You can train too hard...believe me!!!

You could say I thought it was a good idea to sign up to do the Berryman Adventure Race during my training for the Memphis Marathon coming on Dec 1. Adventure racing is all about endurance; wouldn't it make sense that putting the 2 events together in a training schedule might work and even help.

After 2 months of training...biking and running...last weekend was the adventure race and i was really nervous but felt physically ready. The fact that we had to orienter the entire race and get our own water were very scary things, but had no problems with that. During the race all I worried over was twisting an ankle or falling off my bike and scraping myself up. After 53 miles of orienteering, mountain biking and canoing (with our bikes) I made it without any major injuries just very sore legs.

As I should have....I recovered for 2 full days and then did a 3 mile slow jog. The next day I was scheduled to complete a 10 miler and felt great (even at an 8:30 min. mile pace) until MILE 9....AHHHHH, that damn mile 9...when my IT band started to tighten up and started hurting so bad I had to stop to stretch. One would think your brain would kick in and decide to walk home from there but my competitiveness came a knocking (since I was running with Robert and I had bragged about my knees not causing me problems at all on the race) and I continued on.

Now the knee pain is back...remember long ago (see first entries) when I had to bow out of the Dallas Marathon about 2 years ago...well it was that same pain. My choice then was to try and run my long runs through the pain and that just really didn't work.

That is the decision now: there is an 18 miler schedule for this weekend.....do I run it or not. Do I run a shorter run and push on to the 20 in two Saturdays???

15 miles - check

Thought I was going to have to run the 15 on my own and we all know how boring it is for me to run alone. Even though I know Michael would have jumped on the bike for at least half of the run I thankfully found a partner. Julie, one of the teachers I train; agreed to come over here from the town she lives in and slow down a bit to run with me. I know she is easily an 8 min. miler but she pushed me to run 9:30's for most of the run (not counting 3 rest stops).

Was our first cool morning of the 16 weeks, so sad. Guess lake season is almost over, Michael is going to shed a tear or two. Looped town 2 times (10 miles followed by a 5 miler) with thunder brining us home. Luckily the rain held off until we got back. Did have water 3 times (not enough) with blocks at mile 10. Didn't feel hungry at all but was thirsty. Need to plan more water stops next time.

Don't know if she will run with me (or us) again but Julie and I got to know each other and I only ran into her a couple of times on turns when I forgot she couldn't read my mind and just "know" we were turning. We talked a lot, not just me, and she got to know the town pretty well. Next time I should have a better plan in mind before heading out.

The 16 Weeks Has Begun....On The Road to Memphis

Marathon training is in full swing and I forgot to tell you all....not that anyone but myself cares. The road to Memphis is now in week 3 or 4 I think; the long run for the week is a 13. So very excited, we are going to Wichita this weekend so I get to run with Tralaine and family. It has been so long and she hasn't been running much. Maybe I can actually keep up this time. We have our rooms booked but still haven't registered for the race...should get to that this week, maybe this weekend. Don signed up long ago.

Have been putting in many miles (probably more than necessary) but I have to get ready for the Berryman Adventure Race on Sept. 29. Getting on my bike should be my primary focus but riding bikes by yourself is sooooo boring. Chanti finally has a diagnosis for her hip pain (which is keeping her from running) and the doctor says she can ride with me. So happy about that. MUST take my bike to mom and Charlie's next weekend. Probably too late but need to get some hill workout on the bike and running all in the same day. Wish I had Chanti to train with....it hasn't seemed as exciting getting ready for the Berryman since I have to do all of my training on my own. Wish Jonas and Don would call more often and pump me up.

Still eating pretty bad....have tried to take on the "Live the Lifestyle" mantra and think it is starting to set in. Haven't gotten to the weight room in 2 weeks. With traveling for work won't be able to until next week.

Live the Lifestyle, Live the Lifestyle, Live the Lifestyle.......oh yeah, it's my Birthday soon...supposed to have some things decided by then. ;-)

On the Treadmill Again

As apposed to "On the Road Again" which is where I wish I was this morning. Why is it that when I visit a new city it is so difficult to run outside? People told me not to venture out by myself here in Atlanta so all I am left with is the dreaded TREADMILL...ahhhh...too boring even with an iPod and TV!

Got up extra early to be the first to the fitness center in hopes there was a machine for me and to ensure the remote control would be in my power. Successful in both :-)

Ran 6 miles in just under 10 min. miles. Started at 6am; not too fast but felt strong. It's amazing how good I feel when I haven't over eaten. Over the last month, I have had lots of bad runs due to poor eating and eating too close to running. I did end up getting very bad heartburn today which wasn't good but at least it was after running. I can't wait to be back home where I can plan meals and really keep track of it all.....right now I feel bigger than ever :-( and that affects my eating habits in a bad way. Don't know why..but once I have "ruined" a day I really "ruin" the day.

Need to seriously get going on this training (and not just running)...with an adventure race in Sept. and a marathon in Dec. the pressure will soon be getting heavy. Weakness will not be ok, need to start lifting 2 times a week, running 4 days a week, and bike at least 2 days with some trails worked in. Will also get back to sit-ups/push-ups 4 days a week. Guess this is a commitment since it seems to be in writing.

Monday Miles

4 miles (Asics) on hotel treadmill as well as at least 3 miles of walking to, at, and from the conference with laptop backpack on my back. Treadmill miles at 9:20 pace (out & back) at 6am.

In Atlanta at NECC. First trip here and have really only seen the conference center and hotel. Will hopefully get to the Atlanta Aquarium tomorrow and The Underground on Wednesday. Staying at The Glenn Hotel...beautiful posh hotel with an unbelievable suite (got an upgrade because room was not finished on time. Lucky me :-)

Oh Yeah...Finished Vegas

Way back in October of 2006, I said I was preparing for the Vegas Marathon...and yes, I did get there! Had my best time yet: 4:18 and felt great. We had 6 marathoners (Andy, Tralaine, Angie, Roberts, Myself, and Debbie) and 2 half marathoners (Jonas & Jon); it was a blast. Not the best supported race I have been a part of; great t-shirt and even better medal, first 5 miles down the strip, and fireworks and The Blue Man Group at the start... BUT (and it's a big one) when I, and all but one of my friends crossed the finish line there was only a bottle of water....NO FOOD or DRINKS (but more bathrooms than could ever be used). We did get a letter from the race director, not apologizing, but telling us why it was so much better than the year before and how much better it will be next year. Sorry to say; we won't be going back.

In April, had a PR at the Oklahoma Memorial 1/2 Marathon at 1:52...that's an 8:45 min. mile average. Don't know how I did that (with a stomach cramp the whole time too). Great Marathon and Half Marathon...I would suggest it to anyone wanting to do a fairly flat, early April run. Awesome support, even had a real bathroom to use at the start thanks to one of the local churches. Ran in the memory of a victim of the of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City bombing and it really put my little challenges in life into perspective.

It's Been a While

When I started this blog the intention was to add to it on a regular basis if not for others at least for myself. Guess it didn't work that way since I seem to have taken a big break....but I promise...I will do better this time.

This is my place to record thoughts, feelings, and reflections while preparing & running marathons. I hope this will help hold me responsible for completing all my training runs; as well as eating right and making healthy choices. Let's hope it turns into that this time.