Lake Tahoe Marathon

Well we actually made it to the end of the marathon.  It certainly wasn't easy.  Not that I expected it to be, but I didn't expect to feel nauseous, like I was about to vomit or pass out, or both.

Vanessa and I ran up to about the 8 mile mark and were still feeling good at mile 13.  It was around mile 15 that the nausea set in for me.  I put it off by sitting down and putting my head between my knees and by drinking more at the aid stations.  It lasted until around mile 21.  Then the marathon distance difficulty set in and we managed to plod on to the end.  I thought I was going to start crying with relief once we crossed that finish line.  I knew I could have given up but I really wanted to finish.

I suspect the ill feeling was probably due to dehydration and perhaps to the altitude of running at Lake Tahoe.  Whichever, I'm glad it's over.

Here we are post race with some much deserved champagne.

HH82PU6WVAHY

Marathon Training

Wow.  I can't believe how long it's been.   My daughter and I started our marathon training the first week of June and here it is one and one half weeks to the marathon!  How time does fly.

I've learned a few things along the way these past four months:

It's good to know someone who has run a marathon or two.  They'll have lots of advice.  Some of it will be useful to you and some of it won't.  You have to figure out which it is.  For instance I was given great advice on which brand of running socks to purchase.  Wrights have served me well.  But the advice on running routes, not so much.  Some runners like a nice long scenic route.  I like a nice safe, albeit boring, route close to home and restrooms and water fountains.   Some people run with their dogs.  My dog drives me nuts when I'm training.  Stretching after a run vs not stretching.  I like to stretch.

My daughter and I were told that four months is plenty of time to prepare to run a full marathon.  I really can't respond to that as yet.  But after running the longest training run of 20 miles I can safely say I wish we'd had more time.  Maybe six months would have been better. 

I'm not a fast runner.  In fact I'm really slow.  I'll be absolutely THRILLED if we can keep up a 12 minute mile pace during the marathon.  I'm relatively sure we won't be able to run that fast.  So sharing my training run times has at times been a little embarrassing.  That's just the way it is.  I've done the best I can.

I've spent a couple of weeks with delayed onset muscle soreness.  Good advice for me;  take a couple of running days off.  I could barely walk much less run.  Every step was painful.  

We didn't realize how much the running schedule would interfere with our spare time.  The question became, "What spare time?"  Running four days a week doesn't sound like much until you factor in not just the runs themselves but the recovery time from the runs which can sometimes be literally the rest of the entire day.  Since our chosen marathon takes place in the fall I feel as though I've lost most of my summer.  Bummer.

I should mention the many blisters and loss of various toenails along the way.  Running takes a toll physically.


There have been some positives along the way.  After the 20 mile training run I felt like telling strangers how far I'd run.  I just felt so very proud of myself.  It's really quite a distance.


Good advice:  Even if you're walking you're still moving forward.


I'm looking forward to finishing the marathon and having my life back.  I really miss it.


Will I continue to run?  Of course.  There just aren't any more marathons in my future.


I'll update after the marathon.  Wish us luck!

First Week of Training

The first week of marathon training is complete.  Fifteen miles total;  three 3 mile days and one 6.
Not bad.

3 mile run

It was slow........38 minutes.  Oh well.  It's done.  Keeping up with the training schedule.

Six Mile Run

Yes, six miles today, including a decent hill.  Felt OK.  Slow, but OK.  One hour and 19 minutes.  That's 13 minute miles.

But no hip pain, no hamstring pain, just really worn out when I finished.  But that's OK.  It's my longest run for this week.

Speaking of which, this is week one of training for the full marathon in September.  Yikes.

Great Idaho Potato Half Marathon

Well Vanessa and I managed to do the half marathon. Vanessa actually did great, it was a really tough run for me. Not sure why this race always seems so hard, even harder than Robie for some reason.

Anyway, we finished, that's what's important to us.

Cross Fit

Went to Cross Fit again last night. It was an easier workout which was fine with me. I had planned on doing a short run that morning but now I have a big cramp/knot in my left thigh and am limping around. It's always something isn't it?

A Workout and A Long Run

Monday after work I went to Cross Fit again. Really liking it.

Yesterday I ran 9 miles. Tough run. Uphill on the way back with a nasty headwind. Only walked about 1/2 mile of it. Took a long time though, 124 minutes. Pretty slow. And I'm sore today. I was planning on doing a short 3 mile today but I've got quite a spasm going in my left leg and I'm going to Cross Fit again today so I'll skip the run for now.

Cross Fit and an early Run

Did a weight work out with Cross Fit gym last night. I've decided to join after seeing what it's done for my daughter.

This morning before work I did a 5K - 35 minutes - that's just over 11 minute miles. Not too bad.

Another Run

Did 4 miles today. It was tough. Felt hard. Must still be recovering from Robie. Stopped and walked about 1/4 mile. In my defense I did change my usual route and included a rather steep hill this time. Had to stop to rest once on the way up. I think I'll keep doing the hill.
Time: an embarrassing 51 minutes; 12.75 min miles.

Short Run

Did 3 miles this morning.  On blisters.  Oh joy.  Took 34 1/2 minutes, so not moving too fast yet after Robie.  Don't want to back off on the training though, the Potato Race is coming up fast.

Race To Robie Creek 2010

Well Vanessa and I made it to the end of Robie. Actually she did great, at 2 hours 39 minutes.  I was quite a bit behind her at 3 hours and 16 minutes.  Last year we ran it together in 3 hours and 7 minutes.

Since I was far from prepared for the race I felt pretty good about my time.  I walked most of the race but I tried doing it in an aggressive manner.   Other than two bad blisters I feel pretty good today.

We've signed up to do the Great Idaho Potato Half Marathon next month.  Onwards!

Here we are post race.

You can see my full post on this race here.

Robie Creek

Crazy as it is I'm "doing" Robie Creek today.

I know, I'm NOT ready.  But my daughter managed to snag me a registration when she went to pick up her packet.  I figure I can walk most of it if I need to.  The weather promises to be as warm as last year.  I have two packs of Sharkies packed, my camera, plenty of sunscreen and of course my iPod.  We'll soon see how it goes.  Race starts at noon today.  I'm excited and nervous.

Long Run

Managed to get up and out on the road by 6:30 this AM.  Did 7 miles, per my little schedule for a half marathon.  Walked about 1 1/2 miles of the seven.  Felt pretty good.  Ate some Sharkies along the way.  Nice.

Short Run

Ran after work again last night - 3 miles in 33 minutes.  Not bad.  Felt good.  Getting ready for the Great Idaho Potato Half Marathon.  I hope.

Another Run

After working 9 1/2 hours, I managed to come home and run 4 miles.  Felt OK, too.
*pat on back*

Two Runs

Sunday I ran 2 1/2 miles.  This morning I managed to do 4.

I need to pick up the mileage soon as my daughter and I are planning on running a half marathon in about 5 weeks.  Yikes.

Early Morning Run

These are always hard to do;  hard to get to bed in time to get up so darned early.  But, I managed to get up and do a 5K this AM.  We'll see if I can manage to do a weight work out tomorrow.

Another Run

Feeling good after that four mile run on Sunday, of course I had to repeat it today.  I was even brave enough to time myself.  44 minutes.  Felt great about that;  11 minute miles.  That's good for slow ol' me, especially after taking so much time off and not having been brave enough to do any sprinting yet.

Feelin' Good!

Went out for a run yesterday.  With no specific time/distance in mind.  Just ran. 

Went out later to check the mileage.  I was hoping for 3 miles.  It was 4!  Fantastic!!!

Two Runs

Ran both Sunday and Wednesday.  Been doing a bunch of gardening (lifting heavy containers, soil, raking, etc) so I skipped my weight work out on my weekend and felt OK about it.  The last run felt better than it has in a while.  Hip still a bit tender though.

Again

Did my weight work out after work today.  Not happily, but I did it.

Some Runs

I hate it when I forget to log a run.  As in Sunday's run.  I ran Sunday.  Without the dog this time.  Sometimes she helps, sometimes she hurts.  So Sunday I left her home.  Ran about 2 1/2 miles again.

Then today I managed to get up early - 4:30AM - and run another 2 1/2 miles.  Felt good.  Barely fit it in before work, especially with needing to do the stretching and ice packing on my hip.

Before I feel toooo good about myself, I skipped my weight work out on my weekend;  felt too busy and out of time.  Not good.  Will I do it tomorrow?  We'll see........

A run AND weights

Yesterday after work I ran the same two miles again.  Felt even better.  I'm not too surprised at the difficulty.  After all it has been six weeks of rest.  My hip wasn't too sore afterwards but I performed the required stretches before and after the run and then applied the ice pack.

This morning I managed to get up early enough to fit in a weight work out.
I know I'm going to be sore from this for a while.  Ouch.  Already am!

Running Again

Well I finally did the smart thing and saw a doctor about my hip pain.  After xrays and all;  he said it wasn't a stress fracture - (I don't remember the exact diagnosis name) - but he compared it to a shin splint, but in my hip.  Gave me some stretches to do and said to ice it after I run.

So today I went out and bought these

and ran two miles.

Felt OK.  Felt good actually.  Really good.

Although my hip hurts a bit now, I'm no longer worrying that I'm making it worse.  I'll continue with some short runs, and the stretching, and the ice packs, but at least I'm back in business and that makes me very happy!

Lesson learned:  Don't self diagnose!!!

Sore Hip

Did a 5K today which really doesn't feel like much.  Planned on running six miles.  But after my last run I've got this annoying pain in my right (dare I say it?) hip.  No, no, no!  Can't be a hip issue can it?

Well it hurts again now.  And it was bothering me while I was walking.  Good thing is it goes away after a few days.

I'm thinking since I'm due a new pair of running shoes (mine are a year old now) I'll just get that done tomorrow and see if that helps.

Cross my fingers.


Update #1:
I got brave and looked up hip pain online.  (No need to see a doctor, I have the internet!)
Anyway, sounds as if I could have a stress fracture.   "Stress fractures of the hip are most common in athletes who participate in high-impact sports, such as long distance runners. Treatment usually is successful by avoiding the impact activities."  They continue:  "Hip stress fractures require the immediate modification of activity levels so you don't have pain or discomfort. I do not recommend pain medications, as these medications can mask symptoms that are important for the patient and doctor to know about. If you only have pain when running, then the running must be stopped. If the pain occurs while walking, then crutches should be used. The important concept is to stay under the level of pain. If you avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms, then it is often possible that hip stress fractures will heal without surgery."

I guess it's time to cut back, or out altogether, for a while, my running.  Big, big bummer.


Update #2:  from Orthopod; "Doctors most often recommend nonsurgical treatment for compression-type fatigue fractures. You must stay off the affected leg, using crutches if necessary, and rest the hip for at least four to six weeks. Pain can be treated with hot and cold treatments and medication. With care, the fractures tend to heal by themselves." 

So, I'll be sitting out for a while.

5K Day

Managed to run this morning before work.  Don't know why I get so lazy and put it off.  Always feels good!

Another Run

Yesterday I managed to fit in a 5K run at the rec center.  In between the two 8 year olds playing on the rec equipment while they yelled across me trying to talk to their father.  Oh well.  It didn't last long.

Getting behind on my work outs.  I don't like that.

5 Mile Run

Nice.  Did the full 5 today.  Paused just once for a drink after 3 miles.  Ran on the treadmill as it's raining out.  Felt pretty good but tired.

"Should" have run yesterday as today is the day for my weight workout, which will probably (hopefully) be completed tomorrow before work, on my usual rest day.

Yesterday was one of those days - had $700 worth of work done on the car, husband found out at the dentist that he needs two crowns, and two of my fingers are going to require surgery soon.  I've been through this surgery twice, on other fingers, and it's not bad, just no one likes having that kind of stuff done.

Still need to do some running on pavement.

Sprinting

Managed to come home after work and do some sprinting.  Decided to use the rec center, thought the path would be too muddy.  I do need to get some running done on pavement though, I'll have to schedule in some of that.

Decided to run a 5K and do some sprints during it.  Went fine.  Finished in 31.45 minutes.  Felt worn out but good.  My knee has been feeling OK.  Came home and did some stretching.  The rec center is busy on Sundays.  I'll be glad when the weather is better and I can run outdoors again.

AM Workout

Well last night it didn't take long to fall off my food wagon.  A little frustration and I go right for the sweets to "fix" it.  Some other things came up at the same time that I wasn't even aware I was feeling bad about.  So much for self awareness.  Gees.

Good thing is I actually managed to get up this morning at 4:30AM and do my weight work out before work.  Nice.  Just barely, but I managed.

On to better days!

Interval Run

Felt pretty good about today's run even though at 1.7 miles it was short.  Got up early - 4:30AM - and hit the rec center when it opened at 5AM.  I intended to do speed intervals.  This was the first time I'd tried it manually on the treadmill.  Well, it didn't work.  I did hill intervals instead.  I settled for that.  It's not as if I don't need to run some hills since my daughter and I intend to run Robie Creek again this year. 

The intervals pushed me up to 3.5 hills.  Nice.  I hadn't been beyond 2 on the incline before.  I ran it rather slow at 5.5.  Pushed up to 6 speed for the last bit to use up my energy.  Finished in 20 minutes.

Anyone else have this problem - worrying about passing gas (farting, cutting the cheese, whatever you want to call it) - while working out in a rec center?  I was really hoping the bodybuilder had earbuds in.  (He did.)  While the treadmill is moving and I'm listening to my ipod I know I'm doing you know what, but I can't tell how loud it is.  I mean, it's not as if I'm trying to do you know what, but sometimes, when you're running, it just happens.

Well, this morning felt good.  Time for work.

Weight Workout

Well I managed to fit in my weight work out today. Felt pretty good but I know I'll be sore because I haven't done it in a while.

My food went well for the past couple of days. Should be able to keep that up.


Tomorrow is a day off from working out. Friday I'll be back at it.


I printed off a running schedule for the marathon. It's a 16 week schedule I found at Runner's World online called the Rookie's Marathon Training Plan. The longest run is 20 miles in week 13. For some stupid reason it sounds doable. (I must have a high from my weight workout.)

My weekend is over, time to earn a living tomorrow again.

Today's Run

I decided to start this blog to keep track of my running schedule. Yes I could be doing the same on paper, but doing it online helps motivate me.

Today I "ran" five miles. The parentheses are due to the fact that I didn't run the entire distance. I walked some of it. Still it took me 56 minutes. That's just over 11 minute miles. For me, that's pretty speedy.

The temp today was around 35˚F with a slight wind and occasional drizzle. I was happy to see that the inexpensive running suit I recently purchased had water beaded on the surface. I hope it will help me stay dry during my outdoor runs.

I've noticed that I've gained about 5 pounds during the holidays/vacation. I'm planning to lose that amount plus a bit more in the months to come.

The run felt good today, although I was really tired afterwards.