What An Amazing Run!!!

Friday we headed down to the hotel and we drove to the start of the race and looked for parking. We drove as much of the route as we could, part of the park was closed off so we couldn't drive it but we did more than half and that gave the ladies a sense of what the course was going to be like. We stopped to pick up some Subway for dinner and went back to the hotel room for dinner and a little TV. Storms were brewing and all I hoped for is they would pass before morning.

Sleeping was not as good as I would have like, but it's a hotel so what do you expect. 5:15 the alarm went off and we started to get ready. My pre-race jitters started some, probably more so because I had 2 friends that were joining me and I wanted their first 1/2 marathon experience to be a good one and that they wouldn't curse my name after LOL.

Found parking and made our way to the start line after checking my bag. Took some pictures and the nerves seemed to dissipate. I got a little emotional when the national anthem was played just because it's so exciting and I really wanted to be strong. Weather was great!! Sunny mid to upper 50's a little humid and not much wind at the start gate. And off we went. I kept to my 9 min running 1 min walking pace and did really well. Around 4 mile I recalled last year when I was getting side stitches, not this year, I was still strong. Having spectators line the course gives you added motivation as well. Before you knew it I was at mile 7, this is where I really got into trouble last year and the turn around point seemed like an eternity away, not this year that turn around point came quicker.

As I turned around I first say Penny (friend from work) going towards the turn around, I cheered her on and gave her a high five. Then I saw Andrea, she looked like she was strong and she had a smile on her face, gave her a high five and continued. Then I saw Ann, I knew she would be walking this 1/2 marathon and she was going strong and I cheered her on along with a high five. Coming back into the downtown area I had more walking breaks because of some hills, so I walked them and then continued on my run. Each hour I refueled with water, shot bloks and caffine beans. Each walking break I took I was sure to take in my water and also at each water station. Hydration was not something I did well last year so I wanted to ensure I didn't make that mistake again.

As I'm at about mile 11.5 my phone rings, it's my husband (who drove with Ann's family) asking where I was as he was hoping that he didn't miss my finish. All was good and he gave me a little encouragement. Made it to mile 12, full marathoners continued 1/2 marathoners turned around....I was feeling good. I saw my family towards the finish line and each of my kids ran the last .1 mile with me. What a great feeling. The clock said 2 hours 39 min. I'm still waiting for the official time to be posted. I was ecstatic, my first 1/2 in Napa I finished 2:38:52 and last year's time I didn't even really pay attention to, it was under 3 hours but not good at all.

I got my medal, water, banana, orange and Wheaties refuel cereal and off to watch for Andrea and Ann as they finished. I stretched as I waited for them, and took my shoes off to uncover some icky blisters. I cheered Penny through the finish line, cheered other runners as well and then Andrea came....we screamed for her and I ran in front of her to get some pictures as she was crossing the line. I was so excited for her and gave her a big hug. She was cramping so we got her some water and banana's to help. Then off to go watch for Ann. We cheered her on and she was emotional. Her family walked through the finish line with her. I met her with a huge hug.

This whole experience really meant a lot to me. It once again proves that I can do anything I put my mind too. If I train right, work hard and enjoy myself, I can do ANYTHING!!! I was happy that I inspired 2 other wonderful woman to run/walk their first 1/2 marathons and they enjoyed their experience. I was happy to have my family there and I can't wait for the next one in September!!!

Thank you to my readers, your encouragement and constant cheerleading has meant the world to me!

Big Day Tomorrow

So it's here....the 1/2 is tomorrow and I'm excited and I do have some nerves but that's a good thing. I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to a strong run. I'm hoping the weather holds out, looks like it will be a nice day, I just hope the rain stays away.

I think I'm a little nervous about my friends and if they'll enjoy their first 1/2 marathon experience. I hope so!

Anyway, I'll update how the run goes. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support, you all will be with me tomorrow!

9 miles

I ran 9 miles yesterday and it was wonderful!! I felt strong and made sure I was hydrated and refueled with my Clif's Shot Bloks. I didn't hit the pavement until 4:20 and ran 2 hours. I passed some resturaunts and I'm typically not a huge fan of Pizza Hut but it smelled GOOD!!! I was suprised at some of the hills that I was able to complete. I was thinking because this long wrong was happening at the end of the day I wouldn't be able to run some of the hills, and I was OK with that. So I was super amazed when I actually made it up them with ease. There were a couple times that my heart rate was a bit high so I took a walking break outside my normal run 9 minutes walk 1 minute pace. I brought the heart rate down and then back to running I went.

I think I surprised myself in a good way. Yesterday a friend of mine put together a day of prayer between friends. We all added items to the list and we would all pray for them. I did ask that she pray for me to have the strength, courage and the confidence in myself for my the 1/2 marathon. You all know that I occasionally struggle with confidence in myself at times so I just wanted to be sure I had all the support I could behind me and I really felt it.

I'm looking forward to a lazy weekend, it's rainy and icky and I'm happy to have my long run out of the way today!

Take two

That's because this is the second time I'm trying to post this LOL

I've taken a week off from running because of being sick last week. It was the right choice to not run but I miss it and I'm looking forward to a strong run after work. The run is coming up soon and I'm getting excited. The 2 ladies I'm running with are getting excited too and I hope they have a great experience as I did on my first 1/2 marathon. If they decide they never want to do another that is fine, I'm just happy that I've inspired them for this one and could be there to cheer them along.

Yesterday we were at a birthday party for my cousin's daughter. It was good to be around my family from Illinois for a second week in a row. It got me to thinking how I really want to be closer to them so I need to come up with ways/opportunities for us to get together, even if it's just for a cook out. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. My mom didn't have us spend a lot of time with family when we were younger, I now know it was so that no one would spill the beans about my brother's dad being alive (and well now we all know he's my dad too). There were so many lies that it really was the only way for her to protect her scheme. Sadly it was my brother and I that really got short changed and we weren't able to spend as much time with our aunts and uncles as I would have liked. Truthfully she hurt herself too but not having them around, now she's kind of all alone, even when she is with family she hangs with her grandkids...and they are getting too old to want to do that.

But on another note, I spent a little time with my Grandpa. He's 89 and just wonderful in my eyes. Last week A asked for an apple cake, one of her favorites especially when it's from great grandpa and he delivered. It's mighty tasty too. But I could see the years are catching up with him. He's slowing down some and I'm not sure how many more years he'll be with us. When I was younger and we'd visit my grandma and grandpa I loved it. Icecream, cookies, gum all the things we were never allowed at home. I would sit and paint my nails with my grandma and then grandpa would scratch my back for hours. It really was wonderful and my little escape from the realities of our home life which weren't great. I don't think my grandparents will ever know how important they were to me. I think my grandparents were amazing, of course my mom recounts how strict they were etc but I guess that's the difference between kids and grandkids....I can see it with how my mom treated me and how she treats her grandkids. I guess it's the normal cycle of life between kids and grandkids. :)

Feeling icky

That's right, I'm feeling very icky. On Tuesday I started not feeling well, somewhat of an upset stomach. I left work a little early and by the time I was done picking up the kids from school I was down for the count. I plopped myself on the couch with a pillow and blanket and didn't move the rest of the night. I took 2 Tylenol PM and I was out by 7:45 or so. Yesterday I WFH and tried to relax. Feeling a smidge better than the day before. I'm not sure if I have a stomach bug or if it's from eating too much Activia. If I recall about a year ago I was on the Activia challenge and after while my stomach was not right. I stopped taking it and I was fine. I vowed that I wouldn't eat it with regularity. J wanted some so I picked up a big multi pack at Sam's and I started eating it again....I'm wondering if the bacteria just doesn't like my system? Who knows. In today's lunch I have 2 pieces of bread and an apple. Breakfast was a chocolate soy milk/banana smoothly. I figured neither would bother my stomach and would give me some much needed energy.

No running for me this week so far, I need to let my body heal itself. I'm hoping I feel better by Saturday to get the big run in but I won't push myself....I need to get well first.

On the plus side, I lost some more weight. I'm now 6 1/2 lbs down from the beginning of the year. I believe that going off BC and taking vitamins may be helping!!! Imagine that! Although I'm happy that I may be on track it is kind of hard to swallow that J has lost 15lbs since the beginning of the year and me only 6.5...doesn't seem fair but perhaps I'm on my way!!

A good weekend

Saturday I run 6 miles outside, the longest run outside to date and it was wonderful. It was a new route which brought about new scenery that was very enjoyable. I had a good time, 6 miles in 1 hour 15 min or so. If I keep this pace up I may finish this 1/2 marathon in the same time as my first one in Napa. I felt strong and I enjoyed myself which is very important.

Yesterday I ran with my niece. We ran 2.5 miles in 20 min. She did finish before me but that was OK. I wanted to be sure I kept my my 1/2 marathon pace. I want to be sure I don't run these shorter runs any faster than what my long distance pace will be. Both days were so very nice. The sun felt good and each day had just enough of a breeze out there to keep me from overheating. I couldn't ask for more.

Vitamins seem to be getting absorbed into my system. I've felt great and strong. I guess the real test will be next week as that would be my "difficult" week while on BC so we'll see. But thus far I'm feeling very optimistic and hopeful that these vitamins will help even out my hormones and get me feeling like I should be.

This week is a busy one on tap, Block Watch meetings, Religion, Softball practice (for A) and then a Awards ceremony for A's basketball participation. It will be packed that's for sure but I'm sure it will be fine.

On a side note, I'm slightly disappointed that J won't be at the finish line after the 1/2. He will be Turkey hunting. It will be fine as I finished Napa without him there. A will be there as she will sleep over with her friend and her mom is running with me so her husband will bring them. I still need to find a place for E to go as we plan on spending the night at a hotel the day before the race so we don't have to get up as early. I know it will all work out, yet it's just one more thing I need to arrange. Could be worse I suppose.

The Weekend

The weekend started with talking myself into a run on Saturday morning. My hormones had the best of me and I really wanted to come up with every excuse NOT to go. My husband is the best and he helped motivate me. Just start running and then you'll feel good. So I started running, wearing my Napa technical tee to help give me inspiration and off I went. Selecting a new route to change things up. The run was going well, a bit cool but that helped me from over heating. Then came some sprinkles and then it got a little heavier. I was still running strong and it was a nice route but then finally I figured I should turn around. The shirt I had chosen was white and it was getting pretty wet so I figured I didn't want to give anyone a show so I called home to get picked up. I then went on to Map My Run and the distance I ran was 4.31 miles in 50 min. I was supposed to do 10 but that was my longest run so far this season outside and I was strong, I could have kept going. I paced myself really well and felt good. That helped change my mood for the day.

We also colored Easter eggs later in the night and that was fun. The kids are getting older and I was afraid that they wouldn't still enjoy the experience but they did and that made me happy. They still even posed for the yearly egg picture (the kids lay down and I put the eggs they colored around their heads and I snap the photo). Saturday ended on a high note that's for sure!

Sunday, Easter, spent with family what could be better??

On a side note....I did get my vitamins and today is day 4 of taking them. I'm feeling optimistic that they will help and give me relief. Time will tell I suppose, but I am looking forward to a week with some relaxation, good runs, and not being short tempered or irritable.