As the title implies, most of us will overindulge this weekend.
Ironically, that grosses me out. I tend to be so conscious over Thanksgiving because I just can't believe the idea of gorging yourself until you're so full your body has to go to sleep to deal with the digestive task at hand.
I always run on Christmas am and Thanksgiving am. This year, I will be power walking but same thing, right? (I'm not convinced- when you google 'cardiovascular benefits of walking' a whole bunch of over 50 sites come up-yawn!! ) I tend to eat egg whites with fruit for breakfast, nibble on healthier hors d'ourves and then load up on salad and have only plain green beans, yams and turkey for dinner. Overall a normal if not slighly heavy caloric day.
And oh, Friday, yes, let's talk about Friday. Friday my mom and I wake up early and go outlet shopping- I love it. I honestly think it's one of my favorite things. Best part is, we miss the crazy shoppers because they go at midnight and we wait until 5 am (who knew!)
I am a bit sore today- I presume from spin. Was OK not great, there were two chatty younger Indian girls in my class (Columbia from their age??) and finally I had to turn around and say "SERIOUSLY? STOP TALKING". They complied. I guess I was scary. Still. I use spin as my downtime, my 'let your brain recover' time. I don't need to hear your chatter.
Happy Holidays all! Try and get that walk/run/jog in (not that I'm preaching or anything).
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
So where have I been?
I was told by the doc to take 2 weeks off from running last Tuesday. It's been harder than I thought. I took Wed,Thurs and Fri off. Sat I did 25 min elliptical and 15 weights. Sun we went on a long fitness walk. I love them! It's been so nice out. Unseasonably warm for November for sure. Uh oh- Long winter ahead!!
Tonight I will prob go to yoga or I might just go to do some elliptical for good measure. Tomorrow I won't have time but perhaps I can do yoga with my mom. Thursday I will go for a walk in the am since I can't run. Friday I go shopping so I'll be off. Sat and Sun I hope to make it to the gym here in the city.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Tonight I will prob go to yoga or I might just go to do some elliptical for good measure. Tomorrow I won't have time but perhaps I can do yoga with my mom. Thursday I will go for a walk in the am since I can't run. Friday I go shopping so I'll be off. Sat and Sun I hope to make it to the gym here in the city.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
First workout!
All the 'firsts' post marathon are kinda fun. I have to admit.
I had to drop my weekly spin class in August because, quite frankly, it didnt fit into my training schedule. I am a delicate person. I say this and while I laugh, I mean it. I am 'that' girl. The one always sniffling. The one who gets tuberculosis, swine flu, and any other disease that is in fashion. I have had a head cold for over a month. The doctors find nothing wrong with me. I don't even have a weakened immune system. I am just a sicky.
I get tired sometimes and when I do I sleep a lot. I require a lot of recovery from running. With that said, marathon training, the last two months at least, take a lot out of me. I gave up yoga and spin in late August when the schedule ramped up and I needed an extra rest day. Luckily my body held up well, I had no aches and pains even without that day of cross training.
I went to spin today with Matt Pascua. He was in an accident and given a 30% chance of living. He worked in Finance and then became a spin instructor. He was very motivating. I just finished a great book. The Long Run by Matt Long. If you run, you should read this book. It is amazing. I cried through the last chapter. AMAZING.
I have a busy work week ahead and won't be running until at least next week. I am saddened by that but I am able to spin, do elliptical and yoga.
I had to drop my weekly spin class in August because, quite frankly, it didnt fit into my training schedule. I am a delicate person. I say this and while I laugh, I mean it. I am 'that' girl. The one always sniffling. The one who gets tuberculosis, swine flu, and any other disease that is in fashion. I have had a head cold for over a month. The doctors find nothing wrong with me. I don't even have a weakened immune system. I am just a sicky.
I get tired sometimes and when I do I sleep a lot. I require a lot of recovery from running. With that said, marathon training, the last two months at least, take a lot out of me. I gave up yoga and spin in late August when the schedule ramped up and I needed an extra rest day. Luckily my body held up well, I had no aches and pains even without that day of cross training.
I went to spin today with Matt Pascua. He was in an accident and given a 30% chance of living. He worked in Finance and then became a spin instructor. He was very motivating. I just finished a great book. The Long Run by Matt Long. If you run, you should read this book. It is amazing. I cried through the last chapter. AMAZING.
I have a busy work week ahead and won't be running until at least next week. I am saddened by that but I am able to spin, do elliptical and yoga.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
First Post NYCM Run
I finally got off my butt and ran today. I didn't feel like it but I knew it would make me feel better. I ran about 3.85m and didnt feel overexerted at all. In fact, had it not been getting dark (and I always underestimate how fast that happens) I probably wouldve run more. It was nice to feel (even with the aches and groans of my joints/muscles etc) in shape and fit again. It's only been a week since the marathon but the laying around, resting and working late already has tricked me into feeling flabby, exhausted and out of shape.
I definitely don't want to lose the fitness I've gained. I am going to sit down and make a running plan soon. I think that will be good for me. I think I will run the Ted Corbitt 15k in December and the Manhattan half marathon in January (assuming its then since the NYRR calendar isnt set). I think next weekend I will run 8m or so on Sunday and I think potentially stay around that level including Tuesday and Thursday runs as usual. That will be about 15-20 miles a week and I think that's a healthy base.
Nothing else to report. It was such a gorgeous day out today. What gets me is the runners in full track suits when its 60 degrees. Uhm I'm in shorts and a t-shirt so something is wrong here!!
I definitely don't want to lose the fitness I've gained. I am going to sit down and make a running plan soon. I think that will be good for me. I think I will run the Ted Corbitt 15k in December and the Manhattan half marathon in January (assuming its then since the NYRR calendar isnt set). I think next weekend I will run 8m or so on Sunday and I think potentially stay around that level including Tuesday and Thursday runs as usual. That will be about 15-20 miles a week and I think that's a healthy base.
Nothing else to report. It was such a gorgeous day out today. What gets me is the runners in full track suits when its 60 degrees. Uhm I'm in shorts and a t-shirt so something is wrong here!!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Post Marathon Blues
Monday as per my previous post I stayed home in pain and wallowing.
Tuesday I was hobbling but at work and OK mentally. I worked late and hard.
Wednesday, less hobbly but hobblish to say the least, worked late and hard again.
Today, no hobbling, itching to work out, going to get a massage tonight, legs feel normal again finally
Friday- intend to head to the gym in the am. Weights, perhaps elliptical.
Saturday- hope to get a run in but may be too late when I get back in town
Sunday- hopefully a walk and yoga.
On the agenda:
I signed up for the Ted Corbitt 15k (9.3m how random huh) in December. I hope to run well and need to 'train' for it. In an ideal world I would finish in 90-95 minutes. We will see. No pressure after the mess that was the marahon. 9:45 pace was the 5miler. That would be nice. I'm signed up for the Joe Kleinerman 10k but have plans the night before to celebrate our anniversary dinner so that's over.
Tuesday I was hobbling but at work and OK mentally. I worked late and hard.
Wednesday, less hobbly but hobblish to say the least, worked late and hard again.
Today, no hobbling, itching to work out, going to get a massage tonight, legs feel normal again finally
Friday- intend to head to the gym in the am. Weights, perhaps elliptical.
Saturday- hope to get a run in but may be too late when I get back in town
Sunday- hopefully a walk and yoga.
On the agenda:
I signed up for the Ted Corbitt 15k (9.3m how random huh) in December. I hope to run well and need to 'train' for it. In an ideal world I would finish in 90-95 minutes. We will see. No pressure after the mess that was the marahon. 9:45 pace was the 5miler. That would be nice. I'm signed up for the Joe Kleinerman 10k but have plans the night before to celebrate our anniversary dinner so that's over.
Monday, November 8, 2010
NYCM #2
I didn't think I would ever have the energy to really write about what happened yesterday. But I feel as if perhaps I just write it will all come flooding out... I can't believe its just yesterday. I didn't go to work today 1) because I needed a day of wallowing and 2) because I can't quite walk. HA! I can walk, don't worry, but I certainly hobble along at a pace that is not quite NYC ready. I will have to leave myself 15 extra min to get to work, FOR SURE!
In summary it was a disappointing day. Not only did I not come close to my A B or C goals, I felt like crap through most of the race.
I took a car service to South Ferry at 6:15 marathon morning. I had been assigned the 7 am ferry. I really am a firm believer that one bad act sets off another and was desperate to break the chain by the time I stood in the corrals at 10:40 Sunday am. The car went to the wrong address. Then they tried to blame me. Why did I get a car you ask? Well I was nervous about getting a cab because there aren't many up where I live nowadays. I figured I would sleep more soundly if I ordered a car service. So when I finally called the car service about being nearly 10 min late the woman corrected their mistake and the car picked me up on Broadway, not even the street I lived on. I huffily made my way to the car only to have the guy slow down at 35th and the WSH and say 'WHERE IS THIS PLACE YOU'RE GOING TO' Uhm hello? South Ferry? marathon day. Girl wearing sweats carrying a clear bag. Haven't you seen this marathon army which is gathering all around the borroughs??? What does this have to do with 34th street? And why are we driving 30 mph while other runners in hats, sweats and gloves carrying their clear bags go whizzing by!! By the time I got to the ferry station, shuffled along to Door 1, was denied, Door 2 was denied because the Ferry arrived at Door 1 and shuffled my way to Door 2 again I was mildly annoyed and ready to go back to bed.
Staten Island was whatever. I made it to the TNT tent even though I had no charity bracelet- I still dont know if thats my fault or not. I sat with some TNT friends and we chatted about the race, ate breakfast #2 and got ready. The tent, short port a potty lines (significantly so vs last year), the corrals worked well for me even though they closed insanely early and we barely made it. I found a girl from TNT who I had run with before and we set out together with no promises to stay together. I definitely appreciated the company at the start. I always have too much nervous energy and I was scared I would race out again... I started off slow (as you saw) and even though my legs felt super heavy I chalked it up to nerves and taper. I knew I wanted to go slow and I wouldve rather lost a minute off my total time to that vs feeling shitty at the end. M2 was in control especially for a downhill. Slow and steady wins the race had already been nominated as my mantra. M3,4,5 were fine, on pace and I saw my first group of friends at m5 and had a few pretzels and took a few pics. I had decided pretzels were going to save me, save me from dehydration and my salt issues, save me from sloshy belly and save me from boredom/sweetness of gels; little did I know what was ahead. M6 felt like it was a mountain I had to climb. I don't know how you can deteriorate at m6 in a freaking marathon when you've trained well, BUT, whether it be the salt, the antihistamines, the oral steroids, who knows, I did. By m8 when I knew I would see my bf I was about to cry. I saw his parents first who were violently shaking a sign in my face and all I could say is 'Where is he?' I really needed to see him at that point. I needed someone rational to tell me whether or not I should drop out or stay in. It shouldnt have been that hard. For crying out loud it was m8!! I had 18 more to go. I seriously wanted to quit but I thought DNF was really too lame to call at m8. I mean, I do live in this city, there would be permanent scarring. I ran 9,10,11 and 12 half heartedly. I kept trying to tell myself I could save this race. I took (count them) 3 salt tablets between m6 and m11. One I had and two I took from the next aid station. I've never taken 3 salt packets back to back. I took one and when it didnt work I didnt know what else to do. I felt naseated and a bit dizzy and I know in my gut thats dehydration or too little salt. Since I was so well hydrated I had peed 4 times that AM I knew it was the latter. I also had had 2 gels by m9 and had had pretzels and gatorade and water. No sloshy belly though which I guess was good. I saw a group of TNT'ers that I knew ran 11-11:30 pace ahead of me, pretty significantly so, at about m9. I caught them at m10 and again, almost burst into tears. I needed someone to pace me. Some group to hold onto. I knew it was that, or take the subway home in Queens, honest, it was that bad. I made myself a mental deal to just run with them. I let my 4:53 dream die in Brooklyn and for that I will always resent/be grateful. I ran with this group of women until about m12 when I left them (not even on purpose, it was just hard to run their pace).
At m13 I saw Julie from TNT who wanted to run a 4:45. I had run 16m with her in the park a few weeks before. I told her to have the run we were both meant to have. I hope she did. I kept looking for Coach Wanda hoping she could boost my spirits but never found her even though she was supposed to be policing the Pulaski. I saw my mom, brother and cousin at m14 and I knew she was worried because I was about 10 min behind my pace AND I had started 6 min after my wave time. I told her I was feeling better but the racing part was over. I walked the Qboro bridge (arguably pretty quickly) and jogged down into Manhattan. I ran into Kelli again and saw 2 sets of friends right away. I stopped to eat my pretzels and have an extended chat- hey might as well enjoy it right? I started to feel like myself on the Qboro. Sure I had just 'run' through 16 miles but I felt better than I had at m6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12. How sad is that?
Coming off the Qboro was the same disappointment as last year. It's just really not that loud. I saw my friends on the south side of the Bridge and took gatorade and pretzels and then stopped just a few blocks north to visit with friends on the West side of the Ave. Hey, I hadnt seen them in a while and I needed to eat more pretzels. Now I realize I hadn't eaten a gel since m12? I dont know. I know I took 1 at m3 shot blocks... (yes, lame) and 1 real gel at m7. I took another margarita shot block at m10/11/12? On 1st ave I even stopped to sponge my face. It wasnt as awesome as last year but I was super salty so I was glad.
Heading up first ave was awful. I felt MUCH better but my poor form in the earlier miles had taken its toll, my hips felt the beginning of the end. Little did I know the next day (today) I would feel as if my legs were shredded). There were SO MANY drunk fans lining the bars that my name (jen) was ringing through the air. It's an easy name, sure, but OMG annoying. I saw my BF and his family at 89th and 1st after a few waves to other friends on the Ave and picked up Nicole at m19. She graciously accompanied me (and distracted me) through the trek uptown and into the Bronx. I really quite frankly wasnt in the mood. I walked up the Willis Ave bridge (hey, if you can walk almost as fast as you would run, why waste the energy running?) We smiled and hopefully took awesome pictures, although I do miss the orange carpet! I knew the race was gone and while I suppose in retrospect I shouldve pushed more, I just didnt see the point in injuring myself (again little did I know how I would feel today). I even stopped to pee!! We made it through the Bronx, back into Harlem, saw the parents and BF again AND learned that Jared the subway guy was less than a mile ahead of us.
Now, I respect Jared for losing weight. But as an able bodied, healthy female woman, I wanted to beat his lame ass. I couldnt tell if Matt was kidding but I kissed him, took my long sleeve shirt (with a new name (my last) on it, HALLELUJAH) and we went on our merry way. Running up 5th Avenue is pretty tough. It always is and always will be, but it wasn't that bad lung wise, just hip wise my left especially felt like a creaky old door. I was really really glad to have my last name on my shirt. I was done with JEN and done with runners calling out my name in general but take what you can get. I also had started to get a bit cold, which happened last year too, so it was nice to be prepared. Ironically runners kept saying my full name (meaning my first and then my last) which really threw me for a loop. We then figured out that apparently you could see through my shirt to my first name which conveniently was displayed above my last. GRRR. Nicole left me at 93rd (post hill thank you very much) and really I can't thank her enough. I was in piss poor spirits (imagine) and she was doing her damnedest to help me along! I saw my mom right before Nicole left me and took a huge swig of gatorade which I think really helped me get through the last few miles. Arguably I shouldve had another gel but I am terrible at remembering late in the race. I did at some point take my last gel (I think m20?) and that was 6 'gels' but clearly it wasn't enough.
As I entered the park, I felt awesome. Unfair or thankfully, I felt pretty damned good for having run 24 miles. My legs were not happy but that's to be expected. I felt in better spirits than at the beginning, I mean, hell, I pulled myself out of a really big hole. Like honestly, for that I am proud. I was running along right before the bottom of the reservoir and I heard a voice in a thick French accent 'hey, you're the girl I started with last weekend'. When I turned my head it was the woman with whom I had spoken about the marathon with just the Sunday before at the 5-miler KickOff race start line. She had wanted to run 4:50-5 as well and was trudging along with me on pace for a 5:10-5:15.... It was nice to see her even though by all standards she was a complete stranger. We chatted a few sentences and then it happened. I started hearing people on the sidelines talking about Jared... and I realized.... the sucker was right in front of me.... I started asking people in the crowd how far ahead of me he was and people kinda just stared and said 'a bit' or 'uhmmm not much' In retorspect it must have been ridiculous. Here I am, sweaty, gross, marathoned out, screaming back at the crowd 'WHERE IS JARED?' But people, I needed to know if he's catchable or no chance in hell. Finally some guy on Cat Hill (can I also mention thank God we went down and not up at that point? Theres no way I couldve made my legs do that!!!) told me Jared was walking about about 50 yards ahead (see football does come in handy)... I decided then and there I was going for it. Eff you Jared and your stupid subway and weight loss ads. Eff you for thinking you're so in shape and talking crap about how you're going to run a 4:30 marathon and Eff you for not giving the NYCM course the respect it deserves! (I got all this off some blog which said Jared wanted to run a 4:20-30 marathon and how it was work but not too bad blah blah) Finally at the m25 water stop I saw him. Jared. He wasnt walking. He was, however, as sick of having his name called as I was. Now mind you, the guy is tall. Way taller than I expected with a huge NAME plate on his shirt and subway signs all around. He was running with two guys, I assume his bodyguards? or trainers. Major props to him for running and training. I just don't like the shit talk. I flew by him and any time I wanted to stop from there on out, I just kept thinking, don't let Jared beat you.
I saw my friend on CPS and at that point was running a good clip. I ditched my long sleeve shirt coming into the park and a park worker casually yelled 'yay jen you can do it girl'. I know I looked strong and happy and healthy anddddddddddd way better than most runners I was passing. AND I passed a lot of people let me tell you. I had a great time in the park, the support was nice but the bleachers were empty which was disapointing and yet another reason I want to be faster... At one point I went to check a chafed spot (why I had to do that then, I do not know) and some guy was like 'JEN YOURE NOT CHAFED KEEP RUNNING' very funny- I had no intention of stopping but I suppose 200 yards from the finish line, why check for chafing? I was just very comfortable in the pace I was running. I mean why not right? I ran hundred of miles at an 11 min pace to train! I finished in 5:13 which ironically ended up being 8 seconds slower than Jared (a-duh I have last years time too!!!). I got my medal, pic, heat blanket and bag and ran into Rich, the older guy from TNT. We death marched it out of there and I met up with my family on Columbus. I didnt think the death march was nearly as terrible as last year but perhaps that was because I was expecting it and because I wasnt feeling as much as crap as I did last year. I drank the recovery gatorade and had more pretzels.
We took the subway home which was brutal. Stairs=brutal. I had an apple, 2 slices of pizza, champagne, a choco covered apple and some mango plus a chocolate milk, a gatorade and 2 bottles of water when I got home/before bed. Not a ton given the day's activities.
Today, my legs are shredded. I don't know why I keep using that term but that's what they are. I can hardly walk. Never mind curbs. HA. I remember after NJ Shore I couldnt sit on the toilet. This time thats no issue. Funny how the same run can be so different. This year I remember all of the park and the last 3 m, last year I didnt. Last year I loved Brooklyn, this year I cheered the guy on the Pulaski with the Get out of Brooklyn sign.
I saw all my peeps this year, I can't say I had fun, but I'm in great cardiovascular shape and while I'm not happy I refuse to say I regret it. I know a lot of people who PR'd yesterday and of whom I'm very proud. It was not my day. My PR came a week too early at the 5-miler Kickoff Run.
positives:
-I met my mentor and go to coach this season, both of whom I hope to stay friendly with
- I pulled myself out of a gargantuan hole and have not shed one tear
- salt tablets no longer make me gag.
-no blisters after all the blister drama this summer
-my friends and family (more of them) got to see me run
-perhaps i inspired people i dont even know
-i raised money for tnt
- i have yet another medal
yea so that's about all I've got. I'm trying to focus on the positives and just go with it. this week will be all about recovery (esp my legs! yikes!) and next week I'll look to set some goals, both in terms of future runs and also in terms of general fitness. I am pretty sure I am done with marathoning. This really was the ultimate defeat. I am humbled, embarrassed and ultimately defeated by the greatest event the greatest city has to offer and I don't know if I'll look to fight this beast without knowing I will dominate.
In summary it was a disappointing day. Not only did I not come close to my A B or C goals, I felt like crap through most of the race.
I took a car service to South Ferry at 6:15 marathon morning. I had been assigned the 7 am ferry. I really am a firm believer that one bad act sets off another and was desperate to break the chain by the time I stood in the corrals at 10:40 Sunday am. The car went to the wrong address. Then they tried to blame me. Why did I get a car you ask? Well I was nervous about getting a cab because there aren't many up where I live nowadays. I figured I would sleep more soundly if I ordered a car service. So when I finally called the car service about being nearly 10 min late the woman corrected their mistake and the car picked me up on Broadway, not even the street I lived on. I huffily made my way to the car only to have the guy slow down at 35th and the WSH and say 'WHERE IS THIS PLACE YOU'RE GOING TO' Uhm hello? South Ferry? marathon day. Girl wearing sweats carrying a clear bag. Haven't you seen this marathon army which is gathering all around the borroughs??? What does this have to do with 34th street? And why are we driving 30 mph while other runners in hats, sweats and gloves carrying their clear bags go whizzing by!! By the time I got to the ferry station, shuffled along to Door 1, was denied, Door 2 was denied because the Ferry arrived at Door 1 and shuffled my way to Door 2 again I was mildly annoyed and ready to go back to bed.
Staten Island was whatever. I made it to the TNT tent even though I had no charity bracelet- I still dont know if thats my fault or not. I sat with some TNT friends and we chatted about the race, ate breakfast #2 and got ready. The tent, short port a potty lines (significantly so vs last year), the corrals worked well for me even though they closed insanely early and we barely made it. I found a girl from TNT who I had run with before and we set out together with no promises to stay together. I definitely appreciated the company at the start. I always have too much nervous energy and I was scared I would race out again... I started off slow (as you saw) and even though my legs felt super heavy I chalked it up to nerves and taper. I knew I wanted to go slow and I wouldve rather lost a minute off my total time to that vs feeling shitty at the end. M2 was in control especially for a downhill. Slow and steady wins the race had already been nominated as my mantra. M3,4,5 were fine, on pace and I saw my first group of friends at m5 and had a few pretzels and took a few pics. I had decided pretzels were going to save me, save me from dehydration and my salt issues, save me from sloshy belly and save me from boredom/sweetness of gels; little did I know what was ahead. M6 felt like it was a mountain I had to climb. I don't know how you can deteriorate at m6 in a freaking marathon when you've trained well, BUT, whether it be the salt, the antihistamines, the oral steroids, who knows, I did. By m8 when I knew I would see my bf I was about to cry. I saw his parents first who were violently shaking a sign in my face and all I could say is 'Where is he?' I really needed to see him at that point. I needed someone rational to tell me whether or not I should drop out or stay in. It shouldnt have been that hard. For crying out loud it was m8!! I had 18 more to go. I seriously wanted to quit but I thought DNF was really too lame to call at m8. I mean, I do live in this city, there would be permanent scarring. I ran 9,10,11 and 12 half heartedly. I kept trying to tell myself I could save this race. I took (count them) 3 salt tablets between m6 and m11. One I had and two I took from the next aid station. I've never taken 3 salt packets back to back. I took one and when it didnt work I didnt know what else to do. I felt naseated and a bit dizzy and I know in my gut thats dehydration or too little salt. Since I was so well hydrated I had peed 4 times that AM I knew it was the latter. I also had had 2 gels by m9 and had had pretzels and gatorade and water. No sloshy belly though which I guess was good. I saw a group of TNT'ers that I knew ran 11-11:30 pace ahead of me, pretty significantly so, at about m9. I caught them at m10 and again, almost burst into tears. I needed someone to pace me. Some group to hold onto. I knew it was that, or take the subway home in Queens, honest, it was that bad. I made myself a mental deal to just run with them. I let my 4:53 dream die in Brooklyn and for that I will always resent/be grateful. I ran with this group of women until about m12 when I left them (not even on purpose, it was just hard to run their pace).
At m13 I saw Julie from TNT who wanted to run a 4:45. I had run 16m with her in the park a few weeks before. I told her to have the run we were both meant to have. I hope she did. I kept looking for Coach Wanda hoping she could boost my spirits but never found her even though she was supposed to be policing the Pulaski. I saw my mom, brother and cousin at m14 and I knew she was worried because I was about 10 min behind my pace AND I had started 6 min after my wave time. I told her I was feeling better but the racing part was over. I walked the Qboro bridge (arguably pretty quickly) and jogged down into Manhattan. I ran into Kelli again and saw 2 sets of friends right away. I stopped to eat my pretzels and have an extended chat- hey might as well enjoy it right? I started to feel like myself on the Qboro. Sure I had just 'run' through 16 miles but I felt better than I had at m6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12. How sad is that?
Coming off the Qboro was the same disappointment as last year. It's just really not that loud. I saw my friends on the south side of the Bridge and took gatorade and pretzels and then stopped just a few blocks north to visit with friends on the West side of the Ave. Hey, I hadnt seen them in a while and I needed to eat more pretzels. Now I realize I hadn't eaten a gel since m12? I dont know. I know I took 1 at m3 shot blocks... (yes, lame) and 1 real gel at m7. I took another margarita shot block at m10/11/12? On 1st ave I even stopped to sponge my face. It wasnt as awesome as last year but I was super salty so I was glad.
Heading up first ave was awful. I felt MUCH better but my poor form in the earlier miles had taken its toll, my hips felt the beginning of the end. Little did I know the next day (today) I would feel as if my legs were shredded). There were SO MANY drunk fans lining the bars that my name (jen) was ringing through the air. It's an easy name, sure, but OMG annoying. I saw my BF and his family at 89th and 1st after a few waves to other friends on the Ave and picked up Nicole at m19. She graciously accompanied me (and distracted me) through the trek uptown and into the Bronx. I really quite frankly wasnt in the mood. I walked up the Willis Ave bridge (hey, if you can walk almost as fast as you would run, why waste the energy running?) We smiled and hopefully took awesome pictures, although I do miss the orange carpet! I knew the race was gone and while I suppose in retrospect I shouldve pushed more, I just didnt see the point in injuring myself (again little did I know how I would feel today). I even stopped to pee!! We made it through the Bronx, back into Harlem, saw the parents and BF again AND learned that Jared the subway guy was less than a mile ahead of us.
Now, I respect Jared for losing weight. But as an able bodied, healthy female woman, I wanted to beat his lame ass. I couldnt tell if Matt was kidding but I kissed him, took my long sleeve shirt (with a new name (my last) on it, HALLELUJAH) and we went on our merry way. Running up 5th Avenue is pretty tough. It always is and always will be, but it wasn't that bad lung wise, just hip wise my left especially felt like a creaky old door. I was really really glad to have my last name on my shirt. I was done with JEN and done with runners calling out my name in general but take what you can get. I also had started to get a bit cold, which happened last year too, so it was nice to be prepared. Ironically runners kept saying my full name (meaning my first and then my last) which really threw me for a loop. We then figured out that apparently you could see through my shirt to my first name which conveniently was displayed above my last. GRRR. Nicole left me at 93rd (post hill thank you very much) and really I can't thank her enough. I was in piss poor spirits (imagine) and she was doing her damnedest to help me along! I saw my mom right before Nicole left me and took a huge swig of gatorade which I think really helped me get through the last few miles. Arguably I shouldve had another gel but I am terrible at remembering late in the race. I did at some point take my last gel (I think m20?) and that was 6 'gels' but clearly it wasn't enough.
As I entered the park, I felt awesome. Unfair or thankfully, I felt pretty damned good for having run 24 miles. My legs were not happy but that's to be expected. I felt in better spirits than at the beginning, I mean, hell, I pulled myself out of a really big hole. Like honestly, for that I am proud. I was running along right before the bottom of the reservoir and I heard a voice in a thick French accent 'hey, you're the girl I started with last weekend'. When I turned my head it was the woman with whom I had spoken about the marathon with just the Sunday before at the 5-miler KickOff race start line. She had wanted to run 4:50-5 as well and was trudging along with me on pace for a 5:10-5:15.... It was nice to see her even though by all standards she was a complete stranger. We chatted a few sentences and then it happened. I started hearing people on the sidelines talking about Jared... and I realized.... the sucker was right in front of me.... I started asking people in the crowd how far ahead of me he was and people kinda just stared and said 'a bit' or 'uhmmm not much' In retorspect it must have been ridiculous. Here I am, sweaty, gross, marathoned out, screaming back at the crowd 'WHERE IS JARED?' But people, I needed to know if he's catchable or no chance in hell. Finally some guy on Cat Hill (can I also mention thank God we went down and not up at that point? Theres no way I couldve made my legs do that!!!) told me Jared was walking about about 50 yards ahead (see football does come in handy)... I decided then and there I was going for it. Eff you Jared and your stupid subway and weight loss ads. Eff you for thinking you're so in shape and talking crap about how you're going to run a 4:30 marathon and Eff you for not giving the NYCM course the respect it deserves! (I got all this off some blog which said Jared wanted to run a 4:20-30 marathon and how it was work but not too bad blah blah) Finally at the m25 water stop I saw him. Jared. He wasnt walking. He was, however, as sick of having his name called as I was. Now mind you, the guy is tall. Way taller than I expected with a huge NAME plate on his shirt and subway signs all around. He was running with two guys, I assume his bodyguards? or trainers. Major props to him for running and training. I just don't like the shit talk. I flew by him and any time I wanted to stop from there on out, I just kept thinking, don't let Jared beat you.
I saw my friend on CPS and at that point was running a good clip. I ditched my long sleeve shirt coming into the park and a park worker casually yelled 'yay jen you can do it girl'. I know I looked strong and happy and healthy anddddddddddd way better than most runners I was passing. AND I passed a lot of people let me tell you. I had a great time in the park, the support was nice but the bleachers were empty which was disapointing and yet another reason I want to be faster... At one point I went to check a chafed spot (why I had to do that then, I do not know) and some guy was like 'JEN YOURE NOT CHAFED KEEP RUNNING' very funny- I had no intention of stopping but I suppose 200 yards from the finish line, why check for chafing? I was just very comfortable in the pace I was running. I mean why not right? I ran hundred of miles at an 11 min pace to train! I finished in 5:13 which ironically ended up being 8 seconds slower than Jared (a-duh I have last years time too!!!). I got my medal, pic, heat blanket and bag and ran into Rich, the older guy from TNT. We death marched it out of there and I met up with my family on Columbus. I didnt think the death march was nearly as terrible as last year but perhaps that was because I was expecting it and because I wasnt feeling as much as crap as I did last year. I drank the recovery gatorade and had more pretzels.
We took the subway home which was brutal. Stairs=brutal. I had an apple, 2 slices of pizza, champagne, a choco covered apple and some mango plus a chocolate milk, a gatorade and 2 bottles of water when I got home/before bed. Not a ton given the day's activities.
Today, my legs are shredded. I don't know why I keep using that term but that's what they are. I can hardly walk. Never mind curbs. HA. I remember after NJ Shore I couldnt sit on the toilet. This time thats no issue. Funny how the same run can be so different. This year I remember all of the park and the last 3 m, last year I didnt. Last year I loved Brooklyn, this year I cheered the guy on the Pulaski with the Get out of Brooklyn sign.
I saw all my peeps this year, I can't say I had fun, but I'm in great cardiovascular shape and while I'm not happy I refuse to say I regret it. I know a lot of people who PR'd yesterday and of whom I'm very proud. It was not my day. My PR came a week too early at the 5-miler Kickoff Run.
positives:
-I met my mentor and go to coach this season, both of whom I hope to stay friendly with
- I pulled myself out of a gargantuan hole and have not shed one tear
- salt tablets no longer make me gag.
-no blisters after all the blister drama this summer
-my friends and family (more of them) got to see me run
-perhaps i inspired people i dont even know
-i raised money for tnt
- i have yet another medal
yea so that's about all I've got. I'm trying to focus on the positives and just go with it. this week will be all about recovery (esp my legs! yikes!) and next week I'll look to set some goals, both in terms of future runs and also in terms of general fitness. I am pretty sure I am done with marathoning. This really was the ultimate defeat. I am humbled, embarrassed and ultimately defeated by the greatest event the greatest city has to offer and I don't know if I'll look to fight this beast without knowing I will dominate.
NYCM Non race report
I don't quite have the energy to post a full race report.
I had a bad race. By M6 I knew it wasnt happening. I almost dropped out at M8 I felt so terrible. I've really struggled this season with salt and electrolytes. I finally started feeling normal by M14 and kept running with a lot of breaks to see my friends, pose for pictures and just make it through.
5:13 something is my official time. I didnt even check because I don't really care.
Yea, I ran another marathon, it feels like a waste.
I really dont know what happened. M1 was purposely so slow, my legs were lead. My 2 was right on pace. M3 and 4 average out. M5 I saw my friends and slowed down. M6 was where I started to not feel well... m7 I couldnt keep it together M8 I sped up because I knew I would see Matt. m9 I almost quit. I felt like I was running through molasses. m10 I walked a bit but finally caught up with some TNT'ers that I knew. m11,12,13,14 was just trying to hold onto a race that wouldnt be a complete mess. I saw my mom before I walked up the Qboro (m15,16). M17 I stopped to talk to Ali and Kelly, in retrospect not my best idea. M18 I saw Matt. M19 I stopped to pick up Nicole. I felt like we were flying when we obv we not. M20 was the Bronx, we walked up the Willis Ave bright. m21 I went to the bathroom, m22 started the hill, m23 I just was slow. M24 I was trying, m25 and m26 I didnt want Jared to pass me. What a day.
The splits:
1-12:37
2-11:01
3-11:47
4-10:21
5-12:03
6-11:33
7-11:50
8-10:39
9-11:50
10-11:46
11-11:29
12-11:40
13-11:50
14-11:45
15-13:18
16-12:20
17-13:04
18-12:01
19-12:15
20-12:24
21-13:15
22-13:15
23-11:54
24-12:23
25-11:19
26- 11:15
0.2- 2:19
I had a bad race. By M6 I knew it wasnt happening. I almost dropped out at M8 I felt so terrible. I've really struggled this season with salt and electrolytes. I finally started feeling normal by M14 and kept running with a lot of breaks to see my friends, pose for pictures and just make it through.
5:13 something is my official time. I didnt even check because I don't really care.
Yea, I ran another marathon, it feels like a waste.
I really dont know what happened. M1 was purposely so slow, my legs were lead. My 2 was right on pace. M3 and 4 average out. M5 I saw my friends and slowed down. M6 was where I started to not feel well... m7 I couldnt keep it together M8 I sped up because I knew I would see Matt. m9 I almost quit. I felt like I was running through molasses. m10 I walked a bit but finally caught up with some TNT'ers that I knew. m11,12,13,14 was just trying to hold onto a race that wouldnt be a complete mess. I saw my mom before I walked up the Qboro (m15,16). M17 I stopped to talk to Ali and Kelly, in retrospect not my best idea. M18 I saw Matt. M19 I stopped to pick up Nicole. I felt like we were flying when we obv we not. M20 was the Bronx, we walked up the Willis Ave bright. m21 I went to the bathroom, m22 started the hill, m23 I just was slow. M24 I was trying, m25 and m26 I didnt want Jared to pass me. What a day.
The splits:
1-12:37
2-11:01
3-11:47
4-10:21
5-12:03
6-11:33
7-11:50
8-10:39
9-11:50
10-11:46
11-11:29
12-11:40
13-11:50
14-11:45
15-13:18
16-12:20
17-13:04
18-12:01
19-12:15
20-12:24
21-13:15
22-13:15
23-11:54
24-12:23
25-11:19
26- 11:15
0.2- 2:19
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)