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Sunday, October 01, 2006

The full LONG run report...and TCM Marathon

Well, I am sorry to keep all of you waiting for the full report from yesterday's long run. I did not have enough time to post the information yesterday after the run. I quickly took a 10 minute ice bath, showered, ate a little bit, and then headed to the TCM expo to volunteer at the TNT booth. During the night before I woke up for my long run, my stomach woke up at 4:30 am. UGH!! I spent 10-15 minutes trying to calm down and get back to sleep. It felt like someone punched my stomach and wanted to puke. Oh ick! I then grabbed my pillow and a spare blanket to take to the couch to sleep. Ever since I was a kid, if I was not feeling well, I would sleep on the couch and sleep soundly. Go figure! Well, I was able to sleep for another 2 1/2 hours until my alarm woke me up at 7 am. I quickly grabbed a banana to eat and then got dressed for the long run. Then I made a PB&J and ate it slowly before I left for the long run. When I left for the run, I grab the Gatorade Endurance and started to drink it as I drove toward the Lake Calhoun Executive Center parking lot. I even had my new fuel belt and had it stocked with my supplies. I was a little bit late by the time I arrived. I had a enough time to check in quick and then RUN to catch up quickly with the group. It did not take me that long to do that. When I reached with group, I was amazed that I could keep up with them. Last year during the training for my last marathon, I was in the BACK and could not keep up with the group. But I could do it yesterday. How cool! The miles really flew by quickly. We had two water stops on the 12 mile route, which helped. I did not feel tired at all because I was running in my group. I just wanted to keep on going. After I completed the first 9.5 miles, which was the end for the half-marathons in the TNT group, I continued on 3 more miles - making it 12.4 miles and not just 12. The route given was to the halfway point on Lake Calhoun, but I did not want to do that. I decided to run enough loop of the lake and finish. As I was about halfway around the lake on the east side, I saw an AWESOME sight - an Bald Eagle. The sight was not unfamilar one. I saw the same Bald Eagle last fall near Lake Harriet - just south of the lake. I did not have my camera phone with me so I will have to wait until later in the week to see him on my next run. I then continued to press on. As I came close to finish, I decide to repeat the 0.1 marker by running back to the previous marker to make it clear 12.5 miles - a half marathon. I was SO happy to be finished and in excellent timing. I then headed to Jamba Juice and Whole Food to refuel after the LONG run. Then I got a huge smoothie with a huge protein boost before heading to home. I picked up TWO bags of ice for my ice bath. Once home, it was an ice bath and warm shower before I got ready to head to the TCM expo for 3 1/2 hours. I stood during half of that time and either walked or sat down the remaining time. After the volunteer shift, I walked across the hall to the chiropractor booth where they offered to work on my legs since they were a little sore from the run and standing on my feet. The chiropractor said that my calve muscles were swollen so she decided to look at my ankles and feet to see if they needed to be adjusted. Sure enough they REALLY needed to be adjusted because they were not loose like they should be, which maybe why my calves have been acting like shock absorbers instead of the heels of my feet. The adjustment felt REALLY good. Then she taped up my calves, which I have shown. It really helped a lot. The pain from the rejection of the adjustment - which is typical for my back at times - went away after awhile, but the quads were VERY sore from the run. I did not feel like doing ANYTHING. I took two Advil PM's before going to bed so I could be rested up for this morning. The Advil PM really helped because I slept very soundly until 8 am this morning when my alarm went off and then Marisa called me to get my address so we can meet up to watch the TCM runners. I slowly got up (and I am mean SLOOOOWLY) bcause I was still a little stiff and sore from yesterday's run - not as bad. I got dressed and then got something to eat before heading out to meet Marisa outside of my apartment building. After I found her, we drove in her vehicle to the University of St. Thomas campus to watch the runners off of Summit Avenue near mile 21.5 and arriving at 9 am. The weather was PERFECT for a marathon. I was absolutely envious! Marisa and I cheered on the runners. We started seeing the wheelchair runners at around 9:30 and then the elite runners followed slowly around 30 minute later. It was exciting to see the runners. Unfortuately, we saw an elite runner hit the wall and collapse near the water stop behind us. It was SO sad so see someone go through that. But as we were cheering, I had a news cameraperson put his camera right in front of my face. Marisa talked afterwards and wished she took a picture of it. Darn! But I was able to see myself on one of the local news station during the 10 PM news. I contact the news station and will put the link on the blog as look as I can. It was SO cool! Danielle joined us after the elite runners finished. We all cheered the runners on until the 5:00 pacers ran pasted us. We all had a good time cheering the runners on. I saw many of UST law school students who were running along with my TNT teammates who were running. They were happy to see me and glad to cheer them on. I would have like the support too. Well, I plan to turn my recovery run into a cross-training session. I need to recover still from the long run in my quads. I am not going to push myself because my legs were stiff after standing for 6 hours today. My voice needs rest too because it was VERY sore afterwards too. BTW, the TWINS win the DIVISION. Yayyyyyy! Way to go! Thank you, Kansas City!! Bring on Oakland! Thanks for the support! Saturday's Workout 12.5 mile run 2:01:35 9:48/mile (Yes...I amazed myself!) Posted by Picasa

9 comments:

Kristi said...

Look at you...running so fast! Good job!

Wes said...

Wow! You ran 12.5 miles faster than my goal pace for my upcomming 10K. Tremendous! And go Twins!!

Danielle said...

I had your message this morning, didn't catch the news cause I was exhausted...everything caught up to me yesterday not enough sleep on Saturday night due to dealing with a drunk friend, then getting up early and not eating...that was dumb!! It was great meeting you and Marisa, hope we can get together again sometime soon!! Maybe when I'm more with it!!

IronWaddler said...

Great job on your long run!!!! Sounds like it went perfect. Your pace was excellent. And it must be fun to keep up with the pack :)

Neese said...

omg your pace is AWESOME! that is so where i want to be for my half!! way to go girl!!!!

carmen said...

Denise, you have inspired me to not be a lazy ass today with my run. I've just now noticed the HUGE progress you've made with your pace. I remember when I was reading 10 and 11 min/miles now we're approaching 9?!! Holy Crap!

Go girl!

Kurt said...

Great run and good pace! Your really improving in your running!

Nat said...

Thanks for coming out to watch the race! It was a great day - a little warm but fun. Congrats on the awesome times!

L*I*S*A said...

you rocked that long run, sistah! Great pace!!