Pushing Myself

I'm learning how to push myself, something that's new for me. I ran 7 with Robyn on Saturday and then headed out for a shorter run on Sunday. At first I expected to do 4, but I quickly switched to my 6 mile loop because I felt good. As I came back across the river and turned for home I decided to stretch things a bit and head for Inman. Once there, I headed to Union Sq and eventually headed up Somerville Ave to finish just over 8 miles. Often I start a run with grand expectations for a long workout and end up cutting it short because I'm not feeling great. But lately I've been exceeding my initial plan because I'm enjoying the run, even on treadmill runs.

Is this the Zone? I don't know, but I've gotten to the point in some runs where I lose track of time, don't feel the miles, lose myself in the moment. Sometimes my mind wanders, other times I feel focused and in the moment. I can't predict what will happen when I head out the door since I still have bad sessions from time to time, and will cut a run short if I'm not feeling it. But more and more I find that I am open to pushing myself in a workout beyond my expectations, and I like that.

Reality Sets In

After my run with Robyn last weekend I've been going over the marathon training schedule, lining up my skiing commitments for the winter, and figuring out that something has to give.  I've already decided that I won't be doing pottery this winter, I usually don't get much done in winter and this year will be far worse. Rather than do something half-assed, I decided that I should make some priority calls and concentrate on what is important to me. I've already started to pick and choose which ski weekends I can participate in, and which ones I need to cut short so I can do my long run on Sunday.

I have no intention of giving up skiing.  My original motivation for getting into running was to make myself more fit for skiing. Being on the snow is a great joy for me and not something I would give up lightly.  But the goal of running Boston is also something that has become very important to me.  It represents something I can't yet put into words; perhaps a rite of passage or a symbol of a new chapter in life. Time will tell - I don't want to burden it with unnecessary significance.  There will be time enough for that later.

In the meantime I look at the calendar, make my choices, sniff back a tear at the events I will be missing, give an involuntary shudder at the amount of running I'm being asked to do, and move on.  I was at a friend's house last night tuning up my skis.  He lives a block from the marathon course so on the way home I took a slight detour and drove along most of the Newton Hills.  They seemed longer and steeper than I'd remembered, but within reach.

Heartbreak Hill for the first time

On Monday this week I got word that I'd been granted a bib to run the Boston Marathon as a fundraiser for Community Rowing, so my winter schedule is under revision.  I signed up for a half marathon at Disney in January so I could run with my brother and see family, lots of planning.  But at some point, I suppose, I have to actually run.  Training this week went well, runs of 5, 4, 6, and 3 miles leading up to a Saturday run with Robyn.  We agreed to meet at CRI at 8:00 AM and she said she'd take me up to the Newton hills.  It really didn't dawn on me exactly what that meant.

The run started normally enough, running away from the river and up a few small hills.  We pulled out onto Commonwealth Ave and I realized we were on the marathon course, headed the wrong way up Heartbreak Hill.  I've driven this road dozens of times, but it was a bit like seeing it for the first time.  We ran on the little side street that parallels the main road, but in my mind I could see myself on the other side of the divide, crowds lining the route, cheering and noise. It was great to see the sights and figure out how they related to each other, plus all the other runners out in the warm November sunshine. How many of them were training for Boston, or is this their normal training run, or both?

We went out 4 miles and turned around to head back up the hills.  Robyn has an effortless stride up hills that for me represents the difference between where I am and where I want to be. I can run, and I can run hills, but not smoothly.  I felt my pace falter, my stride turn choppy, my breathing get labored.  Even so, we passed a few people that looked like real runners. I told Robyn to run ahead and wait for me at the top so I was left to my own thoughts for a bit.  I was visualizing myself here in 5 months and I couldn't really imagine the scene.

At the top I tapped the signpost that Robyn said represents the top of the hill for training purposes I didn't feel a sense of accomplishment.  The hills really aren't that big by themselves, it's where they occur during the marathon that makes them special.  We'd run 5.5 miles so far at a 9:00 pace, not bad but nothing to inspire pride and joy.  What I did feel was a sense of belonging to a larger community; the CRI marathon group, people all training for Boston, and the general running scene. There is a sense of camaraderie that is welcoming and open, especially on a sunny warm morning on Heartbreak Hill.

Signed up for the Disney Half Marathon

Keeping with my One Race per Month theme I just signed up for the Disney Half Marathon on Jan 8th in Orlando.  My brother is running the Disney Marathon the next day so this was an opportunity to run in warm weather in the middle of January, see my brother run a marathon again, and visit with family.  Some friends are also running the two races so it'll be a regular party down there. Plus, the Magic Kingdom is kinda fun. :)

Had a fine run yesterday, 6 miles in the sun at an 8:50 pace. Everything felt good during the run, after I still coughed for a bit as I'm not yet over this cold.  Today will be a short run, followed by weights and stretching, then a long run with Robyn tomorrow to kick off the official Boston training.  Sunday Monica and I plan to hike Moosilauke.

Boston 2011 - Disappointment turns into panic

A few weeks ago I posted about not getting a bib for the 2011 Boston Marathon through our fund raising team at work.  It would have been a nice fit and relatively easy to raise the money, plus it would be a nice way to find other runners here at work to train with.  Unfortunately, with a limited number of bibs and a lot of people interested in running I was not selected.  Such is life, and there are other marathons in the spring that would be a good fit. Running is becoming a big part of my life and running a marathon now seems like the right thing to do.

Enter Robyn, who would have helped me train this winter because she's training a fund raising group from Community Rowing.  If I had a bib I could join them on training runs and benefit from her coaching.  When she heard that I didn't get a bib from work she said that I should consider getting one from CRI.  I think her main motivation was making sure she could punish me all winter, but never look a gift horse in the mouth, so I sent in my application.  After speaking with Alice on the phone I had a good feeling about my chances.  And yesterday, I got the message that I'm part of the team!

I'm not sure how much of this has sunk in yet.  Running the actual marathon, that's too abstract right now.  The training all winter, that is what I'm focused on and what is consuming my thoughts. How will I handle my skiing commitments? Will I be able to do pottery or should I just drop it for a semester? Will I be out in the snow and sleet, plodding along dangerous roadways while trying to dodge cars and puddles?

For my birthday Monica got me a marathon package that included a Daruma doll.  This morning I filled in one eye and put it on my kitchen shelf.

He'll keep a watch on my progress and I'll hopefully give him a second eye come spring.

Jack London 10K Trail Race

I've been suffering from a bad cold since last weekend.  Thursday after work was the first time I felt reasonable to run, and that was a 3 miler on the treadmill which I survived, but didn't enjoy.  The Jack London 10K is a trail run up in Nashua NH's Mine Falls Park, my old stomping grounds from when I lived up there. Cathy organized a group of folks to run this, including Bob and Geri, Dani, Ryan, and Mike, so I really wanted to participate regardless of how I felt.  I figured it's only 10K, I can survive that, right?

It was fairly cold in the morning when Monica and I arrived at the parking area, maybe 42 degrees.  I was wearing tights and a long sleeve, along with hat and gloves, since I didn't want to get chilled in my current health state.  We found Bob and Geri right away, and headed over to register and meet up with the other runners.  I saw my friends Reji and Chrissy who were also running the race, and lots of fit people in lycra.  We milled about a bit, gathering our little posse until about 20 minutes before the start when we took off our outer layers and went for a warm up run.  I could tell it wasn't going to be a great day for me.

We lined up in the corral and the starting buzzer went off.  Ryan was up near the front, Bob ran away quickly, and Cathy stayed next to me for the first 1/3 of a mile before she pulled ahead.  I could run without coughing, but I could feel my legs already, not a great sign.  The first loop around the pond starts on fire road, before dropping to a single track on the return side.  People fell in line and ran at the pace of whoever was in front of them, passing occasionally at the few wide spots on the trail.  I kept up a good pace and locked in behind a girl in a tie-died t-shirt who would remain just in front of me for most of the race.  We came out to the road back by the start line, waved to Monica who was taking photos, and headed up towards the 2 mile marker down by the river.

Cathy had taken us on what was supposed to be a dry run two weeks ago but the race course was much simpler and had less single track than what we practiced on.  Along the river some more, then under the highway.  For some reason, the pavement under the highway bridge made my legs feel like lead.  There was a water station there and as I grabbed a cup the woman said "Dave?"  It as Early Bird from VFTT, yet another connection.  Then back on the single track next to the highway, where at around half way Dani came past me.  I really didn't have anything in the tank to try to keep up so I just tried to keep her in sight.  During this stretch I was passed by 3-4 people each mile, a little depressing but it was fine with me, based on how I was feeling.  Back to the water station and now I knew there was around 2 miles to go.  Too early to kick, too late to care.

Mike passed me, then Chrissy right before the last loop into the woods.  I knew what was coming so I bidded my time.  There's one hill, maybe 20-25' of loose gravel and I managed to catch up to Chrissy at the top, just before we made the turn for home.  I could see the small crowd and heard them cheering as we pushed with whatever we had left for the finish.  My time was 52:15, which was far better than I had any right to expect.  Immediately upon finishing I went into a 15 minute coughing jag that left me feeling drained more than the run.  The human body is a curious instrument.

Everyone did exceptionally well.  Ryan came in 11th overall; Bob won his age group, Reji, Chrissy, Dani, and Cathy all finished in the top 3 in their age groups.  Geri ran in her first race ever and did great!  And Monica and Liza took some fantastic photos of the event.  A great time had by all, one I want to try again when I'm healthy and can enjoy it a bit more.

Too sick to run

For the first time in my brief running career I find myself too sick to run.  I came down with a nasty cold over the weekend, unable to sleep, head stuffed up, coughing, lost my voice.  Running wasn't an option, I had trouble going up and down stairs.  Today I'm feeling a bit better but still have joint pain, a cough, and no voice.  My immediate concern is the 10K trail race I have on Saturday but I figure even if I don't improve dramatically between now and then I'll be able to finish that race, if not be too competitive.  But I expect to be somewhat better by then.  What is more intriguing is how my resistance to leftover Halloween candy is practically non-existent when I'm not exercising regularly.  The relationship between exercise and will power is a strong one, and I need the former to bolster the latter.

Maybe I'll feel well enough tomorrow for a short run at lunch.  I want to get at least one or two runs in before the race, even if they are short and slow, just to shake out the cobwebs.

And I miss it. Not running is hard.