The Marathon: Part I

Sunday was the BIG DAY. The day that I have been training for since January. The day that I have been waiting for with nervous anticipation for the past few weeks.

It did not disappoint. I woke up early to make sure I had plenty of time to eat something, drink some water, and get all of my stuff organized. Best friend S and his parents met me and my family at our house and we all headed down to the start of the race together.

Before we separated from the group S's mom handed us each a card. They were from S's older sister who couldn't be there, it was such a sweet gesture. We visited with everyone for a little bit near the start and made our way over to the Race Start.

I had never raced in a race this big before so I didn't know what to expect but it was actually very low key. You just kind of found your place and waited for the countdown. This was where I was the most nervous. The moments before the countdown were when I started to sweat and wish that I was simply spectating. Then the countdown hit zero and there was no turning back.

We snaked our way through downtown Burlington and were barely into our second mile when I heard a phone ringing.

Really. A man next to me answered his phone.

"Hello? Yea... I'm running the marathon... can I call you back?"

ANSWERED HIS PHONE. DURING THE MARATHON.

It takes all kinds I guess!

We looped around and headed north to a section of the marathon that is a 6 mile out and back. (Three each way.) This part of the marathon did not have many fans so many of the men used it to relieve themselves in relative privacy. And by privacy I mean in front of 1,500 other racers.

I actually didn't mind this part because as I ran out the faster runners were coming back in. I felt great about my pace and it was motivating to see the fastest runners in the race. It was during this leg that I saw three of my friends (two ahead, one behind) and it was fun to cheer for them and be cheered for BY them.

After running a marathon I will never, ever doubt the impact of the words and encouragement from spectators. It is truly amazing.

I started to slow down on the long gradual uphill at this point and was passed by the 3:30 finish pacers. Wow. I was impressed with myself- - I could still slow down considerably and still might make my 4 hour goal of a finish time!

As I crested the hill of this leg, I was passed by yet another pacing group. The 3:40's. Okay... I still had twenty minutes to account for if I could keep this pace going. I came off of the beltline and was greeted by one of my friends cheering. It was so excited to hear your name while you're out there running. It really is.

We wove our way back downtown and it was at this point that I saw my family for the first time since I started- - at mile 9. It was so exciting! My aunt handed me a wet paper towel as I ran by and it felt SO good to clean my face and hands. You wouldn't necessarily think so, but running is a very dirty/sticky sport. I was really hoping for some Bloks or Gu at this point, and I thought my mom would have them ready but I think they weren't quite sure how to get them to me and I wasn't sure that I wanted to wait for them, so I just kept running.

That? Was a big mistake.

Miles 9-14 were, in one word, pure MISERY. Luckily at mile 11 my dad HAPPENED to be on the street that I was running down. Thank god for that familiar, encouraging voice and face because I was ready to run STRAIGHT to the car. I'm not sure what happened mentally/physically/emotionally but at this point I could have called it quits. I felt like I was going SO SLOWLY and would NEVER reach the end. AND? I was barely halfway done.

At mile 11.5 I thought I heard my name but didn't see anyone I knew in the vicinity so I just kept running. Then, I heard my full name. I turned my head slightly and saw someone standing on the side of the road in a hot dog suit waving their hands, cheering for me. I still have NO idea who it was, but god bless them. They got me through mile 13.1.

Reaching the halfway point was bittersweet. I wanted to be proud of myself but it was a huge relay exchange so the new, fresh, runners kept BLOWING by me which was pretty disheartening. Also- - thinking about the last 13.1 miles and knowing you're about to do them ALL OVER AGAIN... made me want to find the nearest tree, curl up in a ball behind it, and cry.

Luckily miles 13 and 14 were flat, easy and heading back towards downtown. You could see the hotel we were running towards the entire time which was sort of like a beacon of light- -getting closer, and closer... and then all of a sudden you're almost to mile 15 and climbing the steepest hill of the race.

Really. And at the bottom of the hill there were Taiko drummers. It was probably the most ominous choice of music at that point. Like I was trying to outrun a tribal ritual where they eat you for dinner after you're grilled alive.

I'm not even kidding.

I knew my family was going to be around this point so I kept my eyes, up, focused and scanned the crowd the entire way up the hill. It might have cost me a few seconds, but finding them was super important to me at that point. I still had eleven miles to go and I needed encouragement.

As I almost reached the peak of the hill I saw Sister 2's skinny arm waving ahead. Then my eyes focused and I saw my whole family, my aunt, my uncle, the boys, and S's parents. Until you've run a marathon and have spent the last 14.5 miles gruelingly putting one foot in front of another, I don't think you can EVER truly appreciate having your whole family in once place, cheering for you. It was exactly what I needed. I ran straight over to them, and Sister4 had thoughtfully put two Bloks in her outstretched hand. I grabbed both of them and took one step. The first one fell out. I took another step and the second one fell.

DAMN IT.

The Marathon

Is on Sunday. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! It felt SO far away in January and February and all of the sudden. BAM. Here I am packing my sneakers, making a playlist for my ipod and icing my knee.

Yea... my knee. I did something to it about three weeks ago and haven't been able to run more than 3 miles at once since then. I'm extremely nervous for Sunday but hope that the adrenaline of actually being IN THE RACE will get me through it. I went to see a joint doctor, but he couldn't find anything seriously wrong so he prescribed an anti-inflammatory.

After training for this thing since JANUARY THIRD I will be more than devastated if I can't finish. Not to mention we've planned a rocking post-marathon party that well... would be embarrassing to attend if I didn't RUN the marathon.

At this point though, I feel great about all of my training and how I've prepared. I just hope it all pays off on Sunday.

Send me good (fast! HEALTHY!) thoughts!

Miles to go Before I Sleep

Today I had my longest run to date- - 20 miles. I know! I’m sitting on the couch now and I ache and it’s a little hard to go down the stairs, but overall? I feel pretty fantastic. If I had any doubt about my ability to actually do this- - to run 26.2 miles- - I think I can safely say it’s quelled. This was probably my slowest run yet (roughly 9 min/mile) but I have to expect that as the distances increase my time will decrease.

That IS how it works, RIGHT?!?

I wish I there was someway I could record my stream of thought while I’m out running because I’m never sure exactly how I get to certain inner monologues and honestly, it’s kind of fascinating. I was running for 2 hours and 45 minutes today.

PLENTY of time to cover a WHOLE LOT of topics in my head.

What I like the most though is when I’m so absorbed in thought that I don’t think about the act of running- - putting one foot in front of the other, how my right knee pulsates every time I step, how my outer foot bones and big left toe ache or how I’d give ANYTHING to trade places with the windsurfers in the water.

That’s definitely one thing I thought about today. As I rounded the corner and the beach came into full view I saw four people standing erect on top of the water, pulling on the strings of their sail to catch the best wind. At that moment, there was nothing I wanted more than to give my body to the wind, to let it take me wherever it wanted, to be weightless for a moment.

Instead, I took a deep breath of salt air, relished in the beauty of the ocean and the area that I live, and put one foot, once again, in front of the other.

1/2 Marathon, etc

I was home (again) this weekend to run in the Vermont 1/2 Marathon Unplugged. I was really nervous because it was the first really official race I've ever run. I've run two 5k's before, one with timing chips, one without, but they paled in comparison to the seriousness of this one.

My mom and sister 3 woke up early with me and dropped S and I off at the start. They stayed for the start of the race then drove ahead to a checkpoint along the way to cheer us on. We thought that they'd then head to the finish to watch us, but they surprised us by stopping at one more stop before the end! I was amazed at how motivating it was to have people you know on the sidelines cheering for you. It definitely gave me the endurance push I needed to get to the end.

I had lost S by mile 5 (speedy- - whatever) but at the very end of the race you have to loop around and come back so we ended up passing each other with less than a mile left to go! S finished at 1:38 and walked back to find me and ran the last .25mile with me (all uphill). I don't know HOW he had the stamina to do that but it REALLY made me want to run faster because he was doing it for the SECOND time and still encouraging me. Yikes.

I finished at 1:48:40.

Being that this is my first real race I have NO sense of how that is overall for me, but I was excited!!! Less than two hours AND if I can keep that pace up for the FULL marathon I think I'll finish under 4 hours which is my goal!

My legs have been sore since Sunday which is a little unusual for me but I'm hoping some serious stretching between now and my 20miles on Friday should do the trick. My ass is also killing me due to my new love of regular underwear. After wearing thongs for the past 10 years my lower cheeks are having a hard time getting used to elastic digging into them (maybe that says something about the size of them?!?!). It's better than the alternative though- - chafing. I won't even GET into those details here. You can thank me later.

Marathon Update

My sister has officially QUIT the marathon. What a loser. I cannot believe it. The whole reason I’ve been so dedicated to this training is because she was doing it with me. I had someone to commiserate with and someone to complain to and someone to head out on 10+ mile runs with.

Now? I come back from long runs and she’s freshly showered drinking a glass of wine.

B*tch.

We’re all signed up to run a ½ marathon this weekend to practice for the big day and I think she’ll still do that with us, but… it’s not the same as running the marathon with us. I hope she changes her mind before then but, if you know my sister, you KNOW that’s probably not happening. Once her mind is made up there is NO turning back.

The training has been going surprisingly well. It was warm-ish while I was in Vermont for two weeks so I got all of my runs in. I was supposed to run 19 miles last weekend, but I was home for Easter and a bridal shower and out drinking every night and the days just got away from me. That is the ONLY run that I’ve skipped this entire time so I hope it doesn’t hinder my training and ability to run the full marathon too much, but… the weekend was a freakin’ blast so I’m not TOO worried about it.

We’re on the downward slope of all of this training and I can’t wait until it’s over. Although, I’m not sure WHAT I’m going to do with all of this extra time. I haven’t quite figured out if this training has turned me into a runner or if I’m still just someone who runs occasionally. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

MARATHON MONDAY

It's Monday b*tches and I've got the marathon update. M-1; Every other Monday-3.
Here's the update

T-4miles- 31:16- 7:15/mile
W- 7 miles- 58:05-7:50/mile
Th- 4 miles- only managed 3- 22:18-7:25/mile
F- 14m- 1:56:32- 8:09/mile

I really liked getting the long run over with on Friday. We have time after school to get it in before it gets too dark and this way, especially because I had to teach Jazz on Saturday morning, I can plan some other things on the weekends.

I was NERVOUS for those 14 miles, but they went surprisingly well. A few miles were REALLY hard and it was windy. I really slowed down at the end which makes me wonder if I need to start running with water/snacks. I've never run with water or snacks before but I think I need to start practicing. Getting through 26.2 miles without some food might make me TIRED.
*********************************************
I've decided to give up shopping, going out to eat, and dessert for Lent. I know I'm a little late, but I hope that I can stick to it. With at least two (maybe three) weddings this summer, I've got to GET SKINNY.

A Marathon Update

Lately, I suck at life.

Examples:

1) I picked a fight with Jax Monday/Tuesday just because I was being needy and unreasonable. I am RARELY either of those two things. Really. Ask my mom. (In my defense, I didn't like his reaction/answers to my concerns/questions so it was a LITTLE legitimate.)

2)We had a snow day Tuesday and I FELL ASLEEP READING. Not only do I not nap, I NEVER fall asleep reading.

3) I ran 7 miles yesterday afternoon at 7:50/mile which, if you've been paying attention, is MUCH slower than I've been running.

4) I was on the treadmill this morning getting my 4 miles in and HAD TO STOP AT 3. I TURNED THE TREADMILL OFF AND GOT OFF AFTER THREE MILES. I WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN 4! WHAT THE EFFFF?!?!?!?

I am NOT a quitter. I promise. I thought this week would be easier because I didn't have personal training boxing and regular boxing on Monday and didn't go to regular boxing on Wednesday. My body isn't working as hard as it usually is. I do NOT know why those 4 miles eluded me today but I am NOT happy about it. I wonder if I tried to do too much in too short a period of time. I ran from 3-4 taught jazz from 6-7 and was on the treadmill at 5:30am... maybe my body really couldn't handle it?

I don't know, but I'm going to need some motivation because getting off the treadmill early? Is NOT something I'd like to have happen again. It is totally discouraging and I feel like an out-of-shape loser.

I better kick those 14 mile's ass on Saturday.

Marathon TUESDAY

Yea yea, I admit it. I'm a Marathon Monday FAILURE, Marathon TUESDAY it is. Last week was a tapering week before upping the mileage this week.

T- 3m- 23:02/7:10mile
W-6m-7:40/mile- we had a snow day on Wednesday so we ran in TONS of snow outside. It was slow-going, but fun!
T-3m- 23:15/7:14/mile
S- 9m- 7:40/mile. The long run this weekend was done in VT and let me tell you... those hills kicked my BUTT. I didn't realize how FLAT it was around CT. My glutes are still letting me know... OIY!

This week we're running 4;7;4;14. 14 miles... will be the longest I've EVER run. I'm a little nervous!

Marathon Monday

ON TUESDAY AGAIN! GAHHHHH! I SUCK!

T- 3m- 23:42; 7:23/mile
W- 6m- 47:41; 7:33/mile
H-3m- 24:00; 7:28/mile
S- 12m-1:38:12; 7:50/mile

It's interesting that I get slower as the week progresses...I wonder what that's all about. The 12 miles actually went REALLY well. It was freezing (again) but I felt great and didn't get too fatigued.

I am still waiting for that runner's high to hit, but while I'm running sometimes I do get pretty impressed with myself.

Really.

If my inner-monologue while running could be broadcast live I'm sure it would be a HIT.

Sometimes I pretend that I'm running in the actual race and my friends and family are on the sidelines cheering and waving as I pass.

Sometimes, when I think about what I'm actually doing. Training to run 26.2 miles. AT ONCE. And think about how dedicated I've been to this goal, I'll say to myself, "you go girl! You can do ANYTHING! You run that race! Show 'em how it's done!"

And I feel like I'm on top of the world.

While I'm running in sub-zero temperatures, by myself, in southwestern Connecticut.

The power of the mind.

Good thing I never claimed to be normal...

Marathon Monday

or Tuesday as it's becoming...

Last week was our fourth week of training for the marathon. I cannot believe it. It is really going by so quickly. The three mile runs are getting easier and easier and almost...enjoyable?!?!?! It's CAH-RAZY.

The rundown for last week went:

T- 3m- 24:07-7:32/mile
W- 6m- 48:21- 7:40/mile
Th-3m- 23:59- 7:28/mile
S- 11m- myipodstoppedtwomilesinDAMNIT. Estimating about 8:20/mile

Last week I felt GREAT about running. Then Saturday came. I had the BEST attitude about it. It was FREEZING cold (11 degrees) so Friday afternoon my sister and I went out to get some cold-weather gear. We were prepared mentally and physically for the run. Unfortunately my ipod stopped working two miles into it. I over-layered on my top half and only had one layer on my bottom half. That? Was a mistake. Those of you who know me in real life no that, by nature, I'm a sweat-er. I think about working out and I sweat. Well...Saturday was no exception. I was sweating like crazy, my pants froze to my back, my shirt froze to my pants and my left pointer-toenail dug into my middle-toe so much it bled and stained my socks AND shoes.

I have completely blocked Saturday's run from my mind and hope that this Saturday's 13miler goes MUCH more smoothly...

Zero Progress

I've been feeling pretty good about myself lately with all of my marathon training, teaching more Jazzercise than I have since I moved down here, and eating well. My clothes are fitting differently, I feel differently, and I thought I was really on my way to making some progress in the weight-loss department.

I just weighed myself for the first time since Christmas.

I'm into the fourth week of marathon training and have added 15+miles into my workout routine weekly.

I weigh EXACTLY THE SAME AS I DID AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

This? ISNOTCOOL.

Marathon Monday

I know, it’s Tuesday. Apologies. Here’s my marathon update!

T- 3m- 24:12minutes; 7:32/mile. OUTSIDE! IN THE MORNING!

W- 5m-38:31; 7:39/mile. Outside!

Th-3m-24:21; 7:35/mile. Treadmill.

F- REST!

S- 6m- 47:55; 7:55- Outside on Boston Harbor!

Marathon Monday

Wow. This Marathon Monday came up quick! I can't believe it's been two weeks of training already. I'm still feeling pretty good and motivated which is awesome!

T- 3miles- 25:77; 8:02/mile
W- 5 miles- 40:11, 7:46/mile
Th- 3 miles- 25:14, 7:40/mile
Sat- 9 miles- 75 minutes, 7:59/mile

This week should be relatively easy with another set of 3,5,3 miles then just 6 on Saturday!

Marathon Monday

Welcome to my new weekly update- Marathon Monday!

Here's last week's totals

Tuesday- 3 miles, 5:30am, treadmill, 26min, 7:59/mile
Wednesday- 5 miles; 3:04pm, outside!, 41:39, 7:54/mile
Thursday- 3 miles, 5:30am, treadmill, 25:05, 7:55/mile
Friday- REST!
Saturday- 8 miles, 9:30am, outside!, 66:12, 7:56/mile
Sunday- cross train- boxing

It's basically the same schedule this week, but with 9 miles on Saturday!

Motivation

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Trying to let my mind run my body.