First off, I want someone to explain to me how Harry Potter movies are Christmas movies. Not that I’m complaining, as the marathon of HP movies this weekend has been fantastic. I don’t think I can pick a favorite Harry Potter, book or movie, but the 4th one (Goblet of Fire) is pretty awesome.
The Goblet of Fire is the one with the Triwizard Tournament, in case you forgot.
My left hemi-pelvis/leg has been voted off the island. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m making it all up in my head. I have this possibly warped mindset that something is always going to hurt, so I might as well suck it up, anyways. When I was a gymnast, if it wasn’t broken or requiring surgery, you were fine. Tape + ice + ibuprofen = cure-all. Sort of how I think now. I mean, my leg isn’t broken. Therefore, I’m obviously fine.
This has magical properties.
I’ve been running across cross-walks in order to not have to wait for another light, but that isn’t going so well for me. If I don’t make sweet love to my foam roller and avoid sitting, even walking hurts my back and hip, meaning everything feels stuck together and I get sharp pains stemming from the SI Joint and outside hip. The IT band comes and goes. I take standing/stretching breaks at work. I look really cool.
Don't mind me. Just stretching in my sweet leotard...
I think since so many body parts/muscles are feeling like they are involved, I am definitely making it up. It doesn’t actually hurt. I just have no pain tolerance.
The Oucher Pain Scale. I'm not sure how I'd rate my pain.
Anyways, so I walked a Jingle Jog this morning. In fact, I actually didn’t finish the whole 3.1 miles. I know. I am lame. I got bored, so I turned around early at some walker turn around (they had different options for walking and running). I saw all of my friends on their way back when I was around mile 1 or so, and decided I wanted to be finished, too. Plus, walking a race by yourself while all of your friends are running is zero fun. There is no amount of Taylor Swift or Mariah Carey that can make it ok.
Does it appear to anyone else that Mariah Carey is doing a sorority squad/cheerleader picture pose here?
My outfit was pretty stellar though: Oiselle Onyx tights, legwarmers, pink + teal North Face jacket, J Crew scarf (with a hint of sparkle in it), sparkly headband (pink BIC band), sunnies, running shoes (obviously, I’m still adding walking mileage to them). You have to wear a lot more clothing if you’re not running.
My North Face jacket.
So, if it’s not evident from what I’m writing, I currently oscillate between four mindsets: 1) I am making it all up and everything is fine; 2) I will be fine in a few weeks and just need to aqua-run or whatever until then; 3) Something is terribly wrong (stress fracture, torn labrum, etc) and I need an MRI; 4) Depression over not running.
I do need to get marginally better by December 23rd, though, when I’ll need to resume hitting partner duties for my brother. If not, I will be voted off my family’s island! (ha! not really….ok, maybe).
Christmas Card 2007. Little H is much taller now. Doesn't he look so happy in this picture?
POLL: Who thinks this leg/hip/back thing is an actual issue? Anyone else ever walk a fun run or whatever? Have to turn the channel when those Sarah McLachlan Animal Rescue commercials come on that are terribly upsetting?
I can’t figure out how to do videos on WordPress anymore, but you can click here to watch. Do it. The part where they meet Katy Perry is awesome.
2. KNOXVILLE’S NEWSPAPER’S CROSSWORD AND JUMBLE: Easier than the NY Times = I feel really smart.
My morning ritual.
3. EGG NOG IN COFFEE: Try it. It’s not mocha in an americano, but it’s still pretty good.
Unfortunately, Buddy the Elf forgot this in his four major food groups.
4. TENNIS: It’s nice to have that to fall back on when I can’t run while I’m at home. And, its nice that I have a built in hitting partner in my brother. Too bad tennis is so hard to play in the city.
Little H and I...well, I guess he's not so little anymore.
5. CREOLE PEAS: This is a recipe my mom makes every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s one of her mom’s recipes (aka my grandmother) who also made it on holidays. My grandmother liked it because she thought the green of the bell pepper and red of the tomatoes looked festive. My mom, sister, and I fight over every last serving of this. Here’s the recipe. FYI – I’ve never made it myself so I can’t tell you how hard or easy this is.
1 – 3 pieces bacon (cooked and crumbled), 3 hard boiled eggs
2 – Chop Up and Brown: 1 Bell Pepper, 1 cup celery, 1 onion
3 – Add 1 Can Stewed Tomatoes
Simmer Until It Cooks Down (WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?)
4 – Add 1 can of Leseur peas (I don’t know what that is either), bacon, and eggs
5 – Top with crushed Ritz crackers
Bake at 325F for 30-40 min
I don’t know why its called Creole peas as my kinfolk are from Alabama and not Louisiana. Still, it is one of my favorite holiday things, right up there with Target shopping trips.
I know what you’re dying to know — who won the BIC Bands?!? The lucky three are Katherine (Neon Blonde Runner), Lia, and Kelly. I’ll email you to get your info and I won’t be offended if you don’t get a sparkly one.
TELL ME: Any fave holiday dishes? Anything you’re particularly thankful for this year? Gonna watch the Macy’s Day Parade and then the Dog Show?
I swear, getting home is never easy. Last night, on my seemingly perfect flight back to Knoxville (we actually took off on time out of LGA, a novelty!) we got diverted to Greenville, SC due to fog and then our flight was cancelled (and it was about midnight at this point). Thankfully, a nice radiologist and his wife who happened to live near me rented a car and offered to drive me home (its about 3 hours from Greenville to Knoxville). Solid travel day.
Fortunately, I sat next to my dental hygienist on the flight so I couldn’t act like I total crazy person during takeoff. Although, I may have professed my love for that foamy fluoride treatment which they have replaced with some lame paint-on stuff that isn’t flavored. That’s not crazy, right?
True story: There was a 5-6 year period where I couldn't get fluoride treatment due to my veneers (from a gymnastics accident where I knocked my front two teeth out). It was definitely upsetting at every dentist's visit.
Now, I know what you’re all thinking – if I’m home, what is the lady dressed up as for Thanksgiving? A pilgrim, obviously.
The Lady and myself. Yes, I'm wearing two different shades of orange. I put basically no effort into my wardrobe when I'm at home.
Since I’ve developed some pathologic addiction to sweating and since my weird-left-leg issues prevents me from using running as my primary form of sweating, I spend most of my mental energy figuring out other ways I can get my sweat on. I’ve reached the point that my post-marathon break feels over and just “resting” leaves me with a lot of pent up energy.
Yesterday, I went to bikram again (before catching that diverted flight home) and have determined that not only do you need to try 3 bites of anything, but also that a lot of yoga is instructor dependent. I spent way too much time figuring out where the instructor yesterday was from because she had this weird accent that I couldn’t place. After 90 min, I think she was Canadian or possibly from Wisconsin. She also gave too many life lessons. Is it bad that I don’t want any of that and only go because I think it will make me a better runner?
Can any of you do this pose? I can't. Not even close.
Still, you do get a major sweat on in Bikram Yoga. Its pretty hard not to with that room being 100 degrees or something like that.
Today, I tried this TRX class at home. FYI – that TRX stuff is no joke. It was one of those times wear I SWORE it was the longest 30 seconds of my life and that the 30 second work period HAD to be over and, clearly, the instructor’s watch was broken.
Do you think I could install one of these in my dorm room? Like, "Don't mind me, just installing my new ceiling fixture!"
Or maybe I’m just very weak. I actually really liked it though, in some sort of “this hurts really badly, but I bet it is good for me” way. I highly suggest you try it.
I also played some tennis to get my endorphins going. I gotta make sure I can get my groundstroke on so I can warm up my brother at his tennis tournament this weekend. Yes, my family spends our Thanksgivings at tennis tournaments. We eat Subway Turkey sandwiches instead of that big Turkey dinner thing.
Intense focus on the backhand preparation. Yes, that's a picky bar shirt. Don't even try to take over my #1 fandom. Also, that's a BIC band which a lucky few of you will win tomorrow.
Well, not entirely true – I have spent a Thanksgiving or two at home when only my dad and brother went to his tournament and not the rest of us. It was, of course, a very formal affair.
You're completely jealous of our outfits. I know. You don't have to tell me.
Unfortunately, I won’t be Turkey Trotting this year due to said tennis tournament. I was so ready with my hair feathers and everything to channel my inner Native American and trot! Missed opportunity.
YOUR TURN: Raise your hand if you’re turkey trotting? Anyone got any fave non-running sweatastic ideas for me? Anyone else actually like the dentist like I do?
I mean, I actually really like getting my teeth cleaned.
Wait! I almost completely forgot! My real favorite way to get my non-running sweat on is shopping, specifically at Target. This lady is my inspiration and the basis of my new training plan for November and December.
First, I want to let you all know that this lady is my shopping idol:
Look at that, even a map to the doorbuster deals..
In addition to other things, the doctor on Thursday told me that I need to train to run, not run to train. You know what you also need to train for? Shopping marathons. It can be taxing. I take picky bars with me to keep my energy up so I make sure I don’t miss anything.
I actually don’t do the whole Black Friday thing. I’m passionate about shopping marathons, particularly those at Target, year round.
But, people, I just realized that there will be no Oprah’s favorite things this year, seeing as Oprah retired. HOW WE WILL KNOW WHAT IS NEW, COOL, AND OPRAH APPROVED?
I know, this was unsettling for me, too. So, I’ve decided to step in for Oprah and start compiling a list of my favorite things in case you need gift ideas.
Before, I get into that I did see some cool things at FAO Schwarz today, any of which you can buy me.
Ginormous Pink Dog. Cost - $300.
5 lb cereal box of gummy bears. Cost - One Sugar High, Potential Diabetes
Make Your Own Muppet. Cost - $100
A few other things you can also get me: 1) a new left hemi-pelvis/leg; 2) fly me to Canada so I can learn to tempo with a bunch of people who live in a freezing cold environment; 3) 2nd season of Modern Family; 4) Tom Ford Whitney Sunglasses; 5) a tweet back from Jesse Thomas (@jessemthomas) – the entire Picky Pack has tweeted back to me except for him, I need to complete my collection, for no real reason whatsoever.
Ok, let’s start the list. Some will be ones you’ve heard about, others not.
1. Nike Half-Zip With Wool In It: That thing is seriously warm.
A Picky Bar sticker? A Believe I Am Tag? How on earth did that get there...
3. Picky Bars: Literally, the perfect stocking stuffer.
4. Believe I Am Training Diary: For when you do secret santa with your runner friends.
5. Madewell Archive Leather Boot ORNaturalizer Riding Boots: I got my Naturalizer pair off Piperlime (and Madewell off of Madewell’s site). I can walk everywhere in them and no blisters.
Seriously, I wear these everywhere...if I'm not in my Madewell boots.
6. Patagonia Synchilla Snap Fleece: It will become your second skin.
I may or may not have more than one.
7. Wilson Pro-OverGrip: If you know anyone that plays tennis, it’s the best overgrip.
Guess which color I use...
8. LL Bean Wicked Good Clogs: Not the most fashionable choice, but actually wicked comfortable.
However, I heard they don't make them anymore. Don't tell me if that's true.
9. Oiselle Distance Short: It’s like Mary Poppins magical bag – it fits everything. In fact, when I finished the marathon, I found a previously stashed picky bar in the back pocket. I needed that for the country mile walk to get my stuff.
These shorts won't let you down. Your IT band might, though.
10. Billy’s Bakery Banana Cake: Just don’t buy it. Its addicting. I want some now.
11. Sparkly BIC Band: Just get one. And then wear it with your patagonia as I am now.
A rather festive combination...
I’ll stop there. For now.
HELP ME HELP OTHERS IN OUR OPRAH-LESS TIME: What would you add to the list?
Personally, I need book recommendations and help on the decision between Lunar Elite 2s or Lunar Glide 3s for my next shoe purchase.
Before I go on into what’s rocking my week, I want to lament over the fact that my appetite has gone way down since I’m not running. When I eat, I get sad, because it’s just not as fun anymore when you’re not starving.
Anyways, let’s begin.
1. NIKETOWN STILL HAS MARATHON STUFF
Before the marathon, I swore I wouldn’t buy anything as “I don’t need any more running stuff.” A week later, totally regretting that decision. Thankfully, a little bird told me NikeTown still has NYC Marathon stuff, so I don’t have to miss out like I did on the NYU School of Medicine snuggie that I didn’t order.
Perfect for studying in a freezing cold library.
2. GRETCHEN AND COOKIES FOR KIDS’ CANCER IS UP FOR LOREAL WOMEN OF WORTH
Cookies could win a lot of dough. Could you vote? http://www.womenofworth.com/honorees/honoreesdetail.aspx?id=Gretchen_Witt&yr=2011
It takes about 15 seconds.
For this little guy...
3. SELF-AWARENESS THAT I AM ONE OF “THOSE” PATIENTS
I filled out my medical history today for an appointment I have tomorrow for ye ol’ leg/hip/back and realized I am one of “those” patients who writes extremely detailed answers to the intake questions. I mean, I wrote a paragraph next to a question (that doesn’t pertain to my leg, fyi) basically explaining what I thought was going on and definitely used some jargon.
Also, some of the questions on those intake sheets are hard. For example, “Do you diet?” I mean, I don’t eat everything I want all the time. I want Insomnia Cookies tonight, but I won’t go because I care about my arteries and visceral fat. What does one call that? Or, my personal fave, “Are you at your ideal weight?” Wrote a little explanation next to that one to. Yes or no checkbox is not for me.
It also occurred to me that the doctor could suggest imaging and, further, an MRI. I hope not because, although I’ve never had an MRI, that tube looks scary.
MRIs - not for the claustrophobic.
I kind of hope she tells me I can run even if I’m in pain so I can Turkey Trot. I’m sure that’s what she’ll tell me.
You guys know I die for those sparkly BIC bands and how devastated I was when I lost my orange sparkly band on Staten Island. And, guess what…
THREE OF YOU CAN HAVE YOUR VERY OWN BIC BAND!
And, better yet, you get to pick which one you want! So, if you don’t love yourself a sparkle like I do, you don’t have to get a sparkly one.
Rules of the Game:
1. Comment below telling me which BIC band you plan on getting if you win.
2. Tell me what charity you would want BIC bands to donate to if you were them (and why if you can). (Remember, BIC bands gives part of their proceeds to a different charity each month.)
3. Go like BIC Bands on facebook (and then tell me).
4. Go follow BIC Bands ontwitter (and then tell me).
Personally, I was thinking of buying a red or green one soon for the holiday season. Obviously.
You have until next Tuesday to enter. May the odds ever be in your favor!
Also, even though I’m still not running, I still dream and scheme in my Believe I Am Training Diary every night. I love that little thing and its pink spiral. My goals are secret, for now. You can take guesses though. It won’t be hard to guess. Trust me.
When I was a camp counselor, we tried to encourage all of the campers to try 3 bites of everything. I think my parents also tried this on me for awhile, but then gave up as I was the pickiest eater alive. I didn’t eat a banana until age 17 and didn’t try mashed potatoes, broccoli, or guacamole until college. I almost tried an olive the other day, as I’ve never had one of those, but chickened out. I guess my picky past (and present, too) underlies my passion for Picky Bars.
The texture of this product has been approved by myself and my brother who is much pickier than I, if that's possible.
Side Note: I received an email from my mom this morning along the lines of “CRISIS! WE ARE OUT OF PICKY BARS.” I’m not sure how she wanted me to fix this problem seeing as I am a 12 hour car ride from her. Apparently, my brother has followed my picky passion.
Anyways, if you read this post, you’ll know I am a yoga skeptic. However, I’ve been to bikram twice this week and actually kind of like it. I guess you really do have to try 3 bites of something to make a decision.
I like bikram because its the same thing every time, so it becomes a game to me to see if I can do each pose better than the time before (ok, fine, all 2 times that I’ve been, but you do do each pose twice each time, so that makes it 4 times total). Fortunately, the place I’ve been to isn’t too serious. Its light and fun. When the yoga people get too zen and into the meditating stuff, they lose me.
I do quite enjoy the organized nap time though.
Unfortunately, I have been called out BOTH TIMES for not paying attention. I’m sorry yoga master, but sometimes I just like to zone out and think about when it will get cold enough for me to start wearing my patagonia fleece consistently.
Patagonia Synchilla -- my 2nd skin in the winter. Get yourself one ASAP.
I guess I’ve also liked bikram this week as its let me get my sweat on in a mah-jor way while I’m still on my running hiatus. And, I swear, it gets your heart rate up. I bet over 110 or 120 beats per minute. Maybe I should wear a heart rate monitor (if I had one). Experiment? Or maybe I’m just out of shape.
Let's learn! The point of maximal impulse for the heart (meaning where you can feel the heart beat best if you put your hand on your chest) is in the 5th intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line.
Also, I wore my BIC band all throughout yoga. It didn’t come off even when I was attempting some backward bending things and failing miserably. Unfortunately for me, I’m not afraid of falling over so I do that often. I like to think it provides entertainment for the others.
OK, THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR: Who gets the Picky Bars I promised?! I had to figure out how many stamps it would take to send, which is why it took me so long to choose.
The is me and the RC, one of the inventors of Picky Bars. I look so well fed next to her. Whenever I hear the word "inventor," I always think of "my father, the inventor of Toaster Strudel, would not be happy to hear about this." NAME THAT MOVIE.
MegMarie, AmandaVids, and Gina you are the lucky recipients. I’ll email you guys to get your mailing addresses. Also, it may get smushed in transit. I am sorry.
TELL ME: Anyone else a picky eater out there? Anyone else formerly not like something and then had a turn around?
True story: I hated running for the first 23 years of my life and have perfected ways of a) getting out of running or b) feigning like you did a whole run. I can give you my secrets if you wish. I can also give you my secrets for faking pushups, but it does require a long pony-tail.
They say that you can tell how high a new building is going to be by how deep its foundation is. I’m not sure if that’s true. Don’t quote me on that.
Side Note: Who on earth is “they” when anyone says “they say?” Collective wisdom? Experts? Dumbledore and Hagrid?
Dumbledore knows all.
Anyways, so I went to bikram yesterday. Besides homeslice instructor realizing I can’t pay attention (literally calling me out – “Meggie, focus on the mirror and not looking around” – I’m sorry I can’t pay attention, I like to think), I realized my left leg/back/hip/wtv is wacked. Maybe I’m being hypersensitive to anything that feels off, but, I think it does feel like that – off, out of wack, something like that.
Seriously, can anyone actually do this? I can't even start to straighten my leg. Its embarrassing.
My left leg/back/hip has bothered me off and on since I was 17. It’s typically been my medial hamstring (possible adductor, not sure) and lower back. The IT band was new this year. Regardless, my left leg comes to bite me in the butt a few times a year and I’m over it. I have to get it fixed. Or get a transplant, but last I checked, they don’t offer leg transplants.
You can get a kidney transplant though. This is a kidney. Renal physiology is complicated. Be thankful for your kidneys. Give them a pat right at the edge of your bottom ribs in the back to thank them.
I’d love to tell you how I’m going to be back running again soon and how I’m plotting my course to my spring redemption. However, that’s not what I’m doing. I’m going to take my sweet time and take the whole month of November focusing on getting my body 100% ready to run again. Strength first, running second.
I like to think of my strength as my foundation. Clearly, since I got injured before NYC and then ran NYC sort of injured, my foundation isn’t sound. If I want to run another marathon and run it faster than before, I need to dig out a deeper, more solid foundation. For this point, at least for me, I don’t think that means going out and running 50 miles a week (which is more than I’ve ever done, anyways, so I’m not sure where I came up with that number.) To me, it means fixing whatever is wrong on my left side from the hip/SI joint down and strengthening the appropriate muscles.
Let's learn leg anatomy! See the sartorius (more of an anterior muscle) - it helps pull your leg into cross legged position. See where all those nerves are in the back of your knee? That's the popliteal fossa, if my anatomy memory serves me correct. It was 4 years ago, don't quote me.
I could be wrong though. Maybe I do need to go out and run a lot or something.
So, the month of November will be focused on my leg and, of course, TURKEY TROTTING. When I say running secondary, that doesn’t mean zero running. It just means running isn’t the first priority to me like it sometimes becomes when I’m training for a race and tend to skip out on other things like yoga, foam rolling, etc. I mean, hello, I already have the hair feathers. I can totally channel a Native American and trot it up, emphasis on trot.
This is true dedication to Turkey Trotting.
Side note: I like how I talk like I’ve been doing this running thing for so long as if I have established habits (ie “after a marathon” — yes, all 3 I’ve done). I’ve been running for almost 3 years. So, basically, don’t listen to me.
My very first race with Erika. It was for Miles For Melanoma, which is why we are matching. Clearly, we were having a stimulating conversation. And, clearly, I was only focusing on finishing + not walking.
So, come December, hopefully I’ll be back at it, but we’ll worry about that on Nov 30th.
One last thing. It has occurred to me that maybe I should be worried about fitness losses if I’m going to take my sweet time getting back into running. To be honest, it sort of does, but I also kind of think about it like the following.
I know how to hit a forehand. If I went out and rallied with someone right now, I’d definitely spray or shank a few balls here or there because I haven’t picked up a racquet in a few months. It doesn’t mean my forehand got worse or I’ll never again be able to hit the ball like I used to. It will just take some time to get there. And, if you think about it, getting “there,” wherever “there” is, will take less time than it did the first time around because my body already knows how to hit the crap out of the ball a solid forehand. I feel like my running is the same. My body already knows how to run as fast as I trained it to previously. It will just take some time to get there again.
Unrelated but I just wanted to remind you that I did make it to Staten Island with my orange sparkly BIC band. Said headband is still somewhere in Staten Island. RIP. Hi Kelly and Baker!
Or so I tell myself. Sometimes, I think I should change the name of this blog to “Lies I Tell Myself to Make Me Behave Like a Normal, Rational Person.”
I’m more worried about my clothes not fitting anymore than anything else. And, don’t be surprised when there is another post in a week titled, “OMG! I’M STILL NOT RUNNING AND AM FAT AND OUT OF SHAPE! THIS IS TERRIBLE.”
TELL ME: Anyone who ran the NY Marathon already end their break? If so, why? If not, how much time are you breaking for? Anyone had any weird leg issues and has any bright ideas for me? Or better yet, just tell me something cool you did this weekend.
Today’s post-NYC Marathon post is brought to you by the word “resilience.”
But, first, things first.
First, I would like for us all to have a moment of silence for my dearly departed orange sparkly BIC band. I lost it in the start village when I was ripping off layers. For a moment, it was lost upon me as to how I was going to run fabulously with out a sparkly headband. But, I pulled it together.
It was nice knowing you, orange sparkly headband. RIP.
Second, I HAVE FOUND THE WAY TO KEEP YOUR HAIR FROM TANGLING during a super long run – extremely dirty, greasy hair. I mean, you’re going to get gross anyways, why shower the day before…or the day before that.
Third, if you ever run the NYC Marathon, take a heat sheet or blanket and toilet paper into the corrals with you. While there are bathrooms in the first holding area, when they walk you up on to the bridge, there are not. And, you have to wait on the bridge for approximately 20 min. The urge make strike. It did for me. I jumped a guard rail and went right then and there. No shame here.
Sorry, I don't have a picture of me peeing at the start. This is mile 18 roughly. Credit: Ali
Today was marathon #3. The NYC Marathon is a hard course, people. Definitely the hardest of any marathons I’ve done. Its basically all graded uphill or graded downhill. There are no huge hills, but the “uphill” parts of the course are long and somewhat torturous. It’s crowded, but you never feel smothered or that you can’t run at whatever pace you want. There is, of course, lots of crowd support minus a few sections, usually bridges.
With such a hard course, I’m not so sure it’s one I’d pick for a first marathon or for a fast time. It’s definitely one to run for the experience. It’s pretty incredible just how many people are cheering for 40,000+ crazy people that decide to go run for a really long time. For me, it was amazing to see people I knew along the course cheering for me. I felt very loved. If you run it one day, I will come cheer for you.
Although I was #21,141, I was the ONLY MEGGIE running the NYC Marathon. I always knew I was special.
[P.S. Side note - I did not put my name on my shirt. When people yelled, "Meggie!" I knew it was someone who knew me. I liked that.]
So, as I mentioned, my word for today was “resilience.” The word happened to resonate with me in the days leading up to the marathon for a few reasons.
First, I felt I had to be resilient coming back from basically not running for 2 weeks. I’ll be honest, I know every said it wouldn’t hurt me, but I had my doubts. I figured I needed to be resilient and bounce back quickly to be able to run today.
Second, I think a key to a marathon (not that I would say I’ve ever had one where I just nailed it) is being resilient. 26.2 miles is far. There are bound to be good patches and bad patches. When the bad one comes, you need resilience to bounce back from that and, moreover, belief that you will feel good in another mile or so. My main mental image today was a trampoline.
Or maybe I just miss flipping around…
Anyways, my plan was to start out slow. I remembered the RC’s fiance (the RCF) telling me that even if I ran 9 min or something, that was fine. I took his advice to heart. I ran the first mile in 9:22.
This is the RCF. Please tell me this is the most fabulous finish photo you have ever seen.
I actually intentionally sped up the 2nd mile to make up for the taking-the-slow-start advice far too seriously. Mile 2 was 7:52. Probs too fast, but, in the end, it didn’t really matter.
Sorry for that, RC. Also, the RC is the tiniest person I've ever met. I feel very well fed or something next to her.
My leg started hurting at mile 1. I know, right? You would think the running Gods would give me a few pain free miles. I tried as best I could to shift my thoughts from my knee to something else, as there was nothing I could really do about it, except see how it went mile-by-mile. So, I focused on the bunch of grapes running near me – literally, dude dressed as grapes.
Literally, homie ran with a bunch of balloons.
From 3-10 I tried to be a little bit off (meaning behind) planned marathon pace and then I would speed up from there. I wanted to be around 8:20 To be honest, I find miles 8-12 of a marathon very hard mentally. The adrenaline of the start has worn off, you’ve run a pretty good distance, and you’re not even half way there, yet. For some reason, starting around 7, my legs felt really sluggish and I started to have thoughts of “why am I doing this” and “apparently, I am just not cut out for marathons.” Then, I shut myself up because I’ve felt fine in halves or 15Ks at mile 8. So, I chalked it up to a bad patch and hoped a good one would come soon.
10-15, I’m not exactly sure what happened. My leg was about the same. It hurt, but it wasn’t sharp and I could still mostly bend it. I probably could’ve given a better effort here, but I think I was sulking slightly over my leg. And then there was the Queensboro bridge, which was long and torturous. Looking back, I hope I wasn’t giving up on myself, but maybe I was.
The Queensboro Bridge looks innocuous. It is not.
After mile 15 sucked with that hill up the bridge, I made a little game for myself so I could enjoy the rest of it. Let me explain. I wise person once told me that a workout, as written, is a 100% value. Even if its a bad day, you still get 90% value for giving a good effort. There is not really winning or losing, you just try to “win” as much of that 100%. So, from mile 15 on, I decided to try to “win” as much as possible each mile – don’t ask, it made sense at the time.
Oh wait – I had one more game, too. I pretended after mile 15 that each mile was a 3rd set or a tiebreaker (tennis, people). Do you give up when you’re down 1-0 in a 3rd set? No. So, would I give up if I had a particularly sucky mile that mile? No.
It was around 16 than I started to get some sharp pains in my leg. I briefly worried that I may not be able to finish, which was a horrifying thought, but if there is anything I’m not, its a quitter. I think I repeated that to myself – “You are not a quitter.” I figured I’d finish if I had to walk or something.
Example of First Ave Crowds
16-20 was incredibly fun, despite the leg pain. The downhill of the Queensboro bridge really did a number on the IT band, but I tried to shut it up (no, I did not actually yell at it likee my last long run) so I could focus on seeing people I knew. Priorities people.
Mile 18-26 was when I sort of had to change my gait to accomodate for ye ol’ leg. Speeding up at all produced a sharp pain. I almost cried here, because I wanted to go faster than I was running, but couldn’t unless I wanted to be completely masochistic. I almost cried a little bit here, because I was sad.
Then, I figured if I could actually breathe for the last 6 or so of a marathon, I might as well enjoy it. So, I used the opportunity to soak in all the people and atmosphere. I mean, why not?
Still running. Approx mile 22.
The last downhill coming out of the park really threw the leg out of wack and I did a sweet somewhat-Trendelenberg-like gait the last 1.5 miles since my knee wasn’t so down with bending.
Of course, I have more thoughts, but I will have to write those down tomorrow. I’m exhausted.
Later, people. And, congrats to everyone who ran the NYC Marathon today!
Until next time…
(PS – my finish time was 4:05:33. Forgot to mention that tid-bit.)
Oh yeah – that’s right people. I ellipticalled for 20 minutes today and it was exhilarating. My little nucleus accumbens was firing like crazy I’m sure. What’s the nucleus accumbens you ask? It’s a little nucleus (think of it as an activity station) in your brain that is sometimes dubbed the “reward center.” This little guy also plays a crucial role in addiction. The neurobiology of addiction is actually fascinating.
Just so you can know where the nucleus accumbens is.
Ok, I’ll stop nerding out on you all.
Anyways, so I went back to Dr. Levine for some more ART and he says my IT band feels better. BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO RUN TOMORROW.
His reasoning is as follows. Today was the first day that my leg has not hurt walking since I re-aggravated the ol’ IT band last Thursday. Since it appears the IT band is on the upswing (or so we hope), why would I want to run tomorrow and potentially mess up all the healing that’s taken place since last Thursday? A reasonable person wouldn’t want all that tortured rest period ”super-taper” going to waste, now would they?
Surely, you've haven't forgotten about super-taper, right?!?
The problem is I haven’t exactly been reasonable and rational lately, which is probably why Dr. Levine asked me, “So, why are you wearing running clothes right now?”
BECAUSE I WANT TO PRETEND I’M GOING TO RUN — THAT’S WHY.
Ok, lies – I was wearing running clothes because they’re more comfortable than real clothes and, as always, I want all the world to know I <3 Sweat.
20 minutes of sweat is better than no sweat, right? I'm sure Ali agrees.
So, I’m trying very hard to listen to what other people tell me to do and not to let the crazy person that has invaded my body take over, which result in me taking myself on a 6 mile run that could potentially deter me from MARATHON GREATNESS. And, we don’t want that, do we?!?
I mean, this is completely what I anticipate myself looking like all marathon long. You see the resemblance, right?
Seeing as I have to do something before I lose my mind (and 20 min on an elliptical isn’t going to cut), I’m going to go senior citizen tomorrow and aqua jogging. I’m just really upset I don’t have one of the following awesome swim caps for the occasion.
Exhibit A --- and these models do NOT look like senior citizens to me...
Exhibit B --- she also does not look like a senior citizen.
I know, you can’t win them all. The NYU one I got from my friend who is the assistant coach (shout out to Spenser Popeson) will have to do. However, cool swim cap or not, I have to do something to burn off my excess energy so I don’t take off at the start of the marathon like a kid running from house to house trick-or-treating.
Paperclip, Paperclip's Older Sister, and I
Well, at least that’s how Paperclip – excuse me – Buzz Lightyear trick-or-treated last night.
Quick Tangent: Speaking of Halloween, best trick-or-treater at our house last night was the girl whose father said, “Well, she’s really enjoying this, but Daddy’s getting his cardio – whew!” I almost wanted to yell, “Sir, do not take your cardio for granted!”
See, I have seriously morphed into a legitimate crazy person.
If you’re watching the race, you need to cheer the loudest for Lauren (Fleshman). Yell something about Picky Bars or sparkly headbands or beer…or something like that. Or just your usual “Go Lauren!”, yet, I feel we can all get more creative than that.
If you watch the 5K the day before, you need to cheer very loudly for the newly engaged couple, Steph and Ben, who I usually refer to as “the RC” and “the RCF.” You can yell something like, “Oh my word, your ring is blinding me!” or “Is that the guy that can talk like Donald Duck?!?”
All three will be really skinny. I am sure this will help you distinguish them from all the other professional runners.
Ok, now for the question I will pose to you all – WHAT NAIL COLOR SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE MARATHON? Possibilities include:
Smokin’ Hot by Essie (gunmetal color)
Lapis of Luxury by Essie (which was “belief blue,” but its very summery)
Carry On by Essie (a deep plum, but that’s the color the IT band injury happened with so I’m thinking no)
black (because it’s fierce)
orange (because it’s my lucky color)
Rock the Croc by Essie (because its my favorite “fall red”)
If I can find it, I may go with the new “Baubing for Baubles” by Essie – which is a deep sapphire blue, so it can be the new “belief blue.”
I hope its not so new that I won't find it....
ALSO, TELL ME: What was the best Halloween costume you saw? And Kim K divorcing already? Glad I caught the wedding special before that happened!
I saw a Jamaican bobsled team. Very clever.
Until next time…
[P.S. I'm sorry if this post made no sense whatsoever.]
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