The Fall Marathon season... time to freak out!

There are two major marathon seasons, fall and spring. The World major marathon's are broken into these two seasons and some other big races. This fall elite athletes will try their hand at NYC, Chicago or Berlin. There is also the Marine Corp Marathon, Seattle and many other small ones. It's also a huge season for 1/2 marathons. Many cities who host their marathons in the spring have their half's in the fall. It actually works perfectly because you have enough time in between to recover and get ready all over again but still stay in shape. In the middle of Halloween, leaf peeping and pumpkin spiced everything (including tiolet paper) us runners start to freak out.
Boston has a huge running community. While many participate in the smaller marathons in the state, many venture to the other major marathons but train in their own back yard. For starters we have access to one of the toughest routes in the US. An area full of hills and actually decent weather in the fall. I know one of my big advantages for training for NYC is that my area is full of hills and tough terrain. NYC is flat and fast so once I get their it will be easier than my norm (I hope). While everyone enjoys leisurely strolls around the pumpkin patch, we are running at ungodly hours and resting all day to gear up for our long run in hopes to get a faster time. The fall is ideal because the chance of it being ass-crack sweat hot out is not likely. The perfect conditions for running is slight overcast in the mid 50's, basically fall weather.
My fall marathon is New York City and only seven weeks away! I'm starting to feel the anxiety of the illusive paper prison number and a field size of 50,000! It's close to the moment to take the 20 mile run and to really kick up the training. It's that time in training to make every run count and to pick up the pace. Power runs have to be faster and pace runs need to be quick. You really start to feel the push and that's when the nerves hit. A marathon of this size is a moment you cherish for a lifetime. To be there, to finish and to share a moment so few ever experience is a feeling that's truly indescribable. It's also scary as hell and can make you pee your pants. It becomes this moment when all of a sudden you realize it's televised and you could go down in a firey flame in front of millions. I projectile vommited the Friday before Boston and the weight of NYC is definitely starting to hit. So once again I pray I don't shit my pants in front of millions and land in Central Park with everything attached and working! To everyone running one of the fall marathons, good luck!! We shall all be victorius!!

The power of support... Friends and tight pants!

Hoes before bros! Friends don't let friends look stupid! Friends are always your best bet in surviving the marathon process. Training can be grueling, mentally challenging and can totally screw with you. I don't care what anyone says, you need a great support system! Honestly, through marathon training I actually became closer to my family and friends. Some friends unfortunately did jump ship but, clearly they weren't really my friends to begin with. Having friends you can call and laugh with sometimes is all you need after a grueling long run or a really bad run. When you have thrown up, toes are bloody and you can't really see straight a great friend is always there to remind you why you do it. Usually they also remind you that your crazy and you need a pedicure. Truth is when I started training it was very much a lonely process. A lot of people doubted me and laughed at me. The great moment was when I finally let everyone know I was running and the amount of love and support I received! I know I would have never have made it through without everyone! So here is my thoughts on great friends. The people who will be there for a good laugh, talk you down from quitting and be at the finish line with a banana and a smoke!! Less than 2 months to NYC and only a month to the Boston half!! Fall is here and time for action... And everyone to go pumpkin crazy!!!

Boys and running...

I started running to lose weight. I decided to run a marathon to prove something. I continue to run because it sets me free. Any runner and about a million images on google search will tell you running is therapeutic. If you you type in a search there are more life quotes on running than images of the actor John Hamm's package. When I started running I was dealing with boy issues. I'm not going to elaborate on these issues because he didn't decide to go marathon crazy and start a blog, outing him isn't fair. I was determined to get down to a certain size and running has always been a sure fire way to help with a good diet to drop pounds. Unfortunately I became obsessed with the process and things took a turn for the worse. Once I started training for the marathon it became about proving him wrong and showing everyone what I was capable of. During training something crazy started happening. Slowly it started to become about me. I enjoyed pushing myself to the limit. I started to live for the long run. I also started to become more confident in myself. Once I ran my first marathon I realized it had become my journey. It was no longer about what he thought or any other guy, it became about what I thought. I started to walk with my head held higher and my posture a little straighter. I was no longer the little girl who had a broken heart who started running but, I was a marathon runner. The day this guy congratulated me, it took everything out of me not to cry my eyes out (plus it was at work and I would have looked like an ass)! Now I realize my self worth and what I deserve. Sure I have insecurities but who doesn't? At the end of the day I still believe he's out there but until I find him I always have the run! When I do find him, he's going to have to be totally cool with Sunday mornings by himself and the smell of sweaty running clothes. So ladies no matter what keep your head held high and run on!!!

Hill Training... Push it!

Salt and Pepper knew what was up! After my long run for my first marathon, one of the girls came up to me and said "Way to kill it on those hills!" I let her in on my training secret. Hills, hills, and more hills. Every article on training will tell you hill running will improve your time. I can tell you from personal experience, the experts don't lie. My first marathon is famous for it's hills (Heartbreak Hill). Everyone kept warning me about the hills. Newton is not what did me in but a mountain in Brighton tripped me up and made a fool out of me. Let me tell you, I will never let that happen again.
When I first started running I was training on a treadmil with no hills. My walking program was a hill program. It took a long time to work up going over a bridge. Once I mastered the bridge, I went on to the famous Beacon hill. Beacon Hill is famous for beatiful brownstones, scenic views of the city and the feel of "you will never afford this!" It's the same feeling I get when I run past Hermes on Boylston street. Someday I will have a Birkin Bag! It's also famous for crazy hills. All of the streets are a steep incline and horrible brick sidewalks. Considering I live in a city, no sprawling hills in the country readily available, I figured this was the best way to train. You can still find me everyday over in this area sweating up the hills. My first crazy training injury was on the lovely Garden street (pictured above). I pushed it up the hill , finished the run, then got a massive stomach ache. I ended up throwing up all night confused. When I consulted my doctor, I apperantly got an internal organ concusion. I didn't even know this was possible but its coomon in marathon runners. Lesson learned, push it but don't go crazy!
All of my run routes involve hills. I live in Boston, kind of hard to aviod. It really helps push your endurance. Bonus is once you've tackled the mountain, you can always look down and think "And what! Boo-ya!" It's kind of a mental test no matter if it's a long or short run. If you run all flat, it's easy. Throw in some crazy hills and see where your at. Hills are also great for the mental aspect of running. Pushing yourself can really relive some stress. Every run I usually have at least 5 hills, varied in size.
Going downhill is a whole different ballgame. Going downhill scares the bejesus out of me. I usually just slow down and chant "Please Mr. Knee, don't give out!" Going downhill is not an easy task and you can really screw yourself up. If you go up a steep hill, you have to go down a steep hill! While it might be fun to barrel down the hill and pretend your sliding down a rainbow, chances are you could get run over not being able to stop. I've barrelled down the hill and almost ate pavement. It's an extremely scary moment.
Hills are extremely important to anyone training for a road race. The world was unfortunately not made flat. Plus the view from the top is always amazing!

Heat Training... How to look like a drowned rat!

You look at the weather about 6 times during the day and the temperature keeps going up. You think to yourself "What am I smoking?" All summer this is how I've spent my days. Sitting, praying that the internet is lying to me. Then I go out for my run and realized it's about nasty level 10. I run right after work, which ends up being mid afternoon. The hottest time of day. At the end of my run my make up is crawling down my face and I look like I just took a shower. I told myself it was good for my character. Heat has definitely taught me how to talk myself into finishing under any circumstances.
I started puposefully heat training when preparing for my second marathon. Even though the marathon was at night (random, I know), I knew it was still going to be hot. I really learned my lesson during a shake out half marathon I ran in early June. They only had one water stop. It was eighty degrees out. I threw up twice. There was no Gatorade or sports drink before, during or after. 13.1 miles and nothing! Needless to say my parents had to pick me up at the medical tent and I realized hydration is everything. I'm not a fan of sports drinks. I prefer water and orange slices. Many swear by GU. Yes, it's called GU and I think it tastes exactly like it sounds. The first time I tried it I spit it back out. Think Gatorade in pudding form. Yep, it's that nasty.
You also learn during heat runs make up is a bad idea. I know it sounds pretty logical, but at the end of the day, I'm still a girl. I have dignity (kind of). I have purchased many so called water proof eye liners, mascara and primers and I can tell you first hand. They are only waterproof if the water happens to not splash you in the face. I sweat a lot. After a run I look like I just took a shower or there was a down pour. I'm always so careful not to rub my eyes always thinking it's still on there but nope. I look in the mirroor and it's embarressing. I look like a cross between a KISS member and a scary clown. Be afraid children, be afraid!
There are some advantages to training in heat. After 31 years, I have a tan! Now it maybe an uneven sports bra tan but I'll take it! I have the coloring of a sparkly vampire so a tan is a monumental achievement. I wear it with pride! Also, heat training has helped with the mental push. Many ninety degree days I had to talk myself into finishing. These days I may hate it and leave a lot of my DNA on the streets of Boston but I no longer feel the fatigue of the heat.
It's fall but today is another hot one but the good news is that's going to change very soon. Even after a great summer of fun running adventures, I can't wait for the cold. I would personally rather run in a snowstorm then run in a heat wave. Good bye summer, you will not be missed!

Running clothes... The great equalizer!

Many run in a t-shirt and shorts. Absolutely nothing wrong with this! You should run in whatever you feel comfortable in. See that's the thing, there are so many options and styles. Some are great looking, some are for performance, some for weather and some for making a lot of people driving by you laugh and honk!

Personally I've tried them all but a small few. I have tried pretty much every company out there simply because very few make my size. I prefer to be sucked in tight like a vacuum when I'm running. During the summer its all capri running tights and tank tops. I wear bright colors to be seen. Not in a look at me kind of way but, a please don't knock or run over me. The color scheme never helps but I keep thinking it will. I have seen some pretty crazy outfits during races and just on the streets. Lot's of running skirts, short shorts and tank tops, sports bras. A lot of t-shirts with catchy slogans like "I run so I don't choke people", "I run for beer" and my personal favorite "running sucks". If it sucks, why are you out here. Running skirts also amaze me. There is a part of running no one ever wants to talk about called chafing. Body glide helps with this issue, but it only does so much. Also many of the elite athletes wear running bikinis. They have the body but that has to be uncomfortable.
During the winter months I find to be the most tricky. This winter I wore 2 pairs of running tights, a tank top, t-shirt, a sweater and a dryfit jacket. I also wore 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of gloves, a scarf and a hat. The whole keep you warm crap is so just in your mind. I would sweat and proceed to get hypothermia. I had my hands stop working on several ocassions. Sure after about a mile your warm but once you stop, you are screwed. The things we put up with for what we love.
Considering there are so many different companies it's hard to find ones that work for everyone. I find Nike and Abercrombie to be the best and randomly the City Sports store brand. Mainly I like these because they have my size. Adidas, New Balance and the north face are too big for me but many swear by them. Truthfuly you have to be comfortable. The outfit should be breathable enough for you. It's all about what you like and if you want to wear some crazy outfit, who cares, your still running! Just be careful of the chafing and runners nipple. Runners nipple is real and scary! 2 months to NYC, plenty of time to find the perfect race day outfit!!

Who have I become.. A year of running!

It's fall. The leaves are changing, the college kids are back and yet it's still hot out. It felt like I was running in a toilet today. A good nine mile run on this holiday weekend after my long run yesterday. It was a slow nine miles, but it's Monday which is easy day, so if it's slow it's fine by me. When I finished my run, I had a thought. A year ago today I could barely run 3 miles. How things have changed.
Last fall I had not even ran my first 5k. I had never participated in any kind of road race and secretly wanted to try. I had heard so many stories about running races. Many of my family members had participated in various local races. I always thought I wasn't good enough. At this point I had gotten down to a size 6 and most people thought I was done and had achieved my goal. Secretly I was getting worse with the mental aspect of my weight loss and desperately wanted to lose more. Last fall I was barely eating, barely running and was hitting the wall. I also ran for the first time in Boston and had only one goal, to get over the Long fellow bridge. This bridge connects Cambridge to Boston. Stunning views of the Charles river and currently under construction, still! The bridge itself is only about a quarter of a mile long. I mapped out from my apartment, over the bridge into Boston and over to City plaza was about 2 miles. The first time I ran this I barely got over the bridge, hacked and wheezed half of it and felt like death slightly warmed over when I was finished. I told myself I would keep trying until it became easy. It took a couple of weeks but finally it got easier. I just kept trying and eventually I went farther into the city. I ran my first 5k with an unimpressive time of 38 minutes. What I realize now that it's not the time that matters, it's completing your goal.
My body has changed dramatically too. Since last fall I dropped 60 pounds and now have the runners body. My legs and arms are solid muscle. Sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder who is she. I have an extremely athletic build. Sometimes I don't even recognize myself. It's crazy how much one can transform themselves in just one year.
In one year I went from the girl who could barely make it over the bridge to the girl who has ran two marathons is still crazy to me. We get caught up in our daily lives and forget to stop and think of what we have achieved so far. If I stopped running today (which will not happen), I'll always be a marathon runner. I will still be the girl who within a year went from barely running 3 miles to running 26.2. I have become an athlete. Sometimes it still hard to eat but I look at my food and remind myself if you don't eat you can't run. Everyday I know things will be okay because at some point I will be able to go pound the pavement. It may have taken a year, but in the end I got there. To know that in one year my next goal is to run New York and last year my goal was to run over the bridge is amazing to me. Sometimes it feels good to just to feel like I can breathe again.I really realized today running saved my life. I forever will be grateful to running and the life it's given to me. After all the crazy injuries, the pushing through the pain and the relentless fight to keep going running has given me the power to know I can do anything. I no longer fear tomorrow because I know what I did yesterday. So onward and upward to NYC and excitement thinking about what this year will bring.