Now That You've Got It...
Marathon 6; Arizona Rock N Roll Marathon ; Time 4:07:03
I had 10 weeks between New York and Arizona. Since the New York Marathon, I have been non-stop living out of a suitcase. From cheering on the Badgers in both Madison and Minnesota, to work trips to Tampa and then all the fun holiday events back home, all my training has taken place while my body has had to adjust to different time zones, different sleep schedules - just a lot of busy-ness. - Somehow, it worked just fine. I ran two 'long runs' at my parent's house which allowed me to get some hill running in. Then there was the 18, 20, and 22 mile runs in Chicago. Man oh Man- thank goodness for my STAR Runners (STAR Runners is our unofficial running group over the off training season with CARA…Chanthana made up the acronym which stands for "Social Types Actively Running") We had a big snow storm the weekend of my 20 mile run- that was loads of fun, it was a slower run. But, then the next big 20 miler went so well, I decided to run an extra 2...this way I should be able to psyche myself out …the marathon was only 4 more miles! I shortened taper time to 2 weeks (one 'short' 12 mile run in between the 22 mile run and the marathon).
So now- Race Day. My Garmin decided to really break on me for good a week before the marathon, so I decided I could go watch free, seeing as I've had my best runs watch free- it's a feel out your pace kind of thing. Every marathon has something about it that makes it special- and gives you a reason to be nervous at the start - wanting to do well. For this one, I felt like it was time to make the New York Marathon a little more real by having an official time posted. Though I know what I did in New York, I wanted it again- I want to know I've really improved, not that I was just having some sort of amazing day in New York. But I thought- just run it to feel it and figure out your goal around mile 20.
I know how I would normally dress for a 40 degree run in Chicago, but because I knew it would warm up to the 60s and it was after all, Arizona, I did not have gloves or any extra clothes I was willing to shed (and never get back). So that hour and a half waiting for the Marathon to start, was painful. I chatted with a few people. For one girl, this was her first marathon, when she asked me about my marathons and I told her what I've run. She said "Wow you are a REAL marathoner" …I took a moment and thought, yet, I guess I am.
I put on my music before I started running to try to get myself in the 'zone' as I was real cold I needed to do anything to warm up. I got the song "Now that you've got it" by Gwen Stefani stuck in my head.
Right before I started, I received a text from Rachel- she was joining me on my run in spirit. The race started it was about 46 degrees when we started, and it took about 4 miles before my arms and legs thawed out from being so cold.
There were bands spread about a mile a part - it seemed to be my luck every time I'd be right by the band, they'd be in between songs I also remember the Marathon advertising there would be like 60 bands….I was trying to figure out where they get that number from. If the Marathon is 26 miles and they had a band a mile skipping a band around mile 14 but then having a band every half mile for the last two miles that still only equals about 30 bands….and the half marathon would only give them about 15 more bands if we want to be kind and round up- that's only 45 bands….false advertising! …This was one of my many thoughts on the run.
The run felt…well…long. A lot of flat, straight roads. When I didn't have my ipod on, I'd still replay "Now that you've got it" in my head. I thought, that could be the title of my marathon write up…if I could get a time between 4:05 and 4:10...it would be my validation, a real recording of the Amazing time I ran in New York a week after DC. But I didn't want to jinx myself or something…so I just kept running and taking in my surroundings thinking I could worry about the name of my write up later. *** Note that most of my titles thus far have been Titles or Lyrics to songs.
I decided I'd take on Gu at mile 10 and another at mile 20. I always have some Tylenol on me, but until this run, have never taken any on the run. For some reason, I was already cramping around mile 13, and decided to take the Tylenol just after mile 14. I put on my ipod around mile 16 to try to regain focus and ignore the cramps as the Tylenol should be kicking in any minute. …I had finished the first half just under 2 hours. I kept telling myself, you have to get to mile 20 before you can even think about walking even a few steps at a water stop. The run was most enjoyable in Scottsdale. Partly because there was more to see, another part because I know that area the best since that's where Lucy and Chelsey live, and then partly because I was looking out for Lucy and Chelsey (unfortunately we missed each other until the Finish). I passed mile 20, then 22 and finally at mile 24 I decided I was going to walk for a moment…that lasted less than 30 seconds as I realized that could be the end of me and the cramping would come on full force if I let my legs have a glimpse of relaxation. I told myself, if I could get a time that is just as good or better than New York-- I could take Tennessee easy. Just as I passed mile 25, I knew I had a marathon under 4:10 in my hands…but of course the pain and tiredness I was facing, I almost let myself just slow it down anyway. I took two steps of a walk and this girl comes up from behind and says "Come on we have this almost there" and so I decided I would listen to her- and I picked back up my pace. She was helping another guy get to the finish and she decided she'd help me too. Now if you know me- I like being the pace leader because I like to motivate others, but I'm not good at being motivated- I'm not going to let anyone else tell me I can or can't do it - only I can tell myself that. So as I wanted to slow down I tried shoo-ing the girl away, and she just turned around and pretended to pull me by a rope. I couldn't do anything but keep my pace up (and curse about her under my breath) She jumped out as we made the final turn yelling "you've got this" I could focus on the finish line at that point and I was able to pick my legs up and finish strong- the strongest I've ever finished. I got my time 4:07:03 - this time is now really for real, I've run two marathons at this pace and since New York's chip didn't work, I have this marathon's time to make it all real. So now that I've got it, what am I going to do about it? …I have my options for Tennessee….either 1) Take it easy and enjoy the state I once lived in and not hate the hills or 2) Faster…that's the thing about an addiction, you are never satisfied- you just want more!
I have written this on Tuesday Night, January 15, 2008. A week ago Rachel and I were at yoga, I was in hopes that despite my inability to make several yoga classes in the past month due to travel, that this class would give me the final cross training I would need to be ready for the marathon. Tonight, I went to yoga as part of my recovery plan from this Marathon allowing myself to take it easy, because I did just after all run a marathon. For me, yoga isn't such a spiritual event than a means of exercise/cross training but today's class was peaceful, and I came out of it realizing how wonderful my life really is. Just hours ago I was in Arizona and even better about 24 hours ago, Lucy Chelsey and I were at our favorite dive bar in Scottsdale having drinks, playing shuffle board, enjoying our carefree lives. Having the ability to travel from state to state to run marathon after marathon, then returning home not skipping a beat of life is really something else! Now that I've got it, I'll enjoy it.
Marathon 6; Arizona Rock N Roll Marathon ; Time 4:07:03
I had 10 weeks between New York and Arizona. Since the New York Marathon, I have been non-stop living out of a suitcase. From cheering on the Badgers in both Madison and Minnesota, to work trips to Tampa and then all the fun holiday events back home, all my training has taken place while my body has had to adjust to different time zones, different sleep schedules - just a lot of busy-ness. - Somehow, it worked just fine. I ran two 'long runs' at my parent's house which allowed me to get some hill running in. Then there was the 18, 20, and 22 mile runs in Chicago. Man oh Man- thank goodness for my STAR Runners (STAR Runners is our unofficial running group over the off training season with CARA…Chanthana made up the acronym which stands for "Social Types Actively Running") We had a big snow storm the weekend of my 20 mile run- that was loads of fun, it was a slower run. But, then the next big 20 miler went so well, I decided to run an extra 2...this way I should be able to psyche myself out …the marathon was only 4 more miles! I shortened taper time to 2 weeks (one 'short' 12 mile run in between the 22 mile run and the marathon).
So now- Race Day. My Garmin decided to really break on me for good a week before the marathon, so I decided I could go watch free, seeing as I've had my best runs watch free- it's a feel out your pace kind of thing. Every marathon has something about it that makes it special- and gives you a reason to be nervous at the start - wanting to do well. For this one, I felt like it was time to make the New York Marathon a little more real by having an official time posted. Though I know what I did in New York, I wanted it again- I want to know I've really improved, not that I was just having some sort of amazing day in New York. But I thought- just run it to feel it and figure out your goal around mile 20.
I know how I would normally dress for a 40 degree run in Chicago, but because I knew it would warm up to the 60s and it was after all, Arizona, I did not have gloves or any extra clothes I was willing to shed (and never get back). So that hour and a half waiting for the Marathon to start, was painful. I chatted with a few people. For one girl, this was her first marathon, when she asked me about my marathons and I told her what I've run. She said "Wow you are a REAL marathoner" …I took a moment and thought, yet, I guess I am.
I put on my music before I started running to try to get myself in the 'zone' as I was real cold I needed to do anything to warm up. I got the song "Now that you've got it" by Gwen Stefani stuck in my head.
Right before I started, I received a text from Rachel- she was joining me on my run in spirit. The race started it was about 46 degrees when we started, and it took about 4 miles before my arms and legs thawed out from being so cold.
There were bands spread about a mile a part - it seemed to be my luck every time I'd be right by the band, they'd be in between songs I also remember the Marathon advertising there would be like 60 bands….I was trying to figure out where they get that number from. If the Marathon is 26 miles and they had a band a mile skipping a band around mile 14 but then having a band every half mile for the last two miles that still only equals about 30 bands….and the half marathon would only give them about 15 more bands if we want to be kind and round up- that's only 45 bands….false advertising! …This was one of my many thoughts on the run.
The run felt…well…long. A lot of flat, straight roads. When I didn't have my ipod on, I'd still replay "Now that you've got it" in my head. I thought, that could be the title of my marathon write up…if I could get a time between 4:05 and 4:10...it would be my validation, a real recording of the Amazing time I ran in New York a week after DC. But I didn't want to jinx myself or something…so I just kept running and taking in my surroundings thinking I could worry about the name of my write up later. *** Note that most of my titles thus far have been Titles or Lyrics to songs.
I decided I'd take on Gu at mile 10 and another at mile 20. I always have some Tylenol on me, but until this run, have never taken any on the run. For some reason, I was already cramping around mile 13, and decided to take the Tylenol just after mile 14. I put on my ipod around mile 16 to try to regain focus and ignore the cramps as the Tylenol should be kicking in any minute. …I had finished the first half just under 2 hours. I kept telling myself, you have to get to mile 20 before you can even think about walking even a few steps at a water stop. The run was most enjoyable in Scottsdale. Partly because there was more to see, another part because I know that area the best since that's where Lucy and Chelsey live, and then partly because I was looking out for Lucy and Chelsey (unfortunately we missed each other until the Finish). I passed mile 20, then 22 and finally at mile 24 I decided I was going to walk for a moment…that lasted less than 30 seconds as I realized that could be the end of me and the cramping would come on full force if I let my legs have a glimpse of relaxation. I told myself, if I could get a time that is just as good or better than New York-- I could take Tennessee easy. Just as I passed mile 25, I knew I had a marathon under 4:10 in my hands…but of course the pain and tiredness I was facing, I almost let myself just slow it down anyway. I took two steps of a walk and this girl comes up from behind and says "Come on we have this almost there" and so I decided I would listen to her- and I picked back up my pace. She was helping another guy get to the finish and she decided she'd help me too. Now if you know me- I like being the pace leader because I like to motivate others, but I'm not good at being motivated- I'm not going to let anyone else tell me I can or can't do it - only I can tell myself that. So as I wanted to slow down I tried shoo-ing the girl away, and she just turned around and pretended to pull me by a rope. I couldn't do anything but keep my pace up (and curse about her under my breath) She jumped out as we made the final turn yelling "you've got this" I could focus on the finish line at that point and I was able to pick my legs up and finish strong- the strongest I've ever finished. I got my time 4:07:03 - this time is now really for real, I've run two marathons at this pace and since New York's chip didn't work, I have this marathon's time to make it all real. So now that I've got it, what am I going to do about it? …I have my options for Tennessee….either 1) Take it easy and enjoy the state I once lived in and not hate the hills or 2) Faster…that's the thing about an addiction, you are never satisfied- you just want more!
I have written this on Tuesday Night, January 15, 2008. A week ago Rachel and I were at yoga, I was in hopes that despite my inability to make several yoga classes in the past month due to travel, that this class would give me the final cross training I would need to be ready for the marathon. Tonight, I went to yoga as part of my recovery plan from this Marathon allowing myself to take it easy, because I did just after all run a marathon. For me, yoga isn't such a spiritual event than a means of exercise/cross training but today's class was peaceful, and I came out of it realizing how wonderful my life really is. Just hours ago I was in Arizona and even better about 24 hours ago, Lucy Chelsey and I were at our favorite dive bar in Scottsdale having drinks, playing shuffle board, enjoying our carefree lives. Having the ability to travel from state to state to run marathon after marathon, then returning home not skipping a beat of life is really something else! Now that I've got it, I'll enjoy it.
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