Mad Monday Update 6/30/08

Well another week down and things are starting to feel like they are coming around a bit!

Monday 6/23 Rest

Tues 6/24 6AM -20 Miles Road Bike
lunch -6 miles Ran with the girls
6PM-30 Miles Mountain Biked on Road with Hubby

Wed 6/25 5 Mile Track w/o 1 mile repeats on treadmill...I hate these!

Thurs 6/26 7.75 Mile Run to Edgewater with E

Fri 6/27 AM 3.5 M Run ---feeling sore so kept it easy and short
PM 5 Miles Mountain Bike on Road before hubby tire blowout

Sat 6/28 15 Mile Mountain Bike on Road to Garrettsville Tractor Parade (This one deserves a post all on its own...gotta love the hillbilly town where my husband and I grew up! Let me tell ya how many times I shook my head as I watched the tractors roll down the town streets!)

Sunday 6/29 19.25 Mile Buckeye Trail Run--actuallu felt pretty good the whole way

Run 41.5 (finally over 40...now to keep moving up and not injured!
Bike 70 (20 road/50 mtn bike)

Pics from Run compliments of Chef Bill. It was quite a large group!





PS, can it quit raining already to dry out the muddy trails (for both mtn biking and running!)???

Mad Monday Update 6/23

After the 70 miles Sunday 6/15, my groin / hip flexor on my right side (which is my good side) was aggravated. So I kept things pretty easy M & T. I think when I try to attack hills on my road bike I really have a habit of pulling my pedals up pretty hard which causes my hip flexors to flare up.

So the week went as such.

M 6/16 6 Miles with the lunch girls
T 6/17 5.5 Miles with the Laura & friend (swarmed by muckleheads, one of which died in my sweaty sports bra-ewww!!!)
W 6/18 9 mile Run (1:14~8:14 pace)
R 6/19 30 Mile Road Bike Ride with allanjel AM, 9 mile Mountain Bike Ride at West Branch (2 hours)
F 6/20 14 mile Run (hot day about 5 PM and did and out and back from Mantua to Gville thinking I could hit the drinking fountain and take a gel at midpoint...but drinking fountain broken and that really bummed me out. Ughhh, guess I should have brought my own water.
S 6/21 5 mile road bike...testing out new tires (which somehow flatted twice overnight and before I took it out that day)

I had meant to do the Ohio City 5K that night but severe weather warnings were everywhere, so I decided to take it easy and get a nice dinner and to bed early for...

S 6/22 Summi Tri (400 yd swim~10 min with transition, 11ish mile bike(went wrong way and had to unclip and walk around gate gaining some extra mileage) ~37 min with transition, 5 K Run ~22ish) for a total of ~1:11.

My non-swimming butt still managed to nab first in my AG (which was the best I could do since I did not register as an elite. I am not sure where that put me overall among women. I actually felt pretty good and probably should have pushed a little harder than I did. My swim totally stunk (not a huge surprise since I have only swam about 1000 yards once a month). I really think that my time does not give e justice as I think I swam well over 400 yards with my zig-zagging!!!

All and all, it was fun to do a tri again. I only did one last year (GCT half). This race is well run (my off course jaunt that a group of us done was caused by a ranger that left post to let van in somewhere---only so much you can control) and it was so much fun to see so many familiar faces out there!!!

This week I want to focus on getting back to lengthening out the training sessions and adding some volume and focused training.

Totals
Ran-38 Miles
Biked-50 Miles (9 mtn, 41 road)
Swam-400 yds +++!

Still here!!!

Well I have been slowly trying to unbury myself! Seems I have been spending so much time running around with a variety of things going on, time has just been at such a premium...which means blogging sits in the back seat!

In News-

On Sunday, June 8, Bill and I as Co-Directors along with the Cleveland Touring Club put on a capacity filled successful event, the Sunday in June Ride which had distances ranging from 25-100 miles! It was a scenic route out by my stomping grounds.

My husband bought a mountain bike about a month ago. We have been riding about 3 times a week together and so finally last week I broke down and got myself one too. It was time to upgrade the ole garage heavy model that had trouble shifting into the big chain ring!

Monday 6/9
noon 6 mile run
eve 13 miles on mtn bike with hubby on roads

Tues 6/10
14 mile mtn bike ride on roads with hubby

Wed 6/11 track workout~ 5 miles

Thursday
6 mile run with girls
11 mile mountain bike ride at West Branch which took about 2.5 hours
This was my first time on real trails. We went with CTC Xterra newbie group...really appreciated them showing my husband and I the ropes and waiting on our beginner behinds! First 30 minutes were a little scary. I have a whole new appreciation for this sport. Husband and I definitely broke our bodies and bikes in with scrapes, bruises and crashes, yet we managed to have a blast! Now to get better!

Friday
1000 yard swim

Saturday
13 mile trail run

Sunday
6 AM-46 miles on road bike with TR. Started at River Rd and had fun climbing up and down the hills off that road!
1 PM -24 miles on mountain bike with hubby

Totals
Swim-1000 yards (I know, not my thing!)
Biked-108 miles (46 road, 62 mtn bike)
Ran -30 miles (really need to get this higher asap)

You know you are not running hard enough when these are your race pics!

Closing the Book

So the more I think about Cleveland marathon, the more irks me!!! While all you worry warts out there can rest assured that I am taking it easy these two weeks, I feel like there is a fire lit under my butt to prove something now!!! So I am closing the book on that pathetic showing and looking forward.

Yet first let's note a few of the good things surrounding Cleveland marathon.

First and foremost-Time with Friends.

The day before I spent time with my ole college roomies and E during a run, the expo and lunch!



TriSaraTops and TriShannon



Trishannon, me and E!!!



Running into friends out on the course like GV here...not to mention all my peeps out there spectating! (I am actually hiding on the other side of him in the pic.)



-THE BEST CHEERLEADERS ON THE COURSE, E & A at my side!!!!
-Watching other friends putting forth some amazing efforts duing the day like my girl BH with us!!
-The rain ending and the sun coming out!!!
-The beer afterwards!
-The afterparty with with SERC buds!

At least it the weeekend had some real highlights, even if the result was not what I was looking for!

Mad Monday 5/19

Monday 5/12 -noon-5 Mile Track Workout on treadmill, 2 mile warm up, 4-600's at 1:30 (max treadmill speed) short cool/down
- Evening weight training session with HPL ( a little less reps and lighter weights than normal

Tuesday 5/13 - 5 Mile recovery run with the girls at lunch

Wednesday 5/14 - 6 AM spin class at JCC, evening stretching session with HPL

Thursday 5/15 - 3 Mile Race Pace Run ~23.59

Friday 5/16 - Rest

Saturday 5/17 - 25ish??? min run with TriShannon, E, and TriSaratops

Sunday 5/18 - Ran 26.2 Miles

Totals-------
Core - 2 sessions
Bike-20 Miles
Run-42.2 Miles

Finishing what I started

Yeah, the marathon did not go at all as planned.

I was targetting 3:30 and was pretty to pace through 11. Then I lost some time in the with a bathroom stop and was already starting to feel a little off. I so wanted to just turn at the half course and call it a day!

When Elizabeth and Aimee picked me up at the half (~1:51), I changed my plan to target 3:40 as I was just not feeling very good.

As I approached mile 14, I glanced down at my HRM my HR was starting to really sky rocket. After reaching 180 I started walking and proceeded to wheez uncontrollably. It took forever to catch my breath and about this time, I decided my goals were out the window and I would have to take finishing as an accomplishment.

I mean if I was not going to PR or BQ, what is the difference of finishing in 4 hours vs. 4:30?

The rest of the day continued in this matter. It seemed any period of prolonged running resulted in HRs ranging from 170-185 when I would have to walk again. Thank goodness for Aimee and Elizabeth as they kept me going with fun chit chat while we pretended that I felt good for camera men!

I felt terrible. My stomach felt binded up and I thought I might hurl at any moment and my chest ached from the heart working so hard. I can't seem to put my finger on the problem.

Here is what I do know-

Contrary to my normal routine, I had taken two Excedrin pills which contain caffeine and two Immodium pills prior to my run. The week prior was insanely busy and stressful and I had not had a good nights sleep in 5 days. Plus I felt off on Saturday.

I feel pretty blah today and it seriously feels like my chest is still sore. At this point I am just looking forward to a couple weeks of downtime.

In the grand scheme of things I am obviously disappointed that I was so far from my goal, but in life things don't always go as planned. I will take some small comfort that I finished while feeling so crappy and heck at least I got in some extra girl time with my ladies! I am now just ready for some R&R the next 2 weeks or so!

A slip of the tongue!!!

Get your mind out of the gutter!!!

So I try not to swear.

However, when passion flies every now and then a flagrant word may spew out of my mouth.

So I just watched my beloved Cavs lose in game 5. On a side note they are to blame for me sleeping in and missing the swim I wanted to get in. Darn them for keeping me up late and getting me so worked up I could not fall right to sleep after already staying up past bedtime!!!!

I am laying in bed sulking the loss and I flip over to the news to catch the weather.

Fox was doing their 5 day forecast and there I saw it-Marathon Sunday's forecast.

And then it flew with emotion-

"F-ing BREEZY!!!"

I think the CAVS passion was carried over into the heat of this comment.

My husband, who sitting in bed surfing the net on the laptop, looked over at me and started laughing. "Did you just say F-ing Breezy?"

Caught red handed with my swear, I sheeplishly explain that I can deal with some light showers but what I really don't want is wind...especially coming back Marginal into town!

What can you do though? Hope the forecast changes and I get some friggin awesome weather, of course!!! If not, oh well, at least I got my secret weapons, E & A!!!!!

Mad Monday Update 5/12

Holy crap, is the Cleveland Marathon week already here???

Monday 5/5
- AM -2 Mile Run, 9.5 Miles Biked
- LUNCH- UBWO with E

Tuesday 5/6
- LUNCH-Track workout with E -6.7 Miles 6X400 repeats 1:28 dropping to 1:25 (I was totally sucking for air feeling out of shape!)
-EVE- Lower Body workout with Sean at HPL--squats and lunges galore (tail soreness kept getting worse through Thursday peak)

Wednesday 5/7
-5 Mile easy run with the girls-E, LP, JP

Thursday 5/8
-6 Mile Tempo Run 2 easy, 3 at 7 min mile, 1 easy. Between me having to go to the RR and my sore legs from HPL workout, I really struggled!
-EVE-Strectching session with HPL

Friday 5/9
-UBWO with Monica
-1000 yards swam

Sat 5/10
-10 Miles ran with TR and BB

Sun 5/11
Rest Day---Spent time with the mothers, saw Ironman, and played with the pug puppies Joey's aunt and gma got (I want one too!)!

Totals-
29.7 Ran
9.5 Biked
1000 yds swam
3 Strength, 1 stretch

The Doghouse

So Matches still has his mohawk as it has not yet grown out yet! (PIC NOT HIM, JUST WHERE HE IS IN MY BOOK AFTER LAST NIGHT!)

And last night about 4 AM, I am jolted awake by the loud thunderstorm crashing outside. I roll over hoping to go back to sleep when I hear the gate at the top of the stairs start banging.

You see we have these swinging cafe doors like a western saloon at the top of the stairs with a little clasp to keep the dog downstairs.

Yet lately he has learned that if he bangs and scratches hard enough, it will shake the hook right out of the clasp and whalla, time to eat Zippo the kitty's food! This just started this week and has now happended 4 times.

Well last night the banging was for quite another reason.

Scardy tough mohawk dog was so shaken from the storms that he wanted to come hang out with us. Despite my best efforts to coax him back downstairs it was not happening. I gave up, shut the door to our bedroom with Matches in there and went downstairs to go to the bathroom. Next it was my husbands turn as now he was awake.

He kicks Matches back downstairs and we go back to bed. A few frantic pawing moments 10 seconds later and he was back in the bedroom. My hubby and I looked at one another and I gave up and got up to shut the door to let Matches sleep in our room for the first time ever.

So after Matches quit panting and pacing so bad and settled down, I finally fell back to sleep. Like 15 minutes my alarm rang to get me up for spin class but I was now too tired to go.

I am blaming this one on my whoosy dog!!!! That mohawk did nothing to make you any tougher, you poser!

Now it is time to figure out a new way to keep the dog downstairs I suppose!

All wrapped up in one post!

OK folks I have been struggling with finding time for blogging so again, here is the short version so I can get back to the work I should be doing!

Delayed Mad Monday Update

Monday 4/28- 6 Mile run -46:59 in the rain
Tues 4/29- LBWO with HPL
Wed 4/30 (3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!)- 6 AM spin class, UBWO with MT
Thurs 5/1- Took Matches to park and ran intervals-5 Miles, Stretching with HPL
Friday 5/2 -7.75 Mile Run with E in thunderstorm, picture 2 very drowned rats
Saturday 5/3- Rest
Sunday 5/4 -Silver Springs Du -7 Miles Ran (2 5K's plus w/u), 18 Miles Biked

Weekly Totals
2 Strenth Training Sessions
36 Miles Biked
25.75 Miles Ran

Silver Springs Duathlon
WARNING--This is what you don't do!!!

The night before was the big wedding. Tons of family and friends. Everyone had a blast, as I knew we would. Yet I had more than my share of beers, shots and then Taco Bell.

Ahhh, yes, what could be a better idea after a lot of beers and a looming duathlon the next day???


Yeah, not so much...............

I woke up after a little sleep to drag my butt out of bed to the du. You see I really I had thought long and hard about not signing up, as I knew I would probably be hungover. I knew inevitably when you get these fun people together the night before at a wedding what was going to happen. Yet, for the Beast Series and for Team ER, I kind of felt obligated to participate, even if it meant not putting my best foot forward. And not being an A race on my schedule, I was going to party it up at the weddding!!!

With shades covering my blood shot eyes, I made my way to transition area and I think E knew immediately it had been a rough one (or one heck of a fun night, depending how you wana look at it).

So I haven't ate Taco Bell for like 2 years and for good reason!!!

So this is quite disgusting to me, even as I type this a few days later, but after all that drinking I managed to stuff down 2 cheesy gordita crunches and 3 soft tacos. The race was starting and even with my short warm-up I had not yet gone to the bathroom if you know what I mean....yeah, that means bad news bears.

With the horn we were off. Up hill the first mile and already the Taco Bell burps were starting. I just tried to keep myself dialed in and not get caught up in attempting to keep up with my girls E and A....like that could happen on this day anyway!!!

Around the 5K loop in 21:59 and into transition I went. After an ugly transition and taking forever to snap my helmet strap, I was off on to my bike. I played cat and mouse with one girl for awhile passing her for the final time about the half way point. I stayed about 200 yards behind one guy the majority of the ride. Up and down the hills I gulped the most quenching water of my life from my aerobottle as the alcohol gushed out of my pores as my speed ranged from 12-30. After 3 laps I pulled into the parking lot to see A heading out for her final run.

As I headed out of transition I saw E coming in on her bicycle. I was confused as to how she was behind me as I knew I did not pass her on the bike and she ran like the wind the first 5K. I exited transition behind one strong female cyclist who had passed me with about 3 miles to go, and I passed her right away. My heavy legs were not happy and neither was I, as I continued burping Taco Bell. The stomach was churning as I plodded along the first uphill mile. I knew E was going to catch me if I did not speed up, but not crapping my pants was higher on my priority list, so I kept myself in a maintainable range.

Just after mile 1, she passed me and said she had missed a turn on the bike course. Bummer for her, as she would have won! I wanted to tag along as she pulled away but I was afraid that pace might risk total taco bell meltdown, so I let her go. As I came around toward the finish line, you could hear A & E cheering me on like I was leading the olympics or something. What a way to finish the race!!!! My Team ER friends were also all on the sidelines cheering! Let me tell you how happy I was to cross that finish line!!! Heck, somehow I even manged to nab 3rd overall female (1:44:27), just behind my ladies A (1:41:56)& E(1:42:56).

Without further adieu, I was off to the bathroom. After hitting the bathroom and all that sweating out the poisons I felt like a new person! It was a gorgeous morning and I was glad I had sucked it up and came out to race after my fun night the evening before.

The whole morning was a blast (minus the hangover /taco bell issues) made possible by my two amigas, E & A (HOW FABULOUS THAT WE COULD CLEAN SWEEP THE PODIUM, if I am going to lose, I want it to be to them!!!), my CTC friends, my Team ER pals, the great RD and volunteers, and some nice weather!!!!



So next up is the big show at Cleveland. Have no fear friends, there will be no alcohol and no Taco Bell anywhere near that one (well maybe a little beer afterwards, but it is going to have to be at least another couple years before anymore Taco Bell!!!)

Mad Monday Update 4/28

M 4/14 Track Workout-6 400's -5.5 Miles
T 4/15 Worked out with Sean from HPL (squats, lunges, etc)
W 4/16 4 mile-ish run with E to find Amtrak station
R 4/17 Stretching session with Sean from HPL (really was tight from Tuesday's session and it felt great!)
F 4/18 Rest-train ride
S 4/19- 5 miles, 5X100 strides
S 4/20- Approximately 3 Miles easy

Totals-
18.5 Miles Ran
1 weight training session
Good streching

--------------------------
M 4/21 Boston Mary
T 4/22 Rest - Train
W 4/23 5 Miles Ran, felt great and actually held back...only complaint, sore toenails
R 4/24 off---outside work!
F 4/25 1.5 Miles Treadmill, Upper Body Weight Training
S 4/26 Walked around Hocking Hills State Park with hubby~ 3 Miles
S 4/27 Off ---Rode motorcycles home from Hocking Hills

Totals-
32.7 Miles Ran
1 Weight training session

One week later and feeling totally back to normal and totally inspired to get back to training!!!!!!!!

Boston continued....

Why is it when you go away for a few days, everything else sort of stacks up on ya???

So here is the shortened version so can get it down before it gets skipped altogether.

Sunday, we awoke to watch the trials! They were oh-so-inspiring. I really was impressed with Maggie running in front for the majority of the race with such a commanding league. Yet on the last loop we watched, it was obvious Deana was closing in and in the end caught her! It was fun to cheer on the girls and every now and then, get a smile like one from the chick in the Running Fun outfit!

E and I headed over to meet blogger Kurt and his wife for lunch (very nice to meet both of you!). My butt waas dragging after my late night Saturday and then we made it back to the hotel with about an hour of downtime before heading out to our final run. After a shower, the ladies headed over to to our friend's house for a nice dinner and some awesome music with our Southeast Running Club peeps. It was the perfect relaxing evening before the big show!

After a rough night of sleep, I woke up ready to run my first Boston! For a 10:30 AM start, it is still amazing how early you got to get up to start the day. We were up at 5:25 and even though I was stoked about the day, I felt so tired that I was still in zombie mode until I started running.

Luckily as Katy and I headed to the drop, the sun poked out and the temps warmed up. I made the wise choice to not wear the arm warmers and sport some shades.

By the time we weaved through a million people on our way to the 15th corral, I had did an awful lot of walking and made it there with only 2 minutes to spare. Before I knew it we were off.

I was so excited as I watched the sea of people heading down the first hill.

The plan was to run a comfortable pace the whole way. Regardless of how I felt, I did not want to feel like I was pushing too hard as I really want to run Cleveland Marathon as my A race. I planned to run around 4 hours or 9 minute miles which I thought was feasibble taking in considerastion that I wanted to be careful to avoid injury and not leave too much at Boston that I should be saving for Cleveland.

Splits-

Mile 1- 8:45
Mile 2- 8:25
Mile 3- 8:33
Mile 4- 8:36
Mile 5- 8:52
Mile 6- 8:49
Mile 7 - 8:54 Already thinking my feet hurt and there is a long way to go! Gel #1
Mile 8- 9:05
Mile 9- 8:56
Mile 10-9:07
Mile 11-9:23
Mile 12-9:55 Cherry Flavor ice popsicle munching ensued!
Mile 13 9:31 Gel #2
Mile 14-9:54
Mile 15-10:02
Mile 16- 15:03 POP stop #1, lubed up
Mile 17- 10:38-Gel #3
Mile 18- 13:20 POP stop #2
Mile 19- 9:54
Mile 20- 11:04- Strawberry Flavor ice popsicle munching ensued!
Mile 21- 10:23
Mile 22- 9:49- Gel #4
Mile 23- 9:30
Mile 24- 9:58
Mile 25-9:48
Mile 26+.2- 11:05

Total time 4:17:44

In short, I felt great all day. After I got off pace at the POP stops, I decided I was not going to try to get back on pace but to keep runnning consistent race. I know the latter half of the race my pace seemed pretty even but I was definitely spending more time than nescessary walking through water stops. I was thirsty and really was not too worried about my time!

The worst part of the day were my bruised feet. I have been plagued for some time now with some random foot issue and I knew this would be my trouble spot. I really need to get in to see a podiatrist. Pain reliever around mile 11 seemed to help. It is like I have little pinhead bumps under my skin that start down under my pointer toe on both feet. No real issues with sore quads that most Boston runners get, perhaps it was just that I was running slower???

The best part of my day was definitely eating the flavor ices (THOSE PEOPLE GIVING THOSE OUT RULED--wink, wink to Cleveland watchers!!).

We interrupt this Boston report with an email from home!

Mr. Matches, my golden retriever sweeetie pie had got quite stinky and it was time for a bath. My hubby's mom, who breeds and shows goldens was nice enough to give him a bath and get him all trimmed up for us. Imagine my surprise when my husband sent me a picture of him while I was in Boston.


Apprently she thought it would be nice for Matches to get shorter hair for the summer and a new tough look. My mother in law must have got a good laugh doing this! Good thing her son and I (and hopefully Matches) all have a good sense of humor!!!

The Boston Experience

In a word, FANTASTIC!!!

Where to start???


So we arrived to Boston after our long train ride late Friday night to stay and finally meet the infamous Locked and Loaded, KIM! After some pizza, wine and talking we hit the hay for our big Saturday!

Saturday morning we awoke early, showered, grabbed a cab, dropped the bags by the hotel, hit Starbucks and was at the expo as it opened at 9 AM. The Boston Marathon expo was jam packed with cool stuff to see and I felt like a kid in the candy store that could not get enough. I purchased an Adidas Boston Marathon black jacket, a race belt with a pocket for my gels and when I thought I was done buying I found these insane arm warmers that I just had to have! They looked like full sleeve tattoos chalk full of colors, flowers and even some lucky dice! Yeah, they were pretty cool to say the least.

Us girls all took a moment to get our gait analyzed. Apparently I have a nice clean forward gait motion and I am a pronator. That was what I thought, but good to get it confirmed that stability shoes are the choice for me.

We cut the expo a bit short to head over to Legal Seafoods for lunch, ESpeed's pick for her "cornicopia" salad of flavors. I opted for a grilled shrimp ceasar salad and about 5 big glasses of water before we headed over for our duck tour.

Now I had heard the Duck tours were quite cheesy but I got to say I had a blast and laughed a ton while learning about the city. Captain Hardly Davidson who was hiding from a local scooter gang that had too many bake sales took us around the city and into the water. About the time my bladder was about to burst we made it back to Prudential center in time for a tiny bit of shopping. Then it was time to head up to the Charles River for a nice 5 mile run with 5-100 yard strides. About this time I decided I needed to definitely sit on my butt more as my feet were tired on the run from walking around so much!

We got back to the hotel, hopped in the hot tub briefly and then showered up for the evening fesitivities. We headed to Vinny T's with Southeast Running Club peeps for some Italian food which was quite good. Then Dawn and I headed out with a couple others for some drinks and finally drug our butts to bed about 1:30 AM.

First tiring day in the city down and two more to go!!! Next up Sunday's trials!! Lots of fun pics to come!!!

-------------

I know you are all wondering how my race went? The abbreviated version is just as planned. I had planned to take it all in and just have fun while trying not to beat myself up too bad so I can race at Cleveland in 4 weeks.

I went out faster than I wanted to and was consciously trying to hold back. Then at mile 11 I hit the port o potty which took forever. Picture 2 POP with 5 people waiting in line to go and everyone is taking their time crapping! So 5 or 6 minutes later I was out with the realization that my chaffing legs needed some vaseline. Over to the med tent for some of that. I gotta say I was in no real hurry. I thought about trying to make up the time. Then, decided who cares, letz just have fun!! I ran the miles comfortably and had another long POP stop. I smacked hands like crazy, took it all in, had a blast and felt good the whole way finishing in 4:17.

Half way to Boston

Yep folks, the train is rolling and us chicks are already getting silly. Between some crazy random folks on the train, some nasty bathrooms, shady food and almost get exorcised....we may just get there yet!!!!

Stay tuned for this exciting adventure......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and on the good chance that Elizabeth and Katy beat me marathon day, I will have you all know they did not win rummy!

My road to Boston

OK so this is my first time so I can't help but to be really excited about it!

Here is a little history of my marathon progression....

1998 - Ran Columbus marathon in the fall of my senior year of college. This was particularily hard for me to fit in the training between trying to maintain decent grades, work about 15-20 hours a week, and keep to a very rigorous party schedule.

TriShannon and I trained countless hours together and when marathon day arrived, I felt strong and ready in my cotton race wear with no real nutrition strategy. I ran the first 18 with Shannon and then ran the last 8 alone feeling really strong the whole way. With a time of around 4:40, I decided this marathon stuff was not for me as it took too much training time.

Fast forward 8 years.

2006 - Ran Columbus marathon again. After a couple years of getting back into running and realizing I was already training so much I might as well attempt a marathon again, I was back for the challenge.

I ramped up my mileage way too fast and had bad IT band issues. To complicate matters my stomach gave me the bird race day and I made 5 miserable port o potty stops and felt like crap. Ran a disappointing 4:15.

2007 - Cleveland Marathon -I was ready to show Columbus that was not me that day. I trained hard alone on the treadmill forcing myself to keep up my paces repeating "Boston Baby" over and over in my head. I trained consistent with my girls E and MT through the winter and arrived at the starting line feeling strong. I ran the first half 1:43:19 and slacked up the second half knowing my goal was simlply the BQ. Crossed in 3:38:32, victorious in my goal!

Chicago Mary 2007-My 4th marthon ever. It was more of a bonus for me. I had a BQ in the bag and was there to support and run with my cousin, Ar. In the heat, my girl accomplished her goal with me at her side!

2008--The MASTA PLAN!

Enjoy Boston Mary 4/21, Race Cleveland 5/18

Injuries feeling better and training is coming along, but that does not mean let's run harder at Boston. It will be one long training run and the goal is not to kill myself at both races, but to save myself something for Cleveland (I gotta feeling I will need to keep telling myself that over and over again Monday). That said my plan is to run a comfortable pace at Boston somewhere probably around 4 hours, recover smart and run strong at Cleveland!

Mad Monday Update 4/14/08

Can Boston really only be a week away? It is close enough I can look up the extended forecast.

Apr 21 Monday -Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the mid 40s.

Now if only that was indeed the actual weather Monday, I think I will be very happy! I need to try out the skirt of my new Southeast Running Club outfit before then!

All and all, things all seem to be coming together on the running front which I am stoked about.

I am forcing myself to suck it up and mentally toughen up and stay on my paces when my body desperately wants to walk.

Monday 4/7 -4 Miles treadmill, 3 ladders (6.5-8.5), 3 alternating 2 min hard/easy 6/10mph)~33 minutes, core work

Tuesday 4/8 -8 mile general aerobic run with ESpeed 10*30 second strides. Gorgeous day and loop from downtown to Edgewater.

Wednesday 4/9- 3 miles easy on the treadmill, stretched good

Thursday 4/10 - 9 Mile "Track" workout - I went ahead and did the w/o on VR site after a 3.75 mile warm-up which included running to a local track with E and realizing the kids were on it, so we went back to the treadmills to git-er-done.

2 x 800 w/ 400 recoveries (ran at 9.8 ~6:07 pace)

2 x 800 w/ 200 recoveries (ran at 9.9 ~6:04 pace)

2 x 800 w/ 400 recoveries (ran at 10.0 ~6:00 pace)

1 x 1200 @ Goal Marathon Pace (ran at 7.9 ~7:36 pace)

Friday 4/11 - Moderate Spin -10.25 miles on recumbent bike with ladder program, level 10 - 30 min

Saturday - 12.33 mile run with Nathan. Felt good and strong the whole time

Sunday-Laid on couch nursing hangover...good thing I had planned it as an off day!

Piece of sh!t car

Dear stupid car,

So you want to fight? Yeah so you thought it would be funny to leave the windshield wipers straight up saluting the sky not working the day we are trying to leave Ohio about a month ago for a week long vacation? You must have knew that part to fix you would not be in that day and you would not have to handle a 2000 mike drive. Very funny, but had a semi went by and buried us in slush and we could not see and crashed you, that would not have been very funny.

Maybe you are mad that my sister's husband backed into you two weeks ago and you had to spend several days in the shop for your hurt door. Poor baby, get over it. I was the one that had to scramble to find something else to drive!

And now this! That noice you started making was just abnoxious. Are you doing this just because my 80,000 mile warranty that I have blew through in 2.5 years is up already and you like to stress me out? I know you have become friends with the other cars at the dealership but now you are going to hang out there for at least another week and leave me high and dry again?

Car, that is it! I am done being friends with you! Get over your jealousy with my new redhead. The snow is coming back to town and I need you back to cart my butt all over the place!

Mad Monday Update 4/7/08

Alright short and sweet...if I try to get creative I won't take the time so without further adieu...

Monday 3/31 - off at Tribe Opener
Tues 4/1 - 6.5 Miles Treadmill, 800 and 400 repeats
Wed 4/2- 22 Miles Outside Bicycling!!!!! 1st time of the year!
Thurs 4/3 - off
Friday 4/4 - 7 Miles with Espeed on treadmill-59:30
Saturday 4/5 - 15.7 Miles Run with Nathan! Conquered a big climb early and a bunch of rollers! Managed to consistently drop pace the last several miles on Headwaters Trail and finished strong ~overall 8:45 pace
Sunday 4/6 - 40 Miles Bicycle with Cleveland Touring Club then followed up with incredibly long motorcycke ride (my poor lil bruised butt is mad at me!!!)

All and all, slowly getting back to feeling better....maybe it has something to do with the weather!

Totals
Ran -29.2 Miles
Biked - 62
Swam--Zilch...yeah, I know!
Core-Zilch!