T-20 Days to the Half Marathon: Part II

I DID IT!! I did it, I did it, I did it!!

10 miles hammered out on the treadmill. It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes, so it's not like I'll be tearing up the road at Disney, but I know I can struggle through 3 more on the big day. The biggest thing today's run did for me was give me the confidence that I can finish the half.

I got up at 5:30am today and ate a dry untoasted bagel, unsweetened applesauce, and water. Then at 7:00am I ate half a banana, with more water. I started running at 8am and took in 3 Clif Blocks every 45 minutes, and drank about 20oz of water. I know that wasn't enough water, but I didn't want to get off the treadmill to refill my water bottle because I was afraid I'd lose it.

I did a 5 minute warm-up and cool-down that are included in my time, and I did a few breaks of 5 minutes of walking within the 10 miles. For the majority of the run, though, I stuck to the 5/2 ration of running/walking. It seemed to work really well for me. My legs stayed mostly fresh.

I had this crazy burst of optimism and energy at mile 7, and ran the full mile at my 12 min/mile pace, singing along to Ricky Martin (She Bangs) on my iPod and feeling super. Then from mile 9 to 10, I thought I was going to go shooting off the back of the treadmill. This shows me that keeping to my racing strategy and pace is very important. I think that will be hard at Disney will all the distractions.

What a relief. I have been so keyed up about this. Running is so, so mental. I mean, clearly it's physical too, because my feet and ankles are killing me, and my lungs feel all nice and big and clear, but my brain totally controls the mind over matter.

I realized that I need thicker socks to help protect my feet from my hard inserts, and a new (slightly smaller?) sports bra. I also will need to wear a super-lame wrist sweatband thing, because I really hate wiping my face with my hands and then my hands on my pants.

I cannot believe that 9 months ago I was gagging and struggling to walk for half an hour with small stretches of running thrown in. That makes me really proud, because running isn't something you can fake. I've put in the work. Overall, I will leave you with this gem that sums up my feelings: “Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people.”

T-20 Days to the Half Marathon

Holy crap, this thing is getting really really real. 20 days until I line up at 5:40am to run 13.1 miles with 30,000 of my closest friends. *butterflies*

This morning is the peak of my training. I am headed to the gym to do 10 miles on the "dread"mill. It's quite gross outside as far as road conditions, and I'm still afraid that my back might crap out, so I'm going to keep it inside today. I am hoping for the best but expecting the worst, because that's how I roll.

I will update you all in cyberspace about how it goes. I bought two new songs (the "This or That" song from the KIA commercial, and "Bottles Up" by whomever... I hear it on 95XXX) for this occasion. That will make 8 minutes of running less painful.

T-28 Days to the Half Marathon

To add insult to injury, my back went out on Monday night. Oh, the pain! I have not done a thing since my long "run" last Saturday. My heels and ankles feel pretty good (BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE THEM), but my back is tight and painful and I don't know if/how I'll do my 6 miles scheduled for this weekend. I am so scared that after 9 months of work and focus, I am going to fail at the end of this running journey. It's horrifying.

T-32 Days to the Half Marathon

The shit is hitting the fan. My ankles and heels are worse then ever, and then today I threw my back out. I am so very, very discouraged that the closer I've gotten to the event, the worse I've felt. Maybe this is the way my body is forcing me to take rest this week? I literally can't do anything else.

I did 8 miles on Saturday, in 28*F weather and snow. I fell once on black ice, and got a couple hives on my thighs from the cold. Overall, I felt good, and clocked a 15 minute mile pace. Why so slow, you ask? Because I walked almost all of it. Between the slippery conditions and the pain in my legs, it just seemed like the smart thing to do. I still logged the "foot time", so I'm counting it.

I asked a few runner friends, and they said it's normal to get frustrated/bored/antsy at this stage of the training game, with the event so close. Still, I think I would be happy as a clam if my body would just cooperate. I love running; I had being in pain because of it.

To end on a positive note, I still try to hold the mantra "run with joy" in my head as I do my training. The shittiest day out on the roads is better than the best day in a sick bed. I am trying to be always thankful.

T-47 Days to the Half Marathon

I did a 7 mile long "run" today. I say "run" because I walked long chunks of it today. My knees were both hurting me- that's new. And I am recovering from a sinus infection/cold/something-or-other, and don't want to either make myself worse or lengthen my recovery.

Still, my average pace was a 13.5 minute mile, which means my running pace was probably quicker than a 12 minute mile when I was actually running. I feel good about that! I cannot believe that I really have just a little over a month until I head off for this half; it feels like I've been training forever!

Today I had two dogs charge me (a Chocolate Lab would was retrieved by his owner, and a cattle dog who responded to my command to "go home!"), and I had a runner pass me twice: once as he ran in the opposite direction I was, and once upon his return. He was a smooth, lithe, fast runner with great form, and a perfect footstrike. I am so grateful that I have never seen myself run; I'm sure I'd have quit if I had.

I went to two jewelry shows yesterday and today. I have to start thinking about what jewelry I will wear for the half. Should be the least of my worries, yes, but nonetheless. I want the earrings to be light enough to not bug me, but cute for pictures. Necklace? I've never run with one on, but all the Olympic sprinters do, so it must be possible. I'll wear my wedding and engagement rings only, because my fingers swell as I run and that can get uncomfortable. Decisions, decisions.

T-54 Days to the Half Marathon

I've been busy helping with our school's fall musical: "Willy Wonka". It was a huge success, and the concession stand I coordinated raised $935!! That's a huge help for covering expenses, so I feel good.

I also feel tired. It is getting increasingly harder to squeeze my runs into daylight hours, and these weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break are hard on a teacher. For one thing, the musical. This coming week is parent conferences. The kids are getting nutty. It just adds up to energy needed > energy available.

I have been bugging a few friends about Disney. How much will meals cost? If I do only one park, what should it be? How long is the shuttle ride from the airport to my hotel in the park? I am bugging myself. Luckily, now that the play is over, I will just ask my co-worker Jerry. He was the director of "Wonka"; he is also the biggest Disney fan I know. That's his license plate, even. Time to pump him for some information.

I have a pair of running capris and a personalized singlet ready to be purchased online. I just need to pull the trigger. Half marathon outfit- WAHOO!

T-62 Days to the Half Marathon

I did the 5K "Halloween Hustle" today with my friend and co-worker Jen D. The course didn't have any mile markers, so I wasn't sure how my time was or how much longer I had to go in the race at different stages. My ankles and heels were giving me a lot of trouble, and it was very cold! However, we finished in about 36:30, which is where I usually am. My endurance was actually pretty good; the pain from mid-shin down was all I wasn't really happy with as far as my performance goes.

I am getting pretty anxious/excited for the Disney Half- as of Monday, it's only 2 months away! My other friend and co-worker Jenn S. is running the NYC Marathon tomorrow with the LiveStrong team. Then I have two friends and co-workers doing the Disney with me. I am so inspired by other runners, and I also like to know we are all suffering together, HA!

The podiatrist said that my symptoms align pretty much with plantar fasciitis. He said I can continue to train and race, but that I should take time for non-impact activities and rest once the half marathon has passed. No problem- I think I'll be ready for a bit of a break by then. I wish there was just a pill he could give me so I was pain-free, but next to that, this was the best news I could receive.

All my $20 co-pays are really adding up, though! I should run Disney as a fund raiser to reimburse myself!