Slowly moving into the year....

I have had some good runs lately, but I still need to drop 10 pounds to get down to my preferred running weight. If it doesn't start dropping a little quicker, I will head back to Weight Watchers to get my eating in control.

Greenville News was a great course this year. Lee and I ran with young son, so there was plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. Not sure he really needs to pushing the 5K's right now because he just doesn't get enough work in at the school running club. I think we may limit him to 1 milers for a while and see if he really likes running or not.

Coaching my daughters basketball team may take me out of the Green Valley 10 Miler... I would really be pushing to get ready for it anyway. I still want to get in shape for a decent Reedy River 10K and then the Greer Earth Day half. That race was really brutal with the unexpected heat last year and I want to give it another shot now that I am prepared for the course.

This week should be a good one for running. I think I am going to take today off because of this cold I am fighting and then get back on the horse tomorrow. I guess I need to go ahead and pick a training plan for the Greer Half so I can really get some motivation.

On track so far...

No long runs yet, but I have done something every day this week so far. Got 2 on Sunday, 3.5 on Monday and an elliptical workout yesterday.

I hope to run today at lunch. I would like to go for 5 or more, but I need to see how warm it is.

When this cold blows out of here, I want to get back to early morning workouts as much as possible. After reading last month's Runners World article about runners getting killed on the road, I am a little hesitant to go back out in the dark. I really like having it done early in the day though. It makes the rest of the day run smoother and I feel great.

One run in...

Short as it was, I did get 2 miles in yesterday evening. It was already 32 degrees when we started, so it was pretty cold.

Hoping to get in 4 miles or so today. This is going to be a cold week, so I plan on doing some cross training as well.

Bundle up if you are heading out for a run today!

Starting Over....

I thought this is an appropriate title based on where I am today. I looked back at my goals from 2009 and realized I had a pretty good year. I didn't hit all of them, but I hit some major ones.... Most notably the 26.2 mile threshold was broken. I also completed two other half marathons. I missed my mileage total by 9 miles. Strictly laziness after the marathon.

The one goal I am most disappointed in missing is maintaining my weight watchers goal weight. This is the goal that I am attacking first this year. I am starting today with my diet and exercise ramp up!

If all goes well, I will be back at goal by mid to late February. That should put me in position to really focus on some running for the spring. My other goals for 2010....

1) Complete two half marathons. (Hold off on marathon #2 for a year or so....)
2) Set a PR in the 5K and 10K. (Sounds like last year's missed goals....)
3) Run 1200 miles. This will be difficult for me without a marathon to train for.
4) Work in some strength training once or twice a week.
5) Get back to yoga on a weekly basis.
6) Maintain my Weight Watchers goal weight.
7) Run the following races...
-Reedy River 10K (PR Target)
-Shamrock Fun Run
-Greer Half
-Cooper River
-Midnight Flight
-Spinx Runfest (Half or 5K?)
-Lungs4Life 5K (PR Target)
-Taylors Turkey Trot
-Gettys Christmas Cruise

Well that is a manageable set of goals and I hope to hit them all. I am going to start by heading to the Y today!

I've had time to think about it now....

Wow. What an experience. Two years ago when I started walking and wandered onto a running thread on a Weight Watchers message board, I never imagined I would complete a marathon. I can still remember being out before dawn with our dog Indy and running for 20 or 30 seconds between long walk breaks. Slowly I pieced it together and got up to a mile without walking. I thought I had arrived when I finished my first 5K. Funny thing, there is always a longer distance out there!

The Marine Corps Marathon is a great event. We went into DC on Saturday afternoon to go to the expo and drop me off at my hotel. We had stayed with my sister-in-law the night before and Lee was going to stay there Saturday night as well. I opted to head to a hotel near the start to make the morning a little easier and take the travel variables out of the equation. I scarfed down a pizza for supper while watching football. Then hit the sack about 10:00.

I could not believe I was standing on the starting line... Well, I guess I was about 1/4 of a mile or so from the starting line, but the feeling was still amazing. I ran into my buddy Allan before the start and that helped calm my nerves. I got there about 40 minutes before the start and was in line for the port-o-johns when I saw everyone else heading for the trees. That seemed like a good idea and without going into more detail, I'll just say it was the first coed outdoor bathroom I have visited. The scene did repeat itself at mile 3 though...

I took a conservative approach and lined up with the 5 hour crowd. It was interesting talking to those around me. Many were multi-marathon finishers and some were first timers like me. I started getting a little concerned because I made a decision to not carry any hydration with me and everyone around me seemed to be carrying some. I hoped I hadn't made a mistake. Of course, I couldn't imagine needing any after all the water I had consumed in the previous 48 hours!

They fired a howitzer to start the race, so I could hear the starting gun even as far back as I was. I was so excited, I almost forgot to start my Garmin as I crossed the line, but seeing everyone else reach for their wrist reminded me. The first mile was surreal with the huge crowds cheering us on. I would consider the course flat, but you have to remember where I live. Most folks thought it was too hilly. The big hill was in Georgetown and it was a big hill. It was pretty early in the race though and didn't bother me. I was grabbing water and Powerade at every stop. Other than that, I plugged along at a steady, if not fast, pace. I really enjoyed the Georgetown band and cheerleaders. There were several bands on the course and all were very much appreciated!

The water stops were extremely long and well organized. It was great to be able to get water and food without having to fight a crowd or wait for it to be poured. The marines and other volunteers were tremendous. The only mistake I made on the food was taking in a mocha clif shot... My stomach cramped up for about a half mile after that. I was pretty concerned but it quickly settled down. That old rule about not trying anything new during the race came to mind.....

Mentally I held up pretty well until the halfway mark. I felt good, but mentally started questioning if I could hold up for another 13 miles. Fortunately we hit some good crowds around that point and it lifted my spirits. The crowds around the mall area were really great. It was so cool to have people truly cheering you on. I am going to make it a point to go out and cheer at some races soon.

There is a bridge at the 20 mile point that takes you back into Virgina (I think). You have to be over it by a certain time or your day is done. I wasn't close to the cutoff, but it was a relief to cross the 20 mile point. Then all the people that always told me "It's only a 10K from there" came into my mind. 10K seems a lot longer after 33K is already in the books!

We hit some cool areas in Crystal City after this, at least I think it was Crystal City. Lots of folks out and they were cheering even if they hadn't planned on seeing a marathon that day. I got a real lift from a crowd handing out pretzels and dixie cups with beer in them. That perked me up again. Then we headed out around the pentagon and onto highway for the lonely final miles. That is when the emotions really started welling up in my eyes. I had moments of smiles and moments of tears. I was really in a zone as we started onto an off ramp that circled down to the final stretch. That is when it happened. My left knee gave out with a pain on the outside... Pretty sure it was my IT band. It was tough to even walk down the ramp. When I hit the straight away, I was slowly able to stand up straight and pick up the pace. As I approached the finish I was back to my normal stride (thank goodness!). The course actually finishes on a very steep, yet short, uphill. You turn the corner and hit the hill. As I was sprinting (yeah, right) up the hill, I heard my name and turned to see Lee and her sister, Cindy, holding up a sign and cheering for me. From there, I crossed the line with emotions boiling over. I never planned on crying in front of a 2nd Lt, but I am sure I wasn't the only one.

I keep getting asked, do you want to run another one? My answer is absolutely, but I don't know if I want to train for it!

Heading to the expo....

We are getting ready to head to the expo and pick up our packets. Should be a fun day. Need to hydrate.

Countdown...

Wow, I can't believe that the marathon is less than a week away! I am supposed to run today, Wednesday, Thursday and a 'very easy' 3 miles on Saturday. I am not sure about the Saturday run at this point... I'll probably do a few miles though.

The 12 miler on Sunday was a breeze. Now I am really starting to get nervous though. The thoughts about never having run the distance and such are coming into my head. The three tips I have gleaned from some 'expert' runners for this week are to stay off my legs as much as possible, sleep all I can and hydrate. I am going to try and avoid all carbonated beverages this week and stick with coffee, tea and water.

The Spinx Runfest is the Saturday after the marathon. My son is going to run/walk the 5K I think. I am trying to decide if I am going to attempt the half... Not sure if I will do that or not. Clemson plays at home that day at 1:30, so I would want to finish by 10 and then get a quick shower and head out. That might be cutting it close.

Anyway, I hope my shoes continue to break in and the weather forecast holds for the weekend. It should be an adventure!

Rest day again...

I am almost looking forward to the 12 miler on Sunday. This is really odd having logged only 9 miles since Sunday. My legs feel good though!

Finally got my new shoes. I hope 30 miles or so will be enough to break them in. If I am not comfortable with them, I will just run in my old ones. They are both the same model, so I hope that makes for an easy transition. Note to self: Order new shoes a month before the next marathon... If there is a next marathon!

Less than two weeks to go...

Got my bib number... 29666 For those of you not from the Bible Belt, you may not instantly recognize the doom that is spelled out for me with the last three digits. 666 is the mark of the beast, the antichrist... This not good! I am way too superstitious, so I am going to have to do an exorcism over my bib when I pick it up. LOL

Seriously though, its all over but the taper and the race. I am starting to get a little nervous now. Every creak of my body sends fears of injury down my spine. Every sneeze symbolizes an attack of an unknown malady. This is worse than the 22 miler!

I did decide to get a hotel near the start of the race so I could sleep a little later on race day. We will be staying with my sister-in-law about 30 miles away, but that night I am going to get closer to the race and take transportation out of the equation for race day.

I have an easy five miler today, so that should be nice in this weather.

Taper Time!!!

Well, the hardest physical part of the training is done now that I finished my 22 miler yesterday. The fun of the taper starts now. I understand that it can be mentally challenging to reduce your miles as the race approaches, but I don't think it will bother me.

I am a little worried because I am not sure if I could have gutted out an extra 4.2 miles yesterday if I had to. Hopefully the taper will re-energize my legs some and I will survive the race. I also hope that being in a crowd and not being alone will give me some added adrenalin. Off today and an eight mile recovery run tomorrow. I'll be interested to see how that eight miles feels....

Now I am going to have to make some decisions:

1) Do I want to carry some fluids and snacks with me or rely on the course aid stations?

2) What kind of menu am I going to eat heading into the race.