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)