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.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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
Monday, September 14, 2009
Three more Good Ones - Greenway Challenge Watchout
4 friends and I are doing the Greenway Challenge in two weeks. It is an adventure race.
Meaning, this year there are 7 legs of the race. It is 47 miles long, and combines 3 running legs, 2 paddling legs and 2 biking legs. The purpose is to raise awareness for the BlackStone valley and what it has to offer. I am running the first and last legs. (www.greenwaychallenge.org)
They don't release the race route until two weeks before the race. Well, this year, the last leg, 3.7 miles is pretty much all uphill. I decided I need to work on my hills.
I have added the treadmill to the end of my runs/walks - set it on the highest incline and plug away. After three days, I can really tell the difference in my leg muscles. I don't run the whole time, but I try to go fast. H mentioned in a previous post that she feels like a million bucks when she runs up the hills. I feel that way the day after running the hills.
We are a team that will finish, but we won't be first. I know that running for me is the challenge against myself, not competition with others. It is a nice way to replace a workout day with a race.
After I signed up, and we paid our registration, we found out who the charitable organization is... (everyone pays a registration fee, and it is used to support the course, then left over money goes to an organization that supports the BlackStone Valley). The Boy Scouts of America - Mohegan Council. This is my council! We've done a lot of work cleaning up public lands after the ice storm. Also, there is a BSA camp that is maintained.
Ok, here is the run down of the last three runs:
Friday (all treadmill)
45:00, 2.556 miles, most on the highest incline (10)
Saturday (first walked/ran with the dog, then ended with treadmill)
38:02, 2.08 miles w/dog
20:06 1.070 miles treadmill (incline 8-10)
Sunday (slow walk with the dog to warm up, then treadmill)
45:51, 2.501 miles, most on 5.5 incline
Today is REST DAY!!!
Meaning, this year there are 7 legs of the race. It is 47 miles long, and combines 3 running legs, 2 paddling legs and 2 biking legs. The purpose is to raise awareness for the BlackStone valley and what it has to offer. I am running the first and last legs. (www.greenwaychallenge.org)
They don't release the race route until two weeks before the race. Well, this year, the last leg, 3.7 miles is pretty much all uphill. I decided I need to work on my hills.
I have added the treadmill to the end of my runs/walks - set it on the highest incline and plug away. After three days, I can really tell the difference in my leg muscles. I don't run the whole time, but I try to go fast. H mentioned in a previous post that she feels like a million bucks when she runs up the hills. I feel that way the day after running the hills.
We are a team that will finish, but we won't be first. I know that running for me is the challenge against myself, not competition with others. It is a nice way to replace a workout day with a race.
After I signed up, and we paid our registration, we found out who the charitable organization is... (everyone pays a registration fee, and it is used to support the course, then left over money goes to an organization that supports the BlackStone Valley). The Boy Scouts of America - Mohegan Council. This is my council! We've done a lot of work cleaning up public lands after the ice storm. Also, there is a BSA camp that is maintained.
Ok, here is the run down of the last three runs:
Friday (all treadmill)
45:00, 2.556 miles, most on the highest incline (10)
Saturday (first walked/ran with the dog, then ended with treadmill)
38:02, 2.08 miles w/dog
20:06 1.070 miles treadmill (incline 8-10)
Sunday (slow walk with the dog to warm up, then treadmill)
45:51, 2.501 miles, most on 5.5 incline
Today is REST DAY!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
3 days of running
Friday - rest day. Yippee. Only a dog walk.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday (holiday) morning - the same 2.5 mile loop mostly. Pretty good runs each day.
And - I can feel it. My IT band is tight at night. I'd forgotten about that. So, back to the funny looking stretches. But, it means I am a runner again. I know the third run day in a row is supposed to be the cross training day. Mostly I walked today, but I like the loop I've been doing. I kinda figure that was what I needed. Tomorrow rest, then Wednesday again to running after work.
These three runs were probably good because of multiple reasons - it was morning, the temps were in the 60's, not 80's like when I first started to train, I have been eating a little better, and being sure to get water the night before. By afternoon, I've had Chinese food for lunch and 8 cups of coffee. Not good to run on. I know that.
I think if I ever write a book about running, I will have to give a 24 week training plan. Last summer, I spent summer getting ready to start the 20 week plan - I did some jogging with the dog. I did weight watchers and lost some weight... I was eating healthier. This year, I am figuring I should have spent a few weeks doing that before the 20 week start.
Here's the rundown:
Current weight: 240lbs
Saturday: 2.5 miles, 39:50 (at 2.1 miles at 32:00)
Sunday: 2.72 miles, 45:50
Monday: 2.51 miles, 42:39
Saturday, Sunday and Monday (holiday) morning - the same 2.5 mile loop mostly. Pretty good runs each day.
And - I can feel it. My IT band is tight at night. I'd forgotten about that. So, back to the funny looking stretches. But, it means I am a runner again. I know the third run day in a row is supposed to be the cross training day. Mostly I walked today, but I like the loop I've been doing. I kinda figure that was what I needed. Tomorrow rest, then Wednesday again to running after work.
These three runs were probably good because of multiple reasons - it was morning, the temps were in the 60's, not 80's like when I first started to train, I have been eating a little better, and being sure to get water the night before. By afternoon, I've had Chinese food for lunch and 8 cups of coffee. Not good to run on. I know that.
I think if I ever write a book about running, I will have to give a 24 week training plan. Last summer, I spent summer getting ready to start the 20 week plan - I did some jogging with the dog. I did weight watchers and lost some weight... I was eating healthier. This year, I am figuring I should have spent a few weeks doing that before the 20 week start.
Here's the rundown:
Current weight: 240lbs
Saturday: 2.5 miles, 39:50 (at 2.1 miles at 32:00)
Sunday: 2.72 miles, 45:50
Monday: 2.51 miles, 42:39
Friday, September 4, 2009
Better
Yesterday's training was MUCH better. I think I just had a sucky day on Wednesday. Thursdays are supposed to be cross training, but since I walked on Wednesday, I figured I had to run on Thursday. Well, I started off getting home from work and playing tag with my son. He loves to be chased. Eventually, he changed the game to zombie tag - where I had to lurch around and drag my foot. I know it wasn't fast moving, but it was moving and giggling. It reminded me of why I want to run. It isn't the glory of the marathon. It's to play and have more fun with him. Did you know that kid zombies are allowed to run, but adult zombies have to lurch. Seems fair.
So, after playing tag, I figured I would just walk the dog and then we'd dance around at home. Instead, I started the dog walk, and ran up the first hill. My sister says to run UP the hills. You can walk anywhere else. So, I ended up doing the same route last night as the night before. But, I ran occasionally (up the hills), and I ended up feeling pretty good.
Here is the Garmin breakdown for both days. You cans ee that I wasn't that much faster yesterday with my occasional running, but the feeling was different.
Wednesday (bad day): 2.42 miles in 45:33 (average 18:49)
Thursday (good day): 2.50 miles in 44:03 (average 17:34)
So, less then 1.5 minutes faster per mile on Thursday, but it felt like a run and Wednesday felt like a whine.
Today is a rest day. So, just zombie tag and dog walk.
So, after playing tag, I figured I would just walk the dog and then we'd dance around at home. Instead, I started the dog walk, and ran up the first hill. My sister says to run UP the hills. You can walk anywhere else. So, I ended up doing the same route last night as the night before. But, I ran occasionally (up the hills), and I ended up feeling pretty good.
Here is the Garmin breakdown for both days. You cans ee that I wasn't that much faster yesterday with my occasional running, but the feeling was different.
Wednesday (bad day): 2.42 miles in 45:33 (average 18:49)
Thursday (good day): 2.50 miles in 44:03 (average 17:34)
So, less then 1.5 minutes faster per mile on Thursday, but it felt like a run and Wednesday felt like a whine.
Today is a rest day. So, just zombie tag and dog walk.
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