We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

Yes, Milemusings will be going on a winter break. Just like when I used to be in school. I figure since I do not have time to run/work out/think about working out, I really don't have anything to write about either. AND I have PLENTY of other stuff to do in prep for my move.

So Merry Christmas! And I will be returning on January 2nd!

Shame on Me

No running lately. So no writing lately.
It has just been super crazy with moving and everything so I have not gotten my workouts in. I haven't even gone to the gym. Pttt.

It will be so nice when we move into our apartment and we only have to go down one floor to use the gym. Not only is it convenient, but it will be a good way to work out stress AND get away from each other for awhile. (Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Bill, but I'm sure we will get on each others nerves in our tiny little place since we can't space out as much as we are used to).

For now I am not worrying about not working out. I am counting all of my moving activities as part of that. We all know that doesn't count, but I don't need to stress about anything now.

What I AM angry about is that I haven't gotten a SINGLE issue of Runner's World yet!!!
I subscribed in October!
I'm sure it will be delayed even further when I give them my new address. Grrrr.

December December

December is absolutely my worst work-out month. It is when I go into a running slump.
I think this is because I am not training for a marathon.

Bill actually asked me a few nights ago if I was planning on doing two marathons again this year or if I was just going to do one. I said definitely two, because training for marathons just does it for me (I guess it is kind of like an addiction) and the two months that I am not training for a marathon (December and June) I go crazy.

I guess I didn't really realize all this until I had to verbalize it (which makes me laugh), but it is true. So I am continuing to look for training programs in New York. I haven't found any specifically for marathon training but I have found some good running clubs/programs. There is, of course the New York Road Runners which really is more of a resource than anything else. But there is also the New York Flyers which only costs $25 to join. They have group runs from Central Park that are 6 miles long (one lap around the park), and during marathon training seasons they extend to two or three laps. They also do things like speedwork and trail running. They also have organized running classes with a coach on Tuesday nights (this costs $100 a year). As of now, the Flyers seems like my best bet, but I'm still looking! :)

Home Again, Home Again

And yes, now that the "official email" has gone out to the company, I think it is safe to say that I will be relocating to New York City.

Hurrah!

Now comes the fun question...where will I do my marathon training? Because, yes, I will still be doing the Pig. And even though my new New York co-workers are much more of a good influence on me (they eat healthier AND work out a lot) I don't think that will be enough on those long Saturday runs. I just don't trust myself to rely on me alone.

I have done a little research, and even though we all know that everything is a gazillion times more expensive in New York, I still had a little sticker shock.
I guess I really didn't realize what a great deal the Roncker training programs are. The training program I found is $425 for 2 months. That includes the running group workouts which are twice a week. Nothing else. No little pep talks, no gear, no speakers coming in to talk to you about nutrition, etc.

The other program I found is free. It is a Nike Running group. It actually sounds really cool. You meet at Niketown (in midtown) check your bag, and meet the running group and instructors in Central Park for a 3, 5, or 7 mile run. They also have bagels, pastries, fruit and bottled water back at Niketown for after the run. This sounds right up my alley. Very cool. But, the sessions look like they start at 5:45 pm. That seems pretty early to me. Especially since New Yorkers are notorious workaholics. And I obviously will need to be logging more than 7 miles.

So I'm still looking.

My New York co-worker, Julie, swears there are tons of affordable programs out there. She was in one for a few months. But unfortunately, it disbanded. :(

The other good thing is that there is a gym AND weightroom in my apartment building. And it is FREE to residents.

So I guess I don't really have an excuse for not working out.

So if any of you for any reason know about some cool marathon training groups in New York City, that do not cost $425 for two months, let me know!!!

Back in the Groove

Elliptical running is not the same, but hey, at least I am doing something right?

After Bill left last night I jumped on the elliptical for 4 miles. I don't know WHY it seems to take twice as long to do elliptical work than actual running. It is pretty annoying. But there is no way I could have run outside last night. Dodging traffic is one thing, dealing with the crazy wind is another. Apparantly winds are like at 50 mph or something crazy like that. All I brought are a pair of running tights and some long sleeved tech shirts. Brrr.

I do find it a lot easier to work out since I have a gym right in my building. It is so funny how just a 15 minute drive is such a barrier when it comes to going to the gym.

I am trying to think of practical running things to put on my Christmas list this year. I already asked for a big heavy jacket so I can brave the sub-zero temperatures (if they come). I also signed up for Runner's World (but STILL haven't gotten my first issue :( I know there was a cool website that had all kinds of running gear that I loved, but I guess I have to wait until I get home to remember it. I found them at the Chicago Expo and bought a shirt that said "Marathon Ho", which I find myself wearing all the time. :)

Tonight is weights and maybe biking. Tomorrow I am up at 5am for a long drive to Connecticut. Bleh.

Lots of NYC Running

but mostly on a treadmill :(

It gets so dark so early here. And as we know, I am NOT a morning runner. Therefore, I have been spending a lot of time in the gym.

The good news is, that I have been working out every day. AND I am staying at a really nice hotel that has a cardio theatre and a weight room AND earbuds and apples and a lot of other ammenities at the gym that make me want to work out. I am also staying at a very busy part of the city, which would make it difficult to run outside anyway. I would spend most of my time waiting to cross the street. I am just happy to stay physically fit at this point. And I'm realizing how I have to start training for the Pig VERY soon.

This doesn't scare me as much as jump starting my training for Chicago did. But that is probably because I took a verrrry long break after the Pig and went into a running depression. Now, since I have actually been training I think it will be easier.

I must admit, I did take the weekend off from working out.

Bill was up here to visit too, so we totally pigged out on really bad-for-you New York food. So that means an hour in the gym tonight. Back to reality :)

Busy (Non)Blog Week

Yes, once again I will be out of town and slacking on my blog.
I don't even think I will be near a computer until Thursday.

But I will still be running! :)

Turkey Day Run

OK, I must admit that when I was sitting in the car ready to go to the Thanksgiving Day 10k I was feeling a little nervous. Not nervous like I used to be nervous before a race (getting to the start an hour early, stretching for like an hour etc). Well, maybe I was nervous in the same way, but I just dealt with it in a different way.

The truth is, I was feeling VERY undertrained. Because really, since the marathon, I've probably only been running twice a week, on a GOOD week. It is just too easy to blow it off. Plus, I've also been slacking by running on flat courses, even though I knew this thing was fraught with hills. So I was a little nervous. But also, I knew there was nothing I could do about it at this point. Either I was going to be sore and do poorly, or not.

I also had an audience of my husband Bill (of course), my parents AND my sister and her boyfriend from England.

My friend Jen, met me at the start line too, but I knew we wouldn't be running together for long (even though we both have this habit of taking off too fast. Her fast is faster than my fast).

And actually, when I crossed the start line, I didn't take my usual strategy of weaving in and out of everyone, running up on sidewalks, cutting people off, etc. I figured the slow start was actually a good way to make sure that I did not take it out too fast. I decided to just smile and have fun.

And I did.

I realized how much I just really really ENJOY racing. It is so fun. I said something to my mom about that afterwards and she said something like "no kidding. You are always smiling and waving..." and then something about just thinking about it makes her tired.

And it DID seem like a much shorter race than the two past ones that I have done. I guess that's because after 6.2 miles I was actually DONE. (Which doesn't make sense, because 5Ks are tremendously long for me).

Anyway, I also had a PR. A 56:29! Hurrah, that is a 9:06 pace.
Oh, AND I also had a "last mile PR". This is a big thing for me, because I ALWAYS take things out way too fast and die at the end.

My last mile? An 8:30!!!

As I said to my family afterwards "that's crazy, because I just don't run that fast!"

:)

Running on Empty :)

OK, so my life has certainly gotten LESS hectic although that would still be considered hectic for most people.

Luckily though, I DID get some running in last week even though I was working from 6am-7pmish (including the commute) AND even though I was in New York. And its a good thing because I really pigged out on food that I really shouldn't have.

I have to admit, it was the girls on my team who really motivated me. We were sitting in sessions all day and they kept saying how they HAD to go to the gym, no matter how long work took and no matter how much they really didn't want to go.

So I got in some treadmill running (yuck). I absolutely hate treadmill running. I swear the settings are always wrong. Like, I was DYING but I was only going 6 mph. A ten minute mile? Come on! I'm running MUCH faster than that right now. Especially since I could only really take 2 miles on the treadmill.

I also got to run in the neighborhood I was in, the West Village, which is my all-time most favoritest area in New York.

Then, when I got home, I begged Bill to go running with me last night. We did about 4 miles in the neighborhood (where I HATE running). I took the first mile out WAY too fast at 8:51. Whoops. I felt like I was dying the rest of the time as a result, but then one of my favorite running songs came on at the end, "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. I must have really picked up the pace because I left Bill in the dust (and he is speedy). I didn't even realize it because I was in "the zone". Bill came up and was like "did you like, really pick up the pace?" ZAP! Out of my zone. So I listened to the song again to get back into it, but really, it didn't work (it never does). And besides that, we were really too close to home at that time.

I finished with a 9:06 overall pace. Hurrah!

And THAT's without the excitement of running in a crowd!

MIA

Sorry I have not been posting this week. I am on a business trip without access to a computer. I'll be back next week.

The Best Laid Plans...

So all of my good intentions to jump-start my training again were once again foiled by work. It is a vicious cycle. Working late means I will have to wake up early to get my running in. But working late also means that I am way too tired and too unmotivated when the alarm goes off in the morning to work out, much les go back to work.

The last time I was at the gym or working out was Monday.

All right, Tuesday was my fault, because I went to a They Might Be Giants concert. I had planned on counting that as a workout, because those concerts are CRAZY. But I guess their audience has gotten a lot older (OK, I figured out that I've been going to their concerts for 10 years) so there is not as much moshing and jumping around as there used to be. Therefore, I cannot count it as a workout.

So with working last night until 11:30, a probable repeat tonight and tomorrow night, a Saturday workday, and flying out for a business trip that will last a week on Sunday I REALLY don't know when I am going to run again.

I am soooooo tired.

I have this theory that it is not the stress of work that kills people (or not ONLY the stress)...but the sleeplessness, the not-being-able to workout and the junky nasty food that we order for late-night work sessions.

I can already tell that my time is going to suffer incredibly for the Thanksgiving Day 10k. :(

Whoo-hoo Team CdLS!

Despite the fact that our team was a LOT smaller than some of the other charity teams running Chicago we EXCEEDED our fundraising goal of $50,000!

Our final team total was $55,935!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who donated!

Yay for Me!

This weekend did NOT look promising for getting my run in. My original plan (of running before I got into work and then working in my sweaty running clothes) fell through when I realized the DWR Warehouse Sale was this weekend. Since I am a sucker for inexpensive designer furniture and the sale didn't start until 10, and I had to be at work at 12, things looked grim for my run.


I decided to "Plan B" it, and took my clothes with me, praying that I would get out of work early enough to get my run in. I guess I didn't expect to actually BUY anything at the sale. We got a huge table, which of course didn't fit in my tiny VW or Bill's also tiny Honda. So then we had to make arrangements to borrow my parent's SUV, which made plans all the more complicated, but gave me a reason to leave work and not stay there all day. (You have to pick up your furniture by 4pm).

OK, I KNOW this is a running blog, not a blog about my personal life (ok, well it is a little bit). But the point is, after all of that (and more, I won't go into every detail), I went home, and Bill and I ran.

This is a huge deal for me, because if I have something better to do on the weekends, or heck, even the week (i.e. DWR sale) I will most definitely choose that over running.

This is also the reason my gym membership has sat inactive for so long.

But I'm bucking up and sticking to my workout plans. Even without a group!

It's so stupid too, because running really does make me feel great. And when I'm doing cross-training in the gym it makes me antsy to run. But something inside of me is like "forget it".

Tonight is weight training and some biking. Tomorrow is some sort of speed work. :)

Oh, and just in case you were wondering...my time for my three mile run was 29:59. Roughly a 9:39 pace! Whoo hoo! My marathon pace (10:45) is coming down! (And it is much harder to get that down than you would think. I guess that's because I have been running at that pace since July.)

Back on the Bandwagon

DESPITE the fact that I worked until 12:30 am last night, I STILL went to the gym!!!
Hurrah! I am into cross-training now. I was on the bike last night and whoa, does my butt hurt today! I guess that's why cross-training is good for you.

They also have this cool thing at my gym where they have these monitors on all of the weight machines. You enter in your ID number (which I don't have, since I haven't really been in like 4 months) and it keeps track of your weight, your reps, etc. I guess I will have to ask more about that the next time I go.

This weekend I am going to try and run the Thanksgiving Day course. I really enjoy this course and think it is really fun. Plus, I've run it a ton in all of the training groups so it is a nice familiar run. (It was funny, I was telling Bill last night that you actually run some of the course during the Pig. But during the Pig you are like "wow, that was a nice little warmup" after you are done with that part of the course. When you run the Thanksgiving Day 10k you are like "WHAT?!!! That was only 2 MILES?! But I feel like I'm going to die!")Anyway, since it looks like I am going to be working this weekend as well I might try to get my run in starting from my office and then going to work in my stinky running clothes. :) At least I will be comfortable. It's just too bad for my team. (OK, really, I don't sweat that much. I'm not that mean.)

Oh yes! and did anyone catch that NOVA special on Tuesday? It was called Marathon Challenge . They basically took 13 people who were not runners and trained them for a marathon. They talked about everything that goes on with your body in training and followed these thirteen people through 9 months of training. It was pretty good. AND they explained why I didn't lose any weight from my 2 marathons (none of the other women in the group did either, except for the one lady who was 70 lbs overweight and changed her diet and went to an additional bootcamp.) Anyway, it was good, and if you missed it you should try to catch it (they run all of those PBS shows multiple times...and with all of the channels you are bound to catch it sometime.)

Oh well. Back to the grind.

Cancelling my Gym Membership

OK, so even though last night was a perfect night to run, Bill and I went to the gym to cancel our membership. Seriously, we haven't been in like 3 months, so we are just throwing that money down the drain.

So we planned on doing our final workout and then cancelling.

I got on the elliptical for an intense workout. My endorphins were pumping. I felt great. (OK, I also felt really gross. Because I was really sweaty. It was so bad that this woman got on the elliptical next to me, gave the guy next to her a dirty look, and moved to the other side of me. I wanted to be like "Nope! It's not him! It's me!...I know it smells like a gross old man, but it's me." I felt sorry for her.) ANYWAY I felt GREAT. I was like "Wow! This is really getting me out of my running funk!"

Then I started to feel sad. I didn't want to quit the gym.

The gym gives me cross-training. It has the weight machines I need to make sure I don't have knee problems. And it has treadmills for when it's too dark out to run.

Bill finished his workout first and came over to me on my elliptical. I was racing! (2.6 miles in 30 minutes...not a lot for running, but those stupid ellipticals never get you ANY mileage...so that was a good number). I grabbed the handles and pulled closer to him so I could talk to him. "I have a proposition...how about we don't quit the gym?" I listed all of my reasons.

I know. It was probably a stupid mistake. But we are really going to try and go every other day. I think that is reasonable.

So Thursday is the next gym day.

If I'm not blogging about it on Friday I will quit for real. :)

Confession

Yes, I haven't really been running much lately. I haven't even really been thinking about running lately.

I've just been so busy. Which means that I actually SHOULD be running because it is good for me.

I signed up for a subscription to Runner's World though...does that count?

It is going to be very hard for me to run tomorrow, because when I get busy like this, the thing I look forward to the most is sleeping in. Even if I set my alarm with the best intentions, I wake up before it even goes off and turn it off. So tomorrow is going to be difficult. Because I really really want to run. I also don't have my group to get my butt out of bed (OK, not literally. I WAS part of a rowing team in college and about 8 of us had to call this one girl to make sure she really actually was up so that we could have practice. But I meant more in a figurative sense...just having set practices makes me go to them.)

It's ridiculous. I AM JUST NOT MOTIVATED.

I actually thought about joining the tail end of the Thanksgiving Day 10k group, but I would miss most of the practices because of all the travel I am doing for work.

I need to find a good solution.

How does everyone else stay motivated?

A Wet Run

Ok. I DO love running in the rain, don't get me wrong...but Monday was quite possibly the wettest run I've ever had. I have been totally slacking on my runs lately. So I made up my mind that on Monday I was doing the 5 mile loop at Lunken. Even as I looked out the window at my office into the torrential downpour, I forced myself to schedule it into my evening. I even IM'ed Bill at the end of the day: Are you up for a rainy 5 miler at Lunken?

He said sure, so when I got home before him, I made sure I got my running clothes on so that I couldn't back out. Then it was starting to get late, so I called him to make sure he wasn't going to back out. He was stuck in traffic :( We decided that I should head out since we had no idea how long it would be and it was already 6.

It was so so so gross out! It doesn't help that there are these big dips in the pavement by the road that fill up with water. INCHES of water. I felt like I was running on an obstacle course (I had to run with really high knees). I was also splashing water all over myself. Oh well, too late now. Then the rain picked up. Needless to say, I was the only person on the course. I was running it backwards, which I was glad for, because it seems to go faster that way for me.

THEN it started getting dark. Fast. I forgot how dark it's been getting lately. AND I was in the middle of the wooded part. So I started running a lot faster. I kept expecting a call from home. Bingo. Right on time. I didn't even say hello, just "I'm almost done! Less than a mile to go!" Bill told me it was getting dark. I said "I know. I know. That's why I'm running super fast!" I could tell he was worried.

Well, I guess adrenaline gets you going. I clocked a 47:21 for a little more than 5 miles. I guess I can do my 9:09 mile for my 10k if I want. I even have 5 more weeks to go!

Needless to say, I will be waiting for the time change before I go running in Lunken at night again. And I'll probably stick to the roads at night unless I can run with Bill.

GRRRRR...Foiled Again!

Of COURSE I am travelling again tomorrow, which means that I will have to miss our running group happy hour! I am so bummed, because I felt like this was a really great way to say goodbye to everyone. :(

This training group has been the most fun for me.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that this was my third training group. Believe it or not, I don't tend to be very outgoing until I feel really really comfortable with things. Since this was my third group I kind of knew how things ran (ha ha) and was able to introduce myself to people without feeling like a freak. :)
As a result, I of course, met more friends. And NOW I don't even get to say goodbye to those friends!!! Arghh.

Plus, I just want to hear everyone's Columbus stories. I looked up my running friends' times and it looks like they both did great! Hurrah! I'm so proud of them!

It's hard to believe that at this time last year I thought training for a 10k was some serious mileage. A marathon had not even crossed my mind until late December!!!
NOW I consider myself a marathoner (which is still a little funny to me. I mean, would you consider yourself an artist if you had only done 2 paintings?). Don't get me wrong, I AM a marathoner. Especially since I am (at least mentally) preparing for my third. Crazy.

Work-Life Balance

Forget about me not WANTING to run lately. My schedule lately has made it difficult for me to even find time to run! It is so crazy. I find that it is at these times that I actually need running the most...to help clear my head or just to get all of that pent-up energy out of me after sitting at my desk all day.

So what have I been doing at home (when I actually am home)? Lifting little eight pound weights in front of the TV. I know. It sounds stupid. But it is better than nothing. :)

Also, training for a 10k is not very rewarding for me...which is completely stupid. Because although my marathon time has improved to a 10:30ish mile, my 10k time last year yielded 9:09 miles the entire time! I should be excited to try to improve on that AND to try and get out of my marathon pace and start working on speed. That IS what keeps me wanting to train. I would be embarassed if after all the work I've put into running this year actually made me slower for my 10k.

Ah, it is competition that keeps me going. Even if it is competition with myself. Runners are a weird group of people that way. (Because I know at least 2 other runners with the same mentality. That leads me to believe there are even more).

I was going to do an easy 4 miles with my group on Saturday, but they decided not to meet up. I will FORCE myself to do them on my own. Even if it is running the Lunken loop by myself.

Oh, and here's some weirdness: I have been waking up with the WORST charley-horses. The only thing I can think of is that it is because I have stopped running regularly.
Ha! My body is probably telling me to stop being lazy, too.

Anyway, I wish the BEST of luck to everyone doing Columbus this weekend! It looks like it is going to be really great weather (ok, a LITTLE warm, but hey, everyone trained in this crazy summer, right?).

Boo! Running Slump

I may be a Type A Personality, but I am definitely a Type B Personality when it comes to working out. Yes, once again I am in my running depression. I really, truly, fully meant to run last night, but it didn't happpen. I just don't feel like doing it. And the mornings? Forget it. Sleep seems so much more important.

And really? I should have run last night, because tonight is out of the question since I am having people over. Tommorow is out of the question because I am traveling. I guess I will have to do Thursday.

On top of that, I need to make Thursday my "long run" because Saturday everyone is only doing an easy 4 miles. Now, of course, "long run" means 6 miles since I am now training for the Thanksgiving Day 10k, but even so, I am totally unmotivated. I guess I am just one of those people who needs a training group. Otherwise I just won't do it.

Back to Running

Oh it felt sooooo good to run on Saturday. EVEN THOUGH it was in Lunken! I really, seriously didn't have any issues with that stupid loop that I usually hate.

Maybe it was because it was so cold that I could actually see my breath. But it was probably because we all talked the ENTIRE time. Everyone wanted to know about the Chicago marathon and everyone in my little mini-group (me, Erik, Lindsay and Sarah) wanted to share our stories. Hearing them again (and in the context of a bunch of runners who didn't run Chicago) they really are truly amazing stories. It also just felt physically good to run again. I think the whole thing was a really good dose of mental and physical therapy. :)

5 miles also felt like nothing. I think I could have done 5 more without a problem.

But my mini-group wanted to go on to breakfast and I couldn't object. Especially when it was IHOP!

It is kind of sad because I know I won't see some of them again. I have to skip practice on Tuesday, and Saturday only a few people will come for the short 4 mile run because they are all heading off to Columbus.

I decided not to run it, even though I want my time really really badly. I was confirmed in this decision when I went to dinner Saturday night and my shins hurt. Even though I walked 8 of the miles of the marathon, I guess my body feels like I did the whole thing.

Now I am going to set my sites on the Thanksgiving Day Race which is only a 10k. It will be hard to train (mostly) on my own, but then again, it is only a 10k.

I am already mentally planning my marathon schedule for 2008!

Media Mishaps: The Chicago Marathon

I don't know if anyone has been paying attention to all of the media coverage on the Chicago marathon. I have, and a LOT of it really angers me.

When I turned on the TV in my hotel room Monday morning, there was a short little blurb on CNN Headline news about the whole thing. The gist of the story? It was too hot, many runners had not trained for warm weather and were not ready. Also? Runners need to stay hydrated when it's hot out because their blood can't get to their skin properly.

Really?

I kept waiting for them to say: and this was difficult since the marathon ran out of water.

And I don't know about anyone else out there, but there was absolutely NO WAY for me to train in cooler temperatures this summer. Therefore, I trained in hot temperatures. Therefore, I feel like I was prepared. That's why I was walking when I got too hot. That's why I assume other runners were doing the same thing. We knew to walk because we had experienced conditions like this. Let's stop blaming the runners.

Quotes like these have been peppering articles:

"Some experts now wonder whether a more critical look should be taken of the runner, who in the face of the brutal conditions may have lacked a little 'common sense.'" – ABC News, Experts: Mind Over Matter May Have Played Part in Chicago

"In the Stuart Smalley division, race organizers decided to end things for those not at the halfway point by 11:30 a.m." – The Suburban Chicago News, Ending marathon early was right call

And the worst article I read? Mike Downy's No One Forced Anyone to Run...where he says "This is a professional competition that the public sometimes confuses with a company picnic."


I can't count the number of articles I read that are blaming non-elite runners for not being smart about their race. Editorial after editorial says that we should not run. Obviously, these people do not understand the sport of marathoning. A lot of the non-elites were probably better prepared for the marathon. We weren't pushing ourselves and we knew when enough was enough. I sat in countless clinics listening to what I should be doing and how to prepare myself for training. Needless to say, my training group was extremely helpful in this. I seriously felt like I was well-prepared as I'm sure everyone else in my training group felt. I know some people are stupid, but I'm not thinking it is enough to make a sweeping generalization. After all, how could the rest of us have finished if that was true?

Of course, Jeff Galloway understands. He was quoted in an article called Does Marathon Need Stricter Entry Requirements? as saying: “[Marathon runners] are adults and they have to be expected to take responsibility for their health and safety,” Galloway said. “But if you put a cap on it, you’re going to keep a lot of people who have the opportunity to improve the quality of their life from participating and gaining this wonderful set of experiences along the way.” Thank goodness Gary Cohen had the decency to interview a true running expert.

Do I think they would prevent non-elites from running next time? Personally, no. The $110 entry fee from 45,000 runners is too tempting. Not to mention all of the revenue we bring into the city from our hotel rooms and restaurant bills.

And bravo to Time! Of all of the articles I've read on this whole thing, they have the most true account. It's called When a Marathon Goes Wrong and you can read it here .

To Run or Not to Run

After much deliberation I have decided not to run. :(

See, a bunch of people in my running group are doing Columbus next week to make up for Chicago. I really really want to. I mean, I KNOW I could have kept the pace if I had water and it wasn't so darned HOT. I would probably have done a 4:45 and that would be a 30 minute improvement from my first marathon.

HOWEVER, I want to continue this whole 2 marathons a year thing. I figure with my knee already a little sketchy (if it still hurts by December I have to talk about surgery), it might not be a good idea. Besides, I got to finish the race, so its not like I didn't do 26.2 miles. Even if 8 of those miles were walking. So I don't know if my body would be up to it.

It makes me kind of sad and kind of angry though, because I want that time so badly.

I am trying to be smart about it all though.

I am definitely planning on the Pig this May! Let's hope that their 10 year anniversary is better than Chicago's 30th!

I have been having nightmares about the marathon every night. The whole thing just keeps replaying in my head. It has been EVERY NIGHT SINCE THE MARATHON. Yuck. I would like to just get back to a normal sleep/dream cycle. I'm hoping that just getting back into running this weekend will help that all go away.

Tomorrow I am running with my marathon group again. My mini-group is going to be there too, and we are going to go out to breakfast afterwards to exchange stories. I am looking forward to it! But it's funny, now that the marathon is over an 8 mile workout actually seems like a lot :)

I'm Famous!

OK. Not the most beautiful picture of me, but I figure that it was about mile 22 at that point, so I think I have an excuse.

Chicago Marathon: Miles 19-26.2

I first heard the marathon was over by one of the volunteers at the water stop. He said "The marathon is over. From this point on it's just a fun run." That I kind of had to snort at. I have never heard of a "fun run" being more than 2.5 miles. Running 26.2 in the heat (or 19 at that point) is NOT fun. I almost didn't believe him.

Then another volunteer said the same thing a little down the road. "The race is over, folks. Just treat it like a training run." I know I had heard it twice at this point, but really I was having a hard time believing it. I mean, come on, not only is it one of the World Marathon Majors , but it was also the 30th anniversary. Then I guess I realized how many sirens I was hearing throughout the marathon, and the police presence that was suddenly everywhere (like the guy in the middle of the road telling us to start walking). Then, at about mile 20 I actually did see more policemen. This time they had bullhorns. They were telling us the marathon was over. There was no more water. We needed to stop running. We should report to the next aid station to board buses to go back. It was crazy and no one knew what to do.

It was a little creepy, because people were still celebrating and cheering us on.
The cheerleaders at Charity Mile were still doing a routine to "Mickey", the dancers were still dancing in Pilsen. I mean, I was still enjoying it, but it sort of had a creepy "national disaster" type feel to it. The helicopters overhead yelling "The marathon is over. Please stop running." did not help.

Everyone around was just asking "Do you think we're going to get our medals?" I turned around and said "we'd better." Then we talked about how pissing off thousands of runners who have trained months for this and had to walk the rest of the way, by not giving them their medals would NOT be a good idea.

At some point, the firemen opened the hydrants. I was SOAKED. And I suddenly realized "Wait. This is the coolest and most hydrated I've been during the entire race..." And I was being directed NOT to run. Forget it. I was running. I ran off and on, making sure I felt okay and was hydrated.

Everyone was STILL cheering. I feel like it was with even more intensity.

When I got to mile 22 it was blocked off by a bus and some barricades. They were rerouting people. I saw some girl go through the barricade. I followed her. There was NO WAY I was not finishing! They kept yelling at us to stop. Everyone started chanting "BULLSH*T! BULLSH*T!"

I just kept thinking, 'if they think we're going to stop, they do NOT understand the mentality of people who run marathons'.

Finally at mile 24, a cop told us we could finish if we wanted to, we should walk not run, and we WOULD get our medals. Actually, the police and firemen were great. They were just trying to help everyone. One cop car came by and the cop said into the bullhorn "Dr. Phil says stop running." That also made me laugh.

The crowds were treating us like we were heros.
People were still soaking us, and offering us water, and wet sponges, and ice and even wet papertowels. It was so cool.

When we made it back to the Loop I was like "OK. I've got to run this." Especially since I JUST got misted by the huge misting firetruck. I probably would have walked faster at that point, but I had to do that last .25 miles.

I finished at 5:50:11. Ha! So much for my 4:45! But I was proud of myself anyway. And I wore my medal all day.

Chicago Marathon: Miles 8-18

It was soooooo hot! I was seriously starting to count how many miles I had left, which was pretty bad, seeing as that I was only at mile 8. The only redeeming thing was that I knew I was entering Boy's Town and I had heard that this was one of the really great spots on the course. I was already looking for the drag show. This year, they had a bunch of men with toy guns dancing to RuPaul's "Supermodel". It was AWESOME! It made me laugh and smile which made me forget how I wanted to stop, which was good.

By this point though, there was already a lot of talk about missing water at the aid stations, so I vowed to get water whenever I could.

I still had 3 miles to see my family.

At the next water stop I saw lots of Gatorade but no water. I ran past the Gatorade. The volunteers kept saying "the water's down that way". But I kept running and all I saw were empty tables. No water.

Luckily there was a girl who showed up next to me with a water bottle. She asked if I had gotten any at the last stop and when I said no, she handed it to me. I thought that was so nice, and passed the bottle onto another guy who didn't get any after I had some.

At mile 11 I see Bill and my family. I was glad that just Bill came up to me. I didn't want to freak out my family...I told him "they don't have any water for us!" I think I sounded kind of more desperate than I wanted to. He gave me a water bottle. He said they knew about it. He had gone to Walgreens and bought a bunch of water and was handing it to the runners. How sweet! I also told him I was walking a little bit of every other mile because it was just too awful. I also told him that I was "Plan C-ing it". My goal now was just to finish.

I later realized Bill was not the only one being kind. The spectators were wonderful. They were bringing hoses into the street to hose us down, bringing us water from their houses and restaurants and bringing us bags of ice. Not to mention they were cheering us all on. I was so glad I wrote my name on my shirt. Everyone who read it cheered me on by name. Even when I was walking. One lady cracked me up when she said "Come on Emily! It's okay to take a break, girl, it's okay. Just don't take too long of a break. Get back to running, Emily!" If you walked by the bands playing and they saw your name, they worked you into the song they were singing. :)

Surprise! I saw my family at mile 16! I was so glad! I didn't think I would see them until 25, so it was a really great surprise. Bill said I looked a lot better. I felt better at that point. I was much more hydrated because the last two water stops had water AND people were passing around bottles by that point. I was back running again!

I have to admit, I did feel a LITTLE dizzy a few times. But every time that happened I stopped, and walked, and rehydrated. It was not really that different than my training runs this summer. As long as I had water and paced myself I was okay.

At the next water stop they had cups but no water.

Sometime between mile 18-19 I heard someone talking about them shutting the marathon down. I also saw a cop standing in the middle of the road. He was yelling at us. I thought he was saying "STOP WALKING! STOP WALKING!" and it was making me mad because I kept thinking 'Hey buddy, you try running 18 miles in this heat without walking.' In light of everything that happened afterwards I think he might have been saying "START walking!"

Chicago Marathon: Video

This woman's video pretty much shows everything that I saw. In fact, when I was in Lincoln Park I was right by the guy in the testicle suit (I know, I know, just watch the video), so she was actually pretty close to me at first. She must have ended up ahead of me though. Anyway, its a good example of what actually happened.

PS (10.11.07): This video was shot by i-reporter Michelle Ganter...I just realized that this is the same woman who shot the CNN Photo I was in. So I really MUST have been right by her.

Chicago Marathon: Mile 1-7

OK, one of the big perks of running for a charity is that you get a special tent. Team CdLS' was the "Trophy Tent". This tent has free food and beverages, their own masseurs, and (most importantly) their own port-a-lets. Totally worth it! It was nice to get ready in a fairly calm environment where you don't have to worry about those things. I had prepped myself by cutting out red meat and alcohol for the past two nights. I was coated in Body Glide. I had taken my secret weapons: Immodium and Tylenol 8-hour (to reduce my core temperature and prevent inflamation). Most importantly, I was well hydrated.

The one thing I forgot?
Tums.

Yes, the Immodium helped tremendously, but I think all my nervousness was then diverted into my stomach. Luckily my team captain, Beth had an extra.

We took our team photo and made our way to the starting line. I felt really bad about not being able to meet my Roncker group. But I had no way to get in contact with them. I parted with my family and lined up behind the pace leaders for the 4:45 group. Then I hear my name being shouted. It was Lindsay and Sarah! Hurrah! We chatted about all of our nervousness. Funnily enough, a man standing next to us was also from Cincinnati! They decided to run with the 5:00 pace group because of the heat, so they headed back. I had my ipod with me, but just as a security thing. I didn't think I would use it.

It took 18 minutes for me to get to the starting line. I was a little nervous because in the glacial-paced moving I got pretty far behind the pace leaders. It ended up not being a problem because I caught up with them once we started moving.

It was SO CROWDED!!!! I was right up next to one of the pace guys. He kept weaving, and it was kind of hard to track him for awhile. I was concentrating on staying with them so much that I didn't really enjoy the sites. :( Mile one. I looked at my watch. 10:06. Uh, thought we were supposed to do a 10:52. Then I realized that they had to make up a lot of time because of the water stops.

I had no idea how they were going to do these. Well, at the first one they blew a whistle and we all walked through it. Apparantly the pacers were amazed at how crowded and crazy they were. They started freaking out about keeping the pace. They said we lost a lot of time there. Despite the fact that we were pacing fast, I felt great. I even felt like we were going a little slowly.

Next water stop. No water.

WHAT?

People were outraged. My paceleader (Ken) said they had never seen anything like this before and hoped this wasn't a foretelling of things to come. They figured that people were taking 2 cups instead of one and that no one had expected that.
(Ha! Then why did I get an email on THURSDAY saying: * Be sure to stay hydrated during the race. Make note of aid stations and prepare to utilize them. You will need to drink more to compensate for the rapid depletion of your body's fluids in the heat...they KNEW it was going to be hot. Come on!) Some man was like "I'm going to write a mean note. This is ridiculous!" and the lady by him was like "I'm sure you will be one of 30,000.")

The thing that almost made ME cry though was a little clink I heard and then a smashing sound of electronics being trampled. My ipod was gone. I know, I know, I've gotten my use out of it. But really it was more of a sentimental thing. My husband got it for me as a present when I started seriously running and had it engraved with a message and everything.

OK. I was now extremely hot.
The sidewalks were swamped with spectators. It was so cool! Everytime we went by a big group they yelled "GO 4:45!" and we cheered back.

We ran by a clock at 9:30 and it said "89 degrees." Ugh.

By Lincoln Park (mile 7ish?) I was having a hard time keeping up with the pace group. I think other people were too, because our group had diminished a LOT. I dropped back.

Hardly any water at this stop. I think I got one of the last cups.

It was tough because there was a little uphill and it was just so hot! It was a really beautiful part of the course though...a little oasis in the middle of the city. People were jumping into the fountains and lying down in them before continuing on the course.

I didn't feel too bad about dropping back at this point. I saw a lot of people from the 4:30 pace group, so I knew I was in good company.

I was dying to see my family again, but knew I had 4 miles to go.

Chicago Marathon Weekend: Saturday

Saturday was so hot! I (kind of) slept in, ate a huge breakfast at the hotel buffet (still fat-loading), and went for an easy 1-miler at 9:00 just to shake my leg-antsyness off. I'm glad that I did, because it ended up being a LOT hotter than I thought it was, so it kind of mentally prepared me for what I thought I would face on Sunday. Unfortunately, since we waited so long to book our hotel we were all the way out in Rosemont (by the O'Hare airport). So every time we wanted to go into Chicago it was an hour on the blueline. It wasn't THAT bad, but it did eat up a lot of our day.

We went to the expo, which was a lot of fun. They of course had every kind of energy bar known to man that they were handing out. I didn't actually eat anything there because I was being really good about not eating anything I didn't know about. I did however, try the Gatorade Endurance formula that they were going to have on the course, just to see if I would like it. YUCK! GROSS! No Gatorade on the course for me, just water.

When you got into the expo they had a huge video drive through of the course which was really cool. I was getting very excited.

I also found two new companies whose sportswear I loved! One was One More Mile . They had a bunch of funny shirts that said things like "Will Run for Beer", and "This IS my Race Pace", and "Chicago. Been there. Run That." Running Divas also had a lot of cute stuff including "marathongs" which I just thought was funny.

After the Expo, we already had to head out for our early dinner with Team CdLS at Lou Malnati's .

It was so fun to meet the team. They were all very very nice. Beth, the team captain, gave me a big hug when I got there. We had a very nice dinner and everyone introduced themselves. Even though we were a very small charity team (I think there ended up being 21 of us?) we were very very close to our $50,000 goal, and they think that more donations will be coming in. It was also nice to be on a team where everyone was really really passionate about the cause. If I end up doing Chicago next year I would definitely consider running for Team CdLS again!

After dinner I was exhausted. We headed back to Rosemont (with a little pit stop in the middle...come on, I drank like EIGHT glasses of water at dinner). Then I had a ton of pent up energy. My parents came back to our room to make signs and I was running around like a little kid showing them everything I got at the expo. I was SO PUMPED UP.

I did finally get to sleep though.

So Much To Say...So Little Time

Yes, unfortunately, I DO have to actually do real work today. I will probably have about 8 posts about Chicago! After all, how many marathons actually get CALLED OFF in the middle?! So, hopefully I can get some posts in at lunch today. Stay tuned...

HA!

NervousExcitedPumpedAntsy

Yeah. Today is my last day of work and I'm already finding it hard to concentrate. I am very excited. I've already had some trip ups in my plans...

Since I'm running with a CdLS Foundation, we are meeting in the Charity tent...which is fine, but it means I won't get to meet my little mini-group I run with. So I emailed them last night wishing them good luck. Sarah emailed me back though and said she wouldn't accept that they couldn't meet me. So we now have plans to meet up after I meet with my charity. It will be great if I can do both. BUT, if I don't get to meet up with them I cannot let it get me down. I figure I MIGHT even see them somewhere along the 26.2 miles. Who knows?

The second trip-up is that it is supposed to be 86 degrees out. Now, I've only looked at Chicago weather once this week, and it was on Tuesday. I was kind of bummed because it said thunderstorms, but I was kind of okay with it because it was supposed to be 60 degrees. I also told myself that it was way too early to tell. Today the forecast says 86. Ha! I mean, I know I can do it, it's just not what I thought I'd be running in when I thought 'Chicago. October.'

BUT I am still super excited. Especially since this is my first World Major.

Packing is tonight. Leaving is tomorrow. Whoo-hoo!

Final Group Run

Last night we had our last group run. It was sort of melancholy.

Plus, I was stupid. We had a happy hour at our work right before. I was smart by only drinking one drink. But I was stupid because I stuffed myself with stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped asparagus, rich cheeses, and roast beef on toast with creamy horseradish. Very good at the time. And I thought, well it is only four miles. I should be fine. Ha ha! It is still running. And that is some rich food.

So BESIDES that, it was a good run.

My mini-group of four was a little slaphappy, making corny jokes and talking about Chicago as we ran. Four miles really felt like nothing. It felt like a really good way to stretch out my legs. Very enjoyable. It almost made me want to run four miles every day after the marathon. But I know how that goes from past experience. I HATE three-milers. I think I was just feeling euphoric. And a little sad.

I asked my mini-group 'so is this it? I mean, since everyone is running in different marathons I guess there is no official "end"?' We guessed so. :(

We made plans to meet up before the race though. I hope we all end up doing that! I would be great to run with all of that moral support! Plus, I want my family to meet my running friends!

It's getting exciting! I'm thinking about packing tonight!

Things I Learned From Coach Joe F

We had a little information session last night before our group run where Joe gave us some last minute pointers. Most of them I had heard before, but some of them were new to me. Like:

• Tylenol 8 hour - Joe suggested taking this before the race. Not only is it an anti-inflamatory, but it is also a fever reducer, so it will reduce your core temperature.

• No flip flops! - I hadn't really thought about this one, but who knows? I probably would have worn my flip flops the day before, thinking they were the most comfy shoes I could wear. Joe's concern is that they have no stability, so it might be the stupidest thing you could do the day before the race.

• No red meat two days before - He said this one was kind of optional. Some people do it, some people don't. He just knows that personally for him, red meat is not a good idea.

• Gas-X - I wondered about this after seeing 'The Office' last week. (Dwight accidently slipped Toby some Immodium instead of Ex-lax to throw the race. Toby runs down the street and says 'You know, I usually have to stop to go to the bathroom by now, but I feel great!). This is a good one for me, because no matter what I do, before a big race my stomach feels AWFUL. (Sorry if that was too much information).

• Know what you're drinking - at Chicago they will be having Gatorade Endurance at the water stops. It apparantly tastes different than regular Gatorade. AND even though Gatorade Endurance is what we have at our stops at the Running Spot, we apparantly water it down way more than is directed. (This totally explains why the Gatorade at the Pig upset my stomach and why I told Bill ' I don't know what was up with that Gatorade, it was so nasty. I'm okay if I never have Gatorade again.')

• Fold your cup if you're moving - this is the most efficient way to drink on the go. Smash the top of the cup in half to make the opening smaller and suck down the water/Gatorade. That way you don't pour it all over yourself or get a lot of air (which happens to me and then I burp for the next mile).

• Make sure you drink water (not Gatorade) with your GU. Your body needs water to digest them, and if it doesn't have it, it will take hydration that is stored in your body already. Not good.

• Don't run again until you don't hurt! - I know, a no-brainer. But I can see myself thinking that I need a good recovery run to speed up the healing process. Joe said it wouldn't be surprising if you need a whole week to recover.

I am totally ready!

Ipod Question

Has anyone ever run Chicago? If so, how much is the 'no ipod' rule enforced?

I only ask, because in the Pig, there was a rule, but no one followed it. After much discussion on my blog I decided to take mine with me, and I was fine. I don't remember the exact Pig wording, but the Chicago rule sounds much more intimidating:

No Electronic Devices: The use by participants of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TVs, CD of DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, ipods, cell phones, computers or any similar devices in the competition area shall not be permitted. Failure to follow these official rules, as may be amended, will result in immediate disqualification, loss of prize money (including bonus prize money, if any), and ejection from the race course.

I don't really want to be ejected from the race.

And I want my medal.

I'm actually okay with not running with my ipod. When I did my 20 miler I actually only listened to it for a few miles. BUT, if this is just some arbitrary rule like it was in the Pig I am going to be MAD if I don't have my ipod. I was planning on bringing my little shuffle with me and just shoving it in my skirt pocket just in case. I know I am a big baby when it comes to running with music, but really, it does make it a lot easier for me. Especially since there is a point in the marathon towards the end (so I've heard) that it is very difficult for people to get to, so there is almost no crowd support.

I can sing in my head of course, but it's not the same.

Down to the Wire

OK, so I am only semi-freaking out about Chicago.
The problem is, that I was sick this past week. So I only got 3 miles in. I am really itching to run, but I know that my body was way too weak, and running would have only made it worse. The good thing is, that I was sick this PAST week and not the upcoming one. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't run in the marathon on Sunday.
I am still in recovery mode...but I am down to a cough and stuffiness, which beats everything I've been dealing with this weekend.

Tomorrow I have a nice and easy 4 mile run with the group. I am looking forward to seeing my little mini-group one last time before the marathon.

We also have a clinic before the group about marathon day strategies. I am planning on packing my bag Wednesday. (I am always freaking out about this stuff way to early, just in case I forget something).

I am also fat-loading this week which will be fun. Today's lunch is Mediteranean (all those fats that are good for you) and tonight is fondue (some of those fats that are bad for you). I am supposed to feel lethargic and bloated by the end of the week, but my book assures me that it will pay off in the long run. I am also supposed to stay away from too much fiber. This all is starting to sound pretty gross :(

Oh yes, and did anyone catch the season premiere of 'the Office'? They had a 5k fun run and the one guy was all worried about chafing his nipples. He was also wearing a lot of technical gear and was downing GUs even though it was only a 5k. Pretty funny.

The Runner's Diet

So I ordered a book from Amazon and had to add another one on to get the free shipping, and I started to look for running books. I ordered The Runner's Diet just for kicks.

Now as you probably realize from reading my blog, I do NOT do diets. But I'm always looking for ways to improve my performance, and I could stand to use some poundage, because in the last year I've gained 15 pounds. ( I KNOW, I KNOW, Mom, Dad, Bill, etc. it is muscle weight. I thought so too, until I took my measurements and realized I gained a solid 2 inches around my waist. So it must be some fat too.)

So I started reading and really, this book was written for me. The first chapter describes those people who were active as kids and ate whatever they wanted and stayed skinny. Then they went to college and stopped or slowed down the activity, but still ate what they wanted and stayed slim. Now that they are out of college they are working out like crazy again, eating whatever they want and gaining a pound here and a pound there. Just enough to not notice it. And furthermore, these people have NO CLUE about good nutrition because they have never had to think about it. That is TOTALLY ME!

Then I continue reading thinking, 'fine, but I am not giving up fast food completely.' But that's the great thing. This whole book is about moderation. It lays out attainable goals and non-attainable goals (for example you shouldn't say 'No more fast food', but you should say 'I'm ordering a child's sized meal). It talks about how every small step you take will make a difference, and that you can eat some unhealthy stuff because you work out. So, one donut is okay, but a box is not. I know this is not rocket science to most people. But seriously, I just want to lose a few pounds, stay healthy, have a little more energy, and not have to run anymore with my beer gut (or the more ladylike "pooch") hanging out. So it was nice to have validation that my small efforts will make a difference.

And I have to look at the improvements I've made in the past year, and realize I am eating a lot healthier:

• I pretty much have cut out soda completely (I do have one about once every 2 mos).
• I eat whole wheat bread whenever I have a choice.
• I don't eat McDonald's twice or more a week (yes, I did this in college).
• I buy reduced fat ice cream.
• I don't run to the kitchen every time an email goes out about free food (only about half of the time).
• I don't go up to the vending machine at 3:00 everyday anymore.
• I gave up fried foods for Lent and survived (ok, now I need to cut them down from my everyday diet).
• I eat breakfast at home after my long runs instead of driving through McDonalds.
• I pack my lunch a lot more
• I eat breakfast every day.

They are drops in the bucket, I know, but hey, I'm doing something. This week and the next I am especially trying to be healthy so that I have enough energy for the 7th!

Rain Out?

I hope that last night's practice was rained out (well, lightninged out...we don't stop for rain!). All of this is for selfish reasons of course. I had to go to my bookclub meeting, so I opted to do my run on Monday. If it was rained out I won't feel as badly about skipping :)

The latest news for me though is that my physical therapy worked! I had a follow-up with my orthopaedic doctor yesterday. He said that my right quadricep had increased to the size and tone of my left quadricep (amazing!). He was impressed with my improvement. The only downside is that if I still have even slight pain in 3 months I'm supposed to schedule an MRI, because that means the muscle is torn and they would have to do surgery. Yeck. I do NOT want knee surgery. He seemed optimistic though that this was not the case.

I am getting very excited for Chicago. My sister (who lives there) even planned out a route for my family and emailed it to me and my husband Bill. She figured it out using Google Earth and the pacing that I gave her. She even has figured out what time they can move to the next spot, what transportation and transportation station to use, etc. She is smart. I guess that's why she has a degree in engineering. :)

I decided that I am going to run with one of the New Balance Pace Teams . I am also trying to talk my running buddies (Lindsey, Sarah and Eric) into doing this as well so that we can run together. That would be fun AND those girls (and guy) have kept me going a lot of times when I really really wanted to stop. The only bad thing is that I wish they had a pace group between 4:30 and 4:45 (I KNOW that would be stupid, because what would it be? 4:38?). I was hoping to run an 11 minute mile the entire time, but after my 3:29 20 miler I am thinking I could do a 10:30 pace the entire way. I say this because my first 20 miler pretty much mirrored what I did for the Flying Pig...yes, even the walking at the end and the really slow miles at the end where I should have been walking. I know I can handle the 10:52 pace (which would put me at 4:45) but I don't know about doing a 10:18 (which would put me at 4:30). And yes, yes, I KNOW that I can run ahead of the slower group (which is what the site tells you to do if you are inbetween). However, I am one of those people who get overly excited at the actual race. I take them out WAY too fast, check myself, say "No, I'm really feeling great. For real. I can do this for 25 more miles." and then absolutely die at the end.

So I think the pace group will be good for me for that reason. I guess if I am feeling super spry (ha ha) I can always pump it up for the last two miles of the race. And besides, there's always next time to do the 10:18 pace. (You KNOW this won't be my last marathon if I have anything to do about it!)

Less than Two Weeks to Go!

By this time in two weeks I will already have finished my marathon! This time my training has absolutely flown by. I don’t know if it is because I have already gone through this before, or if it was because my training period was shorter, or if it was just because I have been having a lot more fun with it. Anyway, I am so pumped and ready.

The only thing that I do worry about is the flat course. Flat courses seem 10x as long to me. My 5k in Mason a few weeks ago seemed like eternity. Imagine that for 26.2 miles!

However, Coach Joe F has been really good about having us train on the flat parts of Cincinnati (yes, there are flat parts). Even if it means running on Eastern every Saturday, I guess this is a good thing. I am definitely more used to running flat than I was in May.

This Saturday we did 12 miles. It wasn’t too bad except for feeling a little weird about running on the highway. It was only a little bit on 50 (a quarter of a mile?) and the shoulder was superwide, and there was hardly any traffic, but even so…

It didn’t seem like the run was that long. I think it’s actually because we were running a lot of the same territory we ran the week before with our 20, but almost half. It was nice mentally to start at CrossRoads and cover that same beginning territory (the week before we had started at the Running Spot…about 3 miles from where we were at CrossRoads). So already, I felt like I didn’t have as far to go. Plus, there was no Eden Park.

Don’t get me wrong, there WERE hills. Hills, like all the way from the bottom of Linwood to the top. (Why are these hills always at the END of our mileage)?

I also got a chance to try out my new Triks skirt. It is EXTREMELY lightweight. It almost made me feel like I wasn’t wearing anything. (This could also be because it has spankies instead of the little shorts underneath that I am accustomed to.) It took awhile to get used to, but I think I ended up liking it better than my Pearl Izumi skirt. I will definitely be taking this one to Chicago!

I am bummed because I am missing my group runs this week, so I will have to be super vigilant about running on my own. (I stink at this).

Today is also the day I start eating like a runner should. Which is too bad, since I’m having lunch for work at Palomino’s. ☹

TAPER!

Yeah! Tomorrow is my first taper run! 12 miles. I looked at the route though, and I must say, I am getting pretty tired of running on Eastern. But, at the same time, Eastern doesn't seem to be such a mental block for me anymore.

This is also when I need to be REALLY careful about what I eat (I say, as I wolf down a huge slice of the cheesecake someone brought into work to share). I think my body is still adjusting to the 20 I did last Saturday. I am constantly hungry and eating all the time at my desk. Earlier this week my body was REALLY screwed up when I woke up at midnight with a growling stomach. I couldn't get back to sleep until I ate some trail mix. Taper is when my body is still really hungry, but I'm not actually doing as much mileage, so I probably shouldn't eat like I just ran a 20. Don't get me wrong, 12 miles is nothing to sneeze at in the big scheme of things, but wolfing down an entire stack of pancakes with an order of cheesey hashbrowns after my run probably shouldn't be in the cards. This is also easier said than done since this weekend is Oktoberfest and with my hedonistic friends I KNOW that I will be overindulging. Also tonight I have a class reunion. The invite said "heavy appetizers" and "wine", both of which I love for a meal.

I am going to try and follow the taper meal plan from my Runner's World book I got for joining the Roncker group. The fun part is the last week where you fat load. Well, it sounds fun, but when they say fat they don't mean french fries and donuts. They mean lean fats. Not saturated fats. Also, it said that during that last week you will feel extremely lethargic, but that's okay, because you will actually use the energy during the run. I am curious to see how this plan goes, since I am notorious for not being able to follow a diet.

Lack of Motivation

Lately I have really had to force myself to run. I think it must be something in the air though, because I have heard the same thing from all of the people I run with. That’s why it’s good that I am in a running group. It forces me to go to practice.

Last night I was SO unmotivated to go. Especially since I knew that we had a 7 mile run in Eden Park. Those are some crazy hills, and I didn’t feel up to them…especially since it was hot again, and I had enjoyed an entire week of fall weather.

There is also some mental thing with me and Eden Park. I generally like running there. I have had a lot of good runs there. But the thing is, it is always the same route…when you get to Seasongood Pavillion you turn around. It is about six miles. If you want to add on, or are in Group A (the fast people) run all the way to the overlook at the Celestial before you turn around. So when ALL of us have to run to the Celestial I am like “NO! It’s too far!!!” Even though it is only another half mile there and a half mile back.

All of that being said, I had a really enjoyable run last night. I even felt fast at some times. My mini-group ended up doing the whole thing at a 10 minute mile pace, which I guess was good since we were supposed to do a tempo run (a run at your 10k pace). And it felt like we finished really really early (but we didn’t…it was 8:00 just like it usually is) and that we ran short mileage (but we didn’t…we usually run 6 miles on Tuesdays).

I AM worried about Saturday seeming long though. Because every time I knock back my mileage I initially think ‘this is going to be a piece of cake’ and then I end up thinking ‘I’m glad that was only XX miles…I don’t think I could have gone any farther.’ It’s all a mental game I guess.

Oh yes, and the tapeworm is back. It is NOT cool to be hungry ALL THE TIME. It is very inconvenient.

Shameless Product Plug

(Well, I guess it really isn't shameless, since I don't sell them or anything).

So, on Saturday, I bought the most amazing new toy. It is called the stick . I have seen other people use it and was intrigued. It looks like this, well, stick, that has all of these beadlike things on it. You roll it over your muscles when they are sore. After I finished my 20 miler on Saturday I stretched out and then went right downstairs at the Running Spot to buy one. I figured if I ever needed one, then would be the best time to buy it. I got "the Marathoner" which is 20" and the most flexible.

I must tell you, this thing is intense.

You hold your legs up to use it, so that your muscles are loose and not tense, and roll it back and forth. It really really kneads them out. It worked wonders on my calf that has been tensing up. And it REALLY gets in there to get those knots out. It feels great.

I had Bill roll it over my legs when I got home too. I think he was using more force and it hurt so much that it tickled, but a good kind of hurt. I could not stop laughing. I think he was afraid to continue using it because it was causing me to burst out into hysterics.

I also used it on my Achilles that night, when it started getting all snappy like it does after my long runs (gross). It totally worked. I was fine the next day when usually I still have to deal with snappiness.

So now I think I am a totally weird runner. I've gotten used to chugging down the Gu's and I get excited about a beaded stick. Oh well. Running all that mileage must do something to your brain.

A Little Help From My Friends

I must say, I never thought I would feel so great after a 20 mile run!

Don’t get me wrong…it was very very difficult. In fact, I was NOT in the mood and I really didn’t think I was going to make it.

Let me back up…

It is not a good sign when you don’t sleep very well because you are dreaming that you wake up an hour and a half late for your 20-miler. Stress. Plus, I just really really didn’t feel like doing 20 miles. I had carb loaded all day Friday, went to bed early, etc, but it just didn’t matter. Plus, I was stupid and wore my skirt without the pockets, so I had no place for my Gu. My running buddy, Lindsey suggested sticking them in my sports bra. Knowing my history of chafing, I made sure I used BodyGlide first. It ended up working out perfectly! So now I have a new trick.

We were off to a slow start, with a 13 minute first mile. Everyone I run with started freaking out because we were going too slow. I was like “No! No! I would rather go slow at first and have energy at the end!” We weaved our way through Hyde Park and then through Mariemont. It seemed to take forever. I couldn’t believe that our first water stop was only 3.5 miles in. I was already tired.

The way the run was set up was that it was 16.75 miles. If you wanted to add on, you could do the 1.7 mile loop in the middle of the run 2 more times, or you could add 4 miles on at the end. My group decided on the pretty, flat, 1.7 miles in Mariemont in the middle of the run rather than adding on at the end. Not only is it a mental block to end at the Running Spot and then know you have 4 miles to go, but those 4 miles happened to be in Eden Park which means HILLS. We were also like “Aww. It’s so cute here! I’m glad we’re doing our loops here!” But by the third loop we were like “AGH! Get me out of Mariemont!” As we ran out onto Wooster Pike Sarah even said “Wow! Civilization! I feel like I’m back out of 1940!”

By this time I was feeling like it was the longest run ever. Sarah felt like it was the shortest run ever and Lindsey said she felt in-between. That made me laugh.

Next came Wooster Road. Let me just say…I have a new appreciation for Eastern. I just canNOT run on industrial roads. They make me crazy. Not to mention the fact that some of it did not have sidewalks and I felt like I was going to be run over by a car. I was so glad I have driven that way to my friend’s, because I knew where I was going and didn’t second guess myself. All the girls kept asking “are you SURE we are going the right way?” Then Sarah and I saw a big group of people. I thought it was weird because there shouldn’t be another water stop for awhile. They were all wearing really bright colors. Like day-glo orange. Yes, they were a juvenile detention work crew. Bizarre, the things you see on your runs. ☺

By the time we made it to Lunken I really didn’t know if my legs could move anymore. Lindsey and I debated walking when we got to Delta. I was not looking forward to our home stretch. We only had 4.25 miles left, but it was all up hill.

I shot another Gu. I have to admit…they are awesome. Lindsey laughs at me because she says I ‘take them like a pro’ now. They keep my legs going when I swear there is no human way that my legs could still be moving.

I thought about walking even more as we finally hit Delta. But my legs just kept moving. I wasn’t going to stop them. But by this time my body was in robot mode. So much so, that when I could not go straight because a car was blocking a driveway in front of me it took TONS of effort (mental and physical) to go around it.

We stopped for water one last time with a little more than a mile to go. I walked two blocks to Stettinius, and started running again. I knew I had exactly one mile left. When we got to the O’Bryonville shops I even kicked it up a notch. I looked at my watch. 3:30!!!!

I have no idea how that is possible, but I was soooooooo pumped. I realized that if it wasn’t for the girls, I would not have done it. I so would have been walking for a lot of those 20. I was so impressed with us! Hurrah!

Saturday Run

My scabs are healing nicely, which is good news because I have my 20-miler tomorrow. Which, by the way, I am very very nervous about. I am just not feeling it.

Two weeks ago, when I ran my 18-miler (when I showed up at Lunken thinking I was supposed to do a 20-miler) I was feeling really great. I was ready to take on an entire marathon. So I knew I could do it. This week I am just not looking forward to it.

The good news is that the weather is going to be perfect. I always run better in colder weather, so I have been waiting for this forever. I won't even know what to wear. Just kidding. I will pretty much dress like it is 90 degrees out. I heat up quickly.

I have been carb-loading all day...which was easy because I was in an all-day work session. They are always catered. And they ALWAYS have french bread. I took 4 slices. And I piled up my plate with tons of food. It kind of reminded me of Emilio Estevez's character in the Breakfast Club, when they all take out their lunches . The clients looked at me a little strangely but then one of my colleagues mentioned that I was a marathoner, and they were all like "ohhhhhh!" I am hoping we can go out for some pasta tonight!

I swear, eating is the best part of running!

BAD Run

It has been a long time since I have had a really bad run. Last night was terrible.
We had a negative split run starting from CrossRoads. It was a pretty simple route: Right on Madison, Left on Observatory for thirty minutes and then turn back.

I started out okay. But then my calves started to really tighten up. Especially the left one. I would stretch at the stop lights, which usually helps. This time it didn't. So I had to break off from my group to stop a little while later and stretch some more. It was like the muscles were not even pliable. They were just like rocks. It even hurt to stretch. I walked the rest of the way, to the top of Observatory and then turned around at 30 minutes to run back. The run back wasn't bad, but I think that is because it was all downhill. I felt like such a loser.

When I had hit Cincinnati Natural Foods my bandages from my thighs also came off, which kind of sucked. I didn't know if I should keep running or not. But I figured that my scabs (sorry, this is gross) were going to come off whether I was walking or running, so I might as well run.

I guess this was okay too. Because after reading about how to treat my chafing wounds online, I found out I was doing it a really bad, old-school first aid way (which was to let them air out, dry up and scab over). What you are supposed to do is keep the wound moist and covered and try not to let it scab over. Well, now my scabs were gone, and I could treat my wounds properly. (Come on, you know by now that you shouldn't be eating while you read my blog).

I was very perplexed about my calves. When I talked to my physical therapist this morning though, she said it just happens sometimes with people who run a lot. She said to make sure that I am properly hydrated (this might have been an issue...I had some salty pizza for lunch) and that I was stretching enough (which I thought I did).
They were still kind of tight at the physical therapy session, so I will have to be sure to stretch them out tonight.

Next up? I get to worry about my big 20-miler on Saturday!

It's Official!

I got my marathon "confirmation ticket" in the mail yesterday for Chicago.

It is kind of funny because it is not really a "ticket" per se, but a program like you would get for going to a play. And there are sooo many rules! I was trying to read the book last night, but I couldn't concentrate on it because there was just so much information.

The big thing that stuck with me though was the "no ipod" rule. I am wondering how strict they really are on this. They had the same rule at the Flying Pig, but I saw plenty of people with ipods (myself included). The wording in the rules for Chicago seem stricter though. I figure that my skirt has an ipod pocket, so I can just stash it in there and then use it or not.

I was also very glad to hear that they DO have vanilla gels at the 17.5 mile. I, of course, will have my own stash, but it's just nice to know anyway.

I can't believe that it is less than a month away!

Tonight we do my least favorite thing: a negative split run. 30 minutes out and turn around to come back in less time. I stink at these, but I guess that just means I need to practice them :)

Race for the Cure

Sunday, my friends and I ran the Race for the Cure which was a 5k up in Mason.

I had to look like a dork, because I had to bandage up my nasty chafing accident . Well, and of course, when I walk I look like John Wayne.

I have decided that I really for real, do NOT like running 5ks. They always exhaust me. I was aiming for 10 minute miles since I have been training with 10:30 miles. I know that 5k is a lot shorter distance than what I am used to, but it is hard for me to switch between paces. Luckily, the sun was not out, so we weren’t baking on the course.

I took out the first mile at 9:03. But then of course I was starting to think “where is mile two…it has to be here somewhere?” I looked at my watch though, and unfortunately only 2 minutes had passed. Pttt.

It also stunk (quite literally) because the whole time I was running I would get this whiff of something like wet dog. Then I started to panic and wondered if it was me. But at the end of the race, the first thing my friend Malia said was “I was so grossed out because this girl I was running by smelled like wet dog the entire time.” I was not running next to Malia, so I was instantly relieved. Bill said he thought it was the sweatband he has to wear because of his laser eye surgery. So since we all smelled it, it must have been the trees or something. I don’t know. It HAD just rained.

We all did really well. Bill finished first (of course) with a 25 something, followed by me, with a 28:05. Maren kept a steady 10:30ish mile pace and Malia finished right under 33:00. We were all pretty happy. I was just glad that I could keep my 9 minute mile pace. It was exhausting.

The best part? IHOP afterwards! Mmmmmm, pancakes.

What I Did For Love

Chafing.

I know. I am an idiot, merely because this has happened to me before and I should know better by now. And I DID put Body Glide on. Not between my thighs though, because I was wearing bike shorts. (I have really only had problems when I wear the shorts that swish between my legs). Well, I hope I learned my lesson this time. If I didn’t there is something wrong with me.

Saturday we had a 12 mile run. Madison, Observatory, Linwood, Delta (MOLD…that’s how I remembered it) Eastern and then picking up the Pig Course all the way back to the store. I felt burning the entire time I was running, but really, I thought it was just the scabs rubbing against each other from last time. Plus, when I checked at the water stop, my thighs looked fine.

I finished my run (pretty painfully), went upstairs at the Spot, stretched, looked at my legs…GROSSSSSSSS!!!! Blood was running down my legs and I had these huge, raised gashes on both sides. Not cool. I actually for real screamed in the shower, and I was NOT being a drama queen. It really hurt that badly. And I have a high tolerance for pain.

They look a lot better now, but are still pretty gross. They have that gross scabbiness on them, where the scabs start to change colors. It hurts to wear jeans but it is even WORSE wearing a skirt. I am using a LOT of Neosporin.

Oh. And I think I know WHY I have to use BodyGlide there now. My thighs have never really had the girth that they have now. So I’ve never had a problem with them rubbing up against each other when I run. At least that is what I am telling myself so that I can feel good about something (muscle gain) instead of focusing on my awful pain and gross inner thighs.

I do some pretty idiotic things to my body as a marathon runner.

Easy Day

Tomorrow I have an easy day and I am so glad, because tonight is our company outing and I want to make sure I can stay out late. I just have to make sure that I watch what I eat so that I don't have problems like last time. Looks like we are hitting Eastern again for a nice 12 miles. I almost feel like, 'what's the point?'. Just kidding. But 12 miles does seem really really light. Especially since we usually do a 10 or 12 mile loop and then add on from there.

What I'm most excited about (runningwise) this weekend though, is the Race for the Cure. It will be a good, fun way to do a recovery run. Plus, the course is completely flat. Last year, my friend Jen and I ran it and it was a lot of fun. Plus, it was just a very very inspirational race. I had just read Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy for my bookclub, so felt like I had a better understanding of what breast cancer survivors go through. It was really moving when at the beginning of the race, they had all of the survivors march in. There were so many of them!

Plus, I coerced all of my non-running friends to run again. Of course, this includes big plans for IHOP afterwards.


Which is good, because my tapeworm is back and I am eating like crazy. This does not bode well for my parents, who are having a cookout this weekend, but IHOP can be sure it will sure be making money on me.

This time though, its weird, because I am so hungry all the time, but I can't eat that much. I mean, like I will eat a burger and be so full that I can't finish my fries. But then, less than an hour later I am starving like I haven't eaten in an entire day. So I've been grazing like crazy.

Bill thinks its because my metabolism is fast but my stomach is small. Well, and of course all the calories I am now burning on my long runs. At any rate, I am not complaining because I LOVE to eat.

Physical Therapy

So, I don't know if I've written about this or not. So, sorry if I am repeating information.

Anyway, about a week and a half ago I went to the orthopaedic doctor to find out what was going on with my knee. Apparantly my left leg is more muscular that my right. Especially in the quads. I don't know how I didn't notice this before, because once it was pointed out to me I was like "whoa! There really is a huge difference!"

What the doctor didn't want to happen was muscular atrophy. He (luckily) also understood the importance of my training and the proximity of my marathon date. So, he put me into physical therapy 2x a week for 3 weeks. The goal is to build up the muscles in my right leg to match those in my left.

It's kind of a pain in the butt, but I do feel like it is helping. It is amazing how weak (at least in comparison to my left leg) my right leg is. The exercises (which include weight bearing lifts, stretching, balancing exercises etc) really do tire me out. But already I am seeing improvement.

Hopefully by the time of the marathon my right quad will be all bulky and manlike like my left quad is, and injury will be in my past!

The Eternal Question: OnBoard Nutrition

So. Lately I have been experimenting.

This is all because of a conversation I had with my marathon sub-group. We were trying to determine what was better: Gu or Shot Bloks. I was really touting the Shot Bloks. It seemed easy to me:

1. They taste like candy.
2. They are SOLID not GEL...so you don't have to GAG them down.
3. They are the same kind of energy as all of the gels.

Done.

I must admit that I actually did not have any experience with gels at all. I bought one a long time ago when I was training for the Pig. It was vanilla and it sat in the bottom of my running gear drawer for several months. I just could not come to grips with something so, well, gooey, going down my throat.

Lindsey had to question me on number three. She said that she didn't think anything could compare to gels because they just give you so much energy. Sarah agreed. She said her legs just kept going and going after she took one and she didn't know how.

Well, maybe I would have to try one. Especially since the Shot Bloks were giving me a bit of an acid reflux problem lately. So, 10 miles into my 16 miler a couple of weeks ago I grabbed a Clif Shot. It was apple pie. Well, it was supposed to be apple pie.

After taking 20 years to open it, I downed about half of it. Gagged. Gagged badly. It was sooooo gross. I couldn't even take the second half. I am one of those people who need the consistency to match the flavor and this wasn't doing it for me.

I DID however feel it kick in. Nothing as extreme as Sarah experienced, but I did have more energy.

So for my 18 miler I pulled the good old vanilla Gu out of the drawer. I was a little worried, because I was holding it as I ran my first ten miles. It was getting really warm. At our 5 mile water stop I stared at it for a really long time. Then I downed it. Gagged. Downed the rest. Proclaimed "hey, that one wasn't so bad!" Which made Lindsey laugh. "That wasn't so bad even though it made you gag?" Well, it wasn't as bad as the apple pie. At least it tasted like vanilla pudding which is kind of its consistency.

And I don't know. Maybe it really really worked. I had an awesome run and I DID feel like I had a ton of energy.

I don't know.

So what do you think: Gels or Bloks? (or gummy bears or jelly beans or Sports Beans?) Or anything else? How do you get your onboard nutrition?

New List

I think I need to create a new list: Things I Know I CAN'T Eat Before Runs.

I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the heat. Last night we started at CrossRoads and ran our two usual miles to the Norwood track for Yasso 800s. The sun was just BEATING down. It reminded me of some of the scenes in Apocalypse Now. It was gross. Not to mention that it was 95 degrees out even though it was 6:30. I wasn't too worried because I know that the last time we did Yasso 800s it was also very hot.

Ugh. Wrong. It was awful. My stomach was not happy, and it was really impeding my performance. I started blaming my lunch (which was very good at the time). The culprit: Ranch dressing.Again. To be fair, I didn't know it would affect me if it was just the dressing on my sandwich. Last time I thought it was the entire salad that did it. Plus, this time I had about 5 and a half hours in between when I ate and when I ran.

Anyway, we got to the second repeat and my stomach contents started jumping up my throat. The third was worse. Plus, I felt like I really wanted to burp, but couldn't. It was awful.

This time my group was doing 6 repeats. This was not boding well for me.

It was sooooooo HOT.
I decided to take my shirt off and run in my sports bra and skirt. I usually don't do this because I am so self-conscious about my pooch. Yeah. I was too hot to care. And it DID make a huge difference.

By the end, things were getting a little better. At least I was able to pace really well. I can really feel what my pace should be now, and when I am off of it. I think that is great. I guess it just takes practice.

Apparantly the last repeat we decided to pick it up. I wasn't aware of this because of course, I had my headphones on. I kept thinking 'this seems awfully fast'. Then we passed our starting point and one of the guys shouted out "4:47!" OK. I didn't feel so bad. I was doing the rest of them at 5 minutes. :)