Taking Charge, I so know the feeling. Tests suck. I hope you're feeling better since they're over. I've been a wreck this week as well... To make up for it, last night I just danced three straight hours. I feel a little more like myself now... since sometimes you need that release.. :)

Sharon - thanks! :D

I don't have time today unless I skip out on my plans tonight, but going tomorrow for a nice long run! :running:

Hi ladies, nothing to report here... our race was canceled! It was 20 and snowing/freezing rain this morning and someone slipped and broke their ankle before the race began so they called it off. Probably for the better... it was slippery and my hubby and I were wondering how on earth we were going to race without breaking our necks!

I was kind of bummed.. my legs felt good this morning and I think I could have had a great race. Oh well, got some free Panera cookiies, bagels and coffee in the meantime so it wasn't a total loss!

I'm currently looking for another 5k between now and our 10k in Nov... not much this time of year.

Oh Fat Pants...how disappointing :( Better to have it cancelled then run and risk an injury though.

Hey girls. Don't have time to write a full race report now, but just wanted to say that I ran my first 10K(first race ever, actually) today and it was AWESOME! Seriously, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life! Will definitely write more later, but just wanted to share that I accomplished my dream goal of finishing in under an hour and came in at 59:09!! Woot woot!

Anyway, hope everyone had great races/runs and I'll be back later tonight to check in with all of you!

HOLY COW takingCharge-----that is a FANTASTIC TIME!!! BIG CONGRATS!!!!! I think i ran my first 10k in 1:04 or something!! You did it! :)

SkinnyPants--total bummer about the weather yesterady!! I was thinking about you and wondering if they were still gonna have the race...GGgrrrrrrrr.....i hope you got a refund at least ;)
It was even colder up here..... when i went out for my run yesterday morning (which btw, ended up being 8 miles, not 6) it was 17 DEGREES!!! At first my body was scared, but once i got out there i forgot how much i actually ENJOY running in the cold and snow!! it was beautiful, and NOT windy!! I ended up starting out dressing too warm..... I had on insulated tights, and this long sleeved midlayer i wear skiing, along with my light-weight running jacket, and a hat and gloves. I went out to the car to get something and i was already SWEATING!! :) so i ditched the longsleeved shirt for a tank-top and shortsleeved tech tshirt. ended up being PERFECT
(although it really doesnt seem like it was possible for me to stay warm in that in 17 degree weather!). The only problem was the gloves. I bought some new, heavy running gloves and my fingers were frozen..shoulda worn my huge ski gloves. But really, ill say it again, it was freaking 17 degrees out!! i think the gloves will be perfect for most of the time --like between 25 and 35 degrees....

Thank you ALL for your advice about the smoking weight gain thing.I talked to the councilors at my weight loss place, and for now we are cutting out the higher carb lunch "extras" and the high carb breakfast "extras" Basically i WAS getting a higher sugar fruit at breakfast (along with bread) and i was getting a heavy carb at lunch (bagel, or cereal) along with fruit. SO, we took some of that stuff out....and we will just wait and see, i guess.......im going to try my hardest to be positive about this whole thing......and im upping my strength training to..from 2 times a week to 4 times a week (which should help boost my metabolism) and drinking green tea..... Of course this weekend, all bets are off as far as food goes!! the day before my marathon (sat) im planning on having PANCAKES!! for EVERY MEAL!! with SYRUP!!! REAL SYRUP----not sugar free!!! Alot of people eat pasta to carbo load, and although i LIKE pasta, id rather have PANCAKES!!! which i LOVE!! YUMYUM even if im running 26 miles 385 yards, ill prob still show a pretty big gain come monday, between pancake FEAST and all day sunday celebration feast!! But i dont care..... :) Ive EARNED the right to eat whatever i gosh darn want that day!! Illget the weight off!!

its MARATHON WEEK------ i get to run 12 miles this week! TOTAL! I had a blistering 2.5 mile run today....... i DO get one 5 miler, on tuesday, but thats the highest mileage run all week.... Saturdays plan is a one hour long YOGA session, followed by an easy mile run to loosen up my muscles, then i will STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH. THEN soak in the gyms hot tub for a little while, and THEN my trainer offered to give me a MASSAGE!!!! The best part is that i have a HUGE crush on my trainer, so this will be nice.... ;) (hes engaged, but i know he likes me too...does it make me a horrible person to hope that his nurse fiance runs off with a rich doctor, and that my BFriend blows himself up in some freakish drunken dutch oven cooking accident?) :) KIDDING. But seriously, he and i get along SO WELL... we fight and bicker and flirt and dish s**t to each other, laugh and have GREAT chemistry, both as far as a trainer/trainee relationship, and on a personal level....... SIGH........

THIGHS--thats funny (about adding new music) i ALWAYS run better/faster when i have some new songs to listen too!! i get so SICK of the same crap, you know??

TAKING CHARGE-- when does half marathon training OFFICIALLY begin for you, now that you ROCKED your 10K?? What plan are you going to use?? WHen/where is the half?? Oh, and i am totally with you on the eating cleaner pact!! So far this weekend ive done really well!! Weekends are usually SO HARD!!

SHaron---Well??? Were waiting on a race report for that 10K!!?!? Hurry up and get it posted please!! And BTW, i will TOTALLY come to your pity party!!! Your struggles are your own, and cannot be compared to anyone elses, and are completely valid!! That SUCKS that you are gaining weight!
Hey, at least i KNOW WHY im gaining weight!! You havent done anything to deserve it!! And btw its completely normal for runners to NOT lose weight, especially when they are training hard!! I bet you are loosing inches though (over the longer trend!!) Give it some time...i was never able to lose weight as a runner. it wasnt until i did a MASSIVE diet overhaul and began eating REALLY CLEAN (on my diet, MRC) that i was FINALLY able to lose weight!! Running is hard on your body, you need to treat it well....on the other hand, just because you got in your morning run doesnt give you license to eat whatEVER you want, you know?

IRIS-- just like running itself takes practice, dedication and determination, so to does adjusting your body to waking up earlier and running!! To start with, try waking up alittle earlier, and going on SHORTER runs then you might normally do, till your body adjusts to the idea of getting up and working out! I personally need about an HOUR after i wake up before i can even get my butt out the door. I just sit on the couch for a while, with my coffee, and stare at the weather channel. I ENVY people who can roll outta bed and put on their shoes and go, you know?? Thats not me...however i DO know that crap ALWAYS comes up in the afternoon after work....... Im always tired, and grumpy and hungry.... :) Getting it done forst thing in the morning leaves you with such an accomplished feeling, and is SUCH a great way to start off the day!!!!! Not to mention you will have it outta the way, and then when you get home at night, you can park your butt on the couch and watch television to your hearts content, or whatever other lazy activity you enjoy!!! Give it a try for a little while! I say, promise yourself you will try it for 2 weeks!! GO to bed one hour earlier (which might take you a couple nights to get used to) and wake up one hour earlier, and get in some short runs!! by the end of the two weeks your body will have adjusted to it and then you will KNOW ALL THE secrets only us *morning* runners are privelaged to!!

Ok girls, I'm back for a quick race recap before I pass out in my bed! First lesson that I learned: don't get 4 hours of sleep the night before a race...oops! I had a date last night that ran much later than expected and I got into bed at 1, planning on waking up at 6. But for some crazy reason (nerves? excitement?) I woke up at 5 and was wide awake! Luckily, the adrenaline got me through the race but I've been pretty useless since then.

Ok, so I get to the race and there are hundreds and hundreds of people there! It was so freakin awesome!!! Young, old, skinny, not so skinny, elite athletes...it's amazing to be surrounded by people who love running as much as I do and who are dedicated enough to be there at 7:30am on Sunday to run! The weather was perfect. 65 degrees, nice and cool, right along the ocean. So beautiful!

I thought about you girls at the beginning and really tried to pace myself, though as I looked at my watch at mile 1, I realized it was 9:20min/mile! Same thing happened with mile 2, and then I slowed down to about 10min/mile for miles 3 and 4 because I knew I wanted to save my strength for the end. Miles 5 and 6 were about 9:20-9:30 and then I sprinted the last .26 (ya, it was 6.26 miles for this one)! My date from last night was waiting at mile 1 to cheer me on (how cute!) and my parents were at the finish line cheering! Official chip time was...wait for it...58:57!!!!

Overall, it really was one of my proudest moments because I've come so far in the last 6 months in terms of health and my general state of being and I feel like this was the first real accomplishment (other than weight loss, new clothes, etc) that showed me how strong I really am and how dedication and commitment are the keys to success! Ok, so sappy, sorry! Anyway, I attached a pic of me and my mom at the end of the race. Figured it was time for you guys to see what I look like, so you don't have to imagine me as a cartoon running on the treadmill! :)

Mk - Thanks for the encouragement!! I can't believe your marathon is SO SOON!! I can't wait to hear all about it! I haven't set an official start date for half marathon training. It's February 7th in Huntington Beach (another one along the ocean!) so I have plenty of time. I'm definitely sticking with running 4x/week for now, but I can't decide if I want to stick with a constant pace and build distance, or if I should work on distance and speed. I'm actually kind of happy with my speed if I can establish my base at around 9:30, so I'm not sure how many tempo/interval runs I'm going to incorporate, at least for the next month or two. Maybe closer to the race, once I've built my distance up to around 10 miles or so, I may rethink my strategy. For my training plan, I basically wanna do a combo of a bunch of plans I've found online. Something like this: Tue 4-5mi, Wed 3-4mi, Fri 4-5mi and long run on Sunday, starting at 6 and then working up maybe every other week. I'm sure I"ll throw in some tempos/intervals to keep things interesting, but I don't know if I want to devote a time every week to them. What do you think? P.S. I love that you have a crush on your trainer. I've totally been there! Maybe you'll both realize you're meant for each other and run away together and live the healthiest, most athletic life ever! It'll be like The Notebook: Marathon Edition...hahaha.

Ok, longest post ever! Hope you all had fantastic weekends!!

TC, CONGRATS!!!

Sharon, I can't wait to hear about your 10K.

MK, thanks for the morning- run pep talk! Tomorrow I have a Dr. appointment so I'm not going to start it just YET, but I really do want to try - I definitely want to be able to start my day with that feeling of accomplishment already!
Also enjoy the massage from your trainer! hehe

Nope, no refund... we just stocked up on free Panera food LOL. Truth be told I think it would have been a great run because there wasn't any wind, despite the chilly temps. I mean I was all decked out in my gear... I wanted to really put it to the test! :lol:

I signed up for another 5k in two weeks, the Manitou Springs Mayor's Cup. Hopefully we have better conditions for this one!

TC - Nice job on the 10k!! Great race report... sounds like you had so much fun! and how sweet of your date and your parents to be cheering you on! :D

Wow, I'm so behind!!

Ok, first of all, here is my insanely long race blog post. The 10K was both totally awesome, and totally totally horrible! I've never had such a rough time running so far. I even cried a little bit while I was running, I was so discouraged. I had to work really hard on my mind the whole time to keep going. And a lot about the race was poorly organized, and the course was awful, so that didn't help. But......in the end, we finished! And I ran the whole time with no walking breaks! So I both loved and hated it and I felt so incredibly proud of myself at the finish line. And now I feel super tough, both physically and even more so mentally, that I can succeed with all the stuff that's going to be changing and scary in my life in the next few months. So on the whole, it was a great experience, even if I hated it in the moment :D

Thanks so much for all your support and advice and cheering! To be totally honest, there were a couple points that the only thing I used to keep myself running was thinking about how much I would hate coming back here and telling all of you that I had quit.

TakingCharge - I'm so glad your race was awesome!! Your time was incredible! I'm so inspired! Way to go!! Also, congrats on what must have been a pretty great date :D

SkinnyJeans - major bummer about your race being canceled, but it sounds like it was maybe a good call by the organizers. Now you'll be super hungry and pumped for the next one!

MK - thanks so much for the sympathy. I should probably do a bit more tweaking to my eating plan - and I'm going to do some yoga classes this week, because I've heard it's good cross-training for running, and I think it will help with the post-big-event burnout. I'm so excited for your big day! I can't wait to hear about it! Just 12 miles this week? Wow, this is my one chance to match mileage with the Great MK! ;) That's awesome that you've found such a great fit with your trainer. I know having the perfect fit for a running buddy has made a huge difference, and I'm nervous about how it will affect my running when I move. Your significant-other-disposal scenario cracked me up!!

ok, this is a way too long post. Happy Monday, everyone!

Wow, sharon, I read your blog entry and it does sound like a really poorly designed/planned race! I think I would go nuts having to run the same loop that many times!! Either way, you didn't quit, you ran the entire time and I think you had a FANTASTIC time for your first 10k! You should be VERY proud of yourself, especially considering you only had 3 weeks to train! :hug: :D

Thanks everyone! I'm thinking about signing up for another 10K in 2 weeks because I had so much fun with this first one. What do you all think? Too soon? It's not hard to run 6 miles but it's more the emotion of it all, waking up super early, etc. I don't know!

Fat Pants - Glad you have another race to look forward to since yours was cancelled. What a bummer!

Sharon - Sorry you had such a crazy experience with your race! But I think it's amazing that you ran the whole time and really showed yourself that you can do it and kick some serious butt!

Sharon, thanks so much for your race report! I'm amazed you did that well with so little training, 6.2 miles is nothing to sneeze at! And I think your time is awesome; my first 10K was around that time, 1:12:something. I was ecstatic with that. Nicely done!

There's something incredibly empowering about digging down inside yourself and persisting through difficulty to accomplish something that is beyond hard; pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits. As an "adult-onset" athlete, I had never pushed myself in that way until I got into running. It would be so easy to quit in those circumstances, but if somehow we find that inner strength to keep going, to NOT give up no matter what, and then to finish ... it's a feeling unlike any other. It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it.

MK -- good luck on your race this weekend!!!

Wow, it sounds like everyone's doing great. Congrats on the 10Ks Sharon and TakingCharge I have so much admiration for you.

MK good luck with your taper and enjoy your pancake feast... mmmm pancakes.

My big report is that I went away this weekend but managed to get in a 4 km run. My incredibly fit husband came with me and I left him in the dust :) ...which was, perhaps, a little more enjoyable than it ought to have been since we weren't racing or anything... but I've not really been measuring my speed against anything tangible so it was nice to know that I'm not really crawling along although I sometimes feel like I am.

I also got up this morning and ran 5.4 km which is the longest I've ever run without stopping...hopefully I'm on a roll.

Sylvied--Congrats on the the 5.4km!! That is a big accompolishment...i believ you just MIGHT be on a roll!! :) Keep it up!!! And thank you for the well wishes..i will try my very VERY hardest to choke down the horrible pancakes and enjoy them!! ;)

Sharon-- Sharon, Sharon Sharon...... SIGH. I read your bolg (you crack me up as usual!!!) You worked SO HARD to complete Operation 10K by the 10th, and in my opinion, it was 100% successful!!!! A smashing success!! YOU DID IT!!! with less than 3 weeks to prepare!!! You asked SO MUCH of your body, and it came thru when it mattered, and so did you!!
Mentally, i think you are so much farther along than i was back then....you were able to push your body thru when your mind was telling you NO NONO!! That takes so much practice and dedication to work through! I think that is one of the big accompolishments of the day. you KNEW your body could physically handle running 6.2 miles.......and now your mind does too! That took serious guts to impose such a huge goal on yourself to achieve in such a short period of time. Im sorry it sucked. Im sorry you had a bad race experience (hey they happen--but PLESE DONT let it discourage you). I think that 5 lap race course is the biggest CRAP-OUT race organizers can do, and it must have sucked something FIERCE. The ability to push through THAT mental roadbloack deserves applause too, in my opinion. Nothing like being tired and just physically done during a race, seeing the finish line, and then having to REPEAT the course!!!
I dont know how to make the "HUGS" emoticon show up, but i am giving you a big one right now! :) We are all so SO PROUD of you!!!

TakingCharge----You can TOTALLY rock another 10K in 2 weeks! GO FOR IT!! :)
The way i see, youre already planning on starting to train for a half marathon, so you NEED to be able to keep your base mileage AND long-run Mileage up to at least 10K distance before you delve into the new training regime!! Of course, as long as you dont think your body needs more time to recover (honestly though, you trained very smartly for this race, so Id be willing to bet you arent even sore/stiff anymore, if you were at all after the race)
Before you know it, youll be running 10Ks a couple times a week as your *normal* daily mileage!!

Sharon--just one more quick thought on your race experiece....Maybe the reason your legs and mind didnt want to cooperate is because you were overtrained? YOu stepped up your mileage big time, too fast (as far as common sense and the old addage of no more than a 10% increase each week) to prepare for the race. Your body needed some time to recover between these runs of ever increasing distance, but you didnt HAVE time to let your body recover (eyes on the prize, and all). Lesson learned though, right? You are strong, and you have a better idea now of how hard your body can be pushed! Alot further than you probably thought, huh?

[QUOTE=MBN;2968192]
There's something incredibly empowering about digging down inside yourself and persisting through difficulty to accomplish something that is beyond hard; pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits. As an "adult-onset" athlete, I had never pushed myself in that way until I got into running. It would be so easy to quit in those circumstances, but if somehow we find that inner strength to keep going, to NOT give up no matter what, and then to finish ... it's a feeling unlike any other. It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it.

[QUOTE]


MBN-beautifully spoken...thank you so much!! i am also an 'adult onset' athlete!! :) Running has given me the exact same rewards you describe!!!!

apparantly i dont know how to quote either :)

Wow everybody! I so love reading your posts and hearing how far everyone has come. There are days when I think that the 5K in under 40 minutes is unreachable for me and that this is all I'll ever be able to run so hearing everyone else's progress gives me hope.

Today I ran 4 miles without a single walk break! A new record for me!! I took me nearly an hour but I did it. :woohoo:

Thanks so much, guys!! Your support and advice makes all the difference :D

MK - I'm so overwhelmed by your encouragement! It's a huge boost to me, coming from someone who works so hard and has achieved so much! I think you are right about the overtraining. As much as it was an awesome experience and so empowering to the mental side of running, now that the race is over, I feel totally wiped out. I ran 3 yesterday and hated it, ran today, hated it more, and didn't even finish my 4 miles. I think I'm burnt out and I need to figure out how to refocus and get the passion again.

Momof5K - 4 miles!! Awesome!! You're unstoppable!

MBN - you're totally right, and that's so beautifully expressed! Success at running, something I never thought I could do, has increased my confidence in myself in other areas, too. I'm stronger than I think, and I'm learning not to give up on myself.

<3 to all!

Sharon-- a bad race experience can leave you in a running "funk" for a little while. Dont let it discourage you! Take a couple days off from running, or however long you need. Running will be waiting for you when you are ready again!! Theres no need at the moment to force it..... Do you have any more races planned in the near future?

Momof5--Way to go on the 4 miles!!! The Sub 40 5K is totally within your reach!! Keep up the hard work! :)

ONe month Cigarrete free today guys!! :)
Marathon Taper Update:
my inner runner got the better of me today....... i did a 5 mile hill interval session on the treadmill.... :( (please dont tell my trainer--he'll have my head).
new game plan: ive been running alot on the treadmill the past couple weeks partly cuz its been FREEZING, and also really becuz im supposed to have been tapering, so i go to the gym instead to workout, and then i think "ill just hop on the treadmill for a quick warmup mile"...and BAM! Before i know it, im knee deep in a 6 mile interval session!
So, NOW im starting to freak out (please god, give me something else to stress about, im feeling awfully content lately) that ive completely FORGOTTEN how to run on ground that is not moving beneath me!! Ridiculous?? Its stupid to start doing my runs on a treadmill right before the marathon when a treadmill will not be available for my use on Sunday :)
---Back to the freak out: IM giong to run an UBER EASY SLOW EASY SLOW EASY 3 miles tomorrow am outside where the ground doesnt move, just to make sure i havent forgotten what the pavement feels like. then THURSDAY, i will SLEEP IN. As in, NO EXERCISING. NO GYM. NO RUNNING. I will see how fat and slothlike i can get in one day! :) Friday: SLEEP IN. Then i meet with my trainer for a session in the afternoon. Saturday, easy 2 miles outside on the pavement and stretching, etc. SUNDAY--well, you know what Sunday is.....

MK: Congrats on your one month cigarette free! What an accomplishment! And thanks for the encouragement. Can't wait to read your post marathon post :)

Sharon: Reading your race blog post reminded me again how much of this is mental, not physical. I notice that all the time for myself but sometimes think I am the only one ;) My mind wants to quit long before my body does. It is just such a mind game. I keep hearing "you are not a runner" in my head and have to shut that out and listen to my body...that is RUNNING!!

momof5K - It's so great when you do push through and ignore the bad part of your mind's discouragement and do what your body can do, because that makes the good part of your mind even stronger for next time! Have you signed up for a particular event yet?

MK - one month smoke-free?! Ahhhh!! Incredible!! You're amazing! I can't believe how soon your race is. So pumped. Detroit's big marathon is this weekend and my company does the marketing for the athletic store that's a sponsor, so whenever an ad crosses my desk, I think of your marathon being the same day and send out a little cheer :D Ironically, my boss flies to Denver for the second half of every week, so maybe he'll be plane mates with your competition! Good luck with your next few days of lazy bliss - and will you be eating pancakes on Saturday?!

As far as what's next - my running buddy is out of town the rest of this week, plus I have a gift card for some yoga classes, so it's almost perfect. I'm going to relax, enjoy trying yoga for the first time and see how I feel about running on Friday or Saturday.

AND, I am moving from Detroit to New York City in 3 weeks! Ack! There's a 15K in NYC in December I'd love to sign up and train for, but I'm going to wait until the move happens and I get settled in and find out what running will be like in my new city before I commit to it. On the one hand, having a race coming up will help me stay disciplined and not use the move as an excuse; on the other hand, I don't want to overload myself. So we'll see.

MBN - Beautiful words! I just started running in April after several attempts over the past 5 or so years to get into it. All the other times, I would just give up when it got too hard or my shin splints started acting up, but I've finally kept up this time and am a real runner! It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself and it's great to have you girls here because you totally understand and go through the same highs and lows that running brings.

Sylvied - Great job on the 5.4K! That's a really good distance to get to and you'll just keep going farther and farther from there!

Mom - 4 miles!! That's so awesome! I'm impressed with how much you're pushing yourself. Keep it up!

Mk - Wow girl, 1 month!! I'm so happy for you! Is there a better way to celebrate 1 month cigarette free than running a marathon??? I don't think so! And your freak out is totally understandable, but seriously, you could NOT be more ready for this race! You've done absolutely everything possible to prepare. You're strong (physically AND mentally) and you're an amazing athlete so I have no doubt in my mind that you're gonna have an incredible race day!

So I decided to sign up for that 10K next Sunday! This time, I plan on getting more than 4 hours of sleep! I was actually a little sore after this one but mostly because I didn't stretch at all after and I went on a 3 mile walk with my mom that day! Lesson learned! You're right Mk, I need to incorporate 6 miles as part of my normal weekly runs so this is a good way to keep up with that.

On a sucky note, I'm up 3 pounds :mad: Maybe a small part of that is water weight from sore muscles, but I know I ate like a crazy person this weekend. I have to remind myself that a 10K is NOT a marathon so there's no excuse to eat more than I normally would (aka stuff my face with dried fruit and clif bars). I HATE struggling with my weight. Ugh. I hope one day I can just eat normally and not have to think about every little thing that I put in my mouth...maybe when I'm pregnant? :D

Sharon - I meant to reply to you in my last post but I submitted my reply too soon! I wanted to say that I totally hear ya on the burnout and I've been there. I had a good 2 weeks where every run felt like a chore and I just didn't want to run at all! If I remember correctly, I just did a few easy runs each of those weeks, didn't push too hard, and then by the end I was ready to get back into my normal routine and to push myself. Also, do you do any intervals or tempo runs? Starting those made things interesting for me because I knew I could challenge myself and I wouldn't just have to run straight through at the same pace indefinitely. Also, doing yoga is a fantastic idea! It's sooo good for your mind and body and has really helped my running. Good luck with the move! I love NYC. So fun!!

MK -- :bravo: on the non smoking :woohoo: ... and you're mind is just playin' with ya, you'll be fine for your race :yes: ...

You gals rock... all of you, with your goals and plans all set up...

There are no races coming this way till spring, so I'll just have to keep practicing till then... I am trying to bring my pace up a bit....

Good morning lady runners!! (hey, how come we dont have any MEN runners in here??---or mayhaps some of you with just your cartoon AVATARS are REALLY GUYS!!-- taking charge, i would be looking at you, cept you just posted your FABULOUS BEAUTIFUL 10K photo, and you are most DEFINITELY too gorgeous to be a man!!)

Anyway...i held true to my word...only ran 3.5 miles this am....YUCK....Oh, but HERES the bees knees...i just happend to check my training schedule for the first time in months, and it turns out i was suppsed to run 4 miles today!!!! Thats it!! MArathon is shot now........ didnt follow the plan ;) I am sad i missed out on the chance to burn an extra 40 calories though!! COME ON!!! Thats an extra squirt of Icant believe its not butter, or maybe 2 cookie crumbs!!! DAMN.....

Other than that....my morning has been kinda..ok, i guess...... it was SO FOGGY here in Denver this am...it was BEAUTFUL. Like San Francisco, London, Pea Soup, cant even see the stop light until you are directly underneath it foggy.... very unusual for Colorado.
OH!! and the weather forcast for my marathon keeps getting better and better......now the forcasted high is 74 degrees!!!!! the ONLY thing that sux is that even though its going to get up to 74 (long after im done running) at the start and before the race its still gonna be like 40 degrees. In other words, cold enough that i NEED a light jacket....which i WONT need after an hour....... my BoyFriend has been enlisted to be stratigically placed at different mile markers around the course to be avilable for gear dumping, gear exchanging, gear carrying, and of course, moral support. :) Oh, and remember the trainer i have a crush on?? He said he wants to be ther for me at the finish!! :) The question is, who do i hobble to at the end for my first congratulatory kiss---ERR----Hug, i mean?? KIDDING

Where the **** is cakebatter?

MK - this is your first marathon, right? If I may offer just one small piece of advice: don't start out too fast! You will be completely stoked after the taper period and all of the waiting around at the start and it is SO easy to take off faster than planned or intended. IMO there are two halves to the marathon - the first 20 miles and the last 6.2! Pace yourself ... stay with your planned pacing and strategy. It is a very looooong way ....

Look around, enjoy the process, and remember that not matter how quickly or slowly you finish, it is still a PR!

Thanks MBN..believe me...i have a very specific strategy that i have practiced/used very successfully on all of my long runs, including 3 20 milers training for this..... the 9 minute mile im gong to run is VERY comfy, and im planning on running 9 minute miles until the last 5 miles....than i will run whatever pace i WANT/CAN/NEED to run to finish. Im also planning on trying to run with the 9 minute pace group, which puts me finishing at 3:57 something...the only problem with that is that i tend to have um...BATHROOM Needs early on in races i am anxious aout, so im afraid i will lose them rather quickly to the prta potty lines during the first half of the race...oh well....my strategy all along has not been necessarily for time, as this IS my first marathon...but rather to finish, and finish STRONG and have a good time.....how cool would it be though to break 4 hours on my first marathon? :) However, i KNOW BETTER than to go out too fast, on ANY distance over 10 miles.......

Mk - Thanks for that very sweet compliment!! I can't believe you only ran 3.5 miles instead of 4...you slacker!! Maybe you can run 26.7 instead of 26.2 to make up for that half mile you missed. :) And hopefully in your state of delirium, you'll run into the arms of the right man at the finish line!!

MBN - Am I correct in assuming you've run a marathon before? That's incredible!

And ya, where is Cake???

My runs this week have been on the short side, but pretty good overall. 3 miles yesterday, 3.5 today, hopefully fun on Friday and then 6 on Sunday. I'm trying to make all of my long run at least 6 miles from now on, so I'll prob keep the rest of the runs on the shorter side (3-4) at least for now, and then build to make them 4-5. It's so weird, even under crazy stress, when my eating habits go to **** and I drop all other exercise, I strictly keep up with my running. It's great, but at the same time, I feel like my nutrition is not keeping up and it's kind of showing in my running. I haven't eaten any crap (no fried anything, chips, cookies, etc) but I'm just eating TOO much! Too much fruit, too many granola bars, and I can't stop! Kick in the butt please?? I just don't feel as strong and powerful when I'm running because I know I have all that extra food sloshing around in my stomach. It's just upsetting because I know I'm stronger than that and I should be able to control myself, but that's not what it seems like lately. Ok, sob story over. Have a good day everyone!

Haha, I meant to say hopefully "4" on Friday, not "fun", though I guess I hope those 4 will be fun!

Hey everyone!! Just checking in... MK are you feeling nervous at all for your race?? I'm sure you'll do just fine! :D

I ran 5.5 miles today!! :carrot: There is a trail right by my work and I finally just decided to make use of it. I completed it in 1hr05 which is exactly where I want to be for my 10k. This was a HUGE mental block for me... it's good to know I can do this and do it well!

Yes, I've done a full marathon (one). I am so very glad that I did it, just to prove to myself that I could, but I've decided that I much prefer half marathons. I think it is all the fun with less than half the work! ;) I've done around 9 or 10 of those (will have to count the medals!) and I don't even know how many shorter races I've done by now (5K, 5 mile, 10K).

Our running season is just getting going down here and I'm focusing mostly on the halfs this year -- I've signed up for 4 so far, and will probably do a 5th one too. That's one a month, November thru March, and they are all local. It's nice to have an active running scene! And then there's the 10K that I always do, and probably 3 or 4 5K's. And that will probably do it! :D

SkinneyPants---WAHOOS on the 5.5!! you just "went for it?" Just like that??? :)

Am i nervous for my marathon?!! Are you kidding?? The warm fuzzy happy excited feeling ive felt since i started training last spring has been FULLY replaced with feelings of doubt, sloth, nervousness, fear, anxiety.......take your pick!
This is what i am most scared/anxious about--- My running has just exponentially improved this summer....a greater rate of success in just a few months than i ever dreamed would be possible at ALL......speed endurance, strength, everything. My friends/family/co-workers/trainer have come to expect *great* things from me. Every race i have done this summer i have gotten so much faster, and placed so much higher, culminating in that first place female win at that 10K a couple weeks ago. i have NO DOUBT i will finish the marathon! WIll it be hard? Probably. WIll It hurt? I dont know--most likely-- and im not scared about that. I can handle PAIN. Im worried mostly about having a dissapointing finishing time now. Im worried about coming back into work monday morning, and telling my coworkers i ran a 4:45 marathon. the truth is, i DONT KNOW what to expect. Ive never done a marathon. i have no idea how my body will react to that last 10K. I have no idea how my bowels (sorry) are going to behave marathon morning. Frequent stops at the porta potty over the course of 26 miles ADDS UP. ALOT. QUICKLY. If i have to make 3-4 or more pit stops, that could add up to an extra 20 minutes or more to my finishing time.
I know everyone will be *proud* no matter how i do, but seriously, i want to train to qualify for Boston next. My trainer has the expectations that i should have tried to qualify for Boston from the beginning. for THIS marathon. What if i dont......perform?? Will i even, in actuality, be dissapointed with a 4:45 or 4:30 marathon in the end, when its all over with? I dont know. I hope i would still be proud. But what if i have a bad experience, that deters me from ever WANTING to run/train for another marathon? The scar from a bad marathon isnt as easy to dismiss as a bad 10K race (no offense sharon!!!!!)
Is this what "theyve" been refering to as TAPER MADNESS?