Training and Tapering...Who Needs 'Em?

I guess we will find out the answer to that question tomorrow afternoon.  My mom talked me into running a marathon she has been training for, and I hemmed and hawed and would not commit, thinking I might have to work that day.  Finally I checked with my boss and she swapped dates with me and all of a sudden I was free and available to run the Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon with Ma.  That was two weeks ago.

While I have been getting in some good mileage at quality paces, it is nothing near marathon training.  I've been slowly working my mileage up to prepare for the 50 mile in December, and I thought the marathon might fit nicely in the middle...but it came a little soon and my longest run up to that point had been 12 miles.

So last Saturday (a week before the marathon) I did a little test and ran 16 miles to see what it would feel like.  I haven't run that far since April.  I held around a 9 minute pace most of the way and felt fine when I finished, although my legs were pretty tired and a little sore the next day.  I was also reluctant to taper because I am in the middle of ultra training and I have just gotten cranked up on that.  So I didn't want to slack off on ultra training just because I'd agreed to this crazy last minute marathon. 

I ran 7 miles on Monday, a total of 12 on Tuesday (9 in the morning, 3 in the afternoon), and 6 on Wednesday.  My leg soreness came back so I took yesterday off and this morning I ran 3 with my No Boundaries runners, driving to meet them instead of running there like I usually do.  So that's a sort-of taper.  If all goes as planned and I finish this marathon (which is the main and only goal, by the way), I will have 51.5 miles for the week.  While that is a good mileage number, how it plays out is not exactly what I was looking for, but hopefully I can take it easy enough tomorrow that I can resume my ultra training shortly after without having to take too much of a break.

Smart?  Probably not.  A good plan?  That's a negative.  Kind of fun anyway?  Yep.  I will admit to being a little curious to see how I will fair on so little training.  Am I seasoned enough to hang in for 26.2 miles?  What kind of time will it be?  This will be marathon #25, but regardless of how seasoned a marathoner may be, a lot can happen in that distance, and I am approaching it with caution.

I plan to start off slow, around a 10:00 or 9:30 pace for the first 3 or 4 miles.  Then I will try to hold between a 9:00-9:30 the rest of the way.  If I feel good at the end, I will pick it up, but I'm not expecting to have a whole lot left after about 20 miles.  I've packed 4 Gu packets to pin to my shorts and will try to stay well fueled.  That, a slower pace, and a history of finishing marathons is all I have to take with me on this one. 

I'll let you know how it goes. 

I Wish I'd Thought of That

Did you know there is a running store called See Jane Run?  It is the cutest and I wish I'd thought of it first.  The girl who began it all is not even named Jane, but I absolutely love what she has made of this store and her story behind it.  If you go to the "About Jane" section, you can see her manifesto (which totally rocks), and her story as a woman who wanted to make a change.  Not only is See Jane Run a store, but they organize and plan events (races and triathlons) and offer training programs.  I love this.  I wish I'd thought of it first.  Especially since my name is actually Jane.

There is a lot out there I wish I'd thought of first.  I just bought a copy of The Runner's Devotional and I wish I'd thought of that first too.  My mom gave it a once over and said, "You could write it better," but even if I could it has already been done now (and she's my mom, so she might be a tad biased).  I also love Bart Yasso's book, My Life on the Run.  It is one of the best running books I have ever read and one of the few that has actually kept me engaged and interested from start to finish.  It doesn't bog you down in the boring details of 800s and endless mile repeats run around a track (although he has training plans and theory in there as well), it is a book of stories that comprise his journey as a runner.  The triumphs, the failures, the trials, and the hilarious and crazy events that so many runners can identify with.

I wish I'd thought of that first too.  And what a great title!  The perfect play on words.  Man, I wish I'd thought of that.

As I was thinking of all these great ways people have turned running into their life's work, I felt so...behind. Why am I just now joining the party?  Why am I just now deciding this is what I want to do with my life?  Has everything worth doing already been done?  Has everything worth saying already been said?  What do I have to offer the running community that isn't already available?

I am tired of sitting around watching all the great ideas fly by and waiting for one to fall into my lap.  "Here Jane, there is this great running program and we want YOU to run it."  That is really, quite literally, what I have been waiting on. I even thought I had a shot with the Fleet Feet No Boundaries program, but that went to someone else and I was so disappointed.  Director of a running program - THAT is my dream!  But I let it go and moved on.  Still thinking.... still dreaming.

So I've decided to act. I have decided to start my own business and it will be a private running coach company.  It is still in the beginning stages.  I'm filling out paperwork, ironing out the details, reading and researching what is already out there...and I am impatient to get started.  Actually, impatient isn't the word.  I cannot WAIT!  I feel a little unsure at times but that does not change my excitement, my resolve and my own personal call to action.

That's all I will say about it for now.  I want to have all my ducks in a row before I get things rolling.  I was hoping to have it ready by October 1, but I may need a few more days.  I will hold on to my day job at UAH as I grow my little business and continue with my classes and certifications... but the possibilities seem wide open and I'm no longer sighing as I watch all the great ideas go by.  I'm actively trying to start one of my own.

No Whining

Growing up with a high school guidance counselor as a mom meant my sister and I never got to make excuses.  There were no excuses for bad test grades or late homework or being late or doing something we knew was wrong.  Teachers were not too mean or hard, rules were meant to be followed and if we did not do what we were supposed to do, we got in trouble.  Every. Single. Time. There was no whining or complaining allowed.  Just doing and having a good attitude. 

Yesterday as I was getting ready for work, I had the TV on since Jason was not here.  I was in and out of the living room, but when I stopped to make coffee I noticed that Joyce Meyer was on.  I couldn't really hear what she was saying, but I noticed the text at the bottom of the screen.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

I knew that verse.  Philippians 2:14.  I think we memorized it in my Sunday school class when I was growing up.  But in that moment when I read the words on the TV screen, I knew for a fact I never went a day without arguing or complaining.

Now, I'm not one of those people known for all the whining and complaining.  In fact, most people who know me probably see me as upbeat and positive, which is something I strive to be and enjoy more than the alternative.  But complaining is something that can easily sneak in there (like most sins).  At work, when I'm talking with my co-workers, we may jokingly mention a student who has been particularly difficult and...that is complaining.  I also know for a fact we whine about the workload and policies at times - and not in a joking fashion.

Do I whine about traffic in the mornings?  I certainly have.  Do I complain about the people around me?  Jason can verify that.  Do I complain when things are not going as I would like them?  Sure enough.  And this kind of thing happens every single day.

So after thinking about what I'd just read, and how I've always known that verse and how I've been raised to live that way...I gave it a try.  I just wanted to see how long I could go.  Well, it wasn't long before I was speaking with a co-worker and I complained.  Man!  And here I was trying to shine like a star and be pure and blameless, and failing within the first few hours!

I'm not giving it up, though. I'm going to attempt this every day.  And maybe it will be like training for a marathon.  The longer I go without a complaint, the longer I will be able to go in days to come.  And really, what do any of us have to complain about?  If we are complaining about work well, we do have jobs and right now that is really saying something.  Do we complain about people?  Well, give that up right now because people will never change.  Do we whine about what we don't have?  Look at what we do have!  Homes, families, safety, freedom, cars, health, pets, food, sunrises....  Counting blessings helps with this immensely.  When you are sitting around being thankful, it is hard to whine or complain at the same time.

So I'm going to add this to my training plan.  How many miles can I run and how many hours can I go without a complaint about anything?  Hopefully one day I will be able to change the hours to days.

A Reason to Laugh on a Monday

I am currently taking a course at UAH called Health and Wellness Concepts.  This is one of the many courses I will take to earn my Fitness and Wellness Certificate.  I really like this class because it focuses on all aspects of wellness, not only physical fitness.  Tonya Hardy, the instructor, has all sorts of fun and interesting activities for us to do as we learn all kinds of great information about physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.  

One such assignment was to create a brochure or video infomercial about our favorite physical fitness activity and to sort of "sell it" as the best way to get fit. Well... you can guess what I chose.  But I didn't want to write up a brochure because...well... I write about running all the time!  I wanted to do the video infomercial option and I knew just the gal to help me.  You know her from the many mentions throughout my blog as well as her two guest posts about Racing and Running with Dogs.  Julia works for Dreammaker Entertainment and has a ton of experience with video and video editing so I asked her if she could help.

Now, when I asked her I was thinking something like her holding a video camera and me running down the sidewalk and stopping to talk about running.  She, however, had greater visions.  She asked her boss if we could work in the studio and he said yes.  I wrote up my script, covering all the information required in the assignment and e-mailed it to her for the teleprompter.  They used a green screen as my background so that we could put whatever we wanted in the background of the video, and I felt a bit like a movie star as we did retakes from different angles and whenever I got tongue tied. 

It was a lot of fun.  I worked with both Julia and Jim on Friday after work to record the video and then Julia and I met Saturday to edit it and turn it into what it is now.  And really, I just watched her work and told her what I liked.  Julia did all the rest.  

And so for your viewing pleasure, I am embedding it here for you.  I'd say don't laugh, but that is sort of the point.  We played up the cheese factor and tried to find videos that went along with what I was saying.  So if you need a reason to chuckle on a Monday, here it is.  Enjoy!

Ultra Training Week 4

Finally!  A great training week.  It is a little later than planned and there are still no weights mixed in (I am so horrible at that), but it is much better on the mileage.  If interested, take a look!

Sunday, Sept 18 - ran 5 miles, 8:31 pace. 
I needed to try out my new shoes.  Pricey, but worth it!  So much has improved since I got them.  I don't think shoes are the sole way to fix issues - I think a good bit of that is form - but I do think they have their place.

Monday, Sept 19 - ran 8 miles with Jane, 10:00 pace
Great morning run with Jane (yes I have a running partner named Jane) and it was her first time running 8 miles.  I love being a part of those first time runs. 

Tuesday, Sept 20 - ran 6.3 morning miles, 9:06 pace.  It was a drizzly morning and I almost didn't get out, but I knew if I wanted those miles I had to go. 
Ran 2.5 miles that afternoon to mark the No Boundaries course.

Wednesday, Sept 21 - ran 3 afternoon miles,  8:30 pace.  I was pretty tired, but glad to do a little something after a day of sitting.

Thursday, Sept 22 - ran 10.2 morning miles with the girls, 9:54 pace.  First 5 with the group, second 5 with Julia.  She was doing 10 so I tagged along. 

Friday, Sept 23 - ran 4 miles - 2 miles to the Nobo run, 2 miles back home.  The first 2 miles were 9:22 pace, the second were 8:30 pace.  It was a chilly morning and I liked it!

Saturday, Sept 24 - ran 16 miles, 9:02 pace.  Started at 4:45 with the girls, had to make a pit stop at mile 4.  Hung on to Julia and Katie from a distance before going my own way.  They are both finishing up their marathon training and they are strong and ready to rock it!  This run for me was sort of a test to make sure I'm not going to fall out next weekend.  I let Mom talk me into a little marathon and well...my training will consist of what you have seen here.  Hardly marathon training, but I'm hoping to have some strength reserves in there somewhere that make me tough enough to hang in for 26.2 miles.  If that is not the case, I told Mom I would run as far as I could and then find a spot under a tree and wait for her there.  Sort of tortoise and hare style. 

Anyway, the week totals 55 miles and that makes me feel like I'm finally getting this ultra training started (at week 4, ha!).

Milwaukee and the "Terrible Awful"

If you have read or seen "The Help" then you know what a "terrible awful" is.  The "terrible awful" according to Minny, is doing the unthinkable.  Of course, Minny's terrible awful was much more comical and entertaining than mine turned out to be, although I imagine I had the same panicky feeling afterward when it sunk in that I'd done the unthinkable.

Wednesday morning on our vacation, we awoke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  We'd arrived the night before and attended the Brewers vs Rockies baseball game and had plans to run the next morning before continuing our adventure in Chicago.  We took our time, had some breakfast and relaxed a bit before packing up and heading to a nearby park to run.

I wasn't sure how far I'd go as my legs were very tired from a fast 12 miler the day before, along with staying up super late and getting some not-so-restful sleep in a hotel room.  Still, it was a nice, cool day and a beautiful park awaited us.  My run was slow and laborious, but there was so much beauty to see that I spent more time soaking it in than worrying about my pace.

We ran in Grant Park, which had seemingly endless greenways and despite the grayness of the day, I ran under lush, green trees and foliage most of the way.  At one point I came out onto a cliff overlooking Lake Michigan.  I stopped my watch and just stood there, taking it all in.  It looked like an ocean!  I saw several chipmunks scurry across the path in front of me as I ran, and saw two dear up close and personal as they munched on greens.  I stopped then too, grinning like a fool at all the nature around me.  I couldn't wait to finish up my run, grab my camera and drag Jason back to all these beautiful sites.

About two tenths before I finished my 6th mile and concluded my run, I realized I was not wearing my wedding rings.  It only took me a second to realize I had taken them off the night before placing them on the bathroom counter and that I had not retrieved them that morning.  I wasn't overly panicked.  I figured I'd just call the hotel and tell them I needed to come back and get my rings.  We were only about 10 minutes away and we'd only been gone about an hour.  I knew my rings would still be there, and even if they'd cleaned the room, I knew they'd found them.

I was calling the hotel as Jason completed his run and I told him we needed to go back.  He immediately hopped in the car, and as the head cleaning lady came back on the phone to tell me the room had been cleaned and there were no rings, I began to become more alarmed at the situation.

We got back to the hotel, went back to our room and there were no rings.  We, along with two managers, searched the trash (multiple times), the sink, the sink drains, the vacuum and bags, the entire contents of laundry, both clean and dirty, under the beds and sheets and pillow cases... all to no avail.  They were gone.

During all of this I was sort of stunned. I had been so sure we'd find them.  I knew exactly where I'd left them and Jason had seen them there that morning.  I felt guilty as I began to suspect they'd been taken by someone, but what other explanation could there be?

I'd been successful in holding it together in front of these strangers.  I was so embarrassed and I knew I looked like a silly lady who'd lost her wedding rings.  But when we got in the car to drive away, I realized they really were gone and I was not getting them back and I lost it.  I cried so hard I wanted to throw up and I used up an entire travel bag of tissues in Jason's glove box.  I couldn't believe I had done that.  Who does that?  Why hadn't I thought to put my rings on before we left?  Jason had asked me if I had everything and I'd said yes!  Why did I have to take them off in the first place?  Where in the world were they anyway?  They were the rings Jason had given me when he asked me to marry him and now I'd never see them again.

We almost cancelled our trip and headed home, but that made me sad too.  We were having the most wonderful time.  I had planned to show him the view of the lake/ocean.  I was going to take pictures.  We were going to go to Chicago and see the aquarium and run along the lakefront path and go to the apple festival in his hometown.  I still wanted to do all of that, but I didn't feel like I deserved to.

Eventually, I got myself together and we drove to Chicago.  It was hard to sleep that night and the next day there was a lingering sadness over us both.  We were pretty quiet most of the day as we looked at the strange and beautiful creatures in the aquarium and walked along the water.  I knew they were just rings and that my marriage to Jason was just as strong and wonderful with rings as without.  This perspective began to take hold and by the next day, I think Jason and I were both starting to let it go a little more.

We did end up having a wonderful time on the rest of our trip.  And maybe this whole ring-loss thing brought us even closer than we were before.  I'm still disappointed that they are gone, and it feels very strange not to have them on my finger.  I still go to put them on every morning and I am surprised they are not in the little soap dish on the bathroom counter where I always kept them.  But I know in the big scheme of things this is a small thing.  They are only things, after all, that will perish with every other material thing we own.  Our marriage, however, will grow and change and remain and that is what matters most.

Tuesday's Treat

Today's treat is a simple favorite of mine and it is string cheese!  My favorite brand is Sargento, but when I'm feeling a little cheaper, I buy Publix, Target, or Kroger brand and it is basically the same.  The light version is only 50 calories with good, quality ingredients (at least in the brands I know), and I must confess, I still enjoy pulling it apart in "strings" and eating it that way just like I did when I was little.  It is super yummy and usually tides me over until lunch or dinner if I get the munchies before time to eat (which happens often).

It is perfect for packing in lunches or tossing in your purse on the run.  And at only 50 calories, you can afford to indulge in this delicious snack.

Enjoy!

A Vacation in Miles

Jason and I left for Wisconsin mid-morning on Thursday, September 8.  We would not be returning home until Saturday, September 17 and that week fell smack in the middle of my ultra marathon training.  I knew I needed to get in some good runs amidst all of our traveling, site seeing and fun, so I tried to come up with a plan. 

Running is a great way to see the sites of a new place, and during our 10 days of traveling I ran in 5 different cities, in 2 different States.  While my mileage numbers were not as high as I would have liked had I been at home following my usual routine, I was pretty happy with them considering that we were traveling and completely off our regular routines. This is what it looked like:

Friday, September 9 - Madison, Wisconsin
6 miles, 9:04 average pace
We woke up Saturday morning in Bloomington, IL and drove the 3+ hours to Madison, Wisconsin where Jason checked into the Ironman Village.  After checking in, we changed clothes in the car (tricky, but doable) and ran along a path by Lake Monona.  I ran 6 miles with views of the water, a nearby park, and a brand new city all around.  I was a little tired from all the driving and standing in line at the Ironman registration, but having new surroundings in which to run made it more pleasant.

Saturday, September 10 - Middleton, Wisconsin
8 miles, 9:12 average pace
Our hotel was located in Middleton, Wisconsin and just happened to be perfectly located next to another greenway. It was near a Research Park-like area with sidewalks so I veered off a few times to see what was around.  I was pretty tired this day as well, but it was gorgeous weather in a new place and I ran 8 miles before going with Jason to set up his bike and go for a practice swim in Lake Monona.

Sunday, September 11 - Madison, Wisconsin
0 miles, Ironman Day
This was not a run day for me, as I spent over 12 hours with and watching for my Ironman as he completed his 3 events.

Monday, September 12 - Middleton, Wisconsin
3 miles, 9:31 average pace
This was almost a day of no running as Jason and I lazed around recovering from the day before, but Jason (the Ironman) got us both out and we went for a short 3 mile jaunt together.  My legs felt like lead and I could tell I was just shuffling along, but it was another gorgeous day and it was nice to be out in it with Jason.

Tuesday, September 13 - Middleton, Wisconsin
12 miles, 8:39 average pace
I had set aside this day as my longer run day, and I got in a wonderful 12 miler on a gorgeous and windy Wisconsin day.  My Ironman was safe and sound and whole after his event, we were traveling the world (okay, just Wisconsin and Illinois) together and life was good.  This run was full of thankful thoughts.  We left Middleton that afternoon and drove to Milwaukee where we attended a Brewers baseball game.

Wednesday, September 14 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
6 miles, 9:30 average pace
We stayed up late at the baseball game and even later once we got back to our room, but we still wanted to get in some miles so we Googled local running parks and greenways and found one very close by.  We ran in Grant Park, which had endless greenways in all directions.  I was a little nervous at first because there weren't many people out, but I stayed in the more populated areas and discovered some gorgeous scenery.  I ran along the top of a cliff overlooking Lake Michigan, saw two dear and several chipmunks.  I was super tired from the day before, but I managed 6 miles.  They were tough, but my surroundings made it better, once again.

After this run, the "terrible awful" happened and broke my heart.  I'll save this for another post.  After we ran and experienced the "terrible awful" we drove to Chicago.

Thursday, September 15 - Chicago, Illinois
0 miles, 4+ miles of walking
Because of the "terrible awful" and staying up until 2:00 a.m. the night before, I stayed in bed until 10:00 a.m. (a record-breaking sleep-in for the last 5+ years) with the curtains pulled shut against the sun.  Jason ran and when he got back we walked down to the Lakefront Path and to the Shedd Aquarium.  After touring there, we walked down to Navy Pier where we ate shrimp cocktail and steamed clams and mussels, and I indulged in the largest margarita they sold.  I do not make a habit of drinking away my sorrows (or of drinking much for that matter) but the mixture of long walks, seafood, and lingering sadness made it the perfect day for such.

Friday, September 16 - Chicago, Illinois
7 miles, 8:34 average pace
A new day dawned and Jason and I made our way back to the Lakefront Path where I ran 7 wonderful miles along Lake Michigan.  It was a somewhat overcast and windy day, but lovely none the less and I allowed the miles to heal the lingering sadness within.  After running we left Chicago and drove to Carbondale, Illinois, Jason's old stomping grounds, for the Apple Festival.  I bought a few crafts and we rode the ferris wheel and another ride called the Cliff Hanger.  Hilarious and fun.  Before leaving we shared a funnel cake, which I would later regret, but in the moment it was the most delicious thing my taste buds had ever known. 

Saturday, September 17 - Murphysboro, Illinois
1 warm-up mile, 10:00 pace/Apple Festival 5k, 22:59, 7:24 average pace
By this point in our vacation I think we were both sick of hotel rooms and hotel beds and sleep became hard to come by.  We fell asleep around midnight, only to wake up again around 4:00 a.m. as my tummy rejected the delicious funnel cake.  We left for the race at 6:30 and I felt nauseated up until the time I ran my warm-up mile.  The goal for the race was not to barf while running, but I ended up coming close to a PR and feeling great.  My splits were 7:13, 7:20, 7:25 and feeling that good I knew it wouldn't take much more to reach that PR (currently 22:40).

I got to meet a few of Jason's high school friends as well as his high school track coach.  He had the most wonderful things to say about Jason - his work ethic, his willingness to do what it took to improve - and the interesting thing is these traits are still with him today.  I loved hearing about his high school self.  Jason won first in his age group and I was 4th in mine.  We went back to the hotel to get cleaned up and then made our way home sweet home, reaching Madison, AL just in time to pick up our pup from the vet.

All in all it was a wonderful trip and running in each place enriched the experience showing me more of the local community and surroundings than I would have seen otherwise.  I loved running along all the greenways and lake-side paths and the weather was always so cool and crisp, perfect for running. I am glad to be home and back into my old routines that I enjoy so much, but I will remember fondly all the miles and all the places I ran them while on vacation.

Ironman Wisconsin as told by the Ironwife

The alarm clock went off at 4:00 a.m. and I took a quick, hot shower to wake up.  I knew it would be a long (wonderful, emotional, moving, inspiring, anxious) day spent watching for my swimmer, my cyclist, my runner - my Ironman, and I wanted to be awake and ready.  I had packed my drawstring bag the night before with the essentials - camera, iphone, chapstick, water bottle, and snacks, and I laid out my homemade Ironwife shirt, shorts, shoes and a light jacket for the chilly morning.  I was ready to go.

Jason and I hopped on the shuttle that would drive us to the transition area at 5:00 a.m.  I had a cup of coffee in my hand that I sipped as we drove in the early morning darkness through Madison, Wisconsin.  Jason was quiet as we sat shoulder to shoulder, hands intertwined. 

When we reached the transition area, Jason went to his bike to pump up his tires and check on his gear, and then he put on his wet suit and got ready for the swim.  I had a hard time letting him out of my site as I wished him luck with a huge lump in my throat as the most beautiful sunrise began to color the sky.  "Here we go," I thought once again, just as I had a year before in Ironman Kentucky.

Unlike the Louisville Ironman, (and like most of them), this Ironman was a mass start, and it was amazing to watch. After the most beautiful National Anthem (sung by an Ironman participant) followed by a moment of silence as we remembered all of those lost in 9/11, "It's a Beautiful Day" by U2 came over the loud speakers as the cannon fired signaling the swimmers to begin their 2.4 mile swim.  The race had officially begun. 

 

They swam two huge loops around buoys placed in the water. That meant spectators could see (and hear) the entire swim.  The men wore green caps and the women wore pink caps and I wondered which cap belonged to Jason and how it was going as I watched the circle of swimmers. Jason completed his swim in 1:15, which was almost 10 minutes faster than last year.  I was so excited as I saw him run onto the parking deck to get on his bike before cycling down the ramp, starting is 112 mile bike ride.  

I crawled up into a planter directly across from where Jason's bike was parked. 

The transition area as volunteers wait to help cyclists get their bikes. This picture does not encompass them all either.  There were 2811 out there.

Once I saw Jason ride off, it was time to catch another shuttle to Verona where spectators could watch the cyclists come through at mile 54 and 94.  There were tents set up with groups selling hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, and all sorts of snacks.  I met a man on the bus whose wife was also doing the Ironman and we compared stories as we rode.  We were some of the first people to Verona and I excitedly picked the spot I wanted and stayed there for 3 hours as the crowds filled the field and the side lines. I got quite the sunburn on the back of my legs, but I wasn't going to budge and lose my spot (you gotta be hardcore about this spectating thing).

I calculated when I should see Jason based on his previous Ironman and figured I might even see him before then.  As the minutes and hours passed, however, I became concerned.  Eventually I knew something had gone wrong because he would have shown up by this point, even if he had slowed down.  The question was what, exactly, had gone wrong and where was he.  I checked my phone again and again for emergency calls, but nothing came through.  This was agonizing as I stared intently at each cyclists looking for the familiar signs that they were mine.

After what seemed like too many eternities, I saw him.  Relief washed over me as I tried to cheer and snap a picture. He was in one piece.  That was a good sign.  Maybe my calculations had been wrong.  I was very alarmed however, when he stopped his bike to talk to me.  If he was racing, he should not be stopping!  He told me his bike chain had broken at mile 10.  He had to retrieve it from the road (with cyclists flying by) and then he used a tool he had with him to repair it as best he could.  Shortly before he reached mile 54 where I was waiting, he found the Trek Bike assistance vehicle and they helped him adjust it.  He had lost about 40-45 minutes doing all of this.  He was disappointed and he told me the goal for the day was now to finish.  I could see his disappointment and I was crushed for him. 

He rode off and I stared after him, not sure what to do.  I called Mom and told her what had happened and asked her to pray that he would keep his chin up and stay positive.  I prayed the same, but I couldn't help asking why???  Why did his chain have to break?

I hadn't eaten all day and my coffee was long gone, so I went to a tent and bought a hamburger, chips and a drink.  This helped quite a bit as I found a shady spot to eat. I knew I had a few more hours before I'd see him again and my legs could not handle any more sun.  I recalculated when I should see him if there were no other issues, and this time he came in when he should have.  He was smiling and slapping hands with spectators and I knew he had pushed through his disappointment and meant to finish his race as best he could. 

This was the best I could do as he sped by, giving me a high five before riding out of sight.

After seeing him a second time, I texted his mom and mine, telling them he looked great, and I hopped on the bus that would take me back to the transition area and the start of the marathon.  Jason's splits on the bike were 16 mph for the two loops where he had to stop, but for the loop when he didn't, he rode at 21 mph.  If he had not had technical issues, his bike race would have been dynamite!  I knew these things happen and that every triathlete had a story like Jason's, but I sure wished it hadn't happened to my triathlete!  Still, his spirits seemed improved and I thanked God for that.  Plus he was safe.  He was unhurt.  I was more grateful than I can express for that as well.  He completed his bike ride 6:24:29, which was over 30 minutes slower than last year. 

The way the marathon course was set up, I could see Jason 5 or 6 times as he ran, simply by walking a few blocks through downtown Madison. This was great for not only spectators but for the tired runners as well.  They pretty much had fans and cheers for the entire marathon.  Jason told me later that I became the goal as he completed each section of the run.  He was exhausted from pushing so hard at the end of his bike ride, and the goal remained simply to finish.  Despite the fact that this Ironman would be slower than his first, his run was still impressive.  After the swim, he was slotted at 126 in his division.  After the bike he was 156.  After 8 miles of the marathon, he was down to 91 and as he ran, he jumped down 20 more spots to 71 in his division.  I saw him several times, walking with him for a spell and giving him encouragement as best I could.  He was tired, but he kept moving and I was so proud of him.

Jason finished his run in 4:02, completing his Ironman in 11:57:52.  Despite the technical issues - the broken bike chain that never really shifted correctly during his 112 mile run and the two stops to fix it, he was pleased with his efforts and I was more proud than I can express.  From my own experience, I know a lot can happen during a marathon to change the course of the race in a second.  Add in a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 bike ride to the mix...and for these men and women to finish unscathed and in one piece is an impressive feat.  I was so proud of my Ironman for pushing through despite the issues he faced during this race, and for not giving up.  He gave it all he had and when he was moving, he was really moving!  That, to me, is another trait belonging to a true Ironman.

Stats and such:

Louisville, Kentucky Ironman 2010 - Swim/1:24:30, Bike/5:45:24, Run/3:45:41 - 11:13:35
Madison, Wisconsin Ironman 2011 - Swim/1:15:28, Bike/6:24:29, Run/4:02:30 - 11:57:52

To read of Jason's first Ironman:
My Husband the Ironman, Part I
My Husband the Ironman, Part II
My Husband the Ironman, Part III

Race the Races

Hi my blog reading friends!  Jason and I are finishing out the last few days of what has been a wonderful vacation (minus one terrible awful that I will explain later), and that is why there has been mostly silence on the blog.  My dear running pal, Julia Clark, has written another wonderful guest post WELL worth the read.  Enjoy her spin on training and racing and I will be back soon!

Julia and her twin, Laura, running the Auburn Half-marathon

Race the Races

"We need to gauge our workouts and our workout progression to ensure that we'll be training tomorrow…and the next day, and next week, and next month and next year…Patience and long-term planning must be our training partners."  - Pete Magill

For the past few months, I’ve been training for the Columbus Marathon on October 16th. My goal for this race is a 3:35, which is 22 minutes faster than my PR. It’s an ambitious attempt, so I considered my training program carefully. Too much speed work burns me out, but I need to be prepared to hold that pace. I could write a whole other blog post about how my training has progressed so far, but right now I want to focus on a particular aspect of my training philosophy: race the races, not the workouts. 

Everyone is different, and everyone’s training is different. I know there are training plans that lay out 2-3 hard workouts per week, but that's not how I roll. I'm content to run a track workout or tempo run about every other week. And when I do, I don't run the same maximum effort that I would run in a race. I run hard, for sure, but it's a calculated hard. 

A few weeks ago, I ran 7x800 meters with my friend Katie. I took the Yasso 800 approach and ran each one in 3 minutes and 30 seconds or better. At the end of the workout, I felt like I could have done at least one or two more 800s at the same effort level. That doesn't mean I didn't run hard. It definitely felt like work. But I wasn't completely exhausted afterwards, so I was able to recover faster and run well the rest of the week. Scott Douglas, co-author of Advanced Marathoning, explains, "The purpose of any workout, even the hardest, is to advance your fitness toward a performance goal. That means a measured effort that's hard enough to provide the desired stimulus, but not so hard that you're so trashed that the next few days of running are a waste. Remember Pete Magill's counsel: great training, not great workouts. Elite runners go to the well seldom if ever in their training; they save their racing for the races.  You should finish hard workouts with more in the tank. If you're doing repeats, you should be able to run a few more at the same pace. If you're doing a tempo run, you should be able to run another couple miles at the same pace without a marked increase in effort."

Bill Squires, a coach for the Greater Boston Track Club, refers to workouts as "things you can handle." He says, "A workout is an effort where you can control your speed. That means you can control your form. They [his athletes] always have more in their gun when they leave. I'm not into these practice runners, the Cinderfellas, who want a Purple Heart for their workout. I always say, 'Let's see what we can do on Saturday [in the race]." Or consider the words of Greg McMillan, the coach of McMillanElite in Flagstaff, Arizona: "The optimal rate of adaptation…occurs when the body is stressed to a tolerable level, allowing it time to adapt without having to draw on every ounce of its physical and mental reserves. It gradually adapts and is at far less risk for injury or burnout…A little control will make training more enjoyable and lead to greater overall improvement and, most importantly, better race performance." 

This Saturday my schedule calls for 13 miles at half marathon pace. The next big workout after that will be 10x800 meters on the track. The ten days in-between will include solid mileage (easy to moderate pace, including my final 20 miler) and rest. It’s so easy to get bogged down with workouts and paces and schedules, which is why striking the right balance between hard and easy is important to me. I want to feel fresh and motivated while striving for my goals. I want to push myself without losing the joy. Hopefully this approach will ensure that I’ll be training tomorrow...and the next day, and next week, and next month and next year...

Ultra Training Week 2

This has been one of those training weeks where I had to just roll with the crazy schedule life handed me and get in what miles I could.  I'm not complaining about that however.  The crazy schedule included getting ready for and getting ourselves to Madison, Wisconsin for the Ironman (which is TOMORROW, by the way). 

We had nonstop rain from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday night.  This got in the way of any running on Monday (which smarted since we had Monday off and I could have easily run until my heart's content) as well as any doubles on Monday or Tuesday.  Following the rain came the most glorious weather imaginable and I tried to make use of this as much as possible.  Tuesday and Wednesday were busy days as I went to work, fit in as much running as I could, and ran errands to get ready to head out of town for over a week.  Thursday I got up early, ran, and we hit the road for Wisconsin, arriving Friday morning.  Jason checked in, picking up his packet, chip, arm band and transition bags, and then we shopped at the Ironman store before fitting in another run.  This morning, before taking all of his gear to the transition area, I was able to get in another run.  Below are the mileage numbers for this crazy week.  Not exactly what I had planned, but not too bad either. 

Here is what I had planned:
Sep 4 - 10
Sun - off or light and easy run/weights
M - 7 miles a.m./3-4 miles p.m.
T - 6-8 miles a.m./No Boundaries in the p.m.
W - 6-8 miles a.m./weights in the p.m.
Th - 8 miles a.m./3-4 in the p.m.
F - 4-6 easy miles/weights in the p.m.
Sat - 10-12 miles
Total: ~ 48-50 miles

Here is how it went down:
Sunday - 6.1 morning miles with Katie - 10:19 pace.
I think we were both a little creaky from the Monte Sano Road Races the day before, but it was very nice to get out and move those sore and tired muscles with good company.

Monday - Nada.  Spent the rainy day in Fayetteville, TN with my fam.  Had a great time, but no miles were run that day.

Tuesday - 9 afternoon miles - 8:19 pace. 
No Boundaries was canceled due to the rain, but I decided after no miles on Monday, I had to face the drizzle.  It ended up being a pretty awesome run.

Wednesday - 7 morning miles with Jane - 9:42 pace. 

Thursday - 8.3 morning miles - 8:33 pace
Felt pretty good despite semi-sore quads and the morning was absolutely beautiful!

Friday - 6.1 afternoon miles in Madison, Wisconsin - 9:04 pace
I ran on a path around the lake where Jason will be swimming his 2.4 miles in the morning.  It was very windy and I was very tired, but I was glad to get in a good run in new surroundings.

Saturday - 8.1 miles in Middleton, Wisconsin - 9:12 pace
The running and cycling paths here are amazing.  They are everywhere!  This was a different path from the one in Madison.  I had planned 12, but I was tired and I didn't want to hold up Jason getting his bike set up in transition, so I cut it short. 

That gives me a total of 44.6 for the week.  While not exactly as much as I'd planned to fit in, it isn't too far off either.  I've felt a little fatigued this week and I can't figure out if it is due to the Monte Sano Road Races, the monthly woman thing, traveling or a combination of all three, but I'm hoping to give that 12 miler another go this coming week, and get in a few more 8's and maybe a 10 as well since we will be vacationing and free time will be in abundance. 

Tomorrow will be a rest day of sorts since I won't be running, and I think these legs need a break.  Still, while I won't be doing any running, I will be spending lots of time on my feet as I cheer for my Ironman and hurriedly get myself from point to point to support him in each event.  I am so excited I can hardly stand it! 

Ironnerves for the Ironman

It is almost here.  Ironman Wisconsin.  This will be my husband's second Ironman.  And the wife is a nervous wreck!  Okay, maybe not a wreck, but I'm getting the butterflies already.  Not because I don't think he can do it and do it well.  I know he can.  I also know his hopes and his goals and how, just like many athletes, he can be hard on himself when his performance is not what he thinks it ought to be.

So as wife, best friend, cheerleader and president of his fan club (hee hee), I REALLY want him to reach his goals.  I want him to succeed at everything he does and I want him to be proud of himself.  It is this that makes waiting and watching both exciting and nerve wracking. 

Still, nerves aside, I'm pretty excited.  I loved watching the Louisville, Kentucky Ironman last year.  It was amazing and inspiring and moving, and when I saw Jason come through that finish line, I thought I might explode with pride.  So I am looking forward to doing it all again.

I'm also prepared.  I'll be catching the shuttle to the swim start EARLY in the morning with Jason and from there I will catch another shuttle to where I can cheer him on during the bike ride. I'll then catch that same shuttle back to the transition area and be ready to cheer for him as he starts and completes his marathon.  I've packed a little drawstring bag that I will carry with me and in it I will have my camera, iphone, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, the athlete information booklet, snacks and money for more snacks (cheerleaders have to stay well fueled, you know).  Am I forgetting anything?

I have also made sure that I can be easily spotted by my athlete and that other supporters will know my status as wife, cheerleader and fan club president.  Instead of ordering this most important supporter apparel, I made it. 

So yeah, this Ironwife is READY!

From Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano to YOU!

As promised, I have Adam's and Tim's response to all who entered the "Running the Edge" giveaway this past week and wrote about how running has transformed their lives.  Without further ado, here is what they had to say!

First of all a big thank you to Jane for including us in her first giveaway!  She is a gift to the running blog community! 

As we were reading the comments, we were so deeply moved by some of the stories that we asked if we could reply in a guest blog.  Jane was kind enough to agree so we tried to think of a general way to communicate how we felt about these stories.  The only thing we could think of was to respond to each one of them individually.  Find your name below and a brief note from one of us.  Thank you all again for sharing your stories!  - Adam and Tim

Julie - You are so right about running friends!  The bond created through the miles and hours spent training together is very unique and strong.  I love running with Kara and if Colt ever decides to go for a run I will treasure that experience as well.  - Adam

Jason - A 10K at the age of 4?  That is truly a LIFETIME of running. I am sure with all the lessons you have learned over the years you have plenty to share and pass on to younger runners.  All the best!  - Adam

Lois - Both Adam and I can relate to your story.  It is unlikely either of us would have ended up in college without running and it has definitely kept us away from possible bad influences and situations (other that each other! :))  Enjoy the run!  - Tim

Lauriea - Like Tim said above, we can relate to these types of stories.  It is great to hear how running can give people a higher self esteem and sense of accomplishment.  That confidence spills into every other area of life and can make a tremendous difference in other aspects of your life.  Keep it up! - Adam

Mark - We both laughed out loud after reading this!  Because of you we are thinking about writing a blog from a running dogs perspective.  Keep an eye on our blog in the next few months and you might see it!  With or without a dog, running can make an otherwise straight forward life seem like something adventurous and challenging!  - Tim

Audrey - Welcome to the running family!  We are happy to have you and we hope that the advice, tools, motivation, and inspiration you find in Running the Edge will get you through many more Canadian runs!  - Adam

Runnergirl - Wow!  You and I should get together and compare injury and scar stories.  Isn’t it strange how we can love something that breaks our bones?!  We could also talk a lot about the highs and lows of running.  You will find many of my highs and certainly lows in our book.  Good luck with your masters goals.  I am right behind you and hope to still be collecting age group medals throughout my life! - Adam

Julie Sam - I have also been an “off and on” runner since graduating from college.  I have stopped running for up to six months at a time but the feeling of being fit and enjoying that amazing post workout high always lures me back and gets me back on my feet.  I am happiest when I am fit and running.  Your daughters are lucky to have a running mom setting a good example!  - Tim

Robert - We are both HUGE high school cross country fans!  This is where it begins for a lot of runners and if you can run through college as well, you will create a lifetime of very special memories.  Good luck this season.  Keep us posted on how you are doing on our facebook page.  - Adam

Nicole - We hope you love our book but you will not find any information about mechanics or training advice or workout plans.  We think you will enjoy the book and hopefully it will inspire you to BE a better runner by enhancing some of your running attributes.  Let us know how it compares to the others you have read and good luck in your running and thirst for knowledge!  - Tim

Brandi - My wife Kara would agree that running makes you a better mom.  Keep it up! - Adam

Rachel - You are so right.  Runners learn discipline and just how far consistent hard work can take you.  The lessons are so valuable in every other area of your life.  Sounds like you and Jacob were made for each other! - Tim

Jill - It is stories like these that give me chills.  The fact that you have developed such a strong passion for running and that you have a supportive family is really inspiring!  Like you I was hooked after my very first race.  Congratulations on the 5k and 10k accomplishments and good luck in the half.  Pretty soon we will see you in a full marathon! - Adam

Tom - We would be honored to be a part of your library!  Running can certainly help you through both the highs and lows or life.  Running teaches you how to handle both with a healthy perspective.  - Tim

Shannon - Please come run with me!  I need someone to talk to me to make me forget from time to time!  The great part about running is that you can fill that need to be competitive throughout your whole life!  - Adam

Liam - I am glad you liked Running with the Buffaloes.  Those are some great memories for me.  I hope you like Running the Edge just as much even though it is a very different kind of book.  There are tons of stories in this new book that will give you a better idea of who I really am.  - Adam

Justin - I love your story!  You are right that running rewards hard work and if you are ending races in vomit then you are either pushing yourself very hard or you need to look at what you are eating before the race.  You will love the story at the beginning of Chapter 1! - Tim

Katie - What a great goal to run a marathon in every state. And what is even better is that you get to do this with your husband!  I plan on running my first Marathon this January at the Olympic trials. Then I will finally be able to see first hand what my wife keeps telling me about it.  Good luck in your quest! - Adam

Scott - We might need to interview you for our blog!  You must have some crazy stories from over 100 ultras and 50 marathons!  What an inspiration you must be to everyone who knows you!  We would love to hear some of your stories and what you think about Running the Edge!  Email us at info@runtheedge.com -Tim

Gaye - Isn’t “Flower” great!  She was a huge influence on me both as a runner and as a person.  I will never forget the lessons she taught me in high school.  Good luck in your own running career!  - Adam

Debra - You have gone from mostly walking with some running here and there to two half marathons!  That is a huge accomplishment!  Good luck in your race in three weeks!  Let us know how you do! - Tim

One Heart - This comment ranks as one of my favorites of all time on any running blog including our own!  Yes you are a little crazy and yes you are strong, capable, determined, passionate, and resilient.  You are also an inspiration.  Yes you can learn these things about yourself in a single day in a single race.  You will love our book because it is about EXACTLY these things!  - Tim

Mrs C - Can we bottle your energy and passion and sell it to people?  Like you I love proving people wrong when they say I can’t do something.  After all you have done, you not only proved them wrong you proved yourself right.  Reading your story has inspired me more than you know.  I am proud to be a runner and kindred spirit with you!  - Adam

Nate - Do you know Ben Davis?  We did a blog about him and how he lost 120lbs running and he is featured as a story in our book (Chapter 15 I think).  Your story reminds me of his.  I read your comment before Adam did and then tried to paraphrase your words about being the most out of shape to most in shape in crowds.  I didn’t do a very good job getting your words right but know you had us talking about YOU!  Well done and keep it up!  - Tim

Ohio Girl - What can I say?  I want to hear more about your story.  Tim and I live for inspirational people like you.  Would you be willing to share your story in more detail?  We could maybe put it up on our blog and let our readers be inspired by you!  If you are willing to share contact us as info@runtheedge.com  Keep up the running and belief in yourself! - Adam

Purple Lab - Yes!  When running becomes its own reward then you have really arrived.  When you do not have to race a certain distance or get a certain time or weigh a certain amount to love the sport then you are a true runner.  You can run because the process itself is the payoff.  This is a lesson that can take years to learn but when it hits you it is truly powerful! - Tim

Celeste - You are not taking the gift for granted now!  Life changes and so do our priorities.  You do not have to run every day or even every week to be a runner.  Your goals for running might be different than someone who is training to qualify for Boston or run a new PR but that does not mean that you can’t enjoy the sport and the gift on your terms as it fits into your personal and family life.  You have also shared the gift with others by coaching high school and now with your own children.  Running is always a better gift when shared!  - Adam

Eric - The great thing about being a runner is that you are given permission to be a bit socially awkward and still fit in perfectly!  On some level we are all a little strange but that is what makes us unique and the most interesting people at most gatherings!  Congratulations on the weight loss and increased proficiency at blowing snot rockets!  - Adam and Tim

Tina - We have a chapter in our book called “Because it’s Hard" which talks about exactly that idea.  If running were easy, not as many people would choose to do it and it certainly would not give you that tremendous sense of self satisfaction. - Tim

Julia - We have several chapters and sections in the book that talk about running with other people and how valuable shared experience can be.  It sounds like you could have written those parts!  May you have many many more years of those runs with your running girls! - Adam

Brandy - You have taken control of your health and your life and now you are sharing that experience with your whole family!  What a gift and what an inspiration you are.  Hopefully running will be a constant companion in your life for years to come!  Good luck in Nashville and please let us know how you do!  - Tim

Cara - I think looking at food and nutrition as a way to fuel your body and your running passion is a healthy outlook.  Smoking and running don’t really go together and the fact that you quit smoking shows which is a more powerful influence in your life!  You will be a great mom with the lessons you have already learned.  Keep it up!  - Adam