Here are some pictures from the Myrtle Beach Marathon.
Before the race
I'm at the back of this pack (mile 16)
Somewhere at the end
Cold, hungry, happy, tired
In the hotel lobby looking up the resultsWednesday, February 25, 2009
Training for National Marathon
I have 3 1/2 weeks until the National Marathon in DC. Crazy. What was I thinking? But, I am very excited about it. I'm not quite sure yet what my goal will be for this marathon. I might take it easy and run the first half with Crystal (she's doing the half marathon--even though she said she would never do a half marathon again!). Or I might try to match my last time. Really, though, I have no idea what my legs will be ready for at that point. My number one goal, of course, will be to enjoy the race. I've been successful at accomplishing that in my last two marathons, so I don't think it will be a problem this time. Plus, it's through the streets of DC. What's not enjoyable about that?
Here are some pictures from the Myrtle Beach Marathon.
I'm at the back of this pack (mile 16)
Somewhere at the end
Cold, hungry, happy, tired
In the hotel lobby looking up the results
Here are some pictures from the Myrtle Beach Marathon.
I'm at the back of this pack (mile 16) Somewhere at the endCold, hungry, happy, tiredIn the hotel lobby looking up the results
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Myrtle Beach Marathon
Where do I even begin?
The whole weekend was a blast. We drove to Myrtle Beach Friday night. We got our numbers and timing chips, got some spaghetti in our stomachs, tried to stay extra hydrated, and settled in to our hotel room. We all laid in our beds while Danielle read off motivational quotes ("Thank you, sir. May I have another?" and "Are you going to throw in the towel, or use it to wipe off the sweat?" and "Relax. Power. Glide." to name a few). I ended up using several of them during the race.
We woke up early to catch the shuttle that got us to the 6:30am start. We had just enough time to stand in line for the bathroom and shake off some of the nerves. I waved Danielle goodbye as she went to the front of the 2500 runners. I squeezed my way into the middle. Standing there all alone in the middle of this huge group of runners was an amazing feeling. I was so happy to be there.
My goal was 4:20. My foot was feeling great. I tried not to think or talk about the foot before the race. I wanted to stay positive.
On your mark, ... get set, ... go! We were off. Well, the front runners were off. It took me over a minute, I think, to cross the start line. I decided to run the first half at a comfortable 10 minute pace. It took a lot of effort to run that speed when all I wanted to do was go for it. But, I've read enough and heard enough to know that I would be paying for it later if I went off too fast. So, I kept a steady pace and allowed LOTS of people to pass me. The first two miles were hard on the legs. I hadn't run since Tuesday, so they were really tight. I'll have to remember that next time.
After mile 2, I was feeling great. I was feeling better than great. I was so happy. I'm sure there was probably something I could have been doing at the time that could have made me happier, but ... I couldn't think of anything. That's exactly where I wanted to be (just wait to see how I was feeling 4 hours later...).
My right foot flared up a few times in the first half. Scared me half to death. A couple of times I started doing the limp thing. I knew anything could happen, so I was mentally prepared that I might have to walk. Still, I was scared. But, those shots of pain and awkwardness in the foot didn't stay long, and they were completely gone by the second half.
Around mile four, I heard the distinct sound of a cowbell. Hm, could that be Jenna? Sure thing. Really, I didn't think I could be any happier, until I saw Jenna clanging that bell. She was running around the entire time we were running so that she could cheer us on at different miles. Seeing her familiar face throughout the race pushed me and kept my spirits up.
The whole race completely changed once the half marathoners finished. There were fewer runners, and there was just a different feel to it. None of us were throwing in the towel. We were ready to push on together. After we passed the half way mark, I took off my jacket, and I handed it off to Jenna around mile 16. I was so elated and nervous that I would be getting to mile 20 soon.
This is where the fun started wearing off. Miles 20-22 were still pretty good. I could feel myself struggling a little bit more to keep up the pace (I was really wanting a negative split), but I still felt strong.
At mile 22 I told myself, "Okay, just run from your apartment, to the Sports Center, and back. Four miles. You've got it. You do it all the time." I could feel myself slowing down. Then the sprinkles came. Then the rain came. Then the rain pushed the sweat from my forehead into my eyes. Then it burned my eyes. Then I wanted to cry. Maybe I did. I don't know.
At mile 23 I saw Jenna and some other girls yelling my name. The night before, Danielle quietly told Jenna that mile 23 is when I would need her the most. I chuckled. I wasn't chuckling now. I gave Jenna a look of, "Help...". She told me later that I looked strong. I definitely wasn't feeling it.
Miles 23-24. I let myself walk twenty paces a few times. I don't know why. It didn't make anything feel better. I was very surprised, though, that my body was still going. I kept looking at my watch and my 4:20 goal was slowly running away from me. But I wasn't throwing in the towel yet. During races I love to tell myself, "You can die after you cross the finish line." Luckily, that hasn't happened, yet.
Mile 25. The crowd is absolutely the only thing that kept me alive during the last mile. They were yelling that we had already made it. Finish strong. I saw Danielle (who had finished with a PR of 3:28!). Then I saw Jenna one last time before I turned the corner for the last stretch. I heard the announcer call my name. I crossed the finish line. 4:18:39. I was overwhelmed. I still can't express what I felt as I crossed the finish line. I hobbled around looking for food and drink. Then I found Jenna and got the hug that I ran all those miles for.
I don't think there could have been a happier person there yesterday. I pushed my body to see what it could do, and it surprised me. I can't wait for my next marathon.
This if a view of our hotel from the beach.
We could hear the waves from our room.
Jenna--the hero of the day
We saw a few dolphins playing outside our window,
so we went out and took some pictures.
Thank you all for your support! It means a lot knowing that there are people cheering me on and inspiring me from a distance!
Half marathon clock time: 2:06:55
20 mile clock time: 3:14:30
Finish clock time: 4:19:55
Finish chip time: 4:18:39
Pace: 9:55
The whole weekend was a blast. We drove to Myrtle Beach Friday night. We got our numbers and timing chips, got some spaghetti in our stomachs, tried to stay extra hydrated, and settled in to our hotel room. We all laid in our beds while Danielle read off motivational quotes ("Thank you, sir. May I have another?" and "Are you going to throw in the towel, or use it to wipe off the sweat?" and "Relax. Power. Glide." to name a few). I ended up using several of them during the race.
We woke up early to catch the shuttle that got us to the 6:30am start. We had just enough time to stand in line for the bathroom and shake off some of the nerves. I waved Danielle goodbye as she went to the front of the 2500 runners. I squeezed my way into the middle. Standing there all alone in the middle of this huge group of runners was an amazing feeling. I was so happy to be there.
My goal was 4:20. My foot was feeling great. I tried not to think or talk about the foot before the race. I wanted to stay positive.
On your mark, ... get set, ... go! We were off. Well, the front runners were off. It took me over a minute, I think, to cross the start line. I decided to run the first half at a comfortable 10 minute pace. It took a lot of effort to run that speed when all I wanted to do was go for it. But, I've read enough and heard enough to know that I would be paying for it later if I went off too fast. So, I kept a steady pace and allowed LOTS of people to pass me. The first two miles were hard on the legs. I hadn't run since Tuesday, so they were really tight. I'll have to remember that next time.
After mile 2, I was feeling great. I was feeling better than great. I was so happy. I'm sure there was probably something I could have been doing at the time that could have made me happier, but ... I couldn't think of anything. That's exactly where I wanted to be (just wait to see how I was feeling 4 hours later...).
My right foot flared up a few times in the first half. Scared me half to death. A couple of times I started doing the limp thing. I knew anything could happen, so I was mentally prepared that I might have to walk. Still, I was scared. But, those shots of pain and awkwardness in the foot didn't stay long, and they were completely gone by the second half.
Around mile four, I heard the distinct sound of a cowbell. Hm, could that be Jenna? Sure thing. Really, I didn't think I could be any happier, until I saw Jenna clanging that bell. She was running around the entire time we were running so that she could cheer us on at different miles. Seeing her familiar face throughout the race pushed me and kept my spirits up.
The whole race completely changed once the half marathoners finished. There were fewer runners, and there was just a different feel to it. None of us were throwing in the towel. We were ready to push on together. After we passed the half way mark, I took off my jacket, and I handed it off to Jenna around mile 16. I was so elated and nervous that I would be getting to mile 20 soon.
This is where the fun started wearing off. Miles 20-22 were still pretty good. I could feel myself struggling a little bit more to keep up the pace (I was really wanting a negative split), but I still felt strong.
At mile 22 I told myself, "Okay, just run from your apartment, to the Sports Center, and back. Four miles. You've got it. You do it all the time." I could feel myself slowing down. Then the sprinkles came. Then the rain came. Then the rain pushed the sweat from my forehead into my eyes. Then it burned my eyes. Then I wanted to cry. Maybe I did. I don't know.
At mile 23 I saw Jenna and some other girls yelling my name. The night before, Danielle quietly told Jenna that mile 23 is when I would need her the most. I chuckled. I wasn't chuckling now. I gave Jenna a look of, "Help...". She told me later that I looked strong. I definitely wasn't feeling it.
Miles 23-24. I let myself walk twenty paces a few times. I don't know why. It didn't make anything feel better. I was very surprised, though, that my body was still going. I kept looking at my watch and my 4:20 goal was slowly running away from me. But I wasn't throwing in the towel yet. During races I love to tell myself, "You can die after you cross the finish line." Luckily, that hasn't happened, yet.
Mile 25. The crowd is absolutely the only thing that kept me alive during the last mile. They were yelling that we had already made it. Finish strong. I saw Danielle (who had finished with a PR of 3:28!). Then I saw Jenna one last time before I turned the corner for the last stretch. I heard the announcer call my name. I crossed the finish line. 4:18:39. I was overwhelmed. I still can't express what I felt as I crossed the finish line. I hobbled around looking for food and drink. Then I found Jenna and got the hug that I ran all those miles for.
I don't think there could have been a happier person there yesterday. I pushed my body to see what it could do, and it surprised me. I can't wait for my next marathon.
Here are some pictures of the weekend. Jenna has all the pictures of the actual race, so I'll try to get those posted soon.
This if a view of our hotel from the beach.We could hear the waves from our room.
Jenna--the hero of the day
We saw a few dolphins playing outside our window,so we went out and took some pictures.
Half marathon clock time: 2:06:55
20 mile clock time: 3:14:30
Finish clock time: 4:19:55
Finish chip time: 4:18:39
Pace: 9:55
Friday, February 13, 2009
Countdown...
The marathon is in less than 24 hours. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be. I'm sure it'll come tonight.
Weather.com says that it will be in the 50's tomorrow morning in Myrtle Beach. There will be rain starting at 9am. I'll probably be around the half marathon mark around then. I like rain. I hope it won't cause too many problems tomorrow.
I'm going down there with two fabulous people--Jenna Smith and Danielle Rohm. Danielle will be finished, recovered, and ready for more by the time I crawl through the finish line. Jenna is going to be our cheerleader. As in, she's driving all the way there with us to stand in the cold and the rain for over 4 hours to watch us run by once or twice. But I will be looking forward to that hug at the end!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
All You Need Is Love
TLC for the foot = happy runnerI ran 5 miles (with a 2 mile tempo run) Thursday night. It hurt, but I was still able to run on it. That was my first run since last Saturday's nightmare run. As I was running, I decided that my 4:20 goal for the marathon was out. But, I didn't mind. Even though there was an annoying pain in the foot, I was still enjoying myself. The rest of my body was happy to pick up some of the slack. I had decided that a 5 hour marathon would be great. I had done it before and enjoyed almost every step of the way. Or even completing the marathon would be great, if it got bad. I was just happy that I was running again (I was only off for 4 days, but it felt like 4 months--running messes with your mind!).
Well, I had scheduled for today an 8 mile run. I was a little nervous. Dad said to run anywhere from 3-8. If it got bad, stop at 3. If it was okay, definitely stop at 8. Don't push it. Can I just say that around 2.5 miles the pain significantly decreased for the rest of the run!!!!!! I wanted to run a marathon today. I was almost giddy. I did not want to stop at 8. I mean, I wasn't going fast, I just wanted to keep going. The pain in my foot has been so bad this week, that it was almost like I was in a dream as I was running (except this dream wasn't in slow motion). Yes, there was a little bit of pain, but it was the kind of pain I'm used to. I could handle it.
So, we'll see what happens next Saturday. In the meantime, I'll be dishin' out a little more TLC to this foot of mine.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
8 Days...
It hurts. And it creaks. I ran on it for a minute last night (in my work clothes--just to see if I wanted to go to the trouble of changing and everything). I didn't. I'm going to try running on it tonight. From last night's "run" I know I'll be able to run on it at least for a while tonight. But I'm afraid it'll just get worse as I run. If it does, I'll stop.
I'm still running the marathon--on one foot, if necessary.
I'm still running the marathon--on one foot, if necessary.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
10 Days ...
I could walk on it today, but it's sore. Not sure if I should try running on it tonight or not.
Monday, February 2, 2009
To Be Continued...
The foot feels so much better. Yesterday there was a lot of pain. Today there is definitely less. I'm still being careful as I walk. I wore my running shoes to work just to be safe. And I'm still walking on the left side of the foot (yes, it looks funny--but what can you do?). I don't think I'll try running tonight. Keep those fingers crossed...
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