83 hours, but who's counting (Lindsey)

I can't believe it, it's down to the wire. 3 more days, or 83 hours, 5037 minutes... who's counting? This past week I've felt somewhat like an addict coming off a high, looking forward to their next hit. Am I actually comparing long distance running to being high? sigh. This week has been a week of mixed emotions: excitement for Sunday's race melts into complete panic at the thought of running 26.2 miles but then they peak again at the thought of running across the finish line. This week has been more tapering and more stretching but I've had this feeling of "ansy-ness." I'm used to spending all afternoon running and now workouts are finishing in 30-45 minutes. What am I supposed to do with myself? Am I addicted to running now? I guess there could be worse things.

I've been trying to keep positive (there isn't anyway I'm going to get through this without some rose colored glasses) so I've been thinking about all the positive changes that training for this marathon has brought me. So here they are:

1) I can now lift my dogs' 50 lb dog food bag like it's a 5 lb weight. - yay for muscles!
2) Running has improved my riding. I rode Mafazi this past weekend and I'm pretty sure she was trying to figure out who the heck was on her back. "who is this chic w/ legs 'o steel and good posture?"
3) I'm learning how to tell the difference between pushing myself and being hard on myself - there's a difference.
4) I'm learning not to cheat myself - I have to do some of the hard stuff to get to the good part. You have to put in the work.
5) I'm learning that I'm a little more spiritual than I thought.
6) Discipline - you need it.

Remember those New Years Resolutions I hadn't figured out yet... well I've thought of one: I want to keep up with my running and cross training. I'm signed up for the Charlottesville 10 miler in March. It sounds like a piece of cake compared to the marathon but I think I'm going to aim to take some time off my PR. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be competitive in some of these races... we'll see.

Song of the week is Take on Me - covered by A.C. Newman - It's the first song on my marathon mix. I'm ready to take you on marathon!

Why I Run (Lindsey)

Hmm... well this has been an interesting week. No one talks about recovery from long runs, in my case this week, 20 miles. It's almost like running is the easy part. (I said almost) Last week's long run was surprisingly good. Surprising because I did it, and did it without knee pain. yay! One foot in front of the other, constant reminders to myself to hold my running form, stretching every now and then, and it all worked out. Miracle.
Now for the hard part. We get done with the run, we stretch, inhale any sort of calories available (in my case Gatorade for the drive home). When I get home all I want to do is eat but I have to stretch more, stretch, stretch, and ice. 30 minutes later I'm finally getting to the eating part. Heaven. Then more icing and the feeling of sheer exhaustion taking over. Nap time. Then wake up, more food, ice, and back to sleep. That was just Sunday.
Monday I woke up and I was pretty sure something was wrong with my body. My legs weren't moving right and there was a constant dull throb in my knee (oh no!). @#$#%$#@!@?! did I mess up my knee again? More icing, minor freak out at work and a call to the running clinic to schedule an appointment. More icing and freaking out. Then an e-mail to Adam to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. I'm supposed to feel tired and funky right? Adam suggested a short run (umm seriously?), deep water run (would love to do this sometime), or stationary bike to work out some of the soreness and yes it's normal to feel funky and tired. Minor sigh of relief. None of this happens on Monday due to work/life.
Tuesday. Feeling somewhat better, but only a little. I drag myself into the gym after work because I'm ridiculously tired. I do my workout and attempt to run a  couple laps. That's funny because I can barely move them in any sort of manner that resembles running so I hit the stationary bike. Success. oh yeah more stretching and icing.
Wednesday I attempt a run on the track. According to Hal I should have already run 5 miles on Tuesday and 8 miles Wednesday. Is this guy for real? How does anyone do that? I ran 3 and walked a 4th. stretch and iced. Oh yeah, I'm beyond tired.
Thursday (tonight) - workout at the gym and some running. ahhh... finally some relief. I can actually run again. huzzah. Just in time for another long run this weekend. stretch and ice of course.
So why do I put myself through this?
Gosh, isn't that the question. Yes, this is something that has been on my life goal/bucket list. But why? Am I trying to prove something? Why a marathon? I'm not sure yet. But I think I'm getting closer to the answer. I watched a cute movie tonight called "Saint Ralph" which is about a kid who runs the Boston Marathon in hopes that if he wins, that miracle will get his mother out of a coma (hey it was about a marathon ok). It turned out to be an ok movie but something that rang true to me was when Ralph asked one of the kids on the cross country team why they run and one of them replied, "it's in our blood, we have to." Hmm.. I wouldn't say running is in my blood per say, the Arnold's are not known for our speed and running form, but it's definitely in my heart. hmmm.. closer. But I'm still not sure. Maybe that's why I'm running this marathon? Maybe it's to figure out why?

17 days to go

Chuck Norris Never Ran a Marathon [Austin]

Only three weeks until Austin!!

I'll start by saying the third member of our trio was out today :(  Sadly, someone has been spreading the funk and she's under the weather, but no worries...rest is the second most important part of training!

This week's mileage was: 5 - 10 - 5 and 20 today.  Lindsey and I met at a Baptist Church in Ruckersville and ran and ran and ran and stretched and ran.  The run was much more flat than what we're used to in town but slow rolling hills were still in abundance.  I had a lot of time to think (4 hours to be exact - hence my motivation to blog)...and I started making a mental list of things running has taught me.

So, without further ado, and in honor of our 20 mile run today....the top ten things running has taught me:

10) Never skimp on a good pair of sneakers - your feet will thank you later, your wallet will forgive you.

9) There is no better way to learn your way around a new town or discover something new in an old one.

8) Food (carbs) are your friend.

7) Cars are not your friend.

6) Training is like a second job; it requires LOTS of time and planning but when it's gone, you don't know what to do with yourself.

5) I really do "hit the ground running"...and I have the scars and bruises to prove it.

4) There is not tolerance for runner's high.

3) Sweet frogs frozen yogurt is the best recovery food.

2) I am a worrier and would be even more insane if I did not.

1) To love and thank every part of my body for carrying me through the miles.

This week in training is the start of tapering down.  So after today we are officially "mentally prepared" for the marathon and these next two weeks will allow our bodies to rest...we'll see.

 

Mark your calendars.  Prayers will be appreciated on February 19th :)    

     

View from the run this morning (:

Eye of the Tiger (Lindsey)

For efficiency sake I'll cut to the chase... recent knee pain finally got the best of me and I had a minor freak out last week that I wasn't going to be able to run the marathon. After being assessed by my friend Rachel's trusted trainer, Adam, I am back on track... with probably more pain that when I started but at least I know it's good pain.

What I've learned this week...

Adam has rocked my running world. Basically from one session he determined that I'm not running off of my toes, utilizing my gluets and hamies like I should, but instead I hobble around in a half stride, using only my quads. Seriously, imagine an old man, hunched over, shuffling his way over the finish line - that is me in a nutshell. yikes! This completely makes sense. I've been wondering when my line on my thigh would return (the line I used to have in high school when I ran track) and if I would ever get any definition in my legs with all this training. Turns out if you aren't using muscles, they don't just suddenly appear. oops. I'm glad this was caught but now it's an uphill battle to fix my stride and get me in shape in the next month for the marathon. (cue the Rocky music). I am on a mission though and Adam has given me the tools to kick my own butt (literally).

Something else I learned this week - I've been stretching all wrong. Double oops. Static stretching shouldn't be done before a run as it can actually weaken your muscles. Before runs you should warm up with "dynamic stretching" to get and keep the muscles warmed up. see video below:

Better late than never I say. We still have our 20 miler up in a couple weeks... ek! But I'll be glad to be running with my buddies again. I missed them this weekend for the 18miler. Kudos to them for completing it!

We are getting close... I feel like we are at the part in the movie where the music plays and then there is a montage of scenes of running, lifting weights, etc. I'm actually getting excited for the part where the movie transitions to the epic last battle (marathon) and the hero(s) overcome great physical challenge.

Song of the week - Eye of the Tiger by Survivor 

32 days to go

Love song of a Runner (Lindsey)

"So this is the New Year/ and I have no resolutions..." (Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year)

Every year I take stock of the my past 365 days and set a list of goals for the following year. I believe self reflection is critical to growth and making for a happy and healthier life. So when I strapped on my shoes this morning for my 16 mile jaunt (groan) I set out to compile that list.

What did I come up with? Not much of anything. I actually spent the first 3 miles of my run cursing myself and my camel pack: myself for being such a crazy person for signing up for a marathon and my camel pack for leaking down my back. (My pack is pretty finicky. If I don't close the cap just right I get leakage.) Needless to say, it wasn't a fun start to my run.

But I kept going... why?

Zach, my sweet husband, accompanied me this morning on my run. He knew I was nervous and that I had a difficult time last week running on my own. Despite a recent lag in time since his last long distance run, he took on the challenge to keep me company. During my first 3 miles of cursing and self doubt, Zach took every stride with me and encouraged me to keep going. When my camel pack started dripping down my back he offered to carry it instead of me so I could be comfortable. I didn't hand it over because I'm stubborn but his offer melted my cold and angry heart. After that the miles ticked by under our feet.

My mind began to wander about running and it's impact on my relationship with Zach. It was difficult when we were first married to coordinate time to be together with our work schedules, school, hobbies, and sports. We are both pretty active people but our schedules never seemed to overlap. When we moved to Charlottesville for Zach's residency I picked up running races with Heather (see first post). I think running with Heather sparked Zach's interest in running races with me. Perhaps he saw that if we could do it, then he could do it too or maybe he was fed up and wanted to find some way for us to do something together. I'm not sure, but whatever got him over the first finish line in Williamsburg has been a blessing for me and for us. Since then I've had someone to push me out the door when I don't want to go and someone to understand what it's like to be so tired that you can't make it out of bed for the rest of the day. He's been my cheerleader and my running partner. Even when he's sprinting by me to meet me at the finish line, the fact that he's there means a lot. I think it's brought us closer. I know that he's proud of me and he knows that I'm just as proud of him. We help each other meet our goals. (Am I making you feel sick yet?) Sorry for all the sap but I thought it was worth it to share.

Whatever my New Years resolutions end up being and whatever life hands me to deal with this year, I know I can make it because I have my running buddy.

For those of you contemplating resolutions for the year: how about this year you tie those shoes on and step out the door with your significant other? See how far you can go together? See how close it brings you...

Most poignant song from my mix today: All I Need by Radiohead.

Days to go: 47 days

welcome to the dark side of the moon (Lindsey)

Breathe.
Breathe, breathe in the air... look around and choose your own ground/ for long you live and high you fly.
This past weekend I took on my longest run to date - 15 miles.

On the Run.
Run, run rabbit run.
To be quite honest, the distance was a little overwhelming in the beginning. But just like the energizer bunny, this chic put one foot in front of the other to get it done.


Time.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain/ You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today/ And then one day you find ten years have got behind you/ No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.
Running long distance means you've got time. Time to think, agonize over little aches and pains, and play mental games with yourself so you can make it to the end.

Breathe.
When I come home coldened and tired/ It's good to warm my bones beside the fire.
There is nothing like walking through the front door after a long run. The seconds before you plop down on the couch...heavenly.

Money.
Money, get away.
The minutes, hours after the run, when I'm decompressing, are the simplest and purest of moments. I forget about my worries and relax... or maybe that's a runners high?

Us and Them.
Us and them/ and after all we're only ordinary men/ Me and you.
I really missed my running buddies this week. It was torture running that distance without my friends to help me along the way. Never again guys!

Brain Damage.
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear/ You shout and no one seems to hear/ And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes/ I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
The higher the mileage gets, the more I think I've lost my mind.

Eclipse.
All that is now/ All that is gone/ All that's come/ and everything under the sun is in tune/ But the sun is eclipsed by the moon./ There is no dark side on the moon really. 
but the heck with it, thank you runners high. You've made it easy for me to forget the mental and physical torment and take on the road again, next week. 


Song to pull me through the last minutes of my run when all I wanted to do was lay out on the sidewalk and take a nap - I Like It by Enrique Iglesias. 


For those of you not catching the reference... see Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. 


54 days to go. 

Long time, No Blog (Heather)

It’s been a while…

Two whole months to be exact….

Oh blog, how I have missed thee.

These past several weeks have been incredibly busy at work. So busy, in fact, that it’s been a challenge to fit in my runs during the week. As Lindsey mentioned in a previous post, it gets dark so early now! It is funny- I’m sure that I noticed in past years of my life, but it’s only now that I immediately wonder how I will run in the dark when the sun starts to set at 4:30. A reflective belt is now a permanent part of my after work running attire. Becoming a runner has changed the way I look at a lot of things.

It has also changed my behavior. For example, I hate being cold. Moving from Georgia to Virginia took some getting used to for this southern girl.

{And no, I don’t think Virginia is the true South. I’ve had this conversation with a lot of people since moving here to this beautiful state, and it all depends on your perspective and home state. If you grew up in New York, I’m sure Virginia seems like a foreign country where no one- syllable words exist and girls secretly wish hoop skirts and petticoats were still in fashion. But for me, it’s not the South. I’m talking Deep South. Truth: If you can’t order sweet tea in every restaurant you visit, then it’s not the south. This is proven}

Anyway, back to the running. And my behavior change. And the cold. Yesterday was a chilly morning- around 8:00 a.m., I believe it was in the mid 30’s. Despite the warmth of my bed and a slumbering husband who sweetly said, “Hell, no, I’m not running out there,” I pulled on sweatpants, a long-sleeve shirt and a fleece. Even Austin looked at me and said, “I don’t think I’ll make it at 8:00.” (This statement was followed by the sound of her bedroom door shutting tight… smart girl, it keeps the warmth in)

Despite ALL of these intelligent people advising me otherwise, I laced up my new Brooks running shoes and headed outside in my neighborhood to run 10 miles. Let me just begin by saying that my neighborhood is entirely too full of hills. I’m not sure who put them there, but I really wish they’d come and take them back. I believe I’ve already stated my position on hills in a previous post, so I won’t go into that again. The reason I actually chose to run in my neighborhood is because Lindsey looked up the elevation in Austin and it seems like the first 8ish miles are pretty hilly. Sigh… So I guess it only makes sense that I put those pesky hills to use.

My plan was to run 5 miles straight away from our house so that at the end of them, I’d be forced to run (or crawl) 5 miles back. Even after three half-marathons, I still have to play mind games with myself. Especially on cold mornings and when I’m all by myself.

Bad thing about the run: The cold!! I ran with a pair of Old Navy fleece gloves, but my fingers were so  cold that they hurt. My solution was to pull my fleece sleeves over my gloves and continue running down the road looking like an idiot. I may try to get some hand warmers (which I saw in the hunting section at Dick’s… I was forced to stand in the hunting section with my husband on Saturday. Why we actually went into a store during the Christmas season is beyond me. Amazon, how I love thee… I’m feeling very Shakespearian today)

Good thing about the run: The new energy chews that Linds found! They are called Honey Stinger energy chews and taste almost just like Gummy Bears. I bought a box of the Cherry Blossom flavor and anticipate trying not to eat them for a snack when I’m just sitting around on the couch watching Bravo t.v.

I need to get some of those cold compression pants. Still not sure they’ll be comfortable to run in, but I’ve got to try something warmer than 5 year old sweat pants.

Currently (and shamelessly) listening to: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas”

I’m planning to do a repeat of last week and then add 2 onto the long run:  4, 5, and 8 mile runs during the week and then 12 this weekend.

Now, off to make myself do those 4 miles….

-Heather