In 2013 my blog went on a long Hiatus. It was a busy year. A year that I enjoyed. There are things that went wrong and things that went right. I am trying to be positive and say that 2013 was a good year! 2014 is going to be a great year!!
Instead of a resolution this year I am doing a Goal year....Goals that aren't unreachable. Family goals, life goals, financial goals, running goals, workout goals and for the first time in God Knows how long there is NOT a weight loss goal.
I have decided to make 2014 a "To Be" year
To be more active
To be more affectionate
To be a better listener
To be a better mother
To be a better wife
To be a better friend
To be closer to God
To be more financially responsible
To be whatever I want to be
To be more loving
To be less judgmental
To be a morning person
To be more POSITIVE
Today I ran 4 miles at the gym on the Treadmill and dreaded every single second. Then I looked around me and saw people just starting out their fitness journey and they pushed me a little farther. I couldn't help but be happy because they are choosing to change their lives. I wanted to go up to each and everyone and give them a hug.
I know that these goals may seem silly. It is really going to change my personality. I have debated about deleting my Facebook page, but in all reality I LOVE seeing my friends near and far. I love seeing their beautiful families, the lives that they are building.
So with that Here is to you, here is to me, here is to us to just BE!!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Monday, April 22, 2013
Dallas Rock N Roll and Eisenhower 10k and this is and that
So I have been slightly slacking. I started this post last week Monday but didn't get to finish it. I don't have the right things to say, or know how to get my feelings on paper. My heart is completely broken. Even a week later I am devastated still. I am part of a small yet extremely amazing group of people. People who cheer for you, people no matter how slow or how fast they are going want you to succeed. They are extraordinary people. It is a sport where we all are running for ourselves. The races we run we run for ourselves. I have made some amazing friends because of running, friends I would've never met.
Races are where we come together to support one another, to push each other. Races are our safe place, running is our safe place, a place where we run out are problems, a place where we find our comfort. How dare someone take our safe place from us!! The Boston Marathon is the Super Bowl of the running world. It is where the Elite of the Elite run. Just about every marathon runner dreams of the day they will qualify to run in Boston. This didn't destroy the running community, it drew us together, everyone around the world that runs dedicated one or more of their runs to Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected by Boston.
Now on to a couple of races...
In March I got to fly to Dallas and run the Rock N Roll Dallas half with my good friend Steph. I was looking so forward to being South of KS. The weather was looking amazing for the weekend I was going to be there, that is until the morning I flew out. It was freezing and snowing in KS the day I left, I get to Dallas and it is cloudy, and rainy. Steph and her Fiance Steven pick me up from the airport. They took me to Whataburger for lunch, my favorite fastfood place to eat (we don't have them up here) We go and I check into my hotel which the room was amazing. We go to the expo to pick up my packet and I bought a new pair of running shoes. We walked around the expo for awhile. Then headed back to the hotel. We sat around the bar and had a couple of drinks then headed to the hotel restaurant to have some dinner.
The next morning we woke up and headed to the start line. IT WAS COLD and WINDY!!! I was wearing capri's and a jacket and I was freezing!! Luckily Steven had a hoody that he gave me and someone had taken off some sweats and left them on the side. I put them on finally warmed up. It was so nice running this race with Steph and Steven. I didn't have any goals just to help Steph PR and enjoy the beautiful Dallas scenery. We ran and walked, and talked. It was an amazing race and Steph PR'd by 13 minutes! I am so proud of her!! After the race we headed back to the hotel and Steph and Steven left to head back to Houston and I went and had an amazing facial, mani and pedi. Monday morning I headed back to Kansas. It was an amazing nice relaxing weekend.
On April 13th my mom's friend Carla and I ran the Eisenhower 10k. I ran it for Carla. I paced her to help her finish in goal time of 1:15. I told her that we could do it in 1:10. We got to Abilene at 7:00 right as the marathoners and 1/2 marathoners were starting. We warmed up and got lined up. We had a blast running the out and back course. I kept our pace and Carla kept her watch covered. I knew that we were going to crush the 1:15 goal and knew that 1:10 would be crushed too. Carla said she was feeling tired around the turn around, but I reminded her that we would be half way done. And that we could slow it down around mile 4 if we needed too. She didn't slow down and we kept on trucking. At mile 5 she was ready to slow down I told her we only had a mile left and once we crossed the finish line I would let her walk. We finished holding hands and I showed her my watch. I thought she was going to fall out! Carla got 1st in her age group! I am so proud of her!
After Eisenhower we went and had breakfast and talked to some of the other runners that had finished the marathon and 1/2. One of the guys I talked to is from Wichita and talked me into registering for the Hospital Hill Half in KC on June 1st. So when I got home I called Brandon and we registered for the Hospital Hill half on Saturday night.
After the events on Monday I decided that I needed, wanted to run another marathon. After much debate I came to the conclusion that I am going to run the KC Marathon again in October. I will continue my half training straight into a full training. Hopefully this will prepare me better this year.
Up next is the Warrior Dash with Brandon on Saturday!!
Races are where we come together to support one another, to push each other. Races are our safe place, running is our safe place, a place where we run out are problems, a place where we find our comfort. How dare someone take our safe place from us!! The Boston Marathon is the Super Bowl of the running world. It is where the Elite of the Elite run. Just about every marathon runner dreams of the day they will qualify to run in Boston. This didn't destroy the running community, it drew us together, everyone around the world that runs dedicated one or more of their runs to Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected by Boston.
Now on to a couple of races...
In March I got to fly to Dallas and run the Rock N Roll Dallas half with my good friend Steph. I was looking so forward to being South of KS. The weather was looking amazing for the weekend I was going to be there, that is until the morning I flew out. It was freezing and snowing in KS the day I left, I get to Dallas and it is cloudy, and rainy. Steph and her Fiance Steven pick me up from the airport. They took me to Whataburger for lunch, my favorite fastfood place to eat (we don't have them up here) We go and I check into my hotel which the room was amazing. We go to the expo to pick up my packet and I bought a new pair of running shoes. We walked around the expo for awhile. Then headed back to the hotel. We sat around the bar and had a couple of drinks then headed to the hotel restaurant to have some dinner.
The next morning we woke up and headed to the start line. IT WAS COLD and WINDY!!! I was wearing capri's and a jacket and I was freezing!! Luckily Steven had a hoody that he gave me and someone had taken off some sweats and left them on the side. I put them on finally warmed up. It was so nice running this race with Steph and Steven. I didn't have any goals just to help Steph PR and enjoy the beautiful Dallas scenery. We ran and walked, and talked. It was an amazing race and Steph PR'd by 13 minutes! I am so proud of her!! After the race we headed back to the hotel and Steph and Steven left to head back to Houston and I went and had an amazing facial, mani and pedi. Monday morning I headed back to Kansas. It was an amazing nice relaxing weekend.
On April 13th my mom's friend Carla and I ran the Eisenhower 10k. I ran it for Carla. I paced her to help her finish in goal time of 1:15. I told her that we could do it in 1:10. We got to Abilene at 7:00 right as the marathoners and 1/2 marathoners were starting. We warmed up and got lined up. We had a blast running the out and back course. I kept our pace and Carla kept her watch covered. I knew that we were going to crush the 1:15 goal and knew that 1:10 would be crushed too. Carla said she was feeling tired around the turn around, but I reminded her that we would be half way done. And that we could slow it down around mile 4 if we needed too. She didn't slow down and we kept on trucking. At mile 5 she was ready to slow down I told her we only had a mile left and once we crossed the finish line I would let her walk. We finished holding hands and I showed her my watch. I thought she was going to fall out! Carla got 1st in her age group! I am so proud of her!
After Eisenhower we went and had breakfast and talked to some of the other runners that had finished the marathon and 1/2. One of the guys I talked to is from Wichita and talked me into registering for the Hospital Hill Half in KC on June 1st. So when I got home I called Brandon and we registered for the Hospital Hill half on Saturday night.
After the events on Monday I decided that I needed, wanted to run another marathon. After much debate I came to the conclusion that I am going to run the KC Marathon again in October. I will continue my half training straight into a full training. Hopefully this will prepare me better this year.
Up next is the Warrior Dash with Brandon on Saturday!!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
It's been a long while
It has been a while since I've blogged. I kinda went on a blog hiatus. My laptop crashed the middle of December and I didn't get it replaced until after the new year. Then I really had nothing to write about. The kids are still sweet and cute. We took Lacey to Disney World in February and she we had an amazing time. I loved being able to watch her face and spoil her rotten.
I decided not to run a marathon in April. In fact I took a long break from running. I would still run but it would be a mile or two. My body definitely needed the break. I gained almost 20lbs from last year and have been able to get 13 of those pounds off, since the 1st of the year.
I started a 100 day challenge and today marks days 74 of working out every day. Some days are hard workouts, other days are lighter workouts but at least 30 minutes of raising my heart rate. It has been a fun challenge and now it is more of a lifestyle to workout daily.
Another challenge Brandon and I started was a clean eating challenge. We eat very little processed food and it is amazing the changes your body makes and how fast your body changes. I have cheat days but for the majority of the time we eat very clean.
Now onto my 1st race of the year! Last year by this time I had 3 races done for the year. This is the longest I have gone without racing since I started running. I have been running, running shorter distances, doing lots of intervals to increase my speed, in fact the first time I ran 6.2 this year was on Monday March 11th. I ran that 6.2 in 10 seconds slower then my PR last year. So my only goal for this year was to break my time of 54:38 from last year.
I registered me, Brandon and my boss Tom. Tom said that he would help me PR. I told him that my average pace to PR needed to be 8:30. Tom and I carpooled over and since Brandon was working he met us there. I met up with my friend Bryan (the one I ran the full with) I said "I'm just gonna hang with Bryan." I think it came out wrong, because what I meant was if I run with Bryan I will for sure PR because he has been working on speed and he had a goal of PR'ing!
The race started and I felt great. I told Tom that I wasn't going to look at my watch so I would have no clue where we were pace wise. It was cold, much colder then last year. Last year I wore shorts and a tank, this year was leggings, a t-shirt, and a jacket. We got to mile one and were at 8:22. Right on track to PR. It was windy and Tom got in front of me telling me to stay on his heels and he will block the wind. We hit mile 2 on Denison. The lady yelled out 16:20, still on track to PR. We get to the turn around and finally have the tail wind! I am feeling drained. We hit 3 miles at 24:22. At this point I can no longer do math because I swear I have lost time and am no longer going to PR. Tom tells me I have to pick up the pace if I want to PR. At mile 4 he tells me that I have lost 7 seconds and I need to make it up if I want to PR. I beast up the hill going through campus knowing that I have time to make up. Mile 5 Tom tells me that at the pace I am going I will break 50 minutes. I had no clue that we were running that fast. Mile 5 to 6, I slow down. I had nothing left I was spent!! We run around the park and Tom kept pushing me. I see the finish line an I try to kick it in but I honestly had nothing left. I crossed the line in 50:36. An average mile of 8:09. 4 minutes 2 seconds faster then my PR last year. I wanted to cry, throw up, pass out. I gave Tom the biggest hug and thanked him numerous times. He said I didn't do anything just pushed me to my potential.
We watch Bryan cross the finish, he PR'd! I was so happy for him! Then we watched Brandon finish in 59:05 crushing his goal of an hour. I am so proud of both of these guys!
Yesterday was exactly what I needed. I am a wee bit sore today, but it is an amazing feeling. I now know that I can push myself to uncomfortable paces and that my body can handle it! Look out Freedom Run 10k I am going to break 50!!
I decided not to run a marathon in April. In fact I took a long break from running. I would still run but it would be a mile or two. My body definitely needed the break. I gained almost 20lbs from last year and have been able to get 13 of those pounds off, since the 1st of the year.
I started a 100 day challenge and today marks days 74 of working out every day. Some days are hard workouts, other days are lighter workouts but at least 30 minutes of raising my heart rate. It has been a fun challenge and now it is more of a lifestyle to workout daily.
Another challenge Brandon and I started was a clean eating challenge. We eat very little processed food and it is amazing the changes your body makes and how fast your body changes. I have cheat days but for the majority of the time we eat very clean.
Now onto my 1st race of the year! Last year by this time I had 3 races done for the year. This is the longest I have gone without racing since I started running. I have been running, running shorter distances, doing lots of intervals to increase my speed, in fact the first time I ran 6.2 this year was on Monday March 11th. I ran that 6.2 in 10 seconds slower then my PR last year. So my only goal for this year was to break my time of 54:38 from last year.
I registered me, Brandon and my boss Tom. Tom said that he would help me PR. I told him that my average pace to PR needed to be 8:30. Tom and I carpooled over and since Brandon was working he met us there. I met up with my friend Bryan (the one I ran the full with) I said "I'm just gonna hang with Bryan." I think it came out wrong, because what I meant was if I run with Bryan I will for sure PR because he has been working on speed and he had a goal of PR'ing!
The race started and I felt great. I told Tom that I wasn't going to look at my watch so I would have no clue where we were pace wise. It was cold, much colder then last year. Last year I wore shorts and a tank, this year was leggings, a t-shirt, and a jacket. We got to mile one and were at 8:22. Right on track to PR. It was windy and Tom got in front of me telling me to stay on his heels and he will block the wind. We hit mile 2 on Denison. The lady yelled out 16:20, still on track to PR. We get to the turn around and finally have the tail wind! I am feeling drained. We hit 3 miles at 24:22. At this point I can no longer do math because I swear I have lost time and am no longer going to PR. Tom tells me I have to pick up the pace if I want to PR. At mile 4 he tells me that I have lost 7 seconds and I need to make it up if I want to PR. I beast up the hill going through campus knowing that I have time to make up. Mile 5 Tom tells me that at the pace I am going I will break 50 minutes. I had no clue that we were running that fast. Mile 5 to 6, I slow down. I had nothing left I was spent!! We run around the park and Tom kept pushing me. I see the finish line an I try to kick it in but I honestly had nothing left. I crossed the line in 50:36. An average mile of 8:09. 4 minutes 2 seconds faster then my PR last year. I wanted to cry, throw up, pass out. I gave Tom the biggest hug and thanked him numerous times. He said I didn't do anything just pushed me to my potential.
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| Tom: My own personal pacer. Helping me crush my goal! |
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| Bryan who Pr'd in both the 2 mile run and the 10k! He is such a great motivator and friend! |
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| My wonderful handsome hubby who pushes me! I love him! |
Yesterday was exactly what I needed. I am a wee bit sore today, but it is an amazing feeling. I now know that I can push myself to uncomfortable paces and that my body can handle it! Look out Freedom Run 10k I am going to break 50!!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Pilgrim Pacer 3rd half
I'm not sure where to start this post....So I will start by saying it's done!! I finished. I had no time goals just to go out and have fun. I did want to PR on the course, but knew that if I didn't, I would be okay.
On Friday night Brandon was supposed to be off work between 4-5 so we could hit the road to KC. At 9 he finally gets home....Gotta love the restaurant industry. At this point I was exhausted, had a major headache and a tad pissed. I was honestly just debating on getting up at 5am and driving to KC. I decided however to just head out and get some good sleep in KC. We leave JC around 10 get there around midnight. Luckily I was able to sleep in the car.
We got to Brandon's folks house and headed straight to bed. I set my alarm for 6:30 so we could leave for the race. I actually hit snooze until 7:30. I was so tired. I woke up with the headache I went to bed with, and I felt queasy. I chocked it up to nerves, and knew that once I started running my headache would go away. My mother-in-law had picked up my race packet for me so I didn't have to do it that morning. I got dressed and went to put my Garmin on and noticed it was off. I pressed a button and it said low battery and started flashing. Strange, I charged it all day on Friday. I was peeved, how am I going to run a race without my Garmin?!?!? I walked downstairs and told my mother-in-law I wasn't going to run. Everything was pointing in the wrong direction.
My mother-in-law took me to Shawnee Mission Park where the race was held. We left Miles and Brandon sleeping. (Lacey stayed the weekend with my parents) We got to the park and it is absolutely gorgeous. The weather is perfect, though it was WINDY! I walked around a bit, stretched out my hips, they have been bothering me lately. I saw Bryan and he was busy chatting it up with Marathon Maniacs. We got lined up and were chatting a bit, and I finally got to meet Bryan's wife, she was running the half. The race started and I could tell something was off. My left foot started to bother me half a mile into the race. It was probably my new shoes, however I have ran in them and they never bothered me. I was talking to a girl name Jenn who was using this race as a training run for a marathon she is running in February. Bryan was running with us and it felt good to not have any goals. Bryan even joked that "It's all down hill from here!" Which totally made my day!
I picked up my pace and lost Bryan and eventually Jenn picked up her pace and I lost her. I was enjoying the beautiful day and the beautiful course. Around mile 4 I took a cup of Gatorade from the aid station and it turned my already queasy stomach sour. I felt like I was going to throw up. Around mile 5 I started dry heaving and took a slice of banana from the 5 mile aid station. Had Brandon and his mom made it to the 5 mile marker I may have asked them then to take me home. Everything went down hill from there. I knew that the turn around point wasn't too far ahead and I could keep pushing through. I ate some Stinger bites and just kept going.
I made it to the turn around point and drank some water. We climbed a big hill to get to the turn around and I knew that I could run down it. I saw Bryan and cheered him on, it was nice seeing a friendly familiar face. It kept me going a little more. I started to walk a lot more and it was nice to run with people that were doing the same. They would walk and I run past them and then I would start to walk and they would run past me and each time we would cheer each other on.
At mile 8 I saw Brandon, his mom and Miles. I blew Miles a kiss took some water, Gatorade, and a banana and started walking. My heart was racing and it felt like I was having a heart attack. I would run and it would pound out of my chest. With 4 miles left a guy who was running I think his name was Dave he had twisted his ankle running on Wednesday. He asked if the marathoners had started coming back as the marathon course is an out and back twice. Right after he asked the leader came running by. We ran/walked together for a mile or so. He said we had 3 miles left and I asked how long we had been running he said it had been an hour and 47 minutes. My heart sank a little, even though I didn't have any time goals my goal to PR on the course wasn't gonna happen. He started walking and I kept running. We wished each other good luck and kept going.
With a mile left a marathon maniac was running past me and told me it was only mile. I could do it. By this point my knee is killing me, my feet are killing me, my body is sore, and I still felt like puking. We ran for a little bit together and I started walking. I caught up to a lady and we talked about the hills and the weather. I started running knowing that this was it. I saw the finish line and got a huge smile on my face. I didn't even notice the time. I WAS DONE!! I finished got my medal and a sticker and went and laid down on the grass.
I ate some pumpkin pie and headed home. It was DONE! WOOHOO!! 3rd half marathon done!!
Next week I run a 5k Turkey Trot! Then on the 25th a 5k in KC with Brandon. Then on December 16th another 5k then my racing for the year is done!! I will have surpassed my goal of a race a month. By the end of this year I will have run 16 races.
On Friday night Brandon was supposed to be off work between 4-5 so we could hit the road to KC. At 9 he finally gets home....Gotta love the restaurant industry. At this point I was exhausted, had a major headache and a tad pissed. I was honestly just debating on getting up at 5am and driving to KC. I decided however to just head out and get some good sleep in KC. We leave JC around 10 get there around midnight. Luckily I was able to sleep in the car.
We got to Brandon's folks house and headed straight to bed. I set my alarm for 6:30 so we could leave for the race. I actually hit snooze until 7:30. I was so tired. I woke up with the headache I went to bed with, and I felt queasy. I chocked it up to nerves, and knew that once I started running my headache would go away. My mother-in-law had picked up my race packet for me so I didn't have to do it that morning. I got dressed and went to put my Garmin on and noticed it was off. I pressed a button and it said low battery and started flashing. Strange, I charged it all day on Friday. I was peeved, how am I going to run a race without my Garmin?!?!? I walked downstairs and told my mother-in-law I wasn't going to run. Everything was pointing in the wrong direction.
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| Beautiful fall day |
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| The start of the race |
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| Bryan and I |
At mile 8 I saw Brandon, his mom and Miles. I blew Miles a kiss took some water, Gatorade, and a banana and started walking. My heart was racing and it felt like I was having a heart attack. I would run and it would pound out of my chest. With 4 miles left a guy who was running I think his name was Dave he had twisted his ankle running on Wednesday. He asked if the marathoners had started coming back as the marathon course is an out and back twice. Right after he asked the leader came running by. We ran/walked together for a mile or so. He said we had 3 miles left and I asked how long we had been running he said it had been an hour and 47 minutes. My heart sank a little, even though I didn't have any time goals my goal to PR on the course wasn't gonna happen. He started walking and I kept running. We wished each other good luck and kept going.
With a mile left a marathon maniac was running past me and told me it was only mile. I could do it. By this point my knee is killing me, my feet are killing me, my body is sore, and I still felt like puking. We ran for a little bit together and I started walking. I caught up to a lady and we talked about the hills and the weather. I started running knowing that this was it. I saw the finish line and got a huge smile on my face. I didn't even notice the time. I WAS DONE!! I finished got my medal and a sticker and went and laid down on the grass.
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| DONE!! |
Next week I run a 5k Turkey Trot! Then on the 25th a 5k in KC with Brandon. Then on December 16th another 5k then my racing for the year is done!! I will have surpassed my goal of a race a month. By the end of this year I will have run 16 races.
Monday, October 22, 2012
1/2 makes 3
I just sucked it up and registered for the Pilgrim Pacer half. It is November 10th. My goal is to run 6 miles on Wednesday. Then 12 miles on the 29th. I'm not planning on PR'ing on the Pilgrim Pacer. I may try to beat my 2:12 from last year. I don't think I will get under 2:03. I will try but if I can't it won't be the end of the world.
I am also registering for the Garmin Marathon. I just realized tonight that registering for the Garmin Marathon means that I don't get a break from marathon training. Which is fine...who am I kidding I might as well keep training.
I started counting my calories again today. It has been easy keeping around 1400. I did 30 minutes of Jillian Michaels and ran/walked 2 miles. It felt absolutely amazing!!
So my weekly weigh in....162.2. I would be happy with next week being 159. Just seeing a 5 in the tens place would be nice. It's been a few long weeks since I've seen the 150's.
I am also registering for the Garmin Marathon. I just realized tonight that registering for the Garmin Marathon means that I don't get a break from marathon training. Which is fine...who am I kidding I might as well keep training.
I started counting my calories again today. It has been easy keeping around 1400. I did 30 minutes of Jillian Michaels and ran/walked 2 miles. It felt absolutely amazing!!
So my weekly weigh in....162.2. I would be happy with next week being 159. Just seeing a 5 in the tens place would be nice. It's been a few long weeks since I've seen the 150's.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Waddell and Reed Full
Yesterday I tackled some hills, some personal obstacles, and the pain. I am going to start by saying when I finished running yesterday I swore I would never ever again run another marathon but looking back on the day I would do it again in a heartbeat.
The day started out at 4:45am. I got up and got dressed. Brandon and I left his mom's house at 5:15. Enough time to get through traffic and get a parking spot before the 7:05 start time. We got to Crowne Center a little before 6. I sat in the car stressing.....debating on whether or not to run. Finally I sucked it up got out of the car and headed to Union Station. We got inside I stretched for awhile. At 6:40 we headed over to the starting line. We found the 4:40 pace group I planned on running with. I found Bryan and met our pacing team.
I will give you a little back story on Bryan, this was his 9th marathon. I "met" him last year during the Pilgrim Pacer. He was running the full, I ran the half. He is running a 50k next weekend, a marathon on November 10th and another 50k on November 17th.
The race started and we took off. The first few miles flew by. I almost forgot I was running a marathon. I met some amazing people while running. I know that I have said it before but the camaraderie in the running community is impossible to describe. It is so amazing that people that you have never met or may never see again cheer you on. At mile 10 I was cruising, feeling great. Brandon was there at mile 10 to cheer us on. I handed Brandon my long sleeve shirt and kept on trucking. At the half way point I was feeling good. My knee was beginning to bother me a bit but I knew that it was mind over matter. Mile 15 the pain radiated from my left hip to my left knee.
Our pace group pacing was all over the place. At one point we were a minute behind pace and then 2 miles later we were a minute ahead of pace. We were running a 9:30 for a couple of miles and I knew that there was no way I could continue at that pace.
Mile 16 I wanted to stop. I hit the infamous wall. I lost my pace group but knew that I had to continue. Brandon was at the top of the hill on 75th st. cheering me on. At this point Bryan was somewhere behind me. I guess Brandon could tell something was wrong because at mile 19 he was there. Even though we had agreed to meet at 10, 15, and 22.
Thank God he was at 19. I was ready to throw in the towel. The pain was unbearable, I felt like I was running on nails. My feet hurt, my toenails hurt, my calves hurt, hell I'm sure everything hurt!! I asked Brandon to please just take me home. He walked with me, I cried, he said he believed in me and that I could do it. A couple of runners told me to kept going, I was almost there. I asked him at mile 22 to have a pack of shot blocks with him. I had already eaten all of the ones I had with me. Bryan came up from behind and told me he had some tummy problems. Let me tell you tummy problems SUCK while running, and anyone who can continue with tummy problems is AMAZING!! I told Bryan that the pain sucked and I wanted to quit. He told me that I could do it. I started to walk and he continued running.
I met some other people and we all started talking. There was a man who was 54 running his first marathon. He, one day 4 months ago decided to quit smoking and start running. He finished right behind me! I met a couple who were running it together. We walked and ran together. At mile 22 Brandon was there with my shot blocks. I had broken down the wall and didn't need them. Brandon said I was looking better and that Bryan wasn't too far ahead of me. I saw Bryan in distance and knew that I could catch up to him.
It was so amazing to catch up to him. I knew that we only had a 5k left. The 5 hour pacers passed us. I won't lie I was a bit crushed that I wouldn't finish in under 5 hours but I knew that I was going to finish and that was amazing! We kept plugging along, running and walking. Pushing each other to finish. At a little over a half mile I knew that there was no way I wasn't going to finish. The pain was excruciating. Every time I put one foot in front of the other I wanted to scream.
When we turned the corner and I saw the finish line the pain subsided or the adrenaline kicked in and I ran like there was no tomorrow to the finish line. I crossed the finish line in 5:06:12. I started crying the second the guy announced my name and that I had just ran 26.2. When I heard them call Bryan's name I went over to him and gave him the biggest hug ever! If it weren't for him I may have called it quits at mile 19.
It was an absolutely beautiful course. Running through KC you get to see it for it's true beauty. The colors were beautiful, the city is gorgeous. It was a tad hilly but as a friend said "It's all down hill after this."
All in all it was amazing!! Knowing that I had accomplished what was once just a dream. There is nothing that can stand in my way! I called my dad right after I crossed the finish line and he asked if we were going to run a marathon in the spring. I told him it sucked so bad I would never do it again!! After thinking about it I'm going to register for the Garmin full in April.
The day started out at 4:45am. I got up and got dressed. Brandon and I left his mom's house at 5:15. Enough time to get through traffic and get a parking spot before the 7:05 start time. We got to Crowne Center a little before 6. I sat in the car stressing.....debating on whether or not to run. Finally I sucked it up got out of the car and headed to Union Station. We got inside I stretched for awhile. At 6:40 we headed over to the starting line. We found the 4:40 pace group I planned on running with. I found Bryan and met our pacing team.
I will give you a little back story on Bryan, this was his 9th marathon. I "met" him last year during the Pilgrim Pacer. He was running the full, I ran the half. He is running a 50k next weekend, a marathon on November 10th and another 50k on November 17th.
The race started and we took off. The first few miles flew by. I almost forgot I was running a marathon. I met some amazing people while running. I know that I have said it before but the camaraderie in the running community is impossible to describe. It is so amazing that people that you have never met or may never see again cheer you on. At mile 10 I was cruising, feeling great. Brandon was there at mile 10 to cheer us on. I handed Brandon my long sleeve shirt and kept on trucking. At the half way point I was feeling good. My knee was beginning to bother me a bit but I knew that it was mind over matter. Mile 15 the pain radiated from my left hip to my left knee.
Our pace group pacing was all over the place. At one point we were a minute behind pace and then 2 miles later we were a minute ahead of pace. We were running a 9:30 for a couple of miles and I knew that there was no way I could continue at that pace.
Mile 16 I wanted to stop. I hit the infamous wall. I lost my pace group but knew that I had to continue. Brandon was at the top of the hill on 75th st. cheering me on. At this point Bryan was somewhere behind me. I guess Brandon could tell something was wrong because at mile 19 he was there. Even though we had agreed to meet at 10, 15, and 22.
Thank God he was at 19. I was ready to throw in the towel. The pain was unbearable, I felt like I was running on nails. My feet hurt, my toenails hurt, my calves hurt, hell I'm sure everything hurt!! I asked Brandon to please just take me home. He walked with me, I cried, he said he believed in me and that I could do it. A couple of runners told me to kept going, I was almost there. I asked him at mile 22 to have a pack of shot blocks with him. I had already eaten all of the ones I had with me. Bryan came up from behind and told me he had some tummy problems. Let me tell you tummy problems SUCK while running, and anyone who can continue with tummy problems is AMAZING!! I told Bryan that the pain sucked and I wanted to quit. He told me that I could do it. I started to walk and he continued running.
I met some other people and we all started talking. There was a man who was 54 running his first marathon. He, one day 4 months ago decided to quit smoking and start running. He finished right behind me! I met a couple who were running it together. We walked and ran together. At mile 22 Brandon was there with my shot blocks. I had broken down the wall and didn't need them. Brandon said I was looking better and that Bryan wasn't too far ahead of me. I saw Bryan in distance and knew that I could catch up to him.
It was so amazing to catch up to him. I knew that we only had a 5k left. The 5 hour pacers passed us. I won't lie I was a bit crushed that I wouldn't finish in under 5 hours but I knew that I was going to finish and that was amazing! We kept plugging along, running and walking. Pushing each other to finish. At a little over a half mile I knew that there was no way I wasn't going to finish. The pain was excruciating. Every time I put one foot in front of the other I wanted to scream.
When we turned the corner and I saw the finish line the pain subsided or the adrenaline kicked in and I ran like there was no tomorrow to the finish line. I crossed the finish line in 5:06:12. I started crying the second the guy announced my name and that I had just ran 26.2. When I heard them call Bryan's name I went over to him and gave him the biggest hug ever! If it weren't for him I may have called it quits at mile 19.
It was an absolutely beautiful course. Running through KC you get to see it for it's true beauty. The colors were beautiful, the city is gorgeous. It was a tad hilly but as a friend said "It's all down hill after this."
All in all it was amazing!! Knowing that I had accomplished what was once just a dream. There is nothing that can stand in my way! I called my dad right after I crossed the finish line and he asked if we were going to run a marathon in the spring. I told him it sucked so bad I would never do it again!! After thinking about it I'm going to register for the Garmin full in April.
 |
| Waiting |
 |
| Bryan and I at the start |
 |
| Mile 10 |
 |
| Bryan and I at mile 25.5 |
 |
| FINISHED!! Crying tears of joy and pain |
 |
| Bryan and I! Marathon Finishers! |
 |
| I am officially a Marathoner! |
Thank you all for all the kind words and words of encouragement. It
really means the world to me! And to Bryan I know that I have said it a
million times already but THANK YOU!! If it weren't for you, I
probably wouldn't have finished. You are one of the most amazing people
I know!
 |
| Watching mommy run a marathon wears them out |
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Slacker
I am slacking horribly on this blog. I think about it often but by the time I go to write I am ready to go to bed.
I am 2 days out from the marathon and I am nervous, scared, excited, wanna curl up in a ball and cry...All these emotions rolled into one. I know that I can do it, or that I have the stubbornness to push myself to finish. Awhile ago I asked someone who I "met" running the Pilgrim Pacer if he was going to be running the KC Marathon. Bryan said that he would be running. I was thrilled. We have talked more since then and we are planning on running together, as long as we can keep up with the other.
On to other news...the weight. The weight is creeping on. I have gained nearly 15lbs since I started marathon training. I have been to a Dietician and a Dr. After the marathon I will cut back calories and start doing more then just running. I know that weight isn't an issue because I am in the best condition of my life. Starting next week I am going to start weekly weigh ins. This will help me be more accountable.
I knew that I was crazy when I signed up for the marathon, but my craziness has expanded. My goal for next year is completing the Heartland Series. The Heartland Series is 3 halves in 4 weeks, but since I'm crazier than that I'm planning on doing either 4 halves in 4 weeks or 3 halves and 1 full in 4 weeks. How the schedule will work April 13 Rock the Park half, April 20 Garmin half or full, April 21 Kansas half, April 27 Warrior Dash, May 12 Running with the cows half.
I am 2 days out from the marathon and I am nervous, scared, excited, wanna curl up in a ball and cry...All these emotions rolled into one. I know that I can do it, or that I have the stubbornness to push myself to finish. Awhile ago I asked someone who I "met" running the Pilgrim Pacer if he was going to be running the KC Marathon. Bryan said that he would be running. I was thrilled. We have talked more since then and we are planning on running together, as long as we can keep up with the other.
On to other news...the weight. The weight is creeping on. I have gained nearly 15lbs since I started marathon training. I have been to a Dietician and a Dr. After the marathon I will cut back calories and start doing more then just running. I know that weight isn't an issue because I am in the best condition of my life. Starting next week I am going to start weekly weigh ins. This will help me be more accountable.
I knew that I was crazy when I signed up for the marathon, but my craziness has expanded. My goal for next year is completing the Heartland Series. The Heartland Series is 3 halves in 4 weeks, but since I'm crazier than that I'm planning on doing either 4 halves in 4 weeks or 3 halves and 1 full in 4 weeks. How the schedule will work April 13 Rock the Park half, April 20 Garmin half or full, April 21 Kansas half, April 27 Warrior Dash, May 12 Running with the cows half.
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