Race Day Results

Here are my results: Pictures to follow!!!

DESIREE LANCASTER

WINDERMERE MARATHON

05/19/12

Racer Number:	189
Gender:	F
Age:	28
Representing:	MEAD WA USA

Race Distance: Marathon

Overall Placing                               Gender Placing                                 Division Placing
Place: 311                                       Place: 142                                         Marathon F 25 to 29
                                                                                                                          Place: 15

FINAL TIME: 05:15:50

Pre Race Day Jitters

Good morning all my dedicated followers!! Like the title says I am a bit nervous for tomorrow!! It's the big day the Windermere Marathon!! That's it what all of this is about. As most of you know where this training came from but for those who don't I'll share my motivation and story.

I run because I am here today and able! It all started about June 2009 or 2008 time frames are still a bit hazy for me. The physical abuse from my ex husband started, he always in the 8 years of marriage mentally and emotionally abused me, secluded me from dear friends and family but it wasn't until I was done with him having girlfriends and only coming back to me when they broke up with him; that is when the abuse started. When he felt he no longer had a verbal hold on me he started choking me for life answers, suffocating me with pillows, threatening my life if I leave with weapons, and hitting me. It was October of the same year he came to my house, with the look of the devil in his eyes he beat me, stripped me, and threatened to murder/suicide on us. My darling oldest daughter chimed in "Mommy are you ok" those words gave me seconds to react and escape the home, where a person driving by my home called 911. It was only minutes when they arrived. Now the cops came many times before but my ex always talked them away, so I always felt trapped. This time though the cops thought I was hiding them and threatened to take my children. I let them search the home and they found him hiding in a closet. He went off in hand cuffs, wow someone finally stood up for me. I had to show my beaten face at the courthouse my place of employment for almost 2 weeks, that's how long the external marks stayed but as any domestic violence survivor knows there is always the internal marks! 

I struggled to not follow my bad choices, and one day I stood up for myself and I decided to create a bucket list of all the things I NEVER had the chance to do. If I would have died that day, I would have missed out on a whole world of opportunities. I wasn't going to ever take life for granted again. There were silly items and hard items but the most difficult item on my bucket list, the most internal work and external training needed is COMPLETING A MARATHON!! 

Some items on my bucket list:

Buy a home

Dance on a table at a club

Go to a Rock Concert

Ski

Complete a Marathon

Skydive

Take the girls camping for there first time

Buy a good car

etc.

So as I sit here today only 1 day away from this huge accomplishment for me, I can't help to think of what it took to get here and how much my motivations, love of family, and support of an amazing husband I have and treasure. God really did have a plan for me, I don't regret the choices I made because those choices and struggles have made me a better wife, amazing mother, and understand and compassionate person who only wants to see every beautiful women succeed just as I have. I am a survivor and am EMPOWERED to continue to reach new highs.

How have I prepared you may ask. I've been taking many different classes at the YMCA to prepare and cross train such as: TRX, Cycling, Core Ball, Intense Pump, Zumba, and also running 20-50 miles a week. In the last month I've dedicated my diet to rice, vegetables, fish, oatmeal and plenty of water. Today I plan on relaxing, stretching, and hydrating. It's important to hydrate and eat low fat foods 3 days prior to any long run, this will help to avoid the runners potty breaks (a nice way to say it). 

I will head to the convention center to pick up my packet and number soon, I'll post a picture when I have a moment. And then a healthy dinner and off to bed early for me. I have to be in Post Falls, ID by 6am tomorrow morning. The race starts at 7am and hopefully Bekah and I will be crossing the finish line in Spokane, WA Riverfront park between 11-noon!!! This will be a glorious time for me and my little girls!! It's all they ever talk about, "we wanna run marathons like mommy" 

So I will battle internal fears but my husband the love of my life reminds me "lay my worries with the lord" I shall do this and please all my wonderful followers keep Bekah and me in your prayers for an injury free run. 

Thank you all,

Love, 

*Desiree Lancaster*

First Mrs. Washington Pageant Fundraiser

Had a wonderful time at my first event. It was in Leavenworth, WA at Simply Found a boutique. I met many wonderful women. I will add some more pictures as they come but here's one from the night.

I'm following a 8 week training guide for the marathon! So far I've stuck to it. Last night I did 11.75 and next weekend is  hopefully 16!! We'll see!! The plan is pretty easy small miles during the week all 2-6 then 1 longer run easy one on the weekend.

I'm still in a lot of pain but I have to work through it. Something I will have to live with :( tendonittis I have it in both my arms but the calf is way painful, like a constant charly horse. Wish me luck I'm giving it my all and I'm gonna finish the Marathon!!!

I need a treadmill, any ideas where I can find an inexpensive used one? I normally go to the gym but when the girls are naughty it rewards them to go to the YMCA. Funny I know but they would rather be there then home.

Oh and next long run is planned for Saturday, March 24 @ 6am with my amazing friend Bekah!! Then off to Moses Lake to meet many new ladies!! I'm super excited!!

Keep posted I'm gonna try some new speed work on short miles to help my foot recover. I'll let you know how it works. Swimming helped a ton but it's still a bit sore when I run on it.

Mrs. Washington Pageant Information

I got in the mail this weekend my Mrs. Washington Pageant information and welcome packet!! I'm so excited to take this journey. My official title is Mrs. Mead!! I can't wait to meet all the women running for Mrs. Washington, from the different blogs I've had a chance to look at they sound like some really amazing and strong women! I hope my followers will also support me in this new adventure.

I will keep you all updated and I can't wait to post pictures of all the exciting memories I'm about to make!! Oh and if any of you can think of some potential sponsors that would be great!!!

Check the website out!! I bet 3 of you wonderful followers know who Ms. WA Senior 2012 is.......

Love to you all,

Desiree
Mrs. Mead 2012

I forgot to mention.... Now I run to stay in shape, accomplish something not many do, and I think the coolest of it all.....GET A MEDAL!!! Now I wasn't one in high school who accomplished much physically. I worked so much that I never got the chance to do any sports or extra stuff. So as an adult I'm wanting to complete something I have something cool to show for it, for the Snake River I was really excited to get A medal for finishing, like most other halfs..... Nope I got a pair of socks :'( very disappointed!!!!

Snake River Half

I didn't do as good as I had planned. The start was great, was a bit tight after stretching but I didn't hurt. I was at my goal of getting to the half way mark in 1 hour, did that and felt great. It wasn't till I hit the 9 mile marker that the heavy winds hit and my asthma started acting up. I couldn't breath then my ankle started killing me. At around the 10 mile marker I was ready to give up and ask the ambulance for something to help me breath but I kept trucking I had to finish.
I ended up finishing with a time of 1.21 ...... 7 min slower than my first half but I started injured and finished injured. I took all day Sunday on the couch icing my leg and with a heat pad. Today I'll go to the gym to sit in the hot tub. My honey said I damaged the tendin that attaches my foot to my leg so I have to not walk on it to let it heal otherwise I'll get tendinnites in my leg like I do in my arms.
Goal is to still be ready for the full marathon on may 19th and not have any setbacks!!
I have some pictures from the start to post.

This morning I attended TRX, have I mentioned how much I enjoy this class!! Try it one time and you'll probably want to quit but drink the TRX juice 3 times and you'll be addicted!!! I mean it, give it a shot you won't be disappointed!!

 My leg is feeling better, going to run 3 slow miles tomorrow at the YMCA and hopefully I'll be good to go for the race. I'll keep you updated, and yes check back on Saturday for some pictures of the race day!! I'll upload some directly from my phone that way you can see the beauty I will be running in. Keep me in your prayers because being strong physically and mentally for 13.1 miles takes help and who better than the one man who watches over us all day :) Love to you all!! Another update tomorrow!!!