Hi ladies! Ragnar Las Vegas was a great time! I will have stories posted soon. But first…we need a team name for Ragnar Del Sol so I can register us this week. Best team name in Vegas was Scrambled Legs and Achin’. :) Looking for some creative ideas by this Thursday – hoping that we will keep this as an all girls team so that might play into the name. If we don’t decide on a name we can just put To Be Decided and update it later. Here are a bunch of examples of last year AZ teams, but let’s be original:
2009 Team Names
Even if you can’t join the team with us please make some suggestions if you think of something! Thanks, girls!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Go Bridge!
Hey Bridge,
Goodluck with your Ragnar this weekend! I hope it is super fun with lots of good stories to tell afterwards! Ill be thinking of you friday and saturday! It'll be great!
Goodluck with your Ragnar this weekend! I hope it is super fun with lots of good stories to tell afterwards! Ill be thinking of you friday and saturday! It'll be great!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
We Did It!
I have to agree with the others, it was a great race. I was pretty far off my finishing goal, but I didn't care at all. I had a great time with friends, I felt like I ran strong and steady, and I never hit "the wall", and the best part was finishing with Lisa to the sound of our families cheering us on.
I was VERY nervous the night before. I was fine through dinner, I enjoyed meeting Marcie and Hannah and their families. I got several texts and messages from friends and family wishing me luck, I was touched that they were thinking of me. After the dinner clean up we all called it a night before 10pm. I think I laid in bed till nearly 2:00am before finally dozing off with the alarm waking me just two hours later.
At the start Lisa and I enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa, I thought that was a perfect pre-race treat. We tossed our bags in the truck as the race started and then we headed back to the fires for a final warming before starting the race about six minutes after the clock started. I felt good for the first little while but I was worried about going too quick at the beginning. I know my body likes to hold steady, where Lisa likes to change her pace a lot more. So we would get separated as she flew down the hills, then I would catch her on the flats. We were mostly together for the first 13 miles.
Around mile 9 I knew I needed to stop at a porto-potty. I kept seeing them and they would have long lines so I would go to the next one. At mile 13 I finally stopped and sent Lisa on her way. I stood in line and stretched while 7 MINUTES ticked away on my watch. I was frustrated, but once I stopped I knew it would be stupid to start back up as there would probably be another line at the next one so I just enjoyed visiting with the others in line. Once I started again I was running strong and decided I didn't care that I was clearly not going to make my time. My new goal was just to catch Lisa.
It was a HUGE BOOST to see my family at mile 16. Brianna and Madelyn were at the front of the crowd and saw me and ran back to tell the others I was on my way. They were all cheering for me when I got up to them and Lyndsee had her signs she had made for me. I took a swig of the cold chocolate milk they had for me, found out that Lisa was probably still 5 -7 minutes in front of me and ran on. It was awesome to see them and I felt really strong for the next few miles.
I was hoping that I was catching up with Lisa, I was running under our goal pace and all was going well till around mile 18. I started having foot cramps, not too bad at first but getting more frequent. It felt like my toes just wanted to curl into my heel so when I put it flat on the ground it hurt. I stopped and stretched a bit and walked through every aid station. I was getting more and more worried that I might not catch Lisa.
Finally during mile 22 I thought I saw her. Again I had a mental boost and I was able to really kick it (which at that point was a 10:30 mile) I caught her just past the mile 23 marker where she was stretching her calves. I was so glad she had dawdled and waited for me!
We ran together the last three miles, my foot pain was back and becoming more frequent. During the last mile it would cramp up what felt like about every 10 steps, I would moan a little and sort of limp it off but I was going to stay with Lisa! Just before the finish line we saw our families again and then we crossed the finsish line hand in hand. As we looked at each other we were both tearing up, and it wasn't from the pain!
What a fabulous experience. It was such a good feeling to have this huge goal out there, to have a plan to work towards it, and to finally accomplish the goal. I was proud of my finish time, even though it was not what I originally wanted. I learned a lot and think I will definitely do this again!
Thanks to all of you who trained with me, supported me and cheered me on to the bitter end.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Nitty-Gritty Details
It was a lot of fun to train for this marathon with four other people via the blog and it was especially fun to finally meet Lisa and Cynthia on Friday at the marathon expo and then share a delicious meal together with all five of us the night before the race. It was fun to share this whole experience.
When the gun went off to start the marathon, the five of us were in line to drop our drop-bags. When I heard the gun, I quickly threw my bag towards the truck and tried to make my way to the road and finally to the start line. Lindy was with me and we ran together for 7 miles until Veyo Hill. We were keeping a fast pace and I felt good but knew I needed to save a little for the end. I told Lindy that I was feeling good but I was going to slow down a little. We’d probably lose each other on the hill and I’d try to catch her on a downhill. We did lose each other and I never did catch her. I took those first down hills like a madwoman. I flew down them with no regard to how my legs would react. My legs didn’t like that at all and around mile 18 I could feel my right quad muscle tightening. At mile 20, I looked at my garmin and it showed 3:00. I had six miles to go. If I could run a steady pace for the last six miles, I could finish in under four but that was not what my legs had planned. My right calf started to cramp. I have never, ever experienced leg cramps while training or running a race so this was a first for me. And it was painful. I walked until the cramp stopped, then I’d start to run again, then my calf would cramp, walk, run, cramp and that was the cycle until I crossed the finish line. A difficult last six miles. I stopped at the aid stations between 20 and 26 and the volunteers would rub icy hot and ben gay on my calves and right quad. That would relieve the pain for a minute or two and then the cramps would return. But, at last, I reached the finish.
One cute thing that happened while I was on the straightway to the finish. There were so many people lining the road and shouting encouragement. I was walking off a leg cramp and one man noticed me and yelled, “Come on Nike Soccer (that was what my shirt read) you can do it!” I replied to him in a painful voice, “I have leg cramps.” He jumped off the curb and put his arm around me and ran with me for a few seconds. How cute is that?
But my story doesn’t end there. This is where the nitty-gritty starts. As soon as I crossed the finish, I told the volunteer that I have leg cramps and they helped me to the medic station. I laid down and they took my vitals. She said my vitals looked good and did I want to go get a massage? I walked over to the massage area and didn’t want to wait in line so I walked to the runner finish area, grabbed a popsicle and sat down. Then I became extremely nauseous. I stood up and found a garbage can. I was not feeling good at all. I realized that not only did I need a garbage can but I needed a toilet as well. I headed to the porta potties and got in line. The wait in the line about killed me. Finally, when a porta potty became available I sat on the toilet and began to throw-up in the urinal. The thought crossed my mind that I just may spend my last moments in this porta potty - I felt that bad. About 45 minutes later, I managed to get the strength to stand up and make my way out of the porta potty. I made my way over to the medic station and told them I wasn’t feeling good at all. They let me lay down on a cot and there I stayed for a good half hour. I think I fell asleep for a minute. Then one volunteer came over and told me I needed to get up and walk around. I felt good enough to get up and made my way out of the finisher area and found Wayne. We walked to the place we were staying and I returned to the toilet and threw-up a few more times as well.
Even with all the post-race mess, I am anxious to run the St. George marathon again. I know those hills can work in my favor instead of against me. I need to work on taking in more substantial liquids during the race and not dehydrating myself. (I don't want to spend that much time in a porta potty ever again!) It’s definitely not good to throw-up that much. The St. George marathon bug is in me. I would love to give it another try and see if I can get those last six miles to be my friend.
When the gun went off to start the marathon, the five of us were in line to drop our drop-bags. When I heard the gun, I quickly threw my bag towards the truck and tried to make my way to the road and finally to the start line. Lindy was with me and we ran together for 7 miles until Veyo Hill. We were keeping a fast pace and I felt good but knew I needed to save a little for the end. I told Lindy that I was feeling good but I was going to slow down a little. We’d probably lose each other on the hill and I’d try to catch her on a downhill. We did lose each other and I never did catch her. I took those first down hills like a madwoman. I flew down them with no regard to how my legs would react. My legs didn’t like that at all and around mile 18 I could feel my right quad muscle tightening. At mile 20, I looked at my garmin and it showed 3:00. I had six miles to go. If I could run a steady pace for the last six miles, I could finish in under four but that was not what my legs had planned. My right calf started to cramp. I have never, ever experienced leg cramps while training or running a race so this was a first for me. And it was painful. I walked until the cramp stopped, then I’d start to run again, then my calf would cramp, walk, run, cramp and that was the cycle until I crossed the finish line. A difficult last six miles. I stopped at the aid stations between 20 and 26 and the volunteers would rub icy hot and ben gay on my calves and right quad. That would relieve the pain for a minute or two and then the cramps would return. But, at last, I reached the finish.
One cute thing that happened while I was on the straightway to the finish. There were so many people lining the road and shouting encouragement. I was walking off a leg cramp and one man noticed me and yelled, “Come on Nike Soccer (that was what my shirt read) you can do it!” I replied to him in a painful voice, “I have leg cramps.” He jumped off the curb and put his arm around me and ran with me for a few seconds. How cute is that?
But my story doesn’t end there. This is where the nitty-gritty starts. As soon as I crossed the finish, I told the volunteer that I have leg cramps and they helped me to the medic station. I laid down and they took my vitals. She said my vitals looked good and did I want to go get a massage? I walked over to the massage area and didn’t want to wait in line so I walked to the runner finish area, grabbed a popsicle and sat down. Then I became extremely nauseous. I stood up and found a garbage can. I was not feeling good at all. I realized that not only did I need a garbage can but I needed a toilet as well. I headed to the porta potties and got in line. The wait in the line about killed me. Finally, when a porta potty became available I sat on the toilet and began to throw-up in the urinal. The thought crossed my mind that I just may spend my last moments in this porta potty - I felt that bad. About 45 minutes later, I managed to get the strength to stand up and make my way out of the porta potty. I made my way over to the medic station and told them I wasn’t feeling good at all. They let me lay down on a cot and there I stayed for a good half hour. I think I fell asleep for a minute. Then one volunteer came over and told me I needed to get up and walk around. I felt good enough to get up and made my way out of the finisher area and found Wayne. We walked to the place we were staying and I returned to the toilet and threw-up a few more times as well.
Even with all the post-race mess, I am anxious to run the St. George marathon again. I know those hills can work in my favor instead of against me. I need to work on taking in more substantial liquids during the race and not dehydrating myself. (I don't want to spend that much time in a porta potty ever again!) It’s definitely not good to throw-up that much. The St. George marathon bug is in me. I would love to give it another try and see if I can get those last six miles to be my friend.
St George 2009- Lindy's version
St George Marathon 2009
I set my phone alarm for 4 am on race morning. This was perfect, as it was the time I set my alarm for on most Saturdays all summer long. Lisa’s husband gave us a ride to the buses. Cynthia, Lisa, and I were all staying at the same condo with our families. We picked up Hannah, and were able find Marcie at the pre-designated spot close to the buses. I was so happy that we got to ride up on the buses together. I only wish I had done a better job of pre-planning so that Yoshimi could’ve met us and bused with us as well.
After the bus dropped us off, the time seemed to go really quickly. I spent the time situating all my stuff. Music, gel, waist-pack, bib, watch, etc…It is my feeling that I have to run with EVERYTHING, so it takes me a while to get situated. I wish I could’ve been more social and relaxed at the start line. We also waited in line to go potty. They started the race while we were in line to drop our “drop bags”.
I felt bad that it got crazy as the race was starting, and I didn’t even get to say “goodbye and goodluck” to everyone. Suddenly everyone was gone in the crowd. Except Marcie. Marcie and I stuck together, and had 7 or 8 good miles together. I felt like we had a really good synchronized rhythm for those first miles. I couldn’t talk much, as I felt the need to conserve energy. But it felt good to have a good friend by my side.
I was trying to hold back in the beginning. I really wanted to get “negative splits”. This means to run the 2nd half faster than you ran the first half. St George didn’t give us our half way time on the results. But my Garmin watch shows me that at 13.1 I was exactly HALF of my finishing time- to the second! So I didn’t get negative splits, but equal splits. Good enough. (Isn’t that weird???)
I think that it takes multiple marathons, for me anyway, to figure out how much to hold back in the beginning. How much to save for the end. I feel like I’m finally getting better at pacing myself- because this 3rd marathon is the first time I didn’t feel like I hit the wall. My personal definition of “hitting the wall” is having to walk a little in the last few miles, because your body and mind feel light and tingly- like if you keep running you will probably pass out and hit the pavement with your face. I’ve never tested it at that point- kept running through that. I walk til it passes, and then go again. But this time- the last few miles were painful, but I could keep running.
The highlight of the race was seeing Noah, Megan, Hannah, Kelly, and Melissa at mile 16. I high-fived all the girls. They couldn’t be any cuter. And Noah couldn’t be any sexier. What a wonderful boost they always are to me.
The weirdest part of the marathon was seeing a girl stand up out of a squat- with her shorts still around her ankles. She was barely off the pavement. She went to the bathroom right off the side of the road. Right in plain sight- no bush!!! Is that okay?
The item I was greatful to have brought along- 2 mini clif bars. Ive never consumed solids during a race. I think this was a good move for me. It’s not easy to chew, but the energy and calories were much appreciated.
The frustrating part of the race- a 5 minute port-o-potty stop. At least it was there when I needed it. But it’s such a time killer!
The beautiful part of the race: St George is amazing. The course is very pretty.
Results: I was wearing a pace band with a finishing time of 3:43. I came in before that time, so I guess I accomplished my 2nd best scenario goal. Best case scenario was a PR, but I wasn’t determined to run myself into the ground for it. My other goals were to finish without having to walk- did it, and to get a negative split- almost did it! So I’m feeling pretty good about things.
Once I stopped running, all my salty sweat slid down into my eyes, and I couldn’t see anything for a few minutes. So I’m stumbling around the finish area- hands out in front of me, in the dark, trying not to run into anyone. I must’ve looked funny. (:
I was so happy to see Yoshimi as soon as I could open my eyes again. She came up to me and looked happy. She got an AWESOME 3:36:35. I knew she’d nail her BQ goal.
I was sad that I didn’t get to see Marcie finish. But upon talking to her later, I was proud of her for getting a PR marathon time. I did get to see Cynthia and Lisa come running in together- the Awesome Green Girls!!! They looked terrific. I was very proud to be their friend. They’ve achieved an experience I have yet to experience- to run over the finish line with a dear friend. Very cool.
And then I saw Hannah in the finish area too. I couldn’t believe how good she looked- just like nothing had happened to her in the last 5 hours. She looked terrific. Very strong!
I enjoyed a bullet pop someone handed me as I made my way through the finishers area. But my favorite post-race food item was the Rockin Refuel Chocolate Milk in Scott’s (Cyndi’s husband) cooler.
Thankyou everyone for grueling out the summer months- I think I speak for everyone when I say- It was so worth it!!!
I hope I get to hear 4 more accounts of this day in the blog! Everyone's experience is so unique!
I set my phone alarm for 4 am on race morning. This was perfect, as it was the time I set my alarm for on most Saturdays all summer long. Lisa’s husband gave us a ride to the buses. Cynthia, Lisa, and I were all staying at the same condo with our families. We picked up Hannah, and were able find Marcie at the pre-designated spot close to the buses. I was so happy that we got to ride up on the buses together. I only wish I had done a better job of pre-planning so that Yoshimi could’ve met us and bused with us as well.
After the bus dropped us off, the time seemed to go really quickly. I spent the time situating all my stuff. Music, gel, waist-pack, bib, watch, etc…It is my feeling that I have to run with EVERYTHING, so it takes me a while to get situated. I wish I could’ve been more social and relaxed at the start line. We also waited in line to go potty. They started the race while we were in line to drop our “drop bags”.
I felt bad that it got crazy as the race was starting, and I didn’t even get to say “goodbye and goodluck” to everyone. Suddenly everyone was gone in the crowd. Except Marcie. Marcie and I stuck together, and had 7 or 8 good miles together. I felt like we had a really good synchronized rhythm for those first miles. I couldn’t talk much, as I felt the need to conserve energy. But it felt good to have a good friend by my side.
I was trying to hold back in the beginning. I really wanted to get “negative splits”. This means to run the 2nd half faster than you ran the first half. St George didn’t give us our half way time on the results. But my Garmin watch shows me that at 13.1 I was exactly HALF of my finishing time- to the second! So I didn’t get negative splits, but equal splits. Good enough. (Isn’t that weird???)
I think that it takes multiple marathons, for me anyway, to figure out how much to hold back in the beginning. How much to save for the end. I feel like I’m finally getting better at pacing myself- because this 3rd marathon is the first time I didn’t feel like I hit the wall. My personal definition of “hitting the wall” is having to walk a little in the last few miles, because your body and mind feel light and tingly- like if you keep running you will probably pass out and hit the pavement with your face. I’ve never tested it at that point- kept running through that. I walk til it passes, and then go again. But this time- the last few miles were painful, but I could keep running.
The highlight of the race was seeing Noah, Megan, Hannah, Kelly, and Melissa at mile 16. I high-fived all the girls. They couldn’t be any cuter. And Noah couldn’t be any sexier. What a wonderful boost they always are to me.
The weirdest part of the marathon was seeing a girl stand up out of a squat- with her shorts still around her ankles. She was barely off the pavement. She went to the bathroom right off the side of the road. Right in plain sight- no bush!!! Is that okay?
The item I was greatful to have brought along- 2 mini clif bars. Ive never consumed solids during a race. I think this was a good move for me. It’s not easy to chew, but the energy and calories were much appreciated.
The frustrating part of the race- a 5 minute port-o-potty stop. At least it was there when I needed it. But it’s such a time killer!
The beautiful part of the race: St George is amazing. The course is very pretty.
Results: I was wearing a pace band with a finishing time of 3:43. I came in before that time, so I guess I accomplished my 2nd best scenario goal. Best case scenario was a PR, but I wasn’t determined to run myself into the ground for it. My other goals were to finish without having to walk- did it, and to get a negative split- almost did it! So I’m feeling pretty good about things.
Once I stopped running, all my salty sweat slid down into my eyes, and I couldn’t see anything for a few minutes. So I’m stumbling around the finish area- hands out in front of me, in the dark, trying not to run into anyone. I must’ve looked funny. (:
I was so happy to see Yoshimi as soon as I could open my eyes again. She came up to me and looked happy. She got an AWESOME 3:36:35. I knew she’d nail her BQ goal.
I was sad that I didn’t get to see Marcie finish. But upon talking to her later, I was proud of her for getting a PR marathon time. I did get to see Cynthia and Lisa come running in together- the Awesome Green Girls!!! They looked terrific. I was very proud to be their friend. They’ve achieved an experience I have yet to experience- to run over the finish line with a dear friend. Very cool.
And then I saw Hannah in the finish area too. I couldn’t believe how good she looked- just like nothing had happened to her in the last 5 hours. She looked terrific. Very strong!
I enjoyed a bullet pop someone handed me as I made my way through the finishers area. But my favorite post-race food item was the Rockin Refuel Chocolate Milk in Scott’s (Cyndi’s husband) cooler.
Thankyou everyone for grueling out the summer months- I think I speak for everyone when I say- It was so worth it!!!
I hope I get to hear 4 more accounts of this day in the blog! Everyone's experience is so unique!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
WE DID IT!
Lisa, Hannah, Marcie, Lindy, Cynthia Can't wait to hear everyone's stories of the St. George marathon! Mine will be coming shortly as soon as I can stop rubbing icy hot all over my legs. A marathon is a huge undertaking that starts with the very first day of training and the sweet reward comes when you cross that finish line. Congratulations! We did it!Thursday, October 1, 2009
Good Luck in St. George!
Just want to wish the ladies that are headed to St. George good luck and injury free thoughts!! You all have trained hard and the day is almost here! So proud of you ladies for what you have accomplished and for training hard through the summer heat! Amazing work! I know you will all do awesome and I want you to make sure you remember to just enjoy it! I want to hear really great stories when you are through. If you can manage to take pictures along the route or have family take some for you that would be fantastic so the rest of us can see. :) Wish I was going with you guys! ENJOY!
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