Tag Archives: I don’t wanna do this

I Can’t Do This Part II

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So last Saturday was my last really long run (’cause apparently 16 miles is a very reasonable short run) before my marathon.  Anyway, I had to sneak it in before a long day of soccer games, football games and birthday parties.  Super awesome and normal, right?

Ridiculously early morning.  I got myself prepped and waited for twilight…but not THAT one…

But not this kind. True story...never saw the movie, read the book or had a desire. To each his/her own!

I got started in the drizzle.  Which then turned to rain.   By mile 3 all I could see was dimmed lights indicating the rest of Orange County was still sleeping and smell donuts frying.  I had no idea until that very moment that it was some sort of unwritten code that in Southern California you MUST have a donut shop at every, single, flipping, strip mall.

To get real vulnerable…I had cramps, it was cold, it was wet and I was day dreaming about the fried, fluffy folds of dough who’s smell freakishly permeated the air.  I was practically in tears – not my norm.  So I did what every sane 30 year old mother of 3 does.

I. called. my. mom.

Yep.  My mom.  Apparently I’m 5.

I whined, I complained and kept running.  Her brilliant advice: “Well you only have like 16 miles to go”.

I’m glad she didn’t use that same line when I was in labor.  “Hang in there honey, you only have 6 more centimeters to dilate.”  I would have killed her.

By mile 8 I fielded a few more phone calls (am I the only one who does that?  I call people or breathlessly answer my phone and shout, “I’m running, tell me stories!”) and was totally in my groove.  I totally rocked the last rest of my run.

Take that foot!

Lesson learned:  Even when I SO don’t want to do it, and am desperate enough to call my mommy (good night!) to get through my run, it’s worth it.  It actually ended up being a great training run.

Oh and as an added bonus.  Courtesy of wet shoes from the rain starting at miles 1-2 I found myself to be the proud owner of a 2.5 inch blister that ate up my entire arch.  Giving my water wicking socks (that I normally love) a rating of: EPIC FAIL.

19.6 miles
2:47:30
8:32 pace
Blistery Strides

I Can’t Do This

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Miles:       5.04
Time:       38:51
Pace:       7:42
Multi-tasking Strides
Flat run on the trail with the kids in tow.

In 17 days I’m losing my marathon virginity.   Well, at least the running kind (see below).

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Oh my SVU...can I get a "whoop whoop!"?

Sure I’ve run a lot of half marathons and can 10 & 15k with the best of them but I finally am biting the bullet and am running the whole she-bang.   I’ve loved the training.

That’s a lie.  I like saying I ran 20 miles.  I like knowing I’m achieving a goal. Many days I do not have the time nor energy to go do the running I need to.  And honestly, I probably am not putting in enough mileage, but whatevs.  I’ll figure that out somewhere around mile 22 during the race and curse my laziness for 4.2 miles.

Anyway, today was an “I can’t do this!” kind of day.  I spent 4 hours trying to get out the door and kept getting hit with phone calls, emails and client issues.  Not to mention this run involved managing 3 little boys on razors.

I finally got over it and hit the trails with the babes in tow.  It all started out so happy and fun.

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Pic of my silly babes while I'm stretching.

We finally broke the 8 minute mile barrier, but with a hefty price to pay.  By mile 2 Vanilla was crying, “I can’t do this!”.   We schlepped for another 1.5 miles.  I finally relented and we went to the park where I ran 1.6 miles of laps around the park (uber fun I tell you) to make it an even 5.

Apparently none of us felt much like we could do it today.  But we did it.  And hopefully this leads to a good night’s sleep for all….