Running And Expecting

It has been too long again since I have posted, but what else is new? So today I am writing on a sorta new topic.

Running while pregnant. Chris and I decided this past summer to add one more to our little family. This in the midst of training for my supposed 2nd marathon in Detroit. I figured if I didn't wind up preggo, I'd run it and if I did I wouldn't. And wouldn't ya know I ended up with a little bean after all. So, no marathon. I did keep running until about 7 weeks when nausea and fatigue got the best of me. I gave myself a bye for the

E and I right after my Du this past summer.

last month or so.....just too tired and yucky feeling to do much. Chris has been amazing in picking up the slack at home though. However, I decided last night to get back on the horse so to speak. I am tired of being tired and sick and decided laying around wasn't helping.

So, after E went to bed, I forced myself on the treadmill. And it wasn't so bad. My cardiovascular endurance has suffered a lot, so I did have to take it slower than usual, but when I was done with my 3 miler I felt fantastic! Why did I let myself take a month off again? Ugh!
Anyway, I realize not doing anything doesn't help, so back to running I go. Doc said it was fine as long as I kept an eye on heart rate blah blah blah. I've also been doing research on it since there are so many women who run through pregnancy. I plan to one of them this time! Hopefully I won't get so huge that I have to quit. I need my running therapy!

I also decided to try to find some type of running club because I do need a little motivation at times and I would love to meet some other like-minded folks. So, I did find a local club that meets once or twice a week and has dinner after. Sounds great to me! Hopefully there are some who are slower like me though...that's my only issue. I really wish there was a mom's running club or something similar local. I would feel a little less intimidated then. But, I'll give it a shot and see what happens. That's all for now....but I haven't ruled out races this next spring either. I would love to be one of those fit preggo moms passing people! lol!

First Time's a Charm? - My First Duathlon

Well, here it is......my very first multisport race run down. I really didn't think I would ever say that. I have been running for years....and always said I wouldn't do multisport until I got good at running or bored of it. Neither has happened, but I did one anyway. My very first duathlon, which consisted of a
1 mi run/11 mi cycle/5K run. It was the 'Women's Only Tri/Dri Tri' in Sylvania,OH.

It started a few months ago when a dear friend of mine wanted to train for her first tri and asked me to join.....I declined as I was training for a marathon...and for a bike ride this year......so I wouldn't have time to train to swim as well. However, about 6 weeks ago or so she mentioned this race also had a 'dri tri'.....or duathlon along side of the tri. Bingo! I was in after some deliberation about timing and such with other events. I am so glad I decided to! It was so much fun! I definitely have 'the bug' now. uh oh! So, now I need to learn to swim so I can do a tri next year hopefully.

Ruth and I before the race....you can tell because we're not disgustingly sweaty yet.lol!

Anyhow, I digress.....here is how the day went down.
Rolled out of bed at 4 a.m. and did my usual coffee, clif bar, banana and water to get fueled for the day. Then Chris joined me and we finished packing the car that we had mostly packed the night before....btw, a husband who will get up at 4:30 a.m. on a Sunday to drive you to a race an hr. away is money! He is the best! Then we got Ethan in the car and headed out by about 4:50 a.m. The race started at 7:30 a.m. and we had to drive an hour. Plus I still had to get my packet, set up my first transition area ever and giving myself plenty of time helps my nerves.

So, we arrived at the parking lot around 6 a.m. after a quick rest stop on the way. Then Chris got my bike off the rack for me while I got E set up in his stroller with a blanket and snack. Then the whole fam went to go check in and get things ready. The only negative thing I have to say about the race was that there was consistently conflicting information. We received email updates stating to rack your bike before getting your packet, chip etc....but as the bikes were racked according to race number, you couldn't very well know which was yours until you picked up your packet! Sheesh!
Anyway, so we made our way around(another reason to get to a race early...in case of hiccups!), got the packet, chip and ankle strap, etc and headed to the transition area.

Luckily it was early enough that no one said anything when Chris and E came to help me set up. As I hadn't done this before, Chris helped a ton! He got my number on my bike, made sure my tire pressure was o.k. and showed me how to rack it by the seat properly. Seriously this guy has been there so much for me with all the little details its amazing!

So, after getting all set up we found the restrooms again and then went to find our friends doing the race as well. After a couple quick hugs and words of encouragement, we milled about a bit while they got set up. Then I decided to check out the first leg of the run to see what it was like....I just jogged out maybe .15 miles? As I was coming back I saw Chris shouting at me! What the heck? So I got back and turns out people were assembling for the start! what? way early! Well, turns out it still wasn't for a few, but someone made it sound like it was going to soon....phew, didn't want to miss that!

Anyhow, there ended up being only about 40 ladies or so doing the du....so it was a different experience as far as getting ready to run...there was lots of space and so I headed to the front! I always start in the middle and always end up having to go around people....so I decided to go the other way and start toward the front! It worked! I was on the outside so I wouldn't get in the way of the fastest ladies, but I wouldn't have to struggle to go around either. Perfect! Anyway, we were off before I knew and I was flying! I hit a 6:50 pace quickly but reeled it in...um hello! I had a bike and another longer run after! So, I backed it off depsite wanting badly to chase down the leaders and settled into a more 'jessie-like' pace. Then I headed into T1. My bike was one of the furthest from the run out, so I had a way to go while walking with it...yes I said walking....the volunteers yelled at me for trying to run with my bike in transition...is that a rule? note to self to look that one up. Anyway, I was off on the bike as quickly as I could.

Toeing the line for the start of the du!

The first couple of miles went fast and smooth..until I went for sip #2 out of my water bottle and it literally slipped right out of my hand like a bar of soap! Yeah.....condensating water bottle since I had a ton of ice in it so it would be cold by the time I got to it. It completely hit the ground and rolled away. I debated stopping to get it, but I decided to keep going instead....I'd only be on the bike 30 min or so and I could wait for water on the run. So, I did. If it were any longer of a bike it wouldn't have been good though. The rest of the bike went great. It was about as flat of a course as you could ask for amongst corn fields in northern ohio. I also found 3rd gear today, yeah I never trained in that gear...why? who knows? But, it helped with my speed. The only down fall was that there was a decent headwind for over 1/2 the ride.....and I was just using my hybrid as it was my first race and I couldn't seem to get low enough to become as aero dynamic as I needed to be. I got passed by tri ladies a few times that seemed to be exerting the same effort by just effortlessly passing me. ugh! Next time, I'll be getting a road bike!

So as I rode back into the park for T2, I was approaching dismount when I saw a lady completely fallen down with her bike! The volunteers were on it though and it didn't appear too serious. So, I kept going and got my bike racked with minial difficulty and did remember to take off my helmet before heading out for the final run. Chris and E were cheering and it was great! They gave me that boost to get out there and get my running legs under me. It took a little bit...and I was so thirsty at this point. I thought in the race instruction they said there would be fluids in the transition area, but I saw none. So, I hoped it would be soon on in the run. It was.....less than a mile in and there was an aid station! Thank goodness! I downed a large cup of water and kept going.....the run was on beautiful park paved trails and around a soccer field. It was pretty, but hot! There was no shade on the entire course...bike or run!About 1.5 miles in I started to get a big side stitch (similar to waht happened in a 5K not 2 weeks ago where I had to stop it was so bad)....so instead of pushing my pace like I wanted to I backed off hoping the cramp would go away so I at least wouldn't have to stop. Seriously...is it how I drink water that triggers this?  The last time it happend was right after a water stop as well...may need to research that.

Anyway, so my pace slowed, but my garmin said I was still doing an 8:40 min/mile. I'll take it. Before I knew it I saw the finish! Chris, E and the Nelsons were all cheering for me! I tried to pick it up in that last .1...but it wasn't much. I finished my first du! It was a blast! I finish in 1:16:16. I was shooting for 1:15, but I'll take it. It was good enough for 3rd place in my ag and about 11/44 overall....from my calculations as the official overall times still aren't posted. :(

My awesome family after the race!

The last thing I have to say about this race is that my garmin tells me I actually went 3.3 miles, not 3.1  on the run.....and my pace was never more than 8:50....but my 'official' results have my average pace for the run as 9:06? wth? I seriously think they may have mismarked the course? My 2 cents for what its worth.

AG 3rd place!

Anyway, I had a great time, and will likely be doing another event if not this year then next! There's just something about it that is so appealing! Love it! Thanks to my family for supporting me so much! And to my friends for the encouragement and hugs! Love you all! Until next time!

Cheers!

Squish Squish Squish

My fabulous shirt!

Well, I started back into running for the season rather seriously again. The plan is to run a fall marathon and a few fun races before then. This is the story of once such race.

In another week I will begin my "official" training schedule....but before that I am building up speed and endurance as well as core so I can ward off injury(hopefully) this year. As such I decided to sign up for my first ever 10K and first ever trail run. I don't know why I thought it would be good idea to combine them into one run. However, I learned a LOT today....and I had a LOT of fun!

Today was the Flirt with Dirt race. Its one of 3 in the Serious Series hosted by the local running store Running Fit. They put together great races! Its also sort of a taste of their Dances with Dirt run which is a 50K/50 M/100K crazy trail run later on in the year.....eesh. Anyway, I digress.

So, race morning started off the same as always. I woke up before anyone else in the house and had my coffee, water, banana and slim bagel(btw, these things rock!). Got dressed, grabbed my directions and I was out the door before 7 a.m. I arrived at the park a little early as it was a sold out race and had limited parking. There were only about 600 people total between the 2 races (5K and 10K), however the park only had so much space.

Regardless, the whole affair was smoothly run, and there were plenty of traffic coordinators to get you parked without issue. So, I made it there(didn't even get lost!) and found my parking spot by 7:15 a.m. The 5K started at 7:30 a.m. and the 10K started at 8 a.m. I was happy I got there early to ensure adequate time to...errr take care of business before the run. You runners know what I mean. Anyway, I wanted to check out the trail and see the 5K start too. I could only see part of the trail as the trail head was essentially on a soccer field....but everything looked relatively dry considering it had poured buckets the night before.

So, the 5K was off and now I had 1/2 hour to kill by myself, so I stretched and took a little jog around.....yeah...so turns out the grass was wet and my shoes were now a little soggy. Ergh. Oh well...so were everyone else's too I guess! lol!

Running Fit truck and folks. They put on a good race!

Before long people were beginning to mill about the start line and get ready for the start....it so happens the end of the 5K was near the start so we actually got to see the first finishers before we took off. 2 guys were fighting for first and the younger of the two was covered in mud! Head to toe! Hmmm....this can't be good I thought. Not sure which did win the thing.No matter, time to go!

The start was slow as most race starts are, and began going down a sledding hill and around a soccer field and through a dirt parking lot before heading into the woods. This shouldn't be so bad I thought. I was SO WRONG! The first part of the trail in the woods was o.k. and had enough space for someone to get around if you needed to pass. That quickly ended. Before long we were on 1 person wide trails...and that's not all! When I first signed up for this and I thought 'Trail' I thought of where I used to run in Ohio....the towpath I think it was. Nice fairly level, meadnering long trails through the woods.....yeah, not this race! Trail takes on a whole new meaning! Here,there were a few things.

First of all if you didn't seed yourself according to pace correctly you would either be holding someone up(luckily I didn't do that) or get stuck behind someone slower than you(yea,this happened). A guy actually stopped and he finally pulled off the trail so I could keep going. It also meant that uphills where people tend to naturally slow, things get backed up. This was frustrating as I have learned to pass on hills! But, after a while I passed where I could(there were occasional breaks) and otherwise tried to remember this was for fun! Plus, it was beautiful in the woods eary in the morning.

So, beyond that the trail itself was well...tough. As it had rained the night before it was pretty wet and had some major all out mud pits! It also boasted many face slapper branches(also leg,arm and body slappers too!)....I have never ducked so many times during a race! Seriously! That was a workout itself! Then you had logs to literally jump over, big rocks to traverse, gullys to essentially run on opposing banks of(the cut wasn't big enough to get a shoe in), big hills, TONS of large tree roots(happy I got out without a twisted ankle), some very switchbcak-y turns( I was getting dizzy at one point) and oh yeah ipod girl...a few of those who seeemd oblivious that they were running on a potentially treacherous trail and no idea someone needed to pass. Ugh!

Sledding hill from the top you had to run UP to finish.
 It looks unassuming as there's no point of comparison
, but it was steep!

However, overall it was good time! Yes, it was tough, yes some parts sucked.....but it was fun! I really don't know how to explain it. Chris still seems baffled that I chose to do this and would again! Next year baby! I think its because it was a different sort of challenge. Granted it made me about a min/mile slower than my goal....but I quickly realized that I wasn't going to make it simply for being 'stuck' behind a lot of people and not being able to make it up. So, lesson learned...not as slow as I thought I was. That's great! Next year, I'll know! Oh and to be fair I did end up with a wicked side stich about a mile from the end....weird! So that slowed me down a bit. But, when I saw the end I powered through and up (yes up a sledding hill) and finished strong. It was one of those races that was so tough that at the end I nearly was in tears. With the exception of my marathon this was the toughest race I've done. And I'd do it again!

Anyone wanna come with next year? There's a cap so you have to sign up early! Like May 2012. :)

So, the other cool things.....the shirt is awesome! Bright green tech shirt that I adore! Most fave race shirt ever! Also,  the race was well put together and directed. You totally get bragging rights after too and get to tell all your friends how fun it is to get dirty running! :) And plus, how else can you better spend a Saturday morning in June?

And last but not least..the results. I finished 10th/27 in my AG. With a time of 1:03:51. Like I said, a little diappointing as I expected going in to finish in about 57 min....but, for the course I'll take it. So, hopefully I  remember the main lesson for next year. Don't think I'm slower than I actually am and run more on oneven ground. Oh, which reminds me...now I know why they make trail shoes! I think I need to get a pair! lol!

That's about it. First 10K and trail run in one!

Epic Fail!

So, tonight was an interesting one. It started off innocently enough. Chris and I were celebrating our 9 yrs. of marriage and all I wanted was a dinner I didn't have to think up and a bike ride. I got half of that.

I picked up E from daycare and made it home by about 5:20. Chris was already home and had gotten items to make dinner! YES! Awesome!  A healthy home-cooked meal I didn't have to make! He made butternut squash ravioli, corn on the cob and garlic bread! I ate light since directly after we were heading to the park for our family training night out.

The plan was for Chris to swim while I played with E on the toys and then after I would get my loop around the park in on my bike(8.5 miles) and test out my new speedometer and oh so padded bike shorts! So, Chris loaded up the bike while I grabbed the swimming stuff and we were off! Not 2 minutes down the road did I realize I forgot the diaper bag, but no worries....we wouldn't be gone too long...so we decided to live dangerously and keep going. As we entered the park, Chris inquired as to whether I grabbed my helmet...looking,looking....drat! I completely forgot it. So, no bike ride for me as the park has a strict helmet ordinance. That's o.k. I might be dressed for a bike ride but I did have an old pair of running shoes on, so I could run instead. But, oh wait....I didn't bring my water belt or my watch...since I was planning to bike! Ergh! O.K. I could still work with this....I would still play with E while Chris swam. When we got home Chris could put E to bed and I would ride from home.

So, we get to the parking spot and head to the beach for Chris to swim.....no one else was around at this particular spot...awesome! Well....almost......he donned the wetsuit and was off! Not a minute later did he come back.....for good. Apparently the spot we picked, despite being on a nice sandy beach was exactly 3 feet deep, full of weeds and quite stinky. So.....that plan was out. We let E play for a bit before heading back to the car.

Get back to the car and put the stinky lake clothes in the back and make it back home without event. I proceed to get E a snack so Chris can shower off the stink. Afterwards I still plan to get that ride in! By now its 8:30 p.m. E has been fed, Chris is in the shower...time for pj's, stories and bed...then ride! However, as soon as I pull E out of his high chair and put him on my hip to carry him upstairs...I realize he is all wet! And I'm all wet! What the heck??!?!Well, I failed to remember before we left for the park, I had put his swimmer diaper on in case we decided to go in as well. As we didn't have the diaper bag to change into a regular diaper he was still in the swimmer one....turns out they're not real absorbent. Even the highchair was wet...sheesh...so yes...now we are both covered in pee....awesome.

So, change of plans again. They are now to get E a quick bath and wait for Chris to get out of the shower so I can take one. He was sweet enough to get E to bed while I showered off.....and so ends the evening. 9:00 p.m. its dark out and we're both showered. No training, but we did have some good family time together and we split some cake and now I'm enjoying a glass of wine. There's always tomorrow right?

If nothing else, the whole remembering to be flexible thing came back to mind....and just rolling with it sometimes...because after all..sometimes life just happens. Tomorrow however should be a better training day!

Cheers!

Back on the Horse

So, needles to say, I have had no time to blog anything since oh I dunno some months ago I guess. Well with buying a new house, packing, moving, work, home, etc there has been no time...especially if I'd like to get to bed at a decent time And no, blogging at 10:30 p.m. is not decent bed time material. Anyway, I have also had little time to train for anything. We essentially have been packing/moving and doing fix up the new house work since the end of March. So, lets just say my 25K did NOT happen in May! That's twice now I've missed it! ugh!

Oh well, so the last few weeks I've made a point to get out and start my pre-race training schedule. Which means building up my base mileage again, remembering my mistakes of the past and how to eat right and shed my 'not in marathon training any more lbs'. Its amazing how quick that 'one extra bite' translates into lbs. quick if you're not moving. Lesson learned!

I have so far now committed to a 10K on Jun 11...first ever 10K distance and also first ever trail race...so it should be fun...though I hear the beginning and end is a huge hill....awesome! I have also committed to a 30 mile bike ride in Aug., and possibly an adventure 5K at the end of Jul and of course I plan to begin training for my fall marathon(still have to decide GR or Detroit) in the fall. They're on the same day. We are also making the trek to Copper Harbor for Chris' Copperman triathlon in Early Aug and there's a sprint tri at the end of Jul I'm tossing around the idea of doing....on my hybrid....which I am in no way pepared for...so doubt that will happen.

Regardless, we seem to have quite the summer coming up, so I am excited! Well mostly. My back and hip still feel tweaked so I need to put in some serious core work in all my free time(note heavy sarcasm) to get me through this year hopefully injury free. At least now I know the signs...but seriously I wish I had more time for yoga to stretch out this tightness. Ugh. I think I may be living on my foam roller in the near future.

Well, that's it in a nutshell. Flirt with Dirt on Jun 11 should be fun! Any and all come join me!

Cheers!
Jess

Super 5K!

There are a lot of things I never thought I would do in this life....just a couple are......running more than a mile, enjoying running and running in the winter. O.K. so I guess some tend to revolve around running. Oh well, such is my life these days.

Anyway, to mark the end of my recovery month after the marathon(my schedule called for a whole month of recovery running if you can believe it!), I decided to run a fun 5K for the heck of it. I decided on Thurs. for sure. :o) It was so much fun!It was great to be amongst a group of like minded people.....yup people silly enough to crawl out of bed on a wintry morning to go run..for fun! I even talked to a guy who ran the Disney marathon!

My first goal was to have fun, my second goal was just to see if my marathon training had any impact on my shorter racing speed...since my goal this season is to get faster.

Well, goal #1 check. It was fun! There was a large indoor area to gather(since it was in the 20's), get your last minute packet pick up if you chose, stretch and they even had superbowl decorations and previous year's highlights on a big t.v. in the middle. Also, after the race you received a pint glass instead of a medal, and they had football food! Hotdogs, meatballs, cookies, brownies, and the ever popular race must haves of bananas and water.Since I'm veggie and also the thought of savory food at 10 in the morning sounded repulsive....I stuck to a banana and a brownie...hey, I earned it right? :o)

Goal #2...well, I'm a little faster...but not a lot. It was my fastest 5K to date, but nothing crazy fast. My time was 26:01:6...for a pace of 8:23...good for me, but not good enough to be a front runner for sure..this girl is still a strong middle-packer. Oh well. I finished 24/144 for my AG, 436/1574 overall....eh, I'll take it. One of these days I'll actually place! Just not today. :o)

Anyway, looking forward to making some yummy football food and enjoying the game with friends tonight...even if the Lions didn't make it this year. lol!

Cheers!
Jess

Winter Wonderland!

Wow, I cannot beleive it has been 3 weeks since my race already. We have been busy! Fighting off colds, working, seeing friends, family etc. Life is soo good!

Today I got outside to get a nice run in. It was so weird. I went out without a goal...just to run on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon! And it was glorious! Yes it was 22 degrees, but it was fun! I LOVE running outside. I haven't had a chance to hardly at all lately. My schedule, weather etc has kept me on the treadmill. Gag! I can't wait for better weather to get out more. Did I mention I love running outside?

Just something about stepping out your door and experiencing nature on your own two feet. Granted I probably could've used some spikes in a few spots, and there were plenty of potholes...but it was awesome! It gave my soul such a lift! Plus, a little vitamin D. :o) Who doesn't love that?

So, that aside, we had a  great family weekend at home. I got my runs in, Chris took Ethan sledding, we went shopping, to church, out for dinner with grandma, made cookies, got pizza, and tonight to top it off, Chris and E made a ginormous fort in the basement! We all had fun playing in it for a while. Kids are great...they keep you young in spirit if nothing else. I haven't 'played fort' since I was about 8 I think.

All in all we had a great weekend. I look forward to more!

Where to go from here? The marathon let down

Well, a week ago, I finally hit my target of completing my first marathon. I trained, I prepared and I trained some more. However, I didn't really prepare for after.....the recovery, the lack of runnng etc. I have been so focused on achieving that goal and training for better than 6 months, I've kind of forgotten what life is like without it. No long run this weekend? What? Its weird and I feel off. I can't explain it. Yes, I'm happy with my accompishment, but already I find myself anticipating races this coming spring and planning for them...I think I don't know how not to be on some kind of running schedule.

My plan has become to focus on core, core, core for the next couple of months with doing just some average length runs with a long run thrown in for spice. Hopefully this will keep me injury free this next running season. Then I need to read up on how to get faster. I've had a taste of races...and they're fun to run....but I would like to actually race one once....and see what its like to be more than middle-back of the pack. We'll see.....I've never been fast....but people can change right?

So, anyway now my inital week of recovery is over, I'm excited to get back to a routine again...this sitting around thing is killing me! I've already made plans to do the riverbank run(25K) this May...missed it last year.....I think injury or sickness kept me out...can't remember which.....and then Detroit this fall...and some shorter ones just for fun I think. Yes, I think I've found my addiction....running it is!

Disney World - The race that made me a a marathoner!

Well folks, this could be a long post. I have been deciding what I should put in this one...as this past weekend was phenomenal on so many levels. And so, I will put it down as it comes, hopefully it makes sense.

As I've written before, I have had this idea to run a marathon almost as long as I've been running...about 6 years. You can read some of my other posts about that as well as my 1st attempt that ended in failure this past October. However, I happen to have the most supportive and unbelievable family and friends anyone could ask for. That is what got me to and through my first whole marathon.

So, rewind to October. I dropped out of the Detroit marathon due to injury. After some major encouragement, I saw 2 drs. that week and began seeing a physical therapist the next week. Inside of 3 months, I managed to get better and be ready for this past Sunday's race in FL. Amazing!

I had friends to encourage me, an awesome husband who took care of things at home so I could run and run an run some more. :o)My mom, mom in law, and dear friend Ruth coming to watch E for the weekend so Chris and I could go to FL for the weekend to do this race. I had family telling me they knew I could do it...and all that culminated in my finish!

No, I am not the faster runner, but I think I am about the luckiest.

I finished with a time of 4:41:54.5245 out of 13,522 overall finishers. 1725 out of 6267 women, and 340 out of 1086 in my age group. So....top third for my age group...I'll take it for my first one! I also accomplished a couple of goals....

Goal 1) - To Finish
Goal 2) - To Finish Uninjured
Goal 3) - To Finish with a smile on my face (I think this is true but we'll have to wait for ASI pics to know for sure).
Goal 5) - To Finish in 4:35

I met all of these goals but the last one..which was sorta secret since everyone told me I shouldn't have a time goal for the first one. That one was a bit of a stretch I knew, but it was my last goal in terms of importance because its my first race. My next one will likely make that more important.

All that being said, I had a great weekend! Chris and I arrived in FL on Friday evening. I had gone to PT twice that week because my back/hip was bothering me,so I was nervous that would crop up in the race. But, we arrived in Orlando, got our car, a grabber blue mustang convertible! Then we were on our way to our hotel. Chris made the travel plans and he did amazing! He got us a great hotel with the most comfortable bed I think I've ever slept on! We melted into bed that first night and I woke up Saturday with no aches or pains! Go figure! I think ha;f my problem with my back/hip may have been due to out old, icky bed! Good thing our new one arrived Friday just before we left for the airport! And yes, it is much better! lol!

So Saturday consisted of waking up, getting breakfast, going to the expo for packet and t-shirt/goody bag pick up, a little shopping,lunch, and a 3 hr nap! Yes, you heard me right! That has not happened, I am fairly certain since Ethan has been born!Again...I mention the ultra-comfy bed! Then we woke up, did a little cruising and then met Jeanne and Jim for dinner.

Oh yes, did I mention them? Jeanne is my inspiration for running! She is amazing, and a great person! Anyway, she had mentioned she was going down for this race since her husband Jim was going to be there for a conference. So, instead of running in AZ like I was thinking, I thought I would switch to that race, which was just 1 week earlier. I am so glad I did! It was so nice to have someone to walk/talk with who does this whole running thing and does it well. I hope to learn a thing or two from her as well as develop our friendship. She and her husband are truly one of a kind!

O.K. So, we had dinner, then made our way back to our hotel room for 4 hrs. of sleep before the race. Yes, the race started at 5:40 a.m. and we had to be there by 4 a.m. according to the marathon peeps to make to to start line in time.Based on when the hotel shuttle was leaving (3 a.m.), 2 a.m. was the time to get up...and it was early!

But, again my husband is the bestest! He got up at 2:30 a.m. ready to roll out the door with me. So, we got to the shuttle and made it to the race by 3:40 or so. So, then we just had to stand around for a while.....in 45 degrees! Brrr! Again, my husband is great! He was there shivering his butt off with no hope of running to get warm like I would. Who would've thought it would be that cold? Anyway, he stood with me and we walked around. Then we met up with Jeanne and Jim and were about to go to the start line....but it was about a 1/2 mile walk and spectators were not allowed to go the way we did, so I had to dis-robe(take off my warm ups), over an hr. before the start, since Chris had to carry them for me! brrrrr!

Anyway, Jeanne and I got to the start and waited a few more minutes, and then we were off! With a fireworks display and all....for every wave! I was in wave 3 of 7, but I felt like the only one! It was well done!

So, the first few miles were cold and sort of boring, but before long we were entering epcot in the dark! They had a couple of those light up animals they have in the night time parade buzzing around and the ball was lit up, and there was music and it was sooo cool! Epcot in the dark is awesome! Then we traveled some access roads, and highways and then we finally came to the Magic Kingdom around mile 8 or 9. This was my first and only glimpse of Chris and Jim. Turns out this race isn't real spectator friendly...definitely an x in my book. Anyway, before long we were running down main street, and then through tomorrowland. Then we got to run through the castle! So cool! Then we ran through frontierland(I think) and then we were back to access and highway roads. We passed the 1/2 way point in the magic kingdom, so after that the crowd started to slow a bit. The next park we came to was animal kingdom, but not before running by the park sewage treatment plant! ick! Oh well. Animal kingdom was neat, but far too short. I also developed a mean side stitch(this never happened in training!)...at about mile 17..it lasted until about mile 19...ugh! I also stopped for um...the call of nature...at least I got to use a real restroom in the park! lol!

Then we did some more highway that consisted of some long low-grade hills....that brought us to about mile 20. About here I started to lose steam and started counting down the miles....7.2. to go! They were long, they were painful. So, after a couple more miles we entered Hollywood Studios(used to be MGM). This was my least favorite park. I dunno why....the music annoyed me...it wasn't much fun...maybe it was just because it was nearly the end. The one consolation was they did hand out fun size chocolate bars there! Oh yes, I had one! At that point I didn't care it I had it in my training regime or not..I needed the mental boost...and hey, who doesn't like chocolate?

So, after that we were into the last few miles....we ran along the boardwalk and I stopped again for nature, this time in a blue plastic box...yuck! Then I was off to do the last couple miles.We ran into the yacht/boat club area and then back into Epcot for the finish. I was in so much pain at that point I could hardly appreciate what a beautiful day it had gotten to be or that we were running near a beautiful beach, boats etc. Once we reached Epcot again though I found a girl named Jamie who stuck with me until the end. We had about 1.5 miles to go and spectators were shouting...you're almost there...which we were not! Ugh! Anyway, we gave each other some encouragement and then we finally saw it..the finish! With a grandstand for spectators and everything! I almost cried! Such an awesome sight! So, I sped up a little and crossed the finish with a cheering Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

Chris was there soon after to hug me and be there for me...he is the best! I broke down when I saw him....it was the greatest feeling ever! Only second to having Ethan and marrying Chris I think. This was awesome! Jeanne and Jim quickly followed with and congratulated me as well. Jeanne finished 1st in her age group herself and as the 15th woman overall...she did great!

So, then we headed back to the hotel and checked into our flight. Chris had gotten me two t-shirts when I was running, and upgraded out flight to business class on the way back so I had room to stretch my aching legs! He treated me like a princess the entire trip. I only hope I can return the favor one day. Then we went out to lunch after checking out of the hotel and met Jeanne and Jim to celebrate with pizza an bloody mary's. mmmmm!

Chris and I said goodbye and then headed to the airport. Yes, I wore my medal in the airport...I figured why not? I earned this sucker!

Then we came home in style! Big seats, snacks, drinks....it was great! We arrived and finally got to dive home and see our little guy. We had missed him so much on our trip. This was the longest we'd ever gone away without him. We were happy to be home....oh and my mom, mom in law and Chris and I's families had flowers, balloons and notes of congratulations waiting for me when I arrived home! How sweet! Like I said, I have the best husband and son, best family and best friends anyone could ask for. This weekend was potentially one of the best in my life!

Cheers!

Race in the New Year!

Well, here it is first blog of the year, though nothing too exciting...firstly, getting better about blogging a little more often. Secondly I am 6 days away from my 2nd marathon attempt...in Disney no less! So, tapering, tapering,tapering....and oh yeah a trip to PT tomorrow morning. I did something weird to my back this weekend and I've been having some back/hip pain....I think crashing on the futon with E after he was up in the middle of the night screwed me up...but no matter! To PT I go where they will work their magic! Nothing too huge, I think just a tight piriformis muscle again that's pressing on my sciatic nerve or something since I have tingling all the way down my leg from my back. Stretching def helps....but I'm not chancing ANYTHING! So, I'm going even though the logical side of me says its nothing. Failure is not an option!

But, not going to focus on the negative, focusing on the positive which is a long weekend away with Chris in FL and I am going to do great in this race.And have some fun! It has however given my some reservations about how I should finish this race. I had a time in mind before for Detroit(and still do for this one), but I am starting to think I should just go to finish...but I know I won't be happy with that. So, I really hope I finish(I could live with myself at least then) AND I would like to get under the number in my head(that would make me happy!). :o) So, we'll see. But if nothing else, I get to hang out in FL for a couple of days with Chris and hopefully hook up with my pal down there also doing this race.

That's all I will say for fear of jinxing it again....but I am getting excited! And hey, who doesn't like a 4 day work week just days after a holiday break? :o)

Cheers!