Thank you Amanda for asking me to blog my adventure. I hadn't even thought about doing that but I would like to look back on this some day and remember that I was awesome at least once in my life!
The Chicago Marathon 2012 has been a goal that I and my running partner Jenni have had for a while. We signed up at the beginning of the year so this has been a long road! Training went well. My recovery from runners knee had gone really well once I figured out that the Nickel Plate Trail south of Peru was making it worse! Jenni and I pulled out our six sigma engineering skills (sarcasm) and trouble shot my issues. Found them and ran VERY well all summer. It was cake. Easy 12s, 14s, 16, 18 and a solid 20 in great time. 26.2 should not have been a problem in 5 hours so that was our next mission.
As soon as I started watching the weather, about 10 days pre race, I was discouraged. The Indy weather guy told Jenni and I via twitter that even lake effect snow was possible with the low temps that were coming! At that point I was very discouraged. I hate being cold. I generally never get warm. I don't know if its my circulation or what but I am telling you, I do not get warm. I didn't even sweat during the marathon. No joke. Who does that? And it wasn't because of my ease of running it!
Every singe person that talked to me about Chicago said, it's so flat, great course to start with...well, if you have knee issues then a few hills and a lot of bridges do not equal flat!
As I walked to the start line, shivering, I knew this was going to be bad. We timed it perfectly and got in our corral on time. Still freezing. Wishing hand warmers would appear in a little parachute just like the book (HG). Nope. Numb toes and fingers and we were still not moving!
Finally, we make it to the start line! Still numb. So numb I can not feel my toes.
The first few miles went really fast. We were running right at goal pace. And there it is, the first hill. I can see it and I know this isn't going to end well. I should have walked the hills but I didn't at first. By the second hill or bridge (don't remember which is which), my knee was aching a little. Not bad but I knew what was coming since we were only a few miles in.
The spectators were absolutely amazing and very helpful! The signs were hilarious. My favorites: this parade stinks, and don't poop! People who cheer for people that they don't know pretty much rock. I mean, really, who gets up early in the freezing cold and stands outside for hours to watch their friend run by and be gone in the blink of an eye? Awesome people do!
I pretended like my knee didn't hurt. It wasn't actually stopping forward motion so we kept going. I don't remember anything else until mile 13. I remember feeling like I should be done now. My body said it wanted to be done. But we had so far to go!
The next mile I remember is 16, which I thought said 18 from a half mile back. It's not that I was blacked out or anything, I just don't remember the mile markers. So, mile 16-18 is where it got ugly. I was so cold! The sun did shine a little but I don't know which miles. We stopped to stretch. My hamstrings felt like rocks. Any time I would stop moving, my knees basically locked up. I would walk, speed walk, jog and then ease into the run. Stopping to stretch was a huge mistake even though it felt like the right thing to do. Standing in line to get water was brutal.
At this point Jenni and I are both struggling. We were looking for the bananas that were supposed to be at mile 18. We found some a little later but it was too late. I felt like my body was so mad at me. Mainly my knees.
I think somewhere between mile 20-22 was my lowest point. This was really painful but it was a mental game now. If you can run 20 miles you can run a marathon physically. Mentally it is a different story.
A kind lady who was cheering for strangers had a bowl of jolly ranchers. It was worth a try and seriously the best decision ever. It gave me a little boost. Thanks to that lady!
The last few miles were a constant battle. We were starting to pass a lot of people. And no, it wasn't because we were speedy, it was because so many people were injured! Many were limping or dragging a leg behind them. One lady was laying on the ground in agony. I'm guessing she was having muscle spasms. She already had help so we didn't stop.
The last mile seemed like an eternity. All of these signs by Nike said you owned Chicago. I did not feel like I owned it! I definitely felt defeated!
With a half a mile to go, I could see a right turn ahead and a pretty steep incline. I was hoping I was delusional but it was true. At 300m there was an incline that tried to end me. It came close but I kept going! 100m left. I lost Jenni, crossed the finish line and felt like curling up in a little ball. But I couldn't because I was being herded like cattle!
All I wanted to do was cry tears of joy. And thank God that was over and I finished! The guy that put the medal around my neck was awesome. I can't remember what he said but it was so kind and encouraging that I actually felt like I could walk a little farther. Thank God for him too! I gathered myself, found Jenni and we headed out.
So, many lessons learned. I need to dress warmer and take hand and toe warmers. I need to walk up AND down hills. I need a smaller marathon. And I need to take a couple jolly ranchers.
I also learned that distance running is a mental game. It hurts a ton physically but it's nothing compared to the mental aspects.
So, if you are planning to run your first marathon (Amanda!), get your brain ready and expect it to be nothing like you expect!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Medal Without a Mini
If I don't clear this up, I will feel very dishonest!
This is my story of the 2012 Indy 500 Mini Marathon. I started planning for this mini in June of 2011, 6 weeks after my youngest son was born. I registered right away to help motivate me to run. After training for a few weeks, my running partner, Jenni, convinced me to register for two half marathons in the fall of 2011. We trained, had a blast and ran well.
Over the winter I continued to train for the 500 race. At the beginning of April I started having knee pain and over the course of a few weeks it became a debilitating injury. I could only run 7 minutes before pain would show up. I rested for a couple weeks before the race, worked with my doctor and most importantly I prayed.
Apparently God had other plans for May 5, 2012. I ran for 8-10 mins with no pain, 15 mins with pain and walked 20 more minutes through pain that scared me enough to stop moving. My goal of running a full marathon in the fall of 2012 flashed before my eyes. Was this day worth it? No, not worth ending it all over a few miles and certainly not over a medal.
So, I stopped at medical, who ironically had no medicine or supplies. They didn't even have bandaids! It was terrible.
I decided I shouldn't even try, and probably couldn't go any farther. I waited and waited...finally, after I watched thousands of people run/walk by me, the "back of the pack" bus had arrived. You know how terrible that feeling is? To step on the big failure bus? It's rough. Many of the people are laughing and having a good time. I was not. I was actually very irritated with anyone who seemed happy! That was the last place I ever pictured myself!
So, we take off toward the start/finish area. All of the sudden the bus stops. The driver yells, one mile from the finish.
CONFUSION!
I was so confused. Everyone was exiting the bus. I asked the girl next to me if we had to, she say yes! I'm petrified of moving and now I have to walk a mile? Yes, that was correct. They dumped us off with runners who had ran the whole race while I skipped mile 7,8,9,10,11 and 12. At this point in the race you can not exit or enter. Barricades and bridges stop any chance of escape. I am forced to cross the finish line. Still confused and looking around as I limp on in, wonder if the cheering people would throw things at me if I told them the truth. Anyway, cross the finish, they toss a medal around my neck. NO KIDDING!
So, you don't have to run the full mini to get the medal. Apparently 13.1 miles is not required for this race.
I could have let everyone think that I finished this mini (which I technically did). I just felt like a big liar and cheater since I skipped the middle!
So there is the truth! I certainly feel better! You can still be proud of me of you want (joking), or you can wait until I'm healthy and run again. For now, I need to focus on an MRI, some physical therapy and some rest for this mess of a knee.
CM&N
By the way, if anyone wants to run the Geist half marathon, my bib is up for grabs!
This is my story of the 2012 Indy 500 Mini Marathon. I started planning for this mini in June of 2011, 6 weeks after my youngest son was born. I registered right away to help motivate me to run. After training for a few weeks, my running partner, Jenni, convinced me to register for two half marathons in the fall of 2011. We trained, had a blast and ran well.
Over the winter I continued to train for the 500 race. At the beginning of April I started having knee pain and over the course of a few weeks it became a debilitating injury. I could only run 7 minutes before pain would show up. I rested for a couple weeks before the race, worked with my doctor and most importantly I prayed.
Apparently God had other plans for May 5, 2012. I ran for 8-10 mins with no pain, 15 mins with pain and walked 20 more minutes through pain that scared me enough to stop moving. My goal of running a full marathon in the fall of 2012 flashed before my eyes. Was this day worth it? No, not worth ending it all over a few miles and certainly not over a medal.
So, I stopped at medical, who ironically had no medicine or supplies. They didn't even have bandaids! It was terrible.
I decided I shouldn't even try, and probably couldn't go any farther. I waited and waited...finally, after I watched thousands of people run/walk by me, the "back of the pack" bus had arrived. You know how terrible that feeling is? To step on the big failure bus? It's rough. Many of the people are laughing and having a good time. I was not. I was actually very irritated with anyone who seemed happy! That was the last place I ever pictured myself!
So, we take off toward the start/finish area. All of the sudden the bus stops. The driver yells, one mile from the finish.
CONFUSION!
I was so confused. Everyone was exiting the bus. I asked the girl next to me if we had to, she say yes! I'm petrified of moving and now I have to walk a mile? Yes, that was correct. They dumped us off with runners who had ran the whole race while I skipped mile 7,8,9,10,11 and 12. At this point in the race you can not exit or enter. Barricades and bridges stop any chance of escape. I am forced to cross the finish line. Still confused and looking around as I limp on in, wonder if the cheering people would throw things at me if I told them the truth. Anyway, cross the finish, they toss a medal around my neck. NO KIDDING!
So, you don't have to run the full mini to get the medal. Apparently 13.1 miles is not required for this race.
I could have let everyone think that I finished this mini (which I technically did). I just felt like a big liar and cheater since I skipped the middle!
So there is the truth! I certainly feel better! You can still be proud of me of you want (joking), or you can wait until I'm healthy and run again. For now, I need to focus on an MRI, some physical therapy and some rest for this mess of a knee.
CM&N
By the way, if anyone wants to run the Geist half marathon, my bib is up for grabs!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Today I Am Better
Today I am a better mom. I know it sounds strange, what could really be so different than yesterday? I was offered the job that I totally thought was meant for me. I was shocked. It had been a couple of weeks since the interview so I had already started thinking about new life goals. I had moved on from the idea of me having a separate identity from my family. So, I am planning my next big thing and the phone rings. The job is mine if I want it. After dissecting the job details and learning how much money I would make, or rather not make, I decided to decline. I feel somewhat heart broken about the whole thing because I really think that I could be a benefit to this community. I want this community to be revived and to live a long happy life in this small town. I want that for my children. I want them to want to come back to the area once they are older and are ready to start families of their own. But I only want that for them if it is what makes them happy. Ultimately, the only thing that will make my life feel worthwhile is the happiness of my children. In saying that, I think that their happiness is directly affected by my happiness.
So, anyway, the cost of daycare is absolutely ridiculous. I don't know how people have the will to go to work when they know they only get a small percentage of their check after daycare is subtracted. I figured that after taxes and daycare I would be pocketing less than $40/week. Is that really even worth leaving the house? I don't want to sound selfish, but I feel like $40 is nothing compared to raising my children. Compared to seeing my children learn their ABCs and how to walk, teaching them how to play with finger paint and play dough, watching my baby boy learn to walk and talk, $40 is really NOTHING!!
I am a better mom today because I have realized that I don't have to stay home with them. I am here because I want to stay at home with them. I am so blessed beyond anything that I deserve. To have the option to stay home with my boys is really special and I do realize exactly how blessed I am to have this opportunity (thanks hubby)!
As I continue to grow and find somewhere to place my mind, I hope to volunteer a little and work with my husband to grow our businesses. I plan to give my kids the better part of me instead of what is left over. And I plan to run stronger and faster because I know that I can.
Bring on the warm weather so I can get my butt outside to run farther and more often. Thank God for all of the great people and opportunities that I have been given in this crazy life.
CMaN
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Nerves
So, I have been trying to write something for a couple of weeks now. This confirms my thought that I should not do this for a living!
Today I had a job interview! I have been part time at our small business, or a stay at home mom since the end of 2008. Interviewing for a position in the outside world, among strangers is HUGE! I was so nervous because I truly want this job. I feel like I can somehow make a difference by working with our community. Possibly bettering this small town so my kids will want to come back home to work and raise their families. Now that I made it through the interview, I am nervous thinking about the fact that I might actually get this job and have to leave my boys. It makes my stomach hurt to think about leaving them! Although it is only part time, I will sti miss breakfast and lunch. I will miss the things that I vowed to never take for granted before I ever had children.
The good news is that I might regain a little of my sanity after years of baby talk and cartoons. I should also be able to run more, I hope. My hubby is going to have to take on a bigger role with laundry and night shifts with the kids. It's definitely time for me to do something with myself. I need some ME time. I need to run. Preferably outside!!
Today I had a job interview! I have been part time at our small business, or a stay at home mom since the end of 2008. Interviewing for a position in the outside world, among strangers is HUGE! I was so nervous because I truly want this job. I feel like I can somehow make a difference by working with our community. Possibly bettering this small town so my kids will want to come back home to work and raise their families. Now that I made it through the interview, I am nervous thinking about the fact that I might actually get this job and have to leave my boys. It makes my stomach hurt to think about leaving them! Although it is only part time, I will sti miss breakfast and lunch. I will miss the things that I vowed to never take for granted before I ever had children.
The good news is that I might regain a little of my sanity after years of baby talk and cartoons. I should also be able to run more, I hope. My hubby is going to have to take on a bigger role with laundry and night shifts with the kids. It's definitely time for me to do something with myself. I need some ME time. I need to run. Preferably outside!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
26.2
I just signed up for my first full marathon! My Ninja and I will be seeing the sights of Chicago this fall. Why am I suddenly nervous about 26.2 miles? I guess it is more real once you pay your fees!! We still have two half marathon's to run before we head to Chicago...probably should be thinking about those!
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