Training for the Portland Marathon - Weeks 12-14

This is it, folks! The final Hub about my training for the Portland Marathon with my sister, Jeanette. The event was held on Sunday, October 5, 2008. We estimated that it would take over 4 hours for us to run the 26.2 mile course. Let me tell you how great it was to finally put all our hard training to the test (but I can't give away too much yet). As of the date of drafting this Hub, we were in the process of packing - food, shoes, shirts and our iPods too! Thank goodness for Jeanette's Team-in-Training friend! Chelese gave us so much great advice for the day of the marathon!

The final review of the Portland Marathon day will be published in a subsequent Hub, which is nearly ready for publication. Just stay tuned for now and enjoy the last installment of our marathon training. To bring up up to date, here are the previous weeks:

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week One

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Two

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Three

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Four

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Five

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Six

Training for the Portland Marathon - Week Seven

Training for the Portland Marathon - Weeks Eight and Nine

Training for the Portland Marathon - Weeks 10-11

The final 3 weeks leading up to the Portland Marathon were quite tough. I slogged away in physical therapy. Jeanette had a number of sports massages and tried to rest. We were both very worried about getting through the run, after trying to recover from recent injuries. If nothing else, our hearts and souls were invested in completing the 26.2 mile race. No matter what, we were going to cross the finish line. Of course, what do you expect from a couple of Type-A lawyers?

Sunday 9/14 - I couldn't decide whether or not to run. Give my leg a day off, or try to get the feel and discipline of running back. In the end, I waited until 2:30 to go out (a mistake as it was very hot), and ran another cautious 4.75 mile loop. My leg felt good again - even after feeling just a little bit sore going up the stairs this morning. Me, on the other hand.... well, it was tough to get through the run. I feel sluggish and out of shape. Pete tells me that its not unusual after almost 2 weeks off. As tough as it is going to be though, I will take tomorrow off, just to be safe. I will try another 5-6 mile run on Tuesday. Baby steps, but the Portland Marathon is 3 weeks from today!!! Yikes! More stretches and I will be back to PT this week. Perhaps a sports massage too, like Jeanette.

Monday 9/15 - Happy Birthday Brandon!! I planned on taking today off because I ran 2 days in a row and I am really afraid of overdoing it again with my injured leg. My day back at the office definitely could have used a break though! Wishing I would have brought my stuff so I could have gotten out for a quick run. However, I do have a pretty good sized blister on my left foot from the new shoes. About 2 inches long and 1 inch across! Ouch!

Tuesday 9/16 - I didn't plan on it, but had to take today off. The blister on my foot got infected and I am literally limping around the office (gee, would it be bad for me to go barefoot?) Once again, I could have used the stress relief of a nice run. I had a TERRIBLE meeting with our office's managing partner here in Bend. Not a good day at all. Then, I had to go home and put on a happy face to lead my cub scout den. The good news is that they are working towards a "Handyman Badge" and one of the requirements is to wash a car. Guess who got a free car wash? LOL!!

Wednesday 9/17 - Well, the week is not shaping up to be a good one. After my awful meeting with my boss, I decided that I had way too many errands to run and not enough work at the office. Not worth going in. Plus, I did have some lingering intestinal issues from the upset. I went shopping for Lauren's leotards for her first day of gym class today, did our grocery shopping and got a nail fill. Our nanny showed up at 2:30 with the boys (early release day). I chatted with her for a bit and worked on the computer, doing my writing on HubPages. I left at 5:15 with the twins to get to gymnastics. The good news is that the blister is healing - it looks much worse than it feels.

Thursday 9/18 - OK. Its time to get serious. I finally got out for a run today, even though it was late in the afternoon and quite warm. I did the great 7.7 mile loop that I love - running out to Shevlin Park, past NW Crossing and Broken Top. Now that summer is almost over, there does tend to be a bit more shade near the trees. But in the hour-plus that I was outside, I got tan lines from my tank! It was a great run! I felt pretty strong and no pain with my leg. The blister started itching a bit, but no issues there either. Hooray!

Friday 9/19 - It will be a busy day at the office and I have to leave at 3:00 to get Lauren to ballet at 4:00 (it wouldn't take that long usually, but I need to get her fitted for new ballet shoes and buy her "uniform" which is a white leotard and skirt first). Because I need to get my butt in gear, I woke up early and went for my run before work. Completed 5.5 miles and watched the sun come up. Yes, the days are getting shorter. It was nice and cool, but not too cold. A light breeze on my face on the way back home. It sure sucked to be injured - I love running in the mornings!!

Saturday 9/20 - I know we're supposed to be tapering, but I had to get one more long run in - if nothing else just to practice running a long distance again and work on the diabetes issues. I intended on running 20 miles today, but didn't quite have the time (or energy!) today. I had to be home by 11:30 to get Joe to the field for soccer pictures and his game. Pete is coaching Matt's team - his game was at the same time across town! So, I left at 8:30 a.m. and thought - let's see how far I can get. It wasn't my best run. Heck - I've taken off most of the past 3 weeks! I tested my blood sugar at mile 6.5 - down to 53. So, I used some Gu and kept going. By 9.25 miles, I stopped at a park for a drink of water (I can't believe I forgot a water bottle). Tested again and I was at 80. More Gu!! By 13.5 miles, I was downtown Bend and things were feeling OK, but I was tired. My leg was doing OK, but a twinge here and there. Ready to run up the hill at 14.5 miles - I finally walked for about 6 minutes. When the terrain leveled out, I ran the rest of the way home, only stopping for a few minutes for a walk. Grand total: 17.5 miles at 9:30 pace overall. I was pretty sore and tired, but the leg felt OK.

Stephanie's Week Twelve Grand Total: 35.25 miles (next week, it will definitely be less!)

Sunday 9/21 - I took today off since I ran a long one yesterday. I felt pretty good - not sore and not overly tired. We skipped church and went to Barnes & Noble and Costco to run errands. Just spent the day messing around afterwards - cleaning house, getting ready for the week ahead.

Monday 9/22 - Today was very busy! Mondays always seem like they are, I guess. I had a noon meeting and had to leave early for physical therapy. Only a few hours later, I had to slip out to get the twins to swimming by 5:00. We got home and I made them stay inside (they wanted to ride bikes) so I could get a run in on the treadmill. My first run on that thing since I got hurt! Pete was off with Matt and Joe at soccer. I ran from 6:30-7:10 - a slow 4 miles (my treadmill has a big incline setting, even though it says its level...)

Tuesday 9/23 - It was very busy with meetings again today, and I have to leave at 4:45 to pick up Matt and Joe to get home in time for Matt's cub scout meeting and Joe's soccer practice. I really didn't want to risk it with the treadmill again, so I went ahead and got out for a run outdoors. Nice temp - only 73 degrees and about 50 minutes to complete 6.25 miles. I have PT tomorrow and will be taking the day off. The run felt pretty good, except that I'm worried about my stamina for the entire 26 miles. I only had about an hour's worth of running in me today!

Wednesday 9/24 - I took today off in the name of healing and resting. I also had to go to physical therapy over the lunch hour and didn't have time to get a run in during the day. My PT is happy with my alignment and he gave me even more exercises to do. I did some with a resistance band around my feet and also did a lot of lunges and side-to-side motion work. I was quite sore afterwards, but they iced my leg for 10 minutes at the end. From work to the twins' gym class, to a church committee meeting. Home at 8:30 - very tired!

Thursday 9/25 - I am loving this late summer weather for running! Perfect outside today from about 2-3 when I went for a 5.7 mile run. My pace was slow - 9:03/mile, but I felt like it was a nice, easy run. I shouldn't be doing anything tougher at this point in training! The only problem with running like this is that now I'm not "fresh" at the office any longer. Fortunately, there is NOTHING on the agenda tonight at home. In other words, I can just go home and enjoy things. In about 2 hours.

Friday 9/26 - Happy Birthday Mom! Today, I had physical therapy again. It went well! They worked me pretty hard again and I called it a day afterwards. Lauren had ballet at 4:00 and then Pete and I went out on a "date." I'm liking this tapering down...

Saturday 9/27 - Last run of the week! I did my 6.4 mile loop down and back from Reed Market. Although the temp says its 72 degrees out, it felt much hotter! I'm off now to take the scouts on a field trip which will include a 1.5 mile walk! It's still summer here!

Stephanie's Week Thirteen Grand Total: 22.35 miles

Sunday 9/21 - My schedule has today as the last long run before the Portland Marathon. Instead of distance, today it calls for running for 1 hour. So, after church/Sunday School I set off for an outdoor run. I planned a 6-7 mile route, figuring it would take me approximately one hour to complete the distance. I also planned to try out the "Galloway" method of running for 8 minutes, walking 1 minute, repeat. Supposedly that approach helps stave off IT Band pain. It doesn't. I headed out from my house and down Shorewood Drive to E. Mercer Way. After 8 minutes, I dutifully walked. I was fine and was feeling good until I hit the 4.5-5.0 mile mark. My knee increasingly started hurting and I was forced to walk more and more. By mile 6, I could hardly run at all and walked most of the last mile home. I am VERY frustrated and at my wit's end right now. I honestly can't run more than 5 miles without my knee KILLING. I've tried to "push" through the pain, and my leg just feels like it's going to buckle. I've been stretching, wearing my support band, heating/icing, etc. etc. I don't know what more I can do. I think I'm going to take the next week - if not two - off. At this point, I certainly can't run 26.2 miles in the shape I'm in. Perhaps resting entirely is the only thing that will work...

Monday 9/22 - So after having a couple pep talks with Stephanie, I've decided on my plan of attack for the next two weeks. I'm going to take the next two weeks off completely from running. I figure the only chance I have of healing my knee and completing the marathon is to take drastic measures. I've got four more appointments for massage therapy, which I will attend religiously. I'm also going to ice and heat my knee every time I'm at home and sitting down. And I'll be taking 800 MG of Ibuprofen at least twice per day. To help keep my muscles in shape -- and to stay in the game mentally -- I'm going to substitute pool work for running. I'm either going to swim laps or "run" in the pool, whichever seems like it gives me the best workout while giving my knee the best rest. Today was an "off" day since I ran yesterday, so I'll start my pool work tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!!!

Tuesday 9/23 - After dropping off the kids at school this morning, I headed straight to the pool for my first swimming workout. As a teenager, I used to be a competitive swimmer, swimming two-hour workouts four times per week year round. About a year ago, before I started running, I was swimming often and considered joining a Master's swim team. But, given the length of the workouts (at least 1 hour each) and the time it takes to get ready following a workout, I lost interest pretty darn fast. But all this is to say that I have a strong swimming background and know how to push myself in the pool. I swam for about 40 minutes, completing 1250 meters (50 laps). After I got out, my legs felt like Jell-o, so I know I got a good workout! My knee felt good the whole time, too, which is important. After swimming, I headed up for another sport's massage. They really worked me over today....it hurt so good! They think that my problems are stemming from my pelvis being out of alignment, which is causing everything to be out of wack. Regardless of the "cause," I think I'm making progress on the road towards recovery.

Wednesday 9/24 - Today was a "do nothing" day with regards to training. No massage and no time for exercising of any sort. Both kids had their yearly physicals and then Brandon had a dentist appointment to fill a cavity. Poor Brandon -- five shots and a blood draw at the doctor followed by a root canal at the dentist!!! Then it was off to preschool and karate for him. I also had a haircut appointment and then girls' night out, so a super super busy day. Phew!

Thursday 9/25 - Today I went up for another sports massage first thing in the morning. In some areas it feels as if I'm less tight and making progress. But in other spots it still hurts like h*&^! I guess we'll see in about a week if this has done any good at all. After the massage, I came home and hunkered down to work. I'm not supposed to get my hair wet since I just had it colored yesterday, so no pool work today!

Friday 9/26 - Today I was hoping to get in another swim workout, but the day got away from me and I ran out of time. It was my mom's birthday, so first thing in the morning the kids and I hit the mall to pick up her gift. After the mall, it was time for preschool, then the grocery store, then dinner prep. We had a fancy dinner at our house -- lots of wine and great conversation after watching the Presidential debate. But, no workout.

Saturday 9/27 - After karate, Kurt took the kids over to the in-laws' for an overnight. I stayed home and caught up on a bunch of work. Again, I was hoping to get in a quick run on the treadmill, but I thought I'd give my knee just a couple more days of rest. So we donned our purple and gold and headed out to the UW v. Stanford game -- night game! The Dawgs looked terrible, but it was still a fun night ... and no kids!

Jeanette's Week Thirteen Grand Total: 12 miles (7 mile run; 5 mile swim--approx.)

Sunday 9/28 - OMG- I can't believe its a week until the Portland Marathon! I took today off because I ran yesterday. Actually, I kind of hoped to get in a quick 3-4 mile run, but it didn't work out between Pete's golfing, Sunday school teaching and selling popcorn for the Cub Scouts. Let me know if you want to order any... (its really good). So, this time next week, we'll be slugging away - whether running or drinking... LOL!

Monday 9/29 - Today was a tough day too. Between the start of the week, physical therapy and my cousin Michelle visiting, I had no time to run. Michelle is visiting from Olympia, WA for a job function in Sunriver. She stopped by at 6:30, had some pizza and visited with me and my kids. Heck, she even bought some popcorn (great work, Matt and Joe)!

Tuesday 9/30 - Starting to get a little worried since I didn't run again!! I totally meant to, but I had a site visit in the morning, another 2 meetings in the afternoon, and then lead cub scouts from 5:30-7:00. Oh well, we're tapering, right?

Wednesday 10/1 - I jumped out of bed early this morning to get a run in - finally!! I wanted to run 6, but worried that it would be too far. I "compromised" with 5.5 miles (ha). I felt so good, maybe taking a number of days off is a good plan? I seriously felt like I could run for miles more after I got home. I hope that wasn't my magic mojo for the week! Gosh, I am so excited for Sunday!!

Thursday 10/2 - I was going to run today too, and then wait until Saturday for 1-2 miles. Unfortunately, I waited an hour for my cousin to show up for lunch. She is in Sunriver for a conference. Poor Michelle dropped off a couple of her friends at a golf course and then got detoured on her way out due to a car crash! She totally got lost. Eventually, she showed up at 2:00 - instead of 1:00 as planned. I didn't have any more time to take out of my day for a run too. When I got home, I watched the debate and finished packing for Portland. It is so close!!!

Friday 10/3 - Well, this may have been my last run today! I went out and was going to do a 3 mile loop, but I was feeling good, so I kept going along the river trail to the second bridge crossing. At that point, I was 2.6 miles out. I thought it would be about equal going back, but my grand total for the run is 5.8 miles. I ran nice and slowly and up all the little hills. It was sprinkling just a bit, but very pleasant for a run. I'm just about to leave to get Lauren for ballet, then its down to Sunriver ourselves for our firm retreat (ugh). I'll be able to leave at noon tomorrow - when its time to drive to Portland!! Whoo hoooo!!!

Saturday 10/4 - Its the day before the marathon and I am so excited! I decided not to do the 1-2 mile suggested by Chelese just because I ran far yesterday. Plus, we're in Sunriver for a firm retreat. So, I just got up and showered and drank a TON of water. Once the retreat was over at 11:20, I got in the car to drive to Portland. That's when it hit me. Jeanette, Chelese and I met up around 3:00 and walked to the Hilton to get our numbers and check out all the goods. Jeanette and I both got cute Nike jackets that say Portland Marathon 08. We went for a pasta dinner and back to the hotel. Bed by 9:00 (at least for Chelese and me!)

Stephanie's Week Fourteen Grand Total: 11.4 miles

Did you know that the Portland Marathon is one of the greenest races in North America? Read more about environmental issues at www.peachygreen.com. I'll see you over there!