I've worn the same polish on my toes since late May...wanted to make my summer "fun" with periwinkle toes. Now that I'm running really long runs with success...17 miles, 20 miles, 15 miles in the last 3 weekends I am thinking I shouldn't change anything. Not my socks (haven't had one single blister since I began training-have been rotating the same 3 pair of Nike Dry Fit all along), not my shoes (Asics Gel Cumulus something or other) and not my toe nail polish. I feel like if all of a sudden I have different colored toes that might mess something up.
Heading into this weekend's 1/2 marathon (Grete's Gallop) and then another 20 miler in a couple weeks, I'm feeling quite secure...socks, shoes and nail polish!
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." - George Sheehan
Murakami is talking about how grueling the marathon is and how if you don't keep repeating a mantra of some sort to yourself, you'll never survive.
"One runner told of a mantra his older brother, also a runner, had taught him which he's pondered ever since he began running. Here it is: Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Say you're running and you start to think, Man this hurts, I can't take it anymore. The hurt part is an unavoidable reality, but whether or not you can stand any more is up to the runner himself. This pretty much sums up the most important aspect of marathon running."
How many areas can we apply this mantra to in our lives? That's what I'm finding with running...everything I'm learning from this journey carries over and applies to all other aspects of my life: my PhD (a marathon in itself), my marriage, my friendships, my being a parent, my overall satisfaction and fulfillment, my faith...
For sure I could not have gotten through my first 10 miler at the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC this past April without repeating The Doxology* over and over in my head from about mile 5 to mile 10. And during this past weekend's 20 miler, when faced with running alone for the last 3 miles, I found myself singing Loggins and Messina's House at Pooh Corner the whole of mile 18 (a song I sing to my daughter each night at bedtime).
What will my mantra be on race day? I don't know...something to think about. Until then, a little bit of Loggins and Messina for you:
*(The Doxology was just about the most perfect song to have in my head during the Cherry Blossom 10...it caused me to really think about how grateful I was that I was able run in the first place - thankful for legs, arms, heart, breath - and running down roads shaded by cherry blossom branches in full bloom...though I was struggling to finish my longest run to date, I felt I was running in heaven.
"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost")
Ran my first 20 mile training run yesterday!!! It was a great success. Last weekend I ran 17, so I was a little nervous yesterday because I hadn't officially run 18, but it turned out pretty fine. We headed over to NJ, near Asbury Park, and ran 4 loops around a 5.1 mile dirt path that surrounded a beautiful reservoir. It is the perfect change of scenery from our beloved Central Park. My only complaint was having to periodically run on gravel...I just don't like running on rocks...it ends up making where my feet connect to my legs hurt worse!
We were a nice little group and did some great talking (love the distraction). Got to ask one of our coaches about his running story (used to be over weight and 17 marathons later he's a marathon coach) as well as lots of questions about race day. Super helpful. Thank you Coach Skinny Vinny! I always had someone to run with until mile 16, when my partner decided she'd head back to the trail head to make it an even 18. So I ran the last 3 miles alone on a beautiful wooded path. It's always challenging to run alone, but it's good for me on these long runs to do so for a bit as I know on race day I'll be alone (in a sea of thousands) at times and maybe especially at the end.
My own mile 18 felt like a huge accomplishment. Up til then I'd only walked about 30 seconds and that was when my partner felt she was gasping for breath at one point so I made her walk. Around mile 18 was a little water station where Team for Kids had placed cups and a cooler...However there was not water left by the time I got there. That was right about the time I felt my leg muscles cramping in a new and different way which I figured was from dehydration. I tried to walk another 30 seconds, but walking was way more painful than running. So I ran the final two miles, at time shuffling 13/mins a mile to finish strong at a less than 10 min/mile pace. It was awesome. A huge part of it's awesomeness was that I really was psychologically ready for it. This was a great run for my body, head and heart!
Of course when it was time to stretch with Coach Asteria I could barely even bend to sit on the ground. I couldn't touch my toes nor could I readily get myself into various stretching positions. Lordy. I was an old 39 year old at that moment.
I feel great today. A little sore/stiff, but I've felt worse having run much shorter distances. I think eating a Luna protein bar immediately and a turkey sandwich in the car home probably helped a lot (protein within the first post run 30 mins). I also drank two glasses of pedialite and finished off my Gatoraid before the car ride home. Sadly, I did not get in an icebath when I got home b/c I had to rush off to a home visit. But I did do an epsom salt bath before bed.
I do have one issue: in the middle of the night I couldn't bend or straighten my right knee. I got some ice and advil. This morning its the same, so as I type I have a bag of frozen blueberries strapped to my knee. The rest of my body feels pretty good actually...so I'm a little worried about this knee thing...I had no strange knee pain while running, nor did I run through anything really painful yesterday...so this is a surprise. Praying ice and advil and some rest helps it go away. And hope to do a simple recovery walk today.
Thank you Sid, Asteria and Skinny Vinny as well as my running partner Andrea for a dream like 20 miler. I really can't believe I did it, but then again I can...if you put the time in anyone can do this. This is the ultimate science experiment and I'm simply amazed that week after week I can go a bit longer.
The big question is did I feel like I could run another 6? Wellll, I felt I could go another mile with little trouble, but another 5 after that would have been really tough and not much fun. We taper back next weekend and have one more 20 miler before race day...hopefully the 2nd 20 miler will leave me feeling like I'm ready for 6.2 more.
I've been trying to keep up my motivation in training via reading books on running. This week I read Meb Keflezighi's book Run to Overcome. Born in Eritrea, Meb immigrated to the US with his family. He won the 2009 NYC Marathon. He embodies the American Dream and his back story is fascinating.
Yes, the book was inspiring and motivating, but here's my favorite part of the book:
As winner of the 2009 NYC Marathon, Meb got to appear on Letterman and read the Top 10 List. As New Yorker, I thought it was pretty funny. Here it is:
The Top Ten Thoughts That Go through Your Mind While Running the New York City Marathon
10. "Wow. Staten Island is even more beautiful than I imagined!" 9. "Cool. Mapquest found a route that's only five miles." 8. "Am I experiencing a runner's high or is it the bus fumes?" 7. "Is that the finish line or crime scene tape?" 6. "Why can I run the 26 miles in less time than it takes to play a World Series game?" 5. "Car!" 4. "Cramp!" 3. "Who's that little boy waving at me? Oh, it's Mayor Bloomberg." 2. "I forgot to bring the exact change for the Verrazano Bridge!" 1. "I really hope that was Gatorade."
Wow. 20 miles this Saturday. I saw a sports nutritionist this week...super helpful, especially as I learned I am not getting enough protein in my diet. I'm such a carb-girl naturally...so am amping up my protein in the next 8 weeks. Also, helpful in that I figured out exactly how I need to be fueling during long runs. I finally stocked up on chews at Paragon...so am ready to give it my all on Saturday. We're heading to NJ to do our run in a state park. This will be super fun and a nice break from the Central Park bridle path.
Heading out to our speed work practice in a bit...
I had a nice little Taste of Thai soiree on Saturday evening, after running 17 miles that morning. I was able to make most of the thing I intended, with one tiny freak out about not having enough food, so we ordered vegetarian rice from the local Thai place down the block.
The rain held off and we were able to dine in the backyard. Sadly, I did not get any pictures!!! Prepping food, chasing a two year old and trying to be a hostess got the best of my time management skills and I wasn't able to whip out the camera.
I'm essentially doubtful about my Thai culinary skills, to be honest (though the minced pork with holy basil got lots of complements, as did the black sticky rice dessert), but so thankful my friend may have overlooked my "skills" and still donated generously to Team for Kids. I am close to reaching my fundraising goal for the marathon, and with less than a month to go, am very grateful!
So, to all who came and those who could not but were still willing to support, thank you so much for your generosity, not only monetarily, but in friendship and enthusiasm for my marathon journey. I really REALLY appreciate everyone who has offered cash and prayers and please know that when YOU are fundraising for something, you can always reach out to me for support!!
ps: 17 miles that morning...3 crazy giant loops around the bridal path and some added paths to increase mileage...and I did okay! Very happy with my 10:30 pace (faster than I intended, and thus, surprised by it). And other than my knees feeling overworked that afternoon and evening, I recovered quite fast. All of it is amazing to me. How is it possible? I am so not an athlete. Regardless, here's to 20 next weekend!!!
I added up the mileage I've run since June 4th, when I began officially training for the NYC Marathon and the total comes to approximately 215. Only 215. According to my program, I should have run more...I missed a few weeks due to summer travel and then missed a long run due to the hurricane.
I'm in the thick of it. There are only 8.5 weeks to go before the big day. I hope to get in 300 more miles before November 6th. THREE HUNDRED MORE MILES! Good Lord.
This Saturday, I'll run 17 miles. Then I'll go home rest for a couple hours and get up to cook a Thai feast. I'm hosting my Taste of Thai fundraiser Saturday night...with the hopes of raising more $$$ toward my TFK fundraising goal. Join us if you can (RSVP first so I can cook the right amount of Thai goodness). I'm asking for a $40 suggested donation, 100% of which will go to Team for Kids. If you cannot attend, but would like to make a donation you can here: http://www.runwithtfk.org/Member/PublicPage/6295
Friends and donors!!! I have received my Team for Kids singlet!!! This is what I'll be wearing on November 6th, Marathon day!!!! A TFK singlet in hand means I've met 1/2 of my $2620 fundraising goal. Thank you to those of you who have made a donation.
At this point, I need to turn in a few checks, but I'm actually over 1/2 way there. For my New York friends, don't forget my Taste of Thai fundraiser is coming up on September 10th. For a $40 suggested donation (tax deductible) you can enjoy a few cold Singha's and homemade Thai food and help me raise the meet the rest of my fundraising goal.
Now, it's off to bed, as I'm finally running my 18-miler in the morning. We don't have an official TFK long run due to the holiday weekend, so I'll be running from my neighborhood in Brooklyn to Manhattan and through the park until I reach 18 miles. Counting it as a gift....
