get your minds all outta the gutter...hehe.
but seriously, just a quickie post to say thanks to everyone for the comments on my last 2 posts...I have more to say (not a surprise) but not now. Cuz well, it's not my time, it's their day now.
Good luck, NYCMers!!! I'll be at mile 18 waiting to throw PowerGel at you all :)
Three days later...and I am still trying to process it all. So many "what ifs" and "whys." In a way, I sorta feel like Carrie did in the Sex and the City movie after Big jilted her at the altar-though I was able to face the world a little sooner (guess there's nothing that friends and beer can't fix-thanks, AG ;-) )
But just so much going over everything in my head, my mind has been on overload. Playing the events of Sunday over and over and just wondering what I could have done differently, if anything, or would the ending have been the same every time? Should I not have started the race? Maybe...but I still felt I owed it to myself to give it a try...the doctor gave me the green light, I was doing my PT "homework" diligently...just wasn't enough I guess.
And I know this sounds dumb-but I am not even sure what to do with the race shirt. What's the etiquette on wearing a shirt from a race that you didn't finish? It's really too nice a shirt to ditch. FWIW, it wasn't a "finisher" shirt-but a "competitor" shirt. But people assumed you finished when you wear the shirt, no matter what...
Now for the "Now what?" Immediate plan is recovery, PT and cross-training-I can do yoga without buggering the sh(IT) band, and the physical therapist gave me the green light to do spinning classes and elliptical. So may not kill me to do that for a month, that was what I did when I had my calf injury last year. I am getting a second opinion on the knee next week, so any future racing plans will be up in the air til I get that second opinion...
Yeah, racing plans. I do intend to run another marathon-I feel like I have unfinished business with the distance. And is it me, or are the odd years just not good for me when it comes to marathoning? 2005 I had plantar fasciitis and had to defer, 2007 I had my work hell and was just too out of shape and really couldn't train...and you know how 2009 went :) So yeah, I will try again, the question is when? I thought the best bet would be to wait til next fall. I'd love to run NYC again, but I don't have 9 races and being a local, my chances with the lottery are slim to none. I'm 36 seconds off from a half-marathon qualifying time so I can hope that maybe they'll relax the standards by a minute, don't think I can bust out a 1:37 or better in the near future. And as I said before, considering I am all recovered by then, I'm strongly considering Chicago.
But there are others who are telling me I should just try again in the next month or two if I really want to get to Boston for 2010. And I'm just unsure about that, what if the same thing happens again? Or am I just an unusually slow recover-er? Thoughts?
More to come I'm sure...and in the meantime, GO YANKEES!! Tonight begins the quest for #27. And bring on the booze too :)
I don't even know where to start with this. This is probably the toughest race report to write. Ever. A day that started off so well and should have ended at the finish line with a BQ instead ended around 20.6 miles in. And even now, I'm not sure if I did the right thing by calling it quits...
Well as you all know, I had the intention of shooting for a BQ at the Marine Corps Marathon. And based on how training was going, that goal seemed very doable. The race results seemed to back that up as well-setting 5K and 5-mile PRs (which were long, long overdue) and throwing down a 1:37:36 at the Philly Distance Run. I was able to nail some MP miles at the end of a (humid!) 20-mile run. Everything pretty much seemed on track. Then IT band issues hit around the taper. The sports doc did still give me the green light to run the marathon tho, as long as I got some PT to address the immediate issues-which I did. I was still confident things would go well on Sunday.
So let's fast forward to this past weekend. Friday afternoon, I took Amtrak down to DC-nice and easy and stress-free and I just played with the CrackBerry the entire ride :-P Made it to Union Station with no problems and got a taxi to my hotel in Crystal City. Later met up with Flyer MF (who was rooming with me) in Georgetown to grab a bite to eat with her and a couple of her DC friends, then went back to the hotel for some much needed beauty sleep...
Expo day on Saturday!! The expo was very nice-actually bigger than NYC's! The official race shirt was a light blue mock-turtleneck long-sleeve (nice, my favorite color!) Walked around the expo and yes I did do a bit of damage to the credit card :) Picked up a pair of those "recovery" compression socks, another running top and was able to find the "Will Run For Wine" shirt in my size :) When we felt we did enough shopping, we hit up Starbucks to just chill out and get off our feet for a while and wait out the heavy downpours (thank god race day was not Saturday!) before heading back to the hotel, when not too much longer later, it was time to head out for some carbo-loading!! Met up with Uptown Girl and her parentals at Faccia Luna in Arlington (great place!) MF's friends were also there and it was a nice time. Me, MF and Uptown Girl then discussed the game plan for the next morning...the whens and wheres to meet, etc...then time to try on the race-day gear and get everything ready...and early to bed!! And one more thing-I had asked for friends and family to "sign up" for certain miles to be "theirs"...I wrote them all on the back of my bib, I wanted them all close to me on race day :)
Sunday-race day!! MF and I were able to get dressed and get everything together in an hour...I had my usual bagel w/ white chocolate PB...we then met up with Uptown Girl at her hotel so the 3 of us could walk to the shuttle bus to get to the start line (and along the way, I got my Starbucks! Another race-day necessity!) We then got on the shuttle bus...those Marines kept things well-organized!! I was gonna listen to my "marathon morning" playlist during the ride, little did I know I had left the iPod in the room...oops!! But I may not have had much time to listen to music, before we knew it we were at the "Runners Village." Seemed like a less chaotic version of NYCM!! Checked our bags, did other pre-race prep, chilled out in one of the tents for a little bit...and oh yeah, there was the announcement that these were the "best conditions in the history of the race!" Low 50s and sunny...one of those days where it was like "no excuses."
So it was time to head to the start...and as well organized as other aspects of this race were, I do have to say the start was NOT. You don't do the "honor system" with a field of 40,000...you just don't!! Uptown Girl and I were lined up "honestly" by the 3:40 predicted time group and we saw peeps around us and in front of us who had no business being there. Maybe it would be a good thing since we wouldn't go out to fast? We shall see. Before we knew it...the marine aircraft flyover and the sound of the start cannon!! And around 3 minutes later, with the sound of "Evacuate The Dancefloor" by Cascada blaring over the loudspeakers, I crossed under the red arch marking the start. Here we go!! Let's make this thing happen...
First 5K (25:43-8:16 pace)
Mile 1-8:36, Mile 2-8:38, Mile 3-8:05
Well as it turned out, lining up "honestly" may have screwed me, as I really spent a good part of the first 2 miles through the streets of Rosslyn, VA trying to find my groove-was just way, way too crowded and even though I tried to keep the weaving to the minimum, I'm sure I lost 15 seconds per mile, if not more on those first 2 miles. Or it also coulda been the hills too!! These first coupla miles were fun and the support was great, but oh boy were they hilly. The 3rd mile had a nice downhill to even things out a little tho :) Think the 5K split was a little short-20 secs after mile 3?
10K (50:52-8:11 pace, 5K split 25:09-8:06 pace)
Mile 4-7:50, Mile 5-8:01, Mile 6-7:59
So finally around mile 4 (and another downhill!) the field opened up a little and I found my groove. We crossed over the Key Bridge and headed into Georgetown!! Saw a sneak preview of the streets that we'd have to look forward to in a few miles, but for now enjoyed the scenery around the reservoir.
15K (1:15:55-8:08 pace, 5K split 25:03-8:04 pace)
Mile 7-8:20, Mile 8-7:53, Mile 9-7:56
By the end of this portion, we headed into the town of Georgetown and it was as lively as I hoped it would be!! We passed by the restaurant we had eaten on Friday nite and I kinda laughed to myself there. This portion sorta reminded me of Greenpoint in NYCM, which I liked a lot!! We then turned south to head towards the water...
20K (1:41:01-8:07 pace, 5K split 25:06-8:05 pace)
Mile 10-7:53, Mile 11-8:11, Mile 12-8:06
And at this point, I was really feeling good. I knew I was doing this, this was my day. In mile 10, someone on the Greater New York running team said "Go New York Flyers!" I said "go New York!" back...I heard another "Go NY Flyers!" from the sidelines...think it was a coupla Urban Athletics peeps that were cheering? I shouted back thanks...was nice being far away from home, but still having the NY race feeling. Mile 12 brought the beginning of Hains Point-which was where I went through my mental bonk in the Cherry Blossom race...wasn't gonna have that today though!!! And even though I didn't realize it at the time, I was pacing really well. I passed the 3:40 pace group somewhere around here too...didn't know if they were way ahead of pace, or if they just started closer to the front, but at least I knew I was on track!!
25K (2:06:45-8:09 pace, 5K split 25:44-8:17 pace)
Mile 13-8:04, Mile 14-8:15, Mile 15-8:26
The half-marathon point was just past the turnaround on Hains Point. Hit that at 1:46:33 and thought perfect-on pace for close to 3:33 flat! Even if I lost a couple minutes in the 2nd half, I could still bust out a 3:35, which was kinda around what I was expecting. But I had heard that MCM was a good negative split course, so hoping for better...
But mile 14 was where things started to go downhill-and I'm not talking elevation. We were running into headwinds here and it was slowin' it down. Wasn't sure if I wanted to expend too much energy fighting it-knowing I still got awhiles to go-so I decided to just try and "cruise" to the 20 mile point, and then "go for it" in the last 10K. I could average 8:45s or better in the 2nd half and still BQ, but I did want to finish strong too.
30K (2:35:17-8:20 pace, 5K split 28:32-9:11 pace)
Mile 16-8:29, Mile 17-8:46, Mile 18-9:21, Mile 19-9:35
We left Hains Point and headed to the part of the course with all the monuments, the National Mall, etc...which was the part that I was looking forward to previously, but I wasn't feeling it now. Things did not feel right. I don't know if I had taken the first half too fast, or if it was the IT band talking to me, but I was starting to show the signs of trouble. Uptown Girl passed by me in I think mile 17 and I could tell she was well on her way to a great finish. The 3:40 group passed by me here too...this part was filled with spectators shouting my name but it could have been silent as it made no difference. Mile 18 I had to do the one thing I have never, ever done in a marathon before and take a walk break. Which was repeated in Mile 19. Now it was starting to be a race against the clock. But I didn't want to leave DC without my BQ!
Mile 20-9:28
No walking in Mile 20-I ran the full mile but saw my mile split and knew I was in further trouble. Did some quick math and saw I'd have to run the last 10K in 52 and change to still BQ...can I do it? Can I at least hold on for a PR? Or finish under 4 hours?
Mile 20.65(?)-13:05
This was the infamous 14th Street Bridge that all runners must pass (well actually, the mile 20 marker) by 1:15 or they can't finish-or as the MCM calls it, "Beat the Bridge." And sadly this day, the bridge beat me.
I started walking for the 3rd time and just felt pain. I couldn't run again. Every time I started I had to slow down to a walk. My BQ was gone and it was all I could do to not cry at this point. A couple of other runners who passed by said "I feel your pain"...oh if you only knew. Another runner who was forced to slow to a walk too kept me company for a few minutes, we were both in the same boat. Finally I passed by one of those one of those golf cart-looking thingies with medical personnel on board, and they asked if I was ok, if I needed help, did I need a ride to the med tent? So here I had to make a critical decision. Do I continue on walking for another 5 and change miles? Was it worth it? Should I cut my losses now?
I preface this by saying-I'm not a quitter. If it's worth fighting to salvage something, I'd hang in there. But I made the decision-take the ride to the med tent and call it a day at around mile 20.65. At the time-I didn't know what I had to prove by prolonging the agony. And what's to say the same thing, or something worse, wouldn't happen another 2-3 miles later? So I rested, iced, had some salty snacks and Gatorade (Powerade which was on the course absolutely sucked-not as much electrolytes as Gatorade does and I think may have caused more unnecessary cramping)...thankfully was able to borrow a CrackBerry from one of the medics so I could update Facebook and let everyone know I was alive but had to call it a day, since I am sure my peeps who were tracking me were wondering-and as I was told later, my intuition was right. (And FYI-that 35K split for me was completely bogus, as they drove over the mat while I still had the D-tag on.)
So after awhile, and some stretching and wrapping of my knee, I had 2 options-wait for the sweep bus which would be another hour or walk the 2 miles to the finish to get my bag with my CrackBerry and everything else in it. (If only I had money on me I would have taken the Metro...note for next time...) So armed with one of those mylar sheets to keep me warm, I decided to walk it. And let me tell you-this was so tough-not so much physically, but emotionally. I was walking alongside the course with the back-of-the-packers, they are giving their all to finish but I couldn't do it? Plus the Marines, the spectators telling me "You're almost finished"...oh I've *been* finished!!!
Nearing the finish, saw the crazy steep uphill to the finish line at the Iwo Jima Memorial and it felt bittersweet...in a way I was glad I didn't have to climb that hill but in a way I really wanted to. I just got out of the way of the real finishers and headed towards the baggage trucks to get my bag and check my phone and sure enough I had a shitload of messages...voicemail, text, facebook, IM-and those of you who knew then there was something wrong and reached out-thank you. Waited what felt like forever for the shuttle to get back to Crystal City...finally there and walking to the hotel...oh and hearing the "congrats" from those who saw me carrying my MCM bag and assuming I finished...yeah. Could not have been happier to get back to my hotel room, get cleaned up and erase any evidence that I failed to run a marathon that day, and drown all sorrows with a burger, 2 pints of beer and the Yankee game (hey, at least someone won that day!)
Even now, yesterday still feels like a bad dream. And after reading other MCM race reports from runners who stuck it out no matter what and didn't give up, I am still questionning whether I made the right decision. Was I a quitter? I don't know-I do sorta feel like one. And I know the focus needs to be on healing up and getting healthy again...and yeah, as was shown last year, there is still life after injury. But I won't lie, this is going to be a tough one to get over. I really thought it was finally gonna be my time to get the elusive BQ, and with seemingly more and more of my friends qualifying each year...this April is gonna be tougher than normal, cuz I should have been there.
But that said, I am NEVER going back to DC to run a race again!! 2-for-2 when it comes to bad races is a sign. Maybe Chi-town next fall? (though I shouldn't even think of running another marathon right now!)
One final note-another thanks to everyone who reached out to me via comments, emails, calls, texts, IMs, etc...the support was tremendous and much appreciated.
Well I'm sure you all are wondering...and unfortunately it was not the ending I hoped for.
Long story short-great first half, on pace for 3:33...then things started to fall apart. Finally culminating with the (sh)IT band giving out and my day being over at mile 21. Yep. My first DNF.
I do think I made the right decision at the time-I had nothing to prove by prolonging the agony for 5 more miles. But I won't lie, I am disappointed. And I have a feeling I am gonna be an emotional wreck come April (well when am I not, but this time moreso)
More to come when I return to NYC...
Well, now is really it. No turning back. I am writing this blog post while on the train en route to DC...and now its seriously starting to feel real.
4 months. 18 weeks. 700+ miles. And the burning question will be answered by this time on Sunday-will it all pay off?
And I'll admit to feeling much more nervous this time around. Unlike my first 2 marathons, I got a much loftier time goal in mind, seems that the bar has been raised much higher.
What's done is done. All I can do now is enjoy the weekend, trust my training, and use my tune-up races for inspiration-that once the starting horn sounds, the legs will know exactly what to do.
So to all my friends, followers, readers, etc...thanks for "joining" me on this wild ride and thanks very much for your support! Maybe there will be a mobile update from the expo tomorrow or before the start on Sunday but if not...that's all she wrote til I cross that finish line at the Iwo Jima memorial! (Wow, it feels strange not writing Tavern on the Green!)
Ah, baseball postseason and fall marathon season. Why must you clash? Yeah, considering I didn't have the Yanks to watch in last year's postseason, I'd be glued to the TV nonstop this time. Not so...not only did I crash during Friday night's ALCS Game 1, but I did the same thing during Saturday's Game 2....now to be fair, it was an extra-innings "marathon" that went into the wee hours of the morning, and I had a run the next morning. And I was told by a certain someone afterwards that I woulda gotten a scolding had I stayed up for the game...hehe.
And I did get a mini-lecture of sorts on Sunday from Runner26 for showing up to the 'last 10 miler" in the cold, rainy weather (well maybe it wasn't really a "lecture", but thought I'd throw the teacher reference in.) OK, maybe running outside was not the smartest thing that day, but I didn't wanna do 8 miles on the dreadmill and I was honestly OK once we were moving...and I didn't plan to be standing around in the cold in wet clothes when done with the run-made a beeline to Starbucks, then home for a hot shower and some quality time with the Snuggie. Anyways, run was good, me and Runner26 ran together for the most part (I cut out after 8 miles) and Lam even joined us for a bit. Was fun, though we got semi-lost in the Bronx trying to figure out the new course...and wound up running more of the old course. Didn't matter so much for me... :)
And yesterday the game started at 4:15 and of course I was working (though still following along via the Internet)...and by the time I got home and saw an inning or 2 it looked like it was gonna go into extra innings yet again!! But I had plans to hit the gym to do a yoga class and foam roll the sh*t out of the (sh)IT Band™. Once again, gotta prioritize and the priority is whats gonna make me feel better on marathon day, right? And besides-NYSC had the game on all the TVs in the gym anyways...but all the good that did, as the Yanks dropped one to the Halos...
So Game 4 is going on right now and I am watching but multitasking...eating pasta, blogging, doing laundry...plus flipping to Dancing With the Stars during commercial breaks since I wanna see who gets eliminated tonite...I know The Hills and The City will get rerun a million times so I can live without seeing those 2 shows tonite. But if this one goes into extra innings...sorry pinstripers, I do need to get my beauty sleep :)
And can it just be race day already? I'm very antsy and nervous :) But thank god, one more day of work and I'm free for a few days...then I can really concentrate on obsessing!!! :-P
No I'm not referring to those annoying things you see when browsing the web that sometimes those gadgets in your browser can't block. Or that show on VH1 that would tell everything you ever wanted to know, or didn't want to know, about your favorite 80's nostalgia videos. Or what happens to male runners (or other male athletes, or hell males in general!) when they get, uh, happy and excited, especially if they are wearing tight shorts or pants...hehehehehehehe :-P
I tried to combat taper madness with retail therapy today and was pleasantly surprised that one of my favorite clothing stores, The Limited, which unfortunately I can only shop at online or when I am in NJ visiting the fam, had a temporary "pop-up" store in Soho through today. And the retail mission was successful as once again, I got my dress for the next Flyers awards gala well in advance :) That was easy! Now the real tough part will be making sure it will still fit in 3 months!!
So it's Saturday nite and I'm blogging. I know I desperately need a life. Well I'm not drinking right now, so I'll need another 9 days before I can get that back. Plus I just want to chill and watch the Yanks hopefully clip the Angels' wings for a 2nd night in a row :) (well...even though I crashed before the end of the game last nite.) Plus I have my last "long run" on tap early tomorrow. The Flyers are running their annual "last 10 miler" and I plan to join them for 8 of those miles. Here's hoping the weather isn't too too bad...
Oh yeah and an update on that other thang. Had my first PT session on Thursday, and the therapist's assessment was that I was actually still pretty strong and just needed some fine-tuning in the hip area to take the pressure off the (sh)IT Band™. So had 1 session so far, will have 3 next week, and have some "homework" exercises to do at least once a day if not more (I've been doing twice daily...can't hurt, right?) Seems like that, plus tapering has been helping. I even threw an MP mile into my run last nite (7:50? eek. On that note, who are the 2 wiseguys who think I am gonna break 3:30?) and for that mile, I totally forgot that there were even any hip or (sh)IT Band™ issues. As per usual, no probs when I'm running MP...guess that means I will need to run marathon pace for 26.2 miles then!! hehe...OK that was bad! But hey, I haven't totally lost my sense of humor during this taper!!
I may be tempting fate by posting this, but what the hell. Yep, it's that time again.
Again-realistic guesses please! :) To help, here are the stats...
Only two marathons to date-NYC 2006 in 3:58:26 (splits of 1:58:02/2:00:24.) and NYC 2008 in 3:44:14 (1:50:43/1:53:31) Both had picture-perfect weather.
This time, topped out at a 54 mile week, with 11 weeks where my mileage was at least 40 (2 of those being 50+), and three 20-milers. Races-this time around my best 5M time was 36:49 and best half-marathon time was 1:37:36 (last year I ran the same exact races in 38:11 and 1:42:20.)
In terms of predictors for now...my Philly Distance Run time predicts 3:25:50. Uh yeah. My Club Champs 5M time predicts 3:36:35...more realistic, perhaps?
I know the MCM course is supposed to be flatter than NYC...not sure how much of a difference that will make.
Again, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic (although I know some of you think otherwise!), but I felt I had to put it in anyway.
Right now, the goal is...well you know what the goal is :)
Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won't try and stuff the ballot box...you know who you are ;-)
Thanks for playing!
OK, so did give in and check out the weather forecast. It looks perfect for now...thank god one thing is going right!!
So yesterday I go to my sports doc to get my (sh)IT Band™ checked out. Turns out it's not really so much a knee problem than it is a hip flexor problem that was putting stress on the (sh)IT Band™...not as much overuse as it is bad biomechanics (?) Surprised since I thought my right side was my stronger side (both my previous injuries were in the left leg)...but in yoga classes when we do poses like pigeon and lotus that stretch out the hips, I do feel it more on the right than left, so it does make sense that there is something there.
So the doc sent me home with some anti-inflammatories to take down the pain and a prescription for PT-getting in 2-3, preferably 4 sessions before the marathon...yes, he said this is fixable and I can still run the marathon. And my first session was supposed to be today, but the receptionist wrote it in their book for tomorrow instead of today. And of course taper madness me flips out, I mean I can't leave work early 2 days in a row!! So unfortunately I have to go mad early like before work tomorrow...but it's just like I want this thing starting to be taken care of already! Not much time left...
On top of all this, I feel fat from the reduced mileage and from the eating more/carbo-loading. Especially since I was bad today and had to indulge in the warm chocolate souffle for dessert when out to lunch for coworker's b-day (and it wasnt even as good as it had been previous times!) I did resist the wine though, even though try having a bottle of sauvignon blanc sitting right in front of you, taunting you!! Sigh. I really need to work out tonight. I feel like I'm having a Kelly Taylor moment or something.
So yesterday marked the last double-digit run til the big day...which was actually a repeat of the NYF Bridges Run that we did last month!! But no need for me to do the full 20 so the perfect solution...meet up with the group at the downtown Urban Athletics store (which was the first water stop anyways) and run the last 12 miles! And so I did.
Was well carbo-loaded thanks to a belated b-day dinner the nite before...and was nice and relaxed thanks to some, well, "relaxing" that nite too :) So Sunday morning, go through usual pre-run routine, calculate what time the 9:30s will get to UA...leave myself enough time to get there. Or so I thought. Even though almost every single subway line had weekend service changes, thankfully the changes to the C would work for me...still stopped up by me, but went express from 59th to Canal St. Perfect-best of both worlds there...uh, no. We're stopped for a few minutes just before 42nd st..."door problems" on a train in the station. And finally we're moving again...til the train stops again just before 14th st...this time "mechanical problems" on a train in the station. It's always something!! We finally did get moving and made it down to Chambers St without any more "stops" but still left me freaking out about whether or not I will make it in time. As always, gotta love the MTA...
And also gotta love that I have no sense of where the hell I am when I'm downtown (yeah, I seem to have this problem south of 14th St)...so I get out of the subway and not sure which way to go...I eventually figure it out but then I am afraid I am cutting it really close. Well turned out no need to worry...only the 8's and 8:30s were there so I was in time. And soon the 9's came along...which at first I was pondering joining them but they said they were going faster than 9's so NEXT!! Finally, my 9:30 peeps arrived...waited a few minutes for them to utilize the water stop, then we were off!
So yeah, familiar route, done it before...was really a pretty drama-free run. Unlike last time, I didn't have to consult the maps when we got to Brooklyn :) And there was no losing PowerGels, no ObsceneCam™ taking pictures...thankfully no crazy bikers threatening to knock me down :) And before I knew it, we were making the turn onto Madison Ave to finish up at the uptown Urban Athletics store. A dozen miles, the last double-digit run-done!! Stayed around to chat some people up :) then me and Runner26, as per usual took the M96 back to the west side...during that time we chatted about lotsa things...like all of you :-P Then usual SBux, shower, nap, ice...not so usual (ok maybe usual) being lazy and watching the baseball playoffs...was very entertaining-from the Red Sox game to the Yanks advancing...yep thats why the Yanks are the Yanks!! Bring on the Angels...though I beg for no 10PM game starts when they are on the west coast!!
On another note, thankfully my cold has been kicked, but keeping with the "shit must hit the fan during the taper" theme, my IT band-or as I will refer to it going forward...my (sh)IT Band™ has been acting up and the mileage reduction did not seem to be helping-though I was stretching, icing and rolling the hell outta it as well. So I took today off from running in favor of some yoga, foam rolling and more stretching...and I'll get the (sh)IT Band™ checked out tomorrow so I can sleep better at night. I am still optimistic-albeit cautiously-that I will be able to run in 2 weeks (encouraging thing is I feel absolutely nothing when I run at MP as opposed to slower speeds)...I'll be damned if 4 months of hard work is for nothing. So you see, this is why I'm not freaking out yet about the weather forecast, even though it is up... :) First off, it's way too early...not to mention I got more important things on my mind. Keep your fingers crossed...
Congrats to everyone who ran and raced this past weekend...from mile to marathon!! :)
Wow, it's been a few days...been busy busy busy!! But thats ok, any posts would have been about taper madness...which I can just combine all into one post here! :)
Forget about last week, i think i am gonna have to handle myself with kid gloves from now until October 25th. Seemingly everything that is supposed to be aching and/or going wrong during training decides to show up for the taper.
Like when running Monday nite downtown...my calves decided to cramp up...possibly due to dehydration? My legs felt so fragile at that point, that one wrong move would put them out of commission...stopped and stretched and took it easy...and winced at any sign of bikes. needless to say, I was glad when we finished the run and made it to White Horse Tavern where we had our burgers...and glasses of water! Yeah, I am going to attempt yet again to detox during this taper. So far so good-especially because...
....on top of it all, nursing a cold!! arrrggghhh. I took a sick day yesterday and would have loved to have taken one Wednesday, if it weren't for the fact that I had meetings I couldn't miss and a project that had to get done that day. sigh. one day off is better than nothing, right? And lesson learned-never, ever joke about swine flu in a facebook status. Anyways, I haven't run since Tuesday...Wednesday was a planned day off to do some much-needed yoga but skipped yesterday's run...and most likely will skip today to kick this thing. Should I worry? Or listen to my teammate who said "This is what's called forced taper - and you'll be better for it on race day!"
And because I must get in my reality TV fix to keep my mind off of other things....quote of the week from my brother regarding The City: "proof the city is completely staged and fake...how on earth would a dude selling counterfeit bags on Canal St have a mike on him???" He has a point...
And glad to see the Yanks back where they belong-in the postseason. Game 2 is tonite...GO Yanks!! In a way, it feels like 1998...the year they were so dominant. And I kinda look back at that year wistfully...when my life made some sort of sense and wanting to be that innocent college graduate again....
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