Thunder Road Marathon - 12/12/2009

Training and running a marathon is a funny thing. Not funny like a joke or cheap laugh. But funny like ironic, crazy, how can I find different ways to be in pain. It is a great teacher. It teaches humility. It teaches friendship. It teaches endurance. It teaches a person to dig down so deep that it is scary. The race itself is difficult, anything can happen. A person learns.....Well, I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I can throw up on the side of the road, not be embarrassed, then start running again. I learned Matt will not take me home during the race. I learned that at mile 21, I an kick it in and finish strong.

So here is my story.

I trained 18 weeks. Getting up to 50 mile weeks. Consuming more gels and propel, running more miles, and wearing dorky compression sleeves (I secretly think they are cool.). Tapering perfectly. Restricting my sugar intake. All this for one day. One moment in time. One marathon.

I went and picked up my number and shirt at the expo on Friday afternoon. I saw my buddy Julie there. She is running her 1st marathon. Told her to have fun and enjoy the moment, and make sure you look up at the skyline at mile 25. It is always beautiful and inspires me to finish strong.

I picked up my stuff and checked my chip to see if it worked. It did.

I wasn't really nervous about this race. I was able to sleep well. However, when I woke up the next morning, my tummy was not cooperating. I didn't really think that much about this because my tummy is always a bit upset on race day. I choked down 1/2 a PB&J bagel and some water. We left the house at 0700. This made me have to hurry once I got to the race site. I did not get to line up with the 3:45 pace group. In fact, I was almost in the back. I was behind the 5 hour pace group, but I told myself to put this out of my box. This is something a friend on BeginnerTriathlete.com told me. She is an Iron Man...so I feel like she knows what she is talking about. Anything negative that happens, you put out of your box so it will not negatively effect your race.

My nutrition plan is to take in 2-3oz of propel/H2O per mile. I will start my gels at mile 4 and take 1/2 gel every other mile.

This is a picture of the fast guys. They deserve a shout out. I bet one of these fellas won...WOW!

I started out trying to get past all the walkers and slower than me runners....however, at the same time, I tried not to slam it the first few miles. I was doing around an 8:40 pace. That is OK. I can totally make that up. Put all negative thoughts out of my box. I had to play the passing game for the 1st 4ish miles. I take my 1st half of gel. Around mile 5, I saw my friend Debbie and caught up with the 4 hour pace group. Remember, I am behind the clock so my pace is ahead of 4 hours. I am finally able to run. Debbie and I run together. we do the next 3 miles around an 8:00 pace. At the 10k point, I take the rest of my 1st gel. I start feeling a bit sick to my stomach. I really don't pay much attention to this, but it feels like my gel is still in my stomach. Ugg!

I pass mile 8 and decide to wait a little while before starting my next gel. I am still drinking though. I want to give the other gel time to get down....it doesn't.

Mile 9...10...11...up Morehead.....still on target but feeling sick. I decide I should go ahead and start the next gel because my legs feel dead. I take 1/4 and slowly sip on it until the half mark.
Here is a picture Matt snapped of me at the 1/2 way mark. I didn't know if I should be happy I was 1/2 way done or overwhelmed b/c I have 13.1 more miles to go. I decide to put this out of my box and look forward to the 2nd half of the marathon. I am still within reach of a Boston Qualifying time. And good for a sub 4.

At mile 14, I see my friend Jessie. She asks if I need anything...I say I am fine. I lied. I need her to come and carry me to the end. Every time I try to take my gel or take a drink, I start gagging. Not good. I have to have nutrition to finish this thing. I decide just to hold a gel and walk when I am taking it in. I also decide to go ahead and put on my Ipod. I try to rally myself by dancing to the drummers at Panther's Stadium (mile 16) and thanking the police and the great volunteers. But I am feeling BAD!

Here I come up to Matt at mile 17. I decide to tell him to take me home. I am no longer able to take in anything and I can feel all the stuff sloshing around in my stomach. This is also the point where the 4 hour pace group passes me back. You can see them in the orange. GRRR! I have been churning out a few 10:00 miles. Not cool. This is mainly because I am close to throwing up. However, I am able to hold it somewhat together.

I think a marathon brings out something in you that you did not know you had in you...Matt snaps this picture of me when I am telling him I am going to quit. I am actually saying the word quit in the picture. I tell him I am sick and need him to just take me home. Then to my surprise he says NO! He tells me that I only have 9 more miles and to get my butt out there and finish the race. I had run the last 10 miles of the course for my last long run. He reminded me of this and how a 10 mile run was a short run in my training. Then he pushed me back on the course and told me he would see me at mile 21.

MILE 21!?!?! How am I supposed to make it to mile 21. I told him that I would see him there and we would renegotiate this there. I drink a bit more and start another gel. I pass mile 18, 19, 20....AHHH! Mile 20. I can do 6.2 more miles. I hit this at 3:04, I think. I am starting to feel a little better. I know I will see Matt soon.

This is a picture that Matt snapped of Joseph at mile 21. This was his 1st marathon.

I run up to Matt while drinking a sip of Propel. He yells that he just saw Joseph. I was surprised b/c I had not seen Joseph the whole marathon. I take a gel pack to carry with me.......

and take off. I will run the last 5 miles. I put my mind into racing mode and run. I think I can catch up to Joseph and break 4 hours.

I start doing 9 min miles....and a few 8ish min miles. I pass mile 22 and take another sip of gel. I have to stop and go to the side b/c I am gagging really bad and think I am going to throw up. i hold it together though. I throw the gel in my pocket and decide not to try that again. I could tell that none of my gels or H20 has gotten into me. I can feel it almost coming up. Pass Joseph and we say hello then I continue on. Mile 23, oh that is hilly! Mile 24...more hills. Mile 25....look up and see Charlotte sky line. NICE! I look at my watch and do a bit of figuring in my head. I can totally break 4 hours. I have about 10 minutes. I get to 25.5, have around 7 minutes b/4 the 4:00 mark, and pass through some children at the drink station. I hi 5 them and take a drink b/c I am thirsty. Take a sip...and try to speed up a bit. Now I am not sure if it was that last sip or that last kick...but I start throwing up....I stop then start again...then stop...then start again...and stop...then start again. I blessed about 1/4th mile of McDowell. I have never thrown up b/4 like this....every time I started to run it would start again....but when I finally finished, I felt better. Not good, but better. OK...so the last time I started throwing up, I looked at my watch....it was 4:00. Oh man!

Here is me finishing up the last .2 miles. Just don't throw up again...Just keep it together. My friend Leigh runs the last .2 with. She runs it on the sidewalk so as not to get in any one's way. This really helped me get to the finish.

I go across the line, get my medal, blanket, another shirt, and a wonderful volunteer takes off my chip.....Thank you!

I then see my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews.

This is my sister...no we are not the same person! We have run 2 1/2 marathons together...Read the race reports...they will touch you. Lots of pictures...hey! That's is what it's about!

My buddy Leigh! We have run a 1/2 marathon together!

My sweet hubby, JRT...scream team!

The whole gang! Brother-in-law, Nephews,sister, JRT, Hubby, Me! My youngest nephew told me I was the winner when he saw me.....I choose to believe him.

I finished 1 second more from last year. My time was 4:05.18 this year. I was 4:05.17 last year. The difference was being sick. I am disappointed in my time, but at the same time, I feel like it says a lot about my training that I was able to finish 1 second higher than last year and was sick...in fact, I felt so bad that I wanted to quit.

Now on to Myrtle Beach.

Grand Prix Awards Dinner - 11/16/09

Now I truly know how the father in "Christmas Story" felt when he receives the major award (the leg lamp) in the mail. Then he displays it for the whole neighborhood to see. I am a total cheese and very excited that I placed 3rd in my age group for the Grand Prix Series. So I invited some very important people in my life.
First, I want to thank my parents who raised me. They are awesome! My mom has courageously battled 2 rounds of cancer and has taught me more about endurance than any marathon could. My dad was a runner in high school and is a pillar of strength for our family. They have both supported and encouraged me in everything I do.

Next is my Sister! We share a brain (and I think she got the bigger half). She is not only my sister by blood, but my sister in friendship! We laugh, cry and solve the problems of the world together! We have run 2 half marathons together.
Last, but not least is my sweet husband! He is my soul mate. We have run 3 marathons together and I love him more than I love myself. Bless his heart! He is the one who comes and stands in the heat or cold to cheer me on. He takes my nasty running stuff out of the car after I have ran 20 something miles, so I can go and get into the dreaded ice bath. He supports all my insane running.

My friend Debbie also placed in her AG. We love to chat about running together.

So, If you are wondering what this series is, you can read my last 9 posts on my blog. However, if you have a life, you can just see the recap of the times/pace/dates/races.
March 21
Shamrock 4 Mile 31.20 (7:50 pace) 12th in AG
April 25
Skyline 5K 23.13 (7:28 pace) 5th in AG
May 8
Twilight 5K Run23.41(7:37 pace)9th in AG
June 6
King Tiger 5K23:32(7:34 pace)7th in AG
July 11
RFYL 4 Miler 30.18(7:35 pace) 7th in AG
August 8
Blue Points 5K23:18(7:29 pace)3rd in AG
August 29
Greek Fest 5K23:07(7:26 pace)8th in AG
September 26
Brixx 10K48.21(7:47 pace)6th in AG
October 17
LungStrong 15K1:13.56(7:56 pace)8th in AG

For completing all 9 races, I received this nifty back pack. I was really excited.

For placing 3rd in my age group...I won't tell you how old I am...HaHa! I received a medal, $25.00 check, and a RFYL $20.00 gift certificate. COOL!

I feel like these races have made me a better runner. I pushed myself really hard during the races and feel like I am a better racer and runner because of it. I made lots of new friends and found out that I am competitive! Weird!

With my $$$$ I will buy compression socks so I can run more....Ha! Ironic!

Now on to trying to qualify for Boston!

Lungstrong 15k 10/17/09 9th and LAST race of the Grand Prix Series!

So this is the last race of the series. As think back on the fun, the struggles, the anxiety, the victories, the starts, the finishes, and all the friends I made....it is a bittersweet moment. Everything about this race is surreal. Like a dream. I am not anxious. I feel a quiet confidence.
I got up at 0500. Did my normal prerace routine. Ate a 1/2 PB&J, prayed, packed up. I was going to this race alone. I was kinda bummed about this. However, I cannot expect my family to load up and come watch every race.
Get to the race site early, get my chip then chill in my car. I went to the starting line around 7:30. Saw my friend Debbie and we waited at the start line.
This race was for Lung Cancer. My Bestest friend, Jill, lost her mother to lung cancer. I ran this race for her. We have been through a lot together. I went with her to all her Chemo treatments when she had Breast Cancer. I love this girl! So to say the least, this race was more than just a finishing time to me.
I started running when the race started....early into the 1st mile, I decided to take my long sleeve shirt off....this was not easy b/c I did not stop running.
The 1st mile went quickly. We turned into the park. It was really nice. The weather was perfect. I looked at the lake and enjoyed the run. I loved the course. It had beautiful views. I knew I started out to fast so I tried to slow a bit on mile 2. OOOO, too slow. Now speed it up back to the sub 8mm.
Around mile 6ish, I thought I should take my gel. I was still feeling good, but knew I could not continue sub 8mm w/out any nutrition. As I tried to open my gel...while still running...the gel exploded all over me. I was a mess! It was on my hands, face, legs, and clothes. AHHHH! So I licked it off my face and tried to get more off my hands and shirt. I know I looked like an idiot! Look at my splits...you can see I slowed down at mile 7. No more sub 8mm! =-(
At mile 9, I saw a car coming right at me. WOW! I can't even think about how to get out of this cars way! Oh, glad it moved....where is the finish line. How can .3 be so long....it seems like I have been running this .3 forever!
Finely I see the finish line. And I cross it then almost throw up! Then I watch Debbie cross and go home....then I run 7 more miles (I had a 16 mile run to do today).
Splits:
1-7:32
2-8:02
3-7:53
4-7:51
5-7:57
6-7:53
7-8:00
8-8:07
9-8:04
.3-2:39
My total time was:
chip: 1:13.56
Overall: 116/586
Overall Female: 32/280
Age Group: 8/64

9/26/09 - Hit the Brixx 10k - Race #8 in Grand Prix Series

Pre-race routine:Like normal...I got up at 0500 and ate. But I tried my new/old favorite. A pb and banana sandwich. Well, most of half of it anyway. I spent some time with the Lord then laid back down for a few minutes. I had some time before I had to get ready. Made some coffee then took a few sips. Could not stomach it today. Bree showed up and we left right before 0700. Matt, my sweetheart, was dropping us off at the race site so we did not have to worry about parking.
Matt dropped us off right at the start. I told him that I hoped to run this in around 48 minutes. He went to park at the DOWD YMCA to run. Then he would run to the race and watch us finish. We went to use the bathroom one last time then got our chip. Went to the front of the starting line and waited. I met a guy who was part of the WISH group. A running group who runs the Disney races. We chatted a few minutes then were off.
I liked the course. It was hilly to be expected but a good course. I felt good the whole time. I may have been able to push the pace a bit more, but I tried to stick to my plan of 48 minutes. I did not want to burn up in the last miles of the race.
Splits:
1-7:11 mostly downhill and opps, too fast
2-7:51 I purposely slowed this mile down
3-7:42 Tried to keep it above 7:30 but faster than mile 2
4-8:06 Mostly uphill but too slow! I pick up a friend who will run with me the rest of the way in.
5-7:55 Still going mostly up. I pass a girl I have followed the whole time.
6-7:56 Listening to "The Climb" on my Ipod. This mile is totally uphill but it is the last mile.
.21-1:39 Again, uphill but me and my friend start "racing" to the end. We Tie!
As I was about to finish, I saw Matt. I blew him a kiss then kicked it to finish.
I really liked how I ran this race. I ran uncomfortably comfortable for the most part. I never really tried to race anyone else and I think this helped. I think I like the longer distance. My friend I started running with around mile 4 was great! We never talked until the end. When we came over the finish, he looked at me and said, "Thanks for running with me". I told him I thought he was running with me. We laughed and went our different ways. I thanked most of the volunteers and police. I felt good the whole way and really enjoyed this race.
What would you do differently?:I feel good but if I had to choose....I would that pushed a bit on mile 4. It was a bit over an 8 MPM. My slowest mile of the race.
Post race:Watched Debbie and Bree come in. I ran in with Bree so I got to go over the finish line 2x. HeHe! Got some pizza and pasta. Ran slowly back to the DOWD YMCA (a little over a mile away) and went home to a WARM shower.
Placing:
Time: 48:21 Pace: 07m 47s min/mile
Overall Place: 185/871
Age Group Place: 6/61
Overall Female: 37/454
The only thing that limits me is that I can't run faster...but that is OK.

Greek Fest 5k - #7 Race in Grand Prix - August 29, 2009

First off, I need to say that I love the cheesy, useless stuff that comes in the race goody bags. I picked up my treasure on Wednesday from University Run For Your Life. Then I went to work and had to look at it mocking me. Calling to me for hours, until I saw my last client and tore into it like a child on Christmas morning. Chap stick, a Frisbee, another race shirt (that I will wear with pride) and best of all, 2 tickets to the Greek Fest.
I ran the course just one day prior to picking up the goody bag. I was well pleased with the absence of huge hills normally experienced in Charlotte. I thought this may be a personal best this coming Saturday. Just one problem....Monday, I awoke with some kind of stomach bug. I didn't even run Monday and was very weak feeling on Tuesday. However, no worries, I have a few days to recover.
This is the 7th race in the Grand Prix Series. I am still placed 3rd. Unless I fall over and have to steam roll to the finish line, I think I can hold onto the 3rd place standing.
Like I said, I was sick with a stomach bug. Not pretty. I ran lightly on Tuesday and Wednesday, but could still tell that I was feeling weak. Not bad, but weak. I have been just hurting all over. So Friday, I took a day off and rested. I slept most of the day but was still very tired when I went to bed at 2100. On Saturday, I got up at 0500 and ate a PB&J. Drank coffee and spent some time with the Lord. I was feeling rather calm at this point. Bree got to the house a little after 0600 and we drove to the race. I really was feeling calm, but my stomach was upset.
We parked at Latta Park and I was able to use the bathroom for the last time. My stomach was still not doing well, but I knew that this course was not as hilly as the others I have run. So I was calm. Everything was surreal. I felt like I was watching myself walk to the starting line. I felt like I was watching myself line up and wait. I hate the waiting. It only makes my stomach churn more as I look over the crowd and wonder who is in my AG that I needed to be able to outrun.
The course. No surprises here. Like I said, I ran the course (at a slower pace) on Tuesday. I am glad I did. This helped me to know where I was. I started running and my legs felt like they would give out from under me. I saw the normal people who aways pass me and who I always pass. I do remember that the right turn on Dilworth Rd W from East came quickly. In fact, everything came quick...except the finish line.
My splits are as follows:
Mile 1 - 6:59
Mile 2 - 7:36
Mile 3 - 7:50
11 - 0:39
I Knew that I went out too fast when I hit mile 1. I thought that maybe this would not hurt me too bad. Hey, only 2 more miles. However, I started seeing people pass me, and I was not really passing anyone. ARRRHHH! I could tell that 1st mile effected my 2nd mile. But hey, 7:36 isn't too bad. Just keep the pace. I tried to dig down deep, but came up empty. Not good! I still have 1 more mile! I just tried to hang on the last mile. My stomach was cramping and I was pretty sure I was going to throw up! Turned on East and just ran as fast as I could (at that point) to the finish line. In this race, you can see the finish line FOREVER! I saw the clock counting up...up...up. I tried to run faster, but my body refused. I started gagging, but I did not slow down. So I went through the finish line gagging like I was going to throw up...NICE!
Time: 23:07
Overall finisher: 243/1278
Overall Female: 36/589
Age Group: 8/113
After going through the finish, I went and got some water. I was hoping not to pass out (I didn't). Then I hung out and watched Bree come across the line at 28 something and Matt come across at 29:05. Then we met up with Greg (Bree's husband) and went to IHOP to get our grub on!
It was a fun race. I am ready for cooler weather and the long SLOW distance of the marathon...instead of this fast running. This is the last 5k of the Grand Prix series. I did PR. I do wish I could have gotten rid of about 10 seconds so I would have made it under 23 minutes. But, I have gotten faster. I am able to hit under 24 minutes in a 5k consistently. This is faster than my 5k time from last year.
So now come the 10k and 15k! This should be interesting!

BluePoints 5k 8/8/09 - Race #6 Grand Prix Series

Today I ran the Bluepoints 5k. It is race #6 in the Grand Prix Series. This race, like the others, will keep me or push me out of the Grand Prix Placings. My goal was 22:30...or at least under 23 minutes.
Pre-race routine: Got up at 0500. Ate 1/4 PB&J w/out the J. Drank a poweraid and a few sips of coffee. Prayed and read my Bible. Packed up and left for the DOWD YMCA around 0619. Hubby ran this one too. We met up with Leigh around 0645. The walk from the DOWD was around .57 miles so I count this as a WU.
Leigh and I took a picture b/4 the race. I look like I am going to throw up.

I waited by the starting line with Debbie. I really thought I was going to be sick. Why do I get so anxious? The jogging strollers and wheelchairs took off. About 2 minutes later, we were off. Like I said, they reversed the course. So we were on the "other side" of the start line...headed toward the finish. Really, I crossed over the finish line 30 seconds after I started. The thought did occur to me that this may mess up my chip (It did not). However, I was in the mass of people going toward Morehead. Even going this way, there were lots of up hills. I thought I was running slower than normal and was a bit disoriented b/c we were going the opposite way of what I thought we were going to go. I hit mile 1 at 6:58. Now I am not really sure if this mile marker was right. However, my friend Leigh who has a Garmin, said it was right. I did not keep my splits so I am not sure about the other times....I know I slowed b/c as we turned on Kenelworth the course started up...up.....up. I am NOT KID'N! I was running as hard as I could but the up hill was KILLING ME! I passed a few people and the 2 mile mark fairly quickly. I thought I was going to make under 23 minutes. However, the 3rd mile just kept going up...up...up! NEVER ENDING!. I saw Mint Street where the finish line was. Then I saw the 3 mile marker. The time was 22:30. I think the course was long. I am not just saying this b/c I did not get my sub 23. I just know that it does not take me 1 minute to go .11 miles. I sprinted the last .11. B/c the course ran the opposite way, the finish line/start line was not in the right place. I could be wrong.
After the race, I hung out with some friends and took pictures. This is Leigh, Matt, Me, Debbie.

Me, Sir Purr, and Leigh!

I was very disappointed with my time. I didn't even go and see if I had placed. I told Debbie that I could not take the disappointment of coming in 7th or over. She begged me to go see. She said that I really could have placed. I did not look. But I did place 3rd in my age group. How funny!

Matt, Leigh and I went and ran 2.5 more miles after the race.
Leigh and Me in my SUV!

Me and my Hubby, Matt!

What would you do differently?: I am not sure that I could have done anything any different. I told Matt that I ran hard the whole time. I passed several people I was trying to pass. I finished well.

My Stats:

Gun Time: 23:22

Chip Time: 23:18 (7:29 pace)

Placed 3rd in my AG! WOOT!
Overall Rank = 244/1260

7-11-09 RFYL 4 Miler Race #5 in Grand Prix!

Well here we go again!
Today I ran the 5th race in the Grand Prix series. Like the others, this race had the potential to keep me at 3rd or drop me. So I was a bit anxious.

Training:
I have ran this course several times in training. I ran it a few weeks ago in 32 minutes AFTER running 8 miles. So I expected my time to be around 30 minutes. My goal was 30 or under.

The Morning of:
I have to figure out something other than PB&J to eat on race morning. I have learned that my nerves are killing my stomach....so eating anything just makes me feel sick. So I normally do not get the nutrition I need to race. So if anyone has some suggestions for a good prerace drink...let me know.
So I got up at 0500, prayed, read my Bible, and tried to eat. I could only get 1/4th of the PB&J down. My sweet hubby and best scream teamer came with me today. So we loaded up the car and at 0637 we were off. We also brought our JRT with us. She loves the races....she could beat everyone.

The Race!
What can I say? It was hilly. I personally don't think it was as bad as the 1st 4 miler of the series, but My friend Debbie does not agree. I also think the weather was good...I mean for July. It could have been bad.
But anywho...back to the race.
MILE 1 - I started at the front. That means I really did not have to fight to pass people, but it seemed that EVERYONE passed me. The 1st mile, and I am not lying, was totally uphill. However, it was over b/4 I knew it. I thought I had started out slower, but as I passed the 1st clock it said 7:26. Opps!
Mile 2 was almost all down hill. As we were running DOWN East Blvd, I thought, this should be easier. Then I passed the mile marker and saw my time. Mile 2 was in 7:24. This means I hit mile 2 at 14:50.
Mile 3 was totally up hill again. I thought I was pushing but apparently I wasn't. I finished mile 3 in 7:51 (I am at 22:42 for a total time.) I briefly thought that I wished this was a 5k...I would only have .11 to go. STOP THAT! Pain is fear leaving the body....I'm afraid!
Mile 4 was mostly down so I started booking it. Then I started gagging....OH NO! I started feeling that PB&J coming back to visit....so I slowed down a bit. Several girls passed me but I knew it was better to slow than to have to stop to puke. I rounded the corner and saw the finish.

Matt took this picture of me as I was getting ready to cross the finish line. I saw him out of the corner of my eye, but had to keep my eye on the finish. This mile, even with the slowing as not to barf, was 7:35.
Total time was 30:18 chip time.
Gun time: 30:20 (7:35 ave pace)
7th in my AG out of 62
37th female out of 283
202nd finisher out of 678

After finishing I just needed a cool drink! Do you think they would mind if I jumped in that ice pool? Better not.

I just hope this drink stays down!

Me and my Scream Teamer Matt!

After:

Matt and I went and ran 3 more miles. Then went home to pack for Disney! WOOT!

Thoughts:

I regret not pushing harder on the 2nd mile. I think I could have broken 30 minutes. But that will be for another day. I am faster now. My last 4 miler I ran with a 7:50 pace....so that's cool. However, not fast enough to place in my AG!