Chicago Marathon Race Recap, Part I

So, here we are. 2 days later and I still can’t quite come to terms with the fact that the marathon is OVER. That I’m no longer “in training”. That I am a MARATHONER. It’s all too crazy to comprehend right now. So, let’s just get back to the review, shall we?

 

When we finished last time, I was walking out my hotel door and making my way to the start corrals.

Me in the hotel lobby heading out the door!

 

Our hotel was about a mile and a half to the start like, so it took me about 20 minutes to get there. There were TONS and TONS of other runners making their way there at the same time. Some were running, some were walking, some were wearing next to nothing, one was BAREFOOT (!!)… but, regardless of the differences, everyone was excited. You could literally feel the excitement in the air and the unmistakable race-day energy.

 

I got to my corral… to be honest, I have no idea when. It’s all kind of a blur. I do know I found everything no problem.  There were a LOT of people, but TONS of signage and lots and lots of very friendly volunteers who were helping people. 

 

I hoped in line for the porta potties (and the lines weren’t even that long!), did my business, and then got into my corral. I was in the 2^nd wave, so I couldn’t get straight into my corral, as we had to kinda wait for the first wave to start. I don’t know. It was kinda confusing, but I just stood around until everyone else start moving. Great plan! 

 

I got into my corral and then the waiting game started. TORTURE, I tell you! Longest hour-ish(??) ever. Just waiting and waiting. In the COLD. I was just SO ready to start. In fact, I was SO ready that I made mistake #1 in the corrals. When I first got into them, I was right next to the 4:10 pace group. Excellent! But, I KNEW I was supposed to see the Hubs and all my other supports (best cheer group EVER) just after mile 1 and that I’d need to be on the end to see them… so, I separated from the pace group and made my way to the end, which start creeping forward and forward. I saw the 3:55 pace group go bye me before our wave even started, just from people pushing forward, inching toward the start line. I think this was my first mistake. I should have stayed with my pace group. I SHOULD have known better. Lots of should haves. 

 

Anyway, our wave started right on time and I was off! With in 10 seconds, my garmin started FREAKING OUT. I had heard this would happen, so I wasn’t surprised, but it still sucked. I had a pace tattoo of the times I wanted to keep, but it didn’t really help. I had no idea where I was in relation to the times and I just had no idea what pace I was keeping. I felt GREAT and tried to tell myself to slow down, but clearly that didn’t work. 

View from the Hub and Cheer Squad's first viewing place. They got there in enough time to see the CRAZY FAST elite runner's go by. SO cool! I'm jealous!

 

I was SO EXCITED when I saw the Hubs and all the  other wonderful people who came out to cheer for me at miles 1, 3, and 12—just where we planned (and, yes—I planned…. To the exact spot… it was SO helpful and I saw them and they saw me EACH time we planned for). They made a HUGE, WONDERFUL sign and were just amazing. I legit had to choke back tears each time I saw them. It was amazing. SO emotional seeing them each time. 

Why, yes-- yes I did make this from Google Maps and then added my flair (aka: orange stars for each place I'd see my cheer squad) in Paint. Skills, right there.

 

 Check out that SIGN! It was the BEST SIGN I saw all day! And, definitely the biggest! AMAZING!!! SOOOO lucky to have them!!! (Thanks to my FIL for the pic!)

 

Ok, so back to the running… honestly, miles 1-15 were a blur. A great, fabulous blur. I felt amazing. I felt fast. I felt fresh.

 Me, just past mile 3-- all smiles! (Thanks to my FIL for the pic!)

 

 

My garmin never quite re-gained it’s bairings… sometimes it’d tell me I was doing a 9:00 mile, sometimes a 26:00 mile, sometimes a 3:30 mile. It was completely useless. Based on my pace tattoo, I KNEW I was going too fast. I’d see that I hit the mile 10 marker 2 minutes before I was supposed to and TELL MYSELF TO SLOW DOWN… but, I guess I just didn’t. I did the beginners mistake #1. Big time. I just felt so good, that it didn’t seem to compute that I WOULDN’T feel good in a few miles because I was feeling TOO GOOD then. STUPID, MEAGAN. 

Hey! That's ME! SMILING!! This was when they saw me between mile 11-12ish. I was still feeling GREAT and SOOOO happy to see them!!!

 

There were times when I’d come up to someone also wearing a 4:10 or 4:15 pace group sign and I’d tell myself: “Run with them. They’ll be at your pace.” And, I’d stick with them for a few minutes and then freak out thinking “but, what if they’re going SLOWER than pace? You can’t trust THEM! What if they don’t know their pace just as much as you don’t know yours? Just pass them. It’ll be OK.”STUPID, MEAGAN.

 

I decided to forgo any of the water stops after the cluster f the first one ended up being. I decided I'd just use the water bottles I brought in my fuel belt for the first half and then hit the water stops the second half.

The Hubs LOVES this pic. This is AFTER they already started clearing out a BUNCH of the cups after one of the early water stops. Crazy!!

 

Anyway, I flew through the first half and felt great. I has music on the whole time, but couldn’t even tell you 1 song I heard. I tried hard to take in everything and read all the great spectator signs and just RUN.

Spolier: My second half splits are SO MUCH SLOWER than this. You've been warned.

 

As my Garmin never worked, the race stats are the only numbers I have for you. Looking at it now... yeaaah... 9:11 average paces?!?!? STUPID, Meagan!!!

 

I passed the half mark feeling great still. The miles kept ticking by. At mile 15-16ish I (right before the 25K mark) stopped for the bathroom. I had literally felt like I had to pee from the start, but ignored it because every time I saw a porta potty the lines were crazy! I didn’t want to lose time, so I kept pushing. Finally, around 15.5 I had to stop or I would have legit peed my pants. 

 

So, I stopped.  I waited a solid 5 minutes to get into the porta potty. Stupid lines. I think my 25K average pace would have been even faster than the Half pace, if it hadn't been for that stop.

 

Anyway, I was PISSED I had to stop and PISSED that there was a line and just immediately started mentally falling apart. My legs immediately tightened up and started having some intense spasms. Everything started hurting. I texted the Hubs when I was in the porta potty asking if I’d see them again b/c I really needed to know I’d see them again and telling him I was hurting—really badly. My mental game FELL APART in that porta potty. Hot, I know.  

 

Needless to say, it was all downhill from there. Running up to the porta potty line at mile 15.5-ish was the last pain-less, enjoyable moment of that race. But, I feel like i should say again-- I loved EVERY SECOND of this half. Every second. I vividly remember thinking "OMG! I'm running a MARATHON! I'm TOTALLY GOING TO DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS! OMG! I want to do another one already!!!!"

 

As a side note: I mentioned the water stops were a cluster. They were. Actually, the whole race kinda was. It was just SO CROWED. People would pull up and stop RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU outta nowhere the entire time. It was just so crazy. I had to zig and zag like a mad woman just to avoid plowing over someone who stopped outta nowhere right in front of me. It was SO crazy. I didn't train like that. I was not used to that. My body doesn't start and stop so suddenly like that. I literally had to come to a complete stop MANY times because the person in front of my would just STOP outta nowhere. I also took out about 10 different people. I almost got taken out about 2 dozen times. It was madness. I think a LOT of my aches and pains came from this. More on this in the next recap (get excited).

 

Second half still to come…

The Day After

Well, I survived!

26.2 (or 26.7+, depending on who you ask!) later and I'm alive and... well, alive!

I've never been this sore, but I'll admit I was expecting worse. I can walk... and go up and down stairs, though both with a little waddle and not exactly pain free.

I passed out last night at about 10pm and slept pretty solid til 8am this morning. I honestly think I woke up so early simply because I was SO sore and my body needed to move around a bit.

Anyway, I got up and then made and devoured (a huge) breakfast. Then, I layed around and graded some papers and watched Desperate Housewives on Netflix Instant.

I pretty much stayed in the same spot til lunch... left over pizza with a side of more Desperate Housewives and compression socks.

 

 



At 12:30 I finally made my way out of the house and went to work. I took today off, but still had to teach.

By 2:15pm class was out and I was on my way to my massage!! I was SOOOO excited for this! 

The massage felt GREAAAT! But, I'm definitely still sore and it didn't do the wonders I was hoping for. Oh well.

One thing that DID do wonders for my rumbling tummy was FRO YO!

Best post-marathon gift to myself ever.

 

After fro yo I came home and wrote my expo-blog. Now, it's time to put my legs up and zone out in front of the TV for the rest of the night.

 

G'night all!!

 

 

 

(The rest of the marathon re-cap is still coming... I promise!)

Expo and Night Before

Marathon week is OVVVVER! I won't lie... I'm definitely already missing being "in training". But, let's back up... Yes, this will be like a 10-part marathon weekend recap. You've been warned.

Friday I took the day off work and I am so glad I did. I slept in, packed (double and triple checking my gear), met a friend for lunch, and spent most of the day just relaxing and hydrating.

The Hubs and I decided to go out for a mini date Friday. Ok... Really he decided so I didn't spend the whole night rechecking my gear and berating him with "but what if I don't finish?!?!". Good choice, Hubs. First, we hit up dinner in the form of carbs. Excellent choice. Then, we went somewhere where I couldn't ask him every 10 seconds an annoying self-doubt filled question: a movie at the cheap theatre.  

Movie was OK. Not great, but not bad. It was worth the $3 we paid to see it.

We ended the night with a grocery run and then I went to bed by about 10pm. And by "went to bed" I really just mean laid there, as I got about no sleep that night. Pre-race jitters at their best.

Saturday started far too early. Our train was leaving at 9am, so I had to get up before 6am in order to have enough time to do all the last minute things.  

My day started off with a chilly 2-mile run basically in the dark because it was so early. I didn't even use music because it was so dark, I wanted to be extra aware of my surroundings. Anyway- it was supposed to be a "easy shakeout run". Shocker (& spoiler for the marathon): I went out too fast. 2 miles in 8:45's when they really should have been more like 9:45s. Whoops. 

Anyway- I got home, showered, re-checked gear and such, and then got ready. 

We got to the train by 8:30, bought our tickets and were on our way basically right on time!

I spent the entire train ride needing to pee, reading, and I even got a short 10-minute cat nap in. Before I knew it we were pulling into Chicago!

The Hubs and I got off the train at the McCormick Center stop, which was where the expo was being held. It was crazy easy to navigate and get to it everything. The train made everything so easy!

Anyway- we made our way up to the expo around 10:15am local time. 

Wooooooow! I mean- wow. Just walking into this thing was amazing and overwhelming and just crazy. It was huge and crowded and crazy.

Just walking up the stairs and seeing the welcome sign got me excited. Talk about butterflies. It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime feeling walking into that FIRST marathon expo to pick up your bib and be "official".  

(The Hubs struggles with the camera... be prepared for lots of blurry pics!)
 

So, the Hubs and I picked up my packet, got my bib, got my shirt (thank goodness I tried the shirt on because I heard so many people talking about off the sizes were! I exchanged mine for a size up and now have a shirt that fits!), grabbed a snack, and went from booth to booth looking and taking everything in.

There were TONS and TONS of people, but it was a big space and nothing felt overly crowded or anything. No long lines or people shoulder to shoulder. And excitement was everywhere. I could literally feel it in the air.

Oh! And, we found my name on the wall!!

  

Note: The bottom pic was the Hubs idea of "take my pic with my name!" He's adorable and the BEST support in the world... but, picture taking and him just do not mix.

Anyway, I ended up buying another marathon shirt from New Balance and my very own 26.2 magnet for my car (along with a 26.2 sticker and a Chicago marathons Christmas ornament).

The expo was a lot of fun and I could have spent hours walking around looking at everything. 

But, the Hubs tummy was starting to growl and we had plans to meet a friend of mine for lunch, so we took the free expo shuttle across town to the Millennium Park entrance to meet her. The shuttle was super easy to find and quick and not crowded at all. It worked great-- and was free! Win, win.

We got there a few minutes before my friend, the Hubs and I went in search of the start line.

Might not look like much, but it's there! That was where I was going to be standing a few hours later, ready to take on 26.2 miles!!! It was super exciting to see!

Anyway, we then met my friend (hi, JF!!), had some great Chicago deep dish pizza (side note: at lunch the waiter gave us the wrong pizza so we got a HUGE, DELICIOUS cookie/ice cream/brownie dessert for free! SCORE!), and then after saying good bye to my friend, made our way to our super fancy hotel, The Allerton Hotel.

 
Check in wasn't until 3pm and we got there around 2:45pm. Our room wasn't ready yet so we hung around and chilled in their swanky hotel. Around 3 I checked again and our room still wasn't ready. 15 minutes later, the front desk worker said our room wasn't ready, so she was upgrading us to a SUITE! WOOWOO! We were on the top floor (that's what the above top right pic shows... our floor light in the elevator... floor 24!). Our room was literally right below the "Allerton Hotel" sign (above top left pic). It was SO nice and fancy! And the view (above bottom left pic) was amazingly breathtaking.

The Allerton was a BEAUTIFUL hotel and while we were only there for less than 24 hours, it was great and I'd highly suggest it if you're ever looking for a fancy hotel right downtown. It was less than 1.5 miles from the start line, so that was a great feature too!

After checking into our hotel the Hubs and I relaxed for a bit. We were hoping the Purdue game would be on so he could football it up while I set out all my stuff, but it wasn't being aired in Chicago... boo! Oh well. We just kinda relaxed for a bit and I finally got around to laying all my gear out.

After getting everything ready for the next day, the Hubs and I caught a local bus to meet my sister and her boyfriend a little north for dinner at a casual local place called Nookies. It was great seeing her and we had a great low-key dinner which was just what I needed to help calm my pre-race nerves. The food was SO good too!

 

 

Or at least calm them for a little bit. They came back with a vengeance about 10 minutes after getting back to the hotel. Aweeesome. Oh well. I was expecting them, so it wasn't too surprising.  The Hubs and I got back to our hotel room at about 9:30pm, showered, re-checked all my gear, talked about our game plan for the next day, and I (of course) checked the race-time weather about 10,000 times.

Kinda perfect running weather forecast, huh?

 

 With everything looking ready to go, lights were out by 10:30pm and I managed to fall asleep pretty quickly. I definitely didn't get a SOLID night of sleep, but I did toss and turn and manage to get a little shut eye. I wish I had gotten more, but I did get more than I expected.  Sunday morning, I was up before the alarms were scheduled to go off, so I managed to sneak out of bed and let the Hubs keep sleeping.  Normal pre-race routine... breakfast (bagel and PB), a few sips of diet pepsi (let it go, it's my thing), bathroom (you know it's a race day when you say "yay!" when you go to the bathroom first thing in the morning), body glide everywhere, and before I knew it it was time to get dressed.

Well, almost. The Hubs and I decided he'd carry my phone and I'd carry his during the race, since mine had a better camera and is a smart phone and his isn't. Anyway, I somehow managed to lock the phone that morning while trying to get everything together. Wouldn't be a problem... except neither me or the Hubs knows the password. AWESOME. After several minutes of panicking and total freak out, I had to call Verizon and 15 minutes later, got it unlocked. Phew! Crisis averted.  So, after the phone freak out, then it was time to get dressed.

Shirt, Check. Capris, Check. Compression socks, check. Shoes, check. Garmin (spoiler: which didn't even end up working!!!), check. Fuel belt, check.  Before I left, I woke the Hubs up and got a last minute "you're going to do great!" kiss and I was out the door by 6:15am! To my EXTREME surprise and DELIGHT, as I was walking through the lobby who do I see?? My in-laws!!! I wasn't expecting to see them until I was running and there they were-- SOOOO early, just to see me before I left. I legit almost started crying right then. I am SO lucky to have them. I'm almost crying as I type this right now just remember seeing them. Wow. I am so lucky. I got BIG hugs and good lucks and left the hotel, telling them I'd see them on the course! Then, I started my 1.5 mile walk down Michigan Avenue to the start of my very first marathon....

(to be continued...)

The Mess of the Transformation

"I do, after all, love a challenge. Not just the result at the end, but the drudgery in the middle, the hard work, the sweat, the mess of transformation. I love the process of getting there, especially when "there" isn't a fixed point, but the constant renaming as each finish line morphs into another start line." -Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers blog, Runner's World.com

 

There's SO much I want to say and I will... but, for now, as I try to figure out how to articulate everything I'm feeling and thinking-- this quote sums up a lot.

 

I LOVED training. I loved the marathon and everything about yesterday... but, I'll admit-- I LOVED training more. I loved the process of seeing myself push for something that seemed so crazy.

 

The marathon was incredible. I learned a LOT. Over the first half I was already planning my next. Over the second half I was cursing and swearing I'd never do this ever again.

 

I LOVE a challenge. I love pushing myself further than I thought possible. The result at the end... also great and I love that... but, it really is the "mess of the transformation" that I live and breathe for.

 

I LOVED training. I LOVED transforming into something I never thought I could be. I just loved everything about it. I'm SO proud I put so much into this. Possibly even more proud than I am of the actual marathon. What a crazy feeling.

 

I woke up this morning more sore than I have ever been in my entire life. Hard to tell if there's any serious injury. I don't think so, but everything's so sore it's hard to tell. My legs and feet hurt the most (shocking, I know), but my whole body is tender to the touch and feels bruised. My shins are BEYOND aching. My quads and thighs feel like they're so tight they could snap at any moment. My inner thighs ache, the arches in my feet hurt like I never knew possible. I'm exhausted and SO HUNGRY.

 

I also woke up this morning literally with a smile on my face. I am SO glad I did this. I am SO proud of myself (even if I had hoped for a better time). I am SO incredibly and beyond words proud of how far I've come... all on my own two feet.

 

And, I'll admit it... I woke up this morning already thinking about #2... :)

 

 

 

Recap still to come, I promise.

I'M A MARATHONER

Done.

26.2 (though lots of Garmin's are reporting 26.7+) miles.

Unofficial time: 4:27:something.

I had the world's greatest cheering section. I could not have done it without them. A huge, huuuuge thank you to each and everyone of them. Words cannot describe how much their support means to me. I could not have done it without them.

Hardest thing I've ever done. It was 1000000000 times harder than I expected. It hurt more than I ever thought possible. 

But, I finished. 



I am officially a marathoner.

Tons and tons of details to come...

Pre-Marathon Ramblings

So many emotions surging through my body right now.

So much I wish I could say, but somehow just can't quite articulate.

I cannot believe this thing is a day and a half away. It's just crazy that it's finally here.

I can't even remember WHEN or WHY I decided to do this. I can't remember when I started to realize I really just might be able to do this. I can't remember when it became SO important to me.

And, I guess none of that is really important.

What's important is that I DID decide I want to do this. What's important is that I DID realize I really just might be able to do this. That it DID become so important to me.

And, it is.

SO important to me.

I honestly can't remember a time I worked SO HARD for something that was entirely, 100% on ME. Sure, I worked through college and even grad school. I've had some HUGE projects or tasks at work that I've devoted myself to and took ownership of and been proud of. But, nothing like this. THIS is all on me.

No one else can help me physically (though, you better believe the mental and emotional help is NOT un-noticed and DEFINITELY helps!).

No one else can do it for me. No one else could get up before dawn in the middle of July and do a long run where sweat was literally dripping into my eyes and making them burn. No one else could feel just how tight and sore my legs were after a long run. Or how much those ice baths really, really sucked. No one else could pick up any of the slack or lend a helping hand leg.

THIS really has been the first thing I've ever really, really had to push myself outside my comfort zone and REALLY commit to doing. Even on the days when the alarm goes off WAY too early. Even on the days when I'm still sore from the day before. Even on the days when I didn't sleep great the night before. Even on the days when I already saw the gym once that day. Even when I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO.

I've surprised myself. Not because I'm still working toward the goal... I don't give up that easily and never have... but, because I never WANTED to give up. It never even crossed my mind. Did I doubt that I'd be successful (and still do a little bit?)? Absolutely. But, did I ever just thrown my arms up and say "I don't want to do this anymore!"? No. Not even for a nano-second. Never.

I LOVED training. I loved every step. Every second cross training. Every blister. Every black toe nail. Every sore muscle. Every much-needed nap. Every bite of food that just didn't seem to make a dent in my hunger.  Every run. Every sweat drop. I loved it.

And, now- it's almost over.

I have 1 teeeeny, tiny 2-mile SLOW shake out run tomorrow. And, then-- that's it. Training will officially be OVER.

All that will be left is what all those weeks and miles were training for... the marathon.

I want to run this thing so bad it hurts. My legs are ITCHING for it. My mind is incapable of thinking about anything else. The only thing I've EVER been thing excited for was my wedding (and, to be fair-- that excitement kicked this excitement's ass...so, there's that for comparison).

THIS is different. This has required SO MUCH dedication and motivation and mental AND physical strength. This has required me to really put myself out there and risk FAILURE. This has made me reach for something that I once never, ever thought I could ever achieve. This has made me see myself differently than I ever have before. This has made me see that I am capable of SO much more than I thought I was and that my body is able to be pushed SO MUCH harder than I ever thought.

I owe running so much. I owe this marathon so much and I haven't even run it yet.

No matter what happens Sunday, I will forever be grateful to the 2012 Chicago Marathon. I will forever know that I gave this training cycle and this race my ALL. That I put 100% into each run and each workout and each day. I will forever know that I did this.

Sunday can't come fast enough.

I can't wait to toe that start line. I can't wait to see the look on the Hubs face when he sees me on the course and to give him a HUGE hug after. I can't wait to see my friends and family cheering for me. I can't wait to soak it all in. Every step. Every other person. Every everything. I can't wait to give it my all. I can't wait to feel that runner's high.

I can't wait to cross the finish line and officially be a MARATHONER. And, I know, on Sunday-- I will.

A few numbers (and no pictures)

18.75= number of weeks I've been training

131= number of days of training completed

668.65= number of miles logged.

22= number of  miles ran as my longest long run.

18 (including today)= number of  full rest days I took throughout training. (Side note: That's weird to think... In 130 days, I've only not done SOMETHING sweat-inducing 17 of them. DAMN.)

2 = number of miles I have left to run before the marathon

1.5= number of  days to go til the race.

26.2= number of  miles I'll run Sunday.

Aprox. 904855987544561 = number of nervous breakdowns I've had about the marathon.

10+ = number of people I have coming out to the course to support me on Sunday.

$325+= amount of money spent on just the race and the hotel room alone. Who said running was free?

Aprox. 985= number of times I've checked the weather since Monday.




In 40 hours I'll be toe-ing the start line of my very first marathon. Words cannot describe how incredibly excited and overwhelmed with emotion I am right now. Let's do this.

Game Plan and Packing

Remember how I'm running a marathon in a few days? Oh yeah. Between all the work madness I would have almost forgotten had it not been for the ever-present nagging hunger which I've given into WAY TOO MUCH recently. Oh well.

Anyway-- yea... the marathon! It's almost here! Today's Thursday. Then there'll be Friday. Then Saturday. Then, MARATHON. SO crazy. I can't believe it's almost here. It feels like yesterday when I started this whole crazy process and here I am-- almost done. CRAZY.

Anyway, through the work madness I have managed to figure out my marathon game plan...

The Hubs and I are taking the train into Chicago on Saturday morning after I do my LAST pre-marathon run (2 EASY shake out miles). We should get to Chi-town around 10:30am. We're meeting my sisters (1 of my sis's lives in Chicago, 1 is coming in from out of town!) and nephew downtown for some site-seeing. Then, we're grabbing lunch w/ 2 of my BFF's who are gonna come into downtown. From there, the Hubs and I will breakaway from the group to go to run-nerd heaven: the race expo. I am SO EXCITED for the expo. WAY too excited. I can't wait to see everything and buy lots of Chicago Marathon loot. And to PICK UP MY BIB!!!!! I can't wait to see it! Wow. That sounds SO lame, but I am STOAKED. Anyway, then we'll check into the hotel and meet back up with the fam for dinner. It'll be an early night for me. Then, Sunday- RACE DAY! I can't wait!!! I'm sure post-race I'll give the play by play of the whole experience, so consider this just the cliff's notes version.

Last night I started to get all my gear together for the weekend and made a packing list.

I blog-stalked a few people and did lots of googling and I think I have a pretty decent list. I'm REALLY I hope don't forget anything stupid. Since we're taking the train in and since the Hubs'll have to be checked out of the hotel BEFORE the marathon, we're hoping to get everything we need in ONE backpack. Yeaaaah. We'll see about that. There's just SO MUCH you MIGHT need.

I started putting stuff together and laying things out last night. I'm not even close to done, but it's a start. Here's what I've laid out so far (left to right, kinda):

-Mesh bag to keep post-race clothes in
-Cash to have with me on the course in case of an emergency
-Breakfast for pre-race (bagel thin and PB)
-Slip of paper with contact info for the Hubs (will carry it with me on the race)
-3 Chocolate Gu's
-1 pack Blach Cherry Shot Blocks
-Nuun
-Body Glide (1 big on for pre-race and 1 small one to carry with me during the race)
-Extra plastic baggies (b/c you just never know when you'll need one)
-Medical insurance card (will carry it (and my driver's licence which I just haven't laid out yet) with me on the race)
-Hair head band
-Ear covering head band that's kind crappy and throw-away-able. I don't know how chilly it's gonna be race morning and my ears get SO COLD. This might help. We'll see. I'm still debating wardrobe options.
-Hair ties. (3 of them)
-Fuel belt (it's empty right now, but I'll stuff it w/ my fuel, the $ and emergency contact info and med card/ID.

I still have all my clothes to lay out and lots of other random things. You know... shoes, Garmin, iPod, chargers... just LOTS and LOTS of crap. I hope to finish organizing it all tonight so I'll have Friday to get anything I might need from the store.

So, that's where I am now. Physcially at least. Mentally.... that's a whole other story post. Stay tuned.

Finally a second to breathe!

PHEW! Life is slowly but surely starting to settle down a little at work. The past 3 days have been NON-STOP and I am so glad I have a little more down time to catch up on all the work I didn't get done the past few days (due to NON-STOP GO-GO-GOOOOOO work programs).

Let's back up a bit, huh? You know it's been a bad week when I'm doing a weekend recap on THURSDAY. Whoops. Oh well.

This past weekend was a low key and relaxing and exactly what I needed.

Friday night: A whole lotta nothing! The Hubs and I went out for Thai, grocery shopping, and I was passed out by 10pm. SUCH a party animal.

Saturday: Started the day off with my LAST pre-marathon "long run". 8 miles. I'd love to sit here and say it was GREAT because my legs were so fresh from the lower mileage/taper... but, it wasn't. I've been sick and BREATHING was a struggle. My legs felt OK... but not GREAT. I had to pay very close attention (aka: stalk) my Garmin to maintain a solid 9:00/pace through the whole 9 miles. I did it, but I wish it felt easier. I thought this would be an easy run and would leave me feeling SO EXCITED and SO READY for the race. It didn't. I felt more ready after my 21 miler. But, I've read a lot of experienced marathons say it's just the taper crazies trying to F with my head. I'm working REALLY hard to believe them.

Saturday night the Hubs and I went to a wedding and I definitely had my fair share of visits to the open bar and devoured some delicious wedding cake. Yum!

Sunday: The Hubs and I slept it, went for a 4+ mile walk, had lunch, and ran some errands. We decided to do a mid-afternoon mini date and wanted to mix it up so we went for it: BOWLING.

Seriously. We're so cool it hurts. For the record: bowling is fun, but pricey! And, games go by WAY too fast with just 2 people. But, it was definitely fun. The Hubs beat me in both games. Boo. Turns out I pretty much suck at bowling. Oh well.

So, that was the weekend. It felt like it flew past and before I knew it, Sunday night crept in and I was mentally preparing myself to get an ass kicking at work the next few days.

And, boy did I.

Monday I went to the gym at 5am (2.5 miles and Spinning) and then worked from 7:30am-5pm, then came home made a super quick dinner and then graded papers from 5:45pm-9pm.

Tuesday was an exact replicate of Monday, except that at the gym I did 2.5 miles and 30 minutes on the stationary bike and except that I stopped for Chinese take out on the way home because all I could think about was dumplings. SO GOOD.

Wednesday I gym-ed it at 5am again (1 mile and 30 min. elliptical) and then worked from 7:30am-5:30pm NON-STOP and was on my feet the whole time. UGH! I was SO tired. I still have TONS of papers to grade, but just couldn't even fathom doing that when I finally got home. I decided to compression sock up and watch several hours of Gilmore Girls instead. Best choice I've made all week.

And now it's Thursday. I didn't go to the gym this morning because I actually get to take a lunch break today (first time all week!) and will have time to hit the gym then for a VERY relaxed/low key hour of the elliptical (AKA: hardly moving and reading my book). I took tomorrow and Monday off (though I'm coming in to teach my class Monday, but that's it). I couldn't be more excited. Tomorrow I'm SLEEPING IN! And then just RELAXING. ALL DAY. I can't wait.

Stay tuned for the marathon game plan and my packing OCD-ness! YAY for Marathon Week Madness!!!

My Marathon Week Inspiration Sending BFF

One of my VERY BFF's (the one I went to Jason Mraz with... hi, M!!!) has emailed me EVERYDAY this week (it's MARATHON WEEK!!) some inspiration for the upcoming race. I thought I'd share just in case you don't have an awesome friend like mine. Don't worry-- it's OK to be jealous. I'd share her, but I'm WAY too possessive of a friend. Duh.

Monday:




Tuesday:


Wednesday:

 

Thursday: TBD! :)

Friday: TBD! :)

Saturday: TBD! :) 

 

I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds... not that she has to keep sending them, but if she does, I can't wait!

 

 

So, to my marathon week inspiration sending BFF... I say THANK YOU! You've brightened every day this week and I'll DEFINITELY think of each one of these and of YOU during the race Sunday. You rock. I love you!!!

Stalk me! Ok, not really. But, marathon day you can.

More coming tomorrow, I promise. But, real quick... wanna stalk track me on my marathon adventure? You can!

Go to: http://tadpole.textingforward.com/portal/tf_marathon_login_social?pvRaceId=1481

It's free! My Bib # is 35552. Happy stalking! :)

Ah! Too much stress!!

The one week I feel like I have the MOST to say is of course the week I am SOOOO busy at work.

Yesterday I went to the gym at 5am for Spinning and 2.5 quick (8:01 pace!) miles on the TM. Then, I worked. ALL DAY. As in-- pretty much non-stop. I ate lunch at my desk. As I kept working. I worked from 7:45am-8:45pm. Pretty much non-stop. Ok, I mean-- I didn't work when I drove to my house and I did take a 20 minute break to eat dinner, but other than that: I worked.

Phew. I'm beat. Today will be another buuuusy and late day. And, tomorrow, even busier (though HOPEFULLY not late!). Thursday, same.

OF COURSE! The one week I'd like to be as chill and dead-zone at work as possible is the one week it's CRAAAZY. That's my luck. I expected it.

Luckily, I took Friday off as a mental health/prep day. I plan to veg most of the day and do as little as possible, while eating as much as possible. OK, that's only half true. I'll let you decide which half.

Anyway, I'll try to do an update soon. I had a great weekend I'd love to share about, a confident-destroying "long" run Saturday (at a 9:00 average pace), and I have a ton of in-general thoughts about to explode out of my overly-filled head. But, all that'll have to wait for now.

Sorry for the down-er-ish post. I'm overwhelmed and stressed to the max. I can't believe this thing is THIS SUNDAY. I feel unprepared. I feel stress to make the whole race be SO MEANINGFUL. I feel stress to make everyone who's coming to see me race have a great experience. I feel stress about... everything?  I legit almost broke down into overwhelmed with life tears sitting at my desk yesterday. Wowza. I'm kinda a mess. Ugh. I'm a whiner today. Sorry!!!!

This woe-is-me-craziness will fade. I promise! I'm in a slight funk, but I know I'll kick myself out of it very soon. Work'll calm down and I have 2 rest days Thursday and Friday. I can do this. I know I can. I know I will.
 
Ok... gotta get back to work. Again. Still. Whatever.

15 Thing Friday

1. I'm still sick. One minute I feel like I'm about over it, the next minute I feel like death. BLEAH.

2. I've run 3 times this week (Monday, Thursday, Friday) and averaged sub 9:00's for each run. Woah. Who am I?!?! The Hubs says I need to start accepting this as the new norm, instead of still thinking of myself as a 10:00 miler. Hmm... interesting. We'll see. Jury's still out.

3. I haven't talked much about this because.... well, I just don't really want to, but I have managed to drop a few pounds this marathon training cycle. This morning a pair of pants that haven't fit in over a year suddenly fit!

4. Someone walked in on me taking the above photo at the bathroom at work. Awesome.

5. We had an event at work that had boxed lunches. Ew. Why? The students got PIZZA. I got a bland turkey sandwich and potato salad? Pass. I did manage to eat about 3 cookies, though. Chocolate chip AND peanut butter in the same cookie?? Sold.

6. I just realized I won't be able to do this race this year.

It's a super small race in Grand Rapids that some friends and I ran last year. It's at night and you run through Christmas lights and it's just fun. I can't make it this year and I'm bummed.

7. My to-do list at work seems to growing exponentially. Danger. I LOVE being busy, so I'm not complaining... but, damn!

8. Eating: I'm dying to try this soup.

(source)

9. Wearing: I wish I had an occasion (and the money) to wear these shoes to. In pink, please!

10. Wearing (part 2): I'd also settle for these. You know, for a more casual occasion.

11. Listening to: I'm loving the Christina Perri Pandora station these days. It's mellow, but not sleep inducing. Lately, I can't get enough Sara Bareilles. Love her voice.

11. Reading: When I have a few down minutes at work, lately the first site I've been going to is http://www.dayoldnews.com/. You know I love me some celebrity gossip and this site focusing it all around fashion. Love. Done.

12. I'm sorry.... what?!? Why? Why is this necessary??

13. The Hubs and I have a date night planned tonight to cash in a Groupon for a local Thai place. I reallllly hope this cold starts to enter one of it's manic stages so I feel up for it. LOVE Pad Thai... and the company won't suck either.

14. I just realized I have 4 different types/sizes/colors of post-it pads on my desk. What is wrong with me? Why would anyone need this kinda variety? I wish I could say this is an odd thing, but if I had to guess, I'd say this is fewer than were there a week ago.

15. 10 days til the marathon. You know what that means. Let the weather forecast stalking begin! Not looking TOO bad right now... I'd take 60* and cloudy any day. The rain, yeaaaaah-- you can go ahead and keep that.