I was suppose to announce this yesterday! Thank you to all three of you who guessed my finishing time. I wish I could have beat those guesses, but I finished and that's what really mattered!
Congratulations, Nonny K! Look for your $25 Amazon gift card soon.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ojai to Ocean Marathon Recap
This will probably be the first of many recaps, but here goes!
As I mentioned, Les and I spent the weekend in Ojai. He rode 130 miles on his bike on Saturday, while I stayed off my feet as much as possible. This was made relatively simple, because we stayed in the lovely Casa Ojai and the room was very inviting. I was able to take about a 2 hour nap!
We went to Papa Lennon's for dinner Saturday night. We split a Hawaiian pizza and Les also had spaghetti and meatballs. After 8 hours of pedaling, he could pretty much have whatever he wanted!
At some point, I lost Les. He made his way to the starting line and snapped a picture of the fast folks. The overall finisher was Jay Thompson who finished in 2:30:16. Almost twice as fast as me!!
I jumped in with the 3:55 pace group. I thought if I could hang with them for a while I might be able to hit the 4 hour mark. In retrospect, it was my biggest mistake! They took off so fast! My first three miles were - 8:56, 8:31 and 8:59. This was such a rookie move! I knew not to go out too fast, but I did it anyway! I should have started with a slower group and saved something for the later miles. This really cost me. But I was happy when we took off!
The first six miles were a loop in Ojai that took us right past the starting line. Les was there cheering me on! At that point, I was running a 9:20 pace and still feeling good. Check out that calf! I've always kinda hated my calves because they're big, but they get me where I'm going!
At mile 7 we hit the bike path and headed for the ocean! All downhill from here... not really, but that's the claim! Les leap frogged a few times and snagged a few more pictures.
Mile 8:
Mile 9:
This is either my game face or my pain face...
Mile 13 - halfway there! I ran my first half in 2:06. Man! If only I could have kept that pace. It was right after the 13 mile mark that my pace began to slow. Mile 15 was 13:18, but that included a restroom break. I had to keep my Garmin running because the race clock doesn't stop!
I didn't see Les again until the finish line. My second half was significantly slower, with many walk breaks. I always ran part of every mile, but the walking increased. The weather was perfect, a marine layer the entire day.
Somewhere around the 18 mile mark I took a quick assessment. My legs were definitely fatiguing, but I did not have any pain in either knee! I was so relieved when I realized I could finish without any injuries.
They do a cruel thing at about mile 21. You run right by the expo. Oh the temptation! Cut through some back roads and you're at the finish line. But no, I had 5.2 more miles to go.
When I crossed the 22 mile mark, I was in new territory. I kept running, walking, running, walking. The cheerleaders and volunteers were so great. Clapping no matter what I was doing. The guy with the cowbell and the girls with the cookies. I needed every encouraging word!
Then... then I saw it... THE FINISH LINE!!
I don't know where the extra burst of energy came from, but it was there. Check out this sequence as I catch the two fellas running together, one in a red shirt...
and I pass them...
and sprint across the finish line, with them far in my rear view mirror! I honestly didn't even see them. All I saw was the finish line!
Oh the elation!! Les was there with a huge hug. Then Caroline and her husband, Bob, who came all the way from Fresno, just to see me cross the finish line! I could not stop smiling!! I didn't care about my finishing time - I finished and that was enough!
I am now the proud owner of a marathon finisher's medal. It's mine. All mine!
Stats and more tomorrow!
As I mentioned, Les and I spent the weekend in Ojai. He rode 130 miles on his bike on Saturday, while I stayed off my feet as much as possible. This was made relatively simple, because we stayed in the lovely Casa Ojai and the room was very inviting. I was able to take about a 2 hour nap!
We went to Papa Lennon's for dinner Saturday night. We split a Hawaiian pizza and Les also had spaghetti and meatballs. After 8 hours of pedaling, he could pretty much have whatever he wanted!
I actually slept pretty good Saturday night. We were lights out around 9:00 and I slept straight through until about 3:00 - six hours is pretty good the night before a big event and I felt well rested. We headed to the starting line around 5:20 and just wandered around for a little while. It was one mass start and of course there were people that were a little rude, but for the most part people were nice. Many were just in their own zones. I had a bit of nervous energy, but I was ready to go.
I jumped in with the 3:55 pace group. I thought if I could hang with them for a while I might be able to hit the 4 hour mark. In retrospect, it was my biggest mistake! They took off so fast! My first three miles were - 8:56, 8:31 and 8:59. This was such a rookie move! I knew not to go out too fast, but I did it anyway! I should have started with a slower group and saved something for the later miles. This really cost me. But I was happy when we took off!
The first six miles were a loop in Ojai that took us right past the starting line. Les was there cheering me on! At that point, I was running a 9:20 pace and still feeling good. Check out that calf! I've always kinda hated my calves because they're big, but they get me where I'm going!
At mile 7 we hit the bike path and headed for the ocean! All downhill from here... not really, but that's the claim! Les leap frogged a few times and snagged a few more pictures.
Mile 8:
Mile 9:
This is either my game face or my pain face...
Mile 13 - halfway there! I ran my first half in 2:06. Man! If only I could have kept that pace. It was right after the 13 mile mark that my pace began to slow. Mile 15 was 13:18, but that included a restroom break. I had to keep my Garmin running because the race clock doesn't stop!
I didn't see Les again until the finish line. My second half was significantly slower, with many walk breaks. I always ran part of every mile, but the walking increased. The weather was perfect, a marine layer the entire day.
Somewhere around the 18 mile mark I took a quick assessment. My legs were definitely fatiguing, but I did not have any pain in either knee! I was so relieved when I realized I could finish without any injuries.
They do a cruel thing at about mile 21. You run right by the expo. Oh the temptation! Cut through some back roads and you're at the finish line. But no, I had 5.2 more miles to go.
When I crossed the 22 mile mark, I was in new territory. I kept running, walking, running, walking. The cheerleaders and volunteers were so great. Clapping no matter what I was doing. The guy with the cowbell and the girls with the cookies. I needed every encouraging word!
Then... then I saw it... THE FINISH LINE!!
I don't know where the extra burst of energy came from, but it was there. Check out this sequence as I catch the two fellas running together, one in a red shirt...
and I pass them...
and sprint across the finish line, with them far in my rear view mirror! I honestly didn't even see them. All I saw was the finish line!
Oh the elation!! Les was there with a huge hug. Then Caroline and her husband, Bob, who came all the way from Fresno, just to see me cross the finish line! I could not stop smiling!! I didn't care about my finishing time - I finished and that was enough!
I am now the proud owner of a marathon finisher's medal. It's mine. All mine!
Stats and more tomorrow!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
4:53:33
I FINISHED!!! I AM A MARATHONER!!
I have so much to say, it will probably take all week! My body needs a nap, but my brain is still processing at lightning speed. I felt like singing when I saw that finish line!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Voices in My Head
It started last night after I picked up my packet...
What in the world are you thinking?
Ummm...
26.2 miles! That's a long way.
Well, yeah, but...
What makes you think you can finish this?
I've been training for it?
Yeah, and how fast have you been?
Fast enough...
What if you bonk?
It was enough to give me heartburn! And lose a lot of sleep last night. I turned the voice of Negative Nancy off. Here is what I know:
I have trained for 17 weeks to finish this marathon.
I know it will be hard.
26.2 miles is a long way.
But I have run 18 miles. I have run 20 miles. I have run 22 miles. I have run over 600 miles since the first of the year.
I have gone through two pairs of shoes and the ones I'm wearing have about 30 miles on them. Enough to be comfortable, but not worn out.
I trust my fueling strategy because it is what I have done for over 600 miles.
I am not trying to beat anyone.
The only medal I'm trying to get is my finisher's medal.
Yes, I want to run my best and finish in under 4 hours, but if I don't it's not the end of the world.
I will finish.
This is my final post until after the race. Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time... because I AM going to finish.
What in the world are you thinking?
Ummm...
26.2 miles! That's a long way.
Well, yeah, but...
What makes you think you can finish this?
I've been training for it?
Yeah, and how fast have you been?
Fast enough...
What if you bonk?
It was enough to give me heartburn! And lose a lot of sleep last night. I turned the voice of Negative Nancy off. Here is what I know:
I have trained for 17 weeks to finish this marathon.
I know it will be hard.
26.2 miles is a long way.
But I have run 18 miles. I have run 20 miles. I have run 22 miles. I have run over 600 miles since the first of the year.
I have gone through two pairs of shoes and the ones I'm wearing have about 30 miles on them. Enough to be comfortable, but not worn out.
I trust my fueling strategy because it is what I have done for over 600 miles.
I am not trying to beat anyone.
The only medal I'm trying to get is my finisher's medal.
Yes, I want to run my best and finish in under 4 hours, but if I don't it's not the end of the world.
I will finish.
This is my final post until after the race. Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time... because I AM going to finish.
My Gear
We picked up our packets last night. Mine was in Ventura and Les' was in Ojai. There is not a staggered start in the morning, so 1000 runners will all head out together at 6:00 a.m. I'm going to try to start with a pace group if I can find them!
Les is already out on the road - 125 miles of pedaling for him today. Kinda makes my 26.2 sound easy...
So here is all my gear for tomorrow, please ignore the lovely hotel green comforter:
Shoes
Socks
Jersey
Arm Covers
Skort
Garmin
HR Monitor
iPod shuffle
Bib number
Timing chip
Sunglasses
Not pictured:
Hammer Gel
Perpetuem
Endurolytes
Water bottle
Shew! It takes a lot to cross the finish line!
Final words from TrainingPeaks:
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
Les is already out on the road - 125 miles of pedaling for him today. Kinda makes my 26.2 sound easy...
So here is all my gear for tomorrow, please ignore the lovely hotel green comforter:
Shoes
Socks
Jersey
Arm Covers
Skort
Garmin
HR Monitor
iPod shuffle
Bib number
Timing chip
Sunglasses
Not pictured:
Hammer Gel
Perpetuem
Endurolytes
Water bottle
Shew! It takes a lot to cross the finish line!
Final words from TrainingPeaks:
Good luck! When the starting gun goes off, try to hold back for the first few miles before settling in to your goal race pace. You can use the energy you save early to surge in the final miles.
Be sure to walk and stretch immediately after you finish to reduce soreness and stiffness in the days to come. Afterward, ice your legs and put your feet up. Be sure to celebrate your big accomplishment!
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
MT W17 Results
My final week of training is OVER!!! 6:00 a.m. tomorrow is Marathon Time! I'm ready. I'm ready. I'm ready.
Here are the results of this week, minus tomorrow's marathon:
Sunday: Rest Day
Result: Rested
Monday: 3 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 3.19 miles in 31:13, 9:48 pace
It's hard to get up to speed in such a short distance, but I did it!
Tuesday: 5 Miles w/3 Miles @ Tempo
Result: 5.05 miles in 56:13, 11:08 pace
My knee was hurting the first few miles, so I couldn't get up to tempo. During my last 2 miles, I did 2-800 meter speed intervals of 4:02 and 3:48.
Wednesday: Rest
Result: Rest days are great!
Thursday: 5 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 5.02 miles in 52:22, 10:28 pace
I felt so good today! My pace was hindered by some hills in the first two miles, but I wasn't really worried about it. I saw my pace in the 8:40 range but didn't want to stay there too long either.
Friday: Rest
Result: The final rest day!!
Saturday: 3 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 3.03 miles in 28:54, 9:32 pace
We are in Ojai. The roads are so flat! What a difference. I did an out and back. When my Garmin hit 1.5 miles, I turned around. My pace at the 1.5 mile mark was 9:52. With just a slight downhill, I shaved 20 seconds a mile off my average in just 1.5 miles. TrainingPeaks said this run is for the mind, not the body. It's just to run off some nervous energy... exactly what I needed!
Total planned miles: 16
Total miles run: 16.29
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
Here are the results of this week, minus tomorrow's marathon:
Sunday: Rest Day
Result: Rested
Monday: 3 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 3.19 miles in 31:13, 9:48 pace
It's hard to get up to speed in such a short distance, but I did it!
Tuesday: 5 Miles w/3 Miles @ Tempo
Result: 5.05 miles in 56:13, 11:08 pace
My knee was hurting the first few miles, so I couldn't get up to tempo. During my last 2 miles, I did 2-800 meter speed intervals of 4:02 and 3:48.
Wednesday: Rest
Result: Rest days are great!
Thursday: 5 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 5.02 miles in 52:22, 10:28 pace
I felt so good today! My pace was hindered by some hills in the first two miles, but I wasn't really worried about it. I saw my pace in the 8:40 range but didn't want to stay there too long either.
Friday: Rest
Result: The final rest day!!
Saturday: 3 Miles Easy (Pace 10:04)
Result: 3.03 miles in 28:54, 9:32 pace
We are in Ojai. The roads are so flat! What a difference. I did an out and back. When my Garmin hit 1.5 miles, I turned around. My pace at the 1.5 mile mark was 9:52. With just a slight downhill, I shaved 20 seconds a mile off my average in just 1.5 miles. TrainingPeaks said this run is for the mind, not the body. It's just to run off some nervous energy... exactly what I needed!
Total planned miles: 16
Total miles run: 16.29
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Weather Report
The weather is looking really good for this weekend!
Starting in Ojai at 6:00 a.m.:
Yes, running towards the ocean is a good thing!
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
Starting in Ojai at 6:00 a.m.:
6 AM
58°
Mostly Sunny
7 AM
62°
Mostly Sunny
8 AM
65°
Mostly Sunny
At some point, I'll be running to and finishing in Ventura:
9 AM
62°
Mostly Cloudy
10 AM
65°
Mostly Cloudy
Yes, running towards the ocean is a good thing!
Don't forget to enter the contest to guess my marathon finishing time!
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