"Courage is not the absence of fear. But the judgement that something else is more important."

I don’t really know what to say. I’ve been talking a lot about this weekend, so writing it is grueling.

The marathon I had been training for was cancelled. Saying those words doesn’t paint a full picture. The marathon was cancelled at mile 10 due to horrific weather and flash flooding in St. Charles, Missouri from Hurricane Ike. I had to beat hurricane Ike to Missouri and still it followed us there. Literally, the perfect storm.

The down pour started in the wee hours of the morning in St. Charles. I was up and getting ready to run at 4:45 am. I wasn’t too nervous; just ready. As we left the hotel and entered the parking garage we realized the weather was going to be terrible. Still, I knew that was a possibility and embraced the rain. The terror was when I saw the parking lots flooded. I realized then I was more afraid of the rain than the marathon. But little by little runners were getting out of there cars and huddling together. I was encouraged knowing I wouldn’t be suffering alone.

I had on a trash bag on my torso and plastic bags on my feet. It didn’t matter but mentally I felt better. I turned to Matthew and I said “I’m going”. And he said “ok” and started taking his sweat shirt off. Matthew had on a t shirt and shorts. And he jumped out of the car with me. Fox hole. I will choose him again and again because as hard as things are, there is no one else in the world I’d do this life with. And when the push came to shove, he wouldn’t let me go it alone.

We stood in the rain for an hour just getting soaked. I kept thinking, is this normal? Do people do this? There was talk that the race might not go on. And we just kept waiting shaking and not knowing. At 7:10 am the gun went off and the race began. I was elated. I didn’t care that I had to squint to see and the rain felt like tiny ice pellets burning my arms and legs. I just ran and so did everyone else. And it felt good and I felt strong and brave. The wind was loud enough for me to barely even hear my iPod and then it shorted out at mile six. I knew it would, I just didn’t know when. And I kept thinking; finally, I am doing the marathon. It wasn’t how I trained or imagined but I was doing it. I kept picturing the finish and trying not to cry. I never even realized how far along we were; I hit the zone and talked to other runners and the race just went by. I felt perfect; but the conditions were not.

I remember the heart break something like this. At mile ten other runners came toward telling us the finish line was ahead, they were calling the race. I thought they were joking. I was in total shock. The course had flooded and we had to stop. My first thought was, I don’t want to and I can keep going. In fact, a couple of people discussed it. But the bridge over the river and water, I knew we couldn’t. I wouldn’t have even known where I was.

Why we started a race that wasn’t finished will probably never settle well in my stomach. But holding onto yesterday won’t push me into my dreams of tomorrow. And I learned something about myself. I learned that even in the worst conditions and worst case scenario weather; I wanted to finish a marathon. I didn’t care if it was going to be harder or that I was 100% wet. I just wanted to cross the finish line after 26.2 miles.

Yesterday, I was devastated. Today, I am sad. But I’m not moping. I have a new plan and am trying to gear myself up mentally again for round 3 marathon training.

Waco, Texas October 26th. What irony. But God has a sense of humor and I am going to beat the hell out this next one.

One week from today!

Woo hoo! I am pumped and nervous about the marathon I will run next weekend, Sunday the 14th of September. I just can't believe that this time next weekend I will be able to call myself a marathoner! I know that seems silly to some people but it's been a goal of mine for a long time and I'm ready to check it off the list! I hope it's my first of many. I really just want to finish without passing out. I keep reading marathon stories, checking the weather, my running outfit, making lists, and trying to mentally prepare myself. Oh and if anyone has song suggestions for my IPOD.

Matthew and I were looking at the list of registrants tonight and the majority are from Missouri. I mean, go figure, since the race is in Missouri! Me and my self imposed rules. But I'm kind of nervous being one of the few from Texas! Kind of crazy.

I need to go to bed. Everything says to get adequate sleep the week before the marathon because the night befor you won't. And the tiny detail that I'll be up at 4:45 am on race day. Yuck.

Until then....

I am committed!

I just registered for the marathon I am doing in Missouri on the 14th of September! Ahhhhhh! I am committed and ecstatic! I am excited because it is two months from today and I've been trying to do a marathon since my senior year in college. Even though I tried to run 14 yesterday at 9 am and it was too hot for me to finish (I swapped with next weekends run) I still feel ready! HA! I feel ready because come race day I will know that I put in the time and effort to do something I have always yearned to do. I just can't express my excitement, anxiousness, eagerness, and all of these other emotions into one valid thought. I always think about running the marathon and I picture the finish line and tears streaming down my face. And then Matthew, Laney, and my Momma waiting for me to finish and greeting me. The rest of the race scares me to much to imagine and I'd rather just get to the end. I think I will do what I read about another woman doing. She ran the first 8 miles and then pretended like she had just warmed up to do the rest. I think half of the battle is mental and this might be a good approach for me. Anyway- keep counting down!

I think I can....

Yesterday I ran 20 miles. And it was hard. But it wasn't as hard as I remember. Remind you, I was pregnant and it was an actual mapped out course last time I trained for this. And I started off entirely too fast. Maybe it is mind over matter and I am stronger mentally but yesterday's run rocked.

During the run I kept thinking : I can do this. The cool breeze in the morning, the course I was running, the music, everything just meshed. Except, I will say, I had lots of chaffing that came after the fact. And I did get to the point where my body felt like I had just played in a soccer tournament (that is the only way I know how to describe the sore I get after a super long run); but that is to be expected and welcomed. I am just not afraid of the word anymore and the 26.2 miles that go with it. I know it will be hard. I wouldn't be doing if it wasn't. But I am so excited to run a marathon. I don't have the dreaded feeling of doubt I did before with my training and progression. I am ready to conquer and finish.

Motivation?

Motivate me. Someone, please. I have a little less than three months until the marathon in St. Charles, Missouri. It is so dang hot this summer, seriously. Is everyone doing okay for the San Antonio training? I STILL have our books. I need addresses, so email me!

Linz- I will see you soon to give you yours.

I ran 16 miles last Friday. Actually, I know in my heart it was closer to 14 miles but it was at 3:30 pm. This was for Father's Day; typically I do long runs on Saturday or Sundays now if I put off the run. Tomorrow morning I am going to try for 18. I am going to have to get up in the wee hours to handle this heat wave.

Running and doing what I can to best prepare. I just want to get excited again. I'm back to dreading going running though with the 100 degree days.

I just want to finish.

Runner's World Article

This is a decent article on long runs from Runner's World and the appropriate approach to them. I have had a couple and think this is a helpful reminder, especially before we really get into the throws of them.

Making Your Long Runs Count
Long runs are key to any training program. Here's how to make them count.
By Ed Eyestone
Question: I never race more than 5-K. Why should I do long runs?Answer: Long runs are for every runner, not just marathoners. The runners I coach in college run a weekly 13- to 15-mile long run even though some seldom race over a mile. The long run increases aerobic base, improves running economy, and boosts confidence. -- E.E. Shortly after college when I decided to race my first marathon, a friend asked why I'd moved up to the marathon when I'd enjoyed success at the 10,000 meters. "You must enjoy long runs," he said."Not really," I replied. "I hate to tell you this," he said, "but the marathon is a long run."Over the years I've learned that whether you're a recreational runner or a hard-core marathoner, the long run is the backbone of any successful training program.Like any extended aerobic exercise, the long run delivers the predictable physiological benefits: increased max VO2 and blood volume, maximum stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat), and new capillaries and red blood cells. Just as important, the long run teaches your body to spare glycogen and rely more on fat as a fuel source. Translation: You delay glycogen depletion during a long race, so you delay bonking. And let's not forget the mental angle: To prepare for the psychological challenge of racing for hours, you have to train for hours. How long? "Long" is a relative term. One person's long run is another's easy 8-miler. Most experts agree that 20 to 30 percent of your weekly mileage should be devoted to the long run, depending on your overall mileage. For example, an elite runner logging 100 miles per week might do a 20-mile long run (20 percent of weekly mileage), whereas someone running 40 miles per week might do a 12-mile long run (30 percent of weekly mileage). Unless you're an ultra-marathoner, I recommend keeping your long runs to 3 hours or less. Any training benefit beyond 3 hours is just not worth the added fatigue and risk of injury. How fast? If it feels too hard, it probably is. Tempo runs and interval workouts are for building lactate threshold. Long runs are not. They should be carried out at a comfortable, conversational pace. (Remember that even a "comfortable" pace will feel challenging in the last few miles.) For faster runners that means 1 to 1? minutes per mile slower than your 10-K race pace. For slower runners, 30 seconds to 1 minute per mile slower than 10-K pace. How often? Weekly long runs are fine, provided you:
1. Follow your long run with a recovery day of very easy running, cross-training, or rest.
2. Start your long run well hydrated and consume sports drinks and gels en route. This is excellent practice for the marathon and will keep you from getting overly fatigued.
3. Limit your long run to 1:45 or less (unless you're training for a marathon--see number 5, below).
4. Consume 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrate per pound of body weight daily to make sure carbo stores stay loaded.
5. Alternate long runs with very long runs when training for a marathon. For example: 2 hours one week, 2:45 the following week, then back down to 2 hours the week after that.
6. Run with someone of comparable ability. Otherwise your long run may turn into a tempo run or a Sunday stroll.
7. Ease back into training if you've missed a long run due to illness or injury. Going long as soon as you feel better can overtax an already battered immune system. Instead, do half or three-quarters of your scheduled long-run distance, then resume your normal schedule the following week.

Motivational video

Girls if you get a chance to watch this, it got me geared up from the movie Little Giants.

Anything is possible if we do our best!

Books are here!

I received the books that I ordered for us a few days ago. I need to put them in the mail for everyone, please email me your addresses- Lindsay you sent me yours already.
I've read through it a little and it seems very doable running 4x's a week (including the long runs). In fact, there was a study done comparing running 4x's a week vs. 6x's a week and it didn't show a difference in race time/shape...something like that but that was an eye opener for me!

It is an inspiring and interesting book.

Bottome line: Anyone can do a marathon. You just have to want to commit.

Love yal!

Ten down. Sixteen.two to go

I ran the projected 10 miles (it might have been closer to 9.5) this past Saturday and let's just say "I did it". It was hot and I was drenched in sweat by the time I was done. Typically, this is one of my favorite feelings but it was just plain hard. And I wouldn't say it was the physical stretch but the mental one. Putting my mind there was the struggle. Lindsay and I talked about wrapping our brains around running for 5+ hours or however long 26.2 takes. And this is my current struggle- I know what it feels like to run for 2:45:43 and it felt rough. I remember crossing the finish line and thinking that it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Even after labor, I still feel that way. My 20 mile race was not my best- keep in mind I was pregnant- but the mental part is grueling. And since I know the feeling that lie ahead I am skeptical about getting to the 20 mile run. Still, I plan on getting there. These long runs- dang. I wish we were all in the same place to run together.

" On days when I can't run, I don't feel myself, and whoever the self is I feel, I don't like nearly as much as the other."

True that.

Inspiration

Since I have my first real long run tomorrow I have been searching for some inspiring words. I don't usually get nervous unless it is a race setting but I'm eager to see how I fair. I'm actually really pumped about getting up and going.

I found an old training journal that I used when training for my first marathon that has lots of inspiring words.

Motivational quotes:



"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."

"The hardest step for a runner to take is the first one out the door." -Ron Clarke

"Long distance running is particularly good training in perseverance." -Mao Tse Tung

"I'm not going to run this again."- Grete Waitz after winning her 1st NY marathon- she won 8 more!

"Running is a big question mark that's there every single day. It asks you: 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" -Peter Maher

"The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat." Bill Squires

I hope these motivate all of you in your runs too!

Log Your Run-Part II

Hey! If you look over to the right you will see "Lindsay's Log". On the website (Log Your Run) I found a beginner's marathon training program for 28 weeks. This little weekly calendar tells me what I should be running everyday. It starts out really easy so I may do more than it says, but I love seeing what I should run everyday. The website also allows me to log how far I went and how long it took me and then tells me my min/miles. I entered data on April 19 when I did a 10K so you can see what it looks like w/ data. Anyways...I think it is a useful tool. You don't have to put it on the blog like mine, but it might help keep you accountable!!! This week is super easy, only 1.5 miles. Again, this training is for BEGINNERS! But it makes me feel good b/c I usually run that at LEAST everyday!

:) Linz

Log Your Run

Hey girls! This is a website that I used when I was in Africa to log my runs. I liked using it and it calculates all your mileage plus so much more! Have a look around the website (you might have to sign up-but it's free). I found it easy to use and it did what I wanted. I'm sure there are many more free websites like this one but I'll probably use this one to log my runs!

Go Here: Log your run.com

Happy Running:)
Linz

The 20 Strictly Running Commandments.

1. Don't be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Don't make running your life, make it part of your life.
3. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who is missing.
4. Don't compare yourself to other runners.
5. When standing in starting lines,remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
6. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
7. Don't always run alone.
8. Don't always run with people.
9. The best runs sometimes come on the days you didn't feel like running.
10. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
11. All runners are equal; some are just faster than others.
12. There are no short cuts to run excellence.
13. There is nothing boring about running, there are,however,boring people who run.
14. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
15. Don't try to out run dogs.
16. With out goals, training has no purpose.
17. Go for broke, but prepare to be broken.
18. Unless you make your living as a runner, don't take running too seriously.
19. Runners who never fail are runners who never tried anything great.
20. Running is simple. Don't make it complicated.

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer

I ordered this book for us and I should receive them in the next week or so. I will mail them to you, please send me your addresses. It will take us through the weeks of training, what to expect, etc. The schedule is a little different but modification is the key. We all know our own bodies and what we can handle and when. As long as we do the long runs in preparation for the marathon I feel we should be okay. And we have adequate time until November.

Here is a clip from the book:

This is marathon running for real people-people with jobs, families, and other obligations outside of running. This program has proven successful for men and women of all ages. Now let it work for you.

Sole Sisters

by Jennifer Lin & Susan Warner

"Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running is a gripping collection of stories that captures the inspirational heart of the women's running boom. Authors Jennifer Lin and Susan Warner have interviewed women of all ages from all walks of life and all parts of the country. All of their subjects have one thing in common: Running has transformed them. There are both heartrending stories of grief and survival and lighthearted tales of friendship." 

Some of the stories included: 

*Sisters who competed in a 5K race to honor a sister who survived breast cancer. 

*A 9/11 widow who ran her first marathon to honor the memory of her husband.

*A 65-year-old woman who overcame obesity and alcoholism to finish the Ironman triathlon.

"Sole Sisters is not just for women who run. It appeals to all women who know what it means to have the support of others who share their trials and triumphs. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, and always inspiring, Sole Sisters has the makings of a runaway hit."

I found this book & thought it might be a great motivational book. Let me know what you think. I know Laura is getting a book for us too...but I think this one is mostly inspirational stories about women & why they run. We could all read it if you want....look at the reviews for yourself:

Sole Sisters article...

and another Sole Sisters article

here is a link that lets you read some of the book online for free:

Sole Sisters preview 

A link where you can buy Sole Sisters

SAN ANTONIO, HERE WE COME!

Here is the link to the info about the race we are training for (if you have not looked it up already!) I have not registered yet, but we have some time. The marathon is a bit more expensive so start saving a little at a time ($95 until the end of August then it bumps up to $110) It will be worth it though! 

San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon 2008!

1/2 Marathons

I really want to run a 1/2 marathon before our full one in November. SO...I would LOVE it if some of you wanted to join me! Here are a few I found that I think will go with our training schedule! I am probably going to do the one in Waco so if you want to join me you will have a free place to stay & it will be a scenic route & cooler weather! I think the one in August is too soon for me but could work, and the 20K is not exactly a 1/2 marathon. Let me know your thoughts! (Click on the race title to go to the website for more info!)

The Hottest Half  is in Dallas on Sunday, August 24 (White Rock Lake)

The Lost Dog 20K is in Dallas on Sunday, October 5 (White Rock Lake)

The Miracle Match 1/2 Marathon is in Waco on Sunday, October 26

Training Schedule

Laura is training for a marathon in Sept. so she is using this 18 week schedule which is right for her. 

The rest of us are running on Nov.16 in 28 weeks! We have @2 months to build up to this schedule! I will put together a 9 week schedule for us to run by before we use this 18 week schedule!!! You can officially start training next week using the 9 week schedule then we will hit this 18 week one! So use this week to get into the routine of running 5x a week, get some comfy running clothes & shoes, and even music if you like! I'll post the other schedule by the end of the week! (Laura your input would be great on the extended schedule for us!)  

Training Schedule

Hey friends, I just updated the Excel spreadsheet I did for training. The dates correspond with the first marathon I want to do September 14, 2008. I just wanted to give yal an idea of how I'm logging runs. Lindsay has something cool too that she does on face book Stacy. I will email you both the log.

Here is the sample I pulled from the internet to go by: http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_sch_2.html

There are lots of schedules out there but this one I found to be a little more aggressive. I figure the more training the more prepared we will be come November. Lindsay do you know how to make a count down deal?

I'm bossy.

HEY GIRLS....I just set this blog up for us! DO you like it??? I wanted all of us to be able to post so hopefully you got the email!!! I can't believe we are going to do this....!

welcome!

this blog is for us girls who are training for a marathon. hope it is inspiring.