I wish someone had told me the natural high that comes with running a marathon only lasts for one week. For exactly 7 days I felt amazing but then depression, sadness, and anger at the world set in. I haven’t been working out nearly as much, I haven’t seen any of my team mates since The Marathon, and I am barely running despite the fact that I have the US Half on November 6th.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Continue reading
I contacted the authors of Run Like a Mother (RLAM) last month when canvassing the online running community for item donations towards my Mother of all Raffles for LLS. One of the authors wrote me back personally (I was pretty star struck, I’m such a dork!) and offered to donate to the raffle as well as send a second book to giveaway on my blog! SWEET! Thank you again, Sarah!
Happy Monday! I had such a great weekend! The kids were with the grandparents so Hubby and I went out for a date on Saturday night to a local wine bar and then had a date day on Sunday at our local Farmer’s Market followed by a feast at the House of Chicken and Waffles- we ate and drank a ton, relaxed a lot. I did not run once and didn’t even feel guilty about it! Ahhhhhh….
cheers!
right back atcha!
“You Never Forget Your First Time”
-Cheering section around mile 19 of the Nike Women’s Marathon
There’s my proof. I did it. I ran a marathon. I still can’t believe it. It didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped but I completed my goal- to finish- and that makes me very, very happy! I ran with Team in Training and raised close to $3000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in order to help patients and survivors of blood cancers live better, longer lives. Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause- your support means the world to me.
My marathon adventure truly began on May 31st with that first day of training, our first TNT buddy run at Lake Merritt here in Oakland. I met my like-minded, sweet, generous, and friendly team mates and immediately knew I had picked the right cause, the right time, and the right race. I started training thinking that I would complete the half marathon but after only 2 weeks with my team and Coaches, I was more than inspired and completely motivated to go for the full marathon.
So, I did.
I am not quite sure what compelled me to suggest to my BFF and neighbor, Josh, that we do the Muddy Buddy Ride and Run together but for some reason I did and for some reason he said yes. Josh is a biker, not a runner; I am a runner, not a biker, but we figured, “Hey, no problem! This will be easy!” (We must have been drunk at the time.)
I’ll save you the suspense- it was fun, yes, but easy? NO.
Muddy Buddy took place exactly one week before my first marathon so I figured it would be a good taper event, I could get my cross training in, blast through the obstacles, crawl through some mud, earn another medal- good times. Continue reading
Well, I DID it! I ran my first marathon and am still amazed. What a crazy adventure! I am still a little dazed, riding the high, and very proud of myself. I can finally call myself a marathoner and that feels AWESOME! My Tiffany’s finisher necklace is pretty awesome too- I’m never taking it off. Ever.
When I first wrote of my decision to do 26.2, it was marathon-question-mark and now, as you can see, it is marathon-period. I set my sights on a goal, followed the training, and accomplished something that less than 1% of the population ever attempts- I actually ran a marathon. Wowzers. Continue reading
Well, here it finally is… training has come to an end and tomorrow is The Marathon. Wow. I can’t believe it… I’m very nervous and very excited. Time to focus and believe in these 5 months of training- I am ready. I will do this. It’s just a matter of time, will, and determination. No problem. <gulp>
Thank you, my running idol Kara Goucher, for the words of luck:
My first video post!
A few things I forgot to mention in the video:
-Non-dairy Coffee Mate for my race-morning coffee (dairy is a diuretic so I try to avoid it on race day)
-Immodium: I take 2 pills when I first wake up to try reduce the likelihood of those horrific porta potty stops
-Hand sanitizer for post-race, running depresses the immune system so I squirt my hands with the stuff after a long run to avoid getting extra germy germs
(Note to self: next video, put some make-up on, at least a little lip gloss! Geesh!)
With my impending first marathon, I looked at the San Jose Rock n’ Roll half marathon not as a race race but as a training run, with a shiny medal and free beer at the end. I went into it thinking, “No big deal, just practice your pace for Nike and take it easy, run conservatively, hurt nothing. No problem.”
When I arrived to the expo the day prior to the race, I was met with Van Halen blaring over the speakers, bright concert lighting, and lots and lots of energy! This was my first race since See Jane Run in June so I when I picked up my bib, then walked through the HUGE expo, I was really feeling those ready-to-race vibes, very anxious to pin those numbers. Continue reading
‘Twas the night before Nike and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
My Asics and Thorlos placed by the front door with care,
In hopes that a PR soon will be there.
Down by 8:30pm, nestled all snug in my bed,
While visions of tuxedo-ed firemen dance through my head.
Lap top open, staring at the course map,
I know I’ll need at least an 8-10 hour nap.
Alarm will go off at 5am with such a clatter,
Time to focus and minimize the internal chatter.
Peanut butter toast and banana eaten in a flash,
Get to the starting line, time to cut the sash.
The rising sun will light Union Square,
5 months of training, we know how to prepare.
Then, to the crowd’s wondering eyes, what should appear?
Our purple-clad Team Driven, led by Belle’s booty-shorted rear.
In a flash we’ll be off- we know what to do,
Take a deep breath, stay hydrated, and swallow some Gu.
As we each settle into the pace we have found,
Down the Great Highway we’ll run with a bound.
Now Laura! Now Kate! Now Geri and Sammie!
On Jennette! On Emily! On Jessica and Sandi!
To the top of each incline, Keisha will beam,
“East Bay Rocks! No Wimps! LET’S GO TEAM!”
26.2 miles is nothing compared to what we are really here for,
Our honorees are the true heroes; I wish I could do more.
For everyone with blood cancer, all those battling and surviving,
It is for YOU that I run this marathon, and promise to keep on striving.
Be it sunny, windy, snowing or raining,
I won’t mind as these miles are all for Team in Training.
And on race day, in my head, Coach Al’s voice will ring:
“It’s mind over matter- just Do The Damn Thing.”
5 MORE DAYS!!!!!!