I know I haven't posted in quite some time but the marathon is still on! This Sunday!

Tonight I plan to enjoy myself with my girls in San Luis Obispo. Tomorrow will be a day of leisure and Sunday...RACE DAY!

And just a reminder you can still support me!

Thanks! And yay me!!!

Well, it’s been some time since my last post and I apologize for that. My life has changed somewhat and I’ve had little time to sit back and appreciate it all, though I have taken just a skosh of time bemoan it. To recap, the last time I checked in was after my somewhat tiring 12-mile weekend at Natural Bridges, during my impromptu crossing-training efforts in Wisconsin, and before my grueling 14-mile coach-led Saturday along the Los Gatos Creek Trail. My journey home from Wisconsin lasted from 6 in the morning, central time, to 10pm Pacific Time. Thank you Denver International. Then I spent a relaxing Friday learning my new work environment for nine freaking hours.

Gotta say that I was kind of looking forward to the 14 mile run just to work out the exhaustion I was already feeling regarding work. But 14-mile Saturday was not a good day. Not at all. From the first few steps I was tired and winded. Then I had to stop for a bathroom break which is when I lost all my running mates. I ended up run/walking the whole 7 miles up by myself with occasional teammates passing or being passed, but no one to run at the same pace or ratio. By the time I got to the 8-mile turn-around I was exhausted. The energy gels where not working for me at all (though by the end, thanks to the triple caffeinated packet, I was energetically suffering tremendous pain) and there was...chafing.

Don't underestimate the discomfort of chafing.

At 10 miles, I was suffering. At 12 miles, I was a martyr to the cause, especially when my GPS wasn’t picking up and I spent 1 mile at a 12.5 mile stall and I was holding back tears thinking was living in a cartoon world where my legs were moving yet I got nowhere. By the time I was approaching the end at 14 miles, I was almost in tears and would have been crying if my teammate Sue Mac, hadn’t come along to distract me from the sharp, relentless pain radiating from my feet up to my ankles, shins, knees, thighs and hips. An ice bath, 800mg of ibuprofen, 90 minutes of yin yoga and an additional leisurely, and somewhat catatonic, 2-mile walk assisted in my recovery much more quickly than I would have thought.

Don't let the smile fool you. I'm dying from the feet up.

I also bought some new shoes. This was something I had settled on after my second 12-mile run, but hadn't had time to do until the day after my hell run. I had asked one of the coaches for advice to help with the extremely tired feet I was suffering from after the 10-mile mark. So when I went to the specialty shoe store and discussed my current running shoes, I learned that the ‘lugs’ (new word for me) were too high for a beginner runner. My new shoes, still Newtons, are ever so slightly different. The lugs taper at the front. In essence, they’re more comfortable and I was able to complete my 16-mile run with barely a whimper.

My epic new shoes!

Between the 14- and 16-mile runs, I tried to improve my cross-training, with more core and leg exercises. Unfortunately, my new position at work affords me little time to do anything other that eat, sleep and work. Well, that’s possibly not completely true. It’s now a 40-hour work week for me, not including the hour long lunch that the bosses insist on. And I’m still training on Tuesdays, or at least trying, attempting to OYO/buddy run on Thursdays and the odd Saturday, cross-training twice a week, teaching nursing students on Wednesdays for a 12-hour day, and hoping every single day for just a little yoga.

From my 14-mile run to my 16-mile run, I spent the intervening time tired, stressed for time, hungry, and dreaming of the time when I would be found by the side of the road in San Luis Obispo, possibly under a lowly scrub, covered in dust or mud, and bleeding from the legs. So on the morning of the 16-mile run, I latched myself to the only person I could find whom I might possibly keep up with, had a reasonable walk/run ratio, and who was going hopefully as far as me.

Enter Anu. I love her. Anu is doing the Oakland marathon so needed to run at least 18-20 miles. She was also doing a 2:2 run/walk ratio. As soon as I heard that I told her I would run with her, at her pace, up and back. I would be her buddy, her pal. I would be there for her.

It was the best run ever. Per GPS and the coaches, I completed 16.5 miles in 3.5 hours. That’s little under a 13-minute mile. And I loved the 2:2 pace. My new shoes rocked! And I spent 20ish minutes in the ocean for a free ice bath. A little Motrin at home followed by a Cinequest recommendation and I was recovered by Sunday.

One of the views in the first few miles of our Monterey run.

Now of course my fear is that I’m not going to have anyone to run with on race day since Anu and I are doing different marathons. But even that is being taken care of because my friend Jennifer is gonna meet me at mile 16 to run the rest of the way with me. All I need now is to get through those first few miles, at 2:2. ‘cause slow and steady, like the tortoise, will not find me under a bush, bleeding to death. After all this isn’t a race; it’s just a marathon.

Not long ago I heard on the radio a mildly hysterical man urge for the removal of the word ‘awesome’ from the English language, having grown profoundly tired of hearing it used as a qualifier for practically everything requiring a one word declaration followed by an exclamation point, also reminding listeners that there are many excellent words available that can sufficiently describe whatever it is. But seriously, awesome is a great two-syllable word that can be spoken with such varying inflections that it can denote feelings from quiet profundity to clamorous righteousness. Really, dare I say it’s…awesome?

However, since that radio show I’ve notice just how often, though not necessarily unnecessarily, that I do use this word almost exclusively, and possibly to the detriment of my general vocabulary, when I do need whenever I need to make a two-syllable declaration followed by an exclamation point. Since then I’ve tried to use ‘fabulous’, ‘great’, ‘wonderful’, ‘magnificent’, and ‘righteous’, among other. Only today, in thinking of a title for this entry, did I remember ‘epic’. That may be my new interjection. I’ll have to try it out.

Anyhoo, this week I’m taking a more relaxed approach to training for my marathon. It’s called ‘Wis-con-sin’. Where they have a more relaxed approach to training for a marathon.

No. Kidding. I was in Wisconsin for some job training with a company called Epic. And let me tell Google has nothing on these people. NOTHING. Nor any of the other Silicon Valley companies that I can think of. Except possibly matching gifts, but I really don’t know.

So I was in Wisconsin from Sunday evening to Thursday morning, during which time I attempted to keep up with my training via treadmill and aquajogging, in the hopes that I might complete the 14-mile run scheduled for Saturday, possibly no more tired than I was after my 12-mile runs. Not the best I know. For one thing it’s all indoors as it’s snowing outside and I don’t have chains for my shoes, or enough socks. I did manage some treadmill work on Monday morning, but little to no core. Wednesday I managed a more challenging workout in the indoor pool. Jogging in place and running laps, and some other more swimmy legwork. It was quite tiring; I often found myself to be sticking my tongue out like a dog as I attempted to against the flow of water. That took about 45 minutes, but then the callus that I have been patiently building up on my right foot kind of blistered and sloughed off. Pity. So I stopped and spent 10-15 minutes in the hot tub, getting an impromptu massage along my shins, calves and IT bands with the air jets.

I’m hoping that my mini-break from the usual training will bolster me up for the rest of the season, or at least for a few more weeks. I’ve not been feeling it since after the last long run at Natural Bridges. You know, I’m just a little tired of all the training and having so little free time what with all the other stuff I have going on. This is all my own choice so I’ve only myself to blame for any complaints that come burbling to the surface, but really I just want to relax some Saturdays. That’s all. Until recently I’ve been training or working on Saturdays and it’s taken its toll. Luckily now I have a temporary position at work that will allow me some more free weekends so that tired feeling might be alleviated soon, just not this month. Also, I’ve realized that I do need someone to run with at least half the time. Usually the last half. The conversation definitely helps to pass the time, but also having someone there takes my mind off my feet, and my hunger, and my tiredness, and my fear that I will be the first person to fail a marathon, having to be picked up on a couple of segways and stretcher. I tried twice since the Santa Cruz run to jog on my own, but I had no energy and after a few miles, my willpower and interest kind petered out. It was very frustrating, especially remembering that one strong Sunday afternoon, no matter what my average pace. But again, I’m hoping that my mini-vacation from intense training is going to reset my determination and offset my negative feelings and thoughts. Again, it’s very frustrating.

Fundraising has also stalled, another frustration. I’ve only $1000 or less to raise for my goal. I hope I might still count on some of you to help with $10, $15, $20 or more before March ends. I would be profoundly grateful.

In the meanwhile, I will press on, especially tomorrow with my 14-mile run, which will be awesome! Come marathon day, it’ll be epic!

Today was another great run! We were in Santa Cruz today, sunny, bright, and dare I say?, warm. A stellar 70 degrees (F)! Ran/walked 12 miles again, this time with a friend, which helped on those occasions when I feel certain I would have slowed to a walk had she not been there to distract me with conversation and really just motivate me, and I took enough gels, of varying caffeinated levels, to keep energized. My average pace was every so slightly better, and Jen commented on my great cadence, and I was able to take a quick ice bath in the ocean this time which is soooo much more bearable than a tub full of icy water. My feet still hurt at around ten miles, just like last time, and I'm hoping that I might be able to improve my strength otherwise so that I won't have to complete a marathon with 16.2 miles of barking dogs.

Otherwise it's been an awesome day! I ran 12 miles, jumped around in the ocean, had a great vegan brunch all before 2pm. What did you do today? And tonight, the people auction (aka Bachelor/Bachelorette Fundraising Auction)! It'll be great!

Tomorrow will be my first ever attempt at rock climbing (a cross-training manuever), beginning with a belay lesson at Planet Granite. I'll try to do some core as well since Ilya says I'll probably overuse my upper body trying to climb the wall since I'm a beginner climber. So tomorrow will be an all around workout. And in two weeks maybe my feet won't hurt so much at the ten mile mark. Until then, please enjoy the view!

A view of the ocean at Natural Bridges before our 'ice bath'.

Today I ran another personal best. Twelve miles! And since I wasn't hungover I felt (mostly) great. There were a few hiccups, but learn and run, learn and run. Today started out similarly to the last coach-led run weekend, minus the hangover and all that that entails. I was still a little sleepy at 5 am, but I had had a good night's rest. Point to this weekend. Also, the oatmeal I had was quite yummy this time (another point), scraping the bowl clean. I recently got a new flavor of Nuun which is quite tasty (point) and was able to hydrate a little too, though I mostly did that yesterday. I'm having a little difficulty tolerating the Tri-berry flavor now since two weeks ago when I vomited it up after belatedly trying to hydrate after three beers (the big amber kind, not those puny see-through ones) and two, or maybe three, jager teas; it has to be pretty dilute and iced. Not just cold. Iced. Or that berry flavor is all kinds of ick. A shame too because it was quite tasty before then. I've also been icing and resting and massaging my legs over this past week, and especially again today when I got home, and after all my runs, so my shin felt fine (yay!), and my knee too since that had bothered me last time.

And today, much like last Sunday, I felt strong (point). I actually went twelve miles as measured by the TnT training coaches. I accidentally started my GPS on laps so had to restart my run after a quarter mile. Today we had a 7-mile turnaround and a 5-mile turnaround. At around mile 5, at one of the aid stations, I picked up a Power Bar gel packet. In total I had 3 bottles of electrolytes and 3 packets of food-shaped energy from home. The aid stations have more water/electrolytes and energy supplements which I like to try. After today I know that I need to take more, maybe one packet for every 2 miles, with me on possibly all my runs. I never actually ran out of energy supplements, the aid stations are helpful that way, but at mile 4 or 5, I picked up a tangerine flavored one that had '2x caffeine'. Didn't taste bad and I felt great. Made it all the way to mile 9, where I stopped to use the toilet, before my energy started to flag. At the 12 mile turnaround (meaning 2-1/2 miles left) I was decidedly tired. I began taking more, longer rest breaks and the gummis I had just weren't doing it for me. I made it though, all 12 miles, and I'm very pleased with me.

Later at brunch with some of my teammates, my mentor Ilya, told me that the caffeinated gels are best left for the return journey, take them too early in your run and you begin to crash. Oh, well. Learn and run.

But I did feel stronger before then. I kept checking my pace and it was faster. I think during Sunday's run I possibly slowed to an easy walk a few times during my rest breaks and that's possibly what helped slowed my time. Maybe. I'm not certain. Then on Tuesday I was talking with one of the walkers who taught me how to stride and move my arms that I might maintain a certain pace and still gain some rest. So today I did as she instructed and kept up a faster walking (resting) pace. My average pace today did improve by about 0.3 overall. That may be nothing to you but again, I'm very please with me.

Also today a few people asked if I ever ran with anyone. Except for the last time with Jen (point to the other weekend), I don't usually. I don't want to force myself to run at someone else's pace and I don't want to slow anyone down, so I just don't worry about keeping a partner. Maybe one day, but so far I'm not worried. I find it somewhat therapeutic to be alone with my thoughts. And, not that I don't like the conversation, I don't have to worry about talking and feeling breathless. Again, I do like the conversation, but quietness is something I'm used to from my years of shyness, though my unshy friends would scoff in disbelief that I would make such a claim. And now that I am not quite so shy, though I would never ever say I'm an extrovert, I actually enjoy the quiet. So I often run alone, but I'm not lonely.

I'm glad to say that I'm remembering some all the things that I'm learning and that they're helping me. Next weekend will be a 10 mile run at Natural Bridges. Hopefully the stellar winter weather of today will continue again that day though I really wouldn't mind if it rained until then. And hopefully I'll be able to soak in the ocean and won't have to buy a 9-pound bag of ice like today. (Today's ice bath was not quite so unbearable. Perhaps the hour or so I took to warm up and eat filling and nutritious food with my teammates helped to make the freezing water tolerable for a whole 30 minutes while watching a British comedy on my computer. And I ate more food while I sat there. And then again after my shower.)

This morning I was questioning my ability to run 26.2 miles. When I initially signed up back in November, I was more concerned about raising the minimum amount in donations. Though I not there yet, I'm not as worried about that. Friends and family and colleagues have both inspired and humbled me in their generosity and support. A friend of my parents donated money too and I don't even know him. Every time I see that 'donation notification' email I just well up with gratitude. No energetic thank you note or email could fully express how profoundly grateful I feel for their monetary support. Emotional support I feel through their interest and questions, but money is hard come by, for everyone, and so many people have been so generous. As I've said before (though not here), it warms the cockles of my heart. I have warm cockles.

As I was saying, I was uncertain this morning that I could complete a marathon, but now that I've learned a little more about hydrating and eating and energy and walking and everything else, that 26.2 miles seems almost attainable. This confidence wavered somewhat when my feet started to really ache and I thought longingly of having a pedicure but those aren't recommended unless you can ensure the pedicurist won't remove your calluses because apparently those help protect your feet to run these long distances. My toes look all snaggly. It's very sad. But an ice bath and three ibuprofen later, and three meals in close succession, and I'm back to thinking that I just might be able to do this.

Of course, I haven't done any of this alone, and for all the help I'm getting, I am profoundly grateful.

Thank you.