The Second 25 Miler

So I finished my second 25 miler within a 7 day span. Started off again as a cold clear day with temps in the 20's. You have to love the fact that we get to train year round in Colorado....it can just start off a bit on the cold side sometimes.

The run went stellar! I started at the Goodson Rec Center again and ran 5 out and back for the first 10 miles. When I reached my car at Mile 10 there was Kristen waiting to run the rest or the 15 miles with me. I must say that it is so nice to have someone out there running with you when you have that many miles to cover.

Kristen started out faster than I was running....and there went my ego again. I had to remember what Coach Andrea said- that the important thing is for me was to have a strong run. So I watched Kristen run off ahead of me. But it didn't matter that she was ahead, it was just nice knowing she was out here with me. Maybe misery does love company!!!!

As we were about 2 miles out from the rec center again (Mile 18 for me), I caught up with Kristen and we were able to finish the run to the cars together....and when we go there, Elizabeth was waiting to run the last 5 with us! We had a blast!!!!!!

I must say, it there is ANY one you want to run the last 5 miles of a long run with you, it's Elizabeth!!!!! She rocks! Elizabeth has wonderful stories to tell and she is so positive- that you literally forget that your feet hurt, or your left glute is hurting.....

So the three of us did our last 2.5 miles out and back for the final 5 miles. Running those last 2.5 miles I felt strong....I mean really strong. Elizabeth commented on how she was running harder than the previous week, which meant I was able to run a stronger pace. It's nice too having Elizabeth as a measure.... I know how I felt, but she could confirm that I was running stronger this week. And as we ran into the parking lot there were hugs all around, a min leg rubdown from Elizabeth, and we were off to the rest of our days.

I'm not sure when my next long (25 mi +) run may be....but I'm kinda sad that I don't have any on my training schedule for March. I have really enjoyed running this distance and finding in myself and ability I didn't know for sure that I had. I have learned how to pace myself, not based on a watch, but based on my own awareness of myself. It's kinda amazing how one about 1 year ago, I could not run worth a darn....and today I love 25 mile runs.....Anything truly is possible when we try. And I look forward to my next LONG RUN!
PS- Thank you Elizabeth for you support and laughs! And Kristen for being out there with me!
(video to come)

The first 25 Miler

So Sundays long run...and what a long run it was!

I started out at Goodson Rec Center at 7:30 in the morning. The temp was 25 degrees with the promise of high 40s later in the day.

My plan was to run out the High Line Canal Trail for 5 miles and return to the car to get more water- run out another 5 and return to car for water and then last 5 miles. I had bottles and bottles of water in my car- my Go Lite Fanny Pack ready and loaded and plenty of daylight to burn.

I started off my run at a very leisurely pace...my coach won't allow me to look at my Garmin to check pace or heart rate, so not sure my pace-just knew it felt good and I was not going out too fast.

You know there IS something about the EGO when you see people passing you. I have to hold my ego in check and what helps me do that is to think about the fact that these people probably where not running 25 miles. Thinking of this allows me to be ok with the fact that I was running slow.....Not to say that I actually ever run fast....but, that this run was going to take a few hours and my personal goal was to feel strong for the whole 25 miles.

So my first 10 miles went great. Felt fantastic- there was a slight breeze- the sun was shinning- and the people on the trail where friendly.....I fueled myself regularly and when I got to the car I exchanged water bottles and headed back out for another 10 miles.

As I was on my way back- around mile 16- I was running up this short hill and coming toward me was a run I recognized....It was my good friend Kristen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so incredible to see her out there! I was instantly filled with love and energy! It was like a shot of adrenaline. To get a hug from her in the middle of my run was a wonderful gift! And with no time to dally- we both kept on our ways.

I made it back to the car for mile 20 and at this point my other very good friend Elizabeth (see blog entry "funnin on the mesa") met me for the last 5 miles of my run. What an amazing friend to do this.....So-I picked up another fresh water bottle- grabbed Elizabeth and we were off for the finale.

Elizabeth was awesome...you have to realize that she is a good 9" taller than me, and bless her heart she was running my pace the whole time. It was so cute because Elizabeth had all these wonderful stories to tell me- and it was perfect..... I didn't have to talk and could just listen to what she said-which helped to take my mind off the fact that I had already run 20 miles and that some body parts where starting to be a bit uncomfortable.

By the time we finished it was about 5 1/2 hours after I started....and the best part (or one of the best parts) was that I finished STRONG! I felt great! Elizabeth even commented that I was running a pretty good pace in the last few miles.....How exciting is that!

You know-after the marathon- and how I did not finish strong- it was nice to have the experience of finishing strong on this run.... What a difference going out slow can make-PLUS proper nutrition.

So-Thank you Elizabeth (immensely) and thank you Kristen for helping me get through my 25 mile run this past Sunday......It was a spiritual experience....and LOVE YOU GALS!

And One More Thing.....

after I finished that 25 miler-about 2 hours later- I got to go SWIM for 45 minutes non stop! And ya know what- I didn't even feel tired.......

I get really excited when I feel like I am making progress with my level of fitness.
I was talking to Andrea (my coach) yesterday and shared with her how after this past Sunday's workouts of a 25 mile run followed by a 45 min. swim- how I was beginning to feel burly. I mean like- I"m getting pretty fit.

Yesterday someone else pointed out that it pretty awesome that I am able to run 25 miles without much trouble. She said that I could pick any marathon and just go do it, and how many people train all year to do just a marathon- and here I am running that distance for training.

It's funny how other peoples perspectives help to put "me" and my view of myself into a different light. I don't really realize that it kinda is a big deal to do this stuff and that not everyone can......Although I believe anyone has the potential to do anything if they want to and try to.....

So, with that- here's to the next 25 mile run this Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swimmin and Swimmin and Runnin............

It's been awhile since I've checked in and posted what's going on. So, February is the month my coach Andrea decided to "stretch" my mind/limits. This month I have two 25 mile runs on my training calendar plus tons of swimming and more running during the week!

Yesterday I got to masters early and started swimming then- swam masters. During lunch I went to the gym and strength trained then following work did a 45' continous swim....and I loved every minute of it! Am I weird or what? I felt so good in the evening following that swim.....And I slept like a baby...

Many changes are a comin....in my personal life and in my training. February is my birth month-so it's a great time to try new things and stretch my mind.

My coach talks about "placing myself" in reference to the group I train with. She helps me see that I may be limiting myself with my own beliefs about what I am capable of doing and achieving. Hence-this month is about challenging those beliefs and breaking through barriers that may be holding me back...now how fun is that? Seriously! To find a new level- and new ability- to expand my belief in myself.....It'll take a lot of work- or then again- maybe not.....
All I know is I am absolutely gamed for it!

Here's to Going The Distance!