Life after Vacation

I did run a total of 12 miles while I was in Toronto and walked what seemed like a million miles (it is very inconvenient to park so way more efficient to walk).  I also ate way to much.  I came back thinking I had gained 10lbs.  Nope - only about 2 or 3.  I feel fat though and am working on a plan to tone up and thin down.  Started tracking my calories today and did a 16 mile bike ride.  Rode around the Decker Loop with a little added on (1:05).  Cycling is a good barometer of my fitness.  I may feel that sometimes I suck in the running business but I felt super strong on my bike (mountain bike at that!!).  It was great to do a workout where I didn't hurt at all.  

I'm considering doing the Danskin Tri just for fun.  I am lousy at short distance anything but at least I don't really have to train for the swim and am unlikely to drown in 1/2 mile and it's on a Sunday so doesn't conflict with running activities.

I need some new cycling shoes...the ones I have are too small!

Will do a short run tomorrow morning.  I need to work on getting up early so when the hot weather comes I am used to running in the AM.

Life after Boston

I have completely abandoned any dietary restrictions while vacationing
in Toronto. I'll gain some weight but it makes my life very enjoyable
as I am eating food I never eat. Butter,whipped cream, custard tarts
from the local Greek bakery, croissants freshly baked from another
bakery, and plenty of all of the above. I will go back to my healthy
food when I get back up Austin.
Ran 6 miles from my sisters to my brothers yesterday with a backpack.
In rushhour traffic - faster to run than drive. Plan to run back
tomorrow AM. Gorgeous weather today - sunny, 70's. Went to a great
trail with my mom, brother and his kids. Raced from the bottom to the
top of a pretty steep section of trail twice with my nephew. He won
once and I won once. 40 situps and 10 puships on soft grass. They all
complained about how hot it was-it was perfect!!
Congrats to all Team Roguers at Nashville for sucking it up in the
heat and wind.
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Giving back

I live on my own so my time and money is mine for me to waste or
invest as I see fit. I'm visiting my family in Toronto and staying
with my sister. My sister is a single mom with 2 small kids and
doesn't have a whole lot of time for herself. So I have been doing
errands and making dinner every day for her. She loves it. I also
stopped at a friendly looking woman's running store and picked up a
flyer with the times of the different running groups they have. I
don't know if she has the time to train for a full marathon but I
think a half would be within her grasp. If she can train and sign up
then I will run it with her no matter how slow she has to go. I gave
her some ideas about how to get started and how to fit it in.

I walked 3 miles today and plan 3-4 mile run in the morning. Had a
massage today. This lady was awesome and needs to come back to Austin.
My legs are feeling way better.

By the way the weather was fantastic in toronto today

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Poor customer service

I made a mistake when I left Boston. I flew AA. They left my luggage
in Boston and I just wasted a full day waiting for it to be
delivered... It is 10 pm and I'm still waiting. I have already drafted
a complaint to their customer service dept.
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The day after

My legs are killing me!! Had trouble sleeping I was hurting so much.
Soaked in an ice bath before leaving the hotel and that felt great.
Today is my last day of indiscriminate eating.
I am formulating a plan for how to improve my running over the
summer. Includes, as always, trying to be more careful about what I
eat and doing some strength training.
I was on the hotel shuttle to the airport and we stopped at the
Fairmont to pick up a lady who obviously did not run the marathon.
She told the driver she "I CAN'T get to the back row of seats, I'm
wearing a skirt". I told the Boston runner beside me, "there is no
such thing as CAN'T".

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It's a dream

I did not run a 3:20. Not even close but as we all know, Boston is a
very hard race. I was on pace until mile 20 and then as Karen had
feared, the wheels fell off one at a time. The last 4 miles were a
test of my mental toughness. I tried multiple times to increase my
turn over but it just wasn't there. I never quit trying though and
that is a big step for me.
So on that note, I will continue the quest of breaking 3:30 and
getting closer to 3:20. Today was 3:31:02.
Some highlights:
The guy doing the whole marathon with a tracheostomy and oxygen
The YMCA chorus line of runners between mile 10 and 11. That needed
to be caught on film
The kids on the mini trampolenes jumping to Sweet Caroline - thank you
Sadie for having that on your blog
The amazing spirit and comradery of all the runners
The amazing service of all the volunteers - so humble when everyone
was profusely thanking them at the end. They are second to none.
Last but not least, me saying over and over for the last 4 miles "the
faster I run the quicker I'll be done". I repeated that to myself
over and over and over.

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A little further on our sight seeing...

Now I know who or what General Hooker was!

Say what?

Me and Alix did a little sight seeing on the way home and saw this
sign. Given that it was on the State House I wasn't all that
surprised...

Welcome to Boston

At the airport

Waiting at the Jet Blue gate with Plunky and some folks from the south
team. Seems like a few people got messed up with a flight with
Continental and are frantically trying to switch to Jet Blue.

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Planning ahead

Looks like rain is forecast later in the day so I got up at 4am and joined the 4 other am runners for our last group Boston run.  Ran with Mae and James for 4 miles and then let them go ahead so I could focus on hitting MGP.  Nailed it for each of the last 2 miles.  Feeling strong.  I have written up my personal pace plan.  It's a little conservative but I want to be strong in the last 5 miles.  If I feel great at mile 14 or 15 I'll pick it up a notch.  Tying up some loose ends, getting Riley massaged (and yes I had one too, earlier in the week) and then getting my hair trimmed tomorrow.  I'm ready to go!!

Meesha

I talk a lot about my cat Meesha. Well here she is. Not eating well
but seems happy and still loves cat nip.

Testing out blogging from email

Geezer suggested getting a gmail account. However I'm going to try
this. Will work it out before Boston.

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Reality

Ran a pretty straightforward workout tonight...1 mile wu, 200m MGP/200m 10K pace x 1 mile then 1 mile HMGP on road and then repeat track portion with one mile cool down. Felt OK. Have no idea what my splits were but I don't really care. Ran on effort. Felt best on the HMGP part.

I sent an email to my boss who takes a mild interest in my running and told him that I was prepared as I could be and that the outcome of the race could not be determined until I crossed the finish line. I have very positive visualizations of running MGP relaxed and just cruising through the hills. I can remember the exact point at which my quads made themselves known last year but know that they really weren't an issue. I'm not stressing the plan because I'm going to run just like last year - hopefully I will be a little stronger at the end.

Tonight is my last night at work...YAY!!

Make up run

I ran a nice easy 3.5 miles with Silver dog. Pretty strong headwind at the start and my legs felt a little sluggish. Doing pretty well with nutrition but did treat myself to a moderate amount of Pear Ginger Crisp from WF. Feeling a little tired but I'm taking an extra day off work so I will have 5 NIGHTS of sleep before the race. Hard day tomorrow with a work meeting from 7:30-9am, a likely conversation with the vet about Meesha, last track w/o and then back to work. Won't get much more than 6hrs sleep.

Meesha has stopped eating very much at all again, she isn't happy about force feeding and I'm getting nervous about leaving her for 10 days. As long as she eats something, I'm confident she'll be OK for 10days. I'm going to get her another vitamen shot, possibly some antibiotics since I suspect she has a bladder infection and I'm tempted to break down and get her enough raw cat food to get her through the next 2 weeks. Raw cat food is a hassle but I think my neighbor can handle it. I'm pretty much sure she is developing kidney failure as she drinks a tremendous amount of water. She is not a good candidate for subQ fluids due to her temperment - I'm lucky to give her a vitamin shot without getting scratched.

I have my plan for Boston...pretty much the same as last year. Even splits until the hills and then even effort through the hills and then everything left for the last 5 miles. Worked well last year and I was in a much worse place physically and mentally.

Super lazy day

I got up at 7:45 because the dog was whining - apparently has some kind of GI issue that started yesterday AM in my computer room.  I opened the door and let her out before there was any repeat of the mess.  Gave her a small amount of dog food and let her out for the day.  That issue had better be resolved before I go to Boston.  Ate breakfast and then decided since it was raining, returning to bed was in order.  Got up just before 2pm.  My excuse?  I gotta go to work tonight.  I decided to skip a run today since I am actually sore from falling down yesterday.  Had lunch and am now in the process of motivating myself to finish cleaning up my house.

i-Phone note - I can access my blog from it easily, type a title but them can't get to the body of my post...any suggestions?  Other than that, I'm loving it.  Went to a friend's yesterday and we messed around looking at different apps.  We are both amazed that such a small device can do so much....neither one of us is in the high tech industry!

Last long run

Nice easy 12 miles today...several people in our group ran 14 and Steve's group ran 16.  I felt 12 was more than enough.  Started nice and slow and then gradually picked up the pace.   Between mile2 and 3 I fell down.  Minor scrape to me knee, shoulder and head.  Yeah I actually felt my head bounce off the ground.  Bet you didn't know you could get a head injury running!  I'm fine!  I stayed nice and relaxed - stopped to turn off the alarms on my Garmin and then stopped for a potty break at a coffee shop on North Loop.  At mile 10.3 I started picking up the pace and averaged MGP or faster for the final 2 miles.  Legs felt a little sluggish at times but overall felt good.  Foot feels good.  Have fresh shoes for the race...may run in them on Tuesday.

It's a lovely spring day in Boston - 38 degrees, NE wind at 21MPH and light rain.  Oh yeah...I am looking forward to that!

I have the weather channel app on my phone - the weather seems to change every few hours for the 20th...this morning 60% chance of rain now 30% chance (temps perfect - 40's and 50's).  No doubt the forecast will change 100 more times before the race.  I will continue to be hopeful but will be prepared for anything. 

Am getting everything organized for my trip - multiple varieties of cat food so Meesha will eat when I am gone, extra dog food, bottled water for Meesha.  I have lined up an extra rider for Riley as my usual rider will be out of town thru next Monday.  She is the person I bought him from 11 years ago so she is excited to come and ride him again.

Looks like a rainy day here tomorrow - will plan a short easy run - hopefully not in the rain.

Substitute Coaches

So Coach Karen has been sunning herself in Mexico and taking unnecessary risks on the slopes several times in the last few weeks.  We have been blessed with some fun substitute coaching.  Jay brought us bottled water and free socks on Tuesday and yesterday Patrick came and entertained us.  Since few people actually showed up, we circulated an email about the personal water misting we got, warm up jackets, foot massages and dinner at Trulucks.  OK we didn't get anything yesterday but a Rogue water jug but we have suggested to Karen that breakfast tacos and mimosas should be the minimum after the run on Saturday!  I'm thinking a private jet to Boston wouldn't be half bad!

Back to normal

I have been off all meds since Monday.  I feel way, way better.  Now I plan to stay off all medication except maybe some ibuprofin, zyrtec and only if absolutely necessary some tessilon pearls.

Had a much better run Wed and Thurs.  Easy 8 miles yesterday with a pick up for the last 2 miles.  Feeling my normal self.  Left heel sore but thankfully only when I am not running.  Hamstring seems fine.

Moved into the real world and am now the proud owner of an i Phone - never even had a phone with a camera before, have never texted before and am looking forward to the freedom of not toting my lap top around.  Printed out the Boston bus instructions and my flight itineraries.  You would think I was leaving tomorrow but I like to be well prepared.  Checked Boston weather...60% chance of rain on Sunday but the temps are looking perfect.  Totally not worried cuz there ain't nothing I can do about it.  However, if any one has tips for foot health when running in the rain for 26 miles let me know.  I have never raced in the rain.

Today starts my pre marathon prep - house cleaning, making sure everything is set up for my pet/horse sitters and watching my diet like a hawk (including hydration).  Today will be the last time I sit on my horse until April 29.  Hopefully it will be a good ride - I went on a relaxing trail ride yesterday and Riley was great.

Time to get off the computer and getting working!

uninspired

We had the burn as our workout today. I still feel crappy from what I am now assuming is the antibiotics so I called the dr and told him I am stopping them. My hamstring was tight and sore so I called it a day after 2 miles of the burn. Lame w/o - total 4.75 miles. Iced my hamstring in the car on the way to the gym for my shower and it feels fine now.
Big shout out to Priscilla for her awesome job at LoneStar Half Ironman...you go girl!!

Grrr

I can't seem to shake this sinus problem. I have been on antibiotics for over 10 days and have still been having the nasty sinus headaches. I now also have an irritating cough caused by post nasal drip. Nothing to be done about that unfortunately. I am getting antsy about Boston so want to be off the antibitics early. I have 10 days left but left a message for the doc to see if I could stop them a week early. I also need some meds to control the cough. No one wants to listen to me cough for months.
The most frustrating part is that I'll feel fairly good for a few days and then the head ache returns with tiredness and just feeling crappy. I know that unless my lungs aren't working, I'll be fine (even if a bit grumpy) at Boston...a headache isn't going to slow me down.
Have a track workout on Tuesday - the Burn - which is relatively easy. If it feels that way then I'm OK..if not, I'll be a little more concerned.
My focus for the next 2 weeks is rest, rest, rest! And eating and drinking properly.

Spoiled

I just finished cooking my cat some chicken.  It is her favorite thing to eat.  She was creating such a fuss that I had to cut some up right out of the pan so it would cool faster.  Thank god Silver dog likes dog food!

3 down next...next stop is Boston

First of all I need to share some important information.  Coach Karen and I have discussed in the recent past that I need to dial back my pace goal at Boston.  Why?  Because I have been sick for 2.5 weeks and have 1.5 more weeks of kick ass antibiotics which the dr said will decrease my performance a little.  Karen doesn't want me flailing for the last 5 miles.  I agree, so will run 3:25 pace for at least the first half and then pick up the pace at a point which feels right on that day.  I am still shooting to hit 3:20 pace in my training and have been relatively successful.  Am I disappointed?  Not at all.  I am getting healthy and am not injured for which I am very grateful.  Whether I run a 3:25, a 3:23 or a 3:20 all will be decent PR's and great achievements on my part.  There will be another race.

Today's run went great...I felt strong, smooth and mentally sharp.  There were no demons telling me to stop and I ran a similar pace to the last one of these.  So I nailed all three tough workouts this week and nailed 4 out of 5 tough long runs this winter.  I feel prepared and am ready to taper a little.

I have learned a lot in the Team training.  I am a weak runner...I don't have much leg strength.  I need to work on my core.  I spend way too much time worrying that I don't run fast enough on the long runs.  Amy Anderson reassured me today that she runs slow too and she has similar race goals as I do and is successful.  I don't have huge miles in me...50-60 miles max is about all I can do well.  I have also improved a lot.  I am faster.  I haven't "raced" in a year so it will be interesting to see how this goes.  I will be back in the summer to train for Portland!

2 down 1 to go

Successfully got the work out done on Tuesday and the progressive run done today.  A little off pace at the end but not bad.  Perfect weather other than the wind.  It did die down a little.  Legs are feeling good, have a minor cough but still have quite a bit of sinus drainage.

Tomorrow have a training class for work tomorrow and then our MGP run on Saturday.

I'm feeling ready for Boston and plan to run the same as last year...shooting for even splits  with a slight slow down thru the hills and then whatever I have left for the the final 5+ miles.

Last year I dreaded it...this year I can't wait.  Bring it on!!  Just over 2 weeks to go.

Meesha is doing better

My cat Meesha is doing much better. Her favorite food right now is cooked chicken breast. Today she ate one grilled chicken tender, the gravy from a can of cat food, some kitty kibble and some other kind of canned cat food. She didn't pick around in it either. She gobbled it up! Yay!!
She enjoys sleeping outside at night so I accomodate that and then she just sleeps the day away in my bed.
Silver dog enjoyed a nice easy paced run today with a stop to swim around in some water from the rain and then had a nice soapy dog bath. She loves to get lathered up.
I slept poorly but other than that am still slowly getting healthier. Appetite has returned so I just have to be careful not to eat too much. Had a good amount of whole grain carbs for dinner so hopefully will have lots of fuel for the rest of the week.
My friend Alix who recently moved to Houston is having a tough time getting motivated to train properly for Boston as she just graduated from college and can't find a job. I have encouraged her to just get one more long run in and then keep working towards Boston for the next few weeks. I told her to pick a realistic time to complete the race in and then go back another time to run a fast Boston. I think once she gets there she will get excited and will run a perfectly acceptable race. She's talking about the sag wagon...I say hell no!!

The final miles to Boston

This week is apparently our last hard week before Boston. So I am going all out putting every bit of effort I can in on Tuesday, Thurs and Sat. No excuses. My sinus infection is greatly improved...I'm starting to feel good again. Today we did a modified ladder and it went well. I ran with Carey and Javi thru the 400's after checking that they were running 3:20 paces. They claimed they were but they were not. They ran a bit fast. I weenied a little and walked part of the 100m recovery before the last 400 and they got ahead. I did the HMGP mile in 7:11 and the 15K mile in 7:09. No complaints from me except that my lungs are still not 100% and I could definately feel them in the 15K pace. The North team was looking pretty good in their Team outfits!!
Plan and easy recovery day for tomorrow and then a big effort on our 10 mile progressive pace run. It's not something I'm all that good at but I'm going to get it done!! Then onto the 15 mile MGP run on Sat. Went well last time and I'll use the same approach as last time. I'll be running on my own unless there is someone reliable from the South team to run with. Javi ain't reliable about pace!
I'm getting excited about Boston now. Just going to work at getting and then staying healthy and not getting injured.