Kat's Playbook

1. Running - I have steered clear of all running this pregnancy.  I ran quite a bit the first go round with Mr. T and wonder if that contributed to the 7 weeks of bed rest.  This time, I am sticking to the gym and yoga, however, I just miss being able to go for a run.  The other night we had a beautiful rain storm and that would have been a perfect moment to put on my shoes, hat and go jog it out in the sprinkling rain.  I saw someone else running and glared at them in pure jealousy. 

2. Beer - Let's be honest, this should be number 1, but I just didn't want to feel too much like I have a problem.  But really...it is hard not to have a beverage especially during the summer.  There is just something about sitting on the back deck and drinking an IPA, stout, Shandy in a can....I'll take any of it.  Many have said, but you can have a glass of wine, the baby will be fine!!  However, that is not what I want.  I want a strong, flavorful, 10% IPA microbrew that comes with a cork.  Some people collect wine corks, I have a thing for Bomber Corks.  I day dream about what my first beer will be in October.  Right now, the verdict is Little Sumthin.

3. Intense Work Outs - Gator Guy is motivated...all the damn time.  And I usually am too.  I love kicking my own ass at the gym and I really miss doing it.  Especially now seeing the scale go up each week.  I seriously miss dripping sweat because I pushed my muscles to their edge!! 

4. Drinks with my dearest E - Last summer was my first being a teacher.  And my dear e was pregnant with her sweet Charlie.  Now, I'm the preggers of the group on summer #2 and we still can't indulge in some beverages and go to the local dive bar to feel better about our lives.   Next summer E!!

5. Shorts - Last summer I had a pair of orange shorts.  They were pretty short, but I ended up loving them, especially after getting a little sun on my legs.  But now the thought of wearing shorts in public is terrifying.  Who wants to see these legs????  No one.  Absolutely No One.

6. Laying on my Stomach - It seems so simple, but boy do I miss it.  I finally bought a pool inner tube just so I could get a little bit of the feeling.  Still not that same. And btw, check out Mr. T's little thigh rolls!!  He was and still is just the cutest!!

7. My pre-pregnancy body - Ok, so I never looked like this cartoon...but you get the idea!  This one I think about every single freaking day.  I worked hard to be in shape.  And to see my thighs continue to grow, it breaks my heart.  Also makes me wonder wtf??  Why is it necessary for a layer of extra fat to be put on these thunder thighs??  Seriously.  I'm pretty sure my quads can carry the extra belly weight without insulation being added.  I am also terrified at the number of spider veins that have been added to my legs as well.  It is like damn Charlotte, her web, and her whole damn family has decided to camp out permanently.  I appreciate all the comments of "you look so great!  You carry the baby weight so well."  Most of the time I can be polite and say thank you.  Deep down, I am saying screw you.  You know you can see my fat ass, thighs and face.  Damn you October!!! You seem so far away!!

8. Sushi - Not a huge deal, but I would LOVE some sushi.  Its amazing how you follow all the rules to a T the first go round and blow that out of the water on child number 2.  So yes, I have had some spicy tuna rolls and other delish sushi this time.  Now I just want more.  Perhaps some saki too. 

9. Twisting and Floor Bow - Yoga has become a big passion of mine.  (Thanks E for changing my life in multiple ways).  And I LOVED to twist.  It was relaxing, cleansing, and a must do in each class.  Obviously that is out of the question now.  Floor bow was also one of my favorite poses and I miss it so.  However, on a plus side my practice has changed in other ways as I now can mostly just focus on my breath.

This morning I went for a run in my brand new running shoes. 

They feel like I am running on clouds. 

I listened to Perpetuum Mobile by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.  I felt like I should be in a running commercial. 

Just me.  My Shoes.  And the Track.  Refreshing.

Tomorrow I will be running a half marathon....in which I have done essentially zero training for.  Well wait a minute, I suppose I have done some yoga and a few 3 mile runs here and there, so I should be good....right?  It's only 10 more miles after that!!

ps...we are camping the night before and night after.  Seriously...wish me luck and have a beer ready at the finish line  ;)

In honor of the Boston Marthon yesterday (well done DMac...you freakin rocked it!!), I just had to post this video (thanks C for sending it...I suppose I will take it as a compliment that you thought of me....however, it does talk about not pooping your pants and bloody nipples, just what were your intentions C?!?) 

Anyway, there are days that I miss marathon training.  You know the days of just kicking your own ass and overcoming all doubt. There are times when we drive from Georgetown to Idaho Springs and I watch the road thinking I kicked major ass and that was just for a half.  But then I remember the training and pain.  Especially the trianing and pain post baby.  Holy Hell that was hard. 

I know some day I will run another 26.2.  It is just a matter of when and where.  Any great ideas?!?!?  I have always wanted to run the Disney Marathon.  I mean, what could be better than Mickey and Donald cheering me on??  Perhaps running on the beach....

What marathons have all of you run (or thought about)??  Ireland?  Hawaii?  Nashville?  (Yes, Nashville just got a shout out in the same category as Ireland).  Its how I roll. 

It was 26.2 miles of Hard Work, Sweat, Pain, Joy, and Satisfaction. Satisfaction because I am pleased and Proud. I figured I would beat myself up over my time (well let's be honest, I still do just a little bit). But I am about 90% Proud and 10% wish-I-could-have-done-more. Ask me on a different day and those percentages might change, but that's just the nature of being uber competitive.

This marathon was different than my first. This training was Oh-so-freaking-HARD. I had a hard time on most my long runs both physically and mentally.  Kudos to all you mom's out there (like Heather who I admire with each blog post) that work your butt off in the office, wear your super cape around the house, while you tend to the kids, cook for the hubby, AND train like a rock star. I had a hard time with that balance and had a hard time keeping my head positive. But looking back, I am happy that I finished and it felt so good to be done!!

The Colorado Marathon started at 6:00am. Wanna know what time that required me and Gator Guy to set our alarm for? 3:15 in the A-freaking-M!! If only Rob Thomas could have serenaded me with his Matchbox's classic, "Its 3AM".  But I'm pretty sure he didn't intend for 3AM to be spent eating breakfast and putting on all the Gear. We left the hotel at 4AM, and I was on the bus by 4:15AM. The ride to the start was about 45 minutes, and I thought, HOLY CRAP this is a long drive up this canyon road....and I have to run ALL the way back!!  Take. A. Deep. Breath.

Even though it was still dark when we arrived to the Start Line, starting this early actually was great. It meant that we saw the sunrise and it wasn't too hot by the time we finished. In fact, it was 32 degrees at the start and 68 degrees at the finish. (Only that kind of mercury swing happens in Colo "rad" o).

The course was BEAUTIFUL, and fast. It is the number one qualifying race for Boston, which meant that there was a lot of people that kicked my butt and then some. But I tried to soak up some of the dedicated energy that they had left on the trail hours before me.

As for my performance....it was rough. Previously, I had talked about my Poise. When really...I was ok in that department. However, my other "track" chose to fail me and I spent a total of at least 17 minutes waiting in line and going to the bathroom. YIKES. Not my idea of a good way to run a race.

I have to say that most runners are crazy.  Crazy about our Time.  We constantly have to know our pace, know our finish prediction, and once one race is completed...its on to the next to beat that time.  When I started training in January I was sure that I would run a sub 4:20:00.  But as my training runs became longer and harder...And my head just wasn't in the Game like I had wanted it to be, I learned to drop my expectations.  I set what I thought was a major cushion of "If I finish under 5 hours, I will be just fine". When really I thought, "I'll probably finish under 4:45 and hopefully under 4:30". So when I crossed the line just at 5 hours (well 4:59:22 to be exact), I had thought I would be upset.

But instead, I was Proud. Actually Proud of myself. Because I had known that the last 26.2 miles officially kicked my ass!! I was Proud that I finished and was even more Proud to have my family on the sidelines cheering me on.  I heard the announcer say my name as I neared the finish line, threw my arms up with joy and I felt Oh-So-Proud.

Well, aside from the fact that I am sitting with my foot elevated with an icepack on my ankle.  Yes...I avoided heels all week Just. In. Case., when in fact all it took was me walking out of my garage to get some dinner tonight... and here I am, nervous as all heck and hoping there's no swelling or stiffness tomorrow.  For The Love!!

But don't you worry (inner self, Kat)  I will be READY.  I will Rock this Race.  Because I will Rock.  Rock it like a Hurricane (ooo, good song, I should add that one to the playlist.

Must Haves for my Marathon:

1.  Good JAMS - Yes, thank you for all the ideas on songs.  I also got some great ones on facebook and I am ready to Jam it Out (or Punch someone in the face with some of these screamers).  But either way, I am READY. 

2.  GEAR - I can't tell you enough how much I love all my running gear.  I started training in January, and so the Colorado winter and spring gave me some COLD runs.  But I loaded up all the best Under Armour COLDgear, and I became ready for anything Mother Nature sends my way.  Good news, is Sunday will be about 35 degrees when we begin (at 6AM) and 65 when we finish.  Thank you Kathy Sabine, because that's the best running forecast I could ask for.  

3.  Running Pack - Ok, so my running pack doesn't exactly look like this Fanny Pack (or Butt Pack as My Dad calls is), but it serves the same purpose.  To carry the essentials.  Chapstick, ID, Poise (listed below), Gu Gels, and my cell phone.

 

4.  Nike iPod Sport Kit - This may not be as accurate as a GPS device, but there's nothing better than Lance Armstrong coming on and saying, "Congratulations, you just completed your longest run yet.  You Rock Kat!!"  (Ok, he doesn't say that I Rock, but I know he's thinking it.....I love you Lance)

5.  The Unfortunate Poise - that's right, I have had an encounter with Poise Pads once before.  And little did I know that they would some day be used.  But leave it up to mother nature and the miracle of child birth to leave me with very little control of my bladder.  But the good news...I have already finished one race with completely wetting my pants as I crossed the finish line (yes, this is sadly true) and so I can slap a smile on my face if it were to happen for the Big One.  But Just In Case... I added the Pad, and picked up on a trick of pouring water all over myself if it should happen again.  Damn you Poise.  Damn you.  

So even though I leave it on that very TMI (Too Much Information) note, I will have to say (because I have to say to myself yet again), I am READY.  I am READY to run 26.2 miles.  I am READY to Rock It Like a Hurricane.  

Check out the course: