And a Good Time was Had by All!

Last evening we had our Marathon Kick-off and Wine Tasting at Water2Wine (\http://www.water2wine.us/austin/).  John, Jenny and the staff are wonderful hosts who made the evening even more enjoyable.  Twenty-five people came out to taste wines, bid on silent auction items, and win door prizes, all the while supporting our team.  Auction items ranged from wine gift baskets to sports memorabilia to a massage or a session with a personal trainer.  People tasted wine varietals they may never had thought about tasting before, learning about the types of grapes, regions the grapes were grown in, and the wine-making process.  The evening found a wide array of wine drinkers, from the amateur to the professional wine snob (I find myself to be aspiring to the professional wine snob.  I am currently an amateur wine snob).  The evening ended with us raising a little over $1,000, which was about double what I anticipated!  It put me at about $6,500 total dollars raised, about $1,000 short of my fundraising goal.  I cannot say enough good things about Water2Wine.  It is a tremendously fun place to visit, taste and learn.  The people are friendly, fun and generous, and the experience is delightful!

So Sunday is the big day.  I have not really worked out since running 20 last Tuesday.  I've hit the treadmill a few times, even running a 7 minute mile, and have done the stationary bike, as well.  However, I am trying to rest my body as I prepare for the race.  I've changed my diet for the week, as well.  I have cut out meats and trans fats, and am eating more complex carbs.  Other then last night, I have stopped drinking (I have not had scotch, my poison of choice, for a few weeks).  I try to be active without overdoing.  Saturday will be my last lite workout before the race.

If you are interested in tracking my progress, you can download an IPhone app at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/2011-livestrong-austin-marathon/id411573278?mt=8 or you can follow me on the web at http://www.whydoyourun.com/runnertracking/.  You will need my bib number (4387) in order to follow my progress.

I would be remiss if I did not give 3 shout-outs.  First, to Moe Harris of Elite Fitness (http://austinelitefitness.com/).  He has been my friend and trainer on the journey, and I would not be able to be at this point without him.  Second, Amanda, my running buddy, who made me go out even when I did not want to.  While she knows how to whine when she needs to, she will not others whine.  And finally, and most importantly, to my family.  Maline, Josh and Noah have been marathon widow/ orphans for about 6 months now.  They have supported and encouraged me, and never gotten upset when I have been gone to run.

Well, I guess this is it until after the race.  Thanks to all who have helped, supported and encouraged me along the way!  More Monday!

Twenty Miles

So Sunday was supposed to be my big run before the race.  My longest pre-accident run was 14 miles, and my longest post-accident was 10, a hard 10, at that.  My goal was to run 20 miles Sunday afternoon after church.  I knew I would walk some, since I have really only had about 4 weeks of training after a two month break, but I was OK with that.  I left church and was driving home, when my car died from a blown head gasket.  The toe truck did not get the car back to my house until about 5:00, too late to get my run in.  I did not have time to run Monday, and bad weather was coming Wednesday, so I decided to do my 20 miles Tuesday after my Kiwanis meeting.

I got to Town Lake a little before 9 a.m. and stretched, got ready, and hit the trail at 10:15.  The first stretch I went from the bridge to the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, about 2 miles in 24 minutes, which is better then I normally do.  I did a quick walk from there to the water station, some 50 yards away, got some water, then started back again.  I climbed the miserable hill on Riverside and was able to keep going.  In the past, I've climbed the hill then walked a bit to recover.  I got to IH35 and was still going strong.  There are four places to cross the access road at 35.  The first one had no traffic, and I crossed easily.  The next two both had the lights going for me as I approached.  The last crossing, however, is always difficult, and I ran in place for about 2 minutes waiting to cross.  Finally I heard a car horn, looked up, and saw that a cabby had gotten the attention of a bus driver and they both stopped to let me cross.  I felt like I had my own cheering squad in these 2 strangers!  I found myself running the next 6 miles without a walk, a first for me.  Even when I did walk, it was a short distance at a quick pace.  I ended up completing the first 11 miles in two hours and 12 minutes, which I was very pleased with.

As I was finishing the first lap, however, I began getting leg cramps.  I would hit the ground and immediately feel a cramp hit.  As I stopped running, the pain went away.  I stopped and stretched, but could not get rid of the pain while running.  I thought about stopping, but decided to press on.  Over the course of the next three miles I tried an occasional run, but still found it painful.  After the third mile, I was apparently stretched enough that I was able to start running again.  My body was feeling the pain of over three hours of movement, but my spirit soared as I had yet another epiphany that I was going to complete the marathon.  My hope was to complete the 20 miles in 5 hours.  I figured that if I could do that, I could easily complete the marathon in the alloted 7 hours.  It would not be the best time for a marathon, but for someone who had an accident and could not train for 2 months, it would not be bad.  I ended up completing the 20 miles in about 4.5 hours, and was very pleased; sore, but pleased.

I still am stiff in my hips today, and now know that I need to work on some good IT band stretches between now and race day.  I am working on my diet for the next two weeks, as well as a run strategy.  I have no doubt that I will complete the race this year, and next year I will run with a good time.  In the meantime, I am now just relaxing.  No more long runs, no more pushing my body.  I am to the point of lite runs and relaxation.

I want to thank everyone for your continued support.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Next week I will post highlights about you can trace me on race day via I-Phone or computer.  Remember our fundraiser at Water 2 Wine on Anderson Lane next Wednesday night from 8:00 to 10:00.  $25 for unlimited wine tastings, and silent auctions items, including a session with a trainer, wine baskets, massage and autographed sports memorabilia.  There are also some great door prizes.  Come out, have some good wine and fun, and help our team kick-off Marathon Week!