What Does It Take... NYC Marathon Memories

What does it take?
That’s the question that is emblazoned across my NYC Marathon finishing shirt; a question to take seriously and delve deeply into when considering running a marathon, or even perhaps any endeavour, for there IS a price that is paid for whatever we do.
The price I was willing to pay, physically, to run another marathon was months of training and hours upon hours of time. Mentally it was pulling out from deep within my being the belief that once again I would do my very best, no matter what the circumstances were, knowing that there would be difficulties, pain and well known fatigue during the race. Emotionally knowing that my nerves would be wringing my insides round and round and leaving them in tangled knotted mess. But all that is paled by the Greta Weitz embossed image on the medal placed around my neck after I crossed over the finish line in Central Park on 2 November 2008.

My legs had not just carried me through the 5 Boroughs of NYC, but through the cold pre dawn walk in Manhattan to the Public Library for the start of my 4am bus ride and subsequent 6 hour wait in Staten Island where I shivered with my husband awaiting his start time and then over to my start area and another cold wait for my 10:20 departure.

My heart soared as it was my time to cross over the mats on the upper level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. A bridge I detested crossing when driving a car, due to my fear of the height and length, but smiled all the away across in awe at the magnificent view of the River below and Manhattan in the distance. I could even make out the smaller islands of Ellis, Governors, and the Statue Of Liberty. The amazing monstrous bridge arches were like giant croquet hoops suspended atop a ribbon of concrete, and I just one of the players in the game taking my turn at passing through them.

Periodically I would compare my watch time on my left wrist to the split race band on my right. The miles of Brooklyn were streaming passed to the sounds of assorted bands, cheering spectators and the “one more mile completed” mantra in my mind. Approaching the Pulaski Bridge and Queens I caught sight of a fellow club runner and shared encouraging words and with her kudos ringing in my ears I pressed on through the half way mark.

I had my camelbak strapped to my back and replenshined my dehydrated state throughout the race with sport drink, however this wasn’t enough to ward off the horrific Right Quadriceps cramp I experienced while attempting to stretch out my legs on the Queens borough bridge at mile post 16.5. This proved to be my undoing as a personal best time had looked very promising until this point. Now I was reduced to intermittent tinges of my muscle and sought medical assistance in the form of salt washed down with water at each Medic Tent I passed.

I was on First Avenue in Manhattan, mile 17 was behind me and I only had a little more than 9 miles left. I was feeling the fatigue, the sore muscles were reminding me of how far I had run, and my mental determination was urging me onward towards the Willis Avenue Bridge and the short run through the Bronx. A welcome committee consisting of a drum band and a woman cheering “Welcome to the BRONX!” brought a tired nod of my head and a realization that a mere 10K was all that separated me from the finish line.
Leaving the Bronx with a renewed sense of resolve and grit I crossed over the Madison Avenue Bridge and returned to Manhattan along 5th Avenue. The slight incline and mile 22 had me counting the remaining miles on one hand; Just FOUR more and change. My eyes now began to search the crowds for family that had told me they would be cheering me on at some point along this side of the Park. It felt better to keep running than interspaced running with walking. I pushed on and when the course became tree lined I knew I was within Central Park and the 23 mile sign suspended above the road was another welcome banner urging me onward.
The electronic mats I had been crossing over throughout the miles had allowed my family to know my progress. My son in Illinois knew how I had tired and realized that something had happened to cause my sub 12 min per mile pace to slip to over 13 min. My daughter was receiving updates on her mobile phone letting her know of my approximate time as I neared her vantage point. My brother and his family waited eagerly for me at the 26 mile point to give me that final push onward to the finish line. My husband, with his race now completed, awaited me to finish mine so we could exchange our Marathon Stories. The thoughts of these people, and the thousands others I would never know out there cheering me on had a dramatic effect as I approached the 25 mile banner and the familiar area my husband and I had walked through the day before.
The turn from the park onto Central Park South brought back the memories from the previous morning and the International Friendship Run. I had joined the thousands of runners from around the world at the UN to run in harmony through the streets of Manhattan to the finish line. Here I was repeating that last mile a day later with an inner drive taking each step forward. I then saw myself on the big screen just outside the re-entrance to the park at Columbus Circle. I heard my name being called not realizing that one of those voices was my oldest child, my daughter and her friend who were watching me run for the first time. Less than a half a mile! I’m in the home stretch I mentally told myself. I pushed onward until I heard my name again and looked to my right.

There along the tree lined course was my younger brother, his wife and their three teenaged daughters who had come from Delaware for this moment! I was ecstatic and waved my arms and ran over to them, embracing each one. With a quick glance at my watch and a shout that there was a medal waiting for me, I left them for the final sprint up the last rise to the awaiting finish gates. My brother was cheering me on as he too ran along with me on the outside of the course.
My eyes were fixed on the chosen gate and with outstretched arms I completed my fifth marathon. With an exhausted smile I accepted the medal and the congratulations that were placed around my neck. Emotion filled my soul as I stood for a “finisher picture” first from the medal presenter and then from the official photographer. I collected a foil “heat blanket” and wrapped it around my now chilling body and a food bag that I knew at some point I would enjoy.
It was a walk to the UPS truck that had my kit bag and I took each step gingerly as every muscle in my tired body was reminding me what I had just accomplished. Seeking to eliminate some of the cold, I attempted to put on my warm up pants. Bad move!! My Right quadriceps seized up and I was instantly frozen in pain. Thankfully a medic was standing nearby and came to my assistance with more salt and water. He escorted me to a warm tent where I received a muscle massage and downed my recovery drink. When they were satisfied that I was able to move again, and after phone calls with my husband, daughter and brother I made my way out of the park and to the waiting area to find those who meant so much to me.
Finding first my brother and his family, and then my daughter brought cheers, hugs, elation, admiration and stories as we walked through the early evening sunset. We could see runners still making their final approach through the last .2 mile of Central Park. My husband would meet me at the hotel as he too had suffered cramping at 16 miles and needed to rest.

The reunion at the hotel with my husband allowed me to hear his journey of the Five NYC Boroughs and relax with those who were there to watch us. With the picture taking, medic stops I still managed to finish under 6 hours; 5:59:42. My husband still accomplished another Boston Qualifying time of 3:35:51. Neither one of us did a personal best in NYC but our experience will remain etched in our memoires none the less.
So, what does it take to run a marathon? My NYC Marathon shirt answers that with three simply put words….Heart Pounding Dedication. Yep, I totally agree!

Run with me....thoughts and ramblings before NYC

Five days! A fistful of fingers! OH my how my stomach churns. Bags are being packed, final preparations are being done, five miles to run today, four tomorrow.....

My mind is a list, a mental checking off of what I have to do to be ready for Thursday morning.. for Saturday night, for Sunday at 10:20ET. It all awaits. WIll I be ready, will my nerves hold tight? Ramblings of my mind, rumblings of my stomach. Thoughts sprinting through as I prepare what I need to do each day, each hour. I write, I ponder, I wonder. I dream. I plan! Yes, I plan! That is what I have been doing for days, weeks, months, and even years. I am getting ready. I WILL be ready!!

Each of you will be with me. Those who know what it takes to run a long distance, those who can't even imagine what is involved. Those who will be preparing for this type of event, those who utter a prayer/cheer of support. All of these are my cheerleaders. All are carried along with my warrior spirit, my road awaits. Your thoughts, prayers, well wishes, are felt on my shoes, my shoulders, my number on my vest 44971, I hear your voices echoed in the throngs that will be NYC.

I write now, before the hectic pace of the rest of the week envelope... Run with me in spirit, in unity, in like mind, run with me in determination, in fatigue, in passion, run with me for those things you too dream and work hard to accomplish..run with me in celebration of life, of all we are given and all we work hard for......... thank you for all that you are. My hand is held by your hand and together...we RUN!

In ONE hand

That is all.. just one hand, five fingers to represent each of the days left until I am in Staten Island, atop the Verazzano Narrows Bridge, steadying my nerves to run the New York City Marathon. Queaziness hits me right now as I think about it!! But, I'm not there today. I still have a 5 mile easy paced run in the frosty temps of today to complete. Then tomorrow,there is my last 4 mile run on these shores before heading over to NYC on Thursday.

All of that is so exciting, I just need right now to step away from it and say a huge thank you to the people who have taken the time so far to sponsor me for this race. As I wrote in an earlier post, I am raising money for the Hepatitis C Trust here in the UK and want to thank the ladies in my Women's Running Network, Preston, Fulwood group for their donation. I enjoy Tuesday night runs with them and the support and encouragement they provide. Especially Freda and Felicity the group leaders. Paula, one of the members donated on her own and I am very appreciative of that. It's great to see someone come into the group and blossom in her running. Well done!

Back a couple of years ago I took part in the Salford Women's 5.25 mile race and met up with a fantastic group of women who even though they didn't know me, cheered me on as I finished my first every 5 mile race. We have stayed in touch for over 3 years and Thank you Elaine for your donation and kind words.

The wonder of technology has brought us the inovation of MP3 players and podcasts. It is though such a podcast, Phedippidations,http://www.steverunner.com/ that I first "met" Drusy. Then we had the fun of meeting up for real prior to running the London Marathon in April 2008. Thank you for your blog, http://www.drusy.blogspot.com/ your podcast, The Runners Roundtable http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/23997with all the others around the table, and mostly for your donation to my cause.

I would also like to thank some of the local business in the little village I live in for their donations, Sharps Butchers, The Mellor Pharmacy and Fiona at my church. You each are helping me to reach the goal I have set of £400.00 I will update this list as more wonderful people as they sponsor me.

So onward..... The World Wide Half! Yep.. I did do it. Nope, not in a great time.. but this wasn't about time, it was about doing a 20 mile training run. That is what my focus was on and that is where my mind set took me.

Speaking of minds.. I have a great imagination and it helps me when I am out running long distances by myself. I use mind games and thoughts to get me though those miles on the rural roads and to just focus. Saturday morning 11 October was a misty start and my start line was drenched from earlier rain. I set out with the voices of others preparing for their WWH,Zen Run 10 or Kick the Couch 5K in my ears. I also was thinking of my son over in the USA who would be running his second marathon, KC Marathon, that morning as well.

With these images in my mind I could mentally see all of us lined up together on the road in front of my house getting ready to head up the hill and off to our various finish lines.

The shared route would take us along some busy roads and then out into the countryside, I would get to show the other runners some of my favorite views. The first group to stop and applaud us were those in the kick the couch 5k. This finish line was across from the entrance to one of the country clubs (golf courses) Well done to each of those who ran that distance. We shared hugs and then continued on. The skies were trying to clear a little but still coldish.

Approaching the 6.2 mile mark was now out in a more rural road on a bridge taking us over one of the busier duel carriageways in the area. Again we applauded those who had finished their Zen Run 10k and they in turned wished us well as we moved onward to the beautiful Ribble Valley.

Now was the time to really enjoy the scenery, listen to the shouts from around the world on the podcast AND to focus. Legs were getting a bit tired as the long uphill at 11 miles took it toll. But I pressed on with the rest of you towards that 13.1 mile mark!! We were on a very busy two lane road and mentally celebrated with each of you once more for having completed the WWH. BUT, that wasn't the final for me.. nope I needed to get to the 20 mile mark. More rural roads, more scenery .. more cows, sheep, pheasants, and horses to watch and just follow my foot strikes.

Finally!!! 20 miles! So tired, so pleased! This run was all part of my training, and now, in the partly sunny early afternoon, I had completed it. I was standing on the top of my Marathon training. This was the most miles I would run in a week and now it was accomplished. It would be a steady decline of distance leading up to NYC.

But, in my mind, I saw those who were running the marathon distance that day, my son included, reach with in themselves and press onward. They had more miles to go... more distance to cover before their day was complete. I stood there, smiled and applauded, and mentally shouted out.. well done!

We don't live on this world alone, we don't run on this world alone. I am thankful to each of those reading this for being part of a running community. We are all better people because of it.

Time is like a vapor..

..that is how I have been feeling lately. I've been attempting to get back here to update what has been going on in my training, and I keep missing the opportunity. Today I can wait no longer. Time is slipping by too fast and I want to just hold it in place for just a short bit.

Where have the last 5 weeks gone? There are only 12 days till I run NYC! But before all that I want to put down what these past weeks have been like.

Going back to the half marathon in Anglesey Wales...it was an experience. Graham and I were looking forward to the short couple of hours drive and the bed and breakfast near the start. We allowed some time on Saturday afternoon to visit the amazing Irish Sea front of Hollyhead.What fantastic views! The day was like out of a picture book and look promising for Sunday's race.

The half start was the mid point of the marathon distance, so we were actually running from sea level to one of the highest points in the middle of the island. A late start time of 9:30 meant we would be running as the temps got increasingly warmer and the hills longer and steeper. I kept my focus but knew it wouldn't be a PB time. I was pleased with the 2:45:46 finish considering the hills and heat. It was difficult but the best part was meeting, talking with and capturing a picture with Tracie Morris, Team GB Athens Olympic Marathon runner! What an honor and wonderful woman. She was the second finisher, and first woman finisher in the half and waiting for her sister to finish her first full marathon.

My training enabled me to have a strong finish due to all the hills around Lancashire....more on that and the World Wide Half Marathon in the very soon to come blog entry.

Week 7 Ramblings

Fall has started. Yep. While out on my runs these past couple of days I've noticed the leaves collecting on the pavement. The mornings are darker, the evenings ever so shorter. The air just a tad crisper.

I like the air when it gets like this. The breathing is easier and a sense of exhilaration fills my lungs and legs as I once more head up the first mile hill. What I don't particularly like is the shorter day. Soon I won't have the luxury of going for a late afternoon run and knowing it will still be light when I finish. I won't be able to get out extra early in the glorious sunrise, instead it will be a dark start BUT I will get to see the sunrise as I am out. That IS a bonus.

This is when I make myself even more visible with blinky lights and HVC (high visibility clothing). Just that little bit extra visibility gives me a little bit of a edge when out and about and the lighting is a bit dim.

Training is going well. Just finished a long run of 16 miles on Sunday and put my total up into the mid 40mpw range. Did a cool down of 2 miles to bring me back up the hills and home. Legs felt pretty good and have been doing the cold leg baths. BURRR....but it seems to make the tired calves easier to cope with. I have also arranged for another sports massage this week. So looking forward to it. Thought it would be a good idea with the Angelsey Half Marathon on Sunday down in Wales. Trying whatever it takes to be ready for this half.

Marathon paced mid week runs are now at 9 miles and that means I'm approaching the peak of the marathon training. I do get nervous when I head out for these runs. I guess it's the "performance thinking" kicking in. I want to be able to keep my pace for the entire distance. I focus hard and attempt to run even splits with a bit in the reserve for the final mile. I'll see how that works out this week as the distance is a mile longer then I've done yet.

I'm keeping pretty much to plan with the training. I've opted to run the NYC Marathon for a charity. Anyone reading this who would like to help out a worth cause, please give a minute to check out my just giving web page for the Hepatitis C Trust. http://www.justgiving.com/marysrunning

It's late now, and I see the rain streaking the window. It reminds of the the signs on the water rides at amusement parks: You WILL get wet on this ride! I think of that each time I go for a run in the rain.....
until next time...

Time To Update

It's now September, and summer is basically over. I wonder if there was really A SUMMER at all this year here in NW England. The hot weather didn't happen but for the very few days interspersed throughout about 3 weeks. That was it. Rain? Oh yes...lots of that!!

So getting to the point, training. NYC Marathon is now on the horizon and getting closer with each day. The stepping stones to that have been my day to day runs which now are increasing with mileage. I am using the plan I found that helped me last year. A modified version of the Hanson's Moderate and Consistent plan. It worked well for me in London this past April so I am hoping to see positive results on 2 November.

I participated in the Birchwood 10K, not my favorite distance, but I set a new PB (70:41) and that I am pleased about. However, towards the end my left quad muscle ached terribly and I needed to slow down which cost me valuable seconds. With stretching and treatment I am hoping to eliminate this from happening again.

Now I am looking on to the half marathon in Angelsey, Wales in a short 1.5 weeks. This will be a new experience running there. Looking forward to running in a new area. Of course my stomach gets a bit queasy when I think about it, but I just continue to put down the miles.

Then there is the Coniston Trail up at the Lakes. This will be my fourth time running it and I enjoy the change from road and the different locale. It's a challenging route but not as nutty as the Derwentwater or Garburn Trails.

Just a week after Coniston is the World Wide Festival of Races. I'll be doing a 20 mile training run that day of which I will count the first 13.1 miles as my World Wide Half Marathon. It will be a course of my choosing and one that I used last year.

Then on to the New York City Marathon. Now it is less than 2 months away. I figured that I have covered over 250 miles just in training for this race so far and might just complete another 250 by race day. There are some very high weekly totals looming.

How do I feel about this marathon? Hmmm.. I'm excited of course, I'm nervous, I'm wondering just how I will do, I wonder how the course will be, I wonder how the weather will turn out, I wonder if my family members who say they will be there show up, I wonder if any of my friends will be able to watch...guess I wonder about everything! The biggest concern is of course, will my training allow me to run the best time in a marathon?

This is when I have to trust my training, trust my experience, trust my routines....TRUST. Just pure and simple. I know I can run the distance, I know I can fuel myself correctly before, during and after the race, I know my body has the endurance for this. With this trust, I can push aside those concerns.

It's that one foot in front of the other mentality. Show up for each training run, each nutritional meal, each positive thought...and come race day it will all come together.I will TRUST this.

olympic Dreams

With the images of Beijing in our newspapers, magazines, on our televisions, and computers it gives one pause to ponder. I ponder about a lot of things when I am out running. Guess it is the time alone and the opportunity to relax and free float my mind.

There are amazing athletes from each country out there in China. They are on the world stage and putting themselves out there to be immortalized for what they can do. Years of mental and physical training have gotten them to where they are at this moment. It has been their dream, their goal, their passion, their drive, their life.

What about my olympic dreams. I don't mean going to THE Olympics...no as I have not spelled the work with a capital O. I'm more interested in another use of the word...perhaps leaning towards the" doing something in such a way that it takes great effort, courage, determination, focus."Making an olympian effort.

My dreams can be just that, elusive thoughts that never grow to fruition. Nothing more than fleeting mind images that wander around but never meet with true action. Enough! I have dreams and I have taken action to see them happen. I am being accountable for my training. I am being accountable for how I treat my body. It's passed time making excuses and dreaming about being THAT size, THAT number, THAT whatever else I am dreaming. Discipline and being focused is the mindset of someone undertaking an "olympic task".

Look at those images on the TV or here on the computer reports. Dedication, determination, concentration, drive, confidence,strength...... and any other word that you can think of that conjures up power. That is what I see when I watch these games. POWER! Whether the athlete finishes with gold around their neck, or staggers in their attempt. They are amazing.

I am amazing as well. You are amazing too! Just like that torch is lit at every Olympics, there is a torch burning for each of us. Do you see it? Do you even realize it's there? It signals, it beckons, it shows the world that THIS is the time.

Never ever let that torch go out in your life. Keep it lit, keep the focus to be the very best you can. Run a little further, push a little harder, eat a little cleaner, be a little wiser. Give more of yourself to those around you, do that job a bit better, be there for someone! Be an Olympian....it's not just a dream!

Run For The Fallen Challenge

Mission Statement:

Run for the Fallen is a collective of runners whose mission is clear and simple: To run one mile for every American service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 14, 2008, we run across America to raise awareness about the lives of those who fought, to activate their memories and keep their spirits alive, to support organizations that help wounded veterans and the families of those killed (Wounded Warrior Project, Yellow Ribbon Fund, HUGSS (Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors), and the 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund), and to aid the healing process for those Americans whose lives have been affected by the war. We refuse any political affiliation or agenda, but simply honor those who have fought, and those who have fallen under the American flag.

I heard about the above organization through the running podcast Phedippidations in June. I thought it was such a great concept that I went to the website and learned more about what it is all about. That's when I knew I wanted to be a part of it. One hitch, I'm over 3,000 miles away from my homeland.

But, where there is a will...and all that good stuff, I looked over the route and saw that the RFTF would be going very close to my son's house AND the US AFB he is asigned to. So I got to thinking, why not on the Sunday the miles from his house to the connecting spot of the RFTF route and then on the Monday, run the miles to the AFB along their route! So I have committed to run approx 7 miles on Sunday 27 July and another 6 Monday 28 July, but why stop there.

I have written to my US family and said hey, why not join me on this!!?? Why not team up and see how many miles we can run, or walk to tribute the solders? So now there are miles committed from my younger brother, and my son. I'm looking forward to hearing from a few others to have them join us on this expedition. We can't be together to do this in person, but we can be linked over the thousands of miles that seperate us for this common purpose.

Then on 24 August, the final day of the event, I am looking at how I can do a tribute run. Putting the invites out again to family. Just a way of saying thank you to all those who have served.

One Hundred Eleven Days and counting....

......until the New York City Marathon! Yes, that is all that remains until I run my 5th Marathon. I've actually begun my training today with a rest day. My training schedule is taped to the inside of my kitchen cabinet, my spreadsheet is prepared and my mind is now in "Marathon Mode".

These 16 weeks are broken down to daily runs; speed sessions, marathon pace, long runs, recovery runs and strength training. My food/nutrition is being tweaked to make sure I'm as fit as possible. All of this is done a day at a time. I've learned from past training schedules that if I look too far ahead, I get nervous, anxious and doubt my abilities.

I've got 3 races planned during this time as well, and they will be taken as they come. I know I can run this distance, I know I can do the training. I've set a time goal that would be a new personal best for me. I will keep that in my sites as I run my marathon pace runs. So I take each week, each session as it comes and do what is infront of me. To do my best is my goal. Bring it on!

PS: I haven't written on here since my last marathon; London but I haven't been just sitting around. My running has been going well. I took some time off to recover from the excellent experience and eased back into my running.

I participated in my 5th Cancer UK Race For Life to benefit the charity and honour my Mom's memory. It is the only 5K (or shorter) distance I race because it is so fast. The thousands of women running is a real tribute to the cause and always brings a tear to my eye as I remember the battle my Mom experienced with her cancer. She lost her battle in August of 1990 and I attribute her battle to getting me started walking and now her memory which started my joy of running.

I also wanted to test myself with a long trail experience between London and New York. I took part in the 15.1 mile Garburn Trail in Cumbria in Mid June. It was marvelous and the sites were incredible. I've done several of the Lakeland Trail series before, but this is by far the hardest and longest of them all. I always look forward to the off road "mountain" trails.

It WILL happen...Just Keep Believing

On Sunday 13 April, it was more than just belief; it was determination, drive, preparedness, passion, pain, grit, stamina, exhaustion, elation, perseverance, and persistence that made it happen! All of the above and more got me to the finish line of the London Marathon.

Preparing for a marathon isn’t easy, but running it is even harder. I had a goal time in mind and I wanted with all my being to make that goal.

The ride down to London went smoothly and getting to the expo on Friday allowed my husband and me a bit of “look around time” before it got really hectic. We had the opportunity to meet up with a fellow P'dip podcast listener Drusy and share running experiences. The excitement started to build when I went to sign for my number. Then it was getting my timing chip and browsing/shopping the exhibitor’s stalls before heading back to the hotel located right off mile 19 in Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs, Docklands part of London.

Saturday morning was brisk and mostly sunny. I went out for a quick 2.25 mile run through the glass high rise office building area of Canary Wharf. I knew I would be running partly on the marathon course and sure enough overnight the marathon crew had painted the “blue line” that would be guiding the thousands of runners in just over 24 hours. I ran lost in thought of the world class athletes who would be leaving their foot strikes in this very area. Stunned I realized that I was running much quicker than I anticipated. I turned around at mile 18 and completed my run back to the hotel in a shocking adrenaline pumped time.

Sunday morning arrived quickly. I had prepared the after race bag the night before and my race clothes were laid out. I filled my camelback with race fuel and made the finishing check to all that was needed before showering, eating a light breakfast of muesli, skim milk and fruit and getting changed. My husband’s procedure was much the same as mine and we were ready to head to the Docklands Light Railroad station right outside our hotel for the short ride to Greenwich Station. From there it was like watching some sort of migration as other runners joined the procession to the start area not quite a mile up the hill.

We entered the Blue Start area and found a place to sit and wait with the thousands of others before making the final preparations to our running gear and turning our kit bag in to the proper truck to take down to the finish area. Then with a kiss, a hug, an “I Love You”, and “Run Strong” I walked in the opposite direction from my husband as I went to my pen and he to his 6 higher then mine! (The speed demon he is!!) Standing in my pen, the nerves were kicking in big time and it wasn’t any different for the others standing around me.

Then suddenly, the pack started to move forward, although I didn’t hear it, the gun had gone off and the race had started. Getting closer, I increased the speed of my walk to an increasing faster run and crossed over the starting mat with the strange electronic sound of my timing chip engaging. I was now in the race!

It was partly sunny, the air was crisp, and the crowds lined the roads and were cheering us along. My heart was elated and I watched my breathing. U2 were softly playing in my ears and indeed it was “a beautiful day!”

I had prepared a wrist race band to keep watch of my split times. I didn’t want to go out too fast but I wanted to run so as to give myself a time cushion towards the later miles when I knew my legs would be reminding me of how many miles I had completed. I was already being swept along by the other runners and by the end of the first 10K (6.2 miles) I was 5 minutes up on my time.

The crowds were fantastic and continued to urge me on to keep my pace steady. I was now passed the Cutty Sark and heading towards the Tower Bridge and the half way point. My legs were tiring slightly and at 10 miles I took a short walk break and my first sport gel. This is when the grey clouds that had now blocked the sunshine opened up! It was a downpour and not just rain, but hail as well. It felt strangely good and refreshing. Then it was a right turn onto Tower Bridge! The cheering crowds were deafening and the site amazing!

Approaching mile 14 allows runners the opportunity to see other faster runners approaching from the opposite direction. It was there that I spotted my husband, running like an engine at his mile 23! We yelled encouraging words to each other and then resumed focusing on our respective tasks. He only had 3.2 miles left! I was only just over half way!

The sun had come back out and the crowds were in force again as I approached the Isle of Dogs area and where last year I nearly crumbled with pain in my left quad. There was evidence that the distance was taking its toll on many a runner. I cautiously made my way around a runner lying in the pavement covered with a space blanket, an oxygen mask and being attended by the ambulance crew. I had to bring my focus back to myself and do a body check to see how I was feeling. Other than a slight twinge in my quads I was feeling good.

Weaving through the other runners and around the Canary Wharf area I remembered Saturday’s run and how different it was now being surrounded by thousands. Passed mile 19 and the place were I received assistance for my tired and aching quad a year ago. Then it was on to the highway and another deluge of rain!

I was aware my pace was slowing slightly, but with fatigue setting in and mile 23 approaching I was starting to take a few more walk breaks. Each time I hear my name being called by a spectator I gave them a thumbs up and an inner smile urged me to press on. I now was entering Blackfriars Tunnel. It’s a lonely stretch with no spectators and no crowds to cheer you on. It’s dank, dark, and sticky from lucisade and the low point for me. But I knew that when I emerged, I would be on the Embankment with just about 2 miles left to run.

Oh how my legs were tired, my body was aching, both my quads wanted rest and my mind just willed Big Ben closer. When I crossed the 40K mat I knew it was less than 1.5 miles and I knew also that even if I walked the entire remaining distance I would have a massive personal best time. But, to walk that was NOT an option. The finish line was just 3 right turns away, there was a medal with my name on it waiting and I wanted to get there as quick as I could. I wanted to be able to stop running, I wanted to find out how my husband had done, and I wanted to sit down! So I kept running. I made the first turn at Big Ben and now on tree lined Birdcage Walk I saw the 800 metre sign ahead! I took a final couple walk steps and then ran! The 600 metre sign approached and mentally I figured that was just 1.5 times around the track! I kept running. Buckingham Palace was coming up on my left; I didn’t look as my eyes were focused on the blue banner across the road which said, “Just 385 yards remaining”.

The slight turn to the right, then the final right turn and there in front of me were the long awaited yellow finish gates. The way was lined with spectators cheering and Union Jack flags attached to the poles. I heard the announcer say my name as my eyes focused on the finish clock and the waiting gate. I swung open my arms and embraced the finish line. I had completed my second London Marathon 24 minutes faster than last year! My time was a well deserved 5:46:37. I had obtained my goal; I at last had broken the 6 hour mark that for the previous 3 marathons I was unable to do.

The timing chip was cut from my shoe laces, a finisher medal was placed around my neck and I posed for a commemorative finisher photo. After collecting my kit bag and making my way to the meeting area I was reunited with my husband and to hear his marathon story. He had run his second fastest marathon of 3:22:54, and a 2 minute improvement from his 2006 London Marathon finish time.

So what now? First a week of rest with gentle walks, then slowly easing back into running. I have 10 weeks to enjoy running some off road, a couple of races, and then the marathon training starts all over again!! Yep, NYC awaits on November 2, 2008! Just 200 days!

London Calling

This is it, The final four miles today in my taper. Then it's down to London in the morning. Excitement to say the least! My bag is just about packed and the last of the food/fuel items awaits to be put into my backpack.

This is what I have trained 18 weeks for. This is what I have spent miles running in the rain, the cold, the wind, early hours, and late afternoons. Given up my Saturday mornings for, squeezed into my weekdays, and went out even when my mind was saying..." ahhhh you can skip it today".

This is what I ran the Liverpool Half for back in the beginning of March. Pressing on to run it to the best of my ability.

This is what I went to a physiotherapist for when my hamstring tear occurred. It's what I spent time stretching, hot baths, cold baths, hot water bottles, frozen packs of peas and applied countless rubs, ointments, creams and taken many an ibuprofen for.

This is LONDON! This is my fourth marathon. This is a test of my body, my mind, my soul. This is for me. This is to pass down a legacy to those that know me.

On Sunday 13 April I will lace up with my red laces, make my way to the Blue Start area and at 9:45 GT finish what I have prepared for all these months. This is satisfaction, living with a passion. Seizing the day and wringing it dry! Bring IT on!

22 Miles, 8 Days And Then London

It's nearly here! The title tells it all. That's what remains till 13 April.

Thought this week needed a bit of humor, thus the picture! My FLM long run buddy Kelly, and first time marathon runner, gave the card to me along with some "thank you" socks. She knew I'm the sock queen and have an entire drawer of running socks plus another drawer of everyday socks.

We did our long run Friday afternoon due to a Saturday scheduling conflict. She is my IT tutor and in between instruction we had that last bowl of soup. It was late afternoon before we got out running and despite the misty rain, the newly tried hilly route was a pleasure. The rural route allowed us fabulous scenic views, photo ops of newly born lambs with their protective moms nearby, and a final conversation of pre-marathon topics.

On Thursday I was to have done my ten mile marathon pace run, but as I was caught up in doing our company Payroll Year End I altered my running plan to move it to Saturday. I knew it would mean my legs might be a bit tired but it would be the last double digit run of my schedule. I ran the same route as the previous two weeks and knew at what time I wanted to finish.

Light rain greeted me along the early miles and I was even able to cross over the busy roads without having to stop for traffic. This kept my pace even and my breathing steady. I did have some "rough patches" with my legs feeling tired, but keeping positive I knew I would get through it. Sure enough I felt stronger and continued on. I was on target to finish at marathon pace at the 5 mile mark and if I kept that same pace for the second half I would reach my goal. When I stopped my Garmin at 10 miles I had completed it in 2:10:04! That put me slightly quicker than a revised marathon finish of 5:45:00.

Now the last speed session has been completed and the last double digit run is done. All that are left are four shorter runs from Sunday to Thursday. Then a very easy paced two mile run Saturday in London along the Marathon route in the Isle of Dogs. This is where 18 weeks of training has brought me .

One more bowl of soup!

It's been 16 weeks since I started on my road to London. I've now completed over 440 training miles, gone through 2 pairs of shoes, consumed gallons of sports drink and gels, run a half marathon, injured my hamstring, had massages, gone through physio treatment and made new friends.

All of the above has been done so in just 2 weeks I can hopefully run my fastest marathon to date. I've been able to stick with my training program for the most part. The hamstring injury put me back some miles, but I've pushed myself to keep to form.

Now I have printed up my race pace braclet, prepared a playlist on my iPod, purchased and broken in my Nike Structure Triax +11. Monday, 31 March begins my taper. I have just one marathon pace run of double digits. The rest of the runs will keep my weekly total to about 40 miles. The hard work has been done and now it's keeping the legs and lungs ready for the 13 April.

One of the differences with this training is I had a running buddy for my long runs. Kelly is my IT instructor and got a place for London in the ballot. This is her first marathon and she asked if she could run with me. It has made the Saturday hours on the road a lot better. This past Saturday we ran a 10 mile route that will be the last double digit long run. We have gotten to know each other better through the hours on the road, and over a bowl of homemade soup for our after run meal. Just one more long run awaits. One more bowl of soup.

2 Red Laces, 20 Miles, 3 Weeks!

My Marathon Registration form arrived along with the Marathon News as I mentioned in my previous blog entry. Plus, the infamous RED LACES! Yep, I've put the laces in my newly bought London 2008 Marathon shoes and now I'm set!! The spiffy red ties are a great contrast to my yellow Nike Triax! Ok, they aren't supposed to make your shoes look better or give you that extra bit of confidence on the course or in training, BUT if that happens, FANTASTIC!

What they are for is to wear on Marathon Sunday 13 April and for each runner that crosses the line with them, the Heart Charity UK, gets a donation!! How's that for an easy way to help hearts??!! I think it is fantastic as I had been diagnosed with high blood pressure some years back. My running has brought my blood pressure down (along with mediation) to a very normal range.

This past Saturday 22 March, I laced up my new shoes with the Red Laces and went out for my longest training run of this Marathon preparation....20 Miles! Yes I felt spiffy, felt energetic and had a great run. And wouldn't you know it, the one other runner I saw out there (not counting my running buddy) was wearing his Red Laces!! I think it's catching on! My taper has begun, as the long hard miles are behind me and all I am looking at is a slow reduction of miles until London. I am so looking forward to this! Bring IT on!

Four in 4!

It's getting to the wire. This marks just FOUR weeks until I run my FOURTH marathon. My training has been a bit sputter and pop these past 2 weeks. I am still undergoing physiotherapy for my hamstring. It is getting better but for most of the time when I am running I feel a dull sensation in my left hip/joint area. I know that it WILL pass and come 13 April I will run with no discomfort..well I think I need to rephrase that. I will run without discomfort from this situation.

This week is to be my highest mileage week AND my longest run. The physio has been very positive in me being able to take on the 20 miles I have scheduled in for Saturday. His instructions these past 2 weeks have been for me to walk up the hills and to get to the gym and do some hamstring strengthening. I have been following his advice.

I'm looking forward to London. To the excitement, the hustle that just IS London. I can re-race last year's marathon in my mind at anytime and I think that is an advantage to me for this year. I know what the course is like, I remember how I felt at certain key places. I also remember how the 2nd 10K distance was a bit of a blur. I want to have every mile of this year clear in my memory.

I am formulating how I plan to run this. I do have a goal in mind and that is a sub6. Oh I know that sounds like a ridiculous goal for some people, but I am raising my own bar and running my own race. My husband can easily finish almost 3 hours faster than me.. but again he is a whippet of a runner and a real speed demon on the distance. I'm pleased and thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this race again. To do a sub 6 hour marathon would be a personal best of over 10 minutes on last year's race. This I feel I can do. I have been training for this.

I've got my copy of Marathon News with my official registration in it and all the final details. It's all coming together and after this Sunday it will be a slow ease into London. Here's to a 50+mile week!

Liverpool Half and Just SIX Weeks

The Long and Winding Road, European Capital of Culture 2008, The Ferry Across the Mersey...each of those statements would answer the question; "Tell me one thing about Liverpool, UK?"

Another fact would be that on 2 March 2008 the Liverpool Half Marathon took place. It was an early rise and a 45 minute motorway drive down to Liverpool. The weather was bright and somewhat clear skies, but windy and briskly cold. Hubby and I had to drive to a city car park and take the bus transport to Sefton Park where the race would start and finish. Prior to getting the bus we changed into our race clothes and took the items we would need immediately following the race in a backpack to check in at the start/finish area.

Sefton Park was slowly filling with the additional 4,000 runners as we made our own final preparations and then joined the others in the start pen, with my husband placing himself much further up than me as his finish time would at least be an hour before me. With the sound of the Army cannon, the race began. I didn't need to keep my Physio's words in my mind to treat this as a training run, my hamstring gentle pressure throughout the course kept me at a marathon rather than half-marathon pace. That was fine with me as I didn't want to cause any further damage to my mending muscle.

The course was a bit disappointing as we didn't get to see the wonderful sites of the River Mersey, the government buildings or the Albert Docks. Instead we ran from one park, down Parliament Street around an urban area and then back the up the hilly Parliament Street to another park where we did a few loops and then back to Sefton Park and a few more loops there until the route brought us back into the park were we began. The first downhill mile passed by a bit too quickly and I knew I needed to slow up a bit or my leg might give out on me earlier then the finish line. Shortly after the 3 mile mark I passed my husband coming up the hill and looking strong. He was at least 3 miles ahead of me!!

Easing into a nice steady rhythm I continued down to the water station where at 4 miles I walked to take on liquid. I had my sport drink in my camelbak but the water was a nice change, I also took my first isotonic gel. Realizing that the uphill was approaching I was forced to slow to a walk to ease any tightness in my hamstring. Leveling off I picked up my pace passing some other runners who were having some difficult times. I could see the grimace in their faces as they fought their own physical limitations to push on to reach their goal, some it would be their first half marathon.

The next water station was at 8 miles where I walked again to hydrate and take on another gel. My legs were tired, but my breathing was great. I continued on and chuckled when one of the marshal's encouragingly said I was almost there, and reminded him that I had 5 more miles! I was passing even more people, some had passed me earlier. I was now looking at my watch and realizing that I could finish in the adjusted time I had hoped for.

I was now running along the outside of the park and closing in on the 11th mile. Earlier finishers were walking past adorned with their medals and some with the race T-shirts. They called out encouraging "well done" or "almost there" "great job" and I couldn't help but smile back and tell them thank you.

Approaching the last quarter mile I saw my husband, camera in hand, on the sidewalk telling me how great I was doing. It was the boost that helped me sail into the finishing funnel. I took my final steps, crossed over the timing mat with my arms open wide and a smile of achievement. I had completed my eighth half marathon race since my first in June 2005. This wasn't my fastest half marathon, but it was a good run with a strong finish. My time: 2:50:44 Not bad considering the hamstring tear.

My focus as I said in my previous post has been LONDON, not Liverpool. I am pleased that I was able to run Liverpool a bit faster than Marathon pace. I feel strong, capable, prepared to move on with my training and in six short weeks from today London, I pray will be a record breaking memory.

(my husbands time? a speedy 1:35:34!)

Catching Up

Once again all the best laid plans have slipped away and I find myself a month and a half later posting here. I have come a long way since the previous post so time to bring it all up to date.

January was a get it together month for me. I realized that I was once again taking the big bite and in Marathon training again. The miles added up and I completed over 125 miles for the monthly total. Long runs were increasing and weekly totals edged into the 30 miles a week. I was comfortable with the speed work on Tuesdays and Marathon paced runs on Thursday. Long runs I kept to Saturday mornings and an easy recovery run was for Sunday. That left Friday as a rest day and Monday moved from being an off day to an easy run. There were days that I just didn't get out as early as I wanted, but I kept to the program pretty much and saw speed and endurance increase. The weather was COLD and a hat, gloves, leggings, and light layers kept me pretty comfortable.

I shared some of my longer runs with my IT instructor who is also running London. It will be her first marathon and it was good company during those rural miles. Also, her fiance's cousin from Italy made the runs even more interesting. I even learned a bit of Italian.

February was when the weekly totals creep into the 40mpw and even to 51 miles for the highest. I did my longest long run of 16 miles alone and was pleased with my pace and stamina. Although I will say at about 13 miles I was ready to be teleported home! Unfortunately on the 29th of January, during a speed hill session with my Women's Running Network group, I tore my hamstring. I wasn't aware of the true damage until a month later. I ran with soreness and eased off on the hills until I pulled it again later in February.

My training was suffering a little and I knew I needed to have it looked at. So on the 29 February I went to the physio and he confirmed that I had torn the hamstring the month before and re injured it during that week. I was prepared for the instructions to NOT run on it, but after treatment he said I could run my planned half marathon two days later, but not to race it. I would follow his recommendations and not aim for the PB I was hoping for. My monthly total was now up to nearly 160 miles.

On March 1 I went for an easy 2 mile pre-race day warm up along the ridge type hill road from the village. It was a windy morning and I just took it easy. I could feel the hamstring, so I just got the miles in. I was looking forward to my first race of 2008 and a prelude to what I might do for London.

Just 3 months

April 13 is just 3 months away. Thireteen Sundays from today! That Sunday in April will be my second running of the Flora London Marathon! Am I excited?? YEAAHHH, I am excited!! Three months from today all the hard training will be finished, I won't have to deal with the bitter winds of today, the needle-like pins in my face, the layers upon layers of cothing, the hat, the gloves, the blinky lights and Hi-Vi bright yellow bibs for better visability.

No..all I will be dealing with is the job at hand. Running my fourth marathon and aiming to run it in a Personal Best. I know it will test me, stretch me, strip me of all I am made of, but it will also test me to see what I am made from. I'm looking ahead to just 3 months from now. The great memories, the sense of acomplishment, the pride, and the aching body that will reward me with a job well done.

So as I look forward I also look at the here and now. This day is where I am. I'm not 13 weeks ahead, I'm right here. I do what is infront of me. Sometimes when I run I have a tendency to look straight down at the pavement ahead of me. I forget that I also need to look beyond my own feet to where I am headed. To focus on where it is I am aiming for and run towards that.

I am taking each day as a step to the finish line in just 3 months. I am keeping to good nurition, I am getting out and running my marathon schedule to keep my body ready for the longer runs that are coming up. I am keeping grounded in prayer and inspirational readings to feed that warrior within me to stay hungry for even better things. These things will keep me focused and so that in just 3 months from today, I will run not just a good race, but a GREAT race.

Worth the Time

Last year, before the London Marathon I had a gait anaylise of my running at one of the manufactures booths. The camera showed that my gait had altered a bit from the previous testing months before. I purchased a new pair of shoes that fit my now altered running style. I know...You should NEVER EVER use a pair of new shoes for a marathon.
My thought was, do I wear the well broken in ones that were wrong for my gait, or try breaking in these new ones as best I could before the Marathon and wear them for the marathon two days hence. Yep, you guessed right! I took those shoes and wore them all over the place on Friday, did a short run in them on Saturday and walked the entire day in them. On Marathon morning, they were the wings that carried me to the finish.
So now that I am looking at London again, it was time to get the gait looked at again. A near by running store has a camera set for analysis and time to get over there. I wanted to have the right shoes for the miles my legs will be feeling in the coming weeks. (This is week 14 of my training program)

The results showed that the shoes I am currently running in are not doing my slight overpronation any good. With them I am STILL rolling inward on both my feet, slightly. That might be enough to be causing my ITB to be acting up as well as that great periformus condition in my R glut!(The piriformis is a flat muscle, pyramidal in shape, lying almost parallel with the posterior margin of the gluteus medius). Stretching was helping some but I have still been having some problems.
I now have a new pair of Muzimo Wave Inspire. A shoe I haven't worn before but feel great on my feet and in playback of my analysis show no rolling in. I'm not one that has to have a certain make and type of shoe, so these are worth trying.

I'm glad that I followed my husband's urging to get my gait analysed again to make sure I was running in the proper shoe for me. I have goals for London 2008 and having the right shoe to carry me to them is very important.

A new Year, A New opportunity

Another year's door has opened and I'm now amongst the trappings of 2008. As I look around this empty room I bring with me the decorations I wish to place around it's walls and fill it's space with.

My running goals are only starting to form. The best news I got towards the end of 2007 was that my club had given me another opportunity to run the Flora London Marathon on 13 April 2008! I can't put into words how excited I am! Another Golden Ticket!!

To get to the finish line in London I have had a close look at my training program from last year. I am making some changes so that I have a stronger finish and succeed in breaking through the 6 hour mark. More on that in my next installment.

As the days progress I will be adding more to this 2008 room and filling it with my hopes, dreams, accomplishments, and challenges. Here's to the New Year!