Cori --- The Grand Finale

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog:

The Video

The Story

Traci - Week of THE MARATHON!

I've been having some serious anxiety all week. However, it really got to me this morning when I checked in on Southwest.com. That was scary. That means we are really leaving in the morning and really have to do this. Even though I'm really nervous and have no idea what to expect, I'm looking forward to this. It is a great opportunity and a huge accomplishment. Push, pull or drag, I will cross that finish line.

This week has been another one to go down in the books at work. But today, as I was leaving, I was thankful for my crappy week. It actually made running a marathon seem like fun and something I couldn't wait to do. And this is how I should feel. I've also been seeing all these people post on Facebook how they can't wait for the weekend, yada yada. Me? I'm scared to death of this weekend and just wanted it to never come. But it's here, and I'm going to embrace it and make the best of it.

See you in the morning Chi-town!

Cori --- Marathon Weekend Eve

I feel like this post should start, "Twas the night before Christmas..."

Do I have time to post? No. Are my to-do lists all checked? No. But I'm getting over the stomach flu, and I have to take frequent rest periods, so multi-tasking here I come!

I have posted 6 pages of instructions for how to care for my children. Even the Gremlins only had two rules, and ironically, they're on my list, too.
Don't get them wet!
Don't feed after midnight!

I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life. I was nervous before my wedding, but I knew at day's end, I'd be married and it would all be good.
I was nervous before I gave birth, but I knew what to expect.
But this, this is unchartered territory.....
All I focus on now are things that may make a 26.2 mile run slightly uncomfortable. Like my cramping stomach, and my throbbing left toenail. I want to feel perfect, damn it! Because even under the best of circumstances, this is going to be brutal.

Here's the motto that I'm repeating to myself today.

Have fun. This is exciting! A lot of people will never experience this. Just get through it, and pray. Pray that I don't bleed through my shoes. Pray that my stomach returns to normal. Pray that my legs feel good. Live in the moment. This is going to be a mile marker in my life, and I don't want to cast a shadow over it by clouding it with worry.

Thank you, God, for getting me to Friday, October 8th.

Ingram---out.

(Like that? I think I'm Ryan Seacrest.)

Friendships

Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust. -Jesse Owens-

Journey

The depth of a soul is not measured by what appears on the surface but what lies in the heart.

Traci - Week #15

I think I've been off a few weeks this entire time because SOMEHOW it's already week 15 of 16. I guess week 15 has been my week of reflection. First and foremost, the girls I run with. Do you know how many hours the three of us have logged? How many miles we have logged? You would think we would run out of things to say. We actually thought we needed to make lists of things to talk about while we ran so we didn't run dry. Totally not the case. Actually, most mornings on the car ride home AFTER running for hours together talking each others ears off, we'd be like, "oh, I know what I was going to tell you guys...." That's a lot of chit-chatting people. But that's what I love. We never run out of things to say. We have talked about everything in these 15 weeks from kids, husbands, health, finances, careers, faith, you name it. Good or bad, these poor girls know everything about me. Running truly is therapy.

Secondly, I have been reflecting on how far we truly have come. A year and a half ago, we were building up to a 3 mile run. 3 miles. And I mean to tell you, we struggled. It was no easy feat, but we did it and were so proud. I never pictured myself doing any more than that. Then came 13.1. Never thought I'd see the day, but it too has passed (now several times, thanks to our lovely training schedule). But in one short week, we are going to be able to say we did 26.2 miles. The unthinkable in my mind.

And last, but not least... back on to the weight thing. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on this earth saying, "When I'm done with all this marathon training, I'm going on a diet." Pretty sure marathon training helps most people lose weight, but not this girl. I am actually the exact same weight I was day 1 of training, but I feel even less tone. Pity party on me, but it sucks. But oh well, because I'm pretty sure that on 10/10/10 when I cross that finish line, I won't care one bit what the number on my scale at home is. I will be on cloud nine!

Jen Week 15 What What!

Mon--R5
Tues--Off
Wed--R5
Thur--Off
Fri--Off
Sat--SL8

We are on the home stretch and it feels so good! I am 100% excited for Sunday, nerves have gone away with the training runs and this is where we can sit back and enjoy the next 26.2 miles. I mentioned to Traci on our last long run that I was kind of emotional that this was our last long run together but in my heart I know its not...right Traci :) I have learned so much about my runner partners and am so blessed to call them a few of my best friends, opened my eyes to new directions/beliefs and pushed myself when I thought my body was going to give in. I have proved to myself that I am can do anything!

I can remember last fall when I was biking with Cori and Traci as they where training for the gobbler grind and thinking how I would love to be doing this with them and sharing in the training process but baby Mia was not allowing me to run period. Fast forward 11 months and only one of us finish that 1/2 marathon and I am grateful..sorry Cori. Had they both completed that I have no doubt in my mind they would have set their goals for a full in the spring because that's how they roll and I would have missed out on this wonderful experience with them. God's plan works every time!! So this is "our" time and we are making the most of it! Excited beyond words and so so blessed to be here in this moment.

Cori --- The Final Countdown

Week 15, I think.

Mon--R4
Tues--R4
Wed--Off
Thur--Off
Fri--Off
Sat--SL8

Tapering is good and bad. My body feels good, but my head feels bad. Traci said to me the other day, "I feel like I'm losing it." It meaning all of our hard won endurance and strength. I am more scared that I've never had enough of "it". We only did the 20 one time. Is that enough to carry us through 26.2 miles? Three weeks later? Really? I have woke up twice this last week and had trouble going back to sleep due to this haunting question.

But the experience is going to be fun, even if I vomit a few times due to extreme anxiety. (Wish I was kidding.) I am 75% excited, and 25% nervous. We have been insanely busy throughout this training, but it has been one of the best times of my life. Part of me doesn't want it to end. Everyone's training log may be a little different, due to time off/injuries, etc., but I have logged about 305 miles since the end of June. I can hardly believe that. I just never thought that was possible.

I can't speak for Traci yet, but Jen and I are planning to keep running an average of 12 - 15 miles a week after we get back. We don't want to stop. We have solved the problems of the world, many, many times over, in 300+ miles. And yes, I know it's going to get cold, but right now I'm imagining that I won't care, because the face time that I have gotten with my friends has been something that I will cherish forever.

Now, having said all of that, I want nothing but the best for these girls. If I am struggling in Chicago, they better keep moving without me, and bring in their best time. (Does everyone hear me?) I do not need to be coddled. I have too much respect for you, and myself, for anyone to do less than their best. Traci and Jen, I know you guys have felt badly on the runs when I have dropped back, but I appreciated you giving me the space to do what I had to do when I was injured, and I never resented it. To be honest, I felt like you respected me. You know I'm low maintenance, and you trusted that I was a big girl emotionally. That's why we're friends. (But Nickie, I really did appreciate you hanging with me on the dark trail, because I couldn't see a damn thing!)

So here's to whatever next weekend brings......praying for all of us!

Cori --- Week 14 Review

Monday....L7.4 (I had to get home and bathe the kids so that last 0.6 got scrapped.)
Tues......R4 (Football practice was over, so R5 became R4.)
Wed.....OFF
Thurs....L8 (No excuses. Actually did 8.)
Fri.......OFF

I think this is week 14. I had my last Physical Therapy session this week. Still ice-ing and stretching daily. Tapering feels good. I haven't even had that "Am I losing my fitness level" panic yet. I was sick of the really long runs. However, when I look at that countdown, and how close the days are getting until the race, I am kind of nauseated. Not scared yet, just a sick feeling because I dread the anxiety that I am going to feel on October 9th---the day before.

So I focus on the mundane: What kind of shirt should I wear? Where can I find cute running shorts with pockets? Can I really fit all of my "gear" into a carry-on? (The Trooper thinks I should not check luggage.) I fought him at first, but it's actually not a bad idea. What if they lost something, like my running shoes? I'm also starting to stress about leaving the kids. I've never done that before. If ever there were a weekend that my nerves could use a glass of wine---this is it. And I can't because I need to be hydrated and at optimum physical functioning. (Sigh.)

Traci pointed out something funny. The after-marathon party starts at 10am. The marathon starts at 7:30am. Um.....2 1/2 hours for 26.2 miles........really? On the flipside of the coin, our husbands ought to be able to eat lunch before we even show up. (Smile)

Cori --- Making Life More Complicated...

Let's discuss my running style. (Sorry to be a blog whore, but I've got a lot to say tonight.)

This is how I prepared to run 18 months ago:

1. Put on shoes.

This is how I run now:

1. Tape left foot.
2. Put on heart monitor.
3. Put on very expensive shoes, very carefully, in order not to knock off my dying toenail.
4. Put on Garmin watch. Find satellites.
5. Fill Camelbak with water.
6. Lock cellphone and tuck it in Camelbak. (I have learned that it really is safer to carry it.)
7. Put on iPod if running alone.
8. Pack Gu if running more than 7 or 8 miles.

This is becoming quite the process. Think it will ever be carefree again?

Cori --- Joy

I had one of my "old lady memory" moments tonight. I took Aidan to football, and decided to get in a few miles instead of sitting in the car watching practice.
I ran down County Rd 2. (Traci, can you believe I even attempted it?!) This road has been a thorn in my side. The first time I ever really got "hurt", I was on this road, and then during our 10 mile run, which seems like eons ago, the hills on that road stirred up my IT Bands by mile 3. I swore that I'd never run it again.
But I can't control where Coach Shane holds football practice. (smile) So I took off. I only had about 45 minutes. I ran up and down hill after hill to one of my favorite cemeteries. I love cemeteries. I think it's because I love history so much. But this cemetery is special to me in a way. In the winter of 1998, when I was a very new nurse, I took care of a patient only a few years older than myself. She had gone to my high school. I bonded with her, and her mother. Then very unexpectedly, she died. She was 27 years old. I was off for a few days, and when I came back to work, I inquired about where she had gone, and someone casually told me that she died. I was really affected by that, more so than most of the deaths I have encountered in my career. I have visited her grave at least a dozen times. It just reminds me that there are no guarantees in life, and that I should be thankful for growing older, and the many blessings that I have.
So I ran to her grave tonight. And then I stood there for a moment looking at it, thinking about how much my life has changed since 1998, and how much her life would have changed---had she lived. And then I looked up, and I saw hills, and the setting sun, and horses, and I just realized that life is really good, and being alive is good, and running makes me feel so alive. It wasn't a sad moment, more of a "Wow, life is beautiful" moment. And I'm grateful that I have had 35 years on this earth to experience such joy.

And then I ran back to football practice.

Have I mentioned how much I love to run? Thank goodness we are tapering. The joy is returning. I want you Chicago, and I can't wait to show up, but give me a low-key 5 mile run where I can ponder life any day.

Traci - Week #11

I can't forget to post my weekly stats THIS week. THIS week was the first time I actually did 2 runs and 3 days of crosstraining! There is a first time for everything!

M - Ran 5
T - weights
W - weights
Th - Ran 8
F - weights
Weekend - ATE, ATE, and oh yeah, did ZERO exercising.

I just have to say that I love tapering down on the mileage, but 8 still sucks. I forget that sometimes and think, "Oh, 8's not that much." Oh yes it is!

Cori --- It's a Learning Process....

This has been a really good week.

Last Friday = L18

Sat = Off

Sun = Off

Mon = Off

Tues = SL8

Wed = Physical Therapy

Thur = Physical Therapy

Fri = L20

There has not been a lot of cross-training going on. The long runs have been so hard on my body that I felt like I needed the rest more than anything. I finished my Medrol dose pack this week, and started P.T. Wednesday we did AStym on the right leg. You can read more about it by clicking on it. It was pretty painful, but tolerable. It also left me bruised from ankle to groin on that side. Thursday was soft tissue massage and Ultrasound. Even on my "off" days, I spend at least an hour ice-ing, stretching, and doing P.T. exercises. I also bought new shoes last week. The Nike Vomero:

Runner's World picked them as tehe #1 Neutral Running Shoe. I have very high arches, so I have to wear neutral shoes. They were about $40 more than my last running shoes, but I was looking for a miracle, and willing to shell out almost any amount.

I also switched my running fuel. I prefer Shot Blox. But I was not eating enough of them to keep my energy up. They are bulky, and you have to carry a lot of them on long runs. I finally switched to Gu, and only for convenience sake.

I find it disguisting, and at times it makes me dry heave to even feel it touch my tongue. But it does the job. My heart rate has not gone above 170 during training since I started using it, and it's much easier to carry 4 packets of Gu in my pocket. I can also eat it more quickly than the shot blox. My stomach is not loving it, though. Speaking of stomach sensitivity, Gatorade can keep me in the bathroom for hours. Once we get to Chicago I am avoiding the sports drink, taking my Gu and water, and bringing chewable Pepto Bismol. I never knew that running was such a scientific experience, but it feels like I'm constantly trying new "formulas" to enhance my performance. (And by enhance, I mean "trying to complete a run without wanting to die".)

L20 was the best run I have ever had. I still can't believe it. For the first time I ran with normal pain as opposed to injured pain. It was so enjoyable. I wanted to cry with happiness. It wasn't easy by any means, but I finally think I can do this race. To God be ALL of the glory for that. I feel like He has led me to the right people, and I'm finally getting on track physically. Better late than never, right?

Best part of the L20? Our Garmins hit "20" miles about 1/2 mile from our cars. Jen's husband was waiting in the parking lot for us. We actually called him and made him come pick us up. Yes, let's reiterate that: We ran TWENTY miles and then made Jen's husband pick us up rather than walk 1/2 mile to our cars. We just couldn't go any further. As Jen dialed she said, "There's no shame in our game, this sister is done!"

Amen.

Haven't measured this week. Weight is still at 140. I am really happy with that. I feel so much more "muscley" than usual. My skinny jeans are no longer tight. They were even tight when I bought them, so that is super exciting to me. I am nervous to start tapering though, because I am eating everything that's not tied down. Especially meat. I crave hamburgers lately. In the last 8 days we ran 46 miles! No wonder our metabolisms are fast. Now that we're slowing it down I'm going to have to be more careful and weight watcher-y. I fear going backwards, because it's been such a long road to get here. After I gave birth to Cooper, in January 2008, I weighed 210 pounds. That baby made me so fat! (Not your fault, Coop, but take one for the team, please.) I am already thinking about what race I'll do next---full steam ahead. Maybe not a marathon, but something....

Traci - Week #10 "The Good, Bad & Ugly"

The good news is that we are officially done with our long runs until the marathon. You don't even know how exciting that is.

The bad news is that I'm not exactly what I pictured myself when I pictured a "marathon runner." I was supposed to be super skinny and tone. In other words, my measurements and my weight still haven't changed. I don't think running is the sport to choose to lose weight. If you're like me, you'll realize it just makes you eat like a teenage boy.

The ugly news is my feet. After our L18 last week, my feet were in pain. Not just the youjustran18milesonme achy, sore feeling, but a true pain. So, I decided new shoes were a must. I'm so glad I got them because I didn't feel that pain today. My feet hurt like hell, don't get me wrong, but today it truly was just the youjustran20milesonme achy, sore feeling. However, my feet have looked so ugly after runs. They are all red and purple blotchy looking. They really feel fine right now, but they are still ugly.


And lastly, after running 20 miles today, guess what hurts. My jaw. Seriously, it started hurting around mile 5. At the end of 20 I couldn't close my mouth all the way. I have taken 4 Aleve today and when it is in full swing, I'm good to go, but when it wears off I can't close my jaw all the way. Weird, but true.

Cori --- Can We Rent Wheelchairs at the Airport?

Well, to quote Elton John...I'm still standing.
I have no idea what week it is, by the way.

I have spent the last week doing my Physical Therapy exercises, stretching, ice-ing, and swimming. Then on Thursday I met Dr. Noland---a sports medicine doctor at KU. (Prince would call him "Dr. Everything'll Be Alright") Love, love, loved him. When I get really anxious and emotional, I sometimes start to cry, and I HATE this about myself. I was worried that I would walk into his office and the tears would immediately flow, "Please take away my leg pain. Give me a cortisone shot. Anything. Just HELP ME." But thankfully, that's not how our meeting went at all. Desperate Cori was present and accounted for, but somehow I pulled off charming and Type A, as opposed to "does she need a 'script for Xanax?" It's a fine balance, people.

First off, Dr. Noland is very friendly, and went out of his way to put me at ease. Then he nicely teased me because I brought a timeline of events for my injury, a list of questions, and a list of suggestions. (No, not arrogant at all, Cori, I told myself. You and Google are free to challenge all of Dr. Noland's medical training.) Before he even looked at my list, he laughingly said, "I can tell, you just want me to bust out a needle." I lit up like a Christmas tree at this, "Yes, yes, I do! How about some Cortisone?" He very kindly said, "No, not in your best interest." But he put me on a steroid dose pack to decrease my inflammation, got me reinstated in Physical Therapy, and then gave me a pep talk that was much needed. He said a lot of kind words, but here's what I walked away with:

"Your knee and your hip are in good shape. Mechanically, there is nothing wrong with you. You've definitely got an inflamed IT Band---and that will hurt. Cori, you are not going to hurt your knee by running, but your knee is going to hurt you. Run until you can't."

He went on say that he believes all runners possess a degree of insanity, and that he does not mean to keep running if I am limping. (At this point, strangely, his voice started to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher.....Wah Wa WaWaWah.....it turns out females can have selective hearing, too!) Everything else he said became my mantra to push on.

And so Friday morning I woke up at 4:30 am and ran 18 miles with the girls. I cried twice. Serious, serious pain. I would rather have a baby without drugs. But I want this SO badly. At this point I don't have a shut off short of physical collapse. I prayed for days that if it was not God's will for me to do this marathon He would tell me "no". And I told Him that I needed it to be a loud "NO!", not a "Hmm...did I hear Him right?" Well, since that moment, I have had sign after sign that it is okay for me to trust Him and proceed. So that's what I'm doing. I am not naive---this is not going to be easy for me. I may be the slowest person in Chicago after the pain kicks in, and I very well may finish alone. And I hate that. I have too much pride. Still. But I'd rather finish dead last than not finish at all.

I know that this marathon is not the most important thing in the world. It's just a hobby. I try to talk myself down everyday, so that I don't get thoroughly depressed if I can't finish. But I think about it a lot. I love this quote:

"It's not like somebody else can run a marathon for you. It's all you out there. Finishing means you can say, "There's not a lot I can't do." --------- Kenneth Feld

That pretty much sums it up for me.

So the crippled girl is rockin' on. :-)

Jen Recap 3 runs

49:23 pace 9:50 this is the fastest I have ever done a 5 mile race! I had a runners high for a week, I know to most that this would be a slower time but there was a point in the race when we where running a 7 min mile and we looked fast too, finally :) thanks Traci for your competitive spirt!

The 14 and 16 runs where great, body felt good, nailed down my water, gu, Gatorade intake...then came the 18 miler. I felt like I was setting myself up to fail because I had two great runs and just knew I had to come down off my high. Well the 18 didn't disappoint! Body felt great until 10 miles and then my right shin started burning BAD! This lead to a foot/ankle pain from running different trying to compensate for the ache shin. Cardio wise I felt good, but my body was broken.

I finally got in the extra runs along with swimming twice, I guess 10 weeks into the training is better than never, right? Trying really hard to buckle down on the cross training and nutrition for the next 35 day. I'm tired of losing the same damn 2 pounds every week, weekends are evil.

Traci - Week #9

All my weeks are clouding up into one. Week 9 started off for me doing the 5 mile Tiblow Trot on Saturday morning. I have to say it was a blast. Jen and I busted it out, horrible hills and all, in 49 minutes! Then Monday I swam 600m and was lazy the rest of the week. Then came this morning, which I guess is technically week 10, but who cares. At 5am Jen, Cori and I ran our L18. And it was L. I felt pretty good for the first 15 miles and then out of nowhere I ran into that new huge brick wall they just built across K32. Have you guys seen it? Well, it hurts. The last three miles my body was done. It was clearly telling me that it couldn't go on. It was all I could do to just lock in, focus and finish. It's over with, I'm hurting, but I can't help but smile when I realize that other than the Marathon, we just have ONE more of these horrible long runs left before tapering off. Best wishes to Jen, Cori, Nickie and Holly as we complete our last week of long runs!

Traci - Week #9

The main thing on my mind this week is the fact that we only have 2 more long runs left! This is very exciting, but also scary at the same time. That means the real deal is getting closer and closer.

This week was a little different for me. We ran our L16 on Friday morning and then our L17 on Tuesday night. I was a little worried about doing them somewhat back to back, as my body is used to getting a week off. My L16 was probably my worst run I've had yet. I never hit a runner's high. The entire thing sucked, and I sucked air the entire time. It couldn't be over fast enough for me. When it was over I took an ice bath, then a normal bath, then dosed up with ibuprofen and slathered myself in Biofreeze. I also took the rest of the day off from work so I got to sneak a nap in. I think all of the above things helped in recovery, although I was still very stiff.

Tuesday night we ran our L17 on the Millcreek Streamway trail. We started about 7pm and finished about 10:30pm. I kind of feel bad blogging about this, but this was an absolutely awesome run for me. I just wish the entire group could hook up and have a good run all on the same day, but it never happens. I think there were two main reasons I felt good throughout this run. The #1 reason I believe it felt so much better was the weather. It was absolutely beautiful! We couldn't have asked for any better weather. The #2 reason I think this run was better was my Gu intake. I started off by taking an entire packet of Gu. Normally it takes me about 5 miles to warm up, but with the Gu I truly felt like I got to skip the crappy first 5 mile pain. It helped put my mind in a better place. Then I continued to take Gu every 45 minutes to an hour, about 1/2 a pack each time. I felt great until mile 15.5 when my body decided it was time to quit; this was too far. I was just praying that I will be able to feel like this on the day. Now we just have to try to simulate this run 3 more times. One for 18 miles, one for 20 miles and then FOR 26 MILES!

Once again, I didn't cross train, I didn't measure, and I didn't lose any weight. Except for the 2 pounds that I like to gain every weekend and lose again during the week, but that doesn't count.

Cori --- OUCH!

Prepare to feel nauseated.

This is sooooo not worth it.
This toe throbs with every step.
L17 was rough. I pulled off 15 miles due to incredibly supportive friends, and my God, and then I had to throw in the towel. My knee almost made me cry, and that's a first.

I am now on a running vacation. I have an appointment with a sports medicine doctor next week, where I intend to beg for a magic wand, or a cortisone shot. I don't know him, and am nervous that he might just tell me that I need to take time off. He will have a crying, mess of a girl in his office if he takes that approach. (In case someone wants to call and warn him.)

So I am going to be in the pool for the next week or two, fighting to stay in shape.
I don't know where this is going.
I don't even know if it's okay to ask for prayers for such a selfish, shallow subject, but....they would be appreciated.
I have done everything I can possibly do to make this happen on my own strength. And I won't quit, but I don't want to get my heart broken. It's all in God's hands now. And that scares me, because he said "No" last time.
Barbara Johnson, one of my favorite Christian authors taught me a prayer in times like these, when you are just SICK of worrying.
"Whatever, Lord."
I'm there. I hear you, Barbara.
And to the three girls who texted or called me by 9am for moral support, YOU'RE THE BEST! You make this all worthwhile, even the black toenail.
And I am seriously loving that boy that I married. He has been my rock, as usual.

Time to go and ice the leg....

Our Bodies Hurt, But We Will Go On

I saw this shirt online and thought it was inspirational:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version)

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Cori --- Week 8...remind me why I'm doing this?

Week 8....another joy....ha ha

Sat...Off
Sun...Off
Mon...SL6
Tues...R4
Wed...Off
Thurs...Weights
Fri...L16

Weight: 140 (Really liking this....but not sure that I'm not just dehydrated.)

I am not really in my usual long-winded mood, so here's the lowdown.
L16 did not defeat me....but it gave me a serious ass kicking.
My (what else) IT Bands started acting up at mile 4, so I stopped running. That's right, wisdom finally prevailed, and I realized that if I push through that pain, my leg will lock up. Been there, done that.
But my wisdom is somewhat outweighed by my determination. So I race-walked, between a 14 and 15 min/mile, with little bursts of running. And I finished all 16 miles. Alone. Without my iPod.
At times, this training is starting to feel like spiritual boot camp. And I wasn't aware that I had enlisted.
So the question of the day became, 'Does God care about things like marathons?' 'Is it okay to beg Him to help me finish?' (As if I haven't been.) 'Should I care so much about this?'

I got nothing, people. No answers. No wisdom.
But I am getting tougher mentally every day, and that's half the battle in this race.
I have no earthly idea how I'm going to roll if I have trouble with L17. But it's not even like it's something to complain about! Boo hoo, I can't run 17 miles..... Seriously? How many people ever try? I feel kind of spoiled when I get sad about this. I am so blessed that I don't feel like I have the right to be upset.

So I just keep going. Running when I can. Walking when I can't.

Traci - Week #8

Well, my hands are shaking as I write this. The nerves for our L16 just kicked in full blast. I think the stress of this whole process is starting to get to me. It has become so demanding and intense. I have wanted to throw in the towel several times now. Sometimes I just think I got myself into way too much. This crossing the finishline thing better be as good as people say it is. And, oh yeah, the after party!!

Fri - L14
Sat - off
Sun - off
Mon - SL6 and swam 700m
Tues - off
Wed - off
Thurs - off
Tomorrow - L16

Measurements (compared to day 1):
Thigh 22 1/4, down 1 inch
Calf 14 1/2, down quarter of an inch
Butt 38, down 1 inch
Under Bellybutton 32, down 1 3/4 inches
Waist 30, down 1 1/2 inches
Bust 35, down 1 inch
Bicep 11, down 1/4 inch

Well, at least something is moving down, because the scale is still only 2 pounds down from day 1. Not quite what I expected 8 weeks into this training thing. However, that is why I've come to love taking measurements. Gives me some sense of hope and motivation.

Jen Motivation

"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."

Ann Trason

Look out 16!

Traci - Why Not?

As you all know I have been slacking in the cross training department. I really have tried hard to make it more of a priority, but life just gets in the way. I knew I had to run 6 miles tonight, but I also knew that today at lunch I actually had time to cross train. So I swam 700m and ran 6 miles. And the best part? The outdoor pool at the gym has been absolutely crazy with about 150 little kids running around, the slide waves ruining my stride, etc. But today? The slide wasn't even running and there were only 4 ADULTS at the pool, myself included. I'm going to try to take advantage of this before it closes Labor Day weekend. I'm gonna have to post the email I sent my boss today with my schedule for the next couple of weeks. CRAZY. But, he said we'll make it work and approved it all. Most of it had to do with running, go figure.

Cori --- Time to get some craziness out....

A few random, unimportant thoughts:

1. I am tired all of the time. Why is this? I thought exercise should make one more energetic? I think maybe we have crossed the fine line between "exercise" and needing clearance from a cardiologist to continue an activity. Do you realize that we're running 24 miles this week? Blechh.

2. And for superhuman tricks, I am now my own heart rate monitor. That's right. I know immediately when my heart rate goes above 170. I feel it differently in my chest. I tested my theory out on my last 3 runs, and sure enough, I am right every time.
I don't think this is desirable, feeling your heart beat hard in your chest.

3. Does anyone else now watch their trip odometer in their car? On weekends, I have to clock mileage all day for my job, and I get so disguisted when I drive FOREVER, and look down to realize that it was only 14.9 miles. Not encouraging, people...

4. Also, I know this is whiny, but I don't feel like running 16 miles this week. Refer to #1.

5. Oh, and one more thing. When I was 22 I had a mustang that always had a "check engine" light on. But the car was fine. Being a single, working gal, I did not want to go to a mechanic to have the light shut off. But it really bothered me. So I put a piece of electrical tape over it so that I didn't have to look at it any more. (That denial thing is quite the coping mechanism, let me tell you.) This made any man who saw it either roll his eyes, or laugh like crazy. Well, that's how I'm starting to feel about this little countdown until the marathon that rolls in the sidebar. Like I want to put a piece of tape over it and sing "LALALALA".

Okay, rant over.

Jen Week 7 & Reasons I Run

photo taken by Megan Duerksen


So my oldest daughter turned 7 this weekend and got me thinking of all the things I wanted for her and the direction I saw her life going. I know what am I thinking she is only 7 right, but this wave of emotion came over me I watch this past year as she changed from a little girl into a school-ager with big girl teeth! Then I realized as long as she felt peace and happiness with herself and where she is at that particular moment in life everything else will fall into place.

This is the biggest reason I run, not the only but the part that motivates me when I feel like my lead legs, purple face and achy feet cant go another mile. I want them to know that even if they aren't the best (or fastest in my case) that heart/dedication and hard work go a long way...and because I had a little brother "I can do anything a boy can do" attitude as well. I hope someday they remember that their mommy ran a marathon after she had their little sister and feel proud. I know they will not think about me winning or having the best time but that I did it and they can too!


Sat ---Off
Sun ---Off
Mon---Ran 6 on the treadmill- boring!
Tue --- off
Wed --- Swim
Thur ---Off
Fri ---L14

Cori --- Week 7 Review

Week 7 .....lots to say....


Sat ---Off
Sun ---Off
Mon---Off (Swimming canceled due to a sick Cooper.)
Tue --- R4 (Supposed to be SL6, but the 100+ temp threatened to kill us and our plans were cut short. Look at us being sensible....woo-hoo.)
Wed --- Off (Once again, Cross Training canceled. This time I was the sick one.)
Thur ---Off
Fri ---L14


What a week. I didn't have much choice about my workouts this week. I just could not control the circumstances surrounding me. But mentally, I was beat up, too. My right leg hurt all week. It was bad enough that I almost took another week off and skipped L14. But I knew that mentally I would be beat down if I fell behind, so I made myself do it, and I have never been more glad.

I should add that even though I didn't "work out" much this week, I did do all of my strength and flexibility exercises at home that Chris gave me. And you know, I think they are working.


Thursday night I was very nauseated, and all from anxiety. I was so scared to attempt 14 miles. I cannot tell you how many times I prayed and what I said, but I will say this, I think the spiritual side of me is getting as much a workout as the physical side of me during this training. And that's good. It's unfortunate, but sometimes fear is one of the best motivators to drive me closer to God.

Friday morning started with Traci picking me up at 4:45am. Traci has picked me up this early before, but usually it involves coffee and Black Friday shopping. This trip......not as much fun.

Sneak Peek into last Friday morning, 4:45am:

Traci pulls her Honda quietly into my driveway. It is dark outside. My whole house is asleep. I quietly tiptoe barefoot out of the house, carrying my Nike's, my Camelbak, my breakfast, my Powerade, and my cell phone. (So much for travelling light.) I open up the door, sit down shotgun, and turn to look at my friend's tired eyes that reflect my own.
"Well," I say, "this was a stupid idea."
"Yeah," she answers as she backs out of my driveway.
What a good friend Traci is, to not mention that I talked her into this "brilliant" plan to run a marathon.

Because I have to be honest, it's not feeling like such a hot idea any more. I am not saying that part of me doesn't like the idea of it. I do. But these long runs are hellish. I have thought more than once, 'Why am I doing this?' But I have become addicted to endorphins. Mile 9 and I are BFF. I get a high that I cannot explain around Mile 9. Sadly, it only lasts until Mile 11. But for 2 miles, I am Superwoman! How can I prolong that feeling? I don't know yet. How do I accelerate that rush so that Miles 1-8 aren't quite as torturous? I don't know that yet either.
The conversations on the runs are priceless. They are old lady memories. That's what I called memories that I will ponder when I look back on my life someday, and reflect on what made me the happiest. I don't even know if the stories would be amusing to other people, but it reminds me of army buddies. Attempting something like this bonds you in a way that is unexplainable. No one else really "gets" it. And the good thing about running buddies is that they will listen to your physical complaints and never say, "This is not an illness. This is self-inflicted. So shut up, or quit." Running buddies just say, "Yeah, I could go for a morphine drip today, too."

Some of my fave clips of the week:
***While running on K-32 at 7am, we FINALLY saw another runner. She is our age, has our physical makeup, and she is wearing a camelbak! A soul sister! All three of us instantly loved that lone girl with the brown ponytail, and I could tell by her face that she loved us, too. Jen yelled, "Hello, fellow runner!" I was equally excited. "Did you see her girls? She looked like us!" (That is code for: She looks like a mom, and not a sinewy, muscle-y, "I-run-30-miles-before-breakfast" runner.) Or as Jen more succintly puts it, "Yeah, she's not a skinny bitch."

***Then there were the trains. About half dozen trains passed us this particular morning. And come to think of it, we saw trains in Parkville last week, too. And train conductors always give us an extra couple of whistles on the train. I consider it a show of support, not flirtatious. Because there is nothing cute about us after a few miles.

***The Six Degrees of Separation concept. Too true! Granted, Jen and I know a lot of the same circles of people, but I can't tell you how many links we have made lately, all while chatting on runs. We were talking about a newfound mutual acquaintance and Jen mentioned that he smoked a lot of marijuana.
Me: "No, can't be. He's very involved in his church. He's a very active Christian."
Jen (very seriously): "Yes. He has a strong faith,.... and a closet full of marijuana that he grows himself."
For some reason, after 8.9 miles, that statement was the funniest thing that I had ever heard. It's like being punch drunk. I could barely run I was laughing so hard.

These are the times when I LOVE to run. Laughter, freedom, sweating, friends.....it's the ideal break for a stressed out mommy.

And I have to tell you. For the first time, I now think I have a shot at finishing in Chicago. I don't care about my time, I'm slow, whatever. But my ITB issues were really concerning me. And I don't know if it's the prayer, or the new exercises, but my 14 mile run was virtually pain free. (Minus the toenail threatening to fall off and general soreness from such incredible abuse of my body. "Pain free" is a relative term.) I was able to run, not walk, but run, up and down my stairs after the run. That is new for me. Usually I have spent Saturday and Sunday babying myself so that I could hopefully work out again on Monday. But I feel good today. I am so grateful to God for this. I do not take it for granted.

And one more thing....does anyone but me hate food during and after a run? (I know not Jen and Traci....they were popping mozzarella sticks before we even got our heart rate monitors off last week. No judgment, just reporting the facts.) But I have to force myself to eat while running. The idea is so repulsive. And then after the run, I don't want to eat for hours. I make myself, because I know I need the protein to rebuild my muscles, but it is the most joyless process. And that is weird for me, because I am a foodie. Why doesn't food taste good after a workout? It's kind of ruining my whole fantasy about ordering the greasiest, fattest cheeseburger in Chicago about 10 minutes after I cross the finish line. Now, I do make up for it later, I guess. I ate about half a pizza last night. But the nutrition is very important post-run, and I'm having trouble getting food down. And I don't want to be the only weirdo, so I hope someone else has this issue, too.

STATS:
Waist: 30" (Down 1")
Hips: 38.5 (Down 1.5")
Thighs: 21.5 (Down 1")
Bust: 37" (Same)
Calf: 14.25 (Same)
Bicep: 11" (Down 1")
BMI: 22.2 (Down .7)
Weight: 142 (Down 4 lbs since training started)

I am stopping Weight Watchers for now. I am still eating some of the same food, but if I follow it too closely I feel too tired to train. Even though I'm 7 lbs away from my original goal weight, I'm okay with that. I feel strong and healthy, and that's what matters.

Traci - Week #7

I can't think about week 7 because I'm thinking about the start of week 8. Yep, 14 miles at 5am... before I head to work for the day. Could be interesting! However, I'm also very excited for it as it will be the furthest I've ever run. Pretty awesome stepping block in this adventure.

Week 7 consisted of a 12 mile run last Friday night and a horrible 4 mile run on Tuesday night. It was supposed to be the SL6, but with the heat, humidity and my crappy bronchitis/sinus infection crap I've got goin' on... it wasn't. Oh well. I think it was finally the run that everyone around me always worries about. "Don't run in this heat." "Don't overdo it." "It's dangerously hot, ya know?" I think my body finally told me, "Traci, this is the one you shouldn't push it on." Ok. I didn't.

I didn't reach any part of my goal of cross training this week either, which is really a bummer. I had great intentions, but a hectic week. I'm also too lazy to do my measurements again this week, but I feel the same. And, my weight hasn't changed either. Well, from Thursday to Thursday anyways. Last Thursday I was down 2 pounds. By the end of the weekend I was up 3. But now I'm back down.

Jen and Cori, see you at the buttcrack of dawn for our L14!

Jen RICE

First you should know while I am typing this post I am in horrible pain!! Ankle in a bucket of ice and it burns... oh the pain. Anyway, can you believe we are down to 60 DAYS, Yippee! With that being said my dad always used this stratagey "RICE" when we got hurt during sports. I'm sure you've heard it before its a good reminder with our big runs coming soon.

RICE= Rest, Ice, Circulation, Elevation.

Jen Week #6 Review

WE are almost half way there and boy does this old body hurt! Like Cori said the L12 felt great all up until 11.5 and then my tail bone and feet where killing me, after a long hot bath and a little TLC to a huge blister on my big toe I felt better. Mentally I was not as prepared as last weeks L11 but it ended up being a must better run for me, the trail was awesome, wind constitant and the weather was great! I had FUN, I mean really had a great night, thanks girls.

Not to mention I got to run with my new toy above photo, the Camelbak Flashflo.

Rate: 4.5 out of 5
Duration: 9.35 miles, I will sip slower in the beginning
Pros: loved the size, extra pockets for gu, keys, phone, water level, didnt bounce around
Con: location pushed on my bladder in the beginning but got better as it got lighter


Sat....Off
Sun....Off
Mon....SL5
Tues....Swim 1000
Wed....EFX 4 miles
Thurs....Off
Fri....L12

Until next week!
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
--John Bingham

Cori --- Week 6 Review

What does it say about my brain that I can't remember my workouts for the week if I don't consult the chart that I write everything on. Geeesh...

Sat....Off
Sun....Off
Mon....SL5
Tues....Strength Training
Wed....EFX 4 miles
Thurs....Off
Fri....L12

Wt: 142 (I lost 1.5 pounds after I quit being so rigid with Weight Watchers. Go figure.)

Good week. I've been opting for at least 3 days off because the Long Runs are seriously taxing my legs. Trying to not push it. L12 felt quite fantastic for the first 11.5 miles. I got a serious high around mile 9, not sure if it was my Tropical Punch Shot Blox, or Jen's Sports Beans (Delicious! They taste like Flintstone vitamins!), but I was giddy. We were whistling and dancing to the Jazz Band in Parkville, (we were on a trail there), and it was one of my all-time best running experiences. Then, I stopped for a minute at 11.5, one of the girls was picking up a Gatorade that she dropped, and my right IT band totally locked up. I could barely walk. It happened that fast. I limped back to the car, did some stretches, but honestly, I was still in a great mood. I don't feel like it was a setback. I just started all of my strengthening from the P.T. this week, so of course I didn't expect to see results yet, but I had such a good run until then. And that's the farthest I have ever gone---11.5. I smile just thinking about it.

When I got home last night, I was still limping, and could barely do the stairs. While I was soaking away all of the grime and sweat, Johnny came in to give me the "I'm worried about you....." talk. But I still just felt.....happy. My leg has felt progressively better all day, and tonight I'm running up and down stairs again. No big deal, I hope.

Do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will finish this race? No.
But does anybody? No.
Are there ever guarantees in life? No.
Am I scared? No.

I'm having fun. And I always knew that training was the longest part of this journey. I'm learning a lot, and it's all good. It's just a race. No matter what I have my friends, my health, my wonderful husband, and my running has gotten better every time. Whether or not I make it to 26.2, I won't let it diminish how much fun I'm having training. This is a blesssing.

I'm not wasting energy or precious minutes worrying about anything any more.

Traci - Week #6

Well, after tomorrow night we will only have 5 of the dreaded long runs left. Oh, except for the actual marathon, but oddly enough, I'm not dreading that one bit. I think that along with the adrenaline, there will be so much to take in that I'll enjoy it.

I've learned a few things this week.

Mostly how thankful I am to have such awesome people to be doing this with. I truly couldn't shouldn't wouldn't do this by myself. I would give up. Pretty easy to give in to myself. Plus, I'd get so bored running. See, I'm a social runner. That's the main reason I enjoy running. I like to talk and I love being with the people I love.

I've also learned the importance of health. Last year when we were training for the half marathon, 4 of us started out. Do you want to know how many of us crossed the line? One. Me. But not because these girls didn't have the will, or the heart, or the strength to do it. One broke the pact and got knocked up, one got bucked off a horse and broke her leg, and the other ended up with a severe IT band injury. I was heart-broken. I was still healthy, but it just wasn't the same without my girls. I pray for the continued health for ALL OF US throughout the rest of this long journey.

And, even though running is an individual sport, I've come to the realization that for us it's teamwork. None of us really want to get stuck doing a long run alone. We all have to plan ahead, juggle our schedules and find time to make sure that everyone always has someone to run with. This is hard when some of us work or have husbands who work M-F, some of us work on the weekends, between the 5 of us there are 11, yes ELEVEN, children and 5 husbands. That's a lot of schedules to work around.

And last, but definitely not least, I have a whole new appreciation for my husband. Training is physically and mentally hard on me. But, training is also physically and mentally demanding of my husband. There have been several nights in the last week that I have worked past 8pm. What does that mean? Dusty, pick up the kids, cook them dinner, give them baths and put them to bed. And oh yeah, as soon as I walk in the door, I'm off to run until 10pm. Guess I'll see you for a little bit tomorrow night. And then the process starts over. And you know what? He has never once complained. I keep waiting for the day that he gets fed up. When I walk in the door and he gives me the look of disapproval. That he throws in the towel. Thank you Dusty for being such a supportive husband. I couldn't do this without you.

Now, on to my week. I ran 11 miles last Friday, 5 on Monday and I did weights today. I know I have been slacking on my recovery runs and my cross training, but honestly, life has gotten in the way. I know the importance of them though, so I will be back on track next week. I'm too lazy to measure myself tonight, but I doubt they've changed... and my weight hasn't either. That's ok though. Right now I'm focusing on positive thoughts for tomorrow night's L12!

Jen Week #5 Review

Not much to report, missed my recovery run but the good news is I lost 2 pounds! No change in measurements which is a little disappointing but I will keep trying.

Fri...OFF
Sat.....OFF
Sun....OFF
Mon...Swim (Laps, Aqua Jogging)
Tues....SL5
Wed....OFF
Thurs...OFF
Fri...L11

Cori --- Running Assessment

Today was a good day.

I went for a running assessment at the Kansas City Orthopedics Institute. I met with a physical therapist named Chris Carson who specializes in treating runners.

And I now have another name to add to my list of running gurus:

1. Eladio

2. Galloway

3. Chris Carson

I heard about these assessments through my friend Rachel. Rachel is a triathlete, and she just finished her second Half Ironman on Saturday. Rachel has run more than one marathon, too. As a side note, Rachel is also doing Chicago, but she lives in Oklahoma, so that's why we never run together. Oh, and she is hardcore. (She has a $5,000 bike and a running coach---to me, that is hardcore.)

I met Rachel at KU, and then we went through Nursing School together, and we pick each other's brains from time to time. Rachel has the same IT band issues that I do. She has given me a lot of helpful advice in the last year. I would definitely not be where I am at right now without her wisdom.

So when my....flare-ups started again, she was one of the first people that I called. After I told her my story, it went like this:

Me: "So, do you think I should see a doctor?"

R: "Well, he or she will probably tell you to stop running for a while. Are you going to stop?"

Me: "No."

R: "Well, then start training with the Galloway method, use your foam roller, ice, and go get a running assessment."

I am very pleased with the quality of the assessment that I got. Chris said that mechanically I am in good shape. He said my shoes are good, too. After a few tests, he also said that I am very strong everywhere except my right hip and right gluteals. This is what is causing the muscles to pull up when I fatigue, and therefore make my ITB tight. I don't have many issues on the left, and he could tell that by palpating the ITB, and also because during his "tests", my left hip/glutes are much stronger. He thinks that if I isolate and strengthen these muscles, along with some special stretches, I will stop having these issues.

Houston, we have HOPE.

He doesn't know why my right side is so much weaker, but he suspects that just being female, and having my 3 kids so close together, could have something to do with it.

So tonight I start my fantastic, hope-building, butt-kicking strength and flexibility exercises.

Oh, and to the friend (who I won't name), who asked me if I felt like an old person going to the KC Orthopedics Institute, the answer is "no".

I felt like a jock. Ha!

Cori --- Week 5 Review

Sorry I am a few days late. I have been on a blogging strike lately due to being overwhelmed by life.
Okay, week 5....almost didn't go into the drama of all of this, because I feel like such a queen, but training is not pretty, and I promised myself no holding back. So, here goes:

(Did L10 on Thurs., last post)
Fri...OFF
Sat.....OFF
Sun....OFF
Mon...Swim (Laps, Aqua Jogging)
Tues....SL5 (No IT Band trouble. We were dancing and praising God. Literally.)
Wed....Swim (Laps, Aqua Jogging)
Thurs...OFF
Fri...L11

I took it kind of easy this week. I was a little freaked out by L10 and my IT Band issues. I really wanted L11 to be a "good" run, so that I could rebuild some confidence. My wish didn't come true, but I survived. I finally got a firsthand taste of what it means when runners "hit the wall". I used to think that meant they just felt like they couldn't do any more. I thought it was mostly a head thing, plus being tired. W-R-O-N-G.

Here is how Wikipedia defines "hitting the wall":

In endurance sports, particularly cycling or running, hitting the wall describes a condition caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles, which manifests itself by precipitous fatigue and loss of energy.

Precipitous: Resembling a precipice, extremely steep.

Now if Garmin would cooperate, I would show you my graph from that run. It was ugly. I average a heart rate of about 160-170 when I run. I had never seen my heart rate above 185, and that was the day Jen and I ran in the terrible heat. According to my graph, I was cruising along until about mile 3.5 with a heart rate in the 160's, and then there is a sharp incline, (precipitous!), straight up, and my heart rate then hung between 190 and 210 until mile 10.

It sucked.

I felt every minute of that. I knew I felt like crap. I could barely chat with my friends, and I was so, so tired. I just could have laid down and slept. I just had no idea what my problem was. I had rested, I was well hydrated, but, I had had a stellar Weight Watcher day, eating mostly fruits, vegetables, and extremely low carbs. I had no glycogen stores. I should have carb-loaded. I will NEVER make that mistake again. On run days, this girl is eating pasta....bread....DONUTS....whatever, but I am not restricting myself. I have never felt that bad in my life. On the way home, I even got slightly disoriented. I was the driver, and yet I could not for the life of me tell Traci what road I was on, or how I got there. I felt utterly confused. At the time, we were so "high" over being done, that I laughed it off. Looking back, it's a little scary.

The upside? In my exhaustion, my IT Bands were tight, but I could keep going. I don't like how irritable they have been the last two long runs. It concerns me, but I have been ice-ing and taking ibuprofen, and I'm giving myself at least 2 days off after long runs. Muscle fatigue can be a big factor in ITBS sometimes, so I am semi-amazed that I could finish at all on Friday. I thank God alone for that.
Mentally, I think it was my finest hour. (Or two hrs and 20 min). I didn't quit when I wanted to die and my body was 100% taxed. That took perserverance that I did not know I had. Yea me.

I am really praying for a more encouraging long run this week, though. Not having a good time right now....

Almost forgot,
Wt: 143.5 (I'll take it, and I might be staying here. Weight Watchers + Long Runs = Stupidity)

Traci - Lifeline

We are getting into the mileage now that it is really hard to always have water. Cori told me when she started this whole thing that she's either going to have to get a water belt or a Camelbak. Genius, I tell ya. If we start running long runs on trails, we won't be able to drive around first and drop water every 1.5 - 2 miles like we are used to. So, I went shopping. I personally didn't think I could do the water belt. I had it on empty and it just felt so heavy, bulky and in my way. I was going to get a water belt and a reflector vest. However, that combination was going to cost me about $70 (at Dick's, not online). Then I saw the Camelbaks. Low and behold they had one that held 50 oz. of water and had reflectors on it. All for only $38 (by the way, you can get it online for $25). Sold. Well, I was sold until I got home and started freaking out about actually using it. What if it felt to heavy on my back? What if it made me way too hot? What if my arms rubbed on it and caused chafing? I was scared to death to take the tags off. But 10 minutes before our run last night I decided I needed to try something, because I refused to carry a water bottle in my hand anymore.

My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars. The only reason I would knock it a star is because I ran out of water around mile 7 or 8. But, I learned that I just need to wet my throat a few less times and to try harder to fill it all the way before the run. I probably didn't start with 50 oz. At first my back felt really hot with it on. But that went away after about the first mile, when the rest of me was equally as hot and it didn't stand out. It was really light weight and comfortable. I also like that it has a pocket for keys, gu, etc. I think next time I'm going to stick a Capri Sun or two in there too. I'm really pleased with my purchase, but I still need to figure out how to have enough water to make it through 12-20 miles. Any thoughts?

Traci - Week #5

I have to say that this is a weird week for me. I am actually desperately looking forward to our L11 tomorrow night. My glass is always half empty when it comes to long runs. I don't love them. However, this has been such a stressful week that I'm ready to sweat it all out, gab it all out, and RUN it all out! Talk to me tomorrow night and I'll probably have some different thoughts, but for now, I'm ready.

Once again I did not do my recovery run... and I didn't cross train at all this week. The closest I got was today. I was going to swim 1000m again and I jumped in the pool, got 3/4 of the way down the lane, and they blew the whistles because of the storms. So instead I sat in the super, duper, HOT, very mentholy steam room. I feel like I have a chest cold and surely this wouldn't hurt matters. Other than the fact that I get slightly claustrophobic and can't breath in there, it was quite nice. :)

Overall, it was a pretty quiet week for training. We ran 5 Tuesday night and I felt great. Hope I feel like that tomorrow night!

And, last, but not least, I was down to 137.2 lbs this morning!! It's about freaking time that scale moves!

Cori --- Where's all my soul sisters?

Okay, all of the posts from my whimsical/gangsta friends' music collections are really making me giggle. Mainly because I have an iPod disease, also.
I would never hand my iPod over to a stranger, because these are the thoughts that I imagine would run through their heads upon listening to it:

"Really, white suburban mommy?"

"Who wants to tell the 35 year-old chick that it is no longer 1993?"

"Even in 1988, this song was not cool."

It's like I am scared that they can see into my head. But Nickie conveyed my feelings very well. When I'm in my car, my music choices are K-Love (Christian) and Country. But throw me in some running shorts, and it's like I change personas. I am no longer the wife/mommy/nurse/lovely Christian woman.
I am a bad ass.
I do the "Wazzup?" nod at people who run by me. I am Tough. I am ....cracking myself up.
In other words, I pretend that I'm not running home to ice my legs and then nuke chicken nuggets for my kids' lunch.

Here. Now you can laugh at me:

Mama Said Knock You Out. (You should hear my "Don't call it a comeback...")

Glamorous Life. (Oh, there are just no excuses for the love I have for this song.)

St. Elmo's Fire. (Doesn't everyone have a song that makes them tear up on the last mile? Best line..."Burnin' Up, Don't know just how far that I can go. Soon be home, Only just a few miles down the road." Oh, never mind.)

Right Now. (Because what is exercise without an 80s hair band song?)

Stronger. (I HATE that I like a Kanye West song.)

Get Back Up Again. (Finally, a song from K-Love. This is one of those life anthem songs. Love some Toby Mac.)

Let's Go Crazy. (If you know me, there is no need to explain. It's Prince.)

Lady Marmalade. (Soul sister....girl power....(sigh)...more embarrassment.)

I'm Free. (Because no cheesy collection is really complete until you throw in Kenny Loggins.)

And now, I have embarrassed myself (and my husband) enough.

By the way, let the record show that my kids are thoroughly enjoying these tunes. That's right, I broke them.

Cori --- Struck Down but not Destroyed.

Week 4---Not my favorite week...

Friday: Ride n Run
Saturday: Off
Sunday : SL5
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Weights
Wednesday: R4
Thursday: L10

Measurements:
Hip: 39.25 (Down .75")
Waist: 30 (Down 1")
Calf: 14.5 (Up .25")
Bust: 37 (Same)
Thigh: 22 (Down .5")
Arm: 11.5 (Down .5")

Wt: 145 (Up 1.5 from last week)

Rough week. I am having a lot of trouble staying motivated to eat less food. I am still eating healthily 90% of the time, but as soon as my mileage increased, so did my appetite. I crave meat and salt. My weight inching up, even a little, really bothers me. My measurements going down offset the depression a little, but I need to recommit to giving 100%. Maybe some of the weight is muscle/fluid? Who knows...
L10 was not good today either. To make a long story short, my right IT Band shut me down today. I ran about 3.5mi, started having pain, and then stupidly insisted on pushing myself when I probably should have gone home and tried it another day. I made it until 8.5mi, and then I knew I had entered the "do I want to be seriously injured" zone. I walked the last 1.5mi.
I have come up with a plan to deal with my minor irritation----not willing to call it a setback yet.

Contributing Factors:
1. We ran a very hilly 6 miles to start out. It wasn't intentional, we just live around some decent inclines. Ironically enough, it is the exact same location that I got hurt last time. I told Traci that I am NEVER running that stretch again. It was only the 2nd time I have ever run it, and so far I'm two for two.
2. I ran 4 miles yesterday, at a 10min/mile pace. I don't usually run back to back days. I also don't usually run that fast---not since last fall.
3. I haven't been ice-ing or using my foam roller the last two weeks. I felt so good that I just didn't bother.

How To Recover:
1. Ice 4 - 5 times a day.
2. Ibuprofen every 6 -8 hrs for 3 days.
3. Taking a break until Monday morning.
4. If I still am having issues after that, I will just be in the pool for a couple of weeks: aqua jogging, lap swimming.....as long as the time in the pool matches the time I would have spent running, it will still keep me in line with my training.
5. Pray.
I am not happy, but not freaked out either. It is what it is. I hate to jinx myself, but I think I'll be fine. I just need to get back in the game mentally.

Traci - Week #4

I'm so confused on what week I'm on. I like to end my weeks with my long run (usually around Friday). So, I guess I finished week #4 today with a 10 mile run. It's so crazy to me that I have only ran 10 miles one other time and 13.1 miles one time and THIS 10 miles I just ran barely even puts a dent in our training schedule. On a good note though, I just accomplished the halfway mark of our maximum training (20 miles). Could I do double what I did this morning at 5am? Only time will tell. Right now I feel like there is no way in hell. But, each time I run, I am somehow able to pull it out. Someone asked me today if I feel good when I run or if I hurt the whole time. I definitely don't feel good at any point in time, but I don't hurt the entire time either. Let's just say I struggle to be comfortable.

Here's how my week played out:
Sunday - 5 miles
Monday & Tuesday - off (had great intentions of doing our L10 Tuesday night, but the lightning never let down).
Wednesday - mowed my lawn and considered it crosstraining (see below)
Thursday - 10 miles
Friday (plan) - swim 1000m

Dork alert! I wore my Garmin watch last night while I mowed the lawn. Hey, I wanted to see how far I actually walk. Back and forth, back and forth. And... it was a grand total of 1.76 miles and 46 minutes of pushing a mower, drenched in sweat. Yes, I do consider that crosstraining! :)

I'm at work right now, so I'll have to measure myself when I get home. But, I am happy to say that I am down about 3/4 of a pound since we started this thing. To many, that is absolutely nothing. However, since I have either been gaining weight or staying the same for the last 4 weeks, I WILL TAKE IT!

Jen- Music Moves the Soul

Started the day with butterflies in my stomach knowing that I was planning on doing my 10 miles today, on the treadmill..ALONE! As I drove to the Y I was scared considering last weeks 8 miler was hell and left me with a bad ATTITUDE. I needed a confidence booster in a big way. Playing out all the scenarios on what I would do to fill my 2 hours of time, talk with friends, listen to music, text my husband and watch TV. All of that planning and I only needed one today..ah music. I usually don't run with my I-Pod but today it was an awesome running partner, it motivated me through my entire workout and I want to share some of those songs that helped me along the way.

The run felt great finished in an hour and 47 mins. Mile 1-5 awesome but as the 2nd half started so did the sore legs but this song came across my play list, it reminds me of my dad. He was one of the reasons I ran my first marathon more on that later

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_-lh8GoGQs

Mile 7 feeling it but managed to run the next two miles at 9:45 pace thanks to these great songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aTYp8-O96M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh239PTyuYE

Done! I did it I was so happy and proud of myself that I actually cried in the YMCA haha and then finally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bawPIjdGCKo

I am so grateful for this journey! I was so happy that I marched myself to McDee's and rewarded myself with a big mac..oh happy days :)

Cori --- Feeling Philosophical...and I Can't Sleep Either...

So I had an epiphany tonight.
I have felt surprise lately, because I think that on some level I expected training to get easier.
Not that I expected our long runs to ever feel easy, but I think that I did expect the recovery runs and the semi-long runs to feel easier just because they were less mileage. I didn't expect to have that "I want to quit" sensation at mile 3 on an SL5.
So I thought a lot about this today, and I have found a solution. My motto in life has always (unconsciously) been: If you can't change your circumstances, change your feelings about them. Well, I want to do this run. So I am just going to quit expecting it to get easier.
It's hard because it is, and nothing will change that.
And I need to just expect to wake up feeling like an 80 year-old woman everyday, wondering what hurts, where I can rub my biofreeze, and how much ibuprofen I can safely take without giving myself an ulcer.
It is what it is.
And deep down I really love this or I wouldn't be doing it.
That's what I will be telling myself when I run L10 with a heat index of 110 this week.
Blecch.

Cori - Ending Week 3 and Feeling Feisty, So BACK OFF.

This is going to be a bitchy, complaining post, so skip it if you want.

Fri -- L7
Sat -- Off
Sun --SL4
Mon -- Off
Tues -- EFX 40 min, weights 20 min
Wed -- L8 (Had to get a jump on week 4 for scheduling reasons)
Thurs -- Off

Weight: 143.

The runs were all hard this week, solely due to fatigue caused by the heat and humidity. I cannot emphasize enough how hard a run can feel when it is this hot and humid out. But I don't want to run on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill so much that I would rather tough out the heat. I have a really hard time keeping a good running form on the treadmill, and if I don't watch my form closely, my ITBs act up. However, I did find a Y with an indoor, suspended track, and if it gets any hotter I may just have to go. Here's the problem: 1 mile = 12 laps. Yeah. So next week I would be looking at 120 laps. Anyone else see the problem here? I would feel like a hamster on a wheel.
Now that I have griped about the heat and humidity, let me be a hypocrite for a minute. I am SICK to death of people telling me that it is too dangerous to run, or that we are foolish for running.
Really? And you know this because you work out how often? I have yet to be lectured by anyone who works out on a regular basis.
I am a mother. I have three little children who need me home every single night. Do you think I would endanger myself at their expense for my little hobby? I am also a nurse. Do you think I cannot recognize when I am dehydrated and/or getting overheated? Or is it that I am just too foolish, and you will show me the light?
The assumptions that we are too stupid to know when to quit are offensive, and it is pissing me off. Heaven help the next person who goes there.
And to the instructor at the Y this morning who was so worried about Jen and I because we were running slow and our faces were beet red.... We turn red because we don't sweat much. We are pale and freckley girls. And we're slow because we DO know our limits, and up that incredible hill (twice), in the sun, when it's 85*, was a bit much. But chick, we are serious, we have endurance, and we could run forever if we had to.
So, worry about someone else. We are tougher than we look.

Traci - Week #3

Week three was much better than week 2. Kind of. It started out with a L7, which I felt great the entire time. However, it ended with a L8... on the hottest and most humid day of summer. Yes. But, even though it was one of the harder things I've done in life, it was really kind of rewarding. I kinda feel like if we can run 8 miles in those conditions, we can surely triple that mileage when it is 30 degrees cooler and on a flat road. That's the plan right now anyway. I have to remember to keep invisioning myself succeeding. It is really easy to get caught up in the trap of negativity. My mind goes into "I'll never be able to do this" mode each and every time I run. But, so far, every time I've said that, I've been able to do it.

I did a little bit of weights for crosstraining this week and really focused on at least 80 ounces of water a day. Tomorrow I'm going to swim for 30 minutes in lieu of my R3. Then I'm off to the lake for the weekend, which does not bring good things my way in the shape of exercise. Or weight loss. But, soon enough, summer will be over and I'll be wishin' I was lazily sitting at the lake gaining weight. So, off I go, with hourly glimpses of the L10 next week. Oh, good times.

Oh yeah, and even though the weight loss is slow (actually non-existent), I have managed to lose 1 1/4 inches (now 31 3/4) under my belly button, and 1/2 and inch (now 30) around my waist. I'll take it... for now. :)

Jen Week 3

Whew I made it another week! My body is mad, pissed, annoyed that I am treating it so badly, my legs are screaming at me after last nights 8 miler. It was a hard run for me, my legs felt like lead around mile 5 and really didn't think I could make it but... I did. I get so discouraged at my body for not being able to push through at times and the amount of time it takes me to recover. However, I am trying to be kind and forgiving for the healthy body I do have, considering I have already completed one (Amelia) marathon this year.

Sat/Sun OFF
Monday Swim 1500
Tuesday Weights
Weds 8 mile
Thurs OFF
Friday Ride and Run

Cori --- Hello Heat Advisory....

Tonight was a humbling experience.
It was possibly the hottest, most humid day we have had all summer.....and it was time for L8. Crap.
We waited until almost 9pm. I am not going to lie. It was MISERABLE. We all had a "I want to quit" moment. Luckily, not at the same time. That's the beauty of running in a group---there is usually one voice of reason, or insanity, depending on how you look at it.
But we did it. And I am really, really proud of us.
It took us 1:36, a 12 min/mile. But we walked a couple of times, so considering that, I am okay with that time. The heat was oppressive. Matter of fact, we tried to reschedule, but nothing else was working out. So we just decided to suck it up and give it a go, and if we couldn't do it, oh well!
I have NO idea how we are going to pull off 26.2 miles. None. I get scared if I think about it too much, so I don't. But I have found that pocket, deep down in my soul, that can always find a little more to give when I want to quit, and I think that's where the secret lies. And I have to admit, if I were doing this alone it would be sooo tempting to quit. But peer pressure can be a good thing sometimes. The problem with that pocket is that right now I am having to reach down into it at 5, 6, and 7 miles.......I don't think it's deep enough yet. That's what training is for, right? Can you believe that next week our schedule already jumps to L10? Where in the heck did that come from? 10 miles? Are you kidding me?
On the pollyanna side, I am seriously grateful to be doing this. My legs are holding up. I did not know if this would even be possible. Thank you, God, for a healthy body. It's a gift. And no matter how much whining I do, I never forget that it's a gift. And it makes me feel really good to push my limits.

Cori --- A Piece to the Puzzle

I have an answer to the ever illusive, "Why do my IT Bands hurt some days for no real reason?" question.
This was frustrating me because it doesn't matter how much I stretch, or how far we run, or even how hilly/flat the run is.
The one thing I had noticed is that the better hydrated I am, the less likely it is to happen.
Tonight I figured it out. It's the humidity.
When the weather is humid, my legs swell just a tad, but it's enough to aggravate those ITBs.
This is good news. I don't think Chicago will be too humid in October.
But bad news for training in Kansas during July and August.
Hmmm.
Good times, this training.......good times.

Cori --- Fragile! Handle with Care.

Jen and I have invented a disease, and we both have it.
It's called Glass Mommy syndrome. We are scared of "breaking".
We have discovered that since we started training, we are scared to death of getting hurt while doing anything but running.
Wrestling with the kids? Negative, Mommy might pull a muscle.
Bouncing up and down on a stationery bike at Ride 'n' Run class? Negative, Mommy might bruise her tailbone.
And now, I have to banish my favorite pseudo-crocs. (I can wear crocs without being a dork because I am in health care.) I have this fake pair that are navy blue, and I love them. But I almost slipped, not once, but three times this weekend. And by almost, I mean I skidded and caught myself before I hit the ground. I am an accident waiting to happen.
Goodbye fake crocs. I will only be wearing shoes with really good tread for the next 90 days.
I am not putting myself through ALL OF THIS, just so I can slip on the cement at Quik Trip and end up with a broken ankle.....

Jen Week 2

Fri 6 miles
Saturday & Sunday Off
Mon 4 miles on the EFX
Tues Ran 3
Weds Ride and Run
Thurs Off
Friday L7

No change with weight/measurements but feeling stronger. Looking forward to treating myself this week to a new pair of shoes at Garry's, whoo hoo!

Traci - Denial Week (Week 2)

So this past week has been pretty rough as far as training goes. I am not down any weight, nor measurements, but could I really expect to be? I have been eating like crap, not drinking 100 ounces of water a day (but still doing pretty good), not getting much sleep, not crosstraining, stressed at work, and oh yeah, through a holiday in there. I even missed the SL4. However, I have hopes that I am just getting this all out of my system now, while in week 2. Bring it week 3 and your 7 mile run tomorrow night!

Cori --- Week Two Summary

Two weeks down and I am still walking---woo hoo!

Weight: 144 - Down 1 pound.

Training Log:
Friday -- L6
Saturday -- Off
Sunday -- Off
Monday -- EFX for 4 miles (Had a run scheduled, but it got rained out. And I DESPISE the treadmill lately. Cannot even force myself to do it.) Also did Strength Training on upper body.
Tuesday -- R3
Wednesday -- Ride 'n' Run (Biked about 10.6 miles, then ran, then did some strength training. Could hardly walk 2 hours after class. Decided resting the legs was mandatory before Friday.)
Thursday -- Off

Thoughts: No real issues to report, praise God. Feeling good, IT Bands not bothering me right now, and still having fun.
I need to work a pair of new shoes into my budget in the next month. I did notice that on L6 my pinky toe was rubbing, and it will probably blister once I up my mileage. (That will not feel too good when the really long runs start!) When you start going long distances, your feet often swell, and your arch also starts to flatten. A lot of runners lose their toenails. (Gulp.) I think I either need a shoe a 1/2 size bigger, or just one with a wider toe. Or maybe more cushiony socks? Hmm. I may be consulting the professionals after L7. We'll see...

Cori --- New Toys

Last week my husband bought me a gadget. Unlike Nickie's last post, I am not a gadget girl at all. I like to be as unencumbered as possible. I barely like my iPod touching me. When Johnny approached me about getting a garmin watch, I was like, "No thanks, if I need to know how fast I'm going I'll just ask one of my friends. They all have watches." This really bugged him for some reason. I think he felt I was depriving myself, but I really and truly did not care.

Until I met my Garmin.

I am now in....not love......but serious, serious like.

I might love it if I could finish the instruction manual. The local running store offers a class on how to operate this watch, if that tells you anything.

My favorite part? I love to know my heart rate. I feel like the Garmin is my friend, watching out for me, telling me my heart rate, worrying about me.....it just makes me all warm and fuzzy thinking about it.

I think I will be naming it.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention my other new gadget. (Didn't I just claim to hate gadgets? Yes. This was another husband purchase.)

I am a walking billboard for RoadID's Supernova.

You clip it onto your clothes when you run at night, and it flashes so brightly that it can cause seizures in passers-by. Not really, but it is obnoxiously bright. Apparently my true love is concerned that I am going to get hit by a car, and since I refused to wear his fluorescent trooper vest, he found a cute little alternative.

I bet my protective helmet is coming in the mail any day now.

Traci - Too Much Water?

So, my body has never had this much water. Ever. In an average week my body is used to getting about 30 ounces. Now I have bumped the intake to 80-100 ounces a day. Overload for this girl. I have been feeling lightheaded and dizzy all week and this is the only thing I can attibute it to. And what do you know? Dr. Google suggests water intoxication. Here's what I found: "The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition." Well, I'm not an infant... but I am training for a marathon! So, the main suggestion I read is to make sure I'm not only drinking water, but also sports drinks. The bod needs some electolites. I can handle that!

Cori --- Visions of Grandeur

I have quickly discovered my very favorite thing about having such a large running group. No matter how crazy our schedules, someone can always meet up to run. I love this! I can run alone, excuse me, with my iPod, but I'd rather not. And the five of us have very odd schedules, and children that still require childcare, so we're also dependent on our spouses' schedules. I'm married to someone in law enforcement, Nic is married to a firefighter---no nine-to-fivers there. But so far, we have kept in touch through texting, email, phone, and facebook, and no one is getting left behind.
This morning I had to wake up at 4:45am to meet Nickie and Holly for our L6 (See codes at sidebar). This is a big deal. I do not get up at 4:45am. I have only done it when someone I gave birth to needed to nurse, and .......no, that's about it. Like all night owls, I have set my alarm many, many times, with good intentions, but I can find the snooze button without even opening my eyes.
Our run was nothing short of glorious. Seriously. We ran at a BEAUTIFUL lake, with trails, wildlife, and everything. We saw a little snake, a deer, a frog, and a rabbit. We got to watch the sun rise. And the temperature! It was so cool that I was chilly before we started moving. My knees behaved, too. It just doen't get any better than that.
Now here's my confession that will probably get me kicked out of my group. When I was running, and so blissfully happy, I started thinking things like, 'This will be our FIRST marathon.....the first of many.......maybe we'll run that Goofy marathon at DisneyWorld, 26.2 miles the first day, and 13.1 the second......or maybe we'll just try to run one or two marathons a year to start out.....". I am nothing if not enthusiastic.
When we were running over this very picturesque bridge, Nickie cut in and said, "Isn't God good?" Yes, He is. I felt so blessed this morning; for my health, for my friends, for my family, and just for this moment in time.
Now, we can all refer back to this "honeymoon" post in a few weeks when I'm crying and whining because our mileage has increased.
Love y'all.

Traci - Week #1

Week 1 really isn't over for me until I get through the 6-miler tomorrow night, but I'm going to do my updates on (roughly) Thursdays.

Monday: Ran 5 miles
Tuesday: Went to the gym with good intentions to crosstrain, and ended up laying by the pool.
Wednesday: Ran 3 miles
Thursday: Weights

I haven't lost any weight, but that doesn't suprise me too much. However, I can't figure out these stupid measurements. I tried to be detailed in my description of where I measured, but I can't seem to get the same places. I'm going to report my measurements I did today, only because maybe next week I'll measure in the same place?

Thigh (thickest part): 23 1/2 inches (up 1/4 inch)
Calf (thickest part): 14 3/4 inches
Butt: 39 inches (I missed keyed last week with the 33. I wish!)
Under my belly button: 33 (down 3/4 inch)
Waist: 30 1/2 inches (down 1/2 inch)
Bust: 36 inches
Bulging bicep: 11 1/4 inches

Now I know it's highly unlikely that I lost any inches this week, but I want a good starting point for next week and I'll try to measure in the same spot.

As for my diet this week, I think I have done pretty well. I have been drinking 80-115 oz of water a day. I have a Slimfast for breakfast and half a pita sandwich for lunch. I have been stuffing the pita with lettuce, avocado, cucumber, tomato... but no meat or cheese. And they are so good! For dinner I've been eating what is put in front of me. Dusty has been cooking this week so Monday we had tacos, Tuesday I had 2 corndogs (on the way to t-ball), Wednesday I had a homemade Philly Cheesteak, and tonight I had chicken breast and potatoes on the grill. I'm not going to change my "during the week" dinners too much. I figure eating at home instead of fastfood is good enough. I will have to change my weekend diet though.

Cori --- Week One, Check!

Log:

Friday----5 mile run

Saturday-Off.

Sunday---Off.

Monday---5 mile run. (This was supposed to be the SL4, but Trace needed a partner, and I figured it was only one more mile?)

Tuesday---Stationary Bike: 8.5miles/40 min.

Wednesday---3 mile run.

Thursday---Swam 30 min. at the Y. (And then spent the day at Schlitterbahn, but I don't think that counts.)

Thoughts: Week one felt good. My IT Bands have been testy, but not really troublesome. Ibuprofen and Ice are my best friends. I'm drinking between 2 and 3 liters of water a day. I still do diet soda, too, though. Nutrition is decent. I am taking a calcium supplement:

I am not taking in enough calcium with my diet, and I don't want to end up with a stress fracture, so I'm trying to up my calcium with Viactiv. I take 1000mg a day. I bought the chocolate flavor---not too bad. I hear the caramel is better, and WalMart was out of them, so I believe it.

During our 3 mile run yesterday, I kept thinking, 'Why am I doing this? This sucks.' 26 miles never sounds like a lot when I talk about it, but somewhere between mile 2 and 3 reality sets in. 26 miles is a lot. I'm nervous.

Things to Work On: Flexibility. I need to be stretching daily. Right now, I tend to only stretch before running and a quick stretch at bedtime, max 5 min. More would be better. This is also the first week in almost 3 months that I haven't done any strength-training. I couldn't figure out how to work it in. I'm getting back to that next week. I missed it.

Weight: Down one pound--145. When I started pre-training, I weighed 158. This is the highest my weight has been if I wasn't pregnant. I was not happy with it, but I am pretty muscular right now, and I have been working out for a good 18 months, so I didn't feel motivated to get it off. Then I read an article, (because I am the self-proclaimed Research Queen), and it talked about the extra pounding that your knees take with any extra body weight. That was all I needed to hear. I seriously fear/respect my knees. I made a pledge to get down to 148 by training day, and somehow I did it. My next goal is to be down to 135 before we're running our 20 mile long run in practice. Because.....20 miles? These knees need all of the help they can get.

Inspirational Quote for the Week: "The marathon's about being in contention over the last 10K. That's when it's about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what's left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon."---Rob de Castella