High Maintenance? I'm ok with that.

I thought it was about high time that I show you the loot that I got after my 2nd marathon. (Wonders when people stop numbering them? After five?)

Fabulous coworker: “What did you do last weekend?” I ran my fourth..”
Nope, you stop numbering them after your second. Ha! You still keep track though…
Adoring fan: “Oh, you run marathons? How many have you run.?”
Me: “Why 32 to be exact. I think? I lost count somewhere after 24. No biggie. I run. And stuff.”

Ok, so anyway, I thought I should show you the goodies that I received aka WON as a treat from my hubs or purchased over the marathon weekend. The hubs started it last year by taking me to Coach and buying me a wallet. During training this year, he asked me what I wanted for a treat and without hesitation I blurted out, “LULULEMON!” He just laughed and said, “It seems you’ve already put some thought into this.” Well noooooo….I thought we were playing the speed version of Word Association.

I know present you with:
My new “I’ve run two marathons loungey pants.”Click the link if you're remotely interested. I tried taking a picture of myself in them, but for good lighting, it would have required me climbing onto my bathroom counter. (Foreshadowing alert!!)I probably would have broken more than what I did. Oooh sad face.

Meet my fabo new BFF water bottle! I’m in love with the color. So much. My blue Sigg one is old and has been dropped many times.

Then, because I adore tutus and have a not so secret anymore wish to be a ballerina, I purchased this running skirt as a treat for myself. I thought it was the closest thing to a tutu without being a tutu. Not that I’m against running in tutus. Personally, I want to have thinner legs before I draw more attention to them…thus no tutu for me…YET! Same thing goes for this skirt…it’s my goal skirt and I will be rocking it here shortly…hello lunges and deadlifts it’s short!

 

Lastly, I give to you, my version of a Sweaty Band. This is sadly the picture that broke the camel’s back. Or, my camera at least. I dropped it on the countertop in my bathroom. I cried big puddles of tears. And then proceeded to take my camera apart to see if I could fix it myself. Because I do stupid stuff.

 

The Sweaty Band I bought at the marathon expo…luv luv!! But I have to admit that I looked at it and thought, you know, I could make this myself and not have to pay $10-18 dollars. Cuz I’m cheap like that. See the above reference to being my own camera repair dude.

Camera update – it’s not fixable and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Portland Marathon 2011 - Picture blog!

I share with you....rather poor pictures of my 2nd marathon, Portland, OR on 10-09-2011.(No offense to my hubs who took them...they are just rather small and not all that thrilling due to the subject.)

 

Am I beckoning you to join me at the porta potty?

 

Umm...I have no idea what I'm doing with my arms, rowing? No one can say that I ball my hands into fists when I run. That is for sure! This is around mile 11

 

My skirt is very flappy and no one around me is wearing pink. What's up with that?

 

This is almost to mile 18 and look! I'm WINNING! haha!

 

This is around mile 21 I think. I have NO clue what I'm laughing at. But hey, I'm in a good mood. I popped in the headphones around mile 20 through 23. Something very different from my training this year versus last and I NEVER thought I would be one that would prefer to run without music. I liked it...very "present" during this marathon.

 

Just "chicking" some dudes...in my skirt.

 

I uhh, apparently, I'm paddling my way through mile 22.



The last .2 really REALLY is the hardest. On this course, there is a slight uphill and I think that is cruel and wrong. After this short stretch, there's one more turn and it's the finish line.

 

Here's a better view of my new Sweaty Band. Also, turn your head sideways and look at the little packet I have made with my finishers shirt. Inside is a bag of Cheetos, a PB cup, a Twix, and my coin and necklace pendant/charm. I could sleep like a baby now that I had my precious coin and pendant. haha!

Now what?

Last week was spent in recovery and I was a lazy bum. I didn’t even cross train or go for a walk. Bumbum. Reminds me of this game I used to be addicted to.

I might have spent a few many hours last week lamenting and debating about where to go from here. What are my goals next year for running? Annnnnd while we’re at it, for life. Ha! Granted, I’m coming off my marathon high so I’m obsessed with all things running. Last year, I gave it about a month before I decided to run another marathon in 2011. This year, well, before I’d even completed the second one, I had already signed up for my third. (Did that make sense?) Plus now I want to do the Portland Marathon again in 2012. I’ll probably just do the half in Vegas (November 2012) instead of the full since I’m not at a maniac level of running just yet.

I’m sooo much more in love with running than I was a year ago, even 5 months ago. Right before my marathon training was to “officially start”, running was a chore. It was like pulling teeth, I tell ya. Danielle had to threaten me to get my going. I guess there’s something to be said for training properly and setting a new PR. I feel almost like a legit runner. I don’t know where I’ve set the bar for myself to consider myself a “REAL” runner…I mean is a real runner one who “Has to get out there and run.” ? “I’m just going to go cuhraaazzzyyy if I can’t get a run in today.” Cuz that’s not me. I guess that’s what I think a real runner is…for myself. I don’t give a rip about anyone else. If you are out there running, you’re a runner. Yes I subscribe to and drink that kool-aid – it just doesn’t apply to me. Haha! I’ll let you know when I feel like a real one, k? K!

So looking ahead, I’ve thrown a few goals together for my running in this next year:

Don’t stop running in the winter because of snow and hating treadmills.

Add a fifth day of running to my workouts.

Run some local 5ks. Even if I have to break down and buy some Yak Traks and heavier gloves.

My goal 5k is the 2012 Pear Blossom Run which I plan on running in under 30 minutes. Would love to set a new PR coming in under 27 minutes.

If I run the PB in under 30, my hubs has agreed to run the Portland 2012 marathon with me. Whaaa??? YES!

Reach out to the local running club here and join in some of the group runs. I love my “imaginary” running friends and can’t wait to meet a bunch of ‘em in Vegas 2012 for the REALLY BIG free marathon.

Consider running the Eugene Half on Mother’s Day? Or around there? Figure out when the Eugene ½ marathon actually IS.

Try and get myself hooked up with some runners to attempt my first relay. (I feel like I should be faster before anyone would want me on their relay team.)

Get faster.

Oh and lastly, drop 15 pounds. Ha!

Marathon #2 - The Whole Shebang

Marathon Morning

This time versus last time, I didn’t have that freak out of “Why in the world did I sign up for this?!?!” Well, not entirely. I did have a near conniption due to forgetting a hair tie. Hubby convinced me that we would find something. It’s now 6am, I have consumed a PB&J sammie and 20oz of water. We left Aunt V’s with a need to gas up and find a rubber. (Yep, I know what I’m implying and that’s why it’s so funny! Or mildly amusing.) I know we should have gassed up the night before but we both thought that we would have plenty of time. In our quest, we discovered the worst customer service ever at an Arco on Allen Blvd. These two horrible women completely ignored me while I stood at the counter politely, waiting for them to finish their conversation and acknowledge me. YES, they saw me! I left due to my desperate need for a rubber band and I was pretty sure that after I gave them a piece of my mind, they would not be inclined to do much more than spit in my face. The hubs was successful though and brought out not one but two weenie tot looking rubber bands. They worked - I was fine, though I wanted a high ponytail not a low ponytail. Fashion and style be dashed for this marathon. I no longer cared…much.
We made it to downtown Portland with not much time to spare and had missed our opportunity of scoring a good parking spot. I hopped out and made it to my corral and somehow lucked into the shortest line for a porta potty. Evah. Even so, there would be no jumping back in line for a second go. Hubs found a spot to park, the marathon had already started, but I needed one last hug and kiss before my wave started shuffling to the line. Success! The corral part and waiting always makes me feel like we are a herd of cattle getting led to slaughter. I often ask myself a couple of times, “Why did I sign up for this?” as it just seems so ironic. We shuffle along together like we are headed towards our doom. A doom to the tune of $135 bucks! Ooh, but I had success in making sure my Garmin found the satellites this year BEFORE I crossed the start line, so I was pretty pleased with myself that I just pressed start instead of last year’s debacle of pulling off to the side. God forbid you run a whole marathon without a watch telling you how fast you’re going.

Fueling and Walking

I trained for and walked for one minute every time my Garmin reached a multiple of 10 and I skipped my walks if I was running downhill. I did skip a walk at 20 minutes because it just felt too soon. I fueled exactly like I had trained with a GU Gel or Shot Bloks every 40 minutes. I was able to set an alarm on my Garmin to remind me to fuel, so that was a bonus. The only gel I missed was the very last one at 5:20 and since I was only two minutes away from the finish line, I thought I’d be ok to skip it. I didn’t carry water with me yet had trained with water and Nuun. Since my stomach is fairly sturdy, and because I didn’t have issues last year with the Ultima the course uses, I knew I could stay hydrated well. I walked through each aid station and took a water and an Ultima each time. I also took three pit stops and never stood in line. If there was a line of any sort, I just waited for the next group of potty buckets. Sadly, at the last one, I heard a clunk and knew instantly WITH a heightened sense of horror, that my cell phone had fallen on to the floor. Lucky for me it wasn’t IN cuz uh…well I don’t have to explain how that would have led to a fit of tears. But still, way gross! I picked it up, shoved it in my pocket and grabbed an extra dose of hand sanny and busted out into the open.

My starting strategy and hill plan

You’re supposed to start out slow. The adrenaline kicks in and it’s easy to start running too fast. I either had NO adrenaline or had fallen asleep. I wanted to be running no faster than an 11 minute mile and was shocked to see my first two miles were over 12 minutes each. Was it really that crowded? Yeah kinda, but really? I kind of freaked out a little bit but told myself to pick up the pace, and once I was through the first set of small hills, I would make it up. And make it up I did! Last year, I walked some of the down hills and/or I kept my stride and pace the same like I thought I’d read somewhere that that’s what you were supposed to do. This time, I listened to hub’s friend’s advice (an ultra-marathoner oooh) who says to lengthen your stride and let gravity pull you down. Don’t use energy to slow yourself down. (I did slow down on a particularly steep descent though.) I love down -hill training. Haha! The uphills, I didn’t give much thought to until the night before cuz I’m a genius like that.

The idea for going UP a hill is to work your arms like a locomotive, keeping your elbows and arms close to your sides, and transfer the effort from your legs to your core and arms. Using this method, I pulled myself up the hills. Feeling like a stud and passing those that decided to walk up….that was a really awesome feeling. AND it was super awesome on the hill that lead’s you up to the St. John’s Bridge. I did some walking and some chugga choochooing up it which was a stark contrast to last year’s “walk the whole incline” shennanigins.

This Year Versus Last Year

At mile 11 last year, my calves started cramping. The rest of the marathon was a combo of run walking. This year, the cramps didn’t start until mile 16 and I didn’t have to stretch them out until mile 22.
Up until mile 20-ish I was 15 minutes ahead of my goal of a 5:30 marathon. I didn’t want to use the cushion but I knew it was there. Also, around mile 18? Hubs said that the 5 hour pace group passed and that I was about 2 minutes behind them. That was a WHOLE HOUR ahead of my time last year. He debated telling me but finally clued me in at mile 21. Around mile 24, I was ok with just a 5:30 finish and started to get a little scared that I might even see that pass me by. At mile 26, I was toast, but I knew I couldn’t walk it in and with one more corner to go I gave it that final push. I heard them announce my name, threw my hands up in the air, and even glanced over at the guy that I passed. I thought it was rather rotten of me to do that to him, but mheh…oh well. You SNOOZE YOU LOSE sukkah!! We didn’t make eye contact so I didn’t feel too bad at dusting him.

So I crossed the finish line, ahead of the dude, wearing my running skirt! (more humiliation, I hope) and received my medal from a nice lady wearing a hat, got my space blanket from a 12 year old looking kid, and had to convince a lady wearing a medic badge that yes indeedy, I was fine. I told her that twice. I don’t know if she saw something in my eyes or if she was trained to do that. But lady, I have a mission to get to! And that was to take full advantage of the finish area goodies!!

Last year, I was rather stunned and bewildered. This year, I got a string cheese, two cups of orange juice (after making sure it was JUST OJ and had no other fancy fruits added. Fancy=banana, cuz then I really would have needed the medic.), a half of a bagel, and I also had the most amazing piece of cheese pizza ever. Ever! I also snagged for later a bag of Cheetos, a Reeses PB cup, and a Twix. I picked up my finishers shirt AND my special coin and pendant and I made sure to stop to have my picture taken in the special picture taking area. I then proceeded in a daze to find my hubs and proudly tell him that I got my dang coin and pendant!

The Signs and volunteers

A huge shout out to all the volunteers and spectators! Having never run a different marathon, I don’t know any better, but the Portland Marathon is voted as one of the top, friendliest marathon in the world. I could have made that up so don’t quote me on that. Maybe just in the United States? Anyway, hearing someone say your name, a random stranger, and they tell you that you’ve “got it” that you’re “looking great” and that “you can do it”, it really does motivate you to keep pressing on. The signs are entertaining and inspiring as well. My three favorites were:
1. “Run B*tch&s”
2. “That Looks Hard” and the guy standing next to the sign was holding, “That’s what she said.”
3. “Hey Random Stranger, you are amazing!”

Portland Marathon - My 2nd - Part 1 ish

So I’m going to drag out my 2nd COMPLETED MARATHON because I can. And because I think it will be more like Christmas when you open your presents slowly and appreciated each one versus the scrappy wrapping paper tear to shreds method. But it’s more like Christmas for me and you just get to sit there and watch me unwrap them. Oh, so sorry! Your present is just getting to read about how awesome I think I am. Because seriously, if I thought you’d actually gain some advice or tips from reading my blogs?? Oh so funny I wet my pants laughing! So here we go…

Before the race

Saturday, the hubs and I left around 11am to give us a cushion (which would include many pee breaks for me – hey, it’s called “hydrating properly.”) Plus, I wanted more time at the Expo this year to savor the pre-marathon moment.
“Savor” was the operative word as I was a little distraught that our drawstring bags only had our t-shirt and safety pins. My hubs could quote me many times as saying, “Last year in our bags we had XY and Z!” X= a commemorative coin and Y=a special pendant on a chord. I guess I over exaggerated and there was no Z. I semi-simmered myself down and told myself that they would probably hand it out at the finish this year instead. So the hubs and I moseyed around and got a few samples. No I didn’t eat or drink anything weird! I did spend way too much time at the Sweaty Band booth contemplating my purchase. I broke the rule of not wearing anything new on race day, and was glad that I did since I would be in a world of hurt from not even packing a hair tie. (Discovered at 5am on race day.) Purchases I wish I would have made…more tubes of Nuun for $5 a pop and the Hood to Coast documentary. I would have liked to have spent more time at the Runner’s World booth for the worn once shoes for $Fiddy bucks, but like I said…worried about the coins. Ha! Plus, on the agenda was still a quick trip to Nordy’s Rack…more for the hubs though. I swar!

After picking up my bib and packet, we headed to my Aunt’s house in Beaverton. With no traffic, it’s about a 15 minute drive? We had a nice dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread with a pea salad that I questioned (but survived!). I was in bed by 9:30 and asleep shortly after. I don’t recall waking up a ton during the night like I usually do before a race -of course when my alarm went off at 5 am, my eyes popped open with an, “Oh crap! Here we go!”



I think this pic was around mile four. The guy in front of me in the blue shirt...those are the shirts that we got in our goody bag. The goody bag that only held the shirt and the four safety pins. Also, can you see the Sweaty Band in my hair? Tres chic right? Right?

And oh wow! Blogger really shrinks those pics down. Me thinks I will need a special shot of the Sweaty Band. Ok enough for now...I have to hobble off to get ready for work.

Marathon #2 teaser

There IS indeed a marathon report-ish type of blog coming, with pictures too...but for now, this teaser with some really poor photos.

I set a new PR with a time of 5:22:18. That's 41 minutes better than last year.

The one where I feel like a cow being led to my doom. Don't look directly into the light.....eeps.

The obligatory whaaa?? shot. Which is actually my phone taking a picture of the underside of my fuel belt.

I passed some dudes going up the hill to the St. John's Bridge and they were discussing the one guy's fear of bridges. I used the spooky filter on my phone for this one, but I can put myself in his shoes. In reality, the spooky filter really was used aka my phone takes crappy pictures, because it really wasn't that foggy. More pictures...eventually...to prove it.

Long Runs and Nesting

I ran: 18.09 miles in 3 hours and 37 minutes.

This morning was my very last (Thank you Jesus!) long run of this training season for my October 9th, 2011 Portland Marathon. I was NOT looking forward to this run one bit.

5:00am - Mother BEAR! - hit the snooze - TWICE!
Forced down a PB&J
Whined a bit to myself
Told myself to just shut up and do it

And out the door I went. My consolation prize was that this was my long last run of the year and my training season and I wouldn't see these views or my special friends for almost another year. In all the brilliance that I possess at 5:30am, I told myself in an almost audible whisper, "YOU CAN TAKE PEEEKKKKSHHHURRREESSS of all of these things and share them on your blog!! Whoooppeeeee!" It sounded great at the time. I did snap a few on my rather crappy IamthankfulIhaveacellphonewithagreatinternetplanbutcan'twaittogetmynewphoneformybirthday Blackberry and so without further ado:



My minivan taunts me. No?

I drove out and placed an extra water bottle...marveling at the eerie looking and weird mist that was floating over the land. As I drove by this one field, I checked to see if Cow in the Corner was there. Yup! I could make out the shadow of his head. I would snap his picture at around mile six. Cow in the Corner, you ask?



Why hellllooooo Cow in the Corner. Nice to make your acquaintance!

CitC was in his corner every time last year and this year that I ran by. I tried not to dwell on this too much because I got depressed for CitC when I started wondering if he ever left his corner. I thought about knocking on the farmhouse door to ask the question. Honestly? I don't think I want to know the answer.



New runners!

In a petite size eleven. A full stinkin' shoe size up so no, they really aren't that huge, and no, I'm not sensitive about my big feet. Kinda. These puppies should have been a little more motivating along the lines of, "Hey new shoes! Run like the weeeendd." But. No. They are Asics Gel-Nimbus 12 in case you were curious. I don't pronate or supinate. (Did I spell those right?) My running feet are very Swiss-like. Neutral.

And lastly, what is contained inside the blue portal of umm...well what's inside kindof sums up my run. And to boot? When I walked inside, the thing SHOOK! It nearly scared the crap out of me. Had it literally, I was at least in the right place.



The opposite of Disneyland, happiest place on earth.

This foul commode has seriously not been emptied or serviced since last year. And it's in one of the weirdest locations...out in the middle of nowhere, well obviously somewhere because power walking girl's car is parked next to it...it's out by this swamping little fishing hole. I seriously wonder who the heck fishes out there?! Judging by the broken beer bottles and the used condom that I discovered inside one time, I don't think a lot of fishing goes on there. But ewwww!! How romantically nasty is that! "Hey babe, your crapper or mine?"

Parts of this long run were ok. Very few, if any, were great. It's done, that's great! There was crying and hobbling and more walking at the end than planned on. The good part was that I told myself and actually BELIEVED myself that I know I'm ready and can run the marathon. This was by far the worst yet ONLY run that was overall DISMAL. And looking back at it now? It really wasn't that bad.

More deets on the run since I'm a numbers gal: I did have to stop a few times to stretch...and cry. Calve cramps something fierce. I know I won't be able to stop my Garmin for the marathon. Cool if I could! At one point, for about 7 minutes, I had forgotten to start my G back up. Sucky! So my distance is not accurate, nor is my time. Mile 18 was a combo of run/walk/hobble/run/walk. The hobbling was from a blister on my left foot, ring toe. (Don't wear toe rings but if my feet were hands...you get the idea.) The blister? DO NOT moisturize your feet the night before a long run! I've been using this fabulous emu oil stuff (thanks Danielle) due to my awesome moisture wicking running socks that caused me to get a crack in my heel. Well this stuff is great so I put it on other tootsie spots. Bad idea for the run. I knew better than that. It was really cool in the grossest of ways when I popped the blister though. And COME ON! I know I'm not the only Grossy Josie that thinks that way! (Please no offense if your name is Josie.)

Oh and the nesting part? It could be because I just got a new carpet shampooer, but the last two weekends in a row, I've ran 17/18 miles and then I've come home and gone on a huge cleaning spree. The naps that I've promised to myself never happened. I seriously don't know what my problem is. Does anyone else do that? Of course, this last hour I've been more than content to sit on my butt, be on my computer, and munch away on Sweet Maui Onion chips. I will miss my long runs for the simple fact of not really feeling an ounce of guilt for eating those things.