Funny Things About Marathon Training

To some, running a marathon seems foolish, masochistic, or possibly courageous.  I think it's all three and then some. There are certainly some funny things about marathon training that I'm experiencing so far.  Here were a few of my thoughts this morning on my long run:


#1: 13 miles no longer seems long
When I train for a half marathon, running 13.1 miles seems like a tremendous act of stamina and endurance, both mental and physical.  Since I started training for the NYC marathon a few months ago, my longest "long" run so far was 15 miles last week. This week, my long run bounced down to 12-13 miles.  Seeing 12-13 miles on my training plan is like a breath of fresh air. 13 miles? That's easy, no problem! And with the cooler weather we were just blessed with on Long Island today, 13 miles went by surprisingly fast!


#2: Long runs give me anxiety to the point where I contemplate quitting.
I think about things WAY too much. I think and dissect things into one million scenarios. I think to the point where I'm sure I'm wasting valuable energy I could be using in my runs.  When it comes to long runs, I'm thinking about: 

Weather ... will I have time for a nap after my long run ... I can't go out for dinner and drinks the night before or I'm screwed ... Bagels make me feel bloated, so maybe I'll eat an English muffin... should I find a running pal for this week's run or make a new playlist on my iPod and go it alone? ..... who will babysit Lil' Bubba? ....  

and the list of thoughts goes on. 

All this thinking makes me overly anxious before a long run, to the point where I think how nice it would be to not have to worry about any of this and just go out for  a run that has no purpose at all but to simply RUN. But then once I get out there .... all the thinking, anxiety and questions melt away into salty sweat drops that roll into my eyes and dance on my lips.  

#3: Since my last marathon, I'm 5 years older and have a nine month old but for some strange reason, I feel like a stronger runner. 
I have to say, training for a marathon this time around seems to be going better than my first marathon in 2005. My legs feel stronger on the long runs. I think my pace is even a bit faster. I feel strong at the end of each run. Maybe it's the speed and hill work I'm incorporating. Maybe it's because I've already got one marathon under my belt and feel more confident about completing the miles. I think I'm also smarter about nutrition and hydration then I was years ago. 




These were just a few of the thoughts bouncing around my head today during my long run.  Of course, I was also already thinking about next week's 16-17 mile long run. When will I do it? Where? With who (or do it alone)? Who will babysit? 


And the cycle starts all over again!

The Moon is Chasing Me

For the first 15 minutes of my run this morning, the moon was the only light in the sky. It was 5 AM. Traffic lights silently changed from green to yellow to red on deserted streets. Bunnies scampered quietly across roads and around the local golf course. 


It was only me and my thoughts. No baby. No dog. No cell phone, email or post-it notes jammed with color-coded "to-dos". No dishes, laundry, or vacuuming up dog hair.  Just me for one hour with the trees, pavement, bunnies, moon ... and within 20 minutes or so, the rising sun.


It's mornings like these that I need to remind myself why running and marathon training is such a gift.  All to easily I get wrapped up in the day-to-day hoopla that bogs everyone down. As I get overwhelmed, I start to wonder why I thought training for a marathon would be a good idea. Not only am I doing it, but so is my husband, while we also chase after our crawling 9-month-old and figure out how to be good parents.


Although I am blessed with a beautiful baby boy, the monotony of the day-to-day can make it easy to forget what really matters in life.  My days seem a blur of washing dishes, spit-up, laundry, dealing with both baby and dog poop, making baby food, and cooking dinner.  Eventually I may catch a few minutes of the news or re-runs of "Modern Family" at night before getting the coffee pot and my running stuff ready for the morning and then going to bed.


Watching the moon follow me this morning opened up my mind. Just when squeezing a run into the daily grind can seem overwhelming, I'm reminded how much I truly need that run.  It breaks the monotonous routine of every day life. It reminds me how lucky I am to have the energy, both physically and mentally, to get out there every day.  


The title of my post is from the Dave Matthews song "You Never Know". I can relate to his lyrics, being a kid in the back seat of my parents car at night, watching the moon follow me in the car:

"Funny, when you're small... 

the moon follows the car.... 

does no one but you see... 

Hey, the moon is chasing me."

This morning, the moon was following me. The moon is there every day. Just waiting to follow us and remind us that it's always there, floating in the sky, no matter how much you have to accomplish that day. This morning the moon was my reminder to take a step back and enjoy life.  

Logging Miles While Chasing After Baby

Does running after a 9 month old who is crawling all over the place count toward my weekly running mileage? 


I know, I didn't think so. But it sure as hell is exhausting! When did I think it would be a good idea to train for a marathon while trying to figure out feeding time, nap times, and baby proof every piece of furniture with a sharp edge, electrical outlet, medicine cabinet, unsteady bookcase and more?  Truthfully, I guess it's never a good time to train for a marathon.


As I write this post, Lil' Bubba is trying to pull himself up onto a 5-gallon Poland Spring bottle. He started crawling last week. It was so exciting the moment I finally saw his chubby little leg actually propel him forward rather than get stuck under his body.  Shortly thereafter I realized once babies start crawling, the madness really begins!  Why are babies fascinated by bookshelves, electrical outlets, closet doors, garbage pails.... everything you desperately want them to keep away from? 


We have mostly hard wood floors in our home. At first I tried keeping his travels limited to the area rug in our den. I would vacuum it like a maniac to get up all of Toby's black hair, then let Lil' Bubba go on a crawling frenzy. That didn't last. Do I really want to limit his exploring to a small carpeted area? Won't that encourage a sedentary lifestyle down the road? There's no scientific study to back up this theory, but in my runner-addict brain, this is how I think. 


So I let Lil' Bubba crawl everywhere. The carpet filled with dog hair and dander, the wood floors, and even the kitchen floor that I can't possibly keep impeccably clean unless I were to mop it with disinfectant ten times per day.  No territory is off limits now. 


I quickly dropped the mentality that I have to keep Lil' Bubba germ-free. He would need to live in a bubble.  Toby (the dog) licks him, he goes after Toby's chew toys, he "gums" everything whether clean or not, strangers always want to squeeze his hands that immediately end up in his mouth.... it's a losing battle. Welcome germs!


Marathon training is still going well despite the exhaustion from running after Lil' Bubba, this awful heat wave and record-breaking humidity that has consumed the month of July.  I will say, it does seem like more of a "job" to train these days. Each week I have to plan ahead when I will run. The long runs require babysitting help because I'm only good for about 5 or 6 miles pushing Lil' Bubba in the jogging stroller. Anything beyond that has to be solo. 


Last week I ran 14 miles. It was hot and humid (what else is new) and I drank 50 oz. of fluid when I was through.  It's quite awkward running with a hydration belt around my waist filled with 50 oz!


This was the first time I ran this distance since training for my one and only marathon back in 2005.  I ran it alone. It definitely got a bit lonely at around 10 miles. At that point I wish I has some company other than my iPod.  This upcoming weekend I am very grateful to be running most, if not all, of my 15 mile run with Ms. Ironman. 


When all seems overwhelming - the heat, baby stuff, daily grind -  I take a step back and think how lucky I am. Lucky to have Lil' Bubba. Lucky to be able to train for this marathon. Lucky to be having such a great summer visiting with friends, family, and even sneaking in a Dave Matthews concert last weekend with Safety Sam! 


Life is good. 

12 Miles, Old Friends and Margaritas

On Saturday morning I was an addict anxiously waiting for my running fix after two days of inactivity due to exploding sinuses.  After a week of horrific humidity and heat in NY, plus a stuffy cotton-ball head, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to run my prescribed 12-13 miles. 


Well ladies and gents, I did it. 12.4 miles. In the heat. I sang, smiled, and wondered if I would pee in my pants the entire way. I do believe the obnoxious heat drained my sinuses. It was a great run. I even ran the last 3 miles at marathon pace as my training plan instructed. The heat really didn't bother me at all.


In the last mile, all I could think about was Lil' Bubba's baby pool and how I really need to start immersing myself ice baths. When I got home I raced inside, dragged the baby pool outside, filled it with water and some ice, and sat Indian-style while the ice soothed my aching muscles.  I sat there in a daze. I desperately wanted to lay back and take a nap, but the pool is way too small, even for my 5'4" body. I should have taken a picture, but I am awful with having my camera when I need it the most. 


Later that evening, two of my old college friends came for a visit. It was a night filled with margaritas, salmon burgers, great conversation and reminiscing of the good old days at SUNY Plattsburgh, our alma mater.  I don't think margaritas count for re-hydrating, but it was well worth the increased risk of dehydration. 


Of course the next morning Lil' Bubba decided to wake up a bit past 6 AM. There will be no sleeping for you, mom!   To top it off, he didn't want to take his morning nap either. I handed him off to Safety Sam and attempted to nap at around 11 AM, but the voices in my head lured me out of bed for a 4 mile easy recovery run. Then I started another round of entertaining for my father-in-laws birthday, chock full of skirt steaks, shrimp, pasta salad and wine. 


Now I sit here pondering the next week of running. The training plan this week calls for a 14-mile long run - this will be the longest distance I've ran since training for a full marathon in 2005. SCARY! I'm hoping to do it Friday, and then spend a great evening with my husband at the Dave Matthews concert at Citi Field.


But let me not get ahead of myself.... one day at a time..... 

Waiting to Run

It's 6:26 AM. I've been up since 4:40. I tossed and turned, waiting to fall back asleep for a little bit before my alarm sounded at 6 AM. 


Lil' Bubba started crying. His pacifier bounced out of and under the crib. I went and got him another one. I laid down again. He cried again. I went his room ... another pacifier lost in the dark abyss under the crib. I got another. I thought about laying down. 


Screw it, I'm awake. 


I have nervous energy. I haven't run in two days. My head has been like a stuffed cotton ball this past week from heat, constant air conditioning, and the crappy air quality. I was planning to skip my long run altogether this week. 


It's early enough in my training to just skip it. When you don't feel well, you're better off not running. Right?


Now I sit here, breakfast done, dog walked and one cup of coffee pulsing through my system. I'm waiting to digest my food before hitting the road. The weather gods call for a 70% chance of rain, heavy at times. The sun is out right now. Just before 6 when I walked Toby, it was already stifling and awful outside.  If it rains while I run, it may be a blessing. 


I'm feeling better, but still feel a bit out of it. Maybe it's this energy-sucking heat. Will I do my 12-13 miles? Wasn't I supposed to rest? I'll try to go as far as I can, without making myself ill.


Nervous energy is the worst. Sometimes, so is having a run addiction and not knowing when to cool it because you're over-tired, injured, or in my case, not feeling well.


Here I sit... waiting to run... wondering how it will go. The waiting makes me crazy. I need to get moving.

Sometimes, I'm Just Stupid

Yesterday morning I contemplated what I should do about my scheduled speed work run. Long Island was getting ready for yet another day of record breaking heat in the high 90s. Weather reporters warned of high humidity and air quality that made it feel like breathing in a jar of peanut butter with a hair dryer blowing.  It was another day to hide in air conditioning, pools, dive in the ocean or find an open fire hydrant.


My in-laws were coming over at 10 to watch Lil' Bubba so I could run while he stayed in the cool air and practiced crawling. I kept glaring at my training schedule: 

Repeats: 2 mile warm up,  8-10 x 400 meters (1/4 mile) with 400 RECOVERY. 1 mile cool down.                                 

  NOTE:  REPEAT intensity is 100% max HR- HARD effort.  Recovery is FULL.  RECOVERY time is always LONGER than running time.     

If I was going to do this workout, it would have to be on the dreadmill in the gym. But the thought of going to the gym, running on the dreadmill, and being stuck in the air conditioning again made me squirm. I feel like I've been living in an airport or stuffy hotel with the windows shut and the air blasting, sucking every last bit of moisture out of my organs.  The gym would be more of the same cool air blasting and stuffy indoor environment.

My husband, Safety Sam, advised me not to run outside. He's plugging along with his marathon training, but planned to take his run indoors. This is why I call him Safety Sam. It was a nickname my sister came up with because unlike me, he is very cautious. Not that I am a daredevil by any means. But I will run in dangerous heat to avoid an indoor workout (and do some other stupid things that may not be safe or smart sometimes). And that's exactly what I did yesterday. 

At around 10:30 I hit the road. My head felt like a lead weight. Besides that, I actually didn't feel so bad .... in the beginning. I told myself I wouldn't do the speed work if I decided to run outside. That would just be plain stupid.  Two slow miles into my run I glanced at my Garmin and thought, Hey, this isn't so bad. Why don't I just speed it up for a 1/4 mile and see how I feel?

And so I did. I did about four 1/4 mile repeats with slow 1/4 mile recoveries in between. In the first half of my run there was a breeze, albeit a hot one. After the fourth repeat, the breeze was gone. The shade was gone. The sun was beaming down on my head. There was not a sprinkler to be found anywhere. My hydration belt water went from cool to tea water. My ponytail was dripping sweat. My body was drenched. 

This sucks. This is so stupid. What the heck am I trying to prove? Not only is it god-awful hot, but my sinuses are exploding. Is this any way to get better? 

Some runners may be like Safety Sam. They understand the danger of running in the heat and don't even bother to go outside. They know their limits. They realize that if they modify their workout or even skip a day because of heat and not feeling well that this will not sabotage months of marathon training. 

On the flip side, I know there are other runners out there like me (please identify yourselves).  Despite the heat, not feeling well and it still being quite early in marathon training, you go out for that run anyway. The reason I did this is because there have been many days in my 13 years of running where maybe it wasn't the best idea to run. Some of these runs turned out to be great workouts. Others ended up like yesterday. 

Yesterday was just stupid. That's all I have to say. I stopped the speed work (if you could even call it that because I was by no means speedy) and shuffled slowly for the last bit of my run. I ran 5 miles in total, and walked the last 1/2 mile back to my house. I found one lone sprinkler and walked up on a stranger's lawn to splash the water on my face and head.

Today I am resting. Between that dumb run yesterday, sore legs from a P90X workout on Tuesday, and a scheduled 12-13 miles tomorrow, this rest day is greatly needed. I have no idea what tomorrow's weather brings for my long run and I don't really want to know.  I'm sure it will be much of the same. Will I still run? 

What do you think? 

Heatwave, Speed Work and Clogged Head

I have been MIA for a few weeks from this blog. It's very strange. I stopped working at the end of May but I'm finding even less time to indulge in relaxing hobbies like writing. No worries though, marathon training still takes a priority and I've been chugging along. I'm up to 12 miles with the long runs. This week starts speed work, hills, and a 12-13 mile long run this upcoming Friday. And just in time for a major heat wave with temps in the 100's. Great!

What's new? 

The air is like an inferno. It was approximately 102 degrees F yesterday. I could barely walk outside, let alone run. I did a P90X legs & back strength training workout instead. Because this dreadful heat is continuing for the next few days, I am contemplating the awful thought of running on the dreadmill. UGHH! Since I am a bit crazy, I may brave the sweltering heat, take it outdoors, and pay later.

As soon as I'm feeling great with runs, I get sick.  I am very congested most likely from being trapped in air conditioning. Taking Claritin for three days straight has left me feeling like a human cotton ball. I'm not taking it today. I have to start rehydrating and feeling less like a medicine-head in time for my long run this Friday.  Should I do my scheduled speed work today, run easy instead, or skip running altogether and get a bit of rest? Hmm....

Lil' Bubba is on the brink of crawling! For the last month he's been scooting around on his belly. I wouldn't be surprised if today is his first crawl day. This past weekend I found him sitting up in his crib. He is now able to pull himself up from his belly to sitting. I made Safety Sam lower the crib mattress before LB tried to crawl out of it!

Lil' Bubba showing off that he can pull himself to sitting and wave "hello".

Ms. Ironman is at it AGAIN!  This has nothing to do with me, but moreso my excitement for my friend, Ms. Ironman.  After a 5-year hiatus from this coveted triathlon, my running pal has a confirmed entry in the 2011 Ironman in Frankfurt. She did a 5-1/2 mile run with me on Sunday morning after a 100-mile bike ride the day before. Talk about iron! I felt good about running so early on a Sunday morning, but to know she ran 10 miles Friday, biked 100 miles on Saturday and was running with me on Sunday made me fell like a SLACKER!

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Food Fuel Note of the Day: Here's another great post-run recovery drink, thanks to Nancy Clark's Food Guide for Marathoners --   

"Banana Frostie"

Frozen banana chunks

8 oz non-fat milk (or 1%)

Optional: honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in blender until smooth

Sounds yummy! I already have banana pieces in the freezer getting ready for my Friday recovery drink!

Running with Baby and Eating Quinoa

Yesterday morning I ran five miles with Lil' Bubba in the jogging stroller. Running with the jogging stroller is like being a "newby" runner all over again. I started out with a little over three miles, and now I can comfortably tackle five with my 20-ish-pound eight month old. And my pace was 9:15, which is pretty good for me considering the stroller, HEAT, plus it was my seventh day in a row doing some form of exercise between running, spin class, and a P90x workout. 


It's a different world for me with the jogging stroller because I run without the iPod when Lil' Bubba tags along. Running without music allows me to feel my breath, hear my feet on the pavement, and truly tune in to my thoughts.  Plus I talk out loud to Lil' Bubba vs. talking to myself and looking crazy. I ask him how he's doing, what he's laughing at, and inform him how far we're running. 


I've been relying on Safey Sam or other family to watch LB while I go out for my daily running fix. Although running solo is my favorite way to fly, the jogging stroller actually is a pleasant surprise. I get a great run with it and don't feel like I'm compromising my endurance or fitness. 


Plus, contrary to what I previously thought, I do feel like it's bonding time with LB. Initially I didn't think so because he's just sitting in the stroller, maybe even taking a snooze. But on yesterday's run, he was looking around, taking in his surroundings, laughing out loud at who-knows-what, and we were "talking" to each other.  I feel like it's another way for him to see the outside world, at a bit of a faster pace than the usual walk in a stroller, being pushed in the grocery cart or "standing" in the exersaucer getting hit in the face with Toby's tail.

And another fun summer activity with Lil' Bubba is pool time! Here is his first time in a baby pool. He is very cautious at first, like his daddy, "Safety Sam".

Then he realizes it's fun and starts splashing:

And here he's yelling, "Hey toots, add more water in this pool!"

On the marathon training front.... 


Today is a "rest" day. Well, if you can call it rest. I will refrain from any running, strength training or biking. I will, however, be running around preparing for guests on Thursday night (my suburban housewives dice game will be hosted at my house) plus family from Ohio staying with us this weekend. And, of course, there's the usual baby tasks to tend to, plus trying to figure out why Toby has diarrhea AGAIN. 

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Food Fuel Note of the Day:  Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a protein-rich, South American seed, somewhat similar tasting to couscous, but with more of a crunch. It is a complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. It is a great alternative to animal protein that can be enjoyed as a main entree or side dish. Cook it up with some stir-fry veggies, add some beans, tofu, or grated cheese and you have a full meal!

It's even great for babies at around 7 months or older. Although Lil' Bubba seems to eat ANYTHING, he was not so sure about the quinoa:

Quinoa is great, but Lil' Bubba may have to give it another try.

I Did It Again

I ran very early this morning again. I was out the door a few minutes after 5 A.M.  This is my third time getting up before 6 AM for a run since Lil' Bubba was born. I'm s-l-o-w-l-y easing back into my old early morning run routine. This means reacquainting myself with what I need to do in order to get up and out at 5 AM, like laying out my clothes and gear the night before and getting to bed by 9:30 the absolute latest.


My alarm was set for 4:50, but I woke up around 4:40 to Lil' Bubba crying in his crib. I think he was half asleep. His pacifier was on the other side of the mattress, so I gave it back to him. Then I noticed he was damp. He leaked .... AGAIN ... through an overnight pamper with toddler overnight disposable training pants pulled over them. OY! I am trying everything to conquer this one!! I had to change him and then hoped he'd fall back asleep. He did, thankfully.


The coffee was ready, but I wanted to get my butt out the door so I'd have enough time to walk the dog before Safety Sam (the husband - will explain the nickname later) had to leave for work at 6:35 AM. I shoved a piece of bread in my mouth, drank some water, and headed out the door sans coffee (eeeek!). I FINALLY made a new playlist yesterday that kicks off with the song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. So my first few steps were light and happy to the lyrics:

Alabama, Arkansas,
I do love my ma and pa,
Not the way that I do love you......

Ahh Home. Let me come home
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is wherever I'm with you.

It's a very catchy tune. Check it out if you haven't already.

Back to the run! I was happy to get out early but my legs felt like cement. I went 5-1/2 miles and it felt more like 10. There was dish soap residue in my hydration belt bottle, so my water tasted like soap - gross.  I realized I'm going to have to get up at 4:30 AM to make time for that cup of coffee. I truly am a caffeine junkie and desperately need one cup before I run. 

So here's to trying the early morning run again. I definitely foresee more of these in my marathon training future this summer. I love that it is now 7:20 AM and I'm done running, showered, and finished eating. Of course, I'm sure I will crash big time later this morning or early this afternoon. 

THAT, my friends, is what Dunkin' Donuts is for! 

Marathon Eating and Base Training

This past Sunday I was chatting with my friend's sister-in-law, a fellow runner. She was contemplating running the NYC Marathon this November, but would need to enter through a charity at this point. We started talking about how we love training for half marathons, and how marathon training can get grueling, plus .... make you feel fat? 


My sister and husband both lost weight when they trained for marathons. When I was gearing up to train for my first marathon in 2005 I thought the training would melt off those pesky 5 extra pounds that made my jeans a bit snug in the waistline.  After four months of training, and never missing a beat with any of my runs, the scale did not budge. 


Shortly after that marathon, I did what many do. I was done training, my mileage took a sharp nose-dive, but my eating regimen remained the same. What did that do? My jeans got a bit more snug, of course!


This marathon will be different, or so I hope. I am happy to say I've lost all the pregnancy weight.  I started fitting comfortably into all my "skinnier" clothes at around six months. Some people think I'm blessed with a speedy metabolism and that it melted off, but let me tell you, I busted my hump. I did not diet whatsoever because I love food too much and would rather run my butt off for Ben & Jerry's vs. be sedentary and starve myself.  


My weight loss secret? I started running again at three weeks post-partum, then half-marathon training kicked in full swing at four months post-partum. So yes, I am lucky to have lost the weight. But no, it did not come easy.  

My goal for this marathon training season is to NOT GAIN WEIGHT from eating too much. Since the 2005 marathon was my first and only, I think I took the term "carbo-loading" to extremes and overdid it a bit. I remember in the last few weeks of training I felt bloated rather than super-duper fit. This time around, I will definitely tap into my sports nutrition masters degree and consult regularly with Nancy Clark's Food Guide For Marathoners.


Speaking of training .... Last week started my base training for the marathon. I've sort of been base training all along since the half marathon in early May. But now I'm actually following a plan written by a physical therapist / marathoner / Ironman who is working with the City Meals on Wheels charity runners.  I've decided to follow his base training until mid-July, and then make a decision if I'll continue with his training plan, or pick up the FIRST (Run Less, Run Faster) plan.  For now, I'm just enjoying the lower mileage and mentally preparing myself for hot weather and much longer runs in the weeks to come. 

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Food Fuel Note of the Day:  Chocolate milk makes for an awesome post long run recovery drink. It is loaded in healthy carbs and protein. Not to mention it is much cheaper than fancy-schmancy recovery drinks.  Studies have shown the carb to protein ratio in chocolate milk help speed recovery by restoring glycogen stores drained during the run.   Do you really need any more convincing ??