The Marathon That Wasn’t

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I’ve been counting down the days until my 3rd marathon, the Inaugural Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in St. Louis! 

I have been super pumped ever since registering for the race in very early Summer, not long after running my 2nd full marathon in April.  I have always been intrigued by the Rock ‘N Roll events because of their fun, hip, and loud and proud atmosphere, which is almost essential for a marathon (if you ask me).  Ok, maybe not “essential” but it sure does make it a lot of fun!

Our weekend in STL kicked off with an oncology checkup on Friday morning.  We took our kids out of school to go with us since we didn’t see a whole lot of point in driving up to the doctor on Friday morning, home on Friday afternoon, and then driving back up to STL on Saturday morning.  It stunk, though, because that meant Tyler could not go with us since he had to take the ACT test on Saturday morning.  He wasn’t too upset, anyway, because he had big plans to work all weekend to make some gas moo-lah and then he also wanted to bow hunt some.  So no biggie.

We got to Siteman late…ahem, honey…and got in for my appointment while the kids waited in the waiting room.  I’ll admit that I was very apprehensive about taking them to the dr with us, and here’s why:  When I’m at home and with my family, I feel like I have to be strong for everybody, especially my kids.  When I go to the dr I feel like I don’t have to pretend.  If I’m nervous, I can be nervous…if I’m scared or want to cry, that’s ok…most every cancer patient here feels the same way.  And to bring my kids into the place where I’m going to have to put on that brave face, well, it makes me feel like my two worlds are colliding.  But this was the best way for things to work out on Friday so I just sucked it up and we took them.  And it was fine.

During my checkup I mentioned to Dr. P about some pain I’d been having in my left side for about the past week.  After checking me all out, he said that he thought I either had a fractured or dislocated rib.  Really?!  I mean I knew that my body was exhausted during the training for this marathon but a broken rib, really?! 

I can tell a big difference in the condition of my body this time around in marathon training…my 3rd in a year.  I’m starting to have little nagging injuries that I’ve never had an issue with in my 7 1/2 years of running: shin splints, ankle problems, and now my ribs.  Also, I am exhausted.  My body is just tired.  Can you see the signs and symptoms of over-training??  I can.  Loud and clear.  Training for three marathons in one year is just too much for me.

So now with all that information, what do you think I did? 

Yep.  You guessed it.

I went ahead with my marathon plans.  Ridiculous, I know.

Marathon morning started out great.  Like all my other big races, I prepped the same way:

• 2 alarms set at 5:30am
• A roll and almond butter as I was getting dressed
• Shorts, shirt w/ race bib, compression sleeve, compression socks, shoes, and hair in ponytail
• A cup of coffee as I got ready
• 4 chocolate Gu, 3 pieces of gum, my iPhone, headphones, Spibelt, and inhaler

No wonder it takes me so long to get ready.

Anyway I met my sister, Layne, and her sister-in-law, Sarah, and we made the short walk to the start line in downtown St. Louis.  My sister-in-law, Kristy, was there too but we came from different hotels on race morning and weren’t in the same corral so I didn’t get to see her until after the race. 

Obviously we passed the time waiting until 7:30 by taking lots of pictures.  I got the new iPhone 4S last week and I am LOVING the great quality of the pictures!

I have to break here from the usual race day report for a sec.  Remember when I told you awhile back about the fellow patient that I had made friends with in my dr’s office?  Well when I was at the dr Friday for my checkup, I asked about her.  I’m so sad to report that she passed away a few weeks ago.  I knew when I saw her at my last checkup that she didn’t look well, but I was praying for her miracle.  But God knows best and has bigger and better plans than we can even begin to imagine, so I just trust in Him and know that He’s got this.  In was in her honor that I ran on Sunday, and I wrote it on the inside of my left arm:

I thought about her almost the whole race.  Which I don’t know was exactly a good thing because I would look at my arm and start to get choked up- which isn’t easy to do while you’re running, and even HARDER when your running with a cracked rib.  I’m praying for peace and comfort for her family.

At 7:30am the Inaugural St. Louis Rock ‘N Roll Marathon began!  Layne and I were in corral 6, and there were almost 30 corrals holding all us 20,000 people!!   

 

The corrals were released every minute and a half and before we knew it, we were off and running! 

 

I felt ok at first.  I mean, my side was a little sore but nothing bad.  I was trying to keep my pace slow because I didn’t want to start out too fast and then have nothing left at mile 20.  The course for the full- and the half-marathoners was the same for the first 8 miles, and I remember the fleeting thought of only doing the half but I pushed that thought way far back in my mind because I didn’t want to take an “easy out.”  I didn’t want to give myself that excuse just because it was hard.  Of course it’s hard!  It’s a stinkin’ marathon!!  It’s supposed to be hard!  And also, sometimes a lot of things hurt when you first start running, then you get in a groove and things work themselves out and you settle in for the run, so I didn’t want to mentally bail out too early just because I was struggling. <-----See how mental running is?!

Things changed, though, at Mile 7.  My side really started to hurt, not just a nagging ache, but a deep hurt every time my left foot hit the pavement.  I knew that there was no way I could finish the full marathon like I had my other two…if I was to finish there would have to be some serious adjustments.  I considered a walk/run ratio but the less impact of the walking felt so good that when I would pick up to run again it felt like a knife going in my side.  At Mile 8 I had made my decision, and I was good with it.

Here’s the texts I sent to Jack to let him know that I would be finishing the half, rather than the full:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got a text from my mom telling me that she loved me.  I have an amazing family.

Here’s how all the splits went down:

I crossed the finish line with these official stats from RNR:
 

I had/have absolutely no regrets in finishing the half instead of the full marathon.  None.  I’m actually surprised that I’m not a little more upset about it!  Ha!  But I know that there is no way I could have finished 26.2 miles with the way my ribs were hurting, and the damage I would be doing by pushing it, well, that would just be irresponsible running.  I made the right decision and I know it. 

And hey-now I can say I ran a 2:16 half-marathon with a broken rib!  Does that make me tough or what?!  Lol~

Post race we stood around and visited for a little while and then walked back to our hotel, happy and satisfied with our day.  Even if the day didn’t end like we have been planning for the past 4 months of training, it was good.  Sore, but good! 

My sisters and I have already been in talks about our next race.  Yes, that’s SISTERS with an “s”   Jessica was first to notice that the Rock ‘N Roll series also goes to Vegas!  Now that would be a fun girls’ trip!! 

Who knows where our next runs will take us?!

Love y’all!

xoxo

“Katie’s First Trip To The Zoo” AKA-What Happens When You Have More Than One Child

So I guess I’m going to go from no post in three weeks, to multiple posts in one day (Lord willing)…confused yet? 

Sheesh.

We had a great weekend in St. Louis this past weekend. It is like our second home and a city that holds a special place in our hearts.  In case you don’t know this about the STL, there is an amazing Zoo!  And it’s free!  Yay!! 

Well after trying to decide what kind of fun we were going to get into on Saturday, we mentioned going to the Zoo and Katie says, “That would be SO FUN!  I’ve never been to the Zoo!”

[complete silence as Jack and I glanced at each other in disbelief]

Jack: “What sissy?  You’ve never been to the Zoo??”

Katie: “Nope!  And I want to go SOOOOOOO bad!  I want to see all the animals!!”

Me:  “Honey are you SURE we’ve never taken you to the Zoo here before?”

This conversation went on for a few minutes until we decided that our 7-year old was right, we have never taken her to the Zoo.  Who knew?!  We have taken the boys several times, and I guess we just assumed she’d been there, too?  I dunno.

See, this is what happens when you have more than one child. 

The first one gets everything- the scrapbook is complete, the school pictures were always hung up, meals were perfectly balanced, and he was enrolled in every activity known to man. 

When the second one comes along things get a little more hectic but still manageable- the pictures make it TO the scrapbook just not necessarily IN it, you don’t always find out when he’s outgrown clothes until he goes to leave for school with high waters on, breakfast is definitely cereal, and we become a little choosy with extracurriculars. 

After the third one is born all semblance of normalcy goes out the window- “what scrapbook? Oh wait, we have to have PICTURES for that!”, we forgo fun activities because just getting all of us to leave the house at once is a MAJOR expedition (See ya later, Disney On Ice!), and you can forget about the school pictures at this point…all three kids’ 8x10s are in the drawer in the kitchen.  They are SO CUTE!!  But you will just have to take my word for it.

So, yes, Katie has never been to the Zoo.  Are you really surprised?  After some thought, neither were we.

So here are some PICTURES from “Katie’s first trip to the Zoo”  <----which is what she wrote on the folder of pictures that she took to school this morning.  Oy vey.

Oh- and no we didn’t forget Tyler (although that’s probably hard to believe, especially after this post), but he had to take the ACT on Saturday morning so he didn’t get to go.

Elijah (our “adopted” son and Zach’s buddy), Katie, and Zach:

Katie liked the flamingos because they were pink.  Of course!

And the penguins because they were cute.  I liked them because the penguin house felt like a freezer.  A menopausal woman’s dream.  While everyone else was grabbing for their jackets, I was breathing in deep and could have fallen fast asleep.

 

So we can successfully cross that off our “lists”…Katie now HAS been to the Zoo.  I probably should go through Tyler’s scrapbook and see what other fun things we did with him that they other two have missed out on.

xoxo

Blogging Hiatus OV-AH!

Hey y’all

I know it’s been AGES since I’ve updated the blog!  I have literally been lost in everything basketball, cross country, twirlers, and just the general daily stuff that comes with all these things.  Including massive amounts of laundry, cooking, and driving.  Honestly I’m worn out just thinking about it all!  I’ve thought about the good ol’ blog many a time in the past 3 weeks or so, but just haven’t had the time to sit down and write. 

So.

Here I am. 

There is no possible way I can recap all that my “time off” has included but just to hit the high points:

• Tyler has continued to do well in his cross country meets, medaling in every race and even captured All-Conference honors last week!  No fender benders or mishaps have come out of his first month of driving, but lots of dirty laundry has.  About every few days I get a huge armload of dirty clothes that he brings in from his truck.  I wonder where he gets this???  Sound familiar, honey?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Zachary is still in his Jr. High basketball season.  We have a tournament this week and one next week, then his season is done.  They have had some amazing games here lately with a huge overtime upset and some other really good down-to-the-wire games.  He and his teammates have kept us on the edge of seat all season!  And I’m probably the worst mother ever because I can’t find any pics of him playing this year…must get on that, STAT!!  To make up for it, though, here’s a pic of my little cutie.  

• Katie is doing Twirlers, when we remember…oops!  We have put gymnastics on hiatus until Spring and she will continue with twirling until then.  One thing at a time, please.  She has become the un-official cheerleader and concession stand queen at ANY event as we drag her all over southeast Missouri to her brothers’ games and meets.  Would somebody please get this girl a uniform?!

So that’s the brief update on us.  Oh, and we’re good too…just tired and overwhelmed parents! 

I’ve decided to put our STL weekend trip in to different posts, otherwise it would be longest post known to man. 

And with that, this blogging hiatus is…….OV-AH!

Say your prayers, hug your kids, and for goodness sakes-check your breasts!

xoxo

Last Long Run & Rams Go PINK!

Hey guys!  Time to start another week!  How’s your Monday been treating you so far??

I started this week off with my last long long run before the St. Louis Rock N Roll Marathon October 23.  Last week I peaked at 20 miles for my long run, so today I was just shooting to get as close to 20 as possible, just to do what felt good. 

Well, turned out nothing felt good today-other than the cool temps-but some runs are just like that.  Today was just a pure mind-over-matter, gut-it-out run.  It felt like a long 16 miles. 

AND, it turns out that my stats are all jacked up because I accidently hit my start button once I was in my car and drove a mile towards home, so a few things aren’t exactly correct but at least I can see my pacing and important things like heart rate.

Here goes:

I just left the Lap 17 line off.  I know my watch said 2:33: something as I finished the 16 miles…but I’m laughing at my max speed 55.5 mph!  WOAH!!  I was SMOKIN’!!  LOL~

One thing I can appreciate about this run-other than the fact that it’s probably my last double digit run until the marathon-is my steady pacing.  I am tickled with my ability to hold a pretty even pace the majority of the time. 

---

So YESTERDAY we did something very fun and different!!  Since it was Breast Cancer Awareness Day across the NFL my doctor called to offer us tickets to the St. Louis Rams game on behalf of Siteman! We have never been to a professional football game before! 

It was a great atmosphere and a great experience, with TONS OF PINK!!!  Love.

Jack and I both said we will have to bring the kids (especially the boys) back to a game.  They would really love it.

Pre-game and sporting our UnderArmour Power In Pink gear:

Pre-game stuff:

Retired jerseys for the Rams.  They only one I really know is Marshall Faulk:

WooHoo!  Check out that pink ribbon on the field!

Yes, breast cancer is a crucial catch!  Ladies, get your mammograms and remember to check yourselves!!

More pre-game.  Wish I knew more about football, but sadly, I don’t.

More PINK!!

Rams Cheerleaders and breast cancer survivors line up on the field:

My survivor sister, Ashley, and I :

Game action:

Ashley, our amazing doctor Julie Margenthaler, and I posing for a quick picture at halftime:

We had a great time yesterday!  However, we were happy to get home too, so we could root for our Cardinals in the playoffs!

WE GOT A WIN!!!  GO CARDS!!! 

The sports continues tonight as we are traveling to watch some more Jr. High boys basketball.  Let’s go Bulldogs!

Love you guys

xoxo

Art On The Run 10k Recap

Other possible titles for this post:

• Sister Time
• A Great Way To Start The Weekend
• The Speed Returns
• Starting The Month Off With A Bang
• The Only Way For Me To Start Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Yes I had a hard time trying to decide which of these titles to use for this post, as they all fit perfectly!

But here’s the story:

On Wednesday I heard about a 10k run in PB that takes place every year (what?!) on the first Saturday in October.  I was immediately interested (Duh.) and called my sister to see if she wanted to meet up and do it.  My sister, Jessica, just got into running again back at the beginning of the summer.  She has done so great, logging long runs up to 9 MILES!! 

After calling her and being so excited (for the race and the opportunity to see her) Jessa did not hesitate in telling me, “Sure!  I’ll do it with you!”

Now-she may have hesitated later, but not at that moment.

So we met up this morning and joined about 130 other walkers and runners to put in our 6.2 miles.  The weather was picture perfect and the company was even better.  I was trying to get in a medal position (top 3 in each age division medal) so I lined up at the front and promptly at 9am, we were on our way.

The run was an out and back course and took us along the old brick streets of PB for a little while (FYI, running on bricks sucks) and through different residential areas before heading back to finish at the start line in front of the art museum.  What really took me by surprise was how hilly the course was!  It felt like we were constantly going uphill!  Not cool.

I maintained a fast pace throughout the whole run.  I was surprised at how well my body was handling the speed because I really haven’t pushed to do any kind of speed work since I’ve had minor injury after minor injury. 

I was surprised and STOKED when I saw the finish line clock at 53:19 at the end!!!! 

Here’s how it broke down:    

I cannot remember when I have run so fast.  Seriously, to average 7mph is amazing for me!  And that 10.3mph sprint at the finish was me trying to beat guy that I know and stayed with most of the race today…he got me by like, 1/100 of a second, dang!  Heehee

Oh-and I missed getting a medal by 6 seconds.  My oldest and smarty pants son said, “Well, Mom, don’t you think you could have run 6 seconds faster?”  Ahem.  I’m taking his truck keys.

After Jessa finished, she did GREAT by the way, we just walked around and drank water like it was our job, then said our goodbyes and each headed home to wash off the salt and sweat.

 

It was a great run and a great morning with my sister!  I will be putting the first Saturday in October on my calendar from now on to do ART ON THE RUN.

This was a great way to start a new month…and BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, at that!

Tomorrow: St. Louis Rams game, tickets from my doctor to celebrate everything PINK!!!!!!  So excited!!!

Have a blessed day, friends!

And Happy Birthday to my Daddy!!!  Love you, Dad!!

xoxo