MCM - Recap

At the expo - I am motivated, truly I am

On my travels home with my teammate MAC, we debriefed the, I’ll refrain from calling it a shit show, although I do love that phrase, not as much as I love amazeballs but this wasn't amazeballs so I can’t use it, marathon.

I finished what I started.  I did pace myself in the beginning and knew what I needed to hit to meet my goal, all I wanted was sub 5, 4:59:59 and I’d of been ecstatic.  I am not with 5:26:19.

My body decided that it was done being abused around the 20K mark.  I finished.  I earned that damn medal and that jacket.

This is what MAC wanted to talk about with me. 

MAC:  “How many races have you run this year?”

Me: Consulting Athlinks. “This is my 30^th.”

MAC:  “How many marathons have WE run in the last year, the last 365 days, not from January 1st”

Me: “Three MAC, we've run three, your point?”

MAC: “How many competitive miles have you run this year?”

Me:  After adding it all up (not in my head because yeah, even not running I don’t do math in my head, after using the calculator on the iPhone (twice, measure twice cut once a very important adage).  “ 241.2”

MAC: “How many training miles have you logged this year?”

Me:  Consulting Strava for my total miles “876 – 241, so 635.”

MAC:  “How many miles have you biked, since when did you get that, August.”

Me: Consulting Strava “347”

MAC: “Don’t you think all that could have something to do with your performance?”

Me:  “Probably?”

MAC: In her witty brilliant and ever so appropriate New York tone: “YA THINK?”

I think I’m done feeling sorry for myself and beating myself up.

A few things the runner people in my life have said/emailed/texted to me since Sunday (there were more, and ALL appreciated):

Karen “I love your jacket.”  Me: “I earned this.” Karen:  “Absolutely. I watched your splits and I cried a little for you.”

Mike “You have logged a lot of miles in the last month.  GOOD JOB”

Michelle “You didn't quit, so you won!”

I wanted to quit. I wanted to sit right down and have a frothing fit.  I wanted to cut across the parkways post halfway and suffer the DQ just to be done with that damn race. I wanted to get on one of those shuttle buses and say take me to the finish. I wanted to give in to the pain and the humiliation. 

I didn't.

So let’s break this down.  By the 5K because I like how it guides the telling of this story.  (Thanks for your kind words and sending me this Mike)

Once upon a time… oh wait that is a different story…

5K  (11:14) -  Bobbing and weaving in the beginning is expected, the first few miles are warm up and a little slow off my goal of 11 minute pace, enjoyed the view of Georgetown. Enjoying all the people and high 5ing and thanking the Marines.  Whoopiee!!!

10K  (11:02) – This was a new part, the route was re-routed from the hill at mile 7 because the hand cyclists were having trouble making the turn at the bottom.  So we were out and back along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.  This was a little bit strange, as we ran out there were runners running back and catching them in my periphery made me a little dizzy and my stomach flipped.  My stomach NEVER flips, I have an iron gut.  Are you kidding me?  I did see Gabe flying by, looking fearless!  Of course more Marine’s to high 5 and thanking, oora!!

15K (11:10) – Running along the Potomic is beautiful, water to the right monuments to the left. A little chilly and my the sun was REALLY starting to get strong.  I wish I brought a water belt, I’m parched.  I spy a couple of Team Lung Love runners, we chat and run along for a mile or so. More Marines, holy cow!!

20K (11:13) – This feels good, my stomach seems to have righted itself, sort of, damn am I going to have to stop at a porta potty, you are kidding me, right?  Oh my splits are going to look good when they post, yeah!  I’m feeling pretty psyched, more high 5ing and thanking!

25K (11:46) – This is the point where the fallen soldiers pictures are.  I always look.  I never want to see one of my friends.  I think of Adam and Dennis "over there" and hope they are well and staying safe.  I think of Brian’s and Lisa’s stories from deployments. I think of Tammy and her brother Steve.  I watch some runners stop and take a moment. I shed a tear, ok quite a few, lives lost so young.   And I hear a familiar voice.  I look over and say “You ran Surftown.”  Michelle looks over and says “OMG!!! This is crazy!!”  She is keeping up a great pace and I wish her well.  This gives me a boost.  Some high 5ing and thanking!

30K (11:48) – The porta potty is inevitable. And I look at my watch and my projected splits and this is completely unrecoverable, I might as well stop.  I’m not even functioning enough to remember to jump up and down at mile 18.5.  Look at the course map.  I never ever completely lose my sense of humor, at that point I remember my friend Heidi saying, whatever you do don’t poop yourself. 

35K  (12:06) – The bridge, finally that damn bridge.  There was some walking, there were some tears, I couldn't even work up anything to spit, my stomach.  Oh would puking help?  Probably not I’ll end up with the dry heaves.  Focus, focus, focus less than a 10K, this can’t go on much more than an hour.  Plus you’ll see Lani and crew at mile 23, you need to have that same happy face you had last year.  I've yet to see the picture…

40K (12:21) – I stopped at mile 23 to talk with Lani and tell her I was never doing this again, and does anyone have a bottle of water?  I smile my big smile and soldier on.  I am running for my mom, and especially for my mom after she found out one of her college buddies passed away after her battle with esophageal cancer.  She found out by googling her friend.  She had called and the phone number was disconnected and up for grabs.  Eventually, she thought well I’ll google her and see what I find.  She finds the obituary, from over a month ago.  I cry a little thinking how horrible to find out that way and remember what I can of Bert, Chuck (he passed in 2008 from Lung Cancer) and their two kids.

Oh and that damn hill at the very end, mile 26, there are Marines encouraging us to “Take the Hill”  Take the hill? Are YOU kidding me? I want to take a seat!  Carry me?

42K (12:26) – The shit show, oops I wasn't going to say that, is over.  A Marine puts the medal around my neck salutes me and I shake his hand and thank him.

Now it is time to find some water, a banana, one of those nifty warming jackets, and the shuttle bus back near the hotel to reunite with my team.

Me, Erwin, MAC, Gabe, Andrea Team MAC

I asked someone standing in a line if this was for the shuttle, they said “Nope for the Metro.”  I found a different line, asked the same question “Yep”.  It moved I moved.  The cop told me a different story.  “Mam this is just a line, I have no idea what these people are waiting for.  Go over there and THAT is the line.”  Oh thank you!  I hobble to that line, downhill.  Yeah, downhill.

Before I got on the shuttle I made sure it was going back to Crystal City.  One never knows where they are going to end up standing in line.  I dated a guy who ended up in the Air Force after standing in line!  True or not the story always makes me smile.

Perspective : 

First - I started, I didn't quit, I didn't cheat, I finished, and that my friends really should be enough.  The time on the clock is the time on the clock.   As Don said on our walk today:  “Age happens quickly; smarts do not.”  This was on one of the many trivets his father brought back to his mother after visiting the PA Dutch country.  I think it is very appropriate. 

Second – I need to run races to race, not just to run, even if it is ‘just a training run’ it isn't it is a race and it takes a lot out of me.  As I figure out what I want to race in 2014, it will be limited.  I've committed to a few races, one I absolutely cannot back out of.  Three others, I may.  I've run each of them two times before. 

Third – Marine Corps was grand the first time, the second, not so much, the reason why?  Partly, I've been there done that.  Partly, I’m exhausted. Partly, my heart wasn't truly in it.  And that my friend is it:  My heart wasn't 100% in this race, period.

Sincerely,

Beth, glad she didn't poop herself crawling across the finish line of the marathon (because when people run a marathon, they never forget to add that fact to every sentence they speak for the next month, even if they aren't proud of themselves).

MCM Training - Week 11

Four Seasons Run for Hope this a.m. didn't happen, well for me.  I was there in plenty of time, no on-site parking resulted in a nice tour of Boston and the Commons and my frustration level reaching an epic high.   Well crap...  another day I will run along the Charles River, so I had a nice long morning in the car. BLARGH. Poor planning on my part.  It happens, we live, we learn, and we make adjustments.

Dave was sympathetic. He suggested we ride out to Buttonwood Farms for some ice cream.  Sure, that would be good, let's go at 2:30, I need a nap, frustration wears me out.  By 2:25 he woke me up, remarking how amazing it is that 1) fell asleep with the the obnoxious neighbors and their dirt bike, and 2) slept through the chain saws taking down the 40 foot tree across the street.  Hey I am an expert napper, what can I say, we all have our strengths. 

Off we went on our adventure!  It was fun, we both had a blast and enjoyed our ice cream.  

So there you have it...  a nap, bike ride, and ice cream cures all ills.  Oh yeah and that downhill (9% grade) on 201 was AMAZEBALLS!!!!  The down hills on this route are truly a treat for the up hills. 

And so ends MCM Training Week 11 - the numbers:

Monday - 11.5 miles bike
Tuesday - Spin class
Wednesday - 6 mile run 2.5 mile hike
Thursday - 13.5 miles bike 2.8 mile run on the beach
Friday - 0
Saturday -  3.1 race 11 mile run
Sunday - 32 miles bike

I didn't get in all the miles on my schedule, or to the track... next week is another week!  

Next week is also the Surftown 1/2, last year 2:16, my PR is 2:10. Looking fun to seeing lots of familiar faces! 

Sincerely,
Beth, moving forward

MCM Training - Week 10 - Recap

8 weeks till the Marathon!  Holy cow, how time flies. In 8 weeks from today I will have finished my 3rd marathon and sitting in the hotel bar drinking with my Marathon buddies, Maryann, Andrea, Gabe, and Erwin!!!  And probably a few other people the more social of our group have picked up along the way.

Erwin, Andrea, Gabe, Maryann, Me

Last year Super Storm Sandy bared down on the East coast, shutting down Washington DC October 29 - 30, the days after the Marathon.  Being stuck in DC with Maryann, Andrea, and Gabe was pretty awesome, Hubb was home with four dogs and no electricity.  I think by Wednesday it was pretty apparent Amtrak would not be operating and Maryann and I rented a car.  Andrea and Gabe flew back to CO on Thursday; Maryann and I drove said rental car taking her back to Princeton and then me on to RI.  

Andrea, Maryann, Sara, Me, Gabe, and Okan

Hubb and I had one night of lantern lit scrabble and then the power was on.  The thing that man puts up with always amaze me.  Then again his mother reminds me what a saint I am for dealing with her boy.  My mother's take on the whole thing: "You both met your match."  She may be on to something.

I digress...  today ends week 10 of training and my first 20 mile run of this training session.  I barely remember my first 20 mile run and even reading about it I still don't remember it in any vivid detail just bits and bobs.  Nice to see I haven't gotten THAT much slower in a year!!  Granted it was a different course...  whatever Beth, whatever.



Went out to Watch Hill and along Atlantic Avenue/Misquamicut beach and back home, parts of the Surf Town route.  Despite the narrow roads in some places it is a nice route to run.  I took a digger at about mile 11.5, you know, tripped on a piece of stand after navigating potholes and uneven asphalt and sidewalks the previous 11.5 miles, typical stuff.  I've fallen on the trails plenty of times, usually over something substantial like an actual rock or root sticking out of the earth, not for no apparent reason.  I dusted off the sticky sand best I could inspected the scrapes on my palms and right knee, nothing dire, just a little blood.  Fortunately the humidity has provided enough sweat to gather so I could wring my skirt out over the sandy and bloody parts and clean myself up a bit.  Thank heavens for small gifts, right?

In fact there was a lot of skirt ringing out and me wondering if I should have dug out a pair of running shorts, but I'd feel naked, but I wouldn't be carting around a pound or so of water... hmmm...

All in all it was a decent run.  I'm pleased, I started, I finished, in the immortal words of JoAnn, I didn't die.

Hubb had designs on riding Big River this a.m. he and his buddies arrived out there to find it lightening and thundering and raining.  Huh... they headed back to Burlingame where the weather was much more agreeable and rode. The weather out here is so wonky sometimes, seems like North of I-95 generally gets the brunt of the ugliness and the coast is saved.  Well other than hurricanes or what are we calling them now Super Storms...

We went for pretzel sammiches and beers (Wachusset Blueberry for me and Shandy for Hubb) at The Malted Barley and now I suppose I should attack that pantry...

Sincerely, 
Beth, thankful she was alerted to the healing and chromium replenishment attributes of beer!

To Do Lists

Between leaving work Friday and going back on Tuesday I have three things to accomplish:

1. Clean the pantry
2. Clean my junk room
3. Run my first 20 mile run of this MCM training plan

Three days, three things.  Not a very high bar?  Well, each of these will take ~5 hours, so yeah, three days three things.  

So, what did I do today?  House work, mowed the lawn, worked out my proposal and sent to the team for van decorations and shirts for the Bourbon Chase, and took an easy bike ride with Hubb. Full on avoidance mode.

Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow, no point in putting off the inevitable.  Why does this distance scare me so much? Probably because it can take me pretty far away from home. I mapped out a route on Boombridge over to Clarks Falls ~22ish miles, but not really sure where I can stop for water.  1L is probably not going to cut it with this weather.  I enjoyed the ride we took out there a couple weeks ago, not really recalling anything other than the ice cream place at the point Clarks Falls Road turns in to Woodville, probably won't be open at 8 in the a.m.!  Sure some of the roads are a bit narrow, however not really remembering too much traffic.  Maybe this will be the 3rd 20 mile run it will be dryer or I'll stash some water...

I'll run the route I've run the last two weeks, and go all the way down to Weekapaug Rd.  It gets me 19.7 miles (on the roads per Map My Run), figure the loop in the park is 1/4 mile, I can add on once I get back to my neighborhood to top off the 20. The goal is to kill two birds with one run the first 20 (and kill this anxiety) as well as the Strava challenge. I am going to allow myself some walking. I've never gone into a training run with 'walking is ok' thought I'd try something different this time.  Perhaps less beating myself about the head and neck?  Or with it being allowed I won't do it?  Be interesting to see how all this processes in my frayed synapses tomorrow a.m.

The afternoon may require starting on one of the 2 chores.  Although #2 became much less important as the visitors due for the weekend of the 13th have bailed.  Hmmmm...

Sincerely,
Beth, ready or not here the long run comes!

Marine Corps Marathon Training - Week 9 - Recap

Ok, so I've really not been in a story telling mood, and if you don't have anything funny or sarcastic to say, just don't say anything at all...

Today wrapped up week 9 of MCM training, half way there!  Guess it is all down hill from here?  

On the positive side the only injury I am nursing is a sore left knee.  Think I need one of those under the knee strap thingys, but will investigate PT first.  Amy of the pointy elbows figures it is something to do with how the muscle is tracking over the kneecap and mentioned something about Piriformis Syndrome.  She has always been spot on, so I will listen!!  Last year it was PF and the left knee in pain, like stopping at mile 4 and 10 and screaming, not just sore...  probably something else.  In any event I am pleased and enjoying training far more than last year!!

Monday:  0 for the run and TRX

Tuesday:  4.1 run and 1.5 walk - I went out for a run mid day.  Things in the open space were getting dicey and I needed a break from the guys.  I ran a mile then saw Don and Ro and well barged in on their conversation and walked back to the site with them.  They chastised me for running when I had a race that night... oh pshaw... 

Battle of Stonington - recap I ran this last year.  My splits last year were a bit faster, and my time was 20 seconds faster.  But hey, tis what it tis and I am just getting slower, probably because I am getting fat?  HA!  Well, there is a little truth to that.  But that is neither here nor there.  I've immensely enjoyed the fun runs on Tuesday nights.  I missed them last year as Tuesday was my NYC day as I had a class on Thursday night and well my boss is in the city on Tue and Thur and what would be the point of going in on Wed, if she isn't there?  Well other than to meet up with friends, share some drinks, and laughs after work?



29:40 was my time on this 5K, I'm pleased, it is under 30.  Let's not look back a the beginning of the fun runs when I was seeing times in the 28s, ok?  (oh yeah and I was running 5 miles during the day - must be the heat and the high dew point?)


Wednesday:  big old ZERO!  I had a full day of meetings and dinner out with a couple girlfriends.  I did treat myself with some ice cream from Drawbridge in Mystic and walked around for half an hour or so....  hardly makes up for lobster tacos and a tall tall cocktail...  whaeves...  but we did see Inge's new yacht!!  Ok it is Rupert Murdoch's, but Inge appreciated me saying, "Hey your boat is here!!"

Thursday:  Oh you guessed it NY, watched that 5:23 pull away from the platform and had to stick around for the 5:48, blargh.  I didn't even manage to get in a walk to Bryant Park, double blargh.

Friday:  6 on the road and 15 on the bike.  I enjoyed my 6 mile lunch run until I got back to the office to find out this was actually Lauren's actual last day and her really, this is her final going away lunch, lunch.  Damn that girl out did me with going away lunches and happy hours.  Although I have a sneaking suspicion she will be back as an Employee versus the Temp she has been for the better part of 18 months.  Hmmm... how long has it been?  Well in any event.  I only managed two going away lunches and one HUGE happy hour before I managed to get off a lay off wave and land a permanent job.  That was a miserable 14 months...  it all turned out ok and I am keeping my fingers crossed for Lauren!!



There was much talk about how legs felt heavy and fortunately one of the guys said, well my 9 is compared to my usual 7, so I didn't feel so sluggish for a 10:47!! 

I took advantage of a compressed work week and was home by 4 to get in a ride out to Watch Hill and explore a bit.  It has been years since I've been down to the light house and took the paved?  Wait, when did that get paved? Road.  Observe the magnificent view and take the opportunity to snap a pic of TS house, I think I see a couple guys I recognize running down the beach?  Bwahaaa...

Saturday: 26 on the bike.  Hubb goes out to fly RC planes in the a.m. leaving me to sleep in (like that ever happens with Jax the wrestling king) and get some house work done.  

Dog (Giz) as his co-pilot!  He designed and built this P-29!!

So we go on our ride in the early afternoon.  Quite enjoyable.   I took some cues from Jeff and 5Ks ride and an overwhelming curiosity to see what was on 216 plus wanting to take a ride through Watch Hill with Hubb and show him some of the places I run.  




Sunday: 16.5 run and 5 on the bike.  The Saturday night dinner choice was breakfast for dinner or baked potatoes....  OK so breakfast for dinner (waffles and sausage) was not a great idea.  We both had a sugar buzz and then Hubbs phone making noise from the texts he was getting about Sunday a.m.s ride, seriously, set your phone to QUIET or leave it downstairs, blargh.   We both got late starts.  All in all not a bad run.  I looked at my 17 milers from about this time last year and I ran it a little faster, so yeah, me! 

I enjoyed my run down to Watch Hill and over to Misquamicut last week so decided to try the same thing and add commit to the rest of the miles.  OK I went out for 18 and did 16.5, still and all.  I'm not disappointed and got asked out by some guy taking money for parking.  Woot... old smelly lady still has it.  HA HA HA!!!  



Hubb and I took a pre dinner ride in hopes to just work out some kinks from our sore legs.  Apparently he had a difficult time keeping up with his buddy who rides a single speed mountain bike.  DAMN!!  Impressive!!  We did see one of his other biking buddies out with the wife and kids for a Sunday evening ride.   Nice!

Sincerely, 
Beth, training is on track, fundraising is not...

PS You've gathered I am very passionate for Lung Cancer advocacy, well really any cancer (my family is riddled with it).  I became addicted to running training for my second Half Marathon (Providence Cox in 2012 - Providence Cox 2011 was, well, a very valuable lesson in proper training) and went on to sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon with Team Lung Love mid way through my Providence Cox 1/2 Marathon training...  

I'll beg and plead with family, but if you want to get in on the action supporting me, I'd be completely OK with that!  Yeah, I am not one for sales and feel weird posting this here but here goes.... because maybe my cancer discussions/rants reached you or you know someone with Lung Cancer, or have it?

My Team Lung Love page

Marine Corps Training - Week 8 - recap

Today ends week 8 of MCM training.  Wow, 10 weeks till the big show. 

I am running the Marine Corps Marathon as a member of the Lung Cancer Alliance's Team Lung Love. The Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to providing support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for Lung Cancer.

My Sunday long runs include a loop through Westerly's Wilcox Park. I dedicate this loop in memory of someone lost to or in honor of someone surviving with Lung Cancer.

My loop in the park was dedicated to Arthur Pignataro, a Westerly native highly involved in local theater.  As this is the last night for Taming of the Shrew in Westerly's Wilcox Park I thought it very appropriate for this loop to be dedicated to him.  He was diagnosed with Lung Cancer at a very late stage.  Truly a loss for the community.

There was a father with his two young children having a little breakfast by the fountain, this was just so sweet.  What a treat for everyone on such a beautiful morning!

It was nice to see The Runaway Bunny was all cleaned up from his graffiti attack. Who would do such a thing?  

And that wraps up the 1/4 mile loop through the park!

I decided to run my side of the river today, it was early enough and the weather cool enough the beach traffic wouldn't be crazy as I worked my way down to Watch Hill over to Misquamicut and back home.  I skipped the run down Atlantic and back up Shore, you just know when the old body is going to have a fit, and it was on the verge.  Perhaps the 26.2 mile bike ride with Hubb wasn't a great idea?  Hubb did say I was pushing it up the hills so possibly using new muscles?  Feh, I enjoyed the ride yesterday and my run this a.m. it is all good.  I remember being reminded to not under estimate my level of fitness, thanks JB!



The hill at the Ocean House was something I wasn't and was looking forward to.  I stopped at the top to admire the view, wowza...  no matter how many times I run, ride, or drive by that place is just amazing. Someday it would be nice to stay there.

Opting for the hill, I passed up the opportunity to take a run by TS's house, I'm sure I'd of seen one of the local running club members?   HA! 

My favorite part of the run was seeing John Hammett Sr.  leading a group run.  Nice to recognize someone and have a few seconds to just stop.  The run along Atlantic was nice and up Winnapaug, got a couple waves from beach goers, ok so they aren't ALL bad...  



I will say that I took a GU with caffeine at about mile 11, huh, that does make a difference, the rest of the hills on the roads home didn't seem all that bad.  I may have to rethink this GU thing.

Mileage stats:

Monday - 0 (recovering from the wicked sunburn from Falmouth, really didn't relish the thought of sweating and tech shirt combo) and  TRX

Tuesday - 3.1.  and Spin

Wednesday - 0 and 23.4 mile bike ride

Thursday - 3.4 with a couple three spins around the track, run the straights jog the curves

Friday - 0 and 5 mile hike with Gizmo

Saturday - 0 and 26.2 bike ride with Hubb

Sunday - 14.3 

20.8 out of 33, whoops, nothing to beat myself up about my head and neck over, I had an active week and will get back into the swing of things!

Sincerely,
Beth, slightly sore and a little exhausted with a big helping of smiles!

Focus Shcmokus

Wednesday’s 8 miles were usurped by a bike ride.  I really need to limit these distractions and get focused on my training plan for Marine Corps.

I had my ahem yearly exam and the usual discussion on health, medication, and activities:  Medications, all but one I’m off and I’m not giving that one up, ever.  How’s mom’s lung cancer? 6 years surviving fit as a fiddle other than the tumor, good, good.  Still running? How was the marathon? Oh you've done two, nice. Anything else, I bought a road bike and have been biking.  Nice!  Any Dualtholons or Tris in your future?  Ah, thinking more I'd work on biking to the beach and running and biking home (apparently these are called bricks) into my training but the whole swimming in the ocean thing has me a little wigged out. 

We had something to discuss during the process.  Bike routes! Doc is a biker, I've seen him out on his Saturday group rides when I run. Well I've not been very far on the bike so he suggested some routes. The Borough/Mystic, and yes the Greenhaven loop is much nicer than that narrow part of U.S. 1; Avondale/Watch Hill/Weekapaug/Noyes Neck is nice; of course Narragansett for a long ride, there are plenty of places to get away from U.S. 1 and the cars. 

Sounds like a fine plan! The plan was for both of us to be home by 6:30, finish up the rest of that fluke for dinner and go down to the park to see Taming of the Shrew (with a quick stop for cookies at McQuades).  Since I had a couple hours, Avondale/Watch Hill/Misquamicut/Weekapaug was a good goal.  

Avondale, RI

Weekapaug, RI

23 miles of beautiful views I’ll call that a good mid week ride.  I suppose I could say it was nearly an 8 mile run?  What is the ratio 3:1 bike to run?  Does that even count?  I’m not so sure.  I felt like I used my legs, I wasn't going all that fast, I probably should wear the HRM to see what my heart rate is doing.  I can’t see the watch to see the BPM, when I run and wear that fool thing it scares the crap out of me I don’t want to know, I can feel it beating and that is just fine by me.




Taming of the Shrew was well done.  Much less shouting of lines and more emotion in the voices of most of the actors.  Maybe it is being outdoors that prompts this yelling of lines?  Feh, I do love Shakespeare in the park.  The Bard meant his plays to be seen and not read.


Today was back to the track.  I found an article on track workouts and they said start with running the straights and jogging the curve, 2 - 4 laps.  It was as fun as it could have been and I enjoyed a few mile run afterwards.



Sincerely, 
Beth seriously taking a rest day tomorrow, hiking with Gizzy, he is feeling very neglected and has been telling me all about it!!

MCM Training Week 5

Setting the stage:  I’m slightly cynical, with a side of sarcastic, sprinkled with a healthy dose of pragmatism. 

I joined a women s running group on Facebook.  An area where women can post about their running achievements, disappointments, challenges, and just get to know other women runners.  I joined a little halfheartedly, knowing I may pick up some interesting information a couple of tips but generally there would be forty seven thousand posts on the age old question do you wear underwear or go commando.  Seriously, a little tired of THAT conversation. 

Scrolling through, the usual underwear or commando questions, a few on pooping, some on fueling, a handful of  wave or no wave.  The posts that pique my interest more are about the first time or the millionth time running a particular race distance and goals people have for themselves...

Then there was something different.

Tammy

 Wow.

I open the snail mail once a week.  If I opened it daily I’d end up going through it more than once, and why bother.  So I sit down with the big basket of what amounts to mostly junk mail and open and sort into recycle, shred, deal with piles.  Even packages don’t get opened up right away.  Hubb works from home so he has time to stop, and open the package, and appreciate what is inside.  I prefer to take the time to appreciate what someone has packaged up for me, which makes them bananas.

Thursday night, after spin and some errands, I was home by 7, just me and the dogs to have an hour or so to decompress before hubb got back from his bike ride.  Perfect time for the mail!

One package were some books a friend returned with jams, jellies, and salsa she made, very cool!

The other package were sock monkeys, SMAC Sock Monkeys Against Cancer.

Phoenix  and NoMo
 Phoenix is all about SMACKING Lung Cancer out of this world
NoMo is the ALL Cancer fighting monkey.

I intended to give Phoenix to my mother, living with lung cancer for 6 years.  But there was Tammy…  a year younger than me, just starting chemo after surgery, a runner, chomping at the bit to get back on the pavement.  My mom always says how sad it is to see the young people in her support groups.

Saturday morning I mailed Phoenix to Tammy.  Saturday night I did the last 4 miles for my 14 mile long run, a long way of introduction that Tammy was in my thoughts and my loop in the park was dedicated to her.  Wilcox Park in Westerly is beautiful, calming, happy place, I hope some of that calming influence made its way to Tammy on my 1/4 mile loop.

February 23rd is the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in Orlando.  A girlfriend decided WE needed to be princesses, who can refuse a tiara, right?  I fully expect CMK and I to cross that finish line with Tammy and witness her receive her well deserved tiara.

Sincerely, 
Beth, glad she didn't give in to her cynical ways and checked out the posts in the WRC and agreed when CMK wanted us to be princesses

Marine Corps Training Week 4

Week 4 is in the books.  It was a hot one and the weather seems to be changing from it's hell like conditions to something more reasonable.

My tradition is to do a loop in the park in memory or in honor of a cancer victim.  I hate that word victim.  Patient maybe more appropriate, except for the in memory of?  hmmm  something to ponder at another time, any thoughts on the matter?

This morning's loop was in honor of Diesel, one of our dogs.  We lost him 3 years ago today.  He had a cancer called Hemangiosarcoma on his spine.  We discovered it as he was slowly loosing the ability to stand up over the course of several hours, September 14, 2008, 13 months after my mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer cancer.  The tumor wrapped itself around his spinal cord and was slowly compressing it, cutting off the nerves.  Hubb rushed him off to Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich, RI.  The prognosis was not good, Diesel, a middle aged boxer, aged 7, had cancer.  Boxers are known 'cancer factories' so you go into developing a love of this breed knowing the end is going to be too soon and heartbreaking.  

Hubb and Diesel - with the tennis ball, his most favorite toy, ever!

The vet said that they could operate and he could go on chemo and the chances weren't good, he is a middle aged boxer, but there was a chance, and it was our decision.  Diesel loved life and didn't act like he wanted to give up or be separated from us so we took the chance and spent the money on the surgery, the scans, the chemo, the drugs, the wheels, and he was with us until July 21, 2010, a month shy of his 9th birthday (August 21, 2001).

He was the best napping buddy!

The vet said that the tumor was slow growing and he had been relearning how to walk through the course of the tumor growing and compressing the spinal cord.  Amazing.  After his initial surgery they did not think he would walk again.  He did!  We were out with him and Gizmo and Sage at the park taking a walk/roll and noticed his back feet were moving in time with his front legs. His tail was even wagging, huh.  He re-learned to walk and gained enough strength in his legs to run.  The second time he lost the ability to walk, the tumor had grown again, and was abated by a different chemo, he walked again, but for only a few months.

Wheels!  We do have them for loan!!

The last time he walked was May of 2010.  I remember that trip to the park, just him, hubb, and me.  

Chewing a stick!

My mother found Diesel to be inspirational for her.  She would say how that dog had no idea what the hell was going on yet he just kept keeping on.  

If you've been reading for a while you know I'm not unfamiliar with cancer, it has been in my life since childhood.  Please, if you want, let me know if you have a cancer connection. I try not to go on about it too much as this is a running blog, cancer is one of the things that got me running, so I do circle back to it on occasion and as my training progresses I will talk a bit more about it in my weekly MCM training updates. 

Recently I had a conversation with someone about cancer; they commented it was a new disease.  As nice as I could, I said, well not really, it has been around since the beginning.  There are human fossils with indications of cancer.  Knowing I needed a more 'real' example,  I drew upon what family history I know. My great grandmother passed away from Ovarian Cancer in 1935.  I cannot remember who I was talking to, they were shocked.  Pretty much as shocked as I am that there are people who don't know about the horror show known as cancer.  Honestly, deep down I am very happy they don't know about the horror show known as cancer.

Today I need to put together my fundraising page for Team Lung Love, I have set a $5,000 goal.  The marathon is 14 weeks out!  I have the training under control, now to get to meeting my fundraising goal!!

I will end on a happier note!  I was accepted into the National Lung Cancer Partnership Lung Cancer Summit.  The attendees are limited to 75 and I was required to answer several essay questions, I am guessing to gauge my true interest and passion in becoming a Lung Cancer advocate.  In September I will be traveling to Dallas, TX to learn more about how to become an advocate, crafting my personal message, and networking with other people who have the same passion I do.  My training schedule calls for a 20 mile run that weekend.  I will be running that a week early, obviously, and getting in what miles I can during the summit.

Oh wait!  My 13 mile run today!

Eminem helped me rock mile 11.  I had no idea I had THAT in me!!   Eminem "Till I Collapse" came on the iPod and the 9:50 in a sea of 11 minute miles was a shocker.  I played it twice. That song came as a recommendation and what a stellar one it was!  I've been suspicious my music selection has hampered any speedy progress, I do find I fall into beat with which ever song comes up.  Fat Boy Slim was next up with Praise You then Slash Dot Dash Dot Com.  Better get on getting higher BPM songs in the mix!

And don't judge, ok?  I'm a Michigan girl and he has a cute chin divot... 




Sincerely, 
Beth, reminding everyone to revel in all that is Diesel, a dog who loved every single minute of life.  We can all learn a lot from dogs, they live in the moment, as we all should.  Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is very far away, and the present is a gift, enjoy it and embrace it!

Mr. September, his two favorite things the beach and a tennis ball.  The booties are because the sand really bothered his feet in the fall and as he aged.

Running with Sage, no booties, his paws were all toughened up from a winter on the beach!

Race Recaps! Irish Festival 5K and Glow Bash 5K

Friday I did go out and test ride a bicycle.  Wow, so much nicer than my old clunker mountain bike...  stay tuned on this subject.  Hubb asked me to talk to one of his buddies about this whole road bike thing.  Sure, expert advice and opinions are ALWAYS appreciated.

Saturday hubb and a buddy went Fluke fishing somewhere between Jamestown and Newport so he was up and out of the house early.

Why he texts me these things I'll never know.

I had two races on Saturday.

Saturday morning I was to meet my old boss and his family in North Haven for a 5K.  Yeah, an hour and ten minute drive for a 28 minute event.  Think that is the last of them, ever.  Famous last words.   It was very easy to find Steve and his family and we caught up a bit.  His son was back in the UK house sitting for his brother, Bob, who was in the states visiting.  His eldest daughter, Nicki, is a marathoner so we caught up on each others latest races and next races.  Nicki and Uncle Bob are going to be running the NYC marathon together!  Nicki ran it last year and was proud to say she only vomited 4 times.  Yeah?  I'm not a puker so I have no idea if that is good or bad?  This was Bob's first race, ever.   Ah, OK.  The Elder brother (Steve) drug the younger brother along and they finished in 26:50 minutes, no puking.  Nicki and Laura finished in 31:37 and 31:36, Nicki dragged Laura along!  Must be an older sibling younger sibling thing?  Johanna, Steve's wife, did the 2 mile walk.  I finished in 28:52 feeling a little redeemed after the 5K at the Dog Watch on Tuesday night...  It was a pancake flat course, with one "hill" at the end, must have been a total elevation of 6 inches or something equally as intimidating!

Catching up with Steve today, he took Bob out on a nice hilly 8 mile run in the heat on Sunday. Nice guy, guess if the times you get to torture your younger sibling are few and far between better make the best of it. Bob is well on his way to meet with success for the NYC Marathon!  I'll be cheering him on.

And I didn't get a picture...

Saturday nights race was a Glow Bash in Bristol RI.  I went with Nicole, one of her regular running friends, a new friend and fellow Lung Cancer advocate, Sally, and two of her friends.  Sally made up Glow Babes (our team name) shirts and we all had fun putting together glow in the dark things.  Mine were actually still glowing last night!  I made up some 'collars' for the dogs and dressed them up and they glowed in the dark nicely until they wiggled out of them.  Diesel was my dress up guy, he LOVED to wear things.  These three, not so much.  In fact, Gizzy reaches a state of near paralysis when we put his life vest on him to take him canoeing.  Silly dog.  Boxers swim like rocks!

I'm sure our mothers are SO proud!

The 'race' was a scavenger hunt the team had 2 hours to complete and could run any where from 3 to 5 miles.  We managed 3.5 miles in 1 hour and 14 minutes.  We didn't run a lot but we did back track not as much as I thought we may have!  The clues were very relevant to Bristol, RI.  A place I've been to a sum total of twice.  The first time to run my first ever 5K at Colt State Park (yeah yeah, this whole driving longer than you are running thing started from the beginning) and then two years ago on a yarn crawl.  Nice yarn store as I remember it!  The remaining 5 team members had similar stories.  We thought this lack of knowledge would put us at a disadvantage.  Not so much.  Between our brain power and GOOGLE we only had to ask for help once!

There were 10 destinations and different things to do at each one to prove you were there.   A ring toss, posing for pictures, a 7 legged race, collect a stamp, collect a ticket.   The 7 legged race was one of my favorites.  The 6 of us tied one leg together and all decided right foot first.  After nearly toppling in a huge heap upon saying RIGHT.  We realized the only person with a free right foot was the person on the far right end!!  We determined shuffling was the way to go and manage to get the 20 feet from the start to the finish line for this 7 legged race.  (If you only had two team members it would have been a three legged race - follow me?)

I was a little skeptical about this, but figured it would be fun, how could dressing up with a bunch of glow in the dark stuff and running all over a super quaint New England town in the dark NOT be fun!?!?!

Sunday I brunched, lobster omelet to. die. for. and peach sangria.  Caught up on maybe three house work things I'd been putting off and suckered hubb into going to the beach after dinner to look at the moon.  He could ride his fat tire bike a bit and I could run a few miles.  Well it was a phoggy mess, so no moon.  Bummer.  We had a nice time and despite the rising tide and head wind I had a decent run.  How could a beach run be bad?

Today kicked off Marine Corps Training! Hoo Rah.

Sincerely,
Beth, home alone and babbling to you and the dogs!

Wordless Wednesday

Time to put together MCM plan for 2014, definitely see changes I can make!

Sincerely,
Beth, realizing it is time to plan!

Superstorm Sandy - Catch Up

Wow, what a week it has been.

Friday in Yoga Heidi talked about what we learned from Superstorm Sandy.  She asked us: "From this experience what have you gained."  I like that she asks to seek out the positive in experiences, what should we be grateful for?  While the devastation was horrific, I saw people and neighborhoods pulling together, and that is wonderful, I am grateful people can pull together.  I also am grateful to have made three new friends, fellow runners, female runners, who get each other.  Glorious.

Monday I was supposed to be on Amtrak heading back from DC to RI.  That didn't happen.  In fact it NEVER happened.  By Wednesday, my three new friends and I were ready to head back home.  MAC lives in New Jersey so we rented a car on Thursday and drove.  A and G were able to get their flights re-booked to Denver for Thursday.

We had a fun week.  Tuesday I went for my first run, post Marathon.  I intended on going for 3 miles and went for 5.  I'm slightly directionally challenged and altered my course a bit.  After running into the wind for about a mile I remembered that I ran into the wind away from the hotel so running into the wind wasn't going to get me closer to the hotel.  I got myself all unturned around and back to the hotel.  It was cold wet windy run and I enjoyed it!  Later on, MAC and I went exploring and shopping and picked up a couple of Italians.  I have a hand bag problem and of course MAC has one too, go figure.

What sort of Italians were YOU thinking?

Wednesday the four of us Marathon Chicks went exploring the National Mall in DC.  I was the only one who had never been...  it was amazing and chilling and beautiful.  This picture says it all for me, the past and the future in the present.

The past and the future, in the present

Thursday MAC and I got in the car and drove her to New Jersey and then I got myself to RI.  The national news wasn't exaggerating about the gas lines in NJ.  There were lines on the thruway service areas backed up nearly a mile, amazing.  In town most of the gas stations were closed and had a police officer standing guard.

Friday I went back to work, medal in hand!  Due to power outages and possibly lack of interest the office was sparsely populated.  I was able to get out for a 5 mile run in the morning and check out the damage along my route.  Wow.

The tattered American Flag moved me

Saturday was a dog focused day.  Took my eldest to the trail to hike, not a lot of damage, all the trees that fell across the paths had been removed and Gizzy enjoyed mommy and me time.  Took the girl to do a beach survey.  Wow.  Lost a lot of sand. It ended up behind what used to be big dunes at two of the beaches we went to.

Sunday was a long run, I went out to Watch Hill to see what there was to see there.  The sand that used to be under the cabanas was in the parking lot.  It was a nice run.  I wore my new bright orange "Runner 4 Life" long sleeve shirt, I am sure I was visible to the awful drivers out here.  My IT band was acting up by the end of the run, but a little ice and stretching and being kind to it will be back to normal soon.

See the daylight under the cabanas?  You didn't used to be able to see it.

Today I went on a short run during work, 3 miles.  It was slow, my legs felt like lead.  I think it is time to take a couple day break and let them heal.  They gave me a lot of good miles in the last week, they need a rest.  I am fearful of getting soft, but that can't happen in 3 days, can it???

Stats:
NONE my Garmin is acting pissy...  maybe later...  I really really want to see my MCM splits!!!

Sincerely,
Beth who now has internet access and can blog more regularly about running