Mamalegato’s going metric!

Just thought that I would get the word out there to all you readers (lol!) that I will from now on be recording all my mileage in Kilometers- it was always a slightly uncomfortable thing for me to be talking about “miles” run but my training programmes were always American and therefore always in miles. I would cringe slightly anytime someone would ask me how far I ran and I would say 12 miles and then they would reply, “Miles? Why do you measure in miles?!” and I as a Canadian, would feel slightly ashamed.

I’ve always been a “Zed” verses “Zee” kind of gal, a neighbour over neighbor, theatre over theater and favourite instead of favorite- so I am officially now a 42.2 Kilometer marathon runner rather than a 26.2 mile marathon runner.

 

The nice thing about kilometers is that it does sound farther- when I mentioned I had gone for my longest run since the race last Friday, 8K- the person laughed and said “ONLY 8 K!! ” as if I was downplaying this great distance I had run. I wonder if they would have been just as impressed if I had said 4.9 miles?

Fringe Benefits

I have been stewing on various theories as to why I have so much energy this past week or so and I have come up with the following;

1/  My body adjusted to the extra energy I was putting out almost daily whilst training for the marathon and now just expects to be putting out that much energy.

2/ My fitness level is way up  from all that training so I am just fitter and energetic.

3/ It’s all psychological as I now know I can run a marathon and therefore cannot whine too much about keeping up to 6 kids and a cantankerous husband (and I mean that in the most loving of ways)

4/Also on the psychological side… I just feel like I’ve accomplished this big honkin’ goal and it just feels good. I feel good and I have more energy.

 

I have been feeling very optimistic lately, just more prepared to take on whatever curve ball life cares to throw at me. There are still parenting issues to deal with, looking after aging parents, financial difficulties but I’m just feeling stronger in my ability to deal with it all. Is this all because I ran a marathon? I can’t help but think that it’s a combination of feeling physically good and also still drawing on the high of completing this huge goal I had set out for myself.

I haven’t run more than 2 miles at a time since the race. Sunday I went out on a lovely little run with #3 and considering he’s only 10 AND considering that it was my first run since the race, decided to go very easy. Monday I jumped on the treadmill at the gym for 2 miles and was having some significant pain in my left knee (it used to be always my right knee bothering me) I took Tuesday off and then ran 2 miles on the treadmill at the gym  yesterday and really kicked it! I felt like I was flying and the computer read out said I was doing a 9 min mile but I know it’s very different out on the pavement. Nevertheless I was happy that my knee was not giving me any troubles. 

I’ve actually been jonesing somewhat for a “long run” so maybe this weekend I will have the chance since it is a holiday weekend. I would be thrilled with a 5 miler.

Crazy, 5 miles has suddenly become “long” just weeks ago it was “short”!

4:45:29

It’s 2 days post race and I am finally sitting down to write about it. I really wish I had had the time and energy to do it immediately after the whole thing was over because it would likely be a slightly different story.  It’s much like (look out, here comes the childbirth analogy!) giving birth- I was exhausted, yet totally buzzed following the race, still able to recount every painful step (OK they weren’t ALL painful) I could probably better describe how brutal the last 6 miles in particular were but, just like childbirth, somehow the memory of the pain starts fading away and I’m already to the point of thinking “It wasn’t THAT bad!”

Really I don’t think it could have gone any better for me and where I was physically and mentally on that day. Taking into account the injuries I dealt with, the family stresses and illness that were going on and just the fact that I haven’t slept more than 5 hours in years I feel like I nailed it. It went exactly according to plan.

The weather was perfect, sunny but not hot. The company was perfect, njb and I got dropped off close to the start line and hung out and jabbered away our nervousness while we waited and then agreed to start together but run our own races, as she runs a faster pace then me and I was going to stick to my; run 10 mins, walk 1 programme. The first few miles were difficult mentally as I really felt like running a faster pace and I found it very very hard to stop for the walk breaks but it truly paid off for me in the long run because I kept probably my most steady pace EVER, a 10:53/min mile. The first half I did in 2:22:25- and finished in 4:45:29. I never really felt that I was slowing to a shuffle of any sort (which usually happened on long runs) although there were a few miles, like at the start and then again at miles 17 and 18 that I felt like I had a burst of energy. My knees started threatening to “go” on me at around miles 8 and 9 but quieted down miraculously- except for mile 21 when I got one big jolt of pain like a thunderbolt in my left knee- I thought “No way, it’s too late now- I’m going to finish this thing” and the pain was gone! I never hit “THE WALL”- although from mile 20- to the end everything felt harder and I was just totally longing for it to be over. At mile 22 when my watch started beeping, (the signal for me to take my walk break- thanks to njb for setting that up for me… a Godsend!) I decided that I would not stop for the walk breaks anymore partially because I just wanted to get the damn race over with a quickly as possible but also because I really felt scared that I might not be able to start running again if I were to stop!

Coming down the home stretch I was searching for the ol’ man and the kids and was getting worried because I couldn’t find them- but finally! there they were right at the line- I gave them some high fives and then crossed and got jumbled up in the crowd of runners- got my medal and then had to pass all the food- which at that point just made me feel queasy… in fact I had to pass the Gatorade table and that almost did me in I don’t think I can look at Gatorade or GU gel packs for a loooooong time!

I actually started shivering and felt dizzy and sat down on the curb for a bit but that passed pretty quick.

 

I woke up at 4 am the next day with my legs twitching and got up to take a bath- that day walking was very difficult and stairs excruciating- of course it was an extra busy day with the kids but I just did it. Yesterday I was very very tired, the legs were still sore but the knee pain gone, and today just slightly stiff and less tired. I even considered going for a swim today as it was childcare day at the gym but talked myself out of it deciding to force some more rest on myself. I might try for a couple of miles on the treadmill tomorrow, and then 3 or 4 miles outside on the weekend.

Best thing about the race? I didn’t have to pee!!!! That amazed me and acually kept me distracted for much of the race as I kept thinking ” I can’t believe I don’t have to pee!” as I passed yet another porta-potty- I drank both my containers of water and took both Gatorade and water at each station- but still no pee!!

 

Worse thing about the race? Hmmmm… I guess the last 6 miles but really that’s what makes it all worth it, non? 

 

Would I do it again? You betcha. I really don’t know when yet but I would like to work up to taking out the walk breaks and improving my time. This will require not just running but lots more strength training and to try and avoid injury.

 

Hey guess what?! I ran a marathon.

8 days

I regret that I haven’t been able to really blog “properly”- by that I guess I mean regularly- there are so many things that cross my mind while I’m out there running and then, well, it’s all about having the time non? I just know it will be lots of fun to look back and be able to see what I went through.

Today was 8 miles, my last “long” run before the marathon. It went well. My pace has “magically” improved in the last week or so- apparently that’s what is supposed to be happening, without really trying I’m running faster. I need to really take care to stretch- I get lazy or “busy” and don’t do it sometimes but find that it makes a huge difference- my hips are pretty much always tight and my knee “twinge-y” on most runs- no pain- just the feeling that it may go at any point.

Nutrition is my main focus right now. I asked marathon Mom from preschool for advice and she said rest and EAT. I have been eating way too much junk and am trying hard to fill up on good stuff- to make every bite count since I have such a puny appetite at the best of times. I’m just trying to keep it kind of clean and natural- lost of  fruit, veg and whole grains with enough protein.

I’ve been daydreaming about my next goal while out on my runs and I still keep coming back to distance running- it’s really been so therapeutic for me during this topsy turvy time in my life, it will be interesting to see if running the 26.2 miles will get it out of system or leave me wanting more. Right now I think about yoga a lot, and also kayaking for some reason, getting comfortable on a bike and really, training for another race. maybe a 1/2 in the Fall.

8 days to go.

6.2 to go…

It’s official… I’m tapering (or weaning as a friend called it- I kinda like that, I’m weaning myself off the dreaded long runs…)

 

Saturday’s 20 miler was bitter sweet- but it’s done- and I was initially kind of excited for what lays ahead (the actual race on May 3rd) but now I’m getting a little butterfly-y/nervous and I still have 2.5 weeks to go.

I am feeling a little worse for wear from the very long (3:51:20) 20 mile run. It is Wednesday (ran it on Saturday) and I’m still hurting. Not in a stiff kind of way like after the half when going up and down stairs was difficult, but more in a beat up kind of way. I went out for the scheduled 8 miles last night and had to cut it a wee short (7.39) because my knee was acting up which make me very very nervous)-  Today I had the opportunity to get a swim in and then I will not run again until Friday when I have a 12 miler. I will stretch and ice and heat the muscle and I just got an IT band rolley thing to roll the muscle on.

So the sweet part of the 20 miles was that I finished and the bitter part was that my training partner- had to jump ship at 14-15 miles due to knee problems, the fact that I have also been there with almost identical problems made it upsetting because I so know how very frustrating it can be and especially for her as she has gone pretty much injury free until now, but I came back and so will she, 2.5 weeks is a long time. I must say having someone to run with made a huge difference, there were a few moments where I so did not think I could continue- one was on the the hill just before UBC (we ran from Main/7th- down to False Creek ,along the seawall to  the UBC “SUB” and back) and the other spot was at Kits beach on the way back just before she had to call it quits- I stopped and walked with her a bit- and was able to pick it up again and finish. The last 2 miles I was grunting out loud on the busy seawall but I did not care- I just kept practicing what I would yell at people if the looked at me the wrong way “I JUST RAN 20 MILES!!!!”

The weather was not so swell- it rained on and off and was rather chilly and windy on the way back, but as experienced running Mum from preschool pointed out- it is not likely the weather will be any worse than that a month from now- which I suppose is a big plus.

Having the 20 miles out of the way is helping get my head around running 26.2- what’s another 6.2 miles? It was important for me seeing as I hadn’t been able to get the 18 miler in- so I am happy for it- hurtin’ but happy.

I plan to really try and focus on my nutrition over the next few weeks because that has been a tough one. The thing about long distance running and being a busy Mum is that it makes you feel hungry ALL the time but it’s often hard to prepare something healthy BEFORE I scarf down 10 cookies or chips and ruin my appetite. There is always healthy food around but it always takes preparation and the junk is just so much more tempting and convenient.  I am trying really hard to drink water (always forget) and stop scarfing the junk. The “nice” thing is I am eating all this junk and my weight still at the lowest it’s been since, like, my late 20’s or 4 kids ago- doesn’t help when you’re trying to resist those sweets!

 

All in all, I am feeling positive- I am even already wondering what I will do after this thing is over…   hmmmmm…

Goals=Good

I’m making a huge effort to squeeze a post in here because I had a great run last night and had time to think about my crazy life and then thought I have to write this down because when I look back on this journey to my first marathon I don’t want to JUST remember the crap and how hard it was, I want to remember how it has changed my life, and it has.

I realized last night as I was out there pounding the pavement after a long day with the kids and the feeding everyone and making sure they were either ready for bed or doing homework- that yes, this is crazy and nuts and insane trying to fit in this training with everything else that’s been going on in my life but thank God I had this goal! Because I am absolutely certain that anything to do with me, my health etc would have been the first thing to go when all the shit hit the fan with family stresses and illness etc. It is always the first thing to go. If I had just been trying to run to stay in shape the runs would have gone out the door weeks ago – but because I had this huge goal looming over me, and a PAID entry fee to a race, I just had to get out there- yes, I missed some sessions but I always felt like I was going somewhere in the training- I never abandoned it.

I did 10 miles after supper last night and it just felt really really great- and somehow I upped my pace by almost 1 min/mile! Huge for me. I really felt like I could have easily continued running at the end which is a very very good thing as Saturday njb and I tackle the longest training run before the race- 20 miles. At the moment I am actually kind of pumped- but I don’t want to jinx myself- The thing that has worked best for me is really to just think- “I am going out and running for 4 hours on Saturday” and then it’s just the ol’ one foot in front of the other…

Ridiculous

I was trying to find one word that kind of summed up my life right now and really, ridiculous just seems right to me. Continuing on from last weeks saga of many, sort of, emotional upheavals going on in my life this week continued in much the same stressful vein with 6 bouts of the flu (Ol’ man, #1, #3, #4, #5 and #6) and 3 chicken pox (#4 pretty much all gone, #3 very very sick with it and #5 a relatively mild case so far.) And it was my birthday, which we mostly ignored, which was fine with me, really. And I’m training for a marathon that is happening in a month from now.

Who’s idea was this?

 

I literally am just putting my head down and trying to soldier on through the storm- no, like really literally. On my birthday, April 1st, it snowed. In Vancouver. On my birthday. The ol’ man was home recovering from the flu and everyone else went down for a nap so I headed out for a nine miler. I froze. I had ice pellets hitting me in the eye. The whole thing pretty much sucked until I finished and then it didn’t suck anymore and I was glad I did it. Happy Birthday.

Today was long run day and I had been juggling in my brain the logistics of trying to get a run in with #3 and #5 home. It was supposed to be 18 miles, so it became clear that wasn’t going to happen and the weekend wasn’t much of an option because the ol’man is working. So I decided I would do a 9 miler looping close to home- #3 and #5 would be fine in front a movie and I would be very close to home. The treadmill just wasn’t an option, anything over 5 miles on it and I feel positively like a gerbil. I would then do 9 miles tomorrow- split the workout on back to back days like I had read about in Runner’s World. I headed out feeling rather guilty because although #3 assured me he was fine and demonstrated calling me in an emergency he just looked awful (#5 was quite happy with a movie and some cookies)-  so I cut my run short at 5:77 because I was too worried and feeling bad for leaving sick children at home. Tomorrow the older boys will be here to help so I should be able to manage the 9.

I am behind in training and definitely worried about it. I have to run a marathon in 1 month and on top of the regular old stress of setting a goal and trying to reach it, I have teenagers running amok, parents being forced into an old folks home (by me by the way) banks dissing us, vomit, diarrhea and pox galore and I’ve got to fit 18 mile runs into the middle of all of that.

I am calling on the running gods to give me strength… I wonder if there is a patron saint for runners? If you can hear me… prends pitie de moi… Au nom du Pere, du fils et du saint-Esprit. (Amen).

Amen

I hate to sound like a crazed running fanatic who views running as something akin to religion or somethin’ but… Hallelujah I have seen the Light! I have been saved. Amen.

 

This past week was really up there with one of the most stressful weeks in my entire life. Without going into too much of the nitty gritty it included the biggest parenting challenges I have ever faced (thus far… O running gods help me…) Bank/mortgage/help we’re living in a crack house woes, parent woes (looking after aging parents) and, well, just the everyday craziness of raising 6 kids on no sleep and, Oh yeah! I have a good idea, why don’t you throw in training for a marathon into the mix- because God know you have plenty of time and energy to burn and it will be, well, FUN!

Oy.

I made a promise to myself that I would get the runs in, no matter what, and this week was the ultimate challenge because not only was I feeling extremely guilty for taking the time to get out there while I had so many things I really should have been dealing with it turns out my 3 “short” runs 4, 9, and 5 were nothing short of disasters. The phrase “just didn’t have the legs for it” is the only way I could describe it- I truly just did not have the legs. My IT band injury thingy was not bothering me too much, nor my knee, hips or feet, but on all three runs I just did not have any gas, my legs were like lead. On the 4 I got through it on the treadmill. The 9 was cut short to a 7 and the 5 was cut short to a 3 because I was called home because of a “situation” I had to deal with, but I could not see myself making it the 5 anyhow. Not even brand new shoes could get me out of my slump.

Thursday was a rest day and Thursday night, after a very difficult day I had convinced myself that the running was selfish, and it was insane for me to be doing this and that I certainly did not have 3 hours to devote to a 16 mile run, and I was behind in my training so really, why go on. I was not going to use my “free” day to run. I just couldn’t.

Friday morning after drop off at school and babysitters I came home and without stopping to think I put on my running gear. I had no real plan. I drank a Gatorade, ate a piece of toast with peanut butter, strapped on my Garmin and thought I am going to run for 3 hours or 16 miles, whichever comes first, and feeling very spaced out but almost feeling like I was on auto pilot, out the door I went, and ran 16 miles in 3:06:28. I started and maintained a slow shuffle but somehow, my legs were working, they were back. I walked a minute for each mile, I ate 2 packages of GU (by mile 6 I was feeling pretty hungry and realized I should have eaten more), I drank one of my hydration pack containers of Gatorade and one of water, I stopped to pee in the bathrooms at Dunbar park, my hips felt really really tight at mile 12 but by mile 14 they were fine again. I ran to 16th and Sasamat, and still had 1/2 a mile to do to reach 1/2 way (8 miles) so I ran on 16th on the way to UBC and got excited at the idea of soon being able to run 18 miles on the same route.

I just ran, and ran and ran. And at the risk of sounding like the complete flake I am, I felt “saved” I felt like I could not only deal with all the challenges that were thrown at me this week but that it would all be alright. 

If I could run 16 miles…. maybe one day I could run 26.2.

Amen to that.

Almost 15… I’ll take it!

15 was the plan and I didn’t quite make it (I did 14.30 miles) due to several factors but I’m OK with that. I broke 13.1 and that is what I was most concerned about.

The first 4 miles felt easy except that I really really had to pee so I was very distracted looking for somewhere to go- I even considered ducking into bushes but just couldn’t do it- I ended up at Mickey D’s in Kerrisdale- fine. Clean, didn’t have to ask anyone for a key, a quick in and out.

I decided to continue down 41st Ave for a change in scenery and was still feeling very strong going up Camosun and along 29th until I passed mile 7 and there it was, the hip/knee pain. Damn. I decided that I could make it go away, I would summon up all the positive hippy dippy methods I could think of and make it go away. The first thing I did was I started chanting under my breath, “I’m gunna run a ma-ra-thon” That and a 2 minute walk break got me another mile, then I “drew out the pain”  (with my hands, like I was pulling it out) and tossed it at the side of the road (couldn’t care less what passing motorist’s were thinking…”) again that got me another mile with a walk break in there, then I focused on my glutes and making them do all the work, again that got me to the next walk break- and then miraculously, the pain diminished- it didn’t disappear per se but I really felt I had worked through it, I even was able to pick up the pace a bit. I didn’t feel like I could go on much farther when I reached home and somehow when I modified my route for my pit stop and then got focused on getting rid of the pain I was only at 14.30 when I had “finished” so decided to call it a run.

Overall I’m happy with it. It will be interesting to see what happens with the new shoes I plan on getting on Monday or Tuesday. I’m still  trying to figure out how to “jig” the schedule so I feel caught up. I have a 4 mile from this week that I must do tomorrow to get my mileage in- which might be a good thing in terms of making up the long run miles.

Baby steps.