Thanks to all of you for your support and encouraging words. I love you guys.
Things don’t always turn out as planned. It was hot in Chicago. So what. I have more marathons to reach my goal and I’m sure there will be other obstacles with those marathons as well. And I’m sure I’ll be a whiny baby again when I don’t meet those goals, but it’s okay, I’ll cry again and I’ll recover. That’s why we blog. Well, that’s why I blog.
But guess what? Training works. Go figure? I trained harder for this marathon than any other. I did the running, I lifted weights, I did plyometric exercises, I strengthened my core and my arms, I did speed work, I stretched, and I hydrated. No excuses, I did it. And those damn plate runners, too. (I’m sending off autographed Runner Susan plates to anyone interested, just shoot me an email)
I’m sure there are many things I could have done better or differently – but for the first time, I can honestly say, I tried my hardest. And while I didn’t reach my marathon goal time, I can see and feel the results of my labor. Okay, so I didn’t lose any weight (boo), but for once I can SEE results and I feel I am in the best shape of my life. Which is more than I’ve ever been able to say in the past. (Anyone who has not seen the buffiness of my arms, click here and call me a loser)
So my body isn’t built to run super-fast marathons, and I may never reach my goal of qualifying for Boston. But I will run a 4:30 marathon some day, that I’m sure of. (With a lot more speed-work and a few 5k and half-mara PRs along the way.)
I started my training back up today with a nice, easy bike ride. Oh, and lookey here . . . my second crash. Well, actually, it was more of a fall-over than a crash, but hey, doesn’t that make me a professional now? I think I might need stitches, or a tourniquet or maybe a leech. But for now, I’ll have to settle for a band-aid.
Note to self: don’t answer cell phone while driving bike.
First!!!!!
RUh Roh on the bike wreck….goober.
You WILL run a 4:30 marathon…and faster too. Just keep up the hard work. You can do it, Susan. Flatman says so.
You can do it, Susan. Yes, you can. You can do it because YOU WANT TO do it,and that, my dear, is EVERYTHING! I’m sorry Chicago wasn’t what you wanted it to be..but hey, it was another learning experience, another step onto your way to the PR of your dreams. You will get there. I know it. Chin up and keep on running, baby. How about visiting Minneapolis next October instead, for Twin Cities Marathon?
> Note to self: don’t answer cell phone while driving bike.
Ahem…
We _ride_ the bike and we _drive_ the car.
I’m glad we had this little talk.
Carry on…
Ouch – I have to agree. No more answering the cell phone while riding. That way lies disaster but then you knew that!
You will reach your goal. You did train really, really hard and you look great!
If I do another marathon I’m going to be sure to have at least 1 run that is MORE than 20 miles. I don’t like getting to 20 miles and feeling like I’m going to die and I think the only way to avoid that is to train with a couple of 22 or 23 mile runs. Just a thought to tuck into your ‘next time’ diary.
Yes Susan, go for it.
Train for a marathon slow!, slow makes fast..
I think you train to hard whit lifted weights and plyometric exercises,strengthened core and arms!..Perhaps its better to slow down the training and you are not go to a military training!!.
So please, do slow and train not so hard!.
Sorry for my bad english!.
Groet Rinus.
http://rinusrunning.punt.nl/?home=1
I too have had many many disapointing races, but I believe we will all get “that one”…. You are doing everything right, and maybe it was just the warmup for your big day!
That crash totally makes you a professional! 🙂
Sometimes ya just gotta say it’s about the journey, not the destination. 🙂
Good job, Runner Susan. Keep on running.
Yes. Your legs were shaved weren’t they?
Thankfully the T-shirt survived.
Susan,
You know we all love you – I was looking for the gratuitous blister photo, but got a jacked-up knee instead! Either way we all must somehow be getting some pleasure from seeing you suffer, first with plates, then with road rash. You should pick your friends better! 😛 Take care and heal quick!
I am glad to read of your fighting spirit. If it had been 2007 New York conditions last Sunday, we’d have hit 4:30, for sure.
I’m sure there’s a 4:30 in Runner Susan, and soon, too. It was great meeting and sharing the marathon experience with Mr. & Mrs. Runner Susan in Chicago. Beware the clipless pedals and take good care of yourself on the way to your next adventure!
Ouch…bikes scare me…
You are my hero for all your training. You’ll do 4:30 one day…and my money’s on you for Boston too!
If you wait a few years to qualify for Boston you will “only” have to do a 4:15! (55-59) 🙂
Careful on that bike!
Yes, keep your hands on the handlebars. You will have that 4:30 marathon. I’m sure it will be sub 4:30. Probably even sub-4 if you keep working as hard as you did to train for this one. No more 80+ degree marathons.
i have legs like that right now. oh, but i got mine from spending a day with 15 puppies. oh, i’m sorry. didn’t you? you were riding? not playing with 15 puppies? i’m so sorry. that’s insensitive. i’ll let you take revenge out in nobimber.
Yeah! I am SO glad that the Foot Potion worked for you. No bad scabs under the boobs! No blisters!! Wonderful!!