Moving forward

Here we are on Wednesday and so far, this week is going a lot better than last (knock on wood). I did some strength training Monday and today. I found some great routines and exercises on runnersworld.com that have been working out pretty well. I am hoping they help me build a stronger core so that some of the lower back pain I have been experiencing during long runs will subside. I ran 6.5 miles yesterday morning and it felt great. I ran sub 10 minute miles which I was also very happy with. It was a good indicatior of how my 10K will go this weekend. Instead of our "long run" on Saturday, we are running a 10K road race as a team in Swampscott. It looks like a pretty good race. It is actually being put on by the same people I trained with for my triathlon last year (B & S Fitness). I am looing forward to seeing Brandi and Steve and some other familiar faces. I will be doing interval and hill training tomorrow and more strength training on Friday. Here's to hoping that I continue to have a good week!

Sometimes you just have a bad day...

Well, Saturday's long run didn't exactly go as I had planned. I wasn't even going to do a post about it but the bad days are a part of this journey just as much as the good days so here it goes... Dog/house sitting for my friend in Marblehead took more of a toll on me than I ever imagined it would. Being out of my normal "routine" really threw me and my body for a loop. I got very little sleep, didn't do much training and my eating habits were definitely not what they should have been. When the alarm went off at 5am on Saturday morning and it was dark, dreary and rainy outside, I had no idea how I was going to psyche myself up to run 16 miles. After being awakened at 2am by the monster in my bed, aka Zeus, I barely fell back to sleep. But, I decided I couldn't give up without at least giving it a fair shot. So, I dragged myself out of bed, laced up my sneakers and off I went to meet my team in Wakefield. We set out on our run and I was quickly left in the dust by the other three members on my team. I knew then that it wasn't going to be a good run. At about mile 6.5/7 we entered Breakheart Reservation in Saugus and had to run through to Wakefield. I saw my dad there as I turned the corner. He came out on the course to surprise me and cheer me on and to snap a few "action shots". It was nice to see him there. Anyone who has been in Breakheart knows about the brutal hills that lie hidden between the trees. They took every bit of energy I had, which wasn't much to begin with. As soon as I got to the parking lot on the other side, I saw Lisa, Kelly, and Bran waiting for me with Gatorade. I knew I couldn't go on anymore. I nearly fell to the ground from exhaustion and dehydration. I had a bit of a mental and physical meltdown. Everyone was great and they were right there for me. I guess that's why we call them "mentors." Thank God my dad was there though. He was definitely there when I needed him most. He took me home and gave me a nice little pep talk on the way. So, instead of 16 miles on Saturday, I only got through 8. Needless to say, I spent the rest of Saturday and much of yesterday, sleeping and relaxing. I am now back home and back into my normal "routine" and it never felt so good. I was back at the gym this morning and I am looking forward to a great run tomorrow. I was bound to hit a bump in the road on this crazy journey, now it's time to get up, brush myself off and race for the finish!! I'm so close...

Serenity

Bet you never thought you would see the word "serenity" on a running blog?! Well, I think I found serenity this morning when I was running. I am dogsitting for my friend, Kathleen, in Marblehead this week. One of the perks of my staying in Marblehead is that the ocean is so close. I woke up before the sun this morning at 5am, took Zeus(Doberman) out for a walk and then I set out on my morning run. I ran 5 miles along the ocean and it was amazing! I saw the sunrise right over the water. It looked like a big ball of red fire. It was truly breathtaking...or maybe it was the hill I was running up simultaneously that took my breath away...I'm not exactly sure which. :) Five miles along the ocean as the sun was coming up was SO much better than my usual Tuesday morning run on my "lucky" treadmill. I can't wait till Thursday morning when I can run again!! I'm not going to want to go home on Sunday. Between running along the ocean and spending time with Zeus, I'm not sure what I'm going to miss more!

It's official, I'm halfway there...

Well, today was a GREAT day. I successfully completed my second half marathon!! WOOHOO!! The best part is that I did it in a MUCH better time than my first half marathon back in 2006. My mom, dad and Joe all came to support me today. It was really nice having them there pumping me up at the start and high-fiving me on my way into the finish. Thank you all for being there, it meant a lot. What a gorgeous sunny day! It was a little warm out there on the course especially with the sun beating down on us at certain points. I think the temp reached 70 degrees. But, I'd rather it be a little warm than pouring rain...so I won't complain too much. :) Actually, the temperature is probably very similiar to what it will be in San Diego on Marathon day. The course was no walk in the park though. There was a lot of rolling hills over the first 6 miles and then miles 6-9 had a few pretty good, steep hills for us to tackle. It wasn't easy, that's for sure. I thought of Gina a lot as I was out there and what she was probably going through at the very same moment I was battling those hills. She had a chemo treatment on Friday and the weekends following are usually pretty tough for her. I thought of her and there is no doubt she kept me going and got me to that finish line! I fought for her and with her today. She's my motivation, no question about it! So, I am now officially halfway to the San Diego finish line, hard for me to believe! In less than two months, I'll be doubling what I did today. That makes me tired just thinking about it! I'm off to relax now and put my feet up. Boy, am I pooped...

Calm before the storm...

I had a good week of running this week. I felt strong on all of my runs and was able to get through all of them pain and blister free. Maybe I do have this running thing figured out after all?! I'll be taking it easy today in preparation for my half marathon tomorrow in NH. I am excited and a little nervous. It'll be nice to run in new territory with a bunch of people. I am sure the crowd and excitement around will be a good prep for race day...which is less than 2 months away!! I can't believe it. Joe and I will going out for a nice "carb loading" pasta dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant, Petrillo's in Peabody. Should be yummy and give me just what I need to have a great race tomorrow. I'll be sure and update tomorrow night with how it goes.

Run, Booze, Fun

Boy, was yesterday a hectic day! I worked, then I had to squeeze in a run and then we had our team fundraiser at Tavern in the Square last night. First things first, my run went well; I ran 5 miles and felt pretty good, just a little tired because I ran in the afternoon after I worked. We all know I prefer to run in the morning. No pain and no blisters, so thank goodness for that! I did 5 miles yesterday, I'll be doing 4 tomorrow and 3 on Friday in preparation for my half marathon on Sunday. I am very much looking forward to doing some yoga today and stretching out some of my tight spots. I always feel great after I reconnect with my mat. :)
Our team fundraiser was a big success. Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support. It meant a lot having all of you there. We raised some money and had some good laughs all while supporting a great cause. Congrats to all of you who won some of the fantastic raffle prizes. I hope you enjoy your winnings. Thanks again! :)

Bye Bye Blisters

What a great day it is! Sunny and warm, couldn't ask for anything more! Spectacular morning for running too! I ran 12 miles this morning with my TNT group. There weren't many of us today; only 2 full marathoners and 2 half-marathoners. We had lots of mentors out on the course which was great. Kelly, Lisa, Patricia and Andy were all out there cheering us on and providing us with water and Gatorade. Joe even came for a little bit at the beginning of the course. They were wonderful motivators! I felt strong the first 9 or 10 miles and then my back got a little sore towards the end. There was quite a few hills on our route today which may have had something to do with it. I finished in about 2 hours only having to walk a little at the end. I know I'll be ok, nothing a little rest and some ibuprofen won't cure. More importanly, I tried the old vaseline trick for my feet today and I got NO blisters. YAY!! The vaseline helped to prevent the friction that would've caused the blisters. So, my feet are as soft as a baby's bottom and blister free. Hard to believe 12 miles is behind me and next week I'll be doing an actual half marathon in Newmarket, NH. Wish me luck!