When I use a quote from the late, great Steve Prefontaine as a title for the blog, you know its serious. Really though, the Rochester Marathon is coming up in exactly 4 weeks, and I can honestly say that I feel about 100 times more prepared for this one than I did for the fateful Buffalo marathon three months ago. Perhaps it's because I have been properly training, instead of properly acting like an idiot; but also, I just feel it in my spirit lately. I do not deal well with mediocrity, and while even running a marathon is certainly an accomplishment, (shit, only 1% of the US population has ever even run a half-marathon)- I am not really satisfied with being that one percent. I would ideally like to be at the competitive side of that, granted it may take me 5 more marathons to become that competitive runner, but each one gets me a little closer. And I guarantee, 'guts' have never been something I was lacking...
I have been having issues with my shins (namely the right one) as of late, I guess that must truly be my trouble spot for running since it's what put me out of commission in high-school cross country. My runner friends, and my own good sense advised me to take a few days off and do low-impact training for a week or so; and the pain has subsided a lot. (A good thing, considering that if it hadn't subsided with the stopping of impact, I would have been looking at scanning for a stress fracture.... NOT my idea of a good time) So, tomorrow morning, it's back to the running game. Planning a nice 22 miler for my next day off, and then a relaxing taper before the marathon September 18th, closely followed by the Pittsburgh Great Race September 25th. Should be a hell of a time. I think after those two, I'll have my race necessities all set until the Turkey Trot on thanksgiving. Shin pain aside, (and not too bad considering my newfound extensive knowledge of taping and binding my legs so i look like a crazy person) I am seriously looking forward to this race. I truly cannot wait.
I guess I forgot to mention in the past few blogs that for the past two or three months I've gone meat free. I had been eating very small amounts since the move back to NY, mostly seafood, but I decided to cut it out entirely and have been seeing good results. More energy, better muscle recovery, etc. Have been closely following another blog, set up by an ultramarathoner on the west coast who saw great improvements in running ability and times after going meat-free....
For anyone who's interested, the website is:
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/
Writing with a bag of frozen peas on my leg... (no joke)
Liz
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Within a mile of home-
Today marks 5 weeks until the Rochester Marathon... my second in what will hopefully be a long life of 26 mile races. Today also marks the first time that I was made brutally aware of just how hot it is at 2pm, and how terrible an idea it is to run 15 miles at such a time. Now, I'm not a total idiot, I did set out with a Camelbak full of Water/Gatorade...... but that ran out somewhere around mile 8 I think. And by the time I got home, including the Clif bar I ate, and the full 32oz of liquid that I drank, I had somehow still sweated enough to lose 4 pounds. Note to self: this is why they have races at 7am. Never again.
Since I survived, and hopefully have learned my lesson on that one, I would just like to thank my legs for making it through the run without too much complaining- and thank my Ipod Running playlist for literally being exactly long enough for a 15 mile run. The last song ended as I was turning onto my street. Apparently I have to add a few more songs before September, but it was perfect for today.
I am definitely the type of person who has more than a few complaints about the general stupidity of the population, and I've waited awhile for this so that I can truly amass a list worth posting, but seriously, some things that are truly infuriating while I'm running....
1. Assholes in cars who honk at me because I'm running through the crosswalk when the sign tells me to, and impeding their ability to turn right for about four seconds. News flash, you're going to get to your destination long before I get to mine, regardless, so calm the hell down.
2. Groups of teenage guys who think that a) catcalling a runner who is wearing earphones is going to be heard or answered, and b) blocking my path is an acceptable method of flirtation. Its all fun and games until I accidentally hit you in the face.
3. People who are casually ambling down the sidewalk towards me and refuse to walk single-file, forcing me to hurdle whatever small shrub, fire hydrant, or garbage receptacle is nearby... thanks.
4. When I arrive at the gym on a rainy day only to find every treadmill occupied by an overweight lady who is walking at 2.0mph, chugging Gatorade as if it's helping, and talking on her cell phone. Good workout, ladies, by next month the only thing you will have lost is most of your dignity.
5. I dont know who you are, weird Delaware Park guy, but I find it pretty obnoxious that I can see you cutting across the grass halfway around the track so that it looks like you're lapping me every five minutes.
6. If you're walking, or working out for less than an hour... please, pass on the protein shake/protein bar... it just makes you look like a douchebag. You can also probably refrain from wearing a sweat band if you're traveling under 3 miles an hour.
And a few things I love about running-
1. That nearly every runner is 100% friendly and supportive of every other runner. You pass them, they wave and give you a thumbs up. They pass you, they throw out words of encouragement. You're racing, half the people who finished before you are on the sidelines supporting those still running. Seriously, it's awesome.
2. Getting home after a 2 or 3 hour running and realizing that I could pretty much eat anything I want for the rest of the day and it wouldn't make a difference.
3. Running at the park while the soccer league practices... yeah, it's shallow, but they've got nice legs and they rarely wear shirts. It's a reason to run the 2mile loop a few extra times.
Until next time,
Liz
Since I survived, and hopefully have learned my lesson on that one, I would just like to thank my legs for making it through the run without too much complaining- and thank my Ipod Running playlist for literally being exactly long enough for a 15 mile run. The last song ended as I was turning onto my street. Apparently I have to add a few more songs before September, but it was perfect for today.
I am definitely the type of person who has more than a few complaints about the general stupidity of the population, and I've waited awhile for this so that I can truly amass a list worth posting, but seriously, some things that are truly infuriating while I'm running....
1. Assholes in cars who honk at me because I'm running through the crosswalk when the sign tells me to, and impeding their ability to turn right for about four seconds. News flash, you're going to get to your destination long before I get to mine, regardless, so calm the hell down.
2. Groups of teenage guys who think that a) catcalling a runner who is wearing earphones is going to be heard or answered, and b) blocking my path is an acceptable method of flirtation. Its all fun and games until I accidentally hit you in the face.
3. People who are casually ambling down the sidewalk towards me and refuse to walk single-file, forcing me to hurdle whatever small shrub, fire hydrant, or garbage receptacle is nearby... thanks.
4. When I arrive at the gym on a rainy day only to find every treadmill occupied by an overweight lady who is walking at 2.0mph, chugging Gatorade as if it's helping, and talking on her cell phone. Good workout, ladies, by next month the only thing you will have lost is most of your dignity.
5. I dont know who you are, weird Delaware Park guy, but I find it pretty obnoxious that I can see you cutting across the grass halfway around the track so that it looks like you're lapping me every five minutes.
6. If you're walking, or working out for less than an hour... please, pass on the protein shake/protein bar... it just makes you look like a douchebag. You can also probably refrain from wearing a sweat band if you're traveling under 3 miles an hour.
And a few things I love about running-
1. That nearly every runner is 100% friendly and supportive of every other runner. You pass them, they wave and give you a thumbs up. They pass you, they throw out words of encouragement. You're racing, half the people who finished before you are on the sidelines supporting those still running. Seriously, it's awesome.
2. Getting home after a 2 or 3 hour running and realizing that I could pretty much eat anything I want for the rest of the day and it wouldn't make a difference.
3. Running at the park while the soccer league practices... yeah, it's shallow, but they've got nice legs and they rarely wear shirts. It's a reason to run the 2mile loop a few extra times.
Until next time,
Liz
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