Hot Days of Training

I have a friend who told me my blog was boring him, mainly because he is having to reread them all as I post so infrequently.

Ok already, I get it.  My intentions are good, I mean to post, I think of topics and fancy words but then the days pass by and still no blogging.

I promised him that today I would begin again and so here I am. 

The last post in June I mentioned training for another marathon in the heat, this time the Portland Marathon in October, just last Sunday as a matter of fact.  This year although we had high heat it did not start to really be a struggle until July and even then it felt different this year.  Maybe because we didn't have as many days over 100 or maybe because I had the previous year's experience, I'm not really sure.

In an attempt to add some higlights into my training days I think back to the 5 am runs.  That means getting up at 4 because I have to have a cup of coffee and some food and well, you know, go to the bathroom.  These runs were amazing for so many reasons and here are a few:

It's dark so no hot sun beating you down
No one is up and moving, you are entirely alone
You can run down the middle of the highway without fear of cars
If the moon is full it's an amazing feeling of discovering another planet far far away
If it's foggy it's like being in the book "The Headless Horseman"
Terry always joins me when I am in the most need of company (after the sun comes up so he can sleep in)
We finish in plenty of time to beat the crowds to breakfast

One morning I ran on a road that usually sees a lot of traffic, I ran right down the middle of the road over the bridge .  It was a surreal experience for some reason, running over that bridge down the middle, in the dark with no one else out, watching the lights and the stars reflect on the water.

Sometimes I look at homes and wonder what people inside are doing.  Are they sleeping?  Many times I see light flasing and I know someone is watching TV or fell asleep watching.

This is also a time of prayer for me, no interruptions, no distractions, just chatting with God about so many things good and bad.  I envision him laughing at my silly questions, but also lovingly patting me on the back so my legs just keep on going.

Amazing sunrises always take me by surprise as do the days storms are coming in and the lighting can be seen far away over the lake.  I never do get used to how beautiful these things are.

Of course the heat of the summer is tough.  Speed work seems like an endless struggle, I can't get enough water or gatorade in my body.  Somehow I make it through.

On the morning of my 19 mile run we had a cool front roll, it was in the 50's when I started.  This run was also one of those where I started at an easy pace but in the second half my coach planned for me to run a hard pace.  In the heat this is very difficult, but this day I ran well, feeling like I was floating.  Wow what a difference the cool weather makes.

Of course my 20's and my 23 milers I was not as lucky, although it cooled some it was still pretty warm on those days.  And yet I made it through.

And then the day was here.  Tainted by some personal events  I went to Portland with a sad heart.  I am very blessed to have a great husband and good friends who were able to keep me light and relaxed.  Of course we also had to experience the local brew...running is of course also about drinking good beer!

On race day I had a plan for how I would run broken up in segments.  10 miles an easy pace,  8 a bit faster, 5 pushing harder and 3.2 as hard as I could push.  I stuck to my plan and my finish was well above my goal and I had my 3rd best time out of my 6 marathons.  Now I would have liked to do even better (no I am never satisfied), but I gave it my all.

The race was a good one, well organized, lots of gifts, great long sleeve and short sleeve tech shirts, good food, great support.  It was not as scenic as I expected, and had a hellacious hill at mile 17.  But all in all it was a wonderful marathon.  Some of the highlights:

Lots of porta potties
Lots of water stations
Beautiful view from the bridge
Great post party area
My very favorite - the neighborhood where they had all these chairs lined up with people sitting and cheering and then they would do the wave as we went by...I LOVED it!
And of course having the half start and go with us to mile 8 so that Terry and I could run together for awhile
And last but certainly not least...lots of good beer in Portland

So now we are back and next on the agenda is the Wurst 5 Miler for Wurstfest in New Braunfels.  Always a great race!