Against the wind

I had 5 on the schedule and was ready to get back out and see if those weights were gone. Thankfully I didn't feel like I was moving backwards, but there was a wind that came out of nowhere. As I turned around the lake there was one side that forced me to put my head down and push forward. The same thing happened as I turned the last corner to head up the incline home. It was like a slap in the face as I was trying to give it my all. I finished and couldn't complain about my time so the wind became just another one of the many obstacles to get me thinking about anything other than my running.

Did someone put weights in my shoes?

On the first of my shortest run in ages, I was thrilled to have only 3 miles. That meant I would be out and back before I knew it. There was only one thing stopping me, the weights that someone put in my shoes. Oh, I wish I had that excuse. I ran at almost the pace that I plan to run for the marathon, which is slow in my books for the distance I went. Maybe my body is just preparing itself for that pace? Highly unlikely, but I'll test it out again on Wednesday. Hopefully it was just an off day.

Getting my life back

For the past 2 months I have been moving around my Saturday and sometimes even my Friday night activities to accommodate my running schedule. When you think about having to wake up at least an hour earlier than the run to eat and prepare (which takes more time the longer you run), then getting in a 2-3 hour run and the recovery period (which depends very much on the day), it can feel like it takes away an entire day. This Saturday was the first of my tapering, which meant I had 9 miles on my schedule. Ha, what a breeze! And yes, my brain is slowing being altered by this amount of running. So I thoroughly enjoyed the sun with a picnic on the waterfront before pounding pavement. I think the salami and cheese affected my running, but it was worth feeling like my weekend lasted longer.

New music?

For the past months I have had more or less the same music on my mp3 player. I add a few new ones, but changes aren't made often. But what amazes me is that almost every run I find a new song. This obviously means that I go off into some far off land while running and block out everything. It kind of makes me wonder why I have the music there in the first place yet I would be lost without it. So as I did my 8 miles I enjoyed both the old and the "new" songs to keep me going. Wonder what surprises are tucked in there for the actual race??

Crazy weather

I used to always think that Texas had crazy weather, but maybe it just follows me. Having had a week of summer in the dead of winter and other highs and lows, it never seems to amaze me. Today I had to get in 6 miles and it just happened to be another rainy one. Luckily it had stopped by the time I was on my way out, but it was in the 40's again. My teeth even felt the cold when I started. This a mere day after Spring Day where it was in the high 70's and even warranted a picnic at lunch. Luckily it wasn't as cold as that one morning when I went out.

I also spent some time picturing the starting line. Each day it becomes more of a reality that I'm actually doing this. But it gets me really excited to think about what it will actually be like. One foot in front of the other for hours until the finish line arch is in front of me and hopefully I'll still have the energy to smile.

Hardest part (of training) is DONE!

I honestly can't believe it. I have just run 20 miles. For 3 hours and 27 minutes I was constantly running. I suppose I knew this day would come, but to have completed it has given me an amazing feeling. I decided to do a Sunday run as I was going to join a half marathon, but discovered it was cancelled this morning. So I mapped out my miles and got to stepping. Leaving before 9AM meant that I was going to have the streets to myself for at least an hour. I even passed a few people that were on their way home from the night before. The first 10 miles seemed to fly by. I had some discomforts, but I'll take that any day over true pain. I got into the Reserva and had my gel. I was trying to balance out the amount I was drinking, but I was getting really thirsty. I had bundled up as it was cold in the morning, but it was warming up by the minute. I then took a wrong turn and ended up outside of the Reserva sooner than planned, but it all happens for a reason right? Parallel to me was a 15K going on and they were handing out water. I was seriously thinking of jumping onto the course and grabbing one of their bottles or even picking one up off the ground that someone had thrown down as I was really thirsty. I knew I had to ration what I had so I was looking for other options. Then I saw a lonely, unopened bottled on the ground. I crossed their course and took it along with me. I guzzled almost the entire bottle during my next mile. I actually thought I was going to get a stomach ache after so much water, but it was just what I needed. I knew I only had 5 more miles and I was going to make it. I passed Martin at his stakeout and continued on my way. Picked up the pace and was trying to finish in 3:25. Unfortunately I didn't make it, but I still am in shock that I actually did it so I'm okay with that. As Laura's been saying, "What's another 6 miles?" I think I finally agree with her. I'm ready for this!

Rain drops keep falling on my head

I got back to the door of my apartment building and there was a guy walking out who let me in. He looked at me confused and asked if I had actually been running in the rain. It was true. I had debated not doing it, but as it wasn't too cold I figured I could handle it. I only had 4 miles so I'd be back in no time. The best part about running in the rain is you don't have to worry about dodging people on the sidewalks. Few people dare leave their homes when it rains in this city. It's even an excuse to not go to the office. But my dedication got me out there to get in one final run before the frightening TWENTY I have on Sunday.

Mental or physical training?

As I head out for my 8 miles, I begin to think about the whole training process. Here I am in the middle of the week with the most mileage and wonder what this training is really for. At this point, there is no question as to whether my legs or lungs will make it to the finish line. (Knock on wood) They may have their moments, but I know they'll be there through it all. The question is whether my mind will be there or not. I've come to the realization that this isn't about running, it's about mind over matter. The long runs are a test for the real deal when you don't want to go another step, but convince yourself there is no giving in now. It's having hit the wall several times in the months previous and knowing that if you got past it then you sure aren't throwing in the towel on race day. As one foot goes in front of the other and I finish what's allotted for me I think I finally see the bigger picture. How mentally tough am I?

Purple Toe

I noticed the other night as I looked down at my feet that one toenail was a little discolored. Upon closer investigation I realized that the toe that had hurt a couple weeks ago while running was now bruised. Luckily there is no pain unless I manage to hit it just the right way, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the nail doesn't fall off or at least waits until after Oct. 11th.

Regardless, I got my 5 miles in. It still feels like nothing to hop out for a 45 minute run these days. My Mom reminded me the other day how much I used to hate to run cross country in high school and now look at me. These "short" distances are a piece of cake.

It all pays off

I just kept thinking "this is the second-to-last long one" as I prepared and got out the door. With the mile markers on my hand, I was determined to shave off a few minutes from last week. I was pleasantly surprised to find the bridge open and carried down my preplanned route. I got hungry about mile 8, which has been an issue during long runs but I didn't want to drink too much as last week the last mile was greeted by stomach pains. I had my gel at mile 10 and was feeling a little better. Then as I was about to exit the Reserva I see a couple of familiar faces. I waved as I passed Meghan and Danny and picked up the pace a bit. It must have been my lucky day as there are more faces to follow: I went by Laura and we exchanged high fives while others looked our way due to our loud excitement and then gave a spook to Martin as I passed him at his water station. I made it to the home stretch and although I was tired I wasn't exhausted. I was able to sprint the end and walk more like my age afterwards. My recovery time was minutes instead of lying on the floor for minutes and minutes. It was a really good feeling and showed me that the training does pay off. I shaved about 15 seconds off my pace, which amounts to a lot when you think about 18 miles. All-in-all it was a great run and I can't believe that this will all be over in a month.

A peak of Argentina

I grabbed my "new" watch and was ready to walk out the door. I looked down and realized that the battery had died. I had found it rather curious that one watch had died while the saleswoman was trying to show me what was for sale so I was adamant about a warranty. I was told that if it died within a week I could take it back. So I popped in to give them a visit. After minutes of arguing that there is no warranty, that sweat must have done the job and the man finally admitting that he is selling and will continue to sell lies, I grabbed my new "new" watch and started pounding pavement. I was going for 30 minutes as I don't want tired legs on Saturday. About halfway into it, I have a waiter turn and say "Hola" to me as if I'm going to stop running to have a conversation with him. Then as I walked the block home I had another guy get in my face to say "linda." Are these guys oblivious to the fact that I'm sweaty and disgusting? But without these things a run is just a run so I have to appreciate the things that spice it up.

New Running Club?

I was to get in my 8 miles and was thinking about how great I felt after last week as I had been moving faster. I did my roundabout way to get to the Bosques and was about halfway around when there were 5 people lining up. I passed them thinking nothing until they passed me going just a tad bit faster. So I pseudo joined their running club as they worked their way around and around. The coach gave me a few odd looks as I was hanging close, but I figured he couldn't kick me out of a group I wasn't a part of. It was good entertainment as well because my battery had died so my headphones were only for show. I made it back and looked at my watch: seconds faster than the week before. I was super excited...until I compared it with my map and realized that I forgot a few blocks. A minor detail in the whole scheme of things.

Back to 3

I decided to get back to the schedule and put in 3 runs during the week. As with most Monday's I sat on the couch watching Friends while procrastinating. I know it's just 45 minutes, but I like to wait for just the right moment. It has gotten cold again so I was back with the gloves and ear warmer. It didn't take long for me to take off the gloves, but they were necessary to get me out of the door. I set out on the 5 miles and was back in a flash.

Stage complete

After last week, there was no way I was going to stop and walk. So I had it ingrained in my head that I was going to finish with the 17 miles behind me. I wrote the mile markers on my hand so I could gauge my time a bit more and got on my way. I was glad to see that the weeklong rain had subsided and that it was cooler than last week. I got to the infamous bridge only to find it closed for construction, but worked my way around it. I knew Laura was going to be running more or less at the same time so I was keeping my eye out. Around mile 14 as I was knocking them down, we crossed paths. It put a bit of pep in my step although I could tell that she was fresh and I was a bit jealous. I made it to Santa Fe to hit the light and made a turn as there was no stopping with just 2 blocks to go. I finished, happy with myself, sucking down the rest of my water and hobbling like an 80-year-old woman. As I had turned off my path I had further to walk home, but I took a break in a park to down a gatorade with hopes that my joints would return to their proper age. It was a successful run and one that was needed to keep me motivated.

Sucked the life out of it

As I prepared for my 5 miles, I picked up my watch to see it was staring blankly at me. It has had a rough life and has survived quite a bit of moisture, but its death shocked me. I was not prepared for such an event. This meant I was hitting the streets with no way to gauge my pace. I did pay attention to the songs so I think I can go back and calculate a rough estimate if I really want to know.

The highlight of my run would be the look of the guys face as I clapped to get his attention while crossing the street. Crossing Libertador is always a complicated situation as it is 14 lanes wide. I was in the middle of the crosswalk and knew that the guy didn’t see me as he was turning so as I stood in the path of his car I clapped loudly to get his attention. He looked straight at me, slowed his car and gave me a look like I was doing something wrong yet I wouldn’t expect anything else in this city full of crazy drivers.

Speedy Gonzalez

After what I consider an unsuccessful run on Saturday, I decided to move things around a bit this week to see what would happen. Instead of running on Mon, Wed & Thurs, I decided to go with only 2 runs and do Tues and Thurs. So I went out and started my 8 miles. I got about 5 blocks before my knee was killing me. I hobbled for a few blocks before the pain subsided and I continued on my way. I really didn’t want to stop as I had already had 2 days off. As I was doing my first loop around the lake, I felt like I got to the other side fast yet I assumed I had been thinking too intensely to notice what I was doing. When I finished and looked at my watch, I realized it was actually because I had been running faster. I ran an 8:41 min/mile, which is a HUGE step up. I couldn’t believe it! I knew I had been pushing myself, but didn’t think I would actually finish so quickly. Exactly the motivation I need to keep me going.