They hurricane may have let us be long enought to run the marathon, but it has us all trapped here in DC!
Less than 48 hours after the marathon, I'm itching to run again. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, I'm stuck inside. I like running in the rain as much as the next guy, but she's pretty intense. So, I wandered down to the excersise room here at the Hyatt, 3 treadmills, none in use. I hopped on, set it to an easy 7.4 and took off. 1.5 miles in I was feeling sore, but a lot better. My hip is still bothering me, so I called it quits at 2 miles flat.
I may regret this at mile 21, but I'm in for running the Ft Bliss Marathon this Saturday come hell or high water (I mean, it's Ft Bliss, the water can't get as high as DC in a hurricane, can it?!).
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Personal Worst
Yesterday I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in our Nation's Capital. What a wonderful race it was. From the motivation and organization at the packet-pickup/expo to the motivation and support on trail. Hurricane Sandy came strolling into the east coast late Satruday night, it was supposed to pour on the race, but luckily, it held out untill shortly after the run. At the start line there was the plane demonstration by the Marines, the singing of the National Anthem, and the shooting of the howitzer, it was wonderful energy, all the way around.
Cums-a-Latte, her offspring, and I ran th race. All along there was entertainment and support, it was fantastic. It was cloudy and chilly, perfect for running. A beautiful fall, pre-hurricane morning in DC. We ran past all the monuments. There were so many supporters with signs -uh, oh, tangent...
I don't really think that the people who hold the signs at the long race in support will ever fully understand what they offer the runners. They keep me moving. They make me laugh, they remind me that I am not alone on trail! A few of my favorites from this trail "If Britney Spears could surive 2007, you can survive 26.2" "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon" "I've been training 6 months to hold this sign" "With no long run next Saturday, that means more Friday night sex!" "Yeah, you guys may be tired, but we're tired AND hungry!" and "Run! Hurricane Sandy is right behind you!" Thank you everyone who held the signs and supported us along the way, it means more than you will ever know!
off tangent- I was doing awesome, staying right on course with a solid 10 min/mile pace. I tried out the method of walking a minute at each water stop after mile 10, I was feeling awesome, crossed the 30k mark at 3:33, right on track for a 4:30 marathon, a personal PR. Then I saw the 23 mile sign and something in my right hip popped. It almost tripped me, the pain was increadible. I could hardly even walk, let alone run. I hobbled to mile 24 when I found some hashers and took a 15 minute beer/stretch break. I tried so hard to run, but my hip was stabbing me. I hobbled to the finish for a 5:53, which was a PW (personal worst) by almost an hour for me. I was so bummed, I didn't even want to accept the medal at the end.
I have the most supportive running partner/boyfiend in the world who helped remind me that I set out to do 26.2 miles and that is what I did. All my non-runner friends are proud/impressed. I can't feel my feet and my hip still hurts, but otherwise I'm well and I'm glad I finished.
I was debating sitting next weekend out, but after setting a PW this weekend, that is not an option!
"Push yourself, no one else is going to do it for you"
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Out with the Old, in with the New!
Today I retired me Spiras. They have been supportive this last year, I have run every race in them and done all my longer training runs in them, 2 marathons, 2 half marathons, the Army Ten Miler qualifier, the Army Ten Miler, and dozens of shorter races. I wore them right out of the box to the El Paso Marathon.I bought the Asics Gel Kayano 18. These are the same shoes I wore right out of the box to the 45/50 Marathon in 06. I have had 2 pairs of these in the past, I know they are good shoes. They are heavier than I like, but I went for a break in run and my feet don't hurt. I will put about 15 miles on them prior to the marathon this weekend, but they will have to carry me thru 2 marathons within 1 week!
"4. Remember the 'rest day' and keep it holy."
Sunday, October 21, 2012
I'm tired, Guess I'll go home now
The 28th annual Army Ten Miler in our nation's capital was today. Early morning, I drove to the parking station for the Metro. I met a guy who was running the same race, trying to figure out the DC public transportation as well. We chatted about the race, he too will be doing the Marine Corps Marathon next weekend, although he had much higher hopes about today. Once we arrived at the Pentagon, absolute chaos ensued. People everywhere! I had to pee, lucky for me there were about 100 Porta Johns (no exageration!), I dropped my jacket off at the garment check (first time I have ever used the garment check and I was nervous about it. I went to the holding area for my wave, ran into (yes, literally) none other than Munch McKoochie.
It was cold, and about an hour to race start. I had checked my jacket, so it was a long hour of attempting to stay warm and attempt to enjoy the awkward situation of old friends. The sun came up and finally the colors were presented and the worst rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was sung. Then the cannons announcing the start of wave 1. Then, like cattle, we were herded to the start line. Our cannon went off, it was 5 more minutes before crowd thinned enough to actually start jogging (yes, that's a silent j, as it never allowed more than a 10 minute mile). The race went all around the monuments, down the middle of Nation's Mall, the crowds were so thick, it was hard to enjoy the sights.
The rules stated that there were no phones, music, or headphones allowed, so it was a long 10 minute mile, 10 miles alone with my thoughts. About mile 6, I was thinking about all the upcoming races and began thinking about why I run and it was kind of stressful. When people know you run, they expect you to go longer, faster. When you go to races, you spend all this money to fly across the country and run with tens of thousands of strangers, and there really is no way to get a good PR in the middle of a crowd that big. I found myself wishing I was back at Ft Bliss, running 10 miles on a trail with 8mm. I wouldn't have had to come all the way to DC, or take the metro, or battle the crowds or drive 40 minutes to get back home; I'd have coffee and a burger at Denny's with my love and take a shower and a nap right next to him. I had a true Forest Gump moment and thought well, I'm tired. Guess I'll go home now.
I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. I wish I could say that in a moment of clarity I found meaning in it all and found my purpose in running. I used to run for therapy, to keep my top from becomming muffin-like. I wish I could say that today was a magical experience, that I'll come back every year, but to be honest, I was more dissapointed with it. I can only hope that next weekend, it will only be the serious runners, and my music will keep my mind from wondering so far.
I have not lost my love of running, just need to find my own rhythm again.
"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it" ~ Bill Cosby
It was cold, and about an hour to race start. I had checked my jacket, so it was a long hour of attempting to stay warm and attempt to enjoy the awkward situation of old friends. The sun came up and finally the colors were presented and the worst rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was sung. Then the cannons announcing the start of wave 1. Then, like cattle, we were herded to the start line. Our cannon went off, it was 5 more minutes before crowd thinned enough to actually start jogging (yes, that's a silent j, as it never allowed more than a 10 minute mile). The race went all around the monuments, down the middle of Nation's Mall, the crowds were so thick, it was hard to enjoy the sights.
The rules stated that there were no phones, music, or headphones allowed, so it was a long 10 minute mile, 10 miles alone with my thoughts. About mile 6, I was thinking about all the upcoming races and began thinking about why I run and it was kind of stressful. When people know you run, they expect you to go longer, faster. When you go to races, you spend all this money to fly across the country and run with tens of thousands of strangers, and there really is no way to get a good PR in the middle of a crowd that big. I found myself wishing I was back at Ft Bliss, running 10 miles on a trail with 8mm. I wouldn't have had to come all the way to DC, or take the metro, or battle the crowds or drive 40 minutes to get back home; I'd have coffee and a burger at Denny's with my love and take a shower and a nap right next to him. I had a true Forest Gump moment and thought well, I'm tired. Guess I'll go home now.
I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. I wish I could say that in a moment of clarity I found meaning in it all and found my purpose in running. I used to run for therapy, to keep my top from becomming muffin-like. I wish I could say that today was a magical experience, that I'll come back every year, but to be honest, I was more dissapointed with it. I can only hope that next weekend, it will only be the serious runners, and my music will keep my mind from wondering so far.
I have not lost my love of running, just need to find my own rhythm again.
Friday, October 19, 2012
In Flight Entertainment
What I have been training for is finally here! I am en route to DC, the Army Ten Miler is in 48 hours, the Marine Corps Marathon in 7 days. I am nervous and pumped up. Neither do I intend to set a PR on. I want to finish and have the experience (okay an maybe the medal and t shirt #SwagStyle) and most importantly not hurt myself. I'm going to listen to my body more than I ever have before.
To get in the mood, I bought my favorite in flight reading material, Runners World. The title article is "Do you run too much? Or too little?" In creeps the doubt.... As I read it has suggested mileage for different events, suggestions for serious training and tapering off, none of which I have done. Another article suggests doing two marathons a year, with 6 months between... less doubt, more anxiety. This weekend will be number 3 for the year with number 4 the following week. It also suggests if you are going to do back to back 1/2 marathons to do it at least 2 weeks apart, for fulls, allow 8-12 weeks. Reflecting on my fall race schedule shows the complete opposite. 5 weeks: 21 miler, half marathon, ten miler, marathon, marathon; respectively. What would the editors of Runners World have to say about that? What would they say if they knew it is 6 months to Boston and before I get there I will be running 4 more marathons and a 20 mile leg of an ultra? I think I will write them and find out.....
"It's my soul that keeps me running, My body told me to quit a couple miles ago..."
To get in the mood, I bought my favorite in flight reading material, Runners World. The title article is "Do you run too much? Or too little?" In creeps the doubt.... As I read it has suggested mileage for different events, suggestions for serious training and tapering off, none of which I have done. Another article suggests doing two marathons a year, with 6 months between... less doubt, more anxiety. This weekend will be number 3 for the year with number 4 the following week. It also suggests if you are going to do back to back 1/2 marathons to do it at least 2 weeks apart, for fulls, allow 8-12 weeks. Reflecting on my fall race schedule shows the complete opposite. 5 weeks: 21 miler, half marathon, ten miler, marathon, marathon; respectively. What would the editors of Runners World have to say about that? What would they say if they knew it is 6 months to Boston and before I get there I will be running 4 more marathons and a 20 mile leg of an ultra? I think I will write them and find out.....
"It's my soul that keeps me running, My body told me to quit a couple miles ago..."
Monday, October 15, 2012
Gotta get up to go down
Yesterday was the TransMountain Challenge Half Marathon. Oh, what did I think of the trail? It sucked.
It was 1 nice flat mile to the base of the mountain, then 6 miles up and 6 miles down, at an 8% grade. I'm not sure really what an 8% grade is, all I know is if large trucks should be concerned about it, perhaps running it wasn't the brightest idea. It wasn't really the climb that got me, I kept a nice even pace the first four miles, didn't even really notice the 1500 foot climb. What I did notice was the wind I was running into. I was literally blown into the guard rail twice it was so strong. It was cold, which actually provided a relieving running temperature for El Paso, but the wind was ruthless.
It took me a full 2.5 hours to complete that race and I have never been so happy to see the sunshine than on that decent.
Cobb dragged his damn tire the entire way and came in just over 3 hours. What a maniac!!
The best part about this race was the turn out. All Aboard, Hana, Bree, Cyn, Scott, Cobb, Butters and I all ran it and waiting at the finish line with a cooler of beer was Brandon, Matty, Squirts, and Allison. It was also a beautiful view, we started in the dark and watched the sun rise as we climbed that mountain.
As I was standing at the start line, shivering in the line for the Porta Johns, I was watching all the runners stretching and taping thier muscles and eating goo packets. I saw them clipping on their hydration belts and setting thier podometers and putting on body glide. I began to wonder of my simple technique of get up and go, was lacking somehow. Would I be a better runner if I wore those silly running shirts or taped my knee or limbered up before hand? Should I carry stuff on trail? I passed some of those people and some of those people passed me. I concluded, for now, that I am going to keep on keeping on the only way I know how... to just go!
Repeat after me, 'I can do this!'
It was 1 nice flat mile to the base of the mountain, then 6 miles up and 6 miles down, at an 8% grade. I'm not sure really what an 8% grade is, all I know is if large trucks should be concerned about it, perhaps running it wasn't the brightest idea. It wasn't really the climb that got me, I kept a nice even pace the first four miles, didn't even really notice the 1500 foot climb. What I did notice was the wind I was running into. I was literally blown into the guard rail twice it was so strong. It was cold, which actually provided a relieving running temperature for El Paso, but the wind was ruthless.
It took me a full 2.5 hours to complete that race and I have never been so happy to see the sunshine than on that decent.
Cobb dragged his damn tire the entire way and came in just over 3 hours. What a maniac!!
The best part about this race was the turn out. All Aboard, Hana, Bree, Cyn, Scott, Cobb, Butters and I all ran it and waiting at the finish line with a cooler of beer was Brandon, Matty, Squirts, and Allison. It was also a beautiful view, we started in the dark and watched the sun rise as we climbed that mountain.
As I was standing at the start line, shivering in the line for the Porta Johns, I was watching all the runners stretching and taping thier muscles and eating goo packets. I saw them clipping on their hydration belts and setting thier podometers and putting on body glide. I began to wonder of my simple technique of get up and go, was lacking somehow. Would I be a better runner if I wore those silly running shirts or taped my knee or limbered up before hand? Should I carry stuff on trail? I passed some of those people and some of those people passed me. I concluded, for now, that I am going to keep on keeping on the only way I know how... to just go!
Repeat after me, 'I can do this!'
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
BOSTON or bust!
So it's official! I paid my $300 rego, I am heading to Boston for the 2013 Marathon!!
Wakes Me and PR from the hash hooked my up with thier charity group, the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, I just have to raise $4000.oo to go. I set up my account and have bee spreading the word, 1 week in and I have raised $380.oo! I was prepared to pay the entire amount myself.
What a wonderful charity and what an amazing opportunity. Running the Boston Marathon is a lifelong dream of mine, I would pay TEN thousand to run it. I feel incredibly honored to have this spot. I am more motivated than ever now that I know others are counting on me. How incredible would it be to qualify for Boston, IN Boston!?
To up the awesome, the Rays are playing at Fenway Park the entire weekend! You bet your ass I'm going!
I already bought the travel guide and put in my leave. I am beyond excited!!
My biggest challenge in all this is going to be raising the money. Not that I don't know enough people willing to donate (and we all know I am not short on knowing people with money to spare!!), but I have never been good at asking for help. I hate asking people for money, good cause or not. So I am enlisting some advise from others. Brandon suggested asking the MWR or corporate sponsors. V Voyage suggested hosting a dining out at MacAdoos or another race to raise money. I have put out the website to all my co-workers and on FaceBook. Mom said she was gonna put the site out to her co-workers and on FaceBook. She also said she would ask the Women of the Moose. I got a ceramic piggy bank for my office. I don't think raising the money is the issue, I just have to get over myself and ask.
This is probably one of the coolest things I have ever gotten the opportunity to do, I must have done something right to deserve this!!
http://www.razoo.com/story/Rene-Headley
Boston or Bust!
Wakes Me and PR from the hash hooked my up with thier charity group, the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, I just have to raise $4000.oo to go. I set up my account and have bee spreading the word, 1 week in and I have raised $380.oo! I was prepared to pay the entire amount myself.
What a wonderful charity and what an amazing opportunity. Running the Boston Marathon is a lifelong dream of mine, I would pay TEN thousand to run it. I feel incredibly honored to have this spot. I am more motivated than ever now that I know others are counting on me. How incredible would it be to qualify for Boston, IN Boston!?
To up the awesome, the Rays are playing at Fenway Park the entire weekend! You bet your ass I'm going!
I already bought the travel guide and put in my leave. I am beyond excited!!
My biggest challenge in all this is going to be raising the money. Not that I don't know enough people willing to donate (and we all know I am not short on knowing people with money to spare!!), but I have never been good at asking for help. I hate asking people for money, good cause or not. So I am enlisting some advise from others. Brandon suggested asking the MWR or corporate sponsors. V Voyage suggested hosting a dining out at MacAdoos or another race to raise money. I have put out the website to all my co-workers and on FaceBook. Mom said she was gonna put the site out to her co-workers and on FaceBook. She also said she would ask the Women of the Moose. I got a ceramic piggy bank for my office. I don't think raising the money is the issue, I just have to get over myself and ask.
This is probably one of the coolest things I have ever gotten the opportunity to do, I must have done something right to deserve this!!
http://www.razoo.com/story/Rene-Headley
Boston or Bust!
Juggz' Vagtastic 35,657m Cum R*n
This weekend something amazing happend!
With marathon season quickly approaching, V Voyage and I hosted a friendly 21 mile race. We made t-shirts, race bibs, water points, the whole 9 yards (36k m, rather). We had 13 runners show up and 8 support! We had 3 people biking the trail helping to motivate the runners and help ensure safety. The water points were every 4 miles (ish). It was a 10.5 mile turn around. We had most of the group turn around at the first water point (to make it an 8.5 mile run) and 3 stop and the water point after the turn around to make it a half marathon. We had 3 finishers for the whole 21.2 miles... Me, my boo, and Bree.
I was overwhelmed by the turnout and the support. We raised over $250! There wasn't any profit as we speant money to make the tshirts and stock the water points, but I really thought I'd have to eat that cost. It was incredible. Never, in two decades, would I have thought I would find people just as crazy as me to get up at 0500 on a Saturday morning of a 3 day weekend to go run 21 miles!
It's a real humbling experience to host something like that and have people turn out. I have a feeling this won't be my last!
The best part about the whole darn thing was waking up on Sunday and NOT being sore. I think I may be a real runner now.... :D
"I don't run because I love the feeling of running, I run because I love the feeling of living" ~ Bonnie Pfiester
With marathon season quickly approaching, V Voyage and I hosted a friendly 21 mile race. We made t-shirts, race bibs, water points, the whole 9 yards (36k m, rather). We had 13 runners show up and 8 support! We had 3 people biking the trail helping to motivate the runners and help ensure safety. The water points were every 4 miles (ish). It was a 10.5 mile turn around. We had most of the group turn around at the first water point (to make it an 8.5 mile run) and 3 stop and the water point after the turn around to make it a half marathon. We had 3 finishers for the whole 21.2 miles... Me, my boo, and Bree.
I was overwhelmed by the turnout and the support. We raised over $250! There wasn't any profit as we speant money to make the tshirts and stock the water points, but I really thought I'd have to eat that cost. It was incredible. Never, in two decades, would I have thought I would find people just as crazy as me to get up at 0500 on a Saturday morning of a 3 day weekend to go run 21 miles!
It's a real humbling experience to host something like that and have people turn out. I have a feeling this won't be my last!
"I don't run because I love the feeling of running, I run because I love the feeling of living" ~ Bonnie Pfiester