Holy Smokes!

well, well, well – It’s been too long since I last posted.  Busy facebooking so I have neglecting my running blog.

I am happy to report I have been injury and flu-free.  I am currently training for another half marathon – Ottawa.  I will be running it with my husband.  The race is scheduled end of May. In fact,  we have an 18 km run scheduled today.

And – most exciting – I am registered for NYC Marathon 2010!  I am really quite excited about this race.  My goal is to keep myself healthy and fit for this race.

what else?  well, I didn’t think it was possible but I am think I am actually getting slower.  Oh well, at least, I am out there challenging myself. 

Will post again.

Yikes ….

Oh my goodness – it’s been so long since I have posted, I actually had forgotten my password to my own running blog.  Now that’s bad.

But the Slow Poke (aka me) is back running again.  Unfortunately, my recurring back injury came back at the end of June.  I ended up being in physiotherapy for a number of months, and just when I got the go ahead to resume running again, I got struck down by the dreaded H1N1 virus three weeks ago.  boohoo.

However, I am now fully recovered from both my injury and the stupid flu.  I started running last week.  Starting up is difficult and a little frustrating because it is almost like starting from ground zero again.  I am starting slow – 2:1s – and keeping my distance at the minimum – 5 km.  But that’s okay – slow and easy has always been my motto.

Unfortunately, due to my injury, I had to postpone NYC marathon.  drag.  I was extremely disappointed when I had to pull out.  But I would rather be running healthy than being injured.  I have been told that I have guaranteed entry for next year (November 2010).  I hope this is the case.

I will be back with more running updates. 

Until then. 

Training Resumes

After three weeks of recovery and rest from my last marathon, I have resumed my training in preparation for the NYC marathon.  I thought it would be difficult running again but surprisingly it hasn’t been too bad as I transition back into running.

Although I wasn’t “running” during my rest break, I kept myself active through daily 30-45 brisk walks and daily use of the Wii-Fit (which is shockingly effective).   A quick word on the Wii-Fit:  I thought it would be a totally lame but the yoga and strength exercises are decent.  I would highly recommend it.  It works well for me because I don’t have the time to go to a facility so working out at home, especially early mornings, with the Wii-Fit fits my schedule perfectly.

In terms of running, I am using a modified schedule of the Running Room and Galloway – e.g. using the running room program but for the long runs I will use the Gallowway walk/run method (2:1s).

Manitoba Marathon

I am heading back home to volunteer for the Manitoba Marathon.  It should be great fun, and I am really looking forward to it.

My role will be “greeter” at the start and finish line which basically means I will greet and direct runners at the start and finish line, and provide assistance when required (e.g.  safety pins for bibs, bandaids, etc. etc.).  I am looking forward to it.  I love watching races and now I am going to be helping out at one.

Hopefully, it will be a nice day.

Runner or Participator?

This has been sort of bugging me lately, so I have decided to write about it in my blog.  I know I don’t get alot of traffic but I would welcome any views on this one.  I was reading some stuff on Jeff Galloway’s facebook page and he wrote something to the effect that you can run a marathon in 5hr doing 1:1s (running 1 minute; walking 1 minute) which, being a slowpoke, I was very pleased.

However, someone wrote something to the effect that those individuals who finish a marathon 5 hours or more are not really “running” the marathon rather they are only “participating” in it.  I tried not to be too terribly offended by the comment because it was just that – a comment / observation made by another runner – but, truth be told, I was little offended.  It simply bugged me because it seemed to devalue all of my hard work and dedication.

Here is the thing:  I may be slow but rest assured I do put in the training – the mileage, the long hours, etc.. – and I do to the best of my abilities actually run these marathons.  I just happened to be a slow runner.  In fact, from what I observed on the Ottawa and Disney World Marathon courses, “runners” in the 5:30 pace group were not only participating in the race but – yes, indeed, they were actually running it to.

I have never heard such an observation of making a distinction amongst the running community – e.g. “participating vs running” but, clearly, such a distinction does exist.  I guess, being a little bit of a Pollyanna, I had just assumed the majority of runners – fast and slow alike – support each of other on our running journey, including meeting whatever goals and aspirations we have established for ourselves.

Running should be  for everyone – it is a one size fits all type of activity.  I love all runners – tall, thin, fat, short, slow, fast – for me, it doesn’t really matter what type of package you are as long as you are going out and running.

Would welcome all views on this one.

Success!

I have successfully completed my third marathon. 

The first 10 km

The gun went off promptly at 7:00am.  I had placed myself between the 50ohr and 530hr pace bunny.  But I knew I fairly early on that I wouldn’t be able keep pace with 500 hr pace bunny so I focused on “Steve Bunny” – the 530 guy.  He had a small yet dedicated group of runners.  Because I wasn’t running 10:1s I wasn’t really running with the group (I was running 4:1s) but we were keeping pace with each other – he would pass me then I would pass him.  back and forth, back and forth – for approximately 15 km we played this little mouse and cat game.

Although we started in coolish weather, it very quickly warmed up, and I know from previous experiences, I don’t like running in heat.  well – I don’t mind it but my body hates it.  So I was little worried.  Plus the first 10 km was pretty rough for me.  I just couldn’t get my groove going – my legs felt like heavy weights and I was getting cramps in my calves, which concerned me given I had only started running.  I had almost convinced myself that I should just pack it and call it a day.  But then that would be the easy way out so I told myself to snap out of it and get moving.

10km-20 km

As we headed over the Inter provincial Bridge, I was starting to feel a little better.  The 530 pace group and I were teasing each other.  I met a very nice man – he was the brains behind the “Participation”  which was a school program in the later 70s to encourage school aged kids to get out and get active.  It was funny because I am old enough to remember when this program was first came out.   He was telling me that even though he was instrumental on getting kids and adults on becoming more physically active, especially running, he never was.  So after many years, he finally made the decision to train and run a marathon.   And he did – yesterday was his first marathon.  He was positively beaming.

It was also during this part of the race that the “back of the pack” group started talking to each other.  Because we were a very small group, bonding was easy.  Words of encouragement was constant as was the knowing smiles.  We shuffled on.  Unlike the first 10km, this part of the race I felt pretty good.  I was starting to enjoy myself.  It was also during this part of the race where I left Steve the Bunny and his runners behind, and part of me was hoping I wouldn’t see them again until they crossed over finish line.

20km-30 km – the Change in Game Plan

In my mind, 21 km is when the race really begins.  A few of my slow poke friends were starting to lose steam.  In fact, one gentleman said he was getting leg cramps and needed to do some stretches.  He stopped at the side and I never saw him again.    But his female friends continued on.  At this point in time, I was thinking I was going to going to change up my game plan – e.g. instead of running 4:1s at 21 km I was going to run 1:1s.

One of the marathoners – a woman – stopped, came back and asked if she could run with me as she was having a really rough time.  No problem, I said, I would welcome the company but I told her that I was running 1:1s now.  So – off we went – my new running buddy and I – our only goal was to finish with smiles.

At 22km we joined up with the half marathoners.  It was wild.  It was almost like joining a stampede of aggressive wild horses.  Here we are – the slow pokes (530 plus) – joining up with the 2:00hr pace group for the half marathon.   It was truly amazing.  It helped to move me along rather swiftly.  Although I think a few of the half marathoners were getting a little testy but I tried to stay on the side so the fast runners could keep their pace.

Dropping down to 1:1s was great.  The amount of energy I felt for 10 km was amazing.  Usually between 20-30 km is brutal but I have to say this stage of the run was my favorite.  Unfortunately, I lost my running buddy along the way. 

I saw my husband at one of the watering stations.  It was great seeing him, and, although I was in a big crowd of runners and their energy was helping me along,  support from family is so important when you are running these things.  However, my contentment was soon to end as the half marathoners and marathoners split off at Carleton University.  I was alone once again.

The next few kilometers was tough because I was pretty much on my own.  I mean – alone, alone.  There were no medics, water stations, spectators or runners.  It was so deserted I almost expected to see tumbleweed blowing down the street.  It’s a good thing that I trained on my own because I am used to running solo for many, many hours so simply viewed this lonely stretch as part of my long run.

I finally hit the 30 km mark and then it started to get interesting.  My legs pretty much told me to get lost.

30km -42 km

So – at 30km I slowed down to pace even slower than a snail.  My thoughts immediately turned to the 530 pace bunny.  I knew Steve the Pace Bunny (my nemesis and tormentor) and his slow poke crew was going to catch up with me.  The mere thought of it made me pick up my walking pace but then I met these two guys.  One of them had a bag of ice tied around of his leg.  Severe leg cramps, I was told, at km 18.  But he and his buddy were determined to cross the finish line.  So we chatted and shared a few running stories, including our dreams of running the “Goofy Challenge”.

Memories of the pace bunny came flooding back to me so I started up again.  But – alas – it was too late.  Something told me to look back and I saw the bunny ears.  Slowly but surely Steve the Bunny caught up with me at 33 km.  His faithful followers were smaller in numbers but he still had a crew following him.  He laughed when he saw me, and asked how I was doing.  I smiled and waved back.  His followers were looking mighty tired.  He, of course, looked like he was out for summer stroll.  He looked fresh as a daisy.   And with that – the pace bunny left me, and all I could do was watch him pass me and turn into a tiny bouncy figure with bunny ears flapping in the wind.

It was humbling experience to have the 530 pace group pass me but it also got me focused to finish what I started almost 5 hours ago.  The last 8 km was difficult but I knew I was going to finish my run – slow but strong.  I saw my husband and friend at the 800 meter mark, and I almost started crying.  I was hot, sweaty and determined to finish.  There were hardly any spectators in the stands but the folks who were there cheered all of the slow pokes in.  It was an awesome feeling.

My tormentor – the 530 pace bunny – was at the finish line waiting for his slow bunnies to come over the finish line.  He gave me a big hug, and told me he lost many of his bunnies at the big hill – they just couldn’t make it up and over the hill at that stage of the race, which was at about 34 or so km.   I think at the end he only brought in 1 or 2 folks.  Also at the finish line were a group of women that I was running with.  I was pleased to see them.

So – it was my turn to wait and watch the others come in.  And slowly but surely they soldiered in – hot, smiling and crying with tears of joy and tears of pain.  I even saw my “Participation” man came in.  Unfortunately, I never saw my two running friends, and I never got their names either so I am not even sure if they finished.  I hope they did.

My time?  5hr38m.  Yes, I am slow but enjoyed every moment of it.

VICTORY

Almost There …..

Exactly 24 hours from now I will be at the start line getting ready for my third marathon.  I have a little bit of pre-race jitters but not as bad as the previous two.  Maybe it’s because I will be running the Ottawa Marathon in my hometown (well, adopted hometown).

I am feeling confident, although a little apprehensive.  The last two long runs – the longest being 25 miles – were brutal and I was out there pounding the pavement for a long, long time.  It makes me wonder how long it will take me to finish this race.

But, with that said, I love running and I am approaching this race as an experience – an opportunity to push and prove to myself that I can do it.  Considering I never owned a pair of runners four years ago, it is astonishing that I am now running marathons.  I am a runner.  Who would have thought?  Not me, that’s for sure.

So – tomorrow’s game plan:

1. have fun.
2. take it nice & slow.
3. cross over the finish line with a smile.
4. enjoy the moment.
5. love life.

I mean – it doesn’t get much better than this.

25 Miles or Bust

Yesterday I completed by last long run before race day.  It was a whopper of a run too – 25 miles.  I was feeling a little apprehensive leading up to it because two weeks earlier I had run 23 miles and, well, that run was a real bugger.  Not only did it hurt but it left me questioning why I even try bothering.  So I was wondering how I would fare with the 25 miler.

The night before my run I decided to take another quick read through the Galloway book.  Interesting (perhaps fate?) enough the section I flipped to focused on “running faster.”  Although there is a whole section dedicated to speed, the beginning of the chapter focused on simply running the marathon to finish, and to enjoy the experience.  He went even went on to say that the one of his best marathons was the one he completed in 5hr10m!  I mean this is the guy who has completed a marathon in 2hr20m (or there about).

For some reason, reading those words just made me feel better, and it helped me to become more focused on my running abilities.  I decided that I am going to do my run very slowly and not to worry about my time.  I awoke the next morning feeling confident and happy.  It was also gorgeous outside so I knew it was going to be a nice run.

I started off slow – like I mean really, really slow – and simply maintained this pace (about 12 minute pace) for the entire run.  Normally, I feel like crap when I hit mile 17/18 but this time I didn’t.  I felt pretty good.  However, things got pretty tough when I headed home (as home is sitting on a top of a hill).  The ascend starts at about mile 20; thus making the last 5 miles quite uncomfortable.  Okay – not really “uncomfortable” – it was painful.

However, with steely perseverance, I slowly but surely made my way up the hill towards my home.  I completed the 25 miles in 5hr30.  I’ll be honest – I was hurting after the run.  In fact, I am pretty sure I am going to lose a couple of toenails.  Honestly, I don’t know how people can run these things fast.  I am in total awe of them.

I don’t know what time I am going to come in for my race.  But it doesn’t really matter.  I am even thinking about walking it.  My son thinks I am crazy given the amount of training I have put it.  Yes, I have trained but not as hard as could have.  I did no speed work or hill training, which, I think, are both critical components of a marathon program.

Anyway, I am confident I will cross the finish line, and at the end that is really what counts.

Granola Bar Recipe

Found a great recipe for Granola Bars:

1.5 cups of granola
1c flaked coconut
2c – mixture of raisins, cranberries, dates
1c – walnuts/almonds
2/3c brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1/3c wheat germ

Mix all of the above in a bowl

In a smaller bowl mix:

1/3c honey
1/3 c melted butter
1tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
little salt

Then
Mix liquid with dry ingredients until coated.

Pour into a 13x9x2 pan.  make sure pan is lined with tin foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

bake for 25 minutes at 350

cool in pan on wire rack.

Make sure it is completely cool before cutting otherwise it will fall apart.

The last long run before the Big One

Tomorrow is going to be my last long run before race day and, if I am being honest here, I am not really looking forward to it either.  The 23 mile run two weeks earlier was a killer.  But, with that said, and because I am committed to my training and do I enjoy running, I will run it.

I have said all along that my only goal for the upcoming Ottawa Marathon is only to finish.  In fact, I am even contemplating walking the first 21km then running the last 21km.   I say this now but in all likelihood  I will end up running the full marathon.  It’s not in my nature to give up.  I will slowly plod along and enjoy the day.

What I am truly excited about is running the NYC Marathon on November 1.  For this race, I am going to use the Running  Room training program.  I would love to run this race in 5 hours.  I know for many folks out there 5 hours probably seems like a heck of a long time, and – well – honestly, it is a long time.  But for me – it isn’t because I am not a fast runner.

While I was at Chapter’s I stumbled upon this really interesting book:

A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York

It must have been fate or something that I came across it because I have been questioning why I do this to myself and more specifically, should I simply stop running?  But reading this book is very inspiring and certainly informative.   I actually consider myself extremely lucky and fortunate to be running at all, given how pitifully out of shape I was a few years ago.