Well I didn't qualify for Boston in fact I only shaved off 4 minutes but boy did I work hard for those 4 minutes! Four months of training, speed work, tempo runs and fartleks for 4 minutes! I guess I have to train 10 more months to shave off the next 10 minutes. Yikes!
The last 10 K were so hard! I had to really concentrate just to keep a descent pace and not stop. I tried to concentrate on the lyrics of my music to distract me from the pain but the last kilometer felt like it lasted an eternity!
I was pretty much on track the first 30K but couldnt keep it up for the last 10. I ran out of steam. I just could not go any faster. Maybe if I had stayed with the 3:55 bunny from the start I would have been more consistent. I couldnt find my bunny and the race was starting so I just followed the bunny that was closest to me and that was the 3:45 bunny. I was too excited and went out too fast. Which is advise I tell everyone else NOT to do.
I had said that if I didnt qualify for Boston I would be done with marathons. Marathon training is so time consuming! But I've kind of got marathon fever. My husband said: "No you dont!" I figure if I can keep up the 20K long runs on the weekends then I'll just have to build up my mileage a couple months before the marathon. Im looking at doing my next one in the spring. My brother-in-law inspires me because he never gives up. He says he'll never give up trying to qualify for Boston as long as he's running. It may take us till we're 65 but someday we"ll qualify!
This marathon was tough but it had its great moments too. One was at the 30ish K mark. I was having a hard time. I was feeling very slow and discouraged when my marathon theme song came on my MP3 player. "Here In My Life" by Hillsongs. As the song started my spirit started to lift, I started to get that feeling. That feeling that Jesus is with me and running right alongside me. But when I get that feeling I raise my hands worshipping while Im runninng. Its kind of embarrasing but I cant help it. Its happened running in my neighbourhood before but it cant happen here. Not at the marathon. Especially since there are alot of runners going the opposite direction and they will all see me. But the music is starting to build...the drummer is going wild....oh no...its happening! She sings - "You are my freedom, Jesus you're the reason".....nooo not here! Its too late. It happened. My hands are reaching to the sky, my eyes are fixed on Him and the tears are falling, my speed is building faster and faster... and I am soaring! I feel total joy, freedom and strength. I dont notice the other runners but Im flying and I dont really care.
I didnt qualify but I've got something better. Marathon fever!
Running for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Unthinkable?!
3 days, 19 hours and 4 minutes till the marathon! Im excited and I feel ready besides some annoying shin splints but no major problems. Two Saturdays ago the tapering began. My long run was 25K and I did speed work all that week. This Saturday my long run was 12 K. Tuesday I did weight training and 1/2 hr bike, today I did a fast 6K and tommorrow I will probably do a fast 10K and then that will be it till the marathon. Yikes!
Last week I was reading a book called "Unthinkable" by Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to finish the Hawian Ironman Triathlon. It has been very inspiring and has really helped me to get mentally ready and pumped for the race. If I think qualifying for Boston is "Unthinkable" what about a double amputee doing an Ironman!? Its crazy the obstacles that he had to overcome. He had no money, no bike, didnt know how to swim, was overweight and his father said it was ridiculous and didnt speak to him, oh yeah and he didnt have any legs! It makes running a marathon look like a cake walk.
He said the hardest part of a triathlon for him is the biking portion. First of all he didn't have a bike so he had to borrow one. It was 4 sizes too small so he just had his legs made shorter. The 100 K Hawian Ironman bike portion is known to be especially hard because of the extreme wind and heat. But strangely during the race Scott didnt feel hot. He couldnt understand it and even said outloud, "Why am I not hot?" Then he heard not in an audible voice but God saying to him - because you are under the shadow of my love and said he could actually see wings. He says to the reader I know you are probably thinking I was hullicinating from the heat but I knew it was real and I felt such peace. He ran into a lot of hurdles during the race but God carried him through to the end. To be named an Ironman every participant no matter how many legs you have must finish within 17 hours. Scott finished just before midnight in 16 hrs and 42 mins. He is an Ironman.
When I was reading about his "God experience" it reminded me of my experience in the Ottawa marathon. I also remember thinking Why do I feel so good? I've never felt that good during a long run before and I went over all the reasons in my head why I felt so good; training with the Running Free Ironmen? my Lance Armstrong waffers? my Lululemon socks that have a secret 'Run Fast' message in them? I had my family there? Maybe its just simply because I was under the shadow of his love. On His wings I can sore like an eagle.
Im ready!....I think.
Last week I was reading a book called "Unthinkable" by Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to finish the Hawian Ironman Triathlon. It has been very inspiring and has really helped me to get mentally ready and pumped for the race. If I think qualifying for Boston is "Unthinkable" what about a double amputee doing an Ironman!? Its crazy the obstacles that he had to overcome. He had no money, no bike, didnt know how to swim, was overweight and his father said it was ridiculous and didnt speak to him, oh yeah and he didnt have any legs! It makes running a marathon look like a cake walk.
He said the hardest part of a triathlon for him is the biking portion. First of all he didn't have a bike so he had to borrow one. It was 4 sizes too small so he just had his legs made shorter. The 100 K Hawian Ironman bike portion is known to be especially hard because of the extreme wind and heat. But strangely during the race Scott didnt feel hot. He couldnt understand it and even said outloud, "Why am I not hot?" Then he heard not in an audible voice but God saying to him - because you are under the shadow of my love and said he could actually see wings. He says to the reader I know you are probably thinking I was hullicinating from the heat but I knew it was real and I felt such peace. He ran into a lot of hurdles during the race but God carried him through to the end. To be named an Ironman every participant no matter how many legs you have must finish within 17 hours. Scott finished just before midnight in 16 hrs and 42 mins. He is an Ironman.
When I was reading about his "God experience" it reminded me of my experience in the Ottawa marathon. I also remember thinking Why do I feel so good? I've never felt that good during a long run before and I went over all the reasons in my head why I felt so good; training with the Running Free Ironmen? my Lance Armstrong waffers? my Lululemon socks that have a secret 'Run Fast' message in them? I had my family there? Maybe its just simply because I was under the shadow of his love. On His wings I can sore like an eagle.
Im ready!....I think.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Is It Really Worth It?!
One more 30+K run to do before the marathon! Im so happy! Those 30+ runs are not my favourite. I have to run my 10k loop 3 times and then add more kilometers every week. Two weeks ago I had to do 32K, last week 34 and then this Saturday 36.
Last week I was 10K into my run when it started to pour. I was soaked all the way down to my socks! But there was no way that I was going to stop. I was done one lap and I wasnt going to start all over again! So I kept running in the pouring rain. People were looking at me like I was nuts. Am I nuts? Is this really worth it?
A woman I was speaking to a few weeks ago was asking me about my running. I love to talk about my running which I dont do unless people ask me first. Some people are annoyed by runners. Imagine that?! So when someone starts asking questions Im excited. But one question she asked me got me thinking for a long time later. She said "Don't you miss out on alot?"
What would I miss out on? I was taken back by the question so I gave some lame answer. I just didnt get the question. I mean it only takes me an hour to go for a 10K run. Thats the same time as a TV show. So what? Im missing a TV show. Maybe she just never has time to exercise and there are always better things to do in her mind than run. Maybe she thinks it takes time away with friends and family. Maybe she thinks I could be using my time more wisely like volunteering. I dont know. This question bugged me for awhile. Am I missing out on more important things?
Then something else happened that really bugged me. A good friend of mine, not yet 50 years old had a stroke. I was shocked and couldnt understand it. She is in good shape. She watches her diet and loves to workout. She is so active how could this happen? Whats the point. Maybe she was missing out on things too by going to the gym.
So I pondered long and hard about this, while running of course. And this is what I came up with.
Important Things That I Would Miss Out On If I Didn't Run:
Last week I was 10K into my run when it started to pour. I was soaked all the way down to my socks! But there was no way that I was going to stop. I was done one lap and I wasnt going to start all over again! So I kept running in the pouring rain. People were looking at me like I was nuts. Am I nuts? Is this really worth it?
A woman I was speaking to a few weeks ago was asking me about my running. I love to talk about my running which I dont do unless people ask me first. Some people are annoyed by runners. Imagine that?! So when someone starts asking questions Im excited. But one question she asked me got me thinking for a long time later. She said "Don't you miss out on alot?"
What would I miss out on? I was taken back by the question so I gave some lame answer. I just didnt get the question. I mean it only takes me an hour to go for a 10K run. Thats the same time as a TV show. So what? Im missing a TV show. Maybe she just never has time to exercise and there are always better things to do in her mind than run. Maybe she thinks it takes time away with friends and family. Maybe she thinks I could be using my time more wisely like volunteering. I dont know. This question bugged me for awhile. Am I missing out on more important things?
Then something else happened that really bugged me. A good friend of mine, not yet 50 years old had a stroke. I was shocked and couldnt understand it. She is in good shape. She watches her diet and loves to workout. She is so active how could this happen? Whats the point. Maybe she was missing out on things too by going to the gym.
So I pondered long and hard about this, while running of course. And this is what I came up with.
Important Things That I Would Miss Out On If I Didn't Run:
- Feeling of Peace
- Stress Relief
- Prayer / Jesus Time
- Quiet time to actually listen to music and be inspired by the lyrics
- Feeling free
- Pure joy
- Sense of accomplishment
- Feeling of confidence & pride in myself
- Feeling of strength & beauty
- Appreciation for God's creation
- Enjoying the outdoors
- A connection to my community
- Setting and acheiving goals
- Improved relationships because of all of the above
- Pondering on life and family and how I can make a difference in the world and all that stuff
- Talks with Dan the Beer can collecting Man
- Being an example to my children
- A fun healthy hobby with my hubby
- Improved mental, spiritual and physical health
- I could go on & on
Friday, August 24, 2012
The Super Duper Hotel Treadmill
Last week Don and I went to a Blues Festival for the weekend which we've been doing for the past 3 years. We usually stay in a hotel one night and at my brother's one night. We were going to skip staying in a hotel this year but at the last minute we decided to go for it. Friday afternoon I got a hotel deal email and by the time I got home from work Don had it booked. It was spontaneous and exciting except when would I do my long run?? I was scheduled to do a 22K Saturday. Oh well I'll figure that out later.
We love hotel gyms. They are so sparkly and new. We walked in the great smelling gym and it was like a candy store. I didnt know what to try first. I went on a couple machines but got very frustrated. I didnt know how to work them and some of them looked like transformers that would chew me up. I decided to stick with my tried and true treadmill. But these were oh so amazing treadmills! Treadmills bascially all work the same so I was excited. They were massive with all the bells and whistles, a huge dashboard and TV and there were so many lined up in front of a wall mirror.
I usually dont like working out in front of a mirror. When I used to go to group classes I would purposely stay outside of the mirror view. Simply because it was shocking to see how much taller I was than everyone else and my King Kong arms would be flinging every where. I preferred to imagine myself fitting in with everyone else.
Anyways this treadmill was amazing! I climbed up onto it and felt like I was up on a stage. It wasnt hard to figure out so I started running and relunctanly watched myself in the mirror. I kind of looked cool. My hair was hanging in my face and I looked tough. My King Kong arms looked tanned and musclely. Look at me go, Im a running machine!
In my gym at home I usually work up to speed 6 / 6.5 and put it up to 7 a few times for a couple minute fartleks. Its amazing how your environment and a little competition can make you run faster! A few ladies around my age came in the gym with their fancy Lululemon (although I was wearing Lululemon but I only have one) and my speed went up some more. The treadmills were filling up with more richy hotel people (although I was staying at the hotel but mine was a deal) and up went my speed again. I stayed at speed 7 the whole time and did some 8/9 fartleks. What a great workout!
So I switched my scheduled runs around a bit. I did a 5K tempo on Saturday at the hotel and then did my 22K long run Monday night after work. It was tough and a little crazy but I had to get it in and it felt so good to git r done. See I can be spontaneous AND stick to a schedule! With a little help from an awesome transformer mega hotel treadmill that turned me into a running machine!
We love hotel gyms. They are so sparkly and new. We walked in the great smelling gym and it was like a candy store. I didnt know what to try first. I went on a couple machines but got very frustrated. I didnt know how to work them and some of them looked like transformers that would chew me up. I decided to stick with my tried and true treadmill. But these were oh so amazing treadmills! Treadmills bascially all work the same so I was excited. They were massive with all the bells and whistles, a huge dashboard and TV and there were so many lined up in front of a wall mirror.
I usually dont like working out in front of a mirror. When I used to go to group classes I would purposely stay outside of the mirror view. Simply because it was shocking to see how much taller I was than everyone else and my King Kong arms would be flinging every where. I preferred to imagine myself fitting in with everyone else.
Anyways this treadmill was amazing! I climbed up onto it and felt like I was up on a stage. It wasnt hard to figure out so I started running and relunctanly watched myself in the mirror. I kind of looked cool. My hair was hanging in my face and I looked tough. My King Kong arms looked tanned and musclely. Look at me go, Im a running machine!
In my gym at home I usually work up to speed 6 / 6.5 and put it up to 7 a few times for a couple minute fartleks. Its amazing how your environment and a little competition can make you run faster! A few ladies around my age came in the gym with their fancy Lululemon (although I was wearing Lululemon but I only have one) and my speed went up some more. The treadmills were filling up with more richy hotel people (although I was staying at the hotel but mine was a deal) and up went my speed again. I stayed at speed 7 the whole time and did some 8/9 fartleks. What a great workout!
So I switched my scheduled runs around a bit. I did a 5K tempo on Saturday at the hotel and then did my 22K long run Monday night after work. It was tough and a little crazy but I had to get it in and it felt so good to git r done. See I can be spontaneous AND stick to a schedule! With a little help from an awesome transformer mega hotel treadmill that turned me into a running machine!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Hubby Helps Me With Speed Work
Last week I did my first speed training session. I dragged my hubby Don with cuz its just too hard to do speed work by yourself. He does 10K runs with me but doesnt love it. He's a mountain biker and wants to get back into racing so thats why he agreed to go with me. I didnt really give him too much detail about what he was getting into. I knew he would complain at first but then get really into it cuz he's very competitive and thats exactly how it went.
We are supposed to do 1K slow and then 1K fast and then repeat 3 times. We drove to a local highschool and did 2 laps instead which is 800 meters I think, close enough. It was super hot and humid and when we did our first 2 fast laps Don said, this is retarded but by the last 2 fast laps he was getting into it. It was really hard to do 2 laps fast. I wanted to stop so bad but I imagined being at the marathon clinic during speed training. There was no way I was stopping then, I would get way too far behind. So I imagined big scary, fast Ironmen coming behind me.
When we were done Don raved about what a good workout it was which made me very happy knowing I would have someone to train with. It was a great feeling when we were done and high fived each other, although we didnt make a slap sound because we were too sweaty and slimy. There were sprinklers going at the highschool so we ran through them and cooled off but what a sight we were!
Yesterday we did our second speed training session. I actually brought my watch with this time. Im just new to this caring about time thing. My first 2 laps I did in 3 min 40 sec, 2nd was 3:47 and the third was 3:42. You are supposed to do each one faster but I dont know how you are supposed to do that?! I guess if you have one of those fancy shmancy Garmins you know your pace at all times.
Speed work hurts so much but it feels so great when you are done. The Olympics is definately giving me inspiration! When it hurts so bad I just have an imaginary commentary going on in my head. "And Cyndie A. is picking up the pace in the last 100 meters. You can sure tell she has been training hard. Look at her go!" And then the crowd cheers.
It also helps that Don runs with me and frustratingly talks about how fast I am. But I know it wont be long before he is beating me. Which is alright because then it will be a challenge to chase him...and Im sure he wont mind that at all.
We are supposed to do 1K slow and then 1K fast and then repeat 3 times. We drove to a local highschool and did 2 laps instead which is 800 meters I think, close enough. It was super hot and humid and when we did our first 2 fast laps Don said, this is retarded but by the last 2 fast laps he was getting into it. It was really hard to do 2 laps fast. I wanted to stop so bad but I imagined being at the marathon clinic during speed training. There was no way I was stopping then, I would get way too far behind. So I imagined big scary, fast Ironmen coming behind me.
When we were done Don raved about what a good workout it was which made me very happy knowing I would have someone to train with. It was a great feeling when we were done and high fived each other, although we didnt make a slap sound because we were too sweaty and slimy. There were sprinklers going at the highschool so we ran through them and cooled off but what a sight we were!
Yesterday we did our second speed training session. I actually brought my watch with this time. Im just new to this caring about time thing. My first 2 laps I did in 3 min 40 sec, 2nd was 3:47 and the third was 3:42. You are supposed to do each one faster but I dont know how you are supposed to do that?! I guess if you have one of those fancy shmancy Garmins you know your pace at all times.
Speed work hurts so much but it feels so great when you are done. The Olympics is definately giving me inspiration! When it hurts so bad I just have an imaginary commentary going on in my head. "And Cyndie A. is picking up the pace in the last 100 meters. You can sure tell she has been training hard. Look at her go!" And then the crowd cheers.
It also helps that Don runs with me and frustratingly talks about how fast I am. But I know it wont be long before he is beating me. Which is alright because then it will be a challenge to chase him...and Im sure he wont mind that at all.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Im Going For It!
When I was doing the marathon I had a secret unspoken goal. I didnt want to tell anyone because it was enough just to think about it and it just seemed too far out of reach. I wanted to get a PR and beat 4:32 but secretly I was hoping for somewhere around 4:20 and I told myself if I did that I would try to qualify for the Boston Marathon. There...I just said it out loud. Well my time was 4:14 and I was so excited but was not ready to go for it yet.
Then last week I did a 1/4 marathon and got 55:13 and won first place in my age class! This made it easier to figure out if Boston was doable. If I did 55 minutes four times my marathon time would be approx 3:40 Wow! My qualifying time is to get under 4 hours. I would never be able to keep that pace up for 42K though. But... I would have 4 extra minutes per quarter and still qualify. Im starting to think this is maybe possibly possible that just maybe I can qualify for Boston???
Im going for it!
(Several moments later.........)
I just registered for the Scotiabank Waterfront Toronto Marathon October 14 and Im scared to death! I'm doing another marathon...am I nuts. Im going to chase a BQ! No thats not Dairy Queen but a Boston Qualifier.
Im going for it! There's no time like the present to chase your dreams. Whats the worst that can happen? I dont qualify....dont finish....waste registration money.....drive my husband nuts and he leaves me......at least I get will get another cool race shirt.
I will have to train by myself this time though. The marathon clinics have started up over a month ago. I wont have the embarrasment of being last running with the Ironmen from the Running Free store pushing me to go faster. I found out later that my marathon clinic leader Matt had the fastest Canadian Boston Marathon time! I didnt realize who I was running with! He was very encouraging and I learned alot from him.
My Boston Ready Plan:
Monday - 10K Tempo Run
Tuesday - Gym/Weights and Speed Work - 1k slow / 1K fast 3 or 4 times
Wednesday - Gym - 1/2 hr Bike & 1/2 hr Weights
Thursday - Easy 10K
Friday - Off
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Off
Woohoo! Just hope my 50 year old legs hold out.
Then last week I did a 1/4 marathon and got 55:13 and won first place in my age class! This made it easier to figure out if Boston was doable. If I did 55 minutes four times my marathon time would be approx 3:40 Wow! My qualifying time is to get under 4 hours. I would never be able to keep that pace up for 42K though. But... I would have 4 extra minutes per quarter and still qualify. Im starting to think this is maybe possibly possible that just maybe I can qualify for Boston???
Im going for it!
(Several moments later.........)
I just registered for the Scotiabank Waterfront Toronto Marathon October 14 and Im scared to death! I'm doing another marathon...am I nuts. Im going to chase a BQ! No thats not Dairy Queen but a Boston Qualifier.
Im going for it! There's no time like the present to chase your dreams. Whats the worst that can happen? I dont qualify....dont finish....waste registration money.....drive my husband nuts and he leaves me......at least I get will get another cool race shirt.
I will have to train by myself this time though. The marathon clinics have started up over a month ago. I wont have the embarrasment of being last running with the Ironmen from the Running Free store pushing me to go faster. I found out later that my marathon clinic leader Matt had the fastest Canadian Boston Marathon time! I didnt realize who I was running with! He was very encouraging and I learned alot from him.
My Boston Ready Plan:
Monday - 10K Tempo Run
Tuesday - Gym/Weights and Speed Work - 1k slow / 1K fast 3 or 4 times
Wednesday - Gym - 1/2 hr Bike & 1/2 hr Weights
Thursday - Easy 10K
Friday - Off
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Off
Woohoo! Just hope my 50 year old legs hold out.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
My Marathon Experience and All the Boring Details So When I Read It I Can Relive It All Over Again
The Ottawa Marathon of 2012 is a great memory for me. But I wasnt so sure it would be on race day.
Two weeks earlier I ran a 25 K and ever since then my foot was prickly and hot. I googgled my complaints and realized it was from nerve compression from the tongue of my shoe. I tried running with the tongues of my shoes sticking out and it felt OK. It didnt bother me when I was running but when I wasnt my foot felt prickly and funny. Also after the 25K and my last 30K run I felt sick and dizzy afterwards and had to sit down. So I was having doubts my body would be able to take a 42 K.
One of the best parts of a running vacation is the hotel. We love going for a late night swim and we look so forward to the hot tub after the race. When we got to the hotel in Ottawa we were so disappointed to find out there was no pool OR hot tub! I had just assumed there would be one. Hotels close to the starting line get booked up fast so beggers cant be choosers. It was a small room with 2 double beds. Don and I would use one double bed, my 19 year old daughter Esther and my sister Dory in another double bed and my 25 year old son on a mattress squished in the corner on the floor. Good times!
Another thing we really enjoy on race weekends are going to the Race Expo the night before. Thats where you pick up your running number and shirt and there's alot of running stuff for sale and little freebies and samples. So I shrugged off the bad hotel and set my sights on the expo. It was a beautiful day and we met up with Ed my brother in law and my mom in law who were staying in the same hotedl and walked there. As soon as we entered the building we were informed the expo was over. I couldnt believe it! Ed and I had to hurry and get our shirts and numbers before it closed. I guess we had the time wrong. What were we going to do now till supper with this big crowd of people?? We couldnt go back to the tiny hotel room and there was no pool to go swimming. We decided to go walk downtown and look for a pub/restaurant even though it was kind of early to eat.
When you are running a race you are supposed to carbo-load the night before. We always eat pasta the night before a race. Ed and I say "Eat pasta to go Fasta". Running geaks I know...it was on one of Ed's running t-shirts.
Well do you think we could find a restaurant that served pasta??? It was fun watching some street performers downtown Ottawa and looking at all the vendors. There were so many restaurants but the only ones we could find that served pasta was either really expensive or had a line-up down the road. There were alot of runners in town that wanted to "Go Fasta".
We decided to just eat at the Don Cherry's that was in the lobby of our hotel. We had a great time eating and drinking. Ed and I had beer which you really shouldnt do before a race, but Ed had one, so that meant I could too. He's my coach after all. We went back to the hotel and I went to bed while everyone else in our room watched TV quietly. Of course I didnt sleep but at least I was resting. I wouldnt have slept anyway from excitement and I couldnt expect everyone to go to bed early because of me. Besides, they all had no choice but to get up early because of me.
I woke up around 4 am. I tried to get back to sleep but I couldnt, I was too excited. I managed to stay in bed till around 5 and then jumped out and started making my pre-race ritual breakfast. I always have half a wholewheat bagel with peanut butter and honey and half a banana.
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I put on my Lululemon outfit and my hat with the big yellow flower on it. I wanted my family to be able to spot me easily. I put my MP3 player in my back pocket. Darrin had put a bunch of new songs on a spare IPOD shuffle that he had and a couple of favourite songs from each of my kids so I could think about them during the run but we discovered on the drive up that it didnt work. I was disappointed but thankful for the effort. I still had mine for backup with all my awesome, inspirational worship songs. I put my number on and laced up my running shoes with the timing chip I had put on the night before.
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I did some stretching and went outside to check the weather. I was so excited! I love this prerace time! Im nervous but its a good nervous. My parents called us and said they were trying to find a parking spot and Don told them we were leaving soon too and that we'd meet them at the starting line. We met Ed and Mom down in the lobby and starting walking to the start. Did I say I was excited!
We took some pictures at the Ottawa marathon sign and then Ed and I proceeded to the long porto-potty line up while everyone else headed for the starting line to find my parents. I thought even harder than running the marathon was going to be Don's job of keeping everyone together and finding me and Ed.
The porto-potty line ups are always huge at races but they move quite quickly. Its a chance to check out all the other runners. I saw alot of interesting people, cool and not-so-cool tatoos and cool and not-so-cool running outfits. As Im checking out people I try and guess what their story is and why they are running the marathon.
We told everyone to go to the green coral at the start where the 4:15 bunny was. We thought it was better to stay with a faster bunny because at the race in Michigan I wanted to go with a slower bunny so I wouldnt have people dashing by me but I ended up wasting energy trying to get ahead of people.
We got to the green coral and easily found everyone. Now I was really excited! I was high fiving everyone and hopping up and down. When I look back at all my marathon pictures I am smiling ear ot ear in every picture. I just love everything about the race!
I decided not to listen to my music for the first 10K and just soak up the excitement and the energy. This worked really well and the first 10 flew by. In training for the marathon I would just repeat my 10K route so for the race I just divided the race into 4 10Ks in my mind. Also I saw a girl with the exact Lululemon outfit on. That killed a kilometer trying to run away from her. So the first 10 was done quickly. After the second 10 it started to get difficult. I was starting to feel really stiff and sore so I took an Advil and that really helped. I also ate an energy waffle. After the 25K race in Michigan I felt woosey and had to sit down. So I thought if I can make it to 30K I will be OK.
My family was supposed to be at the halfway point. Looking for them was making the kilometers go by. There were designated cheering stations and the crowds were huge and loud! I scanned the crowds but didn't see them. Then around kilometer 27 I saw their signs off in the distance. I was so excited!
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I screamed and waved my arms and gave them all high fives. Don came up and ran beside us for abit and asked how we were doing and we said great and he said we looked great. I gave him a bumpy running kiss and he was off. I was flying like a kite!
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It was so exciting and I was so pumped! But I said to Ed , did you see Darrin? He wasnt with the rest of them. Then all of a sudden I heard behind me "Mom". It was Darrin! He ran about a kilometer chasing me cuz he missed seeing me.
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I was hoping for a special moment with Darrin because I had such a special moment with him at my last marathon. He was 15 years old and at that age when being cool is very important. He would always tease me and say I would never do it. Then towards the finish line he stepped out of the crowd onto the road and gave me a high five. It meant so much to me and this was even more special. With things like this I always feel like God knows my heart so well. He knows how much these special little moments with my kids mean to me. He knows our hearts and give us little gifts of love.
Another special moment was when Esther made me a sign the night before in the hotel room. It said - Go Mom Go! Let us run with perseverance the race before us fixing our eyes on Jesus. I still get teary eyed sometimes on my runs thinking about that sign.
Ed had his camera with and made us stop and got a couple to take a picture of us in front of the Parliament building. I was not happy because I didnt want the 4:15 bunny to get away. But I still smiled.
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I was so excited because we had caught up to the 4:15 continous bunny, not the walk/run 4:15 but the continous 4:15 bunny! The only time we walked was to drink our water at the water stations. Then we even passed him! Imagine if I actually did it in 4:15! I didnt want to get my hopes up.
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(Take that 4:15 Bunny! Na na Im passing you)
Once I got to 30K I thought to myself maybe I can actually do this. I felt so excited and felt really good. It sounds corny but I thought to myself, Im 50 years old and Im doing a marathon! All the training felt worth it!
The last 10 went easy because the crowds were so great. It was such a great distraction. Our bibs had our first names on them so people would cheer your first name. I was having a contest with Ed how many times we would hear our name. I lost count after 15, it was awesome. In the Quebec part they cheered it with French accents and bravo. The weather had been great throughout the whole race. It was overcast but now it was getting hot. I was so thankful it hadnt been like that the whole time. We started to see people passed out along the sides. I felt so bad for them because they had come so close.
I was scanning the crowd for my family. Usually the last kilometers are so brutal and am dying for the finish line to come. I was just concentrating on trying to find my family and then all of a sudden I crossed the finish line! I was disappointed I didnt see them but I was OK with it because the time I had seen them was so great and I was extremely excited at my time. My goal was to beat my 40 year old marathon time which was 4:32 and the clock said 4:16 (my official time was 4:14). I had beat my time by 18 minutes! I couldnt believe it and I felt great! There must have been people praying for me!
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It took awhile to find everyone in the huge crowd but finally we were joined and hugged and took lots of pictures. We all went back to the hotel and they waited for me and Ed to shower and change. Then we went for a celebration meal at Mother Tucker's buffet. It was so wonderful being there with my family and everything turning out so great. My cup runneth over!
Two weeks earlier I ran a 25 K and ever since then my foot was prickly and hot. I googgled my complaints and realized it was from nerve compression from the tongue of my shoe. I tried running with the tongues of my shoes sticking out and it felt OK. It didnt bother me when I was running but when I wasnt my foot felt prickly and funny. Also after the 25K and my last 30K run I felt sick and dizzy afterwards and had to sit down. So I was having doubts my body would be able to take a 42 K.
One of the best parts of a running vacation is the hotel. We love going for a late night swim and we look so forward to the hot tub after the race. When we got to the hotel in Ottawa we were so disappointed to find out there was no pool OR hot tub! I had just assumed there would be one. Hotels close to the starting line get booked up fast so beggers cant be choosers. It was a small room with 2 double beds. Don and I would use one double bed, my 19 year old daughter Esther and my sister Dory in another double bed and my 25 year old son on a mattress squished in the corner on the floor. Good times!
Another thing we really enjoy on race weekends are going to the Race Expo the night before. Thats where you pick up your running number and shirt and there's alot of running stuff for sale and little freebies and samples. So I shrugged off the bad hotel and set my sights on the expo. It was a beautiful day and we met up with Ed my brother in law and my mom in law who were staying in the same hotedl and walked there. As soon as we entered the building we were informed the expo was over. I couldnt believe it! Ed and I had to hurry and get our shirts and numbers before it closed. I guess we had the time wrong. What were we going to do now till supper with this big crowd of people?? We couldnt go back to the tiny hotel room and there was no pool to go swimming. We decided to go walk downtown and look for a pub/restaurant even though it was kind of early to eat.
When you are running a race you are supposed to carbo-load the night before. We always eat pasta the night before a race. Ed and I say "Eat pasta to go Fasta". Running geaks I know...it was on one of Ed's running t-shirts.
Well do you think we could find a restaurant that served pasta??? It was fun watching some street performers downtown Ottawa and looking at all the vendors. There were so many restaurants but the only ones we could find that served pasta was either really expensive or had a line-up down the road. There were alot of runners in town that wanted to "Go Fasta".
We decided to just eat at the Don Cherry's that was in the lobby of our hotel. We had a great time eating and drinking. Ed and I had beer which you really shouldnt do before a race, but Ed had one, so that meant I could too. He's my coach after all. We went back to the hotel and I went to bed while everyone else in our room watched TV quietly. Of course I didnt sleep but at least I was resting. I wouldnt have slept anyway from excitement and I couldnt expect everyone to go to bed early because of me. Besides, they all had no choice but to get up early because of me.
I woke up around 4 am. I tried to get back to sleep but I couldnt, I was too excited. I managed to stay in bed till around 5 and then jumped out and started making my pre-race ritual breakfast. I always have half a wholewheat bagel with peanut butter and honey and half a banana.
I put on my Lululemon outfit and my hat with the big yellow flower on it. I wanted my family to be able to spot me easily. I put my MP3 player in my back pocket. Darrin had put a bunch of new songs on a spare IPOD shuffle that he had and a couple of favourite songs from each of my kids so I could think about them during the run but we discovered on the drive up that it didnt work. I was disappointed but thankful for the effort. I still had mine for backup with all my awesome, inspirational worship songs. I put my number on and laced up my running shoes with the timing chip I had put on the night before.
I did some stretching and went outside to check the weather. I was so excited! I love this prerace time! Im nervous but its a good nervous. My parents called us and said they were trying to find a parking spot and Don told them we were leaving soon too and that we'd meet them at the starting line. We met Ed and Mom down in the lobby and starting walking to the start. Did I say I was excited!
We took some pictures at the Ottawa marathon sign and then Ed and I proceeded to the long porto-potty line up while everyone else headed for the starting line to find my parents. I thought even harder than running the marathon was going to be Don's job of keeping everyone together and finding me and Ed.
The porto-potty line ups are always huge at races but they move quite quickly. Its a chance to check out all the other runners. I saw alot of interesting people, cool and not-so-cool tatoos and cool and not-so-cool running outfits. As Im checking out people I try and guess what their story is and why they are running the marathon.
We told everyone to go to the green coral at the start where the 4:15 bunny was. We thought it was better to stay with a faster bunny because at the race in Michigan I wanted to go with a slower bunny so I wouldnt have people dashing by me but I ended up wasting energy trying to get ahead of people.
We got to the green coral and easily found everyone. Now I was really excited! I was high fiving everyone and hopping up and down. When I look back at all my marathon pictures I am smiling ear ot ear in every picture. I just love everything about the race!
I decided not to listen to my music for the first 10K and just soak up the excitement and the energy. This worked really well and the first 10 flew by. In training for the marathon I would just repeat my 10K route so for the race I just divided the race into 4 10Ks in my mind. Also I saw a girl with the exact Lululemon outfit on. That killed a kilometer trying to run away from her. So the first 10 was done quickly. After the second 10 it started to get difficult. I was starting to feel really stiff and sore so I took an Advil and that really helped. I also ate an energy waffle. After the 25K race in Michigan I felt woosey and had to sit down. So I thought if I can make it to 30K I will be OK.
My family was supposed to be at the halfway point. Looking for them was making the kilometers go by. There were designated cheering stations and the crowds were huge and loud! I scanned the crowds but didn't see them. Then around kilometer 27 I saw their signs off in the distance. I was so excited!
I screamed and waved my arms and gave them all high fives. Don came up and ran beside us for abit and asked how we were doing and we said great and he said we looked great. I gave him a bumpy running kiss and he was off. I was flying like a kite!
It was so exciting and I was so pumped! But I said to Ed , did you see Darrin? He wasnt with the rest of them. Then all of a sudden I heard behind me "Mom". It was Darrin! He ran about a kilometer chasing me cuz he missed seeing me.
Another special moment was when Esther made me a sign the night before in the hotel room. It said - Go Mom Go! Let us run with perseverance the race before us fixing our eyes on Jesus. I still get teary eyed sometimes on my runs thinking about that sign.
Ed had his camera with and made us stop and got a couple to take a picture of us in front of the Parliament building. I was not happy because I didnt want the 4:15 bunny to get away. But I still smiled.
I was so excited because we had caught up to the 4:15 continous bunny, not the walk/run 4:15 but the continous 4:15 bunny! The only time we walked was to drink our water at the water stations. Then we even passed him! Imagine if I actually did it in 4:15! I didnt want to get my hopes up.
Once I got to 30K I thought to myself maybe I can actually do this. I felt so excited and felt really good. It sounds corny but I thought to myself, Im 50 years old and Im doing a marathon! All the training felt worth it!
The last 10 went easy because the crowds were so great. It was such a great distraction. Our bibs had our first names on them so people would cheer your first name. I was having a contest with Ed how many times we would hear our name. I lost count after 15, it was awesome. In the Quebec part they cheered it with French accents and bravo. The weather had been great throughout the whole race. It was overcast but now it was getting hot. I was so thankful it hadnt been like that the whole time. We started to see people passed out along the sides. I felt so bad for them because they had come so close.
I was scanning the crowd for my family. Usually the last kilometers are so brutal and am dying for the finish line to come. I was just concentrating on trying to find my family and then all of a sudden I crossed the finish line! I was disappointed I didnt see them but I was OK with it because the time I had seen them was so great and I was extremely excited at my time. My goal was to beat my 40 year old marathon time which was 4:32 and the clock said 4:16 (my official time was 4:14). I had beat my time by 18 minutes! I couldnt believe it and I felt great! There must have been people praying for me!
It took awhile to find everyone in the huge crowd but finally we were joined and hugged and took lots of pictures. We all went back to the hotel and they waited for me and Ed to shower and change. Then we went for a celebration meal at Mother Tucker's buffet. It was so wonderful being there with my family and everything turning out so great. My cup runneth over!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Don't Feel Like Writing About Running
I dont feel like writing about running. Because of 2 beautiful faces.
I was excited to write about my marathon and all the glorious details. I couldnt wait. I started it but then things happened the week after the marathon. I found out that a friend of mine's sister Mary, died of cancer. Sunday in church someone who was doing a speech about the Ride to Conquer Cancer talked about her. He said she didnt complain and never said why me but why not me. I saw pictures of her posted on Facebook about a week before she died. She was smiling, had short grey hair, no makeup and looked beautiful. You could just see that she was full of Jesus' love. To be dying of cancer and look that beautiful and content, now thats amazing! Running a marathon seems so trivial and self absorbed.
Then that Friday my world stopped. I got a call from my husband Don around 10 o'clock a.m. while I was at work. My oldest daughter was in a car accident in a parking lot at a shopping mall. How bad could it be, at a parking lot. My husband picked me up and we headed to Sunnybrook hospital. We met my daughter's boyfriend Adam there and his face looked serious. Don went in first to see her because they would only allow a couple people with her at a time. He came back to get me. He tried to hide his feelings but when he told me it was serious he couldnt hold back the tears. Then I desperately needed to get to her. When we got to her room I could see her feet under the curtain. The nurse was helping her go to the bathroom. I was shaking and kept whispering under my breath, I have to see her, I have to see her. Don told me to stay calm and be strong because she didnt know what she looked like. I just needed to touch her. All my children know that I dont hide my feelings well. I am known to easily let the tears flow, loudly and freely. But when I saw Andrea I held it together. I just touched her face and kissed her cheek as my tears silently ran down my face.
Im not exaggerating when I say my daugher Andrea has a beautiful face. She rarely wears makeup, she doesnt need it. She just has that sweet, natural beauty.
I was not expecting to see her beautiful face so broken. Her head was wrapped in a blood soaked bandage and dried streaks of blood covered her face, her right eye was swollen shut and black and bulgy like an eye patch.
First the CT scan. Brain is fine but she might have bleeding behind the eye which could affect her vision. Then the opthamologist. The eye looks fine. Then the plastic surgeon. She has a broken cheekbone, fractured skull, contusion, broken bones behind her eye. Another scan. She has a broken bone behind her eye that is punctioning a muscle, near a nerve and she might have to have an emergency craniotomy. My daughter heard the plastic surgeon explain the surgery and how they would have to peel back her face. She was in so much pain and so scared!
They gave her morphine but she had an allergic reaction to it and it didnt help and she couldnt get comfortable. Later in the evening they gave her different meds and she started to relax. She wanted me to lay in the bed with her so she could lean against me on her good side. She grabbed my hand in hers and cuddled with me. She had been through so much yet I felt like she was comforting me. I felt so thankful for her.
She had to stay over night for observation. If something changed with her eye she would have to have emergency surgery. If she made it through the night she probably would not need the surgery, which was very extreme and high risk. Don and I prayed over her. Don thanked the Lord for sparing our baby girl. She's 27, but thats how we felt. Then we left her at the hospital, which was hard for us but her loving boyfriend was staying with her through the night.
Today a week later, Andrea went back to Sunnybrook for a follow-up. She still has alot of pain but sees through both eyes and the doctor confirmed that she would not need surgery. Thank you Lord!
Looking at the pictures of her car we realize its a miracle she is OK. A metal, heavy gate had blown into her car's path and smashed the top of her car practically off. We are so thankful her brain is fine, she can see and has minimal scaring on her beautiful face.
Soon I will write about my marathon experience and all the glorious details of that day. But right now I just want to run .....and pray. Life is so fragile...I cant wrap my children in bubble wrap... but I can wrap them in prayer. Thank you Lord for Mary and Andrea's beautiful faces.
I was excited to write about my marathon and all the glorious details. I couldnt wait. I started it but then things happened the week after the marathon. I found out that a friend of mine's sister Mary, died of cancer. Sunday in church someone who was doing a speech about the Ride to Conquer Cancer talked about her. He said she didnt complain and never said why me but why not me. I saw pictures of her posted on Facebook about a week before she died. She was smiling, had short grey hair, no makeup and looked beautiful. You could just see that she was full of Jesus' love. To be dying of cancer and look that beautiful and content, now thats amazing! Running a marathon seems so trivial and self absorbed.
Then that Friday my world stopped. I got a call from my husband Don around 10 o'clock a.m. while I was at work. My oldest daughter was in a car accident in a parking lot at a shopping mall. How bad could it be, at a parking lot. My husband picked me up and we headed to Sunnybrook hospital. We met my daughter's boyfriend Adam there and his face looked serious. Don went in first to see her because they would only allow a couple people with her at a time. He came back to get me. He tried to hide his feelings but when he told me it was serious he couldnt hold back the tears. Then I desperately needed to get to her. When we got to her room I could see her feet under the curtain. The nurse was helping her go to the bathroom. I was shaking and kept whispering under my breath, I have to see her, I have to see her. Don told me to stay calm and be strong because she didnt know what she looked like. I just needed to touch her. All my children know that I dont hide my feelings well. I am known to easily let the tears flow, loudly and freely. But when I saw Andrea I held it together. I just touched her face and kissed her cheek as my tears silently ran down my face.
Im not exaggerating when I say my daugher Andrea has a beautiful face. She rarely wears makeup, she doesnt need it. She just has that sweet, natural beauty.
I was not expecting to see her beautiful face so broken. Her head was wrapped in a blood soaked bandage and dried streaks of blood covered her face, her right eye was swollen shut and black and bulgy like an eye patch.
First the CT scan. Brain is fine but she might have bleeding behind the eye which could affect her vision. Then the opthamologist. The eye looks fine. Then the plastic surgeon. She has a broken cheekbone, fractured skull, contusion, broken bones behind her eye. Another scan. She has a broken bone behind her eye that is punctioning a muscle, near a nerve and she might have to have an emergency craniotomy. My daughter heard the plastic surgeon explain the surgery and how they would have to peel back her face. She was in so much pain and so scared!
They gave her morphine but she had an allergic reaction to it and it didnt help and she couldnt get comfortable. Later in the evening they gave her different meds and she started to relax. She wanted me to lay in the bed with her so she could lean against me on her good side. She grabbed my hand in hers and cuddled with me. She had been through so much yet I felt like she was comforting me. I felt so thankful for her.
She had to stay over night for observation. If something changed with her eye she would have to have emergency surgery. If she made it through the night she probably would not need the surgery, which was very extreme and high risk. Don and I prayed over her. Don thanked the Lord for sparing our baby girl. She's 27, but thats how we felt. Then we left her at the hospital, which was hard for us but her loving boyfriend was staying with her through the night.
Today a week later, Andrea went back to Sunnybrook for a follow-up. She still has alot of pain but sees through both eyes and the doctor confirmed that she would not need surgery. Thank you Lord!
Looking at the pictures of her car we realize its a miracle she is OK. A metal, heavy gate had blown into her car's path and smashed the top of her car practically off. We are so thankful her brain is fine, she can see and has minimal scaring on her beautiful face.
Soon I will write about my marathon experience and all the glorious details of that day. But right now I just want to run .....and pray. Life is so fragile...I cant wrap my children in bubble wrap... but I can wrap them in prayer. Thank you Lord for Mary and Andrea's beautiful faces.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
25 K Grand Rapids, Michigan, Riverbank Run
The Riverbank Run weekend was awesome as usual!
The 5K started at 7:00 so I got to watch the race before my race which started at 8:20. I was cuted out when I saw my daughter Andrea and her boyfriend Adam running hard and holding hands and I had to wipe away tears as my 15 year old nephew Jordon proudly ran by and waved. What an accomplishment for him!
I wasnt able to watch my hubby Don start the 10K. I had to kiss him goodbye and wish him a good race as he went off with my brother-in-law Dave and my daughter Esther's boyfriend Jesse who were also doing the 10K. My daughter looked very worried as Jesse had never done a 10K before. He did great finishing in 55 minutes.
Ed and I had to head to the 25K start. I was happy with my 2:22 finish but it wasnt as easy as I thought it was going to be. I thought 25 would be a breeze but it still felt hard at the end and the last kilometer was still brutal. Also I felt sick after the finish and had to sit down. The finish in Michigan is really exciting because you come around a corner and then come into the downtown area and the streets are just packed with people. I tried really hard looking for my family but couldnt find them. What a dissapointment! Turns out they saw me and were yelling my name! Well at least they saw me. Despite that I had a great race and really enjoyed it.
Don's mom did the 5K walk and finished strong but there was no one there at the finish because the timing of the races and coordinating alll the spectating can get very complicating. She didnt find everyone else for an hour. She managed to watch Ed and I finish even though WE didnt see her. We need a spectator coordinator!
We were all happy with our times and had a great race. I also learned some things for the marathon. First I 'm going to wear something that stands out so my family can see me and Im going to have them hold something so I can see them. Also I am going to have to learn to like gels or powerbars because eating 2 hours before the race is not taking me through the race.
We all celebrated with delicious meals by our hosts Barb and Dave!
The 5K started at 7:00 so I got to watch the race before my race which started at 8:20. I was cuted out when I saw my daughter Andrea and her boyfriend Adam running hard and holding hands and I had to wipe away tears as my 15 year old nephew Jordon proudly ran by and waved. What an accomplishment for him!
I wasnt able to watch my hubby Don start the 10K. I had to kiss him goodbye and wish him a good race as he went off with my brother-in-law Dave and my daughter Esther's boyfriend Jesse who were also doing the 10K. My daughter looked very worried as Jesse had never done a 10K before. He did great finishing in 55 minutes.
Ed and I had to head to the 25K start. I was happy with my 2:22 finish but it wasnt as easy as I thought it was going to be. I thought 25 would be a breeze but it still felt hard at the end and the last kilometer was still brutal. Also I felt sick after the finish and had to sit down. The finish in Michigan is really exciting because you come around a corner and then come into the downtown area and the streets are just packed with people. I tried really hard looking for my family but couldnt find them. What a dissapointment! Turns out they saw me and were yelling my name! Well at least they saw me. Despite that I had a great race and really enjoyed it.
Don's mom did the 5K walk and finished strong but there was no one there at the finish because the timing of the races and coordinating alll the spectating can get very complicating. She didnt find everyone else for an hour. She managed to watch Ed and I finish even though WE didnt see her. We need a spectator coordinator!
We were all happy with our times and had a great race. I also learned some things for the marathon. First I 'm going to wear something that stands out so my family can see me and Im going to have them hold something so I can see them. Also I am going to have to learn to like gels or powerbars because eating 2 hours before the race is not taking me through the race.
We all celebrated with delicious meals by our hosts Barb and Dave!
Running on my 50th Birthday
Every birthday I go for a birthday run and reflect on my life. This year is special because I turned 50! I still cant believe it! I dont feel any different. It freaks me out! Anyways I had a great 10K run. I stopped to smell all the lilacs that I passed. My favourite flower. I passed a park and thought about my children. I got teary eyed as I thought about how thankful I am for them. I thought of all my 50 years lived the ones I treasure most are my stay-at-home-mom days. They werent easy days but they were wonderful days. I felt to thankful for my husband who worked so hard so I could stay home with them. And then when they were all in school and he worked 2 jobs so I could go back to school, which he would have loved to do himself.
My 10K went so fast and easy and I felt so strong and healthy. I felt so thankful to the Lord that I can run and so thankful for my family. The Lord willing I will be able to enjoy running for many more years. Then I will enjoy running with Jesus where the streets have no name.
My 10K went so fast and easy and I felt so strong and healthy. I felt so thankful to the Lord that I can run and so thankful for my family. The Lord willing I will be able to enjoy running for many more years. Then I will enjoy running with Jesus where the streets have no name.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Last Long Run Before The Races
I did my last long practice run before the marathon on Sunday. 32K. I felt terrible after this run. I could barely stand up afterwards while talking to Ed. I felt lightheaded and nauseas. Well I learned do not add salt to my granola bar or take Tylenol muscle and joint pain pills or stay up late the night before the marathon. The combination of these things made me feel very crappy. When I took my shower I ended up sitting down.
Just a few more days till the Riverbank Run. I cant wait. Tuesday I did a fun 10K and didnt even take my watch. It felt so easy. What a great feeling. Tonight I did weights and 5K on the treadmill and then thats it till the race Saturday - 25K.
And now I really want to go to bed. As soon as Im done icing my shins.
Just a few more days till the Riverbank Run. I cant wait. Tuesday I did a fun 10K and didnt even take my watch. It felt so easy. What a great feeling. Tonight I did weights and 5K on the treadmill and then thats it till the race Saturday - 25K.
And now I really want to go to bed. As soon as Im done icing my shins.
Longest Practice Run
I survived my longest training run last Sunday. I had too many things to do Saturday so I had to do it on a Sunday by myself. 10K route x 3, plus 6K route = 36K! According to the Running Room marathon schedule, their longest run before the marathon is a 32K. When I did the marathon 10 years ago I did 40K. So this is somewhere in between.
I find doing loops makes it go faster. After the first two 10K loops I thought wow, only one more to go plus a quick 6K, no sweat. You see its a head thing. You psych yourself up for it. After the first 20K though I felt fatigued and my legs felt very crampy and stiff. I ate a peanut butter granola bar and that helped alot. Ed says salt helps with cramping so this week Im going to try adding some salt to the peanut butter on the granola bar. Its better than what Ed did at one race. He just downed a package of salt! Yuck!
The last 6K were brutal plus it was really windy. I took 2 Ibuprofen. I wanted to experiment with this and see if it helps or affects my stomach. It did relieve the pain and stiffness in my legs enough to get me sprinting at the end of my run, but it was still painful, just not limping, stupid painful. Maybe it will be enough to do those extra 6 K I need to do. This weekend I am going to try Tylenol Muscle & Joint Pain. Ed says Tylenol is safer. Ed has lots of experience. He's run over 15 marathons! Anyways I will only take pain killers at the end of the race if needed.
This weekend Im doing my long run with Ed. We are doing 32K and then we are supposed to taper. Which works out good because the week after we are doing the 25K Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I cant wait. I love that run, the spectators are awesome! At one point in the race you have a football team and cheerleaders cheering for you with poms poms and drums! Its so cool! We go with Don's family and everyone gets involved. We've been doing this for over 10 years!
The next weekend will be a 16K tempo run and then the next weekend is the marathon!! Yikes! Well I did 36K and I didnt die.
I find doing loops makes it go faster. After the first two 10K loops I thought wow, only one more to go plus a quick 6K, no sweat. You see its a head thing. You psych yourself up for it. After the first 20K though I felt fatigued and my legs felt very crampy and stiff. I ate a peanut butter granola bar and that helped alot. Ed says salt helps with cramping so this week Im going to try adding some salt to the peanut butter on the granola bar. Its better than what Ed did at one race. He just downed a package of salt! Yuck!
The last 6K were brutal plus it was really windy. I took 2 Ibuprofen. I wanted to experiment with this and see if it helps or affects my stomach. It did relieve the pain and stiffness in my legs enough to get me sprinting at the end of my run, but it was still painful, just not limping, stupid painful. Maybe it will be enough to do those extra 6 K I need to do. This weekend I am going to try Tylenol Muscle & Joint Pain. Ed says Tylenol is safer. Ed has lots of experience. He's run over 15 marathons! Anyways I will only take pain killers at the end of the race if needed.
This weekend Im doing my long run with Ed. We are doing 32K and then we are supposed to taper. Which works out good because the week after we are doing the 25K Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I cant wait. I love that run, the spectators are awesome! At one point in the race you have a football team and cheerleaders cheering for you with poms poms and drums! Its so cool! We go with Don's family and everyone gets involved. We've been doing this for over 10 years!
The next weekend will be a 16K tempo run and then the next weekend is the marathon!! Yikes! Well I did 36K and I didnt die.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Run to Overcome
After my last 33K run I kind of felt discouraged. It was so difficult and painful and the marathon is 9 more kilometers!
Last week I was reading my grandfather's memoirs. My Aunt had typed them up and made a book of it for everyone in the family. I found it so interesting and I couldnt believe what he has lived through in his lifetime. He lived through war, poverty, immigration to a strange country with 7 young children and a pregnant wife and had to work so hard to make it. It made me realize how easy our lives are now!
One of my favourite stories in the book was when they had their 8th child. It was shortly after they had immigrated from Holland to Canada and they were working and living on their sponsor's farm. When my grandmother went into labour the farmer would not take them to the hospital which was around 20 miles away. My grandfather went around to the neighbours asking for a ride. Finally he got a ride. They had a healthy baby boy but Oma had to stay in the hospital and Opa had to go home to their other 7 children. He had to figure out a way to get home. His son, my Dad, always says "There is no such word as Can't". Now I know where he got that from. What my Opa did was walk to his pastor's house and borrowed money to buy a bike. Then he rode the bike home...at night....and in the winter. He ended up going the wrong way and the trip ended up taking twice as long. He said in his book he was very happy to get home and the children were very happy to see him because they were very worried.
I couldn't help but think of this story when I was running 33K last Saturday. It was windy and cold and I felt nauseas. But then I thought of my skinny Opa riding on his rickety bike in the winter trying to get home to his children. Im sure he was cold and frustrated and wanted to give up. If Opa can do that whats a few more kilometers!
This week I am reading a book called "Run to Overcome" Its about Meb Keflezighi, the winner of the 2009 New York City marathon and silver medalist of the 2004 Olympic marathon. His story is similar to my Opa in that he lived in poverty, war and immigrated to a strange country and had to work very hard. Meb became a 5 and 10 K national champion but was encouraged to compete in the marathon. He was expecting to do very well in his first marathon, maybe even win like Alberto Salazar did on his first marathon. He came in 9th and was very discouraged and said he would never run another marathon. Weeks later he went back to his homeland, Eritrea and was humbled and reminded of how simple his people lived and how easy he had it in the US. How could he get so discouraged over a marathon! God had blessed him with the gift of running and training was nothing compared to how hard these people worked.
Its funny how I read these two similar stories within a couple weeks. Both lived through very difficult situations but worked hard, appreciated their blessings even in the tough times and trusted the Lord for their future. Sometimes I feel like Im making too big a deal of this marathon and Im not even raising any money or doing it for some noble cause. But the fact that I happened to read these 2 books in a row made me feel like God was speaking to me and encouraging me when I felt discouraged. He always does that! God is amazing like that. My life IS a big deal to God! He teaches me something in everything I do. He wants to encourage me, a back of the pack marathon runner just as much as He encourages Meb, a marathon champion!
Life is like a marathon. |Its difficult and painful at times, but if we appreciate what we have, do our best, work hard and trust in the Lord we will receive the prize at the end!
Last week I was reading my grandfather's memoirs. My Aunt had typed them up and made a book of it for everyone in the family. I found it so interesting and I couldnt believe what he has lived through in his lifetime. He lived through war, poverty, immigration to a strange country with 7 young children and a pregnant wife and had to work so hard to make it. It made me realize how easy our lives are now!
One of my favourite stories in the book was when they had their 8th child. It was shortly after they had immigrated from Holland to Canada and they were working and living on their sponsor's farm. When my grandmother went into labour the farmer would not take them to the hospital which was around 20 miles away. My grandfather went around to the neighbours asking for a ride. Finally he got a ride. They had a healthy baby boy but Oma had to stay in the hospital and Opa had to go home to their other 7 children. He had to figure out a way to get home. His son, my Dad, always says "There is no such word as Can't". Now I know where he got that from. What my Opa did was walk to his pastor's house and borrowed money to buy a bike. Then he rode the bike home...at night....and in the winter. He ended up going the wrong way and the trip ended up taking twice as long. He said in his book he was very happy to get home and the children were very happy to see him because they were very worried.
I couldn't help but think of this story when I was running 33K last Saturday. It was windy and cold and I felt nauseas. But then I thought of my skinny Opa riding on his rickety bike in the winter trying to get home to his children. Im sure he was cold and frustrated and wanted to give up. If Opa can do that whats a few more kilometers!
This week I am reading a book called "Run to Overcome" Its about Meb Keflezighi, the winner of the 2009 New York City marathon and silver medalist of the 2004 Olympic marathon. His story is similar to my Opa in that he lived in poverty, war and immigrated to a strange country and had to work very hard. Meb became a 5 and 10 K national champion but was encouraged to compete in the marathon. He was expecting to do very well in his first marathon, maybe even win like Alberto Salazar did on his first marathon. He came in 9th and was very discouraged and said he would never run another marathon. Weeks later he went back to his homeland, Eritrea and was humbled and reminded of how simple his people lived and how easy he had it in the US. How could he get so discouraged over a marathon! God had blessed him with the gift of running and training was nothing compared to how hard these people worked.
Its funny how I read these two similar stories within a couple weeks. Both lived through very difficult situations but worked hard, appreciated their blessings even in the tough times and trusted the Lord for their future. Sometimes I feel like Im making too big a deal of this marathon and Im not even raising any money or doing it for some noble cause. But the fact that I happened to read these 2 books in a row made me feel like God was speaking to me and encouraging me when I felt discouraged. He always does that! God is amazing like that. My life IS a big deal to God! He teaches me something in everything I do. He wants to encourage me, a back of the pack marathon runner just as much as He encourages Meb, a marathon champion!
Life is like a marathon. |Its difficult and painful at times, but if we appreciate what we have, do our best, work hard and trust in the Lord we will receive the prize at the end!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Nausea and Other TMIs
Last week I survived my first 30K run. I went with my running buddy, my brother-in-law Ed. It took us 3hrs 9 minutes which is pretty much on tract with my 4:20 marathon goal. We ran the waterfront trail in Pickering and the scenery was really nice. It sure beats my Oshawa city run. We went 15K out and then back. It was hard but when you are running with someone else you have no choice but to keep going. We had problems with clouds of little black bugs though that flew in our mouth and when I got home I noticed a dead one stuck in my eye.
This Saturday... I did 33K by myself. I did my 10K & 6.5K neighborhood route and then did them backwards. It wasnt as pretty and it was cold and windy and I felt nauseous the whole way, I'll take little black bugs over that. It took me 3 1/2 hrs too! I think it was because of the wind, plus my watch is crappy plus Ed makes me faster.
My hubby Don and I always go out for breakfast every Saturday morning. We've been doing this ever since our kids were old enough to babysit. The past ten years or so we started working out or running before we go. It feels great to have worked out and shower before our date. We say we have to work for it or it doesnt taste as good.
Last week when I ran with Ed I told Don I would do my run first and then we would just have a late breakfast and call it brunch. Well we had "brunch" at 2:00 p.m. Crazy I know but nothing stops us from having our breakfast out. It just doesnt feel like the weekend if we dont have our breakfast treat.
So this Saturday we had our breakfast at the normal time and then I did my run 2 hours later which is the usual time I have to wait after eating to run without feeling nauseous. Well 10K into it I felt like throwing up. I'd burp and then think - oh now Im going to feel better but the sick feeling never went away. I was also experimenting with these sport energy gummies and jelly beans but they just made me feel even more pukey.
I guess it was too big of a breakfast. I had 2 eggs, 2 slices of toast, tomato and a fruit bowl with strawberries, pineapple and bananas oh yeah and about 3 cups of coffee, maybe that was the reason. I wont be doing that again! On the morning of a race I always eat a couple hours before the race but I have half a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and half a banana and a cup of coffee and it has never failed me. I'm ready to go to the bathroom right before the race and then Im good to go. I know thats TMI but its very important. I've seen runners in the bushes during a race and one time I saw a woman whip down her shorts and go behind a very skinny tree. Im not that hardcore! Peanut butter bagel from now on!
This Saturday... I did 33K by myself. I did my 10K & 6.5K neighborhood route and then did them backwards. It wasnt as pretty and it was cold and windy and I felt nauseous the whole way, I'll take little black bugs over that. It took me 3 1/2 hrs too! I think it was because of the wind, plus my watch is crappy plus Ed makes me faster.
My hubby Don and I always go out for breakfast every Saturday morning. We've been doing this ever since our kids were old enough to babysit. The past ten years or so we started working out or running before we go. It feels great to have worked out and shower before our date. We say we have to work for it or it doesnt taste as good.
Last week when I ran with Ed I told Don I would do my run first and then we would just have a late breakfast and call it brunch. Well we had "brunch" at 2:00 p.m. Crazy I know but nothing stops us from having our breakfast out. It just doesnt feel like the weekend if we dont have our breakfast treat.
So this Saturday we had our breakfast at the normal time and then I did my run 2 hours later which is the usual time I have to wait after eating to run without feeling nauseous. Well 10K into it I felt like throwing up. I'd burp and then think - oh now Im going to feel better but the sick feeling never went away. I was also experimenting with these sport energy gummies and jelly beans but they just made me feel even more pukey.
I guess it was too big of a breakfast. I had 2 eggs, 2 slices of toast, tomato and a fruit bowl with strawberries, pineapple and bananas oh yeah and about 3 cups of coffee, maybe that was the reason. I wont be doing that again! On the morning of a race I always eat a couple hours before the race but I have half a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and half a banana and a cup of coffee and it has never failed me. I'm ready to go to the bathroom right before the race and then Im good to go. I know thats TMI but its very important. I've seen runners in the bushes during a race and one time I saw a woman whip down her shorts and go behind a very skinny tree. Im not that hardcore! Peanut butter bagel from now on!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
My Schedule and Ice Baths
This has been my schedule since January and I've been sticking to it quite closely.
Monday: Gym - Bike 1/2 hour, 20-30 minutes weights for arms, legs, abs.
Tuesday: Running Free Marathon Clinic - 10-13K tempo run or 1K sprint repeats.
Wednesday: Gym - Bike 1/2 hr (if my shin splints are bugging me) or 1/2 hr treadmill & 20-30 min weights. (soon will be changing to 10K outside)
Thursday: 10K outside.
Friday: Off
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Off
I am up to 26K in my long runs. This week I have to do 30K and then every weekend in April it will be 30+K. I just have to make it through April and I will be good to go. Thats all. Its so hard and soooo time consuming!
Well at least I have lost 11 lbs ! (or more..I didnt weigh myself at first because I didnt want to know) and I am 1 lb away from my goal weight which is to be too light to be a Clydesdale. Last year I joked about being a Clydesdale but I dont want to be a work horse anymore. I want to be light and run like a gazelle...or somewhere in between.
A couple of weeks ago I took a whole week off of running. It was very hard to do but I have been suffering from shin splints in my right leg. The stinging pain was so bad when I ran it caused me to limp sometimes. I had been trying to convince myself it was getting better but someone said to me "Doesnt that mean you should stop running and let it heal?" and looked at me with a face that suggested I was crazy. Hmmm stop running, I never thought of that. So I decided to buy new shoes (my present pair are only a few months old) and take a week off to let it heal. My marathon clinic leader also suggested ice baths, anti-inflammatory cream, icing and compression. I have done all of the above and am happy to say it has gotten alot better. Im still wearing my compression strap around my shin when I run but it just hurts abit at the beginning of my run.
One thing that I am proud of is that I have conquered ice baths! I have tried taking them before and couldnt do it. This time I was determined. I wore shorts in the bathtub and a hoody with long sleeves. This really helped. At least my top half was abit warm. What a sight I am! I also used my stop watch to time 20 minutes and read a running magazine to pass the time and remind myself WHY I was shivering in a bathtub full of ice water. Once again going through child birth helped me to deal with the excruciating pain of first sitting in the ice water. I moaned and groaned my way through it! It helped.
Monday: Gym - Bike 1/2 hour, 20-30 minutes weights for arms, legs, abs.
Tuesday: Running Free Marathon Clinic - 10-13K tempo run or 1K sprint repeats.
Wednesday: Gym - Bike 1/2 hr (if my shin splints are bugging me) or 1/2 hr treadmill & 20-30 min weights. (soon will be changing to 10K outside)
Thursday: 10K outside.
Friday: Off
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Off
I am up to 26K in my long runs. This week I have to do 30K and then every weekend in April it will be 30+K. I just have to make it through April and I will be good to go. Thats all. Its so hard and soooo time consuming!
Well at least I have lost 11 lbs ! (or more..I didnt weigh myself at first because I didnt want to know) and I am 1 lb away from my goal weight which is to be too light to be a Clydesdale. Last year I joked about being a Clydesdale but I dont want to be a work horse anymore. I want to be light and run like a gazelle...or somewhere in between.
A couple of weeks ago I took a whole week off of running. It was very hard to do but I have been suffering from shin splints in my right leg. The stinging pain was so bad when I ran it caused me to limp sometimes. I had been trying to convince myself it was getting better but someone said to me "Doesnt that mean you should stop running and let it heal?" and looked at me with a face that suggested I was crazy. Hmmm stop running, I never thought of that. So I decided to buy new shoes (my present pair are only a few months old) and take a week off to let it heal. My marathon clinic leader also suggested ice baths, anti-inflammatory cream, icing and compression. I have done all of the above and am happy to say it has gotten alot better. Im still wearing my compression strap around my shin when I run but it just hurts abit at the beginning of my run.
One thing that I am proud of is that I have conquered ice baths! I have tried taking them before and couldnt do it. This time I was determined. I wore shorts in the bathtub and a hoody with long sleeves. This really helped. At least my top half was abit warm. What a sight I am! I also used my stop watch to time 20 minutes and read a running magazine to pass the time and remind myself WHY I was shivering in a bathtub full of ice water. Once again going through child birth helped me to deal with the excruciating pain of first sitting in the ice water. I moaned and groaned my way through it! It helped.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Jesus Running Waves
I'm behind in writing about my marathon clinic. I want to have a reminder of my training to look back on. Training is half the fun of doing the marathon. Its like being pregnant. Waiting and preparing for the special day, scared but yet excited. Ok well having a baby is way better and you get a baby at the end, in the marathon you just get sore muscles and feet, oh an bragging rights I guess. Not everyone can run a marathon but lots of people can have a baby. Enough! Im constantly comparing running a marathon to having a baby. I even wrote an article on it and it was published in The Running Room magazine, but I have to stop doing that.
Running can also be compared to our christian faith walk in so many ways. I'll never stop doing that! I was thinking about that a few weeks ago when I really didnt want to go to the marathon clinic. It was so dark and cold and they were doing a 13K tempo run. It was hard enough doing a 10K tempo, I didnt know if I could do 13. It was also a crappy week at home. I have "20-something" kids and it can get pretty scary sometimes and I start doubting and worrying. Well I forced myself to go to the clinic and was so glad I did. I was feeling really down and after the clinic I felt so great.
I ran 13k at a quick steady tempo, wasnt last and finished strong. But the best part was where the extra 3 kilometers took us. We ran to the Pickering waterfront and we could hear the waves get louder and louder as we got closer. The waves were huge and looked so dark and eerie but yet mysterious and amazing. Snow was lightly falling so you could see a little sparkle here and there. Its how I had always pictured the waves when Jesus walked on water. The disciples being amazed yet scared. How eerie that must have looked. Then I thought about how powerful God is and that He could make those mightly waves stop just by saying so. I felt so comforted. God always speaks to me when I am feeling down. He was showing me in such an amazing way that though my life may seem out of control and scary like those waves He is in control.
Then just as I was thinking that a Hillsong song came on my MP3 player (yes I snuck my little buddy with this time) . The song started "I have never walked on water..." seriously it did! What a God moment. Some would say coincidence but I know its not. The chorus goes: "You are my freedom, Jesus you're the reason, Im kneeling again at your throne, where would I be without you, here in my life, here in my life." I was singing that outloud the rest of the week, sometimes without realizing I was singing it outloud.
Anyways I was talking about how I compare running to my faith walk . That week I was thinking that on our faith walk, sometimes we are called to do something we really dont feel like doing, but when we do it anyway because we know God wants us to, we are always blessed. I find that with running too. Some nights I REALLY dont want to go but I am always blessed when I do. I also thought its like my Dad never wanting to miss church because he said that might be the day when its one of those life changing messages so he didnt want to miss it. Runnings like that too.
Running can also be compared to our christian faith walk in so many ways. I'll never stop doing that! I was thinking about that a few weeks ago when I really didnt want to go to the marathon clinic. It was so dark and cold and they were doing a 13K tempo run. It was hard enough doing a 10K tempo, I didnt know if I could do 13. It was also a crappy week at home. I have "20-something" kids and it can get pretty scary sometimes and I start doubting and worrying. Well I forced myself to go to the clinic and was so glad I did. I was feeling really down and after the clinic I felt so great.
I ran 13k at a quick steady tempo, wasnt last and finished strong. But the best part was where the extra 3 kilometers took us. We ran to the Pickering waterfront and we could hear the waves get louder and louder as we got closer. The waves were huge and looked so dark and eerie but yet mysterious and amazing. Snow was lightly falling so you could see a little sparkle here and there. Its how I had always pictured the waves when Jesus walked on water. The disciples being amazed yet scared. How eerie that must have looked. Then I thought about how powerful God is and that He could make those mightly waves stop just by saying so. I felt so comforted. God always speaks to me when I am feeling down. He was showing me in such an amazing way that though my life may seem out of control and scary like those waves He is in control.
Then just as I was thinking that a Hillsong song came on my MP3 player (yes I snuck my little buddy with this time) . The song started "I have never walked on water..." seriously it did! What a God moment. Some would say coincidence but I know its not. The chorus goes: "You are my freedom, Jesus you're the reason, Im kneeling again at your throne, where would I be without you, here in my life, here in my life." I was singing that outloud the rest of the week, sometimes without realizing I was singing it outloud.
Anyways I was talking about how I compare running to my faith walk . That week I was thinking that on our faith walk, sometimes we are called to do something we really dont feel like doing, but when we do it anyway because we know God wants us to, we are always blessed. I find that with running too. Some nights I REALLY dont want to go but I am always blessed when I do. I also thought its like my Dad never wanting to miss church because he said that might be the day when its one of those life changing messages so he didnt want to miss it. Runnings like that too.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The First shall be Last & the Last shall be First
At Marathon Clinic last week's 10K tempo run I didnt come in dead last! When I got home I announced to my family "Second Last!" They gave me a huge cheer, well it was a cheer, I'll take it. I was starting to feel better about my running.
This week the leader announced we were doing 1 kilometer repeats. I was a little apprehensive but thought maybe I'd be better at this because in school I was always one of the top three in the short distance races.
Two leaders ran with a group of about 10 of us a couple kilometers to the 1K route. We ran the route slow and then we were supposed to do it fast and then repeat that 3 times. Our fast laps were supposed to get faster every time. I was the only one without a watch. They all wear these huge watches that cover half their forearm that shows all their stats. I've never been that technical about my running. I know my best race times and thats about it. One of the leaders said he'd keep track of my times. Gee thanks. I'm sure he's going to announce my times loudly for everyone to hear.
We did the first slow lap together chatting and laughing. Meanwhile Im trying to memorize the route so I dont get lost. Then came the first fast lap. No more talking it was serious, hardcore running now. I was the one hacking and coughing but keeping up, until the last stretch. I was dead last, again. The leader told me my time was 4:20 I think, I didnt know if that was good or not. I just know I was last.
My second fast lap was supposed to be faster but it wasnt. I thought I was going to die.
For our last fast lap the leader announced we were doing something different and switching things up. He said we were going to do things backwards. So that means you will be first and he pointed at me. My heart dropped. I mean I knew everyone knew I was last but this was embarrasing. He didnt even know my name. "And whats your name?" Cyndie, yeah thats me, Cyndie the tortoise. He said the next person would start 10 seconds after me ( that was Ed) and then 10 seconds after that another person would go. So the person who was usually first went last. The idea was that by the end we would all be in a line racing each other. Healthy, fun competition he said. Yeah fun for who Mr Jumbo Tron Watch? He said if your not used to being chased you'll feel what its like to be chased and vice versa.
So he gave me the signal to start. I started out fast, no one in front of me. Running free right up front, everyone chasing ME for once and ....I wanted to cry. I felt like running down the wrong road on purpose. I felt so embarrased and I wanted to stop right there and give up. I knew that any minute everyone would catch up to me and I'd be last again, except this time it would be even more humilating. I felt myself slowing down. Ok stop being a suck I chastised myself. Besides it felt kind of good being in front. Maybe I could just enjoy being first for a little while.
Earlier the leader had told us that what he does to push himself in a race is he concentrates on looking at an object and doesnt think about anything else. He blocks out his pain and just concentrates on that object. Well thats exactly what they taught us to do in Lamaze class and I''ve given birth to 4 babies! Hey I can do this!
The breathing hurt so bad but I concentrated on the next street sign. Then I realized I was halfway done the route and no one had caught up to me yet. I was giving it my all and trying to stay first for as long as I could. I could hear Ed breathing behind me. He caught up to me just towards the end. Ed was the only one who beat me! The leader said that was my fastest time and said it sure feels different being up front doesnt it? It sure did! When Im last I feel heavy and slow. It just shows how being first pumps you up.
I learned two things this week at Marathon Clinic. First of all we have to see ourselves as winners and feel like a winner and we have to believe in ourselves that we can do it. And second of all I need to do more kegel exercises.
This week the leader announced we were doing 1 kilometer repeats. I was a little apprehensive but thought maybe I'd be better at this because in school I was always one of the top three in the short distance races.
Two leaders ran with a group of about 10 of us a couple kilometers to the 1K route. We ran the route slow and then we were supposed to do it fast and then repeat that 3 times. Our fast laps were supposed to get faster every time. I was the only one without a watch. They all wear these huge watches that cover half their forearm that shows all their stats. I've never been that technical about my running. I know my best race times and thats about it. One of the leaders said he'd keep track of my times. Gee thanks. I'm sure he's going to announce my times loudly for everyone to hear.
We did the first slow lap together chatting and laughing. Meanwhile Im trying to memorize the route so I dont get lost. Then came the first fast lap. No more talking it was serious, hardcore running now. I was the one hacking and coughing but keeping up, until the last stretch. I was dead last, again. The leader told me my time was 4:20 I think, I didnt know if that was good or not. I just know I was last.
My second fast lap was supposed to be faster but it wasnt. I thought I was going to die.
For our last fast lap the leader announced we were doing something different and switching things up. He said we were going to do things backwards. So that means you will be first and he pointed at me. My heart dropped. I mean I knew everyone knew I was last but this was embarrasing. He didnt even know my name. "And whats your name?" Cyndie, yeah thats me, Cyndie the tortoise. He said the next person would start 10 seconds after me ( that was Ed) and then 10 seconds after that another person would go. So the person who was usually first went last. The idea was that by the end we would all be in a line racing each other. Healthy, fun competition he said. Yeah fun for who Mr Jumbo Tron Watch? He said if your not used to being chased you'll feel what its like to be chased and vice versa.
So he gave me the signal to start. I started out fast, no one in front of me. Running free right up front, everyone chasing ME for once and ....I wanted to cry. I felt like running down the wrong road on purpose. I felt so embarrased and I wanted to stop right there and give up. I knew that any minute everyone would catch up to me and I'd be last again, except this time it would be even more humilating. I felt myself slowing down. Ok stop being a suck I chastised myself. Besides it felt kind of good being in front. Maybe I could just enjoy being first for a little while.
Earlier the leader had told us that what he does to push himself in a race is he concentrates on looking at an object and doesnt think about anything else. He blocks out his pain and just concentrates on that object. Well thats exactly what they taught us to do in Lamaze class and I''ve given birth to 4 babies! Hey I can do this!
The breathing hurt so bad but I concentrated on the next street sign. Then I realized I was halfway done the route and no one had caught up to me yet. I was giving it my all and trying to stay first for as long as I could. I could hear Ed breathing behind me. He caught up to me just towards the end. Ed was the only one who beat me! The leader said that was my fastest time and said it sure feels different being up front doesnt it? It sure did! When Im last I feel heavy and slow. It just shows how being first pumps you up.
I learned two things this week at Marathon Clinic. First of all we have to see ourselves as winners and feel like a winner and we have to believe in ourselves that we can do it. And second of all I need to do more kegel exercises.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Puk On!
Last Saturday we went to my brother-in-law Mike's mother's funeral. Marie Haan lived a long, full life, raised 4 kids and was 97 years old. Her children talked about the dutch sayings she often used. One of them was "Puk On!" It means - tough it out and get going, you can do it, persevere, etc. Well this week at marathon clinic I had to tell myself to Puk On! several times.
I brought my head light this time like everyone else but still didnt look as cool. Maybe it was because I wore a cap with a fleece headband over top and then the headlight on top of that. Not cool I know. I even saw a girl in a car laughing at me as I walked in the store. I dont care, I rather have warm ears. I had forgotten my contacts and it was raining so thats why I had to wear a cap but I thought it was too cold for just a cap.
Before we headed out for another 10K tempo run the leader told us to MAKE SURE we did the first few kilometers as a warm-up. This is very important he said. Yeah yeah, I thought it was more important not to be last and proceeded to run way too fast at the beginning.
I pulled it off at first. I was sticking with the group. I was one of them. Then someone passed me, then another and another. Even these two tiny little ladies who I could probably stick in my back pocket and took tiny, baby steps passed me. How could they be faster than me? I was over dressed again and was so warm that I had to take my jacket off and in doing so got it all tangled up in my water bottle belt. Then the wind started. It got so windy I side stepped a couple of times. Thats when I realized I was last. Dead last. I almost felt like giving up. But I thought of Mike's mom and told myself to Puk On! I Pukked On running by myself in the dark up a long hill with the wind howling. I think I probably could have walked faster. I could see Ed ahead of me and it looked like he felt bad for me but the leader (Garth) told him to go ahead and he circled back to run with me.
Garth said I was doing great and he said it like he actually meant it. It helped. He talked alot which helped me get through those last kilometers. We werent that far behind the others but then we got stopped by a red light. Now I was dead dead last. He said he never worried about time but runs because he loves running. Although he did mention that he's done Boston AND now does ultramarathons, 100 kilometers! I dont know if I love running that much! He asked me about my goals and found out he's also turning 50 this year. It turned out to be a great run, even if I was dead last. I still got high fives from some of the front runners when I came in and Garth said I did great.
It doesnt feet great to be last and I've never felt so slow as I do with this group but I think I'll stick with it. These tempo runs are definately pushing me and can only improve my speed. I just have to Puk On!
I brought my head light this time like everyone else but still didnt look as cool. Maybe it was because I wore a cap with a fleece headband over top and then the headlight on top of that. Not cool I know. I even saw a girl in a car laughing at me as I walked in the store. I dont care, I rather have warm ears. I had forgotten my contacts and it was raining so thats why I had to wear a cap but I thought it was too cold for just a cap.
Before we headed out for another 10K tempo run the leader told us to MAKE SURE we did the first few kilometers as a warm-up. This is very important he said. Yeah yeah, I thought it was more important not to be last and proceeded to run way too fast at the beginning.
I pulled it off at first. I was sticking with the group. I was one of them. Then someone passed me, then another and another. Even these two tiny little ladies who I could probably stick in my back pocket and took tiny, baby steps passed me. How could they be faster than me? I was over dressed again and was so warm that I had to take my jacket off and in doing so got it all tangled up in my water bottle belt. Then the wind started. It got so windy I side stepped a couple of times. Thats when I realized I was last. Dead last. I almost felt like giving up. But I thought of Mike's mom and told myself to Puk On! I Pukked On running by myself in the dark up a long hill with the wind howling. I think I probably could have walked faster. I could see Ed ahead of me and it looked like he felt bad for me but the leader (Garth) told him to go ahead and he circled back to run with me.
Garth said I was doing great and he said it like he actually meant it. It helped. He talked alot which helped me get through those last kilometers. We werent that far behind the others but then we got stopped by a red light. Now I was dead dead last. He said he never worried about time but runs because he loves running. Although he did mention that he's done Boston AND now does ultramarathons, 100 kilometers! I dont know if I love running that much! He asked me about my goals and found out he's also turning 50 this year. It turned out to be a great run, even if I was dead last. I still got high fives from some of the front runners when I came in and Garth said I did great.
It doesnt feet great to be last and I've never felt so slow as I do with this group but I think I'll stick with it. These tempo runs are definately pushing me and can only improve my speed. I just have to Puk On!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Marathon Clinic Newbie
This May I am turning 50, yuck, and my goal is to run a full marathon in May and beat my 40th birthday marathon time.
For my 40th I joined a Running Room marathon clinic with a friend. It was great! We both "finished upright and smiling". (A famous and much used RR saying).
This year I've decided to join a Running Free store marathon clinic because first of all its free, (the Running Room is $70) and my brother in law Ed was joining. Perfect!
I went for the first time last night and noticed there is quite a difference from the Running Room people and the Running Free people.
First of all at the RR there are all different shapes and sizes of people and all different styles of running clothes and not so good for running clothes. Not so at RF. The second I walked in the door I realized these runners are hard core! Not one 'beginner looking' person in the room and nothing but top of the line running clothes and everyone had a headlight on their head. Ed had told me I should get a head light but I had never seen anyone run with a headlight before. The manager kindly gave me a small flashlight to carry and showed me the route on a huge map. Very nice but he might as well of stuck a Newbie sign on my forehead.
Everyone knew Ed. Hi Ed, hi Ed, hi Ed. I only knew Ed, but thats OK. An oppurtunity to meet new people right.
For the first night we were doing a 10K tempo run. I thought no problem, I run 10K everyweek. At the RR I was always in the middle of the pack. Not so at RF. I like to start off slow to warm up. No such luck. They took off and it was full speed, well at least full speed for me. One of the leaders ran with us slower people. I was worried that we were last but noticed there were 2 stragglers behind us. Great I thought but the leader told us they were "taking it easy" because they had run 2 marathons in the last 2 weeks. Seriously...what did I get myself into??!! Ed stayed with me, "the newbie". I told him he could run ahead but he said it was fine and wanted to take it easy too, sure Ed. Poor guy, stuck with the Newbie.
Even though we were second last I thought we were doing a pretty good pace. Thats until the leader said 'These first 5K are a warm up and then the last 5K you can give it all you've got" I whispered to Ed, I AM giving it all I've got already, I dont got anymore! This was about at kilometer number #4.
Running with other people did make the kilometers go faster. Im used to running by myself most of the time. Runners love talking about running and the races they've done but I found these RF hardcore veterans would ask me what races I'd done and before I'd finished they proceeded to list all their races. One guy listed his marathons and then said AND 2 Ironmans. I said I've done a sprint triathlon??.....yeah he didnt hear me.
Towards the end of the 10K I could see the RF store off in the distance. I decided to sprint the end to show I wasnt exhausted (I was) but unfortunately the store was a lot farther off than I thought it was. But I couldnt stop of course and look like an idiot so I pushed it until I got to the store. When we got there everyone was just finishing their stretching and eating the snacks already.
I stretched for abit and then went in the store. I could feel my face was bright red and all blothcy from sprinting at the end. What a Newbie face. I went to get some food but everyone was starting to sit down for the talk. Oh well, I didnt want any food anyway. The 2 leaders talked about nutrition and had a Q n A time. It was good but the whole time I was sweating profusely and peeling my layers off. Everyone else looked as cool as they did at the start....eating their bananas. I was starving!
I dont know if I fit in with these hardcore athletes. They all know their stats and talk about tempo runs and hill work and PRs bla bla bla and their fancy shmancy running clothes and high tech pants that are supposed to make you run 0.005 seconds faster. I just like to run because I love it. I listen to my music and take in my surroundings and dont worry about my time and my stats. Then again.... my husband has a headlight I could borrow. And if Im last I can only get better. Who am I kidding. I cant wait till next week!
For my 40th I joined a Running Room marathon clinic with a friend. It was great! We both "finished upright and smiling". (A famous and much used RR saying).
This year I've decided to join a Running Free store marathon clinic because first of all its free, (the Running Room is $70) and my brother in law Ed was joining. Perfect!
I went for the first time last night and noticed there is quite a difference from the Running Room people and the Running Free people.
First of all at the RR there are all different shapes and sizes of people and all different styles of running clothes and not so good for running clothes. Not so at RF. The second I walked in the door I realized these runners are hard core! Not one 'beginner looking' person in the room and nothing but top of the line running clothes and everyone had a headlight on their head. Ed had told me I should get a head light but I had never seen anyone run with a headlight before. The manager kindly gave me a small flashlight to carry and showed me the route on a huge map. Very nice but he might as well of stuck a Newbie sign on my forehead.
Everyone knew Ed. Hi Ed, hi Ed, hi Ed. I only knew Ed, but thats OK. An oppurtunity to meet new people right.
For the first night we were doing a 10K tempo run. I thought no problem, I run 10K everyweek. At the RR I was always in the middle of the pack. Not so at RF. I like to start off slow to warm up. No such luck. They took off and it was full speed, well at least full speed for me. One of the leaders ran with us slower people. I was worried that we were last but noticed there were 2 stragglers behind us. Great I thought but the leader told us they were "taking it easy" because they had run 2 marathons in the last 2 weeks. Seriously...what did I get myself into??!! Ed stayed with me, "the newbie". I told him he could run ahead but he said it was fine and wanted to take it easy too, sure Ed. Poor guy, stuck with the Newbie.
Even though we were second last I thought we were doing a pretty good pace. Thats until the leader said 'These first 5K are a warm up and then the last 5K you can give it all you've got" I whispered to Ed, I AM giving it all I've got already, I dont got anymore! This was about at kilometer number #4.
Running with other people did make the kilometers go faster. Im used to running by myself most of the time. Runners love talking about running and the races they've done but I found these RF hardcore veterans would ask me what races I'd done and before I'd finished they proceeded to list all their races. One guy listed his marathons and then said AND 2 Ironmans. I said I've done a sprint triathlon??.....yeah he didnt hear me.
Towards the end of the 10K I could see the RF store off in the distance. I decided to sprint the end to show I wasnt exhausted (I was) but unfortunately the store was a lot farther off than I thought it was. But I couldnt stop of course and look like an idiot so I pushed it until I got to the store. When we got there everyone was just finishing their stretching and eating the snacks already.
I stretched for abit and then went in the store. I could feel my face was bright red and all blothcy from sprinting at the end. What a Newbie face. I went to get some food but everyone was starting to sit down for the talk. Oh well, I didnt want any food anyway. The 2 leaders talked about nutrition and had a Q n A time. It was good but the whole time I was sweating profusely and peeling my layers off. Everyone else looked as cool as they did at the start....eating their bananas. I was starving!
I dont know if I fit in with these hardcore athletes. They all know their stats and talk about tempo runs and hill work and PRs bla bla bla and their fancy shmancy running clothes and high tech pants that are supposed to make you run 0.005 seconds faster. I just like to run because I love it. I listen to my music and take in my surroundings and dont worry about my time and my stats. Then again.... my husband has a headlight I could borrow. And if Im last I can only get better. Who am I kidding. I cant wait till next week!
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