ING Marathon 18 m TUNE UP

The day before is really important to a long run. Fo rme at least. Friday night I was up until 1 am packing since I move Oct 1 and can't really do anything during the week between work and working out. Saturday I went to ivengar yoga (read: easy) and then my mom came. We went up to the new apt to measure some stuff and then drove down for brunch and then did some apt errands (brita, curtains etc). Basically the point of me telling you all this is that I was on my feet all day, didnt hydrate enough, didnt eat too much, and didnt know where my running junk was until 10 pm when I went to get ready before going to bed.

Sunday am I got a roll w jam which I ate in the cab on the way uptown. I'm over the subway. Stresses me out. I got to the park at 6:45 and the course marshals were yelling at us that we were late. YAWN. I'm not interested in being stressed out when the race hasnt started yet! The corrals were all closed and I was legit one of the last to start. TOuche. I dont care!

I followed the plan OK until my blister (I've packed all my running socks!!!) developed and always killed me. I would post the picture but I think you'll pass out, like, honestly. I've worn cotton socks before but OBVIOUSLY this was a terrible idea.

I really wanted to follow my race plan so off I went but I had GI distress and stopped for about 4 min at the 81st street real park bathroom because the portapotty lines were soooo long (like usual). One thing to note: the gatorade on the course was not mixed well, it was too strong which also leads to GI distress.

Lap 1 of the park was pretty good:
m1-11:10

m2-11:08
m3-10:52
m4-10:54
m5-11:40
m6-10:49

the 11:40 was me trying to slow down from running 2m a little too fast and then m6 was me being like, ugh i suck at pacing.
Lap 2 here we come... I was happy and ready t opick it up. I felt GOOD. I ran into some TNT girls and started up harlem hill. They were apparently running 12min pace which I didnt realize. OOPS. m8-10 is the west side, the 3 bitches (the hills) and then up to almost tavern on the green. i rocked it!!!! 10:35 and 10:02!!!! M 10 wa sme trying to slow down because I had been giong a bit too fast... m11 i always stuggle in that part of the park,  I am unsure why!!!

m7-13:36- harlem hill, ran with the tnt girls who were running really slow, needed to be on my own!!!
m8-10:35
m9-10:02
m10-11:05
m11-10:40
m12-10:44


LAP 3:
m13-11:59 harlem hill with mike, not too bad considering i walked a bit... stupid ear!!!
m14-11:46 (stupid rolling hills)weird guy screwed up my splits
m15-11:48- walked the water breaks and couldnt get into a groove
m16-10:35- lower part of the loop trying to get back in the groove
m17-12:31- cat hill killed me, walked a teeny bit
m18-10:17 (fastest and flatest mile of the course)

very inconsistent on the 3rd lap. I ran into Coach Mike and I was quit eobviously hitting my hydration issue. Or rather, it was hitting me. I had my swollen fingers again (not quite as bad as the Bronx) and was all goosebumpy. The temp was only about 68 at that point but it was starting to get sunny. I had sunscreen on, which I'm wondering if that adds to the distress, like maybe I can't sweat as I need to?

Coming off of Harlem Hill this man starts talking to me. SInce I was running by myself I sparked many a convo with people because I was bored etc. He turned out to be uber creepy! After telling me he was a pilot for a wealthy famil ybased in Paris (why this would impress me is beyond me) he asked me (verbatim) "so how did you get such a hot bod" Now people. I am not that gross, this I know. However, we are in a race with a bunch of runners, many of whom (read: most) have 'hotter' bods. I responded (no judgement!!) by saying "I don't eat cupcakes" Anyway I tried to lose him on the 3 bitches and somehow managed to. But UGH!!!! Gross!

In a nutshell I had a good race. I shouldnt paid attention and kept up the pace the 3x around but was being 'good' about hydration etc. I shouldve just stuck with it and had the excellent race I wanted. Overall I know I coudlve kept it up but didnt because I wasnt in the mood. HA! I ran 10:35 and 10:17 in the last 2/3 miles. Cat Hill and I have never been friends so I accepted defeat on that one!

I don't think my 4:40 marathon goal is plausible, however, I am goign to keep pushing until taper and see what happens. If you dont give yourself a chance, then you definitely won't get there!

Here's to a great week!!! Week 13 of training for me!