my kid Zoe...isn't she CUTE!
Yes, I am ready. No, I am not ready. Thanks for asking.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Isn't she cute...
In desperate attempt to keep myself from going crazy 6 days out from my first marathon...
my kid Zoe...isn't she CUTE!
Yes, I am ready. No, I am not ready. Thanks for asking.
my kid Zoe...isn't she CUTE!
Yes, I am ready. No, I am not ready. Thanks for asking.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Taper MADness
Well folks, this is it. Taper Taper Taper. The time that seemed so long and far away is here. I am the typical first time marathoner. I am extremely nervous. EXTREMELY. Let's just say that all I am thinking about is the race. It's NUTS! I found an article and, though it doesn't make me feel better, it does validate me feeling INSANE the way I do. Right? At least I am not the only one feeling like this, RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!
"Marathon training is a stair-step type process where muscles are broken down for several weeks and then an easier week is thrown in for recovery. Finally three weeks before the Marathon, one last long run is completed and it’s time for recovery. The last three weeks are a period of descending running mileage. This period allows the body to more fully recover and rest in preparation for the Big Day, it is called the Taper."
Well, this is it. Taper time. I had a disasterous run at the coast last Sunday. It was the worst run I'd had all training. Supposed to run 12 miles, I only completed 7. And yes, I beat myself up over it. Negatives: too hot (89), too humid (100%), and of course, being at the coast-WINDY as hell! And it started raining. Too much too drink (oops, we sat at the bar and the bartender *sweet as can be!* kept offering me samples of the margaritias she was making and who am I to be RUDE and turn them down!?) also I did not have the right breaskfast. BOO. Now it's time to taper and of course, second guess myself...
"This all sounds well and good, however, the Taper is a period of great anxiety for many Marathoners (first-timers and veterans alike). Over the course of training for a Marathon, an athlete becomes accustomed to running many miles each week and constantly feeling the rush of endorphin driven highs and the persistent fatigue and soreness of effort. The athlete becomes somewhat addicted to these emotions and considers them normal. The Tapering Marathoner will be irritable, anxious, nervous, overly emotional, short-tempered, restless, tired, cranky, depressed (even more than normal). Sounds like a great three weeks doesn’t it? It is not unlike the addict going cold turkey. This is a span of time where most Marathoners go a bit crazy."
All righty then! I AM CRAZY!
"During the first part of Taper Madness you will hear about every small ache and pain and how it may be a broken leg or torn ligament or some other traumatic injury. Every twinge becomes a reason to think about postponing the marathon effort. Every sneeze, sniffle, cough or pimple becomes a life-threatening virus or infection. Tight hammies, inflamed ITB, tweaked Achilles, plantar fascitis, black toenails, bloody nipples, chafing, and this is just during breakfast."
Seriously! I am getting over my second cold in two weeks (and I NEVER get sick) and fighting allergies (I am going to go to an allergist soon!). I am also noticing every little thing with my body right now and how come I am craving junk food when it's the LAST THING that I need!?
"The second week starts the deep depression. The tapering Marathoner starts to really miss running. There are no more double-digit runs before the marathon for most. The longest run for the next two weeks will be 8 miles. Just 8 miles, how many used “just” and “8 miles” in the same sentence prior to training for the marathon. The body is really starting to recover and therefore has more energy than needed. Therefore, the Marathoner becomes restless. No “extra” running is allowed. The tapering Marathoner can feel the fitness draining out of their body. Ask them, they will tell you, they are getting slower every day! This is not happening but the feelings are real. Physiologically, there is nothing but positives from a 3 week taper prior to running a marathon, however, it feels quite the opposite. This restlessness often becomes frustration and a very short-tempered athlete. Understand that this frustration will be projected at anyone and everyone within reach. It’s nothing personal; it’s the lack of mileage talking."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT'S SO ME!!! A NERVOUS FRUSTRATED WRECK!!
"So it’s now seven days before the Marathon. The last 8 mile run is done and all that’s left is 3 easy short runs and the BIG EVENT. For the first time Marathoner and some experienced folk, this week is nothing but self-doubt and worry. “I’ll never make it. My foot hurts. My nose is running. I’m not ready. My last 20 miler sucked, I’ll die out there. I’m getting fat and slow. My shoes are dead, my shoes are too small, my shoes are too big,” These are some of the things going through the mind of a Marathoner in their last few days. Not to mention the nervous energy that is overflowing. Not to mention that there may be a couple of extra pounds after cutting back on the running for 3 weeks. Not to mention that the trips to the bathroom are increasing geometrically as the hydration dance starts in earnest. Many find concentrating on anything other than the upcoming race difficult. By the way, Marathoners in the final days before a race often make poor babysitters."
Okay. So I am ten days out today, it's only going to get worse. Eek, I feel sorry for my DH. And don't worry folks, I have NO intention of baby sitting ANYONE!
"The last few weeks are critical to a successful marathon effort. Please understand that the emotional wreck will disappear after the marathon. The Taper can be especially difficult and frustrating for everyone. The good news, it ends with the race."
Oh thank GOD! The madness will end in only 10 short days. The day that seemed SO long ago in May when I signed up for this insanity. The day that I never thought would get here. It's only ten days away. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Whew. The madness will end! I hope...
full article http://www.runrichmond.com/id33.html
"Marathon training is a stair-step type process where muscles are broken down for several weeks and then an easier week is thrown in for recovery. Finally three weeks before the Marathon, one last long run is completed and it’s time for recovery. The last three weeks are a period of descending running mileage. This period allows the body to more fully recover and rest in preparation for the Big Day, it is called the Taper."
Well, this is it. Taper time. I had a disasterous run at the coast last Sunday. It was the worst run I'd had all training. Supposed to run 12 miles, I only completed 7. And yes, I beat myself up over it. Negatives: too hot (89), too humid (100%), and of course, being at the coast-WINDY as hell! And it started raining. Too much too drink (oops, we sat at the bar and the bartender *sweet as can be!* kept offering me samples of the margaritias she was making and who am I to be RUDE and turn them down!?) also I did not have the right breaskfast. BOO. Now it's time to taper and of course, second guess myself...
"This all sounds well and good, however, the Taper is a period of great anxiety for many Marathoners (first-timers and veterans alike). Over the course of training for a Marathon, an athlete becomes accustomed to running many miles each week and constantly feeling the rush of endorphin driven highs and the persistent fatigue and soreness of effort. The athlete becomes somewhat addicted to these emotions and considers them normal. The Tapering Marathoner will be irritable, anxious, nervous, overly emotional, short-tempered, restless, tired, cranky, depressed (even more than normal). Sounds like a great three weeks doesn’t it? It is not unlike the addict going cold turkey. This is a span of time where most Marathoners go a bit crazy."
All righty then! I AM CRAZY!
"During the first part of Taper Madness you will hear about every small ache and pain and how it may be a broken leg or torn ligament or some other traumatic injury. Every twinge becomes a reason to think about postponing the marathon effort. Every sneeze, sniffle, cough or pimple becomes a life-threatening virus or infection. Tight hammies, inflamed ITB, tweaked Achilles, plantar fascitis, black toenails, bloody nipples, chafing, and this is just during breakfast."
Seriously! I am getting over my second cold in two weeks (and I NEVER get sick) and fighting allergies (I am going to go to an allergist soon!). I am also noticing every little thing with my body right now and how come I am craving junk food when it's the LAST THING that I need!?
"The second week starts the deep depression. The tapering Marathoner starts to really miss running. There are no more double-digit runs before the marathon for most. The longest run for the next two weeks will be 8 miles. Just 8 miles, how many used “just” and “8 miles” in the same sentence prior to training for the marathon. The body is really starting to recover and therefore has more energy than needed. Therefore, the Marathoner becomes restless. No “extra” running is allowed. The tapering Marathoner can feel the fitness draining out of their body. Ask them, they will tell you, they are getting slower every day! This is not happening but the feelings are real. Physiologically, there is nothing but positives from a 3 week taper prior to running a marathon, however, it feels quite the opposite. This restlessness often becomes frustration and a very short-tempered athlete. Understand that this frustration will be projected at anyone and everyone within reach. It’s nothing personal; it’s the lack of mileage talking."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT'S SO ME!!! A NERVOUS FRUSTRATED WRECK!!
"So it’s now seven days before the Marathon. The last 8 mile run is done and all that’s left is 3 easy short runs and the BIG EVENT. For the first time Marathoner and some experienced folk, this week is nothing but self-doubt and worry. “I’ll never make it. My foot hurts. My nose is running. I’m not ready. My last 20 miler sucked, I’ll die out there. I’m getting fat and slow. My shoes are dead, my shoes are too small, my shoes are too big,” These are some of the things going through the mind of a Marathoner in their last few days. Not to mention the nervous energy that is overflowing. Not to mention that there may be a couple of extra pounds after cutting back on the running for 3 weeks. Not to mention that the trips to the bathroom are increasing geometrically as the hydration dance starts in earnest. Many find concentrating on anything other than the upcoming race difficult. By the way, Marathoners in the final days before a race often make poor babysitters."
Okay. So I am ten days out today, it's only going to get worse. Eek, I feel sorry for my DH. And don't worry folks, I have NO intention of baby sitting ANYONE!
"The last few weeks are critical to a successful marathon effort. Please understand that the emotional wreck will disappear after the marathon. The Taper can be especially difficult and frustrating for everyone. The good news, it ends with the race."
Oh thank GOD! The madness will end in only 10 short days. The day that seemed SO long ago in May when I signed up for this insanity. The day that I never thought would get here. It's only ten days away. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Whew. The madness will end! I hope...
full article http://www.runrichmond.com/id33.html
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
I HAD AN AWESOME BIRTHDAY!
So life has been CRUH-AZY this last week or so, caught a cold and felt like POOP! Started feeling better then the hubs caught a cold. Thinking he caught what I had, I was like, WHAT EVER! Then, I got it too. BOO! WTF doesn't my body know I have to run a marathon in 12 DAYS!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!?
Working hard at work! Busy as ever. I am thankful every day that I have a job that is not affected by the economy. Cancer just doesn't care about the economy. And, I want to work all I can while I still can, until this dang Obamacare forces all the docs to find something else to do. ;) another topic here, my dearies...
On to the subject at hand! MY 29th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a FAN TAB U LOUS birthday! Hubby spoiled me with some beautiful cowboy boots, MY FIRST PAIR!! And took me to THREE, yes three different Cavenders to find the RIGHT size, only to get the same size at the third store. Apparently each pair of boots are handmade so variations between pairs and sizes is normal. Pft. Who knew!?! I ended up with a Size 10. Wow. Now that's love. He also bought me
this! It's a Nathan Hydration Pack, especially designed for women runners. I used it on my 20 mile run and though it was a little heavy, I had it filled with Gatorade Endurance and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No chaffing!
We danced Saturday night away at Cowboys Dance Hall!!!!!! We SHUT IT DOWN! Of course, I did RUN 20.6 miles that morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last long run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so I didn't dance as well as I could have...yeah right...just trying to make up excuses for my poor dancing skills...
Then Sunday!! My official birthday! Brought lots of surprises! My wonderful friend Alma and her cutie pie daughter Ashlianne took me to Cypress Valley Zip Line Tours! IT WAS AWESOME! We had a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great friend. Then we headed back to NB for a surprise BBQ POOL PARTY with all my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a perfect day, many many thanks to all my awesome friends and my wonderful hubby!!
I had a party at work also on Tuesday (yes, I took Monday off as a recovery day and BOY am I glad I did!!!), thanks to all my work peeps! They are the best! Check out this hat one of my docs made me! It's my GAYFISH HAT! THANK YOU DR. ARISHITA! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!
as you can tell I am VERY happy in this picture!! :)
Needless to say I had an AWESOME BIRTHDAY!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAD A PART IN MAKING MY DAY SO SPECIAL!
Working hard at work! Busy as ever. I am thankful every day that I have a job that is not affected by the economy. Cancer just doesn't care about the economy. And, I want to work all I can while I still can, until this dang Obamacare forces all the docs to find something else to do. ;) another topic here, my dearies...
On to the subject at hand! MY 29th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a FAN TAB U LOUS birthday! Hubby spoiled me with some beautiful cowboy boots, MY FIRST PAIR!! And took me to THREE, yes three different Cavenders to find the RIGHT size, only to get the same size at the third store. Apparently each pair of boots are handmade so variations between pairs and sizes is normal. Pft. Who knew!?! I ended up with a Size 10. Wow. Now that's love. He also bought me
this! It's a Nathan Hydration Pack, especially designed for women runners. I used it on my 20 mile run and though it was a little heavy, I had it filled with Gatorade Endurance and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No chaffing!We danced Saturday night away at Cowboys Dance Hall!!!!!! We SHUT IT DOWN! Of course, I did RUN 20.6 miles that morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last long run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so I didn't dance as well as I could have...yeah right...just trying to make up excuses for my poor dancing skills...
Then Sunday!! My official birthday! Brought lots of surprises! My wonderful friend Alma and her cutie pie daughter Ashlianne took me to Cypress Valley Zip Line Tours! IT WAS AWESOME! We had a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great friend. Then we headed back to NB for a surprise BBQ POOL PARTY with all my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a perfect day, many many thanks to all my awesome friends and my wonderful hubby!!
I had a party at work also on Tuesday (yes, I took Monday off as a recovery day and BOY am I glad I did!!!), thanks to all my work peeps! They are the best! Check out this hat one of my docs made me! It's my GAYFISH HAT! THANK YOU DR. ARISHITA! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!
as you can tell I am VERY happy in this picture!! :)Needless to say I had an AWESOME BIRTHDAY!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAD A PART IN MAKING MY DAY SO SPECIAL!
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