Go, JB!!

This video was actually meant for the family blog, but what the heck. Future Guam star right here (in my head, at least). He's #17, by the way.

4 Days Till THE Day.

I'm seriously trying not to freak out. I have a bit of anxiety going on when I focus on "the day", so I try not to, but it's coming down to prep time.

I have put in the miles. I didn't train to break any records, but I want to finish this marathon strong (no  crawling or stopping to lay in fetal position in the bushes). My 20 miler felt pretty steady. Did have a bit of fatigue, but I was finishing each mile on an incline. The marathon course looks to be flat for majority of the 2nd half, yay! One foot in front of the other.

The biggest reason for my anxiety is that I've been sick these last couple weeks before the race. I didn't run at all last week (except during a soccer game). I'm on antibiotics right now and these suckers are wrecking havoc on my gut. I don't know how I'm retaining any needed nutrients, and this run's going to be pretty bare minimum in support from race coordinators, which means that I may not have the luxury of a port-a-potty at every water stop. I'm tempted to stop taking them right now just to get my stomach settled.

As for prepping for the day, I have had offers from friends to be at certain stops to provide support in special fluids, shot bloks, and/or food. My husband will be home with the kids until the time I am expected to finish, which is when he'll be at the finish with the kids and  the camera. I'm terrible about accepting help from people, but it would help a ton to have a few bananas and bloks littered throughout the course. I dunno. Trying to get over my issue with receiving help just to ease the stress a little. I'll mull over that a for a couple more days.

Not as simple as showing up 10 minutes before a 5k on an empty stomach after a night a wine and heavy foods, for sure. Soon as I finish this up, I'll meditate a little, then pull up the race course to map out pit stops and research some tips for a quality marathon experience. A tiny little EEK right here. Just a tiny one.

As far as my 1000 mile goal, I'm going with my dailymile record of: 293. 707 more to go.

zzzzzzzz....

I'm SO tired. I'm 1/2 way through the marathon training, and I'm tired as a son of a gun! I'm like a zombie. I can't even calculate where I'm at in my 1000 miles in 2011 goal. I'm surprised I remember it's 2011.

Please tell me this is normal. I'll be doing the books at work, put my head down for a second wondering where those 2 cents went, then wake up in a puddle of drool 15 minutes later. Is this the life I chose, or could I use a better vitamin than Flintstones Children's Gummies?

Anyway, I'm struggling to stay awake till the kids' bedtime. 18 miler this weekend is heavy on my mind and legs. Tomorrow's my mid week long run, which I depend on as primer for the weekend "character builder", and Mr. C is working till 10pm. God loves to challenge and test me. I'll likely ask the 'Rents to assist since waking up early is just too much for me.

1000 mile goal calculation sometime later this week. Meanwhile, I run.

Esta gui!!

I'm still here, and I've been running my butt off, literally! Seriously. I need to get some new, smaller underwear, ha!

Last I updated I was at 50 miles down. I added 61 more miles since then with two of those runs surpassing my longest run of 13.1 miles. I'm totally amazed at myself. This past Sunday I ran 15. I never, ever before envisioned myself running a 1/2 marathon, let alone anything longer than that. Not only did I run it, I ran it in pain for the 1st 4 miles.

The course had a steep uphill climb about a 1/4 of a mile into it. I took it on hard and ended up setting fire to both achilles tendons, and my left ankle. That pain stuck with me for a full 2 miles. At the stop lights I took advantage of the wait by stretching. After hitting two miles, I thought I was in the clear until the arch in my left foot started to hurt and swelled making it feel like I was running with stuffing in my shoe. Then, it just went numb. It's the oddest feeling in the world running with a numb foot, I'll tell you. I was worried about striking the ground funny and taking a spill. Thankfully, that only lasted another couple of miles.

Aside from the 10 laps I had to do at a track, which nearly drove me insane (can't stand running in circles), the rest of the run was pretty comfortable. I actually felt encouraged about my possible success in the full marathon, which for me would be finishing it, running the full distance.

This weekend we've got a 16 miler. I don't fear it so much after the 15 miler since at the end of it I felt I could have run on a little longer. My only problem is I have been running the long runs at night and it's been taking away precious time from the family and home. My intention this weekend is to wake up super early Saturday morning and get it done before the family has time to miss me. I pray my will is strong enough to do that.  Today's the first run of the week of 4 miles. I remember when I used to groan at running 4 miles thinking it was soooo long. Now they feel like walks in the park.

111 miles down of 1000 mile goal. 889 left to go.

Yes, I am!

When I first told family and friends that I  wanted to run my first full marathon, they looked at me like I had a 3rd eye, or ask "why the hell would you WANT to do that?". Periodically since the announcement, if I mentioned getting a run in for "training" I usually get the "are you REALLY going to run that marathon?". I'd hear so much doubt, and sometimes disgust, that my answers were usually along the lines of, "yeah, I'd like to if I can", or "I think so". Started to second guess myself and abilities. I get little support beyond my husband and kids, so committing to the training was an effort for the first couple months. I messed with the schedule to work it around having fun, and missed a couple long runs. That hadn't helped my already weakening resolve to meet this goal.

This past week though has been impressive for me. I followed the schedule after a week off, and I found myself more committed than I was the very first week I had started this training. On Saturday's long run of 12 miles, the weather was crap, I got nervous not seeing many runners out, but I forged on. I shushed the whiny sloth within as I stomped to my starting spot and warmed up. As soon as I trotted off, I felt a surge in self confidence. At that moment, I knew that I had the discipline and determination to finish the 2nd half of this training, and eventually have a decent go at my first ever full marathon. Ask me now if I'm REALLY going to run it. I will tell you with confidence, "Yes, I am!".

50 miles down. 950 more to go of my 1000 mile goal.

Oh, let me tell you. I will not forget to use this product EVER again on any run longer than 10 miles. My chest is very angry that I did this past weekend. Also, will need to find new jog bras that fit better with less bulky seams around the edges where this product should have been applied. Lady runners, I know you feel me!

Back on it, doggonit!

Ok, I pinky promise I'll stick to the schedule this week. No more holiday indoor footy to cheat on it  with, and I officially turned down coaching my middle school soccer team to get focused, so no putzing around. I'll have to at least finish the marathon to justify that decision, and that won't happen at the rate I've been going. Well, I'll finish, but the truck that picks up the course cones after the last runner will be right behind me.

19 of 1000 miles down. 981 to go. Work it out, Blanda!

Break, break!

My first, and hopefully my last (I doubt this), week of zero miles in several months. I ran into a little bump on my road to marathon readiness. Having scheduled my 18 week training program a few weeks off mark,  and totally freaking out over it, I've decided to take a break. Yeah, a little late in the week, and due to silly issues when injured runners are chomping at the bit to hit the pavement, but I think it'll give my tired legs some time to repair. The runs of last week were tired and sore. Felt over all fatigued. I'm hoping this little break will have me feeling refreshed physically and mentally for a motivated restart next week.

1000 mile count on pause. Just this week, I promise.