26.2 COMPLETE!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What a week so far!  I haven't even had time to sit, let alone write a blog about this weeks experience.  However, I have had time for back and forth competitive banter on Facebook with my husband and friends regarding this weekend's 26.2.  I know many have heard me recount the story of Sunday's now famed Rock N' Roll San Antonio Marathon.  If ya don't want to hear me tell the story again...then you may stop here....or fast forward to the bottom.  No hard feelin's :)


Sunday morning came bright and early, and I think this was the first time EVER that I got a good night sleep before ANY race.  5k, 10k, half, full, ultra....I usually am plagued with insomnia.  But, alas, that half bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Riesling I downed allowed for 6.5 solid hours of shut eye.


Side Note:  I would never endorse drinking alcohol in large amounts before a distance run...but ummm...It worked for me?


Woke up rested and stretched out all my muscles.  Did my usual pre-race ritual (I will not go into that here...if you are really that curious...email me...I'll be happy to share).  I ate a mini cinnamon bagel.  I drank a little bit of water.  I can tell you what I did not do...I did NOT put on enough sunscreen.  About 5:10am we headed out of our hotel room, and started the trek towards the AT&T center.  The traffic was insane.  Sooo terrible.  Thousands of people.  Finally parked and hopped on a bus, and made it to the start line at about 6:30am.  Hopped in a port-a potty line.  Good call on doing that early, those por-a-potty lines were insane.  Did anyone else notice the "Occupy San Antonio" group camped out around Corral 20-25???  I was so confused.  I posted on Facebook that I thought they should help Occupy a Water Station...ya know...help was needed.  6:45 came and went, and 7 am started the final stretching.  It was at 7:15 am that I slurped down my very first PowerBar Gel (I use the Tangerine 2x caffeine...AKA Jetfuel).  Kristofor and I got in the middle of Corral 12 at about 7:20, and before we knew it, the race had begun. 


We didn't actually start until around 7:45am, and I can tell you then, I knew the race was going to be interesting.  Why?
1.  There were SO MANY PEOPLE.  And by mile 1, there were already SO MANY walkers.
2.  It was humid.  Like Ridic Humid.
3.  It was hot-ish.  Even early.  It was not cool.


Regardless, Kris and I both started off just as planned, pacing right with the 4 hour 15 minute finish pace group.  About mile 1, we passed the pace group and decided to get ahead and give ourselves a "surplus" for what was to be a long, hot race.  Many times, I had to slow us down, not because I was tired, but because I just knew we had to watch it.  I once looked down and saw we were at about an 8:15min mile.  We tried to stay between 8:45 and 9's.  The miles before the Full and Half Marathon split flew by.  But at about mile 7 or so, my knee really started to hurt.  I didn't want to say it out loud, because then I would be acknowledging it.  But I was in pain.  I kept repeating in my head "you are strong, you are trained, you can do this."  Literally over and over...and then I would turn up my music.  By mile 9, I started to wonder (to myself) if I would be able to finish.  The pain was a lot, and I didn't want to seriously injure myself.  I was still moving quickly; if I slowed down, it actually hurt more.  I started to think, "if I can make it to the 13.1 mark by under 2 hours, I'll be ok.  If I have to drop then, I'll be ok.  At least I finished a strong half."  Then something happened.  At about mile 11, a song came on my iPod, and I don't remember  which one it was (which is strange), BUT something happened inside of me (cheezy I know), and I just started to loosen up.  I think I had been making the pain happen, I think I was still carrying the "I know my knee might hurt" burden.  And at mile 11, I gave it away.  And I sped up some more. 


By mile 13, I had gotten about .10 miles head of the mile markers.  This happened because of all the weaving in and around the traffic of other people.  When you are going from side to side passing people, eventually, you end up running more distance.  I started just counting the actual mileage on my Garmin.  We passed the 13.1 mark at about 1:59.  Kristofor told me that we needed to slow down, we still had a lot of miles to run.  And by that time, the clouds had peeled off, the sun was shining, and the heat index was well above 90 degrees (I'm guessing).  Around mile 15 we stopped briefly for a bathroom break (I didn't go...), and when we started again, I plugged my headphones in and turned it up.  I also sped up.  Usually in races, Kris and I take turns leading (usually he leads...), and I for the next 2 miles, I thought he was right behind me.  When I turned around at mile 17 and he wasn't, I was torn.  Should I slow down?  Do I wait?  How far back is he?  Is he hurt?  A million things went through my head.  I looked back one more time, and I made a decision.  I kept going.


Side note:  Last year, we ran our first marathon, step by step together.  It was a MUCH MUCH smaller race.  And it was our first time. We finished hand in hand.


I can't really tell you what went through my mind in those last 8 or so miles.  I almost feel like I was in a different place.  I remembered reading something about running in hot HOT weather.  The article had said to imagine that you are running in Antarctica.  I didn't imagine that in particular, but I definitely channeled myself into thinking it was cold.  I ran through every single water hose on Sunday.  And there were lots.  I also poured an entire 2 bottles of water down by back and over my head.  I was given a sponge filled with ICE COLD water at mile 22.  I held on to that sponge almost until the very end.  Every time I started feeling sluggish, I popped another PowerBar Gel.  I had one at mile 8, mile 16, mile 20, and mile 23.  I took in almost 600 calories and a whopping 235mg of caffeine during that race.

I looked at my watch at mile 23, and I knew my margin to get to my goal had become slimmer.  Before mile 19, I was pacing quite a bit ahead of where I wanted to be, but post mile 22 (which was surprisingly also Kris' toughest mile as well) I really started to feel the heat.  And I knew that I was sunburned.  And all I wanted to do was get out of the sun.  I kept running, and I was amazed that when I slowed down, my "slow" pace was faster than my "fast" pace last year.  At mile 24, I started to enter back into the downtown area, and I could see the buildings.  More than once, I threw my hands up in the air, and I know I wasn't just thinking shrieks, I was actually SHRIEKING out loud.  I saw an older couple towards the last 1.5 miles and the woman said "come on little one."  I began to cry and yelled "I'M REALLY GOING TO MAKE IT!!!!"  Meaning that I was going to make my time.  As I turned left to head into the Alamodome parking lot, the 4:15 pacer passed me and said "COME ON HURRY."  I looked down at my watch and I was at exactly mile 26.  I crossed the 26.2 mile mark as I entered the tunnel, and I stopped my Garmin....

I took this photo right after I finished.  10:38 was my current pace at the moment I hit 26.2.  From what I can estimate, when I crossed the FINISH, I had run 26.33 ish.  Which is why my "official" time for this race was 4:15:24.  24 measley seconds over my goal.  BUT, I don't count that, because I had run further.  Which is why I am so happy I had this watch (thanks babe) to stop it when I hit the mark.  To me, this is MY time.


Immediately I started getting texts from family and friends who had been following me and Kris' progress.  My first question to our friend Javier was "where's Kris?"  He told me that he was about 15-20 minutes behind me.  I started to worry that he wasn't ok.  I was told to leave the finish area, but when I got the text that he was about to finish, I snuck around to see him cross.  He was overheated from the heat, and just glad to be done.  His first words were "when did you finish?"


Now let me tell ya (and many already know)...it's been quite fun to ride the "I beat my husband in the marathon" train this week.  Simply because, I NEVER beat him at anything.  He finished unofficially in about 4:39.


Side Note:  If you know my husband, you know he is not only an amazing runner and athlete, but he is also brilliant.  He is the guy you always want on your trivia team.  He is more of a grammar cop than I am.  And he is a FAST runner.  I hope we have very smart, well-spoken, athletic children one day :)


So, it's been fun to bask in the glory of my win this week.  In his words "it's not a competition unless you win sometimes" and by golly, this week is my week!  BUT, I'm very proud of him for beating his own Personal Record, and for finishing such a tough race.  I can tell you, when I finished, I passed more super fit "fast looking" male runners.  I finished with a bunch of females.  I think the heat really affected the male population.  This race definitely has made us reconsider ever doing another Fall TEXAS marathon.  The unpredictability of the weather is a gamble for sure.  Which is whyyyyyyyy.....


We are signed up for our next race.  And this time, for the first time (for me), I am doing this race for a cause.  We will be running the Austin LIVESTRONG Marathon on February 19th.  And I will be fundraising for the LIVESTRONG Foundation.  I have pledged to raise $500, although, I hope to raise much more.  Kris joined the LIVESTRONG team this Fall for his triathlon, and I'm excited for us to do this together!  If you'd like to get more information on what the LIVESTRONG Foundation does, you can visit livestrong.org.


And if you'd like make a donation, my donation page is:


http://laf.livestrong.org/goto/lacyhealey


I know that this race will be very special for the both of us, and I know that it will be a much harder course to run.  Austin has a landscape of rolling hills, and I've already looked at the topography...and YIKES!!  I'm also excited that many of my Bod Squad Sisters have decided to run as well!  It will be a fun 3 months training together!  


Which brings me to my final note.  When I started this blog in July, it was intended just to document my "second go round at the 26.2."  It turned out to be about a whole lot more.  I guess I'm kind of at a crossroads with it.  I enjoy writing it, but I want to make sure that people enjoy reading it.  SOOOOOOO....should I continue?  Does anyone wanna hear about all this crazy stuff anymore?  Is there anything that I can add in or do better at to make it more informative in general?  Give me your feedback!  You can message me here, on Facebook, or at lacysheahealey@gmail.com.  Either way, I hope that you've enjoyed taking this journey with me!  It's been a wild few months of Ultra Running, Possum Hunting, and other nonsense adventures.  As always, I wish everyone the best of luck in their upcoming races.  And I'm so proud of those you that just finished this one and decided to take the leap and try it again!  That takes courage!  Congratulations again to all this weekends finishers!!! See ya on the street!


Thanks for cheering me on,


Lacy

Twas the night before the marathon...

And all through SA, runners were winding down
Ready to hit the hay.
Clothes were laid out by their doorsteps with care
with hopes of Boston qualifying times dancing in the air....

That's all I got :)

In less than 11 hours, the gun will go off, and over 40,000 participants of all ages, shapes, nationalities, and backgrounds will all come together to run the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon/Half Marathon.  As said by a runner in the documentary "Spirit of the Marathon,"  39,980-ish of them will be running in the footsteps of the Elite runners that will take off first; they will finish well before most of us will hit the half way mark.  What an exciting day!

At today's expo, Kristofor and I stood and watched Meb Keflezighi speak.  He won the NYC Marathon in 2009, and was a 2004 Marathon silver medalist in the Olympic Games in Athens.  What an inspiring guy to watch.  He was born in war torn Eritrea and came to the US when he was 12.  His attitude is infectious.  Even just watching him speak for a few minutes gave me the goosebumps.  He had some very insightful words into the pressures of running a race, regardless of the fact that NONE of us regulars will win.

When we take on these races, like a half marathon or the full, we inevitably talk it up to everyone we know.  As the race gets closer, especially if it's your first time, you tell everyone you meet about it, you live, eat, and breathe for the moment you take the first steps.  In doing that, we all create some sort of expectation for ourselves, and that expectation is mirrored by our peers.  Every single person that starts tomorrow, expects to finish.  All of our families, friends, and co-workers expect for us to come back to work Monday (or Tuesday...) and tell the tale of how they crossed the finish line.  This is the expectation.  This week, today, an hour ago, I worried, myself, that I wouldn't meet that expectation.

I say this with complete and total candor.  I today, and this week, had doubts.

My right knee, since Wednesday, has been very sore, and somewhat swollen.  I don't know why, don't know what I did to re-aggravate it (I haven't run since last Sunday...), but never the less, it has felt shaky and unstable.  I've been icing, and icy hotting, and stretching, and wearing NO heels (I wore tennis shoes to work yesterday....), taking anti-inflammatories, the whole bit.  And nothing made it better.  Yesterday, it actually felt worse.  I remember the Dr. telling me this summer when I had my MRI, "Lacy, it's chronic, it will flare up from time to time, nothing is torn, it's just going to happen, don't let it get in your head."  It got in my head.  I've spent all day trying to get it out of my head.  And I think about half an hour, I got it out.  I gave it away.  How????  This is going to sound so stupid....

I taped it.  With KT tape.  After watching the YouTube video on "how-to" umpteen thousand times to make sure I got it right.  And this tape made me feel so much better.  Thank you THANK YOU
Thank YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU  Irma Cariaga-Moya
for telling me what to do.  And calming my heart.  And letting me know it would be ok.  Thank you for my hug.  You literally probably saved my race (I tear up just thinking about it).  You are an angel!

So now I have bright yellow tape on my leg.  To match my bright yellow head band that I'll be wearing. So stylish.

Meb also said today, the race preparation is 90% physical, 10% mental.  Tomorrow is 90% mental, 10% physical.  So true.  I will chant that in my head.  ALLLLLLLL MENTALLLLLLLLLLL!!!  So for now, I'm going to drink the rest of my glass of wine, and get some shut-eye.  4am is going to come very early!

Good luck to all runners, but especially to my friends running the half for the very first time.  I am so so so proud of each of you.  Today, when I needed a little inspiration and pick-me up, I thought of you guys, and how far you've come, and how you have triumphed over pains and insecurities as well.  And here you all are, ready to get it done tomorrow!  We are all winners tomorrow, because we have all put in the time and effort that most would never be able to devote.  Relax, enjoy it, take it all in, do your best, and make yourselves proud. Because you ALL should be so proud for making it here!  Sweet dreams everyone!  See ya downtown...CORRAL 12!!!!

Thanks for cheering me on,

Lacy

An Ode to the Carbo Load

Just days away from Marathon numero dos!  I'm so stinkin' excited now, I can hardly sleep (literally, I had to take a melatonin last night)!  I can't wait to get in the car and head 4 hours north to the BIG city (I miss the days when I LIVED in the BIG city).  In the meantime, I've spent some major time reflecting on how far I've come since I started this second journey the week of July 10th.  Since then, it's been full speed ahead!  I told a friend today, I don't know if I can stop training when this is over, I'd get bored.  I have hours upon hours of backed up DVR episodes that need catching up on.  However, when I think about sitting down in the evening instead of running, I get bored.  Training 5-6 days a week usually for 2+ hours a day has become normal.  I am used to eating dinner at 9pm now!  Speaking of eating...

And I have read and re-read my blog posts from the past months...

And I am fully aware that in these blog posts I love to talk about food...

So what's one more blog about food?  Here's my Ode to the Carbo Load :)

OHHHHHHH carbohydrates you make me smile.
You sit in my tummy for a while.
And give me energy to make me go
for hours and hours so I don't slooooooooooowwww
down.

Macaroni and Cheese and Baked Potatoes
Cheeze Ravioli and Pasta with Tomoatoooooooooo
sauce.
You make my heart sing a happy song
and make it possible for me to run very loooooonnnnggg
distances.

So from now until Sunday I'll be happy to eat
90% of my diet full of whole wheat
I'll be keeping it clean
So Renea won't be too mean  (Love you Renea :))
And I won't have to worry about hitting the wall
because my body is going to be full of allllllllllllllll
that glycogen.

The End.

But no seriously.  I started eating today.  And I'm not eating crap, but just as my ditty states, I'm getting most of my good ol' calories from lovely carbohydrates.  Why might you ask?  I read this article in my November 2011 Runner's World....

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-301--14076-0,00.html

It's appropriately titled "Fill 'Er Up", and it gives lots of good information on how the pre-race carbo load affects your body, and what it actually does for the runner.  It also goes into the reason why you start carbo loading earlier than just the day before the race.  And in case no one wants to read the article, here's the gist.

Since this week, all of us Rock and Roller's are tapering and not really running very much (at least that's what is supposed to happen....).  We are in the resting/tapering stage.  Resting our muscles so they are fresh and ready for Sunday.  We've put the work in, we've ran our miles, and now we just prepare.  And the biggest preparation, is food.  Since we aren't actively burning all the calories we eat with our long runs, we can start storing Glycogen....

GLYCOGEN:  The fuel for our muscles, its the body's simplest source for getting energy.  When you run out of glycogen during a LOOOONNNGGG run, this is usually what is referred to as "hitting the wall."  Where you feel like you can't move your legs anymore and usually feel like you have to stop (a la me at mile 39 during my Ultra Marathon). 

We can start storing Glycogen early, since we won't be actively burning it off every day as we normally do.  As this article states, this doesn't mean that we are necessarily taking in more calories than we normally do, but simply, we are getting most of our calories (85-95%) from carbs.  And oh the glorious day!  Because most people love them some carbs.  This article gives you a good idea of "good carbs" to fill up on.  For you full marathoners, starting the carbo load a little early (I'm actually going to start officially with dinner tonight...) may help keep your energy level up for the entire 26.2! 

For the half marathoners, this isn't as huge of a deal, but still, from personal experience, I ran much stronger last year at RNR SA after carbing up for 2 days than I had at my previous half.  My time showed it (I shaved over 15 minutes off).

So do yourself a favor, read that article (google Fill 'Er Up, Runner's World if the link doesn't work), and see if that may work for you.  As I always say, it may not work for everyone, but I know that doing it this way works for me, so it might help you too!

I did get a couple comments from readers about "Running Faux Pas" last week.  And I wanted to share it with you (both people had the same comment...).  Seems another faux pas I left out, and it's an important one, is this:  If you are running this weekend, and your shoe comes untied, or you need to stop to get water, or you need to stop in general.  Head to the side of the street to do so, out of the track of other runners.  For those that have been in a collision in the middle of a race, it can cause major injury.  When you have hundreds sometimes thousands running on the same path, sometimes at a higher speed, if one person stops, it can cause a domino effect.  So be kind to those running around you, and step to the side if you have to stop!  Thank you to my readers that brought this to my attention!  I'm so happy to have your input!

In closing, I wanted to say a BIG thank you and good luck to all my friends that are running this weekend!  Each of you has helped push me and inspire me with your own journey's and efforts.  Everyone who has trained should be congratulated.  You are doing something that most people would never attempt.  So pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  You've earned that medal and finisher's shirt (still don't wear it to the race....).  Relax and enjoy the next few days, relax and enjoy the expo, and the chaos of the starting line, and really ENJOY the exuberance of the finish.  Because...YOU earned it!  What a great self affirmation to earn your goal...one mile at a time! 

And to paraphrase one of my favorite shows of all time (Friday Night Lights)...

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

Runner Faux Pas

Greetings from CHILLY South Texas!  It's been quite a blustery day here in the RGV.  Quite a departure from the 90 degree day in day out weather of the past several weeks.  Even if it's only set to last for one day, it was a nice change to do my evening run tonight in long sleeves with a headband over my ears.  Dontcha worry though, by Sunday, we are back to 90 degrees and sunny.

We are officially 10 days out from the marathon, and I can feel myself going into my pre-marathon obsessive fest.  What does this mean exactly?  Well, I've read all the emails being sent to me daily by the Rock and Roll people.  I talk about the marathon a gazillion times per day.  I think about the marathon a gajillion times per day.  Every time I think about the marathon, I think about eating.  I then think about how much I want a Garmin watch before I run next Sunday (hint hint hint HUSBAND...early birthday/Christmas present).  Then I start to worry about how many Gu's I should eat, if I should drink the Cytomax or not drink the Cytomax.

CYTOMAX:  Just so everyone knows beforehand (and this is good info...at least I think it is), they don't serve Gatorade during the RNR San Antonio.  That sports drink is NOT Gatorade.  They have water and Cytomax.  Cytomax to me is VERY sugary, and makes me dry in the mouth and makes my stomach unhappy.  I have heard many that feel this way as well.  BUT I've also heard people that love it.  Either way.  Just so everyone knows (if you haven't run this race before), the sports drink on the course next week will NOT be Gatorade....

Mostly right now, I'm just having the same train of thoughts over and over and over.  And I wonder if that is ever going to change.  Even when I'm like 50 and have run 30+marathons, will I still obsess?  Probably, because I'm neurotic like that.  Anywho, just like before the Ultra, mostly, all I can think about is food.  But it's too early to start carbo-loading (I think...).  Next week, is food week!

So let me get to my main point of this post, runner faux pas.  I want to bestow upon my blog readers some knowledge that I learned even before I ever ran my first race.  Knowledge that was given to me by my husband, and I'm sure the knowledge was given to him.  Go ahead and google the 3 words in the title of this blog, and see what comes up.  YUP!  Several articles about the same thing.  The BIGGEST runner faux pas of them all....

WEARING THE GEAR BEFORE THE RACE

Countless bloggers have covered this subject.  It's been in Runner's World TWICE in the past year.  It is single handedly the easiest way to pick out a race rookie.  Wearing your finisher's t-shirt, to the race, before you've finished.  Next Saturday, all Rock and Rollers will show up to the Alamo Dome and be given a BIG clear plastic bag full of goodies and coupons and race stuff.  A SCHWAG BAG if you will.  Also, you will receive a nifty, spiffy, technical finisher's shirt in the size of your choice.  Do us all a favor, put that shirt in your schwag bag and don't take it out until after the race.  It may look cool.  It may look super neat.  It may be cooler and neater than what you had picked out to wear the next day.  BUT JUST DON'T DO IT.  When a poll was taken in Runner's World a few months ago (I forget what month).  Surprisingly, this faux pas was listed as the BIGGEST by a whopping 87% of responders. 

Think of it this way.  We all know that we aren't going to win the Rock and Roll Marathon or Half Marathon next week.  The winners will be the Elite Runners that finish in crazy ridiculous Olympic fast times.  So in essence, for all of us, winning, means finishing.  And for finishing we get that shirt and a medal.  At any other sporting event, you wouldn't get your trophy before you compete.  Nobody ever gets their medal before they win the race.  No runner should ever wear their finisher's shirt to a race they haven't finished yet.  And this doesn't come from me, I sure didn't make it up!  Evidently, it comes from the running community as a whole.  Who knew that so many would get hot and bothered over such a thing?  But, alas, save yourself some dirty looks and giggles, and wear it post finish.

 Now, wearing a shirt that you received at another race you finished, that is perfectly fine, encouraged even.  Wearing the 2008 Rock and Roll finisher's shirt to the 2011 Rock and Roll Marathon makes you look experienced, professional even.  It shows "this isn't your first rodeo."  So resist the urge to put on your shirt before the race, and instead, save it as your outfit for the next race to show you've got chops!

The second most common faux pas I hear is this:  Calling something other than a Marathon, a Marathon.  And to many, this may seem trivial, or silly.  But if you have ever trained 5-6 days per week, running over 30 miles a week on the regular, calling anything but the full 26.2 miles a marathon can be disheartening.  If I had a nickel every time I heard someone say this, "My __________ is training for a 5k Marathon", I'd be rich.  Never would I ever think that anyone ever intends to make this mistake, there's usually just a lack of knowledge. Still, I've read several articles about this subject as well.  Anyone that has put in the hours and the work to train for the full marathon could empathize.  So I guess that one comes in at number 2.

And really, with all the reading I've done on the subject, that's about all I could find besides some nit-picky stuff.  Either way, I hope those 2 tidbits proved helpful!  If anyone has any other good "faux pas" that I've missed, please feel free to post them as a comment!  I'd love to hear em'!  I tried to do my best research on this one, but I know there are a lot that are more experienced than I.

In closing, I would like to share with everyone, the reason why I had trouble driving today.  I wanted to share with the world, the reason why my hair did not look good.  The reason why I grimaced while brushing my teeth this morning.  The reason why it was difficult to get dressed today....

The BURN MACHINE.

Renea made me use this devil contraption yesterday.  And I know, I know, I know...she said it was the ENTIRE upper body workout that has made me so sore.  However, this little diddy is an easy scapegoat, because it's new, and I am terrible at it.  Maybe someone can video me trying to use it, because my facial expressions are not pleasant.  I offered a reward to the first person that would steal it, and bring it to me.  I stand by that statement.  So Renea (and George), you may want to take that thing home before ya go and give me keys to your studio.  :)...just saying.

Happy running to everyone as you head into the final weekend before the BIG weekend!  Taper, relax, and get ready to roll!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

A Toast to the Second Annual Pre-Marathon Sickness

Happy Halloween to all my friends!  This week has been both spooky and ghastly as we've rounded past the 2 weeks until the Rock and Roll San Antonio Marathon!  I know as myself and all my friends get closer and closer to heading to the starting line, we are all excited, nervous, and anxious. Whether it's your first time or your 50th, it's always fun to get to a big race.

In my last blog (I posted on Thursday...wrote it on Monday-ish), I was questioning my decision to NOT run a 20 miler this weekend.  And I so appreciate all of the affirmations from friends and family assuring me that I am more than ready to run the 26.2 in two weeks, 20 miler or not.  But as this week played out, I was reminded, very aggressively, that I am NOT in charge of what I can or cannot do.  Someone BIGGER is in charge, and let me tell ya...I definitely did NOT run a 20 miler today...or a 15 miler...or a 10 miler...or a 5 miler...a 5k yes.

Why?

I got the stomach bug.  I hear it's been going around, and if you've had it, I send you my deepest condolences because the devil himself created that ghastly microbe.  About 2 hours after I posted Thursday's blog, I was sitting on my couch, watching the Rangers, minding my own business, feeling fine.  Tired but fine.  I had exactly 2, TWO adult beverages.  About midnight, I went to bed disgruntled about the game 6 loss.  About 2 hours after that, I woke up with a stuffy nose and head.  I'm not sure if I knew then inside that I was about to go through hell, but I had the where-with-all at 2 am to Facebook Message my trainer Renea, telling her that I wasn't feeling well, and I wouldn't be making it to our morning session.  I went back to bed.  30 minutes later, I woke up, heart racing, head pounding, cold sweats.  And so it began.

At first I thought to myself, I did NOT have near enough alcohol to be getting sick from THAT.  What the eff.  I am never drinking my favorite Tito's and Strawberry water again.  Grrrr.  I was convinced that I must've over poured or something.  Into hour number 3...it became very clear that this was not alcohol related.  So I woke up my husband.  Who was very confused.  And tired.  And of course he started googling all of my symptoms and I was dying and or stricken by some terrible virus that would surely last 3-4 days.  Great.

So about 6 am, I can tell you, honestly, that I asked Jesus to take me.  Out loud.  YUP.  I was done.  I thought back about all the things in my life, and this was so horrible, I literally told Jesus it would be okay for him to take me now.  Dramatic I know.  If you know me, you're aware that this is right on par with my normal reactions.  Thankfully, He didn't believe me (He knows I'm dramatic), so I'm still here!  Still, until about 10am Friday, I have never been more miserable.  I can't remember a time in my entire adult life that I've been that ill.  I went to the Dr. at 3pm with my loving Mommy, and after getting pricked and prodded, it was determined that I...
A.  Did not have strep (another win...)
B.  Was not going to die
C.  Had a microbial infection

Pheeewwwff.  I went home with antibiotics and strict eating instructions.  Friday evening, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.  I was so sore and so tired, I went to bed at 8:45pm and didn't even stay up to watch the Rangers lose the World Series (thankfully). I slept until 2:30pm Saturday...straight.  And then last night, I went to bed at 11pm and slept until 130pm today.  And I could go to bed right now.  It just took it all out of me.  I can tell you exactly what I've eaten in the past 72 hours (I won't bore you...), but it hasn't been a lot.  I've drank more gatorade and emergen-c than ever before.  Hopefully by tomorrow, I'll be brand new.  If this is my pre-marathon sickness, I guess I'll take it.  Because it's short lived.  And running last year with a sinus infection and double ear infections was no fun.  So Thank You Jesus for deciding that this would happen.  I didn't run 20 miles.  Got your message, LOUD AND CLEAR.

In other news.  Kristofor, myself, and many of our friends ran a Trick or Treat 5k Fun Run tonight to benefit the Humane Society!  It was so much fun, and a big BIG thanks to Footworks (our local running store) for putting on such a fun event.  It was great to see so many, young and old, out there in their costumes running and being active.  Footworks is a relatively new store here in town, and in a few short months, they have done so much as far as organizing and putting together events to get people active and running.  We couldn't have asked for better!

Kristofor and I did dress up...we picked costumes a little last minute...but....

We were Forrest Gump and an 80's aerobic instructor!

So much fun, and I can vouch that while running, more than once, people yelled "RUN FORREST RUN" which was awesome!

So as we head into the week before the week of the marathon/half-marathon, I hope that everyone stays strong and healthy.  And TAPER TAPER TAPER.  By now, the hard work has been done, as my friend Javier says "the hay is in the barn," it's better to be undertrained than overtrained...etc, etc, etc.

OHH...and watch for some upcoming news on The Bod Squad Running Team that we are putting together.  I'm very excited as me and my good friend Irma get everything together to have sign ups in a few weeks.  I'm anxious and happy to see what we can do!  Everyone have a great week...and again TAPER!!!

Thanks for cheering me on,

Lacy

To Taper Now...or Later...

19 days away from Rock and Roll San Antonio!  My oh my has the time flown by since I started this second-go-round journey back in July.  I feel like just yesterday I finished my first 8-miler of the year in pain and exhausted...I feel like I've come so far! 

Looking back on last year (my first-go-round), and all the training I did, this time couldn't be more different.  And a GOOD different.  I am no longer held back by the ball n' chain that is my treadmill.  In the past 9 or so weeks...95% of my runs have been on the road.  I haven't run more than 3 miles on the thing since August.  What a feat that is for me!  Overall, I just feel more ready.  Not necessarily more ready because I'm faster (I think I may be a litte bit...but not much), not necessarily more ready because I've done more miles, but totally, because I'm more mentally prepared this time.  I think that has a lot to do with not being a marathon virgin anymore and also because, I surpassed the marathon distance 2 months ahead of schedule when I decided to run an Ultra Marathon in September.  Which brings me to my biggest struggle right now....this moment...

To run the 20 miler, or to not run the 20 miler. 

Ugh, and I just can't decide.  About a week ago, I ran what I felt like was a very strong 18 miles.  I finished, even after all my possum adventures, and still felt like I had A LOT in the tank.  Had it not been for the adventure of that run, I probably would have kept going.  And this "season", I've run more long runs in the 10-15 mile range than I ever thought about last year.  My 10 miler on Thursday was by far my fastest, and I wasn't even meaning to go fast.  I've been clocking 2 double digit miler days a week for a little while now. 
Soooo why am I obsessing about whether or not to do a 20 miler this weekend??

Almost all marathon training plans include the mammoth 20 mile run.  Literally, almost all of them.  When I didn't get the distance in this weekend (I was out of town...as I have been 6 out of the past 8 weeks...its really a wonder I've been able to train at all!), I really started to doubt the distance's merit.  I mean come on, is the difference between 18 miles and 20 miles really going to make a difference?  Is that 2 miles THAT critical?  Can't I just let myself rest?  Can't I just do a 15 miler?  Can't I be forgiven for not running 20 miles this weekend and attending the most fun surprise wedding of the century...and having one too many adult beverages?  Can't I just pretend like I did it?  Can't I just wait and see how I feel on Sunday? 

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAA.  I googled it, and turns out there are a lot of people that say the 20 miler is simply, a MENTAL distance.  For many, knowing that they finish that training run, and only have a 10k left is critical in preparing their MENTAL state.  Also, many training plans now go by the wisdom that an 18 miler is more than sufficient, especially if you have been doing more than your fair share of 10-15 mile distances as well.  After perusing over 9 articles on the subject (from legitimate places...), my mind is more at ease. Mentally, I know I can do more than 20 miles (and yes, I'm saying that like it's an affirmation...).  Mentally, I've already surpassed that when I did almost double that a few weeks ago.  Mentally, I feel ready.  And I know I'm physically ready.  And that is what matters to me. 

Now, I'll say it.  I DON'T recommend this for everybody.  Every person and their training is different.  Every person has a different journey and a different mental can and can't do threshhold.  So for many, doing that last long distance is a make-it or break-it.  I fully understand that.  In this case, where I'm at right now, I'm ready to start backing down the mileage to give myself ample time to recover from all the running I have done, so my legs are fresh November 13. 

So here's to breaking the rules, even if they are my own rules!  And here's to probably my most boring blog I've ever written!  So to break up the monotony...here are a few pictures of some marathon runners in some wacky outfits!
                 

               Now this would take ENDURANCE!  WOW!

                                 Stewy runs the 26.2!

                       Took me a second to figure it out.....

                                                

                      ANNNNNDDDD my favorite!!!!! :)

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

Things that go bump in the night

We have officially passed the "one month 'til the marathon" mark, and my loooonnnnnggg mileage is in full swing!  Last week, I ran over 35 miles, and my torn and tattered and un-pedicured feet looked the part (which is why I had to make a trip to get that fixed...).  Overall, my knees are starting to feel better, and although my times haven't been quite what I wanted them to be , I keep having to remind myself that whatever happens in this race will happen. 

Sooooo this weekend, I was set and ready to do my 18 miler, and I was determined to get it done Sunday morning.  And that didn't happen.  I don't know if Jesus knows that I'm not a morning person, and therefore keeps putting these obstacles in my way, but for the past 3 tries on an early morning workout, I have failed MISERABLY.  I always have a good excuse; this time it was due to restless dogs and too many work calls to count for my husband in the wee hours.  But seriously, the wake up early Gods are not on my side.  I always lay my clothes out the night before, go to bed early, make sure all is ready, and then BAM, something happens and it never is.  Should I stop trying?  Should I just give in to always being a worker outer at nighter?  What the heck am I gonna do when I have kids (don't get any ideas Mom...)?  Is my non-morning-ness wearing on my husband too?  Geez louise, I just want to run when it isn't freaking 88 degrees outside at start time.  But alas, that never is to be.  So I didn't run my 18 miles Sunday morning at 6:15 AM...I started running them at 6:15 PM.

Headed out to the country club about 15 minutes behind schedule.  I worked all weekend, and my Sunday afternoon appointment ended a little bit late, so I hustled out as fast as I could.  The loop I run is 3 miles around, Garmin/water/gatorade/GU in hand, I hopped out of the car and met my friend Liz who had graciously decided to run the 1st of 6 loops with me.  We took off...FAST...

***Side Note:  Elizabeth Cowan Phillips, you my dear, are a speed demon.  Seriously.  Stop making me look bad.  I can only imagine that I will never again beat you at a 10k distance ever.  Seriously.  You are crazy fast running woman in maroon Aggie shorts.  Thank you for PUSHING me on my first 3...I needed that.  Because I hadn't pushed myself to go faster for any length over a mile in a while. Muchos Gracias.  My marathon time will thank you :)

The first 3 whizzed by.  Then, like clockwork, around the bend comes Mr. and Mrs. Bod Squad themselves, Renea and George!  So I said goodbye to Liz who went off to do more speedwork, and joined my friends for the next 1.5 loops.  It was so nice to be able to finish the first part of my run with friends and people to talk to.  It makes it go by so much faster (literally)!  Renea and George were finishing their first double digiter, and I was proud to watch them pass their goal!  As I sent them back at the half way point on loop 3 for me...I was suddenly...all alone.  It had just gotten dark-ish, and even though the club is well lit and there's always a cop patroling round and round and round and round, I felt...bored.  And kinda sad.  And then it got interesting....

There I was, 8pm sunday night, minding my own little business, running my 9-11 minute miles (without headphones I might add), staying on the curb, and the creatures started to stir.  And not just any creature.  This creature....

POSSUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

**OPOSSUM (as per Lacy):  The nastiest creature on the planet (next to snakes...).  Not even the babies are cute (and I think all baby animals are cute).  They smell, their tails are long and skinny, they have wicked crazy teeth, and they carry diseases.  And they like to torment my dogs.  This time of year they are EVERYWHERE.  I loathe them.  Why oh why oh why did Noah have to let such beasts on that ark?  Why oh why oh why couldn't he have put a couple more sets of more pleasant animals in their place?  Don't we need more butterflies or something?  Seriously, These things are NAAAASSSTTTTYYYY...and they elicit screams from me every single time I see one.  Did I mention they hiss?  Yuck, gross, booo. 

So my first encounter occured on the last part of mile 11.  As I rounded the corner, there in the yard was one of these making it's way right toward me.  If there had been a car, I would have been run over.  I literally sidestepped into the road making a noise that I cannot replicate.  It beelined in the other direction when it saw me.  My heart did not jump back into my chest until close to mile 12 when I made it back to my car and told my husband that I had 6 more miles to go.  When I started loop 5, I heard another bush rustling and saw the scraggly tail of yet another beast.  Not a happy Lacy.  I sped up...and said to myself "just go a liiiittttlllle faster, and it will all be over soon." 

As I rounded the stretch toward the end of mile 14, I was now not only scared of critters, but also aware that besides the little old ladies walking their dogs, and the one or two cyclists, I was the only runner still out.  I started the 15th mile, the final loop, and got to about mile 16.  I was running right by the curb, and as I approached a darkened spot between the light posts, I heard a noise.  Literally, one foot length away, right in the line of my next step was a baby possum.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!  Another yelp that I can not recreate...and I turned around and went back.  NO MAMES.  NO MOREEEEEEEEE.  I hopped in my car having finished only 16.25.

Frightened and relieved, I sped away in the comfort of my SUV.  When I arrived home, I walked in, didn't even say a word, and marched straight upstairs to jog the last 1.75 miles.  Because I'm psycho like that.  I couldn't just leave that last 1.75 to not be done.  Then the possums would have won, and those nasty creatures won't get the best of me, no, no, NO.  So 18 miles done.  Shower, pizza, bath, bed.  All in a day's work.

I'm about convinced that if anything, I'm enjoying my training lately simply for the adventure of it.  Never seems to be a dull moment.  Ever.  I always have some crazy story afterwards.  But that's what is keeping it interesting.  Goodness knows, I don't ever want to be bored.

Thanks again to all my friends who ran a loop or two with me!  This week, I have to knock out a 10 miler AND the infamous 20 miler (not sure when I'm going to do that yet....).  Rock and Roll SA is creeping up on us!  Good luck to everyone training and tapering this week before the big race!  May your runs be strong, and the varmits be friendly :)

Thanks for cheering me on,

Lacy

Don't call me an expert...

Kicked off my week with my longest run post Ultra-Marathon, and I think I'm finally over the "I'm too tired to run more than 8 miles" hump.  Kris and I (rather begrudgedly) started our 12 miler on Monday around 6 pm.  And from the moment we started, I regretted not getting up that morning and getting it over with.  We both had set our alarms for 6 am (Kris had Columbus Day off...), but the hangover feeling from the Wacker-Odom Wedding Weekend prevailed.  We just didn't get up.  I was unwilling to not run, so I bargained and we started at 6 pm.  

When we got to the club, I started to grab my trusty iPod, and my husband immediately intervened.  "HEY! You can't run with THAT."  Evidently, he wanted to run 12 miles and chat.  I'm all for chatting, but you see, we had "chatted" on the 4 hour ride up and the 4 hour ride back from San Antonio the few days before, as well as "chatted" all day leading up to the run.  What the heck were we going to "chat" about?????  I relented, we chatted.  And I guess it's good that we like each other because it wasn't a quiet run.  Good thing we can always find something to chat about!  So we ran and chatted, and the chatter kept my mind off of the nagging right knee pain that I have.  Seems I have ITBS...

*ITBS (Iliotibial Band Syndrome) as per Wikipedia:  A common injury to the thigh, generally associated with running, cycling, hiking or weight-lifting (especially squats). ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femural epicondyl, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed. ITBS symptoms range from a stinging sensation just above the knee joint (on the outside of the knee or along the entire length of the iliotibial band) to swelling or thickening of the tissue at the point where the band moves over the femur. The pain may not occur immediately during activity, but may intensify over time, especially as the foot strikes the ground. Pain might persist after activity. Pain may also be present below the knee, where the ITB actually attaches to the tibia.

So there's that.  Probably due to overuse during the Ultra Marathon.  But, I'm icing EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, and wrapping, and it's gotten MUCH MUCH MUCH better.  A couple of weeks ago, at 4 miles, it was excruciating, now its just annoying.  Seems to be improving, so I should be all better by Rock and Roll 26.2.  I was told this summer by a Dr. that I'm more predisposed to knee injuries...so, this irritable-ness is not surprising.

Anywho, it is still warm here in the evenings, and there's mosquitoes....I was please when we rounded the Harlingen Country Club loop for the last time.  I've continued to cross train this week, and I plan to run tomorrow and do 16-18 on Sunday.  Even with my little post-Ultra hiatus, I'm still on target as far as my training plan goes (okokokokok...maybe I'm a couple miles off).  

With all this running lately, and all the races that I've done in 2011, it has become apparent to me that I've picked up a lot of of knowledge about running in general.  Never would I ever claim to be an expert or the "do all say all" of the sport, but somehow, over the past 2 years, I've absorbed all sorts of quips and bits of info that I hadn't even realized.  Lately, I've had a lot of friends, coworkers, family, etc, ask me questions about running in general, and to my surprise, I usually have a decent answer.  And I love that.  And it makes me want to learn more, and more and more.  I ravage through my monthly Runner's World and move on to finding articles, training plans, and other resources.  Everyday, I learn something new!  I feel like the knowledge I'm gaining lately is just as important as the actual act of running the miles, because it helps every mile be stronger, mentally and physically.  Had I not been reading, I would have never known there was a name for the nagging knee pain.  So for the next few months, I'm going to be a "running sponge."  I'm going to soak up as much as I can, and I'm so happy to be able to share what I learn.

I'm very honored to say that my wonderful, amazing friend and trainer, Renea, has asked myself and our friend Irma, to help her get our Bod Squad Team running.  This makes me very very excited, and I'm anxious for the different things we are planning!  I couldn't be happier to be a representative of a great group of ladies who work so hard, and find new ladies that are interested too.  I can't wait to get everyone "up and running!"  And I just want to thank Renea, from the bottom of my heart, for making it possible.  You are helping stir something in me that I didn't even know was there to stir, and I'm excited to see where we can go!  You can look up her business page on Facebook, "The Bod Squad Training by Renea Perez."  I'll be putting little quips and quotes up there as well very soon!

Just about a month to go until Rock and Roll!  I'll try to keep this as updated as I can as we gear up for the big day!  Best of luck to all of my friends who are in the home stretch training for their first half marathons and marathons, I'm SOSOSOSOSO proud of all of you!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

If Multi Sport Racing Were Any Easier, They'd Have to Call it Football

Welp, I tackled my first "multi-sport" race this AM, and lemme tell ya, that was a doozie. Riding a bike just ain't the same as when you were little.  This was much more treacherous.  And painful.  And frustrating. But fun??!

I guess I could have already categorized myself as a "multi-sport" athlete (I <3 saying that I'm an "athlete").  This past Spring, on the coercing of my husband, I took up swimming.  And I took to it swimmingly!  I really enjoyed getting in the water and the relaxing workout that it provided.  Since then, all I've heard is "now you just have to get a bike."  I hear this about ummm...3-5x per month.  We have had the  "you need to get a bike convo" a lot.  And believe me, I've thought about it.  I even went so far as to go to a bike store in Austin and get fitted for a bike.  I chickened out.  An entry level road bike in my size (43 Petite...) with gear is about 10 Benjamins.  Nope.  I can think of multiple things I would like to purchase with that much moolah.  A bike...mmmm...not so much.  So I haven't jumped into this whole Duathlon (run + bike) or Triathlon thing.

Now, today, there was a local Duathlon taking place, and for the past few weeks, I've been looking for a partner to happily do the bike portion for me.  I wanted a teammate.  But a teammate was not to be found.  So this week, my good friend Javier Vazquez (who always comes to the rescue), offered to lend me his wife's bike.  I was reluctant, even backed out and told him no.  However, Mr. Vazquez does not take "no" lightly.  Especially when I told him that my last real experience on a bike was circa 1994 on my pink and teal huffy.  He simply told me, "come on, now it's not a race, its a quest."  A quest sounded interesting, so I relented.  Yesterday, Kristofor and I went to pick up the bike.  After about half an hour of moving the seat down (we actually had to cut the seat post so I could adequately reach the pedals) and adjusting handlebars, I took off down the street as Javier and Kristofor said "it's like watching a little kid ride on two wheels for the first time."  Great, that's exactly what someone who was about to ride 18 MILES wants to hear.  Alas, we took the bike home, and I took it for a short little spin around the neighborhood last night.

And then of course I had to look stylish on my new borrowed bike (I borrowed a helmet too...).  So my loving husband bought me a very trendy pair of tri shorts and a top for me to wear on this morning's debut race (Did I say that he really wanted me to do this?).  Is it bad that my outfit was my favorite part? Naaaahhhhh....that outfit was totally the best part :)!

This morning, we rode over to the soccer complex.  Kristofor showed me how to "rack" my bike and instructed me to put my helmet on first when I came into the transition area. Got it coach.  Now this race started with a 5k, then you bike 18 miles, then finished up with a 5k.  We lined up for the start, and since running is my thing, I wasn't nervous.  There in the back of my mind though, the thoughts were a turnin' about what would happen after I finished that first 3 mile run.  I have no clue how fast I ran, although, I have a feeling it was pretty quick.  When I came back into the parking lot, there they were.  The bikes.  And that pink trek was waiting for me.

Sooo, I couldn't get my helmet on.  Yeah.  Sounds simple, but I was shaking (nerves...), and I couldn't loosen the chin strap.  I lost at least 4 minutes trying to put my purple helmet on (and it never was quite right).  Naturally, I said my first 3 bad words of the morning, loud enough for one of the helpers to hear and laugh.  Helmet on, I started to walk the bike toward the mount area, and I hopped on and away I went.  About a mile in, I thought, "this isn't so bad...this breeze is kinda nice...this could be relaxing."  Then I realized for the first time that I was sharing the road with cars.  I was on the shoulder and cars were buzzing past me on this road at speeds of over 45 mph.  Slightly panicked, I tried not to think about how I could fall off and slide under a car and get smashed like a bug.  But seriously, I was sweating.  Not from heat, but from fear.  And I was all alone.  Seemed no one was biking my speed (med-slow...slow).  Crossing railroad tracks allowed my first all out shriek.  AHHHHH!  If anyone was behind me, they probably peed their pants laughing at me.  Then the road got kind of rough and gravel-ey, and well, things started to hurt.  Bike seats are no comfy sofa.  And that padding in my tri shorts left much to be desired.  OWWWWAAAAA.  More swear words.  I passed Kristofor about mile "I was swearing to NEVER EVER DO THIS AGAIN" and even yelled that to him as he passed me and told me I was almost halfway there.  Halfway.  You're kidding.  AHHHHHHHH!

I made it to the turn around at the half way point, and well, I am not good at turning.  Like, not good.  WIIIIIDDDDEEEE turn around and off I went on the back 9.  I was doing ok, but at mile "I'm about to throw this bike in the ditch and run the last 7 miles," I hit a bowling ball sized pot hole and it messed up the gears.  I was pedaling, and not going anywhere.  MORE bad words and I hopped off and was walking the pink Trek.  Alone, I had no clue how long this would take me.  Another cyclist came up to me, and after jiggling my handlebar a bit, it clicked into a new gear and I could pedal again.  It was tougher, but I didn't dare change it for fear I'd really be in trouble.  When I pulled into the parking lot, my smiling parents and husband were there to cheer me on.  I was just happy to rack the bike and relieved it was over.  PHEEEWWWW!

I started my last 5k run, and although I felt kind of wonky when I started, I acclimated to being back on foot pretty quick.  Without even realizing it, I picked up the pace, A LOT.  Even so much that some friends that had come in from the bike a good 10 minutes before me, only had about 2 minutes on me when we finished.  I made up almost 8 minutes or so on the run.  Not too bad.  I came into the finish with a time of 2:17:21, and I was pleased.  I was hoping for 3 hours, so that was definitely a win for me! I was still saying, "never again" though.  And thennnnn.....

I won a trophy.  And trophies always make me happy, so then I liked my bike a little more.  And it made it all worth it.  Kristofor won a trophy too!  YAHOO!!!  I know the trophy was only possible because I made up so much time on my runs...but I'll take it!

So the moral of the story is, I'm not sure I'm a multi-sport kinda girl.  I may try a Sprint Tri on the Island in a couple of weeks.  Its a shorter bike, and the swim is doable.  We'll see how that goes.  What makes me happiest is, I feel like today, with the foray into doing biking AND running, I can actually call myself an athlete.  And this is unbelievable to me.  A girl who never played a sport, never caught the ball, never made the team, is now at almost 30 years old, an athlete.  I am no longer the little girl that signed up to play soccer because the outfit was cute, and sat on the sidelines.  I am now the girl getting in the mix of things, even if my outfits are still cute.  So what if that was my favorite part!  A HUUUGGGEEE thanks to Javier and Claudia Vazquez for generously allowing me to borrow their bike.  MUCHOS GRACIAS!

This week, more running, and then I'm a goin' out of town because the bestie is getting hitched!  Rock and Roll San Antonio is coming right up!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

The more I stress...the more I run.

Alright, so today sucked.  Like, not just a little, a lot.  It's days like today when I have to pull myself out of my funk and realize that I really don't have it as bad as I think I do, and there are lots of others that have it worse than me.

I mean, I have my health, a job (although...it is what routinely causes all my stress), good friends and family, and countless other blessings.

Still, I allowed myself to wallow in the suck for at least 2 hours.  They were 2 pretty decent hours because I wallowed in my bed while taking a post workday nap.  So that was nice.  But overall, today was not bueno.  At all.

Which brings me to my point...why I run.  Truly, the reason why....

I'm probably one of the most "high strung" people you will ever meet.  Is "high strung" even the right phrase?  Maybe not.  Anywho, I am super high energy, extremely intense (I've been told I can suck the air outta a room...), very motivated, but also a worry wort in the grandest sense of the word.  I am a self proclaimed "half-empty" who would rather be surprised when something turns out than get my hopes up and be crushed.  NOW...this does not mean that I walk around with a storm cloud all the time...but if you catch me on the wrong day....

All that being said, running/exercise equalizes me.  I didn't realize until a couple of years ago when I started exercising that something so simple could help improve my stress level.  Well whatdoyaknow...running helps relieve my stress.  A lot.  Like A LOT A LOT.  And usually, the more I run, the less stressed I am.  Not going to lie, on days like today, when work and life in general looks downright unpleasant, I can run, and just stomp on all the things/people/situations that make me all frazzle-dazzled.  One step at a time, I pound on people's faces (not really...you know what I mean...).  And it helps.  Sometimes, I run and I just go blank.  Either way, when I'm running, I always feel less stressed when done.

The past couple of weeks have been extremely stressful as I'm trying to juggle training, work, best friend's wedding, family visiting, random unexplained expenses popping up, etc.  And since I got back from our Ultra Run in SA 2 weeks ago, I've been a ball of knots.  I haven't run as much as I should have been.  I've tried to recover slowly from that 39 mile jaunt so that my knee and legs are ready to ramp up mileage for the marathon in 7 weeks.  But the lack of running definitely took a toll on my stress level.  Soooo....I'm back on the wagon!

Tonight, Kristofor and I did about 4 miles.  And Saturday, in San Antonio (made the 4 hour commute for the best friend's bachelorette party), I ran the absolute HILLIEST 7 mile trail run ever.  Comanche Lookout Park Trails...ummm...yeah, they mean business.   I almost died like 5 times.  It was tough.  Can I count that as this week's hill run?  WHY YES I CAN.  This week, I have to do another 5 miler, a 10-K at race pace, and a 16 miler.

I'm trying to compete in the Just Du It Duathlon on Sunday October 2nd.  I need either a partner to bike the 18 miles, or a bike to borrow so I can bike the 18 and run the 6 miles.  Let me know if you have a bike for me to borrow oooorrrrr if you wanna be my partner.  No speed demons needed.  I'm going to run my long run on Saturday early...(or Sunday I guess if I can't find a partner...) so I have no intention of being a "contender" in this race.  I just think it would be fun!  Lemme know!

Thanks for cheering me on!
Lacy

Stickers and T-shirts and Medals, OH MY!

It's been a little over a week since I've checked in, and on the running front, there isn't much to report.  Tonight was my first post Ultra Marathon training run.  And lemme tell ya...running 5 miles with hills, even after over a week off...I still felt a little rough around the edges.  My husband said the same thing last night after a 5k.  I think on some level I'm still recuperating.

Side Note: My sleep schedule is definitely still recuperating.  After staying up that entire night, sleeping the whole day, then sleeping in, and jumping right into the work week...I'm downright wore out.  I'm a late to bed, late to rise kind of girl, but lately, I've been in bed epic early.  And out of bed epic late....Not sure what's going on there.  Could I be *gasp* getting older??? Nah...

Anywho, I'm tired, and so are my stinking muscles.  And my knee...Right Knee that is...

As I'm sitting here typing, Mr. Right Knee himself (my knee is a boy...) is getting some preferential ice treatment because he was none too happy about our 5 mile run tonight.  The pain was not excruciating, and since I got an MRI in July and did PT on this SAME knee, I'm familiar with what is going on and what I need to do to fix it.  Lucky me, my pain is chronic.  And basically, the best way to fix it is:
ICE
ICE
Stretching my IT band
Quad strengthening
and....no wearing of heels, flats, flip flops, or any other stylish footwear other than running shoes or grandma orthopaedic shoes (I work in a professional-ish office...so this is a challenge)

It's just a bit frustrating to have the same recurring problem after any long race (Mr. Knee first got pissed at Marathon attempt numero uno).  But alas, the cards I'm dealt.

But on to some more exciting news.......

Let's talk about my new STICKER!!!

I know, I know, I KNOW that 99.999999% of the RGV will not know what "ULTRA" is referring to.  Heck, I've had more people than I can count ask me "what is 26.2?"  So, I'm quite aware that most will think that I am just a devoted Michelob Ultra drinker, or maybe that I'm Ultra cool, I dunno.  But I doubt many will say "oh by golly gee, that is an ULTRA runner."  But that's ok, because IIIIIIIIIII  know what it means.  And that stinking sticker made my day when it came in the mail.  So what, I'm a sucker for a sticker and the t-shirts and the other rad swag  you get when you do a race.  It's the best part!!!!!!  I run for 2 things 1. Tshirts 2. Medals.  And a couple of weeks ago...I got a trophy, so I run for those too.  That's what makes all of this so much fun, I think!

So this week, I'll be pounding out an 8 miler, and a 14 miler. God willing that Mr. Knee cooperates.  I'll also be tearing it up with Renea tomorrow AND Thursday. WAHOOOO!!! And I've heard she has some new things in store for us training wise, so I'm quite stoked!  I have my trusty marathon training schedule printed out and adhered to the fridge.  And from here on out, I'll be following that...religiously. Especially on Sundays for my long runs :)!  I'm just excited to get back on track after my very fun and rewarding detour!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy

A night that I will NEVER FORGET

As of 7:11 am this morning, I completed 39 miles.  My husband completed 41.  It's been an emotional and tiring day full of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing event put on by the Soldier's Angels Foundation.

Yesterday, we arrived in San Antonio after our 4 hour drive, and we decided to go ahead and pick up our packets for the race later that evening.  We walked into "Run On" and when we saw the list of runners, we were shocked to know that there were only 20 of us actually doing the full Ultra Marathon.  Only 20 crazies signed up to run for over 9 hours.  There were over 10 relay teams set to participate (9 person teams).  We walked out with our swag bag wide eyed and even more nervous.  What in the heck had I decided to do?  ONLY 20 PEOPLE...wow, we really must be insane!

Checked into our hotel, and tried to lay down for a nap before the race.  As you can imagine, Saturday's on the River Walk are quite popular.  Trying to sleep in the afternoon turned out to be quite a challenge.  Our neighbors started arguing and going at it about 30 minutes into our nap session.  Then they proceeded to "go at it" in an entirely different way.  Sooooo....we really didn't sleep much.  Got up about 8, got dressed and all Body Glided up...

**Body Glide-the most amazing invention ever for a distance runner.  After running longer distances, inevitably, things start to ummmm...rub together.  This stuff prevents that.  It is heaven in a deoderant looking stick.  A must buy!

Shoes On, Numbers On...out the door we went.  We promptly got lost on our way to Olmos Park.  Made it to the start with less than 30 minutes to spare.  PHEWWWWW...that was close.  There was a band playing and people had set up tents and lawn chairs to watch us.  Everyone seemed to have brought their dog, and the volunteers we had were second to none.  Every time we ran around that loop towards the mile marker, they cheered.  By the 5th hour, they knew us by name.  It was amazing.

When the gun went off and we started, the crazy 20 Ultra Runners all stayed tightly packed together.  Plodding along at a 10 minute mile pace, we all talked about how far we wanted to go, what was the plan, who had done this before.  Wasn't long before we friended an Air Force Chemist named Brent who stuck with us for over 20 miles even though he had never run more than 13 miles prior to the race.

As the night went on, we all separated, and yes, Kristofor and I did exactly what we swore we wouldn't do.  We ran, and didnt walk.  We stopped after every mile for 1-2 minutes to stretch, grab water, grab a granola bar, or use the good ol' port-a-potty (Yuck.  I felt disgusting by the end).  But mostly, we ran.  Quicker at first, then slower, then faster, but we kept running.

I began my typical bargaining tactics.  I promised my knees, 27 miles.  Run 27 miles, then you can walk.  So that is what I did. We crossed the marathon mark about 5 hours and 15 minutes in, and I pounded out another mile.  Then I started walking.  Kristofor kept going and managed to get a mile ahead of me.  I began power walking at about 14-16 minute mile paces.  I continued to do this until Mile 38.  Owwwww.  Holy Jesus, it hurt.  When I was running, my knees were aching and throbbing, with the walking, it was my ankles and feet that provided the pain.  It is also important to note that with all of the wildfires in Central Texas this week, the air quality was not good.  At times it was like running in a BBQ pit.  The smell got stronger as the night wore on, but overall the weather was perfect, chilly even.  We finished the race in 68 degree amazingness.

At mile 38, I decided, with 25 minutes left, that Mile 39 would be my last.  I had finally hit the wall.  And although, I wanted those 40 miles sooooo bad,  I knew my body was done.  The pain had taken over, and I was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other without stumbling.  So at 7:02 am, I shuffled, very slowly across the finish line for the last time.  I stretched as well as I could, and I cried.  9 hours of continuous movement done.

I didn't cry for the pain, I cried for the sheer magnitude of what I had done, and for what it was for.  Watching firemen and police officers, veterans and active duty military do the relay and Ultra carrying boots, wearing fulll gear was so inspiring.  And I was moved by how much we all came together to cheer each other on and finish strong.  Not a mile went by that someone didn't tap me on the should and say "good job girl" or "keep moving keep moving."  We were all cheerleaders last night, complete strangers, united to finish mile after mile.

It reminded me of 10 years ago.  When the simple, kind human spirit was displayed fully by Americans in their heartfelt unity over the tragedy that was 9/11.  Last night, I witnessed the kindness of strangers, the uniting of Americans to fulfull a purpose.  And that experience will forever live with me.  This morning, we took moments of silence for when the 1st and 2nd planes hit, and for the Pentagon and Flight 93 crashes as well.  Emotion was all around, tears, and silence.  As the Color Guard lifted the flag, and our National Anthem played, I have never been a more proud American.  I am so blessed to have been a part of that experience.

When we got back to the hotel, I was not surprised to see that I have been gifted with 4 large blisters and 3 lost toenails.  They hurt, but it was so worth it.  I slept most the day, ate more Mexican food than humanly possible tonight, and now I sit in bed lacquered with BioFreeze (also amazing stuff) watching football.

It has been an amazing experience.  I was proud to have done a little part to honor our country with my miles.  I did have 14 names on my list last night, so thank you again for sending me the names.  I ran 2+ miles for each of them :), the note carefully tucked in my mini fanny pack (so fashionable).  This week, I'll be recouping and getting back on my original track of marathon training for November 13.  It seems so much more doable since last night.  I appreciate all the kind words and notes that have been sent to Kristofor and I over the past couple of days.  When times got tough last night, thinking about them (or actually reading them on my mini-breaks) helped push me through.  So Thank You.

And God Bless America.

Thanks for cheering me on,

Lacy

Relaxed and Ready to go!

Less than 27 hours until race time!

Last night, we made our jersey's that we'll wear tomorrow night!  Here's mine....

The 343 signifies the number of firefighters that perished in the Tower 1 and Tower 2 attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001.

"Let's Roll" is a catchphrase that became known after the attack of 9/11.  Todd Beamer, a passenger on the hijacked Flight 93, used the phrase as his last audible words (with a phone operator) before he and a group of other passenger's began to try to take on the hijackers.  It was then famously used in a speech by President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address.  Since, then, it has been used as a battle cry by many in reference to the events of 9/11.  (Wikipedia.com)

Kristofor also has a nifty jersey with the #72 on it, signifying the number of fallen police officers, and the slogan "In Valor There Is Hope" emblazoned on the back.

I have a few names on my list to carry with me for tomorrow.  I am running with names of those that have fought or are fighting for our country, as well as the names of any lives lost in the 9/11 attacks.  If you'd like me to run a mile for your loved one, in honor or in rememberance, I am happy to do so!  Just email them to me at lacysheahealey@gmail.com, or FB me or leave me a comment here.

Gonna keep it short tonight, I'll check in tomorrow before we head to the race!

Thanks for cheering me on!


Lacy

PS! A BIG thank you to the girls at Desiree's Spa and Massage for getting me all loose and relaxed before tomorrow...My muscles thank you tons!!

72 hours and eating

T-Minus 72 hours until I embark on my first Ultra Marathon experience.  I'm starting to get nervous, butterflies showing up in my tummy. And I'm completely ravenous.  If I had absolutely no self control, I'd be elbows deep in the 2 gallon bucket of cheese balls that are tighly placed away in our pantry.  Instead, I've tried to tether my longing for cheeseballs, cheese cake (which I did have today), cheese pizza (see a pattern here), etc.  Instead I just scarfed a grilled chicken salad but splurged with a small fry (hey...they're carbs...). Anyways, I'm hungry, and I think my internal clock knows that I'm about to put it through it's toughest test thus far.

This past weekend, my husband and I traveled to Austin so that he could compete in his 2nd Olympic Triathlon.  He did so well AND raised over $1100 for The Livestrong Foundation.  It was great seeing him finish strong and also help a teammate that was struggling towards the last leg of the race.  Multi-Sport racing is an entirely different animal from what I can tell, and it seems to be much more testosterone charged (see large muscular men finishing and making loud yells and grunting sounds).  For goodness sakes, my husband got kicked in the face in the first 5 minutes of the swim and has a small shiner.  He had to swim a mile after that...then bike 25...then run 6.  That's insane.  Soooo....Kristofor, I love you and I'm very proud of you!

ALSO this past weekend (before the Austin trip), Kristofor and I ran a 10k....ANNDDDDDDDDD....
I WON A TROPHY!  2nd PLACE!  Please excuse my excitement, I have not won a trophy since 4th grade UIL.  Seriously.  I'm so dang proud of that trophy, you'd think I won the gold medal at the Olympics.  Seriously, I'm stoked.  Who knows if I'll ever win another, but bygod, I won that one, and I'm one happy camper.  :)

So back to Austin...I knew I couldn't just take the long weekend off, so I was "that girl" and ran in the hotel gym.  I was not a fan of their treadmill, mine is much better.  And on Monday morning, I had a nice run from our hotel to the site of the Triathlon finish line.  I counted that as my "hill run" because well...Austin has hills.  And downtown Austin goes up and down up and down.  It was strange to be running at 8 am past all the bars that were packed to the brim a few hours before.  But it was a beautiful morning, and a nice change of scenery.

Overall this week, I will be taking it easy-er than normal in preparation.  Tonight, I ran 3 miles with my beautiful friend, Klaudia-Lou, and it was great to have girl chat while getting in a run.  Tomorrow I train with Renea (WAHOO!), and Friday I'll probably do an hour long stretch session and a light walk.  Going into Saturday, I want my legs fresh, my mind clear, and my spirit ready.  I absolutely cannot wait!

Please let me know if you have someone that you'd like me to run a mile for.  I'm honored and happy to do so.  And thank you everyone for the song suggestions.  You will be happy to know that I downloaded a TON of new tunes and I firmly believe they helped with my big win Saturday.  So Muchas Gracias!

Keep us in your thoughts over the next few days.  I know that I've been trying to reflect on the reason we are doing this event; to remember those that perished and survived that tragic day in American History, and to honor those that have fought and are fighting for our country in it's aftermath.  I'm so pumped to get to that track.  I know it's going to be a life changing experience!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy