Back in the Saddle

I haven't written in so long for so many reasons ... one of which is shouting, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy" as I write at 8:51 p.m., which is way past bedtime.

So, a few run updates.

Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon

I fully expected to run this without any issues and finish at least close to the 2:04 I ran Provo River 1/2 last year. Oh, when will I learn to not be so arrogant? My time was 2:20, which isn't a bad time but just a whole lot more slow than last year's. I knew I had been running more slowly in my trainings but not that much more slowly. Here are a few of the lessons I learned:

1. Get more sleep the night before.

2. Eat something before the race.

3. Don't wear newer shoes for a race, especially a downhill race. My feet were battered.

4. Don't run downhill races, meaning significantly steeper downhill races.

5. Just because I had bathroom issues last year didn't mean that I needed to stop at EVERY potty on the course.

6. If taking a beverage from the beverage stations, walk, do not run, while drinking otherwise it is a pointless endeavor.

7. Know the course ahead of time so that the sprint to the finish can really be to the finish and not to the last bend before the finish. (See Lindy's post, too!)

8. Drink more.

This 1/2 was brutal for me. I left wiped out, more sore than I'd been in months, and highly discouraged. For a few days I was convinced I would be cheering you all on from the sidelines at St. George. Even the week following was horrible, but it turns out I was just getting sick when I ran Hobble Creek. My son had a stomach bug a few weeks prior and I came down with it a few days after the race. I didn't run for almost a week after the 1/2.

I had met a friend at the race start who has run St. Georrge 10 times -- every year since she was 12, except last year when she was pregnant. She runs a mile and walks a minute for the whole race. I decided to try it for an eight mile run the Saturday after the race. I made it four miles and walked the four miles back, knowing that I can't stop to walk because it's so hard to start running again!

Well, last weekend I just decided to give another long run a go. I was shooting for 20 miles but my watch wasn't working so I couldn't tell for sure how far I'd gone. It ended up being an 18 mile loop ... and I felt TONS better than I had for the 1/2. Here's what I learned on the 18 mile run:

1. When planning for a long run, make sure there is an open 24-hour somekind of place with a bathroom along the route. I'm not a McDonald's fan, but I loved the sight of the Golden Arches at mile seven or so.

2. Eat goo a small squirt at a time with lots of water. I tried taking a big swallow at first, but it was horrid. I'm glad I figured out how to down it because it really did give me some much needed energy. I'm also glad I had enough water to wash it down.

3. After 13 miles, who really cares how fast all the other runners are going? I just kept thinking to myself, "He must be out for a 5K today. She's not training for a marathon." And, by the end when I was merely shuffling along, I didn't care how I looked or who ran past me.

I'm feeling much more optimistic today. I've decided to do more strength building this month than I have in the past. I know it's a little late, but even a little will help, right?

Also, here's some advice from the friend who has run St. George 10 times: It's cold at the beginning so have a pair of stretchy gloves. I didn't know that they have labeled bags for all runners so that jackets and sweatshirts can be put in them and left at the start. That's mighty considerate of them. So, here's to St. George! Are any of you getting on the 4:00 a.m. bus?