Running Happy

What a rainy weekend we had in Seattle! Thankfully, the end of last week wasn't too bad at all so I was able to get out and enjoy it before the weekend. But I had to work anyway, so then I don't mind the rain!

So...I'm running NYC Marathon in less than a week! Eeek! I'm very excited, and not too nervous yet. I bet the nerves won't kick in until I get on that plane Fridayt. I feel like I am well trained and ready to go!

But then taper happened. Wait, what taper?

Admittedly, I have not been a very diligent taper-er (yes, that's a word and I just made it up). I've kept my long runs to minimal mileage, but haven't really changed much else. I'm going to try to take it easier this week, especially towards the end. However, with 2 50k's looming in my near future, I'm trying to semi-keep my mileage up. We'll see how that bodes for the marathon, but my main goal is to just have fun and enjoy the experience as much as I did last year.

Enjoying post-NYC Marathon 2011!
Can't stop, won't stop showing off my medal!

I've had several great runs the past week.

Wednesday afternoon, I met Ultra-marathoner Jess for a loop around the Lake Youngs Trail in Renton. This trail is different from Cougar or Tiger Mountain in that it is a little flatter and the "trail" is much wider. You don't get as much of a true trail experience, but it's still a nice little loop.

Jess and I took it nice and easy at the beginning and were both feeling great several miles in, so we started picking up the pace a bit. By the end, neither of us were talking much, but I found it great fun to be flying around that trail! We finished 9.8 miles in 1 hour and 26 minutes. Whew!

Happy runner @ Lake Youngs

Jess just so happens to be sponsored by Powerbar, which is kind of awesome. Tuesday night before we met, she texted me if I wanted some Powerbar gels. Free fuel? Duh!

After our run Wednesday, I get back from the bathroom to find two huuuuge boxes of gels on my car. A few gels?! This should last me for the rest of my life...

Other awesome runs included another run with Jess, this time around Discovery Park and in the pitch black! We met at 6:45am Friday morning, doning our headlights and plenty of morning mojo. It's so rare for anyone to want to run with me in the mornings that I just get soooo excited when it actually happens. Kind of like Christmas! Almost...

Different day, same loop. So much darker.

We did a nice, easy 5 miles around the park. It was so peaceful and I was greatful to have a morning running buddy for once!

After Discovery Park, I headed out to Redmond to meet Erika for 8 miles. We met at Marymoor Park and did an out and back along the river.

Erika and I met at the beginning of the summer at a blogger meetup on Alki. We've been talking about meeting up for a run for FOREVER and we finally made it happen! I'm so proud of us!

We had a great run, kept it nice and speedy! I think just about every mile was under 8 minutes. My stomach was having some issues, unfortunately, and we stopped to walk around mile 7 for a minute or so. Not sure what was going on that morning, but my stomach was NOT having it for those final few miles!

The run flew by and it was so great getting to know Erika better and hear about all her Ironman training adventures. She is so going to rock it in a few weeks and I can't wait to hear how it goes afterwards!

The rest of my weekend mostly consisted of working, with some running and Crossfit in there as well. Happy Monday! Less than a week until NYC!

Looooong 20 Miles

This is the story of a long 20 mile run.

The night before, my friend Kali came in to visit from Texas! I was planning to get up at 5am to get my long run done so we could play the rest of the day.

Hi Kali!

I got started right on time. I had my Camelbak with me and packed full of fuel. I started off fairly slow, as I usually do. It typically takes me a few miles to really feel loose and to be able to turn my legs over as fast as I want them to. It was pitch black outside, but I enjoyed the quiet and calm Friday morning.

Pitch black. Thought I'd take a picture for you
in case you were wondering what it looked like.

After about 3 miles, I noticed I was sweating waaaay more than normal. TMI? Probably. Your welcome!

I started feeling kind of light headed and figured I was just dehydrated, so I chugged water out of my Camelbak. By 5 miles, I had completely drained my pack. I stopped in a Starbucks to refill it and had another entire cup of water.

I was confused as to why I was so thirsty and was dragging so badly, but figured it was dehydration because as soon as I started running again, I felt fine.

I ran around Lake Union, which was lovely and quiet and then headed up to Greenlake.

Overcast day in Seattle. Monumental. Call the papers!

Again, about 5 miles later, I had to stop because I was feeling so lightheaded. I chugged my Camelbak and refilled it again. I was also taking in lots of fuel.

First I had some Sports beans that went unpictured. I love the Jelly Belly Sports Beans with caffeine. They are tangy and easy to chew and swallow. I also had a GU. I find that Gu's work really well for me, but they are usual harder for me to choke down mid run. I had also found these Buddy Fruit snacks at my grocery store. They were on sale and they worked very well. Kind of like a Gu Chomp! Plus, they were on sale. All around win.

Hydration break at GasWorks Park.

I managed to keep plodding along, but it certainly wasn't easy.

I've gotten into the habit of stopping a lot during long runs, and I need to be better about that. I have one more 20 miler and a 22 miler left, and my goal is to get through most of them unbroken.

Legs, get moving!

By the last 5 miles, I was just done. I was still lightheaded and out of energy. I was also very frustrated with myself because the rest of my body felt great! For some reason I was just losing lots of water through sweat and couldn't replenish it fast enough. I won't even mention how many times I had to stop to use the bathroom. Good thing it was late enough in the morning at this point that lots of stores were open for me to beg for the restroom!

I finally made the last few miles, after having to stop and walk several times.

Not my best run. Not my best time. Not sure what was going on with my body, but I'm hoping it was a fluke and my last few long runs will be much better.

I recovered with an ice bath. It was extra cold this time, but with a full day of running around Seattle ahead of me with Kali, I knew my legs were going to need all the recovery help they could manage!

I'm cold. The end.

I'll recap the rest of my weekend tomorrow. I had a great time showing Kali around and even got in another trail run!