ShufflingSista

5 easy miles w/ Heather.  10 min. pace.  Felt really good today. Went out at 6am, much more cool & comfortable than my runs last week.

Lybi, Mik'L, Michelle, Sarah (and all other bloggers!)- I'm excited to meet you & hang out this weekend! Here's my plans at this point...

Friday: Expo before 1:00 while my kids are still in school.  If anyone can join me that would be great, but I know that might be early for some of you getting in town. If you gals get together and go to expo later, call me- maybe I can break away again!

Fri. night: Party! I'll plan on getting there about 5:30 or earlier of you need help Mik'L. I'm bringing Heather & her husband Dave and my hubby Jim.  (will probably leave the kiddos at home).

Sat- well, you know what I'll be doing that morning! Toby has an afternoon soccer game- after that I have no plans except to chill! So if everyone is gets together for a post race party that sounds fun to me too!

I'd invite everyone over BUT my house is a scary fixer upper construction zone, so I just don't.  Maybe next year?!

Here's my phone numbers (H) 652-5118 and (C) 817-1572.  Cell will have my husband (Jim's) name on it, 'cause my phone is broken so I've confiscated his- don't be afraid to leave message!

Not sure when we'd fit in a run, but if we can figure it out I'm game.  You all may have to run Sat. morning without me.

Cool- countdown to the weekend is on!

4 miles w/ Heather.  I thought she was gonna go easy on us, but she picked a route with some good climbs! Just keeping us sharp for Veyo hill I guess- good idea...10 min. av. pace.  I think our pace would have been faster but the 1 steep hill slowed us down.  I felt good today, first day in over a week that my left leg wasn't sore.  I'll be packing Ibuprofen for sure on Sat.

 Update:  Lybi & James- I really like your Gold, Silver, Bronze goals.  I'm gonna steal that idea here for my SGM goals- any medal I get (even if its just the finisher medal),  I will still come out a winner -right?!

Gold- anything under 4hrs- even 3:59, I'll take it!  My Hurricane 1/2 marathon pace this year was 9:08 with 2 potty stops (yeah stomach issues that day) I'm hoping with all my training I may be able to maintain that 1/2 pace for a marathon- but it is a LOFTY goal so that's why its GOLD!

Silver- under 4:10

Bronze- under 4:20

Walked 2 miles today.  Help? I don't really know if I'm tapering right.  I'm just going off marathon training plans.  But it feels weird not to be running so close to the marathon.  I think I'll do at least a couple miles tomorrow.  And I'm planning on a short run Friday too for sure.

Walked 3 miles today. Looking forward to the weekend!

Heather & I did 3 easy miles to loosen up.  Didn't time it, but it felt fast & smooth.  Really good after 2 days of walking!!! If only I could feel that good for 26.2!

Can't believe the marathon is TOMORROW! I'm pumped to go to the expo today & meet all you bloggers tonight! Wish I could be at the finish to see our bloggers come in as the top finishers- on well, I'll still be running long after that! Everyone keep your fingers crossed for decent weather tomorrow!

my cell (435) 817-1572.

Ran my 1st marathon today! Where to begin the race report... I was planning on starting with the 4 hr. pace guys- but got caught up in the bathroom line and missed them.  Started w/ some friends pretty far back in the pack.  Within the 1st mile my 4 hr. pace band fell off and I realized I ran the 1st mile in 9:41.  This wouldn't do- so I took off and tried to catch the 4 hr. pace setter.  The first 7 miles were great, I was feeling good.  The weather wasn't nearly as bad as predicted and I was fine in shorts, long slv. tech tee, gloves & hat.  I knew miles 7-11 would be tough due to the incline around Veyo.  I took this pretty well.  I reached the 1/2 marathon point in about 2 hrs.  I knew I was cutting it really close to my goal of coming in just under 4 hrs (I really wanted 3:59 or anything just under 4).  I tried to make all water stops brief.  I took GU about every 4-5 miles and followed it up w/ water or gatorade.  I also grabbed a banana piece and orange slice at a couple of the stops.  I was really happy that I never had the hit the porta potties during the run- I was expecting to need them.  I passed up a couple water stops and didn't stop at them at all- so I think I used my time pretty wisely as far as aid stations are concerned.  My family was at mile 16 which was awesome! It helped me get from the 1/ 2 marathon pt. to 16.  About mile 18 my calves were tight! I stopped briefly (maybe 15 seconds?) for a calf rub- wonderful! I guess I lost a few seconds there- but I was so distracted by my tight calves that it was affecting my pace. From this point on I took it mile by mile trying to keep a 9 min. mile pace.  When I got to 23 I thought I had it made. But apparently I was off in my pacing.  I missed my goal of under 4 hrs. by 54 seconds!!! The last 2 miles were stressful because I knew I was cutting it really close to my goal and I wanted it so bad!  My brother Scott & his family were cheering me at the .2 mark and I almost missed them because I was in the zone! And Michelle, McCall and some of the bloggers were cheering at the end but again- in the zone- didn't even see them.  Thanks for your support everyone! I learned a lot from having to pace myself with only a stopwatch!  I need a Garmin or stay with someone who will help me pace next year.  I'm confident I could cut off 54 seconds! My body feels pretty good, who knows what 24-48 hrs. will bring though.  My toes are terrible. I gotta find the right shoes for me.  I've had terrible luck this year with that! 1/2 of my toes are really blistered and I'm sure I'll be loosing some more toenails again- already lost some in training- lovely! Overall a great race with great weather and great support staff.  It was a little lonely running by myself for the whole time, but luckily I had pretty good tunes on my IPOD.  Buff qualified for Boston 3:40:35!!!! She was so happy she was in tears, I was so happy for her! Heather's goal was 4:28 and she did 4:13 so she did awesome too and was thrilled.  Matt & Chris and their 10 yr. old son all finished in 4:28.  He was the youngest runner this year! Congrats to Paul, Clyde and all the blog guys who came in so fast!!! Sasha I didn't see your results yet but I'm sure you rocked!! Mik'L thanks again for hosting last night.  I had cash for you that I forgot to give you so I'll have to catch up with you at a club run or something! Had so much fun meeting you all! What a great group! Hope we have more fun times ahead in our little running world! Lybi- can't wait to put on my socks tonight- you're the best!