What I Learned On My Easter Vacation (Two Oceans Half Marathon Edition)

Hello Dear Reader,

On Saturday, April 23rd, I brushed away my running fears (What if my ankles aren't ready? How am I supposed to run a race when I've only run once this month? What if this race is a career bust? Blah? Blah? Blah?) and ran the Two Oceans "Most Beautiful Race" Half Marathon.

Because of all of my fears and concerns, I did not commit to running the race until I landed in the Cape. Something about Cape Town(a magical city) and the incredible energy that was almost tangible in the city (or was it my incredible Ethiopian running buddy who kept telling me that I was going to break records) inspired me to head to the race expo, which was held at the Good Hope Centre. What really did the trick, in all honesty (cause we're all friends here, right?), was the grip full of bags peanut M&M's that the nice guy at the goodie bag section gave me. I mean, isn't that all the running inspiration a girl who loves chocolate and her figure equally need? I thought you'd agree with me.

The rest of the day was spend enjoying to city (Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, amazing company...). Ahhh Cape Town, the "Mother City", how I love thee.

Clearly, the only thing I'd actually planned on Friday (the day before the race) was how to strategically stuff 3 of the 6 bags of M&M's down my throat, no alarm set or wake up call to speak of. It was only because I happened to wake up by chance on race day with minutes to spare before the shot rang out signaling the half marathon "read, set, go"! An ill-planned wake up also resulted in neglecting to bring along my handy Garmin 110...which I thought about during the entire run...agh, shame man!

Between take off and 10km, I was running pretty. In fact, I was going much faster than I usually do and feeling fine as wine. No kankle pain (Thank you Gawd)! There was a whole bunch of ducking and diving through the ginormous crowd. ***This is the time I'd like to pause and apologize to all of the slower runners I accidentally jabbed/cut off/stepped on just to get ahead. Sorry***

At 11km, my month off from running, lack of focus before the race, etc., caught up to me...when the remaining portion of the race seemed to be one never ending hill. Sure, I live in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho...high altitudes...etc., etc...so hills should be a breeze. Yes, that would be true, but that only helps out when you actually practice...which we all know I did so very little of. Boo!

Long story short, I felt good and bad about this race. I went into it saying that I just wanted to finish...that time was not a factor...I just wanted to have fun and give my kankles a run for their money. And finish is exactly what I did. It was awesome to be a part of such a well known and much loved event in South Africa. I saw plenty of my friends from Lesotho, and a bunch I wasn't expecting to see. The weather was perfect. The energy of the crowd was superior. My Ethiopian running partner was the best...telling me that I was going to break records and how I did such an amazing job. So for all of these things, I felt that this was an awesome race, second to my marathon of course. Finishing at 2hr 26 min (a full 10 minutes over my PR, but who's counting, right?), however, was a drag. I mean really, 10 minutes? If this were one of my other races, I would have collected my medal and would be one the way to my car to head home in that extra time. But I digress....

If anything, this race told me that I have absolutely no excuses but to get my but back in shape...put one foot in front of the other...and keep it movin! You know what I mean?

And 'get movin' is exactly what I did upon returning to Lesotho. With my Ethio running buddy by my side, we ran this city...together. What could be better?!

So Dear Reader, no excuses. No choice. Plus, if I want to continue eating the way I do (yummy, homemade banana bread muffins...nom, nom, nom!!!!), I really have no choice!

Until next time...everyone say it with me, "one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!"

Yours in (on to the next one) training,

Dani

I may be a little sore and out of practice...but I'm here!

Hello Dear Reader,

The combination of guilt, peer pressure, caution, the Two Oceans Half Marathon, and the tipping hand of the scale motivated me on Sunday to strap on my dusty Garmin and running gear, and pound some pavement...almost 6 miles to be exact! Nope, I didn't stutter...I said almost 6 miles!

Garmin set, jazzy pink iPod on..ready, set...GO! My pace was decidedly slow at just a little over a ten minute mile, as I didn't want to push my luck! Luckily, there was only slight discomfort in my left tendon, but my right ankle was a bit sore. The right side must be my trick ankle...it's been faking me out this whole time, making me think that the left side was going to be a problem. Nope! Initially, I started to doubt if I'd make my full course, but I pushed through at a very slow pace...up and down hills...without stopping...and with no fatigue! Woohoo!!!!! When I got to the end of the route, I was smiling on the inside...I did it! I'm back, ya'll! I'm back! My hopes for running the Two Oceans Half this weekend aren't totally dashed! My lovely Ethiopian running partner's trip isn't being made in vain (who are we kidding?)!

Now several days later, I'm a bit sore from being out of the running game for so long..but it is the good kind of sore. The kind of sore that says work is being done. The kind of sore that says, "Trust me, I'm a runner!"

Clearly the first run I "completed" right after returning to Lesotho was a dud. My shins hurt, my legs felt like bricks, I was sore, my tendons hurt, and I was just tired in general. How dare I let that one run negatively influence my perceptions about my ability to run in future! Why wasn't I using logic? All that run told me was that my body deserved a break from pavement pounding and not a break from reality. After asking my body to do things it had never been asked to do before (i.e. run) and then ask it to run 26.2 miles, followed by making 2 16-hour plane rides in economy class (with the leg room of a matchbox), drink my liver into submission, stay up at all hours of the night, and party like a 30 year old (Cause 30 is the new 18! Didn't you know?!), I was expecting to perform at my best. Not!

Having said all of that, the 95% mental thing got me down ya'll. I lost my focus (see my self pep talk?)! Perhaps I'll have one or two more runs before Saturday's race! Boy, oh boy and I excited!!! My Ethiopian running buddy, a long weekend off from work, Cape Town, the Two Oceans Half Marathon, time spent with friends...this will be a great weekend! ...and of course you know pictures will follow...on Monday!

So until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!!!

Yours in (Two Oceans Half) training,

Dani

Bib #80267 and Runner's High

Hello Dear Reader,

This morning, I received my official confirmation of participation in the Two Oceans Half Marathon- Bib # 80267! Even though the half marathon is about two months away and I have about 5 "training races" and THE BIG ONE in between, I'm super jazzed about running the Two Oceans! A great deal of my excitement stems from the fact that several of my good friends, in addition to the larger Maseru running crew, will be running in this race. The fact that the race is over a long weekend in Cape Town is surely a plus. However, the two biggest factors are that 1) I would have completed my goal of running the Publix Georgia Marathon and will be alive and well; and 2) The Two Oceans is a BIG DEAL in South Africa.

For the duration of my long-term relationship with South Africa (about 10 years now), I've come to realize that there are three races that everyone talks about: Comrades Marathon (Durban), Two Oceans Marathon (Cape Town), and the Soweto Marathon (Johannesburg). These races, in my opinion, are deeply interwoven within the cultural fabric of this beautiful country, amongst many other things. I look forward to joining runners from around South Africa, Africa, and the world to take part! At some point within the next two years, I would like to commit myself to running the full marathon (56km/35 miles), which will take me from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean (hence the name of the race). And, as part of my New Year's resolution to run a marathon in a country other than the US, I WILL be running the Soweto Marathon on November 7th, 2011!

On another note, I have to admit that I have not experienced a runner's high in what seems to be a long time! The last time I remember feeling the amazing adrenaline rush that running can bring, was during a run in Zambia...when I encountered three Zebra walking towards me. Who wouldn't get excited to see that?!

Although I was pretty damn geeked to have completed the Ottosdal Draf en Trap with a PR of 2 hr and 25 minutes, I didn't get that very distinct feeling of can't-sit-still/super-productive/alert/motivated/Energizer Bunny/Redbull "it gives you wings" without the Redbull!

This morning, my alarm clock went off at 5:00 am, but I couldn't seem to muster up the energy to get out of bed...it was so comfortable after all! Instead, I decided to check my email and received a message from a friend who left Lesotho six months ago. The email asked, "Are you still running?", that was it! After that, I couldn't continue to lay in bed when I could/should be running. Up and out the door in 10 minutes.

Initially, I was going to follow my regular route around the industrial area, but in a last minute and random decision, I cut across the street to run up a huge hill I've been trying to conquer for a while now. Danielle=1; Hill=0! And I kept running and running until I met up with my regular route. Now,I could have continued with the regular route, but again, in a last minute move, I ran up another hill along side my former stomping ground...the gym. A quick nod in acknowledgement, but continued to run. Finally, I met up with tail end of my regular route, which includes a short, but steep hill. Something within me, however, told me to keep running right up the steep hill that leads to my house. Usually, I fast walk this hill as a cool down of sorts, however this time...I slowed down my pace and...kept running all the way to the top!

Clearly my name is Hillary today, because I was all about those hills!

By the time I finished stretching, that ah-mazing runner's high set in! Thank you G-O-D! Luckily, the high tends to last all day so I'll be on high-drive. So, if you see me smiling with a wild look that says, "I'd rather be running", you'll know the back story!

Well, that's all for now. Wish me luck in tomorrows half race! And as always, you'll be the first one to get the results!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep in movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani

No Rest For The Weary!

Hello Dear Reader,

Do you remember me telling you about the Two Oceans Marathon- the crazy 56 km (34.8 miles) Ultra Marathon held annually in Cape Town, South Africa? The marathon that seemingly everyone in Maseru is out running through the streets day and night for? No...I didn't sign up for the Ultra marathon...I'm not that crazy, ok!...but after so much talk about the race and seeing as how it's snuggled right in the middle of a (long) Easter weekend, I've managed to (almost) secure my spot in the 1/2 Marathon on April 23rd!!!

Remember the post I wrote about becoming more open to the idea of running with a partner(s)? The idea was to train with two ladies who are preparing for the 1/2 and one lady who is training for the ultra. We met up one evening to discuss the logistics for signing up for the race, but unfortunately, the 1/2 marathon registration filled up soon after it was opened for applications. Boo! When I heard that there was no chance of registering, I gave up on the idea, but due to the industrious nature and ambition of one of my friends, she found out that registration was only closed to the residents of South Africa! 1 Point for the US of A! As soon as I heard this information, gazillions of emails were sent back and forth to other 1/2 marathon hopefuls in Lesotho. A whole convoy of interested folks from Lesotho is being formed as I type...we' headed to CPT! I've even booked my flight! I'm ready!!!

I just had to share in the uber exciting news! See, just as I said, my commitment to running/living better goes beyond March 20th!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani