First Long Run (post-marathon)

Today, I set out with a goal – a long slow run.  I wanted to do a minimum of 6, but if time allowed, I wanted to try to do 9.

My first mile wasn’t my typical warm up “my legs reaalllly don’t wanna do this” mile.  I ran with a fellow active person from my road.  She was riding her bike while exercising her dog.  We engaged in some great “Mommy” conversation while our dogs frollicked together!

The 2-6 miles went fast – I was enjoying the great morning (cloudy, cool 59ish), my great music, and time to myself that I haven’t had for a few days.  I had worked early this morning from 6ish until 9ish, so I wasn’t sure if I’d have the endurance to do the full distance.

By mile 6, I knew I’d take the last miles one at a time.  I was also HUNGRY – dreaming of the bbq we’re having tonight for my brother and sister reunion (lobstah included…), and the turkey bacon sandwich I’d have when I finished.  I {heart} turkey bacon (sandwiches).  Great recovery meal…

At the conclusion of mile 7 (lap 7), I discovered my youngest – dylan the destroyer, climbing the fence to let himself out of the yard… I brought him in the house, only to discover that my husband had been dealing with problems with one of our clients and he might have to go into Boston.  I wanted to get 2 more miles in…  Potty break, and back out I went.

Finishing mile 9, I knew that 10 would be ambitious.  I felt great, but I was tired in more ways than one… that BLT was calling me name

I am amazed that my body is willing to run long again!  After Austin, I had trouble even fathoming 6 miles, much less 9 in the weeks that followed my marathon.  I feel so much more balanced, and strong in this recover… but, I need to focus on stretching!  I know that’s my weakness, and it’ll sideline me if I don’t overcome it.

Happy Trails!

My Best Training Advice

When I was in the car on the way to the start of the Vermont City Marathon, one of the 21 year old girls I carpooled with asked me what my best advice for marathon training was…

I paused.  I’ve trained partially for 7 marathons, and completed training for 4 at this point in time.  I’ve logged many miles, rescheduled many workouts, and had to change my outlook on how I train to accommodate my family of 3 small children, a work from home contracting job, and a very busy husband…

My first response was LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  If you are fatigued, having trouble sleeping, hurting, or feeling stressed about training – back off a bit.  Cramming your workout in, just because the plan says to do a 21 miler only leads to burnout, injuries, or bonking in the big event.

After my First Rule of Training, I would say my second rule is – BE FLEXIBLE.  And not the “Gumby” kind of flexible.  If something comes up on the weekend, and you are forced to adjust your training schedule, just roll with it.  Figure out how to juggle it, and then roll with it.  I learned this one in dealing with illness, injury and busy kids while training for Austin.

I think the final thing I would advise is LET IT GO!  I tend to become all-consumed by my training, my preparation, and it has a negative effect on my performance and on my ability to be present with my family.  I probably need to practice this bit of advice a little more often.

One Year

One year ago today, I embarked on a journey that would shape me in ways I never imagined.

One year ago today, I would never have thought that I would have run in 2 different marathons and PR’ed in one of them.

One year ago today, I was so different, but so similar to the woman I am today.

http://austin262.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/the-commitment/

I am stronger, faster, and more confident than I was one year ago today.  And, I have the same perseverance that I will always carry with me – I will do anything I put my mind to.

I have yet to figure out what my next “anything” is….

4 fast miles

I woke up today with an aching desire to run.  After reading a fellow marathoner’’s blog about his first week back after a PR at VCM, starting a few days after the marathon, I figured I’ve endured enough running withdrawl to test the wheels.

It started off cloudy, 68ish.  But quickly, the clouds burned off, and the sun was out.  So grateful for packing my shades along with me.

My sister is in town, and she asked over the phone how many I was doing… 2, 4, 6… whatever my body will let me get away with.

The first 2 miles went quick.  I warmed up quickly, and was sweaty by the end of 2.  The third mile gave me a reminder of what I put my body through – my legs weren’t turning over as quickly, and my breathing was heavy.

After three, I checked the clock.  I was at a good clip – 3 miles and 27 minutes into it!  9 minute miles.  Huh.

I decided to tack on one more for good measure, and at the end, I knew I had no more to give… 4 was good.  4 at 9 mpm pace was even better!  My sister had arrived, Kayla was about to get off the bus, and I was sweaty!

Relieved  to take the edge off… happy to be on the road to recovery with minimal resistance of the body… and hungry for more!

A new perspective – Vermont City Marathon

Its about time I take my thoughts and put them in words.  Solidify them, and make them my own.

What a crazy weekend I had!  Memorial Day weekend in Vermont.  It was a packed itinerary – godparents, brothers and sickness, Oh! My!

Kayla kicked the weekend off with a bang for us… she was running a fever, throwing up on saturday morning, and generally in a bad way.  We took our time on Saturday getting loaded up, and on our way.  We had a 5 hour drive ahead of us.  Thank goodness for barfbags and DVD players! I had  thought ahead, and packed lunches for us all.  I was worried about being dehydrated – I didn’t want to drink too much before we got to our destination for fear of having to stop, but I knew I needed to drink up now for tomorrow.

We arrived in Vermont after 4.5 hours of driving with one pitstop – got our early check  in at the Hampton Inn in Colchester (I highly recommend it – awesome bed, clean and friendly!).  I helped unpack a little and then set on my way to get my race packet while the kids went crazy in the room.

The VCM expo was great – easy to get to, free cookie dough ice cream samples from Ben and Jerry’s!  Can’t beat that pre-race snack!  The volunteers were organized, the vendors plentiful though I was on borrowed time – I had a clan waiting for some pool time.

I returned to my hotel, to find a text from my brother – they were on their way over to go swimming with us!  This would be the first time that our families met – the first of many I’m sure!  We swam and hung out for a little over an hour, and then we had to be on our way to our next engagement – pre-race dinner!

I had invited myself to my godparents house to cook my own dinner since I would rather not eat out (3 kids, restaurant, not exactly stress-free!)  My mom and Don were staying there, and its my home away from home.  I grew up in that house – countless summers, countless New Year’s eves…  so many memories.  Mom brought up some of her meatballs / sausage / sauce… I brought my own pasta.  When we pulled up, there were so many cars it seemed!  I walked in to find Julie & Jaymie, Keith & Anne Marie, my godparents and a puppy!  The whole Fig Newton clan!  I was so happy that they all came together to hang out with me and my family! The kids were entertained by the puppy, my belly was filled with yummy food, and my heart & soul were full of support and good karma!

We were on our way, since I needed to get back to the hotel and prepare… I knew I wouldn’t sleep, but I needed to get myself together and get the kids to bed.  I hadn’t really thought much about the marathon up to this point.  I was in unchartered territory – traveling to a marathon with all three kids in tow (6,4,2 – it makes for an interesting time!).  We are chaos, and there is nothing controlled about it.  This time, it wasn’t all about me – you can’t be selfish when there are three others (four if you count dale) depending on you.  I don’t think I had time to think about the marathon… I was on autopilot – just trying to keep up with my little peeps.

Dale focused on getting them into bed while I set up my stuff – everything in the bathroom where i would get ready.  I had my mental check list – gatorade, Gu, powerbars, sunscreen, shirt, shorts socks, shoes, race number and pins already attached.  Alarm on his phone set for 5:30.  My iPod… missing.  ACK!  I felt deja vu of Austin…  I panicked.  Searched. And Searched.  We had the blue iPod I bought in Texas but the battery wasn’t enough and we didn’t have the charger.  (plus the new GreenDay song was on the white one….)  We finally found it in Dale’s shorts pocket – rescued from the hands of Dylan the Destroyer earlier in the day.

I pulled out the laptop and thought about blogging.  But I didn’t have much to say.  A quick line on Facebook about not being able to sleep, and then I climbed into bed with Dylan and snoozed on and off…

I got up before my alarm and got dressed.  Drank the rest of my gatorade.  At 6 I joined the other runner’s and some families in the lobby for breakfast.  I was really hungry!  2 cups of coffee, a banana, 1.5 english muffins and 32 oz of water… I nervously chatted with a family from new york.  I took my sunscreen and went outside to put it on… it was cloudy – looked like rain. I still put it on, knowing that New England weather can change in an instant.  I went back upstairs and did the final preps… Kayla woke up as I was leaving.  I gave her a kiss and said I would see her at the finish.

I went to wait for the bus.  Somehow I ended up talking to some people in the lobby and getting a ride to the start.  Two funny 21 year old girls – comic relief!

Mom and Don found me at the start.  I was supposed to meet them at the totem pole, but I forgot we had said that… Idon’t know how they picked me out of the crowd, but I was happy to see them.  The nervous energy was building int he crowd, but I felt extremely serene.

The gun went off – and the crowd moved forward, as if pushed by the momentum of nervous energy.  I don’t remember much about those first miles, except that I saw Barry – A firefighter friend from UMass.  I had forgotten he was on the Burlington Fire Dept!  I shouted to him right before we turned up church street and he shouted back!   It was raining, and wet and cool, but I kept telling myself it was a good thing.  And it was.

I passed Mom on Church street the first pass – almost went by her before seeing her.  Then we headed down 127… DOWN.  All down… for what seemed like 2 miles.  Downhill.  in a sloppy splashy mess.  My ankles were taking a beating with the banking of the road to the left, and to the right…  My quads were taking a beating from the constant downhill.  I knew that everything that we went down we would have to go back up.  “Keep moving forward” I told myself.  As we hit the hairpin turn that would send us back down the hill, I knew I could do it. I recalled that 8.5 mile run the day after an elliptical workout – the hilly run that I did with dead legs.  I knew I could make this hill.  I set my eyes on the pavement just ahead of me and dug in.  I noticed the time at mile 6.  This race was FLYING – too fast I thought… but I was caught up in the momentum… I was doing 10:30s.  I felt like I sailed over the top of the hill, and turned back down Church Street.  Mom met me with my bottle of gatorade, and my bag of cheezits.  I didn’t need them yet, but I knew this rain wouldn’t last and soon I’d been in need of salt.

I had approached this marathon a little differently than my other 3.  This one, I ate early and often — taking a gu at mile 4, drinking every mile or so, taking another gu at Mile 9 with my bottle of gatorade.

I don’t really recall too much from Mile 9 to when we got on the bike bath – the half way point.  I know I ate soem cheezits (and stuffed the rest of the baggie into my sunglasses bag for later if I needed them).  I finished off my gatorade bottle.  I reached the half marathon spot in what felt like record time – 2 hours and change.  I was still on a 10:30 pace, but  was in need of a potty break.  I powered through a power bar while I waited.  The aid station volunteers brought us water while we waited.  I felt good.  Soaked, wet, soggy, but good.  I got into the porta potty but I didn’t need to go any more.. weird. At least I got to eat my power bar.

I set on my way, with new determination.  At battery hill, I ran up as far as I could, and then stopped to walk.  I saw mom and don – they snapped a picture. I informed them I was walking the rest of the way but then changed my mind about 50 yards later and ran to the top.  I regretted that decision later, but it felt good at the time

at Mile 16, a gentleman I had been jockeying with came along side of me – now we’re in the single digits!  Funny – I thought I was the only one that treated this like 26 mile repeats!  At this point, it felt like I was running on a boulder in my left sh0e.  I didn’t dare stop to reset my sock for fear of not going again.  The sun had come out, and a spectator was nice enough to dry my sunglasses for me.  I was grateful for her help and as I left her, she reminded me that hers was the last hill.

Its funny – I have run this marathon before, but I don’t recall much of the course.  And now as I sit here and type, I can’t recall a lot of the parts of my run.  Not that they were uneventful, but I just seem to have blocked parts out.

At mile 20, I didn’t know if I could keep running.  I had been fueling myself all along, but my faster-than-expected pace of the start  had taken its toll.  It was warm in the sun.   I  geared myself up for the last 10k… Just Finish.  Keep Moving Forward.  My family will be so proud.  I CAN DO IT.  I kept my forward motion, even through the aid stations, stopping only for a moment to take my gulp of fluid and move on.  I walked enough to give myself the energy to run to the next aid station.  At mile 24 I knew I was in the home stretch.  It was all heart and soul from here.  I was asked if I was OK… I must have been breathing loud (this happens when I get tired — not sure if its a function of my asthma or just the noise of my lungs helping my feet to keep their rhythm), and was grateful that this man was kind enough to be concerned.  The group of us that had been jockeying for the last 10 miles kept passing each other, giving words of encouragement, Come on, girl, we’re almost there.

When I rounded the corner at mile 26, with the longest .2 yet to go, I knew I was there. I gave it my all, a little too soon… The finish is a cruel one – they wrap you around the boardwalk (OUCH on the beaten feet), and around the sidewalk, and around a little more.. you can hear the finish, but you can’t see the finish…  I felt like it was the never ending .2 of the 26.2 marathon… I passed my screaming family – high fiving my kids.  I was scanning the crowd for my brother – I knew he was there, but I couldn’t see him.  Then I saw the clock!!!!  4:55 and I sprinted as best I could because I was afraid to lose 5 minutes in those steps between me and the end… I crossed under at 4:56 and change.  Ecstatic – I DID IT! I DID IT!  I turned to the lady who was trying to help me out of the finish area… “Can you believe it, I did it!!! I broke 5 hours!” she seemed concerned… I wasn’t delirious, I was ecstatic!  I DID IT!!! but she was still concerned… do you need anyting? “yes, I need my family!  I DID IT!!!“  They cut my chip off, handed me a water, and there was Dale waiting for me… to lead me to my kids.  I DID IT!

My kids are funny – they saw my medal… Did you win mama?!?!  Yes, I won.  But mama, lots of people came running by before you… how did you win?  And how do you explain to a 6 and 4 year old the meaning of Personal Best… Achievement.  Fulfillment. Attaining a goal that I have longed to repeat for 7 years…  7 YEARS!  I have waited 7 years to break a 5 hour marathon.  And I did it!  I did it, and I surpassed my expectations, and I won this marathon. For me, I won it all… and I earned every ounce of that metal.  I left everything out there on that course… blood sweat and tears.

The net time for this marathon was 4:54:11. That’s a PR for me – I’ve never run a marathon that fast before!  This is a pre and post baby marathon PR and that’s the most satisfying thing for me – 7 years older, 7 years and 3 children stronger…

And if I only knew how I was about to be tested…  I woke up on Monday morning at 4 am to Dale shivering… feverish.  I woke up Monday morning at 9 to an incoherent husband, 3 hungry kids, and a hotel room that needed to be packed.  And I couldn’t get out of bed because I was so sore…  My husband was too sick to stand, and I was too sore to move fast.  I had to do it once again… I got breakfast, took Kayla and Dylan to the pool, got the hotel room packed, loaded the car, and drove us home.  Unpacked, and took care of the kids for the next three days while Dale battled a 104 fever.  He was in a bad way and once again, I flexed my mama muscles, and powered through.  And I’m stronger for it, and maybe slightly insane because of it,

Once again, I have proven that I should never doubt my ability to accomplish what I set out to do.

I DID IT!!!!

Yet more proof to never doubt myself….  I finished thi smarathon today in 4:56 and change…  gun time.  Waiting to see the chip time results!  HOW EXCITING!

I have officially set a new PR for marathons – both before and after babies!  Last time I ran Vermont City Marathon, I finished in 4:58 and change…

Today’s conditions were perfect… it was cool and rainy until about mile 16. Then it was sunny with a breeze.  Then it got a little too warm for my liking.

I attacked this marathon with a little different philosphy – eat early and often.  Starting at mile 4, I consumed Gu, power bars, cheezits, gatorade like it was going off the market, Carboom which is what they had on the course…  And apparently it paid off!

I think I’m done for a while.  I hurt.  The last 10 miles or so HURT.  Of course, ask me again when I heal….

Since I’m headed out to a BBQ at my brothers, I’ll have to post my introspection later…

YAY ME!  I ROCK!

The last sleep Saturday

I don’t know why the last sleep is always the hardest.  Longest, yet shortest… and definitely not restful.  More like “something I should do” kind of sleep…

I drove to Burlington today.  Met my brother’s family.  Spent time with my godparents and my god-family (though GOD has nothing to do with it…) My brother and sister, though not by blood, were both in attendance, and I was so happy everyone was there…. I wasn’t expecting anything of the sort.  In fact, I brought my own pasta!  I felt so loved…  And supported.  Even if they think I’m crazy for running that long and that far all at once.

Tomorrow.  I can’t believe its already here.  I’m far more peacefull with this marathon endeavour than I’ve been with any of my others.  Maybe having the kids in tow helped distract me from over thinking it…

I will say, that traveling to a marathon with all 3 (four if you count Dale) children was far from stress-free… 4.5 hours in the car with them, anything but enjoyable… yet, despite the added stress, I’m so happy they are here… fevers, throwup and all.  I didn’t think we were all going to make it when I woke up to vomitrocious this morning!

So, tomorrow marks the end of another journey for me… and the beginning of a new one, though I have yet to discover the purpose of my next personal journey and triumph…

Catch ya’ll on the flip side of Battery Hill!

12 mile Saturday

The last training run before the marathon….  I woke up to bright sunny skies, and a pancake breakfast made by my husband.  YUM!

After Thursday’s run, I decided to take Friday off from cardio.  Listening to my body, it said “Let me rest!”.  So, I complied… for a day!

Dale told me to go do my workout, and by 11:04, I was out the door and geared up for a “long” run.  I was hoping to do something crazy like 16 or 18.  I gave myself an out – Make it to 12, and re-evaluate.

My body has been tired, my knees sore, and my shingles spot tingly.  I never successfully trained and completed two marathons “back to back” (even though they aren’t really back to back, they are the closest I’ve ever done them before).  I actually got pregnant with my oldest child the last time I tried!  I really wish I had put in more miles, but life got in the way…

12 times around Peter Rd is a little monotonous.  The  neighbors must think I’m nuts!  My dog surely agrees with them.  Ginger only did the first mile with me, and then resigned herself to bystander status from the back lawn.

Every mile, I peeked through the fence to see Dale and t he kids playing, cleaning up the yard, putting in more fencing sections, watersliding, and lunch making.

I felt strong.  I felt happy.  The sun was strong, but I was smart enough to put on sunscreen this time!  During my 2.5 hours of running, I tried to calculate if I would actually finish in 5 hours.  The main goal is to finish, have fun, and not get injured.  The goal in the back of my mind is to finish this one in somewhere close to 5 hours… a little over, a little under… just better than 5:38.

I stopped at 6 and went potty, refilled my diluted gatorade, and grabbed a handful of pretzels.  My body was asking for the salt.  I had eaten half a power bar before the run, and bits and pieces every mile.  Washed down with water, followed by gatorade.  My head started to feel funny – like light headed achiness.  So, I obliged with salty pretzles.  And it worked!  My crew will have to be prepared with bags of pretzels, refills of fruit punch gatorade, and cheezits (a weird long distance craving of mine!)

At 10 miles, Dale asked how many  I was doing (and was relieved when I didn’t say 16).  Just 2 more.   My gatorade needed to be replenished.

I finished 12, and decided not to push it.  8 days until race day, no need to burn out my legs any more than they already are…

Now I have to map out the workout plan for this week… for my (and my family’s) sake I need to work out.  I will hopefully get to the gym for some easy cardio or maybe a few treadmill miles M, Tu, Wed, Thursday and then take Friday and Saturday off.  Saturday is our travel day.

I’m excited, and nervous…

Thinking Marathon Thursday

After yesterday’s workout at the gym, I knew I needed to get out and run.  I feel the best after a good running workout…. usually.

Today, my legs were heavy again, and tired.  I’m thinking that its related to the runs I do after an elliptical workout the day before.

I pushed through the pain, taking the 6 miles at half mile intervals, walking through the cut through, and walking at my house while I hydrated.

While I was running, my thoughts turned to the VCM that is in 10 days.  I relived the Austin marathon, and found myself saddened that I wouldn’t be doing this race with Sarah.  I haven’t trained nearly as much as I’ve wanted to, but I spent more time listening to my body after the Austin Marathon.   I was fatigued and fragile… mentally and physically.

And, while I won’t be running the race with anyone, it’ll be the first marathon that my family will be at – my kids have never been to one of Mama’s races.  My kids have never travelled to Vermont with me.  We will be visiting my brother and his family while we are up there, which is also a first for me – Going to Vermont and visitng my brother.

The last 1.5 miles of the run today, I akinned to the last 1.5 of the marathon – my legs were about as dead.  I allowed my mind to wander – wondering if I’d make to the finish in 5 hours this time.   It doesn’t really matter, since my main goal is just to finish.

I guess eventually my goal may change, but keeping it this way allows me to enjoy the journey a little more, and allows me to enjoy race day and race weekend that much more.

Gym Workout Wednesday

Wednesdays are normally a mama-and-only-mama day for my kids, which usually means I either workout early, or it becomes a “rest” day.

Today, my husband decided to postpone his work in Boston in order to move plants and put up the new fence (needed to contain my two year old).  2.5 hours of yardwork later, I was covered in filth, sweaty, and not sure if I was going to be able to get to the gym like he promised….

I finally got said 2 year old to go down for a nap, and Dale shoo’ed me out of the house.

Once I got to the gym, I was indecisive about what I was going to do for a work out.  I was tired from the yard work, tired from being up so late the night before (crazy how 11 is now “so late”).  I finally decided on the elliptical, no arms.

My goal was 6 miles and 800 cals in an hour.  But the elliptical for whatever reason isn’t as good as the arc trainer in burning cals.  Or maybe my resistance wasn’t high enough?  It took an extra 5 minutes to burn those last calories and complete the 6 miles, but it was worth it. I felt I got a complete leg workout too.  I did intervals again, 10 incline 8 resistance, and then4 incline 10 resistance.  I felt it in my glutes, hams, and quads.  Not really so much in my calves but that’s a good thing because when I get an imbalance in my calves, I’m prone to shin splints while running.

The amount of sweat I produce in these workouts is really amazing.  I  am SOAKED.  And the floor under me is soaked. Its like I’ve jumped into a pool!  I know I’m a heavy sweater anyway, but this just blows me away!  no wonder I consume something like 128 oz of water or more a day!

I added some ab/adductor leg work at the end of the workout to help with my hip  problem.  3 sets of 20 reps at 90/100 lbs.  I’m getting stronger – I had to up my weight on one of the workouts (I don’t know which is which)  It seems to be helping my hip problem though.  I skipped out on any core work because I was short on time (and I needed to scoot to walmart for more morning coffee…).

Hoping to squeeze in a run on Thursday…  3-6 would be great.  We’ll see what happens.