Updates

Where have you been?

I know, I know. Worst blogger ever. One thing is certain, this blog does not write itself. Everyday I think, "oh, I should put that on the blog!" And for the last month (who's counting?!) it has not gone anywhere. Blogging has definitely taken a back-seat over other priorities.

So, here's the latest. Training for a marathon, doing the Insanity workouts, trying to be a good wife and mom, Christmas shopping, parties, etc....Is a full-time job. Fun, but busy. Who's not busy, right?

I also had a slight set-back over the last 4 weeks or so. My left foot was really starting to hurt and I pinpointed the problem to plantar fasciitis. I've had some experience with this in the past and I knew what I needed to do. Rest, ice, stretch, take some time off. Instead of doing what I should, I just kept running and tried to ignore it as much as possible.

I had originally signed up for the Dallas White Rock Marathon so that I could have another chance at a BQ before the Houston Marathon in January. However, I decided about a week before Dallas that I would use it as a "training run" because clearly I was in no shape to race it. It was also really rainy and cold, I was trying out a new, hand-held water bottle and as it turns out I had a wardrobe malfunction during the race as well. All the runners were soaked and the rain made my running skirt heavy. So heavy that it actually started to roll down at the waist. This was incredibly frustrating and increasingly annoying. From miles 13 to 17, I was pullling at that darn skirt about every 3 steps! UGH! I contemplated dropping out, but finally found a medic and had him wrap tape around my waist to make a belt. Ahh - relief. I felt like I had a spring in my step after that and then the plantar fasciitis kicked in. I finished my "training run" marathon in 4:15 and hobbled home.

Last week, was the Sugar Land 30K. The final race in the warm-up series leading up to Houston. I had another decision to make - race it or take it slow and easy. I was reading my Runner's World magazine and a key workout suggestion was to do 6 miles at 10 seconds faster than race pace, 10 minute recovery jog, then another 6 miles at 10 seconds faster than race pace. Great idea! That's what I'll do! A 13 mile workout crammed into an 18.6 mile race. I decided the best thing was to start out slow - a 5 mile warm-up. I did the next 6 miles fast (8:05 pace), took a 10 minute recovery jog, and attempted the next 6. And that's where I ran out of gas. My foot was cramping up again and I could not pick up the pace. I ran the last 6 at about 8:40 pace.

Over the next 4 days, I saw my opportunity of BQing limp out the door.

I was already implementing aggressive icing strategies - ice massage, ice baths, more and more ice. I wondered how close I was to frost bite. I went for a slow run on 12/15 and could hardly walk after I was done. More icing. More praying. After lots of ice and lots of prayer, a breakthrough happened Thursday night. I could feel earlier in the day that the tension was becoming smaller or more localized (if that makes sense). Even though I could hardly walk, I could tell it was changing somehow. Then (after a particular intense icing session) I was able to work out the kinks. Miraculous! It was a glorious feeling and almost instant relief. I have continued to ice and take it easy, lots of stretching and resting. But at least now, I'm able to walk again, dare I say RUN!

Through it all, I've continued with Insanity - sometimes only on one foot. The results are showing and I'm pleased with my progress. Only 2 weeks left of the 60 day challenge! Only 4 weeks until the Houston Marathon! Just a few days ago I was doubtful that I could even walk it, but now I have renewed hope that I will be able to race it.

So, here we go again. To all of my 5 blog readers: I know you didn't want to read about injuries and ice, how much it hurts or how worried I have been everyday. I also didn't want to be a big 'ol whiner! I'm on the road to recovery and the Christmas cards are in the mail!

New Beginnings

In January, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. Yea! After several months of hard running, speedwork, tempo runs and long runs, I was happy to see the realization of a goal obtained. I honestly didn't think it was possible for my body to do it. My fastest time up to that point was the Houston marathon in 2010 at 4:04. I was now attempting to knock 20 or 25 minutes off my personal best in order to qualify for my age group.

I needed to run this marathon in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Now stranger things have happened, but that seemed quite speedy for the stay-at-home mom, recreational runner that I am. It was also quickly becoming more difficult due to high temperatures and humidity that the Houston marathon experienced on race day in 2011. Nevertheless, somehow I managed to finish in 3:44:08. Super, I did it! But, just barely...

The Boston marathon being what it is - the marathon that everyone wants to run, the best of the best - sold out the previous year in 8 hours. To make it fair (and more competitive) faster runners were given priority for the 2012 race. This announcement was made soon after I qualified so I knew my chances were slim to get a spot. Let's face it, a barely qualified by 1 minute!

I was notified yesterday that I did not obtain entry to the Boston marathon. I am sad and a little heartbroken. Do I understand why? Yes. Is it fair? Yes. Does it still stink? Yes. As it turns out the cut-off for my age group was 3:43:46. I missed it by 22 seconds. Which is a lot. Stand at the finish line and count how many people cross within 22 seconds. Ask the winner of the silver medal how many seconds he was away from the gold...More than 22 seconds, I'm sure.

So, I gave myself one day to be sad. It was a teaching moment for my kids. I told Brady (age 6) what had happened. "Mommy tried really hard, but I didn't get what I wanted." He comforted my the way only a child could and said, "Well you could just run around the house! I'll run with you and I hope I'm faster than you!" That's really why I run. To be a better person, a better mom and a good example for my kids.

It's not a big deal that I didn't get in. I don't know what I was looking forward to more, the marathon or the trip. Probably both. I didn't start running to run the Boston marathon, I'm not going to stop now. That's why I started with this post. New Beginnings. So I can look back and see how far I've come. Hopefully, getting faster and becoming better along the way.

Maybe one day, I'll be able to write about my Boston experience. There is speedwork to be done today anyway.