A Month. . .A Month until the Marathon

I can't believe it, just 4 weeks from today is my big marathon debut. In celebration, this week was an EASY week. I found myself with pile of mending staring at me and yet, my body demanded the rest. I was good and listened--no mending for me--instead, I watched the Boston marathon video on my computer and went to bed early every night. Even had drinks with some girlfriends and a girls night out with my book club.

As for running, my weekly mileage cut back to half and my "long" run was a race today. My husband and I ran 5 miles easy together on Saturday and then I raced 5 today in Marblehead--a beautiful community (the sailboat capital of New England) right next to Salem. We ran around Marblehead neck which is a hilly island with a lot of beautiful multimillion dollar houses all around it with ocean views. The weather was HOT and the race was at the hottest part of the day today-2 pm. I did a half mile warm up, an understatement in mid 80 temps after weeks of mid 50 and under, and a half mile cool down. I ran into some friends from the running club I hadn't seen in a while due to different schedules and race training plans. Here is my friend John and I in the first mile (I am not too drenched with sweat yet. . . ).

The race verdict. . . besides that it was HOT, did I mention it was HOT? I finished a little slower than I would have liked, but managed to pull off a 7th place in my division (7th out of 47 women 20-29 years old) and 129th out of 440 runners.

Now I just have a hard week and my longest run yet this week (22 miles) and then begin to taper for the marathon!!! Here's for hoping for cooler weather Memorial Day weekend!

Volunteering for the Boston Marathon

The big day for so many runners came today--the Boston Marathon. While many friends and training buddies were running, I decided it was worth checking out from the volunteer side. . .

My marathon training partner and I ran 20 miles on Saturday in Boston along the Charles River--so nice--traveling from Boston, through Cambridge, and back around into Boston where we met our spouses and friend for brunch and a walk through the city. It was a nice 53 degrees and this felt hot to us after training in single digits for so long. We had a great run, with the first 17-17.5 going great and the last 2.5 ish not feeling so hot. Apparently we both felt fine Sunday, so we attributed it to an increased calorie need throughout the run--more "gu" needed.

That said, we found ourselves "out in front" so to speak at the 17 mile PowerBar Gel station of the famous Boston Marathon today (Monday) volunteering with many of my Wicked Running Club friends. Decked out in our awesome bright yellow jackets and PowerBar t-shirts, we passed packets of a 110 caloric gel substance (some flavors are thick like icing and others more like thin jelly) to over 25,0000 runners in need of a pick me up. Yes, those are rubber gloves we are holding and for good reason--this stuff gets sticky!



We were able to watch the handicap division and the elites go by us at what looked like lighening speed (the photo below is the wheel chair winner). One guy ran on two polycarbonate "springy" legs and got the crowd roaring. We also watch two groups of military personnel walk the marathon with full gear and packs. I'd like to note that a woman led the second group:)





Then, the "hounds" were released and the remaining 24,900 runners came at a steady pace for about 2 hours. We were out at the beginning of numerous stations with gel in 6 different flavors for the runners and got a great look at the crowd. Some runners looked strong and steady (what we vow to look like in 5 weeks) and others were struggling. We yelled words of encouragement, provided gel, and screamed the names of anyone willing to write or print their names on themselves. We even saw some friends: my neighbor, a co-worker, and my beloved running club friends that I have trained and exchanged encouragement with throughout the winter. They looked so strong! We took notes on good form, ways to grab gel most successfully (make eye contact, point to the person you are headed towards, and reach out), and what to and not to wear.

The rest of this week is an easy week for me. I cut back to almost half my current miles (43 per week now) and am to get lots of rest. I have a 5 mile race on Sunday just for fun and as a reward for training. Then, next week is the last long and hard week before we start to cut back in preparation for our big day. I was inspired today by those running with amazing form and speed, but was also touched by the people I saw struggling. While I hope to look and feel stronger, these people pushed on and reminded me that my ultimate goal is to finish what I set out to do--run a marathon and smile--no matter how long it takes:)

6 Weeks to Go

With 1 week until the famed Boston marathon--Boston is now marathon city and those people I know running the race are all a buzz. I on the other hand have 6 weeks of training left until my big day. The good news is this means only 3 more "long runs" of over 14 miles.

I recovered from the 20 mile race and was back at it this past week logging 43 miles with 18 on Easter Sunday. Speedwork and tempo runs were great this week, but that 18-miler may have been one of my hardest runs yet--even harder than the 20 mile race! It felt like winter in Boston again with cold temperatures and a nasty wind that literally moved me sideways on multiple occasions (up to 40 mph, which is slightly faster than me).

For the 18 mile long run, I was out by myself for the first time in a while, as many of my "long run" pals are resting up for Boston or out running races. However, I was not alone when it counted. . . my husband agreed to run with me for the last 4 miles and man did I end up needing it. I was supposed to pick up the pace on these last 4 miles to get used to pushing harder well into a long race. I can say my body didn't feel like I had much left to give--my legs were screaming, my feet were burning, the gu (yes it is literally gu) I was eating tasted icky and was hard to swallow . . . and then I heard "you are okay, you can do this, and most importantly "I am proud of you." Off go the feet again. With still a lot of effort on my part, my husband pushed me and most importantly pulled me mentally and physically along those last 4 miles at a slightly faster pace than even needed (I managed to average 9:39 for the 18). We even hit a hill on the way back home for good measure (there is a hill at mile 16 and rolling hills from 16-20 in the marathon).

While my last post was about the split push of those who try to discourage you and those who chear you on--this long run proved the importance of the support team. Had I not been counting on joining my husband at mile 14, it would have been so much harder to push through the miles and I might not have made it--14 really does sound less daunting doesn't it. I'd like to think I would have pushed myself, but am glad I didn't have to find out.

Of course, support doesn't end after the run. Instead, for me it continued up the stairs (yes, I physically needed helping getting up both flights), prepped my ice bath (and my special magical heat sensitve CSI cup with hot tea) and sat by my side through the ice "treatment," and then wrapped me in blankets and rubbed my legs.

A true support that knows you knows when to just let you do your thing and then knows when you need the push or the pull to get you to your goal!

Yes, those are ice cubes in the tub! Yes, that is Otis waiting to eat the ice. And yes, that is chocolate milk in the background--it does a body good!

Running Split

In running, splits often refer to divisions of a run. Runners often aim to run the second half of a work or race in the negative, meaning the second half was faster than the first. Splits show endurance, patience, stamina, and well a competitive edge when racing.

I think splits can often refer to other splits required by running. The ability for instance to artfully split one's time between running and other activities. For some this is work, family, other sports, or even sleep. Splits can be what running does to us--the split desire to push oneself as hard as seemingly possible versus the inertia required to even get going some days. And yet still, splits can be obstacles we face and what drives us simultaneously. The split messages from those around us--the encouraging support of fellow runners with similar drives versus the jealous friend who misses the time you now spend with the road, or even the cautious friend or love one who hears this running thing is hard on the body. (Heck if it were easy everyone would do it.)

I realize I am motivated by both sides of this last split--I am motivated to get out there and get going by the supportive ones-the running club or training partner that is often crucial. Yet, I also find myself driven by those who do not support me or who question whether I can or should run. It is in the second half of a long run, or at the crucial muscle burning lung gasping moment, when I think of those who challenge me or question my ability. I do it to spite them and in spite of them. I do it because both voices are in my head and I refuse to allow the challengers to win.

Eastern States 20 miler--link to photos

There was a sports photographer on site during the 20 miler-- check these out!

http://www.capstonephotostore.com/searchresult.php

Eastern States 20 mile Race

What a feeling! I ran the Eastern States 20 mile Race this past Sunday. This is the furthest distance I have run, let alone raced.

The race was an all day event, a group of 6 of us left Salem at 7:30 and returned around 4. The logistics were the time consuming part. We drove to New Hampshire and parked, took a bus to Massachusetts where we chilled for a couple of hours in a gymnasium (okay, most of us went back and forth on what to wear, snacked, packed our gear--yes 20 miles involves gear, and made frequent bathroom trips). Here is the group of us waiting, and well, keeping our minds off the 20 miles in the rain upon us:)



The race started at 11. This is the Eastern States race because it takes you along the coast (almost all is on the coast) from Kittery, Maine to Salisbury, Massachusetts along route 1A in New Hampshire (aka Ocean Blvd). Here is a sample of some of our scenery. Note: it was a steady rain and it didn't look quite as beautiful as this, but the ocean is always beautiful! Yes, that second picture is pretty accurate while the first includes more sun that we ever saw!






The purpose of the race for me was to actually try and race the 20 miles and see what my marathon pace would look like. You simply can't go out full force when you have 20 miles ahead of you so the plan was to start off at a maintainable pace, pick it up in the mid miles a little, pick it up in the teens more, and then I could slow down towards then end or keep trucking if I felt good. This is the same plan for the marathon. IT WORKED!! My marathon partner (the one I can blame for talking me into this and is captured in this photo) and I started out with a similar plan but she hoped to run based on her heart rate and increase at similar increments as my pace. It happened, thank goodness, that her heart rate and my planned paces matched beautifully. Having a friend by my side was especially nice since it was raining the whole time. We started around 9:50 for three miles, picked up to 9:40 for a couple more, and then we coasted for about 5 on 9:20s before pushing the 9:15s and under. We even came under 9:00 for two of the miles! We did a great job of keeping ourselves in check with the pace ("not too fast now ladies, you have hours ahead of you. . .") and really enjoyed the race. I think this is quite an accomplishment--especially with pools in our shoes starting at mile 2 (yes, 10% in and we were soaked). Thank goodness my hat acted like an umbrella, I just had to tip my head and the water just streamed off:) Plus, we wanted to come in at 3:10 in order to be on target to test a marathon time of 4:10 and I crossed at 3:08 (3:07 watch time) and my partner was a minute ahead of me.

I have never been so proud of myself! It felt so good and I can certainly see myself pacing for another hour of running with the 8 weeks of training left (oh, boy!). Plus, I have to give a shout out to my running club--these New Englanders have overwhelmed me with their support. I received e-mails and facebook page messages before the race and tons after! I even had a faster Wicked runner give me a much needed hug at the end of the race--ok, I might have looked like I needed a little support standing as my legs were on auto pilot. You would think I already ran the marathon. This has me even more psyched for the marathon and I just can't wait. All now is some more long runs and mostly keeping myself healthy! That said, this is now R and R week for me and I am tired! I can tell my body needs a rest--nighty night:)

For the Love of Sewing and Running

This weekend was jam packed with both sewing and running activities. Saturday am, I enjoyed a slow and easy 9 mile run (I know, I never thought I would say that either, but after 19 miles last week, it was) I ran with the running group Saturday am with my watch turned off and and was reminded why I love running. We ran along the trail for the first time since December, when my foot crashed through the ice, and ran to the Ocean where we enjoyed watching spring waves crash along the shore. Even if it was 25 degrees, it was beautiful! After the run--an ice bath, yes 10 minutes in cold water with all the ice our freezer can produce. My dog, Otis, always looks so concerned when I first step in the cold water and let out a muffled scream, then he lays his head on the side of the tub until I can start to read my book and then he eats the ice out of the water;) Such a sweet boy!!! I swear it is always worth it and aids in fast muscle recovery way better than any icepack ever could.

Later Saturday, A friend and her friend came over and we took a sewing machine out of the box and literally talked about the basics of the machine and sewing. It was so much fun! Once the needle holes they stitch on the lined paper are as straight as the paper, we'll stick some material in the machine and get going for lesson 2! Proof that sewing and running go together--they brought me a gift card to the running store--thanks gals!

Sunday was a lesson in the work involved in putting on even a small race. I volunteered to help work the Salem 5K cross country race. The course is a ton of hills and rough surfaces and not a good idea for me before a marathon, hence the volunteering and not running. I helped pass out bags with numbers and shirts in them to those who had registered early and then read off peoples' numbers at the finish so their times could be recorded accurately. It was so much fun to watch the friends I have made through the Wicked Running Club cross the finish and chear each of them on.

Hopefully the reminder of how much pleasure running and sewing have given me will help drive me through this coming weekend's 20 mile race. I have my fingers crossed that the rain in the forecast will hold off until after the race.