16.5 Miles on a HUMID Sunday Morning

After yesterday’s fiasco at the 10k, I wasn’t going to run my long run this morning.  However, when I woke up I felt considerably better; so, I made a pact with myself to run at a very easy pace with the understanding that I wouldn’t push my body to run the distance if I felt too tired. 

With an attitude of gentleness, I set out for my run.  The first two miles from my home to the Canal Path are all downhill and it’s always tempting to run these miles too quickly.  Today I ran them easy (a break through for me!).  In fact, I took the entire run slowly and was very conscientious of taking my Enduralyte tablets every hour and Hammer Gel every 45 minutes along with plenty of water. 

Although I didn’t break any speed records today, I ran my 16.5 and felt pretty decent at the end.  My time was 2:29:44. 

Don’t Try This (Unless You’re a Complete Idiot)

Today I pulled one of the most idiotic moves in my life as a runner:  I ran a race with the stomach bug.  That’s right, I ran a 10k on one of most humid days ever this morning with severe stomach cramps and after getting sick twice before I left home.  No, really, I’m not kidding.  Yes, you read correctly.  Let me repeat:  I’ve never done anything (related to running, that is) as brainless before. 

The first mile was okay, not great, but I was holding my own.  Then, around the two mile mark I felt like I was going to drop.  My legs cramped up, my stomach hurt, my body felt like a dishrag.  But, there was no good place to exit the course and get a lift back to the finish.  So, I kept plugging along, all the while feeling like I was about to collapse.  With each mile marker I said, “Please God, let me get this over with quickly.”  However, the race seemed anything but quick, especially when everyone began passing me.  People I typically beat by 3 or 4 minutes spanked me today.  It was so demoralizing.

Finally, the finish was in sight.  I literally crossed the line and begged for water.  I felt like passing out but, thankfully, I didn’t.  Then came the chills.  So, I left the race totally embarrassed and sicker than a dog.

What was my time, you ask?  A humiliating 52:44.  Learn from my stupidity:  never EVER run with a stomach bug!!

Harborfest 10k

One of my favorite races in Rochester took place Sunday morning:  the Harborfest 10k.  This race starts and ends (in the sand, I might add!) at the scenic Charlotte Beach.  The atmosphere is festive, fun, and relaxed; the course is beautiful and challenging; the cost is a very reasonable $10.  I just love this race! 

 

This is a tricky little course with lots of twists and turns and one very steep but short hill.  Of course, the sand finish slows you down significantly just when you’re really picking up the pace.  Needless to say, this is not a PR course, but it’s a gorgeous course.

When I woke up Sunday morning, my legs were as stiff as boards and a bit achy.  I think the 90 minute deep tissue massage I had late Friday evening caused the heaviness in my legs.  So, when I got to the beach I decided to just let go of the idea of “racing”, opting instead to run at a comfortable pace and enjoy the day. 

With my mind fixed on fun rather than time, I lined up to begin the race.  I smiled at and chatted with many runners and ran an easy first mile in 8:00 flat.  With heavy legs and an eager mind, I plugged on and started passing a few people, one of whom was a man who really didn’t want me to pass him.  In fact, he pushed me and then said, “Pardon me, Madame.”  Boy, was I glad that I beat him by a good 4 minutes! 

 Just before the half way point there’s a very steep short hill that most people opted to walk.  Then, came a nice, long down hill that allowed me to make up some time.  Around the 4 mile mark, I began to pick up my pace and get my stride.  Before I knew it, there was the sign for 5 miles and my friend, Pete, yelling out my time - 40:45.  I realized that I had indeed been running slowly, but, oh well!

The above picture of me was taken with about 3/4 of a mile to go.  At this point I was feeling excited and ready to finish.  But a challenge still lay ahead.  I could see the finish and Ibegan picking up the pace, but, wait!  I had to run around the bath house?  I forgot about that!!  Oh well!  I told myself to shut up and run.   Thankfully, my friend Darren was strategically positioned to encourage me to “move my feet” and then, a wonderful surprise.  My new friend, Charlie, was standing right by the sand finish and cheered me on. 

My time was a slow 50:44 but I had a ball.  Sometimes it’s good just to go to a race and have fun.

 

Skinny Again and Running like Crazy

Just a quick update on the weight issue.  I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 6 lbs. already and I’m feeling fit and thin.  (Thank God!)  The trick was cutting out the junk and sticking to my usual healthy diet.  Trust me, I didn’t deprive myself of food, but, instead, ate foods that count nutritionally.

I’ve also been working hard on my running, even with the temps soaring into the mid 90s.  Now, when the thermometer says 85° at 8:00 in the morning, you must adjust your speed and drink lots and lots of water.  In fact, Sunday I ran a little 5k at my YMCA and the temperature was 87° at 9:00.  Needless to say, my time was slow but I still managed to place 2nd in my age group and 6th woman overall.  After the race I ran finished my long run, logging a total of 13 miles for the day.  But I ran very, very slowly and drank lots and lots of water.  I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of hydrating in the heat and humidity!

I’ve also been incorporating more speed work into my running routine.  Speed work not only helps you run a little faster, it also burns more calories than an easy run.  However, I know that I can’t make everyday hard (neither should you!), so I’ve been careful to alternate the hard workouts with easy, short runs.

Physically, I’m feeling great.  Now I just need to improve my attitude!

 

Fatty

I can’t believe I’m writing this post.  Me, the one who never gains weight, who is constantly told how thin I am.  I’m skinny no more, friends.  That’s right, I’M GETTING FAT!

After standing on my scale this morning about 100 times and each time weighing in at the same weight, I decided that I’m going on a diet.  But how did I gain weight in the first place?  Could it be the 1/3 of a chocolate cake I devoured Tuesday night?  Or maybe it’s the habit I’ve developed in the past month of getting up at 12:30, 1:00 to eat cookies or pretzels?  Or could it be that I’ve been consuming 2 dinners each evening with the excuse that, “my body needs extra calories to heal.” 

Whatever the reason, I’ve put on weight.  In fact, my weight this morning was higher than it’s been in years.  (I know you’re dying to know what I weigh.  I might tell, I might not.)

So, this is where the rubber meets the road - I will no longer eat cake and cookies (I’m not supposed to, anyway), especially not at 1:00 in the morning.  It’s back to fresh fruits and veggies for this gal.

Okay, I’ll tell you but shhhhhh!  Don’t tell anyone else.  On June 5, 2008 I weighed 116.5 lbs. 

 

Buffalo Half Picture

Hi Friends.  Life has been busy, so blogging has taken a back seat.  While I’ve thought of posts I’d like to write and longed to read your thoughts, I haven’t had the luxury of doing so.  My loss!

Just wanted to publish a picture or two from the half marathon I ran in Buffalo.  Again, it was a terrific day of running and traveling with my friends.  Pictured below is my buddy, Dan.  Really, he’s like the brother I never had.  This picture was taken before the race by the president of the Greater Rochester Track Club as we scurried around like the Little White Rabbit to get to the start line.  (Of course, there’s always time for a photo op!)

Hope all is well in your corner of the world!

 

Buffalo Marathon and Half Marathon 2008

What a perfect day for a race!  At 7:00 this the morning the temperature was about 55°, the sun was shining brightly, and the breeze was gentle - absolutely beautiful.

This was the first time in a very long time that I drove to a marathon with friends and, I must say, I had a much better time as a result.  So many Rochesterians were at the Buffalo Marathon today; it was wonderful to see such a large representation of my running community.  Several ran the half, but there were many who ran full, including a handful of my very closest friends.  (For a nice account of the full, read JP’s blog.)

3:45 - Alarm wakes me and I jump up for a quick shower and coffee.  Suddenly it dawns on me that I forgot to pack several things - GU, deoderant (my travel companions definitely wouldn’t want me in the car without that!), a clean sports bra and shirt.  I rush around packing everything and finally hop in my car and make the 20 minute trip to Darrin’s and Carolyn’s home. 

4:45 - Phew!  I arrive on time but, wait - I forgot to eat.  How could I forget breakfast?  What a dummy!  Guess my GU will have to suffice for fuel.

6:30 - Darrin, Dan, Joe, and I arrive in Buffalo and run up to the Hyatt to get our race number and chip.  Then we run back to the car to get ourselves ready.  Darrin and I run again to look for a bathroom and find one in the Convention Center (what a way to warm up!).  We all wish each other good luck and head to our respective starting lines (they ran the full).

7:00 - And we’re off!  The first mile is all downhill and I repeatedly tell myself to run easy, run easy.  In fact, that was my mantra for the first 6 miles.  Speaking of the first 6 miles, this was the best part of the half.  We ran along a beautiful, flat waterfront and it was actually peaceful (can you tell I loved it?). 

8:00 - I can’t believe how quickly this race is going by but my body is yelling at me for not eating breakfast and for drinking the electrolite replenishing drink served on the course.  What is that stuff? It’s making me nauseous.   Keep running, I tell my legs, and while you’re at it, let’s pick up that pace.  Come on, it’s time to move!  My legs obey and my pace improves dramatically.

8:50ish:- Woo hoo!  There’s the finish - I’m done!  Another half under my belt; my third so far this year.  Not a PR for me but I’ll allow it this time given my recent surgeries and all.  My time was 1:52:10 and I placed 10th in my age group.  Not the best but not too bad either.

My friends all had great marathons today.  Darrin ran a 3:05, Dan a 3:21, JP a 3:27, and Joe ran a 4:08.  Congratulations, guys! 

 

 

Training for the week of May 12 - 18, 2008

Life has been extremely hectic lately leaving me little time to write.  However, I’m happy to report that my body is getting stronger and stronger making running much more enjoyable again (thank God!).  I’m really looking forward to running the Buffalo Half Marathon this coming Sunday.  (That’s right:  I’ve decided to be kind to my body and just run the half instead of the full.)

May 12 - Rest.

May 13 - Hill Repeats at Cobbs Hill - 10.10 miles.  Great workout at one of the my favorite places to run in Rochester.  Saw so many people I knew, and this made the hill repeats so much more enjoyable.  Hills are my friends!

May 14 - 6.2 Easy miles.

May 15 - 11.4 miles and spin class.  Ran 5.2 miles in the morning and 6.2 in the afternoon. Then, cycled hard in spin class.  Great workout!

May 16 - Rest.

May 17 - 14 mile run from Mendon Ponds Park.  Although I live in a very hilly town in Rochester, the hills of Mendon feel much more challenging then those I run in Fairport.  (Maybe it’s because I’m not used to them?)  I drove to Mendon to cheer on my friends who were participating in a duathalon.  Karin was the 5th woman overall - awesome!

May 18 - 4.25 Easy miles in Erie, PA.  My beautiful daughter graduated with B.A. in English from Mercyhurst College.  I couldn’t be more proud of her.  Pictures to follow.

Total Miles for the Week:  45.85

 

 

Training Week for May 5 - 11, 2008

It’s amazing to watch my body recover from the traumas it’s been through. It seems as though each time I head out for a run I feel a bit spunkier and a bit stronger. Below reflects my training for this past week.

Monday, May 5 - Ran 8.20 from Mom’s house in Brighton. Felt so exhausted when I was finished that it took all of my strength to shower, drive home, eat a salad, brush my teeth, and climb into bed.

Tuesday, May 6 - No run, not feeling well.

Wednesday, May 7 - 11.10 miles. Ran 5 in the morning including 3 x 1200 meters in 5:00. Ran 6.10 after school in Greece. Good running!

Thursday, May 8 - 5.50 miles at an easy pace.

Friday, May 9 - REST

Saturday, May 10 - Run for the Young 5k plus warm-up and cool-down for a total of 8.12 miles. Did a pub run to benefit the American Cancer Society in memory of Charlie McMullen in the evening. While I had a great time and was glad to support a worthy cause, I certainly wouldn’t count this distance in my training log. That’s okay - sometimes it’s good just to run and have fun!

Sunday, May 11 - 11.50 miles. Ran from Mom’s again. Great run!

TOTAL FOR THE WEEK = 44.34 Miles

Happy Mother’s Day

She is very touching in her sweet little marks of affection.

 

Once or twice, when I have seemed unhappy about little things,
she has come and held up her little mouth to be kissed.

Last night I was in pain, and made a sort of moan.

She was lying by me, apparently asleep;

but as if her gentle instinct of love prompted her even then, she pressed to me, saying, ‘Kiss, Mama,’

These are trifles, but how very precious may the remembrance of them become.

- Elizabeth Gaskell

  

When I read Gaskell’s poem I remembered the many precious memories of my children when they were small.  The butterfly kisses, the dandelion bouquets, the “I love you, Mommy” whispers as sweet sleep settled on their little beings.  Where have the years gone? 

I miss my daughter so much today it hurts.  My son is home but working and busy with friends, just as a 19 year old boy should be. 

Flowers are nice - so, too, are cards and gifts.  But nothing can replace the time you spend with your mom.  Today, more so than ever, I wish that I could have a day with my children. 

If you’re a mom with little ones, cherish these days.  I know that they’re challenging at times, but someday you’ll long for the moments of little kid maddness. 

 Happy Mother’s Day to all.  If you’re able, hug your mom today.