Post Marathon Recap

So this is a little late.  And maybe I am still reflecting on the whole thing.  Running a marathon is basically everything I read about, and what everyone told me it would be. Challenging, Exhausting, Draining, Not going to Make it, Oh wait Im making it, Wow I did it, That was cool, but now I cant walk. It was tons of emotions and a lot of work.  Below is my stats.  I was so excited I didn't stop my watch. My actual time was 4 hours and 10 minutes.  I am very proud of that.


Now that it is months later, I think I will try another marathon.  After the Garden Spot Marathon, I was thinking definitely no! In fact I recently began running again.  I was wore out from training throughout the winter. The nice weather broke and I got busy working in the garden and outside. I think I can train a lot better than last time and get under 4 hours. Which would be awesome.

 

I would like to give a shout out to my family and friends for supporting me, running with me, and pushing me.  It was so cool to have my uncle and cousin jump in and run with me at mile 22 when I was feeling weak.  It was so cool to have everyone at the finish line when I cross.  I am blessed to have such  great people in my life :) 

Mile Run Trail Challenge.....Marathon Coming Up

Its been a while since I have posted.  This winter has not been a friendly one, and to be honest it has been difficult to stay on schedule.  However, over the past few weeks I have been picking it up and getting my runs in.  Finally the weather has some nice days that make running more enjoyable, and less of a necessity.

Last weekend I completed the Mile Run Trail Challenge with friends and family.  It was nice I actually got my mother out their to complete it as well.  The day started off terrible, with SNOW of course!  4-6 inches fell that morning on the way to the run, causing us to get to the start line less than 15 minutes before the race began.  Luckily the race was delayed an 1/2 hour.

Despite the snow, I really enjoyed this trail run.  The course was very runnable with one good hill.  My goal was to complete the run in under 3 hours.  After 3 falls and many slips I completed it in two hours and 56

minutes! The end of the race was a challenge, all runners ran under the highway in the creek, so with 27 degree weather and wet feet, I didn't even want to think about my Troegs complementary beer that was free at the finish line, all I wanted was soup and dry socks. 

This is now the final week before my first marathon.  I am slightly freaking out and getting nervous.  Since I know I have not stuck to my training plan I know if will not be easy.  I am running for several reasons that are personal to me.  I hope those reasons will push me through and will power will keep my legs going. I feel a cold coming on.....not good...stay tuned!


 Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running. -Christopher McDougall

Kicking my Butt Back into Gear

Well, it has been a while since I have posted anything.  Lets just say it has been a long February.  I have been through the typical winter blues; getting sick and losing a week of running, trying to get back into it, missing an important long run etc ....etc...I am trying to get used to the weather up north.  Lets just say the weather makes marathon training very difficult!

I have had to make a few sacrifices to complete some long runs.  I have to travel for my long runs.  This is for a couple of reasons:  1, I get to run with friends, and 2, I dont have to run 16+ miles in snow.  It is difficult to find a safe reliable route up here for a long run.  My only escape route from a fast driving car is the snow bank haha.

However, traveling and driving after a long run is not very fun.  38 more days of this!!!

This weekend I am running with the entire group for our first 20 mile run.  This will definitely be a milestone.  I am both nervous and excited at the same time.  The 18 mile run was rough for myself so it does not leave me with soaring confidence for the 20 miler.

My 18 mile run was after a week of only running a 5 mile run after a busy, lots of meetings and workshops, late night working week.  It was all willpower getting me through the last 3 miles.  I AM GOING to stick to my training plan this week so that my 20 mile run hopefully goes a lot smoother.

I am excited to hit the 20 mile milestone.  Maybe that will make me feel a little more confident in this training.  I know I have not been sticking to the plan so well, I really need to kick up the motivation this last month so that I can reach my goals. If I can run the entire 26.2 miles I will be so happy!  I could care less if I run it super slow. 

My first run in the PA Trophy Series is coming up in March!! Bring on the trail runs :) 

Frozen Snot

Yesterday my great friend Justin and I decided that for our 13 mile run we would complete the Frozen Snot adventure race.

The day was beautiful, perfect weather.  5 inches of snow that morning followed by 35 and sunshine.  (Literally it was beautiful out).  In my opinion, if you are going to get out on the trails in the wintertime, why not have some snow and sunshine :). 

After a 1.3 mile run to the trail head, we quickly discovered there would not be much running in this adventure race.  We quickly put on our microspikes and climbed what seemed to be a vertical wall. (1500+ feet elevation gain in 0.5 miles).  Those spikes literally made me feel like spiderman scaling a wall, I felt like I could climb on anything!  Downhill was just as great.  Literally the entire course was up a steep slope, and down a steep slope.  It was very difficult to run. By the time we got to the check point at 7.5 miles (around 4 hours in) we decided to do the 8.3 mile option.  This was due to various reasons.  One being the time it took, and I had a 2 hour drive back solo. 

 Overall it was a fun experience.  I am super sore today due to multiple factors: 

1.  I tried a body pump class and my two day soreness kicked in.
2.  Plus my legs are immobile due to the fact of climbing up and down mountain sides.
3.  Work will be fun tomorrow haha

Advice for anyone who is interested in this challenge:

Must be an avid hiker.  I thought I was in shape due to marathon training and cross training.  However, this experience made me realize what kind of shape I am NOT in.  Guess I should have been doing a few more mountain climbs!

After I got back from my two hour drive home I felt like I could eat an entire steer.  I settled for a couple cold beers and wings instead.  I ate all of them. At this point in my training I can eat twice as much as my boyfriend.  I rarely have leftovers anymore.  Its quite impressive in my opinion.

Til next time....

1/15/15

1/15/15

Running Update

Finally has been warming up!  30 degree run today.  I decided to take my puppy Jake.  He needed to get some energy out.  It is a little rough running with him because I need to stop for the occasional car, and his occasional need to poop ha!

We did 3.43 miles today instead of the needed 5.  However I think Jake did great.  AND we saw a Barred Owl on the dirt road.  It was beautiful.  Of course I tried to take a picture and it flew away.  Then on the way back I saw it ahead again, got my phone ready to take a picture, and it flew away again.  However, it was a peaceful run and I enjoying seeing things like that.  It makes the run that much better.

Jake met his buddy Hank today.  The 400 lb mastiff that runs on the road after him.  Biggest dog I ever saw.  His owner helped me this time (last time I thought he was going to eat poor Jake).  Today I realized Hank is a big whimp.

Here is Jake on the dirt road when I was trying to get a picture of the Barred Owl. He is a little young (4.5) months, but he really loves to run.   He is so good at it.  He prances and runs ahead of me.  If we run without stopping his pace is 8:30/mile.  He almost pulls me if I slow down.


Last Sat 1/10 I ran with fellow friends in the cold in State College.  We got a 10 mile run in.  This weekend I plan on getting a 5 mile and 12 mile run in Sat/Sunday.  Trying to keep it up!  I have been doing Insanity DVDs on days that the weather is not suitable to run.  That seems to help and gives me some cross training.

I ran last night with my running group after work.  That went well until I got half sick.  One thing I am learning is that nutrition definitely makes or breaks your run!

 *This is a Barred Owl

Running in the Cold

1/7/15

This week has been particularly challenging.  Challenging due to the fact that it has been INCREDIBLY cold here.  For example. Today it was 12 degrees with 18 mph winds.  By the time I was done work it was 4 degrees with a wind chill of -20.

However I ran despite of the fact that it was freezing.  On Wednesdays I started to run with a group.  We do seven mile runs and walk every .1 mile so that everyone can complete the run.  This is a great way to stay active in the winter.  The only reason I got out to run today was because of them.

A few things I learned today running in sub zero temperatures with a horrific wind:

1.  I would never do it without a crazy group of people who think that running in this weather is normal.
2.  Justin would yell at me if I didnt do it (because I whimped out yesterday)
3.  I need to invest in a pair of insulated running pants so I can feel my legs when I am done.
4. Hand warmers are amazing when combined in a pair of gloves.
5.  Invested in microspikes.  I was the only person running without a traction device.

At the end of the run I felt like Audrey from Christmas Vacation.

 


That was me.  It was funny.  We all we trying to talk at the end of the run and everyone had a lisp.  Similar to Clark Griswold talking about his Christmas tree.  Haha.  I really appreciated having others to run with tonight.

When I got home I was starving and immediately consumed some amazing leftover mac and cheese.  Not the best choice but it helped me thaw out!  Have to get 4 miles in tomorrow I hope the forecast calls for some sunshine!

Making time to do this!  Training takes a lot of time out of my day.  Especially when it gets dark at 5 pm. Making time, and buying a headlamp + reflective vest! haha

Running in 2015

I have set some 2015 goals that will definitely be a challenge for me.  But why not try?  This year I am planning to run my first full marathon, The Garden Spot Marathon, with a fine group of friends.   Each of us is training separately so it is a challenge, but I am excited to be apart of it!

 



I am also planning to run the PA Trophy Series this year which is a series of trail runs throughout central PA.  I may be crazy for trying to do all of this, but you are only young once and I am just getting older!

At this point I am two weeks into my marathon training.  Yesterday I have ran up to 10 miles.  I plan to record my journey this year on this blog. I am excited to see how far I can push myself this year.  I am sure it will not be easy and am times I will not want to get my butt outside to run (tomorrow is a high of 12 degrees :/), however, I will NOT walk for my first and possibly only marathon.  I am too stubborn.  Therefore I have to train.  Plus my awesome friends are also training in other parts of the state, and if they do it, I have to as well.

Here's too a fun adventure in 2015!