Fuel It Right

On the bike path again. on the way up I was tired, on the way back it was better.

Boarding in the AM(4 hours on the mountain makes me a little tired), TM in the PM.  The first 3 miles I felt like I could go forever, it was fantastic.  It went down hill pretty quickly after that.  I held on for 4 and tried to space out for 5.  I was going for 6, but I say "eh" to that.

I didn't want to, so I went for a shorter run on the TM after work. I was tired but knowing that I was only going 3 made it manageable.

Outside in the evening. Went w/ Chris and we didn't do very well at pushing ourselves.  My legs were tired so whateva

TM in the evening.. It was an experience.  The old guy next to me got mad at me for watching South Park.  He was cute so I felt bad and changed it.

Well now. Started at the lake, went up and back. It was a struggle to try and not think about how tired I was and how much further we had to go.  On the way back we through in a couple 100's and 200's at an 8:30 pace to see what it feels like to run at the pace I want for the marathon.  I have a long ways to go! I got through it and the end was easier than the last 10 miler I did. That's good I guess:)

TM in the morning.  Ran into my fav runner Jos, it was swell.

lifted upper/abs

Went up the trail and it was fab

TM in the evening, not as fab as yesterday but decent

Boarding in the AM, TM in the PM.  ug.. i was a little winded

Very nice. I was expecting to have LA legs, but I didn't and it was so so so nice.

TM :)

ABS

Inside track, went around and around and around. fun stuff

TM this morning before boarding.  It seems like ages ago! My legs were more tired than they have been the last few days, but it was decent.  Boarding was amazing!!! So much fun.  Fresh powder + a little bit of sunshine= Me happy :)

okok I'll post this run.  Went down to Painters with Jos last minute.  All day Friday I could feel a sore throat but I wasn't planning on racing, just running, so I wasn't worried about it.  Woke up and ate way too many waffles before I thought about it, then I got scared thinking my stomach was going to be too full and give me side aches.  It didn't though :).  I just ran the whole thing pretty easy.. not an easy course like I'm used to my half's being.  I wasn't wearing a watch and was surprised when I saw the clock and it said 2:13.  It didn't feel like I was going that slow :(

Rushed back to the hotel, got ready real quick like, headed to chat and have lunch and got on the road.  I was way exhausted when I got home and I could feel it big time!!  I woke up the next day sick and a little pissed at myself.  GRRR

Sicker than a dog

Sick

Tried out 3 on the TM, it wasn't too bad.  When I stopped my heart was racing though for a bit longer than usual

Went boarding in the AM and didn't want to leave.  Graduated to a new hill today and it was so much fun!!  We'll see if I have time for a run later.. if not I don't even care, boarding was that awesome.

...Exausted by 6 and fell asleep on mom's couch for the night. I don't like this :(

Don't remember what I did this week but it wasn't very significant.

TM- kinda sorta a little boring. Watching the Olympics is helpful though

TM- didn't go yesterday so went just a few

Wasn't sure I would feel today and was a little scared about the 10 miles, but I felt surprisingly well.  Went from Mom's house down Grand View to the path and back. Had a couple good hills that weren't too bad.

TM- Was gonna go 3 but felt good so went a bit further

Felt pretty good. Started out pretty slow at the mouth of the canyon w/ mom. Met up w/ Tom and picked it up a bit to a 9 min pace for 2 miles and about 9:30 for the last.

I don't remember how many for sure I did this day but it was TM and at least 4.

Started from Mom's again and did same route just further. By mile 10 I was wishing I had something to eat and thought I'd being slowing down. I pushed up the Grandview hill and, with Tom right on my heals, decided to keep pushing the last 2 or so miles.  It was tough but it felt good :)

-- I started taking a liquid iron supplement a few weeks ago and I think it is really helping.. along with taking other supplements regularly.  Every run this week has felt really good.  I'm able to run faster and feel much better throughout. Exciting stuff after months of super crappy runs.

TM- felt fabulous. 9:30's

Started from the mouth of the canyon and went up.  This one was kinda tough, but managable.

Felt pretty darn good

Yeah. Snowboarding in the morn, work then run

Went snowboading all day yesterday at The Canyons so I was kinda tired today.  I should have got up early but I didn't get out until like noon.. ugg. Was going to do 13 but cut it short.  The plan was to go to the gym and bike a few and lift some, but I fell asleep on the couch then I needed to get ready for Saturday night.  Oh well.

TM after work. Not to bad, a little tired.

Abs

Abs feeling sweetly sore.  Started at the mouth of the canyon w/ Mom & Tom. Legs feelin it a little on the way up. Turned around and started feeling better so picked it up a bit. Avg pace 10:10.. last 3- 9:10, 9:05, 8:50. Still not fast by any means but after going so slow for ever it feels good to finally see some improvement.

TM after work. Avg page about 9:30. It was comfortable.

another TM run after work and dinner. Opted to go with a friend to dinner so I didn't have a lot of time before the gym closed.  I was going to go at least 6 but I'm glad I at least did what I did.

Started at Will's with Jos and mom, went up 6 and back. Started sprinkling on the way back, the last 3 it was coming down pretty good. cold and salt in the eyes.

TM. it was so nice out I should have been outside. felt good. 9:40 avg.

lifted arms 

took advantage of the gorgous 60 degree weather and flashed a little leg.  Felt really good.  Felt like I was going a decent pace but cant say for sure.

Morning run w/ Jos and brune.  I was a little tired from yesterday afternoon but it was decent.  Josse told me what our avg was but I dont remember now, just remember that I thought it was good for me.

Dont remember much about this one except for the distance.

Started at Will's with Mom and Tom @ 8. Temp said it was 27 but wind chill was bitter, felt like 15.  Took it easy on the way up and picked it up on the way down but it was still comfortable.  Again I cant remember what avg was(I should enter runs more than once a week). Did a couple 9:20, worked down to 8:45 for the last 2.  Felt pretty darn good :)  I hope I feel this good next Sat for the 25k.

Decided to add a hill, havent been doing them like I should. Went from home and went up Center on the way back.  I've had a bad canker in my mouth for the last few days and havent been able to eat solids very much.  Trying to get enough calories but its hard without eating normal meals.  So far my enery feels good, hope it last for the rest of the week.

Lifted upper

Eating sucks, I don't even want to!  Still feeling good so I'm happy about that.  Whimped out and did a TM run.  It's really windy and pretty chilly. Did 4 at and avg 9:30 pace, 1 at a 2.5 incline at 10:00 and the last 2 at 9:10 pace.  Felt really good.  Now for another protein shake w/ powder vitamins.. YUM!

No taper for me, I'll just treat Saturday as a training run.

Evening run w/ Chris.  Started at the mouth of the canyon and went up some.  at 3 I told him we could turn around and he said I had to suffer through while he burned more calories so we went up just past Nuns Park and back.  Felt really good.

TM before work. Felt super.

I think a 25K is 15.5 or so but my mom said her garmin clocked 16 so I'll take it. 

All in all I feel really good about the experience, especially considering my lack of hill/trail training.  I ran really conservatively, cause I didn't really know what to expect, so except for one of the hills I felt strong and comfortable the whole way.  We got to the island and it was so cold! So I layered up.  Within the first 5 min I could tell I was over dressed and started to shed clothing.  Temp ended up being perfect.  It was cool but not too cool, I didn't even need that much water other than the aid stations.  I took a hammer gel at each of the stations and ate a pbj quarter at the 2nd one, plenty of energy.  Not gonna lie.. I kinda felt like a kid out there climbing up hills, jumping over rocks and playing tag with the kids next to me(in my head).  The whole thing went by pretty quick, especially the last 5 or 6 after the last aid station.

I am really curious what my split are but I have no idea, shoulda borrowed Jos's garmin.  Oh well, except for a few blisters on my toes, it was super fun.

I was a somewhat sore yesterday and sunday, but by last night I was feeling pretty good.

Started at Will's and went up and back.  Legs felt really good.  I think I actually like running... at least when I feel like this.

Went out in the snow and cold w/ Jos.  Did loop from her house.  Legs a feeling kinda tired today.

Windy and cold so opted for the TM.  This one didn't go by very fast :( Legs tired but not too bad. slowed down, 10 min. avg

Went out w/ Jos again this mornin. Still cold but sunny and not windy :)  Did the same loop.  Tomorrow will be interesting.  Hope it's not terrible.

Went up on the hills w/ Mom and Jeff starting from the pistol range.  Wasn't sure how I would feel but felt really good.  10 on the hills and ran home 3 miles afterwards.

Kinda yucky out so TM. Legs a little tired but felt better as I went. 9:20-9:30's

Drove to the gym, sat in car debating if I should go in or out, went inside & got on TM, realized I didn't have my tunes & couldn't handle the thought of 6 miles in TM silence, got off TM, drove home & got tunes, debated some more, drove back to gym, ran on TM, looked outside at the blowing snow and was glad I wasn't in it.  9:30ish avg.  The end

Lunged some good ones

9:32 avg.  Started from Jos's so I could borrow her garmin.  It didn't help me decide what model of garmin I want, still undecided.

Butt sorta sore

TM

9:37 avg pace

Started at Will's w/ Jos and Mom. We started going up, but ran into Tom and he said it was really windy so we turned around. Went on the path down 5 and back.  Ended up being better than starting the other way, this way I got down hill to end.  My brain wrapped around that pretty easily, I don't know if I could have mentally made it as well w/ 3.5 up hill to end off.  Josse stopped at 10 and Mom went up a couple miles but was behind me so I ran the last 7 by myself.  I was a bit tired and could feel it but managed an 8:46 and 8:30 the last 2 miles.  Pretty happy w/ it.. surprised at how well my legs felt.

At this point I feel like I'm on track to do what I want at UVM.  I really want to make my goal and am training better than I have in the past.  40 miles has been my max when training previously(I don't think I ever hit 40 for the last one I did) and I'm already there.  Working hard and enjoying it!

(: <3 :)

8:55 avg pace

Evening run w/ Chris strating from the lake. up and back. Rain and wind makes me run faster, 8:15 to end it.

(: <3 :)

TM, slowed way down, legs kinda tired from last night. 10 min avg pace.

I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't go back to sleep(I think I was nervous for my intro video I had to do today), this never happens. Got on the interweb for awhile and looked outside and saw the snow a'fallen :(  Headed to the gym and wrote my script in my head while I ran, it made the time go by pretty fast :)

(: <3 :)

Evening run after work.  Dude, it feels nice outside

Lifted upper/abs

9:30 avg pace

Will's up and back.  Felt a little tired, last 4 miles was 8:55 avg.  Happy bout that.

9:05 avg

Started at the top of Southfork Rd and went down to the lake. Ran part w/ Mom, part w/ Jos and part by myself.  Not gonna lie, it was tough but good.  9:16- 9:45 for the 4 w/ Mom, 9:16, 8:15-8:46,  for the 8 miles w/ Jos, others 9:08-9:28 for the 7 miles by myself. Total- 2:52:32

(: <3 :)

9:34 avg pace

So freakin nice out! Almost too warm by the time I got out at almost 11.. I should work on that.  Did loop from house to mouth of canyon and back.  My legs were pretty tired today and I struggled, but I'm getting a super sweet elbow pit tan line.

(: <3 :)

Up and back from Will's w/ Jos and Brune. We were both more than happy to take it slow.  We were tired.. always so much easier to keep going w/ someone next to you though.  A bit easier on the way back.

(: <3 :)

well, that was kinda hard

Morning in the rain w/ Jos. We did good!   or is it well?

9:42 avg pace

Started out w/ Mom at her house. Stayed w/ her for the first 5 then picked it up a little.

8:48 avg pace/43:58

Canyon run w/ Chris.  Definitely went faster than I would have if I was by myself.  It was a good thing.

9:11 avg/45:52

Started from home and went kinda random.  Wish I had a better course from home.  It alway feels longer when I start from home.

It looked yucky out so spent the morning on the TM next to Jos on her TM.  Felt tired today, but when I noticed Jos increasing her speed I increased.  Kinda excited for the half on Saturday :)

9:20 avg/36:47

Easy 4 on the TM.  Felt fab!  I hope I can feel this good on Sat

8:40, 8:32, 8:27, 8:34, 8:34, 8:36, 8:38, 8:46, 9:13, 8:36, 8:54, 8:53, 8:20, 0:52

Ate the usual banana w/ pb and milk when I woke up and nursed some e7 and protien on the way to the race. 

Started w/ a mile warm up(planned on a mile cool down but, being soaked and freezing, I wussed out on that).  I was warm after the mile warm up and thought about taking some layers off before starting but soooo glad I kept everything on.  Rain and snow slush almost the entire time. Not so fun.  Started w/ Josse and was feeling really good.  A couple miles in I looked at my watch and hoped I could keep this up the whole time.  I was still feeling good, but I haven't run this pace for 13 miles straight since I started running consistanly again.  Jos said she was probably going slow it down just a bit around 6 so ran a few by myself.  Took Hammer Gel at my 9:13 mile-- was planning on having it ready so I didn't have to stop at all, but the water stop was around a corner and I couldn't see it til it was there :( --  At the last water stop my hands had a hard time gripping water and my legs were feeling heavy.  I was ready to be done.  I could see Jos right ahead of me and tried to catch her but couldn't pick it up enough so just stuck it out to the finish.  Overall happy with my time :)

9:12 avg/45:59

Ugg...

Tried to do way too much on Saturday w/ race, work, dinner get together and midnight movie, and I got sick on Sunday.  Feeling mostly better but still tired.  I need to listen to my body better and rest when it tells me to.

TM.  went on the TM so I could stop if I didn't feel good.  Felt pretty good for the first couple, but I started to get tired after that.  Slowed it down a bit.  Still don't feel 100%.  Cold sweat, can't tell if it's allergies or other.. probably both.

9:03 avg

6 on the path w/ Chris starting at Geneva Rd.  Felt pretty good today.

Went on the trails w/ Jos and Luz.  Still feeling a little sick but not too bad.  Such a nice morning up there!  It was so crisp and clear looking out towards the lake.  I love the green!  Can't wait to get up there again.

9:17 avg/ 2:47:13

Started out w/ Luz and Catherine for the first 8.5, ended up w/ Jos.  Did a lot of back and forth on the trail and around the lake but it went by pretty quick and I felt pretty darn good.  Temp was perfect and it was so nice having someone to run with the whole way.  :)

8:50 avg/ 1:01:51

Went from home.. Loop to the end of 1600 N and back.  Legs felt super, they didn't get sore at all from Saturday.  Felt so good to be out.. and then I locked myself out and I got cold :(

Jos to the rescue!  Thanks girl :)

AM- 6 miles.  Started at Will's w/ Jos and Luz.  Overcast but temp was perfect.. the rain even held off until right when we finished, it was super rad.  Legs were more tired today but not too bad.  Good start to the day.

PM- Never say never...  4.75 miles/9:00 avg   evening run w/ Chris.  And I said I would never do a 2 a-dayer.  I was mainly curious how I would feel and gosh darn I felt good.  And the rain held off til we finished again.  Good times

Started at home and ran to the outside track at the rec.  Felt good.

9:18 avg/46:27

Easy 5 around the neighborhood.

8:19 avg

Ran this one bandit but I still had the weirdest pre-race dreams ever.  I must have known deep down that I would see what I had in me.  Started out w/ a mile warm up w/ Luz then  Jos, Luz,RAD and I took our places.  By the first aide station Josse used her veteran water stop skills and pulled away from me and I started to feel like I wasn't quite in the race mentality state but I kept her in my sight the whole race.  Her pink shirt right up ahead of me kept my legs moving.  I thought a couple times I could catch her if I just picked it up a bit but then I would get scared thinking it would get to me so I stayed as steady as I could.  The last couple miles I battled my head a little but I'm glad I kept it up and managed what I did.  I matched my fasted half, which was Hobble Creek back in the day, so that makes me happy.

8:49, 8:52, 8:11, 8:16, 7:53, 8:06, 8:34, 8:15, 8:00, 7:56, 8:14, 8:29, 8:29, 0:48

up to the trails w/ Jos and Brune. nice.

9:34 avg

TM'd to avoid the rain, shoulda braved the element. not so much fun.  I looked at the thermostat before I left.. it said 75

9:04 avg

Well, finally made it out after a long day of work.  Started on the trail by Geneva and went out towards the airport.  I love that road, it's so pretty out there.  There was already quite a few bugs out there.  Can't imagine how it will be when summer is in full swing.

9:20 avg

Just a little warm up before my long run tomorrow.  Saw my Dad with about a mile to go and then all I could think about was "Clueless" and her word of the day.  I kept saying "I hope not sporadically", it was slightly entertaining.

9:05 avg/3:15:22

Since my plan A run fell through, Josse hooked me up with a plan B.  Met Melanie, JulieC, JulieE, Kim, and a couple others to head up to Wallsburg around where the marathon starts.  It was raining at the mouth of the canyon where I dropped my car and was snowing up at Wallsburg so needless to say I wasn't too excited.  Thankfully JulieC brought ponchos for everyone and I was so thankful to have it!  All the girls were way faster than me but I knew that so I just started my run and hoped for the best.  Made my way through Wallsburg and through the rollers down the canyon ok until I needed to make a pit stop.  I realized I was pretty cold when I tried to take off my soaked gloves.  Opted to leave the gloves off.  By this point I was almost to Vivian and was excited to see Josse so I kept going.  My hand actually warmed up without my gloves on.  By the time I saw Josse(between mile 13 & 14) it was pretty much done raining thankfully.  I was so happy to be running with someone!  These miles went by alot faster, averaged 8:50's w/ her.  The sun came out and it felt sooo good.  I still had my poncho on and felt a little silly.

The plan was to do 22 but settled for 21.5.  It was good to get a feel for the marathon course.  It's not as down hill as I've heard people make it out to be.  It is pretty gradual and has a few good rollers in it.  I feel like I'm more prepared seeing this though.

8:42 avg/ 43:30

a little chilly a little tired a little sore but a little faster

not so surprised that I slept through it but surprised to open the shades this morning to see snow and alot of broken branches right outside my window

9:17 avg

Went out and did the airport road run again.  Legs didn't feel so fresh today, but the weather was crisp and perfect

9:00 avg

PM run w/ Chris.  Up and bak from Will's.  Kind of a slow getting started, my quads are sore.

9:09 avg/45:49

Started from home and added a Center St hill.  Legs feelin fine.  Sunny skys w/ a light breeze feelin fine too.

9:16 avg/ 2:21:15

Started out w/ Luz from her house and then we met up w/ Catherine part way through.  There was a chance of rain this morining and was sooo glad to see sunny skys out, I wasn't very excited to go through a repeat of last week.  Felt good and it went by pretty quick.. Good times.  Luz was confused as to why I was going so many miles today. I was just trying to reach a mile quota.. I don't know what I'm doing.  Next week I'll bring it down.

8:52 avg/53:11

Mouth of the canyon up and back.  There were so many bikes up there today.  Good day to be out.

8:55 avg/44:32

Dropped Fiona off to get her oil changed so started from the car salon.  Felt a bit tired but not too bad.  Ran to the gym and lifted upper.

9:00 avg

Started at Timp. park w/ Chris after work.  Wasn't feeling it in the slightest.  Before we started I told him that if he wanted to get back in the car and drive straight to Cold Stone that would be just fine.  It took about 3 miles to get started and 1 more mile up.. the way down felt pretty snazzy.

9:09 avg

ug, is it supposed to be this hard to run?  Just went from home.  It was a little toasty by the time I got out which I'm sure didn't help.

8:58 avg

I realized last night, after driving home at 1am on the freeway that was shut down to 1 lane(so annoying), that I didn't have an alarm clock so I set my mental alarm clock and it actually worked!  Went up the canyon and back from the mouth.  Felt tired again but I can't wait til next week. I'm excited!!

9:05 avg/45:23

hot outside so TMed it.  Started listening to a new book and it made the time go by so fast, it was super rad.  Threw in 5 1/4 miles at little bit faster pace

Went to the gym again bound for the TM but the TV's were blaring and, with only one headphone working, I knew it would be hard hear my book. Headed down to the peace an quiet of the track.  Never thought I'd say this about that small track but it was devine.  Went one way for 2 miles, turned around and went the other direction.  Didn't have a watch, just went what felt good.

I can't help but think about the first marathon I did 10 years ago(Holy crap I'm getting old!!) and how I felt the Thursday before, doing the exact same distance as today.  Hella bad, that's how I felt.  From the first step I took I felt the energy being sucked right out of me and my brain could not comprehend the 26.2 miles I was setting myself up to run. "3 miles, 3 measly miles, that's all.  If I can't get through this without breathing irratically and with lead legs that don't want to move, how in the #@(]<! ... #@%&*)^% am I gonna handle this."  I was with my sister and she was feeling the same way.  It was #1 for both of us and we both started to kinda freak out at how horrible we felt.  Needless to say I was raw and nervous.

Not today.  I was a bit tired but I felt pretty good.  I can tell I'm better conditioned-- physically and mentally.  I'm confident but know it will still be a challenge.  I'll push through and do my best that day.

Bring it?  It's already been broughted...

Feels good... can't wait

8:45 avg

Started the morning off at a chipper 2:30am.  Ate my trusted banana and PB and made up my protien/E7 mixture for the ride up to say comfortably full.  Gathered my umbrella, trash bag and running gear and headed out to pick up Chris and Mom.  We got off the bus and I was pleasantly suprised at the temp.  It wasnt raining and it wasn't cold, it felt nice.  It started to sprinkle a bit but it wasn't bad so I decieded not to put on my trash bag.. I set in on the side of the road and took my place in the heard.  Right at 5:30 it started to pour so I went and found my bag on the side of the road.  Oops, I put it right in the mud.  Ran really comfortably to start out with.  It was faster than I was expecting to go but it felt good so I just went with it.  I thought several times during the first 6 that I wanted to take my bag off(it was kind of long and it was bugging me).  I'm glad I left it on though.  There was a pretty good down pour somewhere up the canyon.  by the half way mark it had pretty much stopped raining so I decided to take the bag off and use the bathroom.

1/2 way!  By 15 I started to feel my big toe that has been bothering me on and off but tried to run as normally as possible.  Started to feel my quads and glutes getting a bit tired and tight at this time also but still felt pretty good so I started using the things people had been telling me in the last while to pull myself through.  Fabulous tail wind down the canyon!  Before I knew it I was at the mouth of the canyon and I had a girl behind me ask if she was bothering me yet.  Apparently she tucked in behind me and.. I didn't even notice.  I told her she was fine.  She actually helped me keep my pace up knowing she was behind me.  After awhile she kept having a van pull up every once in awhile and that started to get annoying but didn't let it get to me.  I was just watching and waiting to see Josse.  Saw Chris at mile 23, I was tired but felt I could keep it up, I really wanted Josse at this point though.  Finally, I saw her.  The girl that was running with me started to back off but coach Jos told her to stay with us.  She did and started doing better than me.  I was losing it.  Jos kept me focused and going.  I couldn't have done this last part near as fast without her.  She's the best big sis eva.  Love ya girl!

26 min. PR and minimal shower sting.  That's a good day.

splits: 8:27, 8:24, 8:34, 8:41, 8:37, 8:42, 9:13, 9:11, 8:27, 8:46, 9:01, 8:46, 8:38, 9:20, 8:45, 8:18, 8:14, 8:23, 8:19, 8:23, 8:17, 8:42, 9:04, 8:59, 8:59, 9:08, 3.02(.34 according to my garmin)

1:55:46/1:53:31-- Negative Split!

What an excellent way to end a week on gorgeous Whidbey Island.  This run felt so good!  And it didn't hurt being surrounded by beutiful trees and wild berries.  I don't know if it was the whole sea level thing or something else, but I cruised up the hills no prob. My calves were a little tight but legs felt really good for the most part.  I was pretty sore on Sunday and Monday but by Tuesday it was all gone. 

I can't think of a better way to spend the week after a marathon than relaxing in the nice cool, crisp sea air of Washington.  The weather was perfect and so were the peeps :)

Took Brune for a morning run.  He loved it, I loved it, it was good times.

I kinda slacked this week but I was really busy with work catch up and getting back to real life.  Oh well.  Threw in a little swim.  Next is the bike :)

Ran to the outside 1/2 mile track cause I'm too lazy to charge my garmin but still wanted to know how far I went.  It would have been absolutely boring but I had my book to listen to.  It's my new favorite thing to get lost in while running.

Went up the river trail w/ Jos and Luz to mark the trail for the RHPC race next week.  It was so freakin nice out!  It was a chill run that got me excited for TOU.  Nice way to strat the holiday weekend.  Now off to Molly's for breakfast. Yummmm!

Super

Grand

Epic