Nashville Half Marathon and Racing Lessons Learned

After a long hiatus, I'm back. After the marathon bombing and the ensuing craziness, it was a bit difficult to find the time to blog and at times, the motivation, given everything that was occurring.  But now that things have settled some, I have some things to write about, first of which is the Nashville 1/2 Marathon/1st Annual Girl's Run Weekend!

(Photo creds to my resident photog EH!)

Many of my friends are runners. One of my dearest friends also blogs and writes about it! We are all scattered across the country and have always talked about trips to get everyone together at least once a year. Back in the fall of last year, another dear friend (and the best organizer on the planet!) suggested running the Nashville Half Marathon. After many emails, 8 of us found that the weekend would work and signed up (one signed up for the full!). It was a diverse group with everyone knowing some of the group, but not knowing everyone, so it worked out as a great way to meet some new runner friends!  We represented the East Coast on this trip: Boston - 1, Baltimore - 2, DC - 3, Tampa - 1, Naples - 1.  There was lots of great conversation, food, beer, and we even met Olympian marathoner Kara Goucher! A few of our group members may have had a mini freak-out over meeting Kara (you know who you are).

(Thanks LM and the great human who took our group photo!)

The trip was phenomenal; the run was not. It was the most miserable run I have ever had in my life. This was for a few reasons, the largest being that there were torrential downpours THE ENTIRE race. Thankfully, Lianne and I were able to procure ponchos the night before. Ok, well, really, it was more like we pressed our faces to the window of the closed beauty supply shop and the owner took pity on us, but we got the goods regardless. The ponchos helped us stay somewhat dry; some in our group ran the whole thing in it, others ditched them and just dealt with the rain.

(Thanks CS for the pic!)

10 Valuable Running Lessons Learned:

1. TRAIN - Yes, I realize this should be a no-brainer. I really started out on a good regimen. And then it fell apart. Partially because I let work and life take over...again. I've run a half before with minimal training and survived. But I was not in the shape to do it this time, especially with how hilly the course turned out to be (that elevation map was deceiving!). Again, as I have written before, I really realized on that third horrific hill that I need to start being more selfish about my well-being and my own health. I know I cannot run a full marathon without training. And I know I cannot perform the way I want and without injury without training. So...TRAIN.
2. CHAFING HAPPENS - I have always read about this being a problem, but it never happened to me until this weekend. Apparently when every article of clothing you are wearing becomes so saturated with water that you are literally wringing out your shirt sleeves and the bottom of your running capris, chafing will happen. I was chafed by my iPhone I put in my bra (see item #3). I was chafed by my underwear after a port-o-potty spot. Bad news bears all around. A fabulous solution is bacitracin and tefla dressings (another perk of working in healthcare; you can raid the dressing supplies as needed). So be smart about your wardrobe and accessories. Or just don't run when the heavens have opened up.
3. iPHONE IN BRA = BAD IDEA - I often run with my iPhone. It has my music on it and especially in the case of this race, it was communication between me and all of the much faster people. I ran with my friend during the race and attempted some chatting/bitching, so I didn't listen to music. I also realized at mile 12 when I was alone that even though I wanted to listen, my headphones had shorted out and my iPhone speakers had become so saturated with rain/sweat, they stopped working too. Epic fail. Thankfully it dried out. It also left its mark, literally, on my boob (again, reference #2). So, I guess I really need to invest in an iPhone armband or go with the ol' reliable iPod shuffle from now on.
4. BRING YOUR OWN TP - I will leave this to your own interpretation, but all I can say is thank God for a friend giving me a piece of Kleenex before leaving the hotel. Although it was damp and stained bright neon coral from my running shirt, it did what was needed.
5. FORGET THE SHOES, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SOCKS - I want to personally thank the sock man who sucked me and my running hero friend into buying these compression socks at the Expo the day prior to the race. The Swiftwick Performance Zero socks saved my feet from blisters and pain. My shoes and feet were completely soaked 20 minutes before even starting the race and never were dry again until I dried off from my post-race shower. And not a blister on 'em! Seriously, best socks ever. I am giving them my endorsement (and believe me, they in no way asked for it). Other fun facts: they are made in TN, they are 200 needle count (it's like having 800 thread-count sheets on your feet!), and they are made with olefin, which is a natural fiber that helps absorb moisture naturally. Does it get any better?
6. POSITIVE ATTITUDE - I'm not much of an overly Suzy Sunshine type person. I'm not a Negative Nelly either, but I tend to like to be surprised when the glass is more full than expected. However, I realized on this run how much your mentality comes into play while running. I was so glad to have my friend running with me to help keep me pumped up and motivated going up all those damn hills. But I also realized by giving myself credit and actually telling myself "I can do this" that it seemed a little easier and totally worth getting to the finish line for the Gatorade and vanilla creme cookies. That and the giant medal and the space blankets.
7. SHUTTLES DO NOT = 11 PEOPLE - Definitely worth finding out exactly how many people your hotel race shuttle can take at a time. The downtown Sheraton can take 11. Remember that people. So when your group of 8 has 49 people in front of you at 5:30am for a 7:00am race start, you too also realize you may not make it in time. However, I would not necessarily recommend the almost 2 mile walk in ponchos to the start line either. Cab it. Seriously.
8. EAT MORE THAN A LARA BAR PRE-RACE - I was so afraid of getting an upset stomach I underfed myself. For anyone who knows me, I realize this is an idea that is hard to fathom, but it happened. About an hour before the race was supposed to start, I was already hungry. I love Lara Bars (cherry pie, yum!), but I should have had more with it.
9. JIMMY JOHN'S IS AMAZING - After you have run 13.1 miles (and walked 3 more between start and finish), you will be hungry. The bananas and pretzels at the end are delicious and filling...for 10 seconds. What you need is some freaky fast food...enter Jimmy John's. I lived on this stuff in undergrad, and then in grad school. Sometimes lunch, dinner, or after the bar, but always awesome. It's awesomeness was never more apparent than after this race. A Vito was just what I wanted. And if filled me up until our dinner/drinking celebration in the evening.
10. BOSTON STRONG - I was so overwhelmed by the support of the running community this weekend in Nashville. At the Expo, there was a huge board that we were all able to sign with messages for Boston. They passed out bracelets to wear with the BAA colors and "Boston 4.15.13, Run Now" on them. So many runners had special Boston shirts made or even just Red Sox shirts, anything to honor our city. I definitely teared up multiple times. It just showed me again what an amazing group of people that runners are. Thank you to all of you for your love and support for our city. We will keep running. Boston Strong.

I'm hoping to do a short run tomorrow to loosen these legs up. I can finally walk like a normal person again! I'll also report on the non-running activities on Nashville, i.e. food, drink, fun.

A Marathon Monday Never to Be Forgotten

I had planned on having a pumped up, excited Marathon Monday post today. The day started off wonderfully. The weather was perfect, not too cold and certainly not as hot as last year. Crowds 4-5 people deep lined the course. The elite men's and women's fields had multiple lead changes and exciting finishes. The usual excitement of the Marathon that overtakes the great city of Boston was in full-swing.

However, all of that changed at approximately 2:50pm.  2 explosions seconds apart on Boylston Street at the finish line changed everything. Runners and fans alike ran in all directions. Boston Police, National Guard, and health care personnel sprang into action to assist the wounded. People stood dumbfounded, still not grasping what had just happened around them. Initially, people thought maybe it was a manhole cover or a blown transformer. We have learned it was actually what everyone had feared - 2 bombs, purposely positioned and deployed at the end of the world's oldest marathon. Set off at a time when a large group of runners would be running through and fans would be cheering along the street.

My husband and I stayed home this year. We watched from our window, as we live on the race route, just shy of mile 21. We spent the morning cheering on the runners and wheelchair participants. We watched the elite runners fly by and the amateurs and charity runners do their best to make it to that coveted finish. The crowds began tapering off and I had contemplated watching a movie when my friend texted me to turn on the TV to the news. She told me there had been explosions at the finish line. Gary and I watched in stunned silence as the local news replayed the footage of the blasts, of the smoke wafting into the air, of the frantic race officials and police officers rushed to the aid of those injured. In sheer disbelief we wondered, how could this happen? Who would do this? And why?

The phone calls and texts poured in from our friends and family, both in Boston and across the country. I volunteered in the medical tent at the finish line last year helping to treat runners with dehydration, cramps and blisters. This year, that very same tent was now treating burn victims and those with extremity injuries. While I was happy to put every one's fears to rest that we were safe and nowhere near the site of the explosions, I couldn't help feeling like I wish I was in that tent today. I felt so hopeless sitting at home, staring at the TV wide-eyed, feeling like I had been punched in the stomach.

We have lived here for nearly 3 years now and consider Boston home. This shouldn't happen in your home. This shouldn't happen anywhere.  As one of my good friends and a fellow runner asked, "why do people have to ruin anything that's fun in life?" And I think that's a significant question because at the heart of the Boston Marathon IS fun. It's a race that brings people together from across the globe. The whole state of Massachusetts and city of Boston come out to support perfect strangers who embark on this crazy, long 26.2 mile stretch, beginning in Hopkinton, through Newton and up Heartbreak Hill, and to downtown Boston, ending at Copley Square, where the finish line is marked 365 days a year. Competition, camaraderie, charity; these are all parts of this too. Massachusetts is considered "the Spirit of America" (and we have our license plates to prove it!). The Boston Marathon is the spirit of the running community. Today that spirit was broken by tragic, unspeakable events. But I do have hope and I know in my heart that Boston and running will come back from this stronger than ever.

Spring has Sprung!

Workouts:
~Saturday: 2 mile run, abs
~Sunday: Arms - 4 sets of 10 reps each: Dumbell bicep curls, bar bicep curls, wrist flex/ext curls with bar, pushups (knee ones!), tricep kickbacks, chair dips
~Monday: 3 mile run - 30:38, Legs - squats, lunges, wall sits, calf raises, kickbacks

Monday Weigh-In:
~Down 2 pounds!

First, super excited about the weight loss! Granted, I'm not worrying SO much about the number on the scale, so much as how I feel and my clothing sizes. Nevertheless, I still plan to weigh in every Monday just to see how things are going from that aspect.

Sorry I've been a bit slacking on the posts. This weekend was both eventful but relaxing with some time with the hubs, dinner and brunch with friends, and some spring cleaning at home. I had a great run today! Beautiful sunshine and 60+ degrees. Totally bugged out of work at 2pm so I could get my run in. Sorry job, you'll always be there; this weather may not be! I must have stretched better today, because my hamstring didn't hurt like it did over the weekend. I also think that the beautiful weather just puts a pep in my step. In my case, probably too much of a pep. I ran an 8:45 first mile. Way too fast. Pacing is one of my goals to work on this summer. I have a terrible habit of starting WAY too fast and then dying later in the race.

Thankfully, Spring has arrived! Well, at least for a few days anyway. I love this time of year in Boston. It seems like the whole world runs, especially where we live. There were tons of runners at the reservoir today of all types and abilities. It's so refreshing to see all of the different people running. It makes it seem do-able :) This time of year also means it's almost time for the Boston Marathon! We live right on the route, a little ways past the infamous "Heartbreak Hill", around the 35k marker. With the race coming up on Monday, April 15, over the last week, they have been getting the road prepared with markings. I'm happy to report one of the medical stations is directly across from our house. This is what the road told me anyways. The port-o-potties will also begin being delivered in the next few days. You would be amazed at the sheer number of them! (Don't worry, pics will come). The race definitely lives up to its infamous billing. I volunteered in the medical tent last year and had an amazing experience. The people who run, from the elite and wheelchair racers, down to us more regular folks, are all exceptional people. I had a great time meeting many of them in the tents. Hopefully this year isn't as hot! I'll be spectating this year. Because the race is run on Patriot's Day, we get the day off. Again, oddball New England holiday. But I'll take it. Anyone have any plans for Marathon Monday?

Medical Tent Team #1 - 2012 Boston Marathon

In our continued effort to be healthier, GW and I have bought pill boxes to help us remember to take all of our vitamins. Yes, I feel like an old person saying/doing this, but it's actually been really helpful.  I fill them up on Sunday and we're good to go. And then I can get those giant, Costco-sized pill bottles stored in the cabinet for the rest of the week instead of left out on my already too-small counter. It's really a win-win for everyone involved. And PS, the adult gummy multivitamins are totally the way to go. Even if you take them on an empty stomach, you don't get nauseous.

Happy Monday!

Run, run, this is fun...

Workout:
~Run 3 miles

I didn't want to do it. I REALLY didn't want to do it. I did not want to run today. At all. But a little voice inside me said, "you'll feel SOOO much better if you do," so I did. Was it my best run ever? No, not even close. But I must say, it did feel good when I was done. Today was really windy and I spent half of my run running against the wind (cue music here) or with it blowing me sideways. I'm glad I forgot to charge my Garmin, since I'm pretty sure I was nearly running in place. But, as GW always points out, it's not how fast you did it, but that you did.

I learned two things today on my run:
1. When the wind is blowing wicked hard and you are running along a ledge, make sure no one is below you if you intend to spit. While I did not hit anyone, I came close and I know if I were running and gasping for breath, the last thing I would want is someone's saliva landing on my head. Definitely not cool.
2. I need to work on my core strength. I have been a lazy ab kid and I could feel it today. I was focusing on breathing and trying to run upright. When I took pilates, I could tell how much the core strength helped me through my run. Today, I felt like I had a donut around my waste. A big cream filled glazed one. It was not helping me go the distance. This needs to change. I had mentioned a pinterest workout a few posts ago. I tried it. Lame. Need to go back to the drawing board. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know!

Happy Hump Day!