Marathon Readiness Series: Part 2

HMSA 30k

 

 

 The 30k @ Kapiolani Park.... When I tackled the 30k it was going to be the longest distance I had run yet. 18.6 miles, let me tell you, is a long distance. I kept thinking to myself "just get to mile 14 and you are all set" ... For some reason I feel like if I get to the point in ANY race where I only have 4 miles left I am golden. I don't know what it is about the 4 mile away mark. This race though was tough. It was HOT and MUGGY and I have never sweat so much. I was completely drenched by the end. I also got off to a rough start. I forgot my bib at home (I know, stupid). What makes it worse is I pre-packed everything the night before, apparently, not the bib though. So we had to go home and get it. Luckily we were only about half way there when I noticed. But still we live a minimum of 40 minutes from the race site so I knew we would be rushing. I got there after the race started, raced off to get my chip and then just started. I didn't stretch, didn't do anything that follows my normal long run race routine. I started about 10 minutes after everyone else. BUT I finished it - despite never quite getting into my groove. Finished it in 3:52:58.

 

Val Nolasco Half Marathon - November 17, 2013
 

Half marathon @ Kapiolani Park... This was my first official race that was a half marathon distance. I know I've run longer distances and I've hovered around this distance but this was my first official half! This was also the first race of the marathon readiness series that hubby was able to join in on. He was fighting with an IT band injury and a couple weeks ago has begun to be able to run long distances without pain (YAY!!!). So this was his longest distance he had run so far. He did awesome! I finished in my fastest run over 10 miles (Another yay!!). Time: 2:26:02

Next race? Honolulu Marathon!

Jogging for Justin

 

Hubby is working back from a knee injury (He is hoping to be able to  run the Operation Jack Marathon on Dec 26, 2013) and he ran just over 8 pain free miles today! YAY!

Today we ran for Justin, we did a virtual run for a friend from high school who was diagnosed with cancer. All the proceeds from the race goes to help his medical bills. They had a 5k in Fort Collins (The facebook page said over 200 people came!) and they also invited people to run virtually. Tom and I drove over to Ko Olina and our miles went to Jogging for Justin!

This training run was awesome - fastest long distance I've run yet, and it ended with a light rain and a rainbow in the back ground.

Marathon Readiness Series: Part 1

While searching for races to run in order to help me better prepare for the Honolulu Marathon, I stumbled upon what is called the marathon readiness series. Here on Oahu they do this awesome series of races meant to prepare you for the marathon. Starting in August and ending in November the series covers distances from a 15k to a 30k.

The first race....

Norman Tamanaha 15k in Honolulu, HI - August 11, 2013     Time - 1:40:19

 



Runner's Hi 20K in Kapolei, HI - September 1, 2013     Time - 2:11:49

 

Unfortunately, due to a small injury in my left knee I took a couple weeks rest to heal it back up and missed the 25k. But the goal is the marathon!

 

Distance Runner? Me?

What motivates one to be a distance runner. Honestly - I am still searching for that answer as I type.

My journey with running follows a love/hate type of relationship. I grew up playing fastpitch softball - I knew then I was a sprinter. I was fast. I made the loop from home to home quickly, and I loved to sprint. I took pride in knowing I was fast.

I always dreamed of being a marathoner. (As of yet, this is still a dream). A dream that will change the morning of December 8, 2013. I've always wanted to run the crazy distance of 26.2 miles. I've also always wanted to explore and travel. Hence the idea of running a marathon in every state really stood out to me. Why wouldn't I want to do that?

I tried numerous times before 2013 to become a marathoner. In college I started "training"..... I'd fit in a run here or there, and try to "train". I had no idea what it meant to train. I started and stopped training at least 3 times. But I wasn't determined enough yet then, I had other things that were priority and were important to me. Finish college, get a good job. Start your "adult" life.

My husband and I moved from Colorado very shortly after graduating college from Colorado State. Hubby had gotten a job offer at Pearl Harbor and we were so excited to be going to HAWAII! We made the trek to Hawaii, and fell in love with it instantly.

We have been in Hawaii now for over 2 years (Almost 2.5!) and I have been running, training, committed, and determined since the beginning of 2013. I WILL finish the Honolulu Marathon. I will run a marathon in every state. After that - who knows, maybe I'll attempt ultra running - 50k, 100k, 100 miles even?

Running and I certainly didn't start out as friends.

Now though, I couldn't imagine my life without running.