Minimal

I spent the better half of last week (read: all of it) doing my best to recover from a nasty cold. I missed two and a half days of work and had to compromise my partying in addition to my running. I was only able to run five miles on Saturday morning, which is the grand mileage total for the week! (I suppose with all the mileage PR's I set in the fall, a mileage PW was bound to happen ;))

Armed with chicken soup, orange juice, hot tea, cough drops, and nyquil, (as well as a few drinkies on Saturday) I fought back the germs and am now feeling a lot better. My schedule is insane right now, so I'm finding it hard to fit in a run, but I figure that can't be the worst thing for me while I'm recovering (from a marathon and being sick). Yesterday and today, however, I managed some running.

Yesterday: after a long Monday (you know how it is), I came home weary and hungry. I used a few dried apricots to stop the growling stomach and hopped on the treadmill. My plan was to run a couple miles and see if I felt like continuing. I found it hard to stick to a nine-minute pace; for some reason my legs wanted to go faster. Huh. I indulged them but still pulled back on the speed because why push it. In the end, I ran about 4.2 mile in 44 minutes.

Today was a fun one. I got home much earlier and was quite excited to hit up the park, despite the fading daylight. I just wanted to enjoy this run. My splits were not my doing--the legs just wanted to roll.
One: 8:22
Two: 8:16
Three: 8:13
Four: 8:30
Five: 8:49
Six:8:41
~50:54

Yeah, I don't know either. Let it be known that I tried to slow on miles four and five, but I don't exactly count 8:30 pace as slowing (if you are me). Whatever--it was a great run, but there was a downside. I ran so fast I lost an earring! (or at least that is my theory..) It would not be the first time I lost something on a run, but it's never a good feeling to discover a missing item. I doubt I'll get it back (and it was somewhat sentimental..) but what can I do. Life goes on.

Running will be few and far between in the next couple weeks. Holiday travel and outrageous time zone adjustments will not be in my favor. I'm going to employ the "take it one day at a time" school of thought and hope that my running shoes do more than just take up space in my suitcase.

sick

Usually I make it until January before I catch what everyone else has. But this year, it's pre-holidays. Or, rather, during the holidays. So I'm home today, resting and not running.

After a big marathon performance, it's understandable to take some time off. So being sick right now isn't really bothering me too much. But I am eager to get back to my regular running schedule (and not be sick anymore!).

Last week was really busy, but I managed to run about 18 miles: Five on Tuesday, two Thursday morning (morning!!), five and a half Friday afternoon, and six on Saturday. All of these runs were great! No aches, just fun.

I'm still reveling in the PR/sub-four glory from Philly. Despite it being over two weeks ago, it's still very much in the forefront of my mind. Having my family there was an amazing blessing! While I have no marathon plans in the near future, I'm always thinking about running and how I can best enjoy it. It's a tough balance between performance and enjoyment, but I really try to find the perfect mix. I'm starting to think about goals for twenty-ten, but for now, I'm going to try to get healthy and enjoy the holidays!

Recovery

Pfitz not only puts forth an intense marathon training program, he also has a pretty tough recovery schedule. I've been doing about half of what he suggests..and doing it on my own terms. No need to rush this process.

While my legs are feeling great, I know that there is all kinds of muscle damage that needs to heal after a rigorous 26.2 mile effort. Therefore, my re-entrance into the running world started with two easy miles on Thursday (Thanksgiving). I've always loved running on holidays , so I was thrilled when I felt good enough to venture over to the rez and run around it! It was only twenty minutes (I ran home too!), but I loved every minute of it! It's funny how much better I felt on this run than I did on the one last Thursday (was too nervous to enjoy that one..).

Here's a pic of me with my Philly shirt running (jogging) the rez--the best place to do a recovery run! Saturday was also a short one--3 miles, again with the rez. And Sunday was the same. It was fun to just get out there and move the legs. I felt great on all these runs and hope to get back up to six or seven by this weekend. But I'm taking it slow. I'm also doing lots of rolling, stretching, and eating! This is all good recovery stuff.

"A" Goal in the Bag

Feeling much less sore.. So here's how the show went down..
Saturday--I did my traditional one mile run to loosen up and stretch. Now here's the thing-- I was having some crazy ankle pain that kept coming and going all last week. It seemed to intensify on Friday and stayed with me Saturday. I was able to run okay, but it constantly hurt afterward. I tried to ignore it because the truth is, I hadn't done anything to it!!

Soon we were on our way to Philly via the megabus. After a short ride, it was time to check into the hotel and head to the Expo. I met K of Team Stick, who was also running the thon. We were both trying to stifle our unwanted race-week-appearing ailments. Not good. Anyway, anxiety was high -- I lost it on a street corner minutes before entering the expo. But pulled it together to get the bib, d-tag, pace band, etc.

Dinner was with a bunch of Flyers at a nearby restaurant. Luckily, I had lots of pep talks and reassurances from friends. Thank you Lam! and Flyers DK, JB, and DG!!

After the worst night's sleep (ankle pain, restlessness, marathon-themed nightmares, etc), I woke up at 4:30a and realized it was go-time. Breakfast was three-quarters of a bagel with pb and "sports drink" endorsed by Brian Sell.

My husband (best fan ever!!) walked with me to the start at oh-five-forty-five-hundred hours. He got to see the typical start line madness: lengthy lines for the porta-potties, chaotic bag check, confusion re: starting corrals, etc. Also, he had to deal with me, and I was quite the mess. He handed me off to some Flyers friends at the start and I tried to settle my nerves.

The actual race was rather dreamlike. I just tried to run solid. I felt light and strong. It was fun looking for family and friends along the course. Everyone was so encouraging. My feelings ranged from strong, steady, fast, terrified, nauseous, injured? The first half was kinda fun. The course was mostly flat, but there were some cat hill type hills. I realized I was on pace for a sub-four, especially at the half. I'm not sure of my exact split, but it was either 1:57 or 1:58. I felt I had another sub-two half in me, but I was concerned about injury. Of course, my knee had to speak up around mile 22. Since I had a pretty decent time buffer, I pulled over a few times to stretch (after mile 22, 23, and 24). I KNOW I could've run faster, but I didn't want to risk injury. Instead, I slowed to nine-somethings. After mile 25, it was obvious I could've crawled to the finish in under four hours (I exaggerate some..)

Flyer EA was on roller blades and skated a bit with me to keep me going--that was awesome!! (though against course rules..) I declared to him, "I am never doing this again!" He replied, "Well, do it now. Do it today." I thought that was perfect! I pushed on and finally saw the finish line signs..and then the finish line.. And I crossed at 3:55.29. Besides elation, I felt an enormous sense of relief. And pain all over. But that's expected ;)

Soon I found K of TS, who had killed her previous time with a PR of 3:16! Wow!There were lots of Flyer PRs--all of you rock!! I reunited with the fam (best fans ever!!) and we took lots of pics. I rode the high all through the day~

Refueling was difficult for some reason. I had no appetite but was clearly starving. I think ingesting those gu's are killer for me (I nursed two of them between miles 5-10 and 14-20, respectively). Ick!

Now for splits (note: I forgot to press the lap button at a couple mile markers b/c I was distracted with the H2O sitch--it was pretty crazy trying to hydrate and not get trampled..)

1) 9:08

2) 9:07

3) 9:06
4) 9:31 (I believe there was a hill? Not sure why the slow-down)

5) 8:53

6) 8:52

7) 8:50

8) 9:02

9) 8:51

10) 8:58

11 & 12) 9:54; 7:55 (got distracted..)

13 & 14) 9:48; 7:50 (again, hit the lap button late..)

15) 8:39

16) 8:50

17) 8:44

18) 8:54

19) 8:53

20) 8:57

21) 8:57

22) 8:39 (ha! I love this one!)

23) 9:07 (stopped the first time to stretch the IT)

24 & 25) 19:05 (I have no idea what happened--forgot to press lap. Also stretched twice)

26.2) 10:59 (there was no mile 26?? averages to 8:49 pace)

Total: 3:55.29

Pace: 8:59

My thoughts: This was a fantastic outcome! I accomplished my "A" goal and ended up with a terrific experience! Thank you to all who were out there cheering and supporting!! And congratulations to everyone who PR'ed!

Tenth Time's the Charm

I finally broke four hours!! My official time from yesterday's Philadelphia Marathon was 3:55.29. I'm still a bit in shock--and crazy sore!!

(apparently, I'm tangent-running challenged..) More to come!!

683 miles later

Training for Philly began 683 miles ago..on July 20. In the past eighteen weeks, I've done everything I can to prepare for tomorrow's race.

I am filled to the brim with intense emotions. Mostly nervousness. Also fear. And some trepidation. There's a solid cup of excitement in there as well.

In just a few hours, I'll be at the Expo, picking up my bib and all that jazz. Dinner will be with a bunch of Flyers. And then it will be downtime. And bedtime.

I will try my best to kick some asphalt tomorrow! Or as my fourthers put it in a song they sang to me yesterday: Have fun, and be sure to run fast!!

The First Nine

Philly will be my tenth marathon. I am not a marathon fanatic--I've done approximately one per year since 2000. But they have all been very special experiences, and before I add #10 to my collection, I thought I'd revisit the first nine. *Be warned--this is extensive*

1. Madison Marathon: May 28, 2000

Time: 4:28

I blogged about this one once before--when I was dealing with major injury in 2007 and posting about past races. Here is the link: first marathon. If that's too much to read (I get it), then here are a few pictures which had to be scanned b/c of the non-digital photog equipment of that era (thanks for sending, Mom!). In them you will see: my dad! (check out his video cam!), me at the finish (stupefied), two of the Sticks and me pre-race about to check out bags on the school bus!

Me crossing the finish line; the Sticks and I dressing/deciding what to check; me with my finishing medal; running the course.
Running the course on the UW campus, with L of Team Stick post race; heading toward the finish line; with the other L post race. What a day!


2. Green Bay Marathon: June 24, 2001
Time: 5:12

This one was about a year after my first. It was approached with a very sophomoric attitude. I had finished one marathon and had the mistaken thought that any subsequent marathons would be much easier. Therefore, I haphazardly trained. Since I had created detailed training plans for Madison, I tried to copy these for Green Bay, but not with the diligence or seriousness that perhaps I should have. I felt ready on race day, but I was not prepared for the high temperatures. It was above 80 at 8am! And humid. Things I remember about this race: I was a very recent college grad; C of TS ran the half; there was a part of the course on a trail with trees on either side--the sun was directly overhead at this point and no breeze could penetrate the trees--this was in the latter part of the thon; I'm pretty sure I hit the wall; I saw a runner chug a can of pepsi b/c she was so desperate for the caffeine; I was delirious and laughing quite hard when I arrived at mile 24 or so; C helped me make my way to the finish line, slightly amused at my deliriousness. I got sick and dizzy and pretty dehydrated. Not my best experience, but another marathon finish (see pic below for finish line crossing).

3. Country Music Marathon: April 25, 2002

Time: 5:15

Another "learning experience." The course was quite hilly. Since I was living in Illinois at the time, I lacked the hills necessary to train properly for this course. I went to Nashville with C of Team Stick. We had a great time at the Expo and tooling around the city the day before--though we realized the hills were outrageous! (The course has since changed, I am told.) The race began well. I ran steady and felt good. Then I arrived at mile 19 and hit the wall, or as I like to remember it: hit the hill. I was completely spent and used every last bit of energy to keep myself moving toward the finish line. I walked A LOT! And when I finally finished, I was spent and near tears. I felt I had failed, because I had actually trained quite hard for it. But I am not one to dwell on disappointments, and soon I found myself happily eating potato chips (presumably for the salt), which later caused me quite a bit of sickness. C no longer permits me to eat potato chips post-race. After this race, my energies centered around thoroughly training for Chicago that fall. This was not meant to be; instead I spent many months (August- March) nursing a bad case of plantar fascitis. Not good times, folks. Pics: me about to finish the CMM.

With C at the finish line holding back the tears. Wah.

4. Chicago: October 12, 2003

This race is a long story. I will not tell all of it. The short story is that it was a beautiful day in Chicago and I had an absolute blast! My time was horrid, but that was not the point. The point was that I proved to myself that I could run 26.2 miles and totally enjoy myself. Life is not always a bowl of peaches (or whatever the saying is). I had a lot going on and held onto running as my saving grace. This marathon was memorable in so many ways--my favorite memory from that day was when I saw my dad around the half-way point and he said, "See you on the South Side!" Makes me laugh to this day--he was not going to let me give up. Pic is me before the race. Like I said, gorgeous day! (And see--I ran with a bandanna on my head back then ;))

5. Cincinatti Flying Pig: May 2, 2004

Time: 4:11.55

Finally! A marathon to write home about! This was a huge PR for me--I hadn't come anywhere near my first marathon's 4:28 before this race. I was told Cinci was hilly. I didn't notice any hills. That's because it rained (poured, really) the entire time! I had the worst morning experience that day too--one bite of a bagel for breakfast, hotel coffee (in a styrofoam cup), and a surly hotel staff that refused to grant me a late check-out. I was beyond stressed out when I noticed the pitch-black, rainy conditions. I have to confess, I remember nothing about this race. Maybe a hint of mile ten. And a concern about a blister at one point. But nothing else. Until I finished. When I crossed the finish line, I was in for quite the surprise. My boyfriend showed up from New York to spectate! Of course, he had other reasons for coming-- later that night I officially became a fiancee. A marathon PR and an engagement ring--can't possibly top it! Here are pics: my face shortly after I realized my surprise fan ;)

still smiling after they put the Cubs hat on me.

trying to deal with wet clothes (of course, right after I finished the race, it stopped raining..)

BEST surprise EVER!!

6. Myrtle Beach: February 19, 2005

Time: 4:14.38

This one was nothing but fun! C joined me again. She even flew to New York one blistery January weekend to run a twenty mile training run with me--I believe we were two of 15 people running in Central Park that morning. New York got like 3 feet of snow. But I digress.. Myrtle Beach: I ran huge negative splits (2:14 and 2:00), I never hit the wall, I passed people like crazy at the end, and skipped the potato chips at the finish line (C was not allowing it). We did drink a few beers and schmoozed with the "stick people" (see pic). We also met Steve and Paula Boone on the shuttle back to the hotel. This was a great race!

7. Marine Corps Marathon: October 30, 2005

Time: 4:04.59 (PR)

Four of the Sticks participated in this one--that's what made it so special. I felt great -- and ran steady. My first half split was 2:06 and then I ran sub-nines until mile 23. I experienced the usual quads-on-fire/general crap feeling between miles 22-25. The worst was the .2 at the end: though theoretically short, they had a steep hill that I practically had to climb up on my hands and knees! But I crossed the finish line with a seven minute PR! A Lieutenant put my medal on and I remembered to say "Thank you, Lieutenant!" The Sticks and I had a great visit! Pics: C and I running and various brightroom snaps.

Wearing the purple shirts post-race, with the medals of course.

8. nyc '06.

Time: 5:05.38

Luckily, I have this one on the blog. Details are here. To summarize, I was on the fence about competing in this one. Injuries and lack of training stifled my chances of running a decent race. But I decided to go for it! I had a blast with the Flyers at Fort Wadsworth and just took it all in during the race. It was a gorgeous day! Pics: Me on the phone with my parents around mile 19--I wanted to tell them I was alright--they worry.

The homestretch--somewhere in Central Park.

Finishing! Yay!

9. nyc '08

Time: 4:43.24

Another one already on the blog: go here. I still had injuries woes (when haven't I?). But this was another fun one! I had so many spectators (family, sticks, and lots of students!) and totally enjoyed myself. I just tried to run steady and finish in one piece. Pics: an unknown mile.

In the park--very serious (because I was hurting, most likely..)

One of my favorite pictures by BC! Around mile 25. I was psyched and so happy! In my element!

Phew! That's all I've got so far! If you're still with me, thanks! As is apparent, I have experience, but it's not helping me relax for my upcoming tenth marathon. I am as giddy and nervous as a first-timer. I have no idea what to wear, what to eat, how to strategize.. I'm sure I'll figure it out since I have a one track mind right now--all marathon all the time.

post script: Saturday was five easy miles (48 min) in the park. Sunday was a tenner (1:35)--all systems a go. Today was a sixer in 54 min. Eight miles stand between now and the starting line of number ten~