Two half marathons later

I’ve done a lousy job keeping up with writing here, haven’t I?

What’s happened since?

I ran a half-marathon at the end of May with my cousin in Hawaii. It was her first half and we clocked in at 2:13. But, most importantly we ran the entire 13.1 miles together. I’m so proud of her.

It was painful, but it was a lot of fun. It made me want to buckle down and train for another half more vigorously.

So, I did.

I trained through the summer and ran SeaWheeze in Vancouver, Canada in August. My goal was to run sub-2 hours … and, I did. I ran it in 1:55 and I couldn’t have been happier.

I really pushed myself during this race. I didn’t hold back. My knee got through it, but definitely felt it.

After that race, I didn’t go on a single run for two months.

I needed time to rest — and I just didn’t feel like running either.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to start doing my PT exercises again. (Not only did I just stop running, I completely stopped working out or doing PT).

And in the last week or two, I started running again.

I have also been thinking about racing another half next spring. But, my heart really wants to go after a full marathon. I think being able to run a full would prove to myself that I am no longer injured.

It’s been more than three years since my last full marathon — the one where I got injured and have had this running “set-back” for quite some time. Prior to this, I had been training and racing a full marathon yearly. My goal always being to train smarter, get faster and break four hours.

I want to get back to being that runner.

Maybe it’ll happen this spring. We’ll see.

 

Anchorage Marathon: 1 day ’til race day!

I’m finally starting to get excited about this race.

I’ve accepted the fact that I may not be as fast as I want to be. I’ve accepted the fact that my IT band may start hurting a few miles into the race.

The other day I was talking with my coworker-friend about whether or not I should even race with my Garmin. I felt that timing myself and seeing my (potentially very slow) splits would make me more stressed out during the race and not be beneficial towards having a fun and good time.

“But what if you wake up Saturday and your knee is magically better?” she said.

I’m not sure my knee will be any better tomorrow than it is right now.

But, as I have experienced in many past races, anything can happen on race day.

“You’re going to have so much adrenaline on race day, you won’t even notice your knee!” Bryce told me last night.

I hope so.

But, regardless of knee pain, this race is for you, Natalie.

Anchorage Marathon Goals

I’ve been putting off making a list of race goals.

My #1 goal for all of my past full marathons has always been: To PR.

The past two races, it was more specific: To break 4 hours.

Now, with an IT band issue, I have a different mindset.

Anchorage Marathon Goals:

• Finish the race.
• Run my own race.
• Enjoy the course.
• Stay positive.

These are all easier said than done – especially when you are accustomed to pushing yourself and full-out racing.

At Saturday’s last long run, one of my Team In Training teammates reminded me to enjoy the scenery during the Anchorage Marathon. He had done this race a few years ago.

“It’s beautiful. Enjoy the race!” he said.

Oh, I will.

4 days ’til race day!

 

Road to Anchorage: 1 week ’til race day!

Feeling as good as I can be, considering my IT band “issue” and all. Here’s what last week of “training” looked like.

Just one short week until the big race!

Monday

PT day: 0 miles – Got my knee massaged out. Did my strengthen exercises. Iced. You know, the usual.

Tuesday

Rest day: 0 miles – Went to see “Paint Your Wagon” at the 5th Avenue Theater with my family.

Wednesday

One of the bday cards I received!

Birthday run: 3 miles – Short and easy loop around Green Lake. Followed by sushi.

Thursday

PT day: 0 miles – My physical therapist showed me how I should tape my knee. I went home and ordered tape in purple so that I can match my Team In Training singlet! (May as well make my injury look styling, right?)

Friday

Rest day: 0 miles – Went to a surprise dinner for my friend Sarah for completing L1 (Law school, Year 1). Fun and yummy vegetarian food was consumed.

Saturday

Long run: 6 miles – Last long run of the training cycle! I opted to do 6 miles while most of my fellow full marathon teammates did the full 8. I just don’t want to take any chances with my bum knee. It didn’t ache too much but it wasn’t completely strong as well. We didn’t have rain though and had an awesome view of the Seattle skyline from West Seattle.

Sunday

Spin day: 0 running miles – I was convinced to go to my first spin class ever! (I know, you’re not supposed to do anything new right before a race, but … cycling can’t make my knee any worse!) It was fun, but was definitely challenging at times. Half the time I wasn’t sure if I was even doing what we needed to do!

Takeaways: Just trying to mentally prepare for the race at this point. My knee situation is what it is.

Recommitting to the Anchorage Marathon

It’s crazy to think I had actually been having real thoughts in the past several days to not do the Anchorage Marathon. I had been considering to switch to the half marathon.

I’ve talked out my thoughts with many people. In true decision-making fashion, I created a pro/con list. I discussed my options with my training partner, Joanna.

The week out from a marathon, I am usually excited and am (nervously) looking forward to race day.

This time it’s been different. I almost want to fast forward and skip the whole thing all together. I want to be back to my normal, fully functioning strong body self– running IT band/knee pain free!

I don’t want to go into the race fearing that my IT band will prevent me from having a good race. (And, I don’t mean good race in terms of PR’ing. I mean, not suffering through it).

A half marathon would be physically easier on my body. I wouldn’t be so sore that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the rest of my time in Alaska. There would be less risk for causing more harm to my injury

But, I am stubborn.

I have too much self pride.

I’ve been telling my friends and family and coworkers that I am racing the Anchorage Marathon since January. Since then, everyone has been supporting me with words of encouragement and donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This race, I would be running with Team In Training, supporting blood cancer research and patients. I would be doing this all in memory and honor of my dear friend Natalie. I would be doing the full marathon.

I have always been a woman of her word.

If I hadn’t signed up to do this race with Team In Training, or if Joanna wasn’t running it too, I would probably have switched to the half. I know I most likely won’t be running the entire race with Joanna. But, I know I will be mentally happy having completed the full marathon, than I would be physically happy completing the half marathon.

So, no more harping about the injury. No more “poor me’s” … I’m going to do what I do when I don’t know what to do. I am going to run.

And, with everyone’s love, support and encouragement, I know I will get to that finish line in one piece.