This is not the finish line...

I'll be a spectator at the Olympic Marathon Trials on Saturday and the 40th Anniversary of the Houston Marathon on Sunday. But, it's not where I want to be. I want to be out there running it!

I have decided not to run in the Houston Marathon on Sunday. After battling with foot pain for the last 8 weeks, common sense tells me that it's not wise to attempt the distance. I am just now starting to walk without pain and I believe that if I were to run 26.2 miles that I would prolong my recovery. I'll be honest - I'm ready to run again. Resting, icing, taking it easy - this just isn't for me. I need to be back on my feet and hopping. I have a lot to look forward to, also. A snow skiing trip and a half marathon in March and the Napa to Sonoma half marathon in July. That being said, Houston is my home and they put on a world-class, top-of-the-line race. This year I had the opportunity to visit a few different race venues and let me tell you, Houston is the best in Texas.

I am heart-broken that I am not running on Sunday. I have grieved over this decision. Believe it or not, I have even gone through the stages of grief:

1. Shock & Denial - "my foot doesn't hurt, see I can still run!"
2. Pain & Guilt - "ouch, that does hurt, maybe I've pushed myself too hard"
3. Anger & Bargaining - "dammit, why does my foot hurt?! what if I take a few days off, I'll go slower - then it'll feel better, right?"
4. Depression - "I guess I'm not running, I'll probably never run again."
5. The Upward Turn - "it's just one race."
6. Reconstruction & Working Through - "almost pain-free!"
7. Acceptance & Hope - "there's always next year!"

I think I'm definitely in the last few stages. I'm sad, but it'll be ok. I don't want to be a spectator in my life, so I'm going to take the time to heal and re-prioritize. Hopefully, in the long run (literally) I'll come back stronger. As you know, this was going to be another BQ for me. I'm not giving up. This isn't the finish line, just a short pause in the marathon of my life. My journey is far from over.

I'm reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young - devotions for every day of the year. I made my official "I'm not running" decision over the weekend and this is what I read on Monday:

I am with you and for you. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up! With my help, you can overcome any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events. If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment. Instead of dashing headlong toward you goal, let Me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence. 

Romans 8:31; Psalm 46:1-3; Luke 1:37

So, this is what I'm doing now. I'm slowing down, enjoying the journey.

 

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!

Good-bye Complacency, Hello Insanity!

As I finished a 12 mile run on Saturday, I was thinking about my goals and how I am going to achieve them. I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon again. I want to get faster and improve my fitness level. I want to tone-up and shed a few pounds. Then, I started thinking about my time-line. The Houston Marathon is January 15th. I'll be starting to taper my runs at the beginning of January. Therefore, I have exactly 2 months or 60 days to shape-up. I need to concentrate on cross-training as well as running to achieve my goals. Insanity!

Last year, I enjoyed the benefits of a boot-camp fitness class. I loved it! I attained all the previously stated goals. However, the class took a lot of time away from my family (twice a week - 2.5 hours - in the evenings). Not an ideal situation for my hard-working husband or my two young boys. It was also very expensive. Insanity!

Then a friend recommended the Insanity workout DVDs. I bought it and used it leading up to the marathon last year. They are a really good workout. No equipment and all in about 40 minutes - 1 hour commitment. I can do that! I recommend them as well. I enjoyed the same benefits of the boot camp, but was able to do it on my own schedule and for a fraction of the cost. Thanks Shaun T! Insanity!

Day 1 is today. My goal is to follow the program faithfully. I will post a before and after picture at the end of 60 days. I was going to post a before picture now - but you know what a look like and the results will be best seen side-by-side at one time. Plus, I want my free "Insanity - I Earned It" t-shirt. Here goes! Who's with me?

Houston Half Marathon

I ran in the Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 23. This is the first of three races in the Houston Marathon Warm Up Series. The next is the Texas Metric Marathon on Nov. 13, then the Sugar Land 30K on Dec. 11.

I really enjoy these races. They are all spaced about a month apart and are the perfect distances for training for the Houston Marathon on Jan. 15, 2012. It is a great way for beginners to get a large race experience with 2 of them including a drive into downtown Houston. It is also a good way for runners to get a feel for their fitness level, to try out different race strategies and just practice hydrating and re-fueling.

I traveled along with my girlfriends Nicole and Vickie and her husband, Mike. It is such a fun atmosphere heading to the race, laughing and talking about our goals for the day. It's Houston, so of course, it was hot and the mosquitoes at the start were fierce. I couldn't wait to get out of there and get running. I made a rookie mistake at this race last year and after I drank a whole mug-full of coffee was in the port-a-can when the gun went off. I knew better this year and was at the starting line in plenty of time and enjoyed the buzz of the crowd.

My good friend Michelle came out to cheer me on at mile 6 and 9. It was a boost to see her at mile 6 then I looked forward to seeing her again over the next 3 miles. I didn't finish as fast as I wanted to, but it was a good race, I felt strong and enjoyed it.

The post-race atmosphere is just as sweet. Lots of laughing and talking, loud music, beer (at 9am?) - I opted for the massage. I won't be running all three races of the warm up series this year. I have another meeting with the half marathon in San Antonio.

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.