Well, I did it, 13.5 miles this morning. My time is not something to write home ( or even blog) about, but I did it.
I started about 5:20am this morning and finished @ 9am. I have to figure part of that time was spent in potty breaks ( 5 for me and 2 for Chip) and I had to stop as we passed other people who had dogs @ the park....still even with that it took me about 3 and a half hours.
We started right here walking the long block ( .6 miles) near my house. I like this part of the course I've laid out since it is well lit ( good for when you start out before light) and it also has 2 hills. Depending on which way I go around the block I can get a bit of a break running down a long hill for about a quarter of a mile or I can have a real work out for glutes if I go around the other way and walk up for a 1/4 mile. The only down side is it is all paved and I do my best to limit my running on pavement.
This morning I did that block until about 6:20 and since it was getting light I headed out towards a place with a prettier view, Wapato Park, but let me back up to before I left this morning.......I woke ( before my alarm) just a bit after 4:30 and since I could not go to sleep I got up and ate a little ( too much food does not work well for just before a work out) I also decided that since I was going quite a ways today I should be very well hydrated and so I drank about 40 oz of water while I got up and got dressed, then needed to go again even before I got out the door. I also packed 14 grapes with the intent of eating one after each mile to help me keep track. Now I am looking for my socks ( need the special non cotton synthetic running socks that wick moisture and help minimize blistering.) Can't find any....finally find one of each of the brands I have....well likely better than using 2 matching cotton ones right? So I put one on each foot and decide I will do a side by side comparison of running socks. Also lost time also looking for Chip's leash ( got to get more organized the night before)
Anyway as I was finishing the first mile I heard what sounded like gun shots ( what has my friend been telling me about my neighborhood?) I walked a bit further, telling myself I was being silly, but then I realized the 3 sets of bangs were each 6 bangs long so I called 911, not sure what the operator thought of having a very out of breath woman reporting gunshots at 5 thirty something in the morning. Did I see anything suspicious? " NO, just heard something. Now realize I ALREADY need a potty break....( this early?) I head into my house and while I am there I can't resist starting another load of laundry to wash. ( the one I started to wash when I got up is done)
I only make it another mile and a half before I have to take another bathroom break again....this time the laundry is dry so start another washer and dryer load ( I wonder if this is part of anyone else's marathon training routine.)
By now it is getting light, so I get a drink of water ( good idea or bad the next mile or so will tell) We head to the park by 6:30 or so. I make it there and around the lake one time by 7am, but on the first time around when I check the rest rooms they are still all locked. I start worrying they will not be opening them at all any more. I also discover that the drinking fountains do not work (still)...but maybe this is a blessing? Half way through the next time around the lake I am adding to the things I am thankful for the fact that there are lots of wooded areas in the park and not too many people this early.
Thankfully the next time around they are open, so I can now be thankful for dilegent park workers instead. ( I am still also thankful for the trees too). When Chip stops to wait for me he is panting pretty hard ( come to think of it I am too, even though I have only ran about 1/3 of our distance so far and walked fast for the rest.)
It is now I realize I have completely forgotten the grapes in my pouch. ( so much for them helping me keep track) I eat a couple and give one to Chip. The rain comes and goes and is actually nice I really enjoy seeing the rain drops on the water and the ducks playing in the rain. The fall colors through out the park and reflected on the water are really breath taking to look @! ( or is that just that I am out of breath since I am running most of the way now?)
About Mile 7 my left knee really starts to hurt. I switch to more walking, less running. Mile 8 hurts more, and need bathroom break ( again, but since the fountains are broken maybe I won't need more) Mile 9 more people start coming to the park which means more dogs, which means more stops to reprimand and control Chip. ( I handle him pulling towards other dogs by either standing still with him sitting on a short leash or by taking a wide path around them and running as fast as I can. Some areas make this hard though since there are puddles 3 inches deep on the side (the area I like to run in so as not be on pavement) I have to avoid them since even the moisture wicking technology of the synthentic running socks aren't up for that. (either one of the 2 brands I am wearing)
Mile 9-10 are uneventful except that my toes and feet are hurting now along with my left knee. Mile 11 a beautiful bright rainbow and a break in the rain. I also find a grape I must have dropped, I give that to Chip too, he is more comfortable eating off the ground than me.
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Ok had to leave yesterday to contend with " real" life and did not finish the post... so here's the rest.....
Mile 11 my right Knee joins my left knee in protest. I also with good authority can tell you if the Puma running socks or the Asics running socks are better. I paid about $15 for 2 pair of the Puma socks @ Nordstrom and the Asics were $10 for 3 pair @ sports authority. I guess more expensive does not always mean better....( however both feet hurt, it's just one feels happier and less blistered than the other)
Reading the running websites it sounds like I need to get a 2nd pair of running shoes too so that the shoes always have the best cushion ( they spring back after a day so I guess you are supposed to trade off) This makes me think of a morning where I can only find one of each......I decide that I will NOT do a side by side comparison with shoes, I will spend the needed time groping around in the dark trying not to wake anyone ( especially our 2 year old) until I find 2 of the same shoe, if it feels so weird with 2 different socks well....2 different shoes would be too much.
Beginning of mile 12...wow now I am wishing I had had more water before I left towards the park. I have to get one of those "water bottle butt thingys ( that is the official name for a thing that holds water while you run according to the book The Non-runner's Guide to Marathon Training.) I still don't have one. The running websites I have been looking @ encourage you to figure water loss by weighing yourself, then running for an hour @ a marathon pace ( which for me is fast walking and a slow jog I think) and then weighing again. However I likely would have had to pee 2 times in between and if I have not bought myself a water bottle holder, I am not likely to buy a "carry your pee so you can weigh it after your hour long run" holder either so I think that formula will not work for me, also I am a nursing mom so I need more water than everyone who is not lactating even when I am not running.
Few more steps into mile 12 and the phone rings. ( I'm a Realtor and a mom, can't help myself, I have my phone with me) It's my husband. Wants to know when I will be back, wants me back by 9am since he is planning to leave to take Sam to Soccer....Rats! I thought that I had 'til 9:30 am so I could get in a full 14 or maybe even 15 miles. I tell him I am finishing mile 12 and I am not coming home until I have done at least a half marathon, but I can also make it by 9am.
Middle of mile 12. Chip starts to limp a little ( He has one leg that is not just right), I ask him if he wants to keep going ( and have visions of carrying a 70lb dog the last 1.75 miles home. ) He seems to want to keep going, which is a relief, maybe he is as crazy as me, both of my knees are really unhappy right now and I am down to mostly a very very fast walk.
We head towards home from the park I feel relieved and disappointed since I know I will finish a half marathon and a bit more, but I really wanted to do @ least 14 and hopefully 15 miles. I know I have to make it home before 9am however so I find myself jogging again, even though I had promised my knees I would just walk, at this point my husband likely will complain more than my knees if I am late and make him late ( he is an on time freak!) I go a little past my turn to home to make it so that I will do a little MORE than a half marathon. We arrive home 2 minutes to 9am so by the time Chip is in his kennel chowing down, I am inside ( just in time to start another load of laundry) by 9am.
Today ( the day after), I am sore, but not as sore as my first training day ( where I ran most of 6 miles when I had not run for....well....ever) My knees are a bit happier thanks to a good night's sleep and dose of ginger tea. ( it works as an anti inflammatory)
Next week I think I will again shoot for 15 or maybe 16 miles......
**If you are looking for a Real Estate Team that goes the extra mile call Anna Matsunaga with Team Momentum of Keller Williams Realty Tacoma, 253 212 1252
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