My Laboring Playlist

In the post of Jillian's birth I said that I listened to music during most of my laboring.  The selection of songs were pulled from my original running playlist which was about 5 hours of music.  I narrowed it down to an hour & a half.  I've now decided to "reveal" my laboring playlist.  It wasn't some big secret.  Some might find it weird though.  But I don't care.  

I'll include comments on some of these to maybe explain why I run to them & maybe why I left it for labor.

"Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga - Ugh.  Ok, first one & I'm slightly embarrassed.  But when running it had the perfect rhythm so that's why I left it for laboring.  Just took me back to some good runs.

"Born to Run" by Bruce Springstein - Every runner should run to this song.

"Bring me to Life" by Evanesence - I like running to this one because I remember it in the movie Daredevil.  It was a pivitol moment in the movie.

"California Gurls" by Katy Perry - Just a good rhythm.  I actually like running to a lot of Katy Perry's songs.

"Christmas TV" by Slow Club - Not a very fast song but has a great build towards the end & is also just a special song to me & Jeremy.

"Curbside Prophet" by Jason Mraz - It was always one of my favorite songs to run to.

"Dog Days Are Over" by Florence & the Machine - The chorus says "Run fast for your mother. Run fast for your father. Run for your children, for your sister & your brother."  Enough said.

"Eye of the Tiger" - Um, it's from Rocky.  How can you not run to this song?!

"Fighter" by Christina Aguilera - When I reached the last .2 of my marathon this is what I listened.  So it's very special & I had to include while laboring.

"Fix You" by Coldplay - Great build in the song.

"Hearts on Fire" by John Cafferty - It was in the Rocky sequel when he was preparing to fight the Russian.

"Hero of the Day" by Metallica - The version I listen to is actually a live performance with Metallica & the San Francisco Orchestra.  It's another special song from a running memory.  It was a few years ago but I listened to it as I finished a 5 mile run, the longest I had ever gone at that point.

"Let's See How Far We've Come" by Matchbox 20 - Doesn't it seem like this should be played while the doctor or nurse is checking how many centimeters a laboring momma is?  Maybe it's just me.

"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi - I should have listened to this when they said I was 5 cm.  You know?  "Ooooooh!  We're halfway there!"

"Lose Yourself" by Eminem - Love running to this & I felt like it helped get my mind off the contractions.

"Rule the World" by Take That - This song is at the end credits of the movie Stardust.  Love this song!

"Stolen" by Dashboard Confessional - Another song I just plain love, even though the rhythm isn't quite fast enough.  Plus, I kinda felt like this was what I'd sing to Jillian once I finally got to see her.  "You have stolen my heart."

"Stronger" by Britney Spears - The chorus says "And now I'm stronger than yesterday".  Always a boost during a run to know that I was stronger than the last time I ran.  And now while in labor I was stronger than the last time.

"Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry - Just more Katy Perry that I like.

"Under Pressure" by Queen - Kinda makes me laugh now that I included this for labor.

"We're not gonna take it anymore" by Twisted Sister - Just makes me wanna roar.

"You're the Best Around" from the Karate Kid - Who wouldn't want to hear this while running or when you've reached transition & feel like you're losing it?!

So there you have it.  This was just one of the ways that kept me strong.  My doula often said I was rocking it & I guess in a way I was!

Couch to 5k

At long last I get to run!

My last run before learning I was pregnant was at the end of July.  It was 5 miles.  The one before that was 15.  I made one attempt to run around 9 weeks pregnant after my doctor said I could do some light jogging.  But 5 weeks off & hormones weakening my joints made me take an official hiatus.  Hopefully with the next pregnancy I'll be able to continue running.  I'd especially love to run a race, even just a 5k, with a big ol' pregnant belly!

I decided as I get back on the wagon again that I would give the Couch to 5k program a try.  In the past I've done my own thing, a walk/run-type training much like C25k.  But this time I want to try something that's helped non-runners become runners.  I want to see just how good (or bad) the program is. 

So I'm entering it mentally as a runner but physically as a newbie.  It's weird to do something like this considering I've completed a marathon.  But 9 months of growing a human & then pushing out that human puts a toll on any body no matter how active they've been. 

After the 9 weeks are up I'll give my review (assuming anyone is actually interested in my opinion).  I'm doing the running portions at a 10 min. pace which is faster than I ever ran before, at least anything other than sprints.  If this works after 9 weeks I should be able to run 3 whole miles at a 10 min. pace.  Ultimately I want to run a 5k under 30 min. which means I still need to be even faster but we'll take it one step at a time.

I get to do what?!

This past Monday I had my monthly OB checkup.  We were able to hear the heartbeat on the doppler, which was a big surprise to me since I didn't think it would have been possible for another week.  We also discuss my insomnia issues.  My doctor agreed that exercise could help to help wear me out (as if I'm not worn out already).  But he decided to prescribe Ambien so I could have a better guarantee of sleep.  So far I've only used it 3 different nights & it's definitely helped.  I still wake up once each night for a bathroom visit but that's to be expected.  At least now it's not taking me up to 2 hours to fall asleep.

While discussing my exercise routine, which has hardly been "routine", he suggested that I pick up the pace on walking just a bit.  I had been doing a slow 20 min. pace, mostly because I wasn't sure what I could handle.  I mentioned that in reality I don't enjoy walking since it just makes me want to run.  His response:  "Then run."

What?!  Me?  You remember who you're talking to, right?

He suggested that I just slow my pace down a bit so it's not too much impact but said I'd be just fine since I've already been a runner.  There just won't be any marathon-type runs.

So on Wednesday I decided to give it a try.  I even put on the singlet I used to wear for a lot of my long runs.  It just to hang really big on me.  I prefer my singlets loose.  Well, it's not loose anymore.  I couldn't believe how much I had filled it out already!

Since it had been over a month since my last run (a final pre-pregnancy run that I was very happy with) I decided to run as if I was just starting out.  I would walk for 2 min. & then run (well, really it was a jog) for 2 min. & continued this for 30 min.  The running times were weirdly tiring considering it was so much slower than I used to be, but it didn't completely exhaust me.  And each time I ran I loved it.  I wasn't starring at the clock waiting for the 2 min. to be up.  Really, I probably could have gone longer but I want to be careful.  The only difficulty I had was with my knees.  They felt as if I had been running for 15 miles.  And that night the rest of my joints from the waist down ached so bad.

Being given permission to run is huge for me.  Even though I had a complication-free pregnancy with Shaylin & she was completely healthy, I will always be considered high-risk.  But now to be allowed to still do something like running makes me feel almost "normal".  I don't have to just live in a bubble & be afraid to do anything.

So far I've only run that one time.  My joints just hurt that bad.  I would have run today but was just too full from lunch so I simply walked.  Hopefully I can get into a better routine & keep this up.  Then I'll have to find out just how far into the pregnancy I can continue running.  It would just be hilarious to run while 8 months pregnant!  I'll just have to find some way to hold my giant belly!

Happy Running Anniversary to Me!

I recently realized this month marks 3 years since I started running.  It's amazing to see how far I've come.

At that time I had recently suffered my 4th miscarriage & was starting some bloodwork to try to find answers.  The ups & downs of hormones & depressions had really affected my weight.  I also just needed an outlet for my frustrations & a place to just think & pray.  Jeremy had already been running for a while & had even ran his first marathon earlier that year.  So he suggested I finally give it a try.  I had tried once but was trying to run faster than I should have & gave up. 

I don't remember where my first run took place.  Probably the treadmill but I don't know for sure.  And I don't remember exactly when it took place.  All I know is I started.  And outside of a 9 month break, I haven't stopped since.

My ability has definitely changed since then.  Back then I was running about a 13:30 pace, which is a pretty slow jog.  I was also only running up to 3 miles.  That fall I ran my first 5k.  Now I can fairly comfortably run a 10:30 pace & I'm training for my 2nd marathon.  I never thought there would have even been a 1st marathon!

So if you're just starting out learning to run, don't get discouraged.  It's definitely hard work but when you can look back & see how far you've come, you realize it was all worth it!

Dear Treadmill,

I have a love/hate relationship with you. 

You're a great rescue from the scorching Texas heat.  It's pretty great to have the a/c on, your tiny built-in fan blowing on me, & then a couple more fans blowing on me.  I love how I always know what pace I'm running at.  When I'm outside I'll lose focus & slow down.  But when I run on you I can set a pace & hold it.  You've also been a great help with speed workouts.  I like sprinting the last 10th of a mile of most runs & when I'm on you I can set the sprinting pace I want to do & see just how far I need to go.  When I'm outside I tend to slow down too soon.  You've also been much easier on my knees than concrete & asphalt.  This was especially nice right after having a baby.

But there are things I don't like about you.  Mostly it's that I feel restricted & confined.  You don't offer any change of scenery or people to wave to.  I can't work on my runner's tan with you either.  I also don't get the hill workouts that I need.  Sure, you have incline settings but it's still not like running outside where inclines constantly change.

I run 3 times a week & typically 2 out of 3 are on the treadmill.  Most of those are fairly short runs.  But I'm training for that marathon again so some are going to be 6, 7, & even 8 miles.  Those really get to be a beating.  My ipod can only help so much.

But for all the times that I dread running on you & it just feels like a beating, I really am thankful to have you.  You have been a pivotal part of my training.  Some runners try to say that you can't train for a marathon with a treadmill.  Well, we proved them wrong!  For moms especially, you are one of the best running partners to have!

See you tomorrow!

~Shelly

Marathon Training: The Sequel

Marathon training began this week.  I decided to stick with the same schedule I did last year.  Since I ended last year's race without collapsing & the day after didn't leave me walking funny I figure it's a good plan & shouldn't mess with something that works.

Very little changes from what I've been doing for a while.  I still only run on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays, which is my long run.  If my shins will let me, I will do some speed workouts on Mondays & Wednesdays are dedicated to hill training.  Saturday long runs are just that . . . long.  I've gotten myself up to 11 1/2 miles so far.  Eventually I'll have 3 different 20 milers.  Last year I only completed 2 of them & one of those times was on the treadmill.

I'm very excited about the prospect of running this marathon again.  Last year I ran it 8 months post-partum.  Now I'd be 20 months post-partum.  I'm also faster & stronger than I was a year ago.  And I know the mistakes I made last year & have learned from them.  If all goes well I should have no problem finishing under 5 hours. 

So for the next 3 months on Saturday mornings, when you sleep till 8 or 9, just remember that I will have run 12+ miles by then.  Such is the life of training for a marathon during the summer!

Delusions of Grandeur?

I don't have any set plans when it comes to running here on out.  It's no secret that I want more babies.  I want that more than I want more marathon medals.  So since I'll be back on a running hiatus when I'm pregnant again, I see no point in making any big plans.

But I do have a plan, crazy though it may be, in my back pocket  . . . just in case.

I've been trying to increase my pace.  Right now I can comfortably run just under an 11 minute pace, sometimes close to 10:30.  I want to still run a 5k under 30 minutes, which means my pace has to average 9:39.  If I stay diligent, I could get there in a couple months.

To qualify for the Boston marathon I'd have to finish a marathon in 3 hours & 40 minutes.  That would have me averaging a 8:23 pace. 

I'd love to run the same marathon I last did, which is every October.  This marathon is also a Boston qualifier.  Training would begin about mid-June.  That gives me 4 months to increase my pace by over 2 minutes per mile. 

If I'm not pregnant by June I will likely start training.  I may as well continue with what I'm doing & not surround my life around the possibility of pregnancy.  I used to do that & it was just a stressful way to live.

So through the summer I would train for the marathon.  In October I would run it & meet my goal & qualify for Boston.  But then I still want another baby so Lord willing I would get pregnant soon after.  That would mean I wouldn't run Boston in 2012.  But that's ok.  You know why?  Because when you qualify for Boston it's good for 18 months!  So I could get pregnant soon after, have the baby, start training at 6 weeks post-partum & run Boston in 2013.  My pace wouldn't matter by then since I've already qualified so whatever I do post-partum would be fine.

It's probably a crazy idea.  This is the kind of stuff I think about when I'm having a really good run.  It makes me feel like I can do anything.  But I can't completely count it out.  It was during a really good run that I decided I could even run a marathon.

Running - my history & some tips

Lately I've been getting a lot of questions on how to get started with running or how to enjoy it.  After a few personal messages the idea was brought to my attention to actually post a blog about it.  Of course!  Why didn't I think of this yet? 

Let me first preface this by saying that I am NOT a professional trainer.  I am simply a woman who was never good at any sport (being on the volleyball team in high school doesn't count as being "good"), got tired of gaining weight from up & down hormones, needed an outlet for the emotional distress of multiple miscarriages, & stuck with it.  So don't assume that I know everything & don't hold it against me if something goes wrong. 

Back in the summer of '08 I started running, with the help of my husband.  Earlier in the year he completed his first marathon, a great accomplishment for someone who's lived with asthma his whole life & was told he'd never do something like that.  Yeah, I'm proud of him.  I had tried running a couple years before but gave up & I know why, which I'll get to later.  I was upset about the weight I'd gained after 4 miscarriages & wanted to do something about it.

So here's what I did to learn how to run.  No, not everyone just knows how to run.  I would run for 2 minutes, then walk 2 minutes, run for 2 minutes again, walk 2 minutes, & so on & would do that for 30 minutes.  After a while (maybe a week or 2 later) the 2 minute run got easy so I increased the running time to 3 minutes, still walking only 2 minutes.  Then I increased it to 4 minutes, then 5.  Eventually I was able to run for 30 minutes.  Then my goal was to run for 3 miles without stopping.

I still remember the first time I ever finished a 3 mile run without stopping.  Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" was playing on my ipod.  Yeah, I know that's cheesy but that's what happened.

Then I picked a 5k race, Ft. Worth's Turkey Trot.  I honestly can't remember my time but I know that I never walked the entire race. 

After that I did a half marathon & another 5k.  Then I got pregnant.  I missed running while I was pregnant but there was no better reason for my hiatus than the blessing of my little Shaylin.  **side note**  Yes, I know most runners can continue running through most of their pregnancy.  But with 6 miscarriages there was no question that I had to play it safe.  And I will do the same for future pregnancies.

After my pregnancy I started back the same way I first learned to run, with my 2 minute rule.  I started at a very slow pace, 13:57, but I didn't know what to expect having given birth 6 weeks prior.  I was fortunate enough to have no joint issues but that's not to say that other moms won't.  So take that as a word of caution.

I ran a 5k around 3 1/2 months post-partum & soon after started training for a marathon.  I kind of broke a running rule with this one because most recommend running for a year before training for a marathon.  But since I wasn't technically a newbie I ignored it.  It wasn't easy & my time isn't record-breaking, but the feeling I got crossing that finish line is something nobody can take from me. 

So there's the history behind my running.  Will it work for everyone?  No.  You have to find what works for you. 
So what other advice would I give to someone who wants to start running?  Well . . .

1.  Go to a runner store.  Not Dicks, Academy, Sport Authority, or other chain sports stores.  Sorry if you work for these places; it's nothing personal.  The associates there may or may not be runners.  In my opinion they're just trying to make a sale.  So they'll push whatever their managers tell them to push.  At a runner store they take care of you.  You can go in with your old shoes (if you have any) & they'll study how you wear them down.  They'll see how you stand & check your arch height.  And then they'll find a shoe that is designed for you.  You really can't just pick a shoe because you like the color.  It may not be what will help you run your best.  I remember the first time I bought real running shoes.  It felt like I stepped into pillows.  I had also been dealing with knee pain & it immediately went away.  While there you can also shop for other essentials like socks (the right kind really do matter), shorts or pants (or tights!), & tops.  And sports bras, which brings me to my next point.

2.  Buy a good sports bra.  Ok, so I'm obviously speaking to the ladies.  You will want a high impact bra.  No other will do.  And especially if you are breastfeeding.  I've gotten some decent ones at Walmart & Target but my favorite one is from my runner store. 

3.  What you listen to, if at all, is up to you.  I have to have music that's upbeat.  I've got about 5 hours of music on my ipod shuffle so too much to even bother to list.  But it ranges to 80's to new stuff to even Gaelic music.

4.  You've gotta keep your water intake up.  Most people (talking even non-runners) don't drink the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, which is 64 oz.  If I don't drink enough water I tend to have cramps in my calves.  And if you're going to run outside with any heat you really gotta be on top of your water.

5.  Potassium helps with calf cramps, too.  If I can't have a banana everyday, I take a potassium supplement.  Never have a problem then.

6.  Stretch, stretch, & stretch some more.  Stretch before you run & again after a run.  If you're just starting to run for the first time, you'll be sore for the first few days.  So stretch throughout the day.  Sometimes you might even need to stop during a run to stretch.  For me it used to be during the first mile.

7.  Women runners are more prone to knee pain so glucosimine will become one of your best friends.  I've actually been slack on taking it & now that I've been increasing my pace I feel the need for it.

8.  You will have to find a balance between pushing yourself & over-doing it.  That's a line I still have trouble seeing.  I tend to go easy on myself to prevent injury.  You don't want to hurt yourself just to beat a time or whatever reason.  But you also don't want to constantly allow yourself to not push harder.  One of the coolest things about a marathon is how it's an example of what the human body is capable of.

9.  Runner's World is a great resource for all things running.  There are great articles for newbies & help for injuries.  That's where I got my marathon training schedule.  You can also create one for other races.

10.  Start with an easy pace.  One of the biggest mistakes new runners make is they try to sprint, not jog.  They don't feel like they're really running if it's a slow jog.  Well, ya gotta start somewhere.  If you keep trying to run faster than you can, you'll burn out, get injured, & quit.  That's what I did a long time ago.  It's been a "slow & steady win the race" kind of mentality but I've gone from a slow jog or 13:57 to my latest average pace of 10:26. 

The best thing about running is that you are your only competition & you are on a team of one.  Running isn't about winning or losing.  It's about trying.  And no matter what you accomplish you can be proud of what you did. 

A race isn't like other sporting events.  There is no booing.  I mean, why would you boo or hiss at the guy who came in first place at a marathon just because he beat your friend.  He just completed a marathon!  And that guy will then cheer for your friend & all the other runners.  In fact, I would recommend before you even run a race to just go to a race, any race, & be a spectator.  Cheer for the runners.  Many will thank you.  I can't tell you what it did for me when I got to mile 17 of my marathon & the group of people there were cheering for me as if they personally knew me. 

So there you have it.  My little running lesson.  I don't claim to know everything but I try to help where I can.  Never say you can't run.  I thought I couldn't either.  If The Biggest Loser can get morbidly obese people to finish a marathon (although I still think they're wrong in doing it), then anyone can try for a 5k.  And if you do a 5k, then try for a 10k.  And then set your sights on a half marathon.  And then maybe even a full marathon.  I did it 8 months post-partum.  It really is possible.

Needing Motivation

It's been 2 weeks since I ran a marathon.  Since then I've run a total of 3 1/2 miles.  That's really lame after doing 20+ miles in one week.  Or 20 miles in one day!

Granted, the first week I was recovering & was best to not run.  I also caught a stomach bug that week & lacked the energy.

But this past week I ran 3 miles on Monday & then a measly half mile on Thursday.  I delayed that run all because of a mesquito bite on my heel.  I had the same thing happen during my training but I sucked it up & ran because I was training for a marathon.  But now that there's no marathon, I find it easier to make excuses.  This is not good.

So other than my goal of running a 5k under 30 minutes I'm going to try to find a 5k or 10k in the next month or so that I can work towards.  I may even write out a training plan just so I feel like it's something I have to do.

I just know I have to find some kind of motivation.  Burning calories so I can eat my Ben & Jerry's Cinanmon Bun ice cream with less guilt just isn't enough.

What's Next?

Hey Shelly!  Now that you've completed a marathon, what are you going to do next?

Well, I'm not going to Disney World.

For one thing, I'm still going to run.  Yesterday was my first run since the marathon.  I probably could have run at some point last week but a stomach flu took over our house so I didn't do much at all the whole week.  There may have been a tiny bit of lingering fatigue that made yesterday's run a little difficult.  But I wanted to finish 3 miles & I got it done.

My plan now is just to increase my pace.  I would like to be able to run a 5k (3.16 miles) under 30 minutes.  To do that I have to cut down my current pace by 2 minutes per mile!  There is a 5k I may consider doing at the end of February.  But it will depend on my pace.  Most 5k's are pretty crowded & this one is no exception.  So if I'm going to do one I want it to be worth my while.  Ok, worth my money.  But this gives me a little over 4 months to get there & considering I went from giving birth to running a marathon in 8 months, this goal is very possible.

My 1st Marathon

We left the house Friday morning at 10am & got to Odessa at 3:30. Considering we were traveling with a baby, that's great timing. Shaylin was an angel. She either entertained herself or she slept. I couldn't have asked her to do any better.

Friday night we ate at Olive Garden to "carb up". I chose just a spaghetti w/ meat sauce. I thought alfredo would be too heavy & greasy. But I made the mistake of agreeing to an appetizer that we didn't know at the time we ordered it had red pepper flakes. That didn't make my tummy feel too good that night. Or the next morning. My nerves weren't helping either.

Then there was all the water I drank that day. I think I managed to consume around 160 oz. of water. I was using the theory of drinking 16 oz. for every half hour you'll be outside. Well, that seems to really apply to warmer temperatures where you sweat a lot. So that was my first real mistake. Then of course I drank 2 more water bottles at 5am on race day. So needless to say there were a lot of bathroom trips the night before & all morning before the race.

The temperature was in the upper 50s that morning. Great running weather! The race started at 7am so the sun wasn't even up yet. I went to the back of the pack at the starting line since I knew I wasn't going to be one of the fastest. The gun went off & it seemed almost immediately most of the runners were a good bit ahead of me. But that didn't discourage me. In some ways it's kinda nice being by yourself.

Jeremy had planned to ride his bike, cutting through streets to meet me at various mile markers but without staying on the race course since that wasn't allowed. But he wasn't well conditioned for it so he got the car which managed to not be any more difficult. He first saw me between miles 4 & 5. I had only had some sips of water from the previous aid stations (they had aid stations at every mile marker) so I was ready for my bottle of gatorade. My side stitch had been trying to act up but once I started drinking the gatorade it went away & then never came back. Weirdest thing.

The half marathoners went off the full course for a short mile so eventually I had some people catch up to me again. That's when people could finally see the back of my shirt & they loved it.

Jeremy saw me again around mile 8. It was so encouraging when I could see him off from a distance. He had parked on a dirt road & was blasting "Eye of the Tiger" for everyone to hear & cheering for the other runners. That's the great thing about running. It's not about competition & winning. You cheer for everyone.

At this point I was feeling great. I soon was by myself again but I was into my music & just loving the scenery. It was just beautiful! My favorite thing about Texas is the sky. It seems so much bigger here.

At mile 10 a family was waiting for their loved one & the kids had their hands out to give high fives so I took them up on it. Simple things like that really boost a runner's confidence.

Jeremy saw me for a 3rd time at mile 11. I told him to post on Facebook that I was feeling great. I really was.

Right after mile 12 the course takes you into a stadium & you're to run around the track & exit. This is where the half marathon ended. A half is 13.1 miles. So I finally got to see the clock. But I was discouraged to see it was 2:33 which meant there was no way I was going to finish in 5 hours. I knew it was a long shot so I didn't beat myself up too badly.

Oh, before I got to mile 12 I saw the leader. So here I was almost half way done & this guy was coming to mile 21. Crazy!

I saw Jeremy again at mile 14. This was the point when it was starting to get hard & I really had to focus.

At mile 16 I finally passed someone. Two runners actually! But they were an older couple so that doesn't say much for myself I guess. But it felt great just the same. I'm not sure of their relation since they were from different cities. Maybe siblings. But she had done around 50 marathons; she'd lost count. And this was his 5th marathon. So I was totally impressed. I later learned they were around 60 years old.

Off in the distance I saw another runner & started "fishing". I then realized who he was. This man is 62 I think. He is known for running this marathon in khaki shorts & a button-down collared shirt. For you non-runners, that is not good running attire. Finally after mile 18 I passed him.

Then at mile 19 I had to make yet another porta-potty break. At the same time another girl was stopping there. She had been walking. When I came out she said she needed a running buddy so I thought I'd help. We walked & talked for a bit & then got on our way again.

Jeremy saw us at mile 20 & again at 21. That was the last he could see us due to road closures. So my buddy & I were on our own.

By now I had some tightness in my left hamstring. I was able to run but it was hurting to do so. So at each mile marker we got water, gatorade, & stretched. And then walked for a bit. It was really starting to take a long time. So after mile 23 we agreed to try to keep going till the end but if one felt the need to walk it was ok for the other to keep going. Close to mile 24 my buddy started walking so I kept going. After the turn at mile 24 I couldn't see her anymore but I knew she had started running again.

Mile 25 was exciting because I knew it was just one measly mile to go. I walked for a couple minutes during it & started back up. Then I made a left turn where a race worker was & there was the finish line. I couldn't believe it! That was pretty much where the .2 came in. It felt so long. I was trying so hard to not lose it emotionally & just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I could see my little crowd of cheerers. Even better was when I could see Jeremy holding Shaylin & waving her arm in the air.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 5:55:39. That's about 25 minutes longer than I had expected. But for my first race it's not terrible.

Once I got my medal & walked to Jeremy I lost it. I felt ok to hold Shaylin & I just held her & cried. I know she doesn't understand right now but I hope that someday she will be proud of me & that she will even want to become a runner like her momma.

This is it!

Tomorrow is the big day. The day I've got 16+ weeks of hard work towards.

I should still be asleep but I woke up at 6:30 & couldn't go back to sleep. Our plan though is to let Shaylin sleep till she wakes up (which, listening to the baby monitor, sounds like it could be sooner than we planned). Then she'll eat breakfast while Jeremy loads the car & then we'll go. That's the plan though. But anyone with a baby knows plans get changed. So we'll see.

The marathon is in west Texas so we've got about a 5 hour drive ahead of us. Ideally one wouldn't do a drive the day before a marathon but it's not that long compared to past roadtrips we've taken.

Am I nervous? A little.

Am I excited? Very!

My ipod is loaded up with just barely under 5 hours of music. That should get me just about to the finish line. Music really helps me get going so I'm looking forward to listening to it.

I'll try to post the results as soon as I can. But that will all depend on how I feel when it's over.

Cool T-shirts

I was searching on cafepress.com today for marathon-related t-shirts. Here are some of my favorites:

I'm sure once I reach these mile markers I'll understand this one.

My favorite line is the one about my personal best because running isn't a sport about winning. My only competition is myself.

This just made me laugh. You might have to be a runner to get it.

It's so true!





And this one answers everybody's questions!

Progress

"I would do anything for love" by Meatloaf is on my ipod. At 11 min. & 53 sec. it's the longest song on my ipod.

When I would run to it 2 years ago the song would finish before I would finish a mile.

Now I'm finishing a mile before the song is over.

It's a strange way to measure progress but it works for me.