NYCM 2014

Another NYCM in the books!

If you couldn't tell I was a little bit doom and gloom about this marathon. Due cause, Chicago was a nightmare, and too recent to not have on my mind. I would get twinges of excitement then think a couple weeks back and cringe.

I was going in with zero expectations. My stomach was a mess still and I was out of ideas of what to do, and won’t be going to the doc until next week for the real testing to begin. All I could do was to eat as plain as possible and cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I spent Saturday relaxing as much as possible and thanking our lucky stars that it wasn't the weather for Sunday. But then was seeing the forecast for the winds…but at least no rain, right?

Enter Sunday morning. Wake up to find out that there won’t be heated tents anymore in the Start Village with Team for Kids. Not amused.

Pre race selfie, obvi.

I had for once gotten everything ready to go the night before so getting out the door at 5 was a breeze. I couldn't “go” but my stomach felt okay. Ate my first plain roll on the way to the city. Then got on the TFK buses and was on my way to SI – I miraculously slept the whole way!

The second we stepped off the bus though, brrrr. That is all I can say. It was 7:15 and with a 10:05 start I was scared to wait around.

I spent some time with the TFK team ate another roll and then went to meet my running bff Tara who was in the same wave, same color, same corral as me. Talk about luck! We spent some time huddling to stay warm until without ceremony we heard the canons and were off! Kind of. Not without a few photos first!

I couldn't feel my feet and the wind on the Verrazano was so awful it wasn't hard to make sure you didn't go out too fast. As I was trying to make sure I didn't get blown off my friend Barbara came running up behind, love in a race so big you can find one another. 

Tara took off after about mile 1 and Barbara and I stuck together. My legs were not feeling loose at all and maintaining a slow cautious pace wasn't too difficult. Quite frankly even a slow pace seemed like too much effort. I started guesstimating finish times but knew it would not be under 4:30 and really didn't think too long and hard about it. 

We stuck together chatting and enjoying the crowds. So much love right from the start, the crowds make you feel like a rock star. DO NOT run NYCM without your name on your shirt. Seriously. People cheer you on like they are your family out there start to finish. 

Mile 5 I had to peel away for the bathroom. I was fine not hurting, but finally had to go (hadn't all morning but nothing like a few miles to get things moving) this stop maybe took 2.5 minutes even waiting in line. Spoiler alert that would be my ONLY stop for the bathroom all day! (Edit never mind I remembered I stopped after the Queensboro Bridge real quick to pee)

I was playing it pretty safe, I was walking through most water stops drinking a little and keeping cautious with how fast I was running. I would go through spurts where I would feel amazing and then equally like ughhh running isn't fun. I wasn't trying to be a rockstar out there so pushing it was not on the agenda.

I was focusing on when I would see people and started to be on the lookout. I saw Leticia at mile 8 and was such a boost. Then I was focused on #Mile14 and seeing the peeps from November Project. A nice infusion of energy as I prepared for the Queensboro Bridge. 

Going onto the bridge I was just trying to maintain slow and steady and not run too hard of an effort. But man did the bridge feel eternal. (and seriously the whole time I kept thinking - was it this HARD last year - meaning the whole course in general). Also I felt my left calf starting to strain but really low so was concerned it was my achilles. I tried to stretch it out but realized stopping and starting hurt. I got in my head a little bit at this point. Luckily 1st Ave gives you a LOT of distraction and I also knew to be on the lookout for a bunch of people. 

I should mention I had been deathly afraid to fuel so was STARVING by now and this is 100% the reason for the god awful brutally debilitating cramping that would ensue the rest of the race. When they were giving out the gels I figured if my stomach was okay for now I would go ahead and eat one. Then saw the magical med tent and decided to stop. 

Those people are magic. I got salt packets and salt water and calf stretching and massage. Just touching my calf was so painful. He told me to just be careful and several minutes later I was on my way. This is the point where I am in love with the crowds even more. I really really wanted to walk but was pushed to continue on. Slow as shit but continue nonetheless. I was still walking through water and basically starting to eat any and everything that was given out. Then as I was heading through the Bronx the right calf starts to cramp up which led me to hitting another med tent at mile 22. More salt, salt water, asprin and massage before I was off again. Both stops were worth the relief. 

I knew a bunch of people would be along 5th and in the park so I was just trying to keep busy looking for them and finally saw Beth and pretty sure I asked if I could just stop running at that point, haha!

As I made the turn into the park tears came to my eyes. A mixture of knowing I was on my way to the finish as well as just being overwhelmed by the day. I am not the most emotional person in the world darn these marathons really get me! I love the running community. 

I saw my friend Mike or rather heard him and then just focused on getting to the finish. I was on a mission to finish in under 5. I had done the calculations with about 10K to go (which took so long because long runs + math = impossible) and knew I would have to keep at it. Basically was just telling myself one foot in front of the other over and over. When I saw the 800 meter sign I knew it would be close. I was totally hurting at this point but oh so determined. When I got in the park I knew I had it and was just trying to go as fast as possible (totally not fast at all) to the finish. 

And then FINISH! 4:59:07 

And boy did I fight to that finish. I thought on a good day 4:30 was possible (4:29 last year) but the winds made it a whole new ballgame. 

After the 5:34 disaster at Chicago. Under perfect weather conditions on a flat and fast course this proves to me I was due for such a better day there. 

My garmin was totally off I lost a half mile on the bridge somewhere but from the online tracking can see the stops and such. But honestly NYC is tough. A few weeks after Chicago and I was hurting. I was riding the pain train hard for the last 10 miles or so. I never really hit a wall but I was in a world of pain. 

I may not have had a good race and may have hurt, but damn it I love NYC! (although seriously break my leg if I try to run it again next year).

2 fall marathons down and 1 more to go. Sigh. 

It's Marathon Week...Again

A little bit of déjà vu here.

NYCM is in 3 days and I am so “meh” about it.

Everyone around me is all

And I am over here just like, no

Very conflicted – given the opportunity to bail I think I would. But then I try to think about how magical last year was – running with 100 degree fever and all – and I get twinges of excitement.

But they last about as long as it takes for me to recall how effing miserable Chicago was a couple weeks ago.

It would be easy to say move on but I’ve basically had a stomachache since. It’s been fun, let me tell you. I have been talking to my doc and am going again to some specialists but not until after though. I am pretty sure regardless this wouldn’t be resolved prior. The thought is IBD or colitis and such but just basically I am in hell and just fingers crossed that I am not in PAIN while I run Sunday.

Speaking of running I ran once in between.

12 miles 6 days after just to prove I could run.

It went well but since then my stomach has been so crappy (haha!) that I have stuck with cross training. So here’s hoping that my legs remember what to do come Sunday.

I have absolutely NO time goals.

All I want is to feel like THIS for 26.2 miles. 

PS will totes be wearing this same outfit again as I am again running with Team for Kids

Pure, unadulterated, happiness out there. I don’t care if it takes 6 hours (okay jk I totally will be upset if I run slower than that 5:34 in Chicago because that was a time with an hour plus added with stops and walking) but basically I don’t care if I am slower I just want to have a good day. And less than 15 port-o-potty stops.

So here’s to New York.

And imodium. I think I will be taking lots and lots of imodium. 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 14

All week long I had total apprehension about the long run scheduled. 

20 miles loomed over my head. 

Even morning of the temptation to just stay in bed was oh, so, great. But I did it! 3+ loops of Central Park and the confidence has been built back up. I felt pretty strong the entire time. Recovery wise I have a little soreness (but you know, those hills + a mile race on Saturday kind of call for it regardless your conditioning I believe) but a nice boost. I was tempted to give up at 18 but had to run a couple more miles to get to the south side of the park anyway so, I ran. Bagel and apple in hand post race. 

One more week of a crazy long run (18- 22 depending on how I am feeling) and then it is time to taper taper taper away!

Monday - 3.17 @ 9:27 - nothing special just a shake out from going long Sunday

Tuesday - 10 miles total - Double Day! Morning: 1.5 mile w/u 8 x 400 avg 1:57 with 400 @ 10:00 recoveries .5 mile c/d 
I was inspired to do speed work out of run boredom. I feel I had more in me but I was honestly feeling kind of crappy. Was on the cusp of a sick day. But then I want to workout and if I can get up for that I can go to work.
Was feeling better at night - go figure so ran easy again (and had to kill time before an 8pm massage in the city) 4 miles @ 10:23

Wednesday - Day. Of. Rest. did some weights but other than that I took rest day seriously

Thursday - 6.6 miles total. Another day of doubles. Morning: 4.1 miles @ 9:05 - 5 min w/u 2-3 mins hard / 1 easy Evening: 2.5 miles @ 10:04 - easy miles before 20 minutes of lifting. Woo hoo a tiny bit of strength. I am so slacking on this. 

Friday - Cross train - 60 minutes mostly zoning out on the Arc - resistance 30 - 55

Saturday - 5.5 miles - Had the NYRR 5th Ave Mile on tap. I had no idea what to expect - ran there as a warm up and home as my cool down. Ran the mile in 7:22 - I am happy enough with that considering. I shouldn't expect to be any speedier since I don't work on it THAT much. 

Sunday - 20 miles @ 10:11 - NYRR 18 Mile Tune Up - I woke up sore from the race Saturday, tired and unmotivated. Surprised once I started running how amazing it went. Never pushed kept it easy and on 3+ loops of CP hills that was a confidence booster. Only had gu in the house for fuel and a fun reminder that my stomach and gu do not mix. 
Splits: 10:15, 10:20, 10:17, 10:38, 10:27, 10:09, 10:09, 9:55, 10:01, 10:14, 10:07, 9:53, 10:24, 10:12, 9:59, 10:01, 10:22, 9:32, 10:21, 10:13

Total Miles: 45.27 !!!! yup. a pretty big week mileage wise. 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 13

I am at the point where one minute I am feeling confident and marathon ready and the next I am totally worried I will not be prepared. I feel like I should PR but then have a crap 3 mile run and am like ahhhh I am going to run a personal worst!

I think that I progressed with training in a way that was better this time. I feel like things are coming together closer to the marathon versus last year when I think I peaked and then just tired myself out. 

Although tired out seems to be the name of the game lately. I know I have Vitamin D deficiency and low iron the last time I got blood work, but I am going in for another round this week. I have such pangs of lethargy each day and just feeling "off" that I want to see if something is wrong or if those have gotten worse. After last weekend's long run of death that I quit after 10 miles on then slept the rest of the day I honestly didn't feel back to normal until I ran long Sunday this week. I listened to my body and really had an easier week overall.

Monday - Cross Train - biked 20.21 miles + 30 min full body strength circuit. Was up at the crack of dawn due to sleeping so much on Sunday and the humidity was around 85%. I said hell no to running!

Tuesday - 5 miles @ 9:26 - stomach was off for the first time in a long time.

Wednesday - 3.25 miles @ 9:13 felt harder than it should have.

Thursday - Day of rest!!! aka forced because 4 maragarita Wednesday night had me feeling craptastic and there was no way in hell a workout was happening in any way shape or form. Date night SUCCESS!

Friday - 3.25 miles @ 9:13 (treadmill) honestly wanted to skip running when I felt the humidity but knew it would not happen after work since I was heading down to the beach house right after...decided to test out the new Mizuno Wave Rider 17's on the treadmill as a compromise. Legs felt rested finally, torn on the shoes though they felt good as far as the right amount of cushion etc. but the toe box feels more narrow and the arch support more present than the 16's. Time will tell, but not sure this will be my marathon shoe. 

Also evening strength + core work.

Saturday -  After reading everyone's tweets and posts about awful conditions - I turned my planned few miles (really just "junk" miles) into a 90 minute swim session. I did 10 laps easy free, 1 hard free, 2 breast, 2 kicking - repeat a bazillion times. Felt so good to be in the water! 

Sunday - Fasted long run. I woke up at the crack of dawn and realized I needed to just get out there and run and not think about it (aka not talk myself out of running or start dreading it). So in my half asleep daze I forgot to eat or drink anything before running out the door...as that is what I do during the week. 
Luckily 2 miles in passed a Dunkin' on the beach and have the app so was able to grab a bottle of water. But this became a fasted long run. Unintentional. I felt it a lot at times (I hadn't eaten much on Saturday in general)
10.5 miles @ 10:17 - splits: 10:05, 10:25, 10:36, 10:26, 10:26, 10:23, 10:17, 10:27, 10:11, 10:11, 8:55 (.5)

Total Miles: 22 (running only) 

A bit lower but a) this was a planned cut back week - even with the failed 18 last week, I didn't want to mess with the next coming weeks (20 and 22 mile long runs before taper) to adjust to higher mileage b) I only ran 4 days this week. So, it is what it is!

Holy crap 2 more weeks before TAPER! Yay? Maybe? 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 11

I felt very solid this week with training. My long run went very well. As did the recovery from it. I felt amazing the day after. My legs didn't feel heavy and I even managed a 20.5 mile bike ride easily. I feel like that is progress - quicker recovery from the miles. I only ran 4 days but put a lot of miles on the bike (47!!!) and feel the cross training is always beneficial. I have 3 BIG runs left before Chicago and slowly but surely that confidence is getting back up there. 

Monday - Cross Train - biked 16.25 miles 

Tuesday - 6 miles @ 9:30 + biked 10.25 miles - this run annoyed me. I started out and in the first half mile looked at my Garmin - I was running easy and figured it was like 10+ pace. It was an 8:20 - so what to I do - get in my head tell myself I am not able to run that pace and spend the rest of the time slowing down. Garmin you make me mental some times.

Wednesday - 3.6 miles @ 9:43 - my legs felt like they were weighed down by serious lead.

Thursday - I was going to do Yoga buuuut happy hour won and rest day was a total rest day minus like 15 mins of core in the morning.

Friday - 4.2 miles @ 9:31 my legs were starting to feel a little better but this was a struggle. dare I say treadmill workouts are starting to feel harder than those outdoors now?

Saturday - 16 miles @ 10:30. This run was pretty perfect. I met up with my friend Faith who is a couple miles from me down at the beach. We each ran a mile to meet and then she put us through a dynamic warm up (she is not only a BQ'er multiple times but a running coach) before we continued on. Average pace was right on as well as we negative split the run (thankful she ran my pace!). Stopped twice for the bathroom but stomach wasn't in pain so didn't bother me. 

Splits: 10:33, 10:40, 10:50, 10:36, 10:43, 10:58, 10:54, 10:30, 10:26, 10:17, 10:30, 10:27, 10:11, 10:03, 10:18, 9:58

Sunday - cross train - biked 20.5 miles. I need to get a bike up in the city. I am really enjoying biking days - minus my rear end isn't quite so used to so much time in the saddle just yet.

Total miles:  29.8 miles (counting running only) 

Long Run Success!

I swear that I approach every long run with equal senses of dread and excitement. 

I wanted to head straight to my beach house after work which meant I wouldn't be able to run with my friend Lindsay again and her group in the city Saturday. 

So I did what any normal person does, I sent out an SOS on Facebook, obvi :)

And I lucked out. My friend Faith who is a super runner and coach (like BQ kind of runner) is summering about 2 miles from me and we arranged to meet up and run together! 

I woke up at 5 ate a Clif bar and chugged a bottle of water then dozed off again for a while before getting up at 6 to get ready. 7:00 I was out the door and on my way. 

The weather was perfect. Slightly cloudy and overcast. A tad windy. Only like 70% humidity. Fantastic conditions at the Jersey Shore! 

I ran a mile or so to meet up and then Faith had us do some drills for a dynamic warmup. I never really do them and it is definitely something I should add in. And then we were off. 

Luckily she was willing to run my pace and also kept me highly entertained throughout the run. I was feeling pretty good for the most part. My hip has been bothering and she stopped to help me stretch out when it was getting bothersome. 

I had to make a couple bathroom stops this week but it was a difference between stomach pain and stomach being in shambles. So I wasn't upset by that. 

At 14 I left her and finished the last 2 on my own and was super happy with my splits. Negative split the run as well as nailed an average 10:30 pace - goal marathon pace is 9:30. I aim to be at least 10:30 if not slower, but want to do some with a strong finish to mimic pace on tired legs. 

Splits: 10:33, 10:40, 10:50, 10:36, 10:43, 10:58, 10:54, (10:30), 10:26, 10:17, 10:30, 10:27, 10:11, 10:03, 10:18, 9:58

After the run I walked home and hopped into the pool to chill the legs. (I forgot to unpause my Garmin one mile prior to the turnaround so missed mile 8. Oops)

Then proceeded to shower and eat all the food...errr or eat not much since there is barely anything in the house. Sad pants time a million. Runger nightmare. 

Never fear.  Delivery to help me out for dinner at least! 

I swear there is grilled chicken under all that mozz on the chicken parm!

Now super happy to have the long run done with and another 3 day weekend ahead of me. 

Hope you had a great Saturday! And Chicago Marathoners - I can't believe how soon it is!!!!

26.2 x 3 for the Fall

Yesterday this conversation happened:

My sister and I were apparently having an identical thought process about finding a race near my parents. Low and behold one that I have always been interested in running was the weekend (Sunday not Saturday I later realized) of Thanksgiving – when I plan to be in Florida for the holiday.

I got excited, yay. Half marathon and the parents would be close by!

Then I went to the site registration to the lovely message: Half marathon: full.

I immediately text to my sister relaying that…and that I guess I was running marathon number 3 for the fall (she was already planning to run the full).

Made it official this morning. With a slight panic of…umm what have I just done?

So first I will be running the streets of Chicago inOctober!

Then I will be fundraising and running NYCM with Team forKids 3 weeks later…

And topping it off with Space Coast Marathon 4 weeks after that.

And as it was pointed out to me, if I complete each, I will meet the qualifications for Marathon Maniacs.

Never any intention of mine. I kind of just want to survive at this point. And I get race registration happy. It’s a big problem for me.

On top of the fact that I am still not loving marathon training! So why don’t I just run 3 instead of 1. Sigh.

So now I have a rough idea of what “training/taper” will look like between each but will definitely need to come up with a more formal plan. 

I really had no plans for time goals for this fall. I am just really running. Trying to enjoy the run. I am in a tough spot at the moment - I have had a couple weeks of just tired and slow legs. Some days running a 10 min mile pace seems like the effort of attempting repeats. 

Then other days I look down and see a pace in the 8's that feels comfortable and psych myself out that I should slow down because I won't be able to sustain it. 

But those are issues for a different post. 

For now, woo hoo to marathoning! 26.2 x 3 here I come (god willing). 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 9

So this week was going great until the weekend. Finally got some good strength sessions in, working on making core work a priority - even if it just means a few minutes of planks a day and ran outside more days than not! Improvement! 

Saturday - planned on my long run with friends and the morning was chaos and I couldn't make it. I went out to do it but it was already late morning, sun full force and I decided to wait until Sunday. Spoiler alert, Sunday I had no motivation. 

So there you have it. I did not run long this past weekend...and I am okay with that. 

I headed to my beach house - FIRST time all summer thank you life - and got in some fabulous and much needed R&R. I had Monday off (finally putting some of my million vaca days to good use for long weekends) and wanted to just enjoy it. I do not think one missed long run will kill me or ruin marathon plans. 

One thing for sure - I will not be overtrained for this marathon season by any means ;)

Monday -  Rest day. I was beyond exhausted. 

Tuesday - 5 miles @ 9:05 / 10 mins of core 

Wednesday - Double day - morning 2.05 @ 8:46 / evening 4.25 @ 9:24 + lots of planks

Thursday - 1 mile @ 10:00 / Body Pump / 20 minutes on the AMT 

Friday -  3.5 miles + November Project workout - 10 burpees/ 10 pushups/ 10 mountain climbers + stair runs - repeat repeat repeat 

Saturday - long run planned. work and life got in the way - I went out to start and the sun was beating down and I said hell no and stopped. 

Sunday - 4.02 @ 9:46 + long walk

Total miles: 20 miles womp womp 

And So It Begins....

Training for Marathon #4 that is! (And 5 but I mean I figure NYCM is only a few weeks after so there isn't much ADDITIONAL training - right?) 

Chicago Marathon Week 1 has commenced - with me staying in bed and pushing my workout to tonight due to the torrential downpours. 

Starting with a bang. Oops. Damn rain. 

I am going this one without a coach and without any crazy lofty goals. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to PR (4:26) but I am not going sub 4 or bust this time. I am focusing on speed and all that and plan to follow the structure based from last year with my coach but I am more concerned with continuing to develop as a runner. If I happen to get in under 4 hours then fantastic but honestly this is a journey and I am not sure if I will be there then. As I learned last year (the first year I ran a marathon and then a few more) the marathon is a beast - and learning to pace one is tricky business. 

Last year sucked the life and fun out of it all for me and I semi hated running by the time it was time to run (and a DNF in the goal marathon didn't exactly lift my spirits).

Things I need to work on are getting my stomach in better shape (seriously would love to get to the point where I don't consider it "just the way it is" that I have to stop in 90% of my runs for the bathroom) and proper fueling. 

I have a list of things I want to test out for the next several weeks - including fueling with "whole" foods vs Gu and Chomps and such during my runs as well as testing out GenUCAN which I have heard has worked wonders for a lot of people with stomach issues. 

So here we are the beginning of another 18 week journey to 26.2 and I cannot say I am EXCITED per say (good bye to some of my weekend social life), but I am ready to get this party started. 

My plan more or less is going to be 5 days of running, 1-2 cross training sessions and 2-3 strength training sessions. A lot but I think my biggest mistake was losing the strength sessions during training last time. I definitely deteriorated as a runner so I am going to make them a priority. I will be posting weekly updates (contain the excitement) and can't wait to see how I progress through this cycle.

I know a lot of others have begun training as well - so a collective WOO HOO to everyone else out there. Here goes nothing!!! 

I'm Still Training. Kind Of.

Howdy!

Just realized that I have been kind of MIA for a couple of weeks.

Oops.

Still no full NYCM recap. No training updates. None of what I have been up to since.

So here is a little glimpse into the past couple weeks of my life.

I ran NYCM while feeling like shit. Complete and total shit.

I proceeded to take only two days off from training (since you know, I ran the marathon as a training run and all).

BIG SHOCK. I wound up sick for basically the next two weeks that followed. I am just starting to feel some semblance of normal... although I still feel just flat out EXHAUSTED at times for no reason.

Yawn.

So first up. I totally do not recommend doing that to yourself. If you wake up with a fever and shit, put yourself back to bed instead of running 26.2 miles.

But if you DO go run it. Maybe take the following day off. Me? I was in the office at 8am and had an 11 hour day the day after.

And when you do start running. Don't make the first run back a 10 miler.

Queen of Good Decisions.

I fought all urges for rest days and ran myself quite literally into the ground. 6 days after NYCM as I am running a long run with my friend...11 minute miles seemed like torture and with each passing minute felt worse and worse. I somehow made it to just under 14 miles when I wanted to die. I had nothing left in me. Major light bulb went off in my head that umm I need to not run. And maybe take a day off. You know get myself better.

So last week I took some time off. I didn't run for a full week! (lifetime for me) and to be totally honest, I did not miss it. I have drank the kool aide and am 150% in love with Flywheel and have been taking entirely too many classes and spending way too much of my money there.

That $32 a pop sure does hurt the bank account but oh how I love it.

So back to that whole training thing. Flywheel classes can totally replace actually running as training for the marathon. Right? Maybe? Just lie to me and say yes.

More confession time. I am supposed to run Palm Beaches Marathon in about 2 1/2 weeks. It is to be my sisters first marathon and I am heading back to Florida to join in the action.

I'm not entirely convinced any more that I am going to do it. I just don't know if I have another 26.2 miles in me right now. I am beat. Physically and mentally. I have checked out with running. I don't WANT to train right now and am attempting to get away with minimal in order to still be in shape enough for a marathon (although pretty sure that with only 5 weeks between them and still being highly active, no matter what I am fine).

I have nothing to prove. And I am about 99.9% sure that I am NOT going to run my sub 4 hour marathon in Palm Beach. I have proven time and again I run like shit in warm weather and am just not there at the moment physically. To beat my body up for another meh marathon, I am currently just sitting back and weighing the options of dropping down to the half.

Obviously taking into consideration if I will be disappointed etc. The good news is that I have until the day before to swap out my bib so I have some time. Until then I am going to follow through with the coaches training as if I am running it but I would be lying if I said I was actually all in and on board anymore.

Okay. I think I have babbled on enough.

I think for the first time in a while, I am not all do or die about running. And that is a reason to pause about this whole marathon coming up but as well as kind of be happy. Some times I let it consume me way too much and it is nice to not feel pressured about it right now.

I have so much going on right now and running isn't the number 1 priority. And you know, I am totally okay with that.

I am going to run on my own terms. And if I don't feel like it, I won't.

NYCM - Nothing Compares

I will do a full recap later since I have a lot to say about the race but...

NYCM 2013

AKA the marathon I did not taper for and ran with a 100 degree fever - FTW!

Leading up to the marathon, it was training business as usual as this was going to be a "training run" (running Palm Beaches in December).

The week of the marathon training went a little something like this:

Monday: 75 mins XT + Lift

Tuesday: 5 miles

Wednesday: 7 miles 5 @ tempo (aka the day I started feeling sick)

Thursday: 5 miles easy

Friday: REST glorious rest

Saturday: Dash to the Finish 5K 

Sunday: NYCM!!! 

Total miles: 46.3

I was exhausted on Friday after work. I had planned to go home early but that never really pans out. 

Saturday morning was quite the struggle to get out of bed. Thankfully I had picked up Jen's bib and HAD to go run the race. But really had no desire to do so (but super thrilled to see Jen!).  

In true 5K fashion I thought I was going out slow but wound up going out with a bit of a bang and then spent the rest of the time reeling myself in for an easy 27:57 finish. (side note kind of want to race a short race some time soon...)

I actually wound up running into Jen at the finish as well and after chatting for a little bit went on our ways. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt AWFUL. Dizzy and like I was going to throw up. I couldn't get home fast enough. 

I proceeded to get home shower, eat something and put myself to bed for the remainder of the day praying that I would feel better in 24 hours. 

Spoiler alert, I woke up Sunday morning with a 100 degree fever and feeling like hell. Thankfully the excitement of the day helped get me up and at it. 

I knew that it was going to be a tough one but it is really hard to not get pulled in to the magnitude of what was about to happen. I was running the New York City Marathon. Just awesome. 

The good news, I did it! 4:29:36. 

Not my best, not my worst, but surely my favorite.

Damn proud considering oh I was sick and had not tapered. And my last LONG LONG run over 16 was 9/22. 

There was a lot of joy, a lot of struggle and a lot of emotion.

I am going to leave you with splits just for fun and fully recap later.

AND FYI - had NO clue what I was running until the half, I decided to just say f it to monitoring the Garmin and RUN. But intended to start slow...

Mile 1: 10:40 <-- LOOK AT HOW SLOW I DID IT!!! YES.
Mile 2: 8:50 (oops)
Mile 3: 9:27
Mile 4: 9:15
Mile 5: 9:10
Mile 6: 9:09
Mile 7: 9:05
Mile 8: 9:21
Mile 9: 9:21
Mile 10: 9:19 
Mile 11: 12:22 (bathroom)
Mile 12: 9:31
Mile 13: 9:48
Mile 14: 9:57
Mile 15: 10:32 
Mile 16: 12:33 (another bathroom)
Mile 17: 9:40
Mile 18: 10:35
Mile 19: 15:43 (med tent)
Mile 20: 11:08
Mile 21: 10:42
Mile 22: 10:14
Mile 23: 9:47
Mile 24: 10:27
Mile 25: 9:54
Mile 26: 9:53
Mile 27: 9:22

The splits tell the story. I felt like crap and the excitement wore off and hit me like a ton of bricks eventually. But I fought to get back on track at the end as hard as it was. 

More to come. But congrats to everyone who ran on Sunday! 

And leaving you with a photo that I promise shows me a LOT happier than I felt at mile 23. Hamming it for the camera!

 

#INGNYCM 2013

Well I officially just booked a car to get me to the TFK bus so 12 hours from now it will all be happening. 

A couple thoughts:

I feel like straight up crap. I want stay in bed forever right now. 

I am excited and scared at the same time. I haven't run more than 16 in a couple months. 

But running has started to feel normal again minus that whole cold thing I have going on right now. Lungs burn running at the moment. 

I have a goal but for the first time I just don't feel like talking about it. Enjoyment is first goals are second this time around. 

And with that I am just going to leave you with a million pictures. 

To everyone out there running tomorrow GOOD LUCK!!!! 

We run this city!!

And feel free to stalk me: bib 34780

And let me know where to find you spectating on the course!!

Everywhere. You cannot escape this marathon. 

Expo! And too much money spent. 

Dash to the Finish 5K - shakeout 

Only about 10,000 people showed up

Running 42nd Street? Priceless. 

I spy mile 25! And realize that mile might simultaneously suck and be awesome. 

FINISH!!! See you again soon!

And next time you will read 26.2 or knowing me and tangents...26.5

Training Lately

Well I haven't bored with one of these in a couple weeks! 

But as I am flying back from a long weekend in Miami at the moment it seemed like a perfect opportunity to catch up! 

The past couple weeks have been hard. Running just isn't clicking for me at the moment. Every run so far has been done with a bit of feet dragging.

I am just TIRED. 

All. The. Time. 

I think my body is a bit over it all at this point in time. I was so ready to be done training and then, DNF at Hartford. The wind was taken out of my sails and I just can seem to get it back. 

My mental state isn't exactly helping my physical performance either. Running just seems HARD. What's that all about? I am ready for one of those runs where it all clicks again and things fall together. 

Hopefully during NYCM. Okay body and mind let's get on board with that as a plan. Thanks. 

Along those lines. NYCM is going to be a training run. I have a time in mind that my coach thinks we should hit pace wise which on one hand should be totally doable (and a sweet PR) - but on the other I want to embrace every moment of New York. I already am emotional reading recaps and advice pieces that I want to be in the moment. 

So what's been going on with me for the past two weeks since Hartford? Here is a brief recap:

Monday: 8 miles - 1 easy / 1 MGP or under

Tuesday: XT and strength

Wednesday: 10 mile negative split 5 easy 5 speedy

Thursday: 6.5 miles easy 

Friday: rest (day off from work sick)

Saturday: rest again

Sunday: 12 miles morning / 3ish night

Total: 40ish

Monday: XT + strength

Tuesday: 11 miles - 6 x 1 mile repeats + 2.5 warm up and cool down

Wednesday: 6 miles easy

Thursday: 8 miles with 10 x 30 hard

Friday: rest

Saturday: Miami Halloween Half + 2.5 miles

Sunday: Flywheel class + 4.5 miles + biking 

Total: 45 

Mileage is still up and will be taking it a little easy this week leading up to NYCM. 

To be brutally honest, yes I am SO EXCITED for this marathon but on the other I just don't want to think about it. All the countdowns and such I am not taking part of. Considering how my running has been lately I am almost in hey lets just try to survive this marathon kind of mode. 

So there we have it. I am sure I will soon enough get fully back on board. Pretty sure I will be caught up in marathon excitement. 

But until then I am just taking each run as they come. 

New York City Marathon: Running for Team for Kids!

As I had mentioned earlier: I am going to be running the New York City Marathon this year. However, since by a glitch I should have qualified for guaranteed entry but didn't (my membership was not valid until March '12 but I did I think 12 + 1) I did not want to miss out and thought that this was a great opportunity to give back to the sport and a good cause.

NYRR Team for Kids was decided on after looking into various charities and organizations that I could run for but thought that TFK was a good fit for me. Growing up while I was athletic I was overweight for the majority. It took me until 3 years back to really get a grasp on my health and that is when running took over. 

If I can help a child gain what I have through fitness and running at an early age, then this marathon has served it's purpose. 

So for those that may be interested please take a look at my TFK fundraising page! 

Every little bit of support is appreciated and helps tremendously!

I can't wait to run NYCM and plan on this being my face for all 26.2!!!