Caution: Whale Crossing.

This week I finally got back to exercising. 5 months into my pregnancy, I decided to do something besides lay on the couch and eat pickles. When I found out I was pregnant, I was only a month out from running a marathon, and I fully anticipated continuing with some sort of exercise regimen throughout my pregnancy. Then the 6 week mark hit, and I was literally on my ass. I was exhausted, sick, and overall just miserable. I threw up everyday from week 6 to week 14. After that, I was just accustomed to doing nothing, resting, and eating comfort food: macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly were my staples. However, now, I am feeling great (thank goodness I only gained 8 pounds during those months of slugging it), and when my friend Jackie told me my workout buddies Ray and Rohan were asking about me at the gym, that was the last push I needed to get back out there.

So, the last two days have been gym workout days... I started slow- treadmill at a 4 or 5 incline, and worked up my speed to something I was comfortable with, and have really enjoyed it. I actually feel better and followed with a juiced concoction or homemade smoothie, I am a happy camper. It was great to see the people at the gym, they were all so sweet, congratulatory, and had great tips to help with the back pain I have been experiencing. I remembered why I started going there last summer, and I am excited to get back in to a regular schedule.

I was talking with my friend I recently visited in San Francisco, and she has signed up for her first half marathon! I am so excited she has caught the bug and decided to go for it- and training in the hills of San Fran will be no small feat... but it will make the actual race that much easier. I was kinda bummed that I won't be able to be there for her first race, to run or cheer, because it is in October, but we have talked about running Big Sur next April, my first marathon back after baby- and that is something I am looking forward to. I sent her this photo of myself getting ready to run yesterday, asking her if she is sure she doesn't want ALLL this running beside her during her first race- not a pretty sight.

The lovely person she is, she said of course she would- after all, I reminded her I could block all the wind if she ran behind me: but then she would probably have to be closer to walking than running. Oh well, here's to goals and plans for the future- but watch out for the whale crossing if you see me 'walgging' out on the streets.

Inspiration.

I was thinking about inspiration the other day. What inspires me, and the times people, myself included, need inspiration. I have needed inspiration to run, to work harder, to write something in my blog, and sometimes just to manage day to day obligations with a smile on my face. I was jotting down various people that inspire me through their brilliance, ethics, faith, hard work, innovation, and even fashion. Here are a few of the people I have come up with:

Some people you may not recognize... some may seem silly, but to me, they offer something more individually than others may.

I do not know any of these people personally, so that then got me thinking about those in my everyday life that also inspire me. My parents, for being hard-working, devoted, role models, and loving me to no end. My husband, who is infinitely encouraging, affectionate, and so sweet and thoughtful every day, I am so lucky. My children I provide speech therapy, who overcome insurmountable odds, and keep me laughing. My closest friends, who I can turn to for support, a stress relieving vent fest, or just a girls' night now and again. Believe it or not, I even have a running inspiration. My friend Ann. She runs just for the fun of it. She doesn't have the fancy running clothes, expensive watches, worry about her next PR, or spend the day after she runs foam rolling, hobbling around, talking about it 24 hours a day. She runs because she likes it {and it allows her to eat the way she does and not be 200 pounds}. She runs far {19 miles in one day just because she didn't feel like stopping}, and damn if she isn't fast. She ran a 5k around her neighborhood the other day at a 7:20 pace. I can't sprint that fast. And certainly not very far. She doesn't get injured, never hobbles around, doesn't feel the stress of following a running schedule, nevers has a "bad run" because she is happy to be running at all, and actually told me she never stretches. She also runs during the day in the summertime here in Arizona. Come to think of it, she may be a robot. She inspires me to love running for what it does for my body and just the enjoyment of it. I wanna be like her.

Who are your inspirations??

the worst ways to prepare for a race.

So, our best friends Ann and Marcel came down for another fun-filled, memorable weekend. We spent it doing the very things that you should NOT do before running a relay race on an early Sunday morning. Let me give you a list of ways that we tried very hard to not prepare for a race.

1. Eating {super spicy} Chinese food for dinner Friday night, followed by finishing off 3 bottles of yummy flavored vodka.
2. Staying up until 4 am doing a puzzle, and waking up at 9 am to eat a lavish homemade omelet bar {prepared by yours truly}, followed by homemade donuts with glaze {prepared by my handsome husband} for dessert. Yup- dessert after breakfast.
3. Spending the rest of the day on the couch watching movies while the boys went out shooting, causing a temporary conductive hearing loss.
4. Eating Mexican food Saturday night, complete with quesadillas, chips and extra hot salsa, guacamole, queso with chorizo, giant margaritas, and our individual entrees- chicken chimi for me. We all had our pants unbuttoned.
5. Playing Farkel until 2 am, accompanied by more flavored vodka.... well aware of a 6 am wake up call to get to the race and register beforehand. Super smart.

Another weekend with not enough sleep, too many drinks, way too much food, and not enough exercise. In other words... perfect.

Oh- and that race? Ann and Rick killed it... 4 miles in 28:45. We had to celebrate afterward with some TTT breakfast. Maybe we should eat that way every race weekend- certainly more fun.

Marathon Recap.... and some Muddy Danglers.

This weekend was one of the most fun, and most tiring of my life. My husband and I both competed and completed something we were nervous about, and did it with smiles on our faces. On Friday after work, we drove up to Phoenix to pick up my race bib and visit the expo for the P.F. Chang's Marathon on Sunday. We sampled a lot of goodies, talked to the people about the Disney races, and enjoyed all the excitement in the air. We really like expos~ people are always so friendly, and there's something to say about all coming together for one goal, one hobby. Afterwards, we met up with the team of "Muddy Danglers" for the Tough Mudder competition for some carbo-loading and strategics.

The next morning we were up bright and early to head to the Mesa proving grounds to cheer on our men in the Tough Mudder event. It was a 13+ mile race with 25+ obstacles, including ice baths, scaling walls, greased monkey bars, and electric shock. They all did so amazing, worked together, finished as a team, and had a great time. They were so exhausted, sore, bloodied, and cold after wards. And they can't wait to do it again...

After walking around in the dirt for four hours, we stopped for burritos, and went home to relax. We stayed with our friends Ann and Marcel both nights in Phoenix, and I cannot say enough about their amazing hospitality and warmth. Ann cooked us all breakfast both mornings, had gift bags for both of us, and had everything in the house a marathoner or a Mudder could want to eat, drink, or use before a race. Her house is like one of those places you go away to to recover after plastic surgery where they pamper you, but hers is before a crazy athletic competition. She should charge money.

Ann and Marcel hosted a wonderful BBQ for the Mudders and their spouses, with steak, hot dogs, pasta salad, bread, and cookies and ice cream for dessert. We ate, watched the videos from the Mudder, and I went to bed early. Lindsay also brought me a wonderful bag of treats for good luck for my marathon the following day. So sweet, and much appreciated... the bubble bath she gave me was amazing and so needed after my race.

Then- the morning was here. Marathon morning. I awoke at 5 to Ann making me coffee and toasting me a bagel, and packing me a bag with a banana and water. Amazing, right?! I met my friend Erin, her sister (my neighbor) Katie, and her parents at Erin's place, which was right by the finish line. They dropped us with plenty of time to spare, I used the restroom, handed them all my cold weather gear (56*, what!? so nice), and Erin and I huddled in our corral.

The race was so much fun. That is really how it was...fun.  And truly, running 26.2 miles was not as bad as I thought it would be. I had Ann, Marcel, and Rick at miles 9 (and his Mommy, whose work was right on the race course), (just missed them) 13, 19, and 26.2. This totally helped pass the time and give me something to look forward to. I read signs, listened to music, Gu'd, watered, and enjoyed every minute. I kept smiling, soaked it all in, and really tried to be in the moment. I finished my first full marathon in 4:26:08; 10:09 pace. Not too shabby, and my goal being 4:30, I was really pleased.

I told my husband afterwards that I could do the races all the time, it's the training that is the hard part. I think I'll stick to halves to stay in shape. Really so much less time consuming... but nothing compares to a full. And I am even walking almost normal two days later, so another full might not be so bad after all. Maybe..... after baby. Making a baby is my new goal. And I couldn't be more excited.

Here We Go.

So, the time has finally come. This weekend has been planned for months. This Sunday, I will give birth to my marathon baby. After my 20 miler a couple weeks ago, if you would have asked me if I am ready, I would have said "no way". If anyone brought the subject of the marathon up to me, I immediately felt vomit creeping up my esophagus. But- talking to friends, collaborating with my race partner, planning with my spectators and cheerleaders have changed things.

About four or five days ago a wave of calm washed over me, and hasn't faded. I am ready as I will ever be. I am going to try and have as much fun as I possibly can, take it slow, stop to kiss my friends and family at every spot they are waiting for me, and just finish. I will also try to remember that every step I take is one step closer to being done. I can do this- and I will, and I am ready. I will cross that finish line holding hands with a new friend, whom will undoubtedly become a close friend after tackling our first full Marys together, and I will jump into my husband's waiting arms. It is going to be a great day.

I am also looking forward to spending a weekend with great friends, and watching our husbands tackle the Tough Mudder. I admit I have no idea what to expect from his 12 mile obstacle course that was designed to train the special forces in England. I think my hubs is nervous, but I know he will do great, and have fun. I will be there to take photos and hydrate and feed him along the way.

I said this marathon will be my last run for a long time, and I plan on not moving for a long time following. So, how did I already commit myself to another race the following weekend? I must be in to some sick sort of self mutilation I was unaware of. Or- I just like having something to look forward to. That must be it. :) Wish me luck.

Gym Rat.

This past week your gym has undoubtedly been full of people with the oldest New Year's Resolution in the book: get in to shape. You can spot them a mile away: new gym clothes, magazines for the elliptical, big smiles on their faces. If they were old hats at this, and really put themselves through the pain the gym involves, they would NOT be smiling. I am not saying that I am a gym pro. Far from it- but I have been running consistently for 2 years now, and every time I set out for a long run, you had better believe I am not smiling. This is because I am well aware of the pain I am about to endure. Some observations that new gym members should keep in mind when joining or increasing their gym presence are as follows...

1. A gym is not designed to make you feel instantly better about yourself. If a gym wanted to make you feel instantly better about yourself, it would be a bar.

2. Give yourself a goal. Maybe you want to lose 10 pounds. Maybe you want to quarterback the New York Jets into the playoffs. But be warned: Losing 10 pounds is hard.

3. Develop a gym routine. Try to go at least three times a week. Do a mix of strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. After the third week, stop carrying around that satchel of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.

4. No one in the history of gyms has ever lost a pound while reading "The New Yorker" and slowly pedaling a recumbent bicycle. No one.

5. Bring your iPod. Don't borrow the disgusting gym headphones, or use the sad plastic radio attachment on the treadmill, which always sounds like it's playing Kenny Loggins from a sewer.

6. Don't fall for gimmicks. The only tried-and-true method to lose 10 pounds in 48 hours is food poisoning.

7. Yes, every gym has an overenthusiastic spinning instructor who hasn't bought a record since "Walking on Sunshine."

8. There's also the Strange Guy Who is Always at the Gym. Just when you think he isn't here today...there he is, lurking by the barbells.

9. "Great job!" is trainer-speak for "It's not polite for me to laugh at you."

10. Beware a hip gym with a Wilco step class.

11. Gyms have two types of members: Members who wipe down the machines after using them, and the worst people in the universe.

12. Nope, that's not a "recovery energy bar with antioxidant dark chocolate." That's a chocolate bar.

13. Avoid Unsolicited Advice Guy, who, for the small fee of boring you to death, will explain the proper method for any exercise in 45 minutes or longer.

14. You can take 10 Minute Abs, 20 Minute Abs, and 30 Minute Abs. There is also Stop Eating Pizza and Eating Sheet Cake Abs—but that's super tough!

15. If you're motivated to buy an expensive home exercise machine, consider a "wooden coat rack." It costs $40, uses no electricity and does the exact same thing.

16. There's the yoga instructor everyone loves, and the yoga instructor everyone hates. Memorize who they are.

17. If you see an indoor rock climbing wall, you're either in a really cool gym or a romantic comedy starring Kate Hudson.

18. Be cautious about any class with the words "sunrise," "hell," or "Moby."

19. If a gym class is going to be effective, it's hard. If you're relaxed and enjoying yourself, you're at brunch.

20. If you need to bring your children, just let them loose in the silent meditation class. Nobody minds, and kids love candles.

21. Don't buy $150 sneakers, $100 yoga pants, and $4 water. Muscle shirts are for people with muscles, and rhythm guitarists.

22. Fancy gyms can be seductive, but once you get past the modern couches and fresh flowers and the water with lemon slices, you're basically paying for a boutique hotel with B.O.

23. Everyone sees you secretly racing the old people in the pool.

24. If you're at the point where you've bought biking shoes for the spinning class, you may as well go ahead and buy an actual bike. It's way more fun and it doesn't make you listen to C+C Music Factory.

25. Fact: Thinking about going to the gym burns between 0 and 0 calories.

26. A successful gym membership is like a marriage: If it's good, you show up committed and ready for hard work. If it's not good, you show up in sweatpants and watch a lot of bad TV.

27. There is no secret. Exercise and lay off the fries. The end.

Credit: Jason Gay

*** I am off to do my last long run before my marathon next weekend. Even though it is only 8 miles, I am NOT smiling. See what I mean? I think my resolution this year should be to move less, eat more, and take up knitting. Yup- I like it. 

20.

I ran twenty miles yesterday. Well, I ran 10, then stopped for jelly beans at home, and because of the wind practically pushing me backwards I hopped on my treadmill and ran 7 more. Then I hit a wall and wanted to quit, so I went back outside and ran 3 more. So, I ran 20. It was not pretty. It took forever. It was the hardest thing I have done in a long time, and I am still wondering how I will get through those last 6.2. But- my friend Ann will be there cheering me on at mile 13, and again when I come out of the loop at 19+, and I may just pull her along for the last 6.2 with me. We shall see... but until then I am going to enjoy these last two taper weeks, eat really well, drink a ton of water and pray. Please pray for me, too. There is a reason people run half marathons, I have discovered: full marathons are freaking hard.

12 Dates of Christmas~ Date #9.

Last night, we had a night out with our cute neighbors and some of their friends. We had a ton of running around to do to get ready for this upcoming weekend, but we were so glad we took the time out to meet up with everyone. We had a great time, as always, and "all-you-can-eat" anything is fine by me! Although I am not eating the raw sushi these days {not prego, yet...} there was plenty for me to stuff my face with, and we laughed the night away. I cannot wait for Katie to pop that little baby girl out. 2 more months! And she got a BOB jogging stroller for Christmas...totally stealing borrowing!

Tonight, I had my first date with this baby. It went really, really well... I think I may be in love.

Being able to run while watching the Sex and the City movie turned up super loud? Please and thank you!

This weekend our dearest friends are coming to visit, and we have such a fun weekend planned for New Year's Eve. Tomorrow, Ann and Marcel are coming and we are surprising them with a food crawl and homemade treats dedicated to memories and foods of our recent Europe trip. It will be awesome.... details later! Happy New Year!!

Half vs Full.

As I confront the fact that my next race is a full marathon, I have been perusing the Internet looking for first hand accounts from people that have run both, and what they have to say about it. I obviously know that a half marathon is exactly that, half of a marathon, but I want to mentally prepare myself for what I am about to endure. I have a few longer runs under my belt, an 18 miler a few weeks ago, a 19 miler this upcoming weekend, which don't scare me and were and are going to be just fine. But, for some reason, 26.2 seems like a crazy number. Here are what a few peeps {including THE Hal Higdon} had to say about the subject:

"I ran last night. It didn’t kill me. In fact the only reason it wasn’t stellar was because I kind of felt like a Beluga hurtling down the road. Thank you food bloat. This is why I may never be a marathoner again (unless New York calls, naturally). It took me six weeks to feel normal after Chicago, post-half only took a few days. High five for the glory that is the half marathon." -Cely (running off the reeses.com)

"But then, of course, that little voice inside my head began to nag me. It said, “You do know that you never do anything half-way… And that you will complete the half, a respectable distance and certainly a big accomplishment for anyone, but you won’t feel that it’s YOUR best or satisfied with yourself…” And so….. I started to allow myself first to accept the full marathon challenge and then to say it OUT LOUD!" – Kate Gosselin

"I ran 10 marathons in 10 years, with times ranging from 3:57 for my first at Big Sur (not recommended as a first marathon) to a PR of 3:18 which qualified me for Boston Marathon in 2006. At this point, I'm not sure if I'm going to run any more full marathons, at least for a while.  I've done a few half marathons, which are more fun and less time consuming to train for. They are not as studly as the full marathon, and you can walk the next day. If you're looking for a good first marathon, look for something flat and cool, like Austin,  Chicago or Silicon Valley." –Valley of the Geeks.com

"There is a huge difference between a Marathon and a 1/2. The biggest is at the end of a half you can still walk away feeling good. I can promise after 42km, no such thing is going to happen. It HURTS, never the less I love the feeling of doing something only 1% of the running community does. Also the bragging rights of calling myself a marathoner is well worth the pain."

-yenkin2001

"On January 5, 2007, I found myself at mile 26 of the Disney Marathon wanting to die. That’s not hyperbole. Seriously, my one desire on that day, in that moment, was to allow myself to keel over into the Epcot grass and allow myself to succumb to the pain and misery that the marathon was inflicting upon me and die.
A year later, on January 27, 2008, I found myself at mile 13 of the Miami Half Marathon, and as I rounded the last corner before the race’s final stretch, I felt invigorated, strong, and bursting with pride.
I crossed the finish line of both of those races, but the differences in how I felt when I crossed the finish line of those two races, pretty much sums up my two very different feelings about the half and the full marathon. "

-jessruns.com

"THE HALF MARATHON IS A FRIENDLY DISTANCE. Beginners, who have gotten their introduction to road running in a 5-K or 10-K, can look to the half as the next step upward. Experienced runners like half marathons, because racing 13 miles requires somewhat less time commitment than does a full 26-mile marathon. They can recover more rapidly.

The excitement around half marathons often is the same as at a marathon--except you get to go home early. Also, you can use half marathon races as part of your training for later marathons. Knowing your time at the half marathon gives you a good idea of what to expect when you run the full marathon. This is why more than twice as many runners now run half marathons vs. full marathons." –Hal Higdon

"1. Half marathon is still challenging and you can concentrate on more speed work.

2. You don't lose entire weekends with really long runs as there is no need for a 18-22 mile run.

3. You finish the half marathon and feel fine (you can still go dancing that night).

4. If you are unhappy with your finish time, you can enter another half marathon race within weeks/months.

5. 10-15 mile long runs are all you need (less than 2 hrs. of running).

6. You don't hit "the wall."

7. I've never had post half marathon depression but I did feel a let down after completing the marathon probably due to all the training required for such an abrupt ending.

8. I've already completed the marathon including a 32 mile run.

 *There may be a less risk of injury just based on less miles required during training but I'm not sure as other factors weight in to that conclusion including how you train, # of miles, pace, etc."

-hholines.blogspot.com


I thought that these accounts were going to scare me off, but as I read them more and more, I find myself being even more excited than ever. I know I will be able to do it, I know it will be fine. Painful, but fine. And I am proud of the fact that I will be able to say that I have run a marathon. Then, my friends, I will add my own account to this list. I may puke, I may cry, I may crawl across that finish line. But- I will finish. And for that, I am excited.

12 Dates of Christmas~ Dates 3, 4, and 5.

This weekend was another whirlwind- went way too fast! On Friday, after work, I ran up to the Hotel El Conquistador to the race expo for the half marathon this weekend. It was a small expo, I was in and out in only a few minutes. I got a tech shirt, a pair of socks, tons of GU and energy bars, and some throwaway gloves for the race Sunday. There were vendors, and reps from the Ragnar relay and Rock n' Roll marathon that I spoke with for a minute, but otherwise I was just interested in getting home to my cute hubby.

When I got home, Rick and I did a quick "shake out" run of 3 miles, and then got ready to meet our friends Josh and Katie out for a double date. Katie was chaperoning her high school's winter formal, so Josh, Rick and I hit up Pita Jungle for dinner and some beers, and then met Katie up at Laff's Comedy Cafe for a show. We had a great time, laughed, the boys drank.... fun evening.

The next morning, we were up early to go and cheer on our friend Kyle who was running a 5k at the U of A. He is new to the sport, and seems to enjoy it, and we wanted to support him. He did great, improved on his last time, and looked pretty steady running. Afterward, we hit up Beyond Bread for lunch, and a giant pretzel.

The rest of the day was spent Christmas shopping and attending the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. By the end of the day my legs and feet were exhausted! So much for resting these legs up the day before a half marathon! And I was angry because all of the fried food and junk food probably wasn't the best idea for a pre-race meal. I was salivating. Instead, we went out for our usual before-a-race meal, spaghetti and meatballs at Mama Louisa's. Yum! Date #4 was delicious and helped to calm my pre-race jitters. I went home, set out my gear, packed my bag, laid out my food for in the morning, and went to bed. I had to be up at 3:30 am to drive and catch a 5 am shuttle to the start.

 {carbo-loading at its finest}

The morning of the race was a cold one! It was 40* when I caught the shuttle with my friend Alex. The shuttle took a long time, so I really had to pee by the time we got to the start. I hopped off the bus before they were even letting anyone off and sprinted to the top of the mountain, only to be met by a long line at the port-a-pottys. Boo. I waited in line, then met up with Alex again to huddle by some heaters for a few minutes before warming up. By that time we were ready to get moving to stay warm! Alex headed to the front of everyone, and Randy and I started out together. Randy's goal was a 7:45 pace, so he left me after a mile or so, and I just ran at my easy 8:30 pace for next 9 or so miles. My main goal was not to go out too fast, which I have done in the past. I slowed at stations for water, took my GU, and chugged along. I was amazed at how easily I ran this race. I pushed it, but was never in a full on sprint, as I expected with this race having a lot of downhill stretches (I had steeper down hills in the last half I did, where I was sprinting at times). The hills were more gradual, with some rolling up and downs. I had a blister I that had been troubling me make its triumphant return at mile 9, so from then on I was in a lot of pain, but not enough to walk or stop. I just kept going along, loving my new playlist I had created the day before, and excited to finish and see everyone.

The last two miles were through a neighborhood, with some sucky hills that definitely slowed me down by that time. I rounded to the end, feeling good, and saw Rick, Randy, Kyle, and Alex's husband Jesse cheering me on. Rick told me later I looked like I was just taking an easy jog, and Randy had yelled "Sprint, Sara!". Ha~ I guess I was just happy I wasn't a red-faced hunch-backed mess as I have been in the past.

I was so proud of everyone that day! I beat my former PR by 16 minutes {1:53:15; 8:38 pace} (although I was shooting for 1:50, next time), Randy had a PR with a 1:40:05, and Alex WON! She was the first woman with a 1:16:51 (that is a 5:52 pace... I know, bananas). She told me before the race she was hoping for under a 1:18, but did not think she could do it, her fastest half split in a marathon had been a 1:22. She is so amazing, and as I have said before, she is so encouraging, so humble, and never ever brags about her accomplishments. I guess that's what the rest of us are here for.

{I'm the short, slow turtle in the middle!}

After the race we all went for a celebration breakfast, and I went home and vegged out. Rick and I went to In-N-Out burger for our post race celebration dinner, it was a perfect Date Night #5.

{Yes, those are animal style fries. Oh yes, they are...}



Grateful.

On my run tonight, I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to live in Tucson. There are many reasons, and one being the outdoor community we have here, and the opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather. After I saw my private speech client after work, I was not feeling the treadmill. It gets dark so early these days, and by the time I got home and headed out for my run, I would have hardly any daylight left. So, I looked online, and found the Santa Cruz River Walk. Apparently, when Europeans arrived in what is now Arizona, the Santa Cruz River had wide banks suitable for irrigation; over time its banks have been narrowed and contained and are now lined by River Park. These days it's a dry wash, or arroyo, most of the year, but sudden summer thunderstorms and rainwater from upper elevations can turn it into a raging river in a matter of hours. It's a favorite spot for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. The park has a bike path, restrooms, drinking fountains, and sculptures created by local artists. It was less than a mile from my client's house. Perfect. 

I got my run in with daylight to spare. I am so fortunate to live in a town with a trail and path system that practically circles the entire city. No matter where I am during the day, where my private clients take me, there will be a path waiting nearby. I am so grateful. 

My toes and arches no longer hurt, either. I am so happy I kept pushing through and didn't give up when my body was fighting against all this running. I am still scared about the marathon, but the more "long" runs I get in, the less terrifying it becomes. Happy Running!!

Weekend.

This past weekend was a perfect combination of both lazy and exhausting. I have been having a lot of problems with my arch on my right foot. I ran 9 miles on Wednesday last week, and around the last mile and a half, it felt like a knife was being stabbed into by arch. I hobbled home, and started icing. It hurt so badly to go up on to my toes. I talked the next day with my trainer about it, he suggested I ice and rest it, and head to 'Fleet Feet' to get analyzed. He was concerned about it being plantar fasciitis, which is quite common, but also takes a long time to heal. I was praying that wasn't what was happening, training for a marathon and all.

So, I rested on Thursday, and did boot camp on Friday, staying away from the sprints and the jumps. Otherwise I felt OK. Our Friday night consisted of being lazy, watching DVR, icing, and having pizza and beer for dinner. It was wonderful!

On Saturday morning, we woke up and met our friends and next door neighbors, Josh and Katie, for breakfast and a hike along Saguaro National Monument. It was a beautiful day and I was thinking I was getting off easy, as she is 6 months pregnant and all. Not the case! We drove up to 'Biscuit's Country Cafe' for breakfast {biscuits and gravy, yes, please}, which is owned by the guy that lives across the street from us. It was yummy, and we ate way too much to be going directly out for a hike!

The Saguaro National Monument is a beautiful hike, with lots of cacti, trails, and wildlife! We even saw a desert tortoise. There is a long loop that we took around the park, and there were tons of hills. I mean gigantic mountainous hills! I felt so bad for Katie hiking up those mountains with her 6 month pregnant belly. We all got a little sunburned, but got a great workout, and went for beers, wings, and nachos afterward. I think it was an even trade!



After lunch we headed over to Fleet Feet where I got new custom insoles for my running shoes. The problem is, they need to be broken in, so you can only wear them for an hour or two at a time. Fail. The lady at the store told me I should NOT be running long distances, let alone 18 miles the next day with my injured foot. I was not happy. The Tucson Marathon was only a little over a month away!

The next morning I woke up determined, and excited. My foot felt great, I had iced the whole night before, and I was ready. I headed out for my 18 mile run, not wearing my new insoles, but the ones I had bought for our European adventure. My foot started to slowly hurt on my arch, but the pain peaked at about mile 5 and it never got any worse, so I just kept going. I made it through just fine, with the exception of some crazy toenail damage. My second toes on both feet have developed blisters underneath them, and are destroying my nail. So, I have an appointment with a podiatrist to cut those suckers off! My time on my 18 miler was right at my goal, so I felt OK, but still nervous.

love the views in Tucson...

I was nervous about my feet, my toes, and not having enough training before the Tucson Marathon December 11th. After talking with my friend, speedy, Olympic runner Alex, who said she is running only the half at the Tucson Marathon, and advice from my sweet husband, I have decided to do the half at the Tucson Marathon, and a month later do the Rock and Roll Full Marathon in Phoenix on January 15th. We are going to be in town for my husband to do the Tough Mudder, and the Rock and Roll is the very next day. Perfect!!

After I made this decision, I was able to take a deep breath of sorts. I had only been cramming in the training for this race since the Ragnar, I was not planning on any more races at all, so my training was short and not what I would have loved it to be. Now I have more time, and although I am more relaxed about the time frame, I am still terrified. I think that is exactly what makes it a perfect goal.

Weekend.

Another fun filled weekend has come and gone... we did some relaxing, but most of it was go, go, go....

On Friday I had kind of a rough day, so after work, instead of bootcamp, I headed to get a pedicure. It was a really good one, although I felt bad for the nail technician because my feet are not so great after all this running!!

After Rick got home from work, we went out to one of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants, had some beers, and Rick had Pho. He loves Pho, and gets it extra spicy. I had some amazing hot and sour soup and their grilled beef with a salad. Delish! We both finished everything we ordered, and went home watch some of our favorite shows, Modern Family, and The League.... boring, I know, but we were still exhausted from the previous Vegas/Ragnar weekend.

The next morning I got up early to cook, we had invited over our neighbors Katie and Josh for breakfast. I made homemade pumpkin spice pancakes with pecan syrup, scrambled eggs with cheese, and veggie sausages. They turned out really delicious and we had a great time catching up with them!

Later, we went and ran errands, did some shopping, and had lunch at this Greek place that had amazing gyros!!

Don't you just love my new beanie?!?

That evening, we went to dinner with our good friends, Ashley and Ricardo, at Monkey Burger, this wonderful gourmet burger place. They have the best burgers, fries, and dipping sauces!! I had the Madness burger because I was in the mood for spicy! It had Jalapeno slices · Shredded Lettuce · Pepper Jack Cheese · Fajita Peppers · Tabasco Scallion Aioli, with sweet potato fries! YUM!

After dinner we headed to see Paranormal Activity 3. It was not as scary as the first two, but had some unexpected twists and brought new terrifying ways to scare you to light. I was in Ashley's lap almost the entire time, my face buried in her shoulder, our hands holding super tight. She would tell me the parts I missed after I kept my eyes shut for too long and missed something. That is a good friend.

The next morning the strangest thing happened. That day I was planning on doing 8 miles... my schedule had 12, but I had not run that far in a long time, so I thought I would cut it short. I only brought my camelback and one gu, and ran towards the Julian wash by my house.

The Julian wash is part of "The Loop" in Tucson. The Loop is 55 miles of car-free paths being developed around metropolitan Tucson, with links to Marana and Oro Valley, for Pima County residents and visitors on foot, bikes, skates and horses. The Loop connects the Rillito River Park, the Santa Cruz River Park, the Julian Wash Greenway, the Harrison Greenway and the Pantano River Park.  It will connect to parks, trails, bus and bike routes, workplaces, schools, restaurants, hotels and motels, shopping areas, and sports and entertainment venues.

Pretty awesome, huh!? Julian Wash picks up right around 2.3 miles from my house, so I was just gonna take that and go 4 miles, and head back. But- I got to four miles, and thought, I'll go to the end of Julian wash, which would make it about 10 miles round trip. I walked a little when I got a side cramp, wasn't too stressed about time, I had my one gu about 6 miles in, and just enjoyed the scenery and the breeze when it would blow through. It was hot otherwise, probably about 80*.

I hit 10 miles, and then decided I would do the 12 on my plan, what's 2 more miles?? By the time I hit twelve, I checked my watch, and I still had a great pace... I thought hey- let's see how fast I can do 13.1... so, I did. And I got a PR! Seriously, who would ever have thought I would run 13.1 for no reason at all, without stressing, walking a little, not eating anything special the day/night before, not having enough gu, and in 80* heat? Not this gal. Anything over 75* is so uncomfortable for me. Sub 2 hour half marathon, here I come!!

But- this upcoming weekend is an 18 miler.... seems like so much more. Oy. But- I must not have given it all I had, because I came home, cleaned the house, went grocery shopping, and cooked dinner. That has never happened after a half marathon before, either. All those sessions with Ray must be paying off! I love when the runs get up there, because I can eat all I want and not feel bad about it. Halloween candy, here I come!!

Happy Halloween, everyone!! My scary movie loving bestie and I are ballerinas!!

Tonight, Rick and I are hanging at the neighbors', eating, drinking, and handing out candy. Can't wait :)