Running Journal 6/27/09

Well, I have some of the mystery solved. My left knee doesn't like my new runners. I am not sure if it would like them more with a different kind of insert, but I don't think I like them either. I'm going to take them back and try something else.. I think I liked the 8w better than the 8.5 reg anyway. I ran/walked 3.12 miles last night in my new shoe combo, and it was stupid painful. I ran the same 3.12 miles this morning in my old runners with the blue inserts, and felt improvement immediately. (The downhill still hurt though.) Later today, I ran/hiked another approx. 6 miles in my hiking shoes with the blue inserts. I'm not sure if it was the shoes, inserts, or the fact that I was running on a nice soft hiking trail, but I felt awesome! Initially I was a little sore, but it melted away. The hills; both up and down felt great. It was a very fun run! Trail running... hmmm... I can get behind that! LOL I'm thinking about pounding out another 4 miles this evening.. to make up for bailing on the RnR. Running it's equivalent in mileage today seems like a fair deal. :)

My first half marathon! 6/20/09

"Tears streamed down my face as I crossed the finish line. I was a new person, a runner."

~Thomas King, Novelist and Broadcaster

I should start by saying.. I DID IT!!! 13.1 miles: 2 hrs, 20 mins.

On Friday night, I laid out all of my gear and made a morning check list. I was all nerves! I had a terrible time getting to sleep. It was like Christmas Eve when I was a kid... except with more anxiety! LOL I got up yesterday morning at 5am, showered, dressed and got the boys up and ready. I dropped the kids off at their dad's at 6am and I was off.

I arrived in Burlington right on schedule at 7am. I got an excellent parking spot, which I think is always a good sign. :) I readied my things and then walked over to pick up my bib. I was the first runner to arrive, but shortly after, another woman showed up.. She was running the 2 mile. She, like me, was new to running. She was very proud of what she had accomplished so far. Boy, could I relate. She told me that she had made it her goal to run in a race every month. I enjoyed speaking with her and we wished each other well.

I spoke with other runners as they started to arrive. I find that other runners are so supportive of each other. As I stretched and loosened up my muscles the excitement grew. The negative worries about the race were gone, leaving only the excited butterflies and delighted anticipation. Many people wished me well and I did the same. I knew I was ready. The air was chilly, so I had decided to wear my running coat. I hated bringing it as I knew it would only be needed for the first few miles. We all stood anxiously at the starting line. The start was a few minutes late, but at the toll of a huge bell, we were off!

The first mile or 2 were not hard physically, but had more of a mental aspect. I thought about the fact that I had so many miles to go! I anxiously tried to quiet my mind, enjoy the scenery around me, and take it all in. I looked at my Garmin from time to time and was surprised at my pace. I was going faster than I had planned, yet I felt extraordinary. I couldn't help but wonder if I should slow down to conserve energy for later. I ultimately decided not to. I thought, "Why should I? I'm not racing against anyone else. If I'm tired later, I'll slow down later." There was also an element of fearing coming in last.. Ok, so I guess I was racing against someone.. the someone at the back!! LOL

Eventually, I slipped into that place.. the place where my mind drifts away and and there is no pain or number of miles to go, there is only peace. This place is why I run. This place is quiet and beautiful and calm. This place reminds me of this one summer when I was in high school. I was out on Lake Washington in a rowboat. The weather was perfect; warm and sunny. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I laid down in the bottom of the boat and closed my eyes. I felt the sun's warmth on my skin, and the only sound was that of the water gently lapping against the bottom of the metal boat. I laid there like that for hours. All of my problems, fears, sadness, and anger were released. For those moments I wasn't the kid from a screwed up home... I was just.. Alyssa. Out there on the course, there she was again... Me.

Shortly after the 8 mile marker, my brain was forced to engage. We had been running on pavement up until this point, but now we had turned onto a gravel road. It was rather unpleasant! The gravel was not packed or even.. it was lumpy and was a mixture of golf ball-sized rocks, potholes, and random patches of grass! I felt like I was on an obstacle course! I couldn't help but think to myself, "yeah.. this is great for my knees!" LOL At least my mind was preoccupied with trying not to trip and kill myself. :-)

At about mile nine, I decided to have a puff on my inhaler... it wasn't there! Oh shit.. I had dropped it! I eagerly glanced behind me, hoping I would be able to still see it laying on the ground.. It wasn't. Where had I dropped it?? My heart sank a little bit; after all.. the dreaded mile marker 10 was approaching... my wall.. but I pushed forward, still at a pace that surprised me. At 9.5 miles, the course split again, sending me onto a soft dirt path surrounded by trees. As I ran the next 1/2 mile I started to worry that I was going the wrong way. There were no course markers in sight, but then I realized that I could make out the tracks of running shoes. Even though logically I knew I was where I was supposed to be, I was still nervous. Wouldn't it just be fabulous if I got lost and never finished the dumb race?? To my relief, a couple out walking their dog came around the corner. I asked them if they had seen runners and they graciously confirmed that I was on the right path and told me I was doing great. My spirit soared.

Shortly after this reaffirmation, the course looped back around, had a short stint on the highway and then returned me back to my gravel road. "Hi gravel road," I thought.. "Now I know how far you are!" I was starting to feel the distance I had covered, though. I was no longer able to shut out the world. My feet were sore, my abs were tired, my lungs ached.. and then.. there it was, laying on the trail, wrapped in my running gloves.. MY INHALER!!! I scooped it up and puffed on it a couple times. I love air! The happiness my inhaler brought my was short lived, however. Although my lungs were doing better, and I was once again on my beloved pavement, my body was just plain exhausted! I told myself, "Two more miles, Alyssa. Easy! Cake!" I touched my necklace and remembered it's meaning.

At one mile out I called my friend Jennifer. Her voice was encouraging. As I hung up the phone I thought, "Next time I talk to you.. I will be DONE!" At a half mile out I was really dying. Although I knew I was so close, it felt like I was running in place!

The last stretch of the course was straight through town. Directly following the race, there was to be a parade on the very road I was now running on. As I got closer, the street became lined with people waiting for the parade. For the first block, no one seemed to noticed the half dead, covered in sweat, crazy woman running down the street.. and then, like an angel from heaven, I heard a voice.. "Great job runner! You're almost there! You can do it!! You can do it!!" It was the woman I had spoken to before the race! She was jumping up and down on the side of the street, waving her arms like mad, and screaming these beautiful words. I became overwhelmed with pride and joy as her actions became contagious and everyone started cheering for me. It was at that moment that I realized.. I had done it!

Tears filled my eyes as I approached the finish line. I was sprinting at this point. My body was like a machine and all I felt was euphoria. There was Ky! Alannah! Jonah! There was John!.. and his children! Jennifer was there (holding my banana!) and her fiance, Sean! And then the most beautiful sight of all.. I saw my children. They were beautiful. Then something extraordinary happened.. It was Matt, grinning from ear to ear.. he had started to run! He was finishing my race with me! I swear I will never forget that moment. Crossing the finish line was everything I had dreamed of and more. I hugged my friends and cried as I held my children. It was a wonderful and unforgettable moment.

I have to thank a few people.. (I feel like an Oscar winner lol) Thank you Ky, Alannah, Jonah, Matt, Spencer, Jennifer, Sean, John, Mason, and Robbie for driving all the way to Burlington to cheer me on. Thank you Dave, Chris, and Steve for being there for me in spirit. You guys are awesome. I'm one lucky gal!

So what's next...? Oh, it's already in the works. ;-)

http://www.bellinghambaymarathon.org/
http://www.skagitflatsmarathon.com/
http://www.seattlemarathon.org/Home.htm

Hrmm...

Two days until RACE DAY!! 6/18/09

This week has been for rest and restoration...

I didn't run on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday... I'm not sure that is healthy for me...
1. I ate too much ice cream...
2. I need to run to stay sane!

I was going to run yesterday, but it was not in the cards. Too busy with work, play dates, and life. Moving on... I decided to run to the gym today. I believe it is roughly one mile. My lungs seemed rather shocked they were being used again and were unhappy on my way to the gym.

Mental note: No more going over 2 days without some form of cardiovascular exercise. Amen.

Once at the gym, I chose my hamster wheel and flipped the telly to Emeril Live. I'd never seen that before.. Hmm.. I feel hungry again... As I was saying, I hit the ol' treadmill and set off to have a nice and easy sanity/systems wake up run.

1st mile: 12 minute mile
2nd mile: 11 1/2 minute mile
3rd mile: 11 minute mile
4th mile: (only .67 mi.) ~8 3/4 minute mile

At this point I accidentally hit the emergency stop button, but it seemed like as good a time as any to call it.

Time for my big news!!! On my way out of the gym I had my body fat % calculated... 19.1% Not bad for an 31 year old mom of two! I think the last time I had it checked (a few months ago) it was 22%, so this was great news (although I can't say that dropping my body fat % was a conscious goal for me.) It must have been the extra ice cream this week. Hehehe. :-) Then I ran home. Total mileage today: ~5.67 miles. I plan to do an easy 3-5 miles tomorrow, and then race day baby!

Speaking of race day.. Let's discuss it! I am nervous. Will my asthma flair up and hold me back? Will I hurt myself? Will I enjoy myself? Will I hit The Wall either mentally, physically, or both? Will the finish line be filled with the elation that I have dreamed of for 6 long months?? Will anyone be there to cheer me on, and will it hurt if there isn't? Will I need to pee for miles on end? Will there be a photographer there? (I better get a good f'ing picture... lol.) What should I carry with me? Will I come in last?! (Oh please God, I don't want to be last!) Will I need a medic?... Shoot... Will I need to be the medic?? LOL

Someone special wrote this in an email to me this morning:
"Saturday, and these days leading up to it, is/are your moment to take in all that you've worked so hard for....savor it, all of it....even the vomiting part at the end :). Like we talked about last night, even these early jitters are part of the grand experience.....you'll do great!!!"

Thank you for these words. You are absolutely right.

This just seems relevant...

Ain't nothing going to break my stride
Nobody´s going to slow me down
Oh no, I have got to keep on moving
Ain't nothing going to break my stride
I am running & I would not touch ground
Oh no, I have got to keep on moving

Running Journal 6/14/09

Yesterday I ran around Greenlake twice. It felt good.
Total mileage for the day: 5.6mi.
Total week's mileage: 29.65 mi.

Today I went down to the BGT. I ran 12 f'ing miles! I'll tell ya'... there seems to be a "wall" for be at mile 10. It's like, I'm going along, sure I'm tired, but I'm hanging in there.. Then I pass the 10 mile mark and it seems like I can barely move forward! My abdominal muscles were so tired I struggled to remain upright! My lungs held up like champs. I did seem to have some mild left sided chest pain, but it seemed muscular in nature. I threw up a little in my mouth ans swallowed it! LOL My gait was sloppy. I couldn't help but let the thoughts of self doubt creep in.. Can I really run this far? Will I be able to finish my race? I hate these thought, but I know they are normal. The other thing that was troublesome was that I was having weird nerve pain in my hands and arms, that would send shocks of stinging electricity from my fingers and thumb radiating upwards into my forearms. I ended up having to run with my arms tucked close to me with my hands closed and resting on my collar bones. WTF is that?? Anyway, at least I made it. This week is going to be light. I am going to rest up, let my muscles repair themselves, and take care of myself. Race days in 6 days!!!!!

Running Journal 6/10/09

Ran home from work today. It was really ridiculous hot out, but I held up. I kept a good pace and pushed myself. I wanted to go further, but I was out of time and out of water. Today's run said "F-U yesterday's run!" I feel like I'm on track again.

Running Journal 6/9/09

Today's run was one of those runs that make me think.. WTF? Why am I doing this? Why am I pushing myself so hard? Today I let my fears and self doubt creep in. Why am I doing this?? The answer; I have to! For some inexplicable reason, my very soul needs this upcoming race. I don't want to sound fanatical or anything, but it is true. I do not know what lies beyond this month in running, but right now, it is so important to me, and I want it so bad, I can taste it. I feel like I need to run because I'm 31. LOL Is that weird? Of course it is! Even I do not understand it. I guess I have decided that this is the year of my awakening. This is my year of triumph. 30 was good, but 31 should be better. It is better.

Running Journal 6/8/09

I got out today and ran about 3 1/4 miles today. I started at the Huskey Stadium, headed over The Cut, and ran one of the trails in Arboretum. It was a beautiful day today. I have to say that I will always love the Arboretum... I have so many memories there; sledding with my dad, smoking.. er.. I mean reading the Bible with my friends.., first kisses.. *Alyssa waxes nostalgic for a moment*

My only complaints today were that I am still pretty sore from the miles yesterday, and I had to pee really bad! I considered the bushes, but there were too many people around.. and after the incident in Sultan a few years back.. I thought better of peeing where I'd most likely be caught! LOL I hit The Hop In on my way back. That place was always good for a bathroom, and selling alcohol to miners.. not that I know anything about that...

My knees actually held up pretty well today. I ran slow and easy as this is usually a rest day for me. Tomorrow I think running home will be sufficient, but Wednesday I'll need to turn it up.

Woot.

Running Journal 6/7/09

I've such a slacker. I didn't run on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday! The heat, combined with lack of sleep did not exactly keep me feeling motivated. I caught up on sleeping yesterday, so I was ready to go this morning. I went down to the B.G.T. and ran a nice 10 miles. I felt pretty good, but I took it slow. Part of me wanted to squeeze out 1-2 more miles, but I didn't have the time. I really have to focus this coming week. 13 days to race day, and I need to be sure I am not missing anymore runs. I need to get the mileage in, and the following week I can taper off and give my muscles a chance to repair.

Running Journal 6/3/09

I'm going to lose another damn toenail I think... The first one was cool.. but I'm not sure I want them all like that!

I ran 5 miles yesterday on the treadmill. Luckily I was able to kind of get into a T.V. show, so I did not die of boredom. Those silly Duggers! LOL The treadmill makes your stride different.. I think that is why my nail hurts. I noticed after my run the other day at the gym that the toe was sore, and then last night, it became worse. The thing is, I can't feel anything going on in my shoe while I'm running. It isn't until after my run that it notice anything. Weird. I want to do 5 miles today too. It is going to be a scorcher... I want to run outside, but I'm not sure I'll enjoy it in the heat expected this evening. We will see.