My 4 miles

I've been meaning to blog about how my 4 miles turned out this weekend, but I've been sidetracked a lot with the Y-ME stuff! I swear I'm living at this office trying to get all the employees "Pink'd" for our fundraiser!

Anywho, I have one questions. When are they gonna finish fixing the path on the lake??!! Not only are they messing with my mileage signs, but they are blocking the water fountains! I was not prepared for that. But, the good news is that I got out there and I ran the whole 4 miles! The wind sucked. I was cold. I was breathing harder than any treadmill run. But I got it done! Only for a VERY brief moment did I question if I'd finish. My body felt fine, but the breathing was getting on my nerves! I had to do a little off-roading when I got to the "constuction" point because the whole reason to run on the lake is to relieve my poor ol' knees from the pounding of the sidewalk. So, through the grass I went...hoping there was no doggie doo.

I got passed by a lot of runners. But you know what? I didn't even care! I'm just proud that I'm out there doing my thing again! And it also brought back a lot of memories from last year, good and bad. For one, can I just say something? To all you walkers out there on the path...can you please stay off the gravel? Your knees don't need that gravel the way my knees do and I don't see why I have to dart in and out of you guys just to run on it. Thanks. There! I've been wanting to get that off my chest for a long time! :)

I think I may need to re-evaluate my game plan. I wish I could lift and cross-train and run, but I'm starting to think that is a bit much for the shape I'm in. Maybe I'd been running all this time and wasn't starting at square one, I could do all that. But, my body definitely feels tired right now. While the mileage is short, its workable, but I know as it gets longer, its going to be a problem! Here's what I think my adjusted week will look like:

Sunday - 4 mile run (done)
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - S/T upper body & core, 30 min run
Wednesday - 35 min run
Thursday - Rest
Friday - S/T upper body & core, 20 min light x-training
Saturday - 25 min run
Sunday - 5 miles

Based on the weather outlook, I believe most of these runs will be taking place on the treadmill. Maybe next week I can start trying to get them done in the morning around my neighborhood. That'll be the day! :)

Success feels so good!

It was a small one, but it feels great! I did every workout on my schedule last week and did it when it was supposed to be done. If that meant that I didn't get home until 10pm, that was fine. If it meant that I had to catch a cab to save me a little commute time, I did. If I was tired and hungry and it was the last thing in the world I wanted to do (as was the case yesterday), I did it anyway. I do not ever recall having this much resolve. It feels amazing!

Today is my 4 mile run. I haven't run this distance since the day of the marathon. I'm definitely nervous. And being that it is such an amazingly gorgeous day outside, I'm going to take advantage and try to run on the lake. That makes me nervous too since I've only been running on the treadmill. But, I know that when I done, I'm going to feel great!

The only barrier right now is that I went to a fundraiser last night that was put together by one of my coworkers for our Y-ME team this year. It was at a bar and even though I stuck to just 2 Coronas, I haven't drank in awhile and it still hit me. I'm feeling a little sluggish today already. I'm hoping it wears off by mid-afternoon and doesn't become an issue with my run. Fingers crossed!

Speaking of Y-ME, this is the 4th year my company has had a team. I'm the captain and put together lots of different fundraisers leading up to the walk. You should really check it out! Great cause...did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer? That is a huge number! My grandmother died of breast cancer in 1998 so this one really hits home for me. Here is the Y-ME site: www.y-me.org. They are different in that they do not deal with research the way most of the breast cancer charity organizations do. Y-ME is for information and support of those that have breast cancer right now, those that don't have time for the research to pave the way.

My coworker raised over $1000 last night at her fundraiser! I am so incredibly proud of her! She is the reason I continue to be the captain of this team every year, even when my schedule gets crazy and I feel like I won't be able to pull it off. If you want to visit our site to check out our progress, make a donation, or just see our fundraising ideas, the site is: http://race.y-me.org/harrington.

Treadmills

This is my week at work where I have Friday off and go in for six hours on Saturday. As it turns out, my friend who works ALL THE TIME had the day off too! So, we decided to meet up at his gym to get our runs.

Now, I already knew there was something weird about the treadmills at our office gym. I talked to some people and they agreed that they feel harder than a normal treadmill. You know how you usually have to increase the incline to 2% just to replicate ground running? Well, these ones feel like you are running slightly uphill when they are on zero. You feel like you are running against some kind of resistance or something...very odd. But, those are the dreadmills I have access to, so that's what I'm using!

I get to my friend's gym and they have the old school LifeStart ones. After having to dumb myself down on how to start it with only a few buttons instead of 20, I get going. The first thing I realized is that at 0% inclines, I felt like I was running downhill! So, I immediately increase the incline. I only had a 25 minute run scheduled so I did 20 at 5.2mph and for the last five minutes went up to 5.5 & 6.0. It felt great! That treadmill was so much easier to run on!

I'm supposing maybe its a good thing that I'm mostly running on the "hard" treadmill since maybe its better preparing me for running outside. I hope so! And speaking of running outside...that could really happen any day now! The weather is finally looking up! I have 4 miles on Sunday so maybe that will be my test!

Just like I thought

My run today felt MUCH better than yesterday. I was a lot less winded and I felt strong...although that didn't keep me from wanting to stop sometimes. But I didn't! So far, I've hit all my workout this week! 2 more and I successfully have this week in my pocket! That is so amazing for me!

So, my dearest Jon is doing the Wildflower Triathlon in May...and since he came all the way out to Chicago to see my miserable marathon failure, I could not miss seeing him in this awesome event. Here's the thing...I got the email from his boy today detailing our venture and I'm not sure I'm really ready for what I seemed to have signed up for! We fly into San Fran. Easy enough. Then we drive 3 hours south to I don't even know where. Once there, we CAMP for 3 days. I'm told there are showers, so at least we won't be musty. Because a bunch of musty tri-athletes just sounds gross!

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret...I have not camped since I was about 9 years old. Any while I used to really, really love taking showers from a water pouch attached to a tree branch and fishing for crawdads with a stick and some hot dogs...I'm just not sure I'm ready for this!

But you know what? I'll just have to make due cuz I wouldn't miss this for the world!

Tough Day

Whew! This lifting then running thing isn't as easy as I thought it would be! I only had to run 25 minutes today, but I did my lifting circuit beforehand...this made my run so much harder! I mean, 25 minutes. Come on! But after only 10, I was breathing hard and having to talk myself out of quitting...or slowing down the speed. Because I did not want to give in and do either.

I had waves of strength where I would feel like I was past the hump...but then a few minutes later I'd feel like my legs were lead again. This is not fun :) Tomorrow is 30 minutes of running and that's it. I expect this will be much easier than today's 25! Thank goodness...

New Shoes!

I forgot the most important thing! I got new shoes yesterday...bad day to tackle Fleet Feet since the Shamrock Shuffle was today, but we survived! Here they are, including my new chiropractor prescribed insoles!

It has officially begun!

The training...I am officially in training. I know, its still only March, but the Portland group that I trained with way back in the day actually began their training this weekend! So, I downloaded their training schedule for the next 4 weeks. It's on!

I did tweek it a little to incorporate some of the hefty, slightly insane, goals I have for myself this year. Here is what this week will look like if all goes well:

Sunday: Run 3 miles - DONE :)
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Run 25 minutes & lifting circuit
Wednesday: Run 30 minutes
Thursday: Off
Friday: Run 25 minutes
Saturday: Lifting circuit & 20 min crosstraining activity
Sunday: Run 4 miles

It may take a little talking into somedays, but its definitely doable! Especially right now. I'm feeling very positive and very energized because its easy to see progress at this level. I was talking to my friend last night about how to keep this energy going when I hit a wall. Or when progression begins to slow down. Because it will happen. This I already know. He didn't really know, but he said we'd get each other through it. There was no other choice :0) I wish I had his confidence!

I knew I shouldn't have done it...

Gotten on the scale this morning! I've been working out, eating well...and this morning I was heavier than I've seen on the scale in 10 years!!! How does that happen? I'm seriously upset. I try not to make weight an issue on this blog, but this really upset me this morning so I had to vent.

I should also mention that I'm developing a weird crush on the host of Destination Truth. No idea why. I used to find him the most annoying person ever...but somehow he's growing on me. Hmmm.

I'm on a roll, baby!

Today wasn't as easy, but I got it done! I did my same 3 round circuit and then another 30 minutes of running that varied anywhere from 5.0 - 5.2 mph. The lifting went pretty well. Did pretty much the same as Saturday's workout. I struggled a little with the shoulder press...must have weak shoulders today! I also upped the weight on the leg press because I remembered that it felt kind of easy before. This may have been a bad idea because I noticed I struggled a little more on the run.

I started the run at 5.1 and quickly tried to move to 5.2...that didn't feel good. I noticed I was getting out of breath much quicker than my last run. I took it back to 5.0 for a bit until I was feeling good again and then back to 5.1. Near the end of the run, I went back to 5.2 and then into a cool down. There did come a point where I wanted to stop, but I didn't let myself. That was big for me. These are small victories, but I'll take them!

I really want to plan out my week ahead. But at the same time...when (if) I miss a run, I get all down on myself for messing up the plan. So, I suppose the answer to that is to not miss a run... :) I think maybe I'll do a little cross-training tomorrow and I'll plan my week out after that!

And another one...

Another great 30 minute run last night. And...wait for it...wait for it...I bumped the speed up to 5.1 mph! I know...I'm insane!!! :P Hee hee...for real though, I figure if I just bump it up by a tenth of a mile each time and can handle it, I'll be back at 6.0 mph in no time!

Tonight I think I'll go for the lifting circuit again and then the run. I have to try to get my mind wrapped around this being a daily thing. Like this is what I do EVERY day...and the exception is having a day off. Right now, I always phrase it as, "I have to run today". When really, that should be a given and on an off day I should think, "I get to rest today". I hope that makes sense.

I feel incredibly lucky to have two friends training with me this year. Last year I found it very difficult to do it all on my own. One is training for the Chicago Marathon, but since that and the Portland Marathon are only a week apart, we'll be at virtually the same training place and hopefully we can do some runs together. If anything, he tells me when he's done a run and I feel like I have to go do one just to keep up with him. Nothing like a little competition to get me moving! The other doesn't live here, but is training to run the Portland with me. So, we probably won't have much running together, but I'll be lucky to have him waiting for me at the finish line...right now he's running under an 8 min/mile pace and there is no way I'd ever keep up!

I think this is the year I actually cross the finish line!

Oh Yeah, Baby!

Do you ever have one of those workouts that just goes ten times beyond the expectations you set out for yourself? Yeah? Well, that was me today!

I had to work the 9-3pm shift at work. In one way its great because there are limited classes, students and staff in the building on Saturday so you get a lot done. On the other hand, once your projects are done, there isn't a whole lot more to do. So, about 1:30 I got to that point. I didn't really have anything to do. This made me start getting lazy. Thoughts of how it would be so nice to just head home at 3pm instead of going upstairs to the gym started to creep into my head. I even went and snagged a Dark Chocolate Mounds from the vending machine...yeah, I've had my eye on that puppy all week! After swearing to only eat one of the little bars, I even finished it off!

Just as 3pm was almost here, I saw a picture of this athletic toned woman that totally inspired me. Here I was, 7 floors away from the gym, with nothing else planned for the day, and I was gonna skip it? That was ridiculous! So, up I went.

Upon arrival, the gym was empty, lights off and all. I got the place up and jumping and then looked at the treadmill. Not fun. With all the machines empty and readily available for my lifting pleasure, I decided to go that route first. It ended up being an awesome 3 round circuit session that covered legs, biceps, abs, triceps, back and shoulders. Lovely! When that was over, I was feeling a little more sure of myself.

To the treadmill I went. My outdoor runs so far have been intervals of walking and running and they haven't felt all that pleasant. That being said, I decided to start at 5mph and see how it went. That is a bit slower than I usually run at, but then again, I'm not at my usual running ability. I planned to run 3 minutes, walk 2...since that was working on the outdoor runs. At 3 minutes, I felt like I hadn't done anything. So, I decided to go for 5. At 5, I still felt great so I went crazy and decided to just go until I felt I HAD to stop. Halfway through, I knew I would be running the entire 30 minutes. I felt strong. It felt fairly easy. I was out of breath, but not in a bad way. Just enough to remind me that my body was working. For a second, I even considered adding more time, but figured I better not push my luck!

I finished the workout with a 5 minute walk and some stretching. I cannot express how great I feel. I don't feel tired, fatigued, sore (although I'm sure that will come) or anything negative at all. I feel very proud and strong! Now I can't wait to get out there and do it again!!

Bombed!!

I bit off WAY more than I could chew today. I forgot I have to get back in this thing gradually :) Yes, it was a less than stellar running performance, but I got out there and got yet another run under my belt. And that is what I'm going to take away from it!

I've got a really ambitious workout schedule in mind for when I finally get myself to where I need to be. I really want to work on strengthening my muscles, through lifting at the gym a couple of times a week, doing my Windsor pilates a couple times (yes, I bought it off the TV and it rocks!) and then making sure I spend one day a week doing some cross training exercies. No burn out this year and no falling off the wagon!

Let's also pray this weather sticks around and the winter is DONE!!!

A beautiful day

Of course, I'm referring to yesterday and our wonderful near 50 degree temps! I sat in my livingroom, seeing the sun peeking in through the windows all day and finally, about 4pm I kicked myself in the butt and said get out there are run! I am not allowed to use the weather as an excuse if I'm not taking advantage of the good days!

Being that I've run probably 3 whole times in the last 4 months, I decided to do run/walk intervals. It started with run 2, walk 3...cuz I didn't want to over do it and end up walking the whole thing. Once I got a few of those in and was warmed up, I switched to 2.5 run, 2.5 walk. This felt good. There were a few little inclines in there that I thought might kill me, but I doing it! I finished my 3 mile loop with 3 sets of run 3, walk 2. It took 37 minutes. I think that is an outstanding time! I was probably keeping a faster pace while running due to the walk intervals. I felt very tired when it was over, but great at the same time! Although, I had to dodge more than a few ice patches that we still hanging around and I felt like I tweeked my knee a little with my turns and leaps :S

After I was home and settled, it occured to me that I had to meet with the trainer this morning at 7:30am...what had I done?! I ran at 4pm on Sunday afternoon and had to endure 30 minutes of hell 15 hours later? This was not good! Lucky for me, she went a little easy on my this morning. And by easy, I mean I still was absolutely exhausted by the end, but comparing to some of the other workouts she has put me through, it could have been a lot worse! I have another appt with her on Thursday so at least I know I'll have gotten 3 workouts in this week. That is a great week for me these days!

At this point, I'm pretty positive I won't be able to get up out of my chair by the end of the day...but I needed this!

Blob-o-rama

Yeah, that is me right now! I had Chipotle for lunch and it made me bloated as heck! I feel like I'm breakin' out of my britches over here! On the upside, nothing is more motivating to get to the gym than having the waistline of your pants gouging into your stomach all afternoon. Yeah, that's right...blob-o-rama!

I think I might actually make it...

to the gym on my lunch break! I keep telling myself I'm going to go up there on lunch and get a little weight training session in, but somehow I never end up getting out of here. My lunch is generally spent at my desk shoving a bite in my face every few minutes. But today? Today I am going to make it a point to get my butt up from this desk and go get half a workout in! And that will leave less to face after work :)

Also...I think I can say I'm officially decaffienated! I've still been getting a coffee or hot chocolate in the mornings, but its always decaf. Except Sunday morning because I went to my little neighborhood coffee spot and the guy knows me and just started making my usual. I didn't have the heart to stop him! Now, if I can just kick the morning expensive drink altogether and drink water, I'll save myself about $100 a month! Oh yeah! And I also FINALLY stopped driving to work...which costs $16 a day for parking! That was a truly bad habit! This bad weather was too much for me to endure in the morning. But following along the same lines as the new running philosophy, I can choose to drive or I can choose to suck it up and freeze!!! I choose to FREEZE!! And frozen I am :)

Inspiration

I'm forever looking for inspiration. I'm weak. It is hard to find it within myself to accomplish some of my "life" things and I'm just always forcing people to give me words of wisdom :)

It was Valentine's Day. My friend and I happened to end up going out to dinner that night and being that we are a man and a woman, having dinner together, on a holiday for couples, well...it seemed to be assumed by the waitstaff that we were in need of a little romatic push. So, when we ordered our usual huge bowl drink, it came much more alcohol infused than usual! And, of course, we both proceeded to drink more than we ate :) Ah...I love Valentine's Day!

Anywho, this little buzz-fest led to a really, truly inspiring conversation after dinner. My problem with this whole running thing is multi-tiered. First, there is the getting up in the morning to run. I am forever trying to figure out how to be a morning person. Why is this so important? Because when the weather gets hot, I'm also not one to force myself into suffering through a night run. Therefore, if there is no run in the morning...and temps make me call it that night = NO RUN. Next is the whole laziness factor. I admit it! I am lazy! Marathon + Lazy = Failure. It goes without saying that that missing one run during the week makes progression hard enough...but missing multiple runs? That is recipe for disaster...and for some reason, I guess I liked living on the edge :)

So, the conversation. He just put it all so simple. I am in charge of my actions. I can do whatever I CHOOSE to do. Choices. I have to make them. For the right reasons. And another thing he put so simply...don't you want to be able to face the day and everyone in it and think about how much you already accomplished before 9am, that they didn't? YES! Yes, I do! I want to walk into the office and look at everyone and scream, "I ran 8 miles this morning! What did you do?!"

And so what if I can't pig out on pizza everyday? I've got years and years and YEARS beyond this marathon to eat pizza. Can I really not handle passing it up right now? I think I've just been looking at this all wrong. I am in charge of me, my time and my abilities. Not my job. Not the weather. Not my heart rate monitor that rubbed me raw...I am! And I will do what I need to do, to do this right! And everytime I begin to falter, I will think of that buzzed conversation that made it all sound so easy. Just like he made the marathon look.

Decaf: Day 2

That means that yesterday was Decaf: Day 1. And it sucked. I just went to 7-Eleven and grabbed a cup of decaf, threw in some splenda and lots of yummy flavored cramers and was off. It tasted less than appealing, but it was something to satisfiy the hand-to-mouth habit I have in the morning. I thought things were fine. Until 2pm struck. Out of nowhere came the worst headached I've had in I don't know how long! Right in the front of my forehead and in my temples. I don't like medication and I tried to fight through it. I had to go see my chiropractor so I thought maybe a distraction would get rid of it. NO. Instead, walking around in the non-human temperatures there and back seemed to make it worse.

The day wore on and the headache persisted. Finally, at 6:15, when I was ready to leave work, I spotted a little bottle of Advil at the bottom of my bag. I gave in and took 2, thinking of how by the time I got home, my little (huge) headache should be gone. WRONG. It was still going strong when I got home. I made dinner, ate dinner then finally just laid down on the couch. I'd guess somewhere around 8pm it finally ceased. A 6 hour headache! Augh!

So, today is day 2. I gave in and got a decaf Starbucks...that 7-Eleven decaf stunk! I will assume that the torture yesterday will not again occur. At least it better not! Now, my next step is figuring out how to make my tastebuds like tea :)

Morning *cough* Coffee

This morning I went and met my friend for coffee...well, he had tea because he's already knee deep in his training mentality, but I told him I wasn't giving up coffee until Monday :)

We started talking about our training differences and he made some valid points. He wanted to clarify that the reason he wanted to wait until August to train with me was because he wants to make sure that I'm doing it for me. He said that if he is my crutch the whole and and something should happen that he can't continue, he doesn't want me to fall off because I was using him as my motivator. And you know, that is a very valid point. He basically wants me to make sure that I'm doing it for me and that nothing will get in my way.

Then, of course, he addressed my morning issue. You all know how many times I've tried to conquer the early morning thing, but it just doesn't seem possible! I love to sleep! Again, he made another valid point here. We both felt sort of cheated out of our summers in the years that we trained because running had to come first and forced us to miss out on various events and whatnot. But, he says if we can make sure that we run in the mornings, that will leave our weekends and evenings free to take advantage of the good weather and still enjoy ourselves while also getting all our training in. Hmmmm...this guy is kinda smart!

Lastly, he talked to me about my overall dedication and how far I'm willing to go. I never played organized sports past junior high and he thinks that is why the thought of pushing myself beyond my physical comfort level is so awful to me. I've just never had to. My take on it is to find a way to do this in the least disruptive way possible, while his take is to attack it head on and adjust anything and everything in the way.

Now I'm not sure what to do. I guess my way didn't work so well, afterall...I supposed I could try to push myself harder. But that is scary. I supposed now is the time to test the waters, before the real training starts. Yikes!

Training style

My friend who ran the marathon back in 2006 and inspired me to try for 2007 decided to run it again in 2008. I will be running Portland this year, but they are only a week apart so we would be able to train together.

Last night we got to talking about getting started again and where we need to work ourselves up to in order to be ready when the real training begins in the spring. When he ran it in 2006, he made a complete lifestyle change. He was an athlete, but never really a distance runner and yet in his first attempt, in his mid-30s, he finished in 4:20 without struggling at all. But, like I said, he made a complete lifestyle change. He stopped drinking caffeine, cut his caloric intake by more than I truly deemed healthy :), stopped drinking alcohol and going out (which made for quite the boring summer for me!) and just basically completely devoted those months to the marathon. I was amazed and in awe. He made it look so effortless.

As we were talking, I could tell that he wants me to put forth that same effort he will be in this year's training. I want to. I probably really, really need to. BUT...YIKES! I don't want to give up my coffee! I don't want to run 23 miles TWICE before the marathon. I want to enjoy my summer because I feel like I missed the last one. Does that mean I'm not devoted to this? I just don't know what I should do. Do I give his plan a shot and hope I can hang on? Do I learn from my weaknesses last year and change my approach based on that?

I think I already pissed him off and made him not want to train with me :) He said, and I quote, maybe we should just wait until mid-August to train together. Hahaha! MID-AUGUST! By then I'll know if I'm marathon ready or not and won't need as much help! Oh, decisions, decisions!

Small Steps

So, with my promotion come working on alternating Saturdays. Sucks, right? No! Actually, I loved having Friday off and then going in on Saturday where basically no one is there and I can actually get some real work accomplished!! PLUS...since its a short day (9-3pm) its a lot easier to fit in my trip to the gym! Most days, I'm so drained when I get off that I just want to go home and be a lump!

Yesterday, I totally planned to hit the gym after work. But, as the day wore on and the thought of getting home started to creep into my head, the seemed to become less and less enticing. Right when I had almost made up my mind to forget the gym, it was 3pm and time to head out. I'm not sure how or why, but I found myself grabbing my gym bag and heading upstairs!
I got to the gym and it was deserted. Saturdays in a Loop office building are a little quiet :) The lights weren't even on! But the music was still pumpin' through the speakers and the TVs on the machines were going strong. So, with the gym all to myself, I finally attacked a little cardio. I spent some time on the elliptical trainer and then walked some serious hills on the treadmill. And that there, folks, wore me out! I wanted to get some weights in, but I was too tired!

As disappointed as I am at how bad I've let my cardiovascular stamina get, I still feel a little better with every workout. I know its not possible, but I swear I already feel stronger! When I put my hands on my thighs when standing up from the couch, I swear I feel my little quad muscles coming alive! My butt feels just a little bit tighter. And its great to feel some soreness in my abs since that is a muscle group I have always neglected...no matter how good of shape I've been in! I'm taking small steps, but this is the start of something good! I can feel it!

Oh, me booty sore!

Well, my new job has kept me at the office obscene hours this week so I haven't even made it to the gym except for my scheduled appointments with the trainer :( I don't have have time to eat lunch! I finally get away to grab something between 2pm and 3pm and then slowly eat it at my desk over the course of the next 2 hours or so. I kid you not, I usually finish my "lunch" close to 5pm! Its absolutely crazy!

But, that was not what this post was supposed to be about :) Met with the trainer yesterday morning for another circuit training session. I don't know if its been my crazy schedule this week or what, but this time it all felt a ton harder than last time! We started on the squat machine...I can't remember what its called...the one where you put the weights on the bar and squat with it...Smith machine? Can't remember! Anywho, easy enough. Did free weight for upper back and shoulder presses again. Still not too bad. Then I had to do walking side squats down the length of the gym and back holding a weight. Uh...one time down felt okay, but on the way back, I started to get REALLY tired! I mean, didn't I already do squats today?! I finish and we go straight into abs. I'm not sure its possible, but I could swear my abs were still sore from last week!

Just one circuit had me sweating and out of breath! I was so embarrassed! I really think it was the walking squats that were killing me. After the 3rd circuit, I wanted to die! I went into the locker room and I swear I couldn't stop breathing hard! And my legs muscles were so tired, I didn't even want to expend the effort it took to stand up! How pathetic!

This really is freaking me out about running. If lifting is there hard, imagine trying to do some serious cardio! Oh my goodness! I have to work Saturday so going to be sure to stop into the gym after that and give cardio a go. Maybe do a little lifting on my own too. At least she is stregthening my legs! That is bound to help when it comes time to get serious about training. But for now, my booty is sore like never before and my hammies and inner thighs aren't feeling so great either! Oh yeah, and abs...hurts to laugh :) But its still that good pain...pain that reminds you that you got the job done!

Hello, Soreness!

I had my first session with the trainer and boy am I feeling it now. It was yesterday at 7:30am. It's a miracle I even made it out of bed :) She had me do a weight training circuit that lasted only 30 minutes, but what a 30 minutes it turned out to be! I now realize a 5 minute warm-up might have been a little smart, but I will make sure I get there a little early to work it in.

We started on the leg press...one of my favorites. It was easy, gave me the false impression that I was going to fly through this workout. Then on to tricep extentions...still fairly easy. Next was the wall squats w/ the ball, then a wall sit. I almost died. Lower back on the Bosu ball, shoulder press with free weights and abs came next. All became steadily harder to do. By the 3rd set, I could barely finish...which is how it should be, but rarely the level I push myself to!

I woke up this morning and it basically hurts to move everything! Oh my poor muscles! But, at the same time, it feels great because I haven't hurt like this in a very long time. It's incredibly motivating. My goal is to do another weight training stint on my own and get 3 cardio workouts in. With my new job, time seems to be a little hard to come by so I'll be elated if I actually pull it off!

Off topic...the moment that made my morning today? As I was driving down North Ave from the Whole Foods, I saw The Average Joggler joggling down the street! Talk about making me feel lazy! :p

The crickets are a chirpin'!

Yeah, I've been a little quiet around here. Okay, A LOT quiet around here. I'm not even sure the date of the last entry! I will be completely honest here, I was on major burnout. Still am. I've run ONE time since the marathon. And no, that is not an exhaggeration...although you don't know how much I wish it was!

I went up to the gym in my office building, mounted the treadmill and knocked out a whole 5 minutes before I was sucking wind and had to walk. It was down right embarrassing. I then alternated with 2 1/2 minutes of running with 2 1/2 minutes (*cough* sometimes 5 *cough*) of walking. It was an ugly day in the land of decline.

But, there is hope yet! The gym sent out an email offer for 1 personal training session per week for 8 weeks, 5 workout cards per week, nutritionist advice, and prizes at the end for those who put forth the most effort...for only $49!!! I mean, how could I not sign up? The kicker here? The time slot I had to schedule for the training session was 7am on Fridays! That is going to suck! Yet, I need to find some sort of discipline with this so maybe being able to show up for 8 weeks in the worst time slot ever will conquer all! Or in the very least, make me sleep through all the friday nights of fun!

Portland Marathon is official

I know, I know...where have I been? The holidays and some changes at work have already got me stressed out and busy! I had my mom in town for Turkey Day and that limited my free time. Then right after the holiday I asked to be considered for a management position here at the office and...I got it! So, now I've been ridiculously busy trying to keep up with my accounting responisbilities while picking up the slack for the manager who walked out on us last month. Yes, the official transfer won't be until 1/1/08, but somehow I'm already responsible for duties over there. So, its been hectic!

But, the real news is that I just (like seriously JUST) official signed up for the 2008 Portland Marathon. It is no longer just a thought or good idea. It is real. I cannot wait!!!!! Just 10 months to go... :p

The Fam

My mom is in town so it's been busy. Rushing from work to her hotel, dinner, to my place, back to the hotel, back to my place, you get the picture. Tomorrow she and her boyfriend check out of the hotel and spend the rest of the trip at my place, which will make it easier. We have our Chicago Ghost Tour tonight and I'm totally psyched! I've wanted to go on this forever, but couldn't ever find anyone that would go with me! I think we are hitting up the The Art Institute of Chicago tomorrow...yeah, I got the day off...which is another thing I've been meaning to do for the past 5 years! Then it will be off to the grocery store to stock up for the Thanksgiving Day Feast!

Received a funny phone call from mom this morning. It seems they went to the Corner Bakery across from their hotel and lo and behold, there was Jerry Springer getting his morning dose of caffeination! Thank goodness I wasn't with them because I would have been absolutely mortified by what happened next...my mom's boyfriend went up to him and asked for his autograph! You can tell he doesn't travel much... :) So, they are excited to have had a Chicago "celebrity" sighting and I'm sure nothing I do from here on out can beat out that moment! Damn that Jerry Springer!!!

Plan B

No, not the emergency contraception... Went over the x-rays with the Doc and things are pretty not good. My lower spine is curving left, probably from that heavy bag I tote around with me all the time on my right shoulder. To make up for it, my body has curved my spine to the right up by my neck...nature's crazy version of "balance", if you will. So yeah, my spine is an "S". Great. Then there is my neck. This should be curved. Nice smooth curve from the top of my spine to my skull...but no. Mine is straight as an arrow. I kid you not. Why me?!!!

Treatment: I had electric stimulation (like a tingle that makes the muscle spasm) treatment and then an adjustment...which was the most unnerving experience EVER, let me tell you! Nothing like thinking someone is about to snap your head off and hearing 10 popping bones all at once! I have to have adjustments 3 times a week for the next 4-6 weeks, then we'll do a re-evaluation and see if things are straightening out...HA! Get it? Straightening out? Okay, yeah.

Running is not exactly on my chiropractor's top list of things to help my back :) Shocking, I know. So, I'm walking. A lot. It's pretty much getting boring, but it's the best option I've got at the moment. My mom will be arriving on Saturday so at least I'll have a walking buddy for a week. I'm trying to convince her to walk the Turkey Trot with me, but with the temps dropping, she is not ready to give in.

I may try to work on just strengthening my lower body as best I can in the weight department. I'll keep walking and maybe even try to jog some intervals. Mostly, I just don't want to reaggrevate this muscle...or nerve...or whatever the Doc said it was. Just when I'm ready to give it another go, something always comes up! I need to find a routine before the holidays come and I get totally sidetracked!

Oh yeah...

I forgot to mention I went to the chiropractor today about my back...he told me lots of interesting things, including that one of my ribs is out of place! We took x-rays and I go back tomorrow to get the final verdict and if treatment will help...I'll keep ya posted!

Pictures

Well, the kitchen table it together and ready for Turkey Day!

Here it is in full:



With one leaf up:



And finally, no leaf:



It's perfect for my kitchen...it can take up as much or as little room as I need!

While my friend was putting it together, I was testing some of the Christmas cookie recipes. Here is how the Oatmeal w/ White Chips & Cranberry turned out:



And just for cuteness, here are the cupcakes I made for Halloween:

Frustrating

Well, due to my back issues, I haven't been able to execute my plan as I had hoped. Mostly I've just been walking because it's the only thing that doesn't make me feel like I'm doing further harm. Yesterday, I was attempting to clear out my kitchen to make room for the kitchen table I finally bought and just that minimal amount of bending and lifting made my back worse! I am so completely frustrated right now! I'm making an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow. I guess I'll just have to make due as best I can for now!

I still have a ton more to get done before my mom arrives on Saturday. The house needs a full swiffering to remove all the dust bunnies...and they are really dust bunnies, my bunny sheds all over! Dishes need to be done. Bedding needs to be changed. Bathroom can always use a once over. Augh! And my back is not going to make any of this easier :(

Completely Off-Topic :)

So, in order to save my sanity, I've been planning my annual bake-a-thon list of cookies for Christmas. I know, I know, a little early for Christmas stuff. But you learn from experience that it is never too early to plan when you are baking 50 or so dozen cookies! I need a little feedback on my line-up so far... My goal is to have a diverse group of goodies that will appeal to the masses. Honestly, of the first 7 cookies I picked out, 4 were based around chocolate. That is not diverse :) Don't get me wrong, I LOVE chocolate, but there had to be some changes. Here is where I'm at right now. Let me know what you think!

• Lemon Sandwich Cookies - lemon butter cookies sandwiched with lemon filling
• Rum Balls - Chocolate and liquor...what could be a better combo?! An assortment rolled in either nuts, cocoa or powdered sugar.
• Oatmeal Cookies w/ Cranberries & White Chocolate Chips - This was a boring ol' oatmeal cookie until I decided it would be festive to add a little red and white!
• Chocolate Mint Cookies - A chocolate cookies with a chocolate mint ganache.
• Chewy Coconut Cookies - Well, I guess the title says it all. This was an attempt to find something a little different than the norm.
• Peanut Butter Temptations - A peanut butter cookies with a mini Reese's cup shoved in the middle :) Mmmmmmmmmm...
• Russian Tea Cakes - A nice little shortbread type cookie w/ nuts and rolled in powdered sugar.

So, that's it right now. I think it's pretty diverse at this point, but not sure they appeal to the masses. Give me your thoughts so I get in the test kitchen! Yum!

To Trot or Not To Trot?

My friend came up with the glorious idea to do the Turkey Trot this year. I was all for it, but had to check with my mom first since she will be here in town on Turkey Day. She said it was okay if I ducked out for the morning and said that maybe if it wasn't too cold...we are from Oregon where anything below 50 is intolerable :) ...she would come out and walk it! I was excited! I kept on checking back with my friend to see when we were gonna register and he kept saying soon...soon...soon...until one day he said, I don't think I can do it. What?! I already checked with mom!!!! Dammit!

So, I wrote off the Turkey Trot. But now, I'm kind of thinking, why shouldn't I do it? I've done all my other races by myself...what is one more? Granted, I haven't been running and I have no cold weather gear, but so what? It couldn't hurt to burn a few calories before the Big Chow Down! Maybe I'll even just drag my mom out there and we can walk it together. I'm kind of getting pumped just writing this...I need to call mom again :)

Decisions

So, I think I've finally committed to some decisions. I will run the Portland Marathon in 2008. It is one week before the Chicago marathon so I can still train with everyone here or with a sponsored group. I'm excited about it. Excited to run for the hometown crowd. My friend may even do it with me which would make it that much more fun. Now, if I can just convince some of my girls back home to do it too! Sonja, you are gonna need a good goal to lose that baby weight ;)

I've also decided that I can't soley focus on running right now. For one, it has still left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth and I can't stop dreading it! Second, I can't afford to buy gear fit to run in the harsh Chicago winter weather and clocking miles and miles on the treadmill is not tolerable! So, today I will start my weight training and do some cardio. Too bad I pulled that muscle in my neck and back again (it happens at least a couple times a year) and I'll probably have to stick to lower body work until it is better. And I probably ought to seek out a chiropractor to figure out why this keeps happening! BTW, my weight has finally stabilized. No, not gone down, but at least stopped going up! I've never seen it this stubborn in my life and it totally has me freaked! If this new regime doesn't jump start it, I don't know what I'm going to do!

Finally, I need to find a new job. It has been a long time coming, but it finally hit me that I just can't do it anymore. I don't like the direction our corporate office is taking us, there is no room to move up here, I'm underpaid and I think I'm actually hurting myself by not gaining more experience at the management level after all these years. It will be hard to leave these people, but I need to be farther along in my career than this. I should be in management or at least have full accounting close responsibilities. Don't get me wrong...I've been promised these responsibilities during my reviews for the past 2 years...but they never happen. I can't keep waiting. I'm bored and gaining nothing by staying here. Let the job search begin! Time to call the headhunters!

So, yeah, basically I'm bored and ready for change. I'm tired of the days all blurring together!

Lazy...and busy :)

Why is running always on the bottom of my to do list these days? I hate it, but at the same time, it's never enough for me to squeeze it in! Dang me! Here is my current week:

Monday - Packers in Monday Night Football, had to get home in time!
Tuesday - Had to bake cupcakes for the Halloween Potluck, buy decorations for it and rent a horror flick to play during. Yeah, it's great being the Chairperson (Ahem...sole member...) of the Social Committee at work!
Wednesday - Halloween! And got had to drop a friend off home on the way back from work and I didn't make it in the door until 8pm.

As I've said a million times, tomorrow is it! I'm gonna be good! I swear!

Boo on me!

I altered my workout plan last night and it totally back-fired on me! Of course, I was planning to continue my easing on in to my workouts in the gym upstairs with a little 30 minutes on the elliptical and treadmill again. But then my friend called and wanted me to meet him over on Michigan Ave. He was having dinner with his family up north when he called so I figured that gave me plenty of time until I had to meet him.

So, I decided to skip the gym and I'd walk all the way to Michigan (I work in the Loop)...go even farther north than where I had to meet him so I could pick up a few things and then circle back around to him. Figured it be at least a solid 30 minutes of walking.

Well, I headed out and within just a few blocks, I got sidetracked by a performance in Daley Plaza. Strike 1. I suck! But it was really cool...they were jump roping and flipping and doing all kinds of fun stuff! So, I stood and watched for about 10 minutes then got back on track. I realized I was starving, but I didn't want to eat anything big before dinner. Once I was across the river, I saw a Starbucks and headed on in to get a little sumthin' sumthin' in my belly. Strike 2.

I decide to call my friend to see how far out he is so that I can figure out how far off-course I can venture before I have to turn back. Turns out he drove down to Michigan Ave in rush hour traffic can was already there! Who the hell would have guessed?! So, I quickly walked to meet him and that was it. Strike 3. He gave me a ride home so I didn't even get in my usual 3/4 mile walk from the train to my house! I swear I had good intentions when I decided to skip the gym! I really, really did! Now I just feel guilty... :)

Ewwww

The workout yesterday sucked! Why? Because it was hard and it shouldn't have been! Augh! I hate that! I'm easing myself back in so I already knew I was only planning on spending about 30 minutes in there. I started on the Elliptical...but it was the Precor type, with elevation control, not the regular elliptical machines you see more often now. It has been years since I did the eleveation type. And it kicked my butt! I did only 15 minutes and I was sweating and needing to seriously get off before I got completely discouraged! So, I moved to the treadmill...to run, you ask? Nope! I walked. I walked for 20 minutes and was out of there. I wasn't joking when I said I was easing in to this, huh?! But hey, I had dinner plans, okay?!

My ultimate goal for the weeks in the off-season would be something like this:

• Run 3 times per week, twice during the week for 30 - 40 minutes, once on the weekend for a longer run of 5 - 8 miles. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage that through the winter months, but I'll have to get creative! Your suggestions would be gladly accepted!
• On weekday running days, also do pilates DVD. Yes, I bought the Windsor Pilates a couple years ago and it kicks ass! At first you can't even make it though the 20 minute workout! Once I mastered that, I still could never make it all the way through the longer one!
• Cross-train twice a week. Do anything I please (that isn't running) for at least 30 minutes. The biggest challenge I think will be making sure I'm doing different things...not just one activity over and over. But this has the potential to be fun!
• On cross-train days, do a total body strength training circuit. I love lifting! If lifting burned fat the way that cardio does, I'd be 20lbs lighter! I'm going to have to make sure that I don't get carried away with this...just hit the major muscle groups twice a week. No need to gain lots of ground in the muscle department. I love watching the amount I can lift go higher and higher, but that isn't necessary right now...just have to concentrate on keeping my body strong and balanced.

That's the plan. Will it happen? Who knows! I'm going to gradually start working each piece in so that I don't burn out by next week! Right now, the focus is just getting used to doing physical activity again on a regular basis...since I've been pretty much the Queen Lazy-Ass for the past couple of months. I guess I thought I earned it or something from all that running...all I seemed to really have earned is about 6 pounds!

I'm excited...I need you all to hold me accountable though. Maybe I'll create some kind of log I can post weekly or something to show how its progressing. Hey...that is a mighty fine idea, Nicole!

I'm nervous

Well...I'll be honest here...since, you know, honesty is good. I haven't run a single step since the marathon. I think I was a little mentally defeated. Everytime I think about lacing up, I just get this feeling of dread about how uncomfortable running will be...cuz, you know, the last time I ran was in awful, yucky conditions. I can't seem to shake the experience from my mind.

Yesterday, I took the first step and joined the gym that opened up in my office building...and that gave us an absolutely ridiculous rate! There was no excuse not to sign up! It's small and well, honestly, the potential that one of my co-workers may see me naked in the locker room scares the bejesus out of me! But, overall, its a great situation. I can lift weights during lunch and then get cardio in right after work. Which means I can get a full workout in without getting home at 9pm! This is very, very good!

I packed up all my workout gear this morning and then almost walked out the door without it :) That's how long its been since I went to a gym straight from work! But, I'm excited to get going again, this time with new goals in mind. And I'm nervous that its going to suck and I'm going to hate it. I guess only time will tell...

Portland 2008

I admit it...I'm not quite over the fact that Pinkowsky couldn't acknowledge an iota of blame for the Chicago "Fun Run" debacle! So, I think I've figured out a way to turn my sour feelings around. I'm going to run the Portland Marathon in 2008 instead of the Chicago again. Portland is my hometown and I'd love to have all my family and friends on hand to cheer me on! The two races are only scheduled a week apart so I could still train with a Chicago group next summer without getting off track!

This idea has totally got me psyched to get my butt back in gear! Now, I just have to figure out how to keep it in gear over the winter...do I really have to have daily meetings with the dreadmill? I see no other way! At least the off-season will give me time to work on strength training and I'll be sure to cross train so I don't burn out on running like I did this summer. I want to start the next training season in 5 times a better place than I was this year! I hope I stay this excited when I have to hit the gym later... :)

Vegan Baking

Sunday begins the official start of the vegan baking experiment. My friend and I have been talking for months and months (and months!) about opening a cafe/bakery specializing in vegan, organic, gluten-free, etc items and yet it's always been just talk. But not anymore! This weekend we have officially scheduled a date to get down to the nitty-gritty and see how tough this vegan baking can be! On the menu:

Carrot Cake Cupcakes w/ Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Green Tea Cupcakes w/ Green Tea Glaze & Almond Flowers
Cinnamon Scones w/ Cinnamon Icing

I've been excited all week! I don't know how I'll make it to Sunday without exploding! I love to bake and I love a challenge, so I can't wait to see what is going to happen! I'll post pics (if I remember the camera) when we get going! Now if only we could find some taste testers... :p

Post Marathon Weight Gain???

Okay, so I'm writing about this here in hopes that someone will raise their hand and say this is completely normal! Basically, since I cut back (and eventually completely stopped) my running about 6 to 8 weeks ago, I've been gaining weight at a pretty steady (and fairly scary) rate. Now, at first I thought it was probably due to the fact that I was still "carb loading", yet not "carb burning"...aka running :) Therefore, I wasn't alarmed in the least bit when I saw the needle on the scale move up a couple notches.

About 3 weeks ago, I finally came back to reality and started eating like a normal human being. Stopped eating lunch out every day. Cut back on all the pasta I'd been loving so much. Basically, got back to the way I was eating before I started all the training. Well, since then...I've managed to gain even more weight!!! Now I'm freaked out!

Please, someone tell me this is some normal whacked out reaction of my metabolism from not running anymore! Tell me that it will regulate soon and things will return to normal! Or do I seriously have some weird hormonal/chemical imbalance I should have checked out by the Doc? And before anyone throws it out there, No, I'm not pregnant :)

Seriously though, if anyone has experienced this or has any insight whatsoever, please let me know! Before my clothes stop fitting! :)

It finally happened...

I seriously pulled a muscle! Not from running, mind you. From bowling! How do you do all that running and never really get too sore and then manage to do yourself in at the bowling alley? This is ludicrous! Or however you spell that!

I wrecked all kinds of havoc on myself out there Friday night! My left hammy is sore, the bridge of my right foot hurts, my right shoulder is tired and I broke a nail! Bowling is dangerous. I think there should be warning signs posted around!

All in all, it was a great time though! I've only bowled a few times in my almost 30 years and it was so much fun! Granted, I suck...but who cares! My lone goal was to score over 100. It was not attained :) But, I did manage to increase my score each game! My highest was 93...I won't get into what the first score was! We only bowled 3 games though because, well, that was all we could afford! On a Friday night, it was $38/hour to bowl! We could have gone to the movies for cheaper and longer! When something costs more than a night at the movies, you know there is a problem!

I'll have to be sure to go back...before noon on a weekday. That's when its only $8/hour. Yeah. Right. :)

A New Kind of Running

So, it's over. Weird. All that time, money, planning, worrying...and just like that, it's over.

No more "scheduled" runs. No more distances I must get to. Freedom.

YES! Now I can just run to run. Run when I feel like it. For as long, far, short, fast, slow as I want. This is going to be great! Time to get back to the basics and remember why I wanted to do this whole marathon thing anyway. I'm actually excited for my first "freedom" run. And let me tell you, I don't get excited to run very often! I'm thinking I may wait for that nice cool, crisp, sunny Saturday coming up. And just run until I stop. It's going to be great.

Wow...

I didn't realize at the time that I wrote that last blog what had really happened at the marathon. Turns out my decision to stop wasn't so bad after all...they actually canceled the race about a half hour after I had called it a day. Conditions were too hot and they had run out of ambulances to help people who needed it! They straight made people turn around and walk back...I'm glad I did it when I was close to the start area instead of way out west.

The worst part is that race officials are denying that water stations were out of supplies! Can you believe that? What reason so us runners have to lie about it. And how would so many of us have the same story if it were not true? Worst of all, he is blaming the runners for taking TOO MUCH water on a day where the temps were 88 degrees while runners were still going?! Are you kidding me? This race director has absolutely no class! I realize these conditions were off the charts, but please do not lie about what really happened? Canceling the race? I understand why they had to do it. But lying about the water stations? Uncalled for!

And there are some runners saying that they didn't see any stations without water...maybe that would be because they were closer to the front of the pack? Ya think?

I still want to run a marathon, but now I'm not sure that I want to give my money back to the same marathon that is denying their role in the failure of the event. Maybe it would be best to find another city to run it in? I guess I'll get that all figured out in a few months!

Again, to everyone who completed the marathon on that brutal day, my hat goes off to you! You are amazing! And to those family, friends and spectators who brought out water and hoses and whatever else you could find to help us out, you are life savers. Literally! I hope you know how much you helped us all!

DNF

Yes, its official. I Did Not Finish. And I wish I could say I was trucking along with all my might when the course decided I was not fast enough and turned me back, but no. It was me. I made the decision to quit. Ironically, I think it was right where they make the people not clocking a fast enough time turn around...but it turns out that was quite a bit after I passed that mark.

So, why did I give up? Well, first of all, it was hot as hell. And then, de ja vu, the water stations ran out of water! Seriously, you have people running a marathon in 80+ degree weather and you don't have a back up plan for water stations running out?! Ridiculous! But most of all, my feet hurt...bad. Those ugly, nasty calluses I developed during training and that I hated so much because they kept me from being able to wear all my cute summer shoes...turns out they were there for a reason. They have almost fully gone away during my lack of training here at the end and I paid the price for that today. My feet were killing me.

I got to the half way point and I said to myself, "Self, is it worth it? Is it worth the suffering you are about to endure for at least another two and a half hours to get that medal?" And the answer was no. So, I veered off course and headed back to Grant Park. Defeated.

Am I upset? Not really so much, surprisingly. Even though I really was hoping to finish today, I think I'd already written it off way back in my mind somewhere. I truly do not feel bad. I wish I had the 30th anniversary medal instead of one I'll get in the future (Because I will keep trying until I beat this thing!), but other than that, I'm really kind of happy I'm not still out there...dying. To everyone who did finish...I commend you tremendously! It was not pretty out there and you didn't even let it phase you! You are my hero!

I guess this means this blog is not over yet...on to the 2008 Chicago Marathon!

This is it

Right after I write this, I'm going to go to bed. I'm going to wake up way too early and head out into the heat. I'm going to run the marathon. In 88 degree highs. I'm not even sure of my strategy at this point, but I know I will be out there. And I will do whatever I can to make sure I cross that finish line. This is it.

Big sigh...

My lack of blogging is primarily due to fear. Fear of the marathon. Yes, kids, its finally here. Sunday to be exact.

At first I was scared because the most I've run any given week for the last 6 is twice. Yeah, burnout is a bitch. But, I figured I'd just go out on marathon day and have a good time. Run, jog, walk, skip, whatever. Enjoy the crowd and have fun, ya know? No big deal.

Well, there is a new fear brewing...the weather is forecasted to be 88 and sunny that day! What the hell? Did someone forget to tell them this is October? In Chicago? Yeah, we are talking we are about to break a record high. Seriously. Now, I'm thinking its not going to be fun no matter what. Being under trained and having heat stroke? That I may not be able to convince myself to suffer through?

So, now, I don't even know what to do. Great.

27th Mile Celebration!

Marathoners, listen up!

Running Jayhawk is so graciously organizing a post marathon brew fest! Come out to relax and unwind from your amazing feat! Please leave a note in my comments or Jayhawk's if you want to come so she can reserve enough space for us all! Here are the details:

Who? YOU!
What? The 27th Mile Celebration...RBF Meet Up...Post-Race Celebration
When? Sunday. 10/7 at 6:30
Where? Garrett Ripley
Why? Because you just ran 26.2 miles, want to meet some RBFers, will need a drink, and can unload your tales of blisters and trots and walls to people who actually understand :)

Hope to see you there!

Think Success!

I was talking about my intent for the marathon with a co-worker today and she asked me if I had run a 10k race this summer. My response was that not only did I run a 10k, I ran a 10 mile race, a half marathon and multiple other double digit distances on my own! That is when I realized that just because the marathon isn't turning out the way I expected, doesn't mean that I have not been successful this year!

Things have been WAY stressful at work and I think it has just thrown me into an all-around negative state of mind. And I don't want to be that way! I want to be proud of myself for what I accomplished instead of basing everything on what I didn't! So, no more! Marathon or not, I am proud of myself!

My leg is finally feeling some relief, although I suppose that could have something to do with the fact that I haven't been putting it to use much...but whatever! We all have our own versions of therapy, okay?!

I think my running will pick up again when the marathon passes and I have that big ol' gorilla off my back! Until then, positive thoughts...positive thoughts...positive thoughts...

It ain't lookin' good, folks!

I think I've been averaging less than 10 miles a week! Seriously, I do not know what happened! I just suddenly couldn't get myself to run if my life depended on it! I'm truly sad now, whereas before, I didn't really care. The reality of not running this marathon is setting in. And while I hate to say I won't be out there...the thought of suffering through HOURS to get to the finish line is scaring me to death. And of course, I hate to think that this training got the best of me! I hate losing! But is walking who knows how many miles after running who knows how many more really winning? This bites.

On the upside, I've already discussed next year with my potential training buddy and its looking good. I really think that will make a huge difference! I'm obviously not disciplined enough to do it on my own :) Most people seem to run with someone or a group and I guess I just wasn't cut out to make it on my own. Who knows. Maybe I'll just get out there and go as far as I can...and attempt to walk the rest. How long is the course open again? :p

Nothing about running

I usually keep this blog about running...cuz that is what I created it for! It's rare that I go off topic, but here goes...GREEN BAY ROCKS!!!!! That's right, I'm a Packer fan living amongst the enemy! 3-0 Baby!!! Just took down the Chargers and it feels great! That is 7 wins in a row and Brett is breaking all kinds of records...this could be the note for him to finally go out on! I wouldn't want to see him retire after any of the less than stellar seasons we've been having! Go Brett! Go Pack! Yeah!!!!

I was missing out!

I had planned to run last night, but it has been a timing issue with the sun setting earlier these days. I've been running around my neighborhood because I feel safer there in the dark than on the lake front path, but its getting boring and the sidewalk is a bitch on my knees. I really, really wanted to get to the lake front last night, but I couldn't make it work before dark. So, "lightbulb", I get the idea to ride my bike (okay, not MY bike, but the one I borrowed and now claim as my own) to my friend's place (and get at least a little exercise in) and then run in the morning. I pack up all my stuff into a backpack and head out about 8:15pm.

Since it was dark and I had no lights or reflective gear...or helmet...I figured I better stay on the busy, well lit streets. Which meant Ashland. Yeah right, my scaredy cat self was not about to try to ride with traffic on Ashland...its scary enough being in a car! So, I did the unthinkable in Chicago...I rode on the sidewalk! There wasn't hardly any foot traffic so it actually wasn't a problem at all.

Let me tell you how much I truly enjoyed this ride!!! First off, I make this commute fairly often. It's only 4 miles, but with traffic, it can be the most stressful 20 minutes ever! Being on the bike, I could just cruise. No being stuck behind slow pokes or being cut off by a crazy cab driver. It was sooooo relaxing. Plus, you notice stuff you would never notice from your car. There were families sitting on their stoops and all kinds of different music coming from houses and bars. I was so loving the experience! There was a creepy part where I had to ride passed this huge cemetary. Its way different to be outside a car and cruising by in the dark. I had this mantra running through my head, "just look straight ahead, just look straight ahead..." Creepy.

And the best part of all? I didn't have to cruise around the neighborhood for 20 minutes looking for a parking spot! There was absolutely no downside! I can't believe I haven't done this before! I've got to make this a habit! It only took 30 minutes...barely more than it takes to drive...and probably less when you figure in time to park!

And then guess what? I actually ran this morning! Granted, it was only 3 miles because I slept later than I had planned and didn't have time for more, but it was something! Overall, this was a great plan! And I love the bike!

Hit me like a truck...

I woke up this morning and the weirdest thing happened. The first thought in my head was that I don't want to run this marathon! What the?! How do you just wake up one morning and think something like that?

I think I did have a reality check this weekend. I went out Friday night and ran into some friends I hadn't seen for awhile. When they asked me how the training was going, the first thing I said was that I was burnt out. That I just wanted it to be over. I don't think that is the response I'm supposed to be having right now! With less than 3 weeks to go, shouldn't I be excited?! Shouldn't I be telling them that I'm more ready than ever to knock out these 26 miles? That it feels great to be looking towards a taper and resting my body? But that wasn't what I said. I said I was burnt out. Tired. Stressed.

If that is how I feel, how do I expect to get truly rallied and complete this race? I guess at this point, that means this is up in the air. A game time decision. I'm sad about it...and relieved all at the same time. I can think of a number of reason why it didn't work out. And I can think of a thousand solutions if I could do it all over again. But I can't. I am here, 3 weeks from the marathon and severely under-trained. And my knees hurt :)

I've still accomplished a lot this season. I've run father than I ever have before. I've gotten more miles under my belt than I ever imagined at this point in my life. Running became a part of my life again when I was at a point where it was the elliptical trainer or nothing. I've learned about the power of the mind...and the weakness of it. I've learned that my body isn't invincible and I have to learn to work with it and not against it. I've learned that I don't want to do this alone. And that I need the support of my friends and family more than I thought I did. I've learned that Gatorade gives me yucky tummy and Shot Blocs are not the save all :)

Wow...Jon just called me in the middle of writing this and we had an excellent talk about it! Thank you for being a continuous inspiration for me and for always being there to listen to my struggles and have profound words. You help me more than you know and you continue to be my role model in all this!

Bottom line: I don't know what is going to happen on race day. I'm not sure I'm officially ready to concede just yet, but I know that finishing is a long shot. We'll see...

On the move...

The compromise seems to be working...sort of. I've ran twice this week...yeah, I know, ONLY TWICE? But hey, twice is better than none, which is where I've been the last couple of weeks! I plan to run 5 miles tonight and do 10 on Sunday. The runs have been tough for how short the distance is, but I guess that is what happens when you fall off the wagon!

I didn't want to mention this before because I didn't want people to think I was making excuses for my lack of running besides the fact that I just didn't want to. BUT...I think I have once again pulled my IT Band! This little bugger is what stopped me from running the Portland Marathon years ago. I think it happened on my last long run a few weeks back. I didn't run much after that so I was kind of hoping the feeling wouldn't resurface. But after these past couple of runs...It's baaaaack!

It's not necessarily a pain feeling...more of just a "sensation" on the outside of my left leg while I run. There is a definitely point on the outside of my left knee that is feeling weird. It only bothers me when I run and when I walk up stairs. I figure I'll just ignore it until after the marathon and then figure out what to do! Unless it gets bad enough to the point that I'm in pain...that will not do!

I hope my run tonight goes well cuz after that I'm off for a night on the town. Been awhile since I went out and had a good time! Training is a killer on the social life!

Compromise

Since I can't seem to convince myself to get 100% back into the game, I've struck up a compromise. I'm going to pretty much train to keep myself at my current level of endurance because the thought of suffering through another atrocious really long run just doesn't seem fathomable right now! Suffering through a moderately long run seems much more tolerable. I'm hoping that with the marathon day adrenaline and the fans out there cheering us on, I'll be able to somehow muster the willpower to go farther than I have on my own. And then I'll just split the rest of the distance between running and walking. It won't be pretty, but at least I'll cross the finish line!

Don't worry, I've already got my sights on next year. If I keep my base at what it is, I'll be able to go into the training a little later next year and hopefully not burn out like I have. Plus, I'll be able to focus more on speed and the fun stuff, rather than just suffering through trying to improve my distance. And I've learned a ton about myself and what works so I've got new strategies already planned for next year. Hopefully, I'll have a partner too and that will help tremendously! So, there you have it, folks. Not what I wanted it to be, but I'm gonna make it happen somehow :)

Always something...

It's always something with this training. I'm now going through a new (and not good) phase. I've been through the "I hate running" phase. The "this is too hard" phase. The "26 miles? You've got to be kidding me" phase. Now, somehow, I've stumbled into a really bad one. The "I don't care" phase.

I'm not really sure how this happened. But suddenly, I just don't care about the marathon. I don't care if I have to walk half of it. I don't care if I don't run between now and Oct. 7th. I just plain don't care :( I'm assuming this is the final burnout phase. Maybe this is the result of begining training so early in the season. Maybe 6 months is too long for me to mentally hold out. I really don't know where it came from and why its there. I'm hoping its over soon.

I ran this morning and it was the first time in a week. It was hard. 4 miles was hard. Critical Mass last Friday really put a strain on my knees and I felt it big time this morning. Note to self: No more Critical Mass until after the marathon! My stride felt very sloppy and uncontrolled. I felt like I'd forgotten how to run. Forgotten all the adjustments I'd made to my form. Forgotten my breathing techniques. It was bad. But the good side was that I got out there and did it. Because I haven't had the willpower to do even that for a week now. Hopefully, this is the start of something good. I had my week off and of not caring and I've got to dig down deep and finish what I've started!

Cross Training, sort of...

This week's running has been non-existent...and by non-existent, I mean NON-EXISTENT! I have not run a single step since my 14-miler! Okay, I'm lying, I did make a little dash out to the car this morning, but that hardly seems like it will help my marathon. For those who do not know, I'm an accountant...and our 2008 budget was due today which meant many late nights at work this week...and in turn, no runs :(

But tonight, I'll be doing something different! I'm doing my first Critical Mass bike ride. I'll admit, this was not my idea. My friend roped me into it and I was only doing it because she asked me to. But now that I have a bike (had to borrow from a friend) and got a few laps up and down the street under my belt (I hadn't ridden a bike since probably my sophomore year in college!), I am totally excited! I don't have a helmet though so that could be scary. Other than that, I can't wait to get out there tonight! So, watch out drivers...we're coming through!!

Whew!

I really, really wanted to run 15 miles this weekend! But it turned out to be tougher than I thought! I didn't do a very good job of setting myself up for success from the start. My diet and hydration wasn't the greatest the day before and I stayed up too late that night. Therefore, I got out there later than I wanted to and had to endure the punishment of the sun :) Yeah, I'm red-faced today!

On my recent long runs, I've been using the 2 lap strategy. Doing an out and back twice instead of going WAY out and coming WAY back. Yesterday I decided to do just one out and back since I was definitely tiring of the scenery in the current route. First, I just have to say that the destruction to the trees on the lakefront path was incredible! I was driving on Lakeshore Drive during the storm so I saw it was pretty bad, but running passed it all firsthand was a different story!

All was going fairly well until I hit the North Ave to Ohio St stretch. For those of you who don't know, you go from running on this nice tree-lined dirt/sand path to running two long straight aways out in the open, cement, and lots of tourists everywhere getting in your way. It totals a mile and a half before you get back to some sort of non-commercial environment again. Going out was the worst...I felt like I'd been running forever, but the end looked no closer! I hate straight aways! Once I finally got through that part, I started to run into the Chicago Triathlon that was going on. After manuvering through people for a half mile, I gave up and turned around...I was only a half mile short so I figured I'd make it up on the way back. I was definitely getting tired and the sun was beating down on me.

The run back was not as bad mentally because, well, I was running towards being done :) But physically, it was very tough. I took some shot blocs, but they didn't seem to help much. Right before I got to 13 miles, I stopped at a water fountain and had to literally argue with myself to continue. I walked in small circles for at least a minute before I had convinced myself to keep going...at least until the next water fountain. And I did. Then again, I walked for about a minute before convincing myself to get to the 14 mile marker. And I did. And then I convinced myself to keep going...until I got to the slightest of inclines...and then I threw in the towel! So, I made it 14 miles and some change!

I don't want to downplay this run because this is now the farthest distance I've ever run. It was definitely an accomplishment! But I need to be going farther, easier. I need to make this happen. I've got to commit to this...and I don't know why I say this every week and haven't made it happen yet! This is crunch time!

A slight delay

As you may or may not have heard, Chicago got bombarded last night by a HUGE storm. I was stuck on Lake Shore Drive for a good part of it and could hardly see the car in front of me with my wipers on hyperdrive. Trees were down all over the lakefront path. It was crazy! We had to drive through 6-8 inches of standing water more than once and I was having a panic attack! Once we got to my friend's house, we found that a tree was down blocking his entire street! One car was crushed. I've just never since anything like this first hand!

What I'm trying to say here is that running was the farthest thing from my mind last night! Pretty sure there will be no running tonight either, as storms are still in the forecast through tomorrow morning. I might do a short jaunt on the treadmill tonight and push my long run back to Sunday. I wonder what kind of shape the path will be in...how long will it take them to clear all those trees?! Anyway, for you Chicago runners, stay safe out there!

Bad Idea!

I had brought all my running clothes to work yesterday so that I could go straight to the lake when I got off. Going home tends to lead to excuses not to go back out :) As I begin changing, I realize that I did not pack all my clothes. No shirt! I knew I didn't want to go home to get one and that there was a spare COTTON T-shirt in my trunk...how bad could it be, right?

Let me paint this picture for you: 6:30pm, sun still up, temp about 85, heat index somewhere in the 90's, me in a cotton shirt. NOT GOOD! Not only was I very quickly drenched in sweat, but that shirt was like a little capsule of heat! I could literally feel the heat trapped between me and it! I tried rolling the sleeves up to my shoulders and it worked for a little bit, but soon even that wasn't enough to keep me cool. I've never been so uncomfortable on a run in my life!! I went 4 miles and called it done. Walked the rest of the way back to the car with a few stints of running since the walk was talking forever!

I didn't want to be a quitter so was determined to head out this morning with the right gear and knock out what I was supposed to last night...Mother Nature had a different plan! A little before 4am, a HUGE storm rolled in and cracked the loudest thunder claps I've ever heard for over an hour. Let's just say that it made for 4 hours of sleep and running was the farthest thing from my mind! So, it looks like I'll end up trying to run in the ridiculous heat again, but at least this time I'll have the right gear on!

I bought a book

I'm not sure what made me start searching for a marathon book...especially since I already have a couple John Bingham books that I've only cracked the first few chapters of...but none the less, I started searching. And whah-la! I think I found one that will be perfect for me! I do realize it is a BIT late in the game to be starting a new training book, but who cares!

The book I found is "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer", its written by two professors who taught a Marathon 101 class at a university. One is a professor in psychology and one is a professor in physical education...perfect combo for marathon help! And they say only one of the 200 students who took their class didn't successfully complete the marathon.

I really think what I'm looking to get out of this book is the psychological help. My mind is my biggest enemy right now...although my legs are a close second! Training schedules are a dime a dozen on the internet, but great skills and ideas for keeping your head in the game are harder to come by.

I've only read the intro so far cuz well, you know, I'm at work and I'm supposed to be working :) But I hope to really dive into it tonight and see what its all about. And maybe I need to looking to the Bingham books sitting on my shelf while I'm at it! I'm still waiting to see John out on the path one of these Saturday mornings...actually, I've probably passed him several times already...I'm not the most observant runner! And to be honest, most of those big training groups piss me off because they are not very considerate to individual runners. Here is a quick rant...

I realize that they are a large group, but that doesn't mean that they own the path! I don't know how many times a group passed me and literally ran me off the path...I was truly surprised at that since it seems that most runners are really supportive of each other. It didn't seem to matter if I was passing them or if they were passing me, they never failed to feel like I needed to be the one to get out of the way. I will add that there was an exception: One group that I kept playing leap frog with due to water stops was really nice and funny. The guys at the back of the pack were totally hilarious and making jokes with me and stuff. That is what I expect from other runners, not the "run me into the grass" stuff I usually see. End rant. :)

Back to the topic at hand...I'll keep you posted on my thoughts about this book. If I decide to run 2008, maybe this can be my guide from the start!

I hate mornings!

I really, really do! My body was still pretty tired from the 13 miles I did on Saturday, but I knew I had to stick to my schedule this week...so I crashed at my friend's pad so that I could wake up early and hit the path running. I went to bed at 11pm and boy did I pass out! That is how beat I still was from that run! Usually, I have a hard time sleeping in a bed other than my own...not last night. My head hit the pillow and it was over!

The alarm went off at 5am and it was still very dark out. That made it very difficult to even grasp the idea of getting out of the bed. At 5:15, I dragged myself to the kitchen and made a bowl of cereal. Didn't turn on any lights because I was still in some sort of denial about actually being awake. I ate in the dark. I sat and just watched the sky over the lake looking for something that resembled light. I started to pray the huge storm that hung around all night would somehow make its way back. No one would expect me to run in a monsoon...would they? But, that was a no go!

6am, I headed out. Holy Moly! My body was soooo tired! My muscles were screaming for me to stop from the jump! But I knew I just had to power through. The path was DEAD. I ran the whole straight away past the softball fields without a single person in sight! Spent a good part of the run dodging puddles and 4x4ing it through the grass. Maybe that is what kept me distracted and allowed me to go on much easier the farther into the run I got. Once I passed the 5 miles marker, something just happened. I ran that last mile like it was nothing! My speed was up, my movement was smooth, I wasn't winded. It was an excellent way to end the run!

The storm left it very humid out so I was sweating like a pig! But it was a great run for getting up at 5am. I am not a morning runner and I never will be. I hate mornings. I am dreading running tomorrow morning already, but I have to hold onto these small triumphs! And this morning was one.

Second Time is a Charm!

This week's running has been less than stellar. After first claiming that I was more determined than ever to get back on track for the marathon, I dreaded every single run...and to be completely honest, I'm not sure I even made the mileage I set out for on any of them.

So, when I woke up this morning with my long run ahead of me...I pretty much rolled over and went back to sleep. When I finally did get up, I stalled and tried to make up a good excuse to not have to go at all. I mean, on of my ankle's is hurting a little...that's good enough, right?

But no, I went out there. I wanted to complete 13 miles straight without walking to prove to myself that I could do it, but I also told myself I would settle for 12 if I really couldn't do it. Let me tell you! It was by no means easy, but I did the 13 with no walking! That last mile was a shuffle at best and I don't even want to know what the pace was...but I didn't give up. I shuffled my way to the end! I am so proud of myself right now! Even though I'm definitely behind on the training and will surely have to walk portions of the marathon, if I can just keep building, I'll be happy. And right now? Right now I am happy! :)

So, it wasn't all bad...

I may have been a little biased after the half when I wrote that last blog. I'm feeling much better now! Actually, I feel like I'm more determined than ever to make this marathon a success!

Here is the awesome medal we got for finishing:





And best of all...my number had my name on it! Yeah!!



So, yeah, maybe it wasn't all bad.

The Half

All I got to say right now is, That was ONLY half??? Holy crap. Put a fork in me, I'm done!

Things started off looking great. The hot weather that they had warned us about in an email sent Saturday never came. Luckily, I storm had rolled in about 4am and cooled everything off. We could not have had better weather for a race scheduled in mid-August!

The race started...and I was in a porta-potty. I kid you not. I ran for the starting area and luckily there were so many runners that my pace group was still nowhere near crossing the start line. Finally, get across and start running. I feel fine...immediately start passing up all the slow people that feel the need to line up in the front corrals. Water stations are placed very nicely, we are running through the Loop so we are shaded by all the buildings. Spectators on the corners. Things looking very good.

Mile 5 takes us out of the Loop and over towards the lake...this is where things begin to go downhill. First, at Mile 6, my Ipod battery dies. Dammit! Why didn't I think to charge it?! Let me just tell you that that sucker is charging off my computer as I sit here and write this! That will not happen again! No way Jose!!! Shortly thereafter, I feel the need to go to the bathroom. Runners, you know what I'm talking about and you know how distracting this becomes. I was pretty sure there would not be a restroom until after the turnaround so I was starting to freak out a little bit.

Miles 7 water stop. NO FREAKIN' CUPS!!!! What the?! This is a huge race. How the hell do you run out of cups at a water station?! I keep running, no hydration. Mile 8 water stop. NO FREAKIN' CUPS!!! I was about to lose it! I spotted one guy who had brought some cups of his own or something and quickly ran to him. I was lucky to get one of about the last 20 he had. Believe me, I held onto this cup because I was not going to have to skip another water break!

I'm now starting to feel tired. My feet hurt and my body is going through the motions, but not in a controlled powerful way...more in a survival way...just keep moving. The urge to go to the bathroom faded...but don't worry, it reared its ugly head again around Mile 10 :)

Those last few miles...I don't even know how I made it. I just kept moving for fear that if I stopped, I may never start again. It was bad. At the Mile 12 water stop, I decided it was time for a little walk. I walked about 1/4 mile before I picked it up again for the home stretch. As I got to the finish, all I could think was that if a marathon means doing twice this much, I don't want to do it! Seriously, I'm now dreading the marathon :( This is not good.

Let's give 'em something to talk about!

Or, at least, I gave myself something to talk about! :) My awesome run tonight!! Granted it was only 4 miles and 4 miles SHOULD be a cake walk. But it isn't always. Sometimes 4 miles is 3 miles too long. Sometimes 4 miles feels more like 8. Sometimes 4 miles just doesn't seem worth the effort.

Oh, but tonight was different! Tonight, 4 miles was amazing! Somewhere in the first half mile I just started flying. I didn't even notice until I passed another runner...and then I was like, what pace am I keeping right now?! Granted, fast to me right now is about a 10 minute mile :) I wish I would have worn my watch! Dang it! Not only was my pace great, but I wasn't physically tired...and best of all, I never got mentally tired! Not once did I want to stop or have to talk myself out of going further.

I just ran. Plain and simple. I just ran.

12 Miles...what does it mean?

I actually managed to run 12 miles on Saturday! I think I have set out twice before to reach this mileage and given up both times. But I did it! Here is the thing: I felt very confused afterwards. On the one hand, I felt great! I FINALLY managed to run 12 freakin' miles! I proved that I can pass the 10 mile wall I kept hitting! That made me realize that my mind is getting stronger...my body, maybe a little :)

On the other hand, while it was great that I did it, those 12 miles were no walk in the park. The last 4 miles, specifically. I wanted to stop like you do not even know! I did two 6 mile loops...so it was 3 out and 3 back, twice. If I had done 6 out and back, I don't think I would have made it. By the time I was hitting 8 miles, it was ALL about the short goal game. And when I finished, I don't think I could have taken another step..let alone another mile, like the half marathon this Sunday.

So, what does this mean? I feel great to have a successful run, but I also feel exhausted and stressed. I hate how hard it is to stay mentally focused on the long runs. And to think, I have to run twice that?! I know a marathon isn't supposed to be easy. That is why most people will never run one. But, man!! I can't lose focus now...it has to be all or nothing for the next 2 months. Can I do it?

Bad Nicole

After such a triumphant Wednesday, I failed to drag myself out of bed for 6 miles this morning! I'm so mad at myself right now. Why is it so hard for me to get up early? I keep thinking that someday I'm going to break the cycle, but it doesn't seem to be happening! I have 12 miles tomorrow and with high temps and thunderstorms in the evening, it can only be done in the morning. Which means it probably isn't a good idea to try to make up those 6 miles tonight. Dang it! I'm kicking myself right now! Especially, because my marathon friend gave me a long speech last night about how I should train to make the marathon a cake walk, not settle for training just enough to be able to finish. That this doesn't have to be as hard as I'm making it. That I should want more than that. And I did...until 5am when my alarm went off. Then I was right back ready to settle :)

I went, I ran, I conquered!

I had 7 miles on the agenda last night...uh, did anyone see how hot it was at 7:30? It was still eighty-freakin'-three degrees! I sat and debated. Drive to the lake, hope for a nice breeze, get caught in knat swarms, hope I don't get jumped in the dark OR run 3/4 miles to the gym, clock 5.5 miles on the dreadmill, run 3/4 miles home. Hmmmm...neither one of those sounded much fun. Got my running clothes on cuz you know sometimes that is enough to make me feel guilty about not going at all :) And I decided to give the gym plan a try. I told myself that I would just run for as long as I could on the dreadmill without going insane.

I leave the house with towel and water bottle in hand. I don't usually carry anything when I run so this quickly became annoying! Didn't feel too bad with the sun down so things were looking good. Just as I'm approaching the gym and reach to my pocket for my card...dun dun dun!...my card is not there! Fell out while I was running! Oh brother!!!! Back-track I go! Crossing my fingers and hoping that it isn't sitting a block from my house, I manage to luck out and see it sitting smack dab in the middle of Ashland!!! Traffic zooming all around it! When the signal turned to walk, I ran out and grabbed it and headed back to the gym, which luckily wasn't that far.

Run straight for the first treadmill I see so that my heart rate doesn't slow down too much and I am pleasantly surprised to find that they have upgraded their equipment and gotten the treadmills with the fans on them! Yes!!! Air happily blowing on me, running at a 10:30 pace, I'm feeling stupendous! About 20 minutes in, I'm a bit less stupendous. By 35 minutes in, I'm debating myself about getting off. Fan or not, I've decided I still hate the treadmill! I tell myself to make it to 4 miles and then I can re-evaluate. By the time I get to 4 miles, I'm getting my second wind and start playing the short goal game. Just get to 50 minutes. Just do 2 more laps...yeah, it also had a little visual track and showed you going around it. And lo and behold...I did the full 60 minutes!!! I hopped off, gulped down some water and headed out for the run home.

My legs felt like jello because the motion of running on real ground is way different than on the treadmill...it felt really weird to run and I wasn't trusting my legs much! I cross Ashland, not more than 50 feet from the intersection and I hear my key fall out of my pocket!!! What is going on with my pocket today?! By now, it is dark. I cannot find my key to save my life! I'm looking under cars, all over the side walk, over this little ledge that leads to a parking lot. I'm starting to panic! Finally, a car comes driving by and the headlights pass over something shiny. My key! Thank you!!! I kid you not, I was looking for about 5 minutes, even took off my Ipod like somehow it might help if I could hear my key...like maybe it would yell, "Over here!"

By now, the running vibe is dead. I try to muster a little something and run to Elston and catch the red light. I figure that is my sign to just walk the remaining 1/4 mile. Overall, I am extremely proud of myself for staying on that treadmill and getting my planned run done. The weather can no longer be an excuse. I have to train and train right! I just hope that there will be more days that feel this good!

And one more thing...

After a few runs now where I've had the chance to stop at a hydration station and mix some water up with Gatorade (vs. just using water fountains to hydrate), I seem to get tummy aches. I can only assume this is from the Gatorade, as that has been the only difference in my runs. I bought some shot blocs, but haven't tried them yet. Will this be sufficient for electrolyte replacement on those longer runs? Has Gu worked better for people? I've never used this type of replacement product so I'm curious as to people's reactions to them. Thanks for any info you can offer!

Thank You, Bloggers!

This has been far from an easy ride so far! There have been triumphant moments, but more often than not, it has been rough going. I've questioned my ability, my heart, my will and my sanity :) There have been moments (like right now) where I just cannot wait to feel what it will be like to cross that finish line...I have no doubt in my mind that there will be tears involved! There have been moments where I wanted to quit and never have to run again. There have been runs where I couldn't have been prouder of myself for getting out there and getting the job done. And there have been runs where I walked halfway home. It has been such a rollercoaster and such a mixed bag that its hard to tell where the next turn will lead.

But you know the one consistent part? Being inspired by all the other Chicago Marathon Bloggers out there! Yes, there are a few blogs I stalk nearly daily! Not only has it helped me to read where you all are at in your training right now, but your archives are my oasis! Most of you ran your first Chicago Marthon last year, so going back through your archives and seeing where you were in your training at the point that I'm at in mine now has been a life saver at times! To know that I'm not the only one who struggles with this. That its okay to miss some runs. That injuries can be worked through. That the heat will not kill us. Because you all went through these things too...and you all crossed that finish line last year!

Thank you, Bloggers and keep writing!!!!