Sunday, June 29, 2014

Grandma's Marathon - Duluth, Minnesota - Saturday, June 21st 2014

This story really starts 6 months ago. Decided to do my 2nd marathon. Was scared, but figured it had to go better than the first one right? The first one I had a baker's cyst in my knee (that I was unaware of) and it popped at mile 5 so I then limped/speed walked 21 miles to finish.  Yes, I know, crazy.  However when it's your first marathon you do just about anything to finish it.

 This time I trained a little differently. I didn't do a 18, 19, 20 or longer run. I only ran up to 17 miles for my longest run. I also did more cross training than other races. Did this help? You will see later.

 Since our friends live in Cedar Falls, which is on the way to Duluth, we left on Thursday evening to travel there, thus taking 1.5 hours out of our trip for later. We stayed with Kyle and Lisa overnight in Cedar Falls! 

The next morning Jason and I went a couple streets over to meet Casey and then travel with her the rest of the way to Duluth. She drove. We found a cute little restaurant in the middle of nowhere in a town called Rush, Minnesota and I had breakfast for lunch. Yum! We arrived in Duluth around 2:30p.m. and checked into our hotel. Then we all went to packet pickup. That went smoothly, however it was super crowded. We ate the pasta dinner there and then went back to our hotel. That night we laid out everything and relaxed a bunch.

 Saturday morning, we all got up at 5 a.m. to dress for the marathon. I felt like I had body glided my entire body. Pretty sure I didn't miss a single spot that would rub, chafe or blister.  I ate an apple pie bonk breaker and a couple bites of a banana.

At about 5:40 a.m. ish we went across the street to catch the shuttle bus that would take us to the start line 26.2 miles away from town to a town called Two Harbors, MN.  The temperature was 46 degrees, but according to weather.com it said it felt like 42.  I believed it.

Around 6:45a.m. we arrived at the start line and got dropped off, there was no where to stay warm so I put my poncho on the ground, put all my warm clothes on and layed on the ground curled up for a while.

Around 7:15 a.m. I thought that finding a port a pottie might be a good idea.

About 7:35ish a.m. we lined up for the race that started around 7:45 a.m.  We heard the Star Spangled Banner play.

By around 7:52 ish a.m. we finally found the start line and started running.  I felt good for about the first 8 miles when I realized I had to find another bathroom.  Wasted some time in there.

At the midway point (half marathon) I felt amazing, took a selfie in front of Lake Superior, but then lost the picture later due to me accidentally deleting it.  Also took a really cool picture of the waves crashing in on the beach and rocks, but lost that pictures too.  In fact I lost a bunch of pictures, but thankfully Jason took some too before and during the marathon, otherwise I'd have none for my blog.

At around mile 15.5 I started hurting in my right leg.  My I T band tightened something awful near my knee.  Seriously.  I was so mad.  It only continued to hurt worse and worse and prevented me from running without pain.  I started speed walking with two other girls that seemed to be my same pace.  One from Wisconsin and her name was Kelly, and one from Texas and her name was Melony.  We stayed together speed walking for about 4.5 miles.

At mile 20.8 I called my husband.  I was in pain and ready to be done, but felt that I had done almost 21 miles that I should try and finish.  Jason said he was at mile 21, so only 2 tenths ahead of me.  We had been that close the entire time.  Couldn't believe it.  But he had done a lot of walking due to his plantar faciiatis acting up.

We met up around mile 21.4 I think.  We walked/ran to mile 23 and this is where I hit my wall. I had been really hurting since mile 15 and had already decided if this marathon didn't go well that I would get on the medical wagon and get out.  I had just told Jason that I would find a medical tent at mile 23 and be done.  I was okay with that.  He grabbed my hand and said, "You signed me up for this, I'm hurting really bad too, we can finish this thing together."  Thing is, I was spent and done.  I wanted out of the race and didn't care.  Soon after that, within seconds this guy on the side of the road said, "Great job you guys, you only have a 5K left.  Way to go!"  He was all chipper and happy.  I totally lost it by that point.  I started to bawl.  I said, "I just can't do this anymore, it hurts too bad."  Jason hugged me and said, "I know you can finish, we've come a long way."

After that I ran more than I had been doing in the last 8 miles.  I pretty much ran the last 3 miles almost the entire time. It hurt, it hurt really bad. The I T band was so tight that my right knee was screaming in pain.  I just wanted to be done and in under 6 hours.  Since I had expected to be done in under 5 hours, or in under 5:20 at the latest (since for the longest time I was right with the 5:15 pacer group and I had just barely let them pass but was ahead of the 5:30 pacer group, I was super bummed out that my next goal had changed to being done in under 6 hours.  Seriously this was crazy.  We were out there for so long.  Hate being injured and really didn't understand this.

I saw my friend Clark Zarifis near the end of the race.  He was taking pictures for the company Marathon Foto.  It was great to see him because I knew we were right around the corner from finishing the race.

If you want to see my actual pictures from this company then go to that link, type in Clark, type in my bib number #6582 and then select Grandma's Marathon 2014 for the event.  Or you can try this link:  Link that might work to see marathon pictures from Marathon Foto  The pictures actually display backwards.  If you scroll to the bottom, then you will see me with a white shirt on.  I had that on for at least 17 miles of the race. It was cold out and I never did warm up for the longest time, not sure why, maybe that contributed to my I T band tightening, don't know.  Anyway, I knew to get my pictures, I had to display my bib number so every time I saw a picture taker, I lifted my shirt to display my number.  When you see the blue band around my right leg, that was my attempt to tie the I T band tight and hopefully have it feel better.  It was a wrist band I found on the ground that I used.  It helped, but not sure if it helped a ton or not.  I felt okay wearing it, then it started to hurt after 5 miles, so I removed it.

The end of the race was sweet, there were lots of people cheering you on, even though you took forever to get there.  Jason and I held hands and finished the race.  So glad that is over.

The results are here!  All three of us received a PR today.  PR stands for Personal record.  Casey finished by 5 minutes faster.  I finished by 38 minutes faster than my last marathon.  Jason finished a marathon for his first time.

Will I do another one?  The answer is Yes.  Why?  Because I give everything in life 3 tries. If you quit after doing something once, you will never know if it could have or will go better.  I know I can run a marathon faster than almost 6 hours, I mean really.  I am fit and strong and I know I can run uninjured and feel great.  I see this happen all the time to others who run a lot.  How can I get to that point? Better training is the answer. So I will try again and see how a 3rd marathon treats me.  If that one goes bad, then I'm going to stay with half marathons only.

Jason's personal story of his experience with his marathon is here !
Casey, Jason and I before the race started.
Lots of stuff in the packet.  I love this part.

Taking a selfie before the race.

At the start line with about 6,000 other runners.

Our view of the course for about 20 miles.

Jason's bib and medal

My bib and medal

Kyle and Lisa bought us a cake for finishing the marathon. Very nice of them.
About an hour after we finished the race we posed for a picture in front of Grandma's restaurant.  We are both hurting here, but so happy to have finished the race.
A few days after the marathon with my finisher shirt and medal!  

Week 26

Goals for Week 26 of 2014 were these:   Recover from Marathon.  Complete all scheduled classes.  Try running at least 10 miles.  Swim once.


Monday:  Sculpt, walked.
Tuesday:  Ran 2 miles, taught Sculpt
Wednesday:  Sculpt class, walked 1 mile, with mixed in running.
Thursday: lots of walking.
Friday:  10 mile bike ride
Saturday:  lots of walking

Totals for week 26:
3 sculpt classes
Ran 2 miles
10 mile bike ride
lots of walking

Good for week 26:  rested a lot to recover from marathon. Completed all scheduled classes.

Bad for week 26:  Didn't run much.  My legs pretty much hurt all week.  Didn't swim at all, that would have been good for me. Ate poorly.

Totals for year:
Elliptical 22.26 miles
Running 387.31 miles
Swam 20,167.30 yards (11.46 miles)
Body Sculpt classes 71
Zumba classes 19
Biking minutes 762 (12.7 hours) Indoors
Biking miles outside 110.88 miles
Step classes 1
Yoga classes 6
Nia classes 1
Push ups on toes outside of teaching class:175

A question I had about running shoes answered HERE!
Want to see how many calories you REALLY burn when running:  Click on this link

Goals for Week 27 of 2014:   Try to run 3 times.  Swim once, bike at least once of 10 miles or more.  Need to eat better this week.  I was really naughty in week 26 with eating poorly.  Back to healthy eating and everything for week 27.


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Week 25

Goals for Week 25 were these:  Do everything I can to relax this week so my legs will be at their best for the marathon on Saturday!  Complete the marathon without hurting myself further.  Do my best, yet be careful.  Walking when necessary, running when I can.  I will be doing a 4 minute run/1 minute walking interval for the entire race.   I have already subbed out one of my Sculpt classes this week and will only be directing my other two Sculpt classes, not doing any of the exercises, as to rest all my muscles, hopefully.

Monday:  Ran/Walk 1.16 with over 2 miles just walking later on, Sculpt class
Tuesday:  1 mile walk with dog
Wednesday:  2 mile slow run, 2 miles walking. Sculpt class
Thursday:  rest with walking.
Friday:  lots of walking
Saturday:  26.3 miles running.   1 mile walking.
Sunday:  Rest,  Ice, stretching,  walking.

Week 25 totals:
Ran: 29:46 mile
Lots of walking
Two Sculpt classes

Good for Week 25:  Relaxed a bunch.  Completed marathon with a new personal record.
Bad for Week 25:  Nothing.

Totals for year:
Elliptical 22.26 miles
Running 385.31 miles
Swam 20,167.30 yards (11.46 miles)
Body Sculpt classes 68
Zumba classes 19
Biking minutes 762 (12.7 hours) Indoors
Biking miles outside 100.88 miles
Step classes 1
Yoga classes 6
Nia classes 1
Push ups on toes outside of teaching class:175

A question I had about running shoes answered HERE!

Goals for Week 26 of 2014:   Recover from Marathon.  Complete all scheduled classes.  Try running at least 10 miles.  Swim once.

Monday, June 16, 2014

5 Days!

Counting down to the marathon.  So excited.  5 days!  If you want to track Jason and I, go to this link below:

Runner Tracking Presented By Verizon Wireless 
If you’re looking to keep track of your favorite runners during Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, the Runner Tracking Service is a great solution.

Visit http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/index.php?page=runner-tracking, and simply enter the name(s) of the runner(s) you want to track. Then select whether you want the information delivered by text message or email by entering a valid wireless phone number or email address. 

The tracking system, made possible through the support of Verizon Wireless, Mtec Results and MarathonGuide.com, enables the progress of Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon participants to be tracked at numerous checkpoints along the racecourse, including the finish line. 

The signup period runs until 8 p.m. Friday, June 20 through the Grandma's Marathon Web site or by stopping by the Verizon Wireless exhibit outside of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). 

This marks the seventh year that Verizon Wireless is sponsoring runner tracking via text messaging and email. The company has been a major sponsor of Grandma’s Marathon since 1992. 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Week 24 of 2014

Goals for Week 24 were these:  Run according to marathon schedule which is 2-3 milers, then a 6 mile run on Saturday. Stretch a lot.  Eat well.  Swim once.  Bike at least once of 10 miles or more.  Find a Yoga class. Relax more and realize that you have done enough for your marathon training and you can't turn back now.  What is done is done and even though I may feel that I could of or should of ran more, it's over.  Just relax and enjoy the journey of getting to, running and completing the marathon.

Monday:  Sculpt class, walked 1.58 miles
Tuesday:  Sculpt class, biked 8.19 miles, ran 3.20 miles, walked a bunch.
Wednesday: Sculpt
Thursday: Ran 5.10 miles
Friday: walked a bunch
Saturday: Swam 1500 yards, 1 yoga class, got a massage!
Sunday: Walked 5 miles

Good things about Week 24:  I taught all three of my classes of Body Sculpt, ran, biked and swam this week.  I also found a yoga class and got a massage.

Bad things about Week 24:  I was told to do only walking until the marathon.  Not sure if this is the best advice, but I'm going to take it in hopes my hamstring which is really tight, and my IT band which is tight when I reach mile 17 will loosen up a bit.  I have been doing everything I can to loosen them, massage, A.R.T. treatments, laser treatments, heat, foam rolling, regular roller and so on.  It's killing me not to run. I wanted to go to 6 on Saturday or more, but I am taking this advice and hoping things work out for me to run well on Saturday.  So this next week will be a lot of walking and resting.

Totals for the week:
Running:  8.30 miles
Walking:  6.58 and a bunch not recorded
3 Sculpt classes
Swam 1500 yards
1 Yoga class
Biked 8.19 miles

Totals for year:
Elliptical 22.26 miles
Running 355.85 miles
Swam 20,167.30 yards (11.46 miles)
Body Sculpt classes 66
Zumba classes 19
Biking minutes 762 (12.7 hours) Indoors
Biking miles outside 100.88 miles
Step classes 1
Yoga classes 6
Nia classes 1
Push ups on toes outside of teaching class:175

A question I had about running shoes answered HERE!

Goals for Week 25 of 2014:   Do everything I can to relax this week so my legs will be at their best for the marathon on Saturday!  Complete the marathon without hurting myself further.  Do my best, yet be careful.  Walking when necessary, running when I can.  I will be doing a 4 minute run/1 minute walking interval for the entire race.   I have already subbed out one of my Sculpt classes this week and will only be directing my other two Sculpt classes, not doing any of the exercises, as to rest all my muscles, hopefully.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Resting

So much for a taper in running.   How about no more running.   I was told  by my A.R.T. provider to completely rest until the marathon.   9 days of walking only.  Hope it's all worth it.

I have a really tight hamstring.   Plus my IT band is a little tight.

So lots of heat, rest, stretching, eating right, calm walking,  foam roller, 2 more A.R.T. sessions.  A massage on Saturday.  Plus  more rest and hopefully all will be fine in 9 days and I can run an awesome marathon!

I can swim and bike carefully, but no hills biking and no running.  Boo.  It will be a hard week, but it will all be worth it on the 21st!  Bring on the marathon.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Dam to Dam Half Marathon - Des Moines, Iowa - May 31, 2014

Not the best day for running, let's just say. It was hot, it was muggy, there was humidity that just kept getting worse.  Actual temp was 72 at the start, 8 mph wind from SE and humid.  I don't run well in heat. I also had some tightness in my IT band that week so I felt lucky to run any distance.  Jason and I  needed to do 17-18 miles for our marathon schedule so we ran almost 4 miles before the race, then walked a bunch before the race. This made us warmer for sure. By mile 7 of the actual race we felt so done.  We knew that just finishing would be an accomplishment.  By the end of 13.1 miles we were both toast and both felt terrible.  I'm praying that our marathon weather is nice and cool out.  We need great weather. Here are my results for Dam to Dam:
2720 301 W40 Michelle Clark, 41*, Iowa City, IA 54:53 1:55:29 2:40:35 2:33:31 11:43
Here are Jason's results:
2896  347 M40  Jason Clark, 43, Iowa City, IA 54:54 1:55:31 2:40:35 2:33:32 11:43
The first number in our results is where we placed overall out of our gender.  The 2nd number was where we placed in our age group.  Then our age group.  Then our name, our age, our City and State, then the first number is our 5 mile time, then our 10 mile time, then our Gun time, then our Chip time (actual time), then our pace per mile.  We were okay the first 5 miles, but by the 2nd 5 miles we were just so hot and humid.  The last 3 miles were the absolute worst.  We feel lucky to have finished.
Jason was 2896 out of 3412 Males.  347 out of 411 in his age group.
I was 2720 out of 3947.  I was 301st out of 446 in my age group.

All results are HERE !

 Here are pictures from the event.

Jason and I before the actual race started, but after we had ran almost 4 miles.  We were sweaty and felt gross already.

Some of our Rooster friends.  Jill and Dean!

A plane flew overhead with this message.

During the middle of the race was hundreds of flags with bagpipe players.  It was really neat.

Jason soaking his feet after the race.  Here is a picture of my food that I only ate half of.  Wasn't hungry.

A very tired picture of us after the race. We were so glad to be done.

My race bib and medal.
Jason's  racing bib and medal.

Another Dam to Dam shirt that I picked up.  I like this one a lot.  It is cotton so I'll wear this one out shopping and the other one to work out in.

Here we are in our actual Dam to Dam shirts that were in our packets with our finishing medals.

Week 23 of 2014

Goals for Week 23 were these:  Run 4 separate times. Find a Yoga class and take it.  Bike twice of more than 10 miles each.  Swim once.  Keep walking at least 1 mile a day.  Keep eating right.

Monday: Ran 1.07 miles in the rain in early morning, Sculpt class, ran 3.02 miles in the evening.
Tuesday: Biked 13.63 miles  max speed 36.3mph average speed 12.8, Sculpt, walked some.
Wednesday: Sculpt class, ran 8.17 miles, walked a bunch.
Thursday:1.01 Elliptical, 3.03 Fast Walk/Run, walked over a mile during lunch.
Friday: Biked 14.08 miles max speed 28.03mph, average speed 14.8 mph.   6 miles biking with Jason to go to downtown Iowa City and back home.  Lots of walking.
Saturday:Walked 2 miles, Ran 10.02 miles
Sunday: 1 mile walk with my dog Abby.

Totals for week 23:
3 Sculpt classes
Lots of walking, almost daily
Elliptical:  1.01 miles
Biking:  33.71 miles
Running:  25.31 miles
Lots of stretching

Good for week 23:  I ran 5 separate times.  This is amazing for me and usually doesn't happen.  I biked three times, twice the biking was more than 10 miles.  The third bike time was a casual ride with Jason to go downtown to the Arts Festival and back.  I walked almost every day.  I taught all three of my Sculpt classes.  I found my elliptical and used it for a mile.  I made time to have amazing stretching.  Meaning, even though I never made it to a Yoga class this week I did make time to do 15 minutes a day of stretching in yoga poses, that I feel have been significant to my overall health.  I have been great about logging in everything with the program My Fitness Pal.  Even logging in the naughty stuff I consume.  I only consume cookies or naughty things on days I run really far.  My weight stayed the same this week and it's not that I even expect to loose any more at this point, just want to be healthy.  I have been really good about taking in enough vitamins.  Staying within my calories for the day.  Eating vegetables and fruits every single day.  Taking in proper amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium.  I'm sleeping amazing and haven't felt tired.

Bad for week 23: Couldn't make it to a yoga class.  Life has been a little crazy this week, which is why I found it interesting that I got out and ran 5 separate times.  But Yoga just didn't make it in my life.  I need it bad.  I like it, just it has a schedule that doesn't meld well with me or my family's schedule.  I need to find Yoga classes at other places I don't teach at with hopefully better schedules.  Swimming, well let's just say I just didn't make time for it.  Could have done it on Friday morning and went for a bike ride instead.  I definitely need to make time to go swimming more especially since I have a triathlon in August.  I have put my swimming on the back burner and this is a mistake since it's my weakest sport.  Had more sugar this week that I have in 10 weeks.  I need to work on better nutrition all the time because when I do I feel amazing!

Totals for year:
Elliptical 22.26 miles
Running 347.55 miles
Swam 18,667.30 + yards (10.60 miles)
Body Sculpt classes 63
Zumba classes 19
Biking minutes 762 (12.7 hours) Indoors
Biking miles outside 92.69 miles
Step classes 1
Yoga classes 5
Nia classes 1
Push ups on toes outside of teaching class:168

Goals for Week 24:  Run according to marathon schedule which is 2-3 milers, then a 6 mile run on Saturday. Stretch a lot.  Eat well.  Swim once.  Bike at least once of 10 miles or more.  Find a Yoga class. Relax more and realize that you have done enough for your marathon training and you can't turn back now.  What is done is done and even though I may feel that I could of or should of ran more, it's over.  Just relax and enjoy the journey of getting to, running and completing the marathon.


As you can see my running miles have increased over the 23 weeks.  If I were to do it all again I would have been running 25-30 miles a week for the last few weeks.  Oh well, I will just have to see how this marathon goes and then train differently if possible for the next one.


Sunday, June 1, 2014

Week 22 of 2014

Goals for Week 22 were these:  Run 4 times.  Long run of 17-18 miles.  Bike twice of more than 5 miles. Stay healthy, continue eating right. 


Monday: Ran 9.51 miles, walked a bunch later in the day
Tuesday: Biked 7.44 miles, Body Sculpt class, some walking.
Wednesday: Sculpt class and ran 5.02 miles
Thursday:  Biked 12.50 miles, some walking.
Friday: Rest mostly, stretches, with some walking
Saturday: Ran 17.50 miles, lots of walking, lots of stretching.
Sunday: Rest

Totals for Week 22:
2 Sculpt classes
Ran 32.03 miles
Biked: 19.94 miles
LOTS of walking.

Good for the week:  Ran 4 times.  Saturday looks like once, but I consider it twice because I ran over 4 with Jason before our Dam to Dam Half marathon, then we had a little break for a half hour, then we ran the Half.  I was going to run on Thursday afternoon since I biked Thursday morning, then lot of stuff happened.  Biked twice for decent mileage.  Need to get back into 10 or more miles every time I bike with a long ride somewhere in the week of 20 or more.

Bad for the week:  Didn't run on 4 separate days.  This is what I really feel I should be doing.  Even if the 4th day is only 2-3 miles.

Totals for year:
Elliptical 21.25 miles
Running 322.24 miles
Swam 18,667.30 + yards (10.60 miles)
Body Sculpt classes 60
Zumba classes 19
Biking minutes 762 (12.7 hours) Indoors
Biking miles outside 58.98 miles
Step classes 1
Yoga classes 5
Nia classes 1
Push ups on toes outside of teaching class:168

Goals for Week 23 of 2014:  Run 4 separate times. Find a Yoga class and take it.  Bike twice of more than 10 miles each.  Swim once.  Keep walking at least 1 mile a day.  Keep eating right.