Well, this is it. The day I have been training for. I am so thankful to have made it through without injury, in one piece, still married, and all three kids survived my training. I am blessed to be able to run this with my sister.

I can't wait to finish this experience today and be able to say...I have run a marathon.

First let me say that I hope this is like childbirth, while painful at the time you later forget that and are willing to do it again. The race lived up to its name, 24thehardway. As I type my blog sitting in an epson bath there are still runners on the course with 8 hours to go. Now that's crazy. There were lots of people trying to set records over the course of the weekend. One guy was running with a 40 lb packback, one lady was setting the masters record, another made up his own race, 27 hours, and still more. There were handicap, seeing eye dogs, and crazies.

We got to town Friday night and picked up our packets. Others had already set up their awnings so we found a great campsite and set our camp up also.  Shirley started at 7:30 so we wanted to be able to focus on her race and not worry about setting up in the morning. After dinner we headed to bed early.

Saturday was a cold start so we bundled up and headed to the course. We had signs, glitter, and glow sticks. We hung our flashlights around the awning and got Shirley started. The one mile loop was wonderful because we were right on the course and saw nearly everything. As you ran across the timing mats your name flashed across the screen with lap splits, count, and times. Shirley finished with 4 laps. We left long enough to grab breakfast and let her shower. I changed clothes and we headed back for my 12:00 start.

My race report will have to be another post because the water had gotten cold in this tub and it's 1:15 am. Breakfast with my great aunt Sunday before heading home. Stay tuned.

Pictures: heading to OKC, campsite, and lap 1 for Shirley.

At the chiropractor for my last treatment before 24thehardway. Packed and ready to load the car when the rest of the group gets here. I thought I was finished packing last night but had forgotten my sports bra and a few other things so I repacked this morning. The original outfits were skirts from running funky but those didn't work out so I have had some anxiety about making sure I have everything now. Weather is calling for 30% chance of rain and cooler temps.

I can't wait.

First I am so glad I have the Alter G to run on for several reasons. One of the reasons is that I wouldn't have been able to run today because of this dust storm.

I have my tshirt ready to go for 24thehardway. I talked my game plan over with my chiropractor today. Mainly to remind myself that this was just a race to help my long run of 20 miles seem like fun. I only want to get 20 miles (and not be last). Our race skirts didn't work out so our clothing game plan changed. I also made my son a tshirt since he will be crewing for me during the race.

And the last thing about today is that it was my oldest son's 16th bday. Even though he is growing up he wanted the same thing he would have wanted when he was younger, just a little more expensive now-a new baseball bat.

Thankful today for many things. Feeling very blessed tonight.

I had my first experience with my new love, the Alter G treadmill. I was really contemplating not going because I was full of self doubt. I didn't think my cardio was strong enough to run 15 minutes straight. I was worried because I didn't think I could fit in the medium shorts. I could go on and on. Anyway, I went. I loved it. I ran at 60% of my body weight. I ran 2.5 miles in 15 minutes. I still need to get used to the placement of everything on the machine but it will be a great tool. Really wonderful for speedwork when your body doesn't think you legs can run that fast anymore.

Now if I can just figure out how to afford it this month.

After treatment...a blanket of ice. These things are great. I found them at wally world and you can cut them into whatever size you need. I hold them in place with plastic packing wrap.

The best thing about the day after a long run is getting to go to the chiro for an adjustment. And it's a day off! Now for a little tens and ice.

I did my best to stay on the park trail and I made it for 10 miles but then I ran out of daylight. I came home and changed out of my trail shoes and headed back out. I tried to avoid hills but it was just too boring. I got 14 in and ran out of brain power.
I came back to the house and asked for some help to finish the last 4. My DH hopped on his bike and off we went. I had plans to doing the boring half mile loop 8 times but really just wanted to quit. No reason really just wanted to quit. So instead of the half mile loop I just headed away from the house. It meant a few more hills and that may have been my downfall. I made it out one mile and turned around and made it back in another mile. I still wanted to turn towards the house but knew I would be disappointed. We turned away from the house to get another mile but that's all I had in me. Knee started really bothering me. I made it to the house with 17 miles registered.

So analysis: knees sore and being iced, back sore and has heating pad, bottom of feet strangely sore and that's all.

No school tomorrow so I will be able to make it to chiropractor and I should have time to actually follow his advice and run on the alter G.

Found a great clearance sale at a local sporting good store and my DH bought me some adidas marathon shorts. Love them and they have a cute little running icon on them.

I am so tired. I took a nap yesterday and was still tired. I slept 9 hours last night and feel exhausted this morning. Still have 18 miles to run before the weekend is over. These long runs sure do take up a lot of time. Plus I have to run in the daylight so I can go on the park trail for a smoother surface but not kill myself because the city decided to grate(?) the path.

I was going to start at 5 this morning knowing it would be defiant to run in the street until the sun came up. However, when that alarm went off at 4:30, my brain and my body didn't want any part of it. Not sure how I am going to get myself united to finish this marathon training. Any ideas?

On another note we did get rain. My son's XC meet was a muddy mess. He improved his time from last week but is still afraid of success this season. He isn't running anything like he did over the summer racing season. Not sure what's up. By the way look at the shorts he likes to run in. Not quite what an elite runner would want but perfect for 7th graders!

I emailed Skirt Sports to see if there was anything I could do about the seam in the skirt and they are sending me a replacement. Go customer service. Thanks to Mia Somers and Skirt Sports I can continue my love affair with running skirts.

Tonight's run was about trying new things. I tried some new socks and my new running skirt. My DH is busy with the "kids' project" so I had Kallie. She had a friend over so treadmill it is(was).

I was concerned about the socks because they were thicker than I usually wear. But...I...loved...them! Probably a little warm for anything in the summer but they felt good. I liked the extra cushion.

The skirt is a different story. I loved the look and the fit. The compression shorts fit great and stayed in place. The bad thing and nearly unbearable was the seam in the crotch. OMG. May try to wash it again and use fabric softner. Otherwise it will be for looks only.

Other then that everything else was great. Lungs, legs, and mind all worked together to get me through. I am really liking this running business.

This morning I got up to run, got on the scale, and went back to bed. 1 1/2 hours later the scale was friendlier but the morning was gone so the run got pushed to tonight. It was just 4 miles but I was nervous about my legs since I had my long run yesterday and no rest day between. Thighs were a little sore starting out but otherwise felt fine. I ran 3.5 and then met up with my daughter. She was wearing boots. We walked the last .5 together. It's amazing that a run of this length is nothing to me. It felt good to be able to do it without any problems. Running is feeling good. I almost enjoyed even the first mile.

No pictures from tonight's run because the phone service has been spotty today so I didn't even carry my phone. Instead I will give you a picture of my ghetto marathon shirt that I had made at the fair.

You can be jealous. The back has my name on it.

Last week after my run I thought I was extremely sore. I ached all night. Even the sheets hurt me. When I was still achy and feling bad the next day, I decided I must have gotten a flu bug or something. Chest hurt, feverish, achy, etc. I took the week off from running and spent a lot of time walking.

So yesterday was really the first run since the long run on Sunday.  I ran 4 miles back and forth across the golf course during the boys and girls XC meet. I was proud about that in and of itself because I could do it and I wasn't winded.

Today was 16. I started at 5:00 this morning and at 52 degrees. Long sleeve shirt and tights, reflection gear! I had one bathroom break and carried my hand held water bottle. I had one pkg of shot blocks.  I stayed with my 3/1 intervals the whole way and never needed an extra walking break. It was a good running day.

Longest run ever. Never made it this far during the last marathon training. It ended with a stress fracture. Things are looking good. Time to fully dedicate myself and finish this.

I was kind of complaining to my DH about not having anywhere exciting to run. This weekend I had 15 miles on schedule. Due to a CC meet, nap, and wedding, I didn't get it done yesterday. On the way home from church DH and I were trying to think of somewhere to run. I didn't want to run around the school (my .5 route) 30 times and I didn't want to run the park (2 mile route) over and over.

I hadn't been to our ranch in a long time so I thought I would run the park and then out to the ranch. It took me 3 miles to get out there. I was cresting the first hill when I saw this:

22 mule deer. They saw me about the same time. By the time I got my camera out of the camelbak, they had started to move away.

They stayed close and split into two herds. One set crossed the road in front of me.

When I turned the corner I was watching the other group and didn't notice the buck standing right beside me on the other side of the road. He took off pretty fast but I got one shot of him. The camera wouldn't zoom in before he ran off though.

So I didn't know I had it so good. How many people can say they saw a herd of 22 deer and 1 buck on their 15 mile run.

I ran the ranch a few times and headed back towards town at 11 miles. I called for a ride at 13 cause it was too dark. I was going to finish when I got home but I was too stiff when I got out of the car. Called it quits at 13. Every long run from here on out will be my longest training run ever.

No stomach issues today as far as the bathroom but had some trouble with an acidic feeling from not enough calories. It's all a work in progress.

I don't think the pictures will post in the blog in order but I hope you can get the idea.

It's time to bring the focus back to me. I have allowed the stress of the past few weeks tough decisions to overshadow my goals. Any decisions we make as a family should contribute to my goals not take away from them. I did that to myself. I stopped making myself important.

Here's what I am going to do to get back on track: give up soda (again), run in the mornings, actually drink water, and lose this last 20 pounds. I started this morning with a 4 mile run and half mile walk with the dogs. I will not stop for my 44 oz this morning and I will not go to the soda vending machine. These may seem like little things but these are addictions. I need to become addicted to running again. I need to become addicted to myself! I need to withdraw from my other addictions.

I have done it before and I can do it again.

A half marathon for $20 can't be beat. It was very small, my cousin told be the smallest marathon in the U.S. This year there were about 50 preregistered for the half and 50 for the full. My aunt was doing the 5k. Since it started at 5:30 and was 2 hours away we went up the night before. Even though there wasn't a prerace pickup Sunday, the RD met us and gave us our numbers and shirts. We drove the course twice. Once with the race map and then once with directions from the RD. We decided on a spot my aunt could park so I could trade out my water. After we thought we had the course figured out, we headed to the hotel and to eat.

This morning we woke up to cool temps but thankfully no wind. We headed out in the dark to start the race. I had planned on running 4/1 but my garmin didn't cooperate. I started getting worried because it hadn't beeped but couldn't see well enough in the dark to know what was going on. I decided to run as far as a I could and then when I had to walk I would try to fix the garmin. I made it 2 miles which happened to be a major turn on to the highway. With my headlamp and a smooth surface I finally felt comfortable enough to fiddle with the watch. I got it going a little after 2 miles which meant it was pretty much good for nothing but intervals and mental math.

I was having serious stomach issues and so was another guy near me. He had gone into the bushes several times and got to the port-a-pot before me. I ran on cause they told us there would be another one at 6 miles. When I met up with my aunt at 5 miles, I grabbed some kleenex, traded waters, and trudged on. I was constantly looking for somewhere suitable for a bathroom. At the 6.5 turnaround, I asked what happened to the 6 mile port-a-pot. It was moved to mile 3. Ugh. I made it back to about 7 miles and used a tree I had seen earlier. It was far enough down the ditch and weedy enough to be out of the way. I prayed for 3 things: no rattlesnakes, no dogs, and the ability to squat. After I squatted, I added the ability to stand up to the prayer. I felt much better after that.

The course was pretty much a solo event. There was one manned water station at the turn around. Every 2 miles there was a case of water with an ice bag on top. The sloshing of my water was annoying to me so I ended up dumping my water and bending over for water once. I had some self doubt at mile 10 and really tried to play the poor little ole me card but there was no one to listen and no one who cared so I had no choice but to keep going. After mile 11, I felt okay again and picked my head up to start watching for the 5kers. I meet up with them at mile 12.5 or so. My aunt and I passed each other with a quick word and I headed to the finish. I got a great turtle for finishing. I bettered my last half by 18 minutes. I ended up 7th in my age group. Officially results will be mailed.

My aunt bettered her time by 3 minutes. Each race is not chip timed. It took me about 3 minutes to cross the start and it took her at least 5. We waited for door prizes but didn't win. Then we headed to the breakfast buffet.

We had a great time with lots of laughing. I am pretty sore but I think the 2 hour drive has a lot to do with that. I told my aunt racing was like childbirth and we would soon forget the bad parts of tyis run and be ready to race again. My pictures include a view from the side of the road which is how it looked from miles 2 to 10, a view back in to town from the 6.55 turnaround, the ugliest race shirt ever, and my turtle.