TMI on the trail

One of the things I've noticed with our running group is that we usually at some point during or after our runs talk about bodily functions. It starts with running ailments like shin splints or ankle pain, then somehow we get to stomach issues like nausea and finding the portapotty before it's too late, and other fun things.  

It's not unique to our group, either.  I just googled "bodily functions marathons" and there's all sorts of fun stuff like this gem.  Or embarrassing moments while running.  That's a good one.  I've also heard about the "#2 tempo run" and bloody nipples (for guys) and black toenails but luckily those things never happened to me.  I did have a toenail fall off once but I couldn't claim that trophy from running.  My kitchen table just jumped out at me and its leg crashed down on my toe. For no reason. I still have a "baby toenail" growing back and I threaten to show it to my boys when they are acting up.  "Look at the baby toenail!"  "Ew gross Mom!"

When you are running for more than an hour, there's not a lot to talk about that is very stimulating.  And the only way you find out about this stuff and how to deal with it is to talk about it.   

So, what's your most embarrassing moment on a run or race?  The worst I can claim is trying to throw a cup of Gatorade into the trash after the water stop and instead having the entire cup spill on me. Sticky gross mess for 5 miles. 

Or what's the weirdest thing you've talked about on your run? 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Slow and steady wins the race. That's a message from the Tortoise and the Hare, one of Aesop's fables. The hare is obviously the quicker of the two, and so during the race he slacks off and takes a nap, while the tortoise plods along slowly and and steadily to beat the hare to the finish line. You can also take away the message that you shouldn't be overconfident, but I like the persistence and determination of the tortoise.  It's where I'm at with my training.

Tortoise and Hare, Copley Square, Boston

When I talk about training for the marathon with other people, they always assume I'm a fast runner.  Isn't 26.2 miles enough? I have to be fast, too?

I've blogged about how it feels to be a very slow runner.  My first post ever, "I am a penguin," was about me just starting out with a training group (before any races!) and how slow I was. I hated being slow, but then a stress fracture in my leg taught me that speed isn't really important.

But it's hard to face the comments -  "You aren't a runner, you are a jogger," or "how can you run that slow? you might as well walk" - and the fact that when we started, the training group didn't even have a coach for the marathoners for our pace group or any slower pace (yet they had one for the walkers and the run/walkers).

Then my husband tells me, "Get over it."   Really, I think I have. I'm in a great pace group with other people at the same level, and they are a lot of fun and very supportive.  It's really all about finishing the race for us.  Slow and steady gets us to the finish line. That's how we win.

So my message is for the rest of you who don't think you can run or that you are too slow to be a runner - Get over it! You are runners, and you can do it, and you will be glad you did!

I'll leave you with some words of wisdom from others:

• from Runner's World Magazine Quote of the Day: "I often hear people say 'I’m not a real runner.' We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I've never met a fake runner." —RW's Chief Running Officer, Bart Yasso
• I am not a jogger. " I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."
• "You might be a penguin if......you have to politely (for the third time) tell the men in the police car moving behind you that no you do not wish for a ride...[or] ...during a race, you keep turning around to see if there is still anybody behind you."
• Find your inner penguin.
• On my husband's running closet door (yes he has a running closet -where do you think all his shoes go?):  "Every run is a gift. Run long, run strong." - Ryan Hall. 

Now off to bed so I am ready for my 8 miles in the morning.  Happy running!

Shoes! And Jelly Beans!

Got some new shoes today! And some jelly beans!  I have been using Gu in the past for half marathons, but considering that I will be likely be out on the course for five hours or more for the marathon, I wanted to try the "sports beans" because they might be a little easier on the stomach.

What do you use for nutrition during a race? 

Don't Panic

I woke up this morning with a terrible headache. It started around 2:00 am and then I'd wake up every hour until 5:30 am.  I was supposed to run this morning, and it was extremely important because I didn't run yesterday due to being just plain exhausted.  Beyond caffeine exhausted. Like new baby exhausted. 

There was no way I was going to be able to get out there this morning. My head hurt so much I felt like I was going to throw up.  A few ibuprofen (the duct tape of medicine!) and my head was bearably numb, but I was still nauseous. I'm either getting sick or there's some big storm coming (yep my head can predict storms, what of it?). 

Now I'm panicked. I can't miss two days of running in a row. I'll fall behind. I'll get fat. I'll lose my motivation! 

The rule of thumb is to make your long runs no longer than half of the mileage for the week. So I just need to figure out how to fit in 8 miles this week so I can feel comfortable running 8 miles on Saturday. But if I don't, then I don't.  It's important to stay healthy when you are training. When you train for a race there's always a risk of pushing yourself too hard and then your immune system can be compromised.  I always get a sinus infection a few weeks before the half marathon I'm training for.  So I'm really wigged out that I'll get sick in the middle of my training. It doesn't help I have people coughing germs all over me lately.  And little petri dishes running around my house spreading the germs incubating in their little bodies. 

The lesson I've learned in training is that you need to be flexible. There will be weeks where you can't train, either because you are sick or because of vacation or something else that gets in the way. The best you can do is pick up where you left off and keep going. 

Don't panic. If you get back on track you'll be fine. 

I hope. Right now I feel like a zombie that ate some bad brains. Ugh. Blech. Where's the Advil?

Horrible. Rotten. Tired and cranky.

Last week was a rest week. This week was back to work.

This meant getting up at 5:30 am to run four days this week.  You have to figure out when the best time is for you to run considering your schedule and just when it feels right.  I like running in the morning, with the sun just rising and the birds chirping, and no one on the road but me.  But I also had a crazy work week, with nonstop meetings and deadlines and emails all week. I would get up at 5:30 am and run, then go to work, and then after dinner, it was play time with the kids (or a two hour baseball game with nine year olds just learning how to pitch and hit) and then bedtime for the kids. Then I had to wind down. I didn't get to sleep until after 11:00 pm. And today it didn't help that I ran 7 miles in the morning then cleaned the basement all afternoon.

I felt so tired it was like a flashback to when the boys were babies and I had to survive on 4-5 hours of sleep for 4 months. That's how I really got addicted to coffee.  Anyway, that's how I felt this week. Horrible. Rotten. Tired and cranky.

My husband (the man with the shoes) kept telling me I would adjust. I'm still not sure how I am supposed to adjust; by "adjust"  does he mean a) I'll start going to sleep earlier, or b) I'll survive on less sleep? I would assume the former, as you are supposed to get plenty of rest while training.  If it's the latter, then I'm not going to make it.  I NEED my sleep.  Anyone who has to be around me for any length of time can attest to that.

Training for any race is a time commitment, but training for a marathon is a really huge time commitment, especially when you are slow. I see some weekend naps in my future.

UPDATE:  So my husband tells me (after reading this post,and on Facebook, no less): You will "adjust" in that your fitness will improve and you'll be able to complete your workouts without feeling fatigued for days on end.  When will THAT happen? I'd like to know.  Cause I'm tired and cranky now.

Just some stuff

I haven't posted in a while and I don't have a theme for this post. Just some miscellaneous stuff:

1.  Shoes.  My shoes are at 200+ miles.  At 300 miles it's time for new shoes. I have a feeling I'm going to go through shoes a lot faster. And since I overpronate and wear orthotics, I get the extra cushiony stability shoes which cost ALOT. Of course.  That's why I try to get as many miles as possible.

My shoe closet doesn't compare with my husband's:

I'm in so much trouble for posting this picture. But you have to see it to believe it.

2.  Heat.  It's been exceptionally hot.  Too hot. Running in the heat has been unbearable and that's when I'm running in 70 degree weather at 6:00 am.  Looks like next week will be better.

3.  Tired.  I've noticed that as I do morning runs, and more miles, I'm getting really tired by the end of the week. Heck, by Wednesday I'm exhausted at 7:00 p.m.  I can't get to bed any earlier, either. The kids go to bed by 9:00, and I need time to unwind.  It's just not enough sleep to keep me going. I have to figure out how to get more sleep.  This is also why I haven't been updating the blog. Cause I'm tired, people.

4.  De-stress.  I've noticed that when I come home from a particularly stressful day from work the thing I want most to do is run.  I think running outside makes a big difference. Just go out the door and start running down the street. Let my mind wander, or just look around.  Or put on some kick-ass tunes.

Now enjoy some kick-ass running tunes: