6/23 The Final Post

Well, this final post comes the day after the race.

The race was amazing. Exhilarating. Empowering. Such a wonderful experience!!!

The course was incredibly challenging. The 2 people I asked about the course LIED!! They told me it was flat and it was anything but flat! It was up and down STEEP hills for about 4 of the miles! And it was hot and humid. But it didn't matter. I felt so motivated!! Matt was SO awesome. He got up at 5am with me so we could get there in time and he brought his bike so he could meet me at different points on the course to cheer me on. That was SOOOO nice. To see a familiar face instantly gave me a surge of energy- every time. My final time was 2:23- slower than my normal pace but, given the hills and heat, I am thrilled!!

I followed the advice of my running "mentor" Tom and walked through each water station to hydrate- which was super important in the heat. But I only walked for about 20 seconds at each stop because I felt really good!! The hardest part, by far, was mile 11-12. I felt like that mile was about 5 miles.

At the finish line was Matt with the camera which he also had throughout the race (but I won't post those unflattering pictures!! ), my mom and dad and Lucas, who they kept overnight and brought to the race so he could see me finish. I was so incredibly overwhelmed when I crossed the finish line and saw them all. I cried!

This was by far the biggest physical accomplishment I have ever had and could be in my top 5-10 lifetime accomplishments. It is an incredible feeling to have a goal, work for it and succeed.

Will I do a marathon everyone asks.......maybe someday. But not right now. I am going to enjoy this feeling for awhile, enjoy running for pleasure purposes only, and put the 13.1 sticker on my bumper! :)

And now it's Matt's turn- he is talking triathalon, half marathon, marathon...whatever he decides, I hope I can support him in the way he supported me these past few months.

I was so overwhelmed by all the emails and messages I received from friends and relatives wishing me luck and congratulating me- I love you all!!!!

So, this post ends my journey.......maybe someday it will continue onto something even bigger. Right now this high feels pretty darn big!

6/20

Well, it is in 2 days! It is suppose to rain but at least I won't be hot!

I have spent the last 2 days off my feet as much as possible, icing and taking Ibuprofen. The genius I am decided to climb a lighthouse at a party on Wednesday. It didn't feel strenuous when doing it. And the view was really cool! I don't know if it was my shoes or what the reason, but I woke up Thursday and could barely walk. My calves were BURNING. Different muscles than running?? Who knows....it all seems so bizarre. But the pain is there and it is pretty strong. So, I skipped a 3 mile run on my schedule, went to a yoga class tonight instead (for some good stretching) and am hoping for the best. Will do a 2 mile walk tomorrow and then, ready or not, the race will be here Sunday!!!

Here is a link to the site....
http://www.fairfieldhalf.org/home.htm

I've already been assigned a bib number- 1501.

Tomorrow is lobsterfest but I obviously will not be able to partake in the beer/wine and lobster consumption that I usually do. Instead, I will drink bottles of water, a small amount of lobster and come home for a carb. dinner.

Lucas is staying with my parents Saturday night and Matt and I will leave for the race at 6:15am Sunday. Mom and Dad will bring Lucas later on.

So, that's it. Why am I so nervous and anxious??????Ugh! I need to get pumped!!!!

6/15

Wow- the race is one week from today!!!

I ran my 8 this morning, in the pouring rain. I actually had a really good run- I think it was because it has been so hot lately and I was so nice and cool in the rain!

Time to taper down- two 3 mile runs this week and a walk on Friday and that is it!!!!!

6/11

So, my mom tells me someone is trying to tell me not to run this race...I'm going to have to ignore her!! :)

But, this morning I was walking into work talking with a friend and completely and totally WIPED OUT on the pavement. I have no idea how. I just lost my step, I guess.....either that or I am a complete and total clutz. Anyway, I felt a muscle give out in my calf- BAD. I got into school, down to my classroom and as I am walking down realize I am bleeding through my pants- yes, I completely cut up all around my knee. So, after calling Matt in tears, not because of the pain but because I was afraid I had totally screwed up my calf for running, I called my physical therapist from the whole ankle injury. She told me some things to do all day today and tomorrow and, although sore, it really doesn't hurt that bad tonight. Ice and Advil seem to be helping. My knee is actually what hurts and at least I know that will heal. I still have a 4, 3 and 8 this week. I was going to do the 4 today but decided not to. Going to try tomorrow afternoon, the my 3 on Friday or Saturday and then the 8 Sunday. All I need to do now is stay injury free for 10 days. I cannot believe the race is in 11 days......time to get pumped!!!!

6/8

Well, I did it! My first 10 mile run today! WOO HOO! For some reason I felt like if I could do 10, I could do the half- that I just needed to get past that. The last 2 miles were challenging but I think I will be able to do the 13. I'm hoping to finish in under 2.5 hours but would also be happy just to finish.

I have a toe injury that is too nasty to describe here. Will probably end up losing a toenail right before flip flop season! :) My runner friend tells me it is a badge of honor for a runner. I'd rather lose weight than toenails!!

6/5

So, I was a lot sicker than I thought last week and ended up not able to run until Sunday, for my long run. Was suppose to do 9 but ended up only able to do 7 plus a 1 mile walk. I was happy with that.

This week I am due to do 24. So far I did my 4 on Tuesday, 6 today, have 4 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. I cannot believe I am already at 10 and ready to start tapering. Crazy. I added up all my miles today and just hit 100 miles. 100 miles in 6 weeks and not one pound lost! I actually gained 6! Only me! I'm hungry ALL THE TIME!!! :)

Now I need to start recruiting a cheering section!!!! I'm going to need all I can get!

5/28

Ran 20 miles last week- woohoo! My long run was 8 miles. It was HARD!! This week I was suppose to do 22 but I have been sick in bed with a sinus infection and definitely will not get all my miles in this week. Hoping to do 2 or 3 tomorrow (to ease back in), 5 on Friday, 2 or 3 Saturday and my long, 9 miler, on Sunday. So, my week total this week will probably be only around 18 or 19. I'm okay with that- as long as I can get my long run in and get over this sickness ASAP.....the 1/2 marathon is 3 weeks from Sunday- YIKES!