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!