I just wanna RUN!

And I can't. Or haven't been able to. It's been a week. Deb has ran. Deanna has ran. But when I try to run it feels like lead legs. Thump. Thump. Thump. And it hurts.

I did yoga in Tuesday and even that was a bit uncomfortable. It felt good. But it was uncomfortable.

Thursday I was hoping to run. But the moment my feet hit the track and my mind tried to get them to go, I felt every step I took. So I walked. Pretty fast too. Two laps around the outer part of the Rec Center. I hate the rec center track. Maybe that's why I couldn't run.

Maybe my body isn't ready to run.

This morning I went to the gym with BFFAE. She on the elliptical. Me on the dreadmill. I was determined to try this again. And I tried. And I failed. At least in the running. I did walk 4 miles in an hour. And bumped the incline up to 7 for 1/2 mile at a 4 speed. And up and down a little for about a mile. It felt good. But running. Yeah not so much. Dead legs. Thump. Thump. Thump. And it wasn't just my legs. My whole body felt blah.

I am so discouraged. I feel like a failure. And I know I am not. But I do. Let me break it down for you....
For the last 13 weeks or so all I have done is run. Run. Run. Speedwork. Long runs. Hills. Tempos. Thirteen+ weeks of running and training. And all of a sudden it hurts?! I. Do. Not. Understand. Ok. I do. To a degree. My body needs to rest and recuperate. My head knows it doesn't have to get up and run. It knows it doesn't have to train. It knows it can rest. And it needs to rest. But come on! I'm not looking to run 6 miles. Heck I'd settle for 3! Geez! Even 1 mile would be an accomplishment.

I've been told I need to rest. I've been told I'm being too hard on myself. I've been told that sometimes the recovery time is 1 day for each mile. So 13 days for me. And I know all this. But it is still hard. It is gut wrenching actually.

I can't really remember when I first ran after the Cap City Half in May. Maybe if I could remember I would feel better about this situation I am in.

Regardless, I have enjoyed not waking up at o'dark thirty this week. At least not to an alarm I set on my phone. My internal alarm clock has yet to shut off. It's still waking up at 430. Thinking it has to run. But I easily fall back asleep. So I am catching up on my sleep. Which is good. I'm also catching up, slowly, on the other things I need I do around the house.

I miss my running buddies too.

I may not be able to run, but I'm gonna walk. And walk fast. Until I can run again. Hopefully in another week!

I do have another race to train for! HOT CHOCOLATE 15k in November! But I'm fairly trained, I just want to be sure I can run!

So run for me. Send me your good vibes. Maybe I will be running next week. Or the week after. But I will be back out there. With a vengeance too!

Run. Strong. NOW! ;)
-t-

Race Day, Part I

It's Sunday night. I am back home. I am exhausted! So here is Part I of race day!!!

IT. WAS. AMAZING!

I didn't sleep great, but I slept. Rise and shine at 4:15am so that I can get a shower to loosen the muscles, eat some breakfast and be ready when Deanna and her family come to pick me up to head to my dad's and then down to the start line.

I have everything I need. Bondi Band. Fit Belt stocked with GU. iPod nano. iPhone with a fully charged battery. Headphones. Lucky socks on the right feet. Bib filled out and attached!

LET'S DO THIS!!!

Of course when we get down to the race and start walking to our start zone, my stomach wakes up and it seems like all 15,000 race participants stomachs did too. Get what I am saying. O.M.G. Enough said. Glad I wasn't the only one. 

There are so many people there. I am completely overwhelmed. So. Many. People. It was so cool though.

Half, Full, Relay!

We get split from my dad and Deb but eventually find them and so glad I did! Also got to see my dad's relay members too! I actually babysat the one guys son, who is also running a leg of the relay. Craziness I say! 

Dad and I split off from Deb and go back up to the "slower" paces. My dad is going to start with me. So is Deanna. Makes me so happy. My biggest fear was starting alone. I was okay with running it alone, but I just didn't want to start there. Plus I wanted to see the look on Deanna's face! It was her first 1/2! 

Steinbrunner Family!

We get a couple of pics. Life is good. 

Race starts. Totally different from the Cap. It's not started in waves, they shoot the gun and you just start going. It's just this big pack of people. 15,000 to be exact. There was a firework show when the gun started for the wheelchair racers. 

So, we go. Turn the corner. And I don't see my dad. He is fast too. So proud of him.  

Cross the start line and Deanna hears someone yell my name! I look over and there's my mom and Terry with a sign that says "GO TAMI GO!" That was sooo cool! I was so happy to see them down there.

Head over the bridge, mile 1 is complete. I start to slow down because the pack of people is thinning out. I still have 12.1 miles to go. I don't want to overdo it at first. I nod to Deanna to go ahead. I'm good. Have fun. Run. Strong. And we are off.

I am still working out the kinks by about mile 2.5 but I'm getting into my groove. Come back up the hill after the bridge and my stomach, well, it's not cooperating. I see my mom and Terry again. Okay. This is okay! I smile, mouth to my mom what is happening, but keep going.   Low and behold mile 4-5 there is another water break and a port-a-john. Kinda funny. At the Cap City, I made BFFAE stop at that exact point because I had to go to the bathroom! LOL! And there we were in an awesome groove too!  Go figure. I stop my Garmin, get my water, go to the bathroom. Feeling better. Text BFFAE to let her know what just happened (she will laugh!) and start at it again. And when I start again, it doesn't hurt. I honestly was feeling great. I know, I know. It's only mile 5.

But mile 5 turns to mile 7 and I know my family will be somewhere between miles 6-7. And they are there! OH, I needed to see them. I first see Nate and Kate (my adorable niece) running towards me. I am so excited. I have dreamed about this moment...when my son sees me running and I get to hug him! And it comes true! And as a bonus, I get to hug my niece too. And then my sister and brother-in-law, and my "other" sister Trisha and her son Blake too! My own little cheering squad! It was so cool. Get a couple quick pictures and start again. Only to yell back to them "do you have any water?" "No." "Any tissues?" "No." UGH! Next time, I will make sure they are more prepared for me at the next race! :)

Water station is ahead. I am so happy! I just want to walk a minute. Training Planner Cult Lady advised me to walk thru the water stations. It's okay. It will save me for the end. So I do. And I am fine with it. It actually worked too. And I didn't regret stopping. I thought that if I stopped it would be hard to start up again, but it wasn't. It was actually easier. I also walked the few hills in there. And glad I did. I couldn't risk an injury or fatigue. 

Thru the University of Akron. That was kinda cool. There were random people that would make a tunnel for you to run thru and high five! And it was downhill. There was a lot of downhill coming up. We cross back over the start line. There's my mom and Terry again! So GREAT to see them again. So I stop and hug them! I needed the hug. And I keep going. Back across the Y-Bridge. I tell myself to run across the bridge. Run. The. Bridge. So I did. I dug deep and I ran it. Turn the corner and it's a hill. I walk it. Just till it levels off. And then I will run again. For a block. The next turn is onto a brick road. And ironically enough it's around mile 10-11...just where the brick/cobblestone road was on the Cap....and it's a downward slope. I run it anyway. 

Turn the corner. MORE WATER!!! Back across the bridge 3 turns and I am FINISHED!!! I snap a quick picture. I need some help. I send it to BFFAE and tell her the "Last leg..." I know by sending her this picture, that she would get it and it would mentally push me! And it did. Life is getting good. Run across the bridge. Walk up the little hill. And get ready to finish strong. 

I can't really tell you what is going thru my head at this point. I keep looking at my watch and doing the time in my head. I think I might just make it to my goal time. I just might make it. I'm gonna have to push it. And I do. Because the last 1/2 mile or less is FULL of people. They are all cheering. The 1/2 marathoners are mixing in with the full marathoners now on Main Street. It's kinda cool!  I see the entrance to the stadium.  

OMG! This is my BIG FINISH!!!

Turn the corner into the Akron Aeros Baseball Stadium and it is such a rush. The stadium is full! I take off my headphones so I can take it all in and I can't hear a thing. My head is spinning with words of encouragement from everywhere! It's almost like I can hear everyone back at home cheering me on! It's sooooo crazy! I hear my cow bells and turn my head and there is my entire family shouting and screaming! I start to tear up (just like I am now writing this!) They are all there. I have an official cheering squad. I look over and see Deanna! Thank goodness! She FINISHED!  I raise my hands and SMILE! I hope they caught that smile and not the tongue hanging out of my mouth at that last 400 meters!  

THE RACE DIRECTOR SHAKES MY HAND!!! He does this every year to every one! Can you imagine?!?!?! Pretty amazing story of this guy and how he started this race 10 YEARS AGO!!!

Waters are being handed to me. I just keep walking. OMG! I did it again. I did it solo. I DID IT! I CAN DO ANYTHING NOW! 

Go thru to get my medal....they put it around my neck!   Then one of those "heat" blankets, you know, the solar plastic/metal/hell I don't know what it is but it looks so damn cool!  It says "AKRON MARATHON FINISHER"  Deanna greets me!

WE DID IT!!! 

This was just so amazing.

So, my official finish time.....in case you didn't track it.....3:02.36  

My training time was for a finish of 2:35. I was going to be happy with a finish time of 3 hours or under. I will take the 2 and half minutes over the goal of 3 hours. Why? Because I had to stop for the bathroom. I stopped to hug my biggest fan, my son. I stopped for pictures with my family! And mostly, because it was a PR for me. My first 1/2 was 3:35. I am just happy. 

I will give ya more of the post-race and more pictures in the next post. I am tired. I am probably forgetting a lot too! 

Thank you to everyone for all the FB cheers, posts, texts, good thoughts, encouraging words, during the race! It really pushed me! And every single of you were on the run with me in my thoughts!!!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Run. Strong. Soon I promise!

-t-

Shout-Outs!

I've been thinking about this post since I started training for this half. Actually it was probably before the training actually started. I thought about who I was gonna give the biggest shout-outs and thanks to when race day was upon me. And it's not that everyone doesn't get a shout out because YOU ALL DO for believing in me. For following me on this journey this time around. For giving me the encouragement when I was down. But there are some specific shout outs that I just need to put out there...

First, Boss Lady and Training Planner Cult Lady.... One piece of paper 8 months ago changed my life. Not only did you "make" me do my first half marathon, but you have encouraged me to do another and soon another and then again probably another! You have taught me how to do speedwork, shown me that I can run 5 Fabulous Farrell Road hill repeats, make it through my long runs, try a new exercise, and just been a friend. Thank you for getting me "hooked"! Thank you for the awesome gift! The towel will come in handy on those HOT RUNS next summer!

Cristen, you have been on just about every single one of my runs. From short to long, to Fabulous Farrell to BHS for speed and bleachers. You have trained as hard as I have and didn't even know you. You've shown me how to step outside my comfort zone because you stepped out of yours. Thank you. I am so glad to have found a friend in you....and maybe a MIL down the road (wink!)

Kelly, your humor has made me laugh thru so many runs. Story upon story of your crazy life made what I was doing seem like it was nothing. It has been a journey and I am so glad to have shared it with you. And I haven't forgotten that you will being running in the next half with me!

Dr Pat...the ahhhhhhmazing Dr. Pat! Honestly, today's visit was my favorite! I really needed the humor you provided and above all else the confidence that you spoke to me. I know I got this. But hearing it from you made me believe it. You've helped my ass so much! (pun intended!) But in all seriousness, you are a great doctor who treats their patients like they are your friend. Your office staff is always so friendly and welcoming (and NO Cassie did not tell me to tell you that!) Thank you for believing in me!

And last but not least, BFFAE. I'm sad we aren't running this together. At least not physically. Mentally and emotionally you will be out there with me. And I can't wait to call you when I'm done and tell you all about it and compare it to the Cap! We will always have Cap! And we will RUN INDY! I owe you for this crazy running journey you sent me on 2 years ago with a 5k! It's been a ride! And it's only gonna get better! Some day I am going to beat you! ;-). Some. Day.

I am sure I am forgetting someone. Actually, I think I know who. But I will save that for another post. Probably an expo post!

Until tomorrow...

Run. Strong. Sincere thanks!
-t-

Last run before the big day!

And it was the hardest run yet! Not only on my body, but just trying to get it in! The plan was to go Wednesday morning since Nate had football games Wednesday and Thursday night. I also wanted to get it in 2 days pre-race so that my body could fully recover. AND, I was to see Dr. Pat on Thursday so I wanted to make sure it was done so he could work out the last kinks!  Well, Wednesday morning it was going to rain. So we postponed until Wednesday night after the football game. Should be able to run by 7:45! That was the plan. Success. Shelly was already out running so I pick her up as she is running to my house; scramble over to Katie's in a stalking fashion to kidnap her; Kelly is waiting at the Rec. She sends me a text. She has been watching the radar. It is going to dump on us in a matter of minutes. It's only 2 miles. We can do 2 miles. We will run fast. We will get wet. It will be fun. Those are the mantras running thru my head. And a quick prayer to my grandmother.

Power walk out of the Rec Center to the un-asphalt area and begin run. No headphones. No phone. The pitter of the rain falling. The cars splashing by. It was soothing. I am achey. I feel like I have a wooden peg for a right leg. Work it out. Work it out.  Half way down Stone Quarry, hobble gone. I am running. Feels good. Katie and Shelly are laughing (I think they had a little too much wine prior to this run...it was a spontaneous run after all...)  All that I can think about is not falling, tripping, wiping out! I just want to be done!  It's only 2 miles.

Down to the bottom of Stone Quarry. Turn around and back up we go. It's a small hill. I go slow. I stop. I walk. All I hear is Dr. Pat telling me to walk the hill. Walk the hill. Okay. Okay. Fine. Walk it. It's not going to kill me to walk. Up the hill and back at it I go!

And we are done. Last run before I have to go 13.1 miles. 

We smile. Get our picture taken. Then me. Like my Bondi Band? NAMASTE. Thank you Kelly! Oh, and nice DUCK FACE Katie! LOL

Me, Kelly, Shelly, Katie

This run was special. Inge, the Swedish trainer, aka Shelly, was on this run with me. If you recall from my first half, Inge did some runs with me. She helped me thru my first training. So to have her on my last run for this half was really cool. I think I just teared up...  Thanks Shelly.

I am going to miss my BFFAE on Saturday. I am going to miss my running buddies Cristen, Kelly, Katie, Lisa. I am going to miss Boss Lady and Training Planner Cult Lady. But they will all be with me as I make this run. I will have all the fun memories, like a slide show, playing in my head. I can almost see it now.   

More to come today and tomorrow leading up to Saturday.... The ahhhhhmazing Dr. Pat, Race Prep, Expo, FUN STUFF!!!!

Run. Strong.

-t-

And we are here....

http://www.akronmarathon.org/runner-tracking/

The above site is where you can track me via text, email, FB. If I haven't already registered you, have it at!

Expo was AWESOME!!!!! I love expos. All these people in one place for a common thing. To run. Whether it was 13.1 or 26.2 or Relay. It is bonding. I was pretty giddy. Deanna was too! And we spent some money. Not a lot. But enough. Found some cool sunglasses which I hope to get for Christmas. Added more bondi bands to my collection. Got a cool 13.1 Tshirt. Some ideas for gifts! I could have spent a lot of money!!!

We got a little crazy taking pictures too! But it was sooooo cool! Deb is a "Founder". The Akron Marathon is in its 10th year! This is the 10th time Deb has ran it, however, the first time she was part of a relay team. So she doesn't count it. Whatever. She's done this race for 10 years. And this year it almost didn't happen due to an injury and then surgery and just being released 5 weeks ago to run. So like the C25K program, she has gone from "mush to marathon" in 5 weeks. She's not looking to PR. She is just thankful that she can do it. I believe in her. It's pretty awesome!

My dad is running in the first leg of the Marathon Relay. Then jumping on his bike to catch up with Deb! He does this every year. I am going to get him to run a half with me sometime. I just think that would be the coolest thing ever. But even seeing him on his bike while I'm out there is gonna be pretty awesome too!

Check out the car! My name was on it! EVERY RUNNERS NAME IS ON IT! Sooooo freaking cool!!!

Deanna and I were joking earlier about her missing the split from the halfers to the fullers. See, at the Cap this past spring she ran the quarter marathon. And when that split from the halfers she almost missed it! Can you imagine missing the split between the half and the full!!?!?!! Oh hell no!!!

I was able to play with my niece and Nate tonight before I had to hibernate. They were racing. It was soo cute! I can't wait to see them cheering me I tomorrow. Before I left, Nate says to me, "Good luck mom. You got this! Im proud of ya". I wanted to stand there and big him forever! I've been feeling guilty the last week or so that I haven't spent much time with him. And when I relay this guilt to him he says "you run at 430am I am sleeping. It's fine!" And I know he's right. But hearing him say he's proud of me really melted my heart! You always hope your children take after you. I hope he picks up the running bug when he sees his mom running tomorrow. Love you Nate!

And that's that. I'm tired. But excited too. Bad combo when you have to go to sleep and get up in 8 hours.

I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Thank you to each one of you for all your support and encouragement! You will all be out there tomorrow with me!

Run. Strong.
-t-

Inspiration and Motivation

I have been repeating this to myself for the last week or so...it's just what I need to remember...

It TOTALLY changed my life! And for the better. I love to run. It does make be smile.

I actually said this to myself on Saturday. My legs were fine. My head just wasn't in the game. So I stop and walk for a minute and I am back at it. I will not let my head give up.

This couldn't be farther from the truth. I have made some AHHHHHMAZING friends on this journey. Most of them were already friends, but I have gotten to know them so much better. Some of my training would not have been completed without them beside me. And the journey with YOU has been the best part ever!

My co-worker/friend CAF in Waltham, MA sent me a special care package yesterday. She is so sweet...always doing things like that...Anyhow, here is what she sent me....the pasta was wrapped up and had a note written on it "FOR PRE-RACE PREP AND MOTIVATION"  There was also a card for POST RACE! I can't wait to read that!!!

THANKS CAF!!!

I think I can. I think I can. I KNOW I CAN!

Run. Strong.
-t-

Last speed workout for the Akron Half!

Last speed workout of this training season! 4x400's....Check!

Not too shabby on the time...

2:13

2:17

2:16

2:24

I will tell you that the first time I did speed work on July 25th, my times were as follows:

2:30, 2:22, 2:18, 2:25

And then....6x400's on August 14th... 2:27, 2:22,  2:30, 2:29, 2:30, 2:26 And then again....6x400's on September 6th....2:14, 2:14, 2:20, 2:24, 2:28, 2:26

So, yeah, not too shabby. I think it's fair to say that I have been consistent and maybe even improved a little. I will take it. Seeing the improvement boosts my confidence for the race. Realizing that I have worked hard for this is good for my soul.

The run was good. Thank you to Cristen, Kelly and Katie for getting up at o'dark 5am and braving the freezing cold with me. That was probably harder than the run itself...although I will say that the run in the cold was not much easier.  Next time, we are going to "snake" the field!

I wanted my last picture of speed work at the track on the "B" at the stadium field this morning, but it was dark....but you get the idea...

A little additional information regarding the PR this past weekend...As I said, this was our 3rd year at this race, and it was confirmed because I did not see our names in the race results for 2009.  But I looked up my times from 2010 and 2011; 46:29 and 46:17, respectively. WOW! Can you say ~9 minute improvement in a year?!?!?!?! 

Yeah, I'm a little stoked about that!

Today, sitting at my desk a BIRD HIT MY WINDOW! Freaked me out. I immediately Google it to see the meaning behind that because someone said it was bad luck, ahem, Andrea. Well, it doesn't necessarily mean bad luck or death. It could mean that an end is coming to suffering, to our own personal inquiry to heal ourselves; to a relationship that is not serving us in a good way; a job that is upsetting us... I am going to interpret this as a sign that my training is coming to an end and a new door is opening...gosh, I hope it isn't the door to a full...

And now for some motivational video that I plan to watch at least once a day... I have already watched it twice today. Training Planner Cult Lady posted this link for me on our FB page cRaZy LeGs....  Maybe, the most inspirational video ever . . .

And I am going to post a blog later with all my favorite running motivational banners/pictures/whatever they are called things.

Tempo and maybe some hills (walked of course) on Wednesday. Then I am resting, resting, resting....

If you have any motivational works or words of encouragement you would like to share with me, feel free to email them, post them here, or on my FB page, or text me...I welcome all your encouragement!

Run. Strong.

-t-