I have to just start writing and it is all going to come out hard and fast.  Today was such an emotional day for me.  This run for some reason signified so much to me.  I don't know when I knew this was going to  be a pivotal run, but I knew that it would be.
For some reason along the way I knew that 18 was going to be a big one for me.  I mean really  I am shooting for 26.2 so why should one 18mi training run be any different than a 14mi run or for that matter shouldn't I be more worried about the 20mi I have coming up in two weeks?  I'm not sure why but this was the biggy on my schedule.

Let's get to it.  I of course finished it (YAY!) and I just need to say I can't believe I did it as strong and as well as I did.  My husband believes in me so much.  We were talking last night about the run and his belief in me is amazing.  He had NO doubt I would finish strong.  I told him that I knew I would get the miles in and I would be ok with walking part of it if I needed to.

I should also mention here this was my very first long run I have run alone since my 10mi long run.  That was one of my worst training runs so I also had redemption in the back of my brain as well as fear.  Could I do this alone?  Did I have the mental chops to get me through all those miles?   All that time on my feet?  All that time passing people hoping that I finish my run safely...steering clear of anyone who looks shady.  I have never been a fearful person, but I don't know what I would do if something happened to me on a long run.  I fear for my husband and my children more than for myself.  I can take care of me, but who would take care of them if for some reason something happened to me???  How creepy is that?  I would be lying if I said I did not worry about that every time I am out running alone now.

So up to this point, my longest run to date was 15mi and that was a toughy! I had to skip my 16mi long run due to illness and the snowshoe re-TREAT.  (well worth it) I knew that those three unknown miles might be tough.
So enough of the small talk, let's get to the miles!

Oh one more thing...I re-fell in love with my iPod.  I finally got a playlist right and it helped me for sure along the way.
I also ran on a Sunday afternoon which is WAY different than my normal Saturday morning long run routine.  I did not know how much it would screw me up by doing this.  Luckily-it actually worked out for the good!  I'll get to that later but I may be on to something here.

Let's just go BOOM and check out these splits first of all:

Split	Time	Distance	Elevation Gain	Elevation Loss	Avg Pace	Best Pace	Calories
Summary	2:50:55.0	18.02	58	65	9:29	7:22	1,667
1	9:21.8	1.00	0	8	9:22	8:19	90
2	9:23.5	1.00	7	0	9:24	8:37	94
3	9:12.1	1.00	0	8	9:12	8:30	93
4	9:03.5	1.00	0	0	9:03	7:38	94
5	9:34.8	1.00	0	3	9:35	7:48	92
6	9:04.9	1.00	0	0	9:05	8:12	93
7	9:06.6	1.00	4	0	9:07	8:13	92
8	9:34.7	1.00	10	0	9:35	8:12	91
9	9:08.7	1.00	0	0	9:09	8:29	91
10	9:07.6	1.00	0	10	9:08	8:19	94
11	9:17.5	1.00	9	5	9:17	8:06	92
12	9:25.9	1.00	0	0	9:26	8:16	94
13	9:13.5	1.00	13	0	9:14	7:22	92
14	10:35.6	1.00	6	8	10:36	7:28	89
15	9:42.7	1.00	0	5	9:43	8:50	95
16	9:53.2	1.00	0	0	9:53	8:10	93
17	10:14.3	1.00	0	9	10:14	9:07	93
18	9:41.0	1.00	8	9	9:41	8:38	93
19	:13.0	0.02	0	0	9:59	8:58

Each of these miles meant something to me.  This is a true representation of my run.  I didn't play Garmin games; I let it run the whole time.  When I slowed to walk for a GU and some Nuun, I let it run. I wanted to get a real feel for what my race time might be like.  I did however stop my watch just after mile 10 as I ran to the car to refill my water and to munch down a Stinger Waffle (oh how I wish I could carry these all the time)  I also did stop the watch sometime in mile 14 due to an iPod malfunction-or rather a user of iPod malfunction.

I felt like I started off smart and slow.  I had mellow music; Fleetwood Mac, Maroon 5, you know stuff like that.  Now I look at my splits and I was not nearly as slow as I thought I was!  I felt good from the start though and I knew it was going to be my day.  Of course the rain made an appearance and I was not prepared for that to happen but in the end I was dressed just right for off and on rain.  I ditched the jacket and was glad I wear quick drying wicking shirts.  Nike pulled through for me today.

Miles 1-4 were pretty uneventful.  I did take some time for a prayer and a few thankful words during mile 1.  I was then quickly blessed with a bit of sun and that was a nice change.  I took a Gu at 4 and moved on.  The first turn was at Mile 5 and it felt amazing because the last time I turned at that point it was not good and only got worse.
I continued to check in with my body and I could tell it was all going to work out.  I just felt strong.  By mile 6 or 7 I was in my zone and my club rappers had started in on the iPod-perfect timing.  Oh how I love to hear Flo Rida telling me to get Low.  I did start feeling a little low just before mile 8 but a Gu fixed it and I was back to cruise control.
When I got to mile 10 and the car, I was a little nervous.  I felt good, but I knew stopping and starting can be really hard.  I also just wanted to let the hubs know I was doing ok.
I got back on the horse after a quick stretch and refill and I still felt great!  The only issue I seem to be having is chaffing of the sports bra :P  I have tried different ones and no amount of body glide seems to solve it.  I swear I would spread body glide from head to toe if I thought it would help

This is from earlier this week.  I was healed, but it is even worse today :P

I have come to realize this tends to happen when the weather is actually over 45 degrees, which doesn't happen often, but it will be warmer than that for my big day so now I have to figure that little issue out.  Moleskin maybe?

I was feeling good, and really not watching my Garmin to closely.  I just wanted to run and "feel it", not sure how else to say that.  I happened to look down and realized if I just picked up the pace a bit I could run a half in under 2hrs.  I had it in me but alas I looked a little too late and there were just a few too many hills right there for me to do it.  I believe it was just over 2hrs though and that my friends is good enough for me.

My next turn came when I got to Redmond and the end of the trail.  The trail actually continues, but you have to run out on the sidewalk etc.  I don't go any further than that.  Not sure the reason other than it will get "too complicated" for my little brain at that  point.  That was just a little under 14mi.  I flet good and took a Gu and some Nuun.

Then the hardest part of my run came.  Mile 15.  I knew this would be a mental hurdle for me.  That was my longest distance to date and I just "knew" I would have to get though it.  I won't lie, I struggled.  I had to walk a bit for no other reason than I needed to.  Nothing was hurting (but yet everything was hurting) and mentally I couldn't just trick myself into "I'll just run to that tree and if I have to stop then I will"  I just slowed down took a drink, regrouped and got back to it.  That was all it took.  Once I gave myself that minute to process what I was about to do I was cool again.  My legs said "let's go" so I did.  I was easy to tell myself-you have less than a 5k to do, you do that on a Tuesday morning before the kids wake up-you've got this!  I told myself that a lot "you've got this" became today's rally cry.

I got to mile 17 and I couldn't believe it.  I knew I had it in the bag!  I also knew that I was going to get to the car before I hit 18, so that meant I had to run past the turnoff to the parking lot to get the last .7 of a mile on my Garmin because after I had come this far, there was no way for me NOT to hit 18 officially.  Just then Flo + The Machine sang me the Dog Days which is absolutely a power song for me.  It was quickly followed by LMFAO Party Rock Anthem-which was perfect because just as I hit 18 there was a WOO (or something like that) and I couldn't help but throw my hands in the air with a huge smile on my face.  At this point a couple was walking on to the trail and the lady gave me a great smile.  I couldn't help but say "Sorry I just finished an amazing run"  and I completely lost it.  Yup tears.  I almost couldn't catch my breath.  I wasn't panting like I was out of breath-I just was so moved by what I had just accomplished  Good LORD!  Can you imagine what I will be like when I cross that finish line???  I Will Be A Wreck!  Fo' sho!

I called Mike and he was like "are you ok" and I was like "this is just emotional for me"  

Then I had to get into the car.  Now-I won't say your legs feel fresh after 18mi, but you don't realize how beat up they are until you try to sit down into your car.  Then getting out!  That is a 10min ordeal.  I actually had to take about 2min to walk up two very small stairs to our front door.  It was almost a joke!

I got home just in time for supper.  This was great!  Mike had warmed up the oven so I stuck a quiche in that I had prepped for getting home-bonus as I normally don't refuel right away when I run in the morning.  I jumped into the ice bath-is it weird that I actually enjoy them?  They just feel sooooo good!  Then into a nice hot shower.  I finished up the routine with my legs up against the wall to flush them out so I could put on some compression sleeves.  Sometime in this whole routine though, I got VERY nauseated.  I am not sure what that is from and it is still with me at 930 at night. Several hours after I finished.  I couldn't even finish my celebratory beer :P

Sorry I am not as witty as normal, but honestly I am wiped out.  I have hit my end and I'm glad my story is done. How about a finish pick followed by a Woo Hoo!  I Did It!!

I never get my smile right when I take my own pic

This is how I celebrate!

I'm Back!

After a really disappointing run last week, I am proud to announce that I had an amazing run on Saturday!

It was a stepback week and in all actuality I have taken it VERY easy for two weeks.  I was still nursing that rotten cold that afflicted my house and I was still a little leery of my heal.  Well the time off paid off!

I really feel mentally and physically better than I have felt since probably January.  Luckily just in time for the final push.  I only have two really long runs left on the schedule.  Eighteen miles this weekend and a 20mi run two weeks later.  The rest is all very manageable distances that I feel very comfortable doing.  I so many ways I can't believe I have made it this far and in other ways it has seemed so easy.

The reality of it though is I have a lot on my plate right now and I am teetering the line of being in control of everything and feeling comfortable and dangerously close to falling over the edge of insanity of it all.  I sit here with empty grocery bags that need to be put away.  A living room carpet that smells of vomit (thanks Elise-I love that you have discovered your gag reflex) with the carpet steamer sitting waiting for me to use it.  Friends who haven't heard from me other than on Facebook. Emails that I keep putting off until I have a minute (which by the way will be May1 if you are waiting for an answer from me).  A  whole living room full of dinosaurs and other birthday toys that need new bins to keep them organized so that Thursday when I get a whole new slew of girl toys, they can take over the living room for a few days.  Laundry in baskets, laundry in the dryer, even laundry sitting in the wash machine waiting for more to be added so I start the stupid thing. Boxes that need to be broken down to be put out to the curb.  Something needs to be wiped down I am sure.  Supper needs to be started - why?  I am not sure, my son won't eat it anyway. (is there any reason why my children can't live on peanut butter and jelly for the next month and a half?) Showering would be good-haven't done that today.  I DID however brush my teeth-BONUS!  And now it is already time to wake sleeping beauty from her nap or she will never sleep tonight.  Will I Ever Catch UP-that is really the question.
I have a bridesmaid dress to go buy (I was supposed to do that in January) and I also have to go and finish my sister's wedding invitations so I need to go to Paper Source.
I still have not even stepped foot in a toy store for either child's birthday gift (thank God for Amazon) and I'm sure I won't (thank God for Prime free 2-day shipping)

To top that all off
 ******TMI ALERT****TMI ALERT****
Last week I actually had a pregnancy scare!!!  If you know me at all, that is the scariest thing to happen to me since.....I don't know what!!!  The probability of an actual pregnancy would have been about 0.000001% but after having two children 12 months apart-you can see why I was a just a little more than nervous.
After two negative pregnancy tests I called the OB and what they basically came up with is the stress of my being sick, training for the 'thon, and the general level of chaos in my house most likely resulted in a huge hormone in balance that should resolve itself after my race if it doesn't before.
I really did not need that craziness for two days straight!  All it did was solidify my resolve that we are most certainly done having children!!

So here we are-all caught up again.  This week I have three midweek runs and 18 on Saturday.  I am still going to take it day by day and if I don't feel like I am recovering from the first two midweek runs, I will skip Thursday to prep for Saturday.  I feel so much better taking it one run at a time instead of feeling like I need to run every. single. mile. on the plan.  I know I will finish and I know I will finish strong if I continue to listen to my body instead of looking at a training plan.

Alma and I after our first DRY training run together

No ice bath, the legs felt too good, but I did go up against the wall to flush them out a bit after.

Music. Is, Like, SOOOO My Thing. It's Like Totally Bitchin!!

So somewhere in the 80's I became aware of the fact that music and I were like peanut butter and jelly.  Like peas and carrots.  Like sardines and mustard on crackers. (YUM!)  It transported me out of my little town of Shiocton, WI and into the bright lights of the big city that I knew I would some day move to.  Yes, I knew by the time I was oh, about seven that Shiocton was not the end of my line.  In fact I dreamt of living on the beach one day, which I in fact did in the mid and late 90's.  (like I said, all I dream comes true!)

I also realized that for most of my life I have been full of angst and anger that would be likened to an angry teenage boy.  In the 80's it was Metallica and AC/DC.  In the 90's I turned more to Soundgarden and TOOL.  It even followed me into my 30's with my love of Korn.  I won't even begin to tell you all the punk bands I have been in love with over the years.  Or what an awesome time I had living in SoCal where I had the chance to meet Zach De La Rocha, The Offspring, and a bunch of other greats (in my opinion anyway).

But honestly, any kind of music is cool with me!  I love to be transported to the places it takes me.  Sure I had a lot of raging going on (obviously) but I love classic country like no one else.  Jazz-oh jazz, what can I say.  I LOVE it!  I can get lost with a book and a jazz station for hours.  I love watching my friends shake their booty to some pop....although I will never claim to be a dancer!  Blue Grass, oh how that makes me want to BBQ some ribs and sip some burbon.  Classic rock...tuned in on my radio preset.  My favorite of all may even be an 80 year old man by the name of Leonard Cohen!  My God that man can write a good song!  Don't even get me started on Steely Dan!

I think I need to move on!
So with all of this in mind you can imagine my surprise when I have come to realize I HATE running more than 4mi with music!!  In fact I can make it about 2mi of a long run before I want to throw my iPod in the nearest field!  It has become the bane of my existence these days.  I am not sure if I just don't have the right play list or the right mix.  The songs that normally pump me up get me all agitated  on a run.  My happy place songs just seem kind of grinding.
I have oddly decided that I just need to listen to my thoughts and my feet hitting the ground when I go on long runs.  I go over things I want to write here.  I do a head to toe system check to make sure I am still feeling good (something I don't do with music).  I think about what to make for supper.  I think about what would happen if I suddenly was pregnant again (Yikes!) For the record if it was a boy his name would be Henry calling him Hank and if it was a girl she would for sure be Lauren which was Elise's name until almost the end.

I am not sure if this came about because I started doing long runs with partners and if it is something I will out grow in the future, but I do know this; I will not be dragging those stupid headphones with me again!

So how did today's run go you may ask.  Not so hot.  I swear I can feel the virus taking over my body!  Here is how it went down:

My nanny got here at 800 the time I specified.  I ended up leaving after 900.  Got my iPod all set in my fuel belt, went to start my Garmin and I realized I left it at home.  Had to go back to the car and switch out iPod for iPhone (so I knew how far I had run)  When I opened my training app that has GPS it informed me I was running 9mi today which was a shock as I only planned to do 8mi!  Stickler as I am, I started out on the run planning on the 9mi.
Without my Garmin I am even WORSE at keeping a slower consistent pace.  I went out way to fast and was just about dead at mile 2.  I seemed to get it all under control and the rest of the run felt ok.  Not great, but not bad.  My nose ran constantly and was on fire by the end.  I felt tired and kind of worn down, I was not expecting that.  I thought I was on my way to better.
I finished up and was having my chocolate milk and a quick stretch when I looked at my phone and saw it was 1100!  What the?!?!  My nanny needs to leave by 1100 on Wednesday as she is just helping me out before her normal job on that day.

I walked into the door and was accosted by my Toddler Tornado!  I had told them that after I got home from my run we would go the the "Toys Park" which is what they call a park in the woods that has trails we can walk on.
Silly me!  They thought the *second* I walked in the door it was time to leave.  My nanny, as awesome as she is, had them dressed in shorts and short sleeved shirts.  It was sunny and dry today, but no where near shorts time.  Unbelievably they did not fight me when I told them we first had to put on pants and sweatshirts.  They did however seem to go absolutely insane at one point.  In a 10min time frame each child had bloodied a different part of their body with no help from the other child!  I actually had to laugh.  It was like their little bodies were possessed by some crazy bug.  I was still at this time in my cold wet workout gear and wasn't sure how I was going to get in dry clothes, let alone shower off the stench. I was prepared to put on sweats and go, but the injuries slowed the crazies down.  Thank God Dirt Girl World got their attention.  While the zombies watched all things dirt, I hoped in the shower-no time to wash my hair, oh well-and get some dry clothes on.  Oh yah-post run meal?  What a joke!  I did stick two eggs in the microwave with a few slices of toast.

Just as quickly as they calmed down, they were back like wildfire!  I quickly strapped them in the car seats-which in case you were wondering is the best invention EVER if you have to insane toddlers.  The promise of an adventure is the only thing my babes need to pacify their insanity.

I took them into the woods for a bit to burn some energy off.  Then with some screaming fanfare we were done at the park for the day.  I tell you all of this just so you can gauge what a normal day is like for me.  This oddly enough is the norm not the exception.  By the time we got back to the house it was 200 and time for naps.  Or as Ryan screams "I don't waaaant to nap!  I waaaaant to watch a moooovie"  The best way to deal with my boy is "yes dear, I know."  Then set him in bed with his books, blankie, puppy, and paci (yeah I know, I will work on that soon) and tell him I will be back in a few minutes.  Which of course by the time I get done putting Elise down he is fast asleep.

What to do nap, clean, open that package from Amazon??  Open the package from Amazon of course!  And good thing I did!  Inside was not only my son's birthday gifts (hello last minute shopper-it's Saturday) but also my shipment of Shot Roks that I thought I would try.  Yes, that constituted lunch for me.  (I so need to do something about my food intake!)
I knew I did not have the luxury of a nap as the kids are big enough now that I get a half hour Maybe 45min of napping out of them.  So blogging it is!

Now it is time to figure out supper and sigh deeply as I realize Mike won't be home tonight to help with bedtime.  Pray for me that everyone is knocked out by 830 and I can promptly climb into bed in utter exhaustion.  Clean the kitchen-probably, I can't stand a dirty kitchen.  Fold the laundry-doubtful, I can pull it out of the basket and throw it on a kid for one more day.  All the other stuff?  Maybe it will get done tomorrow-maybe not.  That is what Sunday is for right??

My Moo Ready To Roll

Bean Ready To Rock It

ETA:  

You will be happy to know my bathroom got cleaned.  Not because I had so much energy for it, but because my daughter dumped out her potty in to the big pot and basically dumped it on the floor.  I LOVE potty training!

"Hey There Little Lady, Are You Looking For a Jump Start?"

For some reason when I was thinking about this post title, it always came to me in the voice of a downhome boy.  Deep and throaty, kind of like Josh Turner if you are into that country thing.  Not sure why as my "Jump Start" came from an amazing group of women yet again.

Let me first start by saying I am thankful and I am blessed.  I have an amazing husband who supports my endeavors wholly.  I am not sure he has ever said "Really, do you have to do that now?" Same thing when I just want to up and leave town for the weekend to go snowshoeing.  I know that he would love a weekend in the snow as well, but he lets me leave to recharge my batteries so the whole house can be just a little happier.  There is no way I could achieve my personal goals with out his help.

That is actually a lesson I've learned.  Even though running really is a single person sport, you in reality need a huge support system to be successful.  At least I do.  My support comes from not only my wonderful husband and my super cute kids, but also in the new friendships I have made through running.

I oddly thought that after I had kids that I would meet all my new friends through said kids.  In fact I haven't really hit that point yet.  I'm not sure if that is a future school thing, or maybe that is just not menat to be for me.  Who knows.
What I do know is female runners ROCK!  I have met so many different women who just automatically accept you, even though we all come from VERY different walks of life and places in life.

I have to be honest here a minute.  This post is not flowing out like I thought it would.  I have so much to talk about and I am super excited, but in a way I have gotten a little nervous.  Over the weekend I was made aware that more people read my blog than I thought did.  Not sure why that was such a surprise.  I have it out there as a public blog and I post it to my Facebook page so my family and friends can follow my journey.  I guess I just didn't think they really did read it!  Honestly it changes nothing, I certainly don't feel a need to filter or anything like that, but for some reason all the stuff in my head is having a hard time coming out. (writing through writers block is supposed to help right??)
Before this becomes a totally random strand of thoughts strung together like Christmas lights, let's focus on the facts for a bit.

I in fact participated in the Snowshoe re-TREAT like I had planned.  I also have not run since last Tuesday, and honestly I feel like a new woman.  Of course the cold I was nursing seems to be lifting some.  I am rested.  I got some fresh air. I was able to listen to amazing women encourage one another.  I received awesome training advice.  I was inspired by a wonderful lady named Ann who has recently placed three times in her age group.  Two firsts and a second.  I do not want to venture a guess at her age, but her concern was feeling pressure from her peers to basically slow down and act her age.  I think the fact that she is out there and doing it her way says so much about who she is and who I someday aspire to be.

I was also reminded that there are so many amazing women runners who really don't have to train for half marathons, or even really full marathons.  They live their lives so they are able to achieve those accomplishments when the whim hits them.  This is astounding to me.  I don't know but for some reason I was under the notion that to do these things you had to commit 100% to a training plan and if you didn't you would ruin it and you would fail.

Now let's put this in perspective for a minute.  They are women who have been running for 10, 20, 30 years.  I clearly am not in that group.  Sure I started running 10yrs ago, but let's face it-I didn't have all the information and I was not seeking it out.  I know for many years the most I could run was like 3mi because of something so small as paying attention to my pace.  Get my pace under control and I can run forever it feels like.  Again, this isn't something you are born knowing.  Even though running seems basic-all you need is a pair of shoes and out the door you go.  In reality the more you listen and the more you learn the more you realize there is so much more to it.
I am new to running in actuality.  I have only lately decided to "study" the sport I love.  That brings it to a whole different level.

Let me interject here; there is absolutely nothing wrong with running for just a few miles here and there and maybe running a 5k race every few years. That is an accomplishment in itself and do not feel like it is little or small.  It is HUGE to decide to propel yourself out the door for no other reason than to run.
If you think about it too hard it seems silly.  A mindless exercise in futility.  I mean really, you go no where, you accomplish nothing.  But yet you do go somewhere and you accomplish SO SO much!!
I am the kind of person that believes in something wholly, so like running for example.  I reap so many benefits I can't understand why not every person on the earth doesn't run.  (I know this is just silly talk don't worry not EVERYONE should run, I get it)

So back to it-I am so all over the place today, sorry.
My body is feeling so good again.  I have rested, I have rejuvenated, but most importantly mentally I have had a huge boost.  I know that I need to pay closer attention to myself and give myself permission to slow down or skip a run if my body says I need to.  My training won't all be lost and I still will be able to run my race. In fact probably better if I do pay attention to what I really need.

I also have a huge confession.  Hello.  My name is Sarah and I am a cheapskate.
my excuse for not going to the gym and weight lifting or cross training is because I bought  a one month trial gym membership on Living Social and I have been saving it to use it.  Not for any other reason than I am cheap and for some reason I feel that if I horde it I will have it there waiting for the perfect time to use it.
The Time Has Come

I am recommitting today.  This final push toward SLO will be done fully and completely.  I have a plan to actually cross train and also lift weights.  I will run my runs and if things start to feel un-right, I will get in the pool and skip a run.  I will not fail.  It is not an option.

So how about some fun stuff.
Some good tunes that are motivating right now:
Incubus-Let's Go Crazy (plus Brandon Boyd is just good to lok at) and Fun.- We Are Young (because every time I hear it I pretend I don't have kids and I am free of responsibilities again.  Plus this video kind of reminds me of an average night out at the bars I used to frequent sans kids)

How about a few pics of great ladies and a great day out in the snow:

My Lovely Cabin Mates For The Weekend

The Stop Sign Rob Blew Through On The Way To Snowshoe 

Pretty Cabin at Night

Just a Little Snow

Beth Rallying The Troops

Like always basically no pics of me.  The sad part of always having the camera.  If you are reading this and you attended and by chance have a pic of me, please email it so I can add it here...Thanks!

I Am Thankful...I Am Blessed!

The Week Of Runs That Wasn't

I am beat down.  There is no other way to say it.
I am sick with the yuck my kids have had for the last two weeks.
My achilles that I have been in denial about has officially reared it's ugly head.
My calf is so screwed up I actually was crying while I tried to roll it last night...not even the foam roller, straight to the rolling pin!
I am stressed out because I am realizing all the things I need to be doing and I am not doing.
I am not eating right.
I am midway through training and I am having a mental breakdown.

I know this will pass and I know I will finish the marathon just fine.  As we sit here today (and all this week) I just feel like my load is too heavy.

I have pacified the children for a few peaceful moments (once again, Thank You Disney) with a movie and some cheddar bunnies so I can purge my brain and get ready to start over.  So here goes my dump :P

On the schedule I had 4mi Tuesday, 8mi Wednesday, 4mi Thursday, and 16mi Saturday.  I had planned a snowshoe re-TREAT quite some time ago, so I planned on actually running 4mi Tues., 16mi Thurs., and snowshoeing 9mi Sat.  This seemed like a good enough and completely doable plan.  That is until last week when I watched Mike and Elise get really sick and rundown.  Ryan and I stayed healthy, but I knew deep down it was inevitable.  In fact, this is why I initially signed up for only a spring half.  I knew how winter and illness goes with children and I was actually prepared for much more sick time this winter.  As time went by though, the kids and I stayed healthy and I realized that a full was totally doable (and still is).  It came as no surprise when earlier in the week I started to feel that tingle in my throat and my will to run fell to zero.  
I actually did Tuesday's 4mi run and it was rough.  After that run is when I really started to feel yucky.  My legs were heavy the first 3mi and I figured it was just from my last long run.

Then the limping started.  I am not sure what day it was, I think it was Wednesday.  It got to the point were I was limping every time I walked.  It wasn't in my achilles, but rather behind my knee and involving my calf.  Knowing full well that it is completely related I felt the wind go out of my sails.  At that point I was still in denial and was planning on running my long run on Thursday.  Deep down though I knew things aren't right.
So I called Beth, the awesome owner of Kingston Adventures who is also a Ultra runner and just awesome person all around-I know this because she was brave enough to let our dog Klaus (her Scout) go live with her when things got too overwhelming for me when the babies were little. Here is a great article/interview with Beth and ESPN.  As you can see she might know a thing or two about running.

We talked about my achilles and she confirmed what my gut was telling me, I need to rest it.  Of course that meant no running for the rest of this week.  We also talked quite a bit about nutrition.  I have to admit, I have not been fueling my body correctly.  I eat a good breakfast and a good supper, but in between is kind of a mess.  I let myself run down to nothing and I am frequently running on fumes.  Not good for repairing muscle tissue.  I have also been coming home from long runs (actually all my runs) and instead of taking care of myself I have just jumped back into the roll of mom and put myself last.  When I told Beth that I was coming home from long runs and pretty much standing on my feet for the rest of the day her comment was along the lines of; unless you are training for an Ironman and need that time on your feet, it's not a good idea.
I told her I was pushing myself because of course I want to finish my race.  She asked how long my last long run was, 15mi, and how long it took me to run, about 2.5hrs, she told me that there are many people who believe that is good enough for training.  Many long distance runners run a long run that is 2.5hrs or 18mi whichever comes first.  She also let me know that when she was training for Ultraman (a 50mi run) she had a lot going on and never did a training run longer than 2hrs.  After I told her I had almost 2mo left before the race, she all but laughed at me and told me I had plenty of time to get back to training!
That really put it in perspective for me.  She reassured me that if I took time off now, I would not loose all of my training I had done.

That pretty much sealed the deal.  If I were to be honest with myself and to truly listen to my body, I knew I needed to take a break.  I originally thought I would run on Thursday anyhow, but when the sick took over, there was no energy to even jog to the mailbox.  I honestly believe that things happen for a reason.  I think I got this sick to keep me off my feet so I can recharge my batteries and get ready for the final push in training.

I am not sure how I will proceed with my runs next week.  I will cross that bridge when I get there.  I do know this much; No more excuses, I will cross train, not that that would have prevented my injury, but I know it would not have hurt.  My plan is to continue to give my calf/achilles a break while still working on my endurance.  Can you say hello cross training?!?  The pool and I will become good friend as well as the rowing machine.  I am going to spin a bit as well, but knowing that it could muck with my calf, I may not jump right to that.  I do plan on running next Saturday's long run.  It is a stepback week so only 13mi.
I still not sure about 9mi of snowshoeing this weekend.  I think that will be a game time call.

I also am going to get a sports massage this week to hopefully loosen up the muscles and I also think it is time to visit a chiropractor again.  It has been years, but I know my hips are out of alignment from carrying Elise and I know that my right leg (the one that is questionable) takes a big load.  I even was considering acupuncture earlier this week when I saw a Living Social deal come through my email.  I didn't jump on it, but it is still in the back of my head.

I really hope that something magical will happen; as my cold leaves it will magically take all my other pain symptoms away with it.

A girl can always hope right???