I just received an email which included the following:
You have registered to participate in the Marathon.
You have been assigned Bib Number: 2311.
And I got serious butterflies. All of sudden it seems real. I'm excited, yes, but I am absolutely terrified too. Of what, I'm not sure.
***************************************************
The Actress came home one day from school last week. She was VERY distraught.
Actress: "Mom, a boy at school said a really mean thing to me today."
Me: "I'm sorry. What did he say?"
Actress: "Well, he knows you are running a marathon and he said that people die running marathons."
Me: "Who is this boy?"
Actress: "I don't even know him."
Me: "Then how does he know I'm running a marathon?"
Actress: "Kids at school just know. They talk about it."
Me: "Seriously? Well, that wasn't a very nice thing to say, but there is truth to it. Not every marathon has a death at it, but people do sometimes die in marathons. Generally speaking, when that happens the person hasn't had proper training or taken in proper nutrition during the race. I know of a man who died because his body completely ran out of potassium and his heart stopped. Also, people can die if they have an underlying health issue. I can't promise I won't die, but I wouldn't run this race if I thought I would. I have trained properly, and I know to take in good nutrition and hydration during the race. So don't be worried."
She seemed satisfied. Boys can be so dumb sometimes! And girls can be so easily freaked out.
***************************************************
I'm not terrified because I think I won't live through the race. I think I'm terrified of being disappointed if I don't make my goal time. Maybe someday I'll run another marathon, but this is most likely a one-time shot. And I want it to be not just good, but great!
And I'm worried about nutrition since the gels I've been using now make me sick and I have to figure out what to substitute it with, without having a long run to test the new stuff.
But I'm excited too, and full of butterflies.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Marathon Training Part 2: Report 7
One week from today I will be a marathoner. Crazy, you know? For someone who always thought that it was really stupid to pay registration fees and run until you want to throw up in the name of fun, I'm a little shocked sometimes that I somehow crossed over to do the thing I thought was stupid.
I think it has been shocking for Mr. Bloomers too. Of course, he didn't marry a runner. He didn't marry someone who wanted to get up early on their birthday to run a race. He didn't marry someone who wanted to spend a good chunk of a number of Saturdays fitting in the long runs so they'd prepared to spend a weekend focused on a marathon.
Yet, he has been a great supporter. He watched the kids when I ran my first three races, and then participated with me in the last two. And he'll be there on Saturday when I cross the finish line. And I wish I could be there when he crosses, completing his first half marathon, but I'll still be running.
This week was a tapering week. I had the wimpiest workout week I've had in quite some time yet I feel so many more aches. I've heard that can be normal. I hope so!
Monday:
I rested, although this had not been the original plan.
Tuesday:
Treadmill – 5 miles in 50:17 (10:03 pace)
Missed yesterday's run due to unexpected doctor appointments for one of my children. After missing two days of running, I was really needy for some of those endorphins.
Wednesday:
Elliptical – 4 miles in 33:01
Haven't done the elliptical in a long time. Wish I could keep that pace running for four miles! It makes a difference to have the arms helping and cheating, plus the momentum of the elliptical itself. Still tapering...
Thursday:
Gym Treadmill – 5 miles in 46:11 (9:14 pace)
Tempo run. 5 miles total including 3 miles at 8:40, though I cheated a little and sped it up some at the end cause I wanted to be done. Getting treadmill burnout. Chose sleeping in over running outside, thus gym treadmill again. Must get to bed earlier and start going out early in the morning again.
Friday:
Rest day again. Mostly because I felt lazy.
Saturday:
Treadmill – 8 miles in 1:20:25 (10:03 pace)
Last longish run before the big day. Ended up super late at night like last week, which was a super bummer since that left me stuck on the treadmill. I can hardly believe I am only one week away from the big day.
Happy running!
I think it has been shocking for Mr. Bloomers too. Of course, he didn't marry a runner. He didn't marry someone who wanted to get up early on their birthday to run a race. He didn't marry someone who wanted to spend a good chunk of a number of Saturdays fitting in the long runs so they'd prepared to spend a weekend focused on a marathon.
Yet, he has been a great supporter. He watched the kids when I ran my first three races, and then participated with me in the last two. And he'll be there on Saturday when I cross the finish line. And I wish I could be there when he crosses, completing his first half marathon, but I'll still be running.
This week was a tapering week. I had the wimpiest workout week I've had in quite some time yet I feel so many more aches. I've heard that can be normal. I hope so!
Monday:
I rested, although this had not been the original plan.
Tuesday:
Treadmill – 5 miles in 50:17 (10:03 pace)
Missed yesterday's run due to unexpected doctor appointments for one of my children. After missing two days of running, I was really needy for some of those endorphins.
Wednesday:
Elliptical – 4 miles in 33:01
Haven't done the elliptical in a long time. Wish I could keep that pace running for four miles! It makes a difference to have the arms helping and cheating, plus the momentum of the elliptical itself. Still tapering...
Thursday:
Gym Treadmill – 5 miles in 46:11 (9:14 pace)
Tempo run. 5 miles total including 3 miles at 8:40, though I cheated a little and sped it up some at the end cause I wanted to be done. Getting treadmill burnout. Chose sleeping in over running outside, thus gym treadmill again. Must get to bed earlier and start going out early in the morning again.
Friday:
Rest day again. Mostly because I felt lazy.
Saturday:
Treadmill – 8 miles in 1:20:25 (10:03 pace)
Last longish run before the big day. Ended up super late at night like last week, which was a super bummer since that left me stuck on the treadmill. I can hardly believe I am only one week away from the big day.
Happy running!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Marathon Training Part 2: Report 6
Monday:
Gym Treadmill - 5 miles in 50:50 (10:10 pace)
Still a bit stiff from Saturday, and unmotivated to run on the treadmill. So happy that my friend showed up to chat while we ran and our kids played together in gym daycare. Made it so much better.
Tuesday:
Playground Strength Training – 00:20
Took a cue from a friend on dailymile who posted about fitting in strength training during the day with her kids. Did walking lunges, calf raises, squats, and leg raises (plus attempted pull-ups, lol) whilst the youngest three played on the school playground after the bell rang. Took ample breaks to swing, slide, and chase the kids. Spring makes me SO VERY HAPPY!!!
Bike Ride – 5.01 miles in 35 minutes (8.6mph pace)
After the playground, my Little Mommy went to school so I took Max and Princess on a bike ride in the trailer with the retro Schwinn Suburban (flamingo hot pink, circa 1976). Not really an exercise bike, but so fun! And a great workout with that trailer full of kids, especially on the hillier spots. It was an awesome ride.
Wednesday:
Gym Treadmill – 5.5 miles in 48:14 (08:46 pace)
Speedwork. 1 mile warm-up at 10:21. Supposed to be 4 mile repeats at 8:12 with half mile jogs in between. That worked at first, but I wasn't feeling great today so I walked after the second and third miles. Last mile was in 8:07 instead of 8:12. Should have jogged at the end to cool down but I had to go tie rollerskates at the elementary school in my purple-faced sweaty glory. Didn't count the walking toward my total distance and time, just the actual running.
Thursday:
Boot Camp Class – 50 minutes
Planned to do something easy like read my book while hanging out on the elliptical. Found that boot camp class was at this time I didn't know about so I joined in. NOT easy, but good for me in a humbling way.
Gym Treadmill - 1 mile in 9:41
Just one mile after Boot Camp.
Friday:
Treadmill – 2.5 miles in 24:07 (9:38 pace)
Didn't have much time today, but wanted to keep the legs moving. 12 miles tomorrow and it sounds heavenly after last weeks 22. I heart tapering.
Saturday:
Treadmill – 12 miles in 02:01:01 (10:05 pace)
End of the day run (as in start time of almost 11 PM). NOT my favorite, but today was just plain busy with family, friends, and a church meeting and the run just had to wait. Watched Did You Hear About the Morgans? which was okay. So sick to my stomach by the end. I think I can't do Gu anymore, which gives me 2 weeks to figure out an alternative.
Happy running!
Gym Treadmill - 5 miles in 50:50 (10:10 pace)
Still a bit stiff from Saturday, and unmotivated to run on the treadmill. So happy that my friend showed up to chat while we ran and our kids played together in gym daycare. Made it so much better.
Tuesday:
Playground Strength Training – 00:20
Took a cue from a friend on dailymile who posted about fitting in strength training during the day with her kids. Did walking lunges, calf raises, squats, and leg raises (plus attempted pull-ups, lol) whilst the youngest three played on the school playground after the bell rang. Took ample breaks to swing, slide, and chase the kids. Spring makes me SO VERY HAPPY!!!
Bike Ride – 5.01 miles in 35 minutes (8.6mph pace)
After the playground, my Little Mommy went to school so I took Max and Princess on a bike ride in the trailer with the retro Schwinn Suburban (flamingo hot pink, circa 1976). Not really an exercise bike, but so fun! And a great workout with that trailer full of kids, especially on the hillier spots. It was an awesome ride.
Wednesday:
Gym Treadmill – 5.5 miles in 48:14 (08:46 pace)
Speedwork. 1 mile warm-up at 10:21. Supposed to be 4 mile repeats at 8:12 with half mile jogs in between. That worked at first, but I wasn't feeling great today so I walked after the second and third miles. Last mile was in 8:07 instead of 8:12. Should have jogged at the end to cool down but I had to go tie rollerskates at the elementary school in my purple-faced sweaty glory. Didn't count the walking toward my total distance and time, just the actual running.
Thursday:
Boot Camp Class – 50 minutes
Planned to do something easy like read my book while hanging out on the elliptical. Found that boot camp class was at this time I didn't know about so I joined in. NOT easy, but good for me in a humbling way.
Gym Treadmill - 1 mile in 9:41
Just one mile after Boot Camp.
Friday:
Treadmill – 2.5 miles in 24:07 (9:38 pace)
Didn't have much time today, but wanted to keep the legs moving. 12 miles tomorrow and it sounds heavenly after last weeks 22. I heart tapering.
Saturday:
Treadmill – 12 miles in 02:01:01 (10:05 pace)
End of the day run (as in start time of almost 11 PM). NOT my favorite, but today was just plain busy with family, friends, and a church meeting and the run just had to wait. Watched Did You Hear About the Morgans? which was okay. So sick to my stomach by the end. I think I can't do Gu anymore, which gives me 2 weeks to figure out an alternative.
Happy running!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Very Sad News
Today I checked in on Mandy's blog and I did not find good news. Mandy is Mr. Bloomer's cousin, and her husband Travis is the cause I am raising money for as I have been training for this marathon. I so admire Mandy and Travis for their innate goodness. They are such inspiring people filled with hope, optimism, kindness, and love.
See the update here.
Please consider giving something, whatever you can afford, through the donate button on my sidebar. Even if it is $25, or $15, or $5. The money will be most helpful to them, but the love that comes with it is of great meaning to them too. I know there are a lot of causes out there, but here is a chance to give to a specific family in need, where you can see exactly who will receive of your donation.
Thanks!
Kristin
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Spring. Glorious Spring
***How I've longed for you! You have no idea how deeply I long for you ALL WINTER LONG.
This morning I took all of the kids to run around the track at the elementary school before school started. After the bell rang and the oldest two were tucked away at their desks, I alternated between playing on the playground with the three younger ones and sneaking in some strength training:
1. swinging with Princess's arms wrapped tightly around my neck,
2. leg raises,
3. "saving" Little Mommy from slipping down the slide,
4. walking lunges across the basketball court,
5. growling at Max like a monster mom,
6. calf raises.
Good times.
When I was down to only two children (as Little Mommy had preschool) I loaded them up in the bike trailer and did five fun, fabulous, glorious miles around the neighborhood on the vintage Schwinn. Retro bike plus heavy load equals good but very slow workout.
And then after a quick shower we skipped library story time in lieu of a visit to the Gourmet Popcorn place and a walk down the river to check out the ducks.
All before noon.
Happy days are here again. And I couldn't be happier.
*** These picture are pretty much unrelated to this post. However, since I still cannot download pictures to my other computer (thanks again Princess for putting it out of commission), I just went to the archives cause I'm simply burnt out on the endless picture-less posts.
This is our family in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I feel so sad for that lady with the GINORMOUS belly still a full two months from delivery.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Marathon Training Part 2: Report 5
Monday:
5 miles in 50:34 (10:06 pace)
Couldn't get my tired self out of bed to run before the kids were up. Got the big ones off to school and gave the 3 year old a choice between the jogger and the gym child care...he picked the gym. Tough to send the big kids back after spring break. Counting down till summer.
Tuesday:
Wimped out today. Didn't make running a priority so it didn't happen.
Wednesday:
5 miles in 45:54 (9:10 pace)
First mile at 10:00 pace. Next three at 8:40ish pace. Then ran downstairs to join the spin class for the last 35 minutes. Picked up daughter from preschool and did one more mile at home in 9:58. Supposed to be a 7 mile run today including 3 miles at 8:40 (tempo), but I just didn't have that kind of time, or mental capacity for the treadmill.
Thursday:
3 miles in 30:43 (10:14 pace)
followed by 2.1 miles in 12:00 on the recumbent bike. Nice easy pace on a fairly high resistance while reading a book.
Friday:
2 miles in 20:34 (10:17 pace) just to prep the legs for tomorrow's long run.
Saturday:
I've been dreading this run for weeks upon weeks!!
22.25 miles in 3:47:41 (10:13 pace)
Ran the first 20.3 miles straight through at a 10:14 pace, with the exceptions of two quick restroom stops and a check on a painful toe. (Does a bloody toe qualify me as a real runner?) The Arboretum was hillier than I thought, but I actually handled it surprisingly well. Then I stopped to pick the big girls up from a church activity (10 minute drive) and ran another .95 miles in the church parking lot while I waited for them as the activity went late. Took them home (5 minute drive) and finished one last mile on the treadmill.
Rather than trying to be supermom, I should have called Dave to get the girls and just finished the run all at once. Live and learn! The breaks in conjunction with waiting too long to eat afterwards made me so so very sick all afternoon. The stomach issues were way worse than the sore legs. Last long run before the marathon and I couldn't be happier. Tapering sounds heavenly.
This was the last of the torturous runs!!! Now to tapering. The next three weeks will be less strenuous so I can rest up for the big day. I can hardly wait to cross the finish line!
Happy running!
5 miles in 50:34 (10:06 pace)
Couldn't get my tired self out of bed to run before the kids were up. Got the big ones off to school and gave the 3 year old a choice between the jogger and the gym child care...he picked the gym. Tough to send the big kids back after spring break. Counting down till summer.
Tuesday:
Wimped out today. Didn't make running a priority so it didn't happen.
Wednesday:
5 miles in 45:54 (9:10 pace)
First mile at 10:00 pace. Next three at 8:40ish pace. Then ran downstairs to join the spin class for the last 35 minutes. Picked up daughter from preschool and did one more mile at home in 9:58. Supposed to be a 7 mile run today including 3 miles at 8:40 (tempo), but I just didn't have that kind of time, or mental capacity for the treadmill.
Thursday:
3 miles in 30:43 (10:14 pace)
followed by 2.1 miles in 12:00 on the recumbent bike. Nice easy pace on a fairly high resistance while reading a book.
Friday:
2 miles in 20:34 (10:17 pace) just to prep the legs for tomorrow's long run.
Saturday:
I've been dreading this run for weeks upon weeks!!
22.25 miles in 3:47:41 (10:13 pace)
Ran the first 20.3 miles straight through at a 10:14 pace, with the exceptions of two quick restroom stops and a check on a painful toe. (Does a bloody toe qualify me as a real runner?) The Arboretum was hillier than I thought, but I actually handled it surprisingly well. Then I stopped to pick the big girls up from a church activity (10 minute drive) and ran another .95 miles in the church parking lot while I waited for them as the activity went late. Took them home (5 minute drive) and finished one last mile on the treadmill.
Rather than trying to be supermom, I should have called Dave to get the girls and just finished the run all at once. Live and learn! The breaks in conjunction with waiting too long to eat afterwards made me so so very sick all afternoon. The stomach issues were way worse than the sore legs. Last long run before the marathon and I couldn't be happier. Tapering sounds heavenly.
This was the last of the torturous runs!!! Now to tapering. The next three weeks will be less strenuous so I can rest up for the big day. I can hardly wait to cross the finish line!
Happy running!
Marathon Training Part 2: Report 4
Monday:
It's spring break. Kids all home. Schedule in chaos. Unplanned rest day.
Tuesday:
9 miles in 1:33:00 (10:20 pace)
Lame. Bored out of my mind. Too late at night to go outside and Dave needed the home treadmill. Channels at the gym are limited to sports, news, and E! or Bravo. Super lame. I watched the same Millionaire Matchmaker TWICE, reading the subtitles while listening to my Ipod. Lazy programming to play the same episode back to back, and it wasn't even all that entertaining the first time! Went to the restroom twice just to get a mental break. Bottom line...I'm just not a night runner. Tomorrow will be better.
Wednesday:
5.5 miles in 57 minutes (10:21 pace)
Early AM run. Alone. Outside. Easy run. Estimating distance and time because I didn't have my Garmin or a watch. Such a contrast to last night...it was awesome to be outside in the morning versus on a treadmill at night.
Also, went late to the spin class from last week. 45 minutes there. Trying to pack in some extra workouts as I'm not sure how the rest of the week will go.
Thursday:
3.5 miles in 35:55 (10:15 pace)
Nice and easy run on a friend's treadmill. Out of town to visit them. Watched the kids (mine and friends) play in the basement while running.
Friday:
Sadly, running just wasn't in the cards today. Drove back from Iowa.
Saturday:
Fun race! Chocolate Chase Rabbit Race 5K in 27:01 (8:39 pace)
(3.12 miles according to Garmin)
Will run for chocolate. Rainy race. I wish I would have pushed it a little harder, but overall it was great. Haven't had treats in two weeks, so the two huge chocolate covered strawberries, plus the five little brownies, plus the ice cream at the finish line in the absence of more nutritional food made me nauseous, but it was well worth it. :)
Happy running!
It's spring break. Kids all home. Schedule in chaos. Unplanned rest day.
Tuesday:
9 miles in 1:33:00 (10:20 pace)
Lame. Bored out of my mind. Too late at night to go outside and Dave needed the home treadmill. Channels at the gym are limited to sports, news, and E! or Bravo. Super lame. I watched the same Millionaire Matchmaker TWICE, reading the subtitles while listening to my Ipod. Lazy programming to play the same episode back to back, and it wasn't even all that entertaining the first time! Went to the restroom twice just to get a mental break. Bottom line...I'm just not a night runner. Tomorrow will be better.
Wednesday:
5.5 miles in 57 minutes (10:21 pace)
Early AM run. Alone. Outside. Easy run. Estimating distance and time because I didn't have my Garmin or a watch. Such a contrast to last night...it was awesome to be outside in the morning versus on a treadmill at night.
Also, went late to the spin class from last week. 45 minutes there. Trying to pack in some extra workouts as I'm not sure how the rest of the week will go.
Thursday:
3.5 miles in 35:55 (10:15 pace)
Nice and easy run on a friend's treadmill. Out of town to visit them. Watched the kids (mine and friends) play in the basement while running.
Friday:
Sadly, running just wasn't in the cards today. Drove back from Iowa.
Saturday:
Fun race! Chocolate Chase Rabbit Race 5K in 27:01 (8:39 pace)
(3.12 miles according to Garmin)
Will run for chocolate. Rainy race. I wish I would have pushed it a little harder, but overall it was great. Haven't had treats in two weeks, so the two huge chocolate covered strawberries, plus the five little brownies, plus the ice cream at the finish line in the absence of more nutritional food made me nauseous, but it was well worth it. :)
Happy running!
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