Recess Over

Hiyeee....its me again. I can't believe I've built up my training regimen for so long only to collapse on the actual race report. I actually did write one up, but it is not put together yet, just partial and some hand written. At least I captured my thoughts right after the race happened, but when I put it together I will of course have hindsight even more featured. I promise I will write it soon.

As for running since the race, I really haven't! It has been three weeks today and I have only run once. After I got back from Chicago I had to quickly turn around to Florida where the weather was...90* and 90% humidity, just like the marathon weather in Chitown. I managed to squeak out 3-4 miles, but it still felt awful and I was sick, so it wasn't too enjoyable. Since then I've been really taking it easy. Enjoying my "recovery" period, or whatever. Yesterday I went on a steep hike which after-effects made me realize I need to get my ass out there again. The hike itself wasn't bad, but I am sore today. Once my dill/cheese scone gets digested I think I'm going to treat myself to a traditional Sunday run. I actually am starting to miss the ritual of getting my music and podcast set up and planning out my run. The trail misses me!

I have also decided to ride my bike more, whenever possible. I biked to class last Thursday since there was no chance of rain and it was great. I love that flushy face feeling with the cold weather but high core body temperature. I walk into where ever my destination is, pant leg rolled up, hair messy, panting but feeling really alive and refreshed. I will definitely make this a habit. Unfortunately because I live in Seattle, it is difficult to predict when and where the rain may strike. My recourse will be to bring a plastic bag to cover my seat and if all else fails, load my bike onto the bus' front rack. (I'm really afraid of this act, though!) My mtn bike is a beater, though, using it only because I won't be too put out if it gets stolen. I wish I could take my new speedy slick road bike, but I would be really upset if that disappeared.

As I'm going on into this next phase I'm not sure what I'm going to do, how I'm going to approach my fitness now that the training and race are over with. I like the idea of training for another goal, but also want to be the type of person who doesn't necessarily need the end goal to drive me. I want the basic idea of being healthy as my impetus for busting my balls at 6am, or in a hot gym, etc. I've got some thoughts but will have to see how putting them into practice pans out....

Exactly How Many Is A Brazillion?

It has taken every bit of energy to move my phalanges to log in and type this right now. Well, I got punkd. AKA, I got sick. A tinge of the post-marathon travel across the country 4 times in that many days fever. Yep. SEA-->CHI-->SEA-->DFW-->TAMPA. Add to that a bunch of medicine and drinks of all varieties and you've got this. A be-scrubbed old t-shirtted girl on the 6th floor of the worst Radisson in history. The worst part of the Radisson is that it has internet access that allows me to do this. Ouch. Long story short is that I did the race, it was hard, but I did it. Many thoughts/recap/emotions and stuff that I'd like to document and I realize as the days go by I am losing more and more of it, but I will do it once I get a minute. I am done being sore and feel lazy and lethargic already. Once I get a free moment, after I document my marathon glory, I am going for a bazillion-mile run. I talked to Maritza the other day and it was great. Haven't talked in a while and it was good to hear voice to familiar voice what she had to say. I keep forgetting that I have these friends in low places! I have been able to view some of the official race photos but the site isn't letting me get on it right now otherwise I'd post some. Back to that brazillion-mile run. Its going to be sweet. And hot. And hot and sweet.

Have a good night!

I Am Really Going To Do This Thing

I AM PUMPED!

I've decided to put nerves aside and just have fun. Commiserating with my future self at mile 20 isn't going to do me any good right now. It's not! So I'm focusing on being excited about my first little marathon. The cat is out of the bag at work and everyone keeps wishing me luck, which is fun (a little embarrassing, but good since I'm an attention whore).

Get this - the weather report for Chicago on Sunday has been changing from thunderstorms-->rain-->clouds-->mostly sunny and from hot to HOTTER. The high on Sunday will be almost 90 degrees. Huh? Yep, so my focus is also on hydration and not melting. I had envisioned myself time and again at the start area bundled up in the early morning with sleety rain and a cold nose. Not anymore... This will be much much warmer than I've been training in and the humidity much higher. I'm just going to go with it, keep on drinkin' and keep on truckin'.

I've also decided my music plan. I'm going to bring the iPod w/me and tuck it in my sports bra like I always do. My plan is to go the 1st half without anything and then see from there on. iPods are banned, but just see if they can try and pull me off of that course. Bastards.

I think I have everything set up logistically for the travel and the wknd. I can't wait to see my family and friends and the wonderful city of Chicago.

How Am I Feeling?

Tired.

Nervous.

Introspective.

Sick?

Addressing #1, I have just taken a Tylenol PM after trying unsuccessfully to sleep for about 2 hours (it is now midnight). I am really tired, but my mind just won't stop. There is too much going on in there and I can't relax enough to count those sheep. I also have a headache that is annoying me and won't go away.

I started feeling sick on Sunday when I conked out on the couch at like 7:30 pm. OUT. It was great to get some shut eye, but knowing me, I only do this when I'm sick. I went to work on Monday and was pretty out of it, but perked up near the end of the day. I got increasingly tired when I got home and crashed at about 9:30, sleeping 11 straight hours beyond that. I worked from home today, which clearly required my staying in PJ's until 3:30, when I went out for a run. I only went 3 miles but it did not feel good. My pace averaged 8:23 so that was probably quicker than I needed to go, so maybe that's why it felt crappy? This bug thing has been going around my office and it seems to be gone within a couple of days. So, I continue to take my vitamins, drink water, eat well and get plenty of sleep.

I have been going over in my head what my goals are for this race, and slightly stressing out about it. I want to push it but want to finish strong. I don't want to be disappointed if I don't hit x, y or z. The more I think about it though the more I realize that this isn't necessarily my last marathon. I sort of vowed that I would not do more of these races, but toward the end of this training I've found myself saying "well, next time I'll do this..." So, I've decided that no matter how you slice it I'm going to PR on Sunday. AND, if I decide to continue on this crazy path, then I may as well leave myself some room for improvement, right?

iEmily

Is it lame to listen to my iPod during my first ever, crowd roaring, kick-ass Chicago marathon?

I really want to "keep doing what I've been doing" (Maritza 2007) and that would include listening to my iPod. I want to enjoy the crowd and the experience but would like the safety blanket of having it there if I need some distraction. I usually run with the little guy tucked into a small ziploc inbetween the layers of my sports bra(s) in front, so I supposed if I didn't want the ear buds out I could just tuck them in the bag as well. I think I can figure it out logistically, but my question is, how lame is that?

Thanks!

Love,
Emily