Slower Than A Turtle Running Through Peanut Butter

I am completely blown away by the fact that we, mostly I, ran 17 miles yesterday. 5 months ago I would have NEVER believed that I could have ever ran that far. I still don't believe it, but yes it did happen. It was my favorite run so far, mostly because Becka ran my turtle pace with me. I always do better when I run with someone. It takes my mind off of the fact that everything hurts. I can't figure out why I'm so slow, but I honestly have one pace. I can't run faster or slower. It's just slow and steady. Thanks Becka for slowing down to run with me. I honestly appreciate it. Running on the sand dunes really scared me before we started. I kept thinking about the hills and all the little critters that might want to have me for their breakfast. However, I loved it. It was dark enough that we couldn't really see the hills and the weather was perfect. For me I really liked having the 10k route as part of the run. Once we reached Moquie Cave I felt like it would be a piece of cake to finish since we only had a 10k left. It was very motivating. Even though we ran slower than everyone else, we finished and we got done a half hour before I thought we would. To me it was a successful run. 

Lexie

It cracks me up that you say I slowed down to run with you!  This is my pace.  This is the pace I plan to run the marathon.  I am your fellow turtle I tell ya. 

Becka

It's possible

Today's 17 miler made me think this whole marathon.. me running a marathon might actually be possible!  Yay! Its a great feeling. I have blisters on all my toes. But feeling really great!!  We ran from the sands into town. It was dark the first few miles which was freaky at first but once we got going it was nice.  Today was just another run that makes me wonder how people train for. Marathon alone. My fellow fishes keep me swimming!

Oh and P.S..  MaryAnn put some Peanut M&M's in our aide stations and can I just say...  best. running. snack. EVER!  Loved it!!

   It's probably why the run was so great!   

-Becka

I always LOVE running down the sands.  This day was no different!  Ran with Bryant and Lexi til mile 13 and then they left me and ended up doing 19, I was happy finishing the 17.  

 I made Bryant go back to an aid station to get some Peanut Butter M&Ms for me, I couldn't go back my watch was on and I didn't want to mess up my mileage... 

I ain't gonna lie, I always LOVE seeing the final stretch to home on these long runs!

I loved this run! It was so nice to have MaryAnn to run and chat with for the first 13. The time went by so fast and we kept a good pace while talking! Props to us! I even stopped to pee on this run! haha. I don't do that much. MaryAnn told me to go ahead at 13 or I would have ran the whole thing with her. I think she wanted some "alone" time. Just kidding. She keeps me safe on those highways. I know I stress her out. Bryant went ahead of us a little before and I tried to catch him. He took a different route in town and ended up heading towards the park. Wow... sure fun to end your 19 miles on the park road! Not. haha. I followed him anyway and we both ended up doing 19 miles. I have to say by mile 19 I was completely spent. 

two-thirds distance... starts now

Tomorrow some of us are doing our 17 miler...  This is huge!  Huge I tell ya.  Here is what Hal has to say about it:

Run Long:  Seventeen miles! That's two-thirds of the distance you'll run in the marathon, and most coaches agree that this is where the true training benefits start to kick in.  Now you are teaching your body to burn fat and conserve glycogen.  Now you are learning the discipline you need for running 26 miles.  During this training program, I'll ask you to run four long runs at this two-thirds distance and beyond.  (These longest long runs come in weeks 10, 11, 13, and 15)  They are very very important.  By now, you should have begun to adapt to the rhythm of these long runs.  don't do them too fast.  Take walking breaks if necessary.  Drink plenty of water.  Yes, you have the right to finish a 17-miler feeling tired, but you should not finish exhausted.  Running steady pace will get you to the finish line on time. 

This is from my my Hal Higdon's Marathon Novice 2 app. 
 I'm trying to focus on eating good for energy tomorrow.  So mostly trying to not eat crap.  I feel pretty good about my energy level it's just my stupid knee..  so I'm randomly rolling it today and doing strength exercises and hopefully D.O. will work on it tonight!  Let's go Fishes...  17 miles has nothing on us!!!

And because it's Thursday, I'll throw it back to last year when we did a Chirstmas eve run...  in the snow.  We wore santa hats.. It was awesome.  We ran this same  8 mile course yesterday.  When we ran it on Christmas eve it seemed sooooo long, now, not so much.  hmmm..... 
-Becka

mental training

Well, we have hit it...  a mental wall.  I suspect this happens a lot as I was looking around trying to find some motivation or a cure for our lose of MOJO.  Here is an article I found from Marathonrookie.com. 

Marathon Motivation

Got enough marathon motivation to push you across the finish line? It’s one thing to be motivated to start training, it’s another to stay motivated every day.
Training the mind should be considered equally important to physical marathon training. Following are a few simple techniques to help build mental toughness and create the proper mindset.
Visualization
Set aside a few minutes each day, or at least a few times each week, to relax and picture in your mind the runner you want to be. Picture yourself making a great training run or running the actual race. As you are creating that image, try to get other senses involved by trying to feel what it will feel like to achieve your goal or push through any obstacles you envision.
Affirmations
Flood your mind with positive thoughts by talking to yourself every day. Tell yourself that you are a marathon runner, a sub-four hour marathoner, or whatever it is your goal might be. Our minds operate in the present so the more we tell ourselves something, even if it is not yet true, the faster our mind believes it and begins working now to make that affirmation a reality. Also, put an affirmation, race brochure, or inspiring quote somewhere you will see it every day like on your desk or bathroom mirror
Block the Negative
Be aware of negative thoughts creeping into your mind. When you catch them, stop them cold in their tracks by telling yourself the opposite. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking you are tired during a run, tell yourself several times, with emphasis, that you feel great or feel strong. Do the same for any pain during a run. By telling yourself the opposite, you are diverting your focus from the negative to the positive.

Over the course of training, you may find yourself lacking motivation at some point. This is very common. Maybe you get discouraged because unexpected events have caused you to miss a run, a few runs, or even a week or more of runs. Maybe something in your life diverts your focus from training and your goal. Whatever the case, do not let it stop you from achieving your goal!

Think of supporters cheering you on as you run with ease through the marathon or half marathon. Think about how rewarding it will be when you cross the finish line and reflect on what you have just accomplished.
Surround yourself with positive, motivating things. Watching running movies is great for marathon motivation. Find something that connects with you emotionally and you will find that your intensity and desire will grow to where you don’t just want to achieve your goal, you have to achieve your goal.
Take a step back and think about why you have set this monster goal for yourself and see yourself enjoying all the benefits you expect to have once you accomplish your goal.

Hope we can all find something in here to help us.  We need to start training our minds as well as our bodies..  Love you all my fellow fishies!!

-Becka

PS.  link for article HERE

2 months

We have two months...  Two months from today we will be running a marathon!!!  TWO MONTHS!!!  Are two months short or fast in your mind?  I've been thinking about this all day. 

Two months left of any of my 6 pregnancy's.....  FOREVER
Two months left till my son come home from serving in Afghanistan.....  FOREVER PLUS
Two months left until our new house was done.....  long time
Two months left until anniversary get away....  long time
Two months until I run 26.2 miles all at one time....  so so soon

Perspective..

It's killing me.  I don't feel like I'll be ready in 2 months.  But we will.  We have been hearing a lot lately that the training is harder than the actual event.  so I guess it's that 20 miler that should be freaking us out..  oh ya,  it is!! 

Here is what I've decided.  We took the first step, which is that hardest.  We signed up.  We are now on this adventure and the best best best part is that we have fellow fishies to be on it with us.  I  mean really..  how many people do a Marathon with such a great support group.  It's a great thing.  So we are going to do this and when we do.  We will be marathoners  FOREVER!!!  BAM!

-Becka

These Hills Were So Hard!

I was at a family reunion and since I had done my long run on the beach a few days earlier I didn't have to do a long run on Saturday.  This 5 miler about killed me though.  We were staying in a community that was on the hill side of the mountain by Pine View Reservoir.  Needless to say I walked A LOT!  Great place to train for hills, one day I hope to be better at hill running!

 View of the lake

Bryant went on this run with me.  He can run hills a lot better then me!

Only 13 miles

For our long run tomorrow we go back down to 13... it is crazy because we are seriously saying ONLY 13 miles.  How crazy is that. It's funny how the mind works.  So bring on the little Hollywood half. Oh ya. We named it!
-Becka

8/3/13

I loved the Little Hollywood Half.  I've gotta say it was an amazing break from the usual insane numbers. Even though 13 is insane! But way better than what we have been doing. Or at least it seems to me! I had to drive my own car this time which takes the fun out of everything. I mean half the reason we run is to be together! :) And I had to take off before everyone even started too because I had to get home early so that meant I ran the 13.1 by myself.  I was left with the funniest picture in my mind though as I was running.   Ebbi just popped a squat and was pooping with Chad 15 feet away from her.  Just makes me laugh every time I think about it. I could just see her squatting and Chad trying to act like he was cool with it all.  I still chuckle.  The run went well for me. I beat my Bryce Half time from 2011 so I was happy about that. But it was kind of a lonely run.  I miss the chats. I'm really nervous about this week's long run! 
-Lexi