Another Half Marathon Completed!

Well, despite the heat and sticky weather, I finished Grandma's 1/2 Marathon in 2hours 33min for my chip time! It was a bit slower than I wanted. Okay, I lied, alot slower than I wanted. I was hoping to finish right around the 2hr 20min mark, but the weather took a toll on me. The morning started at 4AM with a temperature of 64 degrees with 98% humidity at my house. When we got to start of the race, it was about 70, and only got warmer throughout the morning. By the time I finished, it was 82 degrees! It was awful for running, we at least for me, but I finished.

The first 9.5 miles went great with a good steady pace, walking only through the water stations. for hydration. I usually don't stop for water, but had I not, I would have been one of those people at the medical tents or on the gurneys at the end of the race! The replenisher at the aid stations were great and really helped me out. I got to meet several good people to run with, each of which ended up finishing after me. (Yeah, I guess!)

The last 3.5 miles felt like they took forever. Getting down onto Superior Street should have been a great point, knowing you are just that much closer to the end, but I sure didn't feel that way. There wasn't much wind and it felt like the temperature jumped. I do have to say the last mile was the killer for me and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it to the end. I was exhausted, and ended up having to walk a couple of times. The crowd was great, just encouraging you the whole way. "You're almost there," and "You can do it" were all I needed to hear. I was so close, I just needed to finish. Then, without notice, the w/c top racer came flying past me! Now, if he can do 26.2 miles in under 2.5 hours, I can finish this 1/2 marathon!

Before I knew it, I was at the finish line, receiving my heavy medal and shirt, taking everything in. Everyone congratulating everyone else. Despite of the massive chaos, I got to see a couple of coworkers who were running, too, so it was good to know I wasn't the only one struggling. It was a tough race, had the weather not been so hot, I could have finished a lot better than what I did. Another great experience though. So a new goal for me now is to potentially run another 1/2 marathon this fall in Ashland, The Whistlestop. Since I have that competitive side, I need to beat my time this summer. Hopefully Joe will join me this round, but we'll see! I'll keep you posted on that idea. Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement! It really meant a lot!

8 Days and Counting Down....

The count down begin.....for Grandmas is a week, and I feel like I may be ready. If not, I'm still in it to finish. Whether it takes me the planned 2 hour 15 minutes or 3 hours, I'm still going to cross that finish line! Joe doesn't have to work, so he'll be there with my parents and maybe sister, cheering me on! As I pass Starbucks, I'll have all the support from the crew there. It's been a long road of training, but well worth the time and effort I've put into all of this since February. I haven't pushed myself so much for awhile, it's been nice to have a challenge to make me work for my goals.

So, next Saturday as you all wake up around 6 or 7 or 8, think of me and wish me luck! I'm leaving the house around 4:20 AM with a friend and her family to get on the MN Power bus to bring us to the start on Old Hwy 61 to begin at 6:30! If all goes well, hopefully, I'll be finished by 8:45.....(I'll even take 9:30 if I just can't make!!) If you want, I'll post my chip number which you can go to the Grandmas website to track me through the race. A neat feature to allow those waiting to know how much more waiting they have to do!! Thank goodness I'm not running the full this year. So wish me luck! A week and counting.....I'll let you know where I end up!!

Easter Weekend and Work

Well, for the past two and a half weeks, I had a horrible cold that put my training on hold. Fortunately I'm still motivated and looking forward to crossing that finish line in June. Easter was okay. Joe had to work at Starbucks, so he was unable to join us. Emily was able to make the trip up north so she picked me up on Friday, and drove us both to the 'rents house for the weekend. It was nice spending time with her, since it doesn't happen all that often. As a family, we decided to celebrate Easter on Saturday so we could all be together. It was us four, my Uncle Jim, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Virginia and Joe's parents decided to join us as well. It turned out to be a very nice day, enjoyable to spend time with the family. Unfortunately, not only was I not feeling well, but I had to go back on Saturday with Joe's parents because I had to work on Sunday. (A co-worker asked if I'd work Easter so she could spend time with her children. How do you say no to that especially since we don't have children yet, and Joe had to work as well.)

Easter Sunday working wasn't that bad, other than the fact that the other workers there didn't want to be there either, kinda making it a more negative day than expected. I thought I'd have egg salad for lunch, which was okay. Unfortunately, it didn't stay down. After work, three hours later, I made it home in time to have severe chills, vomiting for several hours. It was absolutely horrible!! Sick with a horrible cold/bronchitis and then food poisoning on top of it! What the luck?! I called my boss to inform her I woudln't make it to work on Monday, this time she was very sympathetic, hmm, can't imagine why?! Anyways, I did make it the rest of the week to work, however, it was just on Friday that I was able to actually start eating food without having the feeling of a full stomache with the need to vomitt again. This was such a horrible feeling, but once I could eat, food was amazing!

After work on Friday, the temperature outside was 72 degrees! Can you believe that!? Absolutely gorgeous outside! After stopping to see Joe, I thought I'd go for a run, so I called Donna to see if she'd be willing to drive me back to our house if I ran out to theirs. She agreed so off I went on 4 mile run. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of the wind direction when I started, and before I knew it, I was too far away from home to turn around. I had a heavy head wind the whole way. Bummer, if I do say so myself. But it was nice. I ended up a little slower than I wanted, but that's okay, I made it the whole 4 1/2 miles!! Yep, it was longer than I thought, but well worth the run! I'm glad I made it out last night, it definately made me realize that I can do this and I'll be able to finish the 1/2 marathon no matter what happens! Just gotta keep on training and thinking positive.

A small, yet huge accomplishment!

Okay, this isn't going to be much, but I just needed to shout it at the top of my lungs:
I actually ran 4 miles this morning without difficulty!
Can you believe it? I haven't run that far in a long time, and it felt great after I was done. Who knew the more you workout the better you get at things!! Just add 9 more miles and I'll have completed another goals. I'm following a program offered by Grandma's Marathon and it is working out great. This week I'll have completed 16 miles for the week. So, you got to start somewhere, right!?

An Update...

Today is Thursday, and I'm at home alone. Joe took a temporary job and is at work, leaving me to relax on my own. Nothing is new these days, except I have a wedding to attend next weekend. My mom had a good turn out from her MD appointment on Monday for her ankle. She is free and can do anything she wants! That's great. Other than that, work for me is going well. I'm absolutely loving my position and I enjoy working with my patients. I've had great ones lately. Especially the ones that smiled and said thank you for helping them move. That's when I know I'm appreciated. Anyways, I started running. I'm excited and I need to get new running shoes soon. But my goal is Grandma's this summer, then maybe a whole in the fall,but we'll see. I'm not the fastest, but I'm excited because I'm actually doing well, and keeping up on my plan. I'll keep y'all posted on that! Wish my luck, hopefully this running this will keep me going in losing more weight, I only have 9 more pounds to make my goal, so wish me luck!