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!

Marathon: Take 2?

So, its been a while. I really wasn't going to discuss my plans for my next race for fear of jinxing it. I feel like maybe that's what happened at Detroit. Maybe somehow getting so excited about it and telling everyone about it was a mistake and the universe was telling me to be a little more modest and less "braggy". Not that I ever intended to be, I was just... well, excited! That was a huge goal for me. Anyway, when it ended in nothing less than disaster I decided to be a little more reserved about talking about the next one.

I knew the day I "DNF'd" at Detroit that I'd be doing another one. At first I wasn't so sure, buta great friend and very supportive husband assured me I could and would do another. And not just well, next year I'll try again...more like, if you're diligent and careful with your body you can likely do another by the end of 2010. BTW, thanks to my awesome hubby and Jeanne! I needed to hear that you guys.

These great people in my life gave me the boost I needed to get myself to a doc the very next day. Then to a specialist that Thursday.Then to physical therapy starting the next week. So just shy of 2 weeks after the "Great IT Band Incident of 2010", sounds more fun that way doesn't it? I digress. Anyway, just 2 weeks shy of said incident, I was in physical therapy sorting out my many issues. Who knew the right side of my body was so messed up? Apparently I had a right hip up slip, a rotated (anterior)hip, and a lower lumbar torsion..guess where? Yup! The right side also. Turns out after close to 2 months of therapy, the problem wasn't actually my IT band..that was just a symptom. Turns out my body was compensating for something....and turns out I have back issues....which is probably due to a weak core. So, after some adjusting and lots of exercises, my core is much stronger and I've been training those muscles to keep my bones and other structures in place when I run. The result? Well, so far I've managed a decent long run with no adverse affects. I mean, I actually stopped running because I was bored on the treadmill....not because of pain! Amazing! Who knew?

So, back to the races. I really wanted to do another one before the end of the year, but with our schedule and the holidays it just doesn't seem doable. I just keep running and looking out for races in warmer temps...which brings me to my dilemma. I have run only about 14 miles as my longest run since the 'Great IT Band Incident of 2010'. However, since my latest long run was pain free and my back(not even IT band!) is only a little sore a couple days later, I figure if I can get a good 18-20 miler in (even on the treadmill) this weekend, then I'll do one come Jan. So there's one in AZ and one in FL. One is 3 hrs. time difference and relatively expensive and one is same time zone and at least the flight is about 1/2 as much....not sure yet on the rest. It is also a week earlier, which bumps up my timeline to getting in one solid long run of 18-20 and it HAS to be this weekend. Oh and btw,the FL one, a good friend(the one who actually helped to inspire my marathon attempt 2 in such a short time frame), will bethere. Decisions,decisions.

Anyway, I am just grateful for a wonderfully supportive husband, good friends and the resources to get myself healthy. And of course for the opportunities I have. Life is indeed good and a far stretch from where I was a mere 8 weeks ago. Wow, that went fast! I am looking forward to getting this thing done! Then maybe this fall we'll talk Detroit again...what? Is it too soon?!?!? :O)
Cheers!

Detroit....still a hurdle to jump

Well, what to say? The short of it is I trained my butt off and started the race uninjured, but managed to get hurt and not finish the darn thing. Ugh!

Needless to say I was pretty devastated. This has been a goal of mine for years now....and to get this far and not achieve it was basically unthinkable for me. But, out of everything comes a lesson to be learned or maybe there was something else that was supposed to happen that day instead of finishing this race.

So, here's summary. Felt great miles 1-8....after 8 felt a twinge in my right leg....after mile 9 felt pain in said leg...so I stopped to stretch it out...felt a little better and continued....I continued this stretching routine about every 1/2 mile thereafter....however the pain got so intense that by about mile 11 I really wasn't sure I would even make it to the 1/2. But, I pushed on and made it to the half and decided to continue on to the full..I made it that far right? By that time my per mile time was already up to 12 minutes....ugh! I readjusted my goal mentally and said I would be happy to finish at that point....so I took it at a snails pace just to try to squeeze out more distance...but it didn't seem to matter....I then walked(well, limped) through every water stop, but my mile 16 I was up to a 16 minute mile with the stretching, stopping, walking etc...and at that point I basically couldn't put weight on that leg.

SO, I found an emergency communications volunteer and he was able to get me in contact with Chris who had just finished his own race. I am so proud of him! Volunteer by the way are awesome people! I found out this one's name was Jim. He was so kind and just wanted to help. He offered me his chair he was perched on, on this corner and asked if I needed medical. As it wasn't an emergency I declined. So, I sat with him and waited for Chris to come pick me up. We chatted for quite some time and he told me all about him and his family and how he was retired and now volunteers for many different things. He also is a Vietnam vet, a grandpa, and a genuinely nice person. I found talking with him much preferable to the pity party I was having, so it was good.

I also decided that it was pretty dead where I was at...so I began to cheer (along with Jim), for the people still coming down the road. Many first timers(like me), many veteran runners, walkers etc. It at least help me divert my energy in a positive way.

I also met a girl along the way who was sooo nice. She actually stopped to chat with me as I was limping along somewhere around mile 14 or 15....I told her not to worry, keep going...you have a time to worry about and she just said, that's o.k. I've been talking with all sorts of people along the way, this is for fun. She was likely my age(never did get her name) and had two kids. This was her second marathon this year. She was really encouraging and such a positive spirit. It really helped my mental state.

As well, I have always know I have a really supportive husband...but I realize now he really is the best! He being injured himself went all the way back to the hotel, got the car, came and picked me up and catered to me the rest of the day! He knows how awful I felt and was just plain there for me. I couldn't ask for more.

I also had the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend who is such a huge inspiration to me! She is helping me through this ordeal and I am so glad to talk with her again. As well, we had dinner and fun times with great friends the night before. Plus, I still got to participate in an event that started with me uninjured.....so it could be worse. I know people who couldn't even attempt it because they got hurt just weeks before it.

Where is this story going? Well, I guess the point is, maybe this race wasn't about me finishing. Maybe it was learning about other people, maybe taking me down a peg, maybe to learn that there are some truly good people out there in this world. You just have to stop an "smell the roses" once in a while.

So, today I am on the hunt for a good sports doc who can get me up and running quite literally in a short amount of time. Then off to another one hopefully! This isn't the last of my marathoning days! :o)

Cheers!