The Columbus Marathon (Part 1)

First of all, wow you guys! Thanks so much for all the love! I had no idea anyone was that interested in hearing about this race! Although I rambled on about it so much, it's not like any of you had much choice! Muuahahaha...brainwashing!

The race was amazing! I really cant say it enough. I love Columbus so much and going back to run this race with J, in the town where we met, became friends, worked together, fell in love, first lived together, first ran together (the city where I first ran period), meant almost as much to me as the medal I got after crossing the finish.

The fact that we ran it together, as a team and both had such a positive outcome is something that I will always keep close to my heart. I beat my time goal by EIGHT whole minutes and this was the first marathon he ran where he didn't feel completely dead and miserable at the end. I truly believe the only reason for any of it is because we ran it together and we ran it in Columbus. Seriously, if you can run a marathon with your husband and come out closer at the finish than you were at the start, that is a damn good marriage.

I am a lucky girl.



OK, enough sap.

We arrived in Columbus on Friday afternoon with our friends Kevin and Marissa and went straight to the expo downtown. It was a decent size and still pretty empty since I think most people were coming in on Saturday. It was also very well organized which is good for highly stressed marathon runners. The race shirt was a nice long-sleeved tech shirt even though I will probably never get a chance to wear it much down here. Unfortunately, they really didn't have any marathon merchandise with short sleeves. Oh well, that's what I get for living on The Equator.

I did also pick up a little gift from heaven at the expo. I was freaking about what to do with my GU since I wasn't carrying my fuel belt and found this stand selling SPI Belts for 20 bucks.I had my doubts, but was desperate and bought one. This thing is amazing! I wore it low on my hips, I fit 5 GU's in it and it barely bounced at all. After I was down to 3 Gu's I didn't even notice it. A GREAT investment.

The next day we met up with some of Kevin's old friends at the Ohio State vs. Michigan State homecoming game to tailgate. I have to say, I LOVE Ohio State, I didn't go to school there, but Jeremy did and anyone who lives or lived in Columbus at one point just sort of gets grandfathered in. An Ohio State home-game is one experience I think everyone should have at least once in their life. They know how to do it up right and this day was no exception.







There were only two little snags in our fun, alcohol free, (HA, OK make that THREE) tailgate.

1. We walked...A LOT. Way more than any sane person should walk the day before they run 26.2 miles. We were walking back and forth across campus for about 5 hours. And Ohio State is one big-ass campus.

2. No alcohol

3. I ran into a fire hydrant.

When I say "I ran into it", what I really mean is that I SMASHED my KNEECAP into the hard part that sticks out as I was walking down the road really fast to, ahem...take a picture.

That's right, my aforementioned love of photography almost killed my chances of running my very first marathon. Like a dumbass, I was walking along a VERY crowded street taking a photo of a frat house and slammed my knee so hard I saw stars. I literally got the wind knocked out of me from MY KNEE!!! I Nancy Kerriganed MYSELF!!! I wanted to cry but the pain was so bad I couldn't do anything but make a grunting noise. Jeremy of course, just stood there like, "You gotta be f-ing kidding me" (Yeah, he's not perfect all the time folks).

Anyway, the agonizing pain went away almost as quickly as it came, but then of course there was a lingering dull ache. Right on the muscle behind the kneecap, you know, one of the most important muscles you need before running 26 miles! I spent the rest of the day beating myself up mentally for being so stupid. Bending my knee, hopping, light jogging, trying to access any damage I might have done. And even though I am pretty positive, I knew I had blew it. I had felt perfect up to that point, done everything right, then with less than 24 hours till game day I messed it all up.

Didn't I say Marathon runners were high-stress?

After a dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse, we went back to the room to bib up for the morning.



I took a nice warm bath (a pre-race ritual that helps me relax and fall asleep), took 3 Advil and grumpily iced my knee. After about 30 minutes of Jeremy's constant reassuring that I was going to be fine, I floated off to sleep (but not before a few quiet tears about what a dumbass I was).

I did it!!!

I am officially a marathon runner!







Chip time: 4:36:57!!! Way under my projected 4:45 time. Woo-hoooo!

I can't wait to tell you all about what a perfect first marathon experience this was, but I just got back into town and need a day to organize myself after being gone for a week. Once I unpack, finish all my laundry, upload my 350 pictures, watch The Office and catch up with all of you guys, I will be sure to write the report! Thanks for all the well wishes and good vibes! They helped and I was thinking of you guys during the race!! :)

Many Thanks (this is it)!

This is it kids! I can't believe it's finally here!



•Airline Tickets...check

•Warm and cold clothes for unreliable Ohio autumn weather...check

•Race day uniform (with alternative pieces in case of suddenly changing weather)

•shorts
•shirts
•shoes
•socks
•sports bra
•dry fit underwear
•watch
•hat
•headband
•sunglasses
•body glide
•gu
•clif bars
•something to attach gu to body

....check

•Camera(s) for my photography obsession...check

•Money for beer after race...cheeeeeeccckkkk!



Looks like I'm good to go!

I had my last training run yesterday morning, a pretty uneventful 3.2 miles. We tried to run really slow, but as I said, I was itching to get out of the gate, so we ended up running it a 9:37 pace (a minute per mile pace faster than we plan to run the marathon). Ooops. Other than the humidity, the run was pretty good and my legs felt great!

I have also been a little better about the whole weather.com issue. Like a few of you reminded me, 75 and sunny are not the worst conditions for a marathon. I need to relax and remember that I have been training though the entire summer in Miami, so a late-October morning in Columbus, Ohio shouldn't kill me too much. My newest obsession has been about how I am going to hold all that GU since my favorite shorts have no pockets and I'm not carrying a fuel belt. Oh yeah, and that my favorite singlet is dark gray and its going to be SUNNY on Sunday. I really don't want to change the shirt since it's my "lucky running shirt". Sigh... See??? There is always something to obsess over.

So the plan is set. I leave tomorrow at 8am to fly to Columbus with J and our friends Kevin and Marissa. We will arrive at our first hotel, check in and make our way to the expo. Then we will probably just wander around, find a place to eat and try and get some sleep.

Saturday, we have totally lucked out! See, anyone who knows anything about Ohio State knows that they have the BEST tailgating in the ENTIRE country, especially now that this week they are ranked NUMBER 1!!! :) The tailgate on campus is INSANE and covers half the city. They close off streets, shut down businesses and it's scarlet and gray as far as the eyes can see! Anyway, Kevin's buddy apparently has a crazy tailgate set up so we may venture out and try to find him. Of course the only thing about this plan that sucks is, of course, we can't drink. But those of you that have ventured to my photoblog know how obsessed I am with taking pictures, so I plan to photograph the madness all day long which should keep my mind off the whole no alcohol thing.

Sunday is race day. We have a decent plan laid out that I hope we can stick to. Since this is my first marathon and we have been training together, Jeremy is going to run it with me at my pace (I know, aaawwwww!). He usually runs it a lot faster, but I think he just wants to relax and enjoy himself this time. We will try and run with Kevin and Marissa for a bit, but since she is running an 11:00mm pace, we will probably take off after mile 3-4.

We have been training with the Galloway method and plan on sticking with it on Sunday with a 10:30 pace and 5:1 walk ratio. I think this is doable, since most of my running has ventured into the 8:45-10:00mm pace. Of course the longer runs get slower, which is where the 10:30's come in.

My initial goal was just to finish. Ha! That one was soon replaced with an under 5 hour race. Now I am really hoping for around 4:45 or under. And by under...I really want to do around 4:30 ;) Funny how competitive I can get with myself when the heat is on. But seriously, if I finish in the realm of 4:45, I will be extremely happy with myself. Especially for a first marathon.

Then from Monday to Thursday we just plan on hanging out, enjoying the autumn weather, going to all our old favorite bars/restaurants, meeting up with some old friends in town and on campus, relaxing at this cute B&B and NOT being in Miami. Ha. I love Miami, but sometimes we REALLY need a break. I will not be able to access a computer probably until I get back next weekend, so I wont be able to do a report until then. A few of you have asked about tracking me, but I don't have my number yet and can't find a spot on the website for it.

I really want to thank you guys for everything over the past year, especially these past few months leading up to this weekend. I don't have too many friends that are into running, so there is a lot of confusion as to why the hell I would want to a marathon in the first place. I love reading about everyones running adventures and getting feedback and encouragement from so many funny, amazing runners I admire. So anyway, thanks. I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Suzanne and Irish Blue, I wish you both luck and I hope to run into both of you there! (Not literally, that would suck.)

Also good luck this weekend to Leana, Dori and Wendy who's races are coming up sooner than later! Good luck guys!

Monday, 10/15 - 5.6 miles/56:01 - 10:00 pace
Wednesday, 10/17 - 3.2 miles/30:59 - 9:37 pace

Total Weekly Mileage: 8.8 (hehe...EIGHT miles!!)

* UPDATE *
I just got my bib number, it's 2529 in case there ends up being a link on the site to track! Thanks guys! Have a good week!

Taper Madness (I've self-diagnosed)

Does maniacally checking weather.com every 5 minutes for Columbus constitute a symptom of "Taper Madness"? Cause if so,

"I got a fever and the only cure is not more cowbell, but more weather.com".

I am sick I tell you.

The weather is getting hotter for Sunday, btw. I was so excited for a 65 degree high and it seems to have crept up to 75. I know I shouldn't be complaining about this. I know I should be happy that it is still the ONE day in the whole week I'm there that isn't calling for rain and that the humidity max is only at 53% (I honestly don't even remember what 53% humidity feels like anymore), but I can't HELP IT! I got the FEVER! FEVER I SAY!!!

Oh, I am also terrified that every step I take will result in a broken ankle, have been getting weird "phantom pains" in my knee and I am completely paranoid about catching the cold that has been sweeping the nation.

I have been really good up until now. People are constantly, "So, are you nervous?" and I could honestly say no and believe it. But today things changed as I feverishly started looking at pictures of Columbus on flickr and checking out the course on google earth (it looks REALLY long).

I know I can do the run, so I am not too worried about that. I guess it's more of the anticipation that is getting me. I feel like a horse shoved in the gate right before the Kentucky Derby. I am restless. I need that gate to swing open!

Homestretch...

First off, if any of you reading this ran Chicago or know someone who did, I hope you or they are doing well and recovering from the race, or any race that weekend for that matter. One of my friends ran Twin Cities last weekend and I heard that one was a bitch too! I hope all of you and your running-loved ones are well :)

However, more exciting than any marathon (for me anyway), is that one of my best friends of 16 years and his wife gave birth to their very first little baby on Wednesday. Look at this thing! He's perfect!



That's my new little buddy, Hamish. Pronounced HAY-mish and not HAM-ish as I made the mistake of doing before being called a "Bloody American" by my aformentioned best friend Mark. Apparently, Hamish is Scottish for James, just so ya know. I prefer "Hamlet" myself, and therefore that's what Auntie Laurie will be calling him.

So here's another random thought. I learned a valuable lesson for all you marathoners out there. Whatever you do, do NOT go bowling right before a marathon, especially if you haven't done it in a few years.

Look at that form!


Who else is singing the bowling song from Grease 2 in their head right now?!?!

"We're gonna scoooore tonight, we're gonna scoo-oo-ooore toni-iiight..."

Who knew I had all these unused muscles on the side of my left leg and booty? Apparently, after the release of the ball, putting all your weight on one leg can make those muscles very sore after a couple of hours. Especially if you have had a few beers and don't notice it. Who said BOWLING is not a sport!?!? Pfft!

"I need Icy Hot" = Sport.

Speaking of beer, there seems to be a lot more of the devil's brew here in Taper City. I don't know where it came from, but it seems that there are a lot more functions with beer the past two weeks. Maybe the fact that I don't look tired and haggard from waking up at 3 am to run an un-Godly number of miles makes people want to hang out with me out more. Whatever the reason, I've been fairly good and since my bowling night, I am definitely back on the wagon. The race is 8 days away (eek!) and I really don't need to be carrying around a bigger beer gut than I already have on Sunday. The day after the marathon is a different story though. I mean, we will be on vacation after all.

Speaking of vacation...I cannot WAIT! People ask me all the time if I am excited about the marathon. And I am, but honestly I am more excited about the weather. I know it sounds weird, but when you live in a place where it is between 82-92 degrees and 80% humidity for about 10 months, a little crisp weather is like the Loch Ness Monster or Britney Spears' underwear. You've heard of it, but since you've never seen it, you aren't sure if it really exists.

And check this out:


This is the predicted weather for race day! It doesn't get any better than that folks. Especially since I have been running in 82 degrees and 80-90% humidity for EVERY run for the past FOUR MONTHS! I might need to run in a fur coat. Keep your fingers crossed for me that this will not change too much in the next week.

I am also soooo excited about seeing another season besides summer and lukewarm summer. I love autumn so much! I miss the changing leaves (or any leaves that aren't palms), the smell the wood burning, pumpkin patches, bundling up in something other than tank tops and flip flops. It's by far the best time of the year.

All in all, I just can't wait to return to Columbus. We originally had planned to run Chicago this year (dodged that bullet), but instead settled on Columbus since it was my first and we wanted to do a smaller race. However, we had other reasons as well. Columbus is where Jeremy and I met, fell in love and lived together the first year we were together, 8 1/2 years ago. We just love the town so much and can't wait to run our first marathon together (my first EVER) through all our old haunts, through the OSU campus and past our old hood. It's really going to be something else :)

AAAWWWWWWW.....

Anyway, now that the sappy stuff is over with, back to the business at hand.

The taper has been fine. I ran a few shorter runs last week and this week. My long run last Saturday was a slow, easy 12 miles through the Miami Half-Marathon course (if you thought my running pictures were pretty you should see THIS course). Then this morning I had my last "long run" for Columbus with my Miami training group. They had 16 scheduled and I met them at the halfway point and ran the last 8 miles in, nice and easy, with the back of the pack. I even got to sleep in till 5:15am today!!! Better than Christmas!!!

I think I will do about another two shorter runs this week (3-5 miles), two gym days and that will be about it. I can't believe it's almost here!

10/01 - 10/07
Tuesday, 10/02 - 5.6 miles/54:36 - 9:45 pace (soooooo hot this day)
Wednesday, 10/03 - Gym, lift, abs
Thursday, 10/04 - 3.76 miles/33:14 - 8:50 pace (kicked my ass)
Saturday, 10/06 - 12 miles/2:22:00 - 11:50 pace (nice and easy)
Sunday, 10/07 - Gym, lift, abs, 30 minutes elliptical

Total Weekly Mileage: 21.36

10/08 - 10/13
Monday, 10/08 - 5.6 miles/55:05 - 9:50 pace
Wednesday, 10/10 - 5.8 miles/55:57 - 9:31 pace (
Saturday, 10/13 - 8 miles/Forgot my watch, but it was slow.

Total Weekly Mileage: 19.40

Bienvenidos a Miami

There are often times I run through Miami and think about how lucky I am. For all the bitching I do about this city and the weather (I do much more than you guys ever hear about, trust me), Miami has some pretty spectacular running routes. Filled with beautiful tropical foliage, ocean views, ginormous homes, incredible cityscapes and very interesting people watching, a run around this town is always an experience.

I have always thought it would be cool to document some of these runs, especially my favorite 20 mile route. So after getting inspired by creative posts from runners like Angie and Dori , I decided to grab my camera one day and drive the route so you can all see the areas I run every Saturday.

In the immortal words of William Smith, "Welcome to Miami!"

My favorite 20 mile run is an out and back from my house, past the University of Miami, through Coconut Grove, down Bayshore Blvd, across the Rickenbacker Bridge and then back. Since it's an out and back route, I'll show you what it looks like from mile 10 to mile 20.

This is the view from the turnaround at mile 10 on Key Biscayne just past the Miami Seaquarium. On weekends its flooded with bikers and runners and will keep you out of breath just from all the "Good mornings".


The bridge looks daunting (and it's hard if you're not prepared), but the pain is pretty much worth the view.




This is the view from the top overlooking back onto Key Biscayne.




Here is the old fishing pier that runs along the underside of the bridge. No matter what time of the day or night, there will be a ton of people fishing off this thing. It's really pleasant on the old nostrils as you're breathing heavily after schlepping up the big-ass bridge. Mmmmmm...dead bait rotting in the rising sun! GOOD MORNING! Who needs coffee and bacon?


At the foot of the bridge, we run along the causeway which gives an awesome sea-level view of the water on one side...


...and a view of the city on the other.


Downtown Miami is lined with giant office buildings and condos. The building in the middle of this shot is the Atlantis Condo, made famous in the opening sequence of Miami Vice.


Once we exit off the causeway we're are done with Key Biscayne.


Past the old Miami Seaquarium sign, there is a private pedestrian entrance to Brickell Avenue between the trees.


This is my favorite street on the run. It is lined with huge trees, beautiful homes to gawk at and there are usually no cars!


There is a great park on this road where early morning bikers meet up as well as pick-up basketball stars. There is also a water fountain and a potty! Woo-hoo!


At the edge of Brickell Avenue is Sylvester Stallone's old house. Various running clubs usually set up a water stop in front of it. Apparently back in the day when he lived here and Madonna lived a few doors down, it was quite the happening street. Rumor has it, Will and Jada Smith live here now, but I have have never seen them, so who knows.


Coming out of Brickell Ave, we pass by the Vizcaya Mansion and Gardens, then it is a long trek down Bayshore Blvd. This is the stretch of the run where you are most likely to get run over by drunken fools leaving the Grove early in the A.M.








As we wind up Bayshore Blvd. we pass many markets, restaurants, condos and marinas before we get to Coconut Grove.




Around mile 5/15 is the main pedestrian mall in Coconut Grove, called CocoWalk. This is another great bathroom stop because it is always open and clean. There is also water, which we looooove in Miami.


Next we head out of the Grove past the shops and restaurants, down Old Main Highway.


Old Main Highway is a beautiful stretch lined with old banyan trees that swoop over the road. The only downside is that people drive like maniacs down this road and if you're running it in the dark (which we always do in the morning) there is not a lot of light which makes it real easy to trip over the big banyan roots that jutt out of the ground. Its a good place to break and ankle and get hit by late night drunks. But it sure is pretty!


Then there is a little church along this road that has a ton of peacocks that hang around outside. Awwww...


Off of Main Highway we turn onto Douglas Rd. Seeing this condo is a sign we are leaving the grove and close to our last water stop. You can't tell by this picture, but whoever lives in the top-left-hand-side of this biulding has one hell of a view.


Off of Douglas we turn onto Edgewater. This is my least favorite stretch of the run coming back. It is on a slight uphill and I know at the top there is a park with our water stop, therefore, this road always feels like it takes FOREVER.


At the end of Edgewater is what is simply known to the runners and bikers in Miami as "The Circle". It is a park where our running group Footworks, puts out water and Accelerade on Saturday mornings, so it is always filled with people refueling for the rest of their journey. It sits on a canal on the edge of a huge roundabout surrounded by beautiful homes. Twice I have stood at this spot, drinking my water while stretching, and noticed families of Manatees swim by.


After the break at the circle there is only 2.5 miles left to go. This street is hard at the end because the sun is usually up by now and blazing and there is little shade to cool you off. But that's ok, because usually by this time I am delerious and don't even notice!


Next we have to cross US1 to get over to the University of Miami. Traffic on this road is insane so it a little scary, but surprisingly not hard to cross. Luckily after this the traffic dies down a bit since we are in smaller neighborhoods.


Once we cross US 1 we head up to our last mile. As we turn onto the road that runs along campus (also part of my weekly 6 mile runs) we pass the UM baseball field and run along the meters that line the intramural fields and athletic center.




See the little, yellow fire hydrant? That is a glorious sight to behold since it marks not only the start of our street, but also the end of our 20 mile run (or 18, 16. etc...). Woo-Hoo!


Then it's a shuffle down our street to get home cause don't you know it, we live on the VERY LAST HOUSE on the block. It is usually a great way to cool down, but after 20 miles, who are we kidding? We just want someone to carry us home.


There you have it folks! Hope you enjoyed your 20 mile run through Miami with me. Trust me, it's much nicer to sit in your air-conditioned offices/living rooms/bedrooms and look at it online than it is to actually try and run the thing through sweltering Miami summer mornings. But if you're ever in the area and want to experience it, let me know! We are always looking for more people to join us!

Welcome to Taper City

Here is a funny photo of me running that I found online on my training group's website. And by funny, I of course mean funny-looking. Running pictures are the WORST!



I actually seem to be enjoying myself in this picture which is funny considering it was the end of last week's 18 mile run and I was in a lot of pain. Maybe I was just delusional from the heat/pain at this point. Or maybe I was just so damn happy to see the end of the run, I broke out with that goofy-ass look on my face. Whatever the case, at least I was smiling.

That is the face of a woman that has packed up and moved to TAPER CITY!!!!

WWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I had my last 20 mile run on Saturday and it was so much better than the week before. I think the fact that the humidity was down a bit and we ran a different part of the route helped out a lot.

Jeremy and I woke up at our usual 3am and drove out to the causeway to get in 6 miles. That run was ok except I felt really nervous for some reason. It went away after about 5 miles and I was fine.

Then I met up with my Miami training group for our scheduled 14 mile run. My lovely co-leader Ralph decided we should take advantage of the Rickenbacker Bridge and throw in a few repeats, so he led the group without telling anyone where he was going (to keep the bitching to a minimum and not psyche anyone out). Long story short we ended up crossing the bridge SIX TIMES!!!! Keep in mind the bridge is a MILE LONG.



So basically, 6 miles of my 20 mile long run were bridge repeats!!! Since I lead the group with him and he knew I was doing my last 20 mile run, he warned me ahead of time of his plan and told me I could take off from the group and finish my run on flatter ground. However, something stubborn inside of me wanted to see what I could do. I was curious to see if I could run through the pain of a 20 mile Miami run in September with hill repeats, or if I would just jump off the bridge instead of run another step. Also, I have to say, I love my running group. They are so supportive and awesome that I really wanted to finish the run with them.

Anyway, long story short, I kicked that bridge's ASS! I was really surprised with myself. Running the bridge back and forth the last three miles of the run made me realize that I can definitely run through pain and I am way tougher than I give myself credit for. Another rock star moment I must say.

Come on Columbus, BRING IT ON SUCKA!

Tuesday, 9/25 - 6.11 miles/57:50 - 9:27 pace
Wednesday, 9/26 - 6.11 miles/57:18 - 9:22 pace
Thursday, 9/27 - 5.5 miles/55:24 - 10:04 pace
Friday, 9/28 - Gym, abs, lift
Saturday, 9/29 - 20.02 miles/3:30:00 - 10:29 pace

Total Weekly Mileage: 37.72

Scary Stuff

I don't usually like to dwell on scary things but this really freaked me out this week and I thought it was worth mentioning here.

This happened Monday morning on The Rickenbacker Causeway which is a usual running spot not only of mine, but many runners here in Miami. I have written numerous posts here about meeting friends to run this bridge (the only hill in Miami) early in the morning and as a matter of fact, I am running here this coming weekend as well. I know Miami is a big city full of all sorts of riff-raff but it doesn't matter. This kind of thing can happen anywhere, I don't care how big or small of a town you live in.

You guys, please remember to be careful when you are out running. I know we run a lot of miles and feel like a bunch of bad-asses, but in reality we are easy targets running around out there. If you can't run with a buddy, stay alert and have some sort of plan in case something like this happens. Prepare how you will react and ALWAYS tell SOMEONE where you are going and when you will be back. I know I am getting preachy and we are all aware of the precautions we need to take, but c'mon. We never think something like this is going to happen and it is easy to slack off when it comes to common sense safety. This could have easily been any one of my running buddies here in town, so it is literally hitting a little to close to home for me.

OK, I'm done, sorry to freak everyone out :)

Other than that, this week was great. I got a few good weekly runs in, two gym days and a ferocious 18 miler. The South Florida weather came back with a vengeance, so forget everything I said last week about being used to the humidity. I lied. It was OK through Thursday, but Friday it poured so Saturday morning when I got up at 3:30am to get ready for my 18 miler (no, you read it right -THREE-THIRTY AM) it was 80 degrees and 91% humidity. I am pretty sure thats the highest humidity I have run in all summer. I really need to quit checking the weather channel as as I'm lacing up my shoes.

The run started at 4:15am at the hospital with Jeremy and we got back 59 minutes later (6 miles) to meet up with our Miami running groups. Then we set out for our 12 mile scheduled runs with them. Everything was fine until about the last two miles when I really started to feel the effects of the humidity. I had already changed my running shirt after the 6 miles because it was soaked, now I was soaked again from head to toe and my feet were the worst! No rain, all sweat. Nothing like running on wet sponges. Anyway, I made it back with the help of a girl in my group (Becky) who talked to me and kept me encouraged the whole way back. Thank God for her. We finished strong and at the front of our group.

Becky also talked to me about her bout with Piriformis last year that kept her sidelined the whole running season. She taught me some stretches that may help my "pain in the butt" from last week which was BEYOND painful by the end of my 18 mile run and all day yesterday. I could barely lift my left leg 6" off the ground without a searing pain running up my hamstings and right-side booty. After an ice bath and serious stretching the past two days, it's feeling much better, but I know it will come back after my next long-ish run.

Sigh. I love getting old.

So next week is my LAST long run before Columbus! Woo-hoooooo!! Bring on the taper!! :)

Monday, 9/17 - 5.65 miles/51:51 - 9:15 pace
Tuesday, 9/18 - Gym, abs, lift
Wednesday, 9/19 - 3.22 miles/28:03 - 8:42 pace
Thursday, 9/20 - 5.87 miles/1:01:03 - 10:24 pace
Saturday, 9/21 - 18 miles/3:11:04 - 10:35 pace
Sunday, 9/22 - Gym, abs, lift, 45 min elliptical

Total Weekly Mileage: 32.74

Pain in the Butt

So, it seems that running is a real pain in the ass.

No, seriously, my butt hurts. The right side, deep inside the muscle. Well, not so much of a pain as a dull ache. It bothers me every now and then after a long run. I feel it after shorter runs too, but it goes away quicker. After longer runs, it seems to linger around for a few days. Anyone ever experience this one before? I think it has something to do with my hamstrings because when I stretch my right one, I can really feel it.

Oh, the fun we runners experience. I never even thought I could injure my butt, unless I fell on it in a drunken stupor (which I may have done...once or twice).

It could be worse, I could be Marcy. She talks to her broken crotch. Hopefully my ass and I will not be having any heart to hearts anytime soon. But who knows. I have an 18 miler next Saturday and if it's still acting up, I may have to sit it down for a talk.

Haha, sit it down...my BUTT. Hehe.

OK, I'm done with that.

So, I got back into the swing of things this week and feel great. I got all of my weekly runs in, had a great long run this weekend and even made it to the gym today to lift and do an hour of cardio! I think the vacation helped as well as the two weeks off of long runs. My legs were getting pretty exhausted the last few times I ran before California and after two long-run-free weekends, they are feeling relaxed and strong. I think the consistent shorter runs (5.5-8 miles) during the week helped keep the fitness up, without wearing me down.

I have even gotten "use" to the weather. Yes folks, it took me FOUR LONG MONTHS, but I am finally dealing to the humidity. The weather is still as hot and muggy as ever, (yesterday was another record breaking high of 93 degrees) but this week I have run some of my fastest paces since the spring. I ran our usual morning 5.65 mile course at a 9:14 pace which I haven't done since MAY!

I also had an amazing 16 mile run Saturday. J and I started from the hospital at 4:30am and ran 6 miles before meeting up with our Miami Marathon training groups for our scheduled 10 mile run. It was great. I got to spend the easy begining of the run warming up with him, then spent the more difficult second half with a huge group that made the run fly by. I would also like to say (brag) that I ran this 16 mile run over SIXTEEN MINUTES faster than the first time I ran 16 miles just over two months ago. I also didn't need an ice bath, or really even feel that sore afterwards. I couldn't believe how great I felt when I was done.

I did however SLEEP for almost THREE HOURS when I got home which was soooooo awesome!

In closing, today marks the official FIVE WEEK COUNTDOWN to my first marathon!!!! I can't believe it is coming up so quickly. Only TWO MORE LONG RUNS before the taper begins...so crazy! Soon I will be in the cool, crisp Ohio autumn air with the crunch, crunch, crunch of leaves underneath my tired, weary, blistered feet.

:)

Monday, 9/10 - 6.11 miles/57:45 - 9:27 pace
Wednesday, 9/12 - 5.65 miles/51:46 - 9:14 pace
Thursday, 9/13 - 6.11 miles/58:13 - 9:31 pace
Saturday, 9/15 - 16 miles/2:50:00 - 10:37 pace
Sunday, 9/16 - Gym, abs, lift, hour cardio

Total Weekly Mileage: 33.87

Cali is where they put they mack down...

Best things about our Southern California trip:

1. Seeing Jeremy's parents and Dakota

2. Experiencing a 4.7 earthquake

3. Walking along Laguna Beach

4. Visiting with Andre, Kristen and the kids

5. Eating In & Out Burger for lunch on my birthday

6. Getting free shots from the bartender at the Strip Club in the gaslamp district (for my birthday)

7. Randomly touring the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum with J. It was way more fun than I thought it would be!

8. Getting surprised by Jeremy's parents with an upgrade to our room at the Hotel Del Coronado

9. Watching the sunset during happy hour

10. Eating lots of (good) Mexican food!

11. Enjoying coffee and scones on the beach with J after our 6 mile morning runs around Coronado Island

12. Running in awesome weather for a change (mid 60's in San Diego)

13. Surviving after running in record high temps (113 high in Riverside)

14. Watching the poor Navy Boot Campers run on the beach and swim in the freezing cold ocean from our warm balcony

15. Walking along the cove in La Jolla

16. Having nothing to do but go for long walks on the beach


Worst things about our Southern California trip:

1. Coming home

Yeah, we could have easily used another week.







We did get four good runs in while we were there which is a vacation first for me. The first two were in Riverside, J's old stomping grounds. I learned two valuable lessons about Riverside while I was running.

1. Riverside is VERY hot (113 degrees as a high)

2. Riverside is A LOT hillier than it looks

Yes, we somehow managed to find the one place on earth hotter than Miami in August to run in. We did two 7.5 mile run while we were there and they were no fun.

However, running around Coronado was awesome! The weather was overcast in the morning so no blinding sun. The temps were perfect (mid to upper 60's). The course was beautiful!!! We found a 6.1 mile loop that circled the entire island. It was a great way to see everything in under an hour!

The course started literally underneath our balcony on a bike path. We ran next to the hotel, along the ocean, past the Naval Base, through a bunch of quaint neighborhoods, along the bay overlooking the San Diego skyline, though parks, under the Coronado bridge, along the golf course and finished through a neighborhood with huge gorgeous homes. Our whole running conversation consisted of:

"Oh my gosh, look at how cute that house is!"

"I can't believe how nice the weather is!"

"Look at that beautiful view of the ocean/bay/skyline/bridge/golfcourse"

Yeah, it was tough all right.

Sunday, 9/02 - 7.57 miles / 1:17:11 - 10:11 pace
Monday, 9/03 - 7.57 miles/1:16:28 - 10:06 pace
Tuesday, 9/04 - MY BIRTHDAY = NO RUNNING!! ;)
Wednesday, 9/05 - 6.24 miles/1:00:54 - 9:45 pace
Thursday, 9/06 - 6.24 miles/1:00:12 - 9:38 pace

Total Weekly Mileage: 27.62