Memories of a Marathon

So after you run what do you save? What do you keep and what do you throw away? Do you frame your medal or throw it in a drawer? Do you wear your t-shirts or make a quilt? Do you ever order the photos taken on the side of the road?

I am a sentimental fool. Running for me is all about making memories and enjoying life. But recently realized I don't want to keep 50 shoes in my garage just because they are the ones I ran each race in. So here is my shameless plug for my new blog and a clever idea of what to do to remember each of your races.

I am off to attempt marathon number 3 tomorrow morning!!! Richmond VA!

I was here!

Last Saturday I completed my second Marathon in exactly 12 months. I had never run before a year and a half ago. Running has been a wonderful blessing for me, even though I am the slowest runner I have ever met. (seriously I have never met anyone who runs slower than me)

Before I write a little bit about my wonderful day, here is a little video montage of one of the best days of my life.

enjoy! I hope it motivates anyone thinking that they can't do a marathon - that you can do it!

Baltimore Under Armor Marathon,
Baltimore Maryland 2008

Songs off my training mix that I used in the video
Dreamer - Chris Brown
I Was Here - Lady Antebellum

Off to the Races!

In a few hours I am headed to Baltimore Maryland with my darling and fast husband, to run the Baltimore Marathon together. I mean really together. Even though he can run a marathon 3 hours faster than me, this time we are going to do it side by side. I told him the funnest people at the marathon are the people at the back with all the grandma's and grandpas and so I think out of curiousity he is running with me.
It is hard for me to say that I am a runner. I don't look like a runner - I mean really I don't. Most people are shocked when they say "what did you do today?" and I say oh I ran 9 miles this morning - they kind of give me the look from head to toe thinking, impressive or she is lying, one of the two.
I am so nervous because I have not even been nervous!

Here is my "to do" check list so I don't get too overwhelmed today.

• pack up my running shoes that are about 3 weeks dead with no tread. (my feet are going to be so mad at me tomorrow that I tried to save $100 by not buying new shoes for the marathon - never again, )
• pack up my Balega socks size medium (the only size medium I own in anything I wear) the best socks ever recommended by my super fast sister in law (mother of 4) who just ran her 2nd marathon of the year last week in the rain at 3:31. Now I am not one to care about speed, I will never be speedy but this is just down right amazing!
• pack up my pink Nike outfit that I am so excited about. The tank has two awesome pockets connected to the shirt one of which will be holding my new slick, small, water-shock proof camera.
• pack up new slick, small, water-shock proof camera
• leave ipod home. goodbye wonderful Baltimore 2008 training mix you served me well but now I get 6 hours of my husband
• pack up funky pink and black pink stripped thigh high socks to wear on my arms in the morning until it gets warm enough to take them off. (if you have not seen the selection at Target, check it out)
• put the beads on my shoe that will represent what I am running for this time. Last year I had 3 pink beads to represent my daughters, it kept me going when I looked down
• bring pink sharpie to write my words on my feet - that I am also keeping a secret until tomorrow
• pack up pink water belt in case i decide to wear it - probably wont
• gather all my gu and shock blocks
• get a $50 bill in a small plastic bag to give to that guy that played that awesome music at mile 20 last year - love that guy! I hope he is there again.
  
• shave armpits so my arms in the air photos won't look gross
• wash, bleach and superdose sheets with fabric softener so when I come back home on Saturday night I will slip in and say "ahhhhhh"
• bring sunglasses
• check weather.com and see if Baltimore weather will still be a sunny 71 degrees.
• eat food - last year I starved myself for days before
• get whatever bath and body items I want to pour in my bath on Saturday night.
  
• pack pink and white polka dot ribbon to tie in my pony tail again.
• pack up garmin - this year don't forget to take a good photo of it reading 26.2 miles!
• get fingernails painted pink along with a little message on 4 of the fingers
  
• email those few key people that got me into thinking I could do this in the first place a year and half ago.
• bring my chocolate brown soupie to sleep with tonight.
• pack up sport shield in large roller and my new cool individual use single packet (from ZombieRunner)
• bring the great handout I got at Girls camp with the photo of President Thomas S. Monson with the following quote

In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great. One day each of us will cross the finish line. Will it likewise be to the cheers and encouragement of those we have loved and served? Hopefully, it will be to the approbation of our savior, who because of our faith and good works, will say, "Well done, though good and faithful servant."
Thomas S. Monson
Last but not least, this poster was on my door this morning. Little notes from the young women from my church organized by one of our leaders. I stood there and cried. It meant so much to me. I feel a need to show these girls they have the ability to do things that would otherwise seem impossible. This is what running a marathon has given me - That with Faith and prayers (lots of prayers) I can do anything I put my mind to.

after reading my list is there anything you think I forgot?

Dear Brooks shoes size 11.5,

I am writing you this letter before I go to bed. Enjoy your nights sleep, you will need it. Tomorrow we are going 17 miles together. We are starting really early, even before the sun gets up. You will most likely get wet as it has been raining for a few days. So get ready!
You did me well this past week even though Mr. Lefty feels a little sloshy on the left foot by my little toe. I will remember to tie you tighter tomorrow.
I am bringing along with us some yummy food. I have Anne's left over Shot blocks from the St. George Marathon last year. (yes the ones she ran with but did not eat in a ziplock bag sitting in my cupboard for a year) It was all I could find and it is too late to go to the store. They should take me at least an hour to chew as they are as hard as a rock.
You will get to see my Balega favorite socks size M - given to me by one of my marathon mentors Melissa. They will be so much better than those thin ones I used on Wednesday. When I thought wearing two of each would be just fine - I have learned my lesson.
So, I am off to bed. See you in the morning and non of that fake sleeping pretending you don't hear the alarm clock stuff. We are going! We only 6 weeks left before 26.2 in Baltimore!!
Thanks for being there for me.
Sincerely,
Pink Feet

P.S. Sport Shield - I love you!!

running in long sleeves

Today was my first day running in just a long sleeve shirt. I started running last year when it was already painfully hot and the few runs i did in the winter I always had on my green machine jacket.
today I left hoping my legs would remember what they learned last year. They have been on vacation for way too long. I left with my green jacket, gloves and hat(which are of course pink!) But after a few minutes had taken all of them off. Even though I could still see my breath I was so warm. I didn't think I actually ran fast enough to get that warm.
So everything you hear about taking time off from running will set you back to where you started is malarkey! This rule must only apply to people who are actually fast. Because I was amazed at running the first 3 miles of my 5 - and seriously could not feel myself running. I seem to be comparing everything to last year at this time and thinking I could not even run a minute straight. It actually got me excited to see what I could this year starting from where I am now.
It was just so great to be outside and I loved wearing my long sleeve shirt with my peek-a-boo hole for my thumb. (yea merino wool!)
So if your legs have been on vacation too - don't worry they will step right back into place!
{kristi}

National Marathon Baked Ziti

16 oz. ziti pasta

1lb 10 oz. bottle spaghetti sauce

6 oz. sliced provolone (or enough to cover 9x13)

6 oz. mozzarella cheese

1 ½ -2 cups sour cream

1 pd. Ground beef

1 onion, chopped

Grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Brown ground beef and onion. Add spaghetti sauce. Layer as follows in a greased 9x13 pan. Half of the ziti, provolone cheese, sour cream, half of the sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake at 350 for 30 min. or until cheese is melted.

This was made by a Marathon mommy(Kristi) for a Marathon Daddy on Friday night and is still a great carbo load dinner.
My husband ran the National Marathon in Washington D.C. on Saturday and I was insanely jealous it was not me, but was still so proud! (photo of him collapsing in my arms)

two

This morning I got up and my mind said "let's go running" and my body said "no way" It was 40 degrees, but felt like 33 - with a wicked wind.
I just got my rain guard for the jogger yesterday which was perfect timing because the wind was blowing so hard the girls would have been frozen.
So my body didn't listen to one thing my mind was saying. My body sauntered through the neighborhood and my mind was racing as it usually does.
After 2.5 miles of pushing my sleigh through the wind I called it quits. The colors are so beautiful and it just felt so good to be outside. I feel like i have come a long way to go just two miles and come home and not feel like I didn't do enough and just be grateful what I did do. Since Running for me is so much more mental than physical, I am constantly amazed at what things I learn while doing it. I am looking forward to it becoming more physical then i might be able to run faster than everyone's grandma - so for now I will be happy with slow but consistent.
I can't believe i am putting a photo of my thigh on here, but had to document my need for running tights - i have not run in the winter yet so this will be interesting to see if i keep it up.

my garmin, which is really Jeff's on the jogger

When my husband goes running downtown in the morning he takes the cool running gloves and hat - note to self, running in angora wool hat is lame, remind Santa these are on my list.

in honor of Ryan Shay
Dedicate this Saturday's run

So if you need motivation to run this Saturday here it is. the folks over at completerunning.com are encouraging everyone to run 5.5 miles in honor of Ryan Shay.

from their website:

Join us in support of them as they process their loss and dedicate your own 5.5 mile run next Saturday, November 17th in memory of Ryan. Run the exact distance, or dedicate a 5.5 mile portion of a longer run in his memory. Take the time to recognize life’s frailty, to think about those in your life that you need to tell that you love and most of all, pray for those who will feel Ryan’s absence the most. Our goal is to get as many runners on this planet as possible running this virtual memorial together.

Click here for more details and to leave a comment that you will do it!

Hi. Let me introduce myself.

I got this awesome invitation to be a contributor to this blog and may I say a million thank yous. If I talk to much feel free to go back on the offer.
Here is me in 100 words or less...but probably more.
I have never been an athlete, I never played sports in high school or any other time in my life. I have always been a tad over weight. I have 3 little girls. I am in my mid 30's. I live outside of Washington D.C. but have lived in Tennessee, Louisiana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana and 18 years in New Mexico.

This year I picked one word for the year that would be my focus. The word was stretch. I wanted to do things that would really stretch me physically and emotionally. so one night in March I signed up online to run a marathon. At the time I could not run to my mailbox. I trained 90% of my training pushing my two girls in a double jogger in the heat of the summer, and 7 months later ran a marathon. It changed me. I didn't magically become skinny, but I lost a bunch of emotional baggage.me crying my eyes out after the race

One of my favorite quotes is

"There is only one way to run but a hundred ways to be a runner"

I don't care about speed, when I finish or what I look like when I do. I loved running and having people cheer for me and high fiving the police men who stopped traffic during the race. I think I am the girl that people say "if she can run a marathon, than anyone can" and I am fine with that. I take photos of myself after each run and have loved documenting my progress. I practice crossing the finish line at least once a week on my runs. - I became a runner to stretch myself and it worked.encouraging words I wrote on my feet before my marathon in pink sharpie

It is one month since my race and even I am surprised that I am still running. I love how it makes me feel. I believe anyone can run.
Thanks for letting me join in a great group of supportive women.
You can see my marathon mile by mile here.