Saturday's run was only 6 miles. It went by so fast! Today I did 3 miles (in the rain).
This week is supposed to be all about short, easy runs and lots of rest. The marathon is a week away! As our coaches have told us, no single workout is going to make us any more prepared for the race. Less is more. It's the last 5 months of running in the cold, wind, rain, snow and sun that made us prepared.
I saw my friend John this afternoon, and he is going to run New Jersey also. We're planning on starting the race together. Something tells me that he will be finishing before I do... He's acting like I will finish first (fat chance), but I know he's just being modest.
Tomorrow we have a mandatory team meeting to go over the logistics of the weekend.
7 more days...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Last Workout
Tonight was our last official workout. It was another week of pacing. We ran a 1.5 mile course 3 times in a row (no stopping).
1st loop I did in 13:57
2nd loop was 12:43
3rd loop 12:05
We were supposed to run each loop 30 seconds faster than the last one. Over a mile and a half, you don't have to pick up the pace that much to make up 30 seconds. As you can see by my times, I did not really follow those rules.
I stopped for a quick potty break between loop 1 & 2. I was running with my friend Elizabeth, and I tried to make up the time and catch up to her during the 2nd & 3rd loops. I was about 20 seconds behind her at the finish, so I didn't quite catch up. So close!
This run left me very hungry afterwards. It's a good thing we meet at a coffee shop that has little snacks. That scone I ate on the subway is what kept me alive.
Next Tuesday is our final training session before the marathon. We will just be doing an easy 40 minute run.
Saturday is our final long run, and it is only 6 miles. I'll be done so early that I won't know what to do with myself the rest of the day!
1st loop I did in 13:57
2nd loop was 12:43
3rd loop 12:05
We were supposed to run each loop 30 seconds faster than the last one. Over a mile and a half, you don't have to pick up the pace that much to make up 30 seconds. As you can see by my times, I did not really follow those rules.
I stopped for a quick potty break between loop 1 & 2. I was running with my friend Elizabeth, and I tried to make up the time and catch up to her during the 2nd & 3rd loops. I was about 20 seconds behind her at the finish, so I didn't quite catch up. So close!
This run left me very hungry afterwards. It's a good thing we meet at a coffee shop that has little snacks. That scone I ate on the subway is what kept me alive.
Next Tuesday is our final training session before the marathon. We will just be doing an easy 40 minute run.
Saturday is our final long run, and it is only 6 miles. I'll be done so early that I won't know what to do with myself the rest of the day!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tapering! And Gummi Bears!
The marathon is 2 weeks away, and we have moved into our tapering phase.
In the final 2 weeks, we will be cutting back on our mileage so that we will be fully recovered from the long runs and well rested. At this point less is more.
Saturday's long run was only 10 miles. Hooray! It was actually pretty easy. We stayed in Prospect Park and did 2 of the 5 mile loops. You have to repeat a section to make the 5 mile loop, so we saw the same things over and over again.
For me, it was a great running day. The weather was beautiful and sunny, and the temperature was in the low 60's. I felt great, and I didn't have any pain at all, which is fantastic! I could feel that I was on my feet for 10 miles, but it wasn't pain. If I can make it 10 miles into the marathon pain free, that will be great. If I can make it 26.2 miles without pain, that will be a miracle. Wait a second! The Pope was in town on Saturday. Maybe it was a miracle!
A friend of mine in my triathlon training class who has done about 15 marathons gave me a fun tip that I think I am going to try. He said he carries 26 gummi bears with him during the race. After each mile he eats one. As he sees the gummi bears dwindling, he knows he is getting closer and closer to the finish line.
An army of 26 gummi bears:
Of course, you don't want to try anything new on race day, so I brought 10 gummi bears with me on the run and ate one around every mile or so. It was actually kind of fun. And 26 gummi bears is around 120 calories, so I should be able to eat one less Gu during the race. I don't mind the Gu that much, but gummi bears taste better. Of course the Gu is better fuel, so guess I shouldn't replace all of the Gu with gummi bears.
In the final 2 weeks, we will be cutting back on our mileage so that we will be fully recovered from the long runs and well rested. At this point less is more.
Saturday's long run was only 10 miles. Hooray! It was actually pretty easy. We stayed in Prospect Park and did 2 of the 5 mile loops. You have to repeat a section to make the 5 mile loop, so we saw the same things over and over again.
For me, it was a great running day. The weather was beautiful and sunny, and the temperature was in the low 60's. I felt great, and I didn't have any pain at all, which is fantastic! I could feel that I was on my feet for 10 miles, but it wasn't pain. If I can make it 10 miles into the marathon pain free, that will be great. If I can make it 26.2 miles without pain, that will be a miracle. Wait a second! The Pope was in town on Saturday. Maybe it was a miracle!
A friend of mine in my triathlon training class who has done about 15 marathons gave me a fun tip that I think I am going to try. He said he carries 26 gummi bears with him during the race. After each mile he eats one. As he sees the gummi bears dwindling, he knows he is getting closer and closer to the finish line.
An army of 26 gummi bears:
Of course, you don't want to try anything new on race day, so I brought 10 gummi bears with me on the run and ate one around every mile or so. It was actually kind of fun. And 26 gummi bears is around 120 calories, so I should be able to eat one less Gu during the race. I don't mind the Gu that much, but gummi bears taste better. Of course the Gu is better fuel, so guess I shouldn't replace all of the Gu with gummi bears.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Another 20 Miles
Ok, I have to be honest. The 20 miles I did yesterday was hard. Really hard.
We got on the 7:55am train from Grand Central to Hartsdale, NY. This was the first time this season that the Manhattan and Brooklyn teams did a run together. Their group is so much bigger than ours!
The train took about 40 minutes, and then we walked over to this area to discuss the run. It was a really pretty setting. We're all getting tired of our usual run routes, so it was nice to have a change.
The weather was a LOT warmer than it has been for any of our other runs. It was in the low 60's and mixed sun and clouds, and pretty humid. I decided to wear shorts as a "dress rehearsal" for the big race. I've always had to wear pants for all the past runs, but I think it will be too warm for that in a few weeks.
The coaches all recommend doing NOTHING NEW on race day. Don't wear new clothes, don't eat different food, don't try anything you haven't tried before. Hence the shorts wearing.
We did a 10 mile out-and-back loop twice. The route was really pretty, but it was hard. There were a lot of steep inclines and declines. The downhills are rough on my legs, and I was really dreading them on the 2nd out-and-back. I thought it was going to be a trail run, but it was actually a paved path. I think a trail run would have felt better on my joints.
Some days are great running days, and some days aren't. I think this just wasn't one of my good days. It felt like everything hurt. Nothing was a severe pain that would stop me from running. It was just a general everything pain. It was kind of comforting to hear afterwards that everyone found this run really tough. I'm not glad they were struggling, but I'm happy that I wasn't the only one!
I had to stop and stretch a few times, and I even took a 2 minute walk break around mile 17. We haven't really been taking walk breaks during our runs, but those few minutes gave me the gas to keep going.
It was really great running with Elizabeth. She really pulled me along this time. If I was running alone, I would have made that walk break a lot longer!
I have never been so happy to finish. I really, really wanted some more water. I finished all of mine in my fuel belt. Last week I felt like I could keep going after 20 miles. Yesterday I didn't.
The great part is: now we will taper. Each weekend we will do a shorter run to recover before the big day. I think next weekend is only 10-12 miles. Hooray! That sounds short now.
Here I am post 20 mile run. I think I win the super-white legs contest! I remembered to put on sunblock this time, so my face isn't as red as it was after last weeks run.
We were all cheering for everyone as they finished their 20 miles. For a lot of people this was the longest run they have ever done.
Here's Eddie (from our Brooklyn team) and my friend Elizabeth, post 20 mile run. Even Eddie looked like he was struggling a little during this run. When Eddie is struggling, you know it is hard!
We got on the 7:55am train from Grand Central to Hartsdale, NY. This was the first time this season that the Manhattan and Brooklyn teams did a run together. Their group is so much bigger than ours!
The train took about 40 minutes, and then we walked over to this area to discuss the run. It was a really pretty setting. We're all getting tired of our usual run routes, so it was nice to have a change.
The weather was a LOT warmer than it has been for any of our other runs. It was in the low 60's and mixed sun and clouds, and pretty humid. I decided to wear shorts as a "dress rehearsal" for the big race. I've always had to wear pants for all the past runs, but I think it will be too warm for that in a few weeks.
The coaches all recommend doing NOTHING NEW on race day. Don't wear new clothes, don't eat different food, don't try anything you haven't tried before. Hence the shorts wearing.
We did a 10 mile out-and-back loop twice. The route was really pretty, but it was hard. There were a lot of steep inclines and declines. The downhills are rough on my legs, and I was really dreading them on the 2nd out-and-back. I thought it was going to be a trail run, but it was actually a paved path. I think a trail run would have felt better on my joints.
Some days are great running days, and some days aren't. I think this just wasn't one of my good days. It felt like everything hurt. Nothing was a severe pain that would stop me from running. It was just a general everything pain. It was kind of comforting to hear afterwards that everyone found this run really tough. I'm not glad they were struggling, but I'm happy that I wasn't the only one!
I had to stop and stretch a few times, and I even took a 2 minute walk break around mile 17. We haven't really been taking walk breaks during our runs, but those few minutes gave me the gas to keep going.
It was really great running with Elizabeth. She really pulled me along this time. If I was running alone, I would have made that walk break a lot longer!
I have never been so happy to finish. I really, really wanted some more water. I finished all of mine in my fuel belt. Last week I felt like I could keep going after 20 miles. Yesterday I didn't.
The great part is: now we will taper. Each weekend we will do a shorter run to recover before the big day. I think next weekend is only 10-12 miles. Hooray! That sounds short now.
Here I am post 20 mile run. I think I win the super-white legs contest! I remembered to put on sunblock this time, so my face isn't as red as it was after last weeks run.
We were all cheering for everyone as they finished their 20 miles. For a lot of people this was the longest run they have ever done. 
Here's Eddie (from our Brooklyn team) and my friend Elizabeth, post 20 mile run. Even Eddie looked like he was struggling a little during this run. When Eddie is struggling, you know it is hard!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
20 Miles - We're at the Top!
I ran 20 miles yesterday.
20 Miles! I'm pretty proud of myself.
Next Saturday, April 12th, our team is going to Hartsdale, NY to run on trails. The coaches want our last (and longest) training run to be on a softer surface. It's a little nicer on the joints.
However, they also suggested that if we were feeling good on this Saturday, to not be shy and go ahead and run the 20 miles. You never know how you will be feeling next weekend, or how the weather will be like, so go ahead and go for it if you can.
A chunk of our team ran the Paris Marathon this weekend, so we had a smaller team and only one coach (Luis). Our coach Lisa had to go to Paris with the team. (Poor Lisa! She had to go to Paris, drink wine, eat cheese...). They have finished the race by now, so CONGRATULATIONS PAIRS RUNNERS!!! I hope you had a great race.
Elizabeth was really determined to go ahead and run the 20. She said she would feel better if we could get two 20 mile runs in before the marathon. So we set off on a 20 mile out-and-back run. Luis ran with Elizabeth and I for the first 4 miles or so. He's super friendly and energetic, so he was great to run with. It helps to keep your pace up!
Once we got to the Brooklyn Bridge, we ran into some other TNT people and we all joined them for a mile or so. Once we hit the west side path, Elizabeth and I split off from the group because we like to run along the water. Anytime there is an outermost path, I choose that one.
We ran all the way up to 72nd Street on the west side green way in Manhattan. Once we got there, we turned back.
About 2 hours into the run, Elizabeth started to get the IT Band pain that I've had in the past. Once it starts, it usually gets more intense unless you stop running. She knows that Advil has been my wonder drug for this pain, and she mentioned that she might be joining me in the pre-run Advil club.
I asked her if she wanted to stop and she said NO! She really, really wanted to complete this run. When we got to the end of the west side highway, we ducked into a pharmacy and bought some Advil for her to take. She downed 4 of them, and we kept running...
I seriously don't know how she did it. That pain can stop you in your tracks when it is intense. There was a fair about of grunting in pain, but she made it through! I think it was a comfort to her that I had experienced it before. At least I could tell her about it, and what can help make it better.
We both felt pretty good at the end of the run. The marathon seems possible now. I could have run another 6 miles. I was really happy I didn't have to, but I COULD have!
This weekend's experiment:
I've been getting blisters on my feet since I got my new shoes. As soon as I finally got the shoes broken in, I switched the insoles and I started getting blisters again. They aren't terrible blisters, but a little annoying. They usually are gone by the day after the long run. I've been using band aids to try to prevent them, but it never works 100%. So, I bought this stuff at the drug store to see what it would do.
It looks like a teeny, tiny deodorant stick. You put a layer of it on, and it is supposed to keep down the friction on your feet when you run. On one foot, it seemed to do pretty good. It just had a small blister after the run. On my right foot - wow. It really did not work at all! I had 2 huge blisters on it when I got home from the run. A needle and some neosporin later... and they're gone. No pictures of those. You'll have to use your imagination.
At the end of these long runs, I end up pretty salty. I think I need to eat more salt in the days before these runs. I usually bring 2 bottles of gatorade, and 2 water on my fuel belt. Next week I'll do 3 gatorade and 1 water. I actually drank it all this week. The coaches said they will be giving us salt packets to eat during the race. That doesn't sound too appealing. I like salt, but on food. Not so much by itself.
I wiped most of the salt off before this picture was taken, but you can see some of the salt on the side of my nose.
The weather was beautiful on Saturday. It was sunny and in the 50's. That is pretty much perfect running weather. I actually got a sunburn! I was wearing SPF 15, but I put it on at 7am. I guess it wears off by the time we finish our really long run.
This picture doesn't really do it justice. I'm pinker that that.
We're 4 weeks away from the marathon!
20 Miles! I'm pretty proud of myself.
Next Saturday, April 12th, our team is going to Hartsdale, NY to run on trails. The coaches want our last (and longest) training run to be on a softer surface. It's a little nicer on the joints.
However, they also suggested that if we were feeling good on this Saturday, to not be shy and go ahead and run the 20 miles. You never know how you will be feeling next weekend, or how the weather will be like, so go ahead and go for it if you can.
A chunk of our team ran the Paris Marathon this weekend, so we had a smaller team and only one coach (Luis). Our coach Lisa had to go to Paris with the team. (Poor Lisa! She had to go to Paris, drink wine, eat cheese...). They have finished the race by now, so CONGRATULATIONS PAIRS RUNNERS!!! I hope you had a great race.
Elizabeth was really determined to go ahead and run the 20. She said she would feel better if we could get two 20 mile runs in before the marathon. So we set off on a 20 mile out-and-back run. Luis ran with Elizabeth and I for the first 4 miles or so. He's super friendly and energetic, so he was great to run with. It helps to keep your pace up!
Once we got to the Brooklyn Bridge, we ran into some other TNT people and we all joined them for a mile or so. Once we hit the west side path, Elizabeth and I split off from the group because we like to run along the water. Anytime there is an outermost path, I choose that one.
We ran all the way up to 72nd Street on the west side green way in Manhattan. Once we got there, we turned back.
About 2 hours into the run, Elizabeth started to get the IT Band pain that I've had in the past. Once it starts, it usually gets more intense unless you stop running. She knows that Advil has been my wonder drug for this pain, and she mentioned that she might be joining me in the pre-run Advil club.
I asked her if she wanted to stop and she said NO! She really, really wanted to complete this run. When we got to the end of the west side highway, we ducked into a pharmacy and bought some Advil for her to take. She downed 4 of them, and we kept running...
I seriously don't know how she did it. That pain can stop you in your tracks when it is intense. There was a fair about of grunting in pain, but she made it through! I think it was a comfort to her that I had experienced it before. At least I could tell her about it, and what can help make it better.
We both felt pretty good at the end of the run. The marathon seems possible now. I could have run another 6 miles. I was really happy I didn't have to, but I COULD have!
This weekend's experiment:
I've been getting blisters on my feet since I got my new shoes. As soon as I finally got the shoes broken in, I switched the insoles and I started getting blisters again. They aren't terrible blisters, but a little annoying. They usually are gone by the day after the long run. I've been using band aids to try to prevent them, but it never works 100%. So, I bought this stuff at the drug store to see what it would do.
It looks like a teeny, tiny deodorant stick. You put a layer of it on, and it is supposed to keep down the friction on your feet when you run. On one foot, it seemed to do pretty good. It just had a small blister after the run. On my right foot - wow. It really did not work at all! I had 2 huge blisters on it when I got home from the run. A needle and some neosporin later... and they're gone. No pictures of those. You'll have to use your imagination.
At the end of these long runs, I end up pretty salty. I think I need to eat more salt in the days before these runs. I usually bring 2 bottles of gatorade, and 2 water on my fuel belt. Next week I'll do 3 gatorade and 1 water. I actually drank it all this week. The coaches said they will be giving us salt packets to eat during the race. That doesn't sound too appealing. I like salt, but on food. Not so much by itself.
I wiped most of the salt off before this picture was taken, but you can see some of the salt on the side of my nose.
The weather was beautiful on Saturday. It was sunny and in the 50's. That is pretty much perfect running weather. I actually got a sunburn! I was wearing SPF 15, but I put it on at 7am. I guess it wears off by the time we finish our really long run.This picture doesn't really do it justice. I'm pinker that that.
We're 4 weeks away from the marathon!
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