I'm not sure what happened to May 2012....it somehow came and went and now it's mid June and I have not blogged. It was busy and eventful but it feels like I lost a month.
Sure I can come up with a few excuses....
I had conference, competition and another race
Work caught up with me, a two week trip to Boston and NYC...fly home unpack and re-pack because 2 days later I was headed up to Seattle for a competition.
I started playing hockey because I don't have enough to do in life...
Then grades were due....2 baby showers and a wedding in one week....
Regardless I let everything else take over and I didn't take the time to write. Which kind of defeats the purpose of making time for myself once a week. (#31 on my list)
RECAP - I completed my first marathon!
Looking back it was a great experience. I was trained, ready and mentally there. The Eugene marathon was a nice course and ended in Hayward field. I had amazing support along the course - from cheering, giving me tissues or water or taking my water bottle. Laura, Karen, Rich and Geoff were meeting up at different points along the course. Shelly and Lisa once they completed their half marathon cheered us on! Becky, Cyndi and Kelly jumped in and ran with us.
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| Before the race with Diana and Kari |
I had it in my mind that I would break up the run in 7/7/7/5.2 mile increments. At mile 10 I started to pick up energy, as with most half marathons I try to push harder and it seemed almost instinctual for me. I had to temper that with 16+ miles to go. It took me 1/4 of mile to realize that we had passed mile 14. Somewhere in mile 16 I started to drag. My legs felt heavy and I tripped 3 times. (I did not fall). This is about I was tired. I had small allergy issue with my eye watering and tried to get some tissues out of one of the porta potties but they didn't have any. By mile 18, I snapped out of it and started feeling better all around. I noticed I was passing people who were not doing so well. I watched one guy move his body in a way that seemed wrong and painful to watch. Another guy I saw around mile 12 fixing his sock/shoe was carrying his shoes and running in socks.
I knew in my mind I was trained and told myself I've got this. Kelly jumped in around mile 19 or 20...to be honest it's all a blur when people jumped in. She was trying to take pictures of us while we were running. I picked up my pace and then took some breaks to wait for Diana and Kari. It was important for me to run together. As this was the ultimate experience and could not have done it without my runner friends. We have developed a kinship that is like non other.
The Race Is On~
At mile 24 I said I to Diana I have the horse to the barn feeling and she said "my mind is there but not my body" and gave me the go ahead to go. So I ran....I mean at mile 24 to the finish I had a 9:04 pace. Kelly ran with me up to the end.
I ran into the stadium at Hayward field. They had the runners on the video screen. I didn't see anyone as I wasn't used to having spectators but everyone was there in the stands. Karen came down and said we were yelling for you! Kari and Diana came in soon after. It was exciting to see them cross the finish line.
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| Clara aka "Pickle" is my youngest fan! |
My feet were tired, a little swollen and I had one tight spot on my quad. I ran a marathon and it was amazing! I was told I would want to sign up right away and when asked I said no I'm not signing up.
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| I'm done! |
My official time 5:18:39. It's a PR (personal record) and I can only improve from there. After about a month of saying no I'm not running a marathon, I have decided that in 2013 I would like to do the Vancouver BC marathon (this time for time).
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| High Fives |
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| I did indulge |
Post Marathon Races & Runs
I've had a few races since the marathon-
Portland Rock n Roll Half Marathon - not my best race I volunteered at a conference, competition weekend and I got violently sick the night before. I was dehydrated and forced myself to go to the race. It was ok all things considered.
Run Now Wine Later - An adventure race through Willakenzie vineyard with breakfast and guest speaker Sara Bowen Shea, co-author of Run Like a Mother and Train Like a Mother. Now I'm not a mother but I really enjoyed her talking about the books and how if we could have dream aid stations one would include our own sign that says "Don't tell me I'm almost f***ing there!"
Run for the Love of Dove 5K - One of my skaters, was training with Girls on the Run and because of competition was going to miss the Starlight Run. Her mom asked if I would be her run partner in this race and of course I said yes. Because of the competition schedule she was able to participate in both runs.
Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon - PR 2:05:09 This race just happened on Saturday June 23rd. I can't seem to break the 2:05 barrier (yet). My marathon training in some ways has slowed me down and I will need to work on increasing my speed.
UP NEXT???
What do I have in store for the future? Ragnar Relay NW Passage - 200 miles, 30 hours in van with 5 of my new closest friends, 3 runs totaling 18 miles within 24 hours or less. It begins at Blaine, WA and ends on Whidbey Island.
Then I will take a two week break for recovery.
On August 6th, I will begin a 10 week training program for completing a sub 2 (for non runners this means less than 2 hours and must average 9:09 pace per mile) half marathon for the Girlfriends Half Marathon. I also am hoping to raise $1000 for breast cancer education and research. Last year I raised $500. I have donated personally a $100 and have raised an additional $200. If you are interested in donating please go to my fundraising page
