Easing Back In

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30

After a full 7 days of no running, I began easing back in this week. A three miler, and a 4.5 miler so far...on lead legs. I was shocked how hard these runs were, but well aware that it will take a full 4 weeks to recover from the marathon.

I am continuing to be cautious, I have a tight knee (not actually painful, and nothing that I couldn't run with, but I want it to heal completely), and my toenails are either lifting up from the beds or black and blue. So much for my summer pedicure dreams. Oh well, I actually consider them a sign of the grit I never knew I had.

I did take the plunge and register for another marathon on September 22nd, the Denver Rock n Roll. It's about 14 weeks away, with my current recovery plan I should be ready to slide into the training schedule in a couple of weeks and fit two 20 mile long runs in before the marathon (one would be fine, though). The good Lord willing, my goal is a spring and fall marathon per year, with a few half marathons sprinkled in. Given my midlife-marathoner status, who knows how long this will be realistic, but I have seen so many runners in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s at my races that I will just take it one marathon at a time.

Love John Bingham Quotes!

"What you do now is up to you. You've seen what you can do. If you've stuck with the training program, you've seen yourself filled with joy and blinded with frustration. You've overcome your fears. You've been humbled by both the strength and fragility of your body. You've found your limits and gone beyond them."

One Week Later, and the Benefit of Hindsight

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

A whole week has passed since my marathon. My body feels good (though my first run will be in two days, we'll see how good it feels then). My main issue is toenails. Even worse than I thought! So far I haven't lost any, but was filled with shock and horror about three days after the marathon when three of them started oozing bloody watery fluid out from underneath the nails! I had never heard about the lovely blisters that form UNDER the nail on the nail beds. GROSS. And ouch.

After coming down from my giant runner's endorphin high and back to reality a day or two later, I remembered that really, I'm nothing special. Many, many people run this distance, many run even further (and I have no Ultra-marathon plans, 26.2 is far enough for me). I saw a Marine running the same marathon in his fatigues and boots, carrying all of his gear in an enormous back pack. Saw another Marine running carrying a huge American flag on a heavy pole, waving it proudly the whole way. I saw countless runners with "cancer survivor" on the back of their shirts. The first group across the starting line was the wheelchair athletes.

The reality is I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, nurse who loves her Savior with her whole heart. The ONLY special thing about me is Jesus, and the work He does within me; I am the daughter of the one true King. Whether it is running a marathon, or making dinner for my family, if I do it as though I am doing it for Jesus Himself, that is what matters.

Maybe by sharing my journey others can be inspired to meet whatever challenge they face in life. And hopefully they will see the mighty power, strength, love and compassion that Jesus is ready to pour into them.

Meanwhile I am at a crossroad: do I run another full marathon? Or should I settle back into running half marathons, which are challenging as well, but far less demanding? I feel compelled to run the full marathon in Denver on September 22 (my home turf!), but am not sure why. I've done it, I know I can do it, and I know it took a physical toll on my body (as evidenced by my toes). Yet I think I have another marathon in me!

I think I will pray and see what Jesus has to say about it.

Race Report: San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon DONE!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7

I can say it...I'm no longer a marathoner wannabe, I'm a MARATHONER!

We started out our journey to San Diego with two nights in Las Vegas. I was probably the most disciplined person over the age of 21 that city has ever seen. Early to bed, eating salads and low fat/high complex carbs, drank one beer (because it was free!), wearing my flip flops instead of high heels; I wasn't exactly the life of the party. But it was fun and relaxing, especially the pool.

Friday we arrived at our condo in the beautiful hilly country side about 30 miles northeast of San Diego. A beautiful 2 bedroom condo with easy access to the pool and hot tub, quiet and relaxing with lots of trees and flowers. A hot tub that would become a good friend of mine! We really enjoyed the lovely sunny weather which stayed in the high 70s to mid 80s, just perfect.

Saturday we drove into San Diego for the marathon expo and to pick up my packet at the San Diego Convention Center. It was cloudy and a bit cold in San Diego, which gave me hope for similar marathon weather. The crowd was huge, with over 30,000 runners plus spectators.

A highlight for me was seeing John "The Penguin" Bingham at the expo, a runner and author I like to follow, almost as much as my guru Hal Higdon.

I spend most of Saturday feeling sick to my stomach (having irritable bowel syndrome is NOT great when you are a distance runner, but it seems many of us do), to the point I broke down and bought Imodium. Horrifying race photos of people who have had an unfortunate accident during their marathon haunted my thoughts, which just made my stomach churn that much more. I pretty much stuck to bagels and bananas most of Saturday, except a small pasta lunch. Complex, low fiber carbs in hopes of not having one of those horrifying pictures of my own! Plus, I just did not want to waste time in the port-a-potty lines along the course.

I did manage to sleep a little Saturday night, which surprised me. I got up at 3:30 AM for our 4:15 AM departure to get the starting line by 5:00 (race start: 6:15). I was surprisingly calm, and mostly just felt bad for my poor husband and kids who had such a long morning ahead of them. I managed to choke down half a bagel and a hard boiled egg, and was relieved my stomach seemed to be on board with the rest of me.

My family (all four kids and hubby) dropped me off at the starting area, which did not allow any parking (think airport passenger drop off). At that point they headed to get some early breakfast then to the shuttle area which would bring them to the finish area (this course actually starts at the San Diego Zoo and ends at Sea World, which are about 9 miles apart). So I was on my own. I had plenty of time for a pit stop at the port-a-potties, which was about a 20 minute wait. I met some really nice runners in line, including a woman who is a three year lymphoma survivor, running her second race since her remission. What a remarkable woman, and she gives all credit and glory to God.

I made my way to my corral (the 4:40 finish time group), chatted with the pace group leader and met several women also running their first full marathon. It was 6:45 by the time I crossed the starting line (the race started in waves, with about 90 seconds between each corral).

I started out with the pace leader, but soon realized he was running significantly faster than our anticipated pace. Turns out his strategy was to run fast at first so that he could slow down toward the end when the group was tired. This is NOT a strategy I use or even agree with, I personally feel that when I start too fast it hurts my finishing time. So, I and a few other members of the group fell back a bit, at about a 10:20 to 10:30 pace (with a goal of staying just under 10:42 to finish in 4 hours 40 minutes). Gotta love my Garmin!

The first few miles were absolutely thrilling, as I enjoyed the oxygen at sea level (I really did notice a huge difference, compared to my usual 6000 feet running at home). However, the best advice I read was to NOT get too excited about the advantage training at altitude would afford me, as this only really helps the lungs. Regardless of altitude, the LEGS fatigue at the same rate. I do think the increased oxygen carrying capacity I have thanks to my altitude living did help my legs, though, as they had more to work with.

The course is billed as being 'flat,' which I personally would agree with coming from Colorado. However, it was what I call 'Colorado-flat,' meaning a lot of rolling hills and minor inclines. Miles 9 through 11 were mostly uphill on the 163 freeway, though I felt fine the whole way. Overall the course was much flatter than anything I run when I am home (Colorado is the best training place, and yes I am biased!). I do know that people from truly flat parts of the country were a bit dismayed that this course was not indeed 'flat' as in 'flat as a pancake,' and I can see where they may have been caught off guard.

I didn't carry water, as part of my strategy was to use the water stations. This worked perfectly, I mastered chugging water from a cup without stopping and felt well hydrated. I had my trusty Shot Blocks in my Spibelt. I popped one in my mouth every 30 minutes, plus I did use on salt tablet at mile 14.

By mile 13 I saw my family on the side cheering for me! Oh my gosh the joy I felt was overwhelming, I ran by and gave them high fives and felt tears in my eyes. I was halfway done, felt great, and had my family to support me. It just cannot get better. I continued feeling really good through about mile 18. The only issue I had was my sock was bunching up in my left shoe, which was annoying but was NOT going to make me stop. I just ignored it. My calf was feeling fine, as was my knee (which had NEVER bothered me, until taper began).

By mile 20 fatigue hit hard, and I pretty much felt numb from the waste down. I could tell my left foot was forming nasty blisters at this point, but ignored it (endorphins rock). The last 6 miles were mostly flat and along the shoreline, with a mile or so loop on a small island right by Sea World. The last 4 miles were brutal, but I was so determined that nothing would stop me. I dug deep into myself to places I never knew existed. I pictured my family at the finish line, and remembered the St. Sebastian medal in my pocket. I kept asking him to pray for me, and I knew that Jesus was right there the whole way.

Funny thing, by this point I caught up to my 4:40 pace group! I ran past my husband Dave, 18 year old son and 10 year old son at mile 26, who joined me for the last 0.2 miles. Holding hands, we crossed the finish line together, and my daughters were there smiling and cheering. I love this picture they snapped  just after we crossed the finish line (at 4 hours 39 minutes! Just under my 4:40 goal!):

I got my medal, and cried tears of relief and joy.

After finding the rest of my family, and putting my flip flops on, we boarded the shuttle back to our car. My legs were exhausted, it was funny watching the other runners limp up the shuttle steps like I did.

Back at the condo, I went straight to the pool and fell asleep on a lounge chair. I did do a couple of ice baths later that day, my legs were absolutely dead meat, especially my quads. Stairs were just about impossible. But by Tuesday (48 hours after the marathon), they were so much better I was able to enjoy a day at Universal Studios with my family. Next up this week: Sea World and the beach, before we make our way home this weekend.

All in all, I couldn't be happier. I have a ton of pics to post once I am home.

Next Time I Walk Into My House I Will Be A MARATHONER!

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  Psalm 91:11


Leaving bright and early in the morning for California, with a fun stop along the way in Las Vegas (nothing like a little hot weather and pool therapy to stay loose!). I couldn't be happier with the weather forecast in San Diego on race day:

Today was a light 3 mile run, with a quick 2 miler in the morning before we leave (which equates to 4 AM). I feel good, I think taper has been a positive thing. A few twinges/aches here and there, but nothing alarming. At this point I am more worried about race day logistics of finding/getting to the starting line, and finding my family at the finish line! And, of course, just GETTING to the finish line is a pretty big priority.


Time to finish packing, I can hardly believe it!

Toenails are for Sissies!

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24

This being the weekend, it was time for my weekly long run. "Long" being relative, my 13.1 mile run today would have seemed exhausting just a few months ago. But today it felt like a break compared to last Saturday's 21 miles. Next weekend is only 8 miles, as my legs continue to rest up and rejuvenate during this taper period leading up to my marathon. My marathon, which happens to be two weeks from today!

My feet felt awesome since having replaced my old worn out shoes ("old" also being a relative word, got them in January....ran in them for four months, put over 500 miles on them).

Oh how I would love a pedicure, but alas, I have at least three toenails that are partially lifting and look like they would like to fall off (a dirty little marathon training secret). Not all people training for marathons lose toenails, but some are doomed. I appear to be in that group, I have done literally everything and tried every trick to maintain my pretty toes. Oh well, my bruised and damaged toenails are nothing compared to the pain and suffering Jesus endured for me. He has assured me He will NEVER leave me during this journey, but He never promised it would be easy.

Now it is time to focus on a much greater joy, and source of pride. My son Joshua is graduating from high school May 25, and will be headed to college this fall to study Mechanical Engineering. I am so very proud of him, and all of my children.

And who am I kidding? I'm looking forward to the upcoming two weeks of majorly decreased mileage. Maybe my toenails will cheer up, too!

Let the Taper Madness Begin!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Indeed, 3 weeks from today my feet will cross the starting line of my first marathon. I can hardly believe it.

To date I have had two 18 mile runs, a 20 miler and my final long run of 21.22 miles yesterday. Yes, my training plan stopped at 20 miles. But my brain just had to know I could go further. Crazy how mental running is.

I ran the 20 miler two weeks ago with friends from my running group. Four hours of talking, laughing, encouraging, sharing and holding back tears on the killer 12% incline we hit during mile 19 helped pass the time. And once we got to the top of that hill, we all three cheered for Jesus, the One Who deserves all credit and glory.

Yesterday, though, I had to do my 21.22 mile run alone. It took me exactly 4 hours, and I felt pretty good when I was done. Today I feel great, even managed a 5 mile recovery run just to loosen up a little. Truthfully, I don't know which is harder. Running that distance, or staying with it for 4 hours. A little of both, but it was good mental preparation for the marathon I am about to run by myself (well, me and 50,000 other runners!).

Today is Mother's Day, my beloved family gave me what I asked for....new shoes and a sun visor. My Brooks Adrenalines have not failed me, and I replaced the outgoing pair with the exact same model.  This is my third pair of Adrenalines. I was happy to get over 500 miles out the outgoing pair, especially considering how many of those miles were on concrete and rough terrain.

So bring on taper. Crazy woman that I am, I'm already concocting my plan to run another marathon on September 22 here in Denver...16 weeks from my June 3rd marathon. Which means I have to do the standard 4 week recovery running, then slide back into a marathon plan at the midway point. CRAZINESS! I am so hooked.

In the spirit of my tired and achy feet, which were very glad to see the old shoes retire:

Now to stay steadfast and not start doubting myself. I have trained hard, and trained smart. My training WILL see me through. Most of all, Jesus will be with me, so I can't go wrong.