Easy Effort Days (aka Piece of Cake)

The human body is so fascinating in how it can adapt and grow stronger. There was a time, when my heart would race and my lungs would feel like bursting at 2 miles. Yesterday, it took 12 miles of hills to get me to that point! Another thing I notice, is that after running hills for a few days in a row, I can run on a flat surface much easier. It is an easier effort.

Similarly, when I run errands with my four year old, things tend to be more difficult and tiring (gotta get stickers and a sucker from trader joes...got to get the car seat situated, got to stop for potty breaks, got to say "no, because you dont NEED another matchbox airplane!!" ) So when I run errands without my four year old, things just go quickly and smoothly and again, my effort level seems much lower.

Today was a day that, a few months ago, I would have described as a really, really busy day. I would have been tired by now. But marathon training has changed my perspective some.

Yesterday, I ran 18 miles, 12 of which were uphill. The Gu's upset my stomach and I was tired and grouchy by the end of the run. Poor hubby went along on his bike for the first time (and possibly now the last!) to hand me water and Gu's on request. Unfortunately I was not a happy camper for the latter half of the run. We had driven to the beach, went our 18 miles, spent about 30 minutes back at the beach - Ryan, watching the surfers ride the waves...me, laying in the grass waiting to die (only a slight exaggeration, I assure you). Then to the grocery store to get chocolate milk. By the time we got home, and I had showered, iced my legs, taken my ibuprofen, slept and then found enough leg strength to get downstairs for dinner, the day was done. And THAT was a typical long run day for me.

Which brings me to today. After a long run day, just as after a hill run, or a toddler errand run, a non-run day feels like a piece of cake. Here is a glimpse of what my easy day consisted of: waking up and teaching my 11 year old how to make french toast for the family. Playing with my 4 year old. Going to the produce store for leeks and stopping at Trader Joes for this weeks groceries plus the inevitable impulse buys. Doing all the laundry and scrubbing the house from top to bottom (that one took a while!). Making a homemade apple pie and also some mini apple crisps for friends who have been under the weather. Going out on a "bagel date" with my oldest son to catch up on life. Cutting up a butternut squash while talking to a friend who has been in the hospital all week. Then making homemade butternut squash soup with cider cream for dinner with some fresh baked ciabatta bread and tomato - lentil bruschetta. Entertaining the 4 year old neighbor girl for a bit. Going for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner with hubby, boys and dog. Watching the Disney channel with the older boys and tucking in the little guy.

Such an easy, fun, NON-RUN sort of day! Doing the laundry alone is usually a drudgery for me. But today I felt almost lazy in that I had so much leisure time. Granted, running is supposed to feel like a leisure activity too. But trust me, by the last few weeks of marathon training, running feels like anything but leisure!

I enjoyed my day today but tomorrow it is back to training again. Five days of the next seven I will be running. I am also catering 300 desserts for a wedding on Friday, but hopefully after the running days, that will indeed feel like a (okay and look like one too I hope!) piece of cake!

Ramblin' On

One month from today, I will be a "former marathoner". I have to admit, the "former" part is what keeps me going during those painful long runs. I just imagine my friends-especially those who are my age (57.5 years)-saying "I could never do that", "Wow-a marathon, I'm impressed!"- you get the idea. Then I quickly ask the Lord to forgive me for my lack of humility..... I also ask Him to help me do this, to be a blessing to my girls, and to enjoy the experience.

I love to travel. I have been extraordinarily blessed to have had some fabulous experiences with my children- Pro Bowls in Hawaii when my Seahawks quarterback played, Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, getting lost in Stanley Park. I've also seen giraffes in the African wild with my son-in-law, New Year's Eve in London as Big Ben struck midnight.... This trip to Athens will be added to my list. Somehow, I think that this one will be a little different. Yes, I will be reading the "things to do in Athens" forum on Trip Advisor, yes, I will write lists of "what to pack" and yes, I will plan fun activities for the trip. But-knowing the pain, sacrifice, and commitment that has characterized the road to Athens somehow elevates this trip to another level. Imagining entering the stadium in Athens and joining my two little girls in celebrating this feat surpasses all other vacation planning for me...

I read in Runner's World a term for chubby runners, but I can't remember what it was. Whatever it is, it would describe me. Sometimes when I tell people that I am training for a marathon-because my training book says be sure and tell everyone-they look at me like I am at least delusional and at most a (big fat) liar. Can I help it if the Menopause Fairy has bestowed upon me a zero metabolism? For the most part it doesn't bother me because I know I am fit, but I do kinda wonder when I am at the starting line in Athens if people will think I'm an imposter....

"It's a marathon, not a sprint". People always say that when they're giving you permission to take your time or to not worry about immediate results. I've always thought that those words are intended to decrease anxiety, to relax... Really?

So these are a few of my running ramblings.... 18 miles this weekend-I'm sure I'll have some more to share...

The Importance of the Cross-train

As I last noted, this week I am taking time off from running. And not just running, but from wearing shoes altogether! Sometimes I tend to vent the hardships of marathon training without mentioning the positives. So, because I am wearing sandals this week, it forced me to rethink my training and as a result, reminded me of a very, very valuable tool. The cross-train.

When I trained for my first 10 K race, I did it without running a single step for the three months leading up to race day. I had started off training, and then right away had started feeling sharp pains in my bum knee (I have a bum knee, back and hip flexor...why I am a runner I have no idea). I spent the next three months in spin class, swimming laps in the pool, and weight training. Spin class taught me to get my heart rate up high and improved my cardiovascular ability and endurance. Laps in the pool strengthened my core, my shoulders and again my lung capacity. Weight training strengthened the muscles around my knee so that it was better supported as well as improving all over strength and muscle tone.

On race day, I ran every inch of the 6 miler (10 K) and did it feeling strong and pain free.

Many race training plans include different types of running, but no true cross training days. My plan for the marathon doesn't include cross training at all. It includes hill running, sprinting, long runs, tempo runs and rest days. All of those things help to work out different muscles and improve different aspects of my running. However, I have noticed the last month that I am losing muscle tone as I increase mileage and run longer and slower. Plus I am starting to get bored with running even though I trust I will never truly lose my love of the sport. There is a greater pressure now as the race draws near to take care of my body and to avoid injury and fatigue, and I believe now is a great time to reinstate some different workouts into my week.

In particular, this week I am doing yoga, pilates and barefoot plyometrics, as well as a whole lot of lunges. My heart rate is getting up there, I am sweating, but also improving my muscle tone, core and flexibility - things I know I under-emphasize. If my ankle is healed enough by Saturday, I am planning to do my 19 mile run again - this time with my hubby on his bike beside me (I will just call him my Gu and Water-boy). :) I actually think I will be able to do it, and will probably enjoy the run more.

I find myself seeing the bright side of my heel injury this week. The three of us have also been collaborating on cute "Girls on the Run" T-shirts this week which has reminded us of one of the fun perks of running a marathon with a group. I am glad for those reminders!

Sidelined

****Warning...this post talks about blood...eww!

So, I didn't mention that after my 18 mile run the other day, I had a gaping hole in the back of my heel from my new, unbroken-in shoes. The first pair of shoes I bought back in May also needed to be broken in, but I was only running an hour or so at a time. This time around, I am running more than 3 hours at a time!

My body had gone into it's Novocaine-induced numbness at some point in the run and I didn't realize that my shoe was rubbing a larger and larger wound into my foot the longer I went. When I got home and pulled off my shoes, I found a large amount of blood in my shoes and socks and again, the hole.

The problem with a hole in the back of your ankle that has been created by the shape of your running shoe, is that when you put that running shoe back on, it perfectly fits over that hole again. I am kicking myself because I have been so good to protect my muscles while training that I completely overlooked my flesh (except for occasional chaffing issues). On Monday I ran 5 miles with tears streaming down my face I was in so much pain, all the while annoyed at myself for being such a baby. Unfortunately, the injury is not healing as quickly as I would like and isn't scabbing over, as it is too deep still.

That said, I am not making a huge dent in my 169 miles this week which is frustrating to me. My friend made a good point today though. She asked me "would you rather keep opening up this wound and run the marathon injured? Or would you rather take a few days off and heal and start again?"

I got some socks that cover my ankles and some good pads to put around the cut (if you can call it a cut...it really is more of a hole).

Please, please don't make the same mistake as me and run 18 miles in new shoes with no-show socks. There are just so many details to keep in mind when running a long race like this. It's hard to remember it all!

So I will keep you updated. For now I am frustrated to be sitting out the next couple days. However it is giving me time to think through my running outfit and my travel wardrobe which has been a decent consolation.

In fact, I will post soon about the fashion side of this trip. And hopefully Mom and Sis can add their two cents as well!

Long Road to Marathon

I don't remember reading anywhere that a Marathon is really, really long. Okay, I am sure I did read something like that somewhere, but I think my brain didn't want to register it so that I would start the journey.

Here is what I mean. The thought of finishing a 26.2 mile run sounds so great. It is an amazing accomplishment, worthy of the bucket list, all bragging rights and back-patting. We make it our goal, looking forward to the end and the great feeling you will have when it is all done. But somehow the reality of training doesn't register - not completely, anyway.

I remember my first half marathon, where the last 2 miles was very difficult for me. I refused to walk, but therefore dragged my feet in a little shuffle-run, while the speed walkers passed me by. I finished at a jog and then promised myself I would NEVER run 13.1 miles again because it is just plain stupid. At the time, my protective (or in-denial) brain forgot to remind me that if I was going to run a marathon one day, I would indeed have to run 13.1 miles again. In fact many, many times.

I calculated the number of miles my training schedule has me running in the 16-week plan. A total of approximately 489 miles, give or take. To get to the starting line at the Athens Marathon, I first need to RUN nearly 500 miles. That is even farther than Phidippides, the first ever marathon runner. He ran 100 miles to Marathon and then ran 25 plus miles from there to Athens to announce victory against the Persians, and then he died.

Granted he probably didn't spread that first 100 miles out over several weeks, and he may have not properly hydrated or had a sufficient number of Gu's in his little runner's fanny pack. But I can't pretend I am not a bit worried, because 500 miles is a long road to Marathon, Greece. And that doesn't even include that last little bit, the 26.2 mile finish!

For those of you contemplating a marathon, be warned. You will have to run a lot to prepare for the race. The 26 miles will start to feel like a small blip on the radar when you consider the number of miles you will run to get there. The accomplishment is in the journey to the start-line, the finish is really just where you get to pick up your finisher's medal. Yesterday I ran 18 miles in a little more than 3 hours. I spent 3 hours of my life running around my town and there were no water stations, no cheering bystanders, no beer garden and free goodie bags waiting at the end. It was just my house, dinner waiting to be made, kids to be picked up at school, errands to run. There is so little fanfare for those first 500 miles, it just seems wrong. 18 miles is HUGE.

I counted up and I now have 169 miles left to go of my 500. And less than 5 weeks to run them (in fact most of it happens in the next three weeks!). I have always been a destination gal more than a journey gal. I don't stop and smell the roses, I just want to get to where I am going and say "been there, done that." But in training for this Marathon I am gaining appreciation for the journey, mostly because it is not a quick one. Not a short one. Yes, I am excited to cross the finish line and get my finishers medal and free bagel. I will most likely immediately pull out my to-do list for the day and make a big point of crossing "Marathon" off the list. But I think on November 13, 2011, it will be the journey that I will be most proud of. I am not there yet, however, and still have to get moving on my 169...wish me luck!

Tough

Some days, running is just plain tough. Last week was my easy week where I felt like I barely ran at all. Today, I was supposed to run 13 miles but I didn't realize it until I woke up this morning and checked my run schedule. I worked all weekend on a catering job and usually after I cater I wake up the next day feeling like I was hit by a truck. And this morning was no exception!

So, by the time I got to the YMCA and checked in the four year old, it was already warm and sunny out. I had forgotten Gu or gatorade. I had forgotten my sunscreen. I didn't feel like running indoors on the treadmill for 13 miles.

So I went out on the trail, lamenting the sun exposure and freckles/sun spots appearing on my upper arms. I figured I would just run until I didn't feel like it anymore. Unfortunately, at about 200 yards I didn't feel like it anymore. So I scratched that idea and instead decided to run until I felt I had done a respectable distance. Which is very relative.

At about four miles, I looked up and saw three hawks flying in circles overhead. I wondered what they might be circling...and then the thought hit me..."maybe they are circling me!" After all, at that point I was sweating profusely, dragging my feet, panting and probably looking like a dying animal of some sort. At four miles!

I found a bit of shade and ran in it for as long as I could. It was uphill for about a mile. Ran by some crows sitting on a fence...watching me. I think they had gotten word from the hawks that I would be passing by. I gave them a steely stare as if to say, go find your breakfast somewhere else, punks!

The nice part of the uphill was that I turned around and went downhill for that same mile. Got to the Y again at 7 miles and called it a day. I ate a sugar packet from the coffee cart in the lobby and stretched. Last week I ran the same time but ran 9 miles instead of 7. I don't remember seeing the hawks last week either.

Some days are tough. That is the reality of training for a race as long as 26.2 miles. You just have to shake it off and start again tomorrow, but there is no option to give up. The goal is set and I can't ask Greece to reschedule for another day, or year...(ok well there is always another year but our plane tickets are bought!). Hopefully tomorrow there will be a bit more pep in my step!

Will Cook For Shoes

My husband and I live in Southern California on a modest income. Cost of living here is high, and our three boys like to eat. So, you may be wondering, (and if you aren't I am going to tell you anyway) how we can afford to get our butts on a plane and visit Athens and run 26.2 miles there.

Let me tell you, Athens aside, running is NOT an inexpensive sport. People may try to convince you that it is, but they lie. Okay, if you are young and have no knee or foot or back issues. If you don't care about the future health of your body. If you don't mind looking like you were in a wet t-shirt contest after a three mile run. If you slather yourself with vaseline or Body Glide when you run, and if you never actually want to run a race - then I suppose it might be less expensive. Because then you can wear the same pair of cheap-o shoes for years on end, skip the dry-wicking shirts and non-chafing shorts, and just enjoy running the neighborhood without taking any vitamins or receiving any medals to hang. And admittedly, that was my running style for many years and running was a cheap sport.

Unfortunately now that I am older, I require much more maintenance and need to find a way to bankroll this so-called inexpensive hobby of mine.

Ironically, I cater on the side in order to pay for running. The other day, I made 300 snickerdoodles for a company luncheon, using a very large amount of butter. The next day I got a shiny new pair of Brooks Ravenna 2's and then ran 19 miles and burned 2000 calories. Last year, I catered a big party and then soon after paid for my marathon registration in Athens, Greece. Little bits and pieces at a time, but thankfully things keep coming up that help me to continue on.

I always tell people that I have three main passions in life (lets assume family is one too) - God, Running and Food. And then I say that the last two sort of cancel each other out which leaves the first and most important. But really, although I do love healthy eating and cooking, you will never catch me bad-mouthing a dark chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting. Or a buffet pasta dish with carmelized onions, rosemary and gorgonzola. Because that cupcake, and that pasta is going to help get me to the finish line in Greece.

And for that I am forever grateful!