26 MORE POUNDS TO LIFETIME

Tracking really does work.

2010-07-14T13:48:00.004-04:00

I dropped 3.4 pounds this week.

WOOT.

I tracked EVERYTHING that I ate. I went over my points, but I tracked up until last night. I usually stop tracking Sunday and then try to remember my points on my head for the next two days. That never works right because I always tend to forget coffee creamer or olive oil. That stuff adds up.

Weight Watchers' e-Tools allows me to enter all of my food online. You can add foods to your "favorites" list and it remembers them. It keeps tracks of activity points and your extra 35 points. It's pretty much idiot-proof.

We upped our mileage this week, which we'll do once a month until Goofy. We want to wake up early on a Saturday AND a Sunday once a month to get our bodies used to running two days in a row. Our next one will be in August, hopefully around a time when we do more than 10 miles on Saturday. My legs felt good and so did my body. Come Monday, though, I was ravenous. I ate good -- lots of grains and veggies to fill me up -- so I didn't splurge on bad stuff. But all of the running really made me hungry!

We went to a BBQ at Kathy and Nancy's on Saturday where I had five or six Coronas and really, really good pork. And I STILL lost because I tracked.

Yay for tracking!

Pounds lost this week: 3.4
Weight: 200.8
Total weight loss: 86.2

Up, down, up down, up down ...

2010-07-12T10:19:00.002-04:00

I feel like a see-saw.

I was under 200 pounds for approximately 12 hours. LOL

I missed weigh in for two weeks, and in that time, I gained 5.4 pounds.

It is the most I'd gained in five years.

WAKE-UP CALL!!

The following week I lost 2.2 and then I gained 1.2.

See what I mean? See-saw?

Anyway, I'm trying really hard again to get myself in gear. We ran 26 miles this week, adding another 8.5 miler Sunday, so we can get our bodies used to waking up very early two days in a row as we prepare to run the Goofy Challenge in January at Disney.

Oh. Did I tell you that?

Yes. Along with eight other runners, I am training to run the Disney Half Marathon on Saturday, Jan. 8 as well as the Disney Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 9. Hence ... THE GOOFY CHALLENGE.

We are dressing as the Seven Dwarfs, and Ken ... the guy who bet us he'd dress up in anything we wanted him to if we agreed to run Goofy ... will be Snow White.

There will be photos, so wait for them soon.

I'm hoping the jump in mileage and the little bit of weight training I've added will help me get down to 179. Or, 175, but let's not jump the gun.

: big smiley face :

2010-06-02T13:15:00.002-04:00

I weigh 199.8 pounds.

It's been about, oh, 18 years since I was in the 100s, and it feels freaking awesome.

I'm officially down 40.4 pounds from December 2008 and 87.2 pounds from February 2005 when I first started WW.

Blame it on the sickness.

2010-05-26T14:29:00.003-04:00

Well, I guess I had a little bit to do with it, too.

I lost 1.6 pounds this week, and now I'm the lightest I've been since starting Weight Watchers on Feb. 16, 2005. My lowest weight was 202 around, oh ... June 2006. Now I weight 201.6. (I still can't believe I'm telling you guys how much I weigh.)

The big milestone -- 199 -- is a mere 1.7 pounds away. That could be next week, my friends. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ran for the first time in a week last night. It was tough. I'm still sick, but I had to get back out there if only for sanity's sake. It was difficult to breathe -- and the weather was surprisingly nice -- and my legs hurt! I can't believe that only after a week that my legs were the body part to hurt the most. Odd.

Galloway starts up again in three weeks. I can't believe it, really. That's when our "official" training starts for whatever marathon we choose to run this season. Right now, our goal race for Galloway is the 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville in mid-February; however, my training partners and I hope to run Goofy, which is the half marathon AND the full marathon at Disney in early January. I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for it, but that's the race I plan on running. Obviously, we'll run it for fun and to push our bodies as far as they can go. We can't run this one for time. (I cannot believe I just wrote that I will run Goofy.)

So. Yeah. I'm less than 2 pounds away from being under 200 pounds. That pretty much RULES!!!

Now it should read: 25 POUNDS TO LIFETIME

2010-05-17T15:20:00.004-04:00

I lost 3 pounds last week (May 12). Woot! But being super strict on yourself will do that.

This week, however, I'm not feeling it.

Does this happen to you: Some weeks on WW you're all gung-ho. Then, on other weeks, you're like ... uh NO. I just don't FEEEEEEEEEL like it. Mommy!!

It was kind of a combination of both scenarios this week. The first half was great, and then Sunday came. Boy, oh boy, can I eat myself some pasta on Sundays.

Weigh in is Wednesday, so let's hope for the best.

And I can't skip like I do when I think I'll gain because my leader, Judi, wants me to speak at the meeting. It's, like, celebration week or something, and she asked me two weeks ago if I'd tell my story. It should be fairly harmless since I like talking about myself. LOL

I'm still a no-go with weight training. Yeah. Go ahead. Yell at me. It still won't make me do it!!!

Weigh in

2010-05-05T13:22:00.004-04:00

So.

I've gained 3.8 pounds in four weeks.

It could be worse, I guess.

But really? Could it?

The number on the scale is supposed to be going DOWN.

I don't have a problem with tracking. I do it pretty much all the time.

I also run between 15 and 20 miles a week, which is great.

But I've got to shake things up a bit.

Linn's already willing to work out with me on the days I don't run. I love that because I HATE weight training. I'd much rather go for a 4-mile run outside in 90-degree heat. Yup. I would.

So, this week I vow to weight train at least twice a week. Maybe three times a week. Let's see how that helps.

I'm also going to stop eating so much good food. That doesn't sound like the right thing to do, but when I tell you I can eat a vat of salad, I can eat a vat of salad. Too much of anything isn't all that good.

This week's promises: Weight train and portion size.

Pain free?

2010-05-04T10:48:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure why, but I have had NO PAIN in my right heel for two days now.

YAY!!!

Again ... not sure why, but I'm not harping on it. I've been stretching and "rolling" my foot and heel for almost a week now, and I've switched from wearing my slippers to wearing my Birkenstocks at home on the tile floor. I really, REALLY think that's been helping the most.

I'm going to run tonight. (You can't stop me!!!) I'm taking ice along with me so I can immediately ice my heel afterward.

Let's hope I've nipped this in the bud!!!

Injuries

2010-05-02T11:31:00.002-04:00

I've been pretty much injury-free since I started training for marathons three years ago. Besides a few "injuries" of the psychosomatic persuasion, I never really have had an injury that's stopped my training.

This time, however, I think I might have a problem.

There's a very common injury that runners can get called plantar fasciitis, and I think I might have it. I have all of the symptoms and I've tried treating it at home with daily stretches, rolling my foot and heel on a frozen water bottle or rolling pin and taking Ibuprofen. I haven't, however, eased up on my running, which probably is THE most important thing I need to do. But do you know how hard that is??? And what's not helping me in that area is that I don't really have pain when I run; it's usually painful first thing in the morning and when I get up after sitting for long periods of time.

I'm calling Linn's podiatrist tomorrow to see if I can get in to see him. From what I've been reading -- i.e. freaking out about -- is that recovery time could be 6 to 8 weeks. THAT doesn't sound good. But, I have no idea what's really wrong with me, so I can't just ASSUME. Ya know?

Anyway, that's where I stand. Painfully. I'll keep you updated.

: whistles :

2010-04-28T15:23:00.003-04:00

So, I skipped weigh in today.

I know, I know. Wah. Wah. Blah. Blah.

I just couldn't stand to get on that scale and see a big, fat GAIN. (And I know I would've gained because my scale at home is 3 pounds heavier than the WW scale, and well, my home scale was 2 pounds up from last week.)

That Bowflex that is so nicely decorating my sun room needs to be dusted off and used. I know adding weights to my already-high cardiovascular workouts will only benefit me and also will force me to drop more pounds faster. But weights are just SOOOOOOOOO boring. Ugh. But ... I HAVE TO DO IT.

Tonight, after dinner, I'm going to Linn to work out with me. She loves weights and she'll motivate me to get up and do it. I'll start off slow and build up since my upper body is going to HATE me in the morning.

It has to be done.

OH. SO. CLOSE.

2010-04-27T22:25:00.003-04:00

Man, this is getting tough.

I lose. I gain. I gain. I lose. I lose. I lose. I gain.

That's pretty much what's been going on for the past few months.

My two marathons are over and I'm not running nearly as much as I was. I'm still running -- between 15 and 20 miles a week -- but only a few months ago I was running between 30 and 40 miles a week.

And that matters.

I've been on Weight Watchers since 2005. Well, I was hard core for two years and then I wasn't for about a year and a half. Now, I've been hard core since December 2008. The first time around I lost 85 pounds. The second time around I've lost 35. (I gained back almost 40 pounds from the first time around.) I'm only 4 pounds away from my lowest WW weight ever and only 6 pounds away from 199. I cannot tell you the last time I saw a "one" as the first number on the scale.

There. I said it.

I need to mix it up. Something's got to jump start my weight loss again.

Weights? More protein? More water? I'll take any advice you have.

In the meantime, follow my progress here. This blog has been transformed three times since I began it in 2007. Now, it's my turn for transformation.

Now what?

2010-03-03T22:02:00.004-05:00

I had no idea I'd feel like this.

Sad. Depressed. LOST.

The Gasparilla Marathon -- the race I have been training for since July -- has come and gone, and I shattered my goal of coming in under 6 hours. In fact, a month ago, I ran a 5:43 in Miami, and began getting a little worried about how I'd do in Tampa since I shaved 40 minutes off of my PR from NYC in 2007 when I ran that "training run" in Miami.

Well, Sheryl, Sherry and I ran the entire Gasparilla together and crossed the finish line, holding hands, in 5:37:40. We rocked it.

But now what do I do?

I know, I know ... I keep running. Duh. But as of yet, I have no "goal." I'd love to run another marathon. In fact, I'd love to train for one every year. However, they are HUGE commitments. I trained hard for six months in order to PR -- twice!

The marathon blues should subside a bit today because I'm heading out for a run with the girls -- sans Sheryl, which sucks! -- in a little bit. It'll be the first time we've put running shoe to road in four days. We can do this since we run the Galloway method, which allows you to recover faster from races.

So, I'll just have to keep trudging along, finding a new race and a new goal to strive for. I've talked to a few people over the past couple of days who've gone through the same thing I'm going through now. They all say, "Find something else to train for." Or, "Remember how well you did at your marathons." And, "Just keep getting out there and running."

Yup. I'll do all of those. And I'll especially remember running through that finisher's chute of Gasparilla, holding hands with the two best training partners a girl could have. Sherry and Sheryl: Love you girls, and thank you for being such awesome running partners and even better friends.

Blog hiatus

2009-12-11T15:32:00.003-05:00

Yoo Hoo!!

I know. Yell at me. Go ahead. It's been almost three weeks since my last entry. The only reason I have is laziness ... but at least I'm not being lazy with my running!

Well, not totally.

I had to take off two days, one on Thanksgiving and then the following Monday. I got a really bad head cold and was worried about it getting worse. I nipped it in the bud and am back on track. (I also shortened a 6 miler to 4.5 because of lack of sleep.)

But in that time I ran the Palm Beach Half in a time of 2:52. It's not a PR, but we weren't running it for a PR. It was great fun. Well, the race was. I only got three and a half hours of sleep the night before AND I almost burned down the house when our toaster oven caught fire. Yikes.

Stuff still is on track, though! Linn and I are going to Sanibel to visit Dad and Sandy this weekend and I've already scoped out a five-mile route for Monday morning. Running along the Gulf of Mexico ... you can't beat that. =)

You better watch out ...

2009-11-24T21:03:00.002-05:00

I saw Santa on my run tonight! He was riding a bike instead of a sleigh. He sported a big belly and a big white beard. Instead of a red suit, though, he was wearing the tightest technical shirt I've ever seen on someone. I told him I've been good.

I caught the drawbridge on Dixie Highway and that's when I saw him. He was sweet. He asked me if I was training for an Ironman. I laughed and then told him I was training for two marathons. Then he laughed and said, "My goodness. That's pretty cool. Good for you." I think I fell in love.

Sheryl, Colette and I ran tonight, and we really missed the Sherrys and Christine! I'd been having a little pain in my right knee, but tonight ... nothing. Whee! I felt great. I'm so happy with my training this season, and I can attribute that to my continuation with Weight Watchers and my running partners.

As I sit here watching "The Biggest Loser" -- crying as usual -- I think of my running partners ... wait ... my running FRIENDS, as they are MY rock like these BL contestants are for each other. When I think of them, I smile. And that makes me happy!!

Monday mileage: 5
Tuesday mileage: 6

300 miles!

2009-11-21T21:20:00.002-05:00

Thursday night's run pushed me over the edge ...

... over the edge to 300 miles trained for the Gasparilla Marathon!! Whee!

I'm sitting here at work on a Saturday night, ready to keel over. I was asked to work last week, proofing pages for the copy desk. It's nothing difficult or anything, but I did wake up at 3:45 this morning to run 17 miles and then a few of us helped Colette move into her new house. I napped for, oh, 45 minutes, and then I had to come to work at 8. Joy!

I betcha I'll sleep well tonight. ;)

Today's 17 miler was tough. Well, that's not entirely true. The first 13 miles were great, and then I just wanted it to be over. We might have gone out a little bit too fast, not too much, but just enough to tire me faster than normal. My feet and ankles got the brunt of today's run, and I actually caught myself running on the balls of my feet for the last half mile because my heels hurt so much.

Other than my feet, the rest of my body feels pretty good. My cardiovascular system is superb right now; I'm barely winded anymore, and I'm running fast, not slow. So, yay to that.

I have 5 miles to run Monday, and I know right now it will be a recovery run. Oh yes.

Today's mileage: 17
This week's total mileage: 31

Playing catch up

2009-11-16T10:10:00.003-05:00

Hello to all ... four? ... of my loyal readers!!

Well, I hope it's more than that. =)

Still haven't missed a run. Go me!! I just got back from a 4.2 miler through my neighborhood. I'm working the late shift tonight to help out the copy desk and was a little bit worried about when I'd get in my run. Luckily, it's overcast and breezy, so it wasn't too bad out there.

I had some lower back pain today, which I ran through, but other than that, my training's going awesome. I'm still dropping weight. I lost almost 10 pounds since July when we truly started our Galloway training for Gasparilla. It's coming off very slowly, but I don't care. At least it's coming off! I'm down 80 pounds from February 2005 when I started Weight Watchers, and I'm down 33.2 pounds since December 2008 when I re-started WW for the third time. I'm only 5 pounds away from my lowest weight ever while on WW. Of course, it might take me 2 more months to lose that, but again ... I don't care! Between June 2007 and October 2008, I gained back 40 of the 85 pounds I lost. But now I have a good grasp on what to do diet-wise and training-wise to keep off -- and even lose -- during training.

I promise I will try to update this blog more often. We have a running blog at work now, which is getting awesome feedback, and I also Tweet and Facebook about my training, so this blog sometimes gets the shaft. I love writing it in so I'll make sure to make more time for it.

This weekend's 17 miles. Yay! I'm totally excited for it, too. The Palm Beach Half is in three weeks. We'll run 13.1 and then continue on for 6 more to get in 19, so we're not behind in our mileage. Should be interesting since I have to go to Orlando for Melissa and Joe's wedding the day before! But she understands that I can't stay the entire night, which I totally love her for! I'll make it work out.

Total mileage: 4.2
Total weekly mileage from 11/8 to 11/14: 19
Total weekly mileage from 11/1 to 11/7: 28

18 weeks until Gasparilla

2009-11-02T10:17:00.004-05:00

And my ramped-up training started today!!

I was surprised my run felt so good this morning since I ate my weight in Halloween candy this weekend. Not to mention we went out Saturday and I drank six beers. I sat on the couch all day yesterday, watching the NYC Marathon on the laptop and tracking my friend, Colette, who ran it as her first marathon! Yay Colette! She ran a 5:20:13, which is AWESOME SAUCE!!

So after all of that, I thought this morning's run would be pretty awful. Nope! It was refreshing, and it got all of the crap I ate and drank out of my system. I ran a little more than 4 miles -- 4.2, I think -- in 51 minutes. Not to bad. My overall running pace was around 12:45. My actual runs were around 10 minutes; my walks were between 15 and 16 minutes.

This weekend I'm driving to Inverness to visit my grandparents. Dad and Sandy arrived Sunday -- they're staying for two months, renting a house in Sanibel for the month of December and spending time before that with friends and family -- so I'm pretty excited to see them! I'm staying until late Monday, so I'll get in 4 miles up there on Monday. (I'm running 15 miles Saturday before I leave.) I think I'm going to try to run the entire time and see what my overall pace turns out to be. Just an experiment. I'm already scouting out running routes near the Withlacoochee State Forest. I'm not at all familiar with the area, so I might call them this week to find out good running trails.

It's all starting, and it feels really good.

Total mileage: 4

WHERE IS THE COOL WEATHER????

2009-10-29T20:52:00.002-04:00

I'm sick and tired of this heat! I sweated like a pig tonight during our 4-mile run through Palm City. Blech. I think we're going to see a little bit of relief late next week, but c'mon! It's almost November!!

My body's feeling good. It's getting stronger. I can tell. I'm losing inches, too. The number on the scale is going down slowly, but my clothes are falling off of me and people are noticing. That's awesome!! I'm just really excited about the possibilities for my marathons. My body is completely changed from a year ago, and I think I'm going to see some great things happen during my training.

Sunday is the 40th running of the New York City Marathon. My friend, Colette, is running it as her first marathon like I did. I'm so excited for her!! I remember the anticipation I felt during my flight to Laguardia, which escalated more and more each day. It was one of the greatest days of my life, and I'll never forget it.

Neither will Colette. GO SMELLY!!

Total mileage: 4

PR! PR! PR! PR! PR! PR!

2009-10-26T08:07:00.002-04:00

I couldn't be happier today.

First of all, I am so freaking proud of my Galloway Group. Most of them ran the Martin County Halloween Half Marathon yesterday and kicked ass! Five of them finished before the PGLs and all of them PR'd! They ran strong -- and obviously ran negative splits -- and looked awesome coming across the finish line. SO PROUD.

The course was really beautiful and the weather was gorgeous. We were worried it was going to be really hot and humid, but it was far from it. The sun stayed behind the clouds for most of the run and there were cool breezes off of the ocean. We had a great time, too. We made sure to go out slow and then we hauled ass from Mile 10 on. It felt good! I love feeling like I could run 2 or 3 more miles when I'm done.

And ... I PR'd! I shaved 9 minutes off of my half marathon time at Palm Beach in December. Yahoo! Sheryl PR'd by 12 minutes!

I ramp up my training Monday. I add a few more miles every week to my weekly run as well as to my long runs. Let's hope I can do it!!

Total mileage: 13.1 miles
Total weekly mileage: 24.6

12:40?

2009-10-21T10:30:00.003-04:00

We are fast, my friends! Well, not really, but we are fast for US. And that's all that matters. We ran 4.5 miles in 57 minutes. Soon we'll be doing 5 miles in an hour. Yay!

Ran the bridges last night with Sheryl, Sherry, Christine and Colette and kicked butt. The weather was BEAUTIFUL -- overcast, threat of rain, windy. It never did rain, which is good, but what a wonderful run.

My body feels strong -- and a little sore since I ran like a bat out of hell on Monday, too -- and I'm confident I'll PR at Sunday's Martin County Halloween Half Marathon. This will be the main event for many of the runners in our Galloway Group, so we're going to let them run their race. We will be there, of course, to pace them if they want, but we're going to make sure they run this the way they want to run it. They're ready for it and we can't wait to see them cross the finish line.

I begin my hardcore training on Nov. 2 when I up my mid-week runs and sort of follow a Hal Higdon-type schedule. I'm excited -- and a little bit nervous -- and if I keep my high mileage mid-week runs on Tuesday night when I run with the girls, I should be OK. My highest mid-week run is 10 miles a few days before the Miami Marathon. It will be pitch dark outside so I will have to be very careful. I'll run 5 with the girls and finish the other 5 on my own. Hopefully it'll be chilly, too!!

Total mileage: 4.5

I've really got to keep up with this blog.

2009-10-17T13:32:00.003-04:00

Well, I've run more than 200 miles since I started training for Gasparilla. Whoa. I don't think I ran 200 miles over the entire training period for Marine Corps last year.

You have to bear with me here. I'm coming off of a major sugar high. I've been baking cupcakes for a Halloween party and oops ... did she just eat a few spoonfuls of whipped cream icing? Was that a Hershey Kiss she popped into her mouth? UGH. I might have to run 5 more miles tomorrow.

Next Sunday is our Galloway Group's first event, the Martin County Halloween Half Marathon. Most of our group is running it. It's full of bridges and hills, so it's a tough course but beautiful, too. I hope running with Sherry will allow me a PR!!!

Body still feels great. I'm considering buying compression socks for my calves just to be safe. They're $40 but, from what I hear, they're totally worth it. I have to pick up my shoes in about a week, so we'll see.

Total mileage: 5 miles

Did you ask how good I felt on my long run today?

2009-10-10T11:53:00.002-04:00

I know you did.

And I felt AWESOME.

Whatever I did this week I will continue doing before every long run. My body felt great, strong, skinny, happy, whatever! It was all good.

Our group looked great today, too. They obviously must be doing what they're supposed to be doing, too, because every single one of them finished strong. The heat was pretty awful on the way back, but we pushed through and finished in under 3 hours.

Colette ran her last long run -- 23 miles -- before the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1 and looked and felt freaking great!! She's so excited; I love it.

Total mileage: 12

And I forgot to post last week's total mileage: 16.6

Training schedule

2009-10-05T17:50:00.007-04:00

Whew. That took a little finagling. I think I have a solid training schedule now for the last four and a half months of my training for Gasparilla.

The jump in mileage from week to week might seem high -- more than 10 percent -- but because the Galloway plan calls for "long runs" on "down" weeks to be 5 or 8 miles instead of 10, 12 or 14 like most other marathon training plans, I had to jigger around some of the weekly runs in order to run what I'm supposed to run. Hence, the weird jump every other week.

I have a really, really good base so far -- about 20-25 mpw -- and should not have a problem getting in 20, 30 or 40-mile weeks. And remember, too, that I run 1:1 run/walk intervals, so I get LOTS of rests even when running long; it's different than straight running.

This schedule will start Oct. 26 and run through to Gasparilla on Feb. 28.

Week 1: 4.5, 5, 4, 5 (18.5)
Week 2: 4, 5, 4, 15 (28)
Week 3: 4, 6, 4, 5 (19)
Week 4: 4, 6, 4, 17 (31)
Week 5: 5, 6, 4, 5 (20)
Week 6: 4, 6, 4, 13.1 (27.1) Palm Beach Half
Week 7: 5, 6, 4, 6 (21)
Week 8: 4, 6, 4, 20 (34)
Week 9: 4, 7, 4, 8 (22)
Week 10: 4, 7, 5, 8 (23)
Week 11: 4, 8, 4, 23 (39)
Week 12: 4, 8, 5, 8 (25)
Week 13: 5, 9, 5, 8 (27)
Week 14: 4, 10, 4, 26.2 (44) Miami Marathon
Week 15: 5, 8, 5, 10 (28)
Week 16: 5, 8, 4, 3.1 + 3 (23) Fleet Feet 5K, plus 3 miles.
Week 17: 4, 6, 3, 8 (21)
Week 18: 3, 4, 2, 26.2 (35.2) Gasparilla Marathon!!

I have a four-week taper as opposed to a three-week taper.

So that's it folks. This here is a ton 'o miles ... more than I've ever run in my three years of marathon training. Cross your fingers that I can do it.

5 miles. That's it?

2009-10-04T14:44:00.003-04:00

I love, love, love saying that.

That's all the mileage we needed to run Saturday. We did it in 1:05, which is great for our group. Granted, only three other runners showed up to run with Sherry, Sheryl and myself, but we still hauled ass.

Next Saturday's long run is 12 miles. It's our last run before the Martin County Halloween Half Marathon. I didn't get to run it last year because I was sucking wind -- and ass -- in D.C. during the Marine Corps Marathon. You know ... I'd really love to run that one again under better training circumstances. I just didn't run enough last season. Being 30 pounds heavier didn't help either.

Speaking of weight, I'm excited to see how my body adjusts to all of this additional mileage. So far this training season, I'm balancing running and eating perfectly. Once we start getting up there in mileage in November, though, I might have to make some adjustments. When that time comes, I'll change. No biggie.

I'm proud of myself.

Total mileage: 5 ... LOL!!

A lukewarm front?

2009-10-01T21:47:00.003-04:00

So it wasn't a COLD front, but whatever it was brought much less humid air, and that's a wonderful thing.

Ran a pretty fast 4 miles tonight with Sherry, Christine and Colette. Our overall pace was 12:44 WITH our walk breaks. Sweet! When I first started running WITHOUT walk breaks, I was running 12:30-minute miles, so yay for us!

Everyone's wearing those calf compression sock thingies lately. I'm wondering if I should try them out. They look totally cheese bomb, but I only hear great things about them. And I do have calf pain periodically. Hmm. They do have pink ones ...

Total mileage: 4
Total weekly mileage: 24.7

Sunrise ... and sweat.

2009-09-28T14:46:00.002-04:00

OK. So the humidity wasn't THAT bad this morning.

I was dreading it because when I checked Weather Underground, it said 74 degrees with 97 percent humidity. Sounds awful, right?

It wasn't! There was a nice breeze, and by the time I got home, it didn't look as though I pool hopped through PSL.

I took along my camera, too, in case I saw some interesting woodland creatures -- you know, sandhill cranes or gators -- for my newly established "Maureen's run in photos" blog entry at Treasure Coast Running. Well, I didn't see any animals but I did see an amazing sunrise. Go see them here.

My Garmin was playing tricks on me again and it couldn't find a signal until almost a mile into my run. Luckily, I was feeling super duper so I ran 5.2 miles instead of my normal 3 to 4. Honestly, it felt like 3 or 4, which is awesome.

I hope my body holds up. I'm feeling so freaking awesome lately.

Total mileage: 5.2

I have the best training partners ever.

2009-09-26T14:27:00.002-04:00

Yep. I sure do. Sherry and Sheryl are DA BOMB. Here's my public thank you to them for making sure Carty was OK and for generally being wonderful friends to me and the best training partners of all time.

We had a great run today -- despite the disgusting humidity -- and my body is holding up well. I had no calf pain and no other muscle pains. Yay!! Do I finally have this running thing down? ;)

There's just a few more weeks until our first Galloway event, the Martin County Halloween Half Marathon. Most of our group is running it. We start on Hutchinson Island in Jensen Beach and run the causeway bridges into Sewall's Point and back again. It's a tough run but very scenic. We hope to run it in 2:45. It'd be a PR for me. Here's to hoping.

Total mileage: 11 miles

I am an insane, bat-shit crazy woman

2009-09-22T14:18:00.003-04:00

I am running the ING Miami Marathon on Jan. 31.

But before you starting going all Tony Montana on me, let me explain.

Sherry, my training partner, signed up for the ING Miami Half Marathon earlier this year for only $35 during a blitz, way before she knew she'd be running the Gasparilla Marathon. So, after looking at our marathon training schedule, she realized she wouldn't be able to run the Miami Half because we have a 26-mile training run scheduled for the day before. However, our friend, Jackie, figured out that we can run the Miami Marathon in lieu of our training run AND get a beautiful medal AND T-shirt AND goodies AND run the streets of Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Downtown Miami.

So that's what we're doing.

There is a seven-hour time limit, so we can run it as slow as we want and STILL have a great training run.

Running Miami will not change the fact that I still am shooting for under 6 hours at Gasparilla. Miami will be a TRAINING run. It also will give us a good idea of how we'll run in Tampa.

I'm really, really excited. =)

Cherish Life 10K

2009-09-19T20:26:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful day.

Sherry, Sheryl and I led a few of our Galloway group runners in the Cherish Life 10K this morning in beautiful Rocky Point. It was disgustingly humid, but we ran through it and finished in 1:18. We were thinking 1:20 but surprised ourselves. Our overall pace was 12:36 WITH walk breaks. I finished my first 10K in October 2006 in 1:14 WITHOUT walk breaks. Who says the Galloway program doesn't work?

All of the proceeds from today's race went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Hopefully, this will be a race that's run for a long time. It's a wonderful course for a great cause.

A few photos were taken of me coming through the finisher's chute that I'm not too fond of. Well, that's not entirely true. I look TONS better than I have in any other finisher photo, but I sometimes wish I could suck some of the fat out of my legs. I look great from the belly button up ... LOL ... but below it ... UGH. I need to get my fat ass on that Bowflex. New goal!!

Here are two comparison photos. The first is from the Palm Beach Half on 12.6.08. The second is from today, 9.19.09. Do you see a difference?

Total mileage: 6.2

4 miles. That's it.

2009-09-17T20:20:00.002-04:00

Not much to write about tonight. Christine, Colette and I ran 4 and chatted it up and had fun. That's about it.

So instead of a proper update, I'll whore out the Treasure Coast Running Blog. Visit. Comment. Enjoy.

Total mileage: 4
Total weekly mileage: 17.5

We're getting faster ...

2009-09-15T20:36:00.002-04:00

... or the weather's changing. ;)

Our run tonight was wonderful. It was warm, sure, but the humidity was lower than usual and I still had water left in my bottle and I didn't have a ring of sweat on my tech shirt. Yay!

And because of the great weather, we ran faster. Sherry and I have it in our heads to be able to run 5 miles in an hour. We're *so close* to it. I'm sure we'll make it before this training season is over.

"The Biggest Loser" started tonight. The contestants had to run a mile for their first challenge. All of them completed it, but one girl had to crawl to the finish line with help from several other contestants. Then, she collapsed and they could not get to her focus on ANYTHING. She was officially out of it. She's OK now.

As I was watching through the tears welling up in my eyes, I was thinking that that could have been me. It WAS me five years ago. I was 287 pounds and could barely walk a mile let alone RUN one. I am so thankful to have had the guts to go to my first Weight Watchers meeting on Feb. 16, 2005, and I'm even more thankful for Googling "5K training" in March 2006.

I've lost 72 pounds and I've run two marathons. I have a long way to go, but I've come a much longer way.

Total mileage: 4.5

How am I going to run 26.2 miles?

2009-09-12T13:21:00.002-04:00

Not that today's run was bad. It wasn't.

Next week, though, I need to hydrate a lot more. I was almost bushed at Mile 8. My body felt OK, but I was run down and lethargic. Not enough fluids. Yep.

Jeff Galloway visited the group today at the store before our 6 a.m. run. Most of the runners in our group attended the Q&A, which was nice. He always has great information to offer.

We slowed down our pace today. We ran an entire minute slower overall than last week's 8 miler. Totally OK. It never hurts us to run slower. Never.

So, Sherry and I are already trying to figure out what our marathon pace should be for Gasparilla. We really want to shoot for a 5:30, which means a 2:45 half marathon. Twice. I know we can get really, really close to this time, especially since it's a fast, flat course. I'm going to Runner's World to find a pace calculator right now. If we break 6 hours, we will be ecstatic. But a time goal of 5:30 is not a far stretch.

Wish us luck.

Total mileage: 9 miles
Total weekly mileage from last week: 16.5

Such a pain in the neck!

2009-09-09T09:19:00.002-04:00

My neck pain, that is.

It's come back. I stopped going to the chiropractor only because he's in Palm Beach Gardens. He was doing the job, but I hated driving down there, leaving work early, coming in late to work, blah, blah, blah. But obviously, it was helping. I've either got to keep going to Dr. Dubarry or find another chiropractor closer to home. Ironically, the pain started coming back while on vacation. I changed my work station at the office to be more ergonomically correct. Gah.

Last night's run was good. It was hot, but I really do think there's a change in the air. Linn noticed it, too. It feels just a little bit less like summer. We ran 4.5 miles in just over an hour, which isn't our fastest 4.5 miles, but it was hot and everyone's legs were feeling like Jello. So kudos to us for pushing through.

Total mileage: 4.5

100 miles

2009-09-07T22:28:00.003-04:00

Saturday's run pushed me over the 100-mile mark. Yay! And I still have 4 and a half months of training to go.

I felt awful today. I was nauseous and headachey all day. My eyes burned. I started to feel better toward the end of the night, but earlier ... OMG. I just slept on the couch, watching bad TV.

My calf feels great. I've had no pain for almost two weeks now. Good thing.

I'll be upping my weekly mileage in about a month. My highest week -- about two weeks before my event -- will peak at about 40 miles. My diet hasn't been the greatest over the past week. I'm going to have to force myself to go to weigh in on Wednesday since I know I'm going to have gained about 3 pounds. But I have to go. When I stop going to meetings and stop making myself accountable is when my weight starts to spiral out of control.

A recent Runner's World article said that you can shave 5:27 off of your marathon time by losing 5 pounds. I've lost 27 pounds since my last marathon, so you do that math. Yet another incentive to keep losing weight.

Total mileage: 8 miles

New local running blog on its way!!

2009-09-02T15:48:00.005-04:00

Hi my lovelies.

Just wanted to give you, my faithful readers, a heads up that my newspaper's Web site, TCPalm.com, will be launching "Treasure Coast Running," an interactive blog that will be spearheaded by three staffers who run: Me, Mike Canan and George Szakacs. It will be online around Sept. 15.

We'll be writing blogs about our own training, obviously, but we'll also be focusing on you, our readers who run or who want to run, by writing stories about the local running community's goings on, posting photos, videos, links to other cool, local running Web sites, polling readers, interviewing health professionals, attending and publishing races and race results, etc. It will be your one-stop shop for all things running. We're really, really excited about it, so when more details become available, I'll let ya'll know.

Last night's run was fun. We contemplated not running the bridges because it looked as though lightning might fry our little heads off, but we took a chance and had one of our best runs in a long time. It still was hot, but there were nice breezes and NO sun. Awesome!! We ran 4.5 miles of bridges in just under an hour. Pretty darn good.

The Galloway group runners are headed out for their longest run yet, 8 miles. My running friends -- as former Gallowayers -- are excited because we're finally getting up to the mileage we're used to running. Cool.

Once we get deeper into training and closer to the Gasparilla Marathon in late February, I'll be posting stuff about the Tampa area and tidbits on running and on that particular marathon like I did for my NYC Marathon blog. Hope you enjoy it.

Total mileage: 4.5

3 miles on 4 hours of sleep

2009-08-31T10:17:00.002-04:00

: yawn :

My 65-pound boxer/American bulldog mix is afraid of thunder. She shakes, pants and walks around on our tile floors during storms. And it doesn't help that she needs her nails clipped. We hear every click, click, click over and over again.

Anyway, I was up at 4 a.m., coddling her, checking Weather Underground and yelling at her to calm down. She finally settled down at 5 a.m., but I was already wide awake. I laid back down for an hour, not really sleeping, and then decided just to get the heck up and run.

I only wanted to try 3 miles this morning to see how my calf felt. Progress! It felt great, and so did I, remarkably. It was so frigging humid, though, and I forgot to leave my glasses at home. They were fogged up within a mile, so they didn't even do their job. Wah.

But all in all ... a great run. Tomorrow we do hill training, so I'm excited to see how I do, seeing as we skipped the bridges last week. I'm sure I'll be fine.

I ate oatmeal with cut-up bananas, cinnamon and little wheat germ after my run. And coffee, of course. It tasted yummy. I also lost 1.2 pounds out there today so I made sure to drink tons of water and will continue to the rest of the week. So, all you Galloway runners take heed: DRINK YOUR WATER AND SPORTS DRINKS THIS WEEK! Your body will thank you Saturday.

Total mileage: 3 miles

Long overdue updates!

2009-08-29T19:50:00.002-04:00

Hi gang!!

I took a few days off from running to try and get my calf feeling better.

It worked!

I ran 4 miles this morning with Colette -- who was running 18 miles!! -- and my calf felt good. I had a little bit of pain, but nothing too bad. I used Biofreeze at Mile 2, which seemed to help.

Today the Galloway group ran its second Magic Mile, and our group kicked butt!! Sherry and Sheryl even shaved almost a minute off of their last MM times with a 9:24 and 9:43, respectively. I'm so proud of them!! I would love to think I would have been right in between them with a 9:30-something. I hope so.

I'm going back to my running schedule starting Monday, but I'm going to take my runs slow to get the calf back to where it was before last Saturday. I do want to time myself in the mile as well. I'm really curious to see how fast I've gotten.

Total mileage: 4 miles

Gerry! I found a Chinese coin!

2009-08-26T07:57:00.003-04:00

Our running friend, Gerry, always finds money on the ground when we run together. It never fails. He usually finds pennies and sometimes quarters, but I've got him beat.

Last night I found a Chinese yuan. Now, Gerry might be better off than me because he can use his money, but mine's cooler.

My calf hurts. As soon as we started to run last night I had pain. The girls told me no bridges, so we ran our Saturday morning route and even ran to Bell South. For what, we're not sure because there was no water station there. We kind of just drifted over there. It's OK. We did 4.85 miles rather than 4.5.

I got home and iced and rolled my calf. It still hurts now. I'm not running Thursday. Plus, I'm designing the annual football tab this week and I don't think I'd be able to run Thursday anyway. Even if I didn't have that to do, rest assured I'd not run anyway.

I'm running with Colette on Saturday during the last 4 miles of her 18 miler, so by that time she'll be exhausted and I won't have to run too fast. Go Colette!! She's running NYC in November and is going to be awesome!!!!

So, other than that lousy calf pain, my body feels great. I'm getting faster and my body feels strong. It would be interesting to see how much faster I've gotten this Saturday when I was supposed to run the Magic Mile with the Galloway group. But, alas, my calf would have prevented me from running fast anyway.

Total mileage: 4.85
Total weekly mileage: 11.85

Nose rings and calf cramps

2009-08-23T09:52:00.003-04:00

That's about the jist of it.

Saturday's run was 7 miles. Everyone did great! Sheryl, Sherry and I haven't heard any complaints from our runners, so we're going to assume they felt as good as they looked, which is what we want!!

Around Mile 5, though, I got this horrendous cramp in my right calf. It was like one of those charlie horses you get while sleeping, but this one didn't go away. The group continued on while I tried to walk it off. We got to the last water stop and it still hurt like hell, so I walked about a quarter mile, and then to catch up with the group, I pushed through the pain and ran until I caught them. It actually felt better to run on it.

The cramp/pain/whatever is still lingering today but it hurts much less. We'll see how it feels tomorrow. If I still have some pain, I'll probably forgo my 3-5 miler and just run Tuesday and Thursday with the girls. I took Tylenol and potassium to try to work out the pain. It helped a bit. Keep your fingers crossed.

Otherwise, I felt really, really great during the run.

Oh!!! Back to the title of this blog ... my nose ring kept flipping around, so while trying to fix it at Mile 3.5, it flew out and it's gone forever. LOL I'll get another tomorrow. Hilarious.

Total mileage: 7

We missed you, Christine!

2009-08-20T20:38:00.002-04:00

Tonight's run was just me, Sherry and Colette because Auntie Tine was in Connecticut with her new nephew, Ryan! Congrats to her and her family!!

While we missed Christine, we still had a nice run. I do think I'm going to let Sheryl and Sherry keep the intervals on Saturday because my new Garmin only records history of my runs, not my overall pace with the intervals. Gah.

It was warm tonight and I thought my body was getting used to the heat. Nah. I don't think that will ever happen. I have to remember to drink more water. Two 20-ounce bottles just don't cut it in this weather.

Positive: I wore a tech top tonight that I haven't ever been able to wear. =)

Total mileage: 4
Total weekly mileage: 17.6

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2009-08-18T21:34:00.002-04:00

And that's an understatement.

But if I wrote in a blog entry about how hot it is in South Florida in the middle of August while training for a marathon ... well, that would be extremely boring.

So, how about writing about the $113 speeding ticket I got while driving home?

Yep. I was clocked doing 63 in a 45 on US 1 in Jensen Beach. Whoopsie.

I was leaving a message for Dad on his cell phone when I "did the deed." The cop pulled up behind, lights flashing, and pulled me over in the Longhorn parking lot. So while everyone was eating garbage fries and rare T-bone steaks, I was getting a speeding ticket. Wah.

It was reduced to 54 in a 45, but that doesn't negate the fact that I'll have points on my license and more than $100 to shell out. I can take an online driving course to prevent the points, which I'll probably do, but I'm still mega-bummed out. Erm.

Our run was great! It was hot as hell, though. Duh. I ran in my new sneaks -- finally!! -- and they felt awesome. (Yeah. I already shelled out $110 this afternoon for my new shoes and now the $113 ticket. So, MAJOR FAIL.)

Total mileage: 4.5

It's getting easier, I tell you.

2009-08-17T10:11:00.002-04:00

Sorry about not posting after Saturday's run. (Not that any of you noticed.)

It was pretty uneventful, actually. I had to linger back with two of our Galloway runners. One had a pretty bad side stitch and the other only got arbout three hours of sleep the night before, so needless to say, they didn't have a good run. It's OK, though. As PGLs we do not leave anyone behind. Ever. Both of them finished the 6 miles and hopefully are feeling better today. I was feeling awesome on Saturday. Figures!! No big deal. This Saturday's 7 miler will be better for everyone.

So, it's getting easier and easier to wake up early and run on Mondays. That is the only day I run alone, which is a good thing. I used to press the snooze bar and, for the next 9 minutes, think of excuses about why I can't or shouldn't run.

I don't do that anymore.

Today I did press the snooze bar but I never once thought of an excuse not to run. I just got up, got dressed, checked the weather -- it said 92 degrees at 6:45 a.m. but I don't believe it -- and was out the door a little before 7. It might not have been 92 degrees but it definitely was 92 percent HUMID. The face of my Garmin was fogged!

My body felt great. The run went fast, too. (I did only run 3 miles.) By the time I got inside and started fiddling with my Garmin -- it's still not giving me final totals of my runs!!! -- the sweat was pouring off of me. I swear. It was as though I was standing under the shower. I weighed myself before and after the run and I had lost 1 pound, so I drank enough water to replenish what I'd lost, put on the coffee and made some Kashi vanilla oatmeal with a banana and cinnamon. Mmmm. I'm trying to eat more oatmeal and less of my Weight Watchers' bagels. They're only 2 points, but I think my body was getting used to them. I'm trying to change it up so I can drop more weight. As things stand right now, I should lose almost 3 pounds this week. We'll see ...

Total mileage: 3.15

Thank you, Weather Goddesses!!

2009-08-13T20:25:00.003-04:00

I was so busy at work today that I didn't have time to obsessively check Weather Underground to see if we were going to get rained on.

Christine, Timmy and I met at our usual Thursday running spot and busted out an easy 4 miles under the threat of rain, cool breezes and NO SUN! It was awesome. The run went so smooth for me. I think all of this running is working! Plus, I had that great homemade wrap for lunch that I made for dinner on Tuesday. It had brown rice, black beans, a little bit of fat-free shredded cheese and veggies. I wrapped it in a whole wheat tortilla. OMG. Instant energy.

Tonight's run was the first one with my new Garmin. Timmy had to help me set it up because it only was recording our walk breaks. Argh. Anyway, we ran 4 miles in 52 minutes.

My body felt really, really great. I could have run another 2 miles. THAT'S how great.

I feel a change a' comin' ...

Total mileage: 4
Weekly mileage: 18.43

YIPPEE!!!

2009-08-12T22:34:00.002-04:00

I got it! I got it!!

Add us to "The Quotable Runner," please.

2009-08-11T20:53:00.007-04:00

"I don't know about this Maureen." -- Sheryl Parker, Aug. 11, 2009

"I think we're trying to kill ourselves." -- Maureen Kenyon, Aug. 11, 2009

So let me set the scene for you.

It's 5:30 p.m. and Sheryl exits her car with a grunt. Well, it wasn't really a grunt -- cuz that sounds nasty -- but more like a moan about how hot it was. "Yeah. I know," I grumbled, my response dripping with disdain.

Little did we know, however, that within the next 58 minutes we'd be trying to break some sort of record ... one made especially for slow runners in South Florida who run outside in mid-August ... ones who try to either a) kill themselves or b) kill themselves.

We began our trek over the new and old Roosevelt Bridges at a fairly decent clip. There was a breeze up there so it wasn't too bad. But once we got off of the new bridge, OMG. It was like we walked into an oven. An oven, I tell you!! We were like Hansel and Gretel -- I was Hansel, of course -- ready to push the witch to her death. (To make ourselves feel better, we kept talking about our running friends who were at the "Torture Track" tonight, running around in circles for an hour doing speed work. Talk about lunacy.)

Now, when you live in Florida, you get used to the heat. Sort of. But when you run in Florida, you never really get used to the heat. At all. In fact, you dread your runs because of it. But since we refuse to run on a treadmill, staring at the wall for an hour, we have to run in the heat.

"Our overall pace is 12:28," Sheryl informs me.

"WHAT?!!?" I yelled.

I know most of you reading this are saying, wow ... what a bunch of slow pokes. And you're right. We are slow pokes. No news there. Usually, however, our overall pace in this kind of heat is around, oh, say ... 14 MINUTES. So we slowed down a bit and ventured on.

We run the same route a lot, so we're constantly picking out landmarks to look for when we're "almost home."

"I see red!" I yelled when we got closer to the "red building," aka Sherry's place of business, aka the Riverview Building.

While I chugged my entire bottle of orange G2, Sheryl announced that we ran 4.52 miles in 58 minutes at a 12:53 pace. For us, that's fast.

It was a really great run -- don't let all of my complaining try to persuade you otherwise -- because deep down inside, Sheryl and I both know we kicked ass and took names. Maybe we ARE getting faster. Maybe all of this running really IS helping. Maybe we WILL break 6 hours in our marathons.

Wait. Maybe? How about definitely.

Total mileage: 4.52

WHERE'S MY GARMIN?!??

2009-08-10T11:56:00.002-04:00

Actually, I only ordered it Thursday night, so it's probably on its way. I hope. (The last time I ordered anything off of eBay it was 1999.) I paid with PayPal and the seller already gave me positive feedback, so hopefully that means he mailed it.

I say all of this because I only expected to run between 3 and 4 miles this morning. However, without my Garmin I have to visit either Map My Run dot com or Favorite Run dot com to figure out the correct mileage. My brain must have not been functioning because I thought the 2-mile turnaround point was further than it actually was.

It wasn't. I ran almost 5 miles.

Again, not a big deal. It's just I was running way late this morning because I set my alarm for 6 a.m. and didn't leave the house until almost 7. (That's usually what happens, though.) But I made it to work by 9:45 -- I'm supposed to be here at 9:30 -- so no worries.

I ran about 4.85 miles in just over an hour, which is great for me. Not having the Garmin is kind of nice because I'm not constantly checking my pace. With my watch, I'm only looking for those intervals. My body felt really good, but I was HOT. The sun was incredibly bright on the way back. And if you guys know me at all, you know I hate wearing a visor or hat during runs. Trust me, I don't need anything else to carry on my body when I run when I have the body I have. But if I make the mistake of running too far again, I should make sure I have water with me. Or money to buy water. Actually, I should do this anyway. We carry water during out night runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so morning runs should be no exception. It is South Florida, after all.

Someone beeped at me at the corner of Bayshore and St. Lucie West Boulevard. It was my Weight Watchers' leader, Judi! Now she knows I don't lie about my running bug. Tee hee.

Total mileage: 4.85 or thereabouts

We have a great group.

2009-08-08T11:24:00.003-04:00

Sheryl and I led the group today. Sherry's out in California on vay-cay -- WOOT! WOOT!

We practically had a brand-spanking new group of runners, except for Paula, whose pace remained the same after the MM, and Nikki, who loves us so much she wanted to stay even though she paced out of our group to a faster one. Gene and Kristin paced out, too, but they weren't here today. I think we'll have about 10 or 12 runners, which is perfect for three PGLs to handle.

Anyway, we ran 5 miles at a bit slower pace than normal. Everyone felt great, though, and wasn't too tired -- just hot and sweaty -- so next week we'll kick it up a notch. Our overall pace was 13:50. It should be between 12:45 and 13:15. But ... it was HOT AS HADES, so factor that in and the fact that if Jeff Galloway himself was with us today, we'd be running TONS slower. I can't even imagine ...

We have no complainers! It's just a really fun bunch of people, who, at least on the outside, seem to trust us and are letting us train them for their half marathons. Once we get up in mileage, they'll appreciate this "slower" pace.

I felt good. Great, actually. I know I could've run faster, and next week I (we) will. Getting in those weekly runs helps TREMENDOUSLY. And now that I'm running three times a week instead of two (and sometimes only one ...), my body knows what to expect on Saturdays. It's wonderful to feel so awesome for once!!

Thanks for a great run, Sheryl, and for the use of Ken's Garmin. Hopefully, my new one will be mailed this week!!

Total mileage: 5

WORST.RUN.EVER

2009-08-06T10:46:00.005-04:00

OK. That's not entirely true. I did start to feel a little energized at Mile 1.5, but when I first stepped foot out the door ... MEH x 4,000.

Weigh in yesterday was good. I lost 1.2 pounds, bringing my grand total to -72.6 since February 2005 and -25.8 since Christmas when I rejoined. Woot. But I must have eaten way too much sodium yesterday because this morning I was 5 POUNDS HEAVIER than yesterday.

And I felt like it, too.

My face was puffy and I looked like I'd been sleeping for a few days. "Crap," I grunted. "I have to run this morning." (Usually we run at night on Thursdays but since two gals in our running group weren't going to be there, and I had to reschedule my chiropractor appointment for tonight, Christine and I opted to run on our own. Well, I decided, really.)

Anyway, I got my running gear on and headed out the door. I did it reluctantly, but I did it. (See? I told you I wouldn't miss a run.)

The first 1.5 were horrendous. And remember that my Garmin took a nose dive on Monday, so I'm running with a sports watch that doesn't calculate pace, so I know I was going slow. And I'm already slow, so just imagine how slow I was this morning. At that point I didn't care. I just wanted to get it over with.

I perked up a bit about halfway through and actually ran faster, I guess. Who knows. But I felt better, and that's what matters. Right? Thanks.

I got home around 40 minutes later, so I think I got in about 3.5 miles. I ran up a few extra streets today along my regular route, so there's that. I guess it wasn't the WORST.RUN.EVER. after all.

Positive: If I ran today after feeling like ass when I woke up, then I have NO excuse not to miss a run. Ever. Go me.

Total mileage: 3.5
Total weekly mileage: 15.15

Oh. And if you haven't noticed, I'm ending my weekly runs on Thursday and starting them Saturday with the long run. It's weird, but I'm getting in my mileage. Kthnxbye.

Watch out for debris!!

2009-08-04T20:41:00.002-04:00

When I logged onto my Yahoo! account tonight, I had an e-mail from my fellow PGL, Sheryl, who I'd just run with. She had forwarded an e-mail from another PGL, Andy, warning his group about the dangers of "tailgating" while running. Apparently, Andy tripped over a piece of metal on the Roosevelt Bridge on Monday. He has no broken bones -- thank goodness -- but does have bruised ribs. He can't run for a few days and needs rest. When people run in groups, they tend to run close to one another because they're talking, trying to keep pace, whatever. But what also happens is runners in the back cannot see possible obstacles in front of them. So, fellow runners, spread out!! Andy ... get better soon!!

Oh, and that piece of metal ... the five of us ran over it tonight. Luckily, we avoided any injuries, but the piece of metal was big enough for us to comment on how big it was!!

Tonight's run was hot. My legs felt heavy during our second jaunt up the Roosevelt. Like, really heavy. I'm blaming the weather. I had no lower back pain today. I think the pain yesterday just was a result of the way I had slept. Overall, I felt good, strong.

According to Sheryl, we ran 4.52 miles in 1:01:04. Our average pace was 13:30, which includes our walk breaks. We burned 550 calories. My Garmin is dead so she e-mailed me our stats. THANKS SHERYL!!!

Total mileage: 4.52

The Garmin is dead.

2009-08-03T10:08:00.002-04:00

I think I ran 3.14 miles this morning. I know for a fact that I had no idea how fast I was going.

The Garmin is dead. As soon as I turn it on, it goes off again. It's done weird things before but never anything like this. So I grabbed my trusty Timex Ironman and headed out the door.

I thought it was a good idea just to run the same route I ran last Monday since I had no idea how many miles any other route would be. I could have looked up a route at Map My Run, but I already was running late. Just get your butt out there and run sans technological gadgets. That's what they did in the old days!

My lower back was bothering me today. I'm not sure why. Maybe I slept wrong? Probably. I did a lot of reading this weekend while laying on the couch. Maybe it was that? Who knows. It feels fine now, but it was aching during my run. Nothing major, though.

It was hot out there. It's supposed to be in the 100s today with the humidity factored in. Glad I got out there this morning!

Overall, though, I felt good. Linn and I have been trying to get to bed before 11 p.m. and I think that's helping. Shiiiit ... we were in bed at 9:45 on Saturday night! Losers!!

I'm not sure what to do about the Garmin. It might be cheaper just to buy a new one. They're not bad on Amazon ... about $140 or so. I could try to send it back to Garmin and have them try to fix it, but who knows how long it will last after that. Sherry and Sheryl have Garmins for the Galloway runs on Saturday, but you guys know me ... I love my gadgets and feel WEIRD running without them. Hrmph. I'll let you know what I decide.

Total mileage: 3.14 (I think.)

A milestone in the mile

2009-08-01T16:00:00.006-04:00

It's been a great start to the marathon season after all.

Today we ran the Magic Mile. We run a mile at full speed and then there's some calculation involved -- only a select few know it!! ;) -- that determines what pace group we should be in. It also calculates our marathon finishing time. I don't know how it works, but it works.

Anyway, that was today. Our group was a little anxious about it because most of them liked our group and wanted to stay in it. They were worried they'd be too slow for it. Well, they weren't. All but two of the runners in our group ran faster than Sherry, Sheryl and myself. Wow! We are so proud of them!! Janet will do the calculations and tell us early next week who's in what pace group.

Me? I shaved 46 seconds off of my mile time from a month ago!! I ran a 10:12. I'm very happy because that means I could possibly break the 10-minute mile when we run it again in a month. I hope!! Sherry ran a 10:01 and Sheryl ran a 10:21. You can't get much closer than that. I told you we were made to be PGLs together. =)

It felt good to haul ass for a mile. I rarely run 5Ks because I'm a long-distance runner not a fast runner, so doing a fast mile once in a while is nice. My body felt good, if not worn out. I ran 18.64 miles last week, the longest week of miles I've run in a long, long time. I've got to learn to take naps. Taking a nap after an 18 miler is a given. But I also have to remember that accumulating lots of weekly mileage is tiring, too. I've never truly adhered to a specific running plan like I am now. So, napping = GOOD. (That's hard to do when there's movies on cable like "Alien" and "There Will Be Blood," though.)

I'll post an entry about running while on Weight Watchers soon. It might take me a few weeks to get my body used to all of this running because right now, I'm not losing. I'm staying the same, but it's frustrating. More on that later.

Total mileage: 4.37

Thursday night run

2009-07-30T21:02:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what state Sherry, Christine and I were in tonight but I don't think it was Florida.

It rained earlier -- duh -- and it cooled it off a bit. But I didn't realize HOW MUCH. Christine mentioned at around Mile 3 how cool it felt and that there actually was a breeze. It really was a great run.

We met at 6 and headed out for 5 miles. We totally took advantage of the "cooler" weather to get in 5 ... usually it's too darn hot and humid. But not tonight!!

Again I felt good. We all carried water, and I really think that helps, even though it's sort of annoying. Had G2 and water on ice for after the run. SO refreshing.

And now I'm exhausted, and it's only Week 1. I gather I'll feel this way for the next 23 weeks. And that's how I know I'm training the right way.

Total mileage: 5
Week 1 mileage: 18.64

Tuesday night run

2009-07-28T20:32:00.003-04:00

You know? I have a feeling that this marathon training season is going to be awesome.

Tonight, the five girls -- Sherry, Sheryl, Christine, Colette and myself -- met at the "red building" where Sherry works and ran twice the new Roosevelt Bridge as well as the old Roosevelt Bridge. It rained HARD earlier in the day, which I thought would make our night run a lot worse. It didn't. There was a beautiful breeze on the top of the bridge and the heat and humidity were tolerable. Sure, we were drenched in sweat, but we've run in worse conditions.

My body felt great ... even better than yesterday. I only can remember once or twice during the run NOT wanting to be there. Trust me. That's nothing. I'm usually dreading the entire run. OK. There. I said it. =)

I hate carrying water with me on a run. I'm used to having it out on the route already. Thanks Al and Susan! But since it's so warm, we all carry it now. I also packed my cooler with ice and another water and G2 for after the run. That will become commonplace. It's awesome to have ice-cold beverages after a hot, sweaty run.

So, overall ... a wonderful run. I'm so psyched to be running with these ladies. Our runs go so much faster because we're gabbing and laughing like a bunch of gossiping old ladies. It's awesome! I never thought I'd enjoy running with a group. But this group's different.

Thanks ladies.

Total mileage: 4.5

Morning run

2009-07-27T10:24:00.005-04:00

It's a helluva lot different running in the morning than at night.

My training partners and I will be running twice during the week at night. We all hate it, but we need to do it. Running in a group holds you accountable and makes you get out there and get in your runs.

But running at 6 a.m.-something when the sun's still coming up and not beating down on you is heavenly. Sure, it's still hot and humid but without the sun's constant pounding, it's a little more ... comfortable?

Linn had to wake up early today, too, so as soon as I heard her shuffling around, I got my butt out of bed. We went to bed later than we wanted to last night so I thought waking up early would be difficult. Nope. I actually felt rested. Somewhat.
I got dressed, brushed my teeth and decided not to eat anything. I only was running 4 miles anyway. I put on my Garmin and iPod shuffle and headed out the door.

I usually run along Crosstown Parkway, which, for the non-local people out there, is a tree-lined road that only opened a few months ago. It used to be a house-lined street called West Virginia Avenue -- which is hilarious considering I went to school in West Virginia, lived there for seven years and also lived on West Virginia Avenue in Martinsburg -- but was ripped apart years ago so it could be extended to I-95. Anyway, it's a nice road but it's boring.

Today I ran the neighborhood instead. I couldn't remember my old route so I guesstimated that Heather to Prado to Byron to Lakehurst to Latner to Eyerly and back to Heather was about 4 miles. It was 3.14. No big deal.

Starting out I felt good and I felt strong. I tried to take it a little faster than normal, but then I had to stop to dump a HUGE rock out of my shoe. After that, I couldn't get that original feeling back because -- get this -- I re-tied my shoe too tight. Hilarious, I know. I finished in less than 40 minutes, which is fine with me. I was dripping with sweat when I walked in the door to Christi, who obviously thought I was leaving for work because she a) wouldn't stop jumping on my sweaty ass, b) bringing me toys and c) licking the sweat off of my legs. Nice.

I lost .8 pounds on the run, which is nothing, really, since normally I lose between 1 and 4 pounds, so I drank 8 ounces of water, made my coffee and ate my Cheerios with blueberries and a banana.

Overall ... a great run. It was great mostly because I actually woke up to do it. I told you I was serious this time. =)

Total mileage: 3.14

Training schedule

2009-07-25T15:29:00.002-04:00

MONDAY
3-5 miles

TUESDAY
4-5 miles

WEDNESDAY
Rest

THURSDAY
4-5 miles

FRIDAY
Rest

SATURDAY
Long runs

SUNDAY
Walk or very slow 2 miles

My Saturday long runs will be:
4
5
6
7
5
8
9
5
11
5
12
5
13.1 (Martin County Half Marathon)
5
15
5
17
5
13.1 (Palm Beach Half Marathon plus 6 miles)
6
20
8
8
23
8
8
26
10
Fleet Feet 5K (plus 3-5 miles)
8
Gasparilla Marathon!!

First day of training

2009-07-25T14:35:00.003-04:00

: yawns :

I just woke up from a VERY short nap. It was clouding up when I laid down at 1:30. At 2 when the thunder clapped, that was it. Christi was up, walking around, panting and knocking her snout into anything that moved. Argh. She's surprisingly OK right now even though it's raining and thundering LOUD. And no shaking! She is getting old. =(

Training for the marathon officially began this morning, and our group was great! We had six runners with us for the 3 miles. Our overall pace was 12:54, including our walk breaks, so our runs were between 10 and 10:45, which is right in the middle of our range of 12:45-13:15, but it still seemed a bit fast for a few of our runners. Everyone finished strong, but we don't want them to think all of the runs will be that way. We still have to work out the kinks of the program since we haven't run the infamous Magic Mile yet. Next week after we run it, we'll have a better idea of which pace everyone runs. I have no idea HOW it works, but it does work.

As for me, I felt good. Sheryl, Sherry and I ran 3 miles at 5 a.m. before our scheduled run. It was very warm and very humid. By the time we got back at 5:45 for the regular run, we looked like we had run 10 miles. I felt strong, if not a little lethargic from the heat. My left arm was killing me because of that darn tetanus shot I got Thursday. Other than that, the feet felt good as did the rest of my body. No pains, no tenderness, nothing! It's a good start to the training season.

Total mileage: 6

Galloway Kickoff 2009

2009-07-21T11:05:00.002-04:00

So we had a great kickoff on Saturday! Sherry and I signed up lots and lots of new runners as well as lots of alumni. Signing up alumni made us feel really good since last year was our first time as PGLs. That means they like us! They really like us!!

Our official OFFICIAL training starts Saturday. I kind of thought it started at the kickoff, but yeah ... nope. And since we're only slated to run 2 to 3 miles this Saturday, a few of us are showing up early to get in 3 or 4 before the 2 or 3. We've kept up our base since last training season of between 8 and 12 miles on Saturday so running just 3 miles wouldn't be worth getting up at 5 a.m. for. Right? Right.

I'm really excited for this season. I've already sent out the obligatory first e-mail to our group, which most likely will change after the first Magic Mile on Aug. 1, and everyone seems very enthusiastic. I'm looking forward to being a PGL with Sherry and Sheryl. They're great ladies and I think we make a great team. We're awesome!!

So keep coming back. They'll be a lot more updates now. And I'll post my training schedule next week. I'll be sticking to that plan like Buddy stuck to that player from Linton. I'll let you know what flavor it was in a few months. (Anyone? "Hoosiers" reference? Anyone?) I've lost you.

See you on the road.

One week to go!

2009-07-13T14:17:00.007-04:00

Linn and I just got back from a four-day trip to Key West. We had a great time -- ate lots of wonderful food, drank lots of yummy drinks, relaxed by the pool, hit the beach, met some really awesome people -- but now we're home and I'm revving up to begin a six-month training plan Saturday for the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa in February.

The Galloway meeting at Fleet Feet kicks off our training season for all the runners who want to train for a half or full marathon. I'm going to be a pace group leader again, along with my running friends, Sherry and Sheryl. We'll be a great team, and I'm excited to lead a group with those ladies.

I'm very excited this time around for multiple reasons:
+ I hope to PR in a big way (We're shooting for under 6 hours).
+ I'm running Gasparilla with great friends that I trust wholeheartedly, which makes the training and the subsequent race even more enjoyable.
+ I'm super-ready to take my training to a whole new level. I will not miss a run and I will run the mileage I'm supposed to run. I'll probably add speed work to one of my weekly runs, too.
+ I've lost more than 25 pounds since Christmas, so I can't wait to see how my body reacts to it.

I'll be updating more as we start training. This entry's just a reminder to you to keep coming back and keep reading.

The countdown is on.

I'll eat my words ...

2009-06-22T16:34:00.004-04:00

But it's over, and I'm never, EVER running another marathon again. EVER. -- Maureen Kenyon on Oct. 27, 2008, while sitting in a hotel room in Crystal City, Va., after waking up to a right calf that was so swollen and black and blue that she couldn't walk.

That was the day after I had run the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon in a not-so-stellar performance of 6:26:06.

I was hurting.

A lot.

But this season -- marathon season, that is -- I was coaxed into running another marathon.

Now before you start yelling at me through your computer screen, hear me out.

+ I've dropped 25 pounds since my last marathon, and I plan on dropping at least 10 to 20 more before this one.

+ Said marathon isn't until Feb. 28, 2010, so long training runs won't be until November, December and January.

+ It will be the 10th and final running of Tampa's Gasparilla Marathon, so I kind of, sort of HAVE to run it.

Right?

Oh c'mon. You know you want to see me suffer for the THIRD time.

Formal training begins July 18, even though I never stopped running. I'm starting off with very low mileage, and I'm taking about two more months to train since I'm also training a group of "newbie" runners with my co-leaders, Sherry and Sheryl.

So after having sworn off running a full marathon EVER again, here I am running a full marathon. Again.

And I'm totally excited.

Please check back here for updates, photos and words of wisdom.

Another long run in the bank

2008-09-20T19:46:00.004-04:00

Well, my ankle hung in there and I completed 22 miles today. Yay!

I felt pretty good up until Mile 18 when I slowed down a lot. I pushed through, though, and actually got really emotional at Mile 20. Like, I started crying. I calmed down a bit with a little walk, composed myself and trudged on. Yes. I actually trudged. :)

I was up at 2 a.m., on the road at 2:30 to stash water and Accelerade and running at 3:42. We spent too much time at our water stops, which added almost 30 minutes to our total run so I think I have a chance at "beating the bridge." I'd better! They're going to have to DRAG me off that course!!

Grammy and Grandpa were here this weekend and took me for pasta Friday night and today we had a very nice brunch. They look great. Seeing them, especially Grandpa, re-affirmed my quest to kick the Marine Corps Marathon's butt!! <3

A much-needed update

2008-09-09T13:15:00.004-04:00

I haven't been updating.

BAD! BAD!

I'm up to 20 miles. I have a 22-mile run Sept. 20 and then a 24-mile run Oct. 4 and then ... THAT'S IT.

It's almost here and I can't believe it.

A week and a half ago I sprained my left ankle, badly enough that I had to take a week off. I iced and elevated, and it seemed to feel better by the following Saturday. I ran 4 miles Saturday and it didn't hurt, per se, but it was there. Ya know?

I ran 4 this morning and I'll run 4 or 5 tomorrow and 10 on Saturday, so I think all's well. I still don't think I've been putting in enough miles. We'll see on Oct. 26, won't we?

I'm very excited to see Megan and to RUN with Megan. I think we're going to run a short, little 2 miler the day before the marathon. I hope she picks Rock Creek Park or the National Mall to do it in! Megan, on the other hand, has been a training fool and is easily going to run a 4:45 or better. Me? I'm hoping to make 6 hours. (Or better.)

To those of you who still visit here, I'm sorry I haven't been updating. Work's been NUTS and well, I'm pretty much doing the same thing I did for the NYC Marathon so updates would be rather redundant. But thanks for checking in.

Another week down!

2008-08-04T11:38:00.002-04:00

Guess I should update this thing, huh? (I'm sure no one's reading it anyway.)

Timmy and I ran 18 miles Saturday, our longest run this season. It went well! Besides being really tired and hot, my body got out of it relatively unscathed. My feet and legs swelled up a bit Sunday, but other than that, my body felt good, if not a little sore.

I do need new shoes, though. I have close to 300 miles on mine now and since I'm a big runner, I should think about getting new ones. But Brooks Day -- my brand of shoes -- at Fleet Feet isn't until the end of the month and I need shoes now. (We do only get 10 percent off, which is better than nothing, but not that much ...) Plus, the MCM isn't until late October so I might need another pair by then. What to do, what to do ...

This weekend we only have 10. Yippee! We'll take out the Gallowayers for 4 and then run 6 more. It'll be a nice, easy run. I'll be sure to get in runs tomorrow and Wednesday and do some sort of cross training Thursday or Friday. Walking has become my friend.

Galloway Kick-off

2008-07-21T12:57:00.003-04:00

There was a good turnout for the Galloway kick-off on Saturday. Timmy, Jackie and I ran our mileage before the meeting and then took out the newbies for their first taste of how Galloway works. It's always great to see their reaction to: "You just ran 2 miles!" when they've never run even a mile in their life. It's very rewarding, and it's awesome to be able to share with others what got me through my first marathon.

I'm going to be a co-leader with Timmy and Sherry. There'll be some finagling for the next few weeks until everyone has their own pace group. And, of course, when Timmy and I have high mileage long runs (18, 20, 22 and 24 remain) we will not be leading a group. That's why Janet decided to use co-leaders. Not everyone will be able to be there EVERY Saturday. (Well, I always am, but others might not be.) It should work out fine and will not interfere with our training.

Runs are getting easier and easier, which is good. Getting out there to run just 8 or 10 miles doesn't affect me much anymore. Now I can concentrate on eating right and getting enough rest for our remaining longer runs.

It's getting closer ...

2008-07-18T16:38:00.002-04:00

We're down to double-digit days, ladies and gentlemen. Yep. There's just 99 more days until the MCM. I'm excited!

Tomorrow is the Galloway kick off so we're only running 6 miles. What??!! I don't know if I can handle that for my LONG run. Anyway, tomorrow is all about the new runners who want to train for a half or full. It'll be great to see their bright, shining faces and then watch them scowl and cry during Week 14. AHAHAHAHA! Just kidding!

Seriously, it's awesome to watch someone cross the finish line who's never done it before. I can't wait to experience that with our new runners.

Cool weather!

2008-07-17T08:01:00.003-04:00

When wonderful opportunities present themselves, you jump on them.

Last night's was the amazing running weather that graced South Florida. It rained all day and I thought for sure it would cause sweltering humidity. Nope. There were cool breezes -- yes, COOL! -- and overcast skies. It was amazing! Now hopefully the timing of this weather will present itself on long runs. That would rule.

MCM Goodie #1

2008-07-14T10:11:00.002-04:00

I enjoyed posting Marathon Goodies last time so I'm going to start that up again. K?

The New York City Marathon site kicks butt. The Marine Corps Marathon site ... not so much. It's a little difficult to navigate, but it's getting there. It's being updated almost weekly now, and once we get closer to race day, I'm sure it'll be jammed packed with all sorts of cool stuff. But click on the link anyway to read about the MCM's 33-year history.

Long-run Saturday

2008-07-14T09:58:00.004-04:00

So I haven't really be updating this blog as often as I did last time around. And I should remedy that, shouldn't it? This marathon is just as important -- or more -- to me so I need to keep this thing fresh.

First off, I wanted to direct your eyes to my Links section. I just added two more blogs to it that I think you should read. Well, only if you want to. My friends, Brian and Stephanie, both are blogging now. They moved to South Dakota last year and also are newlyweds. Stephanie's from South Dakota and Brian's from Florida but they both live in the Black Hills state now. They're cool. Read 'em!

Now back to me.

Timmy and I ran 16 miles this Saturday. Again, I felt great, if not tired and hot. The sun was cooperative for most of the run, even during our dreaded 2 miles down Pine Lake where there virtually is no shade. Timmy struggled, but just bit. He thinks he didn't eat enough to fuel his run the day before. He graciously thanked me for "getting him through the run," but as far as I'm concerned, I owe him a few weeks of that. He's gotten me through most of our long runs so far this training period. Team work!

So yeah ... no pain to complain about this time around. Sorry! ;) I felt good yesterday. I was exhausted, though. I didn't get to nap Saturday because we had a big thunderstorm and my dog was going crazy. Up, down, up, down on the bed, panting, whining, etc. So I just lounged on the couch watching "Real World" re-runs. Ha. Mindless TV helps in recovering, I've found.

Now we have two weeks of "down weeks" until long runs. That holds true until race day on Oct. 26, which is 15 weeks away from yesterday. It's going fast, ya'll!

Long-run Saturday

2008-07-06T09:25:00.003-04:00

Saturday's conditions were almost ideal for a run in South Florida. Well, it was a big too hot and a bit too humid but there was a nice breeze. Does that count?

All these things together made for an awesome 10 miler. I had no hammie pain and no stomach churnings. Yay! Maybe I've nipped that stomach thing in the bud. Hopefully.

Our first 5 miles were pretty uneventful. As a matter of fact, so were the last five. At Mile 8 we met Sharon, a woman who was on Mile 10 of 12 and who recently started running again after a stress fracture in her PELVIS?? How does that happen? Anyway, she was doing Galloway 4:1s but dropped to 3:1s with us for the home stretch. She caught herself several times going faster than 12-minute miles -- which her doctor told her not to do -- so she ran in with us at 12:30. We all finished strong and felt really good, if not hot and tired.

Hopefully, Bertha will stay away from Florida because if she decides to stay on a westerly path, Maureen and Timmy might be running 16 miles in ferocious head winds. ;)

TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 17

Rainy run

2008-07-02T21:02:00.002-04:00

The hammie feels OK. I could tell it was there -- it was more of a knot, though, not a stabbing pain -- so I'm going to keep stretching. I guess it really helped.

Timmy and I were going to run the bridge tonight except that there were massive amounts of lightning. We did a really fast 3 miles from the store instead. We have four months to run bridges so I think missing tonight's was all right.

We both felt great. It was very overcast, and I think that helped us run better. In fact, it was drizzling for most of the run. I hope tonight's weather -- minus about 30 degrees give or take -- is reminiscent of the weather on Oct. 26.

Long-run Saturday

2008-06-28T12:24:00.002-04:00

Lesson No. 1: No matter how much Body Glide you put on, you always could use more.

I stepped into the shower and OW. Yeah. So whenever you think you put on enough Body Glide, put on more.

Lesson No. 2: No matter how much you think you can't push through something, push through.

Timmy and I were scheduled to run 14 miles this morning. We ended up doing 13 because at Mile 7, my left hamstring decided to stab me every time I put down my foot. We walked some. We stretched some. We ran some. We walked more. At one point I wanted to give up. Timmy told me that we can walk as much as I needed to. We kept running our 3:1s at a super-slow pace, but we kept going. We walked some during the last mile but overall, we ran our ratios. We made it back to the store having run only 1 less mile than we were scheduled to do. Not too shabby.

Lesson No. 3: Brown rice rules.

I will keep eating brown rice a few days before my long runs. It works! I didn't have any stomach pains nor did I have any other pains. Well, except for my freaking hamstring. And that's what pissed me off the most about today. I was feeling GREAT and then something had to start hurting that never hurt before. Typical.

Now. I nap.

TOTAL MILES THIS WEEK: 16

18 weeks until race day

2008-06-23T10:42:00.003-04:00

And no, I will not be counting down with a post every day until that time. ;)

But yes ... today is the official start of many marathoners four-month training plan. Some people train for six months, some for five and some never stop training.

Timmy and I have a 14 miler this Saturday, more than halfway to our full 26.2.

Good luck!

Long-run Saturday

2008-06-22T09:15:00.002-04:00

I have good news to report: Yesterday's 10 miler was the best long run I've had in a month! Yay!

Timmy and the rest of my running group were out of town and we were supposed to run 14 miles. However, we decided that 10 would be fine and then we'd do 14 next Saturday when the entire group was back. I'm so used to running and getting through runs with other people that 14 alone would have been tough.

I made sure to eat right all week: lots of brown rice, protein and veggies. I did stop the salad on Thursday. (I also lost 8 pounds in a week because of the healthy eating. Now I've just got to continue that!) I started off pretty fast, which is OK, I guess, but I slowed down a lot by Mile 6. Again, totally OK. I'm trying to get in the mileage. I walked through a couple of my runs after my walks, which is again, OK! I ran the 10 miles faster than I have in the past with my group, which made me very happy.

I feel good today. I ate really well yesterday even though Linn wasn't here all day. (She's working a 12-hour case today, too, and when she's gone, I usually don't eat very healthy.) I had very limited pain during my run and hardly any today.

Maybe I have the hang of this after all. ;)

TOTAL MILEAGE THIS WEEK: 17 miles

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2008-06-17T19:39:00.003-04:00

I fear that I might melt before I get to run around Washington, D.C.

It already was in the high 80s at 6:45 a.m. when I headed out the door for a quick 4-mile run. I kept joking with Megan today that I think my leg might've melted off and formed a flesh puddle. For serious!

Waking up at 5 a.m. might not be a bad idea during the week to get in these short runs. The humidity is a bit lower and the sun's not out.

Wow. That's early.

A better long run

2008-06-16T10:18:00.002-04:00

So after not running at all last week, my running partners and I decided that 8 miles would be plenty on Saturday.

And it was.

I felt a lot better this time around but still had to make a bathroom stop. I don't know what I'm eating or not eating that's making me feel so cruddy. I've got to figure that out.

Timmy's in Texas this week so I'll be on my own for most of the week. I'm going to run tomorrow morning and Wednesday night. I might even run a short 3-miler Friday morning. I know I'm not supposed to run the day before a long run but if it's short and slow, it should be OK.

I'm supposed to get in 14 miles this Saturday. And while running alone for 14 miles seems soothing and relaxing, I think it's going to be torturous. So Timmy and I decided that 10 will be enough this weekend and then we he returns, we'll do 14 together. I'm for that.

My eating plan has gone out the window. I'm back on track today, but it's really, really depressing to notice your clothes are tight again. Granted, I ate badly this weekend because of a party and Father's Day, but there's really no excuse not to stay on program. I'm back to it.

THIS WEEK'S MILEAGE: 8 miles LOL

Long-run Saturday

2008-06-07T11:09:00.004-04:00

When you're training for a marathon, you're not going to have a great long run EVERY week. In fact, it's normal sometimes to have a bad one.

Mine was this morning.

Although I thought mine was last Saturday. Ha.

Several factors contributed to this morning's cruddy 12-mile run, namely the heat and humidity, lack of sleep and stomach issues, which were caused by my decision to eat two bowls of salad with my chicken and baked potato last night.

So. The heat. I know it's cooler here today than it is in, say, New York or D.C., but that doesn't mean it's still not hot. We're getting an early summer this year. We started our run at 5:40 a.m., 20 minutes earlier than normal, to avoid so much of the sun. It worked for a little bit but by Mile 9 or so, I was about done.

I got to bed at 10:45 last night and was sleeping soundly at 11. I didn't even hear Linn and Christi come to bed. But I still need to try to get to bed by 10 when I wake up at 4 a.m. Once we hit higher mileage, like 18, 20, etc., seeing my pillow at 8:30 won't be a surprise.

When we make pasta here, I usually eat too much of it. So instead of pasta the night before a run, I eat protein, usually chicken or pork, a baked potato and some sort of veggie. But last night I ate two huge bowls of salad, which I think is the main reason I had slight stomach issues. I'll have to pick a better veggie next time. :)

So yeah ... my run today wasn't the best. With Timmy and Sherry's help, though, I got through it. But it makes me wonder how I'm going to feel in a month or two when we're really ramping it up.

I'm going to nap today. I haven't been doing that lately. I know it'll make me feel better.

THIS WEEK'S MILEAGE: 20 miles

Bridge work

2008-06-05T10:17:00.002-04:00

Timmy and I have been running the Roosevelt Bridge here in Stuart -- the only way to do "hill work" in South Florida -- for about three weeks. And it's becoming easier each week, which is an awesome feeling. Once we get bored with it we'll run over an even higher bridge, the Jensen Beach Causeway Bridge. That should get us fully prepared for MCM's hills.

When I ran NYC last year, there were five bridges. However, the first bridge, the Verrazano Narrows from Staten Island to Brooklyn, is Mile 1 and 2 of the marathon so you're pumped up and not tired. The second bridge wasn't too bad into Queens from Brooklyn, and the Queensboro, which runs from Queens to Manhattan, is pretty tough. But again, I wasn't running that marathon with a time goal in mind. I was running it for the experience and just to finish.

At the MCM, the first 3 miles or so are uphill, from 0 feet to 250 feet. Running hills like that are a lot different than running bridges. Trust me. Plus, I have a time goal AND I have to "beat the bridge," which means Timmy and I have about four and a half hours to get to a certain spot before they shove us in the sweeper van. Everyone I know says I will have no problem getting there on time. Still, it's in the back of my mind.

So we decided to ramp up our training to include speed work at the track on Tuesdays and bridge runs on Wednesdays. (I still need to sign up for track again, but it's now $58 for two sessions that run until December.)

Timmy's convinced we'll do a lot better than he did in 2005 with a 6:10. I hope so!

Oh. Linn and I got our hotel room for a very, very good rate! Well under $100 and it's a stones throw from National Airport. Now I just have to book our flight. I'm seeing nothing less than $194, which isn't too bad. It's a direct flight from West Palm Beach to National.

Run for the Pineapple 5K

2008-05-26T11:51:00.002-04:00

So after a weekend of bad eating and a little too much drinking, I ran the 17th annual Run for the Pineapple this morning.

Normally, my excuses for running so terrible would be that it was too HOT and HUMID. Well, I couldn't use those because we had ideal conditions for a run. It could have been a wee bit cooler, but of the three of these that I've run, this year's was by far the best.

However, my time didn't reflect that. But it's OK. I ran the whole thing, walking only to sip water at the two water stops. I finished in 37:20-something, I think, which is 1 minute slower than my time from two years ago, my first 5K. But since then, I've gained 30 pounds -- UGH -- and ran Galloway, which I think worsens your 5K time.

My main reason for running it was because it's the anniversary of my first race. But another reason is because my co-worker, George, started running this year and it was his first race. He finished in 30 minutes, which is awesome for his first race. I'm very, very proud of him and I think he wants to run a half marathon. Yay! Another runner! My other co-worker, Mike, PR'd and took 1st place in his age group, 25-29. He said it was the fastest 5K he's run since moving to Florida. Yay Mike!

As for me, I felt great the entire run, and in the end, that's what's important. Right? I really thought I'd get in te 36-minute range but it's OK. The track workouts have been helping my cardiovascular, obviously, and my pacing was spot-on as usual.

It was a great run. :)

Whoopsie.

2008-05-25T17:24:00.002-04:00

So I've started training for the MCM. Well, technically I didn't stop running after the NYC Marathon. I tried to keep up a long run every Saturday of at least 8 miles ... and I did most weekends ... but now I'm actually training again.

Except I didn't run 10 miles this weekend. No biggie. Linn had a PI conference in Orlando and I promised myself that I'd get in at least 8 miles, but we were up until almost 3 a.m. Friday so yeah ... no run Saturday. And I wasn't about to run 10 miles on the fitness center treadmill. International Drive is only so long, too. Ah well.

I'm running the Run for the Pineapple 5K tomorrow morning. Then I have track Tuesday and bridges Wednesday and then 10 miles Saturday. I'll be fine. I'll also be updating this more now; it should be a few times a week. So please ... keep reading and commenting!!

Marine Corps Marathon

2008-05-05T12:55:00.005-04:00

Yep. I did it again.

Well, not just yet but Oct. 26.

I've registered for my second marathon, and apparently it's going to be a family affair. My cousin, Bobby, is running it, too! He is a Marine, like the rest of my immediate family, so like me, he's kinda, sorta a shoe-in to run this. (And my friends, Megan, who recently moved to the District, is registered, and Timmy.)

I'll be updating this blog again regularly starting in June. I'm not sure yet if I'll be joining a Galloway group since the Fleet Feet-run one doesn't start until Aug. 1 and I'll be months into training by then. I'll probably continue using Galloway's plan but also incorporate another -- maybe Hal Higdon's Novice I -- which is a four-month program. I haven't stopped running since New York City, but I just haven't been "training." I'm running between 16 and 20 miles a week. Give or take.

Anyway, check back here periodically for updates about my second run at greatness. Haha.

I'm baaaack!

2007-11-27T13:35:00.000-05:00

Testing ... 1, 2, 3.

: wipes dust off blog ::

Hi there! Long time, no blog, eh?

I'm still running. In fact, I'm running the Palm Beach half marathon this Sunday. I'm not trying for a PR or anything, but running it in under 3 hours would make me very happy.

I'm deciding whether or not I want to run the Disney half (I'd have to run for a charity, which is OK) and the Breast Cancer half in Jacksonville. The latter seems more plausible since hopefully I can stay with a friend ... for free. Of course, he doesn't know that yet. :)

So yes ... I'm still running. I need to up mileage soon, though, so I can continue getting off this last bit of weight. I started back to Weight Watchers last week; my weigh-ins are Wednesday mornings. Wish me luck!

NYC Marathon picture post

2007-11-16T18:06:00.000-05:00

This post is dedicated to Uncle Bob and others who haven't yet seen some of my marathon photos. They're not that great, but they're something.

Me and Kathy at the Expo.

Waiting in the corrals on race morning

And we're off!!

Self portrait on the Verrazano

Waving to my family at around Mile 18.5

Finisher! About hour after running a 6:23:14.

Dad, biting my medal

Mike, Jenn, me, Linn, Dad, Heidi and Megan on Central Park West

Enjoying dinner at Carmine's

My NYC Marathon Adventure

2007-11-14T17:42:00.000-05:00

I know some of you have been waiting to hear this. So here it is, in writing, one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far.

STATEN ISLAND
MILES 1 and 2
Kathy and I woke up at 5 a.m. at her friend's home about 8 miles from the start on Staten Island. If we opted to take the marathon shuttle buses we would have had to wake up at about 3 a.m., get a cab or take the subway, get a bus, wait more than an hour or more on the bus, I'm sure, and then get to Staten Island with about four hours before race time. No thanks!!

This way we woke and took our time to get ready. We watched the news and EPSN for coverage of the marathon, ate Staten Island bagels -- YUMMERS!! -- and had some coffee. I started to get dressed at about 7 a.m. for a 7:45 a.m. departure to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and Fort Wadsworth.

Nicole drove her husband, Tony, who also ran the race, Kathy and I and got us there at about 8:15. We walked to our corrals and situated ourselves for a bit until we had to take our bags to the UPS trucks. Well, everyone waited until the last minute and it was anarchy. Since Kathy and I didn't care about our times, we just took in the moment -- or several moments -- relaxed and watched all the elite runners scramble to drop off their bags and then run a half mile to their corrals. Ah. The life of a slow runner!

I peed for the last time after we dropped off our bags and ditched my sweats. The sun was so bright and it actually was beginning to warm up. I kept on my throw-away sweatshirt because it was going to be chilly on the bridge. We lined up in our corral and after about 10 minutes, heard the cannon go off. Yay!! It only took us about 10 minutes to get to the start. In fact, I wasn't even sure we passed over the start until someone yelled, "Here we go! Here's the start!" We hit our Garmins and starting jogging.

We stuck together for most of the bridge and then Kathy went on her way. She does 3:1 Galloway ratios and I do 2:1s, so it was better that she left me. I followed my plan exactly from start to finish, and honestly, I can't remember much of the Verrazano because it was so surreal. I couldn't believe that after six months of training I actually was running the NYC Marathon.

BROOKLYN
MILES 2 to 13
As soon as I came down the Verrazano and saw thousands of other runners, I remember saying, "This is going to be awesome." I had a smile from ear to ear. The first neighborhood we entered was Dyker Heights. Although I took the left side of the route -- the three corrals don't merge until Mile 8 -- so I was closer to Bay Ridge. The fans in Brooklyn are amazing. It was by far my most favorite part. We ran up Fourth Avenue, which is mostly full of businesses and store fronts. The road is very wide with a divider in the middle. Some of us were on the left, some on the right. I had my name on my shirt and everyone shouted, "MAUREEN! GO MAUREEN! YOU CAN DO IT, GIRL!" I felt like a movie star. I tried to acknowledge everyone with a wave or a smile. I really did do that until the very end!

The next neighborhood we ran through was Sunset Park. SO FUN!! We were greeted with band after band and tons and tons of kids. I high-fived as many as I could. Residents were hanging out of apartment building windows and yelling from store fronts. No one seemed to be working; they were all there for us!

There were water stations at every mile and I made sure to take a Gu every hour. I alternated water with Gatorade and only skipped about two water stops. I didn't want to overdo it. I'm so used to drinking so much water because of training in the South Florida sun and heat in the middle of June, July and August that I sometimes drink too much. I kept watching my hands and ankles to make sure I wasn't swelling up. Never did. I guess alternating water with Gatorade really helped.

My body felt GREAT. It usually takes me about 3 or 4 miles to get warmed up so I was feeling pretty good in Brooklyn. We merged around Mile 8 and soon turned onto Lafayette Avenue. We must have been in or near Park Slope because the roads got really narrow and the brownstones appeared. I love that aspect of New York. These were my favorite fans. They were loud and so, so nice. Spectators were handing out tissues and paper towels, although I wasn't sweating one bit. I took a tissue because my nose was running -- just like me! Then I looked down and it looked like I had gone into a bathroom. There were tissues stuck to my shoes. Argh. I pulled over, took them off and laughed. I think I ate some pretzels at this point because I was starving and I also wanted to get a little bit of salt into my system. It was hard for me to put them away. I was THAT hungry.

We ran through downtown Brooklyn and I stopped to hit a Porta-Potty. It only took a few minutes to pee and move on. Soon I was in Williamsburg. I was warned of the small amount of spectators in Williamsburg, which is predominantly a neighborhood of Hasidic Jews. Do they not like runners or something? I don't know, but it was pretty dead there. A few police officers must have noticed that because they cheered louder and louder. Once we got to Greenpoint we were greeted with more spectators. Really, Brooklyn was the bomb. I enjoyed every second of it. Again, my body felt great. I had no swelling and no pain in my foot. I felt strong. In fact, I didn't really feel like I was running a marathon. That's how good I felt. The Pulaski Bridge was the only thing between me and Queens.

QUEENS
MILES 13 to 16
The Pulaski Bridge was not a big deal. It was little tough but I had been pacing myself perfectly all the way so far so I could work the bridges without having to walk them. Queens was pretty quiet -- at this point I'd been running for a little more than 3 hours -- so maybe some people went home? I don't know. I had to keep an eye out for a group of people in green who were going to have orange slices for me. They were the Alley Pond Striders, my friend Andy's old running group. I spotted them right after Mile 14 and they showered me with hugs!! It was so cool! I didn't even know these people. I had a bunch of orange slices and took a photo with them that they sent to Andy. Aww! Then I asked them about the 59th Street Bridge. Sarah said it was fun and dark and that I shouldn't worry about it. I trusted her.

I hit another Porta-Potty in Queens, right before the bridge. I didn't want to have to pee on the bridge! I made a slight left turn onto the bridge and made my way up. People were walking, but I was running. When my Garmin beeped, I walked for a minute. When it beeped again, I ran. It was like clockwork. Other runners were staring at me when it went off but hey ... I was running and they were walking. It ruled. About halfway over the bridge I took a photo of the Manhattan skyline and then I took a video of myself. I still have to figure out how to upload it, damnit! Then I called my Dad and told him I'd see them in about a half hour. Then I called Linn and told her. She then said she was with my Dad and family. Yay! I was hoping they'd find each other.

MANHATTAN
MILES 16 to almost 20
I was told not to speed up once I heard the crowds in Manhattan coming off the 59th Street Bridge. Well, I didn't hear anything! A lot of the crowds headed home, I guess, so when I turned the corner onto First Avenue I was kind of disappointed. But I knew I was about 32 blocks away from seeing my family so that helped. The crowds started to thicken up around the high 60s and really got thick in the 70s and 80s. People were drinking at bars and cheering me on. Spectators were STILL calling my name. Running up First Avenue was not easy. You don't realize how hilly Manhattan is until you run through it! I was counting the blocks until I saw my family. 89th, 90th, 91st ... where were they? ... Ah! 92nd!! I saw my Dad first, who was shooting photo after photo of me. Then I saw my sister-in-law, Heidi, who was jumping up and down. I hugged her. Then I saw Paige. I hugged her. Then I saw Megan. I hugged her. Then I saw Sandy and Mike and Linn. I hugged and kissed them. Then I hugged Dad who I think was crying. I didn't cry. I couldn't. I had cried in Brooklyn after thinking about seeing them. That was enough. Linn had her video camera going. Oh god. Now I'll see what I look like. Ugh. Megan told me they'd be at 90th and Fifth Avenue next. Then I proceeded up the road. I was elated.

Even at Mile 19 I was still feeling good. Better than I thought I would. We hit Mile 20 on top of the Willis Avenue Bridge, right before entering the Bronx. A Russian woman tried to ask me in English how many more kilometers there were until the end. I quick did the math and said, "10 more kilometers." She groaned. I, on the other hand, was very upset because that meant that my marathon was almost over. And by the time we hit the middle of the bridge, most of the runners with me were walking.

But I was running.

THE BRONX
MILE 20 and almost 21
"Welcome to the Bronx!" yelled a police officer and some guy who looked like a city commissioner. Hell, he could have been a Wall Street trader who thought he'd head over to the Bronx to cheer us on. I don't know. All I do know is that the Bronx was way better than I expected. There were people everywhere, bands everywhere and women handing out candy. I took a Starburst from someone and it was so yummy. I called Mom at this point during a walk break and she was so happy she was yelling into the phone. She had been at the computer from the start, tracking my progress. I told her to tell Bill, my stepfather, that I was in the Bronx. He grew up there. He was in the background laughing. It was getting chilly at this point. It was around 3:30 or so and the sun was behind clouds. This was the only time during the race when I wished I'd worn a long-sleeve shirt.

MANHATTAN AGAIN
MILES 21 to 26.2
We proceeded over the Madison Avenue Bridge into Harlem. I was really, really looking forward to Harlem and it was just as I expected. Tons of spectators still were lining the streets, reggae bands were jamming and the vibe was great. Some people were continuing on with their day, ignoring the fact that there were still hundreds of people running through their neighborhood. It was funny.

I said "hello!" and "thanks for sticking around!" to a lot of people in Harlem. They could have gone home, but they stayed and boosted my energy. Sweet. Once we came around Marcus Garvey Park I knew I was into the home stretch. There's a church right across the street from the park and three nuns were ringing bells for us. I waved and they rang them louder. It was so surreal. Really. I must have looked like a little kid because I was laughing and pointing like one. God.

We got around the park and I made that trek down Fifth Avenue. I was starting to tire. I wasn't about to drop but my legs were tight and I was chilly. I knew I'd see Linn, Jenn and Megan just after Mile 23 so that pushed me to go on. I ate more pretzels and threw the bag to the side. I also think I took a Gu for the last time. I found the girls and hugged them again. They said they'd meet me at 81st and Central Park West when I finished. Wow! I forgot. I'll get to finish this thing in less than an hour.

I turned into the park at 90th Street, which is the same route I took when I ran two days before. It was cool. I felt like I knew it. Except that I ran south instead of north. The fans in the park were great. They were still out in full force. Many, many runners were walking now. I think they would walk until the end. Not me. My Garmin beeped and I put one foot in front of the other and proceeded on with my 14-minute pace. I actually was running about 12-minute miles but with the walk breaks, it evened out to 14. I didn't care. I was taking it all in.

I noticed a 75-year-old man. He was running with a fuel belt and in it he had a can of Coca-Cola. Classic!! He was running in his umpteenth marathon and attracting many of the ladies. They loved him. He was beating me, too!! I'm not sure where he finished but to see him at that point in the marathon, running strong, made me smile. Fans were calling my name left and right at this point. "Almost there, Maureen!" "Only 2 more miles, Maureen!" I felt awesome. This part of the race is full of rolling hills, which really do a job on your legs after having run 23 miles already. I never itched for my walk breaks until this point. But I only itched for one of them. Then I got sad again because I knew my marathon would be over soon.

I saw runners up ahead exiting the park at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, which meant that we were only about a mile away from the finish line. Oh god. Spectators were lined up along 59th Street, yelling my name. People must have been getting out of work because they were all dressed in suits and dresses, carrying brief cases and cell phones. I waved to all of them.

Then I saw the Time Life Building at Columbus Circle and I knew I was almost there. I decided to run in that last half mile. The sun was almost down and the sky was a weird orange color. It was beautiful. I heard lots of cheers and a big band and a DJ. He was yelling out people's names as they entered back into the park. He didn't yell mine but that was OK. Another DJ in the Bronx yelled to me earlier, "Is that Maureen? Yeah! There she is! We've been waiting for you!" I know I blushed. So I made the turn back into the park and could see the signs: 400 yards. Then 300 yards. Then 200 yards. 100 yards. I stopped and took a blurry photo of the finish line. The stands were pretty empty except for a few spectators who I saw yawning and stretching. I thought to myself, "Don't look at your Garmin. Don't be looking down at your watch when you cross the finish line." Just as I thought that I looked up and saw 6:34:09 and jacked up my arms and crossed into history.

I got my medal, my heat sheet and my goodie bag with an apple, Powerbar and Gatorade. I didn't cry. I smiled from ear to ear. I got my photo taken and then I made the long trek to my UPS truck to get my bag. I called everyone. I found my truck, put on a long-sleeve shirt and sweats and proceeded up to 86th Street and walked five blocks south to meet my family.

My net time was 6:23:14. I wanted to hit 6:10. No biggie, though. I just had the time of my life and I wasn't that sore! I survived. I am a marathoner.

I did it!!

2007-11-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

I'm exhausted, but I just had one of the best days of my life.

I finished -- unofficially -- in 6:23.

I ran almost perfect 14-minute mile splits. Galloway works!! I kept the same pace the ENTIRE race. It's really incredible.

Seeing my family at Mile 18 and then again at Mile 23 was what got me through it. But in all honesty, I felt amazing the whole time. Nothing hurt, well, except for my lower legs. I'm sore now. Ouch.

Dinner at Carmine's was amazing. I didn't eat that much, but more than I normally would.

More tomorrow or Tuesday when I get some sleep.

Thanks to everyone who texted and called. I read and listed to all of them with a huge smile on my face. I love you guys.

I'll post a more detailed entry about my time in each of the boroughs when I get back tomorrow. Today we're hitting the Monday marathon store to get some stuff at half price.

A better day in NYC

2007-11-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

I got in a short 3-mile run this morning. It was gorgeous!! I ran west on 92nd to 5th Avenue and then entered the park at 90th. There were SOOOOO many other runners out there today. It felt "real," ya know? I caught myself speeding up to catch after them. I'm glad I realized it, though, and know I'll know to slow down Sunday when that happens.

We went to the expo around 1:30. It wasn't THAT great. What *was* great was getting my number and my goodie bag, though! Kathy and I put on our shirts -- they're long-sleeve tech shirts in ORANGE -- and took a photo in front of the ticker.

The bus drivers decided to take a long lunch so they shuttles were delayed going back. We decided to walk to the Times Square area and found a good place to eat. I think it was called Charley O's. I had chicken, a baked potato and green beans. It was perfect. I just ate a few Cheez-its because I was hungry. Not the greatest thing I could have had at 9 p.m. but it's all we had!

We got a little confused on the subway today. Taking the E train is one thing. But remembering that you're going uptown is another. We found our way eventually, but it was kind of frustrating. And tiring.

Stocked up on Gatorade and water for tomorrow. I also need to buy some pretzels or something for the route. I've been hydrating really well for the past week and really, really well for the past two days. Tomorrow is really key, though. I've got to alternate with sports drinks and water.

Janet called me tonight, which I thought was really sweet. She was giving me pointers about Sunday. She also told me to call her on the route so she can "inspire" me. LOL

Megan arrives tomorrow -- YAY!! -- and we're having dinner and then I have to get to Staten Island to stay with Kathy and her friend. Her friend lives just 8 miles from the start so we won't have to be at Ford Wadsworth for four or five hours. Yep. We decided not to take the bus since we'd have to get there at 4:30 a.m. Ouch. I'm all for hanging with other runners, but c'mon. The race doesn't start until 10:10.

Time for bed. I'll post an entry before I leave tomorrow night.

If you can make it there ...

2007-11-01T20:31:00.000-04:00

... you can make it anywhere.

Well, almost.

We're here, yes. However, we're in the Courtyard Marriot in the Upper West Side at 1st Avenue and 92nd Street. (The marathon runs north just a quarter block from our hotel.)

The BnB I booked was DISGUSTING. Plus, they had us moving to THREE different buildings in a four-day period. I felt terrible. Linn and Jenn were good sports but I could tell they were just as appalled.

I was in tears.

We started calling hotels and got this one for $509 a night. I know. I know. But you know what? I'll pay any amount of money for A) comfort B) CLEANLINESS and C) courtesy. (Ironically, this hotel actually is the host hotel for the men's Olympic trials that are taking place in Central Park on Saturday.) We are SO lucky we got a room AT ALL.

The BnB people did not apologize nor did they comp a night's stay. NOTHING. That was the last straw for me.

So we're at a nice, new, clean hotel with WiFi and 24-hour gym access. Sweet.

We just got back from dinner at this cute place called The Barking Dog on 94th and 3rd. Oh my god! It was incredible. I had this grilled shrimp salad with avocado and black beans. Linn had pot roast with potatoes and veggies -- SO GOOD!! -- and Jenn had baked chicken with the best mashed potatoes I've ever stolen off someone's plate.

I think I'm going to get a nice, easy 2 or 3 mile run in early tomorrow, get coffee and bagels for Linn and Jenn and then meet up with Kathy for th expo. Hopefully, she can meet me there. (She's staying in Long Island tonight.) I'm going to take the 4 train to Grand Central Station and then pick up a bus to the Javits.

Now I'm going to make friends with the bed over there, watch "CSI" and hopefully fall asleep.

Last Saturday long run

2007-10-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

I ran 6.5 miles to complete my last Galloway long training run. I had a tiny bit of foot pain but nothing major. I felt good. And I felt ready, which is good because at this time next week, I should be deep in the heart of Brooklyn.

WOW!!

And aside from the transportation confusion, I'm SO excited about NYC. As a last resort, I could always take a cab from the BnB to lower Manhattan to get to the Staten Island Ferry. But I'll find out at the expo -- or from Megan! -- what the best option is. I'm keeping positive about this and I'm going to have a good time. No stress!!!

I'm going to get out the suitcase today and start packing, and I just checked the weather and it's now supposed to be party cloudy on race day. Yay!! The five-day forecast tomorrow will be a lot more accurate. But yippee for no expected rain!

I still have to make a trip to Fleet Feet just in case of rain so I can buy a long-sleeve tech shirt. And maybe a new pair of socks. Socks are the only running gear you can buy at the last minute without having problems on race day. And then my last run before the race is Wednesday ... a short 3 miles up U.S. 1.

Last-minute confusion!

2007-10-27T05:04:00.000-04:00

Now NYRR is sending e-mails STRONGLY ADVISING everyone to take the Staten Island Ferry. Our BUS ticket from Midtown will be transferred to use the SHUTTLE on Staten Island AFTER we use the ferry. I think we're still 2 miles from Fort Wadsworth after we get off.)

Apparently, there's still major construction going on the lower level of the Verrazano and there could be huge delays.

GREAAAAAAAAAAAAT.

I don't really need this added stress a week before race day. Personally, I don't understand how busy NYC can be at 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday but ... I still can take the bus but I'll have to get there at 4:30 a.m., 5.5 hours before the race starts. NYRR is anticipating big delays with the buses. But the way I see it is now there's going to be bottleneck delay on SI due to them telling everyone to take the ferry!

Megan: Any idea what subway I need to take to get to the ferry from our BnB? They're telling us to take the N or the R from the west side of the island, which is where we're staying. That seems feasible if I take the N at 57th and 7th. Does this look good to you?? (I'm still confused as to which trains run all the time and which ones don't, though.) Here's the MTA link.

If I was doing this alone I'd be OK. But I have Kathy with me who's never EVER been to New York City before. Ay.

Mid-week runs

2007-10-24T22:42:00.000-04:00

Had a really fast run tonight. I'm not sure why, but I ran hard and I ran fast. It felt good! There was a HUGE thunderstorm overhead that waited until just now to open itself so maybe that's why I ran so fast. :)

Linn and I are going to start packing this weekend. She says she's ready but I won't believe that until I see it!! Me? I'm nervous that I'm going to forget something. I'm basically taking jeans and long-sleeve shirts. That's it. All of my running gear -- including running shoes and clothes for a cold or hot race day -- will be in my carry-on. I'm not taking any chances with lost luggage.

Gosh. I've got so much to do.

Long-run Saturday

2007-10-20T10:12:00.000-04:00

I am now only one Saturday run away from my marathon. What???

Today I met Timmy, Jenny and Jan at their 3-mile mark and then met Sherry about 2 miles into my run for a total of 10 miles for Saturday. It went really, REALLY well. I ran again with my Camelbak, sans the bladder, and it felt much better this time. I had hardly any pain in my left foot except for a little bit of arch pain at Mile 9.5, but it went away. (I hope it stays there, too!) I also lathered myself in Body Glide. And I mean ... LATHERED. So far, I see no signs of chafing. Yay! Jan and I ramped it up a bit during my last few miles, allowing me to run negative splits. Sweet.

This was also the first time in all of our Saturday runs that the sun DID NOT come out. It was overcast and a bit less humid than normal so it was nice. But I know I'll be hoping the sun comes out Nov. 4, especially if it's cold.

Andy said he's going to contact his old running club from New York to see if they can get Kathy and I orange slices at about Mile 14. How sweet is that!!?? This is the same Andy who got us Diet Cokes at the end of our 23-miler. :)

Today I leave you with some photos of us on the bridge. Now you can see how HORRIBLE my hair looks when I run. (I took one of Jenny but she didn't want it printed, so I'm respecting her wishes. Even though she looks great!!)

Jan and Sherry

Timmy

Me, with Timmy giving me the horns

TOTAL MILEAGE THIS WEEK: 18.55

Marathon Goodie #20

2007-10-19T12:32:00.000-04:00

OK. So it's going to be next to impossible to find me among 38,000 other runners.

But maybe ... just MAYBE ... you'll be able to. I'm going to wear a lime-green short sleeved tech shirt and black shorts. Look for me!

In order to do that, though, you'll need information on when and where to see me.

If you live where you can get New York City stations, you'll have a better chance of finding me. Those stations show the marathon from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go here to read more about it.

I believe stations in other parts of the United States show a highlights show which most likely will be full of the elite athletes and Lance Armstrong. But remember ... we slow runners are the ones who are out there for five-plus hours ... we're the real athletes!! ;)

Wednesday run

2007-10-18T10:01:00.000-04:00

Nice run tonight. I had hardly any pain in my foot. Yay!

I ran the bridge -- as did everyone else except for maybe one person. It's starting to get really dark, really fast now. We all had our blinkers on. Two of my co-workers saw me on the bridge, too, which is good becaue that means the blinker is working!!

I wore a pair of shorts I don't wear very often and chafed AGAIN. C'mon! You'd think I'd learn!! I think I'm definitely wearing compression shorts for the marathon. I don't really care how I look either. Those 38,000 other people will be concentrating on themselves, not me. I also think they'll keep me warm during the four hours I'm on Staten Island before the race.

In the next few days, I'm going to make a list here of everything that I need to take with me to New York. I'm going to stick to jeans and light sweaters and my running shoes on days when I'm not running. It'll be easier that way. I also won't have to pack that much ... Linn will have that covered! She's more high maintenance than me when it comes to packing for vacations, believe it or not. So cute.

I'm just five runs away from Nov. 4.

HOLY CRAP!!!

Motivation

2007-10-16T12:15:00.001-04:00

Todays' Daily Tip from the ING NYC Marathon site is one that everyone can afford to read, not just marathoners:

For up to two-thirds of a marathon, especially if it’s the ING New York City Marathon, motivation is the last thing you’ll need. The challenge, instead, will be to keep all that Verrazano-Narrows Bridge exhilaration and Brooklyn crowd support from pulling you to an effortless-feeling early pace that you won’t be able to maintain later. Even for the lead-pack runners, the first sixteen miles are usually a time to pull back on the reins a bit, try to tune out the screaming masses, and keep some energy in reserve for the late-stage moves that are sure to come.

The last third of the race is a different story. In New York, the excitement reaches a memorable high point just past the 16-mile mark, where Manhattan’s throngs welcome the runners from the Queensborough Bridge onto First Avenue. But as you continue north, you may find that even the cheers from fans ten-deep on both sides of the road aren’t lifting you quite as high as they were back in Queens. You’ve been running for two hours or more; nothing’s going to keep you in a state of constant thrill for that long.

The crowds will thin a bit as you near the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx, and you may find yourself confronting the cold realization that you have six miles to run and they seem like sixty. You’ve run 20 miles, and you have a great performance available to you—but now you have to finish this thing. What can help?

Motivation can come from outside for a while, but the kind that you create yourself is even better. Find the positives in your situation: You’re competing in a major athletic event. You aren’t out of energy; you’re drinking your fluids and using your other thoroughly tested speed-enhancers, like salt tablets and PowerGELs. You’ve got thousands of runners on the course with you, all with the same main goal—to finish well. You’ve put in a great deal of hard work, both in training and in the race so far, to get to this point. Every step, every second, is getting you closer to your goal.

Dr. George Sheehan, a cardiologist, record-setting age-group runner, and seminal writer during the 1970s running boom, could be very long-winded about racing. But he once said something so ideally simple that it’s been inscribed on marathon finishers’ medals: “Pride lasts longer than pain.” If you find yourself about to back off the personal-record pace you’re on, or about to tell the group or companion you’re running with to go on without you, or about to yield to the urge to walk; if the discomfort of the marathon’s final miles threatens to undermine all the confidence that you’ve built, think of how proud you’ll be after the race at having resisted the urge to surrender. Then hold out a bit longer. You might be surprised.

Leave it to the British to understate the difficulty of the end of a marathon. Ron Hill, who once won the Boston Marathon, described a particularly miserable few miles as “a bit of a bad patch.” The phrase is good to keep in mind, because it suggests that the rough section has an end. Marathoners experience remarkable resurrections when they can “feel” the finish line; when the remaining distance becomes a mentally manageable one. As bad as you may be feeling, you can also come out the other side of the bad patch. Believing that this is possible will help you when you can’t yet feel the finish line.

Remember: If a marathon were an easy task, it would never have deserved such an important place in your life. You took this on because it’s difficult but possible. Late in the race, the “difficult” part will be proved true. Remember the value to be found in overcoming worthy obstacles, and then prove the “possible” part, too.

Read Daily Tips 1-12 here.

Chulo!

2007-10-16T10:06:00.000-04:00

Nothing like a red-nosed pit bull to get you going!

I was about a mile and a half into my 4-mile run this morning when a pit bull comes out of nowhere, charging at me. I kept jogging and he kept following. I stopped, he jumped on me, proceeded to get my shorts AND shirt dirty and then licked the hell out of my hands. I was lucky! I saw a kid run over the four-lane highway and grab him. His name was Chulo. He was ADORABLE, but I cannot say I wasn't scared out of my mind at my initial site of him.

My 12-minute miles quickly changed to 10 for a bit there!

Aside from the pit bull sighting, my run went well. I had some pain in my left foot, even with my new inserts and Band-Aids to cover my blisters. The pain went away after about a mile. I really hope there's nothing else going on in there. : hopes :

So the taper begins ...

2007-10-15T10:54:00.001-04:00

So Saturday's run was only 6 miles. Let the taper begin!

I wore my Camelbak without the water insert. I packed my camera, cell phone and some Gu -- even though I didn't Gu on Saturday -- just to see how it felt with everything in there. I was thinking about runnng with the "fanny pack" part of my Camelbak on marathon morning. I'm not sure, though. It was kind of annoying. Without it full of water, it moved around A LOT.

I'm going to look into buying a pair of shorts with tons of pockets -- they sell them at Fleet Feet -- and run with them for the next few days. Saturday's run is 10 miles so that should be perfect. I want to be comfortable but I also want to make sure I have a camera with me. This might be my one and only marathon so documentation of it is a must!!

Susan gave me some orthodic shoe inserts last Wednesday and I ran with them Saturday. I had some pain for the first mile and a half but then it went away. But I did get blisters. That was kind of expected, though. Hopefully, Band-Aids will prevent that next time. I'll pay for them Wednesday because they seemed to work.

Only three more weeks left. Wow.

TOTAL MILEAGE THIS WEEK: 9.1

I hope I beat her.

2007-10-12T20:43:00.000-04:00

Wow!! Thanks to Kyle for telling me about this: Katie Holmes is running the NYC Martahon!

Here's another article.

: Shudders :

2007-10-12T13:58:00.000-04:00

On the other hand ... I hope this guy DOES leave NYC by the time I get there!!!

NO! Stay in Manhattan!!!

2007-10-12T10:38:00.001-04:00

OK.

This makes me VERY sad. I wanted Brad and Angelina to be in NYC when I'm there.

: cries :

The Pocono Record article

2007-10-12T08:27:00.001-04:00

I know it's just a small newspaper in northeastern Pennsylvania but still!!

WEEE!!

Lookie!!

Wednesday run

2007-10-11T10:31:00.000-04:00

Owwie.

My foot really hurt during last night's run. I only got in 3 miles because of it. Timmy and I ran together -- he had done 12 the night before, BEAST!! -- and he was saying that I could need orthodics. I talked to Susan, the owner of Fleet Feet, after our run and she gave me a pair to try out. She said to run with them before Saturday and see how they feel. If I don't like them, I'm to return them, free of charge. If I do like them, I can pay her later. How sweet! I wore my running shoes to work today to get used to them. I still have some pain in my left foot. Gosh, I hope these work.

I'm going to run an easy 3 or 4 miler tomorrow -- I usually don't run the day before our Saturday run -- but since we're only doing 6 on Saturday, I should be fine. I want to try these orthodics out before Saturday.

I was wary of changing anything up just a month before my marathon but seeing as how this could improve my pain, I'll give it a try.

I'll be in the Pocono Record tomorrow! I'll be sure to post a link as soon as I see it's online. :)

Marathon Goodies #18 and #19

2007-10-09T11:22:00.000-04:00

Arguably the most memorable and inspiring part of the NYC Marathon is trudging up the Queensboro Bridge and then descending into the hollers and screams of millions of people waiting for you on First Avenue in the next NYC borough, Manhattan.

It is the most densely populated county in the United States at 66,940 residents per square mile, with more than 1.5 million residents. Wow!!

Some notable landmarks ...
THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

TIMES SQUARE

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The next borough, The Bronx, I only have the pleasure of running through for about a mile. Then I'm back in Manhattan for the last six or so miles. But there is one landmark in The Bronx that's worth noting:

YANKEE STADIUM

An inspiration? Moi?

2007-10-08T22:07:00.000-04:00

I just got off of the phone with an old friend of mine named Michelle. Well, she's technically my best friend's best friend -- huh? -- but I met Michelle a bunch of times via said best friend, Jessica, when Jessica worked at the Pocono Record in East Stroudsburg, Pa. Boy did we have fun times back in the mid 90s! Anyway, Jessica was a copy editor and Michelle was a reporter. Both ladies now have two children, Jessica's living in Virginia and Michelle still lives near East Stroudsburg and is freelancing for the Record.

Michelle began writing a weekly column for the Record about First Strides, an exercise class for women who want to stop being couch potatoes and start getting into some activity. She e-mailed me last week after reading this blog and asked me if she could interview me for her column. She said my training for the NYC Marathon was an inspiration to her. Aww! So of course I said yes!

I think she's pretty amazing herself and I think what she's doing *is* going to make a lot of people get up off of the couch and get into shape. She's going to inspire as well. And it was a pleasure to help her out.