Mom against the Marathon

Mercedes Half-Marathon Race Recap: PR, 2nd Female.

2012-02-16T21:20:00.002-06:00

As I have already posted: Mercedes Half-Marathon: 1:19:38 for 2nd female
$500 (spent most of this on registration/travel/bad hotel)

Running this race was a logistical nightmare. We (Husband, Maddy, myself) did not have anything planned out and were scrambling last minute to try to make things work. Not the way I like to do things, but worth it.

On Saturday after running group, Maddy and I drove to Birmingham to pick up my race packet just in-time to watch about 7 heats of 3000m heats on the new indoor track facility in Birmingham, the CrossPlex. It was a great evening for the team, several PRs for some of the younger athletes on the team, men and women. Unfortunately, we didn't get away early enough and I missed the scheduled dinner with M., K., and D.

After driving around for almost an hour, we finally settled on Moe's. Not what I had in mind but I knew they had some chicken/rice bowl thing and Maddy likes cheese and nachos. In the end, Moe's was the right choice and I am happy to say that I survived whatever catastrophic events could have taken place in 13.1 miles the very next day.

Since the race hotel was booked, as well as anything else within driving distance, we ended up getting a great deal on a Baymont Suites some 20 minutes away from the start line. It was a dump, but the sheets were clean and there was bad morning coffee available... for $56 and one night I was not going to complain.

Race morning.

We woke up tired from Maddy tossing and turning all night long (our 2 1/2 star hotel did not offer us a child's crib) and cold...it was 20 degrees and I little bit breezy - not optimal but I was game for anything! We had planned on meeting Meagan and M, K, D in the hotel lobby of the Sheraton at 6:15. It was absolutely impossible trying to get there - let alone try and find a parking spot. After Houston dropped me off I didn't see him or Maddy until mile 12.75 of the race. Being as cold as it was, they spent most of the race drinking coffee and getting a snack at Starbucks - I would have done the same!

After a quick warmup, we all stripped down to our race gear...HA. I had on tights, a training top, arm sleeves, gloves, and a hat. Not once did I feel overdressed and waiting for the gun to go off, I wished I would have wore a warmer shirt. Funny, I had originally packed shorts and a sports bra, its a good thing I had a back up.

Meagan and I had planned on running 6:00-6:05 for the first 4 miles, and when the gun went off it felt like, well, 6:00.

Hmmm, wrong.

We went through the first mile in 5:50, and at this point I think we (Meagan and I) both felt so good that we just kept the miles coming whatever pace they were. Its not often...almost never...that I have such a great group of people to run with, so I figure if there was anytime to just go after it (make it or break it) it was today.

I will say that the mile markers and the Garmin didn't agree...at all. After the first three miles I really didn't pay attention to the mile splits. The Mercedes website clocked me at 36:03 at the 10K. I'm not sure which is more accurate, the garmin or the race clock.

The first 4 miles were fast and felt great. Mile 5 I started to feel amazing, mile 6 I thought I could pick up the pace. Mile 7, were turned a corner and all of a sudden I felt like I was sprinting. My legs started tightening up, and instead of fighting to stay with the pack for a few miles, my hip cramped up (along with everything else) and I quickly fell off around the 7.5 mile mark.

Damn.

At first I was worried my race was over. I just ran 80:07 by myself three weeks ago, I didn't want to run another 80. Men started passing me (I rarely get passed after half way) and I did my best to try and work my way back up with the pack, but I could see Meagan and her group getting farther out of site.

I remember racing through mile 8 in about 47:3X, and then passing through mile 10 in 60:2X. I gave back a lot in those 2 miles, but my hip was also the tightest here and I believe it was a good bit up hill. At one point, I must have reached over and bumped my watch (maybe reaching for a cup of water?) I don't have a single split after mile 9, but I average 6:03 for the first 9 miles, so I know I slowed down...a lot. You could say I died a little, yes.

For someone that is typically good at math, I didn't do very good math during the last 2 miles. I passed through mile 11 thinking "Wow, I'm going to run 1:18 for sure." Then about a mile later I realized I was running 13.1 not 13.0, and if I was still going to break 80, I needed to pay attention to my pace. At mile 12 I needed to run the last 1.1 miles in 7:15 or less.

I could do that.

I passed Houston and Maddy at about 600 meters to go and we all knew I was going to break 80. Turning the corner heading into the final 100 meters I was almost crying, I didn't know how important breaking 80 was until I finally did it.

Going back a year ago, I had just ran 1:27 at Frostbite, I was only 14 weeks removed from pregnancy, getting back into shape, training fore my first marathon. I told Houston quietly, almost not believing it myself and a little nervous what his reaction would be, "I really want to break 1:20 some day for the half-marathon....." In which he quickly and confidently said, "I think you can do that."

And here I am, after 1 year of 4:30am workouts, 365 cups of instant coffee, hundreds of miles and 2 Garmins later, I crossed the line in 1:19:38 (or :41, still confused) good enough for 2nd (Meagan won in 1:17:XX) and making the whole trip completely worth it.

Finish! Photo by Cathy Sharp

After the race, I went up to sign for my $500 prize money, something I didn't anticipate getting. Someone asked me what I was going to do with the money. I answered without taking a second to think, "Pay Maddy's ER bill." Exit: Athlete, Enter: Mom. I guess I had thought about the money at some point during the race.

Garmin results before I bumped my watch. Not sure how accurate they are.

After packing up, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Cracker Barrel so Maddy could fill up on pancakes and sleep most of the way home. Monday morning I was up at 4:30 am as usually, ran 9-10 miles, got Maddy ready and was off to work - coffee in hand. By 8:00 AM I was at my desk, checking emails, writing my to-do-list, refilling my coffee cup, smiling the whole time.

Here I was back to being Mom, back to work, back to reality- after successfully checking "break 80 in the half" off my bucket list...and it feels pretty good.

Mercedes Half-Marathon Results

2012-02-12T10:55:00.002-06:00

Mercedes Half-Marathon Results: 1:19:38 for 2nd female!
Recap coming soon. What a freaking awesome feeling!!!
WooHoo!

Mercedes Half-Marathon Race Prep Workout

2012-02-09T19:50:00.000-06:00

So after 3 weeks of going back and forth on whether or not I should race the Mercedes Half-Marathon or the 5k at Choctaw Trails (the female who runs under 17:45 at Choctaw gets a $500 gift-certificate to fleet feet) I made a last minute decision to register for Mercedes. Very last minute, the last day you could even register.

And why give up the possibility of a shopping spree at an awesome running store to run a hilly half in Birmingham, Alabama? Well M, K, D are planning on running the Marathon and Meagan Nedlo posted on her blog that she was planning on running the half.

Now I have no idea how my legs will respond on Sunday, but Meagan will keep it honest, and even if I can't be dragged to a fast time, it will still set the tempo for a good run. For those of you that don't know, Meagan just ran 2:41 for the Marathon at the Olympic Trials. Part of me hopes she goes out a little conservative (having that she just raced a marathon) so I don't get dropped in the first 1200 meters....

Mercedes typically posts fast times year after year, so I figure I'm going to eat this race and just go after it, even if that is not a PR, it will be worth going to see M, K, D finish their marathons and K, D chase 2:59.

This week...

Monday: 90 ish minutes (12 miles)
Tuesday: 11 miles (9 or so w/ K, and then a loop of Sherwood)
Wednesday: AM: 5 miles, PM: 1.5 mile w/u, 2 miles in 11:26 on the hills (5:48/5:37), 3 minutes jog, 20 min of fartlek, 4:51-5:40 depending on hills/interval length, 1 mile c/d (quick lunch break workout)

Also, I have a few articles on the Georgia Marathon Blog, just some fun stuff. If you all have a second, please like/share. It will help me win some nice gear from the Georgia Marathon folks.
http://info.georgiamarathon.com/blog/?Author=Meggan+Franks

Thanks!
Meg

4 weeks and an almost marathon simulator.

2012-02-04T17:15:00.000-06:00

Monday: 87 minutes 12 miles hilly run
Tuesday: AM: 20 min, PM: 57 min
Wed: 2.5 mile w/u, 6X 1 mile on treadmill w/ 90 sec recovery, 5:46/5:42/5:38/5:36/5:32, 2mile c/d
Thurs: 65 min recovery
Friday: 80 minutes
Saturday:4 miles (28:30) 12 miles at Marathon Pace (6:18 pace for 75 minutes), 1 mile c/d
Sunday:planned recovery run about 70minutes

Not a huge mileage week but my daughter is not feeling well and I have been tired. Tuesday I slept in and ran during my lunch break. Friday I slept in but managed to get out the door just before 5:00AM, just enough time to get 80 minutes in.

Being that I have a race, 20 mile run and another possible race sandwiched together, I skipped the marathon simulator and ran a long run with 12 miles at marathon pace instead.

I ran this workout on the treadmill in our bedroom with gels/salt/water within reaching distance. It was surprisingly relaxed, with the exception of a bathroom break and hip cramp at mile 8. The bedroom was also 75 degrees (I feel like NOLA is going to be warm) so I was sweating like crazy.

Here are my splits for those of you that are interested in that sort of thing.

6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:18, 6:15, 6:11

--I did mention earlier that I ran this on the treadmill, right? Haha.

The reason for so many treadmill runs is because NOLA is flat as a pancake. Though I have been a lot stronger on the hilly courses, the flat courses have been easier on my back/hip. Not to mention, NOLA is within a 5 hour drive, and its NEW ORLEANS.

On a very different note, I want to give a shout out to some awesome running gear I have gotten to try lately:

1.) I have been running/walking in a pair of Sof Sole FIT insoles, they have been awesome for my recovery days and in some of my flats that do not have much support. Years back I used to cough up $300 or so for custom made orthotics. Obviously, I can't afford that anymore, and I feel like SofSole would have been a good replacement (they are only $40 bucks!). These insoles are not heavy, ridged, or uncomfortable, and they feel like the perfect amount of support. I will do a full review in a week when I get a few more miles in them!

2.) Have any of my fellow IDers tried the new Brooks Women's Versatile 3.5" Low Rise Shorts?? Wow, AWESOME! For short torso ladies like myself, I absolutely love these shorts. I can't stand shorts that fit tight and high on the waist. They come in all sorts of awesome colors (not just black). I'm certain you can also find a matching sports bra on brooksrunning.com also.

Hope everyone had a great running weekend! - Megg

Inspiration for Tuesday

2012-01-31T07:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Running.

5 weeks from RnR NOLA....just a log

2012-01-29T10:15:00.002-06:00

Monday: 70 minutes - very easy (hamstring very tight from running along hwy 389 for 13.1 miles)
Tuesday: AM - 20 minutes very easy PM - 70 minutes (hamstring)
Wednesday - 80 minutes @ 7:10 pace
Thursday: 2m w/u, 3 miles hilly tempo @ 5:54, 5X800m at 5:40pace w/ 60-90 rest (On the road, alone at 4:45...legs still pretty dead..bathroom break after number 2 ) 3 mile c/d
Friday - 78 minutes w/ M and D
Saturday : 20 miles w/ 11 @ 6:49 avg, next 9 @ 6:36 avg. Felt great, relaxed the first half. I had many 6:20ish miles in there. I forgot to set my watch up to auto lap so I don't have splits except for when accidentally hit the lap button.
Sunday: 1 hour easy

My legs are starting to cooperate. I really thinking I'm capable of running a good one....if I do...we will see. I've got 5 weeks to make mistakes. Or not.

Frostbite Half-Marathon Race Recap

2012-01-28T15:26:00.001-06:00

Frostbite Half-Marathon Results: 1:20:07 for 1^st female (course record!)

3 mile w/u + 30 min c/d

I know this race was a week ago but its better late than never.

Frostbite Half-Marathon starts 13.1 miles from Oktibbeha County Hospital, in the “blink and you miss it” town of Pheba, Mississippi. My husband graciously agreed to drive me and my running pals out to the start about 20 minutes before the buses were leaving so we all got our 3 miles in.

Stretching before the race. Photo by Rod Simmons.

The temps were great, but I was a little unsure of my legs. I had done a lot of work in the last few weeks and I was running this thing tired. I did not intend to run a PR, although breaking 80 was in the back of my mind.

Quickly after the buses arrived, the 400 or so Mississippians (and one Canadian - me) positioned ourselves behind the spray painted start line. It was time to get started

The group I was running with went out way too hard the first half mile, something like 5:38 pace. One of the local high school stars was being sucked in, Joseph; I told him we should stick together. After all, he was just doing frostbite as a training run. Our pace slowed and we went through the first mile at 6:05, perfect. I felt good at this point; there was still a possibility that this would be a good day.

Frostbite is not what I would call a flat and fast course. If anything, I would say it is the exact opposite. It is a straight shot, with rollers that I swear do not go down at all. The entire way I felt like we were just climbing. Right when you start to feel like you want to fall out on the side of the road, you hit a hill/mountain and climb for a good 1000m. After that hill, you hit another one, and another one. The final mile you climb a good 250 meters before turning onto hospital road to head for the finish.

Frostbite is hard.

After running with Joseph for the first 5 miles at just under 6:05 pace, my hip cramped up and he dropped me. I spent the next few miles trying to loosen up and get back on pace.

Once we hit the half waypoint, Joseph had caught those running the relay and was over a minute ahead of me. I wanted to quit, not because I was hurting but because y hip was so tight. My husband, God bless him, had made it to every mile marker trying to offer words of encouragement. I had stopped looking at my watch because I could not get back to 6:02 or faster, I think I dropped a 6:12 during mile 7. I was slipping.

Somewhere around the half way. Photo by Joe MacGown

My hip loosened up during mile 8 and I split a 6:03 – great. Houston was now making every half mile and I could tell I was gaining on the relay group in front. I started racing.

I hit the hill and heard Houston say, “You can still get the course record.” I guess this was his way of saying, “it’s not your best, but it will be solid.” I took this to heart.

I really started closing the on the hill. Even though this was my slowest mile (6:26) it was a steep up-hill climb and I felt strong. The next two ups I split 6:10 and I caught two relay teams.

Getting back into the race.

Houston started yelling…I mean really SCREAMING. I tried my best to turn it over, I felt like I was sprinting the last mile of a 10k. My last mile was 5:52 and it included a 250m climb.

Once I turned the corner to enter the finish line area, I saw 1:19:57 on the clock and realized why Houston was screaming at me.

I had stopped looking at my watch and missed breaking 80 by 8 seconds. Damn.

I felt good during the last 3 miles. I think I am more impressed that I really raced. My closing miles on the hills felt amazing.

This is me looking at the clock ..MAD because I didn't know how close I was to breaking 80.

I didn’t go into this race intending to PR but I will take it. It was a good day.

What about the coach?

2012-01-28T13:45:00.001-06:00

I'm always going to be close to coaching. My husband is a coach, I coach, my friends coach. I'll never get away from it.

As an athlete I don't think we always think about the coach. We don't think about the time, effort, faith that our coach often puts into us. When we give up or stop trying, we also give up on our coach. We forget about them, we forget that it is not always about US.

I think the hardest thing for a coach to accept is when athletes don't want to try, don't care, otherwise give up before their coach gives up on then. All that time and effort that they have invested in that athlete is completely wasted.

Running is a very selfish sport. My husband works very hard to make sure I get my runs in, but he also enjoys coaching. When I ask him for training advice he drops everything. It is his passion, he was made to be a coach.

My job as an athlete is to give back in performance. If I can't preform to the best of my ability, I can show I care by putting in the effort, by doing the right things, by being a good athlete.

If you have a coach, make sure you are being a good athlete and don't forget to thank your coach once in a while.

Just this weeks log...

2012-01-21T22:21:00.002-06:00

Monday: 13.55 miles in 1:33 (treadmill, starting out relaxed and working down to 6:40pace for the last half)
Tuesday: 67 minutes ( 9 miles)
Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 4X2 mile on treadmill, 3 jog recovery
1st segment- 5:56 pace
2nd segment - 5:52 pace
3rd segment - 5:49 pace
4th segment - 5:46 pace
2.5 mile c/d (12.5-13 miles)
Thursday: 10-11 miles with Kelly
Friday: 7 miles + strides
Saturday: 3 mile w/u, race half marathon in 1:20:07 (course record!), 30 min c/d (19-20 miles)
Sunday: Recovery run

Good week for me. Race recap coming tomorrow.

Suck it up.Get it done...Rant.

2012-01-15T22:09:00.001-06:00

Warning...this is just a rant.

Maddy was rearranging our book shelf last night when she happened to pull out one of my training diaries from college. It was nice and neat, pretty detailed. Maddy took a pen and started scribbling in it. I happened to glance at the page she was on...the week before conference, senior year.

My worst track season ever leading up to the conference. Curious, I made a trade (I gave her a copy of THE ZONE by Barry Sears). I wanted to revisit those last few weeks before "that race".

"That race"..... All spring I dealt with major back/hamstring/hip problems. I flipped through a few weeks...a good run...3 days of "can't run: bike"...can't run: elliptical...tried to run: failed.

The week before that race, I was successful in completing 8x1min on for a total of 35 minutes of running, a few 15 minute jogs. The day before my race I limped through 20 minutes.

I'm not saying that I'm the standard of what is considered "having heart". 90% of my teammates that year would have done the same thing. I stepped on the track, I ran, I went for it, I finished 7th. I got it done that day with what I had. I did my job for my team because they were counting on me.

Running is a job for a lot of people. If you are an elite, its your job. If you run in college, its a 4 year job. If you have a sponsor, its a job.

If it's your job, DO IT. Do it well. If you can't "run" make sure you are doing something that will eventually help you in running. If you aren't going to do your job, then do something else.

I've enjoyed reading up on many of the American's that ran the Olympic Trials. Things I noticed in many interviews and from the American OTQs I follow: I sleep a lot, I manage my time well, I eat well, I focus on the little things, I have a strict schedule.

Most importantly, ATTITUDE. They are all positive about there running, dedicated, passionate. I feel for the gals and the guys out there that are struggling. Those that are passionate about something that they cannot do. They are often left injured, still they get up and try again, again, and AGAIN.

I'm tired of the complainers. I'm tired of the "bringing everyone else down" folks. I'm very out spoken when it comes to running, sometimes I say to much. I am done with bad attitudes. I'm done with lack of effort.

If running is in anyway your job, GET IT DONE. It's your job. It's YOUR JOB.

End-of-rant.

I've got to run in the morning.

Olympic Trials Shout Out (and a training update)!

2012-01-14T12:58:00.001-06:00

I’ve been waiting on Olympic Trials results all morning like everyone else (even though I’m not American, this is still exciting). My training is obviously not the exciting thing right now, but I have got to post!

Before that, a few shout outs!

In American Marathon Olympic Trials news, my friend Robert Scribner (Hanson-Brooks) ran 2:18. He went for it, suffered just a bit the last 3 miles…but a PR in the end. Robert will be 2:15 next time…so proud of my former teammate!

Meagan Nedlo ending up scoring a HUGE PR, running just a tad over 2:41. She has an awesome blog for those that don’t know, you can check it out here.

If you have not seen the results, you can find them here.

Training.....

I felt good on Monday even though I had gone 20 miles the Saturday before (with 15 at my friends marathon pace). The pace work Tuesday was not difficult, the 300’s were probably faster than they really needed to be, but I was really not confident in my ability to run 5k at anything faster than 17:45 right now.

Still, I stuck with the plans I had made late last week, and at 8:10pm Thursday I toed the line against 14-16 young ladies in bum huggers and spikes (me- shorts, flats), and trudged my way through 3 bad miles on an indoor track.

It was awkward, slow and very boring.

We started out a bit faster than I wanted, but the pace slowed quickly, and soon I was run 41’s. Being that I had no real goal going into this race, I figured 5:30 or so would be a good first mile. Typically, I do mile repeats at this pace so it shouldn’t have been a problem. By the time we hit the first mile I was already tired, and I doubted I would be able to go 15 more laps. I started to get bored, I was lapping people early and running in lane 3. I felt crappy, I was alone. It was harder than it should have been.

Basically, I gave up early and just started using athletes I was lapping as a reason to keep running. Houston stopped yelling splits, I was thankful. I just wanted it to end.

At about 1.5 laps to go, someone made a move to the front and finally for the first time since the beginning, I had someone to run with. She gapped me by a second or two, and going into the last lap I was trying to find my kick, excitement started to build, this could actually end up interesting…and.. BANG…it was over. Unfortunately the girl that passed me suffered a very unfortunate accident about 180 meters from the finish (I’m going to leave it at that), and the excitement I felt immediately passed. The race was over.

I won in 17:51. Not a true showing of my current fitness, but enough to get the rust out and come back a day later for 8 miles at half marathon pace.

After 10 quick miles on Friday, I woke up Saturday morning tired and tight and doubted my ability to run 8 miles at sub 80 half-marathon pace. But after 3 miles with Houston to stretch out the legs, I ran garmin-less for the first few miles and gradually warmed up into it.

I never took a single split. I felt good. Like tempo should feel ; good, easy, relaxed, fast.

Hitting 8 miles in 48:59 I was disappointed.

Me - “ What? That sucks!”

Houston – “Are you kidding me? You went through the first two miles in 12:50! Do you not realize the work you have put in the last 8 days? If you are disappointed in that, you are a moron.”

Me – (Ignoring the last part) “I went through the first two miles in 12:50?? Well gees, that is 6 miles at like 6:02 pace! Shoot, as good as I felt that was awesome!”

Houston – “There you go.”

So the 5k and the speed work on the track, as much as it sucked, it did its job. I am finally finding my legs, and if I can survive the next week, I will be set.

Monday: 92 minutes

Tuesday: AM: 30 minutes PM: 2 mile w/u, 2 mile c/d, 2X300m @54-55, 2X1000m @3:19, 4X300m @ 54-56

Wednesday: AM: 10+ miles in 73 minutes

Thursday: AM: 20 minute shake out run, PM: 2-3 mile w/u, 5K race in 17:51, a few minutes jog cool down

Friday: 10 miles in 72 minutes

Saturday: 3 mile w/u, 8 mile tempo in 48:59 (going through first 2 miles in 12:50, so avg of 6:02 for the last 6) (2+ miles c/d) (13 + miles)

Sunday: Two runs up to 10 miles

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Maddy and I are going to spend our Saturday watching movies and taking naps. There is nothing like a lazy day with my baby girl!

Progress. (8 weeks from RnR marathon.)

2012-01-12T15:29:00.000-06:00

Monday: 84 minutes
Tuesday: 78 minutes
Wednesday: 2.5 mile w/u, 5x1 mile in 5:32, (2 rest), 3 mile c/d
Thursday: AM 40 minutes, PM: 30 minutes
Friday: 80 minutes
Saturday: M,K & D's marathon simulator run.
2.5 mile w/u, 15 miles with first 7 miles @6:48, next 8@ 6:28, 2.5 mile c/d (20 miles total)
Sunday:planned 60-70 min run for 80~ miles
Good week for me. I'm still having some tightness in my hip and my calves are super tight but I'm probably exactly where I should be. I still have 5 weeks of hard training to accomplish before my legs start feeling really good.
2012 is going to be about over coming fears, branching out, and taking chances. My first step...I'm running a 5k on the track next week in Birmingham. I have not raced on the track since my senior year of college...May 2006. That's a long time ago.
To add to the excitement, I ordered a new pair of spikes. More than likely I will not end up racing in them Thursday....but I will at least once this year.
I'm not sure what my goals are for NOLA, I'm going to wait a few weeks and see how my training unfolds. So far, I think I'm on track

Feature on Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifier: Ariana Hilborn

2012-01-10T19:17:00.001-06:00

In June 2008, Ariana Hilborn completed her very first marathon (Grandma's) in a respectable time of 4:36. This Saturday she hopes to complete her eleventh (11th) 26.2 mile race as one of the best female marathoners in American.

A member of the Brooks Inspire Daily Program, Ariana Hilborn is a 31-year-old teacher living in Scottsdale, AZ (originally from Greendale, WI).
When Ariana qualified for the Olympic Trials in January of this past year (2:45:35) she decided to take a year off teaching to train. Currently, she works part-time at Sole Sports (a local running store).

With the help of her support team, husband (Matt) and black lab (Tank), she set a huge personal best at Grandma's marathon (6/11) of 2:37:29, well under the trials standard of 2:46:00.

Ariana is from a family of aspiring runners. The day after she toes the line at the USA Marathon Olympic Trials, her sister, brother, and father will all be running their first marathons at the Houston Marathon. What a fabulous way to finish of an already exciting weekend!

Ariana Hilborn after the 2011 America's Finest City Half marathon in San Diego.

Good luck Ariana!

Reach Ariana at http://arianahilborn.com/

Feature on Marathon Olympic Trials Qualifier: Rachel Jaten

2012-01-06T22:12:00.002-06:00

Entering my third year with the Inspire Daily program, I am trying to reach out to other athletes in the program and read/hear their stories.

One thing I have recently realized, there will be a large number of IDs toeing the line for the Olympic Trials next week in Houston. One of these athletes is Rachel Jaten.

Rachel is a 36 year old marathoner out of Spokane, WA with a PR of 2:45:47 (Dec, 11). When she is not logging miles, she works as a UPS Driver.

Rachel was one of almost 30 women that qualified for the Olympic Trials at the California International Marathon (CIM) in December, leaving her with just a little over a month to get prepared. Clearly CIM is her most memorable race for many reasons, including perfect weather, running in a huge pack through 21 miles, and getting to the line in OT qualifying time.

Rachel Jaten of Spokane, WA

That day did not go "perfectly", however. There was a point at mile 25 where a volunteer shouted out to her that she still had an "outside shot" of qualifying. Obviously, she found another gear!

Rachel started running as a kid, probably 5-6 yrs old with her father. He was a runner and triathlete. Rachel ran through high school and most of college before getting burnt out....that was 1997. It took winning a marathon coaching package in late 2010 to get her running consistently again. She still wanted to get back into it, but needed guidance. She knew she still had not seen her potential.

Rachel's goal for the trials is to "run smart" and, if everything goes well, hit her goal time of 2:44!

Good luck Rachel Jaten!

Change of plans. Racing NOLA instead.

2012-01-05T05:07:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I changed my mind. I never had a good feeling about Snickers. NOLA is not as far away, it seems like it is a better time...it feels SAFE....less stress. It does not have the hills I want but it is close to me!
I'm excited.
Monday: 85 minutes w/ M&D, good pace
Tuesday: 78 minutes w/ K
Wednesday: 2.5 mile w/u, 5X a mile at 5:32 avg, 3 mile c/d
Legs are feeling a bit better but I'm still being careful.

Lessons learned. Don't stop doing the little things when it comes to training.

2011-12-31T15:26:00.002-06:00

Wednesday: 8X 2:35 hard w/ 90 seconds recovery jog (5:58-5:38 mile pace) 2 mile w/u, 1/2 mile c/d
Thursday: 50 min @ 7min pace, 20 min elliptical
Friday: 45 minutes easy
Saturday: 15 miles in 1:39:40 (6:38 avg) 7:09, 6:39, 6:32, 6:44, 6:43, 6:44, 6:36, 6:33, 6:39, 6:32, 6:28, 6:30, 6:34, 6:25, 6:43 + 1 mile jog around the loop (legs stiff)
Sunday: whatever I feel like, up to 8 miles

Well that's over.

Saturday's run finished off one of my least enjoyable running weeks in a while. Something I did (maybe the crazy 18 miler in Athabasca) caused my calves to remain extremely tight for days. After jogging Tuesday, I asked Houston to run an easy workout with me Wednesday. Normally, I would run 800's in about 2:35-2:45, this time we did them in -12C in winter gear on a trail neighboring the Bow River. Because neither of us wore enough clothing, it took a while for us to get warmed up. I'm not completely sure because I cleared my Garmin out yesterday, but I doubt the first two intervals were much faster than 6:00, and we were working to get that. On the third interval I finally found my legs, and the workout improved a great deal from then on.

Bike path along the Bow River, imagine snow and ice.

Thursday brought another treadmill run in a hotel near the Edmonton International Airport. I was running along at just under 7min pace when my calves seemed to cramp up right at mile 7. I jumped on the elliptical to see if I could loosen them back up but the tightness remained. Worried that I was going to end up with another calf strain, I stopped my run early and traded Friday's 10 mile for a 45 min jog.

There are a number of reasons of why my calves are so tight. First, I wore calf sleeves almost the whole time in Canada because my legs were always cold. Second, were were running on ice which means we were constantly sliding backwards which puts a great deal of stress on your calves. Third, I am toe runner which makes #1 and #2 that much harder for me to recover from.

View of Calgary Skyline

The next few weeks I am going to get back to training. If my schedule calls for 5X 1 mile at 5:25, I am going to try and average 5:30. If I want to run a tempo at 6:00, I am going to aim for 6:10. My long runs have also gotten way out of hand, so I am going to slow those down a bit also.

One thing that I also noticed is that I completely ditched the 1/2 a bag of chocolate habit while I was in Canada. I have convinced myself that this is the reason my running has been so poor this week, thus I have been very good about increasing my chocolate intake over the last 48 hours.

Yay, me.

Happy New Year, all.

Long run grind

2011-12-28T08:18:00.001-06:00

Friday: 82 minutes relaxed (11 miles)

Saturday: 2hr 5 minute long run (17.7 mile) in 30mph winds (Athabasca)

Sunday: 56 minutes recovery in downtown Calgary

Monday: 82 minutes in Calgary (10.5 miles) legs dead, hard time adjusting to the altitude

Tuesday: 35 minutes (basically off, legs dead/done/trashed)

Saturday’s long run was one of those runs you will talk about for 20 years. “Remember the day we did that 18 miler in Athabasca on Christmas Eve? Remember how FREAKIN AWFUL that was? That run made me want to quit running.”

I had a plan all week for Saturday and was excited about it. The original plan was 2 hours progressive, starting at 6:45 getting down to marathon pace (6:20). I felt like the run was something I could easily accomplish on a treadmill with an MP3 player and a water bottle within grabbing distance. However, it was Christmas Eve in Athabasca, where there was only one gym and, you guessed it, it was closed.

Houston presenting me with a number of different options of “wait until tomorrow or the next day” which I stubbornly refused, and in the end we decided to “man up” and grind it out. We suited up and headed out into what may have been the worst running conditions ever- 30-35 mph winds, cold, icy, and at an altitude we were not accustomed too.

We started out running around a 6:30 pace and barely a word was said in the first 4 miles before we stopped for water. My sister had kindly placed 3 bottles out for us on her way to town and we hit every single one on our out and back loop. Most of the tree lines along the highway had been cleared away which made the wind especially strong. To avoid having to run directly into it as much as possible, we picked a loop that would have us fighting it from the side for the most part.

Having a goal of just going out and banging out two hours of HARD running, I went a little too quick in the first hour. 6:30 miles felt like 6:10 effort, and by the time I was half way I was already completely spent. At just shy of 90 minutes heading back along the highway, I stopped running, shut off my garmin and walked of the shoulder of the road and cried. Literally, I cried. This was by far the worst run ever, and at this point I was so physically exhausted that I could barely put one foot in front of the other.

Houston had to pick me back up and say, “Let’s just run, no more pace, just get the work in.” We finished to final 35 minutes at about a 7:30 pace, which was really all I had left in the tank. The last 2.5 miles was pretty much up hill, but wind at our backs which I was very thankful for. If not, I may have walked home.

At least we got it in.

After two helpings of apple pie, a piece of cake, yogurt, coffee, and a nice warm shower, I finally felt better as Houston and I packed up Maddy and set out on a quick 5 hour drive to Calgary to celebrate Christmas with my Father, Maddy’s Grandpa.

Over the next few days, I would realize just how hard I really did run that day. After 3 “easy” days my legs still have not recovered and I feel that I will spend the next few days doing more of the same…jogging at a snail like pace until I feel somewhat normal. If there is anything I am good at, it is digging a hole for myself when it comes to training. I can’t be bothered being tired now.

I have a marathon in 10 weeks.

Christmas in Canada and a marathon training update (in the snow)

2011-12-22T19:28:00.002-06:00

Just in case you don't know, my family is from the north...way north. Right now we are in Athabasca, Alberta Canada, visiting my family. The roads are like running on a hockey rink and the temps are pretty chilly. Being that I grew up here, I'm used to it but its always a little shocking on the body the first time out the door.

The Athabasca River in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

My legs are seriously trashed from calling a 90 minute run recovery for the past two weeks, so I basically took an off day on Wednesday (the day we flew out of Birmingham). Besides, I didn't want a repeat from Atlanta...some of you may know what I am talking about (that is a story for another day).

Monday: 90 minutes
Tuesday: 3 mile w/u, 3 mile c/d, 3X2 mile on campus 5 mile loop w/ 2:30 jog rest
11:35 (into the wind), 11:15, 11:10 on measured loop (garmin measured 1.95 miles, 1.95 miles, 1.97 miles)
Wednesday: 25 min jog at 4AM (travel all day to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Thursday: 80 minutes w/ 10X1 min hard (5:00-5:15 mile pace), 1 min easy in the middle (10.5+)

Tuesday's workout was not executed properly, and therefore I only ran 3X2 mile versus the 4X2 mile that I had planned. I was impatient into the wind and it cost me part of the workout. I am not strong into the wind, I fold like a cheap tent every time. Instead of staying relaxed I tried running too fast too quickly and suffered late. I figure I will make up for it on Saturday. We will see.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday with their friends or family and avoiding desserts and wine as much as possible (haha, right). Just a reminder to all, your health never takes a holiday.

Megg

Stepping up my game & sharing motivation from "the coach".

2011-12-17T17:16:00.003-06:00

In an attempt to step up my mileage, I was successful in making myself really tired this week.

Monday: 58 minutes (Maddy cut my run short) (8 miles)
Tuesday: 3 mile w/u 50min progressive tempo, starting at 6:18 working down to 5:39. (6:07 avg pace) 2.5 mile c/d (13.5 miles)
Wednesday: 90 minutes relaxed
Thursday: AM: 45 minutes PM: 45 minutes w/ 6X30 seconds hard. (12 miles)
Friday: 10 miles w/ M. (reg loop + sherwood when I got home)
Saturday: 14.5 miles w/ 9 miles @6:25 pace
Sunday: 70-80 minutes recovery

Even though I'm going to hit 80 this week, this morning during my long run I convinced myself its not about the miles. Once again, I'm going to try and stop counting and focus more on how I feel. After all, I'm still getting better.
Most people can deal with knowing the numbers and not obsess over them, I cannot.

How the week went.
Monday I wanted to go about 12 miles or so, but 8 miles into my treadmill run (Houston has been out of town) Maddy woke up screaming. So run=over.

Therefore I woke up early on Tuesday to get a good medium run/tempo combo completed before work. Because it was just after 4:00AM, it took me a few miles to get the legs moving. Starting off conservative (at just a few seconds faster than goal marathon pace) I tried to stay relaxed as I increased the pace every few minutes (or when I felt tired or bored). It was surprisingly easy, but then again, I was running on the treadmill. Regardless, I was pleased with this workout.

Thursday I had planned on running 30 minutes of speed fartlek, but my Achilles had been really bothering me, so (being safe) I skipped it and just ran easy instead. Probably a smart move as I was able to run normally Saturday.

Saturday's run started off great. After a brief warm-up we started rolling along at just a few seconds slower than goal marathon pace. However, after about 9 miles at just over a 6:20 avg, my calves cramped up completely. I jogged the last few miles in to log just under 15 for the day.

Just some INSPIRATION from my husband, the coach.

He recently made a post of the distance training page that I wanted to share with you all. He is king of motivational talks. Even though it is directed at the team, I hope you all can get something out of it also. Names have been edited as requested by the husband.

"This is a critical time of the year, each and everyone of you is responsible for doing your work and keeping each other accountable. It doesn't matter if your hill was 562m long, or 611m long. What does matter is that you are putting the work in and getting stronger, fitter, tougher, and meaner. Each one of you has a decision each day. Do I go out and do today what it is going to take to make me better, or do I let everyone that I am expected to compete against be better than me today. Because guess what? RIVAL TEAM A, RIVAL TEAM B, RIVAL TEAM C, ETC. and even the " RIVAL NAME X" are getting out the door and putting it in. They want to keep you down. They want you to have have excuses why you didn't work today. They want the weather to be tougher than you. They want you thinking, "Oh, I can put this workout off til tomorrow, or I will do some of my stretches, but maybe skip a few." Cowardice has no place in the (INSERT SCHOOL MASCOT) Nation. Get it done......NO EXCUSES! Train hard, train smart, and soon......kick some @$$."

ALSO...

I wanted to share a video with you all from"V02 Max productions". A Brooks-Hanson video of Ms. Desiree Davila running a 3X3 mile workout to prepare for the USA Olympic Trials.

Watch more video of Desiree Davila on runbrooks.com

Enjoy!

Meggan

Brooks I.D. 2012

2011-12-15T19:14:00.000-06:00

And here it goes, another year with my most favorite running company EVER. I love the shoes (Brooks Launch, Brooks Green Silence) I love the clothes, the sports bras...heck I even own a running skirt from Brooks!

Tis the season for Brooks arm warmers, infiniti tights, gossamer gloves, with matching tops, hats, and socks.

Thank you, Brooks for another year. Much appreciated. Let's go run some PRs.

Megg

Chasing numbers (miles)

2011-12-14T20:48:00.005-06:00

It started in college, although it wasn't always miles I was counting.

I like numbers, I have always enjoyed them. When I was just learning math I could add and subtract in my head from the beginning, I imagined the numbers as shapes, it worked every time. I was very good at math.

In college it started with schedules. I would start out at 6:30AM (run), 7:15AM (shower), 7:25AM (dress for class), 7:30AM (breakfast), 7:45AM (bike to class) 7:55AM (class). For the most part it was healthy, but then I needed something else, scheduling my day out in 15 minute increments just wasn't enough.

Next it was counting calories. First in estimated amounts, then in exact amounts. I am honest about this if people ask, this is nothing new. I did this for about two years until I started running an event where I was encouraged to be STRONG versus invisible.
In an effort to be "strong" I started counting numbers, miles per day..week...month. I wanted to run 65, then 70, then more than 70. Unfortunately I paid more attention to the numbers than the way I felt and spent most of my time on the elliptical machine with an injury.

Post college I was able to run as much as I wanted- there were no limits. I had some small successes but was usually hurt by April every year, spending 5-7 months in a water-jogging belt strapped to the wall of a pool, sweating through intervals until I felt like passing out. Injured. Chasing numbers has always left me sitting in the same place: on the bench.

Since coming back from pregnancy last fall I have really stayed away from counting, mostly just estimating, and have stayed virtually injury free except for some small flare-ups here and there.

So what the heck am I chasing numbers for now?

Confidence...I think.

Not getting confident, lack of. See standards are much higher than last year, and as much as I could care less about being considered anything more than the athlete/jogger I am today, in order to remain where I am, I need to get better...and not slowly, either.

Honestly, most of those around me are putting in 85-100 mile weeks, I'm lucky to hit 75. There are odd times when I think I hit 80 miles...but I don't know, I stopped counting.

Last week I was determined to hit 80 miles, working my way up to 90...but my daughter was sick and I simply said to heck with it...not important.

This week I am back on it. I can get 3X13-14 mile days in a row and be OK, I can get 90+ minutes on my recovery days, I can maximize singles... I can run at lunch...I can be a psycho.

And is it really all worth it?

I don't know. To be honest, every time I run faster, I spend a few hours totally excited about the fast time, then spend the next few days/weeks/months..coming up with reasons of why I am not good enough. And really, who is? Truthfully, 2:52 was fine for me. I am a mother first and foremost so....awesome. BUT when I realized that 2:52 was not the goals/standards that others had for me, everything changed.
I wasn't good enough for me anymore.

I hope that the number craze doesn't make me crazy. I can find time to fit an extra 10-15miles in here and there without sacrificing family time. However, is it worth it? Is it really worth it?

I guess its time to find out.

Happy running, all.

Snickers Marathon Training wk 1: Putting on my Mom Jeans

2011-12-11T20:53:00.000-06:00

Not literally but "hat" just didn't cut it......

My daughter was very sick this week so I missed a bunch of miles as well as some precious ZZs. As important as this 12 weeks of training is leading up to the Snickers Marathon in Albany Georgia (or NOLA…not sure) when Maddy is not feeling well, miles are going to be missed.

Monday: 1hr 39 minute run (13-14 miles)

Tuesday: 60 minutes w/ strides

Wednesday: 3 mile w/u, 5X1 mile on treadmill w/ 2min recovery jog in between: 5:46, 5:39, 5:33, 5:30, 5:20, 3 mile c/d (11-12 miles)

Thursday: AM: 45 minutes recovery, PM: 30 min recovery

Friday: 72 minutes (10 miles- treadmill)

Saturday: 17.37 miles in 1:54:30 (6:35 pace) at Boardtown - Browning Creek loop- 7:08, 6:33, 6:39, 6:19, 6:23, 6:37, 6:38, 6:23, 5:58, 6:39, 7:11, 6:32, 6:38, 6:27, 6:43, 6:35, 6:29, 2:25 for .37

Sunday: 50 minutes

The night before my scheduled long run, I was up with Maddy for almost 3 hours. Because I was exhausted when my alarm went off at 5:00AM Saturday morning, I ended up sleeping right through it and woke up at 6:04 instead. By the time I finally got out to Boardtown, the group was just turning the corner onto South Montgomery, which left no time for warm up miles.

Browning Creek is my least favorite route. This loop takes you around the sharp rolling hills of the lake at B.C. and is dreadful on the legs (dreadful meaning good for you). Typically, I struggle running 6:50s on this loop, we got down under 6:00 for a while to give you an idea of how the morning unfolded.

Running back towards home we took the scenic route and ended up with what felt like a million miles with wind dead in the face. At around 15 miles, I saw M. stop in front of me and we took about 20 seconds to collect ourselves “I want to vomit.” …” I’m hyperventilating.” …“my face hurts.”

Once we were done complaining we set off to finish the last two miles as best we could to clock just under 17.5 miles for the day in 30 degrees with wind in every direction (ok, not really but it felt like it). I am not sure if it was the hard running or the lack of warm clothes, but after this my chest hurt the entire weekend.

Sometimes it takes weeks like this to put everything back into perspective. Though I hate to see my daughter under the weather, I did enjoy the hugs, cuddles, and “Mamas”. There is no better feeling. Makes everything we do so worth it.

Finding my inspiration. Two falls from the training wagon

2011-12-04T07:35:00.003-06:00

When I was in high school I used to hang pictures of pro athletes all over my bedroom walls. My Dad hated it because I would use tape that would peal the paint away. I don’t even think I knew who all the athletes were, but the pictures looked cool so I hung them up. Most of them were pullouts from running magazines - I can think of think of at least two of them that have been busted for performance enhancing drugs. What a great example for a young athlete.

All those posters ended up in the trash once I left for college. Thanks, Dad... really, I mean it.

Lately I have been really thinking about what/who inspires me. I am not inspired by professional athletes like I used to be when I was younger- unless they are Mom’s/Dad’s, doing something amazing outside of the sport (which many are nowadays). Don’t get me wrong, I would love an autograph from an awesome pro, but if their job is to do a particular sport, then…well…are they not just doing their job WELL? I do my job well too, do you want my autograph?

No.

I recently learned that a running acquaintance of mine turned 80. Eighty years old. Yep. This person runs, is very independent, intelligent, knowledgeable. It never would have occurred to me that he was eighty, until someone finally mentioned it. Wow. An athlete at 80 years old? That’s what I want to be.

That’s inspiring.

Most of the people I follow (blogs) do amazing things outside of running, all kinds of people…some Mom’s, some Dad’s, some working, some not but they are real people chasing very different dreams…running marathons, running 5ks, 10ks, ultras, triathlons, everyone has a very different LIFE and a very different GOAL.

In the end, I don’t think it matters if you are a 2ish hour marathon, or a 6 hour marathon. As long as you are living your dreams…one day you may just be the fittest 80 year old in the state, country, world….and I may just want your autograph.

Back to training…………….

Monday: 90 minutes

Tuesday: 45 minutes

Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 8X800m on road– 2:35, 2:44, 2:32, 2:36, 2:43, 2:42, 2:42, 2:36) 2 mile jog, 10 minutes at goal marathon pace on t-mill (6:20), c/d (10.5 miles)

Thursday: 50 minutes

Friday: 10 miles

Saturday: 15 miles w/ 6 miles at HM goal pace (4 miles, 6 miles at 6:05, 5 miles)

Sunday: Planned distance run 70ish minutes

So I have a confession to make, I stayed up late watching TV with my husband Monday and Wednesday night so I didn’t get up early enough Tues/Thurs morning. Afternoons are for family so I didn’t get out and run again either of those days. Oh well, if this is my way of getting the laziness out before my new training cycle starts, I don’t think I have too much to worry about.

Wednesday’s workout total rocked. I felt so good I jumped on the treadmill and added a ten minute tempo on the end. The times were not my fastest but they were good enough for the “in-between”.

Saturday’s workout did not rock, it was the exact opposite. The plan was to go out for a 15 mile run and drop down to half marathon pace for about 7 miles. About a mile into the tempo portion, my hip had already started cramping and I could feel my back tightening up. I stopped for about 20 seconds about half way to stretch my back…and at one point during the run, I hit my garmin and screamed, “I can do long runs faster than this!” I have to say sorry to Houston for having to witness my ridiculous breakdown.

And actually, no..I can’t do long runs faster than 6:00ish. It just happened that when I looked down at the ticker on my Garmin it read a 6:23, which was wrong as I actually clocked 6:02 for that mile. I’m not sure why this workout was so important to me. I guess I still can’t get over the fact that my goal half marathon pace is right around 6:00….for 13 miles. And I guess I expect 6:08, my PR pace to be easy. It’s not. I’ve got to work my way back up there. Missing distance runs wont help.

SO the plan is to have a REAL plan…one of paper that I can look at and check off the days/weeks knowing I am doing everything it asks. This plan will be put together today, with the help of my husband/coach/better half.

It will be up to me to execute the training. I’m sure I can/will.

New goals for the new year

2011-11-27T16:17:00.002-06:00

I have been running....obviously! I took 3 weeks after the marathon to get my legs under me before I resumed any sort of real training. The last two weeks I have started to feel like my old self again.

I'm still feeling tired. Like I squeezed 18 weeks of marathon training into 12. But I just HAD TO run Niagara Falls. I hope I don't pay for this later. My legs are stronger than they have ever been, but I'm not ready to return to the racing scene just yet.

Training....
Nov 14-20
Mon: 67 minutes (8.5-9 miles)
Tues: 68 minutes w/ 12* 1 min at hard, 1 min easy
Weds: felt sick all day Tuesday, so no running
Thurs: 11 miles
Fri: 7 miles
Sat: 15 miles w/ Houston w/ 10 miles @ 6:35 avg (legs starting to come back a bit) @boardtown
Sun: Recovery run, 8 miles @ 7:19 pace

Nov 21-27
Mon: 85 minutes, 11+ miles
Tues: w/o, 30 min w/u, 3X1.5 miles on hilly loop, 5:55/5:50/5:45 (garmin) avg. pace, felt nice and relaxed, 15 min cool down.
Weds: Recovery run of 45 minutes + 30 minute jog with the neighbor
Thurs: 10 miles w/ 4X(1min, 45 sec, 30 sec, 15 sec hard) w/ 30-60 sec recovery between each rep, 2 min between sets, ran on a half mile hilly paved loop, pace between 4:45 mile pace and 5:15 mile pace depending on up or down
Fri: recovery run of 67 minutes
Sat:15.5 miles in 1:41:53 (w/ 14.5 miles @ 6:30 avg) @ boardtown
Sun: 58 minutes recovery

Happy Thanksgiving

The other Baby. He would argue that he was the first!

Marathon training.. while not racing a marathon?
Running with my husband on Friday, I asked him why in the world can I do workouts like I used to in college yet I train nothing like I did in college. He explained to me that, "You can approach training from two ways, you can training to run fast or you can get fast by getting strong, this time you are getting fast by getting strong." He said a lot more than this, but I will spare you the details. Training for marathons works for me, and though I am looking at running a 5K and 10K PR in the spring, I am still going to keep a lot of the same key workouts from my marathon training.

Saturday's long run
Saturday I woke up feeling absolutely awful...it didn't seem to matter. Having Houston to chase for almost 16 miles always makes for a good run. Once I hit the first water stop, I knew I was about to have a good day, 6:30 pace came and went, I started clicking off 6:19...6:08...I made myself slow down for fear that I would burn out later.
At the half way point I put on my rally cap and did my best to chase my husband down the rest of the way. I was unsuccessful. I knew I would be. I did have a fabulous run and am looking forward to this next cycle of training.

GOALS for 2012...
Wow, I guess I have some. Let me say that I have no aspirations of being a running super-star. I like my life, my family, my home, my 40 hour work week, my 10 minute commute, my evenings with my family free of running. I don't want to change any of that. I simply like to run, and I like to run fast. If I can be a good/great runner, well then that is totally awesome bonus.

We all should have goals in everything we do, and I for sure have some for next year if I continue to stay healthy. My 5k PR, it is just not something I am proud of, so in the spring and early summer I am looking to try and improve on that. My 10K PR is truly non-existent, I don't really even know what it is, 36:45 or so that I split once in an 8 mile time trial...does that even count? No. I would like to run a good 10K. Something worth posting.

And of course, running 1:18 for the half marathon and chasing 2:45 again for the full marathon. After I accomplish all these things I hope I will be content and maybe take up another sport.. (curling?)...but I doubt it.

I will come up with something else to chase...

Running marathons is bad for your health.

2011-11-19T16:22:00.005-06:00

Didn't you hear??? I sure did. Last week someone let me know.

Gees.

I should have taken up smoking. Or competitive eating. What am I doing running? I could be indulging in cheese burgers and fried chicken every night.

I was talking to someone the other day about my recent love of marathons when they just felt the need to inform me that running marathons was actually bad for you.

"It's a fact."

Really? How totally uniformed I am. Its not like over 30% of Mississippians are OBESE that is the problem, it is, IN FACT, the marathoners that are living the unhealthy lifestyles.

What a total let down.

Did you know that running is actually bad for you?

It reminds me of an infomercial I was watching a few months ago. I love infomercials. I think this one was for some sort of non-impact walking machine.You see, walking is a high impact activity that most intelligent people should really avoid. Instead, there is a cool machine that makes you feel like you are walking on a cloud, and its only $2000. What do you save by purchasing this item? Your joints, of course!

I do have difficulty accepting this though. I USED TO feel like the human body was made for motion. Only because we have legs and we walk upright. We have butts for sitting, yes. But we have legs for walking, too. Just not lots of running, that will put to much stress on your joints.

Actually, I think walking may be too high of an impact activity for those that are over weight or obese. This typically happens as a results of too much eating and not enough activity...like running.

Taking up running as a hobby early on: +3.5 to 3.7 years added to your life

Taking up extreme eating and living in obesity: -12 years taken away

http://www.runningplanet.com/training/runners-live-longer.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-08-25-obesity-lifespan_N.htm

By the way, heart disease is still the number one killer of people in America. Marathon running doesn't seem to be on the list, maybe we should all inform the list makers?

I guess I will keep running.

NCAA Div. I South Region XC Championships: link to public photo gallery & results

2011-11-12T21:26:00.004-06:00

I went to Tuscaloosa today for the NCAA Division I South Region Cross Country Championships. Snapped a good bit of photos from the men's and women's race. The link to the public gallery is below:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.971461656156.2349168.26504510&type=1&l=615d5973b7

MSU's Renee Masterson

Results (courtesy of mstateathletics.com:

Women's 6KTeam Scores: 1. Florida State, (34), 2. Vanderbilt (54), 3. Florida (62) 4. Mississippi (185), 5. Georgia (208), 6. Alabama (217), 7. Lipscomb (258), 8. Mississippi State (283), 9. North Florida (284), 10. Belmont (303)

Medalist: Amanda Winslow, Florida State, 20:33.4

Men's 10KTeam Scores: 1. Florida State (40), 2. Florida (68), 3. Georgia (94), 4. Auburn (194), 5. Middle Tennessee State (200), 6. Georgia Tech (232), 7. Kennesaw State (258), 8. Mississippi (258), 9. Chattanooga (263), 10. Belmont (281), 11. Mississippi State (330)

Medalist: David Forrester, Florida State, 30:43.3

Click here for full results:http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/c-xctrack/auto_pdf/2011-12/box_score/stats_20111112aaa.pdf

MSU Recap: http://www.mstateathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=205332359

Niagara Falls International Marathon Recap

2011-10-30T15:38:00.001-05:00

Niagara Falls Marathon Results: 2:52:16 for 1st female ($1,500)

(results from Garmin: 2:52:17 for 26.33 miles ~ 6:32 pace)

Wow, can't believe that was already a week ago! So after celebrating Maddy's birthday for the 4th time with my father, Sunday brought us to race morning.

At 10:00 AM on the dot I toed the line with about 1500 others in Buffalo, NY for the start of the Niagara Falls International Marathon.

Maddy being funny...putting her cups on her head opening presents on Friday night.

Start (Miles 1-4) Albright-Knox Art Gallery to downtown Buffalo
6:31, 6:33, 6:34, 6:33

Once the gun went off right outside the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, I quickly looked around to find out who I would be running with. I counted two females, one of which seemed quite content running 6:30s (not the goal, but it would do). By the time we reached 2 miles, we had already caught up with the (then) leader, as we continued downtown buffalo towards the beautiful Peace Bridge (USA/Canada boarder) at this point the pace felt slow, and though we were running with a large group of men, no one had really committed to leading. It was windy and I was getting impatient so I thus began pace setting for the group.

Niagara Falls Marathon Course Map

Miles 5-13
6:36, 6:31, 6:37, 6:29, 6:36, 6:39, 6:31, 6:31, 6:31 (1:26:20 for the first half)

SO yes I started getting impatient early (not good, really). The pace was not consistent and I needed it to be. I took the wind early and led our group across the bridge and into Ontario. Here the wind was strong and the air felt cooler. By mile 7 I felt terrible and by mile 9 my back started cramping up. I did not think I was going to have a good race.

Mile 12 I took a chance and broke away from the rest of the group with two other men. My watch started registering 6:25, and from the words from the guy running next to me in the blue shirt, "We are locked in."

The Start

6:36, 6:25, 6:29, 6:25, 6:25, 6:31, 6:24 (miles 14-20)

We hit a water stop around mile 14 and the two men I was running with disappeared once again. From here on I ran completely solo with the exception of a few that had been broken by a too early fast pace (or perhaps they hit the wall?). So as beautiful and quiet it was running along Niagara River Parkway, it was also one of the most loneliest of any race for me this year. In order to not burn out later on, I just tried to maintain pace because it turns out that I could...possibly(gasp) win this damn marathon after all. Winning became more important than a sub-2:50 effort, as bad as that is to admit. I wanted to cross the tape first.

Besides being very quiet, there was not a hill to speak of, which made it very easy for me to see water stops and clusters of fans ahead of me. Around mile 18 I passed my Father's girlfriend holding Maddy. When I passed by them my Maddy immediately started screaming and crying. It hurt more than I thought it would, I still had an hour or so left before I could get to her.

Along Niagara River

Niagara Falls

Around the finish

Miles 21-26.33
6:37, 6:28, 6:36, 6:37, 6:47, 6:36, 2:00 (6:08 pace)
My legs were really heavy and tight from mile 16 on, so every time I hit a water stop and slowed down to get fluids I had a hard time picking the pace back up. About the time I hit 20 miles, I saw a crazy man in a white t-shirt sprint by me on the side walk, hurdle a road barrier and jump out right in front of me holding a bottle of gatorade. This crazy man turned out to be super supportive husband. He asked me how I was feeling: fine, I can maintain this. He was relieved. I could tell he wanted this win just as bad as I did. I mean, being a coach and all.

It was around this time that a few negative thoughts started to creep in, so I was really thankful of my bike support trying to keep me positive. At one point a man on an ellipti-go bike (I really want one of these) came up on us and asked our bike support how far second was behind me. He said "Like a mile, she broke away at 12.) Well, that was good news! Wanted to see if there was going to be any challenge for the tape, ellipti-go bike went back to time the distance between me and number 2. When he came back he told me "2 minutes". This got me going again, if I was going to win this race I needed to stay focused and positive as I was still not in the clear.

At mile 24 the bikers started coaching me on. I was not sure if that was because 2nd was coming up behind me, or if they could sense I was struggling. I had dropped my salt at about mile 15 and I started to get a cramp in my chest. It slowed me a little and they sensed it. I started to worry as we battled walkers from the 10k/half marathon (the half started at the same time as the marathon at the 13.1 mile mark) I really wanted to win this race, who cares about pace, just take me to the finish first!

Coming up towards the finish. Beautiful day for a marathon

That is a Canada sticker on my shorts. To bad you can't see it :(

Once the finish came into view I started to really drive home and my legs responded nicely. I was smiling and hyperventilating a little bit....I couldn't believe it.

I think I got it now...

OMG, I'm actually going to win this.

Not sure where that came from....

Cross the tape. Couldn't help it, I was fired up...and my first marathon win!

Right after the finish I was pushed along into the VIP tent where we would wait until awards. This time I made sure I ate something (mostly because I could barely walk!) as I waited impatiently for my Maddy and family to join me! What an AWESOME DAY!

As far as the race went, I really have to hand it to the Niagara Falls International Marathon crew for their wonderful hospitality! My family and I were treated like royalty all week, and if I get the chance to come back in a year or so, I would really look forward to it. I also want to thank Brooks for all the support this year, I am so thankful to be a part of the Inspire Daily program! It has been a major part of my success this year!

If you are looking for a neat marathon on an extremely flat course with great weather and a nice calm...BEAUTIFUL...route, I recommend this one. Just be warned! Passports are required, and it is very much Fall in Niagara Falls.

Even though 2:52 was not what I wanted to run, it was a huge PR done almost completely alone through half way. I am going to take it, recover and move on. It looks like there will be another marathon in my future, another chance to run 2:49, and I am looking forward to it.

Thank you to everyone for the good luck and the congrats, I am behind on seeing how everyone has been do with training/racing. I have noticed a few PRs! I will say that after I get caught up, I will be taking a short break from the blog as I recover from the marathon. Good luck to everyone in their Fall races and I look forward to reading the recaps!

THANK YOU ALL!

-Megg

That hurt.

2011-10-24T06:32:00.001-05:00

Niagara falls marathon results: 2:52:16 for 1st!
Led the last 24 miles...the last 11 miles solo. That wore me out. Great recap coming soon! Thanks for all the support!!!

Get Inspired.

2011-10-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

Kidding. Four days....

Training for the week..7 days out from 26.2

2011-10-16T07:40:00.002-05:00

Monday: 9.7 miles
Tuesday: AM: 30 minutes PM: 2 miles with the neighbour
Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 4X 1 mile on the track, 5:29, 5:22, 5:16, 5:13 (rest of 3-3.5) 10 min c/d
Thursday: 9.16 miles
Friday: 45 minutes easy
Saturday: 12.7 miles in 1:27 (relaxed and easy, 6:50 avg with some 6:10's thrown in just to make the legs feel good)
Sunday: planned 50-60 minutes

The workout on Wednesday confirmed that the track IS much fast than mugshots. I felt great the whole time, actually looking forward to doing a few more of those sessions after the marathon. This was a very much needed week of taper. 7 days...26.2 chances for the race to go badly...1 chance for it to go well :)

Miss Maddy turned 1 yesterday. We had a great time playing with balloons and stuffing our faces with cake.

Before

After

Dad

Maddy

Being funny with Mom.

After a good nap

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl!

My Husband's Coaching Feature on Mississippi State Athletics (video).

2011-10-12T19:41:00.000-05:00

Check it out. Thought he did pretty AWESOME!

This past weeks log.

2011-10-09T17:58:00.000-05:00

Monday: 60 minutes
Tuesday: AM: 20 minutes PM: 8.25 miles (treadmill)
Wednesday: 2.5 mile w/u, 7X800m w/ 90sec rest on Sanderson Center loop (2:43, 2:42, 2:39, 2:43, 2:37, 2:39, 2:30)- no c/d, ran out of time
Thursday: 65 minutes
Friday: 70 minutes
Saturday:16.00 miles in 1:46:33 (6:38 avg)
-7:37, 7:02, 6:41, 6:30, 6:32, 6:04, 6:38, 6:36, 6:27, 6:22, 6:56, 6:40, 6:31, 6:12, 6:41, 6:52
Sunday:47 minutes easy

1st week of the taper. 14 days until 26.2
In a bad mood. I have not had enough chocolate today.

Atlanta 13.1 Race Recap

2011-10-08T16:42:00.003-05:00

Better late than never!
Last Sunday: 2.5 m w/u, Half Marathon in 1:20:37, 2 m c/d (17+)

Top 5 Results:

Men:

Emmanuel Ngatunyi 1:03:59
Reuben Mwei 1:04:33
Jynocel Basweti 1:07:30
Devon Berkness 1:09:49
Nathan O'Connell 1:10:22 Women Lilian Mariita 1:17:28 Justyna Mudy 1:17:46 Meggan Franks 1:20:37 Jill Horst 1:21:16 Tamara Karrh 1:23:39

Maddy in her Jammy's getting ready race morning!

My Mom flew into GTR late Friday night so we waited until Saturday morning to finally leave for Atlanta. The drive is always difficult for me with passengers as I have no patience driving in traffic, so by the time we picked Houston up at ATL (he was getting off the plane from the Paul Short meet) I was pretty stressed! After picking up the packet, we went to a nice pasta restaurant for dinner (HA! Pasta, of course I never ate it, filled my face with bread instead,) Maddy had had enough by 8:30PM so we all ended up with a pretty good night's sleep.

Morning....

After gulping down a cup of some of the most highly unpleasant ( nasty) hotel coffee ever, Houston drove me to the start line about 15 minutes away and then drove back to pick up Mom and Mad. The air felt good and so did my legs, I tried my best to keep warm and relaxed before the gun went off exactly at 7:00AM

Mad and Dad cheering around mile 6

Miles 1-4 - Running in the dark
6:18, 6:06, 5:55, 5:44
The first 4 miles felt like we were running in circles up and down a freakin mountain. I could feel my hip and calves slowly tighten up but my breathing was controlled. The pace was fast even though Meagan and I had planned running about 6:10 pace, but the effort was the same being that the first 4 miles seemed more down hill than up. Still, once we hit mile 4 the tightness in my hip caused me to slowdown and relax.

Somewhere around the second half

Miles 5-8
6:08, 6:12, 6:16, 6:06
Once we hit mile 5 on Peach Tree Rd, the lady that would eventually finish second had already gaped by a respectable 20 seconds. The pack I had been running in broke up completely (Meagan finished her very respectable 5 mile tempo run before heading back to work the "after run party") and I found myself in no-mans-land. It was about this time I discovered I had a biker companion and he did everything he could to shower me with positive comments. It was around mile 7 that I was passed by a male runner (AKA "Taste The Win" is what I called him, that is what his singlet said) and instead of getting discouraged I convinced myself that if I didn't catch up to him I would end up fourth and out of the money (literally).

Miles 9-13.1
6:17, 6:16, 6:29, 5:55, 6:05, 49 (5:20 pace for .15)
Heading into the hilliest section, I passed "Taste The Win" and really started to get after it. I heard a little rumor (from Meagan) that the second half was harder than the first- heck, YES! miles 8,9,10 were filled with sharp uphill and downhill climbs. Even though I really FELT like I started moving, my garmin said otherwise. I split 10 miles in 1:01:30 and felt I still had a chance to run 1:19 high. This goal disappeared quickly when we headed into a windy, paved, trail and split a 6:29 (groan).

Atlanta 13.1 Elevation Chart

My friend the biker told me that 4th was 40 seonds back, so if I wanted to end up third I really needed to get after it. Once I got my legs turning over I was surprised how good I felt, and almost disappointed that I didn't pick it up sooner. About 11 miles I passed me Husband screaming at the top of his lungs and my Mom and Maddy playing paparazzi. Houston would later catch up with me (on his feet) to which I would scream at him "That's illegal pacing you know." (Not really but funny at the time) I will say that if he caught up to me when I was running 5:55 going up, he must have been running 5:20 effort in jeans and boots. Got to love an overly dedicated Coach and Husband!!!

Half mile to go....
Typically when I run half marathons I feel sorta like I am running on the verge of passing out. I guess I was "waiting" to finally get tired or die. When I heard my biker yell "half a mile" I was almost in disbelief, "Am I really doing this?"
After a quick downhill my biker and I finally parted ways and I ran the last 250 meters or so to the finish (at 5:20 pace with the help of the hill). I watched the clock tick 1:20 and I couldn't help it, I was smiling and fist pumping! I had done it, skipped the 1:22's, 1:21's completely!

Feeling good coming into the finish!

Huge PR= Fist pump!

1:20:37 ranks me 14th on Canada's 2011 best list. Not as good as the marathon, but Atlanta 13.1 is not what you would call a "flat and fast" course! The goal is to run NOLA in the spring for a 1:19 or better.

Thanks for all the support and congrats! Was a well deserved PR! Look forward to reading everyone's updates! Niagara falls only 15 days away!!!

Good day for a PR.

2011-10-02T18:37:00.001-05:00

Atlanta 13.1 half marathon results: 1:20:37 for 3rd female
PR, hilly as heck, perfect weather!
Recap coming soon!
-Results

Maddy- cheering me on, even though I am HER biggest fan :)

Mom took this just after 11 miles where I split a 5:55!

I wanted Maddy to get a picture with the bear. Maddy did not enjoy it. Yes my pants are falling down.

Just for Fun

2011-09-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

Emergency purchase for Atlanta 13.1 Sunday:

New pair of Brooks Green Silence

This makes me smile :)

Niagara Falls Marathon Elevation Chart

And last, but certainly not least:

For those of you racing this weekend, GOOD LUCK! I'm certainly going to need it :)

Tapering for Niagara. 5 miles at "Hard".

2011-09-24T15:35:00.001-05:00

Monday: 80 minutes w/ M & D
Tuesday: 60 minutes
Wednesday: 2.5mile w/u, 2.5 mile c/d, 5X 1 mile in 5:30, 5:29, 5:18, 5:35, 5:29 (5:28 avg. on road course)
Thursday: 60 minutes
Friday: 70 minutes
Saturday: 3 mile w/u, 5 mile "tempo" on " new campus 5" in 28:14, 50 minute cool down (14+ miles)

Course mile splits: 5:35, 5:42, 5:36, 5:42, 5:39 for 5 miles in 28:14
Results from garmin: 4.9 miles at 5:45 pace for 28:14

Today's workout was supposed to be 5 miles at hard tempo. I think it just ended up being 5 miles at hard. For those of you that don't know, "new campus 5" is the old campus 5 with just a bit extra added on. However, the loop and garmin still did not agree completely.

I started this run with the men's team. The plan was to stay in contact and try to pick off someone that starts having a bad day. That didn't happen.

By the first mile I was already 10 seconds back, and the gap just got bigger from there. After about 2 miles I basically couldn't see a single soul, trying to run sub 5:40s by myself is not something I am used to. Still, I went through 5k in 17:30 or so. Good but not true tempo, more like REALLY HARD.

Mile 3 I started having a little bit of a melt down, I had a side stitch and my hip was a little tight, I tried to slow down and maintain effort. By the time I hit 800m to go, I was kicking hard but felt like I was running terrible...the goal was originally 28:45 and I felt like I was slower than that. 28:14 was a huge surprise.

I am 4 weeks out from Niagara falls and I am starting to feel a little tired, I took my miles down this week to make up for it. On Saturday we will travel to Atlanta and run the Atlanta 13.1 against Ms. Meagan Nedlo. I am so excited to have some super studs to race against, my half marathon PR is pathetic in comparision to what I have been training at... I really hope to run a good race.

As for Maddy, she took 4 steps on Wednesday night. How fast she grows, it amazes me. We are practicing her "cowbell" skills. She's a natural, probably because her Daddy and Mommy are both bulldogs. It's in the gene pool. She will go to her first football game tonight.

I apologize for my lack of "blogging" lately. I'm just tired.

This past week's log.

2011-09-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

Monday: 90 minutes w/ D & M
Tuesday: 50 minutes
Wednesday: 3 mile w/u 7X1000m on the CC course, 3:25 (solo bottom loop), 3:45 (up the hill), 3:21, 3:28, 3:19, 3:23, 3:21
(the loop was actually 1070 meters, so times were converted)
Thursday: 76 minutes w/ K
Friday: 70 minutes w/ M
Saturday: 21.43 miles w/ M & K, 2hrs 26min
7:35, 6:51, 7:15, 7:22, 7:13, 6:59, 6:38, 6:32, 6:37, 6:40, 7:01 (trail), 6:23, 6:30, 6:31, 6:34, 6:54, 6:44, 6:56, 6:43, 6:58, 6:38, 2:47 (.43)
Sunday: 40 minutes like a snail.

2 weeks until Atlanta 13.1, 5 weeks until Niagara 26.2. Lets hope I don't do anything stupid from now until then. Like, agree to play a game of super competitive (haha) wiffle ball and make the ONLY slide (into first base) that causes my hamstring to cry in pain all day long....

Wednesday's workout was with the team on the CC course. I was quickly reminded why I hate VO2 max workouts. I know these workouts will become more frequent from now until the marathon and beyond. Unfortunately, my calves were not too pleased with me afterwards and I was left with a huge knot in my left calf that caused me to miss out on a few extra miles Thursday and Friday. Obviously, I made up for it on Saturday. Even though the run went well, I felt tired after about ten miles. The last 4 or so were ran on the cross country course during the MSU XC invite, in which we won BOTH the men's and the women's!

Had a great weekend with Mad and Dad. In less than a month our little girl will be a year old....a year! I can't believe it. Trying to cherish every minute..she grows soo fast!

Inspiration for Thursday

2011-09-15T06:34:00.000-05:00

Week training recap: 6 weeks out from Niagara Falls Marathon

2011-09-10T21:55:00.004-05:00

Monday: 15.3 miles on treadmill w/
30 min @ 7:03
10 min @ 6:53
30 min @ 6:44
35 min @ 6:40

Tuesday: 60 minutes
Wednesday: 10 min w/u, 20+ min c/d, 4X2mile on road course w/Garmin, 2-2:30 recovery
5:56, 5:48 = 11:44
5:48, 5:58 = 11:46
5:56, 5:43 = 11:39
5:52, 5:55 = 11:47
Thursday: 4 miles easy (slept in, ran out of time)
Friday: 72 minutes (62+10 on treadmill)
Saturday: 2.5 mile w/u @ 7:00, 2.5 mile c/d
16 mile marathon simulator in 1:39:56 (course was short)
Results from Garmin: 15.5 miles in 1:39:56 (6:26 mile pace or 2:48:30 marathon pace)
6:41, 6:35, 6:22, 6:30, 6:19, 6:27, 6:22, 6:19, 6:32, 6:25, 6:38, 6:29, 6:29, 6:28, 6:10, 2:59 (5:59 pace for .5) - hilly road course
Sunday: 65 min run

Miles for the week: 78+

Good week of training. If I would take the time to figure it out, I may have PR'd for the half marathon in the middle of my marathon simulator. No complaints.

Nine things to do on Labor Day when its pouring rain.

2011-09-05T17:37:00.002-05:00

1.) Strut around the house in your birthday suit.

2.) Drink a few extra cups of coffee.

3.) Play on the internet for a bit.

4.) Get a good run in on the treadmill.

5.) Catch up on some quality reading.

6.) Dig in the fridge for some good eats.

7.) Do some online shopping.

8.) Indulge in some sweets.

9.) Get in a good snack or two.

Happy Labor Day y'all!

Ridgeland 5K Run for St.Jude Recap w/ Video

2011-09-04T20:56:00.003-05:00

Ridgeland St. Jude 5K results:

18:10, $300

1^st female

Results from Garmin: 5:38.5 pace for 3.22 miles. (17:32 or so)

How it went down…

I went out slow and after about 800m, I had already passed everyone that had gone out too hard. Being very conservative, I went through the first mile around 5:39: slow, but up-hill. After catching number 3 soon after, I ran completely solo until the finish. Being aggressive in mile two (slowed down just a little), we headed into a major downhill section for about 600m (we deserved it, we ran uphill into the wind for two miles). This was great for me as it helped my legs from tying up and actually helped me run a huge negative split.

Below is a link to the video of the finish. Keep in mind that the first male doesn’t go across until 17:08, then 17:30, then me at 18:10. I finished pretty strong J.

VIDEO: http://ustre.am/_19vIc:PQL

So the map (here http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/42287050 ) measures the course at 3.29 miles. If that was in-fact the distance then I ran equal to a 17:13 for 5k, or 5:31 pace. Howvere, Garmin measured 3.22 miles twice. So, ya know, what garmin says goes.

This was by far the best 5k I have ran and raced this year based on the course and how I felt. Because I am curious to see just how fit I really am (compared to what I used to be) Houston and I have talked about doing a time trial on a course I am familiar with and making a comparison. The course is a the “mugshots 4 mile” it is a tempo loop measured with a car. Even though everyone now cuts the median that makes it short, I can still use it to compare times when I thought I was very fit.

I heard a lot of complaining about the course being long afterwards. It felt good when the 2^nd place male mentioned that if the course would have been accurate I would have had my state record, I know right! Missed it by three freaking seconds. (Unfortunately, Houston tells me that for a race to be certified, it needs to be long. Really, I would just want to run one that is 4990m, then I would be happy.)

If I look at it from another point of view, I was 3^rd overall behind two males one of which ran 17:30 and regularly races 16:40-17:00 on the roads. The male winners runs around 16:20 usually (he ran 17:08). So all in all, I think I fared well.

And the rest of the week…

Monday: 87 minutes

Tuesday: 60 minutes

Wednesday: 12 miles with 7 miles at goal half marathon pace: 43:01 (after going out at 6:25 for the first mile, I averaged 6:06 pace) I felt absolutely relaxed and fabulous. This is the first time in 8 years my hip has not locked up in a tempo run or race type situation. I don’t even know what else to say about that.

Thursday: 72 minutes

Friday: 55 minutes with 4X20-30 seconds strides at sub 5:00min pace

Saturday: 3.5 mile warm up, 5k race in 18:10, 60 minutes cool down

Sunday: 64 minutes easy

This week brings a medium long run Monday, really hard workout Wednesday and (GASP) marathon simulator on Saturday. Remember, last time the simulator didn’t go really great. Actually it went terrible, Houston had to peel me off the pavement. So hopefully...2^nd time is a charm.

Ok....just one more.....

No walking yet, but we (Maddy) is standing on her own :)

Happy running, all!

Mama's got wheels.

2011-08-28T17:12:00.006-05:00

A good week of training. Still had a few days were I was pretty drained, but all in all I can't complain.
Monday: 80 minutes

Maddy during her only calm moment at Ruby Tuesday's on Sunday!!

Tuesday: 60minutes w/ strides
Wednesday: 3.5 mile w/u, 2 mile c/d, 8X1000m at L. Threshold (3:33.9 avg) w/ 60 sec rest.
Thursday: 80 minutes
Friday: 50 minutes recovery
Saturday: 20.5 miles, w/ first 7 miles at relaxed, 13 at marathon pace (6:37 avg)
7:50, 7:09, 7:12, 7:01, 7:00 6:53, 7:01
6:46, 6:43, 6:42, 6:33, 6:28, 6:42, 6:39, 6:27, 6:37, 6:34, 6:42, 6:36, 6:34, 6:47
.5 mile jog
Sunday: 2 mile walk/run w/ M.E., + a 60 minute recovery run

Miles for the week: 75-77. I typically don't keep track of miles, but I know that if I want to get down to 2:50 for the marathon, I've got to start averaging closer to 80 miles a week. Because of my responsibilities with Maddy, family, and work, 80 miles is my max. After I get through running everyday, life takes over.

Wednesday I joined the Women's XC team for "1000s" on the fields at the Starkville Sportsplex. Houston told me repeatedly that this workout was L.T. and nothing faster. Feeling very relaxed and going through the first 1000m in 3:18, I told him "there is no way in hell that is 1000m meters". Still, we continued on, running them all around the same or faster. Clocking 3:01 for my last one, it was very clear that the course was short, and Houston did end up going out and remeasuring. It turns out that the course was only 900-915m and all our times had to be converted. All in all, the workout was a walk in the park and I am hoping that I will still be able to jump in with the team later in the season when they start doing their fast stuff. Fingers crossed!

Saturday I was scheduled for another 20 miles, and after realizing Thursday that I was completely out of SaltStick, Houston made a last minute trip to boardtown bikes to get me some endurolytes (thank you, Mr. Amazing). I am not familiar with endurolytes, but I was desperate at this point. Mississippi in August is not the most ideal conditions for a 20 mile run. Fortunately for me, the temperatures were pretty mild compared to what they have been and I did not experience a single cramp. To be honest, after 7 miles at a relaxed 7:00, 6:37 pace started feeling like a jog and I ended up with 13 miles at goal marathon pace (6:37). Again, no complaints here.

Sunday morning I expected to wake up with a throbbing achilles and an aching back, but I felt neither during my 60 minutes at a snail pace. I am hoping to continue riding this fitness train until October 2nd when, thanks to Meagan Nedlo, me and Mr. Half Marathon (aka my arch nemesis) will meet for the final time in Atlanta this year. Wish me luck. It might get ugly...for Mr. Half Marathon I mean.

On another note, I know that a few of you probably got your new copy of Running Journal yesterday. This issue has been dedicated to Mr. Charles Reagan, and if you open the cover there i a short article about him. Mr. Charles recently passed in a tragic way, and once I saw the article my heart sank. I never knew him personally, but I would remember that bright purple singlet and shorts anywhere. In March of this year I ran the first half of Germantown Half Marathon with Mr. Charles, he was friendly and helped keep me positive through the first half. It seems that Mr.Charles was one of the South's best Grand Master's runners- he was this years Grand Masters Running Journal Grand Prix Champion. He won the 45-49 age group four straight years in a row. The video of his tribute is below. It is beautifully done, I encourage you to watch it.

Reader Reviews- Running Duds We Women Swear By.

2011-08-28T16:46:00.003-05:00

After the running skirt review, these fabulous readers gave
some advice on their favorite running shorts, tights, and skirts.
Thanks, all. Read on!

Meg O @watchmegorun said...

I have three different brands (of running skirts) - champion, nike, and lululemon. My favorite is hands down the lululemon skirt. It fits the best (as you get numbered sizes rather than small, med, or large) and it's the best length for me (it isn't super long as I don't really like that either)

Jenn

I wear mostly Brooks and I LOVE it but Lululemon really makes some comfortable shorts. They make a lot of comfortable things if you want to pay $54.

Ana-Maria RunTriLive

Yes, I am voting for shorts too. And yes, Lululemon speed shorts are awesome - short, nice waste band lower on the hip, wicking material, the most comfortable shorts in the summer! Be careful though, once you get a pair, the $54 price tag becomes worthwhile and pretty soon you find yourself justifying more and more purchases.

Miss Erosion

I really like the Nike Pro Girls Boyshorts. I have always wanted to try out the lululemon clothes; but I have a very hard time forking over that much $$$.

Lize Brittin

Ha! You might have me switcing to a skirt despite my former protests. It is cute.

Tina @GottaRunNow

I like my North Face skirt with three pockets. http://gottarunnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/north-face-running-skirt.html.

ayedubbscclark

As for shorts, I like the moving comfort spandex shorts. Hardly ever ride (unless they are getting old) I also like the longer spandex shorts, too.

My Review of A Running Skirt (and a training update)

2011-08-21T09:52:00.004-05:00

I had a great week of training with the exception of two bad days. School started back this week so our office was super busy and I was just too tired to run a lot on Tuesday and Friday.

Monday:86 minutes
Tuesday:48 minutes
Wednesday:18 min w/u, 5x1600m in 5:47, 5:12 (fast mugshots mile), 5:36, 5:35, 5:40, 25 min cooldown
Thursday:78 minutes
Friday:50 minutes
Saturday: 4 miles at 7:00, 10 miles at marathon tempo: 6:29, 6:36, 6:36, 6:25, 6:15, 6:28, 6:28, 6:33, 6:19, 6:29, 2 miles cooldown (7:30), 16miles total
Sunday: 60 min run

Saturday's long run was planned to have 10 miles at relaxed tempo in the middle. So when the group took off that morning, I hung back for a couple miles at 7:00 to get my legs warmed up. A whole slew of Starkville High's Mens XCountry Team was in attendance, and I watched with pure joy as they took off flying at the start. I caught back up with their front pack at the second water.
After a very brief gatorade break, I impatiently explained to them that it was getting hot and we needed to get going. I couldn't help but notice the glazing eyes and red faces... I knew then that I was about to have some great fun.

He next two legs I hammered out with absolutely no one in site. Though the splits may not look impressive, I swear I had (which I rarely have) trouble with my Garmin as it failed to pick up a consistent reading. Miles where I clocked 6:28 or 6:29 felt much faster and harder than 6:15 or 6:19, and for once I finally disagreed with the watch (no freakin way). But regardless the run was excellent. By 8:00, it was hot a heck and we were all dripping with sweat. I am looking forward to seeing what I can really do when things start to cool down in a month or so.

As for the skirt...

Sunday morning before brushing my hair. No garmin today!

Yes I did wear it, last weekend for a super easy run with my friend ME. I almost didn't put it on because I thought she would laugh at me (she is in 11th grade) which I think she did anyway. I don't even know how I did it, but the skirt I got from brooks actually matched one of my sports bras. So not only was I wearing a skirt, but I totally matched also.

You may not be able to see it, but my cup actually says "PLAN TO WIN." Every single time I use this cup Houston tells me, "Plan to win today, OK?" It doesn't sound funny, but he has done it so many times that I feel like punching him.

So back to the skirt. Well after the initial weirdness of running in a skirt wore off....actually no, it never wore off...I felt sorta comfortable. To be completely honest, I did like the waist band, and the tiny shorts in the legs didn't ride or bunch up. I know I am a Brooks ID, but I do think Brooks did a fabulous job with this skirt (I bought it, they never gave it to me). The craftmanship was excellent (ok, I am trying to sound like I know what I am talking about here, but they always ask me about the "craftmanship", which I assume is how the thing is put together).

The cons... for me, the skirt was long, but if you like it to be long to hide figure flaws, I completely understand that. I also feel that all the extra stitching may rub a great deal in a long run...but I don't know for sure because this run was only 6 miles.

I would also like to point out that the skirt fits a heck of a lot better than any of the shorts I am wearing now-a-days. I am a tights person..love tights because I never have to mess with waist bands and extra fabric. The band on this skirt never moved during the entire 6 miles.

I don't understand why sports apparel manufacturers cannot get women's shorts right, yet we can purchase running skirts that fit beautifully. We need shorts that are much more than just a shorter crotch length and tighter waist band different than that of the same style of men's short. We all have hips, regardless of how many miles we run.

The running skirt I purchased can be found on the Brooks online store at brooksrunning.com. This review was completely unbiased, not "unbiased" like the "unbiased" review Joggers World did on the Nordic Track treadmill Houston and I purchased about 8 months ago (they rated it a Joggers World Best Buy). HA! Not according to the man that had to come fix it for the millionth time...I mean, I could have just lit a few thousand dollars on fire. Thanks a bunch, Joggers World.

If you have a runner skirt or favorite pair of shorts that you swear by, let me know. If you review them, send me the link to your post in a comment and I will post a link to your review and your site. I am all about running in clothes that fit. If you have good info, you should pass it on.

Maddy and Daddy. Maddy is 10 months!

My Maddy turned 10 months this week! Not walking yet but certainly falling all over the place! Can't believe she will be over a year when I run my next marathon!

Happy running all.

This week in training...

2011-08-14T20:36:00.002-05:00

Monday: 80 Minutes (10.5~ miles-can't remember and cleared my Garmin)
Tuesday: 40 minutes easy (fever)
Wednesday: 10.5 miles with 6 miles in the middle at half marathon race pace with garmin (6:13) (felt so relaxed!)
Thursday: 10.5 miles w/ Kelly (77 minutes) with 5 miles in the middle at Kelly's marathon pace (sub 6:52)
Friday: 50 minutes at snail pace
Saturday: 2:17 (19.65 miles) 7:55, 7:10, 6:34, 6:48, 6:59, 6:25, 6:49, 6:42, 6:54, 6:44, 7:16, 6:59, 6:59, 6:58, 6:58, 6:52, 7:20(.65), 6:29, 7:04, 7:35 (w/ Garmin)
Sunday: Recovery run of 45 minutes

Really recovered on the easy days this week. Caught another sinus infection that wore me out in the beginning.

Ran my tempo run at a relaxed pace...I guess this would be true tempo...and felt amazing!

Made the mistake of forgetting my salt on my 20 miler and paid for it with a massive cramp in my diaphragm the last few miles. The route was massively hot and hilly.

Overall, not a bad week in training.

Too busy to write much more.

OH--Yes, I wore the skirt. (Review coming!)

New plan: Getting ready for the Niagara Falls International Marathon

2011-08-07T17:24:00.007-05:00

Monday: 81 minutes w/ M.&;D.
Tuesday: 73 minutes
Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 2 mil c/d, 8X800m on Mugshots, 2:41 average
Thursday: 70 minutes recovery run
Friday: AM:20minute shake out PM: 20 min w/u, 20 min c/d, 3.3 mile race in Oxford, 1st: 18:44 (17:40 through 5k, 5:40.6 avg)
Saturday: 14miles in 1:35 (6:47 avg ), 1 mile super easy (15 miles)
Sunday: AM: 40 minutes

Besides not meeting my miledge goals, I had a great week of training. Even though the week started off with a terrible case of weakness syndrome.

Monday I woke up with another sinus infection (great) and M. and D. practically had to drag me through an 80+ minute run. By Wednesday, I felt fresh and had a fabulous workout of 8*800m on the mugshots loop at 4:45am, getting down to 2:33 on the down hills, averaging about 2:41 for the whole workout.

Friday we drove to Oxford (the school up north) to run the 3.3 mile Endurance weekend race. Though they had advertised it as a 5k, I knew it was a long course going in because the map they had advertised clearly showed that it was long. Warming up I noticed that all the cones kept us on the right side…thus, we ended up with 3.3 miles in total race distance according to Garmin.

At the race start I felt good, and as we went through the first mile that included a nice uphill, I clocked a 5:36, not bad. I didn’t feel labored at all, mile 2 told me I was running about the same pace, but as I caught up to Kyle Lewis at about 1000m to go (a former 14:03 5k guy at ole piss who has not ran since march ) I felt my body cramp up and my legs just tank. The last kilometer had another 500m climb then a flat to the finish; I passed through what should have been the 5km mark in 17:40 (not bad for this course). Though I was fine with this, I am frustrated that I cannot hang on through the last mile. Most of this is because my focus is now marathon/half-marathon type training and my 5ks will suffer. Oh well, they were never my specialty anyway.

Maddy, 9 1/2 months

Saturday morning I had planned to gut out 15 miles at roughly 7 min pace. However, I felt good from the start, and averaged 6:35 for most of the first half. My hip starting tightening up at about 11 miles in and I slowed down to run closer to 7:00 pace towards the end. Positive: 6:30ish pace is easy to maintain for quite a while and I am looking forward to the next round of training.

So, whenever one door closes, another one opens. And I am very excited to announce that I am now running the Niagara Falls International Marathon on October 23. I am ready to run another good race (pending everything goes perfectly in 26.2 miles) and am grateful for the opportunity.

I am also looking forward to another half marathon towards the end of September, and a 5k coming up later this month. I finally have a game plan! Anyone else running a fall marathon?

Happy running, All! (Oh, BTW, the skirt came in last week.)

Running Blog Q&A: 10 Ways to recover/refuel/re-hydrate during summer training.

2011-07-31T12:38:00.002-05:00

A FAST running acquaintance of mine messaged me today requesting some tips on recovering, rehydrating and refueling after hard sessions. I was very flattered by this, and though I am not a nutrition expert, I think I had some decent advice to pass on. Below is the Q&A. Thanks again!

The Question:

I noticed that you were training for marathons and I just had a question about recovery and nutrition. As I start to add miles to my long run and keep up a speed workout and maybe a tempo per week I just do not recover well right now.I don't know if it is a nutrition and fueling issue, but I suspect it has something to do with it. Do you have any advice about what to have after harder workouts and after and during longer runs? I would value any advice you have on the topic. I am also not a small runner (5'8, 140) and so I do have to be careful about what I eat somewhat...I have to start really adding miles but this slow recovery process each week is really holding me back (forcing me to cut runs short sometimes and taking extra, annoying rest days). I take a day off right now, but sometimes have to take 2 days off due to soreness. Frustrating!

Thanks so much! I appreciate any advice!!

My Answers:

I have had a major problem with fluids and the nutrition part in the past. This year, I am doing a few things differently and I think they are really helping me....

1.) I do my recovery mileage a lot slower than I used to and cut down to one workout and one long run a week if I am having trouble. My long runs are at a pretty fast pace though...I don't crawl. I don't run twice a day and just focus on one quality run. But your goals may be different then mine.

2.) I don't try to empty the tank during workouts like I used to. This is hard for me because I have a 100% or nothing attitude when it comes to workouts. I have been a lot more careful.

3.) I take saltstick (you can buy it on amazon) as a supplement and during a long run or race. I take one about every 30 minutes with water or gatorade. There are other brands, too.

4.) I take a powerbar gel every 4-6 miles. During a 20 miler I will take up to four.

5.) We take water and gatorade every 3 miles during our long runs. The group I run with sets it out. If I don't run with them, I will have 3-4 places that I will stop and take a gel and my salt...

6.) I have major cramping issues usually...and my legs start to feel heavy so I have been taking iron since having Maddy last year, I will take it for 3 weeks then take a week off. I also take B complex and B-12 everyday. I find this helps a lot. I don't recommend taking iron if you have not had any sort of iron issues in the past. Iron overload is dangerous.

7.) I have had major success taking brewers yeast also.

8.) Make sure you are getting water, but also replacing the electrolytes lost. I suck back beverages all day, but I take my salt and my B's to replenish.

8. 1/2) I eat chocolate in large amounts everyday. I don't know what this has to do with anything but I felt I should mention it.

9.) Don't concern yourself with not being a "small" runner. I believe the body will find out where it wants to be. Runners should not diet because a diet is not a lifestyle. I'm sure you know this though.

10.) I have bought HEED and cytomax had success with both. I'm not taking them now, though.

Thanks for the question! Hope this helps!

Meggan

Rally cap kind of week.

2011-07-30T15:47:00.003-05:00

Monday: 12 mile (85 minutes) w/ 4 miles in the middle at 6:35 pace, 4 attempts at strides.
Tuesday: 8 miles (60minutes)
Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 3X2mile on "campus 5"-measured w/ car- @ 11:33, 11:34, 11:13 w/ 800m in between, 1 mile c/d (10 miles)
Thursday: 65 minutes recovery (8+)
Friday:75 minutes (10+)
Saturday:17 miles in 1:55:50 (6:48 avg, last 14 at 6:39 avg)
7:49, 7:20, 7:22, 6:56, 6:48, 6:46, 6:37, 6:31, 6:50, 6:39, 6:37, 6:38, 6:27, 6:44, 6:17, 6:42, 6:38
Sunday: Planned 8 miles

Total miles for the week: 74 in singles
Total dove chocolates for the week: 96 (or 4224 calories)

I woke up Monday and told myself this would be a rally cap kind of week. The stomach flu had left me super dehydrated for the first few days but didn't destroy me.
I made a comment Wednesday that I don't yet think my body has completely recovered from Winnipeg.

Ha, wrong!

I did a great job taking my salt, gatorade, and water late in the week because I had some chest cramping Wednesday (my sign that I need to hit the fluids). Though I didn't sleep much, Saturday morning I woke up feeling confident I could finish my long run.

The plan was to run 17 miles at a decent pace with a few legs at Mpace (according to coach Houston) but after 3 miles at a warm-up effort, I felt fabulous...I wanted to test the waters a little bit.

I felt light and fast...and was rather surprised when I was already cracking the 6:30's by the second water stop. Even though I did stop to take my gels (3 gels, 3 saltsticks) I didn't waste time, we got back on it as soon as everyone was hydrated. After all, its about to be August in Mississippi.....we were baking out there.

Aside from some hip cramping at mile 11 and 16, and my shoe strings coming completely untied 3 mimes (they kept slipping in the sweat) I had no issues. At one point I ran a 6:17 to catch back up after tying my shoes...and realized I had a lot left in the tank. I am not sure how long I can keep riding this fitness train, but heck, I'm going to keep riding it until it runs out of gas.

Hopefully it doesn't.

We had a great group out at the Whites being that Jan Morgan was visiting. For those that don't know, Jan was hit by a vehicle while riding in late May. She has made an amazing recovery and it was emotional for everyone to see her walking, talking, and in good spirits! Truly amazing!

At this point I still don't know what I am training for. I want to run NOLA next year and Canadian Marathon Champs, I want to crack the top five, I want to move up my ranking from 9th to 5th. But I'm not sure what to do from here to December. At one point I wanted to do Toronto...but I'm fairly certain I didn't make the cut. But that's ok. I understand. I need to have a little better performances under my belt before that can happen.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Yes I am slightly bitter. But hey, I can respect the decision.

In the end, its just running. My Maddy is almost ready to walk so I spend most of the day trying to keep her out of everything, as does Houston. Trying to find a good race to run has been put on the back burner.

9 1/2 months!!

As for the running skirt, it hasn't come in yet. Don't worry, I have not forgotten...

I bought a running skirt.

2011-07-27T18:32:00.000-05:00

Yep.

So my post about the Fastinista made me realize I needed to try one out--a running skirt. On WomenTalkSports I received a comment that made me order one.

Anyway, I only think it is fair that I order a skirt, wear it, review it on my blog. Based on the feedback, it seems I am missing out.

So here it is:
http://www.brooksrunning.com/Glycerin-Skort/220352076.025,default,pd.html?start=20&cgid=womens-sale

Kinda excited about it.

Training Update: New Orleans Trip w/ Stomach Flu (for the whole family)

2011-07-24T18:40:00.000-05:00

This week was suppose to be a big week for me. 3 runs of 80 minutes, a long run of 17 miles, and two medium workouts. Unfortunately, it just didn't end up that way.

The beginning of this week, Maddy got sick with stomach flu. It was awful to watch but she took it like a champ and was completely her normal self the next morning. Wednesday night Houston and Maddy drove down to New Orleans with me, as I had a few meetings at Tulane Thursday and Friday. Maddy slept the whole way and was in a great mood on arrival at "Park View" bed and breakfast, a small historic hotel that neighbored Audubon Park (right next to Tulane).

Audubon Park, NOLA

Waking up early Thursday morning to run, Houston an I both felt tired and leg heavy. I had done two medium workouts in a row so it was expected, therefore I cut my run from 80 minutes to 70 minutes.

That afternoon when I returned to the hotel Houston let me know he also had stomach flu. By that evening, so did I. We spent the night battling hot/cold flashes along with other symptoms while Maddy caught up on her beauty sleep.

Friday morning, I knew I probably should have taken the day off, but instead I struggled through one loop of Audubon park before cleaning up and heading back to Tulane. That afternoon I was super exhausted and still not feeling up to anything, so Houston, Maddy, and I walked half a mile to a crepe restaurant and ordered three crepes to-go. After one or two bites we were completely full, and spent the rest of the evening hanging out with Maddy on the porch of the hotel.

Veggie Crepe. No appetite for it.

Maddy and her big baby blues getting dinner Friday night.

Saturday morning I had planned on running 17 miles. Since coffee didn't brew until 7am at this hotel, I went out sans caffeine and figured my legs would wake up after a mile or two.

The lack of fluids and food was very evident in my body from the first step, and after 35 minutes I was completely spent. I had planned on breaking up the 10 mile portion I had at marathon pace anyway, but now I opted out of it completely. After one lap of the park at 6:30 pace (about 1.8 miles) I called it a day (7.5 miles in). I was too weak and tired. The old Meggan would have ran 2 1/2 hours versus the 2 I had scheduled. This Meggan is a little bit more rational.

We finally squeezed our vacation into the rest of the day, going to the French Market and Cafe du Monde that morning, doing some drive-by site-seeing, then driving out to the middle of swamp country (nowhere) around lunch time and driving back along the coast. I slept a good portion of the way back. I think Maddy was more excited than anyone to be home.

Cafe au Lait & Beignets from Cafe Du Monde

Monday: 80 minutes w. strides
Tuesday: 60 minutes w/ 25 minutes of short fartlek (30-70 seconds)
Wednesday: 80 minutes w/ 5 miles in the middle at half marathon race pace (6:12) (added on afterwards on the treadmill)
Thursday: 70 minutes with Houston (he was pushing Maddy in the jogger)
Friday: 20 minutes (stomach flu)
Saturday: 55 minutes w/ 2 miles at 6:30 pace in the middle (stomach flu)
Sunday: 60 minutes at 7:08 pace (treadmill) abs & back

I'll be back on it next week.

What is a Fastinista? Are they ruining my sport?

2011-07-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

I picked up an issue of Runner's World yesterday. On the front was a photograph of a female triathlete wearing a pink and white patterned skirt (running skirt for those who don't know) with a matching spaghetti strapped sports bra, patterned arm warmers, and pink Nike flats. My first thought was "What in the world?", "Have I missed something?" Eventually I flipped open the magazine to see what all this ridiculousness was about.

They call the Fastinistas. It's like a Fashionista, only that you are "Fast" and "Fashionable". These are the new females of the running community. Putting in the miles and setting PRs wearing running skirts, bright/colorful racing flats with matching hats, running tops, arm warmers and knee socks. It seems that women want to look good, get noticed, and running companies are up to the challenge- making everything and anything to get these women looking sharp- even running dresses! Oh My!

I have trouble with this. I feel like my sport is being taken-over by those "type" people that care more about the way their makeup looks then how fast they run their mile repeats. I feel like this sort of attitude is one of the reasons why female distance running is not always taken seriously. Am I wrong? The article also includes a picture of Kara Goucher wearing black arm warmers in her 2008 marathon debut, and Shalane Flanagan wearing bright white knee socks at NYC 2010. I'm obviously not the expert, but I don't think arm warmers or knee socks make you a Fastinista, if I'm not mistaken Deena Kastor has been wearing arm warmers for years...I think I remember a double at X-Country nationals from way back where she was wearing them. And with knee socks, I don't think Flanagan was wearing them to be fashionable.

Deena Kastor at Chicago in 09. Photo courtesy of runwashington.com

Paula Radcliffe wearing knee socks almost 10 years ago. I think it would be safe to assume she was not trying to make a fashion statement.

Don't get me wrong, there are days where I go out for a run and I do like to match, and I am lucky that most of my running clothes do look good. And fashion will (and should) belong in women's sports because society really cares how we look, and we care because it is something (I believe) that is ingrained in us just because we are female....

But a sports bra and shorts is about as far as I go. In the end, the only thing that really matters is how far and how fast I train or race. I have never wore a running skirt. My brooks shorts have pockets that allow me to carry my gels, my sports bras are comfortable and do the job they were designed to.

I will also say, I have seen a lightning fast half-marathon won by a women that was wearing a running skirt and matching sports bra. If I was in that race, I would have got my butt handed to me. Maybe she was a "Fastinista?"

A true "Fastinista" Sally Meyerhoff is pictured here winning More Magazine's Women's Half-Marathon (in a running skirt). Sally died in a cycling accident early in 2011. Sally was a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier and two-time All-American at Duke.

Last but not least, I must admit that the rise in women's running skirts has left me wanted to try one and see what the craze is all about. Good thing is that I run at 4:30 in the morning, so no one will see me!! Although, Brooks makes some super cute ones. Maybe, just maybe, there is something to all this "Fastinista" talk after all.

Training week in Review:

I still don't know what I am racing yet.

Monday:10 miles

Tuesday: 9 miles

Wednesday:8-9 miles w/ 8x800m at 2:39-2:43 w/ 2 rest

Thursday: 45 minutes recovery

Friday: 8-9 miles

Saturday: 16 miles in 1:51 w/ some good miles thrown in there

Sunday: 55 minutes super easy

Bad habits never go away

2011-07-13T19:00:00.001-05:00

I know I eat a lot of chocolate, I am open about this. I "monitored" my intake over the last two weeks and realized I eat, on average, half a bag of dove chocolate promises a day. This is roughly 750 calories and 45 grams of fat...I'm not going to mention saturated fats.

This is a terrible habit, but it is one that I really don't have a desire to give up right now...I'm not sure I can.

I will start tomorrow. *wink* *wink*

I have issues.

2011-07-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

With my back, obviously.

This week was ok, minus the whole relaps in my back/hip. Things were going well and, like always, they just fell apart. Today I am having trouble bending my leg at the knee and the last few days I have been experiencing serious hip and lower back pain. After getting some advice from Caitlyn Clark I contacted Nate Jenkins to see if he had any recommended solutions. It turns out he also experienced the same loss of coordination and ended up with a bulging disc that was fixed with surgery. Though I like to believe that this is not the case with me, I know that I am not cured of this mysterious back problem. Though my P.T has fixed the rotation in my hip and I was able to train without (too much) interruption, I still deal with this crap on a daily basis, just a little better than what it used to be. Thinking back, I have not had an MRI in 7 years and, at the time, everyone was convinced that it was in my hip/knee. I am leaning towards getting another one. Who knows, maybe someday I will be able to sit for more than 20 minutes without pain.

As for training, things were fine until today. This morning was running group and because we didn't have a sitter, I started at 5:30 so I could get 5 miles in before Houston left to run with boardtown. I finished with another 9 miles on the treadmill at 6:40 pace (9.0). I felt fine fitness wise...but I locked up 4 times at the hip. This hour did not go uninteruppted, there was a bathroom break, diaper change, breakfast for Maddy.

Besides a couple of breaks, Maddy was a champ for me. I appreciate her good mornings. She is such a wonderful child.

Monday: 60 minutes w/ Kelly
Tuesday: 40 minutes
Wednesday: 10 miles (74min)
Thursday: 8 miles w/ 5X(3min/1 min hard) with 60/90 rest. I don't know exactly what I did the whole way but I got down to 5:30's during the 3 minute efforts (on the fast end) and 5:10's on the 1 minutes (on the fast end) I felt fabulous with the exception of my left foot splitting open again.
Friday: 9 miles with D. (67min)
Saturday: 14 miles with 9 miles at 6:40 pace (broken down into about 4x15minutes sections if I had to guess, nice and relaxed, hip was tight)

I still have no idea what I will race next or what I am training for. There is talk of a Marathon in late October. I'm not 100% sure. I change my mind about everytime I change Maddy's diaper.

I also apologize for not be responsive on the comments. I am going to try and go through all of them tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great long run/workout/or race this weekend.

Megg

Sacroiliac Joint (S.I. Joint) dysfunction and running. How to deal, what works for me.

2011-07-04T20:33:00.001-05:00

I've been getting this question a lot so I thought I would blog about it.

People have been asking me about my "hip" and what it feels like/ what I do about it. In college I was misdiagnosed with piriformis syndrome and ran hurt 75% of the time. It was not until I was out of college that a chiropractor convinced me that this was definitely not the case.

What it feels like: Besides serious hamstring tightness and a bad achilles, about 3 miles into a race or hard tempo run, my hip starts to cramp along the inside of my hamstring down to my knee. I will then have trouble bending the leg at the knee and start to "lose control" of my left leg. My lower back will cramp up. My pace and form will really suffer. Sometimes will get relief after about 4 miles of this awkwardness.

Over the years I have tried everything and anything, and felt that the reduced running schedule while pregnant may help the issue. Of course, pregnancy did not help and the joint pain returned almost immediately. After talking with a few female friends I finally found myself again at physical therapy at OCH (the local hospital).

TO be completely honest, if you suffer from S.I. problems you are probably going to suffer with this problem for life. Everyone I have ever talked to regarding this injury is that you never get over with it, but you can do things to keep it from flaring up.

What is different about this time versus all others is that I finally found a P.T. that deals with her own S.I. problems, and she never twisted, pounded, or pushed to hard. We worked everything slowly and diligently and thus I was able to complete my first marathon successfully.

What worked for me was a combination of my S.I. exercises twice a day on my own, P.T for the S.I. joint problems 3 times a week, and a session with a sports massage therapist on average of once a week. I am not over the S.I problems, but I am able to train without interruption.

Here is a video that describes this problem in great detail:

Here are a few recommended exercises. Please keep in mind that you should not do any of these without discussing your injury with you doctor...and I am not a doctor! Hope this helps.

Megg

Happy Canada Day! Deciding what my next Canadian Marathon will be.

2011-07-01T17:54:00.001-05:00

Even though I am 3000 miles away from my home, I am still going to celebrate Canada Day...being that Maddy and I are Canadian.

People keep asking me what Canada Day is. I keep telling them "Your July 4 is our July 1." Doesn't that make sense?

The game plan is to run either the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16th http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

OR
The Niagara Falls International Marathon on October 23rd
http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/

In Toronto I will get my butt handed to me by a long list of elites..but I have a good chance of running fast. In Niagara Falls I have a good chance of placing top 5.

Either way, the goal is to run 2:55 or under.

Happy running, all.

Megg

Taking a little rest...

2011-06-26T20:58:00.001-05:00

Taking a much needed easy week. 2-3 full days off and lots of 20 minute runs that may have ended up as walks. I'm not hurting a lot, but my legs are a little heavy feeling still. Eating lots of chocolate, cleaning lots of house, and catching up on my Maddy time.
Training will resume in a week or so.

Manitoba Marathon Race Recap & (lots of) Photos.

2011-06-22T21:02:00.006-05:00

Manitoba Marathon results: 2:58:10 for 2nd female finisher.

This is the first time I have had a chance to sit down and try to accurately describe the events of this past Sunday. To tell you the truth, I was in a sort of comatose state running this 26.2 mile race and I really don't remember most of it. I am going to do my best to recap this race, I may be off by a mile or two, but here it goes.

The START

The race was set to go off at 7:00AM, so I woke just after 4:00am so I would be sure to get my stomach filled (and emptied) before the race start. I was nervous but I slept really well (because Maddy slept well). I don't know if I was more nervous for the race or leaving my Husband with my father, daughter, and nephew! I must say, on a fathers day, Houston really carried the team. He is honestly one of the most amazing men you could ever meet and I am so thankful he is mine.

After an extremely emotional Canadian National Anthem (it's been a while since I have race in my home country) the gun went off and I found myself in 3rd by about the 2nd mile. As we entered the first residential area, my hip cramped up and I slowed (see splits below). I tried not to get frustrated but I contemplated dropping out: CRAZY, YES! Because just after mile 8 it started to get loose. That was the last time I felt it the entire race (thank you P.T. Shannon, I could NOT have done it without you, after ten year, I finally have some RELIEF).

This picture was somewhere around mile 7 or 8 I think.

MILE 1-9: 6:43, 6:40, 6:38, 6:43, 6:48, 6:50, 6:48, 6:48, 6:44

Mile 10

My hip had loosened up and I found myself back on pace but well over 20 seconds down. Instead of waiting and gradually moving back on number 1-2, I caught them within 2 miles (I would pay for this later in the race). I talked with the lady that would eventually finish third, a mother of two and probably the best marathoner of the three of us. She had ran Fargo just over a month earlier and let me know that her legs just were not feeling it today. After chatting a few minutes, I picked it up and would not see her again until the finish.

This picture is across the foot bridge around mile 11.

Splits 10-16
6:40, 6:33, 6:41, 6:50, 6:44, 6:41, 6:43

I caught up to the women in first at about mile 12/13. Instead of running with me, she tried repeatedly to get right on my butt when we had the whole road to run along. This made me angry. On the track is one thing, but seriously, drafting during a marathon when it is completely unnecessary...come on! I think I darted to each side of the road about half a dozen times and she just didn't get it. I eventually got extremely frustrated and decided to drop the pace down. This would at least give me some breathing room. Unfortunately, I freaked out and let her back up again...it was still so early.

Once she did tire, I made another big move and lead from about mile 18-25

Splits 16-24
6:38, 6:34, 6:43, 6:49, 6:43, 6:47, 6:52, 6:54

Around 18 or 19 miles, we caught up with a lot of walkers from the half. As I was passing one women waddling along, I heard her say out loud, "I AM A BIG DEAL." I could not help but laugh, did she accidentally say that out loud? About 10 seconds later, I passed a volunteer holding a sign that said just that. Upon passing her, she shouted out to me, "NICE ABS." It took me about a mile to figure out she was actually talking to me. After all, I was running a marathon and not really all there.

Mile 24
I don't quite think that the BEAR jumped on me but this is where everything started changing. My back started to cramp up, similar to what it has done in training when I have suffered from dehydration... I began to freak out and I thought I was going to crash and burn. I started to take my salt stick but realized the last two pills I had dissolved in my (completely soaked) shorts. I didn't come all this way to kill my race with only 3 miles to go, so I started pacing off a man in front of me. I told myself, "If I can run 7 minute pace until the end, I will still be under 3 hours". Breaking 3 hours was more important than winning, 1000 dollars, anything else. I didn't want to be greedy, I wanted to run under 3 hours and I wanted to finish this damn race.

"Humpty Dumpty had wall issues also.."

Mile 24-26
7:01, 7:05, (6:29 pace for .48- yes the course was long, but I will take long over hilly any day.)

I was passed at mile 25, and I couldn't think enough to cover the move...I'm not sure I was thinking at all. I just wanted to break 3 hours, I kept picturing myself crashing...I tried to keep myself calm. My biker (yes, I had the biker the whole race, how totally VIP) started trying to get me fired up the entire time... and with 450 meters to go I realized three things:
1.) I wasn't going to die
2.) I could still win
3.) I had WAY to much left

Before entering the track for the finish

I ran this last 450 meters like I was running the last lap of the mile..it looked ridiculous. Though I made up alot of distance, I eventually ran out of time and lost by 11 seconds. At the time, it didn't bother me. Now, it makes me furious. I hate loosing in a race I was capable of winning... I did everything I have been taught not to do. Don't loose a race in the last mile, especially when you led when it was hard.

I have been keeping my cool by telling myself that I will get another shot, and things will be different next time. I will be faster and stronger. In January, I was running just under 1:28 for the half coming off my pregnancy. This time, I am in 1:22 shape or faster. I will be much fitter for my next marathon.

Finishing Kick.

Finish

After the finish they walked me to a small VIP tent and attempted to feed us some super spicy food....I wanted none of it. We were all given a "go to" person. She kept trying to bring me things...chocolate milk...water....a dry coat. I really just wanted to see my Maddy and Husband. It had been a long morning. After all, I had been running for almost 3 hours!!!

I must give mad props to my Husband. He made it to almost every major section, and offered me gatorade and a few extra gels (I took 7 gels, two salt sticks, and plenty of gatorade) how awesome! At the end of the day, me and my Sis took everyone out for fathers day. I helped myself to a burger and almost 16 ounces of wine. I slept terrible because of this.

I took two whole days off and basically ate the same as if I had been running. Not sure why but my appetite has not changed. I'm not to worried about it, I am pretty sure I will lose whatever ounce I gain through training in the next few weeks.

Besides the back cramp late, this marathon was easy. I ran conservatively and truly believe I can run under 2:55. My new goal is 6:38 pace (I just ran 6:46 pace for 26.48 miles). I am pretty sure Houston knows what works for me now. I am quite confident that the marathon will be my race from here forward. After all, I did go sub-3 my first time out the gates. Thats gotta count for something.

Thank you everyone for the support and for the congrats, it means alot to me! I have found inspiration in all of you and I appreciate each and everyone on of you! It was a damn good weekend.

SPECIAL THANKS TO GINNY FOR HER BLOG SHOUT OUT TO ME:
Check her out at: http://happyfeet26-2.blogspot.com/

As for Maddy...she had a blast with her cousin Aiden. She played so hard and came back INSPIRED as well. Climbing on EVERYTHING and talking more than ever. How fast she grows amazes me, I don't know if I want her to keep growing or stay the same!

Aiden bothering me and Maddy

Grandpa, Maddy, Aiden!

Mommy and Maddy, my sister Andrea (she ran the half in 1:53 after organizing two relay teams and playing an entire softball tournament the night before)

My Maddy!

That's all I got! Back to family time. Happy running, all!

Megg

First Marathon= SUCCESS!

2011-06-20T20:42:00.000-05:00

Manitoba Marathon Results:
2:58:09 2nd female, $500

1.) I finished.
2.) I broke 3 hours.
3.) I didn't break anything else :)
4.) I FREAKIN DID IT!

Race recap coming soon! Just busy!

Tuesday's Hero: Joanie Benoit Samuelson 1984 Olympic Marathon Champ (video)

2011-06-14T05:28:00.001-05:00

In 1984 Joanie Benoit Samuelson (then Joanie Benoit) won the first ever Women's Olympic Marathon.She took the lead early and ran the majority of the race solo to the finish.

In 2011, she is now 53 years old (or young, in her case). A recent article from CBC Boston talks about her recent Boston Marathon performance, in which she ran 2:51.29. A true inspiration to all.

(photo courtesy of CBC Boston)

(Note: in 1983 she ran a world record of 2:22.43).
My Tuesday's hero is Joanie Benoit Samuelson.

Happy running!

WARNING! Marathon Inspiration Ahead! Read at your own risk!

2011-06-12T10:54:00.003-05:00

I was very successful with my taper for the Manitoba Marathon this week. Houston was gone for the NCAA Div. 1 Track and Field championships (MSU finished 20th on the men) so I ran with Maddy in the jogger except for Wednesday night and Saturday (I had a sitter). I slept till 4:50, got up and made coffee, Maddy's bottles, changed and dressed her and tried to be out the door around 5:30 AM. Even though I got a few weird looks, Maddy LOVED it! My back and legs, not so much...but it was worth those extra few minutes with my beautiful child.

Wednesday's workout was easy. It was 90ish degrees.Nothing was impressive about this workout, I just watched my Garmin and tried to maintain a 5:24 mile pace (roads), a pace I felt I could handle for over 15 minutes. This excites me because it was SO EASY. I was also decked out in brooks, so I looked good doing it, who doesn't love that!

Saturday I felt like a million bucks, even though the hip got tight before the end. I felt better running 6:15 then 7:15. This is a good thing.

I am not revising my goals at this point. Its my first marathon, I am going to run the pace I have been training for (6:45) and hope that it equals to a great race. If not, I will have a heck of a story to tell! I am nervous but I have never been more sure of any race than this one. I can do this, I just got to be patient early, and smart in the middle.

IF MARATHONS WERE EASY, EVERYONE WOULD RUN THEM!

I have been getting my gear ready, trying to prepare myself for the 26 miles to come. Gels, shorts, shoes (thank you Brooks! ) its going to be a great day!

P.S. - Anyone ever run their Garmin through the wash? What was the result? Just asking...no reason...

This week in training:

Monday: AM: 8.5 miles w/ M, D, N

Tuesday: 45-50 minutes easy with the baby jogger

Wednesday: AM: 30 min with the jogger PM: 15 min w/u, 15min c/d, 5X 800m on roads at 5k pace (2:42 avg, felt great for 90 degrees!)

Thursday: 45 minutes with the jogger

Friday: 40 minutes with the jogger

Saturday: 10.7 miles in 73 min, w/ a bunch of miles at 6:15-6:30 thrown in to help my legs feel good.

Sunday: 50 minutes easy (legs feel great)

Photos and (Finally) a Red Hills 5k "Race Report"

2011-06-10T20:39:00.004-05:00

Here is the link to the "article" http://wwncurrentnews.blogspot.com/2011/06/more-than-100-participate-in-red-hills.html

Pictures courtesy of wwncurrentnews.blogspot.com - click to enlarge

Just 26.2 friendly reminders...

2011-06-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

I want to throw up.

Tapering for my first Marathon...really?

2011-06-05T20:20:00.003-05:00

Training results this week
Monday: 2:00 hr long run (17.1 miles) w/ 13 miles @ 6:33-6:48
Tuesday: 45 minutes recovery
Wednesday: 60 minutes w/ Micah
Thursday: 10 miles w/ 3X2mile @ 5:58 average, 2-2:30 rest (on hilly loop w/ garmin) + 1.5 miles & 40 min camp workout (killed my back and hip)
Friday: 55 minutes easy
Saturday: 90 minutes (13.0 miles) w/ 3 miles in the middle at 6:20, 6:11, 6:16
Sunday: 55 minutes easy

Looking back this does not look like the best tapering week ever..but I still have two more weeks...(oh..gosh!). My Husband was home this week and he made a ton of sacrifices just so I could get my runs in. I was so thankful for this. He is truly an amazing man.

Next week I will reduce my runs by about 10 minutes (total time). I will drop down to 800m repeats for my workout, and my long run will stay at about 10 or 11 miles. I'm still going to run enough that my legs don't feel heavy. I am terrible when it comes to tapering...

Monday I ran long w/ one of Houston's athletes staying on for nationals. Ended up being a perfect run for me...I had no chest cramping and my hip did not get tight till just before 2 hours. I figured this was ok being that there was only a day in between the race and the long run. I've been doing a lot of P.T. also.

Thursday's workout was one of my best. It may not look like anything exciting...but I had to run it solo and at 4:40 AM. I ran a random 10 mile loop and basically just went after it, trying to run at a pace I felt I could handle for 10 miles. I felt great and barely labored the whole way. THEN...I went and did the camp (our summer camp has mandatory training in the morning) workout with the student counselors...that was a mistake. My hip has been tight ever since.

Saturday's long run didn't get started until 6:45..and it was damn hot. I only took half a gel and didn't have any problems with cramping or dehydration what-so-ever (besides pouring sweat and all). I ran a leg towards the end at about half marathon effort which killed the hip. Really, that was stupid of me but I really just wanted to go after it a few miles.

One of the most impressive things I have seen in a while...my husband pushed our 7 month old daughter in the baby jogger for almost 13 miles. I clocked him at about 6:40 or so the whole damn way. He even kept up with me on the fast parts...and he ran half the damn thing on the GRAVEL. I guess the training I am writing for him is paying off. I must say, he is being very dedicated and has not missed a single day of training. He will run a great half marathon this year when we figure out just when and what he wants to race.

That's really all I got. Back to family time.

Megg

SHARE THE ROAD!! You might just save a cyclist's life.

2011-06-02T18:56:00.010-05:00

About 11 days ago, a member of Boardtown Runners and owner of a Boardtown Bikes, was struck by a vehicle while out for a training ride in Clay County. Though the cyclist was wearing a helmet, she suffered life threatening injuries and remains in the CCU in Tupelo hospital. Though I only know this cyclist through casual conversation, I feel like these accidents are just becoming much more frequent...possibly our cellphones are part of the blame.

I urge anyone that sends the occasional "text-while-driving" to STOP. You may just save a life. If you have time to WAIT on that phone call, or pull over to the side of the road, please do! Your friendly cyclist thanks you!

A direct quote from NEWS360.com, "At least three cyclists have died and several others have been injured in the past couple years after vehicles slammed into them on Northeast"

Read more:NEMS360.com - Struck Starkville cyclist clings to life (the comments on this article are extremely interesting if you are into that sort of thing.)

If you would like to support the "Share The Road" movement, please join them on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Share-the-Road/234910034906?ref=ts&sk=wall

and/or copy the image above to your facebook or blog. There are a ton of different images available if you search google images. There is probably a "share the road" organization in your state, all you have to do is search for it.

If you need help doing any of these things, please message me or comment.

SHARE THE ROAD! You may just save a life!

Red Hills Festival 5k Race Recap: 1st. 3 weeks out from marathon debut.

2011-05-28T19:24:00.015-05:00

Red Hills Festival 5K Road Race in Louisville, MS.

17:48, 1st female, $200 (and a trophy bigger than my Maddy!)

Recovery Training Week

Monday:60-70 minute run (can't remember)

Tuesday: 35 min warm up, 30 minutes at half marathon pace (6:10-6:20 pace, 4 mile split, 24:50), max of 8 min cool down (ran out of time) - sick w/ diaphragm cramp

Wednesday: OFF- AM: 20 min bike, PM: 30 min bike

Thursday: AM: 20min, PM: 70 minute run (diaphragm cramp at 40 minutes) 6 ish X 1 min at 10K pace (awful run)

Friday: AM 20 minutes (treadmill broke) PM: 26minutes (diaphragm cramp)

Saturday: 3 miles at 7:00min pace, 5K road race in 17:48, 60 minute cool down

Sunday: Planned easy run 45-60 minutes

Well, that weeks over.

Ok so, some negatives this week on the running part... forgive me for this...the dehydration/diaphragm cramp from last Saturday basically hung around all week. On top of that, I got my 9th sinus infection since Jan of last year (when I got pregnant with Maddy) so that didn't help anything. Tuesday I was suppose to do 40 minutes at 7:00, 30 minutes at half marathon pace. It took me over 30 minutes just to get my legs going (yes it was 4:45 am, but still!) the tempo portion was not difficult, but I felt sick, tired, chest cramp. I decided to take Wednesday off. Thursday I got a sitter (Houston was gone to Regionals all week) and ran in the afternoon. I ended up having to jog portions of this run because of the damn chest cramp AGAIN. Completely frustrated, I ran super easy Friday...but the cramp still lingered.

Then I had a melt down.

I know right? Seriously, I don't even know what about. I mean everything and anything came crashing down, it was pathetic! I have so much going for me, I need to stop freaking over spilled coffee and being 2 minutes late for work!!! I cannot stand it when people don't know what they got. I have EVERYTHING. Boohoo...so my running wasn't going well, SUCK IT UP!

....I guess it is important for me to say one of the main reasons why I run (why we all run) is because it keeps me from going crazy. I have (like everyone) major problems with anxiety, and an obsession for schedules and numbers. Running feeds into this obsession, if I don't get my Garmin fix in the morning, I'm going to have issues for the rest of the day. Being that Houston was gone all week and I had to take days off/ alter me regular running schedule...made me a complete psycho. After getting in a good bit of running Saturday... I was back to my normal self again.

Sort of.

My friend Timmy and me after the race!!!Love Timmy!

SOooo about this race. Like what the hell? I know, I know. Training for a Marathon- 5k does not correlate. Well...I wanted to run this race for a few months, and didn't fully commit until pulling out of the drive way at Maddy's sitters Saturday Morning. I had had an awful running week dealing with cramp and all that other B.S., I needed a little confidence boost ( yeah, a 5k when your training for a marathon, how is that going to help confidence???Smart idea....) so I decided, lets run this 5k and see what I got in the tank right now. (ok, stupid)

So I drove the 30 minutes to Louisville, paid my 25 dollar entry and went on a 3+ mile run of the course before the race started. My legs still felt heavy and the temps were creeping up higher by the minute...it is summer in Mississippi, it is damn hot. BUT...looking around before the start I realized I could make history for myself (win overall PERSON) and made a decision...

Houston once told me...You can either run safe and run for time (i.e. be patient early, work the middle, run a good last mile)

You can run for the win and risk killing your race completely......

Yes, yes... and he adds...but a win is a win!

One thing about racing to win- don't let the people you are trying to beat get away from you. And being that patience is not really a strong area for me, I went out (chasing "knee brace" and "Timmy" for the win) guns a blazing- 5:26, (2:45 through the 800m)

I know your thinking, hey that’s not too bad! What gives, I'm not following???.... WELL 5:26 is too fast for me 3 weeks out from the Winnipeg Marathon. (Marathon training here...) I have not done enough V02 work to maintain that type of pace through 3 miles.

Ha, but then I took the lead and tried to maintain.

Here's a little brain recap.

Mile 1- 5:26

Alright girl, your feeling good and you gotta maintain. If you want to win this one, go after it! Only 2 miles to go... 11 minutes or so, get it going!!! This race is yours! ....Oh Lord, this is going to HURT!

2nd mile 5:37

Uh oh, my hip is getting tight, I slowed down some...I can't get my legs going--gotta push! ...Shouldn't have wore these new flats! WHAT WAS I THINKING? Oh shut up, you only have a mile left, keep it up!...OMG, I am going to puke....

---2nd place, knee brace, catches BACK up with me with about 1000m remaining, and yells "Your a BEAST!" ....thanks knee brace, I'm am going to hang off you and out kick you at the end, hope you don't mind!----

Last mile + (you do the math, I already did.)

Holy crap, my chest is cramping bad, what, is that the finish??Already? YES!!! I'M KICKING....I'm...I'm....I'm winning, WINNING!!!!!WINNING IT.....I GOT YOU KNEE BRACE....oh...uh oh...wait...no...no...damn it!!! DAMN, HE GOT ME!

So knee brace found another gear about 20 meters from the finish. At first I thought I had him, but obviously not. BY this time I felt like I was going to vomit up my lungs any way.. and was really just happy that this race was over with.

I then spent the next 15 minutes trying to walk/jog the cramp out of my chest, and then...once I got to a point it was manageable...continued to run the rest of my hour cool down.

Positive--even though this race was VERY BADLY executed...I am 3 weeks out from the Winnipeg marathon. Marathon training mode!!!. I was going to be happy with much worse,..I'll take a 17:48 on the Roads!!!! It will be nice to see what I can late in the summer when I start training for the short stuff! Nice.

Wow. Some healthy post-race options here!

Look at this trophy! Seriously, it’s like I ran a national championship or something! So big I could not get the whole thing in the picture…and I tried a few times. Trophy had it’s own seat back to Starkville.

Plan for my long weekend? Play with Maddy girl!!! She just went for a big swim in the tub and is having a nice little nap. Love my weekends with Maddy !

Happy running, all!

Megg.

Just For Fun: During Pregnancy and After Pictures

2011-05-24T20:07:00.012-05:00

I just saw these and they made me laugh.

Pregnancy was the most amazing experience for me. Aside from 9 months of feeling like I was riding a roller coaster immediately after eating a double cheese burger, I was constantly amazed at the changes of my body and the little Maddy growing inside.

Enjoy!

35 weeks

39 weeks versus 7 months p.p.

7 months after- Me and My Maddy

6 1/2 months after - Me and My Maddy!

(actually, this is Maddy at 5 months, but it is sweet!)

Marathon Simulator FAIL! Valuable hydration lesson learned.

2011-05-21T19:54:00.009-05:00

Weekends = Fun day with Maddy! Look at her waving! Another milestone. There truly is NOTHING better than being a Mom.

Training Week in Review:

Sunday: 60 min super easy

Monday:70 min run

Tuesday:72 min run

Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 3mile/2mile/1mile at tempo, 3min recovery in between. Results from Garmin: (17:59 for 3miles (5:59 pace)/11:50 for 2, 5:55 pace/ 5:14 for 1 (5:14 pace)

Thursday: 65 min run (achilles)

Friday:55 minutes easy (achilles)

Saturday: 2 mile w/u, 12 miles at goal marathon pace:

6:42, 6:44, 6:43, 6:44, 6:44, 6:43, 6:43, 6:39, 6:36, 6:47, 6:47, 6:56, got super dehydrated at 12 so called it quits early, jogged 30 min home, see below for details.

Sunday: Planned 70 min run

What a week..... My coach had his second open heart surgery, but my sister-in-law was also missing for 2 days. Both Coach and sister are OK at this point, and please forgive me if I choose not to comment further on either. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words.

My husband was home (!!) and my father returned to Starkville for two days mid-week so Houston ran Wednesday's workout with Micah, David, and I, as well as Saturday's planned 16 mile Marathon simulator (thanks, yes he is amazing). Wednesday's workout went well and I didn't feel labored at all, and was way under pace the whole damn time. Do keep in mind that with the exception of the last mile, this workout was ran with garmin. The last mile - 5:14- was ran on the last mile of mugshots which I don't think is entirely accurate- but its still on the roads so who cares..

I was so damn ready for Saturday once it rolled around. Probably a little over confident now that I look back.... I didn't eat much dinner (filled up on chocolate) or take enough fluid the night before. That morning during my short warm up, I could already feel the temps quickly climbing above 70 degrees (just got hotter from there), and basically 100% humidity. I should have taken note...

I was a freak about this workout, I ran with Garmin on a two looped course out at Boardtown- one I had ran over 100 times before. I knew every mile marker, and being that I had my Garmin, I knew this run would be 100% accurate, I need 100% accuracy, I am a psycho about it. It drives Houston crazy....and it should, I am crazy.

I put water glasses out so we could easily grab them without stopping, and carried gel in my shorts. This craziness ended up biting me in the ass in the end! I was so consumed with keeping a 6:45 pace, I neglected to take enough fluids early and opted out of a few of the times I had planned to take gel. I was feeling like I was out for a Sunday stroll, and was confident I could drop the pace down to 6:25 or better for the last 5 miles. However, once I hit 10 miles, things started going down hill quickly. First I started to feel cold, then dizzy, then my diaphragm and chest cramped up... and I knew dehydration was setting in. Once I got to 12 I was just doing more damage then good, so we called it a day and jogged home.

At first I was extremely disappointed, but looking back at my training I have done this workout many many times before in some shape/form or fashion. Also, once I got re-hydrated and rested up, my achilles and legs felt pretty damn good, so maybe it was meant to be. Lack of a super hard Saturday may just help me nip this achilles problem in the ass.

I must give mad props to my running friends. Once again I am amazed how people continuously train for marathons and run the damn things successfully. I am training for the first one- and once again I can't get the nutrition aspect right. Being a northerner, I have always had problems with hydrating enough. Also, I have never been one to over-consume, I think over-planning meals is a waste of time (please, no one take offense to this, more power to you if you can make the time to prepare lovely meals for you and yours, the oven just doesn't bake fast enough for me)---not really a healthy outlook, but that is just the way we roll in the Frank's household.

So the next few weeks will shift my focus to some of the non-running things that may make my marathon successful. Sleeping more, drinking more, and being more aware of how much nutrition I am truly taking in. In the end, it wont be the pace that will kill my race, it will either be the hip or dehydration. (Oh and the hip was tight for 3 miles, given that I had it reset twice this week, I think that was not a bad result).

Anyways, I am past this morning. Being that my husband is here all weekend, we are going to do our best to just enjoy our family time! Not track meets, no practice, just Maddy, Daddy, and Mommy and a whole bunch of quality time! Nothing better!

The only man I still call "Coach".

2011-05-18T05:30:00.004-05:00

Last Thursday in Athens, GA, my Coach (former college coach) went into cardiac arrest twice. He fell into the arms of Steve, the head coach at state, and my husband, the head xc Coach at Mississippi State, during warm-ups at the GA track. Moments later my husband called me in a state of panic. I grabbed my keys, picked up Maddy, and drove through the night with Coach Al’s wife and daughter....we arrived around 4:00am. I spent the next few days watching the SEC Track and Field meet and visiting with him. He is alive and doing much better and he is scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery Thursday. This will not be his first rodeo so please keep him in your prayers.

When I came to the realization that I had almost lost the one and only man that I call COACH (I don’t even call Houston “Coach”, and he respects that) I realize just how much I take my relationship and the memories I have with him for granted. Before Al I was a lost and lonely high school athlete that had obsessively ran twice a day everyday for almost 2 years trying to find a way to “run” away from home. I succeeded only because Al took a chance on me. Though I was never as successful in college as I wanted to be, I definitely had a very successful college career only because he believed that I was capable of everything, and like myself, he was never satisfied.

This man has been a mentor for me since day one. I was compulsive, irresponsible, mean, and self-centered. I may be all those things still, but he took me in and helped me establish some sort of direction in life, and in a way, he became a father-figure being that I was over 3000 miles away from home at the time.

Though our relationship was rocky at times, it was the best relationship I had with anyone going through college. Coach now calls himself “Grandpa Al” as he happily pushers Maddy around the track in her stroller any chance he gets.

I know this is selfish, but I CAN’T lose Coach. Too often STILL do I come to him for support. I have cried so many times in his office then I can remember. And thought I have yelled, screamed, and cursed at him- he never holds in against me. Because in the end he knew we both were just trying to be successful.

My best memory in College- and boy do I have many- Is probably of my senior year at state. This was one of my worst years ever. Though I was plagued with injuries all through college, I had over-trained (not a new thing here) throughout the summer, fall, and spring only to enter the outdoor season tired and hurt again. My back and hamstring never responded to treatment the entire year. The morning before the SEC meet I couldn’t even run 10 minutes on my hamstring. We had spent weeks trying to get me just to the point that I could race- just finish! I could not warm up the morning of my race and highly doubted that my pulled hamstring would allow me to finish. I spent 4 hours listening to “clocks” by cold play and praying to God, “Just give me ONE MORE RACE”. And I truly believe to this day there was someone out there on the track with me, because I would later learn just how out of shape I really was. I wanted nothing more than to score just one more point for the team, JUST ONE! JUST GIVE ME ONE MORE POINT. And as I stepped on the track that night, I truly committed to running this race or dying right there. If finishing meant death, then surely that would be the end of me. And thus I ran the best race of my life, not the fastest and not my highest finish, but by golly it was with every ounce of my being. – I finished 7^th, at one point moving from 8^th to 4^th, and eventually back to 7^th as my fitness finally caught up with me. So yes, I got my last two points ever. Not my best, but given the situation, I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.

Coach walked up to me after the race and said, “J.C. girl you are one of the best big racers we have ever had. I don’t know where you got it today, but thank you. It’s been a damn pleasure.” And with that, I realized it was truly the end of the most amazing five years of my life. (at that point in time).

Today, I take all the lessons he taught me and I pass those on to the kids I coach, I find myself repeating some of the same things he said to me. I tell them, “YOU will give up on yourself well before I give up on you, I will never EVER give up on you.”

And therefore, Coach, I will never give up on you either. I know there is a hell of a fighter in you- because that same fighter is now in me. Good luck tomorrow.

Megg

5 weeks out from Winnipeg Marathon

2011-05-14T20:51:00.008-05:00

Monday: 70minutes

Tuesday: 70 minutes

Wednesday: 5X1 mile on roads w/ 2:30-3min rest, 5:40, 5:30, 5:34, 5:29, 5:34 (80minutes)- In training shoes cause of achilles, ended up being a great idea.

Thursday: 52 minutes with Maddy in the jogger

Friday: 70 minutes in Athens, GA

Saturday: 1:40 for 14.6 miles (6:50 pace), last 5 miles at 6:30 pace. Hilly does not do this run justice.

Not a stellar week but...its a week and it was not bad. I had a lot going on this week that I would rather not post about- partly because I was asked not to just yet. It was just a hard week for everyone.... didn't seem to phase Maddy what-so-ever. Who is this child? Seriously, I know she is mine but she is absolutely amazing.

Going to P.T. for the hip and it seems to be helping. 16 miles at goal marathon pace is this Saturday. Wish me luck.

Oh I also, joined HoneyMilk.com. I've got an athlete profile on there somewhere.

BTW, Brooks T6 Racers are some of the best racing flats I have ever put my ski-sized man feet into.

To bad my joints can't handle the pounding just yet to race in them.

Being a Mom and being an athlete- yes I can and will do both: 6 Weeks out from Marathon.

2011-05-08T08:29:00.006-05:00

Training update: 6 weeks out from Winnipeg Marathon

Monday: 70 minutes with M&D

Tuesday: 60 minutes

Wednesday: 2 mile w/u, 8X800m @ 2:36 avg (on road loop) 2 rest, 3 mile cool down, w/M,D,Houston

Thursday: 70 minutes (felt great)

Friday: 60 minutes

Saturday: 21 miles in 2:24:50 (6:53 average for the run as a whole)

splits: 7:43, 7:10, 6:55, 7:02, 6:59, 7:01, 7:12, 7:01, 6:48, 7:01,

7:03, 6:31, 6:43, 6:28, 6:43, 6:43, 6:35, 6:39, 6:43, 6:41, 6:59

*Record setting day! Longest run in my life= 21 miles

In the next few weeks I will attempt a 16 miler at 6:45 pace- this will mean no stopping to take gels/water- I will need to learn to take in fluids and carbohydrate via Houston throwing these at me out the window of the car. ….Wish me luck.

Wednesday’s workout was suppose to be 10X800m w/ 2min rest. This workout was done at 4:45 in the morning on the roads, so I gave myself a few seconds for that. My pace was slow- 2:44-2:48 because I just raced a half- but after running the first 3-4 at a conservative 2:43, I dropped down to 2:30 to average around 2:36 for the whole thing. Besides some tired quads, I felt pretty damn good the whole time. Given the state of my achilles, we cut out the last two and ran a longer cool down.

Saturday’s run was pretty much that same feeling. I ran relaxed early- not sure how I would handle 21 after having raced the Saturday before. After taking Gatorade just after 11 miles, I started to get impatient- I yelled out to M. - “Please don’t think I am an ass hole for running up here alone.” In which he replied, “It’s fine, I know you are all about the numbers.” So I continued to pick up the pace, while garmin quickly took notice…I watched as my clock steadily decreased till I was averaging just under 6:40 for the last 10 miles. I was fairly pleased by this run- but also not excited about the fact that my hip cramped from mile 12-16, and again during the very last mile. My P.T. appointment is Monday. I will be as dedicated as I can to this P.T. I need to get this hip problem taken care of once and for all.

So, it is Mothers Day, and like all Sundays, I am taking the time to reflect and evaluate if I am spending too much time on one area of my life and not enough on others. And as I sit here and type this- Maddy is crawling around on her new floor mat while watching blue’s clues (something about how the potty is fun and clean…thanks but she’s not quite there yet). It’s days like this that I make myself stop and think just how grateful I am to have a healthy child that is so low maintenance (well- somewhat). That I am able to work, sleep, run, and blog about it once a week while she does her own thing (because Maddy is an independent 7 month old- don’t you try to assist her in doing/hold anything!!).

This week I have been over taken with guilt about how I go about my life because my Dad came into town sort of unexpectedly. I didn’t have much time to prepare- so I neglected to make sure everything was clean enough you could eat off it. The state of our home has drastically improved over the last few months, but to some it could be cleaner. To most- it is livable now. For me, it is fine. When I come home after work each day I don’t feel like I am about to have an anxiety attack over dishes in the sink or a dirty floor, and thus I would say I am satisfied. However, the first think my father did was clean the entire second floor- which I think he did to help me out. But deep down I am thinking.. maybe he feels it should have been cleaner???

SO then I go about my week getting up at 4:00AM so that I can run (the one thing that allows me to deal with stress so that I do not have a breakdown over a glass of spilled milk or when Maddy has a paper cut) then proceed to get Maddy out of bed so she can be cleaned, dressed, fed, and her bag packet for daycare on time. All the while Houston and I are running around trying to get ourselves ready (did I remember to eat and brush my hair this morning??). Then we come home at the end of the day, and it’s all Maddy time once again. Don’t get me wrong, I would not have it any other way- but it doesn’t leave a lot of time for laundry and dusty. So these things get done in chunks, not consistently every night.

And though I know there are those around that feel I should give up the running thing all together and focus more on fitting into that traditional motherly role. However, the year is 2011- and Houston and I both work in jobs of similar importance, so screw the traditional role. I cook, he cleans, I tidy the den while he mows the lawn. I don’t feel like anything around the house is owned by me and I often get offended when important documents are addressed to Houston or when people feel like I should be left out of the loop when he scratches his signature on something that will affect us both.

So therefore I stop and realize that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. And if my father (or anyone) thinks ,my relationship with running is unhealthy, well then that is too damn bad. Running, chocolate, and caffeine are the few things that allow me to live the lifestyle I want and if these things cause me to neglect house work- then that is just the way it is going to be.

One thing I will never to is neglect my own daughter- as far as I am concerned Maddy is the very center, everything else just revolves around her. And this I know will never change (only if I have another, then that wee one will also be added to the center).

And lastly, I just want to say thank you to everyone for the comments, text messages, facebook messages, emails, etc. etc. about last week’s race. The course was tough but a win is a win. I just can’t tell you how much it means to me when I am walking around at a race and someone stops me and says “Hey, I read your blog! I think it is inspiring!” Ha! I hope you think it is inspiring for the right reasons! I don’t care if you are a 2:30 marathoner or a 5 hour marathoner- If I read what you write- there is something you do that I find inspiring and is helping me to achieve some sort of balance in my life. And for that, I am thankful of you.

Before I was a Mom.

2011-05-06T13:00:00.004-05:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

Happy Mommy's weekend all.

(came to me from a friend)

Pictures from Renaissance at Colony Park Half Marathon: MarathonMakeover.com

2011-05-04T09:42:00.005-05:00

There is no watermark on these photos- so note that I just ordered them.

Love the raccoon look- when did I put mascara on? lol.
Photos from Sports in Motion Photography.

Renaissance at Colony Park Half Marathon Recap. 1st female, 2nd finisher, 6 1/2 months postpartum

2011-04-30T17:07:00.017-05:00

Renaissance Half Marathon Results: 1:23:12

1st Female, 2nd overall finisher, $500, personal record, course record, state record, #11 on the 2011 Canada Road Rankings, yet still disappointed...

training this week

Sunday: 60 minute jog

Monday:70 minute run
Tuesday:60 minute run

Wednesday:Am: 30 min spin, PM: 15min w/u, 15min c/d, 2X1 mile on the roads, 5:16, 5:28 ( crazy wind in the face 3/4 of the way- tornado weather coming through) 4X1min at mile pace, cut out early cause of achilles
Thursday: 60 minute run with the Maddy in the jogger
Friday:20 minute on the trainer, 45minute run at lunch
Saturday: 15min w/u, 13.25 miles 1:23:12 (13.12 in about 1:22:40), 20min walk/jog c/d

Sunday: Planned wog up to 60minutes

This week was a much needed recovery week. My hip is messed up, my achilles is throbbing, and I have not been eating or sleeping enough. I had planned on taking a recovery week before this half anyway, but the achilles, Maddy sick, and Houston gone even made it more so...

I buckled down this week and found myself back at the doctors office (three times actually, one doctor visit for Maddy, one ER visit for Maddy, and one Doctor visit for Mommy--Maddy had a bad ear infection all week-which is another story...). Being that this doctor, Dr. Drew, is also a

runner, I felt comfortable talking to him about my phantom injury and how I have been repeatedly misdiagnosed since sophomore year of college. He checked me out and was pretty certin it wasn't a slipped disk, pyriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve issues, or some other major hip problem. He believes the problem is in my S.I. joint and wrote be a prescription for mobic and prednisone. I also have my first P.T. appointment next Monday with a trainer that has delt repeatedly with S.I. problems, so I am starting to think that I could...finally.. say good riddance to this injury. Its only been like, what, 10 years?
Yeah, that's right. 10 years.

Anyways, so signing up for the Renaissance at Colony Park Half Marathon, I knew that I may have a little trouble because of the prednisone, and I felt it the last few days of this week. I tried to think about staying hydrated and eating enough, but I did neither of these things. Toeing the line this morning, my hip was tight, my achilles was throbbing, I was under hydrated and over tired--but I was there.

6:16, 6:07, 6:16, 6:16, 6:18

The first 5 miles was rolling hills, taking you out down Colony Parkway (I assume, can't remember) for about 4 miles. Right after the 4th mile mark, you make a 90 degree turn and head back. At this point, I just couldn't get in this race. I ran completely solo from start to finish. There was one male ahead of me- running a pace that I did not think I could handle at the time. So I soon realized that if I was going to PR, I was going to have to do it all alone on a pretty tough course- not designed for fast times. and slightly long- 13.25 miles was what my garmin said, so yes I was 1:22:40ish through the actually half marathon distance.

6:24, 6:24, 6:28, 6:34

My hip cramped up early, at 4 miles, so once I got to the residential, rolling, cobblestone section with lots of right angles and plenty of turns, I really slowed. I could not get my legs going on this section and I was thoroughly disappointed with the slow down. At one point, I had to go off course to get around a gate that was still locked (hence 6:34)- still the people out on the course were very polite and besides a few things here and there- this race was beautifully organized and worth running for any first time half-marathoner or 10 runner.

6:16, 6:17, 6:14, 6:18, 75

This section I could have done without, heading into the final 4ish miles, the half marathon hooked back on the 10k race course- (WHAT!!) so I dodged people traffic for over 4 miles. My hip had finally started cooperating so I was doing everything I could to get back down to 6:00 pace..but I didn't expect to have to run a 4 mile steeple chase, and did my best to run around, over, under what seemed like thousands of walkers that were just all over the damn place. After throwing a few f-bombs (especially going around the little pond loop trying to run 6:00 pace, not much room there!) I realized-- this race is NOT ABOUT ME. It was about all these people reinvesting in themselves, trying to find there inner athlete. For most of them, this was there first 10K! A major accomplishment. I should have been a little more considerate- but at the time I just wanted so badly to PR!!! I kept telling myself, "GET AFTER IT!!" I really..really went for it.

The final stretch took us through the overpass and down a short hill... I watched from a distance as my goal time click by and I was instantly deflated. Crossing the line I tried to smile, but I was broken.

I know that this time does not accurately show the effort I put into this race or my current fitness- but I am just ready to run something respectable!! Sub 61 for 10 miles- regardless of a Houston course or a garmin course, means that I have a 1:21 or under in me somewhere. I just have to find the right race. I want it so very badly, I would love to go back home and race- and be competitive. 1:23 would be laughable, I need to run as close to 1:20 as I can.

I know that I am only 6 1/2 months removed from pregnancy, so I need to keep in mind that my body is not there yet. I still can't race in flats and I don't recover from workouts like I used to. I still get sick after running hard. Even though my workouts are getting better, and I have lost all my pregnancy weight and more...I still need to be patient..good things will come. I believe this.

To sum it up, it was a great race for those new to the sport, not a dull moment. A little long and not a great race to try to run fast- but I've ran harder courses , so I would say Renaissance is

worth the drive.

Maddy has fully recovered from her ear infection, and is moving around like crazy saying, "DA DA DA DA!" I like to think she is calling for her Daddy. I truly missed my Maddy last night but we were reunited before noon today...a fabulous grandma is to thank for that.

(Missed my picture with Ada! Argh! That would have been the highlight. I walked right by her during packet pick up, should have asked then!)

Race pictures coming soon!

First 20 miler since pregnancy. 8 weeks out from marathon debut

2011-04-23T17:39:00.012-05:00

This week:

Sunday:60minutes at a snail pace

Monday: 73 minutes

Tuesday: 2 mile w/u, 4X60/45/30/15 sec @5:10-5:15 pace, max of 60 sec recovery. + 20 minutes marathon tempo (6:20, 6:21, 6:20)

Wednesday: 60 minutes on the trainer & abs (achilles)

Thursday: AM:40minutes easy, PM: 15min w/u, 4X 1 mile on the roads @ 5:43, 5:32, 5:38, 5:21, 3 rest, 15min c/d

Friday: 10 miles w/ Micah (6:55-7:30)

Saturday: 20.0 miles in 2:18.04 (6:54 avg)

7:50, 7:22, 7:17, 7:03, 6:55, 7:04, 6:45, 6:55, 6:47, 7:00, 6:33, 6:31, 6:39, 7:17, 6:47, 6:41, 6:30, 7:00, 6:29, 6:31,

This week of training was a mixed bag. I hate a great tempo run last Saturday that shot my achilles for most of the week. I also got a massive chest cramp that hung around until Wednesday..both the chest cramp and the achilles caused me to cut both my work outs short.

Tuesday's workout was suppose to have a five mile tempo on the end, and I had every intention of finishing that. I clicked off a couple of 6:2o's that felt more like 7:00 pace...until about 2.8 miles in when my chest cramped up again. I don't know if it was dehydration, or the same muscle that spazed out during mile 8 of last weeks tempo but I could not get any air. Houston warmed me about trying to run through that... "It can hang around for days if your not careful." I tried three times to stretch it out and start again, but it just wasn't happening. I jogged the last few miles home to call it a day.

Wednesday I decided to take the morning off and run at lunch. We ended up so busy preparing for an awards ceremony the next day that I totally missed it, and then did not getting home till almost 9PM anyway. So the 50-60minute spin I did (which I don't even consider to be real exercise because I'm a compulsive-exercising psycho) was all I really got in that day.

Thursday morning I got up again before 4:00am to finish writing my speech for our awards ceremony, but still ended up getting in a 40minute morning run.

Houston was wonderful enough to agree to time my workout that afternoon on a road loop, so I was really excited for that (Maddy waited "patiently" for me to finish in the car with Daddy). The goal was 5X a mile with 3 minutes in between. My legs felt heavy on the first one, but the rest of my body felt fairly relaxed. I had planned on running the last two miles at 5:20, but my achilles really started to ache about half way through the 4th mile. I wanted to keep going, I knew I had another 5:20 in me at that point...but the question was asked, "If you do this last mile, will you be able to run tomorrow?" And at that point, I honestly did not know the answer. Houston made the decision to quit, I concurred. I jogged a mile or two before heading home.

Calling it quits on these two workouts was probably the only reason I was able to get my twenty miles in Saturday. Call my crazy, but I was waiting all week for this run. Houston, again amazing, agreed to drop Maddy off at the sitters by 5:30 AM so I could drive out to the whites and get 6 miles in before the group started. My achilles was hurting at first and my legs felt tired but I ran relaxed until my garmin started registering a sub 7min effort. Micah and Nathan joined me by the first water stop...which I added on again at each one...except the last one which we just

grabbed the water at anyway. I am happy to say that the mile I felt the best on was 18. It ended up being my fastest of the day...6:29. I felt fantastic.

That changed quickly once my garmin finally registered 20.0. Walking back to the house my legs just died. My quads and calves felt heavy and I had a hard time walking up the gravel. This feeling was then accompanied by massive cramping in my abdomen... a common thing post-pregnancy...and I ended up sitting on the couch with a pillow pressed against my back for most of the morning.

Because the cramping usually causes a loss of appetite, I quickly shoveled a few slices of bread and some death by cookie combo in my mouth and washed it down with some gatorade. I spent the remainder of the morning feeling like I was going to vomit..and this carried on until the late afternoon. Then, I managed to stomach some chocolate, banana, and some other random stuff after taking half a dozen advil.

This stomach problem concerns me because it happens after most of my runs. I talked with Houston about it and he assured me not to worry until it starts to affect my health.

I am not sure if it is just because I still have some weak muscles post-pregnancy, or if it is just from running hard....but it feels almost like a mild contraction. I don't know what to do to make it go away and none of the coaches at State have any experience coaching females post-partum. I guess I will just continue to workout on my ab ball and let it runs its course...

I am racing another half marathon next weekend. Mostly because the weather is going to start getting hot which means slow times. It wold be nice to get a Canadian Half Marathon Championships qualifying time if at all possible. In prior years, Ridgeland was at the very end of June and I bombed it twice. It would be great to finally run a good time...if possible.

Bought Maddy a new toy this week! She is truly posing for this picture as she was in a terrible mood at the time.

Today we lost "Grete the Great" to Cancer.

2011-04-19T15:25:00.003-05:00

"One of the brightest flames of the modern athletics era has been extinguished but the heroic deeds of Grete Waitz will live on eternally" Lamine Diack, IAAF president

Link to CBS News article

Grete Waitz has been an inspiration to me since the day I started running. May she rest in peace.

10 mile tempo & Maddy video

2011-04-17T07:46:00.004-05:00

Thursday:30min on the trainer, 70minutes with the baby jogger
Friday:55minutes between tornados
Saturday:15 min w/u, 10mile tempo w/ 5 mile at relaxed, 5 miles at faster (campus X2)
Actual: 60:58 (6:05.8 avg) 20min cooldown
6:20, 6:20, 6:10, 6:11, 6:00, 6:02, 6:16, 6:07, 5:59, 5:30ish

And we have reached a major milestone :)

Beautiful Day

2011-04-14T19:47:00.001-05:00

Absolutely amazing, two babies born to Boardtown runners on the same day! One little girl, one little boy--both mommies doing well. God is beautiful!

Hump-day update

2011-04-13T18:27:00.003-05:00

Monday:72 minutes, 7-7:30 pace (~10)

Tuesday: 65 minutes, 7-7:30 pace (achilles problems, ~9)

Wednesday: (8 miles) 10min w/u 4X(1 mile @ relaxed, 800m at 5k pace, 60sec jog rest between intervals & sets)

Results from Garmin:

6:08, 2:38, 5:58, 2;42, 6:05, 2:50( uphill), 6:07, 2:37

On the campus 5 loop and mugshots..if I used the marked mile markers as a guide, I was about 8 seconds faster on each mile, 3 ish sec faster on the 800's, but its the "campus 5 miler" and the "mugshots 4 miler" and I say that with very strong "quotations ".....:)

Easy as cake.

Down on my mileage this week with achilles issues and Houston gone to Cali... so about to ride the bike.

Meggan's back y'all! (19 mile run & marathon training week in review.)

2011-04-09T16:38:00.012-05:00

Wednesday: 70 minutes recovery (7:20-30 pace)

Thursday: 20 minute w/u, 4X (60/45/30/15) w/ same rest, jog 3 min then run 10 minutes at tempo (the intervals were about 5:10-5:15 pace, the tempo was @ 5:50 pace) 10 min cool down

Friday:8.5 miles w/ Micah, 6:45-7:20

Saturday:18.76 miles in 2:10 (6:55 pace)

7:57, 7:23, 7:06, 6:48, 6:45, 6:30, 6:46, 6:57, 6:49, 6:58, 7:05, 6:50, 6:44, 6:57, 6:48, 6:49, 6:46, 6:54, 7:30(.75)

Sunday: Planned easy run and/or 60 minutes on the trainer and ab work

Boise State was an amazing trip, I managed to keep my mileage up the whole time despite having a terrible case of separation anxiety... I could barely eat or sleep the whole week. Every time I thought about Maddy my heart literally hurt. I think this is probably fairly normal as it was my first trip away from her since she has been born. I didn't have my Maddy daily/nightly routine and it was really hard to create my own schedule.

Thursday's workout didn't seem to difficult on paper- but it ended up being a lot harder than I expected. My pace may have dipped to about 5:00 pace for some of the intervals, but I was running in a lot of clothing, trainers, on the road, and I was using my Garmin so whatever. 5:10-5:15 is all I needed to do and I couldn't be bothered trying to find out my pace on every interval.

After about two sets, my legs were toast and I unhappily trudged my way through the rest of the workout thinking "My gosh, this really sucks!" I was impressed with how quickly I recovered from every interval but my legs checked out before the VO2 stuff was halfway over. I think that if I would have had someone there with me it would have gotten a whole lot better.

The tempo portion was on a 2 mile loop down University Drive...which ended up being a little short. I went out at about 5:30 pace and died to average about 5:50 or a little under. At home, in shorts/flats and Houston yelling at me, I probably could have averaged 5:38-5:42. Give me a few weeks, and maybe 5:30. But whatever, I finished it. My legs have just not done any 3k ish stuff, or tempo on the back end of some VO2 work. And with good reason- its really not that important for a marathon. I do feel that the marathon training will really help my strength in the long hall, and hopefully that will equal a stellar performance at Canadian Senior National Cross in December. We will see.

I ended up spending most of Thursday in the airport, and arrived home late Thursday night. Tired and hungry, I went to bed without dinner (bad habit) and ended up feeling it on my run Friday morning when Micah and I ran a few 6:40's (my legs were cramping). I drank a couple gatorades and ate some carbs Friday night. This ended up being sufficient enough to take me through Saturday's run.

Waking Saturday at 4:30, I forced half a powerbar down my throat and a cup of coffee before dropping Maddy off at the sitters and heading out the the Whites to get a few miles in before the group started.

I ran conservatively for the first 4 miles, and then set out on what I thought was a relaxed pace. The workout Thursday did not make it easy for me to put on the brakes-- every time I looked at my watch I saw 6:20-6:30--I guess a lot more came out of Thursday then I thought. I think we ended up averaging about 6:45 for the middle 16 or so, which was nice given that I didn't feel labored until the last mile I ran with Micah.

I successfully took salt, two gels, 3 cups of Gatorade, and added on at every water. I was pleased with this until my hip cramped at 15, and my calf at 18. I jogged the last .75 to call it a day.

Maddy and I ended up staying out at Boardtown till about 1:00PM in the afternoon. This was a nice change--we have had so many mornings lately where we have had to miss the "after run party"....it was great to get to visit with friends again.

I could not have asked for a better way to finish off an already amazing week.

Just call me the "Treadmill Monster"

2011-04-04T15:56:00.007-05:00

Saturday: ~14 miles w/ 12 @ 6:23-6:45 (1:32 for about 13.7 )
Sunday: 50 minutes with Houston & the baby jogger
Monday: AM: 20 minutes on the trainer, PM: 60 minute hobble (my back was so stiff I could barely shuffle to an 8 minute mile. I sat in the hot tub after this run, took a handful of advil and rubbed a whole bottle on bengay on my back. I don't recommend any of these actions.

Tuesday: AM: 11 miles w/ 3miles at 6:27-6:32, 3 min @ 7:30pace, 2 miles @ 6:18 pace, 3min @7:30 pace, 1 mile @ 5:49 (on the treadmill at the Marriott in Boise) PM: 20 minutes (14 miles total)

It has been less than a day and my heart hurts for my Baby girl and my wonderful Husband. We have had the most amazing past few days and I miss them so much!

I will be in Boise until Thursday morning, visiting some of the offices here for a few projects we are working on in my department. It has proved to be a very informative trip and I am so thankful I have been given the ability to take it. I don't think I could be as successful with some of the Volunteer Center initiatives going forward if I did not.

After my long run this weekend, I did two lengthy sessions of S.I. exercises...which proved to be way to much- as I could barely run yesterday. I wanted to cry about it, I have been battling this achilles problem for almost two weeks, and it cause me to cash in about 10 minutes early.

I started to feel sorry for myself and my "mysterious" 10 year injury, when I got some great news via text message. It completely changed my mood and caused my to step back, evaluate, and find a way to move forward.

After three skype sessions with my husband and Maddy and some talk about my running/working schedule this week- Houston advised me to do a relaxed progressive tempo. This workrout proved to be just what I needed to kick off my week. The pace was not to impressive but I by no means think of myself as a great treadmill runner (I am a good treadmill runner) but I knew that making myself run indoors would mean I needed to bring my A game.

The only sections that felt difficult were the middle miles- not sure why. If I had a rally cap, I would have turned it backwards for the mile (at least so I thought). Seriously feeling good, I turned the treadmill up to 10.5 half way through. I was feeling it but my legs remained loose and powerful.

After talking with Houston this weekend, we have come to an agreement that he will, once again, write my training. I am going to do my very best to patiently follow it- after all, I would like to get this year in without injury. It would be nice to try to get my mileage up to 80 consistently, but who's counting. Chasing numbers has only ever left me completely burnout and exhausted, and I can't afford either.

I have lofty goals, and I will meet them- I am sure of it.

My sport does not define me as a Mother

2011-04-01T20:35:00.013-05:00

Monday:70 minutes (9-10 miles)
Tuesday:AM:40 minrun, PM: 40 min w/ 10-11X1min at 5:15-5:19 pace
Wednesday:46 minute run, 45 min bike (35 min of 2 min hard, 30-60sec easy)
Thursday: 60 min spin with 6x5min hard, 8 min of sprints
Friday: 50 min spin, 30 min run

My achilles is still bothering me so I have been very careful and taken a few days off. I had planned on running 10X800m at 5:45 pace on Wednesday (Tuesday was suppose to be 15-2- X 60 seconds) but that didn't happen (obviously). The achilles is not terrible- but it could easily get that way if I dont take it easy. Today I had planned to take the day off, but I was itching to run so bad- I went for 30 minutes during my lunch break. I felt fine but I could feel the tightness in my quads from biking like crazy the past 3 days.

I have had a hard week and am really looking forward to this long run tomorrow. We have a high school meet this saturday so my phone has been beeping like crazy everyday (for those of you that don't know, I am a weekend coach). I don't mind until it gets excessive, I'm going out of town next week until Thursday and I've got alot to do between now and then- clean house, work two track meets, and a get ready for my trip. Truly the only thing I want to do is spend time with Maddy, everything else is just going to have to wait.

I don't know if it was the lack of running- or my husband telling me I had to be ran, showered, pumped, and ready to go (all day) by 9am Saturday, but I almost lost it. We had a student projects was going on today "Smash Out Cancer", where you hit a car with a sledge hammer for $2, I wanted to drop everything and just go out there and let it out.

I went to the track instead.

Ever since I posted my Germantown pictures last week, people have been complementing on my running and my weight loss since being pregnant. Yes, I know I have bounced back very quickly, but the more I think about it, the more unimpressed I am with it. Truly, the reason I have lost so much is because I have not been taking care of myself- I constantly miss meals and shovel sandwiches down my throat in record time. I have not made a nice dinner in months and I have no idea how Houston puts up with it. Weight loss is not hard when you barely eat and are attempting marathon training- not to mention the fact that I am still breast feeding a little. But looking good and running good are not great indicators of how successful I have been at being a mother, if anything they may show that I have been neglectful (I haven't). And that is why I am not too proud of either. Quite honestly, running has traveled so far down my list of priorities that I barely think about it after 6:05AM in the morning (I usually finish my run about that time). First off I am a Mother, a Wife, I work, and then- a I run.

I used to look at people like Kara Goucher and be inspired- so fast- wish I was that fast. But reading her blog, I see that there really is not much different between us. She is faster, it is her job to be fast- not mine. Nowhere in my job description does it say that I need to maintain 70+ miles a week (Kara regularly logs 120 miles per week) and run sun 3:00 for the marathon. My true real-life job is so much more important than running. Running is merely a hobby, something I must do to keep going.

Watching the trackmeets this weekend I can remember how stressed out I felt running in college. How I felt like it was everything- it all came down to how fast I could run 7.5 laps and jump over the barriers. Holding Maddy while watching a couple of the races, I suddenly felt out of place. It was getting dark and cold and I had other things to do, my daughter needed to be changed and fed- I didn't care how these races ended up turning out.

I left early.

I know that I will run until I can't do it anymore, and I am truly blessed to have had all the experiences I have had through running- but running is not everything- it does not define me as a person- it does not define me as a mother.

Running is not who I am, it is merely something I do.

Pictures from Germantown Half Marathon

2011-03-27T11:48:00.002-05:00

As promised....and no spit.