Checklist:
- Race bag: Brooks shoes, two pairs of socks, capris, sleeveless, one throwaway longsleeve shirt, sports bra, and a few choices for headgear (cap, toque, bandana, headband), jellybeans and two Clif bars, my Chicago marathon technical long sleeve shirt with thumbholes, multigrain Cheerios
- Everything else bag for the weekend: jeans, two tshirts, one long sleeve, nice sweater, hoodie, pjs, toiletries, meds, socks and sundries .... packing light so I can haul some new clothes home
- Goodies basket for the car: peanut butter, Dairy Milks, pretzels, granola bars; Juices and water, berries, grapes and oranges to be added in the morning; Also a portable DVD player, the next Book Club book, and a crossword puzzle to entertain me for the two-part 9-hour drive
- Training: Best I could do without really sticking to a plan. But feel ready enough.
Well. The party is about to begin. In about 16 hours, we'll be hopefully avoiding rush hour out of the city and on our way to Cincinnati for the race this weekend. We're not driving all the way in one shot, but we don't know where we'll stop either. In all, there's 15 people in my party -- two arriving by plane, and 13 are driving in five separate car. Of the 15, 8-1/2 of them are runners. Yumke plus R equals 1-1/2 runners, logic being that R., who was signed up for the half but has since dropped out since she managed to sprain an ankle the day after signing up. Grasshopper and his entourage are arriving on Saturday afternoon. Then there's my whole family, plus cousin and her husband. I'm still a bit foggy on the details of our actual trip -- like what we'll do while in Cinci, but I think there will be a lot of laughs along the way. The weather looks like it's going to cooperate.
Race Strategy: The plan is to stick with my sister from start to finish. I promised to see her through her first half marathon. If her leg bothers her so much that she must walk, I will walk with her. We will finish together.
Wednesday, April 30
Monday, April 28
A fork in the road
The last long run didn't go quite as planned on the weekend. My sister and I were hoping to run 10 miles together. We were going to do it at 6:30 a.m., same time the race begins this Sunday. We had a 10-mile route planned out. And despite best efforts for preparation, imagined or real, the plan can change and adjustments must be made. Especially if the body breaks down.
Nearly 3 miles into a run that began about 4 hours later than scheduled, my sister's leg began to act up. We had literally and figuratively come to a fork in the road. Heading north would have taken us towards home, cut our run short. Heading west would be sticking seeing through a peak mileage training run. Both routes probably meant risking aggravating an injury a week before the race. None of the options were palatable. Eventually, we decided that having the ability to at least start the race next week would be the best course of action. We tried running a little bit more but there was no rhythm and we ended up walking the bulk of the next 3 miles. She was sorely disappointed in herself. I said can't worry about that now, let's see what the physiotherapist says before we reevaluate the race day plan.
The physiotherapist figures my sister has a weak right ankle, which she thinks likely stems from a sprain back when she was a student living in Montreal. There was also theory that she is developing Baker's cyst. But the physiotherapist also did not say "Do Not Run" so that's good. My sister got her ankle taped -- an effort she'll have to duplicate or beg the medical tent to do for her on race day -- and she tried running on it tonight. Seemed okay, not great, but she has one more appointment this week to loosen everything up. Plan still evolving...
Nearly 3 miles into a run that began about 4 hours later than scheduled, my sister's leg began to act up. We had literally and figuratively come to a fork in the road. Heading north would have taken us towards home, cut our run short. Heading west would be sticking seeing through a peak mileage training run. Both routes probably meant risking aggravating an injury a week before the race. None of the options were palatable. Eventually, we decided that having the ability to at least start the race next week would be the best course of action. We tried running a little bit more but there was no rhythm and we ended up walking the bulk of the next 3 miles. She was sorely disappointed in herself. I said can't worry about that now, let's see what the physiotherapist says before we reevaluate the race day plan.
The physiotherapist figures my sister has a weak right ankle, which she thinks likely stems from a sprain back when she was a student living in Montreal. There was also theory that she is developing Baker's cyst. But the physiotherapist also did not say "Do Not Run" so that's good. My sister got her ankle taped -- an effort she'll have to duplicate or beg the medical tent to do for her on race day -- and she tried running on it tonight. Seemed okay, not great, but she has one more appointment this week to loosen everything up. Plan still evolving...
Saturday, April 26
Pep talk: the sequel
Cool, just got this email blast from the Pig Organizers. Might just have to pencil this in.
"Spirit of the Marathon"
If you'll be downtown Friday night, May 2nd, plan to be at Fountain Square for the viewing of the film, "Spirit of the Marathon" at 9:00 PM. We know that many people didn't get to see the first showing on February 21 because of snow. The Flying Pig Marathon is happy to show the film downtown during Pig weekend!
300
Here's a recap of the activities since the last (sad and slightly negatory) post. It's been hectic in the professional and personal life last little while, but I've managed to find a little bit of time to run but no time to blog. Five times in 10 days (which really breaks down to four times in one week, and once this week).
Valley Adventure
My sister and I got together during a lovely Sunday morning and dipped into the recreation trail near where we live. There is quite a steep hill that leads into the trail. We'll come back to that later. Part way through, she decided her own odor was offending herself (I suspect she will now be offended that I actually just wrote that - ha). Lots of other people had the same idea as us to be in the valley trail that morning. We refueled in Grasshopper's garden, who had generously left a lovely cache of Gatorade, red sports beans and water for us while he was out on his epic 20 miler. At this time, we wondered if we should resume the run with the original plan of residential side streets, featuring a few loops around a gentle slope. In the end, we decided we'd attack the monster hill from the beginning of our run. As we crossed paths with many of the same people on our way back, we wondered how far north on the trail they had been. We took a tiny break before facing the hill. I told my sister that she should just focus on herself, go at her own pace, keep her head up, and not to worry about what I was doing. She made it about two-thirds of the way up before it hurt too much and she slowed to walk up the rest. I told her it was not failure to have to walk -- there is just no shame in walking -- and that she's a champ because by this time, this might as well have been Everest as she'd not only run the furthest she's ever run, but she did it with ease, a smile, and increasing confidence. That was 9 miles in the books. Originally we were going to do 8 miles, so another shot to the arm!
Sidestreet Swing
I had it in my head to ramp up the running right up until the race. My unofficial program that I'm really not following suggests increasingly long weekend runs with the half-marathon as the peak distance. No taper. So I was determined to get out there again after one rest day. My legs were feeling pretty good after the weekend 9 miler. I weaved around the side streets, bopping to my iPod, and just like that, I put up 5 miles.
Killing time before the drink
I had some time between after work and after-work adult beverages. There was an unofficial going-away party and I had a three-hour gap to fill. I didn't want to go home and come back as that usually results in me just staying home. Knowing this, I brought my gear to work and went for a 4-1/2 mile downtown dash before tucking into Heineken and some tasty asparagus and proscuitto rolls, tempura shrimp, and beef skewers. That Patron Silver tequila might have been a bad idea to cap off the night.
Saving the Pandas
Ultimate hill training? I climbed the CN Tower for charity. I had hemmed and hawwed about joining the corporate team (Would this hurt my half-marathon training? Answer:
What training?) Another reason I was leaning to not participating is because I've done this twice before -- nothing left to prove? -- and not feeling adequately trained up for stairs. But I am in reasonably good shape and at the last moment, I decided to go when a spot opened up because a colleague was sick. It's 144 flights, or 1,776 stairs, in a windowless staircase. In the end, I didn't even get an official time because my chip hadn't worked. Unofficially, I estimate it took me between 21-23 minutes (I forgot to stop my own watch when I reached the top but it read a bit more than 25 minutes well after I'd gotten water and reconnected with my team).
Negotiating with myself
Spent the weekend at a training course learning the art of negotiation. In the end, I worked out a good deal with my head to take the weekend off from running and concentrate on absorbing skills and techniques. The 10 mile run can wait til Monday or Tuesday.
To the pool
Too exhausted on Monday to bother with running shoes, but I met my contractual obligation with myself to get my 10 miler in on Tuesday. I did it right after work before going home. I quickly changed at the gym and headed to the waterfront. I kept an eye out for Yumke since this is his turf but didn't see him. My route would take me out to the lakeside pool on the western side of the city. I love this pool, visited it many a time when I was growing up. There was a time when my family would take epic bike rides together on the waterfront and end up at this pool to cool off. This was my turnaround point. By the end of the run, I felt good about the upcoming race. I felt I could easily put out another 3.1 miles so I'm ready. I worry about my sister though -- her knee's acting up.
Reflections
Here we are at Post #300. It's fun to look back at the previous 299 stories. I've concluded this blog is not about the running. Really, it's been about everything else. It's been about bonding with new and veteran runners. It's about what I eat, how much I do or don't sleep, sometimes just the really mundane details. I don't write much about splits, nor speed training, or even my pace. This space is about having an excuse to make bad puns or write really contrived haikus. Sure it's a record of how many miles these legs can or can't handle on any given day. But it's about the person that I was, could become, but just am.
Valley Adventure
My sister and I got together during a lovely Sunday morning and dipped into the recreation trail near where we live. There is quite a steep hill that leads into the trail. We'll come back to that later. Part way through, she decided her own odor was offending herself (I suspect she will now be offended that I actually just wrote that - ha). Lots of other people had the same idea as us to be in the valley trail that morning. We refueled in Grasshopper's garden, who had generously left a lovely cache of Gatorade, red sports beans and water for us while he was out on his epic 20 miler. At this time, we wondered if we should resume the run with the original plan of residential side streets, featuring a few loops around a gentle slope. In the end, we decided we'd attack the monster hill from the beginning of our run. As we crossed paths with many of the same people on our way back, we wondered how far north on the trail they had been. We took a tiny break before facing the hill. I told my sister that she should just focus on herself, go at her own pace, keep her head up, and not to worry about what I was doing. She made it about two-thirds of the way up before it hurt too much and she slowed to walk up the rest. I told her it was not failure to have to walk -- there is just no shame in walking -- and that she's a champ because by this time, this might as well have been Everest as she'd not only run the furthest she's ever run, but she did it with ease, a smile, and increasing confidence. That was 9 miles in the books. Originally we were going to do 8 miles, so another shot to the arm!
Sidestreet Swing
I had it in my head to ramp up the running right up until the race. My unofficial program that I'm really not following suggests increasingly long weekend runs with the half-marathon as the peak distance. No taper. So I was determined to get out there again after one rest day. My legs were feeling pretty good after the weekend 9 miler. I weaved around the side streets, bopping to my iPod, and just like that, I put up 5 miles.
Killing time before the drink
I had some time between after work and after-work adult beverages. There was an unofficial going-away party and I had a three-hour gap to fill. I didn't want to go home and come back as that usually results in me just staying home. Knowing this, I brought my gear to work and went for a 4-1/2 mile downtown dash before tucking into Heineken and some tasty asparagus and proscuitto rolls, tempura shrimp, and beef skewers. That Patron Silver tequila might have been a bad idea to cap off the night.
Saving the Pandas
Ultimate hill training? I climbed the CN Tower for charity. I had hemmed and hawwed about joining the corporate team (Would this hurt my half-marathon training? Answer:
What training?) Another reason I was leaning to not participating is because I've done this twice before -- nothing left to prove? -- and not feeling adequately trained up for stairs. But I am in reasonably good shape and at the last moment, I decided to go when a spot opened up because a colleague was sick. It's 144 flights, or 1,776 stairs, in a windowless staircase. In the end, I didn't even get an official time because my chip hadn't worked. Unofficially, I estimate it took me between 21-23 minutes (I forgot to stop my own watch when I reached the top but it read a bit more than 25 minutes well after I'd gotten water and reconnected with my team).
Negotiating with myself
Spent the weekend at a training course learning the art of negotiation. In the end, I worked out a good deal with my head to take the weekend off from running and concentrate on absorbing skills and techniques. The 10 mile run can wait til Monday or Tuesday.
To the pool
Too exhausted on Monday to bother with running shoes, but I met my contractual obligation with myself to get my 10 miler in on Tuesday. I did it right after work before going home. I quickly changed at the gym and headed to the waterfront. I kept an eye out for Yumke since this is his turf but didn't see him. My route would take me out to the lakeside pool on the western side of the city. I love this pool, visited it many a time when I was growing up. There was a time when my family would take epic bike rides together on the waterfront and end up at this pool to cool off. This was my turnaround point. By the end of the run, I felt good about the upcoming race. I felt I could easily put out another 3.1 miles so I'm ready. I worry about my sister though -- her knee's acting up.
Reflections
Here we are at Post #300. It's fun to look back at the previous 299 stories. I've concluded this blog is not about the running. Really, it's been about everything else. It's been about bonding with new and veteran runners. It's about what I eat, how much I do or don't sleep, sometimes just the really mundane details. I don't write much about splits, nor speed training, or even my pace. This space is about having an excuse to make bad puns or write really contrived haikus. Sure it's a record of how many miles these legs can or can't handle on any given day. But it's about the person that I was, could become, but just am.
Thursday, April 10
A haiku on Pizza Thursday
Zonked, nothing to say
Sloppy three miler, chilly
Where's my whole wheat crust?
Sloppy three miler, chilly
Where's my whole wheat crust?
Wednesday, April 9
Pep Talk
"Well, that was a good pep talk."I wish the entire Pig-bound crew (eight runners in total, more on that another time) came out to see this documentary, a one-time showing across the country tonight. But it was just me and Yumke. I relived quite a few emotions tonight as the 100-minute drama unfolded. I watched six runners juxtaposed in six stories about their personal journeys toward competing and completing the 2005 Chicago Marathon (the year before I ran it).
-Yumke, as the credits were rolling for "Spirit of the Marathon"
I found myself at the edge of my seat, wondering if Deena Kastor was going to survive the fast-closing Constantina Tomescu-Dita. And even though I already knew the result, I still clapped a little when she did win. My heart sank when Daniel Njenga still couldn't claim a victory in his fourth trip to Chicago, after coming so close each time (small complaint: I wish to know more of his story -- a Kenyan living and training in Japan away from his family? Tell me more!). I teared up as the runners lined up at the starting line, then again when they crossed it. I laughed when one runner's husband said he didn't understand why people run long distances. I laughed again when the runner wondered if marathon training had changed or stressed their marriage in any way (Answer: He gets time to himself when she's out for a couple of hours on a long run. Yes the long run he doesn't understand.) These questions have come up in my own life. I cheered at the Chicago scenery. I also saw some of myself in the father-daughter combo who trained and went the distance. I saw some walls. I saw these walls being punched through.
It's definitely the ultimate pep talk for anyone who's a runner. But it's also a film that non-runners would enjoy as well. Did it make me want to immediately sign up for another marathon? No, not exactly though Yumke said I could still upgrade my Pig registration to marathon....
(oh ya, and I'm on my third rest day this week).
Tuesday, April 8
Gift in the mail
The May issue of Runner's World showed up in my mailbox today. Just because I ran the Scotiabank half marathon last year, the accompanying letter said. I'll dogear "Special Beginner's Guide -- P. 70!" right now.
This will come in handy since I'm taking a bonus rest day (feel like I haven't recovered from the weekend yet) so I might as well read about what I should be doing.
This will come in handy since I'm taking a bonus rest day (feel like I haven't recovered from the weekend yet) so I might as well read about what I should be doing.
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