Feelin the burn~

Yesterday I got up to go the distance.  I got up and  reminded myself that I would again be attempting a new challenge -  a 20 mile run.  The longest run in the training overall and very intimidating. I kept reminding myself that I just ran 18 a couple weeks ago so this is only 2 more.  That sounds doable, right?

Right.

So I got up, went to meet Team Philly and off we went - running, talking, breathing, and enjoying the scenery of Wissahickon Park.  It was a cool fall day and another perfect one for running. Sounds nice and relaxing, doesn't it?

I guess now a day later, what is in the forefront of my mind is the positives and that is a good thing.  If I thought back and all I could say was that it was a horrible experience I think I would be deeply disappointed so I am happy that is not the case here.  I remember the sunshine and the crackling of the leaves as we ran.  I remember the fall colors, the friendly people, other runners making new goals for themselves as well as my will to push myself. 

But it was also extremely difficult.  There was pain and even some agony.  Towards the end, my calves were starting to burn and my mind was going to strange places.  Not hallucinations exactly but I think at one point I could have sworn I saw a monkey in a tree.  Are there monkeys in Philly?
At times we compared our pain- "my calves hurt, oh good because mine do too.  My knee feels weird. My ankles are sore.  My tail bone is stiff"~  Since this is our first time running this far, we were unsure if these feelings were normal reactions from our body dealing with this incredibly long distance or was it something else.  We may never know!


Once into the last mile, I felt my body wanting to pick up the pace a bit.  I definitely found some unused adrenaline and that made it a little exciting.   In the end, we finished strong as we always do and even though our high fives may have looked weak, we were very excited to complete a 20 mile run.  After I stopped running, the pain in my calves intensified.  I walked a bit and then waited in line for a massage.  It was difficult to stand in one spot because my legs were hurting so bad.  But the pain and the burn slowly dissipated and the massage, although not the relaxing kind you get at a spa, helped immensely.  They stretched me and rubbed deep into my legs, which hurt a bit, but when I got off the table the pain was gone, Thank you Phila Massage, Thank you!


I hope that when I run the Philadelphia Marathon, the adrenaline is there, because in reality there are still 6 more miles to go after the 20 so while I am extremely happy and satisfied with my performance, I am nervous about the actual race and the 'unknown zone'.  At this point, all I can bank on is that I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am and am happy to say that I have been able to keep up with my commitment to myself and to the training schedule. 

These next 3 weeks, the runs will taper.  I can tell my body needs a break and she deserves one too.  So although I will still be running, there won't be any more runs more than 13 until marathon day.

Flowers Brian bought me while I was running 20 miles. Thanks babe!

 

 

 

 

It will be here soon and I have to say I am finally starting to get very excited!

Humbled by the distance

Just a 14 mile run this week.  Sounds like nothing after 18...
Um~quite the opposite.
It was hard!
And I was tired!
I wanted it to be over!

Ran through the city and enjoyed the lights- start, stop...start, stop.   Then a monster hill near the Please Touch Museum.  (Yes this hill will be present during the race so it is good to practice it, but still, it was tough. )It's one of those twisty hills so right when you think you are at the top, there is a turn and it's steeper still.  The positive-once at the top there is a beautiful view of the Avenue of the Republic.  Very cool.

Not sure where I am going with all this except that I have had many great runs during my training, and today was not one of them.  I finished and in the end that is the goal but today I felt a little broken down and also humbled by the distance.  I learned to not to underestimate the mileage, even if I have conquered it once, it is still going to be a challenge the next time.  Need to be ready at all times!!

This is going to be a fun week.  I am going to see Underworld in New York City on Wednesday with my husband and our friend Dan. We are staying over and hanging in NYC the next day. I took a personal day and am ready for a tiny little break from my job.  I hope to run in central park if there is time and I hope to relax and enjoy the moments.

Then on the 30th, its the big one ~ 20 miles!   It will be the longest distance that I have attempted and once this run is complete it will also symbolize the beginning of tapering our runs.  November is almost here and the marathon is right around the corner!!

Movin ahead so life won't pass me by

18 MILES!!

When I first received my training schedule back in August... The words 'October 16th - 18 miles', was one of the first things I saw.  Ever since then, I was dreading this day.  Back in August, I had no idea what to expect, no idea what my body would feel like and no idea if I could actually conquer this distance... So yesterday when I woke up, let's just say I was a bit jittery and antsy to get this run over with...

On my way to Philly, I cross the Ben Franklin Bridge. What did I see as I crossed - A huge Phillies sign that says - "Fightin' to the Finish" and I thought, that's what I will be doing today!!  It seemed a bit ironic but it was early and even though I knew the sign wasn't for me, I made pretend it was!

~Yesterday it was windy but sunny, brisk but not too chilly.  It was a gorgeous day to run.  And a perfect day to complete a new goal.   As we started running, the nerves began to subside and as we got into our groove, I think the new mile challenge started to seem doable.  The course we ran was through Wissahickon Creek and it was the perfect fall day for it.  With each step, I could hear the crackle of the leaves and it was an exciting way to experience autumn. 

I ended up running with Marion, a friend I have met through team Philly.  We are both training for our first marathon, have a similar pace and get along well.  I have enjoyed being her running partner and I hope the feeling is mutual.  During our 3 hour run,  we talked a lot.  I mean what else is there to do when you are running for such a long time!  As we ran, there was some soreness and tired muscles,  loss of energy and some motivation as well as some shared agony to know where that 9 mile turn around was!!  But that's the exciting part about running a distance like this is... there are SO many feelings that are going on at the same time, some great and some horrible.  Even in pain and fatigue, there was still laughter, conversation and positivity.  And when we were done, those are the things I took with me.  The things that kept me going, not the things that were attempting to hold me back.  18 miles was a success. 

On the drive home back to Jersey, I felt a little emotional.  As I crossed back over the Ben Franklin and listened to Jim Croce's, I Got a Name, I couldn't help feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.  Maybe it was the dehydration or the tiredness, but either way,  the satisfaction almost brought tears to my eyes...I was able to head into yet another new mile zone... Another long run down ~ 5 weeks to go!!

Like the pine trees lining the winding road
I've got a name, I've got a name
Like the singin' bird and the croakin' toad
I've got a name, I've got a name
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I'm livin' the dream that he kept hid

Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

Check yourself

I feel like I have been going non-stop since school started back up.  Between running, work, and trying to keep up some sort of social life, I am beat.  The runs are getting longer and the days some how feel like they are getting shorter.  I don't feel like I have as much down time as I used to and am searching for any minute of rest I can get.  Today is Columbus Day and I had a much needed day off from school.

I started my day with going to Yogawood for a good stretch and to get some balance back in my life.  I am grateful that I live so close to this studio, walking distance actually, so I try to take advantage of the classes when I get a chance but usually once its night time, I am much less motivated to go to a class. I was much more active with this in the summer.

After yoga, I went for a 5 mile run.  I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to feel after class but it was a gorgeous day and that helped with motivation.  As I ran I felt very sore from my 13 mile run this passed Saturday.  It's possible that all of this exercise is catching up with me.  Up until the 16 mile run last week, I think (at least in my mind) I was able to handle the work, the social life, the running, the cross training and everything in between but for some reason after this week/weekend, I  feel incredibly drained, and am hitting a wall, so to speak.

The juggling act isn't working anymore. Don't get it wrong, I am not out every night partying by any means but between going out on some occasions, the craziness of the work day, and the normal everyday errands, its getting to me.  I was thinking today as I was walking up the steps carrying laundry that once very routine activities have now become so much harder.  Laundry, picking something up at the store after work, cooking, and cleaning are much more difficult than they used to be... 

This coming weekend is my first 18 mile run.  It will be longer than any distance I have ever run in my life! With that being said, I think this a very good time for me to take a breather. I still need to work hard during the day, get my runs in and cross train but I also need to remember that my training needs to consist of rest and relaxation as well.  

Stay tuned, 18 miles this Sat!! 

GO PHILLIES! 

Warning~new mile zone ahead

16 miles

Yesterday I woke up and it was a chilly 54 degrees outside.

It was very difficult leaving my bed, my husband and my snugly cats.  But I got up and got ready for a new challenge.

Once I started running I got warm pretty quickly but there were a lot of nervous feelings prior to the run regarding the distance and my clothing choices.  I opted for short sleeves but its been a while since we have had weather like this so I felt the a new runner again, not sure what to do!  In the end I made the right choice...

The run:

I ended up running with a group of 3 and it took us 2 hours and 50 minutes.  I thought that was a pretty decent time considering we ran around the city and the stop lights were less than cooperative.  Stopping was a bit annoying because you just want to keep going.  Every time we stopped, more effort was needed to start again.  Besides the stopping, there were also some challenging hills.  Luckily the scenery helped immensely.  In the beginning of the run, we ran to the top of the Ben Franklin Bridge. What a gorgeous site!  I was thankful to be there and to be strong enough to endure the steep incline.  

As the time went by, it seemed that I went on a physical roller coaster~ some moments feeling strong and pain free, followed by fatigue, soreness and thoughts of wanting to stop.  It was interesting to feel my body go through stages of ups and downs.  The positive I took from this experience was that pain will cease, even if only for a short time, and I will keep running.

If I have learned anything from all of this long distance running, its definitely a test of patience and endurance.  I have realized that for me, slow and steady is the way to go and to remember that time will pass and the end is in sight.  I might as well enjoy the ride while I am on it.

~One foot in front of the other...now repeat