26.2: My Journey to the Big One: Baystate Marathon October 15, 2006

Massage anyone?

2006-05-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

I'm opening myself up for crap with this post so I'm playing along. My inner thighs are KILLING ME. Abso-freaking-lutely KILLING me. They were sore going into my run and hurt the whole 4 miles.

One might think a massage would be just what I need...and yep you are right, but bring the Icy Hot!

But seriously folks, I can't move darn it. I was hoping for 5 miles tomorrow but I know that when I get out of bed tomorrow morning it will be the creak heard around the world.

But even if I can get out for a small wittle run and then rest Friday...I will be happy but I'm thinking the smarter scenario would be bat my eyeballs, get the Icy Hot massage, take tomorrow off and run 5 miles Friday.

Lemme hear ya say YEAH

Body by Chips

2006-05-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

After two straight weeks of rain, I emerged from my cave, peered into the sunshine and set off for a quick 3 mile run. 3 miles later and away from home, I wake up and start to wonder if I have the energy to get back...I did no problem.

I've gotten off of my pity pot, you'll be happy to know.

For the first time in my life I have true blue fat rolls on my stomach...good lord. It used to be extra skin from having babies but now, thanks to Ruffles and my addiction TO them, I have some work to do. Thankfully running a marathon schedule will get rid of it but it's scary to know just how easy that can happen.

May 8-11

2006-05-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Having serious doubts whether I am going to be able to pull this off. I have not been able to run since Sunday. Things are so busy...my son is starting middle school and there was a meeting that lasted late last night...it's just a constant barrage of "other duties". Then there are the nights where a run is probably just what I need, but my day at work was so stressful the only thing I can muster is to make it to the couch to stare at the TV.

Not following my pre-train schedule has given me a tremendous amount of stress that I don't need.

I've decided to stop stressing about it and run as I can and if I'm ready, I'm ready...if not, I will run a half marathon. I had the same things going on last year and I fit that training schedule in no problem. The difference is, this year, I have to start earlier to make the goal...start training right when baseball season starts...

I have the rest of my life to do this. I'm not giving up on running anytime soon. All I can do is try.

May 7

2006-05-09T17:20:00.001-07:00

I ran my "wall" route...the route where I hit my "wall" last year. It's a very difficult 6 miles, only about a half mile of it is flat. And they aren't steep hills either, the kind that incline and decline subtly but last forever. Last year I hit the 3rd mile mark where the long incline gets a little steeper and I would have to walk to the turn around point. I ran it a few times a week until I didn't have to walk anymore but it was a definite wall that I had to get past in order to increase my mileage. But it's a perfect 6 miles and since that is what I had planned for the day and I wasn't able to run for 2 days, I chose this route. (Like selecting an outfit from the closet). I had not one problem. I finished it with ease. And if you live in my town, I apologize. I overdressed and had to strip down to my jog bra because I was overheating. I know that is not a sight you want to see on a beautiful Sunday afternoon! Thankfully I went into a trance and didn't see any horrified stares.

May 5-6

2006-05-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am babysitting my 2 and 6 year old godchildren this weekend and have to put my schedule on hold because maneuvering with 2 more children on top of my 2 children in baseball will be the focus. My training will resume with my long run on Sunday and I am sure I will need and love it. :)

May 4

2006-05-09T17:19:00.004-07:00

I spent a half an hour stretching and ate really well today. I set off at a very slow and conservative pace. About 3/4 of a mile in I looked down a side road and another person was gearing up for her run. At a little past 1 mile a stupid little rat dog started barking at me and I look behind me and there was that runner! So, I clicked my watch and WOOSH took off like a rocket and sprinted, big long wide strides for nearly a mile. I ended up finishing a powerhouse run...4 miles in 29 minutes!!

May 3

2006-05-09T17:19:00.003-07:00

Still down pouring rain but I had to run. It was dark and miserable but I set out. I had the crappiest run I've had forever. I'm having issues with my new shoes. It has a bump in a weird place in the ball of the foot that makes my right foot go numb. Because my heart wasn't into it, I started focusing on that stupid foot and next thing I know it's like someone knocked me out for the past 2 years and I forgot how to run. I'm just glad I wasn't running along side of mirrors. I guess what I was doing was compensating because my shin was killing me. Then I changed my awkward stride so that my calf was killing me. I finally gave up and let my stupid foot go numb and finished somehow.

May 2

2006-05-09T17:19:00.002-07:00

Supposed to be a 3 miler but had a busy night planned with the kids...5-12 grade band concert, plus it was down pouring rain.

May 1

2006-05-09T17:19:00.001-07:00

Day off!

Apr 30

2006-05-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

It was an absolutely beautiful day here in Maine so I mapped out a beach route for my long run today. My route was 5 1/2 miles but very hilly. Miles 1, 2, 4 and 5 were rolling hills. Mile 2 had some very steep hills that I got to the top straining like I was climbing a mountain. Mile 3 was one mile flat along the beach and I ran it fast and hard and cooled off too. Mile 4 was back to hills with the beach at my back and it was hot. The last mile and a half was way way up and way way down. I left my watch home because I really wanted to focus on my form for the hills and enjoying the day. It was a great run and I really surprised myself. I was back home in less than an hour and I stopped to talk to my neighbor for a minute.

Apr 29

2006-05-09T17:18:00.001-07:00

Our day started very early because of the little league parade. Nick had his first T-Ball game at 12:00 and then I snuck in my 3 mile run. I had lead in my shorts but I did it.

Apr 28

2006-05-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Today was supposed to be my day off but I had to make up for yesterday AND try out my cool new SCHMOKIN green Asics!! I think they are rocket powered because I ran 4 miles in 30 minutes and had a ball. It took a while to get my stride down because I forgot what it was like to actually run with treads. I got this year's model of Asic's too. I wanted to just replace my old ones but decided to upgrade. Plus, who can pass up GREEN shoes! Here is a picture of them. Huh? Huh? Are they SCHMOKIN or WHAT?

Apr 27

2006-05-09T17:17:00.002-07:00

Set out for my 4 miler and thought better of it. I had a late dinner, a ginormous steak and cheese sandwich. I just couldn't get it digested enough where it was comfortable to run so I didn't.

Apr 26

2006-05-09T17:17:00.001-07:00

Ran a fast and hard 4 miles. Didn't stretch enough though and will probably be sore tomorrow. Stretching is SO important, I HAVE to take the time!

Apr 25

2006-05-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

My husband and son had a baseball game that lasted past 8:00 so I couldn't get out to run. Not to be deterred, I did 40 minutes of workout level Dance Dance Revolution on Playstation II. The log said it was the equivalent of a 3.5 mile run. I don't think there is any comparison but I worked up a sweat and it felt good so it was better than nothing.

Apr 24

2006-05-09T17:16:00.003-07:00

Day off, but I'm not sore at all from yesterday's run! Woo hoo!

Apr 23

2006-05-09T17:16:00.002-07:00

I did a bit of carb loading and set off for my longest run this training...5 miles. It was WAY easier than I thought it was going to be, I was so excited. It didn't take me long either, I ran like I normally would, not like I was "saving it" or anything. I'm very pleased with myself!

Apr 22

2006-05-09T17:16:00.001-07:00

I did yard work all day...raking, which is absolutely exhausting. I filled 20 bags of leaves and picked up all the sticks that blew off of the trees this past winter. Then I returned bottles, grocery shopped and made dinner. I sat around getting increasingly tired...by 7:30 I knew if I didn't get off my ass, I wasn't going running and I was going to have yet another excuse under my belt. It's almost 9:00 now and I'm all showered and changed after having the best 3 miles!! It's so so nice to be back to where running 3 miles is EASY! And it was nice to know that I have the discipline inside of me that I need to get me off the couch even as tired as I was.

Apr 21

2006-05-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

Day Off! I did consider running a couple of miles because it felt so good yesterday but I was too busy. Nick had T-Ball, Dylan had baseball and I had to visit the person whose accounting business I handle on the side.

Apr 20

2006-05-09T17:15:00.002-07:00

I've been dreading my run all day. I have been doing awful since I started training. Knee pains, no stamina on runs that I used to do in my sleep. It's just frustrating to feel like this new runner, sore and frustrated. I went into my run not expecting anything of myself. In fact I resolved myself to turn around if I had to. Well, the ghost of the dejected came down upon me and kicked me right in the ass. I ran like my life depended on it and FELT GREAT. I ran 4 miles in 32 minutes!! Amazing considering I've had lead in my shorts since Day 1, barely doing 10 minute miles. Wanting to quit after 2 miles. Today is what my soul needed. I'm feeling my strength coming back and with it, my confidence. WOO HOO.

Apr 19

2006-05-09T17:15:00.001-07:00

Was supposed to run 4 miles but it was hubbies birthday and he went to the Red Sox with my oldest son so Nick and I cleaned his vehicle from top to bottom to surprise him. It was nasty cuz my dog sheds like a snowstorm. Now it looks new!

Apr 18

2006-05-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

A painful 3 miles. My darn knee!

Apr 17

2006-05-09T17:14:00.001-07:00

Day off. Will attempt 3M tomorrow after Nick's T-Ball practice

Apr 16

2006-05-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

I danced for 3 hours last night so I ran 2 miles again. I will pick up my mileage as soon as I buy new shoes. My knees are killing me now!! Whenever running hurts me, it's time for new shoes.

Apr 15

2006-05-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

I ran a quick 2 miles today. I'm not ready to follow the schedule yet. Plus it was going to be a late night. My mom and I are going to an Entrain concert. I felt good except the pinched muscle in my butt started acting up again.

April 14

2006-05-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

I've no sooner started and I get a break. According to the schedule I chose, I get Friday's off. This is the schedule I'm following. Week 1 is June 4th so I am in pre-train right now. Off 3M 4M 4M off 3M 6M

April 13

2006-05-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

I've had a hard time getting started. Wondering if I'm going to be able to put the time in to do this. It's do it all the way or not at all. Do I want this or am I OK with not going the distance? I ran a half marathon this past October...No, It's time to move on. I want this. So starts my journey. I ran 4 miles tonight fairly easily. I've got a long way to go. Such a LONG LONG way to go....