"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