marathon. check.

Last year I began running again after taking several years off. My friend, Coleen, was training for her fourth marathon and I ran generally 1 x a week for one of her 5 mile recovery runs. We occasionally ran Sabino Canyon as well to bring in a 7 miler with hills. After her marathon we continued to run, but I got lost in the house buying/selling process, a hot Arizona summer, and lots of travels- so my running stopped. Meanwhile David picked up his running and ran a half marathon in the summer with his dear friend who went through all 4 years of medical and 4 years of residency together, Scott Selle. Watching them cross the finish line reminded me the feeling of finishing a race: it's so contagious! David decided he would train for a full and I laughed at him and said he was crazy. As we got closer to the start of the school year we decided to put Lily in the full day kindergarten instead of half day because we found out there would be a little girl with Down syndrome in full day and I really wanted Lily in her classroom. This decision is one of the best of my life- Lily loves her sweet friend. That story is for another day. The thought of wide open days with kids in school challenged me to consider what I would do with my time. David suggested I take a sabbatical year and do whatever I wanted for me- so I decided I'd run. Initially I thought I'd do a half marathon because I had done the Detroit International Marathon twice (both at a very slow pace!) and I enjoyed it. I began running with a local running group (Tucson Runners Project) and they have a  coaching program- I kept asking David if I could pay for coaching and he kept pushing back... finally one day I was online and they were offering free registration for the full marathon with the purchase of a coaching session. Boom! I jumped on the opportunity! In the beginning of September I would join the group for Wednesday's track sessions. Then I would run a couple days a week.

This is a photo of one of my earlier runs- I felt so good! I had no idea what was coming. HAHA

The week of my birthday was the beginning of my official marathon training session. I was given Nick Hilton as my coach. At first I felt disappointed because I wanted a woman to train me, but I decided to trust the process. Each week Nick put my training into an app- he did it weekly so he could adjust it based on how I was feeling or if I had an injury etc... As soon as I read my first week's session I laughed. All these years I had thought I was a runner- I had never run so many miles in a week! The first couple months of my training I was gearing up for a half marathon in November. I accidentally signed up for an extremely hilly half- I was so bummed at the time! Later, I reflected on how good this experience was- it really strengthened me. Throughout the 4 months I tried to incorporate hills on a regular basis. I live in a hilly neighborhood- so that makes it much easier! In the end I grew to really admire and respect my coach and I highly recommend him to anyone. He truly knows what he is doing and was such a support the whole way through!

I was able to see the most amazing sunrises on my regular early morning runs!

The kids did a fun run in September- it got us all in the running spirit! 

Early morning track work out preparations! I had to wake up around 4 AM to make sure I ate a banana and had some coffee before I drove 15 minutes to the 5 AM track work out- you don't want to be late to track!

Often I was the second one to run and so I'd miss taking the kids to the bus- but sometimes I'd make it back in time and the kids would come running to me! Who doesn't want their littles running towards them in excitement! I had to brace myself for their love! 

I began collecting all kinds of running bling. First, my watch. A Garmin 235. I LOVE THIS WATCH. I trashed my asics as they changed the shape of the shoe this year (narrowed the toe- left my feet bloody after every run) and moved onto Brooks. I love my Brooks Adrenalines. I just bought my 3rd pair. When my coach helped me pick out shoes he laughed at my cotton socks and told me I needed some different ones... thus the birth of expensive socks that require total vigilance so I don't lose them! 

In the beginning the runs were relatively easy on my muscles- I remember being exhausted all. the. time. I took naps whenever I could and I was always in bed early. As I reflect back I laugh at how tired I was! Nothing had worn me out so much! Luckily my muscles weren't sore so I didn't have to deal with both at the same time... don't worry I became plenty sore over the months that followed! 

In October I added Hot Power Yoga to strengthen and stretch my sore muscles. I love my local yoga studio- Sessions. It was such a healing part of my training! 

As the months drew on I added a headlamp for early morning runs and I started carrying my water- I should've started carrying water much sooner! I love my hand held water bottle. 

Early one morning Tamaki (my faithful running companion!) and I were running and on our way home we found a rattlesnake that had been sadly hit by a car. I called David and he brought the kids up so they could see it. 

I learned to drink two cups of coffee- one when I woke up and one around 2 PM to survive the early mornings!

On a Sabino Canyon run I found my friend Claudia out running so we did some miles together! One of the things I learned is that not every run has to be done with someone for the whole distance- having people join me for all or parts of the runs was such a treat! She really pushed me to run hard that last mile- I remember! 

I did hurt my hamstring (notice my ice packs!!?)- luckily it only took me off one 5 mile run one day. Then I had a couple days off before the half marathon. Even the day before the half marathon I was in pain for my shake out run.  I truly believe most injuries are related to emotional stress- so I did a lot of reflecting and I decided to go for the half. It ended up being a great shake out run and I felt sooo much better after the half marathon! Plus I think the added boost to my self esteem helped. 

I was so so so so hot on this run. If I could do it again I'd carry my water and I would've worn shorts. 

Those are some hills!

It was fun for the kids to join me on the track a couple times! I love how kids see themselves as stronger and faster than us adults- we should nurture that self love! 

I ran in Mexico a few times and then laid on the beach after- phew!

One morning I took a 5 mile run before yoga and my car was broken into... I think this is one of the benefits of running and working on your mindset- rather than falling apart- I took it in stride. I was able to see their brokenness and need and not just my inconvenience. 

I made sure that we took lots of selfies to document our training! I can't thank Tamaki enough for showing up with me all season long! 

On this day I managed to run a 7:30 mile on my 5th or 6th mile! This was one of my forever highlights!

Lauren ran the first 10 miles with us and Coleen ran the second 6 miles- what a day!

I couldn't believe how much stronger running made me in yoga!

17 miles in the books. 

I drank smoothies after almost every run. This is blueberries, celery, and protein powder. I also drank bananas with water and peanut butter protein powder. 

This was a memorable beautiful late morning run- it was the day after a hard 17 miles and I just flew! 

Last 5 mile run before the big day!

THE BIG DAY: We woke up at 5 AM (per my request). I packed coffee that I made at home and put in a jam jar. I was told you should ONLY eat and drink the things you had been drinking during training- so I took it LITERAL! I drank my usual coffee that I make with my percolator. I also packed my toaster and brought my usual bread. I drank one glass of water. We left the house around 6:15 to go to the start line. 

Even the morning of the marathon I wasn't sure if I was up for the task haha. I spent the hour before the race pacing and peeing. Also I took some ibuprofen just in case. Cause- why not. 

The first group started and before I knew it we were off! I ditched my sweatpants and sweatshirt before I crossed the start line. 

About 2 miles in I came to a man pushing a child in a special running chair. I gave him a high five and told the kid he was awesome. I have read about people who do this- I love it! Maybe one day I will work on strength and push a buddy!

I decided to treat the marathon like labor. The first 10 miles I settled into the reality that I was running a marathon, but not to get too ahead of myself. I kept my pace around 9:20-9:25. I looked up and around and smiled. I had a great playlist going on spotify and things were looking good! I felt better than I imagined I would feel. 

I got really excited as I anticipated finding my friend Sarah around mile 13. She lives with her lovely husband and 4 boys right off the course! Sarah and I were college roommates and she has remained a friend through the years. It was such a joy to run down Arcadia Street and look for her- I was so excited when I saw her and gave her a big hug! I high fived her husband and off I went! 

The next 7 miles were in and out of Scottsdale- I anticipated it being a really hard stretch so I said buckled down into my running and moved on. Coming around the corner there was a huge crowd cheering us on and I got a huge smile on my face! There was about a 2 mile straight stretch and I could see the front runners on their return back out of Scottsdale so I kept my eyes out for David- finally I saw him and we both ran towards the middle to high five and away we went! This was such a sweet moment! I hit mile 16 in Scottsdale and I just felt giddy and strong and I looked at my watch and I was easily holding an 8:45/mile! I stopped every 1.5 miles to drink fluids so my times were not equal to the pace I was running- but included stops to hydrate as well. As I was heading out of Scottsdale I looked at my watch and knew I was about 1.5 miles from Heather Joy and so I got excited to see her! 

I kept looking for her, but I wasn't seeing her and then finally I caught her on a street corner not the other side of the road and ushered her over to give me a hug! I couldn't hear anything with my blaring headphones but I could feel her exciting energy for me to finish! We took a quick selfie and away I went! 

Around mile 23 I started to notice I was getting hotter and I would pour water onto myself to help cool off. I also stopped to drink just a tad more to make sure I had enough in me. All the sudden I realized there were HILLS! HILLS! I hadn't mentally prepared for hills! I pushed up one giant hill at a 12 minute pace- my mantra for hills is- lose seconds not minutes- so I try to never walk even though my pace is so slow. Once I got to the top I pushed again to run down - though my legs were pretty fatigued. Then I came around a turn and more hills! UGH! Basically it was 2 miles or so of hills - I noticed many runners had a noticeably decline in their pace of the last 10 K. Finally I ran over the bridge into Tempe and I could sense the finish line was around the corner. At this point I had turned off my headphones and was carrying them so I could hear the rush of the crowd. As I approached the corner I saw Erin and her girls and Tamaki's husband Ron CHEERING- I smiled at them and then focused on the finish! I heard my name to the left and saw Bentley up high on his grandpa's shoulders and then I heard Betsy and David and the other two yelling my name! I picked up my pace as much as I could and made it across the line and literally stopped just past the tracker haha.   

It was such an invigorating experience and I am so glad I didn't give up!

They had huge fences up so I had to walk another 1200 meters or so to get out to see my family, but I was so tired I had to stop every 10 feet!

Family picture! David also ran a great race! 

The kids made me a sign! 

They made their dad a sign too!

Overall I am really happy with my time- my next goal is to break 4 hours! I know I can do it! I enjoyed the journey along the way. My quote that I held onto throughout training was:

You didn't come this far just to come this far. 

(I owe many thanks to David's wonderful parents who watched the kids on several occasions so we could run and for their continued support! They also took care of them in Phoenix for us! I also want to thank Siobhan who was a hug support and help and inspiration- she's a fellow rocking' 21 MAMA and mad runner- winning things like ultras in leadville- I am so grateful to her! Also my dear friends Tamaki and Coleen and of course my faithful Love.)