Tomorrow is November???

October is (almost) officially over, and November is upon us.  Here are our totals for the month of October:
Mrs. Marathon: 60.309 miles, which means that I just barely met my 60 mile goal.
Mr. Marathon: 102.15 miles, which is TOTALLY AWESOME considering the many obstacles that led to him taking 14 rest days throughout the month for various reasons (cold weather, rain, darkness, sickness, sore knees, sore ankles, a Nascar race, cramps, etc.)

We are both very happy with our total mileage for the month, and for next month, we have decided that we are not going to set mileage goals.  Now that it is getting colder and the days are becoming shorter, we have to run whenever we can for however long we can.  We have some big races coming up so whatever training we can get is very important at this point.  In November, we are running our first 15K on the 3rd (this Saturday!!), and we are also traveling to Richmond, VA, on the 10th for Mr. Marathon's marathon and my 8K.  There are a couple of others that we might consider, weather permitting (Mr. Marathon doesn't like the cold!).

Also, we have recently made race bib holders to show off all of our bibs, instead of just shoving them in a folder or throwing them away.  This way, we can cherish our successes and stay motivated for our future successes!  Oh, and Happy Halloweeeeen!

Goblin Gallop 5K

Today Mr. Marathon and I participated in the Goblin Gallop 5K in Martinsville, VA, which we ran for the second time.  Last October, I ran in this race as my first 5K ever.  So today is kind of my run-iversary!

But before we get into that, there is one major triumph that I must share.  On Wednesday of this past week, I finally increased my mileage.  I had been running 6 miles as most of my long runs, and then last week, we did a 7-miler.  But this past week, I knew I had to up the distance.  Mr. Marathon and I decided on an 8-mile run.  But once we got to running, we passed the 4 mile marker, which was where we were going to turn around.  Then I bravely decided that we were going ALL THE WAY.  We ran to the 4.5 mile marker on the Dick and Willie trail (which is the end of the trail!) and then headed back.  So I ran 9 miles!!!!  It took me an hour and 44 minutes, but I did it!!!!!  I knew I had to try before I even consider a 15K (there's one next week.... eek!).  Either way, I am getting even closer to being able to run 13.1 miles.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled blogging.  Today was the Goblin Gallop.  We ran and finished in good time.  Mr. Marathon placed 3rd overall (1st in his age group obviously... also he was the only one in his age group) at around 19 minutes and 40ish seconds.  I finished at a time of 29:30 (which is a whole 10 minutes faster than my time last year!  I have improved!!!) and that put me at finishing 1st in my age group!  And I beat at least two other people! YAY!  Until next time...

Apple Dumpling Festival 5K

Mr. Marathon and I had a bunch of fall fun yesterday!  We got to run in the Apple Dumpling Festival 5K in Stuart, VA.  It was a fun little race, with an awesome festival right after.  It was perfect weather for a run yesterday for me, so I loved every minute of it!  Mr. Marathon, on the other hand, was about to freeze.  I finished at an acceptable time of 30:21, which landed me at third place in the 20-29 age group.  And I actually beat three other people!  I am moving on up!  Mr. Marathon finished in 19:49, so he finished second overall!  To top it all off, the awards were (fake) apples (you see me modeling our prizes in the photo... the larger one is obviously Mr. Marathon's but he let me hold it).  We had a great time yesterday, and of course we ate some apple dumplings at the festival (which are like little apple pie kind of things... delicious!!!!!) and bought some jellies and then headed to the Go Outside Festival in Roanoke, VA, after driving through the Blue Ridge Parkway to see some scenic fall foliage.

And now, our monthly update:
Mrs. Marathon: 35.209 out of 60 miles
Mr. Marathon: 69.54 out of 150 miles

We have a lot of running to do in order to meet our goals for the month in the next 10 days!!!

No More Mr. Marathon....

...because I am now Mr. ULTRAAAAAAAAAAAA MARATHON!  Yesterday I ran my very first ultra-marathon (50K).  We made a friend about a month ago at a 5K who had told me about this race, who was also going to run it.  Of course, I had to do it, too!  So, my chauffeur, Mrs. Marathon, drove me all the way to Fries, VA, which is two hours away, yesterday at 5:15 AM.  We arrived at the New River Trail State Park at about 7:15 AM before the sun even came up!  Luckily, I love the cold weather.  Not.  35 degrees is a little bit chilly for me... as in FREEZING.  Upon our arrival, this was the actual temperature.  I am NOT exaggerating.  Anyway, when we got there, I picked up my packet and prepared for the biggest challenge of my running career thus far.  I was well prepared for the weather conditions, though.  I stayed plenty warm and plenty comfortable, unlike some other runners wearing tank tops and shorts.  I was wearing a pull-over, running tights, and a beanie.  And everything I was wearing was thermal and intended to keep me warm!  Once the race had begun, it was a little difficult for me to set a pace so I had to start off slow.  I am not used to running on a trail, since all of my races and training occur on paved ground.  Once I found my trail-running groove, I ran at a good pace and I was feeling good.  Except for the fact that one of my ankles had started to hurt a little bit.  Regardless, I kept on running, and I ran all the way to the turnaround point (about 15 miles in), where I found my beautiful wifey  (A.K.A. my personal photographer) waiting there for me!  Then I got confused and kept running instead of turning around.  I got myself all turned around the right way to head back for the second half of the race.  I kept going strong until around the 20-mile marker.  Between cramps on my stomach and thighs, my right knee giving out, and both of my ankles and the tops of my feet hurting, I was struggling.  However, the course was beautiful, so I had plenty of scenery to admire, which was a nice (and welcome) distraction, despite my internal pain and suffering.  I was tired and hurting, but my body was still going.  Finally my feet were not allowing me to run anymore, but I was not going to stop.  I had to power-walk because I was not about to stop moving after all the hard work that I had just invested into this race.  Every second I felt like I could run, I would not hesitate to do so.  I finally got to the marathon split (at 3 hours and 45 minutes), and after that, my lower body was DONE.  I could not have asked for a better trail to run on because it was nice and flat, but it was still a trail, with loose rocks and gravel.  The rocks weren't big, but they sure were a big obstacle for my feet.  I had to continue to power-walk and run when I was able for the last stretch.  I absolutely hate walking because once I get a taste, I just want to keep on doing it.  Anyway, I eventually made it to the finish line in about 4 hours and 45 minutes.  I am very glad that I managed to finish the race and earn the title of ultra-marathoner!

Victory! Triumph! Chocolate Chip Bagels!

Yesterday was a day to remember for me.  I, Mrs. Marathon, had the most successful race to date.  I ran the Star City Women's 5K in Roanoke, Virginia.  Let me just say, this race was super friendly and super organized.  It was beautiful weather and a marvelous course to run on (it ended on a long, steady downhill!). A couple of weeks ago, I had run 3 miles in 28 minutes 59 seconds.  This 5K was my moment of truth:  Could I really do 3.1 miles in under 30 minutes in an actual race?  The answer: YES I CAN.  I finished in 29:14!!!!!!!  I was so stoked that I managed to finish in my goal time.  Not only did I meet my goal, but I also got a medal and a flower at the finish line (I broke the flower in all my excitement, but they gave me another one... see why I say they were super friendly?!?).  And that's not all!!  I also took second place in the 18-22 age group!  SO I GOT A TROPHY!  My first running trophy EVER!!!!!!!  YAY!!!  Oh, and to top it all off:  among the healthy post-race snacks like bananas, apples, peanut butter, and grapes, I saw some bagels.  I love bagels, but not the plain ones.  They are boring.  So I grabbed what I thought was a cinnamon raisin bagel.  I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that what I thought were raisins were actually CHUNKS OF CHOCOLATE.  I have a terrible sweet tooth, so needless to say, I was ecstatic.

As for my mileage for the month, I am currently at 10.1 miles for the month of October, so I have to keep it up to meet my 60 mile goal!  As for Mr. Marathon, he is preparing for his 50K this upcoming Saturday (10-13).  Wish him luck!