Thoughts/Comments: Where do I begin with this saga of a run?(I suppose at the very beginning.)First of all, as you may recall I took a half day off from work to do this run—cool boss, eh?Yeah, well I really needed to finish something, so instead of leaving between 12 and 12:30, I left closer to 1pm.At this point, I realized that driving to the lakefront was out of the question, b/c driving back to get the girls from daycare would take too long and I’d be late.So I parked my car at the daycare and decided to run the 3.4 miles from there along Roosevelt Rd to the lakefront and roll with it.So that’s what I did.
The first part of the run was fine.I was enjoying finally being able to run in short sleeves, and dare I say that I was a little hot?See, to me, perfect running weather lies somewhere between 50-60˚. But anyway, I’m not complaining-I’m just explaining why I ran out of Gatorade by mile 10.Yeah.But this weather would have been cool instead of the 88˚ we got at the marathon last year.
So I get to the lakefront and decide to run north.As I turn on to the lakefront, the wind that seemed to be a little bit existent finally introduced itself to me.But it wasn’t too bad.The run north wasn’t all that eventful, just a little warm and I kept hitting the Gatorade and took my Gu every 4 miles.When I hit my turnaround at 10 miles, somewhere near Irving Park Road, I realized I had used up all my Gatorade.That’s not good!My watch read 2:07 at this point, so I was already 7 minutes slower than pace.
At this point, mentally, I started to lose my edge.At this point when I turn around, the wind really started whipping around.The fine sandy gravel of the path was blowing everywhere, so much so that up ahead, the air was all gray and sooty.As I approached St. Joseph’s Hospital, which sits right off of the path, I thought, “Hey, hospitals have cafeterias!”So I turned the Garmin off as I went inside in search of Gatorade.WHAT?!No Gatorade?!Well I guess it’s not that improbable.So I made due with some water, some Tropicana lemonade, some pretzels (salt replacement), and doggonit that apple looked good.Somehow it only cost $3 which is a bit surprising for a hospital, isn’t it?I mixed the water and lemonade for some homemade Gatorade, at half the apple and went on my way. Regardless of my trying to “replace salt”, I could feel the crispiness of salt residue all over my face.
Somewhere around here I saw this chic running with a HUGE chest.Now not that I go around looking, but it was noticeable.It made me think of a friend who wants to start running, but fears she won’t be able to find a sports bra.I mean, she already pays like $80 a pop for a regular bra!(Did you know they make size F and G bras?)Anyway, I figured there was absolutely no appropriate way to ask this chic where on earth she got a sports bra that size, so I didn’t ask.But I wanted to, I tried to look around online for her and with a few stores, but no luck.Maybe I should have thrown “caution to the wind-hahaha” and asked.If it were me, I would have my finger on the pepper spray trigger with a question like that.
So I’m running, and putting in some walking breaks at this point.I feel a blister coming on, too.Run, run run, wind wind wind.At 14 miles I hit the “concrete monster” that lies just north of Oak Street Beach, and y’know what?It’s not that bad during the afternoon, b/c the sun is behind all the buildings from downtown.It was actually A RELIEF.(this is a note for my fellow runners who hated this area as much as I did on our early morning runs where the rising sun would beat us into submission along this stretch of the path.)But the wind!Oh the wind, it was getting bad.When I turned to hit the area near Navy Pier, just before going under that stretch of Wacker Drive, I swear it was like a wind tunnel.My foot that was up in the air would blow and hit my leg, almost tripping myself.At one point I stopped at an intersection and held on to the light post!
So I come out from the bridge and the wind is even worse.Oh if I could only get downtown and turn back west, I won’t have to run into the wind anymore.At this point, I feel like if I continue to run, I’m going to burn every last little bit of energy and won’t be able to make the last few miles at all.So I walked.And cursed the wind every step of the way, literally.It was even hard to walk with that wind!I was so mad I felt like crying.I know to all those who passed me on Lakeshore Drive (in this area, the path is right next to the street), I must have looked crazy.I also realized that with all this stopping, I wasn’t going to make it to the daycare by 6pm to get the girls on time.Not good.So I called one of the teachers that I know from church, asked her to keep the girls for me, and since she’s a fan of my cookies, promised her some cookies by Sunday.Hey, cheaper than the $2 per minute late fee!!!
So I get downtown, stop at Walgreen’s (and stop the watch) to buy more Gatorade (thank God for debit cards!) b/c of course I was out of my makeshift ‘ade.I’m heading west now, and how the heck is it that I’m STILL running into the wind?!??!ARGH!
So I finally made it.On this last stretch I caught a glimpse of myself in a window reflection, and it wasn’t a pretty site.I looked tired.I looked like I was barely moving (you call that running?)I had salt streaks all down my face, and salt had dried in my hair (probably from the wind) and it looked like a powdered wig.I even had dried up salt on the tips of my eyelashes.
I’m pretty disappointed with that time, especially since it was even 3 minutes slower than my 20-miler last year.Oh well.Maybe it would have been different without fighting the wind.But I did cover the distance.I’ve done all I can do now.It’s “taper time” up to the marathon now.I hope it won’t be windy.But I already know….I can’t control the weather on marathon day.
PROLOGUE: I hit the Gatorade, rest of my pretzels and water pretty hard, so as to avoid the horrible cramping I had after my 20-miler last year.Success!I mean, I’m sore as all get out, but fine. I also tried to watch the weather to see what those wind gusts may have been up to, but I fell asleep during the commercial break right before the weather.
It's after 4am...I'd better go back to sleep, I woke up and since I couldn't go back to sleep, I figured...LET'S BLOG!
“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union.”
Two hundred and twenty one years ago, in a hall that still stands across the street, a group of men gathered and, with these simple words, launched America’s improbable experiment in democracy. Farmers and scholars; sta----
NO not THAT decision, although Barack, nice speech!….the Decision 2008 Will Lindy run or not run the 2008 Chicago Marathon?Oh yeah, THAT one.Ok, so I’ve been really struggling.No, I’m not going to run.No, it takes up too much time, it’s hard on the family, especially when hubby has work and church responsibilities on both Saturday and Sunday.
<”Liiiiiiiiiiiiiindy, I’m waiting for you” says the sweet serene blue mass known as Lake Michigan.>
No, I should spend this time building up my cookie business.No, I really should try to focus on losing weight in a more sane way.
<”Pssst.Hey. Lindy.Are you gonna let that 2007 Chicago Marathon show you up?What about the wonderful crowds on Addison?Don’t you want to round that corner and be amazed and proud and hyped again?>
I can just run a bunch of half marathons, that’ll keep me running.I won’t miss anything, other than obsessing over food and sleep the day before a long run.
<Don’t you wanna be like RBR and SAS?They run marathons.They’re marathoners.None of this “run one and done” crap.And your other EP buddies, they’ll cheer you on?!They’re pulling for you!>
Maybe I’m just not cut out for marathons.It’s not for me, maybe I’m not meant to run 16 or 18 or 20 or for crying out loud, 26.2 miles.
<”What about the Spirit of the Marathon?Didn’t that mean something to you?Don’t you want to feel like that again?Don’t you want to watch it again and be able to casually say, “yeah, I ran that once.” Don’t you want to see your family and friends cheering you on again?Don’t you wanna make them proud again? Don’t you wanna hit 35th street and turn that corner and head north back up Michigan to Grant Park for the final stretch?Don’t you want to cross the finish line in your home city and raise your arms up in the air?Don’t you want to get that medal and that goofy mylar blanket, and walk half-crippled for a day or so?>
Yeah, I do.And so 4 days shy of the year-mark for when the marathon sold out last year (ok, let’s be real, it’s also payday y’all) I am now officially registered for the LaSalle Bank, oops scratch that, the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
In the words of Lou, my CES running partner….BRING IT!
Um, a cougar was killed yesterday on the north side...mind you , there have been quite a few cougar spottings in the suburbs recently. I can't outrun a cougar, and I think pepper spray is probably useless.
It's 31 degrees now, but the high is projected at 63, should be perfect for a run. I hope my boss is still ok with my half day today!!! If not (like if we have to meet about this project), the high tomorrow is 70.
UPDATED: It's settled, I'm running tomorrow!
To tide you over, here's a picture of me and my best friend after the Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Run #47 Mommy can I...Mommy she hit me....Mommy, please
Date/Time:April 13th at 7:45am
Place: Home on the treadmill
Mileage: 5
Time It Took: 58:06
Pace:11:37
Miles this week: 9 (and I call myself training for a marathon?!)
Miles this month: 40.39
2008 Goal: 278.95/1000
Thoughts/Comments: I lost count of my interruptions while running, but I know that it was 5 times in the first 3 miles. So annoying. I might run a few miles this evening, but I haven't decided. What's to gain from it? Is it b/c I feel guilty for hardly running this week? Will those 3 or so miles make a difference in the end? Or more importantly my 20-miler on Tuesday? I don't know, we'll see.
Ok pumpkin protein smoothie time, (thanks SAS!) then it's off to church.
What a lazy bum I have been, combined with woring hard at work. I haven't run since Wednesday. I was planning on running a good 10 miles this morning, on the treadmill even b/c it's 34 degrees and raining. BUt who wakes up? Zoe! ARGH!
I might aim to get in a run this evening instead? I dunno, I doubt it will be 10 miles. I can chalk this week up to a super low mileage week. I'm running my 20 miles on Tuesday afternoon, my boss was cool with me taking a half day. We talked b/c the weather forecast for this weekend was 30s and 40s and rainy, but immediately to warm up by Monday. I know I know, I can't control what weather I run in for the marathon. And if it rains that day and it's 30 degrees, I'll be running in that. But tell you what, I've been there, done that and I know I can do it...so to force myself to do it again for 4 hours (or more) seems unnecessary.
I'll post later today with some sort of run, one would hope. 4 miles this week so far? I'm embarrassed!
ADDING MORE: u know, I recall that leading up to the 20 mile run last fall, my life was crazy busy with work and a large cookie order, and I think I only ran once the week before, or mabe I'm remembering one of the half marathons, yeah, when I was pulling all-nighters to finish 300 huge cookies for a wedding. Anyway, this pattern of super-low mileage weeks before big long runs is not cool. I crumble under pressure and rather than do even just a little, I do nothing.
Thoughts/Comments: A simple run, just getting it done without a huge amount of effort (other than waking up). I took it easy at a 12:00 pace for such a short run. I didn't think much at all, except listening to my music. Sigh. If only every run was this effortless.
Time It Took:2:04:28, which includes walking while taking Gu (twice)
Pace:11:58
Miles this week:31.39
Miles this month:31.39
2008 Goal: 269.95/1000
Thoughts/Comments: What a fantastic run!Loved every minute of it-in the sense that one can actually love running.It was hard getting up this morning b/c yesterday was jam-packed that included a trip to the mall to exchange some shoes for Jada, for which she selected this sweet pair of pink and white running shoes…and they really are running shoes, they’re Saucony’s…crazy. Running shoes for a 4-year old.Her feet are a half size bigger than they were just 1.5 months ago.Even crazier.
Anyway, today’s run was really nice, even though I should have run a shorter run on Friday.I was just too tired, which is why I felt compelled to run 10 today.
Alright friends, gotta get ready for church, as usual, I’m gonna be late, but I felt like posting about my run sooner rather than later.
Place: In this city I love called Chicago, mid 40's
Mileage: 18 ugly miles, one way or another*
Time It Took:3:57:11
Pace:13:10 YUCK!
Miles this week: 21
Miles this month: 21
2008 Goal: 259.56/1000
Thoughts/Comments: This run was a terrible one, plain and simple. I had taken the day off, because I had some biz to take care of related to getting Jada registered for pre-K next week at her new school (for next year), that is only steps away from the stanky Cubs and their hideous Wrigley Field. (I digress). But in order to take the day off, I had a craptastic load of work to get done, which didn't get done at work yesterday, so I got up at 2:30am to finish it. I finished and emailed it off by 7am and then it was past time to get the girls up and get ready to go.
First stop, doctor's office with Jada. 4 shots, bloodwork and a tb test, she was not too pleased. Long story short, I only ate a NutriGrain bar on the go for breakfast. That's it. After dropping Jada off at daycare, I decided to run from there to the lakefront, about 3.5 miles, which would take me through downtown and Grant Park to the lakefront. The change of scenery would be nice for a long run, which can even get monotonous on that beeeeYOOOtiful lakefront.
So I'm out there running and it occurred to me that I am a) tired from little sleep, and b) exhausted from not having eaten much. The two together had me nearly out of gas at 9 miles. I was so tired that I turned around at 9 miles, not 9.5. Yes, I was supposed to be doing 19 miles, not 18. For the last 8 or 9 miles, I kept stopping to walk, stopping to stretch, etc...
Oh and I didn't even mention that I was so frikkin thirsty that I drank ALL of my Gatorade even before I turned around at Mile 9. So I went from mile 8 to 15 with no Gatorade. I found a park district bathroom that was open and filled my bottles up with water from the filthy sink, and didn't think a second thought about it. I drank all that, too before getting back downtown. I stopped in downtown to get a Gatorade AND SOME TYLENOL RAPID RELEASE pills because my legs were hurting something fierce.
So the remaining 3 miles my right calf and my left quad were occasionally siezing up, it felt like they were making fists out of my muscles. I am tired, sore and hoping that my next long run goes a little, wait a LOT better. Sigh. I can hardly call that an 18-mile RUN.
Run #43 easy, breezy, beautiful runner girl (lame, I know)
Date/Time:April 1st/5:45am
Place: At home on the treadmill
Mileage: 3 miles
Time It Took:36:00
Pace:12:00
Miles this week:3
Miles this month:3
2008 Goal: 241.56/1000
Thoughts/Comments: I thought about posting some ridiculous story about taking the day off of work and deciding to run a full 26.2 miles, just to see if I could do it…you know, in the spirit of April Fool’s Day…but then I decided not to “yank your chain”.Just a simple easy 3 miles, since I truly am taking the day off tomorrow to get my 19-miler in.This run felt pretty good.After I finished and stretched and came out of the exercise room, there was a teary-eyed Zoe standing before me.I don’t know how long she’d been wandering around and crying, or if she’d come over the door while I was running.
If you haven’t read my post below about the fundraising I’m doing for the Y-Me organization, please do so when you have the time!
I have decided to participate in the Y Me Race to Empower, a fundraising 5K in Chicago on Mother's Day. Pink-ribbon events will be held all over the country on Mother's Day to help raise funds for this awesome organization dedicated to the support and nurturing of women facing the fight of their lives--breast cancer. If you so choose, please visit my fundraising web site, even if you can only spare a dollar. Please help if you can. Better yet, if there is an event in your city, join in on the fun and fundraising.
Also, ladies, please don't forget to stay informed, and perform those annoying but lifesaving self-exams.
Much love,
Lindy (Belinda) Wordlaw
p.s. Yes, this is 1 week after my marathon...I consider it my first recovery run. Couldn't be for a better cause, in my opinion.
(and I call myself training for a marathon?!)