Sooooo when I last blogged I was getting x-rays. My x-rays came back clear, but I expected that as my chiropractor told me fractures don't often appear on x-rays and it was thought that if anything it would be a fracture. When the x-rays came back clear my orthopedist ordered an MRI as he too thought it was fractured and an MRI would show fractures. I was told until the results came back no running....I listened....sort of. I did slip and did one teeny tiny 3 mile run (which hurt like hell and I regret-sort of)
Long story short, I have a bad bone bruise. GREAT NEWS! I'm still in a fair amount of pain but was told to get orthotics, take anti-inflammatories for 2 weeks, and not to run for another 4 weeks. I'd like to say I'm a great patient and took the dr.'s orders and trusted his professional opinion, but I didn't. I won't be doing any of those things. I asked if running on a bone bruise can harm me down the line and it can't. My head heard "no permanent damage=suck up the pain and get running." I "took some time off", confirmed it wasn't fractured or pre-fractured, and that's the best I can do. I ice it every day, elevate it, and stay off of it whenever possible. I'll also be wearing sneakers for 2 weeks to provide more support....I can't give much more; the race is less than 90 days away and I need this race to get me a qualifying time. Moving forward in the training I will be taking days off here and there as needed. I am so happy it isn't fractured and I feel confident in my following through with the marathon training and actual marathon. As I started my Chicago marathon training with my torn meniscus I was "encouraged" to not do the marathon by more than one person, but I didn't listen. Looking back/discussing that situation today I was told, I more than exceeded expectations to get through that and do it so well. I'm hoping this marathon will be a similar outcome!
I have not yet registered for the Burlington VT marathon. I'm waiting a few more weeks to see how my foot is feeling. Getting through NJ with (hopefully) a qualifying time for Boston is my focus right now.
"Runners take it in stride...."
Thanks for all the well wishes!
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Monday, January 27, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
So, here's where I'm at....
Well, I'm finishing up my 3rd week of training.
This training is completely different for lots of reasons...
The biggest difference has to be the time of year. Winter training is super hard. Finding the motivation to go is probably the biggest obstacle although once I get out there I'm fine....in fact I'm happier once I'm out there. I'm finding more runs have been inside than I'd like them to be. We've had the insanely cold temperatures this week so I haven't run outside at all (tho I do get outside every day for at least 15 minutes-usually a walk during my lunch)
Beyond the season of this training program I have also been struggling with focus. I just realized I was supposed to do 4 miles yesterday and I only did 3. Last week, on my long run, I didn't map it out until the morning of. I'm still very structured in eating, drinking, and days I'm working out/running but my focus is not at all where it was during my last training.
Injuries are worse it seems. I don't know if my injuries seem worse because they just are or they appear to be worse because of the seasons. I feel like the winter in general has everyone a little more lethargic. Whatever the reason I'm feeling the effects.
About injuries...it's safe to say I'll be seeing my "support team" quite frequently again. I saw my PT and chiro for the 1st time today (I like to think I brighten their day when I come in ha ha). I had been experiencing some foot pain since the 3rd week or so of December and it continued to get worse. The pain was similar to pain I had in high school when I broke a small bone in my foot. I worried I could have done that again so I've made an appointment with my orthopedist to get x-rays. I was instructed to stop running until the xray results are in, but 20 minutes after I was given that order I was on the treadmill doing another training run. While my rational brain knows that even a 3 mile training run could be doing more harm in the long run I also my irrational brain felt like it was only 3 miles I should just do it and THEN relax ha ha. My calendar says I have only 5 miles for my drop down long run this weekend...I can't lie my irrational brain will probably win that fight and I'll do it. Sometimes being so structured can be a bad thing. I lack the ability to deviate from the schedule I've set (I don't like change). Hopefully I don't have a stress fracture in my foot....If I do, I hope I'm able to accept the restrictions the doctor and/or my chiropractor/PT put on me/my training so my foot can heal properly. It's a crazy disconnect between my rational and irrational brains. I know running right now is bad for me, but I can't stop. It's similar to the way I knew I needed rest days during my 1st marathon training program, but my head told me rest was making me weak.
Differences between my two training programs will happen for no other reason than they ARE different-I'm different from then and now both mentally and physically. I may not be at the top of my game right now, but I'll get there. I had ups and downs in my last training and I know I will this time too. This isn't a sprint...it's a marathon!
Day by day and training run by training run I'm getting closer to my next race and my next goal...that's what I need to focus on! It's true what they say, running is a very mental sport.
“You have to train your mind like you train your body.” -Bruce Jenner
Xrays are Monday...check back to see what they say!
This training is completely different for lots of reasons...
The biggest difference has to be the time of year. Winter training is super hard. Finding the motivation to go is probably the biggest obstacle although once I get out there I'm fine....in fact I'm happier once I'm out there. I'm finding more runs have been inside than I'd like them to be. We've had the insanely cold temperatures this week so I haven't run outside at all (tho I do get outside every day for at least 15 minutes-usually a walk during my lunch)
Beyond the season of this training program I have also been struggling with focus. I just realized I was supposed to do 4 miles yesterday and I only did 3. Last week, on my long run, I didn't map it out until the morning of. I'm still very structured in eating, drinking, and days I'm working out/running but my focus is not at all where it was during my last training.
Injuries are worse it seems. I don't know if my injuries seem worse because they just are or they appear to be worse because of the seasons. I feel like the winter in general has everyone a little more lethargic. Whatever the reason I'm feeling the effects.
About injuries...it's safe to say I'll be seeing my "support team" quite frequently again. I saw my PT and chiro for the 1st time today (I like to think I brighten their day when I come in ha ha). I had been experiencing some foot pain since the 3rd week or so of December and it continued to get worse. The pain was similar to pain I had in high school when I broke a small bone in my foot. I worried I could have done that again so I've made an appointment with my orthopedist to get x-rays. I was instructed to stop running until the xray results are in, but 20 minutes after I was given that order I was on the treadmill doing another training run. While my rational brain knows that even a 3 mile training run could be doing more harm in the long run I also my irrational brain felt like it was only 3 miles I should just do it and THEN relax ha ha. My calendar says I have only 5 miles for my drop down long run this weekend...I can't lie my irrational brain will probably win that fight and I'll do it. Sometimes being so structured can be a bad thing. I lack the ability to deviate from the schedule I've set (I don't like change). Hopefully I don't have a stress fracture in my foot....If I do, I hope I'm able to accept the restrictions the doctor and/or my chiropractor/PT put on me/my training so my foot can heal properly. It's a crazy disconnect between my rational and irrational brains. I know running right now is bad for me, but I can't stop. It's similar to the way I knew I needed rest days during my 1st marathon training program, but my head told me rest was making me weak.
Differences between my two training programs will happen for no other reason than they ARE different-I'm different from then and now both mentally and physically. I may not be at the top of my game right now, but I'll get there. I had ups and downs in my last training and I know I will this time too. This isn't a sprint...it's a marathon!
Day by day and training run by training run I'm getting closer to my next race and my next goal...that's what I need to focus on! It's true what they say, running is a very mental sport.
“You have to train your mind like you train your body.” -Bruce Jenner
Xrays are Monday...check back to see what they say!
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The New Blog Name Is Funny.....
I had some people ask me about the new name for me blog....I went with "My Name Is Kelly And I'm A Runner" like I'm at a meeting and I'm finally admitting I have an addiction....clearly I do have an addiction to running. (Oh well, I think it's funny)
So yeah, I am officially addicted to running-I guess there are worse things to be addicted to. When I'm waitressing and overhear people talking about running I always stop and come right out and say, "I was eavesdropping and heard you talk about running..." (20 minutes later...) ha ha
Let the record state I was NEVER an athlete...NEVER! My parents LOVE to tell the story of my first day of volleyball practice in HS when I came home begging for Nuprin or how I'd stand by the goal in soccer doing my hair and picking flowers with my friend, Ashley. (<--Not in HS, btw ha ha) I actually "ran" track in HS too....well I was on the team, I was a "sprinter" and bailed on workouts all the time. ha ha It's kind of funny/sad to look back on it. I bet if I was a distance runner in HS I would have been pretty decent. Oh well...
So, back to training...The training differences between training for Chicago and training for NJ are quite noticeable so far and I just started.
-In my warmer training I'd set out water the night before a run and get up super early before the day got too hot. With my winter training I can't leave water out because it will freeze and be worthless to me the next day. I also go as late as I can (while there's still light) so it's a warm as possible and black ice can melt.
-Getting out the door for a winter run is MUCH harder-it's really cold out there. Once you are out it's just like a summer run where you instantly feel better for being in your element.
-Maybe it's because I just started running outside after two months of running inside, but my aches are different and I think a lot of that has to do with how tense I am about running and not slipping on what may or may not be black ice. I also attribute some of my new aches to how cold it is-either way, massage appointments have been made and I've touched base to start seeing my chiropractor again.
-In the summer wearing a tank top was sometimes too much clothing. In the winter I'm wearing TONS more. Trying to wear enough, but not too much because you heat up very quickly and don't want to wear more than you have to is tricky.
I'm sure I'll be adding to this list as I get further into my training...
So far winter training is tough, but....
I need to do this to get the time I need to qualify for Boston.
I need to do this because I miss it and needed some focus.
I need to do this because the winter is depressing and I don't need extra winter weight.
I need to do this as a reason to get outside in the fresh air & sunlight as much as possible.
I need to do this because I'm a runner and runners are like the post office...Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night.
So yeah, I am officially addicted to running-I guess there are worse things to be addicted to. When I'm waitressing and overhear people talking about running I always stop and come right out and say, "I was eavesdropping and heard you talk about running..." (20 minutes later...) ha ha
Let the record state I was NEVER an athlete...NEVER! My parents LOVE to tell the story of my first day of volleyball practice in HS when I came home begging for Nuprin or how I'd stand by the goal in soccer doing my hair and picking flowers with my friend, Ashley. (<--Not in HS, btw ha ha) I actually "ran" track in HS too....well I was on the team, I was a "sprinter" and bailed on workouts all the time. ha ha It's kind of funny/sad to look back on it. I bet if I was a distance runner in HS I would have been pretty decent. Oh well...
So, back to training...The training differences between training for Chicago and training for NJ are quite noticeable so far and I just started.
-In my warmer training I'd set out water the night before a run and get up super early before the day got too hot. With my winter training I can't leave water out because it will freeze and be worthless to me the next day. I also go as late as I can (while there's still light) so it's a warm as possible and black ice can melt.
-Getting out the door for a winter run is MUCH harder-it's really cold out there. Once you are out it's just like a summer run where you instantly feel better for being in your element.
-Maybe it's because I just started running outside after two months of running inside, but my aches are different and I think a lot of that has to do with how tense I am about running and not slipping on what may or may not be black ice. I also attribute some of my new aches to how cold it is-either way, massage appointments have been made and I've touched base to start seeing my chiropractor again.
-In the summer wearing a tank top was sometimes too much clothing. In the winter I'm wearing TONS more. Trying to wear enough, but not too much because you heat up very quickly and don't want to wear more than you have to is tricky.
I'm sure I'll be adding to this list as I get further into my training...
So far winter training is tough, but....
I need to do this to get the time I need to qualify for Boston.
I need to do this because I miss it and needed some focus.
I need to do this because the winter is depressing and I don't need extra winter weight.
I need to do this as a reason to get outside in the fresh air & sunlight as much as possible.
I need to do this because I'm a runner and runners are like the post office...Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night.
“There is an expression among even the most advanced runners that getting your shoes on is the hardest part of any workout…” -Katherine Switzer
Thursday, December 26, 2013
It's been 2 months.....a post needed to happen!
Here I am, 2 months since the marathon and it's safe to say it's been a difficult 2 months. I found everything relating to the marathon was tough once it was done. I wanted nothing to do with blogging about it because I was having a tough time with it being over. I REALLY enjoyed the entire process. I loved training. I loved the routine of training. I knew that every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday were my run days and I my life revolved around it-and I was okay with that. Training made me very structured in what I ate and drank....turns out I needed that ha ha. The endorphins running gave me were incredible and once it ended I missed them. Even the week after the marathon I was starting to get the post marathon blues. Originally, I planned to take a good month or so off from running...that lasted about 3 days. ha ha Even when I went back to running it wasn't the same-nothing was.
The marathon gave me a goal, a focus and in an instant it was gone. My post-marathon workouts were a waste of my time (in my head). Going from a workout where I ran 20 miles to a workout of an hour of lifting and 40 minutes of cardio was a joke. I missed the structure. I liked making my life happen around my training so once it was gone I felt like all I had was time-too much time. I started breaking all of my eating and drinking rules and felt completely out of control.
Once the marathon ended and runs were just "whatever" I started to focus on shorter runs where I killed myself to get quicker times so I can cut time and hopefully run a race that will qualify me for Boston. In the 2 months since the marathon ended I haven't had a run longer than 6 miles...sad! I've been so much faster, but could I maintain that quick speed for more than 6 miles?...doubtful, but I'm going to get there!
As I mentioned in other posts, I ran for OAR (Organization For Autism Research). They had a team that ran in the NYC marathon so Alice and I went to cheer our team on...it was so great to be there and see a marathon from a totally different vantage point! I wanted nothing more than to go out and run with them. I can't lie, I was pretty jealous.
These two months have been rough....add to it the intro of winter where it feels like it's dark all day. I'm the kind of person who needs sunlight so this has made post-marathon blues worse. As the darkness began to increase and my mood decrease I realized something had to be done....I registered for another marathon!!!! I'm back to training! I will be running the NJ Marathon at the end of April. (While I haven't registered, I will also be running the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon Memorial Day weekend) I can already see that training for the NJ Marathon will be MUCH different (and I fear harder due to weather and the fact that stakes are higher with me having a 3:40:00 goal so I can qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon). I am happy to be back tho and while it's still week one of training I'm feeling my mood brighten. I'll be starting a new blog-name to be decided soon so keep checking back or like my blog FB page. One change....no dating "blog fans" this time around HA HA!
My final thought: The marathon changed me....that's all I can say!
John Hanc, running writer
"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."
If you like my blog, tell a friend or like my blog on Facebook facebook blog page
The marathon gave me a goal, a focus and in an instant it was gone. My post-marathon workouts were a waste of my time (in my head). Going from a workout where I ran 20 miles to a workout of an hour of lifting and 40 minutes of cardio was a joke. I missed the structure. I liked making my life happen around my training so once it was gone I felt like all I had was time-too much time. I started breaking all of my eating and drinking rules and felt completely out of control.
Once the marathon ended and runs were just "whatever" I started to focus on shorter runs where I killed myself to get quicker times so I can cut time and hopefully run a race that will qualify me for Boston. In the 2 months since the marathon ended I haven't had a run longer than 6 miles...sad! I've been so much faster, but could I maintain that quick speed for more than 6 miles?...doubtful, but I'm going to get there!
As I mentioned in other posts, I ran for OAR (Organization For Autism Research). They had a team that ran in the NYC marathon so Alice and I went to cheer our team on...it was so great to be there and see a marathon from a totally different vantage point! I wanted nothing more than to go out and run with them. I can't lie, I was pretty jealous.
These two months have been rough....add to it the intro of winter where it feels like it's dark all day. I'm the kind of person who needs sunlight so this has made post-marathon blues worse. As the darkness began to increase and my mood decrease I realized something had to be done....I registered for another marathon!!!! I'm back to training! I will be running the NJ Marathon at the end of April. (While I haven't registered, I will also be running the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon Memorial Day weekend) I can already see that training for the NJ Marathon will be MUCH different (and I fear harder due to weather and the fact that stakes are higher with me having a 3:40:00 goal so I can qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon). I am happy to be back tho and while it's still week one of training I'm feeling my mood brighten. I'll be starting a new blog-name to be decided soon so keep checking back or like my blog FB page. One change....no dating "blog fans" this time around HA HA!
My final thought: The marathon changed me....that's all I can say!
John Hanc, running writer
"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."
If you like my blog, tell a friend or like my blog on Facebook facebook blog page
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
A MA ZING!!!
I DID IT!
I can't believe it's over. Race day was an incredible experience from start to finish. While I can't put into words the emotions and all that surrounded race day I will try my best...just know to magnify it by like a bunch ha ha
Waking up on race day was a lot of nerves and excitement. I will admit a lot of my nerves were (as I've mentioned before) related to pooping before the race so I wouldn't have to during the race. Ha Ha. Alice and I were super prepared by laying everything out the night before and setting apx 12 alarms to make sure we got up, but it didn't stop there. With our fear that we'd never get a cab to get us even remotely close to "charity village" (Charity Village is where those running for a charity had set up heated hospitality tents. It was great...you had to be associated with a charity or have a friends and family wristband to get in so while others were out in the cold we had heated tents and tons of port o potties ha ha) Our charity, OAR (Organization for Autism Research<--amazing organization, btw) was set up there and taking a 6:00am team photo. Alice and I left our hotel by 5:15 am...ps we had to go 2 miles from our hotel ha ha. Needless to say, at 5:30am, we were the 1st team members there ha ha. I was happy we arrived on time but still, I was carrying my lack of pooping fear with me. Around 5:45 they started to announce that all charity village members had 15 minutes before they needed to go to the main gates to go through security. (Our wave was starting at 8:00am but since security was tighter than usual they wanted everyone to be ready and expecting long lines). This was it...my last chance (or so I feared) to poop. I will spare you the details and just say it was the greatest port-o-potty experience I have EVER had ha ha. I'm sure others knew as I came out, with arms raised, yelling, "VICTORY" ha ha After that hurdle crossed I was ready to roll! Our "team" photo was taken with the few members who made it in time then we were on our way. After leaving the cozy hospitality tent in Charity Village we realized it was actually quite cold and we had a good deal of time before we were going to get running. After a lot of waiting around and hearing the same race day announcements 50 times it was time to finally make our way to our corral.
As I stood in the corral waiting I wasn't nervous or scared or anything...I was kind of excited I guess. I was literally taking it all in. "Born To Run" was playing, the MC was trying to pump everyone up and the corral was starting to fill up. It was surreal in a way. I knew this day was going to come eventually, but it was finally here....all the training and planning were coming down to this moment.
I have to admit I didn't really understand how people kept thinking running a marathon was crazy, amazing, impressive, etc. I thought it was a running race that I was spending a good deal of time getting ready for. I didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary, I guess. In my heart I believe anyone can do what I was doing. As time went by the number of people who shared the above mentioned thoughts increased and I thought maybe this is a big deal. If kind of made me feel special. Well that feeling special ended when I was there in the thick of 35,000+ runners. I didn't think I was very special...I was a dime a dozen on the streets of Chicago....everyone was doing it! ha ha
We stood and listened as they started the race for the elite wheelchair division, they were followed by the regular wheelchair racers. Soon the elite runners were off....then the 1st wave. We were about 30 minutes away. As the time ticked by runners checked (or if you're me-re-checked) watches, made sure ipods were on and ready, gps running apps were prepped and last minute photos snapped. Alice and I took our last pre-race photo and then we waited some more. ha ha Slowly we inched our way closer to the start....then we'd stop and wait more. We'd inch then stop, inch then stop. We tossed out warm layer and then it happened we started the trot. Before we knew it we were wished well by the MC and the start line was right there. I wished Alice well and I was on my way.
I had my ipod on insanely loud then took it down to listen to the crowds. The cheers were thunderous. It was a very emotional few minutes in which I was actually holding back tears. Sure I didn't know a single person in the crowds, but it didn't matter. It felt like they were there for me. I remember one sign said, "Go Kelly" and I made believe it was intentionally made for me. ha ha
I thought a lot as I was running the first two miles. I didn't want to start too hard as this was my 1st marathon and I didn't want to gas out too early. I had a pacing bracelet helping me focus on my long shot goal of 3:40:00 (my BQ time). The first two miles were packed. They were packed to the point where I couldn't have run faster if I wanted to. In those 2 miles I lost a good 2 minutes and knew hitting 3:40:00 was going to be near impossible...as much as I
wanted to I knew it was a long shot and I couldn't let it bother me. I never got negative about the reality of not hitting my 3:40:00 goal-I just shifted my goal to "sub 4 and enjoy the hell out of the race because you've worked for 18 weeks to get here." I tried to listen to all the advice I had been given like, take it all in, look, listen, high-five spectators and I did each thing. It was MY race and I was going to enjoy it (as much as you can enjoy it with all the pain you experience ha ha)
As I ran, amazingly, it wasn't my knees or hip that bothered me...it was my neck and shoulders. I remember making conscious thoughts to pull my shoulders back and down.
When I got to mile 7 I remember thinking, "if this was a 1/2 marathon you'd be more than 1/2 way done...this is a full and you have 19.2 to go..that's a lot" ha ha I also remember looking down to my wrist to see what my pacing bracelet said vs my watch. My watch said 0:48:and change and my bracelet said 0:58:44 and I was in shock. I, for some reason, thought I was 10 minutes ahead of what I had to be at. I gave my watch and bracelet a 2nd look an realize, "no, no....you just hit your watch and stopped it" (ha ha and boo all at once). I stated to do math...something I like to do when I run to really keep my mind off of the pain or discomfort I'm in. I decided to just run without my watch until mile 13 then I'd start it at the 1/2 way point to refocus me. I realized I could lose a complete focus and then I'd REALLY be tossing my possibilities of 3:40:00 out the window. So at mile 10 I started my watch again. I was still off the times I needed to hit, but not by tons. 2 minutes isn't a lot of time...except when you need to take it off your run that is already hard for you.
The beginning few miles seemed to go by quickly, by the time I got to 15 I realized I was more than 1/2 way, but still there was a hell of a lot to still run ha ha. Some people were fearing mile 18 as 18 is a good chuck done with a decent chunk still to go. I wasn't fearing any mile (I was told to also fear the wall at mile 20, but my thinking was in training I did 21 and felt amazing after so I can't be worried about a wall at 20 now). While I didn't fear a wall I met one ha ha At mile 22 I literally became exhausted mentally and physically. I remember saying to myself, "Holy shit, you still have 4.2 miles to go and the last .2 is a hill...what the shit are you going to do? How will you get there?" My legs felt like heavy, my neck and shoulders agonizing, my form was sloppy, I was chaffing at the bottom of my sports bra and (for whatever reason) in my left armpit. The hardest part was the crowds had thinned out a good deal at mile 22...It was literally the point I needed perfect strangers to help me the most. Somehow I dug deep and pushed through. When I saw the 23rd mile marker I was thrilled. I thought, "A little more than a 5k to go...no possible way you'll be running more than 35 minutes" I felt like everyone was thinking that too. Mood seemed to change...it was probably just me thinking that, but whatever it helped ha ha. Crowds started to increase again and it was the final stretch. (Thankfully the end was coming because if I had to eat another jelly bean or chomp or sip more Gatorade I'd die ha ha) I don't know where it came from, but I (THANKFULLY) had a little more energy to get me through the final 5k. My other two saving graces were some random spectator who made direct eye contact with runners and pointed at them saying, "YOU CAN DO THIS...THIS IS YOUR RACE." Luckily I caught her eye and she uttered those words and it was like she knew me and believed in me-it worked and I'm thankful for her. The last saving grace was some announcer saying, "Ok everybody let's give these runners some added encouragement because if they don't push it they won't hit the 4 hour mark." Well that was about all I needed. I lost my 3:40:00 miles back and was cool with it, but not doing sub 4 hours wasn't going to work for me. I pushed it up that final hill and watched as the signs told you how far you had left. I saw the 400M sign and thought 1 time around the track. 200M and I could visualize myself on my high school track about to start a 200M race. As the meters decreased I was getting happier and happier. To be honest, I wasn't exactly sure where the actual, exact, finish was. ha ha I remember thinking, "you did it, you actually did it." then my legs got shaky and I realized the tightness in my chest. They keep you moving through the finish line handing you emergency blankets, medals, water, food, ice bags and beer....yes, beer! Once I was through the lines they ushered you down I realized just how badly the chaffing hurt. I went to a medic who winced when I left my arm and my shirt....in hindsight I hope she was wincing at the burn and not my smell ha ha.
It was incredibly cool to have runner tracking. While my friends and family weren't at the actual race they were there with me as they received text messages when I hit different mile marks like my 5k, 10K, 1/2 marathon, etc. As I ran I thought, "they know exactly where I am..how cool. I wonder what they are saying about my times." Seconds after I finished text messages starting coming it congratulating me. I couldn't keep up with the congratulation messages on Facebook. Since my watch had stopped I wasn't actually sure of my time so it was my little sister who actually notified me that I did hit my sub 4 goal!
Getting a text from Alice was great! While we only ran one training run together we had the same schedule and experienced very similar ups and downs so I felt as much a part of her training/race as she did mine so I was thrilled for her finish like I was thrilled for my own. We reconnected and head for Charity Village to connect with our team and enjoy the amenities of the hospitality tent. I ate like I hadn't eaten in days and winced through a massage. We talked with other runners from OAR, shared race stories, and took photos to capture memories of this amazing experience.
Alice and I went to Chicago not knowing anyone, but through OAR (the group we raised money for) we met some really great people. We even made a friend and went out to dinner with him as we now had Chicago marathon and OAR to link us.
After the race Alice and I talked for hours about it. We didn't run together but we remarked on things we both saw along the course..mostly the clever signs (which I will post about). In one of our talks I told her how it didn't feel like I had been running for close to 4 hours and in that time I can only name about 5 songs I actually remember running to. I had been listening to my ipod for a majority of the run but I think my focus on everything around me had me ignoring the music. While we knew we needed to ice and nap before going out that night we found our bodies to be exhausted but brains on overdrive and unable to slow. We went out that night and crashed early from all the excitement and emotion (and lets face it, physical demands) we went through that morning.
It was a motionless sleep. Getting up and actually out of bed the next morning was tricky but I wouldn't have had it any other way!
"The
miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to
start."
-John Bingham
-John Bingham
Saturday, October 12, 2013
10 hours to go!!!
Well, it's here...the night before the big race. I am excited, but keep coming back to the same thought: this marathon is like a final exam....I've been to class, taken notes, read and studied all semester...tomorrow's the exam and there's nothing left that I can do but show up and try my best!
As I've mentioned, I'm running for OAR (The Organization For Autism Research). Tonight we had a team recognition dinner and got to meet other team members and hear where all the money we raised goes. More importantly, we got to hear stories of how autism has affected some of the team members. Hearing those stories really made me proud to be a part of this team. As we walked back to our hotel, after the dinner, we realized that no matter what happens at the race we have made a difference. Yes, training was painful, but those struggles were nothing compared to the struggles people with autism face every day.
It's time to lace up and get running!
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