Just13Miles

Dialing In on the Race

I trained with Corey this afternoon ... or rather, I trained with SATAN. Ugh! He drove me to exhaustion several times, claiming that he was going to get me to "push through the pain" so I will be READY for those last 3 miles of the race.

AND -- AND -- AND -- he called me childish!!!!

Just because I muttered, under my breath, "I hate you!" Now, really, don't you think the childish comment was uncalled-for? Harumph! "Childish" behavior, appropriate for the moment, would have involved throwing myself down on the floor, crying and screaming, and refusing to get up. Now, THAT would have been childish. What SATAN failed to realize was the serious, adult-sized sentiment behind those three little words!

This evening I racked up 2 decent miles at less than 10 minutes each. Ate a salad for supper and watched The Biggest Loser on television. Tomorrow I run 5 miles.

I did get Sunkissed Acres registered for fundraising, but the officials still must review and approve it before the fundraising site will be active. Lori says it costs a minimum of $175 per month per horse to care for the horses at the Rescue. Most of her horses are not suitable for adoption (though some are) because, like me, they are older than dirt. I empathize with them! I am hoping to raise at least $350, which would provide for two horses for one month.

My own dear horse, King, is 28 years old and enjoying a well-earned retirement here on my farm, King's Ransom; along with his buddy, Elijah (also retired). I am fortunate and grateful that I am able to care for King in the manner he deserves, after a lifetime of hard work. The fate of many older, hard-working horses is not always kind. Too many owners abandon their loyal partners when they can no longer compete, others simply run out of funds. Lori has the kind hand they deserve, she sees them through their last years (or days) with love and kindness. It is a very difficult job that takes an emotional, as well as financial, toll. She sees some of the worst of humanity, and some of the best of horses.

During these tough economic times, she needs all the help she can get to ensure these horses live (and die) with comfort, love and dignity. I hope you will all help her.

Seven Good Miles!

Hallelujah! The weather finally decided to act it's age -- FALL -- and I had my first long run during a decently crisp, dry, sunny afternoon. Well, not actually a LONG run, but seven  miles. I have been waiting for this weather since ... June!

Remembering that I ran 11 miles in the heat on Saturday, I wasn't really expecting great things from my 7-miler on Monday ... nor did I get great things. But I got seven good miles at a pace of less than 12 minutes per mile, I felt good and ... dare I say it? I had fun!

Three things I want to write about today, though: 1.) The Hartford Course; 2.) Memory Foam Mattress pads! and 3.) Sunkissed Acres.

The Hartford Course
I just realized last week that the course closes behind you as you run along. This is to minimize the impact of the race on Hartford's traffic. I can understand that, having long been the driver slowed by the runners on a course (this is my first time to be a runner on a course like this!). However, I was aghasted to learn that the course closes at a 13-minute-per-mile pace. In other words, if you don't keep up at least a 13-minute-per-mile pace, the course will close on you! Oh, you can still run -- on the sidewalk! But how crappy to spend 17 weeks training for a big event and end up running through pedestrians on the sidewalk! Now, I expect to be well within that pace, but if I have to stop to go to the bathroom or ANYthing, I could fall behind. If I get tired and have to walk? I'm TOAST! So, the pressure is on now in a way I had not expected. Here we go!

Memory Foam Mattress Pads
Well, it seems that through this training experience, I have come to owe a lot to the manufacturers of foam in general (recall my gratitude for tubular foam, which I still wear on one of my injured toes ...). About a month ago, I ordered a memory foam mattress pad for my mattress. (I ordered the pad instead of the mattress because the pad was available from Overstock.com for about $200, while a mattress cost about $2,000.) Consider this an unashamed plug for memory foam! My hip ailments have disappeared! I can SLEEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT! Last night, after my 7-mile run, my hips were so sore and tired. If I'd been laying down on a regular mattress, I'd have been in pain all night long and miserable today. Last night, I slipped gingerly into bed, and sank comfortably into the memory foam. NO PAIN. I was asleep in about 5 seconds. Woke up once to pull up the goose down comforter (Yay Fall!), and didn't gain consciousness again until the alarm went off this morning. Popped out of bed refreshed and ready for the day! What a difference! If you suffer from any aches & pains, and thought a memory foam mattress was out of your budget, I highly recommend the toppers from Overstock.com. The one I bought was the densest memory foam, I believe it is 6 inches of actual foam (some of the cheaper ones are just 3 inches of memory foam bonded to regular foam and I undersand they are not as good). I also got two memory foam pillows thrown in for free. Best money I ever spent.

Sunkissed Acres
Sunkissed Acres is a horse rescue in Georgia that does GREAT work taking care of cast-off horses in need. I am going to work with Lori to set up a fundraising page for Sunkissed and will be asking YOU to sponsor my run for their benefit! To learn more, check back here in the next few days as I will have all of the information right  here as soon as possible. I just realized last  night that I could do this, the thought occurred to me around mile 5 of my 7-miler. I think this should be a great fundraising opportunity, after all -- I am OLD. This is my FIRST half-marathon. I have logged HUNDREDS of miles in training, through all kinds of horrible heat and bad weather and despite advancing age and aches and pains. SOMEONE SHOULD PAY! ha ha! Check back soon to see how you can donate to Lori's worthwhile work with horses, and help turn my aching feet into something equally worthwhile!

11 MILES!

Saturday was the longest run of my training schedule -- 11 miles!

The good news is -- I made it!

I also made a few mistakes and, as a result, my time was lousy. I started too late (mid-morning) and ended up running in some pretty crushing heat by noon. I thought that by the end of September we'd have some cooler days, but alas ... the heat training will pay off, though, right? I was well ahead of my goal times at the beginning, but around mile 6 I started slowing down. I also had to go to the bathroom twice. And keeping up with my own water is time-consuming. I have to stop and pick up water bottles (that I have pre-planted along the way), refill my hydration belt bottles, take a drink, then find a place to dispose of my now-empty water bottle (without trashing out the park!).

Also -- my iPod crapped out at mile 7.5. Just quit working. I did spend a little bit of time trying to figure out why, but it's Sunday morning and I still don't have a clue about that. Ran the last 3.5 miles sans musical accompaniment.

With all of these interruptions, my fatigue-induced slowdown, the heat, and questionable measurement of the actual distance, I ended up running a full minute over my goal pace. I am, however, still encouraged. I think I can do better in Hartford!

Corey and I pored over the last two weeks of my training schedule on Friday ... making several tweaks, including scheduling in more stretching and yoga. He also went meticulously through the course map for Hartford with me. I think we are both concerned that I not take a wrong turn! (It's been known to happen ... <sigh>)

At this point, I am anxious to get through the next two weeks. 10 miles next Saturday, then the next Saturday is the RACE. Then I will be freed from the rigors of training! At first, I was really happy that Corey put together such a detailed schedule, with each day mapped out for 17 weeks. Somewhere along the line, however, I came to hate that spreadsheet and the man who wrote it! I am anxious for the day to return when I lace up my shoes and ask myself, "How far today?" And there is no spreadsheet prescription to consult.

I look forward to the day when I return to running for fun. When it's not, Oh, this is Monday, I have to run 7 ... but rather, "Oh, look, it's a gorgeous afternoon! I feel like running." And then just go as far as my feet take me.

TEN Miles!

Saturday night I logged TEN MILES for my long run, outside on the roads. I got started a little later than I had planned, and it got dark quite a bit earlier than I had expected ... ran my last 3 miles in pitch black darkness ... but otherwise, I am quite encouraged.

I ran well. Did not get sick. Did not break down. Had some fun with it. I would have had more fun if I'd started (and finished) a bit earlier. In summary, here are the pro's and con's of the run:

Pro's:

I made it. Very good! I ran strong and now my confidence is somewhat restored that I actually WILL make it 13.1 miles in Hartford. After all, I still have 3 weeks of training.

I have hit upon a long-distance routine that I think will work. For long distance runs, I am drinking a cup of water at EVERY mile marker, whether I feel like I need it or not. This seems to have helped tremendously with the stomach cramps. I carry two 8-oz. water bottles in my hydration belt, and plant a 12-oz bottle at every 3rd mile. This way, I drink my two bottles empty, then pick up a third. Refill my two belt bottles, and drink what's left in the third bottle, carry the empty bottle to the nearest trash can ... lather, rinse and repeat. I also need to eat a little something every 4th mile. I have been taking a Power Bar and cutting it into thirds, each piece in its own little baggie, stuffed into the pouch of my hyrdration belt. This also seems to help with my energy and mental sharpness as the run drags on. Ha! I think that thinking about all of this helps me get through the mind-numbing boredom of running that long!

The Con's:

I started too late and it really was not good to be running in the dark. Next time, I will check the internet to see the predicted time of sunset and give myself plenty of room to run in the daylight.

I was HURTING when I was finished. I ran well, but by the time I got back to my car, I was in PAIN. Real, widespread PAIN. My feet, my ankles, my knees, my hips ... and my TOES ... all hurting. Yes, my toes were swollen and throbbing. When I got out of my car at home, I could barely walk into the house. I realize that the "cure" for this is increased fitness ... but also maybe it would be nice to try to get someone to BE here when I get home from these extra-long runs for the next two weeks. Yes, this Saturday I run 11 miles, then the next Saturday I drop back down to 10. If I could find a friend to wait for me here at the house, I think I would feel just a tad more comfortable about the routine. Well, really, if I could find someone to wait for me at the car that would be GREAT ... but I don't think I know anybody I would impose upon that much. King would do it (he's my horse) ... and he would carry me back home if I needed him to ... but there is a bit of a logistical problem getting a horse into the car to wait for you ...

Six miles today (this afternoon), just 2 miles tomorrow, then six again on Wednesday.

My home gym is finally finished and ready for cross-training and yoga! It turned out beautifully! Equipped with an elliptical and a stationary cycle for cardio, a variety of dumbbells, a weight bench, stability ball, an assortment of bands and tubes, mats, and a honking audio-visual set up with iPod dock. I LOVE IT.

NINE Miles!

I made it through Saturday's nine-mile long run ... I was miserable (and slow) ... but I made it.

The weather here has been just flat disagreeable. I hesitate to complain, because it's not a hurricane -- but we've had hot, steamy, driving rain for over a week. It's the most irritating combination -- usually when it rains like this around here, especially in September, it's cold. I can handle cold rain. But hot rain??? You're soaking and sweating and steaming all at the same time. And I had so hoped for crisp, cool, fall days to finish up these scary-long runs. Oh well.

So, I actually ran nine miles on THE TREADMILL! Ugh! The horror of it!Twice through my "long mix" on my iPod. Nearly three bottles of water. One stretch of near tears. Ack! This was NOT fun! I was actually in misery from the first mile.

The assessment? Let's see -- I did not have to stop to go to the bathroom, this goes in the "plus" column. I had to walk several times (minus), but never at less than 3.5 mph, and never for very long (plus). I managed an average 12:30 pace (minus) even with the walk breaks (plus). I hurt my toes again (big minus!). I ran nine miles (big plus!).

Today is a rest day (no running) and I am doing some research on running and GI disturbance. So far, I am eliminating caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and dairy products. Also, cutting way back on the fiber. Adding a gallon of water per day.

I also learned that I did a lot better when I drank a LOT more water than I usually do on long runs. Usually, I skimp by on less than one 12-oz. bottle of water per run ... a LOT less. Yesterday, I drank nearly 3 16-oz. bottles. This was because I could store my bottle in the holder on the treadmill, and when it was empty, I could hop off, take two steps to the fountain and refill it. Which I did. I will need to work on an hydration plan before next week's 10-mile long run.

As I get into the heart of this training program, with really long runs, I am going to have to start living more like an athlete --eating on time, eating properly, plenty of rest -- on schedule, more stretching and relaxation.

These are all things I never had to do when I was younger. When I was in my 30s, I took long runs on Sunday afternoons -- up to 16 or 18 miles. I never worried so much about what I ate or drank. I just ran. Ah -- 20 years later? You know what they say, it's not the years, it's the mileage!

It's TRAINING ... and it's HARD .. but there are still upsides!

Yesterday I ran 5.5 miles ... a miserable, difficult run. It's extremely humid here, raining now, and that certainly contributed to the difficulty. Plus the mileage of the week, plus Corey's ridiculously difficult workout on Tuesday, plus the ongoing GI-tract disturbance ... all came together for yet another miserable run. I have already committed to cleaning up my diet, giving up coffee and alcohol ... but my guts are still twisted.

So, I spent a day telling myself it's okay for this to be hard. This is training. If I were just skipping through my runs, I wouldn't be getting any better, right? Training is supposed to challenge your body, be difficult, require you to push ... right? If that is correct, then my training is right on track!

I did not run today, though Corey and I had decided I would run 3 miles ... neither of us won that argument as the body had the last word. And even though it was Thursday, Corey had to forego the "killer" workout he usually enjoys putting me through on "high-intensity Thursday." I just was not feeling up to par. Corey made some mental adjustments on-the-fly, though, and I still got a good upper-body workout, but I didn't get "killed." I also committed to him that if this GI-tract thing does not clear up by Monday, I'll be calling a doctor. Harumph! I do not approve of doctors as a general rule.

Now here is the upside. In yesterday's mail, I finally received my running jersey rom the ING Hartford Half-Marathon! OOOOHHHHH! This is the BEST running jersey I have ever seen! It is absolutely gorgeous, and NOT a tee shirt. Orange and blue, of a dri-fit fabric, just very chic. I wore it to work out today ... then I went and got my hair cut ... and I look devastatingly cute in my chic little jersey.

I suppose that may be the difference between elite runners and the rest of us. My running times are in the crapper, I got sick in the middle of my last long run, but -- I am devastatingly cute in my new jersey, so it's all good! ha ha!

No running on Friday. Nine miles on Saturday ... and it will probably be in the rain.

Bring it on! I may be slow, but dang it! I LOOK like a runner! (and really, wasn't the point all along???_

Where did my confidence go?

I recovered enough by this morning to go out for my scheduled 3 mile run. I did "okay." Not great. Not terrible. Just okay. Then, this afternoon I trained with Corey. All of the workouts now are hard, and this one was no exception.

We sat down afterward and went over my training schedule for the next 5 weeks. I realize now that Sunday's disaster totally shot my confidence and I am suddenly VERY NERVOUS about doing well in Hartford ... or even handling the next several long runs, which are all nine, ten or 11 miles.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), I am scheduled to run 5.5 miles. We'll see how that goes. No more goofing around, either! I have re-committed to abstain from alcohol and caffeine until the race is over. Hydrate adequately, eat properly, get plenty of rest.

This is actually much more difficult than I had expected it to be. The last time I ran long distances, I was much younger. However, I do recall that I took my long runs on Sundays, late afternoon or early evening ... and the whole day revolved around getting prepared for that run. Eating properly, enough but not too much; drinking plenty of water; resting up, etc. I do recall those long runs back then, however, as being gloriously fun ... not miserable. <sigh>

So tomorrow may be better. Nine miles on Saturday morning. If I do well then, I am sure my confidence will return. But right now, it is totally AWOL!

Eight Miles!

I finally tackled the 8-mile long run on Sunday. About 4 miles out, I was thinking of how I was going to post on here and say, "Eight miles -- piece of cake!"

You know that old saying, "Pride cometh before a fall,"?

Well, I didn't actually fall, but I did crash and burn! Very close to the five-mile mark, I was stricken with the worst case of "Runner's Trots." Oh my!

Fortunately, I run in a state park and there are lots of bathrooms available along the way. Ugh!

I did finish my 8 miles, and still had an average pace of 11:20 per mile ... but I was sick sick sick all day and all night and well into Monday.

Here is what I THINK happened to me: I should have run on Saturday, but was out late on Friday night and had promised to babysit my granddaughter "for a couple of hours" Saturday morning. So, I decided to run Saturday night. Well, a couple of hours stretched into all day and -- I could not find ANYTHING to eat at my kids' house! (what do these people live on? carry out?) I finally scavenged a bag of microwave popcorn, and that was my sole sustenance on Saturday. Also, I did not drink very much water.

Didn't get home until after 6 o'clock, fed horses, did chores ... it got dark! So, I decided to run Sunday morning. No big deal. My OTHER son shows up at the house at around 9:30 p.m., and doesn't leave until much later ... it was after midnight before I got to bed ... again.

Up on Sunday morning, I actually felt okay other than being tired. I drank a cup of coffee (no no!), then had my usual protein shake w/ low-sugar orange juice and a banana. Hmmm ... Off to run. Oh, forgot to mention that I decided to wear a long-sleeved jersey, because I thought it was chilly. I was wrong about that. The humidity is so high that even though the temps were in the 60s, it was really QUITE warm running. I got hot right away.

So, I don't think I was well-hydrated. I certainly was not well-rested. I was too warm. The popcorn did a number on my GI tract, and the coffee was a REALLY bad idea.

I think I set myself up for the Perfect Storm.

At least I hope so. Because I'm going to do a lot of things differently next week and hope for a much better outcome when I tackle NINE MILES on Saturday morning.

Respect the distance!