Recovery Week

Well, believe it or not, the week of recovery has not been miserable. I was expecting not to be able to walk and completely worn out. That has not been the case. The first few days were difficult on the quads. Going downstairs was nearly impossible and going to the restroom was worse. Until Wednesday, I was certain I would need to install handicap railings in my bathroom to assist in the sitting down process. Thankfully, that pain went away.

The weather has been rather nice this week, so you can imagine how I was itching to get out there and run again. I considered a light run on Wednesday, but read online I should not attempt anything until at least Thursday. So, I texted my buddy Rob to see what his schedule was like on Thursday. He was dying to run again too so we agreed to meet. We didn't make it very far before my legs were worn out. I think we may have run a little more than 2 miles, but not much more. My legs felt like I had just run 20 miles! It was nice to move again, but I didn't push it. A return of 2 miles was sufficient for me. I was completely worn out when I got home, though. I'll try again on Monday.

Instead of running this morning, Karen and I met for breakfast. We recalled the race and compared recovery week stories. We both agreed that this was not our only marathon. We are now discussing running a half for time. We have been running all of our races to finish but now it is time to take a different approach. That means speedwork, something I'm not very good at. I guess that's why they call it training. We agreed to keep Saturdays between 6-8 miles for the summer and then we start for real training as fall approaches. Her husband has already signed up for the Richmond full and booked a room. I think I have enlisted some folks to come down to run their first half at the Outer Banks. Both races are on the same weekend. So, if my OBX plan falls through, I'll run Richmond. They have junk food tables on the course in Richmond!!! It's always about the food for me. But, you see, that's a big part of why I even run. It is an excuse to eat. I love excuses to eat.

26.2 Miles in Tube Socks and All Smiles

The weekend started off with my parents arrival on Friday evening. They met me up at the Expo and we looked around for a bit. I love the excitement the Expo brings and all the crazy gear you can purchase. I knew this year was monumental, so I wanted to make sure I bought something to commemorate the big day. The shirt above was that item and I will wear it the next time I run. Heck, I may wear it everytime I run from now on!

While there, I ran into my running partner and her husband. He has been our coach through this adventure, so he gave me some last minute tips, the most important being you get your rest 2 nights before. I could see why when the night before hit and I was so anxious I couldn't sleep. He also told me that I needed to stay off my feet as much as possible on Saturday and just relax. I felt extremely lazy, fat, and unproductive on Saturday but I believe it helped me out come Sunday.

My dad agreed to wake up at zero dark thirty to shuttle Karen and I to the Oceanfront for the race. Our entire training season had been in cold weather, so when we woke up to 56 degrees at the start it was a shocker. We arrived early and walked around the place a bit to warm our legs up and just keep from getting anxious.

Karen is always creative in the ways to make things work for running with minimal resources. This time she came up with using a headband around our hats to hold our GUs. The course only provided 2 (1 of which I didn't even realize was available during the race) and for 26 miles we needed way more than that! So, we attached 2 to our hats, one in our key pocket on our shorts, and Tim (her husband) would be at the halfway point to give us another one.

It was a little chilly, but we knew it would be rather warm later. I didn't want to wear long sleeves, but my arms always are cold. So, Karen let me borrow a pair of her husband's tube socks to wear at the beginning. It helped out alot. Of course, they were off by mile 3 and I gave them back at mile 13 in exchange for GU.

It was pretty cool how everyone waiting to start chatted with one another. The veterans told us about their previous marathons and us novices just listened in anxiety waiting to turn in the V-card for our first. I have never been so nervous for something in all of my life. I imagine this would compare to the night before a wedding or any other ceremonious moment in which you have waited a significant amount of time to experience.

I have to admit, the entire race was amazingly awesome. There were fans everywhere and people at several houses along the way had sprinklers to provide a much appreciated misting. When we ran through Camp Pendelton, an entire line of service men and women were there cheering for us and giving high fives as we ran by. They appeared to be proud of us and all I could think about was how proud I was of them. It's amazing what perspective can do.

Karen had to slow me down several times as the nervous energy moved my feet much faster at the beginning. At the halfway point we felt great and we managed to carry on a pretty steady conversation for the first 19 miles. Tim always said to trust our training, and when we hit the 20 mile mark I realized the truth in that. Music kicked in when we realized we had solved the world's economic crisis and discovered why women have a difficult time accepting their accomplishments rather than discrediting them. (We had plenty of time, might as well have productive conversation, right?) At mile 23, Tim joined us. He had run the half that morning and agreed to run with us the last 3 miles. I guess he knew that we would need something new at that point. I felt really good at mile 20, but I was starting to struggle around 23. I wanted to keep it slow and steady for the end even though I was ready to see the finish. He offered some nice conversation and helped to take our minds off of the last few miles. (Thanks Tim!!)

Once we hit the boardwalk and I could see King Neptune's statue, I decided I would crank it up a notch. It was time to be done. Never in my life have I been so focused and determined to finish something. I fixed my eyes on that finish line and just started talking to myself. I couldn't even hear my music anymore. It was just me. I must have looked crazy as I began to speak to myself out loud. Over and over again I was saying "Dixon, push it. This is your race." And for my Sigma sisters, I began "When I face a mountain, I will not quit." Unfortunately, at that moment I didn't care about the rest of that poem nor could I completely remember it. I just kept repeating that first line. What seemed like forever probably lasted about 1-2 minutes. I pushed myself and achieved my goal of under 5 hours. Final chip time was 4:59:43. :0)

(Like my "just in case" Carb Boom gel stuck in my hat at the finish?)

It wasn't long after I had crossed that I heard my mother yell my name. Shortly after Kirsten and her mom were yelling, too. I am so thankful for all of those that came out to support me. Watching a race is not fun I realize, but thanks for showing up! My mom took this picture of everyone that came (excluding her) chatting with me post race. Even Sassy the bulldog came to the beach to see me and she hates sand.

I started planning for our next race around mile 8 but Karen has made me agree not to discuss it for at least 2 weeks. I can't wait to do another one! Well, I mean I can wait since this took over my life for 6 months. I guess what I mean is, I'll do it again. Guaranteed!

Yesterday was the day that changed my life. I accomplished something that I never dreamed possible. I learned that there is power in commitment and determination. If you set a goal, make a plan, and dedicate yourself to it, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. I ran a marathon and joined an elite (and insane) group of people. A year ago, I was satisfied with 13.1 and intimidated by 26.2. I threw caution to the wind and added one more to the 1% of the population that has completed a marathon. My feet are sore, my quads are tight, but my pride is bursting. I did it and in the words of Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

We are here...

This morning was my last long run before the big day next weekend. I can't believe the time has flown by and 6 months of training has come to a close. The last Saturday run really isn't a "long" one prior to a marathon if you consider the 15; 18; and 20 mile mornings we have had. Nonetheless, we coasted through 8 miles in decent time and still have the rest of our day ahead of us. Trust me, that is a BIG deal.

It absolutely amazes me to recall all the Saturday mornings we have trodded the streets of Virginia Beach at unreasonable hours. I must say, I'm pretty proud of myself. I am asked all the time, "Are you ready?" At first, I wasn't so sure but after considering the hundreds of miles I have put in and the success of our 20 miler, I have to say I am. I'm really nervous about it but super excited.

They say when you cross the finish of a marathon, emotion will overtake you. I use to giggle at the thought, but now I can see why. What a feeling it will be to run that distance and reflect on the commitment and challenge you have dedicated yourself to the last 6 months. We have run in some very unsightly weather: nor'easter, ice storm, and just plain freezing. But all of that will pay off on the morning of March 21. I imagine this sort of thing will help push you through life, too. When life presents its challenges, I can tell myself, "You ran a marathon, this is nothing!"

Wish me luck and I'll report back, if I'm not laid up for days after. :o)

Hardest Week Complete

T minus 19 days and I'm running my first marathon!!!!!! I can't believe it. This training has absolutely flown by and I have truly enjoyed the long runs.

Last week was the hardest week for my training. The weekday runs were a bit longer than normal and then I completed 20 miles on Saturday morning....all morning. I convinced my buddy Rob to run 9 miles with me on Thursday. He's training for the half, so I told him to use it as his long run. I have never completed a run of that length during the week, so I was a little nervous. I was afraid that my legs would still be tired on Saturday, but soon found out that it really helped me. The 20 miles were not as bad as I anticipated. I felt good during it and even got a second wind around mile 16. We went extremely slow, which was a bit discouraging. However, they say you should train running 2 minutes slower than usual. We definitely did that! Total mileage for the week = 38 miles.

Training is down hill from now on. Now I have to focus on NOT eating as if I ran a million miles and curb that appetite. I've found hard boiled eggs really help with that. Any other ideas of snack options that will satisfy but not make me gain weight? I can't afford to gain weight in the last 3 weeks of training. No sir!