Thoughts...

So while I was running today I thought about the half marathon that I ran last Saturday....and about all of the surprising things about the whole experience. I mean, I guess the whole thing was really just one big surprising adventure, because it was something I had never done before! But, anyway, there were many things I felt like recording for myself...I bet someday down the road after I have run like 20 half marathons (or even marathons!), I will laugh at these things...so here we go!

1) I got emotional! When I saw the 11 mile marker and began running the 12th mile of the race, I teared up a bit. This completely caught me off guard and of course I kept myself in check and got rid of those almost-tears quickly ;). 11 miles is the most I'd ever run at one time prior to the half marathon last Saturday....so it was embarking on some uncharted territory at that point. It was pretty amazing, really....I was SO excited to be doing something that I had never done before. I didn't really get emotional at the end...just excited! Oh, and tired ;)

2) The bottoms of my feet didn't hurt. I had heard from more than one person that after completing races of that distance the bottoms of your feet typically hurt from the pounding. The right side (outside) of my right foot hurt a bit because I got a small blister, but other than that my feet were in really good shape. In fact, the pedicure that I got in early March before we went to AZ was actually still largely intact, believe it or not! Later that day when I went over to a friend's house for a party someone asked me, "Did you get a pedicure after the race today?" because apparently my toes looked more than decent. WEIRD! I think the whole thing was affected by the fact that I had gotten new shoes (Adidas Boost) the previous weekend and had just been running on them for one week. So, basically, they were perfectly broken in by the end of the race!

3) People throw away their clothes. I had talked to my sister a few days before the race about the weather (it was forcasted to be cold) and what to wear. Megan had done a half marathon in St. Louis a few years prior so I thought she would at least know what to do. She said that during that event, people wore layers and shed their layers as they ran. Basically, they must have worn things on the top layer(s) that they didn't really care about losing as much and just threw them off onto the road when they got a bit hot or uncomfortable. I didn't really believe this til I saw it with my own eyes. Indeed, during the race people were shedding long-sleeved shirts, jackets, gloves (even expensive-looking Nike gloves!), etc. WEIRD! I did wear a pair of inexpensive (maybe $3 at the very most) thin gloves that I did cast aside after the 3rd mile or so...and felt wasteful doing just that. I couldn't imagine throwing away a shirt or anything like that! As we passed many churches along the route I thought to myself that the churches should go around after the race and collect all of the cast-aside clothing items to donate to charities.

4) It was fun! Ok, I had a feeling I would have a great time and would think the experience was fun...or I wouldn't have signed up! However, I wasn't aware of just how much fun it would be! It was sooo festive, and just so exciting! I really can't wait til my next half marathon, or running event in general. I have definitely caught the running bug, if there is such a thing ;). The running community is fun...but of course it has its share of odd-balls as well! ;)

5) I CAN DO IT! I ran the ENTIRE 13.1 mile race WITHOUT stopping...no potty breaks (wow, pre-Celiac diagnosis I couldn't imagine such a luxury!!!), no walking...no giving up! I DID IT! It was really one of the proudest moments of my life. Ok, ok...I know it wasn't really THAT big of a deal. After all, lots of people run half marathons all of the time...heck, lots of people run marathons or even those crazy 200 mile super marathons. But, to me...this was a big deal.

Ok, that's all for now...I need to go to bed. I am TIRED!! I am sure I might have more to add to this later.

I am not sure how long I should let myself "rest" after a half marathon. The 25th we are running a 5k, the Race to Wrigley...so not a huge deal, but I don't want to be completely dead and not do at least decently at that event! On Sunday (the day after the half), I took it pretty easy...I just did 22 minutes on a recumbant bike at Jeremy's parents' house after Easter dinner. Monday I did 65 minutes on the eliptical, I took Tuesday (yesterday) off, and today I ran 4.5-5 miles outside (it was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!)....so I have stayed active for sure, but I haven't been working too hard. I am not really sure what the best thing to do is.

Anyway, bedtime for real now!

Bring on the 26.2! ;)

Half marathon, here I COME!

8:00am, Saturday, April 11....HERE I COME! Just slightly under 2 months til my 1st half marathon! I have been going back and forth in my mind, wondering if I could really do it...uncharted territory worries me. This is definitely something out of my comfort zone, something I have never attempted before. Well, I am gonna jump in...and DO IT! Christian, a good friend of mine, called me yesterday afternoon (she lives in FL with her husband Dan). Christian has done a few half's and hopes to do a full before the end of the year. She convinced me that I could indeed do it...there really isn't any reason not to just GO FOR IT! So, here I come! I found some training plans and plan on dedicating myself to this for the next 2 months. I did well, workout wise, this week. The weather was great on Tuesday, so Jeremy and ran 3 miles outside...obviously this isn't much, and it was SO easy, but it was our first outdoor run of the year so it felt great! We would've gone longer but we were in a hurry to meet up with his dad for dinner (his dad flew in from a business trip....one of many...Tuesday evening). Wednesday night I spent a bit over an hour at the gym doing the treadmill and elliptical, Thursday night we had dinner with friends and then a friend spent the night here so no time for the gym :(, Friday I did 2 hours of cardio (treadmill, elliptical, and bike), and today I did 65 minutes on the elliptical. Naturally I try to do lots of incline work on both the treadmill and bike and up the resistance to keep my heart rate up. It has been feeling great this week! Tomorrow I hope to get in another long gym session...or run outside, weather permitting. I need to stop being a baby and just run outside, no matter the conditions ;). Well, barring ice, of course ;).

APRIL 11...the countdown begins!!! 8 weeks EXACTLY from today!!!...56 days

Plans for April...

My husband told me yesterday that his boss, Diane, mentioned something to him about a marathon in April in Champaign...there is a full, half, and relay event. Diane wanted to get a group together to do the relay event. Honestly, I feel like I should buck up and at LEAST do the half ;), but I will probably wimp out and do the relay with them. Well, a combination wimping-out and being social :). Jeremy really likes his boss, and I am thankful that he works for a really great person. It really is a blessing :). This event is in April, and when Jeremy mentioned it to me last night, he wasn't sure of the date. April is going to be a busy month for us, because Rosalee and Bobby are getting married on the 18th and her bachelorette party is on the 4th.
Also, there is a chance we are going to do the Race to Wrigley in Chicago with some friends on April 25th...this is just a 5k that begins and ends at Wrigley field. Well, I looked up the Champaign event and it happened to be on the only weekend that we didn't already have plans in April, so I guess it's meant to be! :) Both races sound like a lot of fun, so hopefully we get to do them both! We better get our butts in shape!!