Jocelyn's 1/2 Marathon Journal

[feelin-great]

Thanks Becky and Boss Man Becky, I think that is what most people notice first, is how much face has thinned out. It's a good feeling!

half marathon is a week from this morning I am getting really nervous! I am up to 10 miles, I think that is the longest distance I will be running before the race. Yesterday I did 8 and today I did 10 (no walking) - I am fairly sore right now, although feet feel great! I am so glad I got new shoes! feet are thanking me I couldn't have done this in old shoes, blisters would have taken over.

I am really having issues with hands going numb. Yesterday and today they were so bad I could barely stop RunKeeper when I was done. Yesterday they didn't start hurting until about mile 5, but today they started about mile 2 Yesterday first 4 miles went really well, but then when I turned around at 4 miles I was running directly into ridiculous winds. Then today I ran the same route (just a mile longer before turning around) but I was running into the wind on the first half. I am thinking it is posture causing back to hurt, which is making fingers go numb. It seem to happen the worst when I am running uphill or into the wind - I guess maybe posture is off when that happens. Today was brutal, but I pushed through it. All I could think was "one more week, one more week!" I think I can deal with it for one more week, I have come to far to let aches and pains hold me back at this point!

I have to be honest, I am SOOOOOOO ready for this to be over! After the race I can go back to running 2-3 miles at a time and take Stewie with me again! And I will get back into DVDs, which I have been neglecting. I think this week I am going to shoot for two more runs, Tuesday and THursday. I probably won't go more than 6 miles, I don't want to overdo it before the race. goal is to finish in under 2.5 hours. Today I did 10 miles in under 1:44 ( average pace was 10:21). But I have to consider that I will have 3.1 more miles to add on, so time may be a little slower.

[musculArgirl2]

half marathon is a week from this morning I am getting really nervous! I am up to 10 miles, I think that is the longest distance I will be running before the race. Yesterday I did 8 and today I did 10 (no walking) - I am fairly sore right now, although feet feel great! I am so glad I got new shoes! feet are thanking me I couldn't have done this in old shoes, blisters would have taken over.

You have trained you will do great! glad you got your new shoes and got use to them prior the race. nice you don't have to worry about blisters now! hopefully you can get help with the numbness.

[feelin-great]

Only 2.5 days to race! Wow, it seems crazy to think of how long ago I started this journal with the intention of doing a 1/2 marathon. I never thought I would get here I have had a few obstacles, but I finally got through them and here I am, ready for the challenge- BRING IT ON! OK, so maybe I am a little nervous Or a lot nervous But I am definitely getting excited!

I have taken it easy this week, just light running. I am taking the rest of the week off to rest weary legs I have also been going to the chiropractor a couple of times this week. right hand/arm has had numbness all week, and it is starting to spread into right foot (only when I cross legs). But that isn't normal for me, so I am a little concerned. It won't keep me from running, but I may have to get it checked out more seriously if the chiropractor doesn't help. But I will hold off until after the race, then I can see how I feel once I go back to normal running!

I have been reflecting back on the last few years this week - I think the race has really made me take stock of everything important in life. I have had a few challenges, but since I joined this site I have had the unconditional support of new friends here Some are gone, some are still hanging around, and I am sure there will be new friends as I continue journey on this site But I just want to throw out there how grateful I am every day to have your support, it has really made a difference in life, and I can't thank each and every one of you enough for that! I know I have gone AWOL from time to time, but I have never given up and I have never let friends on this site get too far from mind, and I always get back eventually.

So anyway, as Boss Man would say - I am sending you all a BIG HUG for all of the support you have shown me over the years

[Boss Man]

Jocelyn, you have been an absolute ray of sunshine from the first day. You have showed great levels of humanity and beauty to others and you have come so far and bounced back from injuries, that could have made others want to feel crappy and discontinue exercise for a long time.

You have shown in your time, just how much your mental and emotional mindset has improved towards food and exercise and how much more able you are to stick at things and believe in them.

You're a terrific person and an incredibly beautiful person on the inside and you project that out at others through your beautiful radient face.

I have been proud to support someone like you from the very beginning, because you are a delight to converse with and a pleasure to be associated with and I couldn't be more proud of you for believing in yourself, caring about yourself and for recognising your own self worth.

You deserve your upcoming moment, because you've worked hard for this and given a lot and I know if you go there believing you can win, even when it may be the case that you can't, you will stand a much better chance than setting some sort of conservative standards .

So I am sending a BIG HUG back your way, because you deserve it. You're a great friend and a truly wonderful Lady and you've been a great part of this site for years and I appreciate it massively.

WELL DONE and GOOD LUCK

The power to be amazing was always yours and you are using it now and using it well .

[ArtzyJen]

Wishing you a fantastic race day! I know you'll rock it! So happy for you that you're meeting your goal!

[musculArgirl2]

Good luck on the half marathon this weekend! I have a feeling you will really enjoy yourself. I hope the numbness is mild on the run as well. Good Luck!

[fitoverforty]

Good luck on the 1/2 marathon Joc!! Woo Hoo I am so excited for you. Have fun, remember to trust your training, and just enjoy the experience. Soak it all in, you've earned it!
When you cross that finish line, be proud knowing you finished not just the race, but a goal you set for yourself a long time ago. You may have had setbacks and challenges along the way, but you stuck to it and never gave up.
Can not wait to hear all about it and hopefully see a few finish line pics!
Run strong!!

[feelin-great]

Well, I did it, I completed first ever half marathon goal was to finish in 2 hours 30 minutes, best case scenario was to finish in 2 hours 25 minutes...

actual finish time was.....DRUMROLL PLEASE.....

2 HOURS 12 MINUTES!!!!!!!!

I have never been so excited about something in life!!! I made this goal for myself so long ago and I was finally able to make it happen, and not only did I finish, but I crushed goal time!!!!!! What an exhilarating day!

The race was on Lake Michigan so it was absolutely gorgeous!!!!! I have never been as terrified as I was when they started the countdown when we were in the corral. I had only slept about 4 hours last night so I was really nervous! When we started to run I had no idea what pace I was going since we were in such a big group. The very beginning was .5 miles down the harbor out onto Lake Michigan and back - so pretty! After that it was kind of torture I didn't know Racine was so hilly There were about 9 or 10 hills and I was not ready for it, but I managed to run the entire thing

When we were in the corral I was standing behind these two guys, they were both model good looking and well over 6 feet tall - I was so overwhelmed thinking about running with people like that - well, guess what - at mile 7 I passed them!!! And I beat them by 17 minutes I think that was most proud moment of the entire run! I started at a 10 minute pace and ended with an average 10:05 pace - I couldn't believe I kept it up the whole time. worst mile was mile 10 at 10:40. That kind of surprised me because I would have thought mile 12 would have been, but 11 and 12 were 10:26.

I have to say, I was surprised at how good I felt through most of the race. At mile 6 I was thinking, wow, I could run forever! The only times I struggled were on the uphills, but I pushed through. At mile 6.5 hands went numb, but I was pleasantly surprised that it took that long AND they never got super bad, they never really hurt like they did last weekend. So apparently the chiropractor is helping. At mile 10.5 I hit a wall - that's where we turned around back onto the lake road and we were running directly into the wind. By mile 12 I didn't know if I could even finish. I honestly don't know where I got the energy to go the last 1.1 mile, I guess I dug from somewhere super deep within and just emptied mind and went on auto pilot!

I was so excited when I knew there was less than a half mile left - and that's when I saw the last hill It was short and not super steep, but it was kind of a slap in the face to make us finish UPHILL! I really didn't have the energy to push, but I managed. When I got to the top of the hill all I had to do was turn left and the finish was about .1 away. Once again I found something deep down that allowed me to sprint (OK, so maybe it was more of a jog, but in that excruciating moment it felt like a sprint to me ).

Crossing that finish line was a feeling like nothing I have ever experienced. I don't even know how to describe it. It has been a goal for so long and to finally accomplish that was just amazing!

I will upload some pictures later, and then when I get the official pictures from the site I will post more. By the way, I got to meet Jeff and Franci from season 14 of The Biggest Loser - they are awesome!!! I will post that picture too. RIght now I just want to eat and crash!

[Boss Man]

WELL DONE Jocelyn; I am sending you a BIG HUG because I am really, really proud of you.

You deserve to be proud of yourself, because you've been through such a lot, especially with the injuries in the past 18 months. I couldn't be happier for you because I believed you could do this and I believed you'd do even better with some kind of winning attitude and I was proven right.

You are AMAZING

[musculArgirl2]

Congratulations Jocelyn!!! Like you said you really have come full circle Glad the numbness was more milder this time too. Boss is right you have a lot to be proud of too! You have overcome a lot this year.

Proud of you Joc. Great job.

[fitoverforty]

2 HOURS 12 MINUTES!!!

I started at a 10 minute pace and ended with an average 10:05 pace

I am so proud of you for so many reasons. First and foremost for not giving up on your goal. For picking yourself up everytime you had a setback (and you've had some doozies! ) and for never losing sight of the finish line.
I think you have only just begun to scratch the surface of your running and athletic abilities.

To be able to sustain and end up with an average pace that was the same as your starting pace is nearly unheard of for a 1st time 1/2 marathon. You are amazing friend.
And that was a good pace! No slacking around for you girl! You were moving!
I am so excited for you and so stinking proud of you!
Great job Jocelyn.

......so.....when's that marathon your gonna start training for...? just kidding

How do you feel about triathlons?

[feelin-great]

Thanks everyone! I am still flying high from the whole thing, I can't stop smiling

Unfortunately I had to go to the doctor today for foot pain and I have officially been ordered off of feet - doctor's orders Yesterday after the race I literally hurt EVERYWHERE! Walking was a chore, driving 4 hours home sucked But I just assumed it was typical pain after a race, once the adrenaline wore off, all that. Well, last night I kept waking up from pain in calf/inner ankle/arch. I could barely turn myself in bed without the pain shooting through. This morning I had a hard time walking - leg aches were gone (just the typical running aches) but feet hurt sooooo bad and I noticed I was all swollen through both of feet between inner ankle and arches. A coworker convinced me to have it looked at. Apparently I have some issues with posterior tibial tendons on both feet She said I am pretty lucky they didn't tear/rupture and she is pretty convinced they aren't far from that happening. So I was told to take a few days off of work and stay off of feet. That isn't an option, but I did take this afternoon off and iced them on and off all afternoon. Unfortunately, due to allergy, I can't take any anti-inflammatory pain meds, so there isn't much I can do. But she wants me to see a podiatrist and not run for the next two weeks

I did a little research and I think I will follow doctor's orders - I really don't want them to rupture! The swelling hasn't gone down at all, but I am hoping they will get better quickly. I may need to have custom inserts made, but I really can't afford that. I guess I will just take it one day at a time. From what I have read, I think that strengthening calf muscles will help to support the tendon, so I guess I should start looking more into what to do. Any suggestions are welcome!

ANyway, enough about injuries, I am just glad it happened during the race and not BEFORE the race

By the way, the official results have been posted - official finish time was 2:12:08 And the funniest part about this whole thing is that I found out that an old co-worker ran the race as well and finished 20 seconds before me - she saw the pictures I posted on FaceBook and then when she checked the results she saw name. What a small world, I haven't seen her in 8 years and we live 4 hours apart We must have been running together most of the race!!

And Lynne, in answer to your question - I am thinking a full marathon is not in the picture anytime soon with these injuries!!!! On the other hand, I am certainly not opposed to a sprint tri But I will have to wait a bit on that, I would need to invest in a new bike and figure out a way to get the swimming training in! But it certainly isn't out of the question

[musculArgirl2]

you might want to go to a sports doctor maybe too not sure if that is needed if you are seeing a podiatrist?? I went to one for shin pain and he referred me to a physical therapy running program for 4 to 6 weeks. I go at the end of this week. I think i go once a week. they might have something like that by you too it's through fairview i belive if you have fairview health systems down there.

Wouldn't it be fun if we all three trained for a sprint tri next summer?? Me you and Lynne?? I think that would be so much fun! I seriously mean it if any of you want too?? I would love the movtivation! something to think about anyways.

Glad it happened not before or during the race. Just take it easy Jocelyn. : )


mom bought a pair of snow shoes a few years ago but doesn't wear them much and i saw them downstairs the other day and decided i would try it this year. I really like cross country skiing too but the park i go to is a distance away so i don't go to it as often. so i thought that i would try it since i wouldn't have to drive anywhere to do it.

[Boss Man]

Calf exercicises can be done in differing ways.

You have the normal calf raises, balls of the feet of the heels on something like a piece of wood or a step. As long as you can't plant the foot straight between reps effectively resting it.

Then you can do something similar with the back of a hamstring machine, if it's one of those lying down ones, as opposed to a sit down one, as you can put the foot rest on your knees and when you flex the calves you can push the weight away from you.

There's also walking calf raises.

You can also use lying down hamstring machines to work the hamstrings and calves at the same time, by keeping the calves flexed the whole time, but compared to doing the hamstring curls normally, as a small reduction in weight is needed to avoid struggling. Around 10%-20% is probably all that would be required.

Theres is also another exercise, involving placing a weight disc half on half off the foot and flexing the toes. It works the peroneus longis and brevis at the front of the calves, but I cannot remember what it is called. I think it is caleld toe raises.

However whether this exercise would be beneficial for your circumstances I'm not sure.

[feelin-great]

feet are feeling quite a bit better Most of the pain is gone and the swelling has decreased quite a bit. I am going to give it another day or two to see if the swelling will go away completely. So hopefully this weekend I can get started on DVDs again and maybe get Stewie out for a run