November - Birthday Month

November has to be the craziest month. Here is the birthday List.
My Dad
Pats Dad
Pat
Erin
Ryan (nephew)
Jimmy (nephew)

Oh and then lets throw thanksgiving in there. Which we normally host. Just crazy. Please note that these are all men as well, Except Erin. Hard enough to buy for Christmas, but lets pile on a b-day! OK, there is my yearly rant about November.

I had a bit of a panic attack earlier in the week. A buddy of mine was in touch and said that the Boston Marathon registration was closed! I had just sent my registration in and so I started to wonder if I had missed it. I had deferred last year though and so had a pre-approved registration that said it was not due until 12/11. But now I was worried. I called yesterday and I am all set though....phew.

Runs still going well. Shin is temperamental...will feel great one day and then hurt the next. So I am just doing all my runs real easy still. I did a tiny bit of leg turnover stuff on Tuesday. 2 mile warm up, 10X1 min at slightly faster than 5 K pace, then 2 mile cool down. It was fun. Yesterday was an easy 4. Today...rest and it is forced because I am home sick. I knew I would eventually get this darn bug. Both kids have had it. It is the rule in this house though that Mom gets sick last. Take care of everyone else first.

What about this weather lately?? I just LOVE it. Looks like Sunday will be high 40's...perfect for my long run! Wonder where I will venture this week. Last weekend was the causeway.....Maybe the Stowe bike path? Downtown bike path? Causeway again? Choices choices...I will have to think about that. This is all presuming I feel better of course. Where I would really like to go is NYC!!! I miss my runs out there. I have to make a plan to go out and visit my friend Angela some weekend and get my run in out there.

And the training begins....

well, kinda.....this is week 2 of marathon recovery running. Recovery and rest are probably the most important thing in training. This week feels better than last. Legs are turning over better, little pains here and there working their way out. But cardio wise...I could go forever. So that is good. I just have to strengthen and take care of these leg muscles....

Yesterday I ran an easy two miles on the track....just loosening up..then I hit the treadmill for 4. I had to hop off every .5 and massage the shin for a minute and stretch.....very hard to do. You want to muscle through...but I am in training....and at the beginning to boot. Patience, patience Tania....and I practiced that last night. In training it is not smart to run through pain...in a race, well yes. Anyway, by the end the shin was all loosened up. And today! Voila! Shin felt much better. Got a really good 4.5 in tonight! No pain, nice aerobic pace...teaching/reminding the bod how to burn fat for fuel....

I also bought some new sneaks....these have some arch support and are a bit narrower....they worked today...lets see what the upcoming weeks bring.

So tomorrow is a rest day...or perhaps a swim. A swim and hot tub sounds real nice..

Then on Friday my first run with a little speed. 6 miles with the last 10 mins build to 10K pace....fun. Control, steady increase....teaching the spirit and mind control....Love the discipline! I am a nut case eh??

OK, I think that my angel is almost asleep. She loves to hear me type and blog as she falls asleep.....

Good Night Erin!
Good Night cyber friends!

Sunset Run on the Causeway

Tonight I had one of those runs where I could just run forever. I decided to head out on my run, totally "unplugged". It was such a beautiful evening and I just wanted to feel and experience it all without any music, pressure of time/pace/heart rate or anything. I just ran at the pace I wanted and gazed at the Sunset. It was sooo beautiful. However......for those of you that don't remember..the time has changed and it is dark at 5:00. I hit the cut on the causeway at 4:40 and I suddenly thought, this is not good. It is going to be pitch black when I hit the woody section. Here is the funny thing...I was not afraid of being attacked at all, I was worried about losing footing and twisting an ankle. See to me, not being able to run is one of my fears in life.

While it was dark though, it reminded me of the Vermont 100 mile run and pacing Tracy from mile 70 to 100. So for two miles tonight I got to "re- live" that experience a bit. Running in the dark...just living.... just hearing my footsteps and wondering if I would twist an ankle or not. Just out there with my own thoughts and spirit and body. I just love that. So Simple. But I do wish I had a flashlight.

So....I am now up in Bed with my daughter Erin. She asked me to blog while she went to sleep. Apparently the sound of the keyboard is comforting to her. She is my little angel. I love her soooo much.

So back to the run...when I hit the woody section I decided to not run in the woods but take a detour and run on the road. The causeway crosses a main road before you hit the woody section. Figured that running the dark roads was safer than being in the woods in the dark. Plus the bats were freaking me out in the woods. They were everywhere at the end of the causeway. Freakazoid!!! eeeewwww..I need bats at the end of marathon...that would motivate me even more to run faster!!!

What a great run though...legs felt light, shin behaved...but they reminded me to be good and stay easy. It was one of those runs where I could have run forever. I feel very very lucky to have 2 healthy legs, healthy body overall, the ability to see and hear and smell and enjoy all the wonderful things that that hour and 10 mins brought me....very lucky. I could hear the lake gently lapping upon the rocks, smell the cool crisp air and see the beautiful sunset....just awesome. More awesome than I could explain in this silly blog....especially because I am not a good writer. YOu will find typos in my blog and poor grammer...because it is all free thought...No editing.

Is that the last causeway run of 2009....we shall see....I am hoping to just get one more in...Perhaps my 10 miler next weekend??

Swimming!

yup, 2 days into running and the dang shin is buggin me. So, I just swam yesterday. 30 minutes, freestyle, got the heart rate up! OK, I need a swimming shirt...I get so cold swimming. I am fine for about 15 minutes and then I get colder and colder no matter how hard I try to swim. If anyone out there in cyberspace has ideas on where to find such a shirt, let me know. Not sure a full on wet suit is really needed. Plus that would just look dumb!

We will try the running thing today and keep it easy.
I also started some leg strength work and so perhaps my shin did not like that. Calf raises and stuff..... I was nice to it yesterday though between the swim and the hot tub so lets see how she does tonight.

The good thing about the gym is that if running hurts, I just jump on the bike,elliptical or head to the pool. So many choices...I like choices. And if all else fails, lift some weights and chat with friends. :-)

Tomorrow I am headed to Montreal with two very dear high school girlfriends. I am really looking forward to it. We will leave around 5 and then when we get there head out to one of my all time favorite restaurants. Da'Emma. http://www.daemmarestaurant.com/ The reviews are mixed, but I guess that goes to show that we all have different taste. There is good taste and bad taste, if you have good taste, you will like this restaurant! hehee
Fun to think that in just 30+ hours I will be wining and dining! Then shopping on Saturday! Fun to buy clothes there. Either there or NYC. Finding clothes here in VT is just lets say....boring! So when we are done our girl shopping thing....we will probably find another place for more wine and good food. oh, and then we HAVE to hit Eggspectation for breakfast! http://www.eggspectations.com/canada_eng/html/home.html And for all you single ladies the waiters are FINE. My mother even mentioned that when we went there! FUN FUN breakfast spot. Another very cool industrial type place. My kids love that one.

oh, but this is a running blog. Neither of my girlfriends run. And I promised not to run and to drink wine with them for these two nights. We actually planned this trip during my down week so that I could chill. Maybe I will even schedule a massage! But, I WILL hit the road when I get back on Sunday...there will be calories to burn!

Cheers!

And we are off!

I received my new training plan! YIPPEE. I just love to have a plan. Gives my week purpose, something to check off, sense of accomplishment. Next 3 weeks are easy. Short easy runs. Although I did throw in an 800 tonight with a friend. So hard to be on the track and not do some sort of interval work. If I am going to go long and slow, I have to be outside. Much easier to get lost in the run.

Also did some core stuff and hit the weights....time to buff up! hehehe...probably wont happen. At the doc today I was a whopping 102 fully clothed. Blood pressure was up which was disturbing. My doc seemed concerned which freaked me out more. He is a runner too and I think just worries about me dropping dead and pushing too hard.
And, with my history of other medical issues he has the right to be concerned. He also asked if I am eating right and I assured him yes. Taking in enough calories has always been my weak point.

My daughter and my sister went with me tonight. I am so impressed by my little Erin. She does so well running. And, she is so proud after. Sooo cute. Glad that she is learning early to do things that make her feel good about herself. Took me well into adulthood until I learned how to do that.

I love the time change. Makes those early morning runs much nicer. I am an early riser during the week so would much rather have the sun up then. Plus I just love the quietness of morning runs. And, the endorphin boost is better than coffee. I really think that maybe I am a druggie....hehehe

Lets see if I can sleep...I always have a hard time sleeping when I do evening workouts. Ideally, I would get a 3 hour break mid day everyday and do all my training then. Oh well....maybe in my next life. Maybe in my next life I will be a trainer/coach/nutritionist also.....fun to dream.

G'night!

Recovery Week

Recovery week - this is not as bad a taper week. Atleast you have the marathon run completed and medal in hand....and the bod feels a bit tired anyway.

I actually felt really good after the marathon. Twitchy legs at night for a couple nights, but no bad pain really. Tight hamstring, but that has all let up by now.

I went out with a friend on Tuesday and had a couple glasses of wine! No running in the AM so it was all guilt free! Then on Wed I went and got a post run massage. I did not realize that anything was tight until that massage! I felt even better after! Thursday night was haircut night and then I had a nice dinner out with my sister.

So, I think I am probably all fattened up by now and ready to get back to training. I got my gym membership yesterday and I am ready to hit the weights and work on some real speed now! Today is actually the first day I am missing running.....definately ready for slow 5 miler or so.

Halloween, to dress up or not dress up is the question of the day! lets just hope that the kids dont get blown away! It is windy out there!

Marine Corps!

I probably should have written this during the endorphin rush...which has worn off by now, but I still have that handsome medal that still puts a smile on my face.

We arrived in DC at around 5:00 PM on Friday night. The brochure schedule noted that the EXPO was open until 7:00 so I had hoped to get to the hotel and then book it to packet pick up. As soon as the number is in hand it all seems real. Plus it has been over a year (Boston 2008) since I have run a marathon and so in many ways this felt like a first to me. I only have 4 under my belt. In the taxi, about $10 in, I realize that my cell phone is missing. Pat calls my phone # and someone picks up...Yup, I had left it on the plane. Now, how did that happen, I still have no clue. We circle back and that circle added $30 to our cab ride. UGH!!!! But, I have the blackberry and so I should be happy right. No chance of making the expo though.

We finally arrive at the Hotel and we are all starving. We head to the hotel restaurant to get some pasta. I have this thing with carbo loading. Do it 2 nights before the marathon...same with sleep, very important two nights before. The day before the marathon I eat extra light and pound the fluids. Plan has worked every time.

I have one question: Why is everything OVERHEATED in DC. We were hotter than heck in the restaurant and no matter where we went for the whole weekend it was so over heated. Do they really think that 50 is cold there?

Saturday Morning - Packet pickup! The whole fam damily walked down to the convention center. The kids HATE the expo and so why do they come? To torture me..to help build up as much frustration in me before my marathon. I really think that is the reason. This marathon was so unlike Boston. In Boston there are runners everywhere and you know it because they all wear that years jacket and look like they are ready to take off running. In DC, you would hardly know there was a marathon coming. Perhaps it was where we were staying. The convention center was HUGE and the expo was very very good. Very Bostonish. As I approached the packet pickup stations a handsome marine said "Good Morning Ma'am" and I approached the booth for my #...#21058. Again all booths staffed by Marines, and polite!!! So nice not to be thrown your packet, but looked at and said "Good Luck" with a handsome smile. So fun!

We then proceeded to drop a couple hundred dollars on attire. Thank goodness for marathons otherwise I would not have any casual clothes.

Katherine Switzer! For some reason I missed that she would be at the Expo, and there was just a short line to get a signed book. What a doll she is and I love her more now that I am reading her book. Quite a lady. Not just for running and what she has done for the sport for women, but just for her spirit for life and going after dreams. She also signed my bib and I gave her a hug! So fun.....moment to remember.

Lets see, after the expo we headed to the room to drop off our new Marine Corps wardrobe and then headed out for sight seeing. Sight seeing in pouring rain with 2 kids that think farting is entertainment....again, lets see how frustrated and aggravated we can get our mother the day before the marathon. It must be good luck though because they have been around for every marathon and I have now finished 5 all healthy and a few good times in there.

Digression:
Marathon 1 - VCM 4:12
Marathon 2 - VCM 3:58
Marathon 3 - Baystate 3:41
Marathon 4 - Boston 4:28??(injured during the run- I need to redeem myself this year)
Marathon 5 - MCM 3:53

Not too bad for an old lady....and this years race surprised me a bit...so back to my marathon ramblings.

Morning of the marathon I meet a very nice lady at the metro. She is running for a charity group - American Cancer Society. I stayed with her because my mother mentioned that someone in her office (she works for ACS) and thought maybe I could meet her. Mom would like that.....but I never met her. Turns out that she works for ACS but did not do the charity run.

Anyway, we finally walk to the start...as we go under a bridge a line of Marines keep us in row. So cool....as I approach the big red arch I see the Colors being presented. Amazing. I was right there, could have touched them. Our late timing was perfect. The fly over was spectacular also. I then proceed back to my corral....I chose the 4 hour group. I honestly had no clue when I would finish. I did all my long runs, but real slow. 9:40 - 10 pace. And I stopped a lot on them to walk due to a shin issue. I also did ZERO speed work due to shin issues. Goal was to get the distance under my belt. Work on speed this winter before Boston. So, no speed work but lots of slow miles. What would that give me. I also only ran 3-4 days a week and my peak mileage was only 38.....again really focusing on GRADUAL build and preventing injury.

The start was crowded, and as predicted I was being passed for about the first 10 miles. Sooooo typical. Anxious runners. All gabbing and giggling...some falling because they are not focusing. IT was pretty hilly, lots of ups and lots of downs...I just want slow. Again, healthy finish was the goal. I think I was doing a 9ish pace...9:30 maybe. At mile 3 the slow pace was boring me and so I sped up a bit. I wanted to finish the first 1/2 under 2 hours...and I did....1:57 I think. My legs were feeling great and the miles just flew by. Scenery was beautiful and I stopped every 2 or so miles to grab water from a Marine. I was sure to say Thank you and look them in the eye so they knew it was sincere. And they were also! "Here you go Ma'am...nice run Ma'am" So polite....every water stop! Made the given up minutes worth it.

Jefferson Memorial....I wont forget that one...gorgeous!!!! I think it was a Navy Band that was playing all in uniform. Very moving. Again I paused and slowed to take it in. The weather was also perfect. 50's and sunny and the foliage was beautiful.

I dont recall much more except again, the politeness of the Marines, the crowds and also just how crowded the course was. Good thing I was not going for time because you could not pass anyone!! It was crazy. I am a believe that if you want to race a marathon, go to a small one where crowds it not an issue.

OK, can someone please measure the last .2 again. I swear they got this one wrong. Course the steep hill to Iwo Jima was the only place I walked, for about 10 seconds....that was the only time I really got tired. Where did the miles go? That was a bit too easy and 3:53? only 3 mins off from a BQ....but who cares.....I could have made that up, but then the memories would not be there and I would not have had the time to thank every marine that handed me a cup of water.