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!

Weekly Workout Recap: 10/24-10/30

Not gonna lie... this week was lame lol. I rested a lot.
15 miles of trail definitly took a tole on my little legs


Monday: Offical Rest day.

Tuesday: Stuck with my plan for Track Tuesday. Unfortunately my legs weren't feeling it.
Scheduled:  12 times: 2 min fast, 1 min easy jog
I accomplished it 3 times with a small easy run... and lots of foam rolling and stretching!

Wednesday: Recovery run with my little. It was such a beautiful day out and its been awhile since I took my daughter on a run! She is used to being in the jogging stroller.... since she was 1 month and 1 day old!! My partner is crime... my son, eh he's not as much of a fan. (but he was in school)

Thursday: Foam rolling and work! 

Friday: I planned on running, but my plan didn't go as planned! 

Saturday: Rest! I planned on running anywhere between 12 and 18 miles Sunday. Since my body was so sore from Ragnar, I planned on doing whatever felt comfortable on my legs.

Sunday: 14 miles! Had another 'adventure run'.... got off the course, ended up running along the highway. I feel like my long runs are always an adventure for me!

Hope everyone has a great week! Happy Running and HAPPY HALLLLOOOWEEENN!!

Weekly Work Out Recap: 10/10-10/16

Monday: No Gym or running. We spent the day with my childhood best friend (Aunt) Megan!! We picked out Halloween costumes for the kids, deocrated the house and she came and watched Brendan at gymnastics!

Tuesday: Normally, I have Track Tuesday (Speed Training) but my friend who runs with me wasnt feeling well. I normally never run alone in the dark.... we meet at 5am. So I stretched and foam rolled.

Wednesday: 5 mile treadmill run and back strength training! I love the cardio cinema at Golds.

Back work outs:

Lateral Pull down: 10x4

Bent over Barbell Row: 10x4
Low Row: 10x4

Thursday: Rest ( felt sore from my back work out haha)

Friday: 30 minutes on the Elliptical, stretch, foam rolling and some core work!

Saturday: Adventure day!!! 12 mile with the Fleet Feet Crew... Then with the Road Runners......... then... the Down Town Running Group??

Yes, I got separated from my running group and ended up running with two other groups. hahaha... meaning. I got lost from the Fleet Feet Runners, then the Road Runners, THEN the DTR Group too. I ended up alone for about 3 miles but found my way back. Thank goodness for GPS haha. I was supposed to do 15 miles, but ill take 12, extra adventure and new friends!

How did I get so turned around?? The Fleet Feet training groups normally run the same route, but the full marathon runners had an extra 6 miles to run... at mile 4 most of the half runners turned back around. There are only about 6 people training for the full, so its easy to get separated and all our are paces are soo different. I started following the Road Runners by accident around mile 6, then I realized  I was in the wrong running group, and found what I thought were "our arrows" but was actually the DTR Group arrows..... did about a mile with them. Found the Fleet Feet arrows... got back on track. I'm not sure how I got so distracted but I missed the turn for my group and kept running until I hit a road and grocery store I didn't recognize. I didn't want to turn back. 1) I was running low on fuel 2) I'm not sure how off course I got and I didn't want to run around in circles 3) I got nervous. I pulled out my GPS, I was about 3  miles I away. So I followed that! 

Sunday: I was planning on doing a 2 mile recovery run, but I was exhausted by the time I got home from work.

Hope everyone has a great week! Packing for Ragnar starts today!!!!!!

Updates: Ragnar, The Truth about Marathon Training, #Goals2017

How is Ragnar Training?
Its going, hah. I wish I was able to hit trails more, but hey, at least I've done a few trail runs. I'm also on a non-competitive team. Which is nice. They will give me just as much praise for a 15 minute per mile walk just as much for 6 minute per mile run.
I will be able to rest in between each leg and really foam roll!
So with that, its going! I'm just excited for some beautiful views, memories, and being around friends!




Marathon Training:
I have heard the same few pieces of advice: Its pretty much takes all your time, the race is a metal game and Good luck!
Let me elaborate on exactly what I'm going through since I'm 6 weeks and 6 days into training. I have 9 weeks and 1 day of training until the big 26.2.
1) I have NEVER put this miles on my body before when training and I have never experienced some of the inner body feelings before.
I'm tired. I'm always tired. I work 2 jobs, I have 2 kids, Jason is in school and works full time. My days are  F-U-L-L. I wake up at 4:30 some days to run, and I stay up till after my children go to bed to get a run in. I love running with my kids.... they love running with me, but I am beginning to recognize how much I need to run without them in order to learn how to maintain a comfortable pace for THIS race.
The mental game has already started. Some days I second guess myself, some days I'm super encouraged. 26.2 miles sounds more intimidating now, then it did before I started training. lol.
My body! Oh my goodness, some of the things I feel. My stomach is super sensitive, I don't want big meals, Maintaining my weight. That's why I got a coach and joined a group. So I could constantly be around several accomplished runners. I'm sure I could have googled a layout to help keep me structured every week, but having the support behind me, knowing I have a group to turn to also.... it helps so so much.( not saying I don't have support at home, trust me I do )
There is so much that goes behind prepping, and I'm starting to realize it.




2) Learning when to Rest.
Id like to consider myself a more seasoned intermediate runner.
I have a few years and a quite a few races under my belt. I've encountered some difficult training ( mostly after pregnancy). I have learned to read my body and what its saying and I've also learned (the hard way) that resting is just as important as training and fueling. I felt I was in a good point in my running journey to were I can read myself and what my needs are. If I have to miss a run because my body is in need of rest or I am extremely sore... I am 110% okay with it. Pushing yourself past your limits WILL result in injury. I also excepted that if for any reason, I had to drop to the Half marathon, that I would be okay with it. #trainsmart




3) Praising your not-so-amazing runs as often as your amazing runs:
Knocking yourself down is the quickest way to make yourself believe that you cannot do it. I will be honest with myself after every run and say it was an alright or amazing or crappy or slow, but I did it... and I feel good. I tell myself often: "Its not about the pace, its about the time spent running." Every run should be praised because you did it! NEVER sell yourself short!

Goals for 2017!!!

Right now I am signed up for:

The Woodlands Half on March 4 2017 and Ragnar Luckenbach March 31 - Apirl 1 2017

Goal 1: Get faster. I'm waiting to see after the Rock n Roll long distance is something I really want to focus on. 

Goal 2: Run more trails. I mostly definitely want to dabble in trail running more.  I enjoy it so so much.

Goal 3: Run more with Jason. Jason truthfully gave me the push to want (and have the courage) to run distances longer then 5ks and 10ks. 

Goal 4: Travel to at least 2 different states and run!

Pretty basic, but realistic!

Hope every ones training is going well!!!!! Happy Running!

Weekly Work Out Recap 9/19-9/25

This week was an interesting week. Its like I couldn't get in-sync with my own schedule haha.

Monday: I enjoyed a night run with a co worker and her sister. Her sister is wanting to get back into the running game. We did about 2 mile around my neighbor hood. It was a nice recovery run after Sundays 11 miler. No cross training.

Tuesday: Rest. No track Tuesday My body was tired.


Wednesday: 7 Miles on the treadmill, no cross training or work outs. Wednesday was a busy day after those 7 miles.

Thursday: I wasn't able to get any runs or cross training in. It was just a crazy day at work, then after work is was Pizza night at Maars Pizza to benefit my sons school! YUMM

Friday: 2 mile run along the river walk. Unfortunately, the route we wanted to take was closed off, so we settled for a 2 miles around the Pearl Brewery! It was packed! ( popular place to grab drinks on an evening )

Saturday: I had plans to go to the gym before Austin, but the kids and Jason were gone. Soooo of course.... I go in mom mode and clean, do laundry, try and organize. I also had a wedding that morning for a dear friend (and fellow runner). I was honored to be able to do her hair!

I was so excited.. I forgot to take after pictures before putting her vial on lol. Her hair came out beautiful!!!

I know my Blog is geared towards running, but just as running is a huge passion of mine, so is styling hair. Especially for brides. <3 

Saturday Evening: Drove out to Austin, TX! I got to hang out with Kilter Fitness and a fellow Ragnar Ambassador for a wonderful evening of trail running! 

(Excuse these next few pictures, they are blurry, lol)

The path ended up being super narrow and twisty so I couldn't take pictures. But it was a blast!! As soon as the sun set , it got dark in there quick!! Just to add... my headlamp died. Just my luck. 

OH and of course.... we had Torchys Tacos <3 Oh so wonderful way to end a trail run!

Sunday: Well, I regret not getting up early and driving back out to Austin, I was exhausted... but I should have done it. I planned to get a run in with a few girls from Cibolo, but that didn't go as planned... I wont get into details. By the time I got back home, I received a text from Jason saying Elaina didn't feel well, so I flew to HEB to grab some essentials for her instead of going on a run. SO of course her not feeling good meant I wouldn't be returning to Austin for their evening Trail Run. ( Weather conditions weren't so swell out there)  Sunday was a bust, but thats okay. This week will be better! (I hope, haha, as we have another busy schedule ahead.) 

All in all a HUGE Thank you to Kilter Fitness for letting me join in. Everyone was so awesome and welcoming. 

https://www.facebook.com/KilterFitnessGym/?fref=ts

If you are ever in the Austin area, check them out! They have few social work outs and/or runs weekly!

Missing my Saturdays mornings with my Fleet Feet Crew, but Ill be there hopefully next week, Happy Running this week!!!