I was sooo nervous about this past Saturday.
Friday night I got in a good meal and went to bed early. 5:45am wake up call came real fast. Headed to the bus pick up and it was freezing. The ride out to Hopkinton was looong. The guy I sat next to said "There's only one way back" as the bus pulled towards the starting line. I thought to myself, "If this run doesnt go well, I'm so screwed."
I started running and kept thinking about what the coaches had told us. "This is a training run... do not give it your all... save it for the actual marathon." and "Pace yourself... the down hill at the beginning can fool you." The beginning of the course is downhill which is tricky... I wanted to use that to my advantage but that'd only get me in the end. I got out of Hopkinton and into Ashland without a problem. My friend and I got excited everytime we saw the next "Entering the town of" sign. Then into Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley. I passed the spot where Children's first cheer station is going to be and tried picturing everyone there. This was at about mile 14. "7 more to go for today" I said to myself. Things started to feel sore at this point. Came to the end of Route 16 and turned the corner. Entered the town of Newton and approached mile 17 and the last water stop... right before all the hills. "Oh shit" I said to my friend as I sucked down a Gu Gel (an energy gel that gives you caffeine, calories, and carbs so one can keep going - at first I thought they were nasty but I've gotten used to them). 4 miles of hills and we were done. Easier said then done is an obvious understatement. I looked at my time and I wasn't doing too bad... maybe I could do this in 4 hours? Up I went, and up, and up, and up. Other charity teams were out there as well and their stopping points were sooner than mine. Their volunteers and coaches were so great and cheered for us too as well as shouted out advice. "One more mile, keep your shoulders relaxed, keep your stride, you'll be there in no time" one man said. I can't tell you how important words like that are.
At one point I really thought that it would never be over. I told myself "You'll just keep running... the finish will never come... you'll never sleep again... you'll just be running forever." It seriously felt like that. And finally, the finish was approaching... or was it another water stop? Nope, it was the finish... thank god!
Done in 4 hours 5 minutes and 40 seconds! I was incredibly sore and so glad it was over but knew if I absolutely had to go another 5.2 miles, I could!
That night I was tired and sore but wasn't gimping around like I have after some past long runs. Took Sunday as my rest day and thought I'd need Monday too... but today I was actually able to go running. So, this long run did not kick my ass like I thought it would and my recovery time is shorter.
Now I taper off big time until race day... which is in just 3 short weeks.
I'm so excited... I think I'm going to actually pull this thing off!!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week 14 - The countdown is on; the jacket is so cute!
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!
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!
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! =)
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