4 weeks to go. Omg, 4 weeks to go! 28 days to go. 3 more long runs. I'm so excited, but so scared!
Last weeks training was still tough due to working late. I managed to get in one weekday run outside (thank you day light savings time!) Saturday it was an easy 12 miles around the Charles River. Gorgeous day! Sunny, breezy, about 40 degrees. I'm praying it can be like that on Marathon Monday. Afterwards the team went to Marathon Sports and I invested in a new pair of Brooks running shoes. I've heard they're the best. Can't wait to break them in. I also got "the stick"... a toothbrush for muscles. LOL. It (hopefully) will do wonders for sore legs. I checked out the official marathon jackets too and I'm very happy they aren't tacky looking this year. Super excited to (maybe) be able to sport one when I (successfully) finish!
Next week's 21 mile run starts at the actual start line in Hopkinton. After that the runs taper down. Marathon Monday will be here before I know it.
Omg, 4 weeks to go!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Week 13 - It hurts so good
That title is a lie. It hurt like a #@*%&!! Yesterday morning I pushed myself and did 18 miles. That was a mistake. It was my worst long run to date for a lot of reasons.
This past week work has been crazy. I was at the office each night until anywhere between 8pm and midnight. Back in some days at 7:30am. That wasn’t fun. Due to the late nights I didn’t get a single run in or any of my leg exercises (I can see my PT shaking his head). Healthy, hearty meals were impossible to squeeze in too, and I hate to admit it, but sometimes meals didn't happen at all. I knew all of this wasn’t going to add up to a decent long run and I was right. Fortunately I ran with a friend and she and I talked and laughed most of the way. That made the run go by seemingly fast and it was enjoyable until about mile 14 when everything was sore, my toes felt like they were going to fall off, my mood was insanely cranky, I was starving, and it seemed like Comm Ave. on the way back was NEVER going to end! My time was horrendous... about 4 hours. Ug!
On the plus side, the days are getting warmer and longer. Soon work will go back to normal and I'll be able to run in the evenings outside while it's still light out. Next week the long run is only 12 (ha, ONLY 12 - still cracks me up) and then I head over to Marathon Sports for some new sneakers - which will make my poor feet happy! Yay!
This past week work has been crazy. I was at the office each night until anywhere between 8pm and midnight. Back in some days at 7:30am. That wasn’t fun. Due to the late nights I didn’t get a single run in or any of my leg exercises (I can see my PT shaking his head). Healthy, hearty meals were impossible to squeeze in too, and I hate to admit it, but sometimes meals didn't happen at all. I knew all of this wasn’t going to add up to a decent long run and I was right. Fortunately I ran with a friend and she and I talked and laughed most of the way. That made the run go by seemingly fast and it was enjoyable until about mile 14 when everything was sore, my toes felt like they were going to fall off, my mood was insanely cranky, I was starving, and it seemed like Comm Ave. on the way back was NEVER going to end! My time was horrendous... about 4 hours. Ug!
On the plus side, the days are getting warmer and longer. Soon work will go back to normal and I'll be able to run in the evenings outside while it's still light out. Next week the long run is only 12 (ha, ONLY 12 - still cracks me up) and then I head over to Marathon Sports for some new sneakers - which will make my poor feet happy! Yay!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 12 - It's Complicated
The title of this post may be misleading. What I mean is that one would think running is simple. If you're mobile all you really need are sneakers. Once you start training, it's another story.
When you're running almost 30 miles per week there's a lot to do (and eat). Carbs, carbs, carbs, calories, and protein are most important. Timing of your meals is important too. Don't forget iron, fiber, and anti-oxidants! I'm hungry all the time! The good news is I can eat things high in calories and carbs and recover with things like chocolate milk and french toast. The bad news is I can't get out of a grocery store for much less than $100. Not to mention the gels, goos, etc to eat while running (personally I like York Peppermint Patties to as my "fuel").
There is a certain way to run too. Run like the Kenyans (so my PT says) by swinging your hips in a way that makes you propel forward. Runners also should have a specific breathing cadence, running stride, foot strike, and hold their arms and fingers in a certain way.
Training yourself to drink water and gatorade is important too. However, watch out for hyponatremia (overhydrating and lowering your blood-sodium levels). To the what now?
Replace your sneakers once they have about 450 miles on them (how one keeps good track of that, I do not know). Did I mention how expensive good running sneakers are?
Oh, and keep track of your heart rate through a monitor to know if you're working too hard or taking it too easy. This should be do-able for me since I own a heart rate monitor - but the batteries are dying. Where the heck does one go to get them replaced? Beats me! (Get it?)
Then there is the pain management. Ice baths, ice rubs, massages, and massage sticks (huh?). Don't take too many meds, but when sore take acetaminophen instead of an NSAID... or is it the other way around?
Ay ay ay! There is sooo much to remember and do while training and I've only scratched the surface with everything I've listed!
This past Saturday I did 16 miles in 3 hours and 45 seconds, AND took on Heartbrake Hill (again). I was stoked! The split is 11m17s... which is faster for me! I ran with a new friend and we passed the time talking. SO much better than running alone (or on that stupid thing called a treadmill). I was sore towards the end but not nearly as bad as when I did 17 miles. Plus, I could walk normal the next day! Haha.
6 weeks to go, and the 21 mile run is in 3 (the longest training run before the actual race). Getting excited, nervous, panicked, and more excited!
When you're running almost 30 miles per week there's a lot to do (and eat). Carbs, carbs, carbs, calories, and protein are most important. Timing of your meals is important too. Don't forget iron, fiber, and anti-oxidants! I'm hungry all the time! The good news is I can eat things high in calories and carbs and recover with things like chocolate milk and french toast. The bad news is I can't get out of a grocery store for much less than $100. Not to mention the gels, goos, etc to eat while running (personally I like York Peppermint Patties to as my "fuel").
There is a certain way to run too. Run like the Kenyans (so my PT says) by swinging your hips in a way that makes you propel forward. Runners also should have a specific breathing cadence, running stride, foot strike, and hold their arms and fingers in a certain way.
Training yourself to drink water and gatorade is important too. However, watch out for hyponatremia (overhydrating and lowering your blood-sodium levels). To the what now?
Replace your sneakers once they have about 450 miles on them (how one keeps good track of that, I do not know). Did I mention how expensive good running sneakers are?
Oh, and keep track of your heart rate through a monitor to know if you're working too hard or taking it too easy. This should be do-able for me since I own a heart rate monitor - but the batteries are dying. Where the heck does one go to get them replaced? Beats me! (Get it?)
Then there is the pain management. Ice baths, ice rubs, massages, and massage sticks (huh?). Don't take too many meds, but when sore take acetaminophen instead of an NSAID... or is it the other way around?
Ay ay ay! There is sooo much to remember and do while training and I've only scratched the surface with everything I've listed!
This past Saturday I did 16 miles in 3 hours and 45 seconds, AND took on Heartbrake Hill (again). I was stoked! The split is 11m17s... which is faster for me! I ran with a new friend and we passed the time talking. SO much better than running alone (or on that stupid thing called a treadmill). I was sore towards the end but not nearly as bad as when I did 17 miles. Plus, I could walk normal the next day! Haha.
6 weeks to go, and the 21 mile run is in 3 (the longest training run before the actual race). Getting excited, nervous, panicked, and more excited!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Week 11 - Colchester Half Marathon; official time 2:31:09
More than 23 minutes faster than my first half! I was very happy with this especially considering I was out sick last week and yet again, did a horrible job getting on the treadmill this past week. The Colchester half was a lot of fun. It was a perfect day for running and the course was scenic, and very rural. Ran by some cows, and even on some dirt roads. The hills were incredibly steep and some seemed to be never ending but the race coordinator would pop out of nowhere at the start of some. He had so much energy and passion that it helped get me to to the top. With a 1/4 mile left to go I saw a father/son team running a bit in front of us. The son couldn't have been more than 12 and I wasn't going to let a 12 year old beat me. I passed him... then found out he's only 9 years old. Even though I beat a 9 year old by only 15 seconds... my confidence has been restored! LOL!
7 weeks to go and I'm starting to get really nervous that April 18th is within the very near future, but also really excited. Fingers still crossed that the rest of training goes well!
March will be insanely challenging as it's the busiest month for me at work and I'm bound to be at the office really late each night this week, next week, and possibly the week after that. Not sure how and when I'll be able to get my weekday running in. Morning runs before work don't exactly work for me - they leave me a bit cranky and this month I can't be lashing out at my coworkers (as funny as that sounds, it's happened before and I don't want people to run the other way when they see me coming down the hall!) IF in fact I end up in the office past 8 it's highly unlikely I'll make it to the gym. All I can do is try to get all my work done in time and make the most of my Saturday long runs.
Next week, 15 miles.
7 weeks to go and I'm starting to get really nervous that April 18th is within the very near future, but also really excited. Fingers still crossed that the rest of training goes well!
March will be insanely challenging as it's the busiest month for me at work and I'm bound to be at the office really late each night this week, next week, and possibly the week after that. Not sure how and when I'll be able to get my weekday running in. Morning runs before work don't exactly work for me - they leave me a bit cranky and this month I can't be lashing out at my coworkers (as funny as that sounds, it's happened before and I don't want people to run the other way when they see me coming down the hall!) IF in fact I end up in the office past 8 it's highly unlikely I'll make it to the gym. All I can do is try to get all my work done in time and make the most of my Saturday long runs.
Next week, 15 miles.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Week 10 - Out Sick
I was looking forward to this past Saturdays run because it was ONLY 12 miles. (Makes me laugh every time I say "only" 12 miles) But, as luck would have it I had to sit this one out due to a lingering cough (I think caused by my 15 mile run 2 weeks ago) that went away and came back stronger, nastier, and with sneezing, runny nose, and sinus pressure =( Taking no chances I went to the doctor on Friday to see if she could give me a miracle drug to kick this out of my system in time for Saturday mornings run. To my dismay, there was no drug she could prescribe to get rid of my symptoms within 16 hours. She did give me a chest xray though... and there was nothing. Just a common cold that needed to run its course and prevent me from running mine.
Feeling better now and was able to run today and this past Monday. Will be running a half marathon in Colchester CT this Saturday. Hoping my race time will be a tiny bit faster than my training pace but we'll see since I have chosen to run yet another half that is NOTHING.BUT.HILLS! It will be good practice though and will be fun to break from the normal "out and backs" I've been doing in Wellesley.
Feeling better now and was able to run today and this past Monday. Will be running a half marathon in Colchester CT this Saturday. Hoping my race time will be a tiny bit faster than my training pace but we'll see since I have chosen to run yet another half that is NOTHING.BUT.HILLS! It will be good practice though and will be fun to break from the normal "out and backs" I've been doing in Wellesley.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Week 9 - I'm (more than) half way there!
17 miles D-O-N-E!
Saturday the Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles team was bussed out to mile 9 on the marathon course in Natick. We hopped off the bus and immediately started running towards the finish line in Boston.
On the bus and along the way I met two great young women who run at the same pace as I do so the three of us ran together and chatted the whole time. The conversation made the time pass as we ran through Wellesley and Newton. As we started the hills we kept our minds off the steady incline and kept our feet steadily moving.
It worked! As we passed Boston College and entered Brighton I said "We're done with Heartbreak Hill!" My two new friends gasped. We hadn't even noticed!
From there we weaved through the streets of Boston. Coming down into Kenmore Sq and seeing the Citgo sign was incredible... but I will tell you... there's still a ways to go once that sign is in view for the first time.
At this point it got tough. My hips, right knee, right ankle, thighs and calves were begging me to stop. The finish line was so close though and the support from my two teammates pushed me through.
Right onto Hereford, left onto Boylston and the finish was in sight. Dodging and getting around pedestrians on the sidewalk was like our real life version of Frogger. Some people didn't bother to listen as we called out "On your left!" Others gladly stepped out of the way for us and some gave us nice "You're almost there!" shout outs. (We were wearing our Children's Hospital singlets so people knew that we were training. If you ever see runners out on a training run, cheer for them! Those words of encouragement helped keep me going!)
Finally we finished! Sighs of relief and high fives all around! However, stopping was more painful. Walking up to wear our bags were at the BSC and going down the stairs was excruciating.... but knowing I had just finished my longest run to date made it well worth it.
After, we joined the team at the Rattlesnake for a celebratory drink and some re-fueling. Many teammates stood around and drank beers as if they'd just took a walk through the park. I had to sit, legs up, and could barely bring food to my mouth. Ha!
Looking forward to tapering off for a couple of weeks and then building back up to 21 miles - the longest I'll run before the actual race.
I've got 9 more weeks of training, 9 more miles to go and $1400 more to reach my fundraising goal of $4500! The fact that I have 17 miles under my belt, my official running singlet in hand, and have now seen what the majority of the route looks like... makes this very real! Ahhh! =)
Saturday the Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles team was bussed out to mile 9 on the marathon course in Natick. We hopped off the bus and immediately started running towards the finish line in Boston.
On the bus and along the way I met two great young women who run at the same pace as I do so the three of us ran together and chatted the whole time. The conversation made the time pass as we ran through Wellesley and Newton. As we started the hills we kept our minds off the steady incline and kept our feet steadily moving.
It worked! As we passed Boston College and entered Brighton I said "We're done with Heartbreak Hill!" My two new friends gasped. We hadn't even noticed!
From there we weaved through the streets of Boston. Coming down into Kenmore Sq and seeing the Citgo sign was incredible... but I will tell you... there's still a ways to go once that sign is in view for the first time.
At this point it got tough. My hips, right knee, right ankle, thighs and calves were begging me to stop. The finish line was so close though and the support from my two teammates pushed me through.
Right onto Hereford, left onto Boylston and the finish was in sight. Dodging and getting around pedestrians on the sidewalk was like our real life version of Frogger. Some people didn't bother to listen as we called out "On your left!" Others gladly stepped out of the way for us and some gave us nice "You're almost there!" shout outs. (We were wearing our Children's Hospital singlets so people knew that we were training. If you ever see runners out on a training run, cheer for them! Those words of encouragement helped keep me going!)
Finally we finished! Sighs of relief and high fives all around! However, stopping was more painful. Walking up to wear our bags were at the BSC and going down the stairs was excruciating.... but knowing I had just finished my longest run to date made it well worth it.
After, we joined the team at the Rattlesnake for a celebratory drink and some re-fueling. Many teammates stood around and drank beers as if they'd just took a walk through the park. I had to sit, legs up, and could barely bring food to my mouth. Ha!
Looking forward to tapering off for a couple of weeks and then building back up to 21 miles - the longest I'll run before the actual race.
I've got 9 more weeks of training, 9 more miles to go and $1400 more to reach my fundraising goal of $4500! The fact that I have 17 miles under my belt, my official running singlet in hand, and have now seen what the majority of the route looks like... makes this very real! Ahhh! =)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Week 8 - Sacrifices all around
Last week I was determined to get to the gym and on a treadmill 2-3 times. Monday I was all set and ready to bust out a couple of miles... then I got an email that my gym was closed due to a pipe bursting. So, I joined another gym. "I need a gym where I can always get a treadmill and I need a gym with space to stretch." I said to the manager at my soon to be 2nd gym. He said he could almost guarantee that even on the busiest nights there would always be a treadmill open. Then he asked what my goals were. "I'm running the marathon... also, I've got to get on a treadmill now... I have an hour until I need to leave for my hockey game." The man looked at me like I was some sort of super girl jock and then kind of giggled when he sized me up. He gladly signed me up, ran my credit card, and let me get to it. Would you believe there were no treadmills free? Ug! Elliptical it was. Oh well. At least I got some running in at hockey. Hit the treadmill Wednesday and Thursday for 4-5 miles. That machine continues to be the most boring thing ever but at least I can watch American Idol to make the time go by.
The hockey season has 2 more games left and then I'm taking a season off. I'll miss the team but I've got to focus on getting the week day running in from here til April 18th. The ski slopes will have to wait til next season to see me again, too. I've also given up alcohol entirely (well almost entirely, I'm allowed 3 exceptions) from now til I cross the finish line. I've kissed fun Friday nights goodbye as well. Nothing but dinner in, a netflix, and an early bedtime for this girl due to 7am wake up calls for the Saturday morning long runs. It will all be worth it!
Speaking of long runs... this past Saturday I completed my longest distance yet! 15 miles in 2hours58mins and 25 seconds. Slow, but 3 hours or less was my goal so I was more than happy! It hurt towards the end... hips, knees, and ankles but I pushed through by yelling and swearing at myself. The local people out walking their dogs must have thought I was crazy! Fine by me... whatever it takes to get this DUN!
This Saturday 17 miles... starting at mile 9 on the course through the finish line... meaning I'll attack heart break hill for the first time!
The hockey season has 2 more games left and then I'm taking a season off. I'll miss the team but I've got to focus on getting the week day running in from here til April 18th. The ski slopes will have to wait til next season to see me again, too. I've also given up alcohol entirely (well almost entirely, I'm allowed 3 exceptions) from now til I cross the finish line. I've kissed fun Friday nights goodbye as well. Nothing but dinner in, a netflix, and an early bedtime for this girl due to 7am wake up calls for the Saturday morning long runs. It will all be worth it!
Speaking of long runs... this past Saturday I completed my longest distance yet! 15 miles in 2hours58mins and 25 seconds. Slow, but 3 hours or less was my goal so I was more than happy! It hurt towards the end... hips, knees, and ankles but I pushed through by yelling and swearing at myself. The local people out walking their dogs must have thought I was crazy! Fine by me... whatever it takes to get this DUN!
This Saturday 17 miles... starting at mile 9 on the course through the finish line... meaning I'll attack heart break hill for the first time!
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