06/18/2008 13:16
Race Report – Newton 10K – June 8, 2008
Race stuff - really nice technical t-shirt. A little busy, but that's okay!
In a word, it was HOT! The forecasted high was around 96° as Boston was in the middle of a 4 day heat wave.
Woke up around 6:00 to have breakfast and get ready. We headed to Newton around 7:45 since I had to pick up my race packet. It was already in the 80’s when we arrived in Newton, and the sun was beating down. After I picked up my packet we sat in the car in the air conditioning for a little while. The thought crossed my mind to just leave and head to the grocery store and forget about running the race, but I’m not a quitter – which totally became my mantra for the day. At least I was still smiling in the beginning…
There were only a couple of hundred runners in this race, so I made sure to go all the way to the back of the pack when we were lining up at the start. The race began, and I had run about 20 steps when suddenly there was a bunch-up of people – turns out an older man had taken a header and was bleeding. Jerel said they pulled him out of the race.
Pretty much immediately I was last. There was one guy just a little ahead of me for the first couple of miles, but the heat was just too much for me and eventually I lost sight of him. I could feel my internal body temperature rising as I ran, especially when I was in the direct sunlight. I pushed on for the first couple of miles, but it was way too hot to keep running. So, I walked. I walked a whole lot. I tried to run when I was in the shade, but sometimes even that was too much.
About 4 miles in a couple of volunteers were driving by me and asked if I was okay. I said yes and told them not to wait for me. I had no idea that they would take me literally!
Anyway, after finally getting close to the school where the race began, and having to go through a convoluted last mile of residential neighborhood, I neared the finish. Jerel, my #1 supporter, was there waiting for me, all alone. I didn’t even bother running the last few steps – although, I don’t know if I could of if I tried! I crossed the finish line around 1:31, and from the official race results, about 10 minutes after the last person. However, I’m not even listed in the
official race results, so even though I was last, I wasn’t “officially” last. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad!
So, overall the race sucked for me, but I did finish. I’m sure I could have pushed myself harder, but since I knew we were leaving for Vegas in a few days there was no way I wanted to make myself sick from heat exhaustion. I’ll just chalk this one to experience!
06/17/2008 11:00
Back from Vegas
I am back!! We got back around 9:00 pm on Sunday night – actually a little earlier than the scheduled arrival, which of course meant there would be a problem, because we’re not that lucky! As it turns out, my checked bag didn’t make the flight. WAAAAAAHHHHH!!! It seems like mine was the only one because there wasn’t anyone else in the baggage office complaining. The surly “customer service representative” <ahem> said “sometimes they don’t load all the bags because of weight issues”. Well, I think they just forgot mine, because we went back to the airport at midnight when the next direct flight from Vegas was due in and my bag arrived with a big “EXPEDITE” tag on it. I was just glad to have my suitcase back – especially since all the summer clothes I currently own were in it!
So, that’s our last longish vacation until we go to San Francisco for the Nike Marathon in Rocktober – only 4 months to go! Now the serious marathon training dedication needs to start. Hopefully the weather around here will cooperate so I can run outside and not pass out from the heat!
On Saturday I have a 7 mile training run with Team in Training, and then next Thursday is the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge (3.5 miles) that I’m doing through my company. That should be pretty interesting…thousands of runners crushed between the Boston Common and the Public Garden. Good times, good times!
I know that I still need to do my race report from the Newton 10K, and I will try to get it written up soon.
Hope you’re all doing great and I'm going to try and check up on you if work doesn't get into the way!!
06/13/2008 01:21
Just Because You Think You Can
doesn't mean you should actually do it. Note to self: walking from the MGM Grand back to the Wynn - 2 miles with stairs & crossover bridges - in heels is a bad idea!! I took my shoes off about halfway because my heels were getting ripped up - although pounding barefoot on the pavement isn't good for my knees or Achilles! Oh well, at least I ran this morning so I don't have to do it tomorrow!
Things in Vegas are great - and hot! Spent a couple of hours in the sun yesterday and today laying down a nice base tan - don't want to get burned - that wouldn't be good!
Hope everyone is doing great!!
06/10/2008 13:20
Where has she been?
What has she been doing? (whisper, whisper) Sorry - Gossip Girl took over my fingers for a minute!
Anyway, I'm still here, just busy, busy. And sweating. There's lots and lots of sweating! Because it's Vegas hot here in Boston - and humid! We're in the middle of a heat wave...'cause 3 days over 90 degree temps makes the meterologists around here swoon!
So, I'm doing fine. I only have a 2 day work week since we're leaving for Vegas tomorrow, and I've actually had work to do. I am going to try and get my race report from Sunday's 10K posted...you should all be waiting with much anticipation. <Cough>
But first....on Saturday, I went to get my mani/pedi. "I walked into the spa with 10 toenails, but left with only 8"...yep, my quote of the day! Jane decided that it would be better to just get rid of those pesky half-attached toenails so off they went. And they feel so much better! Sure, they don't look very good, since she didn't paint the skin, but I'm sure the next time I see her in a couple of weeks there will be new toenail growth to take care of!
I did go to my LRS (local running store - Runner's World lingo) and had a chat about my foot issues. The salesboy (yes, he was a boy) and I decided I needed to go up another 1/2 size to a 9. Sadly, they didn't have any in stock, but will send a pair over from another store for me. I doubt they will be in before I leave tomorrow, so I will not be able to put too much mileage on my current shoes in Vegas. I'm supposed to do 6 miles on Saturday which is about the point where my toes start getting crunched, so we'll see how that goes.
Anyway, just a couple more hours of work and then I'm heading home to get packed. Our flight is at 7:00 am tomorrow so that's quite an early wakeup.
Take care and I will see you next week!
06/06/2008 10:30
TGIF!!
I know…I’ve been a bad blogger. This has been the world’s longest week. I saw Tara on Tuesday and she proceeded to kick my butt – or mostly my abs, because they haven’t recovered yet! I guess that’s what happens when you don’t see your trainer for 3 weeks.
I also haven’t been feeling very well – I don’t think my body likes Bactrim. Went home from work early on Tuesday and took Wednesday off. Just really glad today is Friday.
Even better – next week we’re headed to Las Vegas for a few days! We leave on Wednesday, and my wonderful travel director at work asked his SO to see if he could get us upgraded, and he did! We’re flying First to LAS, and then he was able to put us into the bulkhead row on the return. So awesome!! We feel pretty lucky since so much is going on with the airlines right now. We’re going to give them a really nice bottle of wine.
Tomorrow is a day of beauty. I’m getting a mani/pedi – I have to make sure she doesn’t play around too much with one of my toenails, because it’s going to fall off. I want to keep it as long as I can so the new nail can grow underneath some more. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
I’m also getting my hair cut & colored. I’m a little early but my hair has to look good in Vegas!
On Sunday I’m running in the Newton 10K. Jerel and I drove the course last weekend – let’s just say I won’t be getting a PR. It’s pretty hilly, and considering I haven’t really run since the half, well, I’ll be lucky to finish in under an hour and half.
Hope you’re all doing well – the boss is out today so I’m going to stop by and visit once I finish processing expense report!!
06/02/2008 18:31
A Hearty Thanks and The Party
First of all, I'd like to thank those of you who have donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on my behalf. I am so touched and amazed by your generosity. In the matter of a few days I have gone from having no donations to surpassing my halfway point!! I truly, truly appreciate your support.
As for the birthday party, it was a wonderful evening. I felt like a million bucks - nothing like a little professional hair and makeup!! I think my dress was perfect for the occasion, and we really had a great time.
Jerel's Uncle Allen was also there - we haven't seen him since our wedding in 1999.
We knew he had been sick with cancer a few years ago - Jerel's grandmother had told us, but didn't really have give any specific details. Well, it turns out he is a lymphoma survivor. So, along with asupergirl09's mother, I will be able to honor him with my training and running of the Nike marathon!
The birthday girl only spoke to us once or twice, which was perfectly fine. I have some more pictures I need to upload - I think I got one or two of her.
We were out until after midnight on Saturday, so you know that was way too late for me. I am still recovering and need to get a good night's sleep tonight.
I'm also having an issue with one of my toes (the one that ended up with a blister on the nailbed). It's infected, so I went to the doctor today for a professional opinion. She didn't want to lance it yet - told me to soak it in Epsom salts and gave me an rx for Bactrim. Kim, sound familiar? The problem for me is I was compensating for the left foot with my right leg, which has now put my right knee out of whack, so I'm icing it every couple of hours.
Okay, no more whining!! Hope you're all doing well and I promise to visit you soon!!
05/30/2008 13:28
So Psyched!!
Well, last night I finally got around to sending out some emails letting my friends know that I'm raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in order to run the Nike Marathon. I've already had some donations!! Please visit my fundraising website - and if you can, please donate. Every little bit will help me reach my goal - and the sooner the better, so I can concentrate on my training! Don't worry - for those of you I know well enough I will be sending a personalized request. 
Had a great workout with Jane this morning. We didn't do any running - just worked on form and function. Tomorrow I will be running 4 miles with my TNT group, so I'm glad to have another day of rest. My blisters are looking pretty good - and I can't wait to tell you what my manicurist has to say when I see her tonight.
I'm also doing great with eating my own food. The scale only went up .4 when TOM started and is down already. I'm hoping to change the weight on the graph tomorrow. I don't think I've logged in a weight since March!
Hope everyone has a great Friday and an awesome weekend. I may not have a chance to post again until Sunday - after new mom's bash. Yes - it's tomorrow night!!
05/28/2008 09:29
Wonderful Wednesday
I’m happy to report that, in a word, I’m feeling awesome. I think I still have the post-HM glow going on, even though TOM surprised me by showing up this morning a few days early. At least I won’t have cramps Saturday night at the big party now!
My war wounds are okay. The blister that’s on my right instep is the sorest. I’m taking BURN tonight and am supposed to run, but there may be a lot of walking going on instead. I did have a great massage last night that pretty much worked out all the soreness in my thighs. My trapezius muscles were also really sore and they are feeling much better too.
Overall, I’m ready to hit the road again. In fact, I enjoyed the half so much that I have registered for another – the Maine Coast Half on September 21st. It’s in York, ME and its all women except for “One Lucky Guy” who is chosen from a lottery. We are going to drive up on the 20th and stay overnight. York is only about an hour or so from Boston, but I think I would be stressed out driving up the day of the race. It looked like a great race, and its 4 weeks before the Nike Marathon so I think it will be another great training experience.
I know I haven’t mentioned anything about actual weight loss recently, mostly because I haven’t lost any weight! I am still maintaining between 194 and 197, but this week I have started tracking calories again and making sure I make good choices. I’ve weaned myself off the JC food – I will miss you, oatmeal squares – and have started actually planning meals and cooking. Jerel is quite excited! I need to drop another 30 or so lbs and I would love to lose most of it before the marathon in October. Dropping the weight may help me be less of a penguin too!
05/25/2008 21:20
RR – Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon – Boston, MA
Hell yeah!! I ran a freakin’ half marathon today, and I can still walk!! I think that’s the most impressive thing!
Woke up this morning at 4:58 am – had the clock set for 5:00 am. Wow – that seems like it was a lifetime ago! Started up the espresso maker so I could have a latte, and for breakfast I had 2 whole wheat English muffins with PB, a banana, and 2 egg whites. Breakfast definitely kept me feeling full for most of the morning, unlike a couple of weeks ago when I was hungry before the M.O.M.’s 5K even started!
Got dressed and got everything together – I decided to wear my Nathan hydration pack since it was going to be on the warmer side today and I filled up the water bottle with ice. That worked out perfectly because I was able to have a little water if I needed it, and there was actually still some ice when I finished my run.
We left the house a little after 7 and took the train. We didn’t want to mess with trying to park near the Seaport where the race started and ended. We got to the Silver line (which is actually a bus) in record time, but after waiting for about 20 minutes I started to get antsy, so we left South Station and grabbed a taxi. We made it to the Seaport about 10 minutes before the start – enough time to get a before photo.
There were pacing markers set up so I made sure to stay toward the back. Obviously a lot of people didn’t know they were there because I got passed a whole lot the first mile! Either that or people started late because they couldn’t get the Silver line bus!
Anyway, it was a picture perfect day to run. About 70 degrees, nice cool breeze. Nothing like Boston in the springtime. I felt fantastic for a majority of the race. I ran all the way to the first water station, which was about 1.5 miles into the race. Supposedly there were aid stations every 2 miles, but I think that was a crock. Seemed like forever between the first and second stations.
I remember walking up some of the Longfellow Bridge, but running down the other side and under the underpass onto Memorial Drive. I may have taken a walk break every once in awhile, but I really ran a lot of this race. I was averaging about a 12:30 mile according to my Garmin. About halfway down Memorial Drive – 45:00 minutes or so into the race – the elite runners were on their way back. I think the winner finished in 1:14:24 – a 5:41 pace. Geesh!
The turnaround point was around Mile 7 and I was able to see that there were actually quite a few people behind me. Once again there were a guy and girl doing the walk, sprint past me, walk thing again…the whole time I’m just running my penguin pace, slow and steady. At some point I lost them – until the “mistake” happened.
All was going well, I was feeling great – albeit “knackered” along about Mile 10. By then I was back in the city and running down Charles Street. We got to run through the Back Bay which was really nice. I’m sure it will be much more crowded during the Corporate Challenge next month – not really excited about that. Anyway, at Mile 11 there was an aid station and someone was on a stretcher with EMT’s. I couldn’t see who it was. Oh, and within the first few miles on Memorial Drive there was a girl sitting on the curb who looked like she had rolled her ankle.
So, I get to Boylston Street – where they have already opened up the streets to traffic. Now let me tell you – that sucks, and don’t think I won’t be writing to the race organizers. Even more galling – Jerel tells me they stopped announcing the finisher’s names at 2:25. That’s ridiculous!!
Anyway, between trying not to get run over and keep moving, the “mistake” happened. Yes, I missed the turn onto Washington Street and went 2 blocks past it. I would still be wandering Chinatown if it hadn’t been for a bike cop who told me I was going the wrong way – along with another girl who was following me!! Let me tell you – that totally threw me for a loop and really mentally crushed me. As I was headed back to where I was supposed to be I saw a bunch of people that I had passed earlier going down Washington and there was no way I could catch them. It was also about this time that my right foot started to hurt, and my left toes were feeling smooshed into the side of my shoe again. I also never saw the Mile 12 marker.
I kept on going though – I even got to run down Water Street which is next to my office and I waved! Too cool!!
It had been my personal goal to finish in 3:00, and I really pushed toward the end to make it happen. I felt like I ran down Seaport Blvd for hours though. If it weren’t for the people there cheering me on I don’t think I could have ever done it. Finally, finally, I got closer to the finish line and tears just started welling up in my eyes and falling down my cheeks. I had actually done it – run a half-marathon. Jerel ran up next to me and spurred me on to the finish. I crossed the finish line at 3:02:55 (chip time 3:01:34), which was a 13:51 minute mile average. According to my Garmin, I ran 13.55 miles – so I went quite a bit out of my way when I missed the turn.
Jerel was right there at the finish with some water for me, and a hug. I was so full of emotion that I had actually done this – and I was also thinking there is no way I’m going to be able to run a marathon! Luckily I have 5 months to train!!
I headed inside to drop off my chip and pick up my finisher’s medal – my first!!
I think I look pretty good for just running 13.1 miles!!
Jerel had done some recon and found out where the Silver Line was (we don’t spend a lot of time in the Seaport area), and while we were standing waiting for the bus Jerel asked me what was on the toebox of my right shoe. “Um…looks like blood”, I said. Oh yeah…I remembered that my foot was hurting.
We finally got home and the first thing I wanted to do was take an ice bath – but I was flipping out when I took my shoes and socks off. Talk about war wounds!! I had 2 huge blisters on the instep of my right foot, and on top of the toe next to my big toe. I mean – it is huge and purple. On my left foot, I have a blister at the bottom of my fourth toenail (the one that fell off last year after my hike in Norway). It’s almost like the toenail has been rubbed out of the toebed. My manicurist is going to freak out when I see her on Friday.
So, I took my ice bath. I was going to stay in for 10 minutes, but I moved the wrong way and I suddenly had a weird spasm in my left oblique. I figured that was enough and took a shower. After I got ready we went over to Pops for our usual post-race brunch. Oh, my Garmin said I burned 1700 calories! After brunch we decided to take a little snooze, but my legs were, not really aching, but they felt like I was still running. Not sure if that makes sense. I did snooze for about 20 minutes, but then got up and surfed the net, did some laundry, etc.
I’m not in too much pain. My lower back and hips are a little sore right now, but my legs seem to be okay. We’re going to take Tigger for a walk in a few minutes – I want to stay loose. Of course – tomorrow and Tuesday might be an entirely different story!! I am supposed to see Tara Tuesday morning for training, but I have a massage booked for Tuesday night. Nice reward!!
Jerel tells me there were quite a few people who finished the race but then ended up having to see an EMT. After I finished I saw one guy who I had passed prior to "the mistake" on a stretcher.
So, I'm glad I finished and with no major injuries!!
05/25/2008 15:46
Half Marathon Survivor!!
I DID IT!! I ran a half marathon!! Wow!! I can't believe it. I'm still tearing up - I was crying as I crossed the finish line - I was so full of emotion. I will be writing up a race report soon, but wanted to let you all know I finished.
Congratulations to bluerosedreamer who wins the prize for guessing the closest to my finishing time!! tp104 was actually much closer, but I have to follow my own rules and bluerosedreamer posted her guess before 10:00 am EDT. If I do another contest I promise to post much earlier and allow more time for guesses.
Official chip time - 3:01:34
