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Carlsbad Marathon – Recap

In Uncategorized on January 31, 2013 at 12:53 am

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Carlsbad Marathon Recap

Hills. Hills. Hills. More hills.

That’s about it. 🙂 Ok, but really…my quads still hurt from all the hills I ran on Sunday.

My first two miles, I ran conservative before kicking it to about an 8:45 pace. I felt like I could sustain this pace fairly comfortably. I knew this course had some hills, but I was NOT prepared for just how many. I was able to hang on to that pace up until mile 17 when I had a little bit of tummy trouble and stopped for a potty break. The marathoners mile 17 was the half-marathoners mile 6 and their turnaround. This absolutely killed my mojo I had going and my PR. Realizing I still had to run a mile out and back before I was on my “home stretch” was crushing. We were back by the coast at this point and that helped a little, but I really struggled mentally from mile 17 to about 22. I had to walk a few times and hated that.

But I finished! And despite not PRing, I’m still proud of holding what would’ve been a PR pace for 17 miles. This gives me something to push for. 

I fueled with gatorade (lemon-lime), Honey Stinger products and Craisins. 

Ran in Nike Free 5.0 (which I found out are completely waterproof, which was awesome because the first few miles it was raining). Also wore my Lululemon Speed shorts, LOVE them! 

I don’t think I’ll be racing Carlsbad (at least not the full) again. 

Up next: GCI Relay

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Three Weeks.

In endurance, exercise, Marathon, Road race, Running, San Diego on January 8, 2013 at 4:03 am

Three weeks until Carlsbad Marathon here in San Diego.

Life as a “single” mom is never done. My sweet daughter has had a rough three weeks, making my last three weeks rough. Except for my long runs, running and training has taken a back seat to a sick little girl.

Here’s a rundown:

1. One urgent care visit (on New Years)

2. Three Dr. appointments

3. Three pharmacy visits/two anti-biotics

3. Spontaneous, unexplained vomiting

4. Severe double ear infections

5. Pink eye in both eyes

6. I was down for 3 days over Christmas with stomach bug

7. One week of missed school

8. Lastly, I was running a 100.4 temp on Saturday, keeping me down all day.

When it rains?  We are hopefully both on the mend.

I had my last long run today, a 20 miler. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I even had the energy to start this run, much less finish it. But my good friend and training partner helped push me through despite this nasty head cold and weak body. It’s amazing what the body will do.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt sheer exhaustion (ok, maybe after giving birth) but I’m fairly certain I was close to it this weekend.

I refueled during this run by eating Chot Blocks and Craisins (best thing ever while running). I went through almost 40oz of liquid, water and gatorade combined. That seemed to work pretty good. I tried to eat every 5 miles and drink often. This will be my race day strategy.

Final thought…“What’s harder than steel? The last six miles.“

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Girl, Interrupted.

In Life, Marathon, New Year on December 29, 2012 at 2:52 am

Life has thrown some major interruptions my way the past few months. To be brutally honest, it has sucked big time. I’ve always considered myself a strong person – but that has been tested a lot recently. If I had time to have a nervous breakdown, I probably would.

I read a quote yesterday that perfectly describes my life at this time… “Sometimes the things we can’t change, end up changing us.” Boy, have I found that out to be true this year.

Sometimes we throw all our energy in to trying to “change” or “fix” our problems and situations when maybe it’s us that needs to be changed. That maybe our situations won’t change until we do. Change is hard, no matter WHAT kind. But if it all stayed the same, we would never grow, we would never discover the person we were meant to be. I have spent the majority of this year questioning why I’m the one who is defeated and also why I’m the one being put through change. Most days I don’t have answers or even understand, most days I have the “life’s not fair” pity party. But I have hope that when I’m done changing in to the person I need to be, when I’m rebuilt, that I’ll be better than ever. Stronger.

I’ve learned a lot this year about myself. I’ve learned I’m stronger then I realized, but that being weak is ok. I’ve learned that you don’t realize how something effects you until it’s destroyed you. I’ve learned that soul mates don’t always have to be a romantic relationship. That there are some people in your life that you just connect with, your best friend, your sibling, etc…that they understand you. I’ve learned that God sends exactly the right people at the right time, whether to make you smile or give you hope. I’m learning that God will never leave you empty, that His strength is always made perfect in our weakness. I’ve learned crying isn’t a sign of weakness, but that a sign that you are alive. A living, feeling, emotional being. Lastly I’ve learned that the only person I need to strive and be better than, is the person I was yesterday. In every aspect of my life, be better.

I may not like change, but I like who I am becoming. Bring on 2013!

PS: Four weeks until I run 26.2 for the 2nd time.

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