My Marine Corps Marathon Recap

I'm a marathoner! *insert fist bump here* I've got deets and pics at Run Wifey Run.

Winks & Smiles,

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Sidelined and Spreading The Love

I’m 17 days away from running my first marathon and I’m in taper mode – meaning I’m cutting back on my miles to rest for the big day. In addition to tapering, my foot is still sore so I’m resting a little more than I’d like to.

I want to run, dammit, but I know I need to slow down so I’ve been in search of a little motivation. Fortunately, in the blogosphere motivation is easy to find. One of my favorite bloggers, Bobbi from NHerShoes ran the Chicago Marathon last Sunday on 10-10-10. In her recap post she takes you through race day so perfectly that if I wasn’t a runner I would be now.

Need a little motivation to get moving? Check out Bobbi’s post here.

Make sure to do something today to take care of you.

Winks & Smiles,

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Celebrating 21

I’ve sometimes talked about revisiting 21, but I always meant the age, not miles. Well, after logging in 21 miles this Saturday, I definitely wanted to celebrate like it was my 21st birthday. To say I was excited would be an understatement. Not only is it my furthest distance, but it’s my last long run before my first marathon – the Marine Corps Marathon on Halloween. I get to taper now and scale back the miles and my body truly appreciates that.

My morning started at 4:40 a.m.

My pre-run food – a banana and a peanut butter sandwich. Got to have some energy!

We began at 5:30 a.m. and did 2:1 run/walk intervals the entire way. I actually wasn’t scheduled to do the 21 until this upcoming weekend, but I will be in Miami at Blogalicious so I had to get it done early. I was thrilled that four folks from my running group offered to go the extra distance with me and knockout their 21, too! Company on a long run makes all the difference!

Michael, Me, Bo, Jamie and Doug – Everyone finished strong!

Post-run pic. Still smiling.

Immediate recovery food. I think I’m addicted to Lara bars.

So, how do I feel? Accomplished. Excited. And, a little beat up. The distance is starting to take a toll on my body. Ironically, my bone spur is not an issue, but my left knee started hurting sometime after mile 10 and my right heel is really sore. Fortunately, I have an appointment with a podiatrist tomorrow and plan on taking it easy this week.

21 done and 26 days left.

Winks & Smiles,

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Thirty Days Away

I’m 30 days away from joining the exclusive 26.2 mile club.

Gasp!

Even after putting in months of training I still have some what-the-hell-am-I-doing moments. When I look back at my life ten years ago you couldn’t have paid me to run a marathon – or even down the street. Ahem. Now, not only have I coughed up some significant bucks to run (training, shoes, race fees, travel accommodations, did I mention shoes?) I can’t imagine myself not running. The energy I feel after short runs is necessary to get me through my hectic days and the sense of accomplishment I feel after logging long runs is pretty indescribable. It’s a confidence builder in so many ways.

I plan on enjoying every moment leading up to and during my big race. And, yes, afterwards, too. They better have some beer. Just kidding. Sort of.

Speaking of shoes, this week I bought some new running shoes to take me pain free across the finish line. My old ones were way too worn.

Aren’t they pretty? Well, not really, but they feel fantastic.

I’ve been breaking them in all week to prepare for my longest run before I taper – 21 miles. So, my feet are stylin’, now I just have to figure out what the rest of me is wearing …

Winks & Smiles,

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Chocolate & Ice and Everything Nice

Another long run is on the books, or in the blog – ahem. It was supposed to be a drop back week for me, that means 16 miles, but I actually did 17 to help me prepare for the 21 miles that are coming this Saturday. That will be my longest run of my training and I’ll begin to taper back the miles leading up to marathon day.

I was up at 5 a.m. getting ready to run.

Early morning pre-run pic. Don’t let the smile fool you, I’m really not that awake.

I ran the first 5 miles then we did 2:1 run/walk intervals for the rest. I LOVE the run/walk method for long runs. I was so skeptical about including any walking at first, but I’ve found I feel better (it’s not as hard on your body), I’m faster now (that’s relative, people. Ahem.), and I don’t feel like I’m going to die when I’m done. Since I’m doing this for fun I figured I should enjoy it, right?

Immediately after my run I picked up these goodies for recovery.

Once I learned chocolate milk is a great post run recovery drink I was on it! I’ve been known to bleed chocolate.

I also picked up a big old bag of this …

Which led to this …

That’s right, ice bath number two. Gasp!

I’m so sold on the ice bath. It makes a HUGE difference in the way my legs feel. Not sure I’d be walking the next day without one.

I’m resting today because I felt some knee pain on Saturday. I think it’s because I need some new running shoes. Mine have way too many miles on them. Oh, darn, that means I have to go shopping.

Winks & Smiles,

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ICE, ICE, Baby

This …

Plus this …

Equals this …

On Saturday I took my first ice bath after logging in another 18 miles. I debated videoing the momentous occasion (don’t worry, I had on a swimsuit and long sleeve T-shirt – nothing X-rated here) but I wanted to spare you the loud screaming and colorful commentary that went something like, “Oh, *BLEEP!* Whoo, *BLEEP!* GASP, *BLEEP,* *BLEEP,* *BLEEP!*”

While it was cold as *BLEEP* I don’t think I had enough ice. The one bag I poured in melted fairly quickly. Next time I’ll need to add at least two or three. That’s right I said next time. I will definitely do it again. My legs and my feet felt great afterwards and I’m convinced it helped my recovery.

After a very active weekend of walking/running (I took it easy) and playing tennis I’m so pleased that my foot – and the rest of me – feels wonderful. I’m 40 days out from my first marathon, Gasp!, and I’m looking forward to taking every step.

Winks & Smiles,

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18 In

I did it, folks! I’m 18 miles into my marathon training. 18 MILES! It almost doesn’t completely compute – I actually ran 18 miles, straight, on-purpose, and I liked it. Sort of.

While, I don’t feel a burning desire to run 18 miles everyday, I truly enjoyed getting several steps closer – literally – to my goal.

It was another early morning, 5:30 a.m., when we hit the street. The weather was much cooler with less humidity. It was fabulous for what would normally be a miserable August morning.

I had a good, steady run. We did 2:1 intervals and shortened our rest/water breaks considerably from last week. Four hours and seven minutes later we were done. I felt strong through the whole run but in the last half mile my body started asking me when I was going to stop. Seriously.

It’s so early it looks like nighttime doesn’t it?

Some of my Get Fit Atlanta peeps – we’re the Rebel Yellow pace group.

One of the most challenging things to me about the distance was the recovery afterwards. Yup, I was pretty much done for the rest of the day. No. Energy. At. All.

I spent most of the day here.

Thank goodness next week is a drop-back week, only 15 short miles.

Winks & Smiles,

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Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Run Wifey Run

So, I’ve been talking about running a marathon for a couple of months now. I slowed things down a bit and became a princess in the process. Friday I narrowed it down to two marathons and asked for a little input on which one to do. Last night I put my money where my mouth is and registered for my first marathon.

I went left. Well, actually I went east and didn’t choose San Fran or San Antonio but opted for The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. on Halloween. What’s crazy is I didn’t even know about the MCM until yesterday. I saw a mention of it on my new training group’s message board; then two hours later I got an e-mail from Active.com listing it as one of the top 10 largest marathons in the U.S.; and then last night Husband told me that his father ran the MCM two times and it would be really cool if I did it. Sounds like fate to me. So, I re-checked the message boards and found out that more than 27 people from my running group are registered to run including seven people from my pace group.

I stared at the enter button for about five minutes after filling out the registration online. It’s one thing to say you’re going to run a marathon, but it’s another thing to bring it to reality.

After receiving my confirmation, I couldn’t stop smiling. I was flipping back and forth between feeling elated and inspired; and wondering, “what the *bleep* did I just do!”

I’m excited to take on this challenge and to get healthier along the way. I appreciate everyone for you input and encouragement. Um, I’m going to need it now more than ever.

Winks & Smiles,

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