Giving Thanks

It has been awhile since I have been on here to write. It is the same with my runs so far. I took about a week off and since then I have been inconsistent with my runs. I have truly found myself to be a goal oriented person, in that I need to have a running schedule that I feel I have to be accountable for. I have talked with my friend about this and if there is no training schedule or race to gear up for then I don't feel like I have to do the runs.

This past two weeks have truly been a blur as well. I got engaged on this past Sunday and then I was in a wedding this week so to say the least I have been kept busy with other things. I have been thinking about how it is nice to share some good news with people. I feel as if I have had just bad news recently and it is a nice change to share in some happiness.

So I feel like I need to give my thanks to some people. I want to thank my parents for driving all the way to Lake Placid and supporting me along the way. I know that all the walking wasn't exactly what my Dad wanted to be doing right before a knee replacement but he did it without complaining and really being a trooper. It meant a lot for my parents to see my successfully complete my first marathon. I can remember that my Mom said if you run a marathon we'll be there. We'll they did just that and I am thankful for parents who support whatever it is I want to do.

Next on the list is Jason. Just saying thank you doesn't cut it. He is my rock and always helped to calm me down and conquer whatever task that lies ahead of me. I can not think of a better person to help support me through this journey. He did everything from ride a bike with me as I'm training to telling me I can do this on a daily basis. I know this is something that I will remember for a lifetime and the moments that stick out to me have Jason involved in either helping me or cheering me on. He really was my partner in crime on this one. I hope he understands and knows just how much it meant to me in having him by my side through this whole process.

The rest of my family and friends also need to be recognized. I got so many calls/texts before and after the race that really helped me to understand just how many people where thinking of me as I ran or cared about how I did. I loved the support and it really made me feel as if I had something to run for. From my sister to Jason's family, or even my co-workers really helped to make me feel as if I accomplished something big. So a huge thanks for all the love, support, notes, messages, and thoughts throughout the whole process.

I'll keep you updated on the next race. There has to be another one it is just a matter of it is this year or next and if I will be running a 1/2 or a full. Many thanks!!!

Play by play

My trip out to Lake Placid was great. Jason and I left on Friday after he was done with work and drove to Erie, PA. We got in at night no problem. We woke up on Saturday and got on the road. While on the road we discovered a crack in the windshield. It definitely wasn't there the night before so I now have the task of replacing my windshield. We were making good time and then we started in on the last road. It was up and down the whole way. Very picture-ess. We got checked in to our hotel which had absolutely no parking in it. It was a zoo. People were sitting in their truck beds drinking beer, or just guarding their spots. It was kinda weird. We did find out that there was a fireman parade that night on Main St. Jason did find a place across the road. So we walked down this giant hill and made our way to Main St. I got checked in for the marathon

and Mom and Dad met us there while we walked the town a little bit to get a feel for the area. We had dinner at this cute little Italian place on the main strip. Everyone but me got to have some yummy wine :( It looked really good but I had hydrated the whole trip so I wasn't going to give that up right before the race.

I went back to my hotel and started to get ready. I didn't know what I wanted to run in because it was chilly that night and there was no humidity (thank god!) and it was suppose to be cloudy to chances of rain. I kept going back and forth between wearing a tank top and being "purple Paula" or go with LiveSTRONG. I ended up with my LiveSTRONG. I actually got a decent night's sleep and work up and decided to take a pre run soak in some warm water with a huge jet tub. Only the jets didn't work, but it still felt great. I went down to the lobby to get some breakfast and some runner's were down there. They started to talk about the race and I asked are the hills as bad as they say they are? The lady's response was they really aren't that bad but the one hill is a killer. She also made the comment that this is my favorite race but I wouldn't do the full because doing the same thing twice is boring. I pretended not to hear that. In meeting mom and Dad we talked about how there were so many 1/2 marathoners and not that many full racers. We just kept passing one after another 1/2 runners. I was starting to think I would be all alone out there.

The time to run finally came and I went to the start line. As I got my place in the starting area I was wishing that race was a little bit bigger and I knew someone running. There were no pace runners out and the start was so small compared to Columbus' 1/2. I felt like crying I was so nervous for the start. We counted down and I was off. The course was set to go around Mirror Lake then make the way towards the Olympic ski jumps and I would run that road twice down and back. Here is the start to my splits.

Mile 1/2 18:09 -I can never find the first mile marker. This was no different.

Mile 3 - 8:30 - Way to fast

Mile 4 - 9:08
Mile 5 - 9:15
Mile 6 - 8:23

Mile 7 - 9:16
Mile 8 - 9:26
Mile 9 - 9:22
Mile 10 - 9:18
Mile 11 - 9:53

Mile 12 - 10:04 - Here is the where the hill is
Mile 13 - 8:02 - Here is where I saw Jason, Mom and Dad. Can you tell how excited I was to see them! Can you tell what I am doing to them?
Mile 14 - 9:46

Mile 15 - 9:11
Mile 16 - 9:20
Mile 17 - 8:41
Mile 18 - 9:51
Mile 19 - 9:42
Mile 20 - 8:43 - What happened here?
Mile 21 - 11:04 - This is where they changed
the mile markers from plain 20 miles to 21.1 so this is about a 10 min/mile pace
Mile 22 - 10:08
Mile 23 - 10:08
Mile 24 - 10:38 - Here is where the big hill is
Mile 25 - 11:43 - I hit my watch late so really this
mile is less and mile 26 is a longer time.
Mile 26 - 10:21 - There is at least 1/2 a mile of on going hill

The three pictures above are of the last like 2 hills to the finish line around the Olympic speed ski skating oval that was outside. This picture is after I had finally reached the top. Jason, Mom, and Dad were really motivators as soon as I saw them. I almost teared up for numerous reasons. I made it though. As I rounded the oval people who had already finished were on the inside cheering me on to the finish. This was such an incredible feeling. The nice thing about going to such a small marathon they called out over the loud speaker they had from Hilliard, Ohio Paula Martens... you are a marathon finisher!

How cool is that.

After finishing I felt like I was going to cramp up, but with oranges, bananas, Gatorade, and rest I didn't. After the race I was telling Jason, Mom and Dad how the hills were bigger than I thought they were going to be. There was also talk about how I ran by the Olympic ski jumps and how incredibly tall they were. I thought those people had to be crazy to do that. They were at lease as tall as a 5 story building. I also told them how I had full intentions of getting to the longest last big hill (at least I thought) and then walking up it. I started up thinking that I was just going to go very slow. Then I got further and further along and I was still running so I kept going. There were a couple of girls that I passed who made the comment who's idea was this of funny having this hill here? All I know is that I made it up the hill and only had a mile to go. I thought no problem, that was until I started up the last hill that kept going and going, then you round the corner and the hill just keeps going. That is the hill in the picture with all the cones in it. Then you make turn one more corner and go up the ramp. Finally I was done. I know that the hills weren't fun but I honestly didn't feel a lot of the last two hills because I had my people in front of me and I was just so excited to see them and be done. I had made it without walking. I accomplished that goal and I was close to my secret goal of breaking 4 hours.

After thinking about the marathon the whole ride home and talking with Jason I think I could have broken the 4 hour mark had the course been flat. Like say Columbus. I originally told my friend Annie that I thought I would do one and be done, but being so close to the 4 hour mark I think I might want to do another one. One thing I did learn is I want to have a running partner for the race. Anyone up for a marathon?

For now though I just want to recover and enjoy the rest of the summer. It was also decided that this was a perfect race for me. The timing of the race (being that I had school right up until the Thursday before kept me pre-occupied so I wasn't thinking about the race all the time), the location was awesome(so beautiful), the weather was perfect running weather (cloudy with no humidity in the 60's and then sun as soon as I finished) and with school being out this first weekend I didn't have to worry about going back to school on Monday or getting back home super quick. What a way to start the summer.

Marathon Update

Thanks to everyone for all the love and support that you have shown me throughout this whole adventure. It really was overwhelming the amount of people who sent email, texts, and comments. I haven't talked to some of you just yet so I am doing a quick update on the race. I will leave you in suspense of all the other details till I have time to really sit down and think about it.

My time though was 4 hours and 8 min. It was very hilly. I knew it would be but I wasn't prepared for the big hills and the amount of them at the end. But here is a picture for you to see until I get the next post up.

Again....THANKS!!! :)

Well wishing

I have been looking at the countdown on my blog and it is making me nervous looking at that. It seems much better to just say I am running this weekend in stead of saying it is in 4 days. Truth be told I have no idea what to expect or what I should be doing as well. I have been drinking water and having some carbs but just mentally trying to prepare myself.

SO... I thought my last blog before my big run would be asking for advice and well wishes. Some of you have been able to post on here others have not. If you would like to send me some well wishes you can leave them as a comment or send them to my email: martens15@gmail.com. I'll blog how it went with pictures (from my new camera) when I finish up.

Guest Writer: Today Was A Good Day

Howdy. Paula handed me the computer and asked me to write "something." Thankfully, today I was not short of LiveStrong moments, keeping the theme of Paula's chronicle. Just a few hours ago I got off the phone with my kid sister Jordan. This was not the usual, "how was your day...." conversation. Jordan called after her annual checkup to give me the good news, almost 6 years cancer free. Today was a good day.

Today is also Paula's birthday, we celebrated at one of her favorite restaurants with her parents and enjoyed almost perfect weather, great food and even better company. On the drive home we discussed the final preparations for her upcoming race and I couldn't help but to think back on the beginning of her training, when after a 3 mile run she looked at me and wondered how she was going to run 23+ more. As you know this past Saturday she completed her 20 mile workout, my how far she's come. I've been lucky enough to watch the drive and dedication of this strong young woman as she trains for her marathon. Her journey has been truly inspirational and a joy to share with her. If you're lucky, over the course of the day you might be exposed to 1 truly great person with a powerful story that inspires you. Today I was lucky and between my sister and Paula I was exposed to 2. Today was a good day.

Congratulations Jordan and Happy Birthday Paula, love you both.

-Jason