Grandma’s Marathon + what NOT to do

Decided yesterday would be as good a day as any to do my marathon. Proud that I did it despite not training since March. I went out too fast, didn’t have enough water, was completely alone for the entire 3.5 hours, was hot and the course I chose was hilly. I had many factors going against me, but it feels SO good to be done and not have to think about a virtual marathon again.

I’m chalking this marathon up to a really great learning experience:

1. You have to do speed work in order to race a marathon.

2. Never assume you have enough water when you’re solo and there’s not a cloud in the sky and it’s in the 70’s

3. Eating healthy 4 days before the race probably isn’t long enough.

4. Run the mile you’re in! At mile 4 I was thinking about how my last mile was going to be going straight up hill, it totally got into my head.

5. Don’t sign up for a virtual race again.

6. DON’T go out too fast. This was my problem at Boston too. I completely hit the wall at mile 20 (after hitting my first wall at mile 10).

The thing I did right:

1. Ran from my house to my parents cabin and jumped right into the lake!

2. FINISHED! Despite all the negatives! I’m so glad I did it!

Ready to rest my tired bod and thinking 2020 will be my year of no more races.

xo. edc.

Comments

goodbye summer 2026

I headed back to BHP today after what may have been the best summer ever. If you would have asked me a week ago if I was ready to go back I would have said no, but I think God does a good job of preparing our hearts for big changes if we allow him to, and I truly felt prepared walking into school today. My classroom has a ways to go to be ready to welcome in students to meet the teacher night on Wednesday-- but I know I'll get there. Routine is good, and I packed my lunch last night, laid out my clothes and after work today headed to the grocery before grilling up some chicken for dinner. I needed something to remind me that I love feeding my family well, being somewhat organized and nights at home after a day away. Here are some summer lasts: Mornings on the front porch with coffee + 1 kid + a game?!?!? THE BEST Also a LOT of Rummikub lately a Friday morning of cinnamon chip scones might be the best way to start the day family bike ride on the Brown's Creek Trail 12 miles w...

Wolfpack.

We had a good day with these lifetime friends of mine. PHS class of ‘04. Linds is so good at getting everyone together. She planned this whole day and then everyone took the day off work/ got kids out of activities and sports and made the effort to see one another. Friendship of 35 years is a true gift. I feel like these girls watched me grow up. From playing boxcar children in the basement to jr high shenanigans/ all the trips to Treasure Island to studying abroad together in Italy to visiting each others first homes/ attending weddings /welcoming in motherhood and most recently keeping up on Marco Polo I am thankful for these gals. Recreating a picture from 7 yrs ago 😂 As we were saying our goodbyes we looked down and BURST into laughter. Must be a 40 yr old thing. Memories upon memories with this crew. xo. edc.

Dan and Pam +

One of our favorite weeks of summer came and went: When Dan and Pam visit. This means lots of family time at Big C. Everything is a game and there are lots of laughs-- never ending fun. It always goes by so fast and it’s sad to see them go. This year we did something super different and took a 24 hour trip to show off Duluth to Pam. J is the best trip planner and when she sent me the itinerary I knew it was going to be a good time. Here we are in our little hostel room. I slept like a rock thanks to half a sleeping pill. Seriously. I slept over 9 hours and didn’t even wake up to go to the bathroom! Found just a couple rocks to skip 😂 Here we are at split rock lighthouse. We were too cheap to go into the actual park and get the tour so we listened to a podcast on the way home instead haha The fog hadn't burned off yet and it made for the most beautiful backdrop. Perhaps the highlight for me: burrata and wine on the rocks of gooseberry falls. We ...

erica danielle

Search This Blog