What's Next?

I have noticed that I have been asked a few time

"now that you have finished a Marathon, what's next?" 

Just as the high of running a Marathon starts to wear off, you do start to ask yourself that same question.  What am I going to do next; this can't be it, can it?  To answer myself, yes I have been kicking around some ideas.  I have thought about working on my 5K times, placing in my age group is something I really want to accomplish and I am almost there, completing an accent, trying a 14er, becoming a half fanatic.  All of these would be tougher than a Marathon and I like pushing myself to do tougher things.  As of today, I have committed to doing the Rock Canyon Half Marathon on December 3rd with my friend Kim.

The Rock Canyon Half Marathon will be a challenge within it's self.  Pueblo is 45 miles south on Colorado Springs, even though it is at a lower altitude, Pueblo can experience cold weather.  This time of year, there is little to no snow, however in December, temperature averages can range from 49°F and 18°F. The trail will be an out and back and settles in the "banana belt" this means usually when it is snowing around the area, the trail tends to stay dry.

So, that being said, it can get COLD.  I don't mind running in the cold, as long as I am prepared for it.  Today, makes day one of getting ready for this run, I will not have to train as hard for this run since I am all geared up from the Marathon, I will just tapper up a little and then back down, I am planning to run at least 20 miles a week and 30 being the max that I hit.  Today marks day one of training, so away we go again. 

Today's run felt ready even though it was cold, but guess I should start getting used to that.  I also run better in the cold, since I have been training in the hot summer days. I decided that I would stick to the outlined Half Marathon training guide a little better than I did the Marathon.  Today, I did an easy four miles. I ran at my goal pace for two miles then, I ran a little harder for 5 minutes, then back down to my goal pace for five and repeat for the last two miles.  I was happy to see that I had negative splits at the end of my run.This is what my splits looked like:

At mile 1 I like to walk a quarter to get my legs warmed up and then I start my run, so this will typically be slower.  However, for there on out, I steadily got faster. I will defiantly have to incorporate the leg work into my routine.  You know something I discovered.  When I was running faster, I did breath deeper, and when I slowed down, my breathing became faster? I have yet to figure this part out.  If any of you know why let me know.



Marathon Recaps

As I walked around Boulder Running Company looking for a pair of running sleeves to help keep me warm on my first Marathon I saw I magnet that jumped out at me it said "Marathon Freak" I giggled and thought to myself, it should really read "freak marathon". You know six months ago when I started to look at Marathons and wanted to get this off my "bucket list" I thought at the time I can do this. However as the days drew closer, I started to re-evaluate my "great idea" My mind started to get consumed with thoughts of

"am I eating properly, am I drinking enough, will I make the distance..."

To help prepare I started to drink ridiculous amounts of water which has the wonderful return effect of having to make it to restroom every 30 minutes and waking up in the middle of the night with an ever full bladder. I started to carb load, which I was not so happy with. There once was a day that I loved to consume carbs and looked forward to the weekly plate of pasta. With my diet change having to eat REAL carbs was not as appealing as it once was.

I had read an article that said that I should not be surprised that I would be putting on about 4 additional pounds prior to the race due to the carb load and the water intake. All I could think of was that means more weight, so that means there is a potential that I would run slower. The idea of having a slower time bothered me more than the weight gain?!?!

Saturday rolled around and I got ready to head out to Denver. I walked around the expo and picked up all the goodies, met Dan Evens from season five's Biggest Loser. That was an inspiration to see his before picture and see him now. I picked up a few more goodies then headed to the hotel to get checked in. I dropped all my gear and left to get to Maggiano's for dinner.
 

Maggiano's was special to me since I have one is San Jose, and I have many significant memories there so to me it only felt fitting to have dinner there. You would have thought that after a big plate of pasta, glass of wine and 45 minutes in the hot tub I would be ready to sleep soundly.

I laid out my outfit packed my belt with my phone, ID, four gel packs, and some lemon heads. I carefully pined on my number and my sign that I made for my Mom. I wanted everyone to know why I was running. Even with all the preparation I couldn't sleep well. I kept thinking about how far I was about run and how hard it was going to be. I rolled over to look at the clock and it only said 11pm! Eventually I fell asleep and the alarm came quickly! I POPED out of bed and dashed for the fridge. I knew I had to get food in my stomach quickly so I wouldn't get the STICH that would make me start walking.


I walked to the gear check and over to the start line, with one last deep breath I headed out to the masses to get ready to start my long journey.  I was nervous and excited at the same time. I always get a little teary eyed right before I start because I always feel Mom with me right before I start and I say a silent prayer to myself "Mom, this is for you.. please lord please give me the strength to carry me through the toughest times and when I feel alone and ready to give up give me strength to keep going"

The buzzer goes off and we slowly start heading down the street. I thought to myself, wow I am doing this, there is no turning back now. Just me and the road. I ended up syncing up with a fellow marathoner with the same pace and stopped every few mile to stop and take pictures along the way.

Louie helped me out by stopping and taking some pictures with me. I was really glad that he insisted that I capture my journey. Thank you Louie! Here I am at 15k. I was in such great sprits little did I know how far I really had left :)

This was right before my STICH hit me, at this time I was running low on energy so I pumped in a GU, and I regret that. That wall was coming my body started to use up all it had stored. At this time I wished I was overweight. I started to wonder if I was going to finish. My feet started to hurt. Walking hurt more than running so I switched to a very slow jog.

I was so tired when we hit this spot. I kind of look like striper that has had a long night and working her way down the pole. That wall was creeping up on me. I had slowed down in Gel intake, because that awful STICH crept up on me between 30k and 35k. I ate a banana and a GU, then I felt better and was in the way to the finish!

I was so happy to cross that finish line.  One of the volunteers who was medaling runners was a fellow marathoner  and friend and who had my medal. To me it was significant, because he has known me over the years and to have someone who has seen you go through your life altering journey and that person is the who gives your medal instead of a stranger, is special.  Thank you Roger for waiting for my slow ass to get in!

Everyone told me I would break down when I crossed the finish line, but one thing the road and I will know, and you that follow me. Is that I did break down; I cried at mile 23. People were yelling at me

"Go you can do it, you're almost there, do it for Mom"

It gave me that push I needed to finish.  At that time is when I realized that I have done it, I pounded out 26.2 miles and I was going to finish it. I am going to be in the 1% of the world population that has completed a Marathon.  When I hit 26 after that it was all mine and I ran it out with perfect form and happiness. Everyone who waited at the rail gave me high five's on the way in. I could see Roger with his hands held high and I fist pumped my whole way in!

I know he said some kind words to me, but I was so pumped with adrenaline, I couldn't tell you a word he said. I remember something like you did it. I was a little discombobulated at this point.

Do I recommend Marathons to others, no not really I think we all find our own path and if it happens to lead you to a Marathon, than that is great I will be there to encourage you along the way. I can say finishing a Marathon is an experience that I will never forget. The pride that comes with it and the bragging rights feels empowering! Thank you all for following me and giving me advice when I needed it. Who knows what's next but this I tell you. Even with all the pain I have I am already thinking of when I will do this next.

These are my split, I am overall happy with my times!

I am officaly a Marathoner

Well, I finished my first Marathon.  I am soaking my feet in Epsom salt right now as we speak.  I will post my thoughts a little later.  Thank you all who have supported me though this journey.