to be challenging, we're just hoping that with walking breaks they will be manageable. We started them on our run this week. It was definitely helpful, both mentally and physically. They're not long breaks, but every few miles we'd walk, have a drink and eat our snacks if needed. I'm definitely sore today, but that's to be expected and I'm hoping to get in a little yoga today to stretch out a bit. I also thought I was getting another migraine last night, but I was able to calm it down with some Naproxen. I'm really hoping that it doesn't become a regular occurrence because the last thing I need is a weekly migraine that lasts 3 days!

This week has a slight taper-AWESOME!

Have a great Monday and thanks for checking in!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 7

When I woke up yesterday morning for my long run this is what I found...

...and this is what I looked like...

To run in this ridiculously cold weather I needed the following: 

• jogging bra x2 (not because of the weather...b/c I'm still nursing GG) 
• Thick long-sleeve dri-fit shirt
• Shell
• running tights
• running pants
• 2 pairs of socks
• dri-fit running underwear
• 1 pair of gloves
• 1 pair of mittens to wear over gloves
• full face mask
• dri-fit running beanie

Additional items

• Camelbak water pack w/ insulated tube
• Yaktrax
• Honey Stingers Waffle Bars
• iPhone and ear buds 
• Money incase I need a drink or snack along the way

PHEW! Cold weather running is high maintenance!!! 

So week 7 was definitely NOT a taper week and definitely came with it's own set of issues. I had a lot of technical difficulties this week! The biggest issue was that our treadmill was, and still is, out of lubricant for the belt. It won't work without it making my mid-week runs harder to get in. It's been ordered and hopefully it will be delivered in the next few days. The weather does not look too favorable for outdoor running with a jogging stroller (as far as I know they don't make Yaktrax for strollers) and I REALLY don't want to run at the Y again. If I have to run on the tready I want to do it in my house in front of my own TV.

So...this week's long run...

Distance: 14 miles

Total Time: 2:32:00

Pace: 10:51

My running partner was out of town this weekend so I was running solo. Despite the low temps the weather really wasn't too much of an issue. Luckily I was warm enough and there was little wind. My biggest problems were with my accessories...listening to Pandora sucked my phone battery dry and I was without music for the last 8 miles and my water tube was kinked or something. I didn't have water for most of the run and wasted quite a bit of time trying to fix it. It finally started working towards the end of the run which made the last 4 miles much, much better. Overall it was a pretty good run. I could definitely feel that I had gotten stronger and I didn't have any belly issues. I got up two hours before I planned on leaving and had a bowl of Muesli, I wanted to make sure I gave it plenty of time to digest. I had a Gatorade Prime 30 minutes before I left. It was a great combination. I didn't feel full or heavy. I make sure I ate small pieces of the waffle bars every few miles and drank water when I could. Once I got home I had another bowl of Muesli, a Gatorade Recover (so gross) and took another electrolyte pill. I felt tired but not exhausted most of the day. 

Later in the evening I got a migraine and had to call it a night. I'm guessing it was from the lack of water on my run but it's hard to say. I get them occasionally so it could have been completely unrelated to the run.

So glad to have another successful week done! I really appreciate all the encouragement and suggestions you've been sending me! Your kind words keep me moving along!

Thanks for checking in!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 6

Oh do I L-O-V-E,  LOVE a taper week!!! Our long run this week was only 9 miles. It's so nice to have an easier week every once in a while. Not only does it help your body adjust and become stronger, but I think it helps you mentally too. Next week the mileage increases quite a bit, not just on the long run, but the mid-week runs too. I'm getting myself prepared, it's really going to start getting serious real soon!

Week 5

9.2 miles

1:38:12

10:43 pace

It was a pretty cold morning and very windy. At one point I couldn't feel the left side of my face and I was very happy that I wore two pairs of pants! Overall I felt strong and it was a good run. I did make a few changes after a few recommendations from a friend and fellow runner. She had experienced some of the same issues that I had been having on my runs such the gut rot and exhaustion/recovery issues. She recommended two thing that had helped her during her trainings. Big thank you Maureen!!! (If anyone ever has any suggestions or recommendations send them my way! I'm a newbie at this whole marathon thing and I welcome your help!)

The first was *Hammer Electrolytes. They are electrolyte pills. (They do NOT have any stimulants, they are just electrolytes.) I love that they are pills and I don't have to guzzle a big Gatorade. You take them before, during, and after exercising. I tried them yesterday and my recovery was much better. Of course my run was shorter so that could have effected my recovery too, but my belly didn't get that sick-to-my-stomach feeling that I sometimes get after drinking too much of the sweet Gatorade. For those who prefer a drink they also come in powder form.

She also recommended *Honey Stinger Waffle bars instead of Gu. These were DELICIOUS! They taste just like waffle cones. They come in different flavors and are the same price as a Gu. As she suggested, before my run I broke it into pieces and put them in a zip-lock bag. This made it much easier to eat while on the run. They are very light and sat well in my stomach. I'm so glad I bought a few of these because they have become one of my running staples!

(*I found both at REI and they are also available at Amazon.) 

Another thing I am SO happy I found is my Camelbak Insulated Tubing. I've been having a few issues with the water freezing in the tubing during runs on super cold days. There's noting worse than being thirsty with a huge pack of water on your back and not being able to use it! I purchased the Camelbak Insulated Tubing (Note this only works if your Camelbak bladder has the "Quick Link" system.) from Amazon and it worked great! It will also come in handy this summer when the weather gets warm. Not only does it keep the water from freezing, but it also keeps it from getting warm.

I will say that my diet was AWFUL this week (...should you take your electrolyte pills with Diet Coke?!?!) so I was very thankful for a taper week. I will not survive this week eating what I did last week! As with most people, I find when our week is crazy I'm eating on the go. It's hard to be a mindful eater when your mind is running a mile a minute trying to remember everything that has to get done. My goal for this week is to really think about what I'm eating and how it will effect my training. I'm pretty good the days before a long run, but with the mid-week mileage increasing too it needs to be something I think about every day!

Have a wonderful Monday! It's unseasonably warm and rainy today so it's definitely a cozy-on-the-couch Jammie Day for us!

The Long Run Diaries-Week 5

Today is it almost 40 degrees colder than it was yesterday. I am so glad Traci and I decided to do our long run yesterday afternoon!!! Not only did we not have to run in freezing cold wind, but I got to sleep-in on a Sunday for the first time in many, many months! The girls were so good. I asked them not to come out of their rooms until 8 and they actually listened! Even GG slept in past 8 today. Lucky me!

The stats:

12.31miles

2:07:36

10:21 pace

I work Saturday mornings so we had to run later in the day. This is not something I like to do or do very often. I feel like I perform better first thing in the morning and have less problems. Since there was no way to avoid the afternoon run I thought a lot about my diet. For breakfast I went to Subway and had a flatbread egg sandwich. As a "treat" I even got the "real" eggs and added bacon-so good! For lunch I had a bowl of Muesli and about 30 minutes before we left I had a Gatorade Prime. I thought I was good to go. Unfortunately for most of our run my stomach felt heavy and crampy. While it didn't seem to slow my down, it did make for an unpleasant run. I'm still not sure what the problem was exactly, but hopefully we won't have too many late day runs.

The run itself went pretty well. It was VERY windy and our first 6 miles were against the wind so it felt like we were going very S-L-O-W and it was cold. They way home was much more pleasant and we even picked up the pace a bit. I didn't feel as good after as I did last week, but I still felt pretty strong and didn't have too many aches or pains.

My recovery is still an issue. I felt extremely exhausted after. I made sure I ate a good recovery meal right when I got home and avoided a heavy dinner and even skipped the wine. My stomach felt better than last week, but I think the tiredness was worse. I barely made it to 8:30! The hubby thinks I'm not eating enough, but I suspect it has nothing to do with running more to do with my other responsibilities and trying to juggle being a mommy, a wife and a marathon runner. I just hoping the eventually my body adapts and I don't feel so awful afterwards. 

Just keep running. Just keep running. Just keep running, running, running!

Have a wonderful Sunday! 

Muesli

As I've mentioned several times, I REALLY trying to focus on my nutrition for my upcoming Marathon in April. You know I'm serious because it has been 6 days since I've had a glass of wine! That's how dedicated I am.

One of my new, "athlete friendly" cookbooks is this one:

It's full of flavorful recipes that are easy to make and don't require many ingredients. I love that it's broken down into different sections based on how athletes workout. There is a section for pre-work out food, another for take-along or handheld dishes and a ton of post-workout recipes to aid in your recovery. Most of the recipes are high in calories, fat and carbs, but anyone who is an endurance athlete needs those types of meals. Those not in training could easily cut down the portion size and have a great, healthy meal.

The first recipe I tried was Muesli. I had never heard of it, but I liked that I could make it the night before and pop it in the fridge. It's all ready to go the next day. Perfect for those early morning long runs. It makes two servings so there's some leftover for a post-run recovery snack. It's high in calories and fat, but omitting the walnuts would decrease both considerably and I don't think you'd miss them. I was surprised that the apples stayed crispy, and by how much I liked it. Lo loved it too and just like that, my other serving had disappeared! I tried it for breakfast one morning before a 6 mile run (I gave it a full 2 hours to digest) and I had no issues while running. No nausea or cramping or feeling of heaviness in my stomach. So much better for me than my usual pre-run Diet Coke!

Muesli

Servings: 2

Time: 10 minutes, store overnight.

Ingredients

• 1 cup "old-fashioned" rolled oats
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 yogurt (I used plain greek yogurt, but whatever you have would work)
• 1 small apple, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• sprinkle of ground cinnamon

Additional additions* (*these are not included in the nutritional information)

• 2T honey or maple syrup
• 1 mashed ripe banana
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• fresh fruit

Combine all ingredients (including any optional additions) in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl and store in the fridge overnight. 

Per serving:

Energy 479cal 

Fat 15g

Sodium 79mg

Carbs 76g

Fiber 10g

Protein 19g

The Long Run Diaries - Week 4

I'm well into week 4 of my marathon training and so far it's going pretty well. I'm feeling strong and I can feel myself getting faster. Sundays are my "long run" days. Yesterday was an 11 mile run and I was so happy with how I felt after. For the first time since I started my journey to 26.2 I felt "I CAN DO THIS!" Such a wonderful feeling!

As I mentioned before, I'm working on finding the right balance of food and nutrition. It's all really trial and error and just finding what's right for you and your body. Normally I would roll out of bed, throw on my running gear and head out the door. Yesterday I gave myself and full two hours to get ready. I ate a small breakfast and gave myself plenty of time to use the restroom (very important on long run days). Another change I made was my fuel while on my run. Normally I wouldn't bring anything, but I decided to follow some advice from some of the training books and I brought 2 GUs. I really think they made a HUGE difference on my performance and I'm going to continue replenishing my energy more frequently and hope it'll help me avoid hitting "The Wall," giving me more enjoyable runs. 

I do need to work on my recovery meals and hydration. Despite my great run, I felt pretty crappy and exhausted the rest of the day, especially after dinner. My stomach was in knots and I could barely keep my eyes open. I'm sure the glass of wine and ooey gooey mac n' cheese I had for dinner did not help things! There's always room for improvement!

A total of 24 miles for me last week and feeling good! Have a great Monday!

Yaktrax...a MUST for winter running!

We've had a weird winter here in Indy. One day we're getting tons of snow and the next it's melting because the sun is out and then it freezes and everything is icy. I can't keep up!

Two weeks ago we got a huge amount of snow and the temperature dropped to 2 degrees with the windchill (funny story...for my first two years living in Boston I thought it was called the "windshield factor" and NO ONE ever corrected me!). Of course it was a long run day and the roads and sidewalks were completely full of ice and snow. I had already slipped and fell on the ice the previous week (thinking that I broke my wrist at first) and I was determined not to have a repeat spill. I called our local running store, Blue Mile, and asked them if they had anything I could put on my shoes to prevent slipping on the ice and snow. They recommended Yaktax and they seriously are the best thing EVER!

They just slip over your running shoes (or any shoes for that matter) and you're good to go! I like that they are coiled. I feel like they won't wear down as much as spikes would. They have a few different "styles" to choose from. I went with the Pros. They also have ones made for running, but they said "they can be worn in temperatures as low as 41 degrees" and I'm going to be running in temps much colder than that!

So far I've run in them three times and haven't had any problems. I can tell they are there but they don't seem to effect my stride or pace. You do have to be careful on slick surfaces, like if you put them on inside where there's tile or on a slippery garage floor, but other than that they are AWE-SOME!

With all the miles ahead of me this winter I know I'm going to be so glad that I have them!

*These are just my thoughts and opinions. Yaktrax has never heard of me and didn't not pay or compensate me in anyway. I was just happy to find a great product and wanted to share!*

The quest to 26.2

In a moment of insanity in mid-December I decided to run my first* marathon...even as I type this I can tell that I'm going to be hooked...I didn't say "a marathon"...I said "first"...implying that there will be more...

The notion of running 26.2 miles was always a fleeting thought that would quickly disappear. It's a big commitment, it's more than just running far. It requires discipline to stick to your training schedule. You need to rearrange your priorities. Schedules need to be adjusted. You need to alter your diet, no one is going to run 26.2 miles on Diet Coke and wine! You need a team of supporters. Not just people to cheer you on, but a hubby who is willing to give up sleeping in on Sundays so you can run 20 miles, a baby who will spend most of his winter mornings strapped into a jogging stroller, friends who understand why you have given up wine while training and a family who is willing to take on the marathon with you. It takes more than you, it takes a team!

After talking it over with the hubby and getting his support, I needed to find a training program that would fit into our lives. I've been a fan of the Hal Higdon training programs and had used several of them for my half-marathon training in the past. After checking them out I decided to go with Novice 2. It has me running 4 days a week, cross training1-2xs and resting 1-2days. It fits into my kids' schedules well and the mid-week runs don't get past 8 miles which is doable with a jogging stroller. I'm trying not to look too far ahead in the schedule. I'm just trying to take it one week at at time. I know if I focus too much on the huge milage ahead of me I'll just freak out. A marathon is so much more than being fit and running. Your mental health is equally important as your physical health. 

Yesterday GG and I had our first run with the jogging stroller. I think he liked it! He even took a nice long nap for most of the run. 

We only had to do 6, so it wasn't terrible. He's so light right now that maneuvering the stroller is pretty easy. The worse part was the headwind on the way home. There were times that I was sure even though my feet were moving, we weren't really going anywhere. It was nice not to have to carry everything. The stroller has lots of pockets for water, iPhones and other running necessities. 

You also may have noticed that I updated my Dailymile widget. Now there's a place for you to comment on my runs or leave encouragement. I REALLY hope you use it! I'm sure as it gets closer to race day I'm going to need lots of encouragement. I try not to think about how far 26.2 miles really is or how I'm going to be running for 5 hours, but sometimes (like right now) those thoughts creep in and I need to adjust how I look at it all. The next big step is working on proper nutrition both while in training and during the actual race. For my past races I never really thought about or care about my nutrition. Some days I would go out for a run on an empty stomach, other days I'd have a Diet Coke and go. There is such a science to finding the right fuel for your body. I'm not trying to be fast, but I want to enjoy the experience as much as possible.

My Bestie and running partner Traci is running the race and training with me (actually it's her fault we're running...she signed up first). This will be her second marathon (they really are addicting). I'm so thankful she agreed to run with me. There is NO way I'd get through all the training without her by my side. You need someone to support you and commiserate with you. I've given us the unofficial team name "Misery Loves Company." Let's be honest, there are going to be times in the next 4 months that it is going to be miserable. There are going to be bad runs, sore muscles and mental break downs, but there will be great days too. Days of strong runs and feelings of "I can do this!" I'm going to try really hard to focus on the good days, and when we cross the finish line, hand in hand, there will be no better feeling of accomplishment!

This Sunday is our 11 mile "long-run"...it'll be a walk in the park compared to what's coming!

Hee, hee, hee

Have a great Friday,

Monumental Half-Full Circle

This past weekend I ran my first post-pregnancy race, The Indy Monumental Half. It was cold, damp and started to rain at towards then end, but I was really pleased with my performance. Three years ago my running partner Traci ran the Monumental for her very first half marathon. I ran it with her, keeping her mind off how far we had to go and encouraging her along the way. This year it was Traci's turn to be the cheerleader! She did a great job and really kept me motivated. Around mile 5 I was feeling tired and drained, my back was hurting and I really didn't think I could run the rest of the way. I asked her to distract me by helping me plan my meals for the week. We started discussing our favorite recipes and before I knew it we were at mile 8! The last 5 miles actually flew by. Around mile 12 we were passed by the leading three men of the FULL MARATHON! It happened to us the first year we ran it too. It is so amazing that someone ran twice as far was we did, twice as fast! I also partook in my favorite post-race ritual, a huge double cheeseburger from Five Guys, a cold beer and a long nap! This race took a lot out of me and I was so lucky that the hubby took charge of the little ones so I could recover! 

I had two goals, run the entire race and finish under 2:30. Happily I achieved both goals-whoo hoo!

My stats:

Overall time-2:21:19 (time includes one potty break)

Pace-10:46

Overall Place-3440/4985

Age Group-312/468

Certainly not by best race from a time perspective, but I felt strong, ran the whole way and had a great time. I'm so lucky to have my Bestie/Running Partner Traci! We make a great team!!!

Normally I end my running season in November, but since I got a late start this year the hubby and I added a half in December. It's called The Santa Hustle and I'm so excited! You get a Santa hat, beard and your shirt looks just like Santa's (you know how much I love my swag!!!), they even play Christmas music along the race route. It sounds like the perfect way to end my (short) running season!