Mankato Marathon Half 2013

I've tried to sit down and write this several times.  Problem is, I'm in the middle of a flare with whatever my (yet undetermined) health  issues are.  When I'm flaring, I have huge problems with brain fog, and the words just don't flow or even make sense in my head.  So, three weeks later, here is my race report...

Up until the day before the race, I wasn't sure I was going to run.  But I went and picked up my packet, figuring if I really felt terrible in the morning, I could still back out.  The projected forecast wasn't making me want to tough it out either... 35 degrees and raining... sounded like a miserable almost 3 hours to me.  (Neither the weather or my time were that bad, but more on that later.)

I slept fitfully, as is the norm for me the night before a race.  When I got up at 5:30, the weather was looking a little more promising... it had already rained and it looked like any more would hold off at least until the final miles.  It was still cold, but I was prepared for cold with the throwaway clothes I had purchased at Goodwill the day before. I got dressed, had my coffee, a Hammer bar, and some Skratch hydration drink.  I also made sure I prepped a garbage bag with head and arm holes to put in my jersey in case it decided to rain during the race. 

We all piled into the car, and my friend's mom drove us to the race start.  This is a point-to-point race and in previous years I have parked at the finish and taken the shuttle.  Having a driver that is not running (Sharon had run the 5K the night before), is a huge bonus as she took us right to the start and we got to sit in the warm car until just before the start! 

Given my lack of training, my plan for this race was to Galloway my way to the finish.  I planned to run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute, and make my walk breaks longer at the end as needed. 
I have a bad habit of making a race plan and then not sticking to it... feeling good at the beginning and going too hard, then crashing.  I knew that if I was going to make it through this race, I NEEDED to stick to my plan. I predicted I would finish between 2:45 and 2:50, with worst case being at 3 hours. 

I missed the first walk break... just wasn't paying attention to my watch and suddenly the mile marker was ahead... too quickly.  I did get one walk break in just before that first mile marker, but I reached the first mile in 10:44.  Way too fast considering what I had been able to run in training.  With walk breaks, I should have been closer to 12 minutes per mile.  I worried that if I didn't slow down, I would bonk early. 

But I have a hard time slowing down once my body has set its pace.  And I didn't slow down significantly until mile 11.  (The slower miles in the beginning are due to water stops not being at my scheduled walk break or because 3 scheduled walk breaks fell within the mile.)
Mile 2: 10:51
Mile 3: 12:06
Mile 4: 11:12
Mile 5: 11:05
Mile 6: 10:51
Mile 7: 11:55
Mile 8: 11:22
Mile 9: 11:56
Mile 10: 11:12
Miles 11 & 12: 24:23
Last 1.1 miles: 13:18
Finishing time:  2:30:20

I really worried those first few miles that I wouldn't be able to sustain it, that I would get to X-miles and crash and burn.  It's happened before and it's happened at this race...  But I just kept going, sticking to the plan.  I didn't skip any more walk breaks.  I did run a little longer interval if it would benefit me (i.e., there's a hill one minute ahead so I ran 5 minutes instead of four so I could walk up the hill) but I did get all of my walking time in. 

I was surprised at every mile that I was doing as well as I was and still feeling ok.  Don't get me wrong, this was one of my slowest half-marathons, and had I been trained, I would have been disgusted that I was going so slow and walking so much.  But I wasn't in good shape, I wasn't properly trained, I've had a ton of health challenges the past couple years, yet my body was performing beyond my expectations.  I was thrilled! 

I realized at about 10 miles that I had a real shot at breaking 2:30.  I concentrated on this for the last few miles, gambled by taking my last full walk break.  Arguing with myself in my head... did I really need that last walk break?  Hard to say... a walk break can be incredibly rejuvenating and I was able to finish strong.  I expressed discouragement at having finished just over 2:30, for which my husband shot me a dirty look.  I told him he hasn't been running long enough, he just doesn't understand ;)  Really I was thrilled to have finished 15 minutes faster than I had realistically expected! 

I also tried out new fuel for this race.  I know, don't try anything new in a race, but I hadn't been able to do any long training runs that would allow me to try it out.  Besides, I knew I wasn't going for a PR, this race was simply about survival. 

About 2 years ago, I started having fueling issues, my stomach just shutting down somewhere between 8 and 10 miles.  Anything ingested after that, even just plain water, would just sit in my stomach and I would be bloated and miserable, not to mention that I wasn't absorbing any of my carbs for fuel. 

I've been carrying a handheld since my race GI issues started, allowing me to get a sip of fuel every mile for a more constant stream of energy instead of having to wait until water stops to suck down a gel.  I've experimented with all sorts of products in my bottle, and this time I finally found one that worked.  I used Skratch Labs Hydration Mix in my bottle and ate Sharkies energy chews.  I carried extra pouches of the drink mix in the pocket of my handheld, mixing more at a water station when I ran out.  (I used 2.5 servings for this race.)  I've been using Sharkies before a long swim for a while, but never tried them on the run as I have trouble chewing things during a race.  I discovered quickly that chewing them wasn't going to work for me, so I started swallowing them instead.  Again, a little bit every mile (1-2 sharks per mile starting at mile 5).  I had also eaten most of a package just prior to the race.  For the first time in 2 years, I had no GI issues in the race!  But it was only one race, so I will be trying it out again before swearing that this regimen was the solution to my problem.  (Also, of note:  Skratch Labs has a hydration mix that is meant to be consumed hot:  Apples and Cinnamon.  It was a real treat to have a thermos of nice warm apple hydration drink waiting for me at the finish on a cold day!)

I was extremely glad I decided to run this race.  It restored my faith in my body, reminded me that muscle memory is a wonderful thing, and gave me hope that I will be able to complete the next race I am registered for even if my health doesn't fully cooperate with my training:  Sedona Marathon Half on February 1.  Warm, sunny Arizona in the middle of the winter... anyone want to join me? 

Half-Marathon This Weekend (...maybe)

After my last post (On Not Giving Up), I had a week or so where I felt great!  I was able to walk or run every day and was feeling hopeful for the Mankato Marathon Half.

I registered for this race waaay back in January when they had a discount.  I was POSITIVE I would be back in running shape well before now.  A couple weekends ago when I was feeling good, I pulled out a 6-mile run/walk without too much difficulty.  My legs recovered quickly (LOVE my compression gear, and give it all the credit for this!)  Based on that, I figured I could do one more long run/walk between then and the race, fill in with some short runs and walks, and be fine.  Certainly not my best, but I'd be able to put in the miles.  I really don't want to give up on this race.

Then last week, my symptoms started flaring again.  Friday, I could hardly move and everything hurt.  A back-to-my-new-reality kick in the pants.  If I feel like I did Friday, there is no way I will be able to run.

The Mankato Marathon Half is in 6 days.  I am still planning to run/walk IF I feel good.  If I don't feel that great, I have a friend that is walking the race, I will drop back and walk with her.  If I feel REALLY BAD, well, I'll have a decision to make and the rational me knows that the best decision in that situation would be to not do the event at all.

There will be a lot of finger-crossing between now and Sunday... I just want to run!!!

On Not Giving Up...

I've been off the radar for a while in the land of endurance sports.  I was ashamed to  post my measly 3-mile runs that take far longer than I'd like and most days, feel like a death march.  I've been ashamed to admit that, even more recently, some days I've been reduced to walking for exercise.  I've been ashamed to say that there are days I feel barely capable of getting out of bed and feeding myself and my 3-yr old, let alone doing any form of exercise.  Two years ago, I had earned a shiny new marathon PR and my first 70.3 finish.  How can I admit to the world that I can hardly exercise these days?  How can I possibly be a positive representative for endurance sport and a GOTRIbal Ambassador? 

The answer hit me just the other day.... by not giving up. By not letting my health issues define me.  By getting up and going out that door, even if it is just a walk, on the days I can.  My message to others was always "do what you are capable of right now" yet here I was expecting myself to do far more.  Being a GOTRIbal Ambassador and promoting the endurance sport life doesn't mean I have to run marathons or complete Ironman triathlons.  Being a GOTRIbal Ambassador means leading by example and letting others know that it is okay to start where you are RIGHT NOW.  

There are a lot of walks in my near future, a lot of easy yoga, and some very slow running.  Yes, someday I hope to be back running marathons and maybe even training for an Ironman.  But for now I will take my own advice... I will start where I am today. 

Finally, a diagnosis... sort of.

I don't share much of how I feel, physically, on the blog.  The main reason I've not posted regularly in quite a while is because, frankly, I feel like crap most days and really, no one wants to hear me complain all the time.  Training has been non-existent and when I feel I can do a little something, it takes me days to recover. 

I've been seeing doctors since late fall 2012 and just finally am starting to get somewhere.  In July, I was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).  That diagnosis was confirmed with a recent visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. 

It feels good to be getting somewhere, but my GI doc doesn't think the EoE is responsible for all my symptoms.  I've been through a battery of screening tests, but everything else comes back negative so far. (Which is good, don't get me wrong, but I'd really like some answers!) Also, I think the meds may be making me feel worse (something I will be discussing with my doctor very soon!)

So that's where I am... I am beyond frustrated at how little training I feel I can do.  I am angry that food has become my enemy, and that I may never find my personal triggers for this disease.   I am sad that I now, at age 37, have a chronic disease that can only be managed, if I'm lucky, but never cured. 

But, most days, I refuse to feel sorry for myself.  I remind myself that it could always be worse.  That I am lucky to have options and access to top-notch medical care.  And I am determined to make the best of it, one day at a time. 

The day that Tipsy died...

A day I never wanted to see.  The day that I was without my kitty.

She was with me when it was just me and her. She was with me when I got married... twice.  She was with me when I was pregnant, when Liam was a baby.  When we moved (4 different houses).  She was with me for 14 of her 16-1/2 years.

She was my best friend. 

She always seemed to know when I needed her most. 

And now she's gone. 

It's been only a few hours.  I still see her out of the corner of my eye.  My brain is still sure that she is just in the other room somewhere. 

But my heart knows different.  It knows that she is gone and is not coming back.  And it is broken. 

She was and always will be the best kitty ever. 

7lb kitty, 120lb 'Big Dog...notice who is in charge

I have never known another cat to be so loving, so happy to be with people.  If she was within 3 feet of me, she was purring.  Where I was, she was.

Even professed 'cat-haters' were caught petting Tipsy when they thought no one was looking.  She was just that kind of cat. 

We euthanized Tipsy today.  She had oral cancer.  An aggressive mass that went from nothing a couple months ago, to making it almost impossible for her to eat and drink and was starting to make her gag.  She wouldn't let us look at it, it was uncomfortable for her.  When she was asleep, I could catch a glimpse.  After we put her to sleep,  I could see it... I wondered how she had made it this long... the mass was huge. 

We will have other cats, but Tipsy will never be replaced.  


Rest in peace, my pretty girl...walk straight, or not, as you never seemed to know the difference... know that I loved you and always will. 

Playing Catch-Up...Again

I know it's been a long time since I've updated this, but I just haven't felt like I've had much to talk about.  I'm still not healthy so training has not been very consistent and I often feel more like grumbling about it than anything.  And let's face it, no one wants to read my whining.  Not even me.  So taking a cue from my new coursework, here's what is new and good in my life...

-I have been able to continue some training.  I participated in master swim again this winter and have continued to swim about once a week.  I run intermittently and have managed to maintain some base fitness.  I try hard to focus on what I CAN do rather than what I CAN'T.  I did bail on the marathon I was hoping to run in a couple weeks.  I just haven't been able to do the training.  I am doing my first Olympic triathlon this weekend.  Am I properly trained?  No way.  Can I finish?  Absolutely!  And since there were only 3 women in the Olympic distance last year (all in my age group), I even have a chance to place in my age group  :) 
     ***Last minute update!!! Being the self-proclaimed Queen of Procrastination, of course I took my bike out for the first time today - 2 days before my race. There is a reason the saying is "just like riding a bike"! Had a great little brick and even spent some time in aero. Depending on the wind conditions Saturday, this might be my first race in aero!***

All cleaned up and ready to race!

-I have been taking some online coursework.  In February I started studying through ISSA toward my Personal Trainer certification.  It's self-study and I am about a third of the way through the material.  In March I started studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  At the end of this program, I will be a Certified Holistic Health Coach.  What do these certifications mean for me?  I'm not sure right now.  My first client definitely needs to be myself and I am already working on that.

-GOTRIbal is launching their ActiveBudz app very soon!  Stay tuned and I'll definitely let you know when it does!

-My little man is growing fast!!!  He turned 3 several weeks ago.  His biggest excitement lately was the Toddler Trot at a local race (he is still talking about the race he ran with all his "friends") and making  a trip to the ER to have a couple stitches.  He fell the other day while we were playing/running in the driveway and he busted his lip open.  He was so very brave and I am extrememly proud of him.  Not a tear at the ER, he answered when asked, and even told the doctor 'thank-you'.

Two stitches and one big fat lip.

-The garden is almost all in.  All 5000sqft. of veggie garden plus the flower gardens.  Almost...  All the rain and cool weather has set us back considerably but we are hopeful for a good harvest. 

Liam is a great help in the garden...when he's not stepping on the plants...oops. 

- In early April, I discovered a large tumor in Tipsy's (my cat) mouth.  Because of her age, her poor history with anesthesia, and the location of the tumor, there wasn't much we could do about it.  It has been growing quickly and I count every day that she is still here as a blessing.  She still eats, drinks, grooms and purrs.  When that changes it may be time to reevaluate her time in this world, but for now, I am giving her tons of love and she is returning the favor.  

My beloved Miss T catching some Z's.

All in all, life is good.  We keep pushing the junk aside and celebrating the good in every day (the only way to stay sane when you have a 3-yr old that is prone to drama!)  I hope to have more good updates on training and racing this summer, but time will tell.  I'm not signing up for much in advance - I hate wasted entry fees.  Either way, lots of fun will be had and I'll be back sometime to tell you all about it!

SBBC Week 5

This week was going to be hard anyway (hubby out of town, no sitter, and a kid that doesn't want to nap), but then I slipped on a pair of Liam's pajamas and fell, really racking my neck and shoulder.  (It's still not right after a week.)  I'm also still having GI issues that are really causing me a lot of pain and nausea. 

I've also noticed that I have a really hard time getting 7 servings of veggies.  5 or 6, easy... but that 7th one is elusive.  I often get to the end of the day one serving short.  I could then eat one more, but I choose to avoid the extra snacking. 


Mon: Traveling - no workout, got water, missed freggies
Tues: Tweaked neck & shoulder - 30 min VERY EASY walk with Liam, water, missed freggies
Weds: 30 minute EASY walk, neck still really sore, water, missed freggies
Thurs: 30min walk at home, 25 min leading C25K class, water, just missed freggies
Fri: Freggies (Yay!) & water.  No workout.
Sat: Sick.  Water only
Sun: Water, 45 minute walk

Liam and I are hanging out and laying low.  He starts daycare again next week.  I already have workouts entered in my calendar... can't wait to workout without having to struggle to sneak it in somewhere!  And I'd better get cracking, my first race is May 4th... a 7-mile trail race, my first trail race.  I'm also supposed to be running a marathon in June...

SBBC Week 4

This week started off good, but then fizzled out.  Traveling always seems to mess me up.  I don't eat the same, I don't sleep well (OK, so I don't sleep well at home either, but better.)  I just never manage to get my workouts done when I travel.  We came home today (Monday) and I'm hoping to get back on track again tomorrow.  


Mon: 50 minutes (4mile run + walk to cooldown), water, didn't meet freggie goal
Tues: 60 minutes at master swim, water & freggies
Weds: no workout, got my water, just missed my freggies
Thurs: 40 min hike, 3 mile run (32min), water & freggies
Fri: 60 min walk, just missed freggies, got my water
Sat: didn't workout or get water/freggie goals
Sun: Didn't feel well today, 0 points

SBBC Weeks 2 & 3

Things went a little downhill this past week in terms of the challenge... some of it beyond my control (getting sick) and some of it within my control (misplacing my points list, choosing to work on other projects instead of work out).

But I am happy to report that my family is on the mend from the illnesses of the past couple weeks and this week WILL be better! 

Here's the (very short!) rundown for weeks 2 & 3:
Week 2:
Mon: don't know, apparently forgot to write anything down
Tues: points for water & freggies (fruits & veggies), WOW - took 5 minutes
Weds: points for water & freggies, 1 hour swim
Thurs: points for water & freggies, 4 mile run (41:05 plus walked to 45 minute mark)
Fri: points for water & freggies
Sat/Sun: can't find where I wrote it down and can't remember if I hit my water and freggie goals, so no points. No workouts.
Week 3:
Mon: On the same paper as Sat/Sun. No workout.
Tues-Sat: SICK!  Above the neck respiratory symptoms meant I could have worked out, but the low-grade fever kept me from attempting it. Freggie points for Sat. only. Water points each day as I was trying to hydrate the heck out of that cold!
Sun: Caught up on all the other things I had been neglecting while I was sick (laundry, housecleaning) Points for water & freggies.  

A pretty sad showing for two weeks...Tomorrow is a new day...

GOTRIbal gets a new look!

New GOTRIbal site launched TODAY!!!  Go check it out...

Have something to brag about?  Get a marathon PR? Finish your first Couch-to-5K workout?  Make it through a workout when you just weren't feeling it?  GOTRIbal is where ALL of those accomplishments will be appreciated and honored by like-minded women.  

"GOTRIbal: Connecting 'normal women who do EXTRAORDINARY things" (LOVE it!)

SBBC Week 1

Sorry this is brief, but Liam has been keeping me running lately!  I'll do a "catch-up on my life" post soon! 

You may have noticed the Spring Booty Buster Challenge  button on my sidebar...  I'm supposed to be starting marathon training and I really need a kick in the pants.  It didn't happen this week (sadly, I did a 10 mile run the day before this started so I don't get to count it!)  Circumstances left me with no sitter and crappy weather so workouts just didn't get done.  I even miss Master Swim on weeks like this (and I pay for that whether I go or not!)  This week Dave is working nearby and is home every night so I'm hoping things will be better...



Monday: 25 minutes YogaKids with Liam, WOW (3 points)
Wednesday: 40 minutes shoveling snow (This counts, really!) (4 points)
Thursday: WOW (0.5 points)

Plus I made my freggie (fruit & veggie) goal and water goal 5 days each this week (10 points) and did the WOW (Workout of the Week) twice (2 points)

Total for the week= 19.5 points

Be back again soon... I promise!

2013 Goals

2012 was a frustrating and hard year for me.  I found I was gluten-intolerant (am still having some digestive issues), starting having exercise-induced dizziness,  had a stress reaction in my femur, am still having residual pelvic floor and core issues from pregnancy (3yrs ago!), and I didn't attain any of my measurable goals.

This year, I am setting a different kind of goal.  This year is not going to be about measuring miles or PRs.  I'm not going to count the number of books I read or how many glasses of water I drink.

This year goals are going to be based on how I feel.

I am going to work on healing my digestive system and figuring out if I am sensitive to any other foods besides gluten. 

I am going to meditate regularly.  This may be a guided meditation or just spacing out for 5 minutes in my own head.

I am going to strengthen and heal my body and run/bike/swim as much or as little as feels right.  

I am going to be grateful for at least one thing each day.

To sum it all up:

In 2013, I am going to work to improve my health: physical, mental & spiritual.

What are your goals for 2013?

2012 Recap: Focus On The Positive

While it is traditional to revisit your goals from the previous year and publicly announce what you accomplished and what you didn't... I will NOT be doing that on this blog this year!  Why?  Well, for one main reason... because of an injury, I was not even able to compete at my goal races for the year or run for much of the year. 

So I'm not even looking at my goals from last year.  I know I had a high mileage goal and a couple PR goals, but it's hard to meet those when you can't run or compete! 

Instead, I am choosing to focus on what I DID do last year:

- I ran three half-marathons.
-One of the half-marathons was with my dad and sister, and though slow, was an amazing experience!
-We moved into the farmhouse that my grandpa and dad grew up in.  We did a lot of remodeling & redecorating.  I did much of the work myself.
-I PR'd at the 10K distance despite having to take a large amount of time off prior to the race for a stress reaction.
-We had a large garden this year with an amazing harvest!
-I took a masters swim course and greatly improved my swimming.  I'm still not fast but it is easier and I am more comfortable in open water.

So just remember, if YOU didn't meet your goals, look for the positive.  I'm sure you also did some GREAT things last year!  

Five For Friday: 1-4-13

1.  Mankato Marathon is offering HUGE early bird discounts for their full and half marathon race distances through Jan 10.  We've run the half the past two years as a low-pressure end of the season race and had a blast!  Great course, great people.  We've signed up for the half again... join us! Register here: http://mankatomarathon.com/races/registration/

2. Remember when I backed Bia on Kickstarter (see those posts here, here, and here)?  Well, now you can reserve your own!  I have been excitedly following their progress and can't wait to get my Bia on my wrist later this year! 

3.  I had some digestive issues over the holidays.  A good reminder that if you have sensitivites to KNOW the ingredients in the food you are eating instead of just assuming of guessing.  

4.  The strangest connections can happen on the internet.  I recently reached out to someone regarding my health issues via email.  She lives in California.  Turns out she is originally from Minnesota and not only does she know where my small town is but she's been here more than once!  Crazy!

5.  29 days to Sedona!

Ready or not...