Laurie's Quest Continues....two more marathons in one year!!

[hockeygirl]

So, I haven't had a chance to update my journal in a few days....seems that things have been non-stop for me the last few weeks!!

So, Thursday I had planned on doing 3 miles, and when I got home, I was exhausted and just couldn't do it, so no workout on Thursday.

On friday, I got in 5 miles. I finished in 47:09 with a 9:25 pace. The weather was beautiful for the first time in a LONG while!!

Saturday was a rest day.

Today, I finished 12 miles!!! I didn't think I was going to finish but I did. I had to walk a bit towards the end but I finished. Now, my legs are a bit sore, and a toe on my right foot is really hurting. At any rate, I finished in 2:03 and 27 seconds. With a 10:16 pace...that is a bit slower than my normal pace but I walked all of mile 10 and most of mile 11 so that brought my pace down, otherwise my pace probably would have been around 9:50.

Here is the breakdown:

1: 9:43
2: 9:43
3: 9:43
4:9:59
5: 9:42
6: 9:49
7: 9:43
8: 9:46
9: 9:50
10: 13:24 WALKED all of this mile
11: 11:16 Walked most of this mile
12: 9:54

Well, that is the last LR before my half next week...this week I will take it easy and just some easy running and be ready for sunday!! I am so excited, but nervous at the same time!!

Nicole--Thanks for hte encouragement!! I don't think I could have made it this far without everyone here!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow, Laurie! You're doing AWESOME!!

Hope the foot feels better soon!

Have a great week!!

 

[bekkiz]

Oh my gosh, you are MORE than ready. Those splits look awesome, and your 1/2 is going to be so much fun--and so rewarding!

We'll be cheering you on next weekend--I promise!

 

[npullen]

You are doing so great! You are more than ready! You'll probably have so much energy this week, with a light training schedule! I can relate to the sore toes! The second toe on my right foot is about to lose the nail. I have never had this happen before, but it is a very pretty purple, and the nail is loose and wiggly!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh my goodness, Laurie! You did a 12 mile run and your splits are amazing! You are gonna do such a great job with that 1/2!

I'm also proud of you for listening to your body on Thursday. That's great that you gave yourself a rest.

Have a great week!

 

[CaroleD]

Awesome Laurie!!!!! Even your walking times were no sloutch (sp). You are going to do so well! Let your toe get better now. Is it the beginnings of a blister?
Is there a friendship run the day before the race at this event? I really like the one before my race. It made the main event easier somehow. I'm going to miss the Friendship run/walk before the 1/2 I'm doing in Sept because we don't arrive in Toronto early enough in the day.
Have a restful week.

 

[hockeygirl]

Today was a rest day as far as running....I did play hockey tonight, we lost. Oh well, we played the best team in the league, and played great, but came up a little short.

Thanks so much to everyone for the encouragment!! You have no idea how much it means, and how much it keeps me going! I am sooooooooo.... excited for this weekend, and I will be thinking of you all during the race!

Carole--I know there is some stuff going on the day before the race, but unfortunately I can't go over there. I am coaching my 4 year old niece's soccer team on saturday, which I am super excited about!! I will head to the race expo Friday after work to pick up my number and timing chip, and then head to my DSis house to hang out and rest!!!

I will head out tomorrow for an EASY run just to keep my legs loose!

Ok, time to head to bed and get some sleep!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

You are going to do a great job this weekend, Laurie! I'll be cheering you on from Ohio!

 

[hockeygirl]

Today was my last run before my race on sunday! I did 2 miles very easy, and I felt great! I am really starting to believe in myself that I am ready for this race. So far, the weather looks great, sunny and in the 50's....that is perfect for me. Although, part of the race runs along the boardwalk right on the Atlantic Ocean..so it may be a bit cooler along hte beach, but there will be great views!!!

My primary goal is to finish the race. But, in the back of my mind, my goal is to finish in under 2:10.....that would be approx. 10 min/mile. Since my average pace has been around 9:30...I really believe that I can do this.

I want to thank everyone for all the support and encouragement!!! I am sure I will be so excited to get back home to give you all a report on sunday!!

 

[CaroleD]

I am so looking forward to your race report....me living vicariously again. I am convinced you will achieve your goal. You have been so diligent in your training. I read that although a half or full marathon is the final product but the training is the most important part. I'm glad your weather looks good. Have a blast! And tell all when you get back!

 

[donac]

I will be thinking of you all day on SUnday. Just watch out for the wind off the ocean when you are in open spaces. I wish I was running with you. Maybe next year.

I can't wait to hear about it.

 

[bekkiz]

Oh my gosh! I am so impressed with your progress..it's outstanding. You're gonna have NO problem finishing, and I bet your time will surprise you

This is me cheering for you on Sunday --->

We expect a full report when you recover!

 

[hockeygirl]

Well, only 1 day to go!!!

Yesterday, after work, I went to pick up my race number and timing chip, and looked around at the health and fitness expo they were having.

The Expo was great, they had quite a few vendors selling various items. I ended up buying quite a few things, and everything was on sale. Of course, they had my running shoes there on sale, but of course they didn't have my size!! Figures! Since i wear size 10.5, it is usually hard to find shoes in my size. Of course, they had tons of size 7,8,9....but no 10.5...ugh!!!!!! Then, the guy working the booth tells me I can get the shoes at the expo price by calling the company. So, I was excited, until I get to the register to pay, and I ask the guy in charge for the number so I can call to have the shoes sent to me at the expo price....well, he tells me that that isn't how it works. He tells me that they would have to call and see if they have the shoes in stock at their warehouse, I would have to pay for them at the expo and they would send them to me with free shipping. I say, "ok, that is a good deal, can you see if you have them in stock"......well, the guy didn't want to be bothered, and acted like I was bothering him by asking him to do it!!! I was a bit mad at this, but I ended up just saying not to worry about it, he is losing the sale!! Sorry for the long story about the shoes, but i couldn't believe what happened...guess the guy isn't too concerned about making sales!

Oh well, today is a complete rest day for me! The only thing I may do is try to jog a very little bit with my timing chip on my ankle. It is a band that wraps around your ankle, so I may try it out just a little bit to get used to it. I am heading to my DSis' house, which is very close to the starting line for tomorrow. DBF and I will stay there tonight since I need to be at the race around 6 to find parking and get settled! I am sure I won't sleep well tonight, because I am so excited!!

Weather looks great for tomorrow! I will be sure to post a complete report tomorrow when I get home! I will be thinking of all of you during the race!
Thanks so much for all the support!!


Carole--I can't wait for the race, and I know I will be so excited to come home and write a race report!! It is awesome to have people to tell about the race that truly understand what goes into the training! I talk to people at work about the race, and I believe they just don't get it!!

Dona--Thanks! When I was down there yesterday, I went out on the boardwalk and it was quite windy on the ocean, so I hope tomorrow the winds are calm! I wish you were running too! Isn't your son or daughter working at one of the aid stations?? Not sure if I am wearing the wish shirt yet, haven't decided yet....depends on what the temps end up being!!

Bekkiz--Thanks for the encouragement! I truly believe I can finish, I just need to pace myself and not go crazy in the beginning!!


Time to go rest! I will post my report tomorrow afternoon when I get home!!!

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT!!! YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!!

 

[donac]

Sorry Laurie but my son is not working the marathon this weekend. He is down at a camporee at Ft Dix. Yes they are living on an army base for a couple of days. They are spending today learning rifle and shot gun shooting and won't be home until after the race starts.

Good luck tomorrow. If I had known that you were coming down we could have met. Maybe next year.

 

[CaroleD]

You go girl!!!!!!

 

[npullen]

Laurie, you are going to do great! I can't wait for your report. Enjoy the day! I bet you will amaze yourself, you have been training so hard, and you are more than ready! Good Luck!!!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey everyone!!! All I have to say is AWESOME!! Not only did I finish without walking, but I finished in 2:06!!!

Today was my first half marathon, the Long Branch, NJ half marathon, and although I was exhausted at the end, I had a great time running, and strangely enough, I can't wait for the next race!!!

I went on Friday afternoon to pick up my race number and timing chip, and to check out the health and fitness expo they were having. Bought some running clothes on clearance, which was great. While there I wandered around and checked out where the start/finish line was so I was all ready for this morning.

Woke up at today 5am and got my stuff together, and DBF (my scream team) and I headed out around 5:30. Got to the starting line a little after 6. There was soooooooooo....many people! Of course I had to use the bathrooms a few times, I guess from the water I had been drinking on the way, and I think partly because of my nerves! They had bagels near the starting line, so I had a piece of one while I was waiting for the start. About 20 minutes before the 7:30 start, they had us all move into the starting area. Well, this was crazy!!! There was so many people stuffed into such a small area, I couldn't even move to stretch a little or even stay loose, it was a bit nerve racking, as I felt like my legs were getting stiff. Finally, the race starts and I was on my way!! It took about a two minutes to cross the starting line and things started to thin out.

I settled in on my pace, and realize "oh no, I have to go to the bathroom again!!---ugh!!!" So, I finished the first mile and half and saw a bathroom without a line, and made a very quick pit stop, before settling in for the rest of the race! The course was VERY flat, in fact there were no real hills at all. The best part was all the people watching along the way, I don't think there was any point of the race where there weren't people cheering us on. DBF saw me at the start and then he headed over to mile 5. I couldn't wait to see him again when I got over there, because I knew I wouldn't see him again until the finish. After the 5 mile mark, I was still going strong, and surprisingly not tired at all!! When I got to the end of mile 9 I was starting to slow down a little but I still felt pretty good. I still kept my splits at about 10 min or lower, which was my goal. Every mile that went by after 10, I just kept telling myself, you are almost there!!

The last two miles were on the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean, luckily, there wasn't that much wind, but only a nice breeze! And there were SO MANY people there to cheer us on!! Finally, I looked up and I could see the finish line!! I picked up the pace, and sprinted with everything I had left the last bit. I crossed the line in 2:06!!! (that is my own time from crossing the start to finishing)...not sure what official time will be yet. But I am so psyched, I figured I would be around 2:10...so to come in at 2:06, I am ECSTATIC!! My fastest mile was an 8:53 at mile 3 and slowest was 10:02 in mile 12.

I have to say that when I crossed that finish line, i felt really proud of myself for doing this! I know that may sound corny, but it is truly how I felt. I never thought I would be able to finish a half marathon, and now I can't wait to run a full marathon!!!

Time to go rest and take it easy for the rest of the day...I couldn't wait to check in with you all first!!

 

[npullen]

WTG!!! You are so awesome! You did great! Congrats on your first half-marathon!!!!!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

WTG Laurie!!! You now officially have your first 1/2 marathon under your belt- I bet the feeling is amazing!!! I am so proud of you- you did awesome today! All of that hard work you put in when it was so cold out a few months ago really paid off!

I was thinking of you today and wondering how the weather was for you- it was nice here, but really windy- I am so glad you didn't have that problem for your race.

Congratulations- that is a great accomplishment!

 

[toystoryduo]

Congratulations Laurie! You did it! I am so proud of you!

Your fastest mile time of 8:53 is amazing!!!! Is that your personal best?

You have done an awesome, amazing job, Laurie! Way to go!

Relax and enjoy the rest of your weekend.