five days

It has now been five days since I ran the Twin Cities Marathon with Maddie and Ike. I swore to myself that this would be my one and only. Well, I think I might have one more in me...

twin cities marathon

Well, I survived. So did Ike and Maddie. I think one marathon in life is enough...and will stick to half marathons in the future. It actually wasn't all that bad, just took a long time to finish. Maddie ended up with the best time of us three at 4 hours, 27 minutes. Ike finished in 4 hours, 36 minutes, and I ended up at 4 hours, 46 minutes. Our realistic goal was to finish under 5 hours, although we all hoped to complete the 26.2 miles in around 4 hours 30 minutes.

The three of us around mile 6. Happy as can be! A few miles down the road, we told Ike he was too fast for us and sent him on his way. Maddie and I stuck together until mile 13, and then I sent her on her way. I was for sure Ike would be the first to finish, until...

...I got to mile 22. Cathy and Ken then informed me that I was not too far behind (maybe about a half mile) Ike! Maddie passed him, without knowing it. What a stud!

"What?! When did that happen?"

"Are you serious?"

"A half mile, eh? Better get moving!"

Finishing the marathon was the best thing that has ever happened in my life. lol. I did get a little choked up as I crossed the finish line. Not sure if I was just happy that it was over, or that I had actually completed a marathon...

Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Nic were our designated drivers and cheerers for the race. Barb, Marissa, Jackson, Alina, and her two kids were also able to watch us run!

run already!

So I finally got back to it again today. Ran a 5k in 27 minutes. Felt alright, except my feet. I need new shoes...I love my asics, at least I used to, but for the past few weeks they have been killing my feet. Guess it is time for a trip to the city to pick up a new pair! I am excited to get back on track with my marathon training, a week away from my re-found love of running, was far too long.

I am excited to participate in my first triathlon this weekend - the Sigourney Tri In July! lol I laugh because it is a mini triathlon and I am just doing the 2 mile run. My boss and her friend are biking/swimming. I am sure it will be a good time. Maybe if I run in less than 15 minutes I will make Nic buy me some sushi...yum.

dear maddie

I do hope you are having a wonderful time in Taiwan. Life in Iowa is good as always. As we have passed our what, 3rd week of marathon training and head into our 4th, I wanted to let you know that I have taken one for the team. As I know you will not be able to get all your runs in while overseas, I graciously took an entire week off as to not get too far ahead of you training wise. I do hope you appreciate this.

love always,

kier

TCM Training - Week 1

Training officially starts today!  (Well it started on Sunday with some cross training, and then a day of rest yesterday).  The goal for this week - pick up the pace during my weekday runs and then as always, slow and steady wins the race on my long runs.  I also hope to get into the pool at somepoint and start doing some aqua jogging.  But that means I have to wear a swimsuit...hmm, might have to rethink that one!

Let the training commence!

Today marks the unofficial beginning of my Twin Cities Marathon training.  Officially I begin the 18 week training program on Sunday, but thought I'd get a head start this week.  I am still a bit sore from running the Med-City Half Marathon on Sunday in Rochester (2.06.29 woot!), but hope to run it out.

This 18 week program (will do 19 weeks total) consists of running 479.40 miles, marathon included.  I wonder what the heck I have gotten myself into as I type this!  

Maddie also starts her training today - you can keep track of her training on her blog.  

This week I will run 15 miles.

Vegas, baby!

Nic left me home all alone for two nights this week to be in Vegas for work. Lucky him! Of course last night (pretty sure it was my first night alone in our house) five robbers showed up throughout the night. Don't worry, I fought them off...! Actually being in the house alone reminds me a lot of my days living in my teeny tiny apartment in Waverly (DID YOU KNOW THAT I LIVED IN WAVERLY?) It's quite nice - when I lived in Waverly, I was so bored that I would work out twice a day, and I have done the same thing both yesterday and today. So Nic, maybe you should stay in Vegas...lord knows I could use a few months of two-a-days!

On that note...Maddie and I officially registered for the Twin Cities Marathon today! I am thankful that it is not until October 4, so I have a few weeks to train before I officially have to start training - make sense? It's like giving yourself a pedicure a few hours before you have one done at a salon. Yesterday I ran 5.6 miles and today, about three. We are heading out to NY tomorrow and I hear it is very hilly where we are staying, so I should be able to get in a few good workouts. It is probably a good thing that I am running two half marathons this summer as well.