Always Onto the Next Thing

I know, I know, I should be writing about the Pig, since it's this weekend. BUT I have been doing a lot of cool TNT things lately, so I had to post.

First of all, I got to meet all of the other mentors at a potluck. It was fun, there were cupcakes, it was on a roofdeck downtown on a sunny day...do I have to say more?

I also found out something cool...

Coach Steve, the coach who was not going to coach anymore because he was going to med school, is coming back!!! Unfortunately, he has no idea where he is going to med school yet, but for the time being he is going to coach. I am SO EXCITED because he and Ramon are my favorite coaches ever. I actually got to work more with Steve than Ramon, because Ramon sort of belongs to all of the groups and Steve was always with the advanced group. He is the one that coached me through that awful bridge in the Marine Corps Marathon. I can't wait to work with him again. He made me go FAST. Yay!

Also, last night I went to the Nike Women's Marathon preview party to help recruit marathoners for the event. It was fun, and I do like talking to people and trying to convince them that yes, they CAN do a marathon. We had to watch a preview video of the event and it made me SO EXCITED to be training for it!

Our big selling points for the event?

• We get a Tiffany's necklace instead of a medal
• This Tiffany's necklace is handed to us by a San Francisco fireman in a tuxedo
• Very cute Nike shirts
• Pedicure stops along the marathon (uh, I want to PR, not get a pedicure)
• Chocolate stop at mile 22 (Gross)
• It's in San Francisco

In addition, I had a few things that sold me on the event.

• It is the biggest TNT marathon...the pasta party sat 7,000 in one room last year
• Gina said I had to do it because it is the coolest marathon ever
• I get all excited in big groups of enthusiasm, and that's what it seems like this will be

I also saw my friend Eric last night, and he warned me "Don't listen to anyone who tells you the hills aren't bad on that course. They are lying to you."

I actually appreciated that. It's nice to know, because that's all I have been hearing from people.

Anyway, I am excited about my next marathon, even though the one I'm training for hasn't even been run yet.

Crap Run

This weekend the weather was beautiful!

Unfortunately we also hit record temps (over 90 on Sunday).

My first "hot" run of the season is always crap. This one was really bad though.

Bill and I set out to do an easy 6-mile loop of Central Park on Sunday morning. It was super crowded too because the More marathon was going on. (I have no idea how those ladies ran in that blistering heat, especially since, if they are like me, they are used to running in the 60s, max.) So everyone not running the race (including bikers and walkers) had to run in two lanes. I know this sounds like no big deal, but on a nice weekend day in New York, in the park, this is a disaster. I have no complaint about the bikers, they were actually on their best behavior. But it was still just way too crowded and way too hot.

I felt badly for Bill because I was in a grumpy mood, PLUS it was the kind of run that I just needed to finish mentally, so that I could be like "OK. I can run in the heat now." Not good for morale.

I also had to keep stopping for water about every mile.

When I got about halfway up the eastern side of the park I told Bill I needed to stop.

I freaked him out I think, because my face was bright red. I also needed to sit down (which I did, on the fence) and was dizzy. I also had a headache. I did not feel good at all. After much cajoling I promised Bill I would walk the bridal path back to 96th street while he ran the rest of the loop.

GRRRRRRR.

But YES. I'm GLAD I STOPPED. (In the long run.)

Gross Foot Talk

There. Fair warning.

I have a corn in between my fourth and fifth toe. I actually didn't know what a corn was, until I got one. Turns out they SOUND grosser than they are. All it is basically is an inverted callous.

I have actually had it for quite awhile, but I keep forgetting about it because during the day it really doesn't bother me. It's when I go on my runs that it does. Then it is like the most painful thing in the world. But then I go to bed and forget about it.

After last night's run though, I was in a considerable amount of pain. I figured this was something I should probably take care of before the marathon. So I looked it up and found out all about corns.

I'm wondering if it's my shoes. I have never had this problem before.

Gross.

My recently purchased Dr Scholl's salicylic acid pads promise me that this could be gone in only 2 days. Let's hope so.

Not a Lot of Running

Once again, I am not doing a lot of running :(

But, I did get a new running outfit.

This was a promise I gave to myself. I told myself that after I ran my 20 I deserved a new pair of shorts. Yes, shorts. Not a skirt. I don't like running in skirts anymore because they feel so bulky. I know. I was their biggest fan before. But seriously, pants AND a skirt...that seems like a lot of layers. That's why I like the skirtsports skirt. It has spankies instead and has more lightweight material than the other skirts I've tried on. Bill thinks there is a direct correlation between me running faster and me not liking to run in skirts. I don't know what it is. :)

Since I was in Cincy this weekend I dragged my dad and sister to Bob Roncker's Running Spot with me.

I tried on a million outfits. Yes, outfits. Because after all, how could I buy shorts if I didn't have anything to wear with them? Besides, I am a sucker for new clothes.

While I was trying on all of these things my sister and dad were just waiting around in the store with all of the other crazy runners. When we left my dad said something about everyone "praying to the altar of running." I had to think about it for 2 seconds and then I was like "Yeah, it's kind of cultish in there, isn't it?"

I say this with the utmost respect. Bob told us that he set out to create a community of runners and a place where runners could hang out as well as learn about the latest running products etc. He has absolutely done that, and as a result, you can't go into his store without catching a little bit of the enthusiasm for running that all of the people have in there.

I realized that as much as running is a personal sport, it wouldn't be the same if you didn't have all of those other crazy runners to talk to. It made me happy to be a runner.

Plus, now I have a cute outfit to run in.

Hurrah! 20!

Bill and I needed a little change of scenery for our 20 this weekend. Basically, I just couldn't stand the options presented before me (three loops around central park and THEN another 2 miles?...2 loops around central park and then run to the tip of manhattan and back? ugh.) It was time for a field trip.

So for the first time all winter, we actually got up EARLY for a run (think, before 7am). We caught the 7:55 to Hartsdale and did our 20 mile run up there.

Did I mention that it was raining?

Not just sprinkles either. Lots and lots of raining. So I was glad Bill was there to chat with me. It made the run a lot easier and it made me concentrate on the crappy weather a lot less.

Hartsdale was also good because it is a pretty hill course (which I forgot about). It's not that Central Park doesn't have hills...but I think we're so much more used to them. AND we know when they are coming up in the course. Plus these were much more rolling, and I think closer to the Flying Pig Course.

Our goal was a 10 minute mile and we did really well at keeping that pace.

I enjoy running with Bill so much that I suggested to him that we run together through the whole marathon....for real this time. I think we could both use each other for support.

We finished with a 3:27, which averaged out to a 10:21 pace. EDIT: Whoops. I meant a 3:17. That is a 9:51...a little different. :)

I felt good, but tired afterwards and went home to sleep for the rest of the afternoon :)

10 Minutes!

I ran my 18 this weekend and so did Bill! Yay!

Because my training has been so off this season and we're getting closer and closer to the marathon I had set some much different goals for this 18 than usual. My goals were to:

• Take it nice and easy so that there are no injuries
• Enjoy the run
• Complete the run
• Convince Bill that he CAN run 18 even though his training has been as spotty as mine
• Convince Bill that if he can run 18 he can run 20, and if he can run 20, he can run 26.2

I did all of these things. It was actually QUITE enjoyable. Bill and I are usually at odds with one another when we run together and it can be quite stressful. I think it has to do with the fact that we are both competitive, we are both stubborn and when we are on a run, all of our mars/venus communication differences seem to come through. It basically has taken us a whole year of running together to figure out how to have a cordial run together. (This is why we could never work together). But Saturday it was as if all the planets were aligned.

I don't think I COULD have had such an enjoyable run without Bill. I think we really helped each other out. We took it at an easy pace, which was harder to do than you would think. The goal was 10 minute miles all the way. We started off with a 9 minute mile. So we slowed down, and it felt like such an effort. That being said...

I think we have found our pace for the marathon.

We were definitely hurting at the end of the run, and I don't think I could have done any more. But at the same time, I knew that I could run again on Monday. So I think that is just perfect for us.

I would really LIKE to be able to push harder and get a marathon where I am ecstatic at the finish line (like I was in the Bronx half when I finished with an 8:45 pace). But I think it's not in the cards for this one. If we can finish with a 4:22 I will be happy this time.

Consistent pace.

That is going to be my mantra.

Spring!

Last night was a beautiful night for a run!

And the best part? I actually got to GO on a run even though Bill couldn't run with me. Normally, it is way too dark by the time I would go out for a run. We don't live in a sketchy neighborhood or anything, but I just don't think it's the smartest thing to do with all the crazies that are out in the world.

Last night it didn't actually get dark until after I was back from my run and in my apartment!

And it was so warm!

I think everyone must be sick and tired of being shut inside all winter because there were tons of people in the park (and dogs too).

It made me feel happy.

Too bad it went back to the 40s and is raining all day today :(

Oh yeah. And I can't believe I totally forgot to mention this...

I got accepted as a Team in Training mentor for the fall season! That means I will be running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco this fall as well as acting as, well, a mentor, to about 10 teammates. We already basically start the season on Monday, when I have to go to a mentor meeting. I am excited!

48 Seconds = Huge Difference

Argh.

This week was, once again, hell for my training...it's a long story, and I won't go into the details because I will end up rambling for pages. But basically I did not work out AT ALL this week. I am starting to think that I am not supposed to run this marathon at all. I mean, the signs have all been really clear and I am just ignoring them.

So I was really freaked out about getting in 15 miles this weekend.

(BTW, I KNOW that running like this is not smart from a "very likely to get an injury" point-of-view.)

Last week, my pace was 9:00 flat for 13.1 miles. And I paid for it. I was so sore the next 2 days. People at work were like "OMG! What HAPPENED to you?" as I limped around the office. Not smart of me. But really, I FELT slow when I ran it. I have really got to get a handle on my pace.

So yesterday, it was pouring down rain, I knew it was going to hurt to run 15 because I was woefully unprepared, and Bill was feeling under the weather, so I didn't even have a running buddy. I SO did not want to run.

I decided to try for 10:00 miles.

I also opted for 2 loops around the park and then a loop around the bridal path. This way I would be running hills along with flat. By mile 12 I was cursing myself. I finished with a 2:27, which is a 9:48 pace.

I went home and basically collapsed on the sofa to watch tv all night.

BUT today I am feeling fine (ok...only a TEENSY bit sore)! But no anti-inflamatories needed! I guess I did do ONE smart thing this week by adding 48 seconds to my pace.

This week, if I have to stay up until 5 in the morning to get my workouts in, I am getting them in!!!

Yowsa

My legs are SO SORE. I'm not really sure why, because it's not like I increased my mileage an insane amount or anything this weekend.

In fact, I only did 13(.1).

But because I did not want to run at ALL, it seemed like a lot more. It was rough, because after about 2 miles I was finished. I mean, physically it seemed fine, but mentally I was just not there this weekend. I also felt very slow. I was not looking at my watch purposefully, because I felt like I was doing a 10 minute mile, and I knew that if I was aware of that, my run would seem even longer. But in fact, I was doing a flat 9 minute mile. (I ended the 13.1 miles with a 1:57.59).

I also have been slacking off on eating properly. So the whole time I felt like I was running with lead in my belly.

I am glad that I can run a 9 minute mile and it feels "easy". This just confirms my hypothesis that I run better when I don't think.

What I mean by this is that I think that my brain and my body KNOW all the things I usually concentrate on (or freak out about) during my runs...like pacing, going out slower at first, how far I can push without injuring myself, etc. So I am working on running more zenlike...just feeling the run rather than overanalyzing it. I'm even thinking of running the marathon like this, rather than setting a time goal. That makes me nervous, but I think I would actually do better that way!

Hill Repeats

Last night, Bill and I found a nice, short, steep hill (there are LOTS of them in Riverside Park) and did some repeats. We basically sprinted up the hill 8x with very little rest in between.

I noticed a few things.

First of all, I am now very sensitive when it comes to running. Maybe "aware" is actually a better word than sensitive. Like, when I am running on a new surface (there were some stones laid into the concrete in the middle of the hill) I can feel my gait change to accommodate. This is actually where I started to lose my speed every time. So I could work to push through, harder, at that point the next time. I also noticed that I was running on my toes again. I stopped that right away. I can also feel which of my muscles engage when I go up different parts of the hill.

I think this is kind of cool. I used to just run to run. I would sort of zone out. In fact, the first time I ran a "long" run (which I think was 9 miles) I zoned out so much that I didn't even realize that I was in pain until I stopped. I mean, this is good and what you are supposed to do to some extent, but it is also nice to tune in to your body. It's all about the happy medium.

I think it is sort of like when I was in school and all of the seniors would be out with us and be like "Oh, nice use of Gill Sans." when they looked at a menu or something, and I always thought "How in the world can they differentiate one typeface from another?" Now, I do it all the time.

The second thing is that I basically pushed myself so hard that I almost puked.

I mean, I was DONE at the end of that workout (Even if Bill wasn't, and was like "Eh. I felt like it was ok. I could have done a lot more." Ptttt. I equate this with the skinny girls who are like "No, I can eat like, a whole pizza and not gain an ounce." I know them personally, because I was one of them in high school. Now I realize how annoying that is :) )

I literally had to STOP before we started the 7th repeat, stand over to the side, bend over, cough and spit (very ladylike).

But I have to say, I feel GOOD when I push myself. That's why it makes me mad that I haven't been able to fully dedicate myself to running this training season. Who knows what I could have done?

I know, I know! I still have a little over a month left. So I am going to continue to push. Because who knows what I can still do?

Pace Run

Last night I got home early because I had jury duty, and luckily, government employees' days end before my usual days end. So, with my extra couple of hours I decided to get a jump start on my evening workout.

I started with 45 minutes of intense sculpting/cardio, and then when Bill came home I was ready for our run.

We just set out to do a simple 3 mile run, but it pretty much ended up being a pace run.

Usually a 9 minute pace feels pretty good to me. We ended up doing about a 9:15 pace and it felt FAST to me. Maybe my body still isn't adjusted from my time off. Very frustrating.

However, I AM reaping the rewards of my body sculpting efforts. I have a very faint 2-pack (the two at the top) when viewed at certain angles. I know this is not a big deal for most people, but for me? I am ecstatic!

Pooped Out

So I had every intention of running 13-14 miles this past weekend with Bill. We were going to take it easy though, since I had been sick all week and Bill just hadn't been running for a long time.

We did the first 6 miles, including 2 upper loops (to get some hills in) and I was feeling a little tired, and kind of ticked that my pace was a lot slower than I am used to. (We were doing about a 10 minute pace). At this point, we stopped for GU. I decided not to beat myself up too much, since I was coming off of being sick. THEN this entire wave of exhaustedness came over me. I just felt like I could lie down right in the middle of the park and go to sleep. I didn't know how I was going to do another loop plus 1-2.

After very much debate with Bill, (who was trying to convince me that my body was run down and I should perhaps think about calling it a day) and me whining and complaining that I had to do at least 12, we compromised and ran another 2.78 miles, making our total 8.78.

After that, I was REALLY exhausted.

So I guess I am glad that Bill made me stop. His point was that I reminded my body that it was not on vacation and that as soon as I was 100% we were heading back into full training.

I WAS pretty sore after the run too.

So I chalk that up to a blah run, and I'm going to make sure I don't have another one this season.

Measuring My Calves

Yes. I am so bored from not running that this is what I write about on my running blog.

Actually, I got the idea from my friend Jen, who came to visit me last weekend. I was telling her how I was knitting some knee socks and how you actually get to make room for your calves. This is very nice, because, being a marathon runner, my calves are sort of huge...so normal knee socks don't fit me. So I had to measure my calves before I started, so that I would know how big to make them. Anyway, she thought this was funny and measured her calves too and wrote about it on her running blog. So I am copying, because I have nothing better to write about that is running related.

My calves are 15.75 inches around at their widest point. (And all muscle).

I think this is funny.

I am a small framed girl for my height (5'10", 138 pounds) so I can only assume that this means my calves are big. I must admit, I love muscles. And I'm not trying to be narcissistic.

Bill measured his calves too, because he was just curious after I measured mine :)

I am planning on getting lots of sleep this weekend and crossing my fingers that I feel good enough to do a 13-14 mile run.

The Running Gods Are Against Me

So...

Just when I started to get into the swing of things again, I get this awful congestion thingy. Not only does it drain me of energy every single day, but also it is in my chest. So this has prevented me from running, walking (except to work, etc), cross-training and any other kind of physical activity that is needed when training for a marathon.

I have to say I am a lot frustrated and a little worried.

I am more frustrated than anything because I am just so used to being active. Plus, I was really really doing well on the whole mixing in cross-training with running thing. I was seeing lots of time improvement and I feel like all of that may be lost. However, I am just a teensy bit worried too. I haven't had a long run in forever.

I know I still have plenty of time until the marathon. But I AM going to have to reconfigure my schedule so that I am not doing an 18 this weekend, because I am just not ready (and still sick).

I am going to try to not worry about it, because worrying won't do anything AND it won't make me get better any faster.

So here is my new game plan:

• Take a look at my schedule and rework it so that it makes sense/I don't get injured
• Take a new look at goals...I was planning for a pretty significant PR, but I think I should concentrate on just having fun and feeling good (this is going to be hard) and take a look at time goals in a couple of weeks
• Concentrate on getting tons of sleep
• Continue drinking lots of liquids and eating healthy foods
• Get into the mental game...I just have to keep reminding myself that I have plenty of time to do this and do this well