Shufflin' Sista

Nice & easy run/ walk with Heather.  Took us 50 min. to go 4.5.  Wowzers... Nice conversation though and miles are miles on taper week- right?  BTW- I will be wearing a white "sole sisters" tank (with black writing on it) on race day and probably teal blue shorts.  Hope to come in just under 4 hrs.  I'm currently traveling for work in Richfield and won't get home until Friday afternoon in the nic' of time for the expo and blogger party.  Hope to get in 1-2 easy runs in the next couple days here either on hotel dreadmill or around town.  Good luck with race prep to all you racers!

Did a little cross training at the hotel gym- 2 miles on treadmill, 3 and bike and 10  minutes on elipticle (sp?).  Finished off with a little ab work.  Now off to training!

Follow-up:  In the evening got to visit with Michelle.  It was great to see her & her kids and catch a quick dinner with her!

Later Follow-up:  Got SICK from food poisoning.  Hit me about 8:30 pm, sure it was lunch.  YUCK!

Food poisoning from last night really put a damper on my workout plans for today.  I had wanted to get up early and do a nice little outside 4 miler on a route that Michelle had shown me.  Needless to say, after being up puking all night I did not get up early and workout.  I tossed and turned all night.  Feel better today, went to training.  Ate bananas, oranges, drank gatorade- tried to replace what my body lost being sick last night.  Bummed I didn't get my last little pre-marathon race in.  Silver lining....silver lining...(thinking of you Kim) at least I lost a couple pounds? (ha)

Outside in Richfield.  A few easy miles to try to get the legs ready for SGM. Took a couple miles to get warmed up.  Nice cool morning.

Bottom line - didn't make goal time- but still on cloud 9.  Can you say thank you endorphins?!   Day started off well. Met up with Sole Sisters and took the bus up together.  We started with a prayer- really loved that, started the day off just right.  I can thank that prayer for the peace I felt all race despite many obstacles.

It RAINED, RAINED and RAINED some more.  White singlet probably NOT best choice for today.  ha ha. 

The first 6 were great, good pace (8:30ish) went by fast.  I was mentally prepared to be challenged on miles 7-11 and I was! ONLY it didn't end at mile 11, it lasted until 14!  Then I could pick it up on & off for the rest of the race.  I would have a good couple miles then struggle again. Did stop for 2 calf massages which was really nice.  

Pretty much ran my own race.  Would see my Sole Sisters come & go, stayed with Shelly for most of the last half. 

Fun to see Kim about mile 17- since I missed her at the blogger party last night I was happy to see her along the way. She was very strong despite some serious knee issues.  Think she still smoked me in the end.

Saw another chica with a FRB singlet and a cute pink running skirt.  Yelled "go FRB" and she gave me a nice wave, but I couldn't catch her.  Who were you wonderwoman?

This was a tough race!! The rain didn't help.  About the last 3 miles I knew it was sketchy at best that I could break 4:00.  I would have had to pick it up to 8:00 and I just didn't have it. However I kept up the positive self talk and at this point I would normally be crushed, but I wasn't.   I just smiled and enjoyed the cheering fans along the end of the route.

Felt a great since of accomplishment.  Probably earned about what I deserved due to my "erratic" training as Brent would put it (good adjective).

Got 'er done.  Had a good time with good friends.  Enjoyed every minute of it despite the rain.

1 ugly toe, a couple more are questionable.  At this point of course I'm saying I've had my fill of Marathons.  Maybe just halfs from now on- but give it a few months.

So fun to see you all briefly at the blogger party.  Sorry I didn't stay too long. Can't wait to read ya'll's reports!