Go Time. Again.

A day or so ago I was trying to come up with a witty tagline of sorts - one that I could use to anchor a post for the Mini. I failed.

I can't believe it's almost a year since my first half marathon and here I sit at the end of training x's 2, months of "mental blocks," stomach issues, discipline, frozen tundra and dreadmill runs, and I'm one day out from my second half marathon with the Ragnar Relay: Cape Cod less than a week away. It's intimidating, but I cannot wait until I step foot in Boston Logan and get that journey going, after crossing the finish line in Indianapolis.

Committing to training is always daunting, in addition to thinking of two major runs in two weeks. Additionally, remember last year, about six weeks before the Indy Mini when I tweaked my foot? Less than three weeks out and my OTHER foot was tweaked. Naturally.

I ran a pattern consisting of my highest mileage of training with run 1 consisting of 5 miles, run 2 consisting of 4 miles, and the long run consisting of 11 a few weeks ago. I chose to break them up (I still swear I have Runner's ADD - squirrel), moving run 2 to Saturday morning, running 6 miles on Saturday afternoon (of which I completed), then finishing my remaining 5 miles on Sunday afternoon. All was smooth until run 3's remaining 1/2 mile. I stopped and walked home, as I tweaked a tendon in my left foot. After going through a series of ultrasound/steroid therapy sessions, rest, and freezing my ass off with a bag of frozen peas on my foot, I'm healed. For now. In the last two weeks I've only ran three times, with Sunday totaling 7.5 miles after working an event of which I primarily stood/ran around. Close enough?

I still plan to cross the finish line in Indianapolis however I'm letting go the possibility of finishing less than 2 hours and 30 minutes with the past few weeks not going exactly to plan. I want to remain healthy for Ragnar and if I don't even complete the Mini sub 2:30... I've still completed it, and the feeling of crossing the finish never feels sweeter listening to closing laps of various historical Indy 500 races.

Finishing last year's #IndyMini.

...this coming from the girl who two years ago couldn't run a 1/4 mile.

I'm thinking like the little engine that could. I played my training in the past few weeks smart, hitting the bike or elliptical for no-impact workouts when ordered to rest from impact (my longest run last year of training was 8.5 miles, and I completed 13.1 still), simulating runs while also keeping my aerobic base up. Does it suck? Absolutely. Even though I've had to shift my goals a bit from completing sub-2:30 to just beating last year's 2:43, the main goal remains - don't die, kiss some bricks (see below for kiss #1), but most importantly - enjoy every minute.

Run or Dye at IMS - August, 2013

My corral has been assigned, and I'm no longer in the last wave. (Woohoo! Movin' on up.....!) My bib number this year is 21121 (Heyyyyyyyy, hey Brooksie!), and I'm off in the 4th wave - approx. 8:30 am.

You can track me by downloading Indy Mini's app from the App Store or Android's marketplace, however you can also log in at IndyMini.com and search my bib no. 21121. From there, you'll be able to either track me by text, website, or email, however you can also follow me on Twitter @AshleyK199. I've set up automatic tweets for each split I hit - the Start Line, the first 5K mark, the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Yard of Bricks (pucker up, buttercup!), the 11th mile (almost there!), and the Finish Line (#beerme).

Am I prepared? Hell no. Does that matter? Well kinda, but I'm not stressing too much. The plan? Take it easy - run my own race, and take the run as it comes; hopefully I can PR and ring the bell but I'm not sweating it - not with Ragnar and taking in Cape Cod by foot in less than a week.

Speaking of Ragnar - I really haven't had a chance to think about the upcoming run. I've been splitting up Mini training to get used to running on tired legs, but after final exams, starting an internship this past week, and trying to cram something else (you'll know more soon) in this week, yeah......... I've ran three times in the past two weeks. ...but that doesn't matter.

How effing cool is this course?!

 What matters is that this wild and crazy journey begins next Thursday, joining my teammate Carly at Dayton International for our trip to Boston via Philly. I've only met Carly once in person however after meeting her, we haven't gone one day without chatting somehow whether it's through text or Facebook messenger. Between her and my other teammate/sister-from-another-mister Dacia, they're the only two I "know;" our team has got to know one another, what we've accomplished, and what we're hoping to accomplish through this crazy relay-thing via technology. I'm not sure how I functioned prior to today's ever-changing technology, but we've been able to get to know each other through a team-only Facebook page, in addition to conference planning calls and such. My only goal for Ragnar is to learn about one another, their journeys and stories, while enjoying every minute. It's not every day someone gets the opportunity to run Cape Cod by foot, and quite honestly, I never thought five years ago this would be possible.

I truly believe if you're fervid and driven, putting hard work and your mind towards a goal or dream (or both) you wish to achieve, you're capable of anything - especially if it makes you come alive.
 

Eventually I'll have tracking info via Twitter and Facebook, as one of our teammates has rented a GPS tracker that will show where the runner is currently located within our 200-mile journey. In addition to all of that, you know darn well we'll be chronicling our journey via social media - including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also follow along and share in our journey by following #RunningDownRagnar on various social media outlets!

Last but not least, make sure to also check out our team's website at RunningDownOurDreams.com.

See you guys on the flip side of Ragnar! (...and be prepared for one epic blog post.)

It's Go Time!

Where have the last 22 days gone? Or the last few months of training for that matter?! I can’t believe it’s race-week already for my first half marathon, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis.

Am I’m ready? Mentally, I’m actually better than I thought I’d be this week. I haven’t been super nervous, and as I picked up more race fuel yesterday I felt like I could tackle the world. But physically? No, I’m not ready. I haven’t been able to complete the plan according to schedule without a break for injury, but I’m as close as I can be and I won’t back down.

Through tapering and playing around with mileage, I’ve been able to run at least 9 miles during a long run, maintaining at least 12:00 min/mi, sometimes 12:30, however I’ve found I’m exhausted after 9. My legs were not happy with me Sunday, but I’ve bounced back much quicker than I thought I would, which gives me hope. No soreness today! We can chalk it up to chocolate milk, right? (By the way – yummiest recovery I’ve ever had! I WILL be chugging it after the race.)

I’ve nailed down my nutrition plan for my first half marathon using gummy chews either from Honey Stinger (thanks for the tip, Mark!), or the CLIF Shot Blocks. I’ve found GU’s or gels in general are the nastiest thing I have ever ate, and though they do not make me feel nauseous, they are warmed up with body heat in my belt. If I had them ice-cold or cool, I could probably choke them down, however I’m just not a fan. Another bonus with the Honey Stingers? The chews give me something to “chew” on, keeping me busy during at least a portion of the run. I plan to fuel up around the 4^th mile, as I find I fade around 6 or 7 if I don’t, as well as probably around 8, and then again around 11 if I’m feeling zapped to give me a needed boost to get to the finish line.

I’m a little worried about hydration personally, though there will be plenty of water and Gatorade, or “Pit Stops” as they named in true racing fashion, stationed along the route about every mile. I just need to make sure I swing by, and keeping drinking so I don’t get dehydrated. You can see them in the course map below:

If you aren’t exactly familiar with the map above, here’s a handy video from 2012, showing the course I’ll be running on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB6uQfNXJ3s&feature=youtu.be

The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon, or the “Mini” as it’s called, is the nation’s largest half marathon, with it being the 7^th largest running event in the United States. Just as it’s sang to kick off the Indianapolis 500 every year, “Back Home Again in Indiana” will be performed before the first gun sounds. Kicking off my favorite month to be a Hoosier, the Mini Marathon is kind of the first “event” in a month-long celebration of our proud racing heritage. It makes me giddy just thinking I’ll be a part of it this year!

You’ll also be able to track me on the course while I’m running using the new app created for the Mini Marathon! More info located here:

http://www.500festival.com/RunnerTracking

You can find me by my bib number (26446), and each time I cross one of the 4 splits (one being the famed yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway!), my timing will update through the app. (Though I’m not too concerned with time. Let me be clear. See my goals below.) Of course, I’ll have plenty of pictures through my Twitter account, too! I’ve enlisted Mr. K for his fab photography skills. (Inside joke.) Make sure to follow me @AshleyK199 :)

The race officially begins at 7:45a, with Wave 1 of runners taking off at 7:48a. Me, being the super-fast, agile, elite runner (hint: sarcasm) that I am, I’m bringing up the back of the pack. I purposely over-estimated my start time at 13:00 min/mi, placing me in Corral W, or the 5^th and final wave of the race. I’m due in my corral by 8:30a, however I’m sure I’ll be there much sooner, too excited and nervous for words. Wave 5’s start time is 8:45a, with the last runner or walker due in by 12:48p at the finish.

I plan to (no brainer) stop to kiss the ever-famous yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, however my fear is that when I do I will, A.) break cadence, (it happened Saturday with a “pit stop” and I had a hard time finding my groove for the last half of my 9-miler), B.) not be able to get back up, or C.) both.

My goals for the day are pretty plain and simple for someone running their first half-marathon, with the exception of the last:

1. Finish. (Preferably in under 3 hours, but I’m not pressuring myself on timing. I just want to finish.)

2. Don’t die. (I have a friend who is a nurse working the medical tent for the race. I love you Erin but no offense, I don’t want to see you Saturday. I know you will understand!)

3. Stay off the trail bus. (The trail bus runs at 18:00 min/mi, gathering up those who either are too slow of set timing regulations or those who cannot finish the race, in order to clear the course to resume normal traffic operations after the Mini in Indianapolis.)

4. Pucker up, butter cup! We’re kissing bricks! ;)

I’m going to need all of the luck and determination I can get to get through this. It’s not an easy feat, but I’m excited none the less. The course is packed with more than 80 bands and forms of entertainment, as well as a spirit competition occurring at the same time, with several cheer squads from high schools across the state. I’ve been told (shoutout and many thanks to@DJDaveSnow) to make sure my ear buds are out of my ears before I enter Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bagpipers, yeah!

In the end, I’ll have a shiny new medal to adorn my beautiful plaque on my wall that says, “Celebrate every mile,” given to me by a dear friend (I still miss you Robin!) before she moved.

In addition to the medal, I’ll get a free beer, chocolate milk, plenty more freebies, a lap around the beautiful IMS (on foot), and the dirtiest kiss I’ve ever had plus a post-race party; but it’s much more than just material things I can touch or hold. It’s the sense of accomplishment, knowing that my drive and determination have paid off, that I can proudly say I went from 250 lbs to a half-marathoner in less than five years, and the fact that I can do anything I put my mind to. That means much more to me than you’ll ever know…

Blogger’s Note: I want to thank Mr. K himself for being my rock of support through training; the laughing about “coming to Jesus meetings” and “pit stops,” holding me while I’ve cried over a knee injury or foot issue. He mentioned last night how proud of me, and that all I could do was apologize for being so stubborn and “determined.” It’s what makes our marriage tick, I suppose?

Can't I Just Stay Healthy? Pretty Please?!

The Universe's answer?

No.

I've never been so aggravated and upset this week, and this honestly tops the irritation I had knee surgery. Why? Because I'm 6 weeks out to the Mini Marathon, SIX, and I have my hotel reserved, goops bought, new shoes, outfit planned, etc.

I've been pretty much bawling my eyes out all week.

So what happened?

I decided to push my scheduled runs off by a day, since Monday night I didn't get home until 9:30. I didn't exactly want to be on the treadmill running 5 miles until 11:30 at night so I decided to go to bed, push it off until Tuesday, and use the gym at the university I attend. I did just that.

While running my scheduled 5 miles on Tuesday night, something in my right foot (totally different leg than the knee I had operated on) started to hurt. My first reaction was, "Ok. Just see if it's a muscle spasm. Run it out. Push through"

Ha! Yeah... Right...

At mile 4 I couldn't take it anymore. I had a pain in the top of my foot, a little off center, that started to throw my running gait off. The only thing different I had done was bump up the speed a bit, however it was only by .1 or .2 of MPH to where I was at 5.5. I was able to maintain it for 4 miles, so why at 4 did my foot start to hurt?

I've done the usual - RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate), while also downing Ibuprofen and using Rexall like it's going out of style. I'm trying to keep it loose, by rotating my ankle, flexing it every so often, etc. But I've narrowed it down... I think... (Because I have MD after my name; didn't you know that?!)

It's either one of two things:

1. Stress Fracture
2. Tendon/strain/muscle ache

I really, really, really, really, really it's the second option, as the only way to heal a stress fracture is to stop and let it heal.

With 6 (SIX) weeks left until the Mini Marathon...

You have got to be f*cking kidding me.

My thought process is this - that if it were a stress fracture, I wouldn't be able to walk. At times it hurts, at times it aches, at times it doesn't. That leads me to believe it's more of a muscle strain or tendon issue.

I'll be seeing a doc tomorrow to see what I should probably do, but honestly, I'll take a Cortisone shot for one in the foot, please! Just let me get through May 3 healthy, unhurt, with a medal around my neck. That's all I ask for. Normal programming resumes after... Or at least, healing and recovery.

In addition though, I wasn't mentally prepared for my 5 mile run that night - I just wanted to get it over with. I've been noticing, with longer runs, I haven't been as excited as I used to when I was just running 9 miles per week on average. I was happy, running a 5k here or there for the fun of it; now I'm afraid I might be getting a little burnt out with running. It's more of a chore than a stress-reliever, if that makes sense?

I have such a stubborn and determined drive, that I will not let this cause me to fail - I'm stronger than that, but this bump in the road has really knocked me on my ass. It's a blow to my gut, steel ovaries, and ego as I honestly sometimes forget I'm not Super Woman. I just want to get through this half marathon, complete my dream, and move on.

But with six weeks out to the Mini, I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever achieve this...

I honestly feel like I'm failing.