I'm a Bahston Runnah! - My race report!

On Monday, April 16, 2012, I ran the 116th Boston marathon.
I have 2 things I want to say about this race:
1. It was the hardest marathon I have ever run!
2. It was the most enjoyable marathon I have ever run!
Someone asked me if it was all I had hoped it would be.  It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. So here is my story:
As Matt and I were getting ready to board the plane in Charlotte, to go to Boston, I noticed I had received and email from the BAA.   It read....

BOSTON MARATHON WEATHER UPDATEDue to warm weather in Monday's forecast, a deferment option has been introduced. 

Due to the unusually warm weather forecast for the Boston area on Monday, the B.A.A. will defer the entry of those official entrants to the 2013 Boston Marathon for participants who decide not to race.

In addition, the B.A.A. will keep the finish systems open an additional hour on race day.  Whereas the finish systems generally cease just prior to 5:00 p.m., this year the finish systems will remain open until approximately 6:00 p.m. 

The B.A.A. thanks all participants for their cooperation in this matter. 
Sincerely,
B.A.A.

By the time I got to Boston, the BAA was asking people not to run who did not feel like their training went well or if they were charity runners.  It was expected to be around 87 degrees.  So I started praying that God would change the weather. 

Matt and I went on like normal.  On Sunday we got up, watched HGBC (our church) online then went to the expo.  I picked up my packet and got my coveted official Boston Jacket!

Official Boston Jacket!

Packet Pick-up!

 Afterward, Matt and I walked around the expo...almost overwhelmed!  It was HUGE!  We saw everything then went to eat lunch.  Then we chilled for a good part of the day at the hotel.  I think I fell asleep....  Then off to eat again! Does anyone see a theme?  All the while, I was drinking tons of water and Gatorade.

Carb Loading!

So anyway..... We ate, then went to get ready for Monday!

I got up at 0500 and spent time with God.  I continued to pray for a weather change and safety for my buddies who were running.  I got dressed, ate my 1st breakfast, started my Gatorade and water, then Matt and I walked to the bus. 

Boston is a point to point course.  It starts in Hopkinton and you run 26.2 miles to Boston.  So I had to ride a bus to the start.  I was excited and just a bit anxious.  When I stepped outside, I knew it was going to be hot!  I had promised Matt I would slow it down so I would safely finish.  He and my mom weren't so sure about me having the discipline to do this.  I wasn't either.

At the bus, I met some of my UCRR buddies!

Landon, Ed, Hazel, Me

Hazel had deferred, but was there for support!  Love my running group!  So the rest of us loaded the bus and at 0700, we were headed to Hopkinton.  I wanted to take everything in.  The bus was loaded with nervous energy. Everyone was discussing how they qualified and their plans for the race. 

I looked around and listened to the stories.  I felt like a small fish in a big pond.  Everyone here is fast.... fast enough to qualify for THE Boston marathon. It is amazing.

We get to Hopkinton and unload.  We walk to the field and find a good spot to relax for the next 2 hours.  Landon and I don't start until 1040, so we have a while to wait.  We listen to music, talk about the race, eat our 2nd breakfast about 1000, and use the bathroom for the last time.  I cannot even explain how amazing "Athlete's Village" was.  All the runners...All the energy...All the heat.

Finally it was time for Ed to go to his wave.  He is FAST... so he is in the Red Wave (or wave 1).  At 1005, Landon and I go to our wave.  We are in the Blue Wave (or wave 3).  It is about 3/4 of a mile from the village to the start.  So we walk...and walk!  I finish my 33 ounce water and take my salt pill (for electrolytes)

Before I tell anything about this race I have to say something.... the whole race there were tons of VERY HELPFUL spectators and volunteers.  They made it possible for me to finish and kept me entertained the whole marathon.

My plan was to run a 5k at a time.  I knew there was a tracking mat at every 5k point.  I also knew that breaking the race down into smaller goals made it easier to tackle. 

My first big goal was to hit the half way mark around 2:00.  This is a far cry from the 1:47 half time I did just a bout a month ago. My 2nd goal was to hit mile 16 and feel good.  This is the point I normally feel overwhelmed and hit the wall. My 3rd goal was to make it to the top of Heartbreak hill (mile 21ish) and still have 5 more miles in me to run. And my biggest goal was to finish under the hot conditions I had been given.

I remember standing at the starting line.  I looked at the girl beside me and told her we were getting ready to run THE Boston Marathon!  I was very emotional.  This is not like me at all... I normally have very few emotions but not today.  I watched the clock count to 1040 and we were off. 

The first few miles are down hill.  Everyone was blowing it out...going fast.  I had told Matt I would start with a 9:00 mile and would not go any faster than that.  At this point it was 80+ degrees.  So I said to the runners flying past me, "See you suckas on Heart Break Hill"!  I took everything in.  The first 5k went by fast.  There was water at every mile and there was NO running through the water stops.  The wall of people and mound of cups on the ground made me have to slow down significantly.  But that was OK because I was able to start my hydration plan.  This included taking a Gatorade every other mile, and 2 waters at every mile.  One water to drink and one to pour on my head.  Yes, it was that hot!

Around mile 3 we passed a tent put up by the spectators.  They were telling us to just come over and sit down and rest.  They had ice cream.  I found this very funny.  I saw signs that said "short cut".  People had water pipes and were spraying the runners.  It was wonderful! When I wasn't at a water stop, the spectators were giving out oranges and water. 

OK... lets just do another 5k.....

At the 10k mark, I knew that my family and friends who were tracking me would get a text.  I prayed that I would be able to finish this race well.  I thought about my children at school and how excited they were about this... and I cried.  Good grief!  What is wrong with me?  This is where I took my first gel.  It was almost liquefied because of the heat.  I also noticed my hydration plan was working out well.

Around mile 7, I remember seeing a sign....it said, "You qualified to diminish any doubts".  This touched me.  I got very emotional as I thought about my journey to get here and once again, I cried!.  Even though it was around 90, I thought about my awesome jacket back at the hotel waiting for me to put it on!  And I ran....and cried!

OK...Lets run to the 15k mark! 

I remember seeing this mat.  I thought about the last 15k race I ran with my buddy Michelle.  I thought about how strong she had been in this race.  Then I saw a sign that said, "Go Michelle".  Guess what, I cried!  But this gave me the strength to go another 5k.

As I started getting closer to the half marathon mark (13.1 miles) I started hearing yelling.  At first I was confused.  But then I remembered.... Wellesley College!  There were tons of girls with signs that said "Kiss Me".  They were yelling for us like we were movie stars.  I, once again cried and laughed.  It was very moving.  I also knew as I crossed the 1/2 marathon mark my family and friends would get a text.  I also took my next gel.  So far, so good!

When I went through the 13.1 mile marker, I decided to start a new mind game.... Just 3 more miles to mile 16.... then just 4 more miles to mile 20..... then just a 10k to go.  I can do that.  Because now, I'm running home!

Mile 13.1 - 16.  I am still feeling pretty good.  I am very thirsty and can feel the heat go into my lungs as I breath.  I'm not breathing heavy so I decide to make sure I breath in through my nose and out through my mouth.  At this point I notice there are these shower things we can run through.  You have to go off the course a bit but the benefits of being completely soaked was wonderful.  I also knew that around 15/16, the Newton Hills start so I started preparing myself as well as I could. 

This is where I passed team Hoyt.  This is a father/son team.  The father pushes the son in a wheelchair.  He is an amazing athlete who has competed in many marathons and Iron Man races.  I have read about them so it was an honor to see them in action.  I could tell they were struggling.  This gave new perspective on how hard this marathon was turning out to be.  Even the strongest of runners were suffering.  I gave them a shout out as I passed by and ran....and cried!

At mile 16, I knew I would have about 5 miles of hills.  However, I didn't really care at this point.  I knew in 4 miles I would be at mile 20.  I ran up slowly and tried to gain a little momentum on the down hills.  I continued drinking my water and Gatorade.  I poured water on my head.

I took a COLD water from a spectator who was handing them out.  I have NEVER tasted water so good.  It was so cold.  It gave new meaning to the verse in the Bible that talks about not being a luke warm follower of Christ, but either being hot or cold.  The verse means to be true to your convictions and stand up for what you believe.  Up until this point, I had been drinking luke warm water.  It was nasty, but under the circumstances, I had to have it.  But when I got that fresh COLD water, it was refreshing.  That is what the Bible was talking about....it is refreshing to see a believer take a stand on his/her beliefs.  Not in a mean way, but to just live what you say you believe.  To truly care about people.  To care not only about the needs of the here and now, but their needs for eternity.  I asked God to help me be refreshing water to others when they thirst for the living water....when they thirst for Jesus.

At mile 20 I start going up Heartbreak Hill.  I knew this would be a somewhat long hill, but at the end, the course would turn slightly down hill. And only a 10k to go.  As I was running up Heartbreak Hill I thought to myself....."My Heart will NOT be broken today".  I looked around and noticed that I was the ONLY one running and everyone else looked like they were doing a death march.  There were also motorcycle cops pulling people off the course.  It was rather scary.  It was so hot.  I have never ran a race that was this hot.... and I have ran Disney the year it was around 90 at the finish.

As I topped Heartbreak Hill, I knew I was home free!  Mile 21...so only 5 more to go.  I can do that.  I was running along and I heard someone call my name.  I look around and see my friend Jessi.  I thought I was seeing things at first, but I wasn't...she offered me water, but I told her I was good and I ran.

At mile 22 I had missed a water station.  Every station was set up on both sides but this one.  So I ran by the first part, on the right...like I had done 21 times before... but this time, it was only on that one side...drats!  But then I look around and see my wonderful husband.  I want to let him know I am good but I start to get emotional and can hardly talk.  He snaps a quick picture of me, we hug (I think) and I start running again.

Mile 22!

Around mile 23 I see a woman giving out frozen fruit pops.  She gives me one and I declare my love for her and the fruit pop.  It was the best thing I have ever eaten!  I decide to eat this instead of my last gel.  I get a water to wash it down and keep running. 

Only a 5k to go.....
The last 3 miles were wonderful.... tons of spectators and water pipes.  I was soaking wet.  I just looked around and took it in.
The last mile was amazing.  I knew I would finish.  I knew I was getting so close.  I turn on Boylston and see the finish line.... guess what... I cry!  I am getting ready to finish THE BOSTON MARATHON!
I pass through the finish line and get my medal.  I am so excited!  I have finished the race....and I finished well!

Me and my Medal!

Before I started this marathon, I asked God to change the weather.  He did not do that though.  Instead, He changed me.  He helped me slow it down and be OK with that.  He helped me NEVER hit the wall.  He helped me accomplish my long awaited goal of running this marathon.  I believe it was meant for me to run this marathon and finish.  I believe God taught me several lessons along the way.  And I believe I will someday come back and really be able to run it at my pace.

My mom told me once that we do not get to choose the conditions we race under.  This is true of life too.  Sometimes God does change our conditions and/or circumstances.... but most of the time, He changes us.

Taper Week 1 - Week 15

I have finally hit marathon week! I am a mix of emotions about everything!  I am every excited one minute and wanting to puke the next!  Checking the weather in Boston every hour and feeling phantom pains all over my body that actually are not there.....
This is part of Taper madness! =)

However, I am more excited than anything else.  I cannot believe that after everything: the qualifying, the training, the planning, that it is finally a week away!

I am now figuring out what to wear and what to pack.  One thing I do know.... What shoes I will wear.   My new Asics 2170 from Run For Your Life!  My Zoe is guarding them for me!

Take me running with you!



I will guard your shoes for you!

As of today, Boston is offering a rather warm day on Monday, April 16th.  At this point it will be highs 75 and partly cloudy.  My starting time isn't until 10:40 am so that means I will run in the heat of the day.  I'm hoping it will be cooler, but I choose not to stress about things I don't control.  I have completed most of my runs in the heat and/or rain.  So the elements are not making me fear.  I am also hoping my hydration plan will work out for me in the heat.  I try to drink around a gallon of water a day!


My jug of H2O!

However, whatever the weather holds, I have finished my training and now I just recover to run.  So this is how my first week of tapering went! At this point, I have not burned any bridges or killed anyone.... so I feel like the tapering is going well.

Monday!
This was just a run with a few pickups.  Michelle and I met and ran about 6 miles.  I noticed that morning before the run that my Garmin had not charged up.  So I just ran this without my garmin... it felt weird.

Tuesday I did no workout. I wanted to make sure that I would be fully recovered from my 20 miler.  Also it is spring break so I sent Abigayle off on a youth Mission trip and then hung out with my Maggie the rest of the day.

Wednesday was hill work.  I was having a hard time breathing.  I'm not sure if this was because of allergies or just because I was still tired from my too fast 20 miler on Saturday.

Thursday was a rest day.... HA! I don't feel like I should rest.

Friday was a cold rainy 4 miler.  Supposed to be at pace but was a little too fast.... 8:20 pace. oops!

Saturday was a fun 10 mile run at a nice 8:45 pace with my friends!!!

So 1 more week and I will be there!  Can't wait!

And It Comes to and End - Week 14

I got my packet this week and I am runner #18338! Wave 3, corral 1!
This is my last week of official training. After this week I start my taper.  EEEEK!  I cannot believe my race is this close. 
I have mixed feelings about this. 

1. First, I am in shock and totally excited that I am getting the honor to run.  It has been a long road.  Not just the training, but the getting the chance to even sign up for Boston.  As most of you know, you have to qualify at another marathon to even get the chance to sign up.  My BQ time was 3:50.59.  I qualified in 2010 (with a 3:45.22 chip time) at the Thunder Road marathon.  However, that was not my first attempt.
1. Thunder Road 2009 was my first attempt (12/09) but it all fell apart as I got sick during the marathon.
2. Then came Myrtle Beach 2010.  (2/10) It all fell apart as I watched the snow fall.  The marathon was canceled and once again my Boston dream was out of my reach!
3. And the Thunder Road 2010.... 12/12/10 it all came together!
4. But then they changed the September registration process.  No longer are you guaranteed a "Spot" in Boston if you qualify.  They only take the fastest qualifiers.  So I had to wait until week 3 of registration to even try to sign up.  Then I had to wait to see if I made the cut. I did so...
5. I made up my training plan and continued the journey to Boston.
2. Second, I am totally scared out of my mind and intimidated by this race!  On my race packet it says, "There are many races, but only 1 Boston Marathon".  How can I even think that I deserve to be a part of the field of runners that runs this race.  I still feel like the novice runner I was in 2004 when I ran my first marathon.  But I am not a novice runner.  And now it is time for me to set some goals.

I have to be honest.  I actually set my goals before I started training.  Back in December, when I wrote up my training plan, I wrote it up for a specific time.  That time was 3:42.  So all my runs have been geared to this.  I have trained for that time and (Hopefully) I have trained for the specific Boston course with all my up and down hill training.  That puts my mile splits at an 8:29 pace on a course I have NEVER even seen.
However... After discussing my grand plans with several runners who have run this race I have made a final decision for my goals.
I have worked hard to get here and may never have the chance to run it again.  I don't want to regret not enjoying this race.  Sometimes pushing the pace makes the race not fun and normally results in me getting sick.  SO.... I plan to go an enjoy myself.  I want to give people Hi-5s... I want to have fun... I want to talk and laugh with the other runners.... I want to finish and have a smile on my face..... I want to be able to walk back to my hotel.
So I have NO time goal!  Gasp!  I have no pace bracelet or no time in mind.  The goal is to enjoy myself!

So here is the last week of training!

Monday was a tempo run!
It was HARD!  I had 10 miles.  6 of those were at tempo pace.  I warmed up 3 miles with Michelle then started the tempo pace.  She had to get to work so she started heading back.  About 2 miles into my tempo pace I see someone coming toward me.  It is Jonathan. I was so happy that he turned around to run with me.  He did the whole tempo part with me and was very encouraging.  I think he thought I was going to die though... He kept asking if I was OK.  I was, but it was just a hard run.

Tuesday I swam 1700... really nothing to say about that! Just a recovery day.

Wednesday was circuit!  This is speed work with a twist!  Five 1/2 mile repeats with strength training in between.  And I was sore afterwards!

Thursday was a rest day!  From training.

Friday was my pace run!
It was the perfect day to run!  Goal was 10 miles at my marathon pace (8:29).  Michelle came and ran with me.  We finished up with 10 miles at an 8:21 pace.  A bit fast.

Saturday was my last 20 miler!
When I got out of bed, I heard the pitter patter of rain hitting my window.  Maybe it will stop?  Ha!!!  No such luck. I met several friends at 0600 to start my last 20.  The goal was 20 miles at a nice "easy" 8:45 pace. 
WaHaHaHaHa....NOT!
We first did the "BiLo" loop in the rain.  This ended up being a little over 6 miles. 
Then we met the rest of the group. 
Troy had 15 miles
Erin had 18 miles
Siobhan had 20 miles
So we all hung out for that amount of miles.  We discussed some mind tricks to stay strong during a run.  Erin said she puts everything into the amount of time it would take to watch a certain TV program or movie.  For example.... 7 miles = a TV episode of "Person of Interest" with the commercials. So at this point, we have less time running left than the movie "Hunger Games".
We all ran DOWN David Taylor in the rain!  Got on the greenway and ran to the soccer fields.  Still sorta raining.  This gave us around 10 miles and Siobhan said we were half way done.  So an hour and a half (approx) left or the time it would take to see 3 "Sponge bob" shows come on and go off.  And I felt really good, even though we had been running under pace.... in the rain.
We turned down the Toby Creek extension... in the rain. Took a gel and continued to run back. 
Got back to David Taylor and Troy turned off.  That means I have a little over 5 miles left.... or an episode of "House"...without the commercials.... oh, and by the way, it was still raining.
about 2 miles later, Erin turns off and heads back.  She only has to do 18 and we are around 17 miles.  Wow!  At this point, we are still going under the 8:45 pace but I am still OK.  Tired, but OK.  we hit mile 18 and Siobhan says, "Seinfeld, without the commercials".  I know what she means... we have about 18 minutes left (at the most).
At mile 19 we get off the greenway (totally uphill.... I pretended it was Heartbreak Hill) and run the rest of the way in.  The last mile was an 8:10.
Oh, and by the way.... it was still raining and I was soaked...and looked like I had been in a muddy cat fight.  I had so much "chub rub" it wasn't even funny.  My back, legs, and everywhere my clothes touched me was rubbed raw.
It is funny!  After all that I look at my average pace for this 20 miler.  The average pace was 8:29.  My marathon pace.  Interesting.

So now that I am done with my official training I start the taper.  And taper madness.  So I apologize in advance for everything I may say and/or do the next 2 weeks.

Learning to Balance -Week 13 of training

While training for this Boston marathon, I think the biggest lesson I have begun to learn is balance.  I really try to take most things in stride.  Trying to have fun along the way.  I like to think that I am a pretty happy go lucky kinda person in most things.....

Well most things....except for running!

Now I love to run!  I love being outside, I love the way it gives me clarity, I love how much I can eat.....However, for me, it is about the numbers.  I love the numbers.  The pace and the mileage numbers!  I like a plan and I love to stick to it like my life depended on it. 
So... if I went to see a therapist, she would tell me that; "Everyone does something to feel like they have control in their life.  I use running as a means to feel like I am in control." 
However, I'm also smart enough to know that control is an illusion.  I cannot even make my own heart beat.  I have to totally depend on El Elyon to do this for me.  Talk about a lack of control.  I can't even make my own body do what it needs to do to LIVE!   El Elyon is a Hebrew name for God, and means "most High" or "most high God" and is used to describe"the possessor of heaven and earth".  He is in control, so I don't have to be.....

And it is He that teaches me balance!

And this is the way He did it this week!

Sunday morning my sweet Abigayle (14 year old daughter) woke up not feeling well.  After assessing that she had a fever, I gave her some Advil, made her a bed on the couch and let her go back to sleep.  Sunday was pretty uneventful.  We did the Advil every 4 hours and everything seemed fine.  Matt went on to church that night and about 6:00, I gave Abigayle another round of Advil.  About an hour later, she asked if she could go to her own bed.  So I let her and told her I would check on her in a few minutes.  When I went to check on her, her fever had gone up to 104 degrees....well that is when I took the thermometer out.  I quickly made her get out of bed and we started the process of trying to get the fever down with cool water. 
Now, I was a little freaked out, but Abigayle has always run high fevers when sick.  However, while I was frantically working to get her cool, she looks at me and says that she cannot see or hear me.  Then her pupils become wide and she goes into an unresponsive state.  At this point, my life and hers starts flashing before my eyes... and I start yelling her name.  This lasted only for 20 or 30 seconds, but it seemed like a lifetime.  After, she comes out of it and seems like she is confused about my actions.... but she is fine.
The doctor said that her high fever most likely caused her to have a little seizure.  This is what I expected, but it scared me to the point that when it was over, I was shaking uncontrollably.
Sunday night, she sleeps on the couch and I sleep on an air mattress right beside her.  I wake up every 2 hours and alternate between Advil and Tylenol.  Then the next day I continue checking and rechecking my sick little girls temp.

So needless to say.... Monday's training goes out the window... and I didn't even care.  Glad it's a step back week!

Tuesday swimming comes around and I get in about 1000 slow meters.  Abigayle is doing better, but I still keep her home from school because she is so tired and weak.

Wednesday is Hill Work and catch up at work.
I do 9xhill. Michelle and I run up and down hills until we cannot see straight!  Training for Heartbreak Hill!  But I'm tired and my allergies are making my lungs burn.  However was able to do an 8:04 average pace.

Thursday is a rest day... from what I don't know.

Friday is my 12 mile Long Run!
I switched it to Friday because I am keeping students at my house for an event called Disciple Now Weekend.  The students get to stay in different people's homes over the weekend while they attend a conference at the church.
Michelle and I run from the DOWD YMCA.  Even though there is no pace prescribed for this run, we are churning out miles way too fast.  It was HOT!  Also, at the end, we realize that we need to add on some miles so we start cutting through neighborhoods.  We ended up doing 13 miles, at an 8:21 pace, running out of water, and almost getting hit by 2 cars.  But we had a good time!

Saturday I woke up...after getting to bed really late... made waffles for 6th grade boys....then tried to get motivated for 6 miles in the rain.  It wasn't happening so I called my buddy Bree.  We met and ran 6 miles together.  I was chatting her up.....  it was fun!

But with all the training and such... I would give up running the Boston marathon without even blinking an eye for my family! 

Corporate Cup 1/2 Marathon Report - week 11

This weeks training wasn't all that exciting. I only ran about 24 miles. This is because I took this week as a step back week in my training. There are several reasons this was done.

1. This is what the plan called for! At this point, every other week of training is a step back week until I get to my training.
2. After last week's 40 something miles, I am tired!!!
3. I am running a 1/2 marathon on Saturday! I still did the scheduled runs, they were just shorter and slower to help me recover enough to run 13.1 miles on Saturday.

Monday was 6 slow miles.
Tuesday, I swam an easy 1500.
Wednesday I changed the hill work to 5 miles with a few faster strides.
Thursday, I swam 1700 good quality miles.
Friday, I rested from exercise.
Saturday I completed the 1/2!

So let me start from the beginning.
I normally don't talk about my job. This isn't because I don't like it. It is because I am a mental health therapist and everything I do I confidential. That means that no one knows who I see or what they tell me. I am a great secrete keeper! :0) I see a variety of people. However, I mainly step in when something isn't going well with a family. So I spend a lot of my time with children and teens.
I absolutely LOVE what I do, but it is stressful. I deal with my stress by running. So I have all my medals hanging in my office. Children love this. They always ask me about them, want to touch them, and want to take one home. However, I have never let a child have a medal until recently. She didn't ask to have a medal. She asked me if I could run a race for her and give her my medal. At her young age, she has been through (and seen) things that no one should have to go through or see. Her circumstances keep me up at night, so I said yes. I chose the Corporate Cup 1/2 to be her race.

I had planned to race this 1/2, however, my voice of reason (named Michelle) explained that I needed to figure out what was my "A" race.....This 1/2 or Boston. Well Boston is my "A" race.. So this race would be a fun and I chose not to run it all out. I thank Michelle for her wisdom! :0)
So the goal for this race was to pray for this little girl, thank every police officer on the course, and to have fun!!!
Saturday morning came.
As normal, I got up and spent time with my Lord.  I had a peanut butter and banana sandwich, peed several times, then hopped in the car with Michelle and went to the race.

Our church also had a group running in this race and another 5k in Charlotte. So what better way to show up at a race but by wearing the same shirt. The shirt has a big +1 on the front. This means that we are here to help people with physical, emotion, and spiritual needs, one at a time. For example, we have been going into the community helping people clean up, get food, and clothing after a recent tornado in our area. Helping 1 person at a time.
We take a quick picture and head to the starting line. I peed at least 4 times, but when we started the race, I had to pee again. But I would have to think about that later....

The Race!
My plan was to take this race 3 miles at a time!
The 1st 3 miles.
I used these miles as a warm up. I didn't want to go out to fast so I just tried to ease into it. I felt good and really didn't feel like I was pushing.
8:24
8:21
8:13
Then the 5k people turned off. The funniest thing about these miles was a little boy (about 9 years old) who was running the 5k. He did not want me and Michelle to pass him. He would speed up every time we got too close. We begged him to just stay with us and keep a steady pace... But he did not want to take the chance we would finish first. No worries little buddy, we are doing the 1/2.
Miles 4, 5, 6
These miles were just to get into the groove. Getting into a good pace. We passed Michelle's car and contemplated going and getting coffee. But for some reason we didn't. We had several people want to join the coffee excursion. So it would have been fun. :0) Right at mile 6 we took a gel. I quickly realized I did not drink enough water with the gel, but it wasn't too bad. At mile 8 we should pass another water stop.
8:04
8:16
8:01
Miles 7, 8, 9
Somewhere around mile 7 we see a friend running. She was struggling because she had a fever the night before. So she was sick and it took me 7 miles to catch her! Wow! This is where the real hills begin. I try not to think too far ahead so as not to get overwhelmed. The miles were click'n off and I felt great. I even told Michelle that I was surprised at how good I felt.  However, I was waiting to see when the race would get hard.... as it always does.
8:08
8:07
8:13
Mile 10, 11, 12
At this point, I knew I would PR. I felt so good! As I started up Morehead, I almost got overwhelmed. I was thinking about my little client and started to cry! I knew this would do me no good because I still had about 2 miles to go and they were straight up Morehead! So I sucked it up and kicked it in. Up to this point, there was no wall and I was glad I didn't have another 13.1 more miles to go!
8:12
8:05
8:02 -going up, up, up!
Mile 13!
This was my fastest mile! I smiled all the way in. I knew I had given it a good go! I could have gone faster and further, but I feel like I raced smart and had a good time. 7:52!!! Up to the finish line! As I passed through the line, at 1:47.25, I knew I would be proud to give this medal away! I had a great race! I finished strong! I PRed!  I even came in 4th out of 54 in my age group!! I thanked every police officer and volunteer on the course. And I had more to give!

I can't wait to see what Boston holds. I hope it is a day like today. :0)

Week 9 - 2/19/12 - 2/26/12

After I reread my last weeks post I noticed how boring it was.  I do want to apologize, but that is how training goes.  I am over half way through my training program and now entering the really high miles.  To read about the training isn't really that exciting.  In fact, it's almost boring.  However, to actually do the training is another story!  To do the training takes everything inside you to keep going.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE training for a race.  I love the discipline, I love knowing what I am to do every day, but most of all I love the running.  But to do each run I must recover.  The recovery is where you get stronger.  The run itself just breaks you down... but if you recover, you are stronger because of it.

Foam roller, compression socks, & PJs

When I get into the high miles, I need to recover quickly, so I have a few items that help with that.

• Foam roller!  All I can say is this thing needs to take me out to dinner or something because I spend a lot of time with it.  The concept is simple.  Roll it up and down the part of your body that hurts.  It is great to get out knots, and loosen up your IT Band!
• Compression Socks!  I wear these all the time!  They help my legs (mainly my calf muscles) recover.  I run up on my toes, so my calf muscles get a beating.
• Last but not least, my Pajamas!  It is important to get enough rest all the time, but especially in training.

I ran just over 43 miles this week, so here is the break down....of the miles, not of my mental state. =)  That's for another blog.

Monday Tempo Run

9 miles of total running, 7.4 of this at tempo pace (btwn 7:43-8:03). My girls were out of school today and the weather was a bit bad the night before, so I decided to do this run a little later than planned.  This meant that I would be doing this run alone, but I'm glad I did start later, because the bridges were still icy when I went out at 1000.

Plan was simple: run down David Taylor, to the greenway, take the new Toby Creek extension, and finish back UP David Taylor for my cool down.  Everything always looks so much better in writing.  My pace was good, I felt good but I still had to finish up DT in a very tired state of mind.  But I did it.  I even saw a good friend on the greenway and he ran the last .5 of my tempo pace with me.  This was a great run and the weather was just beautiful.  I actually could have worn shorts or a skirt instead of my tights.  I was a bit warm while I was doing my "fast miles".

Tuesday Swim

I swam 1700 meters today.  We warmed up and then did 75s.  I could tell I was tired.  I know this because I could not get my breathing to even out and my heart rate was high.  So while Michelle was going through the water like a beautiful mermaid, I was swimming like a cow of the sea.  Ha! Ha! Moo!

Wednesday Hill Repeats!

Good grief!  This was 8xhill.  That means I run up hill 8 times....

Who wrote this stinking training plan?  Oh, I did!

Michelle and I warmed up a few miles then found the most menacing hill we could find and ran up and down it 7 times.  Then we ran to another hill and ran up it.  I think this ended being about 6.5 miles.

Thursday is a day of rest!  Well from running anyway!  I had to clean my house, before going into work.  The carpet attachment to my vacuum broke, so I ended up vacuuming the whole house with the bare floor attachment.  That was a workout!  But you gotta do what you gotta do!  I have a dog and there was no choice but to vacuum.

Friday Pace Run

Today I met up with Holly and Michelle and we ran 9 miles at my marathon pace (or a bit faster).  The goal was 8:29 but we ended up averaging right under this pace.  We did the same route I did Monday.

Who's idea was this?  Oh, mine.  I guess I can never have too much David Taylor!

Wow!  It was warm!  I had on a skirt and tank and sweat was pouring off of me.  I don't glisten, I sweat!  I decided to take water and Gatorade with me.  I'm glad I did because I was crusted with salt when I finished.  I am trying to get used to drinking the Gatorade because I think it will help me stay hydrated better.

Saturday Long Run

Today was 19 miles of cold and wind!  How the weather can change in a day.  I decided to do this run down town.  I started at the DOWD YMCA and planned to run 3 alone, come back to car, meet Michelle, run the Corporate Cup course (13 miles) with her, come back to car, Michelle leaves, then I run 3 more alone.  19 miles doesn't seem as long when I break it up like this, well at least on paper.

Who wrote this training plan?  Man, I must be insane!

So at 0635 I was chugging along to get my 1st 3 miles in.  The squirrels must have had it out for me.  They kept throwing their little nasty bodies at me.  But this did not deter me!  I was focused!

At 0700, Michelle and I went back out and started on the course.  The wind was fierce!  The only way I can describe it was that it took my breath away, and it chilled me to the bone.  I was wet with sweat and could feel it hitting me. Yes, I still sweat in the freezing cold!  We ran and ran and ran..... Near the end of the course, she suggested we add on a little.  So we did a little mile loop to get in some more mileage.  When we got back to the DOWD, I was at 17 miles.  This means I only had 2 more to go. Yeah! 

But here's the problem.  Go back to around mile 15.  The top of my left foot started hurting a little so I retied my shoe so it wasn't very tight.  Well I think this slightly changed my foot strike, due to my shoe being looser than normal.  So my IT Band starts protesting.  These last 2 miles were a form of torcher that I have never incountered.  I could feel my ITB rubbing my knee wrong and locking up.  By mile 18, I was having a really hard time getting my left leg to turn over.  I am sure I looked pathetic.   I did finish, but it hurt!  It hurt bad!

Got back to my car, drank my chocolate almond milk, tons of water, and called Matt to tell him I was finished.  Then went home to face the foam roller!



Spot showing off his socks!

On Sunday, I was surprised that I wasn't sore at all!  A little tired, but not sore. 

But Spot did wear his compression socks. :0)    ---->---->



Week 8 - 2/12/12 - 2/18/12

So week 8 of my training was the first time I have ever run as a 40 year old.  I turned 40 on 2/12/12 so I entered into a new age group and era of running.  I'm hoping this age group will be less competitive and I can win some bling this year.... but we will see.  I just need to get my body to cooperate with me so I can run Boston!
Week 8 also is a stepback week.  After last week's 38+ miles, I had 2 issues going into this week.

1. I was so tired that I wanted to sleep instead of run (but that may be due to the book I have been staying up late to read)
2. I ate EVERYTHING in sight!  No really....anything I could get my hands on!

So a stepback week was welcomed.  However, the only thing that goes down on a stepback week is the long run... or in my case, the long runs.  The Monday tempo run goes up 1 mile and Wednesday's circuit training doesn't give me a break!

Monday was a tempo run!
9 miles, 5 being at tempo pace...Today was COLD!  I had so many clothes on and still, my normal 2 mile warm up did not suffice.  So I added on 1 more mile for the warm up.  After the "warm up" I reluctantly upped the pace.  Mile 4, 6, 7, and 8 were right on target.  However, mile 5 was an 8:20.  I just couldn't get the push off I needed to keep the pace up.  I was on a muddy trail so I figured this was the problem.  Once I got back on the paved trail, I was golden!  Then I took the last mile for a cool down!

Tuesday was swimming
I always use this as a recovery day.  The swimming helps my tired muscles recover better.  This particular day, however was Valentines Day and my Abigayle's birthday.  Yes, I had my first baby on Valentine's Day.  So I felt rushed and never really got into my workout.  I cut it short about 500 so I only got in 1500 meters.

Wednesday was Circuit!
This is always hard and painful.... but in a good way. ;o) 
I have included my heart rate data for this run!
I warmed up 2 miles, cooled down 1 mile, and ran at a 7:13 mile per minute for 3.5 miles (in half mile increments).  In between the half mile repeats, I did strength training. 
I'm going to feel this in the morning!

Thursday was a "rest day" from working out.... So me and Michelle went to Lulu Lemon!  Woot! Woot!

Friday was my "long run"
I only had 12 miles today but I felt like I did 26.2.  I started the run sore and tired from the Wednesday morning Circuit.... and staying up late to read....
The run was uneventful and fun.  I was wore my pink Lulu skirt and a matching pink shirt I purchased just yesterday.  Wow, I don't think I have EVER had on that much pink before.  I was really pink, but the outfit was comfortable.... I may wear this for the marathon.  You couldn't miss me, but it may be too much!

Saturday was 6 miles recovery!
This was a recovery run.  I dropped off Abigayle at swim practice, went and ran 6 hilly miles, then went to Maggie's basket ball game.  I ran the hills of Highland Creek!  Those are a BEAST!  Maybe this is where I need to do hill work!

So, this week was a bit over 33 miles....and next week is coming.  I start the really long runs next week. 
I'm Scared!

Week 7 - 2/5/12-2/11/12

Kellie Pickler sings the country song "Tough".  I love this song and have it on my marathon play list.  In fact, I have it on the special play list that I have affectionately named "Hard Times".  This is the play list that is called upon to get me those last few miles.  It helps me get in my head that I can handle more pain than I think.  It helps me break through the wall.  It helps me to feel "Tough"!
Here are the words:

Tough, I ain't ever been nothing but tough.

My edges have always been rough

But Jesus loves me anyway

Backbone,

there ain't nothing wrong with a woman

who got a little backbone.

You want a shy little thing,

a pretty little high heel thing

gonna cry if I don't polish up....Tough!

Now.... running a marathon takes a bit of "tough"!  But not just physically.  After mile 20, for me, it is more mental than physical.  So I start playing mind games!  I start telling myself I am Tough.  I can finish this race.  I envision the finish line.  I start going deep inside myself to pull whatever I have left out to finish this race.
But training for a marathon also takes a bit of "Tough".  Training is created to break your body down so it will build back up with more "Tough"!  This week I ran almost 40 miles, ending with a double long run of 17 miles on Friday and 8 on Saturday!
"There ain't nothing wrong with a woman who's got a little backbone! Tough!"

Monday pace run!
Today was an 8 mile run with 4 miles being at pace.  This was not really that big of deal, as an 8:30 pace is where my body goes naturally.  However, we had to get creative with it.  Remember the calf cramp from Sunday... It was still lurking in my calf, ready to take me down at any point.  I also had Zoe with me, traffic was BAD on David Taylor, and the soft dirt trail (where we add on miles) was covered in mud and water.  I did come up a bit short on this run.  However, I got my 4 miles at pace done.  I thought that .7 of a cool down mile would not totally derail my training...and Zoe was done, so I finished up and was happy!

Tuesday was swim/core!
I got the crazy idea to swim a bit then jump out of the pool and do some core, then swim some more then more core....blah, blah, blah! 

WU: 500...

Workout: 100...

pushups, triceps...

100...

planks

100...

pushups, triceps...

100...

setups...

100...

pushups, triceps...

100...

setups...

100...

CD: 300

1500 meters of swimming plus core work!  By the time I finished, I was shaking.

Wednesday = Hills!
7xhill to be exact!  With the help from Holly and Michelle, I chose to run some hills that resemble the 1st half of Boston.  I ran these 6 times then bolted up David Taylor.  I held a good pace and tackled some good hills without much stopping.

Thursday I took as a rest day!
I knew I had 17 on Friday + 8 on Saturday = 25 miles!  So I thought a day off from working out would "work out" best for me.

Friday was my 17 mile long run!
It was damp, cold, and cloudy! Michelle, Holly and I met and ran.  The plan was to keep it slower the first few miles, then up the pace if we felt like it.  Holly was going 10 miles, Michelle had 15, and I had 17.  I'm glad to have these girls run with me!  It makes training so much more fun.  I ran around 11.66 then Holly was finished.  We went back at the car to refill our water, then Michelle and I went back out.  We did an out and back course.  The last 3 miles we started upping the pace.  I looked at my Garmin and we were doing around an 8:00 mile!  I knew that this would get it over faster...so I turned to Kellie Pickler for inspiration!  I heard her talk about being tough!  I think I even started telling myself out loud that I was "Tough"!  Several people passed us and gave me weird looks... but hey, I didn't care because I was almost done! And I was tough!  GRRR!
Finished up the run and looked at overall pace.... 8:30!  WOW!  But would I be sore and tired for my run tomorrow?

Saturday was 8 miles recovery!
My goal was 8 miles!  No goal time involved.  I was not sore at all from yesterday's run.  I felt really good, in fact!  However, I had been up late the night before because Abigayle had 3 friends over for a slumber party, I had a baby shower that morning until 1200, it was windy and cool, I was running later than normal, and I only had about an hour before I had to be back home to get ready for Maggie's basket ball game!  I love to here people say they could never run as much as me because they don't have time.....but that's another soapbox.... anyway, I never warmed up on this run.... and my legs were tired!  Not sore, but tired!  I completed the run, went home, ate 5 cookies, changed and went to Maggie's basketball game!
Tough!

Next week is a step back week!  Praise the LORD!

Week 5 - 1/22/12 - 1/28/12

This week of training was what I call a step back week.  A step back week simply means I step back on my long run miles before I increase.  For example, last week, my long run was 14.  This week 10.  Next week, it will go up to 16. MERCY!
This week was also the week I receive much unwanted advice about my weight and my running.  People LOVE to say crazy things to me.  No really, just ask some of my closest friends. 
Here are a few running and health related comments that I get most often.

1. I look like I have an eating disorder.... Really?  Now as some of you know, I am a Mental Health Therapist, so I know the criteria for Anorexia and Bulimia.  I do NOT meet the criteria for either.  However, people love to tell me I need to eat more.  If they only knew how much I eat!
2. Running is really bad for me!  I just chuckle when I hear this.  I know that not running would be bad for me, because I would become a danger to myself and others.  I am actually healthier now than I was when I was younger and not running.  Now I am not saying that I couldn't get hurt, but I could get hurt walking down the stairs too.   Here is a short writeup that refutes this notion.
3. And the funniest of all...Yes this is said to me, is "If I continue to run like I do, my uterus will fall out".  My response is, "Well that's OK, I don't need it anymore anyway".

So there you have it.  Now how can I say this, without it saying rude?  Well I can't, so as teens say (before saying something offensive), "No Offence",  but I really don't want to hear advice like that.  So with all that said.... here is my insane training for the week.  I hope I still have a uterus after it! =)
As always, whatever is highlighted has a link.  The days of the week that are highlighted have a link to my garmin.

Monday was a Tempo Run!
I woke up to the pitter patter of rain on my windows and knew that a good tempo run would not be happening outside today.  So I drug myself to the YMCA and pounded out 7 miles (5 of it at tempo pace)on the dreadmill. 
1 mile warm up
1 mile at 8:00
1 mile at 7:53
1 mile at 7:47
1 mile at 7:53
1 mile at 8:00
1 mile cool down
I HATE THE DREADMILL!  But I LOVE running!

Tuesday was 2000 meters (or 1.24 miles) of glorious lap swimming!
I met Bree (my good friend who I ran my 1st marathon with) at the NOMAD to swim.  This is where my Abigayle swims for her swim team.  We jumped in the pool and I really thought I was going to go into hypothermia.  After about 15 minutes, I want numb so it wasn't so bad.  But really, they have a wonderful pool and it was a joy to swim there.

Wednesday was Hill Work!
This was 7xhill!  I really thought I was going to die!  After consulting many people about the Boston course, I have decided that it would be good to practice running up and down hills.  Now I have been told that up hill running is easy.... it's the down hills that get you.  I was a sceptic.  However, after a few downhill repeats, I believe.  Here is a write up on down hill running just in case you want to know more!

Thursday was a rest day from training and I needed it!  My quads were trashed from my hill repeats!

Friday was my Long Run!

This was 10 miles with the middle 7 at a faster pace! 

I know, guys, you don't care about my running outfit rambling....but.... I wore my PINK LuLu Skirt today!  My sweet hubby got it for me.  I have to say it was almost too much because it is tooooooo cute!

Anyway, back to the run!  It was really hot and humid today so the first 2 miles were a warm up where my heart rate was out the roof and I couldn't breath!  (Maybe running is bad for me... HaHa!)  But after we picked up the pace I was fine.  I just wish I could run a full marathon at this pace!  Now that would be cool!

Saturday was a Pace Run!

I had to do 7 miles today.  Because I ran a bit faster on Friday I decided to make this a recovery run.  The only problem was that I only had an hour to complete 7 miles.  I had dropped Abigayle off at swim practice while I ran.  I find it amazing how getting back to pick up my baby girl pushes me to run faster.  So this run was run right at marathon pace.  My legs were a bit tired, but all in all, it was a good run.

So, at the end of the week, I completed all my workouts, felt pretty good, and still had all my vital organs in tact.  So I guess it was a good week.

I want to hear from you!  What is the craziest thing someone has said to you?  It can be running related or not!

Week 3 - 1/8/12 - 1/14/12

So here we go again.... Going into week 3 I feel good.  My cold is mostly gone and no foot issues.  I am feeling confident that this will be a good week of training.
If you only care about the true training, click on the day to see the garmin info!  Otherwise, enjoy my ramblings! :)
Monday was a tempo run.
I was excited because it wasn't freezing outside.  So I wore my new Lulu skirt that I got for Christmas (from the cast of the Attic....thanks guys!) Very exciting.  It is amazing how fast I feel when I wear cute clothes... but I digress.  My goal was to run 6 miles.  35 minutes of this 6 mile run was to be at tempo pace.  My tempo pace is between 7:43-8:03.  I ended up doing around 4.61 miles a bit faster than my tempo pace.  I blame the skirt!  Brian, one of the guys that runs with my running group found me and Michelle and ran with us.  He had just completed the Frosty 50k on Saturday and still kept a fast tempo pace.  AMAZING!  It was a wonderful, fun run with my friends and my skirt. :)
Tuesday I swam.
Really nothing to say but I did laps.  1900 yards of back and forth, back and forth.  I swim like a rock but it helps me recover from the hard runs and makes me feel like a triathlete.  Well not really but it does make me a better runner.
Wednesday was a threshold workout.
This was supposed to be 6Xhill repeats.  However, the pouring down rain and cold deterred me from attempting this run outside.  So I decided to do a Threshold workout on the dreadmill.  Three things about this workout.  1) It is HARD!  Click on the garmin link to see the deets.  But basically you run fast and on an incline 3 minutes at a time with a 1 minute recovery period.  2) It is on the dreadmill!  I don't like the dreadmill (thus the name).  It is boring and I feel like it is mentally harder than running outside.  3) However, it is a shorter workout.  And I think I did not do it fast enough.  My "fast parts" I did at a 7:41 pace with incline.  I chose this because I did this pace last year in my training and it really pushed me.  Now don't be fooled, I was pushed, but think I could have gone faster.  I will know next time it rains. Ha! 
Thursday was a rest day, but I did an easy swim.
No need to include the garmin info..... But I felt like I cheated yesterday because it was a shorter workout.  So I swam an easy 1000 today.  Plus I had some cool new bungee things to go on my goggles to hold them on.  I got them because of Abigayle (my 13yo daughter).  She is on a year round swim team and all the kids use them because they work so well.  So I wanted to try them out.  I LOVE them!!
Friday was my Long run of 13 miles.
Goal was to keep the first 10 miles around a 9:00 pace, then run the last 3 miles on the King Tiger Route at a faster pace.... While and after running UP David Taylor.  This is to help me prepare for the uphill second half of Boston. 
Now after saying all that, this run was amazing! However, it was COLD!  It was also windy and this took my breath away while running.  The only way I can describe it is, when I breathed in, it was like the oxygen could not get into my lungs.  So I had to get used to this feeling.  This was mainly the case when I was running to the Mallard Creek Greenway and after coming off of it.  When I was on the greenway, I was more sheltered from the wind.  I never warmed up though.
All in all, my plan worked.  I only stopped my garmin 1 time when we had to cross Harris Blvd.  Took a gel around mile 7 and stopped to walk at this point.  However, I was trying to do this at a good and slow pace.  At the end, I had enough steam (even with the wind) to speed up.  This taught me a great lesson.  Start out slow and build!
Saturday was a pace run.
Now Saturday I had to go back out and hammer out 6 miles at marathon pace (8:29).  I have to be honest, I did not know if I could accomplish this.  This meant running down and then up David Taylor.  I started out a bit slower and started to build.  I ran this run with the University City Road Runners.  A great group who is very encouraging!!!  By the second COLD mile, I was having fun and running way too fast.  But I was having so much fun with the group that I continued on.  I knew at mile 3, they would keep going and I would turn around.  I knew I could slow down at that point.  I sorta did, but not too much.  I did slow up, going UP David Taylor, but not too much.  I felt good, however, need to slow down on my pace runs so I don't get hurt.
Sunday is always the Big Attic!
Overall, I felt really good this week.  I hope it continues as I start increasing my miles.  Next week I up the mileage a little bit to two 7 mile runs, speed work,  and a 14 mile long run!

It All Started With A Mouse

January 11, 2012, marks the 8 year anniversary of my marathon debut. In January of 2004 I ran my first marathon. The Walt Disney Marathon to be exact.

How things have changed from that first marathon. How I have changed.

First I have lost about 50 pounds! This is a significant amount of weight. It was a battle to shed these pounds. I had to change how I coped with stress! I used to use food as a coping mechanism. When things got tough, I ate. That did not work. I only felt bad about myself and gained weight. I started teaching myself to deal with stress in a healthy manner. Run! Running is my therapy. I had to decide which was more important... That brownie and how good it tasted, or being fit and running faster. I decided I wanted to run faster.

That marathon ended with a time of over 5 hours. I was proud that I finished, but felt I could do better..... However in the weeks to come, my aspirations of getting faster had to be put on the back burner. Immediately after I ran my first marathon, Matt and I flew back to Charlotte and went to Presbyterian Hospital. Matt's dad had a major stroke and was dying. We went straight to the hospital and for the next week, Matt lived at the hospital. Ernie, Matt's dad died a week later. This was a hard blow. Very unexpected. Very shocking. In comparison to Ernie's death, my marathon was not important so I never got excited about my accomplishment. It was like the marathon never happened.

Boston will be my 15th marathon. From the 1st marathon at Disney to my 14th at Thunder Road, I have gone from 160 pounds to 113 (as I write this). I have gone from a 12 minute per mile marathon pace to an 8:30 minute per mile marathon pace. I have grown closer to God! I have been privileged to see His mighty hand work in my life. I have survived the childhood years of my children and now I am entering the wonderful teen years. I have grown closer to my wonderful husband and have even helped him train and run 4 marathons.

I thank and blame Ron Horton for this madness. He trained me and Bree Horton for the first marathon.... Then he signed up and ran it with us. I did not understand what that meant at the time... But now I understand that he had to put his training (and budget) on hold so Bree and I could be successful. He made the marathon fun and took a ton of pictures!! So now I can remember it.

I like who I have become because of running....

Week 2 - 1/1/12 - 1/7/12

This week has been a series of ups and downs in training.
It is too early for this kind of drama!
Monday! My tempo run went ok. I kinda bailed on it b/c I am a wimp in cold weather. Plan was to do 5 miles with 30 minutes of tempo. I did the 5 miles and did 3 miles around tempo pace. But the plan was 30 minutes and I did not do the full 30. My "coach" and dear friend, Michelle told me this was no big deal this early in training. ...but the number's geek in me said differently.
Near the end of my "tempo run" my middle toes started hurting in a weird kind of way. After I got home, I noticed I could not put weight on it without it hurting. Now I start stressing about it (while icing and resting it...oh, and looking on the good old Internet to self diagnose). The only thing I can figure is that my wearing heels on Sunday aggravated it. I self Dx it as Morton's Neuroma. I hoped with rest, icing, and swimming on Tuesday, I could fix it.
Tuesday I swam and got new shoes! Kara (at Run For Your Life) talked me into the same kind she has. Brooks! I have been an Asic's girl for a long time. I hoped they would work out. At this point, my foot was fine, not hurting at all. But I could tell I was walking funny to protect it.
Wednesday would be the foot test! I woke up with a cold! Oh I hate colds. It wasn't too bad, but bad enough that I wanted to pull the covers over my head when my alarm went off. But I got up and I did circuit training that includes 800 repeats with strength training. Foot was fine until the end. It didn't really hurt but felt weird so I bagged some miles...per Michelle's suggestion.
Friday I did my "long run". It was really short but it is what the plan called for. Foot good, cold bad, heart rate was out of the roof (due to cold I am assuming), and my run was awesome!
Saturday I did a pace run too fast. My shoes have been awesome and my foot is good. I can tell it is tender, but it doesn't hurt.
Oh, and I still have a cold.... I hate colds.

OK, onto next week!