Taper Tantrum!!

So I have had one bad run after another.. my legs feel heavy and tired, I am NOT eating right, which does what to me? P-A-N-I-C!!
I even texted my cousin yesterday told her I was pretty sure I was gonna die on Saturday. She called and talked me down. I started to think when did this happen. When did I start feeling this way? I think it might have been when I exposed my goal. The one you keep in your head and when ya don't you immediately regret saying anything and don't feel prepared for it. I should be prepared, I could have done it three weeks ago if I wouldn't have gotten those leg cramps. So guess what... From this moment on I will no longer think horrible things happening to me. I will think of that finish line and the clock saying something like 4:29:55 or something. I will eat good the rest of the week, and drink water like CRAZY!!!! It is gonna be perfect weather again!! How can I ask for something better!! I'm gonna go over the course in my head and think about where I had trouble last year and blast through it! I'm not gonna let my negative attitude ruin my goal! and tonight when I go for my last run I'm gonna take it easy and think about how awesome I am!

I'm GONNA DO THIS!! I'm gonna achieve my goal!! OH YES I CAN!


ps

I came across this funny blog on Daily mile. oh yes I have been doing a few of these. I refused to take any responsibility last night for this weekend because of the marathon, I am totally having a taper tantrum.
http://www.healthontherun.net/running/marathon-training/tapering-for-dummies/

#3 you don't have me!

1 week to go

Oh baby! We have one week till Marathon #3. Weather looks good! I have had a busy crazy last few weeks and wasn't able to get a long run in till today!! BOO!!! I was able to get out to run 14 this morning, it felt good but my legs were so tired afterward it makes me a little nervous cuz I am going for it!! I am gonna try to make a goal to finish in under 4:30, ya I'm putting it out there!! I want it bad! I just keep telling myself if I wouldn't have had those leg cramps I could have done it at Salt Lake! It is eating at me!! ARG... I put in to do St George I had my reservations but I did it. life is good! I am excited to run next week!! So this morning on my run, Don ran with me and we met up and ran 4 with Hayley. We started a game called "I've got that shirt!" If ya see a runner with a shirt you have at home you yell I've got that shirt!!! haha! it was fun!! ok I am babbling on... updated both blogs today give myself a pat on the back ;)

Salt Lake Marathon

I DID IT!!! #2 is in the bag! I have been training for so long. It is so hard to get up knowing you have to run 20 miles, and it is just training! I have been using the smartcoach app on my phone and about a week and a half ago I looked at what my marathon time should be and about dropped to the floor! I didn't think it was possible for me to finish in 4.23. No way No how!! I missed a bunch of speed work was my number one concern. I noticed the marathon offered pacers so I started toying with the idea of running with the 4.30 pacer. then I thought maybe i should just go with the 4.45 pacer. I went to the race Saturday morning still not knowing what to do.

I ended up starting with the 4.45 pacer. It felt a little slow to me. So I ran at a comfortable pace which was a bit faster than them. I felt really good. we started at the Legacy Bridge at the UofU and ran down foothill for a little ways and cut down into the neighborhood in Olympus and ran down to Sugarhouse park. As I say Sugarhouse park I was a little confused and saw a ton of half marathoners running toward me so I looked for people I knew but didn't see anyone. As I was doing this I glanced over and noticed a sign telling marathoners to go a different way so I had to cross over and get going the right way. We ran down in and though Sugarhouse park. We made a turn and ran back against the other marathoners so I could see where 4.30 was ahead of me and 4:45 was behind me. As we came back out we met up with the halfers and I was now on the other side running against other runners so I looked for my sisters and right before iIturned off the street I saw Wendy. Anna wasn't with her so I asked if she was in front of or behind her and she said in front. I was feeling tired from the hills in Sugarhouse and had seen a water station ahead so I hurried and took a gu and kept on running. I finally caught a glimpse of the bright green jersey that was the 4:30 pacer. I adventually caught up and ran with them for a few then passed them. They didn't stop at water stops and I walked through them so they caught me many times. Don found me about this time and told me about his bike tour and that he had seen anna and wendy. He rode for a little while with me then decided to go on. I told him to come back in about an hour and a half.

I loved running through streets I had only drove on and many brought back great memories of my past. We ran down a road my cousin had lived on when the kids were little and we had a big Easter egg hunt in her yard! I loved running through Holladay and down one of my favorite streets. I don't know the name of it but I love to go down it because it is so green and beautiful! It was an extra special treat to run it!
We came out on to Van Winkle which is a big cross street here and I could feel the temps heating up. I couldn't find the sunblock in the morning so I went with no protection. I had decided the first first aid tent I saw I would stop and get sunblock on. I saw the mile 15 marker ahead! I couldn't believe I felt so great physically and was this far! I had kept an easy sub 10 min the whole race so far! But this street there wasn't much shade and I was getting hot. I knew Don would be meeting up with me soon. well at least I hoped! I just kept going mile 17 I started feeling really hungry and it was hot! but I kept trudging along keeping 4:30 in my sight. We were still going back and forth but because I was walking through water stops they advanced in front of me. We turned down onto 500 East and I was plotting the finish figuring out which way we would go and Don finally came back again! I was exhausted and hitting my mental wall. He stayed with me a while. In mile 20 my calf got a cramp so I stopped and walked and then ran again feeling fine, then it knotted again and almost had me on the ground. I rubbed it out and then stretched it. Then told Don to go find me some icey hot. He seemed like we was gone for soo long but I ran when I could a stretched and rubbed when I couldn't.

One thing I REALLY love about this race is teh spectators I felt like I was in a parade! The streets were lined with people cheering everyone on!! I love to read the signs and tear up when I see one that says mommy or daddy cuz it make me think of my kids. I kept wishing people would have a hose to spray me and finally I found someone who did! It was so warm I would walk through the water stops get a cup pour it on my head then get two to drink.

Finally Don came back I was still cramping and he said he had to go buy a bottle of it so we sprayed it on my legs and I was able to run again for a while. He told me the way of the rest of the course and I could finally see Liberty park, but I was done, I wanted to stop it was soooo much further (2 miles?). They came back. I walked a lot. He was off talking to another runner and I looked down and I could see the big divots in my leg that were the cramps. I didn't know what to do I just stopped and rubbed them wanting to scream because they hurt so bad. I told my legs just a little bit longer we can do this! I rubbed them more and Don was back.We sprayed more on and I kept going. I was now onto State Street. less than 2 to go.. then less than one and a hill was staring me in the face. I hurt so bad but I knew it was up the slight incline (that looked like a mountain) and around the corner. I had taken a wrong turn that morning and saw the finish line so I knew EXACTLY where I had to go. I walked up that hill. When I got to the top the volunteer/cop at the top said 4 blocks! You are almost there!! I tried to run but the cramps had a hold of me again I walked/hobbled/limped as much as i could until I could get a trot going on! I just wanted to stop and cry! I could see it that big red sign F-I-N-I-S-H. I didn't know if I could make it, but the little voice inside me said oh yes you can, the pain was horrible but with Don by my side and hundreds of people yelling I glanced at my watch and saw 4:44 on my time and I ran as hard as my cramped legs would let me. I eventually made my way over the mats and thought I was going to collapse. But I had made my goal! well one of them my mid goal. :) I am soo grateful for my active body! I am thankful I can run and be able to run 26.2 miles!!!
My official time was 4:44:46! PR by over 15 minutes!

here is a glimpse of my splits
1-10:26
2-10:34
3-9:55
4-9:40
5-9:47
6-9:54
7-9:49
8-9:53
9-10:08
10-9:51
11-9:39
12-9:48
13-10:18
14-10:23
15-9:56
16-9:48
17-10:32
18-11:29
19-11:03
20-12:25
21-11:57
22-12:42
23-11:52
24-13:13
25-14:09
26-12:44
27-9:18

quick update!

It has been a couple weeks! With spring break last week I kind of forgot to update :) So I ended up not being able to finish the Ironman because of a toothache which turned into a root canal. took three days from my life! SO move forward to Riverton Half. I was able to be a pacer for this run! It was really fun! After my failed attempt at the Shamrock Half getting sick and everything I was about to NOT run Riverton at all. I made a comment on Dailymile and one of the other pacers sent me a message telling me she would be willing to switch spots with me so I could run a slower pace. I am so happy I did! I paced the 2:30 and was able to take it easy and also run the extra 7 miles home and give me my last 20 miler in prep for Salt Lake Marathon. It put me nicely into my taper!!
In case you are wondering what a pacer does they run a certain pace so if someone has a goal to finish in a certain amount of time they run with a pacer and they help them make that goal.
I missed one run last week but plan to stick with it this week and next. I can't believe we are less than two weeks from the marathon!! I am really excited this time and trying to decide how I want to run this because I will have another a month later. Do I want to make a good PR goal or just take it easy so I can make it to the next one. Either way, I feel strong and ready!!

Ironman!!!

OK It is just an Ironman over a 2 week period! Oh MAN!! If I would have been on the ball I would have stayed at the gym and rode! ACK! It is the bike that is gonna get me!!

Started yesterday here we are
8/26.2 miles run
7/100 miles bike
1200/4000 yards (2.5 miles)swim

I am excited and nervous I have the run and swim plotted out but need to figure out this biking thing! EEK!

After Saturday I needed a new attitude! I decided I would hit the 3 5:30am classes this week, also swim and Ana's Circuit class. I wanted to do a ride with JaNae on Thursday but it doesn't work for her so I will try to get out on my own. I haven't swam for 2 weeks. It was hard at first but I easily fell back into the rhythm. It felt good. My flip turns weren't easy and I need to work on them. I was soo happy to see the leisure pool back opened so I can take the kids now and work on my flip turns while they play in the evening!

Spring is here!! I am so excited to be doing more outside!! I am craving an early morning run! just needs to lighten up a tad more another two weeks and it will happen!!

the birthday run that totally sucked....

ya the title sums it up. The end...

No just kidding. OK I might write about it later but first thing is first! Last August when I did two half's I qualified for what is called a Half Fanatic. I just never had the extra money to spring to be part of their club. Last week a friend posted that she qualified and got it. Well it was my birthday and I got some money so I signed up! yay! I am Half Fanatic #2068.
ok on to the birthday run. I decided to run the Shamrock Half. I tried to get a bunch of peeps to come out with me but only had a few which is fine. so We got up and I didn't really feel great but I felt ok. nothing that would worry me. So I got running and was really wishing I would have brought my fuel belt. I was so thirsty. Finally at mile 4ish they had water stop. Well by then I just felt I needed something more than water so I opted for the gatorade....not a good idea. I immediately started feeling sick and was pretty much nauseous the rest of the race. At mile 11ish I almost fell down when my leg cramped. I have NEVER cried at the end of a race but I bawled my eyes out on this one. I was so glad it was over. I finished in 2:17:36. which is easily 10 minutes slower than I would usually run. It was horrible and devastating but I NEED to remember that I am gonna have races like that. It doesn't matter how strong I feel one day I could be sick the next. I also need to remember even if I think the water stops are good I need to just take my own water. There, I am over it, I am gonna get over this one and look forward to my next run... which I am a pacer for and totally freaked out now!

20 miles...

So I changed up my training a tad bit. I was supposed to do 20 last week but with the L2L relay I decided to push it back a week. I decided last night to run part of it out to my parent house which is 8 miles. It made the run pretty easy going somewhere and coming back. I almost did the extra 4 before running out there and next time I will. I had given them a time frame to be out there and running the extra 4 would have put me way late because I ended up starting later than I planned, I was hoping it would warm up but it didn't. It was 28° when I left. My goal was to do it in under 4 hours. Which I accomplished. I need to get a recorded and tape some of my thoughts cuz I had a couple things I wanted to blog about but can't remember now. I felt so strong today. At 18 miles I was running a good 10 minute pace and felt so strong. I wish I knew my right pace but because I had stopped at my moms house my watch didn't show my moving time. So it is showing pretty much the same time as I was running my 20 milers last year but I think I could take almost 5 minutes off. I will be running 16 next week and 20 the following two weeks so my goal will be to have those two 20 milers under 3:45 and then under 3:40. I felt very strong and great today! It makes me excited for my marathon. crossing my fingers they get the permits in and approved!! EEK!!