I just may be a triathlete!

It is so hard for me to believe I have done 4 triathlons now! (Technically one was a duathlon since swim was cancelled).

I have learned so much through training and participating in races. This time was no different. I wish the there was a huge spiritual revelation like with the race last year or the marathon. BUT it was different this time. I was more going through the motions cause I had to. I planned to do this race with my friend and she was signed up but between having a new baby and wedding things didn't work out the way we planned.

I trained for this race with the same schedule as before but skipped a few work outs (which I never did before). I quit on the swim distances a lot cause I was struggling. So going into it I was sure I had the stamina and endurance to finish but I didn't do the yardage, mileage or time I did before.

The one thing I find most difficult with training and working out is I want to do it ALL!! I want to hit all the boot camps, meet my friends for out strength trainings, spin class, swim laps, bike, running club....between being a mom, homeschooling, working it is hard to get the time. Also childcare is an issue if I can't be at the YMCA. My kids dad is very cool about watching them for my running club but asking to go on long bike rides as well...I just couldn't ask. I fit in only one ride this time on my actual bike. (Same as last time I rely heavily on spin class).

OK so enough about my training or lack there of....let's get on to race day.

There was so much different this time about race day too. This was the first time I was going to the race solo. My friend was supposed to meet me but I had a feeling it was going to be a strain on her to get there (and turns out she didn't make it). Last year she met me bright and early and took me to the race, stuck with me until I hopped in the water.

So in an effort to keep my nerves in check I took a leisurely approach to my race morning. I got up, braided my hair, made some oatmeal, got my gear loaded in the car. I moved about my morning with a light and breezy feeling. Checked my list one last time and headed on my way. I noticed it seemed a bit late to get on the road but remembered last year my nerves just got worse and worse waiting. At this rate I was not going to have a long wait. As I approached downtown and the race I glanced at the clock in my car 6:15am, the race started at 7am...a thought crossed my mind...."ummmm I may have read somewhere transition closes at 6:30a?" So and I understand this is illegal but I pulled up my email as I was driving downtown and yes there it was on the race info TRANSITION AREA CLOSES 6:30am

That is where breezy ended and pure panic set in....Was I really gonna miss setting up transition and miss doing the race?! How would I ever live this down!!!! Was this a subconscious attempt on my part to get out of this?! EEEEEEEEEKKKK!!!!

I got downtown and parked at 6:28ish and saw there was still people walking their bikes and gear to transition...whew I thought I should be ok. I had not done what I was supposed to and marked myself with my # tattoos (temporary), labeled my bike, put on my wristband etc etc (typical Katie stuff). So the gal checking people into transition got frustrated that I was trying to pull all my stuff out of envelope & let me in.

I got to my spot and set up my transition EVERYONE WAS READY BUT ME!! They had their tatts on, wetsuits on, the announcer was telling everyone to exit the area and go to the race start. I got set up QUICKLY! I used my water bottle to get the tatts on and squeezed in to my wetsuit-for the only time since I bought it!!! (another typical Katie move).

I went over to the race start and this is where I realized I was in this all alone. My kids Dad had refused to bring my kids to see me (due to a scheduling conflict with it being football season-He will be available sometime in Feb), my friend was no where to be heard or seen from, later in the race I hoped to see my cousin during the run part. It seemed so surreal watching everyone huddle with their friends, kiss their significant others good luck and there was me. At the marathon there was a sign a spectator had (or someone said it can't remember) "it is what it is" that is how I felt. Nothing was gonna change that I was about to jump in the water, swim 500 yards, get out and bike 10 miles, then run a 5k. In that moment I focused on #1 getting a swim buddy (it seemed a lot of people wanted one and I didn't see a ton of buddies) #2 how far I have come from last year! I was racing in the athena division last year. (which is the last wave so the wait was awful). Now here I was lighter, faster and more fit then ever!

I got my swim buddy and our wave #5 was up fast! We had about 2 minutes in the water before out horn blew. I have not swam in salt water pretty much since last year's race, except for frolicking in the ocean. I did a few warm up strokes just to get my face in the water. When we started I did really good at first (just like last year). I just tuckered out so fast! The difference between this year and last year is I kept pushing. I really was so slow and it seemed like it was taking forever!!! As I rounded the first buoy this one swimmer was freaking out!!! Screaming she couldn't breathe she was gonna die (thanked God real quick that was not me) and swam by her as a paddle boarder got to her. In the race you can hang on to the board and rest if you need to as long as you dont move forward (FYI). I believe they talked her down and she completed the swim. I was side stroking, freestyle A LOT of back stroking. I was having the hardest time catching my breath which made it pretty impossible to breath freestyle. I started to lose my head a few times and totally talked myself calm! HUGE breakthrough from last year. I was pretty much dog paddling the last 50 yards or so when I heard someone shouting my name????

I look up at the crowd and there are my friends Christian and Stacey! Talk about an injection of motivation! I finished that swim (in other words dog paddled faster). They have people to assist you out of the water and boy was I so wobbly!!! Thank God he was there!

I got up the stairs and ran to the lamest wetsuit peelers known to man! I was screaming pull the thing OFF!!!!!!!!!!!! I got it off ran to transition. Sadly my bike was easy to find as it was pretty much the last one in my area. Besides the panic girl I think I was the last one out of the water. (Note to self...SWIM MORE).

I got my bike shoes on sucked up half a gu and a swig of water and headed out on the bike.

The bike course was changed days before the race, sadly we would not be able to ride on the Naval base which was on of the coolest part of last year. Instead we were doing a loop down Harbor Dr twice (it was 3 loops for the Olympic distance), I honestly thought I was flying through the bike course and was thinking I would be done in around 30 min (ok 24 haha). I whizzed by my friends who were all over the place it felt like.

Side note: they had told me they would try to make my race but had other commitments. I really did not expect to see them. Well not only did they lie but they had planned this for weeks. Even had signs to cheer me on. Having them there put the biggest smile on my face the whole time! It feels so good when you know people are behind you and believe in you. AND if it were not for Christian and her camera there would be no photographic evidence that I even did the race!

At the end of the bike portion I dismounted and it was hard to run in my bike shoes so I actually took them off and headed in my socks to transition. Bad thing was a stepped on my wetsuit and got one sock wet before the run. This is where I made a huge mistake I didn't take another gu as planned and I took off on my run with out water. My thought was that there was water stations on the run and it was short. I thought I would run faster with out a water bottle weighing me down. The issue came up quickly that I was depleted and needed water and electolytes UGH!

Almost immediately in the run I got a cramp in my calf that almost took me to the ground! I kept going though, it felt like slow motion. I couldn't get my body to listen to my mind. My mind said GO FASTER!! My body said hey I thought we were breezy?! So I chugged along at a snail pace. It took F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to reach the first water station! I walked through it and drank a couple cups of water. My body thanked me and allowed me to continue on the run with a little bit more pep. This was literally the longest 3.1 miles EVER! I walked through the next water station too and hydrated....never realized how amazing water is for the body (I highly recommend it). Then I was almost out of Seaport Village and headed toward the last 1/2 mile or so. I got a text so I checked my phone/ipod/runkeeper and it was from my friend telling me she was not coming. I checked the time and my goal was to finish in 1hr 30 min. I was actually making great time and well on my way to my goal?! No clue how that happened! I pushed myself that last bit of the race! The last .1 is the LONGEST! My friends were waiting for me at the finish!

Shortly after crossing the finish line my cousin texted me and said she was waiting on the run course for me. She came over to the finish to see me. Truth be told I am glad I am so fast that she didn't make it haha!

My final time was 1:31 24 minutes off last years!

Just before the race God revealed to that He had given me my race verse. Silly me I had shared it twice in the week with other people. And as I was headed down I thought wait I dont have my verse. Then I realized He had used me to share it so that I would recall it in this moment!

Joshua 1:9

This is my command-Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord God is with you whereever you go.

I carried that promise with me the whole time & reminded myself of it over and over!

God is always faithful in the little stuff and the big stuff and the sweaty stuff!!!!

exiting the water


exiting transition

loop 1

transition 2

Finish line!

I AM A TRIATHLETE!!!

my friends Christian & Stacey came out to support me

My medal

celebrating!

I was so fast George and Rebecca missed me & met up at the finish line

my cousin Rebecca has shown up for a lot of my races

this is Perry a friend from running club that I was running with at the Y

Final swim

I put off swimming so much for this race. I learned the hard way that going to swim first thing in the morning is not for me. Unfortunately that made for a lot of skipped swims. The days that I worked out before my swim it always went better. I'm wondering when I do the race how it will go with no warm up. I also have not swam in salt water or my wetsuit in preparation.
I feel like I can't freak out about what I didn't do.
My swim today went good. I feel like 500 yards is so long & exhausting BUT I think I did it in like 12 minutes! Hopefully with the extra buoyancy of the wetsuit & adrenaline along with mental strength I will get out of the water quick & smoothly!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Countdown to TriRock 2011

I hate that I haven't blogged like before. I'm even wondering if it would of helped me be more consistent with my training.
Now here in the 11th hour I can't turn back time, wonder about what I should have done different or worry about the past. All I can do is prepare best I can to finish the race.
This is my first repeat race. I did the inaugural TriRock 2010. I'm doing the spring distance again (they added an Olympic distance this year).
I have trained a lot, just not as meticulous as last year. I am confident in my endurance (hopefully will be done between 1:15-1:30). Just not confident about much else.
I'm convinced there is very many athletes or triathletes who don't get nervous before a race. Who don't doubt they are ready.
The next few days are about eating right, resting up, minimal training, practicing transition & getting everything ready.
I'm so anxious for the finish line.
I feel like this year will be so much better then last year! Im making a promise to right the blog ASAP!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Part 3

So after Denver street I passed over to the bay. By this time I must say it was HOT! I definitely was starting to drag. I still felt good & wasn't ready to stop mentally, my body was just slowing down. The bay is my turf though, this is where everything started. This is where I use to walk before I started ACTUALLY working out, this was where I ran the day of my brothers funeral, where I did my longest solo run which was 8 miles & I was shocked I did it...it was my turf (pavement).
The bay portion headed to the end by De Anza cove then we turned around & ran along the bay path. As tired as I was I just kept moving. About mile 21 there was Stacy! I was happy to see her BUT she was DONE! I felt bad for her cause I didn't feel the way she did. At Kathy's I had picked up some pretzels but couldn't eat & run but wanted to eat them eventually so I held onto them & offered some to her. I think the only thing she wanted was to be put of the heat & at the finish. I ended up heading on with out her. After the bay was FIESTA ISLAND when we were on a training run we ran around it & I was warned it was gonna SUCK! it pretty much did! It seemed unending! It was blazing hot there was no spectators...it was so close to the finish but not. I still didn't need or want to stop. There was definitely people that I ran by that were miserable. They looked like they had been ready to stop miles ago. I had a few more people encourage me along they route because of my shirt. One lady said to me she saw me at the start line & i had done an incredible job, that my brother was watching me from heaven & so proud! I got choked up for a second & she ran off saying enjoy your big moment! And towards then end there was a lot of Team in Training coaches. I overheard them talking to their team members & took their encouragement as my own. When I hit mile 25 that was a huge point for me...I knew I was done! I took my headphones out ( it was suggested when we were training). I started to just relish this whole process & distance I had covered. One of the TNT coaches told a runner to run point to point. Run to the first tree, then to the trash can, then to the next tree. That worked for me during that last mile! That last 1.2 seemed unending but all along it was tons of people! I even saw marathon maniac Ed in the screaming crowds. The energy was incredible, the anticipation of knowing the finish was moments away! Not just the finish of the race, it's the finish of months of training & commitment. Everything I put into this waiting for the medal to be put around my neck. As soon as I hit the 26 I bolted towards the finish. So many people screaming my name, shouting encouragements, I saw some of the running club peeps that did the 1/2. & then I finished!!! It felt incredible! Everyone said i would cry but I didn't, I felt too good to cry! Elizabeth's dad was at the finish I gave him a hug. Then as I came around the finish my favorite people in the whole world were waiting...my kids & my cousin had come out to see me finish! I stopped to hug and talk to them & then the hobbling started!
I'm sure I I had stopped at any point in the race I would have struggled cause as soon as I stopped at the en everything hurt!! The feeling of elation was the best pain med possible. Even though I hurt I couldn't stop smiling & feeling great!
I keep saying no one is supposed to have such a positive experience like I did doing a marathon...but maybe it's ok if I did. Now I just need to stop convincing myself that I was meant to do this & that is why & convince myself once is enough!!
The end



This was the last .2!









Hitting the finish line!



I'm a marathoner!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Part 2

Did I quit blogging or what?! I can't believe I abandoned this for so long! It has been a huge part of my training & transformation!
I got out of the habit and I am hoping to get back into it as my next race is quickly approaching!
How lame that I waited so long to finish my story & have risked forgetting details...
So we hit the half way point with an awesome time 2:29! This was way faster a pace I had ever ran this long & had planned to run. We had passed the water station at mile 13 & Stacy did not get water or take her amino vital pack. We discussed how w could get her some water so she could take it. I was starting to lose steam even with the extra boost. I knew coming up at mile 15 I was meeting up with Michelle & was looking forward to that. I actually texted her to see if she had water (she did). Along Friars Rd right by my YMCA was a section of posters that had photos of leukemia fighters. This choked me up & made me miss my brother. Also a reminder of what I was doing!
When we turned onto Napa St there was such a great group of spectators! They had the best signs (I can't remember what they said but I remember I loved them). Pretty soon after we got onto Morena Blvd 2 things happened I slowed down & Michelle was there! So was her hubby & 2 precious daughters. They all ran along with us briefly and then said they would wait for us to make the turn around & come back. Stacy got her water & took the amino vitals...it must o put some pep in her step cause she took off ahead of us. I was happy to slow down at that point. I believe having Michelle for that stretch of the race was a huge part of my success. I was able to ditch my sunglasses that were bugging cause they kept fogging up. She talked with me & was VERY encouraging!! She attempted to offer comedic relief BUT I was not in a joke mood. She also helped me calculate the mileage i had ledt cause my brain on 17 miles couldnt add or subtract 1+1 Along Morena we met Ed, i didnt know he was Ed until much later, but now i know all about him. He had a joke had on. He ran up to me & congratulated me on my first marathon. He said this was his 83rd race this year. He told me to have fun, enjoy the race soak it all in! He said he runs for people like me to encourage & cheer people on. I now know that he is a marathon maniac (its a real club) he has the world record for most marathons & most miles in one year. He ran with us for a bit & chatted then headed on to spread his joy! After we made the turn around she assisted me with getting one of the pain gels I brought on my knees with out stopping. This was tricky! I was still so worried to stop & she was so awesome to help me facilitate this task on the go. She grabbed water bottle for me so I could open the gel, then I bent down & rubbed it on my knees with out stopping. At first I was so stressed cause it didn't seem to be working. My knees were no where near the unbearable pain I experienced during training runs BUT I was worried I was about to! Then the cooling sensation started to wave over my knees. It felt like ice!! It did not completely take my pain away BUT was tremendous relief. Shortly after this Michelle's family met back up with us & ran a little with us. Then we headed down Denver St. I was told there would be a house passing out oranges here & THERE WAS!!! the nice thing about a co-runner is she grabbed a few & i grabbed a few & she helped me eat oranges! Im telling you that it helped so much!!! After that she parted ways with me. That was tough, I really needed her and was afraid to head off alone. I was though headed to my own personal pit stop at mile 19. It was my friend Kathy's house! Pre race I had no clue what I would feel like or what supplies I may need at my pit stop. So I left with her (her house was ON the race course a change of socks, hat, pretzels, extra water bottle, gu's, pain spray, pain gels, sunscreen. BUT when I got there I didn't stop I literally ran through her yard had her pass me a water bottle & pretzels & just kept going! After Kathy's was the house with the beer keg (I heard about this too) but as much as I love a cold beer even that wasn't stopping me. I kept checking in mentally on the race & every time I asked myself how am I? I would realize I felt good! Now like lounging by the pool good but good for having ran the distance I had in the blazing sun. I had no pressure on myself & I know if I had felt the need to stop, slow down, walk, whatever I would have...it's just that I felt fine so there was no reason to! The overwhelming fear of stopping or walking resulting in knee pain WAS a big motivator for sure! After Denver street I passed over the freeway to the bay side. There was still a good 6 miles to go but I really felt like I was in the home stretch!.....to be continued (I promise!!!!)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rock n Roll marathon

After months of preparation, anticipation, planning, praying AND RUNNING the day was here. I slept pretty well considering how anxious I was. I did wake up well before my alarm & just got up to get ready. Part of the pre-race prep involves Facebook between me posting on my wall, my fellow runners walls & all my peeps wishing me luck on mine. Another pre-race must is my race verse. Every race I have done God has given me a verse. I was praying for God to give me a verse. I was starting to get nervous when I had nothing! Luckily in the final preparations my friend (shout out to Michelle) texted me my verse!!!!! But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)


God used her quite a bit to help me with the race. Besides sending that text she was also taking us all to the race starting line!!!! It takes a special person to get up that early to help a friend out! The plan was for me to get picked up. I got a text from my ride changing the plans. I didn't wanna drive my car to the trolley stop where everyone was meeting our shuttle driver Michelle for a few reasons. Mostly though because Elizabeth had said at one point this is the last time I will (insert action here) before I am a marathoner. I had parked my car the night before & said this is the last time I will be in my car...etc...didn't wanna mess with my mojo. I opted to walk to the trolley. It is not far but I am very paranoid so walking alone in the dark freaks me out. I didn't make it all the way there before the anxious crew was in the car & picked me up part way there.
Some how I was elected navigator & put as co-pilot. I was so stressed at that point inside I was freaking out & putting a thought together was virtually impossible! & somehow I need to figure out how to get us there. The route I opted for put us dead in traffic going to race shuttle parking. We did maneuver past it luckily & got dropped off a block from the race start. We had an hour or more until the start. We used the potties & took some pics.


I had put my name on my shirt as I was told spectators will cheer for you by name & it helps energize you! I put on the back of my shirt my dedication to my brother!


The marathon girls!





I was anxious to find my running club & get with Stacy whom I was running with. We were near the end of the corrals and I was meeting her (& the whole group) at corral 4. It was not close. It stressed me out to do so much walking pre-race. I knew we had to walk all the way back to 31 where I just came from basically. There was stations set up with bagels, bananas & sport drinks along the way. I grabbed 2 bananas & a water & a bottle of cytomax (sport drink). I ate the bananas & drank the water. I poured the cytomax in my bottle for the race. I was hoping doing sports drink instead of water would help & I knew there was lots of water stations along the route. After we met up with the group we took our race bags & checked them to be sent to the finish line. Along the way we go to watch a flash mob! That was a fun surprise!
Then the waiting started! We got in our corral & waited & waited it ended up taking an hour! The team in training had giant beach balls people were batting around & the kept hitting us in the head! Grrrrrrr my buddy finally popped one & this chick says I can't believe you are ruining people's fun! They had words (I found it amusing) & that helped pass sometime! As we waited that hour the sun came up. It was definitely something we hoped would NOT happen-well the sun is gonna come up BUT we hope for June gloom & overcast skies! This was not the case & the longer we had to wait to start running the more blazing sun we would face!!
I can see the start line!


Stacey (ready to run her 4th marathon) & me the first timer!


Our corral


As we were waiting I was texting my friend Mike who was up & out early to watch me! We was literally at the first turn we take only a 1/4mile or so in. I was excited to have a spectator & also I planned to toss my jacket to him so I didn't have to abandon it pre-race (when we did the half I froze for an hour prior). He says "like a rock star"?! & yes like a rock n roll star I tossed my jacket to him as we passed by!
We started out quick! It seemed like all that driving we did on the route was whizzing by just as fast! I was nervous & freaking out in my head at our pace starting put cause I was scared # about getting up the 163 & #2 tiring out way too quick.
It felt good though & didn't seem like I was pushing myself so I kept at it!
This is at mile 3 or so in Balboa park we had a long way to go!


It was definitely a great vibe throughout the first miles! Everyone was smiling happy & full of energy! As we exited balboa things changed as the half marathoners split off and headed up the 163 & the full marathoners (not so many of us) headed into downtown.
The nice part of downtown was the shade the buildings provided! Also as we reached Petco Park I was greeted by my second set of spectators! My cousin Rebecca, her boyfriend George & Lola her dog! It was so neat to run through Petco Park. I had my runkeeper app on my phone & it was set every five minutes to tell me my current pace & average pace. As it told me I was telling Stacey. We were booking it!! We were about a 10:30 min/mile pace through downtown! As we ran a guy ran next to us congratulated me on my first marathon & told us he was doing his 55th! He ran with us for a while & chatted about his races gave us words of encouragement & then split off! We got to the section I was dreading! The 163 was LONG & a slow climb up it all the way to friars rd! I felt like once I got past this part the race was flat & I just wanted the climb over. It seriously felt like it took forever! Thank God I was with Stacey not that we talked but we were together! I saw some weary discouraged people on BOTH sides ( the half marathoners were on the northbound side). One guy came up to me in his cape & congratulated me on my 1st marathon & gave me a high five!! I think it was moments like that, that Christian was telling me about before the race. To have fun & enjoy it. That is exactly what that goofy guy was doing!
The 163 felt like FOREVER even when I could see Friars Rd we still had to run up to the freeway off ramp a ways away. Once we got off the freeway I felt pretty dang good still. We were almost half way done. We ran into Christian. She asked if we had been takin pictures? Nope...she had us stop for a photo...



I really did not want to stop for anything on the race! From my training runs I felt like if I stopped my knee pain would start. Even when we took the picture I was moving my legs up & down.
When we got half way I was still mentally feeling good but my body was fatigued. & it was HOT! I took the amino vital packet a friend gave me with some water & I swear it helped!!!!
Half way through the race...to be continued
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:San Diego

Countdown to race day

In the weeks & days leading up to the race I felt like my head was in a fog...I had this underlying nagging thing looming & consuming a large portion of my mind that stole space from everything else...IM RUNNING A MARATHON!!!!!
I'm gonna be so honest here. I was freaked out. I did not think in a million years I would do well. I struggled through my long runs, struggled through some boot camp runs too actually. My knees were mad at me.
So I had accepted the fact race day was gonna suck, from the pre race jitters & panic, to the grueling 26 miles, to my pathetic finish & I decided to look forward to and thoroughly enjoy the running clubs pasta party & expo day!!
That was going to me my happy place! Where all my fun was to be had PLUS on expo day I was spending the day with Elizabeth!
The pasta party was great cause all of us got dressed up and smelled nice as opposed to meeting before the sun comes up & sweating together for miles. There was light chatter about what everyone was wearing who would be there to cheer us on, how everyone was getting to the race. The club did a raffle giveaway and we carb loaded!



I got lasagna is did not agree with me too greasy!


My goodies I won


My team VEGAS BABY!!


Next up was the expo! We had it all scheduled, expo at the convention center, drive the course & dinner aka carb loading at Pat & Oscars.
The day went pretty flawlessly. It was very exciting, slightly overwhelming & with 4 kids in tow, teeny bit stressful. I leave my kids a lot for work, training, fishing & when I get to have a life so I didn't wanna leave them for this BUT without kids (& if I had $ to spare) I could have spent more time (& cash) at each booth.








Me & my marathon sisters


& all the kiddos!!











I did wait FOREVER at the K tape booth for them to tape my knee- what a joke I do not believe it could have helped my knee pain! I wanted to try it but the stupid tape came off before the race anyway!
Lots of free samples of bars & drinks there, mostly stuff that I did not like. I was thrilled to get free sample packets of pain relieving gels. Perfect for my race pouch & maybe some knee pain relief during the race???
After the expo we set out to drive the race course. It was Elizabeth at the wheel & me co-pilot & the kids partying in the back haha! Side note: we are SO ready for the Amazing Race!! Jenni had set out before us & had said to skip a large portion of the course because of maneuvering through downtown (we didn't listen). It was a lot of traffic and some road closures or one way streets that made it tricky but we covered most the route. I was trying to mentally memorize the elevation, long stretches, and it seemed Elizabeth was focused in landmarks along the route.
I was SO glad we did this. I'm not sure how or why it made feel better but it did. I think it took away any surprises the course may have had & it became all familiar territory. It also seemed insane the distance we were going to cover!
Driving the course











We went to dinner and enjoyed our Pat & Oscars CARBS! I ate like my old self. So easy to go back to those old habits. Post race weight loss challenge Tri-Kate must reappear!
After Elizabeth brought us home I went off to Target to get some supplies- pretzels, sharpies for sign making, icy hot pain spray, bandages, blister covers...
After Target I decided I needed some de-stress & alone time. I went to the YMCA put the kids in kids place & got in the jacuzzi.
The sign as I walked in the Y


As I sat there I went through the race course in my mind. I had been staring at the map on paper for 2 weeks but now I had visually seen it and ran through each step. I wasn't confident about my race I was just aware now. Mostly I focused on the sections I was breaking it up into. I knew 163 was going to be a LONG stretch but once past it I was in all familiar territory. Familiar doesn't mean easy just means I know the turf & all the bumps and cracks in the road.
After the Y we got froyo & I headed to be for what I was told would be the best pre-race sleep I was gonna get.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone