Just Plodding Along

aka the time I ran up and down a mountain for the last six miles of a marathon. But we will get to that. We started off the day by being brilliant and hitting the porto-loos on the course which happened to be on our way to parking. No lines for the win. But there was a line to get to the parking area. As the start time for the marathon approached Cat was kind enough to jump out with me and walk to the start while her hubs and the amazingly speedy Juli (Cat's running friend) parked the car. It was a beautiful morning for a run.  They ended up delaying the start by about 15 minutes due to parking delays. So we just hung out and waited to run. My general race plan was to go out slow and no music until after the half way mark in an effort to keep it easy and hopefully give me a boost as I got tired. I decided to walk through all the aid stops since I was not carrying any water myself. Overall this plan seemed to work pretty well.  The course was amazing. Along th...

When I got an email mentioning pizza, cupcakes, pastries and trail running I had an inkling we would be friends. When I arrived and this was waiting for me Gu instead of mints and a pile of running mags = cozy guest space for a runner I felt pretty solid about the friendship thing. But when we were trail running and she said "oh we should take a picture right here" and I knew exactly what she meant that pretty much sealed the deal Local Bay area wildlife So when an internet stranger invites you to come stay with them so you can run the Half Moon Bay Marathon the correct answer is yes. Okay well if Cathryn invites and you accept be prepared to have an awesome time! This weekend was full of trail running  Refueling Fish & Chips= perfect pre-race fuel? Well it was delicious  Exploring San Francisco, one of my favorite cities! Hanging in Half Moon Bay with my new friend Bart Yasso Oh and we also...

Back update: It is feeling better but not 100%. Lots of icing and resting and it is driving me crazy especially so close to marathon time. I feel like Half Moon Bay is going to be extra special. Not only do I get to hang with this awesome runner and her super cute family  but it will be a celebration of overcoming injuries. Since I have lots of energy since I am not running/ been hardly moving I decided to have an adventure day and explore around Columbus. First stop was Barnes and Noble. On my 22 mile run I talked with a runner about this magazine I had never heard of it before and can't wait to check it out. I found it in the sports section of the magazine racks. You can also order it online- 6 issues a year. I also grabbed this one I have never read it before and am thinking more trail running is something I would like to do in the future.  On the way home I stopped by Planet Pop to get some artisan popsicles...yeah seems kinda weird to me too but they a...

This morning I was motivated to go for broke and go for sixteen instead of ten miles. Not gonna lie. These were tough, hot and sweaty miles. But ever since I read Hungry Runner Girl's post We can do hard things  I have done a lot of thinking about my upcoming marathons and have decided to adopt her mantra as my own. I CAN DO HARD THINGS. Ever since getting injured and not being able to run for an extended period of time I have had a lot of self doubt about my ability to complete my upcoming marathons. After mile 12 the run got tough, it was hot, humid, I ran out of water, my shorts were so sweat soaked they were trying to come off, a gnat flew in my eye- oh the drama- but I stayed strong and finished. Self doubt is gone- today's run proved to myself that I am tough and I can do hard things and I will be able to run these marathons. Thanks Hungry Runner Girl for motivating me! Since we are telling the truth I must confess that  I got home made these and ate half the pan (...

Now that I have completed all of my running goals listed out under Bean's Goals  for your reading convenience I am in need of a new focus. I have gotten a few suggestions: 40 marathons before 40- this seems like a perfect fit number symmetry and all but that is a lot of freakin marathons. And marathons are hard so I am not ready to commit to that one. I will put it in the back pocket for now with the option to open that can of worms at a later date.  Triathlon- I swam in high school and do enjoy swimming although for some reason rounding up a suit, goggles, cap, towel and locating a swimming pool that is open at a time that is convenient for me to swim at seems to be a bit of a challenge at times. Of course the running part is pretty solid most days. It is just the biking. Currently I don't even own a bike, well I own a spin bike but I don't think that counts as it only has one wheel. I am also the world's worst biker. I fall. I fall hard. Usually on my face (th...

I have registered to run this Except the 2013 version And I have somehow convinced this very amazing runner to put up with me for a few days My Heart's Content I can't tell you how excited I am. I think I just peed myself a little. Running a marathon from my marathon bucket list- check Getting to run and hang with one of my all time favorite run bloggers and convince her that we are meant to be best friend's for life with a side of cupcake eating- double check. What is the most exciting thing to happen to you lately?

This past week I am been focusing on recovery and reading the Hansons Marathon Method Book. After running 19 miles this week I got the section that says do not run for two weeks after the marathon to fully recover.  I waited three days. Now I am second guessing myself- thinking I have messed up royally. Oh god I have killed my legs. So now because this book has freaked me out I am going to take it easy for another week. Maybe stick to walking and biking. A break is always a good thing. Hopefully keep me injury free. Which is a good thing because I have another marathon to run...... on Sunday. I broke another Hanson rule- signed up for another marathon while hyped up on endorphins and Gu. I am running Originally I was going to do the half but I couldn't resist the lure of trying 26.2 again. This time I want to work on pacing the first half (there are supposed to be pacers to there- general plan is to stick to the 10 min pacer for as long as possible) and staying st...