Me, Myself and I Marathon..the best Christmas Present Ever!!!

Like I said before:  “All I want for Christmas is a 7hr marathon pace!”

I realize it has only been 2 weeks since the Honolulu Marathon and the idea of running another marathon this soon after is kinda crazy. No; let’s face it; it’s INSANE.  Sure there are  lots of elite athletes and ultra-marathoners who can do it without blinking an eye, but I am NOT an elite athlete and I’m certainly not an ultra-marathoner.  I’m just regular ol’ me who is just getting comfortable with the idea of calling myself a runner!  But I set the goal of a 7 hour marathon back in June.  As much as I loved finishing the Honolulu Marathon with my friends; I didn’t make my goal.  I thought I was okay with that (and I was the day I made that choice) but once I got home from Hawaii and saw my goals board, I realized I NEEDED to meet that goal.  I have reached ALL of my goals this year, and I wasn’t gonna let this one slip me by!  Insane or not, I was going to do it!

Christmas Eve morning, I woke up at 5:00 am.  It was 16 degrees outside and dry.  It was going to be a brisk morning run that is for certain!  2 layers of running tights, 3 layers of running moisture wicking shirts, ear covers, hood, head lamp, gloves, my running pack, favorite running shoes, and my santa hat and I was ready to run off into the dark morning!

I set off on my route.  It was pitch black at 6:30 in the morning.  The trail was dark. I was running along the Boise Greenbelt which is a path that runs for about 22 miles along the Boise River.  It is not lighted.  Along the trail in the bushes I could see little beady eyes of creatures checkin’ me out!  When I ran I could see my breath in my light and it kind of blinded me. Ya know, like bright lights in the fog reflecting the light back at you.  It was kind of freaky!   I thought I was crazy out there running this time of the morning, but I came across another runner and a biker out there.

I crossed my first bridge over the river and the frost crystals glistened up at me like magic!  It was so cool!  My iPhone was pumping out some awesome music and I was feeling great, if not a bit chilly.  I felt my upper body getting warmer but my legs, they just weren’t feeling the love!  Must keep moving.  I had opted to do my 4 minute run and 2 minute walk routine. This was the same routine that got me through the half marathon back in June and kept me at my 3:30 pace.  I figured it would help with this pace as well.  (Oh I should also say that since my iPhone didn’t last the full 1/2 marathon in June, I went and bought a battery pack for my iPhone to keep me going through this marathon..it worked like a charm!)

It didn’t take long before I came across my first obstacle that really made me question what I was doing!

I had planned my route. My husband knew my route.  I was going to stay on the greenbelt.  I had my GPS working on my phone so he could track me.  But I was running by myself in the dark, and the the Greenbelt being closed was NOT part of my plan.  I missed the original detour signs and I tentatively went looking off the path. It lead through some streets just beyond the Greenbelt in a neighborhood I didn’t know.  I was very close to calling off this race.  I was scared.  I was scared of the unknown.  Running in the dark by myself was scarey enough, but I knew the Greenbelt and I felt as safe as I could in the dark, but going into a neighborhood I didn’t know was more than I was ready for.  Do I quit or do I keep the faith and run through this obstacle and face my fears!   Facing my fears it was!  Trusting in the knowledge that I am safe, protected and cared for at all times, I kept running!  Soon enough, I was back on the green belt only to find even more detours.  This Greenbelt has alot of construction going on.  But what I found is that, in life and in this marathon, there are always going to be obstacles and detours, you just have to keep the faith and watch for the signs that will direct you along the way and you will always stay on the path you are meant to be on!

Soon enough the sun started to rise and the beauty of dawn on the Greenbelt was glorious!  It was just me and the gorgeous morning. I can’t believe people were sleeping through this. I was so blessed!

  

One would think that with the sun up, it would be getting warmer. I’m sure it was, but my legs were still cold and I have to think this helped in the stiffness I was feeling in my legs.  And I’m not gonna lie, my toes were very VERY angry with me!  (I seriously need to get to the podiatrist before another marathon!) I took my pain killers and muscle relaxers hoping that would help my toes, but I don’t think they did.  But I digress; I was talking about the cold.  Just in case you doubt how cold it was, here is a picture to give you a clue….

A frozen pond along my route.  This is not an uncommon site.  Part of the river was frozen as well, but that didn’t stop some fly fishermen from getting out there and fishing.  And I thought *MY* legs were cold!

So for the first 10 miles, I was running by myself.  However, once the sun came out, I ran across more and more runners, and I always wished them a Merry Christmas and I kept on moving. My husband and Michael met me the first time just past Mile 10.  I was pretty close to my turn around point!  It was a great thing they came along cause my water had frozen!  *laugh*  That was something I didn’t account for.  (Friendly note to my friends, if you plan on running in the freezing temperatures you might want to think about  a way to keep your water and gels from freezing!)  So Mile 10 came and I asked them to take my water bottles and defrost them and meet me again in another mile to change out bottles.  *laugh*

  

Between miles 10 and 13.1 I had alot to think about.  I was coming close to the half-way point.  When I ran my half-marathon back in June, I finished in 3:29.59.  I wanted to finish in 3:30 and I beat it by a second!  It was hard work and I finished in tears!  There were so many mind games playing with  my head as I came to that finish line. And here I was getting close to the half-way point in this race.  I was running alone.   I was hurting.  And all I could think about was making that 3:30 pace to keep me on track for my 7:00 marathon pace!  I was pushing myself harder and faster…must.keep.going!

Sure enough, I made it to the turn around 13.1 miles in 3:25 and some extra tenths!  I beat my 1/2 marathon pace!  Go me!  I was keeping a steady  15 minutes 40 second or so pace!  This was gonna get me to the finish line faster than I had thought!  I just needed to keep it up!  I was so happy about the pace I was keeping and I just kept saying to  myself “Its all down hill from here!  I am on the down hill side!  If I can do 13.1, I can do 26.2, EASY!”  *cough*  Ya…right!  And I kept moving!

At mile 19, I was in alot of pain.  I  kept up with my 4 minute  run 2 minute walks; though I didn’t always run the entire 4 minutes and sometimes I ran through my 2 minute walks.  It’s all good.  But by mile 19, I was in a lot of pain. The transition from the 2 minute walk to the 4 minute run was becoming very painful. My quads were NOT happy, but I was so close to my finish line!  I was only 7 miles out!  I could do this. I just had to keep moving!  I realized that there is a benefit to always being a “back of the packer” in other races. I have learned to run solo and to depend on myself.  So running this marathon alone was no where near as bad as if I had been accustomed to running in a pack and dependent on that race energy from other racers. This was all about me and my own mental and physical endurance!  Though, like I have said twice already, mile 19 was difficult and about where a marathoner will hit a wall.  I was just coming to Municipal Park, and I saw some people up ahead. Without my “old lady” glasses, I couldn’t really see them clearly, but they looked familiar.  I watched as the woman walked back to her car.  Yup!  I recognized the car!  I about started to cry! I kept on moving.  And as I got closer, I saw the chalk writing on the asphalt…”Go Martha Go!”  Then later, “Cassie would go” with a drawing of a girl smiling and holding crutches!  I was seriously about to cry.  I hugged my friends Darren, Michelle and Cierra and told them I loved them, got a picture and took off!  My feet and heart were lighter!  They were exactly what I needed WHEN I needed them!

“Cassie Would Go” came from the Honolulu Marathon. One of our friends, Cassie, had injured her foot the day before the marathon, yet she ran/walked the entire marathon anyway! Right after the marathon, I took her to the emergency room and the doctors and nurses were amazed at what she had done. It was crazy!  The day after the marathon, I had to go buy her crutches cause she couldn’t put any weight on it!  Yup, she did the whole marathon in 8 hours 5 minutes without complaining!  She was our hero!  “Cassie Would Go” comes from the Hawiian Surfer/lifeguard named Eddie. He would rescue people from waves that no one else would dream of heading into, and in the 70’s tshirts, stickers and motos were sold.. “Eddie would go”.  So during the Marathon, Cassie became known as “Cassie would go!”   And as my toes were killing me, my quads were screaming and my heart was getting heavy, there on the asphalt was my reminder, “Cassie would go!”  And so I did!

I was feeling great after my Mile 19 surprise!  I was on the home stretch!  I noticed that my miles were getting faster!  How the heck did that happen???  I remembered what Michelle said during the Honolulu Marathon when I seemed to have all the energy in the world after mile 15 or so. “Martha, the marathon is your race! How do you have so much energy right now?!”  Indeed, I had all the energy in the world right now!  My miles were 14 minute miles now! I was sore. I was in pain.  But I was running faster!

  

At Mile 21 I had another great surprise!  I came across my friends and husband again. By now, it was Michael, Darren, Michelle, Cece and my hubby cheering me on at the mile points.  But as I came through/under the Americana overpass, I had another surprise..a sneak attack from my kids!

  

Nate and Naomi had woken up in time to head down to watch me finish the race!  They took turns running the rest of the way with me.  First Naomi did then Nate did.  They are pretty awesome kids, and I am very blessed to have had their support over the last several months of my training!

When Naomi and I ran, I was so proud of her!  She is a sprinter and does amazing 100 meter dashes, but long runs are not her thing. She was such a trooper. She put in her ear buds and kept pace with me..she ran when she needed to and walked when she needed to.. always with a smile on her face!

As Nate and I ran the last 2 miles together, he told me how proud he was of me.  It is just amazing to have your son tell you that.  He kept running and when I wanted to walk he would say, “Mom, let’s just run to that stop sign first.”  He was awesome!  He knew what I wanted and he kept me going. I could have walked, I had time, but he knows my heart and he kept me going.  He is so cool!

The last half mile came, and Michael, Tracy and Naomi met me.  Well okay, it was more than half a mile.  I was at a walking pace now. It was less than a mile but more than a half of a mile and we were walking into Veterans Memorial Park.  They had gotten hold of Michelle and family and told them to meet us there cause I was finishing there in the park.  When we crossed the bridge from the Greenbelt into the park, we found Michelle, Darren and Cece blowing their horns and cheering me on!  When we got to them, I only had half of a mile to go!  Michelle, my trusted and bestest running buddy took up stride with me. Nate kept running beside me. Tracy had gotten ahead of me with the camera. Michael, Darren and Cece stayed behind me.  And we ran.  Michelle cheered me on and made me laugh. I held my iPhone in my  hand watching it tick down (or up as the case my be) the distance.

  

Finally!!!  26.2 MILES!!!!!!  There was no finish line clock. There was no finish line que.  There was no place for me to stop and take off an ankle chip.  There was no loud music blaring from PA systems.  There were no crowds.  There was just my iPhone telling me how far I had run, and my friends and family surrounding me and cheering me on!  Michelle and family blew their horns and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded by my friends and family and confetti shooting over my head!

I even got a medal!!!!  Michelle had bought me a “Winners” medal from the party store!  This is the best medal ever!

What about my time?  What did I finish in????  Let me show you…..

Okay, you may not be able to see that on my phone, but it says  6:25.5!!!!!!  With a mile pace of 14.50!!!!  I didn’t just reach my 7 hour goal, I crashed right through it!!!!  It was the best Christmas gift I could have ever given myself!

I have the most amazing friends and family!  They have cheered me on for months now as I ran 5K’s, 10K, 1/2 marathon and 2 marathons this year!  They have given me the time and opportunity to train without complaining. They have listened to me go on and on about my running accomplishments and sometimes defeats. They have spent endless hours in the running stores with me shopping for new running gear.  They even endured the cold yesterday as they cheered me on!  They are awesome!  I am such a blessed woman!  I am so very grateful to every single one of them for everything they have done for me this year as I strived for my goals.  This has been such an amazing year, and even though my husband tells me I could have done it without him, I am certain it wouldn’t have been near as fun…so thank you!!!!

Week 41….the weigh in after vacation….

This is the weigh in most dieters fear.  What the heck did I do to myself over my vacation?  We are taught to set realistic goals for our vacation or our major holidays.  We are taught to be honest with ourselves so when we do step on that scale, we are not shocked or upset.  That was my plan all along.

Enjoy myself, gain 5 pounds if need be, and keep moving along.

I did have a great time in Hawaii.  I completed the marathon; I snorkeled; I danced; I drank; I enjoyed my food and all the amazing people I was surrounded with.  If that came with 5# gain, so be it!  I got home, stepped on my scale the next morning and saw a 6# gain, and I had 1 week to lose it before my next official weigh in.  My body was mad at me for all the traveling.  My feet and ankles were swollen like none other.  My bowels were not happy from all of the changes.  I needed to get my body back on track.

I am back to eating like I should.  I’m not quite working out the way I should because  I am planning on running the marathon distance again this Saturday and I needed my blisters to heal.  So I have been taking it easy and watching my food in take. And to be honest, that time of the month came around and my body regulated itself.

Week 41 came, and I walked into my Weight Watchers office.  I got to tell my marathon story and was welcomed back like I had been missed.  I know I sure missed them!  When I stepped on the scale, I had lost 1.4# from my last weigh-in!  I reached my 20% goal plus some!  I have released a total of 49.6#!!!!!!!!  So dang excited!!!!  I am so close to 50# and every day I look at my body and feel my muscles and think, “Wow!  Is that really me???”  It is!  As a matter of fact, I don’t even recognize the bigger me in pictures.  I can’t imagine living my life without running.  I can’t imagine living my life without having physical goals to reach. I can’t imagine my life being a couch potato again!

Yes, indeed, this has become a lifestyle change and I am proving that to myself every single day!

2 more days until my unofficial solitary marathon!  I have a new battery pack to keep my iPhone going so I can have my GPS going to so I know when I have reached the 13.1 turn around.  I have all of my nutritional supplements ready.  My blisters are all healed up.  My toes are ready!  My mind has been over the course so many times!  I have all of my winter running gear ready!  I have my headlamp ready for that early morning start.  This is my time!  I am going to make that 7 hour marathon pace and check that off of my to-do list!

What goals are you finishing up before the year comes to an end???

Aloha weeks 39 and 40!

There were no weigh-ins for these weeks.  I left for Hawaii on my weigh-in day for Week 39 and I was still in Hawaii for week 40.   Many people cringe at the thought of missing that many weigh-ins at one time.  Then add to that the Holidays and a vacation to Hawaii.  That is the like the triple threat to a weight loss program.  But haven’t we already decided that this is not just about weight loss, and its so much more than a “program”?  Haven’t we decided that this is a lifestyle change?!  So these things should not bother me!

I was very excited to hop on that plane to Hawaii with my friends.  I thought I had plan and I was going to stay in control of my eating.  I took healthy snacks for the long plane ride.  I wasn’t going to drink alot of alcohol.  I was going to get in as much site seeing as possible without endangering myself for the Marathon. I was going to make food at the rental house.  Yup; those were good plans.  You know what they say about plans…….

The plane ride there found me drinking 3 alcoholic beverages.  *laugh*  A great way to start off.  I did make a good choice in food while on the plane though, and it was vacation after all.  One of the things I have found myself really taking to heart is asking myself, “Is this truly a special occasion that warrants a break from the normal?”  I believe a trip to Hawaii to celebrate my friend’s wedding, fits that description.  So drink I did!

As soon as we landed in Hawaii, I heard the gate agent for the next flight on the plan I was just leaving suggest 1st class upgrades for $100, and I thought to myself..”If that is all it is, then I am totally getting upgraded on my way home after running the marathon!”  And then off I went to enjoy my week in paradise!

Our rental house was amazing and one of the first things we did was hit a store where I could buy some protein drinks and some bananas.  At least I would have breakfasts taken care of for  me.  I can start my days off right!  Eating at the house all the time was wishful thinking, but I did have some sensible breakfasts and remained on my breakfast schedules.  I did snack healthy when I was there eating lots of fruits and veggies.  Three of the nights we were there, the “moms” made dinner for us “kids” and they were all healthy meals and I LOVED that!  But then there were the meals OUT.  I indulged in Boston Pizza (HUGE PIECES OF PIZZA), a yummy fish sandwich on the North Shore, a Hawaiian Shaved Ice on North Shore, BeniHanas, wedding cake, more alcohol, oh and a yummy donut thing at the finish line of the marathon!  All in all, I think I did pretty great with the food.  I decided to enjoy the things I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else and think sensibly. It worked out pretty well!

There was lots of beach time; walking in the sand for 1/2 a mile with bag filled with cameras and towels and water is hard work!  I got my exercise in! Hiking up the mud trail to a water fall was hard work and a great workout for balancing and core work (not to mention the steps).  There was lots of laughter which always works the abs.  Lots of shopping and walking around.  Lots of site seeing.  LOTS OF WALKING every day!

   

The Honolulu Marathon was amazing. I did not reach my goal of finishing in 7 hours.  Instead I opted to keep pace with my friend who was getting married at the finish line.  She was having a very difficult time, and I was there for her wedding. I can break a personal record anytime, but she is only getting married in Hawaii at the marathon once!  8 hours 5 minutes later we crossed the finish line and then promptly got her married!  I had a great time at the marathon.  There was about 3 hours in there where I was by myself and having one heck of a great time meeting new people.  I met a Marine who was doing the marathon and at every 2 miles stopped to do major exercises!  It was crazy!  He did the marathon and 500 burpees and 500 push ups!  I got to hug a Hawaiian Pooh Bear, get a picture with a Japanese Santa, and really push my limits and fears.  At the beginning of the race, my toes started to hurt something fierce and I started to bawl and cry thinking I would never finish this race, but I kept on going.  I didn’t come all this way to quit now!  I was there, and I was going to finish!  At about mile 10, I was on pace to finish in 7 hours, and I thought my friends Michelle, Darren and Cassie were ahead of me.  By this time, I had forgotten my toes and was having a great time.  But then my friends came up from behind me (they  had gotten stuck at a 30 minute porta potty break).  And they couldn’t run anymore..so I slowed down and kept pace with them.  All 4 of us finished the race together, and it was perfect.

      

The day after the marathon, I went snorkeling and did some hiking and I felt AMAZING!  I was able to run and up down the stairs at the rental house.  I didn’t even feel the 8 hour marathon!  Such a difference from my first marathon where I couldn’t even move for a week!  I can not even begin to describe how great it feels to be me right now!!!!

Finally, it was time to catch my flight home.  As soon as I got to the gate, I asked about 1st class upgrade.  They were packed.  No more room in 1st class.  So I waited with everyone else to board the plane.  And just before we began to board, a seat in 1st class opened up.  I ran to the counter and ended up having to do heads or tails with a guy, even though I beat him to the counter.  He won the toss.  But in the end, he gave it to me.  I got to ride 1st class from Honolulu to Seattle.  AMAZING!!!!!

So what’s next, you might ask?

All I want for Christmas is my 7 hour marathon pace. My family has agreed to support me on December 24th (Christmas Eve) as I run a solitary marathon. Just me, myself and I for 26.2 miles along the Boise Greenbelt!

Another Non-Scale Victory I forgot to blog about…but a MUST SHARE!

At the very beginning of this blog and journey, one of the things I said I wanted to do was release enough weight and get down to 200 (or below) so that I could take a pole dancing class!  For YEARS, I have seen shows on the benefits of pole dance exercising (builds upper body strength, flexibility, core strength,and let’s face it…it makes you feel sexy!)  But all of the “at home” poles had a weight requirement. The poles at the dance studios had a weight limit, and I was over it!  I had been for decades!

For the last few years, I have been watching the women from the Red Light Variety Show (a burlesque dance troop) dance and I would dream of one day being able to perform on stage doing burlesque.  I would watch Allison perform on the pole and she was gorgeous and powerful!  I wanted to FEEL that! Then Ophidia Studio  opened up and again I saw the weight limit.  However, as I started getting down in weight, I started looking at the studio and saw they offered so many other types of dance classes (including burlesque which is still on my “to do” list).  They started offering Party Power Sculpt which is right up my alley.  An hour of Top 40’s high energy dance music; its like a dance party with a bunch of your girlfriends (and the occasional really cool guy!)  I LOVE that class!!!  And I got to see one of the pole dance classes in the next room, and I would keep my eye on the price….ONE DAY SOON!

Now, you see, I am a firm believer in visualizing.  If you want to be able to “shop” in Victoria’s Secret (meaning wearing their bras and such) but need to release some extra “baggage”, then start going in there on a regular basis and FEEL what it will be like to be that size.  Maybe even buy something small that doesn’t require a size (like perfume).  Then you ARE shopping there, and soon if you continue working, you will be able to WEAR their stuff.  I’m not saying that visualizing alone will do it, but it will keep you in the right frame of mind and keep your goals at the forefront when you are tempted to give up.  Well, taking dance classes at Ophidia is just like that.  I might not have been able to take the pole dance classes, but I COULD take Party Power Sculpt!  I could surround myself with people who are empowered, beautiful and strong!  I could walk in and get a glimpse of these women taking their pole dances and know that one day that would be me!!!  I could be in that studio where every day women are becoming more empowered, physically and emotionally healthy and strong!  (You gotta walk into this studio to understand what I mean; there is no other place quite like Ophidia!)

My friend Michelle is getting married on December 11, and I decided to throw her a bachelorette party. We had to do it a month early cause of the holidays and I was getting VERY close to that 200# mark!  So I scheduled a private pole dancing party for our group at Ophidia with Allison!  I was so excited!  The Tuesday before the party was the day I stood on the scale and weighed in at exactly 200# which made me eligible to pole dance!  I had reached my goal just in time and got to celebrate with a amazing group of women!  We were there for Michelle, but I also got to see my own dream achieved!  Aside from the giggles and laughter from awkward moments, shyness, insecurities and *maybe* a bit of the bubbly I got to watch all of these women come out of their shells and feel empowered, beautiful and sexy!

Pole dancing is HARD WORK!!!!  I’ve seen many women do it and they make it look easy, but man on man is it difficult!  The upper body strength it takes to hold on to that pole and pull yourself up is crazy..especially when you weigh 200#!  *laugh*  The bruises you get on your inner thighs from holding on to that pole while you spin around is crazy!  I thought bruises from roller derby were bad; they are nothing compared to pole dancing!  *laugh*  Allison took us through some basic moves, from walking around the pole, to spins, to floor work and by the time she was done with us, we had several moves that would get us through a whole song and dance. There was alot of laughing and giggling going on, but once she turned the lights down low and put on a slow/slinky song, we were all business!  No one was watching us now, it was just us and the poles and we worked those poles.  Well okay, *I* worked mine (I wasn’t paying much attention to my friends).  It was absolutely the most incredible feeling!

I can only speak for myself, but I have spent my whole life longing to be that graceful figure on the stage (whether it was doing ballet or just walking the cat walk).  I wanted to be able to walk with my head held high *owning* the space I was in.  I wanted to FEEL that empowered sense of SELF.  I wanted to KNOW I was sexy from my core (and when I say “sexy”, I don’t mean what you see on the outside.  I mean what you FEEL on the inside.  Not the kind of sexy that goes out and seduces every creature she meets, but the kind of sexy who doesn’t NEED to seduce every creature she meets to know that she is sexy.)  I wanted to feel strong both inside and out. And there I was, on this pole.  I was hold it and walking circles around it. I was climbing on it and spinning. I was doing my dips.  I was doing my floor work.  I AM THAT SEXY BEING I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE!!!  I AM that woman who I always longed for and knew was there, but couldn’t find.  I AM empowered!  I AM beautiful!    I just can’t describe it in words.

What I can say is that I am not the only one who walked away with that feeling that night.  Several of my new found friends whom I just met that night were all ready to sign up and take more classes!  They had felt the same way!    It was  a workout!  We were sore, bruised and sweaty!  Our legs and arms were begging for mercy!  Our abs were talking to us.  But we all had smiles on our faces!  It was everything I had hoped for and so much more!  I can’t wait to go again, but for now, I have to.  Like I said, my friend Michelle is getting married December 11 in Honolulu, HI..at the finish line of the Honolulu Marathon, and a few of us pole dancers will be running that Marathon with her and witnessing her say her “I Do’s”  So for now, my focus is on finishing the crazy christmas season at work, and getting ready for this trip!  I leave December 6…3 days away!!!!!!  YIKES!  The Marathon is in 8 days!!!  DOUBLE YIKES!  That will be a whole different blog about a whole different empowering journey… let me give you a hint…  It will be my very first real distance race without my amazing husband as my road crew and support!  Talk about a growth experience for me!  Stay tuned!!!!