Santa Barbara Marathon!

All I can say is Yeah! What a day! So fun, such an easy marathon compared to the others Ive run.  It was slow and magical and really renewed my faith in myself.

Expo: I was still pretty sick so that sucked but headed in with the hubz and my 3 year old. Nabbed some swag, a new visor and shirt then headed to Giovannis for pizza. Gotta have pizza pre marathon or pre anything really. Ran a few errands, picked up my other two kidlets and tried to rest up and eat 9 tons of carbs by way of goldfish and halloween candy.

Race day: I got up early, we packed up the kiddos and the hubz dropped me off at the start. I went into the gym to stay warm and met another Whymarathon ambassador from the east coast. I gabbed, ate a BelVita and felt no nerves. It was a beautiful day to RUN and I felt so greatful for the chance. Went to the parking lot for the start, drained the main vein in a porto potty with no stinkin' line and head to the start. The start went off with the word CHARGE and then Bruno Mars sang to me about being locked out of heaven.Nothing to do now but run!

First 4 miles, beautiful, still but I was stiff. The chest cold was still there and the days on nyquil caught up with me. Headache from the get go but I just ignored it. Up to Mile 10 went through goleta, stuff I know, my gym so I just looked around and waited to fuel at Mile 10. Then had my trader Joes salted carmel (eff gu, I need real food) and kept going.

Mile 13 I hit at 2:07 and just felt like I was crawling. It was awesome! No looking at pace, just jamming on! Just enjoying it. I knew my friends and the hubz signed up for athlete teacking so I loved those areas I hit that they were getting texts about. It felt like they were there.

Mile 15 carmel deux. Switched to a podcast. Started seeing people fade. No fatigue but I was aware that in Ojai mile 17 started the chopped up hambuger quad feeling. So kept trucking. No pain! Kept passing. It just seemed like an easy course! I think the slow going pace and the fact I have only ran two hard marathons has messed with my mind but thats how I felt.

Mile 20 more fuel, still hanging out, having fun. 9:38 pace? Just no big deal. Awaiting the hill at 23. Knew my friend was there at 24 so I was ready. Hit that hill and was like 'what hill?' The monsters I train on were way rougher. I made that hill my bitch and it felt good! I kept looking around like 'See that, see that? Imma BOSS!".Saw my girl and her little girls dressed as cheerleaders with a sign for me at 24. Cried like a baby. Then just smiled!! Saw the ocean, crested the hill and floated in. My fastest miles were the last 3. So much left in the tank! I just smiled and glided in to the finish, blessed, elated and in love with running again. What is time if you are not having a good time?

 Finish 4:13:37. Not fast or a 'good' time I guess. But not a bad one either. Especially considering that the last marathons I was out of commission for days. Like big time. Like fell off the toliet big time pain. And I have a high pain threshold. But this time? Walked 5 miles yesterday. Went to the gym today and elipitalized for 90 minutes! And lifted weights! Then walked low tide with the kiddos for 3 miles. Slight soreness but thats it. If sub 4 means aches and pain and contimplating death by marathon then why do I do it? I think I can reign it in and maybe get a 405 with no issues but for me, for now, this was just right. Beautiful town, beautiful run and a blessed girl. For a last minute unplanned marathon with a chest cold and no goal, It was more than I ever could ask for.

Next up? R and R Arizona. I signed up for the half but I just might change that sucker to a full. 26 for my 36(th) bday. I know not every marathon will go this great be this rewarding but Im willing to chase it. running has taught me a lot about myself and Im stoked to keep on learning.

Im baaacckkkk

Life. It just gets in the way of this blogging thing. Im going to try to plug in more, if nothing else to record what the heck is going on in my life. Ive been running the same- maybe a few more miles- 45-55 mile weeks but sllloooww. After my last marathon and the ankle twist debacle I decided Id rather be on the road and slow rather than on the sidelines after a fast-ish run.

So as a result Ive been enjoing running more. Ive been noticing more. Ive been in less pain and Ive just found joy again. Splits- who gives a rat? Im alive, the sunset, the crisp morning, the ocean. Its within that spirit that I last minute jumped into another marathon--next Saturday. Like in 5 days. Taper? I dont need no stinkin' taper. I ran 11 this morning, slow but greatful. I plan on running again on Wednesday and then chilling. My race goal for the Santa Barbara marathon? For the first time ever-

NONE.

ZIP.

Just to go slow, enjoy it. Be thankful and greatful. I GET to run, Im blessed at this point of my life to jump in to 26 miles out of the blue. So I plan to  coast in with a slow time and a big smile. I read somewhere that not every marathon has to be raced. And I agree. So this is for me. This is a celebration of doing what I love in the town that I live in. And Im not nervous or aplogetic about it. My longest run has only been 17 miles so this will be a crazy experiment but Im okay with it. I plan to have faith and just go!

Im more excited about the thanksgiving 4 miler with my 7 year old. We are run/walking it together--his first race. And Im so proud I could burst. Even my husband is running it-- he has been on the treadmil every night and if you know him you would know thats straight wack funky. And he is going at it alone while I run with Ry. Awesome.

So Im back. But Ive been here. Taking in the miles and finding balance. It feels like Im opening another, gentler chapter of my running life and I can honestly say I have never been run-happier. So Ill let you know how the SBIM goes- good, bad and ugly. Hopeful that if nothing else Ill greet the finish chute with a smile!

O2O marathon race recap

So its done. Finite. Over. I did it.

I was scared crapless, wondering about my sanity level. My ankle still hurt and the taper made me sluggish and chunked out. I was excited to run though-I freakin MISSED it, so I was open to the day and what it would bring...

We headed to Ventura Saturday afternoon and my ma in the law took the boys. I just couldn't take their crazy business with my crazy business. We stopped for some pizza at this great Dive place, Tonys, and then headed to the expo. Or two booths and a tshirt table. It all started to sink in at this point and I began to panic. So what to do when you panic?
Go to Nordstroms and spend an ungodly amount of money. Then schlep to Target to buy a cart full of things you never knew you needed. Distraction via Transaction. After the damage we went to Pick up Stixx and got some pseudo Chinese food- mostly white rice for me. We sat on the deck of the hotel room and I texed with friends who A. Think I'm batsh&t crazy and B. Love me anyway and I tried to fill myself up with their belief in me while icing my cankle.
I headed to bed at 10 and did the premaray fitful sleep until 4. I got up, started to cold sweat and threw on my clothes. I tried to move my rock of a husband to get him up and on the 4th shove he finally moved. We headed to the car and up to Ojai at about 5. We got there and I got in the pee pee line which was to china as usual. Right behind me was the 3:55 pacer. I introduced myself and told his ass I wasn't going to run with him but I wanted to look at him so I could use him as a bookmark. Im sure he cared deeply. Anyhow after the honey buckets I kissed the hubs, told him to watch his phone in case I had to quit, and joined the masses. And the race began and broke down like this:

Miles 1-6- in Ojai, super nice, great music, felt like I was going too slow, stuck to the 845 plan and felt like I was floating.' I GOT THIS' I thought!! I LOVE RUNNING' I thought.

Miles 7-13- Along bike path in Ojai- BEAUTIFUL green, lush, fairy land. Foggy and amazing. Peaceful. I felt thankful. No real pain. On Plan still, felt like I could go on forever. Actually did hand gestures to 'Dirt off your shoulder' and spoke to other runners.Manic runlove.

Mile 14- Knew death was imminent. My quads began that all too familiar ache from the downhill and my ankle started shooting up pain up my leg. I knew it would only get worse.

Mile 15-20- kept on pace but wanted to quit. Really, really, really bad. My quads were screaming. I wondered why I didn't just stick with half marathons. I wondered why I was such a moron. I wondered why the woman in front of me was wearing booty shorts. I sang "Sure Shot' Out loud. I didn't give a rats ass. 'BECAUSE YOU CANT YOU WONT AND YOU DONT STOP!' Booty shorted woman peed. Decided I didnt like her.
Miles 21-23- Now I knew I was dying. legs stopped working. Pace slowwwwweedd waaay ddooowwwwnn and I didnt even care. There was nothing I could do to go any faster. Nothing. I walked through a water stop and tried to get a grip. I was now in Ventura on flat land. Boring ass land. And my legs gave me the middle finger. They refused to move. A chick dropped in front of me at 22 and may have had a seizure. I could barely think, almost walked it in. I just couldn't physically go any faster, any more. Pain shot through me, up me, in me from all sides. I was giving up.
Mile 24- I saw the 3:55 pacer whip by me so I knew, I knew, If I could just get a damn hold of my damn self, I could turn this pain into a sub four. I reasoned pregnant people, 400 pound people, children, dogs and worms could run 2 miles. So I needed to make this happen. 17 minutes- I can do ANYTHING for 17 minutes. RIGHT? RIGHT?
Mile 25-26- I just kept saying move- one foot at a time. Pain was shooting through my body each step, BOOM BOOM BOOM- I had some tears unwillingly falling but I knew I could do a mile, a mile thats it. I could see the finish line and I had nothing left, nothing. SO I just keep forward motion. I saw Dan and I saw the clock- after all this, all this pain I was going to have a sub 4!
I stumbled through the chute blew a kiss at my grandmothers kicking it with the holy rollers in the sky and went to see my kiddos and my ma in law and my hubs. My kids and my ma in law were crying and I was  barely upright. BUT I DID IT! B goal was reached!
3:56:32
Its not a BQ time (340) but its a sub 4 and 27 minutes better than last time on a pretty royally effed up ankle area. I can honestly say I couldn't have given any more. There was nothing left in me. I'm paying dearly now, I fell off the toilet yesterday, bare assed screaming for my 2 year old (I shine, I shine) but I'm glad I did it. You never know until you try and I was willing to drop out if I had to. I'm not looking for a new marathon anytime soon but if I do another I will find the flattest one on the earth of the world. I cant hang with downhill. I need flat. I'm too old and not in the mood for adventure.
I will say, if nothing else, I'm a tough ass chick. I just am. I may not be the fastest, I may not be the smartest, but I aint no puss. I  just don't say no, I don't say cant, I don't make excuses I just do. I'm proud of that. Maybe its conceited or whatever, I'm just too damn old to care. I'm a tough old bird. At a time in my life where all the rest of me is falling apart, where my body isnt what it used to be, wrinkles are starting to embed and gravity is taking hold, its nice to like something about my self.

So now its rest and try to not fall down time. Im going to attempt the gym tomorrow for light elliptical  to start working this stuff out of my muscles. I hope I can actually get up on the thing. Wont be the first time I make a fool out of myself in public if I can't. MAN I want to get back to normal, my gym and mileage, untapered regular life.  Then strap on the safety belt and blast off to the next challenge. Which today is getting off the couch without teetering forward.
Thanks for all your support blogfriends- big knucks and high 5s.

More refueling at Mconnals. Hell yea I wore my medal.
I dont give a front door.

Refuling at Dukes. Hello transfats..

Countdown to the throwdown..

Sunday/Sunday/Sunday!!

Gonna limp my way to Marathon madness. And look like an absolute moron in the meantime. Normally I look for a cute race outfit- one that says I'm cute, but serious. I mean to run this and all but I'm no douche. But not this time. Noooo, not this time. This time I'm set to  break all fashion rules in the spirit of finishing upright.

Compression pants
shorts on top of compression pants because they have pockets for stuff
Compression socks
Huge ankle brace that makes me look like I have clubfoot
tank top

Soaking the ankle in a soup pot, drinking the dog, heating
pad on the hammy
 and wondering what my life has come to.

Summer on the top, winter on the bottom, all in 85 degree Ojai heat. No race picts being purchased this go around. Hoping Ventura is cold at the finish (if I make it that far). I wore the get up on a 5 miler Wednesday and sweat like a whore in church. I came back like I just crossed Africa on the way to the middle East. But I need the stability. My ankle still hurts, my tendon hurts, so I need to do what I can to give me the best shot. No running today or tomorrow and a lot of praying in the mean time. Praying nobody sees me in my clubfoot attire.

Plan is to start, run by feel and drop out if the pain sucks to many balls. I bought the 2nd hunger games audio book (nerd alert) and downloaded some podcasts and 9 million rap songs (lil wayne, beastie Boys, Drake, Snoop, Kayne, tupac and Wu-Tang.....holla if youre a minivan gangstaaaaaa). So now I have options for mind distractions. Video Hoe choreography at mile 18 or Katnis dry humping Peeta at mile 21. Its my choice..

So cheers, send some finish without dying vibes my way if you got em'- it starts at 6 I should be done by midnight. At this point I miss running so so so so so much that if I only finish 12 miles, I'm just going to be damn happy Im out there moving. That and bringing sexy straight on back.

10 days..

So 10 days until the mary. Im oddly calm. Ankle totally still sucks but sucks less....so that's something. Its along the inner ankle bone--a tendon of some sort. Im ice bucketing and ibupfrofining. Took 4 days off then did 11 Monday- was pretty sore so took 2 days off, decided to be responsible and ran 7 today. Felt it at about mile 4 but not too bad, came home and iced and feel ok today.It there, but I cant say its pain= just present. Plan on 5 tomorrow and then gym and then hopefully will hit the HS track on Sunday for 8 of I feel alright. Pace Monday was a "I might die 8:45" and today was "I feel fine 8:22" So god knows what the hell pace Ill run the marathon at. I have no idea why I'm calm. I think its mostly because I have no real expectations. My first goal was a BQ. That's out now. I'm not even going to try given my current situation. I know if I go for it Ill probably be on the sidelines for awhile so I'm just not going to put that in my head this time. I figure if I can run it and have fun, Ill learn something and then I can look for another race to BQ at. So my second goal is to creak under 4 hours and my third is to go one best than my last marathon.  And if none of that happens Ill still have accomplished another 26.2  I mean what can you do? Injury's happen- to everyone. Ill still show up, Ill still do what I can. Ill still gain 10 pounds if carb weight and buy a damn hat, Ill still load a gangster rap playlist and buy some new socks. But if my current situation and the days off  it entailed have taught me anything, its that I am just happy to have the chance to RUN.  Its funny, it isn't until its taken away that you realize how much you love it. Like the cadbury creme egg. I curse it,and complain, but damn if I am not longing for that mess of a concoction.
So cheers to a life experience.  It aint always what you want but it might end up being exactly what you need (cue music, large mouth, air molestation and manorexic body slithering across the blog).

http://ojai2oceanmarathon.com/

STUPID freakinfrackincamberedroads...welcome ankle tendonitis, join the party.

Yeah. Remember my 20 miler last week? I sort of stumbled on one of the 900 holes and cambered roads. Anyway my ankle hurt a bit when I was done. Not a crapton but some. So I went to the gym the next day and only did a 6 miler on Saturday. It ached later that day so I hauled my irritated butt to the Gym Sunday to crosstrain. It felt better and I walked all around on Mothers day with no pain. So Monday I ran 11 miles. It hurt that night but I figured it wasn't anything big so...since it fit better in my schedule than the gym, I ran another 11 miles TUESDAY.

Big mistake. Huge. Stupid.

I got done and my ankle got so stiff and hurt so much. I just started to cry like a moron. I KNEW knew KNEW better.

The good?- No swelling. No discoloration. Based on where it is (inside ankle between the bones) and based on the basic eval from this PT who works with the hubz, its just tendinitis, nothing more. Bought a CEP ankle sleeve and have been icing and ibuprofining.

The Bad? Marathon in 2.5 weeks. Yeah. I'm not afraid of running on pain. Obviously. But I am super super super scared that a hiatus from running will strip me of my fitness and not allow me to finish the marathon.

So yesterday and today I did the elliptical with no pain. Tomorrow the same stupid annoying death plotting exercise is planned and then Ill reevaluate if I can do a slow flat jog Sunday. Which I'm thinking no. It feels better today which is hopeful....but Im worried if I go back to running to soon Ill hurt it worse. Its pretty sharp pain. Conversely Im petrified If I don't run for 4 or 5 days or even more Ill loose running fitness.
When will I learn? I'm so mad at my stupid self.
My sentence for being a total idiotdouche? The smelly, learing 73 year olds on the elliptical commenting on Matt Lauer's interview with the dingdong who wrestled a crocodile using a dish towel, the woman who smells like fried corn, the 19 year old who looks like she is ready to cheer/smile/handstand/film a Colgate commercial at 5 am..all lead me to plot my death.

So whats the skinny- how long can I not run (though still cross train with all my friends) and still be able to run the marathon? Although if I keep medicating myself with pretzel m and m's I'm not sure Ill be able to run to anywhere other than Target for stretchy pants.

20.25 mile training run done..

So I did it. I hauled my ass up, pole vaulted over legos and empty juice boxes at 530 a.m. and went on a 20 miler. I was nervous but mostly just curios if I could hack it. I also tried a new fueling item- Honey Stinger Gels since Gu's make me want to poo. Where I live I basically have to get creative to make up 20 miles. I ran from my beach to another beach 4 times and then around another beach 11 times.Then back and around where I live 4 more times. Basically I looked like a mental patient in Neon Orange.

I went slow, thanks to the advice and encouragement of Alison, of Johnson Jocks fame. I think I have been trying to run my long runs too fast and its been leading to lots of stiffness and hammy pain. So I sllloowwweedd down and did a 9:14 average pace for 20.25 miles. I wasn't tired, I wasn't pushing, but I got super thirsty (no water- major fail I know), my legs felt heavy and mostly mentally I was freaking done.

I got home, stretched, refueled with a Cinibon Cinnamon roll courtesy of Costco and iced my knees. So far, so good. A little achy in my ankles- the road I run on is cambered as SH%T and the hills suck so I imagine that's the trouble. But no knee pain and the hammy feels like it always does. The stingers didn't make me crap and they seemed to give me the push I needed. They are super runny which I like. Gu is too thick for me-these go down quick. They are SUPER sweet though. The banana one was pretty gnarly. But better than gu overall I think.

So whats my point? I guess Ill run the marathon in 3 weeks.I mean since I hit 20 today, I should theoretically be able to hit 26 without dying, right?  Im really wondering what pace I should run it at-- I dont want to be a hot mess, struggling and in pain but I dont want to be a puss either. Im caring less and less about any kind of super major performance and more about finishing strong, pain free and happy. Maybe 8:45? Maybe just run off feel? Maybe its not a big deal and I should just go run and have a good time and get over myself. Yeah, sorta leaning that way. This whole dance of the marathon can really get in your head and eff with you. Sometimes its like running is just a PART of life, not life. So paces and splits and 20 milers--I mean thats great but not LIFE. Life for me is decorated with 3 ridiculous little monkeys and one large monkey and the insane life we lead.  And if I run a 3:50 or a 4:50 for some reason they still think Im dipped in awesome sauce. Now I just need to believe them.