10 Miles Tomorrow --- Can You Feel the Butterflies that I Feel?

After speaking with Liberdy, the doctor, etc. I have decided to forgo the 5k race tomorrow and get the 10 mile run out of the way.  It just makes sense in terms of the amount of work on my desk, the upcoming week's schedule, and the fact that the half marathon is one month from tomorrow (eek).  Resting my legs today (unfortunately in my office) and going to try to get at least 8 hours of sleep tonight.  I'll let y'all know how it goes.

On another note, please read the information that I have posted above about the amazing organization that I am raising money for through my participation in the Chicago Marathon.  I hope that you will consider making a donation.  The organization is called Atticus Circle (http://atticuscircle.org). 

Finally --- One of Those Workouts Where I Feel Amazing Now!

Amazing workout tonight.  It's 10:55 p.m. and I have tons of energy.  (Energy is a great thing considering the amount of work I still have to do tonight.)  I've had to be creative in getting my mileage in.  At the same time, I have to continuously be mindful that unless I switch things up, that my body will get used to a routine and I won't continue losing weight.  Considering I am relatively close to where I want to be, I don't want that to happen.

I started with 4 miles on the elliptical.  I kept the incline the same throughout, but every 10 minutes I increased the resistance.  Then I moved onto the treadmill for 2.5 miles of intervals, with hills.  Quarter mile at 6.5, followed by a quarter mile at 3.5, followed by a quarter mile at 5.2 --- but at a 5 incline.  And it kept repeating.  I stretched, and then had enough energy where I moved on to core, arms, and back.  Now, I'm icing and drinking the protein drink.  Truly, I haven't felt this good in a while.  I don't want to jinx anything (but also don't want to hide it).  Who knows why, but I do.

Tomorrow I see the ortho.  And, the sports massage is scheduled for tomorrow as well.  Looking forward to that.

I've been thinking about pace a lot today.  I have freakishly short legs.  I am pretty short, but proportionately my legs are really short.  My inseam in 25 inches.  I even have to get petite pants shortened.  To add to the craziness, I have freakishly large feet (in comparison to my legs); I wear a size 10 and have narrow feet.  I can only run so fast given my freakishly short legs as my legs relate to my stride.  My freakishly large feet have little to do with it.  In light of all of this, I have to remember that I may never be a 9 minute mile runner (even at shorter distances).  That is going to have to be OK, because there is nothing that I can do to make my legs longer.

On other unrelated news --- two Badgers chosen in the first round of the NFL draft, which was amazing (even though I am still pissed at JJ Watt for not staying in school).  Saints traded and got Mark Ingram --- who is going to be an amazing addition to the team.  I loved watching him play for Alabama and think that he is a class act.  Now, let's hope there will actually be football this year (NFL football that is).

Wondering what the doctor is going to say tomorrow?

9 Miles Was a Team Effort.

Last night I went to a temple board meeting.  My attendance hasn't been stellar this year for a variety of reasons, but I was in town and really wanted to go to thank people like my rabbi who have been such wonderful sources of guidance to me over the past months.  I belong to a reform temple, I want to be clear about that.  One of the things that I enjoy most, about both my rabbi and my temple, is that they share a very humanistic approach to Judaism.  At every board meeting, Rabbi Cohn gives what is called a D'var Torah.  In essence, he gives a summary of the Torah portion and then, somehow, relates it to real life.  Last night what he said was really special and resonated with me.  He spoke about the need for every person to push himself beyond what is expected of them and not to simply be satisfied with the status quo.  He talked about the need to challenge ourselves.  Somehow Rabbi Cohn can always get me thinking and motivated.

Tonight I finished 9 miles.  While I may have been on the treadmill alone, it was a team effort.  Liberdy had her baby today, a healthy baby boy. Even though she was in the hospital, she was very much there with me.  Her enthusiasm, advice, and motivation kept me going.  My assistant, Nancy, was there with me as well.  She is incredibly busy working for three of us --- each of us that provides her with "unique" and "interesting" daily challenges.  Despite that, all day she reminded me to keep drinking and to stay hydrated.  (Keep in mind that she did so while typing not one, but two briefs and a few letters just for me.)  My friends and family were there with me also, the people who have encouraged me and believed in me --- maybe even doubted me.  (That doubt has provided motivation.)  My doctors were there, as I kept in mind their respective advice and was sure to follow it.  And, last but not least, Rabbi Cohn was there with me also because it was his words last night that kept me going today.

Maybe I am seeing the situation incorrectly (I have been known to do so from time to time), but I am starting to get the sense that some people doubt that I am actually going to follow through with either the half marathon in 4.5 weeks or the Chicago Marathon in October.  I understand that people may be having doubts based on my injuries and their doubts are seemingly coming from a good place.  But in a sense, I kind of think that is what is expected of me; to quit when things get difficult.   But, I have extra motivation now to make sure I go beyond the expected (unless, of course, a doctor tells me that I will do physical harm to myself by doing so).  It isn't about time.  It isn't about winning.  It is about finishing.  It is, again, about going beyond what is easy or expected.

I finished 9 miles tonight.  I didn't run all of it.  When I started to get tired I would run for 10 minutes and then walk a few.  But I didn't stop running, I always started running again.  My average pace, with walking, was 12:30 per mile.  Not terrible.  I didn't give up.  I wasn't on prednisone.  I put my head down and refused to give up.  I feel good about it.  I feel good about myself.

For some reason, my shins were hurting the first mile or 2.  That was a new pain to me, but it subsided.  The sharp pain in my achilles, specifically the right achilles, didn't start until mile 6.5 --- which was a huge improvement for me, something that I was pleased about.  I took naproxen sodium, rather than ibuprofen before I ran.  Maybe that did the trick.  Truthfully, I don't know what I did to make me get through it, but I did.

In 4.5 weeks I am going to finish the Toronto Women's Half Marathon.  I will unquestionably walk some of it, but I will run across the finish line with a smile on my face.  I won't worry about the time but will be happy about finishing --- happy about going beyond what is expected of me.  And what will I be most happy about when I cross that finish line?  Unquestionably, it will be the fact that I can immediately take off that Michigan t-shirt and proudly put on a t-shirt that shows where my heart is (at least in terms of college athletics).

Here is what 9 miles looked like tonight.  Bottom line --- 9 miles, check!



Shirts, both of them, were drenched.  Hat was drenched.  Felt oddly excited.



Additional Post Mortem and Another Trip to the Orthopod

I'm going back to the orthopod.  There has to be something other than prednisone that controls the pain while I am running.  On a suggestion, I am now alternating between naproxen sodium and ibuprofen.  Apparently, you build up a tolerance so if you alternate a few weeks at a time, it is better in terms of pain management.  All seems logical.  I am not trying to imply that I am in constant and unbearable pain, because that is not the case.  It is always just kind of nagging, especially while running.  It just made me worry on Saturday because usually it starts around the 5K mark --- and this Saturday it was at 2 miles.

I also realized that I likely walked closer to a third of the race rather than a quarter.  Makes my time even more palatable.

I slept 38 hours this weekend.  I was obviously exhausted.  Truth be told, I am still exhausted today.  I have to figure out some way to balance the piles of work on my desk with training and sleep.  It all needs to fit in.  I see it as three legs to a stool --- with only two of the legs there, the stool won't stand.  I guess that is my project for the week.

9 mile training run tomorrow night.  I am already dreading it.  Any good move suggestions for the run?

Spoke to my friend Elyse yesterday about the half marathon that is 5 weeks away.  She asked if it was worth it.  I said, without hesitation, that it was.  It is something that I have to see through.  It might not be the time that I want but I need to finish it for my sanity and for my own knowledge that I finished something that I started.  Obviously, if a doctor tells me that I am going to injure myself permanently, etc. I won't run.  But if I am just going to be in pain, that is fine.  Pain will go away eventually.  Part of it is that I need to prove to myself that I can do this, and that quitting isn't a way to go through life.  Does that make sense to anyone other than me?

Addendum

8710 Serena Pollack F 36 1:26:51 1:22:51 13:22

Considering that I walked about a quarter of it, not too terrible.

There are Two Ways of Looking at Today.

Unfortunately, I kind of feel like a jogger instead of a runner.

The race is done.  10k on the pavement complete.  I'm not particularly happy with either my time or my achilles tendons.  But I finished.  I didn't give up, and I got cardio in (for the most part).  I'm obviously somewhat concerned about the half marathon that is 5 weeks away, but it will be what it will be.  I'll finish that as well, just maybe not in the time that I would like.  My watch is way off as it only said 5.3 miles, and it was clearly 6.2. I'll wait for the official time to be posted. 

The pain got so bad that I had to do 10 minutes running and 2 minutes walking.  Oh well, it was what it was.

Max was AMAZING and I can't thank him enough for running with me.  It was painful for him in the sense that he is a much better runner than I am.  I told him to go ahead of me a few times and that I would meet him at the finish line, but he wouldn't.  He stayed by my side the entire time which says so much about him as a person.  When we were walking to meet his wife, who drove us back to the office where our cars were parked after the race, he asked me if I would have quit if he hadn't been running with me.  I told him that 6 months ago I would have, but I could say with 100% certainty that I could not have quite today.  I may have walked more than I did, but I would have finished.  I guess I have to love little accomplishments like that and see it in the full context of what it is.

I did learn some valuable lessons today. 

1. First, I seem to have this hydration thing more in order.  With the heat I was concerned, but so far so good. 
2. Second, I need to make sure that I am on prednisone for the longer races on pavement.  I was on it for the Shamrock Shuffle and for last week's 5K it was still in my system for the taper.  Today, I only took 600mg of Advil before the run.  HUGE DIFFERENCE.  Pain in the achilles started much earlier than the 5k point as a result.  I am going to have to meet with my doctor and figure all of this out as I start to increase my weekly mileage even more.
3. Getting a full night's sleep before a race is an enormous benefit.  Even it it takes ambien, that is OK.  It forced me to sleep last night and it made me fall asleep.
4. Keep everyone around you out of your mind.  There are going to be people that finish before you do and some that finish after.  It is about you and no one else. 

So, all in all, not the worst day in the world.  10k on the pavement --- check.  Not my best performance, but lessons were learned.  Now, sitting with ice on my achilles and calves.  Going to try to rest as much as possible today.  Planned with Liberdy that tomorrow I am going to do the elliptical for a bit, take Monday off completely, and get in my 9 miles on Tuesday night.  Making my mileage fit my orthopedic needs.  Again, it is what it is.

Some photos from today are below.



Pre-race in the Quarter.



Post-race.



Race Expos, Recovery Socks, and Rest.

I was warned about race expos a few weeks ago.  I had been before, but never as someone who was serious about running.  I went to go and pick up our race numbers for the Crescent City Classic this morning.  The goal was to go when it first opened, on the first day, so we didn't have to wait in line, etc.  I went armed with my registration information as well as Max's.  Not only were they very late in opening the lines, the set up was such that you had to get your race number in one location and then walk through the entire expo to get your t-shirt and chip.  Well, let's say I am the proud new owner of several different styles of compression sleeves as well as hydration supplements.  Admittedly, I felt a little bit like I was cheating on Varsity Sports --- but the prices were amazing and a deal is a deal.

I had read about the Recovery Sock (www.recoverysock.com) but had never actually seen them ---- they almost seemed like a mythical creature.  Well, they were right there at the expo with the K-Swiss booth.  I was in heaven.  The gentleman working that booth was lovely, and I bought two new pairs.  (Plus, they are quite a deal compared to the other brands out there).  Based on the run tonight, I like them.  I'm not ready to become "exclusive" with the Recovery Sock yet, but there is definitely the possibility.  Another booth (whether I got the hydration supplements) tried to push the Zensah compression sleeves (www.zensah.com) on me.  I explained that I had a pair, but I didn't love them because they just didn't feel very tight (i.e. not very supportive).  The gentleman explained that I should try a smaller size and they might feel more supportive.  It made sense.  They were pretty inexpensive there.  He was a good salesman.  So, I own another pair of Zensah compression sleeves, albeit 2 sizes smaller.  I'll let you know how they feel.

This morning at 5:30 a.m. I had a training session.  Liberdy is 9 months pregnant and about to "drop child" any day.  I was taking any appointment that I could get.  She has done everything that I am trying to do.  Her advice and counsel is invaluable and calms me down.  She sensed exactly what I felt --- pure exhaustion.  I am running on fumes and I need a lot more sleep.  Tomorrow is Good Friday and the office (and most of New Orleans) is closed.  I have a trial deposition in the morning (and have to prep before the deposition) and run a few errands in the afternoon.  All of that said, I am not running or working out tomorrow and I am going to relax.  I'm hoping to take an Ambien at 4 p.m. or so; I'll have no choice but to sleep.  If I can get 10-12 hours of sleep before the race on Saturday morning, I think it will do me (and my muscles) a world of good.

I got in 5 miles tonight.  It was after a crazy day with yet another trial deposition in Baton Rouge.  I felt like I was better hydrated, but was still sluggish.  I got it in though.  I'm proud of myself for getting it in.  Sunday through Thursday this week and I have 20 miles in.  Pretty crazy!  I felt dead like after 8 miles on Tuesday night.  I iced and then I put on the compression socks --- and kept them on for almost 24 hours.  Advil, stretching, more ice and I actually felt pretty good today. 

Saturday is 10k on the pavement.  It is supposed to be 85 degrees and very humid (it is New Orleans).  It is going to be a real test.  I'm nervous about it, not even going to try to pretend otherwise.  part of my uneasiness is the fact that I am running with my friend and colleague Max.  He is doing it as a favor to me, which is so incredibly kind of him.  You see, he is a much better runner than I am.  He was teasing me a bit today at the office because my goal is to try to maintain as close to a 10 minute mile pace as possible (although not counting on it); he said we would have a nice jog and may even break a sweat.  He did feel bad once I called him an ass hole and back peddled some, but it is still daunting to be running with him knowing that it isn't going to be all that exciting for him.

Until Saturday.

Seriously?

If today was any indication, 13.1 --- much less 26.2 --- miles is going to be very difficult.  Don't get me wrong.  At no time did I think that it was going to be easy.  After all, it's not as if I am starting from the place of a well tuned athlete.  Even now (a year into this and several wardrobes later) I have a ways to go.  I keep trying to make myself feel better by saying it isn't as if a lot of people do this on a daily basis.  Truly, I don't know too many people who can go out and run 8 miles on cue.  Even so, though, I don't feel very happy right now.

8 miles was really tough.  I got 8.35 miles in tonight, but not all of it was running.  My achilles is aching.  I am a sweaty mess.  I have to get in an ice bath before spending a few hours prepping for a trial deposition for tomorrow and various other things related to the first anniversary of the BP Oil Spill.  I'm exhausted.  I'm trying to drink my protein shake right now and I'm just not feeling it.  I feel guilty for leaving the second Seder early --- to run no less.  When is this going to get easier?  Are the half and full marathons, respectively, going to be this miserable?  What in the hell am I thinking?

Yeah, I know.  In a few hours this will pass.  Chances are that once I actually finish both races the adrenaline will be coursing through my veins and I won't feel the pain (please God, let that be the case).  I'll think about the money that I am raising for an amazing organization ---- more on that later when I have more time for an in depth post.  Until that happens, though, I am going to just have to put on a happy face and get through this.  I don't even want to think of how much pain I am going to be in tomorrow...... And these stupid Michigan t-shirts just make everything worse.

Does anyone out there in blog land have any suggestions?  I could really use the advice.

A Challenge in More Ways Than One

Today was tough for several reasons.  First, I am exhausted.  Even though I got 8 hours of sleep last night, that was the most I have gotten in several weeks.  One good night of sleep didn't make up for weeks of sleep deficiency.  Second, I couldn't get motivated today and kept making excuses.  I woke up early with the goal of getting the run in first thing this morning. Let's just say that didn't happen.  Instead, I went to Target, I worked in the garden, I went to the office, and even took a little cat nap this afternoon.  Third, I was nervous because today was a real test in the sense that I would be running two days in a  row --- something that I haven't done since hurting my achilles.  Mentally, I was worried that if I got sore, if my achilles started to ache, etc. would that mean that I wouldn't be able to do the half or the full?

Late this afternoon I said no more excuses and went to the gym.  As a way to try to motivate myself, I said the hell with the bet and put on a Wisconsin t-shirt instead of a Michigan one.  I love Wisconsin; hopefully that has been established.  Every time I put on a Michigan t-shirt my heart aches a little bit.  So, I did what I had to do to get through the run today.  Come on, its not as if I haven't been an amazing sport the last few months.  Since January I have worn Michigan clothing, Michigan hats, etc. and I have documented it all.  I deserve one day off.

For my long runs I have been renting movies from iTunes and playing them on the TV connected to the treadmill through my iPod.  Today was "Rabbit Hole," which was amazing but depressing.  It kept my attention, though --- which is more than the last few movies have done.  (Note to all of y'all out there who haven't yet seen either "Country Strong" or "How Do You Know" --- there is a reason very few people saw either in the theater.  They sucked.)  At 6.5 miles the sharp pains started in my right achilles.  I tried to put up with it for a bit, but then stopped.  I didn't want to risk hurting myself.  It just isn't worth it.  So, I made a deal with myself.  7 miles tonight but on Tuesday (likely morning as there is another Seder on Tuesday night) I am going to get in the full 8 miles. 

So I stopped.  I stretched for a long time.  I'm icing now.  I will stretch again later.  Tomorrow will be a day off.  I need it and it is also the first Seder tomorrow night.  I've taken ibuprofen.  I'll even take an ice bath later.  I'm kicking myself and starting to wonder if I had gone in with a more positive attitude today if I would have been able to get it all in?  I guess that I will never know.

This is what 7 miles looked like today.

Huge week this week mileage wise, work wise (1st anniversary of BP oil spill), and religion wise (Passover).  Happy holidays to all of y'all who are celebrating.  Please think of all of the people on the Gulf on Wednesday (1st anniversary of the spill) who are still trying to rebuild their lives since the oil spill.

A PR and a Medal

It's Saturday, and I am trying to fit it all in.  Beyond swamped at work, and am writing this as I am waiting for my amazing assistant to finish transcribing a tape so that I can make revisions and we can get a pleading filed.  Sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to fit everything in.  As a result, I am icing while working.  Not the best way to do it, but again, it has to be done.



Icing (i.e. ice bath) and dictating a brief at the same time.  That's what I call multi tasking.



I had a 5K this morning in City Park.  Amazing weather that is very uncharacteristic for New Orleans in April.  I will gladly take it, though.  I haven't been feeling wonderful and, truth be told, have felt a bit dehydrated.  I realized that part of it is likely due to weaning off the Prednisone.  I tried to sufficiently hydrate and stretch over the last few days, but I obviously didn't do enough.  I was completely dehydrated today.  My throat was dry the entire time and I just felt sluggish.  I tried to mask it all pre race, and I think I did an even better job of masking the butterflies that I was feeling. Why am I still getting nervous before these races?



Pre race.



I ran by myself today. I had friends doing the race, but pace wise I was by myself ---- me and Rhianna.  I didn't listen to the guys on the course yelling the times at each mile marker because I didn't want to be disappointed.  I didn't look at my watch during the race either.  The last quarter of a mile, with the finish line in sight, I sped up.  I finished in 33:48, my fastest 5K to date.  I even got a medal as a result of being one of the first 150 women to finish.



Post race.  Medal in hand.  First time I have really earned one rather than just getting one for participating.



The time wasn't stellar, but I am improving each week and i have to be happy with that.  I also have to keep in mind that I didn't feel amazing and I was dehydrated.  Now I need to know what to work on. 

Hydration is going to be an ongoing issue for me.  Part of me was so nervous to over hydrate.  Last weekend we were forced to wait over an hour before we could cross the start line.  Without that wait, I would have been fine.  With the wait, I had to pee.  There wasn't anyplace to pee.  About a mile in, I was fairly certain that I had peed my pants a bit --- I mentioned it to Gen and just kept going with it.  I really didn't feel anything and I was wearing compression shorts under my shorts that were designed to "wick away" the moisture.  Let me tell you, they did.  Let's just say that when I got the official photos this week from the Shamrock Shuffle, there was indeed evidence that I had peed my pants.



At 36 years old no less.  But, as with everything else that happens on this journey, I have to own it.

 This week I woke up extra early in order to hydrate early.  I peed a half an hour before the race.  I hadn't hydrated enough.  (I also wore darker shorts just in case.)  I have to find the balance and do so quickly.

Today I was supposed to run 8 miles and 3 miles tomorrow.  I am switching it around.  Based on only being able to run outside on the pavement one day a week, tomorrow's run is going to have to be on a treadmill.  Not the best training, but it will get done.

Next Saturday is a 10k on the pavement.  A big race --- 30,000 people or so.  Apparently there is going to be a lot of dodging of strollers, etc.  My colleague Max, a Michigan alum who is counting the days until this bet is over and I will happily hand him all of the Michigan clothing that I have been gifted, has graciously offered to run it with me.  It's going to be an extremely busy week at the office, plus Passover Seders have to be added to the mix --- meaning time away from both the office and the gym.  Getting it all in this week is going to be tough, but I'm going to have to figure out a way to do it. 

Six weeks until the half marathon.  Holy Crap!!!!

A Day Off.

Much needed "day off" today --- day off from the gym, that is.  Work is still absolutely insane.  I was in Court for several hours this morning and when I walked out my colleague and I looked at one another and both of us, respectively, admitted that we were exhausted.  I also felt dehydrated and had no reason why.

Monday I was still on a high.  I got in 45 minutes on the Cybex before Liberdy kicked my ass.  Boxing on Monday night, which means we are outside.  I know that it is only April, but I do live on the bayou.  I love this weather, don't get me wrong, but it was humid.  I was drenched after 45 minutes and then we moved on to core work.  I was exhausted when we were done, but I felt great.  Last night, I had to run.  I did 90 minutes on the treadmill.  I alternated every ten minutes between walking at 3.5 mph at a 5 incline and running at 6 mph at a 1 incline.  A different kind of interval because as I got on the treadmill I was exhausted, a little dehydrated, and hadn't eaten enough during the day.  I knew that intervals was the only way that I was going to get by.  In was a great work out though.  I stretched, iced, and went to sleep.

Today we got the official photos from the Shamrock Shuffle.  It being the first race that I have ever done where I could get official photos, I ordered them digitally.  It was a waste of money, but live and learn.  I looked horrible in the photos and suddenly my "high" was gone. 

I'm going to spare y'all posting the photo where you can almost certainly tell what I suspected --- that I peed my pants during the race.

I'm one of those people who, once I find something that works, tends to "go big".  On the way to Chicago last weekend I was reading Runner's World Magazine and there was an article about socks and avoiding blisters.  One "tool" that was recommended was spraying your feet with antipersperant because, after all, the way to avoid blisters is to avoid moisture.  I tried it last Sunday, and it worked.  So, on Monday I went all out and bought just about every type of spray antipersperant they had at Walgreens so that I could experiment.  I most certainly look like a fool spraying my feet with antipersperant before putting my running shoes and socks on, but if it works then it works.

Finally, last Saturday (mind you, before I had even completed the 5 mile run, etc.) Gen asked what I was doing on December 4.  I said that I was doing nothing, and then asks why.  It seems that is the day of the Rock N'Roll Las Vegas Marathon; it is run at night and on the Strip --- which they close for the race.  I haven't even finished a half marathon yet and I am in.  My friends Elyse and Sara were in as soon as I asked them, so that will be fun.  Plus, Liberdy may do it as well.  If anyone can push me --- that "gang" can.

Lots of work to finish, and I have to meet Liberdy at 5:30 a.m.

Shamrock Shuffle Photos

Thank you Gen and Brooke for the photos.

The starting block.  Amazing what 30,000 people in front of you look like.

Pre-race.  We were feeling nervous (respectively) and trying to mask it.

Pre-race.

Post-race.

An Absolutely Spectacular Day!!!!!!!

Today was an absolutely spectacular day.  I'm sitting in the Red Carpet Club at O'Hare waiting for my flight back to MSY.  I should be tired.  I should be sore.  I'm not (hoping not to jinx myself) and I have a grin on my face that won't leave.  I surprised the hell out of myself today.  I'll post pictures when I get them --- sorry, I wasn't advanced enough to take them with my phone.

I was REALLY nervous this morning.  I didn't know why, but I was.  Yesterday was cold, but today was amazing.  The sun was out, it wasn't humid, it was about 75 degrees.  I slept well last night, which was a welcome change after not sleeping the last week.  I woke up relatively refreshed this morning.  I stretched, hydrated, ate a little something, took the prednisone and 600 mg of ibuprofen, and walked to Grant park to meet Gen for the run. 

30,000 plus in Grant Park.  The largest 8k in the world.  Amazing.  I kept looking around and comparing myself to all of the "real runners" that I saw everywhere.  I kept hydrating.  The race was to start at 9:00 a.m. --- but that was for the elite runners.  My starting block was at the end.  By 9:10 I had to pee.  problem was, we didn't actually cross the start line until 10:00 a.m.

The race started and I felt good.  Even though I wore my watch, I wasn't keeping time.  I thought it would be slow, especially in light of all of the issues I was having.  To me, this was the test as to whether I would even be able to do the half and pull marathons on the pavement.  About a half mile in, and then a mile in, Gen looked at her watch.  I told her not to, but at the same time I knew it was a losing battle.  The thing is, there were clocks at each mile marker.  In my head, I knew that we were doing well --- and not just well for me, well for anyone.  I felt good.  We were dodging and weaving around the walkers and slowly passing other runner.  I saw that we were passing runners whose starting blocks were far before ours.  HOLY CRAP!  Keep in mind, I REALLY had to pee.

We hit 5K and in my mind, based on the clocks at the mile markers, I knew we were doing well.  I felt good.  But 5K is where my achilles generally starts ti hurt.  Sure as anything, another K and my achiller started to flare.  We walked for about 2 minutes, and were dilligent not to walk more.  We started to run again.  We hit 4 miles and I knew we had it, even though I was starting to hurt.  We crossed onto Michigan Avenue and I could see "the hill" which was the last quarter mile of the race.

The Shamrock Shuffle starts and ends exactly where the marathon does.  I have heard people complain for years about that last quarter mile of the marathon.  I hated that hill.  And hills don't help my achilles.  Half way up the hill the pain was bad --- I didn't want to stop but at the same time I didn't want to hurt myself permanently.  We were dilligent and walked a bit, but then started again.  I could see the finish line.  OH MY GOD!!!  I knew it was only 5 miles (even though the Garmin said 5.3 miles), but it was on the pavement and it was almost a year to the day that I started this whole journey to be a new and better me.  A year ago I NEVER would have thought that I would be running the Shamrock Shuffle, but less feel pretty good doing it.

We crossed the finish line.  I didn't hear them announce our names, but apparently they did.  I put my arms up and apparently they took our picture doing so (they will be available online tomorrow).  Gen looked at her watch --- 5.3 in under an hour --- and that was with walking for two little bits.  We walked through the two water stops as well.  I was ECSTATIC with the time.  I wasn't limping.  I felt good.  I realized that I can do the half and God willing the full.  Six months from today, at this very minute, I will have finished the Chicago Marathon. 

I've pushed myself a lot in the last year.  I've pushed myself to do things I never imagined and I pushed myself to do things that I never thought that I would like and/or make me happy.  It hasn't been a fast journey, and it isn't over yet.  But I'm excited for where it is going to take me.  I've done it the healthy way.  Even though I have been motivated and disciplined there is no way that I could have done this without a few other people --- without Liberdy (my trainer), without Gen (running partner extraordinairre), without my friends (Brooke, Margie, Stacey, Darcy, Mary, Elyse, Alana, Dad, Marina, Ali, Heidi, Max, Melanie, Jenny) and family in Chicago, Milwaukee, New Orleans, DC, and Toronto, and without my colleagues at work being understanding if I left the office for a training run.

I know it was only 5 miles.  I know there are people who do that every day.  I know that 5 miles does not equal a half marathon or a marathon.  I don't care, though.  Today was a big day.  Today I followed through on something and didn't give up. 

On a more practical note, there are other things that I learned today.  I learned not to drink too much before starting a race.  I learned that walking after the race goes a long way to help with cramp prevention.  I learned that Adidas shoes rock even more than I thought and I will be a fan for life.  I learned that Nike hats work best for me --- and I need to wear what works best for me --- even if they only had a red (i.e. Wisconsin color) hat available.  I learned that I still don't see myself as I am now, but will try to get there.  And, I learned that to all of those people who finished after we did --- I am apparently considered a runner.

HOLY CRAP, when did I become a runner?  Am I really a runner?  I don't "look" like a runner and I don't "feel" like a runner.

This afternoon I was walking around Lincoln Park with my friend Margie.  She asked if I missed Chicago.  I said that I missed my friends and that if I could transport my friends from Chicago to New Orleans that I would consider it utopia.  I am sad to go home tonight, not sad to go home but sad to leave my friends --- kind of like the last day of camp.  The weekend was amazing.  It was amazing to be with my friends.  It was amazing to be around people who I could "talk running" with and share this craziness with. 

So, in conclusion, 8K (i.e. 5 miles) on the pavement --- check.  Next stop --- minus a 5K and 10K here and there --- Toronto for the Half Marathon.

3 Hours of Sleep in the Last 80 Hours.

In the last 80 hours I have slept approximately 3 hours.  Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights were each all nighters.  I came home from the office around 6 p.m.; the goal was to hydrate, nap, and get in a 7 mile training run.  I needed to get it in today in light of the race on Sunday.  I couldn't sleep but rested; I was afraid that if I let myself sleep that it might be for days.  So, around 8 p.m. I got dressed and went to the gym.  I couldn't do more than 6.5 miles tonight, and I only ran 4.5 miles.  The only thing making me feel better is that for at least one of the miles that I walked it was on an incline.  I've taken ibuprofen, have my feet, achilles, and calves on ice. 

In preparation for the pavement, my doctor prescribed me another presdnisone course that I will start tomorrow.  That should sufficiently dull any pain that I may feel on Sunday.  It will make me puffy, but I've lost 3 pounds this week (not healthy, I concede that) in light of nonstop work, not having an appetite, and stress.  I guess it will all work out.

Weather reports for Sunday have the temperature fluctuating between 60-80 but with thunderstorms.  UGH!!!!!  Why rain?  It's not as if I don't get rain in the bayou.  Why do I have to get it in Chicago as well?  I expect cold in Chicago in April, I expect an overcast sky in Chicago in April, I even expect the Cubs to lose in Chicago in April --- but thunderstorms?  I don't know what to wear if it is raining.  I guess I will have to buy something in Chicago on Saturday.  Again, I welcome any suggestions as to appropriate rain gear.

My bed is calling my name.  I am so completely exhausted I may fall asleep without showering.  Gross, I know.  But the housekeeper is coming tomorrow to change the sheets.  Hoping and praying that I can rest, hydrate, and stretch enough in the next few days to have a decent race on Sunday.

How do you properly train when you are swamped at work?

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, right?  I'm absolutely swamped at work.  I start trial in a few weeks.  I have several oral arguments next week in different courts.  Tonight will be my second consecutive "all nighter" in a row --- which at 36 I simply am too old for.  It is exciting work, which is cool, but I'm exhausted.  Truthfully, I should be working right now but am writing this instead because my mind needs to rest for a few minutes. 

At 6:30 p.m. I made the decision that I had to get in a training run tonight.  The half marathon is quickly approaching and I am already at a disadvantage because I'm limited in the number of days per week that I can run.  I figured that I would go to the gym and then come back to the office.  No time for strength training tonight and no time for Liberdy tomorrow morning.  I got in 7 miles and am, again, professing my deep love and admiration for Adidas.  My feet feel fine (knock on wood).  I have ice on my achilles and calves.  I'm tired, but it feels good.  In a strange way it woke me up and got me excited to write all of these reply briefs.

It would have been so easy to make an excuse tonight and not get a run in.  If I had, though, it just would have made crossing that finish line even harder than it is already going to be.  Forcing myself to leave the office and get in a run was the best thing I could have done tonight. 

On Sunday afternoon I got a tattoo that I had been contemplating for some time.  I got the words "memento vivere" put on my wrist.  From Latin, the translation is "remember to live".

Every time I glance at my wrist, I am giving myself a reminder to remember to live.  It was that reminder tonight that made me chose to leave the office, get in a run, and now come back.  To me, remembering to live means remembering to run.

Good night y'all.  Sweet dreams to those of y'all lucky enough to sleep tonight.  For those of y'all who are going to have to work tonight --- may your thoughts be clear and your arguments precise.  And for any of y'all out there in blog land who have advice about training runs when you are swamped at work, I welcome it.

The Registration Materials Came and I Have a "Race Day" T-Shirt.

It arrived via email.  In order to get my bib number and race t-shirt I have to present the email at the expo.  Kind of crazy.  It's not like I hadn't paid for the entry fee, plane ticket, hotel, etc.  I knew it was coming up, but this made it so real.  Sunday is "race day".  It is only 5 miles, but it starts and ends exactly where the Chicago Marathon does.  Strange thing about it is that Sunday is exactly six months until the marathon.  Seriously?

I glanced at http://www.weather.com/ to determine what the weather would hold on race day.  Not looking so good, especially for this transplanted southerner going to run in the Midwest.  Rain showers and a high in the low 50s.  Oy vey!  What does one wear in that weather to run --- snow is one thing, but rain?  I am open to any recommendations.

I exchanged some emails with my Gen, (who graciously offered to pick up my bib and t-shirt, and for which I am quite grateful) who asked me what I was going to wear on Sunday to run.  I hadn't given much thought to it.  I told her that I presumed I would wear a Michigan hat, Michigan t-shirt, likely a long sleeve Under Armour shirt under the t-shirt, the calf compression sleeves, and I would figure out the rest.  After I wrote that, though, I got a little package.  I couldn't help but smile once I opened it.  I now know the exact Michigan t-shirt that I will be wearing on Sunday (in addition to the half marathon).  I took the liberty of taking photos of both the front and back of the t-shirt, respectively.

Front of t-shirt.

Back of t-shirt.

Just a few more days until I'm back in Chicago and running on the pavement.  I'm not a religious person, but I'm praying for no rain.

Addendum Post Pavement/5K --- I Profess My Love For Adidas

I want to profess my admiration for Adidas  http://www.adidas.com/.  It is not a brand of running shoes and/or running clothes that many running stores carry.  They need to start.  The shoes are amazing.  I have NEVER been more happy with a pair of running shoes.  The socks kick ass as well, more so than Nike, Asics, or any other brand that I've tried.  The clothing is top notch as well.  It wicks better than the other brands I've tried and actually fits well.  I am now an Adidas devotee. 

I encourage you to give Adidas a try.  Love the shoes so much that I bought another pair to rotate with.

5K on the Pavement --- Check!

I was really nervous this morning.  I wasn't nervous about the distance.  I didn't care about the pace --- I didn't even wear my watch.  I was worried that running on the pavement would be too much for my achilles.  I was even more worried that, as a result, the upcoming races wouldn't be so possible.  Now, a few hours after the race with ice on my achilles and calves, I am ecstatic.

My friend Mary was generous enough to run with me this morning.  Mary kept me from going out too quickly --- which has been my problem when I have run outside.  I ran with Mary for the first half of the race at a very comfortable pace.  She kept me in line and it helped because I felt good, I had energy, and my achilles didn't hurt.  We hit the half way point and she gave me permission to start going faster, and I did.  It was fun.  I had my iPod on with the music I loved.  I was giving myself goals to overcome certain people as I approached them.  One woman in particular must have had the same "game plan" in mind.  I would get in front of her and then she would get in front of me.  The last quarter mile I saw the finish line, and I said to myself, "time to overtake her for good."  This is where the interval training came into play.  I kicked it into high gear and wound up finishing a full minute before she did.  ( I did the right thing, though, and cheered for her at the finish line even though I didn't know her.)

My time wasn't great but wasn't terrible.  36:22.  Really not bad considering I was at the half way point with Mary at 20 minutes.  I stretched well.  I drank a ton of water.  I'm icing now. I took ibuprofen before the race and I will take some more shortly.  All in all, not so bad.  I'm actually excited for the Shamrock Shuffle next weekend.

I didn't know the proper race etiquette.  There was this tab thing on my number that I tore off and put in my care before the race started.  That is what I was supposed to hand to them as I crossed the finish line so that my time could be officially recorded.  So, my time for this one won't be officially recorded --- but I am fine with that.  My time was 36:22.  I'll know better for next weekend.

This is starting to actually feel real, and it is starting to feel like an amazing thing.  I didn't run with my camera, so there is no shot of me as I crossed the finish line.  Mary took this shot of me after the race --- when we went out for breakfast.

First 5k Of The Season

First outdoor 5k in a long time in the morning.  Nicole Murphy LSU Med School 5k.  http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/tigerrun/  It is going to be interesting.  Props to my friend Mary Egan who is going to run it with me.

I'm Walking (or Flying) to New Orleans

It's 6:15 a.m. and I have to be in the lobby in an hour to meet my colleagues and go to the airport.  Flying back to New Orleans --- back to the heat, humidity, and the office.  I'll be back in Chicago next Saturday for the Shamrock Shuffle, but a week in New Orleans will do me good.

I ran 6.5 miles yesterday.  It was raining and cold, so it was on a treadmill.  It was hard and my achilles started to "scream" around 5k -- but I walked for 2 minutes and then started again.  My goal was to run 7 miles, but it hurt and I bargained with myself as I was running.  I was exhausted afterwards.  I spent about 30 total minutes stretching and then iced.  I popped ibuprofen at dinner and again before bed.  I don't want to jinx myself but I actually feel fine today.  The true test will be tomorrow at the LSU Med School 5k in Audubon Park. 

I'm still VERY happy with the Adidas shoes.  I highly recommend them. 

All in all, great trip to Chicago.  Good work wise.  Ate at amazing restaurants (as an aside, go to The Girl and the Goat http://www.girlandthegoat.com/  if you are in Chicago).  Was able to run again.  Nervous about the Shamrock Shuffle next weekend in Chicago, but I will finish it even if it isn't pretty.