Boston 20??

 Memories and Goals to DO IT AGAIN

It’s Monday, it’s the 3^rd Monday in April, which means it’s Boston Monday.  One year ago, at this very moment, I was on my way from Hopkinton, Mass. to Boston, on foot.  One year ago, I was shocked by what was called the early “downhill miles” had, what I call, uphills (WHAT?).  One year ago, yes, I made it!  I made it to Wellesley,  and the Wellesley ladies did not disappoint.  In my opinion, the Wellesley area is also the prettiest part of the Boston course.  I even made it to Heartbreak hill, and I conquered it.  As I made it to the top, I was surprised and greeted by my hubby who was snapping photos.  This gave me just the boost I needed.   Yes, the boost faded too, but I ran, and I ran,  and I completed the 2010 Boston marathon – time – 4:08. 

Upon early reflection of Boston, I was totally satisfied.  I was content.  I had completed a HUGE goal in my boring life.  A goal that I worked ever so diligently toward, for 4 years, was now complete.   I was so content that I chose not to return in 2011, even though I could have registered again.  

Sometime in the fall/winter of 2010, just a few months after my debut at the 2010 Boston Marathon, a new Boston goal was born.  No, I did not want to return to Boston in 2011.  I had NO desire to go again without a new qualifying run.   The new goal is to BQ on a flat or rolling hills course.   My first attempt was at the Snickers 2011 – I did NOT succeed – Boston does not come easy for me my friends.(missed by 1 min)   This is a goal that I would like to achieve, but I am HAPPY if I have one,  and only one,  Boston 26.2.  However, on Sunday, as I was reading and thinking about Boston, suddenly, out of the blue, a burning desire to run Boston ONE MORE TIME came over me.  The burn is not as intense as the first time around, but the heat is on.   The allure of Boston is unique.  IMO - it's not about a beautiful or even a pretty course, it's not about a fast course, it's not about a flat course for sure,  it's not about a small race (which I prefer).  Boston is about the drive to get there, the journey one takes to achieve the goal,  and the history of the race.   Will the burn to BQ be like the original desire to get to Boston?   I doubt it, but it is a goal.   

 I now feel it is in my future to return to Boston one more time.   

Will I be able to do it ???, only time will tell, but…..

I feel like I have one more BQ in me.  

 I need 1 more pic coming down the back side of Heartbreak Hill with a smile on my face.

 and another like this

Yes, I'm still content with Boston 2010, but I like a goal ahead of me. 

A recommended blog

http://runners-fuel.blogspot.com/2011/04/keep-life-simple.html

Working on it!

Ahh, the training.....trying to get in shape again.....1 baby step forward, then a week off from running - ..... steps backward, and missed my half marathon in Pensacola.    Not going to worry about it.  That's what the off season (the off season for distance) is about. I was able to lift weights during the wk off.  I walked and I biked. 

This week so far:

Monday - weights, planks, push-ups, squats and lunges, etc - 
 a few miles - 3.5 with some short, steep hill repeats
Tues. - 7 miles with 10 X 10-15 second "pick-ups"  - I would love to call them sprints, but today, I would say they do not qualify.
Wed. - 14 miles - yay - some distance - cool morning - I fear it will be one of the last.  weights, lunges, squats, planks, etc. 
Thurs - 3 miles easy
Fri - walk for 35 min., that's it so far.  I hope to do some core work, planks etc. later today.

short term goals:
*  get my weekly mileage back up  (will end with around 32 miles this week)
*  continue rotating track and hill repeats each week - shorter intervals  for 5ks - but adding more reps
*  last half marathon until the fall - 2 weeks away - no plans for time, just going to run a good, long tempo run.  :)

A few pics from recent runs 

MS

 MS -taking advantage of a noon time run.  

too soon,  it will be too hot to run mid day.

LA - wildflowers or weeds blooming along Bayou Lafourche

I'm enjoying the spring training and I'm so very anxious to "get back in shape."  Loving the variety of the spring training.  Baby steps - I will get there.  It just takes time.  

To bloggers and friends running Boston on Monday - good luck my friends.  

ENJOY!

Carpe Diem!

Gasping For Air

Ahhhh!  After years and years of racing, it still amazes me how gasping for air for 23 minutes and 42 seconds can give you such a good feeling, when it's done, of course.  

Can I just say....

I LOVE A FRIDAY NIGHT 5K

Seriously, is there any better way to start the weekend?  I think NOT!  Friday evening, 6:00 pm 5k, and I get to be lazy Sat am.  

I LIKE IT!

4 weeks post 26.2 and I WANTED to give the 5k a test.  Obviously, if one is "training smart", 4 wks post marathon, one would be working on a base and getting ready for the next phase of training.  

Remember????  

 It's  "Happy Feet No Rules Running" or maybe I should say "No Rules Racing"

I haven't gone totally crazy.  I'm still somewhat cautious about hard days, followed by easy days, and I keep weekly mileage increases in-check.  My weeks will still be filled with quality runs, easy runs, and probably even some "junk miles."   With that being said, I'm continuing on with my recent found freedom, and love of racing - when, and as often, as  I  want.   

YES, I'm continuing to trade reaching my absolute BEST,  at any distance, for the freedom of racing at-will.  What does this mean for the next few months?

April 10th - half marathon in Pensacola, FL Gulf Coast Half Marathon

April 30th - half marathon in Ridgeland, MS

I will race any, and all,  5ks that interest me, and fit into my weekly travels between MS and LA.  My track workouts/hill workouts will be focused on shorter distances (5Ks) throughout the spring/early summer.  The 2 half marathons above, will be my last 2 distances races until the early fall.  After the 2 half marys in April, my long runs will be 8-12 miles, throughout the summer.   I will continue with yoga, and I will get back to consistent weight workouts. 

That's IT!  That's the spring/summer plan! 

Oh, the Fri. night 5k?  yes, I wanted to use this 5k as a test to see where I'm at prior to speed work starting on Monday (with The Running Artist), and maybe a few others.   For all of my friends up north, who currently have snow on the ground, I'm sorry, but it was 76 degrees when I left my car at 5:00 pm.  It was a nice evening for a race.  Yes, 76 is warm (for me), but the humidity was not too bad, so that helped.  (another advantage to evening racing, typically, the humidity is lower in the evening)  I decided prior to the race, and prior to warming up to "go for it from the first mile."  Most of my races are planned to "even pace" or "even split" the miles as much as possible.  For whatever reason,for this race, I decided I would go out fast, and try to hang on.  As I warmed up, and felt the warm sun, I did question this plan for a brief period, but decided I would stick with the goal.   

This plan is RARELY, NEVER good for me, but from time to time, I just feel the need to prove it to myself again.   Today was no exception! 

7:22 too fast, gasping for air - NOW HANG ON!

7:47 - dumb idea, gasping for air, you know you should have paced!

7:45 - FINISH IT, without dying, gasping for air 

  :46 - then, in oxygen debt for about 5 minutes post race.

23:42 minutes of gasping for air, but it made a

SUPER GOOD FRIDAY NIGHT Feeling

this is why I RUN!

this is why I RACE!

I'm happy with the results.  4 wks post marathon, and no speed work yet, I will take that as my starting point.  The trick going forward will be to get "this body" to cooperate with fast rising, heat and humidity.  I'm going to give it my best try.  

A few goals before 2011 is done. 

*go sub 23 in a 5k

* "kick up" into a hand stand 

*increase the number of burpees I can do with "good form".  

What's my current burpee number?  I can do 4-5 before I start with the "sway back" on the push up.  Don't laugh!  Burpees are HARD, and I'm new to "man" push-ups and Burpees.

Thanks for all of the nice comments and emails recently.  You guys offer super support, and for that, I'm thankful! 

Downs, Downs and UPS!

Winkie and Scarlett on a cold night this winter

what have I been up too?

*since my last post -  Charlie's entertainment has gone

*for 2 weeks after the Snickers Marathon my only exercise was to walk or bike for 30 min., most days

*this leads to a BAD mood

*I had a biopsy 

this leads to a BAD mood, but,  thankfully it was benign

*having to deal with medical issues leads to a BAD mood - especially when you are mostly self pay (the downside of self-employment)

*our health insurance is going up $100.00 per month and yet, we have little coverage - basically hospitalization

*this leads to a BAD mood

*I gained weight post marathon

*this leads to a BAD mood

*I listened to "Car Talk" on the way to Panama City, FL - I like Car Talk

*I spent a few days on the boat and time with my hubby

*I love the water and the sun

*I finished reading Born to Run - a good book (a little slow at the beginning, but then it keeps you in suspense the rest of the way)

*this week I dreamed I was running barefoot - HA!

*I enjoyed the BIG MOON

*I walked, I biked

*I did some yard work

*We spent much time taking care of Winkie our cat - then she died -

this adds to the depressed mood from not running and training hard.

Winkie's in heaven loving on Nyla (our dog that she loved)

Winkie died from skin cancer. 

I HIGHLY recommend wearing sunblock.  I'm trying to be more consistent.  I always have block on my face, but I'm trying to be better about my arms & legs.

*Hubby is back to working a lot.  Good financially, but leaves me sad - too much time apart. 

*I ran my first post marathon run on Sat. March 19th - woo hoo!

*The following weekend, I ran my 25th - Azalea Trail Run 10k - (I run this one every year - in shape - out of shape - walk - run - it's all good)

Ran 49:43 - 

was super happy to run a quality run again

was happy with the time considering .....

*this week I've been "catching up" with work - post vacation time

*I lifted weights, I went to yoga, I did some burpees 

*I believe Burpees can kill you - can leave you dead on the floor

*I ended March with a staggering  86 miles of running (482 for 2011) and 41 miles walking, I biked 1-2 times, and a few yoga classes.

*clearly,  I should be rested and ready to RUN

*I plan to run a 5k this weekend because.......

running hard makes me HAPPY, and snaps me out of a "funk"

Things are definitely looking up!

THE BEST NEWS....

Monday I head back to the TRACK

because 

"  I feel the need, the need for speed"

My New Running Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QS0q3mGPGg

You Tube

Winning - A Song by Charlie Sheen

I've watched this about 100 times MUST get this one on my Ipod - HELP! 

What is the original song?

Trying to "spin it"

 Dawn, Vicki, Me, Terri

I had a fun birthday weekend with my friends.  We left Friday morning heading to Albany, Ga for the marathon.  I had not shared the fact that my birthday was on Friday, but we were about 30 min. into the trip when the secret "code word" was given, and it signaled the girls to put on their birthday hats, blow the birthday horns,  and surprise me with carb loading birthday cookies.  Fun way to start the trip to Albany, GA for the Snickers marathon.   (we had some pics but I think someone threatened someone, and it was decided best, not to post the pics)  Thanks Ladies!

I have no reason NOT to be HAPPY and PROUD.    

"The Case"

*I ran a sub 4:00 marathon.

*My 2nd fastest marathon

*A year older and still running well

*5 minutes faster than my recent, Dec. 2010, Huntsville marathon

*I have completed 19 marathons

*It was humid and warmer than I prefer, but I ran a good race.

I am happy, really I am, 

BUT ...

 I ran 3:51:40 and I needed 3:50 to qualify for Boston again. 

My recent goal has been to BQ again on a non downhill course (I BQ'ed at St. George)  The Snickers marathon has been on my list for a while now.  I was excited about the possibilities.  It's a mostly flat course, with minor rolling hills throughout the course.  It's a GREAT course, and GREAT marathon.  I would highly recommend it if you are trying to run a FAST marathon.  In Dec., I looked at the weather the past 5 years in Albany, GA on the Snickers 26.2 race days.  Each year it was in the 40's to start the race.  Woo Hoo...perfect - I signed up!

2011 when we exited the car at 6:30 am, 30 min before the start, it was 58 degrees.  It was mid 60s by 10:00.  The weather was humid.  Not great racing weather for me, but prior to the race, I thought, and hoped I could run well.  Yes, it was humid, but it was not extreme heat.  I thought I could do it.  I wanted to do it.  I fought for it, late in the race, I tried to shift gears, but I was out of gas. 

26.31 

1. 8:50 - had planned to go out around 9:05 for the first 2 miles, but after speaking with the pacer for the 3:50 pace group, I decided to keep them in my sight.   I didn't want to run in the pace group because it makes it difficult to run the tangents.  That was a good decision because this course has a lot of turns and curves.  

2.  8:51

3.  8:36

4.  8:49

5.  8:47

6.  8:45

7.  8:46

8.   8:27

9.   8:37

10. 8:36

11. 8:39

12.8:36

13. 8:36

14. 8:42

15. 8:52

16. 8:41

17. 8:49

18. 8:48

19. 8:51

20. 8:48

21. 8:47

22. 8:58

23. 9:16

24. 9:17

25. 8:57

26. 9:07

.3 - 2:41

If you picked one of the miles, and I ran slow for that mile, I apologize.   I did turn my thoughts to each of you, and appreciated what you have meant in my life - family, blogger, or local friend.  I thank you!   

So I will look back at this weekend with fond memories, with fun friends.  I appreciate all of the support.   I enjoyed this marathon, and would love to run it again with normal Albany temps.  I hope that our travel group will get together again for future road trips.   We had a FUN filled weekend, each fulfilling our passion to RUN.  Dawntherunner had a SUPER "comeback" race, and finished 1 minute away from her PR, and I believe this is her 11th marathon.   Terri was running her 3rd marathon, and finished 2 seconds away from her PR, and Vicki ran the half, and came in 2nd in her age group.

 WARNING

Stop reading here if you like the happy fairytale ending.  Read on if you want reality.

(Just like I "tried to run 3:50 and didn't succeed, I tried to "spin" the weekend into a total 100% positive - this time,  I can NOT.   If I'm being totally honest and "real" with my readers (whoever you are),  I will also look back at this race with 1 regret.  (I know, I know regrets are a total waste of time)  Normally, I can turn a race into a total positive - not this time.   This race had MANY positives, but this one will haunt me because I didn't BQ again.   I was in shape to do it.   I have the ability to do it, but it did not happen this weekend, or I did not make it happen this weekend.   I REALLY wanted to BQ again before the new times are implemented.   So as happy as I am about the weekend, as FUN as it was, as well as ran,  and as HARD as I try to spin it 100% positive -  this time, I can NOT.  It is what it is, the weekend is done, but this result will likely make me "mad enough" to "really start training")  

:) :)  (joke)    

I will correct the regret at a future date and time.    

2 weeks - no running -  and then time to make some plans.

I take this time to honor my body for doing what it does for me.  I take this time as a mental break.  I take this time as a physical break.  

I will come back healed and refreshed.

I'll be back, and I'll be on a mission to replace the regret with revenge.  :) 

I haven't reached my FULL POTENTIAL YET - I just feel it!

As always - thanks for reading and have a GREAT week.

 

3:51

I'm thinking about that!