Final Run Pre-Marathon!

A couple of days ago my friend, Brent, mentioned (in a FB status update) failing on his 10 mile run in the middle of the week.  Half joking, I told him he could make it up on a ten-miler with me on Sunday (today).  Immediately, Brent took me up on it.  I admit, I thought (at first) that he was merely being sweet.  He’s a nice guy and all, but the only thing we really know about one another is that we both love to run.  In fact, Brent and I met three months ago at a 5K in Tempe – hosted by Ben Davis.  It just so happened that after the 5K, we sat at the same table gorging ourselves at a local Chipotle.  And, honestly, while we keep up with one another on FB and the various blogs – we don’t really know each other.  However, he was willing to meet me at 5:30am – and he was also willing to run at my pace.  So, who was I to doubt him.

Sure enough, 5:28am, Brent pulls up to my house ready to go.  “Good morning,” he announced loudly in the dark.  I knew it would be a good run; he seemed in great spirits!  I asked him if he was ok with some hills – knowing that even if he said “no” he’d have to find a way to endure them, anyway. 

Off we went.  The great thing about new friendships is that there is really an endless supply of topics to discuss.  We both went through relatively recent separations/divorces.  So, that was an easy topic.  In fact, I always find it interesting that we (runners) often date/marry non-runners.  Not only do we get into relationships with non-runners – we go head first into relationships with people who loathe the amount of time we spend running.  We both cackled as we firmly agreed that were either of us to do it over again – we would make sure our partner was as passionate about running as we are. 

We chatted about baseball – after all we’re both Midwesterners which means we are baseball junkies.  He recounted the 1985 World Series where the KC Royals beat my beloved STL Cards – but he then also confessed that that was really their last hurrah!  Naturally, we (STL) have had a few successes since then.   Brent is 27 – this means he was a baby when the Royals did anything interesting.  I give him credit for his enthusiasm for his team. 

The miles seemed to fly by.  I don’t think either of us even took in the scenery or gorgeous sunrise.  We just gabbed our way through the hills and miles.  Brent is finishing his PhD in Rhetoric (forgive me for not remembering the exact specialization, Brent) – and we even chatted briefly about assessment and student success.  He loves assessment – finally, a normal English major!  In fact, he joked about NOT being a literature major – which seems to be the norm for PhD’s in English. 

As we finished our last couple of miles, Brent mentioned that he is training for a marathon at the Grand Canyon the weekend of my birthday.  Only 300 marathon entrants – crazy!  It will be his very first FULL marathon and I look forward to hearing the stats. 

As for me – I have 6 days until St. Louis…6 days.  Next Blog will be post-marathon.  Thanks, Brent, for an absolutely enjoyable 10 miles!  Our friendship makes me very proud to be a part of the running community!!

13 days 'til D-Day!

The marathon is 13 days away and anyone who has ever trained for a marathon before can probably tell you – these are the worst days.  Tapering simply fills your head with anxiety.  Last weekend I finished a 21 mile run in 85 degree temps and felt accomplished, ready for the marathon and what lies ahead.  This morning I awakened and thought “…only 12?  Maybe I should do more…13?  14?  Is 12 really correct?”  But, I have done this before – with 13 days left, 12 (miles) is correct. 

Honestly, the run was relatively easy.  I selected a very hilly route with miles of climbing – I wanted to make these 12 count.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the St. Louis Marathon route has quite a number of hills – some short and tall, some long and arduous.  So, when I say this morning’s run was easy – I mean it and it feels good to be able to say it, here.  I didn’t struggle through a single mile and found myself only frustrated with the traffic and the lights. 

I was watching my pace for the final couple of miles and really pleased to see numbers below a 9:30/mile.  This is huge (for me).  Most of the run saw times right around a 10 minute pace – what with the hills and lights, but to be pulling sub-10’s at the end has really given me the confidence I need for St. Louis. 

Speaking of St. Louis, I returned last evening from a trip (with students) to St. Louis.  It’s a conference the Student Government and I have attended for the last several years and I always look forward to it.  It really helps to reinforce that what we (the students and I) do is important.  I wasn’t able to run outside while there (which of course is very frustrating) because the conference hotel is near the airport (and not downtown) and is therefore right smack-dab in the middle of the St Louis ghetto.  As a result, I was relegated to the treadmill inside the hotel – the treadmills, of course, were situated right in front of a wall – and, while they all came equipped with TV’s, none worked.  :(  Those were some tough miles staring at the wall – with my butt hanging out for the rest of the gym-goers to peruse.  Yay!

Anyway – next week’s long run is a mere 10 miles.  Then it’s back to St. Louis and the marathon – holy smokes!  

21 miles – I completed a 21 mile run, this morning.  I am officially done with my long runs (prior to the marathon). 

As with all long runs, I checked the weather before heading out at 5:15am.  The report was NOT great – 82 degree start and then the temps were going to rise faster than usual.  However, the report mentioned some clouds, so I was optimistic about the rising temperatures.

Honestly, I was fine for about 14 miles – really until I saw Anne at our second meeting spot.  After leaving Anne (who by the way, showed up twice in her PJ’s – which I found adorable, but it evidently mortified her) my tummy felt funny, so I walked it out for a couple of tenths.  As I started to run again, the temps were drastically changing – and those clouds the report mentioned – well, there was not a cloud in the sky.  By mile 16, I was dreading the last 5 – DREADING.  I have never ever had sweat pour off my head during a run.  And, I mean it POURED off my head; I couldn’t control it.  It was like someone had turned on a faucet.  I worried I would be dehydrated – the sweat was ridiculous. 

I cannot tell you how difficult it is to pull 20+ miles in the heat with the sun on your face.  I was overheating with every step and literally walked much of mile 18 – I was heading east, into the sun, and Ocotillo Rd in Chandler has nary a tree for shade.

I was never so happy to see the finish line approaching and all I could really think about was stripping off my shoes and standing in Anne’s pool.  I was hoping it would be ice cold – but that’s a bit too much to ask for after one of the hottest summers on record in the Phoenix area.  It was definitely cooler than my body temperature so it felt phenomenal on my legs and bare feet.

Literally standing in Anne's pool!

Now we wait and taper.  Three weeks from today, Ron and I will be completing the St. Louis Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.  I am hopeful that all of this heat-related training won’t kill us for our 26.2 miles.  Wish us luck!

An Ode to Sarah and Anne...

18 miles – that was the plan for this morning, my second to last long run before the marathon.  I laid my head on my pillow, last night, thinking about how much I would like to sleep in on Sunday, but also aware that my 18 miles were a mere 7.5 hours away.  It seemed like moments after I laid down that my alarm went off and it was Sunday. 

Temps were higher this weekend, than last, but I will take 82 degrees over 90+ any day!  I was also pretty sure that as I made my way from Phoenix, through Tempe and into Chandler that the temps would get a little cooler – and it did.

This was a run I have conquered many times over the past several years of marathon training.  I knew all of my problem spots – all of the moments I would be head first into the Arizona sun, all of the moments I would be crossing over the highway.  The greatest parts of this run are the ones that include seeing Anne with her wet-wipes, water and a smile.  Anne is nearly 8 months pregnant at this point, and the thought of her meeting me with her swollen this and swollen that, simply stresses me out.  But, she is amazing and insistent that she be able to assist.  The only thing I asked of her was that she remain in her car and I would find her – this way her tiny little swollen legs and feet could rest.

The first 7.5 miles were pretty easy.  Anne was cheery and helpful, handing me water, Gu and whatnot when I found her.  Somewhere around mile 10 I was heading face first into the sun and really unhappy about it.  The temps had begun to climb; I was just under two hours of running and I was becoming exhausted.  I pushed myself through mile 11.5 when I knew I needed a boost.  I took another Gu and walked for a bit.  As I took my walking break, I grabbed my cell to let Anne know I might be a little late to our mile 13.5 meeting spot.  I opened my messages and there, among the 3 new messages was one from my friend, Sarah.  It read “U are amazing!  Only truly amazing women can run 18 miles.  You WILL succeed.  I am so proud to know you.”  I burst into tears and started running.  How did she know I needed that – how would anyone know?  In fact, that is the first text message I have ever received from Sarah.  And, there it was … waiting for me to have a doubtful moment in the middle of the 18.  I cannot express my gratitude.  Sometimes you need a reason not to quit.

To my additional surprise, Anne brought her fantabulously adorable 16 month old son, husband and dog to our next meeting spot.  I took a couple of extra minutes rest to enjoy watching little Sean play in the park.  I also filled my Camelbak with water from the park’s water fountain (which turned out to be a wise choice by mile 17). 

The last several miles were not nearly as awful as I had anticipated.  I only walked for a couple minutes here and there.  I certainly impressed myself with my willingness to trudge through.  I hit mile 18 and knew I was still nearly a mile from Anne’s house, so I pushed myself through another half mile, before walking the rest to her house. 

As Anne and I were leaving for breakfast, we pulled out of her street and there RIGHT in front of us was Ron finishing his long run.  He didn’t see us and maybe it was for the best – those last few miles are not enjoyable ones.  I knew where his brain was – he needed to stay focused.  He can simply read about it, here.  :)

Last long run – 21 miles, next weekend.  28 days ‘til the marathon.  

Thanks, Sarah and Anne – you both inspire me, too!

Great friends make for great runs!

Hello world!  I’ve been on a high most of the week from Monday’s 20 mile run, so facing 12 today, was not something I thought about much.  I knew I could do it.  We’re aware that the St. Louis route is very hilly, so I have been trying to incorporate some tougher hills into these short-long runs.  I planned these 12 miles to have several hills – some miles long, and some a few tenths up and then down. 

The evening prior, my friend, Ron (also running the STL Marathon) called and asked if I’d consider doing the 12 miles together.  Having already planned for the hills, I asked Ron if he’d simply meet me at my place at 530am.  With enthusiasm, he agreed!

So, Ron was a little late, but we quickly staged our water and Gu and headed out into the Ahwatukee foothills just before 6am.  The temps were in the mid-high 70’s and it felt amazing!  Ron told me he’s really never run and talked, so I was rather curious to see how he’d fair chatting away for a couple of hours.  Pulling 10:20’s for the first several miles, Ron was animated and chatty.  It’s like the first 7 miles were over as quickly as they started.  I had forgotten just how much easier it is to pull a couple hours of running when you have a good friend at your side.  I felt fine. 

We hit the water and Gu stop at mile 7.5 and both admitted to feeling great – no issues.  The hardest hills were over, so it was simply about grinding out the next 5 miles until the end.  We hit one last hill between miles 9-11 and my heart rate was high enough that I asked to walk for a minute.  But then we finished strong.  In fact, I offered to stop and walk when we hit our goal, but Ron said “Aw, come on, we can make it to the light.”  He was absolutely right – 12.25 miles later we were done. 

These 12 felt good.  The temps were nice, the company was great and the miles just flew by.  I don’t think either of us really even noticed the foot pounding until mile 10 or so.  This is a very good sign for the marathon.  The two of us were good pacers and solid running partners.  Great suggestion, Ron!

(Ron would not pose for a post-run photo – so, our shoes are the best you’ll get, this week!)

From Failure to Success!

I know its been a couple of weeks since my last installation and I apologize.  In truth, I failed on my long, 18 mile run (in Irvine) over the Labor Day weekend – and my disappointment prevented me from facing reality and blogging about it.  I know failures are perfectly acceptable and an opportunity to reflect and learn, but in the midst of marathon training, a failure means only one thing – you are now a week behind in your training.

My friend, Justin and I went out for the 18 mile run at 630am in 61 degree weather.  Justin had completed the Ironman in California a few weeks prior, so I figured 18 miles at a 10:20 pace was something he could easily handle.  I allowed Justin to plan our route (two 9 mile loops) and my friend, Erin (who also happens to be Justin’s girlfriend) was our water/Gu Sherpa – meeting us at miles 7 and 13. 

Little did I know just HOW hilly/mountainous Irvine, California was.  Right out of the apartment complex, we headed uphill.  But, within a ½ mile we were headed down, comfortably.  But, again, for another mile or so we took on one of the largest hills I have faced in all of my years of training – not a good sign for me at mile 2 of 18.  By mile 6.5, I asked to rest with a short walk, and when we reached Erin at mile 7, I knew 18 was going to be ginormous struggle.  We had been travelling uphill for miles and I don’t think my brain or abdominals were prepared – my heartrate had been elevated for two long and by mile 9 I was walking more than running.  At mile 10, I confessed to Justin that I was feeling unwell (literally was trying not to get sick in public).  By the time we saw Erin again at mile 13.5, I was struggling through 2-2’s (2 minutes of walking, 2 minutes of running) – and I quit.  I was really upset and really unwell.  Only once in my life have I ever tossed my cookies from a run – but within minutes of arriving back at their apartment, I got terribly ill and just laid on their bathroom floor for 10 minutes. 

Humiliated and miserable, Justin and Erin were great – taking me all around Irvine and the surrounding communities to keep my mind off my failed run.  They are both athletes, so I am sure they were very well aware of the mental destruction occurring between my two ears.  On Monday of the 3-day weekend, Justin and I attempted ½ of that horrible run, again – and I walked a bit between miles 7-9, but we made it and I felt a little better about my training. 

Its runs like that one that bring on a lot of self-doubt.  I had to confess to Ron that I failed – Ron is also training for the STL Marathon.  He, of course, had success the week prior on his 18 mile run – so I was nervous about confessing my failures.  When he finally popped into my office later in the week – he made the following statement, “Meredith – I am running this marathon with you.  If you walk, I walk – we’re doing this together.”  I love the running community – it inspires me to do more, better!

So, after a VERY taxing and exhausting weekend away with the students (170 of them), I headed out for my 20 mile run in Phoenix on Monday (yesterday) morning.  Ron told me to do loops near my house, so I would be able to stage water and Gu and not worry about running out of anything.  So – I had planned four 5-mile loops in the Ahwatukee foothills.  Some up, some down – but nothing like Irvine. 

At mile ten, I hit the stoplight near my house and waited with another runner.  “How far are you going, today?” I asked him.  “8 miles, what about you?”  I told him I was ½ way through my 20 mile run and he was all kinds of enthusiastic.  “What are you training for?” he asked.  “St Louis.”  I responded.  “Oh, me too!  I am from the area.”  We chatted for another few moments about our home town and what a small world it was…and then he was off to complete his 8-miles, and I my 20. 

I continued through to mile 15 and took more water and GU and was out of water.  I was still really thirsty, so I grabbed my empty bottle, brought it to the gas station on the corner and filled it with water.  I carried it on my run for 2 miles, before abandoning it and then finished fairly strong.  I did it – 20 miles!  I thought about Ron on my run – how I did not want to let him down.  I want us to be proud of our efforts in St. Louis, despite the difficult training in the Arizona summer heat.  His statement rang in my ears for a lot of the run – I knew I needed to fix the disaster of the week prior so Ron would know I can finish 26.2 miles in another 6 weeks.  I think we are back on track!

This morning, I sit on my couch – sore as hell.  However, I am excited to continue my training – the first 20 is the hardest and now its over.  Bring it!

Ode to Dennis...

My roommate, Dennis, closed on his new house on Friday – something I have been anticipating since earlier this year.  I always knew the day would come when we’d have to face reality and stop leaning on one another for, well…everything.  Living with your best friend has its incredible benefits and its obvious draw-backs, but its been a pretty decent ride.  And, naturally, for the last few days I have been thinking about the little things I have learned from Dennis over the course of our 3 years as roommates. 

So, I dedicate this week’s blog to Dennis (and the things I thought about on my 10+ mile run, this dreadfully hot Sunday morning).  Thank you, D, for helping me realize the following:

1.       Not everything (in fact basically nothing) needs to be cooked on “high” J.  I might even stretch to say that food tastes fantastic when not scorched.

2.       It might be ok to leave a coffee cup in the sink after its use – it doesn’t mean anyone is trying to purposefully annoy me (even though the dishwasher is a mere 5 inches from the sink).

3.       Pita, the cat, will never love me – she will merely tolerate my presence because you are my friend.

4.       Even though you are looking at me, smiling intently, as I tell you my plan for the day – it does not mean, in any way shape or form, that you are listening.  So, I should not be offended when you text me at 5pm to ask what time I am planning to be home and whether you should plan to wait for dinner.

5.       My dog, Brunhilda, is as smart as she looks.  Sadly, that says nothing good about her.

6.       Cars get dirty – I should wash them. 

7.       Beer brewed in Pennsylvania since 1829 tastes better than any beer brewed anywhere else in the country.

8.       Its true – I tend to embellish really good stories about my life.  No one else ever called me out on it, but you.

9.       I should never attempt to purchase a large item, like a car, a TV or a laptop, without your guidance.

10.   The little window that appears occasionally at the bottom of my laptop screen that says “Updates Available Now” is not making a suggestion.

There will be more, but these are the ten or so that I came up with as I pushed out my 10+ miles in 90+ degrees, today.  I passed only one runner in my hour and 45 mins on the streets and dozens of cyclists – nary a one acknowledged my existence.   Maybe I have set my expectations too high.  

Next week 18 miles in the Los Angeles area!  Cooler temps are certain!