AIR FORCE MARATHON: MY FIRST FULL MARATHON

I was awake a few minutes before my 4 a.m. alarm that I had set the night before.  Amazingly, I slept pretty well for it being the night before my first ever full marathon, the Air Force Marathon.  I usually don't sleep well the night before any race, so this was definitely unexpected but appreciated.  I figured I was going to need all of the rest I could possibly get for the next 26.2 miles I was about to endure. 

I jumped out of my hotel bed that surprisingly served me well and immediately commenced consuming my pre-race breakfast that I had removed from the hotel fridge; 2 pancakes, 1 banana slathered in peanut butter & a Powerade Zero, all brought from home.  Just say I have yet to get this pre-race fueling down and was questioning whether I was eating enough or too much.  Can you even eat too much when you're going to run over 26 miles?  

My stunning legs and their KT Tape.  

I got dressed and KT taped my knees and feet. I usually wear a knee brace, but it tends to be cumbersome and I hate wearing it during races. The tape is anything but.   If you've never used this stuff, believe me, it works.  My biggest issue is my right knee because of details I won't bore you with, but I've ran less miles that really hurt my knees while I finished 26.2 miles and my knees feel great as if I've never ran.   

We took some pre-race photos before we left the hotel and discovered how chilly it could be at 6 a.m. in the morning as we packed up the car with our overnight bags.  Thankfully, I had picked up a $2 clearance sweatshirt at the local Walmart the night prior in anticipation of the chilly start of the race.  

Once we arrived at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base, just say a warm up was unnecessary.  We had to park so far away,  I'm almost positive my mileage after walking to the start line and back to the car after the race exceeded 32 miles versus the expected 26.2. It was definitely a brisk walk in 50 degree temps and running shorts. Although perfect for running, I was definitely not ready to walk the guesstimated 2 miles in this nippy air.  

We made our necessary two trips to the infamous race port-a-potties, checked our bags and got in some additional pre-race photos before we headed over to the start line.  When I say "we", I'm referring about my uncle & cousin, also both running the full.  It was a family affair. 

This "guy" flew over right before the
official start! 

My opinion of my marathon training was that is was less than fabulous and was not consistent. Regardless,  I would finish whether it was crawling or being pulled across the finish line by my hair as I had suggested to a fellow runner who had coincidentally mentioned some cave man strategy around mile 14.  Hey, whatever it takes! 

I lined up behind the five hour pace team not because I thought I had any chance of finishing within five hours, but because there wasn't a 5:15 or 5:30 pace team.  I figured they would eventually lose me, but it gave me an idea of what pace not to exceed before they did.  

I was forewarned about the hill early in the race between mile one and two.  I made sure not to out pace myself and to ensure an early bonk.  


       Mile 1 11:10.1       Mile 2 11:22.2

As I settled into my run, I had decided part of my strategy was going to be take water at every station and eat at all opportunities, especially earlier in the race as suggested on my Facebook page by a fellow and more experienced runner, Mark over at Wise Running.  Fueling on my long runs has never been my strong point, so I figured I couldn't do anything worse.  When the volunteers held out bananas, I had a banana.  When a lovely lady was handing out Fig Newtons from a tray, I helped myself to two of them.  I later had more bananas and even a cookie somewhere along the route. I did skip out on the Krispy Kreme glazed donuts.  I was wanting energy and fuel, not a diabetic coma.

                                                     
Mile 3 10:15.3
Mile 4 10:45.2
Mile 5 10:48.2
Mile 6 10:44.1
Mile 7 10:47.1
Mile 8 10:58.8
Mile 9 10:59.0                                       

My  pace stayed pretty consistent as you can tell from my early miles up until about mile nine. After that, my right IT band was started making his presence known in a very painful way.  I guess I should have KT taped him too! My IT band made sure I knew about his unwelcome and painful visit for longer than I had hoped for.   This is well indicated in my slower than desired pace up until about mile eighteen. 

Mile 11 11:04.5
Mile 12 11:26.2
Mile 13 12:00.3 
Mile 14 11:33.5
Mile 15 11:50.9
Mile 16 11:50.6
Mile 17 11:53.7
Mile 18 12:11.6

Right before I was about to come up on the 18 mile marker, I hear quite a bit more conversation from the runners coming up from behind me than I had heard through out the race.  As I hear it get closer and louder, I turn around to find the 5 hour pace group literally on the back of my heels.  Surprised that I hadn't noticed that I passed them, the pace leader makes a comment referencing mile 18 being where many tend to encounter the "wall".   As I hear this, I immediately pull out my GU Chomps.  I'm determined not to be a statistic.

While trying not to choke on my Chomps, the 5 hour pace group continues their party mentality with stories and riddles.  I know this works for some and very possibly gets them through 26.2 miles less painfully, but I'm not very tolerable of a loud noise. I don't even run with headphones or music.  At this point, my only goal is to separate myself considerably from the group while not  out pacing myself.  

Strangely enough, around the same time, my IT issue has seemed to lessen considerably and I feel energized once again. I'm able to put in the distance from the pace group and find myself utilizing a fellow runner to pace myself.  We both admit to pacing each other and keep up the conversation.  He tells me he had registered for a total of 12 marathons this year and had just had a heart attack 90 days ago.  I mentioned the irony of his efforts when he admits to his love affair with french fries and fast food; proof that our health is 20% exercise and 80% diet.  


Mile 19 10:56.9
Mile 20 10:22.6
Mile 21 10:23.3
Mile 22 10:45.5
Mile 23 10:41.6
Mile 24 10:54.0
Mile 25 10:16.9
Mile 26 10:39.5

I eventually lose my company somewhere at a water station and venture on my own for probably the last 3-4 miles or so.  I'm not too excited to see the next hill as this race was advertised mostly flat, and it had been anything but mostly flat. Didn't I specify "No Hills" in the special requests part of registration?  Regardless, I storm up it like a trooper.  I'm not letting this hill take me out.  

I finish my first ever 26.2 miles ever at 4:51:21, considerably less than my anticipated time of 5:15-5:30ish.  I'm absolutely ecstatic.  As mentioned before, with my less than stellar training, I definitely underestimated myself.  

Standing in front of the wall that runners had signed the
night before at the expo after I finished my marathon!
This is the only "wall" I encountered!
 

After crossing the finish line of my first ever full marathon, I accepted my medal and headed over for post-race fuel, pizza and chocolate milk.  I earned every calorie! 

www.momrunsfasterthandad.com 1st marathon
on the wall 

I then sought out my uncle who I knew most likely finished more than an hour prior.  We took some post race pictures while waiting for cousin.  

Me, next to a very big Air Force airplane.

I couldn't asked for a better first marathon.  The weather was perfect.  For once my fueling strategy worked.  I was able to pace myself well enough that I was capable of running the race in its entirety.  The volunteers and street side spectators were extremely supportive! I'm already contemplating which race will be my next marathon! 

Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter . If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may also find me here on Daily Mile and Pinterest.

10 Running-Related Personal Questions

Yesterday, over in Twitter land, I was called out in a tweet from Nicole over at Not "Just" A Half blog,  to answer the following questions put out by by Sarah & Dimity at Another Mother Runner.       
I'm always up for a challenge, kind of, as long as they don't involve me in their TMI Tuesdays.  

  

I Survived MY 1st Trail Half Marathon &
 My Robo-Mom Knee Brace. 

1.  Best Run Ever:  That's a toss up between two runs, my first half marathon trail run, this year on my 39th birthday, August 4th.  It was difficult & the humidity was like nothing I've ever experienced, yet I finished & felt totally accomplished.   I literally rung out my clothes in the bath when I came home after this run.  The other run would be the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon I just ran last weekend, Sept. 1st.  It too was hot & humid, yet I unexpectedly managed to PR.  Ok, if I have to pick, I'll go with the trail run.  It was definitely more challenging. 

2.  Three Things That Describe My Running:  Empowering, Invigorating, Therapeutic

3.  My go-to running outfit is: I usually wear a black pair of Nike or Adidas running shorts with a liner (liner is an absolute must- I won't even consider buying them without) and a chafe-free & wicking fabric tank, usually a Nike or Adidas. Sunglasses are a must.  I will sometimes go girlie & wear a running skirt. Of course, I always accessorize with my Brooks Trance running shoes, Garmin, and Road ID bracelet. 

4.  Quirky habit while running:  I won't stop running until I've hit my mileage goal exactly.  If I go out for 3 miles, it will be nothing less than 3-not 2.99, and so on for 4, 5, 6.  I will run circles in front of the house until my Garmin beeps to indicate I've reached my goal.  

5.  Morning, midday, evening:  All Three! I go with the flow of life's schedule and the weather.  You can find me out running as early as 6 a.m. up until as late as 11 p.m. 

6.  I won't run outside when it's:  Funny that you ask.  When I first started running, if you want to call it that, about five years ago and up until about the end of last year; I was very finicky. If it was below 60, or above 75; I didn't want to run outside. If it was raining or the wind was blowing, I wouldn't run outside.  I insisted on the gym treadmill.  As I think about it now, they were just excuses not to run.  In order to combat this "issue", I registered for numerous holiday races this previous year from the Jingle Bell Run to the Turkey Trot, etc., knowing I would have to run in the cold.  I'm too cheap to skip runs that I had paid for, regardless of the temperature, so I eventually acclimated.  Now, amusingly, I wish & hope for 55 degree mornings, abhor the treadmill, and have ran during many 90 degree, blistering hot days.   To directly answer the question, I wouldn't run outside when it's icy.  You can't always see ice and I'm not going to risk a severe injury for 1 run.  

7.  Worst injury-and how I got over it: An IT band issue from overuse & over training at the same time I "took out" a considerable amount of cartilage in my left knee from the Dances With Dirt 50 mile Relay Trail Run just a week after running the Indianapolis Mini Marathon.  For the IT band issue, I found foam rolling and have been doing it ever since.  According to doctors, there isn't much I can do for the lack of cartilage and the unusual, excessive movement of my patella, a.k.a. the kneecap, other than to consistently wear a knee brace while running to stabilize it and reduce the friction.  It helps tremendously. If I don't wear the brace, I notice almost immediately.  The brace is a tad cumbersome & with hinges, therefore;  the kids have referred to me as robo-mom. 

8.  I felt most like a badass (bad word, lol) mother runner when: Anytime I run, whether it be  a road or trail race, a jaunt through the neighborhood, or a  mud run.  Running, period, is badass. 

9.  Next race is:  HA! My FIRST ever full marathon, the Air Force Marathon this Saturday, September 15, as in 3 days! Eeek! As I've told myself numerous times this week, I won't cross the finish line first, but I will cross it. 

10.  Potential running goal for 2013:  As many half marathons as I can fit in-road & trail, a couple more full marathons, maybe even a full trail marathon.  I want to focus on more consistent running and better training for my races.  I'm open to anything, my first triathlon, more mud runs.  My ultimate goal would be to recruit & convince my husband to run a race with me. 

Hey, don't be shy!  If you are a fellow Another Mother Runner blogger, feel free to share with us your answers to the above 10 questions.   Just don't forget to refer back to their page at Another Mother Runner.  


Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter . If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may also find me here on Daily Mile and Pinterest.

Taper Time

I've heard it a thousand times. The taper before your marathon is imperative. I get that. The key is rest, rest and then more rest. I can handle this part quite easily. I'm quite capable of finding things to do since I know longer am required to run for hours on end to cap out at 22 miles on  a trail on the near north side of Indy. 

So far, I've thoroughly cleaned our our walk in closet. I've repainted the front office.  I also sanded and painted the stairwell. I put in a few more hours than usual at the office last week.  I'm not sure if those all count as resting, but my legs are being used minimally. How do I know this? Ask my back. The sanding, the paint rolling, has brought out the muscles in my back that running tend to neglect. 

Physically, I can handle this taper so many refer to as torture.  Mentally, not so much! While sanding, painting & cleaning all I think about is should I be out running instead. Maybe I should add a few miles onto this run.  All of a sudden I have joints & muscles hurting that shouldn't be hurting. I've read this is the psychological part of your separation anxiety from your dependence on running. 

I'm excited that my first full marathon ever, the Air Force Marathon is in just five days, but also nervous that the last 4.2 miles I've never ran will be the death of me.  I keep telling myself my last long run should have been 26 miles, not 22. Others say it's not necessary.  We shall see, or better yet I will see.  

I've been passing some of the time "hanging out" with some of the Air Force marathon runners on the Air Force Marathon Facebook page.  They are quite a group.  If you have a question, you can count on them to answer. If you want to know what the 10 day forecast is for Dayton, Ohio, they will tell you. If you are unsure of your training, they will reassure you.  If motivation is what you need, they will motivate.  If you want to vote for president, you                can do so here.  Don't ask! You'll just have to visit their page. 

Five days, just five days until my first marathon ever. I know I won't cross that finish line first, but I  will cross it. 

Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter. If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may find me here on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter , Daily Mile and Pinterest.

I Was Promised Rain

As of right now, almost 9 hours after I finished the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon, we have yet to see any significant indication of the Hurricane Isaac remnants we were promised.  Many joked of swimming & boating via Twitter and Facebook versus running. Instead we got humidity that was to die for. 

Most of us would of welcomed Isaac, but no, just like many blind dates, he was a no show. I don't know what he was scared of. Did he not think almost 2500 ladies willing to brave 13.1 miles couldn't handle him? Well, I assure you Isaac, 2500 women who are willing to accomplish 13.1 miles in this humidity could have handled you, in fact we would have welcomed you with open arms.   

As I began my first mile and immediately started to pour in sweat, my hopes of any PR's were immediately squashed.  I just told myself I was going to pace myself to get myself through this awful humidity and that with my recent marathon training, I shouldn't do any worse than my last half, the 500 Festival Mini Marathon.  

Our route took us from downtown Indianapolis to the Monument Circle, up north to the State Fairgrounds area and back down south to the finish line near the NCAA building. I think it was right before mile 7, I seen my husband on the side of the street "trying" to get pictures, so I waved.  The picture is a tad blurry, but you get the point.  

At mile 7, the time caller (I'm sure they have a more official name. I just don't know what it is) called out 1:09.  With some quick "in my head" math, I realized a PR wasn't out of the question, if I maintained my pace or close to it.  From that point, that was enough motivation to "keep it moving". 

Finished & Smiling Because I PR'd. 

Just say there was a lot, and I mean a LOT of mental work going on after that to keep me moving in order to keep up with my last ditch effort at a PR.  Right before the last mile, the turn was a little farther up than I had expected, just say I kept the expletives in my head.  Regardless, I pulled through with a PR of 2:07:38, 9 minutes and 27 seconds faster. WooHoo! PR Happy Dance....in my head. I was not dancing at the finish line, sorry! 

The night before, I had headed over to the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel for bib pick up.  It was definitely a ladies affair. There was the local Cosmetology school giving free manicures and massages available. After I picked up my bib and bag, I watched the fashion show by Blue Mile, our local running store while munching on pastries & drinking tea. I then did a window shopping through the vendors. 

I heard the race after party, catered to the female once again, with mimosas, bloody marys and massages.  I didn't get to find out, as I needed to get to an offspring's football game. 

Oh, by the way. It's now thundering. I think Isaac is now trying to make an appearance. 




Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter. If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may find me here on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter , Daily Mile and Pinterest.

Three Things Thursday

1. I'm scheduled for my last "long" run this weekend before my first ever, full marathon in mid September, the Air Force Marathon.  It's actually quite daunting. I've done 16, 18, & 20. I'm scheduled for 20, but I don't like doing 6.2 less miles than the actual marathon.  I would like to know what to expect, ok, NEED to know what to expect. I don't care what anyone says, 6.2 miles is a whole lot of extra miles after you've just done 20.  Twenty and 26.2 is a big difference between finishing or not. So, I'm going out for a minimum of 20 and hoping for more.  I got lucky with my last 20 and had great temps in the early a.m. I'm not expecting that luck again. I've discovered the temps can mean all the difference in the world on these long runs. 

2.  I think I've become race obsessed. I scour the internet looking for local races to fill in EVERY weekend.  Someone, pull away the keyboard. I might need an intervention.  I get a tad excited when a race I'm interested in, comes up on one of the deal sites, such as Groupon, Living Social, etc.  Hey, this addiction is an expensive one. I need all the help I can get. 

3.  My oldest offspring just started college this week.  I'm definitely proud of her.  She's learning to maneuver a large city campus where parking is a nightmare. Keep in mind, she hates to drive.  She's accident prone, is a nice way to express it.  She's coming home every night and hitting the books.  She also made sure that she only works on the weekend so that she can prioritize her grades.  She's making sure that all tuition unpaid for by scholarships is getting paid on time with her own money. She's growing into a fabulous, young women! 

Fettucini & Veggies...Last Nights Dinner

In general, we eat healthy in our household. I can't tell you how many times the kids have said "We don't have anything to eat in this house!", only because there isn't some easy convenient, boxed & processed food occupying the pantry.  I attempt to stock the house with mostly fresh fruits and vegetables and real-not boxed or bagged, lean meat.  

As the mother of three teenage children who absolutely have a mind of their own and think a gourmet meal consists of a big, fat juicy hamburger on a white bun with fried french fries, making meals that everyone will eat without "whining", can be a challenge.  Last night's dinner fit the bill, kind of.  

Full of nutrients and antioxidants, YUM! 

Last evening's vegetables consisted of squash, zucchini, grape tomatoes and spinach.  I didn't hear much grumbling over these, except for the one offspring who was caught by his sister eating only the inside of his squash.  When she addressed him with his odd eating technique across the table, he insisted the outside of the squash was nasty. He could only eat the insides.   Whatever!  

I made chicken fettucini alfredo utilizing a whole wheat fettucini made by Al Dente.  They have a variety of whole wheat products.  They are a tad expensive, but I'd rather pay for better quality & healthier food than someones blood pressure medicine & other medical expenses stemming from poor heating habits. I digress....Ok, back to the fettucini. Yes, I'm very aware alfredo isn't exactly the healthiest pasta sauce I could have chosen. 

The green & red peppers before I added the alfredo. 

Please remember, I'm dealing with three hormonal and often moody teenagers. I must compromise where I'm able, and all is in moderation. Besides, I added some more vegetables, red and green peppers to the sauce. 

 We have one vegetarian in the household, my oldest son.  That's why you see the chicken separate and not mixed with the vegetables that are added to the sauce.  Cooking for two separate groups can sometimes be a little difficult.  It's really not that hard, most of the time. If I'm cooking  a meal where the meat would usually be mixed with something, I just cook it separate, serve the vegetarian version first. Then, I mix the meat with the remaining.  I often substitute his protein with some other non-meat version. 

Proof that I can cook! I always say that I hate to cook.
Most people take that as I can't cook, which is not true!

The chicken fettucini alfredo always goes over well here, even if one particular child is trying to scrape out the red and green peppers. Yep, that's the one, the same child who was only eating the inside of his squash.  

I always make double the fettucini when I make it.  I know it's a leftover that will get eaten, if not by the kids, by my marathon training self who will currently eat all the whole wheat carbs she can get. 

DINNER IS SERVED!

My Quick & First Spinach Smoothie

We've all had smoothies. They come in all colors, flavors, etc. Most contain high contents of 

unwanted sugar. You can't walk into a shopping center without seeing the few smoothie vendors. For those of us, who want more out of our food, without all of the sugar often have to 

resort to making them homemade. Considering most vendor bought smoothies are $5-$7.00, as most homemade food, it's obviously cheaper anyway. Who doesn't like cheaper? 

I was in a hurry this morning as I had decided last minute to squeeze in a 5 mile run prior to heading into work.  So, time was lacking, yet I needed to feed myself before leaving. Just say my fridge and pantry isn't full of convenient foods, as I try to avoid boxed and processed junk. 

I make smoothies all of the time, but I wanted to make sure this was going to give me what I needed for my four hour work shift without needing to leave and hit a drive-thru where I would be 

sure to fail on the fat and calorie intake.  I know what you're thinking. What is wrong with you that you can't survive 4 hours without eating?

 I've often questioned whether I should get tested for worms or some other disgusting stomach eating virus.  Just say I need to eat often, all day long. I'm sure part of this is the recent marathon training. I often joke that I feel like a newborn. I only want to eat and sleep. 

I've seen and read numerous smoothie recipes on-line that included spinach. Knowing that I have the largest bag of spinach in the fridge known to man-kind, I figured I would make use of some of it and knock out a meal replacement all in the same efforts. 

Here's what I threw together in a jiffy into my big old Cuisinart blender.  

1 large handful of spinach leaves
1/3 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened mango
1 peeled clementine
1/2 cup plain low-fat Chobani Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Silk unsweetened almond milk

I was honestly surprised to see that my smoothie ended up a pinkish-brown color when done.  Most of the smoothies I've seen that contain spinach are quite green. Either others are putting a lot more spinach in it, or my raspberries bled more pink than my spinach did green.  Regardless, the outcome wasn't bad.

It wasn't as sweet as I expected, which is a good thing for me. I'm not fond of the overly sweet and sugary tasting.  I'm sure many would prefer a sweeter flavor, but this was perfect for me. 

I'm sure if you  are one that prefers the sweeter taste, you could probably add more raspberries.  As many other spinach smoothie recipes have stated, you truly cannot taste the spinach. I promise I'm not lying. I wouldn't lie to you to get you to eat something.  I would only lie to my children. 

I take small snacks to work to survive my long, drawn out 4 hours of starvation.  I usually nibble on bananas, carrots & hummus and similar healthy type foods to survive, but this is usually after eating lunch prior to heading in.  The smoothie kept me satisfied as if I had eaten a regular meal, in addition to my other snacks I carried in with me.  I think I owe this to the high protein content you get from the Greek yogurt. 

Off to cook dinner and lie to my children about what vegetables I hid in the pasta sauce!