Training for this race was tough for me.  I had a rough time getting in my runs during the week, and missed a few long runs.  On race day, the furthest I had run was 18 miles.  Two weeks before the race, my plantar fasciitis started to flare up.  But in the end, it didn’t matter.  After six months of training, I just wanted to get to the starting line and get the race over with.

On race morning, my nerves kept me from eating my bagel with peanut butter.  I downed what I could and hoped I wouldn’t pay for it later.

Trying to stay warm before the race

Our corral

Everyone told me to start out slow.  Don’t go out too fast.  Well, I got too excited at the start.  My friend Mary and I were running at a pretty good pace for a little while.  Then I started to slow down.  I told Mary to go on ahead without me and that I’d be right behind her.

By the half mark, the Garmin was telling me that this was my fastest half ever.  This was about the time that I really started to feel the effects of not eating enough before the race.   I used gummy worms through training, so I just kept eating the gummy worms every 45 minutes.  My hubby met me at the half mark, and I said to him “I’m never doing this again!”

At about mile 17, my fingers started to go numb.  That had never happened to me before, so as I was going by the medical tent at mile 18, I decided to just ask one of the medical people “What does it mean when my fingers are going numb?”   The response I got was “Maybe you should sit down for a few minutes”.  I said “No, I don’t want to stop…” .  He looked at me and said “Well, you want to finish, don’t you?”  He got me there, so I followed him to the tent and sat down.  The medical people thought that I was low on electrolytes, so they gave me some salt water, and hard candy.  After a few minutes, the numb feeling went away.  Another runner at the tent (who sadly did not go on to finish) handed me her GU, and I got back to my feet and started off again.

The last miles were the hardest.  I wouldn’t say I hit “the wall” at mile 20, but by mile 24, my legs felt like they each weighed a ton and it got harder and harder to just keep moving forward.  I just kept saying to myself “You are going to finish.  THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION!”

The hubby and Mary met up with me at the 26 mile mark.  Mary said “You only have to go around the corner and you are done!”  As I turned the corner, I could see the finish line.  That’s when I sprinted to the finish.  I have no idea where I got the energy to sprint across the finish line, but I did it.

I crossed the finish and made my way through the finisher’s chute.  Hubby was waiting for me at the end of the chute, and as I gave him a hug, he said “You did it!  You ran a marathon!”  As soon as I heard that, I started to cry.  I couldn’t believe that after all those months of training, and the hundreds of miles logged, I had achieved my goal.  I am officially A MARATHONER.

Yes, I realize I’m a little bit late in updating the blog, but I am now officially a MARATHONER!  Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement and support.  I knew running was a total mind over body sport, but I had no idea until I crossed the finish line.

Full race report to come soon… 

But now is not the time to worry.  Instead, I MUST FOCUS.

I’ll be watching this video at least once this week to give me some more inspiration.  This is a preview.

You can watch the full episode here.  If you are like me, you may need some Kleenex towards the end.

Catch you all later.

Have you ironed out your goals for the new year?  Two of my goals are the same from last year:  knit myself a sweater, and run my first full marathon.  The marathon goal is in 16 days – YIKES!  I’m still working on my other goals and will come back with that list soon. 

No new knitting to talk about.  I’m knitting up something big for my mom’s birthday next week, so I will let you know more when that project is complete.

We’re starting a new social studies project at the school I teach at, and it includes receiving postcards from all over the country and the world.  As many of you know, I collect postcards, so when I read one teacher’s idea of incorporating postcards into a lesson plan, I of course jumped at the idea.

I teach elementary school kids, and I know they will love receiving postcards from all over.  We will be looking up each place on maps, learning about the culture, and things unique to that area.  We plan on displaying them in our hallway next to a map that will point out where each postcard is from.  As our project progresses, I will of course post a picture.

If you would like to contribute to our project by sending us a postcard, we would so appreciate it!  Please leave me a comment if you are interested, and I’ll email you the address. 

The people from POM Wonderful contacted me a while back and offered to send me some of their pomegranate juice.  I had read about this juice on other blogs and was excited to try it out.   The taste is REALLY SWEET – almost a little bit too sweet for me.  But I added some ginger ale and made my own POM Wonderful spritzer of sorts.  While I like the health benefits, I don’t like the sugar content per serving (32 grams for an 8 oz serving), so I probably won’t be drinking it too often.  Still, it may be worth your while to give it a try.

Did you know that those same people who make Luna bars now make Luna cookies?  They had a giveaway for a free sample on their web site and my sample came over the weekend.  I haven’t tried it yet but will let you know how it tastes in a later post.

I did another long run with the gals yesterday, and definitely ran faster and stronger than if I had run alone.  Now if only I could make my running during the week just as strong…

Hope everyone has a great week!

I just finished knitting up a pair of baby socks for my two cousins’ babies.  I love how I can use leftover sock yarn for baby socks.  They were a quick knit  – now I hope they fit the babies and they are able to wear them for a while!

Pattern: Baby to Toddler Socks
Yarn: Zitorn Trekking, Oak Creek Yarn

Marathon training started today with a 4 mile run.  Thank goodness it was a group run with the gals as I was really feeling the heat (87 degrees at the start) and would have easily given up had it not been for them.  I was very apprehensive about running with a group but now I’m so glad I did.  There’s never any pressure to run a certain speed or distance, always good conversation, and the miles really do go by much more quickly.  I start a new job this week, so I’ll have to see how I can work running into my day before work.

I’m off to comment on everyone’s blogs…enjoy the rest of your weekend!

There is a new evil in my life.   If you have not yet tried out this DVD, Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred, just take my word for it.  It can only be described as evil.  I’ve had this DVD for a while, but only did the level 1 workout once before, and that time, I was able to still move my arms after the workout.  This time, after 48 hours, my triceps and biceps are still feeling it.   That can only be described as evil, right?  Jillian uses circuit training and covers it all:  cardio, abs, and strength training.  I plan on sticking with it for at least 30 days, so I’ll let you know how it all goes.

I finished knitting up another pair of socks.  This is my first time knitting with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock and I loved it.  These are a late Mother’s day gift for my mom.

 
Pattern:  Basic Ribbed Socks

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Country Garden Colorway

Today is Marcy’s birthday and the last day of her world famous blog.  If you get the chance, head on over to her blog to wish her well.    Like most other running bloggers, Marcy’s blog was one of the first I started reading, and through her blog I have learned a lot, laughed even more, and “met” other great running bloggers.  Marcy, thanks for everything!  Love ya Chica! 

I’m getting over my 2nd cold in two months, and thus there has been no running in a long time.  Now would also be a great time for me to remind you folks that it is triple digit heat here in the desert, and when it’s already 80 degrees as the sun is rising, running just doesn’t seem too appealing.  But I have plans to get back out there soon.  No big races are on my calendar.  Oh, except for the PF Chang Rock N Roll Marathon in January.  Yep – I’m running my first full marathon!  Yikes!

I’ve been knitting up a storm lately and wanted to share my latest projects.  My job at the school ends tomorrow so I knit up some gifts for the teachers.

Here is Bubby the Bear

and some Dish Cloths

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last post!  I’ve been running, knitting, and going through a career change – thus the lack of posts.  But rest assured – I’m back and will be back to commenting on your blogs too!  

I decided to take a little break from running after the half marathon, and I’m just getting back into it now.  There are no upcoming races on my calendar, so it’s back to the basics – running any distance at any speed because I want to – not because I have to.  I think that kind of running is the best.

Here’s a pair of socks I finished up for my friend’s birthday.  The pattern is Monkey and the yarn is by Old Creek yarn.  This is the fourth pair of Monkey socks I’ve knit up.  I just love how they turned out.

Here is a close up of the pattern.

Finally, as some of you may or may not know, my dad, Oscar, is an avid runner who runs the Boston Marathon each year for a great charity – The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.   This is my dad’s 8^th Boston Marathon, and this year he is running to honor my grandpa, Mariano.  My dad’s goal is to raise funds so that a cure can be found for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. 

As with all donations, but especially in this economy, please know that any donation is greatly appreciated, and no donation is too small.  If you’d like to donate, please let me know in the comments so I can send along the info.  Thank you in advance for any help you can send!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Terri tagged me with the Fabulous Blogger award awhile back, so here are five things I’m addicted to:

1. National Public Radio.  Yes, you can call me a news geek. 
2. Postcards.  I collect them from anywhere and everywhere.
3. Sock knitting.  Socks are my absolute favorite to knit.
4. Under Armour running gear.
5. Running. 

I know many of you have already been tagged, but if you haven’t, feel free to play along.
 

Jess posted her interview and I left her a comment letting her know I wanted to join in on the fun.  She emailed me the questions so here are my answers.  If you’d like to be interviewed, be sure to follow the directions at the end!

1.  How and why did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit from one of my dearest friends, Ellen.  We used to work together, and one day I saw her knitting during lunch break.  I loved the scarf she was knitting and was just fascinated at the concept of turning yarn into something you could use and/or wear.  

2.  In terms of running, what’s your favorite race experience?
My favorite race experience would have to be the last half that I ran – the PF Chang Rock N Roll Half.  Not only did I get to meet up with my blogging friends, but I ran the entire race with my dad.

3.  If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Definitely pay off debt.  Then go on a trip around the world with the husband.

4.  What color best describes your character and why?
Purple.  I’ve read that surrounding yourself with purple brings peace of mind, and I’m always aiming to be that calm in the eye of the storm.

5.  If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take with you one object that you currently own, what would take?
Though it would be a touch choice between my knitting and my running shoes, I’d have to go with the running shoes.  Can’t live without the running shoes.

To play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

I’ve been sick with a cold and cough, so I’m taking an unscheduled break from running.  I was okay with no running for a couple of days, but now that a week has passed, I’m really missing it!  Hopefully this cold will be gone soon so I can get back out there.

Lastly, don’t forget to head on over to The Chic Runner to get in on the giveaway.  Hope everyone has a great week!