Personal Record

Encounters with Darth Vader

2009-06-25T20:00:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday I ran the Father’s Day 5 Miler in a record slow time. A Personal Worst, if you will. While I could blame my poor performance on the day’s muggy clime, I can’t deny the fitness I’ve lost in recent months.

It’s amazing the difference 30 to 40 seconds per mile can make. Not only must I deal with the psychological ignominies of deteriorating condition, but also the many material disadvantages. There’s the embarrassing corral assignment – one or two behind previously well matched club mates. Then there’s the claustrophobic race lane, the chaos at every water station, and the extra long lines at the finish for chip clipping and bagel, to name a few more.

Perhaps most curious though, are the characters I’ve come upon when racing further back in the pack. I don’t recall rubbing shoulders with these types in my speedier days, at least not with the regularity I do now. These life forms can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. The Darth Vader. What’s up with those men* who could be the Dark Lord’s emphysema-suffering twin? They sound like drowning souls who, having just fought their way to the surface, are sucking air like a Dyson 3000 in full blown panic attack. These human vacuum cleaners distract and terrify me, not because of any latent childhood fear of Luke Skywalker’s estranged father, but in anticipation of their imminent demise. I don’t want to be the one to have to stop and administer CPR. Surely it’s not healthy to be laboring that hard?

2. The Conversationalist. It’s insulting and galling to race alongside that chit-chattering pair: “What you having for dinner? Did they have layoffs at your work? Did you watch Lost last night?” SHUT the hell up! Either you’re bragging that you can run this pace while carrying on a casual tête-à-tête, or you’re not racing at all. Either way, I’m killing myself over here, and you’re making a mockery of it. All I want to hear during a race is pounding feet, and the occasional hocked loogie.

3. The Costumed. During the recent Vermont Covered Bridges Half Marathon I found myself flanked by two Batwomen. The initial entertainment factor was quickly replaced with irritation. That I couldn’t overtake these latex-clad femmes, wearing underwear over tights and bat ears, was an affront to my formally more competitive self. And don’t get me started on the capes which fluttered persistently in my face. For the best part of 13 miles I was privy to the recurring spectator reaction, like an iPod on repeat. First, the surprised snort of laughter, then the cheer “Go Batwomen, Go!” And finally, the interminably witty, “Why don’t you just fly to the finish line?” Yes, please do, and take your glossy polyisoprene with you!

Clearly, I need to light a fire under my Brooks, and put in the hard training effort required to escape these prattling, heavy breathing, comic characters. I would love to turn the physiological clock back to that time where my elbows had freedom to flap, my legs had room to settle into a stride, and I didn’t have to fight the masses for a post race banana. I’d love to move further up the pack again, and be part of its quieter and more civilized environs. I have to do this soon though, for if I can’t beat them…I may well don that old Halloween fairy outfit, limber up the tongue, rub sandpaper on my lungs, and join them.

*Perhaps there are female equivalents but I’ve never happened upon any.

Birthday Blog

2009-06-07T11:00:00.003-04:00

In spite of not blogging for nigh on 6 months, I can't let a bloggiversary pass without acknowledging it. It's the big "4" today. How time flies...cliché cliché etc. I've been kinda busy, with the working and the running and the toddler and the travelling and the writing class.

The latter will be ending in a few weeks, at which point I will have the time and the motive to blog regularly again.

I've raced a heap this year already (well, a heap more than in the whole of 2008.) I haven't been overjoyed with any of my performances, but hey, I'm out there.

Last weekend it was the Brooklyn Half, and right at this very moment I am out on the Covered Bridges Half Marathon course in Vermont.

I failed to get into the NYC Marathon via the lottery (although my mum and step dad have confirmed time qualifier spots!), so my fall marathon of choice is the inaugural Asbury Park Marathon on October 18th. Let training commence!

I am alive

2009-01-31T16:59:00.004-05:00

My running diary betrays my recent laziness and injury, with some very spartan entries for the many weeks since my last post.

After being forced to a halt with excruciating pain mid-run on Dec 13th, my knee continued to be dodgy and/or I continued to be lazy for 3 weeks. Then I finally felt confident / motivated enough to try some running on Jan 4th. Since then I haven't gotten above 30 miles per week.

Needless to say, I won’t be running the Country Music Nashville Marathon, since it is but a few brief months away. I'm still contemplating flying down for the half, since it would be a crying shame to miss hanging out with all the Hellgaters (not to mention a total waste of the entry fee.) Given that official switching from the full to the half does not seem possible, I'll just have to hope I don't get blacklisted or arrested for logging a 1:40 (or whatever) marathon.

The knee continues to provide some serious issues this week but oddly, not while I’m running. The best way I have to describe it, is like there’s a loose razor blade floating around in there. It intermittently jabs me sharply in various places, usually on the lateral side, often preventing me from bending my leg more than about 20 degrees and causing me to limp. But now I’m boring myself (and you I'm sure), as this is the same problem I’ve described having for as long as I’ve kept this blog, and before that, to boot. Hopefully, I’ll recover like I managed last year, and be able to run a fall marathon.

Speaking of which, my plans for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th were scuppered recently due to a calendar clash with a friend’s wedding. So now I’m prematurely pinning all my hopes on Baltimore (October10th). It sounds like a lovely city to visit, especially since we’ll have friends living there by then.

Eons ago, I signed up for the Bronx Half Marathon - which is next Sunday. If I participate (& I really quite want to), it will be my running career’s least trained-for race. I haven’t run further than 6.5 miles since the marathon over two months ago. But what the heck.

Post Marathon Resolutions

2008-12-19T19:00:00.004-05:00

Not sure who's with me, but in the months leading up to each of my marathons I procrastinated on so many tasks, employing a "I'll take care of that afterwards" mentality. With such a huge event looming large, it seemed inconceivable to burden myself with unnecessary undertakings. Which of course, left so much to get done after the big race...

1) Get an iPod Nano and move into 21st century re: learning how to download music/podcasts and whatnot. Check.
2) Start reading books again. Check (two on the go right now)
3) Revamp hideously boring blog format. Check.
4) Start and finish Christmas shopping in a maximum of three focused, top speed outings. Check.
5) Research and choose a more aggressive training schedule for next marathon. Check.

I signed up for April 25th's Country Music Nashville Marathon, chose a new, more challenging training schedule (that I plan to alter down to a 60mpw max), and decided to incorporate heart rate monitoring into the mix.

Then, last week I was literally stopped in my tracks during a run with excruciating left knee pain. I haven't run in a week and it seems to be getting better (at least I'm no longer limping or screaming out in agony intermittently.)

Theoretically the 18-week schedule starts next week with 36 miles, but since I have run less than that in the entire 4 weeks since the marathon, I'm not sure it would be wise (advice anyone?)

I'm too scared to step on the scales, but I'm pretty sure I've gained about 10lbs since the marathon. I lose all control when I'm around chocolate. Which of course, is all the time right now. *sigh*

Back to the Flat

2008-12-02T21:30:00.003-05:00

I sense a new world record in the works. Who wants to bet me?

Belated Race Report

2008-11-28T20:00:00.004-05:00

Now that the legs have (mostly) healed , the duck is (mostly) digested, and the giant mound of dishes are (mostly) washed, I can sit down finally and write my Philly report.

We arrived in Philly on Saturday at about noon and checked into our lovely downtown hotel straight away. Then we head over to the expo to pick up my number and chip. We had some time to kill before the pasta buffet dinner, so we took a chilly walk so I could orientate myself for the next morning's route to the start line.

In spite of trying to get to bed early, I had bad nights of sleep on both Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning my alarm went off at 4:45am, and I woke to find Kyla lying right across my legs. I shook her off gently, sat up and immediately started chowing down on my peanut butter bagel and banana. It was tough going. I always gag on food when I'm nervous. But I know it was really important to eat a lot then, and not leave it any later.

At 5am my cell phone rang and it was mum calling from Scotland to wish me good luck and tell me my wee brother's wife had given birth earlier that morning (12:30am GMT). That was such happy news and an excellent mental boost!

They say you're not meant to wear anything in a marathon that you have not practised wearing in training. Unfortunately with the temperatures so low, I was forced to wear an outfit I had never had occasion to try out. I was a afraid of chafing, so I made sure to smear myself thoroughly with Vaseline, then put some some all over my face for extra protection against the cold. On my lower half I donned my three-quarter length lycra shorts, under race ready short shorts, under a pair of throw away tracky bottoms. On the upper half, it was a long sleeved technical shirt under my Hellgate vest under two throw away shirts, a jacket, scarf, two pairs of gloves with chemical hand warmers, ear muffs and a hat. From the moment I left my hotel room I felt like I'd overdone the layers somewhat, as I met other racers in the elevator who weren't dressed like Eskimos about to embark on a polar expedition.

In the end though, I wasn't sorry at all. I stayed toasty on the walk over there, and during the wait. Even after I'd shed most of the layers, and stood in my corral, it seemed everyone there was shivering uncontrollably but me. Maybe it helped me to be so short; buffered by a wall of tall men.The race started about ten minutes late, but I can forgive them that since I'd only left my hotel room 45 minutes prior. I'm used to leaving home three or four hours before marathon start time.

The marathoners started on the left side of the road, and the half marathoners on the right. We'd jogged about 500 yards when something very odd happened. We took a right turn, and all the marathoners were forced to jump over a low median right through a wall of spectators. It was incredibly weird. I really felt embarrassed for the the course planners, who knows what they were thinking with that one. Oh well, at least nobody (around me anyway) seemed to get hurt, and it gave us all a good giggle.

It wasn't until we were underway that I realized my legs were numb with the cold. It took a mile or two for them to properly defrost. I was really shocked to check my split at the one mile marker and see a '9:01.' I had to fight hard not to really let it affect my confidence. For lack of any better idea, I had decided to go out at an 8 pace and see how far I could take it. Believing I was just just one mile in, and already a whole minute behind threw me. As the next few mile markers passed and my splits were all over the place, it was clear something was wrong. After my 4th mile I happened to pass the only guy from my club running the half - Jay -, and he confirmed that that markers were all wrong. Then a few people with garmins around us called out that we had actually run about 4.25 miles at that point. That must have been right because I clocked a 6:30 split (haha) for the 5th mile.

It's hard for me not to be too judgemental about all these unprofessional aspects of the race organisation. At the risk of sounding like a compete marathon snob (oh who am I kidding? I am), when all you've done is three world class marathons (NYC, Boston, Chicago) it's difficult to comprehend why a race can't start on time, why the miles can't have been measured accurately and why they forced the marathoners to hurdle medians. I heard that it's the City that puts on the marathon, and not a running group, which they say, explains why a lot of it seems amateur.

Anyhoo, after the chaos of the first few miles, things seemed to settle down into normality. There were quite a few serious inclines and declines (particular around the 9 mile point), which made it difficult to maintain a consistent pace. I felt I had to make up time on the downhills that I'd lost on the uphills. I don't remember much after that until the midway point when the half marathoners split off from us. It was nice to be rid of the bulk of the crowd and focus on the business of marathoning.

I didn't have any friends on the course to support me (Matt and Kyla met me at the finish line), and the crowds were sparse for most of the course, but that wasn't an issue for me. If it had been my first ever marathon it would have been disappointing, but I don't need that now. The course itself (from what little I paid attention of it) was attractive and interesting. After the midway point we head out on the outbound part of the out-and-back loop. As I've felt in other races designed like this, I loved being able to watch the leaders pass me. I was a little shocked not to see a police car or cyclist alongside the lead woman, but am assuming one joined her nearer to the finish? Or do you have to be someone like Paula Radcliffe to get that honor?

As usual, my brain was incapable of doing mental arithmetic as I ran, and for the longest time I thought the turnaround was the 18 mile point. It was a hard slog to get to the real turnaround point (at 20), but incredibly uplifting to finally do it. Instead of looking at my actual splits, from about the 6 mile mark I was instead looking at the overall net time, and figuring out how far off an average pace of 8 minutes I was. Because of this, I didn't know until later that day, that I'd actually slowed down a lot - going from approximtely 7:50s to 8:20s. That wasn't my plan at all, and I'm a little bit bummed it turned out that way. But the overall 3:33 was not disappointing. Given my my long absence from running combined with my incredibly negative (PMS-fuelled?) attitude on the day, I'm fairly proud of myself.

The after affects have been minimal. My hamstrings and calves ached for a few days. I only hobbled sideways downstairs for one day. By Wednesday my legs felt fairly normal. I do, however, have one odd complaint. I seem to have done some nerve damage to the toe next to my smallest toe on my left foot. It feels alternately numb and 'tingly', and gets increasingly painful after walking for a while. I trust this is temporary, but I may have to see a doctor if it interferes with running. I haven't run yet, but I may manage a jog before this long weekend is over. I'm already feeling kinda fat and yucky from the combination of being sedentary and the usual Thanksgiving excesses.

I know I did a lot of 'plodding' in the training for this race, and very few 'quality' workouts. But I don't regret it. I think it was important to come back gently to distance running without risking injury. Frankly, I'm shocked and stunned that I got through it all without a hint of my old left knee pain, so I must have done something right. Nonetheless, I'm already planning how to incorporate some more intense workouts to the Nashville training schedule. Hell, maybe I'll even invest in a heart rate monitor. It may be time. And godamnit, I still really need to lose those extra 10+ pounds.

Like the majority of runners I'll bet, I do not yet feel like I have fulfilled my marathon potential. I look forward to doing something about that.

Sincere thanks to everyone who left such kind and supportive comments, messages, texts and emails. I very much appreciate every one of them. This long distance running lark would be too lonely a business without you all.

Summary of Philly Negative Points

The very strange median thing.
The water stations turned into ice rinks. They should have predicted this (from the weather forecast) and had salt/sand at the ready.
Corrals not strictly manned. I saw plenty people in mine who were meant to be much further back, and hence we were more squashed together than battery chickens.
The first few incorrectly placed mile markers.
The delayed start.
The official finish line photo background was unnecessarily jingoistic (American flag) which (combined with the long queue) totally put me off getting it taken.
The medal is badly designed, such as the medallion can fall off the ribbon (which happened to me on the way home - luckily I found it again - in our car.)

Summary of Philly Positive Points

Number pick up was incredibly easy - took 10 seconds, no lines.
Post race salty chicken soup an absolute delight.
Baggage drop off and pick up simple and easy
Super attractive medal and long sleeved technical t-shirt.
And lastly (this has nothing really to do with the marathon) - the famous Philly cheesesteak afterwards was a TREAT!

3:33:39 Official (3:33:31 Unofficial)

2008-11-23T18:00:00.008-05:00

Maybe I'm not over the moon, but definitely within its orbit.

I was hoping the official time comes back at 2 seconds slower - 3:33:33 - that would've been easy to remember.

Full race report to follow soon. All I'll say now is these were the weather conditions when I left the hotel for the start line - and it didn't get much warmer...

Btw - a few folks who tracked me have been telling me my splits were very even - I'm not sure what's going on because by my watch they are all OVER the place. Perhaps they evened out over the distance - ?

Results are in: 1398/7231 overall, 223/2986 women, 47/486 age group. (um - only 7231 people ran the marathon?? - that's tiny!)

Summary of Silly Philly Training Stats

2008-11-20T07:30:00.002-05:00

The following stats detail the 18 weeks leading up to the marathon, excluding the two weeks of taper immediately prior.

# of runs
86 (avg of 5 per week)

Miles:
734

Average mpw:
41

# runs of 18 miles or more:
5

Hours of running:
110

Average Pace:
9 mm

Proportion of runs run alone:
91%

Highest weekly mileage:
53

Races:
3 (one 4 miler and two halfs - Queens and Staten Island)

PRs:
None

Speed work, Hill Work, Crosstraining:
None to speak of

Lowest & Highest Temps:
Around about 38F and 90F (?)

Runs missed due to injuries/sickness:
Two (due to cold/sore throat in late September)
Remarkably however - NO running-related injuries!

This schedule is almost identical to that of my Chicago training schedule three years ago, with the exception that I did a lot of crosstraining (swimming/cycling/weights/yoga) back then. And to be honest, I was slimmer back then. I also came to Chicago after a few solid years of running and a couple of other marathons. This time I'm coming from two years of nothing much (except child birth and over eating).

So, in answer to Thomas's question, I don't really know what time I'm shooting for. I would say at the very least I want to qualify for Boston (not that I plan to do it again.) I'd be a little disappointed with a 3:40 or slower, but I'd get over it. I would be absolutely over the moon with anything 3:29:59 or faster. But being realistic, my time is likely to fall somewhere in between those two.

The weather forecast still looks decent, but I'm suspicious. I think it's going to be freezing before we start, and I'm worried about the muscles seizing up. I'm going to try to plan it so I have a minimal wait time.

I'd like to be able to tell you how to track me, but the lame website doesn't have that information up yet. As I mentioned, my bib number is 2206 if you're up that early on Sunday, and have any interest. Otherwise - I'll catch you on the flip side!

___
Update: sign up to tracking here - I'm Yvonne Damm if you didn't know that already. And apparently there will be live coverage of the race on the website....

T Minus 6

2008-11-16T21:30:00.004-05:00

As happens in the lead up to every marathon, it seems everything is going wrong lately. Today for example, I dropped two separate things on my right foot, and banged my left elbow (really fracking hard) on a steel post just a few steps from the end of my 11-miler. Kyla has been very sick for 6 days now, and so none of us has been getting the sleep we need. I'm astounded I haven't fallen ill with her. Work took a turn for the super-stressful just last week, with unexpected additional projects and a flurry of lay-offs (bad combo).

I did however, enjoy my first week of the taper, finding it insanely easy to cover the 30 miles, on four alternate days.

I'm not feeling particularly nervous or excited about the race. In fact, I'm surprised at my indifference. My only concern is a certain 'feminine issue.' If such topics are TMI for you, it's best you skip the next paragraph.

My period is due on race day. And since I'm regular as clockwork there's not much chance it'll come earlier or later. The absolute worst case scenario is that it arrives shortly after I finish, which would have me running the 26.2 with that horrible heavy, sluggishness and bloatedness I always get just prior (not to mention my imbalanced hormones in the days and hours leading up to it). *sigh* Let me try to think positively: I'll be so fired up on adrenaline (yet to materialize) that my body will just let me skip it for this month. Ha.

Anyhoo, just a couple more jogs to the office this week, and I'll be done and ready. We drive to Philly early Saturday morning and head straight for the expo, where apparently I'll be picking up bib #2206. I have no idea what this represents in terms of starting corral - the website is not exactly rich with information like I'm used to.

In the meantime I'll be attempting to get good nights' sleep (ha), hydrating and carboloading, and avoiding further self-inflicted injury.

Week 17/18 Philly Training

Monday: 7.8
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 7+
Thursday: Off
Friday: 5
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 11+
Total: 30.8+

Going in the Right Direction...

2008-11-15T14:00:00.001-05:00

The Obsessing Begins

2008-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Two For Two

2008-11-08T16:30:00.002-05:00

I don't know why I thought my taper started last week. I don't call 5 runs in 6 days, ending with a 2:25 today any kind of 'taper.' Some might, not me. But that's what my schedule called for, so I did it. Only now do I get to truly slack off until the 23rd.

I got hopelessly lost a couple of times on this morning's run so I've got no idea how far I actually went. But that was made up for by the perfect running conditions, and the gorgeous colours. I think I caught the last weekend of the vivid golds and flames. I loved having it 'rain' leaves around me in Flushing Meadows and Forest Park, and the singular noise of my feet crunching through the trails.

I would have predicted being a lot happier and excited right now than I am. My first marathon in 2004 was immediately preceded by Bush winning the election. I was so distraught, disillusioned, miserable (not to mention perplexed) that whole week that it marred the lead up to my race. Of course, this time is the complete opposite. Like so many, the elation I felt on Tuesday night was unparalleled. But since then I've sunk back into the slump I've been in for a couple weeks now. I don't want to put all the blame on my training (it's mostly just me being pathetic), but life seems very one dimensional just now - I haven't been socializing much, or reading, or....well, just about anything save for working and running. And to be honest, that's gotten very boring and lonely.

I hope to rectify that after Philly - at least for a short while between schedules. I'm too much of a cold-weather runner to miss the chance to do a spring marathon. A bunch of Hellgaters seem to be planning on this Nashville marathon in April, and I'm thinking I just might join them. It sounds like a lot of fun.

In the meantime, I have 14 days to regain some of the excitement for Philly that I had a while back.

Philly Training Week 16/18
Monday: 5.4
Tuesday: 6.6
Wednesday: 5
Thursday: 8+
Friday: Off
Saturday: 16+ (?)
Sunday: Off
Total: 41+

At Long Last, the Last Long

2008-11-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

My last loooooong run of this training period didn't go as swimmingly as I would have hoped. My legs felt half dead from the first step until about the third-to-last step. But I'm trying not to place any significance on that, or dwell on it. A quick look see at an old diary shows the same happened before Chicago, and that didn't end up being a harbinger of doom.

I did enjoy my old favourite route though; down through Brooklyn and around Manhattan. In spite of the leaden legs, three hours and 20 minutes passed relatively effortlessly, and I have felt virtually zero unwanted after effects.

Needless to say, NYC marathon Sunday was excellent. Just as last year, I was more excited than a kid at Christmas to see Paula rocket by. I may have been the only spectator in LIC leaping up and down screaming I love you Paula but I wasn't embarrassed. It's not every day you get so close to your hero. (Just one day a year it seems). Since I wasn't near a TV screen, my mum called me later from Scotland to talk me live through the last few minutes of her race. How she decimated the competition, crossed the line looking fresh as a daisy, then donned the Union Jack and swooped up beautiful wee Isla in her arms.

Twenty-six of my Hellgate colleauges kicked the course's arse too. In fact our fastest phenom Phil, ran just 7 or so minutes slower than Paula herself. 2:31. That's just crazy, insane speed.

So after a weekend packed with great distractors like Halloween (see cutsie pic to right), and the race yesterday, I'm back to the waiting game. Running a marathon so late in the season is tough! It feels like I've been thinking and talking about this thing forever. These next three weeks are never going to pass. Time is standing still.

Week 15/18 Philly Training
Monday: Off
Tuesday:6.6
Wednesday: 6.6
Thursday: 7.9
Friday: Off
Saturday: 22.5+
Sunday: Off
Total: 43.6+

4 Bridges, 4 Islands, 1 Failed Experiment

2008-10-26T15:30:00.006-04:00

Today I undertook a somewhat disastrous experiment with my run.

I've been starting to wonder what to time to aim for/expect in Philadelphia, and realizing I don't have a well formed idea. My recent half marathon suggests I should be capable of around abouts that of my Chicago marathon PR (3:30:15), particularly when considering the flat course and cool weather*. But ideally of course, I would love to get another PR, even if it was just by 30 seconds.

I've been reading a lot lately about people training at marathon or half marathon pace, and wonder how exactly they do it. First - how do you choose a realistic pace? Seems like a Catch 22 to me - you judge your goal pace by the pace you achieve on training runs, but yet, you're meant to set your training run pace by your goal marathon pace. And second - how do you get the adrenaline pumping enough to make you move that fast, outwith race conditions? As this morning's run proves, I find it near to impossible.

I decided to use this run to see if I can maintain a sub-8 pace, at least for 16 miles. It felt to me like I set off like a bullet (that was probably a big mistake), and was over the Queensborough bridge, up the east side, and back over to Queens via Randalls Island and the Triborough Bridge in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Then it all went a bit wrong in the second half; I slowed up tremendously.

So while I thought that this run would be enlightening, it ended up leaving me more confused than ever. I still don't know what pace I should aim for in Philly - and more importantly - what pace I should start out at in Philly.

Nevertheless, I learned a few lessons from today:

Vanilla power gels (with zero caffeine) are almost entirely palatable. There was no violent gagging involved today. These shall be my gels of choice.
I should not be influenced by what other runners are wearing. I was dumb enough to wear two upper layers this morning. It was 50F when I started, and by the time I was done with the first mile, I was absolutely sweltering. Unless it's in the 30s on race day, it's my Hellgate vest and short shorts for me, ONLY. Other runners in NYC seem to need hats and gloves and long pants already, but not me. I wonder if that means my body is incredibly inefficient?
I should probably not start out at the pace I want to end up averaging. (but then again - I did in Chicago, and that worked out pretty well...)

Methinks I'm now over analyzing the whole thing. Truth be told - I entered this training cycle after what was pretty much a 2-year hiatus. In January of this year I couldn't run a continuous quarter-mile, so I should be (and am) proud just to be in shape for another marathon. I'll take whatever my body wants to give in Philly.

It's NYC marathon week, which is very exciting! On Friday I intend to head over to the expo to spend some dollars on unnecessary running paraphernalia, and soak up some of the buzz. Saturday is going to be my last long run (22) before my taper** begins. Then Sunday I head to LIC to spectate the big race. I can't wait to see all the many Hellgaters run, as well as my hero Paula Radcliffe (all fingers & sore toes crossed) achieve a hat trick victory in our great city***.

Week 14/18 Philly Training
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6.9 (9:17 pace)
Wednesday: 8.6 (9:18 pace)
Thursday: 6.6 (9:05 pace)
Friday: 7.9 (forgot watch)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 16 miles (8:48 pace)
Total: 46

*(PLEASE weather gods!!)
**Deep joy
***It looks like she's back on form!!!!!!

50 More...

2008-10-20T19:30:00.002-04:00

My legs were sore at the beginning of the week (from Sunday's half), but oddly not at all 'tired'. Tuesday and Wednesday's runs to work felt strong - much stronger than Thursday and Friday's in fact. By then, my hamstrings and calves seemed to have 'tightened up' considerably, more so than at any point during this training. I felt that tightness on yesterday's 22-miler, not so much that it slowed me down too badly, but I definitely hope for fresher legs come marathon Sunday.

My run yesterday was an odd one for me, in that it started before sun rise. It felt unusually lonely to run up and around Roosevelt Island in the pitch darkness, so I was very glad to join some of my Hellgate teammates and other Queens club runners for second part of it. The annual Blue Line Run meets at 60th and 1st avenue in Manhattan and follows the course of the last 10 miles of the New York Marathon. I hadn't done this in a few years - and it brought my 2004 race flooding back. The way I hit the infamous 'wall' as I entered the Bronx, those killer 5th avenue and Central Park hills...

I self-medicated afterwards with another long ~~torture~~ ice bath, and a 40-minute hamstring and calve DIY massage session (using this scary Brookstone implement). My legs don't feel too great today though, so I'm thinking I may have to treat myself to a professional massage soon!

Now we're deep into marathon season, it's very exciting reading all all of your race reports! Keep 'em coming!

Less than 5 weeks now to my own big day. I can barely think about it, or look at the website without having palpitations. I don't remember being quite this nervous/excited before any of my previous three marathons. I can't imagine what I'm going to be like nearer the time!

Week 13/18 Philly Training

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 5.3 (8:46 pace)
Wednesday: 7.9 (8:36 pace)
Thursday: 6.6 (8:56)
Friday: 8.4 (8:49 pace)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 22 (8:38 pace)
Total: 50.2

That's more like it, Part 2.

2008-10-13T21:30:00.002-04:00

Last week I was reasonably pleased with my long run recovery. I definitely felt the benefit of the ice bath this time. I believe the trick is to stay put for a good 15-20 minutes, and not just leap out as soon as it starts to feel like your toes might fall off.

Yesterday was the Staten Island Half Marathon, which (like the Queens Half a month ago) fit very nicely with my Philly training schedule. I hadn't really given it much thought until about Thursday of last week, which was when I started to get quite excited. I was excited because I've never done this particular race before, and its location seemed so out of the way and unusual, it gave the whole event the air of something more exotic (yes, I just referred to Staten Island as 'exotic'), and almost marathon-ish. My teammates and I certainly had a hell of a journey getting to the start line - one involving buses, multiple subway rides, taxis, some running, the ferry, and a sense of borderline panic. We all made it though, in the end.

I think too, the race was an exciting prospect for me for giving me feedback on my training. I was hoping for something good, and didn't end up disappointed.

At 70F and 65% humidity, it was not what I'd call perfect conditions, but it was definitely better than one month ago. The course wasn't entirely flat but thankfully it was flatter than Queens.

I was stuck a few corrals behind the start line, which I thought was meant to place me with a similar paced group. But I was a little irritated to find myself zigzagging for the first couple of miles, wasting energy passing hundreds of people before I settled into the pace I knew I could maintain.

After about the half way point I began my usual fruitless attempt at pacing mental arithmetic - wondering if I was heading anywhere close to my PR. My fatigued brain couldn't calculate with accuracy, but I knew it wasn't likely. However I was lucid enough to know I would smash my time from the Queens race. It finally felt like a genuine race effort this time. It was really hard work!

I admit I almost shed just a slight tear once I crossed the line. I've been waiting to be able to say 'I'm back' and believe it.

Our amazing men's team did us proud yet again, with a 3rd place win. Outstanding!

Philly Week 12/18

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 8.3 (8:42 pace)
Wednesday: 8.9 (8:42 pace)
Thursday: 7.9 (8:54 pace)
Friday: 6.9 (9:06 pace)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 13.1 (7:39 pace)
Total: 45+

That's more like it

2008-10-05T19:30:00.001-04:00

Today was the first weekend long run of the year that came with perfect conditions: dry (after an earlier downpour), low 50s, low humidity.

It's boring I know, but I liked this 20+ mile route so much last time that I decided to go for it again today. There are a number of great aspects to this course:

- relatively few traffic interruptions
- Washington Avenue in Brooklyn is, in my opinion, the prettiest and most interesting street in all the 5 boroughs
- Prospect Park is absolutely beautiful & has trails & some challenging hills
- many of the home bound miles are flat or downhill
- it's neatly spilt into one hour getting to the park/one in the park/one home, which appeals to my ocd running mentality

A guy pulled up beside me when I was at about mile 19 and starting chatting to me. He asked if I fancied company, and since I was close to home and he was headed over the Pulaski too, I figured it couldn't hurt. We exchanged some typical runner information. He seemed interested in my race goals and history, and told me he is doing his first marathon (NYC) next month. He was kind enough to say I looked fresher at 19 miles than he felt then, in his first few miles. Having him at my side during the final stretch really helped me maintain a good (albeit conversational) pace. It made me think again how much I am missing out on by not training with others (particularly faster men.) Running with men always bring out the best (worst?) competitiveness in me. Thanks Lou from East Williamsburgh, whoever you are.

So I finished feeling much better and stronger than I did two weeks ago, this time adding on another mile to the end, yet completing the whole thing 5 minutes faster (3 hours).

Other random feedback from the run:

- why do people ask for directions or try to hand you a flier when you're running?
- man shouted at me "nice pace" (makes a change from "speed up!") Then spoiled it by shouting "you're nearly there." I was in the second mile.
- power gels with caffeine are VILE. I'm going to have to give away the 10 tangerine gels I just bought, because they make me want to vomit. What happened to plain old tangerine? Surely it can't be good for you to consume that much caffeine (if you say, have 4 or 5 during a marathon?)

This week I started a short daily Pilate's arms and abs workout in the evening. My guilt and concern over doing no other exercise whatsoever finally persuaded me to take this up.

Week 11/18 Training

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6.9 (9:16 pace)
Wednesday: 8.6 (9:00 pace)
Thursday: 7.9 (8:54 pace)
Friday: 6.9 (8:54 pace)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 21.4 (8:25 pace)
Total: 51.7 (possibly my highest weekly mileage ever - I'll have to look it up)

Imbalance & Injustice

2008-10-02T19:00:00.007-04:00

I'm sure nobody remembers this, but in June 2007, I wrote this post, moaning about the extra weight I was carrying, and ruminating how many miles it would take for me to lose some of it (14lbs).

I can report that between then and now, I have lost all that blubber. I actually gained one pound in the second half of 2007 (doing very little running due to injury), then lost all of it + more in 2008.

The point of this post is not to self-congratulate (ok, it is a little - yay for the new thinner me!) but to complain about something new related to all this.

Since Jan 1 '08, I've run almost exactly 1000 miles.

1000 divided by 16 (lbs) = 62.5

Ergo, it took, on average, 62.5 miles to lose just ONE POUND.

Isn't that a bit ridiculous? I admit, I have not been on any strict diet in addition to all the exercise, but still - I don't eat that much. How on earth do people usually lose weight? People who don't want to run 30...40...50 miles a week?

And does it follow that I can just run another 1000 miles (over the next 6 months or so), and I'll lose another 16lbs?

Somehow I think my body will not follow the formula, and allow me to shift an equal number of pounds with another 1000 miles. It's probably going to get more difficult, the slimmer I get. It is after all, now a greater percentage of my new weight.

But I think that current me minus 16 more lbs would put me at a reasonable weight for my diminutive stature. And, though this might sound very strange, I feel I kind of owe it to my running to be slimmer. The extraneous fat is, literally, holding me back.

Week 10/18 of Philly Training

2008-09-28T21:00:00.009-04:00

This week's schedule called for 46 miles but sickness called me to fall behind by 15 and then torrential rain and a hangover meant I couldn't make it up all the way. On Wednesday I saw a doctor and was prescribed antibiotics, after discovering I had a fever and a throat resembling a lumpy cut of scarlet beef.

The week ended with a 14+ run (should have been a 15) over a season debut route involving the Queensborough Bridge, Wards Island (or is it Randalls Island - I'm confused), the Triborough Bridge through Astoria and LIC to home. Until about mile 4, my intention was to hit the bridle path in Central Park, but I was so overcome with boredom for that overdone choice, I decided to try out Ward's Island instead. I'm glad I did, because the Island has been turned into a really attractive running option since I was last there, and the first half of the Triborough is far more pleasant than it used to be. Not to mention the terrific views of our Hellgate Bridge made the slog worth every single soggy step.

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Off (sick)
Wednesday: Off (sick)
Thursday: 6.6
Friday: 6.9 (crazy rainy)
Saturday: 7.2 (humid. slow)
Sunday: 14.5 (humid, then rainy. very slow)

Total: 34.2

Peaks & Troughs

2008-09-21T20:30:00.005-04:00

I haven't had much luck with my weekend running lately. While things have been just hunky-dory during the work week, conditions have conspired against me for my all-important weekend races/runs. A fortnight ago, it was 94% humidity for my 18 miler. The following Sunday brought with it 87% humidity and awful period cramps, for my Queens Half Marathon.

I've been desperately (& quite successfully - I thought) avoiding whatever horrible cold bug Kyla and Matt have been carrying around for weeks. But yesterday evening and all last night in bed I was feeling worse and worse, my throat was killing me, my head pounding. I seriously considered calling off this morning's long run (the first of four) when I woke up and my throat felt like razor blades whenever I tried to swallow. But I gargled with some good old fashioned TCP and made the executive decision to go ahead. I just couldn't mess up my schedule now, when I have been following it so religiously.

My 20.5 mile run (south through Queens and Brooklyn to Prospect Park, round twice then back) went adequately, considering I was definitely not feeling 100%. The weather and the park were beautiful, and that made up for what I consider to be a slightly disappointing 9 minute pace time of 3:05. But hey, I ran over 20 miles (& over 50 for the week), and that is, as my friend Jaime would say, not nothing.

I've not been feeling too fabulous since, as you can imagine, so I'm hoping I didn't do myself far more harm than good by puting the whole next week's training in jeopardy.

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6.9
Wednesday: 8.6
Thursday: 7.8 (including approx. 4 x 300m sprints)
Friday: 6.6
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 20.5

Total: 50.4

Discovery

2008-09-14T21:30:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday while running one of my now very familiar routes to work, I was struck with a bothersome thought. Every stride of my training so far (in fact every stride since I started back in January) been taken slowly. No speed work whatsoever. No races (last week’s doesn’t count). No hill work to speak of. So, as I jogged along at my 9 or 9.5mm (or whatever it is) pace, I started to worry that perhaps my legs have totally forgotten how to run any faster. I wouldn’t know – I haven’t put them to the test. This worry was enough to spur me on to do some spontaneous and random farkleg towards the end of the run. It was a start…

This morning I got to test whether there is anything resembling speed in my legs at a hilly and humid Queens Half Marathon. The conditions didn’t feel quite as hellish as last week’s, but at 87% humidity who’s counting? About a mile in, I made the decision to ease off slightly. I could have pushed just a little bit harder, but I knew if I did, it was going to be a very unpleasant 13.1 miles indeed. So I relaxed a bit, stopped fighting the conditions, and ran steady. After mile 5 I started to feel much better, in spite all the annoying little hills. I took a gel at mile 10 which worked wonders, and finished feeling strong.

Even though my time is almost 6 minutes off my personal best of over three years ago, I can’t believe I was any more pleased back then than I am today. I took my fitness for granted back then. Now I take nothing for granted. A hell of a lot more work has gone into my being this fit now, so I’m much more appreciative of the results it reaps.

After finishing I learned that Hellgater Phil Sneller won the race. Clearly my little Queens running club has recruited all kinds of awesome speedy men during my absence!

Philly Training Week 8

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6.9
Wednesday: 7.8 (including approx. 4 x 300m farkleg)
Thursday: 9.2
Friday: 6.9
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 13.1 (Queens Half Marathon)

Total: 44

Gills might have helped

2008-09-08T22:30:00.002-04:00

On Saturday I ran 18 miles, which is my furthest so far this training schedule, as well as my furthest in about three years. I ran up to and around Roosevelt Island twice, before collecting my mum and running to the park to take part in the Fitness Games 4 Mile race.

Unfortunately, nearly every single stride was torture because there was 94% humidity. Only 76F, but still...it was torture. After about a half a step out of my apartment building I strongly thought about postponing the whole thing till Sunday, but I knew I wouldn't have the time. So I soldiered on and survived in the end. All things considered, I was pleased to have finished the whole thing in 2 hours 50, with a 9 minute/mile pace for the 4 miler at the end. I started the race right at the back of the pack and took it easy, throwing cups and cups of water all over myself at every water station.

I'm trying not to let myself be intimidated by the next 9 weeks of my chosen schedule, and just take it one run at a time. But that's easier said than done.

Philly Training Weeks 6 & 7

Monday: 6
Tuesday: 6.5
Wednesday: 6.5
Thursday: Off
Friday: 6
Saturday: 5
Sunday: 13

Total: 43

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6
Wednesday: 7
Thursday: 7.5
Friday: 5
Saturday: 18 (14 + 4 'race')
Sunday: 3.5

Total: 47

Silver City

2008-08-26T19:45:00.000-04:00

I'm glad to have squeezed in the long one on Saturday night, even if it was an evening run (mostly) in the dark, and after a party where I consumed two beers and some champagne. I think the alcoholic carbs must have helped though, because I felt really quite strong and fast throughout. I took a well manoevered tumble onto a grassy verse at one point, but think I got away with it, since I was under cover of darkness...

The other thing I found quite funny about this route was how I needed to circumvent practically my entire home town in order to run for two hours and 15 minutes.

Philly Training Week 5
Monday: 7
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 7.5+
Thursday: Off
Friday: 8+
Saturday: 15.5+ (2 hours 15)
Sunday: Off (mad, busy day)
Total: 38+

Where the Heart Is

2008-08-17T17:00:00.001-04:00

I’m going to make this as short as I can because it’s about 11pm GMT and I’m exhausted from staying up half the night last night watching the Olympic Women’s Marathon.

Sufficed to say Kyla and I are having a super time here in Scotland. We got back yesterday from a week spent with family in a riverside lodge in stunningly beautiful Perthshire. Running opportunities there, (as well as here at home in Aberdeen), are optimal given all my free time, the cool weather, the fabulous trail routes that I know like the back of my hand, and the bountiful numbers of willing babysitters.

I am rolling up the past two weeks of training into one, and pretending I ran Monday’s 15 miler on the Sunday (I was just far too jetlagged to fit it in on the Sunday I arrived). Technically I just ran a 53+ mile week ending with (what felt like a) fabulously fast 4 miler tonight, but let’s just call it 74+ for the fortnight. I see from my counter on the right that I now have less than 100 days till the big race, so I’m thrilled to be at the level I am currently at already.

As predicted, being here is wonderful for many reasons, and one of them has been the vast quantities of the Olympics I’ve seen. I’ve watched more hours than ever before I think. I must say that it’s terrific to watch the coverage from a biased-toward-British-athletes viewpoint. I am so deeply thrilled and inspired by Team GB’s current third place ranking in the medals standings. Poor Paula, Liz and Deena though – I cried quite a few tears in the middle of the night last night, I’ll tell you.

Weeks 3&4 of Philly Training

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 6.6
Wednesday: 8.5
Thursday: Off
Friday: 6
Saturday: Off (jetlag)
Sunday: Off (jetlag)
Monday: 15
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 8+
Thursday: 6+
Friday: 7+
Saturday: 13
Sunday: 4
TOTAL: 74+

PS – for those interested – yes, that book turned out to be a bit of a dud. I was left scratching my head. I think he either threw it together very hurriedly, or it just didn’t translate well at all.
PPS Hmm, that wasn’t very short…

Let The Games Begin

2008-08-07T22:45:00.000-04:00

After putting some stressful work-related hurdles behind me this week, I can finally start to look forward to my FOUR week vacation.

Toward the end of one of my runs a couple months ago, an idea hit me suddenly and forcefully out of the blue. I knew it was a long-shot, but I also kinda knew immediately that I could make it happen. That idea was to ask my employers for a month of unpaid leave, during the time Matt was due to go on his own vacation, and just before Kyla starts preschool. And so, due to the understanding and generosity of my company, the help of family back home, and after many weeks of wheeling, dealing, planning and arranging on both sides of the pond, Kyla and I are finally heading off to Scotland tomorrow for some serious quality time with family. Needless to say, I am incredibly excited. One of the many, many things I'm excited about - that I only just realized recently, is that I'm NOT WORKING for the entirety of the Olympics, and I'm staying with my sports-mad extended family!

Of course, I am besides myself over the possibility of Paula Radcliffe finally bringing home the gold on August 17th. This video and this article (thanks Suzanne) make it seem like she's going to make it to the start line at least! Hurrah!

Matt surprised me with this wonderful, thoughtful gift of a book for my trip. I'm a couple of chapters in, and hooked. It's a little strange, but I'd pretty much read anybody's book about their life as a runner - it's just a bonus that this comes from such an accomplished novelist.

So far this week I ran a 6.6 on Tuesday and an 8.5 on Wednesday. Tomorrow I have to rise at the crack of dawn for a 6 miler before setting off for JFK and my transatlantic journey with my 2 year old (wish me luck!). I know it's unrealistic to imagine that I will fit a run in on Saturday after we arrive (jet lagged and bedraggled no doubt), but Sunday I can't wait to run 15 miles in COOL temperatures, and over unpolluted, beautiful green, lush countryside. There's nothing like living in NYC for 7 years to make me appreciate home.