20 miler

I decided to see if some of my friends would be willing to ride along with me as I hit this milestone of 20 miles. My goal was 4:15 minutes based on my time of the 18 miler. Three of my friends rode along with me taking turns. I did 4- 5 mile loops. However, one of my friends, Brenda, who had not been on a bicycle for 10 years decided to stay with me for the last 5 miles. She rode 10 miles. WooHoo Brenda!! I talked most of the time and it was a great distraction. The only difficulty I discovered was I had a hard time keeping my 5:1 intervals. Many times I missed my walk breaks. I did maintain my fuel and raspberry fig newtons worked great for me. It was such a wonderful cool autumn morning which I also did not drink as much as I had in the past. I had trouble with toe cramps on my right foot. Not sure why this happened and it cramped for 5 miles. I tried numerous things to try and stop them from doing this. It finally just worked itself out. I had enough energy in me that I pushed myself at 19.90 miles and sprinted to reach 20 miles. I finished a head of my goal 4:03!
 Overall, this was a great 20 miles and I feel confident that I will beat the bridge and finish this marathon upright and smiling!!

Why I run.

Someone posted a question on the MCM first timers board and asked why do you run.  It is funny but the reason I started to run 3 years ago is not necessarily what keeps me putting one foot in front of the other. Initally, I started to run because I was at a 6 month weight loss plateau and was going no where. I was so flustrated so I began a walk/run program on the treadmill. Slowly, the weight began to come off and I noticed that I felt better about life in general. Instead of eating through stressful moments, I went for a run. Since I am a goal oriented person, I decided that I have to have something to strive for so I signed up for my first 5K that spring.  But the more I train for this marathon, the more I am reflecting. As I am pounding away on the asphalt, I am learning more about myself. Funny to say that I did not really know myself after all I am 40. But I think that life gets in the way, other peoples preceptions and labels that are placed on you seem to mask your true self. Again the reason why I am running a marathon has changed since I signed up to now. I first thought I would run on the "embrace being 40" I am not running away from aging but running head on into it. I feel better now then I did 10 years ago. I chose the MCM because I have always loved the military and what they have done for this country. Being a retired military spouse, I thought what better way to run my first marathon. But I still wanted this marathon to mean ever more to me so I signed up for a charity that reflected what I really care about. The Fisher House foundation gives support, hope and compassion to military families and its members.
BUT...the really reason I am running and pushing myself. I am running for the little curly headed girl that was called "putsky" in gym classes. Who was the one of the last ones chosen for any team event in gym classes. I am running for  that same girl in middle school who felt like she would throw up the morning of the 1 1/2 mile run that was required each year. This same girl walked most of the run and was in the last few to make it across. As an adult, I am running for everyone who looks at me because I dont look like "a runner" because I am not toothpick thin. I am running for our military and their families. I am running for those who cant because of their injuries both mental and physical. I am running for my husband who was a runner (a darn good one) but after 21 years of service has both knee and back issues plus asthma from service his country in Iraq.
My running really is representing my life. When things got tough (deployments, multiple moves etc), I had reach down inside and push through it. I am dependent on myself both mentally and physically to get through this.  My family and friends have been supportive. They are my biggest cheerleaders. Without the understanding of my family and my crazy training schedule this would have not possible. They are helping me live out a dream. A dream to prove to myself that once I set my mind to something there is nothing that can stop me. AND that is why I run.

HOORAH!! 18 miles

I did it!!! I finished 18 miles of running. My nutrition was spot on. I started carbo-loading on sunday. I tried to keep them more healthy carbs. I had oatmeal with almonds, bananas and honey for breakfast on sunday and monday. I made for sunday lunch Italian Chicken soup with Italian bread. I cant remember what I had on sunday evening but it was at work. Monday for lunch I had light minestony soup, supper was Spaghetti Amaritian with Italian bread. This morning I got up and ate my normal pre run breakfast of english muffin with lots of peanut butter and banana. I ate 1/2 cliff peanut butter crunch ( I am doing this because there will be several hours between breakfast and the race.) I drink plain water for the first 12 miles and took two Blueberry Roctanes. (one at 45 minutes and the other at 1 and 40 minutes) After 12 miles I did munch on a few of the cinnamon gold fish crackers I had in my pocket. I run by the house at 12 miles and grabbed my hand held bottle which had gatorade watered down. I drank that the rest of the mileage. I did take the Roctane at 13.5 miles(washed down with water). I did have a little dip in energy at mile 13 to 15. Then I was okay again. Not sure if it was due to the Roctane not taken until 13.5 miles. The last mile was something else. My legs were tired. My feet were cramping up. But my mind and determination remained very strong. I yelled very loud at 17 miles....however at the very same time I did that, a bicyclist was passing me. I did not see him. That poor guy! He jumped and looked at me. He waved. hehehehe. But that yell, help relieve the tension in my legs and feet and helped me push through it. I will have to apologize to him when I see him next. Over all 3 hours 45 minutes. Not bad. 30 seconds per mile slower than what I would like to run but I will still beat the bridge and finish the marathon. That is all that I want to accomplish!

Lesson Learned!

I am continueing to learn while training for this marathon. Just when I thought I had it figured out, nope.... This week since it was a cut back week, I decided to run 3 days in a row. I did a tempo run, speedwork and strenght training and then an easy run. This was not a good idea. I felt fine while I completed the three different runs but on the fourth day, my legs were screaming. I got out of bed and had a sharp pain shoot down my hip to foot when I put weight on it. I was so dang sore. I decided to listen to my body and instead of cross training to rest. Today, I feel much better. My muscles dont feel tired. Just a little ache on the ball of my foot but that may because I need new work shoes. I plan on going for a nice walk later today but other than that I am resting. Tomorrow is another milestone for me.....18 miles. I have asked my son to please ride his bicycle with me for part of it. I love the short runs and running in my thoughts but after about 8 miles, it gets very long. I am planning on trying something diffferent tomorrow.Instead of running 9 miles out and back. I am going to do 6 mile loops with my house being the start and finish line. I plan on putting a snack on the porch of me so that I can grab it after my second 6 mile loop. I am nervous about this distance. I am reminding myself that it is only 2 more miles from the 16 I ran two weeks ago, which went fine.