marathon obsessing

I've been resisting it, but I think it is time. 11 days! Omigod it's almost here. I saw a commercial last night for the TV coverage and got goosebumps.

My training lately has been limited, to say the least. I sort of get and run around the neighborhood once in a while and that's it. I like to tell myself I'm tapering, but it's more like sloth. But, I still think that I'll be fine. This is my first marathon, and I just want to finish. And I don't have the same kind of anxiety about running that I do about swimming and biking. So if I take some walk breaks, I'm okay with that.

I'm going to have a few fans out there! Definitely Husband and Mother. I think a friend from work and another friend and her kids are also going to show up as well. So I'm trying to figure out the best places to send them so I can see them during the race. I got some info from the marathon website, and I kow I'll be running somewhere between 10:00 and 12:00 minute miles.

1. Mile 8 in Brooklyn , where the three starts converge, is suggested as a great place to catch runners looking fresh for photographs.

** I should be at Mile 8 between 11:30 and 11:46.**

2. Mile 16 is also supposed to be an exciting spot, because this is where the mmarathoners descend the Queensboro Bridge into Manahttan. But, the street will be packed here, and I probably won't be able to spot anyone in the crowd.

3. Mile 18 is probably a better bet. "For less-obstructed viewing, head north to mile 18, on First Avenue at East 92nd Street , by taking uptown 4/5/6 subway to 86th Street and walking north and east. Your runner may be looking decidedly less fresh here than back in Brooklyn; the dreaded marathon “wall” typically occurs as marathoners run out of fuel between miles 18 and 22." Mom, I may look terrible, but it's almost over!

**I should be at mile 18 between 1:10 and 1:46. Calculate my pace when you see me at mile 8 to try and narrow down the time a bit.**

4. Mile 24. "After yelling encouragement and snapping pictures, walk west to catch your marathoner yet again, this time on Fifth Avenue in the 24th mile, just north of where runners enter Central Park."

**I should be at Mile 24 between 2:10 and 2:58. Basically an hour and change after you see me at mile 18.**

Mother, here's a list of what to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bright, layered clothing
• Lightweight, water-resistant jacket or poncho
• Snacks/drinks
• Camera with high-speed film
• Reliable wristwatch
• All-day, unlimited ride MetroCard
• ING pace band (I'll get this at the Expo)

What if it rains? Or snows? What should I wear? (Always an important question.)

It's almost here!

the pounds

It seems like the off season might be a good time to focus on losing a few. It's definitely on the minds of my fellow bloggers, anway, and never far from mine.

So, even though I am pretty undisciplined about my training, I have to admit that I have seen some results. I did a little shopping the other day. I went down a size! :) Yes, the salesgirl informed me that the suit I was trying on was just much too big. They probably changed the sizing scale, but I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with myself.

I still haven't lost any weight, but I've lost inches from my waist and thighs. I have the body fat scale, and that's down too. But, still nowhere near my "fighting weight." I'd like to lose 20 pounds to get there. Actually, 10 might do it if I get more muscular.

Everyone knows that there is a huge (no pun intended) obesity epidemic in this country. Most of us just eat way too much junk food, and too much of it. I actually eat very little junk food. Really! I like sweets, but try to cut processed junk and high fructose corn syrup out completely. It's amazing, how HFCS is in everything, once you start looking at labels. The food I eat is much healthier than it was a year ago. But no one's perfect.

Here are the things I need to work on:

• Portion control. I tend to just eat whatever Husband is eating, and pretty much the same amount. He's six inches taller than I am and all muscle. I don't need the same number of calories. I actually think this is the downfall of most married women - I definitely ate less before we moved in together.
• Frequent small meals. I am much happier when I eat frequently. I definitely notice blood sugar highs and lows. But I can't have the normal size breakfast, lunch and dinner; then add healthy snacks on top of that. I guess that goes back to portion control.
• Booze. I cut out hard liquor, but I drink wine with dinner almost every night. I don't need the extra calories. I should cut this back to twice a week, or weekends only.
• Eating out. Restaurants give you bigger portions, and eat more apps and dessert that I don't need than I ever would at home. Cooking at home is healthier and good for the "money diet" too.
• Eating late. Also have a tendency to eat late and fall asleep. Work schedules make it difficult, but want to shoot for 7, not 9.

Also, I want to reshape my bod a little bit. Swimming has firmed up the arms and shoulders. Running has shaped my calves and quads. But my core is . . . neglected, and the backs of my legs seem unbalanced with the front. Would also like to see more results on the arms. So, I think I need to start lifting weights.

OK, enough body obsession for now. Better get back to obsessing about the marathon.

Excuses

I'm supposed to be tapering, as opposed to just quitting completely. I haven't been doing anything! And the NYC marathon is in, gulp, 15 days. My main excuse has been work. Actually work-related travel. Makes it really hard to get in the workouts.

This week was a travel nightmare. I have to share because it really reached the point of ridiculousness. Tuesday morning I had a 6:00 am flight to Austin. I get up at 4:15 and tear off to the airport. Just in time. Trying to check in at one of the kiosks, which won't process my boarding pass. Talk to the agent and realize . . . I am at the WRONG AIRPORT. Flight was out of LaGuardia, and here I am in Newark. The car just wanted to go there. Maybe so I could fill up cheap in New Jersey. No, I have never done this before.

So, they put me on a later flight leaving from Newark. I should still get there in time for lunch and my 1:30 meeting. I immediately fall asleep when I board the plane. Wake up 1.5 hours later feeling refreshed and . . . still on the runway in Newark. Ugh. But I got there. No time for lunch (I scarfed down a granola bar), but just made my meeting. The conference would last until Wednesday afternoon.

I was originally planning to leave Thursday morning, but realized I should be able to just make a flight out Wednesday afternoon and spend the night at home with Husband. Plus, my Thursday am ticket has me going in to LaGuardia, while my car is in Newark; so I had to make changes anyway. I won't even get into all the machinations required and hold music endured to get that ticket.

I make my Wednesday afternoon flight with time to spare. But it isn't direct; I have a connection at Chicago O'Hare. My fellow travelers know that this spells trouble. Anyway, we land with plenty of time to spare, but SIT ON THE RUNWAY with no gate for nearly an HOUR. Long story short, I miss my connection. United gives me a voucher for something resembling the Bates Motel. To add insult to injury, it was a smoking room.

Up again a 4:15 to make a 6:00 am flight. Glad to be home.

home again

It's been a long week. Left on Sunday for a whirlwind European tour which meant jet lag, a flight every day, big meals, etc. Got some new stamps on my passport, which always makes me feel very "jet set". Was also fighting a cold the whole time and ingested an entire box of decongestants in four days. Anyway, I dutifully brought my running clothes and hoped to run at least 2x, but it never happened.

Got home Friday afternoon. Sweetheart Husband picked me up at the airport. Rain, rain; apparently it hadn't stopped raining since Saturday. I don't like to run in the rain, but decided I should get out and do something - time before the marathon is running out, you know. Ran 2 miles in a pretty heavy downpour on Friday. People look at you like you're crazy. Fell asleep around 8 PM.

Saturday was to be my last long run before the marathon - 20 miles. Since I have literally been doing next to nothing lately, I mapped out a course of 18 miles, including a good bit of the Manhattan section of the marathon.

It was awesome. The rain stopped, the sun came out, and it was a crisp 65 degrees. Went uptown to the 59th Street bridge - the point where in 20 DAYS the marathoners will come into Manhattan from Queens at Mile 16. I've heard this is one of the most exciting parts of the race. The last part of Queens is an industrial area with few spectators, the bridge is covered and eerily quiet, and there is a huge crowd when you come down off the bridge into Manhattan. The rush you get here will keep you going for a few miles. I tried to imagine this as I kept following the course up 1st Avenue.

Instead of heading all the way up into the Bronx (not exactly scenic), I cut left on 96th Street and into Central Park at 90th Street - Mile 24 of the race, another exciting part because then I'll know I'm almost there. Also one of the hilliest parts of the race - the hills aren't huge, but I know I'll be feeling them on marathon day. Instead of heading South, I did the upper loop of the Park up to 110th Street - was afraid I'd be tempted to head home if I got back down to 59th Street. There is no traffic allowed in the Park on weekends and there were tons of bikers and runners out. It had the Fall smell of leaves. Nice.

On the way back down the West Side, I headed into the center of the park just to explore a little - even living in NY, I really don't know the Park that well. Body starting to ache a bit at this point as well, and thought a softer path might be easier on the joints. Inadvertently found myself on the Bridle Path (Pardon me, Mr. Ed), and then ran smack dab into the Reservoir. Everyone runs around the Reservoir. Except me, until now.

Well, it was lovely. A flat, packed surface and there is something so nice about looking at water when you run. I looked online, and it turns out that each loop is 1.55 miles. I should have done a few more loops, because I felt great on the path, but realized I was pooped as soon as I got off. I did 2 loops, found a water fountain, and headed South.

Was planning to do 1.5 loops around the whole Park, but once I started heading South, my body started sending me urgent messages. Once I reach my "limit", everything starts to hurt - knees, hips, calves, bottoms of my feet. Anyway, I ran/walked the rest of the way home, and it turns out I only went about 15 miles. OK.

So that's it. My last long run before the big day. I am definitely "long-run-deficient" in my training. I've done one 18 miler, and only a smattering of runs over 10 miles. That's not just recently -- that's in my whole life! My hydration/nutrition on this run was weak - I didn't have my fuel belt, so I stopped for a gatorade after an hour, then had a gel another 45 minutes later. A few water fountain sips. I still feel dehydrated today, but not nearly as sore as I was after my first 15 mile or 18 mile run.

Looking forward to marathon day!

shore dinner

Husband and I (well, mainly Husband) prepped the classic shore dinner Friday night. I guess the season is really over.

big ideas

Husband and I had a nice bike ride last night. We left around 5:30 and went around 20 miles, up to a overlook with a great view, along the flats, and back. It started getting misty on the way back, and was getting dark and foggy earlier than usual. I don't know about you, but this makes me nervous on a bike, as cars aren't really looking out for bikers anyway. As a result, I pedalled my heart out and got us home in record time.

I was hoping to run "long" tomorrow morning, but I checked the forecast, and it's supposed to pour. A little sprinkle wouldn't kill me, but it looks like a decent-sized storm. Sigh. I am long-run-deficient with the marathon coming up. We need to head back home to the city anyway.

On Sunday I start a whirlwind of travel to let's see, 4 countries in 4 days. So it's going difficult to exercise, much less blog. But, I plan to persevere. We'll see how it goes. I'm fighting a cold, and sleep is very important to me. But, hotels do have gyms these days, and I am usually somewhat successful at working out when I travel.

So, here are some big ideas:

• Total Immersion workshop. I am totally psyched about this. Full report in November.
• Various real estate scenarios. Husband and I toy with a new one every week.
• Cycling tour of Tuscany in the spring. Sounds pretty awesome, right? Did a little research, and it sounds right up my alley. Cycle 30-75 miles per day, eat great food and drink chianti at night. Husband is totally into it.
• Trip to California for Christmas/New Year's. Can't really claim this as my idea, but I think it's going to be a blast. Planning to drive down the coast -- one of those things I've always wanted to do.
• Joining a runners club. After the marathon. Have found a few I am considering.
• Joining a triathlete club. Yep, there is one of those too.
• Ironman Florida 2006. Yes, I said it. And I am toying with it. My biggest concern is finding the time to train.

the mood

Had this song in my head all day . . .

Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer's out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets
The sun goes down alone
I'm drivin' by your house
Though I know you're not at home

But I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I never will forget those nights
I wonder if it was a dream
Remember how you made me crazy?
Remember how I made you scream
Now I don't understand what happened to our love
But babe, I'm gonna get you back
I'm gonna show you what I'm made of

I can see you-Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
I see you walkin' real slow and you're smilin' at everyone
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac
A little voice Inside my head said, "Don't look back. You can never look back."
I thought I knew what love was
What did I know?
Those days are gone forever
I should just let them go but-

I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that top pulled down and that radio on, baby
And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

I can see you-
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone

seasons change

I love the changing of the seasons. On Monday I went for a nice long run in Camp Hero park. I haven't run there for at least a month, because I've been trying to practice on the Mightyman course, or "going long" in the opposite direction. But it's one of my favorite places.

I took it slow and jogged around the sights in the park - the bluff overlook, the radar tower, the old barracks, and of course, the lighthouse. There were at least 100 fishing boats just offshore. I like cruising around the dirt roads and a few narrow trails. With the exception of fisherman coming and going, the park was almost empty. I like the crunching noise of the leaves, although we don't have full fall colors yet.

It's a cool place. Many strange experiences have been reported here. Check it out here.

Which do you want first?

The good news or the bad news?

The good news is pretty good. I finished the swim! I swam farther than I ever have in my life. I kept going, I didn't quit. I was tired and my arms were like noodles, but I finished it. 1.2 miles. I think Husband was actually pretty impressed. Also, since I never seem to swim in a straight line, I probably covered at least 1.5 miles. Husband followed me around the pond and snapped my picture when I dragged myself out.

The bad news is that I missed the cut-off time for the swim. Started at 7:05, got out ~8:20. I knew I was last, but planned to "keep going until someone stops me". Unfortunately, someone did. I got back to the sea of empty racks as fast as I could and stripped off my wetsuit.

The race director came over and said that he couldn't let me back on the course. "Really?" "Sorry, but we have time limits on the roads. I need your chip."

:-(

OK.

But, I still feel good. I swam. Far. And maybe exorcised a personal demon, since I quit on the swim in my last try.

NYC Marathon, here I come.