Mother Racer

This morning as I got up I realized I needed shampoo and conditioner… Corom offered to go pick some up for me as I began packing our things up. He came back a short time later with 2 hot cinnamon rolls. I was rather delighted until he pulled out the shampoo(s) and conditioner(s)…

I realized he got them from a hotel down the street. The thing with Corom is he can talk to people and they have no problem getting things for him. I finished getting ready and Corom went for a run. While he was out I heard a lot of noise outside our dorm room… No big deal, people coming to clean. Corom gets back, goes and takes his shower and comes back within 5-6 minutes (quick shower) telling me to hurry up and let’s go. Come to find out that they were shocked we were still there. I guess we were only supposed to be there until Sunday. Corom checked his account to see if they charged him until Monday (because he was very sure we were supposed to stay there until Monday)… Nope, we were supposed to leave Sunday afternoon! No wonder it was completely cleared out yesterday. Because it was college kids cleaning the rooms out, they didn’t care… I felt so dumb! 🙂 We decided to head on out to Minneapolis (where we catch our flight for home). We ended up at the Mall Of America. I hate shopping but where we had 6 hours to kill, we figured no better place than the largest mall in America.

We goofed off more than actually going into the stores and then we went to a movie (The Edge Of Tomorrow). It was a lot better than I expected it to be. We eventually caught our flights back home…

My sister came and picked us up and we are headed back to her house to get the kids. It is almost midnight and we are tired.

Today Corom and I had a good day together. We woke up and had a healthy breakfast (remember we are staying in a dorm room at the University of Wisconsin Superior) so we don’t have a fridge or anything. He made oatmeal using the hot water in the bathroom… Disgusting!!! After breakfast we got ready and found an LDS church here…

What I love about the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is that wherever you go you will always be able to find one and are always welcomed! It was a good service today.
After, we drove up the north shore to Gooseberry Falls State Park…

… Then headed to Split Rock Lighthouse.

Nice tourist attractions. It was a good thing we didn’t walk around too much because my legs are so sore!!! I do love the week after a marathon… A good mental and physical break! I am grateful to my little sister for watching my kids! They are having so much fun there (well that is what she keeps telling me… She won’t let me talk to them :)).

I am so grateful for everyone that surprised me with Corom coming out… It was so good to have him here with me!!! Especially tonight when we are the only ones here left in the dorms… Talk about freaky.

He said he isn’t scared but who is the one hiding? 😉

Well I am tired… It has been a long day! Good night.

Well it is a little over 12 hours after the marathon… I would be lying if I said I wasn’t bummed!! I was on my 6:10-6:12 pace up until mile 20 and then my legs felt like a ton of bricks! I didn’t hit the wall but my body just gave out. I felt like I was lacking something… I have never felt like this before… Throughout the 1st 19 miles I felt strong, my thoughts were positive and I knew I was going to hit my mark of 2:42…

We had a good group of women all going for the same goal. My 1st 10k was 38:26, my 1/2 marathon was 1:21.46, & at 19 miles I ran a 1:56.33. Then it hit. I began to feel a little light headed and I couldn’t get enough water at the water/aid stations. The second I ran past the water station I was wanting more. As I stated earlier my legs just felt like they stopped working. Oh I forgot to add that within the 1st 2 miles I accidentally dropped my shot blocks and at mile 7 where I had my 1st bottle of XOJO at the “elite” table, I missed grabbing it. I kept thinking, ok, no big deal… I had a gu and a caffeine strip left. I took my caffeine strip at mile 11 and it was great!!! I wish, wish I had another strip for mile 19! (But I know that caffeine can make you more dehydrated :/). Anyway… The weather was great today… Perfect temperatures and a fog coverage. The humidity was 93%. We had a very light head wind but nothing big to hold you back or effect you (it was 2-5 mph). It was beautiful out and being in this atmosphere was magical! So many excellent runners trying for the same goal!

So why did I crash so hard and so sudden? I felt dehydrated and I didn’t have enough food/calories. I didn’t drink at all this morning and I couldn’t stomach down a decent breakfast. Yesterday I didn’t drink to much either… To be honest, I was afraid I would have to go to the bathroom while I was running! Dumb, right! I’m going to break up my last 10k… The 1st 5 miles of it was about an 8 minute pace. But at mile 24 and 25 I kept blacking out. I would be running and everything would start to spin around, I wouldn’t be able to see (I’m guessing for about 1 to 2 seconds), so I would have to shake my head to see straight. It was the weirdest feeling because I knew that I was not doing well but my body/legs kept moving forward. I felt like I wasn’t really there but yeah… It is really hard to explain. My last mile was a 10 minute mile. I finished and one of the volunteer helpers ran over to me… Right when I leaned on him my legs gave out and I pretty much dropped on him. I was so dizzy and couldn’t see straight. Oh why we runners do this to ourselves :).

In the tent (which Corom was not allowed in), my legs, feet and back (even my ribs) starting to seize up-Charlie horse. It was so bad… Due to no water!!! I guess I was in there for 55 minutes with the medics and a physical therapist filling me with liquids and rubbing/stretching my legs. Oh and my feet hurt so bad when they took my shoes off! I was able to get up after that time and walk out without the dizziness and blackouts. Oh it was not fun!!! When I walked out… I saw Corom standing there and I just broke down! I could not stop the tears. Yes I was so sad and disappointed knowing that I was so close and felt so good. I really, really thought I had that Olympic Trials qualifying time! I really did… And to see it slip away so quickly (because it really hit me fast and hard), I didn’t realize how sad I was until I saw Corom!

We hung out there for a while, Corom grabbing all the food for me to refuel (the lady in the tent gave me a slice of pizza…so good)… We eventually went back to our dorm room, I showered and then crashed into a good nap for awhile. Back to the morning… I did meet up with Amber Green. We rode the bus up and everything. She, too, was on pace. We were within a few seconds of each other until mile 20. She was able to keep going but also felt a little blah. I guess when I finished, that was the 1st question I asked Corom, was if she made the time. She barely missed it and I was truly sad for her. She deserved it!!! She is a strong runner and it was so fun to hang out/run with her. Amazing person! We will go to the trials together!

The top 2 pictures and the bottom left were at the hotel where the “elite” bus picked us up. The bottom right is Amber in the blue tank top and pink shorts and I am in the white tank top a little behind at mile 15 I believe. Corom showed up at so many places during the course! He was amazing and so helpful (at mile 21 or 22… He had “Sail Away” from Enya playing… Love that song)… Anyway, after my nap, Corom and I met up with Amber at the awards ceremony (amazing runners) and then we all went and grabbed Mexican food.

Then we hung out after dinner for awhile and Corom and I headed back to the dorms. We have met so many great people here. A great experience here. As I stated earlier… I am bummed about the results, but something did spark in me knowing that I can do it! I will take this experience and grow and use it as a positive!!! I am so grateful for everyone for supporting me and helping me through this!!!
Grandma!!!

Well Corom and I slept in one of the dorm rooms last night. We got in late (went to bed around 12:30 a.m.) and the beds looked very nice. 😉

I did go on a 12:37.05 shakeout run. The 1st 8-9 minutes, my legs were tight and I felt lousy! I thought… Oh great! I’m racing tomorrow, my legs can’t be tight. I said many prayers in my head. After 9 minutes, my legs did loosen up a little and so I decided to stop running. Leave off on a good note, right! Corom and I then went to the expo…

There were tons of people. It was a great sight. I went up to the “elite” room and Corom and I enjoyed all the food… We went on the tour bus to see the course and I ended up running into Amber Greene. It was great seeing her… She lives in Utah just 3 1/2 hours away from where I live. She is a phenomenal runner. She ran Boston marathon and missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials by 30 sec! 😦 She is here today to try for the same goal.

We enjoyed hearing Richard Beardsley give a motivational speech. Very entertaining!

Then Corom, Amber and I went and enjoyed the spaghetti dinner. The “elite” athletes received a complimentary dinner (which I still feel very inadequate for an elite pass)! Corom of course talked his way into a free dinner… And it was a guy, he wasn’t flirting his way through. Very impressive. 🙂 We came back to our dorm room, I got everything ready for tomorrow, relaxed a little and now I’m going to try to get to bed early. Now on to what my kids are up to…

My sister took them for a bike ride and they played at the lake. My sister is a saint! I guess at dinner there were 4 spills (all from my kids).

Nope… 5, as I was typing my sister sent me this picture with #5…

Pretty funny! (For me.) Looking at the weather for tomorrow… Flood watch until 5 a.m., 48 degrees at the 7:30 start time. A little wind (hopefully in our favor) and 75% humidity. Oh, tomorrow is almost here. I have so many mixed emotions and thoughts. I am grateful Corom is here with me! I just need to go into this race and run on feel and not the pressure of time!!! Because throughout the day, I have been feeling very inadequate and then I would feel very confident… I guess I will see what tomorrow brings! Cross your fingers and say a prayer that everything comes together! Good night from me and the kids…

I got up and ran with Melissa, Amber and Rachelle. I ran about 4 miles (the others kept going) and finished off with 5 strides. It took 36:08.47 minutes. I know it’s normal but I felt crappy. Oh the joys of tapering! At home, we quickly got the girls ready, took care of the animals and I ran over to my chiropractor (Dr. Crockett)

to adjust my back and hips. It felt nice. Then we were off to the airport. I am so grateful for everyone that has made this happen… Corom coming out, my sister watching our kids, our neighbors taking care of our pets, and Travis for dropping us of at the airport! We owe you all big time!!!

People keep asking me if I’m nervous… Honestly, having someone with me has taken my nervousness and anxiety away. I know, I’m a baby. 😉 Now if you Ask me tomorrow if I am nervous and that might be a different answer.
We had an hour flight to Denver, Colorado… It was a little bumpy towards the end but went by fast.

We had an exciting time with our layover and then with our flight getting delayed due to horrible weather going on in Minnesota. We actually boarded the plane and then we were able to get off because of the delay.

I was a little nervous as the flight attendant was talking about what to do if we crashed in water… Not one of my happy thoughts. So, I drown myself in books (honestly no pun intended). Meanwhile… My sister and all the kids went to the lake by her house. They are having so much fun right now!

Corom and I arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota at around 8:45 p.m. I was so hungry! I am used to eating around 5-5:30 every night. We stopped off at some pub place. It was so good!

Now it is late (10 to 10:00) and we have a 2 1/2 hour drive to Duluth. I’m going to try to get some sleep.