San Francisco Marathon training

Andrew and I are running a marathon at the end of this week, July 29th!  Also marking one day shy of our 1 year anniversary here in CA.  Running a marathon has been on my "bucket" list for awhile...thinking one day I would do it, but would I really?  Well I really am doing it!  I am glad for my husband who has good follow through and gets an idea and can go with it. 

My faithful running shoes.  I bought them too small and put a few miles on them so I did purchase some Asics that I will be using for the marathon.  Andrew and I both went to Asics, a big move for us as we are Nike fans!

I began unofficial training I guess in March.  Andrew and I both had weight loss goals after having a "weigh in" wake up call followed by a hard reality doctors visit for Andrew.  I was still battling baby weight and wondered why I could not get off the weight.  Well, after decreasing my food probably in half and doubling my exercise, results came.  We were somewhat "consumed" by how many calories we were taking in and learned a lot in the process. So the running began to increase which led into the transition of training for a marathon.  But we still needed to make sure we had someone to watch the little ones and then we just had to push the button to "go for it!"  We officially signed up in April and that is when I started to look at longer runs.

These pictures were taken at a running store, trying to figure out the best shoes to get.

We have had such support, thank you family for this run.  Papa and Kimmy and Gigi all watched the kiddos at different points so we could run.  Also, my sisters (I can hardly believe it) are coming to stay with the kids for the morning of the run and bring them to the finish line!!  Yahoo!

I am also running for sweet Trek (I have an earlier blog about him).  Our friends little boy, Trek lost his little life at 14 months due to a rare disease called Niemann Pick Type A on June 21.  His life and his family's life is about "embracing life".  I met Trek's mom, Chelsea in Maui.  I used to look at Chelsea's life and think I could use a good dose of her parenting, ...meaning....carefree, not being bound by schedule, being "in tune" with her boys and loving them, freedom....I am so thankful for those days in her company, I left better than when I came.
There are moments I wonder why I am doing this and what have I gotten myself  into to run 26.2 miles. But as the Ingrams have shown us, it is about seizing the moment and just going for it. There is a deep reason I feel I need to do this and I feel running for Trek is part of this reason, creating meaning.

A memorable run for me was running in San Francisco on July 4th.  I saw a sign for the marathon and ran where we will run for a bit.  It was kinda wild.  I thought, I just need the perspective that this is a sight seeing run instead of a drive, through a fun and interesting city.

Andrew and I both have this app on our phones.  It is a way to chart distance and speed.  It was really helpful for the longer runs.  I had four standout runs. 

I think it was in May and it was my first long run, 13 miles, and the first time I have run longer than 10 miles.  My only other long run to this point in my life was the 10 mile run which was at least 7 years ago in Atlanta with my sister Heather and Andrew.  I felt a victory that I had passed that milestone. 

The next standout run was my 20 mile, I started at about 6:00 pm and I was running in the dark after 9:00 pm when I finished, but I had to do 20, simly because they say you need to do one 20 and I wanted to get it over with!  The highlight of my training was at mile 12 in Pebble Beach area, I saw a little boy coming out into the road, I was wondering what he was doing.  As I came closer, I saw that little boy belonged to me.  Andrew had brought them with little cups of water, they were my "water station."  I felt such joy and support.  Then they passed me in the van waving with more water.  I only stopped twice on that run, once at mile 12 when I saw my sweet family and at mile 16 to drink more water.  I felt I could do it.

The last long run was my hardest.  I went in the middle of the day and it was hot and I didn't think I needed water so I didn't bring my bottle with me.  I have never felt that thirsty.  I was running by groups of people, trying to imagine conversation where I would ask for water.  Andrew couldn't believe I even looked in a couple of trash cans for water bottles...but I was that thirsty.  I had this thought while deep in thirst, how some people are thirsty for Living water (Jesus) and how those who have it, sometimes don't even think about it and even take it for granted.  It is just there. 

My last memorable run was with Andrew.  It was the first time we have run together since this whole crazy marathon business started.  It was fun to run a route we have both run separately together and see how we did it.  It was nice to have a companion and to show Drew how I really can run!

This was a chart I found on line to give an overview of what training should look like....so in preparation for longer runs I have done a 13, 16, 20, 15, 11, 9, and 9.  There have been a couple of 8 miles in there also.  It does seem the first few miles can sometimes be the hardest and once you get going, your body just goes.  I sometimes still can't believe I have run what I have...sometimes I thought my body would look different, like a "marathon" bodt..whatever that is???  I still have some baby tummy, but as my mom pointed out in so many words, a good reason to have a tummy.  I just want to run my race and feel confident and good and I do feel so thankful God has given such a body that has blessed me, carried me, and has been really strong!

The night we signed up!  It is official!

It has been a little harder to train,  I think I hit my "peak" a little early.  It has been hard to maintain the mental energy and anticipation.  Then my longer runs have decreased.  But I will hope it will all come back.  I am just ready to get it over and do it.  But I also want to "enjoy" the process.

So I will be thinking of Andrew up ahead of me, feeling  my pain.  He has been a rock star.  He has lost a lot of weight and has been running 8 minute miles, I have seen the athlete in him that has been with him since he was young.  I will be thinking of our Good and gracious God who has given me all I need for this race.  I will be thinking of my family who has supported me, I will think of my sweet sisters who love me so, I will think of sweet Trek, and I will be thinking and running for my two loves, who will be waiting at the finish line.  Their eager anticipation, excited to see their mama and dada will hopefully be all I need to push ne through!