We did it!

The first thing I need to say is Whoohooo (compliments of Debbie!!)!! We have a new PR - 4:09!! So, much better than 4:16! ;-)
What a day, well, weekend really. Brooke and Tralaine and the rest of her family went all out to make the smallest marathon I've ever ran in one of the best! We (Brooke, Michael, and I) left for Wichita around 10:30am Saturday morning. Got into town in time to visit with Brooke's grandparents then to Tralaine's to get unpacked, make posters, put together Don (the first timer's) new shirt, and the goodie bags that would be carried by all of our support team! We had Brooke's step mom Diane and her husband Alan as group 1, of course Michael, Calvin, and Tanna as group 2, Sharron as group 3, Jackie (Don's girlfriend), Don's brother and another friend as group 4, then Tralaine's mom & sister as group 5.

We all went to Diane and Alan's for a pasta feast Saturday night - spaghetti & meatballs w/ marinara, ziti w/ chicken & alfredo, salad & bread! So yummy!! I of course had my mandatory 2 glasses of red wine - victim of superstition! After dinner runners were given packets (thanks to Tralaine & Sharron) and supporters were given there bag of goodies and signs. After dinner our group went back to Andy & Tralaine's to shower and get ready for bed. I opted to go read while most of the others played some Wii.

Got up around 6am - ate some oatmeal - got dressed - put on the pace tatoos and were out the door to head to Derby, KS. Did some stretching at the Rec Center then it was out to the road for the start of the big race!! We got our team pics - and everyone commented on our cool orange shirts!

The first section of the race wound through some neighborhoods in Derby - it was nice - not too hilly, tree lined areas. Brooke, Angie and I all stayed together through this section. Water stops and our trusty support staff were awesome during this section. At mile 9 we hit the air force base (where we knew we wouldn't have much support till mile 13, then not again until we left the base). Going into the airforce base we were basically on chat roads - not exactly what we were expecting - after a couple miles it went to black top - then to concrete (very hard). Around mile 12 there was a loop back where we were able to see Don, Frank, Andy, and Tralaine and cheer them on. At 13 we saw Sharron, and right after that we ran around some of the display planes, then through a path lined with fallen soldiers, then we turned and went uphill and into the wind! OUCH!! I don't think any of us enjoyed that section. We finished up the air base with a run through the air force museum and then by the air field. It was so refreshing to see our supporters upon the exit of the air base!! We even saw our friend from the beginning that was tracking everyone's progress on his bicycle. He told us we had two more hills but that the wind should be with us for the duration. He was close. The last 6 miles really weren't too bad. Although I'm sure Brooke would disagree - she wasn't feeling quite as well. I had toe and knee issues, but overall I felt surprisingly well. We ended up on a walking/biking path that was in the shade and helped. After that, we only had a little over a mile into the Old Town area to the finish. I was so excited - I could tell we were going to get our PR and I still felt good!! I think I had tingles all the way in. We hit the finish line in 4:09!! I'm still very happy - that will last for a few more days before I start contemplating doing my next one and improving my time again - lol!!! :-)

3 Days - 500 people?

Runs this week have gone pretty good. Still having toe issues, nothing serious though. Brookie and I ran 6 miles at lunch on Tuesday - it was hot, but we had a good run. We had plenty of stuff to chat about and she got to use her cognitive coaching skills on me so the run went by quickly. Yesterday I did a 4 mile run at lunch - in the rain (not sprinkles, heavy rain) with Brady riding his bike along with me. I probably owe him one for that b/c it was also pretty cold! ;-)
Today - the last day of running before marathon - Brookie and I ran 3 miles - actually 3.3. It was soooo cold this morning. So, on the run Brooke tells me that there are around 500 people registered to do the Wichita marathon. I think that is around 1,500 less than the smallest marathon I have done so far and that's not including the 5,000 or so that did the 1/2 marathon (there is no 1/2 at Wichita). So, I'm trying to get my head around the fact that there may not be people around us all the time. This will be more like training - just Brookie and I out for a run - it will just be in a different city! :-)

Now is the time for serious taper - rest and relaxation - sigh... The hardest part of marathon training I think - this is where it starts getting more mental than physical. You start questioning everything - did I train hard enough, too hard, is my body ready, what should I wear, what should I eat, etc. The easy answers are yes, we are ready and you eat what you always eat and we decided what to wear weeks ago so just chill! ;-) Easier said than done though. When you are physically active you can reduce or control stress - so now when you have the mental stress of marathon is when you are supposed to be a couch potato. It's very hard! I'm trying to get into the mode of it all - even though it's just Thursday I'm pretending it's casual Friday with my comfy fleece top and jeans! So far it seems to be helping.

One More Week

So, taking off running all week may have helped. Ran today - only 3.5, but it felt good - even in new shoes. The Pearl Izumi Streaks - seem to be awesome!! Went for a bike ride afterwards to White Rose winery and had some pretty darn good Missouri wine. Bought a couple bottles that I stuck in my camelbak for the ride home to have for dinner - we shall see how that goes. So, planning to do the duathlon tomorrow then do a couple 4-6 mile runs next week then it will be RACE TIME!! I'm excited and nervous - as always! ;-) I just hope I don't let Brookie down - it's our first race together! :-)

Witchita Marathon Approaching

So, it's 9 days and counting to the Wichita marathon. Getting slightly nervous, but trying not too get too worked up about it. It's the first full since the stress fracture...sigh! We did our 23 mile long run last Saturday because we had an adventure race the weekend before. This means only a 2 week taper. I ended up having toe pain following the last run so I've been laying off since then. Nothing serious I don't think - it's at the base of the toe beside my big toe one of those metatarsal things I think - lol! Regardless it's hurt so I haven't run. Planning to do a short duathlon on Sunday - 5K run, bike 15, run 1 - no biggy, then maybe a couple 4 mile runs next week - we'll see how they go. Not so sure about running 9 minute miles at this point - looking to just finish in 4:30 probably - my PR is 4:16 I think, I'm not confident about hitting that goal, but we'll just see what race day holds!! :-)

Margarita Bloks

So, I've been running distance for about 4 years I guess - my first marathon was in 2005. Since then I've done quite a bit of research on nutrition - not necessarily how much I need b/c I've been told I'm still not there, but more on what is good to eat - or better yet what I can make myself eat while running. The one thing I really seem to enjoy, whether it's a marathon or an adventure race are Margarita Clif Shot Bloks. They are so salty, but not too sweet like most of the other bloks and gels - so good. My 'running friend' Brooke and I think they are the bomb. Now, I've given them to others and they are usually a little too salty for them. We never use them for anything under 12 miles, but for those type distances they work just great. Generally one bag is enough to fuel up a bit (this is where there is some controversy) - we each take 3 and drink some water and can usually make it another hour or so.

For those of you new to bloks and gu's - blocks are kind of a cross between a gummi candy and jello I think. They are 'heavier' than a gummi and they are shaped in blocks - hence the name. Six come in a package for around 180 calories so splitting it gives you about 90, about the same as a gu. They come in lots of flavors and most have added caffiene or extra sodium. Margarita flavor just has the added sodium - no caffiene since that's on my list of things I don't do. Trust me this is a short list - lol!

For more info go to: http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/

Berryman Adventure 2008

So, training for the Wichita Marathon, it's the weekend of the last long run and what do we do??? An Adventure Race - 13 hour and 8 minute adventure race. Was this a good idea? Who knows, but it sure was fun! :-)

This race was done with Don (the Gazelle), Jonas (the rock), Brookie (the Navigator), and myself. We did a really great job this year with our orienteering - we always knew where we were and we worked really well together to figure out points. Not to say this was an easy race - I think we're all just getting better at the navigating (especially our fearless navigator!) and we were all in pretty good shape going in.

It all started at 7am.....well, better back up.....it all started at 7:30pm the night before with the pre-race meeting. That's where we got our maps and passports and found out race start time. Then, back to our hotel room to plot points and discuss the course - the fun stuff, but when it's getting late and you know you have a long day in front of you it's also the hard stuff. We called it good about 10pm and decided we would meet at the campground shortly after 5am. At that point Brooke and Jonas went to take the bikes to the drop off while Don and I gathered up all necessary gear and took to the start line (we also took a little cat nap after our chores were done - sorry guys!! ;-) Anyway, so race started at 7am - and the orienteering had begun. Right after finding our first point I began to have cramps on the outside side of my calves - terribly painful. I had to walk for a couple minutes and took some ibuprofen. I was so worried it wouldn't go away and I would be the weakest link. It wasn't too long after that the pain became tolerable. Not sure what caused it, but I was glad it had subsided.

So, we whipped through points 1-7, at 7 we had to put on PFD's and cross the river - packs and all. It was so scary, it was the Current river and it was really moving and over our heads. Luckily Jonas and Don went first so they were able to snag me before I got too far downstream. Next we did checkpoints 8 - 13 I think - still orienteering - that's the section we met up with Laura Lee & Steve I think it was from Salina, KS. It was fun chatting with them. Then, onto the 12 MILE canoe. That's a long time to be on a gorgeous river on a hot day without beer!! Once we finished that section I felt like we were home free!

Biking was all that remained - less than 25 miles. It was single track and jeep roads for most of it, but still better than sitting in a canoe I think. The only issue we really had all day was Jonas had two broken chains - luckily he is a whiz at fixing them so we were up and running in no time. Two funny instances happened while waiting on chain repair that made the journey even more enjoyable though so I wouldn't change a thing (Jonas would probably disagree - lol!) One was Brooke and I deciding we needed a Margarita break (I'll have to explain this in a separate blog!), so while we were eating these incessant gnats were swarming our faces - so we were running in circles waving our arms frantically and laughing (9+ hours into the race - we were a bit giddy) - as we are doing this a guy comes up the hill and yells. We think it's Don or Jonas and they've busted us, but it turns out too be a fireman from Wichita who didn't even see us, but it lead to a funny discussion anyway! ;-) The other instance takes longer to explain, but it ends with Brookie riding away from a big group of guys after yelling "girls rock" - it was pretty priceless!

So, we finished the biking in the dark - happy but fatigued. Don and I ran back to the hotel to shower and I opened up my post race red-wine! ;-) Then, back to the campground to have burgers & baked potatoes. Oh my - I have always thought the burgers after the Greenways races are good - they are nothing compared to Kent & Becky's campfire burgers - they were sooo good!! I'm still wishing I would have had one more!! :-) We tried hanging out by the fire and chatting - did good for a while, but a little before midnight we decided to call it good and all went too bed to dream about the next race! lol - just kidding - we were all too sore at that point to dream, but it sounded good!