1st Half Marathon

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Today I completed my first half marathon, 13.1 miles...in about 1hr and 41 min unofficially - putting into account that it was 1 minute into the run when I crossed the starting line (4 minutes faster than my goal of 1 hour and 45 minutes). This was Chris' first one too, but he did the whole distance on his bike! What kinda cheerleader is that!

I started off fast. I have a watch that gives me my pace. I looked down at it and I was running 8.7 (similar to 8.7 on the treadmill). In other words, I started off WAY TOO FAST! I was DEAD to the world at mile 10-11, feeling sick. I actually had to stop as I thought I was going to be sick, which I never do. I think my blood sugar dropped. Once it does that, it is too late to eat, so I had to run through the it. Some nice told me to get going (I think I was his pacer). I ran with him to the end. He nicely told me how far we had to go - 1/2 mile, how the course was to the finish. I believe he finished with me, and I wanted to thank him, but was feeling REAL sick at that point. The volunteers moved me off the path and stayed with me for a moment to make sure I was not going to get sick on the course.

Along my side the whole way...Chris, riding his bike. I lost him at a few places and then he would pop in to give me a high five! I love you, Topher!

Overall, the Lincoln Marathon is very organized. They have plenty of volunteers, cheer leaders, water stops, etc. I loved how we started according to pace, 7m, 8m mile pace, etc. It is NOT a flat course, however. It may be MORE flat than the Omaha marathon (from what I hear), but it NOT flat.

What did I learn? Start slow. NEVER, NEVER PASS YOUR PACER! That is what got me the most. If I would have followed my pink short pacer..I would have made it fine. She slowed on a hill and I passed her. She later passed me as she went on to complete the full marathon. She was experienced, so I should have followed her all the way HOME I also learned to get up, wait a couple hours, and then run when I am training just as I will do on race day. Also, do not drink. I just took splashes of water, but it gave me a stomach ache since I was not used to drinking on the run. I can not drink and run, I guess. And maybe, when training, eat some sugar so it does not drop to the point mine did (of no return). I finished hours ago, and I am still sick!

I finished, sore, sick and exhausted, but I finished. I am not saying I will run another one, and I am not saying I will run the full, ever! I am saying I finished. I am about to shower and take a nap. That is about as far into the future I can see now.

One check off my bucket list (& I'm afraid a full marathon would make me kick the bucket).

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The Countdown begins

I am down to just over 2 days until I will attempt to run my first 1/2 marathon! All my training comes down to Sunday morning, 7 AM! It has been a long hall. I have had difficulty getting support as most think I am crazy. Towards the end of my training, I ran during the morning missing breakfast or during the late afternoon over dinner so that I could beat weather, beat darkness or whatever. Chris is/was getting tired of that part of the training.

In preparation, the kiddos will be staying with their grandparents. This is the first time they have all ever stayed over night away from home without us. Alivia is actually the only one to have stayed on the farm (or stayed anywhere) without us. Chris could just not do it with all those people at the run, and the kids would probably not last that long.

With that said, Chris is now sick. Addison started it, now it is Chris' turn. He went to bed at 7:45 tonight if that says anything. So, I may be going to the run alone, without my cheerleader.

I am looking forward to finishing come Sunday and being done with my longer runs for a while. My goal: To finish in under 2 hours. I did have a better goal, but I believe I may have a minor stress fracture. So, I am just hoping to finish WITHOUT totally "breaking a leg!"

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Just a Jog in the Park

This morning, I got up before dawn and decided to do something different. I got into the car and drove to Zorinsky Lake. It was just before dawn when I began my morning run, but it was light enough to be safe. There were a few crazy people out before me, they were groupies (those who are lucky enough to run in a group) and only a couple singles. It was a beautiful morning in God's land to run. This is what I run for. On my first 7.4 mile loop, I ran by 3 different sets of deer, one set right next to me with a baby right on the trail (who did not move when I ran by!), a cardinal, geese, and 2 hot air balloons! I would not have seen any of that running around in circles in our hilly neighborhood or if I had chosen to sleep in! It was amazing, and I was on cloud 9! I also saw many other runners, which is something I do not see at 4:40 AM in our neighborhood. There were also these inspirational chalk writings on the pavement trail. They were not for me, obviously, but they were fun to read the first time around (although many of them were for those running the other direction). They were funny, too. One, for example, said, "Poop stop" with an arrow pointing towards the trees. Another said, "Think Rocky," "Lincoln or Bust" (the home of the Lincoln Marathon perhaps), etc, etc. They were written for a team of runners, but it was fun to read and kept me entertained and motivated.

After finishing the first loop, I stopped for a brief moment to take off my bright yellow hoodie and kept going. It was such an easy run to what I was used to. Our neighborhood is full of hills, and Zorinsky has fewer, quite smaller hills. It was so nice! I was pretty tired by mile 13, and hoped I was about done. Since I had not been to Zorinsky in a long time, I did not know where I was about half the time (which can be good and bad). But, I finished. 14.8 miles in less than 2 hours! I still had energy left to go on a bike ride with the kids and Chris and walk to the park! Now, if I can just run the 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours I will be happy.

3 weeks from tomorrow is when I will run my first 1/2 marathon! And, yes, I AM COUNTING DOWN!

 

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Spring Storm Gone Wrong

As we were putting the kiddos to bed tonight, it briefly rained. By the time I finished Asher's story and prayers, the rain had stopped and Chris and I finished our stories and prayers with the girls (whew, that was close. The girls do not sleep in their rooms when it is raining). I looked outside and it looked calm, no wind. Oh, how nice. It was so windy when we were playing earlier. So, I tied my shoes and went out for my evening jog.

The weather was so nice, in the 50's. The streets were mostly dry at this point. Oh, so peaceful. As I reached the furthest place from our house, roughly 2 -2 1/2 miles away during my 4 1/2 - 5 mile jog depending upon how I felt, the lightening began. Humm, I did not recall storms in the forecast the few moments I heard the weather tonight. I could see it raining in the distance, so I increased my pace. As I continued to run, the lightening worsened, lighting the sky so much that the street lights were turning off. I began to scream out loud (yes, I know, I should be embarrassed) with every few lightening strikes as it felt as if they were right on top of me. As I turned down a street without any houses built on it yet, the lightening became almost contant, it became quite windy, and it began to rain. As I got in the middle of this probably 1/2 mile stretch of road, it began to pour down rain in sheets and the wind was out of control. As I reentered our neighborhood, the rain started to hurt as it hit me, the lightening constant. I was seriously scared out of my mind thinking I was about to be in a tornado (and I am not kidding)! One has no idea what storms are like until you are seriously stuck in one outside! Fearing for my life, I ran across some yard to the nearest house I could get to fighting the wind and rang their doorbell. The man came to the door with his dinner salad in hand. I felt so bad, embarrassed that I was such a moron to be out running in - wait - is that hail all over the ground?! No wonder!! I did not even realize I was getting hailed on until I stopped. The wife came running out of nowhere with a towel feeling bad for me. I asked if I could please use their phone so I could call my husband who I was sure waiting by the phone in worry. I called, it rang, no answer. Okay, I am not feeling his concern here. I looked outside, it was just mildly raining now. Although completely drenched, I told them I will just run home. They insisted on driving me home. My heart still beating fast from fear, I took them up on their offer (anyone who knows me knows that I would NEVER typically accept such a kind offer).

I arrived home, thinking Chris would be standing by the window in worry. I went inside, no Chris. Humm. I went downstairs and find the girls zipped up in their sleeping bags in fear of the storm and Chris sitting in his office. He knew I was running, knew it was raining and storming, but was not at all concerned thinking that I probably was not that far from home. What? Seriously. Oh, I feel the love. Not far from home? Does it matter if I am 1 mile or a 1/2 a block if I am out in hail, sheets of rain, and high winds?????!!!! Then I asked him what should I give these kind people. His response, "I don't know, that's embarrassing."

So, I think I will come up with something tomorrow to go with my thank-you note for their kindness. At least somebody cared!

What did I learn?
1. Well, for starters, our weather people know absolutely nothing. I looked up the weather online thinking I must have missed something and it said nothing about a spring lightening storm with hail. I think it said, "a few showers" tonight. If there is a cloud in the sky, perhaps I should run on the treadmill.
2. Remind Chris I am going for a run and leave him the phone, turning the ring tones on high.
3. Don't run in lightening storms or hail...that just is not fun.
4. If it has been a rainy day, and then turns calm, perhaps look around for some storm clouds. Calm and quiet usually is not a good sign.

What does not nearly kill you makes you stronger, right?

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Hitting the trails

A couple of weeks ago, I hit the trails one nice, Sunday afternoon. So, today, I decided to head to Huntington Park again. It is so much different to run during the day. I see many other runners, walkers, bikers, etc. I am not scared like I am running at night or before the break of dawn, and the sun and warm weather are wonderful. Today I ran a little past Dodge Street and then headed back home. I would have ran farther...but I got hot, of all things! I have no problems doing short runs during naptime, but I do not like filling the entire naptime with running, then I come home exhausted to the kids' crying time of day. Besides, I miss out on that much needed time to do laundry, clean up a bit, and just to sit a bit in peace and quiet with Chris.

Running the trails, even if just for a short jog,  brings back the joy of running. Ahhh...

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Morning Torture

I decided this morning if I had not already signed up for this 1/2 marathon, I may not continue the training. Seriously, getting up at 4:40 AM (my alarm was to go off at 5 - but I woke up at 4:30 on my own!) to go out into the frrrreeeezing cold, windy weather takes the joy right out of running. It is serious torture! I just want to get up and run my 14 miles, get cleaned up, all before the kiddos wake up. I am generally successful, too! However, this is no longer any fun. I run by dark houses knowing they are all snug in bed while I am running outside instead (me and the paper delivery person). You have to be seriously crazy to run 1/2 marathons with kids (meaning if I did not have kids I could run during the day at least). And, those who run full marathons have to be totally nuts!

The countdown has begun until my morning weekend torture is over and I can go back to enjoying running again. Until then, I will keep dreaming about sleeping in my warm bed on weekend mornings!

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14

14. 14 cents, not too much. $14, a pizza. 14 M&Ms sounds really good. 14 kids, um, a lot to handle. 14 miles, the distance from my home I grew up in to my high school (maybe, could be a little more or a little less). How about running 14 miles?

Sounded like a lot, but that was my goal for this week (I remember thinking 6 and 7 miles were a lot!). So, last night, after a morning walking the zoo with the kiddos, afternoon walking to the park and playing with the kiddos, and getting the kids bathed and ready for bed, I set out for this big goal. (I typically run ONLY when the kids are asleep, but Chris let me begin 40 minutes before bedtime since it was going to be getting darker and colder).

The run itself went smoothly. I did not have any major aches and pains until I reached mile 12- 12 1/2 or so. Then I felt like my body was going to crumble from the pounding of the pavement. The weather was beautiful and I loved running on sidewalks without snow or ice! I began in short sleeves and pants and stopped at home to grab a long sleeved shirt form the laundry room at mile 8 1/2 or so. My boring route consisted of going around the neighborhood 3 times (4.3 miles per circuit) which consists of too many hills for me to count, then going around a big circle near our home (1 mile), then running slower as a cool down for the last 0.1 mile).

I finished! It felt great to achieve that goal and know that I could complete the half marathon distance (which is 13.1 miles), especially if I can just get up fresh and run it without going to the zoo and park first. However, I am learning a few things by doing my long runs. 1. I need new shoes. I have lost one toenail already (and it is growing back) and have blisters in front of every toe (but none of these things bother me). 2. I need to figure out what to eat before and after my runs 3. I need to relax after my long runs and 4. TRY to do my long runs in the mornings! 

Last night, again, I finished my run, showered, and went to the grocery store. The options were to go to the store after my run or to do it with the kiddos in the morning. I WILL GO NOW! As I entered aisle 5 at Walmart, the sickness began. I had finished running, chugged a gallon or so of apple juice (it looked good at the time) and then went to the store. I think I am getting low blood sugar when I keep doing stuff without feeding my worn out body. I came home and pulled it together to bring in the groceries and put them away so Chris would not be annoyed with me for leaving them for him to do at that late hour.

I laid on the couch to work up the effort to climb the stairs to bed (Chris went outside running at this point. He runs a few miles less and thinks I am nuts). I forced myself up the stairs to bed (you think this would be the easy part of the day!). Unfortunately, that was the last thing my body wanted and landed me in the bathroom in a heap. Let's just say my body refused the apple juice. 

When Chris finally got back from his run and showered. I was wired. My body was still recovering and did not want to sleep. I think I spent most of the night in bed awake. But, I have learned what and what not to do. Although I deeply dread my long runs at night, I love them once I am out there and get done. This is my time for deep thought and peace, and I will do it until my body no longer allows me to. However, that full marathon is looking like A LONG WAY at this point!

Run on... 

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