Day 67

Daily distance: 17 miles
Weekly distance: 41 miles
Training distance: 355.04 Miles
Pace: 10:58
Time/Temperature: 11:00-2:00 p.m. Drizzling; 40 degrees
Weight: 145

 


The weather said that it was going to stop drizzling and that it was going to heat up to the 50's.  It didn't!  It was chilly and drizzling the entire time.  I did great not watching my watch today.  My hands were cold so I kept them inside my shirt most of the time which covered up my watch.  I kept my pace super slow for the first half.  Whenever I felt myself getting to tired I slowed the pace, reminding myself that I had so many more miles left.  I really enjoyed the first seven miles.  Those are the miles that are on the riverwalk.  When I go off the riverwalk it seems to much longer.  I ran across two bridges and a bit through downtown.  When I turned around at 8.5 miles I picked up the pace.  I am very happy at my first/second split.  My first split was 1:39.68 and my second split was 1:24.54.  Increasing my pace by 15 minutes over the course of 8 miles is very impressive to me.

I am especially pleased at my 17th mile, coming in at 9:10.

I felt my left knee starting to hurt around mile 10.  I stopped and used the toilet at mile 11 and in less than 30 seconds my legs locked up and it took a couple of minutes to get them going again.  It was painful.  I listened to whatever came on my Amber's Peace station the first 10 miles and then picked up the music pace with my Lindsey Stirling mix, which is very fast pace.  No blisters today.  I do have a lot of chaffing in my butt cheeks.  That is odd, second time that has happened.  I will have to remember to run some chaffing cream in my crack from here on out.  :)

I was looking forward to the end..not only because I was certain I was going to break my legs if I cintjnued but also because my boyfriend was there.  He has made a habit of being at the finish for me and I really like that!

Day 66

Daily distance: 8 miles
Weekly distance: 24 miles
Training distance: 338.04 Miles
Pace: 10:22
Time/Temperature: 6:00 p.m. Inside Treadmill
Weight: 145

I was worried all day that I would cop out on this run and I am so happy for myself that I didn't!  It was too cold for my liking to run outside today.  I know all the cold weather folks would laugh but us southern runners think it is just crazy talk to run in this weather.  There was freezing run coming down and snow on the ground and too much slush.

I ran before my families movie night and it was good!

Day 65

Daily distance: 4 miles
Weekly distance: 16 miles
Training distance: 330.04 Miles
Pace: 10:08
Time/Temperature: 10:27 a.m. Inside Treadmill
Weight: 145

I ran my four miles in two runs, each for two miles.   I worked from home today and had a lunch date and an evening date today so my ran was worked in between all of that.  When you are a single mom, sometimes you have to juggle things around sometimes in order to get free time with your sweetie!  

I ran the treadmill at my house.  It was pleasant and having my new gps watch helped me accurately determine when I was at four miles.  My treadmill doesn't measure it correctly.  

Day 64

Daily distance: 8 miles
Weekly distance: 12 miles
Training distance: 326.04 Miles
Pace: 10:08
Time/Temperature: 10:27 a.m. Inside Treadmill
Weight: 145

Today was a much better day than yesterday.  The evening wasn't.   But I felt good during the day and that is when I ran!  It was cold so I ran inside at The Rock on the treadmill.  I enjoyed it.  A pleasant lady was running next to me and HGTV kept me entertained.  It would have been a real treat if I would have had time to get in the Sauna afterwards, but I was at work and no time for that! 

It feels so good on my knees to run on the treadmill.  

Day 63

I did not run today.  It was a very tough day for me and I just didn't have any desire to run at all.

I am praying right now that all is right in my world on the day of my race so that my emotional status doesn't effect it.

Day 62

Daily distance: 4 miles
Weekly distance: 4 miles
Training distance: 318.04 Miles
Pace: 10:11
Time/Temperature: 10:27 a.m. 20 degrees
Weight: 145

I didn't think that I would be able to get out and run this morning but I pulled myself up and did it.  It was so cold!  It was supposed to snow today but it didn't, just freezing.

Day 61

Monday!
I took off today.  This week should have a ton of mileage.  eep!!!

I was not in a good emotional place today.

Day 60

Daily distance: 10 miles
Weekly distance: 23 miles
Training distance: 314.04 Miles
Pace: 10:11
Time/Temperature: 12:30 p.m., Inside treadmill
Weight: 145

I wanted to go to church and my children were with me so before I even knew it the day started to get away from me.  After we got home and I cooked lunch I was so tired that I had to take a 30 minute nap.  It was extremely cold outside and I knew I was not going to run outside.  By the time I got my children to their father's house and got myself to the gym it was too late for me to get my full 13 miles in.  I got 10 miles and then the gym closed.  I was so happy to be inside for the run though.  I got to sit in the sauna for 10 minutes and I wish I could have sat there for 30.

I watched HGTV and people watched in the gym.  I don't know why it is easier for me to run on a gym treadmill than it is in my own house.

Day 59

Today was Valentine's Day and I decided not to run!  I didn't want to.  I enjoyed it my children and my boyfriend and his children.  Friends came over too.  I will run tomorrow.

Day 58

Daily distance: 4.5 miles
Weekly distance: 13 miles
Training distance: 304.04 Miles
Pace: 10:17
Time/Temperature: 12:30 p.m., 47, Cloudy
Weight: 145

I noticed when looking at my marathon training guide that this entire week is an easy week.  After this week it steps up the mileage even more and I have multiple 20 mile days.  My joints hurt and I am over the training.  The mileage isn't insane, but the running day after day with no breaks is stressing me.  I enjoy it and yet I struggle with it a lot.

I am reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and I am on her portion where she is praying in India.  This portion is reminding me a lot of my friend Keith and all the amazing life lessons I learned from him while he chose to interact with my life.  He used to talk about how we were like tuning forks.  How we were in each others life for a time being to propel us through a part of it or to another part of it.  The connection I had with my friend Keith was unlike anything I had experienced. He helped me out of such a dark place after the demise of my marriage and gave me light.  He introduced yoga and meditation and living in the now to me.  He was strength and peace for me at that time.  I recall him explaining and then me googling "soul" connections and how it is said that they typically are just for a time.  While this makes me sad and I mourned Keith leaving my life abruptly for a very long time (and still miss his presence), I understand.  I understand that some things are the most powerful forces in your life and that sometimes those exact things are temporary.  That if they were to stay, perhaps chaos would ensue or damage could occur.  That they are for a purpose, a time, a season.  

My thoughts on running during this time resonate with that thought process for some reason.  It makes sense inside my mind but I have tried to explain it here and keep deleting it.  *smiles*  My running, the book I am reading and my thoughts of my friend Keith are all connected on a deep level for me.  I will make it through this time of training.  I will seek whatever lessons it has for me.  I will enjoy the journey of this time as it propels me in to a new time.  I will appreciate the lessons, the joys, the struggles.  

I will be in the NOW.  

Day 57

Today was not meant to be a rest day but a lot happened at work and I could not get a run in.

Day 56

Daily distance: 4.5 miles
Weekly distance: 8.5 miles
Training distance: 291.04 Miles
Pace: 10:37
Time/Temperature: 12:30 p.m., 47, Cloudy
Weight: 145

Wasn't it a gorgeous day!  The sky was so blue.  I get to see such pretty countryside on my runs.  This view is right down the road and I pass it each day.  I love seeing mountains in the distance in all directions.  

I didn't want to run today, but I felt good having done it once I was finished.  It was slower than yesterday but it typically is I have noticed when I have to run on the road and be aware of cars and my dog.  I just got to eat a banana before the run.  It was over lunch and I didn't want to eat heavy before running and the morning didn't lend well to me having sufficient snacks.  It tided me over but not the best.

Tonight my legs are hurting a bit.  I am going to rub some cream on them and head on to bed.  

Day 55

Daily distance: 4 miles
Weekly distance: 4 miles
Training distance: 282.54 Miles
Pace: 9:33
Time/Temperature: 12:30 p.m., 63, Cloudy
Weight: 145

I had a great run over lunch.  Four miles didn't feel like much after the 15 on Sunday.  
I listened to great music too!  My legs felt good and all was good.

Day 54

Rest Day!  And boy did I need it after yesterday!

Day 53

Daily distance: 15 miles
Weekly distance: 27.12 miles
Training distance: 278.54 Miles
Pace: 10:45
Time/Temperature: 2:30 p.m., 63, Cloudy
Weight: 145

I am so happy to have this long run done.  I was exhausted.  Last weeks 14 miles was so much easier.  I could tell that I had taken a few days off this week, that I had been sick and that I started too late in the day.  I have ascertained that I have to get to running in a timely hour when I am running more than 10 miles.  But I hadn't gotten to church in three weeks and I wanted to go so bad.  Then I needed to eat again so my run didn't start until 2:30 and I was just too tired.  So I am not sure how to handle this because my pastor is preaching a sermon series that I really want to hear the net few weeks but I can't have a repeat of today's run.  

I did get warmed up but I never settled in to the run.  My feet were heavy the whole time.  My stride wasn't right.  I was running on heavy lead pipes it felt like.  The soles of my feet are constricting a lot too and I have to figure out what that is about.  My calves hurt and they never hurt.  It was just not fun.  

But my boyfriend joined me four miles out from the finish and I was so excited for that.  I love having someone to run with and who is in shape also!  I thank God for him.  He thought he was going to run 6 miles today and ended up running 7.5 and he took it all in stride like he runs daily, which he doesn't.  And I would have probably ended the run a lot slower if it weren't for him.  

This picture was taken at the end when I collapsed on a bench.  I have a strange blister on the underside of my second toe.  Not sure how that got there.  I have strange chaffing on the bottom of my behind and that is odd.  Just things to document and try to figure out before the run.  

On to the next week.  Hopefully I will get out of this funk I have been in for the last two.

Day 52

Daily distance: 7.03 miles
Weekly distance: 12.12 miles
Training distance: 263.54 Miles
Pace: 10:14
Time/Temperature: 10:30 a.m., 50, sunny
Weight: 145

I was ready to get back on track today.  It was a gorgeous day for a run!!  I ran some back roads around my house and enjoyed the scenery a lot.  There is a nice creek that runs along the entire route I used.  There is some fowl cow smells and chicken smells but that's okay.  I did not feel good on the run.  My body is so tired! 

I like running on mornings like today.  I was able to get up and have a good breakfast and a couple cups of coffee.  I loved on my kids and then hit the road.  Mornings that happen like this are few and far between and I am thankful for them.

Day 50 and Day 51

I was supposed to run a total of 10 miles on these two days but I couldn't.  I got ill on Wednesday and even came home from work.  Indigestion problems.  I should have known my body was going to need a break.  I mentioned last week that last week was difficult for me (outside of running) and then I ran a lot of mileage.  My body was tired and it showed itself in physical symptoms.  Throughout this training process I plan on doing the best I can to listen to my body and rest when needed.  Even if I am scheduled to run.  I am not 20 anymore.

Day 49

Daily distance: 5.09 miles
Weekly distance: 5.09 miles
Training distance: 256.51 Miles
Pace: 10:17
Time/Temperature: 12:30 a.m., 44, sunny
Weight: 145

Four miles was on my training schedule today but I decided to run as far as I could over my lunch break to offset the longer run tomorrow.  It is always very hard to run a long run on the Wednesday's that I have my children.  It was a pleasant run.  I didn't want to do it, but it was good weather.  

Day 48

No running today and I did not do any cross training either.  I am exhausted from yesterday.

Day 47

Daily distance: 14.01 miles
Weekly distance: 36.22 miles
Training distance: 251.42 Miles
Pace: 10:25
Time/Temperature: 10:30 a.m., 44, cloudy and rain
Weight: 145

 


I have not enjoyed my runs this week.  It has felt like work instead of pleasure.  But I enjoyed the run today.  I thought that map my fitness had lost my run but it restored tonight and I was so pleased to see my splits.  This is my second longish run and I am pleased to see in both runs my second split was nicely done.  I am very pleased with the last two miles.

During the race I thought about many things to keep my mind occupied.  I thought about when to eat my huma's and whether or not I should stop and pee (glad I did). I listened to a lot of praise and worship songs and sang loudly.  I thought about relationships that I currently have and prayed about a lot of them.  I thought about these two ducks that weren't scared of me being inches away from them at all.  Then for over a mile I was running with this guy and while it was so nice to have a pacer to run with, it wasn't a race and it was just the two of us on the trail which made it very uncomfortable.  I held off the urge to spring ahead of him because I had longer goals of pacing myself in mind.  But I wished that he would sprint ahead or walk for a bit because it felt so odd just the two of us strangers running in sync for so long.

It started raining exactly halfway through my run.  It wasn't a down pour but it was steady.  I knew immediately that it would include a blister.  I always get them when I run in the rain.  I kept a nice slow pace the first seven and then changed up my music and settled into "race pace" for the second half.  My legs and feet felt very good.  I was happy to be done though for sure and I thought throughout that this is the second shortest run I have from here on out.  Ugh...

I need to get my new pair of shoes ordered this week so I have time to wear them in.  I also need to get a gps watch soon so I can stop carrying this unreliable heavy phone on my arm.

Day 46

Daily distance: 7.02 miles
Weekly distance: 22.21 miles
Training distance: 215.20 Miles
Pace: 11:10
Time/Temperature: 8:30 a.m. 40's
Weight: 145

Happy Birthday to my sweet Karis Grace!  I knew that we had a full day today with the world's best princess party this afternoon so I needed to get my run in bright and early.  Running on the road I ran on this morning is incredibly boring.  The gps is not good and my music goes in and out and my battery gets drained quickly.  

The run was boring but I got it done.  I am not enjoying the running much this week.  I am hoping to get back my desire soon!!

Day 45

Daily distance: 4.01 miles
Weekly distance: 15.19 miles
Training distance: 208.18 Miles
Pace: 9:53
Time/Temperature: 6:00 p.m. 40's
Weight: 145

I was occupied over lunch today and I thought perhaps I wouldn't get my run in because I know myself and I know I don't always do good if I miss my run over lunch.  But I pulled it out and was happy with the pace.  The last mile it was pitch dark out and that was scary without a head lamp!

Day 44

Daily distance: 4.01 miles
Weekly distance: 11.18 miles
Training distance: 192.99 Miles
Pace: 9:59
Time/Temperature: I don't remember
Weight: 145

It was a nice run over lunch!  I am a few days behind on my blog and don't remember the specifics of this run.  They all blur together it seems.