Prying the animal out of the cage

After the night of Mill Cities, I talked with the Professor of what my next running goal should be. I mentioned I had given some thought of qualifying for NYC marathon via half marathon - possibly for next spring. He said I should try to get it now but to see how the week went. Well, now the idea was in my head.

I did the research on the race, the course, emailed with the race director. The course for the Maine Coast Half marathon is not too hilly but not flat but worth the shot. By Friday, I still hadn't heard back from the Prof with this blessing - so I left him a voicemail. As Jay and I waited at TGI Fridays (which we were only there because we had a gift certificate), I got the schedule and it called for 12 miles with tempo work the next day and what did I think (said the Prof)?

I said - done deal - I'm in.

I woke up Saturday with Day #1 of the mystery illness feeling - pretty achy and it was POURING. Jay and Hank had an easy run so I was on my own for most of it.

At the start of the speedwork I thought - Oh man, I cannot do this - my endurance and pizzazz had gone into hibernation. However, that was a very quick thought and I pushed on through. It was a back and forth - I felt great all of a sudden, then bad, the great, still great, then bad, but overall, it was a pretty powerful run.

I sent my splits to the Prof and he didn't argue - while I went to lay down because I was feeling like such crap - Jay registered me and now I'm officially back into hardcore training for the next two weeks.

Today was 6 miles with Jay - and I wanted to keep my base pace up - we registered an 8;15/mile average - pretty good. I'm ready - 2 weeks to go.

The Goons take on Mill Cities Relay

So I got up in front of about 20 people last night and pitched why the Goon Squad should be accepted into the Mill City Alliance and they let us in by a unanimous vote. Pretty cool.

December 6th - teams are being pieced together. I got many props from the Goons today. It's awesome - I love running with this group - extremely talented runners and really awesome people.

Thank goodness for running pants!

Well, I got my first dog bite today - that's cool. Many times I've run by dogs and been a bit afraid but for no reason. Today - a little bastard scotty dog (my favorite licorice candy by the way) grabbed a chunk of my calf through my pants today - no broken skin - just bruised.

The sweet elderly lady owner (who had him on a leash) was kind enough to take a moment from her cell phone conversation to observe the situation - and did say 'sorry' - yeah nice lady - when I get my rabies shot, ER bill - I'll be thinking fondly of you. Seriously, no real harm done - just people once again at their best.

On their cell phone, not paying attention and not keeping control of clearly a very protective doggie.

I love the American public - not only do I have to worry about people driving with their cell phones but also with their dogs - brother!

When will I sign up for Boston?

There is no reason not to sign up AND I get in the first wave.........I have running partners, I have an entry for the next two years....

Surpringly...I think I will procrastinate a bit longer.....

First run tonight post marathon - I feel like I saw a friend who I hadn't seen in years - it's been two days!

I love running.

Post Marathon Glory: It's what draws you right back in

I was staring at my splits from the marathon today like they were Kirk Cameron in 1989. I'm so pumped over my time, I can hardly remember the 'suffering' I recalled as I was running the race (even though marathonfoto.com is conveniently posting visual evidence).

I already have people recruiting me for Boston 2010 as my new time gets me into Wave 1 for this and next year, 2011.

I've never had a baby but I can't stop feeling that running a marathon is a bit like being pregnant and giving birth. The training can be unpleasant (as I would assume carrying another human in your body is unpleasant at times), the week before the marathon you just want to run it and get it over with (you're about to deliver you just want to get it over with), and the actual running is grueling (as I safely assume giving birth is).

However, after the marathon (and birth) are over, you get the post marathon glory: soreness, a great time, maybe a new PR, and lots of photos to review. I think the post marathon is a bit easier than being a new parent but like many parents -you then decide to jump right back on to the marathon (or reproduction) wagon again. We seem to forget the hard stuff and grow to appreciate the results more....so we do it again....and again, and again!

The new goals are being devised as I type...

Chicago Marathon: Newton PRs

What a day, what a race. I sit back at home and I return to the working world tomorrow after a weekend of athlete world. I couldn't be more pleased with my marathon time and I'm tremendously proud of Jay.

It feels so wonderful to be able to be so proud of the athlete's we've become. Fourteen years ago when Jay and I started dating I would have said you were nuts if you said that we'd both run sub 3:30 marathons in 14 years. It's so fun. It hurts but it's a good hurt.

I suffered during that race yesterday - man o man I suffered. I definitely didn't have 'fun' but after taking a post marathon survey I signed up for, I realized I don't do marathons for fun. I do marathons for the challenge and for the personal achievement. I did it to push myself to the limit - to see how I do - do I improve? Do I hurt more? Less? Do I ever get used to the ice baths?

Today is Day 1 of 2 days off but then the slow recovery runs come back and Sunday we'll be on the road to support Hank and THC will be reunited.

I had fun in athlete world - Chicago Marathon 2009, 3:25:37.

It's Showtime in Chi-town

Tomorrow ends the 16 week preparation for Chicago Marathon. Jay and I are more than ready. As I said to Christine today, I think the 1 week of taper is worse than the 15 weeks of intense training. Christine drove me 1 hour into Chicago today so I could make sure I didn't switch the chips between Jay and I - I mean, I knew I didn't do it but of course my obsessive mind got the best of me and I gave in. Fine, I'm in an intense situation and I gave into my obsession - I admit it - but you know what? I felt better and now I just get to be excited for the day.

I know I am capable of completing my goal as is Jay. I cannot wait for us to be celebrating our successes tomorrow - and possibly booking a big trip as a reward on Monday. The actor and actress have practiced and are ready for their performance - it is truly showtime. Big PRs and BQs all around in Chi-town tomorrow.