Post Life Changing Marathon

About a week ago, I ran a marathon. San Antonio wasn't my first choice location-wise, but it was the most practical decision. I started this blog two years ago with a somewhat vague notion that I could one day train and actually complete a 26.2 miler. It's been interesting what I've found out about my physical and mental strength since then. It appears as though my mental capacity to handle a ferocious run like that heavily outweighed my physical ability. But, what's done is done. 

So here's how it went...

Just prior to race day, I clung to Hal Hidgon's latest marathon book and tried not to freak out. It's true what they say about training for any race:  you can't cram for it like you can a test. You're body needs time to rest and repair from any run that is considered "long." I had one final eight mile run a week before the big race and I killed it. Yet, I still felt like I wasn't ready.

Parlay that into another aspect to a successful run: a positive attitude. I knew I had to shove all my doubts and worries out of my head or else my brain would end up sabotaging the race. Another thing that "they" say is true, running is 90% mental, or something like that. If you don't think you can do it, you probably won't.

So, how did it go?

I thank God for blessing me with the ability to accomplish this feat. And for just the right amount of stubbornness to get it done (not to be confused with 'get er done'). I think it would be crass of me to claim my victory over the race in the name of God. Rather, it was an act of God that I was even able to finish. The thought crossed my mind several times to give up, just lay on the ground, and throw a tantrum. Every mile of the race came with a water station and medical tent. It was so tempting. By mile 24-ish, I was ready to burst into tears from the pain in my quads, the feeling of it never ending, and exhaustion. That's when I saw my parents cheering me on. They had been strategically placed at that point the race to get me through to the end, so for that, I am thankful.

Side Note: My iPod playlist definitely helped me get through it all. "Tongue Tied" was the song that played right before I finished and even ended right as I was about to cross the finish line. I didn't choose this song, but it was fitting since it was in a heavy music rotation from the very beginning of training.

From about mile 15 until the end, I had trouble with my tightening quadriceps. Every so often I would stop to stretch them, which gave temporary relief. Interestingly enough, that was my only serious ailment. No KNEE ISSUES, No IT BAND ISSUES, No SI JOINT ISSUES, No GLUTE GUILT, No NOTHING. Geez louise, all this time I've been working through various issues related to those things and I guess it paid off! Unfortunately, a lot of my energy was focused on my gentle giants, aka my enormous quads. They have never given me problems. Well, not until my more serious long runs. And really, you just chalk it up to normal muscle tightness. If I had worked on stretching them more from the very beginning, they would have been better off. But again, what's done is done.

How do I feel about it now?

Did I really struggle that hard to finish? Was the race really THAT long? These are actual questions that crossed my mind recently. So quickly did I forget the painful strides and the unforgiving sun. 

But yeah, I did it. I feel good about myself. And I walked away uninjured, too. I went to what appears to be my last PT session today (I hope). My PT didn't really see a need for me to come back. This is a sign that I am in the clear, health-wise. Unfortunately, this did not mean that I was in the clear, maternity belt-wise. I still have to wear that thing. I know I am the envy of all the other runners...

Buuuuut seriously, I feel relieved. It's DONE. And I don't have to do it again! If anyone wanted my advice about the whole thing, I would say, yeah, I can do a race, so you can do a race. But don't train for a race unless you find at least two things you enjoy about running. For me, I enjoy the feeling after a run, and I enjoy its ability to help me escape for a while. That's what got me through most of my training. 

A Day Before Madness

So, here we are (face-to-face, a couple of silver spooooons...oh wait...). It's the day before the marathon attempt. I feel like I've been plotting to run a marathon for years, but it's been more like one or two. When I've watched and heard about friends and loved ones accomplishing this feat, I would think "Gee, I wish I had that kind of discipline. There'd be no way I could do something like that without any help." Well, I sort of proved myself wrong, which is always a nice surprise.

Now I have to be patient. Conserve my energy. Consume carbs. Not stress about the schematics.  And, not obsess over the feeling that I'm still under-prepared  Yes, I did just about everything my training plan instructed. And yes, I did complete the 20 mile run. That doesn't seem to squash the doubts of a newbie, though. But I can say I've received a lot of support for my race, so I'm going to take that with me as I run.

Anywho, just think, earlier this year I had a somewhat embarrassing glut injury, making it hard for me to walk straight (zombie-like). I could probably never adequately express how grateful I am to have a physical therapist guide me through the healing process and get back on the road to running. When I could no longer run the TIR during that time, my confidence was pretty shot. One day at a time and months later, I'm doing something a notch more difficult than a long distance relay race.

So what happened to me? Did I become a different person? Where's Lazy Shelly? I'd like to think that I've unlocked a seldom used piece of my personality that has so much drive to accomplish a goal, the strife that typically comes with it seems to just fade away. It's the same drive I had to graduate college and get a job I guess, but I've missed that feeling. I welcome it to linger and fixate on something else once my race is over.

Together! We're going to find our wayyyyy!

Powering Through to Get More Power

I keep daydreaming about what it will feel like once November 11th has come and gone. For superstitious reasons, I'm still not saying that I'll actually finish my very first marathon, but instead I say I'll be glad after I've attempted my first marathon.

Since I have neglected my blog, I'm going touch on some highlights and 'ah-ha' moments that I've had in the past month or so.

Most interesting place I've ran during training: Dodson Prairie

Granted, I didn't deviate too much from my Townlake trail and neighborhood streets, but I had not noticed, until I ran there, how beautiful that place is. It is a bona-fide prairie with rolling hills. Great for running 14 miles on.... (if you love pain and struggle). The best part was about 10 minutes from the end of my run when it began to rain just enough for me to really enjoy it. Perfect weather, perfect smells, perfect sights, so much so that I didn't even turn on my IPOD.

Favorite distance to run: 10-ish miles
Now that just sounds plain crazy, coming from me, but lemme 'splain. 10 miles gives you a sense of accomplishment, especially when you run it after training for five months. It's almost a flash in the pan at that point. I spent all that time running and suffering, so I enjoy my 10 miles more than I could have ever thought. I almost...err, ok, I almost wish I could continue to do those runs after the marathon.

Best running gear: My Mizuno shoes!
They are the best. I dared a month back to get a different pair of shoes to run with and made it one run with a hurt foot and a basket full of regret. Thankfully, I was able to trade in those disappointments for a new pair of Mizuno Alchemy shoes, and for once, they are in cool colors. The last two pairs I've had of those shoes have been burgundy and light blue (what the what people?). I was fitted for them at Hill Country Running Company. My foot was analyzed and matched with a pair that would be wide enough with plenty of arch support. I don't necessarily feel like I'm walking on clouds, but I'm not walking on just some flimsy piece of plastic either.

Greatest success besides adding on the miles: Gaining this mental 'will-do' attitude
When the rest of my body, bits and pieces of me, were struggling through the runs, my mental strength steadily grew. One only has to read some of my previous blogs to see how bad I've struggled with motivation. My brain is soooo determined to get over this mountain that it almost doesn't care that the ligaments in my "gluts" are plumb give out or my knees are plotting their revenge.

I know I won't be able to keep up this running thing for a long time. I will have to retire it and start focusing on lower impact sports. My body just wasn't naturally built for this sport, and frankly I don't want to continue pretending that it is when I know that someday I would have to have knee surgery or a hip replacement. I just hope that whatever sport I pick up next gives me the same feeling of strength that this marathon training has.