The day before

Less than 24 hours until the race. I can't believe it's actually here! I'm definitely nervous, but also very excited. There will close to 15,000 runners, and likewise I'm sure lots of spectators. Today is a high of 75, and it is so hard to not go for a jog in the park. We didn't have training today, since we should be resting not running, but we did meet at Pershing Square Cafe, across from Grand Central, for coffee and breakfast. It was really nice to get together as a group and actually be able to have legit conversations, instead of chit chat between hill repeats. It's weird to see the same people you've seen in running clothes 2 times a week for the last 2 months wearing normal clothing (of course Coach Ben was in workout clothes, since he was going on a long bike ride post-breakfast in training for his upcoming duathlon....5 mi run+ 85 mi bike + 15 mi run. Oh my!)

After breakfast, I went down to the Expo. This is where every runner has to go by 5pm today to pick up their bib number and t-shirt. The t-shirts have the skyline of Manhattan on the front and it says "Run Through the Heart of it All." There were various booths set up selling energy gels, running gear, etc. As I mentioned before, the MS Society also had shirts made up for each runner, w/our names on the front. They re-ordered the women's shirts, since the long-sleeve ones ran extremely small. Last night we had a team pasta dinner at the MS Society office, and received our new shirts. I'm really happy the 2nd shirts are short-sleeved, since it'll be pretty warm out by the time I get running tomorrow. Unfortunately......the unisex sized shirts they ordered this time run HUGE. I got a small and it is gi-normous. Not entirely sure what to do, I definitely want to wear the shirt tomorrow, but it's just so baggy.

Tomorrow will be a very early day. Planning to wake up around 4:30, leave the house by 5, so that I can aim to be up by Central Park between 6 and 6:30. I have to have my bag checked (w/ dry clothes to put on at the finish) by 7 sharp, so want to allow plenty of time. Runners are put in corrals based on their bib #. When you register for the race you estimate your finishing time, and this is how they assign #s. 7:15 we have to start getting into corrals. Not to mention a good chunk of 15,000 people will also be waiting in line to use the port-a-potties prior to corraling. A good tip I learned is to wear a junky long-sleeve shirt for the start of the race. Since we are starting so early, it could be a bit chilly, but will definitely warm up quickly. A lot of runners will cut a little V in the neckline, then once you start running and are ready to shed a layer, rip of the shirt (Superman style) and toss it on the ground. After the race, the Road Runners club will sweep the ground and donate the clothing to charity....although now that I think about it, clothing ripped in half doesn't do much good, but it just sounds so much more fun than pulling it over your head like a normal human.

Will update on how the race goes later! Thanks again for everyone's support. Because of everyone's generosity, I have exceeded my fundraising goal and raised over $2,300! The MS Society team has collectively exceeded the goal of $40,000. Way to go!

The final week

Sorry it has been a while since i've posted. Things have been very busy lately. Anyways.....last week I was sick. Took Thursday off work, and missed out on my weekend running. It was the best weather we've had in a looong time. Tried to do an easy run last Saturday since it was so gorgeous out, but the exercise was aggravating my cough. I ended up just walking the majority of the 3.5 miles around the park, and wasn't able to do my long run last Sunday.

The longest training run we are doing leading up to the race is 11 miles. Monday I was feeling well enough to run at the gym, although running on the treadmill for that long is not fun. Jogged to the gym, did 9.5 miles on the treadmill, and jogged home. Tried my first Gu (energy gel) and it didn't taste nearly as bad as I expected it to. Did get a bit of a side stitch after, so might have to try walking for a bit or slurping it down more slowly on race day.

Tuesday night the MS team had a happy hour at which our team shirts were distributed. To say the women's shirts run a bit small would be an understatement. I tried my shirt on when I got home and the only way I can describe the fit is "olympic athlete" tight. While it might help shave 0.01 second off my finishing time, I'd rather be able to breathe. Luckily, they are going to re-order larger shirts for any ladies who need them. Friday night we are having a team pasta dinner, which should be fun. Definitely going to try and get as much sleep as possible this week.

Yesterday (saturday) was our last saturday training. We did a bunch of drills followed by some very light hill repeats. I almost didn't go since it was cold and rainy again, but luckily the major storm didn't hit until last night. Did about 5 miles in the park this morning, and saw at least 4 massive trees were down, blocking the road. Crossing my fingers for good weather next Sunday!

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Had beautiful weather on Sunday for my long run. It was in the mid 40's and sunny. Also happened to catch the tail end of a 10 mile race in Prospect Park, so I was running my first few miles along w/the racers.....and being cheered on. Definitely made the run go faster. Ran for about 1 hr 25, got in a solid 9 miles. Sooo ready to stop by the end.

Tuesday's evening run was met w/pouring rain. Despite strongly considering not going, I didn't want to let a little water stop me. Workout was the same mile repeat workout from a few weeks ago. 1 mile at hard pace + 3 minute recovery x 4. I improved my mile pace by a whopping 45 seconds from the last time I did the same workout. Very pleased with that. However, by the 3rd mile, it was impossible to ignore how squishy, swashy and water-logged my socks and shoes had become (not to mention the torrent of water on my face). At my final mile, I noticed a curious white something on the knees of my leggings. I was trying to concentrate on reaching the finish and focusing on my form, but what was this bizarre white on my kneecaps? Why does it seem to be growing??? Is it the sheen of the water on my running pants? No....it's remnant laundry detergent sudding like crazy in the rain! Either that or my knees have gone rabid......

I brushed my knees clean and began the cool-down jog back to Columbus Circle, donned a dry sweatshirt, and made a B-line for the subway. Got home in a reasonable 45 minutes, but am pretty sure I scared at least 1 small child on the subway. Despite my winter jacket, I was unquestionably soaked from head to toe and squishing as I walked. Oh, and it was 36 degrees out. I temporarily forgot how sopping wet I was, tried to snag a seat, quickly remembered my soppy state, and promptly stood up only to leave a large wet mess on the seat! Woops. At the very least I got a few concerned glances from other subway riders. But no worries, I'm alive and pneumonia(/ rabies) free.

Downhill Running

1 month 'til race day! How time is flying.

This morning's workout sounded like it would be not so bad. The weather was warm (a balmy 45 degrees!), the sun was out, and we were running DOWNHILL. How hard can that be, right?

Turns out, pretty hard. Logically, everything that goes up must come down. Funny thing is, the opposite is also true. Everything that goes down, must come up. The downhill runs were for speed, the uphill was for recovery. Not a surprise that running up a hill does not ever really allow you to fully recover.

Thought I would be mega sore afterwords, but actually feeling good so far. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Going to do my long run (8 miles or 1 hour 25 minutes, whichever comes last) tomorrow. I've been doing long runs on the treadmill during the week but need to get myself on a weekend schedule so that I can run during daylight in Prospect Park.

Stepping Stones

This week has been a sore one.

Wanted to fit some cross-training into my week, and decided to go to Total Body Conditioning at the gym last Monday. I have been to this class before, although not for a while. The class involves weights, abs, and lots and lots of reps. Needless to say, my entire body was sore for the next 2 days.....although I guess I can't really whine about it since the name of the class should have been fair enough warning.

The unfortunate part was that Tuesday's training workout was (drum roll please.......) STAIRS! Great news for very sore hamstrings and quads. You know the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park? The very famous fountain that is in lots of movies, such as "Ransom" and "One Fine Day"?? Behind that is a large stone staircase. Said stone staircase was sight of this week's stair workout. Since I ran up, down, and around it 15 times, I know now it pretty well. Thankfully, I forgot all about my sore legs once I got warmed up and started running, and even better is the fact that I managed to complete this workout without spraining, twisting, breaking, or falling over anything. (major pats on the back for that).

Thursday did 7.5 miles on the treadmill. Instead of water, brought an apple juice sports drink concoction and definitely had more sustained energy than last weeks long run. Was tired at the end but could foresee going farther.

Saturday's morning run was at the same infamous site of last weekend's hill workout. Despite snow pummeling lower portions of the east coast, NYC really didn't get anything.

There is a nice hilly 1.44 mile northern loop of Central Park. Hilly, and VERY windy. The half-marathon will take place around Central Park, and then down the West Side Highway. Since the northern area of the park is the most difficult terrain of the race, our coach wanted us to get cozy and familiar with this portion. Fortunately or unfortunately (not really sure which), the subway was having some issues and I showed up pretty late. Only got in 2 loops--instead of 3---but was astounded at my lap times. When it's cold out, it's very hard to sense how fast you are going since your muscles feel like lead, but based on numbers it sure looks like I'm getting faster. Either that or mapmyrun.com (which tracks distances) is full of lies.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Splendid

A couple pieces of greatness:

1. 1 PURPLE long sleeve, super warm, light weight running top w/THUMB HOLES, 1 smartwool neck gator, and two pairs of $15 wool running socks later.....I am ready to take on whatever winter brings my way (and ready to be extra careful when checking the dryer for any runaway socks).

2. I learned that chocolate milk is a great recovery snack. Thumbs up to that.

Hot and Cold

My Tuesday night run went very well. It was 40 degrees out, which was warm compared to how it's been Saturday mornings. I even had to shed a few layers mid-workout. We did 1 mile repeats; 1 mi at a fast pace+ 1 minute of recovery. Since our workouts are capped to 1 hour, how many repeats you do really just depends on what there is time for. I got in a solid 4 repeats and was very happy with my mile times.

Thursday was my long run day. Got in 7 miles on the treadmill without stopping, but definitely had to slow down a lot the 2nd half.

Today's morning run was rough. Mostly because it is only 14 degrees out, but the fact that we were running hill repeats also didn't help. I was astounded at how many CRAZY people were braving the frigid cold to run; then I realized that technically I was one of those crazy runner people.

I couldn't feel my toes or my lower jaw for most of the time, which, as one can imagine, makes breathing and running a bit challenging.....at least in any remotely non-rediculous looking way. Then I saw a small dog wearing a jacket AND a plastic cone on his head and felt a smidge better.

Just as I was ready to completely quit, another girl who lives in Brooklyn asked if I wanted to run a cool-down with her. She was going to jog all the way home, I was definitely not feeling so ambitious, but agreed to jog from 102nd street down to Columbus Circle (59th street) before hopping on the subway. After all those hills, a slow jog through the park actually felt quite good.

On with the day...... (I still haven't taken off my hood and hat, maybe that will be my next move). Note to self---buy wool running socks ASAP.