Mom vs. Marathon: The End is Near!

See Anne.  See Anne attempt to run.  I say attempt because people, the pace of my run is that of a mall walker.  No doubt.  See Anne run the longest distance she has ever ran.  See Anne lay on the floor unable to move for an hour.
That about sums up my training run today.  Ten weeks down.  Eight to go.  So let's recap.

Where I started:
Week 1: Tuesday- 3 miles   Wednesday: 3 miles   Thursday: 3 miles   Saturday: 6 miles

Where I am:
Week 10: Tuesday: 3 miles   Wednesday: 7 miles  Thursday: 4 miles   Saturday: 15 miles

What I've learned so far...

• Taking it week by week is extremely important.  Never, ever, ever in my life did I think I would be training for a stinking marathon.  I thought for sure marathon runners had lost their minds!  Yet, here I am.  Still trucking along.  When you first see the training schedule, it is extremely overwhelming.  I just try to take it run by run.  Week by week.  It isn't as bad that way.
• Ice is my friend.  Seriously, today's run was just about as hard as being in labor.  Not kidding.  I think it may have even been worse (gasp!).  However, I think labor is easier for some people than others and I think running is easier for some people tan others.  My friend Heather and I have repeatedly told each other that "this body was not made for running".  Apparently mine was made for birthing people and no people I am not planning on getting preggers anytime soon.  Lay off.  I digress.  When you feel like you can move again, get some ice on those knees.  I literally crawled  up the stairs when I got home and proceeded to lay on the floor for an hour willing the pain to stop.  Once the throbbing subsided, ice time. 
• Forget about sleep.  Need to run 7-10 miles before work?  You're looking at getting up at 3:45-4:00 in the morning.   I pretty much refuse to go to bed before my two year old, so it looks like I'll be sleeping in 8 weeks.
• Just because you are running more than you thought was humanly possible doesn't mean you can eat everything you want whenever you want.  I won't go into details on that one.  I'll just say this one is not going so well.
• Get you some cute clothes sister!  I started by running in pretty much everything Target.  This is all good for short runs, but if you're going to be out for a few hours, you really should invest in some quality  clothes.  The shoes are a given and you should get a pro to help you with that, but when it comes to the clothes, I'm going to go ahead and say my faves are Under Armour.  I am also a fan of Nike, but I think the quality of UA is the way to go.  It doesn't hurt that one of my best friends works for them, but really, it's the best. 
• Eat a banana before you run.  Random?  Yes.  I have yet to get a side cramp since I started doing it.  You're welcome.

Stay tuned for more infinite wisdom from this wannabe runner:)