The short long run.

Just came in from my last long run before Chicago - 12 miles. It wasn't easy but I ran most of it at 11:15 miles/min which should bring us in in under 5 hours. No Scott Jurek moments. When I came in John asked how far I ran. When I told him I ran 12 miles, he looked at me. "I thought you were going to cut back this week". It made me realize how far we had come, when 12 miles feels like just another thing to do at the weekend, you are ready for a marathon, Just a few short runs left. I can't wait for Chicago and crossing that finish line with Emer and Beth, but I am really, really really looking forward to doing something else besides running. A swim in Walden Pond this weekend reminder of how much I like to swim. Thanks to Isabelle, who came up with the idea, I now have a new goal and one I think is very achievable. To swim around Walden Pond. I wont have to deal with the dark abyss in the center, just have to build up to 11/2 miles.

Thoughts

"Our greatest glory is not never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

                                                                                        - Confusius

20 mile run

Emer O'Shea and I completed our 20 mile run last night but of course a 20 mile run wouldn't be a 20 mile run without some adventure and drama.

Our run from Newton into Boston along the Charles River was really great.  The weather was great, we were full of energy, no sore joints, no pain. We met a food truck festival, saw all the people out on the boats, ran past the Hatch-shell and reached our 11 mile mark just as the sun was going down - gorgeous. All was good.  We took our energy gels, drank our water and were feeling great, Chicago here we come!.  We turned around for our 9 mile return run and a plan to walk the last couple of miles.

I think we made a few mistakes. Hey - that's what the 20 mile rehearsal is all about. We ran too fast for the first half, we didn't eat or drink enough, running at 4pm through dinner time wasn't a good idea and running in the dark wasn't a good idea.

At about mile 14, I started to feel bad. I was really light headed, and felt like getting sick, I had to stop and lower my head, really thought I was going to pass out.  It felt like a very chaotic few minutes. Emer of course bumped into someone she knew, we were at a busy bridge junction, cars everywhere, it suddenly got really windy and dark and I was on my knees ready to keel over. People were stopping to ask me if  I was OK. I took a Gel quickly and after a few minutes felt better and we took off running again, but much slower.   It will be forever remembered as my "Scott Jurek" moment. The Ultra marathoner is famous for passing out/ throwing up on his long runs, only to get up a few minutes later and start running again.

We continued our run, feeling good again, tired but hitting our 15 mile mark. Then suddenly the Prudential Tower appeared in front of us.  We were running  back into Boston.  How could that happen, we were running along the river all the time, how could we have switched direction.
We had another 30 minutes of confusion. I really had no idea where we were,  there were too many cars, it was dark, couldn't see anything except that damn Prudential Building that appeared everywhere, no matter what direction we ran.

I followed Emer's direction, just hoping to avoid another "Scott Jurek" moment. I had full faith in her getting us home, I just didn't want her to have to carry me home on her back.  We had both made a commitment to get to the 20 mile mark, no matter what. We eventually figured out that we had, in our delirium, actually ran across a bridge and headed back into Boston, It was so dark we didn't even notice going over the river.

We got back on track, but had made a detour between 1/2 and 1 mile. We passed the 20 mile mark before reaching Watertown square.  Had a little celebration in the dark and then faced our 3 mile walk home.  The walk back was harder than any miles in the race. It sort of blows out my theory that I can always walk the last few miles. - not so easy as it seems.

We did get home, feeling very sore and very sorry for ourselves. It was 10 o clock, we had been out for 6 hours, our families were mad with us,  but it will be one of those runs we will talk about for a long time.

Ready for Chicago, whatever happens it will be an adventure.

14 Miles along Ocean Drive - Part III

The group run continued.  Emer is known to carry her phone with her and we have relied on this to give us our distance, pace, etc.  "How far have we gone?" was asked one too many times though and I put a ban on using the iPhone app.  Being the tour guide I had that authority, right?  Without this information readily available, Isabelle ended up running 7 miles.  She then veered off to walk a short cut that would connect with us later in the run.

Meanwhile, Emer, Maura and I started the "Ocean Drive" section.

 The scenery was beautiful and we occasionally stopped to take it in.

I  maintained my tour guide role.  It was taken in good stride when all of a sudden tables turned.   

Glucose levels dropped and my "tour members" were accusing me of not warning them of the upcoming hills.  They wanted to fill out the survey and include this in the comment section.  What survey?

Then I was accused of withholding the survey until the endorphins kicked in so that I would get glowing reports.  I knew I had to do something - this part in the run is always challenging.  As we turned into Fort Adams State Park, I told everyone we would fill up our water bottles and have a pit stop at the Yachting Museum.

 

When we got there, I saw them...FREE Cliff Bar samples!  I guided everyone to the counter to take some.  Of course I told them they were complimentary with the tour today.  We left happy and got happier after the sugar reached our system.  Emer was shouting cheers for our team.  "Who are we?  We are runners!"  Yes, we were back on track.

We met Isabelle at the entrance to the park and she ran with us to the end.  Well, I should say in front of us...there was no stopping her!

 

When we reached Kings Park,  I had visions of Tarzan Brown.  In the 1938 Boston Marathon, Tarzan was leading on an unseasonably warm day when half way through the race, he waved to the crowd and jumped into Lake Cochituate to cool off.   I asked who wanted to jump in and I got a yes without hesitation from Emer.  I guess the Cliff Bar was still working.  

With just 2 miles to go, we had this.  We all arrived together, just another step in getting to the starting line.

   

14 Miles Along Ocean Drive Part II - The Ongoing Need for Port-O-Johns

I always love the port-o-john at mile 19 of the Boston Marathon.  I see it on my runs a few days before the big event.  Each year it has a humorous sign.  Little did we know that we would need one so soon after our first pit stop, but if you run - you know.

Isabelle's knee was hurting, so she thought she would do 4 miles.  I secretly was scheming to keep her part of this run longer.  The 4 mile mark was exactly where a need for a bathroom came up.  We looked around and didn't see any possibilities.  At this point, Isabelle was going to turn back and head for home, but I knew we would lose her for good if she did.  I thought of several places we may find a bathroom.  At the same time, Isabelle started searching for construction sites that may have a port-o-john.  We kept striking out until my last thought...the Sports Complex on the Salve University campus.  We rounded the corner and saw this in the distance.

And it was open!

And it was never used!

And it was near an outdoor sculpture garden that the rest of us could enjoy!

Back on the trail,  Isabelle stayed with us to run to a place where she could take a shortcut.  Yes, the run continues.

If you visualize, you will always find what you need.

Advice

Is Ryan Hall reading our blog...that is our goal, getting to the starting line!  (Promise a picture of all us when we get there!)

14 Miles Along Ocean Drive! Part I

Our long run event started in Newport on Friday.  I had planned the mental preparation activity for that night.  We would go to First Beach for a "drive-in" style showing of The Summit, an adventure documentary about people who believe in the impossible.  This would set the tone.  

               

Alas, everyone arrived, but not without incident.  Isabelle was tired from her recent vacation out west and opted to rest a bit after work before driving down.  She was able to catch a ride with Maura who was leaving later as well.  I still had a chance to see the film with Emer and her daughters...until her car broke down.  Well, we would do without any mental preparation and popcorn on the beach.  Everyone made it down eventually and we probably stayed up too late catching up.

The next day brought nice temperatures.  We got an early start but not so early because we didn't have to beat the heat.  When we looked at each other, we all had pink on without planning it...and so the name pink ladies was coined.

We started with determination and with a bit of fun. We got to the Wave and joked about diving into our run (foreshadowing...things to come).

I pretended to be a tour guide as I told stories along the route, pointing out scenery and landmarks.  When we got to the Cliff Walk, I quickly surmised that a pit stop was necessary.  We detoured to First Beach for the bathrooms (that's what a good tour guide does, right?).

We started up again, enjoying the morning sun of the beach.

 As we ran along the Cliff Walk, I chatted on about how and why it was built.  I mentioned sitings of famous people.  Not all facts were accurate.  Everyone seemed happy and energetic.

Next up:  Finishing the Cliff Walk and the search for port-a-johns.

Our Long Run in Newport

 

This week we come together in Newport, RI to set out on our first (and only) long run together.  I shove off to Chicago at the end of the month, so this is our one opportunity to run over a half marathon distance together.  We will set off long the cliff walk, wind around Ocean Drive and veer off through Fort Adams...we shall see which way the wind takes us!

Summer Training

Who ever said we were conventional?  The summer took us in different directions, influencing how we were preparing for this marathon. 

Maura stayed true to the sport, while the rest of us deviated a bit.  She did a remarkable 15 mile run by herself after running with all members of her family during a family reunion in Maine.

Emer spent the summer training for the Pam Mass Challenge.  Here she is with her friend Kate, on the first day of the event.

Isabelle went west for her training, hiking around red rocks and the Grand Canyon with her family.  She brings her yoga practice wherever she goes.

Meanwhile, I spent a month in Spain walking the Camino de Santiago with my husband.  We walked over 400 miles while carrying packs that were way too heavy (next time I will know to pack better)!

 

While walking this well traveled path, I kept being reminded that there was no "one way" to follow it.  "This is your Camino" was often heard when pilgrims took an alternate route or skipped a bit of the path that involved walking on a busy road.  We are staying true to the Camino spirit as we make this marathon our own.  We have our way markers, directions and spreadsheets, but adapt them to fit our own lives.  Buen Camino!

Evening Running

Glorious run last night. Worried about thunder storms, I decided to run around the block, up and down local streets so I would always be close to home. How do I make this interesting.?

In my mind I listed out all those who supported my fund raising for BOMF who live locally and laid out a path where I would run by each of their houses.  I zig-zagged through the neighborhood and as I ran by each house, I thanked them mentally for their support, secretly hoping they were looking out their window and  that somehow seeing me run made their donation worth while.

I really love late evening runs, right now between 8 and 9, just when the sun is going down.

Morning run No. 2

Beth spoke this morning about Chi Running and what we can learn from each long run. Here is what I learned from our run this morning.

• Emer is actually a morning person. Hasn't she been keeping that a secret.
• I am not a morning person, but 10 years ago I wasn't a runner, so there is hope.
• The neighborhood rabbits have their 5am morning meeting on Upland Road.
• The neightborhood racoons have their meeting on Beacon Street.
• You can cover 3 cities on a 9 mile run, Newton, Watertown, Waltham.
• Woerd Ave is a great place to launch your kayak.
• Running sideways up a hill really helps (wait, I learned that last week)
• Running 9 miles is hard.
• Running 9 miles at 5am is really hard.
• Running 9 miles with Emer and Beth is always a pleasure.
• We need Isabelle on our long runs. Beth and I can't talk beyond mile 8.

Biking in the Rain

"Is the bike ride on?"  Bart wanted to know.  The weather was predicted to be strong rains and winds.  I looked outside and indeed that was picture.  The reason for this 5 am ride to Boston and back was to make getting up at the crack of dawn a pleasurable experience.  We would see the rising sun peeking up from the Charles River and speed into the city without having to stop for any cars.  On a day like today, we would only be miserable.  There is nothing wrong with adding that to your training, but we were looking for pleasure, not misery to start off our early practices.  Is anyone available for an early morning next week?

Morning running

Set my alarm clock this morning for 5am. Not being a morning person, there was a slim chance (but still a chance) that I would actually get up, and do my run before going to work. If I am going to train for The Chicago Marathon over the Summer, early morning runs are a must.

Alarm went off at 5am, hit the snooze button, 5:15 it went off again, hit the snooze button again, then at 5:30 somehow, still in a daze I got myself up, dressed, laced up my sneakers and was actually on the road running at 5:40.  For the first 5 minutes I honestly thought I was dreaming about running. 30 minutes and 3 miles later I was home, fully awake, and invigorated and that first cup of coffee never tasted so good.

It wasn't my best run,  but it absolutely was my best 5:30am run.

Can I do this again.....

Boston's Run To Remember

As Emer, Isabelle, Maura and I move closer to the Chicago Marathon, we scheduled a half marathon along the way.  With three of us signed up and one running as a bandit (we won't say who), we got in our 13.1 miles.  We treated it as a real LSD (long slow distance), stopping at Starbucks to use the bathroom and taking our shoes off for the last mile.  The Boston Run To Remember half marathon was the jumping off point to our training.  There is no looking back!

Getting to the Starting Line

 As I will be moving to Chicago for the year, I convinced three friends to run the Chicago Marathon this October with me.  Stay tuned to updates about our training and how we "get to the starting line."  I borrowed that line from Bill Rogers.  He talked at the Boston Marathon expo this year, telling the audience it was about getting to the starting line, because once you are there, you know you will finish.