Rock N Roll Marathon Recap & Everything in Between

Lets go back a few weeks.
To the beginning of November.

I hit a very big 'mental' wall. I started feeling discouraged because I wasn't meeting my expected millage. I was down. I had trouble sleeping and focusing because in the back of my mind, I kept telling myself: You NEED to be at this distance, you NEED to run on this day, you NEED this, you NEED that. I kept telling myself what I needed vs what my body wanted. Many of my runs became forced. I'm not sure if that makes since... but running for me is never a forced thing to do. Its been because its beautiful out, I want an adventure, so I'm going to go find it and appreciate whats around me. Running also served as 'me' time. Two kids, two jobs.. life is hectic. Running helped me let go of all things around me and brought me back on top to where I felt okay.
I had two weeks of bad runs. I almost convinced myself to not run the marathon at all.
I Finally had the run. The run that HURT. Mentally and Physically. 16 miles was supposed to be 20 miles.

After this run.... I started opening up to a few friends and let them know what was going on. Everything they spoke to me was encouraging. I took a step back from running. I put my shoes away and rested. I needed mental rest more then anything. I needed to clear my mind, because although I was behind a few miles... telling myself Id never cross that finish line would actually be what did me in.
I also realized.... I will NEVER let myself feel the way I did that day. It was horrible. I was ashamed at first because I felt I let it get to that point. I accepted where I was in training and told myself its okay. The only place I NEED to be right now is happy and proud and encouraged and to not give up! I also accepted that if I felt any need to only do to the half marathon... then that's what I would do.


After a few days of just resting, foam rolling and breathing. I ran. This was the first run where my feet didn't feel heavy, my body didn't hurt and my mind felt clear. I felt happy.

A little Recap of some of the runs a few weeks before marathon week!

Track Tuesday

Soler Social Run Group

My last Long Long run

My last Double Digit Long Run

(Don't worry, I had plenty more besides these haha)

Now lets fast forward some... to race week! Race week was amazing!!! I worked the Rock N Roll Expo with the Ragnar crew:

Ragnar

RACE DAY!

I felt super calm. I was ready. It was cold, rainy and windy, but that was all in the back of my mind. I was focused on having a good run.

The first 13.1 miles was really just one big party. Ill admit.. I was the overly excited runner. Telling everyone good luck, rocking out to the music.... and telling every volunteer, medic and police officer THANK YOUUUU!!!!!!! And yes... it rained and poured for a good 6-7 miles. I was soaked and cold.
After the cut off, everything got quiet. Many seemed extremely focused. (I completely understand why too... were about to run another 13.1 miles)
I felt wonderful besides being wet. I got up to mile 14 and my friend Jenn was there!! I was so excited!! I kept on... feeling good.... took my UCAN at mile 16, walked for a little bit (had to led that UCAN settle some.) I took off again.

I reached mile 19. I was cold.  I was wet. I was starting to hurt some. I walked again.
MILE 20: Jenn found me! I couldn't warm up anymore. I had to go the bathroom. I was wearing wind breaker pants and my hands had become to cold... I couldn't roll them around my flip belt so I took them off. haha. (I was feeling a little delirious too) Don't worry! I had running shorts on under!
MILE 21: Jenn was still with me, I was able to get my body moving again... but still very very cold. I asked her if the temperature had dropped. ( Making sure my body temp wasn't slipping to low) She said it had dropped some.
MILE 22: Jason found me. Jenn left to get back to her car. Jason rode along side me on his bike. The mental game was setting in. I was having trouble focusing. So I started rambling to him to try and focus and put the pain aside. I didn't have any troublesome pain... my muscles were just becoming sore.
MILE 23: I decided to walk. Jason had left so he could see me at mile 26. I felt a very slight... but deep pulling sensation in the back of my leg. I could have kept running... but I told myself  NO! You are way to close to possibly injury yourself to where you cannot cross the finish line. So for 3 miles.... I walked....
Skipping Mile 24 and on to MILE 25: Jenn found me again. Thank goodness. She stuck out that mile with me. I was so cold.. and to be honest... ready to cry. I felt emotional. The feeling of just wanting to be done...and the feeling that I'm almost there! One more mile to go.
Of course.. I had to use the bathroom again. *Rolls eyes*.
MILE 26 I could see the finish line and there was Jason. They let me off.... I was crying. Not because I was hurting.... but because I made it. I was there. 26.2 miles.

I plan on buying all 29 of my marathon pictures haha. Ill post them once I've purchased.

This was definitely the most challenging run to date. Yes, I am looking for another marathon... but for now.... I will take time to become stronger. I will let my body get used to longer runs. I know what needs to be worked on. I'm in no rush for my 2nd marathon. I'm proud of myself. <3 <3 Thank you all who supported me along the way!

Updates: The Truth about Marathon Training: Episode 2

I'm 52 days away. Definitely feeling super nervous and anxious because i'm now moving into higher millage. I'm using a schedule from my coach to help give me a guideline of where I should be at.

I missed track training yesterday...  and I literally had a 2 second panic attack and it floated through my mind most of the day yesterday. I convinced myself that I would hit the gym after eating dinner and putting the kids down to bed. I ended up not going. I was exhausted. I worked both salons and when I got home my kiddos just wanted to play, so that's what I did. I went to bed fairly early and I'll hit the gym today. Sometimes I just need to breath and remember its all okay and everything will work fine.

On a positive note: Keeping a comfortable pace has been easier. I can see and feel my training paying off lately. I've really been implicating starting off a little slower and building up for the end. I guess, gaining some 'running momentum'. Before I started this training program..  pacing and starting comfortable was so hard. I would start too slow, or too fast and try and push myself at the wrong times. I start to feel a 'peak' now. The last 10 miler I did I started at almost an 11 min mile.... and ended with 8:30 min miles for the last 3 miles. My energy is better, my performance is better, I don't get tired as fast and my runs have become so much more enjoyable. Right now my plan is to use this method for my marathon. I'm hoping to preserve and store energy so the last few miles I don't feel like i'm running on empty.

Another factor in making my performance so much better is my fueling routine. I never truthfully understood fueling before and after... so I started researching and asking questions. Right now, I use UCAN to fuel me. I take it about 30 min prior and I don't have fatigue or hungar. I also use the one with protein. The longest I've ran with UCAN is 11 miles... so i'm curious to see how it does for 15 miles this weekend! I follow every run with a banana and Nuun. I get a headache if I don't immediately fuel afterwards.

 Ive also been keeping myself motivated! I treated myself to a Momentum Jewelry wrap!
They are running an awesome special right called #sharesheSpark. They have 4 positive and uplifting sayings to choose from and the best part is, they are $10 bucks each (plus shipping).
Perfect for yourself or anyone who needs a little extra motivation! I also grabbed a few for some of my dear running friends!!

 "Be the spark that lights someone's fire...because everyone needs their own cheerleader."

Have great week!!! Happy running!!! 

Weekly Work Out Recap 9/26-10/2

This week was a little more of an off week... and ill be honest. I strayed some from my regular routine. I was tired, so I took it easy.

Monday: I mostly cleaned and caught up on laundry. Also did a little Ragnar work. I also got an awesome package in the mail from Reebok/Ragnar with some cool gear. SUPER soft. Perfect for some cooler weather rolling in!

Tuesday: #TrackTuesday! Woke up and hit the track for some speed work at 5am with Helen!

16 times:
1 min hard, 1 min recovery

Testing our my new Ragnar Ambassador tank <3

Wednesday: Rested! And had my helper with some Ragnar work.

Thursday: A nice 5k run with my kiddos, enjoying the cooler weather .

AND SOME MORE RAGNAR MAIL!!! Pro Compresson Socks! 

I promise they make you run faster ;)

Friday & Saturday: Family stuff! 

Sunday: 9.7 miles! I really felt great!

Ran with Helen, Heidi and Lisa... Helen and Lisa 

split from us about a mile in.

Heidi finished with 7 miles.

BUT... check these splits! When I said I felt great... I surely ment it!!!

All this resting will help me have a successful running week!! Feeling great!

Happy Running!

Weekly Workout Recap 9/12/16 - 9/18/16

This past week was just a crazy busy week! Working, training, and my sons birthday!!

Monday: 5 mile run on the treadmill, and a light Shoulder circuit. ( I didn't get to finish because child watch called me for my daughter at the gym #momlife.)
Shoulder Circuit: (I normally do this 4-5 times)
Dummbell Lateral Raises ( 10-12 reps)
Dumbbell Front Raises (8-10 reps)
Overhead Dummbell Press (6-8 reps)
I repeat this sequence about 4-5 times depending on how I feel after my run. I take about a 20 - 30 second rest in between each set.
After I got home, I foam rolled!

Tuesday: Track Tuesday!!!! I'm not sure if I was tired, still recovering from my long run on Saturday or my body just wasn't feeling speed training that morning, but it wasn't my best speed work session. (I'm okay with that because hey, I still got a run in!)
But I did 400m hard run with 200m of recovery. I probably went about 85% with my hard run.
I only did it 4 times, instread of the 6-8 times planned... I then just lapped around the track twice.
BUT a big thank you to my good friend Helen for getting up super early to run. <3

SOOOO early!

Wednesday: Cross training on the Elliptical. My legs felt so tense and tight on Tuesday. Going on the elliptical always helps me loosen up some. I did 30 minutes on there then did some bicep work!!
Cable curls 10x 3, barball curls 10x 3, and hammer curls 10x3. my weight is normally about 20lbs.

Thursday: Rest. lol. Just felt like resting.

Friday: Well, for starters.... my baby boy turned 4!!!!

BITTER SWEET! 

We started out our Friday with a family run! Jason packed up the kids and the double jogger and we headed to the park to enjoy a hot, humid 3-4 mile run!
Jason pushed the double jogger because i'm training and he is sweet like that. He ended up doing about a 4 mile run. I did 3 miles, but I did a progressive run.
My splits were 9:51, 9:17, 9:13.

  We let the children run free after the run! They LOVE the park!

My son was running around and wouldn't stop for a picture!
We then continued the party at Green Acres. (mini golf, water wars with water balloon, bumper boats, games)

Saturday: Saturday was a BUSY BUSY day. Wedding in the morning, frosting cupcakes, cleaning, getting last minute party supplies and my sons party at the oh so lovely Chuck E. Cheese later that evening.
Saturday alone was a work out haha, A huge shout out to Jason because that mornings wedding couldn't have gone any crazier that it did. I ended up not getting home till after 1 when I planned to be home before noon!
But in the end, the day ended well with lots of pizza cupcakes and happy faces on the kids that came out to celebrate! I may not have ran on pavement, but I surely ran around Chuck E. Cheese! Hah!

Thats my grandma. Shes probably the coolest lady around!

In case anyone was wondering, my son choose a Spurs party, because we love our and believe in our Spurs. Ahhhhmen. haha. 

Sunday: Not going to lie, it was hard to get up and get out. I had 11 miles to dish out.
I traveled out to Cibolo to join a few friends on a run. It was beautiful, peaceful and a wonderful route.

I ran a total of 6 miles with Jennifer and Heather, then did my last 5 solo.

I felt great until I hit mile 8/9. The sun just peaked out enough and it got hot super quick!!

However, I tried a new fuel. UCAN. It works! Normally be mile 7, my stomach will growl and I'm just hungry. No matter how many chews, guus, gels, drinks.... I'm just flat out HUNGRY. 

UCAN definitely did the trick for me! YAY! haha. 

Sorry (but also not sorry) for the overload of pictures of my littles. This week was just crazy for us all! Hopefully everyone had a fabulous week!