TwentySixPointWhat?

This past Sunday was a local 5k during which I decided to start training seriously again. As we were warming up the thought occurred to me that it was two summers ago that I began to train for my first marathon. Bear in mind that I knew nothing about training or the level of commitment required to run a marathon but, as with most things in my life, I jumped in feet first and asked questions later. The past couple of weeks have been an experiment in cross-training; swimming, biking, and running. Body feels good - now to throw some speed work and hills back into the mix, along with more mileage per week. . . and we're good to go.

Once again I’ve decided to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon with Fisher House. Two years ago I began running to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the accident in which I fractured both of my femurs, ankle, and wrist, and which left me on life support with questionable odds for recovery. There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 12k families. This year, we will honor the memory of LCpl Chance Phelps. In conjunction with the Chance Phelps Foundation, the 2009 team will "Run4Chance" and build a Fisher House in Salt Lake City. This is why I run in support of Fisher House. http://www.active.com/donate/FisherHouse2009MCM/1HBisbee

Providence Marathon 2009 Race Report I really had no business running this marathon which, I suspect, is exactly why I ran it. It all started with Vicky and I organizing our weekend plans; specifically scheduling for Saturday. Our conversation went something like this: VICKY: So what time is the wedding? ME: 4:00, downtown Providence. VICKY: What time do you think you want to be at the church? ME: Somewhere around 3:45. VICKY: Okay, well I need to go into Providence to pick up my bib for my race in the morning. ME: Can I come along? VICKY: Sure. ME: Which race is this? VICKY: The Providence ½ marathon but there’s also a 5k and marathon. ME: hmmm. I could run the marathon. VICKY: Do you want to? ME: Yeah, I think I do. I need RI. And that is how it all came to fruition. Fast forward to race morning. . . Vicky wakes me up around 0600. After deciding that Vaseline is just as good as Body Glide, that Cliff Shots are just as good as Powerbar gummy things (I still don’t know their proper nam

Shamrock 2009 Race Report Writing this because everyone keeps asking how it went so will start at the beginning. Sometime in December I remember sending out an email inquiring who was running Shamrock. Not many people responded but enough did to convince me to try running it again in 2009 because 2008 literally sucked (even if it was a marathon PR for me). On Saturday, my friend Trina drove us down to Virginia Beach; made the expo just in the nick of time to pick up my race packet and then jetted over to ‘Pi’zzeria for dinner with Jamie and Becky. Becky was running her first ½ marathon and Jamie was running it with her. While we waited for our table we got to talking, and drinking and talking and somehow convinced Trina to run the ½ marathon with absolutely no training. Fast forward-hotel was too warm, bar next door was boom, booming until 0200 so had a very restless night. Was also very worried about what we’d talked Trina into. Race morning 0600, alarm goes off. Wake up, get dressed,

My quads are still a mess. They're like a rubber band that won't release. This makes me feel really stupid and vulnerable, especially walking around work today. It's an unusual feeling to be forced to walk slow, hold onto the hand railing on the stairs, and take them one at a time until the muscles release. Ugh. Is this a characteristic of age or a result of a marathon with too many hills?

Bare Bones Race Report: 0730: Leave home 0735: get gas 0736: Merge onto I-95 0845: take wrong exit on I-395 0850: use Google Maps to reroute 0930: arrive in Greenbelt 0945: Pick up race packet, shirt, number 1000: Run into Jennifer 1015: Walk w/ J- to race start 1031: Marathon Starts Mile 1: Bottom of big ass hill Mile 2: Between Mile 1 & Mile 2 hear someone in a car calling my name. What? oh, McGee!!! YES!! Mile 3: Strip off my long sleeve and pass off to McGee. (she's a lifesaver) Mile 4: Decide to walk for 1 minute at every mile marker (and walk hills when I feel my hear rate going up) Don't know how many times I got asked this question but I got tired of replying. . 'Aren't you cold?' (granted I was in a singlet and running skirt when most everyone else still had hats and glove on. .. but I'm from New York) Mile 7: We've just come down through the intersection if I remember correctly, I'm running strong and passing a bunch of other runners on

It's another beautiful day; now that I've taken to running when I want to run instead of on someone else's schedule I'm much happier. Ended up running into a friend towards the end of my run and was once again reminded of how crazy I am and seem to others. Heck yeah I ran an 8-hour ATR last weekend and am running a marathon tomorrow. What else is there for me to do? Now I need to go eat some pasta, hydrate and get to sleep.

Decided to run the trails this morning. I'm kind of addicted to running the trails alone now. There's something about being alone out in the woods; I think I'm homesick.

Got myself out this morning and threw down 4 easy miles. It was warm but it was a good run. Very happy with how I'm feeling and not so worried about GW on Sunday.

Made a deal with a friend to meet her at the gym. A little cross-training is good for me, so off to the gym I go. Managed to almost get a 5k in before she arrived. The gym is actually a relaxing place in the morning. I need to keep reminding myself of this.

Today's a good day to rest.

Sunday morning. Feeling pretty good for just having run for 8-hours yesterday. Until I tried to run. ouch! WTF! Decide early on that I'm going to take this race easy. But then again. . .it's been a rough week, shoes have been thrown; when it comes down to it I'm like a race-horse leaving the gate. At the beginning was very successful in holding back, letting all the bonafide non-runners pass me until we get to the path in the woods. WTF! I thought this was supposed to be a race?! What are we doing meandering here? So off-road I go; hell, I was just running trails yesterday. Who's afraid of a few roots and ruts? Started off way too fast, let my pride get the best of me in passing all the slow folk, the temperatures were in the mid-50's and so I managed to pull down a 35:33, a minute and a half slower than last year but I'll take it. Tomorrow's another day.

The much anticipated race report. . . Saturday morning started off pretty much the same as most of my mornings this past week. I was up well before the sun, it was freezing cold outside and my mental checklist was already working on overdrive. Friday night I'd made sure to have everything packed and ready to go. For other marathons/races I usually wait and do the bulk of my packing the morning of, taking into account changes in weather and my mood on that given day. But this race was different; I knew that I needed at least five changes of clothes for all types of weather to accommodate the projected spike in temps. 0500: My bags were packed, coffee was brewing, water was boiling and I was on target. 0530: The drive down to Lake Anna was uneventful; rather then use the google directions I'd printed out the day before I decided just to take 95 down and follow the signs. Following signs in the dark is much easier than trying to read directions printed on a paper in the dark

It's another beautiful day- perhaps one of the warmest. Going to head out the trails and get warmed up for the ICY-8 tomorrow.

Rendezvous'd at the gym this morning. 0700. Rowed. Lifted. Walked the treadmill. Wish I'd allowed more time to get a good hill workout in but retrospect, little steps. I'll be feeling that ergging for the rest of the day.

Not much to report. . .need to maintain my mileage and keep on my feet. Ran hard, pushed and walked the little hill. :~/

This morning was perhaps one of the hardest mornings to run. My joints ached, my body was groaning, and my ass? well, that hurt, too. Came to the conclusion that all that unexplainable exhaustion was nothing compared to this exhaustion. At least I know why it is that I'm tired and having a hard time focusing. . .and don't feel like such a dope for not being able to string together 10 coherent words. But it was a beautiful morning and always feel better after having run. One week before the games begin for the next two months. . .

So I've made a decision to get back to the basics and train solo (or at least not depend upon someone else for long runs, etc.) just like when I first started training to run marathons. It's not like I've sold out or anything, but adjusting my running schedule was starting to wear on me. So instead of waking at the crack of dawn and dragging my ass out the door I relaxed, made a very carb-rich breakfast, drank my coffee, responded to emails and read the news. At 1130, found my way out the door for my first solo long run in ages. Three beautiful, glorious hours all to myself. The temperature was perfect for bootie shorts (i.e running shorts), a technical short tee, a fleece and gloves. The trails were perfect, there was no wind, the sun was shining, and there was a lingering layer of snow in the shady parts. Talk about a beautiful day! Afterward? the best and worst part; the winter ice-bath. . .so with cup of hot water in hand, and longsleeve fleece appropriately si

So it's been a while since I last updated. It's funny because while I'm running I think about what I should write, how I'm feeling, the various things that I'm seeing, etc. Yet, when all is said an done, I never end up writing and a month will go by where I'm still running but not writing. Tonight I went for an amazing 7-miler. The temps were in the mid to upper 30's and there was not a cloud in the sky. Today was also the third day in a row that I've gotten my butt out there so my muscles were heavy and in need of a respite. . but that will be reserved for tomorrow. Last Friday it was perhaps the warmest January day that I can remember. Thursday night I was exhausted when I got home from the Annex so I canceled my meeting and tutoring and found my way to bed by 1800. Friday I ran for about 6 miles and did some yoga in the middle of the river on a big boulder. It was a beautiful, restorative day. The previous Friday was the coldest January day th

Five uneventful miles. . .good day for a run. Left ankle a bit touchy; will need to keep an eye out that it stays loose.

Finally pulled my butt out of bed; finished my book is what actually got me out the door and into the cold. It turned out to be a good run, not quite what I was planning but it was satisfying none-the-less. Ran the usual loop, nothing sexy - just needed to get the miles in today. - Really need to get my spring schedule solidified soon. yikes!