Almost there

So it's the day before the race and I am extremely excited/nervous. I am beginning to regret advertising the fact that I am running this marathon. That way, if I didn't finish the race, I could do so quietly, without having to worry about people asking, "How did you do?"

But I had to advertise for the ASPCA--and I am glad I did! Thanks to all of you, we have raised $650 for the ASPCA. My grandfather also pledged $60, for a grand total of $710--or about $27 per mile.

All the physical preparation has been done--now I have less than 24 hours to get in the right mindset. I know when I'm on the race course I'll recall a memory from two years ago, standing outside Central Park, watching thousands of runners streaming toward the finish line at the New York Marathon. I thought, "I want that to be me." Since July, I've been working toward that goal, and tomorrow it will be a reality.

Thank You!

Sometime between now and my last post I reached my donation goal!  Thank you all so much!

However, it seems I have some mystery donors:)  The donation widget links directly to the ASPCA, and unfortunately, doesn't notify me who has made a contribution.

Thanks to those who have let me know so far--and to everyone else: identify yourselves!

9 days to go... 

"Daddy, Why Is Her Face So Red?"

In addition to raising money for the ASPCA, I bet you didn't know I was providing another public service.  It's true: I am a huge source of entertainment for the children of Park Slope.

Several weeks ago, I was wearing my knee brace/ACE bandage.  A little girl in a stroller kept pointing at my leg saying, "Boo boo!  Boo boo!"

After a long, grueling run one Sunday, I was headed home when a little boy looked at me, looked at his dad and asked, "Daddy, why is her face so red?"

Then just last week, I was wearing my fuelbelt when a little kid asked his mom why I had so many water bottles.  "She must be running a long way," she said.

A long way indeed.  This past Friday I reached the peak of my training and completed 20 miles!  It was a very rainy morning, preceded by a very rainy night, and I was predicting flooded pathways and a lot of misery.  But it was actually not that bad!  Only one part of the path was completely flooded, and the rain tapered off after the first 90 minutes.  The cool, moist air was very refreshing, and I was able to complete the full distance without any walk or stretch breaks.  And I didn't even get a single blister, thanks to some fancy new socks and a great little product called "Body Glide."  (It sounds a little racy, I know, but it's just this waxy stuff that you roll on like deodorant that prevents friction.)  So now I begin my taper, which just means I cut back on mileage until the race so that I am well-rested.  I bought my tickets for the Detroit marathon last night and I am starting to get nervous!

After my long run on Friday, Neal and I hopped a plane to Detroit/Ann Arbor for the Michigan game and to visit friends (and a new baby!)  Neal was joking with our friends, saying, "Ha ha, Steph ran 20 miles this morning.  What the hell did I do?"  

I know he was joking/paying me a compliment, but it got me thinking.  I really hope people don't think I'm bragging when I talk about running.  It's just something I love to do.  And I hope everyone has something like that--whether it's a spinning class, thirty minutes on the elliptical or a long walk with their dog.  As Bill Bowerman (the Nike guy) said:

"If someone says, 'Hey, I ran 100 miles this week.  How far did you run?' ignore him!  What the hell difference does it make?...The magic is in the (wo)man, not the 100 miles." 

Total distance covered: 220 miles

Days until race: 19

Feeling Good

Well, this was a really good week!  (Finally!)  In addition to my long Sunday run, I squeezed in three shorter runs and two core workouts.

I woke up at 7:30 AM this morning, got ready, and set out for 16 miles.  My strategy, instead of listening to music for three hours, was to intersperse music with podcasts.  My current podcast of choice: This American Life.  What can I say?  I have a thing for Ira Glass and his nasally voice.

For those of you who've never heard of This American Life, I highly recommend it.  It's an hour's worth of human interest stories, and each week has a different theme.  

You would think that it would be weird or difficult to work out to talk radio--but for me it worked perfectly.  I had to run a slow, steady pace for a long time, and the stories took my mind off of the task at hand, as well as the various aches and pains that cropped up.

I'm a bit tired and out of inspiration at the moment, so I thought I'd close with a quote from a book I'm reading, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by the extremely talented novelist Haruki Murakami, who also happens to be an avid runner:

"For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor.  Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself.  At least that's why I've put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level.  I'm no great runner, by any means.  I'm at an ordinary--or perhaps more like mediocre--level.  But that's not the point.  The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday.  In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be."

Total distance covered: 170 miles

Days until race: 35 (starting to freak out)

Sodi-ummm....

So, 15 miles yesterday.  It was really, really tough.  It was pretty hot out, so maybe I can partially blame the heat.  I shudder to think of adding another 11.2 miles...and am starting to doubt I can really do this!

So, I'm limping home from the park, and I touch my arm and it feels kind of--gritty.  I think, well, maybe it was dusty on the trail.  Then I reach up and touch my cheek--and it's unmistakable--I am covered in salt.  I had sweat so much my whole body was literally crusted with salt.  

I know, gross.

I remembered reading somewhere that certain people are "salty sweaters," so I started doing some research on the internet.  I learned a lot about knowing your sweat rate, and how to measure how much you sweat, so you know how much fluid to take in when you run.  (They recommend weighing yourself before and after your runs to calculate this.)  Then, I came across a definition of hyponatremia.  According to the Mayo Clinic: 

Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood is diluted by excess water.  Hyponatremia may result from medical conditions that impair excretion of water from your body, or by a significant increase in water consumption, such as by athletes competing in marathons and other high-endurance events.

If untreated, hyponatremia can result in coma, and even death.  The symptoms--such as dizziness, diarrhea, and vomiting--are very similar to symptoms of dehydration, or not taking in enough fluids.

I went on to read that "salty sweaters" need to take precautions, as do women, and "back of the pack" (aka slower) runners since they are on the course longer, and as a consequence may take in too much fluid.  Salty, female, and slow: three strikes against me.

My mom and dad are probably freaking out as they read this, but it's good that I learned about this now.  Now when I hydrate on long runs--and in the marathon--I'll make sure to take in enough, but not too much water.  Also, I will swap out some of my water for Gatorade instead.  Gatorade has sodium, as well as electrolytes and all that other stuff I never realized I needed.  I always just liked the way that Fierce Melon tasted!

Total distance covered: 142 miles

Days until race: 41

Self diagnoses: 1

"Ohhh boy"

It's been a rough few weeks since I last posted.

I lost my Nany (grandmother) last week and it's been a very difficult time.

Running can be therapeutic, yes, but you still have to be into it.  And the last few weeks my heart and mind haven't been in it.

I got back from Michigan on Wednesday night, and had a nice short run on Thursday evening.  But Friday I was in an awful mood, and just couldn't will my body to move.  I spent one mile choking back tears, and decided to call it a night and walk home.

Saturday I went back to the gym and did my core routine (I try and do this at least twice a week, in addition to my running.  But of course, this has fallen by the wayside too.)  I was determined to re-dedicate myself to my long run on Sunday.  I signed up for this race, dammit, and I have to follow through.  And if I don't get in the miles I am going to be in a world of hurt come October 19.

So today I set out to run 14 miles.  It had been two weeks since I got in a quality long distance run so I knew it was going to be difficult.  And, "Ohhh boy" (to quote my grandpa), was it ever.  I ran out to Red Hook, couldn't find the track, then ran back to Park Slope and Prospect Park.  I did some figure 8's around the park, looping down one path and back around the other.  By the end of the run (nearly two and a half hours) I had two enormous, matching blisters on both my insteps.

And so it goes.  Yet despite the blood, sweat, and blisters--training for a marathon has nothing on the grieving process.

Until next time...

Total distance covered: 120 miles

Days until race: 49

Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Last week (Aug 4-10) was a rest week (i.e. fewer miles), which worked out very well since I was in Chicago for a long weekend.  There was a lot of eating, drinking, catching up with friends--and oh yeah, getting pooped on by a seagull at the beach.  But not a lot of running!

However, when I met up with my friend Erin on Sunday, it was decided we'd go for a run together on Monday morning.  I was a little nervous, since I always run alone, and didn't want to slow Erin down.  (I don't run alone by choice, necessarily.  I just don't know many people here in NY, and virtually zero whose idea of a good time is grinding out a 10-miler on a Sunday afternoon.)

Erin is running the Chicago Marathon Oct 12, a week before my race.  This is her second marathon, and she's done many other races in between.  Erin is probably the most motivated person I know, and I credit her with getting me started running a dozen years ago.  At age twelve, I remember her pushing us to run suicides up and down my street.  You know, just for fun.  We ran track together in junior high, and when we got to high school, we attended the cross country meeting together.  I ended up joining; Erin opted for basketball.

I ran cross country for one year only, and years later I do regret not sticking it out.  At the time, I just wasn't ready, physically or mentally, for the sport.  Every time I made progress, I would get hurt.  (an easy feat for a lanky 16-year-old whose bones were growing faster than her muscles)  The most memorable incident was my near concussion at running camp after an unfortunate Ultimate Frisbee collision.  

But back to the Monday run.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and we ran along the Chicago lakefront.  Erin's sister joined us for a bit, and it was really nice to have company other than my iPod for once.

Then it was back to NY, where I was under the weather for a few days, and I only managed 5 miles during the week (a speed workout).  Saturday, I did an 11-miler along a completely different route.  Across the Brooklyn Bridge--beautiful view, but a terrible path due to too many gawking tourists--and into Manhattan.  Lafayette St and Park Ave were temporarily closed to traffic, and I ran all the way up to Central Park to do a few laps around the reservoir.  More beautiful views, though the path was flooded in most places.  All in all, the run was very pretty, but better in theory than in practice.

Total distance covered: 91 miles

Days until race: 63

Fuel in the Tank

I am happy to report that my computer is back! Hooray!

Sunday was a ten-miler, which went really well. It must have been all that carbo-loading (read: beer drinking) I did the night before. I was happy about the run, and a little bit relieved. All of my runs up until that point had been a struggle in one way or another. I wore my utility belt with the water grenades again. I think people stare at me sometimes, but I’m definitely not the only person in Prospect Park that has one.

Tuesday night was six miles. I was going to run to Red Hook (Brooklyn neighborhood) because there’s a track there, and I felt I needed a change of scenery. But I got a later start than I wanted, and it was starting to get dusky out as I ran down 9th Street. As I got farther and farther from my neighborhood, the landscape became more industrial, and there were fewer people on the streets. Perhaps being overly cautious, I turned around, and finished my miles in the (familiar) Park instead. I’ll make it out to Red Hook another day, when I have more time.

Time is an issue when it comes to training for a race. You have to carve out a big chunk of your day when you’re running 8, 10, or 15 miles. It’s not just the time it takes to run (And it takes me a long time—I’m slow), you also have to factor in a stretch, a shower, etc. You pretty much have to plan your days around it.

Take Sunday for example. The actual run took me at least an hour and forty-five minutes—or approximately the length of Blades of Glory, plus outtakes. Then I had to shower and stretch. We were meeting Neal’s cousin for drinks and I ended up making us over an hour late. (Luckily, he was a good sport about it!) By the time we got there, I was feeling a bit woozy. I needed some carbs and protein, immediately. The carbs came in the form of Hefe weizen (again), and eventually I got a cheeseburger and fries (protein and more carbs). One of the other great things about running is not feeling guilt over eating that way sometimes; after all, I had just burned 885 calories that afternoon. No low-carb/no-carb crap for this gal; I need those calories! As a runner, food=fuel and I am always more than happy to fill up the tank.

Total distance covered: 65.5 miles

Days until race: 74

Don't Forget to Donate to the Animals!

During these tough economic times, animals are suffering too. Many are being abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to keep them. ASPCA shelters are no-kill shelters, and the ASPCA is also where I got my best bud (and trouble-maker extraordinaire) Max!

Suggested donation: $26.20 -- to represent the 26.2 miles I will run in October! Or whatever you can afford.

Thanks for your support!

It's Worth It, I Swear

My posts haven't been as regular as I'd like them to be--but my computer (less than 1 yr old) is in the shop and I've had to work around that. This also means I can't include photos yet--but hopefully soon!

I had a milestone this week: last day of physical therapy! Of course that was a good thing, but it was also kind of sad to leave. I'd been seeing these people twice a week for six weeks and got to know them pretty well. I was touched when they all gave me hugs on my way out.

So, running. Unfortunately, it has continued to be a struggle this past week. I've been battling the heat, a busy schedule, and what I will delicately refer to as "GI distress." (look it up)

Last night was no different. I pushed through a difficult 6 miles around the park, came home, and soaked my legs in an extremely cold bath. Neal saw me when I got back and said my facial expression was a cross between pain and shock--as if I, "...had just seen a fat man naked."

But I love running, I really do! A good run can give you such a feeling of joy. And it's the purest sport/activity there is--just you versus yourself, anytime, anywhere. And it's amazing when you discover just how far you can push yourself both mentally and physically. For that reason, I'm looking forward to hitting the trail tomorrow for 10 miles.

I was also excited to get my new issue of Runner's World this week. It's an Olympic preview, and, nerd that I am, I am really excited for the Olympics to start in a few days. The highlight for me will of course be the marathon. Ryan Hall really has a shot, which is exciting for the US, since our men haven't medaled in a long time. There is also a guy on the Olympic marathon team, Brian Sell, who is from Rochester Hills, Michigan! 30 years old, he is part of the Brooks-Hansons Distance Project. Those of you from Michigan may know of, or have even bought shoes from Hanson's Running Shop in Utica. I know my sister and I bought all of our track shoes there, and my mom gets her walking shoes there as well. The Brooks-Hansons Project is a training program which started in 1999, and trains post-collegiate runners. (1999, coincidentally, is also the year I ran for the Eisenhower cross-country team.)

As a rookie runner, I remember hearing all about the Hansons and the amazing athletes they were training. It's really exciting to see people from my hometown now getting worldwide recognition.

Of course, I am also looking forward to the women's marathon. Deena Kastor won bronze in Athens, and is back again this year. She's 35--maybe I still have a shot at the Olympics? Haha...

Total distance covered: 49.5 miles
Days until race: 78

Running Dictionary

Some running terms and their definitions, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Tempo runs
Speed for long distance running can be improved using a number of training strategies, with tempo runs considered the best by most trainers at this time. A tempo run consists of a warm up phase, a tempo pace phase, and a cool down phase. Typically the warm up and cool down phases may cover one or two miles (3 km), while the tempo pace phase may be two to six miles (or 20 to 35 minutes), depending on the individual and the goals.

Tempo pace is usually run at what is called the individual's lactate threshold which has been determined in laboratory and other tests to be the optimal metabolic rate at which an individual can train. At this pace, the body is removing lactic acid as fast as it is being produced, any faster and lactic acid will build up in the individual's system, any slower and optimal training does not result.
Every individual has a different lactate threshold pace, which increases over time as that individual trains more and more.

Long Runs
The long run is the heart of the marathon training process. The goal of the long run is to gradually increase the ability of the runner to cover the 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi) marathon distance. Long runs may start at 6 miles (9.7 km), and build a mile a week to about 14 or 15 miles (24 km). At beyond 15 miles (approximately), more than a single week of recovery is generally necessary, so the schedule switches to a two-week plan, with a shorter "long run" between full long runs.

Pace during long runs should be conversational, meaning that one should be able to carry on a conversation; it is not necessary to run at top speed. Long runs at less than top speed (60 to 70% of maximum exertion level) train the body to store energy more efficiently and make more effective use of oxygen.

Speed Work (my definition)
Similar to tempo runs, with warm-up and cool-down periods. The intervals are shorter but faster, with recovery periods in between.

The Heat is On

Training for the half-marathon (the Flying Pig back in May) and the Detroit marathon this October has been markedly different in one respect: the elements.

My half- training began in January, and you can probably imagine what it was like running during a New York winter. This past season was very mild--not a lot of snow or ice--but it still felt damn cold out there at 6 AM. I'd check the temperature the night before to see if I'd need two layers or three, and whether I'd need a headband, hat, gloves--or all of the above. If it wasn't clear how much I dislike treadmill running, those Jan/Feb runs certainly proved it.

Running is just as much a mental game as a physical one. It's extremely tough to drag yourself from a warm bed into a freezing cold park; it takes some heavy motivation. And you need a lot of mental stamina in addition to the physical to power through particularly tough or long workouts.

So now, with the days creeping toward August, my biggest foe is no longer the biting cold, but the deadly duo of heat and humidity. (And occasionally thunderstorms and flash floods too.)

Last Sunday's run was 8 miles, which I crazily ran in the afternoon. I didn't run in the AM, as recommended, because I wanted to make sure I had drunk enough fluids to sustain me for an hour plus. But! I also had my secret weapon: my fuel belt (You can see one here at www.fuelbelt.com). I filled two bottles with Gatorade, two with water, and I was good to go.

Before I headed out the door, Neal took a good look at me and started to laugh. In addition to my tank top, shorts, and fuel belt, I was also rocking my iPod armband, a brace on my left knee, and my Nike+ sensor on my right shoelaces. In all fairness, I could have added a hat, sunglasses, and watch--but I held back.

So. Running: not the most glamorous sport! But I was ready to tackle those miles in +90 degrees. Despite all my gear, however, the run came down to a mental game in the end. It was like slogging through a sauna, but I pushed through. And once I got home, I rewarded myself with a popsicle and a loooong shower.

Total distance covered (as of Sunday, 7/20): 27 miles
Days until race: 90

Celebrity Marathoners

Today was some speedwork, and I misread my calendar and actually went over what I was supposed to do today.  (I mistakenly doubled the amount of speed miles, and halved the recovery portions.)  Which made me feel a lot better because I was pretty much dying on the treadmill today.  Before realized my mistake, I figured it was due to the fact that I really, really hate running on the treadmill.  It's boring, and there's no motivation.  At any point, I can press a button, stop running, gather my gym bag and go home.  Where's the fun in that?

But I chose treadmill today because I had physical therapy, and whenever I have PT, I sneak into the Equinox gym and work out (they're connected).  Equinox is the nicest gym I've ever been to by far--the towels are soft and they don't reek of chlorine!  But, I can only be a fake member there a short while longer.  It looks like my knee is on the mend, and I won't need the PT much longer.

Anyway, as I was running on my little gerbil wheel today and bored out of my mind, I was thinking of what my time goal should be for the marathon.  And, because in addition to being passionate about running, I also love some good Us-Weekly-style gossip, I thought: "Why not try and beat a celebrity?"

One of the funny things about running is that it's such a diverse, quirky community.  I mean, you'd expect certain people to be runners, like Kenyans.  But there's some 70-year-old ladies out there cranking out marathons too.  Even W. ran a marathon, and had a pretty good time too, I hate to admit.  A quick Google search revealed the following:

Sean Combs aka Diddy - 4:14:54

Remember "Diddy Runs the City"?  He raised 2 mil with his run, which was awesome.  And his time was pretty good.  I was surprised, because I remember watching an MTV special about it, and he didn't seem to be training very hard.

Mario Lopez - 5:41:41

OK, I don't know what it is about this guy, but I just think he sucks.  I mean, he was AC Slater back in the day, and now he's popular all of sudden?  Because of some dancing show?  And because he's in "A Chorus Line" I have to see his smug face plastered all over the city.  And his naked pic in People?  EEW.  Well, Mr. Lopez, I have news for you.  I am going to kick your ass by at least an hour.

Will Ferrell - 3:56:12

This probably surprised me the most.  Will Ferrell, running?  And a really good time too!  I wonder if he had KFC after.

Katie Holmes - 5:29:58

Not the fastest time, but she only trained for two months.  All in all, a pretty half-baked effort.  But this girl could sneeze and every magazine would cover it--which is why we all heard so much about her NYC marathon.

But the celebrity I'm going to try and beat: Oprah.  I know it's probably been done/said a million times before, but I think her time may be within reach: 4:29:20.  She did it with a trainer, a nutritionist/chef, and probably someone to massage her callouses (Steadman?).  I may not have her resources, but I do have youth!  And determination!

We'll see how it goes.  I'll probably finish in 6 hours and be really, really embarrassed.

Total distance covered: 17 miles

Days until race: 93

Distance Run, Michigan Style

I flew in to Detroit on Thursday evening, and went for my weekly distance run this morning in Shelby T. Just 6 miles this time--I'm starting out easy. I ran around a few of the subdivisions, past the McMansions (Lake Pointe Woods, Lake in the Woods, Lake Arrowhead--the builders are pretty creative with the names, aren't they?), then ran a "square" down 25 mile, Schoenherr, then 24 mile to Jewell, and back to my parents' house.

I wish I could say this run was an improvement over the last but, with a mile to go, I got caught in a downpour. It was practically a flash flood; the water was up to my ankles while I was slogging through the sidewalks. My shoes are drying out right now as I type. I might as well have jumped in the pool with all of my clothes on...

Total distance covered: 13 miles
Days until race: 98

1st* Training Run

I had my first official training run today: a 5-mile tempo run. Hopefully, this first run was not a sign of things to come, because it was awful. Well, not awful, but pretty bad . My iPod froze so I had to run the whole thing without music. (Later I learned how to reset the stupid thing; hold menu and center at the same time, duh.)

I was sore (I had Physical Therapy this morning), and it was muggy out. Not to mention keeping the tempo pace was tough.

But--baby steps! It was great to be back on the trail in Prospect Park, and I even heard part of the Feist concert that was going on at the bandshell. Since, of course, I wasn't listening to my own music.

Total distance covered: 7 miles (I did an "easy run" on Monday to kick off the week*)

Days until race: 101

Support My Run, Support the Animals!

Welcome!

Welcome to my running blog.  I am currently training for the Detroit Free Press Marathon on October 19th.  

I am hoping that through my run, and through this blog, I will help raise money for my chosen charity: the ASPCA.