I did it!  I ran my second (third including Ironman) marathon!  And it was an amazing experience!

Here’s how it went…It all started with a 3:30 AM wake up call.  Then shoving down oatmeal at butt-crack early so we could be at the buses by 4:45 at the latest. 

3:30 AM wake up!

Next a 30 minute bus ride droped us off up the canyon where we waited for 20 minutes in the long bathroom lines.  Next we knew it was 5:55 and the start was just moments away. 

Kendra made her way to the front of the pack and I stuck myself somewhere in the middle.  My goal for this marathon was to just get the mileage on my legs, especially since I had just run 24 miles the weekend before.  Kendra’s goal…..Boston!

Countdown started and we were off…well sort of…..it was a slow walk to the timing mats…and then we were off and running!  I had my Garmin on and wanted to keep my pace no faster than 12 minute miles for the beginning. 

Running down Pouder River Canyon

Well since I was going so slow- tons of people passed me.  But then I encounter this wonderful married couple, Molly and Weston.  We totally hit it off!  They were concerned about running too fast so I had the honor of pacing them for the first 17 miles of the marathon.  Running with them was an absolute treat!  I really enjoyed being in the space where this marathon was not about me.  I was doing it for the miles, for fun, and as a result I had the opportunity to be of service.  We talked about everything, noticed the beauty, and all felt very grateful to be together. 

Then around mile 17 I started getting antsy.  I started chomping on the bit.  They were starting to slow down a bit, so I said my goodbyes and cranked up the pace.  It felt so darn good to open it up and run faster.  I was strong and didn’t even feel like I had run 17 miles already!

As I made my way along the roads and then eventually onto the bike paths I was holding my pace in the 10:00 min range.  I felt like I was running with very little effort.  My breath was relaxed and I kept things right below threshold.   And the fun thing is I must have passed at least 50 people.  I know, it’s bad, but there is some kind of sick joy in passing people towards the end of an endurance event… 

One other amazing thing that occurred is I ran into Nick from the AIR Foundation.  I have tried to contact him in the past two weeks because I was wanting to pick his brains on how to get shoes donated for something I’m starting at MHCD where I work. (That’s another blog post for the future).  Anyway.  He had some athletes on the course, so we walked together for a bit to discuss how we might be able to partner.  As a result of taking this time and not being in a hurry, Nick will be donating shoes and would like to help in my endeavour!   Now how cool is that????  I was able to be of service and made a connection I had been trying to make…..

I finally crossed the finish line….My time :5:20:10.  Kinda longer than I had hoped….but then obviously, this race was not about me.  It was not about me PRing, or focusing in myself.  This race turned out to be about others and how I could help them. 

When I did cross that finish line, my heart was so full of gratitude for the wonderful day I experienced.  It didn’t hurt either that Kendra and Dru were waiting for me, cheering me on!  I finished the race really strong and had a blast.  I got the mileage on my legs and had fun in the process.  How lucky I am??? 

Oh and Kendra- placed 2nd in Age Group and qualified for BOSTON!  Molly and Weston finished their first marathons, and I had a successful 26.2 miles training run.

This coming weekend will bring the Buena Vista Bike Fest Century, followed by a 30 mile run the weekend after that.  Can you say “IRONMAN TRAINING???”.  Yeap, it’s begun 

Kendra and Doreen with the finishers medals!

I just finished my last run before Colorado Marathon.  And what a run it was!  23.47 miles to be exact.  Yeap…In two weeks I did all my training for this marathon.  How funny is that?

My last long run previous to the last two weeks was Jan 30 when I ran 28 miles.  Since then the longest run I did was 10 miles.  Then two weeks ago I began my training for the marathon and did my first long run of 20 miles.  I felt good, hit a good time….struggled a bit  towards the end…but finished strong.

Then this past weekend I ran 24 miles.  Crazy you might think.  I know I did!  I thought- what the heck- running 24 miles the week before a marathon???  Well luckily I have the best coach in the world who knows just how to train a person!!!  She had me run the whole 24 slowly “just to get the mileage on your legs. “  This was a very very slow run…but it was fun!

I was able to run with some friends and have great conversations.  The perfect example of Long SLOW Distance.  Never once did my breathing get a hint of labored. 

I found myself enjoying the run…even though it was sooo slow.  It’s strange when your perception gets skewed.  For example- I finished 11 miles with my friends and then thought   “nice, I only have 13 more to go.  That’s 7.5 out and back.  I can do that easy”.  There’s just something wrong with that kind of thinking!  Really!  What has gotten into me????  Only 13 more miles after just finishing 11???  Weird right?  Go figure…..

Well, now it really is time for the taper.  1 hr bike rides and a 4 then 3 mile run…..I’ll let you all know how I do after Sunday.  We’ll see how this two weeks of training for a marathon suits me. No matter what…I’ll make sure to have FUN!

This weekend was all about the run…a 20 miler to be exact.  The run was scheduled for Saturday with a 3 hr bike on Sunday.  Well, being spring and all here in Colorado, Saturday started snowy with 40 mph gusts forecasted.  I opted for a 1 hr trainer ride and a trip to the movie theater instead.

Sunday I woke to clear blue skies and no morning percipitation forecasted.  I headed down to Waterton Canyon for my 20 miles.  As I headed up the canyon I got into a good pace.  I looked at my Garmin and noticed I was hitting at 10 min pace.  I thought to myself , “slow it down Sparky! You’re doing 20 today….not 10 miles like you have been for the past 2 months.”

Slow....the new hard

 I had an absolute great time on the run.  Every imaginable waterfall up the canyon was running and everything was green.  The road was dry except for the occasional mud hole.  The fellow runners out where friendly and ticking off their mileage. 

My friend Kendra caught up with my on my way back down the canyon and we ran together.  I noticed I was having a hard time feeling my own zone once I began to run with her.  It was like my body was imitating her running form.  I kept trying to get into my own grove again but that never really happened.

We hit the parking lot at mile 13; I reloaded my water bottles and headed back out solo for my last 7.  So this is where it got a bit tricky.  See, I haven’t run more than 10 miles in over two months.  As I hit the road again I was having a hard time.  I was struggling to  find my form and my groove.  I kept adjusting this and that and finally somewhere around mile 15 I found my sweet spot.

At mile 16.5 I turned around and headed for the barn (car).  And this is when I realized that somewhere in the last two months running slow got hard!  You see.  Throughout the whole 20 miles, whenever I slowed down to the pace I ran all last year….it felt HARD.  It felt like Torture!  The moment I picked up my pace and held it right below threshold….running felt MUCH EASIER! 

I don’t know how in the heck this happened…but it did!  I got faster!  Not only did I get faster but running faster got easier than running slower!  WTH?  I never would have expected that!  I had no idea that one day running right below threshold would be easier for me than running at a slower pace?  I mean, I PRed  my time on a 20 mile training run by 15 minutes!!  HUH??? WTH?? 

While I was running I would experiment with running slower and it just felt hard.  The minute I picked up my pace and ran faster, running got easier.  Now part of this I attribute to my Newton Running Shoes!  I am sure that the shoe helps propel me forward when I run faster!  (Did I mention how much I love my Newtons??)  And now that I can run faster the shoes help that much more!

I never would have imagined that running faster could be easier than running slow.  But it is.  At least it was Sunday.  In the next two weeks I have a 24 mile run then the Fort Collins Marathon on May 9th.  I’m building my run and the next two weekends will tell if this is just a fluke or if I truly am a faster runner this year. Only time/mileage will tell…..until then…..

Faster just got easier

Yesterday I did my first big run since Ironman. On tap was to run 26 miles from downtown Littleton to downtown Golden. The reward was to be a yummy buffalo burger at Table Mountain Inn.

We had an alpine start at 10:00am. The sky was clear, the sun was out and the temps were forecasted for the 40′s. The first crew consisted of Coach Andrea, Delinda, Janette and yours truely. We took off heading south on the South Platte trail into Chatefield Resevior. We found some single track and ran the dirt as much as possible.

The Runnin Gals

About 5 miles after we started we were in Chatfield and it was time for Delinda and Janette to turn around and head back. That left just Andrea and I to carry on.
We headed onto the bike path along C-470 headed to Golden. We pulled the big hill out of the res and had a bit of a downhill as we started our gradual accent to Morrison.  It was nice to be running with Andrea since we hadn’t done anything together for ages.  That’s one of the nice things about a super long run….you can talk while your running!

I was feeling really good and strong.  I was suprised by how quickly we passed Wadsworth Blvd and got to Kipling.  It was around here that Andrea started to have IT band problems.   She told me to not wait for her and to continue with my run and we would meet up in a bit.

With that- I was off.  I had the bestest, bestest run ever!  I was feeling strong and just rockin to my own rythym.  I tried to remember to stay in “proper” form- something I constantly work on seeing as I was never a runner in a past life. 

Something that has helped my running is an article I read in Triathlon Mag about this guy who ran a 10K with his dog tied around his waist.  He wrote this helped put him on his forefoot better and he PRed by 5 minutes.  When my puppy was young (he’s approaching 15 yrs) and I ran with him I would tie his leash around my waist.  As I ran yesterday- I remembered what that felt like and found I ran much better and faster!  I was leaning forward from my core and not my chest…..I just love it when some “que” helps me with my form…..

There I was, running and running and next thing I know I’m about to drop down into Bear Creak Lake Park.  I called Sharon and told her I was about 30 minutes from the Conoco Station in Morrison (we ALL know that landmark!).  I ran through the park, crossed the street, and there was Sharon waiting to join me for my last 8 miles!  My garmin read 18.8 miles and I figured I had at least 8 more to go until Golden.

I filled my water bottles, ate, and hit the road with Sharon at my side.  Now this is where it got HARD!  That 20 minute break did me IN!  See once you leave the Conoco station there’s this lovely, long (did I mention long?) hill to climb….and needless to say- I was having a tough time getting my groove back.  I tried and I tried….and I tried….the hill was tough.   We finally made it to the top and we were able to enjoy some downhill.

Running with Sharon was such a treat.  She talked and kept me occupied while we ran towards Golden.  I know if she had not joined me for this last push- I would have been miserable.  She kept me entertained and we had some nice conversations when I wasn’t sucking air! 

Sharon helped me a great bit.  One thing she pointed out twice to me as we were about half way to Golden was that I was running “tight”.  I realized because things (my legs) were starting to hurt (after 20 miles on concrete), I was shortening my stride and not moving freely any longer.  This was a great help!!!  Not that I did much about it at the time, but now- looking back- I can see that I will be able to move more freely when I’m starting to hurt!  Running “tight” serves no purpose and actually hurts more!

We meandered the bike path and then…..there we were!   At “The Taj” (Jefferson County Court House).  Yippeeeee!!!  I was so excited.  Just a few more miles and we would be in downtown Golden!!  Only thing between us and Golden was a few long rollers on the bike path….WE COULD DO IT!  I looked at my Garmin and my mileage read 26.6 miles.  I had already hit my planned mileage…but with Golden just a few more miles away…I had to do it!

Why did I have to do it???  For the Buffalo Burgers of course.  We were planning on meeting Andrea and Steve at Table Mountain Inn which serves the best Buffalo Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries you could ever eat…seriously!  So, we ran the rest of the way into Golden walking down Washington St for the cool down, and then through the blue doors to our much anticipated reward for a day well spent.

We chowed down on our burgers and then made our way home….all in all it was a fabulous day- spent with wonderful, supportive friends.   And yes- running 28 miles for a buffalo burger is definitely worth it!!!!!

The Buffalo Burger!!!

Tis officially the opening of my 2010 training season.  I started the year off back on my offical training plan after a month of relaxing and recovering from my first Ironman.  Not sure what I enjoyed most….the Ironman itself- or the excuse of not having to follow a training plan for one whole month!  (Hands down the Ironman itself wins!!!! )

I spent my down time relaxing, sleeping in, went to a movie, visited friends, training 30 mins to an hour a day, and losing some fat!  Yeap- I lost 3% body fat over the holidays!  How cool is that!  Some people thought it was kinda strange it “diet” during the holidays…but I am glad I did!  I don’t have to worry about those infamous 5lbs that can be gained from Thanksgiving to New Years….I actually have come through the holidays leaner and a bit lighter (I am going back to ditching the scale).

January is starting off with about 1 hour of exercise per day and will build to a 26 mile run from Littleton to Golden on January 23rd.  I am looking forward to a big run this month.  I love the feel of being in motion for that long….something I have missed in the last month. 

I am excited for what the new year may bring….snowshoe races, ultramarathons, another Ironman….and the company of many amazing friends and fellow athletes….

Well.  Here I am, the day before I head to Cozumel, Mx to compete in my first Ironman. 

I have been struggling with self doubt in the last week, mainly due to a slight calf pull that sidelined my last two brick workouts (100 mile bike/15 mile run; 100 mile bike/18 mile run). 

I have been tapering for 4 weeks now, not what was scheduled but how things played out.  the self doubt comes from wondering if I was ready and had done enough training.  I decided to get out my training logs for the past year and look back on what I’ve done to be ready for this DAY. 

To date I have completed 1x Ultra Adventure Race; 2x 30 mile Runs; 3x 25 mile Runs; 2x Marathons; 9x Century Bike rides; and a 5K, 6K, 2x 7K Swims…..Here is a timeline of the main workouts and fun I’ve had since November 2008.

November of 2008 I started with a group run on the Colorado Trail for 16 miles.  Two weeks later I was in Moab at the ULTIMATE XC Adventure Run for my first adventure race (23 miles).

Last mile at Moab

December found me running 26 milesfrom Highlands Ranch to Golden with temps ranging from 19 degress at the start to a balmy 29 degress by the time we arrived in Golden.  The following weekend was a 5K Swim at Denver University at 5:30 am!

Janurary started off the year with a 20 mile run  and two weeks later I was in California for the  REDDING MARATHON (26.2 miles).  I learned a lot from this marathon as I started way too fast and ended up walking more than running the last 5 miles. Pacing is EVERYTHING!

Finish of Redding Marathon with Kelly

The cold month of Feburary brought….More Running!  Two 25 milersover two Sundays in a row!  The HighlineCanal became my friend as I ran these two 25 milers. Luckily for me I have wonderful friends who joined me on parts of my run.  Thanks to Elizabethwho joined me  on my last 5 miles on both runs and kept me entertained! 

The Second 25 Miler Video

March opened with a 6K Swim (video) at Carmody Rec Center.  One thing I discovered on the 5:00 am Sunday Morning Swims was that I loved them!  It was such a wonderful way to start a Sunday. Swimming withgood friends!  Not much more happened this month.  I started computrainer classes at Peak to Peak Performance Center to begin to build my cycling.

Aprilbrought the beggining of the racing season.  First up- Rage Long Course Triathlon.  This is a HARD course!  Pretty much the same course I raced in October at Nationals where I qualified for a spot on the US Team for World Championships.  But I digress…that was 2008.  I had a good race and placed first in my age group.  Not a bad way to start the season    Returned home for a 7K Swimat Carmody again.

Rage Finish- 1st Place Age Group!

May started the big mileage!  May 5th I did my first Ultra Run- Greenland 50K (30 miles).  I ran this with my coach Andrea where she taught me a lot about the finer points of running a race!  The next weekend I was off to Buena Vista Bike Fest  for my first Century ride ever!  I had a blast and HIGHLY reccomend this ride!  They have great support and the BEST food!

Lunch in Leadville at Buena Vista Bike Fest

June started off with a 4K Swim followed by Elephant Rock Century.  The very next weekend I was headed out of state for the Kansas Ironman 70.3 Triathlon!  Kansas IM 70.3 was amazing!  I had a great race and PRed by 20 minutes!!!  I was absolutlely suprised!  Then the very next weekend I competed in Loveland Lake 2 Lake Olympic Triathlon. 

The Girls at Elephant Rock Century

The Gang Kansas Ironman 70.3 Recon

Getting Ready for Loveland Lake 2 Lake

July was the beginning of traveling back and forth to California for 4 months to help care for my father as he went through cancer treatment.  Durning July I did a 20 mile Run and the next weekend rode in the Sunrise Century (7000 ft of climbing) on Saturday followed by a 24 mile Run on Sunday.  I was amazed that the run felt effortless and I was strong! 

Two days later I jumped in my car and drove for 3 days to California.   I arrived on Friday night and Saturday I did my own 70.3.   The next morning (August 1st) I was up at 4:00am to start the Mt. Shasta Summit Century. 11,000 ft of climbing in 100 miles!

August started with the  century ride followed by some bricks- 80 mile  Bike Rides/ 6 mile Run.  I also drove back to Colorado for two weeks to work.  While back home I raced in the Wild On Windsor Triathlon where I place 4th in Age Group.  The next day I was back in the car and headed to California.

September I spent in California where it was HOT.  I started with a 100 mile Bike Ride.  Next week was a 15 Mile Run with a 100 mile Bike the next day.  The following week- 25 mile Run with a 100 mile Bike the next day.  A few days later I did a 7K Open Water Swimin Lake Siskiyous!  It was amazing.  And then….a few days agter that I ran 30 miles!!!

October brought BIG mileage on the bike.  I did 2 more 100 Mile Bike Rides and followed by a brick of 50 Mile Bike with a 12 Mile Run.  Two days after the brick I had run out of Family Leave, my Dad had completed his treatment and I headed back to California on October 20th. 

Shortly after I returned home I went to run an easy 3 mile run and low and behold…I slightly tore my calf!  I immediately thought I was done…no Ironman for me.  Someone mentioned that I should stop catastrophizing  because it would probably be fine…..Well she was right, sort of. 

I ended up backing off my training and as a result missed my 2 big brick workouts.  I missed a 100 mile ride/15 mile run and a 100 mile run/18 mile run.  Plus a few other longer runs.  After talking to my coach she stated….”I am not worried about you.  You’ve been doing extended distance training for a year now!  You are more than ready regardless of missing these workouts!!!”  Sweet music to my ears!

I’ve had a longer taper than we had planned…but again due to all the training I have done up to this point…these last few workouts will not make or break my Ironman.  I’ve put the mileage in- way before most AgeGroupers would have, which leaves me in a good position even without the big bricks.  

I’m rested and after looking back at all I have done over the past year…..I realize  I AM READY!!! 

I’m ready for what ever may happen on November 29th, 2009 in Cozumel, Mx. 

One thing I know is that EACH and EVERY ONE of you who have run/biked/swam with me: who have given me a word of encouragement; who has cooked a meal; helped with a mechanical issue; drivin me to a race, airport, or workout; has called me, Facedbooked me; and supported me in more ways than I can write about—-YOU WILL ALL BE WITH ME AS I RACE ON SUNDAY IN COZUMEL!  

Each one of you will come to my mind as I embrace this opportunity that I am about to embark on!

I thank you all and am truely humbled by your most generous giving of yourselves!

And to my dear Jr High School best friend Janet V- who I did my first triathlon with in May 2008- I thank you for traveling to Cozumel with me and helping to keep me sane in the days before the race.

Love and peace to you all!