Am I conditioned to run long?

Today was sunny but cooler than past days this week as I started out at the park for my long run - which was great! I needed a good, strong, long run today. I think I got it.

I also think that 15 really took a lot of out of me today; more than usual for 15. That's okay...cuz I still love the long run. Over any other run. My friend, Barb, just cracks me up. I posted on FB that I ran 15 today. She writes back that she can't believe I ran that far and thinks maybe she walked about that in a week's span. She asked me if when I run 15 miles do I have time for anything else? Or . . . am I so conditioned that those 15 miles is like walking up one flight of stairs for her. I thought about this most of the day. It's not like 15 miles, 26 miles or anything in between is easy....it's just that it's real. It's as much a part of me as brushing my teeth...or walking up those stairs. I can't quit. At least not yet. I love how I am able to have the time to myself and my mind, to think about things that I cannot think about any other time in my busy life, to de-clutter the cobwebs that form throughout the day, think about past memories....and the list goes on. I feel so whole when I return from a long run, it transcends me into a better person. Yes, I am conditioned to it, Barb, but not because it's easy....I felt almost every step of my long run today: my quads were tight from Thursday's workout; the left ball of my foot was developing a blister (which I have to say, prior to these "new" shoes, I can't recall EVER getting one aside from Pikes Peak last year when I ran for 5 hours in wet shoes and socks. I mean, there was a reason for that one to develop); I had stomach cramps; and I was just plain tired at the end. And a little more tired than normal throughout the day.....no, I'm conditioned to it because despite the aches and pains and fatigue, I love it and would miss it like the death of a loved one. To me, there is nothing more whole than accomplishing the long run.

Though probably only about 60 degrees, I managed to get a little sunburn on my shoulders and back. Welcome, Spring!! I'm looking forward to getting this pasty-white skin in hibernation for awhile.

Upon my return from my run, I took an ice bath. My quads were screaming for it and now that winter is behind us (hopefully), I could ease my legs into the cold water better than I have been able to for the past 5 months. Felt great!




15 miles run

Favorable Friday

Feeling much better today:

Left work about an hour early.

Dennis has reclassified my "sucky" leg assignment in next week's marathon relay to "challenging" (he knows I like a challenge). Still no word on a group meeting to identify my hand-off teammates....I suggested a group packet pickup and pre-race carbo loading beer. No confirmation on that.

My knee is not hurting today. Though I was suppose to run 5 slow miles, I did not. I took the day off and I feel good about that decision.

I didn't eat great, but better than previous days this week.

Ran into an amazing athlete and neighbor, Carol, at the dry cleaners today. I haven't seen her in ages and love her incredible athleticism. She's doing a half Ironman triathlon in July. I'm in awe!

Was asked by dmd if I would do an interview for her for an article for Woman's Health magazine. What... are you kidding me? Of course!!

Used a $100 coupon on a new purple patent leather Coach purse. SCORE!

Thinking of catering Yolanda's Tacos for Abbey's graduation. LOVE that place! At least a "thought" is further progress than we were yesterday with nothing.

Had two beers tonight with good friends.

Enjoying the house to myself and getting some writing done tonight. And some laundry.

My defaced FB "friend" emailed me today.

My yard's currently getting some good hydration.

I think I'm going to sleep more than 4 hours tonight.

Bought some tomato plants.

Learned I will wake up in the morning after taking 1 1/2 antihistamines before I go to sleep.

Feeling slightly better about registering for the Portland Marathon.

My favorite color is still pink (always). But I'm kinda liking the violet world.

Still feeling Boston!

I had a better hair day.

Feeling good about my long run tomorrow; will try for 15.

Thinking I may go to bed at 10:45 on a Friday night!!

All yesterday's issues addressed? Well, no word from Rob S. but that's par for the course, but I think I've made progress on most other matters. TGIF!

Many Ouches

I'm not sure if my bike ride yesterday (without my helmet...I know, Meg :) ) is the culprit but my left knee really hurt bad today working out. I couldn't even do a very simple 5 minute run. I think I did some good weight training but my knee was hurting pretty bad for whatever leg stuff I was doing. When I went to run after my weight training, I couldn't even run a simple 10 minute mile...it hurt so much. So I'm sitting here icing, like I promised I'd do. Rob mentioned patellar tendonosis and I had an internal panic attack. That's what Steve has...and has to have surgery to "clean it all up" and take two months off from running after. Um....I don't think so!

It's always interesting to me how one thing, one little minor thing, can change your whole disposition and make everything else change with it. If you allow it to, which most days I can shoo it away but today I couldn't.

I'm not sure what to do about the Portland Marathon. Early registration goes on only through next week so I need to decide (if I want to save a few $$). I wish Rob S. would sit and talk to me about it but I've expressed a few concerns and he doesn't seem to want to address them. Nor a few other questions I've asked that never got answered this week. I really have pulled away from my "constant questioning" that I've been accused of in the past......so not sure why a few measly questions and one head-spinning Portland Marathon mind can't be laid to rest by talking to me. Nope, in and out in less than a hour!!! No talking required, just lift the weights and do what you're told .... until next time. Repeat.

I'm not sure if I can bike across Iowa this summer with my knee. It was feeling so well up until yesterday. Not a major defeat if not...but I'd certainly like to if I can. Meg, wanna do the BIX? My treat!!! :) We'll stay with Karen and head over to Kathie's bar the night before, should make for a great run the next day!


Abbey's last full day of school is tomorrow. Next week she has finals and then she's done! It's so surreal to think that she'll be graduating in a few days. Wow. Reality is setting in. (btw, she still has over $60 bucks on her lunch card ... I put $100 on it 3 years ago and she's used $40 in 3 years. And probably $20 0f that is from the past week. So I guess we're donating some cash to Regis H.S.).


I'm not sure what to do for food for Abbey's graduation party. I know we're making cupcake - she's actually pretty adamant that she make them herself. Bought banana cupcake mix today at William's Sonoma. Don't even ask how much the mix cost....it was WS after all! We need to find a cake decorating place to figure out what to put on top of these things she's making....but I'm thinking these blueberries look nice :). Not sure about other food...but by golly, we'll have cupcakes!


My hair's driving me crazy. I think this 'Locks For Love' thing is not going to work. We'll see. Maybe Becky can do something with it next week when I see her. I love it long...but it's soooo dry!

I think someone defaced me in FB. Or he removed himself totally. Not sure.

I can't stop eating. And I don't really seem to care. Or know what to do, more likely.

I am so overly tired!

I hate how crazy May is.

My head hurts.

I can't breathe.

I need to run a timed mile. Allergies and all other ailments.

I want to wear my new watch but I don't have it yet.

Dennis stuck me in the crappy leg for the relay next weekend. JK. Sorta. :). Um, Dennis, will I know who Sharon is when she hands the leg strap thingy to me? And Matt...I've met him like twice about a year ago. You'd better account several additional minutes to the relay for "guessing" who our teammates are in hand-offs. Will we all have matching prostate shirts? Can mine be pink?

I'm really a pretty likable person, I promise!

Wow, how's that for an uplifting and energizing blog! I'm not broken, Rob K., just filled with uncertainty right now in my directions.

On a good note, Abbey's in a great mood lately. End of high school and onto DU can do that to a girl, I guess. Well, once we start summer job searching, I'm certain all glee-ness in her will leave.

And the Clawson's want to take me out for Martinis for Boston celebration. I'm game. Let me get through this graduation thing first, guys!

It's been warm here in the mile high city....I was roasting last night. Time for the windows to pop open....

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Weight training: 1
Failed attempt to run: 1
Crappy attitude: 1
Zero willpower to stop eating crap food: 1

8 run.....13 on bike

Me on my bike, a rarity. Taken with my cell phone, which has a horrible glare on it and you have to "guess" when you take a picture to see if subject is really in there. So Becky had no idea her finger was in the viewfinder, it was an "aim and see if you get lucky" picture. She did pretty good :).


Though not on my "plan" my friend and woman that cuts and highlights my hair, Becky, had a free afternoon and asked if I wanted to ride bikes around the "pond" (as she calls it....it's the reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park near my house) today. She's an incredible cyclist whom I've admired for years....from the side, never partaking in a any sort of cycling adventure with her. I mean, I don't bike. I own some bike shorts and go to cycling class when I can but when I venture out on my bike, it's usually at a snail's pace with my kids or on my own (though as the boys are getting older and stronger, they can do most any sport now much better than me....except for the marathon :) ). So I forewarned her that I would be slow...especially since I needed to get my 8-mile tempo run in first. A must do. Biking was secondary. She understood. But I was still skeptical, she owns a super nice bike. I had to ride my mt. bike. It's a great bike, I paid a small fortune for it some odd-years ago, but it's not light and it's not meant to ride on the streets of the park. But ride I went.

My 8-mile tempo was tough; my quads were tight from yesterday's failure at intervals and it was hot. I am not acclimated to running in warm temps yet so it was a challenge but I loved running on the trails with the sun warming my body; it's been a long time waiting! It felt great to get a little sun and vitamin D on my skin; I can even see the beginning signs of my watch tan line....one of those 'medal of honor' signs that I like to look at deep into the middle of the summer. It's one of those signs of the sacrifices that I have made with my running.

After I got back to my car from my dusty trail run at the park, I was tired but Becky was right on time and waiting at my car. I ran into the pediatrician's office right there where I parked and changed into my bike shorts, had some intestinal problems to take care of (sorry, had to share), and then off on bike. She was good and stayed with me most of the time, but on some of the downhills, I let her take off and man...she is fast! For some odd reason, there was a bike race going on in the park and there were lots of really REALLY fast cyclists out there and we were in the middle of them many times. You know, those guys that wear those aerodynamic helmets and have a solid rear wheel!! Yep, they were surrounding us. I have no idea why there was a bike race on a Wednesday afternoon at the park, but there was! So when all was said and done, Becky told me that I rode well (uh...not sure what she was comparing me to cuz I was really struggling at points, but thanks....I'll take the compliment- any bike compliment) and that we averaged about 13 mph and rode about 13 miles. Not speedy but if you take into account the times we had to slow way down for the racers, it wasn't bad. My left knee bothered me a lot and I made sure to ice it when I got home. Feels better now.

I came home and just crashed, I was dead, and I was so light-headed. I had to down a Diet Coke, which I really have done a good job of giving up but somehow got back into my diet since Boston. I like to treat myself to one after a good, hard, long run as it just goes down so well...but I seem to not have weened myself off of it since Boston and today I just craved it so bad! I was almost in sleep-mode when Abbey came running in my room stating she HAD to go to Target to get some "stuff." I guess I sort of promised yesterday that we'd go today when she wanted to go and I was too tired to. So went I did. I was so light-headed and having a splitting headache when I got there but we had a great time at Target, laughing at all these cards and looking for things she may need in college. We didn't buy much but we did have fun. Then we got sandwiches on the way home and I think I inhaled mine in less than a minute!! I didn't even care that it was bread and I don't eat bread. Very often.

So a good day for lot of exercise. Tomorrow is weight training and a very short 5 minute run. I'm glad to have the day off of hard running!!!

8 miles run
cross train: 13 mile bike

An Emotional 13 hour Marathon

Okay, so I was at the track tonight failing miserably at my measly 6x1200's at what would normally be a manageable, albiet speedy, pace (nope, not tonight) when I got a text message from my friend, Karen (Boston cheerleader) that she was in her car listening to The Biggest Loser on her radio and the final 4 contestants were going to run a marathon. Huh? I was sitting there on the bleachers gaging on what little air I could take in after doing a whole 2.25 miles, making Karen promise she'd make sure I was buried in my favorite new purple and pink running shorts, and there's these 4 people that just a few weeks ago, all weighted well over 100 lbs more than they do now...and they are going to run a marathon?? I hopped in my car, ran to the grocery store, came home, and hit the treadmill for the final 3x12's and turned on The Loser for a little inspiration. Never mind I just finished Boston in a reputable time, a fact that Maureen Roben, a local track coach who has run an amazing 4 Olympic marathon trials and has helped me with some of my training, told me today: Think of all the runners who dream of running Boston and know it will never be a reality! You are in an elite group (Thanks, Maureen...that made me choke up)! That didn't matter at the track when I couldn't run 3 measly laps at a pace that was really not that difficult - I needed inspiration and I was going to get it from 4 people who never in their lives have run 3 miles let alone 26.2.


I don't know if it was the fact that I could actually perform my 1200's on my treadmill with both lungs operating at about 80% (vs about 3% at the track) that was causing my eyes to blurr....but most likely, it was seeing the last guy, Ron, cross the finish line in 13 hours and some change. Everyone was crying for his victory ... including me. He persevered what only a few months ago was impossible when he weighed 141 lbs more. Yes, most anyone could go out there and walk 26 miles in less than 13 hours but I had such great admiration for his determination to fight his knee pain, overcome his obstacles, and never give up! To me, that's a true hero!!!! I even bumped up my last 1200 to a 6:53 pace just to pay tribute to those 4 marathoners today on TBL (BTW, I believe the first place chick never once walked and crossed in 4:48. Incredible...she, too, never ran more than a few miles in her life). I felt great!


I'm not exactly sure what's going on with my lungs but I'm almost certain some of it, if not all, is allergy related. I am just suffering big time. The reason why there was an intermission to grocery store between track and treadmill intervals is because I needed to go talk to a pharmacist and see what they recommended to clear out this crud in my sinuses. I am so drugged up right now and I know this is effecting my ability to breathe and run efficiently. So I got some things to try - things I've tried in the past but willing to try again. I think I'm close to calling an allergist ... and since my insurance won't pay for it, that indicates to you how bad I am hurting and want this fixed!


My new shoes that I loved on my long run Saturday are too big. Errr. My heels are also hurting some. I need to call the shoe place and get this shoe thing fixed. Again.


Tomorrow I am going to do my darnest to get out of work by 2:30, hit the CC trails for an 8 mile run, then meet up with Becky for a spin around the reservoir on our bikes. Becky's an awesome cyclist (she does my hair... the one that laughs every time I come in and tell her how this Locks for Love thing I'm attempting to do is driving me crazy) and offered to go with me for a little ride on the bike. I'm going to close and make sure that I have air in my tires.


7 miles run

Denver/Portland/Elaine and the Mile

Worked out w/R tonight doing weights and some intervals on the bike. Felt pretty good...

Not going to do the Bannister mile tomorrow with the guys. Will hit the track on my own one day this week or next and time myself on the mile. I am taking off early tomorrow, though. Can't wait.

Going to work with Elaine some on her training. I think it will be great!

Am soooo far behind so need to close and get lunches packed and a couple grad invites out. Will this graduation thing ever end?

Rob says Portland is the marathon to do. Why can't I get excited about it?

Suppose to hit the 80's this week in Denver. Sweet!!

Weights: 1

Week 18

Weeks 18 Totals
Week running mileage: 25
Total mileage for 2009: 572 miles
This week weight training: 2
Cross training: 1 swim

Rockies Homerun 5K

Ryan stretching

I was thinking that the rain we had yesterday afternoon would deter my boys from wanting to get up so early and head out to the 5K downtown...but they did. What troopers. The weather was a little cool but actually ideal for a race. I signed them up, got their t-shirts (poor Ryan will swim in his; all they had left were size L, Ryan in a size S is way too big), stretched a little and they lined up for the start. There's a lot of people in this race but I think less than last year. I wasn't envious in the least that they were running and I wasn't, as is sometimes the case when I don't race but watch. I am tired, and I have no desire to run a 5K for awhile (oh, that'd actually be in two weeks when my leg of the Colfax Relay is a 5K). They took off, I got some pictures, I ran to the car to take their warming layers back, and headed to the finish line. Before I could even reach the finish, the first place guy was crossing. I mean, in like 15:10 or something insane like that!!! THAT I was envious of. Ha. He had to be a good minute ahead of the 2nd place finisher to beat! I made my way down to the entrance of the stadium where the runners enter and run a lap of the warming track inside the stadium (way cool!) before the come back out and cross the finish. First one I saw was my neighbor, Jim (who is gaining incredible speed!!...finishing in 22:05. And that was after he stopped to tie his shoes not once, but twice. Certainly can beat me now :) ), followed several minutes by Ryan, a couple minutes later was Brendan, then comes Jim's son Will, then daughter Katie and my good friend, Jane! We all gathered at the end and ventured into the stadium for free hot dogs sodas and beer. 9:30 on a Sunday morning, I was having a beer. Thankfully, I only ate one bite of my hot dog and instead opted for a banana. Brendan, on the other hand, consumed 5. Hot Dogs. Yuck!!!!! It really warmed up and I was way over-dressed. The Clawson's had to leave to get Will to the dr., so we hung out a bit and then headed out. A great day....the boys did awesome (both told me they need new running shoes. Of course) and we had a blast after.

Brendan Run'n

The thought of going for a swim cross my mind ... for about a minute. I am just tired so I took a nap instead. I got up and helped Brendan in the backyard rake left over leaves from last fall. Spent about 2 hours on that project and got a lot done...but man, I still have a couple more hours worth of work out there. We have one Cottonwood tree that will not drop it's leaves until around mid-December, well after I all the others are done and this tree is huge and I just can't get to those leaves until spring. With good weather on the forecast for the rest of the week, I hope I can get some of the leaves done. So leaf raking was my exercise for the day.

My allergies seem slightly better today. I think I didn't get my allergy medicine in time yesterday when I had that sneeze attack! My quads are a little sore from yesterday's 10-miler. Sad.

And a big congrats to Sarah, who ran the Eugene marathon today in a PR of 3:52!! Soooo close to Boston Qualifying....she'll do it! Great job!

Jane and I have a 9:30 am beer!

Brendan and I had to run over to Southlands today, after he went to boxing camp, to pick up pictures for Abbey's graduation invites; I couldn't believe how beautiful these red tulips were that line the parameter of the shopping center. They simply took my breathe away; I had to stop and take a few pictures (not too bad for cell phone pics, huh?). My favorite flower: tulips. They are so sweet and hold special childhood memories.


I dropped B off at boxing today and made my way to attempt to get better quality pictures for Abbey's invites. No luck, the ones I got are no better than the ones I previous had made...so we're stuck with what we have. We managed to get a few invites out in the mail today...a major feat!!! If I survive this whole graduation process, it will be a true miracle!

I just had a sinus attack...sneezed a record high, I think: 8 times in a row. Ouch. That actually hurt!

Abbey and I went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past tonight. Not the greatest movie out there but it was a nice chick movie and I love going to the movies with her - very special. We laugh a lot.

The start of my day began with a 10ish mile run through CC park; my first run over 4 miles since Boston. My legs and glutes were a little stiff from the weights I did on Thursday so I took it slow. It felt great!!! I wasn't sure I'd be able to go that far and I had no pre-determined distance that I was going other than I hoped to get in at least 8 and no more than 10. I'm not sure if it was the fresh air (every thing's blooming here. achoo) or the fact I needed a good soul-cleansing run, or that I ran into the track coach on the trail, or that I just missed my favorite park....but it whatever it was, it felt great! Oh and the icing on the cake? My new shoes (the Sauconys) are incredible AND I had no feet numbing. None. And where I normally have problems with my arches with new shoes, today I had none!! I am super stoked!! Feels good to be back!!!!

Tomorrow the boys are doing a 5K downtown: Colorado Rockies Home Run for the Homeless. Suppose to be chilly but they still want to do it. Our good friends, the Clawson's are all running, too, so hopefully we'll all catch up for free beer and hot dogs after. Last year I ran this and got 2nd in my age group :). I am not going to run it this year....done with the 5K's for awhile I think and I have nothing to prove to myself. I may run a mile or two with Ryan if he wants me pace him. My boys have not been running at all since the 7K they did back in March so this will be interesting!

Abbey got some DU "stuff" in the mail today and the little impatient soul that she is, we had to sign up instantly for her dorm pick, her meal plan, and a mere $500 check for registration and dorm deposit. Guess that makes it official, huh? Reality is starting to set in. I'm glad DU is only 20 minutes but I will be a good mom and not frequently visit. Right?

Okay, off to bed, have to get up early for this race tomorrow!! I am excited for my boys. I'm also very excited for SBS's Eugene marathon tomorrow...she's worked SO hard!!

10 Miles Run

Without a Paddle

I'm lying in bed watching the move Without a Paddle with Abbey. I cherish this time together. It's pretty rare we get these moments anymore....

I didn't exercise today. I need a rest, my body is still in Boston recovery mode; I can feel it. Instead, I went to happy hour with the girls, consumed way too much 'happy hour food' and a beer, then met up later with Dennis for the same. Dennis and I got into a discussion about running, of course. I don't think he understands how stressful the marathon is for me and how as I get older, this PR'n stuff is just not what I want. I have a couple marathon PR's left in me and then that's it. I have a lot more marathons in me, I hope, but I am tired of the stress and anxiety when I run these things, my head getting tangled along the way. What I want, and what I hope, is that I get a couple hard PR marathons left in me and then I want to run them for fun. I'm not certain he understood and if he did, he certainly doesn't believe I can do it, he believes I'm too competitive. Maybe I am, but this 46 year old body is beginning to show signs of it's age and I think I'll be ready for the change.

Tomorrow's plan is to run 8 or 9. I'll see how the body feels!!

Zero Energy

I just am tired. Plain and simply tired. Weight training was a struggle tonight and 3x1 miles were even worse. 3x1 miles turned into 6x800's cuz there was no way I could run a mile. My legs are tired, my stomach hurts, my back hurts, and my knee hurts. Whine, whine, whine!!!!! I look forward to tomorrow off. Never thought I'd hear myself say that a week ago but yeah, I'm saying it: my legs need to rest another day.

My two new pair of shoes came in the mail today and I am wearing one of each. Different shoes, totally different brands. One is Saucony and one is Mizuno...neither of which I have ever worn. I have had so many problems with my last pair of shoes and so when I called Road Runner Sports, after logging almost 250 miles in the last pair, they are returning them for FREE and allowing me to try these other two for 60 days. Sweet, huh? We'll see how they do. I can already tell which one I like better of the two but I'll wait to hold judgement until I can actually run in them.


I took Abbey over at DU to tour around a bit...or as she called it "poke" around. We went over to the Ritchie Center and saw the hockey team practicing and saw the pool, which is one of two Olympic sized pools in Colorado. Also toured the fitness center, it's loaded with ever amenity that you'd ever want - I hope Abbey takes advantage. We also wandered around the bookstore and most of the campus; it's not a very big school so it didn't take a lot of time. We talked to financial aid today and most likely can get more $$ for her. Yes!!! Abbey's very happy about her acceptance!

DU campus (why doesn't my grass look this green?)

Brendan had an art show over at the district admin offices. Abbey and I got there before the boys so looked around for Brendan's piece. Couldn't find it until much later after Brendan got there and found it. It was a little ceramic jar and in a display case. Very nice. Brendan was so excited a few weeks ago when he found out that his piece was on display.

I am going to close and get to bed early tonight. I am not sleeping well .... again. Not sure if it's sinus related or something else going on (or both) but I was in a fog all day at work today because I took some Benedryl way too late last night. So tonight I took them earlier in an attempt that I won't have the same issues tomorrow. I am very glad tomorrow is Friday!!!! It's been a long and crazy busy week!

3 miles run
weights: 1

And She's In

Abbey was officially accepted to the University of Denver today, her first choice in colleges. What's been an emotional roller-coaster with DU initially putting her on a wait-list and her second choice not looking too promising, today's news is a fairytale where dreams do come true. Now...how to afford it - a whole different ball of yarn (Abbey says she's going to list her entire contents of her bedroom on Ebay. Watch for details). But she's determined to make it work so we'll try to make it work. Though the college process has just begun, what a relief to finally have her decision as to which school to attend. It's a great school with an excellent reputation - I hope she views this as a privilege and honor DU by working hard. As a parent, I can't stop smiling...to see your daughter, who has struggled in so many ways through her high school years, to persevere and get in to her top college choice, and a great one at that, it's one of those moments that you are very proud to be a parent!


Okay, now we just gotta get these invitations out!!!!!


In all the hoopla of college-esque discussions and happiness today, I ran my intervals very late in the evening. Which is, after I ate, and not the best way to run intervals, especially with this sensitive stomach!! 4x800's ... which isn't too bad, thankfully, but at a 6:40 pace...which is a challenge. Especially after consuming a huge chicken breast. And I mean huge. I had no intentions of eating before I ran but I was on the phone talking to my dear friend Jane and while pacing my kitchen talking, I ended eating it and before I knew it, it was gone. All of it! So off to the treadmill at 9:00 pm for intervals. They went okay. I still am having some leg stiffness due to I presume Boston but for the most part, they went well. I even managed to do the last one at 6:30.


On the fence about doing the Bannister mile next Tuesday with the guys. 12:30 isn't my ideal time to run (unless the weather is good) and I think there's a lot of pressure to perform in front of the guys. Still, it may be good for me...I've longed to do a timed 1-miler for months now and this would be a good opportunity and also good to see the group and their pace would help boost me I think (I am, by far, the slowest in the group...even of the two females that are in the marathon relay with me in a couple weeks...though I can't help but wonder if I am making ground somewhere close to Alicia's time. please?). So I'll ponder this for a couple more days...along with my fall marathon. And no pressure from JC!!! :)


4 miles run
And a huge congrats to Abbey!!!!!

Still Tired....

Okay, I can say this only because I don't believe Rob's been reading my blog since I got back from Boston (Little clues I've picked up on which he wouldn't be saying or asking if he read... and if he read this one, he wouldn't be too happy that I am running without full recovery)...but my legs are still store. Evident by my run today. I ran about 4 outdoor miles, hitting the high school track for a half mile so I'd know my pace (8:35). I felt strong but I also was hurting. I think I have some short intervals tomorrow and then I will rest my legs on Thursday, as my schedule calls (I think I have weight training...oh eeks, I also have 3x1 milers. Hum. I may need to get the rolly pin thing out and rub the ole legs out).

I think I need a whole new nasal system installed. UGHHHHHHHH

Another 2 hours of invitation arguing with Abbey and we finally ordered some. She's not too thrilled with the final choice and for that matter, I'm not really either. Both of had to cave and come to some sort of compromise that neither of us were too excited about. Couldn't be that we are two peas....? John used to tell us that one day he wouldn't be surprised to come home and see us both dead, killed one another - our stubborn wills. We've progressed some since those middle-school-I-know-everything days but man....some days are still a challenge. She's a great kid and I love her to death...this whole college thing is very trying. I am going to miss her with all my heart *sigh* come fall.

I am in serious thought about the Portland Marathon. I'm really in a struggle because I know JC would be an amazing pacer and I may never have the opportunity for his assistance again. He is running the St. George Marathon the day before Portland and there's no way even his insane marathon schedule would let him run back to back marathons (he has a goal to run 100. He's on 64 and is well younger that I am. ahem). So I'll toy with this fall marathon thing a bit longer.

I'm excited for SBS's marathon this weekend and her friends that are running it. I think I'm actually going to be a bit envious I'm not on the road with them. Did I just say that? A week ago, I was never running another marathon. Ever.

I finished writing my article for Rob on the aftereffects of running Boston. I'll see if I can attach it somehow as a link to my blog. I may have to consult Dennis, the computer expert. Anyway, I will try that tomorrow .... I think it's pretty good.

4 miles run

Finally...the run

FINALLY!!!! I went for a 3 1/2 mile run tonight. I've been crawling out of my skin to get back out there and it felt great. Okay, I'll admit that my quads were a tiny bit sore but I think the run actually will help combat that soreness. I only ran at a 9 minute pace...and that felt like I was flying, but I'll take it. I did some weights tonight, too, and I'll even admit it, as much as I hate weight training, it felt good. It just is such a release to be doing any sort of exercising that I'll even welcome the weight training (though I can guarantee that I'll be sore tomorrow!). I made a promise to Rob, after I vented about the lack of running mileage on my plan this week, that if he allowed me to run more, I would not complain about the weight training or that the weight training was going to interfere with the running I wanted to do. Okay. I can do that!

My weight is up a few lbs and my body fat about 2%. Time to get back into the groove....I'm feeling a lot better and very motivated. Though I can't help but wonder if I have the Swine Flu...I took a good hour and a half nap today and that is SO very unlike me. I laid down about 4:00 today hoping to get in about 15 minutes. I woke up at 5:45 and was almost late for weight training. Errr...

I have lost the CD with Abbey's graduation pictures on it .. and I need it to do the announcements. This is driving me crazy................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These things are never going to get done and in the mail before graduation!

3 mile run

I got the OK to run....yes

I'm not sure if my blah mood today is due to the rainy weather, that I didn't get much done that I had hoped to this weekend, that I haven't run in a week.....or maybe it's this whole Boston experience coming to a close as I unpacked all my Boston memories and put them away. Most likely, it's a combination of all. I dread tomorrow and the start of the week. My allergies are killing me....or I have a bad cold. Maybe the Swine Flu. I heard it has not hit in Colorado yet...maybe I'll be the first victim. I took a nap at 6:00. PM.


Alrighty. Rob seems to think Portland in October be a good marathon. I don't know. My dear friend, JC, has offered to pace me the entire way if I did Top of Utah Marathon mid-September. I'm tempted. But I'm also temped to do Portland so I can meet SBS and see if her posse can help pace me some. It's hard to know....I can't believe I'm stressing about it the end of April. But if you don't jump on these things now, then they fill and you're outta luck. Dennis was banking on Chicago being open through the lottery for St. George was known and whether he got in or not. But no luck. I'm certain he'll get in StG but if not, then he's going to have to scramble to find something...he wants to get to Boston next year.


On a somewhat positive note, Abbey has reluctantly given in to a graduation party...despite her and I having many arguments over this. Maybe that's another reason why I don't feel that well, it's so draining to argue with her. I have ordered her invitations....well, I at least put together the invitation and the proof will be emailed to me tomorrow. The college decision seems to be still in limbo and thus, I think that's some of her protest to celebrate. But there's more to it than that..... a lot more. It's hard to believe she's almost done. I will miss her so much (I hope she goes to DU so I can see her often....of course, I hope that someone mysteriously donates $42K a year for her to go, too :) )!!!!


I'll close with the picture I put on Abbey's announcements. She'll hate this...but she most likely won't read this (and if she does, I'm certain to hear!).


I got the green light to start running tomorrow...it can't come soon enough. I have so much restlessness that I may be out there running for a few hours!!!!! That'll make one mr. rob happy....ha!


Good night!

I'm so ready to run again....

I'm feeling edgy, I want to go run. Most of the quad soreness is gone with just a few traces of noticeable stiffness.....mostly as I walk down the stairs, obviously. I'd do most anything for a quad massage right now... hum. Anyway, I am so ready to run right now but I'm being a quasi-good girl; Rob has told me so many different numbers of mandatory wait-time days after each of my marathons, this time telling me 10, but I think the number that works best for me is 7. I went to the pool tonight and swam a mile...it's almost as therapeutic as the massage except that you have to do the work yourself. But it does feel good during and after. Tomorrow is only day 6; I may go ride my bike. I need to do something other than eat still lingering-around-the-house chocolate Easter eggs!

I went over to a local running store in my community this afternoon. There's a guy there that may (or may not) be one of the owners ... if not, he is at least one of the managers .... and always gives me a nice discount :). Today was a big sale and so I went in to restock on my GU and sport beans, and also in an attempt to find something other than my powder Accelerade to digest during my long runs and marathons. The current electrolyte of choice is just causing me so much stress trying to consume it during the race as the zip-lock bag won't rezip most of the time and if it's a windy day, the powder is pretty much everywhere except in my mouth. My overly sensitive stomach does not tolerate pure Gatorade that is provided at the races...so back to square one in finding a solution. Which needs to be found sooner than later since the summer heat is soon upon us. So I thought I could pick the brains of some store employees about what they would recommend....only when I got there, no one really seemed to have an answer though one did suggest some type of tablets. They were pricey so I think I'll just do some online research for awhile.... Nevertheless, I did get side-tracked with shoes. The numbness in my feet does not seem to be subsiding and so I thought I'd pick the brain of some new guys working there...not sure where they came from because they definitely have never been there in the countless times I've been in, but they did seem pretty knowledgeable. The bonus of this, though not for my local running store, is that I bought my feet-numbing shoes from Road Runner Sports and they are going to take them back, despite I have worn them for 60 days, and exchange them for one of the pair I tried on at the local store. Hey...gotta save where I can, and if RRS is willing to exchange the used ones for free...then all the power to me!

I finally got my Boston suitcase unpacked and much-needed laundry done. Even managed to clean out my bedroom closet in an attempt for warm-weather clothing to hopefully fill it soon. It was in the high 70's all week but of course, the weekend has brought cooler temps only in the 40's. I finally took my RRCA coaching test (the class I took last month) and cranked a 99%, thank you!!!! That was sweet. Got Abbey over to the mall and she managed to find a skirt for graduation. Score #3 of the day, yes!!! Did not get any graduation announcements addressed or pictures picked...I will cross my fingers for that tomorrow.

I finally got online and looked at my race results. I thought it would be good to document it so I could look at it quickly when necessary.

Checkpoints
5k 10k 15k 20k Half 25k 30k 35k 40k

0:27:01 0:52:45 1:18:49 1:45:23 1:50:56 2:11:43 2:39:12 3:07:55 3:37:50

Bib: 18308
Finish: 3:51:55
Pace: 8:51
Overall: 13573
Gender: 4291
Division: 483

It's An Honor

I have had the privilege of connecting with a woman, whom I consider a friend, via blogs and FB. Her name is Sarah Bowen Shea; she is a fellow marathoner (running Eugene next weekend. Go Sarah GOOO!!) and a writer for many publications, including Runner's World and has an amazing blog she shares (http://www.marathonmoms.blogspot.com/). I feel a connection with her; we share many, many common interests, including 3 children; the youngest of which are twins. She has been supportive of my Boston journey and I love reading her blog; it's insightful, fun and pure joy to read!

In an attempt to attack the the 169 emails post-Boston, I sent her one today trying to fill her in about my Boston experience. I wanted give ample time in thought and response before I replied because she's one of those recipients I hold in high regard and wanted to word my reply to her with a clear head (and not sleep-deprived babble, like I feel I'm almost always in...especially the past few days). In addition to Boston details, I also told her of my fall sub-3:45 marathon plan and my quest to find a course that would land me there safe and sound. She suggested Portland (she may be biased since she lives there :))...but not only did she suggest, she also emailed a group of her Portland friends whom have run the course to offer me some of their perceptions of the course and whether my crusade was viable. And I have heard back from a few. Wow! I mean, it's fascinating to me that us ponytailed Nike clad sisters builds relationship and creates connections quickly though our mutual passion. My joy as a runner and as a woman, is always to connect.

Not to speak poorly of the male runners that are a huge part of my running life, they have provided me with so much and Dennis, in particular, is a very big part of my running world. But when women are asked to step up to the plate to help one another in a mutual interest, they don't hesitate.

There is something powerful about sharing the burden of the marathon distance with women that don't expect you to go out there and kill yourself to prove you are worthy. I thank you, ladies, for sharing your Portland Marathon stories and information. Be sure that if I DO end up doing it, I definitely hope we can all get together and share out stories and some great laughs.

Thank you, SBS! It's been a blast...and an honor! Best of luck to you and your friends in Eugene, I can't wait to watch you guys next Sunday online!!!!! I'm already nervous for you!

My legs are finally functioning at full-throttle....I can't wait to get back on the road and run. 2 more days and counting.

It's a Go.....

I'm gonna hit the ground running next week, and my focus is a fall marathon with a 8:30 minute per mile (or maybe faster, but not slower). I had a post-Boston chat with Rob tonight about the Boston race itself, where I had "issues", possible scenarios to these issues, strength training weaknesses.... and the list goes on. If I had more sleep in my body and felt I could stay up longer, I'd go into more details for you but suffice it to say, there was just a crazy concoction of a number of factors that contributed to my 4-mile end-of-race death-march....but mostly, he thinks it's that I got ahead of the game-plan with my faster than suppose to be pace. I agree...to an extent...but I also truly believe that I would not have had the strength to tackle those hills even if I stuck to my original 4:05 plan. Who knows, I won't sit and dissect it to death; it's impossible to know with any certainty other than to get back out there and test the waters. We discussed how we'd try this to see if this works,try that to see if that works. Put this and that together and it was concluded that yes, I CAN run a 8:30 minute per mile marathon. And I'm excited to get back out there and work for it!!! Rob told me not to keep it a secret, to post it for all to see - it will make it much more obtainable if I do. So that ya go, it's posted. I don't know what marathon I will do, I have a lot of digging and researching, but it will be a fast one, where the weather is generally good, and I will have worked my tail off to make sure I'm in the best shape possible. And upon my return from that marathon, I will run well in Boston 2010 and upon my return from there, I am done. Not done with the marathon ... but done trying to keep PR'ing and keep up with the insane training. I will come back and find some marathons that are out there that look like fun, that are scenic, that my friends invite me to so I can enjoy their company, that I can go with some running friends and we enjoy together. That's what the plan is; I think it's a good one.....and more importantly, it's the one I want, it's the right one for me!!! No one else, just me. I'm tired and I am feeling my 46-year old body not really wanting or able to keep up the insanity of this heavy training and the stress it brings, both mentally and physically, for a whole lot longer. But I have one last big push.... and I'm ready!


This house was on Beacon Hill, I thought it was one of the coolest houses; it had a lot of varying shades of violet colored window panes on the second floor. Hard to tell from this pic, but it was really beautiful. Thought I'd share. I'll keep adding more Boston pictures to share through the days, since I am not doing any sort of exercise right now.

Oh yeah, the Pain

I'm glad to be back home in Denver despite sporting Wednesday's crest of Boston delayed onset muscle fatigue; every ounce of fiber in my body aches.

I can honestly say with 100% certainty that during the last 4 miles of Boston when I hurt beyond any hurt I can recall, I did not want to run another marathon again. Ever. Not even Boston 2010. But as I stated in my last blog, it was short-lived after I was able to take a shower, get some food in me, and crawled back into bed with the heavenly down comforter and amazing pillow (I swear, as a reward to myself, I'm going to buy a really good pillow like the Marriott has. Man!!). Thanks to countless hours at Boston's Logan Airport with an uncharged computer and the power cord mistakenly packed in my checked-in bag, I have spent many hours post-Boston thinking and calculating how I can get stronger so that I can persevere the next time. I welcome the pain, I invite it....it's my pleasure. I now not only want to run Boston 2010, I want to run another marathon this fall. And I want to run well. Not sure how but I have a big conversation with one Mr. Rob tomorrow to discuss it. He seems to think I have only scratched the surface of my strength training. Which puts many questions into my head why I entered Boston with only a few scratches and not a full-blown battle wound. We'll discuss that also and I'll hopefully have more info on that later. I certainly feel I worked very hard; I was diligently in that gym 3-times a week doing strength and core work and I certainly can see the physical changes in my body....so we'll see what I can do differently to make myself stronger. Somehow I have embedded it in my brain that I can run a marathon with an average 8:30 pace. Somehow, I feel I must try.

So, if I'm in so much pain right now, I have to ask the question that was brought up on Facebook by someone who's a endurance junkie: if pain feels good, if pain=pleasure, than is it really pain?

We wouldn't be doing these marathons and other endurance sports if we didn't get some sort of pleasure out of it, some sort of high, despite how much it hurts. I can certainly attest that some of those that wrote on my facebooks pages congratulating me have never experienced the pain, the pleasure, the high....and the lows. Are they afraid? Do they not feel the pleasure associated with the pain they feel? Is it only given to a few and not to others? Or are the few that experience it feel a certain drive or a certain need to make them feel better? Do only certain souls feel better internally if they hurt so much externally? Is it all about the balance? You feel so good afterwards, because you suffered through the pain during it? The sweetness of completing something wouldn't be the same if it was easy to do. Being in pain, working through it, and finishing brings the the accomplishment more meaning. Why can only certain people accept this?

I'm feel honored to be amongst those that feel that yes, pain=pleasure.... at least in the marathon!

This picture clearly exhibits my "pain" as I am about 100 yards from crossing the Boston finish.

Mission Accomplished

My "secret" goal of Boston was to run under 4-hours so I would re-qualify for it again next year, even though I am already qualified from my St. George 2008 time. But something told me that I needed a qualifying 2009 time to make it legitimate and so, going in to Boston, that was my true goal. So mission accomplished.

But that's not exactly true. I don't believe my mind ever got tangled, like in marathons past, and I got into the "zone" many times, especially the first 17 miles, but as I took off and was consistently averaging about 8:30 minute miles and not thinking it was too fast, I kind of thought that despite what countless people have told me, this may be a PR course. And I was on track for that for about the first 17 miles. I hit the half-way mark at 1:50:30. Double that and add about 4 or so minutes for the hills, I could possibly run this thing in a 3:45. Ok, that's where it all started to get ugly; this is not a idea for my mind.

When the hills came, they were merciless. Of all those you encounter from miles 16-21, the first Newton hill was, by far, the hardest. Steep. I slowed to about a 9:30 pace here...and never really recovered from that haunting 9-plus minute mile. Having only studied the course elevation a few times as to not wig out over them, I thought I was done with the hills at mile 20 and thought the infamous Heart Break was over and checked. Nope. It came, and it came with sheer force, unforgiving in duration and when I reached it's peak, my legs were screaming and I just had very little left in me.

Somewhere around mile 21, you turn left and are now headed directly towards downtown, and head-on into the wind. The winds had been strong since the start but they was even more fierce now. This is the point I also started having some major stomach problems. Intestinal. I took an orange slice from a spectator along the side and that tasted great and settled in my stomach fine, but anything else other than water was not appealing whatsoever; a true sign that I was suffering. From mile 22 on, it felt like a death-march and it took all my internal strength to not walk.

I crossed in 3:51:55 (or so I'm told, I have not looked on the official website and I forgot to stop my watch at the end). I thought I'd be overly emotional, like I was in Atlanta a few weeks ago when I PR'd, but I wasn't; I wanted that race to be done so badly by mile 22 that it was just such a relief to be crossed. All those years of dreaming and planning were over and I was glad!!

The start of the race was chilly but partially sunny; deciding what to wear was causing me so much stress but in the end, I wore a sleeveless shirt and a long-sleeved shirt over. I figured if it got warm, I could tie the long-sleeved one over it and tie it around my waist in case it got cold, as I hear it does, when I reached the water (and it DID). I thought about Dennis and his running group and how they would never dink around with their garments; they'd wear one shirt and be done with it. I just didn't want to have any regrets. I took the long-sleeved shirt off about mile 5 but by mile 22 on my ever-so-slow pace, I was cold and thought about putting the warmer shirt on, but honestly...I just didn't want to waste one second more on this course and wasn't going to waste time changing clothes. Even if it was just a few seconds. When I crossed the finish line, I was freezing and it was probably a good 200-300 yards before you got your shiny mylar blanket. It felt great but it was short-lived before I was shivering uncontrollably again and took quite awhile to get my sweat bag checked in before the race and to meet Karen under the "P" lamppost. She was a doll helping me into layers. I sat on the curb awhile trying to muster up enough strength to walk the 3 or so blocks to my hotel. Steve, from the running group called me and we had a great talk about the race; he told me, "Yeah, I didn't want to freak you out when we met earlier in the week about how hard the course was, but now you know, it is hard!" Yeah, thanks for that. ha. He told me he suffered at the end also and that felt good to know that someone that can run under a 3-hour marathon faltered severely at the end like myself.

One thing I must say is a huge, HUGE thank-you to the organizers of the Boston Marathon and the citizens of Boston and suburbs, who lined the streets many deep, showing their support. The girls of Wellesley were unbelievable with their roar; I've never heard anything like it before ever! The weather was cold but it didn't keep anyone inside. The organization of buses, sweat bag check, a billion port-a-potties before hand (how does one plan for 25,000 runners who have spent the past couple weeks over-hydrating?), the phenomenal aid-stations at every single mile after mile 2. It was incredible and the most well-run that I have ever seen. Thank you! I was truly impressed!

My friend, Sheri, had to leave to catch a flight home before I got to see her at the end but she did see me cross the finish-line along with my other friend, who is still here, Karen. Karen and I went out last night and had a great dinner and a few drinks. A great way to end a great day!

I mentioned to Dennis yesterday to shoot me if I ever told him I wanted to run another marathon other than Boston next year; I hurt that much at the end! But as I sat at the bar and listened to a few other runners off to the side talk about the race, my marathon heart started tugging already and I thought to myself that maybe yes, I will run another in the fall. Somewhere. My friend, Jonathon, has run an astonishing 64 marathons and while talking to him in my post-race celebratory bubble bath yesterday, he told me to not give up on the marathon, not to let it defeat me. Maybe he's right. And maybe, I need to see if I can sustain that 8:30 pace for the remaining 7 miles in another marathon that I couldn't do on Boston. As I sit here unable to move my legs (my quads are about as sore as they've ever ever been and my left knee is throbbing) something is telling me that I am NOT done. I am blessed to be given the gift of running the marathon and I don't think it's time to call it quits. I have the determination ... now I just need to find the courage. I know the simple glory of the start line and all it's power; I will not take it for granted when I start back up again and will play my cards better next time.

Are we endurance athletes driven by the solopsistic need for self validation; we hurt, therefore we are? Or is it that we love it and more is better?

In the meantime, I finished my first Boston marathon....and I am very proud!!!

It's been a whirlwind 4 days; I've had a blast.... but I am ready to go home! Thank you, Karen, from the bottom of my heart for being there for me these past few days - I laughed so much (oh the stories!). And thanks to ALL those who supported me along the way for the past several months. It's been a moment filled with portent and I could never have done it without you guys! Thank you!! And I wouldn't be here, of course, without Rob and all his knowledge about my core...it held up great.

Okay, enough of the Academy award speeches! It's been a great ride, Boston, I'll see ya' next year!

Karen, me, Sheri; Fenway Park