So after a few weeks of letting my marathon finish sink in, I am completely ready to begin my training again. I've already selected my races! First, I will run the Rio Grande Half Marathon (here in Las Cruces) at the end of October. I chose that race mainly because it's convenient and I did it last year. For my next marathon, I'm going to run the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Arizona on Jan. 13 in Phoenix! It's the same company that did the San Diego Marathon and I figured since I had a good time during that one...I'd have a blast with this next one.
My goal this time is going to take some work, which is another reason why I want to run a half marathon first. I am going to get my time down to 3:30:00. That's shaving about one hour off my San Diego marathon time (4:27:40).
I really began my training again this week, with running and strength training at the gym. I've also added a few things for fun, such as jump roping. Right now, I'm terrible at it, but it's a great warm up. I also am going to add hills or bleacher workouts to my training once a week. And next week I start speed training.
I have just over six months to shed 60 minutes.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Whoever thought running a marathon could be so much fun?
Seriously. Running the San Diego Rock-N-Roll Marathon was one of the most entertaining and awesome experiences of my life. The weather was perfect (cool and foggy until mile No. 20), the course was beautiful, the drop in elevation was so easy on my lungs, the thousands of volunteers were amazing and the 20,000 or so other marathon runners were...unique (including some running Elvis's, a superhero, woman in a fairy costume and a 70-year-old man running his 100th marathon). It was almost perfect.
I say almost perfect because the thing that I was freaking out about the most happened. Yes...I had to go to the bathroom during the race. I think part of it was nerves. The other part was that I consumed a little too much water that morning in an effort to avoid dehydration. I attempted to use the portable bathrooms before the race, however, there was at least a 20-minute wait. This wouldn't have been a problem if I had arrived early, but I didn't get there until 15 minutes before it started. I reasoned that my need to go to the bathroom would go away once the race began (I still thought it was just nerves). Yet, by mile No. 6 I just couldn't hold it any longer and had to make a stop at a portable. That bathroom break also extended my time by 10 minutes. The whole time I was standing in line for the bathroom I watched as wave after wave of runners passed by.
Other than that glitch, everything went smoothly. I didn't get any blisters on my feet (thanks to an awesome tip from a colleague about rubbing Vaseline on them before the race). Although my knees and ankles were sore immediately following the race, the rest of my body felt amazing...tired, but not sore. After the race I was exhausted (I took a five-hour nap and then slept for 11 hours that night). By the next day I was able to go on a 40-minute walk with my mom. Amazingly, today (two days after the race) my body feels back to normal. So, I figured I could slowly work up my training by taking walks for a few days and progressing to shorter runs. I know many say you should wait at least a few days before you get back into training, but it's so hard. It really becomes a lifestyle. Honestly, my first two thoughts after crossing the finish line were: "Wow, I did it!" and "Next time I'll do it faster."
If you want to read more about my marathon experience, read my story on Wednesday, June 13 at www.lcsun-news.com
I say almost perfect because the thing that I was freaking out about the most happened. Yes...I had to go to the bathroom during the race. I think part of it was nerves. The other part was that I consumed a little too much water that morning in an effort to avoid dehydration. I attempted to use the portable bathrooms before the race, however, there was at least a 20-minute wait. This wouldn't have been a problem if I had arrived early, but I didn't get there until 15 minutes before it started. I reasoned that my need to go to the bathroom would go away once the race began (I still thought it was just nerves). Yet, by mile No. 6 I just couldn't hold it any longer and had to make a stop at a portable. That bathroom break also extended my time by 10 minutes. The whole time I was standing in line for the bathroom I watched as wave after wave of runners passed by.
Other than that glitch, everything went smoothly. I didn't get any blisters on my feet (thanks to an awesome tip from a colleague about rubbing Vaseline on them before the race). Although my knees and ankles were sore immediately following the race, the rest of my body felt amazing...tired, but not sore. After the race I was exhausted (I took a five-hour nap and then slept for 11 hours that night). By the next day I was able to go on a 40-minute walk with my mom. Amazingly, today (two days after the race) my body feels back to normal. So, I figured I could slowly work up my training by taking walks for a few days and progressing to shorter runs. I know many say you should wait at least a few days before you get back into training, but it's so hard. It really becomes a lifestyle. Honestly, my first two thoughts after crossing the finish line were: "Wow, I did it!" and "Next time I'll do it faster."
If you want to read more about my marathon experience, read my story on Wednesday, June 13 at www.lcsun-news.com
Sunday, June 3, 2007
I finished!
Yes! I completed my first marathon. It took me 4 hours, 27 minutes and 40 seconds. (My goal was 4:30:00!)
More than 20,000 people started the race and 15,943 finished. I came in 5,492nd.
Of 8,212 females who completed the race, I came in 1,868.
And of 1,171 people between 18 and 24 years old, I came in 265.
I would write more, but I am exhausted. Just wanted to give you all an update. Check back in the next couple of days for more about my marathon experience.
More than 20,000 people started the race and 15,943 finished. I came in 5,492nd.
Of 8,212 females who completed the race, I came in 1,868.
And of 1,171 people between 18 and 24 years old, I came in 265.
I would write more, but I am exhausted. Just wanted to give you all an update. Check back in the next couple of days for more about my marathon experience.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Toeing the (starting) line
Okay folks, this is my last day in the LC before I fly out to the big SD for my marathon! I think I'm ready — at least I hope I'm ready for this race. I'm flying out of El Paso early Saturday morning, will get into San Diego at about 11 a.m., pick up my race number, then go eat a hearty pasta dinner and go to bed. (That's if I can actually sleep).
Yesterday was my last run. I only had to run three miles and it honestly felt a little weird. I haven't run that short of a distance in...well...five months.
My friends are taking me out for a "good luck running 26.2 freakin' miles" dinner tonight. It's been great to have their support...and support from all you out there reading this. It really has helped me.
And if you're interested, you can check up on my progress during the marathon. Visit www.rnrmarathon.com on race day (Sunday, June 3). My time will be recorded at the 10k, half marathon, 21 mile mark and at the finish line. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time.
I'll post another blog after my race. See you on the other side of the finish line!
Yesterday was my last run. I only had to run three miles and it honestly felt a little weird. I haven't run that short of a distance in...well...five months.
My friends are taking me out for a "good luck running 26.2 freakin' miles" dinner tonight. It's been great to have their support...and support from all you out there reading this. It really has helped me.
And if you're interested, you can check up on my progress during the marathon. Visit www.rnrmarathon.com on race day (Sunday, June 3). My time will be recorded at the 10k, half marathon, 21 mile mark and at the finish line. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time.
I'll post another blog after my race. See you on the other side of the finish line!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
