Sunday, October 2, 2011
Loose Running Shorts
My running outfit is running shorts (tight spanex) with loose running shorts over them. With all the water, and the camera in my pocket, the lose shorts kept slipping down. At one point, I thought i was going to be running with shorts around my ankles. I was getting really annoyed. I couldn't quite tuck it into my spandex, and the fanny pack was too loose to act as a belt. Argh! I said, "why the heck don't them come with a draw string?!" Then, I checked, and there was a draw string. I decided not to tie it just yet, because I was less then a half mile from the porta-potties (there were signs telling me the porta-potties were just up ahead). I used the facilities, and went on my way. Then, my shorts slipped down again and I cursed no draw strings. Duh, then I remembered - I do have a draw string. I pulled it tight, and was fabulous until the end. When I had to use the porta-potty at the finish and forgot AGAIN that there was a drawstring and got frustrated the I couldn't get my shorts down quickly. Running brain!!!
Maine Half Marathon
Some great signs I saw along the way...
Pookie, on a scale of 1-10, you are a 13.1.
The faster you RUN the sooner you are DONE. (I like, the more I talk, the slower I walk.)
Run like you stole something.
Half marathon turn around point ahead.
Porta potties just ahead, do not use the woods.
Run like a mom.
Run now, beer later.
Run faster, the zombies want your brains!
Because 26.3 would just be silly.
The race is done, and I am feeling pretty good. Very mobile at the end of the race. It was down pour, so very very wet. I did run across the finish - and could have kept going for another 30, 40 seconds after that. I did get a space blanket at the end. The lady told me I was going to start losing heat quickly. She was right. At the end, I was glad it was over, but bummed that I didn't do the whole. Of course, you could tell the ones doing the whole - they were still running the last mile. Us halves, were walking. It was 3:30 since the start, so I was taking my time for the half, and the runners going by me were making great time for the whole.
Lots of food still availalbe at the finish. Not very many spectators on the course. When my brother ran the whole, there were people on all the side streets and lining the road. Today, there were a few people peeking heads out of their doors. There were less then 50 spectators along the course that were not volunteers. There were a lot of spectators at the finish line though. Also, there were a lot of volunteers. Very good for us.
I ran/walked on a 3min/3min pace for the first 4-5 miles. Then, I noticed the view, and started to chat with people around me. And, I realized, this is my hobby. A nice long walk. I was happy to talk to anyone. I kept a fun attitude and made jokes as much as I could. I did eat some gu's and a fruit/nut bar about half way. I took Tylenol after mile 12 so I could get home, because I figured I would hurt after the race. I drank a lot of Gatorade and water. I felt great. I am glad I am not driving home today, since I need to stand up and stretch every thirty minutes or I will cramp up. But, if I had to, I could have.
I have a half in another month that I will drive to and from by myself. My mom showed up slong the route at about mile 8, and it was wonderful to give her my soaking wet sweatshirt, and the gloves. (My fingers were pruny inside the gloves, so it was time for them to go.) Then, I met her again at the finish line. It was so nice to see her - such a surprise to see her on the route. I know she was really worried about me. I will be ramping up my training, so I will finish the November half quicker. And, hopefully she won't worry about me being out there alone. It is another course that is near the ocean, and is supposed to be pretty flat. It'll be nice to have a month to recover from this one before I do another. :-)
I want to give a shout out to my cousin. I was wearing V Couture this morning. A nice running outfit, covered by a trash bag. I remember she bought a fabulous new running outfit, but it was so cold, she ended up running almost the whole race in a black garbage bag.
Pookie, on a scale of 1-10, you are a 13.1.
The faster you RUN the sooner you are DONE. (I like, the more I talk, the slower I walk.)
Run like you stole something.
Half marathon turn around point ahead.
Porta potties just ahead, do not use the woods.
Run like a mom.
Run now, beer later.
Run faster, the zombies want your brains!
Because 26.3 would just be silly.
The race is done, and I am feeling pretty good. Very mobile at the end of the race. It was down pour, so very very wet. I did run across the finish - and could have kept going for another 30, 40 seconds after that. I did get a space blanket at the end. The lady told me I was going to start losing heat quickly. She was right. At the end, I was glad it was over, but bummed that I didn't do the whole. Of course, you could tell the ones doing the whole - they were still running the last mile. Us halves, were walking. It was 3:30 since the start, so I was taking my time for the half, and the runners going by me were making great time for the whole.
Lots of food still availalbe at the finish. Not very many spectators on the course. When my brother ran the whole, there were people on all the side streets and lining the road. Today, there were a few people peeking heads out of their doors. There were less then 50 spectators along the course that were not volunteers. There were a lot of spectators at the finish line though. Also, there were a lot of volunteers. Very good for us.
I ran/walked on a 3min/3min pace for the first 4-5 miles. Then, I noticed the view, and started to chat with people around me. And, I realized, this is my hobby. A nice long walk. I was happy to talk to anyone. I kept a fun attitude and made jokes as much as I could. I did eat some gu's and a fruit/nut bar about half way. I took Tylenol after mile 12 so I could get home, because I figured I would hurt after the race. I drank a lot of Gatorade and water. I felt great. I am glad I am not driving home today, since I need to stand up and stretch every thirty minutes or I will cramp up. But, if I had to, I could have.
I have a half in another month that I will drive to and from by myself. My mom showed up slong the route at about mile 8, and it was wonderful to give her my soaking wet sweatshirt, and the gloves. (My fingers were pruny inside the gloves, so it was time for them to go.) Then, I met her again at the finish line. It was so nice to see her - such a surprise to see her on the route. I know she was really worried about me. I will be ramping up my training, so I will finish the November half quicker. And, hopefully she won't worry about me being out there alone. It is another course that is near the ocean, and is supposed to be pretty flat. It'll be nice to have a month to recover from this one before I do another. :-)
I want to give a shout out to my cousin. I was wearing V Couture this morning. A nice running outfit, covered by a trash bag. I remember she bought a fabulous new running outfit, but it was so cold, she ended up running almost the whole race in a black garbage bag.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Recovery
Marathon on Sunday.
Monday - 1 mile slow walk, helped move a sofa, needed energy drink to get through the day, lots of stretching.
Tuesday - purposely moving more, only coffee as energy drink.
Wednesday - easy going morning at the gym. At first, I could feel some pull in my hamstrings, but they warmed up and overall it was a good workout. I usually do 30 minutes at level 9 or 10. Today it was 30 minutes, but I started at 7 and worked my way up to 9 by the half way point. Not too bad.
Got a half marathon race in 11 days, so I have to get back into it.
Monday - 1 mile slow walk, helped move a sofa, needed energy drink to get through the day, lots of stretching.
Tuesday - purposely moving more, only coffee as energy drink.
Wednesday - easy going morning at the gym. At first, I could feel some pull in my hamstrings, but they warmed up and overall it was a good workout. I usually do 30 minutes at level 9 or 10. Today it was 30 minutes, but I started at 7 and worked my way up to 9 by the half way point. Not too bad.
Got a half marathon race in 11 days, so I have to get back into it.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Jimmy Fund Run Down
pun intended of course
The Jimmy Fund Walk in Boston is an annual fund raiser for cancer research. It follows the Boston Marathon route. It starts in Hopkinton and ends in Copley Square. I did the entire route, and was a little nervous about completing in time - I parked in Hopkinton at the start and the last bus back there would be leaving at 7pm. I crossed the start line at 5:35am. I completed the walk in 9 and 1/2 hours, so I had a four hour cushion, but it was a long day.
Friday night and all day Saturday, I was out camping with my cub scouts. It was cold and there were a lot of hills to navigate. We got home just after 7:30pm. Stuff was stored and I was to bed by 9:30. I was excited for the walk, so I woke up just before the 4:15 alarm.
When I left the house, I felt a special excitement - it was a clear morning, there were some stars out, and I was off to walk a marathon, and show folks that I believe in cancer research. It was just like heading out to the Disney marathon start. I was glad to be alone and enjoy the peace. I found the parking, got on the bus and took deep breaths. Registration was just opening when we got off the bus. I grabbed a hat, and a pin that says, "I am Living Proof". There were a number of men and women along the course wearing these pins. Over and over it kept hitting me how many people have been touched by cancer. When people see the pin, they ask, "How long?", or they say, "Me too, I'm XX years cancer free". Noone asked, "what kind?" Cancer is cancer and they all Suck!
The start of the Walk was so different from the Disney races. There was a police man with lights on at the start line. There was a sign to mark the start line. You just cross that line and go. It was still very dark out, and it was cool - in the low 40's. The roads were not closed, so we walked in the breakdown area on the shoulder. There were orange cones, but there were cars passing right next to us. I could see maybe 10-15 people in front of me, single spaced, and there were a few behind me.
I did have my ipod, so it was just a nice stroll in the cool morning air in New England. As the sun came up, more people joined. I was trying to get to the 1/2 way point in 4 hours, which I probably shouldn't have bothered with. The rest of the Genzyme team was starting at the 1/2 way point at 9:30 I thought. Turns out they started at 9:15 and met up at the mile 16 lunch tent for team photos. I made the 15 miles at 10:35, so I was behind them by a bit. I am happier that I did the walk alone. It was tough and I don't like to have people see me so stressed.
After mile 18, I started to hit a wall. My pace slowed and I was feeling so tired and stressed. The walk was a lot more emotional then I expected (although I was not surprised to be crying - running does that to me). I think I first got teary around mile 6 or 7 - I passed a church advertising a blood drive. I reacted strongly to not being able to donate blood as a cancer patient, and now survivor.
Every mile marker is a photo of a child with cancer. Every time I saw a 9 year old, or a kid who loved to play with legos, I would be crying. I know part of it was that I was tired. So, by mile 18 I was salt deprived. I had been alternating a water and a gatorade at the refueling stations (approx. every 2 miles). But, crying and sweating was doing me in. I kept thinking, I need to sit down. And then I won't be able to get back up.
I was convinced I would go to the medic station at mile 21 and ask for salt packets and they would pull me for heat exhuastion (like my first Disney attempt). First - I hit the porta potty line. While there, my fabulous brother R sent a text that he had pledge me per mile. So, I had to find a way to finish. I drank a cup of water, grabbed a gator ade and sat on a chair - they had chairs at the refueling station. I drank the gatorade. I ate some gu with caffiene. I grabbed another water and drank. Then, I found my salty jelly beans and stood up. That few minutes sitting and the power snacks made all the difference! I felt so much better, and I didn't have thoughts of being pulled any more.
One reason I was doing the walk was to start figuring out my eating plan during the race. The Jimmy Fund did have a lunch tent - they had sandwiches for everyone. And fruit, chips, drinks... I didn't go to the lunch tent because it was "just up that little hill" at mile 16. I was starting to feel run down and didn't want to add any hills I didn't have to. I should have refueled with a sandwich. So, I have to remember for Disney - pack some turkey or ham. The thought of a handful of salty lunch meat at mile 16 is GREAT! I was craving the protien, but the lara bars at the refueling station weren't enough.
Heartbreak Hill
Everyone knows about heartbreak hill. At the bottom there is a statue of someone who ran the Boston Marathon a number of years, and how won it twice, and last ran it at age 84. The Jimmy Fund had a sign explaining all this at the bottom. So, I just started to chug up the hill. And up. I don't want to jinx my future marathon chances, but it wasn't too bad. I was already hurting. Somewhere in the middle, there was a husband/wife team that were giving out cut oranges. BEST ORANGE EVER! At some point, I realized we were headed down again, and someone near me said last year there had been a sign to say, you are at the top of heartbreak hill, turn around and take a picture." No sign, so I didn't realize it. I did not go back to get a pic.
Heartbreak Hill. I get it. It comes at the point in the race when many are hitting that marathon wall. It is a definite incline, but there are steeper ones on the course. Someone said it is a mile long, but that is not true. Wikipedia says it is 0.4 miles, and that seems right. I did tell my scouts that we eat hills for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (One scout said, he didn't mind them for breakfast and lunch, but by dinner, he didn't like them.) I was able to just truck up the hill. I was having a much harder time with the downhills at this point. It hurt to go down - I could feel it in my knees. The inside of my legs was feeling very taught and down hills were not fun. It is a difference in walking vs. running. If I had the energy, I would have rather run down the hills. After heartbreak hill, it is mostly down hill. I was surprised how much down hill there is at the end (last 5 or so miles) of the route. Of course, there is a small uphill about four blocks from the end. Most folks were complaining, but I was happy - I liked the uphill because it didn't have to stretch as far.
The Jimmy Fund Walk in Boston is an annual fund raiser for cancer research. It follows the Boston Marathon route. It starts in Hopkinton and ends in Copley Square. I did the entire route, and was a little nervous about completing in time - I parked in Hopkinton at the start and the last bus back there would be leaving at 7pm. I crossed the start line at 5:35am. I completed the walk in 9 and 1/2 hours, so I had a four hour cushion, but it was a long day.
Friday night and all day Saturday, I was out camping with my cub scouts. It was cold and there were a lot of hills to navigate. We got home just after 7:30pm. Stuff was stored and I was to bed by 9:30. I was excited for the walk, so I woke up just before the 4:15 alarm.
When I left the house, I felt a special excitement - it was a clear morning, there were some stars out, and I was off to walk a marathon, and show folks that I believe in cancer research. It was just like heading out to the Disney marathon start. I was glad to be alone and enjoy the peace. I found the parking, got on the bus and took deep breaths. Registration was just opening when we got off the bus. I grabbed a hat, and a pin that says, "I am Living Proof". There were a number of men and women along the course wearing these pins. Over and over it kept hitting me how many people have been touched by cancer. When people see the pin, they ask, "How long?", or they say, "Me too, I'm XX years cancer free". Noone asked, "what kind?" Cancer is cancer and they all Suck!
The start of the Walk was so different from the Disney races. There was a police man with lights on at the start line. There was a sign to mark the start line. You just cross that line and go. It was still very dark out, and it was cool - in the low 40's. The roads were not closed, so we walked in the breakdown area on the shoulder. There were orange cones, but there were cars passing right next to us. I could see maybe 10-15 people in front of me, single spaced, and there were a few behind me.
I did have my ipod, so it was just a nice stroll in the cool morning air in New England. As the sun came up, more people joined. I was trying to get to the 1/2 way point in 4 hours, which I probably shouldn't have bothered with. The rest of the Genzyme team was starting at the 1/2 way point at 9:30 I thought. Turns out they started at 9:15 and met up at the mile 16 lunch tent for team photos. I made the 15 miles at 10:35, so I was behind them by a bit. I am happier that I did the walk alone. It was tough and I don't like to have people see me so stressed.
After mile 18, I started to hit a wall. My pace slowed and I was feeling so tired and stressed. The walk was a lot more emotional then I expected (although I was not surprised to be crying - running does that to me). I think I first got teary around mile 6 or 7 - I passed a church advertising a blood drive. I reacted strongly to not being able to donate blood as a cancer patient, and now survivor.
Every mile marker is a photo of a child with cancer. Every time I saw a 9 year old, or a kid who loved to play with legos, I would be crying. I know part of it was that I was tired. So, by mile 18 I was salt deprived. I had been alternating a water and a gatorade at the refueling stations (approx. every 2 miles). But, crying and sweating was doing me in. I kept thinking, I need to sit down. And then I won't be able to get back up.
I was convinced I would go to the medic station at mile 21 and ask for salt packets and they would pull me for heat exhuastion (like my first Disney attempt). First - I hit the porta potty line. While there, my fabulous brother R sent a text that he had pledge me per mile. So, I had to find a way to finish. I drank a cup of water, grabbed a gator ade and sat on a chair - they had chairs at the refueling station. I drank the gatorade. I ate some gu with caffiene. I grabbed another water and drank. Then, I found my salty jelly beans and stood up. That few minutes sitting and the power snacks made all the difference! I felt so much better, and I didn't have thoughts of being pulled any more.
One reason I was doing the walk was to start figuring out my eating plan during the race. The Jimmy Fund did have a lunch tent - they had sandwiches for everyone. And fruit, chips, drinks... I didn't go to the lunch tent because it was "just up that little hill" at mile 16. I was starting to feel run down and didn't want to add any hills I didn't have to. I should have refueled with a sandwich. So, I have to remember for Disney - pack some turkey or ham. The thought of a handful of salty lunch meat at mile 16 is GREAT! I was craving the protien, but the lara bars at the refueling station weren't enough.
Heartbreak Hill
Everyone knows about heartbreak hill. At the bottom there is a statue of someone who ran the Boston Marathon a number of years, and how won it twice, and last ran it at age 84. The Jimmy Fund had a sign explaining all this at the bottom. So, I just started to chug up the hill. And up. I don't want to jinx my future marathon chances, but it wasn't too bad. I was already hurting. Somewhere in the middle, there was a husband/wife team that were giving out cut oranges. BEST ORANGE EVER! At some point, I realized we were headed down again, and someone near me said last year there had been a sign to say, you are at the top of heartbreak hill, turn around and take a picture." No sign, so I didn't realize it. I did not go back to get a pic.
Heartbreak Hill. I get it. It comes at the point in the race when many are hitting that marathon wall. It is a definite incline, but there are steeper ones on the course. Someone said it is a mile long, but that is not true. Wikipedia says it is 0.4 miles, and that seems right. I did tell my scouts that we eat hills for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (One scout said, he didn't mind them for breakfast and lunch, but by dinner, he didn't like them.) I was able to just truck up the hill. I was having a much harder time with the downhills at this point. It hurt to go down - I could feel it in my knees. The inside of my legs was feeling very taught and down hills were not fun. It is a difference in walking vs. running. If I had the energy, I would have rather run down the hills. After heartbreak hill, it is mostly down hill. I was surprised how much down hill there is at the end (last 5 or so miles) of the route. Of course, there is a small uphill about four blocks from the end. Most folks were complaining, but I was happy - I liked the uphill because it didn't have to stretch as far.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Upcoming Races
Completed my first organized 10K - it's a respectable distance, and a great step on my way to January. I have been re-reading old posts here. I feel like I was so far behind when I trained last.
I really hope to blog more about my training. For now, here is the list of organized "runs" that I have planned.
September - Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon walk (12 hours to complete)
October - Maine Half Marathon (6 hours to complete)
November - All Women and One Lucky Guy Half Marathon ("fast" course)
January - Disney Half Marathon, Disney Marathon
I would love to sign up for some run in Feb or March, since I don't want to lose my training after completing the Disney trip. However, in New England it is hard to find races in those months. Maybe I can look for a stair race. :-)
I've been using Run Your Butt Off to work on my pacing. It is a great book, and a great plan. Last time, I followed the Marathon Running for Non-Runners. It is an inspiration for those that never have run and are training for the marathon. The RYBO is good for folks that just want to start walking and then get to running. It helps that I have run a marathon before so I can work the RYBO for me.
Very disjointed - only a limited amount of time to jot down ideas.
I really hope to blog more about my training. For now, here is the list of organized "runs" that I have planned.
September - Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon walk (12 hours to complete)
October - Maine Half Marathon (6 hours to complete)
November - All Women and One Lucky Guy Half Marathon ("fast" course)
January - Disney Half Marathon, Disney Marathon
I would love to sign up for some run in Feb or March, since I don't want to lose my training after completing the Disney trip. However, in New England it is hard to find races in those months. Maybe I can look for a stair race. :-)
I've been using Run Your Butt Off to work on my pacing. It is a great book, and a great plan. Last time, I followed the Marathon Running for Non-Runners. It is an inspiration for those that never have run and are training for the marathon. The RYBO is good for folks that just want to start walking and then get to running. It helps that I have run a marathon before so I can work the RYBO for me.
Very disjointed - only a limited amount of time to jot down ideas.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Signed Up
ok, I have signed up for the Disney races. I am nervous to start telling people that I signed up. But, I know my best motivation is telling folks - because then I have to follow through. Gulp
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