I have been training since April for being able to run in the Richmond Marathon. Some weeks were more “hard core than others”, but the last 3 months I have really hunkered down and focused primarily on running.

The forecast called for rain and yuckiest grossness in the few days before the race. In fact, there were rumors of either diverting the race or postponing it. But, the rains were going to be gone by Friday night and all was clear.

I took Friday off from work. Slept in (sort of) and waited for my friend Kate to call me. Plan was to go to lunch then drive down. By 11 am, I was getting antsy, but held off calling her till 11:30. It just rang. So at noon, I tried again, and woke her up. She took a quick shower and got to my house by 12:30ish.

It was cold, rainy and nasty November weather. Would the forecast be right and clear up? I had some doubts. We went to get a carbo-loading lunch at Noodles & Company. It was not stellar, but edible. I got penne pasta w/ tomato cream sauce and a chicken breast. I also got a rice crispy treat – after all, I was “carb loading”.

Got in the car and proceeded to drive towards Richmond. Crawl is more like it. Our drive should have only taken 90 min, instead it took almost 4 hrs. Luckily, we had Kate’s awesome I Phone with a ton of music for us to crank up and sing (horribly) at the top of our lungs together.

We pull up to Richmond at about 6pm, I get my race packet and really didn’t have too much time to do the health fair but did a quick pass. The WIN detergent people were there with a booth, and I briefly talked to them about how I LOVE their product, it works great for my technical clothes (gets the stink out) and they gave me a SHIT-TON of $1 off coupons (apparently they now carry this at Dicks Sporting Goods and at Safeway too!) and just for having been a customer, they gave me a free 20 wash sized bottle too!!! I was so JAZZED for that!!!

While briefly at the health fair, I also bought a fanny pack with a nice deep pocket, some extra small pockets and a bottle holder mesh bag that tucks into the fanny pack. It had the Richmond Marathon logo on it and was only $10. I figured that was more what I wanted for the marathon than my Fuel Belt I had brought.

Leaving the health fair they have you make sure your shoe tag works – good thing, mine was not activated yet. So they fixed it and I was off back to Kate’s car.

Quickly check into the hotel—Hilton offers free M&M cookies at the check in desk so grabbed one, look thru my goodie bag, Went to dinner at a pub near the hotel. Portobello mushroom caps with blue cheese grilled as an appetizer – freaking awesomeness! And I had a burger & fries too… and another M&M cookie before going back the room.

Decent sleep, but kept waking thinking I’ve over slept, and I dreamed that the rain did not stop and that I was bummed and angry in my dream that I would have to run in storms and that the forecast people stink.

Wake up, ate a banana and apple cinnamon Cheerios with Almond milk, get dressed, lubed the hell out of my blister-prone heels, lubed the hell out of my chest strap as that tends to chafe me too (being the “delicate flower” that I am!) and got generally psyched up for the big day!

Kate woke up, we had a conversation about why you would pay to run in a race, why I like the products I do for running (BodyGlide, sports beans, Luna Chews). I think she was just humoring me, but I answered her questions without geeking out too badly.

Hotel was literally 1.5 blocks from the start line – this was SUPER AWESOME! Walking to start, turn on my Garmin sports watch. It is picking up other people’s heart rate monitors, but eventually synchs to mine.

I get in line, chat with some women near me who are also running their 1st full marathons, wish each other luck, and we are off!

The first 13 miles seemed to just fly by. I must have had a permanent grin on my face. I felt so good, so healthy, and so happy.

Somewhere in those 13 miles, I realized that my heart rate monitor stopped working. I thought it odd that it always seemed to be at 104. I think the battery in the strap died and that was the last reading it took! So I thought, screw having the strap cut into me if it doesn’t work, so I took it off from under my shirt / sports bra and got a lot of “looks” as I did so, but who cares, and put it in to my new fanny pack pouch for safe keeping.

When I crossed the marker at 13.1, I realized that my time was 2hrs, 39 min 58 seconds, a few minutes faster than my prior ½ marathons! I was totally pleased with my performance and still felt I had lots of energy to go.

There was music every other mile or so, that was fun. I would pause my i-pod to listen to the music (often that is where the biggest crowds were gathered too).

There is definitely a reason Richmond is called “the friendliest marathon” -- All along the way there were lots of people cheering, calling out your name as you ran past. Some of the crowds were unofficially hanging out little bottles of water, cut up Krispy Kreme donuts (I ate one piece!), cereal squares (I passed), even Yuening Ling beer (I passed on that too)! There was even 2 stands of people along the way with a little card table type thing with Band-Aids and Vaseline if you needed them! Very cool.

(this next paragraph is dedicated to my friend Thad Holt, who recently did his first marathon during the Marine Corps Marathon and gave me a lot of really great advice) Along the way I was very conscientious about drinking fluids at every opportunity. Most of the time I grabbed 2 cups, usually just water, but sometimes that blue PowerAde which I really don’t like… They also gave out officially at 2 times Cliff Shots which are a goo packet, one was vanilla, the other was Raspberry. I ate both of those, and washed down quickly with water. I also ate a few packs of Sports Beans and a few packs of Luna Chews along the way. I feel like I ate a LOT and drank a lot, but it must have worked because I never hit “the wall”, ran the whole time (except for walking to drink or those few necessary bathroom stops on the way). It was AMAZING and so much fun. As I was passing people along the way, I thought to myself some of them seemed so exhausted, but I never felt that way at all. I chalk it up to being super hydrated, super carbed up and for doing the training program to prepare and not just try to “gut it out” like some clearly were doing.

When I passed mile 20, it was 4hrs, 7 min, 12 seconds. I thought to myself, if I crank it out, I could finish in just over about 5 hours! I was so stunned. I was anticipating a 6hr or 6.5 hr completion!

But I also know that I really can’t maintain a 6+mph pace for that long, so I just keep going at what felt comfortable for me which is somewhere between 11:30-12:30 minute mile.

Some interesting things along the route:

-the scenery by the James River was beautiful! The river was very churned up and fast moving from all the storm activity, so was wild and dangerous looking.

-passed some “old money Civil War type” mansions and funky newer very brightly colored homes too, a real interesting set of homes all along the way

-loved running past the different Monuments (mainly Civil War related)

-there were some people dressed in costumes along the way… notably a chicken, a cow and a tiger

-there was some lady with a rubber chicken who kept cropping up to cheer on the crowd

-loved the guy running in a pink boa with “Team Pink” on the back of his shirt. He told me that the boa helps him run faster! Love me some gays! :-)

-the cold wet washcloth stop at mile 17 seemed out of them when I went by, but it was a total GODSEND at mile 23!

-all along the route were signs posted into the ground. They had the funniest things on them like: “Dedicate this run to all those who picked you last in gym”, “Don’t crap your pants!”, “If running were easy, these guys would be doing it” (posted next to the party zone crowds), “your spouse called and asked ‘where are you?’” Run like snot”, “who fartleked?”, “toenails are overrated”, and stuff like that. Very entertaining and I looked forward to seeing the next one each time.

My friend Kate was waiting for me at the finish line and that was just so nice and sweet. My finish time was 5 hrs, 26 minutes, 12 seconds! Like I said, I really thought that 6-6.5 was a reasonable guestimate for me and I was a full 30-60 min faster than I ever thought I could do!!!!

They handed out nice medals for finishers and these foil cape type things so you don’t get cold after your run—that made me feel like a super hero! I loved it, and it worked really well.

At the runner’s finish area, I choked down a small piece of pizza and drank a bottle of water at the end. I really “wasn’t hungry” at all and wasn’t really thirsty either. That was stunning. But I knew I needed “something”… Kate offered to get me something from Starbucks, so I asked her for a Chai Latte. It was the BEST CHAI I have ever drank in my life! It was perfect.

Kate brought me my flip flop type shoes which are designed for people with plantar fasciitis. I changed into those and was totally STUNNED that I had NO blisters. She also brought me a fresh shirt, which I changed into, but don’t know why bothered b/c I was super ripe & stinky. Apparently I was bleeding from where my sports bra was rubbing in my skin – she thought it was an old blood stain, and did not mention it to me.

The hotel which was 1.5 blocks from the start, was about 7 blocks from the finish. So we made our way slowly back. Quickly jumped into the shower, saw I was bleeding and was stunned b/c did not feel that at all… but when got in the shower I felt the STING of all that salt on that fresh wound from bleeding from the bra edge… only real “damage” from the whole marathon.

Tried to nap, but didn’t really succeed. Went to dinner at a BBQ restaurant that was recommended by the hotel dude, line out the door at 5pm is always a “good sign” and that was so YUMMY. Scarfed down baby back ribs, beef ribs, mac & cheese, bbq beans, bread, blondie bar, and washed down with sweetened iced tea! Oh, and ate a M&M cookie too on the way back into the hotel also!

So, today, after the big run, I am a little sore, but no more than “normal”. And I feel like I can conquer the world! It is such a great feeling!

today, Rebecca told me that the philosphy "if you can run 20 miles, then you can run 26.2" is kinda like "if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball"... out of the mouths of babes! Too funny!

(btw, she has never seen Dodgeball. Just the previews)

so Dan is getting a 2nd lap top. Zachary (my 12 yo son) asked if he can have the old one and can he put it in his room.

I said, sure, if we put a really good porn filter on it.

Z says, "why, why would I look at porn? THat is disgusting, I wouldn't do that" (said while trying to be all innocent)

I said, "bc you are a 12 yo boy, and that is what they do.... you are so POWNED!!!!"

Dan, Z and I all start laughing hysterically ( I think Z mostly from embarassment)

So Z then responds, "ok, well then I guess I just have to watch anime porn instead, that will probably come thru the filter"

We all laughed.
-----

Seriously... I am in trouble...

(or both!)

this morning I ran a 10k race (in about 1hr 16 minutes, will get official time later today) after having given blood yesterday. I specifically chose not to wear my sports watch or ipod, just paced myself and drank water at each of the stations-- normally would not need water for this short a run. I still did pretty damned decent... and I ran the whole way!

Could I have run further? Yes
Should I have run further? Probably not, and I decided that I did well enough, even though was just starting to "hit my stride"... no sense in winding up collapsed / passed out on the side of the road from exhaustion.

I was supposed to run my 20 mile this weekend, but did not because gave blood. I will do it next weekend.

Just 1 month until my full marathon!

How often does a person get to say that?!? I am taking props for myself ofr cajones and coolness cache, in addition to dorkdom for even considering doing such a thing!

Anyhow, after tryouts for the DC Divas (women's pro tackle football)-- I realize, even though I am in damned good shape, I am not in "football shape"; am a much better weightlifter / long distance slow runner than a sprinter; that I am not ...a "twinkle toes" moving with grace and ease; nor do I look like poetry in motion.... STILL...I did pretty well, only mildly humiliated myself and can "only get better" :-)

Some things I did really well on -- the stretches, flexibility, squat jumps, stuff like that. But mainly, I felt like the old lady who is earning respect, for just being out there and holding her own, but not standing out in the crowd by any means.

Amazingly enough, even though I was not super impressed with myself, other than the "wow, I did that" factor and the "I didn't have a heart attack on the field" factor... afterwards one of the coaches came up and said that they really wanted me to come to the next 2 tryouts. I thought at first he was "being polite". He said that it was obvious I have never played before, that some of the types of exercises were totally new styles of movement for me, but that I clearly had a lot of potential and could only improve my scores now that I knew what to expect.

So, I will go to the other 2 tryout times, and will work on some areas -- doing push ups on my toes (not from my knees), more situps, working on sprinting, running backwards, changing directions mid run (aka: the things I really think I sucked at!)

I have no illusions that I will ever make the team. But it was a great benchmark to see how far I have come in 2 years, areas of fitness I need to improve on, and it was a lot of fun.... and it's nice to know that because I don't take myself too seriously, that I can experiment with stuff like this.

Rachel

so I ran the Parks 1/2 marathon today. Fairly pleased overall. The route is mainly thru county parklands hike/bike trails, almost all shaded, well marked, perfect number of water stations (most of which had both water and gatorade to choose from, and I think at mile 8 also had pretzels too), very pretty. Could not ask for better weather today.

I am a bit confused about my performance. I ran my 1st 1/2 last April. In that race, I started with too fast a pace and by mile 9 I totally hit the wall and mostly walked the last 4 miles. At the end of the race I was so exhausted and was freaking ravenous.

Today, I ran a full 1 minute longer today than before. I feel "I did so much better"... I ran the whole way (except stopping for port-o-pots, and walking thru the water stops so I could drink), drank water the whole way except last stop b/c I felt I didn't need the sugars, only at 2 small pretzels, I was incredibly consistent with my running pace, my heart rate was consistent with no wild spikes or highs, and never felt I hit the wall...

What slowed me down at least 10 minutes this time was poor availabilty of port-o-pots on the route. Sure, they were every 2 miles, but there would be 1 or 2! And this was a race that sold out with 2300 people. There were at least 30 at the start, 30 at the end, but few during. So... being as I tend to get issues with runner's trots, I try to go when the opportunity is there. I stopped at mile 2, and at mile 4 -- but did not "go" because there was a wait of 5-6 people at each... so after waiting a few minutes, I decided at each "I can wait, no rush yet"... but I wound up chewing up time doing so. By the time I got to mile 6, I really had to go and again, had to wait, luckily just a few moments.

Another thing that slowed me down was in the first you ran on all roadside. Today, you were on the road for the first 2 miles, then on paths. These paths were narrow (especially for the number of people), curvy, sometimes really tight banked curves, and were either pavement or packed dirt/gravel. I have never really run for much distance on packed dirt/gravel and was about 1-2 minutes slower than on on pavement.

Anyhow, I am awaiting the official results. But according to my Garmin, I came in at 2 hrs, 44 min (and I think I started my timer a little early, and ended after the finish too). I know I finished on time becuase they announced my name as I crossed. You had 2 hr 45 min to complete (a 12:36 overall pace), so I was coming in under the gun.... I was really hoping that I would not officially be last, and was also hoping to do better than in April time wise. But I know that there were a lot of people behind me that I passed in the last mile who were walking.

I think I might have actually won a prize too... they had a $50 gift certificate to a local running store for the last woman (and the last man) to finish, provided they came in within the 2:45 time limit. Guess I will find out tommorow! If so, that is cool... I will never turn down a gift certificate. :-)

Part of me is unhappy I was slower than last time, even if I really "did better" when looking at the big picture. And also the idea I was officially last, or next to last is making me nuts... :-P Whatever... I look at this as great practice for the upcoming Richmond marathon I will do in November. You have to maintain a 17minute pace there and complete in 7 hours. Think I will probably do just fine there as long as I stay with my training program

Rachel

Wow, I really learned a lot of lessons about myself, about running, and about most random people in public today... hopefully, you will learn from my errors and not repeat them with yourself! Here are the lessons:

1) Most people will stop at the crosswalk / red light and cheerfully wave you thru so you can run past w/o stopping.

2) Running on the sidewalk is much less "stable" and consistent surface than on the road. Those cracks in the sidewalk can be deep and treacherous.. and are the perfect size for catching your running shoe tip and entrapping it just long enough to do damage.

3) Lifting your feet and watching your form is always a good idea.

4) NO ONE will stop for you after they see you trip and fall (most awkwardly as possible)... even though you are running next to a really busy road, and at least 40 people total saw you bust it.

5) Road rash really hurts.... and stings... and bleeds very little considering how much skin gets torn up.

6) It's better to have road rash spots on your knees, hands, nose and chin tip than to have totally face planted in a free fall.

Rachel

2.5 years ago, I started losing weight and dieting/exercising.

About a year and a half ago in the spring of 2008, I decided to start running for a variety of reasons. By summer of 2008, I decided I would do a 5 k race in the fall... but I changed my race entry to a 10k instead (they had both options) as an extra challenge for my first real running race.

Got a Garmin 305 for Chanukah last year (December). Have been using it for pretty much every run -- there may be a few I did not wear it or it "conked out" midrun due to low battery or other reasons.

Anyhow, I decided just for giggles and grins to add up all my stats so far. I average about 10 miles per week, but some weeks I only ran 1 mile, other weeksI run as much as 28 miles. Since getting the GPS heart rate monitor, I have officially logged 277 miles! Factoring in a few runs without the monitor, and the few times it conked out because I did not charge it fully, I am going to under-estimate and claim at least 285 miles WOW!!!! I am so impressed with myself, and so proud too.

So, here I am, I am about 75 pounds less than where I started (and have been in a complete plateau for over a year... but at least I have not regained the weight back), and am training to run my first full marathon in November!!!! If anyone would have told me 3 years ago, that I would be where I am now I would have looked them straight in the eyes and accused them of smoking crack with an LSD chaser!

Well... I just want to say for ANYONE who is having a moment of doubt, having a day where you just aren't motivated, or whatever... you can do it!!! Yes, somedays are really hard, and are no fun... but when you take the time to "look in the rear view mirror" that is when everything starts to become crystal clear. It is a journey. And it is the struggle and the hard work that makes it all worth it. I appreciate it so much more because I had to fight for it and am still fighting for it every day.

I spent 2 hours on the elliptical machine today doing the "gluteal 2" program. I am a total masochist -- but one who is getting a better shaped ass!

(realizing that some might think I am going to talk in a totally different direction than where I am really going... get your minds out of the gutter people!)

Desire, discipline and dedication are the pillar stones of weight loss... and here I am at 5:30 in the am having a total mental debate in my head trying to get the discipline to go for a morning run. The fact that my arthritis and heel spurs have totally been acting up and causing pain has been a big point on the "don't do it" part of the debate.

I know that once I get moving (ok... once I get past about 1.5 miles) I will start feeling really good.

Screw anyone who thinks that I am making it look easy. Losing weight does not feel like getting licked by kittens-- it's hard work, and there are no easy ways to do it.

Father's day breakfast that the kids & I made:

uncured smoked wild boar bacon
then cooked up in the leftover grease --duck egg omelets with chives (from the garden!), green pepper, tomato, avocado and burrata cheese.

raspberries (picked by Rebecca from our garden!)

fresh watermelon chunks

strawberry kefir....
---------------------------------

now excuse me while I go and die of a massive heart attack from all that fat & cholesterol!

IT WAS THAT GOOD!!!

went for a 12 mile-ish run today... and saw lots of "running magic" during my 2.5 hours out of the house:

4 rabbits (we have the cotton tailed little brown bunnies around here -- so cute!!!)

a pair of mourning doves. I know they are related to pigeons, pigeons I hate, mourning doves I love. The waited until the last moment to fly off and coo'ed as they did.

A whole gaggle of Canada Geese. Maybe 5-6 adults, and about 20 total fluffy babies that crossed the major road, then dutifully followed their moms to the little reservior area behind the road.

The smell of the blooming magnolias and honeysuckle were absolutely DIVINE!!! To me those smells are "true summer", reminiscent of childhood innocence andalso a slight aphrodisiac scent too (not sure how all those things at the same time, but "it is").

And also just "noticing " that the mulberries are starting to ripen and that the raspberries will be ready in about 1-2 weeks.... so if I was "in a pinch" I could find a little carb-nourishment, sugar / water pick-me-up.


WHAT A GREAT RUN on a lot of levels!

Ridin' the prednisone train AGAIN!!!! Stupid fuckin' allergy to unknown substance(s) in my garden. But, taking 6 zyrtec (24 hour pill), and 8 benedryl allergy pills in a 24 hour period helped keep my eyes from COMPLETELY swelling shut.

I HATE BEING A DELICATE FLOWER!!!!!!!!!!

I am TERRIFIED because here I am, 6 hours after being in the garden... I have already taken 2 doses of zyrtec.... and my eyes are itchy. It's how it starts with my face blowing up. I hope I am just imagining it! :-(

today I weeded all of my garden beds and will go buy & plant tomatoes & other yummies for my family.

today I was told that I was being vain... because I want to lose more weight and trying to look like I was 15 yo again is vain.

HEY -- I DON'T WANT TO LOOK 15, I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF MY POT BELLY!

Some people are just "jealous bitches" because I am working on improving myself and you don't have the discipline to do it for yourself!!!! :-P

bringing to friend's house for a gaming day. Totally made this up, its so yummy as a cold salad:

pasta corkscrews
shrimp
carrots
green beans
celery
green peppers
salt / pepper
mayonaisse as a binder

I had an AWESOME 10 mile run this morning... and I ran the whole thing... which is literally the farthest i have run non-stop to date.

Time started being a factor (had to go to work) or I would have gone farther!!!

26.2 miles for the Richmond marathon is seeming more like a reality like I CAN TOTALLY DO THIS (especially since I have till November to train!!!)

was at a BBQ today (hosted by a friend who's husband is BIG into competing in the Scottish Highland Games). As things were winding down, the husband took a few of the bigger guys down to the back yard where they were doing big rock throwing, bowling ball throwing, shotput throwing, etc like they do in these games. Well it looked like a LOT of FUN so I went down to try.


You could hear the collective gasp from most of the other BBQ attendees. My husband yelled out, "go Rachel" -- that was pretty cool, but then I got super intimidated that I was going to make a complete ass of myself b/c like practically everyone there got up to come look-y-loo watch me.


My friend's husband gave me a quick tutorial on the form to use so I wouldn't kill myself or throw out my shoulder and handed me a 15 lb shot put ball (looked like a little cannon ball type thing). I was wearing a tanktop sleeveless style shirt and when I put the shotput up on my shoulder / up towards my cheek I thought -- holy crap, my shoulder is huge. One of the guys said, OMG you have amazing arms, are you a ringer? Quite the compliment.


Well, I threw it 3x and was exactly 12 feet for each throw. Supposedly a 9 lb weight is the standard for competition for women in the Highland Games... and my throws were not only damned respectable, but especially for a woman, and especially for the first time trying.


My friend's husband is now trying to recruit me to compete in those games... hmm... maybe.... :-)

so I am exactly 1 month from my 40th b-day. I have been saying for the last year that I am 40 years old, so that takes the "sting" out of the reality and I am finally ok with that...

Gonna go out and dance my butt off, maybe even have a drink or 2 (this is huge for me, b/c I don't drink anymore).

Last night I went dancing and started having a conversation with someone. She told me that she couldn't believe I was going to be 40, much less to have 2 children-- then went over to her friends and pointed me out and said, "look at her - -she is 40 and has 2 kids, can you believe that?!". WOW. I just giggled insanely b/c I couldn't believe it. It was funny and amazing all at the same time. What a thrill.

When I was a kid, my grandmother had recently retired and was looking for things to do to take up her time... she decided to take belly dancing lessons. Having never taken any formal dance training, nor any sort of exercise class before, and being 65 years old... she said it took a few months to get the courage to even sign up. She became a regular and wound up having tons of belly dancing stuff like finger cymbols, sequiny- shiny belts with little hanging down tassles, veils, etc. I loved when we would put these things on and dance to music together. Even as a kid, I remember thinking -- wow... this is cool, I have a grandma who belly dances... I want to be a belly dancing grandma when I am old too.

Well, I feel that spirit of my grandmother when I go out dancing. I don't really care what someone else thinks, and because of this I move freely, have a kick-ass time, and have people think stuff like they want to be like me when they are 40+ too.

OTW, same ol' for the most part. Working, working out, losing inches, gaining muscle, reveling in the changes in my body, wondering what i will look like when I "get there" with getting down to a reasonable body fat percentage...

Going to my yearly ob appt next week. Gonna get my 1st mammogram. Ugg. But, they also have a device to measure body fat and will probably do that too.