I have not been on in a while, I have been working a lot lately, and not out running as much as I would have liked the past couple months! Now the weather is getting better and the days are getting longer, my runs have been increasing. I signed up for the Fitgers 5K a couple weeks ago, and I am excited to do this run. I really like the Duluth area, and would like to do several races down there. I am also planning on signing up for Grandmas in the next couple weeks, so I am also going to start training for that. I am excited for this year of running!

The Whistlestop on Saturday was my first Marathon, and it was a great event, despite the cold weather. I got to the Civic Center early because I wanted to figure everything out, and not miss the bus. It turned out it was really simple, and there was no line for the full Marathon buses. After the bus ride to the start, I realized I now had a full hour to wait for the race to start. So I made my way into the lounge and found a seat, and started my waiting with a coffee and a water. I met a few very nice runners in there that I was able to talk to for a while, one even made a joke about my Vikings sweatshirt, implying that It must be one of my throw away items. I headed out to warm up and use the bathroom at about 20 minutes to 9, but after I got through the bathroom line I heard the announcer say 3 minutes till the start, so my warm-up was gonna take place from the bathrooms to the start line. I did notice a second much faster bathroom line after I had been in my line a while, and by the time I noticed I was already dedicated to my line so I waited it out.

 

At the start I positioned my self around a few other people who were aiming for around a 4 hour time, so I felt comfortable there, even though It looked like we were about a block back from the actual start line. After we started I realized I could have been much closer when I started passing large numbers of people, which proved hard on the slick narrow path with out going off to the side in the snow. I really did not want to get my feet wet so I tried to avoid doing that. After a couple miles I started thinking that I was actually there doing my first marathon, and it was a great feeling. After hitting the first water station and seeing the fans cheering I felt even better, I got so energized every station where there were fans cheering and music blaring! It was so great I loved the feeling every time coming to the parts where people were cheering. This was the best part of the whole thing for me! The dedication of these people is so amazing it makes me feel like I should have a small group of people behind them cheering them on as they cheer the runners on!  I even imported a couple of fans from Canada (My Dad and his Wife) who were cheering me on. It was funny seeing them standing there as I ran by for the few seconds I saw them, and then a mile or two later there they were again! They jumped to several spectator points, and it seemed like each corner I came around there they were, it was awesome! They were very good fans, I recommend them to anyone!  There were a few points where leaves were falling from trees on both sides of the path and it looked like confetti being rained down on us runners! I felt so perfect for the first half, my body felt great my breathing was awesome, I was around a 1:40-1:45 for the first half. I have been sick the previous week, and not fully recovered by saturday I just wanted to finish this event, and hopefully under 4 hours. I was feeling so great around halfway that I felt that I was going to do better than I planned!

 

around mile 16 though I started feeling tightness in my right quads and the back of my upper right leg. This really affected my pace and I started dropping back a bit and many runners were passing me. I kept pushing and soon my left leg was feeling the same, and they both felt really heavy. After a few miles of this new pace another runner came by and asked how my run was going. I told him my issues I was having and he said he had these electrolyte tablets that help cramps I could take at the next water staton if I wanted. Even though they would not help immediatly I figured I might as well. This never happened though, about a half mile before the next station just before mile 21 my right leg cramped so bad I could feel the muscle bulging out, and this brought me to an immediate stop. For a minute I could not bend it at all to even walk, so I moved to the side and stretched the muscles as best I could, and eventually I was able to walk again on it and then I started a slow run, and it felt really good, my stride felt better, until they cramped again about a half mile later! I stopped and stretched again, and waled some then I was able to do a slow jog for a while with the cramps coming and going. I started walking the water stations and then doing my best slow jog I could after each. I knew I had less than 5 miles left and nothing was going to stop me from finishing. I just pushed through the pain and maintained my slow pace until I met back up with the same guy, and he was having cramps also, so I walked with him for a bit and then we started a slow jog together. We were passed by many runners and we were estimating a 4:30 finish time, and I was a little bummed by this but truley just wanted to finish at this point. After walking a bit Around the 23 mile mark we started a slow jog again, and I was feeling somewhat better with the pain a little numbed now. We came to the last water station and decided we were gonna run past and keep pushing for the finish. We met another runner around then who asked if we thought we would break 4 hours, and we had no clue because we had no time. He said according to his watch we had been running 3:47 at that point. This made me pretty happy realizing me only had about a mile and a half to go, so if he was right we would be right around the 4 hour mark. Much better than the 4:30 we had been thinking. This gave use energy to put a decent effort in to the last mile, and as we came around the final corner the clock said 4:04 and it was a great sight to see all the fans cheering and the fact that we were actually running and not hobbling in which I was afraid would happen right at the end if my cramps attacked again. I made it and it was amazing, and then it was very cold. So cold I found my parents and we made it to the food tent and I ate a lot of everything, I was starved! Then I was so cold and sore I could baely walk and I really wanted to find my drop bag to get my warm clothes on! Which happened to be in the civic center in the warmth. I felt weird and happy and sore and cold and in a trance, and it was so great.

 

I stayed around and got my medal engraved and watched the awards, which had a small turn out due to the cold weather. I ran into David Hyopponen, after I heard his name called for winning his age ground for the half. Congrats again David. After talking to him I found he finished 4th over all which is outstanding, especially in a group of 1800 runners. I really wish I woul dhave run into other people from Northland runner, or people I have met from other races, but I guess there will be other events where I will get tha chance. I have been really stiff and sore in my upper legs since the finish and I am staying warm and relaxing. I am already thinking about which events I want to do next! I have to agree with the sign I saw held by a couple who made it to several of the spectator points "I love Running!"

 

 

I think I am ready now for Whistle stop in just under two weeks. I did my first 20 mile run today, a week later than I had planned, but I am glad to have gotten through it. It went really good over-all, with just the ball of my right foot getting sore during the last five miles. I was on the Mesabi trail, so I stayed off the paved path and on the grass as much as I could, and that helped a lot. It started raing the last few miles, nothing too bad, but a little cold. I guess its that time of year again in Minnesota better get the winter gear ready! I have done several 12 to 15 mile runs through the summer, but I wanted to do a 20 before The Whistle Stop, being its my first marathon. I am feeling good now, its been about 5 hours sunce I finished, my legs were pretty stiff for a while, but after a hot bath and walking around they are feeling much better. I am getting excited for The Whistle Stop, and I have seen a lot of saying they are going to be running it also, so I think it is going to be a really fun time. I am looking forward to meeting fellow runners, and other bloggers from Northland Runner.

It has been a while since I have blogged, but I just want to reassure everyone that I am still here. I am sure I have hundreds if not thousands of blog fans that have been waiting patiently for my next blog. Well here it is. I am still running, and I still have my main goal this year of running my first marathon, The Whistlestop! I have been working a lot and different hours, so it has been a challenge to get to my running, but I have been doing 4-5 days a week, mostly at night as the sun is setting. This week I finished a 33 mile week with my long run today of 15 miles, that is the furthest I have gone so far... ever! I ran a pace of 8.5 minute miles which is about what I expected, and the run felt really good, no major aches or pains, just a little tightness the last mile and a half or so! I would like the pace to be a bit faster, but my first marathon goal is to finish, I am not aiming for any particular time goal on this one. Well maybe under 4 hours I think actually would be nice on top of finishing! I am hoping my training keeps going well, and that I get a 20 mile run in about 3 weeks before the Whistlestop! Then I think I will be ready with some less intense training the few weeks before. I hope to have a few more blogs of the progress before the big day! Thank you for reading my blog, and sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I am sure many people will now sleep better tonight, now that I have blogged!

Well this morning I ran my first 10k race, and it just had to rain. It was awesome though, a bit chilly at first but warmed up after a couple miles. It was mostly on a dirt road, so there was a little sinking and sliding in the mud, but most of the race it was pretty firm. I really enjoyed the 10k, and look forward to others. In training I don't push my self, so being out with other runners I was able to push my self to a 43:45 finish, which is about 4 minutes faster than when I do it on my own. The coordinators for this race also were very friendly, and easy to get along with. I got a chance to talk with some familiar faces, like David Hyopponen, who is always a great guy to talk to, and an awesome runner. I also met many other runners, who I will look forward to seeing at other races. That is a great part about small town races, meeting other runners in the less chaotic atmosphere. Can't wait for the next race!