This was my big target through out the winter and I attacked it with everything that I had. Coming off a disappointing showing in Miami for the Half Ironman, I kind of threw myself right back into training mode after two weeks off. Some people say I ran the risk of burn out but I knew I was good to go. I was mentally strong to push the marathon and my body felt strong to handle the training through winter.

Birmingham was a big success for me.  A very nice PR of 2:56:22 on a deceptively hilly course (at least for me)…almost a full nine minutes from what I did in Piney Point last spring. For that day on that race course the 2:56 was the best time that I could have ran but I know there is more out there for me to grab. But for the time being I am going to enjoy being a sub 3 marathoner and wait for next goal to present itself in time. No need to rush it. It will come.

After running my first marathon with Lindsey (San Diego RockN’ Roll) in 2008 I never envisioned myself with the speed needed to qualify for Boston. The first one was a very painful 3:48 and change. After four years, 10 marathons, and endless miles I will be toeing the start line in Hopkington, MA in a couple of weeks and will cross the finish line 26 miles later as an official Boston Marathon runner. I have no plans what so ever to “race” Boston. This one will be for fun. I put my work already for this race. See Piney Point 2011. The current plan is to run somewhere in the neighborhood of 3:10-3:15…but we will see how it goes. I am kind of sad that I do not get to share this moment with Lindsey. (The real runner who qualified for Boston in her first marathon)

We will be traveling with my parents to Boston and will have two full days in New England to just hang out. Besides getting some Boston Marathon swag and taking my picture by the sign in Hopkington, MA I am looking forward to a mini vacation and taking in my the sights and sounds the Patriot’s Day race has to offer.

This race kind of came out of nowhere. Despite that, I’m excited to race this distance. It has been a long time since I have specifically set out to race a half marathon. My current unofficial best half was in February at Mercedes when I came through the half way point at 1:26…on a hilly course in the middle of a full.           

               

I have already begun my transitions toward Iroman base building so I am not doing any running specific for this race besides making sure  I am getting in a weekly tempo or speed workout. Despite this, I am confident that I can run in the low 1:20-1:22…which would be a great get for me. The only thing that has me a bit concerned is my placement in the starting corrals. The Indy Mini is the biggest half in the country and I was unable to obtain seeding since I signed up so late so I am curious how far back I will get placed. I would really hate to spend 8 miles dodging traffic. I might just have to do a little gate hoping right before the gun time and cozy into the A corral.

                 

Brian Meyer, who I am doing IMWI with in September, came up with this race. It will fit nicely into the Ironman prep to test out the fitness, recon Wisconsin a little and get back into the triathlon endurance mindset. I don’t really have any expectations for this race but after a disappointment in Miami last October it would be nice to have strong Half Iron race under my belt.

The big one! It seems so long ago that I signed up for this race. It sold out in a little over 24 hours an entire year before race day. At this point into the racing season (it hasn’t really started for a lot of people) I am pretty excited about the challenge of a full distance triathlon. I have no idea what to expect come race day but I am looking forward to it for sure.

I’ve been slowly building some bike strength and have been getting back into the water for a couple of weeks now. If I can keep up with my cycling I think I will be in a good spot come September. It should really start to pick up intensity after Boston and especially after the Mini in May.

I went mountain biking the other day with a guy who happened to be the founder of Headsweats. He was talking Ironman, his company is heavily involved in the sport, and he made a great observation. He told me for the first Ironman be careful not to put so much mental stress on yourself that you become overwhelmed and pace yourself because it is a long day. Seems like great advice to me! I look forward to the mental and physical challenge.

A couple of Sprint or Olympic distance races just for fun. Last year I really enjoyed doing the shorter races leading up to Ironman Miami and I think I might throw in a couple this year. These distances are so much different than the long/ultra distance races that I am use too and I love the “all-out” nature they present. Indy and the surrounding communities have a great triathlon season so I will have a wide variety of choices when it comes to sprints/Olympics to choose from.

Be consistent and Be smart. You will see results.

Glenn

I assumed it would take my body a while to regulate and decide it was time to be pregnant again, but apparently it didn’t need time. I was pregnant within a month of the miscarriage. We were in Miami for Glenn’s ½ Ironman and headed down to Key West for vacation. I knew I was late and had already started feeling sick. I avoided yummy drinks and food for most of the trip, not because I thought I was pregnant, (was definitely in denial) but just because I felt sick. 

We got home on Friday and I had big plans on Saturday- to run the Monumental Marathon with my friend James. His first marathon. I wasn’t super trained to run a marathon, but had thrown in a 20 miler and a couple of 15’s. I knew the marathon would be much slower than my normal pace, so was only worried about the time I would be out there on my feet. Time wise, longer than I have ever run, by a good 45 minutes or so. The marathon was amazing- one of the best experiences of my life, but that night and the next day my nausea told me to go ahead and take a test.  

Positive. I wasn’t shocked. It was the most non-chalant “I’m pregnant moment” in the world. I’ve seen the positive tests before and knew this guaranteed me no baby. This time, it was a moment of, do I get excited? Am I scared? Can I handle another loss? Ahhh, what happens if he or she decides to stick around and I get to see my husband holding a sweet baby in the summer? So the waiting game began…. and it went on…. and on….

After the most recent miscarriage, I had big plans on running the Myrtle Beach Marathon with Glenn in February. Well, not really with him. He is shooting to run a 2:55 and I wanted to go 3:15. As many people do, I have found it is easier to deal with hard circumstances when you have a goal and something to spend your energy on in a positive way. Last year, we started training for the Piney Point Marathon 4 weeks after the first loss. I know for sure it got me through the rain. And I ran a 10 minute PR. (I want another one of those!)  I don’t lie when I say running is my daily “happy pill”-sometimes you just need a bigger dose than usual.

I’ve taken it very easy the first 15 weeks of this pregnancy. (other than the whole running a marathon thing at 6 weeks) And by easy- I mean since I found out, I’ve kept my running to less than 5 miles and spent a lot of time on the couch feeling nauseated with some really fun headaches. I don’t believe running had anything to do with the first two miscarriages, and I have not cut my miles so severely for that reason, I’ve just felt extra sluggish and figured this would be the perfect time to rest. I’ve always been tad bit of jealous of people I’d see at the gym who seem to be content with hopping on the elliptical for 30 minutes with a book and calling it a workout…. so I have been taking advantage of being that person for once. (Although now that I’m feeling much better… I’m getting a little ansy here and have plans to pick up mileage and workouts a bit)

Needless to say I won’t be running Myrtle Beach in February and come April I will most likely be a cheerleader for Glenn and all my other running friends at Boston. I earned it, so I’ll gladly pick up my packet and possibly purchase a new sweatshirt though. I have debated doing a run/walk at 7 months pregnant but decided that might end up being a miserable 6 hours. 

I know that miscarriages are common, but I know they are also kept very quiet and through my experience, that made me feel alone. It’s always someone saying “oh they are so common, my friend had one…” The fact that it is common might ease your nerves a bit, but it does not mask the pain of the loss. I am beyond grateful to have a solid, loving and understanding husband to ride along with during these ups and downs. There will never be a person who gets me more than him.

On another note, one of my favorite speakers is Joyce Meyer– because she tells it like it is and doesn’t let you sit around and feel sorry for yourself. When I go through rough patches, I lean on her teaching to help myself move forward. 

“Our joy does not have to be based on our circumstances.”  – Joyce Meyer 

There are many days that this is a struggle, but I try really hard to live by those words.

Stay tuned for running updates- as I will continue to run through my pregnancy and if I can ever convince Glenn to finish off his ½ Ironman blog, he’ll make some appearances as well. Perhaps I’ll have to write entries on Myrtle Beach & Boston for him. The cheerleader’s perspective. 

 – Cheers to overcoming hard times, staying positive and new life.