I'm ready!

Today was our last long training run before the big day and it felt great. 8 miles in 1:25....that's a 10:37 mile average! I felt wonderful! It was cold as hell (started in 37 degrees) but I went on a little winter run shopping spree recently and loaded up on warm gear.....I was toasty warm by mile 2! I'm READY! It amazes me that 8 miles feels like nothing now. I feel no soreness at all. 16 weeks ago I ran my first 8 mile run and it seemed so daunting to me....I was ridiculously sore afterward and now it's just a piece of cake....heehee....who'da thought!??? This weeks challenge will be keeping myself healthy. I think I just may quarantine myself in my house to keep away from the cooties. I'm going to become a neurotic germophobe for the next week!

For anyone who's actually following this blog and interested.....on race day you can track my progress through the marathon as I'm running. Apparently they give me some sort of a GPS chip to attach to my shoe that tracks my run and you can log onto the Detroit Free Press Marathon web site while the marathon is actually taking place and find out where I'm at. You can go to this site http://www.detroitmarathon.com/events--races/marathon.html
and find the "track runner"...... or something like that.....type in my name and they will tell you where I'm at and my time at specific splits in the race. Kinda neat.

11 days & counting

Sucked it up on the treadmill for 6 miles. Listened to Middle Sex audio book down loaded on my ipod. I'll have to relisten to the part I was supposed to be listening to.....ugh.....not sure what it is about the gym that makes me unable to focus....but I keep trying....maybe it's a learned skill that will take time. But I CAN say that today was a little more tolerable than the past treadmill days and I think it's because I tried to push myself....for instance, I did a couple 1/4 mile sprints at a 9 minute mile pace and a couple 1/4 mile incline segments....it was tough but seemed to make the time go by a little quicker by breaking in up. I felt really good today. But got a little nervous when I walked for a cool down because I was getting those really bad heart palpitations again.

At the risk of sounding morbid......I noticed today's date.....I'm reminded of what inspired me to do this to begin with. Tomorrow, Oct 11th, marks the 30 year anniversary of the end of my Dad's battle with Leukemia.

I've officially decided on Chicago next year!

Ran an easy and very enjoyable 3 miles this morning....no gps and no water bottle strapped to my butt. Just me and my ipod! I'm very happy to be over the hump of training and now the runs are enjoyable again....I have to admit that I was getting a smidge burnt out these last few weeks. Now I'm getting excited. I'm almost there. My easing off the last week really helped my sore ankle and heal. They're almost completely better.

So it's official....I haven't even completed my 1st marathon and have already decided on next years' marathon....Chicago. I'm going to try a new marathon in a new state each year.....that's my goal......for as long as my body will allow me.....or until it stops being enjoyable. This has been a life changing adventure for me and I plan on repeating it over and over again. Obviously this isn't for everyone. There are a few in our group who say "NEVER AGAIN!". But at least they gave it their best shot and TRIED! I respect that! Even through all my complaints and struggles I've enjoyed every aspect of this. & I've somehow been lucky enough to avoid any major physical injuries to hold me back....I'm sure that won't always be the case and I'm sure I should be knocking on wood since the marathon is still 2 weeks away....I probably just jinxed myself! I haven't even lost a single toenail yet!! YEAY! I'm not sure I with my toe fetish could have handled a blow like that!

Chicago marathon

My friend Diane ran the Chicago marathon today and TMed me that it was "absolutely the worst experience of her life". Her husband said that it was the hottest Chicago marathon they've had in over 30 years. Apparently 4 hours after the start of the race they actually closed the route and stopped the marathon because of the heat. Most continued on but were forced to walk it....she said you couldn't run if you wanted to at that point because of the number of people. Found this news article on line....1 person actually died.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/420/story/160897.html

She finished it anyway.....Diane, you are my hero!

2 weeks left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes (11:29 mile average). Wasn't the best run I've ever had but what did I expect after a week of slacking. Only did the 2 days of elliptical....Tues and Wed....my body needed the rest so I don't feel guilty in the least...I may regret it come marathon day but right now in the moment I'm glad I took the 6 days off.

Came home today to blissfully relax and calmly read a chapter in my book and reflect on my 160 minutes of solitude while in a tub full of ICE WATER......NOT!!!!!!!!!....... My legs feel great but now my back and jaw aches from the intense shivers that ran through my spine and teeth for 20 minutes!!!! Cured one ache only to acquire a new one! I'll be thankful in the morning.....I guess.

I would also like to add that my wonderful neighbors...Scott and Ilene Sipp just gave me a donation of $50 but for some reason I can't log into my account to "manage offline donations" and add their name to the list....I wanted to give them credit but couldn't....it may be because we're so close to the marathon...not sure. So their name isn't on my TNT donation page .....I tried. Thank you!

almost feel'n normal again!

Another elliptical day....only did 30 minutes....having a tough time squeez'n in these runs lately. But my body is thanking me. Today was the first day since last Saturday that I didn't wake up limping (crawling would probably be a better description). Tomorrow will be another elliptical day although I'm not too sure when I'll get it in. Then Saturday we do 14 miles. We're almost there.....only 11 days left......can I get an AAAAAAAAAAAA--MEN!!!!!!!!!!

I've decided to continue this blogging when the marathon is over...But I'm thinking I may just do it on MySpace. It'll be a blog for my kids ....intitled "This is My Life". ....that ebay lady inspired me. I always intended on keeping a journal for my kids when they were younger to document all the incredibly cute, funny, and of course STUPID, things they do....yes I said stupid because now that my oldest son is 10 many of the things he does can in fact be called stupid....maybe not the politically right term for it but true non-the-less. Now that I'm scrapbooking I need something to help me remember these moments....and I think it would be neat for them to look back and read one day. My memory is fading faster than a snowflake these days and I really want to preserve these moments.

EDIT: Way off!! Let's try 18 days left!!!!

I'm walking again

First off.....Man I screwed up big time on Saturday by not taking the ice bath when I got home. I hurt so bad I can't stand it. Then I talked to Traci and she and Kristina feel fine.....because they took the ice bath. I've been gimping around for 3 days now...today is the first day I woke up and felt somewhat better. Still not up to running so I did the elliptical again for 70 minutes. I was thinking I had pulled my calve muscles they hurt so bad....but my legs actually feel better now after the work out. I think the elliptical is a good thing for my ankle and heel anyway. Pounding the pavement everyday is taking it's toll. This week is going to be tough getting my miles in because I have 2 preschool field trips to attend with Jordyn.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson