Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Crazy Running Lady Has Marathon Fever

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!

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.