Editor’s note: Post journalist Ashley Mahoney is training for her first marathon on November 14 as part of The Charlotte Post Foundation’s Black Lives Matter Charlotte initiative. In the weeks leading up to race day, we’ll chronicle her training.  To register for the Novant Health Thunder Road marathon, half-marathon or 5K with The Charlotte Post Foundation, log on to www.runsignup.com/charlottepostfoundationtrm15.     

November 3
Distance: 5.01 miles. Time: 46 minutes, 27 seconds. Pace: 9 minutes 17 seconds.  Blue shoes: 140.42 miles. Pink shoes: 132.41 miles.  Tired.

Covered the Carolina Panthers into the early hours of Tuesday morning. Got up. Ran 5 miles.  Tired. I already said that. Neck/head aches.   

November 4 
Ten days until D-Day. Distance: 10.01 miles. Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes 34 seconds. Pace: 9:51.  Blue shoes: 140.42 miles. Pink shoes: 142.42 miles.

 
Tight left quad/ IT band. Tired. Looking forward to going to bed before midnight. It’s worth it, though, Tuesday morning football and all.  

After six months, a great deal of procrastinating and plenty of complaining, I FINALLY got my hair cut. How could I even consider running my first marathon with “bird lady from ‘Mary Poppins’” hair (only true “Gilmore Girls” fanatics or people with really good memories will get that reference).  

Thank you Dash at Re Salon and Med Spa—that cut was worth every penny, and after a year in North Carolina I finally have a hairdresser! I put my hair in a ponytail to run after my appointment—DO NOT WEAR A PONYTAIL ON RACE DAY! IT HAS TO BE A BRAID! It seems silly, but braids for physical activity just hold better, and they’re more comfortable.  

I didn’t want to run after my appointment. I didn’t want to mess up my hair—even writing that feels silly, but I didn’t. My hair looked so pretty and perfect, and smelled so darn good, but I couldn’t stand my 10-mile date up—that’s just rude.

Thankfully, I am blessed with amazing hair (love that DNA—thanks mom!) – long and straight. I love my hair, but over the years I’ve seen countless women struggle with various types of hair. Some have spent hours straightening it, others constantly try to make it hold a curl as well as other challenges that I have never even contemplated.

In college, I would ask a friend to go to the gym, but she had thick curly hair that she would spend hours trying to tame. She didn’t want to go to the gym and mess up all of her effort. I didn’t get it. I still don’t. Her natural hair is beautiful, but she kept trying to change it, and thus limited her physical activity.

Women do this CONSTANTLY! IT’S NOT WORTH IT! Spend an hour and a lot of money on your hair or spend that same hour at the gym or park—just get in some sort of physical activity. Let the endorphins wash over you and let your natural hair do its thing! You’re beautiful, and you can rock it.  

I don’t like running in the dark—darn Daylight Savings Time ending. Things like that usually don’t bother me—I’m not sure why it has lately.  Consistency and spontaneity: Paradox or perfect pair?   Hip flexors. Ow. Tight. Ow. Cramping. Ow. Mustard is supposed to help with cramps—maybe I should buy some. Does it matter if it’s spicy mustard?  

This blister on my left middle toe is huge! It looks purple. What if this thing pops? What if it gets infected? AHHH!   

November 5  
Distance: 5.01. Time: 44:28. Pace: 8:53. Blue shoes: 145.43. Pink shoes: 142.42. Tight left quad.

 Revelation: I ran out of my multivitamin last week—two weeks ago…something like that, and the lack of B vitamins has a delightful result—I want to sleep all the time.  Finally purchased the essentials: Hair ties. Vitamins. Hair cut  Good run in South End—love running on the Rail Trail.   

November 6
Rest day. Adjustment day. Bless chiropractic care!   

November 7  
Basic addictions Reading a copy of Runner’s World (again) elicits a lot of emotions. Part of me wants to cry knowing how people have overcome drug and alcohol addictions and used running to turn his or her life around. I haven’t suffered anything like that—my addiction has always been around the idea of winning. Even if it didn’t make sense, I had to win. I tortured myself and others over and over again, just to feel like I had won.

Running has helped me see beyond winning. I know next Saturday I won’t finish the race first—I’ve known that since the beginning, and I’m OK with that. Running has helped me redefine winning—when I cross the finish line on November 14, I will have won. Crossing that line, however long it takes, is the end and only goal.  I have to run 20 miles in the rain. Gross. Ha! Twenty miles. Oh dear. Positive thoughts, vibes, etc.

Pack water, and extra TriVita—take one to start, the second at mile 10, and the third at mile 15? Sure—that sounds good.  I did it! Pouring rain on the first 10 miles, and then the sun came out. I really hope it doesn’t rain on race day.  

I’m not even sure I have the energy to write anything.  Okay, let’s try this again—drivers who splash runners, you are horrible people.

Running 20 miles, or even 2 miles in the rain sucks, and splashing us because you’re just a jerk or too busy texting to notice is just mean. Drivers who do slow down, switch lanes, or just avoid the puddles, you are awesome!  Mile 10—really sharp shooting pain across the top of my right foot—felt it twice and then it went away.

Maybe I tied my shoe too tight.  I ran with a water bottle – Sip N’ Go, part of my “moving” care package from my college twin/North Carolina family, minus my blood family in N.C. Now I’m rambling. Gosh. Anyway, two pieces of Trident gum, three TriVita B12 supplements later, and 20 miles is officially on the books…in the books…oh dear I’m tired.  

Iced—check.  Foam rolled. Check.  

Stretched. Check.

An awesome dinner to refuel. Check.

Whole wheat pasta, prosciutto, peas, mushrooms, garlic. Yum!

Chocolate milk for recovery. Check.

Distance: 20.01 miles. Time: 3:17:23. Pace: 9:52.   Oh heck, I don’t care that it’s not even 9 p.m. on a Saturday night. I ran 20 miles today and I have to work tomorrow. I am going to bed!  

November 8 
Cross train – 30 minutes of yoga. Walking to and from Bank of America Stadium – roughly 2 miles. This time next week, I can cross “run a marathon” off my bucket list.   
November 9 
Rest day. P.S.: It’s race week.  

Related articles

Soaked and miserable, but run must go on

A stitch in time won't save much

Sleep proves elusive, but I'm stoked

Meeting challenges of elements, self

Change is good, but lead us not into temptation

Losing control and gaining new perspectives

Training is creating some changes in budget and attitude

Clear mind with an early run

The best run of my life, and comfortable earbuds

I'm running for myself, others

Comments