Time Slows Down

36 Days, 16 Hours, 32 Minutes, 19 Seconds to Marathon Time!!! I have a new theory. Time slows down, the closer you get to the marathon date. I'm starting to wonder if it will ever get here!!!! At our house we joke about the kid's movie "The Incredibles" when the little boy asks, "Are we there yet?" The mom screams in an exasperated voice, "We'll get there when we get there!" I'm tired of super-early mornings, and extra-long practice runs. I'm just ready to be standing on the start line enjoying the experience. My sweet, wonderful, awesome in-laws bought me a Nathan running belt for my upcoming birthday! IT IS FABULOUS. It is perfect for the long runs. No more driving out to drop water bottles around the route or shoving them in our shorts and having them fall out three steps later. That thing is handy. It has four water bottles, two pockets and a ring for a key. It somewhat resembles a tool belt which is amusing, but hey, for serious athletes like us, what do you expect. :) I'll definitely add it to my list of favorite accessories. For now, I'll try to be patient and keep counting down the days. I am positive, "It will get here, when it gets here!!"

Nissa

Surge Protection & Right Guard

45 Days, 19 Hours, 59 Minutes, 18 Seconds to marathon time!! I can't believe how quick it is coming up! We've been training since April and I still feel unprepared. The good news...We made 16 miles last Saturday! In case you are wondering.....that is a heck of a long way!! Our bodies are amazing.....every week it hurts, but our bodies make themselves stronger so we can do it again and then some. I thought I would die at 11 miles, three weeks later, I finished 16 feeling strong. Unbelievable.

We both have our little quirks when we run. Sometimes I notice Andrea surging ahead then she falls back into stride. Then she surges again a few strides later. Me...well I like to wander on the road. I can't seem to keep a straight line. I find myself veering into Zandrea, or off the edge of the road following the slope. This week I informed Andrea she needs surge protection and I need Right Guard. ;) We'll have to work on that.

Nissa

Photo Op!!

14 Miles today!!!! 56 Days, 18 Hours, 26 Minutes, 4 Seconds to race time! It was such an great morning. When we rolled out of bed at 4:30 a.m., neither of us knew we would be having a photo op, but what great pics! I have my wonderful husband to thank for them. Thanks Babe!!

Being out somewhere like this at first light is always amazing.

The almost full moon, made it a lot easier to see the road this morning. Some mornings, It's near impossible.

Half Way Point!!

This was the top of a steep 1/2 mile long hill! When the going got tough this morning, I kept thinking "Define Yourself!" I guess that is what this is all about.

4 more miles to go!

I was pretty apprehensive about this run because I have been having hip pain about the 7 mile mark. I shopped for new running shoes for months. Fitting me into a pair of running shoes is like trying to put two different size snow skis into a pair of shoes. I literally tried on over 100 pairs all over Utah. At the end of one shopping search, I had blisters on my fingers from tightening so many laces. At one point I even thought I found a pair, but when I wore them on a long run, they nearly crippled me. I found out later what was sold to me as a running shoe, actually turned out to be a cross trainer. NOT GOOD!! In desperation, I finally ordered a pair (two different sizes) through Classic Sports in Hurricane. After a two week wait, they arrived yesterday. What a difference my new shoes made this morning!! I might make it to the starting line yet. Knowing my old shoes were causing my hip pain, I was starting to wonder , but success at last!

P.s. If I haven't said it lately, I'll say it now; I have the best running partner ever!

Nissa

Beach Week and My New Friend Merri

59 Days, 15 Hours, 52 Minutes to Marathon TIME!!!!!


The training must go on, even when we're on vacation. During my week at Newport beach, I kicked up my feet in the lounger, but I also put in a lot of miles. My first day running, I couldn't decide whether to run on the beach, on the boardwalk, or on the streets. Being in a city I wasn't familar with, I opted to start on the boardwalk. That didn't last too long as I found myself slipping and sliding on the sandy sidewalk while I ran. I headed down across the beach to the edge of the water. I started at Newport pier and went south. As I ran, giant waves, some reported as high as 19 ft., crashed against the beach. It was a exhilarating experience. About 1/2 way to Balboa pier, I passed a sweet little oriental lady going my direction. She told me in broken English it was 2 miles between piers. I headed on my way but found the terrain too steep as I got closer to the next pier. As I turned to go back thinking I'd make up the distance on the other side, my new friend Merri waved her arms above her head for me to stop "NO! NO! You go! You go to next pier!" I shrugged my shoulders and turned and ran the rest of the way with her. 64 year old Merri and I were soon friends and she told me about her weight loss of over 40 pounds. "She run 4 miles every day....run, run, run, walk, walk, walk!" Each morning as I went to the beach for my run, there was Merri....run, run, run, walk, walk, walk. Even now, I know she is out there every morning, rain or shine. She was such an inspiration to me!

Nissa

11 Miles and Counting

Here is evidence!!!! Finally a picture of us together...This is our 11 mile day, and look at those happy faces. I don't know about Nissa, but it was harder putting on that smile than it was running. I have the hardest time putting on a happy face. Here we are on the home stretch, Yee Haw!!!

Andrea