Thursday, 11.06 - 5 Miles: Check List

We’ve got everything pretty much figured out. We’ve made some last minute adjustments as far as our GU and our Cliff Bars. Originally, we were going to carry them in my short’s pockets but after the 20 mile run, I realized the slapping on my thighs was too much. We tried safety pinning them on the outside of our shorts but still they flopped around. Then I read that safety pinning the GU packs to the outside of our waist band and then folding the packs over and into our shorts will eliminate the floppingness. If you place them right, there’s no raw rubbing. We tried this on our five mile run and it seemed to work great. A better test will be on Sunday’s eight mile run.

Anyways, here’s our long thought out check list of things that we must have on us during the marathon.
-A cheap throwaway long sleeve shirt for the first mile too keep us warm (will ditch them in trash can at one of the first water stations – expected temperature 52°/77°)
-Electrolyte pills in tinny Ziploc bag (goes in my small side pocket on shorts)
-One Cliff bar (fits in Laura’s back hip pocket on shorts)
-3 to 4 GU packs a piece (safety pin to waist band and folded in)
-Tinny digital camera (tied to shoe)
-One ChapStick (fits in headband of Laura’s hat)
-Laura’s Hat
-SunGs

Tuesday, 11.04 – 3 miles: Election Night

As we enter our first full week of tapering down, Laura and I ran three miles in 23.15. A 7.7 mile is considered clutch for us! Not too bad for a couple doing their first 26.2. We were both impressed but not exactly concerned since we are not running this marathon for time. We have all along trained for this marathon to finish together and within the amount of time allotted (seven hours). We project we will finish in about 4:30 but secretively, we want to finish in sub 4 hours.

Obama is now the president-elect and has defeated McCain to become the 44th president. As I watch the cover of tonight’s election and reflect back on the debates, the speeches, the highs and the lows, I look over at my sleeping beauty and think how fortunate we all are to live in a in this great country. Truly, all things are possible and I am proud tonight to witness such an historic moment. God bless America.

Sunday, 11.02 - 9 miles: RAIDER...POWER!

Tonight’s run was much needed after a bashful weekend. First, WRECK’EM TECH! We decided to run later in the evening since we were up late Saturday night. We completed the nine miles in our neighborhood and it was sad to see that most the house’s had already taken their Halloween decorations down. Several houses went boarder line overboard on their decorations that provided an unusual change in scenery. Laura and I ran a decent pace and broke a good sweat which was definitely needed. We are now 14 days away from 26.2 and boy the anticipation is sitting in. We really want to concentrate on keeping a consistent diet and absolutely no injuries. I’m going to void doing weights but I’ll continue to swim.

Mixing a social life with training hasn’t been too difficult for us. During week three when we had to run 10 miles, we were at the condo in Port A. The great thing about running is all you need is your running shoes. So we were able to run that Sunday along the shoulder of Highway 361. However, staying up late and not sticking to our normal diet, we certainly paid for it on that hot, steamy, no shade, mosquito infested run. This weekend, we had a party on Friday night for Halloween (Laura was partly cloudy with a chance of rain and I was a dark stormy night) and then we got together with friends to watch my beloved Red Raiders beat those t-sippers.

Tuesday, 10.28 - 5 miles: Count down

Nice evening run. Cooler weather has brought a much needed break in the relentless heat. Laura is studying hard and is very committed to her goal. She had one test on Monday and another tomorrow so a break in her study to go running was exactly what she needed. We took off in our neighborhood and ran at a much more comfortable pace. We both were feeling pretty sore from Sunday’s run on Monday but we felt 100% today. Except that I have a runny nose and Laura is nervous about her test. Anyways, we ran leisurely and enjoyed a good chit chat.

No more long distance runs on Sundays and no more stationing water bottles along our routes. Now we cut down the miles during the week and count down the days until the race. SimplY, we want to concentrate on keeping a pretty consistent diet and mostly avoid INJURIES. We both think we are physically and mentally prepared for the race but there is a sense of uncertainty as far as what to expect. Just getting to the race is going to be a challenge. There are 30,000 people registered for the race. It’s definitely bigger than the Tour de Cure, Mas o Menos or Miles of DisComfort – combined and some. As far as we know, it's going to be a big crowd with overly focused runners wearing short shorts and those fuel belts. (Pic: Enjoying some smores, as you can see by my face, at the bonfire after the Mas o Menos 100-k mountain bike race in Terlingua.)

Sunday, 10.26 - 20 miles: Top 5's

Yesterday Aaron and I accomplished something that was unimaginable just weeks ago! We ran 20.4 miles…our farthest distance, yet! The reason for the extra distance of 0.4 mi added onto our scheduled 20 mi was due to the multiple twists and turns of our mapped out route. So therefore, 20+ MILES!!! Trust me; this is an incredibly challenging distance…both physically and mentally. The triumph is still hard to fathom the next day. Overall, I would have to rate yesterday’s run as a success, and I am sure Aaron would agree! We were able to run the entire distance while battling a late start, humidity from hell, and a beating sun. (from which I now have an ugly sports bra and running shorts tan line). We have a routine of setting our sealed water bottles along our route the night before the run. This way, we do not have to carry water bottles with us and we easily stay hydrated along the route. We were definitely looking forward to our last water stop; I had hidden the water bottles by the sidewalk next to a guard rail. We ran up to the spot dying for a quick break and a wet drink, but the bottles were nowhere to be found. Panicked, we began looking everywhere! Unfortunately, to top off the already lengthy and blistering run, someone had stolen our bottles. All we could do was pout and press onto the finish line. Through all of the challenges thrown our way, we both ran really strong! And when one of us showed any sign of stress, the other would support and encourage! I am so grateful for our amazing partnership. (it’s somewhat comforting to know that when you are in the most uncomfortable state and the most extreme pain…your not alone!)

Top 5 greatest things on this run:

1. Looking to my right, and seeing my best friend (my husband) beside me!
2. A cool breeze, right as you are about to die of heat stroke!
3. Unexpected shade!
4. A slight downhill slope after a grueling uphill climb
5. The huge bacon cheese burger (and in Aaron’s case, chicken fried steak) we get to eat when we burn off more than 2000 kcal in a workout! :)

Top 5 worst things on this run:

1. Chaffing (armpits, legs, anywhere…it’s not fun!)
2. Unrelenting sun and no shade in sight!
3. Sweat in your eyes! Help! (or arguably worse, sweat in a fresh cut)
4. Terrorization, whether it be from the two-legged or four-legged kind. (nothing gets your heart rate going like a person yelling from a car or a rapid dog chasing after you!)
5. Craving a huge, beautiful bacon cheese burger at mile 2, when you have 18.4 mi to go!!! :)
-L

Tuesday, 10.21 – 5 miles: I hurt my back!!!

I’m lying on the floor, flat on my back, with one pillow under my head to give me an angle so I can see to type. How did I end up here? Well, I always seem to injury my lower back at least once a month. Last month, I moved the lawn mower in an unusual way and it caused me to have a pain in my back or what I like to refer to as a “crick in my back”. The crick in my back has never been extreme and it has never kept me from work or doing my normal day to day routines. That is until now. Tuesday morning I decided to include a new routine to my workout. It’s called the Good Morning exercise and it strengthens the lower back. (See link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4H2EZC1UCY).

During my second rep I felt what can only be described as an explosion going off in my lower back. The pain spread to every point in my body. I was barely able to get the 60 lbs curl bar off my shoulder. I was completely helpless but I didn’t want to cause a scene. So I walked awkwardly out of the gym. Then, what usually takes me 20 minutes to shower, shave and dress, took me more than 45 minutes and I didn’t even shave. By the time I got to work, I could feel that I was getting really stiff and my upper legs started tingling. Since I was able to set up an appointment with our PCP at 4:00pm, it was decided that it would be best for me to go home. Once I got home, the only thing I could do was lay flat on the floor (where I’m at now) and wait for Laura to get home.

Once I arrived at the doctor’s office, I took several painful x-rays and then our doctor saw me. He is a DO and not a MD, and is pretty amazing – especially when it comes to back injuries. He told me that I dislocated my sacroiliac which is where the tailbone meets the hip. He was able to pop it back in place by doing this leg maneuver. The popping noise was loud enough that our nurse heard it outside our room with the door shut. It gave some immediate relief but now I’m on codeine and muscle relaxers for at least another day – sorry if this blog doesn’t make any sense. I asked the doctor if I would be able to run and his simple reply was, “if it hurts, don’t do it.”

Tuesday’s run for Laura was great! Laura is really amazing when it comes to taking care of me. She took me to the doctor, got my prescription filled, ran five miles, cooked dinner and took two quizzes for her class. I’m so impressed with her! Plus, I got to return the favor and follow her in our car.

Sunday, 10.19 - 18 miles: Busy Week

Eighteen miles is a milestone for us! We’ve been told all along that if you can run 18 miles you can finish a marathon. Training for a marathon or any endurance sport is challenging in itself. Adding day-to-day obligations and commitments only increases the challenge. Laura and I have been really discipline in sticking to our running log. However, we’ve had to adjust our life's schedules at times to accommodate our running schedule. It becomes a little tricky but so far we’ve managed.

Tuesday, five mile run was nothing special except that we were both really tired. Thursday’s and Friday’s run were great examples of mixing a running schedule with other commitments. Thursday, we had to run errands after I got off work and we didn’t get home until after 9:00pm. We then managed to finish eight miles by 11:00pm. We attended a wedding on Friday night, which meant we would not be able to run after work. Thus, we woke up at 4:45am and ran our five miles before work. Usually, once we get going at this god awful hour, we gain our energy about a mile into the run. Not this time. I’ve never felt so damn tired in my life and I’m the lucky one. I got to go back to bed for a couple of hours. Laura had to leave in order to be at work by 6:00am. However, we pulled it off and the wedding was a REAL treat. I have such a beautiful bride who truly glows on the dance floor!