It's Been Over a Week

....... I haven't "blooped" for a while and don't want to catch up :)
Things have been working out really good for Dorian, I am feeling a lot better about everything so that's awesome and I am so happy relieved. I've been told by so many that it is actually quite common that some children don't even talk until 3 1/2 - 4 years old and when they do it is in complete sentences so that is hopeful (and it seem to run on both sides of our family). He is still going to do the First Steps program to help him along, and the 4C play & learn group sessions 3 times a week to help socialize him and get him comfortable with strangers and others.
   I've kept up on my runs for the most part, but I don't fret if I miss a planned run or two (though with all this holiday junk food I do tend to fret about the calories I should be burning). My long runs seem to be comfortably around 12 miles, and my mid long runs have been between 8 and 9 miles.
  The only worry or concern is my calves.... or my ankles or whatever it is, but it's kind of everywhere down there. My calves have been feeling tight for the last 2 weeks or so, then my ankles or whatever hurt a little but only for the first couple miles of a run so I am not sure what it is. I am just trying to ice everything, foam roll and wear my compression socks after my runs. I am just going to keep doing those things as much as possible, it comes and goes so I am not sure if it will go away eventually with enough icing, foam rolling, stretching and compression but if things don't get better soon then I'll have to take a few days off which is upsetting to think about while it's still the holidays....
  I've got a list of races planned for 2015 (as long as this aggravated issue goes away...), even though it sucks that I am not running the LBL marathon in March, it does open up room for other races and more half marathons rather than being stuck in marathon training.

• Hearts on Fire 5k - Evansville, IN - February 14
• Run of Luck 7k - Evansville, IN - March 14
• Kentucky Derby Half Marathon - Louisville, KY - April 25
• Backside Trail Half Marathon - Louisville, KY - April 26
• Owensboro Memorial Day Half Marathon - Owensboro, KY - May 23
• Harmonie Trail Half Marathon - New Harmony IN - May 30
• Evansville Half Marathon - Evansville, IN - October 3
• Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Indianapolis, IN - November 7

   The back to back half marathons will definitely require a little more focus on training starting in February, the weekends having back to back runs to help me adapt to the fatigue.

The most important race of the year 2015 will be the Monumental, the training will be called MONUMENTAL REDEMPTION and the training is going to prepare me for anything (hopefully). Hopefully I'll be ready to up my weekly mileage to near 60 with at least two of the 6 days having 2 runs - one in the morning and one in the afternoon with Dorian.

This Past Week and some Tough Decisions

This past week has been pretty extremely stressful, Dorian's first day at daycare didn't work out and it was extremely traumatizing for him. The provider mentioned during our Friday interview after Thanksgiving that he would most definitely need to be evaluated for speech delay ( he really has no words at all and is almost 32 months old), so I am sure being thrown into an unknown environment with other children and an adult he didn't know was extremely frightening for him especially since he can't talk or communicate with strangers. Most daycares give children at least 2 weeks to adjust, but this one wasn't willing to even though she said during the interview that she would be able to handle him. To make matters worse, First Steps can evaluate him but cannot provide a program without the sign off of his/a pediatrician and thanks to his original pediatrician's office screwing things up in 2012 sending me a letter of termination for a bill that was paid, and my being lax about finding another because he has been so healthy and I didn't expect a situation like this I decided to just hold off on finding another one. My stance on not vaccinating my son also makes it extremely difficult to find a pediatrician. I will still be making calls to offices trying to find a family doctor or pediatrician but I am losing hope with that situation. I love my little boy but I feel like a failure, the only two good things I did was a homebirth and choosing not to vaccinate him... other than that I feel like I've failed in every other department :(
 It's been pretty difficult to get my mojo back with running, but this past week has been extremely difficult... so much so that I really don't give a shit if I run anymore, but it subdues so many of my demons, including my insecurities and pint up frustrations and it's a habit I don't want to break in fear of never starting again and not having anything to show or share with my son later :'( 
 I ran 5 miles Tuesday, 8 miles Wednesday, nothing Thursday, 6 miles Friday and 5 miles Saturday. This morning was supposed to be 12 miles but after my garmin screwing up around mile 3 and going into powersave mode for .5 miles I just wanted to quit and go home... I was so frustrated and tired of all of it, tired of sucking at life but I pushed on. I managed 9.35 miles total and that was it. A total of 33.7 miles for this week.
  While out there, I made a really/not really tough decision... I am not running the Land Between the Lakes marathon, I am not going to train for it - my first marathon took so much of me - body, mind and emotion that my son suffered from it and I can't do that again. At least not this soon after the first one, I'm going to register for the Monumental again and begin training in June but one marathon a year is good enough for the moment. I am still going to register and train for the back to back half marathons in April but the training won't be too much different than my usual half marathon training except for some long runs of 16-18 miles maybe.
  Also, I might not be on here too often. If I can I will at least blog once a week about my runs as winter can be crazy and exciting.

Ten Miles to Close out Week Two

  Well that sucked.... a lot. The temperature was 61 degrees so I wore shorts and a tank top, the first 3 miles went pretty good but after that things just felt blah. By mile 5, Rocky and I stopped at the Tahoe and I dropped off my headlamp and my tank top. I was sweating, I would like to say 61 degrees felt amazing and it did, but my body had just about acclimated to the 10-35 degree weather over the last 2-3 weeks... so I was getting my ass kicked. 
  I had gone to the bathroom before leaving the house, but ended up going 3 times while out on the trails (it was very aggravating). This was also probably my very slowest 10 miles in a long freaking time, and I was constantly stopping. It was just a very tough run, inside and out.... the trails were muddy and sloggy but beautiful, the weather was amazing but today was just an off day.
  Rocky and I suffered through 10 miles in 1:49:08 with an average pace of 10:54 min/mile.... blah
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:31
Mile 2 - 10:54
Mile 3 - 10:41
Mile 4 - 11:08
Mile 5 - 10:43
Mile 6 - 10:57
Mile 7 - 11:02
Mile 8 - 11:29
Mile 9 - 10:32
Mile 10 - 10:09

    This is proving to be a challenge, much more challenging that my first marathon training cycle... I seem to be stuck in some sort of funk and I can get myself out of it. I'm just going to keep chugging along, maybe I'll chug my way out of this funk.

Week Two of LBL Training

  So Sunday isn't finished yet, but I figure what the hell. I survived Thanksgiving and the 2nd week of Land Between the Lakes Marathon training, so far it's going well.
  Tuesday Rocky and I ran an easy 5.2 miles on the road, I was concerned that it might be too muddy on the trails. We ran the 5.2 in 52:45 with an average pace of 10:09/min/mile, my quads were bugging me still but not awful... It was 36 degrees with a feels like 30.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:53
Mile 2 - 10:34
Mile 3 - 9:07
Mile 4 - 10:17
Mile 5 - 9:56
.2       - 9:55

   Wednesday morning was colder, and we went ahead and hit the trails this time. I think I might have under-dressed...... anyways it was pretty damn cold, but Rocky and I enjoyed it. We ran 8.1 miles in 1:27:07 with an average pace of 10:38 min/mile. It was around 25 degrees, though I would swear it was colder damn it.
  Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:31
Mile 2 - 10:28
Mile 3 - 10:16
Mile 4 - 10:59
Mile 5 - 10:30
Mile 6 - 10:25
Mile 7 - 10:49
Mile 8 - 10:11
.1      -  9:49

  Thursday was windy, the temperature was 30 degrees but it felt like 22 thanks to 9 mph N winds. Rocky and I hit the trails again, running 5 miles in 55:16 with an average pace of 11:03 min/mile, slow and muddy and icy. The blah feeling is finally going away, for the past 2 weeks I have been in some sort of funk and not really excited about training or running. Maybe my body is trying to adapt to the cold or I need a much longer break after the marathon.

  Friday Rocky and I hit the roads this time for 6.1 miles, it was 27 degrees with no wind (thankfully). My quads are getting less annoying now, the soreness from hitting Audubon park a week ago is finally going away (FINALLY). We ran 6.1 miles in 1:01:56 with an average pace of 10:09 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:03
Mile 2 - 10:25
Mile 3 - 10:28
Mile 4 - 10:19
Mile 5 - 10:10
Mile 6 - 9:37
.1       - 8:38

  This morning was slower, 3 miles in 33:16 on the muddy trails. Tomorrow I am hoping for 10 muddy miles on the trails but we'll just see how the night goes and stuff, it's going to be in the high 50's around 5 AM so that is good news.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Training Has Begun

It's official, my training cycle for the LBL marathon has begun as of this week.. which I've finished up :D
 Friday I hit John James Audubon State Park's trails, looking for a butt whoopin' on the hilly trails.... and boy did I get what I came for. Sadly my garmin says the elevation gain was only 690 feet with a loss of 709 feet... last time I ran these trails it said around 900 feet, I really liked thinking it was closer to 900 feet. 
  The sun was already low at this point, but I just wanted 5 miles on these trails. Mileage didn't seem off, so that was good. That last 2 miles were really dark, luckily my eyes were adjusting until the last mile but a lot of that was on road so I wasn't too worried. This was probably the SLOWEST 5 miles I have ever ran before, I had to slow down on downhills due to slick ice and hike some uphills, strangely I was already winded. I ran 5 miles in 1:02:41 with an average pace of 12:31 min/mile. Dude, it was 43 degrees and I was sweating!
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:33
Mile 2 - 12:54
Mile 3 - 14:19
Mile 4 - 12:39
Mile 5 - 11:14
   I am just glad I managed 5 miles on those trails, not sure how often I'll be able to do this as it's hard to find someone to babysit before dark. I'd like to do it at least once a week but who knows, winter is more difficult due to lack of daylight.
  Saturday was supposed to be a rest day but I apparently forgot, and didn't realize that until I got home and went to log the run... Whoops, Rocky and I ran 3 miles in 33:49 with an average pace of 11:15 min/mile.... and my quads started hurting by the evening. I was feeling Friday's run on the trails dang it, and boy were my legs sore last night.
  Dorian was having either growing pains in his legs or restless leg syndrome and had me up a lot of the night, so by 4:30 AM I really wanted to sleep and didn't want to get up and run. The plan was 9 miles but my quads were still sore as hell and I was exhausted, Rocky and I ran the roads this time because I knew the trails would be muddy and I didn't feel like driving all the way to the trails.
  It was tough, and exhausting but I managed 7.5 miles at least... Rocky and I did. We ran 7.5 miles in 1:16:43 with an average pace 10:14 min/mile, and elevation gain of 155 feet with a loss of 156 feet.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:57
Mile 2 - 10:42
Mile 3 - 10:18
Mile 4 - 9:55
Mile 5 - 9:57
Mile 6 - 10:09
Mile 7 - 9:55
.5      - 9:45

   Still freaking sore, and I am pretty relieved that tomorrow is a rest day. Did I mention that it was warm enough for shorts? Oh yeah, and I was sweating.

Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and this Morning

 I am slowly getting back into my groove, though my adorable little boy can make things tough to get out of bed in the morning. I honestly can't wait until he is at the age where he is sleeping in his own bed, or I don't have to worry if he wakes up while I am out for a run. And then, I really can't wait until he is at the age where he can go on runs with me, my shorter runs that is, maybe even extra runs in the afternoon just for him.
 Until those days, I am at the mercy of the 3 foot beastie if he wakes up between 2 AM and 5 AM.
 Sunday, I went out for a 3 miler with Rocky on the trails. I was hoping that it would start snowing but nope, no snow at that point. I was definitely a tad jello-leg like after Saturday's race, but it went well even with my Garmin 220 screwing up on distance  (I updated it later that day and since then it has been back to working properly). Rocky and I ran 3.2 miles in 33:56, it was 34 degrees and no wind.
  Sunday night started snowing, and it looked a bit like a winter wonderland by Monday morning... sadly Monday is my rest day :(
  Tuesday - Holy freaking polar vortex, woke up this morning to 12 degrees....  wow, I layered up the best I could, couldn't find my ski mask so my face numbed up. Rocky and I did 5 miles in 55:03 with an average pace of 11 min/mile, things were actually going really good up to mile 1 until mile 2 I found that a lot of smaller trees close to the trail were weighed down by snow and ice.... yeah that slowed me down and took some maneuvering.
The Laps looked like this:
Mile 1 - 10:47 (great first mile pace for roots and trails)
Mile 2 - 11:38 (Damn you low hanging trees!!!)
Mile 3 - 11:04 (somewhat better)
Mile 4 - 10:52
Mile 5 - 10:38 (so much better)
  Overall it was a great run,the snow wasn't very deep on the trails - maybe 2 inches and a bit frozen.
  Wednesday - My son woke up at 3:30 and stayed just awake enough to keep me there until 4:50 which I was screwed at that point. I wanted to get a 7-8 miler in but that wasn't going to happen, and my mom couldn't watch him for too long later that evening so I had to put in the 4.1 I had planned for Thursday. Rocky and I hit the greenway for that, the only mistake I made was having a grape soda just before our run... my stomach is in knots during the run. BUT, I noticed how easy it was to keep a relatively quick pace, paces that used to be considered my fast/est pace. It's sometimes nice to get off the trails and hit the road to see what kind of condition you are in. Rocky and I ran 4.1 miles in 37:52 with an average pace of 9:14 min/mile.
Laps/splits:
Mile 1 - 9:37
Mile 2 - 9:31
Mile 3 - 8:54
Mile 4 - 8:58
.1       - 8:49
Overall, other than stomach pains due to a stupid soft drink, the run was great.
 This morning (Thursday) - I woke to my alarm at 3:15 AM, little man was still asleep but I needed sleep dang it so I waited until it got closer to 4 and then he started stirring so I got up and laid down on the couch until my 4 AM alarm went off. Yesterday's high was 45 so 90% of the snow had melted, but luckily last night's freezing temps froze the ground and any puddles so it wasn't muddy. It was 23 degrees, not bad.
  I was so freaking tired, I really wanted back in bed but I wanted to get 7 miles in dang it. Rocky and I ended up with 7.3 miles in 1:18:37 with an average pace of 10:46 min/mile. Not bad for being tired.
  Laps/split were:
Mile 1 - 10:46
Mile 2 - 11:01
Mile 3 - 10:32
Mile 4 - 11:09
Mile 5 - 10:30
Mile 6 - 10:41
Mile 7 - 10:56
.3       - 10:05

This Week and a Race

  Still taking it pretty easy this week, not sticking to any schedule... well not freaking out if I don't get a run in. That is going to change next week though, I am going to start getting down to business  beginning Tuesday.
   Tuesday ended up being a rest day, and then Wednesday morning Rocky and I went out for an easy run on the trails, ending up with 6.2 miles in 1:08:06 with an average pace of 10:59 min/mile. Temperature was 36 degrees, feeling like 30 with a 7 mph N wind, but not awful. I wore my capris and a long sleeve shirt and my earband thingy, and gloves. I am much slower on the trails than road, especially at night when I really have to watch my footing, but that is good thing right now as I am still supposed to be taking it easy.
  Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:24
Mile 2 - 11:08
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 11:18
Mile 5 - 10:51
Mile 6 - 10:49
.2       - 10:21

    My garmin has started getting off track GPS wise, I know pretty well where the first mile is on this route and it doesn't lap until about .1-.2 miles after that mile. It really got screwed up this morning, but first lets talk about Thursday.
   Thursday morning Rocky and I went out on the trails, I made a poor choice on clothing this time... it was freaking cold. Temperature was 28 degrees with a feels like 21 degrees and 7 mph NW winds, which felt just freaking awful running at the edge of a field for the first mile. I almost turned around and headed back for the Tahoe, but decided to suck it up and tough it out. 
   Rocky and I ran 4.2 miles easy, in 46:01 with an average pace of 10:58 min/mile.
  Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:08
Mile 2 - 11:33
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 10:46
.2       - 10:26

   Let's just say it was so freaking cold, and felt so much more windier that my eyeballs had just about gone numb by mile 2 (is that even possible????) and I was having a hard time seeing roots which slowed me down.... but better to have slowed down than bust my face open.... right?

   The 2014 Get Dirty Fall Trail (15k)
I love trails, so I didn't hesitate registering for this race the week after the marathon, when most first time marathoners are questioning their sanity and saying never again, and possible no more races. They had their usual 3 distances - 5k (1 loop), 10k (2 loops), and 15k (3 loops); new this year was the 13.1 distance but as much as I wanted that one, I knew my body wasn't ready for it AND I decided that I won't do any half marathons unless they have a finisher's medal and a t-shirt (damn it). The Get Dirty races don't have t-shirts but they do have little medals, sometimes finisher medals for everyone but I think today's race was just for the top 3 finishers. They did have pint glasses for every finisher though, so that's cool... :)

  Yep, that's right. I got 2nd place female in the 15k distance.... out of 2 female runners...... the first place female finished 1:13:08 and also finished 2nd overall out of 10 finishers in the 15k distance.... I want to scream cheater but that would just be a sore loser lol. The female finisher in the half marathon finished in 2:13:34.... maybe I should have gone with the half distance but I was feeling kind of sick again.

  Mainly I know it is because my body is still recovering from the marathon two weeks ago so I am not fussing, I still PR'd in the 15k distance by about 30 seconds so that ain't bad for feeling like crap and taking a 30 second walk during lap 3. 

  I won't even mention my splits because of how screwed up my GPS was compared to the course map and mat, first mile was about .2 off but by the end of the first loop it was at 2.5 when we went over the mat then by the end of lap 2 it was at 5.4 and even further off at the finish. Instead of 9.3 miles, it was at 8.47....... almost a mile off and I am not sure why but I am going with their time and course.

  I finished in 1:23:31 with an average pace of 8:59 min/mile, beating my old PR by almost 30 seconds.

Post-Monumental Recovery Week

  I rested all of Sunday, and Monday was kind of a rest day unless you count chasing my future marathoner around the shop throughout the day... my quads were pretty sore. Tuesday was the same as Monday, along with Wednesday - no running except for fast walking and occasional jogs to keep up with Dorian through the shop. By Wednesday I wasn't feeling any soreness or aches, and I was itching to go for a run (especially out on the trails). 
  Thursday morning Rocky and I headed out on the trails for 3.3 miles, it was supposed to be 3 but eh.. we finished 3.3 in 37:18 with an average pace of 11:18 min/mile which is what I do like about the rooty trails right now - they slow me down. On the road I would probably be having an average pace of 10 minutes or less, but on the trails before dawn I am forced to slow down and watch for roots (these trails are becoming more roots than dirt now). So that is why I've been sticking to the trails even though I hate going so slow and running them before dawn.
   Friday we were not able to get up in the morning and run thanks to Dorian screwing up his sleep schedule, so Rocky and I  hit the trails later that afternoon when the sun was still up. We ran 4.1 miles in 44:57 with an average pace of 10:57 min/mile, finishing just as it was getting dark.
  Saturday I took as a rest day, and took Rocky and Dorian for a hike.
This morning Rocky and I headed out for the trails just before dawn so we ran them more in daylight. My plan was 6 miles, nearing 4 miles we ran into another runner and said good morning. Ran into him again just before mile 5 (he's apparently faster). The deer are quite active right now as we're coming into the rut, yesterday during our hike I saw THIS BEAST

As a runner AND a photographer (passion/hobby) this was like crossing the finish line of a half marathon (full marathon would be a beautiful sunset or sunrise and the buck standing tall and proud lol). I mean I can't even begin to describe how excited I was to see him, in over a decade I have searched for a beast like this with and without my camera so I was so overwhelmed with joy to have my camera with me. Of course in the span of 45 minutes of snapping photos, my son was almost a quarter of a mile down the trail..... yeah..... that was fun chasing after him.

  Anyways, back to the run this morning. We saw lots of deer, 3 bucks but they weren't near as big as that big boy was, these other 3 were probably 6-8 pointers. We also saw a large flock of turkey(ies?)
  We ended up running 6.4 miles in 1:08:16 with an average pace of 10:40 min/mile so definitely a bit faster than Friday or Thursday, but it was still an easy pace.

  Oh and I should probably mention that Wednesday I signed up for 2 other races this month - November 15's Get Dirty Trail Run (the 15k distance though I am debating on changing it to the 13.1 distance) and the Turkey Dash 5k on Thanksgiving Day.... yep... lol

Sights Set on you Land Between the Lakes Marathon

   So the Monumental marathon didn't go completely as planned, due to stomach issues way out of my control but other than that it was amazing and awesome and I am so ready for the next chapter.
   And so my sights are soon to be on the Land Between the Lakes Marathon which is March 14, 2015. I'm still debating on whether to do a 14 week plan or another 19 week plan, I am definitely considering the 14 week plan so that the training can start on December 2 which gives me all of November to take it easy and build my mileage back up. Still working on the plan though, can't decide if I want my long runs on Sunday or Saturday.... but I have a month before I start that chapter. Figuring up your own plan is always the most difficult part of training (in my opinion), and even more so for me with trail running as I learned near the final weeks of my last training cycle that leg fatigue is serious business just as much as falling flat on your face is (lol). As my long runs pick up beyond 16 miles I'll just figure them being on roads.
  Some might think it's weird or crazy that I am already thinking about the next marathon, and I've already decided that I want to take another crack at the Monumental next year... though there will be a tiny dilemma - the Rock/Creek Stumpjump 50k in October... I really, really, REALLY want to go after it next year but logic tells me to take on a few marathons before going further. I've learned that logic is the better way to go, when pushing the body beyond it's limits, taking baby steps rather than diving all the way in.
  Yep, I had already registered for this marathon like 2 months ago and though I am concerned about the weather (as usual), I am not fretting about it at all. This time I have no time goal, or expectations with this marathon but to have fun with it. 
  Taken from the website: The course starts on the shore of beautiful Kentucky Lake. Turn off Hwy 453 at the entrance to Lighthouse Landing, and proceed past the sailboats to the shoreline starting area. From the start, take a right onto 453 and proceed south for 1.5 miles, utilizing the canal bridge. If we have a clear morning you should see the sun rising over Lake Barkley. Turn right onto Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive, and head up and over the hill to the trail head, which is just before the road takes a sharp turn to the left. Note that you take the trail to the right, and will run in a clockwise direction. This initial 1.9 mile road section should allow for separation of participants before entering the trail. 
The Canal Loop trail (designated by blue markers on trees), is a scenic, well groomed 11.3 mile loop on mostly single-track between Kentucky and Barkley Lakes; offering many breathtaking views of the lakes, and several short challenging hills. 
  The Marathon course - Start at Lighthouse Landing, run Canal Loop 2 times, head back to finish at Grand Rivers Welcome Center. Make certain an official records your name/number before starting your 2nd loop.
    Trying to figure up calculations, I think this will be a little over 26.2 miles but that is okay with me. The only thing I have to remember is to make sure an official records my name/number before starting my 2nd loop... that would suck major balls if I forget to do that lol. Maybe at some point during January I might see about heading to the lakes and running the loop... but I won't get my hopes up as that is a 2 hour drive from me.
   

2014 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon RR

  As everyone pretty much knows, this was my debut marathon, my very first 26.2 mile race. This past week my mind was literally blocking any detailed thought about the race, and what made me more anxious was looking at the weather.
  We got to Indy at 3 PM Friday afternoon, got into the hotel room and slowly unpacked, our room at Springhill Suites was kinda, really tight. Only 4 drawers while the shower was in it's separate room (with a sink, no tub :'(  ) and the door to it and the toilet room were sliding doors to help with the tight space. But it is cozy, and I am not complaining. Cameron and I drove to a spot I thought was just after mile 20 but ended up being around 21.5 miles where he would be to see me and also hand me my grape gatorade (which by that point I didn't want anything in my stomach).
  It was a sleepless night, but I felt rested. Dorian decided to get up with me at 4 AM while I ate a Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with some peanut butter, a chocolate fudge pop tart and half a banana. Then we laid back down, though Dorian was pretty much awake. Got up at 6:15 AM, with a little monkey at my feet the whole time lol. Cameron, Preston and Nicole walked down to the start with me while Ethan stayed in the hotel with Dorian. I was freaking nervous, I noticed in the hotel that I was feeling sick to my stomach but that has happened to me before so I didn't think much of it.
 I got to my corral area, took my sweat pants off and handed them to Cameron. I kept the throw away sweatshirt over my dri-fit Tee with the Under Armor long sleeves and my gloves. I decided on wearing my capris and warmer socks.
  It took about 18 minutes to get to the starting mats, and then we were off. I kept it slow and easy, not focusing on passing or zigzagging around people. The first two miles were right on a good pace, but the first 5-6 miles were a little hectic with constantly running into walkers and stuff... little frustrating but I wasn't focused on speed. It was 30 degrees with a windchill of 16 degrees, with 15 mph winds.

Mile 1 - 10:13
Mile 2 - 10:22
Mile 3 - 9:01 (I was already fucking starving!!??? WTF man!!!)
Mile 4 - 9:46 (I carefully took my throw away sweatshirt off at this point)
Mile 5 - 10:10  (Around this time I was noticing a kind of headache you get from severe cold weather, it was sucking a little.)

  I was a little pissed off that I was already hungry, freaking out a little thinking I was going to bonk or hit the wall. Around mile 4's aid station I drank gatorade, I had absolutely no problem slowing to a walk for this, I wanted to cherish and drink every drop from it.

Mile 6 - 9:38
Mile 7 - 9:19 (Between mile 7 and 8 I had my first gu, I was hungry and it was pissing me off damn it, I walked for this and had water to chase it down)
Mile 8 - 10:09
Mile 9  9:34 (gatorade somewhere around here)
Mile 10 - 9:50
Mile 11 - 9:27 (between mile 11 and 12 I had my second gu, with water)
Mile 12 - 10:12 

  Things were going great, even though the hunger pains were bugging me, my body felt great and I was going at a good easy pace and staying ahead of 4:30 pacer group.

Mile 13 - 9:26
Mile 14 - 9:42 (at this point I started noticing a sick, really sick feeling in my stomach, almost as if it were the stomach bug... wtf)
Mile 15 - 10:49 (I had to walk, the jostling of my stomach from running was making me feel even worse in my stomach)
Mile 16 - 12:09 (I stopped at a bathroom hoping it would help, it didn't)
Mile 17 - 11:46
Mile 18 - 12:17 (I just wanted to get to mile 20, that was my goal marker because I knew I would only have 6.2 miles... even though my garmin was off)
  
  I was freaking pissed off at this point, around this point the 4:30 group had caught up to me, I tried to stay ahead of them while running but when I would walk they would eventually catch up. This stomach issue was draining me emotionally, mentally and physically. My legs felt good, no issues whatsoever, they felt strong but I just could shake the issue with my stomach.

Mile 19 - 10:16
Mile 20 - 10:43 (FINALLY, only 6.2 miles and I didn't are if I had to walk them I just wanted to finish :(  Here the port-a-potties were out of toilet paper so I was even more upset )

   My original goal had been to finish under 4:30:00, but by this point I just wanted to finish under 5 hours. I was sad, I was pissed and just demoralized. Out of all worst case scenarios, I was not expecting to be taken down by what felt like the 24 hour stomach bug.

 Mile 21 - 13:42 (I was walking a lot at this point, just wiped out and upset. I saw Cameron around 21.5 and told him what I was dealing with, he asked if I wanted to stop and I said FUCK NO, I'll finish this if I have to walk most of the rest of the way and finish after 5 hours, but I'll be damned if I give up.

 Mile 22 - 15:00 (I was taking a lot of walk breaks, and I was beginning to feel some pain in my groin area... more closely to the female organs but I won't go there)
 Mile 23 - 10:44 (I hated it, I had went on forums and stuff stating my hopes of finishing under 4:20:00 and here I was ... lucky if I finished under 5 hours)
 Mile 24 - 15:01 (I freaking walked a lot here, and stopped at another bathroom, one last time)

   At this point I was repeating to myself only 2.2 miles, not much further and I'd be done. My legs were also beginning to feel heavy as lead, my ankles, feet, knees and quads were hurting. My hands had been numb since the first gu, I can't tell you how scared I was that I would drop them. By the third gu I was saying fuck it, I didn't want to try and drink or eat gu, but I drank as much grape gatorade as I could. I kept trying to run, my garmin was way off at this point, which made thing suck more.

 Mile 25 - 12:21
 Mile 26 - 12:53
 .4         - 9:24


  I just knew I had to keep running when I had the last .5 miles, I wanted to finish and I wanted to finish strong and be done with it. I also knew I had finally accomplished this goal, I was almost there and pretty soon I would be able to call myself a marathoner. I knew how many people were keeping track of me on facebook, texts and RA and even though I really wanted to finish under 4:20:00, I knew one's first marathon always usually goes unexpectedly and anything can happen. 
  I finished my first marathon in 4:48:10 with an average pace of 10:59 min/mile, I got my medal, a weird parka thingy, a sock hat and two bottles of chocolate milk (you damn right). I got my pic taken and made sure to raise both hands during any photog moment and at the finish. I might have finished slower than plan, but I started out smart, keeping a steady easy pace and fueling smart (all while trying to keep my tummy's early hunger calm) and was ALMOST taken out by some nasty bug or whatever. My training paid off, it worked for me and had made me so much stronger mentally than I was starting out and I am so thankful for that. It was an awesome, challenging experience and I am happy with the results and how I handled things.
  I am also giving my body many days of rests, at least until the trails begin to call to me because I CANNOT WAIT to get back out on the trails... but I don't want to talk about another marathon for a few days or weeks lol!

Tell Me I Won't Freeze into a Popsicle!!!

!!!!WARNING - FULL FREAKOUT MODE!!!! 
 Oh my gosh, I am getting more and more nervous just looking at the changing forecast... not only are they predicting 29 degrees at the start but 18 mph winds with a windchill of 18!!! I have was having a hard enough time deciding on whether to wear my under armour long sleeve underneath my dri-fit Tee underneath my throw away sweat but now I am wondering on whether I should forget the dri-fit Tee and have my other long sleeve shirt on (it's got this weird wind breaking type of fabric on the outside but wicking material on the inside). I was already planning on my ear warmers, and my thinnest gloves so I can get into my back zipper pocket for my Gu's but my hands/fingers will be freaking number in those gloves, but if I wear my thicker gloves I might drop a gu unless I take one off when I need to....
   I am already feeling beaten and at a loss with this, none of my training has prepared me for running in a freezing marathon, I am more prepared to run in a hot and humid marathon than this :( I am no longer really, truly excited but scared and nervous and expecting the worse. Mother Nature usually gives me a few days of mildly cold weather so that I get used to the change from summer to winter, but I am being thrown from the freezer into the freaking Arctic this Saturday and there is nothing I can do about it. 
  I've worked so hard for this, I kept my eye on the ball throughout 2014 and even on the hot, miserable summer mornings, all my long runs by myself, in the dark out on country roads but none of it has prepared me for the possibilities of number fingers and toes and my nose :( I mean seriously what about the aid stations, what if the water and gatorade is frozen???? :( Has that ever happened???
  I now officially feel sick to my stomach.....

A Surreal State of Mind

  The last two days I have been overtaken by a sense of calm, no excitement of nervousness but just calm. I have no idea why or what is going on, I was so excited last week, I was so FREAKING excited on December 31, 2013 at 11 PM when I registered for the race (I wonder what my bib number is). But I am 3 days and 9 hours away and feeling quite relaxed about my first marathon - my first 26 POINT FREAKING 2 MILES......
   What might be worse is I really don't have anybody else to talk to about it, I mean sure my husband wants to understand or try to listen but I know he doesn't quite hear it or feel it like I do. And apparently everyone on runningahead.com's Beginners&Beyond forum are tired of hearing about my excitement too. Maybe it's the taper crazies or I feel really hurt that they've begun to really belittle it every time I bring it up as of this week. So now I don't have anybody to talk to about it :(
   

3.2 Miles This Morning... Only a Few More Days

  It was 70 degrees this morning, and what is worse about that is the fact that Saturday morning it is going to be like 30 degrees at the start....what the hell!!!??? I mean sure I don't mind running in cold weather, but to go from 60 degree weather to THAT is just a bit much and then to make matters even more frustrating is the part where we'll be standing in the shade for like 25-30 minutes - I wonder how long I can wait at the hotel before heading to the start lol.
  The plan was to wear my capris, race shoes with a new pair of socks (same brand but without worn holes), one of my dri-fit Tee's and gloves. I will have a throw away sweater but now I am wondering if I am going to have to have my under armour long sleeve thing underneath it all which I know half way into the race I will be warming up but won't be able to take it off without stopping and I don't want to give it up damn it. I could maybe wear the throw away for a while until I start warming up. But I won't be forcing the hubs or Dorian to go to the start with me, I don't want Dorian out in that cold weather.
  I am also concerned with how my body might react to such a drastic change in temperature... but I guess I can be happy that it won't be raining, hailing, too windy or too hot or too freezing cold.. so I guess I should be happy about that.
  Anyways, Rocky and I ran 3.2 miles this morning. Definitely slow and easy for the first 2 miles and then picked it up just a smidge for the final mile. We finished in 34:15 with an average pace of 10:42 min/mile, and I am taking tomorrow and Thursday off from running and then I might see about a 1 mile shakeout run Friday morning.
  Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:27
Mile 2 - 10:37
Mile 3 - 10:15
.2       - 9:42

    I am not yet feeling the crazy excitement yet, mainly because I am still worried about Friday and leaving here at noon and everybody understanding how important this is to me. As long as we get out on the road and are headed up there and a good ways away from Evansville by 12:30 - 1 PM, then I will relax and let myself get excited.

8 Miles the Morning, Thoughts and More

 So I didn't run Friday or Saturday, trying to get my hamstring to relax and heal up some, the first 2 miles went well and without any tightness, but after a pit stop (being a girl sucks when you've got to squat) I kept feeling it come and go, it wasn't nearly as tight as Thursday and it didn't come nearly as much as the past week but it was still there among other aches that would also come and go. I am trying to ignore the urge to stretch it, as that will only make things worse but I am doing that pelvic tilt thingy which seems to be helping, and foam rolling along with rubbing some really cold muscle rub crap on my legs.
  Rocky and I ran 8 miles this morning, the paces were pretty even really, we finished in 1:23:31 with an average pace of 10:26 min/mile and an elevation gain of 150 feet, loss of 154 feet.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:54
Mile 2 - 10:28
Mile 3 - 10:10
Mile 4 - 10:20
Mile 5 - 10:17
Mile 6 - 10:40 (around the middle between mile 5 and 6 I thought we were going to be chased by a skunk again, but luckily that didn't happen)
Mile 7 - 10:15
Mile 8 - 10:25
  
  
  I am really, really, seriously contemplating on not running at all this week except for maybe Tuesday and Wednesday but I know most seasoned marathoners would frown on my taking so many days off right before the race but I know my body and it always does me so much better to rest the day before a goal race - one day for 15k and 13.1 miles, sometimes 2 days for a half marathon so I honestly feel 3 days would be best for me before my first marathon and even more so if this is something serious. My biggest fear is that during the race my hamstring or something finally tears all the way or really, really begins to hurt and I have to suffer through the entire race with that.
  I had 3 miles planned for tomorrow and 4 on Tuesday, but I really wonder if I should take tomorrow off and run the 3 easy on Tuesday and the 4 easy on Wednesday and then take Thursday and Friday completely off....

Almost There...... woohoo I am nervous

  So I think I've figured out what my hamstring has been doing, well really it is more my quad's fault or pelvis... but I am trying to catch it before it gets worse. It hasn't gotten to the point of pain but just tightness, but I know that if I don't do something now it will go into absolute unbearable pain during the race.
  After doing a few certain stretches for the pelvis tilt thingy yesterday, it seemed to help during yesterday morning's run. I ran 3.5 miles in 34:32 with an average pace of 9:50 min/mile pace, wasn't tough at all but I could feel the tightness come and go. So I decided that I would take today and tomorrow off while stretches and rolling and massaging my legs, Sunday I'll either run 6 or 8 miles depending on how I am feeling.
  In just a week I'll be in Indianapolis nervous as well and wondering if I will be able to sleep and excited for the very next morning, will I be able to eat that evening, hell will I be able to eat that morning??
   

Today and Yesterday

  My stupid hamstring is still feeling tight, I am hoping (and praying) it doesn't during the race because it is extremely annoying. I foam rolled it and the other one and the calves this morning before we went for our run, so it didn't feel as tight as yesterday. 
  Yesterday morning Rocky and I ran 4.1 miles in 41:53 with an average pace of 10:13 min/mile.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:59
Mile 2 - 10:27
Mile 3 - 9:57
Mile 4 - 9:35
.1       - 9:15

  This morning went a bit better, I had to have my undershirt on as it was 45 degrees but felt like 41. I was starting to warm up near the end so whether I wear it during the race will depend on just how cold it will be.
  Rocky and I ran 7 miles in 1:07:26 with an average pace of 9:38 min/mile, it started out easy but I picked it up while also having to slow down for people backing out of their driveways  so freaking slowly and then even slower when they see me (so annoying!). Mile 3 was probably the most annoying of it, but the run went good anyways and even though the pace felt a little more than easy it still felt good nonetheless and I quietly hope I can hold the pace for a lot of the race (if my hammy doesn't act up).
  We had an elevation gain of 118 feet and a loss of 120 feet, I will probably start avoiding hills Saturday and focus on a flat route so my legs can take it easier. 
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:37
Mile 2 - 9:32
Mile 3 - 10:19
Mile 4 - 9:42
Mile 5 - 9:36
Mile 6 - 9:00
Mile 7 - 8:36

   Next Monday and Tuesday will have to be very slow and easy, with maybe some little pick me up strides thrown in. I will rest Wednesday and Thursday then maybe a 15-20 minute run on Friday morning, very slow and easy.

Closing out Week 17

  The beginning of this week was pretty questionable, and even had me worried for a while. But by Thursday and Friday I was feeling better about things, and no longer worried. I will once again say that I am enjoying the taper still, don't get me wrong I very much enjoyed the training but it is nice to finally kind of sit back and relax a little.
  I wasn't really sure if this morning was going to happen or not, Dorian was pretty restless but luckily I was able to get up at 4 AM. The temperature was 45 degrees, chilly but I decided not to wear a long sleeves, instead I wore my capris and a dri-fit T-shirt and gloves. It was really chilly at first, but after 1-2 miles I began to warm up. 
  Around 1.5 miles I heard a dog or two barking, then I heard a or the pack of coyotes. Both were coming from a field and it didn't sound like it was more than 100 feet from us which bothered me just a little because it was too dark to see them. Normally if I am running alone I am not too worried about coyotes and other wild animals, but sometimes a dog can antagonize those wild animals so between 1.5 and 1.7 miles I walked  while keeping an eye on the field expecting either the coyotes or the dog. I did hear some commotion that sounded like the dog got into a scuffle with either one or 2 coyotes, had me just a tad concerned about what was going on out there.
  During most of the run, I kept thinking about the race and wondering how things will go. I keep ranging between confidence and nervousness/anxiety on how I am going to handle it. I am sure everyone goes through this, and lucky me I have 2 weeks to keep running it through my mind. I went ahead purchased (3) pace bands from R2R (Race 2 Remember?), one is for a 4:15:00 finish, one is for a 4:10:00 finish and the 3rd one is for 4:25:00 finish. I'll either carry the 4:15:00 and improvise after so many miles or something.
  Anyways, Rocky and I ran 10.3 miles in 1:41:47 with an average pace of 9:53 min/mile, elevation gain of 265 feet and a loss of 265 feet. Other than the walk during the coyotes, I also walked up a hill right before mile 7.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:35
Mile 2 - 11:25 (rather be slow than attacked by coyotes)
Mile 3 - 10:01
Mile 4 - 9:53
Mile 5 - 9:46
Mile 6 - 9:12
Mile 7 - 10:08
Mile 8 - 9:42
Mile 9 - 9:31
Mile 10 - 8:58
.3        - 8:42

Another Good Run This Morning

!!!!!!!!TWO MORE WEEKS!!!!!! 
 I am actually really enjoying this whole taper thing, not feeling stressed to get up early in the morning, not too worried if I miss a run or have to get it done in the afternoon/evening. I might just look forward to this thing during all my training cycles, but it's the damn wait for the race that is killing me!! 
  I've got 3 large gym bags that I use for traveling (I don't like the traditional luggage bags) and my OCD is wanting to pack everything now and stuff everything in the tahoe, I wonder if I should call the hotel to confirm my registrations... I haven't had to before but you never know, this being my first marathon and out of town....
  Anyways, I keep telling myself that last week flew by quite quickly and so will this coming week. But I am also sad because once the wait is over, it's over....... I am torn between the pleasure, excitement of the adventure and anticipation of THE DAY - and my lack of patience... pooh :(
  Okay, Rocky and I headed out for a run this morning. I wasn't too sure on how far or long but I knew I didn't want to go past 5 miles for sure. It was 54 degrees so chilly at first but not bad, and I just enjoy running before sun up and while everyone else is asleep. Took it real easy but not slow, we ran 4.4 miles in 44:53 with an average pace of 10:12 min/mile, not bad at all for an easy run.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:07
Mile 2 - 10:22
Mile 3 - 9:57
Mile 4 - 9:39
.4       - 9:34

  Overall a good run, got home and took a shower then went back to bed. Dorian let me sleep until 9 AM...... which is just rare lol.

Some Good News with Tonight's Run

 I didn't get my run this morning due to Dorian dealing with growth pains or something, but no worries there. Rocky and I went for a run later this afternoon, no pain, no issues whatsoever except for some female "things"/discomfort.
  I really dislike running in the afternoon/evening, too many people are out and about, especially kids that can sometimes be total smart ass punks. But the run went well anyways, and I rather enjoyed it.
  We ran 6.3 miles in 1:01:45 with an average pace of 9:48 min/mile, though it did seem easy which is good news. My calves were tight after mile 2 or 3 but not bad. The final mile, I picked it up just to pick it up like some of the articles I've read about keeping up with intensity while cutting the mileage back during the first 2 of the 3 week taper.
Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:14
Mile 2 - 10:09
Mile 3 - 9:44
Mile 4 - 10:09
Mile 5 - 9:56
Mile 6 - 8:48

   Tomorrow morning, I'll see how I'm feeling and I might do 4 miles and Sunday if I am feeling good I will try for 10 or 12 miles.

This Morning's Attempt

  I decided last night that I would try and run this morning, but planned to stop if there was any pain going on. Well, I got out and was running and didn't really feel pain up in the corner of my leg but it was a little achey, but nothing to really worry about so I kept going. I kept it nice and slow, just paying close attention to any pain.
  The dull ache moved from that spot to the front of my leg, the top of my quad and eventually it moved to the outside around my butt but never became more than a little ache and would even go away. Strangely it was my left leg acting weird this time, for the past 3-4 weeks my right leg has been the evil thing with feeling tight or sore while my left leg had felt good the whole time. Now my right leg is feeling good while my left leg is acting stupid.
  I ran 4.4 slow miles, finishing in 47:01 with an average pace of 10:41 min/mile. I did use the foam roller before heading to work later, but only on my butt, ITB's, quads and calves which felt good.
 Laps/splits were:
Mile 1 - 10:53
Mile 2 - 11:03
Mile 3 - 10:54
Mile 4 - 10:20
.4       - 9:36

    I can honestly say that I am paranoid and will be freaking out for the next two weeks, expecting to get injured right before the race, right in the taper which would be just my luck. Honestly, I am not going to fret too much about running, just run when I can and feel like it and not worry about hitting any mileage goals for the next two weeks. I just want to get the start of this race healthy and strong and make it to finish in decent shape.

Please Just Be Fatigue!!!

  I felt really accomplished (and exhausted) after the 20 miler Sunday morning, but by the evening after some stretching and stuff I noticed a strange soreness or tightness in my left groin. I recognized it from when I had pulled or slightly injured my right groin back in 2012 when I start training within 5 weeks after giving birth to Dorian and ended up limping through most of my 2nd half marathon 6 months later. I didn't worry a lot, I figured everything was sore down there and a day or so with stretching  would help. It seems to flare up in the evening, but this morning I took Dorian and Rocky out for an easy 4 miler but ended up with only 1 mile due to the pain or soreness.
  I just didn't want to risk pushing it if it just needs some rest and recovery, I am hoping and praying that a few days of no running will do it wonders. But I am seriously scared that the injury is already there, especially when I am constantly chasing Dorian around and never really getting the recovery I need. I've made it this far with my first training and I would just lose my mind if I can run the Monumental Marathon after all my hard work to get this far :'(
  I am going to wait until Thursday or Friday, just keep an eye on things and maybe even ice that area when I can lay down for 15 minutes of so, and just keep praying that this is just from fatigue and a minor irritation that will go away with rest.

Closing out Week 16 with a 20 Miler

  From the very beginning, I knew this was going to be a crappy run. I only got 5 hours of sleep last night, and I really, really, really wanted to stay in bed so that made things even harder. From the very first mile I knew it was going to suck, my right glute or upper hamstring was tight and annoying me already and I was only in the first mile. I was already contemplating cutting this run short and just calling it quits, the taper can begin early.
  I kept going, trying to distract myself with other things and movies since I don't carry my mp3 player during runs anymore. I took my first gu at mile 8, and then my 2nd gu at mile 12 then the 3rd gu at mile 16.6.
  I can't say how tough it was to push beyond 10 miles but I was absolutely happy when I had reached the half way point. But the moment that drew the most excitement was when I had reached mile 17, but I was so exhausted I couldn't really show it lol.
  I had misjudged my route, and ended up with just over a mile of walking after reaching 20 miles so that really freaking sucked.
  I ran 20 miles in 3:22:39 with an average pace of 10:08 min/mile, an elevation gain of 320 feet and a loss of 328 feet. Throughout the whole run I would have doubts sneak in, wondering how on Earth I could imagine running 26.2 miles in a time under 4:30:00 when I have such an awful time during training runs. But then I realize something, I do these training runs... all these sucky and hot and freezing training runs, even the runs up to 20 miles by myself and sometimes when I am feeling sick or just blah. If I can accomplish that much by myself and through those odds, by freaking god I can complete 26.2 miles with a huge parade of runners!
Laps or splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:13
Mile 2 - 10:32
Mile 3 - 10:22
Mile 4 - 10:23
Mile 5 - 10:28
Mile 6 - 10:17
Mile 7 - 10:06
Mile 8 - 10:06
Mile 9 - 10:08
Mile 10 - 10:04
Mile 11 - 9:55
Mile 12 - 10:45 (I walked the hill between 11.3 and 11.7 miles)
Mile 13 - 10:04
Mile 14 - 9:42
Mile 15 - 11:03   (I happily walked the big hill between 14.3 and 14.7)
Mile 16 - 9:45
Mile 17 - 9:23
Mile 18 - 9:22
Mile 19 - 9:40
Mile 20 - 9:21


     My second 20 miler is done, which closes out week 16 and so begins the taper (tomorrow) and I am really going to enjoy it. I have put in the training, taken on many challenges and I know I will complete the Monumental Marathon on November 1.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday

I think I already talked about Wednesday's 10 miler...... and the Lunar Eclipse. 
Thursday morning I was more prepared for the weather conditions, Rocky and I ran 4.2 miles in 43:22 with an average pace of 10:19 min/mile. Then Friday's morning 6 didn't happen due to mommy duties so Rocky and I had to get it in during the evening which meant I was wore out from a day of chasing Dorian around. It started out relatively easy and slow, and in the rain but we picked it up because picking up the pace helped my upper right hamstring, or maybe it was the bottom part of my butt cheek....... hmmm... we ran 6 miles in 58:28 with an average pace of 9:44 min/mile which I do have to admit feels relatively easy... especially if I wasn't on hills so I am hoping AND praying that I can hold that pace during the first half of the marathon and maybe pick things up.
Mile 1 - 10:28
Mile 2 - 9:58
Mile 3 - 10:01
Mile 4 - 9:53
Mile 5 - 9:28
Mile 6 - 8:39
  I was definitely already feeling recovered and well, so I am feeling pretty positive about my training.
This morning Rocky and I ran 4.8 in 49:55 with an average pace of 10:24 min/mile, to equal out 30 miles before my long run tomorrow. So far it doesn't look like much rain so I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am hoping I can get a 20 miler in but will be just as pleased if I can get in 18 before my taper begins.

Week 16 So Far

  Yesterday morning's 5 miler was sore, and a bit tight but not bad though probably the slowest I've ran a 5 miler in a while. Temperature was nice and around 59 degrees, and Rocky was happy to be out.
  We ran 5 miles in 54:00 with an average pace of 10:47 min/mile, definitely slow and easy. I could feel my right hamstring and butt cheek try to tighten up every once and a while, but not bad.
Splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:10
Mile 2 - 10:29 
Mile 3 - 10:51
Mile 4 - 10:50
Mile 5 - 10:39

    Like I said, definitely slow and easy. I did some foam rolling yesterday and some stretching, but wasn't really feeling tight or anything throughout the day.

  This morning was a no excuse morning, I was making damn sure that I was getting up in time for the Lunar Eclipse. And though I still felt sore and sluggish, Rocky and I (most I) enjoyed watching our first Lunar Eclipse from beginning to end. It made things so much easier, like getting spooked by 3 or 4 different skunks 4 different times and the constant wedgie I was dealing with. I am honestly so sick of wearing shorts damn it.
   We started off slow, but truly the whole run itself was a slowish pace, not my usual 10 miler BUT I said I would take this week relatively easy and not push myself into an injury so that is what I am doing. 
  We ran 10 miles in 1:44:56 with an average pace of 10:29 min/mile, elevation gain of 219 feet and a loss of 217 feet.
Splits were:
Mile 1 - 11:07
Mile 2 - 10:47
Mile 3 - 10:36
Mile 4 - 10:24
Mile 5 - 10:06
Mile 6 - 10:22
Mile 7 - 10:16
Mile 8 - 10:36
Mile 9 - 10:24
Mile 10 - 10:17

   So I am feeling pretty good, so that is a good sign.

 One of my friends on RA just ran her first marathon and didn't do well, her goal was around 4 hours and she ended up finishing close to 5 hours so now I am really questioning my goals. She of course has only ran 2 half marathons before she began a Hidgon plan or whatever, and somewhere after mile 13 her throat started acting up severely, and the warm weather didn't help her at all. Hopefully it was a fluke and she'll have a much better 2nd marathon.

Less than 4 Weeks Away.... The Crazy Thoughts Begin

  So the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is less than 4 weeks away, pretty soon to be 3 weeks away. My final long run this Sunday will be 18 miles and the I will start cutting things back, the week after the 18 miler won't see any cutbacks but the long run will be 12-15 miles, then the week following that will show a couple of cutbacks during the week, not much yet but the long run a week before the race will be around 10 miles. Then I think I am going to run Tuesday and Wednesday, then maybe a very easy 2-3 miler Friday morning the day before the race.
  I am seriously questioning my taper, the final 2 weeks of this training cycle is going to be the most insane.
Link to my training plan on www.runningahead.com
http://www.runningahead.com/logs/6d1d5cb5e27e4230a9d79029229a9ba6/plans/453

   I am not following any plan, I've read through many plans when I was coming up with mine and then I just customized it to fit me and work for me. The last 15 weeks have gone great, but now the final 3-4 weeks are weighing heavily on me.... am I doing it right.... do I need to cut back more or have I cut back too much? And of course it feels like 3 1/2 weeks are going to take freaking forever!! I hate listening to myself, and now myself is going to get louder and louder as the days go by.

   Aaaaaaaaccck!!!

I was pretty sore last night, I could hardly sleep due to my right quad being tight and my right calf being tight but I am feeling quite a bit better today. I've got a 5 miler tomorrow morning, just going to take it easy and listen to my body.

1st Annual Blood Moon Run 5k (the night after the half Marathon)

  So as you know, yesterday morning I ran the 2014 Evansville Half Marathon and besting my 2013 PR by 3 minutes and 26 seconds by finishing in 1:53:12 with an average pace of 8:39 min/mile. It was a tough race, unlike all my other half marathons I was running on fatigued legs but I toughed it out and focused on keeping a steady pace and keeping it under 9 min/mile.
   It was tough, and I was definitely feeling it afterwards but I had my Hammer Tissue Rejuvenator tablets and my Gaspari Nutrition BCAA tablets to take within 20 minutes (took me 10 minutes to get from the finish to my Tahoe). I didn't really eat much throughout the day, honestly I wasn't really that hungry but I did manage to have a good sized lunch at Denny's (Banana Pecan Pancakes, two orders of scrambled eggs and 4 pcs of turkey bacon) and then I took two more of my Tissue Rejuvenator tablets later that afternoon.
   I had signed up for the Blood Moon Run 5k a week ago, don't ask why but I think it was pretty much because of the name of the race (love it!) before I looked at the date lol. I told myself I would take it easy, run this as a cool down. I had no idea what the course was like, and within the first quarter of a mile there was a gigantic hill, almost 100 feet in less than half a mile, not exactly what I am used to though some would just scoff at this lol. It definitely took the wind out of me, but I didn't walk it at all and having people around me that knew I had just ran the half marathon that morning pushed me more. I didn't want to walk during a 5k.
  A friend of mine that I knew ran the half marathon that morning as well, she had gotten ahead of me during the hill and just about disappeared. She is training for her first 50k which is also on November 1, so she is pretty tough. Well, we came to a fork about a half mile in the race and she and a few others took the wrong turn. I tried to take advantage of that as we were now going down hill, but I could hear she was already close behind me. The second hill, just after mile 1 wasn't nearly as big as the first one but it gave her a chance to pass me again but I managed to keep her within 20 feet ahead of me. Throughout the rest of the race she would yo-yo between 10 and 30 feet ahead of me, and my plan to take it easy had gone out the window. I gave chase and stayed on her, not sure if I had the strength or energy to pass her but I just kept a steady pace. As we came around the turn to the finish, she and I gave a great kick but she managed to finish 2 seconds ahead of me.
  I finished the 5k in 26:37 with an average pace of 8:34 min/mile, 185 feet in elevation gain total and a loss of 188 feet.
Splits were:
Mile 1 - 9:20
Mile 2 - 9:28
Mile 3 - 8:08

    Overall: 8th out of 32
Gender: 3 out of 21

    Yeah, it ended up not being an easy, slow run but I really enjoyed the challenge and my friend thanked me for pushing her (she ran 10 miles this morning, after having ran 13.1 yesterday morning and 3.1 that night!) I hope I can gain as much endurance and strength when I begin my training for my first 50k next year.
   I am feeling pretty good this morning, a little sore but not bad. I am not running today or tomorrow, just going to stretch and foam roll and then resume my training on Tuesday, keeping in mind to take it easy. 

The 2014 Evansville Half Marathon

   I am very loyal to this race, as it is the race that inspired me to begin my running journey so as long as nothing stands in my way I will run the race every year... can't always guarantee that I'll "race" it but I will run it.
  First I want to point out that I have been training for a marathon, my first marathon that is - and I am not using this as an excuse but all experienced marathoners know how fatigued and tired your legs and body are feeling in the final weeks of training (this being week 15 out of 19 weeks for me) so trying to get a PR during a half marathon isn't easy. 
  But my A goal was to better my current PR of 1:56:38, and at the rate I have been feeling lately, I would be lucky if I got close to that time.
  
Post Race: I took it pretty easy this week, taking Friday off for rest as my legs were already complaining (nothing new there) and I wanted to be as fresh as I possibly could but still feel almost as if this half marathon was the final 13.1 miles of a marathon.
  I woke up at 3:15 AM to eat a Cinnamon Raisin English muffin with some Peanut Butter (Touch of Honey) and drank some water, then I laid back on the couch to sleep until 5 AM. I think I actually slept from 4:15 to 5 AM, I got up and got dressed and had some coffee. Went to the bathroom, put my hair up then messed around a bit before going out and starting the Tahoe to warm up. Hubby came out of the bedroom and wished me luck, then went back to bed lol.

   I parked at the YMCA, just a quarter of a mile or so away from the start/finish but I knew I would be able to drive out of there without hitting any of the course. A bunch of people were already there, it was 43 degrees but I chose to wear my dri-fit nike tee, capris and gloves and sunglasses. Luckily we could go into the YMCA building and hang out and use the restrooms while staying warm.

   The start: I lined up around the 2:00:00 pace group, but I had my eye on the 1:50:00 group. From the moment we started, I questioned my goals because both calves, both hamstrings and my glutes were tight and sore, they weren't happy at all. I told myself to just please get under 2 hours but I even questioned that at this point.
  Mile 1 - 8:51
  Mile 2 - 8:54
  Mile 3 - 8:45
5k split - 27:12

Things were easing up a little at this point, though I was hoping and praying my shins wouldn't act up. I have a huge bruise on my right shin, not sure where it came from but last Saturday's run on bricks and stones hurt like hell, I feared I had shin splints.
Not potty breaks yet, a good sign. I had lost sight of the 1:50:00 group but I was still ahead of the 2:00:00 group so that was good.
  Mile 4 - 8:41
  Mile 5 - 8:30
  Mile 6 - 8:36
10k split - 53:47

   Still no potty breaks! And my body was easing up some, I was passing people and people were passing me. At this point we had reached the greenway, luckily the crowd had thinned out some so I wasn't slowed down or bottlenecked. There is quite a bit of hills on this way, but they didn't seem to be giving me any difficulties. I just wanted to focus and stay on pace, stay under a 9 minute pace no matter what.
  Mile 7 - 8:31
  Mile 8 - 8:38
  Mile 9 - 8:48
15k split - 1:20:26

  I am pretty sure that both the 10k split and the 15k split are record PRs for me, I think I knocked a minute off my 10k PR and 4 minutes off my 15k PR. Still no potty breaks, but I was definitely feeling exhausted and tired but I knew I just had to keep going to the end. I knew at this point that as long as I kept running I was going to get a sub 2 hour at least, but math isn't my strong suit and it damn sure isn't when I am running so I had no idea what my finish time would be. It was only 43 degrees but at this point the sun beating down on me was becoming unbearable. 
   Mile 10 - 8:33
   Mile 11 - 8:22
   Mile 12 - 8:44
   Mile 13 - 8:37
   Mile 13.1 - 7:23

My official time was 1:53:12 with an average pace of 8:39 min/mile, my old PR was 1:56:38.
Overall: 400 out of 1,975
Gender: 132 out of 1,191
Division: F 25-29 : 25 out of 148

  
  Even in the heat of my first marathon training, I managed to PR during this half marathon by 3 minutes and 26 seconds. I am tired, I am extremely sore and I still have a 5k to run tonight.... I am pretty sure I'll be taking it easy tonight. Tomorrow and Monday are going to be rest/recovery days for sure. Once there are pics posted I will edit this RR.
  At this point I don't even want to think about the marathon I've got to run in 4 weeks lol....