crisis averted!

What with Erin's running partner down, I've decided to become her "second," and run with her in the Whiskey Row half marathon! It comes two weeks before The Big Day and more or less fits right in with that training schedule. So it really is a fated circumstance.

When I looked at the website for details and found that it's "one of the toughest Marathons in the United States" because of terrain, altitude and weather, I became a bit worried. But what doesn't kill me will make me stronger, right? Plus, I'm looking forward to 13 miles of bonding time, cuz I haven't actually seen Erin in years! I'm so excited!

P.S. A note to all you Ogdeneers: April is our crunch-time running month! I've decided to step things up by actually cross training. Go, runners, go!

Time Limit??

Hi everyone. I'm Jamie. I was invited to contribute awhile ago but I have a really hard time keeping my own blog up to date so I've had an impossible time getting a post up here...but here I am now. I thought I would include my pic so you have a visual of who is blogging (my daugher Jaylee is also pictured...I would be the one old enough to run...or walk for that matter - just so there is no confusion).

I am hoping to run the Ogden Marathon in May. I mentioned my interest in running a 1/2 marathon to Lacy at Book Club in November. Lace gave me a quick pep talk consisting of 1)"Jamie, if you're going to be running half, why not run a whole marathon?" and 2) "If Katie Holmes can do it, why can't we?". I guess I'm pretty much a push over because that is all it took for Lacy to convence me that running this darn race was a good idea. Now that I'm up to 16 miles I'm not so sure.

I got the email about the 17 mile/11:30am cut off today and totally freaked myself out. I did the math wrong and thought we had to keep a 12 minute pace. I was about ready to bow out - I run at a snail slow pace & can only keep the 12 minute pace for about 6 miles and I'm probably being a little generous at that. But then I double checked myself and realized we have 15.88 minutes to work with. That made me feel a lot better. I'm expecting 6.5 hours for the whole thing (Averaging 15 minutes per mile). That way if I finish in a shorter time I'll feel even better about myself (as if finishing 26 miles isn't enough).

Thank you for all of your posts. It is so nice to hear the battle stories of others. I will do my best share some of my own.

Running partner down

So, my running partner (the one who convinced me to run the half marathon) has dropped out due to a foot injury. She may end up running the 10K if it heals in time. I am really disappointed. I know we would not have run the whole race side by side, but it was a comforting thought that she would be in the same race. I know it sounds silly, but now I am nervous to run the race. I am totally unfamiliar with Prescott. I guess if I get there early enough the night before, I can find out where the race begins.

Now I am on my own to train and get ready for the race. I am really glad that I am a part of this blog. You all keep me motivated. Thank you.

16-18 Miles

Who's excited? I'm headed out in 45 minutes.

A Humbling 6 Miles and A Long Run in the Canyon

So two weeks ago was my "easy" 6 miler, right? I'm thinking, "Wow, this will be easy since I ran 12 last week" WRONG!! I thought it would totally be okay that I got trashed at the gym weightlifting with my friend Zoraya- (she is an animal!- no joke- that girl is so tough!) Anyway, I was so fatigued. I stayed up way to late the night before and I was just miserable on my run. I called Mark to come pick me up even though I was probably about a mile and a half from home. I was achey and sore and wretched... anyway, I put that behind me and stuck to my workout even though I started REALLY not wanting to.. this is why I NEED you all. My motivation zaps out sometimes when I get discouraged. Anyway, I did my workouts and I did the 14 miler on Saturday although it was a bit messed up because the Bridal Veil trail is closed until the 31st so I just ended up running the other way down to Will's Pit Stop. It was good. I had an audio book going- I discovered on my 6-miler that I can't run to music. It affects me too much. I try to run to the beat, or if the song is kind of sad or something... anyway I'm sure if I made just the right playlist it would be awesome but I haven't got around to it yet. The audio book is the way to go- at least for part of the time. Mostly I just run in silence, but it was good to take my mind off the fact that I was running for almost three hours! I also stopped at my chiropractor's office on the way home. I was hurting pretty bad and he adjusted me and analyzed my feet and adjusted my insoles. It was great- I'm just realizing that my knees, hips and feet DO feel a lot better since I saw him. Blah, blah blah... I can't believe people run entire marathons in under 3 hours- that is incredible! You guys are awesome. Keep up your good work.

7 miles

I ran 7 miles today--the longest distance I have run yet. Now I am even more in awe of all of you running 14 miles. My legs felt a little wobbly afterwards and I know they will be aching tonight. My shoulders hurt the most when I run. The chiropractor says it is from carrying babies and diaper bags for several years. I try to shake out my arms and swing my arms when they tighten up. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can avoid or lessen the pain?

fast food

So, lately, I've gotten remarks such as: "You probably don't eat sweets very much now that you are running." Or, "I bet you have to eat really healthy now." Um, not so much. In fact, I'd say my life reflects the very opposite. Is it just me, or do you feel that with all the extra miles trekked, you can pretty much eat whatever the heck you want--Cadburrys, cookies, whole avocados--as long as you don't eat it thirty minutes before go time?

In fact, to keep our morale up toward the end of Saturday's run, Dave and I kept fantasizing about a tall glass of ice-cold Coke.

red leggings

Don't be fooled: these are not red leggings, just some seriously sore and sad legs (although you'll notice that I did stand on tiptoes for the picture to show off what, if any, calf muscle I may be developing). I usually run in pants but I found these great running shorts and broke them out for Saturday's 14-miler. I put sunscreen everywhere but my legs, reasoning that the poor little guys never get any color no matter what I do. I sorely underestimated them. It seems I am never learning my severely taught sunburn lessons. For example, see below: me at 16, having gone skiing in the spring without any sunscreen. My poor little face puffed up and sprouted blisters and I hid my face (literally) in shame by staying home from school until I became a bit more recognizable. Ouchhhhh, right?

On another ouch note, that 14 miles was a killer! But not as killer as the 13 a few weeks ago. So that's good. Dave and I took Penelope and Deacon half way (to his parents' house) and then ran the rest of the way home by ourselves. I have to say that running without a pulling dog or pushing a weighted stroller makes such a difference!

So, let's hear about all your long runs yesterday!

Poor me, age 16

Can I get a lift?

To all of you who are running in the double-digits: "You rock!" I am working my way up to a double digit run, 10 miles, before the 1/2 marathon. The first half of the race is apparently run on a steep trail, so once a week I run up a canyon with my kids in the double jogger. The two miles up are brutal, but well worth it because the views are beautiful. On the way back down it is obviously much easier except for the killer hill at the 3 mile mark. I have dubbed it "big bertha" due to the fact that my legs are aching and my chest is burning when I finally reach the top. My oldest daughter chants, "I think I can, I think I can" the whole way up. She is a great cheerleader. The only annoying thing about my run in the canyon are the comments from other people. I don't mind hearing "You go girl!" or "I am impressed!", because it actually gives me a little "lift" and helps me feel better about my run. The comments I find annoying are: "You're getting your workout" (you think so?), "They have the best seats" (referring to my daughters), and my all time favorite, "Can I get a lift?" I usually respond with a complimentary smile and nod, because it is the best I can give while I am huffing and puffing away. I should not really be annoyed by these comments, but I can only hear them so many times. Those of you with kids know what I am talking about. It is the same as when you take your kid(s) to the store and someone asks, "What aisle did you find him/her on?" How do you respond to that? I don't want to be rude, but I would like to have a response that makes people wonder if it was rude or not. Any suggestions?
Keep up the good work!

A Big Thanks

Thanks Brent for the good advice about the side aches. I ran a 6 mile route today (in the rain no less) and stretching my arms out seemed to do the trick. I have also tried to stay well hydrated and I haven't got a headache today!

I am amazed at how much you can push yourself if you really want to accomplish something!

12 Miles, Baby!

I had so much anxiety about running 12 whole miles that I did it on Friday so I could get it over with. It was actually so great to be outside running past the Temple, where I saw some brides out getting their pictures taken- I couldn't help but think of my wedding day. I ran past Lone Peak High School where of course I thought of my high school days. I ran to this corner home in Highland and back. I actually really enjoyed it and when I got home I really couldn't believe I'd run in the double digits!! Before this I'd never even attempt that.
So I have a few questions for you guys- After my long runs the outsides of my hips, knees and ankles kind of ache- it hurts to kneel on my knees and they feel swollen. It helps when I ice them but I'm just wondering if you all have experienced this too. Does anyone have any tips on how to prevent this? I'm wondering if it's because my hips keep going out since I had Sawyer, or if it just because it's a long distance. Anyway, any input would be great. I haven't done my workout for today yet-- just trying to get motivated by visiting the blog. You guys are all awesome! Thanks for all the comments and advice. Happy running!

Hello

I am a new contributor to the marathon blog as well. Thank you Lacy for inviting me. I really enjoy reading everyone's comments. My name is Erin Gorby. I live in Arizona and Lacy and I were college roommates.

I am running a 1/2 marathon on May 3rd in Prescott, Arizona. It is called the "Whiskey Row Marathon". This will be my very first race. I have never even run a 5K, but I have been running for exercise for at least 7 years. Due to the fact that this is my first race, I do not have any tips, but I will keep you all posted on my progress and new revelations as they occur. Good luck to everyone!

Friction

Minor repetitive motions can have major consequences if you're not careful. That's why I wear spandex and synthetic material on my long runs. Your thighs, armpits and nipples can all end up as casualties of friction without some foresight.

I'll be using Body Glide on race day, just to make sure all my bases are covered.

A New Face

Hello to everyone! Thank you to Lacy for inviting me to join the marathon blog. While we made great efforts to run as missionaries in SD, we usually only made a few laps around the tiny field behind our apartment. It was probably only 1/2 mile or something.

But now that my sister somehow convinced me to do the SLC half marathon (and I have never even ran a 5K) I have a lot of questions.

Side aches: Is it really breathing that causes these and if so, what can I do to train myself to breath in my nose and out my mouth when I am ready to die?

Headaches: Did any of you get headaches when you first started running? I seem to get one every time.

Music: Any suggestions for music I can add to an ipod play list. I need some motivating stuff to get me through tomorrow on my long run.

Thanks!

2 gyms 1 workout and the 9 miler

so you'll have to excuse my lack of capitals- sawyer is on my lap so i'm typing with one finger- anyway, two saturdays ago i had my 9-10 mile challenge. mark had mapped out a route on google earth for me- but as i was running it became to complicated to remember. i don;t know if you guys are like this but i kinda turn into my inner animal and thinking becomes extremely laborious- so i simplified the route honestly thinking it would make my run longer than the mapped out 10 miles- but when i got home- we google earthed it and found out it was only 9. i must say i was a bit disappointed- i had it in my head that i was running 10 miles that day- anyway, i'm still pleased with myself. i was gone for two hours and only walked about 15 minutes of it so it was good- i never would've pushed myself this far without the end goal of a marathon and all of you runners keeping me motivated so thanks.
my last saturday run i had to go to two different gold's gyms to complete. my sleeping is pretty messed up so i actually went to bed with sawyer around 6 pm but woke up around 8 and realized i needed to get going. i've missed quite a few week-day workouts but never a long run so i had to go. i got there with about 40 minutes till closing, so i really started to book it so i could get it all in. with my short legs i usually jog at a 5, so i picked it up to a 6 or 7- quite a feat- okay, Mark just got home and so yeah! Punctuation and capitals! Yeah! Anyway, it was quite the challenge and I ended up having to go to another 24 hour gym to complete it, but it was really good for me. It is getting easier, Lacy! Hooray! This morning's 55 minute workout I did all at a 5 on the treadmill, and realized that that didn't really push me- so I think 6 is my new 5... I'm getting stronger and stronger. I have a question for all of you.. do you have a hard time stretching afterward? Being a dancer, I've always stretched out a lot, but with this running, I really don't feel like it. What's up with that? Any tips? I can't wait to read what everyone else has been up to! Happy running this week!