Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Day I Ran 26.2 Miles...

I have never really written a "race recap".  So bear with me...let's jump in- shall we?

Fast forward through the 16 intensive weeks of marathon training, arranging people to watch my kids while I run 3+ hour runs, the feeling of being CONSTANTLY hungry (or rungry as some call it), and that ever present butterflies in your stomach because pretty soon your little body is going to be out on that course running 26.2 miles!!!!!!

Race day morning:  Cheri and I stayed with my aunt in Floyds Knobs (right outside of Louisville).  We woke up around 4:00 (3:00 our time) so we could eat, drink, and go to the "bathroom" in plenty of time.  We were a walking ball of nerves.  I tried to take a warm bath and broke my aunt's coffee cup  :(.  We left a tad bit later than we wanted to, but knew we would be fine.  Drive there was perfect; parked in a great place; had trouble finding the starting line though!!!  We arrived at the starting line porta potty area and stood in line for FOREVER!  In fact we stood there so long, the gun went off and the race STARTED!  Talk about freaking out!!!!  Since neither one of us is speedy Gonzalez, we were just fine.  We hugged and I ran off with my 4:15 pace group.

Miles 1-7:  These were good miles.  We spent a lot of time weaving in and out of people in the first few miles, and I really focused on staying with my group.  Pace group personalities began to show, and I realized that there were some pretty obnoxious.  My plan was to run, not chat so I thought it would at least be entertaining.  

Mile 8: We entered Church Hill Downs!  This was a really neat experience.  I have never been, so to actually be out in the center was too cool.  It was a little smelly though!  Finally the half marathon runners split and left us, which was great!  It was so crowded.

Miles 9-11: Good miles.  No complaint.  Kept with group.

Miles 12-15: Iroquois Park...need I say more?  Cheri and I had driven it the day before, but you cannot get a good sense of the elevation in a car.  I was sooooo thankful that I was with the pace group during this part.  The course went up and "incline", level out, descend, up, up again, descend, level out, up, level, descend....well you get the picture- torture on my legs.  They could never recover.  There was a guy standing on the side of the road yelling to us that we couldn't complain, we had paid for this!  I had to chuckle; he was right!

Miles 16-19: Things were good during these miles too.  I never felt like I was working too hard.  And I was getting REALLY excited to meet up with my family at mile 20!  I called my mom at mile 18 or 19 and told her I was coming up and got chocked up with emotion!

Mile 20:  Wave to my family.  LOVED seeing them on the side with posters, smiles, and cheers!!!!  Kevin jumped in with me at mile 20.  LOVED that too.

Mile 21-23: Good miles.  I enjoyed having Kevin beside me.  We stayed a little bit ahead of the pace group just because I was running off adrenaline of seeing my family and having Kevin with me.  But this would change...

Miles 24-26.2:  The dreaded CALF CRAMPS began.  It started as a twinge.  I kinda yelped and missed a step.  Kevin asked what was wrong, I told him but we kept on rolling.  Then the actual muscle began to lock up.  I would run and then BAM!  It hit me out of no where.  I would stumble, scream, and then recover.  I did this for the next two miles.  Needless to say the pace group went on and I felt ridiculous.  I couldn't help but scream out because it was just instant lock up pain!  I was actually afraid of going down!  We made it to the finish chute when all of a sudden it hit me and I did start to go...right there in front of THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE I screamed, cried, and fell.  Kevin came started to massage my calf and pull me up when everyone started to chant, "Jennifer, go Jennifer!" etc.  (Kevin had a bandanna on with my name.)  I was overcome with emotion and gratitude to these people I had never met, but yet had such confidence and belief in me.  Kevin and I ran across the finish line holding hands with tears streaming down my face.  

I had done it, but I hadn't done it alone.  Oh no!  Every step I took was because someone had made a sacrifice so I could be out there on that course.  My parents and in laws took time out to watch the boys, supported me, listened to my ramblings; my dad spent hours studying the course map so he could get everyone to mile 20 per my request; my mom listened to my running stories/ramblings every single time I called her; my co-workers supported me and texted me throughout the ENTIRE race (this meant soooo much to me); my running partner Cheri- my confidant of all things running (and non-running), this would have been a MUCH harder journey without her by my side; my neighbors watched the boys while I ran; my husband supported me, spent time with the boys while I ran, ran 6.2 miles and never let me think that I wouldn't cross that finish line!!!  I am so thankful of the body, determination, and perserverance God has given me so that I was able to accomplish this goal.  

I truly have the BEST mom, dad, hubby, kids, and extended family that a girl could have.  

The funny thing is that while we were training for this, Cheri and I kept saying how dumb we were, and how much we hated it.  But the minute after we crossed that finish line, we were ready to sign up for another one!  And we did!  BG26.2 here in BG in November, and the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series in Washington, D.C. in March.  I'm so ready to start up this adventure again...I just hope everyone else is too! :)


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Anybody out there?

Hello stranger!  Is anyone still out there???

Well, summer is officially here !!  My brain feels like it can finally sigh and relax.  The stress of school hasn't quite fully left my body, but it's diminishing- and for that I'm thankful!

This summer won't be one full of lazy days by the pool.  No sir!  Life has certainly been different since Kevin picked up a 2nd job- part time at Sears.  So this summer will be momma and three boys at home (or at the pool), while daddy is bringing home the extra bacon! 

Since I will be flying solo a lot this summer, I plan to work intensely with my boys on their academics.  I've gathered up a lot of resources off of Pinterest, from my school, and the web.  I know every day won't be easy, but I know in the end it will be worth it :). 

Kevin won't be working 40 hours a week this summer, so there will still be some family pool time, late night fires, bike rides, and camping trips!  He is going to be off Monday, and for that family time I am eternally grateful.

No post would be complete without the mention of running!!!!!  I can't even update you on all that has happened since January.  But let me tell you the biggest thing...I. AM. A. MARATHONER!  Yes folks, I completed my first 26.2 on April 27th.  That race deserves a blog post of it's own.

Maybe I can post again before another 6 months flies by~  Stay tuned!


Monday, December 31, 2012

Honesty..

It's New Year's Eve and all over Facebook, Pinterest, and blog land are mentions of how great or sucky 2012 was and, of course, everyone's goals for the new year. 

I. just. can't. do. it. this. year. 

I can't sit down and write out all of my goals. 

It. doesn't. work. for. me.

Sure there are a lot of things I want to accomplish in 2013...some personal, some private, some out there in the open for everyone to see.  But I don't want to talk about it.  And honestly, I don't want to read yours.  Debby downer huh?  Maybe.  Or maybe I'm just keepin' it real.

Happy New Year's Eve lovies! 

Monday, December 10, 2012



Just a few things that have been happening around here!  Work Christmas party, my oldest attending a dance and hanging out with a friend, and Mr. Snowy Love getting captured by the natives. 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Thankful part 2

 Here are some more things that are rattling through my head that I am extremely thankful for!!!
  • Situations that bring us closer to God.  
  • Situations that remind us that we need to be in a state of prayer at all times.
  • Situations that remind us that this world is NOT our home.  We weren't made for any of this world- nothing that is has to offer, none of its drama, none of the things we accumulate, etc.
  • Normalcy- however crazy normal might be!
  • Friday evening long runs that start off with friends, have quiet contemplation time in the middle, and end reconnecting with my friends!
  • Saturday mornings spent in pajamas with coffee and my family.  
  • Saturdays where I don't have to continuously watch the clock because we have to be somewhere at a certain time.
  • Friends that check in on you to make sure you are ok.
  • Family that checks in on you to make sure you are ok.
  • Planning Christmas lists.
  • Making plans for the Thanksgiving holiday!!!!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Thankful

 So basically all of Facebook is on a thankful status kick- meaning beginning on Nov. 1st, they listed one thing they were thankful for each day.  I didn't jump on the bandwagon for many reasons...one being I don't want to feel like I need to be on Facebook every day.  But I am thankful for many things and would like to share them with YOU!

1. God.  He send His only son to die for me (and you).  I am not deserving of His love, grace, and mercy that He gives me every single day. 

2. My parents.  They really are the best.  I'm thankful they raised me in a Godly house.  I'm forever grateful for the values they instilled in me at an early age.  I love that I'm closer to my mom than I have ever been.  And I love that my dad is always there to talk, listen, or advise.  Love you two!

3. Kevin.  He is really the best husband a woman could ever ask for.  God sure knew what he was doing when he put us together.  Love you babe!

4. Dylan, Landen, and Alex.  Three parts of my heart that are walking around every day.  I love them more than they know.

5. Family. My brother, sister-in-laws, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, cousins, etc.  I don't have a lot of family, but what I have is pretty great.  I know that anytime I need any member of my family, they are 100% there for me! 

6. Friends.  I don't think I could make it in this crazy world without my friends.  And I'm so glad that I have different friends!!!!  I have friends that I run with, teach with, go to church with, hang out with, shop with, plan with, etc.  I have friends that I have known for 20+ years, and friends that I have known for 6 months.  God has placed each person in my life for a reason and for that I am grateful.

7. Running.  I. love. to. run.  After a bad day, I just run.  It all ends up on the pavement.  After a great day, I just run.  Still, it all ends up on the pavement.  There's no judgement, no talking, no pretending to be something you're not...just running. 

8. My Health.  I know, I know, it sounds corny...but I am.  I can get up in the morning with out hurting.  I can walk around during the day, run during the week, and basically do what I want.  I don't ever want to take that for granted.

That's enough for tonight folks!  Stay tuned for part 2!


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Race Recap

I am a runner.  I run for many reasons.  1-I am able to.  God blessed me with a body that is physically able to run.  2-STRESS RELIEVER!  3-Enjoyment.  5-To take care of ME, both physically and mentally.  4-To run just a little bit better/faster than I did last time. 

While I am no where near an "elite athlete", I am proud of my accomplishments, and I need somewhere to keep track of my races, times, and PR's. 

5K Races
Run for the Sight    Sept '11            29:30
Medical Center     Oct. '11             28:19
Monster Dash       Oct '11              ??:??
Turkey Run           Nov 24, 2011    28:27
Cupid's Chase      Feb 10th, 2012  26:00
Eagle Flight           Mar 3, 2012      25:54        **Second Place Age Group**
Purple Strider       July 27, 2012     25:10       **Second Place Age Group**
Color Run            July 28, 2012     ??:??
Monster Dash      Oct. 27,2012     23:59        **First Place Age group**  PR


4 Miler
Hospice               July 28, 2012    37:03        **Overall Female Winner**  PR


10K
Flying Pig            May 5, 2012       53:50
Medical Center   Oct 13, 2012      47:14        **Third Place Age Group**  PR

1/2 Marathon
Total Fitness Connection    March 30, 2011   2:09:51
Lady Speed Stick              Sept. 22, 2012    1:55:37
BG26.2 and Half               Nov. 4, 2012       1:53:25  **Second Place Age group**  PR