Thursday Thirteen: Randomness

1. Life is good. I am constantly aware of how fortunate I am and how fabulous my life is.

2. Surgery is tomorrow. To be honest, I’m getting a little nervous. I know it will be fine, but I’m still a little apprehensive. Think good thoughts for me.

3. The house is coming along little by little. It is fun to see the gradual improvements.

4. I am more and more in love with the neighborhood (and my neighbors). Several neighbors have stopped by to introduce themselves and bring us baked goods. I’ve never felt so welcome!

5.  Please donate to the Knight, who is once again participating in the Wounded Warrior’s Face of America ride. Read more here.

6. Work has been nutty lately. I have downtime occasionally, but in general it is really crazy. I have to say I like my job though.

7. I’m so excited for Spring to arrive (and stay). Daffodils and hyacinths are already blooming in my yard. We are planning to plant vegetables and herbs as soon as possible. It is going to be so great experiencing the seasons in the tree house.

8. I’m seriously craving fried chicken after seeing pictures of Bojangles Fried Chicken, which opens its first local shop in Union Station today.

9. Last Friday I took a sedative (just kidding) and went to the DMV to get my new license (new name, new address – the whole shebang).  Imagine my shock when they called my number less than 30 seconds after I sat down. I only had time to check 3 boxes on the form I had to fill out. The process was pretty quick and painless. It took me longer to drive there than it did to get in and out. Yay!

10.  I seriously cannot wait for my iPad to arrive. I’m so excited!

11. Have I mentioned how much I am looking forward to not going to work for a week? I have to keep reminding myself that this isn’t a vacation.

12.  I have no doubt that I will be well taken care of over the next week. The Knight has already promised to make me homemade macaroni and cheese; and my sweet friend Melody has promised to bring us a meal this weekend. I’m a lucky girl!

13. I’m all signed up for Netflix, and the Knight hooked up the Apple TV device (which is SO cool, BTW). I might be restless but I shouldn’t be bored. I’ve got lots of reading material, too.

Thursday Thirteen: Recovery Edition

1. Feeling great - It is four days later and I feel fabulous. I felt pretty decent after the race and I just kept getting better. I feel like I could run another marathon tomorrow...

2. ...But I won't. And I won't run one on Saturday either. I'm fighting myself on this, but if nothing else, I just want to sleep late this weekend  - for the first time in forever.

3. My surgery is next Friday; I'm really fine with it. I'm more worried about not exercising for 3-4 weeks than I am about recovering from the surgery.

4. On the plus side, I'm really looking forward to vegging for a week. It will be nice to spend some time at home and not in the office.

5. For my birthday the Knight bought me an iPad (yes, he spoils me!). It is on its way and I absolutely cannot wait. I hope it gets here it time for me to play while I have the time.

6. On Tuesday I was walking into my office feeling like an idiot because I was doing the post-marathon hobble.  I crossed paths with a co-worker who just returned to the office after being away for 2+ years. He was volunteering with the post-Katrina recovery efforts when he was hit by a bus and then dragged down the street. I don't know much more than that but I believe he had one or both legs amputated and wears prosthetic legs and walks with a cane. I was walking a whole lot better than he is and it really put things in perspective.

7. Marathons make you hungry!

8. Alcis is awesome. It is a medicated lotion that is not smelly or greasy. We picked it up a couple of years ago at the NY Marathon expo, and have bought more on drugstore.com. It works. I am allergic to mint (which also means menthol and eucalyptus) so most of those bengay type products are out for me. T

9. Monday night I was scheduled to lead the run at PRR. I kept waiting for Coach Ed to see what seemed to me as an obvious error and cancel the run. But since that never came, I showed up anyhow. Fortunately, one of my teammates I'd had emailed but never met before and her current running regimen was just what I needed to warm up my muscles: 4 min walk: 2 minute run (around 13-14 min pace). It was so rewarding to speak with her and give her the support that we all need now and then.

10. A wise Knight once told me that it is just as important to hydrate after a race as it is before and during. It is easy to forget, but he is right.

11. Another great thing for recovery is light cardio like walking or the elliptical. It is really helpful to get your blood flowing through those muscles so they can heal themselves.

12. Chocolate is also very helpful. Okay, I'm making that up. But chocolate is good for everything and I am seriously chocolate deficient this week.

13. I can't wait to get out and race again. Why am I so addicted to the torture?

Shamrock pictures

In record time, Team Z pictures are available for viewing (Thanks Seb and Mel!). I'm so happy to see these! Everyone looks great! It just makes me more sorry that I didn't get to see everyone in person. I love Team Z!!!

Here are a few shots of yours truly and my famous tutu heading towards the finish line:

Shamrock Marathon Race Report – Yes I did!

Disclaimer: I do not recommend the IronCat training plan, or lack thereof. I haven’t decided if I am calling this my 2 ½ month taper plan or just plain stupid.

The real question is whether this was an effective approach or not. Do I undertrain next time or do I see what I can do at this fitness level with some good, consistent training?

Whatever it was that I did - or did not do - it worked. Not only did I pull off a 4 minute and 10 second personal record  -woo hoo!- but I actually feel better than I have ever felt after a marathon. I mean, really, that is just wacky, don’t you think?

The Deets

Let’s be honest; Although I was going for the medal and the overall finish, I went into this race hoping that I would finally break 4:30. My previous best time was 4:32:25 at the Philadelphia Marathon in 2007. I wanted to go under 4:30 at NY in 2008, but it just didn’t happen for me. 2009 was the Ironman year, so no marathons for me. It certainly wasn’t going to happen at Disney in 2010. [Oh, that was so fun!]

Normally, I feel like I run a race and have all of these experiences I can’t wait to share: funny conversations, observations, etc. This time around…I ran. I ran and I ran. I didn’t really talk to anyone other than Bob, who I ran with for a bit, or the Z-ers I occasionally leapfrogged. I didn't shout out my usual thank yous to the volunteers. I was totally focused on my form and my garmin.

Typically I am pretty good about pacing myself. I was aiming for running 9:45 miles, and walking 1 minute after each mile, for an average pace of 10:15. However, I was running a comfortable pace and for the first 10 miles or so everytime I looked down I was running a 9:30 pace. I couldn’t seem to slow myself down until I hit the headwind.

I crossed the half point at 2:11. I was pretty stoked about that. I imagined how awesome it would be to finish in 4:22.

At some point, my comfortable 9:30 pace became really difficult. I began running more of a 10:15-10:30 pace, and I had to constantly push myself to run faster. Surprisingly, running faster just wasn’t that much more difficult. It was a mental challenge as much as it was physical.

Around mile 20, the benefit of my experience became even more apparent when the pain really started. In the past I would yield to the aches, pains, and spasms I have known so well out of concern that failing to do so would result in injury or, you know, an amputation. However, having tortured myself in this manner many times before, I recognized the difference between discomfort and danger. There is a certain sense of pride and power in knowing that you can tune out your screaming legs and push yourself forward.

Nevertheless, the legs did try to fight me. About a mile later I was smoothly running along when my left quad spased in a way that caused me to scream out in pain. It was very clear that this was not something that could be completely ignored. I stopped, grabbed a traffic cone for balance, and stretched for 10 seconds or so. I massaged it with my thumbs and then I kept on moving. When it was time for my next walk break I considered that stopping might cause my muscle to seize up even more and decided to skip the walk break altogether.

From then on I constantly watched my pace on my garmin and pushed myself to run at least a 10:15 pace. It hurt like hell, but I was determined to cross that finish line under 4:30.

After seeing some wonderful friends cheering along the final stretch (thanks so much Julie for being there!), at 4:28:15, I crossed that finish line and heard the announcer call my name. I really couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or cry, and I couldn’t do either.

Post-race

It was great getting hugs from bunch of my teammates as I made my way to the post-race party. Shamrock has the best schwag of any race I’ve ever done. In addition to the cinch bag and long-sleeved tech tee you get at packet pickup, at the finish line you get a really nice medal, a hat, and a long-sleeved cotton finishers shirt. Then they try to hand you various food items and water, but who has enough hands for all of that?

I saw a few friends as I checked out the scene at the post-race party. Irish beef stew and beer just didn’t appeal to me then. Special thanks to Keith G. for offering to buy me some peanut butter cups.

I went back to the hotel to put on some warm clothes and started to notice that I didn’t feel nearly as bad as I have felt after most of my other races. I headed out to watch for the Knight, on whom my craziness rubbed off and who had decided the day before to join me in my insanity and run the marathon himself. What a pair we are!

He finished and we both enjoyed a good chuckle when, as he approached the finish line, one of our favorite teammates (who may have had a little too much to drink) yelled at him sweetly “Oli, you’re so sexy….I love you!” Another runner shouted to him, “I hope you know her” and he responded, “I’m just glad my wife knows her.” It was really cute. I have to agree with her…he is SO sexy. J

Almost two days later and I am sore but I feel awesome. What a way celebrate my birthday and bring in another year. I must be getting younger.

And for the record, yes, I did beat Oprah’s time (by one full minute).

Thursday Thirteen: New House Edition

1 - On Saturday we moved to the tree house. It went perfectly. The guys from Majestic Movers did an awesome job.

A (very flattering) picture of the front of the tree house

2 - I love the house more than I imagined I would.

3 - The house was built in 1954 and it has a wonderful, mid-century modern style that we want to enhance.

4 - Unfortunately, it also has some retro touches that aren’t as desirable. Who hasn’t heard about my circa 1980s mauve/grey laminate cabinets yet?

Those are them. They are worse in person.

5 - I’m actually starting to appreciate said laminate cabinets. Although I still don’t appreciate the aesthetics, it turns out they are really well made and were probably top of the line in their day.

6 - Earl Grey and Pepper, our two cats, had a very interesting reaction to the move. I brought them over in their carriers and when I let them out Pepper just walked around meowing his head off. Earl refused to leave the carrier for a long time, and when he did come out he very cautiously prowled around for a few minutes, hissing every minute or so, and then hid for a half day. Everyone seems to be happy now.  

7 - We now have a yard and we want to start composting. The tons of discarded pulp from our morning juicing will be a great start. We just have to figure out how to get started.

8 - Our realtor Lisa (the most awesome realtor ever) was right when she said that the silence is deafening. It is quite a contrast to the constant buzz of Clarendon.

9 - We found a great tenant for our condo. Yay!

10 - The new neighborhood is awesome. We moved to Lake Barcroft, a 1000+ home community in Falls Church, between Rt. 50 and Columbia Pike, just west of Arlington and east of Sleepy Hollow Road. During my three-mile run on Sunday, tons of neighbors greeted me. It was only a 4 minute run to the lake via the trail. I think we’re going to love it here.

11 - We now have three fireplaces. The Knight recently referred to me as a pyromaniac. Regardless of whether that is true or not, I am really excited to have real, wood-burning fireplaces for the first time ever. Although it is currently 60 degrees out, I think we should have a fire tonight to celebrate my birthday. For some reason, the Knight disagrees.

12 - Speaking of fire, Tuesday night I cooked on my gas stove and it was so nice. I am really happy to be done with my electric cooktop.

13 - The kitchen is almost totally unpacked. Next I’m going to work on getting my closet in order. I’m actually losing space so it will be a challenge.

Shamrock?

I'm crazy. If you know me, or even if you've just read my blog, you know that already. I mean, just by virtue of the fact that I've run 7 marathons, and done a bunch of triathlons including an Ironman, you can pick up on that. I like to call it a "special kind of crazy."

What you might not know is that last October, while on a dream trip to St. Lucia, I was on the massage table when I decided - suddenly - that I needed to sign up for Shamrock and get another marathon under my belt.

I trained. It was going great! And then stuff happened. Some health stuff. Weather stuff. A bunch of other excuses cropped up. You know -  poor me, I'm going to be away in Vegas and Hawaii and I don't want to run 24 miles while I'm on my honeymoon. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

I decided that I would just do the Shamrock half instead. Good plan. Right?

Yeah, I thought so. That whole thing about the race being full and my need to run it "illegally" was only a small issue.

So this morning as I was getting ready for work and making a mental packing list for this weekend's quick trip my crazy brain took over. They say your body remembers the distance. So, what if I just go out there and run the marathon?

Am I crazy? Well, yeah.

My last long run was 21 miles on January 1st. Since then I've run at least 3-4 days/week, and my long runs have been 6-12 miles. Honestly, most of them have been closer to 6.

I am really undecided. My main reason for switching to the half is mainly obsolete right now, since I don't think that running a marathon on Sunday will have an impact on surgery in two weeks.

Yes, I'll be disappointed if I don't run it close to my usual time (4:30-4:45), but if I can get past that, it would be pretty cool to earn another (marathon) medal.

What do you think? Go for it or play it safe?

Bi-monthly Thursday Thirteen

It appears it has been a while...Better late than never, right?

1. Busyness (not to be confused with business)! - So far, 2011 has been great and it keeps getting better. In January we got married and had a wonderful time on our weddingmoon in Las Vegas, followed by our honeymoon in Kauai. We closed on our new house on Monday, we move Saturday, and that is just the first quarter of the year.
2. Moving – I’ve never met anyone who says they love moving, no matter how good the reason. It has been hectic, but we’re excited about it. I vacillate between complete calm and total panic. I am just ready to get it done.
3. Training – I’ve been keeping fit and working out 5-6 days/week, running at least 3 times/week, weight training at least twice, but I don’t know that you can call what I’ve been doing "training" per se. I think that’s because I haven’t really been following a plan of any kind.
4. ShamWOW- I am signed up for the Shamrock Marathon but for a variety of reasons, I won’t be running the full marathon. The Knight and I decided to head down and run the first 13.1 miles of the race. The half marathon is full so we’re not allowed to transfer.
5. Medal - I really hope that despite the above, I will still be allowed to receive a medal. I admit that when I saw pictures of last year’s medals I put this race on my to-do list. I will understand if they deny me, since I’m not doing what I signed up for, but I do hope that it goes my way. *I need my bling!*
6. Race Calendar – See #3. While 2011 has been a great year so far, there have been a few little complications. I have signed up for the Musselman sprint, but I don’t plan to do the micro (tricycle) race again. I think I’m really scared of what Es is going to do to me to pay me back for last year.
7. Medical – So, without going into any detail, I’ll just say that there’s a little medical issue that I need to address. I found out yesterday that I need to have surgery to get things (you know, female things) in good working order. Soooo…. I'll get it overwith and then I get to hang around my beautiful new house for a week and watch all of the TV I can stand. (Hey Es, that meal that you promised me…do you deliver?)
8. Recovery – Is it bad that one of my chief concerns with the procedure referenced above is that I won’t be able to work out for nearly a month? So not happy about that, but I’m just really grateful that a) it is nothing life threatening; b) I have the resources (medical insurance, support, income) to tackle this.
9. Tree House – We are so excited for our new house, which we are affectionately calling the tree house. It is a raised rambler, which means the main living area is on the second floor. There are a ton of windows and the house is surrounded by trees.
10. Birthday – Next week is my birthday. I love my birthday – and all birthdays. (In case you’re wondering, I’ll be 36.) Unfortunately, it looks like some of the usual fun is being usurped by the house purchase and moving. :( And that pesky half marathon the following weekend. Oh well.  A new house is a damn good present.
11. Parade – Fortunately, one birthday tradition will not be affected by our change of residence is my annual parade. You see, I was born on St. Patrick’s Day. When I was a wee one, I was convinced that annual Macy’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was for my birthday. Explains a lot, doesn't it? It's all about me, me, me :)
12. Green – Yes, I like having a holiday birthday, but there are some downsides. I’m kind of over getting green cookies, bagels, flowers, etc. for my birthday. However, green cupcakes (and all cupcakes) are perfectly acceptable gifts, thank you very much. Money is also always welcome.
13. Online Shopping – I really don’t know what I’d do without online shopping and my Amazon Prime account. My most recent purchase was a medicine cabinet for my new master bathroom (yay, I get to say master bathroom now that we have more than one bathroom!). I ordered it from Amazon for $100 less than I saw it elsewhere and it arrived in 2 days (and shipping was free).

I think that’s enough randomness to last us a while, isn’t it?