A super FUN Race
I finished my first Half Marathon on September 22. The Denver Rock N Roll Half was a blast. I didn't feel like it was "that" long. I loved that there were people out cheering for me and that I was running through downtown Denver, not my usual boring running trail! My favorite part (other than finishing) was at about mile 8. We turned into City Park and I am just chugging along when I see two cute kids in the distance slapping hands with the runners as they go by. Then I see my tall, handsome hubby standing there. Those are my kids!! I up my pace and I run to my kids. I step out of the crowd and hug my family. They are so excited to see me. I say that I need to continue running so I start jogging a bit, getting back into the crowd. My kids are yelling "You can do it, mom!" "I love you, Mom!" Then they start running along the route with me. It was precious. A few women around me say "Awww, they are so cute!" Finally, at the point where they cannot continue running next to me, they stop and yell "Finish strong! and You're almost to the finish line!" How cute to hear that from my kids! I continued at a relatively easy pace throughout the race until I saw the sign that said Mile 12. I felt this surge of energy and strength. I started to weave through the crowd, passing people. There were people stopping at the sides, stretching. People walking, and people who were helping others. I felt so great that I just ran as fast as I could! When I saw the finish line I felt tears come to my eyes. I finished in 2:09, six minutes faster than my goal. What a great day!
The LONG RUNG
The following week, September 29, I had my first 20 mile run planned. It was a perfect day for running. I got to the trail at 7 a.m. It was very chilly that morning, but the forecast indicated bright sun and mid-60s by the time I finished. I started to run and quickly wished that I brought a pair of cheap gloves that morning. My hands were freezing and I could see my breath as I started slowly down the trail. I was surprised that I didn't pass ONE person for about 3 miles. Surprised, and creeped out. I was basically running on a trail in a forest behind some homes. I felt very isolated. Usually there are tons of people out there running. But I quickly realized that most people out there were probably training for the Denver Marathon the week before. The marathon and half marathon had passed and people were probably at home sleeping in. My wear my iPhone on my arm and I always track my runs on an app called Endomondo. After each mile a female voice tells me what mile I just finished and my pace. I felt like it was off a bit. There are mile markers on the trail so I decided to try to follow those.
When I finally hit 10 miles, I turned around and thought "Well, it's all downhill from here." It's not literally downhill, but I felt that I was on the other side of the run and the finish would come sooner than later. After about mile 14 the miles started to get harder. And harder, longer, more difficult. I started to have a conversation in my head. "You got this, Amy. Keep running, just keep running." And then my brain would start with "This sucks, take a break and start walking. How are you going to run 26 miles in NY if you can't run 20." I had this internal struggle for the remainder of the run. It was very hard. The final few miles were brutal. My legs, hips, knees, feet were on fire, heavy and very sore. My mind was racing about my ability to finish the marathon. Instead of feeling happy that I did it, I was very conflicted about things. At home, I practically burst into tears when I saw Marlo. He asked if I finished 20 miles and I said yes. Then he said, "Why are you crying?" And I said, "Because it was so hard. I don't feel like I could have taken one more step. How can I finish 6 more miles if I can barely do 20 miles?!?!?" And Marlo said what he has been saying all along, "If it were easy, everyone would do it." And he just hugged me and I instantly felt better and my confidence started to kick in again. I just ran 20 miles! Six months ago, that seemed so impossible when I was struggling to finish 5 or 10 miles. A long hot shower later and I felt pretty great.
Vacation
Marlo and I had a trip to Napa planned for quite some time. We were to meet up with three couples, friends of his from Canada. I have never been to Napa and I love wine, so I was very excited. Marlo's mom flew in from Winnipeg to stay with the kids for the four days. We are so blessed that she is willing to do this for us. She, and my father-in-law, are also flying back here in November to watch the kids while we go to NYC. Napa was an awesome trip. I will admit that my training lost out to sleeping in, vineyard tours and late night dance parties. I had planned a 14 mile run while in Napa, but the location of our house, high up a narrow, one lane, steep road, made it impossible to do any type of distance running. I would have had to been driven down the mountain to the main road to do my run (excuses, excuses!!). So I decided to do some short hill runs around the house. The hills were very steep and difficult to run, but I managed to get some running in. Overall, I had a blast and met some wonderful new friends. But time to get serious again about the training. I have pledged to not drink until after the marathon.
I am going to do some extra miles this weekend during the long run. I'm hoping to get in 18.
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