20 miler is IN THE BOOKS.

no doubt about it, the last few miles of a 20 miler HURT.

no doubt about it, a soda tastes so incredibly GOOD after a 20 miler.  who cares about the calories when you've just run 20 miles, right?

i took a bath as soon as I got home, which is very weird for me.  i don't like baths, they kinda make me feel dirty.  sitting in your own dirt and sweat just seems gross.  i've heard that it's a great to help your legs recover and i positively just wanted to sit down. the bath was heavenly!  i got out and my legs felt 100% better, although my toes are pretty tender.

because i don't run with a garmin and don't map out my runs prior to getting out there, i generally just go by time.  i figured that i was at least running a ten minute pace, so i needed to get in at least 3 hours and 20 minutes of running.  i decided yesterday to be on the safe side and run for 3 and a half hours.  when i got home i felt doubtful about the mileage.  so i used map my run, an awesome little website, and came up with my total mileage.  it's a rough estimate, but i think it's pretty legit.  it turns out that i ran 22 miles today!  wa-hoo. no wonder i felt like i was ready to throw in the towel by the time i finished.  four (.2) miles more and i would have run a marathon.  awesome!

so.  i think i'm ready!  i am so grateful for this healthy body that has been given to me.  the next few weeks are going to be delightful, now that it's time to taper.

Big day tomorrow.

this is it!  the toughest part of marathon training:  the 20 miler!  i don't have a course mapped out, i am just going to run for three and a half hours.  that oughta do it, i think.  honestly, i'm not dreading it at all.  in fact, i can't wait!  i love the way i feel after a ridiculously long run, it's indescribable.  i haven't been feeling well this week, so i decided to "sleep in" today and swim instead.  the swim went really well, i'm fairly certain that i did at least a mile.  i even threw in a little butterfly this morning!  i'll be sure to write about tomorrow's run.  i'm all set with lots of gu and gatorade, and even fresh legs.  it's hard to believe that marathon training is coming to an end.  i just hope i have prepared myself enough...

The 18 miler.

A little bit more about the eighteen miler:

I'm still in shock that I ran so much of it by myself and that I had the gumption to get out there and get it done.  It seemed so daunting on Thursday night, that I tossed and turned all night long.  My mind couldn't let go of the time that I needed to get up so that it would all work out.  I think back to my former self, prior to Michael and Nicholas, and I can honestly say that there is no way I would followed through with the plan.  I would have come up with a bunch of excuses and made it a difficult, complex plan.  I guess that's what motherhood does to you.  You either suck it up and come up with an organized, well thought out plan; or you do nothing.

I ran the first eight miles by myself and then a friend jumped in for a little over an hour.  Her company really helped the second hour of running go by quickly.  We did our usual chit-chatting and enjoyed catching up from the week's events.  As we were finishing up our leg together, we were actually chased by A PIT BULL.  How crazy is that?  Thankfully, we were on a main road.  We truly had a guardian angel with us because as soon as the dog got closer, a car came upon the situation and chased the dog off by blowing his horn.  He then blocked the road so that the dog would not come after us again.  I had my can of mace, but still!  Very, very scary.

The last half an hour was a little tough.  I felt tired for maybe the last fifteen minutes and I could tell that my body was starting to slow down quite a bit.  Those moments always make me question the marathon.  I couldn't help but think-  there's still 8.2 miles to go in a marathon.  I do know that the 20 miler will help those feelings of exhaustion AND the energy in a marathon is enough to carry you through many tough miles.

This week things are a bit easier.  The long run is only eight miles- piece of cake by now, right?  And, there's an extra rest day built in somewhere, even though rest days really drive me crazy.

Check it off the list!

18 miles.  DONE. Wa-Hoo!

It was a great eighteen.  The first two hours flew by somehow, and the last hour felt a little long.  (Don't know why that is...)  I couldn't be happier, though.  My body is holding up really well, and my mind is even stronger.  The leg/back/foot/heel issues have yet to resurface, thank goodness.  I'm so grateful to be out there, logging these really long miles again.

I'll write more later.  So happy that I did it and finished it before eight am!  It's incredible that there's only one really long run left.  This training plan is whizzing by.

What a run!

For the first time since last Friday morning, I got outside for a run with a really good friend.  We ran for about 55 minutes, which I was so happy about.  The run was slick, but WoW!, was it ever gorgeous.  Not only are the trees still covered in snow, but we also were able to watch the sun come up over the mountains.  School was cancelled for today, so there was no rush to get home, showered, and dressed for the day.  This morning was one of those mornings that I absolutely cherish: it was breathtaking, peaceful, and rejuvenating.  I didn't want it to end, especially once that beautiful sun began to rise over our mountains.  Lots of people think I am crazy for running in the cold and so early in the mornings.  I think they're the ones who are crazy, though.  Who wouldn't want to watch the sun rise, catch up with a sweet friend, and fill your lungs with fresh air-  ALL at once, no less!

Honestly, I can't wait to get out there and run 18 miles sometime this week.  The schedule is WIDE open now, I can't decide which day would be best!!  Tomorrow's probably out, though, due to the weather.

A done deal.

Registered last night for the March marathon, and now I'm pretty sure that I am going to puke.  Why I even feel the need, I have no idea.  I've done well with the training up to this point, I feel relatively strong, and I'm truly not too tired from it all.  There are still two mega runs left:  18 sometime this weekend and then 20 miles two weeks later.  Yiiiikes.  I can do it, though.  And, the best part is, I'm having fun while running.  These long runs make me so tired, but they are so incredibly exhilarating.  So, two tough weeks ahead, and then all the others are status quo in my mind.  Stay tuned!  Exciting times, right?  Signing up is often the most difficult step, isn't it?

Times are changing

This morning I put the baby down for a short morning nap.  Then, I made a few peanut butter crackers and put them into a ziplock bag for Michael B.  We rounded up his Lego's from my closet, and his Lego boat; we then headed for the basement.  Michael and I made a nice little play area for his Lego's.  And guess what???

While Michael played with his Lego's, I ran a little over six miles on the treadmill.  It was fabulous.  It was liberating, too.  He stayed in the same spot and was completely content to build away.  He munched on his snack a little and even took a bathroom break.  Meanwhile, I didn't have to break stride once because he was so self sufficient.  I never thought this day would come.  He's so easy right now, it's a very weird feeling.

I'm pretty sure this is the first time that Michael has actually watched me run on treadmill.  He was extremely curious and really wanted to try running, too.  And, being the runner-holic that I am, he was given the opportunity.  It was hysterical.  The speed was too slow, so his gait was a little awkward.  When we finished our "work out", he proudly announced to his Dad that he just ran six miles.  (SO not true... but I let it slide, just this time.)

It was a great run.  I can tell that the longer runs have helped my fitness level because I'm not the least bit sore or achy from that run.  Marathon training is the best!  Actually, this plan that I'm following is the best!  Must go shower NOW before the children wake!

Nine Down, Eighteen Coming Up!

Alrighty!  Finished a great nine mile run this morning with some sweet, sweet girlfriends.  I didn't feel too strong on this run, though.  My legs were tired and I just felt tired all over.  I didn't get much sleep last night, which may have been the culprit and I didn't eat very last evening, either.  The run was fantastic, though. You could feel the snow in the air, even though the temperatures were not bad at all.

My goal was to run ten or eleven, even though that was a bit more than "the plan."  I thought that Josh would be waiting on me to get home, so that he could get to work.  Which meant that I felt obligated to finish up.  It was frustrating to see that he was still sound asleep when I walked in the door.  Really, it's fine.  Nine miles is great, and there's probably a good reason behind the plan calling for eight.  (Maybe because marathoners get a little tired at this point?)

Next week is a LONG long run-  eighteen miles!  Yippeee!  : ) I am looking forward to challenging myself AND eating whatever the heck I want!  (That is why I run-- so I can EAT, EAT, EAT!)

Another week checked off- - almost.

I'm very happy to report on another great week of running/exercising! The long run of the week is supposed to be about eight miles, but I think I might "splurge" and run a few extra. (As long as I finish in time for Josh to get to work on time. The weather is noooot looking good for running this week, so I want to get in as many miles as I can. I am comforted by the fact, though, that we've got a great treadmill in the basement. Although I'd rather run outside, I'm so thankful to have another option. With every finished week, I get a little bit more nervous about the marathon.