Click, Click, Click

With the end of the year just a few days away, so is the deadline for early registration for a lot of races.
So this afternoon, I clicked my way into some of those races.

My race schedule for 08 is really shaping up.

On tap and paid for:

Feb 10 - Mercedes Marathon

March 15 - Tom King Half Marathon

May 18 - Memphis in May Triathlon

May 31 - Coliseum's Rock 'N RollMan Half Iron

June 28 - McMinnville City Triathlon

And of course Ironman Florida on Nov 1, that I paid for a few weeks ago.

I still have a few other races planned but they didn't have a Dec 31 price increase so I am holding onto my money a little longer.

My credit card isn't the only thing that has gotten a workout. I have been running some this week too.

I redeemed my gift of flexibility and skipped Sunday's run and Tuesday's run. But I ran 10 miles on Monday, 9.5 on Wednesday, 5 on Thursday, swam 1750 yards on Thursday and ran 13 this morning. Flexibility came into play again this morning. It started to rain at 11 miles and after 2 miles I had enough and cut the run 2 miles short.

We have two more Christmas celebrations this weekend, calling for a little more flexibility, and then it is hard core training to get ready for this exciting 08 I have paid for!!!

FINALLY

Today I finally rode my bike!!! Actually, I rode her yesterday, but that was just one time around the block with the kids. Didn't get a good feel for her. But today, I did a Spinervals DVD and put her to a good hard workout. I think a new saddle is in my future. I am going to give this one a few more rides but today it was OUCH!!! I still can't wait to get her out on the open road but I am a wimp and don't do cold and/or windy riding. Might be spring before I get her outside :(

In complete contrast to my joyful riding, yesterday I had a BAD run!!! I got up at 5:00. It was pitch black again. No stars, no moon. I was jumpy again. I wish running scared = running fast. But it didn't. When Garmin beeped one mile, I was shocked. What only one? How can that be? I almost turned around and went home. I wasn't feeling the love. I made a deal with myself. It was suppose to be a 13 mile run, but if I would just continue I would cut it short with just the 8 mile loop. 8 miles never felt so LONG!!! I even had to run past my house to hit 8 miles but I did it. It wasn't the scheduled 13 but it was better then 2.

Thursday's 5 at 5 was much better. Mike had emailed he would be there but then sent me a text that he couldn't make it. No one else had said they would be running so I just headed out when I got to the rec center. I was about 400 feet into my run when I got a text from Holly saying she was on her way. I turned around, reset Garmin, and stretched waiting for her. We had a great run. I was glad to have company on a run again. Running alone sucks (almost as much as getting old). After the run I swam 1750 yards, couldn't talk Holly into joining me. I felt good in the water. I was slow but I am really trying to get my form right before I start going to swim class again in January.

I know there are going to be some missed runs in the next few days, but I am not stressing over it. It is my Christmas present to myself, flexibility!!!

Older = Slower

Because of the USAT age up rule I have been saying I am 39 since May, but today it became official. And apparently being older has made me slower. Monday morning I got up at 4:15, after Sunday evening's Girl's Night Out, and ran 9 miles in 1:27:29. Then this morning I got up at 4:15 and ran 9 miles in 1:31:04. And that was after only half a glass of wine and going to bed at a decent hour.
Getting old sucks!!!
Well, not totally. There are the presents.
And I got the best one this year, thanks daddy!!!!
Monday evening I made the long haul up to Goodletsville to Acme Multi Sport and picked up my bike. They are totally awesome up there and my bike is SWEET!!!! I am dying to ride it. I had hoped to at least get on the trainer yesterday, but with work, going to Wal-mart to get party food and treat bags, putting together treat bags, and reading with the kids so that they could get their required AR points for the week, I just never had time. Maybe this weekend.

Out with the Old, In with the New

Got a call from the bike shop yesterday. My new bike is in!!!! I am so excited. Plus, the ebay auction on my old bike ended this morning. I am hoping to get the payment before tomorrow afternoon so that I can go after work and get the new bike and have the old bike packed and shipped to its new owner. Hope they take good care of her, she served me well.

So while I wait on my bike, I run. This morning it was COLD, WINDY, and SNOWING!!! Ok, not up north kind of snow, but there was white stuff falling from the sky. I ran my six mile loop in 56:04, 9:21 pace.

9 Years Already?!?!?

Happy Birthday to my little man. I can't believe it has been 9 years already. Don't blink!!!

Since it is my son's birthday and birthdays mean cake, I got up at 4:30 this morning to run. I was greeted by the return of December weather. Cold and wet. No problems, I had my cold gear and stayed nice and toasty. I knocked out 10 miles at just under a 10:00/mile pace.
It was my first totally alone run in the dark on the back country roads in quite some time. I was jumpy. It was PITCH. BLACK. No moon, no stars. I jumped at every sound. I was sure the coyotes were going to come eat me and no one would know where to look for the remains. But alas, I made it home safe and sound. And burned enough calories that I didn't feel too guilty stopping by Starbucks on the way to work. Guess I will skip the cake after all.

Running in the Rain

I made it through 18 weeks of training and never had to miss a run due to rain, run in the rain, or run inside due to rain. So here it is post marathon and what do I get??? Running in the rain.
At least I wasn't alone. We had a big group this morning. 8 in all. We ran the 3 mile loop and at the end it started to rain. Some quit after 3, some went out for another 4, but I just did the 2 mile loop. I got soaked. At least it was still warm, about 65 at 5am. Crazy!
After the run, I went inside to swim. I came really close to calling my run a swim but since I was soaked I wanted to at least change into something dry to drive home. So if I was going inside to change, might as well swim. I only swam 1000 yards but I am still in the "something is better then nothing" mood for swimming.

Another Step Closer

I got up at 4:30 this morning and went to the Rec Center to met Tracy for a 30 minute run. I got there a few minutes before 5 and Tim was in the parking lot getting ready to run too. We talked about his marathon in Memphis and mine in Huntsville and then Birmingham came up. A bug in his ear, now Tim is thinking about it too.

Tracy showed up right on time. We ran the loop through town. A nice social run. Then I went to toning class where the instructor really focused on abs. It was a good class and felt good. I needed it.

The problem with putting a bug in someone else ear, it make you think about it even more. So tonight, I booked a room. I have NOT signed up for the marathon but I am as good as there now. David has booked his room too. Lisa is thinking aobut it. Lana is thinking about it. I see some hill training in my future!!!!

Birmingham?!? Maybe!!!

Hey, thanks for all the positive feedback about the idea of taking on another marathon so soon. And also for the heads up about Birmingham. It might not be a sub 4 course but just to run it without dying would make me feel better about it.

This morning I got up at 5:40 and run my normal 6 mile loop. My legs felt fine. I just might be able to handle another marathon before kicking it over to Iron training.

A Bug in the Ear

Yesterday I was so tired. I didn't do much of anything and even took a nap.

I went to bed early and got up at 5:40 this morning and hit the pool. I swam 1500 yards. Actually, I really hope I counted wrong because it took about 35 minutes. I felt good swimming and think my form has really improved. Looking forward to swim class in January and getting the coach's input.

Once I got to work, I got a call from JT. He ran Huntsville this weekend too. He also had a disappointing run. He put a bug in my ear. A marathon in Jackson, Mississippi January 5th. A chance to redeem myself. I KNOW I am in the best shape of my life. But another marathon in a month. Is it possible?

Training for the Gulf Coast Half Iron officially starts Dec 23rd. I am not planning on starting until January 1st. December is suppose to be my recovery. IMFL is the focus for 08. But is it possible???

Rocket City Marathon

I got up at 4:30 and was on the road by 5.
It misted a few times on the drive down and it was already 60 degrees.
The drive wasn't bad and as soon as I got there, I got a text from Lisa offering the use of her bathroom.
Tom and Wayne also went to Lisa room and the four of us hung out for a while.
David called and we set up a meeting place.
I meet up with David and we headed to the start line.
At the start line we found Joe, Darrell, and Wes.
We looked for Lana but didn't see her.
They made all the announcements and then we were off.
The plan was a negative split, just like all my long runs.
First mile was 9:13. It sprinkled on us a little.
We found Lana in the second mile. 9:07
My Garmin started beeping before the mile markers.
Lana commented on how high her heart rate was and David said his was a little high too. I told them I knew mine was high but was afraid to check. I finally gave in. This is when I knew I was in trouble. My heart rate was already 173.
Miles 3, 4, 5, and 6 were 9:08, 9:10, 9:10, 9:23.
We saw Lana's mom and dad and Holly at mile 6.
My heart rate continued to climb and I continued to run
7-9:02, 8- 9:20, 9:07, 10-9:18, 11-9:13, 12-9:20, 13-9:42, 14-9:48, 15-9:29
My heart rate got to 186 and I sent David on. I HAD to walk and try to get control.
Lana caught back up with me while I was walking. She was not feeling good. We walked and jogged the next few miles. 16-10:50, 17-11:23, 18-10:50.
Holly and Lana's parents were just after 18. Lana gave her dad her fuel belt, she couldn't drink the OS that had worked so well on all our long runs. Holly joned us.

19-13:32
I got my heart rate back down to 144. So I started jogging again. It didn't take long and it was right back up to 174. I walked to bring it down then jogged. This is how I finished the race. 20-10:15, 21-11:39, 22-11:28, 23-13:54, 24-13:50
With a mile and a half to go, I saw Lana's parents again. Lana's mom asked if I wanted something to drink. I declined but this guy next to me asks "you giving away that Coke?" He ran over to her and took the Coke she was drinking and finished it. This is him:
25-13:04
They had to stop traffic for me as I approached the one mile to go marker. I told the police to just let them run me over. I also told the one mile to go time announcer that I didn't want to know the time. He said "You don't what to know? You don't want to know that is it" Then he tells me the time. I don't remember what it was but I knew then that this was going to be slower then my first marathon.
26-12:03
my garmin reports 0.47 miles in 5:06, 10:53.
I crossed the line and the lady gave me my medal and asked "Are you alright?, Do you want to stand to have your chip removed? Do you want some water? Do you know where the medical tent is?" I just kept nodding. I didn't think she was going to let me go. I went back to cheer Lana in and found Darrell.
I took a shower and stayed for about 30 minuted of the awards. I was tired of sitting and knew I still had a hour and a half drive home. If they pulled my name for the $500, I don't even want to know about it.
Official time-4:36:47 And I am alright with it. Not want I wanted, not what I trained for, but I was so glad to just finish.

This Is It

Well, this is it...I have followed the plan, done the training. Now it is time to put my body to the test.
I don't know if I have a sub 4 hour in me but I am going to give it my all and just be happy when I cross that finish line.

I finished up this week with a 6 mile recovery run Monday morning. 58:15, 9:43 pace. It was harder then it should have been.

Tuesday morning was a "dress rehearsal". 7 miles with 2 at marathon pace. 1:03:53, 9:08 pace. The two pace miles were done in 8:38 and 8:33. Much too fast. Hope I can do a better job of pacing myself tomorrow.

Wednesday was a rest day.

Thursday was 5 miles with 6 x 100. 46:04, 9:12 pace

This morning was my last 4 mile recovery run. I ran it at 5, just doing loops of my neighborhood. 37:36, 9:25 pace.

I am leaving in the morning at about 4:30-5:00. It is about an hour and a half to two hour drive. Start time is 8am.

I have done all I can do, now it is time to go and enjoy the race.

Final Countdown

Yesterday was my final long run before the marathon. 12 miles.
Ronnie golfed so it was after 3 before I got to run.
Lana had run hers earlier in the day and set the bar high with a 9:02 overall pace.
I started slow with the first mile in 9:31. I knew then that I wouldn't be touching Lana pace.
It was warm but windy.
I listened to Steve Runner's podcast about his latest marathon. I was heart broke, along with Steve, when he just missed his sub 4 goal. I know that feeling!
I finished my 12 in 1:50:40, 9:13 pace.

Good news...The forecast for Saturday in Huntsville has improved:
I am sure it will still change several more times but so far this one is the best I have seen.

Like Trimama, I am a holiday separatist. Thanksgiving comes AFTER Halloween and Christmas Season doesn't start until Black Friday. At my house we have to make things even a little more complicated by throwing in our anniversary and 2 birthdays. I have trained my family well. Birthday gifts come in birthday paper, unless it is a REALLY big gift there are no combo deals, and there must be a separate celebration for the birthday.
So my dad (being well trained after many years) called yesterday and wanted to know if I could bring the kids and meet him at Toys R Us in M'boro today so that my son could pick out his birthday present. He did the same thing back in July for my daughter. My son had a great time picking out Lego's.


My dad had already told me he was going to get me the HED H3 wheels I want for my birthday. Then the other night Ronnie told me that instead of wheels I should just take the money and use it toward a new bike that he would get me for my birthday/Christmas (I think that is big enough to combo).
So I email my dad with the idea. Then I started to feel guilty. We really don't need to spend that kind of money for a new bike right now. So I emailed my dad back and told him forget it, I just wanted the wheels.
Well...today my dad asked me what I was going to do about the bike/wheel deal. I told him I was unsure. I want a new bike and hope to get one someday, I just never thought Ronnie would support the idea. The problem with the wheels is they would be 650s and any new bike I get would most likely have 700s. So getting wheels says I am keeping my bike. Am I ready to make that commitment?
Then we took the kids to see Santa. I know that is not a birthday stuff, but we were in the big city so killed two birds.
While the kids were telling Santa what good kids they were, my dad wrote me a check.
I am officially shopping for new bike!!!! Happy early birthday to me!!
And just maybe, I can sell my QR kilo and use that money toward a set of HED H3's for my anniversary/birthday/Christmas combo from my husband.