Three Things Thursday

1.  Carboloading begins today.  I'm going to try the same thing I did last race.  I'm adding 800 calories a day to my usual 1600, for 3 days.  Let's see if I can make that wall vanish.  How amazing would it be if I didn't hit a wall during a race?  I could get my sub 4!  Aahh, to dream the impossible dream.... ; )

2.  Quote of the day...  The last time I saw my trainer he says, 'You know, you should just go ahead and qualify for Boston with this race.  Just get that out of the way.' Said very matter of factly.  Yeah, I should just do that.  I don't know why I've just been messin around, taking my time at all these other races.  I'll put that on my to do list for San Antonio.  1. Show up at the start line.  2. Run fast enough to qualify for Boston.  If only it were that easy... 

3.  I'm really excited for San Antonio.  This will be the biggest race I've done.  Last week it was 300 runners, this week 30,000.  Crazy!  I'm hoping to find some new fun stuff at the Expo and really just have a great race.  I even get to have a bloggy meet up and see one of my most favorite cousins!  Super fun - can hardly wait!

Take a Breath

Sigh.... I only spent half of the day yesterday running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. It all worked out though, at least I think it has. I was able to get a temporary driver's license without a social security card. They will mail me my hard copy license once I bring in my ss card. And I can use my temporary driver's license to get my social security card. It's all good. So the airport here in SLC will let me leave the state with a temporary license but the airport in Texas will require a birth certificate to go with the temporary license to let me go home. So hopefully it will go just as they say and no hang-ups will occur. Case closed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
So, why the three bosu's you ask? I have a great exercise for you to try the next time you're at the gym. This is courtesy of Trainer Zack. I still have sessions with him, but only about twice a month. I will say he has come up with some pretty clever workouts lately. I wish I had the time to hit the gym a little harder. It's all in the plans for December...

You will probably need to head to the aerobics room, but grab three bosu's. Put them in a triangle formation and flip them all over, so flat, black side up. You'll put your hands on the sides of the top bosu. Then you'll place left foot on left bottom bosu and right foot on right bottom bosu. It's really not a game of Twister... It's basically a wide leg push up position balanced on bosu's. Just holding the plank position could be exercise enough, but once you find your balance, kick out 3 sets of 15 to 20 full body push-ups (or more for you tough guys!). Then send me a comment 2 or 3 days later and tell me how you're feeling. This workout also included sets of clean & press, inverted abs, swiss ball abs, ab pull machine and some plyo box jumps followed by a 3 mile run. But let me tell ya, I was sore in those little tiny muscle spots you never knew you had muscles at. Love it. I'm pretty sure those bosu push-ups were the ones that just put the icing on the cake. I hope you try them - and let me know how much you love them too!

And since I haven't had a Tunesday in awhile (I know it's Wednesday but my mom informed me that people (my mom)  really like it and miss it when I don't have a song for the week... :)   Here's who will be the opening night performer for the Rock n Roll Marathon this weekend.... I'm assuming they asked NKOTB but they were busy rehearsing for their upcoming tour, so Rick Springfield will do.  So this one's for you mom!

Remember....

Remember how I've had a hard time refocusing?  Remember I'm supposed to be going on an airplane to Texas this weekend?  Remember all my races have been in state except for the last one in Cali that we drove to?  Remember I haven't made a hotel reservation?  Remember my birthday back in April?

Yeah, I remembered all those things this morning, Tuesday, 4 days til I leave.  My birthday is important to remember because this year my Driver's License expired.  Hmmm.  No big whoop that I've been driving on an expired license.  I'm a good driver.  I haven't needed it for anything for monthes.  But oh yeah, I need it to get on an airplane.  And oh yeah, this year new has regulations all over the place to get a new driver's license.  One of the things I have to take to the DMV is a social security card.  I have no idea where my socical security card is, but wait to get a new social security card I have to have a current DL... but first I need to renew my DL, oops, I forgot, I have to have a SS card to do that.  And so the circle goes.  I mean, come on, my ss# is on my DL that they issued me five years ago - doesn't that count for something?

And when I get to the airport are they going to take a print off version of my driver's license because it will take weeks to get my new one mailed to me.  I realize all these things are my fault, I do.  But seriously, what am I going to do?  I didn't procrastinate on my airlines ticket or race registration - they're paid for already.  I'm not driving 20 hours to Texas for a race.  What am I going to do?  Do you think the government offices or the airlines for that matter will care that I'm doing 12 in 12 - and I HAVE to get to San Antonio.  Probably not. 

So, I'm off to the DMV first, I think, and see what happens.  Any suggestions?  I'm thinking I might be doing some last minute race calendar changes here today...  Maybe RNR would move my registration to another race and I can find a November race somewhere closer - driveable.  AAAAAHHHH!   This is what I get.  Wish me luck and patience and a little more luck!

Monday Non-Madness

  I'm not sure if it's the rain today or what.  I should be running around like a crazy women, trying to get ready for this weekend.  Instead, I'm in my sweats watching Max & Ruby and blogging.  I'm leaving for San Antonio in 5 days and nothing is in order.  I don't even have a hotel room yet.  San Antonio is a big city, they must have enough rooms for 20,000 runners, right?  I haven't been home from California for a week yet, still have Napa on the brain, and I'm having a hard time refocusing. 

I've done two marathons in two weeks before but they were both fairly local.  Two big trips in two weeks is feeling like a lot.  I'm feeling healthy though, legs are recovered, and had a great 12 mile run on Saturday.  I definitely need to take some time today and wrap my head around Texas...that sounds funny, but you know what I mean.

I'm off to check RNR's website right now...I should probably find out where & when I pick up my bib number.  I'll have my game plan together by tomorrow...  Happy Monday!

Flashback Friday

SOOOO.... Have you heard the big news?????? I just heard it yesterday. That's right people. New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys are going on tour together. I know, calm down. All you 30 something ladies out there know what I'm talking about. And all you 20 somethings loved you some BSB. I saw NKOTB 3 different times during junior high. I was one of those semi-crazed fans. I didn't follow them around the country but I sure kept BOP magazine in business for a few years. So funny. Those arenas are going to be insane.  It's one thing to have thousands of tweens screaming, going crazy, but grown women?  Here's a sneak peak...

I could only get through the first minute.  Does that mean I'm old?  Pretty sure I'll skip this tour.  : )

So back to running...I'll be Hangin' Tough through the weekend. Hopefully I'll have the Right Stuff for my race preparations next week. Step by Step I know I'll be ready for San Antonio. I Want It That Way, Everybody. All I Have To Give has been given.  Are you going to gag yet?  OK, I'll stop now.

Have a great weekend runners - I'm secretly jealous of all you running New York this weekend!  Good luck and have fun!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am tired.  My runner's high from the weekend took me all the way through yesterday.  That's pretty good, right?  Now though,  I'm officially tired.  I even went to the gym on Tuesday!  Felt great.  Kicked out 3 miles, no problem.  Snoozed the alarm yesterday.  Snoozed the alarm today.  Maybe I'll go tonight.

2.  I'm thinking some of you may be curious to how my carb loading went last week.  In my humble opinion I think it went awesome!  In the moment I really felt like I was eating a lot - the goal was to eat an extra 800 calories a day.  My usual intake is around 1600 calories a day, give or take.  I came across this interesting article a couple weeks ago and I really wanted to put it to the test.  If you checked the calculator when I posted a couple weeks ago, check it again now - they added some explanation at the bottom of the page.

So I began on Wednesday, which was a car travel day for me.  I almost made it to 2000 calories.  Of course I could have probably made it to 2400 but I didn't want to eat a ton of convenience food crap.  So 2000 was okay with me - plus it was the first carb day.  Here's what it looked like:

1 bacon       80

2 egs           140

toast w butter 170

1/2 c OJ      50

rasp scone   200

trail mix      100

ham sand   160

chips     120

pb & crackers 200

turkey & ham sand  300

chips    150

lt lemonade  40

pb & crakcers 200 

Thursday still included some car travel time.  We didn't make it to Oakland til late afternoon.  I got my calories in though.  I also wanted to get a run in that night but it just didn't happen.  In that same article he mentions getting in some running in the days leading up to the race - even some sprints at the end of the run.  I really wanted to try it but couldn't.  In the past, Tuesday or Wednesday is my last running day before the race and it's usually just an easy 3 miler.  Here's what Thursday looked like:

wheat toast             120

butter                       50

1 egg                       70

1/2 c OJ                  50

yogurt                      60

1/2 banana               50

muffin                     150

2 1/2 pieces pizza   750

soda                       100

cinn stick                200

salad                      150

2 c rice                   200

chicken & noodles  150

toast                       150

On Friday I definitely made sure I got my calories in and tried to eat only carbs.  This day I really felt roley poley.  And of course ended the day with pasta.  Here's Friday:

2 toast          300

butter            100

yogurt           170

granola         150

pear             80

peanut butter

& crackers    200

ham sand      400

banana          100

2 c pasta      400

1 cup rice    100

toast             300

butter           100 

Race morning I felt really good.  I ate a peanut butter sandwich and banana about an hour before the race.  The other big thing that was different at this race was that I had to carry my own water.  On my training runs I've been putting in electrolyte drops in my water instead of using sports drink.  This was the first time I did it in a marathon and it worked amazingly well.  It was easier to get all my clif shots down and I honestly never got that yucky tummy feeling like I have in the past.  Too much sports drink sloshing around does a number on me, but you need those electrolytes!  So I use Endure Drops - I think they're fab.  You can check out some of the supplements I use here.

I also took 4 Pure Endurance pills a half hour before the race and 3 more at about the 2.5 hour mark.  The ones I took half-way through had caffeine and I'm pretty convinced that it made a difference.

So a lot of things going on with nutrition here.  My big point - I never hit a wall.  I was happy the whole race.  You might remember in Park City I was pretty angry, frustrated, miserable.  Even Top of Utah marathon I PR'ed but cramped and pulled my hamstring at 21 miles.  I think those 3 days of carbs really made a difference.  I had the usual post-race soreness for a couple of days, but I was running on Tuesday and other than being tired no soreness whatsoever.  Pretty great.  I can attribute some of that to my slow finish time and the soft trail but I'm pretty convinced in the carb theory. (btw - in the past I have only carboloaded the day before a race, so that's what I'm comparing to.)

I think next week will be the true test.  I'll do it all over again starting Wednesday to get ready for San Antonio.  I'm not sure if this is a PR course but it will definitely be faster than Napa - at least I'm planning on it.

3.  I came back home to a week of everything.  Super busy week, so as always I'm trying to be a better blogger, get more info out, keep track better and also be a better blogger friend.  : )  Be patient, I'm trying to juggle right now!  Hopefully a giveaway will be coming soon as well!

Happy running today friends!

Marathon #5 - Check

A whirlwind weekend to say the least!  I have now crossed over to the traveling portion of this 12 in 12.  It sure takes a lot out of ya.  However, it is now part of the deal since there are no marathons in my home state during the winter monthes.  Honestly it's just a great excuse to be able to go out and do all the marathons that I've wanted to do anyways!

Napa Valley was AMAZING.  You might have seen my previous post about it's description.  It said that it might be a 'bit challenging'.  These race directors and their vague descriptions.  Seriously. 

I've missed writing a top ten list, so without further ado...

The Top Ten Reasons Why Napa Valley Trail Marathon Is So Hard-Core

10.  Only the first 10 feet is on pavement and then the rest is literally on singletrack trails.

9.  Moss covered trees crossing the trails that required, once again, my cat like hopping skills.

8.  The race director runs Envirosports and is also a past winner of the Escape from Alcatraz swim.  He won back in the days of the au natural wetsuit - as in he didn't wear one...  Pretty tough dude.  He just about has me convinced to do the Death Valley Trail Marathon in December instead of California International.  We shall see...

7.  The purse for the winner - a purse with a rubber chicken in it.  Really.  Not doing it for the money, people.

6.  Trail runs = no ipods.  If spotted, immediately DQ'ed.  One guy found that out the hard way.  Don't mess with a guy that can swim from Alcatraz.

5. I looked around at the start line and thought all these dudes should be running Northface or Patagonia challenges.  A pretty tough crowd.  Guys that were worthy of Runners World covers.

4.  And by crowd, I mean 26.  There were 300 runners there that morning.  The race director yelled out that we're going to stagger the racers and that the marathoners would start first.  Yeah, only 26 of us walked forward.  Everyone else was running the half or 10K.  Have you ever ran an organized event that only had 26 marathon runners?  Me neither.  Needless to say, the whole second half of the race I was on that mountain alone, with no one in sight.

3.  Of those 26, only 20 finished.  We know of at least 6 that dropped out somewhere midrace - the course was that tough.  Of those 20 finishers, only 7 were women.  I came in 4th out of 7 women, 16th overall.  I wasn't last - I'll take it!  BTW - the top women's finisher was 4:26 - I wasn't too far behind!

2.  When I say the course was tough, we're not just talking inclines but sliding down rock sections, clay mud sections, a little creek hoppin' and definite log hoppin'.  There was no PR to be had at this race, but it didn't even matter to me.  I finished feeling like a champ.  Even though I was slow, I honestly never hit a wall.  The trail was good to me that day.

(these are the scaling rock mtn sides sections of the course)

and...

1.  In this course of my 12 marathons in 12 months - Napa Valley Trail is my #5 race - I finished the race exactly at 5 hours, 5 minutes, 5 seconds.  Not even planned, I promise!  I really wanted my watch to say 4 hours blah, blah, blah but when the lady checking times at the finish line asked if I got the same finish on my Garmin, which I did, we both just got the chills...  And it was Halloween weekend...ooohhh, kinda spooky....

I can't say enough great things about this race.  It was challenging and beautiful.  This one will definitely be on race calendars in the future years to come!  If anyone's interested, they run the same course in February - sign up now - it always sells out early!

No wine tasting at the the fancy schmancy distilleries but we did take a few pics.  I was too stinky, sweaty, and muddy to go sit down to gourmet meal.  So we enjoyed the countryside on the drive back to the Bay Area - it was simply gorgeous with lines and lines of vineyards on both sides of the highway.  Just breathtakingly beautiful.

So, another one chalked up.  I have lots of thoughts about where my upcoming training is going, changes I need to make etc.  Good stuff to come.  

November's Race...Rock n Roll Marathon - San Antonio!  Yee haw!