Post Marathon

The marathon was last Saturday May 17th. Some of the most amazing things have happened in May. Seven years ago, I married my love on May 25th. This year I did what I thought was impossible, I ran a marathon.

For the first 8 miles Justine and I had our fellow running buddy Jennifer along for the ride. We kept up with a run 2 min and walk 1 min with a 11:30 average pace. After that I told Justine that we need to slow down, we still had 18 miles to go. After that we change to run 1 min and walk 1 min. We felt pretty good and I got to see my mom and my baby girl at mile 12 by the Boise Zoo. We had to pass the finish line...that was pretty hard. We could hear the music and the party that the half marathoners were participating in. But off we went for another 13 miles to go. Just past 14 miles we got to see Justine's family. Her husband Chris brought us cold water and more GUs, the essentials. At mile 18 we got to see my mom and daughter again. We ran to the 19.5 mile turn around. At mile 20 my mom was still there. We had a 10K to go and we were on our own. It was a very long 6.2 miles. We even had a water station that closed up on us. Our feet hurt, we were tired, but we knew that a little 6.2 miles would not stop us. Our next stop was 26.2 and all of our family. We crossed the finish line at 6:44:58. As soon as I saw my husband I cried. I cannot believe that I did it. I finished a marathon. What a fantastic day.

I went home iced my feet and then my legs. I also took a two and a half hour nap. Thanks baby. In the end I was smiling when I crossed the finish line. I was also smiling the next day and I felt better at work after my marathon than I did after my first half marathon.

26.2 Finisher

The back of my shirt had my inspirational quote.
"There will be days you don't think
You can run a marathon.
There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."

The Road to Boston

About a month ago I decided to set a goal. Not a small goal, but a giant goal that will take months maybe even years to complete. I am a mother of 2 little munchkins am going to train to qualify for Boston.  Here is the kicker. I am currently running at a 12:30 mile pace and I need to get to a 8:30 pace. Not only have I never run a mile in under 9:30 minutes, but I have yet to complete my first my marathon. I am estimating that I will finish in about 6 hours and 30 minutes.

I sit here on the eve of the eve of the marathon and I am scared out of my mine. All of the what ifs are running through my head and talking with my running partner has added more. What if I get leg cramps, stomach cramps, or I get sick? What if I cannot finish? This is the biggest question mark. What would I tell everyone and there sisters if I cannot finish. So with all of this going on I have already set myself on an even bigger goal.

Here is my plan to date.
*Lose weight - I am about 30 lbs heavier than I would like to be.
*Workout in the mornings - I have done really we the last two weeks.
*Eat right - I know what to eat and when to eat. I need to remember that I am important and to do it.
*Sleep - This is so important. Get it in!!!
*Plan my runs - get my short runs in during my morning workouts and get my long/hill runs in on the weekend.

I know that this is not an easy goal. It is a good thing that I love challenges and I love to feel my hard work. I have my husband and kids cheering me on every step of the way. Here's to Boston 2016/2017.

My babies and I at Orioles Park at Camden Yards