Final Post....For Now

Race day was so awesome! I wanted to take a few minutes to write about my day and reflect a bit on this whole experience. I will say that if you are reading this and you have ever thought of doing something insane like this.....DO IT! Such a ton of hard work, lots of time commitment, but I'm so glad I did this.

Since I started logging my miles, I have ran 266.81 miles total, burning 100,073 calories! Whoa. That was since around mid June. Looking back at that really makes me proud!

So, ok, race day.

I was a complete basketcase....
-Didn't know what to expect.
-Don't start out too fast and die at the end.
-Shorts or tights?
-Should I wear the cute new spibelt I just bought, but haven't run with yet, or will that end up bothering me?
-Had to watch my diet VERY closely the days leading because I was afraid of tummy upset during the run.
-Drink tons of water 2 days before.
-Had a killer blister on my toe and was worried that would hurt during the run.
-Had a goal of 2:30, will feel like a loser if I don't make it.
-How the #*$& do you work this #)$& time chip?
-Had a horrible stress headache...or maybe that was the cold that had been trying to get me the last few days.
-Worried about leaving my family.
-Worried about getting up to be at an 8:00am meeting Monday morning after traveling home Sunday afternoon.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!

It was alot.

I slept like #*$%& Friday night, got up early Saturday to go in a scramble to get everything ready because I had a Girl Scout party Friday night....so that meant I was NOT ready to go when I went to bed Friday night.

BUT. All that worrying for nothing.

We left in plenty of time, checked in our hotel and had a huge suite at the host hotel right next to the start line. Awesome! Picked up our packets and our first 1/2 marathon shirts, then went to find some dinner.

After dinner we went back to the hotel to get settled in for rest. I had a terrible head cold setting in and my nose was running all night....I slept from about 9:30-3:00 and then couldn't get back to sleep. My mind was just racing.

Up before the sun and getting ready to run! I was really nervous, couldn't eat, but I knew I had to....so I forced myself to have a bagel, banana and a breakfast cookie.

We headed down to the start and I wanted to run with the 2:20 pacer group. But we missed getting in with them--it was super crowded. So we were back a little, but I thought I could go ahead and keep my own pace to finish between 2:20-2:30.

The entertainment along the course was really fun. A dude in an afro singing Johnny Cash around mile 7. People in full furry costumes dancing to Funky Cold Medina. People cheering us along the way--so many nice people cheering when they don't even know you! That was cool. I will always remember the old dude at mile 12 that yelled at me that I was in the home stretch....and I had a CHOICE....what was my choice going to be? I think he must have been a retired marine or something! Or at least a coach. I thought that dude was super cool.

Right after I saw that dude, I caught the 2:20 pacer. I don't even remember passing the 2:30 pacer, but I must have somewhere! I was so excited because there he was, walking. I asked him "If I stay with you are we coming in at 2:20?" He said, yes, and that he was actually ahead of pace 2 minutes. Sweet! So he kept walking, I ran on past. Yay! I figured as long as I could stay with him or in front I would smoke my 2:30 goal. We only had about 2 miles to go at that point, so I knew I could totally do it! Woot!

I will never forget the awesome feeling of turning that last corner and seeing the finish line. A girl I was running next to goes "I see it. Let's go get it!" So we did! She beat me, but that was just fine with me!

I crossed the finish at 2:19. But I didn't remember that I actually started behind the front of the group, and that was when the clock started....so my official time was 2:14.

I got my super cool metal, got my pic taken and then went through the food line for a little snack. Food is the last thing you feel like doing at that point, but I know it is so important to fuel back up after running. Looking back at this day, I honestly did not have a single minute where I was even tired, or wishing I hadn't done this, nothing like that at all! Honestly I don't even remember the first 8 miles!

2:14. WOW! My time was way better than I had hoped for. I was shocked, happy, relieved, exhausted....so many things. But as I was getting into a much needed shower, my only thought was.....

WHEN CAN I DO THAT AGAIN!?!?!!?

The Final Countdown

Ok I think that was a song from the 80's, but it seems to fit for today. I spent the day at work, wishing I was home getting myself and things ready to leave tomorrow...but I feel pretty good about being ready to go. I was starting to feel a little cold coming on in the past few days, so I loaded up on OJ, Zicam, bananas, apples and water, more water, more water....and this afternoon I'm feeling pretty good.

I'm feeling nervous mainly because I just don't know what to expect and will need a good pep talk from my hubs tonight for sure. But as far as mileage, I've put in the training, worked hard and I'm ready!

Full report when I return!

WEEK 12

Well, this is it people. Race week. My running schedule is next to nothing this week (except for Sunday of course!). For this week I'm going to try to concentrate on eating right and getting rest.

We somehow ended up forgetting to make our #*$&% hotel reservations until just last week.....so of course all downtown hotels were booked. At least that's what we were told.....it's all about who you call and how nice you ask apparently! I called and spoke to the hotel event planner for the race and before I knew it we were booked in a 2 bedroom suite in the host hotel, right by the start/finish line and after party! For the same price per person as any other room. I have NO idea how that happened....but I'll take it! Maybe I should go into sales?!

Off we go for week 12, my final week of training. Cheers!

TOTAL FOR WEEK 12:
6 miles easy jogging, 4 miles walking, 13.1 miles kicking ass

Oct 11 - rest day

Oct 12 - 3 mile easy jog

Oct 13 - rest day

Oct 14 - 3 mile easy jog

Oct 15 - easy yoga day

Oct 16 - 2 miles walking

Oct 17 - rest day - travel day, expo shopping :)

Oct 18 - This is it. 13.1 miles!

NOTES for WEEK 12:
This was a hard week for my family. We had some family things happen this week and my mind is just not focused to run this race this weekend. It probably doesn't help that the weather here is freezing, raining and I'm pooped from a very long Sunday/Monday. I'm hoping to get out of this funk and find my motivation somewhere between today and Sunday.....

WEEK 11

Less than two weeks until race day! Wowza I'm nervous just thinking about it. But, I know we have trained hard, spent many, many hours preparing and even more hours worrying.....I think we are ready!

This week I will cut way back on mileage and even less next week. It feels weird not to be working toward a goal mileage right now, and it's a little hard to be motivated to do anything. But the week is starting off well so far!

TOTAL FOR THE WEEK: 18 miles

Oct 4 - rest day

Oct 5 - 3 miles

Oct 6 - rest day

Oct 7 - 4 miles

Oct 8 - 3 miles

Oct 9 - rest day

Oct 10 - 8 miles
OMG so cold out there today! Sweating/freezing/sweating/freezing. Must get some winter running clothes!

NOTES FOR THE WEEK:
This week felt really weird. Not having to increase in miles = no goal = little motivation! I have to keep in mind that the purpose of this week is to get rested and ready for race day.....but it is really hard to not increase mileage--that feels weird. We settled our travel plans for the trip and now I just have to pray for good weather. There is a winter weather advisory in Des Moines today....blah. But living in the midwest, we know one thing....you can wear a coat one day, shorts the next. So I'm just going to wish, wish, wish for sunshine on race day!

WEEK 10

Started my 'tapering down' week with a 5K race with Angie. SO MUCH FUN! Last night I was so nervous, dreading it every second, and told Chris that I think I'm just not cut out for racing--and maybe should be just ok with running on my own. Just like that I've changed my mind and I'm looking for the next one! I clocked my fastest time ever this morning and came home with a 2nd place silver metal! (which I'm still wearing by the way) haha Just kidding. :)

I will be logging less miles for the next 3 weeks getting ready for the big daddy on October 18! I'm READY!

TOTAL FOR THE WEEK: 29 miles!

Sept 27 - 5K 29:33

Sept 28 - rest day

Sept 29 - 12.8 miles
My last 12 miler before the big day! I did 12 & had to get back to my car, so hey, what's another .8? Um, yeah, that .8 felt reeeeeealllly long!

Sept 30 - rest day

Oct 1 - 4 miles
Ugh. Hard, zero fun run today. :( Don't know how 4 is harder than 12 some days!

Oct 2 - rest day

Oct 3 - 9 miles

NOTES FOR WEEK 10:
Well, so much for tapering down week! I was suppose to do 22, but ended up with 29 instead.....my highest mileage of my training so far! No wonder I was tired this week. The 12.8 on Tuesday threw me a little this week--it was suppose to be done last Saturday instead, but because of race day last weekend I had to do a little changing. Anyway, I am resting next week with 18 miles and am sticking to the schedule!

WEEK 9

This is our last week of high mileage before we taper off to rest for the big day. I can't believe we are less than a month away! But we are READY! I should do 26 miles this week, but will need to play with the schedule a bit to run a race this Sunday--which should be a rest day. Run Your Buns Off in Anneberg Park this weekend with my friend Angie. I'm nervous just thinking about it.....because I'm not very good at the shorter distances. It seems the first 3 miles is the hardest for me. Could it be that I like long distances better? That is super weird saying that. Anyway, here's to another week!

Total for Week 9: 23 miles

Sept 20 - rest day

Sept 21 - 4 miles
Out in the rain & mud today....got my pretty shoes dirty!

Sept 22 - rest day

Sept 23 - 6 miles
ok run today, in a hurry so I started out too fast...which always kills me in the end. Got through it, but I was sure glad it was OVER!

Sept 24 - 8 miles
Was going to do 12 to plan for not being able to do a long run this Saturday, but I ran out of time. 12 on a workday is just too much time. This will mean I'm going to come up short this week, but I should be able to come close to my scheduled miles.

Sept 25 - rest day

Sept 26 - 5 miles
Saturday would normally be my long run day, but I had to adjust the training schedule a bit to be rested for Run your Buns off tomorrow! Run run run!

NOTES FROM THE WEEK:
This week was a mixture of everything it seems, had some really good runs, some bad ones and some that were just ok. It's really hard to schedule anything longer than a 5 mile run during the week because of the work day. So I tried to squeeze in 6 miles over my lunch hour, and in a hurry to finish, started out too fast and ended TIRED. Normally I start really slow and about mile 4 I get settled and ready to pick up the pace a little. Having a bad run like that just made it hard to stay positive this week, which is usually not a problem for me. :( I'm feeling a little grouchy because my times are not getting faster. I know a few other runners that are so much faster and it's hard to not feel bad because I can't go that fast. Better get my head straight and knock that kind of thinking OFF! I think I need to stop worrying about my time and get back to where I was originally when I started this and be happy just to FINISH! I couldn't even run 1 mile 6 months ago and compared to that, 23 miles in a week is pretty good! Send me good thoughts!

WEEK 8

After the big 12 miles on Saturday....starting this week off sleeeeeepy! My legs recovered way faster than I expected and I wasn't even sore on Sunday but I am worn out! It could be that I tried to do too many things this weekend, didn't get enough sleep and ate junk food! Have to have a little fun every now and again right?! Now it's time to get back to bagels & bananas.... :)

Total for the Week 8: 26 Miles

Sept 13 - rest day
Thank goodness I was not scheduled to run today, could NOT have!

Sept 14 - 4 miles
Tough run today, need to get good sleep!

Sept 15 - rest day

Sept 16 - 5 miles
Took my doggie today! :)

Sept 17 - 5 miles
At Anneberg Park, saw a snake tonight! EEEEK!

Sept 18 - rest day

Sept 19 - 12 miles
Early morning run, out and about town today, all over town! Saw some cows, sheep, & the sun coming up over the open fields--very peaceful! Oh & saw a few guys taking the Saturday morning walk of shame down sorority row. ha

NOTES FROM THE WEEK:
This week started off pretty bad, feeling really tired on Monday from too much weekend fun. But by Wednesday I was back on track and ready to go! I ran outside this week to get used to it since mostly I run inside at the rec. The weather has turned awesome this week, nice cool mornings and evenings. Perfect to run, run, run! This was my first long run outside--it really puts 12 miles into perspective! When you run on a track it's just around, around, around....and you don't really realize how far 12 miles is. But outside is so much different. I had to go way outside of town, back in, around campus and back to the west side to get enough miles in. Craziness!

Next week will be my last high mileage week, then I'll start cutting back for the last 3 weeks before the race. Big day is less than 1 month away! I'm READY!!!! Oh please lord do not let me get the stupid flu in the next month. I'm going to get some vitamins today!!