Sunday, May 24, 2009

9 Weeks to Bryce: Elizabeth

Run: 26.6 miles. Bike: 14.5 miles, plus 1 hour spin. Swim: 1100 m. Other: 1 hour.

Monday: A really hot 6.15 miles. 8:17 pace. I started a little late in the morning and I thought i was going to die it was so hot. I took the first two miles pretty easy and tried to pick up the pace a bit on the middle three (8:08, 7:55, 8:06) and just brought the last one in. I need to get these tempo runs under 7:30 if I want to break 1:37 at Bryce.

Tuesday: 14.5 mile bike ride. 17 mph. I was short on time, so I could only go for 15. I went with Ash and a friend of hers. We did a little loop in cliffdwellers that is new in the Tri. I tried to pick up the pace a bit on the way back since I was by myself.

Wednesday: 1 hour spin at the gym. Standard. Good.

Thursday:
  • Track workout. 2 x 200, 10 x 400, 2 x 200. A new guy, Dennis, has been coming at has some experience coaching, so I am letting him call the shots with distances and paces. We did the 200s in 47-48 and then, he wanted me to do the 400s in 1:38-140. I did them as follows: 1:37, 1:37, 1:36, 1:36, 1:35, 1:35, 1:34, 1:36, 1:29, 1:31. We purposefully picked up the pace on the last two. Then two more 200s right at :47. It was a great workout. Dennis gave me suggestions on how to get my half marathon time down like, doing my tread workouts at 1.0 incline and 8.1 mph. We'll see what I can do.
  • Lake Swim. 1100 m. It was very nice and I just took it easy. I didn't have my watch. Last week's swim turned out to be closer to 1200-1300 m. woohoo!!
  • Futsol.
Friday: Easy mile followed by a 1 mile race against my sister and niece and nephews. 6:23. I was surprised but it felt good. I would like to try to get my mile under 6:00 this summer, since I never broke 6 in high school.

Saturday: Awesomest run ever!! 10.5 miles up the La Verkin twist and Smith Mesa. First two miles nice uphill (10:15, 9:44) next three pretty flat (8:22, 8:10,8:35). The next three are straight up (11:30, 13:30, 14:30) but I kept my feet running. I finished the climb and started the descent (9:17) and continued the descent (7:25, 7:03). I went with a group and it was just fun. My average pace ended up at 9:59.

Monday, May 18, 2009

A Small-Town Girl Conquers Boston


The bliss of not knowing what is to come.
All pictures from marathonfoto.com


(This is an article I wrote about my experience in Boston. I wrote it for the local paper, thus the common person, not runner. Enjoy!)

April 20, 2009. Every thing I had done since last October revolved around what would happen on this day. And I mean everything.
I qualified for the Boston Marathon at the 2008 St. George Marathon in pouring rain and by less than two minutes. The pressure to qualify was oppressive. My husband had already qualified. The hotel was already reserved. My training said I could do it, but the rain and my head started to give me doubts. But I did it despite the pressure I felt and the pouring rain. After I crossed the finish line that October day, I thought could relax. I achieved what I had set out to do. Little did I know that I would not be able to relax for seven long months.
I qualified for the Boston Marathon. That meant I would actually have to run another marathon. Another 26.2 miles of my heavy pounding feet on hard asphalt. Another 26.2 miles of no nourishment besides Gatorade and jelly beans. Another 26.2 miles of listening to the voice in my head telling me to stay strong while the shooting pain in the rest of my body is telling me to quit.
But before I could even get to those 26.2 miles, I would have to first train hundreds of miles on rock hard asphalt, drink gallons of Gatorade and eat hundreds of jelly beans. I would have to teach my head and my heart to tough it out while trying to ease my body into the pain it would feel.
But I did it. I ran the miles every week. I trained my body to go far by doing long runs including two 20-milers. I trained my body to go fast by doing half-mile repeats at the track. I trained my body to run up hills and down hills, by running up and down hills.
April 20 came and I felt ready. I had put in the training. I had read dozens of articles on the Boston Marathon. I talked to friends who had run it before for advice. I listened to and read the words of encouragement from my friends and family. I had given my body and legs a rest the weeks coming in to the marathon. I had carb-loaded and skimped on the junk food. I checked and re-checked the forecast. I had even driven the marathon course, visualizing me running it. But nothing I could do, could truly prepare me for the experience of running the Boston Marathon.
Patriot’s Day in Boston turned out to be a cool morning with patches of clouds and noticeable wind, but not rainy as some of the forecasts had predicted. My husband and I awoke early, rode the bus up to the start line in Hopkinton with 26,000 other runners. We waited at Hopkinton High School with all the crowds. We waited for the porta-potties. We waited for the 10 o’clock start to roll around. We waited for it to warm up a bit. We waited for the porta-potties, some more. We waited for the sun to come out from behind the clouds. We waited while all this anticipation I had building up in me for seven months was starting to explode inside me. I just couldn’t wait anymore.
The call came over the PA system that I could start walking the one-mile to the start line, but I was still in line for a porta-potty. I finally made it through the line and started the nerve-wracking walk to the start. I just sort of followed the crowd, nervous and excited. I got to my corral (a fenced off area for 1000 runners about my same speed). Luckily, I didn’t have to wait in the crowded corral for long before it was my turn to start the race. I shuffled my feet with the other 2000 feet until we crossed the official start line and the shuffle turned into a slow jog as the crowd began to thin out.
Unlike The St. George Marathon, the crowd of runners never really thinned out the entire race. I was always running among a crowd. I had to watch where I was going and maneuver around every mile.
Also, unlike St George, the crowds of spectators never thinned out either. For close to 4 hours, my ears were bombarded with yells of support. I even wrote my name on my legs and shirt so total strangers could yell out my name, and they did. “Go Lizzie” floated to my ears every few minutes. I gave an energy-efficient thumbs up every time I heard my name. But when I got to Wellesley College, close the half-way point, if they called out my name, I couldn’t hear it because thousands of Wellesley coeds were screaming at the tops of their lungs for a half-mile section. Nothing could be heard but the high pitch yells of these girls holding up their signs offering free kisses. Loud, but awesome. A definite morale booster when my legs were starting to feel the fatigue of running 13 miles.
After Wellesley, the course got more difficult. The famous rolling hills of Newton began to take their toll on my quads which were very fatigued from the fast downhill miles at the beginning of the course. To be honest, the famed Heartbreak Hill at mile 20 was the easiest of the hills. I wasn’t even sure I was on it because it seemed so small. Although it didn’t seem very big, it still hurt.
It was at this point in the race that my legs pretty much wanted to quit completely. But the even larger crowds as I was getting into Boston proper continued to propel me through the miles. Running the last 10K of the course was one of the hardest things I have done in my life (and I have had three children au natural).
The rolling hills continued, the headwind off the harbor began to pick up, technically the finish was so close, but emotionally it was so far away. I began to look for my parents and my in-laws who had made the journey out to Boston to support my husband and me. I never did see them, but just knowing they were out in that crowd somewhere helped me.

They never saw me either because the guy in the tutu distracted them.

The fatigue and pain in my legs was getting worse. My form was deteriorating rapidly to a pathetic shuffle.

The thought of anymore Gatorade was nauseating. The familiar buildings of downtown did not seem to be getting any closer. I began to get passed by more runners than I was passing, including an older man decked out in a pink tutu and leotard. I stopped looking at my watch and focused just on getting through it. But soon enough, I was on the streets of downtown surrounded by the tall building and even bigger and louder crowds. The finish line was getting closer and after a couple of turns was in sight.


The last two-tenths of the last mile were glorious but excruciatingly painful. I willed my legs to move a little faster. I willed my arms to pump a little harder. I willed back the tears of exhaustion and joy. I even willed out a smile and victory thumbs-up as I crossed the finish line in 3:48:35. I don’t know what place I came in. I don’t know who beat me. I don’t know who I beat. Because the Boston Marathon for me, was not a race against the other 26,000 runners. It wasn’t even a race against the clock. It is a very personal race against the pain and fatigue, a personal race of hard work and diligent training, a personal race made better by the encouragement of friends and family, a personal race to overcome and conquer one of the world’s greatest marathons.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

10 Weeks to Bryce: Elizabeth

Monday: 5.34 miles. 9:15 pace.
My legs felt like lead. I was supposed to ready at 7:30 when Tom got home from his ride, I wasn't. I had to quickly get up and rush out the door. I think I need more time to wake up.

Tuesday:
  • 17 miles on bike. 16 mph. Ashley and I rode up the twist and back. It was great. I felt good going up the hill and am just getting super excited about riding more.
  • Strength training at the gym. Hard, but good.

Wednesday: Spin. My legs were tired, especially the hamstrings, so I kind of took it easy.

Thursday:
  • Track workout. 6 x 800s (3:21, 3:20, 3:19, 3:17, 3:18, 3:17) It felt great. Tony was there and a new guy from Leeds who really helped me push the pace. We had a good group of others as well.
  • Open-water swim at Sand Hollow. 30 minutes. I swam from the beach, following the buoys to the island and in a bit then back tracked. It felt awesome! I know I am slow, but if I can swim 30 minutes for an 800 or 1000m with zero training ( I have been in the water one time since last November) I have good hopes with some training.
  • Futsol. Luckily, we won by forfeit because I had no energy. I played the first half, but then just played goalie or defense for the second half.

Friday: 90 minutes p90X yoga with Cherie. Awesome!! It felt good, no cardio but some good strenght poses and I definitely worked my shoulders. I even followed the workout with 2 real pull-ups.

Saturday: Taught spin. Kind of a dud of a class. Only two people and one wore headphones and did her own thing the whole time. But Bonnie and I got a good workout reagrdless. I guess I need to come with more mainstream hip-hoppy music that these ladies will like. I was a bit discouraged, but oh well.

I am looking forward to getting in a couple of good runs, rides and at least one open water swim next week.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

11 Weeks to Bryce Half Marathon

Boston is done. But my race schedule is not over. We have many fun races planned this summer. The highlights include: Utah Summer Games Triathlon (Olympic Distance)on June 13, Bryce Half Marathon on July 18, maybe Kokopelli Triathlon on Septemeber 26, St. George Marathon on October 3 and I am thinking about doing a half ironman in Provo on August 15 or Bear Lake on August 29.

I am excited about all the races and will train for each of them, but I am really trying to peak at the Bryce Half so I can beat my sister, Rachel. I have never beat her in a running race where she wasn't pregnant, but I plan to in July.

Monday
Turbo kick at the gym. Great workout.

Tuesday
20 mile road ride with Ashley. A great ride to get me back on the bike. We road out past the airport and through Sky Ranch. Average speed: 16 mph.
This will hopefully be a regualr thing at 6:30 am. All are welcome.

Wednesday
Track workout. 3 x 1600 (6:41, 6:57, 7:34) with 400 RI. Wow! That was a hard workout. We had a great turnout, but it was a million degrees. I felt pretty good on the first and not so good on the second. I thought I was going to die on the third, but I made it, barely. This will be our last night one for a while. We are switching to the morning. Tom will lead a 6:15 workout and I will lead a 9:15 one. Hopefully we get some folks out.

Thursday
  • Rode to spin and strength at the gym. Alicia taught a great 40 minutes of spin followed by 20 minutes of arms.
  • 300 m swim at the lake. First open water swim sine last September. Felt good. I was a bit panicky on the way out, but got in a groove on the way back. I want to make this a weekly thing. But I need my own wetsuit.
  • Ward Futsol. Awesome game and a great workout. We won by forfeit, but were able to play a great, fun game.
Friday
Rest

Saturday
21-mile ride with Ty. We rode from Toquerville, through Leeds to the turn-off to Harrisburg. What a great route. There is a nice climb into the wind out of Toquerville, followed by a nice fast few miles thorugh Leeds. A few little climbs, but mostly downhill. Then, the way back is a nice long climb with some steeper sections followed by the super fast descent into Toquerville.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Hurricane Half Marathon Race Report



I have written up a Boston race report, but it is on my computer which is currently unavailable at my brother's house, so I will just have to post about the Hurricane Half, first.

It was a good race. The forecast called for rain, which was crazy because it had been so nice all week, but lately, all races we are doing have rain in the forecast. I really didn't know what to expect running a race 12 days after Boston. My legs felt good, but I just didn't know if my body had recovered at all.

I took it easy the week and a half between the two races. To be honest, I don't remember what I did. The Saturday before I did 6.5 miles at a 8:13 pace and it felt pretty good. My legs were definitley fatigued by the end, but they weren't rubber. I also did a short track workout the Wednesday before (4x400 at 1:26-1:27). They felt good.

So the rain started at about 3:30 am the day of the race. I woke up to and thought, oh great a whole 13.1 miles in pouring rain. but by the time I awoke at 5:00, the rain had stopped. The weather turned out to be ideal: overcast, mild temps in the low 60s and nice clean air without pollens floating around to agravate my allergies.

The race began at 6:30, with a bus ride at 5:40. I am not used to the early morning runs yet, but it wasn't too bad.

I wore shorts, tank, and arm warmers. Perfect choices. No gloves or ear warmers needed.

I started the race with a couple of friends. Carol wanted to run around 1:45. I wanted to beat her because I barely beat her last year after she had just run Boston. she and I have friendly competitions every race we do together. She is 45 and has 5 or 6 kids, but is amazing. It makes me feel super strong if I can beat her. Shelly wanted to stick with me as long as she could in her debut half. She is going to try to qualify for Boston at the St. George Marathon this year. She was really fast in college but has had triplets since then and is just getting back into competing. I stuck with them for a while but slowly gained a bit of ground on them.

My first few miles were good, under 8 minute pace. I had a few slow miles our of Virgin, but picked up the pace back down the La Verkin twist.I realized I was not going to make my very optimistic goal of 1:40, but decided to keep trying for under 1:45. My IT band was a bit tight, but I just kept trying to keep my miles under 8. No woman passed me the entire race. One passed me, but I passed her right back. I passed two that repassed me.

The last mile, I really tried to pick up the pace. I passed a few guys that made comments (nice ones) and I just kept going. The last 100 yds onto the high school track were fun. One of the guys I passed decided he didn't want to let me beat him, so he starts sprinting. As soon as I realize what he is doing I pick it up. I am surprised I had that much left in me, but I catch back up to him and I think I outleaned him at the line, but that is debateable.

I finished in 1:42:23, a 3-minute PR over last year. The course was a little short this year, but I will still take it. I was very happy and now will work toward 1:37 (eeeek!) at the Bryce Half in July.

Here are a bunch of our running buddies that did the race.