In the thick of it...

Since the half marathon, I have been running a little less and taking it a little easier on my body as advised from our "coach".  But now with only 8 weeks to go, I  am into the heart and soul of my training.  The good news - its really on 6 weeks left of intense running because the last 2 weeks leading up to the marathon, I taper off my runs in order to allow the body to recover and be ready for race day.  The bad news or more like the scary news is that the next 6 weeks are going to prove to be very mentally and physically demanding.  This Saturday is a 16 mile run and although I think I can handle this, the upcoming weeks move up to 18 miles and then the dreaded 20 miles!!  I am trying not to think about it but sometimes I just can't help it.  When I think about what is ahead, I usually start off thinking about all I have achieved already but then the fear sets in...  I have many thoughts about the weeks to come.  The time commitment, the toll all of this running is going to continue to take on my body (oh the blisters are so pretty), how I will juggle all of this running and still be fresh at work and also still be able to give time to my #1 commitment, my marriage.  

On another note, I feel a little frustrated today. This humidity is bothersome.  I went for a run today and it was just so thick outside, I felt like I could hardly breathe.  I dripped of sweat and also my ipod kept repeating songs for some reason so lets just say the run was less than enjoyable. But I did it and its done but I have to say I am not happy and these runs during the week have not been anything that I am looking forward to. Lately it feels more like a job requirement rather than something I am doing for pure passion.  The long runs have been different thus far. I mentally prepare for them and to me it is very exciting to see just how far I can push myself.  Maybe I have been focusing too much on the long runs and not enough on those that come during week. Because after all, the runs during the week are what is helping me get through those 12 and 14 mile runs on weekends!  I have to remember to appreciate each day that I am able to move forward, figuratively and literally. 

I guess all runners have a combination of good and bad runs.  The good ones are sometimes so great that sometimes I feel as though I could run forever.  The bad ones sometimes make me want to hang up the sneakers  and walk the other way.

One of the good ones happened this passed weekend:
~ Every year my husband and I as well as some friends go down to Delaware for the Dogfish Dash. We usually make a weekend of it and always have a blast.  The Dash is a 5k and 10k race.  This year I ran the 5k and got a new PR - 27:15! I ran the race with ease and the hills were no match for me! I pushed it the entire time and was so excited to see my time.  Let's just say that was one of my good runs that I will be remembering for a while.  I suppose if they all were this great, where would the challenge be?

Signs, signs, everywhere, signs

Today I feel like a runner...

I achieved my goal and finished under 2:15.   My last half marathon time from June 2010 was 2:32. Although it was hotter in June, I still felt so much more prepared and ready this time around.  I can say for just about the entire time my mind stayed positive and if it strayed and starting thinking about all the miles still ahead, I reminded myself that I have done this before, last week in fact, and that was an extra mile! So why worry, why get nervous. I knew it was going to be a good day, even when I woke up and it was still dark outside.

Philadelphia is an amazing city and I am so happy for all of the spectators throughout the course - Here are some of the signs that kept me going today-

"Run like you stole something"

"If it was easy, everybody would do it"

"Your feet hurt because you're kickin butt"

And my personal favorite, "Pain is temporary, Pride is Forever" 

 ~this sign was held by a little boy who was wearing a t-shirt that said -Children's Tumor Foundation
This one hit me hard, probably because it was held by a child who may have been through more in his little life than I may ever know.   But the sign worked, I pushed through any pain I felt and remembered that sign for the entire run.

Whoever said "you don't have to be first to be a winner" was so right.  Maybe that person even runs between a 10 and 11 minute mile like me! Either way, I feel like all of my training is paying off and I couldn't ask for a better time to feel this success.  I know I can't forget that I am still IN training for a much longer distance race but for today, I am going to enjoy the feeling of being a winner.
Cheers!

Here are some pictures that my husband took while he waited for me to cross the finish line! 

Starting line

Look at all the runners! They are close to the finish! 

go go go!

He found me!

A runner with a view

My most recent long run was another 14 miler through some of Forbidden Drive.  If you haven't had a chance to run, bike or walk here, you really should.  It was lush and gorgeous and I forgot that I was in a city.   I can't believe it took me this long to run here.  But now that I have been made aware of these trails, I know that I will be taking advantage of the gorgeous nature that is so close to my home.

The distances are long and yet I prevail.  Mentally I have been able to stay more in the present moment rather than anticipating the distances yet to come.  I have been trying very hard to enjoy the scenery, the sights, and the sounds.  Sometimes the sounds are coming from my ipod and sometimes from my fellow runners.  On Saturday there was a lot of talk about having kids, not having kids, what its like to be in our 20's vs our 30's,  how tired we are at night and how even though our husbands/boyfriends might get annoyed that we are tired, that they are surprisingly supportive and excited for us.  It was nice to talk... with no expectations.  Sometimes we didn't say a word and jogged in silence and other times we were chatting about whatever came to our minds. 

When I started this blog, I was dreading the long runs and was scared out of my mind!  But the more I accomplish and check off my list, the more I want to challenge myself with the next distance.  The closer I get to the 26.2, the more I want it!  It's starting to feel real instead of just some crazy idea I created in my head.  This is really happening and I really am going to do this!  

This Sunday, September 19th, I will be running a half marathon - The Philly Distance Run.

It will only be my second half marathon and I am excited for this as I definitely feel ready.   Last time I ran a half, it was in June in Annapolis.  It was 90 degrees and I struggled through the last 6 miles.  I am hoping that this experience on Sunday is much different.  All I can say is  -  I am confident that because no matter what, I am ready. Bring it on PDR!

Philly on foot never felt so good...

 This weekend the group training run was 14 miles through Philadelphia.  It was a gorgeous day outside and despite nervous jitters, I think it was a success for a majority of the runners.

I am beginning to sound like a broken record but I can't help it - I am so thankful for joining Team Philly.  Knowing that I did not have to set out to run this long distance alone helped in itself and as the miles increased on Saturday it put me at ease to know there were others around me taking one step at a time to check a new accomplishment off on their list.

Overall, the run was a success. I mean, I completed it after all.  Some stops along the way couldn't be helped with red lights and traffic but still they were minimal and I am happy to say that I ran just about the entire time.  For the first 8 miles, I felt pretty good.  My body held up as each footstep pounded the pavement.  At the 8th mile, team organizers had water and Gatorade for us.  It was the perfect time for a quick stretch and to refuel.  As we went on, the steps got harder, and I began feeling tired.  I had ups and downs though,  One minute I would look around and realize that I have just been all over the city on my feet and the next I would wonder when this run would be over because it seemed like forever.  For probably about the last 3-4miles I ran with another person and although the talking was minimal, being side by side helped us both.   After we finished we both verbalized how great it was to have the other next to us.  Maybe it was our rhythm or just that human drive to keep going but whatever it was, it gave us that extra push to make it to the end...for that day anyway. 

That's the thing,  I basked in my accomplishment for the day, wrote about it on facebook, told some friends at a wedding I attended later on but when the next day came, all I could think is,  what is the next run, when do I run again, how does my body feel and can I keep going.  

Don't get me wrong, running 14 miles is the most miles I have ever run so of course I was ecstatic to be able to push myself and finish strong.  But there are still many more weeks to go and many more miles to log.  I am trying very hard to just take one day at a time, enjoy the little accomplishments along the way and reflect on the journey- the good, the bad and the road that still lies ahead. 

 A look back...

This is a picture of the sunrise in Rehoboth.  We decided to get up early on our last day of vacation.  It was so worth it. 

Running along breakwater trail in Rehoboth. Completed 10 miles this day. Nice fuel belt!