tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82718789970143392412024-03-13T08:32:11.853-07:00Runs like a girlVicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-84825070544905204042013-10-09T18:01:00.001-07:002013-10-09T18:01:14.674-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It's been a while!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I haven't updates this for quite some time now and this will be a quickie!<br />I have the Chicago marathon on Sunday and thought that deserved an update I guess, time will tell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have only raced twice since the Houston marathon back in January, which was my 2nd marathon where I finished in a PR 3:01. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since then I have done a small local 5k and 10k, both were abysmally slow but I'm hoping that's in part due to Houston summer heat/humidity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been training consistently and have averaged around 90 miles/week for what feels like forever. I peaked at 124 miles and I think my stand out sessions were 14 miles at 6:30 an 8 miles @ 6:11, both on the treadmill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The vast majority of my runs have been done on the treadmill, hundreds of miles all summer long, the reason - to hit the paces set and avoid the Houston summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So on Friday I will board a plane solo and have a couple of days sightseeing before running, hopefully, my fastest marathon to date.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am leaving the kids and hubbie behind which I am nervous about but I hope to enjoy myself and not spend the whole time missing them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My goal...... I'd really like 2:54. Having not raced it's hard to know where I'm at but I don't have too much longer to wonder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh, one other thing. Before Houston, and indeed pretty much since I started running again I have had stomach issues. I was having to stop 3/4 times every run in the weeks leading up to Houston and there was a fair amount of blood involved. Well, I am all cured.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have cut out gluten and whilst I think it has helped the thing that made the, literally overnight difference, was taking around 1.5 tbs of Psyllium husk at night before I go to bed. It's a fibre supplement and basically gives a good 'clear out' (sorry!) first thing and then I have ZERO problems both during and after runs. I literally haven't had any issues since trying it, sooooooo happy. It's so nice to be able to run and not have runs interrupted. Happy days!</span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-83822533470396791992013-04-14T07:29:00.002-07:002013-04-14T07:29:32.123-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a very quick update, not that there's much to report really. I have the Dr's on Wednesday when they are going to have me swallow a little camera and take a look at my small intestine to make sure the bleeding isn't coming form there. I don't think it is, I think it's the same haemorrhoids as before but the Dr thinks otherwise? I have continued with keeping dairy to a minimum, I am pretty stupid and don't realise all the things that dairy is in so have not cut it out 100% (ok, so I know it's in chocolate but I'm eating it, the end.) The copious amounts of milk I was having has gone and I do notice a improvement in the stomach department but no huge cure I was hoping for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having said that, this week has been a success, I'm still stopping but not as often and I'm getting the miles in. Yesterday was 20 with 8 recovery today with no huge problems, I'll take it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pollen that seems to affect me so hugely in Feb/March has gone and I am breathing easy again, so with this renewed vigour I asked coach Doug if we could target a 5k on May 25th in The Woodlands. It's a while off but it's nice to have something to shoot at and it's the first available weekend when soccer will have stopped and we will only have swim team to 'deal' with, so is logistically doable ish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My 5k PR is 19:30, so not exactly setting the heather on fire. I haven't run too many 5k's and we are not the best of friends. I used to think of myself as being fast, I think I kind of was in my youth? But these days...... I need to try to rediscover some speed so asked Doug for a schedule that was high in miles but full of fast stuff too and he has duly obliged, thank you AGAIN Coach Doug :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So time to get back to work and be focused again, just hope my stomach cooperates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully when May 25th comes I'll have a 5k PR that begins 18:??, that would be nice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then it will be around the time to get focused on Chicago and the fun really begins :)</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-46838976882134384772013-04-01T13:51:00.001-07:002013-04-01T13:51:48.120-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Spoke to soon </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to having some major discomfort with my 'stomach', I was worried I had spoken too soon. 20 miles on Saturday became 10, the weekend before 23 became 16.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is frustrating the sh*t out of me. I got told today that I look so good when I run and I'm lucky because, as the nice lady who told me this had 'not been made by god to run', presumably she thought I had? sigh. I spared her the gory details but did let her know that every step of my 8 miles with 6 x 1 mile repeats at 6:30, were fairly uncomfortable. It was supposed to be 10 miles but I called it a day after the repeats were done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't mention the frequent bathroom stops to pass mostly blood or the constant ache I have in my rear end and stomach whilst I run and sometimes for a while after. She was trying to give me a compliment after all, poor lady, I apologised for my response but she caught me at the wrong time and I found myself being the crazy lady who gives her life story when a simple 'thank you' was all that was required!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the bum Dr on Friday, maybe he can help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is driving me crazy, I just want to run. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">answers on a postcard please.</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-58239461941894662492013-03-12T09:54:00.003-07:002013-03-12T09:54:56.615-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got a place in the Chicago marathon woo hoo! Also continuing to feel like a brand new runner since cutting dairy, kind of feels like nothing's going to hold me back. Look out Chicago, here I come :)</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-58811177659022142262013-03-10T17:19:00.000-07:002013-03-10T17:19:22.103-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">easy fix?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">21 miles, 0 pit stops! After literally months of stopping 3/4 times every run (that's a lot of stopping and a little bit frustrating when you're putting in 90/100 + miles a week) today I had a pain free, stop free run, all 21 miles of it. The difference, no milk or oatmeal for a few days. Goodbye forever oatmeal and lovely, lovely milk :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got so caught up in my other recurring problem (bleeding) that I was convinced the two had to be related but it was just plain old diet. I should have learned this lesson already but forgot it somehow along the way. Need to make a note to myself and put it on the fridge perhaps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will maybe give oatmeal a go in a few weeks time with almond or soy milk, just incase it is just the milk that's hurting me but for now I am happy to not dabble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here's hoping that's an end to my troubles and I can get back into enjoying me some big miles. Keep everything crossed for a spot for me in Chicago marathon, find out on Tuesday! </span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-67186123201864995162013-03-09T07:08:00.000-08:002013-03-09T07:19:41.381-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday was the first time ever than I have not eaten a single thing for an entire day. I didn't know that was possible, I realise I sound like the spoilt brat I am, I know people go hungry every day but I feel light headed if I haven't eaten for 30 minutes and I couldn't comprehend an entire day of no food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, it took SO much will power but when you're paying, what turned out to be $1250 for a camera up the butt it does provide some motivation to make sure you do what you're supposed to do and do it well! It's not like I could have cheated and got away with it right?! I wonder how many people do cheat, I mean there must be a LOT, I'm going to ask the Dr when I go for my check up in 3 weeks :D</span><br />
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The front cover of Times magazine that I picked up in the waiting room. Oh the irony.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long story short (get comfy, we know by now I not capable of an abridged version) I drank a gallon of the most vile tasting stuff all afternoon Thursday and almost instantly what went in my mouth came out my.... you get the picture. It wasn't pleasant but wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't have my Kindergarteners open house at 5:30. Great. My husband is offshore so I am on single parent duty for 3 weeks. We decided to walk - seriously do I have anything between my ears at all? I got through it unscathed, just had to put on a bit of a bust of speed on the walk (waddle) home to avert disaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kids asked why I was going to the dr's, so I told them. They didn't believe me at first, what does it say about me that my kids think I'd make something like that up? Anyway, once they were convinced they found it just about the funniest thing they'd ever heard. I asked that they not tell anyone, private family stuff, so of course my eldest told everyone at his table the next day at school. Apparently it's 'totally gross' ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were all up at 5am and my mum drove us all to the hospital that is around 40 mins away, she was on school run duty. It's handy having parents that live close by....sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was seen fairly quickly, got into the gown (nice) and lay down on the bed. It's kind of sad that this was one of the most relaxing mornings I've had for years, no kids, no one demanding anything of me and me being the one on the receiving end of a lot of care and attention. I could have a colonoscopy every month and enjoy it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course cue my period to start right then, and the ridiculousness of me being worried that they were going to see. Emmm they're going to see a whole lot worse than that :s</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dr doing the deed came in and said 'you never told me you know *****, he said you're a crazy runner'. Yes, great so nice to meet a friend of a friend when he's about to stick something up your bum. Honestly, not weird at all. Then the conversation turned to running and the fact that 3:01 means I must be 'virtually world class' that made me laugh! 'Not quite' hahahaha! I felt like a little bit of a super star, a complete fraud but hey it still felt kind of good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I was told that I'd be out for only a very short time. Hold the phone, say what?! I'm getting knocked out?????? I have never been unconscious before and was very nervous at the thought. I asked if it was necessary. I think they thought I was insane, I was told I didn't want to be awake during this but really it can't be any harder than child birth right? After a bit of a discussion I agreed and I watched the sleeping potion go in and then I was out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What felt like seconds later I was woken up by the nurse and felt the best heavy sleep EVER still surrounding me. That is some good ****! Can I go again, please, can I go again?! Ha</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upshot was they removed a polyp (no biggie) and cauterised some internal haemorrhoids that had been causing the bleeding. Other than that, a clean bill of health. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He suggested a 'good bacteria' pill once a day to help with what he described as the 'runners diarrhoea'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am happy I can now separate the two issues. I didn't know if the blood and sore stomach/having to stop all the time were related and indicative of something more serious. They are not on both counts. So the bleeding has been dealt with, now I need to work on my diet to help my tummy. I have a feeling the oatmeal and/or milk that I eat every morning might be an issue so have eliminated both and we'll see if that helps. I was good before long runs, cutting out dairy and high fibre 24h's before but got lazy and now every run is a long run and so I have to face up to making the change permanently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't supposed to drive for the rest of the day but had to go get the kids from school and then stop off at the dr's for my 4 year old who had a temperature and sore ear. I was a bit spaced out and think I enjoyed the sleeping potion for most of the day yesterday! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No long run this morning but will go tomorrow, I might get to enjoy a trouble free run if my oatmeal/milk hunch is right - how great would that be great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I other news, I entered the lottery on Tuesday for the Chicago marathon. Their system crashed during the regular sign up so they decided to allocate the remaining 15,000 through a random lottery process. I have a feeling I might have mentioned this is my last post, not sure? Anyhoo fingers crossed I get a spot, I do hope so. If I do then I can begin to panic about leaving the kids for the 1st time ever, well there was that night in the hotel before Houston but getting on a plane and leaving them for 2 nights? eek! Will find out on Tuesday, if not I need a plan B because I have some serious low 2:50 business to take care of.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Got some gear for the running group I am very proud to be part of, some for my best cheerleaders too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other than that nothing much planned for the summer, it's too hot here for racing. I think I might do at least one sprint tri as a gift to myself to break up the summer. I wont train for the swim or bike sections, I just like getting out of my comfort zone to remind myself how wonderful my comfort zone is. </span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-81276612558436254672013-03-03T16:40:00.003-08:002013-03-03T16:50:57.029-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, not a misspelling by this, at times foul mouthed mother of 3. I am in a bit of a funk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't race the Woodlands half this weekend as planned. I am having a hard time hitting anything other than easy paced runs due to the vile pollen that lingers in this part of the world during February/March. It is killing me. It was the same this time last year, of course I had no idea then why all of a sudden I couldn't crawl round 10 miles without desperately wanting to walk (it was my 1st real time running here during this time of year). A year on and I've learned a thing or two but not how to defeat these seasonal allergies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So that's part one of the funk. Part two is a bit more personal. I have mentioned it a few times now, my 'stomach' and the trouble it has been giving me for quite some time now. Well, it hasn't improved any, in fact I'd say it worse than it's ever been. It is frustrating the sh*t out of me - pun intended. I have to stop 3/4 times every run and every time there is quite a bit of blood. TMI? The pit stops have been going on for ages now, the blood thing has got worse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I made an appointment and have the pleasure of going for a colonoscopy on Friday. I don't really care too much about the procedure, the most disturbing part is I don't get to eat for the entire day before or the morning of - like I asked the nurse 'emmmm is that even possible?' she assured me I wont starve but I'm not convinced I wont keel over. Oh well, need to get this thing sorted out. My stomach is sore and achy virtually all the time to varying degrees. It's worst whilst I run and afterwards, I get to around 5 miles and just want the run to be over - this is stealing my running joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bottom (pun not intended) line is if I can't get some kind of resolution to this I will have to throw myself into some other activity. I can't keep going like this, it's simply not worth it for me. Running is...was my joy and now it is just a big pain in the arse (ok, last one promise). The good news is that there are triathlons, and I can swim and ride a bike so I have somewhere to go if I need it. I am hoping this will be something that can be fixed. I've never had any health problems before, I come from a family that has had very few health problems, we're lucky like that and we seem to live forever so I am finding this very frustrating. Pain has become my norm during runs and after and having taken a step back I realise that this should not be the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope this doesn't sound too depressing a post, I'm just a very matter of fact type of gal and whilst I want nothing more than to get into Chicago (going to have to wait with all the other to see if I get a spot through the lottery for the last 15,000 spots) and blow my PR out of the water, it's not going to be possible unless I can sort this thing out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, you know what else is great? The fact we have a HUGE health insurance deductible so will have to pay for the procedure entirely out of pocket, talk about adding insult to injury! Oh how I miss you NHS!!!! (but not the HUGE taxes we pay to fund it ;)).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other news I find myself volunteering to be my 6 year olds football (soccer) coach for this season at the Y. How do I get myself into these things?! I'm actually really looking forward to it, just have to keep my somewhat competitive nature on tight reigns, 'they are only 6, they are only 6'! I went to a 'soccer clinic' at the Y on Saturday and the guy taking it said 'you're the one that runs all the time aren't you?' 'emmmm, yes, yes I am'. It felt like a bit of a confession.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kids sporting activities start to ramp up from this point on, 1st we have 2 kids in soccer and then summer swim league starts and I'll have 2 doing that also. Exciting! That means having to get up and have my long run done by 6:30am on Saturdays and some of my long runs are 28 miles! Thank you to Doug Storey for accommodating my high milage through the summer request, we'll see how it goes tummy permitting. You see, I am not all doom and gloom, I am hoping I can find an end to the trouble I'm having. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have wondered if it's diet related but nothings changed, but then things haven't been good for a long time.....part of me wonders about the porridge (oatmeal) I eat every morning. I rediscovered it maybe around a year ago having not had any for YEARS and am now addicted to the stuff. I know that we can crave things that we are in fact intolerant to. Maybe I'll cut out the porridge and therefore the milk and see if that helps any. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just want to be able to run and not feel discomfort, well the effort type of discomfort is my friend this other kind....is not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hubbie is also away for another 3 week trip which means I am bound entirely to my 2 hour time limit at the Y but that's fine with me at the moment, I don't have any desire to go any longer. I do take imodium for all runs over 15 miles, I am tempted to use it on all my runs but don't think that's a good idea but it does still offer some relief. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it's back to over the bridge and back, over the bridge and back, oh how I love that bridge. I actually do, it represents freedom for me AND thank goodness it's tree lined so I have hiding places :s</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully I'll be saying goodbye to the funk soon and be back to working hard and enjoying it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some completely unrelated photos to show it's not all doom and gloom!</span><br />
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4th place in 1st ever science fair, he's the handsome one on the left (I am living in a never ending 'Wonder Years' episode) ;)</div>
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This child was born to be a gymnast, we may have found her thing!</div>
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I ran over that bridge a few times during my 50k, never saw any naked children. Apologies Texas, stupid naked Europeans.</div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-75107438916641288922013-02-10T09:12:00.002-08:002013-02-10T11:39:41.950-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Piney Woods Trailfest 50k</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Set off at the relatively decent hour of 5:50 to meet a friend who I was getting a lift to the race from at Kroger at 6am. I got to have a quick chat with friends who were setting off on their runs before jumping in my friends car and heading off. The destination was Lake Houston Wilderness Park which is only around 15 mins away from where I live. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We got there and picked up our packets which included a nice t-shirt that I am yet to try on, hope it fits! It was still dark but by the time the gun went off at 7:30 the sun was up. I had intended to run with a friend but it's hard to do that once you pin the number to your top right?! I had given this 'race' zero thought and had no idea what time I would run, how long does 50k take, who knows?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A couple of guys took off from the gun with a 3rd not too far behind them. I ran along with my friend in a group of 4 for around a mile (maybe less) before getting itchy feet and taking off. Does this make me a terrible running buddy? Probably! He is still speaking to me and he said before we started that he knew I wasn't going to stay with him so all is good! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The course was a 1 mile loop then 3 x 10 mile loops. There was also a 20 and 10 mile race and 5k. I finished the 1st lap just as the 10 miler started but my 1st toilet stop put me right at the back of them ALL so I had to pick my way through the masses which was kind of annoying at points - why do people run trail runs with headphones in BOTH ears? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I honestly don't get the whole headphone/music thing. I do plug myself in on the treadmill otherwise it is beyond dull but when you're outside running through the trees and what is a beautiful park, why the antisocial music thing? Ok, so it suits some people, fine whatever but please be aware you are in a race and there are people coming up from behind who you ought to really try to get out of the way for. Ugh, it really wasn't all that bad it's just dumb to me that you would purposefully lose one of your main senses when you're out and about, it would make me feel very vulnerable I think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The 1st and second laps were ok, to be honest I didn't feel great at any point, still feeling the marathon in there a little bit despite it being 4 week ago now. The course had a small handful of little climbs and downhills, nothing too challenging but for the most part was very flat. It was muddy in parts and the surface did take a toll on my legs, no return like I'm used to getting from the road and treadmill, it is much more sapping to run trails. There were roots and sticks everywhere, I ran the whole 31 miles looking at my feet with the occasional appreciative glance up at the trees. I rolled my ankle a tiny bit but no harm done and was happy to have faired so well on such an uneven surface. I felt like I was back at home and thoroughly enjoyed being in a forest without a road, greenbelt or treadmill for miles :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I ate and drank at all of the 3 aid stations, I had a cookie, banana, m&m's.....gatorade and coke. I have only had coke twice during a run and I think it's wonderful! Gatorade doesn't agree with me (suffered after this run for a while) and there's something about coke that I crave when I run long. The right sugar/caffeine combo for me, wish I could have it at points along the marathon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had 3 toilet stops in all, I wont go into detail but I am a little worried about the amount of......blood that appears fairly regularly, especially on/after long runs. I probably ought to go see a Dr about it but I more than likely won't. My stomach bothered me during this one despite the imodium, not bad enough to slow me down and the toilet stops helped but still a little annoying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The 3rd lap was tough, I ran the entire race on my own but at least had other people to pass during earlier laps due to the other race distances and start times. No such luck on the final lap, only saw a small handful of people and it felt pretty lonely. I love quiet time, crave it, my kids create a constant barrage of noise ALL day long and peace and quiet is not something I have much of in my life but a little company on that final lap would have been nice. The people at the aid stations became the most welcoming sight ever, especially the old couple and young girl at the last one around the 7.5mile mark on the 10 mile loop. I wanted to see that nice woman's face so badly on that last lap! I think running for that length of time is like being in labour, there comes a point where you kind of fall in love with.......everything/everyone! I was in love with the nice old woman at the aid station, I even told her so in not so many words :D I took my time at the stations, no running through for me, stopped and fuelled before heading off again, they became very welcome stops for me. I picked my water bottle up at the start of the 3rd lap which I was grateful for, I had started to get thirsty and filled and emptied it 3 times on that last loop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After 2 cups of coke at the final aid station for the final time I perked up a bit and put the final 2.5 miles to rest. I was very tired at the end, my time <span style="color: red;">4:16</span> - that is a loooong time to be on your feet and running for! I was <span style="color: red;">3rd overall</span> (I think one of those guys must have dropped out?) and <span style="color: red;">1st female</span>. My splits were kind of surprising to me: </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1:26, 1:24, 1:25. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I didn't run with my garmin, haven't worn it in ages, hate that watch so apart from seeing the clock at the end of every lap I had no other time 'clue'. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I do feel like I have a pace that feels comfortable to me and I guess on this day and this course it was <span style="color: red;">8:15/mile</span>. Kind of amazed my final lap wasn't way slower than the others, I thought it would be. But I was stuck in a groove and just kept pushing for each mile marker, a good sign that the endurance I built for Houston is still in there....somewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The winning time was <span style="color: red;">3:59, </span>nice job that man! A few running buddies were there at the end, they had run the 10 miler but I felt very antisocial, I just didn't have the energy at the end to stand and chat! I got my award, congratulated the winner then found a quiet spot with a nice tree and lay down and put my legs up in the air against the tree. It felt GOOD! My legs were very happy to be the other way round after more than 4 hours on my feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feels so good, the shoes were discarded moments after.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love the laid back feel of these tiny races and especially enjoyed the different vibe that these trails runners gave off. So friendly, I had people shaking my hand and congratulating me, something I feel is sadly lacking at the end of road races. I've mentioned before that I was brought up to shake hands at the end of every race and miss that aspect in most races. I hate that you finish and then that's it, nobody really talks to each other. This was different, I think I like trail runs and trail runners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My husband and kids were due to come watch me finish but just missed me by a few minutes. The thought of their faces helped keep me going on that last lap. When I thought about walking (and I did think about it more than once!) I reasoned walking takes so much longer than running so might as well keep running, get done quicker! Simple logic but worked for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We spent the remainder of yesterday at the Mardi Gras celebration in the town centre then we had a sitter for a rare night out. Yes I know, great timing, run 31 miles then have a late night AND drinking. I feel a little bit below par today, I really don't like drinking any more and am happy for it to remain a very occasional occurrence. Had a lovely evening with running buddies H and N, N cooked up a storm for us - delicious! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I thought a lot about 50 milers and 100 milers during that last lap. I think I could do 50 miles with the right preparation but 100 miles? I take my hat off to people who have covered that distance, that is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">truly</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> an incredible feat. Yesterday I resolved NEVER to attempt one but today............it has to be done at some point! Who wants to keep me company for the final 50miles? Any takers?! </span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-9519453764546527302013-02-06T11:33:00.001-08:002013-02-06T11:33:22.000-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">1.5 is not my favourite number right now. It's what the treadmill reads every time I step on it these days and it hurts. But I decided after Houston I wanted to give it a go as I think I could benefit from the increased workload it creates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was just 6 miles at 8:00 pace with 6x400m thrown in. It almost killed me. Oh the 400's were to be at 5:20 pace. I'm used to being asked at the end of EVERY race if i'm ok, but today was the 1st time I think I've ever been asked whilst on the treadmill at the Y! My response: 'no but yes!' I opened 'Jack Daniels' last night (not the wet kind) and read a bit about paces and inclines on the treadmill and I need to have a conversation with Coach Doug Storey about what I'm doing. I told him in passing that I was planning on doing it but it's been kind of crazy since the marathon and I haven't had a chance to sound him out properly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love it though, it hurts so good! I also like that I'm getting my fix despite my milage still being way down due to the ongoing recovery from Houston. This week will be around 60 miles with almost half coming from this Saturday 50k I'm running. It's a local race and I'm taking it easy and running with a friend. I'm looking forward to it, it will be the furthest I've ever run and for the longest time too no doubt. Unfortunately we have had a lot of rain this week (not a bad thing in itself) but I heard the course is low lying and so there will be a lot of water to wade through. My partner in crime for this one asked me on Friday if I had trail shoes because I would need some. Emmmmm no and I'm not going to get any between now and then and have broken them in for a 31 mile run so I'll have my golden oldies on that must have a round 600 miles ish on them by now. I am already anticipating a fall/slide or 2!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted my milage to pop straight back up to 90/100+ post Houston but marathon recovery is not an overnight thing as I am discovering and I trust Doug so am doing as I'm told (apart from the incline thing). He has promised that I can get back into some more miles after my next 'serious' race which will be the Woodlands Half marathon in a few (4?) weeks time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am very pleased to now be part of Bayou City Elite, Doug Storey's racing team and am hopeful that the tops will be ready for the Woodlands half so I can wear it with pride! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been practising my core and strength work religiously for the past few weeks now and I swear I can see a difference across my shoulders which I HATE. I have very broad shoulders as it is and now I have all these 'lines' showing up across them - muscle? *shudders*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not much else to report, feeling good post marathon no niggles or sore bits. Very much looking forward to Chicago in October (I'm just going to sign up and tell my husband we talked about it and he agreed - his memory is awful ;)). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what shape I'll be in for the Woodlands but I'd really like to sort out that half marathon PR of mine. We'll see what happens! </span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-67638377166690251802013-01-20T08:34:00.000-08:002013-01-20T09:04:55.514-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Post Houston Thoughts and Wet Pants</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I keep meaning to find a few minutes to write down some of things I want to remember while they're still fresh in my mind after the Houston marathon last weekend so maybe I'll do it here. It's Sunday morning and the kids and hubbie are all still sleeping despite the fact it's 8:05!!!!!! This NEVER happens but we were at Monster Jam (think big noisy monster trucks :s) at the Reliant Stadium last night and didn't get home until 11pm which is later than late for everyone in this house. The kids had fun and I enjoyed it too, especially the popcorn and candy floss......emmmm.....cotton candy (have to translate virtually everything over here!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok back to business! Will do bullet point style but will not doubt still be very long winded as I'm incapable of anything less. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*</span> <span style="color: red;">FUELING</span> - I do need fuel during a marathon. Crashed at mile 16 and then took a gel at around 16.5 maybe (not sure where I got the gel from the spectator) and one again at the official 'gel aid station' which was mile 20. So next time I plan to take 3 starting at mile 7. I hesitated before typing that number because it does make me nervous taking one so early on but this is a learning curve and I do aim to use them during longer runs to try to et my stomach used to them so fingers crossed I wont encounter any problem mid marathon. And I'd really rather not 'crash' energy wise EVER again during a marathon thank you very much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*</span> <span style="color: red;">MILAGE </span>- It has been 2 years since I started running again and I feel like, whilst it's nothing really I have put in some milage and watched (and continue to watch) my legs and body change in composition on a month to month basis. I feel like it's now or never. If I'm serious about getting as fast as I can over the marathon (and I am) then I need to start putting in consistently high milage now. I'm 35, 36 in May and I don't have that long to build the kind of milage base I want so got to get after it now. High milage works for me. I feel so good on it and I know I need it to get my marathon time as fast as it can be. I also thoroughly enjoyed the build up to Houston and being allowed to run 100+ miles a week. It requires zero discipline for me, what's hard about doing what you love? So I am really going to (and already have) asked Coach Doug (Storey) for big miles week in week out. Ideally I would like to average 100 miles a week +. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This only becomes difficult when my husband is away with work. This wasn't an issue until recently when he was away for 7 out of 8 weeks over November and December. I am then restricted to a 2 hour time slot at the Y for the child care and that's not long enough. I have a treadmill at the house which I never use as it's......old and crap. Well it is. Ideally I'd love a new one but they aren't cheap and my husband already thinks I've lost my mind with all this running malarkey but I may have to gently force the issue (hmm bit of a contradiction in terms to 'gently force' :D). </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* STRENGTH </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">- I was doing a little bit of core work before my miles got high for Houston. I would fit in it after I had done my running whilst at the Y but once I needed the full 2 hour child care limit to run the core work went out the window (yes I could have done it at home but never got into that routine). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This needs to change. In an ideal world I would have enough time to fit in everything I want to better my running. But I am limited to 24 hours in a day. No matter how hard I try to squeeze an extra couple of hours out of every day the earth and its rotation refuses to play ball (how annoying is that?!) So, time wise milage gets top priority, then sleep, then nutrition, then strength. That's just the way I feel it needs to be for me. I am obviously only talking about running here, my kids and husband are the top of the list above all those things but this is a running blog not a 'how I try to have a balanced family life' blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So core will return. I need a routine I can do at home and I will get up a little bit earlier to do it or do it of an evening. I prefer the early option always as I am spent come 7:30pm when the kids and all settled in bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">* </span><span style="color: red;">DRILLS</span> - I don't remember what Heather called it.....'Dynamic something' but I think it's the type of 'speed' drills I used to do as part of every single warm up in my previous life as a runner (ie in my youth). I'm sure they've moved on since those dim and distant days (I know they have, I witnessed it for myself last summer at the track meets I went to at Rice Uni).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So H and I have been talking strength since Houston and both want to get some in there. She is a guru in this department. She was a 400m hurdler at college and has WAY more knowledge in this field but not for marathon running as she herself acknowledges. Anyhoo, she is sending emails and doing some research and wants to meet me at 9am on Tuesday at the football pitch....soccer field ;) at the Y where she will show me what's she's thinking and we'll run through some drills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We talked a little about preschool for next year, maybe if we can try to line up when our kids are in school we will get to run/train together more, it makes sense. Who wants to be the only crazy out there for all to see on the football pitch, much better to have a crazy friend with you, hay it can't be madness if there's more than one of us....right?! Oh, she ought to be in Colorado already but isn't sure if/when that will happen now. The oil patch is a fickle business. I am so happy to have them stay here but not at the expense of them being where they want to be. So I will enjoy the time they have in Houston and getting to have such a like minded running buddy to train with until they get the move they want. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* Nutrition and Sleep</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> - my kids (youngest is 2 1/2) are starting to sleep a bit later HOOOORAY! I actually have to wake them most mornings at 6:45 to get up for school (the eldest is in Kindergarten so we have to be up for that every day). This makes a nice change from being assaulted by mini terrorists every day at around 5:30 when they used to rise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok, I like 9 1/2 hours sleep a night, hell I'd even take 10. I don't get it but I'd like it. I do get enough sleep now though. We are through the worst of the broken nights with babies and toddlers (3 kids in under 4 years gives you a lot of that) but now it's pretty plain sailing. Don't get me wrong we go through phases, my 6 year old is currently coming into our bed every night at the moment and then it will be the 4 year old, etc etc etc. But on the whole, we are out of the woods. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So I get around 8 1/2 hours a night. I go to bed early (always before 10) and haven't been having to get up early to run but that will change with an increased milage but I can handle 2/3 early starts a week, I can not handle a mega early start every day, I turn into a zombie who becomes very clumsy and can't string a sentence together (think drunk without the booze!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nutrition wise, pretty happy too. I think I'm still on the heavy side but I'm hoping consistently high miles will take care of that. I cook every day, make most things from scratch. I have shifted to very 'clean' eating and have gone from buying organic meat to now opting for organic fruit and veg too. I have been very aware since having kids and being solely responsible for everything that goes into their mouths that what we eat is so important. This has intensified since taking up running again. It hasn't been a conscious decision just something that has happened naturally. I find myself wanting very simple, 'clean' food. I claim I'm not a health nut (my friends laugh when I say this?) and yet find myself working out more than most, making my own bread, I have gone from being the person who buys the tomato pasta sauce in a jar to making my own. My one 'cheat' was using tined chopped tomatoes but now find since using fresh (skins and seeds removed) I can't go back. sigh. My latest toy is a juicer haven't used it yet but I see it having a prominent place in my future!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Having said all that I am definitely not above popcorn and candy floss at a Monster Mash but in general there has been as shift towards 'cleaner' eating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Alcohol is no longer appealing, I have the odd beer but think I used it as a way to release stress before, to unwind after a tough day and now running takes care of that for me so I'm no longer drawn to it in the same way). I used to drink a lot in my late teens and throughout my 20's, very much the culture in Scotland. Very glad to no longer be in that place, I suffer horribly the next day (4 days). </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* Small stuff</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> - Bin bag...trash bag with a head hole as fashioned by H was a GREAT idea to keep me both warm and dry once we left the George R Brown Convention Centre and headed to the start line. I kept it on until around 2 mins from the start and felt warm and dry in the cold rain. I will make sure I always have one with me for every marathon from now on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Warm fleecy tops with a hood I got for H and I for the same period of time (outside waiting for the gun) to throw away was also greatly appreciated. Found them the day before for $10 a piece so didn't hurt too much to toss it. Will start to keep my eye out for such items and start a 'throw away' collection. All clothing was collected and given to the homeless after the race (these guys think of everything). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shoes. I didn't know what to do here really for race day, the whole shoe thing kind of confuses me. I've decided there's a lot of hype and if it aint broke I wont try to 'fix' it. So for the race I wore the same shoes I've been training in. I don't keep track of milage on my shoes but would guess they had around 400 miles on them (they were pretty new ha!) I am thinking I can get more than the 350 the manufacturer tells me I can, I don't want to spend $100+ a month on shoes so I guess I will have to get more out of each pair. I also hate breaking in a new pair, despite getting a wide shoe they are still too narrow initially until a couple of runs have stretched them out. Maybe I'll look for a wider fitting shoe the next time I'm at a running shop. I also recently read it's wise to rotate shoes as pairs can have defects, this makes sense to me, eggs and baskets and all that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I need to get shorts with a pocket for gels that I can race in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Also would like arm warmers, I think they might have been a smart idea for Houston (cold and wet) but as I don't have any I didn't wear any. I have next to no running gear. I probably need to get some.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Gloves, yes need some warm, waterproof gloves too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When staying in a hotel pre race ask in advance about what, if any, breakfast is available and maybe take my own. Ditto with the meal the night before, ask for advice about where to go. We were lucky and Doug and his wife took H and I out to eat the evening before the race so they did the thinking for us. They had their car and so we could get out of the very busy Downtown and went to a great Italian where I got my usual night before spaghetti bolognese. Also $60 all in (with tip) for 4 plus a glass of wine - love the cost of eating out here in the US of A!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Taper!!! ok, best till last! Despite going a little bit crazy during this one, it my 1st real taper, and deciding the day before the race that I couldn't actually run and was going to drop out. I will say it. <b>The taper worked</b>. I went from being able to do 6-8 miles at marathon pace and a bit faster at the end of my long runs whilst having 100 miles in my legs, and it feeling fast, to cruising through 16 miles at that pace on race day (ok the first 5-6 of the marathon felt a little rusty but after that it was EASY). Even after I had my fueling crisis at mile 16 the pace never felt very fast not the way it had in training. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">THE TAPER WORKS. JUST GET THROUGH IT, YOU ARE NOT LOSING FITNESS. I REPEAT YOU ARE NOT LOSING FITNESS DESPITE EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING TELING YOU THAT YOU ARE. THE MARATHON PACE THAT FELT SO FAST IN TRAINING WILL NOT FEEL SO FAST ON RACE DAY BECAUSE YOU WILL BE RESTED BECAUSE........THE TAPER WORKS. ALL THOSE MILES THAT YOU PUT IN HAVE NOT VANISHED, ALL THAT SPEED WORK IS STILL IN THERE. YOU WILL REAP THE BENEFITS OF ALL OF IT COME RACE DAY. YOU ABSOLUTELY WILL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am writing the above as a reminder to myself! I know that I will freak out during my next taper and the same doubts will no doubt flood my mind and I want to have something to remind myself that all will be well! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I said I have been meaning to jot down all the things I want to remember while they are still fresh in my mind so I can use the knowledge gained from this marathon for my next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So what is next. I have prepared a race plan for 2013 and have given it to Doug so he can come up with a training schedule for me. Thank you Doug! I will post the details of it later. But the biggies are a marathon in <span style="color: red;">Chicago in Ocotober </span>and then <span style="color: red;">Houston</span> again in <span style="color: red;">January</span> (ok, so I'm into 2014 but it's the year ahead). I think 2 marathons a year are the limit, Doug agrees.<span style="color: red;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why Chicago? I googled 'fast and flat marathons USA' of course. It is not a definite yet, another one that needs some 'gentle force' with my husband! :D I have young kids and the night before Houston was the first I've ever spent away from them. So to go to another city for this running hobby seems a bit of a stretch for me. But one that fills me with so much excitement. I admit I felt like it was a HUGE extravagance to have a hotel room the night before Houston and all to myself :s I wouldn't want to take the kids to Chicago, it just wouldn't work. But if I can trick my husband into viewing it as a weekend getaway for just him and I..... ;) No trickery really, I am very tongue in cheek incase you hadn't noticed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the mean time I have a local 5k at the Y on the 2nd of Feb, my kids will be running in the 1 mile race too and then a 50k, yes I said 50k on the 9th. Its also local, only 10 miles away and a friend asked if I wanted to do it with him so I got the ok from Doug. I will be taking it easy, well that's what I'm saying at this point but that may change between now and then. Oh, hell it already has! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ok, everyone's up and I have things to do and have blabbed on and on for long enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you have any thoughts or additional advice on any of the above I am always open to suggestions. I have so little experience and I love to hear what other runners have to offer, regardless of what pace they run. Experience is experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh, I did 8 miles with the group yesterday and got all the post marathon chat which was fun. Because it was such a short run H and I decided to go for the post run coffee (tea in my case) and further chat which we never do because we feel we have to race home to save our husbands from our kids ;D Anyway, I had (as usual) pee'd myself a little (lot) during the run (see 3 kids) anyway, I put my grey tracksuit bottoms on after the run then went and sat down for my cup of tea. When it was time to leave I realised that my wet shorts, which are always black to hide my leaky bladder, had most definitely shown through onto my grey bottoms. So I did the whole awkward hover as we all got up to leave trying to make all the guys walk out in front of me, and would they, NO! So off Heather and I went, in the lead. sigh. I whispered my problem to her whereupon she leaned right back and looked at my ass, despite my cry 'don't look!' :D She confirmed my fear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just thought I'd mention one of the not so glamorous aspects that make up my every day. I could go way worse than this, believe me but will refrain....for now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yours, keeping it real. ;)</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-70392054381864619682013-01-14T13:35:00.001-08:002013-01-14T13:54:37.561-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Ministry of silly walks</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was kind of hoping the video of the finish would show a little bit more of my post marathon attempt at walking but it does catch a bit of a wobble. Enjoy! :D</span></div>
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http://results.bazumedia.com/athlete/index/e/3103107</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some more stats:</span></div>
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Person Details</div>
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Participant</h2>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="list-table names" style="border: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; width: 318px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Name</td><td class="f-__fullname last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">Cook, Vicky (USA)</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Age Group</td><td class="f-age_class last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">35-39</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">BIB</td><td class="f-start_no_text last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">1306</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Age</td><td class="f-age last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">35</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">State</td><td class="f-state last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">TX</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">My Favourite</td><td class="f-__nix last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://results.houstonmarathon.com/2013/?content=detail&id=000000772502&pid=search&event=MARA&favorite_add=000000772502" style="color: #b9111e; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Add Runner To 'My Favourites'" src="http://static.r.mikatiming.de/stages/blue/images/icon_favorite_add.png" style="border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" title="Add Runner To 'My Favourites'" /></a></td></tr>
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Totals</h2>
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<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Place (M/W)</td><td class="f-place_all last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">22</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Place (Division)</td><td class="f-place_age last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">3</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Place (Overall)</td><td class="f-place_nosex last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">146</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Finish Net</td><td class="f-time_finish_netto last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">03:01:50</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Finish Gun</td><td class="f-time_finish_brutto last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">03:01:59</td></tr>
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Splits</h2>
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<tr><th class="desc" style="background-color: #aaaaaa; border-right-color: rgb(203, 214, 225); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: white; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Split</th><th class="time" style="background-color: #aaaaaa; border-right-color: rgb(203, 214, 225); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: white; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top; width: auto;">Time</th><th class="diff right" style="background-color: #aaaaaa; border-right-color: rgb(203, 214, 225); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: white; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top; width: auto;">Diff</th><th class="min_km right opt" style="background-color: #aaaaaa; border-right-color: rgb(203, 214, 225); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: white; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">min/mile</th><th class="kmh right opt last" style="background-color: #aaaaaa; border-right-width: 0px; color: white; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">miles/h</th></tr>
</thead><tbody>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">5K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">00:21:36</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">21:36</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:58</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.63</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">10K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">00:43:03</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">21:27</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:56</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.66</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">15K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">01:03:34</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">20:31</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:50</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.80</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">20K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">01:24:57</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">21:23</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:51</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.78</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">HALF</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">01:29:37</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">04:40</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:51</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.78</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">25K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">01:46:26</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">16:49</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:52</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.76</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">30K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">02:08:33</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">22:07</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:54</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.70</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">35K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">02:30:17</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">21:44</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:55</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.68</td></tr>
<tr class="list-highlight" style="background-color: #f1f1f1;"><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">40K</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">02:52:01</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">21:44</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:56</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.67</td></tr>
<tr><td class="desc" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top; width: 100px;">Finish Net</td><td class="time" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; vertical-align: top;">03:01:50</td><td class="diff right right" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">09:49</td><td class="min_km right opt right opt" style="border-right-color: rgb(222, 222, 222); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">06:57</td><td class="kmh right opt right opt last" style="border-right-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 4px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">8.65</td></tr>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-11907806930012605332013-01-13T12:05:00.002-08:002013-01-13T15:18:11.824-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">3:01 :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No cliff hanger here ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This will be brief. I never thought I'd be so happy with missing my goal but happy I am :) See, can't stop smiling :):):):):):)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long story short:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided yesterday that I wasn't running, then that I was only treating it as a training run due to the tightness I felt in my chest during my easy 3 mile run. I think I just totally freaked out. My whole family is/has been sick and I have been dreading getting it too and I haven't been 100% but honestly I think it might have just been anxiety!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, after texting Coach Doug and Heather that I was out, I texted them back to say '**** it, I'll run and see what happens'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today was cold, wet, and windy in Houston. Nice running weather for this Scottish girl. I stayed downtown in my own room and didn't know what to do with myself so I spent the whole time last night reading and missing my kids (who met me at the end and have since driven me crazy - so normality has been resumed ;)). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not good in big crowds and boy were there a LOT of people there this morning. This is y 1st big marathon but I had no problem getting a porta-loo, bag drop was easy, I got pretty close to the start line. All good, nice job at moving a lot of people around seamlessly Houston.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I caught up to the 3 hour group and there I remained. I felt great, i wanted to go at mile 13...no wait...mile 14...no wait. Then mile 16 hit, I was waiting until mile 18 to make my break but holy moly the life just seeped out of the soles of my feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I learned a HUGE lesson today. This runner DOES need fuel during a marathon. Yes, I had decided not to take anything other than a few sips of gatorade from the 10 mile point on. All that stuff messes with my stomach and I thought I didn't need it. WRONG. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have never felt anything like it, the pace dropped off, my eye sight went terrible, I was weaving around and felt so light headed. I started asking all the spectators is they had a gel I could have. Then I saw a man with orange slices I grabbed one and inhaled it, still no gel, I NEEDED a gel. I kept going and asking everyone then I got lucky and a woman gave me one! THANK YOU BEST SPECTATOR EVER. I told her she had saved my life, a little dramatic perhaps but she did save my race. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took it, then washed it down with gatorade (made it to the next water station) then got a banana from someone. Ok, kick in, kick in, kick in! And it did, I felt a million times better, felt energy come back and then it was back to business. I could still see the 3 hour 'balloon' so close and yet so far. I told myself to relax and take my time getting them back. I knew if I could just get there I could settle in and I'd get my goal. I worked to close that gap but I could not get to them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took gatorade from that point onwards and another gel at around the 20 mile mark where there was a fuel station. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crossed the line, in<span style="color: red;"> 3:01</span> did the whole stop running and my legs would not cooperate and walk thing! Was held up by a nice guy until I looked like I wouldn't veer into the barrier and/or collapse anymore. So that's a 12 minute PR, I'll take it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so awesome. I'm so happy. I know there's so much more in there even at this point. But the really exciting thing is I feel like I understand what my body needs fuel wise (I'm sure I still have a lot to learn but todays lesson was a very important one) and I know that with the right training (mega miles) I have so much more to give. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found my family and within 5 minutes of finishing I had my 4 year old on my shoulders and was making the 15 minute walk to the car so we could get back to the hotel. Life was restored to normal (4 year olds have no respect for the fact their mums have just run a marathon). Love her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bit of a sore tummy afterwards, price to pay for those gels but worth it for pulling my race back around today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">22nd female, 3rd in AG.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next goal, sub 2:55 by the end of the year (would really like low 2:50's actually so might revise that). But talk, as we know is cheap. Rest time then back to averaging some serious milage for 2013.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm adding the most important part late!!!!!!! Huge thanks to Doug Storey, Coach extraordinaire. Like I told him, I knew he knew his sh** ;) If you're 'serious' (ie prepared to work hard) and are looking for someone who takes your thoughts, wants and needs into account (he gets that we runners are all different) then he's your man. </span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-43534683914162615802013-01-07T07:18:00.001-08:002013-01-07T11:09:38.318-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Doubting 'Thomas'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One week to go until Houston marathon and I am in taper hell. I wont bang on and on about how it feels because I'm guessing you all know, far better than I I'm guessing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been/am under the weather too which is not helping my head at the moment one bit. I caved on Saturday and went to the dr's who gave me an assortment of pills and potions (bronchitis) to take so hopefully by Sunday I will be back to normal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My kids are all coughing and my eldest is throwing up so we are just a picture of health, I'm hoping I can avoid the throw up part but once one of my kids gets something they are very good at sharing with the rest of the family. I also still have my weird stomach thing lingering on. It's been a month now and things aren't back to normal so I will go see a dr about it after Houston. I have a feeling I have some nasty bacteria hiding out in my stomach and it's time it left!!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But there's no point stressing about it, there's nothing I can do so time will tell what kind of health I'm in when I line up on Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am missing my 100 mile weeks so much. I have decided that in the future I want to keep my miles high in the run up to a marathon and just drop the intensity the week before. The holidays have not helped in any of this. I am a creature of habit and the added stress of no school and having my hubbie home messing with my routine has not helped! I had the packed lunches made last night, clothes laid out, bags packed all ready for school today then both kids were sick so no school. It turns out they saved me some embarrassment - school starts back tomorrow :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The timing of the Houston marathon is not great and I think I'll listen to Coach Doug and pick a different one for next year. Any recommendations? I think I'd like to do one in October/November and then maybe a 2nd in March (probably the Woodlands). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Coach Doug thinks I'm capable of 2:57 on Sunday. He has suggested a race plan but I think my head isn't quite there yet. I'm not 100% certain yet but I think I'm going to start off with the 3 hour pacers and sit in until the 18 mile mark. If I'm feeling it then this will be the earliest point I'll make a move but may hold off until 20 miles. I am not sure of my speed but am confident about my endurance, not sure that makes sense. But I feel like the longer the race goes on the more it plays into my hands ie if I can get to 18/20 miles and feel ok then I think I'll make it. I want to negative split, I want to feel in control and own all 26.2 miles. I don't want to do my usual start off too fast and spend the rest of the time dying a long slow death. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I do have some fire in my belly but my lack of races in leaving big question marks for me. Let's face it someone with a 1:28 half PR has no business going for a sub 3 marathon but that 1:28 was a bit of a disaster. I had a emergency 'bathroom' stop in the trees and suffered with a sore stomach for most all of it. So I know I'm faster than that....but how much?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been eating these big miles up and throwing down some nice faster miles towards the end when my schedule has called for it. I have completed some monster speed sessions and have hit all the paces set. But the last week has been a mess with tendentious rearing its head for a couple of days, illness and general family chaos. I feel like I must be losing fitness but I guess the taper is done for a reason and I do trust Doug but I do have to keep reminding myself all the work I've done hasn't been undone because of the taper but that's how it feels!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In all honesty I just want it to be Sunday so I can get this one out of the way and start putting in the big miles I want to average for 2013. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to it, I'm desperate to race, I want to get that time so stinking badly! But I also know this will not be my fastest marathon, there's more to come and I want to move passed this one and get serious about this 26.2 business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've asked Doug if we can stay between 90-100 miles for the year and he came back with 80-100 to which I said 89-100 and it's a deal ;) I know that by putting in consistently high miles I will get the kind of marathon time I want. I also want April/May/June to be jam packed with speed work. I want more 200 and 400's than I've had hot dinners. I want my 800 and mile time to be as fast as I can get them which means a return to the Rice Uni Allcomers I ran a couple of last year. I want a far more respectable 5k time all while putting in high miles week in week out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I also want to get some core/strength work built into my routine and keep it there (my core work has fallen since my miles got big). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Want, want, want, want, want!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a hotel room booked for Saturday so will leave in the afternoon and hit the expo to pick up my package then I'll have an entire evening to myself. I've never been away from the kids for a night before but knowing my husband is in charge will hopefully allow me to relax?! A few friends are running and are staying over night so hopefully I can meet up with them and find a good place to eat (makes me nervous eating out the night before a race - I was thinking about taking my own food but how would I heat it up?!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the eating front, I also feel like I've put on so much weight despite the scales telling me otherwise. I just feel like a taper messes with my head more than it's worth. I'd rather go in to a marathon less rested but have my head in a good place than go through this again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But it's is just running isn't it folks. I am reminded on almost a daily basis how lucky I am to have the life I have. My kids are healthy (well, you know what I mean) I found one of the good ones husband wise, I have my health. Life is good and it has been good to me. I get to run, I get to run my guts out on Sunday and then will be met by the 4 faces I love at the end. Life is good.</span><br />
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Freezing yet enthralled at Sea World San Antonio last week (the hats were purchased at the Alamo an hour or so before, sooo cold!)</div>
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For once I didn't say 'no' to the lolly pops. Well, who can refuse a princess and her brothers on her birthday?! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We surprised the kids with 2 nights in a 'fancy hotel' once their Daddy got home after missing Christmas and being away for 7 out of the last 8 weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One last thing. I have people tell me how 'I've got this' that it's 'in the bag' etc etc etc. I think 'how do you know?' Their wishes and kind thoughts whilst appreciated mean zero to me motivationally. Doesn't that sound awful, but it's true. Then there's this one guy. My favourite guy. Who doesn't think I'm going to make sub 3. He hasn't come out and said it directly but he keeps telling me not to be too disappointed if I don't etc etc etc. He is my favourite guy because that's what makes me tick. Don't tell me I CAN do something, tell me I CAN'T. Doubt me, think I just don't have it. It will be his words I carry with me on Sunday, his voice I hear at miles 5, 13, 18, 20, 22 etc etc etc. I wont be devastated if I don't get under 3 on Sunday but I will be if I don't give it everything I've got and there's no chance of that happening and for that I thank you Mr Doubter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now do me a favour and post some doubt filled comments ;)</span><br />
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-22955543262659358902012-12-22T19:44:00.002-08:002012-12-22T19:48:54.821-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I ran my 2nd ever marathon today, 'Day after the end of the world' as part of my build up to Houston in 3 weeks. It was just a training run and despite not running as slowly as I was supposed to it was still a fun, relaxed run (didn't wear my watch just enjoyed myself and went by feel).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I left home at 7am for an 8am race start, the race was only around 20 mins away form my doorstep. Had to get a babysitter for this one as my husband is still away (2 weeks down ???? weeks to go :( ). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I ate breakfast as usual and decided against taking anything else during the run apart from a few gulps of gatorade and as much water as I felt I needed. It was a nice cold start and a constant breeze (at times fairly strong head wind) meant it never got too hot which I like. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I started off with H, we had both been told to take it easy and hit 8-8:30 pace but after the 1st loop I got itchy feet and pulled away a little bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have found a groove in training and its just as uncomfortable to run slower than this pace as it is to run faster so I found my groove and stuck to it. Ok, so there was also one chick ahead of us and it was kind of bothering me (caught her fairly early on the 2nd loop). Then I started picking off some guys, which is always fun :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The course was so much fun, definitely not a fast one, it was quite sandy underfoot at points with some undulating small hills and twisty and......wonderful actually. So different from the usual paths and roads that I am stuck on 100 miles a week, I had a blast! It reminded me of some cross country courses I ran growing up in Scotland, had a near the coast feel to it and no concrete just 100% trail :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I got passed by a guy at the end of the 3rd loop and then we did a bit to yo-yo'ing before settling for running together and having a nice chat for the vast majority of the last lap. He had run the 'end of the world marathon' on the same course the day before. I told him I was taking it easy so if he wanted to leave me to go for it but he started to struggle with a couple of miles to go, I hung around and tried to encourage and story tell as much as I could to help pass the time for him but after a while I decided to leave him to it and scooted off for the finish where we arranged to meet in the pizza and coke line ;) I was CRAVING coke so badly during that last lap?! I very rarely drink it but it's all I could think about for the last few miles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Upon finishing, I was handed a HUGE finishers medal and my squeezy toy (a Steve Boone, race organizer, speciality) showing my finish place. A number 2? 'Emmm, I know I wasn't 2nd?' I informed the woman handing out the medals and toys. I thought I was 4th and saw the 3 guys who had finished ahead of me all still standing around the finish. So after 'being mum' and making sure they all had the right numbered toy, I left in search for my coke with my correct number 4 (1st female but Steve Boone doesn't discriminate!) Why do guys always need a woman to organise them ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Got my coke, found my lap 4 friend but passed on the pizza. My stomach has been playing up for the last week or so AGAIN. It's driving me nuts, I think I should probably go see a doctor but who has time for that? Anyway, I took a couple of imodium before the start and it did it's job, no toilet stops and only one bad spell during the 3rd lap. I suffered afterwards for a few hours but it's been way worse so no big complaints. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today was true running joy for me. No pressure, no watch, just fun. I had a blast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My time? 3:25 for a long 27 and change course (H and my lap 4 friend plus race organiser all said just over 27 miles). The race the day before was 28 miles so they must have shaved a little bit off for todays. Some people who I know ran yesterday and didn't like the course or the fact it was long but I didn't care. It was never going to be a fast one and I was relaxed about it and just happy to be there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So that's 2 marathons and 2 wins, I know this record is going to be short lived!</span></div>
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H feeling the cold</div>
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The gang</div>
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After the race, H face planted so we were comparing knees. She was fine!</div>
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Today's medal in on the left, the one on the right is from my other marathon (Texas marathon Jan 2012) both Steve Boone races. Both are huge but the Jan 1st one is the largest finishers medal in USA I believe! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This bad boy weighs more than 3 lbs, todays was probably around 1lb Mr Boone does not mess around with his medals :D No special awards for age groups or 1st place, everyone gets the same which I like.</span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-82249219239095905262012-12-15T16:30:00.000-08:002012-12-15T16:30:47.837-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today's 23 miler was pretty great in a few different ways. First off it capped another 100 mile week. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was charged with the first 17 being easy (probably averaged around 8:00/mile pace) then putting the last 6 in at 6:50 (marathon pace....allegedly). The final 6 miles went: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">6:51</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6:51, 6:46, 6:50, 6:41, 6:31. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Upon finishing I stopped the watch, bent over and threw up! First time for everything, actually have done it before when I was around 9. Finished a cross country race and threw up due to car sickness from the journey down. Today wasn't down to the effort either, it was the gel I took after 13 miles. Today I had my 1st whole gel, having tried half last week I thought I'd give it a go. I started to feel ill at 20.5 miles but not bad enough for it to slow me down. Not sure what to do in the marathon, I can cope with feeling like that for 2.5 miles or so but much longer and it might affect my race. Will persevere.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was hot and humid today, give me a break Houston! December 15th and my tshirt was soaked through and I started to get HOT during those last few faster miles. I told H at mile 19 'I want to take my t-shirt off so badly' to which she replied 'do it' (she was wearing a bra top but has the 6 pack to carry it off!). After a moments hesitation I thought '**** it' and off it came. It felt soooooo good, instantly 7 -10 degrees cooler, first time I've ever sported the somewhat skimpy sports bra look! It was very liberating, these guys have it easy with their bare chest training/racing that seems to very popular here in Houston! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have a real problem racing when its warm, I think I overheat very easily and have noticed a benefit since losing the baseball cap. Maybe I need to not worry about the fact my stomach is clearly one that has been stretched during 3 pregnancies and just get over it already. I think I will, if it keeps me cooler then it would be madness NOT to right? I just feel half naked and am pretty self-conscious...we'll see. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">H hasn't ran with me for a while and commented on how strong/fit I've become. I am gaining strength with every mile and am excited to see where some consistently high milage can take me next year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This week also saw an 8 mile threshold run (6:30 pace on treadmill) as part of a 12 miler and the 'gut buster' which consists of mile, half and quarter mile reps, 2 of each with small recoveries then you get to.....do it all again! So mile, mile, half, half, quarter, quarter, and repeat. I was more tired at the end of Thursday than I normally am.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">12 months ago I ran my 1st and to date only marathon in 3:13, it will be interesting to see how much I've progressed over that time. I know I'm a far better runner now but will the clock agree?! <i>Time</i> will tell.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Feeling like a very lucky girl to have found such a great coach and all round top bloke in Coach Doug and to have a wonderful training partner in H, if only I could persuade her to stay in Kingwood and not move to Colorado in a few months time :( </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Oh, upon finishing today's 23 I had to go into the Kroger where we park to grab some party favours for my soon to be 6 year olds party at........Chuck up Cheese's ;) (which I had an hour to get home, shower, eat and get the kids to). I ran and asked a girl at the cafe if they sold tshirts, 'yes, in the far corner', of course they would be! Remember I'm in effect in my underwear here. I then found and put on the largest t-shirt I have ever seen :D with some football moto on the front. I then grabbed a heap of crayons and pads of paper (buy 2 get one free YAS!) for the favours and scarpered unsure if the t-shirt was a more embarrassing look than the underwear. My t-shirt is hopefully still by the lake near my house where I tossed it, didn't have the energy this afternoon to take all the kids to go look for it. Will go first thing in the morning. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Any suggestions for good, super supportive sport bra top...things would be greatly appreciated. Preferably ones that make your stomach look ripped ;)</span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-65828847142622608562012-12-09T12:25:00.002-08:002012-12-09T12:25:36.669-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">First ever century</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I achieved a bit of a milestone yesterday morning on completion of my 22.5 miler, I reached a total milage for the week of 100. Nice, it feels good! Only 5 weeks until the 2013 Houston Marathon and I have a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">100, 104, 96 </span>over the next 3 of those weeks. I'm hoping it will be enough to put me in a position to run sub 3 but I'm not sure. I know I'll get there I just can't help wish I'd been putting in these big miles for the last few months. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yesterdays 22.5 (I had to do the .5 as I couldn't possibly end the week with 99.5) was nice. I took the first 12 easy and pushed a little on the final 10 but not as much as I have in previous weeks. The big news of the day was taking half a gel and not suffering any nasty side effects! I wasn't brave enough to try a whole one on my first go but will on next weeks long run.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I love running these higher miles and can feel my running coming on leaps and bounds but will it be enough for Jan 13th..... It doesn't really matter, the important thing is I am thriving on the big miles and my body is handling it (although I do touch wood frequently as all those around me seem to be getting injured). My goals are long term and I will give it all I have come the day but it isn't the be all and end all. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have had my husband home for the last week so have been able to put in some early morning runs, this weekend being no exception. Up at 4am to run at 4:45 take it's toll 4 mornings out of the week, well it does for me. Add to that the procession of kids I've had down to my bed each night this week and the disrupted sleep that follows and I am one very tired lady. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was lucky that my husband didn't have to leave last night as we had previously thought but held off until 7am this morning thus giving me time to get my 15miles in. I almost turned back on the bridge today as I couldn't see past the end of my nose, picture pitch dark with a thick fog and running into....nothingness! It was a little unnerving but I soldiered on and didn't come across the boogeyman in the thick pea-souper, phew. I then waved hubby goodbye, jumped in the shower whilst shouting at the kids to get dressed and got down to Duessen Park to watch the Rungirl half as fast as we could. I love to watch races but it was hard to be there and not be competing although the way my legs felt on todays recovery run I wouldn't have been able to do anything special. Sunday recovery runs are always a bit of a slog, I just take it very easy and run off the previous days long run. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">H was running and blew the rest of the field away for another PR. I want to be just like her when I grow up ;) Doug was also there to cheer H on so it was nice to get a chat with him although it is kind of hard with the cherubs causing havoc. You know whats a good job for young kids at a race...picking up all the water cups! Kept my 5 year old busy for a little while at least.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here's what my first ever century looked like:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Sunday 15miles easy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Monday 15 miles easy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Tuesday 12 miles 8-8:30</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday 15 miles 8-8:30</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thursday 0.5 w/u, 7 miles @ 6:50 (was supposed to be 10 but was called back to the child care at Y as they 'can't control' my 2 year old :s)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Friday 13 8-8:30</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Saturday 22.5, 1st 12.5 around 8:10, last 10 building to low 7's </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This was the lowest quality week I've had in a long time. I normally have threshold miles (6:30 pace) on a Monday and speed work on a Thursday. This week sees me back to the usual routine, let's see how I cope with 2 quality days (3 if you count Saturday's 23 with the last 6 at 6:50 pace!) in a 100 mile week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This week is a killer with 8 threshold wrapped up in a 12 miler on Monday and the 'Gut Buster' on Thursday. Might not make it though to Saturday's long run and those marathon paced miles ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In 2 weeks time my schedule has me down for a long run of 24 miles and it happens to coincide with a local marathon so I asked permission and got the go ahead from Doug. It's just a training run so I will stick to the 8-8:30 pace set for it. I have a few friends running AND it's on trails AND its called 'The day after the end of the world marathon' COOL! I'm excited. Hubby will still be away (looks like he will be gone for Christmas, a first in the 14 years we've been together :( ) so I'll have to call in some babysitting or have my mum take the kids, ditto for this weekend.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A few photos just because.</span></div>
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'Uncontrollable? Do I look uncontrollable to you?'</div>
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Tree 1, there is a lot of nudity in this house ;)</div>
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Obsessed with my new toy! </div>
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This is my end of the day look, disheveled yet victorious.</div>
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Obsessed. raison and cinnamon loaf before</div>
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and after. </div>
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rosemary loaf </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tree 2, needs a few more lights and a bit more tinsel!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So I can say with 100% certainty my next marathon will not be a PR but the one after that had better be! </span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-55490538491611945022012-11-22T11:19:00.002-08:002012-11-22T11:19:22.480-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Thankful that's behind me!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As much as my miles keep going up, so it would seem does the intensity of my track sessions. I am in the middle of a 90 mile week, the most I have ever run and today marked the latest tough track workout. It went like this:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2000m, 10 min active rec, 8x800 2-3 min rec, 5min rec then final 2000m. Total miles 10.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I hit the times I was set, mid range, thus:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">7:40, 2:50, 2:51, 2:52, 2:51, 2:53, 2:52, 2:51, 2:52, 7:35.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm happy. It was tough but I completed it and on target, can't ask for any more right? I like a full recovery so the big rests between these helped lots. I was solo for this session (what's new) and despite thinking I'm pretty good at hitting paces it took me the 1st 2000 and next 800 to find my feet again on the track. This was my 1st track session in a while but once I found my groove it was game on! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I find these big sessions to be such a balancing act between pushing whilst knowing there's still lots more work to come.I told myself on each rep that 'this is all there is, just hit the pace and worry about the others whilst running them'. I think today showed me that I do have the strength to get through a session like this so might be able to push each 800 a bit more in future? (big talk is easy after the fact!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">With every session I am becoming more and more astounded by my new found strength. It's not so long ago that all I could manage were 3 miles at 10 min mile pace, a session that had me bent over double at the end and feeling fairly sick. I know that nothing gets harder than that 1st run. In my opinion it just gets easier and easier until you reach where you want to be. To others it looks like you are so tough, how can you complete a session like that? But it's just chipping away bit by bit and it comes, it has to.....right?! There is no big secret, the only thing you need to be able to do is work hard. Boy am I beginning to work hard! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Pat on the back for me, hey somebody's got to ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not a very welcoming sight for me at 7:30 this morning but they need to try harder than that to keep me out :D</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you're offended by profanity LOOK AWAY NOW! Took this and sent it to Coach Doug once the job was done! My hands were frozen thus the magnificent writing :s</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Have a good one!</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-39406150278911730242012-11-17T13:52:00.001-08:002012-11-17T16:57:26.310-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">The price of a 20 miler</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What does a 20 miler cost?..... $50 of course! That's what it cost me today to have one of my running buddies daughter come and feed my kids breakfast so I could go out to play! My husband is still offshore thus the sitter. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today was wonderful. I left the house t 4:45 and started my run at 5am, running the 1st 4 miles solo then hooking up with H who needed 16. We ran the 1st 6 (10 for me) at around 8min/mile pace but then picked up the last 10 as planned. Our range is 7:15-8:00 and we wanted the last 10 to be at the faster end of the range. We succeeded! It felt fantastic, the whole run was in the 40's and my stomach problem that has been bothering me for the best part of a fortnight has gone. It is so nice to run pain free and not have to ditch in the trees...well that's not true, still had to ditch but my bladder will never be the same after 3 kids ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Whilst my thighs felt heavy the entire time, full of lead heavy, I still felt good. Fast and strong. I am getting stronger, there's no doubt. I have never been able to keep my pace so strong and have it feel easy with my legs feeling so full of junk. All I could think was 'what could I do if my legs felt good?!'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My splits for last 10 were: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">7:34, 7:21, 7:17, 7:15, 7:19, 7:10, 7:00, 7:04, 7:03, 6:52.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And thus concludes an 82 mile week. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I ran my mile reps outside across the bridge on Thursday. They sucked. They were slower than they prescribed 6:10-6:15 but it was windy and as I think I mentioned flat it is not, I mean they're not up Mount Everest but an incline is an incline during a mile rep right?! I missed the finish on the 5th of 7 and ran way past it. I could be heard shouting some profanity, to nobody in particular as to where the beep my stump had gone (a tree stump marks my finish line in one direction). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This session has 1 minute recovery and wipes me out like no other session. I mean todays 20 has nothing on this session. On the inclines all I could think was 'fiery balls of fire' as my calves were burning up nicely and I felt places in my rear end I didn't know existed - good stuff! I think these contributed to my heavy legs during todays run.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is my bridge, look it might not look like a hill but I'm telling you I feel it, I think the photo is deceptive ;)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Spoke to Coach Doug about recovery runs and paces and he told me not to worry about the pace but to make sure I run them EASY. He said he knows it's hard to run that slow but I will benefit as it will allow the fast stuff to remain fast whilst maintaining a high milage. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have been taking them easy but I'm such a jerk sometimes. I have ditched the treadmill and have been running over the bridge above all week (we're not allowed to go any further from the Y if we have kids in the creche). Over and back, over and back, over and back you get the picture. Anyway, I found myself racing people the other day. Thoughts like 'I wonder if I could catch her by that sign', or 'I bet I could catch them before I have to turn', etc etc etc. What a neep (Scottish for turnip, and in this case idiot) I am. So what was supposed to be easy started getting in the 7:30 range the day after mile reps. I WILL behave in future (I did catch them though :)). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So, to surmise, I feel great, tired, legs full of running but great. I knew big mile would give me the boost I needed and I'm only 2 weeks in with lots still to come. I just need to keep healthy and I'll be in good shape come Houston. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Tomorrows recovery 12 marks the start of a 90 mile week and the most miles I've ever run in a week. Alas no mile reps, instead Thanksgiving see's me on the track with a session comprised of: 2000, 8x800, 2000. Gulp, might actually miss those mile repeats ;) I just need to find someone to watch my kids.........</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Random thought time. I HATE my doorbell. With 3 kids, there is never a good time for anyone to ring it. I have tried and failed to take it to bits with a screwdriver so last week resorted to this:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today the postman had a parcel for me and he KNOCKED at the door. When I opened it he asked in a slightly scared voice 'did I wake the baby?' Yes he was sleeping, no he didn't wake him. Ha, success! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I keep adding to this post but I forgot to ask a question. Today I ran these 20 miles and had zero water (not a single mouthful) and didn't eat anything. It was really cold and I did carry water for all of 2.5 miles (from miles 10-12.5) when I ditched it behind a tree. I did have toast and marmalade and a cup of tea 45 mins before I started. My question is this: I have problems any time I try to drink any sports drink or take any of these power bar...energy blast type things. I mean they mess me up badly and I HATE it. I can suffer all day after just having some gatorade. Do I NEED to take these things during a marathon, I mean if it's cold as it was today and I'm really not sweating much? I am half tempted to try but don't want to run out of steam. I am so clueless on this area of running. help!</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-20968066539153252092012-11-12T14:16:00.003-08:002012-11-12T14:27:36.844-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am tired. I have complete week one of my 10 week run in to Houston Marathon with a 77 mile week which included a killer mile rep session, 7 mile threshold run and 20 mile long run.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The mile reps really hurt, I opted to do them outside over the bridge at my YMCA. It's a little bit up and down and there was a bit of a breeze and boy did I feel every one of them (there were 6). I was a bit off target with a couple but only by a couple of seconds and it felt like one of the toughest session I've completed so I was pleased. It was one of those sessions when I find myself questioning what on earth I'm playing at. Thoughts like 'I'm 35 years old, I'm a mum of 3, why am I killing myself here to the point of wanting to throw up?!' But I knew those thoughts would vanish the second I completed the session whereas the disappointment of not getting it done would linger on and on and on so failure was not an option.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My long run pace has picked up to be between 7:15 and 8:00 min/mile now which would have been daunting a few months ago when the summer heat and humidity was high but I'm finding my happy, natural, running by myself pace is 7:30 at the moment so wasn't too concerned. I averaged around 7:30 for the 20 but had to stop 3 times due to stomach problems. I took my 1st ever imodium before the run (I have been having problems all week with stomach cramps) and without it I'm certain I would not have completed the session. So good news is I think I can count on imodium to get me through races although I'd prefer to solve the problem but I think I have some kind of weird stomach bug...thing this week. My stomach felt good for the last 4 miles of the 20 and I brought them in a little faster than I ought to 7:00-7:10 but it was so good to be running pain free that I just went with it and enjoyed it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I also genuinely feel, for the 1st time, that a sub 3 hour marathon is possible after only 2 years back running. The thought of 6:50's x 26.2, whilst still daunting is now, I believe doable. If I can handle the schedule I've been set and lose some lbs (I think my weight will be a deciding factor in my success) then I now believe I can do it. Bit of a breakthrough moment.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">After the 20 miles, the real work began with our 1st soccer game at 10am followed by the library, lunch, grocery shopping then 2nd soccer game at 1pm. All of the in and out of the car/car seats and carrying of lawn chairs, sports bags etc whilst pushing a stroller solo is pretty exhausting. I am amazed by how much energy running actually GIVES me though. Once we got home and I had put the baby down for his nap and settled the eldest 2 with a snack and movie rather than flop in a heap and watch the movie too I found myself outside in the garden filling bin liner after bin liner with the leaves that have accumulated in our garden. Then back indoors to make dinner, I feel like I deserve a virtual pat on the back for all this hard graft...anyone? Maybe all the weekends activity is catching up with me now as it's all I can do to punch the keys on the laptop. That night I treated us all to a new Christmas movie (Arthur Christmas), we had all earned it. Great movie but I am a big Christmas fan and am as such probably very biased.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm now 2 days into the new week and have 82 miles comprised in part of more mile reps (7 this time), another 20 miler and todays 10 with 7 at threshold. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today was tough, the toughest threshold ever. My pace has stayed at 6:30-6:40 (due to these sessions being longer than 30 mins) and normally I enjoy this run and it's more easy than tough but today was VERY hard fought. My calves and back of my thighs (I have very poor knowledge of specific muscle names :s) were screaming from the word go, so much so that after 4.3 miles I dropped the pace from 6:30 to 6:40 where it remained until the last 0.6 where I picked it up again. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I don't have any single digit runs until taper time and I admit I do wonder what a 100 mile week will make me feel if 70+ feels like this. But as m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">y husband is away for 3 weeks (1 down 2 to go) maybe having my 3 cherubs solo is a factor although he works such long hours they're ready for, if not in bed when he gets home anyway but I am used to a little help at the weekend. So in his absence most sessions are on the treadmill although I have organized a sitter for very early Saturday mornings so I can get my long runs in in the great outdoors which makes me very very very happy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I made a very exciting purchase today - a rice cooker! I am a terrible rice cook, I never seem to get it right so I loaded it up between picking up my middle cherub from preschool and going for my eldest from Kindergarten and when we got home, it was done! AND it's cooked to perfection! I see a lot of rice in this family's future. It's currently in the freezer awaiting being tossed in the wok for todays chicken fried rice which I am contemplating making and eating very soon and it's only 3:45.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am so hungry all the time but, as mentioned I'm trying to lose a bit of weight so am attempting to find the right balance between eating everything in sight and having a bit of restraint. I also bought a slow cooker or crock pot as they call it here and N has given me some nice bean recipes which she makes a large batch of at the start of the week and then has it during the week when she's hungry. She adds a boiled egg or avocado or chopped up pepper for variety and hey presto a healthy, filling snack to tide me over until meal time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now I have 2 days to decide whether those 7 mile reps on Thursday will be done on the treadmill or over the dreaded bridge.....I kind of hate that I know me being me means they'll be over the bridge. ugh. Sometimes I wish I would give me a break. Are you your toughest task master? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This has reminded me of a woman in the gym today who I had the misfortune to hear bitch and moan her way through her session. She complained about EVERYTHING. I was very close to announcing 'we're all hurting, we're all suffering just shut up and get it done or go home'. Did I mention my threshold run today really hurt and may have added to my no nonsense mood ;s </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Why come and do something so half arsed and complain the entire time? Maybe there was an invisible gun to her head? (I'd have pulled the trigger...) Her training buddy looked suitably annoyed and tried her best to ignore her whilst busting her gut to complete the session. Today the loneliness of the distance runner was a blessing, I could never train with a complainer! I wonder if any of you run with a whiner, good motivation to get faster I guess!</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-59360375982654015432012-11-02T09:23:00.001-07:002012-11-02T09:44:36.439-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Miles and miles and miles of smiles!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is what I have been waiting months for, my new schedule from Coach Doug for the last 10 weeks run up to Houston has arrived. I have been asking for big miles for what seems like forever and he has asked that I demonstrate patience and has assured me 'they are coming'. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">They have arrived. I actually talked him up a bit from the original schedule he sent through. It had me down to run in the Rungirl half in early December but despite us 'running through' that one it still showed dropped milage the week before and week after and the 1st 3 weeks were not as high as I'd have liked. So, being the negotiator that I am I asked for more miles and told him I was willing (sad but willing) to drop the half if it meant more miles were possible. I think he is happier with this plan as it sees an uninterrupted build up to Houston and I am happy I have the kind of miles that are going to kick my fitness level to where it needs to be come January. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Just a side note here, I have been base building forever now and Doug is VERY strict about the 10% rule for weekly total miles and long runs. I feel like I am pushing against him all the time to do more and I know that's one of the reasons him having the final say on what goes is so important, he is not reckless with my health. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So starting next week my weekly milage looks like this:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">77, 82, 90, 78, 99, 100, 102, 93, 68 and 24.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is HUGE for me. I have only run one marathon before and there was no plan. I also don't keep a training schedule but from memory know I was only doing around 50 miles a week. My track sessions were equally unorganized and consisted of around 3/4 800's with maybe a mile thrown in every now and again. On that preparation I ran 3:13. It will be very interesting to see what I can run off of this type of work. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I also asked that I get to 'taper hard' as I can't stand not running! It throws my routine out and especially over the Festive Period when school is out and my husband is at home and our routine goes haywire anyway, I need it to hold onto for the sake of my metal health and the general safety of my entire family (I need those endorphins) ;) (winking but actually 100% sincere!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The track sessions have been moved to a Thursday for logistical reasons that involve a locked track, knowing someone with a key and having company on the MONSTER sessions I have been set! Unfortunately the guy I was hoping would keep me company on these sessions is out of town for most of November but as my husband is also going offshore for 3 weeks I will be treadmill bound anyway. That or I might venture outside the Y and mark up the greenbelt with some chalk and get the sessions done that way. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am happy with the balance of intimidation (blind terror) and excitement I feel looking at this schedule. Just getting through some of the individual sessions will be a victory (the 'Gut Buster' looks particularly fun!) Also stacking up all those miles will not be easy and I'm not taking anything for granted. If anything starts to hurt or I'm just not coping I will let Doug know but I am relishing the challenge. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If successful I know that I have given myself the best possible chance of standing on the start line come January 13th feeling 100% confident that I have kicked my butt into the best shape possible in what will be 2 years back into running. That's very important to me, if my head knows I've done the work then my body can't help but agree. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">But talk is cheap, time to get to work! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Very happy camper.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think I mentioned before that I also want to drop a few pounds before the marathon. I have been watching what I eat more closely than I would otherwise (the only monitoring I did before was watch whatever I fancied go in my mouth) and am hoping that and the increased milage will take care of the junk in my trunk! I get a mixed response when I mention I want to lose a little bit of weight. Some people think I'm nuts and BELIEVE me its not for aesthetic reasons, I feel more attractive with something to actually put in my bra but who wants to carry extra for 26.2 miles? Not I! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In other matters H, N our respective better halves and myself are having an extremely rare night out tomorrow night. I have stocked up on International beers and ales and we will have our own late Octoberfest at mine before hitting the local dive....bar. It is going to get messy, no doubt. We have 9 kids between the 3 of us, we are runners and not HUGE drinkers (well N might be ;)) and we are stay at home types, that can only lead to carnage on a rare night out. It will be fun to relax with these guys in a different setting from our usual one and it's not lost on me that it will probably be the one and only time we get together in this way with H before she and her family leave for Colorado. I am pushing that thought to the back of my mind. I miss her fast ass already.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cheers!</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-17718434546135886402012-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:002012-10-28T12:59:08.766-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Houston Half </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'll keep it brief, I had the perfect day today, I felt rested it was cold and the course was fairly flat. I've been working hard, time for a BIG PR. Fail.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I did PR but not by much <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">1:28:40 </span>and the worse thing is I think I was my own undoing. I ate something yesterday evening that I know can mess me up but haven't had it for ages and was craving it so did (Alpen for those interested!). The result, stomach cramps for the majority of the run today. I had to ditch into the trees at around the 9 mile mark and had waves of cramps throughout the race. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Ok, the positives. In between the cramps I felt great, strong and my breathing was easy. I PR'd and had what was probably around a 30-40s toilet stop so of course I know there's more in there. My stomach is feeling a good bit better now, still not out of the woods (pun intended) and my childish feeling sorry for myself mood has almost lifted. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Lesson learned, no high fibre cereal less than 24 hours before a race, my stomach can't take it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">H ran an outstanding race, 1:25 and change! that's more than a 6 min PR! N also beat me by a few seconds. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2nd in Age Group, I didn't hang around, we gave Coach Doug his whiskey and scampered, I was not feeling up to breakfast and just needed to get home. Only one emergency stop on the way home so that wasn't too bad!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have never been so disappointed with a PR run in my life, I let myself down with a school girl error. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Still, onwards and upwards! The big miles are coming and some serious track/threshold sessions too so time to get the head down and get on with it. I forgot what a child I am when I have a disappointing run! Suck it up buttercup ;)</span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-42681116738215269242012-10-27T16:29:00.001-07:002012-10-27T16:29:19.982-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Freezing my ***** off! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is in danger of becoming a weather blog but I'm so excited to report it is VERY cold right now in Houston, Texas :) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Houston Half Marathon is tomorrow at 7am and the over nigh low is 45 degrees. This makes me very very happy. No where left to hide, let's see what I can do when it's not hot and humid. I feel rested and ready to run. Heather and I have our plan, shooting for a negative split starting out around 6:40 pace and building to 6:30 ish. We'll see. I'm relaxed about running 'together', at the end of the day we're both going to see what we've got and run our own race but we can take turns drafting as it's supposed to be windy at the start, good job we're both a broad 5'9", we might actually give each other some shelter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Coach Doug is going to come along on his bike so we can keep wrapped up until the last possible second before throwing our gear at him, it will be nice to see him and get a proper chat. We're going to take him for breakfast afterwards and I've got a bottle of single malt with his name on it as a small token of my appreciation for all he's done and is doing for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm leaving the family at home for this one, just really want to concentrate on the task at hand. Also, I've been on single parent duty for a few weeks now as my hubbie has been working long hours so I need the break, he's still not home at 6:30pm 0n a Saturday :(</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have surprised myself with how relaxed I've been all week, I can get very nervous before races, a little nerves are good and I can usually keep it in check but this time it has been easy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here's hoping for a PR tomorrow, I have everything in my favour just got to go do it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Got to go look out those gloves and then its an early night with the last few pages of 'Running with the Buffaloes', what a wonderful but heartbreaking book.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wish me luck! </span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-71634086052935822462012-10-20T13:44:00.002-07:002012-10-20T13:44:23.607-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Another week of training ticked off in the build up to the Houston marathon in JAnuary. It has seemed like a very distant goal for a while now but is creeping closer and closer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This week saw my biggest mileage of the build up thus far with 74 miles. I felt tired until around Thursday after my race last Saturday. I went straight into a 10 recovery the next day and then faster work on Monday as usual (.5 mile/.25 mile repeats). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday saw my usual threshold paced run on the Treadmill but as discussed with Doug I upped the speed a little from 6:30 to 6:22/mile. I've been feeling very comfortable at the 6:30 f0r a while now and felt there was room to speed it up a bit without changing the purpose of the session. I was a little tired still from the race but as suspected it felt relaxed but with a little more emphasis on the 'hard' in 'comfortably hard'. I had asked to run it at 6:20 but the treadmill options are 6:18-6:22 so I erred on the side of caution.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I topped the week off with my longest run FOREVER this morning with 18 miles. I ran with my 'old' group, I haven't run with them for ages and have been feeling bad about it and wanted to touch base with them. It was fun and only felt like 14 miles as the last 4 became a somewhat heated political and religious debate! I love this type of thing and found a fellow sparring partner in one of the groups new members. Let's just say we have very different views on...everything! He said at the end it was nice to 'meet' me (we had met once before, I must be VERY memorable!) Anyway, I'm not sure he meant it entirely but it was all in good humor and again, turned 18 into 14. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I didn't get much sleep last night, my own fault just ended up going to bed far too late so am currently fighting the urge to nap. We have been at soccer all morning and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> have a Halloween party this evening which I need like a hole in the head. I just got distracted and read that back - what a PARTY POOPER! The kids are looking forward to it and it will be fun I'm sure. I'm not getting dressed up, I actually hadn't even thought of that until just now......but the kids are so that counts right? I am way more relaxed about it than I would usually be and I realise it's because I actually have something to wear. No, I'm not someone who is really into clothes (I used to be a bit but then I had kids and turned into a bag lady, is a translation required here I wonder? Not someone who loves bags, rather a homeless person. I never know which of my many expression translate over here.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have had a bit of a week of disasters in the communication stakes. Despite all apparently speaking English I have found since moving to Texas I have to search for the words I need as the vocabulary is HUGELY different and my sense of humour just does not translate. Feeling a little exhausted with it and like the alien abroad that I am. Maybe I just need a trip home, it's been a while.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Back to the clothes thing! Sorry, this is all over the place, see tired. Since having kids and my weights being up and down and now with all this running, I haven't had any clothes that fit me properly for....years. I HATE shopping and avoid it like the plague but did venture into GAP last week and found some trousers that really fit me! It's not a big deal but its so nice to feel relaxed that I know I have something and that I may look semi respectable! I grabbed some tops too so I'm all set :) Oh, for all you hipless wonders out there, 'sexy boyfriend' GAP jeans are the way ahead, I got 2 pairs. Will probably get every color, hey they fit 'if it aint broke.....!'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Its easy to know when I'm tired I ramble the biggest heap of...... :) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Taper week this week and then Houston half next Sunday, if it's as cold as it was this morning (car said 53 at 5am!!!!!!!!!) I will be happy. I only had shorts and a vest on and only wished I'd put on a long sleeved top for the first half mile. I never run in anything other than shorts and am not a fan of a long sleeve unless its freezing. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Oh, I forgot the most important bit, a red angry bird, Tinkerbell and a garden gnome. You were desperate to know of course ;) </span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-72394951976212344002012-10-16T11:29:00.001-07:002012-10-16T11:29:34.962-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Can running be a team effort?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Last week on our long run it was just H and I for 17 miles and she popped the question, no not that question! She asked how I felt about working together during our upcoming half marathon. My initial reaction was 'yeh, sure', you can pretty much ask me anything and that will be my response. She reassured me she knew races are everyman for themselves but maybe we could have a plan for the 1st few miles. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I went home and as is always the way I fully digested what I had just agreed to. I have never run a race before as a team. I mean I've run countless relays but that's different. The whole concept of entering a race with a plan that involves working with someone else is so alien to me. I would have never thought of doing it myself. I worried that in agreeing I was somehow losing my competitive edge, not treating the race with my usual 100% do or die attitude? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I decided that I would talk to H and tell her I didn't want to but then as the day wore on I really started to think about how this partnership could benefit me, both of us. I think it's so important to be conservative in the 1st few miles and I struggle to contain myself, if I was accountable to someone else pace wise then maybe that would be more likely to happen. Yes, maybe for the 1st 5 miles we could keep each other in check. Then I started to think about it some more. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We work together a lot, we make a good team on the track and long runs week in week out, maybe it could work in a race? It's much harder to be upfront and setting a pace, imagine if we could take turns, mile about during the guts of the half, say miles 6-11....think of it as 3x 1 mile reps each, thus sharing the work load and the pressure of pace making...that's sounds kind of awesome. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I think it might help psychologically too, breaking the race up that way into real separate chunks. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I haven't talked to H anymore about it since she popped the question so these are merely my thoughts. I did check with Doug what he thought about us working together and he said he thought it was a great idea so we have coach clearance. Between the 3 of us I'm sure we'll come up with a good plan. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It even got me thinking about the marathon in January. H and I share the same coach and are working towards the same goal, sub 3 in Houston. What if we could work together in that race too?! How incredible would it be to go up against 26.2 as a team, maybe the half will act as a good trial run to see how we both feel about it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's funny how full circle I've come on this. It's not EVER something I would have thought up by myself and my initial reaction (after agreeing ;D) was 'wow, wait a minute, I really want to kick everyone's ass in every race I enter including you H!' but I think this might be the smart thing to do to get the fastest possible time I can. I am excited to talk to H and see what her thoughts are. I do think the plan should only extend to the first 11 miles, then it's just a case of give it what you've got for the last 2. Also, if she's feeling great and doesn't want to stick to the plan she can take off at any time she likes and ditto for me (but I don't see that being an issue for me).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I said I want to 'kick everyone's butt' but thats not really true, I don't think about placing or other runners when I race I am just trying to better myself (except for in the race when I try to pick off runners or beat them towards the finish of course!). I'm all about PR's at this stage. So if H and N (she's running the half too) were to go out and beat me, that's a ok, I'm interested in how I run and my time and I always want to see them do their best and have a great run. Oh, I don't think N is interested in teaming up, she announced on Sundays recovery run 'I don't even want to see your faces before the race'. :D She cracks me up and she meant it! I guess car pooling's out of the question then :D</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I've really surprised myself on this as I am a VERY independent person. I don't do anything really with help from others, I am loath to ask for help I just like to get the job done solo, it always seems so much easier that way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever teamed up during a race, is that what it feels like when you run with pacers? I've never run with a pace group before and was nervous about losing my competitive edge come Houston if I chose to then - does that sound nuts?!</span></div>
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Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8271878997014339241.post-52273862830205001722012-10-13T14:48:00.003-07:002012-10-13T17:12:24.494-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Ten for Texas</span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Just a quick recap of this mornings adventure to the Woodlands for my Ten for Texas 10 miler (the names a bit of a giveaway right?!) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I did, as predicted PR. But as this was my first ever 10 mile race that only required a finish. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The plan was to start off at around 6:40-6:45 pace and then after 3/4 miles pick it up to 6:30-6:25. I didn't manage that pace, here are my splits:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">6:37, 6:40, 6:49, 6:45, 6:45, 6:46, 6:59, 7:06, 6:42, 6:45 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">and 20 seconds for the extra 0.06 my garmin registered (I find it second nature to 'run the tangents' growing up running on country roads this was simply known as 'run the shortest route possible without getting hit by a car'. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So an official time of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">68:17</span>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So LOTS of 6:45s and then a couple of really rough miles in which I felt every ounce of energy exit my legs and be replaced with cement! But around the 8 mile mark I got through it and was able to push on again, which was nice. I felt like I was climbing from around the 2nd mile all the way until just after the 5th. I kept telling myself 'what goes up...' as the start and finish were virtually the same place but my rear end complained quite a lot the whole way back! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I did feel strong in this run (apart from <i>those </i>2 miles) it's not the time I hoped for, well I didn't really know what to expect but I'm semi happy with how it went. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I tried to catch a female runner for miles and eventually got her with 0.7 to go and then had to push to the end as I could hear her try to get back to me. That was not fun but hearing my kids shout 'GO MUMMY' as I rounded the last bend was the best and I held her off. My 'victory' was short lived, we tied on chip time 68:17.4! I don't mind sharing the result with her, she worked hard for it too! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I was 38th overall, 11th female and 2nd in my AG. I managed to grab my trophy before we had to leave to get home for soccer. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm definitely making progress but there's still a long way to go. I need to keep working hard and am looking forward to getting some benefit from big miles when I EVENTUALLY get to do them (yes I am impatient as ever). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I also need to lose weight, nothing drastic but I know I'm heavier than I ought to be (who needs to carry any extra round 26.2 miles?!) I have just dropped 5 lbs recently by cutting out my 'post kids to bed snackathon' that I'd throw myself every evening in celebration of making it through another day ;) so will stick with that for a little while longer to maybe drop around 5 more. I don't like feeling too thin, that's only ever happened to me once before when I was 16 and the 1st thing my new coach did was put me on a diet. I could only lose </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">7 lbs but looked and felt awful, so WEAK and like a bag of bones, my running also turned to ****! I have zero intention of EVER returning there, I am all about being strong and healthy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have 10 miles recovery tomorrow and my biggest week milage wise with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">74</span> then it's back to the dreaded taper in preparation for The Houston Half on the 28th of October. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I had my merry band with me today so my hubbie snapped some shots (actually he took 3 zillion pictures) here are just a few, well quite a lot actually!</span></div>
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Where is she?</div>
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Patiently waiting on me whilst I was telling myself the harder I pushed the sooner I'd see them!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW1w8sXZ3Ro/UHnaw7oF6lI/AAAAAAAAAII/UPIdEUjF6pU/s1600/IMG_8866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW1w8sXZ3Ro/UHnaw7oF6lI/AAAAAAAAAII/UPIdEUjF6pU/s320/IMG_8866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So close! </div>
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She's just out of shot but I am determined not to be caught in this shot!</div>
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I did not look like this during miles 7 and 8! </div>
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My fellow 68:17.4 friend! </div>
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Really wanting to collapse on the pavement here but trying to be enthusiastic for the kids!</div>
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A drawing for me! </div>
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Over the photographer now.....!</div>
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Wardrobe change (1st and possibly only time in Lulu Lemon changing room!) Texting Doug, H and N my result. H, N and I harass each other on race days for instant results so I couldn't disappoint them! </div>
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38th overall </div>
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Cheesy! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Cheesier! </span></div>
Vicky Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16786952457058276684noreply@blogger.com10