Monday, April 29, 2013

I have a marathon!

Hidy Ho Peeps! (I hope Mr. Hanky isn't the only one who says this. Hey, I don't get out much. lol)

So, I have it! My next marathon!!! Are you ready?!! Sub 2:55 is going down in:

CHICAGO!!!!!!
CHICAGO!!!!!!
CHICAGO!!!!!!

Ya baby!! I was accepted into the American Development Program. This is so sweet! I am so stoked. The hardest thing for me in Boston was the pack running out of corral 5. So the American Development corral is PERFECT! It's seeded behind the elites but in front of the 40,000 others. YES please!

So basically I have a month to play around. I did 65 miles last week. It felt like 2. I went the gym 6 days post run. I'm going to hopefully pack on some muscle to help push me through summer training.

Having extra energy is freaking me out. I kinda like the mental fog marathon training provides. Otherwise shit like this happens:

lol on the strategic placement of the boston shirt.


But not enough energy for this:
these are my shorts

Another good thing about Chicago is that I have tons of friends doing it and several in my corral. So training should be fun. Team sub 2:55! I can't wait. I'll just jog not so patiently until June and then start training.

Hopefully I can buck up and do a 5k or 2 so I can stop "embarrassing" my coach with my 5k pr listed above. haha.

I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for reading!

Laura






Saturday, April 20, 2013

After Boston...

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I wanted to do a post-Boston post to let you know how I felt. I think it is just dawning on me that I did a SUB 3!!! 2:58:34!!

I am/was a little annoyed that the downhills killed my quads. I trained to charge the uphills as those are usually my nemesis, but I didn't think running downhill was a big deal (ha). Oh well, still a good race. I'm not complaining, yet I don't think I'll ever be 100% happy with any performance. Hence the life of a runner.

I haven't run at all yet. I wanted to do a good reset while I figure out what is next. That is still pending. I have a knack for falling in love with sold out races and then begging for a bib. Arg! I think I will do an easy 30 min run today. I've been at the gym everyday this week walking on the treadmill for an hour to 1h45m. I think it has helped a lot.

Oh, also, my Garmin shit the bed. My data won't upload. I have no splits!! It worked during the race but it's toast now. Someone emailed me this split sheet though. It's hard to see but depicts the usual. A slow death at the end:

Because we all love race pics here are some. I had to fold and buy them. I figure it is Boston and my first sub 3! Holla!!!




due to popular complaint I waited to hit stop but they still got a pic of it!


Never a glamorous pose but something happens on those finish mats that makes me do that!


I tell you Boyleston st. is the longest street ever. I have no idea how this picture isn't worse. I was done!

Alright peeps, I'm out. Hopefully I'll have my next race nailed down soon! Keep you posted!!

Laura


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

My Boston Marathon Race Report

Hi Guys!!

Thank  you all so much for you care and concern. Everyone who put comments on past random blog posts just to ask if I was ok, thank you! That meant a lot. I thought about every single one of you!

I couldn't wait to write this report as I tapered last week. I was so excited. I was healthy and trained for a sub 3 marathon IN BOSTON! However, I had an hour of utter elation post race before the senseless, horrific bombing ripped my heart and soul and forced me to bury my race. I felt guilty even looking at my garmin. But now, as the days pass I see how strong we are as runners, as a nation. It inspires me. I agree with the masses in that I won't let these assholes steal my spirit. My heart will always remain heavy for the victims and proud of the heros. 

So here is goes!

I arrived Saturday night. Sunday I did a shake out run in the morning with my coach and training partner. Then I went to the expo via the T. Green/Orange Orange/Green...let's just call it the screeching headache. That took about 5 hours. I was exhausted. A tad freaked because this was not the day of relaxation that it was supposed to be. My friends and I all split up and I went to the hotel to rest. Rest means facebook, email and text everything Boston. I had many friends running and I think we all were stoked!

I went to dinner on Boyleston with my BFF's and had a huge steak and baked potato. As I got up from the table I knew my race pictures would suffer. lol. I went back to the hotel and slept great.

I woke up around 4am. I felt great, calm, excited. More in a tourist sort of way. Like I was going to view this national treasure. I just had to run 26.2 miles to see it. My race thoughts are not your average. I'm not going to tell you the crowd carried me to the finish line with a smile. I hope I don't offend anyone.

The Bus Ride and Athlete's Village
I arrived at about 6:10am for the bus. I waited in line about 30 mins and left for Hopkinton. Super smooth and easy. Athlete's Village was also smooth. Nothing major. I met a few more friends here and we hung out until 9am. Then walked to the corrals. It was massive, yet home town. The corrals seemed very small. There were maybe 3 or 4 girls I could see around me. We did the mandatory look over assessment and the awkward hello. 

Miles 1-5
The gun went off. Nothing happened. Slooooowly, we started shuffling forward. We walked across the start line and then started to slightly jog. By now I was vomiting in my mouth because my split was just wrecked with this shuffling crap! Calm down...Mile one was 7:06. I was torn between running on the edge in the grass and just going with the flow. I picked it up to 6:30 for mile 2. This was probably because I had a boost of adrenaline from THE FIGHT! Sorry, I need dramatic font for this. 

So I'm running down a freaking hill in a massive pack of runners also going 6:30 pace. It was scary enough but then a man and a 5 year old child decided to cross through the runners to get to the other side of the street. For real?! Yes! So the guy is dragging his kid and knocking runners over. I was on the other side so I saw it coming. I locked my arms out and pushed the man back and yelled WTF! He goes, "fuck you lady!" I yelled fuck you back. The runners talked about it for a while and then shrugged it off. I figure we are in MASS. Clearly, they walk as bad as they drive. BOOM! (Don't hate mail me for that!)

Miles 6-10
Total control. I had a Boston pace band and was following the splits to a 1:27 half. I focused on keeping loose and waiting for the real game to begin. Still, I was running in a tight pack. My splits were almost at the mercy of the pack. Occasionally, I'd cut around people but it was almost too risky. 

Miles 11-16
I felt fine through the half. I was actually very calm and felt under-jacked. I sucked down my second cherry chocolate for some pep. Wellesley was everything it was hyped up to be. Exciting but a little distracting. I just wanted to get to the Newton Hills in one piece!

Miles 17-21
Finally, an uphill!! I was so sick of running downhill. I felt like I was finally starting the race. Now I needed to focus and do my job. The first few hills I charged up and passed most everyone on the hill. But then I'd crest and slow down. This was fun for a while but it wore on me. I still don't know which hill was heart break hill. Nothing really stood out. I remember one significant downhill that hurt. I think Boston College was within these miles. Or some college that was screaming so loudly on the right side of the course. At that point I was like STFU already. I get it, you scream and we're supposed to be happy. It didn't work for me. I was irritated and clung to the left side of the road and the woods. Sorry kiddos.

Side Bar: Water Stops
Or more appropriately, TIME SUCKS. Seriously, wether you get water or not the PACK slows and people jostle. This happens every 6.5 minutes. You trip on cups, get cups thrown at you, rip a volunteers arm off. Every mile. That's why this race felt like 800m repeats with 800 recoveries. Rarely could I pass in the center and keep pace. I ran with a handheld bottle and if I felt it was too dangerous to reach for a cup I'd drink from my bottle. After a while I got water at every stop. I poured water on my head for about 10 miles due to the hot sun. I think I learned a lot and next year I'll be more efficient and less disgruntled. 


Miles 22 to 26.2
Okay, I was sick of running. The "fun" hills in Newton had left their mark. I swore I wouldn't do this calculation but I did. You know this one: How slow can I go to the finish and still get my time? Fail! But my calculations told me I could slow significantly and still be okay. But I wasn't about to look like shit at mile 25. So I put on my happy face to cover my "I f'ing hate running" face and marched on.

I saw the Citgo sign. I was happy again. I tried to run faster but I was probably running 7 pace. I turned the corner to the finish. If you've ever walked on the beach towards a pier and noticed that it never gets closer, that is how the finish line was. I don't think I did any turbo moves or anything. I finished though!! 2:58:34!!!

As soon as I crossed the finish line I saw my sister and bff's in prime seating. We hugged and I continued to get my medal and water. 

We met at the family meeting area for a little visit and pictures and then I had to leave for a night flight home. Apparently as soon as I stepped on the subway the first bomb went off. I had no connectivity on the subway. I got off and walked to my hotel. 

My phone lite up with messages asking if I was ok. I thought people meant my quads. I was like ya, I'm good. Someone said, "turn on the tv and do a FB status to let people know you're ok." It was sickening to see the devastation and to know I was just there. Those people cheered me in.....it was too much.

All of that aside, it was a great race. I will be back next year to use my new mad skills at the water stops and maybe work on quad strength a little more.

I'm already on marathonguide.com. But I'm sure you knew that! Next stop sub 2:55!

It goes without saying that all of this training and certainly the race wouldn't have been possible without my awesome training partner, coach and family and the Chips!!
 You guys rock!!

Thanks for reading! I'll do a post Boston post soon. Woah is all I can say! Here are some pics!



Laura




Monday, April 15, 2013

I am ok

I am ok guys. I was a few blocks from the explosions. I had just spent time hugging my girlfriends at the bomb locations. I am beside myself. It is horrific. I am at the airport trying to get a flight home. 

Thanks for your concern. My heart is heavy for everyone. XO

Laura

Sunday, April 14, 2013

BOSTON EVE!!

I'm out peeps! Headed to eat some dinner with my best friends! Thanks again so much for all your support! Track me! www.baa.org Bib 4079
Rock on guys!!! XO Laura


Friday, April 12, 2013

Hair, Nails and Outfit: Boston Style!

Hey Guys!

It is quite possible that I may not sleep until Tuesday! I am so freaking excited to be toeing the line HEALTHY! My friends have been so supportive. I know that sounds cliche but it's true. The love keeps pouring in! My best friends will be there to cheer me on. My sister Bridget just said she'd make the haul down from NH and wouldn't miss it for the world. This means so much to me. My PT, GNC lady, even my dentist are pumped! I've poured my heart and soul (and sole lol) into my training and really feel good and ready to race. Not to mention all my friends running the marathon as well. It's overwhelming!

Boston is my second marathon so I'm still pumped with newbie excitement. That being said, let's get to the nitty gritty:

1. Boston Toe Art
2. Race Hair
3. The Outfit reveal

It's customary to do pre race toe art. Boston colors!

I am torn on race hair. I love a pony tail but if it gets sweaty it could get nappy. So I may add a short braid.




I'm going PLUM this race. Same outfit I always wear. I think it looks better with my white skin.

I still have to pack. I can't forget this SUPER THOUGHTFUL gift:
a custom race nutrition bag with all my favorites!


I'll check in on race eve. I hope everyone is rested and well if you're racing! If you're not and want to track me you can go to BAA.ORG or text "runner" to 345678. My bib is #4079 I'll take all the mojo I can get! Thanks again guys!
Laura



Monday, April 8, 2013

1 week out from Boston!!


Hey Guys!

We're almost there! I'm starting to leave my fatigue behind from that last chunk of high mileage and look forward to racing!

I put in a lot more mileage for this marathon. In 2013 garmin connect has me at 1132 miles to date. Geesh! That's just crazy. I found a shirt from 2009 that said "1000 mile club" I remember working so hard for that shirt into late December. How things have changed! So, needless to say 26.2 doesn't really freak me out. I sorta look at it as the celebration of my training. So I put in half a year's work and I only get 3 hours to celebrate. Kind of a rip off. But I'd prefer to party for around 2:5X anyways please!

This week is low mileage of course. I've been stretching a lot and have a massage tomorrow.

Nothing else is really going on. I'm trying to stay away from the gym. I'm eating lots of protein and trying to not snack like I'm running 12 hours a week. 6 milers with a dexatrim chaser. haha. But for real. I've worked too hard to gain any BS weight that will slow me down.

I found this on my phone from a few weeks ago. It makes me want to go workout! But I know I should chill...so I'll just blog about how I wanna work out!


I'll check-in a few days. Hopefully I'll nail down the outfit and reveal my race pedicure. ahhhhhh, yes...no race is complete without thoughtful toe art! To which my running partner is sick of hearing about. lol.

Oh and before I forget! Don't forget to track me! I'll put up my intended splits next post so you can see how bad I'm sucking or watch the magic happen!:

Continued happy taper everyone! Thanks for the support!

Laura





Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Exhaustion, Goals and Boston race considerations

greasy face, exhaustion, and a dog begging to be walked. #sub3 almost done!

Hello Chaloopies!

Coming to you live from couch central. It's either the couch or the trail nowadays. Nothing else. It sucks being fatigued but at the same time it's a consequence of my bitchin' training. I'm down to about 85 miles and 5 gym days which is almost a vacation, but because it's at the end of a high build up, I am sleepy.

There really isn't anything new to report. Running, eating and sleeping is pretty much it. I'm excited to do Boston which has forced me to look into what I'll do post Boston...

After Eugene I had insane speed for about 10 days post marathon. I want to capitalize on that this time. So I put out my fishing line to search for a race the following weekend. I'd like a 10k to a half. I contacted a few race directors in Florida, D.C. and Jersey. I wanted to do the Nike's Women's half in D.C. but they said they were sold out and had no elite bibs. Not that I'm elite but by some generous race standards I make the cut. We'll see about the others : )

So, with that on the back burner I have time to consider more serious things race related.

*Will I wear compression socks at Boston?

*How will I behave in the corral post gun? I've never been 5000 people back, ugh. I'm gonna wanna punch people. I get crazy about my splits.

*Should I tan? Do I want that tan glowing skin as I pirouette across the finish line? hmmmm

*Should I follow the pace bracelet designed for Boston or attempt even pacing? Ugh.

So many things superficial or not to consider. But seriously I have enjoyed the training so much it almost doesn't matter what I run. Of course I want it to represent the time I've put into training but I'm oddly not stressed.

I hope your training is going well too! Party on friends. XO

Laura